Southpoit Sun January 5, 2011

Soup Guru raises $4,700 for families in need

By Sheila McBrayne

In nine weeks Bill Dunn, Leamington’s own Soup Guru, raised an amazing $4,700 for the Salvation Army and brought a community together to show that compassion is alive and well in this town.

“Thank God for everybody showing up. I had a hairbrained idea and people followed. People came with donations, soups, cookies, and just so much support for this,” said Bill Dunn on the last day of his now famous Soup Kitchen held in the basement of the Masonic Lodge every Wednesday in November and December.

The first week saw 60 to 70 people show up to the free (by voluntary donation only) Soup Kitchen that Dunn started on his own. That first week he and a handful of volunteers served about 60 people. Dunn had brought three vats of soup and a friend had added a fourth. It didn’t take long before he was serving up 10 large soup pots a week. The first week approximately $300 was collected in the donation box. “It just kept steadily increasing and after it was in your paper, the numbers really jumped,” said Dunn. The highest attendance was 232 people and the most money collected was $831. “This community really came out and showed their support,” he said. They also came forward with donations to take some of the financial burden off Dunn who works at Great Canadian Super Store in Leamington. His company came forward to sponsor soups as well as donate the bowls and plastic utensils.

Dunn had originally planned to run his Soup Kitchen until December 22, but de-

cided to extend it into the holiday season and end it on December 29. On the final day Dunn was joined by his grandmother from Florida, a brother from British Columbia and other family members who were in town and wanted to help. “I do like doing it. I enjoy creating, making and sharing my soups,” said Dunn. “I had no idea that the community would

be so supportive. This is such a great and caring community… There have been so many special stories and examples of humanity over the weeks, it revives your faith,” said Dunn. On his final day he served 179 people with some of his most requested soups – cream of potato and bacon, split pea and ham, Tom’s hearty chicken noodle, Rosie’s cabbage soup and Sue’s turkey

noodle. Jamila Mikhail added a full turkey to the menu for the final soup day. “This is a very special community,” said Dunn.

The Soup Guru may be taking his love for making soup into local schools. Dunn said he’s talked with Mill Street Public School, which serves canned soup every Wednesday for their soup program. “I can make them fresh soup and the peo-

ple at Break Time Corner said I could use their facilities to make the soup,” he said.

When asked if he intends to bring the Soup Kitchen back to Leamington for next Christmas he said it depended on a lot of factors – whether he could get the Masonic Hall again, if he had the volunteer support, etc.

(Continued on Page 2)

Bill Dunn, Leamington’s Soup Guru on the final day of his Soup Kitchen (December 29).

(SUN Photo)

Women’s Hockey

Sr. Men’s Hockey

BIA Window Decorating winners

BIA would like to congratulate the winners of the 2010 Window Decorating Contest.

Retail: Wharram’s Jewelry

Non-Retail: Thomson’s Drug Store

The random draw winner was Jenny Mullen of Leamington. Thanks to all who participated.

And the winner is...

The winner of the SONY HD TV in the Southpoint Sun and Gabriele Flooring & Home After Christmas Draw was Carol Bauhaus. Pictured from left are Sunny, Carol Bauhaus, and Shelley and Kevin Gabriele. One hundred participants registered on-line at www.southpointsun.ca and the draw was held on Wednesday, December 29 at Gabriele’s. Many other smaller prizes were drawn randomly. Thanks to Gabriele’s, Modrigal, Joey’s Only Seafood Restaurant, Rejuvenation Spa and Sale & Pepe Restaurant.

Hit & Run In KingsvilleLakeshore man arrested

On December 21 at 9:17 p.m., Kingsville OPP received a report of a fail to remain collision involving a pedestrian where a 41-year-old Kingsville woman was struck by a vehicle which fled the scene.

Listen Saturdays at 6 pm and Sundays at 1 pm to the Mix 96.7 Hit List. Email hitlist@mix967.ca to vote for the song you think should be #1!

OPP officers attended the location, a parking lot at 8 Division Street North. The victim had clearly visible tire tracks on her jogging pants and was complaining of a crushed ankle. Witnesses stated that a small silver 4-door car occupied by 2 males and 1 female had been causing an issue in the parking lot prior to reversing over the victim’s leg. Witnesses stated that the occupants of the vehicle were yelling and screaming in the parking lot. One of the males was described as lying in the snow without a shirt on. A witness told the male to leave the parking lot and an argument started. The male driver became engaged in the verbal dispute. The victim was attempting to resolve the argument when the vehicle reversed quickly, running over her left leg in the process. The vehicle left heading south on Division Road and turned west on Main Street. The only description of the 3 people in the car was a male driver, female front passenger and shirtless, intoxicated male in the rear seat. The victim was transported to Leamington hospital. She suffered a broken leg.

As a result of the investigation, Kingsville OPP and Essex OPP Criminal Investigation have arrested and charged Joshua McGuire, a 19-year-old Lakeshore man. The suspect vehicle, a beige 200 Pontiac SFS, was seized and processed for evidence. McGuire has been charged with failing to remain at the scene of a collision and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. His first court appearance is February 2 in Windsor.

Leamington Fire Services responded to a structure fire at 11:37 a.m. on December 28. Sixteen firefighters spent over 2 hours knocking down a chimney fire at a home in the 1000 block of Mersea Road 11. The cause of the blaze has been listed as accidental. Fire, smoke and water damage is estimated at $20,000.

Soup Guru ends 2010 with $4,700 donation

(Continued from Front)

Although the Soup Kitchen was open to everyone – those who could afford a donation and those who could not afford to pay – Dunn said that there was a large number of those who were truly in need of the free lunch and area churches are looking into the possibility of a yearround soup kitchen for those in need.

“We’ll see if there’s a need for it then,” he said with a wide smile.

VOLUNTEERS AND SOUP MAKERS

Emily Dunn

Bev Grant

William Dunn

Steve & Lisa Plourde -

Soup

Tyler Perrow

Amy Bannister

Margaret Paiement

Kimberly Schmidt

Kayla Salive

Lexy Hailstone

Kyle Reive - Soup

Nelson Pereira

Arg Mastronardi - Soup

Maria Pereira - Soup

Dominic Mastronardi -

Soup

Pat Dunn - Soup

Shelley Ingratta - Soup

Gary Dunn

Bud Jackson

Leanne Penner

Mark Kristy

John Penner

Barry Cole

Carolyn Omstead - Soup

Ben Harrigan

Susie Batalha

Sue Bryon - Soup

Kristy Leathem

Nadia DiDimenico - Soup

Shannon Faubert

Tammy June - Soup

Jerry Hanson

Mike Fritsch

Murray Mellow

Connie Simpson

Todd & Rosie Salive -

Soup

Teresa Avelar

Foula Tannous

Sylvia Marten

Tanila Mikhail - Food

Irene Impens - Soup

SPONSORS

Masonic Lodge

Real Canadian Superstore

Windsor Factory

Economy

Rental

Special Thanks to Albertos Bakery

(SUN Photo)

Leamington couple honoured as founders of Kids of Steel triathlon in Canada

By Sheila McBrayne

Triathlon Canada celebrated its 25th anniversary recently in Quebec City and Richard and Pauline Kniaziew of Leamington were among the invited guests as they were honoured for being founders of the Kids of Steel triathlon program in Canada.

In 1986 the first kids triathlon was organized by Pauline and Richard who wanted to share their love of triathlon with their children and the neighbourhood kids. “Our pool wasn’t in yet, so we used a neighbour’s pool. It was Labour Day weekend and our four kids and their friends in the neighbourhood swam laps, biked and did a short run,” recalled Pauline.

The Kniaziew children were 4 to 11 years old at the time and today they are 28 to 35 years old and still involved with aspects of triathlon. “We held it in our backyard for a few years and then moved it to the Rec Complex. I’m not sure when the name changed to Kids of Steel… We have t-shirts from the first few that we called, ‘K’ Kids Triathlon,” said Pauline. Richard used some old medals and trophies from past competitions he’d competed in. “It was fun. It was a way to compound our lifestyle of being active. We included our kids and neighbourhood friends and it just grew from there,” said Pauline.

Pauline and Richard have been triathletes themselves for many years having competed in Ironman and Olympic distance triathlons competitions around the world. In 1991 the Kniaziews travelled to Australia for their first World Olympic triathlon distance Championship. The couple celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary 2006 in Frankfurt, Germany doing the European Ironman Championship together.

Richard and Pauline are currently training for the World Olympic distance Triathlon Championship in Bejing, China this September. Richard will also compete in his 9th Ironman Triathlon competition in Regensburg, Germany in August of this year.

The oldest Kniaziew daughter – Blaire – competes in Ironman competitions, as well as their daughter-in-law, Kirstie Otto, and son-in-law, Matt Gervais. Kirstie won a silver medal in the Pan American Games and won the Coeur d’Alene Ironman in 2005. All of the Kniaziew children have continued to live active lifestyles, which include one or more aspects of triathlon, including running marathons. The youngest Kniaziew, Jordan did his first marathon in Chicago last year and the youngest daughter Noelle did a 100 mile bike race in Collingwood last autumn. The oldest son, Duffy runs and bikes as time permits with his greenhouse farming. In 2005, Pauline and Richard were in Hawaii to cheer on Blaire as she qualified and finished her first Iron Man Championship in Hawaii for herself. Dad’s support helped bolster Blaire’s eighth place finish in 10:27. “To me it was seeing her life in review and how all those baby steps and putting off instant gratification led to her crossing the finish in such a good time and feeling well… To see her reach her goal of qualifying and doing the Hawaiian Ironman like her dad had done twice was thrilling and satisfying,” said Pauline.

The Kids of Steel programme was instrumental in helping Simon Whitfield win the first gold medal in the Triathlon in the Sydney Olympics 2000. As a special note, he raced here in Leamington Triathlon in 1994 where he and Blaire were the overall male and female win-

ners when they were both 18 years old.

Pictured here are some of the first participants in the ‘K’ Kids triathlon held in 1986.

Richard and Pauline Kniaziew in Frankfurt, Germany for the IronMan and their 35th anniversary. (Photo Submitted)

P.O. Box 10., Wheatley ON N0P2P0 Ph: 519-825-4541 Fax 519-825-4546

New Year - new tax changes

Publisher JIM HEYENS

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) released its annual New Year tax change calculations Dec. 28, which provide projected personal income and payroll tax changes effective January 1, 2011.

Editor SHEILA MCBRAYNE

The CTF calculated the changes for a variety of income and family scenarios while adjusting 2011 income levels for inflation.

Office Manager JAN WATSON

Advertising Sales SHANNON MATHESON

“Nearly every working Canadian will be paying more in income and payroll taxes in 2011,” said Derek Fildebrandt, CTF national research director. “In every province, family and income scenario, our research finds that the governments’ take from inflation-adjusted incomes will increase, in some case substantially.”

The 16 income and family scenarios in each province used in the CTF study averaged a 2% increase in 2011 over 2010.

PAYROLL TAX HIKE

Advertising Sales MALLORY HEYENS

Graphic Designer NICK CERVINI

Increases in EI and CPP payroll tax thresholds mean that anyone earning more than $44,200 will pay an additional $76, while employers pay an additional $110 in 2011 payroll taxes. Increases in payroll taxes are primarily attributable to the government’s creation of new, non-insurance based programs funded through EI premiums, causing the program to run a deficit.

Holiday hacking cacophony

Four days before Christmas and I made a huge mistake that would change the fate of my holidays. On December 20th I said (out loud) that I had not had a cold or flu in several years. Jinx! I knew as soon as it came out of my mouth that I shouldn’t have made that claim to fame statement, but it was too late.

Editorial Assistant ALLISON SIDDALL

Production Assistant LORI GOUIN

“Rather than reform EI into an actual insurance program, workers are being stuck with the bill for new social programs,” stated Fildebrandt. “More than any other kind of tax, payroll taxes disproportionately hurt the working poor, meaning that they will see the steepest proportional increases on January 1st.”

By December 22nd I had a peculiar tickle in my throat and that night it started. I was coughing like a pack-a-day smoker and I couldn’t make it stop. I tried cough syrups, but they only offered about one hour of relief. I even tried an old trick that I accidently discovered in college once when all we had was Pepto Bismol. Even the thick pink coating down the throat wasn’t touching this cough.

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The Southpoint Sun welcomes letters on any subject of concern to the people of Leamington and area. Put your name, address and phone number on your letter so it can be verified. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. We will not publish anonymous letters. Drop off letters at the office or email them to sun@mnsi.net.

The

While virtually every worker in Canada will pay more due to federal payroll tax increases, taxpayers in provinces with inflation rates above the national average will see a disproportionate increase in their effective tax bill, due to indexation gaps.

“Without a doubt, Ontarians are the biggest losers when it comes to tax changes on January 1st with an average 4.3% increase in the scenarios we examined.”

After adjusting for inflation, a single earner Ontario family with an income of $45,000 in 2010 will see a hike of a 5.1%, costing that family an additional $389. A dual income family making

$80,000 will pay an extra $590 (3.5%) and a single income family making

$100,000 will pay $1,035 (3.6%) more.

The cough itself was not discomforting; it was the lack of sleep I was able to achieve because of the cough that became the problem. So, I thought I’d try to “knock” myself out so that I would be able to sleep. I tried Neo Citron, with cold tablets and two Tylenol PMs – I should have been out cold, but the cough persisted and managed to wake me up. I found out another interesting fact – did you know that there is nighttime and daytime Neo Citron? Isn’t that the purpose of Neo Citron - to put you to sleep?

The next day I went to the pharmacy and decided to get serious about this cough. I bought the dreaded Buckley’s cough syrup. No fancy cherry or grape flavour, just straight-up awful tasting Buckley’s. As the commercial says, “it tastes awful and it works.” Well, this was no ordinary cough and even Buckley’s was no match. The worst part of all this is that I had no other cold symptoms – no running nose, no congestion, nothing. You wouldn’t know I had a cold if I didn’t ever have to sleep. What’s worse is that I was disturbing an entire house full of family who were home for the holidays. I found myself coughing into the pillow to muffle the hollow hacking of the cough and trying very hard to suppress it.

This cold (just a cough really) only seemed to surface at night. So, I tried sitting upright to sleep. You can imagine how comfortable that is, but after several nights of interrupted sleep, it was worth a try. The cough persisted and now I had a stiff back and neck. The cough was driving me crazy, but then just like the cough came with the holidays, it also left as the tinsel, trees and lights came down with the ringing in of the New Year.

S Soouutthhppooiinnt t S Saayyss. . ....

What is your New Year’s resolution or what do you want to achieve in 2011?

Location: Sun Parlour Locksmith dressing room, Monday night Women’s Hockey League

“Spend more time with family and be more active this year and to eat more nutritiously.”

“To run a 10 km by October and eat healthier.”

“To be more positive and score a hat trick. Actually, I WILL score a hat trick!”

The coming out of the closet event

“Make more time for family.”

It’s better if you

believe

If all goes according to my plan for 2011, the local Sally Ann is going to have a “we’re overloaded, we’d rather sell it than count it, warehouse extravaganza”. Rack and racks of gently used, rarely worn jeans, cords, dress slacks and more! Buttondown dress shirts by the rack full. Suits and suit coats, coats, jackets and vests by the truckload! More golf shirts than Golf Town and enough t-shirts to clothe an entire soccer team. Well, that’s providing the footy squad were all 50 pounds overweight and wear XXL shirts. Other than shoes and neckties... Everything Must Go! Why? ‘Cause everything around Johnny’s waist has went!

2011 will be the year of “Skinny Johnny”. Thin will be in. I’m going to sweat till I svelte. I’m trading in my fork for a sweet pair of sneakers. Like Forest Gump, I’m going to run and run and run some more.

I’ll keep my membership at the gym, lift a few weights, shoot some hoops and stuff, but mainly I’m going to be hitting the pavement, gliding and striding, and all to the beat of my ipod. I just loaded it up with some power tunes to keep my head into the game and to keep my mind off aching knees and sore feet – a little Guns n’ Roses, some AC/ DC, some CCR, Rick James and a few from The Who, all designed with me in mind. A soundtrack for getting into the best shape of my life.

There are many benefits to running. Just look at the people who run in the Boston Marathon. Ever seen a fat marathoner? How many 44-inch waists do you see on the Kenya track team? That’s exactly my point.

Running is good for your mind too. It’s hard to be depressed when you’re running. With each stride, the brain releases wonderful (and perfectly legal) mood-altering chemicals called endorphins. Not only can they kill the blues disease, they can make feel like you’re sucking on happy gas. To boot, they can release other chemicals that help reduce the feelings of pain in the body.

Before Snowmageddon hit our town, I was getting up an hour earlier in the mornings for a run around the neighbourhood. In two weeks’ time I lost 6 pounds and I didn’t change my diet drastically.

My head-turning body transformation from fat to thin will happen. I will shed 50 pounds, lose about 8 inches off my gut, get off my diabetes medications and take my shirt off at the beach this summer.

There will be other goals too, for 2011: financial goals (keep up with my kid’s education costs), golf goals – break 80, education goals – teach two night courses, and then (Continued on Page 6)

I awoke New Year’s Eve morning to the glow of a tree still adorned with ornaments and sat down to eat a hard-boiled egg. Emotions overtook me as I thought to myself, “Where does time go?” Both of our daughters had already departed to ring in the New Year with their friends and our home was left much quieter and feeling empty

The ring of the phone quickly snapped me out of my reverie. A call from our daughter who had just arrived in Calgary enlightened me to the fact that her phone had been lost en route. Together, we devised a plan that would be executed in the next hour and meanwhile I put a hold on her phone, contacted her friend who would be meeting her at the airport and tackled the task of taking down the Christmas decorations.

While disembellishing the banister, the windows and then the tree, my thoughts were of our Christmases both past and present and the changes they have endured. As the kids have aged, the magic of Santa’s footsteps across the living room or snacks left on the hearth have become a faded memory, but the spirit of giving certainly has not!

This season, more than those from the past when the children were smaller, I have needed to look for Santa elsewhere. Without searching too hard, I have witnessed ‘him’ in the hearts of people I meet everyday.

My need to do this comes from the story I used to tell our kids when they would arrive home from school saddened by the rumour that perhaps St. Nick didn’t exist. Of course as a believer myself, I was aghast at this thought and proceeded to explain that Santa was ‘the spirit of giving’ that lived in all of us, if we believed.

He is the person that makes soup for others and the volunteers that help to serve it. She is the person that paid it forward in the Timmies lineup, and our children who look for something special to put under the tree for their parents.

And so, Christmas is over. Many of us feel the ‘let down’ from all the preparation and festivities, but the hustle and bustle will return. My resolution will be to enjoy the peace and all the wonderful memories the season of giving holds. We are going to celebrate this new beginning with friends. Those people we can ‘just be’ with to share simple moments, like the tears shed over ‘a cracked egg’.

Irene Impens

Michelle Cowan

Trish Epplett

Cris Kaiser

Weese’s Weese’s Pieces Pieces

Weese’s Pieces goal setting

(Continued from Page 5) there’s the work and career goals, and there’s plenty of those.

Here is the goal process I’m going to use for all goals. I’ll use weight loss to demonstrate.

1. Get plenty of sleep and rest: go to sleep at 11 p.m.

2. Identify the goal: lose 50 pounds - size 34 pants.

3. List the benefits for the goal: health, improved self-image.

4. List the obstacles I need to overcome: Night eating, poor eating, carbs.

5. Identify the skills, information, I will need: fitness, running and nutrition information.

6. Identify the resources: people, books, tapes, etc., doctor, family, friends.

7. Create and commit to Action Plan: create an everyday fitness discipline, pack a lunch, weigh myself every couple of days, go to bed at 11 p.m.

Happy New Year folks... good luck with your resolutions for 2011.

Listen to Country 92.7 CJSP for more events happening in Leamington and Essex County during the Community Calendar 6 times daily or visit www.country927.com for a complete listing

SUNDAYS - Sun Parlour Curling Club Euchre games 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month at 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS - Are you looking for food and fellowship? Join us, no charge, at St. John’s Anglican Church, 60 Erie St. N., Leamington, from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. Call 519-326-3111 for more information.

THURSDAYS: Euchre 7:00 p.m. at the Leamington United Church. All proceeds go to raise money for free suppers for those who are alone or those who will go without.

MONDAY, JANUARY 10 - Leamington After 5 invites you to dinner at Colasanti's Tropical Gardens at 6:30 p.m. Guest speaker is Laura Pogson - "The Inkeeper's Surprise". Special feature - Pelee Days Inn. Special musicSylvia Beveridge. Cost is $14. Reservations are necessary. Call Sharon at 326-0421.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15 - The Purple Martin Association of Essex County will meet at Colasanti’s, 3rd concession, Ruthven. In the Willow Room at 9:00 a.m. Please call 519-776-5777 for further details.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16 - 10th ChathamKent Toy Show & Sale, 10:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m. at the Kinsmen Auditorium, 80 Tweedsmuir Ave. W. Chatham. Come and see farm toys, trucks, construction, cars, trains, ships, planes, books, dolls, collectibles and

much more! All proceeds to C-K Toy Club and C-K Outreach for Hunger. Adults $3, students $2, children 6 and under free. Non-perishable food donations welcome.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18 - Wills and Estate Planning - Free information session. Reid Funeral Home will present information on the importance of having an up-to-date will as well as considerations for estate planning. Question and answer period to follow. 11:00

a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Sun Parlor Home Auditorium, 175 Talbot St. E. Leamington. For more info or to RSVP contact at Nancy at 519326-0499.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 18 & THURSDAY, JANUARY 20 - Are you thinking about registering your child with special needs for Kindergarten? Free information sessions to learn more about school entry are being held on Tuesday, January 18 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in Windsor at Family Respite Services (3295 Quality Way) and on Thursday, January 20 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in Kingsville at Youth and Family Resource Network of Essex County (23 Mill St. W). The sessions include presentations by parents and professionals. For more information or to pre-register for one of the sessions contact Windsor Essex Family Network by phone 519-974-1008 or email info@windsoressexfamnet.ca

Leamington pair arrested for theft

On Friday, December 31 at 3:24 p.m., Essex County OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT) officers were conducting foot patrol in Kingsville when they observed two known persons in the area of a laundromat near the 20 block of Main Street.

The ERT officers spoke with the pair. Investigation revealed that several bags of items had been placed inside a washing machine within the laundromat. The bags were full of brand new items with price tags attached. They could not provide any receipts for the merchandise. The ERT officers attended two stores in Kingsville where staff identified most of the stolen items.

The accused parties, a 37-year-old Leamington woman and a 38-year-old Leamington man, have been held for a show cause hearing. The man has been charged with fail to comply with undertaking or recognizance, and two counts of theft under $5000. The woman has been charged with fail to comply with undertaking or recognizance and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000.

Pictured are the Officers of Wheatley’s Xenophon #448 Masonic Lodge for the year 2011. Front row, left to right: I.P.M. Mark Beaupre, Tyler Bill Kent, D.D.G.M. Les Spence, W.M. John McKinlay, Hist. Dave Derbyshire, 50-year jewel recipient W.B. Duane Quick. Middle row: D. of C. Murray Reid, S.D. Thomas Easton, Chap. Howard Walker, S.W. Wayne Drummond, I.G. Bruce Jackson, J.D. Orval Houser. Back row: J.W. Robert Grieves, Treas. Allan Ascott, S.S. Peter Quiring, J.S. Doug Scaddan, Sec. Fraser Marshall.

W.B. Duane Quick (centre) received his 50-year Mason pin at the Installation meeting of Xenophon Lodge #448 of Wheatley in December. The pin was presented by District Deputy Grand Master Les Spence (left) and the new Worshipful Master of Xenophon Lodge John McKinlay. (Photos Submitted)

Bantam AEs bring home gold

The Bantam AEs, sponsored by UFCW Local 459, took home the gold medal from the 44th annual Hespeler Olympics Tournament in Cambridge. The Capitals won all four of their games, resulting in a sweep of the tournament. The Christmas meeting provided lots of excitement for both the players and the parents with match ups against the Milton Winterhawks, the Innisfil Winterhawks, and the host Hespeler Shamrocks.

Captain Travis Fehr and Dalton Enns led the tournament in scoring, while both Teo Mastronardi and Nick Tiessen played great between the pipes each recording another shutout on the season.

The Caps first played the Innisfil Winterhawks, winning the contest 5-0. Nick Tiessen put up the wall in net, adding another shutout on the season, while Shaelyn Bell took home the MVP honors. Dalton Enns was on an offensive rampage, scoring four goals for the Caps while Derek Johnston added a single to help the team win their first game of the tournament. Assisting on the goals were Noah Nassif, Derek Johnston, Shaelyn Bell, Travis Fehr, Matt Vanbeekveld and Shane Antunes.

The Caps faced off against the Milton Winterhawks in their second bout of the tournament, winning the contest 5-2 despite a late surge by the Winterhawks. Keagan Wiebe took home the games MVP honors while scoring a goal and adding an assist. Matt VanBeekveld scored twice while Daniel White and Shaelyn Bell each added goals. Assisting on the goals were Terrell John, Shane Antunes and Matt VanBeekveld.

In their third contest of the tournament the Caps faced off against the host team. It was a close battle, but the Caps came out on top winning 3-4. Justin Church received the MVP award with two goals in the game. Daniel White and Dalton Enns also scored for the Caps, who improved to 3-0 in the tournament. Assisting on the goals were Terrell John, Keagan Wiebe and Derek Johnston.

The Capitals clinched a spot in the finals and were set to face the Hespler Shamrocks in the gold medal game. The Caps came out strong and never looked back, winning the championship game 7-0. Captain Travis Fehr took home the tournament MVP award with a dominating performance in the championship game. Fehr scored a natural hat trick to help secure gold for the Caps, while Teo Mastornardi shut the door and added another shut out on the season. Dalton Enns added another two goals, while Shane Antunes and Daniel White chipped in with singles. Assisting on the goals were Dalton Enns, Derek Johnston, Terrell John, Justin Church, and Shane Antunes.

Congratulations to the team and coaching staff on a job well done.

Fireplace triggers blaze

Leamington Fire Services responded to a call Dec. 23 at a home on Fischer Court when the fireplace started an inside wall on fire. Fifteen firefighters were on the scene for a little over an hour. The fire was determined as accidental, with fire and smoke damage estimated at $3500.

Midget AEs advance to bronze medal game

The Bob Dick Plant Farm Midget AEs competed in the 44th annual Hespeler Olympics Christmas tournament and lost to Mooretown in the bronze medal game by a score of 2-1. The Capitals, playing with only 10 skaters the entire tournament, gave it their all but in the end came up short of winning the bronze medal.

Mooretown jumped out to an early first period 2-0 lead. The Caps scored late in the second when Andrew Penner broke in all alone and deked the goalie. Taylor Omstead and Hayden Loveless picked up the assists. There was no quit in Southpoint as the team continued to press but could not find the back of the net for the equalizer and the game ended in a 2-1 loss. Tyler Jackson was named game MVP for the Capitals.

In round robin play the Caps opened the tournament with a 3-1 victory over the host team from Hespeler. Goal scorers for the Caps were Scott Robison with a pair and Taylor Omstead. Assists went to Deryck Badz, Jake Koning and Loveless. Scott Robinson was named MVP of the game for the Caps. Tyler Jackson earned the win in net.

In the second game of the day the Caps faced off against Mooretown and came out on the short end of a 3-2 loss. Southpoint held a 2-1 lead heading to the third period on goals by Tyler Lamb and Scott Robinson. Koning (2) and Badz (2) assisted on the goals. Deryck Badz was named game MVP for Southpoint. Matt Chamberlain was in net for Southpoint and had a very good game for the Caps.

On day two of the tournament the Caps opened with a 2-1 win over Owen Sound. Robinson and Penner were the goal scorers for the Caps with assists going to Brian Travis, Jonathan Augustine, Loveless and Omstead. Brian Travis was named MVP of the game with Tyler Jackson picking up the win in net for the Caps.

In the evening game, fatigue once again played a big factor in the outcome. The Caps played hard but were not able to sustain much of an attack and were downed by a 4-0 score to eventual gold medal winners from Stoney Creek. Game MVP honours went to Andrew Penner. Matt Chamberlain played very well in net for the Caps.

The team competed hard in every game and the coaching staff commented on the excellent effort and results. The team returns to Bluewater league play hosting LaSalle and prepares for the OMHA playdowns.

$800 Stolen In B&E

On December 21, Leamington OPP received information about a break and enter to a residence near the 30 block of Plumbrook Ave. The victims reported that sometime between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. that day, suspects kicked in their back door and stole $800 from an envelope. The victims were sleeping at the time of the offence. The suspects have been identified and Leamington OPP continues to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 or Leamington OPP Crime Unit at 519-326-2544.

Snowmobile Stolen

On December 22, Leamington OPP received a report of a stolen snowmobile. A blue 1983 Polaris Indy snowmobile was stolen from an address near the 330 County Road 14, Leamington.

OPP Investigating Serious Collision

Leamington OPP is investigating a two-vehicle collision that occurred at 2633 County Road 31, south of South Middle Road, Town of Lakeshore.

At 7:54 a.m. on December 23, a Leamington OPP officer came across the collision. A dump truck and a gold Chevrolet Metro were both travelling northbound on County Road 31. The Chevrolet was stopped attempting to turn westbound (left) into a driveway when the dump truck hit the back end of the Chevrolet.

The lone male driver of the Chevrolet, a 30-year-old Leamington man, was transported to Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the dump truck, a 58-year-old Kingsville man, was not injured.

The driver of the dump truck was charged with Careless Driving contrary to section 130 of the Highway Traffic Act and has a court date in Leamington on Jan. 20.

Stolen Money Recovered

On December 23 at approximately 9:50 a.m., an Essex County OPP officer was approached by a male party on Chestnut Street in Leamington, indicating that another male party had just stolen $500 from him and he was in pursuit of him. The officer proceeded after the party and located him in an apartment building in the 100 block of Marlborough. The $500 was recovered and returned to the victim.

Two male parties, a 21-year-old and a 24-year-old, were placed under arrest and charged. The 21-year-old faces charges of Public Mischief – intent to cause another person to be suspect; Fail to Comply with Undertaking or Recognizance; Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000; and Obstruct/Resist Peace Officer. The 24-year-old was charged with Theft Under and Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000.

Shoplifting Incident Under Investigation

On December 23 at approximately 3:00 p.m., Leamington OPP were notified of a shoplifting incident in progress at the Canadian Tire Store on Erie Street in Leamington. A witness reported that a female party had just loaded up her cart full of merchandise totalling over $600, left the store without paying, and proceeded to load the items in a vehicle. The witness attempted to stop the female party, but was unable to. The suspect drove off, almost hitting another vehicle, and left the parking lot. A licence plate was obtained and the suspect was apprehended by police. The investigation is ongoing.

Jewelry, Computer, Stolen In B&E

On December 29, Leamington OPP received a report of a break and enter to a residence located near the 30 block of Orange Street. The break-in occurred sometime overnight. Entry was gained through a rear glass door. Stolen were multiple pieces of jewelry and an Apple MacBook Pro Model A1150 laptop computer. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 or Leamington OPP Crime Unit 519-326-2544.

Fight Results in Arrest

On December 30 at 2:50 a.m., Leamington OPP attended a fight in progress at Erie Street South and Mill Street. OPP located several parties with injuries consistent with being in a physical altercation. Police spoke with a belligerent male, a 31-year-old Cambridge man, who was obviously intoxicated and swearing at police. The male party was arrested for being intoxicated in a public place. Once sober, the man was released.

R.I.D.E. Program Results Positive

On New Year’s Eve and early New Year’s Day, Leamington OPP conducted R.I.D.E. programs on Erie Street at Heinz and on Talbot Street West. The 274 vehicles checked on Erie Street showed 100% compliance. There were 224 vehicles checked on Talbot West which resulted in 8 Highway Traffic Act warnings issued.

Police also stopped a Pontiac on Whitwam Ave. The driver, a 29-year-old Leamington man, was charged with driving without a license. His vehicle was towed.

Atom majors make semi-finals in Silver Stick

The Reid Funeral Home Atom Majors had a very good showing at the Alvinston Silver Stick over the holidays.

In game one the Caps faced the Tavistock Titans and skated to a 6-2 win. The Titans struck first on their first shift of the game, but after that it was all Southpoint. Leading the way was Captain Jeron Kir with a 5-point game, 2 goals and 3 assists, which earned him game MVP. Four other teammates scored in this game with Tyler Zsebok getting the game winner. Spencer Wiebe, Gioia DiCiocco and Joseph Alfano rounded out the Caps attack. Collecting assists in the game were Gow, Travis, Alfano, Reid, Thomas and Wiebe. Tyler Dibbley was the winning goalie in this game.

Game two saw end-to-end action with the North London Nationals. After a scoreless first period the Nationals struck first in the second frame, but the Caps answered back a minute later on a two-on-one with Mason Gow’s pass to Spencer Wiebe, who made no mistake and tied the game at one apiece. Late in the second DiCiocco started out a beautiful threeway passing play to Gow, who fed an open Joseph Alfano, who roofed one for the 2-1 lead. Goalie Anthony DiMenna sealed the game for the Caps with an outstanding third, shutting down an attack by the London team. Mason Gow was the game’s MVP with his two great passes that set up the 2-1 win for his team.

In game three the Caps watched as Mooretown handed them their first loss by a 4-1 score. One positive thing came out of this game as the Caps won the third period. Scoring the lone goal in the third was Joseph Alfano, with assists going to Colton Major and DiCiocco. Anthony DiMenna played a solid game in net and Alfano got the game MVP for his lone goal.

The Caps finished first in their division and faced Petrolia, a local team, in the semi-finals. The Caps trailed 1-0 after the first but found their legs in the second, winning the period and lead 2-1 going in to the third. Alfano put his team on the board with the Caps’ first goal of the game. DiCiocco collected the lone assist. Spencer Wiebe put the Caps out in front with the second Caps goal of the period with Kiel Reid assisting. Petrolia would not give up and tied the game up before the end of the second. Petrolia scored two in the third to once again take a two-goal lead. The Caps fought back with Wiebe getting his second of the game, again with Reid getting the assist. With goalie Tyler Dibbley on the bench for six Capital attackers late in the third, the team just could not find the back of the net and bowed out of the tournament with a 4-3 loss. Dibbley received the game’s MVP for his work between the pipes for this team.

The players and parents would like to add a special thank you to Reid Funeral Home (Kevin and Christie) for taking care of the bus that the team enjoyed on their trip to Alvinston. We know that this will forever be among the memories that the kids will talk about in years to come.

Atom majors in barnburner

Reid Funeral Home Atom Majors traveled to Riverside on Sunday to find themselves in a shoot out. Just 5 seconds into the game, Jeron Kir set up Spencer Wiebe for the first of four for Wiebe on the night. Within 30 seconds the some two connected again for a 2-0 lead. Riverside fought back and was leading 5-2 by the end of the first period.

The Caps cut the Rangers lead by one at the end of the second with goal by Gioia DiCiocco from Joseph Alfano and Wiebe collected his hat trick unassisted.

The Caps drew within one early in the third with a goal from Alfano. The assist went to DiCiocco and Kir. The Rangers replied to seal a two-goal lead. Late in the third, with a minute remaining in the game, the Caps struck, and getting his forth goal was Wiebe with assists going to Kir and Gow. With goalie Anthony DiMenna on the bench for the sixth attacker, the Caps couldn’t score to tie the game up and fell 7-6.

Midget girls lose 8-2 to Lucan

By Mackenzie Heyens

After a long holiday break, the Rhine Danube Southpoint Stars Midget Girls travelled to Lucan on Sunday, January 2, 2011. The first game of the new year proved to be difficult for the Stars between having to tackle the first place opposition and their turkey filled stomachs weighing them down.

HIGH QUALITY LICENSED CHILD CARE

The game started with the two teams being evenly matched. Jillian Iles scored the first goal for Southpoint with the assist by Amanda Stasko. The girls laid everything they had on the ice, but sadly it wasn’t enough and Lucan overtook the team. The second goal was by Kim Goyeau with the assists by Kayla Lindsay and Charlee Cabral. The Stars worked hard to hold back their opposition and managed to do so for most of the third period, but the other team still overpowered Southpoint. The final score of the game was 8-2 for Lucan.

For the Rhine Danube Southpoint Stars’ full schedule, please visit www.southpointminorhockey.com.

Live Right Now – new healthy lifestyle, healthy eating movement

On January 3, Breakfast for Learning, together with CBC and a number of other health organizations from across Canada, launched an ambitious new program called Live Right Now.

Live Right Now is a movement of Canadians making a difference in their own health, and the health of the country, and it’s designed to help Canadians make small, manageable changes that will have a large and lasting effect on their health.

“Breakfast for Learning is delighted to be working with CBC and its other partners on the Live Right Now Campaign,” says Wendy Wong, President and CEO Breakfast for Learning. “In Canada, thousands of children and youth continue to go to school hungry every day, with 1 in 9 children living below the poverty line; while 1 in 4 children and youth are overweight or obese. The Live Right Now campaign will bring vital attention to the need for proper nutrition and healthy lifestyles for all Canadians bringing hope for future generations.”

Together with the other members of the Live Right Now Advisory Board – the Canadian Diabetes Association, Canadian Obesity Network, Dietitians of Canada, Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Heart and Stroke Foundation, ParticipACTION and YMCA Canada, in partnership with President’s Choice Brand and the Ontario Medical Association – Breakfast for Learning will help CBC to create a positive, fun and supportive environment for Canadians to start leading healthier lives in 2011 and beyond.

The heart of the movement lives online at LiveRightNow.ca, where Canadians can join the movement for access to tools and resources like healthy living blogs, a body age calculator, recipes and videos. Participants can log their progress, create groups and challenge friends to get involved and join in the nationwide movement to Live Right Now.

House League Hockey – Dec. 31-Jan. 2

NOVICE

Timbits Black 7

Timbits White 0

Adam Zylstra made several great saves to earn a shutout for Timbits Black over Timbits White at the Heinz rink. There were four goals from Jake Baton, two from Luc Tatomir and one from Caleb Babkirk. Helpers went to Evan Ouellette, Brayden Marcella, Jason Jraiche, Mitch Defrancisco, Jonnie Fiori and Zander Dault.

NOVICE

Timbits Blue 4

Timbits Red 1

Southpoint’s Timbits Blue topped Timbits Red by a score of 4-1. Nate Pilmer led the way with a goal and an assist. Mason Cabral, Andrew Verhaeghe and Sam VanGellan also had a goal each, with Owen Scratch adding a helper. Colton Ippoliti had the lone goal for Timbits Red.

ATOM

Unico 7

Kingsville 1

Derek Antunes had 5 points, Zack Wiebe, Travis Friesen and Kodie Wiebe

had three points, and Bailey Brown, Abbey Hopper and Morgan Brown had a point each as Southpoint’s Unico dominated Atom play on Sunday, defeating Kingsville by a score of 7–1.

PEEWEE

Kingsville 2

Weil’s Food 0

Weil’s Food fell short to Kingsville by a score of 2-0 on Sunday in Peewee play on the Unico ice. Weil’s put forth a great effort but couldn’t put the disk into the net.

PEEWEE

Essex 2

Canadian Tire 1

Canadian Tire’s lone goal came from Dante Dimilo as they fell short to Essex by a score of 2-1 on the Unico ice on Sunday. It was a valiant effort by the whole Canadian Tire team.

BANTAM GIRLS

Harrow 3

Scotiabank 0

Southpoint’s Scotiabank Girls’ lone goal came from Amanda Shagat on Saturday on the Heinz rink as Scotiabank fell 3-1 to Harrow.

BANTAM

Lions Club 3

Belle River 3

After giving up the first three goals the Lions Club battled back to salvage a 3-3 tie with Belle River. Austin Kaspardlov, Emerson Grendron and Travis Lamb scored with Darien Kaspardlov and Robert Botham having assists for the Lions Club.

MIDGET GIRLS

Lakeshore 2

Wheatley Optimists 0

The Wheatley Optimists skated hard on the Heinz Ice but couldn’t outdo Lakeshore. The Optimists lost 2-0.

MIDGET

Anthony-Keats 6

Gillett Sheet Metal 1

Wheaton Mouck had a hat trick and two helpers to power Anthony-Keats Marine over Gillett Sheet Metal in Midget competition on the Heinz rink. Jake Koning, Kyle McIntosh and Chris Daoud also had goals, with helpers going to Drew Mummery, Spencer Guyitt, Dawson Hildebrandt (2), Kyle McIntosh and Chris

Daoud for Anthony-Keats. Brendan McGivern and Andrew Valle had points for Gillett Sheet Metal.

Belle River 3

Windsor Factory 1

Windsor Factory’s Shae Thomas started the scoring in the third period but Belle River replied with the next three, beating Windsor Factory with a score of 3-1.

Belle River 6

Anthony-Keats

Anthony-Keats Marine had a tough game Friday night. A short bench of only 7 players was no match against Belle River and a hot goalie. Anthony-Keats took it on the chin, being shut out by the visiting team 6-0.

Meet Paul Dueck...

Paul Dueck was born in 1956 in the city of Asunción, Paraguay, in South America, where Paul’s parents were pastoring at the Mennonite Church. The first language Paul learned was German, then Spanish. At the age of 7 he took his first piano lessons. His mother had a Paraguayan harp, the national folk instrument of the country. At age 11 he studied for one year on the harp, learning polkas and folk music. When Paul was 12 his father accepted a teaching position back in Leamington at UMEI school, teaching Christian Education and Religious Studies, so Paul, his two brothers, two sisters and his parents left Paraguay and settled back in Leamington. He had to learn to speak English while attending school. He also continued his piano studies with Leonard Enns, who taught music at UMEI.

Music Music

Profiles... Profiles...

After graduating high school, Paul went to Winnipeg to the Mennonite Bible College, followed by studies at Wilfred Laurier University where he received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. His first teaching position was in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, at a Bible College, where he taught Choir Vocal Performance. In 1981 Paul and Linda were married. They had attended Bible School together. During their first 3 years of marriage they lived in Waterloo and did youth work for the Ontario Mennonite Churches. In 1984 they got a call to go to Paraguay to teach at a Mennonite seminary, so they took their 5-month-old baby and stayed for 2 years.

The family grew with the arrival of the twins, and in 1986 they moved back to Winnipeg to teach for the college where they had started their studies years ago – a full circle. They stayed for three and half years and in 1990 it was back to Leamington with a teaching position for Linda at UMEI in Religious Studies, and Paul taught the music courses. There was one more two-year term in Paraguay with the whole family before they settled back in Leamington in 2008. While Paul was teaching at UMEI he was also music pastor at the Leamington Mennonite Church on Oak Street.

Throughout Paul’s musical career he has always been involved in leading and conducting choirs and congregational singing. In 2001 he started the Soli Deo Gloria Singers in Leamington, a 35-voice choir affiliated with UMEI. The choir does local performances in Leamington and Windsor, as well as the Niagara area. Paul currently co-conducts with Nancy Dyck, also of Leamington.

Paul is currently the half-time pastor at Windsor Mennonite Fellowship. He is also resourcing other congregations in the area of music.

Type of music: Paul describes his music as a mix of hymns and Celtic, German and Spanish folk music. He plays two styles of harps – the Paraguayan harp and the Celtic harp. The Paraguayan harp is a mellow sounding harp with all nylon strings, and the Celtic harp is a brighter sound with a mix of nylon and metal strings. Both instruments have 36 strings.

Time spent practicing: Almost every day Paul plays the piano and sings or plays the harp or guitar – mostly for his own enjoyment – but it is a part of his life and a daily therapy. “My voice is my main instrument,” said Paul. “I take it everywhere I go.”

Most interesting place played: Paul fondly remembers playing and singing at a concert held at the Capital Theatre in Windsor. The show was called “From the Harps”. Five harp players and Paul’s whole family sang at the concert and he felt like the Von Trapp family singing wonderful Christmas carols – a great evening of music.

Most significant performance: In July of 2009, Paul had the honour of leading 9,000 people in congregational singing at the Mennonite World Conference held in Paraguay. Paul’s whole family attended the event. It was held in the largest Pentecostal church in the city and the band had charango (small 10-string instrument), piano, guitar, congas, djembe (Continued on Page 13)

Marentette earns baseball scholarship

By Sheila McBrayne

From t-ball in Leamington to the AAAA Windsor Selects, Spencer Marentette’s baseball career is about to go to the next level.

Spencer, 17, has earned himself a baseball scholarship from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The Grade 12 student from Leamington District Secondary School had schools from across North America interested in his post secondary baseball career. He ended up with 12 solid offers from Holy Cross, Central Michigan, University of Maine, Canisius College, Bowling Green State, University of Buffalo, Fairfield College, Albany and of course, Oakland University.

Spencer’s scholarship is for 90% of his four-year tuition, which equates to about $120,000 US. But with his grades – 96% average – and a great feeling about his recent SAT score, that could become a full scholarship. He’s not sure yet what he wants to take, but “I think maybe something to do with business,” he said.

Last summer was a breakout year for Spencer as he was selcted to play on the U17 Ontario East Team in the Canada Cup. There he played a solid third base and helped the squad earn silver.

Spencer’s usual spot is shortstop. “I pitched and played

short, but I’m at the point where I had to choose one over the other,” he said. Spencer led his team last year with 36 RBIs, a .366 batting average and a .475 on base percentage.

One of the big draws that Oakland had for Spencer was the fact that he has a good shot at being the starting shortstop in his rookie year. “Their starting shortstop is graduating, so it’s really mine to lose,” said Spencer. Another draw for Spencer was the fact that his parents, Shelley and Norm, would be able to drive to watch some of his home games.

Spencer explained that with college ball it’s all about their summer league. “We’ll play some spring and fall, but it’s all about the summer ball you play,” he said. Spencer has his sights set on the Cape Cod League, but the placements into summer leagues are made by the coach.

Like any young athlete, Spencer has aspirations to make the big leagues, but realizes that his education is just as important as the baseball. For now, Spencer is focused on playing ball and getting a good education and if the big leagues come along, well that would be a welcome opportunity.

Spencer Marentette

JANUARY 2010

Twenty-three teams of Polar Dippers splashed into Lake Erie on Saturday, January 30 for the 10th Annual Polar Bear Dip. Teams from Windsor, Essex and Leamington area raised $34,000 for Child Can and Youth & Family Services. Kim Cavers, organizer, stated she was very happy with the amount raised this year. The $34,000 from the teams, added to the money raised at the dinner and dance, totaled approximately $60,000, which matched last year’s total. “That was our goal and I’m so glad we met it,” said Kim.

FEBRUARY 2010

If you have ever been involved in minor sports, the marina, the library, Camp Henry, Leamington transit system or ever entered any of the facilities in the Municipality of Leamington, you have benefitted from the work of Paul Anthony. After 20 years with the Municipality, Anthony, the Manager of Culture and Recreation Services, is leaving. He handed in his resignation last week after much personal deliberation.

2010 Year In Review

"Don’t count the days, make the days count..."

- Muhammad Ali

REC ROUND-UP REC ROUND-UP

Take advantage of these options at the Complex:

• The ever-popular New Year Shape-Up Special for $109.00 plus HST.

• Gift certificates to meet with a personal trainer or nutrition and wellness coach.

• Youth swim/gym/skate pass

• Student home for the holidays membership!

• Gift certificates available for swim lessons!

Complex Membership: Have you checked out the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex and all the programs and classes that we offer? We invite you to come in and take a tour! Our weight and cardio training rooms are full of the latest equipment. Whether you’re just beginning or if you exercise to an advanced regimen, everyone can comfortably work out and get fit. One compact FEE for annual membership, and there are no enrollment or initiation fees.

Rental Options: The Complex has all kinds of different rental options. The possibilities are endless, so contact us today to plan your event.

• Ice rental times are available for pick-up hockey groups or for recreational skates.

• Meeting rooms for small or larger workshops, bridal showers, family reunions or company events.

• Plan your parties at the Complex. If you need to host your team or a larger group of friends, consider an activity party like swimming, skating or gym/ fitness, followed by a pizza party for the whole gang.

A HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR IS OUR WISH... FROM THE COMPLEX TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

We have something for every...body!

* * * * * *

Nature Fresh Farms in Leamington, Ontario, has teamed up with the Ontario Christian Gleaners (OCG) to help feed the hungry in Haiti.

Nature Fresh Farms donated a surplus crop of peppers to OCG totaling 1560 boxes of peppers, or 7800 kilograms.

The OCG processes surplus produce, dehydrating the food, and makes it into a nutritious soup mix. OCG then donates the food to reputable relief organizations with logistics in place to distribute where it is needed around the world.

* * * * * *

A quiet Leamington neighbourhood was shocked to hear of two sudden deaths which brought a multitude of police and media to Bennie Avenue on Wednesday, February 3.

The drama began around 12 noon when police received 911 calls reporting a man on a Bennie Avenue driveway, bleeding profusely from the neck area. EMS transported 39-year-old Miguel Sousa to Leamington District Memorial Hospital where he died of his injuries later that afternoon. Police entered the Sousa house to find Lorena Sousa, 36, deceased.

“It’s safe to say right now that we do not feel there are any persons of interest at this time,” Const. Kevin O’Neil read from a statement at a press conference on Thursday, February 4.

The Leamington District Memorial Hospital Foundation took supporters and friends of the Foundation all the way to New Orleans on Saturday, February 6 for a Night on Bourbon Street Gala 2010. There were plenty of feathers and beads as organizers put on a fantastic show for the more than 380 in attendance. Pictured here is the organizing committee as well as greeters who helped raise an unofficial total of between $80,000 - $90,000!

Dave Hanson, Steve Carlson and Jeff Carlson - thrilled the SOLD OUT crowd at the 21st annual Oldtimers’ Hockey Challenge Classic. The Leamington Police took a beating from the Legendary Hockey Heros, which consisted of some great former NHL names like Borje Salming, Billly Smith, Glenn Anderson, Bob Probert and many more.

Over 900 players and volunteers joined Walter Gretzky in Huntsville for the 2010 Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships Masters weekend February 5-7.

Leamington resident Kristi Kennedy was on the Women’s Rec team, the Toe Picks, who skated away with the Championship title on Sunday after an amazing 8 and 0 record! This was the first year for the undefeated team, which was based out of London.

The University of Western Ontario has announced the appointment of Dr. Michael J. Strong as Dean of the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Dr. Strong will begin his term as Dean on July 1, 2010 and will serve until June 30, 2015. He will replace Dr. Carol Herbert, who announced her intention to step down more than a year ago after completing two terms and eleven years as Dean.

It was a full house on Friday, February 19 as six local bands and about 250 people gathered for a night of fun, food and fundraising.

The Haiti Earthquake Relief Concert held at Colasanti’s raised exactly $12,083.83. Owner Joe Colasanti donated his venue for the benefit concert as well as his staff who donated their time.

Friday, February 19 École St. Michel held their annual “Carnaval d’hiver” and this year they added a little bit of Olympic spirit to their theme. Students from grades one to eight took part in the morning event with games taking place indoors as well as outdoors. Students fought the bitter cold weather while screaming and cheering on their teammates. Teams this year represented the countries participating in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

MARCH 2010

The Olympic torch may be extinguished in Vancouver, but the Olympic spirit was still burning strong in Leamington.

Fourteen-year-old Taylor Balkwill of Leamington was still reeling from the excitement of carrying the Olympic torch during her 300-metre part of history. Taylor carried the torch on December 23 at 2:15 p.m. through Amhurstburg. “ It was so, so exciting. I couldn’t think of anything else, it was just so amazing,” said Taylor reliving the feeling.

* * * * * *

For the second time in just over a month, two people have been found dead in their homes in quiet neighbourhoods in

Leamington.

Mohssen Tannous, 71, and Hinda Tannous, 64, were found at their home at 18 Worchester Avenue early Sunday morning, March 7. Leamington Police released the names of the deceased on Tuesday, March 9. The Leamington Police Service and the Ontario Provincial Police Criminal Investigation Branch under the direction of A/Detective Inspector Paul McCrickard investigated the deaths.

In a brief statement released Tuesday afternoon, Police stated “there is no concern for public safety at this time.”

* * * * * *

Three Leamington kids earned front row seats at this year’s Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship being held in Toronto March 13. Ryan, 13, Chase, 13, and Bayley, 7, Langille spent their spare time collecting donations for the MX for Children, Inside Line

Experience. The three Leamington youths raised $7,655 for Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital, supporting research for treating hydrocephalus - the #1 cause of brain surgery for children. These efforts help improve the lives of kids that must endure multiple brain surgeries to live.

* * * * * *

The weekend was great one for girls hockey! The 7th annual Southpoint Stars March Break Kick-off Tournament was a great hit with sport fans of all ages.

Bantam girls Colasanti’s team was successful in winning the gold in a close 1-0 contest. A rebound shot from from

the point by Sydney Dries and another shot from Kim Goyeau, and finally a rebound netted Emma Kopinak the game winner!

* * * * * *

With temperatures reaching as high as 17º Celcius, many local children who did not go south for March Break enjoyed many outdoor activities right here in Leamington. Jasmine, Vanessa and Riley Andrade were among those fishing at Leamington Marina with parents Helen and Vic Andrade. Bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards and street hockey games could be found around town.

Leamington Police were called to the Public Meeting held by SouthPoint Wind at the Princess Centre on Saturday, March 27. The large crowd who came to hear about the more than 700 wind turbines planned to be placed in Lake Erie in the Leamington and Kingsville area had to be turned away as the maximum fire code capacity was reached quickly after the 3 p.m. start.

Paul Dueck

(Continued from page 10) and other percussion instruments. Paul said it was heavenly to hear 9,000 voices praising God in song. Brush with fame: Paul has sung in a mass choir under the direction of Robert Shaw of the USA, held at the Roy Thompson Hall with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. This concert was part of a World Choral Symposium. Another concert was held at the Centennial Concert Hall in Winnipeg under the direction of Helmut Rilling of Germany. Paul was also a feature soloist with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Susan Haig, performing Bach’s St. John’s Passion. CDs and recordings to date: Paul has just recently recorded a new CD. Other releases include: Hymns and Folk Songs on the Paraguayan Harp (1990), Christmas on the Celtic Harp (1991), Classic Childhood Songs (1995), The Lord Is My Shepherd – The Psalms (2010). The Soli Deo Gloria Singers also have two CDs available, The Psalms and Praising God’s Holiness. CDs are available at Setterington Religious Gifts, 13 Russell St., Leamington, 519-325-0226.

If you could play with anyone who would it be?: Paul would love to have played with J.S. Bach, who has inspired Paul’s musical career. He would also like to play music and jam with all his former students and teachers. Website: Paul can be contacted at www.pauldueck.ca. He is available for weddings, anniversaries and end of life celebrations.

Darlene Pursel and Ian Tate were married on October 23, 2010 at St. John the Baptist, Norway, in Toronto. Proud parents are Liz and Bill Chaplin and the late Percy Pursel, all of Leamington, and Barry and Susan Tate of Fenlon Falls, Ont. The couple resides in Toronto.

APRIL 2010

Saturday, April 3 was Meghan Agosta Night at Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex. Fans were excited to meet Meghan, get her autograph and have a chance to see her Olympic gold medal.

At age 25 Erin Armstrong is well on her way to reaching her dream of becoming an international opera singer.

The Leamington native was home for a few days to visit family and friends before heading back to Vancouver where she just finished a one-year diploma at University of British Columbia (UBC) to receive extra voice lessons. Armstrong already has her Masters in Music, Opera (2009) and her Bachelor of Performing Arts, Music from the University of Windsor (2007). * * * * * *

Leamington, Pelee Island and Kingsville are among the featured communities on MyNewWaterfrontHome.com, a new website dedicated exclusively to promoting and celebrating Ontario’s waterfront — its places, its people and its new residential developments.

The Leamington feature puts the spotlight on the town’s continuing efforts to develop its waterfront parks and preserve the environment, while the Kingsville profile highlights the town’s move to add 700 feet of lake views through the development of a new waterfront park.

* * * * * *

Eric Fantin isn’t like most 17 year olds. Instead of just looking for a job, he decided to start his own business. Instead of trying to keep his boss happy, he plans to be the boss and hire other young people to work as well. It’s an enthusiastic goal for any young man, but Eric has an intellectual disability.

Eric is a Grade 12 student at Cardinal Carter Secondary School in Leamington. He took the money he had saved to buy a lawn mower, trimming equipment, a trailer and a used truck, all part of his new business venture – Eric’s Lawncare Services. Eric has been working parttime at CF Greenhouses who have been very supportive in Eric’s ability to work. Eric also finished a semester of co-op education at RONA in Leamington.

* * * * * *

MAY 2010

There was bedlam in the castle and it was wonderful, as a crowd of approximately 250 gathered at the Rhine Danube in Leamington on Saturday, May 1 for the first-ever Royal Luncheon.

Hosted by the Sir Winston Churchill I.O.D.E. Chapter, the afternoon was designed as a way to make little girls feel special. 130 princesses from across the land, each wearing their royal finery and escorted by an entourage, enjoyed an afternoon of food and fun.

* * * * * *

Local MPPs Pat Hoy and Bruce Crozier delivered $100,000 in provincial funding to help market local greenhouse vegetables to consumers on Friday, April 30.

“Ontario is spurring rural economies and local food sales by supporting this marketing project in Leamington,” said Hoy, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Essex. “When we buy Ontario, everyone wins. It’s good for farmers and processors, good for families, good for the environment and good for the rural economies. With this fund, we are expanding local food networks and helping communities and industries showcase the abundance of food that is produced and made in Ontario.”

Black Bear Farms of Ontario Estate Winery Inc. has accomplished in less than two years what some wineries work a lifetime to achieve.

The local winery on County Road 20, just west of Kingsville, won 11 medals out of their 12 entries into the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition held in New York in April.

* * * * * *

Wednesday, April 14 was heralded as Pink Shirt Day throughout the Greater Essex County District School Board and more than 300 students from Leamington District Secondary School showed their support by donning pink. The pink shirts symbolically express their contempt for bullies.

At a rally staged on the docks of one of the world’s busiest freshwater fishing harbours, Lake Erie commercial fishing industry announced that they are appealing 2010 quotas for important species.

The rally was jointly organized by the Ontario Commercial Fisheries’ Association (OCFA) and Local 444 of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), to give voice to industry fears that they are being forced to the wall by unnecessarily low quotas and lack of support from government.

Pink Shirt Day is a grassroots movement that has spread throughout North America since students at a Nova Scotia high school wore pink to support a bullying victim who had been tomented merely because he wore a pink shirt to school. The incident happened in 2007. At LDSS a group of 24 students make up the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Team. Team members wear their pink t-shirts at lunch in the hallways and monitor for any bullying activities which are reported to staff.

* * * * * *

On Sunday, April 18 more than 22,800 people in communities across Ontario walked in the MS Walk to end multiple sclerosis. More than $5.1 million in pledges was raised province-wide.

Leamington’s Alyssa Getty, 13, qualified for the Golf Canada (RCGA) C.N. Future Links Ontario Championship at Sutton Creek Golf Course on May 27-30. Sutton Creek played host to the top 99 elite Junior Golfers from across Canada. Getty is one of four local Junior Golfers to land a spot in this prestigious national event. Also representing this area are: Laura Demarco, 16, of LaSalle; Quinn Vilnef, 17, of Amherstburg; and Anthony Dadamo, 17, of Windsor. * * * * * *

The Leamington District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary celebrated its 60th ‘diamond’ anniversary at a spring volunteer luncheon held on Wednesday, May 19 at the Roma Club. Approximately 150 of the 240 volunteers of the LDMH Auxiliary enjoyed the luncheon, fashion show and presentation of service pins.

LDMH Auxiliary President Maureen Sutherland welcomed the volunteers and introduced the head table. LDMH Chaplain Liz Chaplin said grace before lunch was served.

The gym at Margaret D. Bennie Public School vibrated with excitement as the student body and teachers looked forward to the moment they had been waiting for: Principal Simone was about to lose his moustache!

The school gathered for a prize assembly on Friday, May 21 for the Bennie Fun & Fitness Fundraiser that was held the week prior, where the students collected pledges for participating in a great afternoon of games and co-operative activities. Events included limbo, basketball, four square, skipping, ship-to-shore, tug-of-war, parachute, football throw, obstacle course, hula hoop and outside equipment.

JUNE 2010

Although the price tag on the damage is expected to reach millions, the Municipality of Leamington and its residents are counting themselves lucky after an F2 class tornado touched down Sunday morning at about 3 a.m., but yielded no serious injuries.

Environment Canada confirmed on Monday what local residents suspected, that an F2 tornado was to blame for the extensive dammage that occurred on June 6 between 3 - 3:30 a.m.

Leamington Deputy Mayor Robert Schmidt declared a State of Emergency at 6:25 a.m. Sunday morning, June 6, just a few hours after a tornado caused widespread damage from an area extending from Fraser/Oak Street easterly to the Bevel Line. The extent of the damage is primarily south of Seacliff Drive/County Road 20. At a news conference on Monday afternoon, Mayor John Adams described the path of destruction as being about 25 miles long and a quartermile wide in this area.

*

The Leamington Municipal Marina will have much to celebrate at this year’s 25th anniversary celebration. Despite being hit hard by the June 6th F2 tornado, Leamington Marina could be christening its new docks, piers, playground and accessories, thanks to a $2 million pledge from the federal government. The announcement was made on Friday, June 11 by the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), and Dave Van Kesteren, Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent-Essex, at the Leamington Municipal Marina.

* * * * * *

Erie Shores Golf Course reopened for golf on Friday June 11 at 6 p.m., just six days after an F2 tornado caused extensive damage to trees, and outbuildings. An incredible outpouring of support from members, volunteers from the community, and neighbouring golf courses were credited with the speedy recovery. Kyle Stewart, Erie Shores Golf Pro, said there were between 60 to 80 volunteers helping every day on the cleanup effort.

* * * * * *

The Leamington Fair enjoyed a great weekend with attendance estimated to be approximately 20,000. Fair patrons enjoyed warm temperatures and clear skies over all three days.

* * * * * *

Carina Epp and Susie Redekop received confirmation on June 16 that the two 17-year-old students from UMEI Christian High School have make it to the top ten in the “Stuck at Prom” promotion sponsored by Duck Tape Brand, the makers of the multi-colored and multi-purpose duct tape. They are the only Canadian duo to make it the top ten and beat out 242 other Canadian entries.

The girls invested more than 300 hours designing their Duck Tape prom dresses and now they are spending even more hours soliciting votes for their entries. They worked

Hundreds of athletes competed Saturday and Sunday, June 19 and 20 in the TomatoMan Triathalon Weekend. The Adult Try-a-Tri and the Kids of Steel were held Saturday with Sunday reserved for the Adult Triathalon and Duathalon and Relay events. Emilie Potvin of Leamington was the first lady out of the water and taking to her bike. She finished her race in first place with a total time of 1:14:07.

JULY 2010

Whether you were searching for some fine custom-made jewelry, pottery or pictures, the Leamington Marina was the place to be.

The 18th Annual Arts @ the Marina enjoyed great weather and good attendance as the nearly 60 artists showed their works despite the fact that it was just a month ago that a tornado came through the area.

“We decided that the show must go on,” said Leamington

Arts Centre president Maureen Sutherland.

Leamington Skating Club ended the Spring Skating Session with two Skate Canada test days where four skaters earned gold skating tests on 29-30.

Passing gold tests were: Kailyn Incitti, Westminister –which completed her gold dances; Phylicia Getty, gold interpretive pairs; Celeste Dancel, gold interpretive singles; and Courtney Wiebe gold skills.

The unofficial tally from the “Standing Tall After the Storm” Tornado Relief Benefit held at Colasanti’s was over $50,000 and counting. Event co-organizer Leigh Ann Mastronardi reported 850 people attended the pasta dinner and fundraising evening.

Gore Hill Public School student Baylee Barraco placed first overall and won three gold medals in track in the 12-year-old girls division at the school, regional and district track meet. As well, Baylee competed against the top eight girls from the public and Catholic schools and received a bronze medal in the 400-metre race and had a fourth place finish in the 100-metre race at the first annual City/County Track Classic Championship held at the University of Windsor.

on the dresses for more than three months and used 65 rolls of Duck Tape.

Kitch Grubb is the Special Olympics gold medalist in the 50-metre backstroke with his time of 58:28.

Kitch competed in his first Canadian National Special Olympics held in London, Ontario from July 14 to 17. He won the honour to compete at the national level by qualifying at provincials and his regional results. Kitch, 25, competed in the 25-metre freestyle, 50-metre freestyle, 25-metre backstroke and 50-metre backstroke. Because the competitors race in heats, he and his cheering section of about 15 family and friends didn’t know he won the gold medal until the medal presentation held at the end of each day.

Three grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for a total of $61,000, were announced by local MPP Pat Hoy and OTF representative Angelo Minato.

“These grants play a vital role in helping community organizations fulfill their mandate and reach out to more people, all making Leamington a better place to live,” said Hoy, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Essex.

Receiving grants:

· $15,000 to Leamington Tomato Festival Association to purchase security fencing to be loaned to local groups, and increase community awareness, access to information and services

· $6,000 to Little Tomato Theatre to purchase lighting equipment and camera and assist with venue rental

· $40,000 to Special Equestrians Therapeutic Riding Association to improve their facility and buy adjustable saddles, increasing the safety and comfort of riders.

AUGUST 2010

The 9th annual SunParlour Rodeo, presented by the Rawhide Rodeo Company, was held July 31 and August 1 in Ruthven. The two shows provided plenty of spills and thrills as cowboys and cowgirls defied gravity for the famous “8 seconds”. Over the past eight years more than $100,000 was raised for Leamington District Memorial Hospital and last year $15,000 was raised for W.E. Care For Kids. This year’s proceeds will again go to W.E. Care For Kids.

* * * * * *

Carina Epp and Susie Redekop have become the first Canadians to place in the top 3 of the “Stuck at Prom” promotion sponsored by Duck Tape Brand. The 17-year-old girls who had placed in the top 10 survived the elimination voting process to place 3rd and receive $1,000 scholarships each, as well as $1,000 for their school, UMEI Christian High School.

They were the only Canadian duo to make it the top ten and beat out 242 other Canadian entries. The girls invested more than 300 hours designing their Duck Tape prom dresses. They worked on the dresses for more than three months and used 65 rolls of Duck Tape.

* * * * * *

Thirteen-year-old Cody Lavoie returned from Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he competed in the Canadian Junior National Swim Championships held at the Pan-Am Championship Aquatic Centre.

With more than 1,400 swimmers from 140 swim clubs nationwide, plus 6 invitation-only U.S. swim clubs, this Wheatley resident made a huge splash!

* * * * * *

In its 28th year, Leamington’s Our Lady of Lebanon Festival continued to grow. Over the weekend of August 13, 14 and 15, between 8,000 to 9,000 people visited the Highway #77 location of the Leamington Lebanese Club. The festival featured food, dancing, music, rides for children and religious programs. Sam Elias Sr. explained some of the cultural history of Our Lady of Lebanon Shrine that thousands come to worship. Years ago, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Club travelled to Ottawa, Montreal, Detroit and as far away as Venezuela for donations for the shrine. Year after year the ladies make traditional Lebanese dishes to sell, the proceeds of which go to the upkeep of the shrine and to people in need.

* * * * * *

The match, which took place at the

Hall in Kingsville, was almost called off when Morris arrived sixteen pounds over his scheduled weight, but Robinson came to fight and made the decision to continue regardless.

While the first round started off fairly even, Cole quickly emerged as the stronger boxer, forcing Morris to retreat into a defensive game. A relentless attack with solid combinations from Cole kept the Mississauga boxer from mounting any significant counterattacks.

By the third round it was no longer a question of who would win the match, but whether Morris would survive the round. At the end of the bout, Cole Robinson was awarded a unanimous decision.

* * * * * *

Marylyn Liovas is the 2010 Miss Leamington Tomato Festival Queen. Thursday, August 19 twelve young ladies showcased a wide variety of talent and poise as they competed for the crown of Miss Leamington Tomato Festival. First runner-up was Catherine Vale and second runner-up was Megan Whittle. Miss Congeniality was Sarah Jane Ford and Miss Photogentic was Marylyn Liovis. The 3-D Award for Desire, Determination and Dedication went to Carleigh Manning. Stephanie Baptista won the talent portion of the contest performing a monologue which she wrote. Runner up for the talent section was Marylyn Liovis with her performance from Cinderella. Two new awards were presented for this year’s pageant. Each contestant had to create their own masquerade mask. Taylor Impens won the award for best mask and Karisa Darowski was presented with the Entrepreneur Award.

Wheatley boxer Cole Robinson of the Leamington Boxing Academy made his debut when he stepped in the ring to face Mike Morris of Clancy’s Fighting Alliance in Mississauga.

Migration

Leamington’s own Meghan Agosta is one of 10 female athletes nominated for the Sportswoman of the Year Award from the Women’s Sports Foundation.

For 35 years, the Women’s Sports Foundation has helped advance the lives of girls and women through sport and physical activity. On Tuesday, October 12, 2010 the Foundation and host, Mary Carillo, will again celebrate one of the largest nights in Women’s Sports and commemorate its 31st year in thanking those athletes who’ve opened doors for girls following in their footsteps. * * * * * *

Ten Thousand Villages Canada, the country’s largest and oldest Fair Trade organization, is pleased to announce the hiring of Don Epp as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Epp took over the position August 9. * *

Jesse Phibbs, 21, lost control of his bike during a flat track race in Indianapolis on Saturday, August 31, and has been in critical care in hospital since.

The Leamington dirt track motorcycle racer suffered major brain injuries, which required an immediate operation to remove a blood clot in his brain. Swelling became a major problem as surgeons had to wait until the next day to reattach his skull. Doctors were expected to operate on his broken bones – a shattered elbow, two broken shoulders and a broken finger.

SEPTEMBER 2010

Approximately 130 employees are out of work with the closing of Great Lakes Fish in Wheatley. Great Lakes Fish had purchased the former Omstead Foods, which had been a well estblished Wheatley fishery and processing plant since 1911. Great Lakes Fish went into bankruptcy protection earlier this year.

Election Day is Monday, October 25, but Leamington voters can expect to receive their mail-in voter’s ballots in the mail during the first week of October.

The largest pool of candidates is for the five councillor seats. In total there are 17 candidates who have filed for this position. Candidates include Rick Atkin, Carol Bell, Wes Brookes, Chris Chopchik, Rick Cowan, John Crump, Herb Enns, Frank Friesen, Ron Haley, John Jacobs, Keith Klassen, Hilda McDonald, Bruce Peacock, Dan Santos, Robert Tatomir, Ken Thoman and Larry Verbeke.

* * * * * *

Jesse Phibbs was moved from Indianopolis to Victoria Hospital in London on Friday, September 17.

*

In 1985 the Frank T. Sherk Aquatic Centre was built at a cost of approximately $7.5 million. The land was donated by H.J. Heinz Company, honouring the namesake Frank T. Sherk as the first Canadian President of the company. The project included some federal funding and $250,000 was raised by the community. In 2000 the Municipality of

Leamington added the twin pad arena at a cost of $11 million. This time, the Kinsmen Club of Leamington and the community fundraised an impressive $2 million towards the Millennium project. The Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex celebrated its 25th anniversary on Saturday, September 18 as part of the Sports Day in Canada celebrations.

OCTOBER 2010

Margaret Ross was named as the 2010 Volunteer of the Year during the Municipality’s annual volunteer recognition reception. She has volunteered for many years in different groups throughout her life.

* * * * * *

The John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area won the Russell K. Cooper Award from the Ontario Historical Society. The award is given to “a living history museum showing excellence in programming, ingenious problem solving or site development”. The Homestead is Ontario’s only living historical farm museum west of London. Operated by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), the museum on the lake offers a four-season program of family special events and hands-on, curriculum based school activities. Since it opened in 1978, more than 500,000 visitors have learned lessons in conservation for the future by exploring the past.

* * * * * *

If you’ve ever had to take the deck off your riding lawn mower for blade sharpening or cleaning, you’ll appreciate this local invention.

Karl Reidl, a retired General Motors machine repairman, invented the Dek Caddy, a safer and easier tool used to change and clean lawnmower decks. “I just thought, ‘this is ridiculous, it’s very awkward and dangerous’,” said Reidl.

Jesse Shawn Phibbs, 21 years, passed away on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at London Health Sciences Centre. * * * * * *

On October 5, Vesna Bailey spent a day in Washington and her feet didn’t touch the ground.

She had received an invitation from the United Nations World Food Program USA, (WFP), to attend an award ceremony honouring a prominent world leader who also happens to be a remarkable individual, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. She received the George McGovern Leadership Award for her leadership in the fight against world hunger. It still seemed amazing to Vesna that her donations to the WFP from the sales of her books, Notes To My Son Before You Go, and Notes To My Daughter Before You Go, resulted in this honour. *

Southwestern Ontario in motion, the health promotion strategy to promote physical activity to everyone, is bringing awareness to the need for residents to engage in more physical activity in our communities and providing information to local and regional resources and events. On October 4, in motion launched its revised website www. swontarioinmotion.ca to provide better access to these programs.

* * * * * *

The voters of Leamington wanted change, and change is what they got. Leamington Council has a new mayor, new deputy mayor and three of its five councillors are new.

John Paterson beat out incumbent Mayor John Adams by more than 1,300 votes in the Municipal Election. “I’m just escastic; I’m so delighted. I was so nervous. I really had no indica-

tion which way it would go,” said Paterson. “I don’t think it was the issues themselves, but how they were handled. If you’re asking for opinions, you can’t ignore them when they don’t come back the way you wanted,” he added. “I think some new blood on council bodes well for our municipality,” he added.

Just before sundown on a windy Wednesday, October 20, three kitesurfers landed on the sandbar just west of Kingsville dock. They’d launched their kites a few kilometers west and then zigzagged their way downwind to land near the dock.

OBITUARY

Barbara Anne Lee

Barbara Anne Lee, born July 24, 1961, passed away Saturday, December 11, 2010.

Dear daughter of Roy and Madeline Lee. Cherished sister of Wayne and Penny, Randy and Debora, Terry and the late Richard Lee. Also survived by two nieces and three nephews.

Cremation. A private family graveside service will take place at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may send condolences at www.reidfuneralhome.ca.

Canadian CrissCross

SPONSORED BY

*

“A Starlight Stroll” fundraising event was held on October 23rd at the Roma Club. 380 guests attended the event and a total of $58,000 was raised for the Leamington Mennonite Home’s “Courtyard Re-creation” project. The winners of the trip to Quebec City were Jake and Mary Fehr. *

NOVEMBER 2010

Every Wednesday at lunch from now until Christmas, Bill Dunn and his group of volunteers are serving up hot homemade soup for everyone and anyone.

* * * * * *

It is a rare occasion these days when someone can celebrate close to 50 years in the same career. For an educator, it’s even more extraordinary, when that career has been in the same school. Last weekend, the school community at St. Louis Catholic Elementary in Leamington, along with members of the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board celebrated the amazing career of Earl (The Legend)

OBITUARY

John Peter Driedger

Driedger, John Peter, 90 years, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 26, 2010 at Leamington District Memorial Hospital.

Beloved husband of Marianne (Rempel) for 66 blessed years. Loving father of Carolyn Snider (Glenn), Fred Driedger (Linda), Mary Kraus (late Michael, 2010), Janice Founk (Jim), Susan Driedger (Walter Engert). Proud and cherished grandfather of 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Uncle John to many nieces and nephews.

Visiting was held at the Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (5192631) Tuesday afternoon and evening. Funeral Service to celebrate John’s life was held from North Leamington United Mennonite Church, 6th Concession, Leamington on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 11 a.m. Interment at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery followed. Rev. Cathrin van Sintern Dick officiated. Memorial donations made by cheque to U.M.E.I. or M.C.C. appreciated. Family and friends are invited to share their words of comfort and remembrance at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

Skidmore. Earl has spent his entire career at St. Louis as both a teacher and a principal.

Leamington remembers... Sunny skies and mild temperatures welcomed those who attended the Remembrance Day Service at Leamington’s Dieppe Memorial Park on November 11th. Michael Hicks, Leamington Legion Branch 84 Sergeant-at-Arms, is pictured here among members of the Leamington Police Service.

For those who have never had to use a Food Bank or receive Social Assistance, consider yourself lucky. Many in our community do rely on the Salvation Army Food Bank - approximately 280 families to be exact.

Jim Heyens, Publisher of Leamington’s Southpoint Sun, started a month-long commitment to adhere to the list of food items given out to a typical single male. He purchased the items and followed the diet of a man relying on the Food Bank. He took into consideration that the average single man on Social Assistance would receive approximately $585 a month as well to be used for rent, utilities, and other necessities.

More than 850 coats were given out during the annual Coats For Kids campaign in Leamington.

A total of 646 people came to the South Essex Community Council (SECC) to find warm winter coats for both children and adults.

Attendance at the 2010 Diamonds and Denim Gala held on Friday, November 19 at the Leamington Portuguese Club increased this year to 320. With ticket sales, raffle tickets and silent auction items, the gala raised $21,000 (and still counting). Money raised for SECC will be used to purchase SmartBoards for the classrooms and purchase new coats and mitts for next year’s Coats for Kids program.

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Santa Claus arrived in style on Saturday, November 27 for the Leamington Santa Claus Parade. Large crowds of people lined Erie Street North and South as Santa and the parade made their way from the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex to the fairgrounds.

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Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP Pat Hoy announced November 23 that he would not be running for re-election in 2011. Hoy made the announcement in Tilbury, where his political career first began in 1994.

“I’ve been at this since the age of 43, winning the nomination at Tilbury arena in July 1994. By the time of the next election I will be 61. It’s time for my wife and I to enjoy some quality time with our two grandchildren,” said Hoy.

Essex MPP Bruce Crozier announced his retirement from politics on November 29, after more than 25 years of municipal and provincial public service. While Crozier will continue to serve as MPP for Essex until next year’s provincial election, he will not be running for re-election.

“This was not an easy decision,” said Crozier, “but at the age of 72 and after over 25 years in public life, I feel it’s the right one for me and my family.”

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DECEMBER 2010

The inaugural meeting of municipal council Wednesday evening, December 1 was a delightful event played out to a standing-room-only crowd at the town hall. Director of Corporate Services Brian Sweet called the meeting to order promptly at seven o’clock – the Municipal Act forbids elected officials exercising any authority until after swearing the oath of office – and promised the assembled crowd, “Tonight we will be... very kind. We do this so that they will have at least one night they can enjoy.”

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A total of 48 (39 officers and 9 civilians) officially took their oath/affirmation of office on Saturday, December 4 at the Leamington Police Service Transition Ceremony held at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex.

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MGS Horticultural Inc. decided to do something a little different this year for Christmas. Instead of giving the traditional gift certificates or gift baskets, they decided to help those less fortunate.

The Food Bank Challenge Diet that Southpoint Sun Publisher Jim Heyens started on November 17 caught Donna Stickles’ attention. Donna is the Technical Representative – Seed Division at MGS Horticultural and she and the staff were in the process of planning what the company was going to give their customers for Christmas. They donated $7,000 to the Food Bank in lieu of gifts.

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Queen Elizabeth Public School celebrated diversity during the holiday season with a Multicultural Fair aimed at including and collectively learning about the many cultures that comprise their school community. There were 15 cultures represented – Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Mennonite, German, Italian, Portuguese, Laos, Mexican, Lebanese, English, African, Romanian, Scottish and Canadian.

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A local golfer from the Leamington has signed a letter of intent to take his talents south of the border next school year. Brendan Cornies, who is currently in grade 12 at Leamington District Secondary School, was offered a full tuition scholarship and committed to attend Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa, next fall. The combination of a small school, a good business program, and an experienced coach are what attracted him to Ashford.