December 2, 2015

LDSS Relay For Life raises $11,100!

By Bryan Jessop

Adding a traditional element to its own annual Relay For Life fundraiser triggered some not-so traditional results for Leamington District Secondary School.

For the fourth time, the local high school organized a series of challenges for participating students with various obstacle courses and activities. For the first time, the event took place at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex instead of the school, adding a teamby-team running element that serves as the focal point for most Relay For Life events around the world.

“With two student survivors as well as staff survivors, the opening ceremonies were pretty emotional.”

- Wes Fuerth

The change of venue and addition of a relay allowed the fundraising sum to increase roughly tenfold. The first three years of the event raised an average of $1,000 each while this year’s edition allowed students to reel in approximately $11,100.

“It’s been going really well,” said LDSS teacher Wes Fuerth during the early stages of the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. fundraiser. “With two student survivors as well as staff survivors, the opening ceremonies were pretty emotional.”

Fuerth and fellow teacher Dan Braun took on organizational roles in this

Light Up The Night!

Fairgrounds despite

was followed by a display of fireworks at the same location.

year’s LDSS Relay For Life event, as did members of the school’s Student Parliament, led by designated chairperson Shannon Fehr.

“It took a lot of effort, but it’s all coming together,” said Fehr, a Grade 11 student who was in Grade 10 when designated as the event’s chairperson in February.

“It’s been great so far. All the students are having fun.”

The relay segment of the event took part on the second-floor track above the main gymnasium, where

most of the day’s activities took place. The track was lined with luminary candles that are commonly featured during Relay For Life fundraisers, bearing the names of loved ones who’ve survived, died of or continue to be patients of cancer. The idea to include an actual relay run was presented by the Canadian Cancer Society upon receiving the LDSS donation from a previous edition held at the school.

Preparation for the revamped fundraiser began

with monthly meetings in February, which became weekly as the event drew closer. Fehr and her volunteers arrived at the LKRC at 7 a.m. on the morning of the Friday, Nov. 27 event to set up its activity stations.

Each student paid $15 to participate, which included a t-shirt, ‘buyout’ from classes, lunch provided by the school’s hospitality program and coffee and donuts couresy of Tim Hortons.

About 250 students took part, each raising funds by

collecting pledges in person or online. The group was divided into 20 teams that took turns competing at stations in the main gymnasium, the Spin Class room, Unico Arena’s lower foyer, and the racquetball courts. Games were followed by a lunch hour, an hour of free time to spend skating, swimming or singing karaoke and a 2 p.m. closing ceremony with live musical entertainment provided by Bob Gabriele and Dan Woods.

(Photos on Page 8)

Santa Claus gives

signal to

the giant Christmas tree in front of the municipal building at 111 Erie St. North during

Night Christmas Parade Saturday, Nov. 28. The parade made its traditional route from Georgia Avenue

Leamington

construction immediately north of Oak Street. The tree lighting

More photos page 9. (SUN

Photo by Bryan Jessop)

and take

gifts were all covered by the engineering department. In the past this type of opportunity has only been offered to Massey Secondary in

The University decided to expand this offer and LDSS was the first, and only, school they chose.

students

University of Windsor. From left to right: Chrissy Neufeld, Nay Moo Shar, Liam Jeffery, Evan Loveless and Sebastian Dam.

St. Louis school facing possible closure

Proposed changes could be in place September 2016

By Pat Bailey

Leamington is one of three areas facing the possible closure of one of its community schools for the upcoming school year.

At a recent WindsorEssex Catholic District School Board meeting, the board gave its approval for a modified accommodation review which could affect students at Cardinal Carter Secondary School, St. Louis and Queen of Peace. A modified review allows for school boards to speed up the school closure process which means these proposed changes could be in place for September 2016.

The problem, according to administration, is a surplus of pupil spaces in all three Leamington schools.

According to a report from administration, the three Leamington Catholic schools are underutilized and account for 439 surplus pupil spaces within the board.

The answer, according to administration, is to close St. Louis, create a JK to Grade 6 school at Queen of Peace, and establish a middle school for Grades 7 and 8 from both St. Louis and Queen of Peace student populations and retrofit Cardinal Carter to accommodate a middle school.

Mary DiMenna, board vice-chair and Leamington area trustee, said this is just the beginning of the process and it’s now up to the public, the trustees and the administration to decide what the final proposal will actually look like.

She said if parents are concerned about any part of the proposal “they should attend the accommodation

review public meetings to learn more about it and express their concerns.”

While the dates of those meetings have not been set to date, a final decision by the board is expected in March 2016.

She said in the past parents’ concerns have been addressed and their input has managed to persuade the board to reconsider its proposals, such as the proposed closure of St. Louis several years ago.

As far as those parents concerned about their young Grade 7 and 8 teens being placed within the confines of a high school, DiMenna said based on the board’s recent experiences “they have nothing to fear.”

She said if indeed the Grade 7s and 8s are moved to Cardinal Carter, it will be a completely controlled environment, with secure doors separating the two schools.

The middle school students would still be able to access the high school facilities, said DiMenna, “under close supervision.”

She said there are also benefits to such a move, citing an easier transition to high school, with the students already familiar with the building, as well as the staff. DiMenna said there

may also be a mentorship type relationship established between the high school and middle school students, with the older students serving as tutors to some of the younger students.

Citing a similar setup at F.J. Brennan Catholic High School in Windsor, DiMenna said, “Many of the parents there who had the same concerns say they are now very happy with the new model.”

“It’s been extremely successful,” she added.

In its report, administration has recommended that the middle school would have its own identity within the high school, that there would be different start and release times for the middle school and high school students and that the Grades 7 and 8 would have access to specialized programming, technologies and specialty rooms but that access would be supervised, controlled and monitored.

As far as the JK to Grade 6 school being located at the Queen of Peace site, the administration suggested this would create a ‘campus’ community that would be beneficial to students of all ages with the sharing of “enhanced facilities and programming.” The report said it would also result in the

least disruption for families where siblings would be attending Cardinal Carter and the elementary school at the same time.

It was also recommended that Queen of Peace continue to offer dual track French Immersion.

While the process may seem rushed, DiMenna said this shortened time frame of the review would allow for public input, yet “still meet the timelines of being ready for the new students.”

“I’m confident that the board’s facilities services department will have everything ready to welcome new students at Queen of Peace in September of 2016,” she said, “should that be the direction that we choose to go in.”

The board is considering similar scenarios in both Amherstburg and West Windsor.

Did You Know...

OPP Festive RIDE program now in place

Police know that the approaching holiday season brings an increase in the number of alcohol impaired drivers on roadways. This means there is likely to be more tragedy on the roads in the days ahead.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are setting up traffic stops around the province and around the clock as they kick off the 2015 Festive R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign. This highly effective public safety initiative started November 23 and runs until January 2, 2016.

Police have seen the number of occurrences of Drug Impaired Driving rise in Ontario over the past year. Police are reminding the public during this Festive RIDE campaign that the OPP now have Drug Recognition officers with specialized training to identify drug impaired drivers. The OPP also have a significant number of officers who conduct standardized field sobriety tests on drivers who give police a reasonable suspicion of impairment by drugs.

Last year the OPP charged 593 people with impairedrelated charges during the Festive RIDE initiative. There were also 485 people who had their licenses suspended following a warning.

Police are also asking the public to call the authorities if you see someone who gets behind the wheel after they have been drinking.

Sports heroes of yesterday

MARK RIBBLE

Rib’s

Ramblings

If you watched the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers game last week and weren’t moved by the appearance of Bart Starr hugging Bret Favre at half-time, then you have no heart.

her friends went to a Red Wings game at Olympia Stadium. She brought me back a program from the game and I was amazed that she had seen some of these players up close and in person.

I’m not a Packers fan, but I am partial to the old stars of the game and Starr was one of those special talents in his day.

To see him in his twilight and to see him come out to support Favre at his jersey retirement ceremony was one of those special moments in sports.

Howe, Delvecchio, Libbett and Sawchuk for the Wings and the Hull brothers, Esposito and Makita for the Hawks. Yet, the most noticeable thing to this young kid was that the Red Wings wore their captain’s C on the opposite side of the sweater from everyone else (and still do).

Even being a Leafs fan, that right there would have been an awesome night.

Little did I know at that point, that in a few short years, I’d be attending my fair share of NHL games anyway.

Although not a big football fan as a kid, I had a couple of favourite players in Joe Namath and Roman Gabriel.

As most kids, you gravitate toward the quarterbacks, just as baseball fans tend to like the pitchers and hockey fans love the goalies.

Still, that program was kept under my pillow for a long time.

That’s the way sports heroes were held in the minds of Canadian boys in those days.

It got me thinking about the sports heroes of my childhood.

With hockey, I was a die-hard Dave Keon fan. He could do no wrong in my book and when he left the Leafs to join the WHA, I was one very disappointed kid.

I can still picture the smallish, smooth-skating center gliding through the opposition and driving to the net. I wanted to wear number 14 on everything I did for a few years.

The onset of the internet, cable TV and other things has brought professional sports into our homes like never before. And with it, I think, the mystique of sports heroes is gone.

Yes, it’s still exciting for little Johnny to meet Sidney Crosby, but I don’t think it carries the same feeling as little Johnny meeting Rocket Richard back in the ’50s.

With baseball, I had a wider margin of heroes. I was a Baltimore fan as a kid, due to watching the likes of Brooks Robinson and Jim Palmer do their thing. I also admired Bill Freehan and Mickey Lolich of the Tigers and good old Johnny Bench of the Reds.

Had a conversation a couple weeks ago about the Red Wings barn-storming in the ’60s and making an appearance at Leamington Arena to play against the Flyers. I don’t remember attending those games but remember seeing photos of them when I worked at the Leamington Post. What a thrill that would’ve been to see the likes of those NHL greats skating on the Leamington ice in their prime.

I had certain ball players that I despised, like Reggie Jackson and some of those other Oakland players like Sal Bando.

As the Blue Jays came into being and the Expos began to improve, I turned my attention to those two teams. I had hopes at one point that someday they’d meet in the World Series. How would the Americans like that?

You simply don’t see that anymore, but with good reason. They can’t risk a player getting hurt and the player’s association would have a hissy-fit if the league tried to do that during the off-season.

Even Tim Horton had to supplement his income by starting some run-of-the-mill donut chain. I wonder if that ever took off?

Do the professional athletes of today stack up against those larger than life personalities of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s?

I don’t think so.

Back in those old days, a lot of the players held off-season jobs to make ends meet, so they were pretty down-to-earth. Still, they were larger-than-life to your average Canadian kid.

I recall being excited just to get the autographs of some of the South Essex Hockey League stars of the day. Imagine asking Ken Steingart, Bingo Harris or Fudd Jackson for their autographs. I did.

I remember when I was quite young and my sister and

Sadly, I don’t think that’s the case anymore. The average Canadian kid can now call up a player’s entire career and hundreds of photos on their cell phone. No desire to meet the player. They already know everything about him and it’s really no big deal anymore.

Fred Epplett, former Leamington Flyers owner passes

By C. Scott Holland

He held a passion, a fire and lifelong enjoyment of the game of hockey, and this past weekend Fred Epplett, second owner of the Leamington Flyers hockey club, passed away.

him but bowed out after going 1-9. At that time Epplett decided to split the coaching duties between himself and Bill Sanford, an original Flyers player from the 1950s.

Leamington finished last and dropped out.

The original club began in 1950 and by the late 1950s struggled to obtain players and fans. At the conclusion of the 1959-60 season, original founder and owner Bill Burgess put the club up for sale. A young entrepreneur whose business was based in Leamington decided to purchase the club.

That fellow was Fred Epplett, one of the area’s most down-to-earth citizens.

Undeterred, Epplett got the club into the newly created Border Cities Jr. C hockey league. The Flyers, with plenty of good young talent, would dominate for two seasons before the league was christened the Great Lakes Jr. C H.L. In 1971-72, a year in which they finally won the coveted All-Ontario crown and two more future NHLers (Kris Manery and Pat Ribble) played for the team.

It was the beginning of many superb years for Epplett and the organization.

His International Trucks Ltd. business grew under his guidance and ownership in much the same way as he helped transform the Leamington Flyers. But most of all, his beloved Flyers hockey team would become a highly competitive group of young men who sought to learn how to play the game, develop their talents, and who learned valuable lessons in life.

Epplett succeeded in hiring some of the best coaches around, and after the Border Cities hockey loop disbanded in 1963 he entered the Flyers in the OHA Juvenile ranks. For three consecutive seasons the Flyers went to the AllOntario finals but only won the provincial once. Two future NHLers came out of those teams – Brad Selwood and Randy Manery.

In 1966-67 Epplett entered the club in the Southwestern Jr. B which was split into an east and west division. The club did not fare well. Even before the season started they lost coach Marc Reaume. Al Plouffe was named to succeed

Just prior to the start of the 1974-75 campaign, Epplett turned the club over to the Town of Leamington, thus making it a non-profit group run by members of the community. The club managed to remain solvent until 2010 when it was sold.

Actively involved in other local minor hockey groups, as well as the Seacliff Hunt Club, Fred often spent time at a vacation retreat near Huntsville.

Until the last couple of seasons, Fred retained an interest in watching the Flyers play. The hockey passion is carried by his four children, Lee, Rob, Mike and Tim, and their children. It definitely runs in the family.

The Leamington Flyers can thank Fred Epplett for many things, but most of all he enabled affordable junior hockey to thrive in Leamington. Without a doubt, his friendship, generosity and leadership changed the lives of several thousand hockey players and hundreds of lives in and around the communities of Leamington and Wheatley.

Youth Centre receives donation

By Bryan Jessop

The continued generosity of a local organization has made it possible to open the doors for Leamington youth looking for a safe place to gather.

The second of two donations of $15,000 was presented to ACCESS County Community Support Services in support of its Leamington Youth Drop-In Centre Monday, Nov. 23 during the Windsor Essex Community Foundation annual general meeting at Spago’s Restaurant in Windsor. The donation was presented by Michael Honey on behalf of the MRH Foundation Fund, which offered the first $15,000 of the 24-month grant last year.

The WECF event featured $50,000 in combined contributions, including $34,000 to county-wide organizations as part of it’s annual Community Impact Grant, two ‘Fast Track’ grants totaling $1,000 and the $15,000 contributed by the MRH Foundation Fund to Leamington’s youth centre. Each year, a grant review committee with the WECF studies all applications to determine which organizations will receive grants and for what amounts. This year’s CIG recipients include the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Foundation.

The 2014 and 2015 MRH Foundation Fund grants to the Leamington Youth Drop-In Centre have been and are being used to offset rental costs.

“We would never have been able to open the Centre without this support,” said ACCESS County Community Support Services executive director Jenna Foley.

The Drop-In Centre’s lease at 94 Talbot St. East began in December of 2014 with the official grand opening taking place in April of this year. Members and volunteers with the former ACCESS program Voices of Youth in Community (VOYC) painted, furnished and decorated the building’s interior prior to its official opening.

The centre is open Mondays to Fridays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Although there are no established age limits for those who can visit, the majority of the facility’s users are high school students. The centre offers visitors a reading nook, movies, computers with Internet access, referrals, assistance with filling

director Jenna Foley accepts a grant of $15,000 for the Leamington Youth Drop-In Centre from Michael Honey of the MRH Foundation Fund during the Windsor Essex Community Foundation annual general meeting Monday, Nov. 23 at Spago’s Restaurant in Windsor. (Submitted photo)

out forms and a trusteeship program.

Since opening its doors, the Leamington Youth Drop-In Centre’s paid staff and volunteers have seen a steadily increasing number of local teens making use of the program.

“There are a lot of regulars and new faces every day — it’s great,” said Foley. In addition to regular amenities, the centre also

provides an assortment of activities based on the interests of participating visitors. Currently, the program is in need of volunteers ages 18 and up to take on full shifts or half shifts of 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Ali Hedge at 519-324-0990 extension 29 or by e-mail at ahedges@accesscounty.ca.

or Learning Difficulties? Child and adult screening, assessment and treatment. Noreferralnecessary.

If life is a game, he has scored

We are frequently reminded of how quickly time flies. While checking Facebook daily I am greeted with many little smiling faces as photos of wee ones are shared as they experience their first milestones; first month, first smile and first Christmas. On the other side of the spectrum of life, we are also greeted with the news of the passing of a friend’s family member, our friend and mentor Mr. Fred Epplett. When you are far away from home, news such as this only accentuates the distance between us and those we love. I venture to bet that during Fred’s time on this earth, most of his close friends and family were very close knit and didn’t venture too far from their Wheatley home base. I know this feeling very well.

Lifestyles...

As a little girl I grew up thinking that I would NEVER move out from under my parents’ roof. My days were perfect. In between my mother’s wonderful homecooked meals, I was able to explore the nearby woods with my older brothers. Nightly games of ‘French and English’,‘Kick the Can’ and ‘Man Hunt’ kept us entertained over and over again. However, as I grew up I became excited with the thoughts of creating a home of my own, but still not too far away. After just a couple of years in Leamington, Mark and I found our roots right back in Wheatley next door to my mother and father’s house where I grew up.

Last week we flew to New Hampshire to spend the weekend with our son Cheyne. Unfortunately, he was unable to play hockey while we were there because he was still repairing from a cracked patella. However, our time with him and his friends was invaluable.

Prior to returning to Little Whale Cay we made our stop in Lauderdale for provisions. The week was full of family festivities and a pleasant change from our normal routine. Timing was perfect for Mark and I, along with my brother Tom and ‘sister’ Sue, as we were included in three separate family gatherings. First we celebrated my father’s birthday, then U.S. Thanksgiving and finally my stepmother’s 80th birthday. We were royally spoiled with great food and conversation. I am proud to share the fact that we held our own and shone as Canadians, especially at the shuffleboard tourney one afternoon. My father and I cleaned up! Tom and Sue returned with us to our new home on Little Whale Cay for a quick two-day visit. I am quite sure they will return!

Times like these are all memories in the making. With the news regarding Fred’s passing, Mark and I both reflect on our times with him. Mark’s recollections go far beyond mine, as he has known him since the dawn of time or at least the dawn of ‘his time’ playing hockey. Epplett is a family name that is synonymous with hockey. After Mark played with the University of Windsor, he joined the Hunt Club. It was during this time that Mark and I started dating and I remember well his yearly trips to Burk’s Falls. I am sure that I only heard a few of the stories but they always included ‘Cap’.

During the time that our son Cheyne played with the Leamington Flyers, I was also able to forge a relationship with Mr. Epplett. He was a great supporter of hockey, the players, the volunteers and the entire staff. He rarely missed a game. I especially enjoyed our individual time with him and Grant Bowman as we drove them to ‘away’ hockey games riding in the luxury of Fred’s big pickup. I would usually just sit and listen to the wise and wonderful stories that they both shared!

We certainly don’t regret a moment spent with this patriarch of the community. However, we do realize that distance has taken us away from building new memories with family and friends back home. Hopefully, our stories from the island continue to entertain until we return and create a different chapter in our book of life. Mark truly wishes that he could slip home to partake in the celebration of Fred’s life this week. He regrets that he will miss the endless stories that no doubt will be shared about a life worth living.

“Life goes on with happy times and sad ones. Fortunately when a life is well-lived the memories survive when the soul flies away.” – My Mother

SHANNON MATHESON

in the in the in the in the in the

ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, you can be quite generous when you choose to be, but sometimes you can overlook the needs of others. Pay as much attention to others' needs as possible this week.

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21

Little things influence how others look at you, Taurus, so make sure you get all of your ducks in a row -- especially at work. Focus on some finer details.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21

You may not be in a practical mood this week, Gemini. Fortunately for you, there isn't much of importance that needs to be done, so you are free to let loose a little bit.

CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22

This isn't a week to take a walk down Memory Lane, Cancer. Focus on the future rather than getting lost in nostalgia. However, let your past guide your actions a bit.

LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, your calendar is filling up quickly, but you cannot add any days to the calendar. Divide your responsibilities so you can better handle everything on your slate.

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22

Ambivalence will get you nowhere fast, Virgo. It can be difficult to make decisions, but that's something you have to do this week. Once you do, you can forge ahead.

LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, you are capable of making intelligent, objective decisions. Expect to find yourself with a growing list of new friends who want your advice.

SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22

Now is not the time to begin a new project, Scorpio. Rather, keep a low profile and finish up any tasks that you did not get to finish last week.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21

Sagittarius, it's difficult to get a good read on any associates or friends, which could impact your plans moving forward. You may need to make a few assumptions and back track later.

CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20

Capricorn, right now all you can think about is your career and your financial future. That's okay because you've been meaning to give more thought to your finances and how to proceed.

AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, you may feel yourself pulled in two different directions this week. There's a part of you that is focused on home, and another that knows work beckons. Find a balance.

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20

It may seem like getting others to open up is a struggle this week. Find a way to communicate as best you can, Pisces.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

NOVEMBER 29

Howie Mandel, Comic (60)

NOVEMBER 30

Kaley Cuoco, Actress (30)

DECEMBER 1

Vance Joy, Singer (28)

DECEMBER 2

Charlie Puth, Singer (24)

DECEMBER 3

Amanda Seyfried, Actress (30)

DECEMBER 4

Tyra Banks, Model (42)

DECEMBER 5

John Rzeznik, Singer (50)

Local ‘Be Safe’ app launched at LDSS

By Bryan Jessop

Leamington District Secondary School has once again stepped forward to play a role in combining mental health awareness with leading-edge technology.

In a collaboration between Leamington District Memorial Hospital and the Londonbased non-profit mental health program mindyourmind, a Windsor-Essex County version of the Be Safe mobile app was officially launched at LDSS Tuesday, Nov. 24. The event took place in the school’s gymnasium and was attended by about 30 Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School students, LDSS’s Grade 9 classes, a handful of Kingsville District High School students and representatives of LDMH, mindyourmind, municipal council and the Greater Essex County District School Board.

The occasion was emceed by Security One director of marketing Corey Robertson, who introduced guest speakers that included LDMH vice president and chief nursing executive Cheryl Deter, GECDSB superintendent of education, health, operations, safe schools and equity and inclusion Dr. Sharon Pyke, Cardinal Carter principal Dwayne Brunet and keynote speaker Melissa Taylor-Gates, project coordinator of mindyourmind. Prior to and following presentations, Taylor-Gates offered brochures, pamphlets and other mental health literature while answering questions from visitors. Afterwards, snack items were offered by the LDSS hospitality program.

“When your dealing with mental health, however you want to deal with it, you have the right to say ‘this is how I want to be serviced’.”

— Melissa Taylor-Gates

“It’s really important to utilize opportunities to engage the community,” LDMH manager of innovations and partnerships Dr. Zain Ismail said of the launch in Leamington. “It can be difficult to get the word out.”

Ismail noted that while the app could be used by residents of all ages, it’s design was based on the feedback of youth with youth in mind.

The Windsor-Essex County edition of Be Safe officially became available for downloading in mid-June of this year. Representatives of LDMH contacted mindyourmind about a year ago after learning about the Be Safe app to inquire about having a Windsor-Essex County version created.

A series of phone calls and e-mails between the two organizations followed as part of the free mobile app’s construction. From there, the team representing mindyourmind — a Family Service Thames Valley program — vetted a list of mental health resources and organizations from across Windsor and Essex County to be included as part of the local rendition of Be Safe.

The app allows users to create a safety plan and provides specific local resources to help accommodate the individual’s needs. Be Safe functions include a list of questions that links users to specific mental health service providers depending on how the questions are answered. It also includes a personalized ‘get help’ script, a decision aid and instructs users with mental health concerns on how to reach out for help safely and effectively. The app also includes a printed paper version.

Be Safe originated in London in 2013 and reached out to a test market in 2014. Since then, the list of location-specific versions has grown to 15, including editions for nearby regions including Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton. The app is available for both iPhone and Android formats and also includes an Ontario-wide version.

“Resources are slim, and that’s why this app came to pass,” explained Deter, who noted that Windsor Women Working With Immigrant Women was one of the organizations contributing to the local Be Safe’s construction.

“When you’re dealing with mental health, however you want to deal with it, you have the right to say ‘this is how I want to be serviced’,” Taylor-Gates explained of the motivation behind the app’s design.

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Greater Essex County District School Board superintendent of education, health operations, safe schools and equity and inclusion Dr. Sharon Pyke talks about the benefits of the Be Safe mental health app introduced to students in Windsor and Essex County. The official launch took place at Leamington District Secondary School Tuesday, Nov. 24.

Mindyourmind social media and project coordinator Melissa TaylorGates offers pamphlets, cards and other literature on mental health to visitors of the Be Safe app launch for Windsor and Essex County at Leamington District Secondary School.

Relay For Life at LDSS

as

of the activities during this

School Relay For Life fundraiser. The

Deangelo Policella makes a leap from his team’s board to a tire lying a few feet away in his team’s stop at one of 10 stations featured in the Leamington District Secondary School’s Relay For Life fundraiser Friday, Nov. 27 at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex. The school raised about $10,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society by collecting in-person and online pledges.

TapTix is a game that you Tap to Play, for a chance to win instant cash prizes. With games like TapTix, Bingo, eBingo and Play-on-Demand games, finding your favourite is part of the fun! Come visit us to find YOUR game. Must be 18 years

ASCOTT

September 26, 1985 - November 28, 2014

I thought of you today, yesterday and all the days before. I cry for you every day, wishing you would just burst through the door.

I know it's wishful thinking, I wish it anyway. Call me a fool, call me anything you want, The angels wanted you, I couldn't make you stay. I am just a mother with a broken heart. A piece now in Heaven, a true bond between us that even death can't tear apart. I will think of you tomorrow, and every day until it is my end. I will smile for you tomorrow, my heart will never mend. But know this, Michael, I love you with all my heart. Smile down on us, Sonshine, we're not that far apart. Gone,butneverforgotten.Lovinglyremembered. XOXOX Mom,Darcy,Jesse,Alex&Catrina

Jorden Fehr works on a loose brick in a giant version of Jenga

one

year’s Leamington District Secondary

school raised about $10,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society by collecting in-person and online pledges.

The team Carolyn’s Breast Friends tries its luck at the basketball-football station

Youngsters with the Fehr Car Wash Auto Detailing Centre float wave to a large crowd of spectators.

Christmas Parade a great success!

What another great turnout from the many spectators and the phenomenal floats entered in Leamington’s annual community Christmas Parade!

Judges Alberto Bernal Acero, Joe Saad and Don Nicholson had a hard task before them, judging among the 60 entries in the parade. Here are this year ’s winners:

Best Church: Leamington United Church, with close second to Church of St. John the Evangelist.

Best School: Christian Fellowship Learning Centre, second École St-Michel.

Best Non-Profit: Leamington Flyers, second to Sun Parlour Rodeo and Crime Stoppers.

Best Commercial (small business): Tie between Bailey Inc. and DiMilo Auto Body, second Realty House, Sun County Realty and Cassiah’s Dance Company.

Best Commercial (large business): Tie between Highbury Canco and Mastronardi Produce, second to Leamington Rona, Leamington Superstore and Security ONE.

Best Theme: Leamington Rotary Club, second South Essex Community Council.

Mark your calendars! Next year’s Christmas Parade is slated for Saturday, November 26, 2016.

CiB makes presentation to Council

STUDIES IN THE PROPHECIES OF DANIEL -every Sunday at 7:00 p.m., Seventh-day Adventist Church, 220 Erie St. N., Leamington. Topic: Ch. 5 "Running the Wrong Way". For more info call 519-322-1644. All welcome.

ADULT CRAFT NIGHT - Thursday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m., Leamington Library, 1 John St. Craft: Paint Chip Wreath, a simple but stunning wreath for Christmas made out of paint chips. You will need a wire wreath form and paint chips in your choice of colours. Call the library for more details 519-326-3441. Adult program. Register online or at the library.

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

- December 7-18 at Leamington Library, 1 John St. Drop in at the library and make a craft during the 12 days of Christmas. There will be a different craft prepared for parents and kids to make together. Stop at the desk and ask for your supplies and then have fun crafting together. Also, browse the great collection of holiday titles and stop at the North Pole Selfie Station and take a pic with your finished creations. All ages welcome.

FREE KIDS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM - Friday, December 11 at 4:00 p.m. at The Bank Theatre, presented in partnership with SECC's New Canadian Youth. Program features the play "Charlie Brown's Christmas, a story and a visit by Santa!

FAITH REFORMED CHURCH

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR, Saturday, December 12, 9:00 a.m.

- 1:30 p.m., 1115 Seacliff Dr. Kingsville(at Graham Sd. Rd.). Bake sale, marketplace, bazaar & luncheon. Something for everyone!

BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICEMonday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 311 Sherk St. Leamington. For many, this season is anything but cheerful. For those who have lost loved ones, lost a job, are struggling with finances or illness, this is not an easy season. The Blue Christmas service is offered for those in the community who are not having a Merry Christmas and the friends that support them. All are invited to come and visit with one another in a liturgy that speaks of the love of God for the grieving.

FREE 12-WEEK PARENTING CLASS - hosted by Windsor Essex Community Health Centre, every Tuesday starting January 5 to March 29, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., at Leamington United Mennonite Church, 78 Oak St. E. Topics: nutrition, child development, discipline, safety, health & wellness. Prizes & giveaways. Free childcare provided. For more info or to register call Nicole at 519258-6002 ext. 503.

2ND LEAMINGTON SCOUTING MEETS at the Leamington United Church, 9 John St., as follows: Beaver Scouts (age 5-7) meet Mondays from 6:15-7:30 p.m.; Cub Scouts (ages 8-10) meet Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00 p.m., Scouts (age 11-13) meet Tuesdays from 6:30-8:00 p.m.; Venturer Scouts (age 14-17) meet Mondays from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Come check it out. For more info call 519-3266355 or 519-326-6214.

MONDAYS - SENIORS DROP-IN, 1st and last Monday of the month only at 10:30 a.m. at Leamington United Church. Guest speakers, refreshments, games, exercise. It's free, fun, and wheelchair accessible. All seniors welcome.

ARE YOU AFFECTED BY SOMEONE ELSE'S DRINKING? The

Wheatley Serenity Al-Anon Family Group meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Wheatley Friendship Club (north entrance), 171 Erie St. N.

DO YOU ENJOY VOLUNTEERING AND MEETING PEOPLE? South Essex Community Council in Leamington is currently looking for volunteers for Meals on Wheels Delivery. If you are interested in volunteering during the morning for about 1 hour per week or as a back-up volunteer, please call Noreen or Susan at SECC - 519326-8629 ext.381. www.secc.on.ca.

HELP AN ADULT LEARN ENGLISH - South Essex Community Council is currently looking for tutors for adults learning English. One afternoon or evening per week. Training/materials provided. Qualification: Fluency in English. Great for high school seniors too! Call 519-326-8629 ext. 381 or email volunteer@secc.on.ca

PREGNANCY & RESOURCE CENTRE, 33 Princes St. (Princess Centre) Suite 408, Leamington, offers free and confidential services provided by registered nurses and trained volunteers. Free pregnancy tests. Call 24/7 for free and confidential support - 519-3260612. Business calls: 519-3263821.

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.

IF YOU HAVE PARKINSON’S and would like to join our group for information, exercise and support, come by Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. to the Half Century Club, 160 Talbot St. E. Leamington.

Community Calendar is a FREE service for FREE events. Please see the COMING EVENTS section in the CLASSIFIEDS for events with admission charges.

Several Communities in Bloom committee members, chairperson Charlie Wright and CiB tour judge Kathy Smyth attended the Monday, November 16 Leamington Council meeting. Kathy presented an informative overview of the Judges Tour and Evaluation process. The Town of Leamington was once again a 5-Bloom Award winner and Criteria Award winner for Environmental Action. CiB presented the certificates to the municipality at the meeting.

Also, Catherine Riediger and Bill Sherk donated copies of the 249-page 2015 CiB Community Profile Book to the mayor, deputy-mayor, councillors, economic development officer and the Leamington Library. The public can review this document on the Leamington Communities in Bloom website: www.communitiesinbloom-leamington.ca.

Leamington Br. 84 Legion News

By Pat Simpson

The Leamington Legion Kids Christmas Party is on Sunday, December 13 from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. This is a party for the children and grandchildren of members. Members are asked to call the Branch at 519-326-0073 and let organizers know how many children you are bringing.

The Seniors Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings is on Wednesday, December 9. Tickets are still available. You do not have to be a member, you just have to be a senior!

BANK THEATRE NOTES

10 ERIE STREET SOUTH P.O. BOX 434

LEAMINGTON, ON N8H 3W5 519-326-8805

DECEMBER 11TH @ 4:00 PM

KIDS CHRISTMAS - a joint venture with South Essex Community Council Youth and The Bank Theatre. More details to follow.

DECEMBER 12TH @ 7:30 PM

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS

The Bank Theatre and Abridged Opera Company under the direction of Erin Armstrong and featuring boy soprano Will Trigo Ebere, bring to the stage this Christmas Opera by the contemporary Pulitzer Prize winning Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti. Based on Italian folk tales of the Nativity and Epiphany this opera is a retelling of the Magi from the point of view of a young disabled boy named Amahl living in poverty with his widowed mother near Bethlehem. Blinded by the lure of the Magi's gifts to "the Child", Amahl's mother attempts to steal a small portion but is caught. Unexpectedly, Amahl is blessed and cured of his disability. A vivid and accessible tale originally created for television, this is a perfect first opera -- or hundredth! Running time is 50 minutes but if you would enjoy a longer performance, each performer has prepared a Christmas piece to be included in a short sing-a-long. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and are available at Wharram's Jewellery and Counter Effects in Leamington.

The Members Christmas Party is Saturday, December 19. This is a potluck party so come out for an afternoon of comradeship and good eats. Members are reminded that 2016 dues are due.

Kathy Smyth (left), CiB tour judge, and CiB chairperson Charlie Wright presented DeputyMayor Hilda MacDonald with the two certificates that recognize Leamington for once again being a 5-Bloom Award winner and Criteria Award winner for Environmental Action.

Historical Society members learn about Boblo Island block house

By C. Scott Holland

On Sat. Nov. 28 six members of the Leamington and Mersea Historical Society – Bob and Shirley McCracken, Paul Bunnett-Jones, Bill Gay, Carolyn Coad and Scott Holland – traveled to Essex to learn about the restoration of the historic Boblo Island block house.

The lunch-hour talk was sponsored by the Essex County Historical Society and was presented along with an extensive slide show by Ted Steele.

After telling about the region’s background and the unrest at the time, Steele began his narrative by explaining that Bill Brundage, a retired elementary teacher, had visited Boblo in 2010 along with his son-in-law. Upon viewing the historic south end block house collapsing and in danger of disappearing, it disheartened him. Yet it lit a small fire deep inside him and from that small spark he knew he could get the historic structure restored.

First on his list of things to do was approaching Dominic Amicone, the island’s developer who owned the property on which the block house sat. With permission to restore the historic site, Brundage did extensive research on the building.

It was erected by the British in 1839 and had served primarily as a military outpost. But photos from circa 1900 show it had begun to deteriorate. Seeking a qualified engineer who could do the restoration was difficult until someone steered him towards Norm Becker.

Immediately upon hearing about the block house, Becker seized the opportunity and agreed not only to do the restoration but provided some financial support as well.

Becker’s professionalism not only got the project initiated but aided in the restoration immensely.

The block house was a four-sided, two-storey building whose four walls, both upper and lower, had slits cut into them from which occupants could shoot their rifles. The upper floor had an overhang and contained “murder slits.” These slits were wide openings in the floor which looked down upon exterior (outside) walls. Should any unwanted intruders or enemies approach they could easily eliminate the threat. All the slits had boards which swung into place to cut down unwanted air flow and eliminate bad weather. Also, the upper slits rendered a good view of all four compass points.

The original wood was white oak cut into square logs. Finding suitable replacements was difficult but Becker found a substitute in Northern Ontario.

The building had two underground storage areas, one for gunpowder and another for food. Its single entranceway had a four-inch thick door.

In the process of digging and laying a new foundation, dozens of artifacts – pieces of broken pottery, arrowheads, rifle flints, buttons, and other items – were salvaged from underneath the block house. Many of these are now on display inside the building. Among the exhibits, the original drawings for the building can be viewed plus a collage of photos showing the reconstruction which took countless hours over the course of four years.

The block house is open to school groups and the general public on Sundays from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. from May until November, weather permitting. Brundage is often on hand to greet visitors. Admission is free and donations are gladly accepted. Transportation between Amherstburg and the island is via ferry, and arrangements from the ferry docks to the south end of the island can be made.

The block house was formally dedicated and opened on June 13, 2015.

We can help make sense of

Poster and Poetry Contest Entrants Recognized

At Gore Hill Public School’s November Achievement Assembly, students were proud to congratulate two students who entered the Royal Canadian Legion poetry and poster contests. Sydney Enns (left) designed a poster and was presented with a certificate for her entry. Ardan Fischer wrote an original poem about Remembrance Day and won first prize for her division (Gr. 4) in the poetry competition. Ardan presented Leamington Legion Br. 84 president Bob McKee with a framed copy of the original poem she wrote to honour all Canadian veterans as part of the classroom literacy activities. From left to right are Sydney Enns, Legion president Bob McKee, and Ardan Fischer. (Submitted photo)

Leamington male charged in September crash; 4 injured

The Churches of Leamington and District Welcome You

ANGLICAN

St. John The Evangelist

60 Erie St. N., Leamington 519-326-3111

Sunday Worship Services

8:30 & 10:30 am

St. Mary’s Church

East West Road, Pelee Island

1st & 3rd Sundays from June to September at 10 am

Calvary Church

North Shore Road, Pelee Island

1st & 3rd Sundays from October to May at 10 am

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church

3 Fox Street, Leamington 519-326-4372

Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Heritage Baptist Church

555 Talbot St. W., Wheatley

519-300-1400 Pastor Francisco Penner

Sunday 11 am & 7 pm, Wed 7 pm

Wheatley Baptist Church

47 Talbot St. E.., Wheatley 519-825-7433 Pastor Richard Smith

Sunday School 9:00 am Worship 10:30 am

CONGREGATIONALIST

Faith Everlasting Congregational Church 589 Hwy 77, Leamington 519-322-2994

Sunday Worship 11 am

220 Erie St. N., Leamington 519-322-1644

Saturday Services: Bible Study 9:30 am Worship 11:00 am

LUTHERAN

St. Paul’s LutheranEvangelical Church

311 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-326-3966

Sunday Worship Services 10:30 am (Eng)

Leamington Evangelical Mennonite Mission Church 1408 Deer Run Rd, Leamington 519-326-9734

Sunday Worship Services 9:15 am (German), 10:45 am (English)

Leamington Evangelical Mennonite Church 108 Mersea Rd 3, Leamington 519-322-9915

Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Leamington United Mennonite Church 78 Oak Street East, Leamington 519-326-2727

Sunday Worship 9:45 am

Summer Worship Services 10:00 am

Meadow Brook Fellowship 219 Talbot Street East, Leamington 519-326-3605

1 Sunday Worship Service at 10:30 am

North Leamington United Mennonite Church 625 Mersea Rd 6, Leamington 519-326-7928

Sunday Worship 10:00 am

South Point Community Church 475 Bevel Line Road, Leamington 519-322-1858

Sunday Gatherings 10:30 am NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Iglesia La Buena Semilla 269 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-733-0342

Sunday Worship 6:30 pm

Leamington District

Memorial Hospital

194 Talbot St. W., Leamington 519-326-2373, Chaplain’s Office ext. 4443

PENTECOSTAL

FGT Family Church

285 Talbot St. E., Leamington Free bus rides available 519-322-2316

Service Sunday 9:15 am & 11 am am

Leamington Christian Centre 98 Elliott Street, Leamington 519-322-1504

Sunday Worship Services 10:30 am

English/Spanish 6:30 pm

Templo Christiano De Leamington

MENNONITE

Faith Mennonite Church

269 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-326-6391

Sunday Worship Services 10:50 am (Summer 10 am)

39 Talbot St. E., Leamington 519-325-9654

Sunday Worship Services 3 pm

Mount Zion Full TabernacleGospel

6 Mill Street, Leamington 519-252-0031

Sunday Worship 7:30 pm

United Pentecostal Church

312 Erie St. St., Leamington 519-326-7056

Sunday Worship Services 11 am

PRESBYTERIAN

Knox Presbyterian Church

58 Erie St. S., Leamington 519-326-4541

www.pccweb.ca/knoxleamnington/ Sunday Worship Services 10:30 am

ROMAN CATHOLIC

St. Michael’s Parish

29 Elliott Street, Leamington 519-326-2643

NO MASSES FROM JULY 14 TFN

St. Joseph’s Church

310 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-326-2643

Saturday Mass: 5 pm (English)

Sunday Masses: 7:30 am (English)

9 am (Italian, English) 10:30 am (English)

12 Noon (Portuguese)

3 pm (Spanish), 7 pm (English)

St. Anthony’s Parish (Maronite Rite)

280 Talbot Street East, Leamington 519-322-2282

Sunday Masses 9:30 & 11 am (Lebanese, English)

SALVATION ARMY

The Salvation Army Citadel 88 Setterington Street

Leamington 519-326-4901

Sunday Worship 10:30 am

UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

Leamington United Church

9 John Street, Leamington 519-326-9461

Sunday Worship Services 10:30 am

Mersea United Church

1301 Mersea Road 8, Wheatley 519-825-4157

Sunday Worship Services 9:30 am

Olinda-Ruthven United Church

1907 Queen Blvd., Ruthven ON 519-326-3138

Sunday Services at 9:30 am UNITARIAN

Unitarian Universalist Church of Olinda 2953 Olinda Sideroad, Ruthven 519-326-4352 Sunday Service 10:30 am

On September 5, 2015, the OPP in Lakeshore attended the scene of a vehicle fire on West Belle River Road.

The vehicle had been involved in a single motor vehicle collision with four occupants having been inside the vehicle at the time.

Essex Windsor Emergency Medical Service (EMS) as well as Lakeshore Fire Department responded to assist with the collision. All four occupants were injured in the collision sustaining non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle was issued a blood demand while being treated at hospital for his injuries. Blood was taken and sent to the Centre of Forensic Sciences (CFS) in Toronto for testing to determine his blood alcohol content.

Slam at Gore Hill P.S.

Last week, students in Ms.

School hosted a Poetry

Students dressed as beatniks and presented some of their poetry to parents and other invited guests. Serenity Schroeder was one of the “beatniks” presenting literature at the Poetry Slam. (Submitted photo)

As a result, the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash, a 19-year-old Leamington man, has been charged with the following offences: exceeding 80 milligrams blood alcohol content; dangerous operation

of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm (x3); impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm (x3). He will appear in a Windsor court on December 16 to answer to the charges.

BBB launches Scam Tracker

In an effort to monitor and track fraudulent activity – both locally and across Canada and the U.S. – Better Business Bureau (BBB) has introducing BBB Scam Tracker, a new online tool which allows consumers and businesses to report instances of fraud they’ve encountered and stay up-to-date on scams targeting their area.

Whether you’ve been the victim of a fraudulent scheme, wish to report a suspect offer or are simply curious about scams targeting your area, you can do so by visiting bbb.org/scamtracker. That will give you the option of filing a report or learning about scams or suspicious activity other people in your area have reported to Better Business Bureau. BBB staffers review all submissions to the site in order to watch for patterns of a problem and ensure the submissions are authentic.

BBB Scam Tracker also gives people the ability to see where scams are occurring nationally and allows them to search for fraudulent activity by keyword or within a certain timeframe.

In addition, the data collected through these reports will be shared with law enforcement who, with enough information on the scams and their origins, will be able to take action to shut them down.

Sales’ Grade 6/7 at Gore Hill Public

Slam.

LAERC to welcome

family of 9, help is needed

By Carolyn Reid Leamington Area Ecumenical Refugee

Committee (LAERC) got a surprise recently. The family of 9 that the group had chosen to sponsor would be here next year sometime. Knowing all the paperwork takes such a long time to be completed, and just having a family of four arrive and still getting settled, members were kind of relaxing. Then came the exciting news that the family of 9 would be arriving Dec. 3 at Windsor Airport!

An emergency meeting transpired to get things in motion for all that has to be readied to welcome the family. The two women are sisters and are also cousins to some of the Karen people already here, who have offered to house them until a home is ready.

Also, LAERC was asked by the refugee coordinator if the group could sponsor an elderly couple whose daughter lives here in Leamington.

With all these impending arrivals, LAERC need lots of help. Furniture, household items, beds, towels, kitchen supplies, etc., as well as financial donations are needed as LAERC’s resources are stretched to the limit.

If you can assist in any way, call Glenna Lane at 519-324-0243. Together a lot of people can make a big difference to those who find themselves refugees through no fault of their own.

Annual Soup & Salad Luncheon

Serving up hot soup prepared by the areas restaurants

Organizer John Woelk welcomed a full house to the annual Soup & Salad luncheon held on Wednesday, November 25 in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Celebrity ladlers for the Soup & Salad Luncheon were, from left to right, Donny Pacheco, Leamington Mayor John Paterson and wife Betty Paterson. Money raised from the luncheon support the Canadian Cancer Society.

Four-year-old Noah Lasi and his Oma Marie Lasi were two of the hundreds of people to enjoy the Soup & Salad Luncheon.

Happy 90th Birthday Florence McLenon

Florence McLenon (nee Hyatt) was born December 4, 1925 in Leamington. She has four children, ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, with another on the way. She will celebrate with family & friends at The Salvation Army Church in Leamington from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. on December 13.

Happy Birthday Mom.

Love Ruth, Don, Patsy and Terry

ELENA ZOMPANTI

It’s been 5 years since you have been gone. We think of you always, we talk of you still. You have never been forgotten, and you never will. We hold you close within our hearts, and there you will remain. We miss you and forever loved, Your family, Antonio, Nick, Sue, Dan, Sylvie, and Families.

Tim and Michelle Hill are proud to announce the marriage of their daughter Melise to Pat, son of Ron and Sharon Miller of Livonia, Michigan. Melise and Pat were married on July 1st, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan with a warehouse reception on September 12th to celebrate with family and friends.

Loads of love and best wishes for their future together in the D!

In Loving Memory

ANGIE STAMATOPOULOS FEATHERSTONE

What would we give her hand to clasp, her patient face to see. To hear her voice, to see her smile, as in the days that used to be. But some sweet day we'll meet again beyond the toil and strife. And clasp each other's hand once more, in Heaven, that happy life. Love Mom & Dad December 2, 2013

We can’t believe that we are entering our 3rd year of our life sentence without you William. We miss you every second of everyday; our family has been broken; and will never be the same again. You will never be forgotten.

We love you so much.

We’ll love you forever, and like you for always, as long as we’re living, our baby you’ll be.

I hope the angels know what they have.

Love you forever Bud Love, Mom, Dad, Hillary, Eliah and Dawson

A private funeral was held for Kenneth John Neufeld of Burlington, Ontario on Wednesday, November 25, 2015. Ken was the son of Ben and Molly Neufeld of Leamington. His wife, Lorie (Quick) Neufeld and children Ryan (Sarah) and Brittany wish to thank Pastor Terry Dempsey along with family & friends for their support during this difficult time.

Antonietta Mastronardi-Coates & Sydney Coates, Nick D. & Marjorie Mastronardi,

Chris and Jack Harfmann are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter Tara to Todd Bering, son of Gary and Brenda Bering on October 24, 2015. The couple reside in Leamington.

Penny Harold

Penny Harold, 75 years, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2015.

Daughter of the late Fred and the late Mary Harold.

Dear sister of Joan Bateman (late Bruce), Barbara Harold, BettyLou Nussey (Bruce), Fred Harold (Marie), the late Janice Livingston (late Bruce), the late Jerry Harold (Kay), Judy Murray (Robert), Sheila Catton, Richard Harold (Patricia), Michael Harold, and Timothy Harold. Close friend of Stacey and Colin Campbell and their children, Stephanie and David Woloviec and their children. Penny will be missed by many nieces and nephews.

Penny was a teacher in Frobisher Bay and a house mother at St. Albert’s College in Belleville.

Visiting is at the Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631) on Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until time of Memorial Service to celebrate Penny’s life at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Colin Swan officiating.

Memorial donations may be made by cheque to the SickKids Foundation.

Habitat for Humanity looking for volunteer board members

Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving housing in the region. Their mission is to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building safe, decent, affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means to breaking the cycle of poverty.

The Habitat for Humanity Windsor-Essex volunteer Board of Directors is seeking nominations for new board members with governance experience in the non-profit sector. While this experience is preferred, it is not necessarily a requirement.

Interested candidates can submit a resume including an outline of their professional, educational and community experience. Deadline is Friday, Dec. 18, 2015.

Those interested must: be the age of majority (18+); reside in Windsor-Essex County; commit to one monthly meeting and committee work; be able to provide police clearance from the municipality in which they reside.

For more information email: office@habitatwindsor.org noting “Board Application” in the subject line.

OBITUARY

Katharina Pauls

Katharina “Tena” Pauls (nee Lehn), 94 years, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on Monday, November 30, 2015.

Thomas Frederick Epplett

Thomas Frederick Epplett, 88 years, passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at the Sun Parlor Home in Leamington.

Beloved wife of the late Bernhard Pauls (2004). Dear mother of William (Verna), the late Linda Pauls (1960), the late Nancy Willms (1985), Alice Derksen (John), Diane Evans (Tony), Dennis (Marilyn). Dear mother-in-law of Ron and Neta Willms. Loving grandma of Bradley, Brian and Diane, Jonathan and Andrea, Jeremy, Jeff and Tori, Julie and Tim, Kevin and Sarah, Hannah, Amy, Blake and Gavin, and great-grandma to twelve. Dear sister of Antonia Krahn, Theresa Ediger, Jake Lehn (Elizabeth), Peter Lehn (Lydia), Nellie Thiessen and the late Ed Lehn, the late Louise Penner, the late Henry Lehn (Christine), and the late Maria Lehn. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends also survive.

Visiting at the Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 14 Russell Street, Leamington, on Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Funeral Service to celebrate Tena’s life held from the North Leamington United Mennonite Church, Concession 6, Leamington, on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at 11 a.m. Rev. Cathrin van-Sintern Dick officiating. Interment Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made by cheque to the Leamington Mennonite Home.

Friends may send condolences or make a charitable contribution online at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

Dear father of Lee and her husband Jack Franklin of Coatsworth, Rob and his wife June of Leamington, Mike and his wife Joyce of Wheatley, and Tim and his wife Tricia of Wheatley. Loving grandfather of Steve and Sue, Tracey and Rino, Jeff, Jamie, Nikki and Adam, Mark and Hedy, Carly and Mike, Caryn and Kevin. Loving great-grandfather of MaKenna, Hadyn, Blake, Koen, Mila, Ella and Samantha.

Fred was the co-founder of Leamington International Trucks and former owner of the Leamington Flyers Hockey Club. Fred was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #324 Wheatley. He loved his family and was a very caring and humble man. Fred spent many enjoyable years with family and friends at Rochester Lake.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Sun Parlor Home for their care and compassion. At Fred’s request, cremation will take place. Visiting at the Hammond Funeral Home, 17 Little Street South, Wheatley (519-825-7741) on Tuesday from 3:00-7:00 p.m.

Funeral Service will be held at the Wheatley United Church on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Janet Brigham officiating.

Memorial donations may be made by cheque to the Wheatley United Church, Southpoint Minor Hockey, or the charity of your choice.

www.hammondfuneralhome.ca

Free classes to help parents raise happy, healthy kids

The Windsor Essex Community Health Centre will be hosting a series of parenting classes, “ABCs of Parenting”, in Leamington. The free 12-week program will be held every Tuesday beginning January 5 and running until March 29 (no class Mar. 15) from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. at Leamington United Mennonite Church, 78 Oak St. E.

Topics to be discussed include nutrition, child development, discipline, safety, health and wellness and more. There will also be prizes and other giveaways, and free childcare will be provided.

For more information or to register for the class, contact Nicole at 519-258-6002 ext. 503.

Local quilter uses talents to benefit community, charities

By Pat Bailey

Martha Wiens has been using her talents to benefit local charities one stitch at a time.

Wiens, 78, a retired school teacher, has thrown herself into her hobby for the past 20 years.

For the Leamington woman, quilting was a natural choice when she suddenly had time on her hands.

“All the women in my life quilted,” she said, “my mother, my grandmother, my aunts...”

“My mother taught me embroidery and sewing,” she added.

At 16, she made her first quilt. Sixty-two years later, she still proudly displays that quilt – which is admittedly much more simplistic than those that now adorn virtually every corner of her home.

She admits she wasn’t thrilled with the choice of fabric but said the most colourful pieces of fabric had already been spoken for.

“I got the leftovers,” she laughed.

And it really wasn’t a planned project – summertime was generally spent picking crops on the family farm. But that particular summer, it was a case of the mumps that kept Wiens stuck inside with a lot of time to fill.

She managed to complete that project, with a little finishing help from her mom, but then more or less put quilting on the back burner while her teaching career then monopolized most of her time.

About three summers before her retirement though, a class offered locally at ‘A Stitch in Time’ caught her eye and her interest.

Her renewed love of sewing and quilting took over once her retirement became official.

“I retired in ‘96,” said Wiens, “and I’ve been sewing ever since.”

But one house can hold only so many quilts – her home is a quiltlovers haven. They’re hanging on walls, over railings, and, of course, cover every bed.

So Wiens decided to use her talent to benefit the community, as well as other charities near and dear to her heart.

“Everybody gives in different ways,” said Wiens, “and everybody’s talented in different ways.”

As a result, several charities have reaped the reward.

that have been

Wiens is delighted that others are able to enjoy her handiwork – that is reward in itself. But as an additional show of thanks, one chair in the theatre bears Wiens’ name.

Wiens just shrugs off the thousands of hours spent making these works of art.

One quilt in particular, Wiens said, she donated to a Stratford charity in memory of a dear friend’s mother.

That friend, Ruth Owens, also happens to be a huge supporter of The Bank Theatre and a member of the board. As a result, Owens approached Wiens with the idea of making a quilt to help raise funds for the ongoing renovations of The Bank Theatre. To date, Wiens has

“I have no idea how long it takes me to finish a quilt,” she said. She’s also not quite sure of the number of quilts she’s donated, but guesses it’s at least 20.

But for Wiens, as long as the winner appreciates the time and effort put in, and the beauty of the finished product, she’s happy.

“It just makes me feel good,” said Wiens.

Martha Wiens shows off a more recently completed Christmas quilt alongside her first quilt, sewn 62 years ago when she was just 16. donated five hand-sewn quilts

raffled off by The Bank Theatre.

390 Talbot St. N. Essex

519-776-6447

chrisbabkirk@kenknappford.com

Cougars win Wilson title

By Bryan Jessop

Brennan more than doubled Cardinal Carter’s senior football team in the regular season-ending game, but a playoff title for the Windsor-based team just wasn’t in the ‘Cards’.

The Cougars avenged a 45-22 loss from Nov. 5 with a barnburner Wilson Divison championship game victory against the same team to finish the 2015 campaign on a high note. Cardinal Carter faced the Brennan Cardinals at University of Windsor Stadium Thursday, Nov. 19 and came out on top by a final score of 16-15. The game-winning play was a 37-yard field goal kick by James Saba with nine seconds left in the fourth quarter to cap a come-frombehind victory for the Cougars.

“It was an incredible game,” said Cardinal Carter head coach Chris Church. “This game was very different — our defense did a great job of containing them.”

The title match started on a promising note for the Cougars, who found the end zone with a Mack Butler touchdown on their first possession. The following PAT kick missed its mark.

Cardinal Carter — which played the game as both visitors and underdogs — experienced a cooling off of its offense from there. After Brennan managed a safety, the teams took their halftime breathers with a 6-1 Cougars advantage.

The Cardinals took their first lead off the opening kickoff of the second half, taking an onside kick and rushing it into the end zone for an 8-6 lead. Late in the third quarter, a long pass from quarterback Liam LeClair found a receiver to give the home squad a 14-6 lead after missing the PAT.

A missed field goal attempt by the Cardinals with a few minutes remaining in the game brought the score to 15-6 after the Cougars conceded a single

point on the play. Dan Metcalfe, who missed the last few regular season games after sustaining a lower-body injury, asked his teammates for a chance to bring Cardinal Carter within striking distance. He made the request worthwhile, running in a touchdown that included a PAT to make the score 15-13.

“He figured it was his last game of high school football, so he wanted to finish it doing everything he could,” said Church. “He was probably at about 75 per cent, but 75 per cent of Dan Metcalfe is worth more than a lot of other players at 100 per cent.”

Zack Benson made back-to-back sacks on the following Brennan possession to help give the Cougars the football in

Environmental Farm Plan Workshop W

Dec 9 (day 1) Dec 16 (day 2)

10:00 am to 3:00 pm Roma Club of Leamington 19 Seacliff Drive East, Leamington N8H 2L3

Please register at http://registration.wildapricot.org/ for info joanne.sanderson@ontariosoilcorp.org (519)784-4865

The Environmental Farm Plan is an assessment voluntarily prepared by farms to increase their environmental awareness in 23 different areas of their farm. This workshop allows farmers to highlight the farm’s environmental strengths and identify areas of concern and set realistic action plans with timetables to improve environmental conditions. The EFP can then be used in connection with cost share programs to begin implementing their action plan.

the game’s dying seconds. Cardinal Carter’s offense ran the ball up the middle four consecutive times to bring Saba within striking distance of a three pointer at

the 0:09 mark. Brennan had one chance to go the distance with the ball from their own 35-yard line, but yet another sack by Benson put the game away.

(Continued on page 19)

Zack Benson avoids a tackle as he carries the ball for yardage against the Brennan Cardinals during a WECSSAA senior football game Thursday, Nov. 5. The Cardinals won 45-22 to bring the Cougars’ record to 4-3. The teams met again in the Wilson Division final, won 16-15 by Cardinal Carter. (Sun file photo)

Injury bug strikes again… and again

Jessop’s Journal

When I was working in Wallaceburg a few years back, I remember covering a pre-season meeting for the town’s Junior B lacrosse team between its coaching staff and players. The coach of the Red Devils discussed a number of topics, from making sure potential rookies had permission forms signed by their minor league systems to on-thefloor expectations from the upcoming season opener to the finale. One of the things he said was “will I expect you to play hurt? Yes. Will I expect you to play injured? Never.”

It made sense. Toughness is important in a sport like lacrosse, but even in what’s called the fastest game on two feet, playing with an injury is just begging for things to go from bad to worse. There’s a huge difference between hurt and injured — much like the difference between loud and noisy for a music enthusiast. “Loud” simply makes reference to a great deal of volume. Noisy is just sound with no rhythm, direction or discernible talent — like most 1990s grunge bands.

Hurt can be as simple as a scratch or a bruise and nothing more — essentially, pain with the absence of physical damage. Injuries, of course, should be taken far more seriously. I recall a lesson taught during a high school health class that made note of the fact that a very small muscle tear at least has the potential to heal quickly… IF that muscle is not exerted any further. Ignored, a small tear becomes a big tear and sitting on your team’s injured list can instantly go from a couple weeks to a few months.

I mention this because of how quickly we as professional team sports fans tend to lose patience with a clutch player missing game after game while going through a recovery process. If a team doctor is “pretty sure” a complete recovery is possible in say three weeks, I never have a problem with making it four weeks before that player suits up for his next game. Better safe than sorry.

Sydney Crosby has already had more than his fair share of injuries, which as a non-Pens fan, doesn’t bother me THAT much. Still, I sometimes swear the guy is made of fine china — not a good thing for a franchise player who actually exhibits a willingness to drop the gloves from time to time (it’s rare, but look it up on YouTube and you’ll actually see him trade a few punches).

As a Habs fan, I’ll admit I’m starting to lose patience with the Carey Price situation. He sits out nine games, comes back and three games later; tada, the same knee (the right one) puts him out once again. Mike Condon’s done an admirable job in his absence, but enough already! Anyway, whether you hate the Habs or love ‘em, you instantly start to wonder if Price came back too soon. If it had been his left knee the second time around, you wouldn’t think twice about passing it off as bad luck. But the SAME spot? One has to wonder. Latest word is that he’ll be out another month. Sigh.

I distantly remember ranting a couple months ago about how the Edmonton Oilers take first-overall draft picks and play them FAR too often in their rookie years — a “strategy” that puts far too much strain on their bodies before they can grow accustomed to the lightning-fast, rough-and-tumble ways of the league (you can’t spell “unhealthy” without NH-L, as the saying goes). Sure enough, Connor MacDavid, at the ripe old age of 18, suffered a fractured clavicle after crashing into the boards Nov. 3 in a game against Philadelphia. Initial estimates pegged recovery time at about four months, although we’re now hearing that he’s ‘ahead of schedule’. Would it surprise me to see the Oilers put him back on the ice too soon and make matters worse? Nope.

Part of the problem is how unwilling most players are to sit idly by and watch their team soldier on without them. The urge to do your part is in and of itself a good quality to have, but when it comes to recovering from an injury, restraint is pretty important. We shower players with admiration when they take to the ice while tending to cracked ribs or broken fingers. Hockey is home to more than it’s share of tough customers, no doubt. I guess it’s not TOO bad when the walking wounded “suck it up” and hit the ice during playoffs — a few months of the fast-approaching offseason is the perfect time to recuperate.

I can just imagine how often professional sport team doctors are pressured to give a player the thumbs up when his or her absence is being felt via a pile-up of marks under the losses column. Can’t say I envy them. It’s got to be one of the toughest ‘behind the scenes’ decisions to make. Sure, a coach or GM feels the wrath of public scrutiny when a bad trade is made or a top performer is benched because of a toxic attitude problem. The team doctor, however, has an entire career in his or her hands when a choice is made on when to send a player back into action. When that player is a rookie or at least has another decade or so ahead of him or her, the decision becomes that much tougher.

RECREATION EVENTS RECREATION EVENTS

LEAMINGTON KINSMEN RECREATION COMPLEX LEAMINGTON KINSMEN RECREATION COMPLEX

Winter 1 session began this week – there are still a few openings. View the Activity Guide online www.leamington.ca/recreation for details on all programs & classes!

Christmas Gift Certificates - available in any $ increment for everyone on your list! 3 month New Year Shape-Up special, meet with a Personal Trainer, Student memberships, Youth memberships, Youth Skate/Swim/Gym Punch pass. Complex Gift Certificates are always welcome under the Tree!

Complex Pool: have you considered becoming certified as a Lifeguard? The Complex is looking for more lifeguards. An interesting, part-time career for teens or young retirees. Ask for more details.

Youth Programs: Red Cross Swim lessons, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Parent/Tot and Youth Indoor Soccer, Kirk Bowman Hockey Camps, Kindernastics, Power Tumbling, Youth Distance Running. Power Tumbling, Jr. Racquetball, Youth Basketball, Velocity Volleyball Academy, Babysitter Training Course, Home Alone Course.

Adult Programs: Fitness & Aquatic Fitness – 55 Classes per week, Indoor Cycling Spin Classes – 11 classes per week, Zumba, Mom & Baby classes – Stroller Fit, Mom & Tot Aquafit, Weight Room & Cardio Fitness, Masters Swimming, Scuba Lessons, Racquetball/ Squash, Pickleball, Table Tennis, 55+ Badminton, Health Track – a prevention/maintenance program, Red Cross First Aid CPR/AED Training, Personal Trainers & Nutrition & Wellness Coaches.

Rock ‘n Swim – Fri. Dec. 4th from 7:15 – 9:00 p.m. Swim to the sounds of your favourite music played by Chick Reynolds DJ Service. Music is sponsored by UMEI Christian Highschool.

Birthday parties, Group parties, Team parties – book your Activity and Pizza Party at the Complex. Kids love all the fun of an activity – choose from swimming, skating, gym or kindernastics!

It’s a proven fact that Daily Exercise & Strength Work-outs help to Reduce Stress, and give you More Energy! Keep your body limber, agile and toned! For high intensity, cardio burning, core sculpting postures, check out the Complex Fitness Schedules!

Come Exercise at the Kinsmen Recreation Complex - 249 Sherk St. Leamington.

249 Sherk St., Leamington 519-322-2337

email: complex@leamington.ca

Hugh Smythe — son of Conn Smythe — was a team doctor with the Leafs who during Game 6 of the 1964 Stanley Cup finals, had to decide whether or not to send Bobby Baun back onto the ice with a broken ankle. He decided to let him go. Baun then scored the winner in overtime to force a seventh game against the Red Wings, which Toronto won. Would today’s doctors do the same? Tough call. This is why team doctors have — and deserve to have — their names inscribed on the Cup.

Local Equestrian Team Capture Championship Titles

A local equestrian team from Wheatley attended the Western Dressage Association’s World Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on November 7-8. There they captured three Reserve Championship titles in Level 3 test 2, Level 3 test 4, and the Level 3 Freestyle riding to the music of John and Michele Law, also from Wheatley. The team consisted of Walter Mantler riding his quarter-horse gelding Liberachi SS, coached by Walter’s wife Gisela Mantler (pictured). They operate a riding facility, Symphony Stables, located between Leamington and Wheatley. (Submitted photo)

Bailey Atom girls take win

Bailey Machining Atom girls played Harrow White in Harrow on Sunday.

Less than one minute into the game, Adriana West put Southpoint on the board with a breakaway goal. Harrow came back minutes later to tie the game. Abbey Mazzella took a nice pass from Adriana West to score the second goal for Bailey’s.

Both teams played strong and wanted the win. Abbey Mazzella scored another goal unassisted. Harrow came back to score a second goal and tighten the gap. The girls battled and had a few more scoring chances. Leah Youssef took a hard shot from the blue line and just missed the net. Alessia West worked hard behind the net and took another shot. Danika Romanyk was ready for the rebound and kept the pressure on, but Allison Brady of Harrow was on her game and kept the puck out of the net.

Sienna Gale and Brook DaCosta drove the puck forward and set up some good scoring opportunities. Meghan Simpson and Daesa Minaudo worked hard along the boards. Abbey Neufeld, Emma Weil and Bricelyn Koehler did a good job keeping the puck in Harrow’s zone. Evan Gualtieri made some sweet breakaway saves for Bailey’s.

Megan Derbyshire and Adriana West had a few more breakaway opportunities but Harrow figured out how to shut down Bailey’s little rockets by the third period. Alessia West and Abbey Mazzella hustled and played both ends of the ice. Their backchecking in the third period was outstanding. Blair Bailey and Mila Pereira worked really hard to drive the puck to the net and fed Alessia West a pass for Bailey’s fourth goal. With just seconds left in the third period, Harrow scored one more goal but it was not enough to close the gap. Southpoint took the win with a 4-3 final score.

SP Ford Atoms play tie game

Southpoint Ford Atom’s played to a 1-1 tie against Harrow #5 on Nov. 28. The teams took a 0-0 tie into the third period until midway through the Harrow team capitalized on a power play and was able to slip one by Jack Thomas who played another impressive game for Southpoint.

Southpoint was able to tie it up with only a couple minutes remaining. Owen Jeffery scored the equalizer with assists going to Jonathan Semaan and Dax Mercer.

SP Peewee LL 11 faces SP 10

Last week saw a lot of activity for Southpoint’s Centennial Windows Peewee LL 11. First they were named AM 800 Team of the Week for Dec. 2, whereby players on the team receive a mini hockey stick and a Team of the Week certificate. The team also received a voucher for a team breakfast at McDonald’s. Following this the team then had an outing to see the Windsor Spitfires defeat the Saginaw Spirit by a score of 5-1. The SP players then had a meet and greet with some of the Spitfires. Many thanks to Melissa Johnson Hunter, AM 800 and Adam Sellon.

On Saturday SP 11 took on SP Peewee LL 10 (Brum) in Wheatley. SP 10 jumped to a 1st period two-goal advantage. SP 11s goals in the second by Jorden Simpson, assisted by Lucas Ingratta and Aiden Serravalle, and Nathan Pilmer, assisted by Aiden Serravalle and Noah Simpson, were answered by two SP 10 goals. The 3rd period saw goals from SP 10 making the final score 6-2 for SP 10.

Stars weekend results

Community Trophy Peewee girls took on the Windsor P2 team on the weekend. The play was very aggressive on both sides. Alyssa Lamb applied a good deal of pressure on the Windsor defense and picked up a hat trick. Jaryn Harris assisted on one of the goals. The outcome was 3-1 in favour of Southpoint. This would not have been the case if Southpoint goalie Courtney Jeffery hadn’t made key saves on several breakaways.

The Leamington Kinsmen Southpoint Intermediate Stars played two away games on Saturday.

The first matchup saw the Lady Stars battle against the Tecumseh Tiger Cats. Kelsey Babkirk scored the lone Stars goal in this tight contest. After two periods the score was deadlocked at 1-1. However the Tiger Cats scored two unanswered goals in the third to win this game by a score of 3-1. The Lady Stars got assists from Allison Chopchik and Paige Thompson.

The second matchup saw Southpoint travel to the Atlas Tube to take on the Lakeshore Lightning. This game was extremely tight as both teams came close to lighting the lamp but the goaltenders for both teams were absolutely amazing. Lady Stars goalie Sam Hartleib made several key saves to keep her team in the game and posted another shutout with a 0-0 final score.

County Bridge Results

Leamington Half Century Centre, Nov. 23: North/ South - 1st Derek Parry and Al Morrison, 2nd Roy Trowell and Ron Martin, 3rd Bill Chaplin and Jack Warmenhoven. East/West - 1st Dorothy McGregor and Frank Duransky, 2nd Jim Perkes and Roger Cote, 3rd Sonia and Ernie Jackiw. Bridge games are played each Monday at 12:45 p.m. Members and new members welcome.

Kingsville Bridge Club, Nov. 25: 1st Henry Hildebrandt and Bob Lee, 2nd Shirley Plant and Roy Trowell, 3rd Pat DeNapoli and Frank Duransky, 4th John and Dorothy McGregor. Bridge is every Wednesday at the Lions Hall in Kingsville, 7 p.m. Info: 519-7384939.

Cougars win Wilson title

(Continued from page 17)

Austin Camrie, Cody Rankin and Metcalfe were regular-season injuries who were able to return for the playoffs. Metcalfe had a limited role in the semifinal contest against the Catholic Central Comets, won 35-25 by the Cougars.

“He was more of a decoy than anything else for that game, but it worked,” Church said. “Catholic Central is an incredibly athletic team, but we didn’t let them have the ball. They ran about 15 offensive plays. We put a good game plan together and the kids executed it really well.”

Saba scored two majors in the semifinal game at University of Windsor Stadium Friday, Nov. 13. Rankin, Benson and Butler added the other touchdowns while Saba added all five PAT kicks.

Junior players joining the senior Cougars for their playoff run included Grade 9 student Tommy Saba, Jackson Klassen and Adam McLellan — the later expected to be a key player for the seniors next season.

“This game was very different — our defense did a great job of containing

them.” — Chris Church

Josh Van Roie and Chris Tannous — voted WECSSAA’s second best defensive and offensive players respectably for the 2014 season — had not recuperated from early season injuries in time to participate in either playoff game.

Players who will likely take on major roles with the 2016 senior team will include Kyle Jennings, Dante D’Andrea, Mack Butler and McLellan. With most of this season’s junior players being in Grade 9, Church expects next year’s senior squad to undergo a rebuilding process.

“We’ll be young and really thin,” he said of the 2016 seniors.

Sunbrite Peewees win 5-2

Sunbrite Peewees met Kingsville Red in Kingsville on Saturday.

Marcus Stanley put Sunbrite on the board halfway through the first period when he received a pass from Massimo West. With just less than a minute left in the first, Tyler Swaddling scored an unassisted goal for Sunbrite to bring the score to 2-0.

Second period was well-played by both teams. At first there were few scoring opportunities for either team, then Marcus Stanley started the scoring when he received a pass from Massimo West. Just 20 seconds later the same forward line produced yet another goal when Evan Ouellette and Massimo West fed the puck to Marcus Stanley for his hat trick goal.

Kingsville turned up the heat and scored a goal just a minute later. Mitchell Defrancisco capitalized on a power play to pump in the fifth goal with an assist by Joshua Saad. Kingsville came right back to score on their own power play. Neither team was letting down and there were more scoring opportunities. The game ended in a 5-2 win for Sunbrite.

KENNY ROGERS

ONCE AGAIN IT’S CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS & HITS FEATURING LINDA DAVIS Sunday, December 6

STYX

Saturday, December 12

THE S’AINTS SLEIGHING HUNGER

A CHARITY CONCERT BENEFITING LOCAL FOOD BANKS OPEN TO ALL AGES Sunday, December 20

THE TENORS UNDER ONE SKY TOUR Tuesday, December 22

EDDIE MONEY & STARSHIP Saturday, January 16

DANCING WITH THE STARS LIVE! DANCE ALL NIGHT TOUR!

OPEN TO ALL AGES Friday, January 22 4pm & 9pm

VANCE JOY

FIRE AND THE FLOOD TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUEST REUBEN AND THE DARK

OPEN TO ALL AGES

Monday, January 25

NEW

CELTIC WOMAN

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS THE SYMPHONY

Thursday, December 10

TRACY MORGAN: PICKING UP THE PIECES Saturday, February 6

ARETHA FRANKLIN PERFORMING THE HITS AND THE GREAT DIVA CLASSICS! Saturday, February 13 Tickets on sale December 13!

BILL ENGVALL Saturday, February 20

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Friday, February 26

MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Saturday, February 27 4pm & 9pm

JOHNNY REID WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT Saturday, March 19

PAUL ZERDIN

2015 AMERICA’S GOT TALENT WINNER Saturday, March 26 Tickets on sale now!

Southpoint Peewee LL 11 has been named AM 800 Team of the Week for Dec. 2. Front row, left to right: Noah Simpson, Jorden Simpson, Owen Matthews, Cole Knopp, Colin Basden, Cole Gossman. Middle row: Aiden Serravalle, Carter Matthews, Tyler Heinz, Zack Dault, Alexa Taylor, Paige Derbyshire. Back row: Hunter Deal, Jonnie Fiore, Curtis Chorba, Lucas Ingratta, Nathan Pilmer, Joseph Gruber, Jaydon Tannous. (Submitted photo)

Wheatley Hosts 55+ District Duplicate Bridge

Twenty-six competitors from the Chatham-Kent and the Windsor-Essex area recently competed in inter District Duplicate Bridge at the Wheatley Friendship Club. The event was part of the Ontario Senior Games Association (OSGA) 55+ fall series of events.

Gold, silver and bronze winners were determined in both North-South and East-West Divisions.

Standings in the North-South Division were: Tom Henry and Bob Lee (gold), Roger Cote and Jim Perkes (silver), and Vi Major and Joyce Moran (bronze). Standings in the East-West Division were: Ron Martin and Derek Parry

(gold), Shirley Plant and Jean Manners (silver), Bill Chaplin and Chris Brennan (bronze).

Gillett Bantams beat

Kent #3 Black

The Southpoint Gillett Sheet Metal Bantams made a trip to Tilbury Nov. 29 to take on Kent #3 Black. Their previous meeting was a 3-2 win for the Southpoint team, so a tight game was expected.

Despite a couple of early power play opportunities the Southpoint chances were turned away. However, late in the first Camron Taouil put Southpoint on the board with an assist from Andrew Verhaeghe on the latest power play.

The tight play continued in the second period. Early on, Brock Siddall gave Southpoint a 2-0 lead with assists going to Cameron Impens and Camron Taouil. It looked that goalie Tyler Dibbley was en route to a shutout with his stellar play.

Early in the third period, Tyler Labonte gave Kent Black some life and finally put one behind Dibbley. As the period continued, Southpoint had to stand tall to keep Tilbury at bay. The Southpoint defence made some good plays in their own end, forcing mistakes by the home team.

SPCC Team Wins Senior Mixed Bonspiel

A team from Sun Parlour Curling Club in Leamington took top honours at the Kingsville Senior Mixed Bonspiel on Saturday, Nov. 21. Teams from Roseland, Detroit, Sun Parlour and Kingsville competed in the one-day event. Bonspiel winners, from left to right, are: Gary Koestler, Lynn Lawson, Joan Kettle and Ron Kettle. (Submitted photo)

(Submitted photo)

The OSGA 55+ Games are composed of 41 districts throughout all of Ontario. There are over 10,000 participants that take part in a variety of summer and winter activities. These events are available to anyone over the age of 55 that resides in Ontario. Regardless of your age, gender or athleticism, there is an activity that is right for you. Local competitors have their eye on the 2016 Summer Provincial 55+ Games being offered next August in the Midland area.

Despite the pressure, including when Tilbury pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, Tyler Dibbley made key saves to preserve a 2-1 victory for Southpoint.

Rhine Danube bowling results

The following are the Rhine Danube bowling league scores for Nov. 9.

Games Over 200: Ozzie Wolf 225, Gary Garnham 212, Kevin Kosempel 228-232, Heinz Kosempel 236-299, Alex Smith 208, Chris Kosempel 235, Willy Fittler 201, Aaron Dickau 259-257, Eric Zimmer 208-215-212, Claudio Sabelli 212, Jack Valade 237, Shaun Garnham 213-253-208, Doug Scott 247-222-216.

Series Over 550: Ozzie Wolf 562, Kevin Kosempel 657, Heinz Kosempel 728, Chris Kosempel 585, Aaron Dickau 697, Eric Zimmer 635, Claudio Sabelli 557, Jack Valade 589, Shaun Garnham 674, Doug Scott 685.

High Handicap Game: Heinz Kosempel 334, Aaron Dickau 281, Nick Levchuck 277.

High Handicap Series: Heinz Kosempel 833, Eric Zimmer 803, Aaron Dickau 763. Standings: Dickau Construction 52, Weil’s Food 40, Del Fresco 40, Fittler Farms 31, Taki’s 28, Rhine Danube 19.

Golden Years mini golf

Forty-two golfers sank 77 aces in mini golf on Nov. 26 at Colasanti’s. Leading the pack with 5 were Cathy Dewhurst, Bill Ward and Bryon Walker. Four found the bottom of the cup for Mike Binder, Pete Daudlin, Murray Hartford, Andy Orsini and Bill Taylor. Rose Taylor sank 3, followed closely with 2 each by Mary Binder, Dorothy Cascadden, Ethel Ferguson, Gail Johnston, Eva Kah, Bill Mayville, Eileen McIntosh, Barb Murphy, Colleen Pearse, Al

Speed, Barry Sweet, Sharon Teskey and Elaine Hatt. Chipping in with 1 each were Murray Cascadden, JoAnne Ferguson, Tom Hyatt, Lois Hudvagner, Tony Hudvagner, Betty McManus, Bob McWilliam, Moe Scratch, Marilyn Speed, Al Stockwell, Art Sweet, Gerrit Vriesen and Doug Vickery. Cathy Dewhurst delivered an impressive 16 for 9 holes. Scoring 17 were Bryon Walker, Pete Daudlin, Murray Hartford, Bill Ward, Bill Taylor and Ethel Ferguson. Notching 18 were Bryon Walker, Mary Binder, Tom Hyatt, Eva Kah, Bob McWilliam, Art Sweet, Bill Ward, Mike Binder, Andy Orsini, Doug Vickery, Bill Taylor, Barry Sweet and Bill Mayville (2).

Bill Ward delivered a low score of 36 for 18 holes. Recording 37 were Tom Hyatt, Pete Daudlin, Bill Ward, Doug Vickery, Bill Taylor, Barry Sweet and Bill Mayville. Cathy Dewhurst, Mike Binder (2), Andy Orsini (2) and Bill Mayville each had 38.

Bill Ward continued his strong play by carding a 73 for 36 holes. Following with 75 was Bill Mayville, 76 for Pete Daudlin, Mike Binder and Andy Orsini, and 78 for Tom Hyatt and Bill Taylor.

Taking first place with 244 was Team Queens (Elaine Hatt, Bill Taylor, Eileen McIntosh). There was a tie with 247 for second place by Team 7 (Bob McWilliam, Julia Kos, Lloyd Honey) and Team 10 (Rose Taylor, Andy Orsini, Gerrit Vriesen). Third place with 248 was nailed down by Team 8 (Art Sweet, Bill Ward, Moe Scratch).

Regular league play continues at 9:30 a.m. each Thursday at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens. On Dec. 17, at 9 a.m., members will come together to enjoy a league-sponsored breakfast buffet at Colasanti’s followed by regular golf.

Sharks blank Lakers in first game with new coach

By Bryan Jessop

New ownership, new jerseys, a new executive and several new players have been joined by a new coach for the Wheatley Omstead Sharks.

The Monday, Nov. 30 contest against the Wallaceburg Lakers was the first for the return behind the bench for head coach for Dave Wiper, who officially replaces Ken Galerno for the remainder of the 2015-16 season. Galerno was replaced after serving as the Sharks head coach for approximately five seasons. Wiper returned to the leadership position after guiding the Sharks for roughly half a decade during the mid to late 2000s. Galerno led Wheatley to a 9-12-2-1 record this season before parting ways with the team.

A fast-paced first period was controlled mostly by the Sharks, although a string of three consecutive minor penalties slowed down the home team’s forward attack. Eric Prudence opened the scoring four minutes and 13 seconds into the opening frame. Lakers’ goalie George Hill made the initial save on a Lucas Raffoul shot, but couldn’t locate the rebound before Prudence snapped it under the crossbar from inside the crease at the right side of the net. Brady Hillock also drew an assist.

The goal, Prudence’s fourth of the season, came minutes after being awarded by Sun County AAA Minor Hockey president Andrew Doran as the Panthers’ 2014 recipient of the Mickey Renaud Memorial Award for determination, dedication and leadership. The late-coming presentation came a few weeks after Leamington Flyers rookie Mitch Crevatin was presented with the same award for 2015 prior to a GOJHL game at Highbury Canco Arena.

Wheatley outshot Wallaceburg 13-6 through the opening 20 minutes, but had to settle for the one-goal lead.

The middle frame belonged exclusively to Wheatley’s offence, although a Brett Bowman goal within the opening minute was all the home team gained on the scoresheet. During a power play that started late in the first stanza, Bowman slid an ice-level five-hole shot past Hill from the right side of the net for the 2-0 lead. Prudence and Nick Tavolieri-Essex drew assists. The Sharks went on to keep the Wallaceburg defence under heavy pressure, thwarting countless clearing attempts en route to a 23-6 shots on goal margin.

and hustle I saw out there,” said Wiper. “The zone coverage in our own end was good tonight. When you take care of things in your own zone and perform well on special teams, you should win 75 per cent of your games.”

Wiper, a Leamington resident, was approached and offered the head coaching position by Sharks executives on Sunday, Nov. 29 at noon. The transition was finalized as of 10:30 a.m. the next day — about nine hours before the opening face-off against Wallaceburg.

“We’re not going to change a lot from this point,” Wiper noted. “We’ll work with the positive aspects we can bring to the table. Behind our own blue line is what we’ve got to work on. I’m not here to reinvent the wheel.”

Wiper explained that he is confident in the support of his assistant coaches, but admits that he was nervous returning behind the bench after a four-year hiatus.

“I was ready to lose my guts tonight with the nerves,” he said. “It’s nice to get that first one behind me and move forward.”

Wiper has been assisting the Southpoint major midget boys travel team with off-ice, behind-the-scenes duties this season.

Monday’s win gave the Sharks sole possession of sixth place, two points ahead of the Dresden Kings and two behind the Lakeshore Canadiens. Wheatley lost a Friday night game in Dresden 7-2, trailing 4-1 after 20 minutes and 5-2 to start the third. Mitchell Prudence and Bowman scored the Shark goals while Eric Morneau stopped 28 of 35 shots. Travis Moore blocked 29 of 31 to take the win in net for the Kings.

Wheatley’s special teams continued to shine in the third, where two more power play goals were added while the Lakers’ forwards were kept at bay during five-on-four chances of their own. After the puck was iced, blueliner Brian Johnson took control of it and went end to end to slide across the visitors’ crease before burying a high wrist shot past a sprawling Hill, unassisted.

Bowman struck again about eight minutes later, tipping a Johnson shot from the point while planted in front of the left side of the Wallaceburg net. Johnson’s shot followed a feed from Tavolieri-Essex.

Wheatley nearly doubled their guests on the shot clock with a 48-25 advantage while going three for five on the man advantage. The Lakers were held to zero for four. Adam Leboeuf earned the shutout, his first of the season.

“I really liked the energy

The Sharks will travel to Mooretown for a Wednesday, Dec. 2 match against the Flags before hosting the Canadiens Monday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Wheatley Omstead Sharks new head coach Dave Wiper offers instructions to his players during a Wallaceburg timeout in the first period of a Monday, Nov. 30 game at Wheatley Area Arena. Wiper officially replaced Ken Galerno earlier that day. His first game since returning from the same position about seven years ago ended as a 4-0 win against the Lakers.

Sun County AAA Panthers president Andrew Doran presents the 2014 Mickey Renaud Memorial Award to the Wheatley Sharks Eric Prudence prior to a Monday, Nov. 30 game. (SUN Photos)

Delaney MacDonald of the Sharks tries to stuff the puck past Wallaceburg goalie George Hill as three Lakers close in during the second period.

Cougars start

season with a win

By Bryan Jessop

Evidence from two years ago of an inexperienced team struggling to compete is quickly becoming a distant memory for the Cardinal Carter girls hockey program.

Despite having played no pre-season games or tournaments and having had only two prior practices to prepare, the Cougars started the 2015-16 season with a 4-2 victory over the visiting Harrow Hawks Thursday, Nov. 26 at Unico Arena.

Harrow struck first about halfway through the opening period when Sarah Bonyai took hold of a rebound and tapped it past returning Cougars goalkeeper Alyee Church. Cardinal Carter evened the score less than two minutes later when Gioia DiCiocco sent an ice level shot from the left of the net five hole past netminder Ashley Brush. Bryanna Rodrigues drew the only assist.

Both teams put their power plays to better use in the second, where the Hawks played a somewhat more lively offensive game than in the first. Cardinal Carter took its first lead with a five-on-four advantage when Brush lost sight of a Kayla Collison shot. There was a brief discussion among officials before it was decided that the puck had completely crossed the goal line for a 2-1 Cougars advantage. Karson Dickinson was credited with the lone helper.

Harrow got even on a power play of its own with 24 seconds remaining in the second frame. Taylor Rousseau send a quick, ice level backhand shot past Church with a scramble of players near the crease for a 2-2 draw to start the third period.

The final 15 minutes was all Cougars. DiCiocco potted her second of the game after taking a perfect pass off the boards from Charly Demers, burying a waist-high wrist shot for the game winner. DiCiocco completed the hat trick after sending a wrist shot into the top left corner of the net from a seeming-

ly impossible angle. The shot was released from close range from the right side of the goal in an unassisted effort.

“It’s a great way to start,” said Chris Church, who is again co-coaching the team along with Chris Lapain and Laurie Lapain. “We did a lot of things really well. Some of them looked like they’ve been playing together for a long time — and they haven’t.”

Key players returning from last season include Brook Sarkis, Collison, Theresa and Louise Lapain, Kiera Murracas,

Sun Stars win in Ingersoll

The Southpoint Sun Stars Midgets travelled to Ingersoll Sunday afternoon to face the Ingersoll Ice. The Ice opened the scoring with just over a minute remaining in the first period on a low shot from the slot that beat the Stars goaltender. Just 17 seconds later the Stars responded when Bryanna Rodrigues passed to Emily Hyatt behind the net and the wraparound caught the Ice goalie off guard and the score was tied. With time winding down in the second, Grace Hyatt passed the puck to Lauryn Gradwell who cut to the net and sent a backhand high over the glove of the Ice goalie and the Stars were out front 2-1.

The Stars scored again midway through the third period on the power play when Lauryn Gradwell won the draw back to Corrine Jackson, and with the goalie screened Corinne fired a low shot that beat the Ice goalie and gave the Stars a 3-1 lead. That would end the scoring and the Stars escaped Ingersoll with a well earned 2 points on the road. Natalie Edmondson played a strong road game for the Stars and earned the win in net.

Demers and Church in net. The even three lines of skaters are represented mostly by Grade 9 and 10 players, three Grade 11s and two Grade 12s.

“We’re just going to take the season one game at a time,” Church said. “It’s the strongest team we’ve had so far, although we’re still a really young team.”

The Cougars will play their next three games on the road — Wednesday, Dec. 2 against Essex, Monday, Dec. 7 in Harrow and Wednesday, Dec. 9 against Lajeunesse. Cardinal Carter won’t return for a home game until Tuesday, Jan. 5 against Tecumseh Vista Academy.

Promising start for LDSS boys hockey team

By Bryan Jessop

The Herman Green Griffins are renowned for their elite football program, but couldn’t come up with the touchdown and two-point conversion needed to steal a point from the Leamington Lions boys hockey team.

The Lions kicked off their 2015-16 WECSSAA boys hockey season with a 10-2 thumping of the Green Griffins Wednesday, Nov. 25 at Unico Arena. The season and home opener began with seven unanswered goals within the first nine minutes, including three within 50 seconds. Leamington’s offense backed off somewhat from there, passing more and shooting less when in possession of the puck deep in Herman territory.

Spence Wiebe opened the scoring 1:10 after the opening faceoff, charging in on a breakaway to cleanly beat netminder Martin Stengel with a waist-high snap shot. Brett Thomas claimed the lone assist. Another breakaway — this time in a two-on-zero — unfolded exactly a minute and a half later, when Dawson Iles completed an unassisted effort with a shot that hovered just above ice level. Eighty-four seconds later, a shot by Thomas struck Stengel from in close, allowing the puck to bounce up and over his right pad and over the goal line. Wiebe drew an assist on the game-winning tally.

Noah Santos was next on the score sheet, sending a shot into the lower left corner during an odd-man rush. Jack Towle set up the goal. Stengel stopped a Bailey Loveless shot 26 seconds later, but couldn’t come up with the rebound to prevent Wiebe’s second of the game. Ryan Wall made it 6-0 24 seconds later by snapping a low shot from inside the faceoff circle to the right of the goal into the net. Loveless and Jaron Kir assisted.

Towle of the Lions puts on the breaks to keep the puck away from Herman defenseman Liam McDonald during the WECSSAA boys hockey season opener for 2015-16 Wednesday, Nov. 25 at Unico Arena. Leamington led 7-0 after less than nine minutes of play en route to a 10-2 final score.

completed the hat trick with an ice-level wrist shot that struck one of Stengel’s skates before deflecting into the net. Jesse Fast assisted.

The game-ending buzzer sounded off six seconds later for the 4:20 p.m. curfew.

“We played well today,” said Tony Nurse, who is again cocoaching the LDSS boys team along with Butch Rickeard.

“The team worked well together and created some chances.”

Fast, returning as team captain, was optimistic about what he saw for his team’s season opener.

“It looks like we could have a good season ahead of us,” he said. “We picked up some guys who didn’t play last season — we should be solid compared to last year.”

Key players returning from the 2014-15 campaign include Fast, Santos, Bowman, Iles and Wiebe. This year’s roster of just over three full lines includes no Grade 9 players, but several in Grade 10 and a few more Grade 11s than 12s for the remainder of the lineup.

Leamington’s first road game was played Monday, Nov. 30 against Lajeunesse, who opened the season with a 6-1 win over Herman. The Lions and Royals battled to a 1-1 draw. The LDSS team will return home for a Wednesday, Dec. 2 contest against the Harrow Hawks starting at 3 p.m.

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From directly in front of the net and about eight feet out from the crease, Iles potted his second with a low snap shot, assisted by Quinn Bowman. Earlier, a would-be LDSS goal by Quinten Adams was waved off because of a dislodged net.

RJ Durocher put the Griffins on the board early in the second, sending a low wrist shot from the left of the net past Matt Ciliska and into the right corner. Leamington got the goal back 78 seconds later when Adams stuffed a rebounding puck off a Kir shot into the net from point-blank range. With a seven-goal cushion and an opposition equipped with barely two lines of skaters, Leamington’s offense set itself on cruise control for most of the final period. Adams netted his second with a high wrist shot released from between the hash marks after being set up by Loveless. With 3:03 showing on the clock, Kyle Vrabel unloaded a wrist shot from near the red line that caught Ciliska off guard as the puck bounced near the crease and over the goal line. Fifty-six seconds later, Iles

Kayla Collison and a Harrow defender battle for control of the puck along the boards behind the Hawks’ net during the Cougars’ home and season opener at Unico Arena Thursday, Nov. 26. Collison scored once in her team’s 4-2 victory.

Jack

Apparently, the Maroons in Leamington are not the same as the Maroons in Chatham.

Seventeen days after thumping the M’s 8-0 at Highbury Canco Arena, the Leamington Flyers were handed an eyeopening loss of their own, this time at Chatham Memorial Arena. The Maroons avenged the humbling loss to the Flyers on Nov. 5 with a 6-3 victory on home ice Sunday, Nov. 22.

The Maroons peppered netminder Michael Barrett with 54 shots including 20 in the first period and 19 in the second. Cale Phibbs opened the scoring for Leamington with a power play marker 5:46 after the opening faceoff after being set up by Mitchell Amante and J.P. Grineau, but Ross Krieger replied 16 seconds later to tie the game at 1-1. Gus Ford finished the scoring for the opening 20 minutes with a manadvantage tally about five-and-ahalf minutes later.

Scott Florence took feeds from Derek Elliott and Phibbs to net the Flyers’ third power play marker of the evening, but Leamington was denied by M’s goalkeeper Parker Butler from that point forward. Connor Koviak and Mark Fratarcangelli scored less than a minute apart to finish the scoring.

The Flyers were an impressive three for six on the power play compared to Chatham’s one for five, but mustered a moderate 36 shots on net compared to their hosts’ 54.

The Flyers struck again on the power play to even the score at 2-2 with a Cale Allen goal assisted by Amante and Phibbs. Ian Faubert gave Chatham another lead by becoming the first player this season to score a shorthanded goal against Leamington. Ford netted his second of the night 28 seconds later to give the home team a 4-2 advantage going into the second intermission.

“We didn’t play with a lot of energy,” said Flyers head coach Tony Piroski. “It’s a different game there. It’s about winning the one-on-one battles and we weren’t as keen as we have been. We weren’t horrible, but it was a lackluster performance.”

The Flyers headed up to Sarnia to meet the Legionnaires two days later and came home with a 2-1 regulation victory. Scott Emerson started the scoring after taking a pass form Nicolas Mainella during a man advantage. Ryan Vendramin evened the score for the Legionnaires about 12 minutes later to bring a 1-1 deadlock into the second period.

The only tally through the final 40 minutes came off the stick of Amante — his fourth game winner and 12th goal of the season. Joe Urbanic and Mitchell

FLYERS SPLIT ROAD GAMES

BY BRYAN JESSOP

Crevatin were credited with assists. Tyler Wall stopped 20 of 21 shots for the Flyers’ win while Aidan Hughes turned aside 30 of 32 for Sarnia. Leamington was one for six on the power play while the Legionnaires were denied on all four of their man advantages.

“We came out really well in the first,” Piroski noted. “We could have been ahead three or four goals. We looked a little sluggish in the last two periods. The nine-day break has come at the right time — we’re not seeing the same fire that was there a month ago.”

Between the two road games, the Flyers added some size and strength to both the red and blue lines with forward Aaron Langlois and defenseman David Storey, respectively. Langlois, who hails from Essex and measures 6’ 0” tall while weighing in at 205 pounds, took a threeseason break from hockey to focus on a baseball scholarship and later surgery to his arm. With a schedule that can once again accommodate hockey, he decided to commit to the Flyers.

Storey, a Mississauga native, stands at 6’ 2” at 209 pounds. Previously, he played two seasons with the Midwestern Conference’s Brantford 99ers, accumulating 31 points and 260 penalty minutes in 81 games. Earlier this season, he played 14 games with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Grande Prairie Storm before being sent to Elliott Lake in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. From there, he was acquired in an acquisition with the Flyers.

Both additions suited

up with Leamington for the first time in Tuesday’s contest against Sarnia. At one game shy of completing the first half of the season, the Flyers record stands at 19 wins, four losses and one tie for 39 points — good for a sevenpoint lead over the St. Thomas Stars in the race for first in the Western Conference. Leamington’s 99 goals for was tied for second most in the West as of Nov. 25 with Chatham while their 48 goals against is 26 fewer than secondbest St. Thomas.

“After replacing 10 or 11 players (from last season), I didn’t think we’d be out of the gates like this,” said Piroski. “We’re a good team and we’ll get better. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t surprised with how fast these guys have come together.”

Rest of the West

The LaSalle Vipers beat the St. Marys Lincolns 7-2 on Wednesday Nov. 25 as the London Nationals handed an 8-3 loss to the Lambton Shores Predators. St. Thomas won 6-2 against Sarnia on Thursday, followed by a 4-0 London win over St. Marys and a 6-2 Chatham victory against St. Thomas on Friday. LaSalle lost 6-3 against Strathroy on Saturday. Sunday’s only Western game ended in a 5-4 double overtime decision favouring Chatham over Sarnia.

UPCOMING HOME GAMES: Thu., Dec. 3 vs. London, 7:10 p.m. Thu., Dec. 10 vs. Lambton, 7:10 p.m.

UPCOMING AWAY GAMES: Fri., Dec. 11 vs. St. Marys, 7:30 p.m. Sun., Dec. 13 vs. Strathroy, 7:30 p.m.

Scott Emerson of the Flyers is challenged by Chatham’s Aaron Jacobs and Connor McKinnon for control of the puck behind the Maroons’ net during a Thursday, Nov. 5 game in Leamington. The two teams met again in Chatham Sunday, Nov. 22, where the Maroons won 6-3. (Sun file photo)

A wrist shot by Leamington’s Colin Moore is deflected off the stick of Chatham’s Connor McKinnon during the third period of a Thursday, Nov. 5 game at Highbury Canco Arena. The two teams met again in Chatham Sunday, Nov. 22, where the Maroons won 6-3. (Sun file photo)

Luke Sanko of the Flyers prepares to send a wrist shot at the Chatham net with Michael Douglas giving chase during a Thursday, Nov. 5 match in Leamington. The two teams met again in Chatham Sunday, Nov. 22, where the Maroons won 6-3. (Sun file photo)

1973 Camaro Z/28 still with original owner!

Mike Stefanovich of Belle River writes: “Hello Bill. Here is the story of my 1973 Camaro Type LT RS Z/28. I am the original owner. I saw the car sitting in front of Ron Hodgins Chev-Olds dealership in Kingsville on a Sunday in July 1973. I bought it the next day. This Camaro later sat for 27 years in my parents’ garage in Windsor.

“It is quite rare due to the fact that it is a Rally Sport with split front bumper and with Type LT (Luxury Touring) and Z/28 package. If the Z/28 was ordered with the LT package, stripes and spoilers were deleted. It came with a Muncie 4-speed floor shift and 3:73 positraction rear end.

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“It now has 56,000 original miles and the engine and transmission have never been apart. It is still a very strong runner. It received a sub-frame restoration in 2012 by Todd Aklman in Tilbury as the lacquer paint was beginning to spider-web.

“It is one of approximately 1300 Z/28s with the RS Type LT package. How many were built in Norwood, Ohio, with these options in dark red metallic is unknown. A total of 1,287 were imported for sale in Canada. Only 207 came with the Z/28 option, and only 137 with the M-21 4-speed.”

Mike’s Camaro won first prize awarded by RM Classics at the Old Autos Car Show in Bothwell in August 2014 for the 1970-75 theme cars. There were about 90 entries.

According to information supplied by George Zapora of Vintage Vehicle Services at GM of Canada in Oshawa, Mike’s Z/28 came equipped with a Special Turbo Fire 350

V8 engine (245 horsepower) with finned aluminum rocker covers and bright accents, dual exhausts, heavy duty engine cooling, F60x15 Super Wide Oval white lettered tires on wide rim 15x7 wheels with trim rings, bright lug nuts with special centre caps, special instrumentation, special insulation, black grille, power brakes, heavy duty clutch with 4-speed manual transmission, left hand remote control and right hand manual sport mirrors, and sport suspension with special front and rear springs, to name a few of the options on this car.

There must be many car enthusiasts out there who regret selling a car they owned many years ago. Some of them even spend time and money trying to track down that long-gone favourite car. But Mike Stefanovich has no regrets. He never sold his 1973 Camaro Z/28. We wish for Mike many more years of happy Camaro Z/28 motoring!

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Mike Stefanovich’s 1973 Camaro Z/28, looking just as new as the day he bought this car 42 years ago.

SOUTHPOINT SUN

E-mail, call or drop off your classified ad by Friday at 4:30

Ph: 519-398-9098 Email: sun@mnsi.net

Upscale and Affordable in Leamington’s ONLY waterfront rental apartment building overlooking Leamington Marina and Park and minutes from the beach.

Amenities include:

• library and social rooms

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• Fully secured and 24-7 onsite management. Ask us about our limited time “New Tenant” incentives. www.ska-apartmentrentals.com Call Mike or Kevin 519-326-8819

PLUMBROOK MANOR APARTMENTS

Secured Building Fridge & Stove Utilities included For viewing please call 519-322-1924 tf

PLUMBING SERVICE

• Repairs • Installations

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• 37 Years Experience Ed Higginbottom 519-329-1779 eh48@hotmail.ca

CALL KAHL RECYCLINGWe come to you and haul away your junk. Scrap metal and appliances are free. Everything else has a fee. Call Ken 519-322-8305, 519-326-8559. ja14-tf

HI, MY NAME IS TINA. I am an experienced, hard-working and reliable cleaning lady looking for a few more clients in the Leamington/Wheatley area. I do weekly and bi-weekly services - my rate is $20 an hour. Please contact me for more information. Tina Hiebert 519-564-4909 or tina-john@hotmail.com de2-16

PRINTING: BUSINESS ENVELOPES,invoices, flyers, business cards, custom print jobs, whatever your printing needs, call Jim at The Sounthpoint Sun for quick and economical service, 519-398-9098. tf

a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Karaoke every 3rd Saturday of the month 8:00 p.m. 519733-5162 (office) or 519733-9081 (bar). oc29-tf

"Christmas Around the World". For reservations call Sharon, 519-326-0421, by Friday, Dec. 4. Affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries Canada. de2

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REGIONAL MANAGER – 0621

Kiara Footwear Ltd. dba Brida Shoes located in Leamington, Ontario is looking for a permanent full time Regional Manager for their Retail Operations located in Windsor and Brampton.

Successful Candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Plan, direct and evaluate the operations of the business;

• Hire and train staff;

• Develop and implement marketing strategies;

• Determine merchandise and services to be sold;

• Study market research and trends to assist with expansion; and

• Develop business plan and assist with expansion.

Applicant must have pervious management experience. Minimum 3 years of experience is required.

Successful candidate will be remunerated an hourly wage of $21.75 per hour plus benefits.

Please send resumes to: jobs@bridaonline.com

Do you have a B or E Class License?

Do you have a G Class driving license and are looking for regular part time employment?

We are currently accepting applications for school bus drivers and pleased to offer our employees:

• Competitive wages

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• 72 and 20 Passenger local routes are available

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At Switzer-Carty, we're more than a school bus company. We're a people company with a mission to provide the safest and most reliable transportation services.

If you are interested in joining our team please apply on line at www.Switzer-Carty.com or call us at 519-326-2607 x 3.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

•

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JOB OPPORTUNITY

General Labor Warehouse, Vegetable Packer Hours vary on production. Minimum Wage. Please Fax resume to 519-733-8059.

IZA DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING is hiring

Press Operators, Welders and Assemblers. Send resumes to ccocks@izadm.com or apply within at 1960 Road 3 East, Ruthven. no25-de16

PINNACLE ACRES

REQUIRES Full time greenhouse general labourers. $11.25/hr, 50+ hours, 7 days/wk. Must be available Saturday and Sunday. Work site: 333 County Rd. 18 Leamington ON, rural setting, must have own transportation. Crop maintenance and harvesting, other duties as required. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs on a repetitive basis, fast paced environment, strong work ethic, punctual, reliable. Please apply via: email pinnaclejobs@hotmail.com or fax: 519-3269253. No experience or education required. de2

NEEDS full time greenhouse general labourers. $11.25/hour, 45+ hours, 7 days/week. Must be available Saturday and Sunday. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 pounds on a repetitive basis. Please apply via email to: dinirofarms@wavedirect.net.

Armstrong Top Pack Ltd. is hiring 50 permanent, full time vegetable packers for its Leamington location to start as soon as possible. The wage rate is $11.00 for 44.0 hours per week. You should be able to lift up to 50 lbs. on a repetitive basis and be able to sort and pack fruits and vegetables in a fast paced environment. No education or experience is required. Apply in person from 9:00 to 5:00 at 500 County Road 18, Leamington, N8H3V5 or by email jobs@toppack.ca

are a vegetable greenhouse that focuses on high

Responsibilities:

• Progressively lead a packing line of 10 – 15 employees

• Ensure customer specifications are being followed and adhered to

• Working with scheduler to coordinate the personnel in order to meet production goals

• Report all machine issues to Operations Manager and Maintenance

• Report personnel issues to Human Resources

• Train new employees as necessary

• Maintain accurate records

• Complete all relevant required documentation in an accurate and timely manner, including recording all packaging completed and the packaging used and/or destroyed

• Maintain a neat and organized work area

• Follow all policies, practices and procedures as it relates to Human Resources, Health and Safety and Food Safety

Qualifications:

• Self- motivation and attention to detail

Follow all policies and procedures as it relates to Human Resources, Health and Safety and Food Safety It is vital that you have a positive attitude, great energy, excellent attendance and punctuality.

Additional Important Key Attributes: • Self-motivation

• Attention to detail

• Committed to customer service

• Work in various positions at the required speed of service and with the desired sense of urgency

• Flexibility with working hours (Days Only including Saturdays)

• Independent transportation

• Ability to communicate any issues or concerns

• Independent transportation

• Excellent multi-tasking skills under pressure

• Ability to lift boxes up to 20 lbs.

• Work in cold and hot environments

• High School diploma or equivalent experience

• Basic math aptitude

• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels

If you possess these attributes, please forward your resume to: hr@orangelinefarms.com Only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

• Excellent multi-tasking skills under pressure and manual dexterity

• Ability to lift up 20 lb boxes

• Ability to work as a team or independently

• Must be able to work in cold and hot environment

• Requires standing, and walking on a regular basis for prolonged periods

• Visual and audio sensory are needed

If you possess these attributes, please forward your resume to: hr@orangelinefarms.com Only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

Local Hockey Team Holds Can Drive to Help Local Food Bank

The Southpoint Atom Majors had a ‘goal’ this holiday season – they were challenged to collect 300 canned goods to help local less fortunate families. On Saturday, they gathered at the Leamington Salvation Army to turn over the haul of non-perishables they collected from friends, family and neighbours to help restock the shelves of the food bank. According to team manager Cindy Goyeau, it was a team effort to show the community that they not only love hockey – they love their community. Back row, left to right: Coaches Brian Derikx, Ed Rodrigues, Ron Goyeau and Keith Bradley. Middle row: Caleb Bradley, Josh Chauvin, Evan Derikx, Ryan Goyeau Charlene Vincent (Salvation Army representative) Kaeden Sarkis, Jack Thiessen, Lucas Penner and Noah George. Seated: Ethan Rodrigues, Kaden Gabriele, Cole Bradley, Hunter Enns, Cole Vaillancourt and Seth Zylstra. Absent from photo: Ben Omar. (SUN photo)

Quilt Winner

latest fundraiser was

quilt with Wiens. (SUN photo)

OPP looking to reward youth with “Positive Tickets”

Youth demonstrating positive actions, positive behaviour and showing acts of kindness toward others may earn themselves some well-deserved acknowledgment this winter. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is continuing its partnership with Mac’s Convenience Stores across Ontario again this year for Operation Heat 2015.

OPP officers will be on the lookout and when they “catch” a youth participating in an act of kindness the youth will receive a ‘thank you” in the form of a free “ticket” for hot chocolate.

A youth may receive a “Positive Ticket” from an officer for a number of positive behaviours:

• doing a good deed;

• participating in community activities;

• demonstrating community pride, e.g. picking up trash;

• deterring crime or observing school crossing rules; or

• as an “icebreaker” to establish a rapport with kids in their patrol area.

Officers can use the coupons in a positive way to interact with young people in their area and build relationships that will last for years to come.

The Bank Theatre’s

the raffling off of a beautiful handmade quilt donated by Martha Wiens. This was the fifth quilt Wiens has made and donated to help benefit The Bank Theatre’s renovation projects. The winner, Carolyn Warkentin (left), displays the