Issuu

The Creemore

ECHO

Friday, February 4, 2022 Vol. 22

No. 5

www.creemore.com

News and views in and around Creemore

INSIDE

A Real Fungi

All things mushrooms at Whispering Pines PAGE 7

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Creemore Coyotes back on the ice for elimination round The Creemore Coyotes are back on the ice Saturday night vs. Milverton in an elimination round to determine which team will play Petrolia in the best-of-seven playoff series. Arena capacity is limited to 140, which is what Clearview Township has deemed 50 per cent. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Creemore arena.

Drunk driver causes fiery Hwy 26 head-on crash

Staff photo: Trina Berlo

Paul and Edina Van Staveren are transitioning away from the business they have grown over the past three decades having sold to Cooper Equipment Rentals, pictured with district manager John Dolson (right).

Stayner Rental acquired by Cooper by Trina Berlo After 30-plus years, there is a change in ownership at Stayner Rental. Cooper Equipment Rentals has acquired the County Road 91 retail location from Paul and Edina Van Staveren. Van Staveren said both he and Edina are looking to retire and having found the right buyer, the timing is right. “I don’t want to be the last horse out of the stable, so at 60, it was time to think about retiring,” said Van Staveren. In truth, Van Staveren is staying on for at least one year to manage the store but Edina, who is office manager, is retiring in April. Van Staveren said the sale is the result

of a mutually respectful professional relationship with president Darryl Cooper. Van Staveren said the values of the two companies aligned, with both being family oriented. Va n S t a v e r e n i s c a l l i n g t h e acquisition a transfer of assets, with the equipment rental division going under the Cooper Equipment Rentals banner and the water pump sales and service division going to their son Peter, who is also taking over the family farms, while the Van Staverens’ daughters are pursuing careers in other fields – Karen in agriculture, and Diane in education. Van Staveren said Stayner Rental has truly been a family business. Edina left her teaching job to become the bookkeeper and they said family

vacations throughout the years often included visits to trade shows. Stayner Rental was established in 1989 and has grown from a 960 square foot facility to its current 33,000 square foot operation. “I didn’t build the business, the business built itself,” said Van Staveren. He said the supply of equipment was constantly expanding and evolving to meet the needs of the community as it grew and moved with the trends. “We have really good staff here, making for a comfortable time to transition,” said Van Staveren, adding that Cooper will be keeping all 35 employees on staff and supplying them with benefits and uniforms. (See “Cooper” on page 3)

Huronia West OPP and emergency crews were called to a serious collision last Friday night just before 8 p.m., which occurred on Highway 26 near Strongville Road 10 near Edenvale. Two vehicles travelling on Highway 26 were involved in a head on collision, which resulted in a fire and one driver becoming trapped. Emergency crews were able to free that driver and both drivers were transported to hospital. One sustained minor injuries, and the other with serious injuries. There were no other occupants in the vehicles. Highway 26 was closed for several hours for a police investigation. As a result, Dennis Stiles, 30, of Barrie was charged with driving while impaired and dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm.

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• THE CREEMORE ECHO • Friday, February 4, 2022

SNOWMAN CARICATURE CHALLENGE By darci-que

darci-que is a multi medium artist/illustrator. She started out illustrating limited edition prints using markers and from there has written and illustrated 20 + children’s books. She has recently designed a line of children’s t-shirts, baby onesies and expanded her balloon business. darci-que lends her diverse talents to anything creative and loves a good art challenge!

This challenge encourages you to embrace winter by making a snowman caricature of yourself or someone you know. By adding specific features and items that reflect you and your interests, something as basic as a snowman becomes a portrait filled with fun and joy.

Supplies • • • • •

pencil, eraser, black outliner marker paper and markers of any kind white acrylic paint and a skinny brush and of course, your personalized snowman creativity! Step 1 - With your pencil, draw you as a snowman and personalize it to resemble things about you! Step 2 - Outline your drawing with the black outliner marker and once you’ve given it a couple of minutes to set, erase your pencil lines. Step 3 - Start by colouring your background first. Step 4 - Now colour in the rest of you in your snowman attire! Step 5 - To get lights and darks you can go over the same colour a few times creating lights and darks in your marker drawing creating shading. Step 6 - When you are all done, take a thin brush and white paint. Acrylic is best. (It dries super quick) Dot your picture to make snowflakes. Step 7 - You’re done! Now sit back and admire yourself as a snowman! I hope you had fun! Check out my video, to see me as a snowman and how I drew it, on The Purple Hills and Heritage Society (PHAHS) Facebook and Instagram accounts and see everybody else as their own version of themselves as a Snowman! darci-que.ca darciquecreemore@yahoo.ca

Community submissions from the last challenge

Susan Ross

Susan Auld

Cecily Ross

To share or see works visit Instagram @purplehillsarts Support local arts and heritage initiatives like this! Become a member of our society Visit www.phahs.ca

THE CREEMORE ECHO • Friday, February 4, 2022 •

Freedom convoy picks up Cooper Water First Go Fund Me campaign expands in by Trina Berlo A Go Fund Me campaign that is being supported by the Truckers Freedom Convoy in Ottawa has raised $740,400 for Creemore-based Water First. Founder John Millar declined an interview but Water First released the following statement on Jan. 29: “Water First is thankful for the recent awareness and support we’ve received with respect to addressing water challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples in Canada. “The GoFundMe campaign, known as Clean Water For Canadians, is an independent, third-party fundraiser with the aim of raising funds for Water First. And we would like to clarify that both Clean Water For Canadians and Water First are not directly or formally affiliated with any movements currently underway in Canada. “We love receiving support from those who fundraise for Water First with independent third-party initiatives like online campaigns, schools, birthdays, or by running a marathon. While we are the financial beneficiary, we are not directly responsible for, or formally affiliated with, these activities.”

The campaign was launched this week by Megan Howarth. “If anyone can raise $5 million in one week it should be all Canadians who believe that clean drinking water for Indigenous communities should be our nation’s top priority,” she wrote. “Let’s use our frustration, our anger, our disappointment but also our hope and our love for our beautiful country and show the government and the world what Canadians are capable of.” She says all the money will go directly to Water First and that the campaign is not affiliated with any other organization. The campaign was posted to Instagram by at least three Freedom Convoy accounts and has been supported by freedom convoy supporters, some making comments denouncing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for not doing more to address water issues in Indigenous communities. The Echo reached out to the Go Fund Me campaign organizer but we have not heard back. Howard did report that Water First asked her to close the campaign, which she has done.

50th year

(Continued from page 1) Cooper Equipment Rentals is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and Stayner is its 57th branch. Physically speaking, it is one of the largest branches and continues as a full service equipment and tool rental facility that rents out everything from large excavators to small tools. John Dolson is the district manager for the region and has been with the company for 17 years. He said he agrees that the values of the team align well with Cooper’s. “This is the kind of company that we want to be associated with,” said Dolson. Customers will see a change in branding and signage in the next while but promise no change in the quality of service. Cooper Equipment Rentals is located at 7685 County Road 91. Call 1-800315-COOP or visit cooperequipment. ca. The water pump operation managed by Peter Van Staveren, will go by the name of Stayner Water Services Limited. Contact staynerwaterservices@gmail. com or 705-428-0133.

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&Feedback

• THE CREEMORE ECHO • Friday, February 4, 2022

OPINION LETTERS

Feedback and old photos welcome info@creemore.com call 705-466-9906 fax 705-466-9908

THE WAY WE WERE

Park reminiscence The tragedy featured in last week's Creemore Echo resulting in the death of four local boys happened just before the Vorstermans moved to Creemore but Paul remembers the late Gertie Gowan telling him some history relating to the park, which he relays here to the best of his memory: Editor: I read the article about the park and thought you might be interested in some history. Of course in the early years the “downtown” area was in the south end with bridges across the Mad River that would continually get washed away with spring floods. There were businesses located where the park is now. The railway moved the centre of the village northward. The Carl Gowan of the story owned the Creemore Creamery, now my place (the pottery). There was an underground clay tile pipe that ran from the creamery to the park to a settling pond that carried the wastewater used to rinse the equipment and clean the floor. When the sewers were put in I saw the evidence of that pipe. The smell must have been interesting in the summer. With new environmental regulations requiring something better than a settling pond the Gowans were not willing to make the large financial outlay. It was a deciding factor in their decision to shut the Creamery in 1972. Paul Vorstermans, Creemore.

Epitaph for a dairy farmer Editor: To quote a few lines from the Farmer’s Creed by E. M. Tiffany, ”I believe when a man grows old and sums up his days he should be able to stand tall and feel pride in the life he has lived.” Gordon Thomas Wesley Jeffery was a man who has done just that. I am proud to have known him for over 40 years. He was a very kind and congenial man, quick witted and always interested in my life and my family. I visited the Jeffery homestead numerous times in the 1980s while working for Agriculture Canada and was always made to feel right at home. Gord took great pride in his farm, his livestock and his family. To Lorna, Marlene, Doug, Dave and Rob hang onto those memories, they will sustain you. Gord, you have put the cows out to pasture, parked that big John Deere and closed the door to “Fred’s hideout” for the last time. You have run the race and you ran it well. You have left behind a legacy that most men would envy. Rest in peace my friend. Thomas Macham, New Lowell. (See obituary on page 11)

John MacLeod, bother of the late Stephen MacLeod, provided the caption for the above photo from The Creemore Star archives – Creemore’s newest park: At the south end of Mill St. Had four Crimson King Maples planted last week. They were provided by Ray Parry, seen at right with Reeve Ralph MacDonald, as a living memorial for the four young boys whose lives were lost in a camping misadventure west of the village almost a year ago, on July 6, 1979 – John Gabriel, Calvin Hare, Stephen Price and Stephen MacLeod.

LETTERS

Lost and Found Editor: While walking with my wife, Sandra, on the Ganaraska Trail near Glen Huron Tuesday I found this exquisite little cup that some woman had accidentally dropped on the trail. (I’m sticking my neck out here because I’m assuming, from the lipstick, that it was a woman.) Anyway, I am sure this person is frantic to have it returned. It is made from a very thin smooth substance with a delicate, little, white plastic lid. It has a green drawing of a princess on the side of the cup and I can’t be sure if this is the princess who dropped it or if the woman who lost it works for the princess. It has a motto in two official languages which reads “We Proudly Serve.” Maybe the owner is a servant of

The Creemore Echo is published every Friday and distributed free locally. Editorial and advertising material deadline is Tuesday at 5 p.m. To receive a weekly copy of The Creemore Echo by mail outside of the circulation area or e-mail version please contact us at info@creemore.com. Mail, email and voluntary subscriptions: $55.

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the princess on the cup. I am looking for any help in finding the owner because there was still some coffee in the cup and I can’t imagine that they were finished with it. My wife suggested that they just threw it away, but why would someone walk a kilometre down an otherwise pristine trail to throw away a perfect little cup with some beverage still in it? I think my wife is wrong. People don’t carry things that far into the forest to just throw them away. Do they? I will leave the cup at The Echo office so that the owner can be reunited with their cup. I don’t need any reward for the return. I’m just happy to help. Murray Lackie, Creemore.

PUBLISHER Sara Hershoff

sara@creemore.com

EDITOR Trina Berlo

trina@creemore.com

Bonnie MacPherson bonnie@creemore.com

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THE CREEMORE ECHO • Friday, February 4, 2022 •

LETTERS

Article paints rock climbing in unnecessarily negative light Editor: I was disappointed to read the article in Friday’s Echo that was so staunchly anti-rock climbing. The article and headlines such as Rock climbing traffic exposes impact on rare cliffs and Neighbour witnesses destructive behaviour paint climbers in an overwhelmingly and unnecessarily negative light. Unbeknownst to many, our backyard in Creemore has some of the best rock climbing in Eastern Canada. Places like Devil’s Glen, The Swamp near

Kolapore, as well as Lion’s Head further afield on the Bruce Peninsula, have world class rock climbing and attract climbers from across the country. While we are lucky to live in a place that allows us so many different recreational pursuits such as hiking, road biking, mountain biking, downhill skiing, nordic skiing, snowmobiling, etc., each of these activities places demands on the local environment and its ecology, on its roads, and infrastructure. Normally, we accommodate these activities because their benefits to the local area and

its economy outweigh their impacts. Climbing is just one of these. Rather than try to limit climbing and access to it, we should be celebrating the fact that we have some of the best climbing east of the Rockies by putting in parking and washrooms and signage and the support other outdoor recreation activities in this area already enjoy. Rock climbing is only growing in the years to come. Films like Free Solo and The Dawn Wall and rock climbing’s recent debut as an Olympic sport have inspired new generations of climbers.

Climbing gyms and climbing interest has mushroomed across the country. While this means increased pressure on roadsides and access trails for the foreseeable future, it also means more money and vitality injected into local economies and the communities that support it. I urge The Echo to use three pages of the next issue interviewing climbers about the sport, its impacts, and its benefits to local areas. Bianca Perren, Creemore.

Time for boundaries that align with protecting Devil's Glen Editor: Thank you for your coverage of the rock climbing and it’s wide ranging impacts in last week’s Echo. Not only have I witnessed the impacts that climbers have had on the cliffs and sensitive vegetation first hand, I have also had the harrowing experience of driving along 10th Concession when there have been so many cars parked that it creates a hazard at an already sight-limited intersection. It’s also sad to hear that local resident Adam Pearce has to deal with destructive behaviour and a tepid response from Ontario Parks. As a regular Ontario Park user and

supporter, avid outdoor athlete, and occasional climber, it saddens me that park managers are continuing to dance around this issue, using the excuse of “pre-existing non-conforming use” to further complicate and delay clear legislation. Many locals recall off-road vehicles traversing local lands now under Ontario Parks management, yet that “historical use” has rightfully been ruled unacceptable for all the right reasons. Having seen the impact to the Devil's Glen area, perhaps it’s time for some clear boundaries to be set which align with protecting this area of natural and scientific interest. Historical use does not excuse good

policy. The Ontario Alliance of Climbers (OAC) presents a weak argument with their statement “... we climb on vertical trails. It is not different than the use of trails on the Bruce.” It absolutely is different. I don’t know anywhere along the Bruce Trail where the trail splits into 130 different routes and includes permanent hardware inserted into the landscape. Like any group that’s angling to get what they want, the OAC states its end goal is “to have legislation that is either amended or updated to reflect the reality in terms of how the public wishes to recreate.” Agreed that legislation is needed, but it also needs to align with the mandate

given to the land managers by the taxpayers of Ontario along with all park users and neighbours, not just the most vocal, or those who lobby most. People are like puppies – clear, well defined rules keep everyone happy since we know where we stand. It’s time for Ontario Parks to take a leadership role on this issue and produce some well defined guidelines that address the environment and all user groups, not just the OAC. Pay attention to the science, observe the impact that is plain to see, listen to the eyes and ears of the neighbours and community, but most important, act. Andrew Monahan, Glen Huron.

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THE CREEMORE ECHO • Friday, February 4, 2022 •

All things mushrooms from Whispering Pines by Trina Berlo A love of foraging wild mushrooms has led Antony and Renee Brlec deep into the world of fungiculture. Having purchased a property in Mulmur, the Brlecs discovered there were a lot of mushrooms growing there. Antony said he learned from his parents, who are from Slovenia, how to forage and which mushrooms were safe to eat. He said the local foraging was great, except that when they brought their harvest back home they brought the forest with them and onto the cutting board, including the dirt and the bugs. They set out to cultivate organic mushrooms so they could be grown in a cleaner environment. To replicate their natural environment, mushrooms are grown on blocks of hardwood and soy hulls in a climate controlled environment. Contrary to common belief, mushrooms require 10-12 hours per sunlight each day. While Antony set up the infrastructure, Renee took Staff photo: Trina Berlo on the science and marketing side of the business. Renee and Antony Brlec have gone from Friends began asking them to supply their restaurants foraging mushrooms to cultivating them at their in Collingwood and they also became a supplier to home-based growth facility located in Mulmur, CSA programs. under the Whispering Pines Mushrooms label. Whispering Pines Mushrooms were sold at the Creemore Farmers’ Market last summer, before Mushrooms are said to provide a wide range of nutrition opening a retail store on the main street in Creemore and health benefits including immune system and before Christmas. antioxidant protection, blood sugar levels, digestive and Anthony said one of the reasons they decided to open gut health, energy, cholesterol, memory and cognition the retail store was to have a consistent outlet for the as well as stress and possible cancer fighting uses. mushrooms as restaurants continued to open and close The store carries home growth kits and a variety of due to pandemic health protocols. different products that have mushrooms added, such as “A lot of people have never seen a mushroom store,” coffee and complementary products like black garlic, said Antony. “We think it’s the only one in Canada.” which is fermented, their own honey and they will be Whispering Pines sells 10 different varieties of selling their own pickled mushrooms in the near future. mushrooms including six different kinds of oyster Whispering Pines Mushrooms is located at 151 Mill mushrooms, Lion’s Mane, Chestnut mushrooms and Street and is open Thursday to Saturday from 10 a.m. pioppinos. They each have different culinary qualities, to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact ranging in taste and texture, from crunchy to smoky, whisperingpineshm@gmail.com. For prices and online and different vitamin complexes and health benefits. ordering, visit www.whisperingpinesmushrooms.ca. They alsoai164323321157_2022 plan to expand into medicinal mushrooms. 02_ADS_creemore echo_3.1875x2.5in.pdf 1 2022-01-26 4:40 PM

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• THE CREEMORE ECHO • Friday, February 4, 2022

Full slate of virtual events during Black History Month Each February, Canada celebrates Black History Month, a call to honour the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities. The theme for Black History Month 2022 is February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day. In honour of Black History Month, the Simcoe County Museum will be hosting a virtual lecture series throughout the month of February. The series will feature expert guest speakers and local historians. Each lecture will explore a different aspect of the long history of Black people in Simcoe County and the Black Canadian experience in general.

Sheffield Park Black History Museum and Heritage Park Monday, Feb. 7, 1-2 p.m. Carolynn and Sylvia Wilson will be speaking about Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum near Collingwood and their efforts to recognize the Black history of Grey and Simcoe Counties. Sylvia and Carolynn are direct descendants of early Black pioneers of Simcoe and Grey Counties and co-owners of the Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum. They are both recipients of the 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women Award, the Order of Collingwood and Companion Award, among other awards in recognition of their community and youth initiatives. Carolynn volunteered for over 25 years to restore the Old Durham Road Black Pioneer Cemetery in Priceville, Ontario. Both she and Sylvia have served on the board of the Cemetery Committee.

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A flag raising ceremony was held to Tuesday, Feb. 1 to hoist the Pan African Flag at Museum of Dufferin on Tuesday in celebration of Black History Month with Dufferin OPP Inspector Terry Ward, Warden Wade Mills, Dufferin County Canadian Black Association founder Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson and OPP Staff Sargent Derek Banks.

Several Sides of the Story Tuesday, Feb. 15, 1-2 p.m. Dr. Rita Shelton Deverell will deliver her talk “Several Sides of the Story”, about learning to survive, even thrive, with different truths and different stories

about black history and history in general. Dr. Deverell has worked as an academic, broadcaster, television producer, journalist, and theatre artist. She has received numerous awards, including two Geminis, the Black Women’s Civic (See “Dufferin” on page 10)

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THE CREEMORE ECHO • Friday, February 4, 2022 •

SPORTS

Creemore Curling Club standings

Creemore Minor Baseball has chosen its new name and logo. Players have voted in favour of the Creemore Cardinals, created by Dana Murphy. Using a ranked ballot, 47 per cent of players selected the Cardinals as their first choice and for 38 per cent it was their second choice.

FUN &

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Daytime Team win-loss Coulter 1-1 Loranger 1-1 Martens 1-1 Walker 1-1 McDougall 1-0 Bell 0-1 From the Hack: HURRY HARD, ... HARDER, ... HARDER! Yup, the curlers are back on the ice, enjoying the game they love! And yes, Bill can be heard throughout the building encouraging his sweeper on. Monday morning, Team Coulter won against Team Bell and Team McDougall scratched out a victory against Team Walker. In the afternoon draw, Team Loranger was successful over Team Martens. On Wednesday, Teams Walker and Martens chaulked up their first wins. Great to be back, good curling everyone!

Ladies Team win-loss Millsap 1-0 Crawford 1-0 Verstegen 0-1 Walker 0-1 Mckay 0-0 From the Hack: Great to get back in the hack on Monday and with four new members to the Ladies league. Likely inspired by watching the Scotties, Teams Millsap and Verstegen had a close back and forth game with some super shots. On Sheet 2, each end had a wall of guards to challenge the skips. A nice precision shot by Team Walker to dodge a five-ender was their highlight, but a strong game by Team Crawford gave them a well deserved win.

More news and events online at Creemore.com Canadian Criss Cross ACROSS 1. Canadian actor Cariou 4. She played Randi on “All My Children” 8. Pleased 12. Before 13. Tel ___ 14. Hudson heroine 15. “Genie in a Bottle” singer 17. Augury 18. Canadian known as “Ronnie, the Bren Gun Girl” 19. Nine-day devotion 21. Addition column 22. Hasten 23. Seafood order 25. Moscow ballet company 29. First ___ 30. Average exam mark 31. Internet address 32. National Historic Site in Saskatchewan 35. Animal with a hump on its back 37. Fish eggs 38. Freshwater fish 39. ___ Mission National Historic Site of Canada (Newfoundland and Labrador) 42. Shallow lake 45. Shaft for wheels 46. Canadian “scream queen” 48. Dutch speed skater Barbara de ___ 49. Architect Saarinen 50. Quiet room 51. Walk ___ (Warwick song) 52. It may happen at a prison 53. Sock part

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1/30 DOWN 1. Page of a book 2. Therefore 3. Community in Ontario 4. “La Bamba” singer 5. States positively 6. Letter salutation 7. River in Ontario 8. Canadian who performed the first appendectomy 9. Gimlet ingredient 10. Prayer response 11. Actress Plato 16. Newspaper article 20. Lubricant 23. Truck part 24. ___ Fáil (Stone of Destiny) 25. Blood type

26. City in Saskatchewan 27. Rock containing metals 28. Not healthy 30. Canadian snooker champion 33. Solar system model 34. Dove sound 35. Canadian known as the Water King 36. Eye (German) 38. Mild cigar 39. Circle of light 40. Yeoman of the Guard officer 41. Blurred outline 43. Imitation butter 44. Hawaiian goose 47. Type of whale

• THE CREEMORE ECHO • Friday, February 4, 2022

COLUMN

Modernizing the village LOCAL HISTORY

The early years of the 1900s saw a modernization of our village. Waterworks made a great difference (more about that later) and telephones and hydro electricity became common. Helen Hydro electricity was BLACKBURN offered to Creemore residences before 1900. This source of electricity came from the swiftly flowing Mad River and was run by Simon Plewes who also ran the mill on the south side of the river. The supply was meagre but the electric lights were a great improvement over oil lamps in houses, businesses and at public gatherings. One disadvantage was the lack of power after 10:30 p.m. when the power plant was shut down. Sometimes people did not turn off switches at night resulting in a power surge in the morning. The surge caused problems. So it was in 1913, after Simon Plewes’s death, that the town fathers made an investigation of a more reliable source from the Ontario Hydro Electric Commission. In December 1913 Engineer James was in town checking out the situation. A month later a largely attended meeting was held. The crowd was told that a line would be built from Stayner, and that the power would be provided at cost, that there would not be even one cent of profit, and that the power was all for the good of the people. The newspaper commented, “Everyone went home happy, happy in the thought of having good light all night and whenever they wanted.” A month later a contract with the Ontario Hydro Electric Commission was discussed briefly, passed and signed. Although from the first meeting it appeared the Hydro Electric Commission was giving away power, that definitely was not the case. Creemore had to take out debentures to have lines installed. The village would get a percentage of the bills paid by the citizens. At the end of 1914 it was reported that the returns from hydro electric for November equaled the expenses of the debentures. In 1901 telephones were not an entirely new convenience. In 1892 a meeting was held and many businesses saw the convenience of the telephone which at that time had a connection in Toronto. The central office was in Corbett’s Drug Store. In a few years some people in the rural areas west of Creemore began to wish they could have

telephones too. One man, W. A. Allan of Lavender inquired about having a few phones among neighbours. He was told that if he built the line from Banda to Lavender, a distance of six concessions, he could have the telephone but Bell would still own the line. It is no surprise that the offer was turned down. In 1908 Dan Mitchell of Dunedin and F.E. Webster of Websterville met at a convention and began talking over the matter of having telephones. As a consequence 10 men met at Dan Mitchell’s home in Dunedin, deciding to build a telephone line and that they would own it. Immediately the group applied to exist as a corporation and began talking over the matter of having telephones in the homes. The corporation was set up with a capitalization of $10,000, the funds arising from the sales of shares, $5 a share. Arrangements were made for long distance messages through the Creemore exchange in Corbett’s Drug Store. The company was called the Noisy River Telephone Company. The first telephone was installed in the home of F. E. Webster and the second was in Dan Mitchell’s store. Dozens of people gathered in the store and called the Websters to satisfy their curiosity of talking over a telephone. Ten or 12 homes soon had telephones installed. At the end of the first year the company was out of money. To keep the company going the directors sold more shares and kept the company going in its most strenuous year. In the third year poles were put in on the roads to Singhampton and Glen Huron. Also a line went up the Fourth Line to Stayner. The demand for telephones was so great the company could hardly supply them fast enough. The Highland Company of Honeywood built a line to Creemore and in a few years was purchased by the Noisy River Telephone Company. In 1928 The Noisy River Telephone Company purchased from Bell their complete plants and franchises in the town of Stayner and the village of Creemore. Bell retained only a trunk line for long distance calls. The company was obviously doing well, so well that in 1930 shareholders received 10 per cent. The phone service rental was $15 per year for a party line and in 1932 was reduced to $13. The service after 1932 was continuous – previous to that switch boards were closed for certain hours on Sunday. Bell eventually purchased the Noisy River Telephone Company, but that was many years later.

Dufferin panelists include Dan Hill, Maestro Fresh Wes (Continued from page 8) Engagement Network Leadership Award, and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2005 for pioneering work in broadcasting. From 2002 to 2005, she served as News Director at the Aboriginal Peoples’ Television Network (APTN), mentoring her Indigenous successor. In October 2021, Dr. Deverell was appointed Chancellor of Lakehead University, the first person of colour to serve in that role. A native of Texas, she has called Oro-Medonte home for the past 29 years. The series is free to join and both individuals and groups can attend. Visit museum.simcoe.ca to register.

Collingwood Unity Collective Dr. Jean Augustine joins host Nova Nicole, a member of the Collingwood Unity Collective, in celebration of Black History Month. The Unity Collective’s virtual discussion is open to a limited number of participants at noon on Feb. 10. Register at bit.ly/CwoodStories. Group viewing is encouraged in workplace and classroom settings. In 1995, Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, requested and received unanimous agreement from the House of Commons on her motion to declare February Black History Month in Canada. Her legacy as a politician, educator and advocate for social justice has contributed to transformational change in Canada.

Black Heroes Past, Present & Future The Museum of Dufferin (MOD) and Dufferin County Canadian Black Association’s Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson, is hosting a live YouTube event at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27 to celebrate our Black Heroes Past, Present & Future for Black History Month. Panelists are Grammy award winning artist and author Dan Hill who will read from his book I Am My Father’s Son, a memoir of love and forgiveness, the Godfather of Canadian Hip Hop and author Maestro Fresh Wes, Shelburne Deputy Mayor Steve Anderson, community leader and Soulyve Incorporated’s Phil Dewar, and Center District High School Black Chapter Youth group members Danielle Bryan, Ashanti Brooks and Tyra Harris will speak on the future. The event will take place on Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. by video conferencing and will be live streamed on YouTube at the following link: www.youtube.com/ user/DufferinOne. There will be a Q&A session and we are requesting the community to submit their questions for the panel to info@dufferinmuseum.com.

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THE CREEMORE ECHO • Friday, February 4, 2022 •

ECHO Classifieds WANTED

FOR SALE

OLD ROCKING CHAIRS or other chairs that need recaning. Contact Allen at 416-508-6787.

CREEMORE HILLS WINERY Wine for sale by appointment only. Pick-up or delivery. Call/Text 647588-8931, cmorrissey0708@icloud. com.

SERVICES

ELLIOTT PAINTING AND DECORATING, over 30 years experience with excellent references. Interior and exterior painting and wallpapering. Call for free estimate at 705-466-2356. CONTRACTOR REPAIRS, restores, dismantles and jacks up farm buildings, homes, and cottages. Also roofing, siding, doors, windows, beams, posts, foundations, peers, cement work, fencing, eaves troughing, decks, docks installed, repaired, replaced. Contact Brian McCurdy, at 519-986-1781 or 519375-0958.

GAME DAY EVENTS PLANNER/ coordinator for Creemore Coyote senior hockey team: teddy bear toss, minor hockey night, military appreciation night, Santa Claus parade etc. Also would be responsible for providing info (scores, team news, etc.) to The Creemore Echo. Contact Tom at 705-435-8469 for more info.

LEGION DINNER

Creemore Legion Ladies Auxiliary Annual VALENTINE'S TAKEOUT DINNER on Monday, Feb. 14. Includes lasagna, Caesar salad, bun/butter, cheesecake. Call 705466-2462 to reserve by Feb. 7, 2022. Masks must be worn for pick-up in the lounge. Please have exact change. Add a bottle of red or white wine for just $20 - please notify when ordering.

FOUND

Set of KEYS on a polka dot lanyard near Jardine subdivision, with angel keychain and glitter mini flashlight. Claim at Creemore Echo office.

Submit your classified ad by 5 p.m. Tuesday call 705-466-9906, fax 705-466-9908, email info@ creemore.com, $17 + hst for 25 words or less

HELP WANTED

Applicants must be available to work full days, varying from 2 to 5 days a week from late February to mid June, including weekends. The successful applicant will be physically fit and energetic with outstanding customer service skills. Gardening experience an asset but not necessary. For more information about our farm, see our website at www.cutdriedflowerfarm.com. To apply, please send cover letter and resume to katie@cutdriedflowerfarm.com

Happy 90th

Omi

email - info@creemore.com•Call 705-466-9906 Submit online at www.creemore.com, or drop into The Creemore Echo office.

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wishing

Janneke Leimgardt

a very special day Love from all of your family

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DEATH NOTICE

CUT AND DRIED FLOWER FARM has an employment opening for a GREENHOUSE WORKER to assist in growing and selling a range of plants at our farm in Glencairn. If you love people and plants and are looking for a fun, seasonal job to keep you busy and fit this spring then why not turn your passion into a job with us?

CARING HANDS provides professional in-home personal care for seniors. Services include shower and bath assistance, meal prep and medications. For more information on how I can help, contact Cora Redpath, PSW, at 705-790-8014.

Classifieds work!

JEFFERY, Gordon Thomas Wesley Died peacefully on Tuesday January 25, 2022 with his family by his side at the Bay Haven Senior Care Community, Collingwood at the age of 94. Gordon, beloved husband of Lorna (nee van Alstine). Loving father of Marlene (Marcel DeVries), Douglas (Lynda), David (Lisa Boysen) and Robert (Mary). Cherished grandfather of Ashley Parton, Rebecca DeVries, Brian Jeffery (Meghan), Byron CREEMORE ECHO Kevin • Friday,Jeffery, February 1, 200 DeVries (Tania), Travis Jeffery, Randy Jeffery and Lucas Jeffery and great grandfather of Logan, Scarlett, Kaleb, Ayla and Hugo. Gordon is predeceased by his nine siblings. He will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews, friends and by many of his fellow farmers. Gordon was a kind man, who cherished his family. He had a tremendous work ethic and a good sense of humour. Gordon’s dedication to his Holstein cows and his John Deere tractors did not deter him from any opportunity to hit the road and travel. Road trips with Lorna to plowing matches and to music festivals allowed Gordon to meet new friends, reacquaint with old friends and enjoy old time country music. Whether spending the winters in warmer climates or heading to the Canadian coasts or north, Gordon always came back with names of new friends that he met along the way. When Gordon wasn’t travelling he could be found at the kitchen table playing cards with his grandchildren teaching them how to cheat at euchre. Gordon’s family gathered for a private funeral service. A spring interment will be at Bond Head Cemetery. If desired, a donation to the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation or the Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by his family. To sign his Book of Memories, please visit www.carruthersdavidson.com.

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• THE CREEMORE ECHO • Friday, February 4, 2022 217 Gideon Street, Stayner, ON L0M 1S0 Telephone: 705 428-6230 | Fax: 705 428-0288 Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm

www.clearview.ca

Communications are available in alternative formats upon request.

Notice of Public Information Session

Locke Avenue – Jonathan Court to Highway 26 Urbanization and Sewer Servicing

February 23, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.

The Township of Clearview will be holding a virtual Public Information Session to engage residents on the Urbanization of Locke Avenue from Jonathan Court to Highway 26. The Session is scheduled to take place on February 23, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. This virtual Public Information Session is the opportunity for the Township and its consultants to present information on the Urbanization of Locke Avenue project and for residents to ask their specific questions at the Session. Project Background This urbanization of Locke Avenue supports the Township’s Official Plan in providing adequate and safe systems of water supply, sanitary sewage disposal and storm water management to all areas of development. The Township will be installing sanitary sewers in order to service properties on Locke Avenue from Jonathan Court to Highway 26, the installation of storm sewers, watermain replacement, curbs and sidewalk will also be included in this project. Public Participation Members of the public may participate in the Session by either providing written comments or making an oral statement virtually. To register your public participation submission, please go to www.clearview.ca/locke-ave-urbanization and complete the registration form. All written and oral questions/comments will be addressed during the Session. All public participation requests and comments must be received prior to noon, on Monday, February 21, 2022 View the Urbanization Drawings online. You can watch the Session live on Clearview’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/c/ClearviewTownshipCA. For more information or to inquire about accessible accommodations to register your public participation, please contact: Fawne Breedon Public Works Administrative Assistant, Township of Clearview (705) 428-6230 ext. 266 fbreedon@clearview.ca

Financial advisor retires after 40 years with TD Bank by Trina Berlo TD Bank senior financial advisor Gisele Gee has retired after more than 40 years with the bank. Many local people will have had dealings with Gee over the years at either the Creemore or Stayner branches. Gee began her career at TD in 1980, almost straight out of high school. She said she took a chance on a contract position at a downtown Toronto branch, hoping it would lead to a full-time job with the bank. She said being a “girl” made it a bit harder, and she made a long daily commute from her home in Georgetown just so she could sit at a typewriter all day long. The gamble paid off and when a position opened up in Brampton, she got it and is fortunate to have had a job she has enjoyed her whole life. In almost 42 years with TD, Gee said she worked at more branches than she can count and always had consistent employment as a teller as she moved out west, had two children, and went through a divorce. In 1992 Gee said she moved to the Stayner branch to step into her first management position as an after hours officer in charge, and then she came back to the Stayner branch for her first assistant manager job. “When I landed in Creemore (about 2005) I thought that’s where I’d retire from and then when they shut down the branch and moved us all to Stayner, I was back where I started,” said Gee laughing. In Creemore, she became a financial advisor on a path to being branch manager but Gee said she fell in love with the job and decided not to advance. She said she enjoyed helping local

Bryan Davies photo

Gisele Gee has fond memories of dressing as the TD Green Machine in the Santa Claus parade circa 2012 or 2013. people with their finances as they went to post-secondary school, started a business, got married or purchased a home. She said it warms her heart to have been a part of that process. “That was the joy of that job, is watching everything evolve from a bump in a belly to kids going to high school,” said Gee. “I want to thank everyone for all their support over the many years. Without their support I would not be the person I am today. I am extremely grateful.” Gee officially retired on Tuesday and said she looks forward to having extra time to spend with her friends and family, especially her mother and three grandchildren.

Summer Student Opportunities

2022 summer student job opportunities are available with Clearview Township. Details of all jobs and hiring criteria can be viewed at: www.clearview.ca under the employment opportunities section. Job #2022–001 Pool Instructors / Lifeguards (6 positions) Job #2022–002 Pool Lifeguard – Supervisor Job #2022–003 Pool Customer Service Student Job #2022–004 Student Water / Sewer Operator (Co-Op position) Job #2022–005 Student Roads Workers (4 positions) Job #2022–006 Student Tourism/ Culture Assistants (5 positions) Job #2022-007 Student Public Works GIS Technician All positions are 35-40 hours per week (early May to early September 2022) All resumes must be received electronically through the Human Resources department, by Monday, February 28, 2022 at: hr@clearview.ca Please indicate job # in subject line. If applying for more than one position, please indicate order of preference. **Proceeding with student positions will be dependent on Provincial Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. ** We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Please note: In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, please contact Human Resources for accommodation inquiries or requirements at 705-428-6230 x. 255

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