The Paris Independent for Saturday April 13th, 2024

The Paris Ringette Association’s FUN2 team travelled to Cambridge for the year-end Regional Tournament where they were ‘undefeated’ in two games against Niagara Falls and St. Catharines Everyone played with a lot of heart the season and showed off their new skills! Players gather tomorrow for the year-end banquet. Watch for more details next week!

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Emergency: 9-1-1

Police Department: 888-310-1122

Fire Department: 519-442-4500

Willet Hospital: 519-442-2251

County of Brant Office: 519-442-6324

Paris Public Library: 519-442-2433

Paris Councillors & Mayor :

Mayor - David Bailey 226-387-2490

Ward 2 - Steve Howes 519-442-4955

Ward 2 - Lukas Oakley 226-216-3037

Ward 3 - John Bell 519-209-2277

Ward 3 - John Peirce 519-442-7134

Administration & Bylaw: 519-442-7268

Paris Customer Service Office 66 Grand River St.

N. 519-442-7268

Open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Main Services include:

-Accounts Receivable invoice payments

- Blue Boxes and Composters (pre-arrange pick up of composter)

- Brant Transit punch cards purchase and pick up

- Building Permits may be submitted and Building staff consulted

- Calendar pick up (free)

- Commissioner of Oath is by appointment only

- Dog license and tag

- Dog Park membership and key

- Parking ticket payment

- Property Tax payments and inquiries

- Public Works permits may be submitted

- Use the computer to meet with a virtual Planner to ask questions.

- Water testing sample bottles may be picked up. Drop off water testing samples on the last Wednesday of the month before 2 pm at the Burford Customer Service Office

Brant Sports Complex & Other Facility Booking

519-442-1944- Open Monday - Sunday, 8:30 am - 8:00 pm.

Main services include:

- Dog Park membership and key

- Dog license and tag

- Tennis Court membership and key

- Camp registration and recreation program registration

Articles, Events & Story ideas, please submit by email to: stories@theparisindependent.com

STATEMENT

Chris Whelan

Casandra Turnbull

Michelle Malvaso

George Le Gresley

Rubyyy Jones

Stephen L.

Jacob Gaudet

Taren White

Heidi Pfleger

Tiffany Martin

Shelley Gaudet

We are an independently owned organization made up of likeminded volunteers from within our community with the main purpose of providing Paris and area with a trustworthy and reliable source of local news. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of everything we publish, we regret any errors that may occur. We limit our liability to that of printing a retraction upon notification of such errors in the next available publication. Our mail and Email addresses are listed below:

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

SPEAKER – Join the Brant North Community Safety Group on Wednesday April 17th at 7 pm in the community room at the Gaukel Memorial Centre in St. George for their monthly meeting. Guest Speaker featuring Ken Pottruff from Emergency & Protective Services Department.

OPTIMIST CLUB YOUTH

DANCE – Friday, April 19th at 51 William St (Syl Apps Community Centre). The dance is for students in grades 5 to 8 only. The DJ begins the Dance at 7:00 pm and it ends at 10:00 pm. Entry fee is $5.00 with a concession booth for pop, chips, candy and pizza All proceeds support the Paris Optimist Club and its support of the youth of our community. Call 226-8025063 or 519-442-5227 for more info.

ONION HONEY -

brings their entertaining brand of "Mountain Music fresh from the Grand River Valley" to St. George United Church, 9 Beverly St. E. (Hwy.#5), St. George on Friday, April 19th . Doors open at 7 p.m. Showtime: is at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 in advance by e-transfer to stgeorgeunitedchurchfinanc e@gmail.com, or $20 at the door. Cash bar - beer and wine For information, contact (519) 448-3842.

TELFER PLACE SPRING

MARKET – Saturday, April 27th from 9 am to 1 pm at Telfer Place 245 Grand River St N. Come and shop a variety of local vendors or perhaps participate as a vendor! More information available – please call Laura at 519-442-8005 or email

laura.struthers@exeassist.ca

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

MOTHER’S DAY MARKET -

showcasing Local Artisans & Vendors hosted at St. George United Church, 9 Beverly St. East (Hwy #5), St George on Saturday, May 4th from 10:00 a.m.2:00 p.m. Admission

$2.00. Door prizes! Fabulous variety of talented artisans and vendors! Light lunch, coffee & snacks available For information, contact (519) 4483842.

EARTH DAY TREE

PLANTING – Join the County of Brant in planning 475 trees at Jacob’s Woods Park, 41 Hampton

Crt. St. George on Saturday, April 20th from 10 am to 1 pm

Please bring gloves, rain wear, closed toe footwear, a shovel and a reusable water bottle. The St. George Lions Club will provide a free BBQ lunch and refreshments for all volunteers Special thanks to Brant Waterways Foundation, St. George Lions Club, GRCA and Brant Tree Coalition.

QUILTS ON THE GRAND EVENT -

The Paris Quilting Bees Guild is hosting a quilt show at #forParisCentre, 164 Grand River St N on April 27, 2024, from 9:00 a m to 5:00 p m The Paris Quilting Bees are proud to be able to service organizations in the Paris and surrounding areas with the donation of various sized quilts, fidget blankets and placemats. In the last calendar year, we have donated approximately 100 quilts/fidget blankets and 60 placemats to the following organizations: Alzheimer Society of Brant, Lansdowne Children's Centre, Willet Hospital, Hungarian, Syrian and Ukrainian

Refugees, Telfer Place, Briarwood Gardens and Meals on Wheels

Community mourns the passing of lifelong Paris resident, volunteer and firefighter

The Paris Firefighters’ Club announced its sadness and sorrow this week following the passing of one of its long-time members Rick Shannon.

Rick was a member of the County of Brant Fire Department, Paris Station with more than 40 years of service. He received the Fire Services Exemplary Services Medal in April 2006 and the First Bar in August of 2008. Following his retirement in 2017, Rick continued as an active member, marching in parades, attending events and supporting the Paris Firefighters’ Club, where he also served as president for many years. He’s credited with spearheading many club events and fundraising initiatives both

for the club and the community. Club members said they will remember his contagious smile and his seasonal ‘HO, HO, HO’ with a laugh that will surely be missed by all.

Rick was also a member of Branch 29 Royal Canadian Legion in Paris. He was well-known for giving back to his community and enjoyed volunteering in many capacities from firefighting to coaching baseball and hockey in Paris, Ayr and Burford

Rick was married to his best friend, Heather, for 47 years and loved dad to Darcy, Brooke, Darryl and the late Ashley in infancy, as well as four grandchildren. He passed away

peacefully, at home, with his family by his side on Sunday, April 7th in his 70th year.

Friends and family called to Wm Kipp Funeral Home this past Thursday and Friday to pay their respects and say goodbye to the lifelong Paris resident who impacted so many people with his involvement and caring nature.

The family has asked that anyone wishing to make a donation in Rick’s honour do so to the Diabetes Association or the Paris Legion Branch 29.

Rick Shannon 4th from left, beside his wife Heather centre, during a firefighter recognition ceremony. He received the Fire Services Exemplary Services Medal in April 2006 Rick served on the Paris volunteer fire department for over 40 years. Photo credit: Steve Howes

Total Eclipse captures the hearts of Paris residents!

Paris and Brantford residents witnessed 100% of the total solar eclipse around 3:16 pm on Monday, April 8th. It marked the first total solar eclipse in this region in nearly 100 years. The clouds gave way just in time for the eclipse to begin. Here’s our favourite picture by local (Paris) resident and photographer Michelle Malvaso.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Photo by Michelle Malvaso Photography

Paris Councillor supports Intimate Partner Violence Act during second debate at Queen’s Park this week

By Casandra Turnbull

Paris Councillors Lukas Oakley was at Queen’s Park on Wednesday evening in support of Bill 173, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Act.

Led by the NDP, the private member’s bill calls for the Provincial government to declare IPV an epidemic and implement the recommendations of the Renfrew Report. In a rare change of stance, the Progressive Conservatives announced this week, just prior to the second debate on the topic, that they will support the bill, which received standing ovation from all MPP, regardless of political party status.

Following Wednesday’s second debate in the House of Commons, the bill was referred to committee to undergo further studies It remains to be seen if the PC Government will follow through with its promise to support the bill further and adopt recommendations from the Renfrew Report.

The Renfrew Report was released in 2022 following the inquest into the deaths of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam In total, 86

recommendations for change were made, speaking to oversight and accountability, system approaches, collaboration and communication, funding, education and training, measures addressing perpetrators of intimate partner violence, intervention and safety

The province’s declaration of support comes after cities, municipalities and social service agencies across the province have declared the epidemic and urged the province to follow suit. County of Brant councillors announced the epidemic locally on November 27th , 2023, in a motion led by

Councillor Jennifer Kyle.

In a social media post the day before travelling to Toronto, Oakley stated, “I will continue that work tomorrow evening as I will have the opportunity to advocate to MPPs at Queen's Park on this important file. I hope that this is just the first step, as we discussed at council last month, our wraparound services are dramatically underfunded by our province and in the long term, property tax is not a viable route to fund these services.”

MPP Lisa Gretzky, MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, MPP Jill Andrews, and MPP Peggy Sattler were the movers and seconders of Bill 173.

Photo credit Lukas Oakley

During Brant County budget negotiations this year, critical social service program funding was deferred to the joint County/City Joint Services Committee for consideration in 2025. This sudden cut in funding left many social service programs in peril. Oakley stated it was critical that communities took leadership stances to support the programs and non-profit agencies in the community who are working to combat the ripple effects of this epidemic. He recommended that the county utilize reserve and surplus funds to fulfill the requests from the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant, Victim Services of Brant,

Willowbridge Community Services, and Nova Vita Brant this year only as the Joint Services Committee finds more permanent funding solutions moving forward In a 5-4 vote last month, councillors committed to $266,177 in one-time emergency funding split between the four organizations.

According to Statistics Canada (2019), Brantford has the highest rate in Ontario, and the 4th highest rate in Canada for victims of police-reported intimate partner violence, according to information provided by Nova Vita Int 20222023 Nova Vita volunteers

answered 3,227 crisis and support calls. There are 115 people on the waitlist at the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant, with more than one-third of them residing in the county, said Joanna Brant of the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant.

There’s been a 625% increase of clients under 18 (in Brantford and Brant County combined) in the last five years who qualified for gender-based violence services and have been wait listed for vital counselling services at Willowbridge Community Services.

Don’t forget to head downtown Paris today to get your Maple Syrup, pancakes and entertainment fill!

Grade 5 students take a Bite of Brant at local Agri-food industry event

By Casandra Turnbull

Students in two Grade 5 classes at Cobblestone Elementary received a hands-on agricultural lesson this past week as they attended the 29th Annual Bite of Brant agri-food program in Burford

The students in Mrs. Larion-Dukes’ and Mr. Gerry Foreman’s classes were both engaged and at times surprised by the information they learned during the one-day class trip. It’s an annual tradition for Cobblestone students to attend Bite of Brant, mainly because it aligns with the curriculum in Health and Social Studies, but also because they gain valuable insight on how food is produced locally and ultimately lands on their plates.

“We appreciate all the work the local farmers put into it to make it hands-on, entertaining, and interesting for our students,” said Larion-Dukes. “They liked

hearing about the history of maple syrup (and how it was "accidentally" discovered by an Indigenous child) and learning about how bees are so important to our world ”

The students had some pre-trip discussions on what to expect and after returning continued discussions on the agri-food industry

Since the program is such a hit with students, and educators, Cobblestone Elementary participates each year These Paris students are just a handful of over 1,000 pupils who gathered at the Burford Fairgrounds on April 9th and 10th .

They participated in 20 different stations designed to give the students a real-life demonstration of how their food is produced, as well as outlining the benefits of Ontario and Canadian produced food.

Continued on page 10

Grade 5 students in Mrs Larion-Dukes and Mr Foreman’s Cobblestone Elementary School classes, some pictured, learned about how bees are so important to our world and especially liked putting on the beekeeper protection. They also liked planting either a tomato or basil plant which they were able to take it home to watch as it grows.

“It is important for students to gain an appreciation for the high quality of Ontario food and to have some knowledge of how it is produced, since they are already consumers AND they are our future decisionmakers,” said Bite of Brant organizer Jean Emmott. The success of this program lies with the support of the approximately 125 volunteers and the dedicated planning committee, who plan, organize and present this popular program

Grade 5 students from Cobblestone Elementary enjoyed this year’s Bite of Brant Event in Burford. Students had a chance to meet livestock – like as cows and pigs – to learn more about local agriculture and the agri-food industry. Among the surprising facts of the day – learning cows eat 60-100 pounds of hay a day. Did you know?

Keep farmers safe

By Casandra Turnbull

Did you know that farmers/ranchers are among the top 10 most dangerous jobs in Canada?

According to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, farm workers are five times more likely to be killed on the job than any other industry workers. One of the leading causes of fatalities for farmers are traffic accidents involving motor vehicles and farm equipment; it’s proven there are two deaths a week in Canada involving collisions, and 74% of accidents take place between summer and late harvest

Statistics show that 7% of accidents on Ontario roadways involve farm equipment. It doesn’t seem like an alarming number, but when you live in a community that is surrounded by agricultural land, it should be a statistic you think about often when you approach a slow-moving tractor on your way home from work. “Slow moving vehicles are 3 8 to 4 8 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision per kilometre on the road than other motor vehicles. These occur while entering, existing or crossing roadways, veering off the shoulder and accidents involving a motor vehicle passing while large machinery is making a turn,” said Will Stoneman, Member Service Representative with Ontario Federation of Agriculture

So, in short, take your time Taking a few minutes off your arrival time is not worth altering yourself or a family’s life forever

Farming on the Paris Plains: Unveiling Our Agricultural Legacy

The year was 1824, and scattered farmsteads had already taken root in the northwest corner of South Dumfries Township. The hardworking settlers toiled under the sun, reaping the rewards of their labour. The fertile soil yielded bountiful harvests, with fields boasting 18 bushels of wheat per acre, 25 bushels of barley, and 30 bushels of oats.

As time passed, more settlers arrived, drawn by the allure of the flat Paris Plains Scottish immigrants predominated, seeking the promise of fertile land beneath the dense oak forest. These pioneers, armed with considerable capital, recognized the benefits of machinery. The Paris Plains became one of the first areas to embrace reaping machines, revolutionizing wheat harvesting.

However, the journey was not without its challenges. The settlers faced a pressing obstacle: limited transportation routes. The Governor's Road, a meager path, served as their only connection to larger markets in Dundas and

Hamilton. Despite the farmers' growing yields, they struggled to sell their crops for cash. Bartering became the norm, as the circulation of money remained scarce.

The 1830s witnessed an influx of settlers, expanding the township's reach. The once-northeastern wilderness now teemed with life By 1841, South Dumfries Township stood tall, a testament to the collective spirit of its inhabitants. The first census in 1851 counted 4,297 souls, revealing the township's steady growth.

Change was on the horizon, as the parliamentary session of 1850 birthed new counties across Ontario Dumfries Township found itself divided, with the southern section (Paris, Glen Morris, and St. George) joining Brant County and the north aligning with Waterloo County. A glimmer of hope emerged in 1849 when road improvements, including the Governor's Road, eased the transportation woes The outbreak of the Crimean War in 1851 fueled demand for farm produce, bridging the gap between farmers and urban markets.

By 1860, machinery began to dot the landscape. Harvesters appeared, easing the workload in flatter areas. The township's population, however, experienced a slight decline of approximately 9% by 1861, settling at 3,916 residents. The town of Paris absorbed most of those who departed.

Photograph of Men working on Highway 24 near Perry German's Farm, 1920s, Elaine Culling personal collection County of Brant Public Library

LOCAL HISTORY

1880’s Map of South Dumfries Township courtesy of the County of Brant Public Library

The 1870s proved challenging for farming, with poor crops and falling livestock prices due to American competition and the depression of 1873. Yet, hope flickered back to life in the late 1870s as the export of cattle and sheep breathed new life into the township

In 1881, the Township faced a population decline of 10%, with only 3,490 inhabitants remaining Farming techniques had been haphazard, neglecting soil conservation A fortunate turn of events occurred as urban centers began to flourish, leading to a greater focus on dairy farming. Livestock numbers surged, providing the much-needed manure to replenish overworked soils That same year, an Ontario Agricultural Commission report

described the township's soil as a mixture of clay loam and sand loam Bottomlands covered a thousand acres, while 900 acres were classified as swamp and 100 acres deemed too hilly for cultivation. Improved farm machinery, such as reapers, mowers, and seed drills, became commonplace among farmers. Wheat yielded 18 bushels per acre, oats reached 35 bushels per acre, and barley stood at 25 bushels per acre. The township's chief products were wheat and barley, although oats and other grains thrived just as well.

The turn of the century brought forth a new chapter in this area’s farming story. Diversified agriculture emerged as the prevailing pattern Specialized farming practices aligned with the

physical environment, as land use became more closely linked to specific land types

By 1920, this area had transformed into a splendid farming section East of the Grand River, the land rolled gently, its soil heavy and rich Sheep flocks and herds of Shorthorn cattle grazed upon this fertile landscape. To the west, dairy farming reigned supreme, painting a picturesque scene of rural prosperity.

And so, the journey of farming continues. The agricultural legacy of this region has made an enduring impression, serving as a constant reminder to future generations of the unwavering fortitude and commitment of those who toil the earth and nurtured the land.

Downtown businesses prepped for next week’s TV series film shoot

PUBLIC NOTICE: The County of Brant is excited to announce upcoming filming activities in our community.

Please be aware of the following schedules and locations and plan your activities accordingly.

The Paris Customer Service office has been dressed for production purposes, but still remains open to the public for information and County services

Filming at Penman’s Dam Park

•Preparation: April 15 and 16, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

•Filming: April 16, 7:00 pm to 1:00 am

•Wrap-up: April 18 and 19, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm

•Drone Filming in Downtown: April 16, starting at 6:00 am.

Filming at Bean Park

•Preparation: April 15, 16, and 17, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm

•Filming: April 17, 12:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

•Wrap-up: April 18 and 19, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Important Road Closure and Parking Information in Downtown Paris

Road Closure: Tuesday, April 16, 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, and Wednesday, April 17, 4:00 pm to 4:00 am on Grand River Street North from Mechanic Street to Williams Street.

Parking Restrictions: Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12, several spots in Parking Lot #11 at the Corner and on Grand River Street North will be reserved for prep work

Extended restrictions apply from Monday, April 15 at 7:00 am until Friday, April 19 at 9:00 am in designated lots and various street parking.

Street Dressing Underway

Please be aware that the film crew has already started working on building film sets in downtown Paris, Bean Park and Penman’s Dam. You can experience an exciting temporary transformation of our community. Please be mindful and respectful

There may be some auditory noise and light spillage from some of production vehicles and equipment, however the filming crew will endeavor to minimize disruptions and work quietly within the community.

Garbage and Recycling Collection Change

On Tuesday, April 16, Garbage pick-up will be before 6:00am on Grand River Street North from Mechanic Street to 120 Grand River Street North. Please put garbage and recycling out on Monday night (April 15) for pick up

For more information, please refer to brant.ca/RoadClosures or brant.ca/FilmingNotices

For questions regarding filming, please contact Olga Denisova, County of Brant at 519-732-6185 or by email olga denisova@brant ca

Thank-you for your cooperation and understanding

Want to Learn More about This TV Series?

Read this edition (page 8) of the Paris Independent for more details on this TV series titled Motorheads, starring Ryan Phillippe and written by ‘All American’ writer John A. Norris. Find out how Paris, Ontario will play an important role in the fictional town of Ironwood, PA.

Downtown businesses are already transforming into fictional Ironwood, PA. Photo credit: Steve Howes, Councillor Ward 2, Paris, County of Brant

On Wednesday, April 10th 2024, the Muslim community of Brant celebrated Eid ul Fitr at Syl Apps community centre with an Eid Prayer. The Eid Prayer is a special prayer that

Muslim community celebrates Eid ul Fitr with Eid Prayer at Syl Apps Community Centre marks the culmination of Ramadan during Eid al-Fitr, or the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha. The timing of Eid prayer is critical; it is performed in the morning, and Eid Salah takes place in the early morning on the first day of Eid. See next week’s Paris Independent as Umair Muhammad from the Jamia Masjid Bilal & Community Centre discusses the religious significance of this prayer

Submitted photos

Hike for Hospice –Daneka’s Story

When Paris resident Daneka Miller’s mother passed away, her final days were spent at Stedman Hospice.

During that excruciating time, the family was comforted by the love and compassion offered by Stedman Hospice staff and volunteers. Daneka’s story is one of thousands, but it highlights the important work the community hospice brings to families in their most dire moments. Watch for Daneka’s story in next week’s Paris Independent and consider donating to ensure, for years to come, that families will have a safe haven to spend their final days with loved ones as they pass with the care and dignity they deserve.

Five years of art excellence downtown Paris

It’s Springtime in Paris and the downtown is buzzing and blossoming with all kinds of activity and happenings Film crews making magic, new shops bursting open and a plethora of events to help you shake off the Winter and step into the season.

Thursday April 11th was a doubly delightful evening with The Paris Bohemian Gallery celebrating five years of art excellence. The celebration launched a new eclectic exhibition Visionaria: Art For The Season Of Light, plus it welcomed Judy Jean Vintage to their terrific new popup spot within the gallery. Judy Jean Vintage is a vintage and second-hand company founded and operated by Quinn VanMackelberg, with original premises on Grand River St N, first at The Gem Marketplace and then in their flagship downtown Paris store.

We arrived just in time for speeches, toasts and revelry, the space was absolutely packed with artists, fashionistas and creatives of all kinds! Katherine Pickering - Bohemian Gallery boss - spoke first, celebrating the amazing artists

Judy Jean Vintage now has a pop-up spot within Bohemian Gallery. Judy Jean Vintage owner Quinn VanMackelberg was part of Thursday’s celebration.

Bohemian Gallery owner Katherine Pickering celebrated the downtown studio’s 5th anniversary with the launch of a new eclectic exhibition Visionaria.

she gets to work with - over 600 artists and fifteen shows so far - and thanking her wonderful supportive husband, mother, and family. Quinn thanked Katherine for her support after losing her Grand River St N location, saying: I was a little homeless girl and then I got offered this space and it’s such a sweet and nice look! She thanked her mom, wishing her a Happy Birthday. You could really feel the passion, support, and community in the room; it was absolutely wonderful.

Photos by Rubyyy Jones

ARTS & CULTURE

Art enthusiasts listen as Bohemian Gallery owner Katherine Pickering deliveries some opening remarks during the April 11th celebration.

Above photo credit Lukas Oakley

The Visionaria exhibition is delightful, I absolutely loved Heather Verplanke’s moody and watery pieces, one of which was snapped up by babe-about-town Norica Stein. There was a sale gong and everything, it was thrilling to see several sales in the short time I was there! Judy Jean was bustling with beauty, looks and feisty fits from floor to ceiling, you can really see Quinn’s expertise and eye in how this space has been truly transformed I gotta go back another day when it’s less busy because there were so many gorgeous things peruse

The secret to small towns is that every great one has a real mix of citizens, communities and offerings. Sometimes it’s easy to forget - with the shifts in Paris full of many losses and changes - that there have been equal amounts of gains. Nights like Thursday remind me that we’re so lucky to have a town that’s growing more diverse, more cultured and more aware of its own power all the time. Businesses and individuals like Katherine and Quinn are so important for our town and our county and so I hope you’ll join me in raising a proverbial glass to them: cheers to many more years of art, culture and enrichment!

Another season in the books!

Paris

Minor

Hockey Association honours its players at banquet

Paris Minor Hockey Association wrapped up another successful season with its yearend banquet at the Syl Apps Community Centre on Monday, April 8th. It might have been the day of the eclipse, but the evening was all stars as the association honoured its players with awards and special recognitions. This year marks the last season of PMHA hockey structure as it currently operates. Beginning this fall, the 2024/2025 season will introduce the Brant County Minor Hockey Association and its ‘A’ and ‘BB’ designation teams representing all age divisions from U10 to U21. The Brant Battalion, as they will be called, is sanctioned by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA), and Hockey Canada. Their programs will combine players from Paris, St. George and Burford.

All photos by Casandra Turnbull

U9 Local League (LL) Team 1 Aitchinson –Jarome Burke MVP, Nathan Blake, Most Dedicated, Silas Norden (pictured right), Most Improved, Jack Ferren, Most Spirited and Koen Gill (right), Heart Award.

Above left, U9 MD sponsored by Desjardin Insurance, Clark Durrer, MVP, Brody Heintzman, Most Dedicated, Cassidy Beechy, Most Improved, Bastian DeLaronde, Most Spirited and Emerson Kneale, Heart. Above right, U9 Team 2 Blake – Luke Wilkinson, MVP, Levi Blake, Most Dedicated, Sloane Gal, Most Improved, Henry Bartscher, Most Spirited and Austin Mezza, Heart.

Top left, U11 Rep, sponsored by Pelton Transportation – Colson Baker, MVP, Brody Farrington (absent), Most Dedicate, Quentin Askin (absent), Most Improved, Nolan Steward (absent), Most Spirited and Landon Speagle, Heart. Top right, U11 Team 1, sponsored by Brant Sports – Connor Brittain, MVP, Corbin Watts, Most Dedicated, Adam Perry, Most Improved, Carson Taylore, Most Spirited and Kaiden Martin, Heart.

Above, U11 Team 2, sponsored by Kings Wood Products – Tessa Schiedel, MVP, Matt Fenn, Most Dedicated, Jack Milnes (absent), Most Improved, Ollie Deakin, Most Spirited and Rider Hall, Heart. To the right, Youth Volunteer of the Year, Chase Watts

tournament medals and trophies for many PMHA teams U15 Team 1 won silver medals at the Lisa Dalpe Memorial Tournament

Paris

U13 Team 1

Stoney Creek Warriors Tournament.

Top left, U13 Rep sponsored by Paris Optimist Club – Xavier Cormier, MVP, Logan Lahey, Most Dedicated, Carter Durrer, Most Improved, Cayden Williams, Most Spirited and Eldred Martin, Heart. Top right, U13 Team 2 sponsored by Fifth Ground Entertainment –Reid Cadwell, MVP, Lucas Baldwin, Most Dedicated, Ray Wise, Most Improved, Cameron Kenney (absent), Most Spirited and Emmitt Hunter, Heart.

Top left, U13 Team 1 Charles & Lloyd – Beau Dakin, MVP, Kash Morris, Most Dedicated, Ruddy Walter, Most Improved, Brandon Luyben, Most Spirited and Grish Gill, Heart. Top right, U15 Team 1 McComb – Ethan Sickle, MVP, Dylan Drinkle, Most Dedicated, Dalton McCallum (absent), Most Improved, Nick McPhee, Most Spirited and Henry Moffit, Heart. To the left, U15 Team 2 sponsored by Arora Dental – Hudson Gal, MVP, Ryan Quelch, Most Dedicated, Kassidy Maher, Most Improved, Brayden Miller (absent), Most Spirited and Abel Reimer, Heart. The 2023/2024 season was full of

in

and

won the

Photos by Casandra Turnbull

Top left, U15 Rep sponsored by Comfort Plus Heating & Cooling – Jameson Andrews, MVP, Camden Cadwell, Most Dedicated, Ty Berrill, Most Improved, Eric Barbeau (absent), Most Spirited, Cameron Stewart (absent), Heart. Top right, U15 Team 3 E.S. Fox – Scott Harrison, MVP, Logan Harrison, Most Dedicated, Lincoln Jeavons, Most Improved, Finn Kargus (absent), Most Spirited, Jacob Borges, Heart.

Above left, U18 Rep sponsored by Paris Canadian Tire – Brendan Seilbert (absent), MVP, Nick Ferris (absent), Most Dedicated, Jerry Skoyles, Most Improved, Reed Biro, Most Spirited and Ashton Hall (absent), Heart. Above centre, U18 Team 1 sponsored by Branch 29 Paris Legion – Austin Perry (absent), MVP, Josh McPhee (absent), Most Dedicated, Emalyn Bird, Most Improved, Matthew Clement (absent), Most Spirited and Max Pys (absent), Heart. Above right, Goalie Award, Christian Watts. To the left, U18 Team 2 sponsored by Paris Industrial – Julian Visocchi, MVP, Luke Bologne, Most Dedicated, Charlie Moratta, Most Improved, Connor Klein (absent), Most Spirited and Nathan McCaffrey, Heart.

Emmitt Hunter received the overall Heart – Cathy Hoogstraten award. Above, U18 Team 3 sponsored by Twisted Treats – Evan Bol, MVP, Connor Jakowetz (absent), Most Dedicated, Taylor Drinkle, Most Improved, Nathan Reain (accepted by his brother Tyler), Most Spirited and Phinneas Sinden (absent), Heart.

Wrapping up the season with Silver Medals in New Hamburg

Everyone once in a while you have ‘one of those seasons’ where everything just clicks. It’s a great group of kids eager to learn, coaches willing to put in the time and effort, team comradery on and off the ice and stands full of fans. For the U9 Local League 2 Team, this year was THAT year. The team wrapped up the season with Silver medals at the New Hamburg Tournament, winning game one 7-3 against New Hamburg 2, winning game two 5-4 against New Hamburg 3 and falling to a tough Waterford team 8-4 in the championship game. The team’s silver medal rounds out a complete podium finish for the crew – who claimed bronze, silver and gold at three tournaments this year.

Curling news from the Friendliest House in Town!

The Tuesday Night CYO also concluded its A and B division leagues with the following champions announced: 'A' Champions (pictured to the right)Team Maude - Bryan, Michael, John, Brad, Randy and 'B' Champions (bottom corner)- Team PerkinsJeff, Adele, Earl, Bill

Last, but certainly not least, The winners of the Paris Afternoon

Ladies doubles curling Spring draw were from left to right, Jan McLean and Kathy Burt. Curlers are competing in the Last Chance Bonspiel (it wraps up today) so watch for details in next week’s Paris Independent.

All photos by Paris

Curling Club

Thursday Night Choose Your Own (team) wrapped up its competitive league, all divisions recently. The 'A' Champions (pictured left) is Team Maude - Bryan, Shawn, Ellay, Amy (who only lost three games all season!)

The 'B' Champions was Team Vivian - Jeff, Bill, Gavin, John, Bruce (not pictured). The 'C' Champion is Team Flewelling - Mike, Michael, Mike, Milan (not pictured).

Debbie Miller Track and Field Classic happening next month

Debbie Miller Track and Field Classic will be held at Pauline Johnson Collegiate school’s Kiwanis Field on Friday, May 3rd, 2024, commencing at 9:00 a m

The event will feature competitors from high schools across the Southern Ontario. The public is invited to come out and support these young athletes as they compete display athletic excellence.

Debbie Miller was raised in Brantford competed in the Mexico Olympics in 1968 when she was 17 years old. Debbie was ranked 8th in the world in the 100m, and also competed in the 200m and 4x100m relay, and was awarded the Sports of Excellence award from Prime Minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau Debbie continues to hold the 100m and 200m records at Pauline Johnson Collegiate school for 57 years!

Debbie has also been inducted into the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition. She is currently living in Halifax and attends this classic event to support the many high school students who compete from all over Ontario.

Debbie will be awarding the fastest female and male in the 100m.

Also, during the event, Rick Mannen, born in Onondaga and raised in Brantford, will play an active role in the ceremonies Rick, who also attended Pauline Johnson Collegiate school, will be awarding the fastest female and male in the 1500m.

Rick is the winner of 7 international marathons and an inductee into the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition He also holds the 400m and 800m records at Pauline Johnson Collegiate for 49 years!

The AABHN track meet takes place the following week on May 9th and will feature athletes exclusively from high schools in Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk Counties.

Recent stats show Brantford jobless rate remains at 4.9%

BRANTFORD (April 5, 2024) –

The Brantford area labour market continues to hold steady.

The Brantford-Brant jobless rate stood still for the third straight month at 4.9% in March, according to Statistics Canada’s estimates, based on its monthly survey of local households.

Meanwhile, Norfolk’s unemployment rate was estimated to be 4.6% in March, the first time in six months a figure has been released. Statistics Canada doesn’t release some figures when there isn’t enough data. March’s rate was almost identical to the 4.5% reported last September

Population changes continue to be the No. 1 factor influencing the labour markets at the national and provincial level, but less so locally.

Canada’s unemployment rate jumped in March by 0.3% to 6.1%

- the largest increase in months –though employment only fell by an estimated 2,200 across the

country

Ontario’s jobless rate climbed to 6.7%, even though 26,000 more people were working. In Brantford-Brant, about 400 more people were employed last month, continuing slow but steady employment growth since last summer Employment has grown by an estimated 3,500 since August but is almost identical to March 2023 when about 79,500 people were employed.

“These numbers don’t spark great excitement and, sure, we would have liked to see more job growth,” said Danette Dalton, the executive director of the Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie. The WPBG is one of 26 non-profit organizations in Ontario that play a leadership role in labour force planning. The Workforce Planning Board is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

“But the fact that we’ve held steady while the population has

grown is a positive Our labour market has been able to absorb population growth, replacing workers leaving the workforce with new people.”

Dalton added that in many other communities, including most of those surrounding Brantford-Brant and Norfolk, employment gains have lagged behind population growth

There were 2,000 new jobs posted last month on Grand Erie Jobs, the online job board the planning board maintains. That was up 5% over February, though the number of employers hiring was down slightly at 1,340

The Brant Community Healthcare System posted the most jobs in March, more than 80, while the City of Brantford was also high on the list. Three of the Top 5 jobs advertised were health-care related.

Should you invest for retirement or pay off your mortgage?

Common Cents with Jacob Gaudet

When interest rates are high, people often think it’s better to pay off their mortgage rather than save. But is it the right choice? We’ll help you decide

Should you invest for retirement or pay off your mortgage?

A recent poll discovered that Canadians’ financial priorities for 2023 had moved away from saving for retirement to paying off debt This was no doubt fueled by fears of a recession, high inflation and interest rates being the highest in over 20 years. But does this strategy make financial sense?

We look at the pros and cons of each option and explain how to decide on the best one for your personal circumstances.

The advantages of paying down your mortgage

A key advantage is paying less in interest, which could save you thousands of dollars. You’ll also free up future income that would otherwise

A recent poll discovered that Canadians’ financial priorities for 2023 had moved away from saving for retirement to paying off debt. This was no doubt fueled by fears of a recession, high inflation and interest rates being the highest in over 20 years.

go towards paying the mortgage, which could be particularly important for investors heading into retirement

Once you’ve paid off your mortgage, you’ll have more money available to invest, which can very quickly boost your overall savings. Also, building up equity in your home can give you quick access to more borrowing options, such as a low-interest home equity line of credit.

The downsides of paying down your mortgage

You’ll miss out on investment opportunities that could make you considerably better off: over the last couple of decades (when mortgage rates were typically considerably

lower than returns from investments), it usually made financial sense to invest rather than pay off your mortgage.

By focusing on your home, you limit the diversification of your assets, meaning you could miss out on other opportunities. And, if the housing market were to fall, a large part of your assets could lose value for a considerable period.

Depending on your situation, you could also miss out on potential tax savings For example, business owners can often use some of the interest paid on their mortgage to offset against their business income, if they have an office at home.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

The benefits of investing your money

Stock market returns have, over the last 20 years, been considerably higher than mortgage interest. Over this period, investing typically provided Canadians with greater returns than the money they’d have saved by paying off their mortgage faster.

By focusing on investing, you benefit from compounding over the long term. Compounding is when you start to earn returns on the returns you’ve already earned, such as interest, capital gains and dividends. By reinvesting these returns, your money can grow much faster.

Many companies offer retirement pension plans for their employees, whereby any contributions made are matched. This could effectively double the amount of money you save.

Investment also provide better liquidity It’s typically very easy to turn your investments into cash if

you ever need to, which is not the case with your home.

The disadvantages of investing your money

Nothing is guaranteed with the markets, but putting extra money into your mortgage will definitely pay it off faster. Even though the stock market has, in recent decades, delivered returns that have been higher than mortgage interest rates over the long-term, this isn’t guaranteed going forward

For some people, investing in the stock market can feel stressful, even though, historically, it has always recouped its losses eventually.

Which is the best option for you?

This is a complex question, and the answer should consider these aspects of your personal circumstances:

• Your age and income.

• Your long-term investment goals.

• Your risk tolerance level.

• If debt makes you feel anxious.

• Your mortgage interest rate.

• Current opportunities in the stock market.

• The stage your business is in (for business owners).

Having a financial advisor is crucial when making this kind of decision. Your advisor should consider all the options within the framework of your overall financial plan. They’ll then advise you on the best and most taxefficient course of action for you.

If you’re wondering whether to pay off your mortgage faster or grow your retirement savings, reach out to me to set up a meeting to help you make the right decision.

Aries: March 21 - April 19 (Fire) –A general feeling of well-being and ease makes this a good time for socializing and relaxing, but you may have to watch a tendency toward excess when it comes to food, alcohol, and drugs. You may also experience changeable moods, and changing tastes can present difficulties if you have wandering eyes

Taurus: April 20 - May 20 (Earth) – This is a good time to tackle difficult tasks that have caused frustration or limitations in the past Creative intelligence and experimentation can lead to new ideas and breakthroughs. Previous impatience will quickly be replaced by excited anticipation and unexpected opportunities

Gemini: May 21 - June 20 (Air)You will feel more connected spiritually to your friends and family Your increased empathy and concern can have an uplifting effect on others, which could materialize as more involvement in groups of all kinds.

Cancer: June 21 – July 22 22 (Water) – This is a good time for being intimate in the privacy of your home, but you also have good people skills now You should enjoy good relations with groups of people, the public, and women in particular. You can connect to people at the subconscious, the emotional level, which is ideal for public presentations or selfpromotion

Leo: July 23 - August 22 (Fire) –You are willing to sacrifice shortterm gratification for the long-term good of a relationship Your selfdiscipline extends to your finances, so this is a good time to save money, pay down debt, and make sensible investments in real estate, bonds, art, or jewelry.

Virgo: August 23 - September 22 (Earth) – You will be driven to succeed with a strong sense of purpose and initiative You can achieve a lot of work in a short amount of time with the courage and fighting spirit to take on just about anything. You can be as direct and honest as you like in achieving your desires and enlisting the support of others

Libra: September 23 - October 22 (Air) - Your path to success can be helped by strong self-belief and more reliable intuition This is also a good time to start a new romance. Existing relationships will enjoy more spiritual closeness and bonding, and sexual relationships will be more tender and loving

Scorpio: October 23 - November 21 (Water) – Quick thinking and decisiveness allow you to make plans with confidence A persuasive communication style makes this an ideal time for debating, asking favors, and public speaking. Being more adventurous and taking risks should lead to positive results. Fortune favors the brave!

Sagittarius: November 22December 21 (Fire) – Trust your instincts to help turn your dreams into reality Vivid dreaming, occult and mystical work, astrology, and religion can all be used to increase selfunderstanding. You can feel more connected with other people and the entire universe. This is an ideal time to express your more caring, charitable, and idealistic side by serving others

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19 (Earth) – Creative negotiation skills mean that other people will tend to make compromises So this is a great time to ask for favors and to make presentations. Smooth and sexy words, along with extra charisma, also make this an excellent time for your social and love life

Aquarius: January 20 –February 18 (Air) – a general feeling of well-being and ease makes this a good time for socializing and relaxing, but you may have to watch a tendency toward excess when it comes to food, alcohol, and drugs You may also experience changeable moods, and changing tastes can present difficulties if you have wandering eyes

Pisces: February 19 - March 20 (Water) – A positive attitude and self-confidence also make this a good time to impress someone or convince them of something you are passionate about Intimate relations will certainly benefit from your sensual words and hands. So give your partner a massage or ask someone out on a date. Teamwork and traveling for work will be profitable.

Showtimes for Galaxy Cinemas Brantford For Saturday, April 13, 2024

Civil War

Standard 1:20p.m. 4:10p.m. 7:00p.m. 9:45p.m.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Standard 12:50p.m. 3:50p.m. 3D 6:40p.m. 9:30p.m.

Monkey Man

Standard 12:20p.m. 3:30p.m. 6:30p.m. 9:30p.m.

The First Omen

Standard 1:00p.m. 4:00p.m. 6:50p.m. 9:40p.m.

Kung Fu Panda 4 Standard 1:30p.m.4:00p.m. 3D 6:30p.m. 9:00p.m.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Standard 12:30p.m. 3:20p.m. 6:20p.m. 9:20p.m.

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Standard 12:00p.m. 3:40p.m. 7:30p.m.

Café Daughter Standard 1:50p.m. 4:30p.m. 7:10p.m. 9:35p.m.

The Boy and the Heron Standard 11:00a.m.