The Paris Independent for Saturday March 30th, 2024

GUESS

YOUNG

School

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Photo by Chris Whelan

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

Michelle

George

Rubyyy

Stephen

Taren

Heidi

Shelley

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

BRANT CONDO CORPORATIONS’ ASSOCIATION MEETING

–Wednesday, April 3 at 2 pm at the Sherwood Restaurant. Everyone welcome. See more details about this group and the meeting’s planned guest speaker on page 16.

SPAGHETTI SUPPER

- Etonia United Church, #101 Hwy #2, Etonia, Wednesday, April 3, 2024, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.. Adults $20; children (12 and under) $5; preschoolers free Includes dessert and refreshments. Takeout available. Wheelchair accessible.

THE PARIS COMMUNITY SAFETY GROUP

– Monthly meeting on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 7 pm in the Wilkin Board Room at the Cowan Community Health Hub, 25 Curtis Ave N, Paris. The guest speaker will discuss cultural diversity in our community. New members are always welcome.

BRANT COUNTY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB MEETING

–Tuesday, April 9th , 2024, at 10 am at the Sherwood Restaurant Guest Speaker will discuss the Brantford Hospital plans. New members are always welcome.

SENIOR’S ACTIVE LIVING

EXPO – on Tuesday, April 9th from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, at Cedarview Church, 20 Cedar St in Paris This free event will feature many Community partners as well as demonstrations and classes of some of our County of Brant Fitness and Sport Programs

Lunch will be provided by Telfer Place Retirement Home and transportation can be arranged by contacting heather.slot@brant.ca. No registration is required Schedule of events available online

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

– 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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

PARIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETING -

April 3rd, 2024, at the Paris Fairgrounds; social time starts at 7 pm. Meeting at 7:30 PM. Our guest speakers are Kirsten McCarthy and Pam MacDonald, Master Gardeners from Halton, and their topic is “Bird’s Eye View of your Garden”. This will be a fun evening. Come on out for a very informative evening We welcome visitors. Time to join your local Garden Club!

BLUE JAYS HOME OPENER FREE TAIL-GATE-

At the Gaslight District at 64 Grand Ave S in Cambridge on Monday, April 8 from 6 pm to 11 pm. No tickets, no entry fee! Rain or shine. Blue Jays live on the Big Screen, everyone welcome More information available online.

MUSIC IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL: 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 stgeorgeunitedchurchfinance@gmail.com, or $20 at the door Cash bar - beer and wine For information, contact (519) 448-3842.

50TH PARIS GEM & MINERAL SHOW –

April 6 & 7, 2024, 139 Silver Street at the Paris Fairgrounds. Admission is $7 daily or $8 for the weekend pass Kids 12 and under are free Crystals, jewellery, minerals, fossils, kids table, bead and jewellery suppliers and silent auctions.

EASTER EVENTS

TODAY! SOJOURN EASTER

CELEBRATION - Join us this Easter weekend to celebrate Easter at Sojourn Church (112 Scott Ave) on Saturday, March 30th at 9 am! Join us this Easter weekend to celebrate Easter! As a church this is the most important day of the year, as we celebrate the most important event in all of history. This free event includes an Easter Egg Hunt, Bouncy Castles, Wood Craft with Organized Kaos, Face Painting, snacks, and more. There is something for everyone so bring the whole family!

TOMORROW! EASTER

SUNDAY EGG HUNT! Sunday, March 31st , at 10 am at Paris Community Church (Presbyterian) at 164 Grand River St N. Plan to arrive by 9:50 so we can assist the children with bags and name tags before the egg hunt begins promptly at 10:00. The eggs contain nut-free chocolate –ingredient list available. Coffee, juice boxes and amazing baked goods will also be served Easter Celebration Service will begin at 10:30am

As a church this is the most important day of the year, as we celebrate the most important event in all of history This free event includes an Easter Egg Hunt, Bouncy Castles, Wood Craft with Organized Kaos, Face Painting, snacks, and more Bring the whole family! More information available online.

DOWNTOWN PARIS EASTER

HUNT – Visit downtown Paris to find the letters to spell out HAPPY EASTER and you’ll be entered into a draw for a $100 Downtown Paris Shopping Spree!

The letters are displayed in business windows throughout Downtown Paris* Identify the business where you find each letter and fill in your ballot. Print your own ballot: https://bit.ly/Easter-Ballot or grab one at Dog-Eared Café, The Gem Marketplace, The Paris Wincey Mills Co,

Baby B. Home, or the County of Brant Offices (66 Grand River Street North)

Drop your completed ballot at: County Of Brant Office, 66 Grand River Street North by end of Monday, April 1. A winner will be drawn from all correct entries on Tuesday April 2.

Historic piece of Paris’ rich commercial and industrial history is demolished

By Casandra Turnbull

A piece of Paris’ commercial and industrial history was torn down this past week as the owners of 3 and 7 Yeo Street began demolition on the former Walker Press building

The County of Brant notified the public last Friday that demolition would commence with most of the work wrapping up by the end of April. The new property owners consulted with the Brant Heritage Committee last fall to

Photos by Cindy Whelan

determine the fate of the building. A heritage evaluation was completed, and the committee did not recommend Ontario Heritage Act designation. Council supported the decision. As demolition began last week, residents in area neighbourhoods received a notice of disruption letter in their mailboxes advising of the work The new owners were instructed to safely remove the existing building materials with as minimal of an impact on residents as possible.

In the County of Brant issued release, they assure residents that the Building, Roads and By-law Enforcement divisions will continue to work together to monitor the contractors / developer throughout the process. Some neighbours have voiced concerns online that they are experiencing issues accessing their driveways, which were blocked by vehicles and equipment, while others have reported the demolition work started before the public notice was issued. Mostly, there’s an overwhelmingly sense of sadness from residents as they watch this historical building come down

The new owners have proposed a six-storey residential complex consisting of 86 one- and twobedroom units.

Romeo Demolition & Excavation works to remove debris from the former Walker Press building at 3 & 7 Yeo Street in Paris. Demolition and site clean-up is expected to take place until the end of April.

Their consultant, from Patterson Planning Consultants, presented the development plan, called Willow Grove, to the Heritage Committee late last year. A delegation was presented to Brant County Council in October 2023. Plans are not finalized.

Any site/development plans, whether they are the same ones presented last year, or revised ones, must be presented during a public engagement process and ultimately approved by council To date, there’s been no development applications for these properties,

the county confirmed.

The building was first constructed in 1882 under the ownership of David Maxwell. Charles Walker purchased the land in 1914 and established Walker Press Ltd two years later. It operated in Paris for over 60 years. Forge & Foster purchased the vacant building in 2021 with plans of salvaging the beloved building and transforming it into a combination of commercial and residential units Their plans were squashed by council, citing traffic concerns as the primary reason against the proposed

redevelopment. They sold the building a year later See pages 1215 of this Paris Independent for additional history on the building.

If you’d like to review the full Heritage Committee report, it is available here. You can read the Paris Independent’s first report on this newly proposed development plan here.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

How did you feel watching this historic building come down this past week? What are your thoughts on the proposed plans for this site?

Send us a Letter to the Editor by email: stories@theparis independent.com

Renderings of proposed ‘Willow Grove’ development for 3 & 7 Yeo Street. To date, there’s been no development applications submitted. Potential use of the property must be presented to the public and approved by council.

New Amazon Prime TV series - Motorheads – to film in downtown Paris on several occasions this spring

By Casandra Turnbull

A new Amazon TV series is bringing its production to Paris this spring. Representatives from MHTV Canada Inc were before council on Tuesday to present their plan to film in downtown Paris one five separate occasions between April to June. Location managers have scouted the town for potential film sites over the last few weeks, with a special focus on the downtown core, and they like what they see.

“I was born and raised in Brantford. I spent countless summer days working a camp counsellor at the Syl Apps arena, attending the Paris Fair and swimming in the Paris pool,” said Production Manager Ashley Shields-Muir. “The idea of this community representing our story’s home location makes me very proud,” she told Councillors

The show, called Motorheads, follows the life of New Yorkers Zac and Caitlyn as they move to smalltown Ironwood, Pennsylvania where their mother grew up and father made a name for himself as the racing legend turned fugitive The two teens are faced with the challenges of navigating a high school social life and the unfavourable reputation their father left behind. Muscle cars are the currency in this town and the backdrop to the journey Zac and Caitlyn are on to refine their family

name and discover who they are, Sheilds-Muir explained

The series will feature some starstudded names – Ryan Phillippe as Logan, a former NASCAR mechanic who now owns a shop in his hometown of Ironwood. Nathalie Kelley is cast as Samantha, an ER nurse who’s left her job in New York to move back with her kids to Ironwood. Michael Cimino and Melissa Collazo will star as Zac and Caitlyn. Motorheads is written and executive produced by John A. Norris.

During their presentation to council on Tuesday, Toronto-based MHTV execs revealed that Paris contained all the qualities they were looking for to represent the stories they will tell in fictional Ironwood, PA. They’ve spent some time downtown Paris introducing themselves to local business owners and scouting neighbourhoods of potential interest. They also revealed that when they film on location, they offer three different types of compensation packages. A filming location fee to pay for access to properties and businesses; an access fee, generally used to access a property for convenience purposes but that they won’t use as a film location; and an inconvenience fee that acknowledges that their presence might be challenging at times and could result in a loss of revenue for businesses

These fees will be negotiated on a site-by-site evaluation Crews are also investigating ways to pump money back into the local economy during their visits, noting that Paris’ core boasts some unique eateries, some of which they’ve already enjoyed.

“I can assure you our team is working tirelessly to ensure that this experience is less destructive and most collaborative as possible,” said Shields-Muir. “I want to personally assure you that we will work in your community with respect and professionalism ”

Councillor Steve Howes said he appreciated the presentation which informs the public of the film production plans as opposed to having closed door meetings strictly with the County’s film production department Howes wanted to know if there were any plans to close Grand River Street North, citing obvious traffic concerns. MHTV representatives assured they are working with the roads and film department to create a closure schedule that will lead to the least amount of disruption as possible, but that schedule will vary depending on each of the five planned visits and what material they are shooting

Stay tuned for more film details as they become available.

Paris Performers’ Theatre has new lease on life!

By Casandra Turnbull

The Paris Performers Theatre (PPT) has a new lease on life, a new venue, some new members, and a brand-new docket of exciting events happening this year The company has over three decades worth of history in Paris and the future looks vibrant as its members have worked hard to rebuild after a turbulent end to 2023.

Without further ado, and with minimal dramatic theatrical pause as possible, we are pleased to announce the location of PPT’s new home, on Broadway (Street) nonetheless, at St. Paul’s United Church. Until recently, the group called the Paris Fairgrounds home for 24 years and after an amicable split late last year, PPT members searched high and low for a new home stage the cast and crew could make their own for years to come.

The ink is barely dry on this newly signed lease, and everyone already considers it is a match made in heaven. The central location is a slight nod to PPT’s earliest days when their initial shows were performed in the old Penman’s building on West River Street, said current PPT President, Rubyyy Jones.

“It’s wonderful to be based in downtown Paris,” explains Jones, who as a longtime member personally recalls those performances in the Penman’s building. “It’s so exciting for future audiences to be able to have a night out on the town with restaurants, shopping and lots of parking all within walking distance.”

The new home, for both PPT storage and performances, will encompass the downstairs auditorium of St. Paul’s and the upstairs sanctuary. It’s also a fully accessible space for all PPT members and patrons, something Jones said is another advantage to this phenomenal partnership.

Continued on page 10

It’s been a steady few months of rebuilding and growth, but members of the Paris Performers Theatre are excited to get back to the stage to entertain this year!

Photo of the cast from Into The Woods, taken by Nikole Beda

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Moving was a significant feat for the members from the hours and hours it took to sort, organize, and sell 24 years of stored props and costumes, to physically hauling some very heavy stuff down the stairs at the Fairgrounds and then transporting them to their new storage space. Five members volunteered their time to oversee the massive operation.

“We have been truly reminded of the meaning of community and we’re really dedicated to matching that energy for our members in kind moving forward!”

Of course, change can also bring some unexpected positivity. The PPT’s big rummage sale to offload some content was so well received, it very well could be the birth of a new annual event. The pay what you can by donation-based sale drew enthusiastic theatre crowds

from far and wide, as well as some local entertainers from Paris District High School.

“We reuse and recycle as much as we can, but many shows require new items, either bought, made or found, and so we’re constantly growing our stock and we continue to give back and share with the community because that flow of sharing, creating and releasing is art at its core!” said Jones.

With homebase reestablished, and a newly elected executive, PPT is looking to grow its membership and get back to what they enjoy most – performing Jones said the next couple of years, possibly more, will be slow and steady sustainable growth. They have about 40 members now and that number is increasing. After a public Meet & Mingle at St. Paul’s United Church this month, PPT

members were surprised to find out 85% of attendees who completed a survey were new guests, rather than returning ones Another PPT hosted fundraiser will be the upcoming trivia night at Paris Pub on Wednesday, April 10th with proceeds going to ongoing operations and productions, Jones confirmed. Tickets are $10; email hello@parispub.ca to book your table.

After months of hard work and fundraising the first quarter of the year, April is the start of all the fun PPT activities scheduled for 2024. The theatre group will now operate on a calendar year, fundraising and mixing and mingling from January to March and then jumping into auditions, performances, events and appearances from April to December.

Continued on page 11

Above, Marion Joan Smith at Paris Performers Theatre’s Meet & Mingle event at St. Paul's United Church on March 15th

The group announced last week they are hosting auditions (click here for more info) on April 14 and 15th for A Mid Summer Night’s Dream, which they will present this fall. Exact dates for the performances will be released shortly and Jones promises it will be a whimsical and wonderful experience.

“We’re also interested in hearing from people who want to get involved in other ways – costumes, stage management, taking tickets,” said Jones.

PPT will also host the Brant Theatre Festival June 21-23 downtown Paris, showcasing all the amazing local theatre in this community. Submissions are open now for various categories - One Act Plays, Paris Playwrights, Brant Theatre Creative, and New

or in-development Work. More information is available online here

The final show of the year in December will be a feel-good holiday performance titled, Enchanted Christmas

With amazing plans in the works, and a community behind them, PPT is looking forward to its bright future

“Paris Performers’ Theatre has been around for several decades but in some ways we’re starting over. So, to have landed in a bright, warm, tidy, flexible, accessible downtown location has been a real spark for us; we’re so grateful.”

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The humble beginnings of the Paris Performers Theatre over 3 decades ago

The Paris Performers Theatre, which originated in the 1990s as Paris Music Theatre, has a rich history that can be traced back to Sara Staysa, the founder of a successful theatre in Port Dover Sara Staysa was already an established theatre director in Brantford when she arrived in Port Dover over four decades ago with a dream of establishing a summer theatre in the lake port. Initially known as the Carpet Bag Theatre, the venture faced numerous challenges in its early days. The first meetings were held in Sara's cramped apartment, barely accommodating three people However, the perseverance of the three individuals involved, along with the unwavering support of the efficient secretary Kit (Ayers) Julian, kept the dream alive.

To Sara's surprise, Port Dover held a hidden gem a 350-seat abandoned theatre with flawless acoustics. Despite being filled with dusty police records and decades of forgotten memories, this dilapidated theater became

their sanctuary After the first season, the Carpet Bag Theatre found itself deep in debt, but the passion and dedication of its everchanging slate of enthusiastic directors kept the flame alive. This relentless pursuit of artistic excellence led to the birth of the Lighthouse Festival Theatre, which would soon become renowned and respected across Canada

In 1992, the Paris Performers Theatre took its first steps towards maturity. Sara Staysa, now the artistic director of the Paris Music Theatre, expressed her excitement about the company's growth. They

were preparing for their grand debut a cabaret-style review to be held at a local restaurant. However, before the performance could take place, the theatre needed to settle into its new home on West River Street, a 5000-square-foot studio space within the Pride of Paris complex (formerly Penman’s). The building, formerly a workout gym, was being transformed into a theater with a stage, dance studio, and prop workshop. The Bingmans: The View From Paris, a comedic production depicting the lives of Ed and Edna Bingman, was the focus of their creative endeavors.

Rehearsing a scene from A Child's Christmas are Kari North, 17, of Brantford (left) , Tammy Mitchell, 16, of Paris, Melissa North, 18, of Brantford, and Evan Buliung, 17, of Brantford. Paris Music Theatre's first play debuts Dec. 11. 1991

LOCAL HISTORY

Although their current studio space was temporary, as it was slated for future development, Pride of Paris president Rick Wyse offered low rents as a public service. The Paris Music Theatre also organized tap and performing workshops to engage the community and cultivate local talent. The overwhelming response from men interested in performing pleasantly surprised Sara Staysa, who acknowledged the rarity of male participation in theater. With the cast for The Bingmans already selected, the performances were scheduled to take place at the Crossing Restaurant on Capron

Street. By 1994, the Paris Performers Theatre had continued to expand its reach Digby Sargeant, a retired teacher with minimal theatrical experience, had discovered his passion for acting after joining the theatre group a year earlier. His talent and dedication were evident in his roles, leading to successful performances as Andy Ryan in And ANightingale Sang and Messerschmidt the Court Jester in the Christmas musical An Enchanted Christmas. Sara Staysa, recognizing Digby's natural abilities, praised his singing skills as well. Digby faced his next challenge in the production of The

Dining Room by AR Gurney, where he would portray nine different characters alongside five other actors. This demanding role showcased the versatility and talent within the Paris Performers Theatre.

Throughout its history, the Paris Performers Theatre has overcome obstacles, nurtured local talent, and capture the hearts of audiences. From its humble beginnings in the old Penman’s knitting mill to its thriving presence in Paris, the theatre continues to grow and make its mark in the world of performing arts.

Youth entrepreneur helps animal rescue

What started as a school project has developed into some important life lessons and skills for young Paris student

Submitted content by Erika Van Stowski

Avery Van Stowski, a grade 6 student at Sacred Heart School in Paris was given an independent school project. She was able to choose any project that she would do and present it back to the class by the end of April. Avery is not one to do things in half measures and so many of her ideas although wonderful were either going to cost her parents thousands of dollars or weren’t something she would be proud to present in front of her classmates After being turned down by her parents to fostering an animal (at this time) in her life, Avery decided she could still help.

Avery has a very entrepreneurial spirit, so she decided to bake dog biscuits and sell them. The funds would go to a local rescue. Avery had been acquainted with 'Good Will Good Karma Rescue' (@goodwillgoodkarma) for over a year since her 4-H sewing club made cat nip toys and dog collars for the

What started as a school project has since flourished into a full entrepreneurship experience for Grade 6 student Avery Van Stowski She is selling baked dog biscuits to raise money for a local rescue called ‘Good Will Good karma Rescue.’ You can support Avery’s business venture by purchasing a package of dog treats for sale at Van Laeken Farm’s fruit and vegetable stand in the Wincey Mills Market (while supplies last).

organization last spring. This rescue is run by a local Mt. Pleasant family including 14-year-old Will who started on this venture with his sister Jada seven years ago when he was just 7 years old Their motto is “Rescuing animals and inspiring kids and kindness”.

Avery recently met up with Will and a large litter of rescue kittens waiting to be adopted. She was given the task of cuddling them for

social skill development. She also got to hear many stories of rescues and who were the partner organizations they work closely with.

Avery approached a family friend, Michelle Van Laeken, who has a veggie stand at the Wincey Mills Market to see if she might consider placing her pet treat pouches on display for the next month and a half. Continued on page 15

Thanks to (@vlfamilyfarm) Van Laeken Farms, who without hesitation are now carrying them in their stall at Wincey Mills. Over the next couple of months, during their hours from Wednesday to Sunday, the pouches will be for sale $10 a piece and the proceeds from each bag sold will be donated to the local pet rescue GWGK. The treats are healthy and delicious, your dog and maybe even other pets will enjoy these sweet potato and flax crackers.

Avery’s goal is to bake and sell 100 pouches or 10,000g of biscuits. Working at home and between activities Avery can bake a batch per day which is about four pouches Needless to say, she’s going to be busy to meet her goal That means over the next 25 days Avery will be working harder than ever But she says that this is a project she would be proud to present in front of her class.

Speaking of proud, her family is very proud of her efforts and commitment. In particular, she is gaining valuable math skills with measuring but also figuring out costs and percentages, and she is using Excel to create tracking tools. She is also learning hard lessons and realities about the animals she’s hoping to help rescue.

If you’d like to learn more about Avery’s journey, today (Saturday, March 30th) Avery will be at the Wincey Mills market to sell her pouches. The $10/pouch proceeds will go to rescue a dog or another animal in need. Stock will be available @vlfamilyfarm until the 100 pouches have sold.

Have you ever thought about becoming a Fair Judge at local fall fairs?

District 7 Judging School Press Release - The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) District 7 is having four judging schools this year The intent is to encourage people who may not be involved in fairs but are interested in how various categories are judged and want to learn the steps they need to take in order to become a certified OAAS judge.

Our fairs across Ontario are in need of new judges, in all categories from quilts, needlework, crafts, baking, canning, woodworking to produce, eggs, honey and maple syrup.

Photo by Michelle Malvaso

The District 7 judging schools are taking place at various locations in the province. Each school covers different categories.

-Grains & Hay, hosted by Erin Agricultural Society on April 27th

-Antiques & Woodworking, hosted by Fergus Agricultural Society, May 11th

-Flowers & Arrangements, hosted by Arthur Agricultural Society, June 22nd

-Hobbycraft’s, TBAthis fall

Participants will learn how to judge each of the categories and what they should be looking for by using the judging standards book. This will ensure that judging across Ontario is consistent.

To become a certified OAAS judge you need to attend one judging school in a category that you are interested in and apprentice judge with three different certified OAAS judges at three different fairs.

To participate in these schools, there is a fee that can range from $20 to $30 each.

All are welcome to attend our judging schools. You never know what you might learn.

For more information, please contact

Laurie

Cadwell, District 7 Judging Contact by email:

district7judgingcontact@gmail com

Brant Condominium Corporations' Association Aims to educate and advocate

If you’re confused about updating your condo governing documents, attend this free BCCA presentation next week

On Wednesday April 3rd, 2 p m , at the Sherwood Restaurant, 799 Colborne St E. Brantford, the BCCA will be sponsoring a FREE special presentation by Michelle Kelly, Condominium Management Lawyer and partner with Robson Carpenter LLP The topic will be on how to amend and change the condominium documents (Declaration and Bylaws)

Michelle states that these are concerns she receives quite often. Michelle will explain the processes to change each type of document and then discuss a few specific types of changes that she is seeing these days For example, overcrowding in units and what sorts of document changes you can make to address it Come prepared

with your questions

This is your opportunity to receive some free advice from a wellknown and respected condominium lawyer. As always, there will also be a Q&A condo chat at the end of the presentation.

Who is the Brant Condominium Corporations’Association?

The BCCA acts on behalf of all Condominium Corporations in the City of Brantford and Brant County. One of their goals is to educate the condo community on ‘all things’ condo and so several times per year they have a guest speaker on a topic of interest to the condo community. There is no cost to attend their meetings Come,

listen to the guest presenter and have your questions answered. Not only do they educate, but they also advocate. The BCCA is your voice on condo issues in the community to the city and county councils and your liaison to the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI).

They are also actively involved in helping condos navigate through difficult situations. If you are a Condo Board in trouble or require some outside help, contact BCCA and they will direct you accordingly. Their services are free. Membership fees help the BCCA to ensure that these objectives will continue. For more information, visit their website.

Unmasking “The Fake”: One Book One Brant returns for another exciting year with Zoe Whittall!

MEDIA RELEASE - The County of Brant Public Library is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of One Book One Brant, a County-wide reading event celebrating Canadian literature. This spring marks the nineteenth year of festivities, and the Library is honoured to feature awardwinning Canadian author Zoe Whittall and her captivating novel "The Fake.”

One Book One Brant kicks off Tuesday, April 2; residents can place holds on the book beginning Tuesday, March 26. Every patron who checks out the book will be entered for a chance to win eventthemed prizes.

“I'm excited to see the enthusiasm surrounding One Book One Brant,” says Fred Gladding, Library Board Chair. “This event not only promotes literacy but also fosters a sense of belonging and connection among County of Brant residents. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the power of storytelling.” This year, One Book One Brant’s marquee author event occurs Saturday, May 25, from 2-4 PM at the Gaukel Memorial Community Centre and gives readers a unique opportunity to connect with one of Canada’s most captivating authors. The event includes a meet-andgreet with Zoe, author readings, a book signing, and refreshments.

Additional events occur throughout May and include a fraud prevention workshop with Brant OPP, three exclusive book clubs, and a Writing Masterclass with Zoe

“The Writing Masterclass with Zoe Whittall offers aspiring writers a unique opportunity to learn from a seasoned author and refine their craft,” says Emma Johnston, Programming and Outreach facilitator at the Library. “We're committed to providing valuable resources and opportunities for growth to our community members.”

Residents can find more information and register for events at brantlibrary.ca/OBOB or inperson at any Brant Library branch.

Library staff members show how easy it is to self-checkout the 2024 One Book One Brant selection – The Fake. One Book One Brant officially kicks off on April 2. Residents can place holds on the book now. The book’s author, Zoe Whittall will appear at the author event on Saturday, May 25 at the St. George Gaukel Memorial Community Centre. Whittall is the award-winning, best-selling Canadian author of The Fake, The Spectacular, The Best Kind of People, Holding Still for as Long as Possible, and Bottle Rocket Hearts. She was a writer for the Emmy Award-winning comedy show Schitt's Creek, as well as Degrassi and the Baroness Von Sketch Show.

Paris U13 Rep team off to OMHA Tier 2 Championships this weekend

After a hard fought three game battle with Delhi, the U13 Wolfpack Rep team earned the Southern Counties League Championship title and are representing Paris in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association Tier 2 Championships this weekend The action all started on March 18th in front of a hometown crowd at the

Brant Sports Complex. Fresh off their silver medal tournament in St. Catharines, Paris hosted the Delhi Rockets.

Their opponents were off to a quick start with a goal 6:29 in the first.

The Wolfpack tried to even things up, but the Delhi goaltender stood strong Not to be outdone, Christian Watts in between Paris’ pipes remained stoic, also shutting out the

Delhi offense. With 6:35 left in the third, Luke Cochrane grabbed a loose puck and put it away to tie the game. No one scored during the 10minute sudden death OT period.

In game two the next night, it was Caleb Day who opened the scoring with a drive to the net, some forceful moves that resulted in a Paris goal

Front Row: Christian Watts, Luke Cochrane, Cayden Williams Middle Row: Alex Scherer, Ryan Steeves, Sean Baxter, Xavier Cormier, Marshall Lerno, Eldred Martin Back Row: Carter Durrer, James Baxter, Logan Lahey, Evan Mattingley, Jared Rossi, Caleb Dey. Coaches: Assistant Coach Scott Green, Trainer Colin Lahey, Assistant Coach Dave Watts, Head Coach Brad Scherer. Submitted Photo

By Casandra Turnbull, with submitted content from Kim Scherer

Sean Baxter added to Paris’ lead, 2-0, but Delhi stormed back quickly two back-to-back goals that sent the game into another OT period. Neither team capitalized, ending in another tie. Both teams sitting with two points, meaning game 3 would be the decider. Game three was back in Paris, which meant the team would win the title for the hometown crowd. It was a long, hard-fought first period, with Paris opening the score board with just three minutes

left, thanks to a bang-bang goal by Sean Baxter, fed from Caleb Dey. Delhi tied it up in the second, but not for long as Paris came back hard on a power play thanks to a beauty by Rossi, from Martin and Durrer With seven seconds left in the second Paris pulled ahead with another goal from Baxter and assists going to Dey and Xavier Cormier. Paris was up 3-1 in the third, but Delhi wasn’t giving up, scoring one last goal to close the gap 3-2. The Wolfpack D stood

strong, and Watts stood on his head, also solidifying his ‘JeanClaude Van Damme’ likeness to deny the eager Delhi offence. The fans were on the edge of their seats as the Paris defense killed the clock to secure the 3-2 win The big W added two more points to Paris’ record, sending them to the OMHA Tier 2 championships, underway this weekend in Halton Hills. See next week’s Paris Independent for details.

U14B Ringette Team brings home silver from Regionals!

The Paris Ringette U14B Thunder competed in Regionals last weekend, bringing home silver medals. It all started with a 3-3 tie against St. Thomas, followed by a 9-5 loss against St. Mary’s. The Thunder regrouped and posted a big 8-1 win against Sunderland to earn a spot against Mitchell in the finals. Despite a hardfought battle, they lost 10-5 but ended the season with some shiny silver medals! Congratulations team!

*U15 Team 1 McComb wins 3-2 against Burford Coyotes

*U9 MD Team sponsored by Desjardin Insurance wins 3-2 against New Hamburg Huskies

*U9 Team 2 Blake wins 4-1 against Port Dover Pirates

*U9 MD Team sponsored by Desjardin Insurance wins 3-0 against New Hamburg Huskies

Having a Blast for 60 years

SPORTS Report

with George Le Gresley

Last Saturday, the Paris Skating Club celebrated its 60th year of being associated with what is now Skate Canada. The reason that the founders of the club did this was to allow skaters and coaches to improve their skills through the national organization But more than that technical aspect of the club, I learned that the best way to describe this club is by the passion that the skaters, coaches and executives have brought over the years. Bonded by a love of skating, the fun, memories and sense of family was particularly evident. The membership is continuously proud of each skater’s individual “achievements”, be it a simple jump or their first big spin under the tutelage of the professional coaching staff The end of season show always showcases the “hard work” of the club and its volunteers.

It was a full house last Saturday as the Paris Figure Skating Club presented two 60th anniversary Gala shows. Alumni and current skaters took to the ice to show off some newfound, and in some cases, old found skills!

When I spoke to some of the founders of the club, they noted that back in the day there were skating groups in Paris but felt that there was a real need to establish a club where skaters could be recognized for skills and compete at different levels of competitions. Founders Donna Mason, Ann Kunikcunik-Moore and Marilyne Prine all have a passion for skating, children and as a result they’ve definitely had a lot of fun at the club creating plenty of memories throughout the years

While watching 1st year skater Hattie Goodfellow perform during the Can Skate show, her sister Eliza was cheering her on and her father Sam noted that Hattie had a lot of fun this season, showed great improvement and will be returning next season. Genevieve Berube noted that her daughter Julia Cunningham, a 5-year skater, loves the coaches at the club. Penny Colwell, an experienced coach, noted that one of the best things for the club, was the move to the Brant Sports Complex where they could grow. She also acknowledged that the communication between the skaters and the coaches is excellent and attributes to everyone’s successes Finally, I spoke to 7-year-old Ella Stuart and Aryan Abel who both love executing

Two Paris Figure Skating Club founding members, Donna Mason and Anne Moore (left) talking to CTV for an interview during last weekend’s 60th anniversary Blast from the Past skating gala. The event drew alumni from the past six decades.

Paris Figure Skating Club Photos

various jumps and spins – technical elements they work hard to master.

As for the show titled “A Blast From the Past,” it featured skaters from all skill levels including some returning alumni who performed to popular music ranging from the 1960’s to current tunes. The show was staged nicely, well-paced and featured choreographed performances for all skill levels In the end the audience was well entertained, and the performers and their families were smiling at the success of the gala. The coaches, Club President Lisa Campbell and the Executive were all please that the show went off without any noticeable hitches, a perfect way to showcase how far the club has come in the last six decades. No doubt there will be a small break before planning and executing next year’s gala and collective sigh of relief as the club prepares to enter a new decade of existence.

One last note - congratulations is in order to Sadie McRoberts and Samantha Hutchinson for competing last weekend at the Provincial Championships in Brampton

More photos on page 22

SPORTS

Skaters of all ages came together for the year end gala which also recognized 60 years of figure skating in Paris.

Paris Figure Skating Club Photos

The Magnificent Men (and one woman) and their Magnificent Flying Machines!

with George Le Gresley

Are you looking for a new hobby?

Every Monday and Wednesday afternoon at the Syl Apps Community Centre, you’ll find a group of people flying their remote-control airplanes, helicopters and elastic band propelled gliders.

There are no hazardous fumes in the arena, as all the engines are battery powered and the only injuries are to the flying machines, who might make contact with the mesh above the glass They are all here primarily to keep their remote control fingers limber and in practice for when they can get back outside as the weather gets nice.

Paul Riedlinger, a member of the Brant Flyers and the Southern Ontario Glider Group (S.O.G.G.I.), says taking advantage of the time indoors allows people to practice with their sophisticated flight controls, and test and tweak their aircrafts. When the weather is good, they’ll head out to a field west of the Brantford airport, where they have permission to launch their aircrafts. Outside you’ll find the glider hobbyists, who use the dynamic reaction of the air against its lifting surfaces, so it does not require an engine.

Ann Takatch of Hamilton, the sole lady in the group, has had a longstanding interest in astronomy. Her group assembled on a field to view the night sky that was used for model airplane flights. She has been flying model machines for 30 years and was practicing flying her small helicopter when I caught up with her. She and a cohort were having a conversation like two aircraft engineers, speaking the lingo – referencing gyroscopes and rotor speeds!

The Brant Flyers and Southern Ontario Glider Group will welcome anyone, especially the younger generation, to join them this spring to learn more about the hobby, try out their own machines and draw from any expertise they might bring in. Check out their websites www.soggi.ca or wwwbrantflyers ca

The Brant Flyers and Southern Ontario Glider Groups are affiliated with the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada and are chartered members of that body.

A World War II style plane comes in for a landing!

Left: Don Dickinson showing his plane made of balsa wood and fabric. Above: Ann Takatch checking out a model helicopter.

Photos by George Le Gresley

Granted: Urgent appeal for funding support from Brant

By Chris Whelan

In a recent council meeting held on March 26th, Councillor Lukas Oakley put forth a critical motion for emergency funding, drawing significant attention. Nova Vita Women's Shelter, a local organization, passionately appealed to the council, urging them to reconsider the denial of funding they faced during the budget deliberations. The shelter's representatives emphasized the pressing need for financial support to sustain their vital services.

The delegation stressed that the demand for Nova Vita's services cannot be sustained solely by sporadic fundraisers or unreliable federal and provincial grants Without adequate funding and support, the consequences and costs to the community must be seriously considered

In response to these urgent needs, Councillor Oakley presented a proposed resolution during the meeting The resolution emphasizes the declaration of gender-based violence and intimate partner violence as an epidemic in the County of Brant, urging related community services to submit funding requests in November 2023 However, due to budget restraints, these requests were initially denied.

During the voting process, Councillor Robert Chambers and Councillor Oakley requested that the provisions of the motion be voted on separately, indicating support for some clauses but not all. The recorded votes on each clause listed on the agenda were facilitated by the clerk. (Council members John Peirce and Christine Garneau were not present)

The council voted on the following funding requests:

1.Sexual Assault Center of BrantFunding Request #1: 24-hour crisis and support line worker ($35,000)

-In favour: Councillor Jennifer Kyle, Councillor Oakley, Councillor John Bell, Councillor Steve Howes, Mayor David Bailey

-Opposed: Councillor Brian Coleman, Councillor David Miller, Councillor Chambers, Councillor John MacAlpine

2 Sexual Assault Center of BrantFunding Request #2: Part-time counsellor for adult Brant County residents who are survivors of sexual violence or at risk ($2,025)

-In favour: Councillor Kyle, Councillor Oakley, Councillor Bell, Councillor Howes, Mayor Bailey

-Opposed: Councillor Coleman, Councillor Miller, Councillor Chambers, Councillor MacAlpine

3. Sexual Assault Center of BrantFunding Request #3: Counsellor dedicated to Brant County youth who are survivors of sexual violence or at risk ($3,165)

-In favour: Councillor Kyle, Councillor Oakley, Councillor Bell, Councillor Howes, Mayor Bailey

-Opposed: Councillor Coleman, Councillor Miller, Councillor Chambers, Councillor MacAlpine

4. Victim Services of Brant - Funding Request: Continued support staff at Brant Detachment for immediate assistance to victims of gender-based violence and intimate partner violence

($35,573)

Councillor Chambers sought clarification on whether this funding was to maintain an existing position, as discontinuing it would result in loss of support

The motion carried unanimously

5. Willowbridge Community ServicesFunding Request: 0.6 FTE therapist for counseling services, 2 FTE positions for women, children, and men affected by gender-based violence, and 0 4 FTE positions for individual, couple, and family psychotherapy ($6,450)

-In favour: Councillor Kyle, Councillor Oakley, Councillor Bell, Councillor Howes, Mayor Bailey

-Opposed: Councillor Coleman, Councillor Miller, Councillor Chambers, Councillor MacAlpine

6. Nova Vita - Funding Request: Staff position for a dedicated Transitional Outreach Support Worker to address intimate partner violence and genderbased violence in Brant County ($80,000)

-In favour: Councillor Kyle, Councillor Oakley, Councillor Bell, Councillor Howes, Mayor Bailey

-Opposed: Councillor Coleman, Councillor Miller, Councillor Chambers, Councillor MacAlpine

The recorded votes demonstrated the council's support for allocating funds to address the urgent needs of Nova Vita Women's Shelter and related organizations The approved resolution aims to bridge the funding gap and ensure essential support is readily available to survivors of violence in the county of Brant.

Shake off those Monday blues! Sunday sets you up for a week of success

A great thing to do on Sunday to set you up for the week is mark all your gym sessions or workouts classes in your calendar (online or in person) so that they are all set! This ensures not only that you get your exercise in, but you are now making a health appointment with yourself. And even if you can’t get a workout in seven days a week, every workout you do gets you stronger so one to two in a week is always better than zero.

Then on your ‘off days’ plan when you are going to get out for a walk weather permitting and if it is too cold or raining you can jump on equipment in your home, even a set of stairs will do. And if you can’t do 30 min, even 10 min of movement is always better than none.

You also want to spend time on Sunday and plan out your suppers for the week. Write down if you will be out or at an event and then fill in the remaining days with dinners based on what you have in the fridge. This will help you feel ready to begin your week

Sync your workout schedule into your calendar to keep you accountable! A solid workout plan will help ease the anxiety of weight loss and keep you on track!

and not have that ‘what’s for dinner’ when you get home from work-tired ritual that goes on in many houses. Then make a few breakfasts all at once (e.g. yogurt parfait, protein pancake) and put them in the fridge ready to go. Plan to have supper leftovers at lunch and then decide what you will eat for snack this week and prep that for the next few days also (hardboiled eggs, cut up veg, Daryl’s bar, etc.). Repeat this again on Wednesday to get you through the rest of the week

These little Sunday tasks will save you time in the week, will ensure you are nourishing your body well and will give you peace of mind that you are READY for Monday!

County holding Public Information Meeting for West River Street reconstruction plans

The reconstruction of West River Street in Paris is planned for the 2024 construction season

The work will include road reconstruction, watermain, sanitary sewer and storm sewer replacements, as well as new curbs and sidewalks. Access to properties will be maintained for local traffic and emergency services.

This is phase 2 of the work that started in 2022/2023 on Market Street

The County of Brant is hosting a drop-in Public Information Meeting on Monday, April 15, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at County of Brant Council Chambers, 7 Broadway St. W, Paris Ontario

The meeting will be a drop-in format with design drawings available to view Representatives from the County of Brant will be present to answer questions and discuss the details of the project and reasonable measures that can be taken to mitigate impacts on day-to-day business If you have questions about this project, you can reach out to Mark Maxwell, P.Eng., Director of Engineering and Infrastructure Planning by email mark.maxwell@brant.ca or to Nick Morris, Engineering Technologist by email Nicholas.morris@brant.ca

The County of Brant Spring/Summer Community Services Guide is

County of Brant, ON – The County of Brant is excited to share that the new Spring/Summer Community Services Guide is now available!

The new guide will be available to view online at www.brant.ca/Guide, or for pick up at any County of Brant office, community centre, library, or through our community partners. For a list of locations please visit www.brant.ca/Guide.

“Spring and Summer are such vibrant seasons in the County of Brant,” said Sarah Dredge, Manager of Recreation Services “We have so much to celebrate and look forward to. From Celebrate June as Recreation and Parks Month to Movies in the Parks, and a variety of programs for all ages,

we’re looking forward to the warmer months where people are out and about enjoying all that the County of Brant has to offer!”

The new guide highlights drop-in and registered spring & summer recreation programs for all ages, including:

*Gymnastics

* Park Programs

*Drop-in Skating including Public Skates

*Drop-In Sports Programs for Children and Adults

*Adult and Seniors Fitness Classes

*Adult Sports Leagues including volleyball, basketball, pickleball and more

Registration for Summer programs opens on Monday, April 8, 2024,

at 6:00 pm.

Register for recreation programs online with COB Connect at www.brant.ca/COBConnect. For assistance with COB Connect please phone 519.442.1944, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

The Community Services Guide also highlights parks and trails, community highlights, community contacts, community centre rental information and much more. For those interested in swimming programs in the County of Brant, look out for the 2024 Aquatics Guide to be released on Thursday, April 25.

Visit www.brant.ca/Aquatics to learn more

ASTROLOGY

Aries: March 21 - April 19 (Fire) –Your strong sense of compassion and wish to be of service make this a good time to join a charity or help less fortunate people This is also a good time for watching movies, entertaining visitors, and beautifying your surroundings.

Taurus: April 20 - May 20 (Earth)

– This is a good time to shop for clothes, cosmetics, jewelry, and anything else to decorate your home or add luxury to your life You can rely on a good fashion sense and an eye for beauty This is also a good time for entertainment, amusement, relaxation, and charity work.

Gemini: May 21 - June 20 (Air)Because you can express yourself so clearly and smoothly, this is the ideal time to negotiate a better deal in any area of life, business, work, or personal relationships You could also play an important role as a mediator if there have been any difficulties between friends or family lately..

Cancer: June 21 – July 22 22 (Water) – Friends may come to you for comfort or a shoulder to cry on A new romance is possible, and it would have a soulmate feel Creative and artistic work such as music, composition, and video is favored You may receive inspiration to make a breakthrough in a project which has caused frustration.

Leo: July 23 - August 22 (Fire) –You may long for peace to comfortably rest at home But you will have to deal with the pressures of work or relationships Mood swings, anxiety, insecurity and uncertainty could make relaxing and finding harmony in relationships most difficult. Learning to adjust, compromise, and adapt your behavior will restore emotional balance

Virgo: August 23 - September 22

(Earth) – you may struggle to understand your feelings and to share them It can cause irritation and disagreements because of confusion or polarized thinking. So, extra care is needed with sensitive discussion topics and negotiations. A more productive exercise would be to spend some quiet time in reflection or chatting with a mentor about some of your inner feelings that you feel are holding you back

Libra: September 23 - October 22 (Air) - You will be determined to get practical results and make no mistakes. This is a good time to complete serious or complex tasks. You may need to show your leadership qualities or be asked to instruct others Younger people may seek your wisdom, and advice may come from professionals and elders

Scorpio: October 23 - November 21 (Water) – This is a good time for artistic and other creative work. Beautifying yourself is also favored now, and you should have a good fashion sense for clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, and tattoos

Sagittarius: November 22December 21 (Fire) – With such an active mind, this is an excellent time to express your thoughts through writing or speaking You can also absorb much information, so this is a great time to study. Great focus allows you to fine-tune your goals and make clear plans for the future, a strategy to reach your goals.

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19 (Earth) – Your creative skills flow effortlessly, primarily through art, music and poetry Shopping for clothes and accessories benefits from your heightened sense of fashion and beauty. A dreamy, relaxed attitude is ideal for lazing around with a novel or movie. This is a perfect time for love relationships.

Aquarius: January 20 –February 18 (Air) – Your love life will benefit from your increased tenderness and ability to connect at the spiritual level Your strong sense of compassion and wish to be of service make this a good time to join a charity or help less fortunate people This is also a good time for watching movies, entertaining visitors, and beautifying your surroundings

Pisces: February 19 - March 20 (Water) – This is an excellent time to indulge in a creative hobby or relax with a movie or favorite music You will find yourself being drawn to anything of beauty and want to stay well away from any situations or environments that are harsh or aggressive.

Showtimes for Galaxy Cinemas Brantford

For Saturday, March 30, 2024

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Standard 12:40p.m. 3:40p.m.

3D 12:10p.m. 3:10p.m. 6:10p.m. 6:40p.m. 9:10p.m. 9:40p.m.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Standard 1:00p.m. 4:00p.m. 6:50p.m. 9:45p.m.

Kung Fu Panda 4 Standard 11:30a.m. 2:30p.m. 2:00p.m. 4:30p.m.

3D 7:00p.m. 9:30p.m.

Dune: Part Two Standard 3:20p.m. 6:00p.m. 9:00p.m.

Immaculate Standard 1:15p.m. 3:30p.m. 7:10p.m. 9:45p.m.

Crew Standard 12:40p.m. 3:35p.m. 6:30p.m. 9:40p.m.

Shaitaan Standard12:00p.m. 6:00p.m. 9:30p.m.

Hate to Love: Nickelback Standard 3:00p.m.