The Paris Independent for Saturday April 22nd, 2023

18-20

Wait a minute! Did the Maple Leafs sweep the Blue Jays? It turns out Team 3 Sticks and a Slider was having a little fun between games at the Paris Curling Club’s Last Chance Before it’s Over Bonspiel, which took place March 25th to April 1st . Catch the details of this year’s final showdown on pages 20-21. Pictured above is (left to right and front) Sue Hilhorst, Gerry Hilhorst, Bob Goodfellow and Zac MacKay

Photo by Marg Collins

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Emergency: 9-1-1

Police Department: 519-442-2242

Fire Department: 519-442-4500

Willet Hospital:

519-442-2251

County of Brant Office: 519-442-6324

Paris Public Library: 519-442-2433

Paris Public Schools:

Paris High:

North Ward:

519-442-4477

519-442-2311

Paris Central: 519-442-4163

Cobblestone: 519-442-2500

Paris Catholic Schools:

Holy Family: 519-442-5333

Sacred Heart: 519-442-4443

Paris Councillors & Mayor:

Mayor - David Bailey

Ward 2 - Steve Howes

Ward 2 - Lukas Oakley

Ward 3 - John Bell

Ward 3 - John Peirce

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

226-387-2490

519-442-4955

226-216-3037

519-209-2277

519-442-7134

Administration & Bylaw: 519-442-7268

Articles,

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

email to:

Publisher Managing Editor

Advertising Sales Photographer

News Reporter

News Reporter

Paid

Chris Whelan

Casandra Turnbull

Chris Whelan

Michelle Malvaso

Carolina Saenz

Bailey Zimmer

to:

STATEMENT

We are an independently owned organization made up of like minded 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:

EARTH DAY TREE PLANTING TODAY - If you’re looking for ways to get involved in this year’s Earth Week activities, plan to be a volunteer at the Community Tree Planting event. Saturday, April 22 from 10 am to 1 pm. What to bring? Shovels, gloves, closed toed footwear and rainwear No need to register Just drop-in! Special thanks to the Burford Lions Club, the Grand River Conservation Authority and Brant Tree Coalition for their time and efforts!

INDOOR GARAGE SALE TODAY– Join us at Sojourn Church on Saturday, April 22 starting at 9 am. If you want to sell, rent a booth, sell your items (and keep your cash sales), booths are $10 each, bring your own table. Everyone welcome.

PARIS MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY

TODAY – Annual General Meeting, Saturday, April 22

from 2 pm to 4 pm, upstairs at the Syl Apps Community Centre

BOOK FAIR ALERT! – Hosted by and in support of the Brantford Symphony Orchestra, April 26, 27, 28 and 29th at 18 Spalding Drive (off Colborne Street W) from 9:30 am to 8 pm (and 9:30 am to 3 pm only on Saturday). Cash or cheque only

PARIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETING -

May 3rd at the fairgrounds; social time starts at 7 pm Meeting at 7:30 PM. Our guest speaker is Anna Leggatt from York, her topic is ‘Shade Gardens’. Anna writes for several magazines on topics which include her travels abroad, and subjects that reflect her vast interest and passion for gardening Come out for a very informative evening

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

BRANT PEDALERS AND PADDLERS OPEN HOUSE -

The Brant Pedalers and Paddlers invite you to join us for our Spring Open House and Membership event on Wednesday May 10, 7pm to 8:30pm at the Brant Sports Complex, 944 Powerline Rd. Come and connect with like minded active older adults who enjoy year round activities hiking, paddling and cycling on local trails, waterways and cycle paths Annual membership is $30 single/$45 per couple. Hope to see you there!

PARIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ANNUAL PLANT

SALE - Saturday, May 13th, 8 am – 11 am at Syl Apps Community Centre, 51 William Street, Paris, Ont. N3L 1L2 Selection of perennial

favourites from members’ gardens, vegetables, herbs, annuals, and native plants. Master Gardener on site. Junior Gardener’s Corner for children. Coffee and Muffin available $2 Cash Only! Plant Auction to follow. Call Carol 519442-3918 or Nancy 519-752-8702 details

BANFIELD STREET ART

CRAWL- Saturday, May 13 from 10 am to 4 pm in the Banfield neighbourhood of Paris. Come out and see some amazing work being done right here in Paris

RUMMAGE AND BAKE SALE

– Thursday, May 4th & Friday May

May 6th, from 10 am to 12 pm at the Burford Community Centre

5th, 11 am to 7 pm & Saturday

May 6th 9 am to 12 pm. at Paris Presbyterian Church. Bring and fill your own reusable bag - $5 a bag.

BRANT NORTH COMMUNITY POLICING

GROUP - Saturday May 6 at 9:30am - Safety & Crime Prevention Walk - taking place in St. George

- Planning Meeting on Wednesday May 17 at 7pm in the Community Room at the Gaukel Memorial Community Centre

-Safety & Crime Prevention

Walk Saturday May 27 at 9:30am - taking submissions of ideas from the public of where to host the walk within Brant North suburban areas

Official Plan is new guide to smart growth over next 30 years

By Casandra Turnbull

It was a steady stream of people pouring in and out of Paris High School Thursday evening as curious residents got a glimpse of the County of Brant’s New Official Plan

Once it’s approved and filed with the province, the Official Plan will be an important policy used to guide both short-term and long-term community development over the next 30 years. It outlines the way the county will maximize the use of land to manage targeted growth until 2051.

According to information shared on one of the many poster boards on display at the open house, there’s more than enough lands for housing and amenities within the settlement areas of Paris, St. George and Burford, so boundary expansions will not be required as the county grows to 59,000 residents by the end of this 30year plan. There’s an emphasis in the plan to focus on the redevelopment of underutilized properties and infrastructure in built-up areas to make up at least 20% of all new development in the county. This move will help preserve natural areas and farmland and is a more efficient use of infrastructure and budgeting

The document also looks at how new development must provide a minimum density of housing and jobs at a rate of 50 residents and jobs per hectare To help achieve this goal, planning officials will examine the structure and design of existing, older neighbourhoods where the population exceeds the current targets in the plan. It’s also recommended a settlement area boundary expansion at 403 Rest Acres Road corridor is necessary to secure more employment lands.

The Official Plan also outlines that higher density doesn’t necessarily mean higher buildings. It can mean mixed uses, more open spaces and a flexible variety of dwelling types for all ages and abilities. Taking this approach will also provide more affordable and equitable housing opportunities for all residents

All this growth can only be supported by extensive plans to enhance the infrastructure to meet the demand. The County will look to be costeffective, sustainable and resilient. Comprehensive work is required for stormwater and watershed management, community energy, and transportation (roadways, bridges,

trails, etc)

The newly updated Master Transportation Plan is incorporated into the Official Plan. There’s a sharp focus on integrated transportation and land use planning to offer active and public transportation, which in turn reduces green house gas emissions in the face of the current climate crisis The county already has plans to develop a Climate Change Action Plan in keeping with the Mayor’s declaration of a climate emergency in the county.

If you missed the in-person meeting on Thursday, there is a virtual session planned for Monday, April 24 from 6 pm to 8 pm on Zoom. The link will be available through the county’s EngageBrant website, and that is where you can find the full, detailed Official Plan document: https://engagebrant.ca/OfficialPlan

Once comments are added and the plan is ratified by Council it goes to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval. Once in place, no public work is to be undertaken, and no by-law passed for any purpose unless it is in conformity with the Official Plan.

It was a good turnout at Thursday night’s Official Plan open house hosted by County of Brant staff at Paris District High School. Residents got a look at how the county will grow over the next 30 years. County staff were on hand to answer questions and a short video played in a separate room. You can catch a virtual Official Plan Open House on Monday from 6 pm to 8 pm via zoom.

https://engagebrant.ca/OfficialPlan

GrandBridge Energy employees set to strike tomorrow

Sixty-nine IBEW members reject offer of settlement in failed collective agreement negotiations between the union and the company

GRANDBRIDGE ENERGY - Brantford and Cambridge, ON, (April 20, 2023) – GrandBridge Energy announced today that members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 636, representing 69 GrandBridge Energy employees, voted on April 19, 2023, to reject an Offer of Settlement for a new collective agreement

As a result of the vote, the IBEW Local 636 members will be in a legal position to strike starting at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, April 23, 2023, and have indicated that they will be withdrawing their services at that time. The IBEW represents GrandBridge Energy employees in Operations, Metering, Field Services and the System Control Room

GrandBridge Energy is committed to the negotiation process. The GrandBridge Energy team remains focused on delivering safe and reliable electricity to the communities we serve. During the labour disruption, our priority will be addressing emergencies and restoring power during unplanned outages.

“GrandBridge Energy is eager to continue to work together with members of the IBEW bargaining unit to reach a resolution that is acceptable to the membership and the company,” said Ian Miles, President and CEO, GrandBridge Energy.

“GrandBridge Energy’s top priority is the safety of our employees and the public.”

The GrandBridge Energy and IBEW negotiations began in late 2022. The collective agreement for members of IBEW Local 636 expired on March 31, 2023. On Thursday, April 13, 2023, both parties reached an Offer of Settlement. The offer was presented by the IBEW to its membership on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, followed by a ratification vote. IBEW members voted to reject the offer.

Updates will be provided as the negotiations progress.

IBEW MEDIA RELEASE – On Wednesday, April 19th , 2023 members of IBEW Local 636 Unit 13 rejected an offer from their employer GrandBridge Energy, with 71% of the members voting against the offer. The membership previously voted 95% in favour of strike action at a meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

The parties have a stroke/lockout deadline of Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 12:01 am and we will be withdrawing services and commencing a legal strike At this point there are no talks scheduled.

The parties met 11 days in an effort to reach a deal.

Employees in Operations, Metering, Field Services and the System Control Room at GrandBridge Energy, legacy Energy + and Brantford Power, are in legal position to strike as of 12:01 am tomorrow

Camp Phoenix rises to the challenge

Week long camp empowers and inspires teens to join the industry

The County of Brant Fire Department is pleased to announce that Camp Phoenix will return again this summer from July 12-16, 2023 at the Cainsville Fire Station.

Camp Phoenix is a free, immersive day camp for young women ages 14-18 years old who are interested in learning more about a career in firefighting

“Camp Phoenix launched last summer and we had over 50 applications from young women from across the County of Brant and surrounding areas,” said Darren Watson, Fire Chief. “Twenty applicants were chosen to become the first Phoenixes tackling this free immersive experience.”

The young women who were accepted into last year’s camp, got a first-hand look at the ins and outs of the industry through an immersive camp that tested their physical and mental strength through practical activities designed to stimulate real-life scenarios

Just like recruits in training, the girls had the chance to experience all areas of fire prevention and suppression, search and rescue, auto extrication, basic first aid skills and they were introduced to a variety of first responder roles from OPP to paramedics and dispatch communications.

This year, campers will get the opportunity to have interactive conversations with many guest speakers including Emma Woods, professional hockey player, Lori Hamer, London Fire Chief and representatives from the Office of the Fire Marshal, OPP, BrantBrantford Paramedic Services, County of Brant Fire Communications and others.

Modelling last year’s successful camp, the week is capped off with a Phoenix Fit Challenge, graduation ceremony and a keynote speech from Toronto Fire Captain Jessica Clermont

Continued on page 8

The application process is now open for Camp Phoenix, a weeklong immersive camp designed to encourage more women to join the Firefighting industry. The camp, which debuted last year, is open to women ages 14-18 who live in Brant County and are interested in a career in firefighting.

Photo by Casandra Turnbull

Mounties Report

“With only 5% of career firefighters in Canada being women, Camp Phoenix shows campers that they have the physical and mental abilities to be successful as firefighters,” said Lisa Herbert, County of Brant Firefighter and Camp Phoenix organizer. “During the 2022 experience, campers successfully rescued a firefighter in full gear (approx. 300lbs) from a threestorey fire tower in record time.”

Camp Phoenix alumni will be welcomed back as Leaders-inTraining for the 2023 camp where they will invest in the next generation of Phoenixes while building leadership skills and furthering their experience in the

Fire Service

“It is an unbelievably awesome experience. I made so many connections, learned so many new lessons, and gained so much confidence in myself!” shared a 2022 Phoenix graduate.

Camper applications are open and will close on May 31, 2023. To apply online, visit www.brant.ca/CampPhoenix or call 519 44BRANT, 1 855 44BRANT x 4540 Space is limited

An Open House to learn more about the camp will be hosted on May 4, 2023, from 6 pm – 8 pm at Station 4, 17 Ewart Ave., Cainsville. A presentation, demonstrations and an opportunity

for youth and guardians to interact with staff and ask questions will be available

Camp Phoenix is organized and staffed by volunteer firefighters from the County of Brant Fire Department and funded by valued community sponsors. If interested in sponsorship opportunities, visit www.brant.ca/CampPhoenix. To donate to Camp Phoenix, visit www.brant.ca/Donate.

“Camp Phoenix was fully funded through the generous support of our community. Through fundraising efforts,” confirmed Herbert during last year’s Camp Phoenix wrap up ceremony. Over $8,500 was raised which surpasses the $5,000 fundraising target.

Urban area yard waste collection from May 1-5

With all the summer like weather in the air recently, odds are you’ve got a head start on your yard clean up Good news! The first Urban Area Yard Waste Collection for the year will take place the week of May 1-5.

Yard waste curbside collection is offered to residential properties within urban areas. Leaf and Yard Waste is also free for disposal at the Landfill and Transfer Station for residential users.

Set Out Requirements:

• Materials are to be set out by 7:00 am on your regular collection day

• Acceptable containers/bundles: Paper bags/open-top rigid containers (plastic bags are not allowed) or Bundled branches/limbs under 7.5 cm (3 in) in diameter, and bundles less than 2 feet in diameter and 4 feet in length

• Weight limit per bag/container/bundle is 20 kg (45 lbs) There is no bag/container limit

• Loose material will not be collected

• If you place your items out on the wrong collection week please remove them from the curb and place them out again on the next collection date

Acceptable Materials:

• Plant cuttings, roots, leaves and weeds (including crab grass – clumps of dirt and/or sod must be removed from weeds)

• Tree, hedge and shrub trimmings, brush cuttings, twigs and branches under 7 5 am (3 in) in diameter, and bundles less than 2 feet in diameter and 4 feet in length

• Halloween pumpkins

• Waste fruit from trees

Not Acceptable Materials: Grass clippings, Sod, Soil, Logs, Tree stumps, Rocks, concrete (pavers), asphalt, Kitchen waste (fruit & vegetables), Feces, pet waste

To learn more visit brant.ca/YardWaste

Mile Hill Road one-way conversion plans put on hold

Lots of community feedback sends county staff back to the drawing board

By Casandra Turnbull

Plans to convert Mile Hill Road to one-way traffic, complete with a dedicated cyclist/pedestrian lane, have been put on hold thanks to an abundance of feedback from residents who live on or near Mile Hill Road. Last November, the County announced plans to change the roadway and hosted a public information session in January to present the idea.

Consultants from IBI Group used a slideshow presentation to share the proposed changes with residents, changes that mainly centred around converting the road to one-way southbound traffic only, and installing a new multi use path on the west side of the road between Hillside Ave/Washington St and Powerline Road The plan sparked lots of community debate, particularly from some residents who live on Mill Hill.

While many of the area residents agree the road is becoming more dangerous particularly with speeders and dangerous drivers, but the solution they say, is not to convert the road to one way traffic. In fact, many feel the change would make the road more dangerous and it presents challenges for the residents whose driveways are not designed to accommodate south bound traffic only (some for vital service deliveries) and for emergency response times for front line responders.

The County investigated a number of options, since that public meeting, but have yet to come up with a viable solution

“We’ve done a lot of work since public engagement,” said Greg Demers during an Administration and Operations Meeting earlier this month. In addition to meeting with residents, the county mauled over several options.

Continued on page 10

It was a full house during a January 2023 Open House to discuss proposed changes to Mile Hill Road (pictured above). Councillors heard recently at an Administration and Operations meeting that plans to convert the road to oneway for vehicle use (see below) are on hold as county staff continues to investigate viable options to make the road safer.

Installing timed signals (so traffic can only travel one direction based on a timed signal), implementing a time of day for proposed travel direction (based on signage only) and simply doing nothing were all ruled out, mainly because it would result in long traffic queues and isn’t conducive for residents who live on the road. Speed humps were also suggested but they are not recommended for a roadway with as many curves and due to the grade/topography of Mile Hill.

The option to convert the roadway to one-way southbound traffic, as proposed, is not off the table completely, but will not move forward at this time. Until a permanent solution is developed, Demers said county staff will continue to monitor the roadway by collecting more data, including a study that will monitor traffic for 24 hours a day, for a full week. “We will follow up with traffic studies at a couple points throughout the year,” he told committee members

To address immediate concerns, new signs and two digital speed boards were installed, which area residents say has helped slow traffic down. The county is looking to implement speed cushions, on areas of the road that have minimal grade

mainly the top and bottom of Mile Hill Road Speed cushions allow emergency personnel to pass their wheels on either side of the raised area. There’s also an opportunity to install centre line knockdowns in the curved portions of the road to alert motorists who veer into oncoming traffic, a measure that will attempt to combat drivers who tend to ride the middle line on this very windy and narrow road.

Some citizens living on Mile Hill Rd (pictured right) had not only personal concerns with the proposed changes, but also safety concerns based on driving behaviour they see daily on Mile Hill Road Isaac Rosebrugh, (second from left) said he’d like the County to spend the extra money and fix Mile Hill Road the right away to support traffic in the years to come. “widen it properly, allowing for two-way traffic and a nice, safe, elevated multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists,” Rosebrugh suggests, and made reference to the recently completed Laurel Street reconstruction project, which drastically improved the quality of that roadway to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Finally, the county is meeting with local cycling groups to discuss alternate routes for cyclists, as Mile Hill Road is currently listed on the Grand River Cycling Loop and cycling and walking are an important feature in the recently updated Master Transportation Plan Councillor John Bell urged county staff to look at the pedestrian and cycling signs currently on Mile Hill because as the weather warms up, it’s likely cyclists will start to use the loop regularly.

“Today pedestrians and cyclists can use Mile Hill. I believe that safety on the hill for this group of users is not good enough - a function of excessive vehicle speeds, limited sight lines and lack of sidewalks - even the majority of residents who oppose any change to 2 way operation of the roadway hold that belief,” said Bell, noting it’s a tricky scenario since walkability and cycling are key factors in the updated Master Transportation Plan

“The topography and property ownership on Mile Hill presents physical and funding challenges A two-way road plus an additional dedicated walking/cycling lane will be expensive and its cost and feasibility would have to be set against other priorities for infrastructure in the county,” added Bell

County staff will continue to gather information and data on Mile Hill Road and will report back to council with further recommendations later this year.

Photo by Casandra Turnbull

Crime Stoppers hosts Shredding Day fundraiser today at Mary Maxim parking lot

By Casandra Turnbull

Today only, in Paris, you can get rid of that paperwork cluttering your home office, while supporting a vital service in the community.

Crime Stoppers Brant-Brantford is hosting a Shredding Day fundraiser in the parking lot of Mary Maxim from 9 am until noon. Norfolk Shredding has volunteered its services to support Crime Stoppers, ensuring 100% of the proceeds go directly back to the local chapter. For $10 per banker’s box, or five banker’s boxes for $35, you can get rid of any confidential paperwork and know it will be securely destroyed by professionals.

The donated proceeds will be dispersed in support of Crime Stoppers projects, operating expenses and anonymous cash payouts to the TIPS program, said Crime Stoppers Brant-Brantford Board Chair John Hart. Crime Stoppers is a non-profit, volunteer based organization whose mission is to mobilize communities to provide information on crime anonymously.

“The convenience, guaranteed security and disposal of sensitive personal records at below market rates further benefits the community and expands Crime

Fundraiser

Stoppers awareness,” said Hart in an email with The Paris Independent.

Fundraising revenue during a time when Canadians are struggling with inflation and rising mortgage rates is extremely difficult, Hart acknowledged. So, they had to think outside the box and come up with an idea that was practical yet financially beneficial. Recognizing the relationship Norfolk Shredding had with Norfolk Crime Stoppers, the Brant-Brantford branch approached the Norfolk family-owned business to pitch the idea of a twice a year collaboration in Brant and Brantford. Another Shredding day is planned later this year (to be determined) in Brantford.

REMEMBERING DAIRY FARMERS & THE MILKMAN

This will make me sound really old but when I was a kid, we still had local dairy delivered once a week to our house by Brant Dairy It was the last of the many local independent dairies in this area and it was run by the third generation of Campbell family members that started dairy farming in the early 1900s. With the help of the Holstein Association based in Brantford, the Campbells started their dairy operation with a 250acre farm on Henry Street in Brantford and a herd of Holstein milk cows. By 1921 the Brant CoOperative Dairy was formed with the Campbells and eventually became Brant Dairy when they bought out the other farmers. In the early days, local dairy farmers delivered their raw milk 7 days a week to houses using wagons and large milk cans that would be poured into their customers smaller containers. This, combined with no refrigeration became a dangerous mix for the spread of bacteria After loosing a child to illness caused from unpasteurized milk, local Brant resident Adelaide Hunter Hoodless, along with the Women’s Institute that she started, became major advocates for the regulation of the dairy industry. As a result, dairies in Brant became

early adaptors of hygienic facilities using glass bottles and pasteurization methods to make dairy safer to consume. Farmers would now focus on production and delivery to dairies. In 1929 it was announced that the Terrace Hill Dairy in Brantford would purchase the Paris Creamery and totally renovate their facilities to offer the safest, cleanest environment for their excellent products of the highest quality. The dairies and creameries would not only safely bottle milk but also turn the raw milk into other products like whipped cream, butter, cottage cheese and sour cream. Deliveries in the early days were made to houses by horse drawn dairy wagons. Often the horses would get to know the route so well that they would

automatically stop at each house, kind of like the original self driving vehicle, something that would be lost when they switched to delivery vans. I still remember the Brant Dairy trucks as they were quite large. They had a huge flat bumper on the back, kids used to hop on and off for a free ride down the block as the trucks slowly made there way through the town

LOCAL HISTORY

TAGS WERE EXCHANGED FOR MILK

Paris had several dairies including Spring Valley Farm, Hynd’s, The Sunshine Dairy Bar, Paris Creamery, William Martin and possibly more. Milk tags like the ones pictured above were purchased and then placed on the empty milk bottles for the milkman to redeem with a fresh quart of milk. Many homes built after WWII featured a milk chute where empties were exchanged for full bottles along with any other milk products. Image

courtesy of Ebay

Above: Spring Valley Dairy at 2 River Lane Paris Started in 1931 Paris Museum & Historical Society

Milk being transported by sleigh seen here where St. George Street joins Grand River Street North, Paris c. 1915 Image courtesy of Paris Museum & Historical Society

Above: Hynd’s Dairy was located on the west corner of Adam and Silver Streets, #68 Silver Street, lot 6. Image courtesy of Paris Museum & Historical Society

Above: The Paris Creamery wagon, c. 1920s. courtesy Paris Museum & Historical Society donated by James Gow

Farm to Table: Meet Moore’s Farms & Rodrigues Farms

By Carolina Saenz

This coming spring and summer are the perfect times to venture out to local farms and explore what they have to offer Two popular options include Moore’s Farms and Rodrigues Farm, both located just a short drive from Paris. Nancy Moore and Sarah Rodrigues share a bit about their history and what we can look forward to this 2023 season.

Moore’s Farms is a Century Farm that has been operating since 1916. Located at 497 Pinehurst Road in Ayr, they are family run and have contributed to our local community for more than 100 years. With a wide array of produce and locally-sourced products, their farm store operates year-round Nancy Moore and her team work hard to keep the store running with fresh products and prepared meals made with recipes from the farmhouse kitchen. Weekly bundles for breakfast, dinner, and vegetables and fruits offer wonderful options for busy families to pre-order via Facebook and pick-up at a great deal. It’s like a meal plan that supports local, and at an affordable price, making it very popular for many busy families in the area. One of their most popular items, however, are their delicious strawberries. “We are excited for Strawberry Season! As well as continuing to expand the variety of products we sell,” shares Moore. Hoping that strawberry season will begin the second week of June, this will all be weather-dependent “From the blossom

to strawberry it takes 30 days... So, we will be watching for blossoms!” explains Moore. One of this year’s new additions at the farm store include Kawartha ice cream, available now. Drop by Moore’s Farm any time to pick-up some fresh produce, and come summer give their popular strawberries and sweet corn a try. Don’t forget to check out other unique offerings such as the Red River cereal from Arva Flour Mill, or their longhorn beef. Raised on the farm, longhorn beef is lean and low in cholesterol, as well as extremely flavourful and delicious.

Starting in early May, Moore’s Farm will be open 7 days a week: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm, making it a great, convenient choice.

Not too far away, also located a short drive from Paris, you can find the Rodrigues Farm at 993 Drumbo Road in Ayr. In 2017, Yvan and Sarah Rodrigues moved to their farm looking for the space and peace of a country home but with no particular interest in being farmers. What started out with the initial plans to have a few chickens and a couple of goats has now grown into about a hundred chickens, nine breeding goats (plus seven babies born this year!), pigs, geese, ducks, and even honeybees. And while the farm has taken over all their free time, they wouldn’t change a thing.

Continued on page 15

If you haven’t tried strawberries from Moore’s Farms, you’re truly missing out on summer! Trust us, it’s worth the short drive down Pinehurst Road to taste these locally grown berries! (And you can pick your own, if you’re really picky!!)

"It's really nice after long days staring at a computer screen to get outside and work in nature. I find being around the animals very calming, even when they're being agents of chaos,” shares Sarah Yvan works as a robotics engineer, and Sarah works for a marketing agency, both full-time positions but working from home they have some flexibility around farm chores and animal care.

Rodrigues Farm has free-range eggs available daily in the fridge on the front porch through a self-serve service Seasonally, they also sell honey, and for the first time this year (later in the fall) they will have pasture-raised pork available.

“In 2022 we also had a booth at the Ayr Farmer's Market selling baked goods, and we're thrilled to be returning again this year with even more goodies,” writes Sarah.

As for the farm's most popular product, it would have to be the famous Chick-Lets Hatchling Rental program, which offers families the chance to raise baby chicks in their homes

“We have one more offering of this program this year in May,” shares Sarah.

So those interested can reach out via Facebook or through their website https://store.rodrigues.farm/en/ While they don’t operate a store-front, their website is always up-to-date with what they have available And if you’re looking for something fun to watch, Sarah’s TikTok series called “Will it Goat?” showcases her giving the goats treats they’ve never had before and seeing if they like them. This year has already brought new additions to the Rodrigues Farm and more is yet to come. “It's been a crazy year already We've had 7 baby goats born so far. We got pigs in December, and it's been fun learning about them and watching them grow We're excited to return to the farmer's market (though less excited to stay up all night baking for it), especially with our new offerings,” writes Sarah. A busy farm for sure, but one filled with love for what they do. "Farming is more of a learning opportunity and a labour of love for us. Our jobs pay the bills, but the animals and work we do and connections we've built are what bring us joy Wouldn't trade it for the world!" Sarah concludes.

The Rodrigues Farm is popular for its Chick-Lets Hatchling Rental program, but they also like to have a little fun with Sarah’s TikTok series called “Will it Goat?” (Sarah and Yvan pictured to the left, with Santa and a goat of course!)

We want to feature your farm! If you are in the agri-food industry, we want to show people in the community where their food comes from and why it’s important to support local! EMAIL stories@theparisindependent.com

Grade 3 students take the Great Canadian Farm Tour

By Casandra Turnbull

A Grade 3 class at Paris’ Holy Family School is taking a trip across Canada to learn about exciting agriculture and food stories

From now until mid-May, Mrs Harrison’s class is participating in the Great Canadian Farm Tour (GCFT). Hosted by Agriculture in the Classroom Canada, the GCFT is a virtual program open to students in Grades 1-6 and aims to ignite children’s curiosity about the important role agriculture plays in their lives.

It's the first time Harrison has introduced the program to her students, learning about it when a friend showed her on social media. She researched Agriculture in the

Classroom Canada to learn more about the Canadian charitable organization and how this farm tour would give her students a unique opportunity to explore farming in Canada. She realized the GCFT tied perfectly into social studies, health and science, making it a perfect cross curricular activity.

“Teachers can choose to participate in as many of the virtual tours provided and the webpage provides wonderful follow up activities to delve further into the topics that are being explored,” said Harrison. Students travelled to New Brunswick on April 11 to learn about potatoes and headed west to British Columbia on April 12th to visit a greenhouse to learn more

about tomatoes. The third workshop sent the students packing on a trip to learn more about research in Prince Edward Island. Each workshop is about 30 minutes long. Other upcoming workshops include sheep in Saskatchewan, chickens in Manitoba, Christmas Trees in Nova Scotia, Grains in Alberta, Bees in Newfoundland and Labrador, Apples in Ontario and Pork in Quebec.

The GCFT is currently in its second season, although this is the first trip for the Paris students. During the first season, 40,000 students and 2,500 teachers participated in 11 virtual farm tours

Students in Mrs. Harrison’s Grade 3 class at Holy Family School in Paris are participating in the Great Canadian Farm Tour, a virtual look at farming across Canada.

Bite of Brant committee thankful for volunteers, supporters

Letter to the Editor

Farmers produce food for us to eat if you have eaten today, then you depend on the farmers of Brant County and the agri-food industry. The 27th annual Bite of Brant program was held at the Burford Fair Grounds on April 12th and 13th , 2023. Over 1000 enthusiastic Grade 5 students, plus teachers and some parents, were introduced to the source of local foods and its vital role in our economy and society

We are indebted to the many presenters and their families, who represented their various commodities and agri-businesses, plus the many other volunteers Thank you for your commitment, your patience and for sharing your expertise.

We would also like to thank Brantford City Council, Brant County Council, District 6 Grain Farmers, and the Optimist and Lions Clubs of Scotland, Burford, Mt. Pleasant, St George and Paris, for their financial contributions; and the Brant Women’s Institute for serving meals to the Volunteers

From major responsibilities to smaller tasks, the support of all those involved is appreciated and vital to our success

We thank you!

Bite of Brant Committee - Jayne Miller, Barb Sheardown, Tammy Allardyce, Dorothy Donkers, Peggy Young, Lauren Miller, Jean Emmott

Respect the Power - Powerline Safety Tips for the Farm

1 Look up, look out! Identify all powerlines on the farm and make sure people and equipment stay at least three metres away to prevent an incident Electricity can jump to you or your equipment if you’re too close to a powerline.

2 Beware of the height of your equipment Weather conditions can impact powerlines causing them to sag – will equipment fit?

3 Confirm the transfer switch on any standby generation equipment is operating properly.

4 If you are in a vehicle that comes in contact with a powerline, stay in the vehicle, call 9-11, and make sure everyone else on the site, including emergency first responders, stay at least 10 metres back until the utility worker on site can confirm that the power has been shut off

5 Work gloves and rubber boots offer no protection against contact with a powerline The best protection is distance –keep at least three metres between you and your tools and a powerline

6 The safest way to move a ladder, pole, pipe or rod from one location to another is to have two people carry it Carry these horizontally to avoid contact with overhead wires.

7 Look out for downed or damaged powerlines If you see one, stay at least 10 metres or 33 feet away, call 9-11 and

Paris women heading to World Disc Golf Tournaments this summer

By Casandra Turnbull

Two Paris disc golfers are taking the sport to a whole new level – the world stage. This summer, Brooklyn O’Krafka and Shelley Kingma-Kitchen will take their game across the border to participate in the World Championships, qualifying for the prestigious tournament following successful 2022 seasons.

Twelve-year-old Brooklyn O’Krafka travels to Peoria, Illinois at the end of June where she will face some of the toughest competitors from around the world in the FJ12 division The competitions start with field events

longest drive, putting contests and skills shots, followed by the tournament where she will play one round of disc golf each day from Tuesday to Friday at different courses in the area. If she qualifies among the top 40%, she will qualify to play in the final rounds on July 1st and July 2nd .

“I have been working on my backhand throws, which are going farther,” said O’Krafka of how she’s preparing for Worlds. “My farthest drive this year has been 279 feet I have started to throw forehand, which I wasn’t doing last year. I’ve started to focus on my midrange shots so I can get closer to the basket and have shorter putts,” she added.

O’Krafka qualified for Worlds after a stellar 2022 season. She earned division points by playing in and winning tournaments and events, including a big win at the Professional Disc Golf Association’s Provincial tournament in Peterborough last October.

“We never considered putting her in the National tournament last year, and did not anticipate Worlds,” explained her mom, Jaimie O’Krafka. “However, this year she is also competing in the Canadian Nationals, which is in Thunder Bay at the end of July. She is also registered for the Junior Provincials this year in the fall and is hoping to attend the main provincials (which you must qualify for as well).”

Continued on page 19

Twelveyear-old Brooklyn

O’Krafka (above), practicing her putting and to the left with her dad Trevor and brother Parker during a fun family game!

To help hone her skills, she plays in the doubles league with the Brant Disc Golf Club and is starting to compete in the Tuesday night Tags at Mohawk Park. She’s been able to hit the course a few times with the recent summer like weather, but she’s also practiced a lot over the winter at the SylApps CommunityCentre Asked what her goal is once she gets to Worlds, she answered “To make it to the weekend play, but I would love to win! I’m going to try my best and just want to play well.”

To help achieve that goal, she’s going to continue to perfect that forehand throw, achieve a 300 yard backhand throw and perhaps, most importantly, finally beat her dad in a round of play (she’s come close!)

Shelley Kingma-Kitchen is also ready to take her game to a new level. This summer she travels to Flagstaff, Arizona from July 11-15 to compete in the Amateur MastersWorlds in the FA50 division.

“It surprised me that I got an invitation. It wasn’t even on my radar last year when I was playing,” said Kingma-Kitchen. “But to qualify after my first tournament season was mind blowing to me!”

Last season Kingma-Kitchen, who lives in Paris, was ranked # 1 in the female amateur 50+ year division, and ranked 7th globally, and boasted an impressive rating of 760 She won four tournaments, including the

Niagara Women’s Global Event held in St. Catharines inAugust.

Kingma-Kitchen plans to take an entire month off to prepare for Worlds, but before doing so, she will sharpen her skills at a few tournaments – Glitch in the Park at Mohawk Park, the Christie Lake Amateur Spring Fling, the Toronto Island Open, followed by the Canadian Women’s event in Peterborough, the Foxwood Open, the CWE at St. Catharines and Brant Flights 3 at Mohawk Park.

With lots of practice courses on the docket already, Kingma-Kitchen knows what she needs to focus on to improve her game.

“My preparations are weightlifting, putting practice in the backyard and walking up and down Main Street hill (in Paris) to get use to the elevation changes,” she said. Elevations at the Flagstaff courses average 7,000 feet but range from 9,000 to 10,500 feet at the highest points.

And like any sport, practice makes perfect, so she plans to continue to hit her hometown course in Paris, where it all began just three years go, to improve her field work to throw farther and nail those technical shots

Stay tuned later this summer as the Paris Independent will bring updates on these two athletes as they represent Paris, Ontario, Canadaon theWorld stage

Shelley Kingma-Kitchen (left), alongside her wife Linda during one of the first rounds of disc golf in 2023. To the right, Shelley throws during a competition in 2022. Shelley was invited to compete at the Amateur Masters Worlds in Flagstaff, Arizona this July.

Curlers faceoff in final showdown of the year

The Gurlers ft. Kurl, Fire & Ice, Smokes & Mirrors and Loose Ends all earn Last Chance bragging rights for 2023

With the arrival of the nice weather comes the bittersweet realization that another season is almost in the books. However, with the season's end comes the post-covid return of another longstanding Paris Curling Club traditionThe Last Chance Before It’s Over Bonspiel (LCBO).

'Last Chance' as it's come to be known, is exactly what it sounds like - the last chance to curl in Paris before the end of the season.

Running over the course of the final week of the season, the spiel is made up of teams that members put together themselves with no restrictions. Teams can be made up of couples, families, friends, or a combination of the three, as curlers of all ages and experience levels come together to enjoy their last bit of winter.

Teams played 4-5 games over the course of seven days from March 25 to April 1st , which ended in a fun-filled weekend featuring a live band & dance Friday night, and the A/B/C/D finals and a steak dinner on the Saturday night.

The entire week is filled with good competition, great fun, and plenty of smiles & laughs amongst friends.

Continued on page 21

The club sends a HUGE shoutout and thank you to the organizing committee, and to all those who volunteered their time to help cook, run games, and make sure the week was a success. Also special recognition to the club’s in-house photographer, Marg Collins, for being there every day to capture some of the fun.

Without further adieu, a big Congratulations to our 2023 Last Chance winners in the four divisions: "A" Event - "The Gurlers featuring Kurl" (Karl / Heather / Jen / Jen) "B" Event - "Fire & Ice" (Larry / Dianna / Randy / Simon) "C" Event - "Smokes & Mirrors" (Ryan / Dan / Jamie / Dave) and "D" Event - "Loose Ends" (Shawn / Ian / Kevin / Tina / Lucy)

Who loves having a little fun, mixed with healthy competition? Just ask members of the Paris Curling Club!

All photos by Marg Collins

The Ontario 55+ Summer Games is just 99 Days Out – So let’s celebrate!

MEDIA RELEASE - The countdown is on for the 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games, which will be co-hosted this summer by the City of Brantford and the County of Brant, from August 9 to 11, 2023. Residents and visitors are invited to attend a ‘99 Days Out Celebration’ on Wednesday, May 3, at the Beckett Recreation Centre (219 Colborne Street, Brantford) from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to learn more about the Games. Hosted by the Games Organizing Committee, the 99 Days Out Celebration will feature sport demonstrations, information about volunteer opportunities, an unveiling of the gold, silver and bronze medal designs, and photo opportunities with PACHI, the Games Ontario Mascot. The FREE event will also offer attendees hands-on opportunities to try some of the sports that will be showcased during the Games. The Ontario 55+ Games, delivered in partnership with the Ontario Senior Games Association, is a celebration of active living that is hosted every year, alternating between winter and summer, for individuals 55 years of age or older. Having cancelled the 2021 and 2022 Ontario 55+ Winter

Games due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Brantford and the County of Brant were offered the opportunity to co-host the 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games in August 2023

The Ontario 55+ Summer Games is supported by the Ontario Government through its Games Ontario program. This program delivers and supports multi-sport events, including the Ontario Winter and Summer Games for youth, the Ontario 55+ Winter and Summer Games and the Ontario Parasport Games. They were first delivered in 1986 by the City of Kitchener under the name

‘Activefest’ . Since then, the Games have grown to over 1,400 participants competing in 19 sports. The Brantford County of Brant 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games will be the 19th edition The Games are delivered in partnership with the Ontario Senior Games Association

For more information about the 99 Days Out Celebration or the Brantford-County of Brant 2023

Ontario 55+ Summer Games, visit www.BrantfordBrantGames.ca or call 519-759-4150. Also, follow Brantford-County of Brant 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games.

Variety of workshops planned for Mental Heath Week

By Bailey Zimmer

Join Skillful Start and Prima Care Family Health Team in creating healthy minds and happy spirits with mental health week from May 1 to 5

For five years, PrimaCare has recognized and put on events for mental health week to coach, encourage and empower those encountering obstacles surrounding mental health. This year will be no different with many different events to choose from.

“A big part of PrimaCare's goal is to also be able to reach out to the community and serve as a resource, whether it's a fun event or an educational workshop,” said Jennifer Smith, Administrative Assistant at PrimaCare.

The events will be held in the PrimaCare facility at 201-25 Curtis Ave North in Paris and will be free of charge as this is a non-forprofit organization. While these events are free of charge for attendees, funding comes mostly from donation from local businesses or through donation from staff at PrimaCare. The Canadian Mental Health Organization has chosen the theme “My Story” for their mental health week and Skillful Start and PrimaCare have chosen to focus on self care. These two organizations recognize mental health and wellness takes continuous attention and are eager to help people achieve their mental health goals.

Child and Youth Counsellor at Skillful Start, Carling Mitchell, is ready for the week to begin and to see community participation in these events.

“We are very excited to welcome the youth and parents of our community in for these impactful sessions,” said Mitchell. “We acknowledge the gift of their time and are mindful of the courage it can take to attend

an in-person event, try something new and be vulnerable. We are so passionate about the mental wellness needs of our youth and are striving to make the most of this time together and provide a positive and encouraging experience for all.”

This year will include speaker events open to any members of the public. This series will include topics such as

‘Anxiety in Older Adults’, ‘Mind Masters’ for children aged four to twelve, ‘’Mental Resilience’ ‘Mind Masters’ for ages 12 to seventeen and ‘Nurturing your Child’s Mental Health’.

‘Anxiety in Older Adults’ will take place on May 1 from 10 a m to 11:30 a m and will help demonstrate techniques in reducing anxiety in adults and those around them. On May 2 and 4 at 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., ‘Mind Masters’ will focus on self growth, positive coping strategies, self regulation and self worth.

Continued on page 24

On May 3 from 6 p.m. to 7p.m., this event will be directed toward first responders and public servants and will surround the discussion of goal setting, positive talk and tactical breathing. To finish the week on May 5 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. will be a dropin session for parents wanting to learn how to build their child’s resilience and nurture their mental health while creating healthy family practices.

“Events like these are only possible when people work together,” said Mitchell “The members of the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Mental Health Week Committee volunteer so much of their individual time and resources to bring this week to fruition. Agencies, businesses and individuals coming together with the common goal of offering safe spaces, open conversations and the opportunity to listen, learn and connect It’s inspiring to say the least.”

As mental health week is always the first week of May, PrimaCare tries to organize events for each day of the working week.

“We have partnered with many mental health organizations this year, as I am on the Mental Health Week Committee, run by Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services, so we are very excited to see how these events turn out,” said Smith. These organizations will also be hosting a giveaway for a basket full of self care tools for the whole family. Many local organizations have donated snacks, money and prizes to help with this

“These events are meant to promote self care, raise awareness of the growing stigma,” said Smith. The biggest setback the organizations are dealing with is spreading the word for the events and having people register but all event organizers are hopeful for the turnout.

Smith and Mitchell are excited for the events to

commence and spread awareness and normalize mental health struggles and help individuals deal with them in a resourceful way

“Mental wellness is a spectrum and it’s something that every single person possesses and moves through throughout their lives. It’s something that affects literally everyone And yet we continue to hold a stigma about acknowledging when we are struggling and need help,” said Mitchell.

“We may not be able to eliminate the factors that challenge our mental wellness but we absolutely can open the door to conversations, share our stories, normalize that we aren’t “ok” all the time, prioritize the self care and skillful habits that will develop resilience and empower the next generation to continue changing the narrative on mental health.”

“Mental wellness is a spectrum and it’s something that every single person possesses and moves through throughout their lives. It’s something that affects literally everyone. And yet we continue to hold a stigma about acknowledging when we are struggling and need help.” ~ Carling Mitchell

The delicious return of the Paris Inn

The people of Paris are so blessed to have so many delicious dining options and although I miss the Spruce Goose some days, there’s truly something for everyone, covering a wide range of tastes!

Our downtown restaurants alone cater for almost every dietary requirement and gastronomical craving, and we’re getting more options all the time.

Back on the scene is the Paris Inn, reopened on April 6th with new owners and a new menu, which is perfect timing because they have a charming terrace ready for warmer days too. If you’re not familiar with the Paris Inn, it’s diagonal to Wincey Mills, across the street from the LCBO and the entrance is on Mechanic Street. They’re open Monday to Saturday, from 11 am till 9 pm, except Friday and Saturdays when they stay open until 11 pm.

At the Paris Independent we don’t ‘review’ so much as ‘report’ or ‘recap’BUT if I was going to review the service, I would give it five Big Cityyy stars because it made the evening go from very good to excellent. The Paris Inn team were attentive in a chill and charming way, fantastic with our questions about the menus and the cocktails, and liaised, with ease, a few tricky dietary things with the kitchen Service can make or break any dining experience so it’s great when they’re both strong We got to pick our table and went for the cozy bar room which kind of has country pub vibes with all the wood interior,

Welcome back, Paris Inn! The downtown eatery reopened in early April under new ownership with a new, tasty menu!

decked out bar being central, shabby chic decor, TV playing sports, but next time we’ll try out the main dining room which feels very New York with its white tiles, funky furniture and an array of seating and spots for you to enjoy your evening in

The pizza oven is a bombastic feature in the dining room and the menu centres around pizza oven made options, so - yes - pizzas and also panuozzo sandwiches. We weren’t sure of the portion sizes so we skipped appetizers and salads and went to the main event!

Continued on page 26

Photo by Rubyyy Jones

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

I went for a panuozzo sandwich because I’ve never tried one before and Prinx Lydia, my date for the evening, went for a pizza with pistachio pesto because they hadn’t tried that before. Actually, I lied, we did get appetizers because we got cocktails! Prinx Lydia went for the Tequila Blossom (kind of a brighter and rounder Cosmopolitan) which was nice, and I had a Rhubarb Fix (this was a very moreish cocktail, a lovely balance of tart and sweet and dangerously drinkable) which I would definitely order again. Prinx Lydia liked their pizza and the pistachio pesto was their favourite part of the dish. My Panuozzo sandwich was fantastic with gorgeously grilled

Craving a fancy cocktail, like the Tequila Blossom and Rhubarb Fix pictured to the right? What about a delicious Panuozzo sandwich or pistachio pesto pizza? The Paris Inn is offering some unique, yet tasty menu items. Be sure to check them out!

prosciutto, punchy arugula, zippy cranberry and bawdy brie, served on delicious pizza dough sandwich bread, which was charred scrumptiously on the outside and pillowy on the inside. I would definitely recommend trying this new, revamped place out! As far as portions go, a perfect date night balance would be to share a pizza and a panuozzo, the sandwich comes with a side too, so those two dishes plus a cocktail or two and you’ll have a wonderful time. Check out the Paris Inn if you can, support small and support local

Photos by Rubyyy Jones

Spring Detox for Body, Mind and Spirit

Yoga with Heidi Pfleger

Spring is here and I’ve been getting down to some serious spring cleaning I’ve been purging my closets and cleaning my house from top to bottom. It feels good to get rid of the things. Clearing out the toxins in my body is another way to ‘spring clean’ and doing so has become an annual ritual for me

While our bodies are designed to get rid of toxins, the winter months take toll on us. We tend to eat differently by loading up on carb-based comfort foods We also tend to be much more sedentary and, during cold weather, metabolic waste and toxins tend to accumulate in our joints, organs, and tissues. All of this leads us to welcome the warmer weather in a sluggish mode.

A spring detox program can boost your health in many ways that make you feel energized and good all over.

By stimulating your liver, you will be better able to process toxins more efficiently. Giving your digestive organs a rest enables your digestive system to operate more efficiently and better absorb nutrients. There are many ways to do a detox Some programs are more extreme. Juice fasting for 3 to 5 days or the doing what is known as the Master Cleanse where one drinks a concoction of lemon juice and maple syrup with a dash of cayenne pepper for a minimum of 10 days can be a bit intense. Other programs, available at our local Health Food store downtown, provide an eating plan, along with supplements, for anywhere between seven and 30 days. There is also a veritable smorgasbord of detox programs available on the internet. Having so many options can be daunting To help decide what program is best for you, it is good to keep a few things in mind:

1. Set an intention for what you want to achieve from your detox. One purpose of doing a detox might be to ‘reset’ in your body in a way that will enable it to function better. Other reasons might include clarity of mind, increased energy and reduced cravings of foods.

2. A detox program is not a weight loss program. There really is no ‘quick fix’ for weight loss. Some programs will result in some weight

loss but, if the follow-up after a detox does not promote healthy, moderate eating, the weight typically comes back

3. A detox program should be manageable. Doing a 10 day juice fast when you are working full time and have family commitments isn’t going to be attainable. A 30 day cleanse with supplements and an eating guide might be more realistic. Choose what works best for you.

4. Consult your physician if you have existing health issues before doing a detox. It is important that your GP is on board if you have conditions like diabetes, if you are either extremely overweight or underweight, or if you have low or high blood pressure.

Continued on page 28

It’s detox time! Give your body and mind a proper spring cleanse as well!

HEALTH & WELLNESS

My best experiences when doing a detox have included both a predetox and post-detox period. Both are critical

A pre-detox involves setting an intention as well as a reflection of where you’re currently at. Keeping a 7 day food journal provides great incite into what, how and when you eat Reviewing the journal provides great incites. I often find I’ve been taking in too much caffeine or that I’ve been snacking between meals far more than I’ve realized. It’s also a great eye-opener to see how much processed foods I’ve been imbibing on, simply out of convenience

The post-detox is the make or break of any detox Suddenly eating a full course meal after 5 days of juice fasting is harder on your body than you might think and can undo the good you’ve been trying to do. Gradually easing back into regular (and hopefully better) eating takes at least 2 or 3 days after a detox Not everyone has the time or opportunity to set aside a week to 10 days to do a full-on detox and that’s ok. There are other ways to start to detox by incorporating a few practices to help boost your digestive system.

Here are a few simple things you can do to start to detox and improve your health:

lemon The pectin from the lemon aids in digestion and will also help curb your appetite.

2. Eat more fiber as well as organic fruits and vegetables. Green leafy and cruciferous vegetables are high in nutrition and contain detoxifying agents.

3. Eliminate foods that cause inflammation. Processed foods, refined foods, sugar, palm oil and excess salt are toxic to our bodies and should be avoided

4. Reduce your intake of alcohol and caffeine. Studies now link the intake of alcohol to cancer and other health issues. Too much caffeine, combined with the added sugar or cream is also not good for you.

5. Stay hydrated. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water can be daunting. Aiming for 4 to 6 glasses of good water (not bottled or filtered by reverse-osmosis as it actually dehydrates you) is more realistic Add a cup or two of herbal tea to reach the 8 glass recommendation Avoid carbonated beverages as they can interfere with digestion Fruit juice should also be limited as it can spike blood sugar and create inflammation

you connect inward and enjoy being in the moment.

7. Practice mindful breathing. One of the quickest ways to relax, reduce anxiety and boost your body’s function is by taking the time to be mindful of your breathing

8. Meditate. A simple meditation practice can calm your mind and lift your spirit. Give yourself some quiet time each and every day.

9. Do Yoga/Exercise. Moving your body helps to remove toxins. It also brings oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. Increasing your heart rate will increase blood flow which will help your body flush out toxins. It doesn’t need to be a vigorous practice. A daily 30 minute walk is ideal. Yoga is also exceptionally good for your body When done correctly, twists, bends, and inversions stimulate your organs and lymphatic system in a way the helps eliminate toxins from your body.

With these simple steps, you can start to remove toxins, prevent their accumulation, and boost both your health and vitality.

1. Start your day with a glass of lemon water. It is best to use the juice from a freshly squeezed

6. Limit your screen time. Stepping away from the constant distraction of computers, your phone and social media can help

Heidi Pfleger has been a Yoga Teacher and Wellness Coach for more than 30 years. She offers regular yoga classes and individual sessions as well as wellness coaching sessions and retreats throughout the year. For more information on her programs, contact Heidi at 519-755-1447

Aries: March 21 - April 19 (Fire) –You have the ability to increase your finances this week. You need to be willing to take some risks in your love life, if you want to build something more meaningful. You will need to pick which is more important to you, love or career, you could do both, but you would be exhausted

Taurus: April 20 - May 20 (Earth) – You have decided to take a lot less crap this week You will be doing some deep thinking about what you really want in your life What kind of person you want by your side, what career path you want to take and how to become a healthier person all round. Take the time to think about your choices carefully before you make any big life choices

Gemini: May 21 - June 20 (Air) – You would like to have a better social life. You need to throw a party, reach out to old friends. You need a vacation badly so having some more exciting social interaction will help to balance you till you can go away It will be work on your end, but you will feel more inspired after the week ends

Cancer: June 21 – July 22 22 (Water) –You are concerned about money, especially if you and your partner are in a shared money situation You feel like you are doing more than you should be and have been thinking on how to make your relationship more equal and less stressful. You will begin to pull away from all people this week to do some soul healing

Leo: July 23 - August 22 (Fire) –You will not be trusting of others this week at all You actually start to think loved ones are trying to manipulate you You are a bit paranoid, but you are also correct in that people are taking whatever they can from you lately It is time you start to think about yourself until you are sure on who you can trust.

Virgo: August 23 - September 22 (Earth) – Stop complicating everything. You have had weird things arising in your love life You are feeling like work is just getting harder lately If you can reach out to same minded people, a simple conversation will get you back on track By the weekend you will feel less confused

Libra: September 23 - October 22 (Air) - Things are going to be crazy in love, people from your past keep coming up and you have to do a lot of soul searching. You want love, you are ready, so the Universe will be testing you a lot this week You need to start looking at changing things at your job or changing your job completely

Scorpio: October 23 - November 21 (Water) – You are a bit of a riddle this week You have very good days and very bad days This emotional up and down leaves you exhausted and defeated By Friday someone sees you struggling and steps in to guide you, look for your knight in shining armour so you can have a great weekend.

Sagittarius: November 22 - December 21 (Fire) – You can have your choice when it comes to loves this week, so do not hold back. Be picky and precise. What do you want in a forever relationship? Opportunities open up quickly in love and career and you will then have to sit and sort through all your options before you make any choices

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19 (Earth) – You are overthinking your love life lately, it is really not that complicated Are you happy or not? Choose a path that brings you joy and health, once you do this things sort themselves out You have to take the time out and decide exactly what you want to do in your career also.

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18 (Air) – You will receive a lot of advice from the strangest places this week You start to wonder what exactly you are doing that is making others think you need help? Instead of stressing over this you should listen to all advice and see if there is a pattern in the advice that you are getting, some of it is really good

Pisces: February 19 - March 20 (Water) – It is great that you are opening yourself to the Universe for big changes You will be willing to receive advice, receive opportunities and receive love from anywhere This will make for a really interesting week and a lot of great things can come from this if you let things flow

Horoscopes with Tina Graziano Energy Reader

Tina Graziano was born an energy reader. She uses her gifts to heal and guide others as a life coach. If you need support and insight in life, contact Tina for an energy reading directly online at https://www.facebook.com/ Tina.Graziano.Energy.Reader /?ref=page_internal

April 22, 2023