The Paris Independent for Saturday August 26, 2023

Upsy Daisy Floral (Paris and Port Dover) Pages 7-8

The Paris Independent

The Paris Independent

Saturday, August 26, 2023 Proudly Serving Paris & Area PDF Emailed $3.99/month

BRANT HONOURS PARIS NATIVE

New era of Paris Junior Hockey Pages 17-19

PARIS DRINKS FESTIVAL PHOTOS

Pages 22-23

On Monday evening the community came out to celebrate Paris native Zac Dalpe at a bannerraising ceremony at the Brant Sports Complex The ceremony honoured Zac for the many achievements he has had throughout his professional hockey career, which we are proud to say began in Brant! See more photos on pages 5-6 Photos by: Michelle Malvaso

Are you ready to make a Move ? Contact me, Your Experienced Local Realtor!

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Emergency: 9-1-1

Police Department: 888-310-1122

Fire Department: 519-442-4500

Willet Hospital: 519-442-2251

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Paris Public Schools:

Paris High:

519-442-4477

North Ward: 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

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Articles, Events & Story ideas, please submit by email to:

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Publisher

Managing Editor

Advertising Sales

Photographer

News Reporter

News Reporter

News Reporter

Chris Whelan

Casandra Turnbull

Chris Whelan

Michelle Malvaso

Carolina Saenz

Bailey Zimmer

Rubyyy Jones

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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:

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

TODAY! SAVE OUR SWAMPS AND WETLANDS FEST!Save Our Swamps/Wetlands Fest at Hearts Content Organic Farm, Saturday, August 26th from 2 pm to 8 pm at 27 Ronald Rd (off Jerseyville Road)., Brantford Medicinal plant & wetland walks, Cycling Without Age trishaw rides on the rail trail, Mexican food, music for kids & adults! Everyone is welcome to attend Hosted by the Langford Conservancy.

MOVIE IN THE PARK –PRESENTED BY COUNTY OF BRANT – September 8th at Burford Community Centre, Strange World; September 15th at Scotland Community Centre, Elemental (Pixar) Movies start at dush. So, bring a blanket and chair and catch the last movies of the summer!

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

AFRO CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL – At Lion’s Park Paris on Saturday, September 9th from 11 am to 9 pm, everyone invited. Welcome to the 1st AfroCaribbean Festival in Brant County, presented by Darmont GivesBack! Our festival is a celebration of the rich culture, traditions, and people of the African-Caribbean community in Brant County and beyond Our commitment to the County of Brant allows us to bring together people from different backgrounds to promote cultural awareness, celebrate diversity, and foster community engagement We aim to provide a platform for cultural exchange, education, and entertainment.

PARIS TERRY FOX RUN –Sunday, September 17th at 11am, beginning at Paris District High School. Run walk roll or ride the 5k or 10k route Everyone is welcome to participate Register online today!! We are excited for another amazing year. https://terryfox.org

ST. GEORGE APPLEFEST –Saturday, September 16th from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, September 17th from 10 am to 5 pm, downtown St. George. Enjoy a rural experience! Listed as a Top 100 Festival in Ontario – a FREE family festival where the pungent aroma of crisp, ripe apples is in sharp contrast to the sweetness of candied apples! Over 120 vendors provide a kaleidescope of colour FREE shuttle, FREE parking. Accessible. FREE Saturday night Street Party. More details available online.

BRANTFORD KINSMEN CAR SHOW & SWAP MEET – Sunday, September 17th at the Paris Fairgrounds, 9 am to 3 pm. Through events like this, we raise greatly needed funds to support

CYSTIC FIBROSIS and many community causes We are constantly praised yearly by the spectators and participants on our show. Take a relaxing walk down memory lane, while enjoying the music broadcast and viewing the variety and beauty of these shining relics of our past.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

FLORIDA PANTHER FANS LINE UP FOR A CHANCE TO SEE ZAC DALPE

Photos by: Michelle Malvaso for The Paris Independent

Dalpe banner in its rightful place beside his own hockey heroes

Thanks were given to Zac and his family for joining the community for what was a very memorable night on August 21st. Zac took the time to sign autographs for many local fans including a young boy's cast and even the Zamboni!

Event hosts also thanked residents for coming out and cheering on Number 22! A special thank you also went out to County of Brant Sports Hall of Fame Ad Hoc Committee Member, Tyler Pelton and Paris Minor Hockey for helping to organize the evening, as well as supplying awesome giveaways to those in attendance.

At the request of The Paris Independent, Zac posed with his family after the ceremony Photos taken by: Michelle Malvaso for The Paris Independent

New Floral Studio brings beauty and romance to Paris

By Bailey Zimmer

Rise, shine and celebrate as every day is better and blooming with the new Upsy Daisy Floral Studio. Located in the heart of downtown Paris at 56 Grand River St North, Upsy Daisy Floral Studio brings a new form of excitement and growth to the vibrant downtown core

The business, started by mother and owner Lisa A. and son Sasha Uzelac, came to Paris in early May and has really taken off since opening. The floral store is a welcome addition to downtown Paris filling a void left open when McCormick Florist closed its Mechanic Street operation several years ago. Upsy Daisy, typically closed on Mondays but open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every other day of the week, is bright and welcoming to each guest and offers a variety of different floral arrangements for all occasions “We don’t want to be a cookie cutter store we want to appeal to the locals and what they like,” said owner, Lisa. While she looks after the original store in Port Dover located at 110 Market Street East, which opened just before the COVID pandemic, Sasha looks after the sister store in

Paris

If you love flowers, decorating or creating DIY arrangements for around the house, mark September 25th on your calendar. Upsy Daisy will begin to host a monthly series of two hour workshops and the first one will focus on creating a thanksgiving centrepiece, consisting of a pumpkin pot with a bustle of seasonal and colourful flowers within to give a perfect fall aesthetic decor piece. A sign up sheet will soon be provided for interested community members.

nice flowers that are of good quality, from the wrapping to the presentation.

“I feel like a lot of people are afraid that we’re expensive here because of the way it [the business] looks, which we are not I like to cater to people who can’t afford as much because other florists’ wont,” said Uzelac

SCOREBOARD FEBRUARY 16 – FEBRUARY 23

Lisa and Sasha are passionate about quality for quantity, uniquity and visual appeal All bouquets, from the lowest price point to the highest are designed to meet satisfaction and surpass expectations. No two bouquets will be the same.

At Upsy Daisy prices for bouquets start around $20 and can go up to $100 depending on what the buyer selects All the flowers are well worth it and you know you're supporting the local industry by purchasing your arrangements at this store. All flowers and houseplants within the studio are locally sourced from within 100 kilometers of the store locations, meaning one small or local business helps another thrive Sasha Uzelac is eager to make affordable bouquets for anyone, sharing that everyone is deserving of

Uzelac shares that the presentation of the bouquet is just as important as the flowers themselves, as the appearance of high quality wrapping gives the bouquet extra appeal and shows the importance of a kind gesture The Floral Studio offers a mix of both custom and premade bouquets so every desire may be met. Flowers are also available to be sold by the stem, meaning as few as a single flower or as many as you would like may be purchased. Upsy Daisy also offers bridal consultation for weddings and has a corner area of the store decorated and dedicated to the special moments leading up to a wedding. The amount, types and arrangement of flowers and bouquets will be decided at the floral print cloth lined table within the building.

“What makes us different is that we’re full service If there’s a wedding we’re going to be at the venue early setting up for you. It’s not just that we make the flowers for you and you go on your own,” said Uzelac. “You get the flowers and we make sure they’re placed and displayed and that they’re healthy and strong ” Upsy daisy also offers funeral work services or any other event in which large quantities of flowers are needed.

The Paris Location has a spot for you to sit down scribe a note or play around with plants and home decor to help you visualize the look Submitted photo

Customer service is no weak point within the studio. Making the moment right and customer satisfaction is a priority for Lisa and Uzelac.

If a house plant bought from Upsy Daisy starts to look sickly, the plant can be brought back to the store and nursed to health until it is ready to go home once again as good as new. House calls can also be made and the owners of Upsy Daisy will help you with your purchase to treat and care for your new plants Lisa stresses the importance of being involved with the people who support her business and getting to support individuals who support her and Uzelac

“We’re not just florists,” she said. “We’re a part of your life. We’re there when your baby’s born, we’re there when you get a date or when

you’re going to propose. We’re part of that.”

Upsy Daisy took over the former location of Friendly United Discount Convenience Store, which operated out of that location for decades. One of Lisa and Sasha's biggest challenges to date has been cleaning up and redoing the venue to ensure it is up to par for a flower shop. The Floral Studio has undergone a paint job, new flooring and has created open areas with bright colours and warm lighting welcoming everyone inside to marvel at the beauty of the revitalized space. Uzelac is excited to help the younger crowd of men and other love swindled beings in Paris, hoping to instill a sense of old fashioned romance once more. When speaking of wooing and pursuing, Uzelac is enthusiastic in his goals

“I want to focus on the young men of Paris. I’ve been helping them with their courtships That’s what I want to do I want to focus on having more affordable, well-presented bouquets because how your bouquet looks affects her perception of you,” said Uzelac. “One girl has probably five suitors who want to be her boyfriend, but if one of them brings her flowers, he wins … it’s that simple because it’s a gesture that means a lot” The uniqueness and individuality behind each bouquet created stems from the excitement and passion for community, compassion, empathy and romance.

PARIS JEWELLERS

Upsy Daisy Floral Studio has a new and exciting energy to offer to Paris and Lisa and Sasha are ready to be a big part of the small town. “We’re here to serve you,” said Lisa, “If you need something, we’re going to help you ”

Photo by Michelle Malvaso

Peddling Ice Cream on Bicycles in the 1980s

ASweet Canadian Success Story

In the early 1980s, opportunities for young teenagers to earn money in small towns like Burford, Ontario, were limited. However, when my family relocated to Paris in 1984, I discovered a promising avenue for entrepreneurial endeavors. It was the era of the Dickie Dee ice cream tricycles, ubiquitous in Ontario, offering young sellers a chance to earn a 25 percent commission on their sales Little did I know that these ice cream tricycles, with their familiar ringing bells, would become an unforgettable part of Canadian summers, creating lasting memories for generations.

Earl Barish, the founder of Dickie Dee, began his journey as a young Dickie Dee boy in Winnipeg during the summer of 1957 when he was only 14 years old. After riding for two summers, Barish seized a remarkable opportunity when the owners of the small local business decided to sell. With the support of his parents, the Barish family scraped together $2,000 to purchase the business, which included approximately eight Dickie Dee tricycles.

The origins of the name "Dickie Dee" remain shrouded in mystery, but that did not deter the Barish family from adding their own touch to the business. The iconic ringing of bells attached to the handlebars became synonymous with the Dickie Dee experience, signaling the arrival of frozen treats on scorching summer days.

Melted Hearts of Canadians Coast to Coast

The sound of the Dickie Dee bells ringing evokes a wave of nostalgia for Canadians of a certain age. Stuart Henrickson, head of the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of Manitoba, describes the allure of Dickie Dee as the "ultimate impulse buy." When children heard the familiar chimes echoing through their

neighborhood streets, they would rush to their mothers for change and join the line of eager kids, often accompanied by older siblings or friends.

The Dickie Dee experience was more than just buying ice cream it was a neighborhood phenomenon that brought communities together. However, as time passed, the landscape of the ice cream industry evolved. In the 1990s, the focus shifted to selling large quantities of food, including ice cream, at discounted prices in big-box stores Consequently, Dickie Dee transitioned from a beloved neighborhood experience to a small part of a multinational corporation when it was sold to Unilever.

Continued on page 13

LOCAL HISTORY

Preserving the Sweet Memories

While Dickie Dee may never regain its former status as a dominant business, the nostalgia associated with the brand remains a valuable asset. Today, as a new breed of riders pedal their carts through Canadian cities, such as Kitchener, the faint jingle of the bells triggers a sense of longing, reminiscent of summers past.

Stuart Henrickson suggests that the allure of the bells is akin to Pavlov's dogs, eliciting an immediate desire to chase down the Dickie Dee man before summer's end. The riders of today have the opportunity to capitalize on this nostalgic sentiment, keeping the spirit of Dickie Dee alive.

The story of pushing ice cream on wheels in 1980s Ontario is a tale of youthful entrepreneurship and the lasting impact of a beloved brand Dickie Dee tricycles, with their iconic ringing bells, became an inseparable part of Canadian summers. While the landscape of the ice cream industry has changed over time, the memories and nostalgia associated with Dickie Dee endure. As the jingle of the bells resounds through the streets, it serves as a reminder of simpler times a time when the neighborhood came alive with the promise of cold, delicious treats on a hot summer day.

Bill C18 – The Online News Act – What does it mean?

ATTENTION READERS!!! Since Meta is blocking all news media from Canadians, many of you may no longer be able to see our posts on Facebook or Instagram. It’s happening to different people at different times, but Meta has confirmed that we will all be completely blocked from their platforms soon

This is being done in response to bill C-18 which will require Meta to share some of the advertising revenue it receives with Canadian news media outlets whenever its news is being shared on Facebook or Instagram.

If you would like to take action (like we are), please call or email your local Federal MP Larry Brock (larry brock@parl gc ca) and let him know how much you love local news media and the negative effects this will have on all media outlets nationwide.

This might not be the end of The Paris Independent. We are still available through the social media platform X formally known as Twitter @ParisNewspaper and our website www issuu com/theparisindependent . Bookmark that website and make it your Saturday morning routine to get up and catch up on what’s happening in your community each week.

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SOS Fest is Back! Save Our Swamps

Submitted

by Ouin Arndt

I would like to invite everyone to come to SOS Fest, hosted by Langford Conservancy and Heart’s Content Organic Farm on 27 Ronald Road in Brant County. SOS Fest’s theme this year is Save our Swamps. I will be there, giving a fun and interactive wetland workshop, where we will be finding and identifying various creatures and critters that call the wetlands on the farm home The workshops will run from 2 to 3pm, and 4 to 5pm. The Hamilton/Burlington chapter of Cycling Without Age are also offering trishaw rides from 2-6 pm on the rail trail for anyone with accessibility needs, who wants to try it. The festival will be open from 2 to 8pm, with lots of other activities and speakers, authentic Mexican food, and live music by Pleasant Ridge and Pete & Anna. I hope to see you there, it will be a super fun time! Find out more at https://lconserv.ca/sos-fest/

Main Branch Library Progresses with Demolition Work

Submitted Release

The Main Branch Library in the County of Brant is undergoing significant updates as demolition work continues this week. The latest phase involves the removal of nonheritage structures, including a 1964 addition that once housed the Mary Maxim Company The library authorities have taken this step to modernize and enhance the facility for the benefit of the community. Overseeing the site work is Collaborative Structures Limited (CSL), a renowned construction company known for its expertise in managing large-scale projects. With the demolition underway, residents should anticipate the presence of machinery on-site, facilitating controlled demolitions and ensuring

safety protocols are followed. The removal of the outbuildings and the 1964 addition is a crucial step in stabilizing and safeguarding the remaining structure before the arrival of winter. By eliminating these nonheritage structures, the library's integrity can be preserved as it undergoes renovations and upgrades

To keep the community informed and engaged, the County of Brant Public Library has promised to share photos and videos of the demolition process These updates will be posted on the library's social media accounts as they become available. Residents are encouraged to follow @BrantLibrary on Facebook and Twitter, as well as @BrantCountyPublicLibrary on

Instagram, to stay up to date with the latest developments

The Main Branch Library's renovation project signifies a significant investment in the community's cultural and educational resources The updates aim to provide an improved library experience, offering state-of-the-art facilities and services to meet the evolving needs of residents. As the demolition progresses, anticipation grows for the rebirth of the Main Branch Library as a modern hub of knowledge and community engagement.

For more information and updates on the Main Branch Library renovation, please visit the official website at brantlibraryca/News

New era of Paris Junior Hockey hits the ice in pre-season action

By Casandra Turnbull

The Paris Titans have spent the last few months finetuning their roster and building an exciting new image ahead of the start of the 2023/2024 PJHL season.

When the junior hockey team hit the ice this week, players donned a new name and logo on their jerseys

- The Paris Titans - a reflection of the new image they want to portray: strength, fight, resilience and courage. The Titans, for decades known as The Paris Mounties, underwent a club ownership change this past spring marking the official end of the Mounties days and the launch of an entirely new organization as the new owners attempt to bring the team from the basement to the top of the Doherty Division. "The success and championships that Paris enjoyed over the decades as Mounties, will always be unforgettable memories for the community. Those memories do not diminish with a new name Mounties will always be part of our franchise history," says Mike Christian, President and Owner of the Paris Titans Christian will be the Head Coach on the bench along with a qualified and supportive coaching staff. Behind the scenes, the coaching staff has begun implementing effective routines that will translate into quality habits for both the coaches and the players this season, said Christian. The roster for the upcoming season is also close to finalized, he said "Our upcoming exhibition games will give us our first opportunity to evaluate players in a true game situation. We expect the compete level to be high as players look to make an impression on our new coaching staff." He predicts the starting line up will be close to secured by the season opener on September 15th. Initial tryouts for the Paris Titans started in July. A goaltender specific evaluation process took place during a mini camp held July 10-14, with over 60 players in attendance Some of the best players around have shown up throughout the summer to skate in weekly on-ice sessions. So, what does all this hard work behind the scenes

mean for fans? That's simple - back to the basics, well structured hockey from a group of players with the thirst to win

"The Titans roster will be made up of players that are committed to winning and players that compete at a high level Some fresh faces on this roster will provide quality depth to our forwards group, defence and our goaltending.“

The Paris Titans owners had the opportunity to meet with Mayor Bailey at the end of July Mayor Bailey will be dropping the puck on opening night on September 16th at 7pm at the Brant Sports Complex in Paris. Submitted photo

The Titans hit the ice this past week for exhibition games at home and in Niagara Falls. Pre-season games will continue until mid September. There will be no cost of admission into pre season home games, confirms Nathan Herrington, Titans General Manager "We are looking forward to getting people back to the Brant Sports Complex and creating some excitement again for Junior hockey in Paris," said Herrington. He added that all home games will include access to the Blueline club for pre-game, intermission and post game refreshments, sponsored by Molson for the 2023-24 season. The Titans organization also looks

PARIS TITANS ACTION

to engage the community and local businesses as it builds its brand this season. There will be exciting opportunities for sponsorship packages as the new owners look to build relationships within the Paris Community. Watch the club's website for more information "And thank-you to the community partners that have helped this Junior program in past years. We hope to continue growing our game with you," said Herrington.

Developing roots in the hockey community is also extremely important to the Titans staff as today's partnerships will help nourish tomorrow's future Titans

rosters.

"The Titans will also be looking to involve our Paris minor hockey programs during intermissions. Getting our youngsters on the ice for some brief game action will help feature the grass roots hockey system in Paris and surrounding area. “

The Paris Titans exhibition and regular season is now available online. Check it out and see when you can make it out to some home games to support this exciting change to our junior hockey culture.

Photos of Monday Night’s exhibition game by Michelle Malvaso

Scrappy exhibition home game ends with Paris Titans on top 5-1

TITANS REPORT

With George Le Gresley

The Paris Titans Era Begins

Junior hockey is back in Paris, yes under a different name, but with an ownership and staff who are dedicated to bringing championships to your hometown Tuesday night was the team’s first opportunity to practice on B.S.C. ice and Wednesday their first game on home ice against the Niagara River Hawks in front of a large enthusiastic crowd for an exhibition game.

The first period the Titans came out and played like it was indeed their first game of the season, getting a feel for playing on home ice, taking and missing shots on net The Titans Simon Otaki was the period’s only goal scorer for the home team with a beautiful shot from the point, going into the net “bar down” into the net Titan goalie Josh Roman had 9 shots on goal, taking away two great scoring opportunities from the opposition. Score after the first period Titans 1 River Hawks 0

The second period intermission we saw something new, with the Sports Complex staff introducing their two Zamboni ice cleaning show, doing the job efficiently and in synch! Well done and cheers to the two operators

The second period the Titans came out playing less tense as they had in the first, playing a more physical style of hockey, making great passes that netted four goals by Sam Collins, Ethan Ajjorado, Ethan Bush and Eric Tuori. Halfway through the period Ryan Burroughs took over the goaltending duties keeping Niagara off the scoreboard

The third period featured a hard-hitting style of hockey and a very frustrated visiting team, ready and willing to drop their gloves and get into a fight Although there were three fighting majors this period, I stopped counting at 4 or 5 bouts. In spite of the pugilistic activities of the third period, the Niagara team managed to score a goal,

making the final score Paris Titans 5 Niagara River Hawks 1.

The Titans debut was a good start to the exhibition season, giving the players an opportunity to finally play a real game after a summer of practice and the Titan staff a great opportunity to evaluate their line up. The team has four more exhibition games before their regular season home opener mid September.

There are two more exhibition home games to see how this team develops on Monday August 28 versus the Aylmer Spitfires and Wednesday August 30 versus the Hagersville Hawks, both with a 7:30 puck drop.

Photo by Michelle Malvaso for The Paris Independent

Paris FC U12 brings home Gold from Michigan Invitational

Article & photos by Melissa Ostrowercha

The Paris FC U12 team was invited to play up in a U13 invitational in Michigan last weekend and the team rose to the challenge returning home with the trophy.

The girls travelled to Brighton, Michigan to take part in the Powerade Invitational and since they were playing up an age category, they got their first feel for playing on a full sized pitch! It seems the extra field was no big deal as the team dominated game play throughout the weekend.

There were eight teams (two groups of four) in their bracket of the tournament They played three

round robin games in their group of four, and the winner from each group faced each other in a final championship match.

The first game on Saturday afternoon at the Brighton highschool turf football field started slowly as the girls settled into their positions on the big field, with the added complication of playing on a turf surface instead of grass Kennedy S #17 opened the scoring late in the last seconds of the first half off a rebound from Clare F. #4. We came out strong in the 2nd half, with Clare F. striking a long goal from the 20 yard line, and a third goal came only two minutes later as Miecah O #6 took advantage for a breakaway on a

through ball from Clare F #4. Kennedy S. #17 popped in a cross from Clare F a little while later, and we closed out the game late with a deep tap from Paige M #64 on another long send from Clare F Game two was another on the turf, at 6:30 Saturday evening against ScorMeulensteen Orange. Although we dominated every play, and they could not beat our midfields and defense, we struggled to find the net Despite 32 shot attempts, Paris did not bury one until the beginning of the 2nd half, when pressure from Kennedy S. put the ball right on Clare F #4's foot and in the net Clare pocketed the insurance goal late in the 2nd off a through ball from Miecah O. #6.

Game three was early the next morning at 8am and indoors at the dome at the Legacy Centre! This time the opponent was Michigan Stars Lightning, who had also notched up two wins in the group A win or a tie would take Paris to the finals; they edged them out in the goal differential. However, the girls came to play and the net would not elude them in this game! Paris played a dominant game on road to the final in a 9-0 win. Goals were 6 by Clare F, 2 by Paige M. #64 and 1 by Miecah

O #6

The team entered the finals with a 3-0 record, 16 goals for and zero against! Their opponents, the Michigan Tigers Silver, had followed a similarly dominant path through their group, however, and were no slouch with 18 goals for and 2 against The game was on the grass finally, at 3:30 on a SCORCHER of a hot day

The game started off with Paris pressing hard and a few good shots on net. Clare F. #4 sent a cross to Paige M. #64 and she buried it, however the goal was called off! The linesman said that Clare's cross had gone over the goal line Tough start! However, Miecah O #6 scored nine minutes into the game with a close range rocket off the crossbar and in. The Tigers answered back ten minutes later with a hard shot from their midfield in the top corner and it was a tie game! Paris carried that 1-1 into the second half, with both teams pressing hard However, they breathed a sigh of relief only a minute or so into the second half when Clare F. drove down the sidelines and crossed it in to Miecah O., #6 who stretched hard and slid it past the goalie for her second of the game! All of the girls started to feel the heat as the game

stretched deep into the second half, and play was back and forth. However, with fifteen minutes remaining, Miecah O. came up big in the corner and delivered the ball to Clare F, who battled through three defenders to send a sailing deep ball into the opposite pocket for the insurance!

Coach Rob then put the brakes on the game, subbing players on and off for rest breaks and trying to hold back the Tiger's pressing for a goal. The girls played defensively and executed the plan perfectly, however, and the whistle blew on a 3-1 Paris win for the gold medal!! The team plans to return next summer, hopefully, to defend their title! Article & photos by Melissa Ostrowercha

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Photos by Michelle Malvaso for The Paris Independent

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Photos by Michelle Malvaso for The Paris Independent

Capturing Life's Colours with Linda Rudyk

IN THE STUDIO

With Taren White

Art has a unique way of channeling emotions, experiences, and stories onto a canvas. For Linda Rudyk, a seasoned artist with a passion for expression, her creative journey has been influenced by a myriad of experiences, from family traditions to global adventures.

Linda's journey began with her mother, a talented oil landscape artist who found solace and joy in her work. Inspired by the renowned Group of Seven, Linda's mother would lose herself in the strokes of her brush and the hues of her palette. As one of six siblings, Linda recalls that her mother's artistic moments were some of the rare times she saw her truly relax

In 2012, Linda's journey took a new direction when her sister introduced her to water-colour painting This moment proved pivotal, as it coincided with a challenging period in her life after the sudden loss of her husband. Seeking solace and renewal, Linda and her sister embarked on a journey to Aruba, armed with small

Cotman travel packs. The resulting paintings and drawings became not only beautiful mementos of their time on the island but also a testament to the healing power of art during difficult times.

Retiring in 2013 opened the doors to a new chapter in Linda's life. She and her husband became avid travellers, exploring the world and soaking in its vibrant colours and cultures. Linda's watercolour paints became her constant companions, allowing her to capture the essence of each destination in her art Through her paintings, she immortalizes the moments spent in different corners of the globe, keeping the memories alive through vivid brushstrokes

Throughout her artistic career, Linda has explored a variety of mediums, including watercolour, oil, alcohol ink, acrylic, mixed media, and mono-printing She credits prominent YouTube artists like Jane Davies, Louise Fletcher, Jean Haines, and others for inspiring her with their bold and fearless approach Their encouragement to "just be yourself and stay loose” has become Linda's artistic mantra, empowering her to embrace her unique voice and perspective.

Linda identifies as an Abstract Expressionist, using colour, emotion, and expression to tell her stories on canvas. Her favoured mediums are acrylic and mixed media, as they allow her to experiment with vivid hues and textured layers. Through her art, she seeks to convey a range

of emotions and experiences, inviting viewers into her world of vibrant abstraction

One of the most memorable experiences of Linda's artistic journey occurred during a river cruise down the Yangtze River in China. Despite language barriers, she found herself painting alongside fellow passengers who shared her passion for art Through strokes of paint and a shared love for creativity, Linda discovered the universal language of art that transcends words.

Continued on page 25

Photo by Taren White

ARTISTIC SPOTLIGHT

While global travel has expanded her horizons, Linda has found a special kind of beauty in her own backyard Living by the Grand River in Paris, she draws inspiration from the ever-changing seasons and the breathtaking landscapes around her Her neighbours often find her immersed in her artistic process outdoors, as she captures the essence of each passing moment.

For Linda, sharing her art has been a journey of vulnerability and growth. She acknowledges that the fear of opening up one's personal journey and emotions can be daunting, but she has found that true growth comes from embracing that vulnerability. Through her art, she shares stories of her travels, inviting others to join her in the visual exploration of the world.

Linda Rudyk's art is more than just pigment on canvas; it's a celebration of life's colours, emotions, and stories Her journey, shaped by family, travel, and the influence of fellow artists, exemplifies the power of creativity to heal, inspire, and connect across cultures and languages As Linda continues to paint her experiences and emotions, she reminds us all to find our unique voice and fearlessly express it on our own canvas of life.

To connect with Linda and view more of her artwork, please visit her website at www.lindarudyk.com

If you know a local artist who wants to be featured, please reach out to Taren: Taren White Gallery, 13 Grand River St. N., Paris, ON www.tarenwhitegallery.com https://www.instagram.com/tarenwhitegallery

TD Summer Reading Club is a Must Try!

reviews to earn online badges. Eventually, you’ll get there. Take it from me: I finished it in under a month! But enough with the Reading Challenge, let’s move on to the Reading Club.

Picks - that are books and novels chosen by the people who work there for the kids - that have really superb books ready for you to read, which now brings me to the eBooks section

If you adore reading, like challenges, and even enjoy fun activities that can kill time, this is the proper website for you!

You’ve probably already seen some of those pamphlets with the title plastered on the front. Well, have you ever wondered what it might be? It’s pretty interesting once you get to know it The TD Summer Reading Club is an awesome club in which you can sign up (for free!) and access online books you can read on your device and even fun activities!

If you’re wondering if there’s more than just that, obviously there is You can even track your reading progress and earn cool prizes thanks to the Summer Reading Challenge on Beanstalk which connects with the Reading Club Some of the prizes include a swim pass at the local Paris Community Pool for five hours of reading and even a snazzy new Ice Cream Coupon at yummy Darie Delite for fifteen hours of reading! As a kid who has completed the entire challenge which takes reading for a whopping 24 hours, the prizes I earned are worth it!

All you need to do is create the same account on Beanstalk and then start logging time spent reading, completing activities and adding book

The activities include visiting a jokes corner on the website which consists of a page in which you can read jokes made by kids like you and me! For example, there is one that I found pretty funny by @blackbirdtj saying quote: “Why does the heart keep winning races? Because it’s unbeatable!” It’s pretty enjoyable Well, at least I think so myself!

If you love reading comics, then you might like reading this one that’s also on the website called The Hooman Show written by Canadian author Cyndi Marko. It’s very entertaining, silly, and just downright hilarious! The comic is about Shady Bottom - the star of the show - and the Squirrel Squad consisting of Gripper and Boomer (who are also squirrels) who delve into what the humans - or what they call “Hoomans” in this comicare doing! It’s pretty cool if you think about looking at the everyday lifestyle through another person - or to squirrel in this case! - ‘s eyes!

It is a rad Reading Club after all so they must have some reading tools and/or reading activities, right? Well, you’re in luck! There’s Silly Stories where you can choose a topic, fill in the blanks, and read the story you partially created! There’s a Battle of the Books section where you can vote for your favourite book and help it battle its way to the top (as it says in the Subtitle). There are even Staff

If you have absolutely no idea what an eBook is, eBook stands for Electronic Book which are just books that you can read on your device It is been very popular nowadays with applications such as Libby and Kindle. Basically, you can enter the page (haha, see what I did there?), and choose a book to read! You can even search for it if it’s at your library if you maybe want to read it in person or show it to your friends.

The videos they showcase are also pretty cool because not only are they videos, but they’re also short films that I think you (as the reader) may enjoy… You’re going to have to check them out yourself! There’s also colouring sheets that you can print out and colour, and even Trivia questions that refresh every week so you can always come back for some more and not be bored the next time.

Conclusion: The TD Summer Reading Club is full of fun things to do this summer whether it’s raining outside, and you have nothing to do, or maybe the library’s closed so you have no choice but to read online, or even perhaps you just want to read some jokes to get a little laugh, the Reading Club has everything! Go ahead and try it out, I bet you you’ll enjoy it.

With Stephen L

FROM A KID’S VIEW

Yoga teaches you a lot about the human body

I have always been fascinated by the human body. Over the years of teaching and studying yoga, I’ve learned more than a few interesting things about the human body:

1 The nail on your middle finger grows faster than the nails on your other fingers. This isbecause the growth rate of a nail is related to the length of the bone in your finger tip. The middle finger has a longer bone so its nail grows faster Your pinky finger has the smallest bone so it typically grows the slowest.

2. Your ears and nose get bigger as you age. Neither get bigger because they grow. Both are made of cartilage and, over time, the cartilage it undergoes process that makes it thicker, heavier and less elastic. Gravity also causes the cartilage to sag, making our ears and nose bigger

3. You are at your tallest in the morning. For some people, this could be as much as 1cm

During the day the soft cartilage between your bones gets compressed, leaving you shorter in the evening. Time to rest at night enables the soft cartilage to decompress.

4. You can’t breathe and swallow at the same time. When you swallow, a flap in your throat (known as the epiglottis) covers the entrance to your airway in order to prevent food or fluid from entering your respiratory tract And, yes, I know you are going to test this out. I did!

5. Your skin is your body’s largest organ and makes up about 15% of your total body weight. Another fun fact: each inch of skin is made up of approximately 19 million skin cells, 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, and 1,000 nerve endings

6. Your nose produces about 1 to 2 litres of mucus every day Both your nose and throat are lined with glands that produce mucus. Most of this mucus gets swallowed throughout the day which helps to keep the linings of your nose and sinuses moist.

7. Your jaw is the strongest muscle in your body. Known as the masseter, this muscle is capable of closing a set of teeth with a force of up to 200 pounds.

8 Newborn babies aren’t able to produce tears While they certainly can cry, the tear ducts of babies aren’t’ fully developed until they are about two weeks old and it takes another two to four weeks before they can actually produce tears.

9. The acid in your stomach can burn your skin. Gastric acid is comprised of hydrochloric acid, which can cause severe burns and even blindness. Fortunately, the stomach is with mucus which protects it from burns.

Yoga Moment with Heidi Pfleger

10. More than half of your bones are in your hands and feet. As an adult, your body consists of 206 bones and 106 of them are in your hands and feet (27 bones are in each hand and 26 bones are in each foot).

11. Your orbicularis oculi is the fastest moving muscle in your body The orbicularis oculi is responsible for the action of closing your eyelid and is capable of contracting in less than 1/100th of a second. This quick action usually occurs when wanting to avoid having something land your eye or when trying to remove tears from your eyes.

12. Messages from your brain can travel along nerves at up to 325 km/hr. The rate of travel is influenced primarily by distance (the farther the signal needs to travel, the longer the reaction time), neuron characteristics (messages sent through thicker neurons travel faster) and the complexity of the message (the more neurons required, the slower the rate).

13 Your little finger contains 50% of your hand’s strength. Your thumb, index finger and middle finger help with dexterity while the ring finger and little finger give your hand its power to grip.

14. Taking just one step involves up to 200 muscles. Not only are the leg muscles involved, muscles in your core and back all work together to take just one single step.

15 Your finger nails grow faster on your dominant hand. Because you use your dominant hand more, your body tends to sends more blood and nutrients to it, causing the nails on that hand to grow more quickly. Your finger nails also tend to grow faster in summer. Cold environments and smoking are factors that can slow down nail growth.

While it may be stating the obvious, I do believe it is worth mentioning that yoga poses are intended to gently stretch and strengthen your muscles and to not cause pain. If you experience any pain or discomfort, let your teacher know so the they can modify the pose in a way that works for you

Want to learn more about your body? Try yoga. A simple, regular practice can help you connect further with the many wondrous things going on inside your body.

For more information, contact Heidi at heidi@yogawithheidi or 519 755 1447 or visit her online yogawithheidi.ca

ASTROLOGY

Aries: March 21 - April 19 (Fire) –We always want everything to balance, so when things feel off in our world we can not seem to function properly You need to try harder to keep yourself on track, your work needs your complete attention right now. Do not drop the ball at home either or you will be spending the next month making things right

Taurus: April 20 - May 20 (Earth) –You are spending more money then you are making, You know this yet you cannot seem to stop doing it You have to make a budget and stick with it for the next couple of months or you better get another source of income Your relationship status is not exactly as solid as it seems, time to have one of those awkward conversations you hate so much

Gemini: May 21 - June 20 (Air) – Big decisions this week for you. Good thing the energy surrounding you is all about confidence.You can really do it all You need this in your life right now, all those small projects you have been putting off finally get completed If you have any left over energy plan a romantic getaway

Cancer: June 21 – July 22 22 (Water)

– Do not seek approval from everyone around you, this week your opinion is the only one that matters You do have to listen to your loved ones, but then you have to follow your heart not your head Your career has been changing in good and bad ways All of this is in your best interest so hang in there

Leo: July 23 - August 22 (Fire) –

Living in the future prevents us from enjoying the present Your present has some great things in it You need a mini vacation to reflect on what you should be grateful for right now. Your loved ones have been begging you for attention and you need to do some making up to them

Virgo: August 23 - September 22 (Earth) – This is a health week for you. Let's start with eating better and exercise, then your mental health needs love too. Take a break from working and get away. Fill your time with things that bring you joy that life gets in the way of enjoying, You will feel healthier mind,body and soul

Libra: September 23 - October 22 (Air) - listen more and talk less this week People are out to use your words against you Now is the time to re-evaluate the people you have been surrounding yourself with Ask a financial advisor to sit down with you and educate you on how to get where you want to be. Stress free, debt free.

Scorpio: October 23 - November 21 (Water) – Negative vibes are bringing you down this week Work is not a happy place and home seems to be overwhelming to you also. You should take some time to heal, but you have no time so you will instead keep your head down and do some cleansing as you go Avoid arguments

Sagittarius: November 22December 21 (Fire) – This week starts slow for you but by mid week you find your groove and everything you touch seems to turn to gold in your hand Take advantage of this great energy and let it propel you to opportunities to the success you have been wanting and that you deserve.

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19 (Earth) – People rub you the wrong way this week. You have to be the bigger person and just walk away. No drama can serve you this week, especially avoid it in your love life It is not worth being right You will struggle with keeping your mouth shut, so have some back up plans to blow off steam do something you truly love

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18 (Air) – You are going to have a zen week You are ready to kick up your feet and enjoy the end of your summer. Not much will bother you. By the weekend you will be the life of the party and attract a new love interest You are going to get a lot of attention, wanted and unwanted

Pisces: February 19 - March 20 (Water) – You start a new project at work and get bored real quick You can survive it by distracting yourself with some fun home projects or plan a steamy date night You deserve a new toy or outfit so go out and treat yourself to something that makes you feel great.

Horoscopes with Tina Graziano Energy Reader

Tina

Showtimes for Galaxy Cinemas Brantford

For Saturday, August 26, 2023

Showtimes for The Oxford Drive-In August 25 – August 31, 2023

Pay at ticket booth Cash, Debit or Credit

1 adult ($15.00)

2 adults ($25.00)

3 adults ($35.00)

4 adults ($45.00)

5 adults ($55.00)

1 Adult 2 kids ($16.00)

Now Open 7 Days a Week CAR LOAD

1 Adult 3-4 kids ($25.00)

2 Adults 1-2 kids ($30.00)

2 Adults 3-4 kids ($35.00) gates open at 7pm - movie starts at dusk. Kids are 12 and under

6 and under are FREE