The Paris Independent for Saturday June 24, 2023

The 5th Paris Embers unit had an out of this world experience last weekend as they gathered for the first Girl Guides overnight camp held since before the pandemic The Galaxy themed campout took place at Camp Impeesa, located off Trussler Road outside of Paris. This weekend of fun gave everyone a chance to say ‘see you crater’ to fellow Embers as the unit breaks for the summer. See more Girl Guides photos on pages 11-12.

Photo credit 5th Paris Embers

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:

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

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

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

Main services include:

- Dog Park membership and key

- Dog license and tag

- Tennis Court membership and key

- Camp registration and recreation program registration

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

stories@theparisindependent.com

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

STATEMENT

Paid

subscriptions available by writing to: subscribe@theparisindependent.com

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

SUMMER WRITER’S FEST – Calling all writers! Saturday June 24 from 9 am to 4 pm at Lions Park in Paris. Spend the day supporting local writers, literature & community. More details available here. Hosted by Riverside Reading Series.

SCHOOL’S OUT FREE SWIM PARTY – Paris Community Pool at Lion’s Park, 80 Laurel St, Paris on June 29th from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. Kick off Summer vacation with a FREE swim party at the Paris Community Pool! This event is for children 4-11 years old.

MONSTERS IN PARIS – The Return of the popular Monster Trucks at the Paris Fairgrounds July 8th with the pit party at 4 pm and the show at 5 pm and July 9th with the pit party at 1 pm and show at 3 pm. Tickets available now online

OPEN RIDE NIGHT – Friday, June 30th and Friday July 14 from 5 pm to dusk at the Paris Fairgrounds. Bring your own horse, $10 to ride.

FOOD TRUCK NIGHTS – July 18th from 5 pm to 7:30 pm at Sojourn Church, featuring Foo Cheesie and The Funnel Cloud. The trucks return August 22 featuring Foo Cheesie, Los Rolling Tacos and The Funnel Cloud. Donations for the Little Free Pantry will be collected.

CANADA DAY CALENDAR

BRANTFORD’S CANADA DAY

CELEBRATIONS – Saturday July

1st at Lions Park in Brantford from 11 am to 10 pm You won't want to miss live music on the OLG Main Stage with performances by: Frank DiFelice Band with special guest David McKee at 12 pm; Three Legged Horse at 1:20 pm; Backburner at 2:30 pm; Mystic Highway at 4 pm; Jace Martin & the Pace at 5 pm; Sass Jordan at 6:30 pm and KIM MITCHELL at 8:30 pm. The Young Canadians Area opens at 12 pm with family fun activities including Barry O’ Kids Show, PAW

PATROL Chase and Deputy Chief Saunders storytime, TEAM T&J performance and Meet and Greet, and Blue’s Clue’s Interactive Storytime and Meet and Greet.

BILLY BASH CANADA DAY

WEEKEND – An action-packed weekend full of demolition derby, live music and fireworks! At the Burford Fairgrounds for the BILLY BASH on

July 1, 2, & 3. Tickets : $15/Adult, $10/ child 5-12 years old, and Children under 5 free! For more info contact Ron at rmcclungs@live ca

RIDE WITH FIRE – Join County of Brant Fire Fighters on Canada Day for a century bicycle ride spanning the 8 fire stations to raise money for Boots on the Ground. See more details on page 19.

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE CANADA DAY

CELEBRATION – Saturday, July 1, 1st all day and evening at Riverside Park, 49 King St W, Cambridge. Celebrate Canada’s Birthday with a midway, food trucks, vendors, a KidZone, beer garden , fishing derby and the parade (see below) and fireworks at 9:45 pm. More info online

CAMBRIDGE

In St. George

Delay in material pauses Grand River Street North construction plans

First phase of multi-year construction project will close road until December

By Casandra Turnbull

It’s construction season so delays are just a normal aspect of travelling this time of year, especially in a growing community like Paris As residents eagerly await the reopening of Market Street, in the final stages of completion now, others are nervously foreseeing the headache that’s about to start with the partial closure of Grand River Street North.

Asection of Paris’main artery was scheduled to close on June 19th; however, the project was delayed because materials were not delivered as anticipated and the contractor has not yet confirmed an official start to the construction, said Joe Murphy, Capital Project Manager for the County of Brant.

As frustrating as traffic can be, the irony in the situation is that these delays in the long run will ultimately help improve the flow of traffic through town so patience will be the key as construction crews work on this stretch of road between now and December.

The first phase of this multi-year construction project, recommended through the Grand River Street North Corridor Environmental Study Report and the Paris Master Servicing Plan, will include necessary work to replace aging water and wastewater infrastructure that will support growth throughout Paris. Future phases of work will include widening Grand River Street North (GRSN), replacing curbs and sidewalks and installing roundabouts at intersections. The first roundabout will go in at Scott Avenue in 2024 Later phases will also include a reconstruction of the signalized intersection at Silver Street and GRSN, including an extension of a new street from the east of that intersection

During this first phase, which should be underway shortly, work will be focused on GRSN, 100 metres south of Trillium Way to Scott Ave Subsequent stages will be between Scott Ave and Woodslee Ave and then WoodsleeAve and HartleyAve

“We are maintaining vehicle access to all businesses as

much as possible throughout the work,” said Murphy, which will include signage at both the north and south limits of construction notifying motorists that businesses are open and accessible. “We are also pushing to complete the section of Grand River Street North that businesses have direct access to first, so there are few disruptions later in the year as we approach the Christmas season,” he added.

Planning to take Paris’ main and busiest street out of commission for necessary work took a lot of thought and consideration, said Murphy It was a fine balance between getting the work done in a timely fashion but not completely disrupting business operations and motorists

“With one lane open, we are striking a balance between access and productivity, which we felt was reasonable given the size and complexity of the project ” As traffic is rerouted to other streets in town, many of which are heavily populated with young families and children playing or walking to and from school, county staff are imposing a number of traffic calming and safety measures to protect residents who will no doubt see a disruption to what’s considered normal for their neighbourhood.

Speed humps were placed on Oak Avenue, a speed radar sign was installed on Scott Avenue, a temporary crosswalk is being installed on Oak Ave and Whitlaw Way and the OPP were notified to provide an increased presence on the detour routes, said Murphy. The County will monitor the detour routes and implement additional measures, if required

GRSN will be closed to two-way traffic until the end of the year. One southbound lane will remain open only and all northbound traffic will be detoured along Silver Street, Oak Avenue and Scott Avenue. You can refer to Municipal 511 http://www.municipal511.ca for the most up-to-date traffic information regarding road construction and closures.

Official opening for newest housing unit that supports Mayors’Affordable Housing Action Plan

MEDIA RELEASE - On June 22, County of Brant Mayor David Bailey and City of Branford Mayor Kevin Davis, along with Housing and Homelessness staff, members of the Social Services Committee from the County of Brant and the City of Brantford and tenants of the new building, celebrated the official opening of the City’s newest housing development at 177 Colborne St. West. The project is one of several deliverables set out in the Mayors’ Housing Partnerships Task Force Affordable Housing Action Plan. The new four-storey apartment building features 26 studio residential units, including 8 fully accessible units, and commercial office space available for rent on the main level. To expedite construction, builder ANC Modular Inc. used a modular build approach whereby units were built off site and then assembled at the site. This approach eliminates weather delays that impact traditional builds, limits construction noise (as most of the building occurs offsite) and minimizes disruption to neighbours.

County of Brant Photo

Goodbye angled parking?

Discussions of the new look and feel of downtown underway

By Casandra Turnbull

As the County prepares to execute its Downtown Paris Master Plan over the next few years, the very initial decisions of how that will look were discussed at the Administration & Operations Committee this week

During the June 20th meeting, members listened to a recommendation from county staff, presented by Adam Crozier, on how to proceed with detailed plans to redesign the downtown streetscape The plans will coincide with the major infrastructure renewal project that will shut down Grand River Street North, slated to happen in 2025. With Paris’ major road through the heart of downtown out of service, county staff will work with the Paris and District Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Paris BIA on a mitigation strategy for businesses and residents during the construction phase. A major overhaul to revitalize the downtown and bring it up to accessibility standards was approved in the Downtown Paris Master Plan, passed by the previous council in 2019. In this first stage of decisions, Administration and Operations members heard the detailed redesign will focus on the portion

Pictured above is a view of how downtown streets will look if approved by Council. Administration & Operations committee members discussed and supported this design option at Tuesday’s meeting.

of Grand River Street North between the Nith River and William Street and it will influence the remaining portions of the area subject to the Master Plan.

The overall vision for downtown Paris is to provide a design that functions appropriately for both vehicle traffic, recognizing this stretch of roadway is a significant corridor through Paris, and also universal design elements that promote pedestrian safety, and the importance of the downtown core and the economics of the businesses located there, according to county staff.

Continued on page 8

As simple as it might sound, redesigning the downtown streets presents a number of challenges, according to the Downtown Paris Master Plan Intense vehicular traffic, the flood plain, angled parking, insufficient space for additional street furnishings, inaccessible sidewalks and lack of permanent landscape elements/trees are all noted as complicated factors

During Tuesday’s meeting, a recommendation to support option 2 in the Downtown Master Plan was presented and carried by committee members. Option will see the angled parking removed in favour of parallel parking

“There are community concerns about changing parking from angled to parallel,” noted Councillor Steve Howes. “I’m always quick to remind people that other beautiful communities across Ontario have all figured it out,” he said, adding that residents will be quick to adapt. Howes did question how many parking spaces out be lost with the transition. Crozer confirmed there are currently 59 parking spaces downtown (not including parking lots). The switch to angled parking would level 30 spots. However, since the publication of the Downtown Paris Master Plan, the county has gained upwards of 70 parking spaces on the former lot of the OPP detachment. Howes was impressed with the plan’s designs, which will widen sidewalks to

comply with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act standards.

“Municipalities have the responsibility by 2025 to make spaces compliant with AODA regulations, that includes us. We need wider sidewalks in order for there to be ramp access into some of these stores that are six inches off the ground,” stated Howes. “It’s easier to change how cars are parking, rather than move buildings six feet ”

To help address some of the issues, county staff are requesting authorization to continue to review the county’s landholdings in the downtown core and prepare a Memorandum of Understanding to hold discussions with private landowners regarding potential acquisitions or dispositions of land to maximize the space in the core Councillor John Bell said, “I support this recommendation including the change from angled parking to parallel parking, making Grand River Street more accessible, and working with private landowners to optimize the

of available downtown Paris core lands.”

Yet he did state the plan could be refreshed to bring it up to speed with changes to Paris’ downtown in the four years since the plan was adopted, citing that the police station is no longer downtown and the idea of a multi-story car park structure is tabled, as examples. “The proposal to work with other landowners is a smart proposal. In conversation with some of them, they want us to approach them and work with them. We should not miss that opportunity,” said Bell. He referred to reference from the county staff that suggests to expand the available streetscape space downtown, staff should maximize discussions with private landowners for potential acquisitions or dispositions of land.

Committee members unanimously supported the option to remove angled parking downtown, but it must go before council for final approval

Last year, the angled parking in front of this stretch of businesses was converted to parallel parking. If approved by council as part of the Downtown Paris Master Plan, the rest of downtown will look like this after 2025.

Photo by Michelle Malvaso

ARTIST FEATURE - JEANETTE OBBINK

Brush strokes paint the beauty of ordinary moments

IN THE

STUDIO

With Taren White

Amidst the chaos of bustling cities and the relentless pace of our daily lives, encountering individuals who have devoted their existence to capturing the exquisite beauty of our world is like taking a breath of fresh air. I

was fortunate enough to venture into the enchanting studio of Jeanette Obbink, a talented plein air artist and dedicated teacher and mentor. Jeanette's profound inspiration lies in the solace of nature, beckoning us to be still, to immerse ourselves in its tranquil embrace, and to create. Through her paintings, she effortlessly transports us to serene landscapes, where we can not only see but also feel the gentle caress of the breeze, smell the earthy

aromas of the wilderness, and hear the melodic whispers of nature's symphony. The sheer presence of Jeanette's studio exudes a sense of calm, providing a sanctuary where the world's chaos dissipates, allowing us to find peace in the intimate connection between art and nature. As I sat down with Jeanette, I couldn't help but be curious about her earliest memories of being inspired to create art. She shared with me that she grew up in a remarkably creative household, where her parents instilled in her a sense of wonder and encouraged her to see beyond the expected. Her father expressed his artistic vision through photography, while her mother explored various mediums, resulting in a collection of materials that sparked creativity at every turn. Jeanette and her sisters all found their unique creative expressions, but she was the only one who chose art as a career.

Throughout her artistic journey, Jeanette's sources of inspiration have evolved. Having moved countries twice, she has experienced different landscapes and environments, which have influenced her subject matter. While living in England, she developed a deep love for oil painting, and since moving to Canada, she has embraced the Canadian landscape as her primary inspiration. Jeanette's work reflects her connection with creation, inviting viewers to experience the time and place she captured on canvas. When asked about significant influences in her career, Jeanette emphasized the impact of her parents, who nurtured her artistic spirit.

Continued on page 10

Jeanette Obbink is moved by Canadian landscape as her primary inspiration and characterizes her pieces as representational with a touch of impressionism and hints of the Group of Seven's influence.

Photo by Taren White

ARTS & CULTURE

in the ordinary corners of their surroundings

expression

But she also acknowledged the importance of the people she encountered along her life's path, including colleagues, friends, professors, historical figures, outdoor painting buddies, and even her students. Each person brought a unique perspective that enriched both her life and her art. Jeanette's favourite medium to work with is oil, which is well suited for painting plein air While she still occasionally explores watercolour and acrylic, she finds the richness and versatility of oil unparalleled. Its ability to create soft edges and blend colours while maintaining a distinct finish captivates her artistic sensibilities.

Describing her work, Jeanette characterizes it as representational with a touch of impressionism and hints of the Group of Seven's influence Her intention is to transport viewers to the moment and place she experienced when painting, allowing them to pause, catch their breath, and find beauty

When inquiring about an interesting story from her life as an artist, Jeanette shared amusing anecdotes from her plein air painting experiences. Conversations with curious onlookers, encounters with the local police responding to concerned calls, and even encounters with wildlife added unexpected excitement to her artistic endeavours. However, she acknowledged that her studio provides a quieter and more private space for creative exploration.

Jeanette shed light on the less visible side of being an artist the business aspect. Artists must manage galleries, exhibitions, online presence, and more They must be self-motivated and navigate the unpredictable nature of what resonates with viewers and sells. Jeanette expressed gratitude for every piece she sells, considering it both a compliment and validation of her artistic

Living in Paris, Ontario, Jeanette finds herself surrounded by nature's beauty. While she laments the encroaching subdivisions, she cherishes the green spaces and farmland that still grace the area. The local community offers a vibrant artistic atmosphere, with fellow creators and numerous art events that bring people together to celebrate their shared passion Jeanette extends an invitation to all those interested in exploring the joy of plein air painting. She encourages everyone to give it a try, as the act of observing and standing still allows one to see and appreciate the world in ways that a camera snapshot cannot capture. Jeanette offers classes on Monday and Tuesday afternoons in her studio, and she often teaches through Glenhyrst, offering one day workshops or a series of watercolour classes For more information, please visit Jeanette’s www.obbink.ca

Campout marks end of Girl Guides year

The 6th Paris Guides were at Camp Teka last weekend for the end of year camp themed ‘It’s a Mystery!” A total of 18 registered girls, three Guiders and four volunteer moms enjoyed the beautiful weather, exploring a variety of activities, games and campfire rituals! To the right the 6th Paris Guides try to guess what’s in the ‘mystery box.’

Photos submitted by Corrinne McClure

Camp Teka, one of the last remaining Girl Guides Camps in Ontario located in Paris, Ontario

The name “Tekahionwake” was selected through a contest held in 1952. The word means “laughing waters” and was chosen in memory of Pauline Johnson. The camp opened in 1950, on 17 acres near Paris, north of Brantford.

Renovations and construction projects took place throughout the 1960s and 1970s In 1998 a fire devastated portions of Camp Teka’s permanent infrastructure.

Camp isn’t always about fun and games. The 6th Paris Guides learned a bit about fire safety during their stay at Camp Teka.

The Grand River Conservation Authority advised that developments in the surrounding area could encircle Camp Teka with subdivisions and gravel pits. Relocation of Camp Teka was considered, but it was decided to remain at the Paris location In 2007, the camp received a Trillium Grant, which allowed further renovations to upgrade the existing structures.

-As presented on Girl Guides Canada Website

The 2nd Paris Pathfinders had a blast during their year-end campout at Camp Impeesa last weekend. Ten Pathfinders, one Spark and two Leaders enjoyed the Rainbow themed camp (group pictured below)

Photos by Annette Wight

Pictured above are the third year Pathfinders who received their Canada Cord – Amelia Flint, Tessa Farrish, and Olivia Hamilton

Photos by Annette Wight

Help Burford Optimist Club fundraise for new skate park for kids

With plans to build in 2024, this new skate park will be a great addition to the Burford Community Centre Park!

After conducting community surveys online and hosting in person public consultation meetings, The Burford Optimist Club was pleased to share 3D designs of the new park, which incorporate the feedback received from community members. The new skate park’s location will be close to where the current skate park area is, with the basketball court being relocated to the multi-use court area behind the arena.

With the old basketball area relocated, there will be new green space between the splash pad and pavilion, to give easy access between the two. The new skate park area will be positioned a bit further away from the playground, with armour stone to help provide some separation. There will be a skate park seating area on the far side (ball diamond side).

The new skate park will be all concrete, with fun and challenging features for beginner riders as well as intermediate and advanced. Fundraising is in high gear, with plans to close the gap to $400,000 by this fall To date the project has raised $265,440.

To help the Optimists reach their full fundraising goal, a silent auction is open now until Monday June 26th . Snag some great deals and help support the project. Click here to visit the online auction and place your bid!

For 42 years, the Burford Optimist Club has been supporting the community through donations to local youth organizations. The Burford Skate Park will be the club’s biggest project since the splash pad 15 years ago!

3D Designs for the new Burford Skate park were unveiled this week by the Burford Optimist Club. The new park will be located near the existing one and construction is expected to begin in 2024.

Downtown Paris Revitalization Proposed in 1977

At the beginning of 1977, a study of downtown Paris, Ontario was done to determine the future of the area. MacNaughton Planning Consultants Ltd of Kitchener and J. D. Lee Engineering Ltd. prepared a report based on community input and engineering studies on alternative solutions for downtown revitalization. The proposals were to be presented at a public meeting Although the town council would make the final decision on any redevelopment plan for the downtown area, Mayor Jack Bawcutt had emphasized that the decision would be based on the wants and needs of the community. In January 1977 around 150 people attended a public meeting to hear reports on the challenges facing downtown Paris. Former Mayor M.H. Sharpe, a member of a committee formed by Mayor Jack Bawcutt to study downtown revitalization, released details of a proposal that was originally made by the committee to town council back in November 1975, recommending that a shopping and residential complex be developed on the periphery of the existing downtown area, above the maximum flood lines established

by the Grand River Conservation Authority. The proposed building would have central services, including parking, and offer facilities for the public utilities commission, municipal office, retail outlets, recreation, a theatre, banks, offices, and apartment units, as well as a senior citizens complex The committee believed that this would leave a large area of unused land (currently occupied by existing commercial buildings) to be landscaped in an attractive manner, making downtown Paris a unique and beautiful spot in the province of Ontario. Mayor Bawcutt said that any acquisition of land or relocating businesses or people would be done "on an equitable basis." The mayor indicated that the Ontario Downtown Revitalization Program under the ministry of housing's community renewal branch would be considered as a source of funding for the project The plan provides two-thirds of the financing for several types of revitalization

projects, with the town paying onethird. The province obtains its money back through increased assessment from the business area.

MacNaughton Planning had prepared questionnaires to gather background information to be used in the preparation of various proposals. The forms were available at the municipal office and were returned as quickly as possible. The responses to the questionnaire showed a strong opposition to the idea of massive redevelopment which would involve substantial clearing of structures and the construction of a large downtown shopping complex This was in keeping with the overall feeling that Paris has a downtown worth preserving and enhancing; it was decided that a big commercial block would do more damage to the character of the town than it would be worth

Continued on page 15

Revitalization of Downtown Under Way in 1980

creating no parking zones on both sides of Willow Street from Old Bridge Street to William Street and on both sides of William Street from Willow to Grand River Street North. The ban was expected to be in effect until the repairs to the high-level traffic bridge and the Nith River bridge were completed. Work on the two bridges was expected to continue through the summer months A town spokesman said the parking ban is being initiated because of increased traffic on both streets which were used as a detour route. The two streets are designated as county roads and require Brant County council approval for changes in parking regulations.

The revitalization of downtown Paris is under way. Work on the first of two areas to get a facelifting in 1980 began with the removal of the old sidewalk on the south side of William Street from Grand River Street North to Broadway Street. It was replaced with a four-foot-wide concrete walk and a five-foot path of paving bricks which will widen the walkway by about two feet. Also included in the work are new street lighting, trees, and benches, Brant County council is expected to pass a bylaw Wednesday

The Paris Business Improvement Association initially intended to do only the cenotaph area at the south end of Grand River Street North that year. The William Street portion was added when the association learned that the town was faced with tearing up the sidewalk to make repairs. Rather than wait until the next year, the association decided to go ahead that year. The decision turned out to be a break for the municipality which was expected to save about $2000 by sharing the work with the association. The town faced removing the sidewalk at its own expense to make repairs after rainwater seeped under it undermining it in several areas. The washed-out sections were repaired Later that year the cenotaph area was reworked to tie in with the over-all scheme for the downtown. New walkways were developed around the memorial with the addition of new shrubs trees, lighting, and rest areas. Changes were also made to parking in the area. The remainder of the downtown section was reworked the following year

The total project was expected to cost about $218,000 with $150,000 being provided as a low-interest loan from the ministry of housing. Town council contributed about $68,000. Downtown merchants would repay the ministry loan through the Business Improvement Association.

Recognizing hometown hockey hero Zac Dalpe

By Casandra Turnbull

Hometown hockey hero Zac Dalpe will be honoured later this year with a personalized banner that will be raised at the Brant Sports Complex Members of the Brant Sports Hall of Fame Committee heard of the plan during a recent meeting this month.

Tyler Pelton, who is also no stranger to the sport, is working with county staffer Matt Plumstead to develop the idea. Pelton said the thought came to him this past January, long before Zac scored his first NHL playoff goal against The Boston Bruins, in which he dedicated it to his hometown, sending a wave of support throughout Paris for Dalpe, despite playing for the team that knocked the Maple Leafs out of the Stanley Cup run

“He’s so humble, he wasn’t sure about it,” said Pelton, who’s working with Zac and the rest of the Dalpe family to create the banner Pelton said it’s important to idolize local hockey heroes who make it to the NHL because it gives minor hockey players the drive and ambition to follow in “Zac played a lot of his minor hockey right in Paris, which I tell all the kids I coach to give them something to dream for,” said Pelton, adding that making it to the NHL is so rare The fact that only a handful of Parisians have accomplished the dream is even more motivation for Pelton to make sure Zac’s successes are appropriately recognized. (Learn more about the Dalpe family and their connection to Paris in this Paris Past Column)

His perseverance over the last 14 years is another notable reason for the project “He’s never stopped fighting to play at the highest level.” Right now, Zac’s Carolina Hurricanes jersey is hanging in the Brant Sports Complex lobby, but it’s mostly visible if you’re looking for it, says Pelton “I wanted something a little more prominent When we win our championships, we show off our banners on the wall As a community we should be proud of Zac for a lot of things ”

The plan is still in the design concept stages Pelton will continue to work with Zac, his brothers Phil and Ben and their father Phil to create the specific design of the banner. Pelton and Plumstead hope to raise the flag this fall in a special ceremony with Zac in attendance if he’s available. Dalpe grew up in Paris and played for the Paris Wolfpack before playing for the Brantford 99’ers AAAclub

He played in the OHL and was drafted with the Stratford Cullitons Junior B club before signing with the British Columbia Hockey League’s Penticton Vees Junior A Club in 2007/2008 Later in 2008, he was selected by the Hurricanes in the 2nd round, 45th overall of the NHL Entry Draft Despite the draft he didn’t play the first year, he accepted a NCAA scholarship at Ohio State University and played for the Buckeyes before hitting the ice as a professional hockey player Dalpe has played with the Carolina Hurricanes, the Vancouver Canucks, the Buffalo Sabres, the Minnesota Wild the Columbus Blue Jackets and currently the Florida Panthers.

Below, Zac Dalpe celebrates his first NHL playoff goal in round one as the Florida Panthers faced the Boston Bruins.

Photo credit Jim Rassol – USA TODAY Sports

U9 Boys soccer team competes in Welland

Last weekend, the Paris FC U9 Boys Black team travelled to Welland for the Rose Festival. The team played very well together in a successful outing.

U16 Paris FC Girls win first round of Ontario Cup!

The Paris FC U16 girls won their first round of Ontario Cup 2-1 over Milton Magic. They advance through to the third round on Saturday, July 29. Congratulations on the advancement! Want to see more Ontario Cup action? The Paris FC U16 Boys face the Burlington Force later today, June 24th at 4 pm at Green Lane. Come support local soccer!

Coveted Blue Jays Homerun Jacket is talk of the ballpark!

Ten-year-old Colby Lemieux didn’t blast a homerun out of the park at last weekend’s softball tournament hosted by Cambridge Minor Baseball, but he did have the honour of wearing the coveted Toronto Blue Jays Homerun Jacket. The Cambridge boy was one of more than a hundred kids competing at the U10&11 tournament at Waterworks Park in Cambridge, hosted by Toyota Manufacturing. Colby’s team, the U10 Tier 1 Cambridge Cubs were treated to a special reward following a game – the chance to try on a piece of history. Although retired now, the Toronto Blue Jays Homerun jacket rose to fame in 2021 when Vladimir Guerrero Jr hit a missile out of Fenway Park. His Jays teammates presented him with the exclusive jacket and the rest, as they say, is history. The back of the jacket reads “La Gente Del Barrio” which translates to ‘the people of the neighbourhood.’ The countries listed are an ode to the Blue Jays players, coaches and support staff. Perhaps more excited than the kids, were the parents, coaches and spectators who also had a chance to try on the very jacket worn by some of the Jays’ heavy hitters during the 2021 and 2022 MLB season.

Photos submitted by Paris FC

U12 Paris FC Girls compete in Premier Cup

All photos credited to Melissa Ostrowercha

June 10-11, the Paris FC U12 girls went to Erie, PA for the Erie Premier Cup. They competed against three excellent state ranked teams in a 5-team group

Paris tied MSA (from Erie) 4-4 in their first game

Despite two quick goals, Paris fell back 4-2 on a strong middle from the MSA girls. Paris scored one late in the second half and the equalizer came in the last minute on a corner kick.

During game two Paris battled against the Pennsylvania State Finalists, Erie Admirals, in a tough 2-1 loss.

On the second day, Paris met the Welland Wizards for an early morning game The first half of play was

rocky with Welland leading 1-0 at the half. Paris tightened it down, though, and finished with a commanding 7-2 lead and a chance at a medal before facing the first place team, Soccer Vision Academy (from Ohio)

The Paris girls scored first and led 1-0 through the entire game, facing SVA’s very good passing with a tight defense. Unfortunately, karma got the team at the end of the game with a last minute corner kick equalizer in the wrong direction, to end in a 1-1 finish. Paris finished in third on points, with SVA taking the championship ship and the Erie Admirals with second.

The U12 Paris FC team, pictured above. To the right, the girls celebrate during a 4-4 tie game against MSA from Erie.

Paris players pictured during game three against Welland Paris won 7-2.

Ride with Fire this Canada Day!

Charity bike ride returns to raise money for Boots on the Ground

By Casandra Turnbull

If you’re looking for a way to keep active over the long weekend, while supporting a great cause, you might want to consider the 2nd Annual Ride with Fire event Spanning a 100 km loop, Ride with Fire takes cyclists of all skill levels and ages, through all eight fire stations. At each stop, riders can choose to end the race or carry on to the next station.

“Registration definitely exceeded my expectations,” said Mark Stouffer, after last year’s successful inaugural event. “The generosity of people who couldn’t ride but still donated directly to Boots on the Ground through this event, makes me proud to be a Canadian,” he added. Stouffer is the man behind Ride-withFire. He told the Paris Independent how the event came to life

After taking up cycling as a hobby in 2020, he began to push himself to ride greater distances, and while doing so he started to think about destinations

“As a County of Brant firefighter, I started to simply ride from one station to another and back again. Then it hit me, what is the distance, if I ride past all eight stations?” Stouffer said With the wheels in motion, figuratively and literally, he began mapping out the routes, with distance and safety in mind. As it turns out, the distance between all eight County stations is 100 kilometres. With that, an idea was born

With the routes in place, Stouffer then decided on a charity: Boots on the

Ground, an anonymous helpline that provides confidential peer support to First Responders across Ontario, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week The charitable organization is completely run and staffed by volunteers. It supports police officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, corrections officers and emergency dispatch operators. Even though the Ride-withFire has an underlining firefighting theme, additional first responders, the OPP and EMS, will be on hand to display their vehicles and answer questions.

Riders will select their starting point when they register There will be a shotgun start at your selected station at 7 am sharp. Stouffer hopes by starting early, riders will be out of the heat by lunch Interested riders are encouraged to register in advance online.

Ride with Fire event organizer Mark Stouffer and his wife, Lesley, at the Paris Fire Station at last year’s ride on July 1st , 2022. The Stouffers, along with their children Keith and Samantha and their grandchildren, Miles and Calvin, all participated in the county-wide cycling fundraiser in support of Boots on the Ground.

Photo by Casandra Turnbull

Pride weekend full of connections, celebrations and reflection

Arts & Entertainment

The people of Paris have many reasons to be proud of their community: there are bustling arts and cultural events happening regularly, with more wonderful options popping up all the time, there’s longstanding and strong support for sports and outdoor activities which contributes to our wellness and wealth as a town and county, and Paris is expanding and shifting into a global hub as more people from all cultures, walks and backgrounds build their lives and homes here too. This past weekend saw the inaugural (Unofficial Official) Paris Pride celebration pop up over three days and it was amazing to see this type of grassroots energy be accepted, attended and supported by the individuals, local businesses and the community at large; it was invigorating to feel a different kind of Paris pride.

Paris Pride 2023 spanned over three days and had a focus on: connecting, celebrating and

reflecting - three core things for better mental, physical and spiritual health.

The current world climate is very complicated for the LGBTQ+ people and as Canadians, although we enjoy many rights and freedoms some people can only dream of, we still need spaces and chances for connecting with each other and allies within our wider communities, and we still need reminders and support for the many things we do, are, and want to have, to live contented and full lives

Being 2SLGBTQIA+ is so often reduced to who you love - which is true - but it’s also about the ways we are like "everyone else”, the ways we’re entirely different, our art, our history, pop culture, life lessons and our shared experiences Pride is so often reduced to celebration - which it is - but it is also a protest, it is also

taking up space, it is also sharing resources, learning and expanding in our organizing, governing and self caring. So this first Paris Pride tried to touch on all those things

Last Friday’s events at Arepa Love and the Dog-Eared Cafe were very chill and accessible, created to make connections, to keep things casual, to take up space in a gentle visibility kinda way. I’m really grateful to both establishments for supporting this effort with their amazing energies. Saturday was all about being celebratory and community minded as the people of Paris were encouraged to support Oxford County Pride and Brantford Pride in the afternoon. I had the pleasure of attending Brantford Pride in Mohawk Park, and it was an absolutely beautiful and brilliant event!

Continued on page 21

Drag Queen and violinist Melody Bijou during last weekend’s pride celebration in Paris.

Photo by Shoebox Pics

So well organised, so many moving parts, so many lovely attendees and volunteers, it was exceptional. Hats off to the organizers and many volunteers who made it happen.

The party continued downtown Paris at the DogEared Cafe with a little show, lots of local talents and a tiny dance floor to ring in this vey special occasion. Sunday was for refreshing and reflecting and that was all thanks to the wonderful Five Oaks Centre team who gave us access to their tranquil grounds, led us on a really interesting walk in the woods - and through Five Oaks’ history - and gave us the use of their gazebo for a workshop with meditation, journaling and other soft and strengthening activities. It was the perfect way to end a really exciting weekend, and we’re grateful to everyone who supported and attended any and all of the activities we had on offer this year.

I grew up in Paris, my descendants built farms, barns and families on Keg Lane in the early 1900’s, my grandmother worked at The Whitehorse and my grandfather worked at Penmans. I have a long personal history with Paris and so I know that the changes in town have been intense, jarring and hard at times. But these changes give us so many more reasons to be proud, to connect, and to widen our community to include as many varied and vibrant people as possible I’m very proud of Paris after this weekend, and of all the small cities, towns and counties celebrating Pride this year. I’m prouder than I have ever been, and I know this is only the beginning. Thank you again to everyone who supported Paris Pride 2023 and stay tuned for 2024. It’s gunna be bigger, bolder and even more beautiful!

SCOREBOARD FEBRUARY 16

Rubyyy Jones, pictured with Mayor David Bailey at a pride celebration in Brantford this past weekend. The little signs of support throughout town make this month’s celebration even more meaningful.

Photos by Big Cityyy Arts

Youngster lucky winner of brand new bicycle!

The Paris Community Safety Group recently held their ANNUAL bike rodeo at the Syl Apps Community Centre (side parking lot) in Paris. This free event encouraged the participants to learn the rules of the road and the skills needed to ride their bike in a safe manner. Each child received a bicycle safety accessory donated by the Paris Fire Fighters Club and the winner of the new bicycle, donated by McNaughton Co Operators was Franklin Baxter from Ayr A big thank-you to the volunteers from the Paris Optimist Club and Leo Vos from the Brantford Safety Village for loaning bikes to any child needing a bike to be included and participate. Paris fighter Mike Suski shared his knowledge in providing the safety checks of the bicycles

Submitted by Edith Sone, Chair - Paris Community Safety Group

Above, left to right, Edith Stone Chair Paris Community Safety Group, Kristen Wrigglesworth representing McNaughton Co Operators, Tom Baxter (Franklin’s dad) and Franklin Baxter, winner of a brand new bike. Above right, children pick out their bike safety prizes at the Paris Community Safety Group Bike Rodeo held June 10th

Photos submitted by Edith Stone

Keeping Paris clean, one road at a time!

The Paris Horticultural Society was keeping up with its mandate again this past weekend – helping to beautify Paris! Approximately 10 PHS volunteers were out along Keg Lane Saturday morning collecting garbage littered along the stretch of road, which they’ve adopted through the Adopt a Road program. The group cleaned up the section of Keg Lane from the Fairgrounds to Trussler Road and by the end of the morning had filled 10 large black garbage bags and six blue recycling bags of debris left alongside the road.

Classic Cruises to explore across the county!

Photo submitted by Paris Horticultural Society

Last call for Salute to Brant nominations

MEDIA RELEASE (Brant Economic Development) - Nominations are STILL open for this year's Salute to Brant!

“Take a moment to nominate an outstanding County of Brant business,” said Zach Gable, Director of Economic Development and Tourism. “

This year, there’s four categories including Agriculture, High Growth and Innovation, Good Times in Brant, and the Sustainability Award.”

More information about the Award Categories include:

•Brant Farms For All Agriculture Award: Recognize an agriculture business or a business that directly supports the agriculture sector that has positively contributed to the agriculture sector and/or addresses challenges related to agriculture in Canada

.•Brant Works High Growth and Innovation Award: Recognize a business that has experienced significant growth over the last 24 months or has implemented innovative practices into their day-to-day operations.

•Good Times in Brant Award: Recognize a business or organization that is in the tourism industry, or directly supports visitation to the County of Brant while creating a positive impact on the environment and the community.

•Our Future Brant Sustainability Award: Recognize a business in the County of Brant that has implemented sustainable practices into their day-to-day practices.

“We are looking forward to receiving submissions as we have so many incredible

businesses located in the County of Brant,” added Gable “Self-nominations are also encouraged ”

Nominations will close on Monday, June 26, 2023, at 12:00 am

Find the nomination forms for each category online here.

Yoga is a great practice for the maturing body

Yoga Moment with Heidi Pfleger

Yoga is an ideal practice for Seniors as it offers many benefits for the ‘maturing’ body.

Let’s take a look at a few benefits you can expect:

1. Improved Sleep Habits – If you sleep well, consider yourself fortunate as many people don’t. If you aren’t so fortunate, yoga may be even more ideal for you! The guided relaxation, deepened breathing and meditation practices help to calm your mind which creates a better night’s sleep and a more energetic day ahead

2. Mental Clarity – If you are finding yourself forgetting things or if you have having difficulty focusing, yoga might very well be for you! Balance poses and meditation practices require concentration. Both help to improve mental clarity and cognition. In other words, yoga can help to keep your mind sharp and improve your memory

3 Improved Balance, Strength and Flexibility – The natural effects of aging leave seniors at a higher risk for falling. In fact, the Canadian Institute for Health Information reported in 2019 that 4 out of 5 injury hospitalizations involving seniors were due to falls. That is a staggering statistic! Practicing yoga is an excellent way to reduce your risk of falling as the slow, mindful movements stretch and strengthen your body It also creates more flexibility, which helps to protect you if you do happen to slip and fall.

4. Stronger Bones and Reduced Joint Pain – Getting up and out of bed isn’t as easy now as when we

were 20 and it is not uncommon nowadays to discover you have osteoporosis once you hit 50 or 60. The reality is that, as we age, our bones lose density and our joints start to become stiff. While there is no getting around that, a gentle yoga practice can help slow down the loss of bone density and relieve joint pain.

5 It Slows Down the Aging Process – Yes, it’s true! And, if we all knew this, we would have started doing yoga decades sooner! The aging process typically causes changes in the heart and blood vessels.

Continued on page 26

There’s plenty of health benefits for seniors who want to explore Yoga. It not only helps your physical strength, balance and endurance but also your mental strength as the body matures.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

The breathing practices in yoga help to improve your circulation, bringing more oxygen to your heart and blood, thereby slowing down your heart rate and keeping you in a younger state. The strengthening aspects of yoga also not only slows age-related muscle loss, it can actually reverse the loss of muscle mass

6. It Can Help Lower Blood Pressure – Again, yes, it’s true! The slow and mindful movements, combined with meditation and deeper breathing, help to slow down the activity in your nervous system. This, in turn, helps to manage blood pressure levels. It is not uncommon for seniors who regularly practice yoga to be able to reduce their blood pressure medication (under medical advisement). An important note to mention here is that if you are taking blood pressure medication, you should never practice breath retention.

7 Reduced Back Pain – Yoga helps to correct posture and it also strengthens your back Many of us lose our core strength as we age and become more sedentary. A gentle yoga practice with a good teacher can help to strengthen your core and your back muscles and also reduce back pain. With so many benefits, it’s clear that yoga is well worth trying out. So, now, the question arises on what type of yoga should you do as a senior?

First, and foremost, it is important that you speak with a yoga teacher and find out if they have experience in working with seniors Many newer teachers are not aware that you should never retain your breath if you have low or high blood pressure, so it is important that you start out with a seasoned yoga teacher.

Second, do not be discouraged if you are just starting out with yoga. It’s never too late to start. While the advanced headstands, handstands and pretzel-like poses may not be for you, it is surprising how a pose can be modified to suit just about every body. Here are a few suggestions to consider when looking

for a suitable yoga class:

1. Start with a Senior’s Class – Many studios offer this so they are most likely to have a teacher who is experienced. There are also many videos available online specifically geared to senior’s yoga.

2 Try Chair Yoga – Getting up from the mat may be challenging so Chair Yoga might better suit you Many poses are customized so that they can be done using a chair. These variations will still help to strengthen you back and core as well as promote greater flexibility in your body.

3. Try Restorative or Yin Yoga – These styles are typically done on a mat rather than a chair and are held for longer periods of time. Both styles use props that will enable you to stay in a pose more comfortably Generally speaking, the longer a pose is held, the greater the benefit to your muscles, bones, internal organs and connective tissues.

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.

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

Aries: March 21 - April 19 (Fire) –You are determined to master balance in your life You will balance your wealth, by making a budget, then you will balance your love life by having a serious conversation and finally balance your soul by doing some good deeds for those in need.

Taurus: April 20 - May 20 (Earth)

– You will stay busy with family events and work. You will feel like you have no time to yourself. All this is good for you, it forces you to connect with your loved ones and to start to put way more of your focus on making more money

Gemini: May 21 - June 20 (Air) –You will be thinking about all the possessions you own this week All the material things you have and what do you really need? It may be time to have a yard sale or start giving away things. Even the baggage in your love life will creep in, time to face that head on and express your true feelings.

Cancer: June 21 – July 22 22 (Water) – You will struggle to express yourself You need an outlet to show all the people around you how you have been truly feeling lately You have an abundance of energy this week, this is much needed to catch up and to use this to do fun things.

Leo: July 23 - August 22 (Fire)

– You want to lay low this week Just to take the time to gather your feelings and think about what you really want in your career and your love life. This is the time to stay quiet, until you feel no doubt on the choices you need to make and what it is you really want to do

Virgo: August 23 - September 22 (Earth) – You need to get out and meet new people. Join a group or go out to social activities You have a very likeable energy around you this week Perfect to start a new relationship or a new friendship or advance your status at work. Use it.

Libra: September 23 - October 22 (Air) - You will have a glow about you this week and will be looking good to others You should start dating or ask for the long awaited raise You will be able to shoe all around you your worth and your confidence will soar by the weekend.

Scorpio: October 23 - November 21 (Water) – You feel like things and people are holding you back This will reach a breaking point by mid week and you will become moody and unreasonable. Examine what is really making you feel lost?? This is an inner you problem, so try hard not to blame those people around you

Sagittarius: November 22December 21 (Fire) – Focus on bringing yourself more money It may come from inheritance or as a gift What do you really want to do with it? You definitely need a few things, but nothing more important than peace. So, find what brings you peace and spend it on that You have earned it

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19 (Earth) – Take advantage of any opportunities that come to you this week At work say yes, friends invite you out say sure I will come, lover shows up be up for anything and everything Saying yes, this week will leave you very satisfied and a bit richer

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18 (Air) – You will be juggling a lot, but you can do it Spending time with all your loved ones will bring you the inner peace you have been seeking lately. Warning: Just because you have extra money does not mean you have to spend it, try saving this week you will thank me in a month

Pisces: February 19 - March 20 (Water) – There is positive energy swirling around you. Reach out, grab it, go out and do all the fun activities you can think of Tell your lover how much you love them and plan a romantic night out A huge family event reunites you with people you have been missing, enjoy this

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

Showtimes for Galaxy Cinemas Brantford

For Saturday, June 24, 2023

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts