The Paris Independent for Saturday May 20th, 2023

KIWANIS TEDDY BEAR PICNIC!

Sunday, June 4th from 1 pm to 3:30 pm at the Paris Fairgrounds Family fun games, parade of stars, contests, snack trucks and more! Everyone welcome!

THIS WEEK

PDHS RUGBY TEAM CWOSSA BOUND!

Pages 5-6

SPRING HAS OFFICIALLY SPRUNG!

Pages 9-13

SHOWCASING LOCAL TALENT

Pages 21-24

The Paris District High School Girls Varsity Rugby team is CWOSSA bound, despite its first loss of the season against BCI in the A.A.B.H.N finals on Wednesday night. The girls played a hard-fought 12-7 game against BCI who claimed its 13th straight A A B H N title More details on page 18

Submitted photo

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

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

226-387-2490

519-442-4955

226-216-3037

519-209-2277

519-442-7134

Administration & Bylaw: 519-442-7268

Paris Customer Service Office 66 Grand River St. N. 519-442-7268

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

Main Services include:

- Accounts Receivable invoice payments

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

- Brant Transit punch cards purchase and pick up

- Building Permits may be submitted and Building staff consulted

- Calendar pick up (free)

- Commissioner of Oath is by appointment only

- Dog license and tag

- Dog Park membership and key

- Parking ticket payment

- Property Tax payments and inquiries

- Public Works permits may be submitted

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

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

Brant Sports Complex & Other Facility Booking

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

519-442-1944

- 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

STATEMENT

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! LONG WEEKEND FIREWORKS! –Saturday, May 20th at 6:30 pm at the Princeton Ball Park, hosted by Princeton Firefighters and Princeton Women's Auxiliary with Friends of the Princeton Park. Fire trucks, OPP, EMS (If Available), Township Equipment, Reptile Show, Bouncy Castles, BBQ, Popcorn.

JAY WELLS PARK OPENING

Friday, May 26 (rain date May 29) at 1 Scenic Ridge Gate, Paris from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. The County invites you to join them for ribbon cutting ceremony, meet and greet with Jay Wells, hockey skills games, giant yard games and more! READ ABOUT JAYWELLS ON PAGES 14-15

THE CELTIC TRIO – Sunday, May 28th at Burford United Church at 137 King St at 2 pm. Featuring Allison Lupton, Shane Cook and Kyle Waymouth. Adults, $30, children under 12 $10. Tickets available at Betty’s Place, Harris Jewelers and Burford United Church.

GARBAGE AND RECYCLING SERVICES

OVERVIEW OPEN HOUSE – Hosted by the County of Brant on Thursday, May 25th from 5:30 pm to 8 pm at the Brant Sports Complex (Lafarge room). We invite you to attend an in-person, drop-in, open house to learn more about the various service options and associated costs Staff will provide tours of the presented information throughout the night. Feedback will be collected by a print or digital survey.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

THE WRITER’S VISION BOARD- Hosted by the County of Brant Library on Saturday, May 27th at 1:30 pm. Join us and explore the creative processes behind good storytelling (fiction and non-fiction), and create individual vision boards that will encourage, motivate, and energize you and your writing. Register for the workshop at or connect with staff at your local branch to sign up This is a free event.

CARA SMITH BAND PRESENTED BY THE BURFORD OPTIMIST CLUB- A night of country music and classic rock covers, with 100% of proceeds going to the new skatepark in Burford. Saturday, June 3 from 8 pm to 12 am at the Burford Community Centre Learn more and get your tickets online.

Vernon 905-536-2037 for more information.

PARIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY JUNE MEETINGJune 7th at the Paris Fairgrounds at 7:30 pm. Our guest speaker is truly Anna Leggatt from York on June 7th(last minute switch happened in May), her topic is ‘Shade Gardens’. Anna writes for several magazines on topics which include her travels abroad, and subjects that reflect her vast interest and passion for gardening We welcome visitors. Come and join your local Garden Club!

See story in next week’s edition!

PARIS LIONS CLUB WALK FOR DOG GUIDES – Sunday, June 4th meeting at Lion’s Park Paris for registration at 1 pm Everyone welcome to participate. Check out the story in last week’s edition!

PARIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY GARDEN TOURSaturday & Sunday, June 3 & 4th from 10 am - 4 pm in Paris Come and visit behind the gates of six beautiful Paris and area gardens Live Musician’s and Local Artist’s will be performing In the gardens Tickets $15.00 per person. Tickets may be purchased in advance at Sobey's Floral Department in Paris, Green Heron Books, Walter’s Greenhouse or at the Gardens on the day of the event. Please call Anne

ANNUAL BIKE RODEO –Hosted by the Paris Community Safety Group on Saturday June 10th, at the Syl App’s Community Centre, side parking lot from 10 am 12 pm. Free! Everyone ages 4-12 are welcome to attend. There is a chance to win a bicycle, courtesy of Robin McNaughton from the CoOperators

Paris Firefighters’ popular fish fry returns this year – with a smoke-filled twist!

By Casandra Turnbull

A popular Paris Firefighters Club fundraiser is returning for the first time since the pandemic – with a smoking twist! For the last 20 years, the club hosted a successful, and often sold out, fish fry to help raise money for a slew of community projects the group supports. Like many other events and fundraisers, Covid put the brakes on the fish fry, but it returns next month under a new persona: a smoked meat dinner, dance and fundraiser.

“The fish fry has been a fantastic tradition for many years and drew great crowds to support the Paris Firefighters Club’s fundraiser,” says Matt Amy, a member of the firefighters’ club and a member of the fundraising committee for the dinner. Anyone who attended one of the popular fish fry events will easily recall the delicious fish dinner served by long time caterers, Knechtels. Amy says they have since retired so the firefighters club is freshening up the dinner aspect of the fundraiser by offering a smoked meat dinner.

“The Crazy Canuck Smokers will be providing the food for the event this year and we’re really excited about it,” says Amy “They’ve won several awards from numerous Ribfest events and in 2020 opened the Crazy Canuck Smokehouse restaurant in Brantford. They’ll be bringing one of their smoker trailers to the venue early that morning to start the smoking process.”

Continued on page 6

The Crazy Canuck Smokehouse restaurant in Brantford.

In previous years, the annual dinner and dance fundraiser has raised thousands of dollars to help them support a variety of community projects such as the Lions Park baseball diamond renovations, the Brant Sports Complex dressing room sponsorships and the Paris dam lighting and walkway, to name a few. The club is also notorious for supporting community initiatives Earlier this year they hosted a community touch a truck event to raise money for a local restaurant owner battling cancer. They’re also famous for bringing Santa Claus to town on a fire truck and more recently responsible for taking over and successfully hosting the Paris Santa Claus parade in its new north-end parade route. If you’ve skated on an outdoor rink this past winter, thank a Paris Firefighter!

To help support the Fire & Smoke Dinner and Fundraiser, they group is asking for financial donations or donations of goods/products or gift certificates for the silent auction and door prizes. The funds raised from the donations always make their away back into the community.

Amy says the exact projects the group plans to support this year is under wraps at this time, but he did tease that “We are talking with some other local groups and are really excited about some projects that are on the horizon We hope to be able to make announcements soon.”

As the event draw near, the excitement is mounting. “We’re anticipating the fundraiser to be a great success, already having sold a large number of tickets to those waiting its return since the hiatus over the Covid years,” says Amy And it’s not just the community that’s excited. So are the local firefighters and their families. It takes over 40 members to organize and execute this exciting event, which wouldn’t be possible without everyone’s support, says Amy.

The Paris Firefighters Club Fire & Smoke Dinner and Fundraiser takes place on Saturday, June 3 They are accepting donations until May 31 and you can donate by reaching out to them by email: Breanna.meza@brant.ca or Michael.suki@gmail.com

Girl Guides of Paris savour sweet success!

Sparks, Embers, Girl Guides, Patherfinders and Rangers from all units joined together on May 17th to celebrate the Sweet Success of completing another full year guides. Some members were recognized in a bridging up ceremony, which officially welcomes them to a new unit in the fall. During evening, 5th Paris Embers guide, Rainspark (Genevieve on the left) was presented by Sunshine Owl (Sue on the right) with a special Bronze Award for her incredible efforts in her first year as a guide leader. Registration is now open for the 2023/2024 year.

Photo by Casandra Turnbull

Community rallies to help nine sick puppies rescued by the Brant County SPCA

Thanks to the generosity of a local business and members of the community, a litter of sick puppies is on the mend after they became seriously ill with a highly contagious disease.

Early May, the Brant County SPCA placed 12 mastiff mix puppies into foster homes, according to a press release they issued earlier this week. The puppies’ mama had an unexpected litter of 12 pups and the owner reached out to the SPCA for help in finding homes for them.

Later that week, the Brant County SPCA animal care team received a call from one of their foster volunteers reporting that a pup seemed nauseated, and that they were concerned.

Within a few hours, the calls started to come in from other fosters, and the Brant County SPCA teams rushed two of the 12 puppies to an emergency vet clinic.

The pups tested positive for canine parvovirus (parvo) and since they were just recently separated, the entire litter had been exposed. Parvo is a highly contagious disease passed from dog-to-dog that has a 91% mortality rate when left untreated.

Animal Care staff jumped into action triaging the puppies’ showing symptoms and providing both inpatient (in a Vet Clinic) and outpatient (at the shelter and in foster homes) care for 9 of the 12 pups; three managed to not catch it.

The sick pups were treated with IV medication and closely monitored. Even with treatment, parvo is awful The puppies endured days of nonstop diarrhea and vomiting, which makes it tough for them to keep food down and absorb muchneeded nutrients, which are critical in their early stages of growth and development. Billy, one of the pups rushed to the vet, eventually needed a feeding tube

The Brant County SPCA is a not-for-profit organization that has been providing animal protection and welfare services in the City of Brantford and the County of Brant for over 50 years. While they were doing everything they could to keep the puppies alive and protecting the other dogs in their care (as well as the volunteers and staff), the vet bill was climbing. Costs have already reached $6,000 and will continue to climb until everyone has recovered.

The press released noted that the Brant SPCA asked supporters to donate to help cover the puppies’ medical bills and they were blown away by the community’s immediate response They wanted to thank the community for raising over $10,000 for these puppies in need. The Scotlynn Group, who hosted a bake sale at their Brantford Vittoria and Norfolk locations, raised a remarkable $4,500 in a short period of time. Continued on page 8

The Scotlynn Group fundraised $4,500 to help the Brant SPCA cover the costs of treating a little of puppies who were gravely ill with the Parvo virus this month.

Mounties Report

"At Scotlynn, we take pride in fostering a culture of teamwork and community spirit. I am proud to share that our employees have raised $4,500 for the Brant County SPCA's Project Patchwork program,” says Scott Biddle, CEO & President of Scotlynn. “The generosity and dedication of our team truly embody the values that we strive for at Scotlynn. We hope that our efforts inspire others in the community.”

Although many of the puppies are still under observation, they are getting stronger day by day, reports the SPCA Eight puppies are recovering well and currently scheduled for vaccines and eventually spay/neuter surgery. They will be up for adoption. Three of the puppies that never showed symptoms of Parvo are thriving in their foster homes and will be available for adoption. One puppy, Sampson (aka Sammie), wasn’t responding to treatment and sadly passed away.

“Our hard-working staff and incredible foster families were working tirelessly 24-7 to ensure the puppies received the care they

needed. We’re so grateful for our local veterinarians and RVTs at Paris Veterinary Clinic and Brant Norfolk Veterinary Clinic who provided the emergency treatment and ongoing support to help us provide the best inpatient and outpatient care,” says Nadine Dwinnell, Director of Animal Care. This story is cautionary tale to remind pet owners of the importance of vaccines, which can prevent illnesses like Parvo. In addition to working closely with amazing local veterinarians, the Brant County SPCA also works collaboratively with the University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College’s Kim and Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership Program (CHPP) to optimize Shelter Medicine care at their shelter.

The ongoing work will support shelter staff on things like Shelter Medicine best practices, disease prevention, outbreak management and developing policies and procedures to ensure we provide the highest level of care for the animals at the SPCA.

It is with the incredible support of

local veterinarians, advice from OVC’s Kim & Stu Lang CHPP, the tireless work from the animal care team and foster families that these puppies’ lives were saved. Donations and fundraisers like this one support the Brant County SPCA’s Project Patchwork program that helps animals that need above-and-beyond medical care. If you would like to donate, it's not too late! You can do so online at wwwbrantcountyspca com today to help Billy and his siblings on the road to recovery.

This sick little pup is on the mend now, thanks to the fast actions of the Brant SPCA Submitted photos

Camp Phoenix fire camp applications close May 31

Camp Phoenix is returning for a second year, after a successful program last summer empowered young women from across the county Camp Phoenix is a free, immersive day camp hosted by the County of Brant Fire Department. It’s open to young women ages 14-18 who are interested in pursuing a career in fire fighting. This year’s camp will take place from July 12 to July 16 and will introduce the girls to real life scenarios in all areas of fire prevention and suppression, including search and rescue, forcible entre, auto extrication and

basic first aid and more

The application process closes on May 31 You can find more information on this camp online Last year, organizer’s received 53 applications and 20 were hand picked to take part in the camp. The most rewarding part of the camp, according to camp leader, Lisa Herbert, is watching the girls grow.

“Some were shy and nervous at the start of the week and we watched those girls bloom in the course of a few days!”

Preparation underway for Annual Garden Tour

Catch a glimpse of Paris’ most creative and well maintained properties as the Horticultural Society presents its annual tour June 3-4

By Carolina Saenz

The Paris Horticultural Society (PHS) always has something for all garden and nature lovers to enjoy, from their annual plant sale (the successful one-day fundraiser was held last Saturday) to their regular meetings and presentations Their most anticipated event of the year, however, is their Annual Garden Tour – and it’s just right around the corner. This exciting event takes on Saturday June 3rd and Sunday June 4th from 10 am to 4pm. Six beautiful gardens in Paris and area will be featured, alongside local artists and musicians who will preform. Serryn Stephenson, Publicity Director for the PHS, and Anne Vernon, organizer of the Garden Tours, share all the details about the Garden Tour, which took roots in Paris in 2001.

Since then, the annual event has grown to include local artists and musicians, to enhance the visitors’ experience, also giving the artists and musicians extra

Mark your calendar, the Paris Horticultural Society’s popular Garden Tour returns the first weekend in June. Hosts are busy preparing their landscapes! Paris Horticultural Society Photos

exposure in the community. The Garden Tour was originally hosted on the same weekend as “Springtime in Paris,” an annual celebration of Spring that always filled Lion’s Park the first weekend in June. It passed through several organizers before folding a few years ago, and the Garden Tour continued to grow into an event all its own Rain or shine homeowners and talented gardeners graciously open their gates for attendees to tour their grounds and admire the displays of creativity. It is a volunteer-run event, and an important fundraiser for the PHS. The gardens featured are searched out by the PHS Garden Tour committee and are contacted a year in advance.

“We are always looking for new gardens to tour. Any suggestions would be welcome,” shares Vernon. This year’s gardens include three country properties and three in-town properties

Continued on page 10

Fifteen groups of musicians and artists will be participating, including well-known local artists Amy Walsh Harris, Jeanette Obbink, The Beechnuts, some members of the local sketching group, as well as The Little String Orchestra and Katie’s Music Group from Brantford.

Tickets are $15/ person and can be purchase in advance at Sobey’s floral department, Green Heron Books, Home Hardware (on Rest Acres Road), Walters Garden Centre, and Dragonfly Landscaping Supply. They will also be available at any of the participating gardens on the weekend of the tour. If you like what you see on tour, or you have a genuine interest in gardening, the PHS welcomes visitors and encourages everyone to learn more by attending a meeting. Their next one will be held on June 7th at the Paris Fairgrounds, with social time starting at 7 pm and the meeting at 7:30 pm This meeting will feature the annual Flower Show with the theme “Royalty Past and Present: Celebrating Elizabeth and Charles,” a competition amongst PHS members.

Guest speaker Anna Leggatt, who writes for several magazines and much more, will also be presenting on the topic of ‘Shade Gardens’ on this date In addition to their June meeting, this summer will include excursions, socials, and an annual ‘mystery tour’ for members to enjoy. “As a long-time member of the PHS (also director on the executive), I invite newcomers to come and join us. We are the Friendly Garden Club; you will be welcomed with a smile,” writes Stephenson.

It will no doubt be a memorable summer with all PHS events on the calendar. The annual plant sale held last Saturday, May 13th was just the exciting beginning. “Our plant sale 2023 was truly most amazing. We had weeks of planning and preparations Countless volunteers before and during the sale. Everyone was impressed with the setup, the quality of the plants, the variety and just friendliness People were lined up 40 minutes before the sale began. A huge success!” concludes Stephenson.

Planting seeds of success at annual plant sale

The Paris Horticultural Society’s Annual Plant sale was another smashing success this year. Held last Saturday, May 13th, the morning long event sold out and there was even a line up of eager garden enthusiasts waiting to get in 40 minutes before the doors opened. Members of PHS also took the opportunity to sell tickets to their upcoming Garden Tour June 3-4. (More photos on next page).

Paris Horticultural Society Photos

was a

is one of a

Photos by Carolina Saenz

Garbage and Recycling Services in Brant –

The County of Brant will review garbage and recycling service options in preparation for future contracts. The purpose is to review existing services and identify potential new services for upcoming contracts, considering the costs to taxpayers and the needs of residents. The County of Brant currently provides the following garbage and recycling services:

- Weekly curbside collection and disposal of garbage

- Weekly curbside collection and processing of recyclable materials

- Operation of Biggars Lane Landfill site and Paris Transfer Station

- Yard waste collection in urban areas

- Annual Household Hazardous and Special Waste collection event

- Curbside collection of Christmas

have your say!

trees in January

- Curbside bulky waste collection by call-in request

- Subsidized sale of backyard composters

The open house takes place May 25 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm at the Brant sports complex. Asecond open house is scheduled for June 5 from 5:30 pm to 8 pm at the Cainsville Community Centre More info available online

To the left, Pat Hasler-Watts, Bob Hasler, Tamara Neely, PHS volunteers who helped ensure last weekend Plant Sale

success. It

couple major fundraisers held by the society each year. Proceeds help the club beautify downtown Paris and local parks. Pictured above is PHS member Brenda Simpson and perhaps one of the plant sale’s youngest customers, Mackinley

You’re never too young to dig into horticulture!

By Carolina Saenz

The time to garden and enjoy the warmth outdoors is here, and it is never too early to start learning about plants and nature. The Equal Ground Community Gardens (EGCG) group is launching a brand new program for children to do just that. The Earl Haig Little Gardeners program is a free drop-in opportunity for children and their adults to learn all about plants, seeds, compost, soil, worms, vegetables, and much more Taylor Edwards, Greenhouse and Learning Centre Coordinator at EGCG, shares everything you need to know about this exciting new addition! While EGCG has previously run children’s programs through the Grand River Community Health Centre, this year is the first time they are running their own independent program at the Earl Haig Community Garden (located at 101 Market St S, Brantford). The facilitator for this is Giovanna Rose-Grande, who ran a similar program at the Warwick OCC Community Garden in Burlington Her experience and education in environmental science, teaching, and psychology, are definite assets to her leading this new venture.

“She is passionate about giving children the opportunity and green space to explore nature

and growing your own food. When Giovanna approached the organization, it was a no brainer! We're grateful to have her on board,” writes Edwards.

The program is free and drop-in, only requiring participants to register once through the website wwwegcgbrant ca or at 519-761-9467 It will run every Tuesday from May 16th to September 26th from 5 pm to 6 pm at the Earl Haig Community Garden. It is recommended for ages 2 to 12 years old, and siblings, grandparents, and related adults are all welcome to join. Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Continued on page 13

These youngsters demonstrate you’re never too young to learn the value of horticulture and producing your own food. They’re taking part in the Equal Ground Community Garden Little Gardeners program, a free drop-in opportunity open to everyone.

“Attendees will learn about soil, insects, sunlight, water, shadows, growing their own food, food variety, harvesting, among many other topics. Attendees will regularly have harvest to take home!”, explains Edwards. This program is casual and attendees are encouraged to get dirty, ask questions, and explore nature. At the end of the season, students will be provided with a booklet that recaps the season including lessons learned and photos. On the very first week of May 16th, children were visited by a little friend and learned that it was a toad!

The EGCG is wonderful group that offers a variety of programs for all to enjoy. Their community gardens and host garden programs run every year. This year, there are 46 host gardeners registered, who get support from EGCG to get their backyard gardens started with seeds, soil, compost, and in return, they donate 20% of their harvest to the community The Garden Planning Series was just wrapped up, helping participants get their gardens running for the season. To run successfully, EGCG relies on their volunteers, and being such a busy organization, they are always looking for more volunteers to get involved and support them through events, fundraising, and marketing

“Community members are welcome to fill out of volunteer form on our website or reach out if they're unsure of how they want to get involved EGCG relies on community partnerships to get our momentum going. Any interested parties, whether

that be for classes, workshops, donate plants or supplied, etc are always welcome to reach out!”, writes Edwards.

Do you want to make an impact in your community and teach your children the basic skills of growing your own produce? Consider the Equal Ground Community Gardens kids’ program.

Paris Park to be named after local Hockey Star Jay Wells

When you talk to the people of Paris about the NHL, they will undoubtedly mention Syl Apps Sr., one of the Parisians to make it to the big leagues. Syl Apps hung up his skates in 1948 after an illustrious career and two Stanley Cups with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he is now enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

But there is another Parisian, Jay Wells, that also made his mark in the NHL and brought home the Stanley Cup to Paris. He was born on May 18, 1959, and drafted into the NHL in 1979 as a six-foot-one, 210-pound defenseman who built his muscles doing chores on his father’s farm at the end of Keg Lane It’s also where he learned to skate and play hockey on the fabled Wells Pond.

Jay is the youngest of three brothers (he also has two sisters), and hockey runs in the family. Brothers Don and Bill played senior "A" with the Cambridge Hornets, and before that, Bill helped the Toronto Marlboros win the Memorial Cup in 1974 Jay learned the game in the Ayr minor system. His father (Scott) used to

play for the Ayr Rockets, he knew more people there, so that's where Jay played, even though they were eight miles closer to Paris. From the Ayr minors, Jay went on to play junior "B" with the Preston Raiders. Then he was drafted by Kingston. Until then, he hadn't really thought about playing junior A or the NHL He didn't think he was good enough.

Working during the off-season on the family farm kept Jay in pretty good shape. It's a cash-crop farm, with pigs and cattle. His brother Don lived there too and co-owned the farm with his dad. Jay came

home every summer and helped out.

Wells was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft (16th overall). He made his debut with the Kings during the 1979-80 season, playing in 40 games and recording 10 points Wells quickly established himself as a physical defenseman, known for his hardhitting style of play and his willingness to drop the gloves when necessary, he was nicknamed "The Hammer".

Continued on page 15

Kings defenseman Gordon “Jay” Wells, played nine seasons with the Kings from 1979-88. Photo: Jay Wells 1980 from Wikimedia Commons

LOCAL HISTORY

Over the course of his 18-year NHL career, Wells played for a number of teams, including the Philadelphia Flyers, Buffalo Sabres, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was known for his leadership and his ability to play a shutdown role against the opposing team's top players

One of the highlights of Wells' career came in 1994, when he helped lead the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup championship in 54 years. Wells played a key role in the Rangers' playoff run, providing a physical presence on the blue line, and chipping in with timely goals and assists

Off the ice, Wells was known as a dedicated family man and a pillar of his community. He remained close to his roots in Paris, Ontario

throughout his career, and he frequently returned to the town to visit family and friends. In fact, Wells and his brothers were so committed to their hometown that they opened a local hockey school during the offseason, where they taught young players the skills and techniques they had learned throughout their careers

Despite retiring from professional hockey in 1998, Wells remained involved in the game as a coach and mentor to young players. First with the American Hockey League's Portland Pirates and then with the Hershey Bears. After the 2000-01 season, Wells came back home and was the coach of the Allan Cup Hockey league's Brantford Blast and the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League's Brantford Golden Eagles. Wells, who also played briefly for the

Blast, then headed west to coach with the Manitoba Moose for the 2008-09 season, his only year with the AHL club. After two years out of the game, he returned with the Barrie Colts and they hoisted the Bobby Orr Trophy after winning the Ontario Hockey League's Eastern Conference championship. Throughout his life, Jay Wells has remained a beloved figure in the town of Paris, Ontario, and a source of inspiration for young hockey players everywhere. His dedication to his craft, his commitment to his community, and his unwavering passion for the game of hockey have earned him a place in the hearts of fans and players alike. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of hard work, perseverance, and a deep love for the game.

New York Rangers Stanley Cup winner Jay Wells with his family in 1994 with the Stanley Cup From left: Stephanie, Jay, Alexa, and Colleen Another daughter, Kendra, was born in 1996. Photo courtesy of the Wells family.

Milk bag mats donated to The Reapers of Hope

A group of 11 ladies meet weekly at St. Paul’s United Church, to reduce, reuse and recycle for an environmental and humanitarian purpose For the last decade, volunteers at the local church have successfully woven 440 mats that are dispersed to countries in need around the world, such as Haiti, Africa and the Philippines. The mats are made from non-biodegradable plastic milk bags, which are UV resistant, washable and surprisingly soft and comfortable To make a mat, donated milk bags are flattened out, cut in half and carefully looped together and woven on a loom It takes 325 milk bags to make a youth-sized mat and 380 bags for an adult-sized one. One group member, Delanie Hopkins, has found a unique way to incorporate designs into the mats to mimic a quilt When they are completed, the mats are donated to The Reapers of Hope project in Moorefild, Ontario (Christian Aid Ministries Canada) Pictured above are Maddie Howat and Grace Wilson. The church recently put a call out for more milk bags as the group is running low on supply. You can arrange to drop your milk bags off at St Paul’s United Church on Sunday mornings at 11 am or Wednesday mornings between 9 am and 11 am.

Submitted Photo

St. Paul’s Church fundraising for a new roof

Parishioners at St. Paul’s Church in Paris are reaching out to the community for help to fundraise for a new roof for the historic facility.

Built in 1888 as the original home to the Methodist congregation, this building has 135 years of history within its walls.

The congregation operates entirely on donations so to help come up with the funds for this major roof repair, they are asking people to donate clothes, household textiles, small household goods, toys, electronics, (no furniture), etc. The last day of collection will be June 3rd

If you’d like to donate used goods or make a financial contribution to this historic building, reach out via email to

Stpaulsparis_treasure@rogers.com

Are you aware of the indicators of human trafficking?

OPP hosting anti-human trafficking awareness night in Simcoe May 31

(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) -

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment along with the OPP Anti-Human Trafficking Unit have partnered with the Holy Trinity Catholic High School and is offering a FREE AntiTrafficking Awareness Night for everyone in our community. The OPP is encouraging parents and caregivers along with the members of the public to learn the indicators of human trafficking.

Across Ontario, more and more victims are being recruited from small towns and lured with promises of love and a "better life " Human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation or

harbouring of persons for the purposes of exploitation, typically in the sex industry or for forced labour.

The indicators of human trafficking are not always obvious. Although the presence of one indicator does not necessarily identify human trafficking, a variety of indicators may point to the fact that an individual is being trafficked and needs help

Please join the OPP and other community partners on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, from 6:00 p.m., to 8:00 p.m., at the Holy Trinity Catholic High School, located at 128 Evergreen Hill Road in Simcoe.

This FREE awareness night is OPEN to the public. Due to the subject matter, parents and caregivers are asked to refrain from bringing children under 12 years of age to the information night due to the subject matter. Attendees will also be able to connect with local groups or organizations, for information, resources, and services available in the community.

Anyone requesting further information, can contact the Norfolk County OPP Detachment at 519-426-3434, Monday to Friday, between 9:00 a.m., and 4:00 p.m.

PDHS Varsity Rugby heading to CWOSSA next week

By all accounts, it’s been an exceptional year so far for the PDHS Girls Varsity Rugby Team. They went undefeated in regular season play, easily defeating most teams. Their toughest match was against BCI in a 10-10 tie on May 8th . A 7-5 win over Holy Trinity two days later secured their position in the semi finals. They played St John’s where they secured a 31-5 victory to head to the A.A.B.H.N finals.

On Wednesday, the two teams hit the Harlequin Rugby field for the finals and after an intense showdown between the two determined teams, BCI won the 13th straight rugby championship.

As the two teams are ranked at different levels, both will advance to C.W.O.S.S.A play. Paris heads to Shelburne from May 24-26 and BCI will host Central West Ontario ‘AAA’ games on May 24.

All photos taken by Michelle Malvaso during games against Holy Trinity Titans on May 10th and Waterford on April 26th .

The Games Organizing Committee is currently recruiting volunteers for the 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games. Volunteering is a great way to support your community, earn volunteer hours, and build new skills!

Volunteers are needed in a number of areas, including:

Sports andActivities

Ceremonies & Special Events

Food Services

Transportation

Signage & Marketing

Games Headquarters

Information Tables

Interested? You can learn more or fill out our Volunteer Registration Form at: Click Here

Celebrating with fireworks this weekend?

Before having a blast, be aware of changes to County’s fireworks by law

MEDIARELEASE - Changes have been made to the County of Brant Fireworks Bylaw

With the Victoria Day long weekend approaching, the County of Brant would like to remind residents of the recent changes to the Fireworks Bylaw 19-23. With these changes, Family Fireworks can now only be discharged on and three (3) days before and three (3) days after both the Victoria Day and Canada Day holidays. Outside of these days, an approved permit from the County of Brant Fire Chief is required. “We know that many residents enjoy Family Fireworks over the Victoria Day and Canada Day holiday, and we want to encourage anyone doing so to please have safety at top of mind,” shared Fire Chief Darren Watson. “When using these fireworks, please read all of the instructions provided and remember that you must be 18 years or older to discharge Fireworks.”

Fireworks Safety Tips include:

- Choose a wide, clear site away from obstacles

- Check the weather – do not use fireworks if it’s windy

- Use a good base for your fireworks, such as a pail filled with dirt or sand

- Never light a firework in your hand

- Keep water nearby

- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children

“We hope everyone has a fun and safe Victoria Day long weekend with family and friends!” said Chief Watson.

The full Fireworks Bylaw can be found by visiting brant ca/Fireworks On this page, you can also find additional information on Family Fireworks as well as Display Fireworks, Special Effects Pyrotechnics and a Fireworks Fact Sheet that provides more safety information. To request a copy of the Fact Sheet, please email info@brant.ca or phone 1.855.44BRANT (2.7268).

Fireworks are only permitted three days before and after the Victoria Day and Canada Day holidays. If you want to watch some fireworks this long weekend, head to Princeton this Saturday for the annual fireworks show. Details below.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Banfield neighbourhood bursting with creativity

Paris is positively bursting with wonderful artists of all kinds - this has always been case, long may it ring - and it was wonderful to experience and explore a new, unique, arty event happening in town that showcased local artisans and also a neighbourhood of Paris itself: The Banfield Art Crawl. The Banfield Art Crawl debuted last weekend, on a lovely Saturday, in a beauteous way; with over twenty locations, thirty artists, live music, interesting demonstrations, amazing Paris houses and more on offer, it was an absolutely terrific event.

Congratulations to the team of organizers for all the hard work that went into planning, preparing and presenting this charismatic community event! A lot of love and effort went into creating this art crawl and that was evident in every aspect; it was a thorough, thoughtful and a sustainable production that everyone involved should be proud of.

The Banfield Art Crawl, held last weekend, displayed an array of local talent and was very well attended. Pictured above is artist Jennifer Budd displaying her work, and to the left is Pam Watkins. Also pictured is a showcase of artistic prints.

All photos courtesy of Jason Freeze, BScene

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Laid out across eight different close and connecting streets in the Banfield Street area, this free, walkable art exhibition had a mix of artists both outside and inside certain houses; in drive ways, on front porches, in living rooms, oh my!

It gave me original Christmas in Paris vibes, in the best possible way; being able to enjoy art and arty crafts while also enjoying Paris heritage is such a great concept. Using a very clear and cute mapsending love to Bohemian Art Gallery and Taren White Gallery for carrying these maps - the art crawl was self guided and flexible, it was really easy to navigate, the signage was excellent, and you could start anywhere along the route. I want to give some love to each and every exhibitor because it which such a strong showing from everyone: Rachelle Lynne-Dacies, Ang Mead, Vicki Kitchen, Alexander Thomas, Dan LaPlain, Pamela Johnson, John Matthews, Sha’uri Ellis, Patricia Ellis, Jeanette Obbink, Meghan Aspin, Linda Verhey-Sinke, Heather Licskai, Pam Watkins, Heather Davidson,

Jennifer Budd, Victoria Speers, Christina Speers, Jennifer Adams, Wendy Perley, Suart Nicholls, Amy Walsh, Christa Otter, Susan Cunningham, Clara’s Watercolours, Ursula Obrien, Sue Waldorf, Anne Wilson, and Ian Bell. In that list of names we have art-ing that runs the gamut from stained glass pieces to oil paintings, jewellery to pottery, rug hooking to sculpture and more

Special mention to: Clara of Clara’s Watercolours who was the youngest (10) exhibitor of the day, Pam Watkins who gave a traditional rug hooking demonstration, Judy Moore who demonstrated wool spinning and Eric Kuhn who played a live acoustic guitar set. It was wonderful to have so many things happening and so many talented people all coming together for this vibrant event. And stay tuned, because the BAC have announced there will be another one in 2024; make sure you’re following the Banfield Art Crawl on Facebook and Instagram for future announcements.

for further details!

Pictured left, Judy Moore demonstrates wool spinning while Eric Kuhn, pictured above, performs some live acoustic jams. The Banfield Art Crawl was such a success, organizers have already announced it will return in 2024 but you will have to stay tuned

All photos courtesy of Jason Freeze, BScene

Discovering local Artists: Unveiling the captivating world of abstract landscapes

IN THE STUDIO

With Taren White

Step into the enchanting realm of art as we embark on a journey to uncover the hidden gems of our small town's artistic community. Each month, we delve into the lives and creations of local artists, shedding light on their inspirations, processes, and unique perspectives. Today, we have the pleasure of introducing an extraordinary artist whose abstract landscapes evoke a profound sense of awe and connection to the natural world

Meet Kory Martin, an abstract mixed media landscape and figurative artist who finds solace and joy in the transformative power of art. As I enter her home, I am immediately captivated by the vibrant colours and textures adorning the walls. It becomes apparent that nature, with its myriad of hues, textures, and interplay of light and shadow, serves as the primary wellspring of her creativity

Kory recalls the early moments that ignited her artistic spirit, reminiscing about her childhood filled with crafts and painting, fostered by her mother's nurturing influence. "My greatest inspiration comes predominantly from nature with all its colours, textures, light, and shadows," she shares, as her eyes sparkle with enthusiasm It is this profound connection to the natural world that continues to drive her creative endeavours

In her artistic journey, Kory explored

a multitude of mediums, from charcoal and oil paint to cold wax, acrylics, and epoxy resin She embraces the experimental nature of mixed media, relinquishing control and allowing her intuition to guide her brushstrokes. This artistic process, which she likens to a therapeutic ritual, offers respite from the stresses of life, enabling her to immerse herself fully in the present moment.

Paris artist Kory Martin loves to explore abstract mixed media landscape and finds solace and joy in the transformative power of art!

Photos by Taren White

ARTS & CULTURE

Through her abstract landscapes, Kory aims to capture the unpredictable elements of nature, reminding us of the fleeting moments of solace we experience when surrounded by its grandeur. As she deftly weaves elements of alchemy and mystery into each piece, her paintings echo the aweinspiring beauty of the horizon, the rugged Canadian Shield, and the tranquility found within a forest's embrace.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Kory's work is her mastery of mixed media techniques, resulting in visually captivating compositions. She explains, "The layering of paint and resin is representative of the geology of the Earth. The rhythmic, gestural strokes of colour and accidental marks contribute to the overall movement and energy of the painting."

Her deliberate choices of lightness or darkness in colour and texture further emphasizes the interplay of opposing forces within nature

As our conversation deepens, Kory reveals an interesting anecdote from

her artistic journey She recounts her visit to Art Basel Miami, a transformative experience that left an indelible mark on her as an artist. Witnessing the infinite forms of creativity on display, she was struck by the realization that there is always room for more art However, it was a particular painting titled "Where I Stand" by Korean artist Kibong Rhee that moved her to tears She describes it as a hazy, dreamlike landscape that captures the ephemeral essence of a moment suspended in time Such emotional connection to art exemplifies the power it holds to touch the deepest parts of our being

Living in Paris, Kory is surrounded by architectural charm and the natural beauty that permeates the city and its surroundings. Paris serves as an endless source of inspiration, allowing her to bask in the artistic community's vibrant energy Within this city of art, she finds herself continually inspired, continually growing as an artist

If you know of a local artist that would like to be featured, please reach out to Taren White.

Taren White Gallery, 13 Grand River St. N., Paris, ON www.tarenwhitegallery.com https://www.instagram.com

/tarenwhitegallery/

County introduces new parking regulations for residential neighbourhoods

Vehicles are permitted to park on the ‘apron’ which is the paved lower boulevard section of a driveway. This is particularly useful information for residents living in neighbourhoods where on-street parking is now prohibited

If you’re parking on the apron the vehicle must be parked parallel to the driveway. Council approved these amendments to the parking bylaw as of April 25 More information is available online.

Powerline Safety Week: How to exercise caution around powerlines

MEDIA RELEASE –

GrandBridge Energy Inc. urges everyone working or playing outdoors to remain vigilant and exercise caution near powerlines Outdoor DIY projects such as landscaping, building a new deck or taking down seasonal lights can potentially be dangerous if powerlines are nearby. No matter how momentary, one distraction near powerlines can cause severe injury or death. To avoid danger while working around your property or on a construction site, practice three critical steps: stop, look, and live.

Powerline Safety Tips for Households:

1. Look for overhead powerlines. Before starting yard work or outdoor home maintenance, look up, look out and locate overhead powerlines. Be especially aware of powerlines hidden by or in trees

2. Stay back three metres from overhead powerlines. Getting too close to powerlines can cause electricity to jump or "arc" to your body or tools. Have someone watch to ensure you stay at least three metres away from powerlines.

3. Carry ladders sideways. Never carry ladders or other equipment upright because they

may come in contact with or be too close to powerlines. Check for overhead powerlines before raising a ladder.

4. Stay away from dangerous areas. Keep away from utility equipment in the community, and never climb utility poles. If a toy or tool is inside a transformer station, don't climb in to get it yourself. Call GrandBridge Energy for help if you see children playing around powerlines. Customers in Brantford should call 519-7513522. Customers in Cambridge, North Dumfries and the County of Brant should call 1-877-8712215.

5 Call or click before you dig Powerlines are also buried underground. At least two weeks before starting any digging projects, click or call Ontario One Call at 1-800-400-2255 or www.OntarioOneCall.ca to request a free underground cable locate, including natural gas, communications, powerlines, and water/wastewater pipes

6. Plant trees away from overhead powerlines. Plant trees away from overhead powerlines to avoid them growing into powerlines. Do not prune trees around powerlines. If trees have already grown into powerlines, contact GrandBridge Energy. Customers in Brantford should call 519-751-3522.

Customers in Cambridge, North

Dumfries and the County of Brant should call 1-877-8712215.

7. Talk to your kids about powerline safety Help children find safe spaces to play away from utility poles, powerlines, and transformer stations. Remind them never to climb trees near powerlines because leaves and branches can hide the live wires Green transformer boxes in the neighbourhood are not toys and are unsafe places to play.

8 Watch for downed powerlines. If wires fall on a vehicle or the ground, always assume they are alive and energized. Stay in the vehicle, call 9-1-1 and GrandBridge Energy Customers in Brantford should call 519-751-3522. Customers in Cambridge, North Dumfries and the County of Brant should call 1-877-8712215. Keep everyone back at least 10 metres or 33 feet – the length of a full-sized school bus

For more information to keep you and your family safe around overhead powerlines, please visit the Electrical Safety Authority website: esasafe com/safety/powerlinesafety/powerline-safety/

To learn more about GrandBridge Energy, visit grandbridgeenergy.com.

Scientists and Inventors Exhibit Launch for International Museum Day

Brantford, ON – The Brant Historical Society is opening a Scientists and Inventors Exhibit to celebrate International Museum Day on Thursday May 18th , 2023. The exhibit launch is at the Brant Museum & Archives’George Broomfield Gallery at 7 PM

“The exhibit will feature some familiar icons like James Hillier and Alexander Graham Bell as well rarely heard about scientists.” said Curator Nathan Etherington. “I attended the University of Waterloo for science and I find ways to highlight this through my work at the museum.”

One of the rarely discussed inventors were the Lorimer Brothers from St. George who worked on automated switches, unlike Bell’s system which required operators to connect your call manually.

“Scientists also worked in businesses and industries,

like Harold Dunsdon of Mohawk Creamery in Eagle Place,” said Etherington. “He used science equipment in the operations to determine the quality of cream delivered to the dairy to product the award winning butter.”

The display also includes an electronic microscope developed by James Hillier and his work on the first high resolution electron microscope. Visitors will learn how Hillier built on earlier developments in physics to produce images with 20,000x magnification, 10 times better than with a traditional light microscope.

The exhibit will run through the summer until Labour Day (September 4th) for visitors to enjoy. The Brant Museum and Archives is open Monday to Friday from 12pm-5pm, and Saturday from 10am5pm. Admission is by donation.

The Brant Historical Society launched a Scientists and Inventors Exhibit to celebrate International Museum Day this past Thursday. It will remain open until Labour Day.

Aries: March 21 - April 19 (Fire) –

You should plan a relaxing week, plan a day of just pampering yourself to help you find focus Make some plans to get some much needed projects done for the weekend Try to include your lover in your plans at some point, they are feeling neglected.

Taurus: April 20 - May 20 (Earth) –

You get overwhelmed early this week, you can not do all the things at work and home by yourself, you will have to ask for help You will be exhausted by the weekend but you do not want to miss a thing, so you choose to push yourself so that you can do some fun social events

Gemini: May 21 - June 20 (Air) –

Start your week by making some to do lists One for home, one for work and one for fun Then take your time and plan out how you are going to get everything done If you can do this your income will increase and you will be feeling extremely accomplished by Sunday.

Cancer: June 21 – July 22 22 (Water)

– You have an overabundance of self confidence this week, this could work in your favour by getting a lot done at work and impressing everyone or you could become cocky and just annoy everyone around you, so tread lightly. Use this gift, do not abuse it. You will complete a long life goal this week and will want to reward yourself

Leo: July 23 - August 22 (Fire) –

You have to balance your time very carefully this week Schedule little breaks here and there, take a walk, get a haircut or go out for dinner etc You will be doing way too many things at the same time and will burn out very quickly Your love life needs some serious attention so make the time.

Virgo: August 23 - September 22 (Earth) – You have a lot of spiritual questions this week Are you looking for the meaning of life or just the meaning in your life? This journey starts with your health, then goes to your love life Prepare for an emotional roller coaster that ends with you finding some much wanted clarity

Libra: September 23 - October 22 (Air)

- Luck is on your side finally Money is in your forecast It may come from a promotion, from a gift or an opportunity coming to you, either way keep your eyes peeled The Universe is trying to give you a much needed boost. Your love life has stalled out. You need to put way more energy into that area.

Scorpio: October 23 - November 21 (Water) – There is a great energy shift around you this week and it focuses on your love life. You have a unique opportunity this week to make a true love connection You will realize quickly if you are not in the right relationship and you will be guided to a better match This is a rare gift, don't ignore the signs

Sagittarius: November 22 - December 21 (Fire) – You are in vacation mode, but you still have work to do before you can actually plan a trip and go away Spend some time daydreaming and planning a trip, then focus and finish all your to do list so you can actually go when the time comes. Someone is trying to tell you something, stop ignoring them

Capricorn: December 22 - January 19 (Earth) – You are building some great things this week. Your relationship gives you great joy and you have great success at work that does not go unnoticed You Will be getting a lot of attention and love this week from everywhere soak it all up and try to use it to put yourself in a better situation

Aquarius: January 20 – February 18 (Air) – You start a lot of projects this week that leaves you asking for help to complete them all by the end of the weekend When all your little jobs are done you will be very proud of yourself Your love life has been neglected and you are the only one that can fix that before it becomes a huge problem.

Pisces: February 19 - March 20 (Water) – Communication is the key to get all you want. Your job has a huge change and you will be mad at first, but this is best for all involved. You will plan a bunch of little trips to distract yourself It is important that you follow through with these trips It will help the much needed spark back into your love life

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

Showtimes for Galaxy Cinemas Brantford

For Saturday, May 20, 2023

Book Club: The Next Chapter

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish