The Paris Independent for Saturday February 19, 2022

BEAT THE WINTER BLUES. Health Tips Pages 17-18 SKILLFUL START TO RAISING RESILIENT KIDS. Pages 22-23

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The Paris Independent Saturday, February 19, 2022

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FUN, FRIENDSHIP & GRILLED CHEESE?

In Community

SUPPORTING NOVA VITA

Pages 5 - 6 In Service

CHANT OF THE JUNGLE - PART II Page 12-14

In County

NEW FREE PANTRY IN SCOTLAND Page 21

The 1st Paris Cub Scouts cook grilled cheese sandwiches over a campfire Tuesday evening as part of their Scouts Canada ‘Claim the Flame Challenge’ for this week.

They were also busy learning how to prepare for an emergency. Details on page 7.

Photo submitted by Sheila Sager

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

County County Offices Offices Closed Closed

The Paris Independent

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February 19, 2022

COMMUNITY CALENDAR STORYTIME! Registration is open for the library’s #PaperBagPrincessWeek storytime!

Register today for your activity kit. Then, watch Miss Kerri online anytime between Monday, February 28 and Saturday, March 5 for an interactive storytime! *Visit ow.ly/nq3V50HQSBw to register.

PDHS REUNION MAY 6 & 7 AT PARIS FAIRGROUNDS – REGISTER NOW! Those who entered Grade 9 at Paris High in 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 or 1968 are invited to attend. Meet and Greet, 6 pm. May 7/22: BBQ Lunch, afternoon social, and evening dinner.

Paris Fairgrounds. COVID restrictions apply. Contact Margaret Fleury by March 5 for pricing and registration. Email: mfleury58@gmail.com or phone: 519-442-4018.

Do You Have an Event to Share?

Email your non-profit event details to theparisindependent@gmail.com so we can share them in the community calendar.

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Publisher Managing Editor Advertising Sales Photographer News Reporter News Reporter

Chris Whelan Casandra Turnbull Chris Whelan Michelle Malvaso Carolina Saenz Bailey Zimmer

STATEMENT We are a non profit organization made up of like minded volunteers from our community with the main purpose of providing our community of Paris and area with a trustworthy and reliable source of community 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:

Published Weekly on Saturday

PO BOX 99900 LA 012 395 STN MAIN PARIS, ON, CANADA N3L 0C3 Email: theparisindependent@gmail.com

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The Paris Independent

February 19, 2022

WINTER ACTIVE Skate, play and explore on Family Day in Brant They County of Brant is offering •South Dumfries Family Day activities on Community Centre - 9:30Monday, February 21.

10:30am and 11 a.m. -12 p.m.

Registration is now open and is required for each family member due to limited capacity within our Community Centres.

Family Day skates for all ages cost $1/per person.

•Burford

As well, Brant Transit will offer free transportation on Family Day. This includes trips anywhere in the County of Brant and going from the County to the City of Brantford.

1-8 Yrs. Cost: $1.00/ per person - 9:30-10:30amand 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Community

Centre- 9:30-10:30am, and 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Kinderplay at Syl Apps Community Centre – Ages

Register County’s system:

online new

with the registration

•Brant Sports Complex- www.brant.ca/COBConnect.

Davis Pad - 9:30-10:30am, Davis Pad – 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Gurney Pad – 9:30-10:30 a.m., Gurney Pad – 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Five Oaks offers Family Fun Bring the family to Five Oaks for an afternoon of Winter fun this Family Day holiday. Bring your own sleds and go sledding, venture out on a story walk, try snow shoeing, make a craft or roast a hot dog on the fire. Feb.19 from 1-3:30 pm. Cost is $10 an adult, $8 a senior and $6 a child.

Registration required at https://fiveoaks.venue360.m e/public/events/homepage

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February 19, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS Paris Agricultural Society welcomes new President keep me in mind,” Wood told the Paris Independent. His curiosity Jay Wood is adjusting to his and involvement flourished from newly elected title, President of that year on.

The Paris Agricultural Society.

Wood was elected unanimously PAS Manager Cheryl Muir said during a Board of Director’s she looks forward to working with meeting on January 27th, which Wood. “His calm and thoughtful followed the Agricultural presence will be an asset when Society’s annual general meeting. dealing with the many “hats” that Wood has been a part of the the President must wear when executive committee for seven leading the Society,” she years, but his involvement with commented. the society dates back 12 years Wood’s first order of business when he was approached to help brings him full circle to why he with security at the Paris Fair. became involved in the first “After being at the grounds for place. the five days helping out and making sure everyone is safe and “I’m going to get the fair back on seeing all the members working track as we really haven’t had a hard to make everyone’s visit a ‘normal’ fair for the last couple of good experience, I told the years now. However, working the director (who recruited him) that fair, I’m told, is totally different if he needed help next year to then being the President,” he

By Casandra Turnbull

admits. Even so, he’s up for the challenge and he’s looking forward to seeing more of the behind-the-scenes aspects of planning and executing this successful event.

Wood lives in Paris, not far from the grounds, but recalls he’s always felt a special gravitation to the rural setting. He has many fond memories spending time with family on a farm in Markham. “I remember dad saying, ‘pack the car to head to the farm for the weekend’ and I couldn’t pack fast enough.”

Wood will assume the Presidential role until 2024.

Maple Syrup Festival Update The Lions Club of Paris has decided to postpone this year's Maple Syrup Festival and instead, they will be holding an amazing PANCAKE DRIVE-THRU on Saturday, April 9th, 2022. This will replace the 2022 Maple Syrup Festival which we look forward to next year.

Location and details about the pop-up, drive-thru breakfast will follow in mid-March, according to members of the Maple Syrup Festival committee. Stay tuned for more details to follow in The Paris Independent and remember when you support the Lions Club, you are supporting YOUR community!

Paris resident Jay Wood was unanimously elected President of the PAS at the end of January. His term lasts until 2024.

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February 19, 2022

Local business launches International Women’s Day fundraiser in support of Nova Vita

By Casandra Turnbull A local business is honouring International Women’s Day by raising funds and awareness in support of Nova Vita.

Cobblestone Medicine and Rehab announced their fundraiser plans this week with a goal of raising $1,500 to support the necessities of the women and families that seek support at the shelter. The local business recently opened a third practice in the Cowan Community Health Hub – a space shared by a variety of healthcare providers, including Nova Vita, which is how the idea was born. However, fundraising in support of charitable organizations and local causes is nothing new to the Cobblestone Medicine family, who’ve supported numerous campaigns in their 10 years of business in this community.

“Nova Vita does important work for our community, and we are proud to partner with them to fundraise as much as we can to support services for families experiencing violence and abuse,” said Dr. Tyler Fletcher, sports chiropractor, president and founder of Cobblestone

Kayla Morrison, RMT and Kayla Rynne, Chiropractor at Cobblestone Medicine and Rehab, helped organize a fundraiser in support of Nova Vita. There is a drop off bin at all three Cobblestone Medicine locations where residents can donate unopened boxes of tampons. You can also make a financial donation online until March 8th Photo provided by Dr. Tyler Fletcher

Medicine and Rehab. “This pandemic has especially shone a light on some of the biggest inequities and disparities between people and society,” he continued. “We believe that we can all be part of the solution to these big problems by working together to fight for a more just and equal world, starting right here in our own community.”

Fletcher stated his staff also

recognizes that throughout this pandemic, while everyone was encouraged to stay home, home was not always a safe place for some people.

From now until the end of the day on International Women’s Day, Tuesday, March 8, you can make a financial donation online with 100% of the proceeds going to Nova Vita.

Continued on Page 6

The Paris Independent

County introduces temporary sales event to aid retail businesses The County of Brant has introduced a new Temporary Sales Event Program to assist local retail businesses. This program accompanies the existing Temporary Patio Allowance Program and Public Safety Community Improvement Program, allowing eligible County of Brant businesses opportunities to expand business operations.

“The business community has shown tremendous resiliency throughout the pandemic, and we are pleased to continue our support as we reopen,” said Russell Press, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for the County of Brant. “The new Temporary Sales Event Program will provide an opportunity for eligible retail businesses to expand their operations and re-engage customers.”

The Temporary Sales Event Program will allow eligible retail businesses to apply for the use of outdoor and additional indoor spaces or “popups”. Applicants will be able to make use of both private and public property provided program requirements around accessibility and winter maintenance are met.

Restaurants will once again be eligible to apply for the Temporary Patio Allowance Program.

The free program allows restaurant establishments in the County of Brant to apply for outdoor patio extensions for temporary use on private property, as well as the use of public property beginning in the spring.

“Our culinary establishments have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Temporary Patio Allowance Program supports our restaurants by allowing additional opportunities to serve customers,” said Press.

The applicants will be required to adhere to all Brant County Health Unit and Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario guidelines, as well as all relevant County of Brant By-laws.

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February 19, 2022

Cobblestone Fundraiser Continued Every dollar counts. Your $5 donation could bring the tooth fairy to visit a child in the shelter; your $20 donation could buy emergency cell phone minutes; your $50 donation could buy clothing for a family that escaped with no belongings; your $100 donation could buy groceries for a family starting over again.

“Nova Vita will use the dollars raised for whatever needs arise within their shelter program, or community-based programs,” confirmed Fletcher.

Since Nova Vita identified an urgent need for tampons, all three Cobblestone Medicine branches, on Curtis Ave in Paris, on Rest Acres Road in Paris and on Maple Ave N in Burford, are equipped with a drop off bin for donations of unopened boxes of tampons.

You can make an online donation through Canada Gives https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/cobbles tones-international-womens-day-fundraiser

Portable heaters and winter maintenance requirements have also been added to ensure safe practices during colder weather.

Additionally, applications for the County of Brant Public Safety Community Improvement Program, with a renewed focus on improving ventilation, are open. This grant program offers eligible businesses up to $2,000 in grants as it relates to making public safety improvements to their place of business. Guidance from both the Federal and Provincial governments has suggested improved ventilation in enclosed spaces will help mitigate the spread of COVID19.

For more information about these programs, visit www.brant.ca/BrantWorksTogether or email invest@brant.ca.

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February 19, 2022

Scouts prepare for an emergency

The 1st Paris Scouts recently received a lesson in emergency preparedness following a virtual meeting with the County of Brant. The scouters spent some time discussing and then purchasing supplies they felt would be vital to have during an emergency. The youth then create three 72-hour emergency kits, which were presented to the County of Brant at the Scouting meeting held on February 15 at Camp Impeesa, just outside of Drumbo.

Photo credit County of Brant

How do you feel about fireworks in your neighbourhood?

Councillor Steve Howes is diving into another some pets and farm animals. Also, falling debris hot topic in our community: Fireworks! from fireworks landing on neighbouring properties has been an issue in the past,” Howes raised the subject at the Feb. 8th Policy explained Howes on Social Media. He said he Development and Strategic Direction Committee welcomes all feedback from residents who wish meeting. He is looking for the best ways to to share their thoughts and suggestions on how to review and update bylaws regarding the use of improve the current bylaw. You can email him fireworks in the County. direct at steve.howes@brant.ca. The discussion “The “backyard” fireworks produced today are will be brought to council within the next month. bigger and louder than ever before. The noise factor causes concern for some people as well as

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The Paris Independent

February 19, 2022

S P O RT S U7 players return to game play against tough Delhi squad The Under 7 Wolfpack Red team was back in action last weekend facing off against the Delhi Rockets. Parker Sevigny played his first game in net fending off a relentless Delhi offense. “He made a remarkable amount of saves, especially for his first time in goal,” said coach Jeff Howells. “The entire team was exceptional being their first game back in almost 2 months. I was incredibly proud of how they worked as a team.” Howells also noted the players showed excellent sportsmanship cheering each other on from the bench. The team has a few games left in the season against Burford, Ingersoll, Simcoe and Delhi.

Photo by Casandra Turnbull

Paris Curling Club older than Canada!

There’s no mystery about this fact: The Paris Curling Club is technically older than Canada? It's true!

Curling on the rivers and ponds in the area has been recorded as early as 1837, but its history starts in November 1843 when a group of enthusiastic Scots met to form an official curling club in the village of Paris. The favourite curling places were Watt’s Pond and the Nith River, and if the ice was good, they often curled around the clock by the light of bonfires.

Times have changed since those early days, so if you’re curious visit the Friendliest House in Town to find out more about one of Canada’s favourite pastimes!

The Mystery Bonspiel is open to nonmembers, proof of vaccination required to play. Join the mystery as curlers go back in time to the 1920s (when club members were still playing on a covered rink on Elm Street!) and see if you can solve the Mystery! The plot for this mystery is based on real Paris history!

Register Here: https://pariscurlingclub.com/eventRegister.php/pcc-mysterybonspiel-2022

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February 19, 2022

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

HEARTFELT MESSAGES SPREAD LOVE & KINDNESS In celebration of Random Acts of Kindness Day, and to showcase staff appreciation, The Brant Community Health Care System put together a board of thanks for its amazing staff members.

People were encouraged to spread the love by writing a sticky note for a fellow co-worker.

Photo credit BCHS

Paris mom thankful for stranger’s kind gesture I wanted to take this opportunity to show just how awesome the people of Paris are, when we hear so much about the struggles that we are experiencing due to our town’s rapid growth.

he took the time to acknowledge and respond to this chatty 4-year-old over and over. He left shortly after with his own kids. He told my son his name was Clay. People like this make our town a warm and inviting place. My son is now hooked on skating. I told my husband this story when I got home and he knew who I was talking about, so I'm sure others have encountered this kind person around town.

I took my son skating for the first time at an outdoor rink. I totally underestimated how tricky it would be and the fact that I hadn't been on skates in 20 years meant it wasn’t like "riding a bike". As soon as we were out on the ice, I knew I was in way over my head. A wonderful parent there with his Submitted by Sarah Witzel own kids could see I was in trouble, and he stayed close and assisted me with keeping us both upright.

Do you have a kindness story you’d like to He quickly took over assisting my son as I got off share?

Is there someone in this community the ice and took my skates off and could then deal that has made a difference in your life or with my new skater myself. the lives of others? Send us a paragraph to He helped because he wanted to help. He gave my stories@theparisindependent.com so we son some tips and really helped make that a positive can exemplify the greatness in this experience for him when it was going to be a community! disaster. My son kept engaging him after that and

The Paris Independent

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February 19, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS 125 YEARS OF WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN

By Casandra Turnbull Worldwide, members of the Women’s Institute, including Paris and Brant County, are celebrating 125 years of sisterhood on February 19th. The anniversary marks the birth of the organization in 1897, cofounded in Ontario by Adelaide Hunter Hoodless. In recognition of the milestone, Brant County is recognizing Feb. 19th as Women’s Institute Day. “We are pleased that council designated February 19th to be WI Day here in Brant,” said Elaine Tully, President of the Paris branch of Women Inspiring Women. Paris is one of three chapters in Brant County, alongside members from St. George and Cathcart. The Paris branch is relatively new, forming about seven years ago, while the other two chapters date back to 1903.

Unfortunately, with pandemic restrictions in place, there were no plans to have an in-person celebration. Instead, members are invited to join Zoom meetings held in the afternoon Canada-wide and later that evening with members from across Ontario.

Women’s Institute members range in age from 20 to 80+ years.

Left to Right: St. George WI President Barbara Sheardown, Cathcart WI President Audrey Hall, Mayor David Bailey and Paris WI President Elaine Tully.

Photo Courtesy of Ayr News ayrnews.ca

Women join for a variety of reasons and ultimately end up forming lifelong bonds and sharing memorable experiences. Tully shared a few reasons why members decided to join the Paris chapter when it was formed in 2015; to meet new friends when the moved to the community, to help Paris feel like home, to gain mentorship from like-minded women and to help empower each other by sharing a diverse set of skills, backgrounds and viewpoints to build a stronger community. Simply put, there is no greater gift to this world than a woman empowered.

The Paris ladies meet on the second Thursday evening of each month at 7 p.m., excluding July and August. All meetings last year were held via Zoom,

except for December when the members had a chance to meet in person and share some muchneeded companionship and laughter. They plan to move forward with in-person meetings in April (public health measures permitting) and will start with a dessert and wine auction.

May’s meeting includes plans to tour Browndale Farm’s dairy operation, and a tea party will wrap up the final meeting in June. For more information on Women Inspiring Women, check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wiw wi.socialmedia or by sending an email to elainetullywiwpresident@gmail .com

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February 19, 2022

S E RV I C E C L U B S 60 Years of Optimism!

Welcome New Member!

The Paris Optimist Club is very pleased to announce that George McDougall has been recognized by the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism for his 60 years of volunteering with Optimist International. George was a charter member of the Carlyle Optimist Club and when he moved to Paris, he joined the Paris Optimist Club.

Congratulations George and thank-you for your dedication to the youth and community

The Kiwanis Club of Paris-Brant was pleased to induct new member Darian Banks during its February meeting. Darian was sponsored by Club President Sheila Moore. Welcome Darian! The club celebrated 20 years of service to our community last year and welcomes public minded citizens of all ages to become members.

To find out more, email kiwanisparisbrant@gmail.com

Photo submitted by Paris Optimist Club

Photo by Stan Hutchinson

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February 19, 2022

S E RV I C E C L U B S 1960s, 70s, 80s: Lions Club brings Little League to Paris and throws full support behind the Willett Hospital

The Lions Club stepped up to the plate in 1962 to design a baseball field at Lions Park for little league players. The picture to the left was taken in 1973 and the above photo is by Cathy Deslippe

CHANT OF THE JUNGLE

By Diane McHutchion The post-war boom of the 1950s exploded in the 1960s. Along with celebrating Canada’s Centennial in 1967, life was vastly improving for all Canadians. Paris experienced its own growth explosion, thereby requiring many more upgrades to its infrastructure. Modern gas lines, a modern telephone system, and a much-needed sewer project were greatly welcomed by all our citizens!

Our Paris lions Club continued to diligently fundraise through “Super Shopping Days”, car

raffles, and “Pig and Whistle” events.

Lions Park was extended to Penman’s #1 dam along the Nith River. Other improvements to the park included painting park equipment and picnic tables, landscaping around the wading pool, building steps from the Wishing Well to Laurel Street, erecting guard rails at the parking lot, plus continued maintenance of the swimming pool In 1962, Little League Baseball came to Paris. With 108 players, the Little League was officially opened on May 19, 1962. Our Paris Lions Club stepped into the picture. With the consistent

energy of its members and the expense of several hundred dollars, the playing field was designed, complete with pitching mound, steel fences, and backstop.

By the end of 1964, our Paris Lions Club had, since its inception, donated $102,000 to various projects in our town. Our Club continued to support eye welfare (purchasing eyeglasses and eye surgeries), boys' and girls' activities, Christmas hampers, and the health and well-being of local citizens where needed.

Continued on Page 13

The Paris Independent The economic boom of the 1950s and 1960s gave way to “stagflation” in the 1970s.

Women were going back to work in large numbers to financially help meet increasing household expenses.

Our Paris lions Club was there to help in many varied ways.

Along with our regular fundraising events, the purchase of a food truck greatly enhanced these fundraising efforts.

Lions Park still had to be maintained and upgraded. In 1974, our Club received a grant to help build washrooms for the park. In 1975, the Club donated $3,500 to assist with the

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installation of a water heater for the swimming pool. In 1979, a donation of $400 was used to help with the expenses incurred in creating a soccer field between Lions Park and the Nith River.

The Willett Hospital was, and still is, an absolute necessity for our community. Worried about the possible closing of the Willett, our Club sent a letter to the then Premier of Ontario, William G. Davis, expressing serious concerns about this matter. Lions Clubs do not get involved with politics so sending this letter to the Premier demonstrated how serious this problem was for our

February 19, 2022 community!

To further demonstrate how much the Paris Lions Club supported the Willett Hospital, our major project for the 1970s was a purchase of a van with a hydraulic lift for the Hospital.

With a grant received from Wintario, plus monies raised by our Club, this van was presented to the Hospital in January 1978. Our then Mayor, Jack Bawcutt said, “What we as a community think of our hospital and the part it plays in our community is very evident.

The Paris Lions Club is to be thoroughly commended. It was a first-class effort!”

Continued on page 14

The club’s major project for the 1970s was a purchase of a van with a hydraulic lift for the Willett Hospital. Mayor, Jack Bawcutt said, “What we as a community think of our hospital and the part it plays in our community is very evident. The Paris Lions Club is to be thoroughly commended. It was a first-class effort!”

Brantford Expositor Photo 1978

The Paris Independent The 1980s created national heroes. Terry Fox captured our hearts and support during his Marathon of Hope to fund cancer research, while Rick Hansen began his worldwide Man in Motion tour to raise funds and awareness for spinal cord injuries.

Our Paris Lions Club boasted 60 ambitious and energetic members. Through their continued fundraising, these donations and purchases occurred:

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February 19, 2022

enabled deaf people to make appointments and enquiries; purchased a Sloat Cycle Tricycle that was hand propelled for a young girl with Spinal Bifida 1989 -$1,000 was donated to the Stonehenge Therapeutic Community

The 1980s had its fair share of challenges, but many moments to make us proud Canadians.

Here in Paris, our Lions Club kept on serving its citizens with enthusiasm and respect. The glow 1982 - $1,500 to the Leader Dog Program; cast by of the light of the “greater good” partnered with other organizations to donate a certainly shone brightly during this decade!!

“Jaws of Life” to the Paris Fire Department 1983 - donated $925 for the Olympic Torch Relay held in December 1982 1984 - $4000 was donated to the Willett Hospital to furnish a room; collected used eyeglasses, for third world countries and skates for Northern Ontario Aboriginal communities 1985 - donated monies to the Brantford Home for the Deaf and Blind 1986 - purchased a Slit-lamp for the Willett Hospital; purchased 2 audiobooks for the CNIB 1987 - $1,000 was provided to help upgrade the ice surfacing machine at the arena; funded for the Willett Hospital, a telephone device which

In 1987 the club raised money to purchase a unique telephone device, for deaf residents, accessible at the Willett Hospital.

Photo from Sept.1987 Brantford Expositor

Support The Lions Club, Support Your Community The first draw concluded and the Ace is still in play! Grab your tickets for draw 2: https://parislionscatcht heace.ca

The Paris Independent

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February 19, 2022

PARIS LIONS CLUB ANNUAL LABOUR DAY SOAP BOX DERBY c1950s

Photos & Information Courtesy of the Paris Museum & Historical Society.

Soap Box Derbies started in 1933 in Ohio USA. Many Parisians will remember having our own derby every Labour Day.

With the beautiful old Grand Trunk Railway Station at the top of Broadway Street East (AKA Station Hill) as the backdrop for the start of the race, contestants would race two at a time down the Broadway St. hill to the finish line at about Charlotte Street.

The event would happen every Labour Day and was sponsored

by The Paris Lions Club and supported by local merchants.

These speedy go-carts were crafted from whatever materials could be spared and often consisted of a simple frame with four wheels and a wooden crate (such as a soap box) for the main body. A rope would be attached to the front axle and this would be used for steering.

The best designs added pointed aerodynamic hoods and some sort of hand brake. There was always a generous amount of hay bails past the finish linejust in case!

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February 19, 2022

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FAMILIES LINED BROADWAY STREET TO WATCH THE RACE

Along Broadway Street East in Paris (old Station Hill), parents and their children line the hill to watch their creations race down Broadway Street to the finish line.

This photo is believed to be of Bill Spicer. Photo c1954: Laurie Miller

Photo c1954: Laurie Miller

On the left of this photo, we see the tractor that was deployed to tow the soap box carts up to the top of Broadway St. hill to the starting line. On the right is well known reporter Kay Tew Marshall taking pictures for the newspaper. Photo c1954 : Laurie Miller

In this photo we see the trophy being presented by local business owners. On the left is Len Wise and handing out the trophy is thought to be Harold Rickwood, owner of Inksater’s Shoes, along with his wife Mary.

Photos c1954 posted on Facebook by: Laurie Miller

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February 19, 2022

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

You can beat the winter blues!

Sue Serre, owner of The Hollow Willow Health Store provides tips on how to beat those winter blues.

By Carolina Saenz In only twenty-eight days, spring shall arrive. The promise of longer and brighter days, blooming flowers, and patio weather will soon be fulfilled. But holding onto that sunny vision isn’t always easy. And as much as one can love and appreciate living in a winter wonderland, mood changes, fatigue, and sadness are not uncommon.

In fact, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) estimates that about 15% of people in Canada experience the winter blues, while 2-3% experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Winter blues

may include needing to sleep a bit longer, indulging more often in comfort food, and experiencing low emotions. SAD, however, is a condition of regularly recurring depression during the winter months that can impair one’s life.

Consulting a professional is important to determine whether you are experiencing SAD. And even if you do not experience any of these symptoms, there are steps you can take to stay healthy and maintain your mood during winter season and beyond.

Sue Serre, owner and operator of The Hollow Willow Health Store, shares her advice. As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist with over twenty-five years of experience, Serre is both passionate and knowledgeable. “The #1 way to prevent SAD is to start supplementing with vitamin D in November (when we turn the clocks back is a great time to start!) It takes about 3 months of supplementing low blood levels of vitamin D to see a substantial improvement and still not be outside the upper safety limits,” Serre says. She explains that insufficient vitamin D is linked to many conditions including depression, diabetes, cancers, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and MS. “Many people make the

assumption that on a sunny day in winter they are getting vitamin D from the sun and that is false!

First, you must have full skin exposure (not just your face), the type of rays needed are those that appear between 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (when in summer most people avoid the sun) and in Canada the sun is too low in the sky in winter,” Serre explains. “Taking 5,000 iu a day over the winter months is ideal,” she continues.

With a variety of options for the whole family, from liquid to capsules, achieving healthy levels of vitamin D can be easily integrated into daily life. But keeping the winter blues at bay should not be a priority only during the cold seasons.

“Maintain healthy vitamin D levels all year long by getting outside for 15 minutes with as much skin exposed as possible between 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. without sunscreen on as this blocks the UVB rays needed to make vitamin D.” To go the extra mile, she suggests supplementing with Omega 3 Fish oil as the EPA component helps improve mood and reduces inflammation.

Continued on Page 18

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February 19, 2022

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S Other tips to improve or maintain your mood during winter, according to the CMHA, include staying physically active, getting some daylight by being outside and keeping curtains open when indoors, and maintaining a normal and regular sleep schedule. And when it comes to mental health, nutrition can play a very important role. Not just in terms of comfort food (chocolate, anyone?) but also because what we eat can directly impact our mood and energy.

Serre’s advice to maintain good mental health overall is as follows: “Eat whole foods - the way they are found naturally, avoid junk food and fast food, excess sugar and white flour products and alcohol - these all rob your body of the very

nutrients needed for mental health and they cause blood sugar imbalance that can contribute to mood imbalance as well as gastrointestinal inflammation and a suppressed immune system.”

Additionally, supplementing with B Complex vitamins, minerals like zinc and magnesium, vitamin C, omega 3, and probiotics for gut health is important. Some brands recommended by Serre include CanPrev, SeaLicious, Renewlife, and Natural Factors.

So, whether you are patiently waiting for winter to end or happily enjoying the last few weeks of outdoor ice skating, maintaining good mental and physical health has never been more important. Take the time today to take care of yourself, book that appointment, and feed

Did You Know?

You can rent a SAD lamp from the County of Brant Library? These lamps are designed to mimic sunlight, which helps trigger the brain to release serotonin, known as the ‘feel-good hormone,’ to help reduce depression. Reserve the lamp online at https://brant.bibliocommons.com/v2/rec ord/S192C3997996

your soul. And if looking for helpful advice and a great selection of products geared specifically to you, drop by The Hollow Willow recently relocated to 8 Silver Street (at Grace Gospel Church).

Let Sue and Hazel, her 4- legged companion, welcome you with the warmth only local businesses can offer. Consider this a formal invitation. “I am honoured to serve the community of Paris by educating, encouraging and helping people to enjoy better health naturally. Health is our most valuable asset - just ask anyone who is sick. Come into the store and confide in The Hollow Willow and determine what course of action might be best for you,” concludes Serre.

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February 19, 2022

M E N TA L H E A LT H Local professors collaborate on second edition mental health textbook for first responders

By Casandra Turnbull Mental health is important in all stages of life from early childhood through adulthood.

Taking care of your mental health takes practice and patience and it’s tricky to handle at the best of times. Since the start pandemic, mental health concerns have been on the rise – 58% of Canadians report ‘overload’ associated with their many roles: work, home, family, friends, home schooling, job security, financial matters, Covid protocols and vaccine research, to name a few.

Now imagine being a first responder who deals with mental health daily, whether it be nurturing their own mental health or responding to a crisis regarding mental health where the stakes are usually high and the person in crisis is in the middle of a flow blown break from reality.

Two local residents have teamed up again to write a follow up textbook to their 2017 release of the Mental Health Bundle: Practical Skills for First Responders (textbook) and SelfCare for First Responders (handbook).

Paris councillor Marc Laferriere and Stephanie Miloknay are pleased to announce the second edition (same title) will be available this summer.

writing our first editions 5+ years ago, we also noticed how few resources there were for people who interact and work with mental health, who are not social workers or mental health “We wanted to write a series of professionals specifically.” books that could help frontline workers and all helping Success from their first edition professionals but from a paved the way for the follow up Canadian context,” explained books.

Laferriere. “When we started Continued on Page 20

Marc Laferriere and Stephanie Miloknay Photo: Marc Laferriere

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The updated textbook/handbook will include knowledge and stories from a diverse group of frontline and helping professionals The duo also garnered positive feedback from educators and students in the field, professional fire fighter associations and police services, which motivated them to explore the possibility of an updated second version of the textbook. They also saw a great need for this type of literature in light of the ever-changing events in today’s society.

front lines of the mental health field in a variety of capacities with various organizations such as Pioneer Youth Services, Avalon Children’s Residences, and Moncton Youth Residences.

He was also a clinical social worker for Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services and the Grand River Community Health Centre and was the BSW Practicum Coordinator for Wilfrid Laurier University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a Masters in Social Work. From 2017-2021 he has earned an Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from Harvard University’s Kennedy School.

“Since 2017 there has been a lot happening in the world and updating the books to address things like mental health during a pandemic situation to also addressing major global topics like those brought up during the Black Lives Matter movement is also vital to these fields and important to address,” said Miloknay is a professor and Laferriere. coordinator of the Police Foundations program at Mohawk Laferriere and Miloknay are College and a retired Sergeant colleagues in the Justice Studies, with 24 years of service with the Police Foundations, Corrections Halton Regional Police Service. and Society Service Worker During her career she obtained programs at Mohawk College. extensive experience in the areas Both have years of experience as of frontline enforcement, crisis mental health counsellors and intervention, investigations, and have collaborated on a number of policy development. She has been projects at Mohawk College, so a member of the Hostage/Crisis their partnership was a natural Negotiator team, receiving one. certification through the In addition to being a professor, Canadian Police College; was Laferriere is the recipient of the trained in critical incident stress YMCA Peace Medallion for his management; and was a team efforts in social work, child and leader with the Halton regional youth work and community Police Service’s Peer Support advocacy. He’s worked on the Team. She has a Bachelor of

Science and a Masters in Social Work. She’s also certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and operated a private practice providing therapeutic support to clients with mood disorders.

In creating this second edition, Laferriere and Miloknay utilized their extensive knowledge and resources in the field to reach out to a diverse group of frontline and helping professionals to ask them to contribute their stories and perspectives.

“In the second edition we were asked by educators in Western Canada to include more examples using that part of the country to not make the book as OntarioCentric as the first editions turned out,” explained Laferriere.

Like the first edition, this newest textbook will be published by Edmond Publishing. “There’s lots of collaboration to make a project like this happen. Too many of our loved ones, project team members and current and past colleagues, clients, and students to thank,” said Laferriere.

To learn more about their book or to order your copy of the first edition, visit https://emond.ca/Store/Books/Me ntal-Health-Awareness-Bundle(Text-and-Handbook)

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COUNTY NEWS

Little Free Pantry opens in Scotland

By Casandra Turnbull

Pantry,” Haney explained.

Laura Haney saw a need in her community, and she stepped up to fill it. She started to notice members of her community reaching out for help in the community Facebook group for the town of Scotland. The chatter seemed to increase when the pandemic hit as more families are struggling to make ends meet. So, with the success of the Paris and Brantford Free Little Pantry in mind, Haney set out to bring the service to her community and was met with overwhelming support from fellow residents.

The group has also established a partnership with Equal Grounds Community Gardens to coordinate a good-sized donation from this year’s harvest to the pantry. “We really need help with this to keep these wonderful gardens in our community. We need volunteers to help grow and maintain it,” said Haney who asks for volunteers to reach out to ensure the community does not loose this asset.

All donations to the pantry are welcome. Haney asks that residents reframe from leaving glass jars in the pantry during the cold winter months. Once the weather warms up, there will be coolers with ice packs on site for any donations that require refrigeration. The library will be offering free greens from their garden and the post office is also accepting donations to fill the pantry. Right now, there is an urgent need for not only food, but diapers and personal hygiene items. The pantry is open 24/7 to anyone and everyone in need.

“I really am thankful to our community and everyone in the surrounding areas. There’s been so much support and love. I really hope no bellies go empty and this puts a smile on (people’s) faces.”

You can follow the group on Facebook for more information or up-to-date posts on pantry needs and recent donations at Little Free Pantry Scotland Ontario.

“We were on the hunt for a perfect location and with the help of the County of Brant we decided the location of the Public Library was perfect as its at the core of our community,” said Haney, who has experience stocking and cleaning the Paris Pantry, so she has a good idea how to keep things organized and restocked.

She visits the pantry daily to ensure it has a wellbalanced array of foods. It’s a selfless act that’s also instilling some valuable life lessons on the little helpers that also ensure the Pantry is maintained. “My children enjoy pulling their wagon to add food in the pantry. We have so much help from members in the community to keep it stocked.”

In fact, it’s an all-hands-on deck project with support from the Salvation Army Brantford & Paris, Community & Family Services, Period Pop Ups Brantford-Brant, BL’s Little Free Pantry and Library, County of Brant Library, Scotland Post Office, Equal Ground Community Gardens and Good Will- Good Karma Mount Pleasant.

With spring around the corner plans are in the works to make sure the pantry is stocked with fresh produce.

“We look forward to working with the County of Brant Library’s seed library where you borrow seeds, grow your garden and donate seeds back to the library in Fall. They are encouraging everyone to borrow and grow extra (produce) to donate to the Little Free

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GIVING CHILDREN A SKILLFUL START Local business owner determined to help caregivers raise proficient and resilient youth In our community, there are fixtures that see every storm with the longevity required to survive.

Where agencies were riding on the shockwave of our second decade into the 2000’s, Brant Family and Child Services were unsurprisingly stalwart. For more than a century, the organization has been providing services, building trust and forging clear routes to access community programming for Brantford and area residents.

Phase one of Skillful Start will focus on two hand selected kits, based on your child’s age specific needs. The tools and resources in these kits focus on; Mindfulness, Gratitude, A Growth Mindset, Positive Self Talk, Adaptive Coping Strategies and Emotion Regulation.

Photos courtesy of Carling Mitchell

Through timelines affected by change, war and even a global pandemic, one dedicated group of helpers has found another helper eager to embolden our city’s youth with the tools and techniques to be better prepared for life in an uncertain era.

Through 2020, Brant FACS began talks with the Children’s Aid Society of Haldimand and Norfolk toward a possible amalgamation.

This conjured some concern from councillors in Brantford. Yet, in the face of the burden set upon them by the circumstances of the health crisis, Brant FACS charged forward to pursue what they knew would ultimately help to sew the community together even more. The proposal now stands with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services for submission to the Ontario Public Guardian and Trustee and Service Ontario. Should the process be approved, the project will mark an exciting new chapter in the story of Brant FACS and the city’s at-risk youth.

With this spirit of progress, the agency continues to pursue opportunities for its clients to thrive. From programs that accentuate fostering and coming to the aid of children who are at risk of neglect and abuse, the function of the organization is steadied by a focus on equity and inclusion. Further to that end, a recent partnership with a local entrepreneur has thrown the spotlight onto the hands-on tools our caregivers can use in everyday situations to produce skilled and resilient youth.

Carling Mitchell is the sole proprietor of Skillful Start, a homegrown business in Brantford that aims to place collections of tools into the hands of parents and guardians to strengthen the skills of children and youth in their care. Carling is a Child and Youth Counselor with over ten years of experience in acute mental health.

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From hand selected kits available on the website, physical items include tools like Gratitude Journals and Mindfulness Cards to focus on adapting a growth mindset and improved focus in a modern environment that constantly challenges our youth to stay positive. If the social climate afforded by the pandemic has tried to undo the hard work our parents, teachers and community helpers have Skillful Start founder Carling Mitchell done, Skillful Start seeks to fortify against the blustery winds On the company’s of our anxious time. (skillfulstart.ca) website, she Brant FACS and Skillful Start carefully notes; “It is my belief share a common goal - to help that if children are given the our kids deal with the sometimes tools they need at a young age troublesome waves that life can and support in practicing them as pitch at them. With community a way of life, that they will be interventions like parent-child mentally and emotionally interaction programs, community stronger, better able to cope and kitchens, parent drop-in, teen adapt to life’s challenges.”

February 19, 2022 post-natal programs, Brant FACS better equips local families to stand bravely with each other.

Using supportive physical tools predicated on emotional recognition and regulation is where Skillful Start hopes to bring forward an additional worthwhile agent of change.

Where the world shifts to turmoil on the back of illness or infantry, we’re better off to have organizations like these in our community, doing whatever it takes to make things better.

Bill Dungey is a local familyman and volunteer firefighter.

His writing is featured in print and online at www.sixfeet.ca Catch him online at @sixfoxtrot on Instagram.

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N AT I O N A L N E W S Canada one of a few industrialized countries not to raise the age of eligibility for government retirement programs like OAS and GIS Fraser Institute News Release (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada remains in the minority as one of the few OECD countries not to raise the age of eligibility for government retirement programs such as Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank.

increased (or are in the process of increasing) the age of eligibility for government retirement programs above 65. Interestingly, Denmark, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal are now linking and annually adjusting their eligibility age to changes in life expectancy.

“Almost three-quarters of industrialized countries around the world are increasing the age of eligibility for government retirement programs.

“Most industrialized countries around the world Meanwhile, Canada cancelled its plans to are increasing the age of eligibility for increase the age of eligibility in 2015,” said government retirement programs. Meanwhile, Eisen.

Canada is going against this trend by not “Due to our aging population, Canadians will see introducing similar changes,” said Ben Eisen, increased spending on health care and income senior fellow at the Fraser Institute and co-author support for seniors, that will increasingly place of Age of Eligibility for Public Retirement significant pressure on government finances, Programs in the OECD 2022 Update. risking the need for major tax increases and/or According to the study, among the 22 OECD continued borrowing.” countries covered, 16 have either already

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B L A C K H I S TO RY M O N T H LIBRARY RECOMMENDED FICTION BOOKS YOU MUST READ

Gary Jermy, coordinator, outreach and community impact for The County of Brant Library provided a list of suggested reads related to Black History Month. Below are several Fiction novels available at your local branch. See next week’s Paris Independent for his list of Non-Fiction reads.

Washington Black is the third novel by Canadian author Esi Edugyan. The novel was published in 2018 by HarperCollins in Canada and by Knopf Publishers internationally.

The story follows the early life of 11-year-old George Washington "Wash" Black, chronicling his escape from slavery and his subsequent adventures. The novel won the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize.

The Underground Railroad is a historical fiction novel by American author Colson Whitehead, published by Doubleday in 2016. The alternate history novel tells the story of Cora and Caesar, two slaves in the antebellum South during the 19th century, who make a bid for freedom from their Georgia plantation by following the Underground Railroad, which the novel depicts as a rail transport system with safe houses and secret routes.

The Color Purple

is a 1982 epistolary novel by American author Alice Walker which won the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for Fiction. It was later adapted into a film and musical of the same name. The novel has

been the frequent target of censors and appears on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000–2009 at number seventeenth because of the sometimes explicit content. The story focuses on the lives of African American women in the early twentieth-century rural Georgia. Through a series of letters spanning 20 years, the plot does not shy away from domestic and sexual abuse these women experienced, which ultimately shines a light on their resilience and bravery.

The Vanishing Half is a novel written by Brit Bennett. It is based on a multi-generational family saga set between the 1940s to the 1990s and centers on identical twin sisters Desiree and Stella

Vignes. The two lightskinned black sisters were raised in the fictional town of Mallard, Louisiana, and witness the lynching of their father in the 1940s.

In 1954, at the age of 16, the twins run away to New Orleans. However, Stella disappears shortly thereafter.

In 1968, Desiree leaves an abusive marriage and moves away from Washington D.C. to return to Mallard with her eight-year-old darkskinned daughter, Jude.

Jude grows older and moves to LA, California through a track scholarship at the University of California.

While working part time as a caterer, Jude sees a woman who appears to be her mother’s doppelganger. The woman is Stella, who has been passing as white.

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PUBLISHER’S STREAMING PICS

Galaxy Cinema Brantford is OPEN Click on image below for Tickets & Showtimes