The Paris Independent for Saturday March 26, 2022

BRANT COUNTY MOVES FORWARD WITH PLANS TO CO-HOST 2023 ONTARIO 55+ SUMMER GAMES! Story on Page 4

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The Paris Independent Saturday, March 26, 2022

THIS WEEK In Community

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SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

YEAR OF THE GARDEN

Pages 6 - 8 In Sports

OFF TO THE FINALS! Page 14 In Health

FITNESS CHALLENGE PRODUCES RESULTS

Pages 18 - 19

Mackinley and Joel Graham didn’t let the frigid water temperatures stop them from participating in one of their favourite past times: rafting down the Grand River. A sure sign that spring has arrived is the sight of rafts and canoes voyaging down the river.

The Grahams tested the waters with a short trip from downtown to Bean Park during March Break before the colder temperatures returned this week. Spring officially arrived on March 20th.

We welcome spring on pages 6-12.

Photo submitted by Andrea Graham

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

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March 26, 2022

COMMUNITY CALENDAR ONE BOOK ONE BRANT – Meet the author of this year’s book: Black Water, Family Legacy & Blood Memory by David A. Robertson. It’s a free online community event, pre register online ow.ly/7M8w50IjTiF . *Sunday, March 27 at 1:30 PM

SPRING AYR ARTISAN MARKET - We are excited to announce our first event of this year, the Spring Ayr Artisan Market!

This event is a single day event that will be located at the North Dumfries Community Complex 2958 Greenfield Rd located in Ayr April 9 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This is an indoor/outdoor event.

PARIS YOUTH SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION – Registration is open now until April 3. If you have a youth between the ages of 4-20 interested in building their skills, being part of a team and creating friendships register for ball today!

For more information and to register please visit our website: parisyouthsoftball.com

PARIS GEM & MINERAL SHOWSaturday April 2 and Sunday April 3rd at the Paris Fairgrounds. Over 25 vendors, mineral surprise bags for kids, rocks, minerals, jewellery and more.

Tickets:https://www.ticketscene.ca/eve nts/39852/?fbclid=IwAR13KtLDnjQyA JYP_rLgVhkOzndo1uFG6VgaB0NEqZK2F8fwfT5THCenrw COMFORT FOOD FOR SAD DAYS: Join us at the County of Brant Library as we make some delicious and nutritious comfort food. Tuesday, March 29 at 7pm.

Register and watch a live, virtual cooking class where we create something wonderful for both body and soul.

Register at ow.ly/cFAh50I99nf or call/visit your local branch and sign up with staff.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST – The Lions Club of Paris is hosting a drive-thru, pickup pancake breakfast in lieu of the Maple Syrup Festival. You MUST pre-order your breakfast online and pick up will take place between 8 am and noon on April 9th at The Paris Fairgrounds. Order your stack of pancakes now at https://lionsclubofparis.ca/pancakebre akfast/

Skating Club Gala!

Paris Skating Club Year End Gala, March 26 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

Admission is free, donations accepted. Come support local skaters, everyone welcome

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March 26, 2022

COMMUNITY CALENDAR EASTER EGG HUNT – At Cedarview Church, Saturday April 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free event with prizes and a BBQ! To register visit www.cedarviewchurch.com

YUK YUKS – Saturday, May 7th at Burford Agricultural Hall in support of Airport Station 2, County of Brant Fire Department $30 a ticket.

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGAZA- The Easter Bunny was practicing hiding eggs at Brantwood farm and now he can’t find them. Tickets go on sale March 14, $9 a person ages 24 and up, see add below..

Publisher Managing Editor Advertising Sales Photographer News Reporter News Reporter

Chris Whelan Casandra Turnbull Chris Whelan Michelle Malvaso Carolina Saenz Karon Sinning

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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March 26, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS County moves forward with plans to co-host 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games

By Casandra Turnbull Brant County Council approved plans to move forward in a joint venture with the City of Brantford to host the 2023 Ontario 55+ Summer Games.

The municipality and the city were set to host the 2021 Ontario 55+ Winter Games February 11 – 13, 2021 but they were postponed due to the pandemic. To secure the successful bid for the games, the two neighbouring communities entered into a Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA) and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which detailed the financing and roles and responsibilities of each co-host.

That TPA/MOU expired in November 2021 and the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture went on to officially cancel the 2021 winter games a month later.

Now with a new offer by the Ministry to host the 2023 Summer Games, the city and county must create and approve another TPA and submit a letter of intent to the Ministry by March 31, 2022. Since they already completed formal bid requirements to host the 2021

games, Games Ontario confirmed they do not need to complete another formal bid.

Council’s approval not only allows county staff to move forward with the letter of intent, but also requested council’s approval to make a $12,500 cash donation towards the Summer Games and an in-kind contribution of up to $15,000 specifically for transit assistance. The funds will be earmarked in the 2023 County of Brant operating budget.

The Summer Games, which will take place over three days and two nights, has an operating budget of $712,233 and is comprised of cash and in-kind donations, grants from the province, registration fees from athletes and sponsorships.

If the process proceeds as planned, the Ministry will conduct site tours in May 2022 and will officially announce the host communities in June 2022.

WHAT IS THE ONTARIO 55+ SUMMER GAMES? Held every other year in August, the games consist of 800-1,400 athletes competing in up to 18 different sports competitions.

It’s a celebration of active living

that is hosted every year, alternating between winter and summer, for individuals who are 55 years of age or older.

In total, it takes 400 to 500 volunteers to successfully host the event, which has huge economic benefits for participating County of Brant communities. The preparations leading up to the event, and hosting the event, will require a lot of planning from county staff. The county will be responsible for one third of the sports competitions. To help prepare staff has recommend capitalizing on expertise from several different departments and community volunteers.

Councillor John Peirce will sit on the organizing committee acting as a representative from council.

Community engagement will also be an integral part of building the games.

The county has some experience in hosting and organizing large sports events. In 2017 they successfully hosted the Para Sport Winter Games so they will build on that knowledge in the months leading up to next summer’s games.

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March 26, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS 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 adultsized 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.

Submitted Photo

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March 26, 2022

WELCOME TO SPRING

YEAR OF THE Different ways you can ‘Live the Garden Life’

By Casandra Turnbull

As Canadians welcomed the longawaited arrival of spring last weekend, not many people were aware that the day also signified the start of a country wide celebration of everything garden related.

The Year of the Garden 2022, supported by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association and the Canadian Garden Council, is officially underway. This year’s theme is ‘Plant Red’ to showcase your Canadian pride. The initiative aims to inspire and inform Canadians about the many health and well-being, economic and environmental benefits of gardening. With a call for everyone to ‘live the garden life,’ you don’t have to be an expert to participate.

Paris resident Anita Ferguson considers herself an amateur gardener, although her passion for planting and cultivating dates back to her childhood with some very vivid memories of tending to her aunt’s endless bed of perennials on the family homestead in Acton, Ontario. Fast forward a few decades and Ferguson and her sister both have thriving perennials in their home-based gardens, perennials that came from her aunt’s garden.

“We bought our house in Paris about 22 years ago and there wasn’t too much here in the way of landscaping,” she said. “With a lot of hard work my husband Alex hand-dug a pond and that was the beginning.” What followed, she said, was three more water gardens, a 1,000 square foot deck and lots and lots of plants along the way. “There are a lot of plants I love, but they don’t like me no matter how many times I try,” she admitted.

Not one to be discouraged, Ferguson tries new things in her garden each year. One year she planted all white flowers that produced a breathtaking view at night.

This year she will plant lots of pale pink flowers to coordinate with her daughter’s pink and pine green wedding colour scheme. The nuptials will take place in Ferguson’s carefully crafted yard later this year.

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March 26, 2022

WELCOME TO SPRING If you’re participating in this year’s challenge, be sure to incorporate lots of red to show your Canadian pride. Pictured to the left are some of Anita Ferguson’s plants in her Paris yard.

Photos by Anita Ferguson

So, what’s her advice for new gardeners? “Be bold and try something different. Ask and listen to the advice of the nursery experts. They are more than happy to give you good advice.”

Ferguson is also a fan of ‘bang for your buck,’ plants like Day Lilies, Canna Lilies and Japanese Maples. “A lot of plants can be pricey so don’t be afraid to get that sad looking perennial at the end of the season if it's a good deal. Most perennials will rally around, and you’ll have saved a lot (of money).”

Also, it doesn’t hurt to join some plant groups on social media.

She is a member of the Paris, Ontario Gardeners page where fellow gardeners share tips and suggestions and often some wonderful friendships flourish.

Melanie Trites-Speiran is also a

member of that group. She confessed she is addicted to gardening, so participating in this year’s challenge is a guarantee.

“I like to have mostly perennials with some annuals in the ground and at least two large containers on the back porch with annuals.

My perennials consist of different heights and colours and have different flowers/plants bloom from spring through summer,” she shared. She tops things off with a few hanging baskets and even a couple palm trees in her yard!

A few years ago, Trites-Speiran dabbled in produce gardening and every year since, she’s learned something new and is making progress – or at the very least she’s learned what to never try growing again! “Gardening is my therapy. It gets me out and I

love to watch everything grow daily. It’s my happy place.”

And speaking of happy place, the Paris Horticultural Society is in a happy place. They are finally able to resume in person meetings - just in time for the start of their busy season.

The Paris Horticultural Society (PHS) is joining the Brant County Garden Celebration being held on Saturday, June 18 at the South Dumfries Community Centre in St. George. The event, which runs from 12 pm to 3 pm, is open to all residents who want to learn more about gardening and learn more about local horticultural societies/clubs.

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March 26, 2022

WELCOME TO SPRING The PHS unofficially kick starts the season with an annual tradition: The Plant Sale on May 7th at the Syl Apps Community Centre from 8 am to 11 am, which includes a plant auction featuring a variety of perennials, vegetables, annuals and a special native section. On June 4 and 5 the popular Garden Tour returns and will showcase six pristine gardens from around the Paris area. The PHS executive invites the public to take the tour to become inspired by an array of landscape designs and floral displays. Tickets go on sale in late April and will be available at Walter’s Greenhouses, Mary Maxim, Green Heron Books, Sobeys and Dragonfly Landscaping. If you’re curious

and perhaps just want to sit back and learn more before you test your skills with a shovel and spade, you can attend a Friendly Garden Club monthly meeting held the first Wednesday of the month at the Paris Fairgrounds (7:30 pm) from September to June. There’s always a guest speaker, plant and flower competitions, draws and friendly chit chat where gardening tips and secrets are shared. The next meeting is scheduled for April 2 with guest speaker Rosemarie Szalich from the London Middlesex Master Gardeners speaking about ‘container gardening.’

The County of Brant is joining in the year of the Garden celebrations. Residents can watch

for several initiatives and community partnerships throughout the year including, garden tours, events, photo contests and much more! Visit Brant.ca/Yearofthegarden for more information.

Year of the Garden is open to anyone willing to test their green thumb.

Not only is it environmentally friendly, but it can also have economic and health benefits for you and your family. Share your experience on social media with the hashtag #LivetheGardenLife Learn more about the PHS at parishortsociety.com or on Facebook

Butterfly Awareness Week is a opportunity to spread awareness about butterflies, and the importance of them in the environment. It also gives individuals across Canada, and other individuals around the world a opportunity to learn about butterflies, and to realize how important it is to help these creatures. Learn more about Brant County Resident Erica Walker’s initiative to save the butterflies: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386597159056339

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March 26, 2022

WELCOME TO SPRING

FARM TO TABLE FRESHNESS Try locally sourced produce and meat to support the diverse agriculture in your community

By Carolina Saenz

It is no secret that supporting local businesses is beneficial to communities as it promotes a healthy economy, fair wages and labour conditions, environmental sustainability, and more.

This has become even more apparent throughout the pandemic, as rising prices and shortages in food and distribution influence the grocery industry in Canada. According to a 2021 Canada Post survey, 60% of Canadians are making a conscious effort to buy from Canadian businesses. And 50% would pay more for locally produced and/or sourced groceries.

Thankfully for all Parisians, an array of local farms offer all the basic grocery needs and much more. Moore’s Berries and Farm Fresh Produce located right on Pinehurst Road is famous for its delicious strawberries that you can even pick yourself. But it also boasts a wide variety of products from fresh fruits and vegetables to Longhorn meat, dairy, and even locally prepared entrees. Weekly bundles of produce, meats, eggs, and dairy combinations are also available, making farm to fork more affordable and accessible than ever before.

Nancy Moore explains that by choosing local, you can directly support farmers in our community. “When you shop at our farm you can see the fields your food comes from,” Moore says. “What we don’t grow we source from other local farmers,” she continues.

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With Spring in the air, what follows is an array of delicious fruits and vegetables grown locally in Brant County.

Moore’s Berries and Farm Fresh Produce is located on Pinehurst Rd

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March 26, 2022

WELCOME TO SPRING At Browndale Farms, it’s not uncommon for guests visiting the store to pop into the barn and meet the cows (pictured far left). It truly puts a new meaning to learning about the food you are buying!

And there is not a more valuable gift than learning where our food comes from, making a connection, and supporting the very hands that work to feed our community. “Our farm has been in the Moore family for 106 years. We are very passionate about what we do and take great pride in our farming business,” Moore concludes.

Also in Paris, Browndale Farm is located on West Dumfries Rd. Traditionally a dairy farm, Browndale is family owned and operated since 1948. Ashley Brown explains that their specialty is now beef grown in the farm. “We started selling beef about two years ago when our freezers were full and the store shelves were bare, and it has

taken off since then,” Brown says.

As a small farm focused on animal welfare and the education of the community, shopping at the farm offers a unique experience in itself. “When the store is open, there is usually access to the barn as well. This creates a unique experience to learn about the food you are buying. Seeing how our animals are raised and understanding the process is an experience itself. Then you get to purchase and take home the fruits of our labour. It doesn’t get much more farm to table than that,” Brown explains.

Continued on Page 11 Browndale Farm, family owned since 1948, offers a wide selection of beef cuts, but also has all the goodies to make that charcuterie board for your next social gathering!

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March 26, 2022

WELCOME TO SPRING Browndale Farm offers not only beef but also 100% Ontario cheese from Gunn’s Hill and Bright Cheese, as well as preserves, jellies, and charcuterie boards and products. Truly invested not only in providing top-quality products but also passionate about supporting the community, Browndale Farm provides virtual tours to schools and gives back to the community by donating food to Nova Vita and local food banks in need.

And for the approximately 37% of Canadians who only choose products with a traceable and transparent origin, choosing local farms is a win-win. “Our world is shifting further away from agriculture and we can see the disconnect between farm and table. It is so important to understand where our food comes from, what a better way to learn than from the people growing it,” Brown concludes.

There is no need to wait till summer to support local farmers. Visit a local farm today, and you will be pleasantly surprised by all they have to offer. If you’re looking to visit a variety of farms in this area, visit the County of Brant’s online agriculture guide: https://en.calameo.com/countyofbrant/read/000622964dcc32660 9d40?page=3

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March 26, 2022

WELCOME TO SPRING Hardworking farmers contribute to Canada’s food chain (NC) Photos of empty grocery store shelves on social media and talk of supply chain concerns have some Canadians worried about potential food shortages.

While there have been some disruptions to Canada’s food supply chain due to harsh weather conditions, labour shortages and COVID-19 outbreaks, there’s no need to panic.

Hardworking farmers across the country play a critical role in maintaining Canada’s food chain, by employing hundreds of thousands of people and growing key crops for a growing world.

While Canada does rely on imports from around the world to supplement our food supply, it’s also home to a robust agriculture industry with nearly 200,000 farms across the country growing crops like canola, cereals and pulses, corn, potatoes and more. According to Statistics Canada, in 2021 alone, Canadian farmers produced 21.7 million tonnes of wheat, 12.6 million tonnes of canola and 6.3 million tonnes of soybeans.

The hard work and dedication of farmers, and an emerging focus on agricultural innovations that support higher crop yields and higher quality, is keeping our food supply chain strong.

According to Crop Life, plant science innovations have driven a 50 per cent increase in crop productivity over the last century, providing Canadians with access to a steady food supply. In addition, this innovation plays a key role in creating jobs, spurring economic growth and ensuring the sustainability of farming for years to come.

While the world faces some disruptions to the food supply chain, we’re fortunate for Canadian farmers, who work hard to produce a reliable and abundant supply of high-quality crops in our own backyard. www.newscanada.com

FARMER IN TRAINING? Young Elliot Godden loves visiting his papa’s farm in Blyth and when he’s there he’s proven to be quite helpful!

Elliot is pictured feeding oneweek old Lucy, a calf who was born small and abandoned by its mother.

Photo by Kristy Caldwell

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March 26, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS

Construction on affordable housing project in Paris to start in May MEDIA RELEASE - Councils of the County of to call home provides a sense of security and Brant and City of Brantford approved the next step wellbeing, giving a foundation for individuals to in Trillium Way affordable housing development pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life. Both Councils’ approval to move forward At Council meetings held Tuesday March 22, 2022, collaboratively on this development demonstrates both the City of Brantford and the County of Brant the ability and commitment of our communities to approved a capital contribution agreement that will find and build solutions together. Recognizing we identify the shared investment in the development still have a lot of work to do to achieve our common of a new affordable housing build on Trillium Way ultimate goals, I’m encouraged to see how much in Paris, Brant - one of the collaborative projects progress we’ve made to date.” being implemented to achieve the deliverables set out in the Mayors’ Housing Partnerships Task Force The acute need for more affordable housing, and the Affordable Housing Action Plan. positive impact this stability has on people’s lives cannot be understated. Clearly, need has never been “Affordable housing is an incredibly important topic greater, made even more acute by impacts of the for many communities including the County of COVID-19 pandemic. At present, there are over Brant and City of Brantford. Waitlists continue to be 1,450 households on the community housing extensive and not enough viable housing options are waitlist, whereby new non-senior applicants, with available. I am proud of our Councils for taking no dependents, have a wait of between eight and 12 action on the Affordable Housing Action Plan and years, and account for nearly 35 per cent of moving forward to create new solutions by applicants. constructing affordable housing units in Paris. This is a strong step in the right direction,” stated Brant “This is more than affordable housing; this is County Mayor David Bailey. transforming lives and communities. Affordable housing has been shown to have profound effects on Consistent with the plan to build 506 new housing residents such as improving health, security, access units from 2020 – 2030, capital costs for each new to jobs and financial stability,” said Paris Councillor development will be negotiated and proportionately Marc Laferriere. “Together, the County and City are shared by each municipality. The County’s committed to creating opportunities for residents to contribution to the Trillium Way development is lay down roots and create a home while improving estimated at $12.5 million, up to $15 million. the quality of life for residents and the overall Construction on the new development that will community,” added Laferriere who is also Brant feature up to 49 one and two-bedroom units is County Social Services Committee Chair. expected to begin in May 2022.

The City’s proportionate contribution to the Municipal target is estimated at up to $40 million.

Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis said, “Having a place

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March 26, 2022

S P O RT S U13 Team 2 Advances to Finals!

The U13 Team#2 celebrates following their 3-0 semi final win over Ingersoll on March 21st.

All photos by Michelle Malvaso Pictured far left is Logan Sinclair trying to get one past the Ingersoll goalie. Immediate left is Scott Harrison scoring.

Paris advanced to game one of the finals on March 24 against Simcoe.

They lost 1-0.

Far left is Hayden Sparks firing one off and immediate left Paris goalie Callum Dailey making a save.

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March 26, 2022

S P O RT S Wolfpack prepare to host Syl Apps Tournament

By Casandra Turnbull In a return to what can only be described as normalcy, Paris Minor Hockey is ready to host the upcoming Syl Apps Memorial Hockey Tournament from April 1- 3.

Named after one of the greatest hockey players of all time, with his picture hanging above the Gurney ice rink, the tournament will feature U18 & U15 teams from across Ontario.

“Fans can expect fast-paced chippy hockey games,” previewed PMHA President Mike Sinclair. “Our U18 and U15 teams have all faired very well in tournaments this season with multiple teams ending up in semi and finals in tournaments this season.”

What makes the weekend long tournament special, aside from the talent on the ice, is it’s the last hurrah for many players who are graduating from the minor hockey ranks and bidding the Wolfpack organization a farewell. It’s also what makes the games so invigorating, probably more so this year since tournaments were temporarily paused throughout the pandemic.

The tournament is sponsored by Mike Yarek Dodge Chrysler and will feature eight U15 teams and 18 U18 teams. “We have been planning this tournament all season,” explained Sinclair who is one of the tournament’s conveners.

“We’ve added additional spots to accommodate the demand of extra U18 teams. It was crucial that we go this tournament in to help PMHA’s financial obligations.”

This tournament also signifies the end of the season for all PMHA teams who are currently wrapping up the final games or heading into the semi final and final playoffs. As of press deadline, several Paris teams outskated their opponents to

earn positions in the local league divisional championships.

“It’s great to see the kids back on the ice playing competitive hockey games and enjoying tournaments across Ontario. We are looking forward to next season when we will have the full launch of our updated logo and when we see our registration numbers come back up to pre-pandemic levels.”

In total Paris will have three U18 and one U15 team competing. For a complete list of the schedule please visit Syl Apps Memorial Tournament presented by Mike Yarek Dodge Chrysler > Divisions > Under 15 (Paris Minor Hockey).

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Paris Syl Apps Arena, is one of the oldest arenas in Ontario Photos Courtesy: The Paris Museum & Historical Society

Paris Past By Chris Whelan The first hockey games in Paris took place on the naturally frozen waters of the local rivers and ponds. The first indoor arena in Paris was built with natural ice over ground that was allowed to freeze in the winter, then flooded with water. This early arena was located in the South Ward area and was later moved to the Paris Fairgrounds where it was used as an exhibition hall for many years and recently demolished. A playoff series could easily be postponed by a warm snap, and spectator seating, when it existed, was kept unheated so as not to melt the ice. Clearly, hockey as a spectator sport could not take off in popularity without ice made through refrigeration a new Paris Community Arena was built on William Street.

Above photo: c1947 Charles Joseph Sylvanus "Syl" Apps, (January 18, 1915 – December 24, 1998)

Above photo: 51 William Street, Paris, ON. Was the first refrigerated arena in Paris, built in the 1930s and known today as the Syl Apps Community Centre. The arena hasn't had ice in it since 2009, but it is still open as an indoor permanent Astroturf on the arena floor. Charles Joseph Sylvanus Apps was born & raised in Paris and was an an Olympic pole vaulter, Toronto Maple Leaf and later a Conservative MPP for Kingston, Ontario.

Above photo: Paris Fall Fair, 1908. It was originally held on the corner of Elm Street & William Street where the present Syl Apps Community Centre now stands. Signs in this photograph include "Tremaine Candy Kitchen, Brantford"; "Daily Expositor for Sale Here"; "Grafton's Union Made Clothing, Brantford". This image is printed on the twentyseventh page of photographs in At the Forks of the Grand: Volume II by D. A. Smith

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“SYL APPS ALWAYS CONSIDERED PARIS HIS HOME” Syl Apps Jr. Photos Courtesy: The Paris Museum & Historical Society Apps was a strong athlete, 6 feet tall, weighing 185 pounds, and won the gold medal at the 1934 British Empire Games in the pole vault competition. Two years later he represented Canada at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, where he placed sixth in the pole vault event. After watching him play Canadian football at McMaster University, Conn Smythe signed Apps to play hockey with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Apps played centre with the Toronto Maple Leafs for his entire professional hockey career. His jersey number was 10. He was the winner of the first Calder Trophy in 1937, and the 1942 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy. Apps served as the Maple Leafs captain during the first National Hockey League All-Star Game October 13, 1947, at Maple Leaf Gardens. He also played for an all-star team competing in Montreal on October 29, 1939, to raise money for Babe Siebert's family.

Apps retired from the NHL in 1948 and took a marketing job with the Simpson's department store. At the same time, he also served as the Ontario Athletic Commissioner. Fifty years after retiring from hockey, Apps suffered a heart attack and died as a result December 24, 1998. Although he lived and played professional hockey in Toronto and later represented Kingston in the Ontario legislature, Apps always considered Paris his home and returned to the community often to visit family and take part in community events, Apps Jr. has said.

Apps was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961. In 1975 he was elected to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. In 1998, he was ranked number 33 on the List of 100 greatest hockey players by The Hockey News. Won the Stanley Cup 1942, 1947, 1948 (as Captain with Toronto)

Above Photo: Brimsek stops Apps while #18 Ken Smith, #20 Paul Ronty, #23 Johnny Peirson and helmeted #6 Jack Crawford look on. Game 1 of the Semifinals, March 24, 1948.

Above: His son Syl Apps, Jr. also played in the NHL. His granddaughter Gillian Apps won the Gold medal in the 2006 Olympics for Canada's Women's Ice Hockey Team, and his grandson Syl Apps III was a college hockey star at Princeton University and played four years in the minor leagues.

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March 26, 2022

H E A LT H Y L I F E S T Y L E The body achieves what the mind believes Just for the Health of It! with Coach Shell Let's talk this month about joining a challenge. At GFS we run 3-4 challenges per year. The challenges last anywhere from 6-8 weeks typically. They have been very popular with ladies in and around the Paris area. Many ladies love the thrill of joining a weight loss or muscle up challenge as it gives them that extra push to go a little harder in the gym and/or be a little stricter with their nutrition. Even though there are only a handful of 'winners' at the end, so many women feel like they won because they have lost weight, got into a workout routine, cleaned up their eating or just feel better energy. I am told countless times that a challenge was LIFE CHANGING for that participant and there really is no greater compliment than that. I would encourage anyone who has yet to join a challenge to give it a try as you will be amazed at the changes you can make in a few short weeks!

Couples compete & succeed in Tango7 Fitness challenge

Recently we held a TANGO7 Challenge that was for partners, and although GFS is a ladies only gym, we allowed men in this challenge this time. Each participant either picked their own partner, or if joining alone then we helped to find them another GFS girl to team up with. Each team earned points for completing the required number of strength training sessions in the 7 weeks,

completing weekly cardio tasks, and then at the end points were given based on weight loss % and picture transformations from start to finish. The top 3 teams were awarded amazing prizes, including a Niagara Falls getaway package, an overnight spa package in Acton and the Ultimate Tasty Road Trips overnight tour in Brantford.

Continued on Page 19

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March 26, 2022

H E A LT H Y L I F E S T Y L E The top team was a husband and wife team who scored a perfect 40/40. Myles & Kassandra Cruickshank crushed their challenge. They had a total combined weight loss of 58 pounds in 7 weeks, with both of them losing over 10% of their initial body weight in such a short time. They worked hard, kept each other accountable with some friendly competition, and their results were incredible.

The second-place team was also a husband and wife by the name of Lindsay & John Plumstead! It is evident why these two are married as they make fantastic partners! They both lost over 10% of their weight in 7 weeks, funny enough tying at 10.3%!

They had a whopping total of 57.4 pounds lost between them! John had the second highest weight loss in the challenge and Lindsay had the 3rd so to say that the two of them gave it their all is an understatement! They also worked hard as a team to push each other to get that workout in and to stay on their eating plan despite all the temptations around them.

The third-place team was two awesome ladies who are best friends. Nuala Muir & Sheila Adams absolutely dominated this challenge, showing us that teamwork is dreamwork. They worked hard to support & encourage each other to be the best they can be. Nuala dropped just shy of 10 pounds and achieved her ideal bodyweight in this challenge and her transformation pics made the top 10 of everyone in the challenge. Her gal pal Sheila was the TOP WEIGHT LOSS % in the challenge, losing 11% of her initial weight and 20 whole pounds! Absolutely amazing work by these ladies.

We have another challenge coming up starting on April 4 that is a 40-day challenge called Women UpLIFTed! Up to 100 ladies will be competing for either the title of MUSCLE UP WINNER or WEIGHT LOSS %. There will also be 2 random draws for everyone who just completes the challenge.

There will be 4 grand prizes given away as well as 4 prizes given throughout the challenge by local business owners. I absolutely can't wait to see the transformations that will occur as they never cease to amaze me regardless of how many challenges I do! The body can achieve what the mind believes!

If you are interested in joining the next challenge, please send me a message as there are limited spots remaining.

The Paris Independent

20

March 26, 2022

COMMUNITY NEWS County recognizes March 31 as Transgender Visibility Awareness Day

By Casandra Turnbull The County of Brant will raise a new flag on March 31 in support of Transgender Day of Visibility.

Tara Buchanan from The Bridge Brant made a passionate presentation at the Administration & Operations Committee meeting last week asking the County to consider raising the Transgender flag, which they will provide.

Buchanan said the idea was proposed by a transgender community member. “I want to share one statistic – 47% of transgender youth actually try to harm themselves, which is pretty startling number. But with parental support that statistic drops by 97%. It just shows that with support one’s life can change dramatically. Whether that is support from a service provider, family member or a community.

That is why visibility is so important,” said Buchanan. She is a member of The Bridge Brant, a local grassroots committee that provides a safe, supportive, and empowering home for the area’s 2SLGBTQ+ community. Through education and programming, the Bridge aims to promote the importance of acceptance and inclusion in an effort to eliminate stigma, bullying and discrimination at all levels of community life.

The transgender flag is light blue, pink and white and was designed by American trans woman Monica Helms in 1999. The flag will be raised on March 31 in recognition of Transgender Visibility Day.

Buchanan also mentioned that the Bridge works with a lot of Brant County high school students and they are continuing to see these numbers grow. “Not just transgender, but also (teens) who identify as nonbinary – that number is really growing.”

March 31 is an international event that recognizes the resilience and accomplishments of transgender community. “The County of Brant strives to be a safe place to call home. We are thrilled to support International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2022. It is a day to celebrate transgender people and raise awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide.

Collectively, we can stop the stigma and create a safe place for all people,” said Mayor

David Bailey.

Rachel Crandall, a US -based transgender activist, founded this day in 2009. Crandall wanted to highlight the fact that the only transgender-centric day that is internationally recognized is Transgender Day of Remembrance. Through this day, the intention is to induce moral responsibility and tolerance and lift the restrictions on the rights of transgender people.

The Administration & Operations committee supported the motion to raise the transgender flag on March 31 and council later supported the motion at its meeting on March 22. The Bridge Brant has provided the flag.

The Paris Independent

21

March 26, 2022

C O N S U M E R A WA R E N E S S Fraud Prevent Month raises awareness after historic year for reported losses MEDIA RELEASE - Last year was a historic year for financial losses reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC). Based on reports to the CAFC, $379 million were lost to scams and fraud in 2021, which was an increase of 130% compared to 2020. The continued prevalence of scams and fraud is why the CAFC, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Competition Bureau are once again joining forces this March to lead the 18th annual Fraud Prevention Month.

Increasingly, and especially over the past two years during the pandemic, many of us have turned to online services and devices to carry on with our daily activities. Despite all of the ways the Internet can help us, we need to remain vigilant as we don't always know who is on the other side of our screens. Many fraudsters use impersonation tactics to pose as a trusted source to steal money or personal information. This is why the Fraud Prevention Month 2022 campaign will focus on impersonation scams.

“Impersonation scams have become increasingly more sophisticated. Fraudsters have taken

advantage of consumers as we've grown more reliant on the Internet to shop, socialize and for entertainment. This Fraud Prevention Month, the Bureau and its partners are helping Canadians recognize, reject and report scammers trying to rob them of their hard-earned money,” says Matthew Boswell, Commissioner of Competition for the RCMP. Based on reports from the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre, the top 5 most reported scams for 2021 were: extortion, phishing, merchandise scams, service scams and vendor fraud.

Help raise awareness by sharing what you learn with those around you throughout the month of March. Let's work together to recognize, reject and report fraud!

If you are the victim of a scam, fraud or cybercrime, please contact your local police. It is also essential that you report an incident, whether you are a victim or not, to the CAFC via their Online Reporting System or by phone at 1-888-495-8501.

The Paris Independent

22

March 26, 2022

Showtimes for Galaxy Cinemas Brantford Saturday March 19, 2022 The Batman 2:00p.m. 6:00p.m. 7:45p.m. 9:20p.m.

The Lost City 12:50p.m. 3:50p.m. 6:50p.m. 9:50p.m.

Uncharted 12:40p.m. 3:40p.m. 6:40p.m. 9:40p.m.

Spider-Man: No Way Home 1:00p.m. 2:40p.m. 6:10p.m. 9:45p.m.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 12:20p.m. 3:20p.m. 6:30p.m. 10:00p.m.

Sing 2 11:10a.m. 12:30p.m. 3:30p.m.

Cinderella and the Little Sorcerer 12:10p.m. 4:30p.m.

The Wolf and the Lion 1:50p.m. 4:50p.m.

Jackass Forever 9:30p.m.

Scream 6:20p.m.

Arctic Dogs 11:00a.m.