Vol. 8, Issue 7
Free of Charge
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Seven years in, Sarnia Harbour gamble has paid off TROY SHANTZ & GEORGE MATHEWSON THE JOURNAL
W
hen city council agreed to take ownership of Sarnia Harbour in March of 2014 it provoked some quiet angst. After all, running the federal government’s sprawling complex of shipping wharves and warehouses was far outside City Hall’s core mandate of roads and garbage collection. Despite Ottawa sweetening the handover with a one-time cheque for $8 million, the decision meant real financial risk to local taxpayers. Now, seven years in, it’s safe to say the deal has been a good one for Sarnia. The Harbour has averaged $343,000 in net income annually since the city took ownership. And while most of the $8 million float has already been spent on upgrades and a controversial dredging project, the long-range outlook is positive, according to a third-party assessment. The report by consultant MDB Insight concluded the Harbour will continue to generates annual surpluses from the ships that pay to use it, revenue that will be more than enough to cover the next round of dredging and ongoing operations until at least 2027. Continued on 3
A DREDGING BARGE pulls sediment from Sarnia Harbour in 2016 under a contract that led to a recently settled lawsuit. The dredging left the Harbour with a working depth of 8.4 metres of water. Glenn Ogilvie file photo
Humble city chef cooks 45,000 free meals
S
CATHY DOBSON THE JOURNAL
arnia’s Kevin Allen has spent 70 hours a week in the kitchen but even he can’t believe he’s cooked 45,000 free meals for seniors in one year. Not bad for a volunteer-based
project without a plan. “When COVID hit, I had cooked for a function at my church and had a few meals left over,” Allen said about how it all got started. “I knew some seniors who might appreciate them and offered to deliver.” Then, he found a spare roast
in his freezer and cooked that up too, after learning older residents were having difficulty getting groceries during the first lockdown. Many were afraid to go outside. “I found older couples, where the wife was sick and he didn’t know how to cook anything. I realized there were so many
people who need good, nutritious food,” said Allen, 55, a professional chef who has cooked for a large summer camp in Algonquin Park the past 18 years. With those first meals delivered, Allen was surprised by more requests. Most were from family members worried about elderly relatives struggling
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Page 2
The Sarnia Journal
Thursday, April 8, 2021
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Thursday, April 8, 2021
The Sarnia Journal
Harbour:
Continued from 1 And yet, while profitable, the facility hasn’t lived up to its considerable potential, the 2020 report concluded. “Because of the one-time funding provided at the time of divestiture, it has never been a financial burden to Sarnia taxpayers, but the potential of that is on the horizon and has some people concerned.” As a result, a top priority for the city’s newly minted Economic Development Department is to get the Harbour fully certified as a marine facility, a move that would allow more international vessels to dock here, Economic Development director Kelly Provost told The Journal. Raising the classification would reduce the paperwork needed for international vessels to dock and allow more of them to stay at one time, she said. “What the Economic Development strategy is alluding to is that (international vessels) may potentially skip our har-
bour for another harbour that would have less processing required.” Sarnia Harbour is actually comprised of four different docks; the Cestar Dock (formerly the North Slip) at the end of Exmouth Street; the Government Dock and Sidney Smith Wharf on Seaway Road; and the Mission Dock south of the downtown near Imperial Oil. Collectively they can handle up to 12 ships at a time, and 30 to 40 regularly use the Harbour over the nine-month shipping season, Prevost said. Income is generated from ship fees, electrical use and warehouse rents. The huge vessels that tie up pay $1.05 to $1.80 per metre, per day, depending on which dock is used. The Harbour’s usage fee is $375 per entry for up to 24 hours, and $1,325 for vessels with working cargo that stay longer. A wharfage fee (cargo handling) is billed based on the commodity. Contractors also secure permits to work on ships in port over the winter. But Harbour maintenance is
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hugely expensive. Part of the $8-million federal reserve was spent on road repairs, lighting, electrical upgrades and new transformers. The bulk went to a troubled dredging contact that removed 30,000 cubic metres of sediment from the Government Dock and North Slip in 2016-17. As The Journal reported at the time, it was beset with problems. Dealing with contaminated water that seeped from excavated sediment piled at Sarnia Chris Hadfield Airport and unexpected consultant fees resulted in cost overruns. Council met frequently behind closed doors. The dredging bill ballooned to about $3.5 million and resulted in legal action. The MDB report warned that any money used to pay for litigation or potential damages from the suit will adversely affect the Harbour’s financial balance. The lawsuit was finally resolved in December. City solicitor Olivia Nisbet declined to comment on its nature or how much it was settled for. Today, only about $755,000
Page 3
of the federal money remains. A separate account the city started for the Harbour has amassed about $1.9 million. On the upside, no major work is needed until the next round of dredging between 2024 and 2029, and that is budgeted for. But other challenges exist. For one thing the Harbour is closely aligned - like the local economy itself - to the oil and gas industry. About 100 large industrial components already pass through the docks each year to the Chemical Valley. And two related projects in the works – a $6-million Cestar Dock expansion at the foot of Exmouth Street and the $16.9-million Oversized Load Corridor – are both linked to the Western Canadian fossil fuel industry. As the MDB report notes: “That industry is in flux and may have changed to the negative for the foreseeable future for local business.” Sarnia took the harbour, in part, because it was concerned that if it didn’t another agency, like the Hamilton Port Authority, would place large
sections of prime waterfront land in uncertain hands. It was also a jobs strategy. Many local companies provide goods and services to visiting ships and their crews, and $15 million in marine repairs each winter support hundreds of good-paying jobs. Provost said her team is already looking at other ways to boost the Harbour’s profitability. Opportunities could include more corporate sponsors and improving and expanding the warehouses, and shipping biomass out of Sarnia. Another is the long-held dream of attracting Great Lakes cruise ship operators. “We may need to look at diversification,” she said. “Maybe there are other industries if (Canadian oil and gas) is experiencing a decline.” As a publicly owned facility, the Harbour fits all the economic priorities Sarnia is trying to advance, she added. “These are our assets and we want to make them all the best economic drivers that we can.”
Council erases graffiti policy Point Edward approves 1.99% tax increase
S
arnia’s proposed graffiti policy has been scrubbed. Council voted last week to can a plan to invest in equipment to remove graffiti and create a process for artists to legally paint murals on designated buildings. “Quite frankly, I think this is a waste of money,” said Coun. Mike Stark. “We (have) formally dealt with graffiti and it didn’t require a capital investment of
($30,000). I don’t see the need for it now.” The policy would have defined illegal graffiti and promoted education, prevention and monitoring, with timelines for removing unwanted graffiti. Coun. Bill Dennis opposed giving a green light to street artists, even in designated places. “I struggle with what I see as allowing graffiti opportunities,” he said.
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oint Edward council has approved a 2021 budget containing a 1.99% tax increase. Village residents will pay $978 in municipal property taxes on each $150,000 worth of home assessment this year, an increase of $19 annually. The final tax bill is comprised of the municipal portion, the Lambton County
Henry Plater
portion that is up 1.75%, and education taxes that are yet to be determined. Capital spending was reduced due to uncertain revenue expected from the Starlight Casino, which remains closed to patrons, the village said. The pandemic, now in its second year, complicates budget estimates, said Mayor Bev
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Hand. “It is difficult to determine when operations throughout the Village, both public and private, will return to normal." Point Edward’s final tax bills will be mailed out in early June and be due July 2 and Oct. 1.
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Page 4
The Sarnia Journal
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Local
Support is helping, but homeless crisis could get worse arnia’s homeless crisis could worsen in the coming weeks as CERB and other government support programs run out, says Lambton County’s homelessness prevention manager. “We need to at least be prepared for it. Given the economic trends and what we know is coming it’s a reasonable assumption,” Melissa Fitzpatrick said. Sarnia’s two homeless shelters are full and have been throughout the pandemic. The overflow – more than 200 adults and children, are put up each night
at motels and hotels in Sarnia and Point Edward. The participants include the Sunbridge Hotel, Capital 3 (formerly the Chipican) Eastcourt Motel, Bluewater Motel, Willis’s Inn, Comfort Inn and Versatile Inn Hotel. Lambton pays the businesses directly for emergency shelter in a process coordinated by Inn of the Good Shepherd, Fitzpatrick said. Funding from the federal and provincial government is giving shelter and assistance to the most vulnerable. Another $2.3 million from Ontario last month extended the hotel and motel stay program. The money
arrived just in time and the full impact of the pandemic isn’t yet clear, Fitzpatrick said. And more than $100,000 a month is going to help Ontario Works recipients with rent and utility bills. Last week, 216 people were sheltered at Good Shepherd’s Lodge, The Haven youth centre, and overflow motels, said executive director Myles Vanni. Another 20 or so were housed at River City Sanctuary. “The numbers fluctuate. Earlier this month we were hitting almost 230,” he said. While the pandemic has complicated things few apartments and rising rents were a problem
before COVID-19, Vanni said. “There’s just nothing out there. The demand for housing has really pushed the prices up. And if you’re able to get into a place, for sure you’re still using the food bank and services of social agencies because you don’t have any money left for food.” Fitzpatrick said government financial assistance has helped 600 people with housing insecurity through the pandemic, and prevented another 200 from winding up on the street. Many people that required emergency shelter were already living precariously - crashing on a friend’s couch or staying with
Continued from 1 “I always said this was all backwards,” said Allen, who is described by friends as a very humble fellow. “Most organizations see a need and try to meet it. With this, I started cooking and then
uncovered a need. “You wouldn’t believe the number of people waiting to get into nursing homes who shouldn’t be using a stove. “I never would have believed it in a million years.” It was only a matter of time before Sarnia Blessings began taking referrals from Bluewater Health for people Wellingt going home on St
post-surgery, and from community organizations like the Alzheimer’s Society. At their busiest, Allen and his volunteers were delivering 1,300 free meals a week to about 130 people. That’s 10 meals per person per week. “We were going to cut it off at 100 but just kept going when the need was there,” he said. Allen, his wife Jan and their team worked tirelessly to organize it all and started a screening process. From the beginning, he didn’t let the food bills worry him even though it was costing thousands of dollars. “I always said I’d keep cooking as long as donations came in, and they rolled in week after week from churches, individuals, businesses… so many contributed,” he said. “I think God primed me for something worthwhile. If I can cook for 500 rich kids a day at summer camp, I can do it for this.” His church, Lighthouse Community Church, was a big support, as were other churches and
service clubs. One local woman made bread. Another baked 600 muffins a week. In the fall, a Canadian Red Cross grant secured by the French Community Centre covered food costs for 12 weeks. It was truly a community effort and a labor of love for Allen, who was recognized by the City of Sarnia for going “above and beyond in response to COVID- 19.” The Sarnia Sting and Imperial Oil honoured him and Sarnia Blessings with an “Extra Mile” award in the fight against the pandemic. But eventually the 70hour weeks proved to be KEVIN ALLEN, of Sarnia Blessings. CATHY DOBSON The Journal too much. In October, a case of free meal service for Sarnia’s shingles slowed Allen. In February, tired and short on do- seniors and most vulnerable. “We’re going to look for fundnations, he put Sarnia Blessings ing and we may do some fund“on hold.” raising by selling high-end meals “But we’re not disappearto the general public,” he said. ing,” said Allen. Instead, Sarnia “It grew and grew so fast. Now Blessings formed a board of directors and applied to become what we need is a fully struca registered charity. It could take tured organization to properly meet the needs of our commuseveral months but Allen and the new board intend to resume nity.”
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relatives, Fitzpatrick said. Those arrangements ended abruptly when the pandemic arrived and physical distancing was recommended. “It is much more costly to keep individuals in the hospital, jails, or emergency shelters than it is to provide additional financial support for rent,” she said. “I’m hopeful that some people will be able to go back to the arrangements they had before,” she said. “A lot of the reason they found themselves homeless was because they had been staying with family or a friend.”
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Thursday, April 8, 2021
The Sarnia Journal
Page 5
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Page 6
The Sarnia Journal
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Local
‘Can’t do this anymore:’ Eatery owners call it quits
place. Dean ran the kitchen while Laurie took care of the front of the house. At its peak, the restaurant he pandemic has perma- employed 23 staff and cusnently ended the dream tomers appreciated how the of two Sarnians to run Fraynes renovated a landmark their own restaurant. and breathed new life into the Less than three years afformer Chipican Steak House. ter Laurie and Dean Frayne The couple survived the first opened Lake Point Grillhouse lockdown by focusing on take& Lounge a lack of staff, a delay out specials. Last summer they in government assistance, and opened a patio and received a a third wave of COVID-19 has $40,000 federal loan that saw made staying in business imthem through. possible, Laurie Frayne says. The summer patio proved “I can’t do this anymore. very successful and partially Maybe if we had a small restau- compensated for closing last rant we could keep going. But spring, Laurie Frayne said. 10 people allowed in a restau“We were looking forward to rant that seats 160 just isn’t having it again (this summer) doable.” as well as the takeout window.” The pandemic was the bigBut retaining staff became ingest factor. creasingly difficult, she said. The Fraynes entered it in a “People would rather sit at relatively strong position. Their home and collect CERB.” family-style restaurant on By November she and Dean Christina Street North had a were running the restaurant on growing clientele. Live music their own. on the weekends packed the “I was having to do it all greet people at the door, make sure all the protocols were met, screen the customers, take the orders, Store & Studio do the cleaning, serve the SIGN UP FOR food,” said Laurie. LESSONS NOW! “I was exhausted so we 115 Mitton St S. • 519-344-2319 switched to just takeout.” The community supported Lake Point’s takeout but HONDA the rollercoaster of shutTHE BEST OUT THERE downs and restrictions made it hard to pay the bills. “The overhead is the same whether you can seat 10 or 100 people,” she said. The couple realized they could generate business by selling packaged meals to local retirement homes, so they began delivering fresh 2021 and frozen dinners with PIONEER 700 homemade pies to senior honda .ca complexes. SHOWROOM OPEN “We were hoping we could Tues - Fri: 9am - 4pm Sat: 9am - 2pm keep it going that way,” said Email info@wckhonda.com Laurie, adding she is grate584 St. Clair Parkway, Corunna
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CATHY DOBSON THE JOURNAL
THE GIFT OF HEARING
CONTEST Bluewater hearing wants to give the gift of hearing—one free pair of hearing aids to someone who is deserving in the community.
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ful for the good friends who volunteered to help. The Fraynes applied for a provincial small business grant of up to $20,000. There was an error in the application and it needed to be resubmitted. “We waited weeks and weeks for an answer and when I called to find out about it, I was on hold for three hours,” Frayne said. “I was told we’d get a call later and that there is a big backlog in applications.” Then her husband slipped in the parking lot and injured his back. Hard decisions had to be made. “This is about a lot more than one restaurant,” she said. “We’re all struggling. We didn’t want to give up. There’s a lot of sadness but we have to move ahead.”
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More than 200,000 Canadian businesses could close permanently during the COVID-19 crisis, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business estimates. Its latest data shows that only 62% of businesses are fully open, 44% are fully staffed, and 31% DEAN AND LAURIE Frayne are making norJournal file photo mal sales. When the are really going to miss them,” Fraynes posted on she said. Facebook that Lake Point was “We so much appreciate permanently closed, they rethe community’s support. We ceived hundreds of comments from disappointed customers. know we did well and provided a good product. “Many of our staff and cus“We don’t want to go.” tomers became friends and we
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*Please note: All submissions are evaluated by Bluewater Hearing staff. Contest winner must be able to travel to our clinic for all initial appointments (including, but not l limited to, initial hearing test, hearing aid fitting, and hearing aid delivery. Contest ends May 31st, 2021).
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Thursday, April 8, 2021
The Sarnia Journal
Page 7
Local
20% get first shots locally, but variants spreading rapidly JOURNAL STAFF
A
s the COVID-19 vaccine rollout expands across Sarnia-Lambton as many as 800 to 1,000 people each day are getting their first shot, Lambton Public Health says. As of last week, more than 24,000 doses had been administered and more than 20% of the eligible population had
received at least one shot. However, easier to spread and possibly deadlier variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are spreading rapidly through the community. Individuals 70 to 74 years (or turning 70 in 2021) began getting their first shots last week. Pre-registration also began for teachers, childcare workers, faith leaders, police and fire
LAMBTON PUBLIC HEALTH nurse Mariela McGrath prepares a COVID-19 vaccine shot at the Point Edward Arena. TROY SHANTZ The Journal
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— Dr. Sudit Ranade
personnel, bylaw enforcement and building and food inspectors. For eligibility and reg-
istration details visit the Lambton Public Health website vaccination registration page. AstraZeneca vaccine for people 55 and older was expected to be available this week at three local pharmacies: The Loblaw pharmacy (Superstore) at 600 Murphy Rd., Bright’s Grove Family Pharmacy, and Forest Pharmacy in Forest. Bookings are made with the individual
pharmacies. Meanwhile, an outbreak of COVID-19 among residents at an already vaccinated Sarnia retirement home was not a surprise, said Lambton’s Medical Officer of Health. The outbreak that began March 23 at Rosewood Retirement Village involved 18 residents and two staff. But that does not mean the vaccine isn’t working, Dr. Sudit
Ranade said. Their symptoms are mild and none has needed to go to hospital, which is what COVID-19 vaccines are supposed to do, Ranade said. “We should see fewer going to hospital, we should see fewer people dying, but we can’t really say that there shouldn’t be outbreaks at all.”
Page 8
The Sarnia Journal
Published by The Sarnia Journal, A division of Sarnia Media Group Inc.
Another compendium of curious stuff from Sarnia’s past RANDY EVANS
BUSY GUY – After graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in architecture, Chester Charles Woods (1890-1970) returned to his native Sarnia to ply his profession. By the time he was done, Woods had designed 12 Ontario hospitals, 10 movie houses (including one in Sarnia), London Road Public School (1920), Johnston Memorial Public School (1928), the Imperial Oil Office Building (1929), and Canon Davis Memorial Anglican Church. PORK – Sarnia residents have always been reliant on the good work of Lambton County farmers. So city folk must have been pleased when the Inwood “Bacon Hog Club” formed in 1924. In an interview with The Observer, a spokesman said the Club’s goal was to ensure “higher quality performing boars are available.” Any owner producing less would be called up on the rug for an interview. MACHO MEN During an Oct. 4, 1901 meeting of Sarnia School trustees, Trustee A. Weir expressed his concern that “some of the elements that go to make up a strong, manly nature were lacking in some of our teachers.” Added Trustee R.C. Palmer “only those of the best moral standing should be employed.” EXPENSIVE CREDIT – When Robert Skilbeck and others established Sarnia’s first banking syndicate in 1844 cash was very scarce locally.
And very expensive. Money was lent to the highest bidder. The late historian Jean Elford reported one loan was made to hotel proprietor Samuel Hitchcock at 45% interest. Yikes! NOT RECOMENDED – In a November 1887 article, The Observer lamented that “tramps“ were responsible for a recent rash of local house break-ins. It went on to favourably report, “A recent visit to the house of Mr. D. McDonald called out the trusty gun which brought forth a scene of prompt leg ball.” The intruder apparently escaped unharmed. HEATHEN GAMBLERS: Looking for illegal booze, Sarnia Police raided the basement of downtown’s Belchamber Hotel in the spring of 1923. Saturday had just passed into Sunday. Instead of libations, they discovered a poker game in full swing with $30 on the table. Police would only say the participants were “well known Sarnians.” In commenting on the case, Crown Attorney F. W. Wilson reminded the press that, gambling charges aside, the miscreants were also in breach of The Lord’s Day Act. “JUDGE, I’M REALLY SORRY” – There was no such thing as youth restorative justice in early Sarnia. Take the 1867 case of John Daniels, a 13-year-old abandoned youth who was convicted of stealing a silver watch. He was sentenced to five years in the Penetang Penitentiary. In December of 1892, two cases were on Judge Mackenzie’s’ docket.
Editorial
THE ORIGINAL “BLUENOSE” docked near the foot of Sarnia’s Ferry Dock Hill on June 4, 1933. Launched 100 years ago on March 26, 1921 in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, the Bluenose was built to fish cod on the Grand Banks but also designed for speed because the first boat back to the dock got the most money for its fish. The famed schooner won her first race that October and for the next 18 years the “Queen of the North Atlantic” won every race entered. Behind the Bluenose is the former Northern Navigation pavilion, just south of Cromwell Street, where passengers once waited for cruise ships and dances were held. This photo is courtesy of Sarnia resident Marion Round.
The first involved one James Mackie, whose only misconduct was ”playing truant and generally (being) a bad boy beyond his mother’s control.” Judge MacKenzie thought two years a just disposition. The other case involved one Charles Heatley, a boy
found guilty of stealing a lantern. He got three years in penitentiary. Merry Christmas, indeed. Randy Evans is a Sarnia resident and regular contributor to The Journal.
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Page 9
Comment
To help elderly, we need alternatives to long-term care homes
Sir: Roger Gallaway speaks truth when he says the horrendous conditions exposed in long-term care are a national disgrace. (“Former MP decries ‘horrendous’ treatment of elderly,” March 25). What he doesn’t say is that there are no alternatives for seniors to choose from. He notes the need to invest in homecare so people can age in place, as is done in Denmark. But
in a long-term institution. They want to stay in their home, surrounded by the memories of lives lived with family and friends. Do we not owe this to our elders? The Ontario government has not learned from history and the past horrors associated with the institutional model of care, and is refusing to listen to the experts who say the current ‘imprisonment’ of
without other options, seniors are forced into institutions because there is nowhere else to turn. I challenge everyone to find any senior looking forward to being ‘placed’
our elders in the name of ‘protection’ is extremely harmful; the decline in so many is so evident. Why is there little noise about it? Because society devalues seniors and people with disabilities, as well as those who try hard to make their lives better. To see these horrors end there must be a shift from the normative thinking that when you get old, you go into long-term care.
When you get old and need help, the daily rate of institutional care should help you and your family build the supports you need. As Gallaway noted, Ontario’s population is ageing. Investment in quality, easily accessible, reliable homecare is needed today, and when that is no longer possible, then small community-based real ‘homes’ are needed. The daily rate of fund-
ing a long-term care bed would go a long way to providing support, based on need, in which people can continue to participate, smell real food cooking, eat what they want, when they want, wander in the garden, and choose when to see their family. We must start right now to fund people and their families, instead of funding ‘beds.’ — Joyce Balaz, London
Maskless Why does Sarnia have a noise bylaw if it’s not enforced? protestors
Sir: This letter is for all those that joined the mass gathering at City Hall on March 20 without taking COVID-19 precautions. They defeated their own supposed purpose, and they proved their mentality is the reason we’re still enduring so many restrictions. Their actions during this mass spreader event spoke louder than words. The majority of us are tired and frustrated that we cannot get this virus under control. We’re trying to help support local businesses any way we can, but their actions did more harm than good. — Debbie Chapman Sarnia
Sir: I read with interest the article in the March 25 edition regarding business owners defying the lockdown order. To me, the interesting point was the fact that Sarnia actually had two bylaw enforcement officers supported by four uniformed Sarnia Police
officers swiftly move in to enforce the rules. However, we have another scourge in our city that is not going away, and is in fact getting significantly worse every year, and affects everyone. Where are these six officers on a Friday night when the downtown is
being vandalized by unmuffled racing cars, trucks and motorcycles in direct contravention of our city’s noise bylaws? The bylaw clearly state that the operation of any combustible engine without an exhaust muffling device in good working order and in constant operation
is prohibited, and also, that patios it would be helpful no person shall emit, cause to them and the general or permit the emission of public if these officers noise within the municwould enforce some of our ipality which is likely to other bylaws. disturb the inhabitants. — David Lundy With summer coming Sarnia and our local restaurants wanting to open their Life’s brighter under the sun
Please stop littering, there is no planet B
Sir: I lower the window of my vehicle and toss out my coffee cup/water bottle/pop can/fast food wrapper onto the street or highway median. It was delicious, but I’m finished with it and don’t want my vehicle to smell or have litter in it. The above is me trying to understand those who litter. I don’t quite know when they came to think it was OK to litter our environment, but I do know I am tired of seeing their garbage in our beautiful parks, in ditches, and
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along Highway 402 exits and on ramps. With COVID, we all need an escape from the “litter” of bad news, and a lot of us are getting outdoors more than ever to enjoy nature and clear our heads. Please, take responsibility for your garbage
and take it home to dispose of, or use the receptacles that are everywhere these days for recyclables and garbage. Signed, Tired of all Your Garbage. — Carrie Ward Sarnia
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HELP IS AVAILABLE This pandemic has impacted all of us and for some it has been especially difficult. Building resilience in ourselves and expressing care for others is so important during these times. Be kind! The adversity and challenges we are facing are unprecedented. A smile or a good deed can go a long way in caring for yourself and the people around you. Know that this is not personal or permanent. The pandemic has affected our lives in ways that are not a direct reflection of ourselves; this is not a permanent state. Identify your own strengths. Even during this pandemic, remember that you are not powerless. Reflect on those things you can control and take action. Reach out for support. Friends or family have been affected by the pandemic in the same ways as you – you are not alone. Supports to help you: The Erie St Clair Healthline at www.MHAresources.eriestclairhealthline.ca 211 Ontario at www.211ontario.ca CMHA Mental Health First Response Team 24/7: 1-800-307-4319 CMHA Lambton Kent Office: 519-337-5411 or www.lambtonkent.cmha.ca St. Clair Child & Youth Services: 519-337-3701 or www.stclairchild.ca BounceBack: www.bouncebackontario.ca
Page 10
The Sarnia Journal
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Local
Survey says: paper ballots in next election not dead yet
S
TROY SHANTZ THE JOURNAL
arnia councillors are still at odds about whether to use paper ballots in next year’s municipal election. They recently requested a staff report on the feasibility of adding the option of paper ballots, but having them counted by volunteers instead of costly tabulating machines. Council had earlier agreed to use Internet-only voting for the 2022 election, based largely an estimated savings of $200,000. Michelle Parks, who was part of an election committee appointed by council, request-
“I realize that $200,000 sounds like an awful lot of money, but when you put it into perspective, it’s very minimal considering the percentage of eligible voters that prefer voting in the traditional paper ballot way,”
— Michelle Parks
ed the Internet-and-paper hybrid model at the March 22 meeting. “I realize that $200,000 sounds like an awful lot of money, but when you put it into perspective, it’s very minimal considering the percentage of eligible voters that prefer voting in the traditional paper ballot way,” KEY REALTY she told council. “I just don’t want those GINA AIREY Sales Representative people’s voices not to be 226-932-2332 heard.” ginaairey@royallepage.ca In a public survey last year, 255 respondents said they favoured Internet votJohn ing, 247 wanted traditional paper ballots at polling stations, and 146 liked mail-in Specializing ed p m ballots. ta S in The Bitterness Of Poor Supporting a new staff Quality & Services Lingers Concrete Long After The Sweetness report were councillors Of Low Price Is Forgotten 519-490-5353 Nathan Colquhoun, Mike Concrete & Masonry • Waterproofing Stark, George Vandenberg, Independently Owned and Operated
ic voting in the 2018, when residents used the Internet and telephones to select a mayor, councillors and school trustees. A few locations were set up to provide in-person assistance to anyone uncertain about the technology. Voter turnout rose to 48.9% from 37.1%, the highest in more than two decades. A follow-up survey found 83% were satisfied with the process. Though no evidence of anything suspicious in the last election has surfaced, councillors Dennis and Bird LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 121 YEARS say online voting remains vulnerable Brian White and Terry Burrell. Opposed were Mayor Mike Bradley, Coun. Margaret Bird, and Coun. Bill Dennis, who had proposed adoption of the hybrid model. City Clerk Amy Burkhart said paper ballots can be tabulated by hand, but the results might not be timely. “We have no way, really, to predict how many people will actually cast a vote using a paper ballot,” she said. “For accuracy, I do recommend vote counting equipment.” Sarnia first tried electron-
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to tampering. “It definitely does not offer safety and confidentiality without any risks, and that is something the voters deserve and we must provide for them,” Bird said. Dennis said the strong voter turnout was a response to the previous council. “Bottom line - the majority of the public wanted change on council and expressed this with their vote, despite the fact that they wanted paper ballots,” he said. “Some citizens have told me they believe this a way to put your finger on the scale. We do not want our citizens to feel our democracy is being manipulated.”
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The Sarnia Journal’s weekly trivia challenge
Page 11
Local
What three states in the US . Who of the following did 1.begin 8 with the letter “C”? NOT receive the Nobel Peace Prize: . Corunna’s Katie Courchesne a) Mahatma Gandhi 2 b) Martin Luther King Jr. became the first woman with what organization to hold the posi- c) Nelson Mandela
tion of a ship’s bosun?
3
. Used in social media, the Internet abbreviation “ICYMI” stands for “In case you . . .”?
4
. The Blue Water Bridge toll for U.S.-bound vehicles has been increased from $4.25 Canadian to what sum? . In the human body, tendons 5 connect muscle tissue to what? . Which term for an actor 6 comes from the Greek poet who is often called the inventor of tragedy?
. Which of these is NOT one 7 of the ingredients of Caesar salad? Croutons, Parmesan cheese, Tomato paste
. Which consonant is the only 9 letter in Scrabble worth five points? . Scientists have found 10 methane emissions from cows fell 70% after what was put in
Your turn is coming soon.
their diet: a) grains b) milk c) seaweed
— Tom St. Amand (Column #321) ANSWERS: 1 - California, Colorado, Connecticut; 2 Coast Guard; 3 - Missed it; 4 - $5; 5 – Bones; 6 - Thespian (from Thespis); 7 - Tomato paste; 8 - a) Mahatma Gandhi; 9 – K; 10 - c) Seaweed.
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Page 12
The Sarnia Journal
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Local
Councillors play it by ear, change tune on Valley Axe TROY SHANTZ THE JOURNAL
A
compromise has been found for a Sarnia retirement community and its sometimes-loud neighbour. Valley Axe co-owner Bo Tait returned to council last week armed with a 1,800-name petition and a new offer to satisfy concerns about loud outdoor music shows at the London Road business. Council agreed to Tait’s request for noise bylaw exemptions on five dates this year, on the understanding none will feature live music.
“We get it. Our neighbours don’t like guitars and drums, so there won’t be any,” Tait told council. In February, Sarnia rejected Valley Axe’s request for nine outdoor events - including live music – and sided instead with the residents of Green Haven Estates, a nearby seniors’ community. Green Haven presented a 175-name petition, arguing the amplified sound coming over the fence negatively impacts their quality of life. Hugh Kerr, a spokesperson for the neighbours, said he was disappointed by council’s latest decision, but added it’s acceptable if Valley Axe keeps its promise of no live music. “If there’s not excessive noise, we don’t have a problem,” Kerr said after the meeting. Bylaw exemptions have been granted for May 22, June 19, July 17, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18. Tait said live comedy shows and mixed mar-
tial arts events are likely options. Supporting the request were councillors Mike Stark, George Vandenberg, Brian White, Terry Burrell, Nathan Colquhoun, Bill Dennis and Mayor Mike Bradley. Opposed were councillors Margaret Bird and Dave Boushy. Valley Axe opened in 2016 on four acres on the Golden Mile. Before the pandemic arrived, it offered axe-throwing leagues and tournaments, as well as beach volleyball and live entertainment. Tait said he was pleased with the outcome, despite it being a “shadow” of the blanket exemption his team originally sought to deal with shifting COVID restrictions and unpredictable weather. “I’m just happy that we could get council on board with something,” he said after the meeting. His third appearance was a bid for survival, he said. “When the success and
BO TAIT IS one of the owners of Valley Axe.
survival of your business is on the line you have to keep pressing, you have to keep thinking,” said Tait. “I have to ensure that when I’m able to make
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ity Hall has undergone a pair of internal realignments. Two formerly separate services have been joined to create a new Building and Bylaw Enforcement Department. Adam MacDonald will oversee the department with Corrine Nauta, who joined the city in November, acting as Chief Building Official. The move standardizes the delivery of services in both areas, said Stacey Forfar, the general manager of com-
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OFFERS AVAILABLE BETWEEN APRIL 1-30, 2021. 1BONUS CASH OF $1,500/$750/$750/$750 WILL BE DEDUCTED FROM THE NEGOTIATED SELLING PRICE BEFORE TAXES AND IS APPLICABLE TO CUSTOMERS WHO LEASE OR FINANCE ANY NEW AND PREVIOUSLY UNREGISTERED 2020 KICKS/2021 ROGUE/2021 MURANO/2021 SENTRA MODEL THROUGH NCF FROM AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER IN CANADA BETWEEN APRIL 1-30, 2021. NO CASH SURRENDER VALUE. CANNOT BE APPLIED TO PAST TRANSACTIONS. CONDITIONS APPLY. 22%/1%/1%/1% RATE REDUCTION IS AVAILABLE ON NEW 2020 KICKS/2021 ROGUE/2021 MURANO/2021 SENTRA MODELS FINANCED OR LEASED FROM A NISSAN DEALER IN CANADA BETWEEN APRIL 1-30, 2021. CUSTOMER WILL RECEIVE UP TO A 2%/1%/2%/1% REDUCTION OFF LEASE OR FINANCE RATES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE THROUGH NCF TO A MINIMUM OF 0% APR. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN RATES BE REDUCED BELOW 0% APR. CANNOT BE APPLIED TO PAST TRANSACTIONS. CONDITIONS APPLY. 3OFFER APPLIES TO 2020 KICKS/2021 ROGUE/2021 MURANO/2021 SENTRA MODELS AND CONSISTS OF ONE/ONE/ONE/ONE (1/1/1/1) REGULARLY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES AND ONE/ONE/ONE/ONE (1/1/1/1) TIRE ROTATION PER 8,000 KM – UP TO A MAXIMUM OF TEN/FIVE/TEN/FIVE (10/5/10/5) OIL CHANGES AND TEN/TEN/TEN/TEN (10/10/10/10) TIRE ROTATIONS OVER 120,000/80,000/120,000/80,000 KM OR FIVE/FIVE/FIVE/FIVE (5/5/5/5) YEARS FROM THE DATE OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST). EACH SERVICE VISIT CONSISTS OF ONE/ONE/ONE/ONE (1/1/1/1) OIL CHANGE (USING NISSAN GENUINE SYNTHETIC 0W20) AND AN OIL FILTER CHANGE PLUS DRAIN PLUG GASKET. NO CASH SURRENDER VALUE. OFFER CANNOT BE APPLIED TO PAST TRANSACTIONS AND CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH CERTAIN OTHER OFFERS. PREPAID MAINTENANCE PLANS (PMP) OFFERED AS PART OF MY CHOICE ARE BASED ON THE “STANDARD OPERATING CONDITIONS” DESIGNATION ONLY AS OPPOSED TO THE “SEVERE OPERATING CONDITIONS” DESIGNATION AS OUTLINED IN THE PMP PROGRAM TERMS. SEE YOUR PARTICIPATING NISSAN DEALER OR VISIT NISSAN.CA/OFFERS FOR DETAILS. 4MODELS SHOWN $26,051/$42,781/$48,881/$28,391 SELLING PRICE FOR A NEW 2020 KICKS SR PLATINUM/2021 ROGUE PLATINUM/2021 MURANO PLATINUM/2021 SENTRA SR PREMIUM. ALL PRICING INCLUDES FREIGHT AND PDE/PDI CHARGES ($1,830/$1,860/$1,860/$1,670), AIR-CONDITIONING LEVY ($100/$100/$100/$100), APPLICABLE FEES, TIRE CHARGE (IN ONTARIO THIS FEE COVERS THE COST TO NISSAN CANADA OF COLLECTING AND RECYCLING TIRES), MANUFACTURER’S REBATE AND DEALER PARTICIPATION WHERE APPLICABLE. LICENSE, REGISTRATION, INSURANCE AND APPLICABLE TAXES ARE EXTRA. OFFERS ARE AVAILABLE ON APPROVED CREDIT THROUGH NISSAN CANADA FINANCE FOR A LIMITED TIME, MAY CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE AND CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS EXCEPT STACKABLE TRADING DOLLARS. VEHICLES AND ACCESSORIES ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. 5REPRESENTATIVE MONTHLY LEASE OFFER BASED ON A NEW 2020 KICKS S FWD/2021 ROGUE S FWD/2021 MURANO S FWD/2021 SENTRA S MT AT 1.5%/3.5%/3.5%/3.5% LEASE APR FOR 39/64/39/64 MONTHS EQUALS MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF $219/$335/$417/$231 WITH $995/$0/$995/$0 DOWN PAYMENT, AND $0/$0/$0/$0 SECURITY DEPOSIT. LEASE BASED ON A MAXIMUM OF 20,000 KM/YEAR WITH EXCESS CHARGED AT $0.10/KM. TOTAL LEASE OBLIGATION IS $9,544/$21,444/$17,268/$14,769. PAYMENTS CANNOT BE MADE ON A WEEKLY OR BI-WEEKLY BASIS. FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. OFFERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR CANCELLATION WITHOUT NOTICE. WHILE QUANTITIES LAST. ASK YOUR DEALER OR VISIT WWW.NISSAN.CA FOR COMPLETE DETAILS. NISSAN NAMES, LOGOS AND SLOGANS ARE TRADEMARKS OWNED BY OR LICENSED TO NISSAN MOTOR CO. LTD. AND/OR ITS NORTH AMERICAN SUBSIDIARIES. ©2021 NISSAN CANADA INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Confederation at Indian Rd.
519-336-4060 nissanofsarnia.com
Page 14
The Sarnia Journal
Thursday, April 8, 2021
2021 CAR g n i r Sp CARE What’s included in a standard car tune-up
D
o you want to know more about what happens when you get your car serviced? Here are some of the main tasks a mechanic performs during a tune-up.
other vehicle systems. During a tune-up, your mechanic will check the various filters and replace them if needed.
Change the
The fluids in your car, including the engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid and power steering fluid, are essential. In fact, they’re responsible for keeping your car running smoothly. It’s important to change these fluids at reg-
filters
Your vehicle is equipped with oil, fuel, air and cabin air filters. Their primary function is to prevent contaminants from damaging components in the engine or
Replace the fluids
ular intervals to prevent potential breakdowns and damage to the engine.
Service the parts
Your car’s ignition system is made up of a variety of electrical components that are susceptible to wear and tear. Issues with the ignition parts can result in the engine misfiring or not starting at all. During a tune-up, your mechanic will check to see whether the spark plugs, ignition wires and ignition coils are in good condition or need to be
replaced.
Check the
diagnostics
When an issue occurs with the engine, your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) system stores a repair code that can only be read by a specialized scanner. During a tune-up, your mechanic will scan the OBD system for repair codes in order to address potential engine problems. To sum up, sched-
uled maintenance helps ensure that your car runs smoothly and may prevent unexpected break-
downs and the need for costly repairs.
brake pads.
this issue.
Four signs you should get your brakes checked
W
hen it comes to vehicle safety, your car’s braking system plays a crucial role. Here are four signs that you need to get your brakes professionally serviced.
1. Unusual noises Brake pads have built-
in wear indicators that produce a high-pitched squeal when the pads wear down. As soon as you hear this sound — you can’t mistake it! — you need to get your brake pads replaced.
2. Vibrations
It’s normal for your
brake system and other car components to pulse and vibrate when you slam on the brakes. However, if your brakes vibrate when applied normally, this is a major red flag. In most cases, brake shudder is caused by an unevenly worn brake rotor.
3. Pulling
If your car pulls to the left or right, it’s likely due to uneven tire pressure, incorrect wheel alignment or a problem with the brake system. If it’s the brakes, you may have a stuck caliper, collapsed brake hose or uneven
4. Spongy pedal
If your pedal feels mushy or you have to apply extra pressure when braking, this is usually an indication that the brake fluid isn’t flowing properly. Replacing the brake fluid typically corrects
Finally, note that experts recommend car owners get their brakes checked every six months.
OFFER EXPIRES MAY 14, 2021 Richard Bellavance 519-337-3842
Thursday, April 8, 2021
The Sarnia Journal
Page 15
Spring CAR CARE 2021
5 tips for maintaining your idle car
E
ven if you don’t regularly drive your car, it’s important to attend to its upkeep. Here are five tips for maintaining your vehicle while it sits idle.
1. Charge the battery
The electrical systems in today’s cars continue to draw on the battery even when the engine is off. To ensure that your battery doesn’t suddenly die, let your car run for at least five minutes every two
D
or three weeks. It’s best if you actually drive the car, so take it for a spin around the block. Alternatively, you can invest in a battery maintainer.
2. Change the oil
Continue to change your oil at the recommended time intervals. Oil deteriorates over time, regardless of whether or not you drive your car
regularly.
3.Fill up the gas
A full tank of gas prevents harmful condensation from building up in the tank. It also keeps the
Top 3 car care apps
o you want to simplify the way you care for your car? Here are three applications that can help.
with maintaining your vehicle.
gaskets and seals from getting dry and brittle. You may also want to consider adding a fuel stabilizer to prevent the gas from breaking down.
flat spots. It’s therefore important to move your car periodically, even if it’s just a couple of feet. Also, before operating a car that has been idle for a while, always check the air in the tires using a tire pressure gauge.
4.Look af-
5.Wash the
ter the tires
If a car remains parked in the same spot for too long, the tires can develop
exterior
To protect your car’s paint job and prevent rusting, regularly wash
away the dirt and debris that builds up over time. Alternatively, consider investing in a quality car cover.
Finally, you should continue to have your car professionally serviced according to your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. This will help ensure that your car is roadready when you next get behind the wheel.
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Use this app to record vehicle expenses, including service costs and gas purchases. Drivvo organizes all inputted data into user-friendly lists, charts and graphs. Having this information at your fingertips allows you to stay on top of car care tasks and know the precise costs associated
2. CARFAX Car Care
This app allows you to access the maintenance schedule for your car’s make and model and lets you track your auto repair history. In addition, it tells you about any safety recalls for your vehicle and can even remind you when your registration needs to be renewed.
With Fuelly, you can track your car’s mileage and receive detailed fuel consumption data. This allows you to monitor vehicle performance and take proactive steps at the first sign of faltering fuel efficiency. These are just some of the many apps that make car care easier. All of them are available for both iOS and Android devices.
How to sanitize your car cabin
I
f you share your car, drive for Uber or give rides to friends and family members, sanitizing your vehicle is a must. Here’s a brief guide to eliminating viruses from your car’s interior.
Take precautions
When cleaning your vehicle, make sure to wear protective gloves and a mask to guard against virus transmission.
Be thorough
Make sure to clean
all high-touch surfaces. This includes the steering wheel, turn signal lever, seatbelts, cupholders, sun visors, door handles (inner and outer), armrests, radio and centre console. If the weather permits, it’s also a good idea to open your windows to air out the cabin.
Use the right products
Use a disinfectant with at least 70 per cent alcohol to sanitize the hard surfaces in your vehicle.
This includes the dashboard, glove compartment and stereo.
For fabric and leather seats and features, opt for a gentle cleaning solution of dish soap and water. Scrub the fabric or leather well with a microfibre cloth. However, be careful not to soak fabric seats, as this can encourage mould growth in the cushions. Taking these steps will help ensure that your car is safe to ride in for you and your passengers.
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Page 16
The Sarnia Journal
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Spring CAR CARE 2021
Have your car looking spotless in six easy steps
W
ith sunny days once again looming on the horizon, it’s without a doubt time to start thinking about having your car cleaned from top to bottom. Ready to roll? Here’s a small reminder of the main tasks you’ll have to take care of:
1. Lighten your load.
Take everything you know you won’t be
needing this summer out of your trunk (shovels, sandbags, etc.) and remove any winter gear (skis for example) that will make your car heavy for no reason. Making your car lighter and more aerodynamic will improve its fuel efficiency.
2. Vacuum.
Pick up or throw away everything that’s lying around in your car, take out the carpets and vac-
uum the floors. This will remove all the dust and gravel that’s accumulated over the winter.
3. Clean the carpets.
Rid your carpets of any salt stains with a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar and 4 cups of warm water (and a stiff brush, of course).
4. Clean the interior.
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Use a damp cloth along with specialized cleaning products for each type of surface in your car (leather, fabric, etc.) to clean the dashboard, seats, doors and other accessories.
5. Make the body sparkle.
Rinse the exterior of the car thoroughly, and then clean it from top to bottom (the hood, roof, trunk, doors, bumpers, wheels, rims) with products that are suitable for the task (and won’t damage the paint). Note
B
etween salt, potholes, snowstorms and ice, winter isn’t the best for our poor cars. If you haven’t already made an appointment for an inspection this spring, here are a few reasons why it might be a good idea to do so:
Difficult road conditions in winter can affect your car in different ways. For example, your alignment might be off, causing your drive to be less than pleasant.
1. To enhance
Winder driving conditions are conducive to rust formation, especially on and around your brakes. Take advantage of your tire change and have a detailed inspection done to ensure your vehicle is safe to drive.
comfort
Auto Body
2. To improve
Your Professional Collision Centre of All Makes & Models Family Owned & Operated Owner and operator Garry Drope always makes it a point to be available to you. Whether you need advice or want a free quote, Garry personally ensures all your collision repair needs are met. Stop in today!
(519) 344-1710
6. Wash the windows.
Clean your windows with the help of a specialized cleaning product or with homemade cleaner (such as the one used to clean your carpets).
Five good reasons to visit your mechanic this spring
St. Germain
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that it’s far easier to work in cloudy weather, which prevents streaks.
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safety
3. To make your vehicle last
In addition to skewing your wheel alignment — something that can prematurely ruin your tires — driving on winter roads can damage parts of your engine and reduce the effectiveness of the
additives in your motor oil. It’s no secret that regularly scheduled maintenance is the best way to maximize your vehicle’s lifespan.
4. To save money
A springtime inspection will help prevent your car from breaking down and can correct minor problems before they become serious. This will help you save money in the long run!
5. To protect the environment
Low tire pressure, low oil levels, broken filters, defective climate control — a poorly maintained car burns more fuel, which isn’t good for the environment or your wallet! A well-maintained vehicle provides peace of mind — and peace of mind is priceless.
Thursday, April 8, 2021
The Sarnia Journal
Page 17
Spring CAR CARE 2021 Car maintenance quiz
Is your car being properly cared for? Do you know when to schedule routine maintenance tasks? Take this quiz to find out! 1. How often should you get your brakes checked? a) Every three months b) Every six months c) Once a year d) Every two years
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a) Every three months b) Every six months c) Every nine months d) Once a year 5. How often should you rotate your tires?
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YEARS
Four auto maintenance mistakes to avoid this spring
T
here’s no getting around it: if you want your car to run smoothly for years to come, you need to perform some basic upkeep. Start this spring off on the right foot by avoiding these maintenance faux pas.
1. Changing your
tune-ups.
Over the winter, the fluids that keep your car running smoothly are put to the test. It’s important to check their levels come spring and to refill as needed. Don’t forget to take a peek beneath your car as well;
tires at the wrong time.
Changing your tires as soon as the snow starts to melt is a risky bet. Play it safe and wait until snowstorm warnings wind down and the temperature outside climbs above 7 °C. Anything lower, and the rubber on your summer tires will stiffen and lose traction. It’s an equally bad idea to keep your winter tires on year-round. Not only are snow tires less efficient than summer models, but you’ll also wear them out twice as fast if you don’t make the switch.
2. Neglecting spring
rough winter roads often take a toll on your vehicle’s underbelly.
3. Putting off spring cleaning.
There’s more to a good spring cleaning than a shiny, sleek
car. Dirt and salt accumulated over the winter can damage the paint and cause rust to form, so get scrubbing without delay.
traction aids and ski racks all increase the weight and wind resistance of your car, which drives up fuel consumption.
4. Lugging around winter gear.
Still not eager to wash your car this spring? Get ready for rust. You’ve been warned!
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Page 18
The Sarnia Journal
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Local
Tornados, wrecks featured on Heritage ‘disaster’ tour
P
at McLean was a 22-yearold nurse in training at Sarnia General Hospital when, without warning, the infamous F4 tornado hit Sarnia on May 21, 1953. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed and the community thrown into chaos. “I was in the cafeteria and the drapes began blowing,” she recalls. “I ran over to close the windows and went to help wherever I could.” It was 5:45 p.m. and the newborns had been taken from the nursery to be with their moms. “Thank heavens, because all the windows were shattered in the nursery and there was glass everywhere,” said Mc-
CATHY
DOBSON
Arts Journal
Lean. “It was a mess.” Her memories of that fateful day in Sarnia’s history will be part of an online presentation April 15 featuring calamities - manmade and natural - that have challenged the community. Representatives from museums across Sarnia-Lambton will discuss local disasters, including the Great Storm of 1913, explosions in the oilfield, Snowmaggedon 2010, shipwrecks and train wrecks. McLean’s son, Dave, will NOW ACCEPTING PATIENTS speak on both the 1953 torDr. Dane Chivers nado that ripped through Chiropractor CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY downtown Sarnia and the 1983 tornado in Reece’s 519-337-2221 Corners. 112 Russell Street N. Sarnia, ON Dave McLean is uniquely qualified for the job. Not only did he grow up listening to his mom’s stories TRAINING EQUIPMENT about 1953, the McLean family was living east of Reece’s Corners when he looked out the window in 1983 and saw the funnel TRAINING VEST REG: $329.00 cloud that smashed the NOW: $249.50 little community. 1STRESPONDERSUPPLY.COM “The sky grew dark and was all different colours, 546 NORTH CHRISTINA ST SUITE 605C 519-491-5026 then I heard a loud exploFREE LOCAL DELIVERY sion of thunder and lightning,” he said. “It was truly alarming to see.” The same Buyers of Low Recovery $$ was true of the cleanup, Copper Wire, Extension which he participated in a Cords, Cat 4 Cable, few days later. McLean is now a retired Computer Cable $$ high school teacher and $$ Aluminum, Brass, Copper, volunteer at the Forest Lead, Stainless, Etc. $$ Museum. The April 15 online prewww.jewels-recycling.com sentation at 7 p.m. is billed as a Heritage Hour and part Tel: 519-344-9543 of a virtual series hosted by 519-491-5026
1strespondersupply@gmail.com
546 North Christina Street, Unit 605 C, Sarnia, Ontario N7T 5W6
Unit 3, 165 Indian Rd. S, Sarnia
AFTERMATH OF THE 1953 Sarnia tornado, Front Street looking south. Courtesy of Lambton County Archives, Wyoming, 9JA-M.024
local history experts. The series was developed last year when all museums were forced to shut their doors, says Lambton Heritage Museum curator Dana Thorne. “We brainstormed on how we could still deliver content and landed on these panel-style presentations with local themes that have really caught the public’s imagination,” she said.
Each webinar is attracting about 60 participants, Thorne said. Lambton Calamities seemed like a good fit at a time when the community is being tested by a modern disaster. Heritage Hour is free but pre-registration is required on the Lambton Heritage Museum website (www.heritagelambton.ca) where three Heritage Hour presentations
from 2020 can also be viewed. Future Heritage Hour subjects include On the Lam in Lambton, on June 17, and Lambton’s Haunted History, on Oct. 21. The Arts Journal reflects the cultural fabric of our community. Send your ideas to cathy. dobson@thesarniajournal.ca.
Thursday, April 8, 2021
The Sarnia Journal
Local
W
What’s Happening
hat’s happening events must be open to the public or virtual, of general interest, 60 words or less, and received at least two weeks prior to the event. Please include ticket prices, if any, and a phone number or website where readers can obtain more information. Email notices to info@thesarniajournal.ca With pandemic cancellations common, we recommend you verify before attending any community event.
program. Thursdays until April 8. 10:15 a.m. To register, call 519-786-4545 ext. 235 or email ktieman@nlchc.com Master Your Health Featuring light exercises to improve strength and flexibility and techniques to deal with stress, pain, depression, fatigue and more. Thursdays until May 6. 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. via Zoom. To register, call 519-344-3017, ext. 259 Mindful Living Twin Bridges NPLC offering a series to explore topics and practices for well-being and chronic disease prevention. Held on Zoom, Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. To register, visit www.tbnplc.com
THURSDAY, APRIL 8 Pasta Fest The school council at King George VI School holding Pasta Fest at the Dante Club, 1330 London Rd. Pick up between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. $15 each. To order, visit lkdsb. schoolcashonline.com
Chair Exercise Virtual Chair Exercise program. Mondays, 1:30 p.m. To register, call 519-344-3017 ext. 237 or email adinell@nlchc.com to receive the Zoom link
Let’s Be Real Discuss real issues surrounding substance use. Virtual program, Thursdays, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. To sign up, contact Candace at 519-786-4545
Meditation Virtual Meditation Increase self-esteem, improve concentration, lower blood pressure and reduce stress with virtual meditation classes. Mondays, 11 a.m. To register, call 519-344-3017, ext. 237 or email adinell@ nlchc.com
Heart Healthy Join a Registered Dietitian to discuss the best heart health practices. 9:30 a.m. To register, call Tiffany at 519-786-4545, ext. 250 Yoga West Lambton Community Health Centre offering a virtual yoga
FRIDAY, APRIL 9 Granfondo Doc
Fire & Water Damage Restoration
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Bluewater International Granfondo presenting a premiere streaming event of “The B.I.G. Cycle of Life: A Story of a Community Living Well and Dying Well.” Virtual, 7:30 p.m. $20 for streaming link only. Packages with dinner or a snack basket also available. Proceeds support palliative care education in Lambton County. For tickets, visit www.imperialtheatre.net Live Author Talk One Book Lambton program culminates with a live interactive talk with author K. L. Armstrong, discussing her New York Times bestseller Every Step She Takes, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more, or to register visit onebooklambton.ca/programs/
Shibashi Virtual Shibashi program. Fridays, 11 a.m. Easy to learn, perfect for beginners. To register, call 519-344-3017 ext. 237 or email adinell@nlchc.com MONDAY, APRIL 12
Art & Ideas Last day to register for Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery’s April 15 discussion on the evolution of the Group of Seven’s Lawren Harris, from his landscape period to abstraction. Featuring lecturer Alec Blair. 7 p.m. on Zoom. To register, visit www.jnaag.ca Low Impact Exercise West Lambton Community Health Centre offering virtual exercise classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and
Page 19
Fridays at 9:30 a.m., and Thursdays at 9 a.m. To register, call 519-344-3017 ext. 237 or email adinell@ nlchc.com to receive Zoom link TUESDAY, APRIL 13 Kids Cooking Virtual children’s cooking program, with videos from North Lambton Community Health Centre’s Registered Dietitian. First five families to register get free groceries for recipes. To register, contact 519-344-3017, ext. 237 or email adinell@ nlchc.com Nutrition Talk Learn a creative way to use common ingredients for a nutritious and balanced meal at Twin Bridges NPLC’s “Nutrition Talk: Pork Tenderloin
Noodle Bowl.” Includes recipe, live demonstration and Q&A. Held on Zoom, 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Register at www.tbnplc.com Healthy Eating Rapids Family Health Team offering a free, 6-week program run by a registered dietitian to help you make permanent lifestyle changes. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. on Zoom. Register by calling 519-339-8949 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 Restorative Yoga Twin Bridges NPLC offering a slow, gentle yoga program suitable for most abilities. Yoga mat and strap recommended. Held on Zoom, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. To register, visit www.tbnplc. com
LAWSS Water Master Plan Update NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE #2 The Study The Lambton Area Water Supply System (LAWSS) is currently undertaking a study to review and update its 2015 Lambton Area Water Supply Master Plan. The LAWSS is owned by its member municipalities and operated by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) on behalf of the LAWSS Joint Board of Management. LAWSS currently supplies water to over 100,000 customers within three Supply Systems that service the City of Sarnia, Village of Point Edward, Township of St. Clair, Municipality of Lambton Shores (Forest), Town of Plympton-Wyoming, Village of Watford/Township of Warwick and Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston.
The Master Plan study will review the 2015 water servicing strategy and identify capital project upgrades (e.g. new watermains, pumping or storage facilities) needed to provide sustainable municipal water and accommodate future growth in LAWSS member municipalities over the next 20 years and beyond. The Process The Master Plan Update will address the requirements of the first two phases of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) manual (October 2000, as amended in 2007, 2011 and 2015), which is approved under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The Master Plan will also fulfill requirements for select Schedule ‘B’ water supply improvement projects under the MCEA process. How to Get Involved Public input is essential to this study. LAWSS invites anyone with an interest in the study to have an opportunity to provide input, which will help the Project Team in the decision-making process. The second Public Information Centre (PIC) will be presented in an online format with material available starting on April 9 th, 2021on the Project’s website: www.lawss.org/master-plan
840 Phillip St, Sarnia ON • 519-344-8038
The website will include a comment form to submit comments. The purpose of PIC #2 is to share information and obtain feedback about the recommended near and long-term water supply servicing strategies, including associated capital projects. The PIC will also summarize the findings of the Grid Reinforcement and Transmission Main Twinning MCEA Addendum study, which the originally completed in 2011 and has not yet been built.
Home Improvements are exciting and important. Especially if you’re considering selling your home. Contact us for a before and after no cost Home Evaluation.
The Project Team wants to hear from you! The deadline for the submission of comments following PIC #2 will be April 23rd, 2021. If you have comments, require further information, or would like to be added to the study’s mailing list to receive future notifications, please contact:
YOUR PROPERTY RESTORATION EXPERTS
sarnia realty inc. - Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated
1319 Exmouth Street, Sarnia, ON 519.542.9999
Clinton Harper, CET General Manager Lambton Area Water Supply System 1215 Fort Street Sarnia, Ontario N7V 1M1 clinton.harper@lawss.org
John Haasen, CET, PMP Consultant Project Manager AECOM Canada Ltd. 410-250 York Street, Citi Plaza London, Ontario N6A 6K2 John.Haasen@aecom.com
Mike Caraher
Sales Representative 519 330 4229
Steven Taylor
Sales Representative 519 466 8781
@stmcremax
With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record of the Study. The Study is being conducted according to the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, which is a planning process approved under Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act.
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The Sarnia Journal
Lives Lived
Death Notices Death Notices Recent Passings Up To March 30, 2021 D.J. ROBB FUNERAL HOME • • • • •
Corkum, John (Mar 26, 2021) Guest, David (Mar 26, 2021) Brooks, Paul (Mar 22, 2021) Joleun, Kimberley (Mar 19, 2021) Power, Mary (Mar 15, 2021)
McCORMACK FUNERAL HOME • • •
Forbes, Freida (Mar 23, 2021) Balcombe, Amy (Mar 20, 2021) Brazeau, Albert “Red” (Mar 19, 2021)
McKENZIE & BLUNDY FUNERAL HOME • • • • • • • • •
Allen, Daisy (Mar 25, 2021) Deery, Hylude (Mar 24, 2021) Payle, Paul (Mar 21, 2021) Gallant, Gary (Mar 21, 2021) Pigott, Desmond (Mar 19, 2021) Newton, William (Mar 19, 2021) Callan, Thomas (Mar 18, 2021) Parsons, Marielle (Mar 18, 2021) Cuthbert, Patricia (Mar 15, 2021)
SMITH FUNERAL HOME • • • • • • • • •
Richardson, Burton (Mar 30, 2021) Evans, Margery (Mar 29, 2021) Palmer, Christine (Mar 27, 2021) Evans, Cheryl (Mar 27, 2021) Taylor, Linda (Mar 26, 2021) Irwin, Theresa (Mar 22, 2021) Grimmond, Beryl (Mar 21, 2021) McCord, Reta (Mar 20, 2021) Mowe, Edeltraud (Mar 11, 2021)
This information is provided as a community service. For detailed information on the lives lived, please refer to the funeral home website listing.
Prayer PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN:
(Never known to fail): Oh most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother, Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (three times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (three times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then you must publish it and it will be granted to you. Grateful thanks. G.A.
Obituary RICHARDSON, Burton Eugene
Peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, Burton Eugene Richardson passed away at the age of 86. Beloved husband of Patricia Richardson for almost 63 years. Loving father of Scott and the late Tim. Dear brother of Frank of Perth, ON. Burton will be missed by his dog Heather. Predeceased by his parents Howard and Clara and by his one sister and six brothers. Cremation has taken place. A private graveside will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Smith Funeral Home, 1576 London Line, Sarnia.
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Obituary
Obituary
FORBES, Freida Margaret
TATHAM, Patricia
Freida Margaret Forbes (nee Barclay) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at Bluewater Health Sarnia at the age of 97. Freida was a strong, proud woman who enjoyed a remarkably long life which she lived to its fullest. Family was the centre of her life and she always enjoyed celebrations with friends and family. She remains a beautiful lasting light in our lives, forever remaining in our hearts. Freida is the beloved wife of the late John Forbes (1967). She is predeceased by her parents Edna & Fred Barclay and daughter Donna Stewart, 2016 (Frank). She is also predeceased by her brother Donald Barclay (Seattle, Washington) and sisters Helen and Shirley Barclay (Niagara Falls, ON). Freida is survived by sister Marilyn Watson (Doug) of Oregon, daughter, Patricia Latner (Brad) of London and son James Forbes (Maureen) of Sarnia and son-in-law Frank Stewart also of Sarnia. Freida was the proud grandmother to Jaime Latner of Toronto, Larissa Stewart (Jeremy) of Sarnia, Calla Nicol (Owen) of Mooretown, Kevin Forbes (Kimberly) of Sarnia, Brent Forbes of Barrie, and Erica Forbes of Sarnia. The grandchildren had great love and respect for Freida, and they carry her memory in their hearts. She also was graced with having 7 great grandchildren to love and enjoy. Cremation has taken place and a private graveside service is scheduled. Remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family online in “Freida’s Guestbook” at mccormackfuneralhomesarnia.com. In following Freida’s wishes expressions of sympathy can be made to Sarnia Organ Donor Awareness or the St. Joseph’s Hospice Sarnia or charity of your choice.
Memoriam In Loving Memory
MIKE SHEARON
Jan 4th 1950 - April 16th 2018 Missed and lovingly remembered by Jane, Kevin, Alan and their families.
Missing your stories, jokes, golf tips, wine tastings and you at every family gathering. Especially missed by Owen, Rori and all your Walters grandkids... And your golfing & drinking buddies...
It’s comforting to know you and Mac are together again.
ANTONIO TUDINO In Loving Memory
October 7th, 1933 – April 12th, 2020 We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.
Sempre vivi nei nostri cuori. Always alive in our hearts.
~ Your wife, Rocca & family
It is with great sadness, that the family of Pat Tatham announce her peaceful passing at Vision Home on March 23, 2021 in her 86th year. Pat was the cherished mother of Heather Gillis (Mike Gillis), Sherry Fraser (Brent Fraser) and Lori Baron; proud grandmother to Jim Gillis (Becky Gillis), Jennifer Delisi (Andy Delisi), Rob Fraser (Jackie Fraser), Blake Fraser (Sarah Giroux) and great grandmother to Kali Gillis, Hunter Gillis, Harvey Fraser and Leo Delisi. She was predeceased by her loving husband Ron in 2013. Despite an extremely arduous journey these recent months, she fought like a champion to stay in our lives. Pat will be remembered for her devotion to her family, whom she cherished unconditionally, her amazing feasts, which were lovingly prepared for any occasion for her family and many friends. Pat lived life to the fullest, she enjoyed volunteering, playing golf, playing cards with her many friends and enjoyed taking many memorable trips with Ron across Canada, the Caribbean, England and spent many winters in North Carolina after she retired from the Royal Bank in 1990. She enjoyed her last trip on a European River Cruise with her dear friend Dorothy Hyde. Her family would like to extend their gratitude to the many neighbours and friends who showed their love and support during the last year. As per Pat’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family celebration of life will occur at a later date. Donations in memory of Patricia Tatham may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Society or Sarnia Humane Society. Online condolences at newcastlefuneralhome.com
Obituary LYNAS, Wendy (Mitchell)
Peacefully on March 21st 2021, at the age of 71, Wendy Geraldine Lynas (nee) Mitchell passed at St. Joseph's Hospice in Sarnia, Ontario. Pre-deceased by her husband Andrew (Gus) Lynas 2020. Survived by her son Mark (Maureen) Lynas, their children Austin, Veronica and Jackson of Georgetown. Also survived by her grandson Milan Lynas of Burlington Ontario. Loved sister of Adrianne (John) Bruce, Denise (Jay) Stieger, Georgina McCaw, Teri (Chuck) Brownlee and Vera (Chester) Latawiec. She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews for her spicy wit and fun-loving ways. With her glowing personality and love of bling, she was the brightest light in every life she touched. She will be sadly missed and forever loved by all that knew her. The family would like to thank the staff of the St. Joseph Hospice for their care and compassion. Sympathy may be expressed through donations to the St. Joseph Hospice in Sarnia, Ontario or charity of choice. Cremation has taken place, there will no funeral service at this time.
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Lives Lived
The Sarnia Journal
Obituary
50th Anniversary
Ruth & Cliff Coleman
PAVLOV, Richard Michael - P.Eng., PMP
Nov 21, 1966 - Feb 27, 2021
Rick passed away at the Southampton Hospital on Saturday, February 27, 2021 with his wife by his side at the age of 54. Loving husband to Carla Pavlov (nee Rathburn). Wonderful father of Dylan Pavlov. Sadly missed by his parents Pauline and Mike Pavlov. He will be fondly remembered by his Mother-in-law, Nancy Rathburn of Sarnia, Ontario and Brother-in-law, Kevin Rathburn of Naples, Florida USA. Remembered by many Aunts, Uncles and Cousin's. Predeceased by his grandparents Helen and John Pavlov of Hamilton and Sina and Wasyl “Bill” Szczuryk of Hamilton and his Father-in-Law, George Rathburn of Sarnia. Rick was an amazing father and enjoyed many sports. He excelled in golf and was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys football team and the New York Yankees Baseball team. Rick was a proud father, excellent guitar player and enjoyed “Jamming" in the Mancave with his son, Dylan. He even enjoyed building electric guitars for other musicians in his spare time. The whole family enjoyed boating on the St. Clair River, Lake Huron from Sarnia to Southampton and fishing in the Saugeen River. Rick was often called "Captain Rick” by friends and family. Educated at McMaster and Western Universities. Graduated Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics Class of ’91 at McMaster and Project Manager Professional (PMP) Western University. Rick was a Senior Project Manager at the Bruce Power Nuclear Station in the Project Management & Construction Division. He held several positions within the construction and heavy industry sectors including with OPG Thermal at Lambton Generating Station, Courtright, Ontario as Department Program Manager 2004-2008; Raussaun Services Inc. in Toronto as a Project Manager 2000 - 2004, OPG in Toronto, Nuclear Waste Management Division as a Senior Project Planner 1998-2000; Columbian Chemicals Canada Ltd. in Hamilton as Senior Project Manager 1997-1998, CGC Inc.(United States Gypsom Corp,) Hagersville, Ontario 1994-1997 as a Project Engineer; LaFarge Canada Inc. in Hamilton, Ontario Plant Engineer 1991-1993. Rick craved knowledge and continued professional development in various areas throughout his career spanning three decades. His friends and colleagues at work miss seeing him cruise into Bruce Power in his truck known as “Big Blue.” He will be remembered for his colourful and unique sense of humour, huge heart and tireless work ethic. Rick was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable brain cancer, in May 2018. He knew this day was coming and his response was to do something good with his illness and tell his story for the “Light the Way” Campaign. Rick found the light in the darkness by helping to raise money for a new MRI in Owen Sound, Ontario with the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation in Southampton, Ontario. If desired, in his honour please consider memorial donations to the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation or to the Canadian Brain Tumour Foundation. Due to covid restrictions, a private family visitation and funeral Mass will be held Friday, March 5, 2021, 2:00 - 3:00pm at Eagleson Funeral Home, Southampton, Ontario. Those that wish to view a recording of the funeral service can visit the Eagleson website after March 7, 2021. Ricks wishes were to be cremated.
Community
Page 21
Celebrating 50 Years on April 10th 2021 Happy 50th Anniversary mom and dad. Your love for one another is Inspirational! Enjoy your special day.
Love, your family
80th Birthday Happy 80th Birthday Mary Hagemann!
Happy 80th Birthday on April 8th to our loving, hardworking, spunky mom Mary Hagemann! Wishing you many more happy and healthy years of grass cutting and snow shoveling!! You make 80 look awesome!! Love Cynthia, Stephen, Stephanie and Michael xo
WANTED CARRIERS
Routes Available In The Following Areas: SARNIA 1. Ferndale, Greendale, Hall, 4. Russell, George, Bright, Oakdale, Guthrie, Gratiot Cameron, Cobdon, Cromwell 2. Wellington, Indian, Elsfield, Talfourd, Patton 5. Woodward, Michigan. Briarfield 3. East, Maxwell, Pearl, Nelson, Admiral, Capel, Cecil Call:
Marc @ 519.491.5532 or mail:
distribution@thesarniajournal.ca
www.thesarniajournal.ca
Page 22
The Sarnia Journal
Fun Stuff
Thursday, April 8, 2021
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Thursday, April 8, 2021
The Sarnia Journal
Page 23
Sports
Youth sports coach Gary Gallant was ‘just a lovable guy’ TROY SHANTZ THE JOURNAL
G
ary Gallant once coached a Sarnia girl’s hockey team through three consecutive seasons without a tournament loss. Not bad for a guy who was uncomfortable on the ice, said friend and fellow coach Bryan Chappell. “He couldn’t skate. (But) he was a very good coach and the kids all loved him,” Chappell said. Gallant, who for decades coached minor baseball and football as well as hockey, died March 21 at the age of 78. He worked at Sarnia’s parks and recreation department for more than 30 years, and is remembered as a compassionate person who was quick to lend a helping hand. He left behind daughter Tina Wells and her husband Rawle Parris, and grandsons Nathan Wells and Zion Parris. Sarnia’s Dave Greenwood met him in 1968, shortly after Gallant arrived from P.E.I. “Everybody loved
Gary,” said Greenwood. “He was just a lovable guy.” Gallant coached the SMAA Packers, a group of boys drawn from St. Joseph’s and Devine Street schools. After one season of football Gallant started coaching girls’ and boys’ baseball and hockey, Greenwood said. He would often take carloads of players out for dinner, or drive them to Detroit to take in a Tigers or Red Wings game. Greenwood recalled one trip in which Gallant took a mob of wide-eyed Sarnia boys to Detroit’s old Olympia Stadium and stationed them near the arrival entrance of the Toronto Maple Leafs. “He made sure we got there and stood in this little lobby so we could watch Dave Keon, Tim Horton and Frank Mahovlich - all the greats - walk right past us,” he said. “It came from the heart.“ Gallant studied the art of coaching, and led the Bantam A Starfire team to perfect tournament
GARY GALLANT, LEFT, with fellow coach Bryan Chappell, right, and the 1986 Sarnia Starfire Bantam A girls hockey team. Submitted photo.
records in 1985, 1986 and 1987, said Chappell, whose daughter was the goalie on the team. He was slow to anger
with his players and everyone loved being around him, he said. At one of their first tournaments, Gallant
called a team meeting the first night and proceeded to pull out a suitcase. It was packed full of chocolate bars, Chappell said.
“I don’t know if the parents appreciated that,” he said with a laugh. “But that’s just the way he was.”
Top six finish at Worlds SARNIA’S MICHAEL MARINARO and pairs partner Kirsten Moore-Towers finished sixth at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Stockholm, Sweden on March 25, tying their best career finish at the Worlds. The two-time Canadian champions bounced back from a shaky short program with an exceptional free program to vault from 10th to sixth. “We’re definitely proud of the skate today, considering the circums t a n c e s ,” Marinaro said. The pair has finished in the top eight in all four trips to the World Keeping Sarnia-Lambton healthy for 90 years ChampionFor more information about VON Sarnia-Lambton’s programs and services, please visit: ships. www.vonsarnialambton.ca Photo Courtesy, International Skating Union
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Page 24
The Sarnia Journal
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Buying local: THE SAVVY AND SELFLESS WAY TO SPEND YOUR DOLLARS How can you get the freshest eats while helping the planet and enjoying personalized customer service? If you answered “by buying local,” you’ve hit the nail on the head. Not only is the food purchased from the growers and artisans in your community exceedingly fresh, but it’s also packed with flavour and is more nutritious to boot. And say goodbye to preservatives: since local eats are consumed quickly, there’s no need to use sulphites or other chemicals to keep them safe for consumption. What’s more, buying local will reduce your carbon footprint. Far fewer fossil fuels are burned as neither you nor the goods have to travel
very far. And as they don’t need to withstand long journeys, local products (food, clothes, toys, cosmetics, etc.) require far less packaging. Supporting local business owners — who hire locals and don’t see you as just another number! — means that you’re also boosting the local economy, which in turn attracts investors and helps the whole community to thrive. Best of all, local merchants can offer you unique and original products, and since you live nearby, personalized customer service is that much easier to attain. No doubt about it: when you shop next door, everyone wins!
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