The Voice, April 20 2022

Free trees for qualified properties

SELL phone: 905-321-2261 www.pineSOLD.com

DEBBIE PINE SALES REPRESENTATIVE 905.892.0222 NRC Realty, Brokerage

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Hirji says keep the face-masks on

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It's ba-a-a-ck: MCC woonerf

The Voice Z Z

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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Vol.26 No.15 

of Pelham and Central Niagara APRIL 20 2022

Published every Wednesday

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Darcy Richardson, CPA, CA | Broker

DARCYRICHARDSON.CA darcy@darcyrichardson.ca 905.321.6292

Egg-citement at Centennial Park

More photos page 10 OFFICIAL WELCOME The Easter Bunny found himself greeted last Saturday by dignitaries at Centennial Park. From left, Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Olson, Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin, Mr. Bunny, North Pelham Youth Association advocate Mike Tucker, and Ward 2 Councillor John Wink.

DON RICKERS

Somewhere down the road Spring is a time of renewal. Time to tidy up the house and yard.

But how much time have you allotted you’re going to have to to tidying up your affairs? think about it.

You’ve probably revisited your Will, but have you detailed your final wishes? Prepared your Estate?

Let us help you get your affairs in order.

Call Pelham Funeral Home at 905 892-5762 m pelhamfuneralhome@cogeco.ca

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The Voice

A April 20 2022

IN THE NEWS

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

Right, lots to get to: So let’s jump right in. We are now less than two weeks away from the May 2 start of this year’s municipal election nomination period. This is when candidates for town council and the school boards put their names forward, accompanied by a filing fee and nomination signatures of 25 qualified “electors” (voters). Speculation is rampant as to who will or won’t stand for reelection on Pelham Town Council. Mayor Junkin looks likely to dust off his 2018 signs for another go.

Bob Hildebrandt has all but declared. Wayne Olson likewise. We’re reliably informed that Ron Kore has told several grocery customers that he’s “just a simple businessman and not cut out for politics.” Similarly, Marianne Stewart has been said to express her regret at running and seems disinclined to prolong the misery. The ciphers are Councillors John Wink and Lisa Haun—the former one fervently hopes will return to provide a steadying presence for another four years; the latter, well, fervently the opposite. Considering a run yourself? See the news brief on this page about the Region’s election info session coming to the MCC next Thursday…No, it wasn’t a joke: Incidentally, we had a couple of readers ask whether the Town’s April 1 bulletin that Councillor Kore was now Deputy Mayor was an April Fool’s prank. Nope. Each member of council gets a turn. Kore was previously dropped from the rotation due to his extended leaves of absence earlier in the term...Wait, there’s more! Still on elections and campaigns, a number of readers took issue with the presence of a tangerine-shirted David Augustyn and his NDP campaign booth at the recent Kinsmen Home and Garden Show, which took place at the MCC—i.e, on public property, which is forbidden territory during a campaign. True as far as it goes, but the writ has not yet dropped and technically the provincial campaign has yet to begin, a polite fiction that we all pretend to believe. However, with the official start set for May 4, it is unlikely that the former mayor will be chatting up patrons at the Pelham Art Festival, also to be held at the MCC, starting May 6 (meet another of last year’s art festival winners on p. 7, by the way)...Home Show sidebar: Kinsmen president Len Doyle tells us that this year’s show set an all-time high

in charitable donations, at just shy of $9000 raised. Well done, all...Get yours yet? Our Ford government election bribe—sorry, “license plate sticker refund”—arrived in the mail last week. Now the question: to which charity should this $420 go? Something Ukrainerelated, I think...On that subject: The wise Larry Coté assesses public reaction to the war this week, p.4, but I must diverge slightly with my friend on one point. As dismaying and disheartening as the news coverage has been, the media have pulled their punches on the truly horrific imagery, all the while soberly warning us that what’s to come “may be disturbing.” The average PG-13 action film depicts more carnage. Sanitizing the gruesomeness tends only to act as an anesthetic, putting us at a remove from the barbarity of Putin’s atrocities...Still deep in the woods: If we can believe the stats— certainly on the low side—the province is seeing 100,000 new cases of Covid a day, and there were 390 new cases in Niagara over the weekend. On p.9 this week, Dr. Hirji speaks with our Don Rickers and sensibly suggests staying masked-up for the foreseeable future, election year or no. Unfortunately, as provincial campaign priorities take precedence over public health cautions (I will say this for Candidate Tangerine—he and his cohorts were well-masked at the Home Show), the politicians in power have lately gone quiet over Covid. This is also true locally, as the Mayor’s “Pelham and Covid-19” column this week devotes but 31 of 558 words to the coronavirus. In fairness, this isn’t entirely His Worship’s doing. The Town’s Covid emergency strategy meetings are now held only every other week. There are relatively few new developments. And surely it gets tiring trying to convince folks to do the right thing, week in and week out. Accordingly, I believe the natural conclusion of the Mayor’s Covid messaging has arrived—or will arrive at the end of this month. While we will still invite him to contribute his views, we’re opening up the space to a wider range of perspectives starting in May, for a column tentatively and not-veryexcitingly called, “Municipal Matters.” Better See CORNER Page 16

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New powers to block blockaders

Last Thursday, April 14, the Ontario government passed the Keeping Ontario Open for Business Act, 2022, which the government said will protect international border crossings from “unlawful obstructions that disrupt the economy or interfere with public safety.” Through a media release, the government said that the legislation enables law enforcement to better protect international borders, international airports and other transportation infrastructure that is significant to international trade and shield the economy from future disruptions, such as the illegal blockade of Windsor’s Ambassador Bridge in February, which led to temporary factory closures, shift reductions and halted billions of dollars worth of trade.

“International trade is a vital lifeline for our economy which is why we took action to protect our borders from future illegal disruptions so people can keep working, goods can keep moving and businesses can keep producing,” said Premier Doug Ford.

The legislation also provides police officers with additional enforcement tools to impose roadside suspension of drivers’ licences and vehicle permits, seize licence plates when a vehicle is used in an illegal blockade and remove and store objects making up an illegal blockade.

“This new legislation gives Ontario the tools we need to protect the livelihoods of workers, manufacturers and job creators across Ontario’s growing economy from any future attempts to block our borders,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.

The legislation came into force immediately.

Candidate info session for 2022 municipal and school board election

Gerry and Wendy Novosel, and Henry and Leah Ann Wutzke hit hot and sunny Aruba!

WHETHER ACROSS TOWN OR ACROSS THE GLOBE!

Email your photo holding the Voice to: office@thevoiceofpelham.ca S P O N S O R E D

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is hosting a candidate information session at Pelham’s Meridian Community Centre, in partnership with Niagara’s municipalities, for anyone interested in running as a candidate, or becoming a third-party advertiser, in the 2022 Municipal and School Board Election.

The event will be held on Thursday, April 28, in the Accursi Room, from 6 to 9 PM. The candidate information session is a free event that may be attended in-person or watched via livestream.

Remote attendees may submit their questions to clerks@pelham.ca during the livestreamed presentation. A recording of the presentation will be available after the session on the Town of Pelham’s YouTube channel.

There will also be an in-person election information fair before and after the presentation, where attendees can ask questions of staff from Niagara Region, local municipalities and school boards.

The session will provide potential candidates with an opportunity to become familiar with the roles of council, municipal staff, and school board trustees; the nomination process and campaign period; candidate qualifications and disqualifications; general campaign rules and election finances; compliance audits and penalties; voters’ list, proxy voting, scrutineers, recounts and resources, and more. Anyone who is interested in running in the 2022 Municipal and School Board Election is encouraged to attend.

The 2022 Municipal and School Board Election is Monday, Oct. 24. The candidate nomination period opens May 2, and closes at 2 PM, Aug. 19. Third-party advertiser registration opens May 2, and closes Oct. 21.

What's That

SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

The Pelham Fire Department responded to five calls for assistance from Friday, April 8 to Friday, April 15.

Saturday, April 9 Remote alarm, Marlene Stewart Dr., Station 1 Smoke in the building, Haist St., Station 1 Medical assistance, Station 3 Sunday, April 10 Medical assistance, Station 1 Tuesday, April 12 Motor vehicle accident, Chantler Rd., Station 2

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NRPS impaired driving charges ~

In an effort to bring further attention and deterrence to driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, the Niagara Regional Police Service reports the names of those people who are charged with an alleged criminal impaired driving offence in the Region. None of the following charges have been proved in court. In addition to being charged, these individuals are also bound by a Ministry of Transportation 90-Day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension and are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle on a roadway. The public is encouraged to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service Traffic Safety Hotline or Crime Stoppers to report those who are driving in contravention of the suspension. The following individuals have been charged criminally with impaired driving by alcohol or drugs, driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 80 mgs of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or refusing to provide a breath / blood sample.

Andrew W. DOBBIE, 38, Thorold David R. KUCAN, 59, Niagara-on-the-Lake Tyron J. EDGERLY, 46, London Kristian L. FALKOWSKI, 24, St. Catharines Aliyah A. LORD, 20, Niagara Falls Ryland K. KORODY, 42, Niagara Falls Gary K. WARREN, 53, Welland Jessie R. BOUCHER, 41, Welland The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like RIDE. Impaired driving is still the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada and destroys thousands of lives every year.

The

Voice (905) 892-8690 Find the Voice at these locations: Indulgence Bakery Domenic's on 20 Pelham Street Grille Peter Piper’s Pubhouse DeVries Fruit Farm Beamer’s Hardware Pelham Libraries Bob’s Boys Antiques PharmaChoice Pharmacy Fonthill Fitness Fenwick Pie Company McDonald’s Duffin Appleworks Fonthill Legion Semenuk’s Gas Bar Shoppers Drug Mart Tim Horton’s Giant Tiger Fonthill LCBO Zee Lube Express Care Food Basics Minor Bros Stores Avondale Stores A-1 Market Boggio's IDA Sobeys South Pelham Grill on Canboro Shell on Hwy 20 Circle-K

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The Voice

Page 3

A April 20 2022

Drop-in Public Information Sessions for the Town of Pelham New Zoning By-law TUC volunteers plant trees at a previous watershed project.

SUPPLIED

Get your “Buffer in a Box” Trout Unlimited focuses on watershed restoration

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor David Meeker, the Environmental Stewardship Coordinator for the Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC), wants landowners in Niagara’s upper watershed to get involved with a new restoration program.

“Buffer in a Box” includes a set of 30 native shrubs and trees, being offered to anyone who owns property in the watershed. It is part of an effort to reduce flooding

and soil erosion by slowing down the flow of water, and improving the habitat within streams and creeks.

“TUC volunteers will actually come in and do the planting for the landowner, if that's something that they wish,” said Meeker.

“We know that some people may not want to have a group of volunteers come to their private property, so we give them the option of doing the planting themselves.

Attend one of the upcoming in-person or online sessions to speak with planning staff, have your questions answered and view proposed zoning maps.

Learn how proposed changes may impact residents.

Participate In-Person: Drop in during the three in-person sessions.

But either way, our team will do a site inspection before the plants are delivered, to assess the best place to put these shrubs and trees to have the most positive impact on their property.”

Two different boxed selection of plants will be available, targeting distinct types of properties.

“Those properties that have the actual creeks or See BUFFER Page 16

Tuesday, April 26, 2022 Pelham Fire Station #2 766 Welland Road, Fenwick 2:00pm - 4:00pm and 5:00pm - 7:00pm Wednesday, April 27, 2022 Pelham Fire Station #3 2355 Cream Street, North Pelham 2:00pm - 4:00pm and 5:00pm - 7:00pm Thursday, April 28, 2022 Meridian Community Centre 100 Meridian Way, Fonthill 2:00pm - 4:00pm and 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Participate Virtually: Register to participate virtually via zoom webinar.

Thursday, May 5, 2022 Zoom Webinar 5:30pm - 7:30pm Pre-register by noon May 3, 2022 by emailing lrichardson@pelham.ca

Provide Feedback: By email to lrichardson@pelham.ca

The Village Boutique Offers Frank Lyman Special Occassion Dressing & Casual Wear!

Unit 8 - 160 Hwy 20 E, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6 905-892-6262 Sunday: 12pm - 4pm Mon. to Sat.: 10am - 5pm

By regular post to 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0, c/o Lindsay Richardson, Policy Planner By placing in the drop box located at the lower entrance to Town Hall

For more information visit www.pelham.ca/zoningbylawreview 905-980-6675

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The Voice

A April 20 2022

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OPINION

The opinions expressed in submitted commentary and letters to the editor are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Voice of Pelham.

The Voice of Pelham is a 1211858 Ontario Limited publication David Burket, Publisher 2-1428 Pelham St., P.O. Box 1489, Fonthill, ON L0S1E0

COTÉ'S COMMENTS Larry Coté

The scourge of war

T

he images of the Russian attack on Ukraine are almost too graphic to describe. Many of the media depictions are so gruesome that these are prefaced with a warning that they could be too disturbing for many viewers. Presumably, those who value human life, are disturbed by violence, and abhor wanton destruction should mute the telecast and turn their eyes from the screen. In other words, one should temporarily suspend their humanity by shutting their eyes and ears to the news.

One of the fears associated with this constant barrage of such ferociousness is that one could become too accustomed to such misdeeds, diminish their abhorrence and lessen their caring for their fellows on this earth.

Imagine, if you will, for your own and your children’s safety being ousted from your home, virtually with only the clothes on your back, separated from your spouse and put on a train to an unknown destination. Remaining at home,

your spouse will be given a lethal weapon with which he is totally unfamiliar and told to defend the country.

How far can such unreasonableness be stretched and senselessness become the norm?

"The majority of people from around the world agree that there can be no justification"

Many of the comparisons to earlier wars reaffirm the statistics about deaths, destruction, and absolute mayhem perpetrated on millions of people. And likely, some of the havoc will be under-reported and go unnoticed by fellow humans who have the good fortune to live far enough away.

It is absolutely astonish-

NEED HELP? MAKE THE CALL Distress Centre Distress and crisis.

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Narcotics Anonymous 1-888-811-3887.

Gambler’s Anonymous 905-351-1616 Kids Help Phone Service for youth.

416-586-5437 800-668-6868 (Crisis Line) www.kidshelpphone.ca

Assaulted Women’s Helpline Mobile calls to: #SAFE (#7233) 1-866-863-0511 (Toll-free) Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) www.niagaratips.com Text - 274637 (CRIMES), keyword Niagara, then your tip

The Voice

Z

Duc, sequere, aut de medio fiat

Z

1428 Pelham Street, P.O. Box 1489, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 Office open: Monday - Thursday 8 AM - 2 PM

(905) 892-8690

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca PUBLISHER Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTING NEWS EDITOR Don Rickers

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger

CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Michael Coren, Larry Coté, Brian Green, Miriam Han, Megan Metler, John Swart, Helen Tran, Mike Tucker, Rob Weatherby. Proof Sleuth: Julian Fitch NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

ing that the responsibility for all of this abomination can be attributed to one, perhaps deranged man, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. It is stupefying that this one autocrat can murder so many innocents, destroy so much land, threaten world peace and, so far, get away with such malfeasance. Regardless of whatever reasons he gives to support this unwarranted attack on a neighbouring country, the majority of people from around the world agree that there can be no justification.

It is not only the innocent citizens who will be permanently scared by this unwarranted incursion but the many who carry out the face-to-face battles— the armed forces. We know from past wars that many of these warriors will be burdened for life by injuries and illnesses such as PTSD. Civilized and mentally healthy people are generally not capable of overcoming the residual effects of killing innocent people and especially the defenseless elderSee SCOURGE Page 6

Letters Want to filter leaves? Choose contractor carefully I really enjoyed the home show this year.

There were lots of vendors to get some great advice on home improvements.

One in particular we decided to have come to our house and give us a free quote.

Like some of you, our gutters get clogged, leak in some corners and have seen better days. One company was at the show and had what looked like an answer to our problem.

They came to the house and measured and took a lot of pictures. We then had a sit-down history lesson of the company and how this will change our life! The first

quote was $11,375— but wait we can add some discounts. After a lot of scratching on a secret paper, not allowed to look, the new price was now $8,225. Now for the phone call to the head office on speaker. How about $5,000? What a deal!

They were visibly mad that we did not go for the scam. That’s right, scam. We looked up the company online and discovered product failures, bad installs and unhappy customers. Just for example, if I replaced all the gutters we have with new parts from See SCAMMY Page 6

7

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

Dean Allison, MP 4994 King Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Dean.Allison@parl.gc.ca 877-563-7900 Member of Provincial Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755 Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2987 Councillor Diana Huson diana.huson@niagararegion.ca 905-324-3094 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607

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Members of Pelham Town Council Ward 1 Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840

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Councillor Wayne Olson wolson@pelham.ca 905-933 6033 Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805

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Have an Opinion?

BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome. Letter submissions should contain the writer’s full name, address and telephone number. Names only will be published. Names may be withheld if compelling reasons are provided. The newspaper reserves the right to change, condense or reject any contribution for brevity, clarity or legal considerations. All material in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction is prohibited without express, written permission of the publisher. ADVERTISING: The Voice of Pelham regrets any errors or omissions that appear in advertisements in this newspaper, however, we will not be held responsible for more than one absent or incorrect insertion or for any damages beyond the cost of space containing the error. The Voice is an independent, locally owned and operated publication.

The Voice is a member of the National NewsMedia Council, a voluntary self-regulatory organization that deals with journalistic practices and ethics. If you have an unresolved complaint about news stories, opinion columns or photos, please visit their web site at mediacouncil.ca or call 1-844-877-1163. If you have a complaint about delivery or membership problems, please contact our office at (905) 892-8690. For a summary of Voice ethical guidelines, see www. thevoiceofpelham.ca/ethics

REAL ESTATE, PURCHASES, SALES & MORTGAGES, BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS & SALES, ESTATE ADMINISTRATION, WILLS & POWER OF ATTORNEY FONTHILL (Main Office)

10 Highway 20 E., P.O. Box 743, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 T: 905-892-2621 • F: 905-892-1022

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NIAGARA FALLS (Satellite Office)

Pio Plaza, 8685 Lundy’s Lane, Unit #2, Niagara Falls, ON L2H 1H5 T: 289-296-2629 • F: 289-296-0222

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Well don't just sit there. Share it with The Voice! letters@ thevoiceofpelham.ca

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The Voice

Page 5

A April 20 2022

OPINION Goodbye Yellow Brick Road I am part of a concerned citizen group from Fonthill that would like to lend support to the business owners in Ridgeville who are trying to get additional parking spaces for their customers. As we watched the April 4th council meeting and heard the consultant’s parking report and the projections for future growth in Pelham, we could not help but be disheartened and worried that this growth will not be managed in a competent manner, as this has been the case in the recent past. One only has to look as far as the East Fonthill development to see how the lack of planning and expertise has resulted in the loss of our small, rural town.

A famous urban planner claims, “To erode small town culture is to erode the culture of the nation.” He goes on to state that such places are vital threads in a country’s fabric. Did the developers and their consultants protect, or make the most of, our local assets?

We think not, and for us as Pelham citizens it is our duty to ensure that the jewel that is the Renaissance of Ridgeville is preserved as it stands as a testament to what the Town of Pelham once was. This is a place where one can take their grandchildren to show them how it “used to be” and to provide them with a snapshot of small town community and history.

How is it that some small cities and towns are prospering, while many others are suffer-

ing from the loss of identity and even abandonment? Why are some communities able to maintain their historic character and quality of life in the face of a rapidly changing world, while others have lost the very features that once gave them distinction and appeal? How can communities, both big and small, grow without losing their heart and soul? We are afraid that the town of Pelham is losing its soul and we are prepared to go to great lengths to ensure that this does not happen in Ridgeville as it did in the Village of Fonthill.

Many communities have found ways to retain their small-town values, historic character, scenic beauty and sense of community, yet sustain a prosperous economy, such as in the case of Niagara-on-the-Lake. And they’ve done it without accepting the kind of cookie-cutter development that has turned many communities into places that their residents no longer recognize. All development is not created equal. Some development projects will make a community a better place to live, work and visit while others will not.

I wish to make a plea to our Town Council to act (it is an election year) and vote to provide additional parking for the community that wishes to preserve these vital threads of Pelham’s fabric.

Rose Galway Fonthill

MIA defendant rankles In last week’s Voice I read about a defendant in a high profile sexual assault case leaving the courtroom in St. Catharines for a lunch break and not returning.

Could this be construed as contempt of court? Whenever he deigns to have the time to return, I hope the judge will make it clear that it’s not up to him to decide

when he is to face the judicial system.

David Fowler Wainfleet

PELHAM AND COVID-19 Mayor Marvin Junkin

Spring still tantalizingly out of reach, plus Easter Eggs

O

kay, Okay, I know it hasn’t been exactly spring weather for a few (several) days.

We were however spared the spring blizzard that the west had to endure this past week!

It would be downright demoralizing to go back to having 40-50 cm of snow to slog through.

Thankfully there was no cold white stuff on the ground on Saturday, although it was somewhat chilly for the Town-sponsored Easter Egg Hunt. This greatly anticipated and enjoyed event took place at the Centennial Park in Fenwick. Children of all ages took part in the hunt.

I am happy to report that although he was in attendance, Councillor Olson resisted the urge to join in the hunt, choosing instead to cheer on the young chocolate hunters.

The Fabulous Fenwick Lions served up their usual array of hot dogs, cold drinks and hot chocolate. When all was said and done, all participants and the young at heart had a great time and went home

Know where you stand Advanced mock returns

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"Centennial Park will be a-rockin' come summer!"

projects which will be underway soon. The tennis courts will be dug up, re-leveled and resurfaced, and new pickle ball courts will be constructed in the vicinity of diamond two. The midway for the Lions’ May Carnival will be set-up on diamond one. Centennial Park will be a-rockin’

come summer!

My good friend Bill Heska had a letter in last week’s paper about the out-let from the storm water management pond located at the corner of Hwy. 20 and Rice Road.

Although most of the letter was factually correct, Bill was mistaken on the amount of money that the Town has spent to date on this project.

Whereas Bill stated that the Town has spent $200,000 so far on this project, the correct statement would be that the Town has authorized the expenditure of up to $70,000 for an engineering study to be undertaken to come up with a solution to solve the severe erosion that is happening at the outlet on the north side of Hwy. 20. Once this study is completed, securing financing will be the next step. Trout Unlimited Canada, in conjunction with the NPCA, will be undertaking the search for a qualified engineering firm and will have news for the community See MAYOR next page

Professional SERVICES Directory GREATER NIAGARA TAX SERVICE

Fenwick Lionettes Club

with enough chocolate to stay hyper for several days.

While at the park I was reminded by the sight of the soon-to-be-completed splash pad of many other

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Fenwick Lions Hall 999 Church Street, Fenwick

NEWSFLASH Tell us your story!

Column Six presents tales of personal triumph, adventure, strange-but-true stories, life-changing events, and looks-back at our past.

Did you conquer Everest or kick a bad habit?

Everyone has a story. Tell us yours!

Cabinetry Showroom & Design Centre 7-200 Hwy 20 East, Fonthill ON L0S 1E6 Open: Mon - Fri 9:00am to 5:00pm Call (905) 932-7069 to schedule an appointment for a design consultation.

NOW ALSO ACCEPTING FICTION— SHORT STORIES UP TO 4000 WORDS! Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca (You won’t get rich, but you will get paid.)

Page 6

The Voice

COMMON DECENCY Rev. Michael Coren

A April 20 2022

Letters continued

Religion not a moral thermometer

“Sold down the river” by Singh

ince moving to Toronto in 1987, I had spoken to my parents in London by phone every month or so. Calls were expensive back then so I was surprised when in early summer, 2001, my mum suddenly telephoned.

Dad had had a bad stroke.

Flew over that night.

There was dad, such a strong and tough man, suddenly a baby again. Vulnerable, immobile. Good, kind medics told us that it was serious, weren’t sure what would happen, no positive signs yet.

We sit by his bed, don’t know what to do. Then my sister comes in, not knowing what to do either. Then my brother-in-law and niece, the same. Five of us, impotent and ignorant.

Then a sixth person enters, and she’s different. My younger niece, who bounds in like Disney’s Tigger and jumps on the bed. Then cuddles her grandpa, and falls asleep.

Because this is what she does whenever she visits her grandparents’ house.

Why would a strange place with odd sounds and smells be any different? And then, and then, dad show emotion. First time in two days.

He cries.

He turns his head, eyes seem to focus, and with super-human effort says a word. My name. Michael.

Then again and again. We call for a doctor, who with pristine innocence says, “This wasn’t supposed to happen. It’s like a miracle.”

I should explain that my niece is what is known as handicapped. She’s profoundly autistic, which some people find extremely disturbing. Thing is, that disability has liberated her.

She loves unconditionally, and in that gift of unconditional love changed our world. My dad had a 90 percent recovery.

Proof of God and Jesus and Easter? Of course not! I may be a Christian but I’m not a fool, not naïve. No, I tell this story to remind us what the Easter we’ve just celebrated was about.

The problem, of course, is that we live in the midst of clergy abuse scandals, and fierce judgmentalism.

But there they are, made especially vivid at Easter.

Forgive, embrace, include, empathize, judge yourself before others, give away property, turn the world upside down because it’s systemically unfair, stand with those who need you the most, be with the lost.

He’s is the God of losers.

In a perfect Canada, where government budgets are balanced, no massive personal household debt, yes we can institute plans for daycare, dental and pharmacare.

But they shouldn’t be universal, when many Canadian families already have reasonable health plans, but the ones that don’t we should help, and there are many very wealthy families in Canada that shouldn’t benefit from $10-a-day daycare.

There are many seniors living on very meagre basic government pensions who require more extensive and expensive dental procedures than basic dental care for children—and seniors pay taxes, children don’t.

Jagmeet Singh sold us down the river to get the childcare dental benefit at the expense of our national defense, supporting our NATO partners, and virtually turned his back on the horrific situation in Ukraine.

Mr. Singh never protested about losing thousands of jobs under NAFTA, especially in Niagara that were good paying union jobs where the NDP received cash to support the NDP Party from union member dues.

S

Easter isn’t triumphalism, and the divine quintessence of the Jesus narrative is paradox: in death is life, in giving is receiving, in sacrifice is completion. hat Christianity shouldn’t be, but far too often has become, is a moral thermometer. Consider, for example, the issue of sex, which has become an obsession among Christian conservatives. Jesus seems largely indifferent about the subject, and it’s significant that one of the readings in Lent, shortly before Easter week, presents a woman drying Jesus’ feet with her hair. Exotic certainly, erotic perhaps, sensual and intimate for sure. Yet he accepts the actions with praise and then chastises the person— yes, it’s Judas — who condemns what is going on.

The sin, if we use that word, around sexuality is abuse and betrayal. To use another person merely for one’s own pleasure, without care or concern for them. Or adultery, which is more about the heart than the body, and can shatter someone’s trust and selfworth. To reduce all of this to sex alone is simplistic and crass, but that’s what we see so often in Christian circles. We’ve found another culprit, so let’s all feel good about ourselves as we march through the village and scream their name.

The Jesus of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday roared the opposite path. Treat others as you would yourself be treated. To do otherwise is worse than base hypocrisy, it’s a rejection of the very Christian symbiosis, the call to gracious community, that would make the Beatitudes livable.

He died alone and in agony. He owned no property, criticized the wealthy and powerful, gathered the rejected and marginalized around him, detested violence and selfishness, and exposed judgmentalism for the fatal darkness it is. The God of losers, the God of change, the God of children in hospital wards who in their brokenness transform everything and everyone.

That’s my Christ, that’s my Easter. I believe he is risen. I believe he is risen indeed. But if we fail to listen to and fail to try to live by Jesus’s breathtakingly radical teachings, his words are made empty and his ministry becomes a failure. It’s not easy. In fact, it’s incredibly difficult. If you want easy, try a chocolate egg. ◆

W

These private sector union jobs provided the healthcare benefits that Mr. Singh now wants taxpayer government programs to provide.

In the last re-negotiations of NAFTA, two years ago, he never protested Mexico’s participation, where Mexican worker wages remained stagnant under the fi rst NAFTA agreement, where Mexico’s political system has rigged elections and much of the country is affl icted by drug cartels.

Interest rates should have risen years ago by any government of the day, which has now exposed millions of Canadians and any branch of government to massive debt, regardless of what any politician tells us.

People like Mr. Singh who care little about public or government debt, will promote any taxpayer-funded program for votes, and personally he scares the hell out of me if he has any aspirations of becoming our Prime Minister, but there is no more room at the top, as we already have a left wing socialist in that position.

Peter Voss Welland

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

MAYOR

continued from previous page within a week or two.

On the Covid front, it should be noted that while provincial numbers indicate that new cases may have plateaued at 100,000 per day, there are five patients currently in Niagara ICUs. I will close with a sports story that is so much more than a mere story.

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson took his place at first base.

He was playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, a Major League baseball team in Brooklyn, New York. The first black player to play in that league, he won Rookie of the Year that season but his greatest accomplishment of that day came because of his first step. Doors were opened for athletes of colour to follow in his steps. As the Chinese proverb states, “The longest journey starts with the first step.” Mr. Robinson’s first step 75 years ago in Major League baseball continues not only in sports but in every area of society.

Now those are some footsteps to fill! ◆

SCAMMY

continued from Page 4 Home Depot, the material is $1,000, then add labour cost to get installed. I hope that our home show vendors are not scamming our seniors or those uninformed of reasonable house upgrade costs. Also, sorry for the American term, but no one seems to know what an eavestrough is!

Neil Gallaway Fonthill

SCOURGE

continued from Page 4 ly and children.

I admit that I, and many with whom I affiliate, are deeply saddened and disturbed by this senseless war and the prospect that it could worsen. All who live in freedom should think of and offer assistance to those suffering the consequences of this terrible war in Ukraine. It is our collective hope they will soon find peace in their home country or elsewhere in this world where they choose to live.

You would do well to support the organization of your choice that is committed to offering assistance to those harmed by this Russian atrocity. ◆

A TRIO OF NEWCOMERS The Fenwick Lions welcomed thee new members to the pride at a recent dinner meeting. From left, Lion Scott Kernicky, sponsor of new Lions Stephen Graves and Kevin Deboer, PDG Lion Fred Arbour, new Lion Kevin Deboer, new Lion Brian Prins, new Lion Stephen Graves, Lion Chief Jeff Pickup. (Lion Ryan VanLochem, sponsor of Lion Brian Prins, was absent.) SUPPLIED

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The Voice

Page 7

A April 20 2022

Fenwick artist’s work intertwined with nature "Colours flow into my mind...I let the inspiration take me"

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor The 35th annual Pelham Art Festival Show and Sale, May 6 to 8, features 55 artists and artisans. The pandemic necessitated a virtual show last year, but 2022 marks the return to an in-person event on Mother's Day Weekend.

The venue is the Meridian Community Centre in Fonthill. The Festival is also available on-line, May 5 to 15, at pelhamartfestival. com Ahead of this year’s event, the Voice is highlighting winning artists from last year’s competition.

Up this week is mixed-media artist Vanessa Brownbridge.

“I've been a big supporter of the festival for a long time,” said Brownridge. “So many good artists take part, and the entire organization is done beautifully with friendly volunteers. I've been selling lots of artwork at the show, for which I am grateful, and also doing my own social campaign on Facebook.”

Brownbridge’s talents transcend visual art, however. Born in Kenya of Indian heritage, she refers to herself as “a traditional healer with a global perspective,” who intuitively uses nature to channel her music, art, writing, and general creativity.

She approaches her daily paint-

Fenwick’s Vanessa Brownbridge with some of her work. ing with an open mind and a blank slate.

“I look at my canvas, and ask, ‘What do you want to be today?’” she told the Voice. “And suddenly, colours flow into my mind, and I just go with it, letting the inspiration take me. It’s simply a joyful freestyle.”

A multi-media artist, Brown-

bridge usually works in watercolors and acrylics.

“I use oils, ink, and pastels as well,” she said. “There is plenty of vibrant colour in many of my works, but I also love to use black and walnut ink in my paintings.”

Art is everywhere on display in the home she shares with her husband, Michael.

DON RICKERS

“I have been here on Maple Street in Fenwick, in this marvelous place, since 2009. It has liberated me...helped me to be me. I’m blessed with my house, my studio.

Michael and I live in paradise, on a three-acre property adjacent orchards, that we've worked very hard to create.”

A prevalent theme in her work is

animals, especially elephants, and others one would see on safari.

“Having lived in Africa, I'm very influenced by its animals and people,” said Brownbridge. “I grew up working as a ranger in African game parks, as did my family,” she said. “We did a lot of conserSee BROWNBRIDGE Page 17

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Page 8

The Voice

A April 20 2022

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

On the PATH to habitat preservation Reconstituted environmental activist group expands its mandate

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor The former Pelham Tree Conservancy has re-branded itself as Pelham Advocates for Trees and Habitat, or PATH. “Our goal is to promote the preservation of our urban forest,” said group chair Mike Jones, “and to educate the public on the value of trees and natural habitat.

PATH has been incorporated as a not-for-profit organization, and we’ve broadening the spectrum.

We can now apply for grant money to achieve some of our goals, expand our base, host public meetings, and offer new opportunities to those concerned about the environment.”

With some 530 members on its Facebook page, the organization has put in place a nominal fee of $10 for a regular voting member, and $20 for a family membership.

Children age 11 and older may join, part of the group’s strategy to “engage kids and let them have their voice on the future,” according to Jones.

Memberships are available online via e-transfer. PATH’s new website can be viewed at pelhampath.ca A cleanup of the Steve Bauer trail was slated to start last Saturday and continue through this Friday, April 22.

“We're going to be calling on all the members to come out at their leisure,” said Jones. “We're asking them to take photos of their cleanup effort, so we'll have pictures on our Facebook site. We are also participating in Pelham's Environmental Earth Day event at the Meridian Community Centre on April 23, from 9 AM until noon.”

Jones said PATH will be following that up the same day with its first annual “Earth Day Call For Action.”

“On April 23, from 1 to 3 PM, we’re asking environmentalists from all over Niagara to come and participate, and share their concerns. Peace Park in Fonthill will be the rallying point. We're asking people to come on out with their families and friends.”

The Voice spoke with Jones and fellow board members Dave Nicholson and Graham Pett last week at the corner of Merritt Road and Rice Road, the spot where the Region is planning to build an extension roadway to Highway 406.

“This is a provincially significant wetland area,” said Pett.

“We are strongly opposed to the development of the roadway, and housing builds on these 25 hectares. There’s an official planning meeting at the end of the month at

Dave Nicholson, Mike Jones, and Graham Pett at Niagara Region’s proposed extension of Merritt Road.

Regional Council, and we’ll be giving a presentation. We have major concerns because this is just such a flood-prone area. If they put a roadway through here, where's the water going to go? They can't put in stormwater sewers, because it's too low. Imagine the amount of aggregate gravel that will be needed to build up the

roadway. It will be an enormous height.”

“If you go down to Cataract Road, after every rain, the road overflows,” added Jones.

“This is the one remaining areas of forested land that stretches from the Fonthill Kame right through to the Welland Canal.

There are plenty of deer in this

DON RICKERS

area that will end up getting displaced,” said Nicholson.

PATH feels that it makes more sense to improve Port Robinson and Quaker roads, rather than carve a new vehicle artery out of a sensitive wetland area.

“Building this extension only saves the commuter a few minutes,” said Pett.

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The Voice

Page 9

A April 20 2022

Continued masking and vigilance urged by Hirji "This virus is not going away"

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Niagara’s Acting Medical Officer of Health, and his provincial counterpart, Keiran Moore, have divergent priorities.

Moore has gone on record as saying that a broad mask mandate is not in the cards for the foreseeable future, despite a recent sixth wave of Covid-19 in the province that is generating 100,000 infections daily, and is not expected to subside until May. Hirji thinks Acting Medical Officer of Health, that it is still Dr. Mustafa Hirji. a prudent per decision SUPPLIED sonal to cover up.

“Infections have risen of late, but I don't think we need to go to a stage where we're closing businesses or putting in place capacity limits,” he said. “Masking is a simple thing we can all do to make sure we keep those around us safe, and make sure we limit the harm from this latest wave.”

Niagara elementary school teachers have reported that some classes were experiencing absentee rates of more than 20 percent.

“We've definitely seen a lot of spread of infection in schools,” said Hirji. “And it was, frankly, predictable, because after the March Break, the provinces basically took away all the protections they had for children, which coin-

cided with the new wave. I would really recommend that schools, and the rest of community, bring back masking policies, to make sure that they can keep the school environment as safe as possible.”

Hirji said that the Omicron BA.2 variant is now responsible for about half the infections in the region.

“The Omicron variants in general have been less dangerous than some of those previous variants,” he said, “but even if we’re talking a 30 to 40 percent reduction, that's still, unfortunately, a lot of people who are going to be hospitalized.”

Dealing with Covid-19 in the long term is a prospect we are all going to have to come to grips with, said Hirji. And paid sick days is one of the tools that he would like to see implemented for all employees.

“The virus is not going to go away,” he said. “We are going to see periodic waves that are going to cause people to be hospitalized, with some getting severely ill. New variants will likely keep coming. We need to plan in a fashion that won’t harm our economy and social life which we unfortunately experienced from time to time over the last two years. We must build a culture where if we're sick with illness, we stay home and make sure we're not out and spreading it to other people. For those who are able to work from home, it’s not a big deal. But for some people, particularly those who are in lower-income service

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sector jobs, they often don't have that kind of luxury. They need to show up to work, because they have bills to pay. So having paid sick days is a way to make sure that they can do the right thing and stay home.”

Hirji is advocating that people consider a fourth dose, or second booster.

“Currently those age 60 to 79 are eligible, but I think it's more of an option for them. The group that really does need to absolutely get it right away are those 80 and over.”

Are we looking at additional boosters down the road?

“I think it's too early to say if we're going to have a fifth dose,” he said. “We'll have to see what happens. I think there's a reasonable chance that we will see some sort of booster dose in the fall.

I'm expecting, unfortunately, that we're going to have another wave of Covid-19 in the fall.”

The new, protein-based Novavax vaccine, which was approved by Health Canada in February, is now

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available in Niagara for those with medical conditions which preclude mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna.

“We're holding clinics now with Novavax, and will be expanding the availability as more people sign up for it,” said Hirji.

“Novavax vaccinations require an appointment, because we don’t have it routinely available at all of our clinics. Some had allergic reactions to the mRNA vaccines, so this is now another choice for them to be able to get an additional dose or booster.”

He is skeptical that the mere presence of Novavax will prompt hoards of the unvaccinated to get the jab.

“I don't think it's going to make a huge difference, because there have been four different vaccine options already. People who haven't yet signed up are probably unlikely to sign up. That being said, we've had over one hundred people just recently who did sign up for Novavax, so we'll get a few

more people vaccinated for sure.

And we're happy to do that.”

Health Canada has confirmed six cases of XE, the latest version of Omicron, said to be the most transmissible variant yet, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The BA.2 Omicron strain is now dominant in about 70 countries, and makes up over 90 percent of infection cases worldwide. Vaccination plus a booster shot appear to offer strong protection against severe illness and death regarding both Omicron BA. 1 and BA.2.

The WHO has detected a small number of cases of BA. 4 and BA. 5 strains in a few countries.

New variants will continue to appear, says the Public Health Agency of Canada, which notes that all viruses, including Covid-19, have mutations, most of which do not cause severe illness.

PCR molecular tests, which have a higher accuracy rate than the readily-available rapid tests, are now being provided to seniors and the immunocompromised, as is the anti-viral medication, Paxlovid.

“Up until now, it's only been a very limited number of people who qualified for PCR tests,” said Hirji, “including health care workers, those who live in congregate settings, and those at high risk for outbreaks. The rapid tests are about 70 to 80 percent accurate, so not perfect, but still quite good.

One thing I have observed with the rapid test is that, as soon as someone becomes sick, the rapid test may come back negative, but a day or two later, it becomes positive.

So I encourage people, if they do get sick, and they get a negative test, to repeat the test a day or two later and see what it shows.”

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The Voice

A April 20 2022

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

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The Voice

Page 11

A April 20 2022

And...they're off!

AN EASTER HOPPING WITH FUN Parents snapped cellphone pics by the dozen last Saturday morning, as their children hunted chocolate Easter eggs at Centennial Park in Fenwick.

The Town of Pelham's Special Events and Festivals Programmer, Amanda Deschenes, figured that more than 500 were in attendance, as the kiddies collected eggs, participated in Easter-inspired crafts, hugged the Easter Bunny, and participated in a colouring contest. Food was provided on site courtesy of the Fabulous Fenwick Lions.

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Page 12

The Voice

A April 20 2022

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Chemist-turned-writer, Douglas Johnson "A Passion for Life" contains decades of fiction, poetry

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor In his mid-80s, Douglas Johnson figured it was high time to publish his literary works that had been percolating over the past 20 years. His 400-page collection of 27 short stories and 40 poems, entitled A Passion for Life, is now available on Amazon.

His enthusiasm for writing is completely divergent from his occupational pursuits.

“I was searching for the artistic side of myself, and I found it in writing, while I was working overseas,” said Johnson. All my life I had been involved in factual issues, chemistry and business.

The other side did not appear until later. Within these pages are tales of life, love, death, mystery, and fantasy, drawn from nature, and from my heart and mind.”

Johnson earned both an undergraduate degree and a masters in industrial chemistry in Scotland, before immigrated to Canada with his wife, Helen, in 1961.

“I worked for Dow Chemical for four years as a research chemist, and developed a couple of good processes that they commercialized,” he said. “After receiving my MBA from Western University in 1971, I took the Canadian securities course, and got a job with a brokerage house. But I quickly found out at that they were there primarily to make money for themselves, not

Douglas Johnson, at home in Fenwick. their clients, and I'm not that kind of guy. I love helping people.”

Johnson went to work as a management consultant at Deloitte, and spent time in Indonesia and the Philippines. He volunteered with a non-government organization, advising Indigenous and international small businesses for many years. Travelling to many countries throughout the world — Bulgaria, Slovakia, Afghanistan, Armenia, Sweden, Guyana — he developed his skills in writing about people.

“My approach to life is that you must challenge yourself, and discover your competencies,” he said.

He worked in Romania right after the 1989 revolution, when Nico-

DON RICKERS

lae Ceausescu, the country’s communist dictator, had been shot and killed.

“Russia was losing all its satellite countries, and people were trying to understand what's going on,” said. Johnson. “A Romanian friend told me, ‘Now, when I see a policeman, I don't shrink away, I can walk past him without fear.’”

Johnson wrote his first book years ago, entitled Let's Get Down to Business, when he was working for the Canadian Executive Services organization internationally.

“At age 80, they said I had to stop, since they didn’t want to take out the insurance necessary if you die overseas. I just told them, ‘Well,

if I die abroad, just cremate me and put me in parcel post.’”

He and Helen have two children and nine grandchildren. Johnson does a bit of baking these days, and some woodworking at their home on Memorial Drive in Fenwick.

“I haven't been writing for a while, due to an operation which left me kind of listless and tired,” he said. “But I feel my energy returning, and look forward to doing some gardening and spraying the fruit trees, and getting back to some writing.”

“Wellington Boots” is a humorous short story in the book, one that is a personal favorite of Johnson’s. Another more serious

inclusion is “Death of a Prince,” a retelling of the story of Prince George, the Duke of Kent, who was the fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary. He served in the Royal Navy in the 1920s, and with the Royal Air Force during World War II, perishing in a military air crash in August of 1942. The Prince’s death marked the first time in more than 450 years that a member of the royal family died on active service.

“Sometimes I can be simply sitting at the kitchen table, with the sun streaming in through the windows, and the warmth and brightness can prompt me to begin writing,” said Johnson.

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The Voice

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A April 20 2022

Huson moderates first Seat at the Table panel discussion Regional initiative aims to boost female participation in politics

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor Women, and especially those of minority groups, are significantly under-represented on Niagara Regional Council. Seven of the 32 councillors are female, and only two of Niagara’s 12 municipalities have female mayors.

The municipality’s Seat at the Table program aims to change that by offering virtual workshops focused on helping women become better informed about running for local government,

addressing barriers that they might face, and providing mentorship and inspiration to include their voices in local politics.

Cassie Ogunniyi, the Region’s manager of diversity, equity, inclusion and Indigenous relations, is program lead.

The first online session, which ran Thursday April 7, was entitled Municipal Government 101: Inspiration, Insight and Information.

The evening’s keynote speaker

was Velma Morgan, a teacher and advocate for gender and cultural diversity in politics, who orchestrated the first Black community provincial leaders’ debate and Black Women’s Political Summit.

A panel discussion, moderated

by Pelham Regional Councillor and Chair of the Women's Advisory Committee, Diana Huson, featured former Wainfleet mayor and current Niagara Parks Commission Chair April Jeffs, Brampton Councillor Rowena Santos, and Liz Hay of Niagara Region’s accessibility advisory committee and its diversity, equity and inclusion advisory committee.

Panels members spoke on such issues as the importance of mentorship, developing a thick skin in

the political arena, dealing with critics and supporters, and the intimidation of public speaking.

“Representation matters” was a message from Hay to encourage minorities to participate in the political process.

Santos’ advice: “Be your unapologetic, authentic self.”

Future sessions include such themes as getting organized to run; working with other levels of government, policy and planning; managing public scrutiny, harassment, addressing bias and discrimination; council procedures for elected women; mock council meeting for elected women; and supporting female municipal leaders.

The initiative is funded by

Women and Gender Equality Canada, in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and a host of local organizations, including the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce, the City of St. Catharines, YWCA, Niagara Region’s Women's Advisory Committee, and others.

“There are pre-election and a post-election components to the whole program, and both include a workshop series and a mentorship opportunity,” Huson told the Voice. “The Pre-election sessions provide information about contributing to political dialogue and decision making, while the post-election workshops are See HUSON Page 17

Councillor Wayne Olson attends climate leadership program

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor A global study conducted in 2020 by market research company Ipsos revealed that 61 percent of Canadians think that in the economic recovery from Covid-19, it’s important that government actions prioritize climate change. About the same number agreed that if their government does not act now to combat climate change, it will be failing its citizens.

Pelham Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Olson has shown some initiative on the is-

sue, having recently taken part in a climate leadership program offered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). He was one of 62 participants from municipalities across the country (and the only one from Niagara) who took part in the online courses.

The intent was to provide elected officials with the knowledge and skills necessary to champion more resilient communities in the face of climate change. Participants heard from leading experts, connected with peers, and learned about tools, best practices, op-

portunities, resources, and funding for local climate action.

“I took the program both for my own interest, and as a way of getting the Town access to grants and programs. If I can learn something that helps attract grants for the Town, our businesses, charities, and service clubs, I’m happy to do it.”

Olson said that his way of dealing with uncertainty is to master the information.

“This was a great opportunity to address an issue that will dominate the agenda for the next century,” he

said. “The municipalities who do the best in addressing climate change will be the ones that anticipate and embrace the existing and future uncertainties.”

The program involved live chats scheduled throughout February and March, along with online plenary sessions to share key course learnings from all specializations. Course materials were provided which included videos, guidebooks, and other tools created by FCM. Participants also submitted a final assignment, with the goal of the project aimed at encouraging shar-

ing with other elected officials, municipal staff, and their community.

Courses included such topics as municipal roles, pathways, governance, and strategies to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions, building the case for integrated climate action, and moving from planning to implementation.

The Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program is a five-year, $75 million dollar program, delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada.

In the final analysis, climate leadership is about action, said Olson.

“Transparency is required to build emotional trust,” he said. “We need to do what we say. In this age when concerns are being amplified and organized by technology, people are making their climate frustrations known and they have learned that those in power can be overthrown.

We need to build a truly flexible and agile structure made up of the Town and our volunteers to build a bigger, brighter, and stronger Canada.”

EARTH EVENTS IN PELHAM APRIL 23 | 8:00am - 1:00pm Eco Expo & Pre-purchased Rain Barrel Pick-up!

Residents who pre-purchased rain barrels can pick them up at the Meridian Community Centre.

Community booths onsite for the Eco Expo include; The Bruce Trail Club, PATH, The Home Depot, Trout Unlimited, Niagara Aspiring Geopark, 3rd Fonthill Scouting and the North Pelham Youth Hall.

DID YOU KNOW? A small change like signing up for e-billing for utilities, or making sure to use your composter and recycling bins can have a BIG impact on the environment. Learn more tips at www.pelham.ca/earthweek PITCH-IN COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP

EARTH WEEK CHALLENGE

APRIL 23

APRIL 18-25

APRIL 23 | 9:00am Kick-off Meridian Community Centre The Community Clean-up is a one-day event as part of PITCH-IN week Canada. The Town-wide community cleanup program provides all the tools to assist in clean-up efforts!

Register online or call in advance to arrange for supplies and clean up locations.

April 18-25 | On GooseChase APP Join with game code D7JWP7 Join in and learn ways to be eco-friendly! Download the free GooseChase app and complete scavenger hunt-style missions released daily through the event. All participants who complete a mission are entered for a chance to win!

www.pelham.ca/earthweek For more information contact | Amanda Deschenes 905-732-7890 | adeschenes@pelham.ca

the east side and the parking to the north. A lawn is located centrally along with a stage and pavilion. The lawn and stage will allow for informal gathering as well as larger events, such as movie nights and theatre performances. An extensive Indigenous garden is located along Wellspring Way promoting a meaningful connection between the civic space and all members of the community. A water feature emerges from the berm at the Indigenous Garden to create a dramatic design feature that takes inspiration from water Page 14 The Voice A April 20 2022 www.thevoiceofpelham.ca movement along the Niagara Escarpment. When the water is turned off the feature can transform into a small event space, providing flexibility to the space.

A

PARKING

VINE TRELLIS

RAIN GARDEN

INDIGENOUS GARDEN

GROCERY STORE

BI

WATER FEATURE

PATHWAY WELLSPRING WAY

B

RAIN GARDEN

SEATING BERM

RAIN GARDEN FUTURE MULTI UNIT RESIDENTIAL

LAWN

2

BENCH

STAGE + PAVILION TABLES

BENCH

VINE TRELLIS

1

HARVEST TABLE

I

A

FLOWERING TREES

BLOOM PLAZA SEATING BENCH PAVING DETAIL

MERIDIAN WAY

SEATING

One of two design concepts provided by consultants for a public meeting space north of the community centre.

SUPPLIED

Public gathering space concept surfaces again for MCC N

WELLSPRING CENTRE

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor Building your pandemic-era vocabulary? Here’s your word for the week: “Woonerf.”

It’s apparently of Dutch

1:200

origin, and refers to a “living street” or shared space with traffic-calming measures in place, prioritized for pedestrians and perhaps cyclists. They are a frequent fi xture in Europe-

MERIDIAN COMMUNITY CENTRE

an communities.

Readers with longer memories will recall that a woonerf was part of the original 2014 master plan for East Fonthill, which called for a central lawn,

ice skating trail, and “water feature” across the northwest corner of the Meridian Community Centre (MCC). The taxpaying public did not embrace the word, or the concept, during the last Pelham Town Council’s term.

The present council debated the woonerf concept at a meeting last October, while contemplating the inclusion of the project in a Canada Infrastructure Program grant request. In the end, council decided to

= PERSPECTIVE VIEWS 1 take a pass, in order to foof discussion, and Direccus on the bigger problem tor of Community Planof parking congestion. ning and Development Town Treasurer and DiBarb Wiens told the Voice rector of Corporate Serthat public input is being vices Teresa Quinlin-Mur- sought in the decision. phy pointed out to council Town of Pelham staff at the time that even if an and SHIFT Landscape Arinfrastructure grant was chitects of Guelph have obtained for the project, prepared two concept plans Pelham taxpayers would for council and the public still have to come up with to review, which are meant some $950,000 to make the to illustrate possibilities, project fly. not a fi nal design. Once the But, like the proverbial desired concept is chosen, phoenix, the woonerf has risen once again as a topic See WOONERF next page

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The Voice

Page 15

A April 20 2022

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Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill

Fonthill Baptist Church www.fonthillbaptistchurch.ca

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1369 Rice Rd., Fonthill

Ridgeville Bible Chapel ridgevillebiblechapel.com

Fenwick Church of Christ www.fenwickchurchofchrist.ca

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Kirk on the Hill Presbyterian Church pccweb.ca/kirkonthehill

St. Alexander Roman Catholic Church www.stalexander.on.ca

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Glad Tidings Church of God www.gladtidingschurchofgod.com

Pelham Community Church (United Church) www.pelham.cc

St. Ann Roman Catholic Church www.stannfenwick.com

FAITH LIFT

continued from Page 19 (Hebrews 9:27a). God is our Creator and Savior but He will also be our Judge. I don’t believe Gagarin had to look very hard to find God when he died that day. And the God he encountered would have exploded his misconception of what God is really like.

Aldrin is now 92 and the last surviving crew member of the Apollo 11 mission. He is looking forward to spending eternity with the God he loved and served most of his life. The psalm that Aldrin read in space begins and ends with this statement –“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth.”

(Psalm 8:1,9) Majestic—that is what God is really like. ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor.

WOONERF

continued from previous page the project will move forward to the next phase, which includes preparing drawings for tender and construction.

Artistic renderings and an online survey are available to the public at https://engagingpelham.ca/pelham-civic-space A display in the foyer of the MCC also includes models and depictions of the design proposals.

The MCC is agreed to be the logical site for the civic space, serving as Pelham’s community hub for recreation, social, and cultural activities. The complex is home to the Junior B Pelham Panthers and Southern Tier AAA Admirals hockey teams, Pelham Raiders Lacrosse, Niagara Centre Skating Club, Pelham Minor Hockey Association, and the Pel-

ham Panthers Basketball Association. It is also a recognized Seniors Active Living Centre.

Wiens said that the term woonerf has been shelved, and that the project will be referred to as a civic square or civic place.

“We’re seeking a new vision for this multifunctional, shared space at the MCC,” she said. “Once we get some public feedback, and will also be doing a presentation to council.”

Wiens approves of both concepts.

“I think they're both really good,” she said. “Personally, I like the notion of some type of water feature, and a public space where you could have outdoor performances, or some kind of activity with a fi replace available for colder weather, making it more of a four-season space.”

The space at the northwest corner of the MCC property is “very walkable and accessible,

Concept design detail showing trellis entrance to "Bloom Plaza."

SUPPLIED connecting with sidewalks and trails,” said Wiens.

As to the potential price tag for

the civic space formerly known as woonerf, Wiens was non-committal, saying it would be premature to offer a dollar figure. But a million dollars is within the realm of possibility.

“At this point in time, without any kind of a fi rm design, I really can't tell you what the costing would be. But it’s going to be an area with some type of hard surface such as interlocking brick, or some permeable materials and landscape materials. We're going to have to figure out grading and drainage. I wouldn't be surprised if it's somewhere in that [one million] price range.”

Wiens said that the Town would certainly apply for provincial and federal government grants to offset part of the load on the taxpayer.

“I'm sure we're going to get lots of good ideas from the community,” she said.

Page 16

The Voice

A April 20 2022

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Our offiPELHAM ce is locatedLIBRARY’S at COMPUTER CLINIC 1428 Pelham Street, Fonthill, “One-to-One Help” with a volunteer tech tutor. Get help with web browsing, across from webmail Beamer’s Hardware. account set-up, e-books, social media, editing and sharing your photos and more. Includes use of laptop or BYOG (bring your own gadget).

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Call or text Doug at 905-327-1492.

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CORNER

continued from Page 2 names requested!…Red Fox: Not the delicious Red Leicester cheese brand that I wish South Pelham Sobeys would carry all-year-round, nor the mid-20th century US comedian (spelled Redd Foxx), but reader reaction to our recent mention of more foxes than usual in a Fonthill neighbourhood. “I put that down to the paving over of all their territory,” emails Faye Suthons. “Driving along Highway 20 I was remembering how it looked a short time ago, and now how it is a concrete mass of cookie-cutter houses, and chain stores seen everywhere across Canada with no creativity.

It’s the same in Welland, Thorold and all over once-beautiful Niagara. Just imagine where these poor creatures are to go. It breaks my heart and those of so many other pro-wildlife people I have talked to who feel the same.”

Local update: Neighbours down the street report discovering a den with ten young cubs last week—this in a suburban backyard...

FONTHILL BANDSHELL PRESENTS DE TEMPS ANTAN Burke’s Masonry Since 2003, Éric Beaudry, André Brunet and Pierre-Luc Dupuis have PLACE YOUR AD BY EMAIL OR PHONE tuckpointing, been exploring and performing time-honoured melodies from the stomp- Bricklaying, office@thevoiceofpelham.ca Hours: Mon-Th urs, 8 AM 2 PM (905) 892-8690 step repair, granite ing grounds of Quebec’s musical past. Using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, coatings, brick slices guitar, bouzouki and a number of other instruments, our three virtuosos 905-682-7061. blend boundless energy with the unmistakable joieREPAIR de vivre found only in MASONRY FLOORINGP18-28 traditional Quebec music. Show runs from 7-9 p.m.

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PELHAM LIBRARY CARD MAKING WORKSHOP Phone Tom Deamude at 289-241-4767.

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PAPER ROUTES are provided. At time of registration, please enquire about tools needed.

Tues., Sept. 16 10 – 12:30. $10. PleaseGRASS registerCUTTING ahead. Visit www.pelhamAVAILABLE library.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details.

Call (905) 892-8690 Grass cutting and Property Maintenance. Grass cut and trimmed, pressure washing, asphalt and concrete sealing, lawn repair and sodding

2 Paper Routes Available and more. Joe, 905-325-5704 FABULOUS in Fonthill: FENWICK LIONS FISH FRY Route 22 – Linden, Giles,with Burton,funds heading straight back into the community. Haddock, Tasty treats EARTH DAY RALLY Elm, Forest Gate, Pelham (Broad to french and much more. Runs Sept. 9 from 4-7 p.m.

Shorthill) fries – 81 Homes Earth Day Public Rally Route 36 – Shorthill, Lorimer, Leslie at Peace Park, Fonthill, 60 HomesMINOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT PELHAM SALE on Saturday, April 23rd. 1:00-3:00 pm.

Buy, sell or trade used equipment at the Pelham Arena. Aimed to provide cheaper options for players in this upcoming season. Runs Sept. 6 from in the morning.

So much interesting 9-12 programming, so little gram is April 23. The proBUFFER

time: "The Invisible Pilot" is a three-part gram is limited to the first continued from Page 3 HBO documentary about a crop-duster pilot 50 landowners who apply.

PELHAM MUDFEST who jumps off an Arkansas bridge in 1977.

Applications are due by June tributaries running through Do not Google it—spoilers abound online!

15.

Men and women will bethem, backwill in the mud as the second run on the year is receive a set of Take my word for it. If you're not convinced “TUC will be at the Town plants that are better suited at Bissil’s Hideaway. by halfway through held episode 1, feel free to of Pelham’s birthday celfor more moist conditions, bail. Available on Crave. And: "Benjamin ebration at the Meridian like highbush cranberry and Franklin," Ken Burns' latest documentary, Community Centre from maple” said Meeker.

NIAGARA REGIONALred EXHIBITION on PBS. Absolutely riveting. I had no idea 9 AM until 12 noon,” said “We have others, like tulip of Franklin's stature and standing thelive entertainment headline this Meeker. launch is inRodeo, gamesinand years “Our exciting event.

It tree and dogwood, for propworld—the most famous American of the tended to get people to sign erties have higher eleruns from Sept. 11-14 at the that Welland Fairgrounds. late 18th century—and I bloody grew up up for the program. Aftervation and better drainage.” a short drive from Philadelphia (Franklin wards, we will be doing all With most of the Upper Museum field trips a revered elementary of our site visits to select BIG MOVE CANCER RIDE Twelve Mile Creek waterschool ritual)...Random tidbits: That the appropriate planting shed on private property, Therecipe Big Move Ride is a non-competitive ride taking place on Sept.

"Pecan Cowboy Cookie" on theCancer back areas on each property.

The it's important to get landactual planting won't be page is mighty tempting, Jack Nicholson 7. Proceeds for the Big owners Move stay in Niagara and support the Walker Faminvolved in restorturns 85 this week, there’s a Glynn A. happening until the fall.” ing Niagara’s most signifi Cancer Centre.

Green fundraiser ily happening featuring Buffer in a Box is a project cant watershed, said Derek of the Niagara Chapter of $7.99 pizza (ad, p.10), and we welcome a Saunders, a volunteer projTrout Unlimited Canada in new jewelry store—Fonthill Jewellers—to ect manager and TUC memWALKING CLUB partnership with the Niagtown and to our pages (ad, p.7), with their ber. interesting story to come in a future issue. in Pelham? Join them Tuesdays ara Peninsula Conservation Interested in walking at the Pelham Arena The kick-off for the proSee you next week. ◆ Authority, and funded by a

from 9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am. There is no fee for this program. For more information, please contact jcook@ pelham.ca or call 905 892-2607, ext 329.

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7 SPRU FONTH items, clothes sonable 30, 8AM

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Canada Eco-Action Community Fund grant. It was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change.

A dedicated website — www.bufferinabox.ca — has been launched by TUC, allowing online signup for the program.

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The Voice

Page 17

A April 20 2022

OBITUARY

OBITUARY

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

June Crawford

SABO, Colleen Marilyn

In Loving Memory of Adrian Mierop

June Linda Crawford passed away on April 12th. She was diagnosed in early 2016 with an unclear mixture of dementias, but especially Parkinson’s Disease. After years of care at home in Pelham, June was admitted to Royal Rose Place in Welland, a long-term care home.

Shortly afterward, her ability to swallow ceased, and she passed peacefully with her husband at her side. June was the daughter of Berry and Evelyn Lynds and was raised in and around Truro, Nova Scotia.

From childhood she demonstrated an unusual gift for singing and was a frequent church soloist. She attended Mount Allison University (Class of ’62) where she studied music and English and became an outstanding coloratura soprano. It was in 1960 at Mt. A that she met her future husband Tom who later moved to Toronto to complete his studies. So June switched to NS Teacher’s college and became a teacher, then moved to Toronto to be with Tom. She married Tom in 1963 and then moved to Oakville, where her son Stephen was born. In 1966 June and family moved to Ottawa where daughters Sandra and Heather were born. They lived in the Ottawa area for 35 years, not including a year in Kitchener and 3 years in Bermuda. After the kids were in school June became a part-time real estate agent and a part-time singer in various Ottawa musical groups, especially the “Plus 6 In Song” group of the 1980s. She was a soloist with the Glebe United Church Choir, sang at many weddings and funerals and old folks homes and once in the National Arts Center. In 2004 the couple moved from Ottawa to Fonthill to be closer to their children and grandchildren in the Toronto area. In 2007 June and Tom became snowbirds and started wintering in Florida, where she loved to sit in the lanai of their house there and read novels and listen to the birds and breezes through the trees in the backyard.

Throughout their marriage of almost 59 years June was the principal organizer and orchestrator of the couple’s social and family life. She will be long remembered for her sharp wit, her loving heart, her poetry, her singing, her perfect pitch and ability to sight-read even difficult music without accompaniment, her decorating, homemaking, sewing, and crocheting skills, her early rising, her intuitive know-how and intensity at anything she did, and of course her skills at Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble.

She was a great wife, a great mother, and a great grandma. June is survived by her sister Shirley, her husband Tom, her children Stephen, Sandra, and Heather, her grandchildren Jessica, Haley, and Ella, and her children’s partners Jo (Nielsen) and John Martino. In keeping with June’s wishes cremation has taken place and a celebration of June’s life will be held at a later time after Covid risks are minimal. Your condolences may be shared online at www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca.

HUSON

continued from Page 13 more about bringing newly-elected women up to speed, and pairing them with a mentor who can help them become effective in their first year.”

Huson said that the sooner a political neophyte learns how to navigate the system, the sooner they will able to achieve outcomes and take action on some of the issues that they were passionate about in the first place.

“There will always be those that will want to skew things into a negative light,” said Huson. “But there are also a lot of people out there who are very receptive to what you're saying, and are supportive and encouraging of your par-

ticipation. I realized that the negative side of politics gets a lot of attention, but there are a lot of positive experiences as well.”

She stressed the importance of being receptive to feedback and listening to contrary views.

“Those are opportunities for learning,” said Huson.

“You may have landed on a certain issue, having done your due diligence and having read reports, but perhaps you don't appreciate how it actually affects people. Listening helps inform your decision making, and sometimes that changes your mind.”

Echoing Santos’ comments, Huson added that “communicating while being true to yourself, and being authentic, is a more effective way of connecting with residents.”

There are a lot of policies

Passed away peacefully at St. Catharines Hospital on April 6th, 2022 in her 88th year. Survived by her loving and supportive husband of 65 years Donald Sabo. Cherished mother of Tammy (Jim) Leavoy, Beth (Scott) Henderson and Cindy Sabo. Beloved grandmother to Taylor (Jessica) Leavoy and Clinton Sabo and great grandmother to Olivia and Amelia Leavoy. She will also be missed by her sister Phyllis Negrette in California. Predeceased by her parents Alice and Colin Haney from Dunnville. Colleen was very active in the Pelham community for many years: volunteering in the Fonthill Firefighter Auxiliary, acting as a crossing guard in Fonthill and coaching local baseball teams. She was very talented and delighted in artistic and crafty things and loved sewing and knitting clothes for family and friends. Colleen had a love of antiques and refinishing special treasures. Don and Colleen spent over 20 years as snowbirds, vacationing in Florida in the winter months. She was always there to support her family and friends whenever they needed her, and she will be greatly missed by all. In keeping with Colleen’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Memorial donations in Colleen’s name made to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Lampman Funeral Home. www.lampmanfuneralhome.com

"The negative side of politics gets a lot of attention, but there are a lot of positive experiences as well"

“Take transportation.

Niagara is moving to a regional transit service, and we know that women rely more on transit than men, and they also have different needs with respect to transit. Another example is the Region's responsibility for senior citizen services.

Our population of seniors over 80 in Niagara is about

70 percent female, because women tend to live longer than men.”

From the perspective of Regional government operating as a business, Huson underscored that, “We need to ask who our clients are, and who do we need to target in terms of our messaging and our services. We need to recognize some of our services and programming do have a gendered consideration.”

In a press release, Regional Chair Jim Bradley said that, “Having diverse individuals elected to Regional Council is exceedingly important, as it ensures that we are making better decisions that more accurately represent the make-up of our community. I look forward to seeing the benefits of the Seat at the Table program in Niagara, and I am hopeful that it will encourage more women and gender diverse residents to consider running for municipal office later this year.”

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Family and Friends are invited to a Celebration of Adrian’s Life on Saturday, April 30th, 2022, at Christ Community Church, 224 Division St, Welland, from 2-4pm. Special words of remembrance will be held at 2pm followed by fellowship between 2:30pm - 4pm. Please join us as we remember Adrian.

BROWNBRIDGE continued from Page 7

made at the municipal level that affect women more significantly than men, said Huson.

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vation for elephants, rhinos, lions. I've have had so many wonderful interactions with animals…we must cherish them.”

When she sells one of her paintings, Brownbridge donates a portion of the profit to a good cause.

“I support the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, which is the animal orphanage in Kenya that was actually right next door when I was growing up.”

She did portraits for a living for many years, and still does commissioned works.

“I've got quite a few orders for portraits right

now,” said Brownbridge. “I ship my artwork anywhere in the world via UPS or FedEx. One woman sent me a photo of herself, and I’m doing an interpretation of it in oil.”

In the literary realm, Brownbridge writes poetry, and has authored a self-help book of traditional wisdom.

She also once taught art.

“I taught about how to understand colour charts, and to become methodical.

A lot of people paint, but not all of them become true artists. I taught how to become creative, to find the skills inside of you that might have been thrown into that shadow box along with your bad habits, and start learning about them.”

Brownbridge is also an environmentalist, recycling almost everything in her craft.

“I use old pieces of paper to wipe my brushes…nothing goes down the sink. I have a big sand bucket in the garage, where I empty out all my used water. I make my own paper, because I love elements in nature. I have gardens that provide a lot of beautiful flowers. I dry them, and I make little lanterns for candles.”

The festival’s opening night on Friday, May 6, runs 7 PM to 10 PM. Entry is $15, and includes complimentary hors d'oeuvres, live music, and a cash wine bar.

Saturday and Sunday, the event runs 10 AM to 5 PM. The entry fee is $7, with a la carte food available for purchase, a cash wine bar, and live music. Children under 12 have free admission.

Proceeds from the festival benefit Pelham libraries, student art scholarships, and community arts projects. The Pelham Art Festival has donated some $458,000 back to the community since its founding.

Page 18

The Voice

A April 20 2022

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

THE BALANCED LIFE

by John Swart

Beach racing? Answering the challenge

C

heck this out!” That was the full content of a March 16th email from a cycling friend, other than a link that included the words, “event” and “beach race.”

Who could guess this innocuous email would provide a life-affirming opportunity?

Opening the link immediately brought up an action photo of a dozen riders on gravel and cyclocross bikes pedalling side-byside along a wide beach, and announced the Cannondale Ontario Beach Race Championships would be held in Turkey Point on Saturday April 9, 2022.

The promotional blurb on the website began,” What could be more fun than hanging out on a beach and riding bikes with a bunch of fellow crazy people?” Absent was any mention that April 9th in Southwestern Ontario wasn’t peak beach season, and that this winter, which wasn’t finished with us yet, had been the snowiest and coldest in ages. Even so, images, or delusions, of Baywatch and broad, flat Southern California beaches filled my imagination.

“The Cannondale Ontario Beach Race Championships is the first race of its kind in Ontario (maybe in Canada),” was the organizer’s

next lure.

“Wow! How often in my lifetime have I had a chance to participate in a first ever, and a Championship to boot?” I asked myself.

There was a weather guarantee too.

“Weather can completely change a race, so we developed the 100% weather guarantee. We guarantee that 100% of the course will have weather. If any section of the course does not have weather, we will refund you that percentage of your entry fee.”

The race would have an official “No whining” policy. I could feel the sales noose tightening. Entry fee was $90, and I’d arrive in Turkey Point at around 10:30 AM, leaving for home at 3:30 PM. That meant for $18 per hour I could blissfully enjoy a no-complain-

"Really, 18 kilometres of this?” The author's lower extremities, after falling one more time during his Camelot Beach test ride.

JOHN SWART ing, no-whining environment for five hours. How refreshing a thought was that? Sounded like a bargain to me.

Intriguing as this might be, there were harsh real-

ities too. The race would start on the beach between two inflatable plastic palm trees. We’d ride, run or walk our bikes 2K west, battling the sand, then return 2K east along an asphalt road

before veering into a sand and gravel parking lot for 500 metres.

This would be the support area, or aid station. The See BALANCED LIFE Page 20

V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, now is a great time to try your hand at a new creative pursuit. You may be surprised at the results. Encourage others to join and embrace a collaborative effort.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, this is the ideal week to get outdoors more. The great outdoors can be a medicinal, so take advantage of any opportunity to bask in the fresh air.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, it is easy to get frustrated with a close friend or romantic partner who is less ambitious than you. Try to be patient, as each person moves at their own pace.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Try to get some group activities together this week, Cancer.

This can be valuable if it has been some time since you socialized.

Enjoy the change of pace.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, if you have been lacking a regular exercise regimen, this could be the week to make some changes. Participate in an organized sport if heading to the gym isn’t your thing.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 It’s a good time to put your ambition into action, Virgo.

You’re likely to be full of energy and you have had plenty of good ideas just waiting for an outlet.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, do not hesitate to take on projects this week, particularly those that show your management skills in action. Others will be quick to complement your organizational prowess.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Expect to feel a renewed sense of energy and purpose this week, Scorpio. This will motivate you to finish existing projects or to get started on new ones.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 This week you may be feeling extra creative and ambitious, Sagittarius. Use your strengths to work on an artistic project or one that is outside of your comfort zone.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 This is a good week to tackle projects that require you to get up and go, Capricorn. It may involve heavy yard work or even rearranging furniture.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, any lethargy you’ve been feeling will likely vanish in the days to come. Fresh air and physical exercise can be just what you need to feel reenergized.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, it is time to take charge of your health. Consider all aspects of well-being, including physical and mental health.

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The Voice

Page 19

A April 20 2022

ANSWERS ON PAGE 14

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

Communism and Communion

T

hese two words look very similar.

In fact, the first seven letters are identical. But the last two are not, and that makes all the difference in the world.

These two words make an intriguing study in contrasts, especially when they are personified by a Russian cosmonaut and an American astronaut.

Yuri Gagarin

This Russian cosmonaut lived and served in the former Soviet Union. Gagarin was born in 1934 in a village west of Moscow. Not surprisingly, he was an atheist who was educated and trained under the Communist school system.

He became famous as the first human being in space when he orbited the earth one time in 1961 aboard the Vostok 1 capsule before returning safely to earth. He immediately became a Russian national hero and international celebrity.

As he was making history he supposedly remarked, “I looked and looked, but I didn’t see God.” Some dispute this and attribute the comment to a propaganda speech by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. Either way, it reflected the humanistic and atheistic worldview of Soviet Communism. One has to wonder what he was looking for.

Perhaps a robed figure with long, white beard perched on a cloud possibly with a harp in hand.

Gagarin’s supposed comment would have pleased the Soviet leaders since atheism was one of the foundations of their worldview. They also knew it would rankle the Americans who cherish religious freedom and see theism (belief in God) as one of the pillars of their democracy.

Buzz Aldrin

Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin Jr. was born in 1930 (four years before Gagarin) and is a retired American astronaut. He became famous as a member of the Apollo 11 crew which landed on the moon in 1969. He became the second human being to walk on the moon (following mission commander Neil Armstrong).

Aldrin is a Christian and an elder in a Presbyterian church. He was the first human to take Communion in space. Before his moon walk, he requested silence from NASA as he took the bread and cup which sym-

bolize the broken body and shed blood of Jesus on the cross. He then read these words — “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4).

After surviving his dangerous space flight, Yuri Gagarin died in a tragic plane crash seven years later in 1968 at age 34. Scripture affirms, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…”

See FAITH LIFT Page 15

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BALANCED LIFE

continued from Page 18 organizers had Gatorade and energy bars in mind, I was thinking oxygen mask and defibrillator. We’d return to the road for a few metres, then head up Old Hill Road for a 33 metre (100 vertical feet) climb. After flying back down to the base of the hill, we’d lift our bikes over a low stone wall, carry them across deep white sand to water’s edge, then ride another kilometre of beach back to the palm trees. Piece of cake, and we had to do it only six times.

The racer categories were simple: female under 50, female over 50, male under 50 and male over 50, all in one mass start. None of the usual ten-year age groupings.

“We’re keeping it simple,” the organizers said.

Terrific. I’d be staged with racers young enough to be my grandkids, and I was two decades older than the 50 year olds I’d be competing against directly.

I’d have three weeks for training to become race ready, which basically meant it was already too late. It’s recommended that high-performance athletes should taper (rest) the week prior to an event to recover their energy, so it would actually only be two weeks of training. No sense overdoing it.

Fortunately five repeats of a hilly loop in Short Hills including Hansler Road, Orchard Hill Road, Overholt Road, and Hollow Road would give me perfect climbing practice for Old Hill Road. An unexpected benefit of this training route was making some new friends. Walkers and homeowners usually flagged me down and asked if I was lost or needed directions after my third or fourth pass.

Riding in the sand was still an unknown. There is no fat tire bike in my stable. How could I possibly race on sand for 18K with bicycle tires the width of Snickers bar?

I donned my marine geologist helmet and rode to Camelot Beach west of Port Colborne in search of the ugly truth. If Lake Erie was calm, the beach would be rideable, sort of, in places. A narrow strip of relatively hard-packed wet sand half a metre wide adjacent to the water could support a gravel-bike and rider. If the consistency of the sand was just right, riding in the water very close to the shoreline worked too. Dry sand was impossible, as were

The Voice the numerous piles of shell, rock and garbage debris. Streamlets of spring runoff crossing the beach could be shallow and firm, or soft-bottomed quicksand. Throw in the odd beached and half-buried log that required lifting the bike over, and 18K (3K x 6 laps) of Lake Erie beach on any but the perfect day might as well be the distance to the moon.

There were so many reasons not to do this race, but of course that was ultimately its allure. How often do we choose to publicly attempt something, knowing the results will be published on the internet for all to see, when there is a significant chance of mental and physical failure?

"We fell often without injury, going too slowly to justify calling them crashes"

As children and adolescents we spend much of our time testing our limits, learning new physical strengths and mental skills. What can I get away with, how far can I push? We understand we have to fail to progress, so we don’t dwell on it, we just go for it.

During adulthood the process continues, but we are much better able to judge the risks and possibility of success, then decide if the effort is worth the reward. Each of us fi nds our personal tolerances, and begin to favour living within them if we can.

The true challenge this race offered was not the beach or the climb, but a chance to see if I still valued the opportunity to test myself physically, and in some small way mentally, for no reason other than the test itself. There would be little outward reward, a podium fi nish was utterly impossible. The risks were minimal too. Failure to fi nish might be embarrassing at worst. The “attaboys” from friends and fellow competitors would come win or lose, fi nish or not.

So I registered to race, and it was exhilarating.

A April 20 2022

A library full of essays and commentaries consistently list health, routine, relationships, food, respect, comfort and community as those things seniors value most post-retirement. Where are challenge, learning, creativity and growth experiences on the list?

The anticipation, the fear of failure and challenge of the unknown conditions, was truly exciting. The training, however short it might be, provided purpose to routine rides, and a goal. Awaiting the opportunity to test my physical capacity against others, to perhaps experience that perverse pleasure of draining oneself, was invigorating. Temporarily eschewing comfort and routine for a couple hours to enjoy this small challenge was liberating.

The start was like no other I’d experienced. Absent was the shoulder-to-shoulder jostling at the line.

We self-seeded in single fi le along the slim ribbon of wet sand at the water’s edge, the only place there was traction. We quizzed each other to make sure as best we could that the racer lined up in front was faster and the one behind was slower. I began in the fi nal position, guaranteeing that I wouldn’t impede anyone, and might get to make a pass or two.

Within minutes it was obvious there were two races being run: one group fast and powerful vying to win, another group, my group, hoping only for the strength to fi nish the complete event. Pedaling the asphalt road was our rest, hopefully an opportunity to recover enough energy to climb Old Hill or face the beach one more time. Sand jammed our cleated cycling shoes to our pedals. We fell often without injury, going too slowly to justify calling them crashes.

Some determined that fi nishing wasn’t worth the effort and quit.

Others simply couldn’t make it to the end. In twice the time it took the winner to complete the course I fi nished all six laps. Not last of the fi nishers, and ahead of the DNFs (Did Not Finish).

Post-race, while chatting with fellow competitors and the organizers, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself.

Simply by entering a bike race I had become part of this community, “Hanging out on a beach and riding bikes with a bunch of fellow crazy people,” just as advertised.

Never give up your little bit of crazy — it can be life-affi rming. ◆

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Voice

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

4 Pecan Cowboy Cookies

Pecans are heart-healthy and rich in antioxidants, several vitamins and minerals, and a good source of healthy fat. In addition, one ounce of pecans provides 10 percent of the recommended daily fiber intake.

Cookies may never be considered “health food,” but there are ways to make them more nutritious. The addition of beneficial ingredients like pecans can do just that. This recipe for “Cowboy Cookies” from “Live Well, Bake Cookies” (Rock Point) by Danielle Rye includes oats, pecans and coconut in the mixture, adding flavor and nutritional appeal.

Cowboy Cookies Makes 50 to 52 cookies 2 1 1 1⁄2 2 1 1 2⁄3 2 2 1-1⁄2 3⁄4 1

cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled teaspoon baking soda teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon salt cups old-fashioned rolled oats cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened cup packed light brown sugar cup granulated sugar large eggs, at room temperature teaspoons pure vanilla extract cups semisweet chocolate chips cup sweetened shredded coconut cup chopped pecans (see baking tip)

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Stir in the old-fashioned rolled oats and set aside.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar together for 1 to 2 minutes, or until well combined.

3. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract until fully combined, making sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

4. Mix in the dry ingredients until just combined, then mix in the chocolate chips, shredded coconut and chopped pecans on low speed until fully incorporated.

5. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

6. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.

7. Using a 1-1⁄2-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave a little room between each one. Gently press each ball of cookie dough down to slightly flatten it.

8. Bake for 10 to 13 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are set and the edges are lightly browned. Remove from the oven, and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 to 10 minutes, then carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

9. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Baking tip: For even more flavor, try toasting the pecans. Just cool them completely before adding them to the cookie dough.

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