The Voice, April 21 2021

Border staff wants vaccine

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Teeter-tottering into crisis As third wave crashes in, Provincial government lurches from one COVID policy to the next

BY DAVE BURKET The Voice While daily infection numbers continued to set grim records across the Province, Region, and in Pelham, the Ford government appeared paralyzed in the face of the third wave of COVID-19 infection to hit Canada since the pandemic started 14 months ago.

Proponents of business interests in Ford’s cabinet have continued to clash with members whose greater inclination is to follow tougher public health advice, in what has become an increasingly futile effort to curb the spread of more virulent and deadly See CRISIS Page 17

Town of Pelham bylaw officers Craig Genesse and Greg Young use warning tape to cordon off the playground at Fonthill's Woodstream Park on Saturday morning. After facing intense criticism, within hours the Ford government had reversed its order closing playgrounds and dog parks, allowing them to reopen.

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The Voice

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

Lockdown? What lockdown? Despite the Ford government’s tightened stay-at-home orders issued late last week, Niagara seems not to have taken notice. Traffic in Pelham on Monday looked pretty much as usual. It’s hard to believe that all those cars rolling down Highway 20 were occupied by people on essential trips, or on their way to essential jobs. This could be because the adjective “essential” has essentially come to mean “whatever I decide is essential to me.” Although it may not seem so now, sooner or later this pandemic will end—the only question being how many of us will be left to see it. Those of us who do make it to the other side will remember. We’ll remember whose conduct demonstrated concern for the public good. We’ll remember who remained patient, kind, empathetic to their friends, colleagues, grocery store staff, despite the strains imposed during this interminable experience. And we’ll remember those whose conduct revealed narcissism, disdain for science, and a disregard for even the simplest safety guidance. Prominent among these memories will no doubt be the apparent meltdown of the Ford government, which we saw unfold hour-by-hour last weekend. It seems Ontario hasn't learned from the disaster that befell the US last year—science and scientists should be in charge of pandemic response, not politics and politicians.

We’re now witnessing what happens when corporate interests championed by business-beholden politicians overrun public health measures aimed at protecting all of us—not just the hospitality, or tourism, or construction industries. As of Monday, Pelham set yet another record for active COVID-19 cases—99. We remain second in Niagara only to Welland in infection rate per capita. Folks, when at all possible, just stay home...Introducing Voice on Vaccination! Mayor Marvin Junkin debuts our new feature. Getting the shot? Send us a shot of your shot! The Mayor went to Toronto for his on Sunday, but my spouse and I were lucky to get appointments at the MCC this Monday, two hours ago as I type this. It’s true what they say— the needle is smaller than those used in flu shots. We didn’t feel a thing. The process was fast and efficient, and there was practically a party atmosphere in the converted gymnasium. In speaking with staff, we were told that to date in all of Niagara, there have been only three immediate adverse reactions, and all of them were due to nerves, not the vaccine. Get smart and get jabbed—and send us the snapshot!...Anonymous: You left us an intriguing CC #MeToo tip. We need more information.

Please get in touch by email, editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca...

Born in the wagon of a travellin' show: If gypsy moths are of concern in your neck of the munchable woods, be sure to see the Town's extensive information presentation starting on page 10 this week. Of course you recognized the lyric. It's from Cher's "Gypsys, Tramps, and Thieves." What you may not remember (I didn't) is that it was released in...1971. On her seventh album.

See you next week. ◆

A April 21 2021

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Backyard bonfires heating up Residents who abuse privilege face fines

What's That

SIREN

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent One of the joys of rural life is to be able to enjoy a backyard barbecue and bonfire.

The Town of Pelham extends the same opportunity to those in suburbia, with certain conditions attached.

Jason Longhurst, Pelham’s Fire Prevention Officer, encourages residents to be cautious, and courteous of neighbours.

“Respect the bylaw, and all will be well,” he told the Voice. Those who transgress repeatedly may receive nuisance fines, along with angry words from other residents in the subdivision. But the norm is for fire department officers to use education to achieve compliance.

“Basically, you should burn in your fire pit what you would burn in your indoor fireplace,” said Longhurst. “Hardwoods are best.

Dry sticks and twigs are fine as kindling, but don’t burn leaves, because they cause a lot of smoke, which your neighbours won’t appreciate.”

Typically, the Town sends a fire truck and two-man crew (without sirens and flashing lights) to investigate complaints. “We used to send one officer by himself, but found that, especially on Friday and Satur-

Voice

Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

The Pelham Fire Department responded to five calls for assistance from Friday, April 9 to Friday, April 16.

Monday, April 12 Medical assistance, Fonthill acceptable fuel for outdoor campfires. The burning of household waste, construction debris, plastic, rubber, or any other product which may damage the air, ground, or water quality of the community is strictly forbidden.

An accelerant like gasoline should never be used.

Recreational fires can occur only between 12 noon and 12 midnight. The pit can be no larger than two feet square, and must be ten feet from combustible objects like trees and sheds, and 13 feet from property boundaries. Residents must always consider the wind strength and direction, and ensure that the fire is not under overhanging tree branches which could ignite. Fires should never be conducted during a smog alert.

Longhurst underscored his bottom line: always consider the impact of a backyard fire on neighbours.

day nights when folks are in a party mood, it can be a little risky going to somebody's house to deal with a complaint about a backyard fire,” said Longhurst.

Thankfully, compliance is high, and complains rare.

“Last summer, throughout all of Pelham, we probably got less than 20 calls— not a lot,” he said.

The Town of Pelham’s website indicates two types of open-air burn permits, one for recreational backyard campfires, the other for farmers to dispose of agricultural waste. To obtain a recreational permit, residents must contact Longhurst to arrange an inspection (905-892-2607 x 201, or via email at jlonghurst@pelham.ca). If the burn pit is approved, the initial payment is $50, with annual renewals thereafter of $20.

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Growing up British

BY JULIE MANNELL

Special to the VOICE

W

BALLOONING INTEREST Grade 6 student Jinja Shepherd explains her experiment on static electricity at the Glynn A. Green Public School's annual science fair last Friday. See story, page 3.

NATE SMELLE PHOTO

Public meeting tonight on school issues

BY VOICE STAFF As questions continue to mount regarding an email that Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn quietly sent to a District School Board of Niagara trustee last summer, Augustyn has agreed to address the issue at a public meeting scheduled for this evening, Wednesday, Feb. 8, in Fenwick.

Nancy Beamer, speaking for “Names Matter,” a Pelham citizens group lobbying the DSBN to reverse its decision to rename a local public school, confirms that the meeting will be held at Fire Station #2, known locally as the Fenwick Fire Hall, starting at 7:00 PM. While the Mayor has agreed to ap-

Under pressure, Mayor to address email revelation, other E. W. Farr matters pear, says Beamer, DSBN officials associated with the school-naming process have either declined to attend or have not yet responded to the group’s invitation.

DSBN Chair, Dale Robinson, to whom Augustyn’s email was addressed last June, has declined to appear, says Beamer, asserting that she would be

“on holidays.” The Voice was unable to independently confirm Robinsion’s intentions. She did not respond to repeated requests for comment on E.W. Farr-related matters before presstime.

Beamer, whose group maintains an email list of some 580 residents, says that all members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting.

“We would especially welcome parents and children who are unhappy with the name change,” she says, referring to the contentious decision by the DSBN to consolidate two Pelham See MEETING back page

HEN I WAS young, my father and I would go for long drives along the rural routes of Pelham. We’d blast George Thurgood and roll down the windows because we loved the smell of the breeze, the sensation of crisp Niagara wind beating our cheeks and tangling our hair against our summer-kissed skin.

My father was not a sentimental man. He worked in factories and had a Gordon Lightfoot mustache and never shed tears over injuries.

Yet something about the Pelham landscape, the hilly backdrop to his childhood and the childhoods of our ancestors, drew him in. He’d stop by a farm or a gathering of woods and, surrendering his manly veneer, tell me a story about the town.

This place is precious. This is the earth that granted us life. Here is the place where we happened upon love or here is a site of devastation.

On one particular drive sometime in the late ‘90s we stopped at a tree with a plaque.

“This tree looks dead,” I said to my father.

“It sure is getting there, Julie.”

The Comfort Maple is supposedly Canada’s oldest See COLUMN SIX Page 14

Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation

Vol.20 No.32

BY VOICE STAFF

A construction error was discovered following the opening of a traffic calming chicane on Haist Street north of Hwy 20 last Monday that prevented large vehicles from passing through.

One resident living in the neighbourhood said he contacted the Town after seeing a small schoolbus get stuck as it tried to get through the new traffic calming measure. Later that day while driving behind a cement truck, he said that he became concerned for the public’s safety when the truck had to turn around because it couldn’t get through.

“If a small school bus and a cement truck can’t make it through what about a fire

BY HEATHER McLAREN ROHRER

Special to the VOICE

A

Repair measures underway last week to correct a construction error in the chicane. truck or an ambulance?” he said.

While waiting for the contractor to return to fix

the mistake, the Town has taken measures to temporarily allow passage for vehicles through the neigh-

VOICE PHOTO

bourhood in the short-term.

Manager of Public Works Ryan Cook said that after discovering the issue with

the chicane the morning it first opened, the Town See CHICANE Page 5

Petition-inspired changes coming to 2017 Summerfest

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Representatives from the Pelham Summerfest committee Candy Ashbee and Bill Gibson presented council with a final report on the 2016 Summerfest at the Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 21.

Prompted by a story in the Voice in August about a merchant petition to move Summerfest from Pelham Street, in September Town staff met with various stakeholders to hear their complaints, promising at the time that changes in the way Summerfest was mounted would be con-

sidered.

The main concerns identified during the community engagement process were security, parking, ensuring customer can access all businesses in town, and liability for damages. How to get all Pelham Street businesses to participate and finding ways to make it beneficial for them to set up a booth were also determined to be of high priority for the committee as they plan for next year’s event.

Gibson told Council that the committee is addressing these concerns in a variety of ways. To improve parking, they intend to create bet-

ter signage for out-of-town visitors to designated parking areas and shuttle services. To make participation in Summerfest more enticing to local businesses, they plan to implement a tiered-charge for booths. Under the new system, Pelham Street business owners will be charged the least, other local businesses will pay a slightly higher fee, and vendors from outside Pelham will pay the most. In response to more specific issues for individual businesses, they will also slightly alter the footprint of the event and make adjustments to security.

Another way the committee plans

to improve the 2017 Summerfest is by sponsoring and working with the organizers of the Thursday Night Bandshell Concert series to select the artist performing on the first night of Summefest. They also intend to make more use of the smartphone app they launched in 2016.

"We are really going to push it this year," Ashbee said.

“It really helps to get people to see what events there are so they can plan out where they are going.

We will be able to actually help the merchants and local businesses adSee CHANGES Page 5

FTER LUNCH ON Saturday, Mum and Dad had my afternoon cut out for me. Mum had more brass than anyone I knew, and it had to be cleaned. In addition there was the set of silver fish-knives and forks which were never used, but which had to be cleaned and put back in their velvetlined box.

Next was a walk to the newsagents to pay for the daily delivery of the Daily Mirror. As I said, Dad was a printer, but when he was 37 he had been rejected for a job, as being too old, by the printers of the Beano.

For that reason, my favourite comic was not allowed in the house, but while I was paying the papers, the newsagent let me have a 'shoofty' at the Beano. I'd explained my predicament and he understood completely.

Sundays were different again. Dad would play golf on summer mornings and billiards in winter. Then he'd stop for a 'refresher' at the local and would pick up the prawns, cockles, winkles or whelks we'd be having for tea later. Meanwhile, Mum was roasting the 'joint' and potatoes. I got to make the Yorkshire pud, and mint

Wednesday October 12, 2016

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Apple Day comes to Fonthill

See COLUMN SIX Page 14

BY VOICE STAFF

The goal is to have these youth develop into confident and well-rounded individuals

ceives them, enabling youth to have experiences that build character, challenge them, and allow them to try new things. The goal is to have these youth develop into confident and wellrounded individuals, better prepared for success. Apple Day helps to achieve that.”

“Any money raised during Apple Day goes towards improving the Scouting program by providing more outdoor adventures for youth, camping equipment, canoes and paddles, training and many other endeavours that the youth want to experience,” says Marie.

Scouts Canada has some 100,000 members across Canada, and carries out programs for boys, girls

Joining their principal, Karen Simpson, at the Sept.

19 Council meeting as part of a delegation from EL Crossley Secondary School, students Abby Loewen and Neenah Williams presented Council with a list of reasons that they should immediately approve the construction of the new sidewalk proposed along Hwy. 20. The asphalt side-

walk/trail is slated to be built between the south side of the road from Timmsdale Crescent to the high school.

Because of the large volume of motor vehicle traffic travelling at high speeds through this area, and because of the necessity for students to tread this path on a daily basis, many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later.

After delivering to Council a petition containing

Many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later the names of 450 students calling for a safer walk to school, Simpson handed the

podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case.

Loewen told Council that because there are a lot of students who have work placements and coop placements during the school year, this is the only route for many of them to travel.

As one of the students facing this predicament, Williams said she has had no other option but to walk along the dangerous highway.

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H EATHER AND P ENNY L ANE S ALES R EPRESENTATIVES

BY JOHN SWART

VOICE Correspondent

and youth ages 5-25. This year the 3rd Fonthill Group, which includes Beavers to Ventures (youth ages 5- 25) will be hitting the streets to drum-up support.

Over the weekend, Scouts will be set up in Fonthill outside Sobeys, Tim Hortons, Target Gas station, Fonthill Shopping Plaza and the Pioneer Gas station at the corner of Hwys 20 and 24.

Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Cell 905.933.3049

T

Second year Beaver with the 3rd Fonthill Group, Russell Letford offers a fresh apple to shoppers in Pelham during the 2015 Apple Day campaign.

SUPPLIED PHOTO A longtime Canadian tradition, Apple Day began in 1932 in Saint John, New Brunswick, when Scouts handed out 21,000 apples as a way to say thank you to the community. In return for their generosity, many people offered them donations. From then on Scouts have reached out through Apple Day to raise funds for their programs.

Office 905.892.1702

Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn

Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932

While shopping in Fonthill between Friday and Sunday, keep an eye out for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in front of local stores with bushels of apples.

As part of the annual Apple Day campaign, Scouting youth of all ages will be trading apples for donations.

The yearly fundraising drive is an important way for young Scouts to connect with the communities they are serving, says Leah Marie of Scouts Canada.

“The Apple Day campaign holds a great tradition of being able to have youth interacting within the communities they live in,” she says. “All of the Apple Day donations stay directly within the group that re-

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Request made of community still peeved at name change

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BY VOICE STAFF The District School Board of Niagara is requesting that the Town of Pelham cede a portion of Cherry Ridge Park for use as a soccer field to serve the students of the new Wellington Heights Public School, formerly the E. W. Farr Memorial Public School, in Fenwick.

Currently under renovation and expansion, the new school will combine students and staff from the previous school and Pelham Centre, where classes are being held while construction continues.

Two letters, containing virtually identical text but signed by different authorities, were sent last week to nearby residents of the park, as well as to parents of Pelham Centre students.

“The DSBN is currently building onto Wellington Heights Public School on Alsop Drive,” states the letter. “The size of the school's addition means the existing small soccer field will be eliminated.

The Town and the Board have been discussing the possibility of working together to create a field for both the school and the

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“I start work at 2:30 PM and school lets out at 2:15 PM so I can’t take any other route,” Williams explained.

“I have had friends, family, teachers and other community members reach out to me in the past about how this is unsafe and how there should be another alternative for us.”

Looking ahead to winter, when she will need to walk this path three or four times See SIDEWALK Page 2

HERE IS NO BETTER time to cycle than Fall. It matters not whether you’re new to the sport, a seasoned recreational cyclist, racer, touring rider or mountain biker; we all have reason to look forward to autumn.

Summer’s heat has faded, and the streams of sweat that ran from soggy helmets into our eyes are now just slight perspiration. Fitness is peaking from lots of saddle time, making those tough climbs of Spring a breeze in Autumn.

It’s hard to beat the feeling of beginning a crisp, cool Fall ride with a slight shiver, knowing your efforts will soon warm you perfectly.

The hues of Autumn are outstanding.

A Pelham route as simple as following our southern boundary is one that would make most Toronto cyclists jealous, especially when our forests and fields are ablaze with colour.

Begin from Harold Black Park, and zig-zag south along Effingham Rd toward the Welland River.

If you’re new to cycling, it’s important to know south is the direction away from any hills.

If you avoid the morning and evening weekday rush hours caused by those travelling through Pelham between Wainfleet See AUTUMN Page 3

e s d l I m o a o r l T

P D S A W A N M L R O J O J

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A April 21 2021

COVID risk for Niagara customs and immigration staff It’s virtually impossible to socially distance when you work for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), said Chris Schuurman, the Local 16 branch union president, who has gone public with his concerns.

Schuurman, who is stationed at Niagara Falls and has worked for CBSA for about 12 years, is calling on the government and Niagara Health to ensure that his officers are prioritized for vaccinations alongside other essential frontline workers and fi rst responders like police, correctional staff, and paramedics.

In addition to a high volume of commercial trucks crossing into Canada at Queenston and Fort Erie that must be inspected, Schuurman said that refugees are entering the country from all over the world, especially Central and South America, as well as from the Middle East.

“It may come as a surprise to people, but we also get many refugees from the US—they usu-

ally have some kind of mental health history, or are running away from what they perceive as an oppressive government,” said Schuurman. “They've convinced themselves that they need to get out of the country, and the Canadian healthcare system is attractive to them. Some are homeless and just looking for a free meal, and they know that we can’t immediately send them back to the US. It takes us about a week to repatriate US citizens.”

He said some refugees, if identified as potentially dangerous, are detained at the Thorold Detention Centre, or at the Niagara Regional Police Service station on Stanley Avenue, in Niagara Falls. If they are not considered a threat, they would normally be placed in a local quarantine hotel for 14 days.

Vive La Casa, a program of the Jericho Road Community Health Center, in Buffalo, often provides Spanish-speaking interpreters and legal aid to refugees seek-

VOICE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent

ing asylum in Canada who cross along the Niagara River, said Schuurman.

“The Rainbow Bridge at Niagara Falls has a pedestrian walk, and it gets a lot of people with no appointments. They just show up,” he said. “Most of them have entered the US under a legitimate visa. Some of the refugees from Central and South America have stayed in the US for a couple years and decided they don't like it, or their visitor status has run

out.”

Schuurman said that his officers have no idea if the refugees have had COVID tests beforehand.

“We don't know where they're coming from, and obviously, the variables are infi nite in terms of their exposure in the United States. We get a lot of families, and they’ve traveled in airplanes and taxis and buses and trains, and not wearing face coverings.”

The main push by Schuurman is to have CBSA officers vaccinat-

ed “immediately.” He said that his officers are “overwhelmingly” eager to roll up their sleeves.

“I've been lobbying for this since January. We're enforcing the Quarantine Act, and also handling DUIs, and performing arrests under the Criminal Code.

We're dealing with people with mental health crises who are unpredictable and difficult to manage,” he said.

See BORDER Page 16

The Town of Pelham recently launched a new online engagement tool, EngagingPelham. The online portal features a suite of engagement tools asking residents to participate in discussions, offer ideas, complete surveys, and more on various topics.

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The Voice

A April 21 2021

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

As We See It If you can’t beat ‘em, derail ‘em

O

n Monday night’s Pelham Town Council agenda was a curious motion, made by Councillor Marianne Stewart and seconded by Councillor Lisa Haun, entitled, “Request to Region of Niagara to Delay Official Plan Update.”

In a nutshell, Councillors Stewart and Haun want Niagara Region to pause work on updating its Official Plan—the document that’s the roadmap for almost all land use policies.

Why? Mostly, they say, because Niagara residents haven’t been consulted enough about it.

In fact, if Niagara had consulted us any more, we would have been within our rights to seek a restraining order for stalking.

(See Regional Councillor Diana Huson’s list of how often and how seriously this consultation happened—starting long before COVID—on page 6.)

How Town Council voted on this motion we don’t know, since the Voice was going to press as the meeting got underway.

What we do know is that it’s a really bad idea.

The Stewart-Haun motion appears to be an effort to accomplish one thing while pretending to be about another thing— diverting attention from what that thing actually is.

If Niagara had consulted us any more, we would have been within our rights to seek a restraining order for stalking

It’s municipal Three-card Monte.

It appears the motion is actually designed to throw up roadblocks to completing a new Official Plan here in the Town of Pelham. It is well known that the Town, as with other local governments in Niagara, was asked to defer any work on their own “OP” until the Region’s plan is complete.

This makes sense. Local plans are subordinate to and must be in accordance with the Regional Plan,

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and the Regional Plan has to give “consideration” to Provincial Planning Policy. That’s basic, top-down governance.

But if the Stewart-Haun motion is successful, and the Region’s plan is delayed, the domino effect would see a further delay to Pelham eventually updating our own plan. At this point we get into pure supposition: given Councillor Stewart’s almost flawless track record of voting against infill development, one might conclude that derailing a modern Official Plan in Pelham that encourages this sort of thing is her actual goal.

Channeling Charlton Heston, by god, last century’s planning policies will have to be pried out of Pelham’s cold, dead hands.

Modern policy mean greater density, yes. It also means greater affordability. The middle-aged reader with children is invited to turn to page 7, and observe the starting price of $850,000 for townhomes coming to Pt. Robinson Road. If we want our children to have a chance in hell of being able to afford See DERAIL page 6

Letters Stupid is as stupid does I once held the conviction that I should not label people who disagree with me on topics such as politics and religion as stupid, as this would be unnecessarily insulting. However, a line has been crossed, and I must agree with last week’s sentiment in Publisher’s Corner that it’s time to drop “any pretense that COVID-19 deniers are anything other than spectacularly stupid people.”

The signs that they carry sport exceedingly stupid slogans. The chants that they shout are utterly mindless. If they aren’t

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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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The Voice

Page 5

A April 21 2021

OPINION Common courtesy shouldn't be virus victim too Whilst walking our dog on Saturday morning, I was surprised by the Town blocking off the entrance to the Harold Black Park parking lot, as a vehicle was parked in there. As we returned some 15 minutes later, the vehicle owner dismantled the blockage, and left without replacing the barrier.

I stopped the vehicle and asked why he had not replaced the barrier, and received the feeble excuse that he had been blocked in, and then he started hurling abuse be-

cause I had said it was done for a good reason.

When are people going to learn to be good citizens and follow simple rules to get out of this awful and destructive COVID problem?

I did rebuild the barrier, but no doubt there will be more folks who think they know better.

John Foster Fonthill

Words hurt—think before you post Social media posts I have read over the past year that are related to COVID-19 are varied and ranged from full-on support of public health measures to outright disdain of anyone believing COVID-19 is a crisis. I am writing to express how hurtful and heartbreaking it is when I read posts denying we are in the midst of a crisis, or that somehow the health sector is whining and inflating the issue.

I might not always agree with what I read on social media, but I normally respect the fundamental and precious right of freedom of speech. However, when that right impinges on the

safety and welfare of others, I cannot stand back and ignore the “noise.” Every time I read a post that suggests the crisis is overblown, encourages others to ignore public health guidelines—or worse, encourages mass gatherings without masks—I wonder if these authors have considered the impact of their words on their families, colleagues, and healthcare members, as well as the greater community.

How many have considered the feelings of families and colleagues that have lost loved ones to the virus, or those that have stood by helplessly while

family members have battled COVID-19 in hospitals, or at home alone without support? I am one of those families. My sister, brother-in-law, and 20-year-old niece are recovering after being infected with a variant that has left them literally breathless.

Not knowing how they were, knowing they were faced with caring for themselves in their home when barely able to lift their heads or get out of bed, and knowing how quickly their health could degenerate, were sources of terror for me and my family. Posting See THINK Page 15

PELHAM AND COVID-19 Mayor Marvin Junkin

One step forward, two steps back

O

n Friday the Provincial government introduced new measures to try to halt the runaway third wave of COVID variants that are the toughest in North America. Among other directives, police and bylaw officers were given the authority to stop residents who were either driving or walking, and ask them their reason for being outside their residences. After almost all police forces in the province stated they would not be stopping cars to do these checks, the Provincial government backtracked.

During his Friday announcement, Premier Ford said, “We, as a group, are not saying don’t take a walk around and get some exercise,” but added there needed to be measures in place that target large groups of people who meet in public parks without so-

cial distancing. Following this announcement, Pelham’s playgrounds like all other playgrounds located in Ontario were off limits.

Many experts did not agree with the closing of the playgrounds because infections from surface contact are thought to be minimal—and indeed within a day the Province backtracked on this as well.

As of Monday, there are now checkpoints at all inter-provincial border crossings with Manitoba and Quebec, to prohibit non-essential entry. It should be pointed out that Pearson International Airport remains open, with approximately 2000 travellers entering Ontario daily.

These orders were put in place as the Province registered a record 4812 new infections on Friday. The Region had 154 new cases on Friday with 222 the

day before, and 171 on Sunday. Active cases in Pelham continue to grow with 95 active cases as of Sunday. With 53 active cases per 10,000 population, Pelham was second only to Welland’s 67 per capita infection rate within Niagara. Positivity rates across the region have reached 7.3 percent, a number that was below three percent only a month ago.

On the vaccine front there was the good news that our community centre was given two more clinic days, those being this Monday and Tuesday. It is hoped that these two days will run as smoothly and efficiently as the previous clinic on April 8.

Nationally, Canada will receive 8 million additional doses of Pfi zer’s vaccine with increased shipments starting in May. This anSee JUNKIN Page 14

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The Voice

A April 21 2021

DERAIL

COMMENTARY / OP-ED Diana Huson, Regional Councillor

continued from Page 4

Stewart-Haun motion unwarranted and ill-advised

A

motion before Pelham Town Council this Monday called for the Regional Chair to request Niagara to be exempted from having our new Official Plan reviewed pending the resumption of in-person consultation. I completely disagree with the motion and am happy to share my thoughts on why.

Regional staff have been working on the Official Plan for over two years. It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work and extensive public and political consultation. It’s true that consultation has shifted to online, however our experience has been that these sessions are often better attended and have resulted in more thorough participation by the attendees.

To date, the Region has completed the following consultations: Special Meeting of Council (July 2018); 12 Public Information Centres (at physical locations or by Zoom); three public surveys; two presentations to local councils; workshops with portions of each local council (March/April 2021); a workshop with Regional Council (May 2021); 16 discussions with area planners;

63 meetings with local municipal planning staff; six workshop sessions with stakeholder groups; six meetings with NPCA staff or board; nine meetings with Indigenous groups; seven meetings with the Planning Advisory Committee; 34 reports to the Planning and Economic Development Committee; there is consultation overlap between the OP and Natural Environment Work Program for the OP, but there have been over 130 points of consultation on this program.

Further consultation will take place after the release of draft policy in May. So from the standpoint of inadequate consultation, I would completely disagree.

Furthermore I believe the motion is unwarranted and ill-advised for the following reasons.

First, putting the plan off could push approval off to another version of a Provincial government who may backtrack on the policies.

A worse case scenario may also involve a new iteration of municipal councils, which would mean starting entirely from scratch with a new round of consultation with political stakeholders. Pulling the plug

now would represent a significant waste of staff time over the past two years—and as we know staff time is taxpayer money.

Second, the Region hasn’t had a comprehensive review of the OP for over 50 years. Think how much our communities have changed over this time! It’s smarter to do a comprehensive review and make sure the policies align with one another instead of making ad hoc changes here and there.

Third, the new OP has a natural heritage component that does not exist in our current plan. Staff are also undertaking a climate change plan and one of the outcomes will be a greening strategy directly resulting from this work. I think these pieces are vital to our municipal planning and reflect the values of our community and interest shown recently with respect to environmental issues.

Niagara is growing. It’s important to have an Official Plan that directs that growth into the right areas, but also ensures we can protect natural assets and preserve local character.

Without it we lose our say and control over how that growth occurs. ◆

More Pouli, please

Pots not for pooch poops

Wow...just wow. Marjorie Pouli's Column Six last week was just wonderful [“The Throwaway,” April 14, p.1]. I hope you can publish more of her articles. She's very talented.

Janet Klingender Fenwick

In my area of Sulphur Springs Drive, walkers have increased sixfold due to COVID. I love to see people walking and enjoying nature. However, what you bring in, you must take out.

Point being, if your dog relieves himself, my containers are not there to collect his doggy doo-doos. Pick them up and carry them to your house. Courtesy, please.

Paula Diamond Effingham

Editor’s note: The demand for Pouli exceeds the supply of Pouli. We’re doing our best to secure more.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

living in the town they grew up in, the current council’s intransigence on development must end.

Maybe Detective Columbo could suss-out the true motivation for the Stewart-Haun motion, but the exercise seems futile. The Voice has learned that the 735-word concoction arrived on the Town Clerk’s desk fully cooked—ironic, considering its half-baked contents. Stewart won’t tell the newspaper who actually drafted the text. The Voice is aware that she and some other councillors have long been receiving guidance on the downlow from former, fired, Town of Pelham staff—starting even before council was sworn into office in 2018. One has to question the wisdom of taking tips from disgruntled former employees—as well as wonder at what motivates those who provide such advice.

(The Voice understands that one former staffer believed they were a shoo-in to replace CAO Darren Ottaway after his dismissal in early 2019—and did not react well when the hiring committee politely but firmly said thanks, but no, even to an interview.) If ex-staff’s goal is to stir the pot to the point of council civil war, mission accomplished.

The Voice has asked the Town’s two Regional Councillors—Huson and Mayor Marvin Junkin — whether they support deferring the Region’s completion of its Official Plan. Neither does. This means that if the Gang of Four uses its majority to pass this motion then it will be opposed at Regional Council by Pelham’s own councillors. Now that’s some fine, dinner-theater

family drama.

“I will not support this motion,” Junkin told the Voice. “It has been over 50 years since the Region has had a comprehensive study done of our entire Official Plan.”

On the red herring of insufficient public consultation, Junkin recalled the summer of 2019.

“Even before COVID, residents responded more to online surveys than to open houses held in municipalities. I attended an open house in Niagara Falls where only six residents appeared. That summer the Region held five open houses and total resident attendance was 132. During that same time, over 500 people answered surveys online.”

What’s more, the Region has no incentive to go along with the Stewart-Haun move, given that the Province is requiring its new Official Plan next calendar year, and Regional staff have been working on it for more than two years.

There are greater tragedies in the world than disagreements over planning policy. This is going to make Pelham look silly— Keystone Cops tripping across the Regional stage, feedback theatrically echoing on Zoom.

It’s another example of why we should not have permanent voting blocs on our Town Council.

If councillors could or would communicate a little better with each other, they might find some neutral ground, but once one side stakes out a position, the other seems determined not to agree—not because their position is the better one, but to dogmatically support their fellow bloc members.

And really, it cannot be that four people agree on everything, all the time. ◆

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The Voice

A April 21 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Rotary Club's Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup underway Project supports Earth Day activities

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Earth Day is this Thursday, with a mission to organize awareness-raising activities that help people and organizations reduce their environmental impact. First observed in 1970, more than a billion people in 193 countries participate in Earth Day events each year, according to the organization’s website. It has evolved into the world’s largest environmental movement.

Frank Adamson is a governor of District 7090 of Rotary Club International, which includes 66 clubs in New York State and Ontario. He spoke to the Voice about the organization’s latest project, the Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup, which ties in with the Earth Day theme, and runs from Saturday, April 24 to Tuesday, June 1.

“We're trying to coordinate our efforts amongst all the clubs that border the Great Lakes,” said Adamson.

The Great Lakes Watershed spans two provinces and eight states, involving 18 districts in Canada and the USA, which translates into approximately 900 clubs and 27,000 Rotarians.

“Pelham doesn’t border either Lake Erie or Lake Ontario, but we are at the headwaters of the creek that starts beside Pelham Cares on Highway 20, and eventually empties into Lake Ontario. And of course, we've got the Welland Canal,” said Adamson.

Adamson explained that Rotary International has had six areas of focus since its founding: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local economies. This year, officially launching in July, Rotary is adding a seventh area of focus: protecting the environment.

“This initiative is being promoted by District 7090 as part of its Healthy Communities Initiative,” he said. “We see this as an annual project, and probably the biggest single cleanup of the Great Lakes that's ever been undertaken.”

Adamson was quick to point out that the project involves not just Rotarians, but high school students and volunteer citizens.

“Plastics are obviously a huge problem,” lamented Adamson. “A lot of this stuff gets blown out of blue boxes and the gray boxes on recycling day…it gets picked up by the wind and it ends up all over the place. Plus we see a lot of Tim Horton’s stuff that some people just toss out their car windows.”

The Great Lakes contains almost 20 percent of the world’s fresh water, and with over 15,000 kilometres of shoreline is arguably the largest source of fresh water on the planet. Trash in the water poses a threat to terrestrial and aquatic life, degrading into

microplastics and harmful toxins.

More than 10 million kilograms of trash and plastic pollution ends up in the Great Lakes each year, according to the Rotary International website.

John Cappa is the designated “point-man” for the local watershed cleanup effort, although he has only been a Rotarian for about a year.

“Now that I’m a bit older and further ahead in my career, I've got more time to volunteer, which is what I always wanted to do,” he said.

Cappa said that the local Rotary

organizing committee, made up of members of the Welland and Fonthill clubs, is coordinating cleanup at a number of proximal sites in Fonthill and Welland, and south to Port Colborne. Groups will be limited to a maximum of five people at a time, and will strictly follow social distancing and safety protocols.

Specific target areas for cleanup crews include the shoreline adjacent to H. H. Knoll Park in Port Colborne, the Wainfleet Wetlands Conservation Area, Foss Road between South Pelham and Effingham in Pelham, and River Road at

Colbeck Drive.

“We will be assigning groups that are composed of families within a particular bubble, because we’ll still be in lockdown when the effort commences,” said Cappa.

All of the local municipalities have agreed to supply garbage bags, gloves, high-visibility vests, and other safety equipment, plus weigh all the trash collected.

“One of Rotary’s goals is community engagement, and we think this is a great event for the enSee CLEANUP Page 14

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The Voice

Page 9

A April 21 2021

Town of Pelham Gypsy Moth Program I

n 2020 Council Approved the Gypsy Moth Management Policy S80203 to address the periodic infestation of the European Gypsy Moth experienced in the Town of Pelham.

In the fall of 2020, through a competitive bid process, the Town of Pelham awarded a three-year contract to Lallemand Inc./BioForest (BioForest) to: 1) Perform annual egg mass surveys 2) Prepare a detailed population assessment and forecast report, including management options 3) Develop aerial spray blocks in accordance with Policy S802-03 4) Coordinate an aerial spray program 5) Prepare an aerial spray summary report 6) Implement a forest health volunteer program

increasing the knowledge and awareness of forest health issues in the community. The program will help build a motivated group of volunteers, and engage them in activities that assist the Town with forest health and pest management.

The implementation of aerial spray application over urban/residential areas is highly specialized. Low-level, aerial spraying over residential areas requires the use of a double-engine helicopter, as well as, federal and provincial permits. Staff have explored options for aerial spray service providers, including competitors in the rural spraying industry. Staff have confirmed that Zimmer Air Services remains the only applicator in eastern Canada with the ability to spray over urban/residential areas.

The Town of Pelham encourages residents with questions about the program, the printed maps, or other topics, to email engage with the Town at https://engagingpelham.ca/gypsy-moth-spray-program-2021

For more information contact Chritine Tonon at 905-892-2607 x332 or ctonon@pelham.ca

As proposed in the 2020-PW-24 Gypsy Moth Services Project, BioForest has developed a Forest Health Volunteer Program with the purpose of

Step Up to Stop Gypsy Moth Spring is here! Along with all the natural beauty and new life, gypsy moth season is at our doorstep. With egg masses deposited on trees last summer, these tiny eggs are ready to hatch and when they do, gypsy moth caterpillars will be hungry for the leaves of our trees! Did you know that one caterpillar can eat up to one square meter of leaves by the time it is fully grown? This loss of foliage impacts the energy stores of trees and makes them vulnerable to insect and disease pests.

Now is the time to do our part and learn how we can help protect our trees. You may already know that gypsy moth populations in Pelham have been on the rise over that past several years and that Ontario experienced record high levels of defoliation in 2020.

So, what can you do? You can help protect the health of your town’s urban forest by becoming a member of Pelham’s new Forest Health Volunteer Program.

As a member, this year you will gain access to additional information on the invasive gypsy moth that is affect affect-

www.pelham.ca/gypsymoth

ing your local trees and learn about how you can protect your trees using band traps. You will learn about when you are likely to see caterpillars emerge and how to set up and maintain your traps.

You will gain insight on the life cycle of gypsy moth, learning what the different stages do and when is the best time to start hunting for gypsy moth egg masses. There will also be a fun contest in late summer, with prizes for the winners!

In the future years of this program, you will receive training on how to assess the health of individual trees and identify other invasive species.

The Forest Health Volunteer Program is a great way to enjoy the beauty of Pelham while protecting its urban forest. If you are interested in learning more, please register by sending an email to volunteers@bioforest.ca.

Photo: gypsy moth larvae seen at differnt growth stages, in May (left) and

late June (right)

Page 10

The Voice

A April 21 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

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2021 Gypsy Moth Spray Blocks - Fonthill OAD ROAD TR LT OVERHOL

LEGEND 2021 Pelham Spray Blocks Assessment Parcels

Scale: 1:4,577 Spatial Reference: NAD 1983 UTM Zone 17NCSRS 200 Meters

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

A April 21 2021

Page 11

Unsure if your address is included in the spray block? A full list of addresses included in the various spray blocks can be found at www.pelham.ca/gypsy-moth.

Email your questions to gypsymoth@pelham.ca Residents not utilizing email can mail their questions to:

20 Pelham Town Square, PO Box 400, Fonthill, ON attention Jason Marr.

Questions will be compiled into themes and responses will be posted to the Town’s website.

Those who submit via post mail are encouraged to provide a return address so that compiled responses can be sent in return.

Responses are anticipated to be posted to the Town’s website the week of April 20.

Want to view the maps online?

Visit www.pelham.ca/gypsy-moth to view digital images of the printed maps.

Page 12

Home control metHods The Voice

A April 21 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Gypsy Moth is in the egg stage between early September and late April. Egg masses can be found on tree trunks, branches, buildings and on objects around the house. As one egg mass contains about 300 eggs, by destroying them you significantly reduce the number of caterpillars that emerge in spring. Scrape off egg masses with a dull knife and place them in soapy water for a few days before discarding them in the garbage. If they fall to the ground crush them with your shoe.

Late April to Late May Place sticky barriers, or bands on the tree trunk Wrap duct tape around the tree trunk and apply a thin coat of sticky material (commercially available at most garden centres) to the duct tape. Alternatively you may use a double band of duct tape, the outer band with the sticky side out. This band will prevent smaller caterpillars from climbing the tree.

Mid-May to Early June Spray with bacterial insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. kurstaki (Btk). The primary objective is to protect vulnerable trees from moderate to severe defoliation. Reducing the nuisance factor caused by the presence of gypsy moth is an additional benefit of this treatment Consider having your trees sprayed with Btk by a licensed pesticide applicator if: • There are a high number of egg masses that cannot be removed mechanically from the trees.

• Large numbers of egg masses are on susceptible tree species, primarily on oaks, birches, beeches and spruces.

• If damage that is caused by gypsy moth feeding is severe for at least one or two previous years, another severe defoliation event may cause the decline or death of the host tree.

Late May to August Replace sticky bands with burlap (cloth) bands. Trap and destroy caterpillars by placing burlap (cloth) bands on trees. Wrap burlap that is approximately one metre wide around the tree trunk, tie it at the middle with a rope and fold it. Caterpillars feed at night and find shelter from the heat during the day. They will congregate under the burlap. Destroy caterpillars from under the burlap every late afternoon before they crawl back to the canopy to feed. Caterpillars can be killed by squishing them or placing them in soapy water. Use this method until all the caterpillars finish their life stage, usually in August, and turn into cocoons and later into adult moths.

For a full list of frequently asked questions, a gypsy moth fact sheet, and news and updates on the gypsy moth spray program, visit: www.pelham.ca/gypsy-moth Why is the Town planning an aerial spray?

The Town is facing a gypsy moth population rise that is affecting Pelham’s tree canopy. Elevated levels of gypsy moth have caused severe defoliation of trees in certain areas of the Town. This has led to potential negative impacts on the overall health of many trees on both Town and privately-owned property.

While the Town will continue to implement ongoing IPM measures, it will also conduct an aerial spray in areas predicted for severe defoliation. Aerial spraying has proven in the past to be very effective in lowering gypsy moth populations. Although the aerial spray won’t eradicate all traces of the insect, it will naturally lower populations to a more manageable level.

What type of pesticide is being used?

The Town of Pelham will be using a product that contains Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki (Btk). The product is registered under the trade name Foray® 48B. Btk is a naturally occurring bacteria found in soil. Btk is not a chemical. Btk was successfully used by the City of Toronto in 2007, 2008, 2013 and 2017 to control gypsy moth

populations. The Cities of Mississauga and Oakville have completed similar spray programs in the past.

What organisms does Btk pesticide affect?

Btk only works against organisms that go from egg to larvae to pupae to moth (lepidopterans). Btk does not affect adult moths and butterflies, including the monarch butterfly, as it is not in the caterpillar stage and feeding on plant material at this time of the year. Btk does not affect other insects, honeybees, fish, birds, or mammals.

How does Btk work?

Btk produces a protein that is toxic only to the larvae (caterpillars) of specific insect species. When ingested by susceptible insects, the toxic protein molecules break down the walls of the insect’s stomach causing the insect to stop feeding. The insect usually dies within two to five days.

Who regulates Btk use in Canada?

Btk has been approved by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, an agency of Health Canada, for aerial use over urban areas.

Not in the Town program's spray blocks but would like to book service with a private contractor?

Buchanan Expert Tree Care Inc. 58 Timber Creek Crescent Fonthill, ON L0S 1E4 Phone: 905-892-6579 Email: info@betc.ca Website: www.betc.ca

Davey Tree - Niagara 354 Chippawa Creek Rd. Unit 3 Port Robinson, ON L0S1K0 Phone: 905-384-4125 Website: www.daveytree.ca/niagara

*Offer gypsy moth spray services?

Contact rcook@pelham.ca at the Town of Pelham to be added to our online list of contractors.

Arborwood Tree Service Inc. 7838 Twenty Rd, Smithville, ON L0R 2A0 Phone: 1.888.721.8882 Email: info@arborwood.ca Website: www.arborwood.ca

Trees Unlimited 13130 McKenney Road, RR 1 Welland, Ontario L3B 5N4 Phone: 905-384-0789 Website: https://www.ontariowoodlot.com/276-trees-unlimited

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 13

A April 21 2021

Pelham's Treasurer more than Town's chief beancounter Teresa Quinlin donates countless hours to community service

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent municipality, because it's a community and about 10,000 students. It’s a bit different with finances, because post-secondary institutions like Niagara receive government funding and can count on international student revenue, whereas municipalities depend on property taxes.”

Quinlin’s involvement with social outreach charities in the community is her passion outside of her municipal work.

She is currently the Treasurer of the Niagara Health Foundation, which raises local hospital capital dollars for medical equipment and development projects, special patient care programs, and scholarships for students and staff studying medical sciences.

“Most people don’t realize that all medical equipment for our hospitals is funded through donations, not government grants,” she said.

Millions are needed to pay for cutting-edge technology, such as MRI machines.

Quinlin’s primary charitable focus is Women's Place of South Niagara (WPSN). She serves as the President of the board of directors, having been involved for almost five years. The organization’s mission is to stop abuse and

Pelham Treasurer Teresa Quinlin.

SUPPLIED violence against women and their children by providing safety through shelter, counselling, education, advocacy, and community partnerships. WPSN operates a 20bed shelter in Niagara Falls called Nova House, and a 10bed shelter in Welland called Serenity Place.

The COVID pandemic has brought about an increase in domestic violence given the self-isolation measures that are in place, said Quinlin.

“We are always advocating for more awareness and funding for Women's Place to educate the young women and men in our high schools, helping them to recognize the signs of abuse. Mental and physical mistreatment are never part of a respectful relationship.”

In 2020, 218 women with 96 children were sheltered

by Women’s Place, 226 clients received transitional support, and 208 women received legal support and advocacy. Some 9,700 bed

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Pelham’s recent award for excellence in municipal financial reporting is a reflection of the team of professionals on staff at Town Hall. And when it comes to the checks and balances of Pelham’s money matters, the loonie stops at the desk of the Director of Corporate Services Teresa Quinlin.

Quinlin has a solid track record of successful money management, having completed a 21-year career at Niagara College (NC), ascending to the position of Vice President, Corporate Services and Director of Finance. A chartered accountant who also holds an MBA, Quinlin was responsible for executing the college’s $80-million-dollar Master Plan, the largest capital expansion in the institution’s history. She directed a $140 million budget, and risk management operations, at NC, as well as having significant roles in the college’s Sustainability Committee and United Way effort.

A Town of Pelham employee since 2017, Quinlin told the Voice that she finds her work to be both challenging and enjoyable, and drew a parallel to her previous job at NC. “If you think of a college campus, it is almost like a

nights were used by clients, and 3309 calls were received by the WPSN’s 24/7 support line.

Women’s Place has a $2.2 million budget, with $1.5 million in funding coming from the provincial Ministry of Community and Social Services. They receive some additional funding from Niagara Region and the United Way, and had some $200,000

in donations and legacy gifts in 2019, according to an audited financial statement.

Fundraising events like the Big Book Riot and other efforts bring in the rest.

Quinlin said that the bottom line is that 23 percent of the WPSN’s operating budget, almost half a million dollars, has to be actively solicited.

It’s hard generating donations from people during

a pandemic, because the big, gala fundraising events have been cancelled. Quinlin feels strongly that Women’s Place, like some other organizations in the not-for-profit sector, should be fully funded from government coffers.

All shelters have this problem, she said, as do the sexual assault centres.

“Fundraising is a challenge, because we're also competing with other charities for philanthropy dollars,” said Quinlin. “While the hospitals fundraise for capital projects, Women’s Place needs to raise money to cover operating costs. It’s a very lean organization. The Executive Director, Jennifer Gauthier, doesn't even have an admin assistant, because there's no money for it.”

When she not crunching numbers for Pelham or performing charitable fundraising in the community, Quinlin enjoys photography and riding her new bike.

She’s also engaged to be married in September. And aside from her fiancé, travel is her big passion, something she has been missing with COVID travel restrictions.

Her favorite trip?

“My sister and I went to Australia and New Zealand.

We were born in Australia— actually in Hobart, Tasmania—and went back to our hometown. It was a trip that we planned for 50 years, and we finally accomplished it in 2019.”

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Page 14

The Voice

COVID jabs added

A April 21 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OBITUARY

OBITUARY

OBITUARY

Glenn Shirton

Donald Byron Glen Ross Hughes

Peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 11, 2021 in his 88th year. Glenn was welcomed into the loving arms of his Saviour. Beloved husband to Ruby for 56 years. Loving father of Donna Sherlock (Frank), David Shirton (Rebecca) and grandchildren Jennifer McKenzie (Jason), Trevor Sherlock (Nadia), Melanie Sherlock (Bill), Benjamin Shirton, Jacob Shirton, Skyler Allati and Tara Allati, plus eight great grandchildren. Also survived by brother in law George Peterson (Becky), sister in laws Velma Shirton and Shirley Denchfield (Roger) and their families. Glenn was predeceased by his parents Arnold and Eva Shirton and brother Bruce. Glenn was born in Dunnville, later moving to Fonthill when he started a job at Atlas Steels. He had the privilege of working for 34 years and enjoyed 30 years of retirement.

Glenn was an avid walker and cycled many miles up until recent years, he knew many along his routes and enjoyed visiting. He also enjoyed attending his grandsons hockey and baseball games. He was a faithful member of Faith Welland Church and a supporter of Open Arms Mission. Special thanks to Dr. Ola and Dr Dooler, LHIN, St. Elizabeth’s nurses Stephanie and Kim, VON e shift and Bayshore PSW for their loving care of dad throughout his final months. The funeral service to honour Glenn’s life has taken place at Faith Welland Church and Interment followed at Fonthill Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to Faith Welland or Open Arms Mission. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www. pelhamfuneralhome.ca

Died peacefully at Albright Manor in the early hours of Thursday April 15th 2021. He was the loving husband of Eleanor (Morris) for over 72 years. He was predeceased by their first born Diana Lynn. Don was the dear Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather of son Rick, daughter-in-law Janie (Holman) and their family, Becki & Igor Gutman, (Bennett, Elyse & Ivy); Carli & Dr. Patrick Scott (Alex & Liana) and Dr. James Hughes & Dr. Matea Drljepan (Edmund) and daughter Debbie, son-in-law Chuck Havill and their children Blake and Aubin.

He was predeceased in death by his parents, Jim and Ellen (Green) Hughes, his siblings Harold, Jessie Gurr, Jack, Bill, Jean Simpson, Edie Shawver, Vera VanAlstine, Ann Crockford and their spouses and in-laws Marjorie & Gilbert Walker and Isobel Forde. He is survived by his brother-in-law Harvey Forde and many nieces and nephews. Don was born on the family farm in Port Sydney, Ontario on July 15, 1926.

He was never afraid of hard work and following a number of different jobs, he found his calling and became a proud police officer for 30 years beginning his career in Crowland, then the City of Welland and following amalgamation, the Niagara Regional Police Force serving in Welland, St. Catharines, Port Colborne and Grimsby. He could fix almost anything. After retirement he enjoyed repairing small engines and shared that love when he taught small engine repair for a number of years at night school for the District School Board of Niagara. Don loved to tell stories from the past to anyone who would listen. We will miss his sense of humour and his enjoyment of a good joke. Old age can be tough, and we are especially grateful to Kasha, Collette, Gwenn, Christine, Girl Friday and Care Partners for helping Don and Eleanor to stay in their home until recently when Don’s health deteriorated. Thank you also to the Staff of Albright Manor for their caring and kindness during these past few COVID - plagued months.

As per Don’s wishes there will be a private graveside service. Don supported the Fonthill United Church, The Salvation Army and the Welland and Princess Margaret Hospitals. He would be honoured by memorial gifts in his name. Whenever we miss you we will just look in our hearts and there you will be.

STUDLEY, Olwyn

BY VOICE STAFF Niagara Region Public Health has added the following clinic dates to the provincial booking portal: April 19-20 – Pelham, Meridian Community Centre Apr. 23-27– Niagara Falls, MacBain Community Centre Apr. 29-30 – Niagara Falls, MacBain Community Centre Appointments are also still available for May: May 3-8 – West Lincoln, West Lincoln Community Centre May 10-15 – Port Colborne, Vale Health and Wellness Centre The provincial booking portal is currently open to Niagara residents who are turning 60 or older in 2021.

The Province announced Monday that anyone 40 or older may receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at participating pharmacies. In Pelham, PharmaChoice, Shoppers, and Boggio’s all offer the jab. Call ahead to book.

CLEANUP

continued from Page 8 tire family, a good way for the grandparents and the grandkids to get together outside,” said Cappa. He added that the overarching

goal is to educate the public about the importance of protecting our waterways, and to instill a sense of stewardship towards the Great Lakes.

For information on volunteering for the clean-

up, contact john.cappa30@ gmail.com. Local cleanup efforts can be followed online at: h t t p s :// r o t a r y c l u b o ffont h i l l.c a/Stor ie s/r ot ar y - g r e a t- l a k e s - w a t e r shed-cleanup

STEEL

1927-2021 Passed away peacefully at Welland Hospital on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at the age of 93. Born October 21, 1927 in Newport, Wales. She was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Tom, her sister Margaret (Peggy) and her brother Jack. She is lovingly remembered by her son, Andrew (Jill), her grandsons, Matthew (Katherine), Nicholas (Devon), and Dylan, as well as her great grand children, Dean and Charlotte. The family emigrated to Canada in 1968 and Olwyn completed a University Degree and Teacher training at Brock University. She subsequently taught grades 5 & 6 for 20 years at Gordon and Fitch Street Schools, while also serving for a time as president of the Welland University Women’s Club. The family will gather for a private graveside service that will take place at Fonthill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to “ONEFOUNDATION” for the Niagara Health System”, 65 Third Street, Welland, Ontario L3B 4W6. Donations can also be made online at www.onefoundationfornhs. com. Online condolences may be shared at www. pelhamfuneralhome.ca

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nouncement was offset somewhat when one of the other vaccine manufacturers, Moderna, announced its next shipment would be cut roughly in half, with only 650,000 doses arriving next week instead of the expected 1.2 million. The Massachusetts-based company also announced that it could miss its second quarter target of 12.3 million by as many as 2 million doses. The company is citing manufacturing difficulties for the missed targets.

As are most residents, I am extremely saddened to see the lockdown with these new measures extended to May 20. With ICU numbers climbing, along with the ever-increasing number of patients on ventilators, these steps apparently had to be taken. I urge all residents of Pelham to get vaccinated as soon as possible, continue to get in your walks, and practice social distancing when you are outdoors. These new variants have indeed pushed back the fi nish line but that fi nish line remains in sight.

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A April 21 2021

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continued from Page 5 messages saying we are not in the midst of a crisis is insulting to those of us directly impacted by COVID-19.

I also ask those of you creating these posts to consider the healthcare members in your communities. My husband is a nurse who was recently informed he may be caring for coronavirus patients. Although I am fully aware of the safety protocols that are in place while caring for patients, the fact remains there is always a risk that he could bring the virus home. Not everyone in our household is vaccinated so we are worried.

Yet, even with our concerns, my husband would never dream of walking away from his duty because he understands the depth of the current crisis and is determined to do whatever is needed to help.

Nurses and doctors across the health sector, and particularly in emergency departments and ICUs, have worked tirelessly for over a year, and are now facing their biggest battle yet. Imagine the morale of these utterly exhausted people when they read posts that perpetuate a myth that we are not in the midst of a health crisis. They live this crisis every single day. Why would anyone want to demoralize people who are simply trying to care for you and your loved ones if you become sick? Where is the sense in that?

How do these posts impact the greater community you might ask? It is crucial that everyone in the community sees the current situation for what it is—a medical crisis, that without a concerted intervention on all our parts will result in more deaths. Plain and simple.

This means that each and every member of our society has a duty to step up to the plate and work together in fighting the virus. We can't do this if our society is divided by social media postings that instigate dissension. This virus has exposed many things in our society, not all of which are good or kind. I believe our society will

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The Voice

A April 21 2021

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PLACES OF WORSHIP

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FAITH LIFT

BORDER

can largely deflect it. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be teachable and learn from our mistakes and the observations of others. But brooding over harsh or excessive criticism will only make us bitter, angry or cynical. Anyone in leadership knows that it inevitably comes with criticism because we’re never going to please everyone. The Bible says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)

A CBSA officer stationed at Pearson International Airport, who spoke to the Voice on condition they not be named, said that social distancing is “pretty much non-existent” during the disembarkation and immigration process at the international terminal. They said that air travellers have had a COVID test before boarding their fl ight to Toronto, and that arrivals are sometimes sequenced to ease the offloading congestion. But they said with some international fl ights, almost all passengers end up in the immigration office.

“Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, there are two Delhi [India] fl ights of almost 300 passengers, plus twice a week fl ights from Addis Ababa,

continued from Page 19

The bottom line

So, remember to be both Velcro and Teflon.

Have a “Velcro heart” when sincere compliments or positives come your way and be affirmed and encouraged. But have a “Teflon heart” when the slings, arrows and other negatives are shot at you. And, most importantly, have a heart for God, who gives us the wisdom we need… when we need it… when we ask Him. ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor.

continued from Page 3

Ethiopia,” they said.

CTV News recently reported that between March 31 and April 12, 55 international flights landed at Pearson with COVID exposures, with 16 planes having arrived from Delhi, where this spring a potent variant was present. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha and Istanbul are some of the other top infection zones from which travellers bring cases into the province, according to the report.

“Air travel has been a serious contributor to the global spread. In fact, you could argue that without air travel, we wouldn’t be having a pandemic,” University of Toronto infection control epidemiologist Colin Furness, told CTV. Jacqueline Callin, a media relations spokesperson for CBSA, said that in accordance with federal and provincial health authorities’ vaccination plans,

border services officers are scheduled to receive the vaccine at the same time as other frontline essential workers.

“The health and safety of the travelling public and CBSA employees is of utmost importance to the agency,” she said, noting that personal protective equipment (PPE) is readily available to all frontline staff, and regular cleaning and disinfection practices of shared spaces and surfaces are in place.

Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Niagara’s Acting Medical Officer of Health, recently told the St. Catharines Standard that he expects CBSA officers will be vaccinated in the coming weeks, although top priority at this stage is being given to farm workers and educators.

In a Niagara Regional Council COVID workshop held on Zoom last Friday, Pelham Re-

gional Councillor Diana Huson and Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Mayor Redekop advocated on behalf of border security agent vaccinations. Huson reported that Hirji presented a list of essential workers in Niagara who cannot work from home and would be receiving the vaccine by the end of “Phase Two.” His list did not include CBSA staffers, but did designate police, fi refighters, compliance and funeral workers, and special constables.

“We asked Dr. Hirji to consider adding CBSA agents to this priority group, recognizing that the virus spread is linked to travel, and this group deals exclusively with travellers, some of whom have knowingly arrived without a required COVID test and subsequently test positive when tested on location,” said Huson.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

CRISIS

continued from Page 1 variants of the original coronavirus as vaccinations lag behind.

The result late last week was confused messaging, policies put into place only to be retracted less than 24 hours later, and mounting public frustration.

“As the latest modelling confirms, without taking immediate and decisive action, COVID-19 cases will spiral out of control and our hospitals will be overwhelmed,” said Ontario Premier Doug Ford in delayed press appearance on Friday, April 16.

"That's why we are making difficult, but necessary decisions to reduce mobility and keep people in the safety of their own homes. We need to contain the spread of this deadly virus, while getting vaccines in as many arms as quickly as possible."

Intended to enforce that reduced mobility was a sweeping new power granted to police across the province to randomly stop vehicles and pedestrians to check identification and to assess whether individuals were taking trips for genuinely essential purposes— defined as getting food, medicines or medical treatment, or traveling to essential workplaces.

Playgrounds, dog parks, golf courses, tennis courts and other outdoor sports facilities were to be closed effective at midnight.

The backlash was fast and furious. Opposition politicians, civil libertarians, and public health experts lambasted the measures as inappropriate and ill-focused.

“I simply don’t believe the Science Table recommended martial law,” said Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca in a statement. “I

The Voice can’t believe Doug Ford is calling carding a public health measure while refusing paid sick days.”

Some 30 police forces across the province—including the Niagara Regional Police Service—announced that they would not enforce the random stop policy.

In a statement released shortly after 7 AM Saturday, the NRPS said, “We will not be conducting random vehicle or individual stops. As before, our initiatives will be both complaint driven or proactive, with the goal of gaining compliance. Those that refuse to comply will receive the appropriate penalty.”

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association announced that it intended to file suit against the government to stop the policy.

“We are bringing a challenge as quickly as possible, in order to restore peoples’ freedom from arbitrary police stops,” said CCLA Executive Director Michael Bryant in a statement. “The regulation brings back the odious ‘driving while black’ police stop, and introduces a ‘walking while black’ offence. This is formalized, legalized carding, and that’s unconstitutional.”

The measure also seems to contradict a 2016 law on street checks.

Speaking to the Toronto Star, Yasir Naqvi, Ontario’s former Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister under Premier Kathleen Wynne, said on Saturday that legislation passed by the Wynne government requires officers to inform people that they have a right to walk away without identifying themselves.

“That regulation is still in force,” he told the Star.

Within less than 24 hours of Ford’s press conference, the government had walked back its clo-

Page 17

A April 21 2021

sure of playgrounds, and revoked the police powers earlier granted, replacing them with a limited authority to stop individuals who police reasonably suspect of participating in a prohibited gathering—namely any gathering of people outdoors not belonging to the same family.

The Province, Niagara Region, and Pelham again saw a record number of active cases over the weekend. Within the last ten days, outbreaks have been declared at Short Hills Villa and Community of Lookout Ridge retirement homes. As of Sunday, there were 95 active infections in Pelham— the highest since the start of the pandemic—16 in Wainfleet, and 371 in Welland. On a per capita basis, Pelham had the second highest infection rate, after Welland, in Niagara Region.

“With our hospital system under significant pressure and the continued increase of COVID-19 variants, we are stepping up enforcement to ensure that people adhere to the Stay-at-Home order and follow public health measures,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones during Friday’s press briefing.

Both the provincial declaration of emergency and the Stay-atHome order have also been extended to May 20. The Stay-atHome order currently in effect requires everyone to remain at home except for specified purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise, or for work that cannot be done remotely.

The government is also restricting travel into Ontario from the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec, with the exception of

purposes such as work, health care services, transportation and delivery of goods and services, or exercising Aboriginal or treaty rights.

Enhanced restrictions in effect as of Monday: ■ All outdoor social gatherings and organized public events are prohibited, except with members of the same household, or one other person from outside that household who lives alone, or a caregiver for any member of the household.

■ Non-essential workplaces in the construction sector are closed.

■ Capacity limits in all retail settings where in-store shopping is permitted is reduced to 25 percent. This includes supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, indoor farmers' markets, other stores that primarily sell food, and pharmacies.

■ Outdoor recreational amenities, such as golf courses, basketball courts, and soccer fields are closed.

■ Capacity at weddings, funerals, and religious services, rites or ceremonies is limited to ten people indoors or outdoors.

■ Social gatherings associated with these services such as receptions are prohibited—except for members of the same household or one other person from outside that household who lives alone. Drive-in services will be permitted.

■ All other public health and workplace safety measures for non-essential retail under the provincewide emergency brake (i.e., curbside pick-up and delivery only), will continue to apply.

In Pelham, after initially being closed on Saturday morning, playgrounds were set to be reopened by bylaw officers on

Monday. The Isaac Riehl Skate Park, and sports fields and courts remain closed. Town parks and trails are open for passive use only, such as walking, jogging, or cycling. Gatherings, sports, and loitering are prohibited.

“Under Provincial orders, outdoor gatherings are restricted to members of your own household,” read a Town statement. “Individuals living alone may choose to bubble with one other household exclusively.”

“We ask residents to respect the provincial orders which are clearly motivated to protect everyone’s health,” CAO David Cribbs told the Voice.

Cribbs said the Town is reviewing the new regulations pertaining to construction.

"It is clear that construction activity on commercial properties is not essential. Residential construction can continue and municipal projects can also continue. As with most big changes brought quickly, the devil will be in the details, which we continue to review.”

Fire Chief and Chief Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bob Lymburner told the Voice that his officers will be stepping up patrols to monitor gatherings, but, “since bylaw is overloaded and resources are tight, we will rely mostly on resident complaints.”

Welland issued a similar closure list, including on-water activities. The Welland Farmers' Market remains open, with a limit of 20 customers per building.

Through a statement on Friday, the City asked that market visitors avoid social gathering both inside and outside the buildings.

Both Pelham and Welland public libraries remain open for curbside/ contactless pickup only.

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The Voice

A April 21 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

THE BALANCED LIFE

by John Swart

Fun bicycle touring resources for women

T

his is not your usual bicycle adventure touring video. I’m watching Darin and Ryan, two young women from California, as they’re preparing to cycle the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail east of Melbourne, Australia with friend Caitlan.

So far they’ve dealt with a large bug inside their tent, been unsuccessful deciding on the proper pronunciation of the trail name, played bicycle javelin, laughed pretty much continually, for breakfast eaten peanut butter slathered on TimTams (the best packaged cookie in the world), and stopped for a

coffee. They’re three minutes, 42 seconds into the video, and will stop to cook lunch in another 47 seconds.

For the record, there was almost a minute of actual bicycling footage.

During their dinner stop, Caitlan scavenges a shrivelled, ugly brown palm frond from the park grounds, and surreptitiously carries it into the washroom. She thrusts it over the stall door onto a totally unsuspecting Darin, then quickly pulls it away and jabs the frond under the door, scaring the whatever out of her. Shouts and giggles fill the next three minutes of the video while the

women all mount similar grotesque palm plumage to their saddlebags.

Gentlemen, guys, bros— this column is about well-prepared bicycle travellers exploring exotic destinations, challenging themselves, and engaging complete strangers, but it’s not about you. There’s no pain and suffering on monster climbs in Mongolia, or harrowing heroics during a gruelling ride across the barren Australian Outback.

It’s directed at women.

Why bicycle touring might be for them. How a bicycle tour can be about fun and personal challenge rather than an endurance trial of self-punishment.

Where better to find the inspiration and information necessary to plan a first bike tour and how to maximize your enjoyment and safety than an engaging video.

Although statistics about women’s participation in bicycle touring are limited, Adventure Cycling Association, an American not-forprofit bike touring group which organized 925 events last year (no comment, it’s America, land of the free), says that only 24 percent of cyclists participating in their tours are women.

Women participate in tours provided by TDA (Tour d’Afrique) Global Cycling, a Toronto-based bicycle touring company, in greater proportion. Shanny Hill, Marketing Manager, says 35 to 40 percent of their clientele are women, and that the number is increasing “ever so gradually.”

Hill attributes this in part to TDA’s awakening to gender representation on their staff. He says, “It’s my observation that [bicycle touring] has been dominated by

men. For tours like ours, it was dominated by men who are a bit more affluent, who have the spare money and time to do longer trips.”

TDA recognized this, and made the changes necessary to increase female participation.

“We were a company that was 90% males as well.

We’re working to correct that. We have to be representative of the people we want to participate in these trips. Our customer service representative is female, and she’s helping us present a lot of great video content so that women can see other females that are participating.”

When asked if any specific type of tour or destination attracted more women than others, Hill responded, “We weren’t sure we could say that one particular type of tour was more appealing to

women, but there was one pretty interesting fact. The 2019 Hippie Trail, our trip across India, was the first tour where we had a majority of women. It was 55 to 60 percent women.”

Joining a Niagara Freewheeler Bicycle Touring Club ride any day of the week in Pelham anecdotally presents a similar picture of increasing female participation.

Every ride is attended by a number of female cyclists, some new to riding and some very experienced.

In the Adventure Cycling Association’s survey results mentioned above, fear and intimidation were cited as reasons women cycled less than men. The following comments were included to make their point.

“American women tend to See BALANCED LIFE back page

V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Some things are entirely out of your control, Aries. You may come up against some such obstacles this week. Focus your energy on the things you can control.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, if you’re seeking new horizons, establish a game plan and then do your homework. This will help determine if it is practical to make a move.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Your expressiveness and affections are drawn out this week, Gemini. It could put you in the mood to push some limits socially or creatively. Chances are things will work out well.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, some focus and harmony enables you to find balance in your personal and professional relationships. You will begin to see eye-to-eye with many people.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 It is a good thing to center yourself emotionally because many decisions are heading your way, Leo. You may find ideas and plans center around domestic issues.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 You are inclined to seek some mental stimulation this week, Virgo. Invest in some puzzles or even a recreational pursuit such as an escape room experience.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Take a break from overthinking, Libra. Involve yourself with pleasurable activities that don’t require a lot of forethought. Others can join the fun.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 This is a good week to focus attention on your personal needs,

Scorpio. Perhaps you are looking for personal fulfillment. Try volunteer work.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Others may be elusive this week, Sagittarius. Don’t take it as a sign of your relationships being in need of mending. Others are just busy, so enjoy the down time.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 People may demand a little more of your time in the days ahead, Capricorn. If you are not sure you can devote extra effort, tell these people as soon as possible.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Disagreements can arise if others are not reading you well, Aquarius. Focus your efforts on effective communication this week to avoid any confusion.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 You don’t need to know every detail of an issue to be able to take a side or a stance, Pisces.

Your ability to make choices will improve.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS APRIL 18 Chloe Bennet, Actress (29) APRIL 19 Joanna Gaines, Designer (43) APRIL 20 Miranda Kerr, Model (38) APRIL 21 James McAvoy, Actor (42) APRIL 22 Jeff rey Dean Morgan, Actor (55) APRIL 23 Gigi Hadid, Model (26) APRIL 24 Kelly Clarkson, Singer (39)

SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. ENE 2. MAC 3. UTE 4. SADDEN 5. CARTES 6. RBI 7. ARAS 8. NANAS 9. ED 10. SAUNA 11. OBLITERATOR 13. EDIBLES 15. AAR 17. ARMADA 18. CAB 21. PROLETARIAT 23. MAS 24. SAT 27. TAKIN 29. MARAT 32. RIB 34. BIT 35. RANKLE 36. URANIUM 39. ACT 40. MOT 43. RAPIDS 44. DEDUCE 46. BADLY 47. CNS 49. BALER 51. CAT 54. SANA 59. TAB 60. DAB 61. IVA 62. NIN 64. AD

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. EMUS 5. CRANE 10. SONATA 12. ABRADE 14. ABECEDARIAN 16. DA 18. CUL 19. DAT 20. SAPIR 22. ANI 23. MERES 25. SRBM 26. BAT 27. TAN 28. SAM 30. OLA 31. ERAS 33. TABLED 35. RURIK 37. RIESA 38. ARABIA 40. MATT 41. NAT 42. NCR 44. DOT 45. ABC 48. KNOB 50. TACET 52. RAN 53. LIRAS 55. PAD 56. IDS 57. EU 58. LATITUDINAL 63. MAENAD 65. CAVITY 66. DRABS 67. EBAN

Enjoy our Take-out Fish & Chips Fridays!

From our family to yours...stay safe

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The Voice

Page 19

A April 21 2021

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

Are you Velcro or Teflon?

V

elcro and Teflon are two kinds of intriguing surfaces discovered within the last century. They are commonplace today but somehow we survived without them before. The story of their discoveries is interesting but their symbolic relevance to each of us can be life-changing.

Sticky Velcro

Velcro was invented in the 1950s by George de Mestral, a Swiss electrical engineer.

This ingenious fastening mechanism was, in fact, inspired by God’s creation. In 1941 de Mestral was walking his dog in the woods and wondered how burdock seeds could attach themselves so well to his coat and dog.

He developed the idea of these tiny “hooks and loops” and finally patented it in 1955. He started his own company and production began a few years later. Today it employs 2,500 people with its head office in England.

The word “Velcro,” however, comes from the combination of two French words— velour (velvet) and crochet (hook).

The idea of Velcro can also help us symbolically in our daily life. When a compliment or a positive comment comes our way, we can have a “Velcro heart” which welcomes it and causes it to stick. It doesn’t mean we become proud or arrogant.

It simply means we all need encouragement and affirmation in order to function well and thrive.

People with low self-esteem or false humility struggle to accept a sincere compliment. They need to learn to just accept it and give a sincere “thank you” in return. So, in an often negative world where criticism seems to flow more freely

than compliments, hold on to all the positives you can.

God’s word tells us, “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” (Romans 15:2)

Unsticky Teflon

Teflon is a plastic compound discovered by accident in 1938 by Roy Plunkett, a Dupont employee in New Jersey. It too has a fascinating story. While working on another experiment, Plunkett was curious about some extra weight in the bottle he was using. When he examined it more carefully he found a slippery white material coating the inside.

His invention was patent-

ed in 1941. The proper name for it is “polytetrafluoroethylene” (I’ll stick with Teflon). Its most common use today is as a non-stick coating for pots and pans. The first marketed product was called “Happy Pan,” in the 1960s. The NASA space program used it to make thermal covers and industry has found many other uses.

So how does Teflon relate to our daily life? Well, besides helping us fry our egg in the morning, it can remind us of another powerful truth. When unwarranted criticism comes our way, have a “Teflon heart” that See FAITH LIFT Page 16

Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

Word Search: On the Road

Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwards.

ALTERNATOR BRAKES CAMSHAFT CLUTCH CONDENSER COOLANT

CYLINDER DIAGNOSIS DIFFERENTIAL EXHAUST FILTER FUEL

HOSES IGNITION MANIFOLD POWER STEERING RADIATOR SENSORS

SHOCKS SPARK PLUG STRUTS TIE ROD VALVE

ANSWERS ON PAGE 18

Voice

CROSSWORD

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Page 20

The Voice

BALANCED LIFE

continued from Page 18 go 'dormant' once they are married and have children.”

“I don't think women trust bicycle stores any more than they do their auto mechanics, and don't necessarily get straight answers or good service." “...mechanical things like changing tires are intimidating; traffic is intimidating; [pedal] clips are intimidating; riding solo is intimidating; cyclocomputers are intimidating; gear

is intimidating; mostly, and above all, bikers are intimidating.”

The women making comments like these are not the women I ride and tour with. I was shocked at this portrayal, whatever it was meant to illustrate.

The female cyclists that I know are quietly confident in their abilities on and off their bikes.

Darin and Ryan of RaD Bike Adventure understand the essence of adventure bicycle touring, and it shines through their videos.

By

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A April 21 2021

sharing their approach to cycling adventure with warmth and humour, they present bike touring as feasible, congenial, and an extremely satisfying way to engage the world. They inspire because they simply got out there and did it, taking the daily challenges in stride as best they could.

Their experiences show how welcoming the world can be to female bicycle travellers, and prove that experiences off the bike are as important, or even more so, that the riding.

They take equal joy in meeting Kiwis in New Zealand as they do the culturally distinct Hakka of Fujian Province, China.

For anyone new to bicycle touring, Darin and Ryan provide countless videos to get you started that are better because they’re informed by the implicit bias of a female touring cyclist.

Beyond the expected “Bike Touring 101,” they offer details on their sleep system, cook system, tools, electronics, even “All our clothes for one year on bikes.” How to keep your bike and yourself safe is also discussed at length.

Their gear section goes from the basic toiletries and first aid to “Round the world bike touring set-up,” and they explain the advantages and disadvantages of hotels, B&Bs, home stays, and camping as bicycle touring accommodation options.

The great fun of visiting the RaD Bike Adventure YouTube channel is that for every instructional video, there are many that allow you to see Ryan and Darin practicing what they preach. They share their travels in Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and their adventures at home in western United States during COVID. There are many reasons that joining an organized bicycle tour for your first adventure-oriented

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trip may be a great option for you. We all have our personal limits, the line beyond which we prefer someone more knowledgeable to show us the way.

Chile, Vietnam, Western Europe and the southern United States were all fine for me to travel independently, but cycling Africa for the first time was my line in the sand. I was happy to be with a TDA group for that ride.

TDA has recently made available to the public much of their information about planning and preparing for bicycle touring, which had previously only been available to their clients. This information is a tremendous resource that provides invaluable information about bicycle touring topics at all levels: choosing a bike, touring-specific maintenance, advice for women, health and medical preparation, training tips, packing your bike for air transport, and many more. They also offer a free, 33-page downloadable TDA starter kit for anyone wanting more detail on international bike travel.

The informational delivery styles of these two websites differ, but both RaD Bike Adventures and TDA Global Cycling offer an incredible amount of field-tested knowledge for women, and men, considering becoming adventure cyclists.

Fellow Freewheeler Virginia has cycled from Eastern China to Western Europe, making part of the trip with TDA and part of it self-supported. Her pride of accomplishment, and the respect and envy shown in varying degrees by those around her, are easy to detect when Virginia describes her bicycle travels and adventures.

Gender needn’t be involved when deciding to try your first bicycle adventure tour. Have fun. ◆

Voice

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

4

Chicken, Ham, and Swiss Roulades

When the weather starts to warm, people are inspired to once again venture outdoors. People can benefit from having quick and easy dinner recipes at the ready so that hours are not spent in the kitchen after a day of fun in the fresh air.

With mere minutes of preparation and about 15 minutes cooking time, this recipe for “Chicken, Ham, and Swiss Roulades” from “Real Simple Dinner Tonight: Done” (Time Home Entertainment) from the editors of Real Simple makes a simple weeknight meal that is tasty, too.

Chicken, Ham, and Swiss Roulades Serves 4 8 8 8 4 6 1 1 1⁄4

small chicken cutlets (about 11⁄2 pounds total) thin slices cooked ham thin slices Swiss cheese tablespoons olive oil cups mixed greens cup grape tomatoes, halved tablespoon white wine vinegar cup whole-grain mustard

Heat oven to 400 F. Season the chicken with 1⁄2 teaspoon salt and 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper. Roll up each cutlet with 1 slice of the ham and 1 slice of the Swiss cheese. Skewer the roulades closed with toothpicks.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the roulades and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer the skillet to an oven and roast the roulades until cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, toss the greens and tomatoes with the vinegar, the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, and 1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Serve with the roulades and mustard.

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