The Voice, April 28 2021

Toffolo's COVID experience

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Voice wins six news awards

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The Voice Z Z

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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of Pelham and Central Niagara

Published every Wednesday

APRIL 28 2021

Vol.25 No.17 

Vaccinations continue across Niagara

page 13

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Column Six

Walk 33,000 steps in my shoes

BY BERNIE PUCHALSKI Special to the Voice

N

being vaccinated, it is important to continue practicing public health measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

“Everyone, including those who have had the vaccine, should wear a mask, wash hands often, stay at least two metres from others, avoid gathering with people they don’t live with, and only go out for essential purposes,” he said. “We are heartened that eligible members of our community have registered for the vaccine in large numbers, and encourage all eligible residents who have not yet booked an appointment

othing says I love you like your sweetie giving you a fitness tracker as a Valentine’s Day present. I prefer to think in those terms rather than the first thought that popped into my head, which was “You might want to drop a few pounds, Fatso, or your next Valentine’s Day will be a solo affair.”

I truly believe she was reacting to my decision to start walking in the new year because I had run out of things to do around the house during the pandemic.

I had already rearranged my record and CD collections numerous times, I had sorted my sports equipment and I had done four of the 37 much-needed tasks around the house. In my defense, the remaining 33 jobs were either messy affairs or required a lot of effort and skills that I am sorely lacking.

Anyhow, my COVID-19 walking regime started in January and I averaged 15,000 steps a day that month.

This number climbed to 23,000 a day in

See JABS Page 17

See COLUMN SIX back page

A vaccination team member consults with a newly vaccinated patient at Pelham's community centre on Monday, April 19.

Nearly 3000 fi rst-dose jabs given at three Pelham clinics

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Vaccinations are ramping up in Niagara, according to data presented on the Region’s website. Some 152,504 doses were administered as of April 23, representing almost 30 percent of the population. Even with COVID-19 surging in the region, the good news is that 100 percent of those confined to longterm care and high-risk retirement

homes have been given both shots, and over 90 percent of those age 75 and older in Niagara have received at least the initial injection.

The Niagara Health hospital system has administered almost 75,000 vaccinations, while Niagara Public Health has jabbed almost 48,000 in clinics, and local pharmacies over 14,000. Some 13,000 Niagara res-

idents have been vaccinated by a provider outside the region.

The provincial government has assigned Niagara a 40 percent vaccination target by May 6.

Kerri Stoakley, a communications consultant with Niagara Region Public Health, reported that 2979 Niagara residents were vaccinated with either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at the three clinics held at the Meridian Community Centre in April, with two thirds of those participants hailing from Pelham or Welland.

Dr. M. Mustafa Hirji, Niagara’s acting medical officer of health, told the Voice that in addition to

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PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

Anti-maskers, are you watching? West Lincoln Mayor, antilockdown proponent, and all-around piece-of-work Dave Bylsma (and his fan club) need only look to India to see what dropping social distancing and masks leads to. Nearly 1 million new COVID-19 infections in three days. Patients asphyxiating outside (and inside) hospitals because oxygen supplies have run out. Mass cremations in parking lots. Permission to bury deceased family members in backyards. Horrible, and entirely foreseeable...Fore! We present the golf course debate this week— that is, should they or shouldn’t they be allowed to re-open under the current stay-at-home order. When I asked our resident golf columnist John Piccolo to weigh in, I had no idea which way he would come down. I won’t spoil it (p.9). Next to his thoughts are those of the Julie family, who run Sawmill Golf Course here in town...Awards Season: The Oscars were handed out on Sunday evening, about two months late. Anthony Hopkins’ win for The Father was well deserved, though the film struck me as a story likely better enjoyed on stage than on screen. In any event, the Ontario community newspaper Oscar-equivalents were announced last Friday, and I’m pleased to report that the Voice once again managed a respectable trophy haul (p.3). I do want to acknowledge that were it not for the four brave Fonthill Sobeys employees who came forward a year ago, to tell the Voice about franchise owner Ron Kore’s conduct, there would have been no story and no recognition for it. The newspaper, and the larger community, thanks you again...Speaking of elected officials: When Pelham’s new representatives took office in late 2018, the Voice extended a standing invitation for occasional commentaries on topics of their choice—their words, unfiltered.

Not counting the Mayor’s COVID column, to date, to the best of our recollection, only Regional Councillor Diana Huson, DSBN Trustee Nancy Beamer, and new Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Olson have taken up the offer (Olson is on Merritt Road this week, waxing Japanese, p.5). So if you’re wondering why you never hear from the rest of the bunch, so are we...Lots to feast on: It’s a packed issue this week. As ever, John Chick’s council reporting is informative and entertaining, Bill Potrecz hears from Tim Toffolo on his bout with COVID, John Swart almost makes me want to buy a kayak, Don Rickers introduces some artists, and Bernie Puchalski’s Column Six is a classic. More, please, Sporty Spice...Credit where due: There’s a handsome building project underway in downtown Fonthill. Hats off to builder John Vanderweyden for spending the extra cash to create something classically appealing (p.10), in distinct contrast to the slowly unfolding wedding cake-meets-Mississippi River steamboat disaster at the former Moku’s Restaurant building a block away.

Why couldn’t Town Council have micromanaged that eyesore, generations of future Fonthillians will bemoan...Snappy-snap: Don't forget, send us your vaccination selfies for the new Voice on Vaccination feature! As ever, stay masked, distanced, and out of the ICU. See you next week. ◆

The Voice A April 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Toffolo down with COVID

NRPS impaired driving charges ~

Pelham Panthers owner warns, “this is not the fl u”

BY BILL POTRECZ bpsportsniagara.com Pelham Panthers owner Tim Toffolo has been a strong proponent of taking as many precautions as possible in the battle with the COVID-19 virus.

The Panthers ran summer skates in 2020 and then went into training camp and exhibition scrimmages last fall without any notable issues. The Panthers wore masks on and off the ice during games and practices and were able get on the ice on 138 occasions.

Toffolo, who hasn’t been at the Pelham Meridian Community Centre since the current lockdown commenced earlier this month, tested positive for the virus last week.

“I don’t know,” Toffolo said, when asked if he has any idea how he contracted the virus.

“It could be as simple as a grocery store. I’ve been really careful. I’m masked all the time. I guess that’s some of the things we’re never going to know about it.”

Toffolo thinks it’s one of the new variant strains.

“I have some family members who are nurses and they’ve been telling me unless you’re double masked it doesn’t matter.

You might think you’re protected but you need to be double masked.”

Voice

on VACCINATION!

New Fea

ture!

SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

The Pelham Fire Department responded to eight calls for assistance from Friday April 16 to Friday April 23.

Saturday, April 17 Structure fire, Frazer St., Fonthill Carbon monoxide alarm, Pelham Town Sq, Fonthill

Tim Toffolo.

SUPPLIED

Toffolo’s symptoms began with a headache and within hours he was experiencing everything from a fever, cold sweats, diarrhea, body aches and a cough.

“You don’t seem to get everything all at once,” said Toffolo, a 54-year-old Port Dalhousie resident. “I’ve had body aches — my legs are just killing me — and then shortness of breath. It seems like you’ll go for an hour and things are subsiding and you think things are breaking and then you get hit with the hardest bout of something else.”

Toffolo called Telehealth, who advised him to get to a hospital. After getting checked out with blood work and an electrocardiogram, Toffolo was given a COVID test which came back positive the next day.

“I’ve called everybody I was even remotely in contact with and that’s very remote. All those people are all fine.”

Toffolo, who has registered for a vaccination and is waiting for a date for his first shot, is quarantining and is being helped by family members. He is slated to end his quarantine Sunday, 10 days after his first symptom.

Toffolo said the whole

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Voice contributor and YourTV personality Mike Balsom gets his first jab in St. Catharines!

GETTING THE COVID JAB? SEND US A SELFIE! Email: office@thevoiceofpelham.ca S P O N S O R E D

Sunday, April 18 Grass fire, Hansler St., Fonthill Medical assistance, Fonthill Tuesday, April 20 Medical assistance, Fonthill Wednesday, April 21 Motor Vehicle collision, Hwy. 20, Fenwick Thursday, April 22 Remote alarm, Maple St., Short Hills Friday, April 23 Medical assistance, Fonthill

experience has been an eye-opener.

“I think the biggest issue is that there are too many people who just don’t get what this is,” he said. “I hear from so many people it’s just the flu. I’ve had the flu, and this is not the flu.”

Toffolo fears for Niagara residents after recent protests in St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.

“You see people protesting and I get it, people have the right to protest and to have their opinions, but what right do people have to gather in large groups with no masks and cause more spread? In the end, no one is going to tell me a thousand people gathered once and then again and no one is getting infected? It’s just not the case.”

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

Piotr Adam KONEFAL, 46, St. Catharines Dustin M DELANGE, 36, Niagara Falls Taylor Johnathan FENTON, 23, Thorold Abram GUENTHER, 22, Niagara Falls Dino LAVALLE, 43, Niagara on the Lake Alexander COCKERILL, 28, Thorold Samantha Emmeline Jean VOTH, 26, St. Catharines Nicolas Walter SOLARI, 21, Milton Shawn R PEARSON, 53, Niagara Falls Susan CUVIELLO, 63, Niagara Falls Nicholas RUTTE, 37, Feversham Joseph Steven SARCINO, 38, Niagara Falls Brian MCGUIRE, 56, Springwater Douglas MILLER, 67, Welland Juan Felipe BARRERA SANCHEZ, 28, London Christopher Brian JURAS, 29, Niagara Falls Jeremy Brian HAMM, 43, Niagara on the Lake Scott James REMPEL, 33, Welland Casey J FRANIC, 40, Thorold Mazin Tarig SHAKIR, 20, Buffalo Concetta Francis GUALTIERI, 50, Niagara Falls The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like RIDE. Impaired driving is still the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada and destroys thousands of lives every year.

The

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every year. stroys thousands of lives deaths in Canada and deleading cause of criminal Impaired driving is still the ment programs like RIDE. offenders through enforceand the apprehension of offences through education reducing impaired driving lice Service is committed to The Niagara Regional Po-

Pelham David M. GEORGIEV, 36, St. Catharines Andrew DEGRAVE, 22, Welland Allan G. HIPPSLEY, 32, Niagara Falls Michael P. VANHELVERT, 33, Lincoln Richard W. PARRY, 48, Orchard Park NY Jamie HIDALGO, 39, Oakville Justin D. GODDERIS, 33, blood sample. refusing to provide a breath / alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or centration above 80 mgs of with a blood alcohol conby alcohol or drugs, driving nally with impaired driving have been charged crimiThe following individuals vention of the suspension. who are driving in contraStoppers to report those fic Safety Hotline or Crime gional Police Service Trafto contact the Niagara ReThe public is encouraged motor vehicle on a roadway. prohibited from operating a cense Suspension and are Administrative Driver’s Litry of Transportation 90-Day areNow alsothat’s bound by a Miniscruising, charged, Club these individuals Azamara Cruises Book now before this disappears.

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The Voice A April 28 2021

In province-wide competition, Voice wins six journalism awards

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Opening for the Season

BY VOICE STAFF For the fourth year running, the Voice has won top honours through the Ontario Community Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Competition. Now in its 71st year, the annual awards program identifies and celebrates the best in Ontario community journalism.

The awards announcement came last Friday, April 23, through an online presentation.

For the second year in a row, the Voice managed a double-hat-trick of sorts, winning a pair each of first, second, and thirdplace awards, for stories running from autumn 2019 into autumn 2020.

First place honours came in open categories in which the Voice also faced competition from significantly larger news organizations from across the province. The newspaper’s series of articles about Pelham Town Councillor Ron Kore’s determination to punish Mayor Marvin Junkin for raising funds for the volunteer Bandshell Committee won first place in the Best Feature/News Series.

Ride to support Black Lives Matter page 3 Storm whacks trees, power page 6 Rotary cranks out the masks page 15 EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

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Vol.24 No.24

June 17, 2020

Published every Wednesday

Provincial, local investigations into conduct of Mayor, council Taxpayer tab for recommended reprimand—$18,430

“Anyone who lives in a small town knows how turbulent relationships can be, especially in politics,” wrote the judge in her comments. “[Voice staff] wades into a hornet’s nest and emerges un-stung because of fair, thorough reporting. They exhaustively lay out council’s bizarre infighting and let readers make up their own minds. Of course, there are times when you wish the reporter(s) would come out and say, ‘This is crazy but true.’ Instead, they let others do it for them in follow up coverage.”

The paper’s other first place win came in the Best Online Breaking News category, and again featured coverage related to Councillor Ron Kore. Almost exactly a year ago, on April 22, 2020, news broke that Kore had tested positive for COVID-19—after having continued to attend Town Council, and go to work in his Fonthill Sobeys store, while ill with symptoms of a respiratory illness for nearly four weeks, ignoring calls for him to stay home until he was well. Councillor Mike Ciolfi, who had attended a March council meeting in which Kore was visibly unwell, also later tested positive, as did two others present in council chambers that evening. Ciolfi’s symptoms were severe, although he seemed to be on the road to recovery when he suddenly passed away early in the morning of April 13. No official cause of death was released.

BY VOICE STAFF The results of two reviews into Pelham Town Council’s conduct concerning fundraising for renovations of the Bandshell in Fonthill’s Peace Park have been made public.

The investigations were undertaken on the basis of two complaints filed early this year by Town Councillor Ron Kore—the first with the Ontario Ombudsman, the second with the Town’s Integrity Commissioner, the firm ADR Chambers, which is on retainer among Niagara municipalities to review alleged violations of municipal codes of conduct.

Kore’s complaints related to Mayor Marvin Junkin’s participation in fundraising for the Fonthill Bandshell Committee.

Background

Last September, Pelham Town Council voted to assist the resident-run, volunteer Bandshell Committee with its planned upgrades to the Peace Park facility by loaning the group $75,000 dollars to finish construction before the start of the 2020 season.

This “Jazz up the Park” initiative was aimed in large part at making the bandshell more accessible to older audience members with mobility issues, improving lighting, and regrading the slope leading down to the Bandshell to increase seating safety.

The Bandshell Committee was expected to fundraise the money and pay back the Town’s loan.

To help the Committee fundraise, Mayor Marvin Junkin sent letters to local businesses inviting their contributions to the project.

At a meeting at Town Hall in late October on a separate matter, a representative of CannTrust, the cannabis producer operating in Fenwick, told Junkin the firm was considering making a large donation—on the order of $25,000, specifically for new lighting— to the effort.

Junkin advised Committee member Gayle Baltjes that a large amount might be coming in from a local corporation, but advised her to keep the news confidential until the donation was confirmed.

Junkin told the Ombudsman and the Integrity Commissioners that given CannTrust’s history and financial difficulties, he was doubtful that the offer would be fulfilled.

Thursday May 6

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Public announcement

In advance of Town Council’s January 13 meeting, a Bandshell Committee member told Junkin they were planning on including mention of the donation in their presentation to council on fundraising progress. Four See INTEGRITY Page 16

Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin, at the Fonthill Bandshell on Monday afternoon.

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“I’m particularly proud of this one,” said Voice publisher Dave Burket. “There’s a term that’s been in vogue for the last few years—‘gaslighting,’ meaning to attempt to fool people into thinking that something abnormal and wrong is okay. There were times that we had to pinch ourselves over what happened last spring. The petty vindictiveness of two councillors in particular, about Junkin and his fundraising for refurbishments to the Peace Park Bandshell, was one of these moments. It was one of those ‘Are we the only ones seeing this?’ kinds of things.”

The peculiar series of events did not escape the jury's notice.

“Detailed and quick reporting on a matter of immense public interest, accompanied by relevant photos,” commented the judge.

“The legwork that went into this piece is admirable.”

Speaking of the entrants, the judge added, “I was pleased to see the amount of legwork many of these community reporters put into their articles. The [Voice] entry set itself apart in this regard.”

The story, which was updated frequently over the course of several days, has been See AWARDS Page 15

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The Voice A April 28 2021

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OPINION

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

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

COTÉ'S COMMENTS Larry Coté

A crucial community component

O

ver the last few years, I have enjoyed the privilege of writing for the Voice of Pelham. Humbly, I am proud to be identified as a contributor to this newspaper. The Voice is known in the media business as a community newspaper. That definition identifies a publication that shares an interest in and with a specific community. Very often these are smaller-sized communities and consequently the circulation numbers for newspapers serving them are smaller than their larger brethren. As such, community newspapers tend to cover subjects that their larger media cousins do not, and generally eschew coverage of worldwide happenings and events. Primarily, their topics of interest are confined to their immediate community and close surroundings.

The importance of newspapers to the community they serve is recognized in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) that guarantees and protects a number of freedoms, including freedom of the press. Likewise, the first amendment of the US Con-

stitution also recognizes the importance of newspapers by guaranteeing their freedom of expression and independence.

In practice, community

This specific role often becomes a bone of contention for some politicians who disparage such reporting

newspapers are recognized not only as of interest to the residents of the communities they serve but also may be seen as essential to a community’s proper functioning. Like their larger counterparts, community newspapers have been challenged by new technologies in recent times. Much of their advertising revenues have been lost to electronic media. That scenario is currently a major concern and under deliberation within the news industry. However,

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(905) 892-8690

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca EDITOR & PUBLISHER Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger offi ce@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Brian Green, Miriam Han, Megan Metler, Bill Potrecz, Bernie Puchalski, Don Rickers, John Swart, Helen Tran, Mike Tucker, Rob Weatherby. Proof Sleuth: Julian Fitch NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca LETTERS TO THE EDITOR letters@thevoiceofpelham.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

and in spite of their dwindling numbers, these news outlets continue to play important roles as forums for local happenings and issues.

One of these roles is known in the news business as accountability reporting.

Basically, this role is to serve as one of the watchdogs and interpreters of public issues and events in the community. For instance, this might involve gathering and compiling such factors that contribute to a community’s operational efficiencies and sound fiscal management.

This specific role often becomes a bone of contention for some politicians who disparage such reporting.

Perhaps they are uncomfortable with being publicly scrutinized or taken to task for decisions not perceived to be in the best interests of the community and its residents. Some might observe the possible irony that many politicians enjoy good press but abhor bad publicity.

And so it is, under the ever watchful eye of of the local press the best interests of the community are being served by the presence of its community newspaper.

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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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Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore rkore@pelham.ca 905-933-3805 Councillor John Wink jwink@pelham.ca 905-892-4475 Ward 3 Councillor Lisa Haun lhaun@pelham.ca 905-892-5877 Councillor Bob Hildebrandt bhildebrandt@pelham.ca 905-892-5647

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The Voice A April 28 2021

OPINION Gypsy moth spread will continue in some areas I’m glad that certain areas of Pelham are being sprayed for the gypsy moth. I also appreciate the advice for how to prevent this invasion.

Fact being, agricultural acreage, as well as sensitive areas like the woodlands that you hike, are not being serviced with this spray, which is offered to select areas in Pelham. The gypsy moth will continue to invade your areas. Just a heads-up.

Paula Diamond Effingham

Easy way for anyone to protect young trees Do you like trees? I do. Do you like the trees planted along the roadways by the Town? Do you have trees planted in your yard you want to flourish for many years?

You can do a simple thing to help. Get rid of the tree ties and stakes!

During my evening walks around subdivisions in Fenwick, I have noticed something that needs to be fi xed or we will needlessly lose many trees. Many of the deciduous trees on the boulevards have been staked and tied and then left for several years without follow-up care. These trees in the Cherry Ridge subdivision are slowly being strangled, and what a waste of many years of tree establishment. If you have a tree staked, help it out and get rid of the ties around the trunk now!

I have been walking with my wife and our dog around the neighbourhood, cutting or bending back wires attached to stakes used to keep trees upright after planting.

I am sure some neighbours wonder what

the heck I am doing and why. Photos I have taken show the damage people really do not notice until it is possibly too late. This damage caused to trunks is not irreparable if caught soon enough to let the tree heal.

Staking trees is to allow them to root and establish without blowing over. However, this staking is only really needed for one year, or two at the most.

Why don’t trees blow over in the wind if they grow up as a seedling? Trees respond to a remarkable thing known as “Thigmatrophy.” This term was first introduced to me in my undergraduate days as a Horticulture student at U of Guelph. Tree trunks develop strength by swaying in the wind and as well the trees will slowly establish more roots to allow it to survive without support as it naturally would if left alone. Staking with flexible ties is the preferred method provided they allow the tree to gently move See PROTECT next page

Genba—the place where value is added Loosely translated, the Japanese word Genba, sometimes Gemba, means “the actual place.” In business, Genba is the place where value is created, and in manufacturing it is that small, particular point in time when value is added to the product. It is not the collection of the wood and screws for the table. It is that important time when the screw is driven into the wood to put the leg on the table. With respect to the proposed Merritt Road extension, Genba is the Environmental Assessment and consultation now being undertaken by the Region.

Much has been made of the fact that the Merritt Road project will take a load off of Highway 20. That is probably true to a certain extent. In my mind, I believe there will be an economic liftoff, caused by pentup demand, in the almost

immediate future. I don’t really expect that the new traffic on 20 and Merritt is a zero sum game. I believe that, in fact, traffic will increase on both—driven by commerce and development on 20 and development on Merritt.

If you look deeply into the nature of a project, a project is not action. A project is a series of managed conversations that give rise to actions. The quality of our actions is governed very much by the quality of our conversations. On March 24, 2021, a very informative and well attended virtual meeting was held to discuss the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study for Merritt Road and Rice Road in Pelham, Thorold and Welland.

I believe we need to tend to the nature of our conversations in order to originate action on so many of the is-

sues facing us today. One of our most common topics is the loss of our small town atmosphere. Growth is going to happen. The task is to mold that growth around what we want for our Town.

You don’t have to listen very hard before you hear the commitments of our residents to design the future.

The scope of the project is See GENBA next page

PELHAM AND COVID-19 Mayor Marvin Junkin

New record in Pelham cases means caution still needed

A

ctive Covid cases in Pelham reached 121 on Saturday, which translated to 67.2 active confirmed cases per 10,000 population.

This number was the third highest in the Region, behind Welland and Port Colbourne, and another record high for Pelham. As of last week, some 90 percent of local cases were self-isolating at home, with no Pelham residents on ventilators.

The vaccine clinics held in Pelham at the MCC went extremely well, with over 900 vaccinations given per day.

Fire Chief and head of bylaw enforcement Bob Lymburner reports that there have been no incidents of significance anywhere in the Town, as residents are respecting the provincial protocols and adhering to self-distancing standards.

On the Regional level, 252,504 doses of the vaccine have been administered, with approximately 4600 doses being delivered daily.

Nearly one-third of all Niagara residents have received their first dose of the vaccine, although only 2.4 percent have received both shots. It must be remembered that the first shot supplies 80-85 percent of the total immunity, although not for at least two weeks after receiving it.

Broken down by age groups, 92 percent of all residents over the age of 75 have had their first shot, 80 percent of the 70-74 age group had

at least one dose, with the 65-69 age group being at 48 percent vaccinated with the first dose. The next age group, 60-64 year olds are at 44 percent, and the last group 40-59 year being at 23 percent vaccinated.

Daily new cases in the

I was very happy to see all flights from India and Pakistan terminated for 30 days

Region are hovering right around the 200 mark, with 189 as of last Friday, with our worst being 222 new cases in a single day. As of Saturday, there were 88 people with COVID in regional hospitals, with 15 in ICUs. Some of these patients were transported in from other regions of the province. Let’s hope that our low number of hospital admissions continues on and quickly decreases in the future. As regional vaccination numbers increase, this should be a likely scenario.

Provincial coronavirus stats continue to be very disappointing.

Daily new cases are around 4500 per

day, with the death toll being around 30 per day. There were 2287 COVID cases in hospitals throughout the province on April 23, with 818 of these being patients in ICUs, 593 of these being on ventilators. The last two numbers quoted were both higher the day before, while hospitalized numbers had decreased by 63 patients from the day before.

Nationally, Canada experienced 8372 new cases on April 22, with the seven-day average being 8444 new cases per day. As of April 23, there were 23,883 COVID-related deaths in Canada. Some 10.5 million Canadians have received at least one vaccine dose, with this number representing 28 percent of our total population. Like the regional number, the national number for those completely vaccinated is still very low at 2.6 percent.

Like many Canadians I was very happy to see all flights from India and Pakistan terminated for 30 days.

However, if the federal government had really wanted to something worthwhile, instead of banning planes they should have banned passports. There is a huge difference between the two.

With COVID running rampant throughout India it doesn’t make sense that we are allowing on average 700 citizens of that country into See JUNKIN next page

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The Voice A April 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Letters continued

PROTECT

continued from previous page

JUNKIN

SHOUT-OUT

Canada on a daily basis, most of these being students. If remote learning isn’t an option for these students, then schooling should be delayed until both nations have the coronavirus under control. rea mental health activist Steven Soos has initiated a federal petition, endorsed by Dean Allison, M.P. for Niagara West, calling for a study to declare a national mental health emergency.

Being a recipient of numerous emails from both Pelham and Niagara residents detailing their stresses with this pandemic, I fully support this initiative. Mr. Soos just recently presented a request to all area municipalities to support a similar action at the provincial level, which was passed by 11 of the 12 councils. For anyone feeling an immediate need for help, see the opposite page in this paper for a list of organizations ready to assist. Until next time... ◆

in, then being directed to another lady with a computer who was double checking information on my application, then followed the green arrow to the next lady who sent me to Valerie at station 17, who then asked me the usual questions about how did I feel, was I allergic to any medications, was I on any medications, and have I had an annual flu shot in the past two weeks. She put a sticky on my trousers that had the time of shot written on it, and before I knew it she had shot me and I was to go and sit in a chair with a paper on it, because it had been cleaned, and wait for 15 minutes, put up my hand to indicate time and then I was released to the exit lady who gave me a printout of what shot I had been given and the date. My husband had the same experience at the Meridian Centre except that he was too early for his appointment but that didn't stop him from being finished earlier either.

Bing bang bong and we're both done. In two weeks we are guaranteed to be 93 percent immunized, and will be 99 percent after the second shot we'll both get at the end of July. Although we've been fortunate enough to be healthy and wise about the last 18 months or so, it is an incredible feeling of relief to know that the scientists have made us even more safe regardless of what may come our way. We will continue to do our part in keeping ourselves and others around us as safe as possible, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't a train.

We are both incredibly thankful to all the nurses, doctors, and volunteers for all their diligence and expertise.

J & J Vlym Fonthill

continued from previous page

A

CRUCIAL

continued from Page 4 For those who might doubt the value of the contributions of their community newspaper might ask: Who has the most to lose if their community newspaper were to cease publication?

An interesting question and an even more interesting answer. ◆

and strengthen the trunk.

In some cases, it is practical to stake a tree after planting if the amount of top growth is high relative to its root area at time of planting. Tall trees with larger canopies and a small root ball at planting can use a bit of help but only for a year or two at most. It is important to remember, even in these instances staking is only needed for one year or two at the most then ties should be cut and stakes removed. The same is true for the bamboo training poles on some trees affixed using rubber ties.

After year two in the final planting spot, cut the rubber ties and remove the bamboo pole. [Ed. note: See provided photos at left.]

So, if you like trees planted by the Town or have some in your yard that have been staked—be kind and help the trees by at least removing or untying/cutting the support wires to allow the trunk to grow properly. Help the trees avoid being strangled and slowly killed over time! It takes many years to get a healthy mature tree, give it a hand and let it stand and grow on its own!

Kevin Ker, PhD Fenwick

continued from Page 4

GENBA

continued from previous page really quite considerable, starting with several land use policies, and it will have significant impacts on Merritt Road and I think the immediate area. I mentioned that a project is a series of managed conversations. The next phase is critical to the overall formulation of the project. This phase is where we can have conversations about possibilities.

Here we need to be enrolled in the new possibilities.

What we need here is a spirit of new frontiers to invent ways to protect our wetlands and natural assets.

Here is my most immediate wish list of possibilities. The current information includes cross-sections of the various road segments, including drainage and planting and furnishing zones. We need a commitment to Low Impact Development Features in these zones.

Low Impact Features are critical to our stormwater management and biodiversity.

There is a Public Information Centre in the spring and another in the summer. You can request to be added to the Study Contact List to receive notices of future consultations. You can visit the project website for updates at niagararegion.ca/projects/regional-road-37. It is important to take a look at these access points, if you have an interest. I think it is worthwhile because, remember, this is where the value is added. This is important.

I understand that over 100 people signed on to the first public consultation. That should considered a success by any standard. I am grateful to the staff at the Region for establishing this process. I believe they are committed and welcoming listeners.

Wayne Olson Pelham Town Councillor Ward 1

Judge dismisses Hummel lawsuit against NOTL Developer sought damages to offset revenue loss from building freeze

BY PENNY COLES Special to the Voice A provincial Superior Court judge has found no wrongdoing or bad faith in Niagara-on-the-Lake Town Council’s passing of an interim control bylaw within days of taking office. Developer Rainer Hummel of Hummel Properties was unsuccessful in his attempt to sue the Town for $500,000, plus costs, for a bylaw that put a temporary stop to development.

Hummel, who, in 2017, exposed the Town of Pelham’s land-for-development-charge- credits scheme in East Fonthill, argued that the NOTL bylaw was enacted illegally, and in bad faith. His lawsuit alleged the bylaw was not permitted under the Planning Act, that there was no review of planning policies undertaken — a necessary component of the hold on development — and that the timing of the bylaw approval, at a special council meeting two days after council members were sworn in after the 2018 election, meant it was discussed improperly and did not follow the proper process.

On Nov. 22, 2018, which was after the election but before the official swearing in of council on Dec. 3, Lord Mayor Betty Disero asked staff to draft an interim control bylaw.

After the new council was sworn in, its inaugural meeting was adjourned to the next regular meeting of Dec. 17, “or to a special meeting at the call of the Lord Mayor,” the

judge wrote in his decision. On Dec. 4, Disero, at the request of a majority of councillors, called a special meeting for Dec. 5.

“Under the procedural bylaw, that was short notice, but it was permitted for an emergency meeting,” Ramsay’s judgment says. At the meeting of Dec. 5, council resolved to commission a study of land use planning policies. Then it enacted the interim control bylaw, which prohibited subdivision or condominium approval and zoning changes in the Old Town, Ramsay said in his judgment.

To the issue of the land use review, necessary to justify an interim control bylaw, Ramsay points to public meetings and consultations that followed, along with the commissioning of a study of some of the City of Markham’s policies, and a report on them, all of which delayed the adopting of the Official Plan update, which was intended to be completed by April 1, 2019. The summary of public sub-missions and the staff review of planning uses was discussed by council at its August 2019 meeting, the judgment says, and a draft Official Plan was approved. A revision was enacted by council in October, 2019, but would not take effect until appeals were exhausted.

During this time the interim control bylaw was freezing Old Town development, but was to expire on Dec. 5, 2019, and was extended until Nov. 11, 2020. The interim control

Rainer Hummel, right, waits to speak before Regional Council on June 29, 2017, while then-Pelham Mayor David Augustyn, left, makes another in a series of unsuccessful attempts to prevent Hummel's presentation on the Town’s land-forcredits scheme from being heard.

VOICE FILE bylaw was repealed before that, in June, 2020, after the Official Plan amendment went into effect. Ramsay writes that because the bylaw was repealed, Hummel’s assertions that the Dec. 5 meeting of council and the interim control bylaw did not meet the requirements of the planning act are moot, and that the municipality is free from any liability because it did not act in bad faith.

However Ramsay went on to address the issues of illegality, finding none, and bad faith, again finding no evidence of that. The Lord Mayor was permitted to call the emergency council meeting, he says, and it was held in public, as required under the Planning Act. Although

mention was made of the Director of Planning not being aware of any emergency, “that does not matter,” and “interim control is by its nature urgent,” Ramsay says, adding that Hummel’s argument as “essentially that the Town did not comply with a number of imaginary conditions related to enacting an interim control bylaw."

Issues in the application against the Town include that there were two interim control bylaws at the same time, referring to one freezing cannabis-related land use, which Ramsay says was for a different purpose, and does not contravene legislation; and that the extension was illegal once the Official Plan amendment had been approved,

which he also says is not restricted by the Planning Act. He lists five different charges by Hummel that the Town acted in bad faith — that the bylaw was driven by the Lord Mayor outside of the proper council process and not completed in public; that council failed to comply with its procedural bylaw regarding the announcement of the Dec. 5 meeting; that the meeting agenda was cryptic and misleading; that the bylaw was not supported by staff; and that the extension of the bylaw as enacted was without any basis and contrary to a staff recommendation.

Ramsay dismisses each of those allegations, and says, “on the whole of the evidence the case for bad faith strikes me as contrived.” He says that council wanted to preserve the Old Town’s heritage and considered the matter urgent, freezing the status quo, considering studies and public input, amending the Official Plan and then repealing the interim control bylaw.

“That is essentially what they were supposed to do.”

Hummel and the Town are to make written submissions to deal with costs. Neither Hummel nor Lord Mayor Betty Disero would comment on the decision. Disero said that she and others at the Town have been asked not to speak publicly until they have met with their lawyers. Hummel told the Voice that he was, “in the process of applying to the court of appeal and can make no comment at this time.”

With files from Dave Burket.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

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The Voice A April 28 2021

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

Kore breaks with faction, supports Junkin’s erosion project

BY JOHN CHICK Voice Correspondent Pelham Town Council voted 4-3 at its April 19 virtual meeting to go forward with spending up to $70,000 to immediately address erosion issues in the vicinity of Highway 20 and Rice Road.

The plan was brought forward

by Mayor Marvin Junkin, who initially raised alarm bells last year that water from the drainage pond north of the community centre — colloquially known as “Lake Augustyn,” after the former mayor in office during its construction — had severely eroded the downstream properties of Pelham Cares and the Fonthill Lion’s Club.

The decision last week to act immediately also went against staff advice to perform an erosion study first, with Junkin successfully arguing that there wasn’t enough time, and that erosion was already obvious.

“That study is like having someone tell you after you after you’ve turn the stove on, and the element is red-hot, ‘Can you please touch that and tell me if it’s hot?’” the Mayor said.

Public Works Director Jason Marr had proposed instead spending just under $8,000 on a study, which would jeopardize pushing the solution project into next year.

This staff report came after the engineers and contractors responsible for the pond’s construction found no fault in its operation.

Disregarding standard protocol, Ward 3 Councillor Lisa Haun pushed Marr on what his overall

personal opinion was, with the director only replying that an erosion study on the area hasn’t been conducted since 2015.

CAO David Cribbs interjected, saying that, “The staff report report is indicative of the mindset of the employees, and is always the preferred course of action.”

Junkin said the $60,000 to $70,000 figure was deduced after consulting closely with Niagara College Geographic Information System professor Ian Smith—who is also the president of Lydian Environmental Consulting — on the matter, as well as with the environmental advocacy group Trout Unlimited, given the environmental sensitivity of the outflow creek north of Highway 20.

Members then voted 4-3 in favour of Junkin’s motion, with Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore breaking with political allies Haun, Bob Hildebrandt and Marianne Stewart, who voted against. Junkin, Kore, Wayne Olson and John Wink supported.

With that matter determined, council then awkwardly had to deal with the staff report for the $8,000 erosion study.

Cribbs suggested simply receiving the report, on which staff would take no action.

“Quite clearly, none of you can vote for it as it will provide us with conflicting instructions,” he said.

Hildebrandt concurred, stating that he was actually in favour of the Mayor’s motion.

“Even though I didn’t support it, I did support it because I just wanted another report,” the Ward

3 Councillor said.

“The reason the motion ahead of us did not [work] … we did not feel we had time to do the erosion

Even though I didn't support it, I did support it, because I just wanted another report

study,” Junkin added. “We knew that the erosion had taken place, we know that it’s serious, and if wasn’t caused by the water from [Town property] then I don’t know what caused it, because there was no mark of UFOs landing there.”

Haun, however, had concerns about the scope of the project. “I don’t know how you tender something with this many unknowns,” she said.

Junkin replied that the scope was known, and mildly criticized Marr for not voicing that.

“I had this talk with Public Works this afternoon, so I’m quite surprised he doesn’t remember this, but we decided that the scope of work was from Highway 20 to the boundary line of [the Lion’s Club].”

Councillors unanimously voted to receive the study report and do nothing with it. The overall proj-

ect will be implemented as a design-build contract and could be completed by fall.

Motion to push Region for planning delay passes

A motion by Stewart and Haun to ask Niagara Region to delay release of its Official Plan passed, with Ward 2 Councillor John Wink joining Stewart, Haun, Kore, and Hildebrandt in support. Junkin and Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Olson were against.

The controversial measure is rooted in a contention that residents haven’t had enough input with the Region due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Junkin attempted to discredit that notion, using empirical data.

“Niagara residents do not get excited about the Official Plan to the point where they want to come out and talk about it,” the Mayor said. He cited that before the pandemic in 2019, the Region’s planning department held five separate open houses.

“Altogether, those five open houses over the course of that summer had 132 people [show up].

Which I agree with you, it’s a disgrace, there’s 460,000 residents in the Niagara Region, and how many are voting I honestly don’t know.”

Pelham’s Regional Councillor Diana Huson echoed those comments in a Voice commentary last week, saying the Region has exhaustively courted public opinion.

Haun argued at the meeting that the Official Plan was too important of a planning document.

“Not a week goes that I don’t

have constituents emailing or calling me, disgraced by what is happening to their town, to their region,” Haun said. “They want to have more say in it. It’s always to do with development.”

Haun added that she and Stewart were taking their cue from other municipalities such as Halton Hills, which also asked for a delay from the province’s Official Plan deadline.

However, as Huson pointed out, Niagara hasn’t had a comprehensive review of its Official Plan in more than 50 years. Junkin said Halton Hills had done so in the last 15.

The Region is scheduled to release a draft policy of the Official Plan in May. It’s unknown yet how Pelham’s motion will affect this.

Both of Pelham’s Regional councillors—Junkin and Huson—have told the Voice that they will vote against accepting Pelham Town Council’s request for a delay.

Olson opened the virtual meeting by immediately calling a point of order on Haun’s motion to rescind the previous Council’s decision to move to upload the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport to the Region.

Olson said that because Haun receives a stipend for her work on the airport’s board along with representatives from neighbouring municipalities, she could be at risk of a conflict of interest.

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The Voice A April 28 2021

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COUNCIL

Solar down the road

continued from previous page “I would suggest that Councillor Haun would like to consult with the Integrity Commissioner,” Olson said.

A perturbed Haun asked Cribbs for his opinion, to which the CAO replied, “Staff are clearly not allowed to provide advice on the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.” Haun wondered aloud if previous Pelham representatives on the airport board had to declare conflicts of interests, but the present issue comes at a time when some Pelham residents and elected officials are questioning its financial commitment to the aerodrome.

Haun, meanwhile, has become a staunch proponent of the Town keeping the airfield, getting into a fiery argument with Junkin over the matter at a December meeting.

“My only goal is to do the work of Pelham taxpayers,” Haun said.

“It’s disappointing to know this is the angle that is being taken.”

For her part, Huson told councillors during her presentation that Regional staff were continuing to work on a long-term airport master plan. “We’re not a point where a decision is going to be made by council on whether or not the Region wants to upload,” she said.

Haun’s item was removed from the public agenda while she presumably consults with the Integrity Commissioner.

No integrity report

Councillor Kore appeared confused by the lack of an Integrity Commissioner’s report on a former Town employee’s complaint against staff. The Integrity Commissioner had recently decided that a complaint filed by former Treasurer Cari Pupo was not with-

Pelham Town Council's April 19 meeting, held virtually over Zoom. in that department’s mandate.

The complaint was not related to Pupo’s past employment, but instead regarded her engagements with Town staff over a 2019 neighbourhood property dispute.

Kore insisted that the report be made public, to which Cribbs stressed there was no report, because the Integrity Commissioner had deemed it out of their jurisdiction.

“There isn’t a report, is what I’m trying to communicate,” the CAO said.

“I just want to read the report,” Kore said. “We paid him to do a report, there must be a report somewhere.”

At which point Director of Community Planning and Development Barb Wiens interjected—with her Zoom camera off and perhaps not realizing her microphone was on—to exasperatedly exclaim, “There is no report!”

Pride benches coming

Despite early reservations from some members, council unani-

mously voted to approve, funds permitting, the addition two rainbow-coloured park benches in honour of June’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month —along with raising the Pride flag outside of Town Hall.

In opening remarks that briefly threatened to veer into uncomfortable territory, Hildebrandt and Stewart voiced objections to the idea, but later supported it.

“I might as well start this off, since I’m the supreme conservative of the group—perceived maybe, perceived conservative of the group,” Hildebrandt said. “Therefore, I’m not going to spend any money we don’t have the budget for, so we’re raising the flag on a flagpole we purposely installed for such an occasion.”

Pelham added two flagpoles outside Town Hall in 2019 after complaints came from some quarters that event flags—although specifically the Pride flag— were periodically usurping the Canadian flag on the single flagpole, despite there being a second flagpole on the other side of the building that contin-

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Stewart said she was uncomfortable devoting more resources to one group over others.

“I’m not in actual disagreement with benches, but I think the issue is, this is one particular group and we have so many other groups that participate in the Town in various ways,” the Ward 1 councillor said. “And I think it could become somewhat of a slippery slope if we dedicate a bench or spend some money on some other way to recognize each of these events.”

After Wink asked and was told that unspent funds were available in the parks budget, Junkin spoke in favour of the idea of inclusion.

“My own feelings are that we should, as a Town, do more as elected officials,” the Mayor said.

“We represent every aspect of this community, every person. I’d like to go with Councillor Wink’s idea.”

Marr then clarified that while park bench money had been earmarked, there was still a surplus for Pride benches— along with the likelihood of paid sponsorships.

Olson asked staff to return a report later this year on the possibility of converting the community centre to solar power in the future. Hildebrandt, who sits on the Utility Sustainability Committee, welcomed the idea of a report, pointing out complaints with current hydro rates.

Marr added that the Town’s engineering department has solar LED streetlights as part of their 20-year forecast. Noted by both councillors and staff was the likelihood that more green energy grants and funding from upper levels of government will come online as climate change continues to influence policymaking.

Wink suggested that when the time comes, it may be worth investigating the possibility of solar power for all Town buildings.

The Good, the Bad, the Old

Fire Chief Bob Lymburner reported that 134,679 doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been dispensed in Niagara as of April 19.

Parks, trails and playgrounds remained open, although CAO Cribbs stressed to residents that playground equipment is not being sanitized. Sports fields and courts, including the skateboard park, remained closed.

“But it can’t be all bad,” Cribbs summarized at the end of his COVID-19 update, notifying council that in their ongoing quest to digitize all Town records, a Pelham cemetery record from 1811 had been unearthed from the archives.

“We’re confident that this can’t get beat as far as age goes,” Cribbs said. “[It predates] Canada and the War of 1812.”

Plans to frame the document may be underway.

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Page 9

The Voice A April 28 2021

ANOTHER ROUND

by JOHN PICCOLO

On balance, keeping courses closed the right call

I

have taught part time at Niagara College in the quiet (non-golfing) season in various capacities for close to two decades now. One of my courses is called Business Ethics, and one of the first things we discuss is how to make decisions on ethical issues. One of the main theories discussed is Utilitarianism, which most guess correctly on the exam as, “the greatest good for the greatest number.” To prove to my students this is not useless knowledge they will never use again, I am going to employ the theory on our provincial government’s decision to close down golf courses during this latest lockdown.

Pros: One of the few economic activities that seem to be of very little risk of spreading COVID. (The latest MIT study finds there is virtually no risk of catching the disease outside unless you are jammed together for extended periods of time, i.e., at a general admission concert.) Keeps some cash flowing in the economy. Looks like Maple Leaf players won’t be competing for tee times for awhile, keeping crowds down. Gives golfers something to look forward to. Gives golfers’ non-golfing spouses something to look forward to, as

in getting rid of a grumpy golfer for five or six hours.

Cons: When golf opened last year most everyone was exceedingly careful to follow the rules about driving separately to the course, not sharing carts with those outside your household, and

We forgot how lucky we all are to continue doing what we do when many, many others cannot

not hauling a six-pack of booze where the 12-pack of golf balls is supposed to be in your golf bag. We were just happy to be able to get out and play. That definitely slid on all sides. Courses became complacent. Players became complacent. We forgot how lucky we all are to continue doing what we do when many, many others cannot. This diligence has to return.

No matter how safe golf seems to be, don’t forget there is some basis for not having thousands of people

moving around the region or province to whack their balls around. The more kms driven the more likely there will be accidents.

That’s a fact. Where do you put accident victims when the ICUs are shuttling more patients around the province by helicopter than in a M*A*S*H episode? Our prices to play golf in Niagara are much cheaper than the GTA, which, combined with people wanting a change of scenery, leads to people travelling outside their region to play golf, which brings in other spreader issues.

It is not black and white.

Some working ridiculous hours in healthcare, under tremendous strain, might be appalled if they drive by a golf course on their way home and see hundreds going about life as if things are normal. For others in the health and essential worker community, golf might be the break they need to have a bit of normal.

Personally I haven’t been this responsibility-free at this time of year for a long, long while, so that is a benefit. Of course having no responsibilities also means having no income, which is entered on the cost side of the ledger. I’ve always been See CLOSED Page 17

Jeremy Julie, Director at Sawmill Golf Course in Fenwick, his wife Carrie, and children Meg and Ben are eager to tee off.

JULIE FAMILY

Golf family's plea to Premier widely shared NICHOLAS TIBOLLO Special to the Voice In mid April, the Ford government put forward several new restrictions and regulations in its most recent effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario. While some of the more draconian elements of the preventative order were quickly walked back following widespread backlash, most of the new measures made it past public outcry—including the closure of golf courses.

Many were, and remain, perplexed by the inclusion.

Few physical activities are as pandemic-friendly as golf. With more than 26 million rounds played in Ontario last season, not a single transmission of COVID-19 between players was reported.

As sportswriter and radio host Damien Cox recently wrote in the Toronto Star, “the game has social distancing built in.” It’s played outdoors over an expansive playing field, participants contend in groups of no more than four people,

everyone uses their own equipment, and nothing is passed (like a ball or a puck) from one player to the next.

Countless people from across the province have come out in support of the Ford government reversing its decision to shutter courses, everyone from medical doctors, to professional athletes of the sport, to local enthusiasts and weekend warriors.

Two online petitions beseeching the province to allow golf courses to reopen have garnered tens of thousands of signatures to date, with one nearing 50,000 supporters.

Last Monday, a golf course-owning family from Pelham released a short video on social media that has since gone viral.

In the half-minute clip, Carrie Julie, of Sawmill Golf Course, and her two children—Ben, age 11, and Meg, age 8—remind the provincial government that “golf is a safe outdoor activity” and implore the premier to “please open golf courses in Ontario.”

See PLEA Page 17

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Page 10

The Voice A April 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

RISING ANEW It was 1830 when an inn was first constructed on what was then called Canboro Road, in Osborne Corners. By 2017, long left to slowly deteriorate, the many-times-altered building was judged unrepairable and without heritage value by Pelham Town Council, paving the way, as it were, for local contractor and Pelham resident John Vanderweyden to step in. Working with designer Todd Barber and architect Jason Pizzicarola, Vanderweyden’s project has gotten seriously underway in recent weeks. When finished, the building will contain two commercial units on the ground floor, and seven dwelling units—three per floor on two floors, and one at grade in the back.

RENDERING COURTESY TODD BARBER

WINDOW SCHEDULE

DOOR SCHEDULE DOOR

SIZE MARK 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 010 011 012 013 014 015 016 017 018 019 020 021 022 023 024

COUNT 4 13 3 6 1 1 1 5 3 7 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 4 1 2

WD 30" 32" 38" 36" 38" 38" 36" 36" 38" 36" 36" 36" 36" 36" 36" 38" 36" 38" 38" 38" 38" 48" 68" 32"

HGT 80" 80" 80" 80" 80" 80" 80" 80" 80" 80" 80" 96" 96" 96" 96" 96" 96" 80" 80" 96" 96" 80" 96" 80"

THK 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 3/4" 1 1/2" 1 3/4" 1 3/4" 1 3/4" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2" 1 1/2"

MATL WD WD WD H.M. H.M. H.M. H.M. H.M. H.M. H.M. H.M. ALUM/GLASS ALUM/GLASS ALUM/GLASS ALUM/GLASS ALUM/GLASS ALUM/GLASS H.M. H.M. ALUM/GLASS ALUM/GLASS WD ALUM/GLASS WD

FRAME DETAIL on A302 TYPE SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH SINGLE FLUSH DBL FLUSH SLIDER SINGLE FLUSH

INSULATED GLAZING NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO YES NO YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES NO NO YES YES YES YES NO YES YES NO

MATL WD WD WD H.M. H.M. H.M. H.M. H.M. H.M. H.M. H.M. ALUM. ALUM. ALUM. ALUM. ALUM. ALUM. H.M. H.M. ALUM. ALUM. WD ALUM. WD

HEAD 11 11 11 4 4 6 4 6 4 4 4 9 6 9 6 6 6 6 6 9 9 11 9 11

JAMB 12 12 12 5 5 7 5 7 5 5 5 9 7 9 7 7 7 7 7 9 9 12 9 12

FIRE RATING 0 0 0 45 MIN 45 MIN 45 MIN 45 MIN 45 MIN 45 MIN 45 MIN 45 MIN 45 MIN 1.5 H 45 MIN 45 MIN 45 MIN 1.5 H 45 MIN 45 MIN 1.5 H 45 MIN 0 0 0

DOOR HARDWARE DOOR HARDWARE DOOR PUSH/ RELEASE KICK DOOR PRIVACY H.W. PULL PLATE CLOSER LOCK

DEAD BOLT

Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes

Mark Count Description 1 4 SINGLE CASEMENT 2 4 SINGLE CASEMENT 3 2 SINGLE CASEMENT 4 2 SINGLE CASEMENT 5 18 SINGLE CASEMENT 6 18 SINGLE CASEMENT Grand total: 48

NOTES

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Width 32" 32" 36" 36" 36" 36"

Height 72" 72" 60" 60" 72" 72"

Yes

Yes

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes

Yes

Level 2ND FLOOR 3RD FLOOR 2ND FLOOR 3RD FLOOR 2ND FLOOR 3RD FLOOR

Comments

NOTES: 1. WINDOWS SHALL BE THERMALLY BROKEN ALUMINUM FRAME w/ INSULATED GLASS w/ LOW-E COATING & ARGON FILLED (SOLARBAN 60) 2. USE LOW EXPANDING FOAM AROUND PERIMETER OF WINDOWS/DOORS.

1/4 GLASS

Yes Yes Yes Yes

Head Height 8' - 0" 8' - 0" 8' - 0" 8' - 0" 8' - 0" 8' - 0"

3. EXTERIOR DOORS SHALL HAVE WEATHER STRIPPING, CLOSER & LOCK SETS.

HALF GLASS HALF GLASS HALF GLASS

No

JASON PIZZICAROLA DESIGN - ARCHITECTS INC 209 RIDGE ROAD N RIDGEWAY, ONTARIO, L0S 1N0 T. 905-894-8300 F. 905-894-8400 e-mail jpizzicarola@jpdesign.ca

4. EXTERIOR DOORS SHALL BE INSULATED & THERMALLY BROKEN. 5. ROUGH OPENINGS TO BE COORDINATED BY CONTRACTOR. 6. WRAP ALL OPENINGS w/ BLUESKIN PRIOR TO WINDOW INSTALL.

CERTIFICATE OF PRACTICE : # 4053 Yes

011

30"

T.O. PARAPET 36' - 4"

BRICK MASONRY

T.O. ROOF 32' - 3"

BRICK MASONRY

GLASS ENCLOSURE

6

6

6

6

6

015

6

6

6

6

6

42"

013

3RD FLOOR 22' - 6"

GLASS ENCLOSURE

5

013

5

5

5

5

016

5

5

5

5

5

STEEL OVERHANG

21"

21"

CAST-IRON 42" HIGH RAILING (OR APPROVED EQUAL)

3' - 0"

3' - 0"

2ND FLOOR 12' - 9"

3"

6' - 0"

CW1

CW12

CW8

A= 62 ft²

A= 44 ft²

A= 62 ft²

CW11

7' - 4"

7' - 4"

BRICK MASONRY STONE MASONRY

A= 34.44 ft²

CW10

CW8

CW9

A= 22 ft²

CW8

A= 44 ft²

A= 62 ft²

014

CW7

A= 44 ft²

ALUMINUM GLAZING SYSTEM

A= 58.67 ft²

021

STONE MASONRY

3' - 0 3/4"

023

ALUM. GLAZING SYSTEM

1ST FLOOR 0' - 0"

10' - 0"

NORTH FIRE COMPARTMENT 1

NORTH F.C. 2

NORTH FIRE COMPARTMENT 3

Backhoes sat idle at the job site last Sunday afternoon. Builder John Vanderweyden tells the Voice that some 2000 cubic meters of soil—about 100 dump trucks' worth— has been taken away to make room for the new structure's foundation, and an elevator shaft.

DAVE BURKET PHOTO ILLUSTRATION EAST FIRE COMPARTMENT 2

EAST FIRE COMPARTMENT 1

3

EAST ELEVATION (RIGHT) 3/16" = 1'-0"

NORTH ELEVATION (REAR) 3/16" = 1'-0"

4' - 7"

6

4

30"

4' - 1"

T.O. PARAPET 36' - 4" BRICK MASONRY

T.O. ROOF 32' - 3"

PROPOSED 3 STOREY BUILDING

BRICK MASONRY

4

2

2

2

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

6

GLASS ENCLOSURE

1 HIGHWAY 20, PELHAM, ON

42"

017

2

3RD FLOOR 22' - 6"

1

1

1

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

42"

STEEL OVERHANG

6' - 0"

CW8

A= 44 ft²

6' - 0"

CW4

A= 62 ft²

020

STONE MASONRY

ALUM. GLAZING SYSTEM

CW3

A= 39.11 ft²

A= 55.11 ft²

CW1 021

A= 62 ft²

CW1

A= 62 ft²

CW1

A= 62 ft²

CW1

A= 62 ft²

CAST-IRON COLUMN (OR APPROVED EQUAL)

CW6

A= 55.61 ft²

ELEVATIONS

ALUM. GLAZING SYSTEM

012

1ST FLOOR 0' - 0" 4' - 2"

WEST FIRE COMPARTMENT 2

PERMIT SHEET TITLE:

WEST FIRE COMPARTMENT 3

1 SOUTHT ELEVATION (FRONT) 3/16" = 1'-0"

WB DATE:

08/03/21

3/16" = 1'-0" JOB #:

20054

DRAWN BY: SCALE:

2 WEST ELEVATION (LEFT) 3/16" = 1'-0"

Date

STONE MASONRY

4' - 4"

CW2

3' - 0 3/4"

WEST FIRE COMPARTMENT 1

Description

ALUMINUM AWNING

8' - 0"

10' - 4 3/4"

CW5

A= 66 ft²

6' - 0"

7' - 4"

9' - 0"

7' - 4"

7' - 4"

CW8

A= 44 ft²

No.

CAST-IRON 42" HIGH RAILING (OR APPROVED EQUAL)

2ND FLOOR 12' - 9"

3' - 5" 8' - 2"

12.3

1

32' - 3"

017

40' - 6"

3

11.1

36' - 4"

GLASS ENCLOSURE

3

SHEET NO:

Elevation Plans for 1 Hwy 20, Fonthill, west and south (front) facing views. The exterior will be all masonry.

A200

D:\2020\20054-1 Hwy 20 John Forestgreen\Highway 20 Apartments - Mar 8 2021.rvt

SUPPLIED

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice A April 28 2021

Page 11

Artists display their best online Pelham Art Festival runs May 1 - 15

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Featuring nationally acclaimed Canadian artists, the Pelham Art Festival will run online from May 1 to May 15.

The 2020 festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but 60 artists are involved this year, and each will have their own interactive page on the revised website.

Four participating artists are profiled below, with samples of their work.

Fine arts on visual display will include not just paintings, but ceramics, glassworks, jewelry, and sculpture.

Details are available by contacting festival chair Heidi TeBrake at 905-328-8177, or at the festival’s website, pelhamartfestival.com

Maria Iva

Maria is a nature lover and hiker, who finds her inspiration in exploring provincial parks and conservation areas of Southern Ontario. She often paints scenes on site with soft pastels on sanded paper, and later recreates them on canvas in her studio in oil with a palette knife, richly textured and colored.

“Using wet-on-wet technique, I apply thick palette knife strokes that create depth and detail. I use clean, vibrant colors that allow me to demonstrate the effect of sunlight on the scene,” she said.

After having a career in education, Maria has achieved a professional level that allows her to exhibit and sell her work. She says her goal is to express her emotional reaction to natural scenes using loose strokes and strong colors.

She is a member of the Society of Canadian Artists and a Master Signature Member of Pastel Artist Canada. She lives and works in Mississauga.

Angela Sirrs

Angela and her husband Fred are fused glass artists. Her work Sunset Birches is composed of multiple layers of transparent and opaque glass, arranged as a collage and fired in a kiln multiple times to create the scene. The birch trees and shrubs are made separately and kiln-fired on the completed background.

“As a retired kindergarten teacher, I apply my love of play to create collages in glass—landscapes, home décor and wearable art,” she said. “Through art classes and studies in glass fusion and jewellery-making techniques, I

WAIT, ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BE COLD CROPS? Contributor Brian Green came across some likely confused apricot trees and a field of garlic last Wednesday in Fenwick, when an unusually late spring storm dropped a good 10 cm of snow on Niagara.

BRIAN GREEN

have become versatile in the use of a variety of glass fusing techniques.”

John Davidson

After a successful career sharing his love of photography as a professor in the School of Media, Art and Design, at Durham College, John Davidson continues to offer tutoring for small groups and individuals in the Toronto area.

“Through my lens, I see things differently…and when you see things differently, that’s where the magic begins,” he said.

Although immersed for many years in the world of digital photography, Davidson says he revisits his roots on occasion, and dabbles in film and printing to augment his artistic work.

“My Fujifilm and Nikon cameras are constant companions, but I am still drawn to old friends, my medium format and 35mm film cameras. There is just something so tactile and visually pleasing about film,” he said.

“It’s the mysterious magic that is revealed once the negative is processed…the expressions of light and darkness, laughter and stillness, beauty and chaos. The stories they tell…moments before, during, or after the storm.

Rosemarie Armstrong

Atmosphere, earth, and water are the elements which inspire Armstrong’s artistic practice, as her oil paintings depict the constant transformation of the natural world. An artist for some four decades, her seascape and landscape paintings reflect her use of light, colour, and composition.

“My paintings celebrate movement, textures, and images abundant in nature, but often unseen due to their fleeting nature,” said Armstrong. “Contrasting themes of turbulence, serenity, darkness, and illumination underscore the emotional connection to our environment.”

Armstrong believes that creativity, in all its forms, can draw attention to critical global issues such as climate change. “Artists can help the public to engage with issues of environmental destruction and degradation through their artistic images and conversation,” she said.

Her paintings are featured in numerous private collections and publications around the globe.

Above, Mercury Rising, John Davidson.

Far left, Haliburton Marsh, Maria Iva. Left, Sunset Birches, Angela Sirrs. Below, Heatwave, Rosemary Armstrong.

SUPPLIED

Page 12

The Voice A April 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

WINTER’S LAST BLAST Reader Gayle Baltjes-Chataway didn’t let last Wednesday’s arctic reminder that it’s April in Ontario stop her and a friend from hiking 16 km through the snow along the Bruce Trail in Short Hills Provincial Park. The friend—who wishes to be known only as a Short Hills Hiker—took a moment to record this scene, which he describes as, “The invasion of man’s need for power, placing these steel monsters in a forest of trees.”

SHORT HILLS HIKER PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

COVID-19 Safe Practices

GARDEN CENTRE

S UNDAY OPEN S

OPENING FRIDAY, APRIL 30!

In-store shopping

PERMITTED!

HANGING BASKETS! VEGGIES! FRUIT TREES! Autopark Rice Road

Bloomin’ Crazy

FONTHILL

Merritville Hwy.

Hwy 20 East

Open 7 days a week Mon-Sat 9 - 6, Sun 9 -5 230 Hwy 20 E. Fonthill VISA, MC, & DEBIT

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Page 13

The Voice A April 28 2021

2021’s virtual Earth Day

gain a deeper sense of the environment and some of the issues it faces occurred on March 22, which was World Water Day. The St. Ann community participated in the Great Gulp, which encouraged students to bring in reusable water bottles. The goal was to educate students on the importance of using eco-friendly alternatives to plastic bottles.

“In our classrooms, teachers remind students to be good stewards of the Earth and continue to help emphasize what our Eco team does throughout the school.”

Local elementaries devote April and beyond to green initiatives

BY MEGAN METLER Voice Correspondent Thursday, April 22 marked the 51st annual Earth Day. Although students were unable to participate in person on that day, due to the current stay-at-home order, the celebration still encouraged a lot of action.

Despite having to alter their plans for the actual Earth Day, many schools in Pelham have already been taking time over the month of April to observe “Earth Month.” This way they could spread their projects and events over a larger timeframe to expand what they could achieve. For the weeks leading up to the official day, schools reported that they had been starting conversations about the planet, encouraging and leading students in ecobased activities, and working together to make a difference at their school and in the community.

On top of their specific plans to celebrate during the month, students continued the green initiatives already in place during the school year, like litter-free lunches, “lights out” hours, and Good On One Side (G. O. O. S.) paper bins. Outdoor cleanups, school gardens and nature walks were some of the initiatives that schools were involved in leading up to Earth Day, and that are planned to continue throughout the remainder of April, or, in some cases, as a regular occurrence year-round.

The elementary schools in Pelham—St. Alexander, St. Ann, A.K. Wigg, Glynn A. Green and Wellington Heights—all celebrated Earth Day last week and demonstrated their love for the planet in different ways and through their own unique activities.

St. Alexander aims to educate students

Many of St. Alexander’s regular eco-initiatives have been unable to run since last March when schools closed down the fi rst time, and due to the most recent closure their Earth Day celebrations had to be altered as well.

The principal of St. Alexander, Yvonne Benyo, told the Voice that eco-initiatives are usually a huge part of their school and they have numerous programs that normally run throughout the year and coincide with Earth Month, but because of COVID they have been put on pause.

“So recycling and those types of things we can’t do because we can’t mix cohorts and can’t be in other people’s classrooms,” said Benyo. “We feel like it prevents that whole-school community that brings kids together as a unified cause. It’s unfortunate.”

Their whole-school plans for Earth Day originally consisted of a prayer ser-

vice and each class planting the flower that they had in their classrooms into the outdoor garden.

With the change to virtual learning, classes did prayer services individually and were not able to participate in the planting. Despite the changes to their celebration, teachers were able to engage their students in other ways during at-home learning.

A Grade 1/2 split teacher at St. Alexander’s, Jessica Mastroianni, gave her students time during the week of Earth Day to choose fun activities to complete and learn new things through a choice board. On the board were links to Earth-related research, books, a video and activities like making a poster or video, as well as participating in an Earth Day scavenger hunt or art contest. On the April 22, Mastroianni and her class took part in a virtual book reading by author Evelyn Bookless, who shared her book, “Captain Green and The Tree Machine,” which focuses on deforestation.

“We joined their Zoom and we listened to the author talk about her story, read the story and then talk about different ways that people and children can get involved by planting trees, reusing paper and being more Earth-friendly,” Mastroianni said.

Tracy Goodwin, a kindergarten teacher and Eco Team supervisor at St. Alexander, has been educating her students on pollinators and their importance in the weeks before the official day. A few weeks ago she and her class visited the Steve Bauer Trail and left seed packets of wildflowers along the path with a sign they had made. The goal was for people who came across them to take one home to plant in their gardens to help the pollinators.

On Earth Day, Goodwin’s class used recycled items at their houses for a pollinator craft. Bees, butterfl ies, bats and ladybugs were made from all sorts of materials, like toilet paper rolls, egg cartons and other things found in their blue bins.

Through her role in St. Alexander’s Eco Team, Goodwin has helped students run countless initiatives and programs in past years such as the Walking School Bus, a reusable straw campaign, EcoSchools, and more.

The Walking School Bus promotes an emission-free alternative to students getting driven to school. A volunteer would walk around the neighbourhood, pick up the kids that live nearby and they would walk to and from school together. Last year, Goodwin assisted students with their campaign to sell stainless steel straws to make a larger impact with their litter-less lunch program and limit their waste.

“A part of the straw program was that we could have litter-less lunches, or it’s sometimes called a ‘boomerang lunch,’ which means whatever they bring to school, they bring it home again, so there’s very little garbage,” she said.

This program and the many others they organize have led them to be a top school in EcoSchools Canada. Benyo said that St. Alexander regularly receives the platinum certificate, which is the highest level.

Benyo expressed the importance of educating students on Earth-related issues and guiding them to understand that helping the planet is not only reserved for one day or large initiatives.

“I think it’s hugely important that kids understand how many things actually have to do with Earth Day, it’s not just about conserving energy and turning out the lights, it’s all those little choices that are made each day.”

St. Ann students get their hands dirty

During April, students at St. Ann school in Fenwick have spent lots of time outdoors appreciating the warmer weather and participating in activities to look after their green spaces. This has included planting in their outdoor gardens, cleaning up forest areas and taking nature walks.

“Students have been busy planting flowers around the school and cleaning up the gardens. As well, they have planted various types of plants near the portables,” St. Ann principal Paul Moccia told the Voice.

The Eco Team at St. Ann’s was in charge of the Earth Day activities and had some fun ideas for students to engage in on Thursday. A nature walk for each grade was planned, as well as an environmental superhero activity, which was to draw a hero with a special skill or power to help the environment. Students in all grades were going to create rock painting crafts to be put in the gardens as well.

Maria Tremeer, a Grade 1/2 split teacher at St. Ann’s, said that with students learning from home, this day was a little different than most, with teachers reading Earth-related stories online and students coming up with regular activities that they can do with their families at home to help the Earth.

“In the past, we may have used this day to collect garbage along the side of Canboro Road or listen to a presentation about battery recycling,” said Tremeer, “The kids at St. Ann have always been very conscientious about taking care of the Earth and the environment around them. The students regularly clean up the schoolyard and plant flowers and trees.”

Not only have St. Ann students been taking ac-

A.K. Wigg, Glynn A. Green and Wellington Heights aim at making a difference

A St. Alexander kindergarten student displays his pollinator craft made out of recycled materials.

SUPPLIED tion for Earth Day, but numerous student-run green initiatives occur during the school year. Moccia shared that some programs at the school are wasteless lunch Wednesdays, battery recycling programs, Eco presentations and more led by the Eco Team. Students have also been encouraged to walk or bike to school to reduce emissions from driving and regularly work together in all grades to make an impact on their school and the planet.

“Older students can often

be seen teaching younger students so that our school community will continue to care for our Earth in years and generations to come,” Tremeer said.

Over the P.A. system each morning, an eco announcement is shared, which highlights different environmental topics, programs or events happening at the school such as World Water Day, Earth Hour, National GOOS Paper Day, and of course, Earth Day. Another educational opportunity for students to

The three DSBN elementary schools in Pelham have been busy this month with numerous programs to celebrate and help the planet.

“Given our shift back to online remote learning, many of the learning activities have and are taking place virtually,” said Mark Leduc, principal at Wellington Heights Public School. “Earlier in the month, while at school participating ‘in-person’ we were able to participate in some of these activities as well.”

The students at these schools have spent a lot of time outdoors for nature walks around their yards to pick up garbage, clean up their butterfly gardens and plant flowers and bulbs.

See EARTH DAY Page 16

ACTIVE IN PELHAM

RURAL ROAD SAFETY. IT STARTS WITH YOU. A MESSAGE FROM THE PELHAM ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

Rural roads are shared by pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

Pedestrians, walk facing traffic and wear bright colours or reflective gear for visibility.

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To learn more visit: Ontario.ca/Transportation

Page 14

continued from Page 18 sion—no whitewater thrillseekers ricocheting off rocks and plunging over waterfalls, or Wainfleet warriors in fishing-specific camouflaged kayaks.

How do you see yourself using your kayak? Answering this question thoughtfully will guide the type, material, size, carrying capacity, weight, cost and portability of which kayak you choose.

Does your imagination soar while viewing those gorgeous Newfoundland television commercials, envisioning yourself paddling the rugged coast, communing with puffins, icebergs and whales? That’s kayak touring, or perhaps expedition kayaking. Closer to home it might be Georgian Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that you haven’t really experienced until you’ve paddled its outer islands.

Are you thinking more in terms of a paddling for an hour or two in front of your cottage to catch some sun, or floating in the Welland recreational canal to get away from your husband and computer for an hour? Maybe it’s a launching from Pleasant Beach or Windmill Point, with a picnic lunch and favourite playlist on your phone.

If you like the second option, a “plastic” kayak might be for you.

There are many types and designations of plastic kayak material, but in general plastic will scratch without affecting its serviceability, won’t break upon reasonable impact, and is great for dragging over rocky shores when landing or launching.

A large cockpit or sit-on-top model that’s easy to get into and impossible to get caught in if it flips is a safe way to start. If it has a small waterproof hatch for your glasses, phone and wallet, that’s a bonus.

For longer paddles and kayak touring, fibreglass, Kevlar and carbon fibre boats are faster in the water and lighter to lift, but can crack or puncture if you hit a submerged rock or stump.

There are no hard and fast rules on kayak length, but if your goal is larger water and extended trips, a 14-foot boat would be my minimum. (Sorry, the U.S. is the world’s biggest market, and they don’t do metric.)

Three things help a kayak maintain a straight line: the skill of the paddler, the length of the keel, and a skeg or rudder. The larger the water and the longer the paddle, the more important this is. It is fatiguing to be constantly correcting your direction when paddling. A longer boat tracks straighter, so more of your energy is devoted to making it go forward rather than maintaining course. A rudder or skeg (small retractable keel controlled by the paddler) can help reduce these corrections, but longer still matters.

In rough water, stability relates directly to the length and width of the kayak.

Kayaks sold in Canada must display their maximum load rating. It’s not uncommon for touring or expedition kayakers to carry everything needed for a multi-day trip with them, so be sure your boat will have sufficient capacity if tripping is in your future.

For sit-in kayaks, cockpit size is important. Your hips need to slide into and out of the boat easily, especially if you’re upside down in the water. Ensure there’s enough room for knee and leg comfort, but don’t get a cockpit that’s too big. As your proficiency improves, you’ll realize that much of your steering, power generation and balancing is done by pressing your hips and thighs against the boat.

Most kayaks weigh between 40 and 60 pounds. “How do I load and unload it from my vehicle?” is the most common question from women, and heavy kayaks can be intimidating for anyone. Helpful neighbours are great when loading or unloading. A paddling buddy is even better when COVID regulations allow, but for any kayaker on their own, the challenge of transporting their boat will likely influence which boat and rack system they purchase.

For a slow-speed trip across Pelham to the recreational canal or Welland River, inexpensive foam kayak cradles will work for any size boat. If your kayak is going to spend its life at the cottage and is 10 or 12 feet long, carry it there in the back of your pick-up.

Although some friends use foam cradles and lots of rope to carry their boats all over Ontario, if I’m headed to Algonquin or the St Lawrence River, I prefer a strong

and safe rack system securely mounted to my vehicle.

If you’re alone and using foam cradles or traditional racks, it’s easiest to load from the back or front of the vehicle rather than the side. There are rollers that attach to the rear rack and allow you to place the kayak’s bow in them, then lift and slide the rear of the boat forward. A pool noodle will provide the same effect, but with a less stability. Use foam or a heavy blanket to protect the vehicle against scratches.

Thule, Malone, and Lift-Assist make side-loading roof racks.

These units are pricey, but allow a single person to load their boat onto the rack at waist height, one end at a time, and secure it in place before easily lifting the complete unit and kayak onto the roof.

Relatively new on the market are good-quality inflatable and folding kayaks, with some companies offering models that fold into themselves to become backpacks. These units can be transported easily in any vehicle, and are growing in popularity.

An inexpensive small kayak sells for less than $1000, a Kevlar sea kayak can be $5000, and there are many in between. The good news right now is that if you purchase virtually any boat or equipment and choose to sell it to move up or leave the sport, demand for gently used is strong.

Don’t forget to budget for some quality safety equipment and a “wet exit” course so you know how escape a capsized kayak and get back into it. I can’t swim more than 100 metres, but am comfortable far from shore in big water. I trust my PFD (personal flotation device/lifejacket). It fits properly and won’t come off if I capsize.

My kayak has watertight bulkheads that will keep it floating until I can right it. Wet exit training will facilitate my getting back into the boat, and a reliable pump will remove excess water.

Get involved in kayaking at a level that’s easy and comfortable, and you’ll soon learn what types of paddling are most appealing to you. Investigate the local club, the Peninsula Paddlers, to learn where Niagara’s best launch locations are and get tips from experienced kayakers.

One more reason to get outdoors is always a good thing. ◆

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SO MUCH SNOW Top, Clara and Charlotte Hannigan share a sister hug on Pelham's April 21 snow day. Above, after working hard in online kindergarten, Ashley Riley really wanted to get outside to build a snowman. Success! JOEL HANNIGAN/AINSLEY RILEY

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The Voice, January 22, 2020

BY DON RICKERS

Special to the VOICE

viewed some 131,000 times to date, by far the most read news item in Voice history.

The coronavirus also featured in the paper’s second-place win in the Best COVID-19 Coverage category, with recognition given to a trio articles related to the pandemic: Three Pelham Town councillors’ attempt to muzzle Mayor Junkin from communicating about the virus; news that Pelham’s historic infection rate was the highest among any Niagara municipality; and the story of two Fonthill residents trapped aboard the MS Zaandam cruise ship.

BLACK

The Voice, May 6, 2020

Page 7

TRAPPED BY COVID-19

on the MS Zaandam

Over the past few winters, one of the consolations of gazing out of our patio windows on gloomy afternoons has been the activity of songbirds, eagerly pecking away at a variety of seeds and nuts we have stocked in our backyard feeders. But their numbers seem to have been dwindling this season, as evidenced by reader comment to the Voice.

This perception is buttressed by research published last fall in Science magazine, which documented how bird populations have plummeted in the past five decades, dropping by nearly three billion across North America (an overall decline of 29 percent from 1970).

Ken Rosenberg, a collaborator on the research project and a senior scientist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in Ithaca, NY, told Science that the collateral effects of the decline are profound.

“We’re talking about pest control, pollination and seed dispersal,” he said, referring to the roles birds play in ecosystems.

Because it is relatively easy to monitor birds, their presence or absence in a habitat can be a useful indicator of other environmental trends. Essentially, if the birds are hurting, we can be pretty sure that other parts of the ecosystem are also in degradation. Sickly birds were an early warning sign of the environmental damage caused by the pesticide DDT, a generation ago.

Grassland-dwelling birds such as field swallows and meadowlarks have been hit

especially hard. According to the Science study, more than 700 million birds across 31 species that make their homes in fields and farmlands have vanished since 1970. Rosenberg says the most likely explanation involves changing agricultural practices (which removes nesting habitat) and use of pesticides (which kills insects that birds rely on for food).

Closer to home, birders Bob Highcock and Jean Hampson, of the Peninsula Field Naturalists, who serve as compilers for the St. Catharines Christmas Bird Count (CBC), echo the concern. “Looking at the reports we have received, the number of species observed for many of the southern Ontario Christmas Bird Counts have been lower than average,” Highcock told the Voice. “The St. Catharines CBC last December indicated that the number of species was near the average of the previous 12 counts, but the total number of individuals [birds] was below average.”

Marcie Jacklin is a Niagara resident and internationally recognized authority on birds. She was the lead science librarian at Brock University for 25 years (now retired) and has been a member of Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre since 2011. With some two and half decades of experience bird watching in the Niagara area, Jacklin has participated in multiple counts, including Christmas Bird Counts, Breeding Bird Surveys, and Marsh Bird Monitoring Surveys.

“Birds are definitely on the decline, and although birders have been aware of

BIGSTOCK

BY JOHN SWART

Special to the VOICE

March 7th and April 1st. We didn’t have any thoughts of something like that in our mind.”

After spending a night onboard in Buenos Aires, day two was a short cruise to Montevideo, Uruguay.

Next were the Falkland Islands, where Wright speculated how in-

That night I felt lethargic with chills and flushing.

I thought I should report this. The next morning, I went to sick bay.

teresting it would be to spend time in such an isolated place. He and Karen enjoyed a beautiful first five or six days of cruising.

The Zaandam next docked in Punta Arenas, Chile, at the southern tip of South America.

“This is when all hell started to break loose.”

While moored, the captain notified guests that their next port-ofcall, Ushuaia, on the southern tip of Argentina, was closing.

The captain decided to sail south toward Ushuaia to view Cape Horn and the spectacular channels, knowing there would be no dock-

age. During that night’s cruise to the Ushuaia area, the captain received word that Chile was also going to close their ports the next day.

Understanding that Punta Arenas had a small airport from which passengers could have been flown home, the captain reversed course in an attempt to reach Punta Arenas while their port was still open.

Chile arbitrarily advanced their deadline by eight hours, ensuring the Zaandam did not arrive in time.

The ship stayed at anchor in Punta Arenas for two days while negotiating permission for the passengers to depart from the local airport. Holland America, the ship’s owner, managed to arrange flights, but ultimately Chile would not let the ship dock. The captain was forced to sail north along the west coast of Chile, searching for a port with access to a larger airport that would allow the Zaandam to dock.

The five days spent sailing north to Santiago’s port city, Valparaiso, didn’t disrupt the cruise much.

“That part of the cruise was a little happy-go-lucky. People were disappointed they didn’t get to see some ports and sights, but we had access to entertainment, food, bars. People were lightheartedly saying that in reality we were likely in one of the safest places on earth.

At this time we’re assuming the cruise is clean. In Punta Arenas, there was no word from anyone of any illness on the ship.”

The March 20 and 21 stop in Valparaiso was an anchorage for fuel and supplies only, Chilean authorities would not allow dockage or

passengers to leave the ship.

During this portion of the trip, Tim and Karen both endured mild illness, but recovered. Wright recalled the experience.

“That night I felt lethargic with chills and flushing.

I thought I should report this. The next morning, I went to sick bay.”

Wright searched for descriptive words, eliminating “shambles” and “mess,” settling upon, “It was extremely busy. There was a ton of people down in sick bay. I was probably the healthiest person.”

“I had to wait, there was a long lineup of people, and they took my temperature. My temperature was normal, and by that time I felt fine.

I was told that I wasn’t sick, and that I could go. Sort of a ****-off, we got more important things to do.”

Leaving Valparaiso, Tim and Karen had just finished a Trivia game with 50 other passengers when the captain’s voice was heard throughout the ship. “Go directly to your cabin, do not delay, stay in your cabin until further notice.”

“Within 20 minutes to half an hour, the ship was abandoned,” says Wright. “Some time later the captain came on again and said that there was a lot of illness on the ship, sick bay was very busy, and for everyone’s protection he ordered us to stay in our cabins until further notice.”

The Wrights were in quarantine.

“We did not hear again for four days. No other word on the seriousness of things. We had no idea of the magnitude.”

See TRAPPED Page 12

“Thorough and well packaged reporting by Dave Burket and John Swart on several different aspects of this pandemic,” commented

randt, and Stewart to muzzle Mayor Junkin; and for a

ADVISORY: While safeguards are in place to eliminate multiple votes, this is a self-selected poll, meaning it has no scientific validity compared to a formal random survey undertaken by a professional polling firm.

From left, a Chestnut sided Warbler, a Scarlet Tanager, and a Baltimore Oriole. BIGSTOCK PHOTOS Not all birds are in decline locally. Robins appear to be present in significant numbers, drawn to the orchards and vineyards which have made Niagara famous. And, due to climate change, many birds are no longer migrating south.

Bill and Kim Duffin, who work a 100-acre fruit farm in Pelham, are resigned to the fact that birds will cut a swath through their crop each year.

“The first of July, you’ll hear my [propane-powered] bangers,” said Bill, “in an effort to scare off the robins, starlings, and blue jays that invade my trees to feast on

my five acres of sweet cherries.”

Duffin also noted that he regularly sees owls and hawks in his orchard — usually around dusk — which prey on the hundreds of squirrels which call his farm home.

And let’s not forget about crows, which appear to be thriving in Niagara. There is nothing subtle about these intelligent birds. They are loud, especially before sunrise. As social birds, they flock together, all the more so in winter.

Neonicotinoids, a class of insecticides, were in the news in 2014 for their harm-

ful effects to bees and other pollinators. It turns out that these chemicals may also be impacting songbird populations. A 2017 study by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan and York University found negative effects on small birds from imidacloprid, one of the commonly used neonicotinoids.

These insecticides are applied to almost all corn and canola seeds in Canada, and coat many soybean seeds as well. Tens of millions of acres are involved. They are

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Port Colborne's Emma Koabel, right, in action with the Niagara Prep squad that competes in the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association.

wo weeks ago marked a low point for a member of Pelham Town Council, with Councillor Ron Kore making national news for his continued public appearances while showing symptoms of respiratory illness, and eventually testing positive for COVID-19.

But at last week’s council meeting, three other councillors—apparently upset that Kore was receiving all the infamy—tried to sink themselves as well. Councillor Bob Hildebrandt tabled a motion to, in effect, muzzle Mayor Marvin Junkin from commenting publicly regarding COVID-19, instead putting CAO David Cribbs in charge of speaking on behalf of the Town. Councillor Lisa Haun seconded the motion, and Marianne Stewart voted for it as well.

The trio claimed that they were responding to resident concerns about consistency of communication regarding the serious issue of the pandemic.

The motion was a sham.

The councillors offered no evidence that mutiny was necessary. Hildebrandt asserted his worry was “the potential for municipal li-

ability and/or confusion arising from any public misstatements pertaining” to the virus, yet neither he, Haun, nor Stewart actually cited any examples of Junkin misstating anything, or making confusing state-

Junkin’s communication on the virus has been consistent with regional, provincial, and federal guidance

Not only did Hildebrandt, Haun, and Stewart fail to provide a reasonable rationale for their stunt at the meeting, they also refused to respond to the Voice’s questions about it after the fact.

This is, to say the least, disheartening over a weekend that saw the 26th annual United Nations’ World Press Freedom Day. In the meeting, Stewart said that she had declined to answer questions about the Kore’s situation because doing so would be “above her pay-grade.” Little could be farther from the truth. As a councillor, it is Stewart’s explicit pay-grade to make comments and have opinions. She was literally elected to speak for her constituents.

“I don’t want you speaking on my behalf,” said Haun to Junkin. We remind the councillor that some 4000 residents, from Pelham’s 7100 households, did want Junkin to speak on their behalf. That’s why they elected him Mayor. If Councillor Haun doesn’t like that Junkin speaks on her behalf, she can vote for someone else in two years.

What’s more, Stewart,

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Niagara Prep head coach Dave Picton describes Emma Koabel as arguably one of the best 2022 graduating guards in the country.

Canada Basketball seems to be in agreement with this assessment after it invited the 15-year-old Port Colborne resident to attend a December tryout for Canada’s under-17 team, which will play in a tournament this summer in Romania. Koabel is currently waiting to hear if she has advanced to the next level of tryouts after attending the first stage in mid-December.

The former Lakeshore Catholic student was over the moon when she received the email inviting her to take part in the tryout.

“I was so thrilled and I immediately told my parents about the email,” the former Team Ontario

BY BERNIE PUCHALSKI

BPSPORTSNIAGARA.COM

member said. “It was awesome.”

The invitation is the latest in the blossoming career of a teen who was in Grade 7 when she set a goal of playing NCAA Division 1 basketball.

“I have had that goal for a long time and especially since seeing all the Grade 12s on our team getting scholarships to the States and even Canadian schools,” the 5-foot-10 guard said. “It is really motivating to me and has shown me that it is possible.”

Her short-term goal is team-oriented.

“This year, my goal and our goal is to take the OSBA (Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association) championship and really

working as a team to get to that position,” she said. “We want to get to the championship game and see what happens.”

In her first year of OSBA play, Koabel has played well. Through the team’s first 12 games, she was tied for second in scoring average (12.5), led the team in steals per game (3.8) and was fifth in rebounds per game (3.4).

Picton feels she exhibits basketball IQ beyond her years and describes her as one of the best three-point shooters in the OSBA. “She is a player I trust to shoot the big shot, but more importantly she trusts herself to shoot the big shot,” he said. “She is an identified national athlete now and needs to continue to build her strength, defensive footwork in the half court and be ready to

lead Niagara Prep next year.”

She agrees with Picton’s assessment.

“I have to get stronger, which will let me be more physical with my game and allow me to bring my game to the next level on both offence and defence.”

Koabel had no problem leaving her home school to join the OSBA program at A. N. Myer.

“I knew I was going to have an awesome opportunity like this one, and I also knew that my game was going to grow a lot because of the girls that I would be playing with,” she said. “Just playing with older and more experienced girls, I knew I that it was going to help me improve a lot.”

She is enjoying all the perks that come with suiting up for the team, including playing a showcase tournament in New York City.

“It’s a really cool opportunity,”

she said. “I have been getting to travel a lot with this team lately.”

It didn’t take long before she fit in at Niagara Prep.

“It took a couple of weeks to get used to everything — all the practices and all the training — but it’s worth it. It is really fun.”

On the court, she had to get used to playing at the next level.

“I am playing against Grade 12s, so they are stronger and have had more training than me. It was adjusting and learning how to use my strength when I pay against stronger girls.”

She didn’t expect to have the degree of success she has had in her rookie OSBA season.

“I do surprise myself sometimes, but it’s probably just because I have been letting loose and my teammates are really supporting of me,” she said. “We have a really great team community so they help bring the best out of me.”

2020 action photo teacher. All ages and all skill levels. Lessons held at Brock Golf by sportswriter Bernie PuCourse. Call Doug at 905-327-1492.

PELHAM MUDFEST chalski, showing the intenseMen competition of a high and women will be back in the mud as the second run on the year is school basketball game. held noted at Bissil’s Burket proR that Hideaway. ducing each week’s paper is NEED HELP? MAKE THE CALL CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS a team effort.

NIAGARA EXHIBITION “I’m a broken REGIONAL record on A January 2020 article on this, Rodeo, but we games are fortunate and live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It disappearing songbirds won so many talented second place in the Envi- to have runs from Sept. 11-14 at the Welland Fairgrounds. contributors, often workThe VOntario oice ronment category, ing long hours for not much with the judge calling it a money. These are wonderful well researched piece by BIG MOVE CANCER RIDE people, and it’s gratifying to Don Rickers, “that no doubt The efforts Big Move Cancer Ride is a non-competitive ride taking place on Sept. see their recognized caught the attention of bird by their peers.” watchers but also offered 7. Proceeds for the Big Move stay in Niagara and support the Walker FamHave anto Opinion? those Jill C. to AnthonyIn Law addition Office others an opportunity Cancer Centre.

BARRISTER, SOLICITOR &ily NOTARY learn more about bird mi- named above, contributions REAL ESTATE, PURCHASES, & MORTGAGES, bySALES John Chick, Samuel PicBUSINESS ACQUISITIONS & SALES, gration.”

ESTATE ADMINISTRATION, WILLS & POWER OF ATTORNEY colo, and Warren Mason Third place wins came for WALKING CLUBrecrounded out the talent a May 2020 editorial, “The ognized in the 2020 compe- in Pelham? Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena Interested in walking Gang That Couldn’t Think tition.

Straight,” which criticized ments about the virus.

Councillor John Wink, to his credit, voted against the move, and said that the Mayor hadn’t been doing anything “incorrectly or doing a bad job with respect to COVID information.”

Wink is right. All of Junkin’s communication on the virus has been consistent with regional, provincial, and federal guidance on the issue.

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CONTRIBUTORS Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Brian Green, Jenica Hrysko, Maeve Keating, Megan Metler, Bill Potrecz, Bernie Puchalski, Don Rickers, John Swart, Helen Tran, Mike Tucker, Rob Weatherby. Proof Sleuth: Julian Fitch NEWS INQUIRIES & TIPS editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca

Letters January

Open letter to Mayor about Kore I feel compelled to comment on the Mayor’s irresponsible comments made regarding Ron Kore.

Mr. Kore did not intentionally acquire COVID nor did he intentionally want to be a carrier. How can you think otherwise?

As you should know, there are many similarities between a cold, regular flu and allergies and COVID-19. This makes it difficult to diagnose.

You seem quick to attack his moral behaviour. Of course during this time people will be stressed, anxious and tired. I am sure you heard from Sobeys employees re-

Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2987

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

Members of Pelham Town Council

Member of Provincial Parliament

Ward 1

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

garding their valid concerns.

However, as a Mayor, you should show appropriate leadership qualities. If your comments to Mr. Kore were meant to divide and conquer, I suppose you achieved what you wanted to do.

Jan Wininger Fonthill

Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840

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The MS Zaandam transits the Panama Canal.

W

In anticipation of this story's publication, last weekend the Voice ran a snap survey through our website and Facebook, soliciting reader opinion as to whether they were seeing MORE, ABOUT THE SAME, or FEWER songbirds at their feeders this winter, with responses separated geographically by Fonthill, Fenwick, and Elsewhere in Pelham. Overall, some two-thirds of respondents reported seeing fewer birds this year. The largest drop was seen in Fonthill, where fewer birds were seen by nearly 2.5 times more readers than those reporting about the same or more birds. Overall, 15% of all readers reported seeing more birds, 18% reported seeing about the same, and 67% reported seeing fewer birds. 39 readers voted.

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Holland America offered no options other than to lose everything, which for this 31-day cruise was a substantial amount of money.

Wright realized that if just one infected person boarded the ship there was the potential for trouble, so he studied all the available information in late February and early March, and did the math.

“They were talking 20 to 40 COVID cases in all of the United States.”

Since the number reported at that time for Canada was slightly higher, Wright suspected the US number was inaccurate, and estimated it was probably more like 1000 or 2000.

He then figured, “What are the chances of one of those people getting on the ship?”

Wright’s research suggested there were 150 cruise ships circulating in the world, averaging trips of two weeks’ duration. During the most recent 300 trips, only three ships experienced trouble, so in his mind the chance of a problem was a one in one hundred, or one percent.

Wright also saw that in all of South America there was only one reported case of COVID-19, concluding, “We were cruising to a part of the world where it was not an issue. We decided to go.”

In response to comments made to or about them as the Zaandam’s plight was reported in the press, Wright responded, “It was a wrong decision, but I don’t think it was a stupid decision. I don’t think anybody in the world, if they’re being honest in their mind, anticipated the amount of change that was going to happen in the world between

15%

this for many years, others who have feeders or are active in the outdoors are just beginning to see this loss now,” she told the Voice.

Jacklin attributes the decline of songbirds to two factors: human disturbance and habitat loss.

“Birds that cannot adapt to living with humans are losing numbers. Invasive species like house sparrows and starlings seem to be thriving, but we are seeing fewer chickadees, field swallows, swifts, American goldfinches, and junkos.

And pesticides kill insects, so birds that eat insects are dying off.”

In Niagara, habitat loss is connected directly to wetlands, woodlands and grasslands which are being destroyed. The loss of native trees alone in Niagara in the last decade has been enormous, asserted Jacklin.

“In Niagara we have lost most of our wetlands. Ponds are not wetlands. Wetlands are highly productive ecological areas which have taken thousands of years to develop and can’t be easily recreated by humans.”

She offers a solution.

“A Natural Heritage System should be developed and protected as soon as possible at the regional level. This should be based on scientific and expert data.”

Natural Heritage Systems are networks of interconnected natural features and areas such as wetlands, woodlands, lakes and rivers. They help conserve biological diversity, maintain ecological functions such as movement corridors for wildlife, and sustain ecosystem services such as pollination and clean water on which we all depend.

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An unthinkable month of cruising, and lessons learned

THE VOICE POLL Where did all the birds go?

the judge. “The feature on the MS Zaandam was parLooking for a new Pharmacy?

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e were doing it as the trip of a lifetime,” said Tim Wright of Fonthill, without a hint of irony. He was referring to the cruise he and his wife Karen took this March and April on the MS Zaandam. They would be sailing around South America, departing Buenos Aires for the Falkland Islands, then navigating the Beagle Channel and Straits of Magellan before returning north along the remote shores of Chile, traversing the Panama Canal, and concluding in Fort Lauderdale 31 days later.

You may know Wright as a recent volunteer Chair of the Pelham Library Board, a Rotarian, or as a member of various community associations. Professionally, he was President and CEO of the Welland County General Hospital, VP of Regional Operations at the Niagara Health System, and Executive Director of the Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre.

The following is his account of what happened as COVID-19 engulfed the Zaandam, and some of the many lessons learned.

“We didn’t take the decision lightly, we thought seriously,” said Wright. “We talked about what the chances were of there being problems.” The Wrights had booked their trip nine months earlier.

“As the cruise got closer and other cruise ships became in the news, notably the Diamond Princess and Westerdam, certainly we started thinking—do we still want to do this, do we want to back out, what would the consequences be?”

Page 9

Readers note decline in winter bird population, reaffirming five-decade North American trend

continued from Page 3

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The Voice A April 28 2021

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Bethany Christian Reformed Church www.bethanycrc.ca

First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., North Pelham

Holy Trinity Anglican Church holytrinityfonthill.org

Pelham Evangelical Friends Church www.pelhamfriends.ca

Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill

Fonthill Baptist Church www.fonthillbaptistchurch.ca

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

Ridgeville Bible Chapel ridgevillebiblechapel.com

Fenwick Church of Christ www.fenwickchurchofchrist.ca

Fonthill United Church www.fonthillunited.com

Kirk on the Hill Presbyterian Church 1344 Haist St., Fonthill

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

Fenwick United Church www.fenwickunited.com

Glad Tidings Church of God www.gladtidingschurchofgod.com

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

St. Ann Roman Catholic Church www.stannfenwick.com

FAITH LIFT

continued from Page 19 with the people and quickly sold out but was severely criticized by the Catholic press.

“Les Mis,” for short, has inspired numerous plays, movies and musicals. Recently I enjoyed a BBC miniseries on this riveting drama and two examples of radical grace stood out. The main character, Jean Valjean, serves 19 years of hard labor in prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family. He is finally released (as a bitter and hardened man) and soon re-offends by stealing silver chalices from a kind bishop who offered him hospitality.

The gendarmes promptly arrest him and take him back to the bishop. A new conviction would mean many more years in prison (maybe life). However, the bishop shows forgiveness and grace when he says, “My friend, you forgot to take the silver candlesticks I gave you as well.”

This act of mercy leads Valjean to repentance and spiritual transformation and he becomes (like Dickens’ Ebenezer Scrooge) a

new man of compassion and generosity.

The “new” Valjean prospers, becoming a wealthy businessman and mayor, and eventually adopts a poor child whose mother died as a prostitute. But he is pursued with a vengeance by his former prison warden, Javert, who believes criminals cannot change. Valjean outwits and avoids his pursuer for many years but finally comes face to face with him during a Paris uprising. His arch-enemy had been captured by the rebels and is at Valjean’s mercy. It is now Valjean’s turn to show radical grace as he sets him free instead of seeking revenge. Sadly, Javert cannot understand such grace and commits suicide by jumping into the Seine.

These two powerful acts of grace (undeserved mercy) reflect God’s grace to us. The greatest act of grace in human history was the day Jesus voluntarily laid down his sinless life to pay for the sins of us all. God calls us to choose the path of grace (Valjean) inspired

by Jesus, and not the path of law (Javert). And I hope Hugo himself in his last days understood that same truth that his pen portrayed so well. ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor.

EARTH DAY

continued from Page 13 Wellness Walks were also organized to appreciate and identify nature.

Those outdoor activities were brought back into the classroom for hands-on projects and crafts to celebrate Earth Day. Classes at A.K. Wigg, Glynn A. Green and Wellington Heights took part in the “Reuse Challenge,” which was to make a musical instrument using recyclable materials; completed “Bee-U-tiful Bee Expert” research projects; did nature sketching; and created Earth Day posters and a recycling art project. Students also got to participate in recycling scavenger hunts.

In addition to Earth-related activities, classes focused on educating students on many different topics surrounding the planet. Lessons focused on recycling, alternative plastics and UN sustainability goals, as well as the importance of pollinators in daily life.

Students in all different grades learned about many topics and were put up to

the challenge of thinking of different ways that they can make an impact. At the three schools, teachers taught lessons on how to become a “Water Hero,” and students identified three things that could make a difference based on what they had learned. They took the time to brainstorm green ideas or commitments to help take care of the earth, as well.

After listening to a “Zero Waste” CBC fi nal podcast episode, “Could we create a world without garbage?,”classes also created a plan to reduce waste in their classroom and throughout the school.

Leduc said the learning that students from A.K. Wigg, Glynn A. Green and Wellington Heights were involved with was aimed at building awareness of the importance of taking care of the environment and identifying ways that they can make a difference.

“Our students are learning to look more critically at the impact that all of us can have on protecting the environment and that every act, regardless of how small it may seem, can make a difference.”

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Page 17

The Voice A April 28 2021

PLEA

continued from Page 9 “We made the video in the hopes of raising awareness that golf courses are closed despite them being safe,” said Julie in an email exchange.

“The Ontario golf industry didn’t have one case of COVID-19 generated at a golf course in 2020 and there’s no reason why we can’t have that kind of success again in 2021.”

Since originally being posted a week ago, at this writing the video has been viewed some 108,000 times on Twitter and is nearing 20,000 views on Facebook. On Twitter alone, the clip has been reposted by other users over 2,200 times.

Current PGA Tour professional and Hamilton native Mackenzie Hughes even retweeted the post, saying, “Time to open the courses in Ontario [Premier Ford]. Golf can be enjoyed in a safe and responsible way, and the benefits are endless.”

It’s uncertain whether the Ford government will reopen golf courses before the stayat-home order is set to lift May 20.

When asked if the government was reconsidering golf course closures on Wednesday, a spokesperson from Ford’s office told the CBC: “The enhanced measures we introduced last week are aimed at limiting mobility. Until we get this third wave under control, we need everyone to stay at home as much possible.”

“I’m worried for some of our members and regulars with this third lockdown,” concluded Julie. “So many people have repeatedly talked about how much better their mental health was during the three weeks we were open this year. I feel like we’ve taken something really important away from people.”

Ontario is the only province or state across Canada and the U.S. where golf courses are closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

CLOSED

continued from Page 9 a big proponent of not getting all the little things done on the household fi x-up list, because that just spurs lovely, nameless people in the house to come up with other things to do.

So that is a concern and a major cost.

I don’t know what the process was that got golf on the naughty list. I do know the answer is not for golf courses (hello, “The Bridges” in Tillsonburg) to arbitrarily decide when the government is right or wrong and open at their leisure. You want to make these decisions? Run for office. I also know that if, as a government, you make a decision then you had better enforce it. Letting The Bridges open without any fi ne or ticketing of the people who played has only opened up an enormous can of stupid worms. This is going to lead to exactly what I assume the government was trying to avoid, where we have golfers hopscotching all across the province looking for a place to play.

I think ideologically the last thing this government wanted to do is

have another lockdown. But these are the rules at the moment. If you don’t like it, ask more questions and demand more answers. If you are willing to get this angry over closed golf courses, however, maybe show a little more upset at all the other issues this pandemic has brought to the surface—privatized LTC homes, precarious work, gender and general inequality in the work force and society—as well.

What is the big deal if you can’t golf anyway? You can still go for a walk in the woods. For most of you that is all golf is. Only this time you won’t be looking down for your golf ball and might actually notice and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. As Mr. Twain is said to have said, “Golf is a good walk spoiled.”

For those of you who leave the course muttering and complaining about how bad you are, this is an enormous blessing. Walking is free.

No lost balls (another saving) and less aggravation.

Listen people, we are in some deep poop right now. The end seems to be in sight but so seem the Rockies to be when you cross the Alberta/Sask border. From the political Utilitari-

an perspective it might have been as simple as golf having the reputation of being an elite pastime for rich white men, and if you are asking for great sacrifice from society as a whole yet seem to be cutting a break to the people who skew toward your political party’s demographic, then no, that really doesn’t look good.

Yes, golf is played by many different people from many walks of life, but that is not the perception of the masses.

The number of people who benefit from having courses open is likely fewer than those who are negatively affected or couldn’t care less. If you think politicians shouldn’t be playing politics with people’s livelihoods that is what politicians are elected to do. Very rarely do universal ethics come into play—doing the right thing regardless of the consequences. Politics is a compromise between what is right and what is possible.

My former students understand this situation. ◆ John Piccolo is a golf instructor and runs Piccolo’s Custom Golf Shop at Eagle Valley Golf Club in Niagara Falls.

Email him at picgolf@vaxxine.com

Vaccine recipients resting for a mandated 15-minute period to ensure that they are free of side-effects. To date, no immediate side-effects have been reported in Niagara.

JABS

continued from Page 1 do so as soon as possible.”

Pelham pharmacies are currently providing the AstraZeneca vaccine. Appointments can be booked online.

Vaccine supplies are limited, and customers should contact the pharmacy of their choice directly for specifics.

Glen Sisak, pharmacist/ owner at PharmaChoice in Fonthill, said that his pharmacy has given out some 200 doses, and that the current supply on hand has already been assigned, so a

wait list is all he can offer until he receives additional doses.

Kyle Boggio, pharmacist/ owner at the Boggio’s Pharmacy in Fonthill, said his pharmacy has also provided some 200 jabs, and noted that there is more complexity to the workflow and administration process than required for a flu shot. Vaccines are provided by appointment only, and all patients must add their names to the wait list at boggios. com.

“Once a person has signed up, we will send them a

booking link which expires within 24-48 hours. We ask that patients do not arrive more than five minutes early. We do not hold doses for those who miss appointments. As can be expected, there is incredibly high demand for the shot, and

we would like to encourage people to have patience as we work towards making an appointment available to them,” said Boggio.

Hirji reported at a media conference on April 21 that variant strains of the coronavirus (primarily the UK

BOB LOBLAW

B.1.1.7 variant) now represent about 50 percent of new infections in Niagara, and almost 75 percent across Ontario. With hospitals and intensive care units becoming overwhelmed, COVID-19 cases are expected to rise for at least another week,

before falling as a result of the current lockdown.

To book a vaccination at a community clinic, go to Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or phone 1-888-999-6488. To book at a pharmacy, visit covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations

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Page 18

The Voice A April 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

THE BALANCED LIFE

by John Swart

Is this there a kayak in your future?

T

here are days that social distancing on our Steve Bauer Trail is difficult to achieve. Escaping to the Gerry Berkhout Trail no longer guarantees the serenity of being alone in nature with our thoughts.

Pelham offers another activity and venue which provides peace and tranquility with healthy dollops of socially distanced exercise. It’s kayaking on the Welland River. Launch your boat at E. C. Brown Conservation Area, on River Road in Fenwick, then paddle west. You might hear the occasional car on Highway 27. You may have to contend

with the odd jet ski or small aluminum fishing boat if it’s a busy weekend, but after a short paddle, a sharp left into Big Forks Creek will take you into another world.

Herons will silently study you as they stand motionless in shallow water, waiting for a juicy frog to expose itself and become their lunch.

The splash ahead of you on the right will be a muskrat, or perhaps even a beaver, diving for the safety of the water.

On your left, a love-smitten carp will be recklessly splashing about to attract a mate. Bright spring flowers and emerging water plants are everywhere— kayaking

these seldom seen nooks of nature is truly a magic tonic for these times.

In 2020 many friends interested in purchasing a new bicycle contacted me for suggestions. This year those calls are all about kayaks. The purchase and use of kayaks, paddleboards and canoes has exploded during COVID, joining cycling, golf and camping as the four outdoor activities with the fastest growth in North America. NPD Group, an international industry consulting firm, states paddlesports sales grew 56 percent in 2020 over 2019.

The two most common questions posed by those considering kayaking are: what kind of a boat should I buy, and how do I carry it?

We’ll stick with recreational kayaking for this discusSee BALANCED LIFE Page 14

Jim Rix of Beamsville socially distancing at Point Abino Historic Lighthouse just west of Crystal Beach on a Peninsula Paddler day trip.

JOHN SWART

V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you have a unique perspective, and sometimes you appear uninterested in the opinions of others. But this week it is best to be humble and accept other thoughts.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you routinely put caring for others ahead of caring for yourself. This compassion is commendable, but you can’t offer help if you aren’t in top form.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, let others bring up issues with you rather than prying.

You willingness to lend an ear is well-known, and others will come to you on their own.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 It may be tempting to slack off when supervisors are not looking, Cancer. However, a lack of discipline now may have a trickle-down effect in the future. Stay focused.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 You may not be sure if you should pursue an opportunity that is before you, Leo. Consider your skills and talents and be honest with what you are capable of accomplishing.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, even though it can be risky to express your true feelings, especially when you go against popular opinion, don’t shy away from being true to yourself.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Your head is pushing you in a practical direction, Libra. Yet your heart wants you to go a different way. Try to find a balance between both scenarios.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, others are ready and willing to offer advice if they

sense you need it. While you can be open to suggestions, don’t follow others’ dreams if they aren’t your own.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 You may be conflicted about telling someone you need a little personal space, Sagittarius. But it’s not good to suffer through situations that make you unhappy.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, even though you cannot please everyone, you can do what is necessary to make yourself happy. Make this your primary goal this week.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, people may misunderstand your intentions when you start a new project. You don’t have to please everyone right now. The end result will be met with positive responses.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Moving on from an emotional situation can be taxing, Pisces.

But it may be necessary right now and could make you stronger in the long run.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS APRIL 25 Renée Zellweger, Actress (52) APRIL 26 Kevin James, Actor (56) APRIL 27 Martha Hunt, Model (32) APRIL 28 Jessica Alba, Actress (40) APRIL 29 Jerry Seinfeld, Comedian (67) APRIL 30 Gal Gadot, Actress (36) MAY 1 Tim McGraw, Singer (54)

SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. STM 2. PREP 3. CODA 4. COIL 5. RESIDE 6. ELICITS 7. MICHAEL 8. PACAS 9. OCAS 10. TOFT 12. PAP 14. TREE 19. IRON 23. AMU 24. TRANCE 25. SPA 26. PAC 27. ERR 28. EVE 29. DESPOT 34. OHM 35. BIO 36. LEO 37. ERN 39. EVADING 40. REBECCA 41. ITS 42. THEM 44. RACERS 45. DACCA 46. ABAS 47. SPAR 48. CARY 51. AAR 52. ADAR 53. RUBE 54. SWBS 58. AIT

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. SPCC 5. REM 8. POT 11. TROOP 13. ELI 14. TACO 15. MEDIA 16. SIC 17. RCAF 18. PALPI 20. ICH 21. EAST 22. RADIATES 25. SPEEDOMETER 30. PARVENU 31. SLA 32. ACRES 33. NOBLE 38. PER 41. ITCHIER 43. OVER THE MOON 45. DATABASE 47. SCAB 49. DEC 50. MAARS 55. PACA 56. ICE 57. ADUWA 59. ARCS 60. NCR 61. RABBI 62. RYA 63. GAS 64. REST

Enjoy our Take-out Fish & Chips Fridays!

From our family to yours...stay safe

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Page 19

The Voice A April 28 2021

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

Victor Hugo's portrait of grace

I

n many ways Victor Hugo is the French equivalent of his English contemporary, Charles Dickens. Both exposed the crushing poverty, injustice and squalor of their nation’s poor.

While travelling through many of France’s cities, towns and villages in the early 1980s, I noticed that most had a street or square named after Hugo. Who was this Frenchman whose pen stirred so many of his countrymen and beyond?

The man

Victor-Marie Hugo was born in 1802 in eastern France near the Swiss border. He became an acclaimed novelist (of the Romantic movement), poet, artist, dramatist and politician. You could call him a 19th century Renaissance man. Hugo’s literary career spanned more than 60 years. His best-known works are the novels The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831) and Les Misérables (1862).

Hugo was married for 46 years to Adele, who gave him five children. The tragic drowning of their 19-yearold daughter, Leopoldine, impacted them greatly. As a politician, he was a staunch supporter of democracy and republicanism. He campaigned fervently for the alleviation of poverty, the abolition of capital punishment and slavery, and the promotion of universal suffrage, free education for all children, and even the idea of a “United States of Europe” (which sounds a lot like today’s European Union).

In 1851 Hugo was forced into exile to Belgium, and then the Channel islands of Jersey and Guernsey for almost 20 years, for his anti-monarchist views. He

composed and published his best works while in exile, including “Les Miserables.”

He returned to France as a national hero in 1870, when it became a republic again.

Sadly, Hugo’s marriage to Adele was marred by infidelity on both sides, and an immoral lifestyle especially marked the latter years of his life. He died of pneumonia in 1885 in Paris at the age of 83, and was buried in the prestigious Pantheon.

Hugo’s religious views evolved during his lifetime from being an active Catholic, to a non-practicing one, to becoming openly anti-clerical, feeling the

Church did not do enough for the poor. However, he continued to believe in life after death and the last words in his brief will stated, “I believe in God.” To the end, he was optimistic, patriotic, and a firm believer in man’s ability to change, improve and progress.

The masterpiece

Many of these values are expressed in Hugo’s masterpiece, “Les Miserables” (The Miserable Ones), which took him 17 years to complete. It was his enduring statement against social injustice in his own country.

The novel was very popular 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: Poetry

ALLITERATION ALLUSION ANACHRONISM BALLAD BLANK VERSE CACOPHONY

CAESURA CANON CONSONANCE COUPLET DISSONANCE DRAMATIC

Voice

CROSSWORD

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

ABECEDARIAN ACCENTUAL ACMEISM ACROSTIC ALCAIC ALLEGORY

ANSWERS ON PAGE 18

IAMBIC MEASURE SONNET SYLLABIC SYLLABLES VERSE

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Page 20

The Voice A April 28 2021

Voice

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

4 Suzie's Sloppy Joes

Stews, soups and casseroles can simmer and gain great fl avor through slow-cooking methods. But slow cooker appliances don’t need to be stored away when spring fl owers start to bud. In fact, this method of cooking can bridge the gap between cold weather cuisine and the grilled and chilled fare of summer days to come.

Rely on a slow cooker for potluck dinners or when you have to feed a crowd. “Suzie’s Sloppy Joes” is a reinvented take on the traditional Sloppy Joe. This recipe, courtesy of “Crock•Pot® 365 Year-Round Recipes” (Publications International, Ltd.) from the Crock•Pot Kitchens, simmers for several hours and dishes up delectable fl avor for an easy comfort meal.

Suzie’s Sloppy Joes Makes 8 servings 3

1 3 11⁄4 1 1⁄4 1⁄4 3 3 2

pounds 95 percent lean ground beef cup chopped onion cloves garlic, minced cups ketchup cup chopped red bell pepper cup plus 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce cup packed dark brown sugar tablespoons prepared mustard tablespoons vinegar teaspoons chili powder Toasted hamburger buns

1. Cook and stir ground beef, onion and garlic in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until beef is browned and onion is tender.

Drain and discard fat.

2. Combine ketchup, bell pepper, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar and chili powder in a slow cooker. Stir in beef mixture. Cover; cook on low 6 to 8 hours. To serve, spoon mixture onto hamburger buns.

Did you know? Many recipes include Worcestershire sauce to add a tangy bite to the dish known as unami, or the savory fi fth fl avor.

Worcestershire sauce contains vinegars, molasses anchovies, and tamarind extract to give it that specialty fl avor. This fermented liquid condiment was created in the city of Worcester in Worcestershire, England during the fi rst half of the 19th century. Creators John Wheeley Lea and William Henry Perrins were chemists, and they would later go on to form the food company Lea & Perrins. Because Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies, it is not suitable for those who have fi sh allergies.

Tip: To make Sloppy Joes slightly less sloppy, serve on bite-sized slider rolls.

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COLUMN SIX

continued from Page 1 February, 31,000 a day in March, and now 33,000 steps every 24 hours in April.

The one time I dipped under 30,000 was the day after I got my AstraZeneca shot at a pharmacy in Welland.

Because I asked for the shot with the extra microchips—to not only track my movement but also read my mind (good luck with that futile exercise)— I was extra tired and couldn’t manage my daily routine. But I quickly made up for it by surpassing 40,000 steps on both Saturday and Sunday.

Each morning when I walk, I see many familiar faces and we wave or exchange friendly ‘Good mornings’ as we do the COVID-19 shuffle to give each other proper social distancing as we pass on the sidewalk.

The only time I don't normally exchange greetings is after I have walked the stretch of sidewalk on Hurricane Road that is tilted at a 45-degree angle for several hundred metres. I can only imagine how many six-martini lunches were consumed to come up with this feat of engineering. I generally have to pop a Gravol after that stretch as I fight vertigo not experienced since the last time I went on the Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios. My sister described it as a gentle ride through the castle but I thought otherwise as I launched a foamy volcano of recently consumed Butter Beer over the popcorn-strewn sidewalk.

The only people who don’t share greetings with me on my morning walks are generally half the people under 25, and what I can only assume are recent transplants from the GTA, those who have exchanged a $2 million 1000-square foot home in Toronto for a $1 million, 3000-square foot home in the formerly quaint village of Fonthill.

They are no longer being serenaded by sirens, gunfire and doomsday sidewalk preachers proclaiming the end is near (Duh! Everyone can see that) but rather by birds chirping, frogs croaking and the sounds of beeping bulldozers backing up to get ready for another run shredding former tender fruit farmland, acreage that once allowed farmers to plant fruit that they could grow for $8 a bushel but sell for only $6 a bushel, because Walmart was selling imported produce from overseas for $4.99 a bushel. But I digress.

I can understand the lack of acknowledgment from some of the younger generation I meet on

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

my walks. They have their heads buried in their phones, Facebooking, Instagramming, TikToking, Tweeting, finishing their undergrad, masters or PhD courses online, or putting the finishing touches on a song that will instantly garner three million streams and make them more money in a week than I have made in my entire lifetime.

But the former GTA folks are another story. As they see me coming up the sidewalk talking animatedly to myself like I am known to do on occasion, I see them reaching for the legally registered handgun in their left pocket and their throwaway piece with the filed-away serial number in the sock on their right calf. The gun on the left

I am hoping they get in the small-town spirit of greeting perfect strangers before one of them fills me with lead

is for the justified shots of self-defense while the gun in the sock is for a preemptive strike without the need for all that tedious and time-consuming paperwork. I am hoping they get in the small-town spirit of greeting perfect strangers before one of them fills me full of lead.

I must admit there are a few people who get on my nerves while I walk, most notably one resident who lives on a corner lot that backs on to Highway 20. Each time as I transition from a short jog back into walking near his house, he makes a comment like, “Is that all?” or, “Don’t tell me you are stopping already?” I wish he would keep his comments to himself as he propels his riding lawn mower over a lawn that I could hand-mow in 30 minutes with a pair of nail clippers.

Early on in my walking routine, I would jog stretches of my journey during daylight hours but now I jog only at night. Since the last time I ran was several years ago when there was a run on crab legs at the all-you-caneat seafood buffet in Myrtle Beach, my running style has become abysmal and not for daylight consumption.

There is also a practical reason for this daytime aversion to jogging. If my awkward gait was viewed by the predatory animals in Fonthill (foxes,

possums, coyotes, nest-protecting Canada geese, mammoth compostraiding raccoons), they would detect my frailty, separate me from the herd, and feast on my well-cushioned bones.

I have seen too many mature but slightly gimpy gazelles get devoured by hyenas on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom not to know it’s a real possibility.

The end of my walk takes me through a subdivision where new houses are being built at a speed that defies both their price tag and a determined effort by the Big Bad Wolf.

I am hoping that by walking past these workplaces, through osmosis I will pick up hammering, sawing, cementing, drywalling and all the other skills that I severely lack. As of yesterday, that still hasn't worked and I will have to be content with asking my father-in-law for help.

The two biggest highlights (no pun intended for the first highlight) of my walking have been getting asked by a young couple to share in their celebration of 4/20 by sparking up a fattie, and finding a $20 bill. Before someone calls me up to claim the bill by identifying it as green and having a picture of the queen on the front of it, let me tell you I am too smart to fall for that. I am going to at least need to know what is on the back before I break the time-honoured finders keepers, losers weepers tradition.

My family has been mostly supportive of my new exercise binge, but I occasionally drive my wife crazy as I pace behind the couch while watching TV. Last night she accused me of walking like a banshee but I disagreed. I’ve been known to wail like a banshee but never walk like one.

Surprisingly, the most support I have received for my walking is from one of my close neighbours, who describes me as an inspiration. I appreciate the sentiment but I think she is just buttering me up so I don’t out her in our community newspaper about her penchant to wander around her backyard all day wearing a housecoat and clutching a glass of wine that never seems to go down despite her constantly sipping on it. Don’t worry dear. Your secret is safe with me.

I would love to stay and chat more but I am just about ready to go out on my afternoon walk. It’s always good prep for my after-dinner stroll and dovetails nicely with my evening jaunt, bedtime hike, and get-up-inthe-middle-of-the-night pee and walkabout. ◆

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