Ornaments for Cares and Scouts
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The story of Canfield
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of Pelham and Central Niagara DECEMBER 1 2021
Vol.25 No.48
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“Manna Bags” packed with seasonal spirit
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Column Six
Gregory Pecker, the cock tale BY MIKE BREATON Special to the Voice
A
Maddie Chaytor and Kara Pouli with their truckload of "Manna Bags." BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor In the Bible, “manna” was food God supplied to the Israelites wandering in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. Two Pelham girls have taken the scriptural lesson to heart at Christmastime, providing “Manna Bags” fi lled with food, toiletries, and other gift items for the needy. Kara Pouli, 18, and Maddie Chaytor, 17, told the Voice that they felt a need to help out the community in some way, especially at Christmas. They came up with an idea to stuff
DON RICKERS
some grocery bags with food for those who are hungry and homeless, and living in shelters. The plan soon expanded dramatically, as the girls started fundraising through Instagram and Facebook, receiving donations from local businesses, and then hosting an online auction. “We now have 100 food bags to deliver,” said Chaytor. The girls spread the word of their project not only via the internet, but also through their church communities. Chaytor attends Heritage Reform Congregation in Jordan, and is in her final year at Jordan Christian School. Pouli is a member
at Vineland Free Reformed Church, and is taking online courses at Michigan State University. “Before long, people were making anonymous donations, and asking how they could help,” said Pouli. “We decided to call our little organization Manna Bags, manna meaning ‘an unexpected or gratuitous benefit.’ With all the donations, we were able to get the supplies together, and then got the idea to have young school children decorate the paper bags. We hope that the bags will not only offer food and other necessities of life, but also joy in colors and drawings
the kids put on the bags.” Chaytor and Pouli will be dropping the gift bags off at homeless shelters in the region during the next few weeks. One stop will be at Start Me Up Niagara, which operates two temporary winter shelters as part of its Out of the Cold program. Start Me Up has a long-standing partnership with the local faith community, and through various churches offers a coordinated approach to providing hot meals to those experiencing poverty and homelessness. The programs operate from the first of November until the end of March.
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fter a couple of years of planning and hunting for just the right place, about a year ago my wife and I finally packed up the cats and the chickens and moved to our “forever home” on a little 12-acre plot just outside of Welland and have settled into the rhythms of a more rural lifestyle. Within two weeks of our arrival, a mink infiltrated the makeshift coop that I’d put together for our tiny flock of chickens and slaughtered nearly half of them. Fortunately for the surviving birds, I arrived on-scene while the mink was still in his blood frenzy, and forthwith sent him to the great beyond. Even so, last winter and spring was a steady struggle against the famished hordes of minks and other hungry varmints that swarm the South Pelham region, resulting in what could best be described as a poultry fortress — a raised coop, hardware cloth fences, electrified perimeters, motion-sensing lights — you name it, I’ve installed it. The final piece to the puzzle came when we expanded the flock with a box of day-old peepers from MiSee COLUMN SIX back page
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The Voice
PUBLISHER’S CORNER by Dave Burket
And suddenly the holidays are in front of us: It seems like two weeks ago we were still in short sleeves, looking up at trees whose leaves stubbornly refused to fall, and now here we are—first snowfall on the ground, December underway, with plenty of Christmas fundraising in gear. Maddie Chaytor and Kara Pouli are filling their Manna Bags (cover story); The Pelham Street Grille is doing charity pancakes and French Toast (ad, p.8); MaryAnn Ratcliff is back with her seasonal T-P ornaments (p.3); and Fonthill Volunteer Fire Fighters are collecting toys (p.7)...Speaking of the Christ in Christmas: It comes as no surprise that a letter to the editor last week raised some eyebrows, and not just because it voiced support for former Pelham mayor Augustyn and his NDP candidacy for Provincial Parliament (made official on Sunday, by the way). Rather it was for the author’s specific reference to the incumbent MPP Oosterhoff’s religion. Response in the letters section this week is clear—and it’s hard to argue that a moderate Twitter blaze of indignation would not have flared up if the author had substituted “Jewish” for “Christian.” Oosterhoff himself declined to comment on the record. Ironically, David Augustyn is a devout Catholic, and Christianity doesn’t get much more conservative than that. He occasionally peppers his social media with references to prayer and the hashtag #HeIsRisen. At the same time, Tommy Douglas, known as the father of Canadian Medicare, and who formed the first democratic socialist government in North America, was a Baptist preacher turned politician. So go figure...Notably not noted: Some fellow council members and Town staffers have lately voiced regret at the low turnout of Pelham councillors at important events, such as the Remembrance Day commemoration at the Legion, last week’s REDress ceremonies (pp.8-9), and other occasions, the rarest sighting being that of Ward 2’s Ron Kore, who is almost always MIA... Fresh talent on offer: It’s always a thrill to welcome a new contributor, and once again Pelham proves the depth of its authorial reserves. Following the clear evidence of his way with words as demonstrated in some letters to the editor awhile back, I entreated Mike Breaton to send in a longer piece, which has arrived at long last. Don’t miss his Column Six this week, which I hope will be the first of many…Words we can live without: Facebook recently introduced the ability to turn off commenting for posts, which came about a decade too late, but better late than, etc. The pandemic has truly brought out the crazy, and trying to stay on top of the latest loony comments got to be too much of a chore, particularly considering that they could show up on any story, not just Covid items. Want to comment on a Voice Facebook post? Share it to your page and have at it. Or write a letter to the editor. Or post a comment on our website. Whee!...As of Monday: 11 active cases in Pelham. Stay safe. ◆
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Court appearance for Clapp accused What's That
BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor Two men accused in the death of Pelham resident Earl Clapp over a year ago were back in court last week. On November 26, defense attorney Andrew Burton made a virtual court appearance via videoconference before Justice of the Peace Brett Kelly, on behalf of his client Matthew MacInnes. Burton said that he was attempting to schedule a bail hearing (MacInnes is currently being held at the Maplehurst Detention Facility in Milton), and requested that the case be adjourned until January 14 via videoconference in a St. Catharines court. Toronto attorney Cara Barbisan appeared in court via videoconference the same day, representing the other accused, Jason Lusted. Barbisan told the court that since the last court date, a judicial pre-trial meeting had taken place, but that outstanding disclosure items from the meeting needed to be reviewed, including a copy of disclosure documents. Lusted’s case was remanded until December 31 at 10:45 AM. Pelham resident Earl Clapp, 74, died on October 2, 2020, after being dragged by a vehicle nearly two kilometres from his Centre
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SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls
The Pelham Fire Department responded to 13 calls for assistance from Friday, November 19 to Friday, November 26. Saturday, November 20 Detector activation, Philmori Blvd., Station 1 Remote alarm, Oille St., Station 3 Sunday, November 21 Arcing Hydro lines, Sawmill Rd., Station 3 Medical assistance, Station 2 Monday, November 22 Medical assistance, Station 1
Earl and Tillie Clapp, with their grandchildren, on their 50th wedding anniversary, 2017. CLAPP FAMILY
Street property to Highway 20, east of Balfour Street. Authorities allege Lusted and MacInnes had been attempting to steal a trailer from Clapp’s property, and caused Clapp’s death. The preliminary hearing is scheduled to begin on March 21 of 2022, with the trial to continue for three weeks. Certain details of the court proceedings are subject to a publication ban.
Medical assistance, Station 3 Tuesday, November 23 Medical assistance, Station 1 Medical assistance, Station 3 Remote alarm, Canboro Rd., Station 1 Wednesday, November 24 Medical assistance, Station 1 Structure fire, Chantler Rd., Station 2, 1, 3 Motor vehicle accident, Valiant St., Station 1 Thursday, November 25 Medical assistance, Station 1
We’re taking a holiday! The Voice will print three more issues in 2021:
Ken Bailey, of Fonthill, visiting his daughter Laurie Corna on a trip to London, England, and Paris, France.
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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. Richard LOBAUGH, 47, Kenmore, New York Dawn L. ST ANGELO, 63, Niagara Falls Kevin J. NOBLE, 59, Whitby 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.
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Ornament fundraiser is back BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor In Pelham’s bygone days, groups of women would have clustered together for sewing bees, where clothes and household fabrics were mended with needle and thread. MaryAnn Ratcliffe, of Fonthill, has put a seasonal spin on the tradition, mustering a group of friends to create Christmas ornaments for charity that capture in ironic fashion the pandemic. The ornaments feature a roll of previously scarce toilet paper, with the inscription “2020, the year we all stayed home.” Also available are face masks with the written message “2021, finding hope.” The face masks alone are $2, while the face mask-ornament combo is selling for $5. Payment may be made in cash and online e-transfer or credit card. Purchasers can also phone Ratcliffe at 905-892-9166 to arrange porch pick-up between 8 AM and 8 PM daily. Ratcliffe said she was very touched by what the community did to support the fundraiser last year. “I didn't go to any big box stores to stock the items, it was all done through 20 local independent businesses, which have all agreed to carry them again this year,” she said. Some $7500 was raised in 2020, with Pelham Cares and the Third Fonthill Scouts splitting the proceeds. Ratcliffe is confident that $10,000 is an achievable goal for 2021. “We’ve been meeting for two hours on Monday nights since August 16,” said Ratcliffe. “My neighbour Vera Barnard has been a huge help — the brains behind the process. When I was desperate for people to help last year, she jumped in with both feet. Scout leader Cheryl Fitcyk, Pauline Wright, Brenda Belair, and university student Meghan Mooren have also been involved.” Ratcliffe found the idea for the Christmas ornaments on Pinterest. “I love helping out, and giving back,” she said. “We’ll all remember Covid times, and that's what Christmas ornaments mean to me, memories.”
MaryAnn Ratcliffe with her handmade Christmas ornaments.
IN PELHAM OUTDOOR MARKET
DON RICKERS
Join in the fun with Outdoor Christmas market, self-guided light tours, Elf Challenge, letters to Santa, Toy drives, skating, Santa Claus Parade and more!
DECEMBER 3 | 4:00pm - 9:30pm Pelham Town Square
The Town of Pelham's holiday signature event returns this year with the Outdoor Christmas Market. This traditional evening market brings together the sights, sounds and smells of the holiday season. From live entertainment, festive drinks, artisan shopping, ice carving demonstrations and visits with Santa there is something for everyone to enjoy!
24TH ANNUAL
PARADE IN PELHAM
PRESENTED BY THE FABULOUS FENWICK LIONS
DECEMBER 11 | 1:00pm | Fenwick
The 24th Annual Santa Claus parade, presented by the Fabulous Fenwick Lions, returns in a traditional format this year. Come and experience the community spirit as local businesses and service groups delight those along the route with festive floats and displays. Don't miss Santa! Parade begins at Bethany Christian Reform Church and ends at Centennial Park in Fenwick. www.pelham.ca/christmas
www.pelham.ca/christmas
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The Voice
A December 1 2021
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
OPINION
The opinions expressed in submitted commentary and letters to the editor are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Voice of Pelham.
The Voice of Pelham is a 1211858 Ontario Limited publication David Burket, Publisher 2-1428 Pelham St., P.O. Box 1489, Fonthill, ON L0S1E0
COTÉ'S COMMENTS Larry Coté
Canadians are a welcoming people
I
magine if your life and those of your loved ones becomes so intolerably unlivable that you have to flee your country of birth and seek refuge in a foreign land. Likely, any destination you seek will be unfamiliar in so many ways. A different language, culture, climate, food, and ways different from yours beyond even your wildest imaginings. That almost unthinkable scenario is what millions of people around the globe are faced with every day. They fervently look for relief from such despicable conditions and desperately hope that somewhere in this world there are people who will come to their aid. They do not know when, why, or where they might encounter such people, but hope springs eternal in spite of their unimaginable conditions. Fortunately, there are persons in this country who make us all proud to be Canadians. They have portrayed us all to be regarded around the world as a kind and considerate nation. This has been demonstrated time and time again when Canadians have been
called upon to come to the aid of people from around the world, who have encountered life-altering and threatening travails.
That almost unthinkable scenario is what millions of people around the globe are faced with every day
Canadians are also known to be humble and in spite of that noble ascription it should be acceptable to occasionally celebrate that treasured reputation. One of those concepts is how Canada has welcomed tens of thousands of refugees from many distressed areas of the world. It is true there are some Canadians who are not so welcoming to refugees to this country. They are entitled to such opinions and guaranteed that freedom by
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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca PUBLISHER Dave Burket publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca CONTRIBUTING NEWS EDITOR Don Rickers
OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Lori Gretsinger
CONTRIBUTORS Jane Bedard, Carolyn Botari, Colin Brezicki, Rosemary Chambers, John Chick, Larry Coté, Brian Green, Miriam Han, Megan Metler, Bill Potrecz, Bernie Puchalski, 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
our Charter. But there are others who believe those who oppose Canada’s acceptance of refugees fail to recognize how these new Canadians help to enrich our society, add to our diversity, and help to grow our economy. Often, when we think about refugees we envisage depressing scenarios depicting persons enduring life threatening and often inhumane conditions. In order to ease the concerns of those who would discourage the entry of refugees to Canada and alleviate some of those depressing images, perhaps we could look to some of the positive success stories from among the thousands of refugees to Canada. What follows here are some observations about two private sponsorships within our midst. Private sponsorship means that no government funds are involved in the resettlement of the refugees to this country. There have been a number of groups locally that have undertaken such charitable initiatives. The first of example See WELCOMING Page 6
Letters Retail marketer now marketing retail politics? I was disappointed to read the letter from Rick Woodward in support of Pelham’s ex-(tempting to add “disgraced”) mayor, David Augustyn [“Former mayor running for Ontario NDP,” Letters, Nov. 24, p.6]. I remember Mr. Woodward from his many years managing the marketing and promotion for the Pen Centre Shopping Mall in St. Catharines. It is unfortunate, but in a way not surprising, that he now seems to be in the business of promoting David Augustyn. Mr. Woodward’s statement that the “alternative” to the transformation of Pelham
into yet another GTA exurban commuter community is “stagnation and a slow death” is exaggerated nonsense. The “alternative” to ugly, tightly-packed row-homes on treeless streets is the preservation of green space and the preservation of farmland. The “alternative” to the Augustyn council rubber-stamping these ugly designs— and the eyesore strip malls on Highway 20— would have been to take a more conSee RETAIL next page
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CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament
Electoral District: Niagara West
Dean Allison, MP 4994 King Street Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 Dean.Allison@parl.gc.ca 877-563-7900 Member of Provincial Parliament
Electoral District: Niagara West
Sam Oosterhoff, MPP 4961 King St. East, Unit M1 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B0 sam.oosterhoffco@pc.ola.org 905-563-1755 Members of Niagara Regional Council Councillor Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2987 Councillor Diana Huson diana.huson@niagararegion.ca 905-324-3094 Town of Pelham 20 Pelham Town Square P.O. Box 400 Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-2607
Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2986 Members of Pelham Town Council Ward 1 Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840 Councillor Wayne Olson wolson@pelham.ca 905-933 6033
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A December 1 2021
OPINION Reaction to perceived “conservative Christian” slur So now simply being a Christian is a black mark? In his letter supporting the former Pelham mayor Augustyn [“Former mayor running for Ontario NDP,” Letters, Nov. 24, p.6], Rick Woodward wrote, “Our riding is currently held by a 24-year-old conservative Christian, Sam Oosterhoff, a representative who is often in some public and political trouble.” Since when is being a conservative Christian worthy of condemnation? This is bigotry, pure and simple, and Rick Woodward owes MPP Oosterhoff, and the many conservative Christians in this community, an unqualified apology. Sharon Little Via Voice website The word “Christian” in reference to Sam Oosterhoff was disturbing. Do you automatically say “Muslim,” “Sikh,” “atheist,” “Catholic,” “Baptist,” etc., when referencing a politician? Their religion should not matter. By the way, I am a Christian—proud of it and proud of Mr. Oosterhoff. What religion does the NDP leader Andrea Horwath practice? Goodbye and God bless. Sue Harding Pelham In his letter, Mr. Woodward attempts to make a case for the selection of the former mayor as the NDP candidate in our next provincial election. In his concluding paragraph the author states “Our riding is currently held by a 24-year-old conservative Christian, Sam Oosterhoff, a representative who is often in some public and political trouble.” I’d like the author to imagine the reaction to his statement if we substitute Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, or any other re-
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continued from previous page sidered approach. Niagara-on-the-Lake has managed to do this for many years, retaining its charm and character. Why couldn’t Pelham? Why was the Augustyn council so keen to pave this town over, handing over our destiny to developers through questionable financing means? What happened in Fonthill is about to happen in Fenwick due to what this man and his council approved. I also want to note that no one disputes that the new community centre is a fine facility. It certainly should be for the $36 million we
ligion in place of Christian. Of course, he’d be identified as some sort of racist. I’m sure Mr. Woodward is not a racist and possibly even identifies as Christian, but his little missive provides a good lesson to “Leave Religion Out of Politics” and just state the facts in a secular fashion. Michael Hoch Fonthill EDITOR’S NOTE MPP Oosterhoff declined to comment publicly. The Voice asked Rick Woodward if he wished to clarify his reference to Oosterhoff’s religious affiliation. He provided the following response: “Thank you for allowing me to comment on the remarks I made in last week’s edition of the Voice. I apologize to anyone who may have misinterpreted my remarks as being anti-Christian bigotry. That certainly wasn’t my intention. However, as the religion.fandom.com Wiki entry puts it, Conservative Christianity is often characterized by 'a belief in the authority of the Bible and a belief that it is an incontrovertible source of God’s revelation to mankind. This includes a willingness to believe that the Bible is to be believed over science or any other source. Bible prophecy and Bible inerrancy are affirmed.' These are ideas I have a problem reconciling. Historically, faith and politics have led to some pretty horrific outcomes. We should keep all religions out of our politics.”
taxpayers spent on it. What anyone with any sense objected to is the underhanded, devious methods used to sell the public on how it was to be financed. The very provable fact is that the Town of Pelham continues to be in relatively poor financial condition, due almost entirely to the MCC debt we will be paying off for decades. Mr. Woodward now apparently wants to promote David Augustyn like he promoted Pen Centre. However, if there’s anything that this pandemic has taught us it is how we became way too dependent on unnecessary, disposable crap. I hold out hope that the voters of Niagara West soon come to
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R realize what the residents of Pelham already know— that buying what David Augustyn has to sell is bad for the environment, bad for our wallets, and bad for our souls. J. Macdonald Via Voice website
PELHAM AND COVID-19 Mayor Marvin Junkin
Even with pandemic, Town finances back from the brink
A
s mentioned in last week’s column, Town Council will be receiving various budgets from staff over the next several weeks, to be discussed and passed. On Monday evening, Town Treasurer Teresa Quinlin-Murphy, and Deputy Treasurer Charlotte Tunikaitis were to present the capital budget and the water budget. Included in the presentation was a section which dealt with the overall financial health of the Town, using provincial indicators. I am proud to say that all five of these “financial health indicators” show a marked improvement over their 2018 counterparts, with several falling from high-risk to low-risk. These results have been achieved due to the efforts of both staff and council to continue to lower the Town’s debt, while also adding money to the Town’s reserve funds. The big-ticket item in the budget is a request from the Fire Department for a heavy rescue truck, with a price tag of $600,000 dollars. The truck it is replacing is 20 years old, and it has structural fatigue.
Last week, I participated in two events, along with Town staff and members of council. On Tuesday, Councillors Wink and Olson and I raised a flag in recognition of HIV/AIDS Awareness Week. This disease has been in our communities for 40
These results have been achieved due to the efforts of both staff and council
years now. It is estimated that some 400 people in Niagara are living with HIV. Also taking part in this ceremony were representatives from Positive Living Niagara, who introduced their Red Scarf campaign. They then tied scarves to several trees and fences in front of Town Hall along with an explanatory tag attached. n Friday, Councillors Wink and Olson again joined myself, and various Town staff and a small
O
group of Town residents, along with members from the Niagara Region Native Centre, at the MCC for the REDress project reveal. Shyann Jenkins shared her story of REDress and a song. The REDress installation itself, which consisted of red dresses being placed in the trees along the south side of the MCC, was coordinated by the Canadian Federation of University Women, Welland and District, represented by Kathy Shaw, currently president of this organization, and past president Carol Harding, and was based on the installation originally done in 2010 by Metis artist Jamie Black. Each red dress represents over 100 missing or murdered Indigenous women, a truly tragic number that this display drives home. Equally revealing is the statistic that one in two women over the age of 16, in Canada, have experienced one of the many forms of gender-based violence. This is the first time that I have been involved and hope that with it taking place in Town more people will become aware of these atrocities against these women. ◆
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Page 6
The Voice
A December 1 2021
One bridge crossed: Regional Council gives first of three approvals for Niagara-wide public transit system
Letters continued Councillors’ actions speak louder than words
This year, put a wrap on wrapping and help save the environment
I swear the antics in Pelham never cease to amaze me. Just when I want to give local politicians the benefit of the doubt, they say or do things that further erode my trust! The total lack of this Town Council to work together, and the whole four-vs.three attitude has plagued any good they might have done. I fully believe that council could do more good and accomplish more for the residents if they worked together. The anti-trust in vaccine attitude and lack of disclosure, by the Conservative Party, both Federally and Provincially, and the opposition to the vaccine passport continues to become a roadblock in encouraging the non-vaccinated to become so, and controlling the case numbers, preventing them from increasing and putting further doubt in people’s minds, both in parliament and on social media. Politics trying to undermine the science is ludicrous. I want to see MP Dean Allison and his colleagues line up and take their off-label doses of Ivermectin. In the work I do, I trust the opinion of the doctors and the science behind the vaccines, not the politicians. If necessary, I will step up for a third booster shot to protect myself, friends, and family. The Liberals wasted $660 million dollars on an election that we did not need and the outcome changed nothing. According to the experts there was nothing concrete in the Throne Speech that helps Canadians. Inflation, housing costs, the cost of living, controlling taxation, and reducing debt, from the municipal level all the way to the federal level. The $660 million could have been spent wisely, on things like healthcare, but now that the other federal parties don't agree with the substance, or lack of, in the Throne speech, will they dare trigger an election? We also own a federal pipeline that is now a white elephant, while at the same time gasoline is up 41 percent, as is every item at the store. Climate Change is real, but not new. Coming out of this pandemic, health, jobs, cost of living, and stability are what I'm looking for, not more turmoil caused by politicians. The icing on the cake had to be the endorsement of a former mayor of Pelham, by the NDP, to run provincially in the next election. The cannabis odour issue was thrust upon us by the last mayor and the feds. The East Fonthill congestion and development mess was hurried by the last council and the debt we incurred as residents, instead of proper funding procedures and planning for the MCC, was piled on us by the last council. Now the previous mayor wants to represent us provincially, while we live with the results of his last two terms in Pelham? In summary, politicians solicit your vote based on their platform and trust. With everything that I just stated, I have a hard time supporting anyone at this point in any party, since I feel that their actions past and present, and platforms, are broken and the trust that I placed in any of them has eroded. I fully support Mayor Junkin as a down-to-earth person with a common-sense farming background. Be careful who you place your trust in, because you will need to live with their agenda for the next four years after you vote. Actions speak louder than words. Rick Kavanagh Fenwick
During the Christmas season Canadians will throw away an extra 450,000 metric tonnes of trash—wrapping paper, boxes, Christmas cards, leftover food, etc. In addition, some 6,000 kilometers of ribbon will be discarded. Neither wrapping paper nor ribbon nor traditional Christmas cards are recyclable. Save every bit of paper and ribbon that comes your way. Consider wrapping gifts in newsprint or packing paper, fabric scraps, pillow cases, or gift bags which can be saved and used over and over. We currently use some bags which have reached the ripe old age of 20 years. Consider e-cards or homemade cards on paper that can be recycled. For gifts consider homemade crafts or food, coupons for things like a cooked dinner, babysitting, or an event. Gift certificates are also welcomed as gifts. The idea is to avoid “stuff.” If just we and our families and friends could do these things it would make an impact. Let’s put a wrap on wrapping. Donald Brown Fonthill
Here comes gridlock The intensification in Pelham does not appear to take into consideration the access to roads. In East Fonthill we see a few narrow arterial roads leading to Rice Road and to Station Street, onward to Highway 20. Construction of homes continues along Rice Road into Welland, above into Thorold, and soon more off Station Street. Inevitably hundreds of cars will leave home around the same time daily, creating congested, narrow roads and frayed tempers. Given that most households have at least one car, and recognizing that retired folks also drive, Pelham taxpayers are waiting eagerly to hear solutions for improved traffic control. L. Morgan Fonthill
Border policy borders on senseless Isn’t it time we took the politicians out of this? We ban flights from Africa, but allow the asylum seekers to come in via Roxham Road in Quebec? Doesn’t make much sense to me. Joan Eby Fonthill
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continued from Page 4 involves a family from Vietnam during that crisis in the mid 1970s. The second exemplification is a more recent one involving a family from a war-ravaged Syria. The family from Vietnam was a young couple with four children under the age of ten. The sponsoring group had rented and furnished a small, three-bedroom house centrally located in the community. The story of their precarious escape from Vietnam would make an award-winning feature movie. The preparations to escape were brilliantly executed and encountering pirates on the high seas along the way are mere morsels of the intrigue associated with that journey. Although he spoke no English, the husband and father
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The first step in integrating Niagara’s transit services into a single, Region-wide system passed Nov. 25 with Regional Council voting in favour of amalgamation. The only no-vote on the matter came from Wainfleet Mayor Kevin Gibson. Pelham’s representatives, Mayor Marvin Junkin and Councillor Diana Huson, voted to support. The vote was the first step in the triple-majority process required to implement the system. Municipal councils, including Pelham’s, will begin voting individually on the plan the week of Dec. 6. A simple majority —seven of Niagara’s 12 municipalities — is next needed to pass the plan. Finally, those municipalities must represent at least 50 percent, plus one, of Niagara’s registered voters—the third element in the triple majority. Mathematically this means that at least two of the Region’s big three cities—St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, and Welland—must vote their approval. “Regional Council made an historic, progressive and courageous decision this afternoon which will set into motion that process that will hopefully strengthen public transit across Niagara for generations to come,” Regional Chair Jim Bradley said. “Council’s vote is the culmination of thousands of hours of negotiation, consultation and debate across the region which aims to create a singular, enhanced transit service for all residents.” Junkin praised Regional staff for considering a smaller community like Pelham’s needs during the lengthy study process, saying the
current on-demand transit service “can only be described as very successful.” “I thank you for listening to … all the other smaller municipalities,” the Mayor added. “Once we get the whole system up and running [we can] allay municipal fears about lack of service
I think this is the best of both worlds
or any other perceived injustices.” However, Huson asked if the Region running the on-demand system that currently serves Pelham would be more cost-effective than contracting it out to a private enterprise. “My understanding is it would increase efficiency and service but won’t necessarily cost less,” Huson said. Transit Governance Study Director Matt Robinson agreed. “Operational efficiencies can be achieved by bringing in-house, but I think that’s a safe assessment,” he said. West Lincoln Mayor David Bylsma said it was still a good deal for his less-populated municipality. “It allows us to participate in the vision of a Regional plan without actually committing copious amounts of taxpayer dollars,” Bylsma said. “I think there’s enough flexibility in here … I think this is the best of both worlds.”
young school-aged children. The woman is university educated, speaks three languages, and worked in a high-level administrative capacity prior to their escape to freedom. The husband and father is an accomplished skilled tradesman. Just one of their complications while living in Syria was their adherence to a Christian denomination. As part of their plan to escape from the tyranny of their life in Syria they covertly moved to Lebanon for a while before applying to come to Canada. Again the sponsoring group rented and prepared a house located near the center of the community. Soon thereafter, both the woman and the man obtained entry-level positions in the workforce and were totally independent and self supporting in a very short time. Both have made advancements
in their workplaces, obtained Canadian citizenship, and have purchased a home. Their children are doing well in school and participating in organized sports. Again, were you to drive by their house you would not know they were refugees but rather just another typical Canadian household. It is absolutely remarkable how each member of both of these families has adapted to their new country in every aspect of their lives. We are fortunate to have these new neighbours. While much more could be written about these two specific refugee families it is clear that their integration into Canadian society includes many pluses. It is important to recall that Canada was built by immigrants from across all regions of the world. Welcoming refugees to this country is a continuance of that history. ◆
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of the family obtained, on his own initiative, a job at a workplace not favored by domestic workers. After about a year, again on his own initiative, he found a better job in the Toronto area and moved his family to that city. His wife also found work in that city. This family has prospered and obtained Canadian citizenship almost entirely on their own initiative. All four children have obtained post-secondary educations and have started their own families. When they arrived in Canada, their entire possessions were packed into five plastic bags. Now this family portrays the image of ordinary middle class Canadian neighbours and integral participants of their community. The other private sponsorship is a family from war-torn Syria. This family is comprised of couple with two
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The Voice
Page 7
A December 1 2021
RED SCARF PROJECT Last Wednesday the Town of Pelham marked the start of HIV/AIDS Awareness Week, which runs until Dec. 1, by raising the flag of advocacy organization Positive Living Niagara at Town Hall. Forty years ago marked the start of the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic. Positive Living estimates that some 400 Niagara residents are living with HIV. Volunteer-knitted scarves symbolize support for those affected by the disease. Present were Councillors John Wink and Wayne Olson, Positive Living’s Mutsa Charamba, and Mayor Marvin Junkin. SUPPLIED
At Pelham Street and Highway 20, crossing guard Henry Wutzke wore his support. VILMA MORETTI
111 Hwy 20 East FONTHILL
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The Voice
A December 1 2021
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Standing against genderbased violence REDress display at MCC acknowledges killed and missing Indigenous women BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor Red dresses fluttered in a cold wind outside the community centre last Friday, with the symbolic purpose of bringing awareness to a global initiative called 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and Violence against Women. The Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) of Welland and District placed the dresses as part of their involvement in the program. The REDress Project focuses on the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women, and is on display in public spaces throughout Canada and the United States The representative use of red dresses was originated by Metis artist Jaime Black in 2010. A brief ceremony included par-
Canadian Federation of University Women members Colleen Kenyon, Gwenn Alves, president Kathy Shaw, and Carol Harding with their REDress display outside the Meridian Community Centre. DON RICKERS ticipation by Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin, local CFUW members, and Cheyenne Jenkins, from the Niagara Regional Native Centre. “We chose the REDress Project as one of our activities because we need to educate people and have conversations to create greater general awareness on the issue of violence against women,” said CFUW president Kathy Shaw. The CFUW has slated a number of other events during the 16 Days
of Activism. On Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 7 PM, they will be hosting a Zoom talk by Kayla Mayer, the Anti-Trafficking Team Lead at the YWCA in St. Catharines, who will provide an update regarding human trafficking in the Niagara area. This meeting is open to the public. Founded in 1919, CFUW has 100 chapters across Canada, with a mission to improve the status of women, promote human rights, support public education, and ad-
vocate for social justice. The organization contributes approximately $1 million annually to scholarships for women. The CFUW chapter for Welland and District was established in 1941. The organization has prepared a toolkit which details the CFUW’s 16 Days of Activism program, available online at https://cfuwadmin.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/2021-Toolkit16-Days-of-Activism.pdf
Gender-based violence (GBV), as broadly-defined by the United Nations, includes domestic violence, sexual harassment or assault, child marriage, psychological or emotional abuse, human trafficking, financial abuse, stalking, femicide, and female genital cutting/mutilation. In Canada, Indigenous women and girls, women with disabilities, See 16 DAYS next page
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continued from previous page newcomers, youth, seniors, GBTQ12S+ and non-binary individuals and those living in rural or remote communities are disproportionately impacted by gender-based violence. Thousands of women and children sleep in shelters every night because their home isn’t safe, say advocates. Niagara Regional Chair Jim Bradley said in a press release that the Region’s Women’s Advisory Committee and Regional Council formally support the 16 Days of Activism campaign. “While gender-based violence is always a serious concern, the last 20 months of the pandemic has seen a steep increase in reports of domestic violence across our community,” said Bradley. “The necessary social isolation required to slow the spread of Covid-19 has had the unintended impact of exacerbating unstable and exploitive situations in Niagara. During periods of quarantine, crisis lines across the country nearly doubled their call volume, and law enforcement found that domestic violence calls spiked by nearly 12 percent.” A recent RCMP report found that First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women and girls are four-andhalf times more likely to be murdered than any other woman in Canada. Niagara’s geographic location as a border region
The Voice brings with it many tragic instances of human trafficking, said Bradley, with almost all of the victims being women, and more than one in four under the age of 18. “These victims are controlled through grooming, coercion, isolation, shame, threats and substance abuse — we would all do well to be more aware and better educated on both the scope of this issue, and how best to recognize the warning signs.” Bradley stressed in his message that ending gender-based violence begins with a focus on prevention through education. “We must support victims, and ensure adequate resources and supports are available in our community. We must work to address the social norms and power imbalances that, inpart, allow gender-based violence to occur. Finally, we need to ensure our law enforcement agencies and judicial system holds perpetrators accountable.” The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence movement is an annual international campaign that runs November 25 through December 10. It was started at the inaugural Women's Global Leadership Institute in 1991, and is one of the world’s largest organizing strategies in the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence. Additional details on the 16 Days of Activism are available at the website https://16dayscampaign.org
Page 9
A December 1 2021
Welland Bridge 13 lights up in orange BY MEGAN METLER Special to the Voice This year marks the 30th anniversary of the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence. According the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW), the campaign was started at the Inaugural Women’s Global Leadership Institute, in 1991, and is one of the largest organizing strategies in the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence globally. CFUW focuses on the support and promotion of women and girls and the related issues they face. The main goals are the pursuit of knowledge, promotion of education, improvement of the status of women and girls and active participation in public affairs. Anne Lessard, a CFUW member, said that the 16 Days of Activism campaign is for those suffering from any type of abuse, trafficking, or violence based on their gender. It’s also to support transgender people and the hardships they face. CFUW Welland and Dis-
Local supporters of the 16 Days of Activism campaign gather to witness the bridge lighting. trict Unit and St. Catharines clubs, Women’s Place of South Niagara, advocacy groups, and other organizations or are involved in this year’s campaign. They collectively organized and attended the many events running from November 25, The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to December 10, Human Rights Day. Last Thursday, kicked off the activities with a flag acknowledgement at 11 AM at the Niagara Regional Headquarters. By noon, red dresses were displayed outside Pelham’s Meridian Community Centre (MCC) to represent the numerous Indigenous women and girls lost due to violent crimes. The Red Dress Campaign
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aimed to raise awareness of the higher rates of violence that indigenous women and girls face. The display will remain up for the rest of the campaign. According to the signs that accompanied the red dresses outside the MCC, 16 percent of all the women murdered in Canada between 1989 and 2022 were Indigenous, yet they only make up 4 percent of Canada’s female population. The first day of the campaign concluded with the lighting of Bridge 13 in Welland. Just prior to 5 PM, when the sky was dark enough, the bridge lit up in orange. Despite the rain, wind and increasingly cold weather, many were gathered for the occasion. The group of peo-
MEGAN METLER
ple met to watch the lighting of the bridge, took some photos and spoke about the initiative and some of the issues that will be highlighted throughout the campaign. There are many plans for the remainder of the initiative, such as flag-raising ceremonies in different cities in the area. The Town of Pelham, in partnership with Women’s Place of South Niagara, is raising the #WrappedinCourage flag at 9 AM on December 2 at Town Hall. “This campaign is against the gender-based violence of all women, especially those who are indigenous, but all women and girls all over the world. It’s for all of them,” said Kathy Shaw, President of CFUW Welland and District Unit.
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Page 10
The Voice
A December 1 2021
Pieces of Our Past
Little-known Black history comes to light in new documentary series “Canfield Roots” reveals the now largely forgotten story of how escaped slaves started new lives in rural Niagara
T
he village of Canfield lies about half an hour due west of Fenwick, out Canborough Road and Highway 3. There is little to distinguish the town these days—a cluster of houses lining the highway for about half a kilometre, no commerce to speak of, no real town centre or significant buildings to warrant a glance. Once it was a bustling community, hub of three rail lines, with hotels, banks, stores, a blacksmith shop, and many churches. At one time, it was also home to a large and vibrant Black community known as “Freedom Seekers,” escaped slaves from the United States, who settled there and made lives for themselves and their families. The 1851 census reveals that the Canfield population included 137 Black citizens; today there is not a single Black person left in the town. However, the Black history of Canfield has not been forgotten. A film series called “Canfield Roots,” produced and directed by Graeme Bachiu of Windecker Road Films, has recently debuted on Bell Fibe TV. The six-part documentary series traces the roots of the Black families who came north on the Underground Railroad and settled in and near Canfield, and through their descendants, now scattered across North America, recalls the community of Freedom Seekers and their families. Spencer Martin kneels beside a fallen gravestone in an overgrown cluster of trees in the middle of a farm field just outside of Canfield. He brushes away the leaves and debris that obscure the stone and when the name Street is revealed, he murmurs, “This is my family. This is where I come from.” A direct descendant of the first escaped slaves to settle in Canfield, Martin is a retired civil servant who now lives in Toronto and has come to Canfield at the invitation of Graeme Bachiu to see the abandoned cemetery that forms the central metaphor in the “Canfield Roots” documentary. As the debris is scraped away, the full engraving on the stone is revealed: “David Street. Born October 20, 1850.” He is Martin’s great-great-grandfather, and the son of escaped slaves Stepaney and Lucy Street. In 1841 at the age of 19, with her three children, Lucy Street fled her owner in West Virginia and made her way north on the Underground Railroad, crossing Lake Erie to Port Abino and eventually making her way to St. Catharines. The Black community in St. Catharines was well established under the leadership of the famous Harriet Tubman, and Lucy was taken into that community until she could locate her husband. Stepaney Street was owned by a different farmer in West Virginia and had escaped a few weeks be-
BY BRIAN GREEN Special to the Voice
fore Lucy, when he found he was about to be sold and moved away from his family. He crossed the border in Windsor and came to St. Catharines when he learned that was where they were. The Streets eventually moved to Canfield, had 13 children, and became stalwarts of the Black community there, building a church on their property and providing the land for the small cemetery. The Harper and Barnes, Duncan and Williams families joined and intermarried with the Streets and all are represented on the broken and sunken gravestones in the little derelict graveyard. Asked why Canfield became a destination for escaped slaves, Spencer Martin has a ready explanation. “Close to the border the bounty hunters and slave catchers operated,” he says. “Many fled inland to find safety and cheaper land.” Martin and his relatives, though now scattered across North America, have been aware of their connection to Canfield all their lives. Martin’s cousin, Aileen Duncan, recalls driving with her grandfather out to Canfield from their home in Hamilton to visit relatives and some of the properties that were important to the Black community of the area. Her grandfather’s great- grandmother was Lucy Street. The cemetery where Lucy and her children and relatives are buried has become a rallying point for their descendants, and Graeme Bachiu’s video documents their concerns and recent efforts to have it recognized and preserved. Like many early cemeteries, this one is on private land and depends on the landowner to provide access and upkeep. While the Bereavement Authority of Ontario legally requires landowners to maintain such graveyards and provide reasonable access to relatives of those buried there, there are literally hundreds of such forgotten and abandoned cemeteries
in rural parts of Ontario. Many landowners are concerned about trespassing and liability, so are happy to let the gravestones gradually sink into the ground and the plots disappear into the brush. Some have even destroyed or moved the gravestones to prevent any recognition of the site. Now that the historical importance of this cemetery is being recognized, Lucy Street’s descendants are hopeful that Haldimand County will acquire the property from the farmer who presently owns it and make provision for it to be recognized as historically significant. Martin echoes the feelings of many of the descendants when he says, “I’d like to see it somewhat restored and preserved within a natural setting, a peaceful place to remember our ancestors.” Others have suggested that a plaque outlining its importance as a historic site be erected, but that the site be set aside as a quiet place for contemplation and reflection. There is an historic plaque in the Canfield Community Cemetery that recognizes the presence of the Black Freedom Seekers and their descendants. It reads in part, “This small community was a safe haven which welcomed the Blacks with respect, compassion and acceptance.” While this seems to have been true for the most part, and there are Black children among the photos taken through the years at local schools, the last Black person to live in Canfield left for Toronto and eventually the United States to escape a childhood that left her scarred. Betty Ann Newman says that growing up in Canfield she and her brother were the only two Black students in their schools and their road was not easy. “When I left Canfield, I took off those labels and threw them out the door,” she says, referring to the “coloured” and “Negro” terms that were common. “I became Heinz 57.”
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The Voice
Page 11
A December 1 2021
Far left, Spencer Martin, at right, a direct descendant of the former slaves buried
in a hidden and abandoned cemetery uncovers one of the stones that mark the resting place of his ancestors. Filmmaker Graeme Bachiu points to the marker. Centre, this 1921 image shows the women of the Williams family, descendants of the original escaped slaves who came to Canfield on the Underground Railroad. Described as strong and resilient, the women of the community were the rock on which the Black community was formed. Spencer Martin’s grandmother stands second from right, pregnant with Martin’s mother. Lower left, this cairn and plaque in the Canfield Community Cemetery commemorates the Black families who settled in Canfield. Lower right, Spencer Martin, a direct descendant of the escaped slaves who came to Canfield in the mid-1800s, examines one of his ancestor’s tombstones in the abandoned cemetery. Bottom right, Graeme Bachiu, Director and Producer; Bill Douglas, Williams and Street family descendant; Brian Marleau, Director of Photography. Below, David Street was the son of Lucy and Stepney Street, escaped slaves who made their way to Canfield from West Virginia in 1841. BRIAN GREEN / SUPPLIED
The road adjacent to the cemetery is marked on old maps and is still known among older residents of Canfield as “Darkey Road.” For many of the offspring of the Freedom Seekers, the hardest part of growing up in small Ontario communities was being ashamed of who they were. The descendants of Lucy Street and the other Black settlers in and around Canfield are now in the process of reclaiming pride in their heritage. Graeme Bachiu became interested in Canfield’s Black history when he bought a decommissioned church nearby and asked local historian, Sylvia Weaver, about the history of his new home. “She came over and we talked about the church for about 20 minutes,” he recalls. “But then she told me about the history of the Black community, and we talked for two hours.” The video project has taken three years to research, script, shoot, and edit, and the six-part production is clearly a labour of love for Bachiu. “Taking an empathetic point of view and getting close to the subjects takes time,” he says. Bachiu is a graduate of the Broadcast: Radio, Television, Film Program at Niagara College. He worked for CHCH-TV in Hamilton until 2015, when he decided to launch Windecker Road Films and produce documentaries and “branded docs” (promotional films) that help to pay his bills. He intends to produce a one-hour version of Canfield Roots for other media outlets and to enter film festivals. In the course of researching “Canfield Roots,” Bachiu says, “I came across enough material, enough stories for a dozen documentaries.” For example, one of those buried in the little cemetery is the niece of Harriet Tubman, Carrie Stevens. She married William Harper and their son was William A. Harper, a renowned artist whose
paintings hang in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The only Black student at the Chicago School of Art, he put himself through school by working as the school janitor. Another Canfield descendant, Harry Lee, was the last man to be hanged at Hamilton’s Barton Street jail. Executed for the murder of his girlfriend, a member of the synagogue where he was a caretaker, he protested his innocence to the end. Subsequent investigative articles in the Hamilton Spectator give credence to his claims and reveal that racism was certainly a factor in the rush to find him guilty. Bachiu says there are many other untold stories that are gradually being discovered as the Canfield community begins to recall its past. Graeme Bachiu’s video series has shed light on the little-known part the Black Freedom Seekers played in rural Niagara history, and it has already had impact. The little abandoned cemetery in a farm field on the outskirts of Canfield is now in the process of being acquired by Haldimand County, so there is a sense of hope that the site will become a memorial to the brave men and women who endured incredible hardship to escape slavery, made their way to Canada, settled in Canfield, and provided their families and descendants with a heritage worthy of remembrance. ◆ POSTSCRIPT After this story was written, further investigation at the abandoned cemetery near Canfield uncovered the grave of Stepney Street, the first person to be buried in the cemetery located on land that he and his family donated for the remains of the Black residents of the community. Lucy Street’s grave has not yet been located, but descendants are hopeful that the discovery of Stepney’s headstone will lead them to find her resting place as well.
Page 12
The Voice
A December 1 2021
www.thevoiceofpelham.ca
Niagara EMS swamped says CUPE Union asserts that public safety being put at risk BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor It’s a tragedy waiting to happen. That’s the view of Local 911 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE 911), which asserts that the Niagara Region Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is putting public safety at risk by not adequately staffing and resourcing paramedic services in its service area. The union is also calling attention to high rates of burnout among paramedics and dispatchers. Jon Brunarski, president of CUPE 911 and himself an active paramedic, said in a press release that these problems have been in existence for years now. “These shortfalls rob us of the required capacity to respond to 911 calls in time, and has severe consequences for patient care,” he said, noting a trend of higher call volumes which worsened during the
BALANCED LIFE
continued from Page 18 feinated coffee. There is sound evidence that the eye-opening caffeine jolt we all love in the morning can be beneficial too. Caffeine acts as a stimulant to our central nervous system, helping us focus and feel more alert. Taken in moderation it elevates our mood
pandemic. “Patients who call 911 frequently have to wait for long durations to have us show up at their doorstep, because there are no ambulances available,” Brunarski said. “The government must hire more full-time paramedics, more full-time dispatchers, and increase the number of ambulances on the road.” Brunarski points to off-load delays at hospitals as a key contributing factor to a decline in ambulance availability, and noted that in the last seven months, nearly 350 patients in Niagara were left stranded for hours due to off-load delays, with 63 spending more than six hours on EMS stretchers. He said that Niagara Health’s St. Catharines hospital site has ranked last among 74 Ontario hospitals for average off-load times in the last 11
and improves our concentration, both of which make us more productive. During the day our body produces adenosine, a chemical which acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, depressing our central nervous system, thereby promoting sleep and suppressing arousal. The level of adenosine in our body normally increases
months, based on data from Ontario Health. According to CUPE 911, Ontario’s lack of hospital capacity is the primary reason for off-load delays, since the province has the least number of hospital beds per capita across Canada, due to cost-cutting over the past three decades. Ontario has 2.2 hospital beds per 1000 people, versus the national average of 3.2. Paramedics are routinely missing meal breaks and working overtime to provide emergency care, said Brunarski, and have experienced an increase in sick-time
throughout the day, preparing us for sleep. Caffeine blocks the function of adenosine, overcoming our drowsiness and making our body more excitable, in effect, reducing our perceived need for rest. It is also proven that for many of us, caffeine taken in higher doses may produce negative effects such as anxiety, restlessness,
usage in excess of 30 percent this year. The Region’s policy of putting u n v a c c i n a ted employees, including front-line workers like paramedics, on unpaid leave “only adds to workload pressures for the rest of us,” said Brunarski, who noted that the vast majority of paramedics in Niagara are vaccinated. Leila Paugh has been a paramedic for 21 years in Niagara Region, primarily in Fort Erie and Niagara Falls, and serves on the CUPE 911 executive. She corroborates Brunarski’s litany of issues. “Call volume has gone up exponentially,” Paugh told the Voice. “We haven't hired full-time paramedics. We don't have any extra ambulances on the road to compensate for the call volume, and
insomnia, and increased heart rate. The positive effect caffeine had in keeping us alert by blocking our adenosine receptors can lead to anxiety and jitteriness when we consume more than 1000 mg per day. Caffeine-induced Anxiety Disorder is recognized as a caffeine-related mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association. As with any of the other negative effects of caffeine, this disorder may occur at lower intake levels in those who are caffeine sensitive. Rapid breathing, lightheadedness, and muscle tremors, often referred to as the jitters, are other negative responses to caffeine that are directly related to individual sensitivity. Caffeine can also disrupt
people are getting burnt-out and at a ridiculous rate.” Although the design of the shift rotations causes some problems for paramedics, she said the main concerns are call volume and lack of resources. “On a recent night shift in Niagara Falls, my partner and I handled 13 calls in one 12-hour shift,” said Paugh. “We usually average about seven or eight calls per shift.” Paugh acknowledged the issue of off-loads at hospitals taking up valuable time, when paramedics should be focusing on emergency care. “There's simply no downtime. Some people are waiting hours for an ambulance, when standard response time is supposed to be 20 minutes. If someone is having a medical emergency, getting an ambulance to them quickly is literally a matter of life and death.” The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 911 represents approximately 400 staff employed by Niagara EMS, including paramedics, dispatchers, and two occupational therapists.
sleep patterns, as many of us have experienced. After drinking caffeine, 25 percent of it still remains in our body 12 hours later. A morning coffee is likely to hit all the right buttons we expect during the day, energy, good mood, and focus. Consuming that same amount of coffee at lunch means 25 percent of it will still be with us at midnight. If we drink coffee with dinner, significantly more than 25 percent of the caffeine will remain in our bodies all night, potentially ruining our sleep. Worse still, by blocking our adenosine receptors, it is our slow wave or deep sleep, the kind we need most to awaken refreshed, that is disturbed by caffeine. This may produce a cumulative effect when
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caffeine blocks the gradual rise and fall of adenosine levels in our body, resulting in a more intense fatigue when the caffeine eventually wears off. For many, a coffee in the morning has a laxative effect, perhaps because coffee stimulates the release of the stomach hormone gastrin which speeds up activity in the colon. It is not caffeine- related. However, caffeine may also stimulate bowel movements by increasing peristalsis, the contractions that force food to progress through your digestive system. Whether these laxative effects are seen as a benefit or negative complication of morning coffee is different for everyone. How much coffee might be too much? A report produced by Chicago’s Mayo Clinic suggests that up to 400 mg of caffeine a day should be safe for most adults. They point out that there are other sources of caffeine beyond coffee and tea by adding, “That's roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, ten cans of cola or two ‘energy shot’ drinks.” Warning signs that you may be exceeding your personal caffeine limit include nervousness and irritability, insomnia, inability to control urination, fast heartbeat and muscle tremors. Increasingly frequent withdrawal headaches may also signal your body is addicted beyond a safe level. As well as the above benefits and drawbacks, caffeine also interacts with some drugs and herbal medications, including ephedrine, theophylline and echinacea, in ways that may create problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before making a major change in the amount of caffeine you drink, whether more or less. Don’t be surprised if savouring a warm coffee in the morning may be just what the doctor will order. ◆
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A December 1 2021
Shop Local Discover Pelham Family-run shops, restaurants, retailers, service providers, and more!
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For a listing of area business locations visit www.pelham.ca/shop
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The Voice
A December 1 2021
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LIONS LIGHT IT UP It was a low-key, Covid-cautious gathering last Friday as the Fenwick Lions Club celebrated their annual lighting of Fenwick’s downtown Christmas tree. From left, Lion Paul Slattery, Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Olson, Mayor Marvin Junkin, Ward 1 Councillor Marianne Stewart, and Lions Ken Suthons and Bill Farion. DON RICKERS
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BY PHONE ■ Weekly delivery to your mailbox by Canada Post Call our office at (905) 892-8690, ■ Exclusive link to high-quality digital PDF version of the paper.Services PELHAM LIBRARY’S COMPUTER CLINIC ■ Twelve free Classified ads up to 30 words ($120 value) Mon-Thurs, 8 AM to 2 PM. “One-to-One Help” with a volunteer tutor. Getfrom helplocal withbusinesses web browsing, Excavating contractor. ■ Periodictech special offers ■ For delivery Canadaediting outsideand Niagara: $79.95 account set-up, e-books, socialinmedia, sharing your Water, sewer upgrades, INwebmail PERSON cards not included(bring for non-Niagara residents.) foundation repair, water and more. Includes use(Gift of laptop or BYOG your own gadget). Our offiphotos ce is located at Saturdays 12:30 – 3:30. Register and pay ahead in person. $5.00 per 1/2 proofing, drainage systems, 1428 Pelham Street, Fonthill, VisitHardware. www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details. quarry stone supply, placeacross fromhour. Beamer’s ment. 905-384-1972. P18-23
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BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Foundation (NPCF) are welcoming the community to the Ball’s Falls Holiday Trail again this winter season. “We are bringing the fun outdoors, with wondrous lights and the magic of the holiday season,” says Alicia Powell, Manager of Conservation Area Services at the NPCA. “By offering the experience of the trails and village illuminated at night, we hope to provide a safe and fun family activity.” The Holiday Trail is an outdoor, evening trail walk experience featuring a 1.5 km (round trip) illuminated path through natural areas along the Niagara Escarpment and Twenty Mile Creek, and through the circa-1800 heritage village of Glen Elgin at Ball’s Falls Conservation Area. Along the way, visitors will take in the winter vistas, including the 27-metre illuminated lower waterfall. Families will have the opportunity to play winter scavenger hunt games, visit the holiday craft station,
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May the sacred heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and PELHAM MINOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE preserved throughout the world, now and forever. Oh sacred FARM FRESHatPRODUCE Buy, sell or trade used equipment the Pelham Arena. Aimed to provide heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Williams Orchards. Open 9 cheaper options for players in this upcoming season. Runs ofSept. 6 from Jude, worker miracles, pray AM - 6 PM, 7 days a week. We for us. Helper of the hopeless, 9-12 in the morning. have Honeycrisp Apples and Tickets must be purpray for us. Say this prayer lots of other varieties; Honey; chased in advance online nine times a day and by the Brown Eggs; Cider; Grape at https://niagara.goingtoPELHAM MUDFEST eighth day, your prayer will be Juice; Squash; Preserves and camp.com. Proof of vaccianswered. hasthe never been Men and women will beApple backFirewood. in the mud as the second runIt on year is 1724 Pelham nation or valid medical exknown to fail. Publication must Street North, Fonthill. Phone heldisatrequired Bissil’s for Hideaway. emption all be promised. THANK YOU to 905-892-5811. attendees age 12 and over. the sacred heart of Jesus and In addition, masks are reSt. Jude for prayers and favours NIAGARA REGIONAL EXHIBITION quired for all indoor areas. answered. SM General admission Mongmail.com
skate under the stars at an eco-friendly ice rink, warm up by a campfire, and enjoy holiday music inside the heritage barn and chapel. Friday through Sunday evenings will feature live musical performances by local artists and performers, as well as children’s programming (including a visit from Santa), local craft and artisan vendors in the Centre for Conservation, and food and beverage refreshments in the Big Barn. The Holiday Trail is open November 26 through January 9, from 5 PM until 9 PM daily. The event is closed December 24, 25, 26, and 31. Three time slots of two hours each are available (5-7 PM, 6:30-8:30 PM, 8-10 PM).
SNOW THROWER Rodeo, games and live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It day through Thursday is $10 SNOW THROWER FOR SALE runs from Sept. 11-14 at the Welland Fairgrounds. for adults, $8 for children WANTED
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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 kirkonthehill@outlook.com
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 his gain, when I know how painful it is to have his physical presence torn away. “I know that God will provide. I know that God’s presence is enough, his fathering is enough, his provision of others in their lives will be more than enough. I know this and yet I feel heartbroken for them at the same time. There will never be another Peter Webber in our lives and I mourn the loss of his unique presence, his character, his strength, his vision, his love. I know that I am a stronger, wiser and freer person for having known him. “No one talks about the miracle of death. When a baby is born into the world, it feels like a miracle. When my garden awakes after a long winter, it feels like a miracle. Death doesn't feel like a miracle at all. It feels like your heart is being squeezed until
you can’t breathe. There is pain that comes in waves, both sharp and dull, and a great emotional weariness. I guess it does sound a little like a birth, but with none of the brightness or joy. “But perhaps we are all on the wrong side of the miracle. We’re still in the womb of the world, watching our friend pass out of it, wanting him to stay in the warmth of our presence. We don’t see the joy on his face as he is born into eternity. We don’t see the brightness of his delivery into Jesus’ arms, or feel the warmth of that long-awaited embrace. We don’t hear the Father say, ‘I am so proud of you, my son!’ “Every death is a birth and every birth a miracle, but it is not the miracle we would prefer. His life in heaven is far better than it was here, even without the cancer, but it is hard to live without that life on earth.” ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor.
IN THE NEWS Arrest in Welland vehicle theft
Since early November, detectives with the NRPS Welland Detective Office have been investigating the theft of a motor vehicle in the City of Welland. In a media release Monday, police say that on November 28, the investigation determined that the stolen vehicle was located in Niagara Falls and was actively being sold. Detectives from both the Welland and Niagara Falls Detective Offices located the vehicle and identified the individual attempting to sell it. Gerry Pellizzari,30, of Niagara Falls, was arrested and charged with the following offences of Theft of Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Stolen Property Under $5000. In addition, Pellizzari was also
arrested on the strength of a bench warrant for unrelated criminal charges. Pellizzari was held in custody pending a bail hearing. Police ask that anyone with information contact them at 905-688-4111, ext. 1002200.
NDP officially chooses Augustyn
At a local nomination meeting on Sunday, Ontario NDP members in Niagara West officially selected former Pelham mayor David Augustyn to be their candidate for the 2022 provincial election. Through a media statement, Augustyn said, “I’m grateful to have the trust of our local NDP members and for the privilege to run to represent my community here in Niagara
West. Families across Niagara deserve so much better than the Ford government. They deserve to have their voices heard at Queen’s Park, and to have their families put first. With the cost of everything skyrocketing, Ford has put workers and local businesses at a disadvantage. On top of that, he’s making cuts in education, public health and longterm care – services families rely on every day. With Andrea and the NDP, we will invest in our public schools, in high-quality long-term care, in properly-staffed hospitals and in the kind of economy that gives our kids real opportunities for their future. The NDP will deliver better results for families, and I’m ready to get to work for all the people of Niagara West.”
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The Voice
Page 17
A December 1 2021
Pelham Panthers owner Tim Toffolo, right, has taken over behind the bench from Chirs Lukey. FILE
Toffolo in, Lukey out for Panthers BY BILL POTRECZ bpsportsniagara.com The Pelham Panthers and head coach Chris Lukey have parted ways. Lukey cited family issues as the main reason things did not work out. “I’ve been traveling every weekend to and from the U.S.,” Lukey said. “I was trying not to miss games or practices and it was getting stressful. I raced home the last three weekends from the States. My kids are only young once and my mom is very ill right now so things happen for a reason.” Lukey’s son, Dawson Lukey, plays at the Gilmour Academy, of the United States High School Prep League, in Ohio.
The Panthers are in last place in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, Golden Horseshoe Conference standings, with a 4-132 record. “The team does need a lot of attention which I can’t give 100 percent to right now,” Lukey added. Panthers owner/general manager Tim Toffolo will take over behind the bench. “Chris has a lot of commitments with his boy in the U.S., wanting to watch him play whenever he’s playing and in tournaments,” Toffolo said. “Chris has a lot of things going on with that and his ability to fully commit to a junior hockey team
I SWEAR IT WAS JUST HERE At centre ice, Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin drops the puck to start last weekend’s Pelham Regional Silver Stick Tournament at the community centre. Ready to play were #15 Ryder Haasen, of the Dorchester Dragons, and #24 Austin Dixon, of the Pelham Panthers. The Panthers won, 4-0. SUPPLIED at this time is just not in the cards for himself or this organization with the other commitments that he has.” Assistants Craig Slack, Ed Kirsten and Alex Guptill will remain with the team while former Welland Junior Canadian and Brock Badger Brayden Stortz has been added to the staff. “It’s certainly not a bad thing in this organization that’s happening because everybody wants to be here,” Toffolo said. Toffolo is pleased to be
adding Stortz to the staff. “We’re going to bring him in to add some more depth and experience and with the age of these guys because he just finished at Brock,” Toffolo said. “He was here briefly with us last year.” Toffolo, who said he is also open to adding a new head coach down the road, feels the Panthers aren’t far from getting back on track. “We’re really going to pay attention to detail,” he said. “I don’t count the empty-net goals, but it’s fair to
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say we’ve lost nine one-goal games, maybe more. “There are some little things that are causing us to not have four or five or six more wins. And we feel they’re very small things that all can be corrected and that we can manage and
move forward.” Toffolo said the team was addressed Tuesday about the coaching change. “They’re all on board, they’re excited,” Toffolo said. “We’ll move forward from here.”
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The Voice
A December 1 2021
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THE BALANCED LIFE by John Swart
Coffee—We may be addicted to a wonder drug
N
othing beats a hot, freshly brewed cup of coffee in the morning. Start the coffee brewing, turn on the furnace, feed the birds, pre-heat the mugs, and savour the aroma. When it’s ready, my wife and I pour a large mug-full, then sit in the living room we otherwise never use, and discuss everything that’s right with the world every wonderful morning. It is, usually, the best time of the day. In 1991, coffee was included in a list of possible carcinogens by the World Health Organization. By 2016 it was exonerated, and declared to be an in-
credibly healthy beverage. A new wonder drug that, when taken in the correct amount, actually decreased the risk of certain cancers. What’s the story with coffee, and is coffee for you? In general terms, the answer is yes. In detail, whether coffee is right for you may depend on the amount you drink, when you drink it, any pre-existing health conditions you may have, and your genes. Coffee itself is as complex as the endless varieties available and the myriad rituals associated with drinking it. We can’t use coffee and caffeine interchangeably.
Coffee contains hundreds of various chemicals, of which caffeine is one, and our response to coffee varies widely as individuals. Coffees from around the world are diverse in their chemical composition, including caffeine levels. Arabica and robusta coffee beans are the two main varieties worldwide. Coffee produced from arabica bean blends have a caffeine content of about 1.2 percent, while robusta beans have approximately 2.2 percent caffeine. An average 16-ounce ‘cup of joe’ is 2-3 percent caffeine, which converts to between 175 and 250 milligrams (mg). How the coffee beans are roasted and brewed have a significant impact on the amount of caffeine. A laboratory test of Starbucks Breakfast Blend coffee tested six
samples and found caffeine levels ranged from 259 mg to 564 mg per 16 oz. cup. Considering the abundance of recent scientific evidence, most people no longer argue against the health benefits of coffee when enjoyed in low to moderate doses of 50 to 300 mg per day. John Hopkins Medicine, a journal produced by John Hopkins University, reviewed numerous studies directed toward female coffee drinkers. The report stated, “The case for coffee is stronger than ever. Study after study indicates … coffee is chock full of substances that may help guard against conditions common in women, including Alzheimer’s disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.”
Coffee is a rich source of antioxidants. Astonishingly, at least to me and my blueberries, coffee and tea are the largest source of antioxidants in the average American’s diet. Both regular and decaffeinated coffees also contain other active substances that may reduce internal inflammation and protect against disease. These ensure, for example, that coffee drinkers are more likely to have liver enzyme levels within a healthy range than people who don’t drink coffee. The same John Hopkins report stated that female coffee drinkers, whether of regular or decaf, were 26 percent less likely to develop colorectal cancer than those who abstained. The list of benefits from drinking coffee continues. An article published by the
United States National Library of Medicine followed the results of a 2018 study in which half of the 100 healthy men and women participating drank water, and the other half drank dark roast coffee. In just eight weeks the coffee drinkers showed 23 percent less DNA strand breakage. The study concluded, “Dark roast coffee has a beneficial protective effect on human DNA integrity in both men and women.” Further studies linked drinking two cups of coffee per day to significant protection against developing Alzheimer’s disease, and in women aged 65 and over, also dementia in any form. Everything mentioned above is ascribed to both caffeinated and decafSee BALANCED LIFE Page 12
V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade. Take that to heart and try to see the silver lining when an obstacle gets in your way. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 It’s one thing to stand by your views, Taurus. It’s another to stubbornly refuse to listen to others when they make good points. Be open-minded this week. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 You may be juggling too much at one time, Gemini. If you’re finding it difficult to manage your time, reach out to a friend or colleague for help. They’re ready and willing. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, lately you have been a person of few words, and others may be wondering what is going on. Confide in someone close to you if the need arises. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, if you are up for an adventure, look to those around you for inspiration. Maybe you’ll overhear a coworker talking about a dream getaway. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, you may start to rethink a decision you made a while ago when an unexpected hiccup occurs. Reevaluate your decision-making process. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Good times are ahead, Libra. Focus on the fun that is coming your way and make an effort to include more good times in the weeks ahead. SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, a situation at work will require the utmost patience
and perseverance. The outcome will be in your favor if you take a measured approach. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 You could use a night out with friends, Sagittarius. Make a concerted effort to get together and invite the people whose company you most enjoy. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, you may have to reexamine your priorities. Don’t let something pull you in one direction when a friend or family member may need you more. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, you’re not much of a fan of waiting games, but you will have to stick things out a little longer until your plan can come to fruition. Patience will pay off. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Avoid overzealous spending in the weeks ahead, Pisces. Find ways to be generous with your time rather than with your wallet. FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS NOVEMBER 28 Jon Stewart, TV Host (59) NOVEMBER 29 Anna Faris, Actress (45) NOVEMBER 30 Steve Aoki, DJ (44) DECEMBER 1 Robert Irwin, Reality Star (18) DECEMBER 2 Britney Spears, Singer (40)) DECEMBER 3 Andy Grammer, Singer (38) DECEMBER 4 Jeff Bridges, Actor (72)
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The Voice
Page 19
A December 1 2021
ANSWERS ON PAGE 18
FAITH LIFT
by Pastor Rob Weatherby
Grieving at Christmas
F
or many people (especially children), Christmas is the “happiest time of the year.” I always looked forward to December 25th as a kid and now I enjoy seeing my grandchildren’s excitement. But for some people, Christmas is the “saddest time of the year,” usually because of a recent loss of a loved one who is no longer there to share and celebrate with. These people just want to get through the season and into the new year.
A sad story
This past February, my wife and I visited Calgary to celebrate the birth of our granddaughter. That was the happy part. During that time, however, the pastor of our daughter’s church was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Double whammy! We knew Pastor Peter a bit from previous visits. He and his wife had come from South Africa to plant a church in Calgary several years before. He was young (almost 47), athletic, enthusiastic, compassionate, and a very good husband, father (five children) and pastor. The young church rallied around their pastor and his family, supporting them with lots of prayer and acts of kindness. They were going to go through this trial together. Pastor Peter got continuously worse as the cancer progressed. He battled it for six months and then on August 15 he passed away. We “attended” the celebration of his life online. It was inspiring, uplifting but still very sad. Now three months later, our daughter sent us the following message. Her desire is that it will encourage others to “grieve well,” especially at this time of
year.
Grieving well
“I only began to cry once we broke the news to the boys. Aaron (almost three) continued playing on the bed but Nathaniel (five) listened intently and thought carefully about what we said. Then he asked, ‘So he’s not sick anymore?’ ‘No, my son, he isn’t sick or in pain anymore. He is with Jesus and he is healed and whole and happier than he has ever been. But he isn’t here with us, with his family, with the church he planted and led so well, and we are crying because we loved him so much.’
“Nathaniel didn’t understand our sadness but there was a beautiful reminder in his response. It was, in the truest sense of the word, good news. But oh, it was such hard news to receive. I didn’t realize how much I had been believing and counting on a miracle until the miracle didn’t happen. Some say he did get his miracle, because his body is now free of cancer and suffering. He is able to worship Jesus fully, face-to-face; what could compare with that? But even as I write it, it feels insufficient. It feels insensitive to only rejoice for See FAITH LIFT Page 16
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COLUMN SIX
continued from Page 1 nor Brothers last spring. I’d ordered a little cockerel along with the batch of pullets, and if this little fellow has taught me anything, it’s that calling someone “chicken” actually means the opposite of what you probably intended. If you surf the dark underbelly of the backyard chicken internet, you’ll come across all sorts of stories of roosters who have defended their flocks against predators, quite effectively, and often to the death. There is the story of Diego, a scrappy rooster who held off a raccoon until help could arrive, but later died of his wounds; or the tale of Donald, the legendary warrior who actually took on a coyote and was carried off, presumably to his doom, only to come staggering back later the same day, bloodied, half of his feathers gone, but undefeated. It was with this sort of thing in mind that I’d ordered our rooster, a handsome Rhodebar that my wife named Gregory Pecker (credits to our friend Andrea for coming up with that one), but whom I prefer to call Chanticleer, after the canny cockerel in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. True to his name, Chanticleer is a “clear singer,” with a unique crow that he’s been honing and perfecting until he’s gotten it just right. Of course, all roosters have a signature crowing sound, common to all but still individually unique, yet this fellow’s is something else — three distinct syllables, with a rolling “R” at the end that would make a Scotsman homesick, and that sounds a lot like he’s declaring “I am h-e-e-r-r-r!” to the world. American author Edward Abbey once commented that there is no more barbaric yawp in all of creation than that of the adult male chicken. I’m inclined to agree. From the get-go, Chanticleer was his own rooster. He didn’t like to be picked up or handled as a chick, and now that he’s reached his maturity, you take your life in your hands should you presume to touch his lordship. True to the tradition of his internet kindred mentioned above, he fears nothing. At around nine pounds of top-heavy muscle, he’s the undisputed heavyweight champion of the barnyard, feathered fury in motion, and he’s eager to try conclusions with anyone or anything that dares to invade his little kingdom. If you watch him as you pick up a hen, you can actually see his eyes dilate as he shifts from strutmode to combat-mode, leaning for-
The Voice ward menacingly, feathers fluffed out, wingtips out and dragging the ground as he heads directly to the source of the threat to neutralize it with maximum prejudice. And this is where the problems have started. My wife is a kind and animal-loving soul, who enjoys spending time with the chickens, feeding them treats and picking up her favourites for cuddles. As you might guess, none of these birds will ever end up in a stew pot — in fact, they’ve won the chicken lottery, with a full-benefit package during their working life and a retirement pension when they’re too old to lay eggs anymore. She makes a point of getting out to commune with her feathery friends at least once per day, and you can already see where this is going: Gregory (Chanticleer) will have none of it, and on more than one occasion he’s driven her from the barnyard with much fuss and bother on both sides. To complicate matters, this summer we adopted some orphaned ducks from a friend of ours. Her daughter found a road-killed call duck, with a few surviving forlorn babies milling about, and took them in until they were too big for her bedroom and they ended up moving to our little farm. Of course, the ducks were a hit with my wife, with their wibble-wobbling and tail feathers and all, and they were soon introduced to the chickens. After a bit of initial suspicion on Chanticleer’s part, the ducks were given probationary citizenship as part of the flock because, well, ducks, right? Not even a hyper-masculine rooster can bring himself to hate a duck. The problem with ducks, we soon learned, is that unlike chickens they don’t automatically put themselves to bed in the coop at night. Apparently they can see pretty well in the dark, and enjoy nighttime swims in their little duck pond (yes, we built them a pond), so when lights-out comes for the chickens, the party ducks are still rocking hard in the barnyard, and need to be rounded up and forced into the coop against their collective will, especially now that the nights are getting so much colder. The other night my wife captured a duck and was in the process of putting it into the coop through the little chicken-sized door at the back when Chanticleer attacked her, drawing blood on her forearms in the process. The duck was unharmed, but the wife was furious. I pointed out that it was just a flesh wound. She said it was a slash too far, and that Gregory was getting perilously close to the stew pot, or at least
A December 1 2021
to being advertised in the “free to good home” part of Kijiji. It took a bit of cajoling on my part to get her figurative feathers smoothed. But it got me thinking about the rooster and his situation from his perspective. In his little chicken mind, he is the only line of defense between his flock and a harsh and dangerous world. He is the first and last resort to threats, great and small, perceived or actual, and he takes his job very seriously. The flock are his wives and family, the ducks his friends and companions, and they are everything that matters to him in his little world. In the spring there might be babies, which will just up the stakes in this life-or-death game that he’s playing. When a pair of pink tentacles come through the chicken door into the coop from the outer darkness, clutching a struggling duck-cum-honorary-chicken, you don’t negotiate. You don’t hesitate. You attack! You rescue the duck, drive back the invader, defend the flock. There is no time to consider the price of your actions. Not that it matters, because it’s a price that he’s clearly willing to pay. I’ve also noticed when he tends to unleash his barbaric three-syllable warbling yawp: when he senses the unknown, and therefore the dangerous. When a hawk calls from the bush at the back of the yard, he crows. A stranger pulls into the driveway? He crows. My neighbour runs some machinery and the strange growling sound of an engine drifts through the trees? He crows. I am here! he declares. Let the minks come, the raccoons, the foxes and hawks. Let them all come. I am here. Warrior, husband, father, friend. I am here. So as far as I’m concerned, there will be no stew pot for this one, and no banishment to the “free” section of Kijiji either. When his time comes to fulfill his destiny, and he crosses the rainbow bridge to Valhalla in defense of his flock, this one is getting the full honours, the Viking funeral, and a memorial to his memory for the next rooster to live up to. Until then, we’ll just have to learn to be a bit more polite in his presence, to acknowledge his worldview, and to maybe take a bit of a reminder about what’s important and what’s not in a world that increasingly seems like it’s not as safe as it used to be. ◆
Everyone has a tale to tell. Share yours with Column Six. editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca
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Voice
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
4 Bacon-Wrapped Figs
Holiday entertaining revs up in autumn and continues into the new year. The prepared host or hostess understands the importance of having plenty of crowd-ready recipes on hand. Delicious, easy-to-prepare appetizers certainly should be in home cooks’ bag of holiday hosting tricks. Few can resist the salty allure of bacon, which adds appeal to an appetizer tailor-made for any event. This recipe for “Bacon-Wrapped Figs,” courtesy of the Kansas Pork Association, is sweet and savory. Bacon-Wrapped Figs Serves 12 6 12 12 3 1⁄8 Dip 1⁄4 1⁄4 3 2
strips bacon, halved crosswise figs, stemmed pecan pieces, toasted tablespoons maple syrup to 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cayenne cup soft goat cheese (2 ounces) cup cream cheese (2 ounces) tablespoons milk teaspoons fresh thyme leaves finely chopped, or 3⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme
Preheat oven to 425 F. Place four layers of paper towels on a microwave-safe plate. Top with bacon slices. Cover with two or more layers of paper towels. Microwave on high 1 to 2 minutes to render fat from bacon but not crisp. While bacon cools, slice each fig twice, starting at stem end, and cutting three-quarters of the way to bottom. Stuff each fig with a pecan piece. Wrap a half strip of bacon around each fig and secure with a toothpick. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Turn. Return to the oven for 5 minutes or until the bacon is sizzling and begins to crisp. In a small bowl, combine syrup and cayenne pepper. Brush mixture over appetizers. For dip: Combine all dip ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and chill until serving time. Makes about 1⁄2 cup. Serve appetizers warm with dip.
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