The Voice, July 28 2021

Marlene Stewart Streit mural unveiled

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Vol.25 No.30 

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Bandshell performances return August 5

Bandshell Committee members from left, Wayne Hosick, Gayle Baltjes-Chataway, Elizabeth Triano, Bryan Baltjes, David Swan, Jim Casson, Marlene Taylor. Story, page 3.

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS NRC REALTY, Brokerage 1815 Merritville, Hwy 1 FONTHILL, ON

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TRUST, COMPASSION, AFFORDABILITY. Your time-honoured Funeral Home offering both cremation and burial at a price you can afford.

905-892-5762 email: pelhamfuneralhome@cogeco.ca FUNERAL HOME LTD. CREMATION & BURIAL SERVICES Formally James L Pedlar Funeral Home

1292 Pelham St, Fonthill, ON

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visit our website: www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca

DON RICKERS

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The Voice

A July 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

THE VOICE POLL Welland By-election NRPS impaired

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

Deep into the dog days: As the all-knowing Wikipedia tells us, the dog days of summer, first described by the ancient Greeks upon the rise of Sirius, the dog star, bring us heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, lethargy, fever, mad dogs, and bad luck. And also entertainment: Dog Days (1925, an Our Gang short), Dog Days (1970, a Swedish feature), Dog Day (1984, with Lee Marvin), Dog Days (2011, Japanese TV series), Dog Day (Canadian indie rock band), and, of course, Dog Day Afternoon (1975), containing Al Pacino’s hugely praised performance as a bank robber in New York City (six Oscar nominations, one win).

The Simpsons actor Hank Azaria, it turns out, based his voice for bar owner Moe Syzslak on Pacino’s performance. Anyway, point is, here we are in steaming midsummer, with the world seemingly going to hell meteorologically everywhere—blazing forest fires, raging floods, heat domes, hurricanes, and worst of all, the anti-vaxxer miasma. As a somewhat older friend of mine put it over the weekend, “Here’s something I would have realized if I'd thought about it. When a doctor refers to a ‘mild case’ of Covid-19 in someone who’s vaccinated, he means there is little risk of hospitalization and nearly none of dying. He avoids mentioning that you may spend four days in bed wishing you were dead.” I’m not sure what the answer is here, whether there is, ultimately, a sure-fire way to convince anti-vaxxers to get their damned jabs. Bribery, as seen in the US, doesn’t seem to be working. Even a conservative antivaxxer radio host who caught Covid and ended up in the ICU, and who now tells his listeners to get the shot, is being harassed by some of these same listeners. Maybe you can’t fix stupid, but you can stop them from eating in restaurants and taking airplanes. Fingers crossed...Overheard on a patio: As trucks thundered by on Hwy 20, trio of geezers were discussing their funeral plans. One said that he planned to have sandwiches served. “Sandwiches? That’s pretty cheap,” said another. “What do you know,” said the first man. “Hell, if you don’t come to my funeral, don’t expect me to show up at yours!”...Nice words: A tip of the hat to reader John Thin for his recent note of support. Thanks!...Plenty to see: Check out John Swart’s interesting column on uniquely female sports injuries (p.18). Dr. Hirji's warning that we are not out of the Covid woods (p.20). DeKorte’s Landscaping (p.12) and Kirk on the Hill (p.14) are both looking to hire. PharmaChoice is celebrating their 4th Anniversary with a big sale (p.7). The Pelham Tree Conservation Society is fundraising through the sale of T-shirts (ad, p.14). And enjoy a short, short story (p.14) that comes to us by way of a bit of time travel ...Pump up the volume: The big news, of course, is the return of live music, starting next week, at the Peace Park Bandshell (story,p.3).

Enjoy...Take us along! Voice on Vacation returns next week, so get those photos in of you holding the paper! office@ thevoiceofpelham.ca....Stay safe: See you next week. ◆

driving charges ~

On Monday, August 9, Welland Ward 3 voters will decide who fills the vacant seat left open by the resignation of Councillor Lucas Spinosa. Are you a Ward 3 voter? If the election were held today, who would get your vote?

Tell us at:

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca/ward3

IN THE NEWS Court appearance in Hipwell's arrest

A man arrested at Hipwell’s Motel on December 11, 2020,appeared before Justice Tom Froese in a St. Catharines courtroom last Thursday. Donald Lush, 45, of no fixed address, was arrested

by Niagara Regional Police and charged with seven counts of theft under $5000, plus four counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000. Much of the stolen property has since been recovered by police.

Lush, who had outstanding warrants, has been held in custody in the Niagara Detention Centre in Thorold since being apprehended.

His lawyer, Sara Ramalho, requested and was granted that Lush be remanded in custody until August 5, at which time a potential resolution and bail review, via videoconference, would take place.

St. Kitts sex assault investigation

Since 2018, detectives with the Niagara Regional Police Service Sexual Assault unit have been investigating assaults that occurred in St. Catharines and Niagara

Voice

Falls. In a statement issued July 16, police say that investigation has identified two female victims who were allegedly sexually assaulted in separate incidents in 2018 and 2020. On July 15, the male was located by detectives and arrested. Khalid Ali, 21, of St. Catharines, is facing three counts of Sexual Assault contrary to Section 271 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Ali was held in custody prior to a bail hearing. Police say that through their investigation, detectives have reason to believe that there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at (905) 688-4111 ext.

1009450 or CrimeStoppers at 1 (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

What's That

SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

The Pelham Fire Department responded to seven calls for assistance from Friday, July 16 to Friday, July 23.

Friday, July 16 Medical assistance, Station 2 Medical assistance, Station 1 Saturday, July 17 Assistance call, Brayden Way, Station 1

Covid jab walk-ins

Starting Monday, the Seymour-Hannah vaccination clinic in St. Catharines started accepting daily walk-in appointments on a first-come, first-served basis for first and second doses between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Residents continue to have the option to book future or same day appointments online or by calling 1-833-943-3900.

Tuesday, July 20 Wheat field fire, Victoria Ave., Station 2 and 3 Burning complaint, Sawmill Rd., Station 3 and 1 Thursday, July 22 Motor vehicle accident, Highway 20 W, Station 2 Burning complaint, Victoria Rd., Station 3

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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Vol.20 No.48

CELEBRATING OUR 20TH YEAR

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

DSBN wants portion of Town park

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The Comfort Maple myth

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Column Six

Growing up British

Vol.20 No.32

Wednesday October 12, 2016

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Apple Day comes to Fonthill

BY JULIE MANNELL

Special to the VOICE

W

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

Public meeting tonight on school issues

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It sure is getting there, Julie.”

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

Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation

BY VOICE STAFF

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

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

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

BY HEATHER McLAREN ROHRER

Special to the VOICE

A

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

While waiting for the contractor to return to fix

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

VOICE PHOTO

bourhood in the short-term.

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

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

Petition-inspired changes coming to 2017 Summerfest

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

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

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

sidered.

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

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

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

Another way the committee plans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sundays were different again. Dad would play golf on summer mornings and billiards in winter. Then he'd stop for a 'refresher' at the local and would pick up the prawns, cockles, winkles or whelks we'd be having for tea later. Meanwhile, Mum was roasting the 'joint' and potatoes. I got to make the Yorkshire pud, and mint See COLUMN SIX Page 14

BY VOICE STAFF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After delivering to Council a petition containing

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

podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case.

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

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

www.pennylanesold.com

H EATHER AND P ENNY L ANE S ALES R EPRESENTATIVES

BY JOHN SWART

VOICE Correspondent

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

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

Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Joining their principal, Karen Simpson, at the Sept.

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

Cell 905.933.3049

T

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

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

Office 905.892.1702

Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn

Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932

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Request made of community still peeved at name change

See DSBN Page 9

Food 111Health Hwy. 20 E., Unit Store 5, Fonthill

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

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

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

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

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

Get

Pined -Sol Pelham’sPelham’s Health Food Store

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.

John WEBB, 54, Fort Erie Jonathan S.A. DUPLANTIS, 46, Niagara Falls Vijesh SINGH, 23, Niagara Falls Austin James ROWLEY, 26, Niagara Falls Lucas Gorden ROWLINSON, 30, St. Catharines Saravjit SINGH, 20, Niagara Falls Jasmine Jade SCOTT, 29, Thorold Melanie Diane WALKER, 37, Welland Hailey Erica SMITH, 34, Niagara Falls Andrew GORDON, 53, St. Catharines Nicole M KEITH, 55, St. Catharines James Gerald JACOBS, 44, Fort Erie Dennis Craig PARSONS, 64, Niagara on the Lake Christopher LOCKHART, 53, St. Catharines Divine Richard FEARON, 20, Brampton

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

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

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

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

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

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

The hues of Autumn are outstanding.

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

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

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

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

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

8

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

A July 28 2021

Peace Park summer concert series returns A casualty of the pandemic, popular Thursday night performances are back next week

Page 3

Join in Summer Programs in Pelham

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent

toEarlyON go chargesCentres closing driving 83 days Fenwick and South Pelham NRPS Raidy Manso (center), Santa Cayo, Cuba!

At impaired

Sue Lough with daughter Tamara, of Fenwick, with new Cuban friend

Gayle Baltjes is on a mission.

She and her crew of Bandshell Committee members have been sweating the details, pulling together an abbreviated summer concert-in-the-park series for Pelhamites to enjoy. Due to the pandemic, the last Peace Park concert was in September 2019.

“We have an incredible lineup of local talent to get you tapping your toes and clapping your hands once again,” said Baltjes, the volunteer chair. “Though it may not be exactly what it was for the last decade, it promises to be a wonderful six weeks of enjoying a little bit of normal in all our lives on Thursday nights.”

The series kicks off August 5 with classic and Canadian rock group Cottage Brew, followed on August 12 with Eagles tribute band New Kid in Town. Niagara favourite Soul Jam, which feature R&B, Motown and classic rock, take the stage August 19. Folk and alternative-country group The Wanted are slated for August 26, while R&B favourite The Johnny Max Band returns on September 2. The season wraps up with This Time Around on September 9, featuring cover tunes from the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.

“We have been meeting every week for the last couple months, hoping this would come together,” said Baltjes.

“The last two weeks have been hectic, but I think that we have everything in order.

The fi rst week is going to be a little bit of a learning experience, with all the procedures in place due to Health Canada guidelines. We're going to ensure that we keep our audience and our volunteers safe.”

The Bandshell concert committee is composed of Wayne Hosick, Elizabeth Triano, David Swan, Marlene Taylor, Gayle Baltjes, Bryan Baltjes, Jim Casson, Carolyn Mullin, Jill Cappa, Annie Holtby, and Gail Levay.

“Jim has prepared the concert series website and promotional flyers, and Carolyn has handled social media,” said Baltjes. “Jill is ensuring our Covid safety planning aligns with government regulations. Bryan and David are coordinating the park seating with the Town, and Annie is organizing the registration with the help of local web designer Melissa Wells.”

Baltjes also gave a shout-out to Town staff, “who have made themselves available for meetings and clarifications with everything we keep asking and throwing at them.”

The Town will be adding washrooms and helping with the park fencing and seating markings.

Wine, beer, and food vendors will return in force for the events, said Baltjes.

There are a few changes for concertgoers. Chair set-up on concert day will only be allowed after 4 PM, and everyone is asked

to pre-register their attendance online at fonthillbandshell.com for Covid tracking purposes and capacity limits. Once checked in, participants will be guided to appropriate seating areas by volunteer staff. Mask-wearing and social distancing will be in place for the concerts. Upon arrival and registration, guests will receive a bracelet for identification, so they may move about freely (while masked) in the Bandshell, supper market, and farmers market areas.

For those unable to pre-register (or who simply forget), there will be on-site sign-in registration available until capacity is reached. Under the health and safety guidelines, masks must be worn and

Public Swims 905-892-9696

Skating Programs Public Skate Stick & Puck Shinny

Outdoor Courts

Youth Art & Theatre Camp Aug 16-20

guests must adhere to physical distancing rules of keeping six feet apart. For those who are part of the same household, which includes caregivers, they may sit together without masks. If you are not from the same household, a mask is required at all times when within 6 feet. The next party will be required to be at a distance of six feet away.

“We are still trying to get answers on things like dancing, and socializing, and believe both will be allowed as long as people are masked and keeping their distance,” noted Baltjes. “The road will be closed in front of the post office for those wishing to shake off two years of pent-up pandemic frustration!”

She added that the Bandshell volunteers have chosen not to ask sponsors for support for this season’s summer series, cognizant that businesses have reopening costs, and are on tight budgets. However, those in attendance will be asked for donations by the familiar red shirt ‘Bucket Brigade’ to help cover the cost of the concert series.

For more information, see fonthillbandshell.com, or contact Baltjes at 905-3084612, or gayle.baltjes@gmail.com

Youth Bike Camp Aug 23-27

For more information or to reserve visit www.pelham.ca or call 905-732-7872

Page 4

The Voice

A July 28 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

TYREE'S TYRADES Danny Tyree

Long, hot summer brings pet peeves to surface

S

urely someone besides me encounters deceptive packages of frozen microwaveable meat. “Tear here,” they cajole. So, you tear on the dotted line, only to discover that it’s an inch BELOW the grooves required to reseal the package.

Are the designers at the meatpacking plant cross-eyed, or just bad with math? Instead of calculating how many insect parts per MILLION are allowable, they’re probably singing a Mary Poppins-ish, “A spoonful of thoraxes makes the sausage patties go down…”

Yes, “resealable” is an asterisk-worthy marketing blurb. Packages ought to say, “Resealable — UNLESS you get a bunch of breading in the grooves and have less than 15 minutes to vacuum them out. Under those circumstances, we recommend resealing with the carpet staplers manufactured by one of our subsidiaries.”

Technology will lie to you, too. When I have completed a data transfer in the nick of time, I want to disconnect from my laptop, take my thumb drive or USB cable and hit the road. I don’t need to be scolded. (“Try again later. The device is currently in use.”)

Unless there’s an ill-timed virus scan going on, what kind of “use” is the device invariably undergoing? Have HP and Windows 10 conspired to rent out rooms in my backup drive to tourists from Switzerland? (“We’re paid up. We have Army knives and we know how to use them!”)

Do you ever greet an opportunity with “At least it’s an excuse to get out of the house”?

Who is it you’re forced to give excuses to? Is the fireplace mantel going to get all weepy?

Will the laundry room cut you out of its will?

Come on, grow a backbone — unless the hall closet has something against vertebrates.

Why do we reserve the term “anatomically correct” as a euphemism for dolls and mannequins that have some semblance of reproductive organs? Are naughty bits the only qualifiers for inanimate objects looking like real people? What is realistic about figures with no ear hairs, slumped shoulders or irregularly shaped moles? Show a woman a doll with two perfectly matching breasts and announce, “This is anatomically correct.” Then AFTER you awake from having a bra tightened around your throat…

Do you have friends or coworkers who take credit for “process of elimination” advice?

For instance, neither one of you can figure out whether the green button or the blue button activates a machine, so you venture an attempt with the green button. Nothing.

“Maybe you should try the blue button,” they chime in, expecting a marching band parade when they get it right. Never give these people the satisfaction. (“Well, you might be right about THAT being the emergency off switch, but I was saying just the other day that I NEED something to remind me not to wear a long necktie around the garbage disposal…Ow! Ow!”) What is the deal with people who use a single-occupant public restroom while leaving the door unlocked? Are they exhibitionists? Claustrophobes? Or are they just absent-minded professors formulating a new Theory of Relativity? (“In summary, the energy I use to release this mass at the speed of smell…”)

Summertime: food for picnics and food for thought.

Hey, how come they can’t match up packages of hot dogs and packages of buns, but they have just the right number of thoraxes…? ◆

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

Letters Open letter on new tree policy Mayor and councillors, I have just been informed that the tree policy is on next Monday's agenda, but more importantly Town staff are presenting their “original” document for consideration by council.

Senior members of the Pelham Tree Conservation Society spent many hours discussing and fine-tuning the draft tree policy. In some instances, we found it wanting and provided changes with explanations. In this day and age, Town staff and council need to do better.

Just ignoring the Society is not an acceptable starting point for the Town, which runs counter to equity, inclusiveness and fairness.

Uwe Brand, PhD, DFGAC Fonthill

7

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2986

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The Voice

Page 5

A July 28 2021

OPINION COMMENTARY / OP-ED Dennis Edell

PELHAM AND COVID-19 Mayor Marvin Junkin

Pelham's important Sulphur Spring Drive decision

Y

ears after it washed out due to erosion from the Twelve Mile Creek, Pelham is attempting to repair and reconnect Sulphur Spring Drive. It must proceed with caution. Twelve Mile Creek downstream of the Fonthill urban area is Niagara’s only year-round cold-water stream capable of supporting a fragile population of native Book Trout. Brook Trout are a key indicator species for cold-water stream ecology— the canary in the proverbial coal mine. The Niagara Chapter of Trout Unlimited Canada is a not-for-profit, volunteer-led cold-water conservation organization.

Over the past ten years, the Chapter has been studying, monitoring, and working in Twelve Mile Creek in order to protect and preserve this fragile natural heritage resource.

Recent urban growth in Pelham in the upper reaches of the Twelve Mile Creek, and deforestation and unique weather events associated with climate change have wrought havoc on the natural balance of the stream. Simply stated: too much water is flowing into the stream from too many hard surfaces —roads, parking lots and driveways. With this excess water comes flooding, erosion, and washouts like we have seen at Sulphur Spring Drive. Many other properties within the watershed have also been damaged

from recent flooding.

The area in question — where the road washed out — is one of the most sensitive Brook Trout habitats within the upper Twelve.

Residents in the area still

A road washout is often not a desirable thing but, in this case, there was an unintended benefit speak of catching Brook Trout in this stretch. Today Brook Trout and other fragile cold-water fish and insects have become scarce because of the degradation of their natural habitat.

A road washout is often not a desirable thing but, in this case, there was an unintended benefit. A route favored by weekday heavy truck traffic and weekend motorcycle riders was transformed into a quiet, naturalized walking or cycling path. And in the years since the road has been closed, many stream-side residents express preference for the current situation.

Trout Unlimited had hoped that a bike and hike trail would become the new normal. We advocated for this option to Pelham

Town Council and the Active Transportation Committee.

But to no avail. The Town is determined that road traffic should be restored.

Given this mandate, the Town must now choose between a typical “hard” solution, or a design that is sympathetic to the environment and the unique cold-water ecology of Twelve Mile Creek.

Any repair must respect the issue of water balance and not exacerbate what is already a serious problem of a stream out of balance.

Twelve Mile Creek cannot tolerate “old school” fi xes like hard surfaces such as armour stone, or devices to deflect the stream away from the road. These designs ignore the larger problem by simply redirecting water flow and moving the erosion problems to properties downstream.

The Town must direct the contractor to devise a more considered solution, like vegetated slopes. These natural walls filled with naSee DECISION next page

Vaccine hesitancy must be overcome

C

ovid cases in Niagara remain low, with our town also experiencing low numbers. There is currently just one active case in Pelham with no new cases or active outbreaks. Sixty-seven percent of Pelham residents have their first needle with 57 percent being fully vaccinated. In the Region as a whole, 70 percent have had one needle while 53 percent are completely vaccinated.

The reproduction rate in Pelham is at 1 percent, which is in the acceptable range for this indicator while other areas within the region are over 2.5 percent.

Although there is concern over the Delta variant, specialists say we should, with our level of vaccinations, fare better with a lower rate of serious infections than we have in the past. We will see an increase in case numbers but the corresponding number of hospitalizations will be lower.

It is somewhat troubling that our vaccination rollout is

plateauing with huge swaths of the population still unvaccinated. This situation is occurring either because of personal choice or due to a

All levels of government are continuing to reach out to this group

lack of access. With all provinces striving to reach out to their residents by offering multiple walk-in sites and reaching out to individual community groups by having specific language sites in their inner cities, I think a large number of remaining people who are unvaccinated have made the decision not to be vaccinated. All levels of government are continuing to reach out to this group in an attempt to convince

them to change their stance, though their level of success in accomplishing this remains to be seen.

This past week Canada surpassed the United States in percent of population whom are totally vaccinated as the vaccination program in that country has also hit a plateau which is at a lower number than Canada’s. n the Town front, one of the items which was to be discussed during this Monday’s council meeting was a revamped tree policy.

Some citizens had contacted me as they were concerned that staff had not listened to public input as the report had not included some very good suggestions that were put forward by members of the public. In fact what had happened was that these suggestions had reached staff after they had finished writing their report. As a result, council was set on Monday to send this report back to staff with instructions to include a number of these suggestions. ◆

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The Voice

A July 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Letters continued DECISION

continued from previous page tive plants are a proven long-term solution to erosion and slope stability. Vegetative slopes enhance the environment while absorbing and diffusing the energy of flood waters. Locations that have adopted vegetative slopes have found them both visually appealing and much more cost- effective than typical old-school approaches.

Any solution must also ensure that the stream is shaded by vegetation to address the warming of the stream that threatens its very existence as a cold-water ecosystem. Hard surfaces such as armour stone are contrary to this best practice.

With the support of the Mayor, Town Councillors, the CAO, and municipal staff, the Town has embarked on a more progressive approach to stormwater management by promoting the adoption of Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development strategies (LIDS) and policies.

With the decision to reconnect Sulphur Spring Drive the Town now has an obligation to preserve a valuable natural heritage feature that adds to the Town’s appeal and ultimately to the quality of life of its citizens. It can only do so by adopting a more progressive and ecologically relevant design that recognizes the need to reverse the serious decline of Twelve Mile Creek.

Anything less would be a step backward. ◆ Dennis Edell is Chair of the Niagara Chapter, Trout Unlimited Canada.

Concerned about SDUs

Genesis, Darwin, creation and evolution

To Pelham rate payers and families: I have a few concerns after reading about the proposed second dwelling unit, or “SDU,” changes to the existing Planning Act in the Voice. I believe it is a stealth bylaw change coming from the Ontario government and endorsed by our elected officials.

This is huge change in legislation that will forever change every community. It drastically affects urban and rural homeowners. Our grandchildren’s quality of life will be truly affected.

There are a growing number of “stop the sprawl” websites so far. Page 4 of the July 21 Farmers Monthly has half a page on this topic. Pelham should have a survey go out to each and every homeowner about this proposal and have an open, mask- wearing, ratepayers meeting at the MCC or outdoors there. Hamilton is sending out a survey about their proposed rural boundary change.

The Covid-19 pandemic seems to be the perfect avenue to quietly pass any legislation. It is time to request from our Mayor and councillors an in-depth and open process to make this decision that affects all of us. For more information, see www.ssho.ca, and scroll down to Schedule 12.

P. Bryant Fenwick

In the July 7 edition of the Voice, religion columnist Pastor Rob Weatherby raises the question, “Where did I come from?” [Faith Lift, p. 19.] He states that, “Human beings were originally created by an infinite God in His own image.” He cites the Biblical Genesis 1: 26-27 to support this view. He does not cite any evidence that human beings arose through an evolutionary process. I am writing to compare the evidence that supports creation or evolution.

Genesis 1: 26- 27 New International Version: 26 Then God said “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

The origin of these words remains obscure. Scholars do not agree on an author, but suggest they were written in Hebrew, on clay tablets, many centuries before the birth of Christ. Consequently they are pre-Christian. The words constitute an emphatic assertion that an infinite God created mankind. However, they lack supporting evidence.

In contrast, Charles Darwin (1809-82)

is well known for promoting the idea of evolution. His first book, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, was published in 1859. His second book, The Descent of Man, was published in 1871. His first book runs to 445 pages, the second to 333 pages.

As a young man, Darwin was recruited to be the naturalist on the five-year global voyage of HMS Beagle (1831-6). During the voyage Darwin studied the fauna, flora and geology of many different countries.

His observations and data led him to formulate the idea that the origin of species results from the natural selection of those individuals in a population that inherit traits (mutants, variants), conferring a reproductive advantage.

He took decades to organize his evidence into a well documented hypothesis supporting evolution. This comprehensive, meticulous work became the basis of his two books.

Years later, DNA research generated further support for Darwin’s theory of evolution. The reproduction of all life forms requires the replication of DNA, or RNA in the case of viruses. In both cases occasional mistakes are made during the replication process. This results in mutations that may confer a disadvantage (e.g., a See DARWIN next page

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

A July 28 2021

Page 7

and the stated objectives of this new Policy (a to g), by and large we consider these to represent worthy and realistic objectives on which to guide the operational procedures for carrying out the Policy. However, there is one glaring deficiency and this relates to objective (a). One cannot imagine that any responsible person will want to see a net loss of trees on municipal property, even though it appears to many this has been the case in our recent past.

Pertaining to the continuing statement in section (a), that being “...and that every effort shall be made to increase tree planting and expand the tree canopy within the Town,” it is our opinion that this Policy does not in any way sufficiently address that objective. We believe the issue of expanding the tree canopy is a vitally important one and feel very strongly this is an issue council must now address.

In review of the report titled, Subject: Review of the Proposed Tree Management Policy, it is stated the Town’s tree canopy is a source of civic pride and a major component of Pelham’s environmental health and future sustainability, and that the care and maintenance of municipal trees is a priority. Further it was stated in relation to the Town Strategic Plan relationship, that the tree canopy within the municipal boundary is vital to the high quality of life within the Town.

Further, section 10.1 states “Public trees should be preserved whenever possible.” The PTCS wholly endorses these tenets.

The PTCS has made multiple recommendations for changes to the

place utmost priority to achieving this goal. Reference to a study of the Pelham tree canopy it seems to us could be undertaken quickly given advances in technology. Then, as Councillor Olson has suggested, an appropriate target for increasing the tree canopy is required, say 30 percent as an initial target (and this could be revisited with a view to increasing the target, say every four years, this in keeping with the term of council). Councillor Olson states that we need a target such as set by the Champion of Trees Award. He suggests this might come with the Town’s membership in an accrediting body. We wholeheartedly support Councillor Olson’s recommendations in such regard.

Further, just as we have been advised that the Region of Niagara is now in the throes of conducting a comprehensive study of exactly what lands they possess where trees could be planted, the Town needs to expeditiously do the same.

One would presume that given the Federal government’s commitment to plant 2 billion more trees across Canada in this decade that any available public land in the Town could be dedicated towards this objective.

However, growing the Town tree canopy cannot simply rest with the Town administration, and as Councillor Olson refers to, a tree policy should build upon relationships with other government and NGOs, along with agricultural enterprises and others. As to what “others,” we would also add the development in-

The Voice

Letters continued Tree Society's view of proposed policy We of the Pelham Tree Conversation Society (PTCS), are pleased to submit our comments and recommendations pertaining to the Town of Pelham’s Tree Maintenance Policy, 802-01. The goals of the PTCS are to promote the preservation of our urban forest and help facilitate public discussion and education on the value of our trees. Today we find the trees still undervalued by the public, the Town, and developments. We are determined to make positive change by increasing our tree canopy and lessen our town’s carbon footprint.

Firstly, we would like to thank Town of Pelham council and staff for their efforts in addressing this matter and for the creation of the Revised Tree Maintenance Policy.

After some 20-plus years of citizens advocating for a more comprehensive action plan to protect and grow Pelham’s tree canopy, and with what has essentially been up to this time two false starts to this end, we are gratified to discern that the

Town administration now appears to be serious regarding this issue.

We submit this document in the spirit of cooperation and inclusiveness, and with the hoped-for realization that Town staff and council understand that many citizens care about this issue and want to be part of the solution.

Of course, only time will tell if the Town will be willing to follow through on this new promise of a Tree Maintenance Policy. It is stated: “The specific goals on this Tree Maintenance Policy are to develop an integrated set of objectives and procedures that will combine to form a set of overall working guidelines….” We understand that an operational manual will be devised arising from this Policy and that there will be performance standards established, measurements taken and benchmarks set, this so council will be able to assess and thus determine if the Policy is being properly and fully implemented.

In review of page 1, 1. Purpose,

DARWIN

continued from previous page genetically inherited disease) or an advantage (e.g., a more robust immune system) to resulting progeny. Evolution is driven by the natural selection of those mutants that confer a reproductive advantage. The Covid-19 virus is evolving rapidly and multiplying because mutations have resulted in variants that make the virus more transmissible. Further evolution and multiplication of Covid-19 could result if mutations result in a virus that is vaccine resistant.

In fact, the Catholic Church now holds no official position on the theories of creation or evolution. Clearly the Church has been influenced by the weight of evidence in favor of evolution.

Alan Bown Fonthill

STORE IS OPEN!

One cannot imagine that any responsible person will want to see a net loss of trees on municipal property

actual workings of the proposed Policy. Our sole purpose in doing so is to make a good policy even better!

One of the many recommendations advised that the Town create a Forestry Public Advisory Committee, this committee to assist the Town with the extra demands of maintaining and growing our tree canopy, inventory monitoring, policy and educational needs.

Further, the PTCS recommends that a mechanism be put in place for citizens who have concerns about why a tree is being removed, to seek a second opinion (i.e., get another arborist’s report, etc.), and for an appeals process to be implemented.

We recommend that Public Works be directed to keep and post a public list of trees slated for removal, list the reason(s) why, and for a period of 30 days accept and respond to inquiries from the public.

Regarding the tree canopy issue and the stated Town objective (a); “...every effort shall be made to increase tree planting and expand the tree canopy within the Town,” we respectively request that council

See POLICY next page

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The Voice

A July 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

WELCOME TO THE GRAND CANAL

OF

Retirement Rental Living on the banks of the Welland Canal

ONE DAY IN MAY Marlene Stewart Streit was already five years old in 1939, when festivities officially opened the new Fonthill Park, on Highway 20, the facility that would later be renamed in her honour. Trees now partly obscure the updated "FONTHILL" letters, but they may still be seen on the northwestern hillside. See main story, at right.

ST CATHARINES MUSEUM

POLICY

continued from previous page

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Tour Three Beautiful Model Suites

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dustry. Many trees can be lost to development and their numbers are often not replaced. We need development to become part of the solution versus being part of the problem.

Further as to “others,” the fact is that much of the land in the Town is privately held. It is thus our opinion individual landowners must also become part of the solution to preserving Pelham’s tree canopy. Just as many other communities in Ontario have undertaken (i.e. Niagara-on-the-Lake), it is our recommendation that a bylaw be struck

to govern the protection of trees on private lands while setting forth a procedure should residents have concerns/issues with a tree on their property.

In conclusion, we of the PTCS along with many other citizens of Pelham, are prepared to act boldly in protecting and growing the trees of Pelham. We therefore appeal to the Town to join us in fomenting bold action! Let us together, in the spirit of cooperation and inclusiveness, make Pelham the greenest envy of the Niagara Region, and by doing so together leave a flourishing tree canopy that future generations can be proud of.

Mike Jones, Acting Chair Pelham Tree Conversation Society

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The Voice

Page 9

A July 28 2021

Marlene Stewart Streit park gets namesake mural

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Marlene Stewart Streit, one of Pelham’s greatest all-time athletes, has recorded a long list of accomplishments in her 87 years.

Order of Canada. Order of Ontario. Member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Canada’s most successful amateur female golfer, and the only golfer in history to have won the Australian, British, Canadian, and U.S. Women’s amateur tournaments. She also won the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as the best Canadian female athlete for the fifth time in 1963.

And now, she has her own wall of fame—in the Pelham park named in her honour. An official unveiling of a mural painted by students and their teacher from E.L. Crossley Secondary School took place last Tuesday morning.

Born in Alberta in 1934, Streit was schooled in the game by Gordon McInnis Sr., at Lookout Point Golf Club in Fonthill. She graduated from Rollins College in Florida in 1956, the same year she won the NCAA women’s intercollegiate golf championship.

Sherry Wilkinson, a visual arts and e-learning teacher at E.L. Crossley, told the Voice that he was contacted by Jodi Shishkov, Pelham Culture and Community programmer, in April to create a mural of Streit on the side wall of the Marlene Stewart Streit Park pool building.

“Jodi is excellent at getting grants, and has been a huge supporter in helping me get my students’ art shown in the Town offices, Meridian Centre, and Summerfest. After all, art is supposed

Mural artists: E.L Crossley Secondary School students Natalie Anderson, Gwen Cudmore, Hannah Horton, Rachael Moskalyk, Emily Shatford, Trinity Young, with teacher Sherry Wilkinson. Right, Marlene Stewart Streit reacts on screen as she watches the unveiling live from Aurora, ON. SUPPLIED to be seen, not simply submitted to a teacher,” she said.

Wilkinson scoured the internet for appropriate images of Streit, which were then run through Photoshop in preparation for the project.

“I recruited students by making a general call-out through emails and texts to those students who I knew would enjoy the challenge, and would work well as a team,” said Wilkinson. Six students were identified who were both eager to do the work, and able to fit the painting in to their job schedules— and all happened to be girls.

Though the emailing, scheduling, and gathering of materials took several weeks, the actual drawing and painting process took about 36 hours, said Wilkinson. Each student worked on specific sections of the mural, and provided feedback

to one another, often touching-up or tweaking each other's section to improve the accuracy.

“This group of young women are very committed, and excellent team players. We have a lot respect for one another, so the project was very enjoyable, despite having to work in extreme heat and pouring rain,” said Wilkinson.

The team of artists consisted of Natalie Anderson, Gwen Cudmore, Hannah Horton, Rachael Moskalyk, Emily Shatford, and Trinty Young.

Streit told the Voice that she was “honoured and very excited” about the project.

Seeing the mural for the first time was a blast from the past,” she said. “I love the photos they have chosen. One was when I won my first Ontario Championship in 1951 in Toronto, at the Lambton Golf and Country Club, when I was

still a student at Pelham District High School. Mr. E.L. Crossley was my principal. Great memories!”

The second photo depicts Streit swinging a club, an image taken at the 1952 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship at the Mayfair Golf and Country Club, Edmonton, Alberta.

“I was defending champion but lost in the semifinals—I hated to lose!” she said, laughing.

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, said Streit.

“It's 70 years since I won the first of my 11 Canadian amateur championships.”

Streit attended the unveiling virtually from her home in Aurora, Ontario, but her sister, Dolly Smith, who still lives in Fonthill mere metres from the park bearing her sibling’s name, attended in person.

The student artists were pleased by the result of their work.

“I enjoyed working with other artists and painting something new out of my comfort zone,” said Rachael Moskalyk.

“Being part of creating the mural of Marlene Stewart Streit was an incredible opportunity that allowed me to collaborate with an amazing group of talented artists who share the same passion for art as I do,” said Natalia Anderson.

“The experience of spending many hours working as a team not only provided a creative outlet but I was also able to grow as an artist while creating something for future generations to enjoy.”

“Painting the mural was a really unique and fun experience,” said Hannah Horton. “It was great to be with friends, and work as a team to create such a special piece of art.”

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The Voice

A July 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Road construction north of Hwy 20 nearly complete Repairs to Pelham Street underway for over a year

Manhole covers await top-coating to grade.

DON RICKERS

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Elaine Awram has followed the progress of the roadwork outside her Carriage Hill condominium at the corner of Hurricane Road and Pelham Street, north of Highway 20, since 2020.

“It's a minimum of a year and a half,” she said. “I don't know a lot about construction, but is this normal? We expected it to be completed in the spring, but now they appear to be digging it up again.”

She is a bit alarmed by the manhole covers in the area of Pelham, Hurricane, and Shorthill, which are currently protruding above the surface of the roadway, and the ongoing presence of orange construction cones lining the street.

Awram is not unappreciative of the efforts of the public works department.

“We had a water problem—sewer water in our backyard—and they resolved that.”

Jason Marr, Pelham’s Director of Public Works, told the Voice that the road contractor has concrete crews currently at work on the roadway catch basins.

“There was a utility pole that had to be removed by the hydro company,” he said, “and there were some fill-in areas that couldn't be completed with the concrete work last year.”

The main project was to put a new storm sewer down the road,

said Marr, and that was completed a year ago. He was waiting for the spring to do the topcoat of asphalt paving.

“Unfortunately, that's a piece of work that the general contractor doesn't fully control, because they subcontract the job out,” said Marr.

“The concrete infill work should be another day or so, and then once that's completed, the paving contractor will be coming in to do the

milling and the final topcoat paving. My understanding is that that will happen in the next couple of weeks.”

Due to wet weather during the installation of the storm sewer, the contractor was instructed to delay the final topcoat paving until 2021.

“When the asphalt gets wet, it's very hard to compact. The best practice in that case is to let it sit

for a year,” said Marr, who noted the presence of Town of Pelham snowplows on the roadways, which could have damaged the topcoat had it been applied last fall.

“The contractor set all the manhole frames to an inch and a half below the final grade. Basically, they had to come back this year, around those manhole rings, and adjust them up to the final, actual grade, which will be done when we

do the topcoat.”

Summertime means road construction aplenty, which translates into difficulty getting asphalt subcontractors lined up because they already have busy schedules.

“We’ve been told by our general contractor that in two to three weeks, the roadwork will be completed,” said Marr. Charlton Construction Group, a Hamilton based company, is overseeing the work.

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The Voice

Page 11

A July 28 2021

Pick Your Own flowers say sisters Budding entrepreneurs open up on Holland Rd

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent The VanderWeyden sisters have a love of flowers in their blood.

Their father’s family emigrated to Canada from Holland in the 1950s, and set up a greenhouse operation in Niagara Falls.

“We helped with the geraniums in the greenhouse a bit as kids,” said Elly, a Brock University student. Her younger sister Eryn attends E.L. Crossley.

“We had some time on our hands during the pandemic, and wanted to plant something that was fun and would make people happy,” said Elly.

They came up with the pickyour-own idea.

“The cherry trees on our sixacre property, Creekside Valley Farm on Hollow Road, weren't producing anymore, and with the help of our dad, we cut down the whole orchard and excavated the roots in February,” said Elly. “In the middle of May, we planted about 800 snapdragon seedlings and then 2000 zinnia seedlings. Those are our main crop of flowers.”

They officially launched their U-Pick enterprise last weekend,

Elly and Eryn VanderWeyden, with their U-Pick flowers. and it will continue throughout August and September. Parking is limited to three vehicles at a time, and 45-minute time slots must be booked online. At present, no dropins are available.

“We hope to add additional time slots in the future, as we monitor our flower supply and field conditions,” said Elly. “People should check our Instagram page at creekside.valley.farm for updates and photos of our flowers.”

Snapdragons are of the plant genus Antirrhinum, and are so named because of the flowers' fancied re-

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semblance to the face of a dragon that opens and closes its mouth when laterally squeezed. The flower is native to the Mediterranean, and is deer- resistant, growing well in sunny, outlying areas with well-drained soil. Many snapdragons are fragrant, and their colour and shape make them popular for floral arrangements.

The zinnia is related to the sunflower within the daisy family (Asteraceae). They are native to scrub and grassland areas of the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and South America. Members of the

genus are notable for their solitary long-stemmed flowers that come in a variety of bright colours.

The genus is named in honour of German master botanist from the mid-1700s, Johann Gottfried Zinn.

Ten snapdragon and zinnia stems can be picked for $12.50, and 20 stems are $22. Pre-picked sunflowers, gladiolus, and dahlias are also available at a premium price.

The supply of colours and varieties will vary according to demand.

Flower pickers can borrow a pair of snippers and a bucket, and are free to browse the field to see what

is available. Cash, debit, credit, Google pay, and Apple pay are all accepted. The sisters advise pickers to bring a vase or bucket with water in order to prevent fresh-cut flowers from wilting on the hot car ride home.

Although both girls enjoy being floral entrepreneurs, Elly said that neither see horticulture as a career path at this point.

Orders can be booked online at https://www.creeksidevalleyfarm. net, or by calling Elly at 905-3252760. Their email is creeksidevalleyfarmfonthill@gmail.com

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Page 12

The Voice

A July 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

J-Man rocks Stonegate Painted stones penchant pleases passersby...and neighbours

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent

George, Oakley, and Lucy Masse with their fundraising booth on Canada Day.

CHARLOTTE BUTKO

Pelham siblings raise $2000 for school survivors Canada Day lemonade and snack stand raked in the cash

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent With six kids pitching in, you should be able to run a profitable lemonade stand, right?

But the Masse family exceeded their wildest expectations, reaping $2150 in profit from the snack and refreshment table they ran at the top of their driveway on Pancake Lane on Canada Day. All money raised went to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS).

“It all started out with a big family discussion about the news that hundreds of Native children’s graves were found at the western residential schools,” said

mom Karla Masse. “My kids were really curious about that. It is just such a sad topic. And I thought, we can't keep being sad. We looked for positive ways to direct their thoughts.”

Thus far, the remains of 215 children have been found, using ground-penetrating radar, on former residential school property, in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission has reported that some 4000 indigenous children in residential schools died from disease, neglect, and abuse.

Although the Masse family is not active in the Indigenous community, Karla said that her husband, Da-

vid, has Metis blood on his side of the family.

“One of the kids said, ‘Let's have a lemonade stand on Canada Day, and donate the money we raise.’

So we bought treats, and my sister-in-law made baked goods.”

Lemonade and soft drinks, homemade bear paws, chips, and other snacks were on offer between 9 AM and 5 PM on July 1. Cars lined the street.

“People were just so happy to come and support the kids—they didn't even care about the snacks and the drinks, and they just want to donate money,” said Karla. “The kids were just blown away. We had people arriving all day long.”

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Karla promoted the fundraising effort online via her personal Facebook page, and also used her business’s Facebook account to spread the word.

Kora, 21, is the eldest daughter, and served as her mom’s designated childcare assistant during the fundraiser, keeping track of her siblings. The rest of the brood are Lucy 11, Oakley 9, George 7, Oscar 6, and Navy 3. The middle children all attend St. Alexander School in Fonthill.

According to its website, IRSSS, which is located in British Columbia, provides essential services to residential school survivors, their families, and to those dealing with intergenerational traumas. They provide a 24-hour crisis line, counselling, information on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and deliver wellness and healing services to those in need.

Donations to the Indian Residential School Survivors Fund can be made online at https://www.irsss.ca/ donate.

Linda Kemp, of Stonegate Place, shared a story with the Voice about something that makes her Fonthill street special.

“We have a lovely little community, and good neighbours,” she said. “The houses, lawns, and gardens are well cared for—but you will also see something quite unique.

In front of many homes, there are brightly-painted rocks, with greetings or the names of the dogs that live there.”

Kemp said it was a project that kept Jordan Bakker, aka J-Man, a special needs adult, on the street, busy when society was in a state of shutdown during the pandemic.

“Jordan delivered these gifts by way of his special bike, with the hope of bringing a smile to people’s faces. He has made many new friends and enjoyed conversations along the way. In the scope of world events, it's not a big thing— but it is very much appreciated,” said Kemp.

J-Man, who is “almost 37,” has lived on Stonegate for five years, having moved to Pelham from St. Catharines with his mother, Kelly Moore.

“He loves shopping at the Dollar Store,” said Moore.

“Jordan brings me home all kinds of treats. One day, he brought me a couple of small rocks, which sat in the kitchen for the longest time. When the Covid shutdowns started, we painted the rocks and put them out in front of the house. People passing by commented about them. Jordan just loves making people happy. So we bought some stones, and painted up a few for our neighbours that have dogs.”

“Jordan referred to it as a ‘Chum and Mum’ project,” said Moore.

One passerby who noticed the stones was Jim Briggs, proprietor of Briggsy’s Sportwear and Promotions on Highway 20, who had a habit of walked his employee’s dog, Cooper, in the neighbourhood. He asked J-Man to paint up a stone with Cooper’s name. In return, he brought J-Man a bag of gift clothing, including a T-shirt emblazoned with his nickname.

Bakker was born at 27 weeks gestation in 1984, and weighed just over 1 kg at birth, said his mom. Despite his learning challenges, he finished elementary and secondary school, and was enrolled in a Community Integration through Cooperative Education (CICE) program at the Niagara on the Lake campus of Niagara College, with the intention of acquiring skills which would get him a job. The program was curtailed during Covid, but J-Man is hoping it will restart soon.

The CICE program provides individuals with developmental disabilities and other significant learning challenges the opportunity to experience college life and enhance their vocational, academic and social skills, and gain work experience. J-Man has his own laptop computer to assist him in his studies.

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 13

A July 28 2021

DINING AL FRESCO With the explosion of flowers and wildflowers in Niagara, butterflies abound at this time of year. Reader Petra Pazour says that this beauty visited her on a recent weekend. “They never pause long enough for a decent photo, or so I thought. This time I had some luck with this Monarch butterfly, checking out the hollyhocks at our Lake Erie hideaway.

I was enthralled to see how it indulged in the plentiful pollen in these flowers, at times burying its entire head in it, moving from flower to flower.” Pazour says that “with all the adversity in this world these days, we take joy in the little things. This sure brought a smile to my face as I hope it will to yours.”

PETRA PAZOUR

Champion 6500W Generator Jordan Bakker, aka J-Man, with some of his creations.

J-MAN

continued from previous page at the Pelham Street Grille. And what would be a full breakfast without J-Man’s favorite dessert, cheesecake?

“I’m a happy dude,” said J-Man. I’m always laughing.”

He hasn’t had a haircut since March of 2020, and wears his hair pulled back tight in a band.

J-Man has his chores to do, like unloading the dishwasher, and laundering his clothes.

DON RICKERS

He enjoys playing a lawn game in which players take turns throwing beanbags at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. His mom said that J-Man also creates homemade cards for friends and neighbours for their birthdays and at Christmas.

Painting rocks is not J-Man’s only passion. He loves to swim in his backyard pool, and is a rabid Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He is loyal to the Buds through thick and thin, and predicts that in the coming season they will go “all the way—gotta’ keep the faith,” he said with a laugh.

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Page 14

The Voice

A July 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

FICTION

The Tables Turned A SHORT STORY BY THOMAS RUEHLE Special to the Voice

D

amned vegetation!” muttered Jim Brandon, Space Cadet, as he slashed a narrow tunnel through the dense jungle with his machete. “Just my luck,” he thought to himself as he swung the blade tiredly at the seemingly impenetrable undergrowth ahead. “It's my first patrol to the outer planets and I've managed to misjudge my minimum orbital velocity, thus crashing my ship into this sea of nylon plants.”

He stopped the almost mechanical swing of his arm; he was sweating profusely and decided to rest awhile to reconsider his po-

sition. It was a bad situation all around, he decided. He had only enough survival rations for two weeks and no weapons other than his machete and the meagre protection offered by his spacesuit. His situation was soon to get much worse.

Many things on the planet disturbed him—the tough, white, nylon plants, the stationary sun which gave off no heat and blinked on and off in no apparent pattern, and the frequent earthquakes, some quite strong others only a low rumbling vibration. He pondered each of these points separately then as a whole. There seemed to be no common

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link between them so he forgot about them. None of these phenomena could have prepared him for the sound which suddenly broke the silence.

SPREEEEEEEK! The noise was so loud and high-pitched that Jim was forced to place his hands over the ear cups on his helmet. The sounds stopped abruptly but were immediately replaced by an earthquake of enormous strength. The earth seemed to move like an ocean of waves under his feet and he was thrown madly through the jungle. He was knocked senseless before the quake ended.

When he came back to consciousness, he found his arms and legs hopelessly ensnared in the tangle of white sinewy plants

all about him. As he looked upwards he noticed vaguely that something was falling from the sky. At a distance, it looked like snow and he congratulated himself on the foresight of wearing his spacesuit. However, as the white mass quickly approached he realized with growing fear that it was not snow...it was foam. He quickly switched to his internal oxygen supply as he waited to be covered.

The storm only lasted several seconds but he was covered by several inches of the sticky substance.

“Well, this is it, chum,” Jim thought to himself.

“You've only got six hours of oxygen left and after that's gone you're going to suffocate under all this foam.”

While he was pondering these gloomy thoughts, he

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noticed that the foam on top of him was quickly changing to a powder. Now Jim was covered only by a thin layer of fine, white dust. He shook his head violently in an attempt to clear his face plate. He still was hopelessly ensnared in the plants but was relieved that he could see again. Off in the distance, however, he began to hear a loud whining sound approaching.

The sound came slowly closer and became progressively louder, until it became a horrible sucking, tornado-like cacophony.

Suddenly, Jim could see the creature right above him.

It had a long, tube-like neck, which glistened like polished silver in the blinding sunlight. The far end of the neck was directly above him. The neck ended in a wide, cavernous mouth which was surrounded by poisonous-looking bristles.

Jim shuddered as the

mouth passed over him.

During the last few seconds of consciousness left to him, as he was lifted into the mouth by its suction, he thought of how much the swirling powder reminded him of a Terran snowstorm.

“Oh! My beautiful, new, white shag carpet!” Mrs. Shaw wailed, “It’s ruined.”

She turned to the exterminator and inquired, “Did you get him? Did you kill the beastie that was chewing holes in my carpet?”

The exterminator briefly looked up from his work.

“Well, if that TRT-7 bug killer didn't get him,” he said blandly, as he emptied the contents of the vacuum cleaner into a metal box, “this electric incinerator will.”

Then he flipped the switch. ◆ From the E. L. Crossley literary magazine The Termination 79, 1979.

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The Voice

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A July 28 2021

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Bethany Christian Reformed Church www.bethanycrc.ca

First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., North Pelham

Holy Trinity Anglican Church holytrinityfonthill.org

Pelham Evangelical Friends Church www.pelhamfriends.ca

Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill

Fonthill Baptist Church www.fonthillbaptistchurch.ca

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

Ridgeville Bible Chapel ridgevillebiblechapel.com

Fenwick Church of Christ www.fenwickchurchofchrist.ca

Fonthill United Church www.fonthillunited.com

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

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

Fenwick United Church www.fenwickunited.com

Glad Tidings Church of God www.gladtidingschurchofgod.com

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

St. Ann Roman Catholic Church www.stannfenwick.com

FAITH LIFT

continued from Page 19 ence.”

Making it personal

I can see the truth of Jesus’ words in my own life and in the world around me. The secular world system is very enticing and beckons us with an open door and open arms to embrace its values of selfish materialism and hedonism. Power, pleasure and money are the incentives.

Sadly, Jesus’ prophetic word is true and most people choose this path today in Canada.

The apostle John reinforces Jesus’ warning when he says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world… For everything in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires

pass away…” (1 John 2:15-17).

I remember facing that crossroads many years ago when I left home for the first time to attend university. I suddenly had a lot more freedom with no one looking over my shoulder to guide me. I felt a strong urge to follow worldly desires and choose the road that most of my fellow classmates were travelling.

But, somehow I didn’t. God provided some committed Christian friends who lived lives which were genuine, moral and spiritual. I realized that there was a lot more to the Christian life than I had yet experienced.

And so, by God’s grace, I chose the “one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.” ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who tries to point seekers to the narrow gate.

BALANCED LIFE

continued from Page 18 shift on one foot, which intensifies pressure on tendons and ligaments, as opposed to males who move both feet together, Women have surprisingly less muscle mass then men, making it harder for females to protect and support synovial joints. Research suggests that on average females have approximately 52 percent of the upper body strength and 66 percent of lower body strength compared to men. Women also have a less optimal hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio than men, further increasing the strain on lower leg joints.

Combine less muscle mass with looser ligaments and greater flexibility, and knee and ankle joint injuries will increase for females. Higher estrogen levels and greater body fat percentages (even for lean women) mean women are more likely to experience low levels of calcium and Vitamin D, essential for bone strength. Women have smaller, less dense bones than men, so athletic activity without compensating changes in diet present another risk.

Females are also more prone to concussion than males, and take longer to recover. The science on this is recent, and one of the first to study the phenomenon

was Canadian researcher and hockey player, Tracey Covassin.

Although Covassin acknowledges research is still limited, evidence suggests the following as possible causes: the female neck averages 30 percent smaller in girth than a male’s, increasing the potential of head acceleration and brain impact by up to 50 percent; females have a faster metabolism rate, which means a female brain suffers the effects of an instantaneous blood shortage more quickly and severely than a male, and the changes in hormone levels related to menstrual timing.

The Female Athlete Triad, a little-discussed health condition which combines inadequate calorie and nutrient intake, including those caused by eating disorders, irregular menstrual periods, and low bone mass, is an evidence-supported safety issue that is linked to more prevalent body self-image concerns in females.

Now the good news. Understanding of the risks specific to female athletes, making changes in training plan components and exercise choices, balancing nutritional intake, and monitoring the schedule of training and event participation can help keep female athletes safer and improve results.

Increasing core and limb strength through resistance training and weights can significantly reduce joint, See BALANCED LIFE next page

Page 16

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continued from back page ally keep up as long as possible, because it has a low economic cost, and I think it makes a difference,” he said.

Hirji noted that most businesses are doing a good job of invoking protective measures such as plexiglass barriers, and insisting on face masks and social distancing. However, he said that when employees “go into the break room, that's when some of these things fall apart. People are more likely to sit close-

BALANCED LIFE

continued from previous page rotational and quick-movement injuries.

Press-ups, crunches, single-leg squats, bench jumps and planks all improve the muscle strength to protect joints during explosive actions.

Weightlifting in specific forms will assist rotational strength, and learning proper jumping and landing skills will help shins, ankles and knees compensate for lower gender-based muscle mass. Proper warmup and stretching is crucial, and in training activities, females must be more conscious to avoid overtraining than men.

Adhering to proper athletic diet requirements, and understanding when and what to eat is important. At high levels, young female athletes may benefit from consulting with a dietician or nutritionist who specializes in sport and youth. Achieving the mental stamina to balance the expectations of coaches, parents and peers is important to maintaining good eating habits.

Education and communication regarding the impact of menstrual cycles on performance and training safety needs significant improvement. The Economist article states that a 2019 study of 14,000 female athletes

by St. Mary’s University in England found that 81 percent of those with coaches had

The Voice Z

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Found: a pair of prescription sunglasses in black case. These devotes just two pages of 469 to the Female were found on grass boulevard at corner of Haist and Canboro on Athlete Triad. Discussion of the differencThursday, June 10th. Call 289-897-9398 to claim. es in female and male body structure and PELHAM MUDFEST physiology throughout the book are rare.

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The mental and NIAGARA physical benefit sport REGIONAL EXHIBITION Phone 905-892-5811. participation provides to female athletes Rodeo, games and live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It is undeniable. Being aware of the unique, gender-specific diet,runs exercise, training fromand Sept.

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7. Proceeds for the Big Move stay in Niagara and support the Walkerwho Famlikes fresh air and exercise.

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The Voice

Sporting Green The Niagara

Page 17

A July 28 2021

John Swart looks at how gender affects sports health 18

The Voice | July 28 2021

Vaillancourt ready to roll

BY BILL POTRECZ bpsportsniagara.com Thomas Vaillancourt is about to find out how he stacks up against the best of the best. The 16-year-old Welland resident has been selected to the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) U15 roster that will compete in the annual Peach Jam Tournament in South Carolina over the next two weeks.

The EYBL is a circuit for teams of players 17 and under founded in 2010 and is regarded as of the top youth basketball loops in the United States.

“I’m very excited,” Vaillancourt said before leaving for the tournament. “It’s my first time playing games in front of scouts.

It’s a mix of excitement and nervousness. I’m excited to show the scouts what I can do but there is still that nervousness being the first time in front of scouts. You’re always a bit nervous when you do something for the first time.”

Vaillancourt flew out of Toronto where he met up with several teammates from across Canada. The team has yet to practice together due to Covid restrictions.

“We will get some practices in to get some rust off because we really haven’t been together at all,” Vaillancourt said. “We’ve all been practising individually in our own areas.”

The team began their schedule of seven games July 13.

Vaillancourt, who has been a member of UPLAY (United Public Leadership Academy for Youth) since he was 13, where they competed on a junior Nike circuit, was selected to the team following camps across the country just before Christmas last year.

The Ridley College student was able to work out some at the school, but was often relegated to exercising wherever he could with limited equipment.

“When we were able to go to the training room at school we had all the stuff. Now, I basically have my dad’s weight vest, and that’s it,” he said.

The 6-foot-8, 240-pound player admitted it hasn’t always been easy.

“It’s the mental stuff as well.

It’s trying to push through the mental barrier that you can do this and not sit on the couch and play a video game all day. It’s the temptation that you can do something else that you like more, but you have to do this. It’s tough.”

Vaillancourt, whose longterm goal is to garner a basketball scholarship, realizes he still has plenty of work to do.

“I have the knowledge. I know what I have to do, I just have to mould my body into fitting the requirements of what I have to do,” he said. “I get winded very easily so I have to work on my cardio to keep up with the other guys. That type of stuff.”

Vaillancourt still feels he may be growing as well.

“I feel like I have some more inches in me,” he said.

Vaillancourt was coached for

Thomas Vaillancourt. several years by his father, Martin Vaillancourt, both in Pelham and at the UPlay level.

Martin feels the best may be yet come for Thomas.

“Big guys blossom late,” he said. “We’re hoping he’s at the right places and he works and transforms his body. If he can move a little better, the best years could be ahead of him. The Junior Academy head coaches were saying because there is so much room for his body to grow it was hard for them. Smaller guys who are super skilled, they

cannot get much more skilled.

When you get a 6’ 8”, 6’ 9” and the ceiling is so high, we really don’t know.”

Thomas also has to battle his health — he was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic when he was five years of age.

He wears a sensor that transmits his blood sugar level to an app on his phone so he can take the appropriate action, either an insulin pen if the reading is too high or liquid sugar if the reading is too low.

“Exercising and eating affect

my blood sugar level,” he said.

Dad, who will be following Thomas’ progress from home, is well aware there are no assurances of playing time at the tournament.

“At that level, you play or you don’t play,” he said. “They will go on matchups. Thomas is a big kid so if the other team spreads the floor with five little guys, he’s on the bench. If they show up with a 6’ 10” guy, he might be a starter. It’s based on need but there are no guarantees.

“They wouldn’t bring him if

BILL POTRECZ

they didn’t think he could help.”

Thomas is also looking forward to hopefully a regular season of basketball at Ridley after the Covid pandemic wiped out games last year.

“It’s definitely a really great school,” he said. “You get a high-level education and that is something that has helped me a lot. They have a great basketball program as well. We do weights in the morning and have really good practices every day, Monday to Friday. It’s really detailed and really well done.”

Page 18

The Voice

A July 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

THE BALANCED LIFE

by John Swart

Female athletes face unique health challenges

H

aving the opportunity to use the expression, “I didn’t know that,” is a gift. Whether voicing the phrase aloud when a friend or professional shares fresh information, or pausing for a moment to reflect when reading a book or journal, we are opening a door to increased knowledge. The ability to research a topic, if only for a few minutes, evaluate the information being presented, then perhaps benefit from it, is exciting.

“ACL injuries are a growing problem — and one that particularly afflicts women,” read a recent article in

the Economist, and was the prompt for such a journey.

Learning the differences in type and quantity of sports injuries that are related to gender, and the advances in understanding the reasons why women suffer significantly more injuries than men was new territory for me. Realizing the improvements to injury prevention for female athletes, especially those 14 to 20 years of age, these studies and new information might provide was startling.

Although Title IX, the American federal legislation guaranteeing equal distribution of public funding for sport to men and women

was established in 1972, the awareness and discussion of the unique mental and physical health risks female athletes encounter is significantly less open and studied than for men. This is changing, and the research is providing positive results.

ACL injuries are an example of such improvements in understanding.

There are four major ligaments in the knee which connect the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) and hold the knee together, including the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). A Boston Children’s Hospital study from 2018 found that ACL injuries in male and female kids under the age of 18 had tripled in relation to other orthopaedic injuries in the previous ten years.

A 2020 article by Dr. Mufaddal Gombera on gen-

der and sports injuries dug deeper, and found that, “Girls between the ages of 13 and 17 have seen the largest uptick at a 59 percent increase in required reconstruction procedures over recent years. In fact, studies show that female athletes are three times more likely to tear their ACL than males.”

Women are also at risk for a disproportionate number of lower body injuries, shoulder and rotator cuff injuries, ankle sprains, bone stress fractures, and plantar

muscular and articular systems are significantly different. Wider hip structure alters lower body alignment, making females more prone to lower body injuries.

When women land from a jump (basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, etc.) they hit the ground in a more erect posture with their knees closer together, increasing impact. When female athletes perform sudden directional changes (tennis, basketball, soccer) they tend to

fasciitis when participating in sports activities at an equivalent rate to males.

The intent of this column is absolutely not to suggest that females should refrain from sports participation.

It is to make readers, especially parents of young female athletes, aware that such differences exist, and that solutions to reduce the risk of injury are available.

Recognizing why females are more prone to sports injuries than males is step one.

Female and male skeletal,

See BALANCED LIFE Page 15

V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you may have to tend to family matters this week.

Seek input from trusted family members and work together to come to a solution that everyone can embrace.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, it can be difficult to know when to stop talking and start listening. It is a fine line to walk, but be patient and feel out the room before offering your input.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Things that appear to be confusing or intimidating may not be as complicated as they seem, Gemini. Keep doing your research and don’t be scared away.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, remember to treat others how you want them to treat you. This simple approach is a great way to build lasting friendships and strong relationships.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Get as much work done around the house as possible this week, Leo. You may soon be pressed for time, so now is the time to tackle projects.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Have fun with family and friends in the days to come, Virgo. Make the most of this precious time to relax with those you love. It will provide the kickstart you’ve been seeking.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Devote some time to figuring out the details of your spending habits. A little financial discipline now may pay big dividends down the road.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, seek others’ input when faced with a tricky situation. Sometimes a fresh perspective is all that’s needed to make sense of a perplexing problem.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, expect to make some progress on financial situations that may have seemed daunting in the past. A financial professional can help you navigate some confusing waters.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Connecting with friends has been a priority for you lately, Capricorn. In the days ahead, pend as much time as possible with those you hold near and dear.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Hidden strengths come to the surface when you are thrust into an unfamiliar situation, Aquarius. When forced to think on your feet, you realize you can adapt on the fly.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Connect with your community in any way you can this week, Pisces. Give back by volunteering or by offering financial support.

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8. ARAK

6. IDA

7. SACCO

5. RET

4. AXE

3. FIRS

2. ALOE

1. SLBM

SOLUTIONS DOWN

50. IRA

51. MANTRA

48. SACS

49. ATTAINED

44. PENNI

45. NUCLEOLI

41. SMILO

39. ERA

40. BOOM

38. PEAR

36. ALE

37. ACES

33. AP

34. FLASHING

OBAMA

27. MU

28. MICHELLE

21. ARE

22. SOMETIME

19. BOAR

17. ERG

18. SEGO

16. HICK

15. RIMES

14. CACAO

12. PARR

13. ORBORETA

7. SAP

10. BOLLIXED

ACROSS

1. SAFARI

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SOLUTIONS

Enjoy our Take-out Fish & Chips Fridays!

From our family to yours...stay safe

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The Voice

Page 19

A July 28 2021

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

The road less travelled

R

obert Frost was an American poet who lived from 1874 to 1963. His most famous poem was called “The Road Not Taken.” And the most famous line of that poem is the last one, which says, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

Frost’s poem

Frost wrote the poem in 1916. The first part of the poem describes a lone traveler coming to a fork in the road. He wanted to explore both but felt he had to choose one. His decision was made harder because he had a hunch he might never come back to try the other. Finally, he makes his choice. He chooses the path that looks less travelled. His concluding remark implies that he is happy with his choice although he doesn’t explain what the difference was.

When Frost would introduce his poem before a reading he would explain that the subject referred to his English writing friend, Edward Thomas. Thomas was rather indecisive and would often regret and second-guess his choices.

Frost visited England in 1912 when he was 38 and stayed four years. During that time he often visited Thomas and they would take leisurely walks down country lanes together. These experiences inspired Frost to write this poem after his return to New Hampshire.

He sent his friend an advance copy of it. Apparently, Thomas pondered the poem very seriously and personally and it may have influenced his decision to enlist in World War I. Sadly, he was killed two years later in the Battle of Arras.

The news must have been a harsh blow to Frost back in America.

Jesus’ prophecy

Whenever I read this poem I think of Jesus’ prophetic words in Matthew 7:13-14 — “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Jesus didn’t say these words as a poem but rather as a word picture. Like Frost, he sees a person pon-

dering the choice between two paths. One road is broad and welcoming with a wide gate opening to it. Many people choose this easy path but Jesus warns that it leads to an undesirable destination – spiritual death and destruction.

The Lord exhorts his audience to choose rather the narrow road which begins with a small, narrow gate.

Few people choose this path but it’s the one that leads to spiritual life and salvation.

In Frost’s words, it is the “one less traveled by and that has made all the differSee FAITH LIFT Page 15

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

Word Search: Country Fair

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

AGRICULTURE BALLOONS BANNER BOOTH BUMPER CARS CHICKENS

CHILDREN COTTON CANDY ENTERTAIN ENTRANCE FAIRGROUNDS FERRIS WHEEL

FESTIVAL FIELDS FUNNEL CAKE GATHERING LAUGHTER LEMONADE

LIVESTOCK POPCORN RIDES SNACKS SUMMER TICKETS

Voice

CROSSWORD

ANSWERS ON PAGE 18

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The Voice

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A July 28 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OF Hirji stresses Covid Voice RECIPE THE WEEK 4 battle not yet over Grilled Stuffed French Toast

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Acting Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner for Public Health in the Niagara Region, provided news on Covid-19, vaccination progress, and other health updates on the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce’s weekly Espresso Live! webinar last Thursday.

Hirji prefaced his remarks by providing an overview of the current state of Covid around the globe, and the worrisome pattern of increasing infections which are raising the spectre of a “fourth wave,” which Hiri called “a very real concern.”

He noted that the US stock market took a dip last Monday, “that was very much linked to fears about a new surge of Covid-19 cases that they're experiencing in the US. But the good news is that Niagara is bucking the trend a little bit.”

The highly contagious Delta variant now makes up over 80 percent of new infections in the United States, according to the U.S. Centre for Disease Control (CDC).

More than half of the U.S. population is not yet fully vaccinated, and the average of new daily cases last week was up 66 percent from the previous week and 145 percent from two weeks prior.

Hirji highlighted that in British Columbia and Alberta, “two provinces that have taken that step of pretty much dropping all coded precautions, with no more masking and no more physical distancing,” infection levels are beginning to increase. “The lesson there is that we need some ongoing restrictions on social interaction, and some additional

work to get vaccination rates higher before we can take that step to [full] reopening—but that's of course not to say we can't partially reopen.”

Ontario infection numbers have not spiked, but Hirji cautioned that “thousands of [modeling] simulations being run actually show us exceeding our hospital capacity, so right now we're not at a stage where we could fully reopen and not see our hospital sector possibly overwhelmed.”

He said that, “once we get to that 75 percent [vaccination rate] here, and everybody has had two doses, we'll be able to fully reopen, and really get back to something much closer to normal.”

Hirji said that vaccination statistics from early July indicated that close to 8000 doses a day were being administered in Niagara, “although unfortunately that has tapered off a little bit of late.”

Hirji said that there is “a big group out there who I think are just a bit complacent about getting the vaccine, just not willing to do the work to book an appointment, it's not top of mind, because they have a lot of other stuff going in their life.

That's the group that we're really hoping will get us well past 75 percent.”

The importance of continuing to wear a face mask was underscored by Hirji, since it protects the public from the spread of respiratory droplets and aerosols that are exhaled, and is especially important in the workplace.

“Despite being an annoyance, I think that's one of the measures that we should reSee BATTLE Page 16

Grillmasters insist that just about everything tastes a little better when cooked over a flame. Even though grilling often is reserved for lunch or dinner, there’s something to be said about preparing breakfast on those hot grates as well.

Grilled Stuffed French Toast Makes 4 servings 1 8 4 1⁄2 3⁄4 5 1-1⁄2 1 1⁄4

loaf Italian bread ounces cream cheese, at room temperature tablespoons confectioners’ sugar teaspoon almond extract cup blueberries eggs cups half-and-half or milk teaspoon vanilla extract Pinch of kosher salt Oil for coating grill grate cup Orange Honey-Butter Glaze (see below)

1. Cut off and discard a small diagonal slice from each end of the bread. Cut the bread on the diagonal into about eight 1-1⁄2-inch-thick slices. Cut a slit through the top crust of each slice to form a deep pocket.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of the confectioners’ sugar, and the almond extract.

Stir in the blueberries and spoon the filling equally into the bread pockets. Lay the stuffed slices of bread in a shallow 4-quart baking dish, such as a 15-by-10-inch dish.

3. Clean and dry the bowl, then use it to whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla extract, salt, and remaining 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread. Carefully tilt the pan and swirl the egg mixture to completely coat the bread. Let sit for 30 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours.

4. Heat the grill to 350 F for a gas grill, medium ash for charcoal, and medium ash for wood.

5. Brush the grill grate and coat it with oil. Put the French toast on the grill and cook until nicely browned and crisp on the outside, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter and, using a pastry or basting brush, brush both sides with the Orange Honey-Butter Glaze.

Orange Honey-Butter Glaze Makes 1⁄4 cup 2 1 1

tablespoons butter, well softened tablespoon honey tablespoon grated orange zest Pinch of grated nutmeg

In a small bowl, mix all ingredients until creamy and spreadable like icing. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Soften to a spreadable consistency before using.

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