The Voice, June 2 2021

SPECIAL TOWN OF PELHAM SUPPLEMENT INSIDE

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The Voice Z Z

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

of Pelham and Central Niagara

Vol.25 No.22 

JUNE 2 2021

Published every Wednesday

Darcy Richardson, CPA, CA | Broker

DARCYRICHARDSON.CA darcy@darcyrichardson.ca 905.321.6292

LIFE IN PELHAM

Programs Canada Day

Farmers Market Pelham 30-for-30 Challenge

LIP Issue #2- June 2, 2021

Learn more inside

Page 2

The Voice

A June 2 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

LIFE IN PELHAM What is this?

This is the current home for the Town of Pelham’s bi-annual Life In Pelham guide. Traditionally printed in spring and fall, the pandemic has caused the Town to re-imagine how it would share the information usually found within the guide.

Throughout 2021, the Town will print a four-page spread in the Voice of Pelham on a brighter, heavier paper stock than traditional newsprint. These inserts are the equivalent of receiving two complete guides over the year. This is the second issue.

This option allows the Town to make sure, given the changing rules and regulations of the COVID-19 pandemic, the most up-to-date, relevant, and accurate information regarding events, programs, and much more is shared in a timely manner.

Town Hall

20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill, ON, L0S 1E0 905-892-2607

Meridian Community Centre

100 Meridian Way, Fonthill, ON, L0S 1E6 905-732-7872

After hours emergencies 905-734-0892

Fire and Bylaw Services 905-892-2607 x201 (admin) 905-892-2607 x204 (bylaw)

Mayor Marvin Junkin Phone: 905-892-2607 Ext. 317 Cell Phone: 905-658-2986 Email Address: mjunkin@pelham.ca

Check out our newest community engagement tool, EngagingPelham by Bang the Table!

Join the conversation at:

https://engagingpelham.ca

Follow us on Social Media

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Ward 1 Councillor Marianne Stewart Phone: 289-821-0840 Email Address: mstewart@pelham.ca

Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Olson Phone: 905-933-6033 Email Address: wolson@pelham.ca

Ward 2 Councillor Ron Kore Phone: 905-933-3805 Email Address: rkore@pelham.ca

@townofpelhamontario

Ward 2 Councillor John Wink Phone: 905-892-4475 Email Address: jwink@pelham.ca

/townofpelhamontario /townofpelham

Ward 3 Councillor Lisa Haun Phone: 905-892-5877 Email address: lhaun@pelham.ca

See this week’s pull-out insert

Ward 3 Councillor Bob Hildebrandt Phone: 905-892-5647 Email Address: bhildebrandt@pelham.ca

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

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

8

E

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca Planting 7400 seedlings page 5

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

DEBBIE PINE SALES REPRESENTATIVE 905.892.0222 NRC Realty, Brokerage

Independently Owned & Operated

debbiepine@royallepage.ca

The Voice Z Z

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

Thefor Voice 2 2021 A June Lions fundraiser Emmett page 15 Adventurer Adam Shoalts finds giants

of Pelham and Central Niagara

Published every Wednesday

JUNE 2 2021

Vol.25 No.22 

page 21Page 3

Darcy Richardson, CPA, CA | Broker

DARCYRICHARDSON.CA darcy@darcyrichardson.ca 905.321.6292

Column Six

The Beast It was a trip like any other, until...

Naughty man nabs nice boy's egg cart

BY MARJORIE POULI Special to the Voice

R

ank amateurs, our broken-down boots, worn high-water pants, sagging plaid shirts, jackets with assorted buttons and old sun hats on our grey heads, completed our "old fogey fishermen" look. An old lumber camp, east of Espanola, was our summer fishing retreat. My husband, John, who had progressed from, "I'll stay at camp," to, "Just five more casts," was an eccentric, silent fisherman. How could anyone drop a new rod into the lake, wait politely for a break in the conversation and then quietly announce, "I've dropped my fishing rod." Freddy the Fisherman offered to loan John a whole list of expletives if he didn't have any himself. John, who did not use expletives, merely increased his silence when excited.

Only two more days of vacation. In the past week we had enjoyed carefree days of canoeing, fishing, basket weaving, hiking and swim-

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

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

In addition to being proved in court. all seven continents lowing charges haveimmerse been yourself in No lines, no hurry, the Region. None of the folon smaller ship’s.

Extended stays offence in port, some overnight impaired driving in with an alleged criminal people included. who are charged tuities Selectlast spirits, wines, Int’l Beers & Grayear! reports the names of those tique hotel at Police sea. Service one cruise at a time araExplore Regional thetime world onboard your bouThis Pelham St., Fonthill 2019—a year to explore the world, alcohol or1400 drugs, the NiagPAST www.niagara.cruiseholidays.com driving while impairedoffi byce@thevoiceofpelham.ca http://www.hooahhvideos.ca/ select voyages Enjoy a and veranda an interior price onyourSanta Raidy Manso (center), attention deterrence toreaders! and we’ll share it for with our Email photoCayo, with aCuba! brief description to BLAST FROM THE DOUBLE UPGRADE EarlyON's Fenwick United Church location.

In an effort to bring further Send us Sue your Lough picture withholding daughter The Tamara, Voice, of whether Fenwick, across with new townCuban or abroad friend

toEarlyON go chargesCentres closing driving planners 83 days instead, sayRESULTS Fenwick and South Pelham NRPS impaired Peace on Earth Existing community facilities toand beAirbnbs used in Pelham At Hoo-Ahh Aerial of theHome Week qr 905.892.7900 THE VOICE POLL: Hotels

Luke Braun, very nearly 5, with his egg cart. The cart was stolen from outside the Braun home last week on Effingham. Story page 16.

BRAUN FAMILY

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

DEBBIE PINE

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

SALES REPRESENTATIVE 905.892.0222

www.pineSOLD.com

NIAGARA / FONTHILL, ON

debbiepine@royallepage.ca SELL phone: 905-321-2261

Pelham Funeral Home wants to ensure your safety.

If you are not comfortable with coming in the we gladly offer all arrangements funeralfuneral so theyhome, won’t have to. to be done by phone and email.

Save your family the burden.

Plan your own Call today and ask how we can help.

As always we are here for you should you need us.

Tina Tina and Staff

See COLUMN SIX Page 20

Page 4

The Voice

A June 2 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

NRPS impaired driving charges ~

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

Corrections at the top: In our story last week introducing Pelham’s newest bylaw officer, Melissa Grodesky, we noted that she was training a new seasonal bylaw officer. Alas, we misspelled the latter’s name—caught by her alert granddad!

The proper spelling is Ceara Obdeyn….Well, this is interesting: Each week we post stories from the paper on our website as well. The usual pattern is to wait a day or so, since we think that within these pages is the best way to read the news.

(Breaking stories, of course, get put online immediately.)

Much of what we put on the website we also link to from our Facebook page. Pretty standard practice. Also customary is the correlation between views on Facebook and views on the website—lots of Facebook views will usually mean lots of webpage views. But something unusual happened last week, with our background story on Pelham Town Council deferring a decision to give a technical yes to St. Catharines, who has agreed to pay $250,000 for needed improvements to Twelve Mile Creek as part of a settlement with the feds. As of this writing, the story on Facebook is sitting at 92 views.

On the website, however, it was far and away the most read story of the last two weeks—as of now it has just under 4900 views. What the heck? I’m guessing that there is considerable interest in the Twelve Mile across Niagara, and concern for the habitat within it. It’s been pointed out to us that what we failed to mention in our coverage of council’s deliberations was an idea floated by them to deny the request being made

by Trout Unlimited, and then have Town staff pursue the funds directly with St. Catharines. The mind truly boggles.

In any case, let’s hope that a Trout Unlimited delegation, set to come before council at their next regular meeting, will succeed in seeing the right decision being made, with time still left to undertake the project this season...Some excellent treats this week: Starting with the front page, we’re very pleased to present another Column Six by Fenwick resident Marjorie Pouli. It’s a story that builds, and builds, and…

Enjoy. Meanwhile, our resident fitness guru John Swart tells us about a new crop of applications meant to enhance our exercise routines, but which may end up having the opposite effect. I’d never heard of any of these before, and have no plans to adopt a single one—but your interest may vary. And finally, returning to Pelham and the Voice after several years away is the celebrated naturalist and writer, Adam Shoalts.

Now in his mid-30s, Shoalts may be Canada’s best known wilderness explorer. He’s also now Dr. Shoalts, given that he earned a PhD in history from McMaster University for work on indigenous oral traditions and European explorers.

He wrote a regular column for the Voice between 2007 and 2014. Find his return on p. 21, and settle in for a wonderfully guided tour of our own back yard...As ever: Stay safe. See you next week. ◆

What's That

SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

The Pelham Fire Department responded to eight calls for assistance from Friday, May 21 to Friday, May 28.

Friday, May 21 Medical assistance, Fonthill

WORKING ON HIS BIRTHDAY Reader Peggy Palmer sent in this shot of Voice carrier Will Bradley diligently going about his duties, along with co-pilot grandpa, even though it was Will’s 12th birthday. “Will is always on time and so polite,” said Palmer.

That’s our man—Happy belated, Will!

PEGGY PALMER

Structure fire, Sixteen Rd., Short Hills Saturday, May 22 Burning complaint, Louth Townline Rd., Short Hills

Duncan trial to start Monday

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent In a brief hearing last Friday, a trial date for Dr. Charles Duncan was set for this Monday, May 31, 10 AM, in St. Catharines.

Duncan, 76, who practiced family medicine in Pelham for decades, resigned from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in October 2019, after the college commenced an investigation into allegations against him of professional misconduct and incompetence. Duncan agreed to never reapply for registration as a physician in Ontario or any other jurisdiction, and to ask the

Voice

Sunday, May 23 Non-emergency assistance, Short Hills

Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) to deactivate his billing number.

After one of his alleged assault victims told her story to the Voice that autumn, several more women came forward with similar allegations. Only after a Voice editorial ran, questioning the Niagara Regional Police’s apparent inaction in the face of the multiple allegations, was Duncan formally charged and arrested.

The Crown is pursuing charges related to five females, and the NRPS have laid a total of seven charges of sexual assault and one of sexual exploitation. Duncan was fi rst arrested and

Tuesday, May 25 Medical assistance, Fonthill Thursday, May 27 Structure fire – mutual aid, Chippawa Rd., Fenwick, Short Hills Motor vehicle collision,Short Hills Medical assistance, Fonthill

charged in relation to two separate alleged incidents involving a 16-year-old girl and a 39-year-old woman.

Three more women later came forward, aged between 54 and 64, alleging offenses which took place between Aug. 31, 1994, and Sept. 31, 2018.

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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DSBN wants portion of Town park

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Column Six

Growing up British

Vol.20 No.32

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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 in Pelham during the 2015 Apple Day campaign.

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

Office 905.892.1702

Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn

Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932

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Request made of community still peeved at name change

See DSBN Page 9

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Column Six

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

Robert George HOLLORAN, 59, Welland Larry GARDER, 65, Niagara Falls Christopher Michael CLARIDGE, 28, St. Catharines John Paul WAWZKIEWICZ, 54, Niagara Falls Jason WANNANAKER, 46, St. Catharines Michelle Renee GUENTHER, 21, Niagara Falls Sean MCGEE, 47, Niagara Falls Salina Kristen SCOTT, 43, St. Catharines Chad B LAVERDURE-MOORE, 25, Niagara Falls Jason LEBLANC, 40, Welland Kyle MURPHY, 28, St. Catharines Adam MACH, 28, Niagara Falls Angus A MACKAY, 30, Fort Erie

“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

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The Voice

Page 5

A June 2 2021

Niagara Region greening initiative takes root Some 7400 seedlings planted at Decew Water Treatment Plant

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent An environmentally friendly ceremony took place last Tuesday at Niagara Region’s Decew Falls Water Treatment Plant, in Thorold, where it was announced that approximately 7400 native tree seedlings were in the process of being planted on the Decew grounds, in partnership with Land Care Niagara, a non-profit, land resource management group. The project is part of the Region’s “greening initiative,” to increase vegetative cover across Niagara in support of ecosystem health, as well as its new climate change work program, a component of the Region’s master plan in the works.

The planting site is located beside the Bruce Trail and Laura Secord Legacy Trail, and will enhance forest cover along the Niagara Escarpment.

Regional Council Chair Jim Bradley, and Pelham Regional Councillor Diana Huson (who chairs the Region’s Planning and Development Committee) posed with seedlings and spades, and then viewed one of the fields at Decew where the trees had been planted.

Funding was provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, after strategic analysis identified the Decew Falls site as a highly suitable area to increase forest canopy in the Twelve Mile Creek watershed.

Barry Porter, Stewardship Director with Land Care Niagara, said the seedlings were a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees: red maple, red oak, white pine, white spruce, white cedar, and silver maple.

Bradley heaped praise on Huson for spearheading the initiative, but she in turn shone the spotlight on Regional staff.

“I came across a news article on social media that was promoting renewal of the 50 Million Tree Program [operated by Forests Ontario], and simply sent a note to our planning department to say, ‘Hey, is this something we can take advantage of?’” Huson recalled. “We've been talking a lot on council about how to implement greening initiatives. But I can only take credit for sending an email. Erik was the See GREENING Page 19

Regional Chair Jim Bradley and Pelham Regional Councillor Diana Huson plant ceremonial spades in the turf to symbolize the local tree planting program at Decew.

Need some ideas for getting those active minutes in this month?

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Help your community win $100K!

DON RICKERS

JUNE

Page 6

The Voice

A June 2 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OPINION

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

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

COTÉ'S COMMENTS Larry Coté

Here a Zoom, there a Zoom, everywhere a Zoom-Zoom

T

here is a misguided notion that technology has left most seniors behind.

There is plenty of proof out there that nothing could be further from the truth.

Many seniors say to the latest innovation, “Bring it on!”

For example, I am aware of a couple of so-called seniors groups that have courageously embraced social media, video messaging, and other computer-related technologies with courage, enthusiasm and without fear.

One of these casual groups has a membership that has been meeting since the early ‘70s, coincidentally at a time when computers were just being introduced.

The eldest of these is into his 90s and the youngest is just shy of 80. Some of the original members have passed on and been replaced with other colleagues from that era. Prior to the pandemic, this group met every week at a local coffee emporium to develop solutions to the world’s problems, and very often just to disrespect one and other’s deportment,

appearance and character. However, the pandemic curtailed these in-person confabulations and meant that other measures needed to be undertaken if the

They are all neatly groomed, and attired, as far as we know, at least from the waist up

world was to continue to benefit from their collective wisdom.

That’s when the group hooked up to the internet and made arrangements to keep the wisdom output going as if world collapse was at stake if their brainstorming were to be curtailed. Their temperament followed the dictates of the adage that “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

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The Voice

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Duc, sequere, aut de medio fiat

Z

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

(905) 892-8690

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca EDITOR & 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

And now, every week this group of self-acclaimed sagacious men meet over the internet from the comfort of their homes via Zoom, the video conferencing application. They are all neatly groomed, and attired, as far as we know, at least from the waist up. They are, after all, a dignified group and were brought up to appreciate that proper decorum is of uppermost importance.

Each of them is acutely aware that attendance at these weekly sessions is extremely important, else their personality, wisdom and character might be denigrated without their on-site defence.

Another of such groups of seniors is comprised of fellow workmates.

These retirees meet via Zoom occasionally and with comfortable dexterity. Many memories, good and bad, are recalled in these sessions about workplace experiences. This group, like the former one and prior to the pandemic, met at a local pub for pizza, wings and a cold pitcher, and continSee ZOOM Page 8

Letters More Gang of Four, please Much appreciation given to Councillors Hildebrandt, Kore, Wink, Haun and Stewart who, at the last council meeting (as reported extensively in the Voice), chose to raise their voices (and not sit on their hands) in questioning staff concerning the City of St. Catharines/Trout Unlimited Canada Twelve Mile Creek project as proposed to take place in Pelham’s backyard.

I was particularly struck by the editorializing of the Voice in admonishing these councillors for doing their job. Clearly it was preferred by Town staff, the Mayor, as well as the

paper that these councillors zip their mouths, wash their hands of the whole affair and call it a night! We along with many of our neighbours (who live in the area where this project is to take place) applaud those councillors, who after all, have oversight responsibilities for all of Pelham’s lands (and waters), private or public. In reading the Voice the emerging pattern strikes me as to their near-continuous chastisement for some councillors who dare to take Town staff to task, ask quesSee CHASTISEMENT next page

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 Members of Pelham Town Council Ward 1 Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840 Councillor Wayne Olson wolson@pelham.ca 905-933 6033

Today's forgotten business stopped advertising yesterday

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

Jill C. Anthony Law Office

Have an Opinion?

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

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

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The Voice

Page 7

A June 2 2021

OPINION “I was here first” A while back in the early days of this nightmare created by the Town’s refusal to enforce the rule of law, having had endured the whining air dryers of the car wash at 151 Highway 20 E. in Fonthill for three or four months, I was walking along the Steve Bauer Trail one morning when I had occasion to encounter owner Gail Levay near the rear of her property. Seizing on this opportunity to speak to her in a neighbourly “across the fence” sort of way, I suggested that she “do something” to quiet down those maddening blowers.

I recognized Ms. Levay from a Voice photo accompanying an article published in November 2018, wherein she was posing with a Rotarian of the Year plaque, and an Object of Rotary tablet. The fi rst line of the article proclaimed that Ms. Levay had put “Service Above Self” in the community for 27 years.

Now, personally, I worry about disturbing my neighbours with my coffee grinder in the morning, so if I were a business owner who learned that I was tormenting an entire com-

CHASTISEMENT

continued from previous page tions and/or voice an opinion.

Since when is dissension a bad thing? Perhaps the Voice would prefer a return to the modus operandi of yesteryears; this where almost all council votes went 7-0 and

munity with noise from my business, I would be mortified and would do everything possible to remedy the situation, and I’m not even a Rotarian—proof that ordinary people can

As I don't imagine that suppression of the press is a Rotary objective, I assume that this was a personal initiative

also be respectful of others.

As Ms. Levay had been a past Rotarian of the Year and presumably an archetype of “Service Above Self,” I wasn’t expecting the, “I don’t have to do anything” reply, nor the indignant, “I was here fi rst!” remark as she turned on heel and walked away, seemingly insulted at the mere suggestion of her having to be a good

nary an objection was heard.

Oh ya, and where did that get us; unfettered development, a dirty/polluted watershed and mounds of debt! I say, thanks to these councillors for taking their civic duties seriously!

Graham Pett Fonthill

neighbour, and perhaps believing that shouting “I was here fi rst” negated our concerns and effectively established her “right” to disturb our community.

Maybe such contrary behaviour is why Ms. Levay didn’t want to be outed as a bad neighbour in a recent article in the Voice, (“this can’t go in the newspaper”). As I don’t imagine that suppression of freedom of the press is a Rotary objective, I assume this was a personal initiative.

So besides being something you typically hear from a child, does Ms. Levay’s proclamation of, “I was here fi rst,” mean anything—legally that is?

Not being a legal scholar, I can’t say, but on the surface it seems to suggest a belief that having occupied the car wash property “for 52 years…” she cannot be interfered with, even if it means that others who have lived in the community for 30 years must forfeit their rights to quality of life and peaceful enjoyment of their property. Perhaps exclaiming, “I was here fi rst” trumps our See HERE FIRST next page

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Since mid April, which is when Canada’s Covid numbers peaked, new daily infections have fallen from over 9,000 to 3,400, and the average number of Covid patients being treated each day in hospitals has dropped 34 percent.

Provincially, daily new cases are consistently in the 1,200 – 1,500 range with the seven-day average on Friday at 1,353, down from 4,600 or higher in mid April.

In the Niagara Region, new daily cases have reached as low as 20, and are rarely above 50. The number of Covid patients in Niagara hospitals has fallen from low 70s to 30, again as of Friday, and active cases in Pelham were at 18, which puts us slightly lower than the middle of the pack in the Region.

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A very senior planner, who has just recently retired from the Region but is still retained as a consultant, and for whom I have a lot of respect, feels this same way. Think about it—wouldn’t you want to discuss a planning decision with your neighbour/ councillor, instead of some councillor living in Grimsby, or Fort Erie?

This idea of local councillors caving in to developers, more so than at the Regional level, is, in my opinion, nonsense. We all have to follow the same Provincial Planning Act. I personally think these decisions are best made by local people, local politicians. At the last Regional Council meeting, council instructed Regional staff to complete mapping throughout the region, and we will then make a decision when this additional work is brought back to council. ◆

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Page 8

The Voice

A June 2 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

HERE FIRST

continued from Page 7

Your turn is coming soon.

Charter right to enjoyment of property.

It also suggests a belief that she has an exemption from the law, maybe even from the common decency that might prevent a person from infl icting suffering on fellow human beings day-in-and-day-out.

As it is clear that Ms. Levay has no intention of being a good neighbour—recall the “I don’t have to do anything” remark—our neighbourhood has relied on the Town to enforce the rule of law and dismiss any imaginary privileges Ms. Levay thinks she may have by being there fi rst. Unfortunately that has not been the case. In fact, the message from the Town to Ms. Levay is that she is indeed exempt from the noise bylaw. Perhaps that’s why she is content to symbolically thumb her nose at us every time those air dryers sound.

So in the fi nal tally, the “I was here fi rst” argument appears to be a specious one, which, in this situation, is meaningless but which has been given life by Town

ZOOM

continued from Page 6 ued that practice following retirement. Although the

Ontario’s COVID-19 vaccine plan is helping to stop the spread and save lives.

Thousands of people across the province are getting vaccinated every day.

average age is well into the Golden Years they also have embraced computer technology without a trace of hesitancy or fear.

So when it comes the latest technology all the members of both of these groups of seniors have no fear and welcome the challenge of adopting the innovations to their use. So it would be wrong to assume that seniors are confounded by innovations in technology.

There is no doubting that many seniors are computer literate and regularly emailing, Facebooking, and meeting with their families and friends over the internet. Their cellphones, modems and computer applications are as familiar to them as are the aches and pains of aging. ◆

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officials letting Ms. Levay have her way.

Evidence of this favoritism was on display in last week’s article, wherein Fire Chief Lymburner exposed his bias toward Ms. Levay with his statement, “We don’t want to shut down businesses, and affect people’s livelihoods. So we try to mitigate to make both parties happy.”

He couldn’t bring himself to personalize us and say the word “residents,” I guess, relegating our entire community instead to one of the “parties.”

Nor did he explain just what he would be “mitigating” in this particular case. So far he has made just one party happy—the bylaw-violating business—leaving us, the other “party,” better known as “the victims,” waiting for our turn at happiness.

So far there has been no sign of anything having been mitigated except for our quality of life, the peaceful enjoyment of our neighbourhood, and our property values, not that that seems to matter to anyone. Keeping Ms. Levay happy is what appears to be important to Town officials.

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www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 9

A June 2 2021

Letters continued What happened to live and let live I have been keeping track of the antics of council and also some of the comments being made in the Voice, but Larry Cote's comments last week was like throwing more gasoline on the fire of discontent with the “noise” concerns [“The Highway Traffic Act is loud and clear,” May 26, p.4]. It seems as though a lot of society no longer has any tolerance for their fellow neighbour or business owner. Smell, noise, dust, have become trigger points within Pelham, with no regard for the business owner, who may have been operating in Pelham long before the subdivision was built, or conversely who plunked an offensive business in the midst of a residential area, eating up farmland. In Pelham, I believe the reason that everything seems to have become such a contentious lightning rod has to go back to council and planning staff's decisions regarding development.

What would those residents on Hurricane Road say if Fonthill Lumber was still operating, building trusses for new homes, trying to maintain demand on two shifts, or if Fonthill Concrete was still operating in Fonthill? It seems as though the car wash on Highway 20, judged by the comments, residents won't be satisfied until it is closed down. Is this what Pelham Town Council wants—less business and more ill-placed subdivisions, causing potential confrontation? I believe that location has operated as an auto garage since the 1950s, as Law's.

This council has shown from the start that they cannot work together, and it seems every week that it is becoming even worse, and we only have 16 months before an election. They are divided when it comes to adapting planning rules, and in fact the Mayor and Councillor Diana Huson will not support Pelham Council at the Region. Who says that Regional government knows what is best for Pelham? The people of Pelham elected each one of you—isn't it time you all get your act together and try to remember who you represent and work together for a

Supports car wash

constructive solution? I am concerned that the sense of getting along within a community is leaving urbanized Fonthill, since more and more people want everything regulated by bylaw. We do not want that in Fenwick, where neighbours try to get along.

Our small town is facing many issues that seem like they could have been avoided had councils and planners past and present done their homework to avoid developmental confrontation. Don't you think that you are asking for trouble, sooner or later, if you plunk housing near a business, or visa versa, or allow a developer like Montemurro to use loopholes to plunk housing subdivisions beside precious farmland and operating livestock facilities?

Pelham seems to be hiring more legal and planning experts, and I see why. If something doesn't change with the course of planning in this town, I can only expect to hear more complaints and confrontation—from both residents and business owners—as society seems to have little tolerance for give and take.

The poor location of cannabis greenhouses, the poor location of development and the poor location of residential development encroaching on farmland is causing Pelham taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and court appearances.

Pelham residents don't need more bylaws or bylaw officers, Pelham needs better planning and foresight and a better council who can work together. Couldn't some of this have been avoided with better forward planning to avoid confrontation? Maybe council should start acting by example and being less caustic with each other and stop wasting taxpayers time and money on legal fees and stop the bickering.

Now, for Larry Cote's remarks. I'm a car guy and I am involved in the car hobby both racing and restored. All my cars have mufflers and are installed in accordance with the law by professionals. In fact every car,

including my restored Dwarf race car, has an approved muffler. I don't believe that high performance street cars are offensive, but it is up to the operator to be responsible and considerate. Electric and hybrid cars are here to stay, but they themselves will pose their own concerns environmentally as more battery-laden cars become involved in accidents or wear out and need their batteries disposed of and replaced. My point is internal combustion engines make noise as fuel is burned, always have. All technology seems to carry its own challenges. My 1922 vintage car makes more noise than my 2016 pickup, and as far as hobby and sport those of us who are involved in the hobby take pride in our well-maintained vintage cars and motorcycle-powered race cars. Again, we don't need more bylaws, just better understanding between neighbours. I do agree that there will always be those that circumvent the law, but there are many of us in the car hobby who respect the law while enjoying our restored, high performance and vintage automobiles.

Let's start by rebuilding a sense of understanding, by reducing confrontation in Pelham, with less bylaws needed!

Rick Kavanagh Fenwick Editor’s note: To be clear, Larry Cote’s commentary on noise was not aimed at law-abiding drivers or car collectors who operate their vehicles as they were designed. We like a ‘64-and-ahalf Mustang as much as anyone. It was aimed at a minority—a very audible minority—of car and motorcycle owners who extend a middle finger to the law, operating their vehicles with disregard for the harmful effects of their noise pollution on the rest of us. We would go so far as to say that this conduct is deliberately antisocial, and it is getting worse. Hence the NRP’s anti-noise enforcement campaign, which this newspaper firmly endorses. We agree that no new bylaws are needed—just the enforcement of those that already exist.

The traffic on Highway 20 is way louder than the car wash noise. And there was an automatic car wash there prior but just not used in a few years. I support it staying.

Lisa Timmers Via Facebook

Car wash clearly heard south of community centre Thank you for excellent coverage of the 151 Hwy 20 E car wash [Wanted: Peace and quiet on Hurricane, May 26, p. 1]. It was unsettling to hear the owner, Gail Levay, dismiss the occupancy dates of actual homeowners. Some, I know, moved in between 1997-1999 and are still living there. After 52 years at that same location, information from her should be accurate.

My main concern is the impact that this type of constant noise will have on the new 160-unit seniors residence that is to be built on the parcel of land located just south of Hwy 20 and east of Food Basics and directly opposite the car-wash. Surely, seniors deserve more. I am fully aware that this information is accurate, as I walk daily from Stonegate, south past Food Basics, Wellspring, Meridian, the four new townhouse buildings and the new, four-storey Mountainview condominium building on Summersides, and out to Rice. The car-wash can be heard clearly from that point south, which means the new housing development south of that receives the same impact of noise. So you can appreciate how the homes on Hurricane/Stonegate are impacted by this, being only 100 ft. away.

Also, I cannot imagine why Ms. Levay would be concerned about residents walking through her property, when ATVs and dirt bikes ride through nightly from Hwy 20 to Hurricane.

T. Silmser Fonthill

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Updates on other key sections of the official plan will also be provided.

Background information and draft policies are now available for review through niagararegion.ca/official-plan.

If you require any accommodations for a disability in order to attend and participate in meetings or events, contact the Niagara Region’s Accessibility Coordinator at 905-980-6000 ext. 3252 or accessibility@niagararegion.ca.

Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

niagararegion.ca/official-plan makingourmark@niagararegion.ca

Wednesday, June 9 | 6 p.m.

GROWING REGION • Growth Allocation and Land Needs - Draft Policies • Regional Structure Draft Policies • Housing - Draft Policies • Settlement Area Boundary Reviews -Update

Thursday, June 10 | 6 p.m.

VIBRANT REGION • District & Secondary Planning Draft Policies • Urban Design - Draft Policies • Archaeology - Update

Wednesday, June 16 | 6 p.m.

COMPETITIVE REGION • Agriculture - Draft Policies • Employment areas - Draft Policies • Aggregates - Draft Policies

Thursday, June 17 | 6 p.m.

CONNECTED REGION • Transportation - Draft Policies • Infrastructure - Draft Policies

Wednesday, June 23 | 6 p.m.

SUSTAINABLE REGION • Natural Environment System Update • Watershed Planning - Update • Climate change - Update

If you are not able to attend, you can provide input or ask questions by emailing makingourmark@niagararegion.ca or contact David Heyworth, Official Plan Policy Consultant at 905-980-6000 ext. 3476.

Page 10

The Voice

A June 2 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Thanks a million!

Letters continued Open letter on Options

Local farmers recognized by Beautification Committee

BY CYNTHIA ROBERTS Special to the Voice

A trip down Memorial Drive in May provided a vast display of tulips in a number of spring colours. It all started with a dream.

Bart and Paula Van Haaster, of U-Pick Tulip Farm, are the most recent recipients of the Pelham Beautification Committee’s Thank You initiative.

“We first thought of the U-Pick Tulip Farm idea last year and approached our employer, TASC LLC, a mass producer of Spring Bulbs, about our initiative,” said Bart. “We were given an enthusiastic thumbs up from head office last summer and then the work began.”

Van Haaster said that with the assistance of Dave Kleinsessink, of Berry Fresh Farms, they planted one million tulip bulbs on five acres of land in Fenwick.

The Covid pandemic nearly put an end to their dream. Paula explained, “I talked to the people at the Niagara Health Unit on more than one occasion, especially after the third wave hit Niagara, and after discussing our initiative and the safe

From left, committee member Jen Pilzecker, award recipients Paula and Bart Van Haaster, and Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin, at the U-Pick Tulip Farm.

CYNTHIA ROBERTS protocols that would be put in place we were assured that the public would be at minimal risk of catching COVID.” The Van Haasters were overwhelmed by the public response when the U-Pick Tulip Farm opened May 1. “People came from all over during the two weeks we were open,” said Paula.

“Folks were so overjoyed looking over the field of one million colourful tulips that some people stood in the

111 Hwy 20 East FONTHILL

field crying. Families were so thankful to be out in the fresh air picking tulips to take home.”

Jen Pilzecker, Chair of the Pelham Beautification Committee said that the committee’s mandate is to encourage businesses, individuals and organizations to beautify the town.

“I can’t think of a better example than five acres of beautiful, colourful tulips,” said Pilzecker, “especially during this dark time we are experiencing.”

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Mayor Marvin Junkin added, “It is great to see this endeavour during Covid. It gives people the opportunity to feel a little bit normal. The Van Haasters put Pelham on the map.”

The Pelham Beautification Committee will name a recipient each month. Individuals are encouraged to submit potential recipient recommendations to the Pelham Beautification Committee at beautification@ pelham.ca

Mayor Junkin, I am writing to implore you to alter your vote from Option B (Exceeding Provincial minimums and protections for woodlands in urban areas) to Option C (Exceeding Provincial minimums and protections for woodlands, and protections for small linkages between woodlands and wetlands, as well as buffers on non-regulated features in urban areas) for the Natural Environment System component of Niagara Region's new Official Plan. By working together in urban planning to ensure citizens and future generations have truly livable, ecologically healthy communities, all those involved will leave a legacy to be proud of. This plan is important.

During my 32 years living in Niagara, resistance among municipalities to working together for the benefit of all of the region has been damaging—leading, for example, to costly delays in building infrastructure such as hospitals. Now it is putting our region, beleagured as it is by explosive, under-regulated and environmentally damaging development, on a fast track to becoming another intensely built suburb, with residents depending upon commuting to large urban centers for work.

If our municipalities work together to foster our precious agricultural capabilities, attract industry and focus on protecting and planning for healthy communities that respect and protect nature, all politicians and Town staff can feel proud of their legacy.

We voted for you to act bravely in the best interests of all of us, including future generations. Please do not let us down. Change your vote to Option C. E. J. Smith Fonthill

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The Voice

Page 11

A June 2 2021

LIFE IN PELHAM Programs Canada Day Farmers Market Pelham 30-for-30 Challenge

LIP Issue #2- June 2, 2021

Every Thursday from 4 p.m. to dusk until Oct 7, 2021!

Farmers Market

The Pelham Farmers Market, an essential service provider, will operate in 2021 at a limited capacity.

Patrons to the Market can expect the following from their visit:

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Market has again adopted regulations to keep patrons safe while visiting vendors. These regulations have been approved by Niagara Public Health and are similar to those that were in place during last year’s Market.

• All patrons are asked to please wear a face-covering at all times in a manner that covers their mouth, nose, and chin, unless they are entitled to exceptions

Patrons are to adhere to one-way traffic flow around the Market from the designated entrance and exit point.

• Access to sanitize their hands before entry to the Market • No handling or sampling of food will be permitted, no onsite consumption

pelham.ca/farmers-market

• Maintain a safe physical separation of two metres from other shoppers while in line and the market area • Follow the traffic-flow directions clearly marked out

v

• Exit the area when shopping is completed

Contact: 905-892-2607 x352 Leah Letford: lletford@pelham.ca

Hey kids ... register online and join in the fun with weekly market-inspired adventures! Learn, explore, grow!

Page 12

The Voice

A June 2 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Pre-or der req

uired

Show off your Canadian Pride in a custom Pelham Canada Day Shirt!

Proceeds supporting Pelham Cares.

Hey Kids!

Get out the red and white and decorate your bike for Canada Day!

Decorate your home and be featured on the Celebrate Canada Drive By Tour!

Show o Kids

St. John Am Virtual 5K between

Complete Canada Day inspired missions throughout the day on the GooseChase app.

Be part of this year’s Great Canadian Talent showcase...put on your best Canada Day outfit and share your talent.

Zoom in and join a LIVE High-energy and interactive, science themed workwork shop with Mad Science®.

Zoom in an Canadian-i Niagara

*Canada F

www.pelham.ca/canada-day

Track your active minutes each day on the ticker Call Leah at 905-892-2607 x352 to log your minutes. From gardenin Mins June

1

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Join the Pelh

w

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

off your artistry with the s Colouring Contest!

Page 13

A June 2 2021

Join us for a unique Canadian celebration.

Some event elements require pre-registration.

mbulance is hosting a for 2021. Run or walk n June 26 and July 1.

Drive Thru Canada Day Parade!

Parade pass required for entry.

Advance registration for Pelham residents opens online June 15.

nd join a LIVE & interactive inspired magic show with a’s own Scoop McCoy.

a Day celebrations for this year will align with Provincial pandemic regulations.

For more information call Leah at 905-892-2607 x352 or visit the website

tape or join the June 30 for 30 online challenge. ng to cleaning the house to walking the dog, all active minutes count!

5

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Challenge and help ham win $100K!

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Page 14

Aquatics

The Voice

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca A June 2 2021 he Pelham Pool is still awaiting guidance, but we are hopeful to reopen to the community this summer with programs such as lane swim, family swim, select swimming lessons and Aqua Zumba. The tentative opening date for the Pelham Pool is June 21.

All registration information will be available for on www.pelham.ca/pool

T

Activity

Swimming Lessons (swimmer 3, 4, 5, 6) Private lessons

Cost

$86

$169

Semi-private lessons $142

For more information contact Brittany MacLean at 905-892-2607 x327or bmaclean@pelham.ca

Private rental

$62/hour + $26/hour lifeguard fee

Aqua Zumba

$7/class

Family swim

$13.50 for 45 minutes of 1/4 of the pool up to 10 people in your bubble (group limits permitting) $12.50/lane for 45 minutes for 8 weeks

Lane swim

Comprehensive Zoning By-law Review Have questions about the Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw?

Discover all the ways to “Chill” in Pelham Mark it on your calendar!

July 8 - September 2, 2021 From markets to parks and trails... walk, roll, bike or hike through Pelham.

Stay and play and discover all that Pelham has to offer!

For more info visit www.pelham.ca/summerchill Brought to you in partnership with the Niagara Region Economic Development Department

Camps

July 5-September 3 Ages: 4-12 Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - extended care options available

Select specialty camps will also available for older campers throughout the summer. More information on specialty camps will be released online in the coming weeks.

The Town of Pelham’s Policy Planner, Tara Lynn O’Toole, is available for “Tuesdays with Tara”, a live Q&A session on the Town’s Engaging Pelham page: www.engagingpelham.ca Every Tuesday, Tara will answer questions in real-time from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Because the review is being conducted in stages or themes, only questions relating to the current stage/theme will be answered during the Q&A. Questions, in general, will be answered throughout the week as they come in via phone, email, or online.

If you would like to schedule a one-on-one conversation with the Policy Planner, you can do so by emailing tlotoole@pelham.ca and setting up a time. The meetings will be virtual or by telephone until further notice. https://engagingpelham.ca/comprehensive-zoning-bylaw-review

Duration

Cost

Short week option (week 5) Multi-week (3+)

$150 (does not qualify if receiving multi-week discount) $10 off/week

Extended Care

$38/week - 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Specialty Camps

$195/child (25% discount on third child)

Friday hot lunch option

$7/week

Weekly

$185/child (25% third child)

With the Provincial announcement that day camps are running this summer, the Town of Pelham is excited to welcome campers back for another summer full of fun games, crafts and activities.

All information will be updated on pelham.ca/camps.

Registration opens for Pelham residents on May 21, at 9 a.m., and is available for Niagara residents on June 4, at 9 a.m.

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and continuously changing rules and regulations, all programs, events, and dates, are subject to change without notice. To avoid any confusion, always call ahead or contact the Town of Pelham by phone, email, or through Town social media channels for the most up-to-date information.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 15

A June 2 2021

Fish Fry fundraiser for Emmett draws big crowd despite rainy evening

BY MEGAN METLER Voice Correspondent Last Friday, May 28, was the Lion’s biweekly Fish Fry at Centennial Park in Fenwick. Despite the cool and rainy weather, a large turnout showed up for their fish dinner and to show support for a young Pelham resident.

The Fabulous Fenwick Lion’s Club hosted a fundraiser to raise money for Emmett Gervason, a three-year-old Pelham resident in need of life-changing surgery. Emmett was born with a stage three congenital deformity known as Microtia, which is found in about one in 10,000 births, and Atresia, causing a non-functioning ear canal. He wears a bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) to assist with hearing and has worked with a teacher since he was six months old to reach his milestones.

“He has been behind in some of the exercises but he continues to inspire us every day,” said Emmett’s family on their GoFundMe page. “We also introduced some basic sign language to help him communicate his needs. His speech and language have been and will continue to be affected.

Leaving MA [Microtia and Atresia] uncorrected would ultimately have a huge impact on his learning going forward.”

The surgery he needs includes a full external ear reconstruction and a canaloplasty, according to his family’s GoFundMe page. For treatment in Canada, which is a rib graft surgery reconstruction, Emmett would have to wait until he was 10-12 years old for the necessary weight required. Additionally, that surgical option also

A steadily moving line of hungry customers waits at Centennial Park in Fenwick, Friday, May 28. has higher infection rates.

His parents, Amanda and Aaron Gervason, decided to look to the United States and found two surgeons that specialize in microtia-atresia repair and reconstruction, who will perform the surgery together. Emmett can get the surgery once he turns three and weighs at least 30 pounds.

The only issue was that Ontario’s Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) does not cover the costs.

The price of this out-of-province surgery, follow-up care and travel expenses to California are estimated to be approximately $250,000. Currently, the family has received donations from some 750 people, with more than $179,000 raised of their goal. [Editor’s note: In the interest of full disclosure, the Voice has also made a cash contribution to the campaign.]

All proceeds from the Fish Fry event and additional donations are

MEGAN METLER

going towards Emmett’s surgery.

Additionally, if there are leftover funds after everything is paid for, the Gervason’s plan is to help another family that needs some support or donate it to raise awareness for Microtia and Atresia (MA).

Emmett’s surgery is scheduled for July 29, with the family remaining in California for a minimum of six weeks for follow-up appointments post-surgery. After getting the procedure, Emmett’s

life will be very different.

“The surgery would undoubtedly change his life. He will be able to hear with both ears although not at 100 percent efficiency. This gift will allow him to grow up having as close to a normal life as possible,” said the GoFundMe page.

To learn more about Emmett’s experience or to donate, visit Emmett’s GoFundMe page at https:// gofund.me/579dd63f.

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Page 16

The Voice

A June 2 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Theft of egg cart saddens young entrepreneur Ridgeville lad's chicken-raising venture faces surprising snag

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Luke Braun is almost five years old, and lives with his family on rural Effingham Street, just south of Canboro Road. He attends Wellington Heights Public School, and loves baseball.

His father Tim thought that it would be a good life lesson for his son to raise chickens and sell the eggs, “to teach him the value of a dollar, and learn some responsibility.”

So, every day, Luke tends to 26 cluckers in a homemade coop in the back yard. Many of the birds have names, which are displayed on small plaques attached to the chicken wire. Tim said that the birds produce about two dozen eggs every day, which are sold at a curbside cart by the driveway at only $3 a dozen.

“We operate on the honour system. I leave a jar for people to deposit their money in, and I even

Luke Braun with one of his chickens.

DON RICKERS

provide coins for change,” said Tim. At least, until recently.

Last week, an unknown miscreant in a black pickup truck stopped in front of the driveway, loaded the egg cart into the bed, and drove away. He was observed by Luke’s mom, who was too late to intervene.

The cart was built only a couple weeks ago.

“You could still smell the varnish,” said Tim, “and there was a wooden sign beside the cart that advertised ‘Fresh Eggs, $3.’”

Tim is planning for a replacement egg cart, but will likely chain it to the mailbox to prevent another theft. A neighbour, aware of the evil deed, presented Luke with $50 to pay for materials to build a new one.

There is a remote possibility that the cart poacher thought that the cart was put out for free pickup. In that eventuality, the Brauns would appreciate the cart being dropped off, anytime—no questions asked.

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Online Public Information Centre #2 Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for Merritt Road (Regional Road 37) and Rice Road (Regional Road 54) in Pelham, Thorold and Welland Niagara Region is undertaking an Environmental Assessment Study for improvements to Merritt Road and Rice Road as a result of proposed developments in the Town of Pelham, the City of Thorold and the City of Welland (see the study area map below).

The study will aim to identify improvements to the two roadways to meet the future needs of the surrounding community for all road users. The study will address active transportation needs by providing dedicated pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure that is safe, attractive, conform to a complete streets approach, and compatible with the changing land use in the three local municipalities. This study is being carried out as a Schedule ‘C’ project in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process. It will address the requirements of Class Environmental Assessment Phases 1 to 4.

the study, the evaluation of alternative solutions, the preferred solution and obtain input for consideration into the study. Public Information Centre #2 will be held in an online format via project webpage niagararegion.ca/projects/regional-road-37.

You are invited to attend the online presentation on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, starting at 6 p.m. There will be an opportunity at the end of the presentation to ask any questions or submit comments. To join the online presentation, please visit the project page on the day of presentation and click on the presentation link. In addition, the information materials related to the Public Information Centre #2 will be available on the project webpage starting June 9, 2021, and comments will be received until June 30, 2021.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact one of the study team members: Maged Elmadhoon, M.Eng., P.Eng. Manager, Transportation Planning Niagara Region 905-980-6000 ext. 3583 Maged.Elmadhoon@niagararegion.ca

Jeff Suggett, M. Sc. Consultant Project Manager Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions 905-380-3601 Jeff.Suggett@woodplc.com

Personal information collected or submitted in writing at public meetings will be collected, used and disclosed by members of Regional Council and Regional staff in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). The written submissions including names, contact information and reports of the public meeting will be made available. Questions should be referred to the Privacy Office at 905-980-6000, ext. 3779 or FOI@niagararegion.ca.

The Public Information Centre #1 was hosted from March 24 to April 7, 2021 to introduce the study. A Summary Report documenting the comments received from Public Information Centre #1 and study team’s responses is provided on the project webpage. Niagara Region is now planning to host the Public Information Centre #2 for this study. The purpose of this Public Information Centre is to share information about

If you require any accommodations for a disability in order to attend and participate in meetings or events, please let us know in advance so that arrangements can be made in a timely manner. Please contact the Accessibility Advisory Coordinator at 905-980-6000 ext. 3252 or accessibility@niagararegion.ca.

Notice first issued in the newspaper on May 26 2021.

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The Voice

Page 17

A June 2 2021

Stacey Julie, the Word Sorceress

BY HELEN TRAN Voice Correspondent Stacey C. Julie is 11 years old.

Her favourite colours include pink and green, and her favourite food is tuna noodle casserole.

She has also recently written, illustrated and published her very own book.

From an even younger age, Stacey knew that she loved to write.

As early as Grade 1, she created stories with her friends, inspired by the books she read about rainbows and fairies. She purchased writing notebooks from the Dollar Store and decorated the covers herself.

Now in Grade 6, Stacey still writes lots of stories, and has fi lled up many notebooks with ideas for characters, fantasy worlds, and magical items. She also created a newspaper through her school that friends can submit articles to. One day, amidst online schooling and social distancing, Stacey was sitting at home with her cat Brae when she found a document on her laptop.

It contained an idea for a story she had started a few months ago about four elemental sorceresses.

Inspired anew, Stacey set to work and combined many of her previous writing ideas to create what is now titled Scarlett Rouge the Sorceress of Red: Rainbow Sorceresses.

Stacey described the main character as a sorceress whose specific talent is “red magic.” All

of the people in her fantasy universe have a specific talent relating to a colour or element. She has already fi nished the second book, titled Ginger Dixon, Sorceress of Orange, and is halfway through writing the third book. While she is not sure how many books will ultimately be in the series, she has a large plot-planning notebook bursting with ideas.

Her mother Jennifer Julie, describes Stacey as a “grammartician” and meticulous story planner, and said she had been steadily working for several weeks on the manuscript for the fi rst book, when suddenly she looked up from her laptop in April and announced that the book was complete.

“We knew she wrote all the time,” said Jennifer, “but we didn’t know she’d committed to fi nishing the book, as she always has three or four book plots on the go.”

Jennifer happened to be speaking online with a friend who had just published her own book on Amazon, and when Stacey overheard the conversation, she decided to publish her own book too. With some editing help from her mother, and some inspiration from her sister Clara, the Julie family published Stacey’s story through Amazon’s print-on-demand process.

While the Julie family hasn’t received a report yet on how many copies have sold in total, they do know that friends and family all

Don't let anyone push you down.

You are amazing and you can do anything.

Stacey Julie.

JULIE FAMILY

over Canada and the USA have bought the book, including an entire unit of Girl Guides in BC, who each purchased a copy. They have also received reviews of the book from family and friends in Australia, Germany and England.

Stacey is the fi rst published writer in the family.

Stacey credits her parents,

her cat, and her younger sister for providing support and inspiration. She also said that her teacher Mr. DeProphetis, from St. Alexander Catholic Elementary School, encouraged her to write.

Her advice for other young aspiring writers is that “there’s inspiration everywhere. Don’t give up, even if you aren’t sure where

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the book is going. If you get writer’s block, just take a break and try again later. Don’t let anyone push you down. You are amazing and you can do anything.”

During a Zoom interview with the Voice, Jennifer hugged her daughter often, beaming as Stacey held up a copy of the book.

“Stacey struggled with anxiety like many kids do right now,” said Jennifer, “and writing helps to manage the tough times. We are all extremely proud of her — she has found something to occupy her during the pandemic, something she loves and we all look forward to her continuing to write.”

“Writing creates a different world, away from Covid,” said Stacey. “It’s an escape and someplace you can go, when there’s not anywhere else to go. There has to be some rainbow to look forward to if you’re in the middle of the storm.”

Stacey’s book, Scarlett Rouge the Sorceress of Red: Rainbow Sorceresses, can be found on Amazon. ca under the author name Stacey C. Julie.

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Page 18

The Voice

A June 2 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

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REFLECTIONS

continued from Page 21 percent. Without immediate intervention, not only in Pelham, but across eastern North America, the last of the

The Voice Z

FONTHILL BANDSHELL PRESENTS DE TEMPS ANTAN of Pelham and Central Niagara Burke’s Masonry 2003, Éric Beaudry, André Brunet and Pierre-Luc Dupuis have THE VOICE Since IS 100 PERCENT been exploring and performing time-honoured melodies from OF the PUBLICATION stomp- Bricklaying, tuckpointing, card COMMUNITY-OWNED CELEBRATING 25 YEARS step repair, granite ing grounds of Quebec’s musical past. Using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, coatings, brick slices guitar, bouzouki and a number of other instruments, our three virtuosos 905-682-7061. blend boundless energy with the unmistakable joieREPAIR de vivre found only in MASONRY FLOORINGP18-28 old-growth forests are going percent will not long survive 7-9 p.m. to die off. We need a national unlesstraditional the threatQuebec posed bymusic. Show runs from ALLTYPE MASONRY

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The Voice

Page 19

A June 2 2021

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PLACES OF WORSHIP

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

GREENING

the book. Luke shows how the Gospel was spread and communities of believers sprang up in Jerusalem (ch. 1-7), in Judea and Samaria (ch. 8-12) and throughout the world (ch. 13-28) just as Jesus had prophesied.

catalyst.”

The Erik being referenced was Erik Acs, the manager of community planning for the Region.

“We reached out to Land Care Niagara, through the Forest Ontario program,” said Acs, “and they identified Decew as a site that was within the upper Twelve Mile Creek watershed that could provide maximum benefit through tree planting. We ended up with a ten-acre field that was an opportune site for planting, that checked all the right boxes.

We're already talking about other regional sites where we’ve got potential to do something similar,” he said.

“If you were to canvass people throughout Niagara, they would prefer to see a larger tree canopy,” said Bradley. “We're right next to the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail, which are gems, and when you can add even further tree plantings, it’s very valuable. When you hear deliberations anywhere with elected people, there's a lot

continued from Page 23

His legacy

And so, we can thank God for Luke — beloved doctor, accurate historian and zealous missionary.

He was a “Renaissance man” (gifted in many areas) 13 centuries before the Renaissance.

He used his human education and God-given abilities well in the Lord’s service. The apostle Paul once wrote that not many of the early believers were wise or influential by human standards (1 Corinthians 1:26). Dr. Luke was a wonderful exception. ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who shares Luke’s love of history and the Lord.

continued from Page 5

Seedlings on site at Decew.

DON RICKERS

of talk about greening, climate change, and environmental issue—and this a project that actually does something.”

Bradley emphasized the importance of conservation authorities across the province, which have been in the forefront of environmental issues of this kind.

“If you look around where development

takes place, trees are almost always the casualties. And when we can enhance the number of trees that are out there, that's a real positive for us.”

“There's a renewed appreciation for green spaces,” said Huson. “Parks are experiencing record numbers in terms of people being outside, and the pandemic has really shown how valuable it is for our health and well-being, and frankly, for the Niagara brand. I'm really proud of staff for taking the initiative and running with it.”

A greater emphasis these days is placed on trees being the lungs of the earth, said Bradley.

“Whenever you hear stories of somebody bulldozing trees down, without permission, there's a great outcry in the community, not just among the environmentalists, but from the general public as well.”

On a local note, Huson pointed out that the Pelham Art Festival committee donated 40 trees to the program.

“The art festival had an environmental theme this year, and I just think it's nice that you know that they were part of the project,” she said.

Page 20

The Voice

A June 2 2021

OBITUARY

Donald Albert Hurst, M.A. June 1, 2018

DOWD, Dr. Joseph Ronald Dr. J. Ronald Dowd, age 84, died peacefully surrounded by his family on May 27, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Judith Dowd (née Sauder), his children Sharon, Stephen, Jason (wife Christine), his grandchildren, Joseph and Erika, his sister Joyce (née Dowd) Lenz Gurtner and her extended family. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Red Cross (https://www. redcross.ca/donate) or United Way (https:// www.unitedway.ca). If you want to know about a place, you talk to the people of that place.

Dr. Ron Dowd was of Fenwick, Welland and the surrounding Niagara region. His family settled here in the 1940s. His father, Dr. Joe Dowd, taking over the practice from his brother, decided to raise his family here. Ron Dowd got his ice cream, more than once, from the Green Lantern. Spent his summers working on Minor’s farm in Wainfleet. Played baseball with his brother Richard. Followed his older sister, Joyce everywhere. Nicknamed Doc, along with his two older siblings as Duchess and Duke.

Learned to swim at the family cottage in Long Beach. Read books from the Fenwick public library. Learned about faith at Fenwick United Church. Witnessed the peoples’ respect for his father, the service to the community and thought, “I want to help people too.” Ron Dowd was part of the fabric of this community. He traveled away to learn about the world: seeing Europe at 18 to attend an International Red Cross conference, a medical degree at Queen’s University, Ob/ Gyn fellowship in Toronto, residency in Boston.

But after the world, Niagara was home. Now as Dr. Dowd, he established an Obstetrical/ Gynecological practice that would stretch over 32 years. That practice saw babies delivered, cutting edge surgeries, health restored while always advocating for women’s choices. Often patients would approach him to express their admiration whenever they would see him out in the community. So, if you were born between 1969 to 2001 in either Welland County Hospital or Port Colborne Hospital, chances are you were one of 7000 babies Dr Dowd helped guide into the world. If you were a patient during that time, you will remember that he listened to you, supported your choices for health without moral judgment and tried to ensure the speculum was warm. For those doctors and nurses that worked with Ron Dowd, I hope you got to witness his surgical techniques and his great laugh. Perhaps

COLUMN SIX

continued from Page 1 ming. We explored lakes and lunched on the island (with a near forest fire, but that's another story) — all at a leisurely pace in the cool, clear northern air and lakes.

In the evenings, John spent hours by the fire, poking, stirring and staring, and later two seniors would go to bed, smelly and smoky.

Some nights, we lay on the grass, under the vast, starlit sky, the constellations, and the really milky Milky Way. Our hearts and minds rose with thanks to the creator of all this beauty, this grandeur. Later, under a peaked roof, surrounded by logs smoothed by the hands of Finnish lumbermen a hundred years ago, we were soothed to sleep by the sighing trees and the haunting calls of loons.

Although our largest catch of 24 inches had not met our son Matthew's challenge (to beat his 36-inch pike record), our pleasure was in the glorious settings: five remote lakes in which to

you were part of the church congregation at Fonthill United Church from 1995 to 2018 or Central United Church (Welland) from 1967 to 1995. I expect you would have heard Ron Dowd’s opinion on fiscally responsible decisions for church maintenance, explorations of faith and the quality of the minister’s sermons. If you sold calves, horses, chickens, tractors or hay from 1975 to 2000, chances are you helped Dr. Dowd build his farm. You might have even earned some summer cash putting up hay, building fences or training and showing his horses. If you were our neighbour, you definitely saw a few of our cows or the odd horse in your yard, loose from the paddocks, needing to be led home.

Maybe you came to know Ron Dowd as one of the longest serving members of the Lookout Golf and Country Club (1970 to 2020). Whether you played with him or against him, I hope you envied his low handicap, heard his encouragement of a good shot and accepted his generosity at the 19th hole. If you sailed out of Niagara-on-the-Lake in the early 1970s, you would have seen him at the helm of his beloved C&C sailboat. Perhaps you were a snowbird, wintering in Bonita Springs, FL, from 1991 to 2016, and you have played golf with him. You may have even met him on the deck of a cruise liner, met his wife Judith as together you saw icebergs in Alaska or castles in Germany or historical sites all over the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas. If you ever met Ron Dowd, he would have asked your name, where you grew up, and tell you an anecdote about something you had in common. He might have told you about his family: how he met his wife of over 55 years, how he gave us horses to ride, a strong work ethic, golf lessons, fishing lessons, sailing lessons, how smart his children were, the achievements that made him proud, a really bad joke and encouragement to explore the world outside our hometown. Above all, a respect for others because there’s always something you can learn. Dr. Ron Dowd built a life anyone would envy. I hope you got to be a part of his wonderful life. Visitation will be held at Lampman Funeral Home, 724 Canboro Rd, Fenwick on June 5th, 2021 from 1pm-7pm. Please call the funeral home at 905-892-4701 from Monday, May 31 to Friday, June 4th between the hours of 10am-1pm to book an appointment. A Celebration of Life will be held once pandemic restrictions are lifted. www.lampmanfuneralhome.com

paddle; the spicy fragrance of evergreens; the silence only broken by the splashing of paddles, an occasional beaver tail slap or the wail of a loon. There were narrow, silent channels; powerful, exposed bedrock; high rugged cliffs and towering pines against crisp skies.

Some lakes had no cottages, no people; only loons, deer, moose, beavers, otters, and immense isolation.

Thursday came with sunny skies and cool breezes.

Fishing in Deerhound Lake, in our friends’ new boat, we caught rock bass, sunfish, and a few nice pikes, but no big real big ones.

"Just one trolling pass through the channel, as we head back, okay?" asked Jerry.

Five lines trailed far behind the boat as we cruised.

Silently we watched Jerry's new fish finder tell us there were no fish below. Suddenly, in 25 feet of empty water, I felt my line give a yank.

"Stop the boat—I've got a big one!"

I reeled it to the boat, where, with a smooth

swoop, Jerry netted it. Thirty-one inches of fighting, thrashing pike.

"Ho!" What a thrill! We didn’t beat Matthew, but we were satisfied.

"It's a good thing you didn't have to net that thing in your canoe," Jerry said.

Gently, we let the fish slide back into the water, where it lay still for a few seconds, and then with a quick twist, silently slipped into the deep.

Early the following chilly morning, we drove to "our" little lake, The Second Twin, to fish for bass. The lodge owner, Mike, told us only one other person ever went on the lake, a canoeist named Gunther. Our canoe lay concealed in the woods by the shore. The fresh smell of wet earth came with soft rain, the air was still, except for gentle dripping. Covered head to foot in yellow rain gear, we made our way to the canoe, singing to keep the bears away. After easing our canoe across fallen logs, through the weeds, and onto the waiting lake, we gently paddled toward our little is-

Memories …

Even though it has been three years, we still feel the void he left behind.

We miss his silliness and laughter, his classic sayings, his love of hiking at St. Johns with his grandchildren, and so, so much more.

We do still have his toolbox and know that if we can’t fix it with duct tape or a hammer, then it’s beyond repair!

Always in our hearts,

Mary Jane (nee Litwiller) Susan (Todd), Andrew ( Jae) Emma Kate, Tessa, Samuel, Lydia, Rachel, Mackenzie land and a seaweed bed that might hide some bass or a trespassing pike. Mike said some pike had slipped into the lake through a flooded channel and were destroying the bass fishing.

First, we sat quietly for a few minutes, the breeze gentle, the waves rippling against the canoe, as the resident loon gave an occasional lonely cry. Almost hypnotizing, but we came to fish. Immediately a fish bit off my hook and worm. So! It was time for the big stuff!

On went strong leaders and our favourite red devils. Too eager, I lost the next fish. Then, proving Mike was right about the pike invasion, John caught a big pike which I netted. I grabbed the hook remover and mouth opener. What a mess. Slime and blood all over — my blood—from razor-sharp teeth.

The fish was an inch longer than our 30-inch thwart. Another 31 incher!

We wanted to keep a few fish to take home but the fish was too heavy for me to lift in and out of the canoe so we put it under my seat, my foot firmly on the fish chain. I shivered at the thought of pike teeth piercing the backs of my ankles.

We caught two more big ones, which made a crowd under my seat. The thrashing was scary and the slime horrific. Every time I looked at the thick, red, gooey water at my feet, I gagged. My shoulders were killing me.

My hands were smelly and bloody. We were having a wonderful time!

Although we didn't want to stop, we were due at camp by noon, so we paddled for shore.

"Just a few more casts," said John as we approached a shallow bay by our landing place.

“Last cast," he said, keeping our tradition. "Last cast," he said again as I reeled in my empty lure.

"You can't have two last casts," I protested. John grinned.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca "And absolutely the last cast," the cheater yelled as he flung the lure into a shallow corner of the little bay.

Sudden silence. Oh, no.

"Did you get something?"

"I don't know, Marjorie," he whispered. "Maybe it's just caught on a log. Oh no, it's definitely not stuck. It's a fish."

John's line screamed. Patiently, he played the fish until he finally eased it next to the canoe. I couldn't see it.

"Is it big?" I asked.

"Hoo," he breathed.

"Hoo!" he breathed again.

"It's a monster," he whispered." "It's a beast!"

It took off. John's silence was scary. I screamed frantic instructions.

"Don't let it snap your line. Wear it out. Take it in.

Let it run. Don't listen to me.

I won't be able to net it if it's too big. Oh, don't lose it."

No silence for me when I was excited!

He reeled it in again. I looked over the edge into the murky water. Suddenly a tail fin broke the water.

"Hoo! It is a monster!" I yelled. "I can't possibly net it! Not with this broken net.

Not into this canoe. Not by my feet! Bring him in closer.

Maybe I can reach him."

The fish swam majestically beside us, where I could clearly see him just below the surface of the water. I panicked about netting him. With a great thrash of his tail, he again charged below with both our nerves and the reel shrieking.

"Listen to that reel! We'll never get him. Wow! Listen to that. Oh, John, I'm sorry, but I just won't be able to net him. No way! He's humongous!" Three more times the water leopard tired, allowing John to reel him in. Each time I tried to net him. Patiently John continued to tire him. An eightpound test line and an excitement-crazed wife didn't help.

Finally, I got the net under the tired beast — sort of. The monster's cruel, ugly jaw stuck through a hole in the net. His tail lashed out of the top. Water and slime flew. There was no time to think.

Screaming, "I’ve got him!" I heaved the beast into the canoe, the net coming down over him. My right hand grabbed the fish by the eye sockets; my left hand held down the net, and both my knees went on top of his body. I bit off the fishing line. The beast's tail rose above the gunwale. "Paddle John. Just paddle hard for shore. If he thrashes, I'm done for."

While my hero furiously paddled, I leaned forward to put more weight onto the fish. Slowly, slowly, I slipped forward, my face headed straight toward the slimy pool. "Faster, John. Faster.

Faster!"

John bent double, digging his paddle into the water with massive thrusts. He paddled right onto shore. I didn't dare to get the beast out of the net. One quick bite and a piece of me would slide down his throat. One frantic thrash, and he would vanish. John came to the back of the canoe, but he couldn't chain the fish. As I slid off the fish, my adventurous husband did what our fabled stories said Grandpa did

with his famous pike. John lowered his bottom onto the fish. He actually sat on it!

Looking at me, he smirked and announced, "Well, if Grandpa could do it, so can I! Now you can chain it."

We emptied the canoe and again hid it in the trees.

Groaning, we dragged the slimy tangle of net, chain, fish and tackle up into the woods, through the snagging trees and bushes, over logs and muddy gullies, to the van. We heaved all the fish into a green garbage bag. The beast's tail stuck out.

The adrenaline-charged trip back to camp was short.

"Wow! I can't believe it!

We did it!" I said to John.

"It must be bigger than Matt's. It's a monster!"

"How big do you think it is? Wait 'til they see it at camp,” said John.

Back at camp, out on the lawn, we called out— two grey-haired old fools, mouths stuck in idiotic grins, hair in wet spikes, hands bloody, rain gear smeared with slime, proudly slipping their catch out of the green bag onto the grass.

Used to excited fishermen, Mike just ambled, but after seeing the beast, he ran for his camera. "This picture will go into my show," he said.

"It's a trophy fish," said Dave, making John's day.

"You really mean John caught that big one?" asked Sarka in disbelief.

"What is it?" asked the leader of the Kalamazoo University survival students.

"Can you put it back in the lake?" asked soft-hearted Samantha.

“Measure it," said Jerry, as he lay his yardstick beside the fish. The yardstick was too short. But a tape measure said 42-and-a-half inches.

Forty-two-anda-half inches of ugly pike to beat Matthew's record.

John held it, chest high for the picture. We cleaned it and took its head, with its hideous massive jaw, home to present to Matthew on a platter. John always said the head was bigger than grandfather’s, but grandfather’s pike head skeleton, nailed above brother Curt’s garage door, had a sparrow’s nest in its open mouth. John’s pike head couldn’t hold that much, but we didn’t tell him.

John, the hero, strutted.

My brother Gordon once bragged that when he shot a bear with an arrow, he had become a man. No comment from his wife. Now Grandfather John, who had caught his monster beast, had become a man too! Ha! Don't expect to get record fish there yourself, because after we left, someone told our tale in Espanola. In the following weeks, convoys of cars and boats found an alternative way to the lake, where they probably fished it dry. But that evening, instead of a final fishing trip, we lazed about the cove.

"No way we can cap that experience on this trip," John had pronounced. So I didn't get that 45-inch pike that was waiting for me. ◆

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 21

A June 2 2021

REFLECTIONS OF A NATURALIST

by Adam Shoalts

A walk among the giants

T

wo and a half centuries ago, unbroken old-growth forests covered nearly all of Pelham. Pelham’s ancient woods were made up of giant trees that to modern eyes would seem like something out of a fairy-tale. Incredibly, the majestic white pines, kings of the forest, stood as tall as a 14-storey building.

The stately oaks were as wide as two cars parked side by side.

These weren’t the only giants: American chestnuts, beech, walnut, maple, birch, ash, butternut, black cherry, elm, sycamore and tulip trees reached similar mammoth proportions. Some of these, like the huge tulip trees, were eighty feet high before the first branch. Together, these ancient trees formed a canopy that was so dense in places, with interlocked massive branches, that sunlight failed to penetrate to the shadowy forest floor. Here, lush mosses and giant ferns flourished, while elk, cougar, black bears, bobcats and wolves lurked.

A young officer in the War of 1812 described in his diary passing through some of these immense forests in the Niagara region: “The woods in which we were posted were part of an endless forest marching to the North pole, for ought we knew; some of the trees of the growth of centuries, with their heads in the clouds.”

Another traveller, Anna Jameson, in the 1830s, provided an eye-witness account of Upper Canada’s oldgrowth forests (what is now southern Ontario): “So thick was the overhanging foliage,” wrote Jameson, “that it not only shut out the sunlight, but almost the daylight; and we travelled on through a perpetual gloom of vault-

ed boughs and intermingled shade.”

Reading these descriptions today one could be forgiven for thinking they describe a lost world—that such enchanted forests are but a distant memory. But amazingly that is not quite the case.

While the vast majority of Pelham’s (and indeed southern Ontario’s) remaining forests are secondary growth, there are still a few precious examples of ancient, oldgrowth woods left. This includes right here in Pelham.

Hidden almost in the plain sight are remnants of these original old-growth forests.

Stepping into these primeval woods, and leaving the recent suburban sprawl behind, feels almost like crossing some magic portal, as if stepping back in time. The huge trees, given their shade, create a cooler micro-climate beneath them, where in their quiet shadows it’s easy to forget about the cares of the world.

Most of Pelham’s remaining examples of old-growth forest are on private property. Some of them I know well, having wandered among these ancient pillars of the earth since childhood. Having recently relocated back to my hometown, I decided to revisit some of my old forest haunts. Although much has changed, the old growth woods I remember are still here.

With my friend Wes, a companion on many adventures near and far, on a warm May afternoon we visited one of the best tracts of old growth woods left in town.

To reach this forest, we first crossed a farmer’s field, as yet unplanted. Across the field loomed the edge of the woods—the crowns of the tallest white pines reaching above the canopy. Near the

But as we walked deeper in, the true giants, like ghosts of a bygone era, suddenly appeared

forest edge were staghorn sumacs, small trees that prefer open sunlight.

Pushing past these, we entered into the gloom of the woods. The strange laughing call of a pileated woodpecker rang out from somewhere unseen. Deer and turkey tracks littered the forest floor. Mayapples, sarsaparilla, trout lilies, Solomon’s seal and other wild plants were all sprouting from the leaf-covered ground. The trees here were big, but not quite oldgrowth: black cherries and yellow birches, sugar maples and shagbark hickories. They were anywhere from 30 to 80 years of age.

But as we walked deeper in, the true giants, like ghosts of a bygone era, suddenly appeared. Massive trees, straight as arrows, resembling the carved stone columns of a medieval cathedral, stretched skyward.

The biggest of them were tulip trees, reaching heights of nearly eight storeys. We weaved among these ancient giants, pausing to admire their incredible dimensions.

Cherries, maples, tulips, oaks, and pines predominated. These trees range anywhere from around one to three centuries old. Their trunks grow remarkably straight and free of branches, a characteristic of old-

The image on the left, taken in the 1800s, shows an example of old-growth forest in Ontario. The image on the right, taken last week, shows an example of Pelham’s remaining old growth forest. SUPPLIED growth woods. (In contrast, Pelham’s most famous tree, the Comfort Maple, ironically is not a good example of what old-growth looks like.

Because the area around the Comfort Maple was cleared long ago, the tree’s branches gradually fanned out widely and very near to the ground, creating an almost circular pattern very different from what maples look like growing within a forest.)

In the cool recesses of these old woods, the ecology differs considerably from what one finds in most of the secondary growth forests that make up the majority of

Pelham’s woodlands. Here, the understory is remarkably free of bushes and vegetation; a result of the shade created by the giant trees. This adds an almost enchanted air, the wide-open spaces making it easy to casually wander and daydream as you do so.

But alas, all is not well in the woods. In recent years a plethora of invasive diseases have ravaged the forests, killing off almost entire species of trees, and felling many once mighty forest giants. It was with sadness that I counted the decaying remains of the giant ash trees—all of them killed by

the invasive emerald ash borer. Nor are they alone in this fate—American chestnut, butternut, and elm have all suffered from introduced diseases. Many other species too, including witch hazel, dogwood, and hemlock are afflicted by invasive pathogens. Perhaps most alarming, I noticed that nearly every beech tree is now infected with beech bark disease.

The scale of the problem is very serious—the mortality rate from many of these invasive diseases exceeds 99 See REFLECTIONS Page 18

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The Voice

A June 2 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

THE BALANCED LIFE

by John Swart

Will digital tech ruin recreational sports and fitness?

O

n a recent bike ride with my friend Steve (May 27, groups of up to five were allowed), he complained that a common acquaintance was giving him two thumbs up on Strava every time he rode his bike, and he was getting tired of it. (Strava is a digital app that tracks cyclists and runners and publishes their ride or run data on social media.)

I suggested Steve shut the app off.

He looked at me like I’d asked him to poison his wife’s pet Shepherd, then added with a smile that Kay, Janice, Rick, and Tay-

lor were following his rides now. He clearly enjoyed the attentive support of his followers, and wasn’t about to disconnect Strava any time soon.

This isn’t a technophobic rant about the increasing influence of digital technology in recreational sports and fitness, but in my opinion this onslaught is becoming frightening.

When and where will we each draw the line?

Doreen Dodgen-Magee, author of Deviced!: Balancing Life and Technology in a Digital World, used Nielsen Company research to author a pre-Covid Washington Post editorial in 2019 on

tech addiction. She stated that the average American adult spends more than 11 hours a day in the digital world.

Dodgen-Magee continues, “Our attention spans are short. Our ability to focus on one task at a time is impaired. And our boredom tolerance is nil. We now rely on the same devices that drive so much of our anxiety and alienation for both stimulation and soothing.”

If those devices include a Garmin Fenix 6, Fitbit Versa 2, or Polar Ignite, she’s nailed what scares me — we’re becoming addicted to more data than any recreational athlete could possibly need.

Will my modest run be enhanced by knowing my oxygen saturation level, ground contact time and vertical ratio? As long as I’m still vertical after a run, I don’t much care

User route maps, as shown in the Strava app.

STRAVA.COM

those negative feelings to recreational sports and fitness enthusiasts. What was simply going for a run or jog has now become training, and we’d rather listen to our Fitbit than our bodies.

Running the incline of Haist Street south has become too easy, so you decide to tackle Church Hill. Three quarters of the way up your legs feel strong, you’re not light-headed, and your breathing is steady, when your heart rate monitor starts beeping louder than an alarm clock on steroids.

A study by Ofcom, the United Kingdom’s communications regulator, indicated, “15 million UK internet users (around 34 percent of all internet users) have tried a ‘digital detox.’ After being offline, 33 percent of participants reported feeling an increase in productivity, 27 percent felt a sense of liberation, and 25 percent enjoyed life more.”

Conversely, “16 percent of participants experienced the fear of missing out, 15 percent felt lost and 14 percent ‘cut-off.’” The insidiousness of digital technology risks exposing

about the ratio.

These devices are not our friends.

Garmin, Fitbit, and Polar don’t lay awake at night if our heart rates are high by two beats per minute, or our pedal power low by 30 watts.

They are shrewd for-profit companies that make money by selling us ever more products and apps that will soon become obsolete while harvesting and hawking our data.

Their focus is about gluing us to their sites and apps by using persuasive and motivational techniques, not helping us be the best we can be.

See BALANCED LIFE Page 20

V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 You feel most comfortable when things are organized, Aries.

However, flexibility is handy as well, and sometimes things may not be in order as much as you like. Adapting is key.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, once you get into a groove, you will find that many of your tasks are much easier to manage. Keep plugging and you’ll hit your stride soon enough.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, sometimes it may seem like the smallest issue is suddenly a major mountain that you must scale. Change your approach and you’ll soon realize you can handle anything.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Many things may come to you more easily than usual, Cancer.

Ride this wave of ease that has fallen into your lap. Enjoy the break that comes with it as well.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 You can get far with minimal effort this week, Leo. Simply set your sights on an end goal, and before you know it you will reach that destination.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, check your messages frequently this week, as someone needs to get in touch with you.

He or she may have some news that can change your course.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, don’t focus too much on emotions this week. Instead, put all of your energy into intellectual musings, which will help you complete a project in the days ahead.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, even with the frenzy of activity around you, try not

to be overwhelmed by the situation. Your first reaction may be to fly off the handle. Keep it together.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Consider calling up an old friend or a former romantic partner who has the potential to stir up some passion inside of you, Sagittarius. More excitement is on the horizon.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, this is one of those weeks when you get sidetracked at seemingly every turn, Capricorn. Don’t be too hard on yourself about the delays.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, embrace some difficult tasks this week. These projects will make you appreciate the value of hard work and put simpler tasks in perspective.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 This is your week to make short work of chores, Pisces. You may be lacking patience, but everything will get done, especially if you ask for help.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS MAY 30 Idina Menzel, Actress (50) MAY 31 Colin Farrell, Actor (45) JUNE 1 Morgan Freeman, Actor (84) JUNE 2 Wayne Brady, Performer (49) JUNE 3 Jill Biden, First Lady (70) JUNE 4 Angelina Jolie, Actress (46) JUNE 5 Joe Gatto, Comic (45)

61. MB

58. CIA

59. Sen

57. Mom

54. Acid

55. Save

53. Kate

51. Tana

50. Sees

45. As

48. Para

40. GD

43. Shard

37. Spars

38. Cosec

34. Bai

36. Serb

31. Bub

29. OSS

27. Samaritans

25. Ds

26. Ace

22. MD

20. Sess

17. Anser

16. Reach

12. YWIS

13. Nemea

9. Etch

10. Rely

7. Io

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5. Sweetening

3. Alba

1. She

2. Pols

SOLUTIONS DOWN

63. Eden

62. Sambas

58. Caracas

60. Denominative

52. Takas

56. Scream

47. Sip

49. Breast

46. Rash

44. Gidar

41. Ab

42. EPOS

36. SSC

39. Snag

33. Sib

35. Emu

32. HRS

29. On

30. Scab

28. Aces

24. Eddas

21. STM

23. Ease

18. Satie

19. Hymens

15. Sclera

14. Elbowed

11. Hollywood Ten

1. Spas

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ACROSS

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

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From our family to yours...stay safe

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The Voice

Page 23

A June 2 2021

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

Luke: doctor, historian, missionary

W

ow, that’s quite a combination. The apostle Paul called Luke the “beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). God inspired Luke to write two historical books in the New Testament (the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts) which makes him a historian. And being a vital member of the apostle Paul’s travelling team, Luke was a missionary.

His Gospel

Luke’s Gospel is distinctive in at least five ways.

First, he used the best Greek of any New Testament writer which reflects his high level of education and intellect. Secondly, he was a Gentile (the only non-Jewish writer in the New Testament) which shows that God cares for everyone and not just one race or ethnic group.

Thirdly, Luke gives us the perspective of Mary (Jesus’ mother) from whom he probably received much of his information. This explains why he gives exclusive details about the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (ch. 1-2) and presents Mary’s genealogy (ch. 3).

Fourthly, Luke provides information about Jesus that no one else does. He records 18 parables and six miracles of Jesus that the other Gospel writers do not. We can thank Luke for the well-known parables of the prodigal son and the good Samaritan which have become popular terms in modern English. He also included exclusive details about Jesus’ resurrection such as his walk and talk with two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

And fifthly, Luke proved himself an accurate historian. Over the years, critics claimed that Luke was inac-

curate in stating that a Roman census took place and that Quirinius was governor at the time of Christ’s birth.

Later archaeological discoveries have shown Luke to be right and the critics wrong.

His history

The book of Acts is a sequel (or continuation) of Luke’s Gospel which is made clear from his reference to Theophilus in the beginning of both books (compare Luke 1:1-4 and Acts 1:1-2).

Acts serves as a bridge between the Gospels and the Epistles (or letters) providing the historical background.

Luke wrote Acts around

63 AD and it covers about 30 years. As a historian, he is very detailed mentioning 110 persons by name. The apostles, Peter and Paul, are the two main figures. Luke emphasizes the ministry of Peter in the first part (ch.

1-12) and the ministry of Paul in the second (ch. 1328).

The key verse is Acts 1:8 in which Jesus predicts that his disciples will be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. This provides the outline for the rest of See FAITH LIFT Page 19

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Page 24

The Voice

BALANCED LIFE

continued from Page 22 Do you trust what your body’s telling you, or fear a potential heart attack and quit? Maybe you do a quick internet search of possible outcomes via your phone, then to decide whether to continue or stop?

Then you realize you can’t quit because Suzy and two other friends know exactly where you are and will recognize why you stopped.

Strava‘s brand new Beacon feature is live-streaming your run to them.

There is no doubt that additional accurate data on cardio-vascular capacity, exactly how much power muscles are producing, and other physiological inputs have helped coaches isolate areas professional athletes need to improve to maximize performance. Impact sensors imbedded in hockey and football helmets can monitor head impact and

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A June 2 2021

the likelihood of concussion, potentially making contact sports safer for all.

There is even diet-tracking software so coaches know when athletes have overindulged.

Where’s the app for those of us past our Olympic prime that recognizes we need a rest day just because, or realizes we’d prefer finishing that really exciting novel to working out today?

Northwest Primary Care, a Portland, Oregon-based group of health clinics, encapsulates the digital problem on their website, although unwittingly in my opinion. They say, “That’s why there’s an increasing body of research linking the overuse of digital devices to decreasing exercise and fitness levels.”

The next paragraph continues, “That’s a problem technology can easily help us solve. There are plenty of fitness apps available to help you stick to an exercise routine, stay motivated and track your progress.” Am I missing a nuance here?

As we’ve learned from computers and smart phones, technology begets improved, must-have technology. If we get caught on that newest and trendy treadmill, no pun intended, there may be no escaping.

I encountered my first “smart” cycling jersey recently. The fabric contains embedded sensors distributed throughout the jersey around one’s body to deliver real-time data on heart and breathing rates, hydration levels, muscle fatigue and core temperature.

I’d really miss the old guidance: “If you can talk while you’re climbing a hill it means your lung capacity is okay, and if you’re sweating so profusely that you can’t see, your core temp is likely high and you should hydrate.”

Where might the intrusion of data and digital devices lead recreational athletes in the future?

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

During Covid many of our local personal trainers, Pilates instructors, and yoga coaches switched to delivering their courses or activities online. Joining them physically became unnecessary.

Perhaps you’re a Peloton fan, and follow their real, human coaches virtually on your computer screen. This switch to streaming is merely one small step in the digitization of recreational athletics.

In non-sports fields, artificial intelligence is already in the coaching business, no human required. If it’s possible to feed enough data into a computer to allow AI to drive a car, surely there’s enough physiological and psychological sports performance data available to create AI athletic coaches.

Artificial intelligence coaches will process the data automatically input from your smart clothing, power meter, Fitbit and Strava devices, and recommend how to improve your training regimes to achieve any goal you choose. With enough data, an AI coach will tell you via your Bose wireless Sports Earbuds how frequently to breathe and which gears on your bicycle to select while you’re in the process of climbing Saylor’s Hill.

Your Church Hill dilemma? In the blink of an eye your AI coach would have examined your real time inputs and stored data, done some quick predictive analysis, and advised you whether to keep running or called 911 for you.

That said, on my next bike ride I think I’ll leave my heart rate monitor, GPS and power meter home, then unplug Strava. Isn’t the whole purpose of recreational sports and athletics just to clear your head, push yourself physically and mentally but within reason, and get outdoors with some friends?

I don’t need an app for that. ◆

Voice

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

4 Ratatouille

Vegetables are an important component of a nutritious diet because they are full of vitamins and minerals. The Mayo Clinic and other health organizations recommend three to four servings of vegetables per day.

One way to ensure that vegetables are a primary part of your diet is to incorporate vegetable-rich dishes, such as ratatouille, into your weekly menu.

Ratatouille is a vegetable casserole, and there are many different recipes for this beloved, flavorful dish. Julia Child's incarnation is a standard. Enjoy it, courtesy of "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" (Knoph) by Simone Beck, Louisette Bertholle and Julia Child.

Ratatouille Serves 8 1 1 1 6 1/2 1 2 2

pound eggplant pound zucchini teaspoon salt to 7 tablespoons olive oil, more if necessary pound (about 11/2 cups thinly sliced yellow onions pound firm red tomatoes, or 11/2 cups pulp sliced green bell peppers (about 1 cup) cloves mashed garlic Salt and pepper to taste

Peel the eggplant and cut into lengthwise slices 3/8-inch thick, about 3 inches long, and 1 inch wide.

Scrub the zucchini, slice off the two ends, and cut the zucchini into slices about the same size as the eggplant slices.

Place the vegetables in a bowl and toss with salt. Let stand for 30 minutes. Drain. Dry each slice in a towel.

One layer at a time, saute the eggplant, and then the zucchini, in hot olive oil for about a minute on each side to brown very lightly. Remove to a side dish.

In the same skillet, cook the onions and peppers slowly in olive oil for about 10 minutes, or until tender but not browned. Stir in the garlic and season to taste.

Slice the tomato pulp into 3/8-inch strips. Lay them over the onions and peppers. Season with salt and pepper.

Cover the skillet and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, or until tomatoes have begun to render their juice.

Uncover, baste the tomatoes with the juices, raise heat and boil off several minutes, until juice has almost entirely evaporated.

Place one-third of the tomato mixture in the bottom of the casserole and sprinkle over it 1 tablespoon of parsley.

Arrange half of the eggplant and zucchini on top, then half the remaining tomatoes and parsley.

Put in the rest of the eggplant and zucchini, and finish with the remaining tomatoes and parsley.

Cover the casserole and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.

Uncover, tip casserole and baste with the rendered juices. Correct seasoning, if necessary.

Raise heat slightly and cook uncovered for about 15 minutes more, basting several times, until juices have evaporated leaving a spoonful or two of flavored olive oil. Be careful of your heat; do not let the vegetables scorch in the bottom of the casserole.

Set aside uncovered. Reheat slowly at serving time or serve cold.

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