The Voice, June 8 2022

Jail time for disgraced ex-doctor

BY VOICE STAFF

Expectations were upended on Friday, June 3. Some onlookers of the Charles Duncan trial expected him to be sentenced to no more than house arrest. They were wrong.

In a lengthy decision delivered to those assembled in courtroom six at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in downtown St. Catharines on Friday morning, Justice Deborah Calderwood handed down a sentence of 15 months incarceration, and three years probation for the ex-family physician.

Terms of the probation include no contact with the five victims whose cases ended up being prosecuted, and counseling as assigned by Duncan’s parole officer. In addition, the former physician must submit a DNA sample, and will be a registered sex offender for life.

Calderwood specified that the period of incarceration should be served at a correctional facility that is not a federal penitentiary. At the conclusion of the hearing, Duncan was immediately taken into custody.

Duncan was found guilty on January 21 by Justice Calderwood on all six counts of sexual assault under Section 271 of the Criminal Code, in relation to five different complainants. The charges stemmed from acts committed by Duncan in his medical

practice and elsewhere between January 1 and October 31 of 1999; November 27, 2000; June 23, 2009; June 30, 2009; September 25, 2016; and from September 1 to September 30 of 2018.

Sentencing submissions were previously presented by defense counsel Seth Weinstein, and Crown prosecutor Todd Morris.

Duncan, who practiced family medicine in Pelham for decades, resigned from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario in October 2019, and was required to give up his license to practice medicine, after the College commenced an investigation into allegations against him of professional misconduct and incompetence.

After one of the sexual assault victims told her story to the Voice that au-

probably

A tale of two foxes

BY HELEN TRAN Special to the Voice

Chicken thief or spirit guide? A ghostly omen, or a sign of good luck? The fox has had a mixed reputation across the myths, legends and folktales of the world.

Growing up with my Asian parents, I heard tales of fox spirits that would lurk just outside one’s window. In these stories, foxes were supernatural creatures, their wisdom and magical power denoted by the number of tales they sported— the most powerful being the nine-tailed fox. These foxes would slowly steal your life force, or alter the mood and fortune of the family they chose to haunt.

As a child I would watch Disney’s animated Robin Hood, in which the anthropomorphic titular heroic character was drawn as a fox. I still cheer as an adult when I see Robin Hood outsmart the evil King John, and swing his way to safety, sprinkling gold coins among the poor.

To my eight-year-old self, magic was still to be respected and believed in.

Convicted of sexual assault in January, Charles Duncan given 15 months incarceration

Ex-family doctor Charles Duncan leaves the St. Catharines courthouse on April 8

VOICE FILE

“Damage was caused the moment the victim’s trust was breached”

After dad disappears, mom carries on

PUBLISHER’SCORNER

Dave Burket

He was hiding in plain sight all along

For women whose trauma began two decades ago, some measure of justice arrived last week on the gavel of a St. Catharines judge. Ex-doctor Charles Duncan is going to jail.

It was an outcome that many of his victims had themselves doubted would happen. First it was a struggle to get the police to take their allegations seriously. Then there were defense attempts to divide and conquer the complainants. Then Covid delays. Finally there was a concerted defense effort to paint Duncan as an enfeebled geriatric, a pitiful figure deserving of no more than confinement at home—after all, his lawyers argued, his sexual crimes were on the “lower end of the spectrum.” Surely reclined in a La-ZBoy, Netflix on the flatscreen, scotch at hand, would be sufficient punishment.

Justice Deborah Calderwood, who doubtless has presided over enough sex crime trials to put her on the edge of PTSD, called bullshit on that one. Duncan’s oblivious courtroom behaviour, up to and including as Calderwood read out her decision, only reinforced the sentence’s appropriateness. Contemptuous, sneering, scornful. This was a man with seemingly no self-awareness, no empathy for anyone but himself.

After this newspaper broke the story that Duncan’s license to practice medicine was permanently revoked, along with the account of one woman’s allegations of assault, ten more women came forward with strikingly similar stories of misconduct stretching back nearly 20 years. After he was arrested, local chatter really ramped up regarding Duncan’s apparently well known proclivity for sexually tinged jokes and innuendo.

“That’s just the way he was,” argued his supporters. “He was a little out there, but that was his sense of humour.”

Disguising genuine desire behind a facade of humour is about as basic as it gets. “A joke,” goes the adage, “is truth wrapped in a smile.” For decades, Charles Duncan was showing the world exactly who he was. For decades he was safe in assuming he was immune from the consequences.

This tends to be the case with powerful, socially well-connected people—sorry, who are we kidding, it’s men, it’s always men. Powerful, socially well-connected men. As research has shown time and again, the more powerful the abuser the less likely his victims are to speak out.

Let’s take a moment here to remember that Duncan was not charged with making suggestive comments or lewd jokes—though he did that, too. Duncan was charged with sexual assault—that is, unwanted physical conduct perpetrated against vulnerable patients under his care, and against some females who were not his patients.

Particularly infuriating was his assault of a 16-year-old girl, not a patient, not at his practice. These details are subject to a publication ban. On one hand the ban understandably protects the victim from a lifetime of unwanted notoriety—think Monica Lewinsky or Anita Hill. On the other, it’s a pity—it might have opened the eyes of some of those who, incredibly, even at this late hour, still seek to minimize Duncan’s conduct, often asserting that as his patients they received excellent care and were never the target of assaults, meaning that it must all be in the heads of these confused, over-sensitive women. All 12 of them. That we

know of.

(Interestingly and to a person, Duncan supporters did not have mothers, wives, daughters, or granddaughters come home shaking after a visit to their family doctor.)

A long list of culprits—from Cosby to Weinstein to Spacey to Jackson to Savile— has conclusively proven to everyone except the willfully ignorant that it is possible for a man to be an accomplished professional as well as a sexual predator simultaneously. Indeed, a sense of invulnerability, of entitlement even, takes root along with that fame and success.

That it took so long for Duncan’s downfall is an indictment of our institutions and culture—a culture that is thankfully now undergoing a seachange. Yes, after 40-odd years working at his job, the man is elderly, frail, and apparently ill. That’s what’s ahead for most of us. Most of us are not also sexual predators. Delayed prosecution does not lessen Duncan’s crimes, nor lessen the moral imperative that justice be served. For my part, I'm delighted to see these creeps nailed. If karma delivers infirmity and infamy along the way, so much the better. In any case, with good behaviour he’ll likely be out in seven months, maybe even by Christmas. Yet judging by his conduct at trial, Charles Duncan will likely leave incarceration with no more empathy for his victims than he had for them going in.

I’d once again like to thank the women who came forward to us with their experiences, including commenting in this issue about the sentence handed down, as well as the reporters who had a hand in covering this story from

What's That SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

The Pelham Fire Department responded to 12 calls for assistance from Friday, May 27 to Friday, June 3.

Saturday, May 28 Medical assistance, Station 1 Medical assistance, Station 2

Sunday, May 30 Ruptured gas line, Millbridge Cr., Station 1

Motor vehicle collision, Highway 20 W, Station 1

Tuesday, May 31 Detector activation, Brayden Way, Stations 1 & 2 Remote alarm, Tice Rd., Station 1

Medical assistance, Station 2 Medical assistance, Station 2

Wednesday, May 1 Medical assistance, Station 1

Thursday, May 2 Motor vehicle collision, Highway 20 E, Station 1 Medical assistance, Station 2

NRPS impaired driving charges

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.

Santiago AMEZOLA LOPEZ, 32, St. Catharines

Renato COLANTONI, 60, St. Catharines

Jacob LEGAULT, 23, Welland Jack BENNER, 19, Fort Erie Leo T. SHAW, 49, San Antonio, TX

Joshua O. PICCOLO, 19, St. Catharines Marc E. BEAULIEU, 45, Welland James D. BOWMAN-OBRIAN, 18, Niagara Falls

Andrea L. HOWARD, 51, St. Catharines Johnathon R. GONDOSCH, 31, St. Catharines

Jeffrey S. BROWN, 57, Pickering Jackson D. DAVIS, 38, St. Catharines

Phillip R. LAMBIE, 52, Fort Erie Timothy J. VANYKEN, 32, Fort Erie

Patrick M. MINER, 51, Williamsville, New York

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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Easy win for incumbent Oosterhoff in Niagara West

Support craters for NDP, surges for Liberals

BY VOICE STAFF

Incumbent Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP Sam Oosterhoff has won reelection to Provincial Parliament. He will return to Queen's Park as part of a second PC-majority government.

Oosterhoff handily dispatched NDP candidate David Augustyn and Liberal candidate Doug Joyner, taking 45 percent of the vote (percentages rounded to nearest whole), against the NDP’s 21 percent and the Liberals’ 19 percent. Among the Niagara West riding’s 78,783 registered voters, 53 percent turned out, a significantly higher proportion than the provincial average of 43 percent, the lowest turnout in Ontario election history. In the end, effectively just 18 percent of Ontario voters reelected the Ford government.

Provincially, support for the NDP dropped 10 percent compared to 2018, with most of these votes going to the Liberals.

The loss in Niagara West was far greater, with support for NDP candidate David Augustyn dropping 38 percent compared to the party’s 2018 candidate, 20-year-old Curtis Fric. (By contrast, Niagara’s two other NDP candidates—incumbents Wayne Gates and Jeff Burch—retained their seats.) Support for Oosterhoff was also off by 24 percent. Both parties seemed to bleed voters to Liberal candidate Doug Joyner, who ended the night with 64 percent greater support than 2018’s Joe Kanee.

Green Party candidate Laura Garner took 6 percent, Libertarian Stefanos Karatopis took under 1 percent. Three far-right candidates whose parties don’t think the Ontario conservatives are conservative enough earned a combined 8 percent of the vote.

The Voice reached out to the major party candidates for their reaction to the election results.

David Augustyn, NDP

Thanks to the dozens of volunteers and donors, hundreds of families who displayed signs, and thousands of electors who voted for me and Ontario NDP in Niagara West. Our Niagara West team will continue to work for investments in and improvements to public healthcare and public education, for real action to fight climate change, and

for making life more affordable. Congratulations to Sam Oosterhoff, Jennie Stevens, Jeff Burch, and Wayne Gates on their re-election.

Sam Oosterhoff, Conservative

I’m very thankful to have the opportunity to continue serving the people of Niagara West, and I wish to thank all our volunteers and the voters of Niagara West who sent me back to Queen’s Park by a resounding margin to continue advocating for them. As I have since I was fi rst elected in 2016, I will continue working closely with my Ontario PC colleagues to bring forward the concerns of Niagara West’s families, workers, seniors, and job creators. This is a responsibility I take very seriously, and will keep working hard to deliver local results, cut the cost of living for families, rebuild our economy, and build up our healthcare system. In Pelham and across the riding, voters overwhelmingly voted for Doug Ford and the Ontario PCs to get the job done for their families.

Doug Joyner, Liberal

Although we did not get the outcome we worked so hard to achieve, the results are defi nitely positive for us. With record low voter turnout across the province and having our competitors losing vote share —Sam down 24 percent, and Dave down a whopping 38 percent— we still managed to increase our vote share by an astounding 64 percent in a very turbulent election cycle. Along with an increasing vote we managed to wake up Liberals in the riding and ended up with the largest Liberal volunteer base from Niagara to Burlington. To top it all off, donations in 2016 were zero, in 2018 there were nine donations, and in 2022 we received nearly 80 donations to fund the campaign. All of these indicators show our resiliency, and an incredible team. And for all of these reasons I am officially announcing my intent to seek the nomination for the Ontario Liberal Party in 2026. With these ongoing trend lines Sam should occasionally check over his shoulder, because we are coming.

BOOTS FOR BOOMS After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the Fonthill Volunteer Firefi ghters Association’s Boot Drive hit the ground running on April 30 in key locations around Pelham. The FVFA’s fundraising tradition supports various community initiatives, including Canada Day fi reworks at Harold Black Park. Last Wednesday, Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin accepted a “boot full” of funds—$2500 smackers—earmarked for the July 1 pyrotechnics. “The Town is very appreciative of the community spirit and dedication of the volunteer fi refi ghters in Pelham,” said Junkin. “They are always there to assist the community.” From left, Mayor Junkin, FVFA Chairman Terry Beckett, and President Chris MacLeod LEAH LETFORD

COMMENTS

on the

It is time to revisit this crucial issue. It is difficult to pin down who is primarily to blame for the recently demonstrated mistreatment of the most vulnerable among us—seniors in long term care (LTC) facilities. Much has been written about this atrocity and so little appears to have been done to ameliorate this dreadful state of aff airs.

Having endured this frightening pandemic, might we expect more compassionate and deserved care for the most vulnerable in our midst?

Reportedly, six out of ten Ontarians who died from the Covid virus were residents in long term care. What does that dreadful statistic say about our society? As a collective, we hesitate to ponder this question because we fear the answer. As Walt Kelly’s Pogo forewarned, “We have seen the enemy and he is us.”

As a result of more attention and closer inspection some appalling conditions were uncovered among some LTCs. Upon providing some assistance to some overly stressed

in LTC

LTCs, the military reported some distressing mistreatment and troubling conditions.

The Ontario government set up an in-house commission to look at some of the problematic issues and practices in long term care.

OPINION

That commission called for more and better trained staff but did not openly substantiate other issues that affect the quality of care these residents deserve.

There is a fulsome range of questions to be asked at this critical juncture, while LTCs remain top of mind. What has changed in LTC facilities and care practices since the fi rst phase

of the pandemic? Should LTCs become part of Ontario’s healthcare system? Will wages paid the PSAs and other workers in this sector be more in line with their value? Should multiple-resident rooms be eliminated to insure more healthy conditions and restore some personal dignity? How will the standard of four hours of care per resident be introduced and redouble the current norm of two? Such questions are just the tip of the iceberg that need be addressed.

Does the seriousness of this distressing lack of care for our seniors not demand more proactive programs to provide more care, security and comfort to our elderly? Do we not owe them this? Should each one of us become more actively involved and contact our political leadership and demand they take the concrete actions to correct this unacceptable neglect?

You need not be rude, but do not countenance platitudinous responses some politicians bespeak, and demand more action, and less talk, about this mat-

See CARE next page

Letters

Pelham District High reunion—join us

The 11th Pelham High Reunion is only a few days away! On Sunday, June 12, from 1-5 PM at the Royal Canadian Legion, Hwy. 20, Fonthill, there will be some 200 former Pelham High Panthers gathering to renew old friendships. The cost is $15 at the door. (please, have the correct amount). Cash Bar —cash, debit or credit accepted. The Legion will provide finger foods, dessert squares, coffee and tea.

There is parking in the Legion’s lot, also to the west of the building, and in front of Briggsy’s. I have spoken to Hans Baltjes of Star Tile. He has given us permission to use his parking area. It is only a couple of minutes walk up the sidewalk to the Legion. So, if you don’t have a problem with your mobility, please, try to use this lot first and leave the Legion lot to those of us who are not a nimble as we once were.

Thanks so much. See you there!

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

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

"You need not be rude, but do not countenance platitudinous responses"

Vilma Moretti Fonthill

OPINION

MUNICIPAL MATTERS

public library system o

BY JULIE ANDREWS CAO Lincoln Pelham Union Public Library

Lincoln and Pelham Public libraries officially merged on April 1, after many months of discussion, planning and careful review, and it has been a busy couple of months as we manage all the details of joining two beloved community organizations.

CYNTHIA ROBERTS

Here we go again. Ford wins an overwhelming majority of seats in the election so he and his ilk can crow about having the support of an overwhelming majority of Ontarians.

Well, wait a minute. About 40 percent of eligible voters bothered to go to the polls and about 40 percent of them voted Conservative—i.e., about 18 percent of eligible voters. So, one in six Ontarians voted PC. Of course, many of the no-shows might be Conservatives so it's likely more than 18 percent support the PCs, but if you don't vote, you don't count.

Can we fi x this system that allows a small minority to run the show? Probably not.

First, many people are completely disinterested in this problem — they don't care—so

First Past the Post elections are here to stay. Justin Trudeau shouted a couple of elections ago that he would end this system, but of course a Trudeau/Liberal promise is worthless. The “big’ parties—the Cons and the Libs—benefit most by the system, so don't expect change from them. Secondly, when 60 percent of the electorate doesn't vote, the system is especially skewed for the PCs in Ontario.

Hold onto your hats, folks. Big cuts are coming, and big highways and developments are coming. But Ford's “buck-abeer” that got him elected in the first place is a distant memory.

David Fowler Wainfleet

With the overall goal of spending less on administration and more on the programs, services and collections you love, LPPL has emerged with a large and vibrant Board of 17 members and several new members added to its already stellar staff team, and we are full steam ahead into summer 2022.

CARE continued from previous page

ter of proper care for our elderly. The elders in your family are, or soon will be, counting on you.

To begin, your active participation in correcting this wrongful situation

starts by directly contacting the elected officials, regularly highlighted on page 4 of this newspaper. Let them know your concern and press them to commit to taking concrete action on this gravely important issue. Some day, you may well regret not

having done so. If you don’t advocate for our seniors, who will? ◆

On May 27, we welcomed the warm season with an amazing time in Fenwick. A delicious BBQ—that completely sold out! — was hosted by the Friends of Maple Acre Library. The library really appreciates this group and their commitment to its branch in Fenwick. They have the greatest ideas and a hardworking team of volunteers. With them around the sky is the limit! Their work on the gardens and the amazing tree-trunk sculpture are another example of their library love.

Kicking off summer, we will host four Open Hous-

es in our branches over the month of June. Each of our locations has a unique atmosphere. Rittenhouse has already occurred, and early readers of the Voice might still make the Fonthill event on June 7. Maple Acre is on June 16, and Fleming Centre on June 28. All the events will be held from 3 to 7 PM. Treats and giveaways as well as lots of friendly staff and Board members will be on hand, and we will showcase our maker activities and great items you can borrow, such as internet hot spots, fi sh-

ing poles, and ukuleles! We also have park passes for Niagara Peninsula Conservation Areas as well as Ontario Parks to encourage families to get outside and enjoy the season.

Summer Reading Club launches at the end of June with tons of fun and prizes for all ages. Come on out and get information about registering for these awesome programs and more! Check out our new website, www.lppl.ca for all the latest info on programs and collections and come and visit. Its cool at the library! ◆

WOOD YOU BELIEVE IT Jean Pierre Gauthier lives on Webber Road, in Welland, and has been carving with a chainsaw since the early 1990s. This sculpture at the Maple Acre library branch, in Fenwick, is the latest of his works in Niagara. Gauthier expects he'll spend 60 hours on the work, using a power rotary tool for the fine detail. His work is on an Indigenous theme, with a father and son and their lacrosse stick, and a mother with her papoose DON RICKERS

KEEPING IT REAL Marc McKerracher and his wife Ruth Gatzke, above, are the latest recipients of the Pelham Beautification Committee’s Thank You initiative for their sustainable farming practices and community giving. Ruth’s parents, Alfred and Katherine Gatzke, started working the 15-acre fruit farm in 1964. Marc and Ruth have obtained their organic certification as well as the Demeter’s biodynamic designation. Pelham Cares is a recipient of the Marc and Ruth’s bounty. The Pelham Beautification Committee congratulates Marc and Ruth for their sustainable farming and community giving initiatives. Readers are reminded that 2022 is the Year of the Garden. If you see a particular garden deserving recognition the Committee would be interested in hearing from you at beautification@pelham.ca

Pride in The Beautiful Game

In the October before the lockdown I was in London having lunch with the chaplain of one of Britain’s most famous and successful soccer teams. We discussed the challenges the players faced, and the inexorable pressures on young men who often had very little preparation for sudden heroism or, for that matter, instant demonization. His reply surprised me. Without, of course, giving any names, he said, “It can be hellish, almost beyond endurance. But it’s toughest for the gay players. They have to live a lie every day, every moment. It’ll take enormous strength for one of them to come out.”

It did. And it happened in May when Jake Daniels, a mere 17-year-old, decided that, “Now is the right time to do it … I feel like I am ready to tell people my story.” He continued, “Since I've come out to my family, my club and my teammates, that period of overthinking everything —and the stress it created — has gone. It was impacting my mental health. Now I am just confident and happy to be myself finally.”

The decision by Daniels, who plays for Blackpool in the Championship, the second level of English soccer, became headline news not only in Britain but also throughout the world. Which should be surprising, especially in a Europe that prides itself on its progressive attitudes towards sexuality. But this is sport, this is football, and this is different.

The handful of other players over the years who have come out have waited until they’ve retired, the most high profile being Thomas Hitzlsperger, who played for Aston Villa. The only British footballer to do so while still playing was Justin Fashanu, back in 1990. Eight years later he would take

his own life.

Daniels has faced a joyously different reaction from colleagues, commentators, and football’s governing bodies.

Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane wrote, “Massive credit to you and the way your friends, family, club, and captain have supported you.” Gary

line nasties.

Players are another issue and while the vast majority of them are likely to be indifferent or supportive, it would be naïve to think that homophobia, or at least discomfort, is unknown among young, largely working-class men. There are also foreign players who come from cultures where homosexuality is not accepted, even countries where it can lead to imprisonment.

Daniels is hardly unaware of all this, to the point of having assumed as a young man that his sexuality and his career simply couldn’t coexist.

“There are people out there in the same space as me that may not feel comfortable revealing their sexuality,” he said. “I just want to tell them that you don't have to change who you are, or how you should be, just to fit in.”

Bandshell series returns June 16 with full lineup

BY VOICE STAFF

After no concerts in 2020, and a limited mini-series with some challenging circumstances in 2021, the popular Fonthill Bandshell Summer Concert Series is back with a full lineup this year, its 16th season.

The volunteer selection committee has reviewed hundreds of options for this year to bring together an eclectic mix of live entertainment for Peace Park, in downtown Fonthill, every Thursday evening from June 16 to Sept. 1.

sional sound system and musician fees. Other costs are covered by a one-time annual donation option (purchase and display a button), as well as collections made each week during the concerts. Volunteers will be selling the annual buttons at the Pelham Farmers Market June 2 and 9.

Lineker, the face of the English game to millions, said, “It’s been a brilliant season for you on the pitch, and now through your bravery, off the pitch too. I’m sure you’ll receive huge love and support from the football community and many others will follow your path. Good luck to you.”

Fans, however, can be cruel. Football culture has become less violent and crude since the ugly 1970s but there is still racism, intense tribalism, and downright hatred. The deaths of supporters of opposing teams are sometimes mocked, Nazi gestures made at Tottenham with its large Jewish following, personal insults thrown at players and their families. It’s a filthy fringe, but it’s still there. Indeed, Daniels has already been targeted by on-

The timing, in every sense, is crisply appropriate. The season is about to end, everybody concerned can spend the summer reflecting on this young man’s courage and determination, and on a larger scale the wheels of tolerance and growth can spin a little most smoothly. But it’s vital to be realistic.

Just the day before Daniels released his interview, a group of fans were arrested for anti-Semitic and racist gestures and chants. Hatred tends to find a way.

The former captain of the Welsh rugby team, Gareth Thomas, came out in 2009. He said, “Telling teammates I was gay was the toughest thing I’ve ever done,” and he’d been the victim of crunching tackles for decades! His coach said to him, “You can’t go through it alone, and these people love you.” He was right. They did, they do. I’ve no idea if Jake Daniels will be one of the truly great players, but he’s certainly one of the truly great men. Now it all changes. ◆

The 2022 lineup features 12 performances, including original and tribute acts. They include: Juno-award winners and chart toppers, Good Lovelies; Canadian country artist Marshall Dane — nominated as Male Artist of the Year five years in a row by the Country Music Association of Ontario; tributes to Abba, Creedance Clearwater Revival, and Elton John; and for the July 14 Summerfest offering, a Tina Turner tribute called “Simply the Best.” The full lineup includes a variety of genres and eras of music. Along the way audiences will hear Motown, disco, soul, country, and blues, as well as old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll.

Sponsorships help make the series possible, helping offset the cost of a profes-

“Our volunteers are really looking forward to seeing everyone,” said Gayle Baltjes-Chataway, committee chair. “We too felt the isolation of the last several years and can't wait to welcome people to join us again for a wonderful summer of live top-quality music at the Fonthill Bandshell.”

Each Thursday evening concert begins at 7 PM. Free parking is available in various locations, and once again the evenings will include a Summer Chill Market, which is adjacent to the Pelham Farmers Market.

For detailed program information, visit: www.fonthillbandshell.com.

June Performances

June 16: The Dreamboats, old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll, sponsored by Boggio Family Pharmacy.

June 23: Good Lovelies, foots, folk, pop, sponsored by Flett Beccario.

June 30: The Jersey Seasons, Four Seasons tribute and 1960s music, sponsored by Fonthill United Church.

Niagara eager for UNESCO Global Geopark assessment

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor

A Global Geopark is an area containing sites and landscapes of international geological significance, according to United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Niagara is on the cusp of receiving Ontario’s fi rst such designation.

The Niagara Peninsula Aspiring Global Geopark (NPAGG) is a non-profit entity that benefits Niagara residents, educational institutions, and business operators by fostering greater local geo-tourism, a concept that has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past 20 years. UNESCO is sending an assessment team to Niagara at the end of June.

A group of local advocates for the Niagara Geopark spoke with the Voice at Balls Falls recently to discuss the process.

“We're really thrilled that the Canadian Geopark Network will be sending representatives to Niagara to evaluate our Geopark and our various tourism, cultural, and Indigenous assets of which we are so proud,” said NPCA Manager of Conservation

Area Services, Dr. Alicia Powell.

“Originally, [Balls Falls] had well over 1200 acres that was gifted by the government to the United Empire Loyalists, and Butler’s Rangers, who'd fought in the War of 1812,” said Powell.

“The Ball family purchased several hundred acres and settled here back in the early 1800s. The Balls Falls Conservation Area to-

day covers about 78 hectares, extending towards Jordan Harbour on the 20 Mile Creek.”

Powell noted the region’s significant geological, cultural, and heritage sites and assets, including the Native Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, several museums in the peninsula, and conservation areas like Balls Falls, Rockway, St. Johns, and the

Wainfleet Bog and Wetlands.

Niagara Regional Councillor and NPCA Chair Rob Foster shared Powell’s enthusiasm.

“Within the Conservation Authority, there are all sorts of reviews going on to start tying together our trail systems. Our timing is absolutely perfect, not only for the Geopark, but a wide variety of other projects,” he

said.

Pelham Town Councillor and Niagara Peninsula Aspiring Geopark Agriculture & GeoFood Working Group Chair Wayne Olson said that the Geopark “offers a vision that appeals to people with interests in sustainability, inclusion, truth and reconcilia-

COMMON DECENCY Rev. Michael Coren

"Football culture has become less violent and crude since the ugly 1970s but there is still racism, intense tribalism, and downright hatred"

Proponents say designation would boost tourism, draw international attention to various sites and Greenbelt

From left, Regional Councillor and NPCA Chair Rob Foster, Pelham Councillor and Niagara Peninsula Aspiring Geopark Agriculture & GeoFood Working Group Chair Wayne Olson, Geopark Indigenous Culture Working Group Chair Phil Davis, and NPCA Manager of Conservation Area Services Dr. Alicia Powell DON RICKERS

stress can affect

Summer is nearly here and days are getting hotter. We have all packed away our parkas and pulled out our Ha waiian shirts. All the sunblock, fans, and air conditioning units are starting to fly off the shelves at big box stores and we can’t blame anyone. Sum mers in Pelham get HOT.

Trees, just like us humans, are sensitive to the heat. One major difference between us and them is when a tree los es water faster than it can absorb it, they are in one per manent spot and cannot find extra shade or water when needed. Fortunately, there is something we can do to help the trees we love! Being able to recognize signs and symptoms of heat stress will allow us to help our trees get through the summer months. Below are a few ways heat impacts our urban forest and what we can do to help.

DROUGHT STRESS

A drought is a prolonged pe riod with limited to no rainfall.

Since a tree is comprised of 80-95% water, it relies on this water to perform several func tions. These functions include nutrient absorption, photosyn thesis, and transpiration. If left without water for an extended period, a tree will slowly shut its essential functions down to preserve what it has left of its energy. Extended amounts of time without these functions could lead the tree to expe rience serious injury, or in a worst-case scenario, death.

What does this look like? Wilted leaves is one of the

first indicators, crinkling leaves, leaf scorch around leaf margins, canopy die back, and/or premature leaf drop.

What can we do? Water your trees during droughts using a slow drip from your hose. Newly planted trees will need more water than established trees. Adding mulch under neath the tree will also aid in water retention, so the tree has a chance to take it in.

SUNBURN

Yes, you read that right! Trees experience sunburn too. Sunburn, sometimes known as environmental scorch, is when trees are physically in jured by excessive solar radi ation, to the point where tree tissues become so heated, that they become dehydrated.

What does this look like?

Much like on our skin, sun burnt bark can become red, dry, and develop a cracked appearance. Generally, these marks can be found on the

southwest sides of branches. As for the leaves, they leave often appear to have a red dish-brown discolouration to them and will curl.

What can we do? When planting, ensure you’re not planting a species that pre fers shade in full sun.

HEAT STRESS

There are many environmen tal elements that contribute to heat stress, such as soil type or proximity to roads and houses. These factors contribute by minimizing or increasing the severity of heat stress. “Certain soil types retain water better than others. So, depending on soil conditions, the ground may help keep the soil moist, or naturally dry out quick ly.” – Kaitlyn Simpson, Plant Health Care Specialist. As for trees around urban struc tures, such as houses, roads, or sidewalks, are more likely to suffer from heat stress as these structures retain heat and increase the microcli

tree

mate temperature that the trees would feel. If this tem perature increases, trees are more likely to experience heat stress.

How do we fix this? The first place to start would be to establish what soil type your trees are growing in. Howev er, mulch is a universal, nat ural amendment that really keeps trees happy. Mulch is great at retaining water, re gardless of soil type.

THE GOOD NEWS IS Safe Tree is here to help! Whether you need help pin pointing what’s going on with your tree, or you simply want to learn more, your local tree experts are ecstatic to help.

On Friday, July 8th, Safe Tree is hosting a FREE workshop to the public. Here, we will be really diving into heat stress, and how it affects our urban forest.

For more information, please contact us at info@safetree.ca or 289-650-1775.

Inter-Provincial Air Tour lands in Pelham

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor

The skies of south Pel ham were dotted with small planes last Thursday, as pi lots from across the prov ince filed flight plans for the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport (NCDRA), one of the destinations of this year’s Inter-Provincial Air Tour (IPAT).

Adrian Verburg, a pilot and aviation enthusiast at NCDRA, told the Voice on Thursday afternoon that 45 planes were expected, al though “a few are stuck in weather…but they're trick ling in at this point.”

IPAT was formed in Jan uary 2008 at a meeting of like-minded pilots in North Bay. The event follows a consistent format, spanning a Thursday to Sunday each June. Verburg said that par ticipants enjoy touring the province by air, plus great camaraderie, and interest ing local activities and food.

Some one hundred fliers stayed at the Best West ern Plus Rose City Suites in Welland on Thursday night, and enjoyed supper at Cal amus Winery in Jordan Sta tion. They were treated to lunch upon their arrival at NCDRA, and their ground transportation was provid ed by the airport commis

sion. The planes continued on their journey to Grand Bend on Friday.

Bob and Diana Barrett, from Coburg, Ontario, ar rived at NCDRA around noon on Thursday, and strapped their aircraft to the ground anchors on the outer apron of the runway.

Bob has been flying for 25 years, with his wife in the navigator’s seat. His gleaming white, six-cylin der Cessna 170B has been completely refurbished, and projects an age which is a fraction of its 54 years.

“The plane has led a shel tered life, always hang er-stored,” said Bob.

He tries to fly weekly when the weather is co operative, and attempts to log 100 hours annually, the maintenance interval for the aircraft. In earlier days, the Barretts would cruise to places like Summerside, PEI, with their kids in the two back seats.

Since 2017, Lee Arsenault and his wife Marilyn have organized the annual tour program, which has in cluded participants from Michigan, since many IPAT members fly in the annual air tour in that state each September. Strong friend

ships have developed, and at each airport a plaque is presented to local dignitar ies or airport management, acknowledging the impor tance of their airport to the community.

Arsenault is from Pick ering, but flies out of the Oshawa airport. Like many of the participants, he is retired. IPAT clearly rep resents an older slice of the demographic pie, as one surveys the arrival of white-haired pilots.

“The purpose of IPAT is to promote general avia tion, and demonstrate the value of municipal airports to the community,” said Arsenault. “These air tours support the local economies in a small way, but in a big

ger way our small airports are valuable community assets. They provide emer gency services, commercial business ventures, flying schools, all kinds of oppor tunities.”

He acknowledges that many small airports are suf fering economically, which is true in the case of NCDRA, located at Pelham’s southern border, on River Road.

It is managed by a com mission whose seven mem bers are elected councillors from each of the four fund ing municipalities—three members from Welland, two from Port Colborne, one from Wainfleet, and one from Pelham.

Pelham council gave its support last year to the con

struction of ten hangars at the airport, which would be funded by a $600,000 loan from the City of Welland, to be repaid over 15 years. The intention of adding the han gars was to increase reve nue for the airport through rental agreements.

To date, no announce ment from the commission has been made with regard to progress on the hangars, and requests for informa tion have gone unanswered. The Voice understands that the business case for the project was significantly flawed.

Some view the airport as a potentially huge cash drain, citing a report prepared by Niagara Region that pre dicted $15 million in capital

being required between now and 2040, with about $7.5 million necessary for airport improvements over the next three years. Pelham’s share of the capital would be $2.7 million to 2040, with just under $1 million for the first three years.

Pelham’s municipal con tribution to NCDRA in 2020 was just under $28,000, with the same amount being bud geted for 2021. Welland con tributes $86,000 annually, while Port Colborne pays $29,000, and Wainfleet chips in with $11,000.

Unlike Niagara Re gional Airport in Niaga ra-on-the-Lake, which is classified as an international airport, NCDRA has “aero drome” status. Its total an nual budget is approximately $340,000, with about 45 per cent of this amount contrib uted by the four sub-munic ipalities.

The 416-acre airport’s roots date back 80 years. The main hanger is an orig inal structure, erected in the early 1940s, when WWII pilot training was conducted. The field has two paved runways, a turf runway, and also has seaplane landing access on the Welland River. NCDRA can accommodate glider training and parachuting for its user groups, which in clude the 87 Eagle Squadron Air Cadets, Niagara Skydive Centre, the Canadian Own ers and Pilots Association (COPA) Flight 149, and the St. Catharines Flying Club.

General aviation event aims to boost rural airports

Bob and Diana Barrett, from Cobourg, Ontario, arrive at the NCDRA in their Cessna 170B DON RICKERS

Copper and Iron meld melodious sounds

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor

Tom and Sarah Jade Loewen have spent time in the recording studio and performing at various venues around the region, but admit that they are happiest playing for friends and family around their backyard bonfire.

On their website they characterize their brand, Copper and Iron, as “a singer-songwriter duo with a unique, earthy sound, blending original music with an eclectic range of modern and classic songs.” Their music draws on a variety of instruments, including guitar, cello, mandolin, harmonica, violin, and drums.

They moved to rural Pelham, just off Highway 20 East, about 12 years ago. Tom has roots in St. Catharines, while Sarah Jade grew up in Haliburton and Northern Ontario.

“Sarah was the country girl who grew up with horses,” said Tom. “I was the city boy, and not familiar with the rural lifestyle. I thought, ‘Oh, we’ll give it a year out here,’ but after a couple weeks, we knew it would be home.”

Pointing to a couple mares in a fenced paddock to the south of their property, Sarah Jade said, “I’ve had the white horse out there since she was born on our farm up north, 22 years ago. And the other one is about 20. She was given to us for free, and our kids learned to ride on her.”

Tom and Sarah Jade grew up with music, playing guitars in

their high school years. They both play the piano as well.

“I started playing the fiddle when I was about nine,” said Sarah Jade. “And the mandolin, which I often play, has the same strings, so it was an easy transition.”

“There is some talent on both sides of our family,” said Tom.

“Sarah’s dad was musical, and I have some great uncles from way back in Ukraine and Russia who were in a band. Growing up, we both loved to listen to music, and to sing.”

The couple met while performing during services at Southridge Community Church, which their family attends. Tom also works at Southridge, overseeing all of the Sunday morning experiences at the church’s three locations in St. Catharines, Welland, and Vineland.

“We started writing songs and performing together about a decade ago,” said Tom. “Our first gig was at the Jordan House around 2012. We were just there having a drink at the bar, and got talking to the manager about music. We told him that we perform live, and he hired us on the spot.”

The moniker Copper and Iron took a while to evolve.

“When we started performing, we called ourselves Slings and Arrows, which kind of felt like it suited us at the time.” Said Tom. “But we discovered that there was already an existing band with that

name. Since we both write songs, sing, and play, we wanted a twoword name for our duo. I read somewhere that copper and iron were the metals that were associated in ancient times with Mars and Venus, which were the planets aligned to male and female. So that’s what we settled on.”

Though both Tom and Sarah Jade are clearly spiritual people, religious themes are not the dominating influence in their music.

“For us, our music is art, an expression of the shared experiences that we have in life,” explained Tom. “We write about our relationships, our friends, our kids.”

They write about heartbreak as well.

“Over the course of the pandemic, we started to explore some of the indigenous issues that were taking place, particularly the 1492

Land Back Lane confrontation [Haudenosaunee protesters occupying a development they argue stands on unceded Six Nations territory] down the road in Caledonia. And so we released a single during the pandemic called “1492,” in which we wrote about that struggle. And we had a friend who died a couple of years ago on Christmas Day. Sarah wrote and recorded a song, something of an anti-Christmas song called Cold December Night, in an effort to just process that pain.”

With no recording studio in their

home, Tom and Sarah Jade book time with friends in the music business who have such resources.

“Our first album we made with a good friend of ours named Derek Elliott, who has a studio in St. Catharines,” said Tom. “Drew Williams, who has been our drummer for years, also has a recording studio at his place. And just before the pandemic, we actually met and became friends with one of our musical heroes, a Toronto-based singer-songwriter named Ron Hawkins, who has a legendary band called Lowest of the Low. Ron actually produced our last album, recorded in a friend’s barn in

Tom and Sarah Jade Loewen play popular ballads and original songs

DON RICKERS

Both images of the fox — the mysterious soul eater, and the banjo-strumming archer singing “Oo-de-lally!”—existed in my mind with equal importance.

Fast forward to many years later, and my 32-year-old self (who, admittedly, had become cynical where magic is concerned) was standing at the window of my mother’s home in Pelham, watching the snow fall. The house was my childhood haunt, surrounded by old trees. The backyard was bordered by a small creek and a nature trail, as well as a small park.

“Did you know that there has been a fox around here?” said my mother, as she poured a third cup of tea.

Last year’s winter was hard— yet another Covid-19 lockdown, and rising infection numbers. Thanks to vaccines, I had expanded my social bubble ever so slightly, and battled loneliness and the stress of single-parenthood by having semi-regular afternoon teas with my mother. She would regale me with stories of her childhood in Vietnam, and I would show her my latest shots (I had picked up photography as a hobby during the pandemic).

“Oh?” My ears immediately perked up at this news. “When did you see it?”

I peered through the window with renewed interest, my eyes now keen to catch a glimpse of such a creature. With increasing urbanization, it had become more difficult to fi nd certain animals. I had been trying to photograph foxes for two years with no success.

“A few weeks ago.”

My mother came to the window

and showed me a photo on her phone. The picture was blurry, but there was no mistaking the reddish orange creature, framed by the softly falling snow.

“You should come by more often,” she said. “You will get your fox photo for sure.”

“Sure,” I replied, taking a sip of tea.

My childhood self would have jumped at this opportunity. My grownup self, unfortunately, had grownup problems that took up most of my attention. The pandemic had both speeded up and slowed down aspects of my life. More than ever, I felt the weight of parenting, of keeping up with the bills and daily expenses, all while managing lockdowns, Covid exposures, a divorce. Like I said — grownup problems. Grownup Helen didn’t have time to sit in the snow and patiently wait for foxes.

My five-pound telephoto lens gathered dust that winter. The only time it moved was when I literally moved from one house to the other. My landlord at the time put up a For Sale sign on my birthday, and then the house that I had hoped to call my home for the next few years sold shortly after Christmas. I had not even fi nished unpacking my boxes from moving in.

The additional move was stressful — my work hours had been cut because of the pandemic, and my divorce was on the brink of settling. The move was delayed by not one, but two massive snowstorms. I contracted Covid in the middle of it all.

My sanity was held together by many small but mighty threads: my mother’s stories, my five-year-old daughter’s frequent hugs, and my two-year-old son’s peals of laughter as he ran up and down the hallways of our new

house.

Fast forward to spring 2022. My divorce had settled, the move was fi nally complete, work was plentiful, and for the fi rst time in years I found myself at leisure to sit down and watch a movie with my children. They requested The Fox and the Hound.

“Ah,” I thought, reminded of my dormant photography goal. I texted my mother and asked her if the fox still visited. A flurry of excited texts pinged in response.

Turns out that what my mother thought had been one fox was actually two. A mated pair had settled underneath her backyard shed over the winter. They had emerged in springtime with six kits.

Come over and photograph them she texted.

Sure I texted back, this time with much more enthusiasm.

Recovery from Covid has been long and meandering. Long-Covid symptoms have included intense brain fog, ADHD, temporary hearing loss, and a heart murmur. I was itching for an excuse to sit amongst the trees with my camera and distract myself from grownup problems.

With its sharp-eyed gaze, bushy tale and striking fur (the species’ colours range from black/brown, to red, to white), the fox is certainly an attractive creature. Foxes have been increasingly forced to adapt to urban spaces. The only way to survive with humans is to live alongside them in abandoned cars and sheds, feeding from gardens, eradicating backyard squirrels, and raising their kits in the shadows of two-storey houses to avoid predators such as coyotes.

My mother’s house, as always, was awash in greenery — I arrived with my telephoto lens and tripod, and sat down by the window. My mother, as always, made

tea.

“You’ll see them soon,” she said.

Sure enough, the mother fox cautiously emerged from underneath the shed, with her six babies in tow. They gambolled about

the lawn, nipping at each other and yapping while the vixen kept watch. After an hour, they went back underneath the shed. The afternoon sunlight dappled the grass and the backyard was now silent. Of the foxes, there was no

Vixey and one of her six kits

trace. And yet my camera was fi lled with hundreds of photos as irrefutable proof of their presence.

I had been wandering forests around Niagara for years in search of foxes, and had never

caught a single glimpse. I would never have guessed that I would fi nd a family of foxes in my mother’s backyard.

My sisters had named the fox couple Todd and Vixey, after the characters from The Fox and the

Hound.

“Where’s Todd?” I asked.

“We haven’t seen him for a weeks,” my mom replied. “I’m worried something happened to him. Vixey has been taking care of the kits by herself.”

In the book The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint Exupery, a fox befriends the Prince and says this: “Men have forgotten this truth…But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.”

Foxes are tough survivors. Their main diet is composed of small rodents such as mice, rabbits, squirrels, and rats. They will eat vegetables, found wild or in human gardens. However, close proximity to humans carries its own set of dangers. Foxes are frequently killed by traffic, or by farmers who view them as pests. Foxes are also vulnerable to sicknesses such as mange, and can be killed or starved out by other predators, such as coyotes.

According to my mother, the fox couple had been very affectionate in the spring. They would nap together, play, and touch noses. If Todd was gone for too long, Vixey would come out and sit in the grass, waiting for him.

Apparently, foxes will mate for life. If a partner is lost, the remaining fox will either fi nd another mate quickly or never again.

For the next few weeks, my family was on Todd-watch. My sisters compared past photos of Todd and Vixey, identifying them through various marks and mannerisms. They wanted to recognize Todd as soon as he returned. No one mentioned the possibility that he might not.

Vixey became thinner and thinner as the weeks dragged on. One night, she emerged from her den, barking and crying. My moth-

er had come downstairs, alerted by the noise. Vixey walked right up to the back porch. They were separated only by a thin sliding glass door, which my mother kept closed.

“She looked right at me,” my mother told me the next day. “And she howled all night.”

When Vixey emerged the next day with her kits, there were only five instead of six. We suspected that the smallest of the kits had died during the night. Todd was still nowhere to be seen.

Do animals feel love and grief, joy and worry, like humans do? Watching Vixey search for Todd, and care for her kits, it was easy to lend human emotions to her comings and goings.

In The Little Prince, the fox character wants nothing more than to be tamed, because it will make him special. In his plea to the main character, he says: “To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world.”

To my family, Todd and Vixey and their kits were unique in all the world. And yet, access to the human world invites very human emotions, such as grief. In The Little Prince, the fox eventually cries tears when it is time for the Prince to leave. In being tamed, the fox is now attached to the one who tamed him. Being the subject of human attention comes with a heavy price.

Animals live alongside us, in our houses as beloved pets, or in the wild as creatures of various symbols and subjects of tales. We watch them on TV in documentaries. They make their presence known in small and large ways, every day, punctuating our

grownup lives and existing despite our grownup problems.

Todd eventually came back, his arrival as sudden and unexplained as his disappearance. He brought a loaf of bread, and the largest of the kits grabbed it and took it inside the den for its siblings. Vixey took her time smelling Todd when he returned. There was no outward expression of joy or reproach. Together they lay in the grass as their kits chased each other across the yard, napping together as if nothing had happened, as if the past few weeks had never occurred.

My children tend to view time in the same way. A tearful afternoon can be expunged with a plucked flower, a tiresome day forgotten with the wave of a lollipop. Weeks of stress and transition banished from memory with one visit to the park, or a particularly rollicking bedtime story. A lost grandparent, relegated to the realm of beautiful memory. A mother and father living together, once upon a time, just beyond the boundaries of the twin kingdoms of Yesterday and The Past.

Animals don’t communicate with words the way we do. If they feel grief, they can never tell us.

They show affection to those they trust, but they can never write poems or sing laments about the complexity of love. They act on instinct, and show us patterns, patterns that they occasionally break without rhyme or reason. We must watch, observe, and accept that certain animal behaviours are unexplainable, or never fully understandable to our human eyes and minds. No matter what happens, they continue on, with or without us.

Perhaps that is Nature’s way of taming us.

◆

HELEN TRAN

Reaction to Charles Duncan sentence

The Voice reached out for comment from former patients of Charles Duncan’s— victims and alleged victims, as well as supporters— who had previously contacted the newspaper after allegations of his conduct arose in 2019.

Female, non-patient, 29 at time of assault

Today while I was sitting in court listening to Her Honour reading the sentence for Mr. Duncan, I found myself looking over in his direction for the first time since the trial began. I watched him shake his head at times in what appeared to be disbelief as Her Honour talked about the evidence, the impact on each victim and his lack of contrition. I saw a man who is deeply troubled. Although I hoped for a custodial sentence, my deep mistrust in people and systems of power and authority did not allow for that hope. I was mistaken. Crown attorney Mr. Morris, the detective with the NRPS, and especially our

liaison with victims services all played integral roles in supporting me through these past two years. This journey has been difficult for myself, my family and many others. This final chapter I hope will allow healing to begin.

Mother of victim

It has been a long, drawn-out process, but I was happy with the sentence, although he should be serving it in the penitentiary. At least he will maybe realize the damage he has caused to the brave women who came forward. That was very personal to them and they should be commended for seeing it through with no objective other than to hold him accountable for his actions.

Throughout all of this Duncan has shown zero remorse—in fact shaking his head in denial at every opportunity.

He is a despicable reprobate and I feel for his family who did not ask for this to be foisted on them.

I do believe that recidivism in this man is very real should the slightest opportunity arise.

Female, patient, 45 at time of assault, 64 when pressing charges

As one of his victims and testifying and sitting through many court sessions, it’s mixed feelings we are dealing with now. Some of us are in different places mentally and physically in our lives but none of us are unaffected by the acts of Charles Duncan.

While we want to celebrate the fact that Judge Calderwood came to her decisions in a most thorough and decisive manner, we also need to recognize that new precedents need to be put in place for these types of sexual assaults. I personally applaud Her Honour for hearing us and considering all the facts as they were presented. The whole process has left scars on all the women he has deliberately abused. We never stopped living them while all this has been going on. I pray we can all move forward now. The decisions he made over decades to continually assault women is finally seeing consequences. One must reap what they sow and I feel justice

has been fairly served in this case.

We are all truly disappointed by the fact that Charles Duncan never showed any remorse and was unwilling to acknowledge his abusive behaviour or apologize. How could he possibly ever think he had done nothing wrong? Perhaps therein lies the problem.

Female, patient, age 62 at time of potential assault

I am conflicted in so many ways about this case and still think my experience falls into a grey zone. I cannot make any sense of the whole situation nor of the sentencing, especially the registration as a sex offender.

What I see in the pictures is a broken, frail man and, despite his actions, I have some compassion for him. I also have compassion for the many victims and hope the sentence helps them recover.

Female, patient, age 45 at time of assault

I am almost happy with the outcome. I would still want retribution

for the quality of my life I have lost over what he did to my health— mental and physical. Which is a lot of time. I was 45 years old. I had a Harley that I wasn’t able to ride due to my health issues that were caused by that dirty, dirty person.

Male, patient, supporter

He was always kind and caring in the 40-plus years of my care.

I’m shocked at the outcome of this. I guess you don't know the true person after 40 years of trust. I just wonder if the outcome would of been different if each case was separate. Questions were raised and when you pile evidence on top of evidence sometimes cases become muddied. Not saying what happened was right or wrong, just a thought.

Female, patient, age 47 at time of assault

Wasn’t this quite the roller coaster ride for all the victims who were able to have their days

SENTENCE continued from Page 1

tumn, several other women came forward with similar accounts. Following a Voice editorial that questioned the seeming police disinterest in pursuing the women’s allegations, Duncan was arrested by the NRPS in November

2019 and formally charged with seven counts of sexual assault and one of sexual exploitation. The women involved were aged 16 to 64 at the time of the incidents.

Her Honour reiterated that a publication ban continued to prohibit the publication of any information that could identify the

named complainants in the case.

During the trial, some 50 letters of support for Duncan were entered from family members, former patients, staff, and medical colleagues. Duncan had no prior criminal history, and previously had an unblemished record with the

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

Defense counsel Weinstein had argued that a Conditional Sentence Order (CSO) was appropriate in Duncan’s case, and had recommended 18 months of non-custodial house arrest. He suggested that Duncan’s crimes were on “the lower end of the spectrum” with regard to sexual assault, involving mainly inappropriate touching, and insisted that Duncan’s age (he will be 79 in July) and poor health (he has been diagnosed with leukemia and prostate cancer, and is receiving treatment for both) deserved consideration.

This position was contested by Morris for the Crown, who insisted that a period of incarceration of two to four years was a more fitting sentence. Morris noted that the crimes represented a significant breach of trust, involved multiple victims over a lengthy period spanning two decades. He sought a sentence “proportional to the gravity of the offense.”

Duncan had previously

declined an opportunity to address the court and remained silent as the sentence was delivered.

Justice Calderwood stressed that her focus was on a sentence that was appropriate and personalized—“There is no mathematical formula to be applied,”she said—and cited numerous court cases to buttress her decision. It was clear that Calderwood intended to send a strong message of denunciation to healthcare professionals who breach the trust implicit in their codes of ethics.

Victim impact statements appeared to have had a compelling influence. Calderwood recounted for the court the feelings of shame, embarrassment, anxiety, and depression felt by the women, some who related that their personal relationships have suffered, and that they have ongoing problems trusting others, and receiving affection.

“Charles Duncan took advantage of his patients’ vulnerability,” said Calderwood. “The power im-

balance weighed heavily in his favour, and he used it to the detriment of his victims.”

Mitigating factors included Duncan’s poor health and advanced age, continued support from his family, and the many positive references to his expertise and care as a family physician over the decades.

Aggravating factors, said Calderwood, included his breach of trust, the intense negative impact of his actions on the victims (one who was a minor), and his apparent lack of contrition.

“He never gained insight into the harm he had caused,” said Calderwood. “Damage was caused the moment the victim’s trust was breached.”

Calderwood also noted that the charges stemmed from actions which occurred over almost two decades.

“This was not an isolated lapse of judgment. Only a real jail sentence will send the appropriate message.”

See Sidebar, above, for reaction from Duncan supporters, victims, and alleged victims

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Beamsville. That was a great experience.”

The Covid pandemic crushed Copper and Irons’ live performance schedule, so they resorted to online gigs, such as a Canada Day celebration for the Town of Pelham.

“Prior to the pandemic, we had done some performances at Mahtay Café in St. Catharines, along with some other gigs,” said Tom, “but we've been a little slow to come back to live performances, partly because our kids are at

a different age now, and also because we are shifting away from doing cover band material, wanting to do more of our own stuff.”

Both Tom and Sarah Jade enjoy playing to local audiences at various venues, including wineries on the Beamsville Bench such as Redstone, Thirteenth Street, and Honsberger’s. They will be performing at Pelham’s SummerFest this year, along with the Thursday supper markets, starting in June. They will also be playing at a North Pelham Hall fundraiser in August, and are available for weddings, private parties, corporate events.

“We really enjoyed playing at a staff Christmas party for the Town of Pelham,” said Tom. “The Town has been very supportive of our music.”

“We have a lot of different influences,” said Tom. “I love jazz, but most of our material is drawn from the styles of Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkel, Carole King. That's the pinnacle for us. We are also huge Beatles fans, and so are our kids,” he said, as he lit into a guitar and vocal rendition of Paul McCartney’s song, “Blackbird.”

“I think that’s when we're at our best,” continued Tom. “I mean, we

have this thing we call ‘making it small.’ We just believe that music is best when it's shared among a small group of people, where we can look each other in the eye.

Our music is most appropriate to a more intimate environment, where people want to hang out, connect, and get to know each other while listening to songs, the words. That's really what suits us.”

“We want to fuel a love for the enjoyment of music,” said Sarah Jade. “Our daughter, Wynter, will sit at the piano and plunk out ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,’ and even tries to compose her own

songs. We definitely encourage our kids to listen to the mood of the music.”

“I think if kids grew up loving music, they'll figure out how to play. It's soothing, healing. Music is powerful,” added Tom.

Original music by Copper and Iron is available on iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify. Information on upcoming performances is available at www.copperandiron.com, and on Facebook at www.facebook. com/CopperandIronMusic.

They will be performing in Pelham at Summer Chill on June 9 and August 11 at 5:30 PM, and at Summerfest on July 15 at 5 PM.

IT’S A DOG’S LIFE MB Country Living, on Highway 20 in Fonthill, held its inaugural Pet Day last Saturday. Gord Engel, a senior manager, said that visitors were lined up at the door at 8 AM, and the store was packed throughout the day. Above, Hazel and her Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

DON RICKERS

A BUNCH OF CRICKS COME TO VISIT Former Keith’s Restaurant owner Vilma (Crick) Moretti had some guests in town last week— sons Todd and Trent, and grandson Ethan—and she took the trio on a history tour to the MCC, where sits a display commemorating the previous Pelham Arena, on Haist St. In this 1975 Herald photo, Vilma’s late husband, Keith Crick, accepts a donation cheque from John and Paul Nemy, of Fonthill Lumber, itself now the site of a condo project at Hwy 20 and Station St. Time, she does march on VILMA CRICK

into the dumpster. Beside it were nine boxes of 33-1/3 rpm high fidelity LP records ready to follow the system in a march of destruction to the dump.

Somewhere there had to be a nostalgic vinyl fan anxious to pay good money for this once-trendsetting unit. The JVC was one of the world’s first commercially successful matrix 4-channel quadraphonic sound systems. An hour later the JVC and LP collection were in my van, with a promise to return the expected profits to my friends.

A week later my world became confused. The JVC was in serious need of refurbishment before it could be sold. I took the time to clean and polish each component, repair a slipping turntable belt, and connect everything together, eager to hear its sound, yet concerned that the only records available were the same as those my parents had played repeatedly and mercilessly.

Five decades ago Andy Williams made me gag, and Perry Como caused me to flee my parents’ home, hands clasped over my ears. It was Mitch Miller, Jim Nabors, and Johnny Mathis Christmas Special LPs played continuously for the eight weeks before December 25 that finally forced me to move out and get a place of my own. (To be fully transparent, may-

be getting serious about my now-wife Els contributed a bit too.)

To sell this equipment now, I had to know that it was fully functional. Atop the dusty pile of records was Andy Williams’ 1967 hit Born Free, an album as good as any for test purposes. Within a moment, a long-forgotten, five decades-old song about Elsa the lioness, sung by a voice Ronald Reagan called a “national treasure,” brought mist to my eyes. An hour later I was still “testing” the system with vintage LPs that just days before I had fully expected to take to the dump: Al Hirt, Andre Kostelanetz, Lena Horne, the Ink Spots, Bert Kaempfert and his Orchestra no less.

What just happened? Had the tentacles of nostalgia reached out from those four, huge, pressed-wood speakers and curled around my brain? Was I drifting backward in time to an incomprehensible fuzzy and warm place? Did it matter, and could I cope?

Nostalgia as a word was first conceived in 1688 by a Swiss Army physician to describe a psychological ailment afflicting mercenary soldiers fighting beyond Swiss borders. Nostalgia described a state of mind which made life in the present debilitating for these lonely troops constantly enduring mental and physical trauma, causing them to reflect back to times of happiness and tranquility with family and friends for emotional refuge.

This theory of nostalgia, now termed, “Reflective nostalgia,” was the accepted norm until recently. Nostalgic thoughts carry us back to times that we experienced happiness and joy, a mental exercise which was considered temporarily helpful in maintaining a positive outlook.

However, excessive indulgence in these emotional flights to a past full of cherished people and sunny situations can become addictive, leading to a feeling of dissatisfaction and hopelessness with one’s day-to-day life. In the worst cases, a state of psychosis and suicidal tendencies might occur amongst those who find retreating to nostalgia is easier than maintaining the necessary resilience to deal with their current situation.

It was in 1999 that Constantine Sedikides, a Professor of Social and Personality Psychology, examined his own emotions after a career transfer from the University of North Carolina to the University of Southampton, in England. He discovered that the nostalgia he felt for UNC did not create negative thoughts about his move to Southampton, but instead was a powerful stimulant for feelings of optimism toward the future.

Sedikides and Southampton colleague Tim Wildschut began researching the subject and quickly learned that the negative attributes of

CELEBRATION

OBITUARY

anostalgia represented only half the truth. Within a decade, they were confident in pronouncing, “Nostalgia as the perfect internal politician, connecting past with present, pointing optimistically to the future.”

Their research found that “Restorative nostalgia,” the ability to forget the toil and turmoil of the past when thinking back in time, measurably boosted empathy, social connectedness, and provided us with a basis to believe there is purpose and meaning in our lives—all significant internal remedies for loneliness and alienation.

Sharing nostalgic experiences can make conversation and intimate connections easier amongst strangers, enabling or vindicating the pursuit of future common goals. One 2016 study suggested that 75 percent of social conversations included nostalgic content.

It’s our reaction to nostalgia that defines whether a spontaneous return to the past will provide positive emotional reinforcement or

ELLSWORTH, John Wayne

In his 81st year, died peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. He is now reunited with his parents, his aunts and grandson. John leaves behind his beloved wife of 61 years, Linda Ann Ellsworth; his son Shawn William Ellsworth (Sonia) and his grandchildren, Spencer and Cameron Ellsworth. John was a loving husband, caring father and adored his grandchildren to pieces. Lovingly remembered by his sistersin-law; Janet Rae Oram, Charlotte Lee Dussault (Robert) and Wendy Lynn Pinder-Doede (Steve) and his nieces and nephews. John was a former volunteer firefighter for the Pelham Fire Department Station No. 1. He owned and operated his own hair salon for a few years before going on to work at General Motors as a supervisor. He will always be remembered for his love of gardening, especially his orchids, and his generosity in sharing his plants. Family and friends were received at the PELHAM FUNERAL HOME, 1292 Pelham Street, Fonthill on Monday, June 6th, from 6-8 pm. The memorial service to honour John’s life took place at the funeral home on Tuesday, June 7th beginning at 1:00 pm. A private interment will take place on a later date. There was a reception at the funeral home following the service. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to Walker Family Cancer Centre. Condolences may be shared at www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca

a potentially harmful addiction.

When nostalgia slips into rumination, and counter-factual recollections distort our true past, creating unachievable demands on us in our present circumstances, bitterness and hopelessness may be triggered.

Conversely, summoning the warm and fuzzy feelings of nostalgia may protect us during bouts of disappointment and anxiety, grounding us so that we can better accept our present situation and look forward to the future. It is during these times we realize that by creating a happy and meaningful life for ourselves today we guarantee that our personal future nostalgia will be comprised of fond experiences and happy memories.

The JVC system is still in my living room, and it will still be sold, eventually. Now that I understand I needn’t fear the occasional pang of nostalgia, I really should play the 250 vintage LPs buried in those nine boxes before I list everything on Kijiji.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't even bother asking for his email, folks. I called dibs!

der, Queer or Questioning, and Two-Spirit] communities everywhere.”

Junkin extolled the virtues of Pelham as an inclusive and welcoming municipality, and noted that an additional Rain-

bow bench, the colours of which are symbolic of the movement, would be installed in Fenwick.

Two existing Rainbow benches, located in Peace Park behind Town Hall and at the Meridian Community Centre, are positioned in prominent areas with high visibility—which did not prevent them from being

kidnapped for a few days last December, to universal condemnation. A third is located at the intersection of Hwy 20 and Pelham Street.

“These benches also serve as a starting point for conversations,” said Junkin. “Sometimes these conversations are the first steps that the community

takes on the path to learning and supporting each other with openness, understanding, and acceptance.”

Phil Gourlay, one of the founders of Pride Niagara, was on hand to thank Junkin and Pelham council for their support.

“This is the third year we've been raising the

Pride flag here at Pelham, and we're very proud of everything that you've done for us in the past,” said Gourlay. “The benches are so welcoming, and remind LGBTQ2S+ people that they don't need to leave Niagara, that their community supports them in whatever they believe in, and whatever they

choose for their life.” Pride Week in Niagara includes a host of events and activities, and commenced with a “Pride in the Park” festival at Montebello Park in St. Catharines. Details are available at www.prideniagara.com

REACTION continued from Page 12

in court. I can only hope they find solace in their having the fortitude required to do what they have done. There are just not enough words to describe the respect they have from many of us in the community. Thank you, ladies, and please feel pride along with your relief that this is “over.”

As for Duncan’s sentence, will it ever be enough for his victims?

His continued denial and refusal to try and make amends speaks volumes. As he was able to foster a new “loving” relationship with a prominent member of the community, while out on bail, it leads me to believe he wasn’t nearly as concerned about his victims as having his own needs taken care of. Will custody be the same?

One would hope that time in custody will leave him thinking of others. I’m inclined to doubt it, though, because his health

will give him all kinds of special statuses that as an ex-physician he will know how to play.

In the meantime, Mr. Duncan, I am very sorry for the legacy you have left your families. Especially your children and grandchildren.

Female, patient, supporter

Charles Duncan was our family's doctor for 40 years. He provided excellent diagnoses and timely interventions that made a difference to our family. I know he worked long hours trying to get to the patients that needed him.

I was somewhat taken aback that Mr. Duncan is being sentenced to jail time. At his age and with two significant medical issues, it seems unduly harsh, smacking a little of vengeance, imposed by a judge with a resume of prosecuting sexual assaults.

House arrest, leaving only for medical appointments, might have provided the consequence deemed needed by the judge,

even for a longer period of time if she felt it warranted. Because in fact, public humiliation and the stress of several years of notoriety in the public eye has been very punitive to date. The stress was telling on his appearance from the beginning, marriage ended, his family in the spotlight, etc.

All in all, it's a sad story.

Female, patient

I feel that the sentence was probably not long enough (although if it is based on his age and physicality at this point, it's probably enough) but I am glad he has to register as a sex offender. It is a shame that he was not exposed earlier. So many of his patients had put their trust in him over the years, many maybe not realizing that his conduct was not appropriate. I am in that cohort. I thought that doctor visits were supposed to be uncomfortable and that it was a normal part of exams. I am proud of the women that came forth and pressed charges. I'm forever in their debt.

Female, non-patient, 16 at the time of assault, 19 when pressing charges, 22 now

At the conclusion of the sexual assault trial, I experienced a multitude of emotions as I witnessed Judge Calderwood’s sentencing of Charles Duncan. It has been a lengthy and very difficult few years, and I have not yet been able to fully process that we have reached the end of the court proceedings.

Throughout the court process I was re-victimized, and it was an extremely traumatic experience to relive my assault and face my abuser. However, I am deeply grateful that through this process, Judge Calderwood was able to see the truth and reality surrounding the traumatic assaults Duncan committed. I feel strongly that justice has been served and I have a great sense of peace knowing that Duncan will finally be held accountable for the harm he has done and the pain he has caused many over decades.

It was very disappointing to watch Duncan shake his head in

court, refusing to acknowledge or take responsibility for the abuse he has inflicted and the long-term damage he has caused, but I am grateful for the validation we as survivors have received through Judge Calderwood’s verdict and sentence. Now, Duncan must face the consequences of his personal choices and deliberate actions. I refuse to carry the burden of the shame and guilt that belongs to him alone.

In 2019, one brave survivor made a choice to make her voice heard, regardless of what people might think or say. As a result, I have been given the opportunity to seek justice and reclaim my voice. Through this process I have had the privilege to meet several of the strongest, most inspiring women, for whom I am forever grateful and share a deep connection with through our shared lived experiences. To others who may have a similar experience: please know that this victory is yours, too. Your experience is valid. You are seen. You are heard. You are believed. You are not alone.

CORNER continued from Page 2

day one, especially John Chick and most especially Don Rickers, who spent many an hour connected to Zoom hearings as well as waiting in the courthouse in St. Catharines for the wheels of justice to slowly turn.

Let’s move on to some positive news: To the relief of those with memories of his last controversial years in office, former mayor and NDP candidate David Augustyn did not win a majority in a single one of Pelham’s 11 polling stations, including the one across

from his house in Fenwick. Incumbent Sam Oosterhoff won a plurality in ten of those stations, with Augustyn winning a plurality over Oosterhoff in just one station—by two votes. (Ironically, given Oosterhoff’s religious leanings, this polling station was Pelham Evangelical Friends Church, though of course the location has nothing to do with its congregation. I voted at St. Alexander’s in Fonthill, and Catholic I am not.) Will this conclusively prove to Augustyn that his talents are better employed elsewhere than in the political arena? I would not take that bet. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him tilting

at the Pelham municipal windmill one more time. Town Council? Regional Council? Still a few weeks to go to fi le nomination papers. Brr…Change on the horizon: With the PCs once again failing to take Niagara’s other ridings, whispers about boundary changes are in the air. “Look for an announcement in a month or so,” says one PC insider. Ridings—and municipalities—are created and dissolved at provincial pleasure. Remember that Niagara municipalities amalgamation plan which Ford floated back in 2018? It may be on the table again, too. In the States they might call this gerrymandering. Can’t get the vot-

ers to do what you want them to fair and square? Then divide them in a way more favourable to your party... A last election observation: Something curious struck us a couple of months back when it came to political candidates. In every election in recent memory for Pelham, Regional, or Provincial offices, no candidate has won that did not advertise in the Voice. The rule was proved once again last week—Liberal Joyner and PC Oosterhoff took advantage of the paper’s reach. NDP Augustyn was MIA. We would happily have sold him whatever space he desired. Now, the opposite, of course, is not true. Advertising in the Voice

does not guarantee victory—we regularly run ads for many candidates vying for the same office—but for several years now not advertising does guarantee defeat...Lots to enjoy this week: This unusually long Corner aside, perhaps, I challenge you to fi nd a more interesting publication in all of Niagara—this week or any. If you don’t regularly read John Swart’s Balanced Life column (p.17), do take a peek this week. Excellent stuff (as usual, I should add). Helen Tran’s Column Six is one of the best pieces she’s written for us. And Don Rickers delivers at his usual high caliber... So off you go! See you next week. ◆

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CUSTOM MILL NOW LEASING

Portable sawmill service. I will come to your home or farm and custom mill your logs. Firewood & lumber also available. Call Rob Patterson, 905-401-4948, riverwoodportablesawmill@ gmail.com

GOLF LESSONS

Golf lessons offered by a CGTF Master Golf Teaching Professional. All ages, all skill levels. Lessons held at Brock Golf Course. Call or text Doug at 905-327-1492.

Now leasing at #1 Highway 20 West Fonthill. Commercial and Residential space. www.vanderbuiltproperties.ca

ITEMS FOR SALE

Electric Scooter-Jet Ultra, excellent condition, asking $450. Wheelchair recently updated with Myon bubble seat, asking $150. Steel patio ceramic top table, black and white, 3’ x 7’, asking $40. Phone 289-897-8848.

Saturdays 12:30 – 3:30. Register and pay ahead in person. $5.00 per 1/2 hour. Visit www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details.

FONTHILL BANDSHELL PRESENTS DE TEMPS ANTAN

proofing, drainage systems, quarry stone supply, place ment. 905-384-1972. P18-23

clothes

30, 8AM-3PM

Burke’s Masonry

PLACE YOUR AD BY EMAIL OR PHONE

CLASSIFIEDS

PUPPIES

Beautiful West Highland White Terrier puppies, born May 5th. Three males, two females. Text me and come pick out your future loving buddy! $3200. 905-7363981, Julie.

MASONRY REPAIR

Since 2003, Éric Beaudry, André Brunet and Pierre-Luc Dupuis have been exploring and performing time-honoured melodies from the stomp ing grounds of Quebec’s musical past. Using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, guitar, bouzouki and a number of other instruments, our three virtuosos blend boundless energy with the unmistakable joie de vivre found only in traditional Quebec music. Show runs from 7-9 p.m.

PELHAM LIBRARY CARD MAKING WORKSHOP

ALLTYPE MASONRY Brick, Block, Stone and Chimney repairs. Wet and damaged basement repairs. Phone Tom Deamude at 289-241-4767. 35 years of construction experience.

LOSE AN IPHONE?

FOUND: iPhone between Highway 20 and Port Robinson Road. To claim contact 289-547-7761.

office@thevoiceofpelham.ca

Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8 AM - 2 PM (905) 892-8690

Make six cards with fall themes, learning a variety of techniques. Materials are provided. At time of registration, please enquire about tools needed. Tues., Sept. 16 10 – 12:30. $10. Please register ahead. Visit www.pelham library.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details.

FOUND

Prescription eyeglasses in black case at corner of Homestead and South Pelham. Call to identify 905-892-4807.

FABULOUS FENWICK LIONS FISH FRY

PIANO FOR SALE

Tasty treats with funds heading straight back into the community. Haddock, french fries and much more. Runs Sept. 9 from 4-7 p.m.

Piano for sale— $500.00 or OBO, apartment size, upright, excellent condition. Phone 905-892-2915.

PELHAM MINOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE

This week at the Meridian Community Centre

JUNE 8

Mom & Baby Fitness

9:30 – 10:30 AM

Pickleball 10:30 – 1:30 PM

7-12 Stick & Puck

2:30 – 3:20 pm

Drop-In Family Gym 4 – 5:30 PM

Hatha Yoga 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Pickleball 7:30 – 10:30 PM

JUNE 9

Pickleball 8:30 – NOON

Parent & Preschool Skate 9:30 – 10:20 AM

55+ Aerobics with Conditioning 11 – NOON

Chair Yoga 11:15 – 12:15 PM

Adult Only Skate 1 – 1:50 PM

Adult Learn to Skate 2 – 2:50 PM

Ticket Ice 3:00 – 3:50 PM

Yogalates 5:30 – 6:30 PM

JUNE 10

Pickleball 9 – NOON

Men’s Shinny 9 – 9:50 AM

Men’s 60+ Shinny 10 – 10:50 AM

Drop-In Volleyball 10:30 – 1:00 PM

PD Day Skate 1:00 – 2:20 PM

Public Skating 7:30 – 9:20 PM

JUNE 12 Public Skating 1 – 2:20 PM

LemonAID Stand NOON – 3PM

JUNE 13 60+ Stick and Puck 10 – 10:50 AM

Buy, sell or trade used equipment at the Pelham Arena. Aimed to provide cheaper options for players in this upcoming season. Runs Sept. 6 from 9-12 in the morning.

55+ Aerobics with Conditioning 11 – NOON Pickleball 12:30 – 3:30 PM

PELHAM MUDFEST

Bricklaying, tuckpointing, step repair, granite coatings, brick slices 905-682-7061. P18-28

Josh DeHaan Flooring

“For all your flooring needs”

We offer in-stock specials:

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pre-finished hardwood flooring solid, engineered from $2/ft2 laminate flooring from $.89/ft2 carpet and vinyl flooring from $4.95/yd2 fibre flooring from $1/ft2 ceramic tile from $.89/ft2

...and other specials!

Call us to see the products that are available

visit our showroom.

Men and women will be back in the mud as the second run on the year is held at Bissil’s Hideaway.

Adult Only Skate 2:30 – 3:20 PM

Mom Fitness 7 – 8 PM

Pickleball 7:30 – 10:30 PM

Phone: 905-892-7898 Fax: 905-892-4811

No Sunday Calls, Please

TF

NIAGARA REGIONAL EXHIBITION

Women’s Shinny 7 – 8:20 PM

Rodeo, games and live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It runs from Sept. 11-14 at the Welland Fairgrounds.

Men’s Shinny 8:30 – 9:50 PM

JUNE 14 Pickleball 9 – NOON Zumba 9:00 – 10:30 AM Chair Yoga 11:15 – 12:15 PM Drop-In Volleyball 12:15 – 2:15 PM Parent & Preschool Skate 1:00 – 1:50 PM

BIG MOVE CANCER RIDE

The Big Move Cancer Ride is a non-competitive ride taking place on Sept. 7. Proceeds for the Big Move stay in Niagara and support the Walker Fam ily Cancer Centre.

WALKING CLUB

Interested in walking in Pelham? Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena from 9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am. There is no fee for this program. For more information, please contact jcook@ pelham.ca or call 905 892-2607, ext 329.

Pelham hockey trio wins Ontario Junior B championship

BY DON RICKERS Contributing News Editor

A season-long goal and hockey career highlight was accomplished recently for three Pelham players — two brothers and a cousin — as they and their St. Catharines Falcons teammates took home the Sutherland Cup, emblematic of Ontario Junior B hockey supremacy.

Nate Shirton, Kyle Glenney, and Trent Glenney spoke with the Voice last week about the thrill of victory in the best-of-three final series, in which the Falcons swept the Chatham Maroons.

The Falcons fi nished the regular season in second place in the Golden Horseshoe Conference with a 36-10-2 record, then went 17-3 in the playoffs, defeating Pelham, Caledonia, and Hamilton to advance to the Sutherland Cup round robin.

The last Sutherland Cup win for the Falcons was in 2012.

It was an especially poignant

tion, and many other important community commitments. The upcoming visit by the Geopark assessors is great chance for community groups to enroll as co-creators. I certainly want to see Pelham’s green culture represented.” Olson said that he views his involvement as a personal act of reconciliation.

“It’s been a learning

HAMPER DAY FOR PELHAM CARES

Purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at the Market or bring a non-perishable food item to fill the hampers at the Pelham Farmers Market on Sept. 4.

and played previously for the Pelham Panthers. The Glenney brothers lived and played in Dunnville prior to the family move to Pelham six years ago.

just really loves to hit guys.”

COMMUNITY Events

“When we were younger, I remember coming down and watching the Falcons play,” said Trent. “It was clear they had a championship pedigree, and we wanted to be a part of that.”

“I got pretty lucky at the end of the playoffs, scoring some goals down the stretch,” said Kyle. “We're all a bit different in our play, and the coaches seemed to like what we brought to the team.”

Trent is entering his third year in the sport management program at Brock, where Kyle studies kinesiology. Nate is one year into a carpentry apprenticeship program.

victory, given that the Falcons home rink, the Jack Gatecliff Arena (affectionately known as “the Jack”) is closing after 84 years of operation. The rink has been home to the Falcons since 1968.

Starting in September, the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League team will begin playing home

curve for me to become more knowledgeable about indigenous peoples of Niagara,” he said. “It’s given me another perspective that I think is very valuable. We were taught that our history started in 1492, with a series of heroes, wars, and conquests. Now we have a chance to reconcile with the Indigenous peoples who based their existence on cooperation and sharing.”

Geopark Indigenous Cul-

games out of the Seymour-Hannah Sports Centre, on St. Paul Street West in St. Catharines.

Kyle and Nate have put in two seasons with the Falcons, and Trent three, with the trio even playing on the same line for a while. All attended E. L. Crossley during their high school years,

ture Working Group Chair Phil Davis said that the Niagara landscape has helped support peoples who have lived here for thousands of years.

“I see the research possibilities, bringing all the information forward,” said Davis. “Living here my whole life, I am aware of those with a lot of knowledge about the traditional territory of the Haudanosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, through stories

All three raved about the Falcons organization.

“It’s solid, from coaching, and management, all the way down the chain,” said Kyle. “First-class. No better program for Junior B in Ontario.”

If your organization is hosting an event that would be of interest to the community, you may submit an events profile by sending your community events information to editor@thevoiceofpelham.ca Some restrictions apply. Event submissions that meet the acceptability standards of The Voice of Pelham will then be posted until the date of your event. The Community Events Calendar is updated weekly. Please provide as much notice and information as possible including the date, time and description of your event. The Voice of Pelham reserves the right to edit for space.

His brother and cousin agreed.

“The trainers helped us out big-time,” said Trent, who won a team award as the top defensive forward. “They don't always get the recognition, but without them things just wouldn’t run as smoothly.”

Asked about their personal styles on the ice, Nate said “I try to play really physical, while Kyle puts the puck in the net, and Trent

that have been passed down through generations. There are artifacts dating back thousands of years that are held at the museum in Fort Erie. This area was a huge North American trade route.”

With support from the Greenbelt Foundation, the Niagara Peninsula Aspiring Global Geopark has developed partnerships that include tourism, conservation, academic, agricultural, and Indigenous

It was Trent’s fi nal year of Junior B, but he has no ambitions of playing the game at a higher level at this juncture. Instead, he will segue into coaching, and will assist his dad, Jason, who coaches the Major Bantam Niagara North team.

All three expect to spend some quality time in the off season on the golf course, the summer home of many hockey players. They will be waiting patiently for their Sutherland Cup championship rings, which the Falcons will deliver later this year.

organizations. Project partners include the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, Niagara College, Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls Water Resort, Arterra Wines, Willowbank School for Restoration Arts, and Upper Canada Stone.

The UNESCO evaluation will last three to four days, and will include visits to different types of landscapes and cultural geosites with international significance. The evalua-

tion team will also meet with tourism operators, municipal and provincial representatives, key Geopark team members, Indigenous stakeholders, and community members representing non-profit recreational groups.

Depending on the fi ndings of the evaluation, the Niagara application could be forwarded to UNESCO this fall, with formal designation as a Global Geopark in 2023.

Nate Shirton, Kyle Glenney, and Trent Glenney

DON RICKERS

Pelham Evangelical Friends Church

Ridgeville Bible Chapel

St. Alexander

St. Ann

Ottaway trial set for June 14

He was granted bail at his initial court appearance on January 24, and has not personally appeared in court since.

Community Church

Pride kicks o

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent

Former Pelham CAO Darren Ottaway had a court date in Cochrane last week to answer

sexual assault and sexual interference charges, some of which are alleged to have occurred prior to 2019, when he was still living in Pelham.

Ottaway is currently on leave from his position as Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Cochrane, a community of 5000 located south of Moosonee in northeastern Ontario. Ottaway was hired as Pelham’s CAO in 2012 and fired in 2019.

He is charged with two assault charges, a sexual interference charge, and a sexual assault charge.

Via Zoom before Justice Carr, lawyer Khalil Bheriani was present on behalf of Ottaway’s defense counsel, Paul Bragagnolo. An in-person trial date was set for June 14 in Cochrane, at which time all charges against Ottaway will be addressed. Witnesses for the prosecution and defense have been scheduled. Bheriani told the court that it was unlikely a pre-trial resolution would be reached.

It appears that Ottaway will not face the Niagara justice system. NRPS spokesperson Phil Gavin told the Voice last month that Niagara police were waiting for further information from the OPP.

“I have also spoken to the detectives from our Special Victims Unit, and they are not aware of any changes forthcoming. It is their belief that the matter will be handled in its entirety by the OPP and Crown's office in Cochrane.”

Rainbow bench coming to Fenwick

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent

June features Pride Week in Pelham, held during International Pride Month, and Town officials were on hand last week to raise the Pride flag in a short ceremony in front of Town Hall.

“Pride events have a

Church)

Catholic Church

Catholic Church

Former Pelham CAO faces sex assault charges

very important purpose,” Mayor Marvin Junkin told the crowd, “in recognizing the basic human rights

for all LGBTQ2S+ [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgen-

From left, Pelham Councillor Wayne Olson, Phil Gourlay and Jordon Gromadzki of Pride Niagara, and Mayor Marvin Junkin SUPPLIED

The Voice Comic

"darling, I can overlook your flirting with the waitress, and that girl with the pool towels, but forgetting to bring a copy of the paper for a Voice on Vacation shot is just unforgiveable!"

John Swart

Nos-tal-gia — a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations,” is how the Oxford Dictionary of English defines nostalgia. We all have our own self-image, valid or not. Deliberately avoiding nostalgia has always been a component of mine. I don’t need it for comfort or validation. Enjoy the present, look forward rather than peering in the rear-view mirror, focus on what can be rather than dwell on what was.

Memories I understand. This column wouldn’t exist

but for me sharing memories and thoughts. I appreciate a vintage bicycle for its engineering and simplicity, but when it comes time for a ride, I prefer carbon fibre frames and hydraulic disc brakes. The same applies to nostalgia. No one can deny the past exists, that we each had a tiny place within it—but it’s not somewhere I choose to linger when I’m alone, or seek for sanctuary.

Last week I received the 2022 schedule for Fonthill’s extremely successful Thursday Night Concerts at the Bandshell, and I noticed that cover or tribute acts outnumber new groups three to one.

FirstOntario Performing

Arts Centre announced its 2022-23 musical line-up via a glossy promotional flyer. It was wonderful to see photos of the many featured acts, how the musicians have aged so gracefully in the 20 or 30 years since their hits dominated the music scene.

These venues are extremely successful organizations showcasing very popular entertainment. They know what fills the house—patrons love what they offer— but I’ll steer clear thanks. No nostalgia fetish here.

A few weeks ago I volunteered to help a friend and his wife clear out her mom’s house prior to selling it, and arrived just in time to stop him from pitching a JVC GX500E full 4-channel system, including receiver, turntable and four massive speakers,

Voice HOROSCOPE

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Warm and fuzzy feelings are the name of the game this week, Aries. Real world and online friends are sending love and support your way, and this helps you in any endeavor.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, try reaching out to colleagues you admire in the days to come. They can be an important network of people who help you make smart decisions regarding your career.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Don’t be afraid to speak your dreams to the universe, Gemini. This week you just may find out that the cosmic climate is ready to provide for you and make things happen.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, concerns within your circle of friends that you thought were over and done with may resurface. Don’t let them adversely affect your happiness.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Energy will be intense this week, Leo. Use it to your advantage to sail effortlessly through your list of chores or professional responsibilities. You’ll have extra fuel for fun as well.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, try to stay the course as best as possible even when others are throwing distractions your way left and right. Simply keep your head down and plow through.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, you are not one to rock the boat, but don’t be afraid to get a little loud in the name of a good time this week. Self-expression can be a good thing.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, lay some ground rules at home, especially for when you are working out of your home offi ce. Others have to know there are limits to interruptions.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

Don’t worry if you feel disorganized or preoccupied right now, Sagitt arius. By the end of the week, you’ll be back into the groove and things will move along smoothly.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

You don’t need permission to treat yourself to a little luxury and indulgence, Capricorn. Th is week you can book a spa visit or maybe a spending spree to spruce up your wardrobe.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, try not to grow impatient this week and expect immediate results on something you started. It could take some time before all of the pieces fall into place.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

It’s time to make peace with any issues with which you have been struggling, Pisces. Friends can help if you let them.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

JUNE 5

Mark Wahlberg,

JUNE 6

Ashley Park,

JUNE 7

Emily Ratajkowski,

JUNE 10

JUNE

Jindal,

Laurie,

Da-dum, ah-da-dum, bah-da-da-dum-a-dum

Nostalgia—a more complicated emotion than you think

FAITH LIFT by Pastor Rob Weatherby

Kurt Warner—Family football, and faith

Kurt Warner will be a familiar name to some of you football fans out there over a certain age. His life story is told in the 2021 movie “American Underdog.” It recounts Warner’s incredible journey from being an un-drafted free agent to leading the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl. How did that happen?

Family

Kurtis Eugene Warner was born in Iowa in 1971. His home life was unstable as his parents divorced when he was six. Warner and his brother lived with his mother who remarried and soon re-divorced.

Warner met his wife, Brenda, at college and they married in 1997. She had been a former Marine Corps corporal who had two young children (one mentally disabled) and was divorced. The Warners would have five children of their own for a total of seven.

Football

After college football, Warner went un-drafted by the NFL for four years. In 1994, he attended the Green Bay Packers training camp but failed to make the cut. He became a part-time assistant coach. He also worked the night shift stocking shelves (for $5.50/hour) at a grocery store in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The Warners lived in a basement apartment at the home of Brenda’s parents. Two years later, her parents were killed in a tornado in Arkansas.

In 1995, Warner was persuaded to join the “Arena Football League” and played three seasons with the “Iowa Barnstormers” (I haven’t heard of them either). During that time, he got a tryout with the Chicago Bears but a spider bite during his honeymoon affected his throwing

elbow and he couldn’t attend (I’m not making this up). The following year he played in Europe for a team in Amsterdam. At age 27, Warner’s dream of playing in the NFL was dimming.

However, in 1998 the St. Louis Rams saw his potential and named him their backup quarterback. The next year, the starting quarterback was seriously injured in a pre-season game and Warner got his chance. That year he threw 41 touchdown passes and his offensive line was dubbed “The Greatest Show on Turf.” Sports Illustrated featured him on their cover with the caption, “Who

is this guy?” That year he led the Rams to their first Super Bowl victory. He became the only NFL quarterback to accomplish that feat in his first year as lead QB.

Over the next 12 seasons, Warner suffered various injuries. He broke his hand in 2000 and missed part of the season. Two years later, he broke a finger on his throwing hand. He was traded to the New York Giants (briefly) and then to the Arizona Cardinals. In 2005 he suffered a groin injury and later tore a ligament. However, in spite of the setbacks, Warner took the

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

Cardinals to two Super Bowl appearances and set numerous records along the way. He was twice voted the NFL’s “Most Valuable Player” and once the “Super Bowl MVP.” He retired in 2010 becoming a football commentator and high school football coach. In 2017 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Faith

During a low point in his life around 1997, Warner recommitted to life to God. He now sees this as a turning point — both spiritually and professionally. Kurt and Brenda Warner became devout Christians and quietly lived out their faith. That changed following the Rams’ surprising Super Bowl victory in 1999. After being named the game’s MVP, Warner was interviewed and asked, “Kurt, first things first — tell me about the final touchdown pass to Isaac.” He replied, “Well, first things first, I've got to thank my Lord and Savior up above — thank you, Jesus!”

Nine years later (after leading the Cardinals to their

first-ever Super Bowl) Warner was asked, “You're not going to like this, but you're the third-oldest quarterback to ever play in the Super Bowl. How does that make you feel?” Warner replied, “Everybody's going to be tired of hearing this, but I never get tired of saying it. There's one reason that I'm standing up on this stage today. That's because of my Lord up above. I've got to say thanks to Jesus…”

After his retirement, Warner established a foundation (appropriately called) “First Things First.” Through it, he and his wife promote Christian values and support various charities including help to underprivileged youth (in America and overseas), the disabled, single parents, and children’s hospitals. Warner has been recognized as a role model and in 2010 received the annual “Bart Starr Award” for outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community. Presenting the trophy, Bart Starr said of Warner, “We have never given this award to anyone who is more deserving.”

Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who enjoys football.

LOOKOUT RIDGE NOW HIRING: FULL TIME COOK

The Community of Lookout Ridge offers adults an environment uniquely adapted to a senior’s lifestyle providing compassionate, excellent care. We currently have an opening for a Full Time Cook.

 Possess previous experience with meal preparation in a restaurant or retirement home setting required. (Red Seal Certification and Culinary Diploma preferred).

 Be willing to learn new methods or procedures, be flexible in routine and assist in other areas as required.

valid, current safe food

handling certificate.

Must be capable of safe operation of commercial equipment required in performing duties.

Be capable of multi-tasking and meeting meal time requirements

Must demonstrate a commitment to resident meal service

 Must be available to work weekday and weekend shifts as required.

 Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.

Shifts are 5:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM.

Voice RECIPE OF THE

Broccoli with Five Spices

Vegetables are vital components of a healthy diets. Unfortunately, people do not often consume enough servings of vegetables to meet the recommended daily values. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says only around one in ten people eat enough fruits and vegetables. According to guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average adult should consume between two to four cups of vegetables daily.

Revamping meal plans can ensure that individuals and families enjoy more vegetables, including broccoli, each day. Healthline says broccoli is rich in several vitamins and minerals. Broccoli also has high levels of antioxidants that can ward off chronic diseases.

Broccoli doesn’t have to be boring, either. This recipe for “Broccoli with Five Spices” from “India’s Vegetarian Cooking” (Kyle Books) by Monisha Bharadwaj imparts an aromatic punch to broccoli. It can be the ideal accompaniment to any meal, including Indian cuisine.

Broccoli with Five Spices Serves 4

2 tablespoons sunflower oil

1⁄2 teaspoon cumin seeds

Please submit your resume to: lynnkuta@lookoutridge.ca (905) 892-9218, Ext. 6005

We offer a competitive hourly rate, incentive bonus, health benefits, and group retirement savings plan. 1505 Lookout Street Fonthill, Ontario L0S 1E5 Tel. 905-892-9218

1⁄2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1⁄2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds

1⁄2 teaspoon black mustard seeds

1⁄2 teaspoon black onion seeds (kalonji)

1-1⁄4 pounds broccoli, cut into florets

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon chili powder Salt to taste

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1. Heat the oil and add all the spice seeds.

2. As they pop and darken, add the broccoli, turmeric, and chili powder, and salt. Mix well and pour in a few tablespoons of water. Bring to a sizzle, then reduce the heat and cook until the broccoli is tender but still holds its shape.

3. Raise the heat to get rid of any liquid that remains. Drizzle in the lemon juice and serve hot.

FAITH LIFT

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