Issuu

Pelham's 2020 Sunshine Listers

DEBBIE PINE SALES REPRESENTATIVE 905.892.0222 Independently Owned & Operated

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

debbiepine@royallepage.ca

Council says no to affordable housing

page 8

John Swart in a rabbit hole

The Voice Z

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

NRC Realty, Brokerage

page 7

of Pelham and Central Niagara

Published every Wednesday

MARCH 31 2021

Vol.25 No.12 

page 18

Darcy Richardson, CPA, CA | Broker

DARCYRICHARDSON.CA darcy@darcyrichardson.ca 905.321.6292

COACH AGI,

lacrosse pioneer BY BERNIE PUCHALSKI bpsportsniagara.com

For 32 years and counting, Agi Mete has been influencing students in the classroom, and on basketball courts and lacrosse fields. The 53-year-old Welland native started teaching in April 1990 at Notre Dame until the end of that school year and then spent the next 15 years at Lakeshore Catholic. The law, civics, and economics teacher is now in his 17th year of teaching at his alma mater, Notre Dame, where he continues to coach and serve as the Student Council advisor. At Lakeshore Catholic, the Western economics and Niagara University masters of education graduate coached midget, junior, and senior boys basketball for several years, and launched a boys lacrosse program at the Port Colborne high school. He spent several years coaching senior basketball there with good friend Steve Atkin. See METE Page 17

Agi Mete had been coaching high school sports for 32 years and has served as a coach and executive for the Pelham Panthers basketball organization for the past 14 years.

Want to know what your home will sell for in today’s market?

CALL THE ONLY NAME YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR REAL ESTATE IN NIAGARA!

STEPHEN CANJAR

Broker of Record/President, Peak Performers Realty Inc. Locally-owned and operated

165 Hwy 20, Suite 5, Fonthill, ON O 289.820.9309 E scanjar@MovingNiagara.com www.TeamMovingNiagara.com #getlistedgetsoldniagara

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

Save your family the burden.

Plan your own Call today and ask how we can help. As always we are here for you should you need us. Tina Tina and Staff

BERNIE PUCHALSKI

Page 2

The Voice

by Dave Burket

Vaccine rollout continues: If you’ll turn 70 or older anytime in 2021, as of Monday you’re now eligible to book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment with Niagara Region Public Health. You may do so through covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine, or by requesting the help of the Pelham Public Library, which is offering assistance to those who aren’t computer savvy, or who don’t have a cellphone. Reach them at (905) 892-6443. As of this writing on Monday afternoon, we’ve heard over a dozen complaints about the booking system—mostly that it isn’t functioning on some level, or that, incredibly, a cellphone is required to confirm an appointment. Sure, cellphones are nearly ubiquitous now, but nearly isn’t entirely. Of all the age groups least likely to have cellphones it’s the over-70s. Let’s hope that by this time next week the hiccups have passed... Speaking of old gold: Looking to help preserve Pelham’s heritage? There’s an ideally named committee that wants you—the Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee (ad, p.7) is being resurrected at long last, after having been axed by the previous, apparently heritage-uninterested council. There’s a pretty specific list of skill sets that the Town is seeking, and I can think of a couple of good candidates (Carolyn, cough, Mark) right off the bat. Yet once burned, twice shy and all that. This council is so all over the place that it’s impossible to predict whether they’ll listen to reason on any level any longer, including from their own committees. That said, hope for the best and get your application in... Speaking of Town talk: If I ever knew this, I’d forgotten. Pelham residents watching live public meetings at home have been able, since COVID restrictions were put into place, to email the Town Clerk with comments, which will then be read into the official record. (Public meetings only, not regular council meetings.) Check out Don Rickers’ interview with the Town’s about-to-be-new Clerk, p. 11...Exclusive to Voice readers: Mention that you’ve seen this offer in this week’s Publisher’s Corner and receive a free, one-year warranty extension on any TV sold by Thomas TV—not just the ones mentioned in their sale ad, p.11. Call or stop by for full details...So many wascally wabbits: You’ll notice this week that our pages seem to have been overrun by twitching noses and pointy ears. It’s all part of the Town of Pelham’s Hoppin’ Easter Hunt, starting Friday and running over the weekend (story, p.9). How are our bunnies involved? Well, you’ll have to join the fun to find out— register at pelham. ca/easter and prepare to compete!...Stay safe out there: See you next week. ◆

Voice

NRPS impaired driving charges ~

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Spring has arrived, and with it, CAA Niagara’s Worst Roads Campaign, giving Niagara drivers, cyclists and pedestrians an annual opportunity to gripe about regional roadways, and advocate for safer streets. “The CAA Worst Roads Campaign is known for addressing potholes,” CAA Niagara’s President and CEO Peter Van Hezewyk told the Voice, “but there are other important road safety issues we also want to talk about. Regardless of whether you’re in a vehicle, riding a bike or on foot, road safety impacts everyone. Poorly timed traffic lights, dangerous intersections, the absence of bike lanes or sidewalks in areas that have high cycling and pedestrian traffic — these are all issues that we want to address during the Worst Roads campaign.” Van Hezewyk said that the ultimate goal is to increase the safety of Niagara’s roadways and enhance the lives of residents via feedback from the community, and by partnering with local municipalities to address road safety concerns. In 2019, he said more than 1,500 Niagara citizens cast their votes, with McLeod Road in Niagara Falls, Drummond Road in Niagara Falls, St. David's Road in Thorold, Portage Road in Niagara Falls, and Sider Road in Fort Erie being named Niagara’s top Five Worst Roads that year. McLeod Road in Niagara Falls and St.

航搜索

on vacation!

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Time to vote for potholes

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

Support your local service clubs

A March 31 2021

David’s Road in Thorold are both undergoing road repair projects, with Drummond Road slated for repair in the near future. Founded in 1911, CAA Niagara has grown to some 139,000 members and five Niagara locations. The notfor-profit membership organization provides emergency road services, travel insurance, and member rewards. To participate in the campaign, go to https://caaworstroads.com. Nominate your worst road, and, if possible, attach a photo. Pelham’s Director of Public Works, Jason Marr, said that relatively speaking, Pelhamites have few issues with their roadways. Welland Road, between Pelham and Haist, a longtime bane of local residents, was recently paved. “Overall, our road networks are in good shape,” he said. “One concern is a section of Effingham Street between Highway 20 and Tice Road, which has experienced some severe deterioration over the last couple of years due to drainage issues. We're actually doing a detailed design on that project this year, and anticipate council approval to go to construction on that section of Effingham next spring.” Marr said that this particular section of Effingham Street must be repaired, since it is a roadway des-

SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

The Pelham Fire department responded to eight calls for assistance from March 19 - 26. Saturday, Mar. 20 Barn fire, mutual aid Thorold, Fonthill Monday, Mar. 22 Grass fire, Sumbler Rd., Fonthill Medical assistance, Fonthill Burning complaint, Canboro Rd., Fenwick Tuesday, Mar. 23 Grass fire, Maple St., Short Hills, Fenwick Carbon monoxide alarm, Church St., Fenwick Wednesday, Mar. 24 Motor vehicle accident, Effingham, Fonthill Friday, Mar. 26 Remote alarm, Hwy 20, Fonthill

newspapers

matter.ca

See POTHOLES Page 17

Congratulations

CARRIER

司空公

搜索航空公司

What's That

OF THE WEEK!

Ethan

GENNINGS

Vacation Time Machine

(905) 892-8690

(905) 892-8724

Find the Voice at these locations:

FRESH OFF THE FARM ALL YEAR ROUND

If your message to Pelham isn’t in our pages,

Then it isn’t being seen.

The Voice

Email your photo holding the Voice to: ofﬁce@thevoiceofpelham.ca

YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO US

The paper that Pelham reads.

Use your downtime to start brainstorming and planning. We're here when you're ready. Booking new travel journeys for this year.

(905) 892-8690 advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

Remember you are TICO protected when booking with us.

Call Pam Overholt for exceptional travel values

905.892.7900

www.niagara.cruiseholidays.com P.O. Box 460, Fonthill Book Local TICO Reg 4559761

The Voice PUBLISHED INDEPENDENTLY IN PELHAM

DEBBIE PINE

SALES REPRESENTATIVE 905.892.0222 SELL phone: 905-321-2261

Niagara Real Estate Center, Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated

debbiepine@royallepage.ca

Vol.20 No.48

CELEBRATING OUR 20TH YEAR

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

DSBN wants portion of Town park

111 Hwy. 20 E., Unit 5, Fonthill 905-892-9054 www.healthycupboard.ca

905-892-9054

Mon-Wed 9:30-6:00pm • Thur-Fri 9:30-7:00pm • Sat 9:30-5:00pm

www.healthycupboard.ca

Debbie Pine SALES REPRESENTATIVE pinesold.com

Mon-Wed 9:30-6:00pm ◆ Thur-Fri 9:30-7:00pm Sat 9:30-5:00pm

New Location Coming Soon!

Niagara Real Estate Center, Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated

The Voice PUBLISHED INDEPENDENTLY IN PELHAM

NIAGARA’S BEST-READ WEEKLY SINCE 1997

The Comfort Maple myth

Vol.20 No.39

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

FREE

Oops: No fire trucks for you

Column Six

Get

Pined -Sol Pelham’sPelham’s Health Food Store

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

Haist Street traffic-calming measure a little too effective

111 Hwy. 20 E., Unit 5, Fonthill 905-892-9054 www.healthycupboard.ca

905-892-9054

Mon-Wed 9:30-6:00pm • Thur-Fri 9:30-7:00pm • Sat 9:30-5:00pm

www.healthycupboard.ca

Debbie Pine SALES REPRESENTATIVE pinesold.com

Mon-Wed 9:30-6:00pm ◆ Thur-Fri 9:30-7:00pm Sat 9:30-5:00pm

The Voice PUBLISHED INDEPENDENTLY IN PELHAM

NIAGARA’S BEST-READ WEEKLY SINCE 1997

New Location Coming Soon!

Niagara Real Estate Center, Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated

Column Six

Growing up British

Vol.20 No.32

Wednesday October 12, 2016

FREE

Apple Day comes to Fonthill

BY JULIE MANNELL

Special to the VOICE

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

Public meeting tonight on school issues BY VOICE STAFF As questions continue to mount regarding an email that Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn quietly sent to a District School Board of Niagara trustee last summer, Augustyn has agreed to address the issue at a public meeting scheduled for this evening, Wednesday, Feb. 8, in Fenwick. Nancy Beamer, speaking for “Names Matter,” a Pelham citizens group lobbying the DSBN to reverse its decision to rename a local public school, conﬁrms that the meeting will be held at Fire Station #2, known locally as the Fenwick Fire Hall, starting at 7:00 PM. While the Mayor has agreed to ap-

Under pressure, Mayor to address email revelation, other E. W. Farr matters pear, says Beamer, DSBN oﬃcials associated with the school-naming process have either declined to attend or have not yet responded to the group’s invitation. DSBN Chair, Dale Robinson, to whom Augustyn’s email was addressed last June, has declined to appear, says Beamer, asserting that she would be

“on holidays.” The Voice was unable to independently conﬁrm Robinsion’s intentions. She did not respond to repeated requests for comment on E.W. Farr-related matters before presstime. Beamer, whose group maintains an email list of some 580 residents, says that all members of the public are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. “We would especially welcome parents and children who are unhappy with the name change,” she says, referring to the contentious decision by the DSBN to consolidate two Pelham See MEETING back page

HEN I WAS young, my father and I would go for long drives along the rural routes of Pelham. We’d blast George Thurgood and roll down the windows because we loved the smell of the breeze, the sensation of crisp Niagara wind beating our cheeks and tangling our hair against our summer-kissed skin. My father was not a sentimental man. He worked in factories and had a Gordon Lightfoot mustache and never shed tears over injuries. Yet something about the Pelham landscape, the hilly backdrop to his childhood and the childhoods of our ancestors, drew him in. He’d stop by a farm or a gathering of woods and, surrendering his manly veneer, tell me a story about the town. This place is precious. This is the earth that granted us life. Here is the place where we happened upon love or here is a site of devastation. On one particular drive sometime in the late ‘90s we stopped at a tree with a plaque. “This tree looks dead,” I said to my father. “It sure is getting there, Julie.” The Comfort Maple is supposedly Canada’s oldest See COLUMN SIX Page 14

Part 2 of 2: Coronation to embarkation

BY VOICE STAFF

A construction error was discovered following the opening of a traffic calming chicane on Haist Street north of Hwy 20 last Monday that prevented large vehicles from passing through. One resident living in the neighbourhood said he contacted the Town after seeing a small schoolbus get stuck as it tried to get through the new traffic calming measure. Later that day while driving behind a cement truck, he said that he became concerned for the public’s safety when the truck had to turn around because it couldn’t get through. “If a small school bus and a cement truck can’t make it through what about a fire

BY HEATHER McLAREN ROHRER

Special to the VOICE

Repair measures underway last week to correct a construction error in the chicane. truck or an ambulance?” he said. While waiting for the contractor to return to ﬁx

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

VOICE PHOTO

bourhood in the short-term. Manager of Public Works Ryan Cook said that after discovering the issue with

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

Petition-inspired changes coming to 2017 Summerfest BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Representatives from the Pelham Summerfest committee Candy Ashbee and Bill Gibson presented council with a ﬁnal report on the 2016 Summerfest at the Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 21. Prompted by a story in the Voice in August about a merchant petition to move Summerfest from Pelham Street, in September Town staﬀ met with various stakeholders to hear their complaints, promising at the time that changes in the way Summerfest was mounted would be con-

sidered. The main concerns identified during the community engagement process were security, parking, ensuring customer can access all businesses in town, and liability for damages. How to get all Pelham Street businesses to participate and finding ways to make it beneficial for them to set up a booth were also determined to be of high priority for the committee as they plan for next year’s event. Gibson told Council that the committee is addressing these concerns in a variety of ways. To improve parking, they intend to create bet-

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

to improve the 2017 Summerfest is by sponsoring and working with the organizers of the Thursday Night Bandshell Concert series to select the artist performing on the ﬁrst night of Summefest. They also intend to make more use of the smartphone app they launched in 2016. "We are really going to push it this year," Ashbee said. “It really helps to get people to see what events there are so they can plan out where they are going. We will be able to actually help the merchants and local businesses adSee CHANGES Page 5

FTER LUNCH ON Saturday, Mum and Dad had my afternoon cut out for me. Mum had more brass than anyone I knew, and it had to be cleaned. In addition there was the set of silver ﬁsh-knives and forks which were never used, but which had to be cleaned and put back in their velvetlined box. Next was a walk to the newsagents to pay for the daily delivery of the Daily Mirror. As I said, Dad was a printer, but when he was 37 he had been rejected for a job, as being too old, by the printers of the Beano. For that reason, my favourite comic was not allowed in the house, but while I was paying the papers, the newsagent let me have a 'shoofty' at the Beano. I'd explained my predicament and he understood completely. Sundays were diﬀerent again. Dad would play golf on summer mornings and billiards in winter. Then he'd stop for a 'refresher' at the local and would pick up the prawns, cockles, winkles or whelks we'd be having for tea later. Meanwhile, Mum was roasting the 'joint' and potatoes. I got to make the Yorkshire pud, and mint See COLUMN SIX Page 14

BY VOICE STAFF

While shopping in Fonthill between Friday and Sunday, keep an eye out for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts in front of local stores with bushels of apples. As part of the annual Apple Day campaign, Scouting youth of all ages will be trading apples for donations. The yearly fundraising drive is an important way for young Scouts to connect with the communities they are serving, says Leah Marie of Scouts Canada. “The Apple Day campaign holds a great tradition of being able to have youth interacting within the communities they live in,” she says. “All of the Apple Day donations stay directly within the group that re-

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

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

“Any money raised during Apple Day goes towards improving the Scouting program by providing more outdoor adventures for youth, camping equipment, canoes and paddles, training and many other endeavours that the youth want to experience,” says Marie. Scouts Canada has some 100,000 members across Canada, and carries out programs for boys, girls

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

walk/trail is slated to be built between the south side of the road from Timmsdale Crescent to the high school. Because of the large volume of motor vehicle trafﬁc travelling at high speeds through this area, and because of the necessity for students to tread this path on a daily basis, many residents would like to see the sidewalk go in sooner than later. After delivering to Council a petition containing

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

podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case. Loewen told Council that because there are a lot of students who have work placements and coop placements during the school year, this is the only route for many of them to travel. As one of the students facing this predicament, Williams said she has had no other option but to walk along the dangerous highway.

www.pennylanesold.com

H EATHER AND P ENNY L ANE S ALES R EPRESENTATIVES

BY JOHN SWART

VOICE Correspondent

and youth ages 5-25. This year the 3rd Fonthill Group, which includes Beavers to Ventures (youth ages 5- 25) will be hitting the streets to drum-up support. Over the weekend, Scouts will be set up in Fonthill outside Sobeys, Tim Hortons, Target Gas station, Fonthill Shopping Plaza and the Pioneer Gas station at the corner of Hwys 20 and 24.

Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Cell 905.933.3049

Second year Beaver with the 3rd Fonthill Group, Russell Letford offers a fresh apple to shoppers in Pelham during the 2015 Apple Day campaign. SUPPLIED PHOTO A longtime Canadian tradition, Apple Day began in 1932 in Saint John, New Brunswick, when Scouts handed out 21,000 apples as a way to say thank you to the community. In return for their generosity, many people oﬀered them donations. From then on Scouts have reached out through Apple Day to raise funds for their programs.

Office 905.892.1702

Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn

Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932

www.facebook.com/voiceofpelham

Request made of community still peeved at name change

See DSBN Page 9

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

Visit Us on Facebook FREE

BY VOICE STAFF The District School Board of Niagara is requesting that the Town of Pelham cede a portion of Cherry Ridge Park for use as a soccer field to serve the students of the new Wellington Heights Public School, formerly the E. W. Farr Memorial Public School, in Fenwick. Currently under renovation and expansion, the new school will combine students and staff from the previous school and Pelham Centre, where classes are being held while construction continues. Two letters, containing virtually identical text but signed by different authorities, were sent last week to nearby residents of the park, as well as to parents of Pelham Centre students. “The DSBN is currently building onto Wellington Heights Public School on Alsop Drive,” states the letter. “The size of the school's addition means the existing small soccer field will be eliminated. The Town and the Board have been discussing the possibility of working together to create a field for both the school and the

Get

Pined -Sol Pelham’sPelham’s Health Food Store

Voice

825 Canboro Road, Fenwick

Mon - Fri, 8 AM-6 PM, Sat 8 AM-5 PM

WHETHER ACROSS TOWN OR ACROSS THE GLOBE...

The Niagara Regional Police Service is committed to reducing impaired driving offences through education and the apprehension of offenders through enforcement programs like RIDE. Impaired driving is still the leading cause of criminal deaths in Canada and destroys thousands of lives every year.

The

March 30 2016

The Bernard family, Spring Break in the Dominican Republic, 2016. Cam and Evan not in picture because they were teenagers.

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. Aron Robert GAUTHIER, 43, Welland Paul Chase KARP-JOHNSTON, 30, Niagara Falls Alexandria Mackenzie FOX, 22, St. Catharines Christian Emanuel ELIZONDO, 22, Niagara Falls Evens Rene MERONE, 34, Fort Erie

“I start work at 2:30 PM and school lets out at 2:15 PM so I can’t take any other route,” Williams explained. “I have had friends, family, teachers and other community members reach out to me in the past about how this is unsafe and how there should be another alternative for us.” Looking ahead to winter, when she will need to walk this path three or four times See SIDEWALK Page 2

HERE IS NO BETTER time to cycle than Fall. It matters not whether you’re new to the sport, a seasoned recreational cyclist, racer, touring rider or mountain biker; we all have reason to look forward to autumn. Summer’s heat has faded, and the streams of sweat that ran from soggy helmets into our eyes are now just slight perspiration. Fitness is peaking from lots of saddle time, making those tough climbs of Spring a breeze in Autumn. It’s hard to beat the feeling of beginning a crisp, cool Fall ride with a slight shiver, knowing your efforts will soon warm you perfectly. The hues of Autumn are outstanding. A Pelham route as simple as following our southern boundary is one that would make most Toronto cyclists jealous, especially when our forests and fields are ablaze with colour. Begin from Harold Black Park, and zig-zag south along Effingham Rd toward the Welland River. If you’re new to cycling, it’s important to know south is the direction away from any hills. If you avoid the morning and evening weekday rush hours caused by those travelling through Pelham between Wainfleet See AUTUMN Page 3

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

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

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

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 3

A March 31 2021

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent

Niagara COVID vaccinations on the rise

At its regular meeting on March 22, Emergency Management Coordinator and Fire Chief Bob Lymburner provided Pelham Town Council the latest pandemic statistics, indicating that Pelham had 13 active cases, of a total 342 in Niagara. Viral “variants” had been identified in six Niagara residents. Some 374 Niagara residents have died since the pandemic began, and 7244 in the province. Public Health had vaccinated 6897, and Niagara Health 34,471, according to Lymburner. Ontario had vaccinated 1,553,040 residents, and Canada 4,000,227. Lymburner reported that Niagara Region would immediately begin to vaccinate migrant workers, and that Ontario residents aged 75 and older could now book vaccination appointments. With Niagara in the Red

zone, restaurants may allow indoor dining to a 50 percent capacity to a maximum of 50 persons.

Council keeps MCC in ice this summer

With indoor events such as the annual home show, art festival, and local high school graduation ceremonies cancelled due to the coronavirus, Pelham’s Meridian Community Centre (MCC) will maximize its ice rental revenues this summer, keeping both arenas frozen. Pelham Minor Lacrosse Association (PMLA) will have a delayed and shortened season in 2021, and would have paid less than $5500 for use of one of the MCC arenas. Given that the cost of removing and reinstalling ice is almost $8000, and summer ice rentals for both the Duliban and Accipter rinks would generate over $130,000, council decided to go for the profit, and send lacrosse down the road to the Welland Arena,

which will be ice-free. Any additional costs to PMLA in relocating their program to Welland will be covered by the Town of Pelham’s COVID-19 Financial Relief Fund. Pelham Basketball Association (PBA) is being displaced from one of the MCC’s gymnasiums, which will be occupied as a coronavirus vaccination centre this summer for an undetermined amount of time. The Town plans to financially compensate PBA for the inconvenience through anticipated revenue from the vaccine distribution.

Hoop houses and greenhouses

Council received a presentation regarding hoop houses by John Langendoen, of Willowbrook Nurseries in Fenwick, who is chair of the Pelham Greenhouse Growers Group (representing 11 local greenhouse and nursery operations). Langendoen told council that the consortium has a total of 1.6 million

Detail from slide presented by John Langendoen to council. YOU TUBE

square feet of permanent greenhouses used yearround, and 1.1 million square feet of temporary hoop houses, which operate from November through March, depending on the weather. The group has 135 full time employees, and 205 parttime and offshore workers, with a total payroll of $10.5 million. At issue is the Pelham requirement that building permits be obtained for the

hoop houses. Langendoen asserted that no other municipality in Ontario except Pelham has this expectation —a point refuted by Pelham CAO David Cribbs, who detailed other Niagara municipalities that expect building permits for such structures. Langendoen said that building permits are expensive, slow down expansion, and trigger property taxes, which in turn eliminates exemptions from retail sales tax for hoop house building materials. Since 2019, according to Langendoen, Pelham greenhouses have no longer been exempt from Site Plan Control like all other agricultural uses, due to cannabis legislation. He argued that hoop houses are temporary structures, without the elaborate heating and ventilation components typical of greenhouses, and accordingly are not ideal for cannabis cultivation. The greenhouse and nursery business has also been hit hard by the COVID pandemic, said Langendoen, and

he implored council for some consideration. Councillor Lisa Hahn spoke in support of a building permit exemption for hoop houses that are winterizing dormant plants, and council agreed to refer the matter to Town planning staff for a review and report.

Gypsy moth assessment and defoliation forecast

A report submitted to council provided evidence that Pelham’s gypsy moth population may have peaked and is on the cusp of decline. However, for 2021, residents can expect significant levels of defoliation throughout Fenwick, Fonthill, and also in rural forested areas. The report provided three options: do nothing; target primarily urban areas for treatment; or conduct largescale urban and rural aerial spraying. Given a budget of $150,000 for gypsy moth control, staff recommend the middle option, based on BioForest’s 2020 Gypsy Moth Monitoring Program Report.

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

Pelham David M. GEORGIEV, 36, St. Catharines Andrew DEGRAVE, 22, Welland Allan G. HIPPSLEY, 32, Niagara Falls Michael P. VANHELVERT, 33, Lincoln Richard W. PARRY, 48, Orchard Park NY Jamie HIDALGO, 39, Oakville Justin D. GODDERIS, 33, blood sample. refusing to provide a breath / alcohol in 100 ml of blood, or centration above 80 mgs of with a blood alcohol conby alcohol or drugs, driving nally with impaired driving have been charged crimiThe following individuals vention of the suspension. who are driving in contraStoppers to report those fic Safety Hotline or Crime gional Police Service Trafto contact the Niagara ReThe public is encouraged motor vehicle on a roadway. prohibited from operating a cense Suspension and are Administrative Driver’s Litry of Transportation 90-Day areNow alsothat’s bound by a Miniscruising, charged, Club these individuals Azamara Cruises Book now before this disappears. In addition to being proved in court. all seven continents lowing charges haveimmerse been yourself in No lines, no hurry, the Region. None of the folon smaller ship’s. Extended stays offence in port, some overnight impaired driving in with an alleged criminal people included. who are charged tuities Selectlast spirits, wines, Int’l Beers & Grayear! reports the names of those tique hotel at Police sea. Service one cruise at a time araExplore Regional thetime world onboard your bouThis Pelham St., Fonthill 2019—a year to explore the world, alcohol or1400 drugs, the NiagPAST www.niagara.cruiseholidays.com driving while impairedofﬁ byce@thevoiceofpelham.ca http://www.hooahhvideos.ca/ select voyages Enjoy a and veranda an interior price onyourSanta Raidy Manso (center), attention deterrence toreaders! and we’ll share it for with our Email photoCayo, with aCuba! brief description to BLAST FROM THE DOUBLE UPGRADE EarlyON's Fenwick United Church location. In an effort to bring further Send us Sue your Lough picture withholding daughter The Tamara, Voice, of whether Fenwick, across with new townCuban or abroad friend

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

Adult Learn to Skate

April 19 - June 28

Are you ready? Flexibility

Cardio

Overall range of motion

Strength

Overall increase in heart rate

Impact

Amount of power needed to lift

Amount of shock your body will absorb

Overall energy level before tiring

Low

Mondays 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Fee: $70 for ten weeks • Must be 18 years or older Instructor-led • CSA approved helmet is REQUIRED. Helmets are not loaned at this time.

Adult Learn to Skate Low

Limited to 10 people **No skating May 24th (Victoria Day)

Endurance

Low

SPRING CLEANUP HAULING RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL CLEAN-UP, SHINGLES, ASBESTOS & MORE! 2 Broadway St., Welland

905•732•9424

www.constructionniagara.com

Page 4

The Voice

A March 31 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OPINION

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

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

As We See It Affordable housing in Pelham? Gang of Four says no

n Monday, March 22, Pelham Town Council received a draft plan of subdivision for a proposed neighbourhood known as Park Place South (story, p.8). This development, if ever it gets built, will be on Summersides Boulevard, east of Station Street. The developer has proposed building three styles of townhouse for a total of roughly 100 units, plus 16 single dwelling homes. According to both the Town staff report and council debate, this development has already gone through a number of versions before landing on the proposal that was before council, the final version being the best use of the land, allowing for streets, sidewalks, etc. The development is considered medium density. There would be no buildings more than three stories tall. Interestingly, council actually approved the plan, but did so only after unilaterally changing the proposal to eliminate back-to-back townhouses, which were the most affordable element of the development—an effort instigated by Councillor Lisa Haun. Neither staff nor the developer were given an opportunity to make

comment. The Voice has it on good authority that the developer will be seeking to have council reconsider this decision, offering an olive branch to each councillor in the form of personal

The real tragedy of the Haun motion is that it was entirely subjective—it was a matter of Councillor Haun's personal taste

meetings to hear their concerns. Yet if council sticks to its guns, the Town (read we taxpayers) will yet again be paying for an LPAT hearing where council’s position runs counter to Provincial and Regional planning documents—and we will lose. The real tragedy of the Haun motion is that it was entirely subjective—it was a matter of Councillor Haun’s personal taste. Haun made it clear she thought that back-to-back townhouses would be ugly and not sup-

NEED HELP? MAKE THE CALL Distress Centre Distress and crisis. 24-hour help line: 905-688-3711

Narcotics Anonymous 1-888-811-3887.

Mental Health and Addictions Access 1-866-550-5205 (Toll Free) Alcoholics Anonymous Find a Niagara meeting. 905-682-2140

Gambler’s Anonymous 905-351-1616 Kids Help Phone Service for youth. 416-586-5437 800-668-6868 (Crisis Line) www.kidshelpphone.ca

Assaulted Women’s Helpline Mobile calls to: #SAFE (#7233) 1-866-863-0511 (Toll-free) Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) www.niagaratips.com Text - 274637 (CRIMES), keyword Niagara, then your tip

The Voice

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

(905) 892-8690

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

ported by residents. This was a position also echoed by Councillor Stewart, and ultimately supported by the full Gang of Four, with Kore and Hildebrandt piling on. The reality is that recent residential development in Pelham has been reasonably attractive—certainly by comparison to some subdivisions built in the 1980s and ‘90s. So-called “affordable” homes are now over $300,000. Housing that isn’t aiming for the affordable label is often priced in the $700,000-plus range. At these prices, the homes are going to be architecturally attractive. Favouring personal preference over the Planning Act is not the job of an elected official— but ensuring that there are viable housing options for her constituents certainly is. Part of the benefit of offering three different styles of townhouses is allowing for three different price points for potential residents. Unless Pelham wants to attract only retired GTA refugees and upper-middle class singles, this council needs to give its head a shake. The townhouse style that was objected to, See EDITORIAL next page

Letters The vaccine and social media responsibility The vaccine and social media responsibility On Monday, December 14th, 2020, Canada started the journey towards the light at the end of the tunnel—the first COVID vaccines, created by Pfizer, were injected into Canadians' arms. Social media during the pandemic has played a significant role in informing people and continues to do so. As well, social media became a haven to escape from the craziness by doing viral challenges — from doodling, trick shots, baking, and dance-based chal-

lenges on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. COVID became a catalyst for news agencies to broaden their social media presence. Access to reliable information is now a vital part of our daily routine. Conversely, a lot of information circulating on the internet is engineered misinformation. Remember the conspiracy theory that 5G towers give people COVID? Then there was Donald Trump, the world's most See RESPONSIBILITY Page 6

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

Mayor of Pelham Marvin Junkin mjunkin@pelham.ca 905-658-2986 Members of Pelham Town Council Ward 1 Councillor Marianne Stewart mstewart@pelham.ca 289-821-0840 Councillor Wayne Olson wolson@pelham.ca 905-933 6033

Today's forgotten business stopped advertising yesterday

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

Jill C. Anthony Law Office

Have an Opinion?

BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome. Letter submissions should contain the writer’s full name, address and telephone number. Names only will be published. Names may be withheld if compelling reasons are provided. The newspaper reserves the right to change, condense or reject any contribution for brevity, clarity or legal considerations. All material in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction is prohibited without express, written permission of the publisher. ADVERTISING: The Voice of Pelham regrets any errors or omissions that appear in advertisements in this newspaper, however, we will not be held responsible for more than one absent or incorrect insertion or for any damages beyond the cost of space containing the error. The Voice is an independent, locally owned and operated publication. The Voice is a member of the National NewsMedia Council, a voluntary self-regulatory organization that deals with journalistic practices and ethics. If you have an unresolved complaint about news stories, opinion columns or photos, please visit their web site at mediacouncil.ca or call 1-844-877-1163. If you have a complaint about delivery or membership problems, please contact our ofﬁce at (905) 892-8690. For a summary of Voice ethical guidelines, see www. thevoiceofpelham.ca/ethics

REAL ESTATE, PURCHASES, SALES & MORTGAGES, BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS & SALES, ESTATE ADMINISTRATION, WILLS & POWER OF ATTORNEY FONTHILL (Main Office)

10 Highway 20 E., P.O. Box 743, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 T: 905-892-2621 • F: 905-892-1022

janthony@jillanthony.com

NIAGARA FALLS (Satellite Office)

Pio Plaza, 8685 Lundy’s Lane, Unit #2, Niagara Falls, ON L2H 1H5 T: 289-296-2629 • F: 289-296-0222

www.jillanthony.com

NEW LOCATION

Well don't just sit there. Share it with The Voice! letters@ thevoiceofpelham.ca

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 5

A March 31 2021

OPINION Appreciates home-delivered Legion meals Every Friday during the past winter, the ladies of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613 in Fonthill have provided free-of-charge, frozen meals to hundreds of seniors and veterans. As a grateful recipient, I would like to thank the dedicated team of volunteers that prepared and delivered those meals—an amazing total of 14,000 for the season. I hope those ladies enjoy a well-deserved break. Bob McClellan Fonthill

Easter an opportunity to remember the real Jesus With COVID-19 still active, many people will be looking to restore some sense of “normality” by welcoming the Easter Bunny into their home. As for an eightyear-old, a year is a really, really long time, and that fact cannot be stressed enough. Easter is a fun holiday. Bunnies lay eggs, children hunt for eggs, and people dress up in fancy clothes. Depending on your beliefs, Easter can be a time of meaning, inspiration, and reflection. Jesus Christ's resurrection is celebrated by Christians around the world. Secular traditions include meaningful family get-to-

EDITORIAL

continued from previous page and unilaterally changed by council, was the least expensive form, and has proven popular elsewhere. This brings to mind how close council came to not approving the award-winning development currently underway immediately next to the community centre, which was also deemed affordable and also fought by the Gang of Four on "design" grounds. Make no mistake. This newspaper is not here to advocate for high density development. We lament the passing of our quiet, largely rural villages, and are on record as opposing downtown Fonthill buildings taller than four stories. But it has to be recognized that with the rapidly rising cost of housing in Niagara, and the already very high price of land in Pelham, the only real way to make moderately affordable housing is to increase density. Back-to-back townhouses do that, giving families considerable living space and allowing them to hit the first rung of the housing ladder.

gethers. Easter is symbolic of rebirth. Warming temperatures bring back migrating birds, flowers are starting to pop up from the ground and trees are budding. Lawns greening and gardens showing the fi rst signs of the bulbs planted last fall. The world is coming alive again after a long and cold winter. Many of the cultural historians fi nd in the celebration of Easter a convergence of three traditions—Pagan, Hebrew and Christian. Whether we subscribe to a religion or not, major holidays,

No, the back-to-back design is not for everyone. But nothing is for everyone. The buildings are going to be attractive. Across Niagara there are similar designs in St. Catharines, Lincoln, and Grimsby, and they sell quickly. One has to wonder why the lowest-priced housing style is the one that upsets Council Haun so very much. (Early in the pandemic, Haun also memorably sought to shut down public transit, a lifeline for working people without cars.) In a community with virtually zero stock of affordable or rent-gearedto-income options, townhouses such as the ones in this proposal offer a realistic way for young couples to enter the market. Pelham has long been regarded as a great place to raise a family. One wonders how this will still be the case if our elected officials keep turning down affordable housing developments. Thirty-year-old homes with modest but hardly large backyards in some Fonthill neighbourhoods are currently listed for nearly $1 million dollars. What young couple starting out can afford this?

See EASTER Page 14

Nostalgia for our quiet, rural past is fine—until it bumps up against 21st century reality. The density numbers demanded by the Province and the Region are going to have to come from somewhere, and they are key to housing diversity. If council cannot find the will to start approving multi-price-point applications, then LPAT will simply do it for us, and any semblance of municipal control will be gone. It would be far preferable to work reasonably with the development industry, rather than indulge in flights of personal fancy—and fantasy—that result in knee-jerk opposition to the majority of medium density development plans. ◆

PELHAM AND COVID-19 Mayor Marvin Junkin

The Amazing Race (COVID edition)

topping COVID-19 is now a race between the vaccine and the variants, so says Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam. Because of the highly contagious variants, Dr. Tam stated, “the threat of uncontrolled epidemic growth is significantly elevated.” The variants are not only more contagious but they are causing more serious symptoms, especially in the 20-39 age group. When members of this age group do require hospitalization the average hospital stay ranges from two-to-three weeks, putting a prolonged strain on the healthcare system. As of last Thursday, 4.5 million vaccine doses have been administered nationally with more than 10 percent of Canada’s adults having now received one dose. Nearly 60 percent of seniors aged 80 and over have gotten one shot. Currently Canada is scheduled to receive 6 million doses between now and April 18. This number is somewhat in jeopardy due to volatility in the global vaccine supply chain, and export restrictions cropping up in places like Europe. So far these restrictions have not affected Canadian supply. With various parts of Europe under lockdown and many European countries experiencing surging numbers of cases, this situation

could change for the worse very quickly. In Ontario, a record 72,451 doses were administered this past Tuesday. While somewhat impressive at first glance, one vaccine expert has pointed out that if all residents of the province are to be fully vaccinated by September 1, the province must reach 175,000 doses per day, which this same official thought was a very attainable goal. As of last Tuesday, 1,675,150 doses had been given, which is 9.3% of the province’s population. In Niagara, as of March 25, over 60,000 doses had been given. Residents over 75 are the next priority group. This week Niagara Health is partnering with family doctors within the region to vaccinate people 75 years of age and older. All comments that I personally have received from people who have gotten vaccinated have been fa-

vourable, with residents being very impressed with the level of kindness they have received and the quickness of the event. As of this Monday, outdoor fitness classes could resume with a maximum of ten people, and all limits have been lifted on outdoor weddings, funerals, and religious services, as long as physical distancing can be maintained. Although we can all see the light at the end of the tunnel it is still imperative that individually we continue to be vigilant in our hand washing, social distancing, and mask wearing when in enclosed public spaces. And, oh yah, phone a friend that you haven’t chatted with for a while— it will make you both feel better! Until next time… ◆

Cabinetry Showroom & Design Centre 7-200 Hwy 20 East, Fonthill ON L0S 1E6 Open: Mon - Fri 8:30am to 5:00pm Sat 10:00am to 4:00pm Call (905) 932-7069 for a design consultation

Professional SERVICES Directory Dr. Bohdan Hrynyk Dental Surgeon

Pelham Hills Dentistry

905-892-5002

Family Dentistry NEW PATIENTS WELCOME 1428 Pelham Street, Fonthill

NEWSFLASH Tell us your story!

Ad #1: APPROVED

Bob’s Boys

Column Six presents tales of personal triumph, adventure, strange-but-true stories, life-changing events, and looks-back at our past.

You call, we haul.

Did you conquer Everest or kick a bad habit? Everyone has a story. Tell us yours!

Trash, scrap, garages, clean-outs.

NOW ALSO ACCEPTING FICTION— SHORT STORIES UP TO 4000 WORDS! Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca

302 Canboro Road @ Effingham

(You won’t get rich, but you will get paid.)

Call Bob at 905.736.0051 VOICE OF PELHAM

Advertiser

ad size

Page 6

The Voice

A March 31 2021

Letters continued

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

POETRY Follow the Tears

RESPONSIBILITY continued from Page 4

noteworthy driver of COVID misinformation, declaring the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine as being a "game-changer." Then during a White House briefing (April 2020), Trump suggested an injection with a disinfectant, such as bleach, would fight the virus. I won't get into the number of "COVID miracle cures" floating around the internet. There are two types of false information that thrive: misinformation—inadvertently drawing conclusions based on wrong or incomplete facts; and disinformation—deliberately spreading fabrications to promote an agenda. Both are a serious threat to public health. Social media platforms facilitate the spreading of information, which is their reason for existence and popularity. Unfortunately, this ease of communicating information has led to widespread disinformation, complicating public health response, creating confusion, and contributing to vaccine hesitancy. At this critical stage, when we're finally starting to turn the corner to head into a post-COVID world, ask yourself: What's my social media responsibility now? Your social media responsibility begins with separating disinformation from accurate information. How? By trusting your common sense. If the information in question doesn't sound right or seems suspicious, don't immediately trust it. More importantly, don't forward it, share it (i.e., retweet, post on Facebook), or “Like” it—this will just spread the disinformation. Do some research! I suggest getting your information from multiple sources so you can compare the information and make an informed decision. When reviewing a news source, ask yourself: What's the author's knowledge about the subject?

Does the author, or media outlet, have an agenda? Where did the author get their information? When was the material written? Has the material been reviewed for publication or simply posted with a disclaimer? Suppose the news source doesn't provide information about the author or isn't clear where the author got the information. In that case, credibility and reliability are hard to evaluate—a red flag. Sources that clearly state these things are generally more reliable. It goes without saying never trust, forward or repost, anything appearing on your Facebook wall or Twitter feed without first doing due diligence. Checking your sources of information is a large part of being social media responsible. You don't want to unintentionally spread rumours, or fake news, that will potentially lead to vaccine hesitancy. Social media companies are beginning to show a willingness to address disinformation on their respective platforms. However, those with an agenda to undermine trust in the vaccine will not be using outright lies. Instead, they will be leading campaigns designed to undermine the institutions, companies, and people managing the rollout. They'll be posting vaccine injury stories and providing first-person videos detailing side effects that are difficult to fact check. When a radio station asks on Facebook, "Will you be getting the COVID vaccine?" the comments will be flooded with conspiracy theories. There's nothing you or I can do to prevent COVID disinformation from appearing on social media. By verifying your information sources, refraining from spreading rumours, along with washing your hands and wearing a mask while in public, you'll be doing your part in helping to wrestle this pandemic into becoming a footnote in our history. Nick Kossovan Toronto

Town of Pelham Notice TALL GRASS AND WEEDS MAINTENANCE Pursuant to the TOWN OF PELHAM Clean Yards By-law, as amended, please be advised that: Every owner of property in the Town of Pelham shall cut, trim or remove the grass and weeds whenever the growth of the grass or weeds exceeds two hundred (200) millimeters (8 inches) in height except on land used for agricultural purposes. Prior to taking any remedial action, a By-law Officer will give the owner notice, which is deemed to be good and sufficient service, by ordinary mail, registered mail, email or hand delivered to the address of the owner according to the last revised Assessment Roll of the subject property. The notice may also be posted at the subject property, and such service shall be deemed good and sufficient service. ONLY ONE WARNING NOTIFICATION WILL BE ISSUED PER CALENDER YEAR FOR EACH PROPERTY THAT IS IN VIOLATION OF THE BY-LAW. FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION THEREAFTER, THE PROCESS WILL PROCEED DIRECTLY TO THE TOWN ARRANGING THE CUTTING OF THE PROPERTY WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE. The following Administrative Fees, Penalties and costs can/will be charged against a subject property depending on the remedial action taken by the Town: 1) All contractor costs for cutting the subject property 2) Administrative Fee - $175.00 3) Initial Inspection Fee - $95.00 4) Re-inspection Fee - $95.00 5) Violation Notice Mailing Fee - $25.00 6) Administrative Penalty - $250.00 per day for each day the violation exists. Complaints and inquiries should be directed to the By-law Enforcement Division at 905-892-2607 x201.

Follow the tears His faithful shed As their Saviour Jesus Christ was led To the cross. Follow the tears His mother's dread As his hands and feet So slowly bled On the cross. Follow the tears As Jesus died And to His father Bravely cried "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" Now from the cross His body leaves And many followers will grieve For the loss. But in their hearts He'll live again His suffering was not in vain On the cross. Because He died for us alone Some of us must now atone And Follow the Tears. In a hospital room A mother cries As she's told her little boy has died From the virus. She moans and tears rush From her eyes Her thoughts and words Are wild with grief No way that she can find relief For he was just a little child A virus cannot take her child! Follow the Tears. Shirley Lazareth

MARVIN AT YOUR SERVICE The pandemic has led to a rise in the number of residents requiring delivered meals, with Meals on Wheels Niagara seeing an increasing need for their service over the past year. Last Monday, March 22, Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin lent a hand, helping drop off meals at a local apartment building. Ready to raise the ﬂag, from left, Anne Charette, Community Support Service Niagara Chair; Carolyn Askeland, CSSN Executive Director; Mayor Junkin. MARC MACDONALD

SPRING’S HAPPY HARBINGER One of sure signs that winter is ﬁnally over is our ﬁrst sighting of a robin. The early morning appearance of this graceful bird will bring a smile to even the grumpiest face in our midst. The song they sing is music to the ears even to those who couldn’t carry a tune if given a bucket of music. LARRY COTE

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

A March 31 2021

T:5"

Page 7

Four Pelham bureaucrats topped $140K in salary last year BY JOHN CHICK Voice Correspondent A spring tradition, the Ontario Sunshine List—which shines a ray of light on the province’s bureaucrats and elected officials making more than $100,000 a year— was released March 19, and a dozen Town of Pelham employees made the cut in 2020. Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) David Cribbs led the way, with a salary of $182,274 last year. Cribbs’ salary represents the highest ever on record for a Town of Pelham employee, eclipsing the $176,000 that former CAO Darren Ottaway made in 2016. Still, Cribbs’ high salary placed him only in the 65th percentile of all public service CAO positions in Ontario. Including Cribbs, four Town employees raked in more than $140,000 in 2020. Fire Chief and Chief Bylaw Enforcement Officer Bob Lymburner came in second at $149,202; Director of Community Planning and Development Barb Wiens was third at $146,716; followed by Treasurer and Director of Corporate Services Teresa Quinlin, at $144,438. Perhaps more notable than the salaries on this year’s Sunshine List were the raises. Eight of the 12 Pelham public employees on the list got raises of 5.8 percent or greater last year over 2019. Chief Building Official and Drainage Superintendent Michael Zimmer received a 9.8 percent pay increase from the previous

year, jumping from $114,462 to $125,671. Public Works Manager Ryan Cook and IT Manager Michael Guglielmi both received raises of six percent. For reference, the average Canadian worker received a 2.7 percent raise in 2019, the last year on record, according to consultant agency Normandin Beaudry. Not all Pelham bureaucrats got hefty pay hikes, however. Quinlin was actually paid one percent less in 2020, likely owing to the fact she served as interim CAO for a portion of 2019, prior to Cribbs’ hiring. The newest addition to Pelham’s Sunshine List is Library CEO Amy Guilmette, who appeared on the annual list for the first time with a 2020 salary of just over $102,000. At the Regional level, Niagara CAO Ron Tripp was paid $230,899 last year—almost $22,000 more than the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford. Yet in a year dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Region’s top earner was Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Mustafa Hirji, at $296,583. In terms of local elected officials, 23-yearold Conservative MPP Sam Oosterhoff made $133,217 last year, unchanged from 2019. The entire Ontario Sunshine List is available for public viewing at ontariosunshinelist. com.

Sunshine by the numbers POSITION

2020 SALARY

David Cribbs Bob Lymburner Barb Wiens Teresa Quinlin Jason Marr Nancy Bozzato Vickie vanRavenswaay Michael Zimmer Michael Guglielmi Ryan Cook Charlotte Tunikaitis Amy Guilmette

CAO Fire Chief Dir., Community Planning & Development Treasurer Public Works Director Town Clerk Director, Recreation, Culture & Wellness Chief Building Ofﬁcial Manager, IT Manager, Public Works Deputy Treasurer Library CEO

$182,274 $149,202 $146,716 $144,438 $132,431 $132,398 $128,589 $125,671 $110,757 $110,596 $104,079 $102,245

A harmless coffee break can do more harm than you think.

Municipal Heritage advisory Committee Consideration of appointments to the by Council shall be based on a demonstrated knowledge, expertise, or skill set related to conservation and/or restoration of cultural heritage buildings, structures and/or cultural heritage landscapes in the following professions:  Heritage Architect  Structural Engineer  Archivist  Landscape Architect  Restoration Tradesperson

 Building Inspector  Architectural Historian  Heritage Planner  Historian

Learn more about the committee and download your application form at: www.pelham.ca/heritage-committee or call 905-892-2607 x322.

Wear a mask, wash your hands and physically distance to stop the spread of COVID-19. Learn more at ontario.ca/covid-19 Paid for by the Government of Ontario

T:15"

NAME

Page 8

The Voice

A March 31 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Council opts to kill townhouse design Lisa Haun-led vote may result in (another) LPAT challenge BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Pelham Town Council voted last week to add its own amendment to a draft plan for a zoning bylaw change requested by a developer, which likely will not hold up in the face of a Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) challenge. Located within the East Fonthill Secondary Plan, Park Place South is a prospective subdivision east of Station Street and on the north side of Summersides Boulevard— more or less behind the Fonthill Sobeys. An initial motion put forward by Councillor Marianne Stewart, seconded by Councillor Wayne Olson, was to endorse the developer’s revised draft plan and request to rezone the property from Agricultural (A) to site-specific R2 (Residential 2) to permit single detached dwellings, site specific RM1 (Residential Multiple 1) to permit back-to-back and street townhouse dwellings, and OS (Open Space) zones where a public walkway and parkland would be located. A Town staff report, which endorsed the proposal, noted that changes to the draft plan were minor in nature, and required no further public meetings. Staff indicated that the subdivision plan

and zoning bylaw amendment as proposed by the developer conformed to the Town Official Plan and was consistent with provincial policy and plans, and there were no objections from utilities and agencies to the proposal. Controversy arose when Councillor Lisa Haun took exception to the design of the back-to-back townhouses, in that the design did not provide for backyards, and inside units would have access to sunlight only from the front. She described the design as “kind of cave-like,” and questioned how townhouse residents would deal with barbecues, patio chairs, and garbage cans, with no backyards. “I'm actually in almost disbelief that from a safety perspective, the one way to enter and exit is through the front door,” said Haun. She put forward an amendment to the proposal, requiring the townhouse configuration to have blocks of four units versus blocks of eight units, with at least a three-metre side yard on either end of the units. Director of Community Planning and Development Barb Wiens told council that this type of townhouse has already been built in

111 Hwy 20 East FONTHILL

CONCEPT

BACK to BACKS RENDERING IS AN ARTIST’S CONCEPT. SIZES AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. E.&.O.E.

Not good enough for Pelham? On March 22, Town Council said no to back-to-back townhouses in East Fonthill. Grimsby, Lincoln, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls, but would be a first for Pelham. “It is a type of housing form that is very good for the entry level home buyer, and provides them opportunity to get into the housing market,” Wiens said. When asked about parkland and playground space in the development, Wiens responded that parkland dedication fees had been collected at the time of issuance of building permits, and were included in the design. Olson voted against Haun’s

DAILY SPECIALS!

P U B H O U S E & E AT S

POP-UP PATIO IS OPEN! Daily Updated Hours ë î Specials $10 Mon - Sat, 12 - 8 PM MONDAY Homemade Burger & Side TUESDAY Shrimp in a Basket WEDNESDAY 10 Wings THURSDAY Beef on Weck & Side FRIDAY 1-Piece Fish & Chips SATURDAY Pizza & Wing Combo ($20)

amendment, noting, “I don't think we should be dictating the market terms for this housing. There's a need for it, and there's demand for it. And I'm contented with the staff report.” Stewart disagreed, saying, “I believe [council] need[s] to be the ones guiding the kind of development that we want for the town… that our current residents would be happy to accept into the town.” Councillor Bob Hildebrandt also had a problem with “allowing 40 back-to-back units, with 20 units being completely without side or

Sunday, 12 - 5 PM

$ 45 & 0 4 $ TRY OUR OMBOS!

C FAMILY

HOMEMADE PIZZA! Call 905-892-0782 to place your takeout order

CURBSIDE PICKUP!

SUPPLIED

rear windows, and only one entrance/exit with very little frontage.” Councillors Haun, Stewart, Hildebrandt, and Ron Kore voted in favour of the amended motion, while Olson and Mayor Marvin Junkin were opposed. Councillor John Wink had declared a conflict of interest on the matter and did not vote. Haun’s amended motion passed. Commenting afterword, Mayor Marvin Junkin told the Voice that See BACK-TO-BACK next page

Store is Open Shop in store or online! Products added weekly! Order online with touchless pickup and delivery every Thursday in Pelham SHOPDEVRIESFRUITFARM.CA Or call: 905-892-8724

Have a Blessed Easter So many fresh-baked choices this week! Pies, Muffins, Cinnamon Buns, Cookies, Portuguese Tarts, and more!

Store closed Good Friday. Open Easter Saturday and Monday.

Fresh off the Farm START PLANNING THE GARDEN!

Our seed rack from Zappa seeds has arrived. Stop by the farm or order your packages online at shopdevriesfruitfarm.ca We are now carrying a number of dairy products from Hewitt’s Dairy in Hagersville!

FRESH VEGETABLES & CRISPY APPLES Stor e hou rs: Mon-Fri 8 AM -6 PM, Sat 8 AM -5 PM Che󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹󰇹

825 Canboro Road, Fenwick • 905-892-8724

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 9

A March 31 2021

Pelham's Easter weekend events go virtual Hoppin' Easter Hunt, magic show are among family-friendly attractions

The Easter Bunny will come by, ring the doorbell, wave—socially distanced—and provide a little treat for the kids in that household

BY MEGAN METLER Voice Correspondent

PARK PLACE SOUTH

PART OF LOTS 7, 8, 9, 13 & 14, REGISTERED PLAN 717 PART OF THOROLD TOWNSHIP LOTS 166 & 167 GEOGRAPHIC TOWNSHIP OF THOROLD

FUTURE ROAD

BLOCK 48

McCAW DRIVE

BLOCK 46

LANEWAY

BLOCK 32

BLOCK 33

BLOCK 25

11 12 13

New to the neighbourhood? 15

BLOCK 34

0" 8'2 °1 6m 55 27.6

It’s easy to transfer your prescriptions. Just ask us! N

BLOCK 45

REQUIREMENTS OF THE PL

E 0" 8'2 m °1 3 55 17.9

N 87°28'45" E 26.90m

277.77m

SURVEYOR'S

18.00m

SUMMERSIDES BOULEVAR

KALGER AVENUE

SUPPLIED

BLOCK 44

LAND USE SCHEDULE

Look for our weekly specials. Save 25-50% EX. RESIDENTIAL

Page 118 of 310

dwelling units in a subdivision. In the plan of subdivision proposed by the developer, 12.4 percent of the units were single detached. Converting townhouse units to semi-detached units will result in a reduction in the number of townhouse units, which in turn will impact the ratio of single and semi-detached units. It is likely, according to Wiens, that the amendment would cause the development to exceed the 15 percent threshold as established in the Official Plan, which would result in the development not being in conformity with the Official Plan. Other modifications by the developer would be required to ensure compliance. However, council’s decision on Monday did not direct other modifications to ensure compliance with the Town Official Plan. “It is not as simple as switching out one unit type for another unit type,” cautioned Wiens.

8.00m

BLOCK 20

18.00m

Portion of plan showing back-to-back townhouses.

131.25m

BLOCK 23

BLOCK 22

BLOCK 24

BLOCK 19

N 87°29'15" E

for them. I feel certain of one thing: the people who live there will enjoy being citizens of Pelham, and they will have pride of ownership and take care of their investments.” Asked for comment, Wiens said that council’s decision “introduces a significant change to the development plan, which may result in it not being in conformity to the Town Official Plan.” She underscored that while back-to-back townhouses are new to Pelham, they exist in many other Niagara municipalities, and contribute to providing housing options and choice. Wiens explained that the Town Official Plan designates areas of East Fonthill as medium density, and while there is a policy that states single detached and semi-detached dwellings units may be permitted in the medium density designation, the policy specifies that they can only comprise up to 15 percent of the total

N 2°44'45" W

DRAKE ROAD

BLOCK 21

BLOCK 39

BLOCK 38

KLAGER AVENUE

BLOCK 49

BLOCK 31 BLOCK 17

EMMETT STREET

BROCK STREET

18.00m

BLOCK 18

BLOCK 35

BLOCK 37

BLOCK 36

8.00m

47.56m

SHAW AVENUE

N 2°16'15" W

COLLEGE STREET

NORGATE WAY

STATION STREET

BLOCK 42

BLOCK 43

N 88°00'30" E 119.64m

18.00m

105.59m N 2°33'20" W

ADDITIONAL

°2

PELHAM TOWN SQUARE

CHURCH HILL

LANDS OF APPLICANT '3'

ADDITIONAL LANDS OF APPLICANT '2'

BLOCK 50

continued from previous page

BLOCK 41

180.13m

30.40m N 2°33'20" W

N 87°05'50" E 18.00m

18.00m

Pelham needs more affordable housing. “When Ms. Wiens assured Council that the same type of construction was occurring in other municipalities throughout the Region, I had no problem supporting this development,” said Junkin. “There is a critical housing shortage in the Region, and I can only assume that the developer has conducted market research for these types of units, and has found them acceptable to the buying public. If the developer has followed all zoning and planning regulations, which I am sure he has, then he will take his case to LPAT and win.” Similarly, Councillor Wayne Olson remarked that he routinely gets communication from seniors who are looking for a place to live after they sell their family home, and also from young singles who are looking for a way to get a start in the real estate game. “These are folks want to stay in their community. They do not want to cut grass or shovel snow. They want to pick up and go when they choose to do so. In fact, some people are becoming impatient because they cannot wait any longer for development to proceed,” he said. Olson added that he was familiar with the design and style of townhouse being proposed, and that, “it is not really up to me to determine other people’s tastes

N 87°28'25" E

ROAD

STATION STREET

magician will be working to gins Friday, April 2, at 8 AM and teach them as they go.” ends Monday, April 5, at 8 PM. A Hoppin’ Easter Colouring The Town of Pelham is also holdContest is another option for Peling a live Hoppin’ Magic Show on ham youth to take part in. There April 3, at 3 PM, aimed at families with children aged fourFUTU and ROAD are two colouring templates: an REup. empty Easter basket, or an EasRegistration is required to seter egg, which are available to cure a spot in the show and those signed up will receive a down- download and print from the PelEXISTING WATERCOURSE loadable magic kit to be a part of ham website. The contest closes April 5, at 8 PM, and winners will the event and will be able to learn BLOCK 40 LANDS beTOWN randomly drawn on Tuesday, their own trick. The event is run (FUTURE OPEN SPACE/PARKLAND) April 6, at 10 AM. through Zoom with Niagara’s An additional Easter opporScoop McCoy as the magician. 30 4By Bunny. tunity is 29theBLOCK Hoppin’ “It’s different than standard BLOCK 28 BLOCK 27 BLOCK BLOCK 26 5 Families can register for a curbvirtual programming in that it’s 6 side visit fromBLOCK the 47Easter Bunny interactive,” said Letford. “Our

ADDITIONAL LANDS OF APPLICANT '4'

BACK-TO-BACK

HURRICAN

TOWN OF PELHAM

IN THE

TOWN OF PELHAM REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF NIAGARA

to deliver a small fun item for the whole family. Letford said that there are several pre-registered times to select from and that it’s complimentary, based on availability, so fi rst come fi rst served. “The Easter Bunny will come by, ring the doorbell, wave — social-distanced— and provide a little treat for the kids in that household.” Each visit will be approximately five minutes and the bunny will be available to take socially distanced photos. All entrants must follow public health recommendations and KEY provincial regulations while partaking in the programs. DRAFT Vis- PLAN it pelham.ca/easter to register or OWNER'S to learn more about the activities available during the holiday weekend. PELHAM STREET

the creative juices flowing again. Over the coming long weekend, Beginning on Friday, April 2, the Town of Pelham is organizing participants will begin to commany Easter activities for famiplete the missions being released lies and community members to each day by submitting photos participate in. There are socially or videos doing specific Easdistanced and virtual events for ter-themed tasks and solving all ages and families. riddles or puzzles. Some misThe Hoppin’ Easter Hunt is run sions that Letford said would be through the Goosechase app to a part of it are decorating Easter provide participants with an ineggs, participating in the Hopteractive virtual hunt that is fun pin’ Colouring Contest, and an and safe for all Pelham residents egg-and-spoon race. With the to celebrate the holiday. recently warm weather, many Leah Letford, Special Events outside challenges will also be and Festivals Programmer for the included. Town of Pelham, told the Voice Each completed mission inthat it’s a unique way to spend creases the team’s points and some time with family. are recorded on the leaderboard. “The pandemic has changed Prizes, in the form of Pelham how we’re able to spend ourLEGAL time DESCRIPTION Bucks, will be awarded to the together and this is a way to be teams with the most points by part of a large project that is rethe end of the event. Winners ally community-based but from can choose to use Pelham Bucks the safety of your own home and at any of the participating busiwith your own family.” nesses in the area. The full list The virtual Hoppin’ Easter can be found on the Pelham webHunt includes outdoor activities site. in order to complete the missions Aside from the overall rewards, customized to the community of there are chances to win prizes Pelham. The real-time mission leaderboard encourages compe- through businesses or organizations that are involved with the tition and is meant to feel like a event. live event. “We’ve actually partnered with Considering the success of some of our local community the past Goosechase event—the Family Day Adventure—Letford groups and local businesses, and they submitted missions to be is confident that this event will RESIDENTIAL this,” said Letford. (The also be a hit. The past partici- part of EX. Voice is one such participant.) pants were a creative group she The Hoppin’ Easter Hunt besaid, and this hunt is sure to get

DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION

Check out our selection of hand sanitizers and wipes

FREE Delivery or curbside pick-up of all items

In Fonthill Marketplace Next to Food Basics • Easy prescription transfer • Locally owned and operated • Free prescription delivery • Fast, friendly, courteous service • Free on-site compliance packaging • Seniors save every day

New Hours

pharmachoice.com

Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

(905) 892-1888

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/pch663/

Page 10

The Voice

A March 31 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

FICTION

The Willow BY SAMANTHA WOODS

t was Friday night when it happened again. The banging and the shouts echoed throughout the house. The sounds crept along the walls like blood rushing through veins and filled the silence. The rooms swarmed with angry voices that were unrelenting, bitter pain resonated down the hall, making the fine hair on the girl’s arms stand on edge. A shiver slid down her spine and formed a knot in her stomach. A tear escaped from her tightly shut eyes, slid down her face and fell onto her sheets. Her hands clamped at her ears in an attempt to block out and forget all she’s heard. But nothing helped. Nothing made the noises stop or the banging cease. It was like she was stuck on a carousel that continued to go around and around and never stopped. You couldn’t get off the ride. You were stuck with no way to escape... or could you? Another deafening shout filled her ears and her eyes flew open, unable to control the flood of emotions that were bursting at her seams, she let the tears release. She sat up and the only thing she could think was that she needed to get out. She needed to escape. Outside her window, she could hear the wind calling, whispering that there was somewhere she could go. A place where she could finally be free of all the noise and enjoy the silence. A place where she would be comforted, to slow the overcrowding thoughts. She swung her legs from under the covers and slowly let her toes graze the floor. An electric feeling tingled the bottom of her feet as if she were walking among the dark clouds outside. She could practically taste the fresh air and freedom that awaited. Tip-toeing, she made her way to her bedroom door with a jacket in hand. She walked along the hall, being careful not to step where the boards would moan from the pressure. Down the steps she went, her hand brushed against the smooth railing, then grabbed a pair of boots from the floor. She reached for the cold door handle, unlocked it and pulled it open. It squeaked loudly, but the noises from down the hall masked its cries of warning. The girl slipped outside and seamlessly closed the door behind her. The sun was an orange ball floating low over the trees in the distance, setting the world ablaze and brightening even the storm clouds overhead. The light illuminated her face to reveal her caramel eyes purposefully watching everything around her and taking in the breathtaking view. The angry voices from within the house were no longer heard

and for a couple of moments, she stood there silently to marvel at the gift of silence that she was given. She exhaled deeply, releasing all her pent-up resentment and anger. She brushed her hair from her eyes and began to walk down the street. She headed to the one spot where she could feel her mother the most. Her feet led her across town, knowing the exact route by heart. She could feel the energy change around her as she got closer. By the time she reached her destination, the sky was a purplish-blue as the remnants of the sun fell beneath the horizon and shadows lengthened in the park. She looked up at the huge weeping willow that elegantly curved upwards and hung down with such grace. A steady wind made its large branches sway in tune, its leaves shimmered in the remaining twilight. It radiated warmth and safety, like a preserved memory. The girl continued to walk closer until she parted the branches and stepped within. From the inside, the green branches encompassed and concealed her from the outside world. Then she began to climb. Her hands and feet led with ease, knowing exactly where to hold onto. The familiarity came back to her like she hadn’t stayed away for as long as she had. Higher and higher she went and with each increase in height, she began to feel more like herself again. Threequarters of the way up she finally stopped and pulled herself onto one of the largest branches. She felt the comforting trunk on her back, a prickling sensation appeared to flow through the tree and down her spine. She stroked the branch for what she knew to be hidden there. Her fingers brushed against its scratchy bark, searching for the carving. When she found it, she exhaled sharply and smiled. The small heart indented into the tree’s layered texture was exactly where she had put it eight years ago. She sighed with relief, then closed her eyes. The tree seemed to breathe with her. In and out, in and out...

ours passed as she slept in the comfort of the weeping willow’s arms. It was only when the blades of morning light began to slice across her face that she opened her eyes. The brightness of the park around her startled her, a panicked expression painted her face. She slid easily down the tree limbs

and gently landed at its trunk. Her feet led her home in a sprint. When she reached her street she could see two police cars parked out front. Her speed slowed as she imagined what kind of trouble she would get into this time. She was used to the punishments, they seemed to come every other week. She made her way up the driveway and to the front door. It was unlocked, so she pushed it open and went inside, closing it behind her, trying to be as quiet as possible. The house wasn’t what she expected. It was quiet. No sounds radiated off the walls, no yelling, no arguing, just...silence. She continued down the hall peering into each room for any sign of life. Then she walked by the doorway to the living room and saw her dad and Stephanie sitting on the couch with two police officers opposite them. The younger officer, with a name tag saying “Michaels,” was scribbling on a notepad as her dad spoke softly to them. None of them noticed she was there. Her back pressed against the wall, melting into the plaster as if she wasn’t there at all. She could hear the officer’s pencil scratching, see her dad’s knee bouncing rhythmically and she could feel the fear that hung on every word he said. The conversation repeated in her head. “What’s her name?” “Isobel Marie Harrison,” he choked out. “How old is she?” “Sixteen.” “Is it possible that she could have run away?” “Never.” He said it with conviction, but his face reflected small traces of doubt. A tear escaped and he didn’t even make an effort to wipe it away. He sat up straighter, as if to keep from falling apart. His hair was streaked with grey and his eyes looked glossy and wild. Isobel had never seen her father so distraught before. He was always so put together and stoic. His mask was breaking, shattering before her very eyes. The officers exchanged a sideways glance. The older of the two, called “Peters,” spoke slowly. “Isn’t it true that Isobel has been in her fair share of trouble with the law these last couple of years?” she asked. “Yes. You see, she’s just been acting out since, well... since...”

It was Stephanie that came to his rescue. Her voice was calm and clear like always. She was still in her work clothes, although her hair was held up in a messy bun like it was when she worked a tough case. She reached over and placed her hand in his. “Since her mother died,” she finished. “Two years ago, in a car accident.” Her dad looked up, tears streaming down his face. “Can you help us find her?” Standing concealed in the shadows, Isobel realized that she was crying too. She began to walk backwards, away from the conversation in the living room. She had to leave, she couldn’t listen to any more. She took a couple of steps until she reached the stairs. She could still hear the quiet voices as she began to climb. Then the wooden board beneath her foot screeched like an untuned guitar. The room where her dad, stepmom and the officers were sitting instantly went silent. “Isobel? Is that you?” she heard her dad call. Turning around she made her way back down the stairs and into the hall. From the living room ran her father in the lead and Stephanie right behind him. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed tightly. “Oh, God, I was so worried,” he whispered. “I’m glad you’re safe.” For a moment Isobel stood there with her arms at her sides. She could see Stephanie watching from down the hall. The two officers walked past her, nodding politely before disappearing out the front door. She thought of all the times, including last night when her dad and Stephanie argued over what to do with her, how to contain her. She pictured his broken face, crumbling like it was made of clay, falling apart in a burst of tears. Finally, she wrapped her arms around her dad and the world felt right again. He held her in his arms for a long while, afraid to ever let go. “I’m sorry,” Isobel whispered and she meant it. “I’m sorry, too.” And those words said everything that needed to be said, everything that they wished they had talked about over the past two years. They started to heal the wounds that had festered for years and stitch their lives back together. The pain of the past that had held them down for so long was not as heavy, so long as they could carry the burden together. ◆

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 11

A March 31 2021

Holly Willford named new Pelham Town Clerk

I wanted to make sure that every member of the public had the option to speak, even if they originally didn't think they wanted to

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent To say Holly Willford has big shoes to fill is an understatement. Longtime and respected Pelham Town Clerk Nancy Bozzato is set to retire at the end of May, and Willford, who has been apprenticing under Bozzato for the past three years, will take over the role. Willford has nothing but effusive praise for her mentor. “I've been very fortunate to have had Nancy setting the gold standard for me…she’s a tremendous leader,” said Willford. “I've learned so much from her. And frankly, reflecting back on my personal career, I've been surrounded by strong female leaders and role models. I'm just really excited, and looking forward to following in her legacy.” The Town of Pelham appears to be a trendsetter in equal opportunity employment, as Willford noted that half the senior leadership team are women, including Barb Wiens in Planning and Development, Teresa Quinlin in Corporate Services, and Vickie vanRavenswaay in Recreation, Culture, and Wellness, plus Bozzato as Town Clerk—and many other women at the municipality serve in responsible roles. Bozzato shared some kind words about her successor. “Since joining the Town of Pelham in 2018, Holly has demonstrated consistent professionalism and integrity, and it has been a privilege to work together,” said Bozzato. “She will serve the cor-

poration, the council, and the community of Pelham well in her new role, and she is well-equipped to take on this important office.” CAO David Cribbs echoed Bozzato’s sentiments, saying, “Holly was the most deserving candidate, and we are very pleased that she will be stepping into the role. Her skills and knowledge fit the expectations and criteria of who we were looking for in this position, and we are happy to see such a qualified internal candidate rise to the top.” “Without a doubt, Holly is the right person for the job,” said Mayor Marvin Junkin. “We’ve seen what Holly can do firsthand, clerking several meetings, and we are confident she will continue to be a great asset to the Town of Pelham.” Willford was born and raised in Welland, but has family ties all over the region. “My mom's family grew up here in Pelham, and I still have lots of cousins and aunts and uncles living here. My dad grew up on a farm in Wainfleet.” In fact, Willfords have lived on Willford Road in Wainfleet for 100 years, she said. She attended Centennial in Welland for her high school years, and is a graduate of Niagara College’s law clerk program. Willford first worked for a couple of small, private practice law firms in St. Catharines and Toronto, then joined Peel Region as a member of

Holly Willford, in Council Chambers.

the option to speak, even if they originally didn’t think they wanted to.” Willford added that while email commenting is welcome during public meetings, it has not been implemented for regular council meetings. Some people will not know that town clerks, through government statute, have the authority to officiate civil marriages in Ontario. Willford has already performed close to a dozen matrimonial ceremonies in recent years, in Council Chambers, at the Peace Park bandshell, and at Niagara wineries. “It’s a wonderful thing to be able to do,” she said. Outside of her Town Hall duties, Willford enjoys travelling and camping, and doting on her two young nephews when social distancing conditions allow. She continues to take courses to upgrade her qualifications. The Town has a posting for the deputy clerk position, Willford’s former role, on its website now. “It's just an incredible place to be,” said Willford.

DON RICKERS

its legal department. She did real estate and land development work there for seven years before coming to Pelham as Bozzato’s deputy clerk in 2018. While at the Region of Peel, she studied part-time and earned an undergraduate degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. A priority for Willford is to ensure that the Town is continually engaging the community. “The pandemic has presented challenges for us as we work to be open, transparent, visible, and allowing for public participation,” said Willford. “COVID creates a very fluid situation, and it could be lingering for quite a while. We need to continue to make sure that residents feel comfortable and safe, especially when it involves coming out to vote.” Willford is not daunted by the prospect of the upcoming municipal election in 2022, given

her experience with the previous election in 2018, along with last year’s Ward 1 by-election. Mail-in ballots were instituted during the by-election, and Willford said “we are continually trying to modernize and bring new ideas and resources forward.” She pointed to the Town’s use of the latest technology to connect with residents, including live-streaming of council and committee meetings. Willford noted that while watching public meetings online, people can participate live via email at clerks@ pelham.ca and make comments in real time which are read into the public record—a feature added during the coronavirus pandemic. “Sometimes people come to our public meetings not thinking they are going to speak,” said Willford. “Then, while sitting in the gallery, they decide they want to say something. I wanted to make sure every member of the public had

FLASH SALE

MEET DOMENIC'S ON 20 Under New Management New owners of Domenic's On 20 have fully renovated the restaurant and built a new patio. Visit Domenic's on Facebook. SERVING BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER

Goordiday F

HALIBUT FISH & CHIPS Pre-Order Take-out SERVES $ .99 SERVES $ TWO FOUR

59.99

Includes Soup or Salad, Tartar Sauce

DINE-IN AVAILABLE. PLEASE CALL FOR RESERVATION

PIZZA

STONE BAKED Buy 1 Pizza, Get 2nd Pizza

50 OFF %

FLASH SALE! APRIL 1-5

50% OFF

CHICKEN WINGS

Buy 1lb, Get 1lb

50 OFF %

Dine-in Only

LUNCH SPECIALS START AT

APPETIZERS Sun-Thurs 4pm-9pm Dine-in Only

$ .99

905-892-5022 219 Hwy 20E

(corner of Rice Rd. & Hwy 20

7am - 9pm DAILY

Q70DTA

SAVE ON 2020 SAMSUNG QLED Q70 SERIES

 4K ULTRA HD SMART QLED TV  QUANTUM HDR EXPANDS RANGE OF COLOUR AND DETAIL  AMBIENT MODE -NO BLACK SCREEN WHEN OFF  ACTIVE VOICE AMPLIFIER

55" $999 reg $1299

65" $1399 reg $1799

ENHANCE YOUR TV SOUND

 43.1.2 CH SOUNDBAR  Q-SYMPHONY - SYNCS WITH YOUR QLED TV NOW SPEAKERS FOR IMMERSIVE SOUND  WIRELESS SUBWOOFER reg $899

599

SHOP OUR WEBSITE WWW.THOMASTV.COM

DELIVERY & INSTALLATION AVAILABLE

130 THOROLD RD, WELLAND 905 788 3221 SHOWROOM OPEN TUES-SAT 10-5

SAVE

300

HW-Q70T

Page 12

The Voice

A March 31 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Viola Desmond story

The upper balcony was reserved for people of colour by local ordinance

The ﬁrst Black woman to appear on Canadian currency once challenged segregation BY STANLEY FULEKI Special to the Voice Not long ago I was handed a $10 note during a retail exchange and much to my surprise saw a lady on the back that I didn’t recognize. The real shocker is not that I still use cash—it’s quite handy with the frequency of debit machine crashes and internet outages—but who she is and how she found her way onto Canada’s currency. Meet Viola Desmond, who some say is Canada’s Rosa Parks. In 1946 Viola was in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, passing through on one of her many business trips. She was a trained beautician and hairdresser. She decided one evening to attend the Roseland Theatre, to see a film called The Dark Mirror. She paid her 20-cent plus a two-cent tax, which sent her to the balcony. But Viola didn’t want to sit in the upper deck, she wanted to sit on the lower floor. So she headed down the aisle for a seat that best suited her and comfortably sat down. Most of us today would not even think there is a controversy at this point because movie theatres today are general admission and we do in fact choose the seat that best suits us. Apparently Viola was way ahead of her time because in 1946, in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, in order to sit in the floor seats you had to pay 40 cents, plus three cents tax—and be white. The upper balcony was reserved for people of colour by local ordinance.

You would have thought that the ticket agent would have explained the rules to Viola, but they didn’t because this was a local ordinance that everyone knew about and no one had questioned, not even the residents, many of whom were people of colour. Viola didn’t think to ask because under official law in Canada there was no segregation per se as one would expect to find in the segregated southern United States. Making matters worse, Viola was not from New Glasgow, she was from Halifax, and her knowledge of local ordinances was nil. So when the theatre’s ushers swiftly descended to remove Viola from her seat she was stunned. After all, what harm had she done—she had a ticket to prove that she belonged there, and the seat she chose was the perfect vantage point to view the film. There wasn’t much opportunity to plead her case or even find a compromise. Viola was whisked off to jail, The Dark Mirror turning into a dark and miserable night. Although Canada in 1946 had no official laws like Jim Crow Laws in the US, there was a peculiar laissez-faire where the federal government did not overrule provincial or municipal laws, giving them the freedom to legislate on their own. So when a town like New Glasgow passed a local ordinance that stated people of colour must sit in the upper balcony

it went unchallenged. When Viola finally saw a judge 12 hours later she was assessed a $20 fine. She had in effect walked into local web and become ensnared. Upon her release from jail and New Glasgow, Viola summoned members of her local chapter of the Nova Scotia Association for the Advancement of Coloured People and hired a lawyer to appeal her case to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Unfortunately, due to the lawyer missing the deadline to appeal, the court saw an easy way out and ruled not to review her case. This case would have most

Viola Desmond, date unknown. CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY

certainly become a civil rights issue heard around the world, but it woefully fell short. This is most likely why many of us have never learned of the injustice until decades later, after the offensive local ordinance was quietly revised. Thanks to local papers Vio-

la’s story was covered as a fighting hero championing a cause to correct a legal injustice. Viola Desmond was way ahead of her time and a strong advocate for the injustice against basic dignity. While we have reflected during this month of March on women’s history and their accomplishments, it is worth noting how this one woman was able to galvanize her community through her struggle. The next time you see her image on the back of a $10 bill, be grateful you are not sitting in a jail cell for sitting in the wrong seat, and that today there are no wrong seats to choose from. BANK OF CANADA

Dinner with all the trimmings! QR

WINDOWS AND DOORS THAT SAVE YOU MONEY

The holiday classic ...

TURKEY DINNER SATURDAY, APRIL 3

Succulent Roast Turkey and all the trimings, cooked to perfection. Includes mashed potatoes, vegetables, homemade stufﬁng, cranberry sauce, gravy, dinner roll, dessert, with coffee or tea.

DINE IN

or take-out! Reservations: 289-897-9191

23.99

NOW WITH MORE TABLES AVAILABLE! Monday-Sunday, 8 AM-3 PM Friday, 8 AM - 8 PM

NOW TAKING PRE-ORDERS FOR GOOD FRIDAY FISH & CHIPS! DELICIOUS FISH & CHIPS

AMAZING WINDOWS

(Summer Heat is Reflected Out Winter Heat is Reflected In)

SAVING YOU MONEY (Save up to 30% on Utilities)

Easy Clean Tilts Bay Windows Enlarge Your Room Without Big Expense Timely delivery and Install Call for a FREE QUOTE!

905-892-7616

Ask about our STEEL ROOFING with FREE GUTTER GUARD (up to 80’)

SENSIBLE INSTALLATION TIMELINES - WEATHER PERMITTING

Battered or pan-fried haddock or halibut, fresh-cut fries, coleslaw, and tartar sauce

BELL GROUP HOME IMPROVEMENTS

1507 Pelham Street, Fonthill (289) 897-9191

LIFETIME Manufacturer's Guarantee

• Licensed • Insured • Guaranteed

Fonthill, Niagara since 1998

L.L.B.O. Licensed

SEE

www.bellgroupinc.com for reviews

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 13

A March 31 2021

DON RICKERS

Day of appreciation for school crossing guards BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day was last Wednesday, March 24, its third annual observance in the province. Pelham bylaw officer Greg Young oversees the ten crossing guards who guide children across the town’s busy streets each morning and afternoon. “They are a dedicated group of professionals, who are out there no matter the weather conditions, with a smile on their face, to ensure the children get to school safely,” he said. Young noted that the current ranks are filled by folks from a wide range of backgrounds, and

include former bankers, accountants, oil and gas pipeline workers, and truck drivers. Bill Park is 76, and has been an affable presence at the corner of Highway 20 and Haist Street for the past six years He’s worked as a soldier, police officer, private school instructor, and computer repairer. And currently, a school crossing guard. “It’s all about the kids,” said Park with a smile. “I'm the bottom rung of the organization that keeps our children safe.” Park grew up in Niagara Falls, then went England and served in the Royal Marines. Returning to Canada with his wife in 1970, he attended the University of Waterloo, and then became a Niagara

Regional Police officer in 1974. He retired in 2000 as an inspector, having served in every detachment of the force. He was an instructor at Robert Land Academy in Wellandport for a while, and then opened a repair shop to service computers. “You have no idea how badly people can mess up their computers,” he sighed. When Park finally decided it was time to retire, he couldn’t resist the urge to have a little volunteer gig on the side. “When I got my knee replaced, the only thing that I could do that didn't hurt was ride a bike. I found that if I start from my house, over by Niagara College in Welland, and rode up here for a coffee, the round

trip was 16 kilometers. One day I met up with a Pelham bylaw officer teaching a new school crossing guard how to do the job. I stopped and we got talking, and he said, ‘Boy, have I got the volunteer gig for you.’ That’s how it all started.” Park noted that he met Pelham Councillor Wayne Olson, who at the time was also a crossing guard, and a friendship blossomed. “He and I, our personalities just clicked. We got to know each other over coffee. One day we got talking about our past experiences, and discovered that we were on a NATO military exercise together over 50 years ago. It was in Norway, north of the Arctic Circle. I was in the British Royal Marines, and he was with the Canadian Forces. Small

world.” Asked if he had encountered any issues of disrespect from kids passing his corner, Park responded, “matter of fact, exactly the opposite. They’re such a great bunch of kids, every one of them. It's what gets me out of bed, knowing that a dozen kids in the morning and afternoon are going to smile and say hello.” And how does a 76-year-old crossing guard spend the modest sum he earns standing his beat? “Every penny goes into my model airplane account,” he said with a chuckle. Pictured: Emily, Sydney, and Justine with Bill Park at the corner of Hwy 20 and Haist Street.

Merritt and Rice Roads undergoing environmental assessment Moves Region a step closer to completing east-west connector to 406 BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Niagara Region is undertaking an environmental assessment study for improvements to Merritt Road and Rice Road, as a result of urban growth in Pelham, Thorold, and Welland. The study is an extension of recommendations in the Niagara Region Transportation Master Plan. The study will investigate an extension of Merritt Road between Rice Road (Regional Road 54) and Cataract Road, and capacity improvements of Merritt Road from Cata-

ract Road to Highway 406, and from Rice Road north of Merritt Road to Quaker Road. The goal is identification of improvements to the two roadways to meet the future needs of the local municipalities. The study is being carried out in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. Once the study is complete, an environmental report will be prepared and available for public review and comment. Public input is actively solicited online throughout the study. Pelham Ward 1 Councillor

Wayne Olson was pleased he was present for the first online presentation on March 24, which he said was well attended by the general public. Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin and Pelham Regional Councillor Diana Huson also viewed the remote presentation. No other Pelham Town Council members attended. “That was a very important meeting,” said Olson. “Merritt Road will go to four lanes and carry all sorts of traffic up to Pelham. It will certainly have an impact on the Kunda Park and Forest Park developments.”

Shading indicates study area. Planners hope to connect Merritt Road's "missing" link. Norm Miller, a communications consultant with Niagara Region, told the Voice that 54 people attended the first online information session. Miller said that the study will provide an opportunity to review the two corridors (Merritt Road and Rice Road) as to how they

will meet the future needs of the surrounding community from the perspective of all road users, supporting “multi-modal travel,” and improve safety. The project was initiated to identify and evaluate a range of alternative solutions to accommodate growing traffic

SUPPLIED

volumes along both corridors. An outcome of the process is expected to be a key transportation link that will allow direct access between Rice Road and Highway 406 via Merritt Road, taking into consideration the nearby environmentally sensitive lands.

Page 14

The Voice

OBITUARY

A March 31 2021

OBITUARY

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OBITUARY CLARKSON, Gary March 14, 1950 March 20, 2021

CUMMING, Judy Elizabeth

BAXTER, Ronald

It is with a sad heart that I, Ian announce the passing of my beloved wife Judy at the Greater Niagara General Hospital on Friday March 19, 2021 at the age of 74. Dearly loved mother of Nicole and Jaret Bartley and Reg and Ryan Lapere. Cherished sister of Ted (Leslie) Burger. She leaves behind her loving grandchildren, Jessica, Dylan, Hailey, Emily, Kyla, Sarah, Clayton, Nev and Lydia to cherish her memory. Judy will be sadly missed by her in-laws Keith and Jean Rubel, her many brothers and sisters-in-law from her extended families as well as many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, Ed and Jean Burger, her sister Diane and her brother Peter. Judy was a one of kind and dear soul who always stood behind me in all of my decisions. Under current pandemic conditions, regulations have been set in place that limit the number of visitors allowed in the funeral home at a given time. All visitors must wear a face mask and practice physical distancing (visit thebao.ca or call funeral home for further information). As attendance for visitation and service is limited, attendees must pre-register at https://www.morseandson. com/memorials/judy-cumming/4566681/index.php Family will receive friends at MORSE & SON FUNERAL HOME, 5917 Main St. on Wednesday, March 24th from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8pm and Thursday, March 25th from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8 pm. A Sharing of Memories will take place on Friday March 26th at 11am at the funeral home. Interment at St. John’s Stevensville United Church Cemetery will follow. Much thanks to the ambulance attendants who first cared for Judy, the doctors and nurses at the Greater Niagara General Hospital, and to Jacob and the folks at Morse and son Funeral Home. Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www. morseandson.com

Ron was a proud Canadian citizen, immigrating to Canada from Scotland in 1975. Ron embraced all that makes Canada great: he was an avid outdoorsman, was fiercely loyal to his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs, and spent an amazing career with his friends at General Motors building a better life for his family. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren. Ron passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at the age of 70. Beloved husband and best friend of 46 years to May (nee Maloney). Loving father of Karen Anderson (Pete) and Tiffany Caulfield (Rob). Cherished Papa of Ella, Chloe, Fox and Mack. Dear brother of Janet McDonagh, John Baxter and Annabelle Murdoch. Loving uncle to Katie Hassay (Montana), and Kelly McDonagh (Felicity). Predeceased by his parents John and Isabella Baxter and his brother William Baxter. In keeping with Ron’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at a later date. Ron would hope and expect everyone to live their lives to the fullest and enjoy every minute. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to The Friends of Algonquin Park at www.algonquinpark.on.ca or www. sickkidsfoundation.com Online condolences may be shared at www. pelhamfuneralhome.ca

5026 King Street, Lower Level Beamsville, ON. L0R 1B0 (289) 447-1680 www.rosedentalniagara.com @rosedentalniagara

NOW OPEN MON-FRI NEW PATIENTS WELCOME

• Brand new COVID-19 equipped dental office • Offers all aspects of general dentistry • Nitrous oxide and moderate sedation available • Crowns and Bridges • Wisdom teeth extractions • In-office whitening

EASTER

continued from Page 5 such as Easter, remind us of the turning world. Easter is too grand an occasion to be experienced adequately in a single day. Our ancestors in the faith realized this and over a period of time developed a season of preparation. We call that season Lent. For well over 1500 years, Christians have used this period of roughly seven weeks to prepare their souls for Easter Day. Easter is the holiday that celebrates and commemorates the central event of the Christian faith, the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his death. Jesus is the Son of God and heroically gave His

life to die for our sins. We know Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his ministry (Luke 3:23), but the Bible tells us virtually nothing about what he looked like, except that he didn’t stand out in any particular way. When Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, Judas Iscariot, who had received 30 pieces of silver from the chief priests to deliver Him to them, had to point Jesus out to the soldiers when He was standing among His disciples, presumably because they all appeared similar to one another. The cancel culture of the day were terrified and jealous of His ever increasing popularity with the people and made three charges against Jesus. First, that

You Deserve Great Service

I’ve got your back Count on me for one-on-one service, better savings, and coverage that’s customized for you.

Stop in, call or click.

Member of the Toronto Real Estate Board and Niagara Assoc. of Realtors

Bob Kilyk, Agent 21 Highway 20 West Fonthill ON L0S 1E0 905-892-5721 bob.kilyk@desjardins.com www.bobkilyk.com

Carol Frick-Allon 905.734.0375

1211027 CN.1

BScN., SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Certain conditions, limitations and exclusions may apply. Desjardins Insurance refers to Certas Home and Auto Insurance Company, underwriter of automobile and property insurance or Desjardins Financial Security Life Assurance Company, underwriter of life insurance and living benefits products. Desjardins, Desjardins Insurance and related trademarks are trademarks of the Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec, used under licence.

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our gentle giant at Hospice Wellington in Guelph. He will surely be welcomed with a huge hug from the love of his life Susan Clarkson (nee Plain). Gary was devoted to his three children Holli Schimus (Kevin), Amber Bush (Rick) and Andrew Clarkson. His eyes would light up with such pride when talking about his grandchildren Makayla, Tyler, Kaelin and Grayson. He took a special interest in the things that were important to all of us and we strive to have what mom and dad had and to be the devoted parents they were. Gary was born to the late Charles and the late Frances Clarkson (nee Cosby); was brother to Faye Lake and Deejay Tellier; was son-in-law to the late Robert Plain and the late Betty Plain (nee Green) and to the late Lisette Jacques; was brother-in-law to the late Tim Plain, Judy Drinkwater (Howard), and the late Brent Plain (Odette) and was close friends with Martin Rice and the late Mr. Kott. He was a huge sports fan in general, especially the Blackhawks and any sport the grandkids were involved in. We would like to thank Dr. Trussler at the Grand River Hospital who went above and beyond to help us access the care Dad needed; Jane, the nurse who came into our home and showed such kindness, warmth and guidance; the nurses, PSWs and volunteers who not only took incredible care of dad, but us as well, from the kind “Hellos” to making sure we ate. Ladies, he still has his hat on! Gary wasn’t just part of our family, he was a loyal friend and will be dearly missed by all that knew him. Private family arrangements have been entrusted to PLEASANTVIEW FUNERAL HOME (905-8921699). For those who wish, donations made to Hospice Wellington in Gary’s name would be appreciated. Please share your condolences, photos and memories at www.pleasantviewcemetery.ca

Q He was a revolutionary agitator, that Jesus forbade His hearers to give tribute to Caesar and the third charge was that Jesus had claimed to be a King. Pilate said to them: “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. When I examined him before you, I did not find this man guilty of anything you accused him of doing.”(Luke 23:14) In Mark 15:12, Pilate asked the crowd again, “What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?” In 15:13, “And they shouted back, ‘Crucify Him!’ 15:14, “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!” Christ was then crucified under the order of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate as the high priests accused Jesus of "blasphemy" because he claimed to be the son of God. (The word “excruciating” means “out of the cross,” or crucifi xion.) Robyn J. Whitaker is a

Located in the

senior lecturer in New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity. She states that, “While there is no physical description of him in the Bible, there is also no doubt that the historical Jesus, the man who was executed by the Roman state in the fi rst century CE, was a brown-skinned, Middle Eastern Jew. This is not controversial from a scholarly point of view, but somehow it is a forgotten detail for many of the millions of Christians who will gather to celebrate Easter this week.” He was descended from the medium-brown-coloured Shem, via descendants who stayed in the Middle East and eventually gave rise to the Israelites, and thus the tribe of Judah. Israelites in those days tended to marry within their own ethnic group, and so the mid-brown colouring, neither very dark nor very light, would have been maintained throughout the generations until

of the Niagara Region

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA)

until the end of April, is now available for our upcoming season. From now on card towards 10% extra an e receiv and Card Gift you can purchase a after June 1st. me our 2021 harvest season. Gift Card can be used anyti

2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU: 878 Foss Rd., Fenwick 2760 Hwy #20, Fonthill 905-341-FARM

Closed Mon Tues - Fri: 10am-5pm Sat: 8am-4pm Sun: 10am-3pm

johnsonsfarmersmarket@gmail.com www.johnsonfarmsfenwick.com

FOR ONLINE ORDERS: JOHNSON FARMS COUNTRY MARKET FACEBOOK PAGE

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 15

A March 31 2021

CLASSIFIEDS

Place these ads for free! 30 words + photo

• Birth announcements • 50th and greater wedding anniversaries • 90, 95, 100-plus birthday announcements

PLACE YOUR AD BY EMAIL OR PHONE

oﬃce@thevoiceofpelham.ca Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8 AM - 2 PM (905) 892-8690

Support independent, award-winning investigative journalism Become a Voice Member Subscriber! Become a Member of The Voice. Receive the benefits below and more, provided by our generous community partners, who share our commitment to bring you informative news, interviews, features, and analysis. Independent, trusted, locally owned and edited. Page 14

THREE

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS Full Membership, $39.95 ■ Both local business gift cards shown at left ($30 value) ■ Exclusive link to high-quality digital PDF version of the paper ■ Twelve free Classified ads up to 30 words ($120 value) ■ Periodic special offers from local businesses ■ Delivery of the print newspaper if you live on an established carrier route

Digital Membership, $19.95

■ Indulgence Bakery gift card ($10 value) ■ Exclusive link to high-quality digital PDF version of the paper WAYS TO JOIN ■ Twelve free Classified ads up to 30 words ($120 value) THE VOICE of Pelham■Wednesday, August 2014 www.thevoiceofpe Periodic special offers27, from local businesses ONLINE ■ Delivery of the print newspaper if you live on an established carrier route

COMMUNITY Events

thevoiceofpelham.ca/voicemembership/

BY PHONE Call our office at (905) 892-8690, Minor Bros. PELHAM LIBRARY’S COMPUTER CLINIC Mon-Thurs, 8 AM to 2 PM. $20Help” giftwith card “One-to-One a volunteer tech tutor. Get help with web browsing, webmail account set-up, e-books, social media, editing and sharing your IN PERSON photos and more. Includes use of laptop or BYOGOur (bring own at gadget). officeyour is located Saturdays 12:30 – 3:30. Register and pay ahead in person. $5.00 per 1/2 1428 Pelham Street, Fonthill, hour. Visit www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details. across from Beamer’s Hardware.

CLASSIFIEDS

Delivery by Canada Post, $69.95 (in Niagara) ■ Local business gift cards shown at left ($30 value) ■ Weekly delivery to your mailbox by Canada Post Garage Sales Services ■ Exclusive link to high-quality digital PDF version of the paper. 7 SPRUCESIDE ■ Twelve free Classified ads up to 30 CRESENT words ($120 value) Excavating contractor. FONTHILL. Christmas ■ Periodic offers from local businesses Water, sewer special upgrades, items, crafts, household, ■ For delivery Canada outside Niagara: $79.95 foundation repair, inwater

proofing, drainage systems, clothes and more, very reaquarry stone supply, place- sonable, SATURDAY AUG. P18-27 ment. 905-384-1972. P18-23 30, 8AM-3PM

The Voice Z

LOOK FOR EXTRA COPIE AT THESE FINE AREA

BUSINESSES. FONTHILL BANDSHELL PRESENTS DE TEMPS ANTAN & and ShedCentral MOVING ofYard Pelham Niagara Burke’s Masonry SALE, Large collection FONTHILL Since 2003, Éric Beaudry, André Brunet Pierre-Luc Dupuis have THEand VOICE IS 100 PERCENT E. L. Crossley Keith’s Restau $10 gift card time-honoured of Christmas and OF holiday been exploring and performing melodies from the stomp- Bricklaying, tuckpointing, COMMUNITY-OWNED CELEBRATING 25 YEARS PUBLICATION Churchill Natural Meats Target Store decorations and household step repair, granite ing grounds of Quebec’s musical past. Using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, Shoppers Drug Mart Pennzoil Quick coatings, brick slices items, SAT. AUG. 30, 8AM- Fonthill Library guitar, bouzouki and a number of other instruments, our three virtuosos Lazy Loon 1PM 625 METLER RD, 905-682-7061. blend energy withed.the He unmistakable de vivre onlyyou in week,found whatever crucifi isn't here! joie This Jesus’ time.boundless The only pasTown of Pelham Pharmasave FLOORINGP18-28 NORTH PELHAM MASONRY REPAIR P18-23 may be facing, remember He Show has been fromp.m. sage traditional in the BibleQuebec that refers music. runsraised from 7-9 Cafe on Main Avondale Stor ALLTYPE MASONRY

that in three short days, the dead just as He said it to Jesus’ physical appearwould happen.” Jesus ap- the disciples and family ance while He was on earth pearedMAKING alive to more than of Christ went from hopeis Isaiah 53:2. The passage CARD PELHAM LIBRARY WORKSHOP lessness to hopeful—from 500 people, on 12 separate tells us that Jesus “had no Make sixorcards with falloccasions themes, learning of techniques. Materials devastation to celebration, after Hisa variety resstately form majesty” fromabout defeat tools to victory! Beurrection. Jesus please appeared and are no provided. “appearance At that time of registration, enquire needed. cause of the cross and the to apostles when Thomas we should be attracted to Tues., Sept. 16 10 – 12:30. $10. Please register ahead. Visit www.pelham(“doubting” Thomas) was tomb, you have a hope in Him.” In short, Jesus was Christ! You can also read not alibrary.on.ca handsome man. Why905-892-6443 for more details. or call Lee Strobel’s book “The does the Bible not comCase For Easter” for an in ment on Jesus’ colour? The FABULOUS FENWICK LIONS FISH FRY depth look at the Easter answer is fairly simple — story. He came fi rst to the Jews, Tasty treats with funds heading straight back into the community. Haddock, Napoleon expressed the and His message was hard french much more. Runs Sept. 9 from 4-7 p.m. thoughts while following enough for fries themand without he was exiled on the rock His looking too different of St. Helena. There, the from them. But as God, He PELHAM HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE conqueror of civilized Eualready knew MINOR that most rope had time totoprovide reflect JewsBuy, would reject his messell or trade used equipment at the Pelham Arena. Aimed on the measure of his acsage, which would include options for players in this upcoming season. Runs Sept. from complishments. He6 called his ficheaper nal instruction to any Count Montholon to his Jewish converts, that they 9-12 in the morning. side and asked him, "Can must go into all the world you tell me who Jesus and preach the gospel to Christ was?" The count deeveryPELHAM tribe and nation. The MUDFEST clined to respond. Napoleon gospel was therefore not Men and women will bethere backand in the mud as the second run on the year is asked him to countered: “Well then, I any one ethnic group. It will tell you. Alexander, touch His wounds. That was held “multiracial.” was at Bissil’sItHideaway. proof only could make St. Caesar, Charlemagne and I cross-ethnic, and the ismyself have founded great Thomas believe Jesus’s sue of Jesus’ skin colour NIAGARA EXHIBITION empires, but upon what did resurrection. has nothing to doREGIONAL with the creations of our geEaster is the oldest content of the message Rodeo, games and liveChristian entertainment headline thisthese years exciting event. It nius depend? Upon force. holiday and the concerning eternal life runs the Welland Jesus alone founded His most importantFairgrounds. day of needed by from peopleSept. of all 11-14 skin at empire upon love, and to the church year. The Jewcolours. this very day millions will ish Passover under Moses On the third day after He MOVE CANCER commemorates Israel's de- die for Him.” died,BIG the day we now cele- RIDE liverance from about 300 ride taking placePaul brateThe as Easter Sunday, His Ride Big Move Cancer is a non-competitive on Bryant Sept. The Pelham Bible Club years of bondage in Egypt. friends went to His grave 7. and Proceeds in Niagara and support the Walker Famwas stay during this Passtomb, found for thatthe HisBigItMove over in 30 AD Christ was bodyilywasn’t there. They Cancer Centre. crucified. It’s traditional to saw an angel at the tomb eat hot cross buns on Good opening where the huge Friday. The pastry cross on stoneWALKING covering it was rolled CLUB top of the buns symbolisaway who told them, "Don't Interested in walking Pelham? at the Pelham Arena the crossJoin that them Jesus Tuesdays was be afraid! I know you are ines killed on. looking Jesus, fromfor9-10 amwho andwas Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am. There

The historical Jesus, the man who was executed by the Roman state...was a brown-skinned, Middle Eastern Jew

is no fee for this program. For more information, please contact jcook@ pelham.ca or call 905 892-2607, ext 329.

Josh DeHaan Flooring “For all your flooring needs”

We offer in-stock specials: • 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.

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

No Sunday Calls, Please TF

Beamer’s Pro Hardware Brick, Block, Stone and Chimney repairs. Wet and damaged basement repairs. Sobey’s Phone Tom Deamude at 289-241-4767. McDonald’s 35 years of construction experience.

O START T

FENWICK Avondale Stor Fonthill Legion Fenwick Sub S Tim Hortons CUSTOM MILL Golden Grill Semenuk’s Devries Fruit F PortablePic’s sawmill service. I will come to your home Klagers or farm and custom mill yourRidderikhoff logs. M

“TU RRN ”

YOU VINYL INTO

Firewood & lumber also available. Call Rob Patterson, 905-401-4948, riverwood@primus.ca

CASH!

FOR SALE BERKWOOD, BEECHNUT, KATHY, V

GARAGE

BROCK, DONAHUGH,SHALDAN PETRONELLA • 109 PAPERS FOR SALE

SALE

Bedroom Suite, King Bed, 2 Night Tables, Dresser, Armoire and CONTACT THE VOICE AT Mirror. Excellent condition. $6000. 905-899-2130

AD WITH US!

why not

CALL...

Tell the town!

905.892.8690

Community Event Classiﬁed ads are available in blocks of 30 words for $10 incl. HST. Thanks for supporting your Voice! office@thevoiceofpelham.ca

(905)892-8690

PANCAKE,PICKWICK • 97 PAPE

DEVERARDO (SOUTH)• 9 Piece Antique Oak Dining Room Suite. Good condition, $1000.96 PAPE PLACE YOUR 905-899-2130

Community Events Listings

4 Putting on an event?

PAPER ROUTES AVAILAB

905.892.8690

email: office@thevoiceofpelham.

NEW ADVERTISING OPPORTU

to reach your market coming soon Watch for early previews of our

NEW, EXCITING WEBSITE Follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook.

Page 16

The Voice

A March 31 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

SERVICE DIRECTORY Power Equipment

Heating & & Cooling Heating Cooling

Renovations

DE VRIES R E N O VAT I O N S &

799 Hwy 20, Fenwick, ON

905-892-2664

Electrical Electrical

ACB

Fenwick Alex Bover-Master Electrician

-ECRA #7003130 Service Upgrades • Energy Efficiency Upgrades Troubleshooting • New Wiring & Re-Wiring Commercial • Industrial • Residential

tel: 905-892-4988 Email:abover@cogeco.ca cell: 905-714-2145 for urgent calls

Family built since 1955

905.892.2655

PORT COLBORNE 905-835-2391

Pumps and residential repairs

LICENSED & INSURED

We Service All Makes And Models

CUSTOM HOMES • ADDITIONS • KITCHENS BATHROOMS • WINDOWS & DOORS • SIDING • DECKS • TRIMWORK BARNS & GARAGES • RESTORATION

WILLIAMS PLUMBING & PUMP SERVICE

Flooring

Automotive

FINISHING TOUCHES Property Maintenance Lawn Cutting, Gardening, Yard Clean-ups, Landscaping, Mulch Application, Interlock

CERAMIC TILE • LUXURY VINYL PLANKS • LAMINATE • HARDWOOD PORCELAIN TILE • BACKSPLASHES • COUNTERTOPS

Fully Insured Professional Service

905-218-3662 ♦ Fenwick

Landscaping

Concrete Supplies Concrete Supplies

THE PUMP DOCTOR

devriesrenoltd@gmail.com

Landscaping

Electrical

We Make House Calls!

ADDITIONS

FENWICK 905-892-2391

Motorcycles, ATVs, Power Equipment, Snowblowers, Sales, Service, Parts & Accessories, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM ● www.clarescycle.com

Plumbing

155 HIGHWAY 20 E. • FONTHILL, ON 905-892-5756 • STARTILECENTRE.COM

Landscaping Landscaping

Inground Sprinklers

LANDSCAPES Inspired By Your LIFESTYLE

Admiral Irrigation Inground Lawn Sprinklers

www.admiralirrigation.ca INSTALL · SERVICE · REPAIRS

Niagara’s Complete Concrete Contractor (905) 262-2000

or Toll free

799 Balfour St, Fenwick

1-800-881-1628

cottoninc.ca

905.892.6908

289.271.2526

www.dekorteslandscaping.com

Landscaping

Lawn Cutting

Little Oak’s Lawn Cutting LAWN CARE •Reliable •Courteous •Friendly •Professional

Chris Scott

905.358.0678 Let the best little business work hard for you!

Paper Shredding

Landscaping

GREEN HILLS

L A N D S C A P I N G Grass Cutting & Trimming Landscape Design & Installation Aeration Dethatching Overseeding

Pruning Spring Clean Ups 874 Hwy # 20 W, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 Fall Clean Ups 874 Hwy #20 W, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 Hwy # 20 W, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 Mulch Installation l Landscape Design 874 l Landscape Construction l Driveways, Patio & Walkways l Landscape Design l Landscape Construction l Driveways, Patio & Walkways And Much More! l Natural Stone l Retaining Walls l Outdoor Wood Projects l Natural Stone l Retaining Walls l Outdoor Wood Projects l Water l Water Features Outdoor Lighting Features ll Outdoor Lighting

905-329-3847

greenhillslandscapingfranky@gmail.com Residential • CommeRCial

Steven& & Ryan Ryan Van Lochem Steven Van Lochem Owners/Operators

LICENSED & INSURED

Owners/Operators Phone: 905.892.2188 • www.naturesownidea.com

Phone: 905.892.2188 • www.naturesownidea.com

PLACES OF WORSHIP

Bethany Christian Reformed Church www.bethanycrc.ca

First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., North Pelham

Holy Trinity Anglican Church holytrinityfonthill.org

Pelham Evangelical Friends Church www.pelhamfriends.ca

Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill

Fonthill Baptist Church www.fonthillbaptistchurch.ca

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

Ridgeville Bible Chapel ridgevillebiblechapel.com

Fenwick Church of Christ www.fenwickchurchofchrist.ca

Fonthill United Church www.fonthillunited.com

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

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

Fenwick United Church www.fenwickunited.com

Glad Tidings Church of God www.gladtidingschurchofgod.com

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

St. Ann Roman Catholic Church www.stannfenwick.com

BALANCED LIFE

continued from Page 18 studies are industry- funded. A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study, on the other hand, lists the above concerns, and others specifically related to poor decision making when energy drinks and alcohol are consumed together. Choosing the correct sports drink, and using it properly, takes some research. Most studies agree that if your exercise is less than an hour in duration, sports drinks aren’t required. Your body has enough stored water, glycogen and electrolytes to see you through. For hikes, rides or runs around two hours long, what most of us are seeking is a few grams of carbohydrates to replenish glycogen stores, and a few electrolytes to keep our systems in balance. If part of the reason you’re exercising is to lose

weight, there are calorie and carbfree sports drinks available. Beyond two hours of vigorous exercise, fueling on the go demands more than simply drinking additional sports drinks, which may be dangerous. A 2014 Medical News Today article states that one of the best-selling sports drinks contains, “High levels of food dyes which may increase people’s risk of certain health conditions.” Two days earlier I had read a Cornell University study warning that using red food dyes in hummingbird feeders caused tumors and increased death rates in the birds. That shaky connection was evidence enough to send me further into the warren looking for healthier sports drink alternatives. Healthline, a popular website, states, “We all know the many benefits of coconut water, including its high level of antioxidants and nutrients. So of course it’s no sur-

prise that it’s a good post-workout beverage too.” Sounds reasonable. Wonder if you can buy it as a powder? That search led me to a study by PubMed Central, a highly respected database from the National Institute of Health, which stated, “The findings also noted that drinking coconut water and coconut water concentrate could cause bloating and an upset stomach.” Oops. An article by Eliza Savage (MS, RD,CDN, and marathon runner) on the website Verywellfit, popped up next. It ranked the best seven sports drinks in her opinion, including all natural products which avoided the food dye issue. Harmless Harvest Coconut Water was her choice for, “The most natural, organic, electrolyte-filled drink available. Made solely from coconut water sourced from organic young coconuts grown

in Thailand, the thirst-quenching drink provides a variety of nutrients, including potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.” That product name and description was sales overkill, and it’s not available as a powder anyway. Now I’m envisioning being three or four hours into a ride or hike, and my nutritional requirements to avoid keeling over are well beyond organic young coconuts grown in Thailand, so I search energy bars. By chance, the first site I land on is the Canada Convenience Store News, and I’m really beginning to relate to Alice’s predicament. I need to choose from energy bars, meal replacement bars, breakfast bars, weight-reducing bars, weight gain bars, cereal bars, granola bars and more. Next, a post from Becky Hand, a registered and licensed Dietician, says energy bars can contribute to an

excessive intake of nutrient and calories, low-calorie bars may contain sugar alcohols, most are highly processed food, and some contain those unregulated herbal ingredients mentioned earlier. It gets better. ConsumerL ab. com, an independent testing and review company, tested 30 different nutrition bars. Eighteen did not meet the claims of ingredient levels on the label. More than any other misrepresentation, about half of the nutrition bars exceeded the carbohydrate levels stated on the wrapper. One bar promoted as a low-carbohydrate diet product claimed it had just 2 grams of carbohydrates, but testing showed it actually contained 22 grams. That was it —no commercial energy bars for me. Next ride I cut an apple (carbs, fibre, potassium and antioxidants) into slices, grabbed See BALANCED LIFE next page

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

OBITUARY

JOHNSON, Carl Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at the Welland Hospital on Sunday March 21, 2021. Loving husband and best friend of Cindy. Amazing and supportive father of Amy Youngren and Natalie Vanderwier (Darrick). World’s best papa to Lauren, Marcus, Quinton, Brooklyn, Chelsea and Anson. Proud uncle of Steve Mertz (Melissa) and their children and Robyn Hornyak (Doug). Fondly remembered for his fatherly role by Allin Kerr (Christine), Lesley Kerr, Chris Kerr (Kim) and Laura Trinder (Ryan) and their children. Predeceased by his late wife Brenda and his dear sister Cindy Shepherd. Carl was recognized and highly respected in his profession. He was passionate about spending time with his family and friends and giving back to Arid Group Homes and the AA Community. His legacy will live on in the lives of those he has impacted. Cremation has taken place. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private graveside service will be held. Memorial donations may be made to Arid Group Homes. Arrangements in care of JJ Patterson & Sons Funeral Residence, 19 Young Street, Welland. Online memories and condolences at www.jjpatterson.ca

METE

continued from Page 1

BALANCED LIFE

POTHOLES

a handful of walnuts and almonds (protein, fats, phosphorous and magnesium), and slipped everything into a lightweight reusable bag that fit into my cycling jersey pocket. Sports drinks? Maybe my riding buddy Gerry has it figured out best. While the rest of us are stressing over the perfect solution to endurance energy, he ambles up to the coffee-joint counter and orders a medium cream and sugar, then asks the server to please refill his water bottles from her tap. Back at the table, he adds a spoonful or two of sugar to each, and shakes in a couple seconds worth of salt. For the price of a cup of coffee, Gerry’s unscientific mixture of caffeine, carbs, and sodium has kept him going strong well into his 80s. ◆

ignated to be on the cycling route for Canada’s 2022 Summer Games, hosted by Niagara Region. Pelham’s annual budget for road maintenance and rehabilitation is between $3.5 and $5 million, said Marr, depending on the types of projects that are happening. The Town has a road

to me, the real relationships start in the after-school hours in those opportunities where you are working with kids in something they are very passionate about. It really is about those special relationships you form with kids when they are participating in a sport they passionately love and will remember doing for the rest of their lives.” He feels coaching is about much more than just sports. “It’s trying to teach them life skills as much as possible. You have them in an environment where you can do that. The school day is so structured that it doesn’t allow for that all the time but in a sports environment, especially coaching at the club and school, it offers you an opportunity to get to know kids differently, connect with them and learn a bit about them and who they are.” In addition to his high school coaching career, Mete has been heavily involved with the Pelham Panthers travel basketball association for the past 14 years, serving as a coach and a member of the organization’s executive. Last week he could be found at the community centre, working out his Grade 8 girls team while following strict COVID-19 protocols. “Basketball has always been a huge passion for me

and when my oldest daughter, Emma, became old enough to start playing, I got started coaching right from her Grade 3 year. I have three daughters and as each one started to play basketball, I started coaching all three teams at once,” he said. “For a couple of years, I was able to finagle a way to get a couple of the girls on the same team, even though their ages were a little bit different.” It was a highlight for Mete to coach his daughters Emma, Olivia and Alissa. “I am just glad my daughters enjoyed basketball and lacrosse as much as I did.” Another major highlight for Mete was seeing the 2012 Notre Dame girls field lacrosse team—which won back-to-back Ontario championships—inducted into the Welland Sport Wall of Fame in 2018. “That was a special team and to have some of the girls come back to join us for the celebration was fantastic.” Mete has enjoyed a lot of coaching success in basketball and field lacrosse and is quick to share the credit. “The other true blessing I have had over my coaching career is that I was always supported with incredible assistant coaches who not only supported me, but most importantly offered support and encouragement for our players.”

continued from previous page

continued from Page 2

FAITH LIFT

continued from Page 19 ples and ascended to heaven to be with his Father. Ten days later, the feast of Pentecost took place and the disciples were praying together in a room in Jerusalem. Suddenly, a mighty wind was felt and heard and the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began speaking supernaturally in different languages they had never learned. Their audience was a crowd of Jewish people from around the world who

RANDOM

Do not trust atoms. They make up everything.

Page 17

A March 31 2021

YUKS

He continued on when he arrived at Notre Dame. “They already had a pretty successful boys lacrosse program so my first year I started a girls lacrosse program.” He has continued to run the lacrosse program and has also coached junior and senior girls basketball for the past five or six years. “Coaching and teaching go hand in hand,” Mete said. “The relationships in the classroom are one thing and I love getting to know kids on an academic level, but,

The Voice

base repair program, involving basic asphalt patches on roads that are showing some deterioration, meant to extend the life of the pavement. The municipality also conducts more major road rehabilitations, which includes hotmix asphalt road reconstruction work which is tendered, including surface treatment on rural roads. Isolated pothole patching is covered under the general operations budget.

“We contract out all the major jobs,” said Marr. “This year, we're completing phase two of Pelham Street that in itself is $3.5 million. And we've got a bridge project that'll be about $600,000.” Marr said that the Town did a complete pavement condition study last year, and now has a current inventory of the state of all local roads, allowing Public Works to prioritize projects and spend tax dollars prudently.

had returned to Jerusalem for the festival. They heard the disciples praising and glorifying God in their mother tongues. Many listened intently but some mocked the disciples for being drunk. At that point the apostle Peter began proclaiming a powerful message with these words — “These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!” (Acts 2:15) He went on to explain that this phenomenon was actually fulfilling the prophecy of Joel from six centuries before. Peter shared the Good News that Jesus’ death on the cross had defeated sin and that his resurrection from the tomb had defeated death. And Jesus

had done it all for them. Peter invited the crowd to put their faith in the living Savior and about 3000 people believed and were baptized. The Christian faith exploded that day and began spreading throughout the world. Two millennia later, about two billion people living in every country on the globe call themselves Christians today. Who knows what else God might decide to do in the future… at nine o’clock in the morning. ◆

Mete’s coaching philosophy is based on two pillars. “The No. 1 principles are we want to be the most athletic and fit team out there. If we are athletic and fit, that gives us a chance to compete and I have always believed that in any sport,” he said. “In lacrosse, we went against teams that were way more skilled than us and players who had played their whole life but I thought we always competed because we were athletic, we could run and we could play defence. Fitness and athleticism are the equalizers, at least in the sports I have been involved in.” He has enjoyed building programs at the club and high school level. “I am pretty proud of the fact, especially at the club level, that we kept our kids together for extended periods of time. They weren’t just one-or two-year players and I got to know them and that was exciting. With high school, it was the same thing.” Mete played soccer, basketball, track and field and badminton growing up and made it to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championships in badminton. He was hoping to play soccer at the post secondary level but tore his ACL in Grade 13.

Certified Transistion & Relocation Services

Certified • Bonded Insured

Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor and current member and deacon at Fonthill Baptist.

THE PACKING PEOPLE ... and so much more!  Downsizing  De-cluttering  Packing/Unpacking/Setup  Free Estimates

905-933-0730

www.seniorsonthemoveniagara.com seniorsonthemoveniagara@gmail.com

The road to financial independence begins with a few simple rules You're Invited

Great ideas w

Friday May 1

We’re Here for You. Ready to listen.

This seminar as a webinar

And ready to help you find opportunity. Something we’ve been doing with our clients for many years, in good and bad markets. If you want to talk about your investment portfolio, we’re ready to help can892-9930 provide youor with a second opinion. Calland (905) email

nicolle.lalonde@edwardjones.com to RSVP and

receive webinar details. Let’s talk.

For J.D. Power 2020 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards

Nicolle A Lalonde

For J.D. Power 2020 award information, visit jdpower.com/awards.

Financial Advisor

10AHwy 20 East Nicolle Lalonde

Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0

10 Hwy905-892-9930 20 East Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 905-892-9930

nicolle.lalonde@edwardjones.com

edwardjones.ca Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund

KWIKFIT NIAGARA

8 Highway 20E, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 ◆ www.kwikfit.ca Hours: Mon-Fri 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Weekends 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

CALL FRANK ADAMSON AT 905-892-0200

10th Anniversary Special for New Members! COVID-19 PROTOCOLS IN PLACE Improve Health and Fitness Kwikfit Niagara has improved the performance of people from all walks of life from busy professionals, homemakers, and business owners, and especially senior citizens. A research-based program for strength training, body building, and complete fitness in just 12 minutes per week.

Page 18

The Voice

A March 31 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

THE BALANCED LIFE by John Swart

Sports drinks, energy drinks, and energy bars—a journey down the rabbit hole

n 1865, Lewis Carroll’s Alice fell down a hole belonging to the White Rabbit, discovering Wonderland and creating an expression over-used by everyone from Jefferson Airplane to QAnon conspirators. The Urban Dictionary defines a rabbit hole as a, “Metaphor for the conceptual path which is thought to lead to the true nature of reality. Infinitesimally deep and complex, venturing too far down is probably not that great of an idea.” I entered the sports drink/ energy bar rabbit hole last week. Deep and complex doesn’t begin to describe the trip, and venturing too far

down was definitely not a great idea—unless you’re a big fan of information-overload headaches and indecision-stoked high blood pressure. Why? It was 18 degrees centigrade, I’d ridden 50plus kilometers at a decent pace, and I was dripping with sweat. Apparently my three layers of the finest wicking jerseys to be found anywhere, drenched through and sopping wet, were on strike this day. The scientifically tested, moisture resistant closed-cell foam padding in my cycling shorts must have mated with my car wash sponge when I wasn’t looking, causing me to slide

side-to-side on a cushion of unnamed liquids suspended in the not-so-“closed cell”after-all foam of my shorts. I knew that along with the lost liquid, sodium, magnesium, and phosphorous, all vital electrolytes previously swimming around in my blood, had been washed out of my body too. The fourhour weekend rides, all-day hikes, and marathon gardening sessions in the spring and summer sun were fast approaching. It was time to purchase my sports drinks and energy bars for the warm weeks ahead. Little did I realize the rabbit hole loomed behind the Powerade display. One of the advantages of cycling through west Pelham and Wainfleet rather than driving is that as a cyclist I can study the man-made contents of rural roadside ditches in depth. The following list isn’t peer reviewed,

but I put a lot of kilometers in without much to occupy my thoughts, so it is thorough. Discarded single-use water bottles, McDonald’s french fry containers, and Tim Hortons coffee cups are the topthree items, except on some of the more remote roads, where there are a lot of empty beer cans and abandoned medical-grade masks. Plastic sports drink bottles, aluminum energy drink cans, and bar wrappers are also high on the list of ditch inhabitants, which makes me want to purchase my drinks as powders, in the biggest containers possible, to reduce the amount of plastic waste my cycling generates. I expected a quick internet search to see which local retailer handles what powdered products would do it. Wrong. Daniela Coppola, a researcher at interna-

tional data research company Statista,forecast last November that Canadian retails sales of sports and energy drinks would reach $1.03 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, an increase of around US $200,000,000 since 2017. Sixty percent of those sales would be energy drinks, the fastest growing segment of the market, and 40 percent would be sports drinks. Energy bars is such a broad category, it’s impossible to even put an accurate sales number on it. That’s a lot of choice, and the information and evidence available to assist consumers in making smart choices can be ridiculously conflicting. Sports drinks such as Powerade or Gatorade are primarily marketed as hydration drinks designed to replace the water and electrolytes which may be lost during physical activity.

Energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster Energy, which contain some combination of caffeine, sugar, vitamins, and often non-regulated herbal ingredients, claim to boost mental and physical stimulation and energy levels. Energy drinks as a category will never find their way into my water bottles. Any mental or physical boost they may provide is offset by the potential health issues they may create or contribute to: increased heart rate, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, insomnia, dehydration, and restlessness, to name a few. There are scientific studies confirming that energy drinks produce a boost as claimed without side effects, but buried within the rabbit hole I learn many of these See BALANCED LIFE Page 16

V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Have deep conversations with those close to you as they may have something they can teach you, Aries. You will learn about yourself and those close to you in the process. TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, close friendships have the potential to become even closer this week. You are focusing intently on relationships of all kinds lately. This brings you closer to those you love. GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Personal growth is important for you, Gemini. It may increase others’ admiration of you in the days to come. Keep up the self-improvement because it is producing results. CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Success at work continues to usher in good fortune, Cancer. But you may have a tingling feeling it may be time to move on to new horizons. Think things through carefully. LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, relax and be yourself when you meet new people. You don’t need to pretend to be someone else to win others over. Start new relationships with honesty. VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, you will propose new ideas to people around you. Don’t be surprised when they want to go along with them. Simply embrace the interest and move forward. LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 This week shows signs of being a very busy, but fulfilling time, Libra. Even though things can get a tad overwhelming, you’ll be able to work through the excitement.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Your financial success is bound to take another step forward, Scorpio. This bodes well for the plans you have in place. Now you may be able to act on them a little ahead of schedule. SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Enjoy the success you have achieved over the past several weeks, Sagittarius. Even though you have been flying high, make an eﬀort to be humble as well. CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 You may have been pondering ways to advance your career, Capricorn. Don’t hesitate to put plans in action, especially after they are vetted and you run them by others. AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, your strongest relationships are warm and supportive. This is a great time to form romantic partnerships, business relationships or personal friendships. PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Everything is going great for your career, Pisces. Things may seem too good to be true. There are challenges ahead, but you can manage. FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS MARCH 28 Lady Gaga, Singer (35) MARCH 22 29 Maggie Baird, Actress (62) MARCH 30 Celine Dion, Singer (53) MARCH 31 Ewan McGregor (50) APRIL 1 Bunny, Wrestler (41) APRIL 2 Pedro Pascal, Actor (46)

SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. SADDEN 2. SHROVE 3. TAIPEI 4. UCA 5. SAMBAS 6. TUBED 8. SIB 9. PIES 11. BERG 14. SCH 15. STOMATA 18. TH 19. ART 20. EDDA 22. BOLEROS 23. OPI 24. OIL 27. APES 28. TOR 29. TAR 31. EBS 32. TAMARA 33. YAK 34. DR 35. SEEM 36. HABITS 37. ATAXIA 38. WANTED 39. OSSA 40. CUTUP 44. THE 47. SAC

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. SST 4. UST 7. AHA 8. SCAUP 10. DRIB 12. IAMBI 13. DOPE 14. SSB 16. BEE 17. EVERT 19. ACT 20. EADS 21. NEIGHBORHOODS 25. OPT 26. MID 27. ATLI 29. TALA 30. POE 31. EAT 32. TERRY BRADSHAW 39. OCAS 41. OAS 42. REATA 43. SUM 44. TSK 45. EBAN 46. STASH 48. MIXT 49. AURAE 50. TIE 51. PAC 52. SAD

Enjoy our Take-out Fish & Chips Fridays! From our family to yours...stay safe

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 19

A March 31 2021

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

Nine o'clock in the morning

hat are you usually doing at nine o’clock in the morning? I’m usually finishing my breakfast and getting ready for my daily quiet time of Bible reading and prayer. There are two occasions in Scripture when something very significant happened at exactly 9 AM. Let’s take a look…

sus paid the penalty of all human sin. At the end Jesus cried out, breathed his last, and died. The sky went dark, an earthquake rumbled, and the people watching fled. The mourning, confused disciples huddled behind locked doors. Their hopes and dreams had been crushed and everything looked black.

The second Gospel tells us that Jesus was nailed to a Roman cross during the Passover festival at 9 AM on the first Good Friday. Mark simply states, “It was nine in the morning when they crucified him.” (Mark 15:25) The rapid and tragic sequence of events had begun the night before. Jesus and his disciples had been in the garden of Gethsemane near the eastern entrance to Jerusalem. While Jesus was praying (and his disciples sleeping), Judas Iscariot had arrived with some soldiers who arrested Jesus. His disciples fled. They took Jesus to the home of the high priest who quickly arranged a mock trial to condemn him to death. Since they didn’t have the authority to kill him, they took him to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Pilate sent him to King Herod who happened to be in town visiting. Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate who reluctantly caved in to the Jewish leaders’ demands and the pressure of a shouting mob. After a brutal scourging (or whipping), Jesus carried a heavy, rough cross to his execution on a hill called Golgotha. The long, agonizing torture of crucifi xion began at 9 AM and continued until 3 PM. For six hours on that Friday Je-

Luke tells us in his Gospel’s sequel (Acts) that Peter and the other disciples were miraculously infused with God’s Spirit at 9 AM on the day of Pentecost.

The day the earth darkened

“Pente” means 50 and the festival of Pentecost took place 50 days after Passover when Jesus died. A lot had transpired since that terrible day. Jesus’ body had been lovingly removed from the cross and placed in a nearby tomb. On Sunday morning some women followers had come to the tomb and found the stone removed and the body missing. Over the next 40 days, the resurrected Jesus appeared multiple times to his followers preparing them for their future ministry. Jesus then left his disci-

The day the faith exploded

See FAITH LIFT Page 17

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

Word Search: Family Leporidae B A B

H V F

V C V

T M P

I M U

C W Z

A A D

E P D

T A C

T S S

B I W

E R B

Q R Q

K S A

F W N

H N N

Y B Z

I T S

X B O

R R W

B I

T I

F B

O M

S X

H B

S P

V O

B P

W U

T D

K E

B B

U A

H H

M H

U F

D M

W I

W R

T T Y

B B A

B T P

I H S

H U O

U M O

N P S

W E M

D R F

O N Z

R E Q

R Y B

R O B

Q B P

R O U

L R A

C B E

K R G

D T A

H Z C

R A B

R R E

Y N N

D R U

L L W

K F P

H J R

F G F

I U M

H W E

E K R

M Y U

S W W

U Z B

V N E

N Q N

M N D

G F Y

E O Y

M I R

B I T T Y C X O T

T E P W J U V D H

U B Y E N O H N E

A A E U A C A N S

N N D H F B O V O

E R N B B I U Y C

R L X I E D N T I

D V T S A N S I A

C Q V K U K S B L

Q K U B K A V B B

W T S Q S G M A U

K G Y E E U J R N

U C E J H E C E N

Z Q V Z S V Y T Y

T P R Y A Z W I R

O V A U K J N H D

Y K H L I V D W U

G T L D M Z A E L

N L X P K J L H J

W I N R P N C T Z

Find the words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally, and backwards. BUGS BUNNY THE WHITE RABBIT ROGER RABBIT PETER RABBIT ENERGIZER BUNNY

THUMPER CADBURY BUNNY BABBITTY RABBITTY FLOPSY HARVEY

MARCH HARE HONEY BUNNY NABBIT THE SOCIAL BUNNY EASTER BUNNY

ANSWERS ON PAGE 18

Voice

CROSSWORD

PETER PIPERS 111 HWY 20 E, FONTHILL

Curbside Pickup Homemade Pizza 905-892-0782

Page 20

The Voice

A March 31 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Voice

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

4 Palatschinken Crêpes

Crêpe is the French word for “pancake.” Crêpes are delicate, batter-based and savory or sweet creations that can be eaten at various times of the day. Crêpes may be enjoyed at breakfast ﬁlled with fresh berries, or as a dessert bursting with a luscious cream. While French crêpes are widely known, various cultures have their own variation of this super-thin pancake, including the Bavarian region of Germany. Palatschinken and Pfannkuchen are German/Austrian crêpe varieties. German and Austrian crêpes are slightly thicker than French ones, but not nearly as thick as American pancakes. Enjoy this recipe for “Palatschinken (Crêpes),” courtesy of Little Vienna, an online recipe blog. Palatschinken Crêpes Yields 5

A BIG THANK YOU FOR LITTLE LIBRARIES Little sidewalk libraries are popping up on people’s front yards across town like ﬂowers to enjoy year-round. Joe and Maggie Van Bolderen’s little library, at 17 Fallingbrook Drive, was one of the ﬁrst to show up in Pelham. Joe was inspired by a little library that he saw during a trip to Vancouver a few years ago and he decided to build

one out of scrap wood when he arrived home—as the Voice reported back in January, a story that may have inspired the Pelham Beautification Committee’s choice for their monthly Thank You card initiative. The committee found seven little sidewalk libraries in Pelham, and says it would like to congratulate the Van Boderens and all local little library owners on their efforts to beautify Pelham and share their love of books with the community. The Pelham Beautification Committee is an advisory committee to Pelham Council, and welcomes submissions from residents on potential future Thank You card recipients at beautification@pelham.ca. CYNTHIA ROBERTS

Eyelash and eyebrow tints Tinting is the safe way of dyeing eyelashes and eyebrows to make them look naturally darker. It lasts 4-6 weeks. $18 each. INDIVIDUAL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE

TRACY STRYCKER 289.213.3834 34 Deerpark, Fonthill salonollegra.com

It’s Time for a SPRING Tune-up! MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

ratures Tempe ing!! is r are

Financing & Rebates AVAILABLE!

High efficiency Gas Furnace and Air Conditioning packages at GREAT PRICING!

BOB REID

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

Heating & Air Conditioning RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL

905-892-7787

Don’t wait for Spring… Buyers are coming NOW! 30+ YEARS OF TRUST IN REAL ESTATE

30+ YEARS OF TRUST IN REAL ESTATE 30+ YEARS OF TRUST IN REAL ESTATE

GARY SNIDER GARYBROKER SNIDER GARYBROKER SNIDER

T: 905.988.2205 BROKER E: gsnider@bosleyrealestate.com

Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage www.bosleyrealestate.com

5-233 King St., Niagara-on-the-Lake, Bosley Real Estate BrokerageON LtdL0S 1J0 Bosley Real Estate Brokerage Ltd Bosley Real Estate Brokerage Ltd

HOURS: Mon-Fri 11-7, Sat 9-1 BOOK ONLINE: xandaro.com/myfamily1

2 1 1 1⁄4 1⁄4

large eggs cup milk (8 fl. oz, 240 ml) cup all purpose flour (31/2 oz, 130 g) teaspoon fine salt teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, omit for savory fillings) Butter, ghee or neutral tasting oil for coating the pan Apricot jam for the filling Confectioner’s sugar for dusting

Whisk the eggs using a hand whisk in a medium bowl until lightly beaten. Add salt, vanilla extract (if used) and about 1⁄3 cup (80 ml) of the milk (just eyeball) and stir until combined. Add flour and whisk until you get a smooth batter. The batter should be thick and tough so you can barely whisk it. Add a little of the remaining milk if it is too hard to stir. Lumps have no chance in thick batters. Gradually add in the remaining milk while whisking. Heat an 8-inch (or larger) nonstick pan over medium heat. Add 1⁄2 teaspoon butter (or oil) and spread it carefully with a spatula to coat the bottom of the pan evenly. This is important; otherwise, the butter will disturb you when swirling the pan for distributing the batter. Pour 1⁄3 cup batter (for an 8-inch pan, more for larger pans) into the center of the pan and swirl to spread evenly. Once the bottom side is golden in color, flip it with a spatula and cook the other side for about 15 seconds. Invert onto a plate — the browned side should touch the plate, you should see the pale side. This way the nice-looking side will be outside when you roll it. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding 1⁄2 teaspoon of butter/ oil for every crêpe. If the batter thickens over time, add a little milk. You can keep the ready ones warm on a plate in the oven at low temperature. Spread each Palatschinke with Apricot jam (or other filling) and roll it from one side to the other. Dust the Palatschinken with confectioner’s sugar and serve with a fork and spoon (the spoon serves as a knife).

RENOVATE YOUR HOME Whether it’s new windows and doors or siding, soffit, fascia and eavestrough; it’s a great time to buy. North Star energy-efficient windows are built in Canada and will save you money year round. North Star windows help keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Call or visit our showroom today for a FREE ESTIMATE on your home! FINANCING AVALABLE (OAC)

WITH LOUWES

Open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm for curbside pick up only. Email all other inquiries, orders and quote requests to: info@louwes.ca

905.562.5831

3435 King Street Vineland WINDOWS & SIDING SINce 1966 • WWW.lOuWeS.ca