The Voice, May 12 2021

Pelham Council nixes townshouses (again)

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

DEBBIE PINE SALES REPRESENTATIVE 905.892.0222 NRC Realty, Brokerage

Independently Owned & Operated

debbiepine@royallepage.ca

Farmers Market is back

page 6

Meet Sarah Leach

The Voice Z Z

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

page 3

of Pelham and Central Niagara

Published every Wednesday

MAY 12 2021

Vol.25 No.19 

Arson likely at former nudist resort

page 12

Darcy Richardson, CPA, CA | Broker

DARCYRICHARDSON.CA darcy@darcyrichardson.ca 905.321.6292

Column Six

Memories of Pelham A “city kid's” recollections

BY DEBBIE (SMEED) MACLEOD Special to the Voice

I

who was something of a nudist resort pioneer in Ontario. (His name is still on the mailbox at the top of the driveway.) Today, it is a woodland strewn with rotting structures which suggest little of the sans-clothes sun-worshipper culture which inhabited the grounds in

was born in October 1954, in the bustling little city of St. Catharines. When I was seven, our family moved to the slightly smaller town of Thorold. As young kids we thought of ourselves more as city kids than country kids. Our days were spent playing outdoor games such as hide-and-seek, Nicky Nicky Nine Doors, as well as building forts, playing dodge ball, Mother May I, and the list goes on. But our favorite activity was riding our bikes.

Everyone owned a bike as it was our main mode of transportation. Our parents were much too busy making a living, working, cooking, cleaning, budgeting and planning to drive us anywhere.

Off we would go on our bikes venturing all over Thorold. We would hit up the local corner stores for one-cent candies, ride to parks to take in a ball game, or play on the swings and teeter-totters. In the summer we would ride to the only pool in town, an outdoor pool, and it was

See FIRE Page 14

See COLUMN SIX Page 17

Pelham Fire Chief Bob Lymburner and property owner Abidin Akkok view the smoldering remains of a derelict building at the former Sun Valley Gardens.

Abandoned Roland Rd property targeted

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent For some three decades, 850 Roland Road was a reclusive home to an “au naturel” lifestyle, namely a nudist resort. Today, nature has re-

claimed the forested setting, that is, on occasion, literally going up in flames.

The Pelham Fire Department responded to a blaze on the property last Monday evening, which gutted a derelict structure. Fire Chief Bob

Lymburner told the Voice it was the second such call to the rural address in the past year, and noted that Niagara Regional Police have been called to the address “a number of times, because of kids partying.”

The 25-acre site, known as Sun Valley Gardens from 1954 to 1982, was owned by the Ruehle family, headed by patriarch Karl Ruehle,

DON RICKERS

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

Page 2

The Voice

A May 12 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

IN THE NEWS

PUBLISHER’S CORNER

by Dave Burket

Biding our time: Stalwart contributor Don Rickers took a shot last summer of the grapevines growing at the corner of Effingham and Highway 20. It sat on the shelf, and then suddenly it was autumn and a little late to run. Wait, why not turn that grape juice into wine, to coin a phrase, and take the same shot through fall, winter, and spring? And voilà, here we are, the cycle complete, presented in this week’s Centrespread.

Almost makes me want to give up newspapering. (No, seriously.

Would some winery hire me, please?)….Macaroni, macaroons, maca-what-now? Incidentally, that last bit featured usage that linguists call macaronic, or the mixing of different languages in a sentence (the French “voilà” with English, in this case).

A better example would be, “Siapa yang cuci-ing the car” or, “Who is washing the car,” which mixes Indonesian and English, as well as tacking on the English “-ing” to the Indonesian verb for wash. (Fussy linguists might also call this code-switching.)

Why bring it up? Because a friend happened to see the word “macaronic” in a famously negative book review (The Book of Kings, in The Guardian, from 2000), and foolishly bet me that I could not work “macaronic” into Publisher’s Corner. He did not reckon on my eagerness to win that $5. Pay up, sir!...Down Memory Laing: Last week, reader Bob Laing dropped off a Voice special section devoted to E. L. Crossley Secondary School, from April 1997. The reasoning behind the section isn’t explained, but it came within the first couple of months of the Voice’s existence, so maybe it was a sort of, “Hello, we’re here!” effort. We note on page 4 the thrilling news that the Grade 11-12 computer lab was being modernized with “new and improved Internet Access.”

Ah, those days of warbling modems. (“What’s a modem?” ask teenagers today. That’s fine. Like rotary phones and 8-track tapes, some technology is best left to history.)...Prices just keep falling: Who knows, pandemic-related parts shortages may yet change this, but judging by Thomas TV’s ad this week (p.8), HDTV prices are lower than ever—less that half what we paid for our set a decade ago...Speaking of value: Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds, one of the items on sale this week at PharmaChoice (p.9). We’ll typically do five or six loads of wash per week, and the soap is so concentrated that a gallon jug will last six to seven months—it’s also effectively unscented (very slight pine scent going in the washer, but nothing coming out), and cleans incredibly well…

The Three Rs: It seems hard to believe, but through the 1960s there were still one- and two-room schoolhouses in Pelham.

Mayor Marv Junkin and HVAC expert Bob Reid were in the same class at the Law’s School, and this week’s delightful Column Six recalls Grade 7 at the St. Johns West School, in 1966-67, a little before my time but not by much...The blink of an eye: Is it possible? Town Treasurer Teresa Quinlin celebrates her fourth year on the job next Monday, May 17, and from what we hear Town finances are finally once again in decent shape. More to come...Meanwhile: Stay safe. See you next week. ◆

More vaccination appointments this week

Due to a last-minute boost of vaccines coming to Niagara, additional spots have been added to several Niagara Region Public Health COVID-19 vaccination clinics this month, according to a statement released Saturday, May 8, by Niagara Region. These include: May 11-14 – Port Colborne, Vale Health and Wellness Centre; and May 15-16 – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Community Centre. Appointments are open to those 50 years of age or older. As well, those with appointments already booked may reschedule them to one of these earlier dates. Eligible residents may book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccination either online through the provincial portal at Ontario.ca/bookvaccine or by calling the provincial booking system at 1-833-943-3900.

Thursday, May 13, at 8 AM, individuals turning 40 and older in 2021 will also be eligible to book an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a mass immunization clinic. Eligible individuals can schedule an appointment through the provincial booking system, or directly through public health units that use their own booking system.

Due to increased vaccine supply the province is adding high-risk health care workers, dialysis patients, and all First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals to the list of those eligible to book their appointment to receive a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine earlier than the extended four-month interval. The province said that these groups face a greater risk of contracting and suffering serious illness from COVID-19. Eligibility for booking will begin by the end of this week.

Vaccine eligibility expands

Arrest in St. Kitts anti-lockdown protest

According to a provincial statement released Monday, May 10, as of Tuesday, May 11, at 8 AM, individuals with at-risk health conditions such as dementia, diabetes and sickle cell disease, as well as Group Two of people who cannot work from home including grocery store, restaurant and transportation workers, became eligible to book an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition, effective

Voice

NRPS impaired driving charges ~

What's That

SIREN Pelham Fire Department Weekly Calls

The Pelham Fire department responded to six calls for assistance from Friday, April 30 to Friday, May 7.

Sunday, May 2 Smoke in the area, Sixteen Rd., Short Hills Monday, May 3 Medical assistance, Fonthill Detector activation, Hurricane Rd., Fonthill Structure fire, Roland Rd., Fenwick, Fonthill, Short Hills Tuesday, May 4 Carbon Monoxide alarm, Strathcona Dr., Fonthill Friday, May 7 Medical assistance, Fonthill

On Saturday May 8, a gathering was organized and held in St. Catharines in response to recently implemented government restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19. 1 District (St. Catharines/ Thorold) uniform officers were in attendance to ensure public safety and keep the peace, according to a police statement released on Saturday. Investigation by 1 District detectives has led to criminal charges.

Sandor Ligetfalavy, 37, of Niagara Falls, has been charged with common nuisance/endanger lives or safety of public, disobey order of court, and fail to comply with undertaking. Ligetfalavy was taken into custody pending a video bail hearing. Police said that further charges are pending under the Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act.

Congratulations

CARRIER

OF THE WEEK!

on VACCINATION!

New Fea

Aurora

Voice 825 Canboro Road, Fenwick

(905) 892-8690

(905) 892-8724

Find the Voice at these locations:

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

FRESH OFF THE FARM ALL YEAR ROUND

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

➡

➡

Lucky number 100,000—Last Saturday, Fonthill’s MaryAnn Ratcliffe received the 100,000th dose of COVID-19 vaccine at the Seymour-Hannah Sports and Entertainment Complex, in St. Catharines. Nearly 200,000 doses have been given across all of Niagara to date.

Then it isn’t being seen.

The Voice

GETTING THE COVID JAB? SEND US A SELFIE! Email: office@thevoiceofpelham.ca S P O N S O R E D

We're all in this

together

COVID -19 VACCINE

The paper that Pelham reads.

B Y

(905) 892-1888

The Voice PUBLISHED INDEPENDENTLY IN PELHAM

FREE Delivery or curbside pick-up of all items pharmachoice.com

(905) 892-8690 advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

• Easy prescription transfer • Locally owned and operated • Free prescription delivery • Fast, friendly, courteous service • Free on-site compliance packaging • Seniors save every day

Like us on Facebook facebook.com/pch663/

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

W

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

A

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

While waiting for the contractor to return to fix

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

VOICE PHOTO

bourhood in the short-term.

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

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

Petition-inspired changes coming to 2017 Summerfest

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

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

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

sidered.

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

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

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

Another way the committee plans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BY VOICE STAFF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After delivering to Council a petition containing

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

podium over to Loewen and Williams to plead their case.

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

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

www.pennylanesold.com

H EATHER AND P ENNY L ANE S ALES R EPRESENTATIVES

BY JOHN SWART

VOICE Correspondent

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

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

Town Council approves sidewalk to serve E. L. Crossley

BY NATE SMELLE

The VOICE

Joining their principal, Karen Simpson, at the Sept.

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

Cell 905.933.3049

T

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

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

Office 905.892.1702

Column Six It doesn’t get better than Autumn

Longtime Scouting tradition dates to 1932

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

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

GRENIER

ture!

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.

Brett W. ENGLAND, 30, Grimsby Bryan J. BURKE, 35, Niagara Falls Antonio SCHMITT, 47, Brantford Jake W. A. MARTINS, 25, Niagara Falls Robert A. LYDEN, 51, Hamilton Adam E. FRASER, 37, Welland

“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

8

E

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

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

TOWN COUNCIL NEWS

Pelham Town Council meets virtually on May 3.

Page 3

A May 12 2021

Open for the Season

YOUTUBE

Minus explanation, townhouses again bite the dust

BY JOHN CHICK Voice Correspondent An unusually short Pelham Town Council meeting May 3 still wasn’t without antics of its own after members again shot down a development design proposal they had earlier sought to reconsider, and another councilor had to change their vote on different matter.

At council’s March 22 meeting, political allies Lisa Haun, Marianne Stewart, Ron Kore and Bob Hildebrandt had balked at a design proposal by Mountainview Homes for a townhouse development in East Fonthill.

Following public outcry, given that the design was aimed at a lower price point, Haun later claimed she didn’t have proper information about the project—despite other council members stating that they had been supplied with all relevant documents. Haun instead criticized the Voice at council’s following meeting, on April 6, suggesting the newspaper had cast her as anti-affordable housing.

Last Monday, with the townhouse application back on the docket, the same bloc of four councillors — Haun, Stewart, Kore and Hildebrandt — once again voted against the project, without explaining their rationale despite being invited to comment before the vote by the chair, Mayor Marvin Junkin. [See related story, p. 8.]

Immediately prior on a separate agenda item, also related to planning, Councillor Stewart had asked to change her vote after it was recorded.

Stewart herself had brought the item forward several months back— a proposed system in which developers could meet separately with neighbouring residents before involving Town Planning staff in a proposed development design. Stewart had taken inspiration for the project from the City of Burlington.

However, in drafting their report, Pelham Town staff—using Burlington’s model— recommended the hiring of another planner to offset the added workload.

“Planning staff are currently working to maximum capacity and currently are challenged with meeting timelines for review and processing of development applications,” the report read.

This didn’t sit well with Stewart, and councillors Hildebrandt and Wayne Olson.

While Stewart said that Burlington’s initial project did not involve municipal staff in the process—outside of providing developers with neighbours’ contact information — it has in fact grown into a system that brings all three parties together. Hildebrandt suggested splitting the motion, and attempting to move forward with the project without involving Town staff.

For his part, Mayor Marvin Junkin wanted to stick with staff expertise.

“If we’re going to follow the Burlington protocol, then we should have planning members [at meetings],” the Mayor said. He added that not doing so could turn some meetings into “something not productive.”

As a point of reference, Councillor John Wink noted a rancorous developer/resident meeting over a proposed Pancake Lane apartment complex not long ago as an example.

However, on the first vote, Stewart voted against the overall proposal, helping kill it along with four other members. Only Haun and Hildebrandt initially supported it.

Then, after the vote was tallied, Stewart

raised her hand to ask if she could vote again.

CAO David Cribbs pointed out the item would still lose 4-3 in that case, but said that barring objections, Stewart’s vote could be changed to “accurately reflect [her] thought pattern.”

The item then again lost, officially by 4-3.

In other planning-related news, council unanimously voted to endorse a request by the City of Kitchener to appeal to the provincial government to loosen timelines for review of Planning Act applications. Under Ontario’s new Bill 108, several timelines have been shortened by months — something that Kitchener said was problematic “even outside the context of navigating city business in a global pandemic.”

Director of Community Planning and Development Barb Wiens conceded that the province’s new timelines are more “difficult” now.

“Planning has become more and more complex,” Wiens said.

Stewart and Haun led the charge at Pelham’s last council meeting to ask the Niagara Region to advocate for a delay in the Region’s Official Plan, a separate matter.

Video streaming coming to MCC

Council approved going forward with installing $51,000- worth of video streaming equipment for the Accursi Room at the community centre. The money will come from upper-level pandemic grant funding, and allow seniors’ programs to be streamed live from the complex. A separate proposal to install video streaming from the hockey rink and basketball courts— in theory allowing family to watch their kids play sports remotely— is expected in another report at the next meeting.

Thursdays 4 p.m. to Dusk 20 Pelham Town Square

What to expect when visiting Wear a face-covering at all times unless you have an exception Sanitizer available before entry No handling or sampling of food Maintain a safe distance of 2M Follow the traffic-flow directions

MCC key to fight against COVID

In his COVID-19 update, Fire Chief Bob Lymburner confirmed that the vaccination output at the MCC will be doubled, making it the largest vaccination site in Niagara.

“The fact we have that facility really means we are able to help Niagara Region out of this pandemic,” CAO Cribbs added. The CAO also took a moment to publicly thank Lymburner for his work on the pandemic response.

“Getting to this point took a lot of staff time and resources,” Cribbs said. “Every team needs a leader and our fire chief has been the leader on this file.”

Lymburner reported that as of May 3, 186,022 people had received at least one dose of a vaccine in Niagara.

Hildebrandt reminded council that vaccinations are also available at various local pharmacies and through personal physicians.

(Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are currently provided at scheduled clinics, while the AstraZeneca vaccine is available through pharmacies and family doctors.)

Bauer Trail snow removal

The cost of snow removal on the 1.6-kilometre paved stretch of the Steve Bauer Trail will be $125 per “winter event” according to the Town.

Pelham receives between 25 and 35 winter events per year, according to an estimate provided by Public Works.

pelham.ca/farmers-market Hey Kids...Register online and join in the fun with weekly market inspired adventures!

Learn, explore, grow!

Junior Growers

Page 4

The Voice

A May 12 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 Gang of Four—From tragedy, to comedy, to farce

L

ast week, Pelham Town Hall was treated to a fine display of hypocrisy, courtesy of at least Councillors Haun and Hildebrandt. Haun in particular had earlier and quite crankily made a big deal out of not being told by staff that she was killing affordable housing—this in reference to Mountainview Homes’ proposed Park Place South development, in East Fonthill.

Just one small problem.

An easy review of council’s April 6 meeting, available in you-are-there High Definition on YouTube, fails to reveal any elected official asking Town staff about affordability or housing economics. How staff can be blamed for not answering questions not posed to them, one can only guess— or not guess, as it were.

At any rate, the Gang of Four, who had voted unilaterally on March 22 to change Mountainview’s townhouse development proposal, spoke to the item again on April 19, and indicated that they had experienced a change of heart.

Now they understood, they said, that the back-to-back townhouses they had pro-

hibited were effectively affordable by today’s stratospheric real estate pricing standards. By implication, all would be made right when the matter came back before them on May 3.

We extend our sympathies to young couples and families trying to start out in Pelham

Fast forward to May 3—last Monday— and a staff report on the agenda, drafted in such a form as to allow council to undo its decision prohibiting the back-to-backs and to restore the developer’s original vision.

Readers will recall that the development contains three styles of townhouses, as well as single family detached homes, for a total of some 100 units, none of which would get built if council denied the applica-

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

Z

Z

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

(905) 892-8690

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

tion for subdivision. (The Haun-sharpened pitchforks pertain to just a single townhouse design.)

When presented with the opportunity to fi x their own goal, the self-induced gut-punch, or the attack on affordable housing, as you may prefer (all are reasonable characterizations), the Gang of Four once again voted to kill the back-toback townhouses and affordable units.

Having been given two opportunities to approve these units, the group bolloxed it twice.

This newspaper looks forward to hearing how this utter failure of leadership will be justified. None of the four councillors responded when asked for comment.

We extend our sympathies to young couples and families trying to start out in Pelham.

Presumably Welland beckons. (Don’t forget, we still have a $40 million dollar community centre to pay off, and that’s happening through property taxes.)

The second vote was actually worse than the first, because if the words earlier spoken by Councillor Haun were true—that she blamed See EDITORIAL next page

Letters Transient farm odours not as bad as skunky pot Kudos to you, spring fragrance tainted! [“Spring’s fragrance tainted,” Letters, May 3.] I only wish more of the communities would make their voices heard.

I was originally raised on a farm, and although yes, spring did bring into our home the fresh air of new growth, we had our own farm aromas. It was never as offensive as what comes into my windows today—the smell of cannabis.

Two years ago we retired to Fonthill to be close to family and to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. Now on almost a

7

CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Member of Federal Parliament

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

Electoral District: Niagara West

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

daily basis that smell invades our home, our backyard and even our car while driving in the Foss Road area.

I get that communities need corporate growth, but at what cost? The taxes that all those subject to this offensive smell almost daily pay should count for something. Everyone needs to make their voices heard and the authorities need to pay attention.

Sue Bailey Fonthill

Certified Transistion & Relocation Services

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

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

Certified • Bonded Insured

Councillor Wayne Olson wolson@pelham.ca 905-933 6033

905-933-0730

www.seniorsonthemoveniagara.com seniorsonthemoveniagara@gmail.com

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

JA

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 May 12 2021

OPINION Enjoyed feeling the Bern I moved to Fonthill back in February of this year so I am new to the area. I read the Voice every week so that I can become familiar with places and what is happening in my new community. So thank you for publishing this paper every week.

I thought your writer Bernie Puchalski was great. I got pure pleasure reading

“Walk 33,000 steps in my shoes” [Column Six, May 5]. I shared it with a few people and all of them thought it was so well written and just an overall feel-good story. I hope Mr. Puchalski will make a guest appearance every so often.

Samantha Stevens Fonthill

Open letter from Fonthill Lions The Fonthill Lions Club Inc. would like to thank the Town of Pelham, Mayor, councillors, and staff for investigating the concerns we are having over the excess water flow into the creek alongside the Fonthill Lions Club Inc. park. We feel this needs to be improved and have voiced our concerns along with the other parties involved (Pelham Cares and Trouts unlimited). We understand the Town has requested staff to engage in an engineering study and recommendations to eliminate our concerns. On behalf of the Fonthill Lions Club Inc. we thank you.

Lion Jake Dilts Clean the Creek Coordinator Fonthill Lions Club Inc.

Open letter from Pelham Cares Dear Mayor and Town of Pelham members of council: On behalf of the board of directors of Pelham Cares Inc. we would like to extend our sincere appreciation of the time and research that is currently being put forth on the Twelve Mile Creek erosion issues.

Pelham Cares’ property is seeing significant damage and severe environmental impact as the erosion is approaching our driveway and nearing our building. Any progress taken on this project is appreciated. It is encouraging to have the town of Pelham and participants engaged in conversation to rectify this issue. We look forward to hearing the solution and the next steps will be in resolving this issue.

Tracy Homewood President, Board of Directors Pelham Cares Inc.

Maybe it's okay to delay surgery I have been reading about the “Ear for Emmett” campaign with great fascination for the last several months. I tried to reach out to the family, as I was born with same condition as Emmett. I guess unfortunately for me I was born in 1956, and there was no such thing as a GoFundMe organization. When I tried to ask the family some questions about the procedure Emmett was going to have I didn’t get a reply.

I have managed to live a very productive and good life with only having been born with one ear. I do have an ear prosthesis now, but before that I survived quite nicely. I managed to play all sports in my youth, coach See SURGERY next page

EDITORIAL

continued from previous page staff for not explaining the ramifications of her first vote—then obviously on May 3 there was a truly calculated decision among the Gang of Four to kill the affordable units.

The line between tragedy and comedy can be razor-thin, as seen in last Monday’s council recording (also on YouTube, still in HD). It’s hard to say whether the stunned faces of the Mayor, Councillor Wink, Councillor Olson, and much of the senior staff are the stuff of humor or pathos.

Fools all of them—and us— for taking the Gang of Four at their word that their position would be reversed to allow for the less expensive units.

Worse, the vote occurred

with no discussion—not a single peep, syllable, or grunt— which implies that the quartet may well have discussed their plan outside of the council process, out of public view, the very opposite of the transparency that each member campaigned on in 2018. Whether or not they voted in error the first time, they certainly knew what they were do-

PELHAM AND COVID-19 Mayor Marvin Junkin

Hiccup in numbers; more MCC jabs; finances improving

T

he decline of daily new cases of COVID in Ontario, which had fallen from a high of 4600 to a low last week of just over 2600, hit a hiccup when Friday’s number of new cases rebounded to just over 3,400. As of Friday, Ontario had 486,000 cases, with 8,236 deaths.

In Niagara on Friday we had 121 new cases, up from 74 on Thursday. Total deaths have unfortunately reached 395. In Pelham, our active cases were at 40 per 10,000, which puts us middle of the Region. Some 96 percent of all COVID cases in Niagara have seen those diagnosed positive staying at home to self-isolate, with 3.5 percent of cases admitted to hospital.

These two numbers have remained fairly consistent throughout the pandemic.

On the vaccination front, it was great to see Pelham receive another seven days of clinics at the community

centre, between May 6 and May 22. These clinics will have an increased number of stations, so each session should see vaccinations

reach a total of approximately 2000 per day.

On Wednesday afternoon, I sat in of the Audit Committee meeting and was pleasantly surprised by the Town’s financial numbers.

I will go into more detail in next week’s column, but I can say that our debt levels

are going down, and our reserves are going up, which is exactly what you want to see in any town’s financial report. Although still high, our level of debt can be called manageable, due in a large part to the sale of East Fonthill lands, and continued growth in the town.

When I suggested the idea of an audit committee shortly after I took office, our Treasurer was very much on board with the idea and got behind it 100 percent, welcoming the extra level of scrutiny of the Town’s books.

With the addition of Councillor Olson, we now have 3 CPAs on the committee. Listening to the interaction between Committee members and the Town’s finance department, it is great to see the Town’s finances discussed in such great detail, with everyone having the same goal—an efficiently run town.

Until next time… ◆

ing the second time. Common sense is once again sacrificed on the altar of petulant partisanship.

So, next steps.

It would seem that the site plan approval will have to come back for yet a third time, so that council can approve something.

The Voice has learned that this fi le is in “purgatory,” essentially without sta-

tus, as no actual decisions have been made, other than the fact that back-toback townhomes, as seen in Grimsby, Lincoln, and St. Catharines, will play no role in whatever is developed—at least not until the appeals process concludes, an expensive undertaking to be funded by us hapless taxpayers, almost certainly to result in council’s deci-

sion being overturned. But that’s miles down the road.

Advocates for relatively affordable housing in a real estate market gone bonkers have no cause for optimism in the near term.

Grandparents, hold on to that house for as long as you can, else you may be looking to downsize across the canal—if not in Fort Erie. ◆

It's great to see the Town's finances discussed in such great detail

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!

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

Did you conquer Everest or kick a bad habit?

Everyone has a story. Tell us yours!

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

NOW ALSO ACCEPTING FICTION— SHORT STORIES UP TO 4000 WORDS! Write it down, send it in: publisher@thevoiceofpelham.ca (You won’t get rich, but you will get paid.)

Page 6

The Voice

A May 12 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Letters continued SURGERY

continued from previous page hockey, and be involved in Pelham Minor at the executive level. I worked at General Motors for 40 years as a pipe-fitter. I have been married for almost 44 years to a wonderful wife and have two adult children. Unfortunately our youngest son passed away eight years ago.

I guess the point I am trying to make is that there is a lot of children that are born every day with physical and mental disabilities that don't get a chance to have the opportunity that Emmett's parents are trying to give Emmett. I would never deny this boy the opportunity to get this procedure, I just think that sometimes it is better to wait until a child is older and more developed as a person before having such a procedure done.

There are lots of other people who have been born with this condition who have also done quite well.

One person in particular is a member of the band KISS, Paul Stanley.

I hope Emmett and his parents do well with this procedure and I hope everything works for him, however not everyone is perfect.

Rick Page Fonthill

°

Defending Ford government's sick leave policy

Government not the enemy

I read a number of comments in last week’s edition regarding paid sick leave. As MPP for Niagara West, and an advocate for workers and job creators across Niagara, I would like to clarify the province's plan to introduce the Ontario COVID-19 Worker’s Income Protection Benefit.

Our government recognizes the critical contribution of essential workers across the province. In fact, Ontario was the first province in the country to provide unlimited job-protected leave and is the only province in Canada to introduce a provincial sick leave program for COVID-19.

Our government negotiated a $1.1 billion paid sick day program with the federal government in July 2020, and our government is offering to double the federal benefit, providing all Ontario workers with up to $1000/week, or $25/hour, for four weeks.

In addition to the existing federal program, our government is introducing the most generous paid sick leave program in Canada for COVID-19, reimbursing employers for up to three paid leave days related to COVID-19 for every employee. Under this new provincial program, employees will have access to up to $200/day for three paid sick days. Together, these two programs would allow workers to take up to 23 sick days off, and receive up to $4600 for that time.

This new program will ensure there are no more gaps. This program protects the health and safety of essential workers. Employees can take the time if they have symptoms, if they need to be tested, if they need a mental health day, or if they need to be vaccinated. Employees will be paid for their missed days by their employers. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), as a trusted third-party partner, will reimburse the employer for the costs of days taken. To be clear—unlike the Liberal proposal by Michael Coteau, MPP for Don Valley East—the province's program will not put the financial burden on struggling small businesses. Our program supports workers without harming job creators.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, our government has been supporting essen-

All people who have been a victim of COVID-19, whether it be as a patient or as one who mourns the loss of a loved one, your enemy is not any government official! Your enemy is the hundreds of foolish masked and un-masked people who blatantly defy commonsense regulations not to protest among large gatherings of people!

What do you expect your officials to do—put police in jeopardy by ordering them to swarm the protest and arrest everyone? They are already getting a bad rap. How about we bring out the military? What’s a few more millions of dollars added to our already failing economy? How about using fire hoses?

Until this utter idiocy comes to an end, get used to ICU overcrowding, triaging of your loved ones in the hospital, increased unemployment due to COVID, and increased deaths. Unfortunately, those protesting think they are immune to such tragedies. They are not.

Mike Benson, New Dundee

tial workers, whether through PPE supports, emergency child care or expanded workplace safety. Now we are supporting essential workers with a generous sick leave program.

When our government signed the agreement on paid sick days with Ottawa in 2020, every single worker in the province was provided access to the $1.1 billion federal program. Yet, as of April 11, only $418 million has been accessed nationwide. This means that there is still over $682 million—over half the money budgeted —left in this fund. It is frustrating that these improvements were not included in the federal budget—despite $100 billion in new spending.

For months we have been advocating for Ottawa to fix the gaps in their program. Last week, the Globe and Mail, and other media outlets, reported on our offer to top up the federal sick day program.

To provide national context, for 81 years, governments at all levels and of all political affiliations have recognized the federal government is best equipped to operate and manage employment support programs, from Employment Insurance (EI) to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Outside of these employment benefits program, paid sick days have been the outlier in Canada, with paid sick days historically being the responsibility of the employer and/or union collective agreements.

In a recent interview with CBC News, Dr. Jim Tiessen, Director of the Master of Health Administration Program and Community Care at Ryerson University, agreed the federal government is the better choice to administer a paid sick day program.

As we continue to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19, Ontario will continue to support essential workers and their families, and actively work with the federal government to establish a collaborative and sustainable solution that looks beyond the pandemic.

For local residents in Niagara West who have additional questions or concerns about sick leave in Ontario, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (905) 563-1755. I am here to help.

Sam Oosterhoff MPP Niagara West

Plenty of blame to go around With all due respect to those who blame citizens for this ongoing disaster, they are wrong.

The government, starting with the Feds, failed us from the beginning of the pandemic by not taking ownership and delegating decisions down to the municipal level— not mandating masks, not imposing travel restrictions early enough, etc. This pandemic also exposed the gross negligence of our seniors living in long term care homes, who died because our system failed them.

The Ontario government added to the fire by introducing restrictions that were confusing and in some cases plain silly. More people would respect the rules if the Ford government hadn't burnt the goodwill and trust of the people of Ontario.

Lockdown #1 was received with fear. Lockdown #2 with a little annoyance. Lockdown #3 with plain anger — not just by the vocal few who think this is a joke, but also by the people who have been following the rules.

Blaming the younger population, many of whom are within a working age bracket and likely with See BLAME next page

Pelham Farmers Market back for season Fresh produce, handcrafted goods, every Thursday into October

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent

Fonthill resident Danica Siprak, with her line of custom-made soap and beauty products.

DON RICKERS

Market clerk Fred Arbour was at his usual station, at the entrance to the cordoned-off farmer’s market in the municipal parking lot at 20 Pelham Town Square. He was unmistakeable in his fluorescent jacket, as he offered hand sanitizer to all market patrons.

“We have ten vendors,” he said. “We are allowed 13, but three couldn't make it tonight.”

Arbour viewed the sunny weather as a positive omen on the inaugural day.

“I think we're in for a good year,” he responded, when asked about the prospect of citizen support for the market during a pandemic.

Ellen Schmidt, from Fonthill, had stopped for a conversation with her proprietor friends at the Bry-Anne Farms booth.

“I always look forward to their butter tarts,” she said, laughing.

“It's a guilty pleasure, and we don't get many nowadays.”

An out-of-town visitor, Stephanie, said she had attended the market once previously, and decided to stop in when she was passing in her car on Highway 20, and saw the farmer’s market signage.

“I drive through here all the time,” she said, clutching a bag of local produce and sweets in her arms. “It's a nice community.”

Several vendors offered sinful dessert items for sale, but only one, “Chef Jean,” as he introduced himself, offered an array of Belgian chocolate treats, including pretzels, truffles, brownies, and even smores. A market vendor for the past 13 years, he added that he sells chocolate-covered strawberries, in season.

The Farmer’s Market runs Thursdays from 4 PM until 8 PM, through October 7. Pandemic rules require social distancing, hand sanitizing, and masking. Pets and bicycles are not allowed, given the small footprint within the enclosure. Traffic-flow directions are clearly marked. No handling or sampling of food is permitted.

Additional information is available on the Pelham Farmer’s Market webpage at www.pelham.ca/farmers-market.

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 7

A May 12 2021

Letters continued Skaters and the pandemic Skaters don't necessarily go down in huge groups [Halfpipe lockdown doesn’t stop some skateboarders, May 5, p.11]. I've seen one or two kids together there. Kids need to get out. They need to be safe about it, I agree, and I'm sure most of them are. This pandemic has been really tough on the young people in our community, cut off from school, friends, work, fun. Let's not forget that many of these same teens are on the front lines serving us food and coffee and

haven't been a priority group for vaccination. Easy to moralize about their behaviour while you're having your safe driveway visits or signing petitions to open golf and tennis, but walk a mile in their shoes, or better yet, try to imagine how you'd feel if you were 17 and going through this last year. It's been tough on all of us, not just on Boomers and Gen X. Thomas Keenan Via Facebook

It is time to realize that this is real, and young people are no longer safe from it. If you don't stay home, you are just dragging this lock-down out for all of us. So please, just once, do as you're told.

This really is not about any one person's rights, life, opinion, religion, habits, etc. It is about if we can all put the greater good first, so we can defeat this pandemic. It takes a little sacrifice from each one of us, yes, even kids. This should be fairly easy for

us to do out here in Pelham, we have space, lots of it. Think about how tough this is for people who live in high density places like Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, etc. They do not have what we have out here, the ability to go for a simple walk without contact with others. We should be grateful, instead of complaining about the few things we cannot do.

Barbara Stramm Via Facebook

BLAME

continued from previous page young children is unfair. With schools cancelled, how do we expect parents to work so they can feed their families?

Or even closer to home, how old are the (wonderful) people risking their health everyday for close to minimum wage at our local grocery stores?

My family is doing its part by staying home, but we live in privilege: I have a job that allows me to work from home, we have a car that allows us to safely drive

to the grocery store, and heck, we have a home with a yard for the kids to play.

Let's not forget every situation is different. I am yet to see or meet these partying kids or reckless socializing adults many are blaming.

We are now at the mercy of the government's embarrassing vaccine roll out, and until they get their crap together, we will continue to see a rise in cases, an increased strain on our ICUs and fi nally... more deaths.

Diego Lopez Via Facebook

Coming soon to Fonthill!

CELEBRATE VICTORIA DAY

FREE Asteroid ($7.25 value) When you purchase

$85 +

(before tax)

With this coupon. Cannot be combined with other offers.

Expires December 31, 2021

Your turn is coming soon.

Flying Fish

FREE

FREE Epic Thunder

($15.00 value) When you purchase

$150 +

($27.00 value) When you purchase

$300 +

(before tax)

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

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

As vaccinations continue, we need to stay the course to protect those we love. Wear a mask.

Wash your hands. Keep your distance.

Find out when, where and how to get vaccinated at ontario.ca/covidvaccineplan or call 1-888-999-6488 for assistance in more than 300 languages.

(before tax)

With this coupon. Cannot be combined with other offers.

Expires December 31, 2021

With this coupon. Cannot be combined with other offers.

Expires December 31, 2021

Due to COVID-19 We’ve made buying your fireworks safe and easy. easy

Shop our website Place your order Check out Have it shipped to your door OR 5. Pick it up Curbside 1.

2.

3.

4.

Please order 7 days prior to your event Check Facebook or our website for updates

order applies, FREE Shipping available to your home (Minimum see website for details)

888-892-0870

QEW VINELAND 1 mile north of Hwy 20



Victoria Ave.

905-892-0870

HWY 20

1908 Victoria Ave., Regional Road 24 FENWICK

Where Business is always BOOMING!

Paid for by the Government of Ontario

Page 8

The Voice

A May 12 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Park Place South developer considers next steps Mountainview Homes project conforms to Plan, but now rejected twice

BY DON RICKERS and DAVE BURKET The Voice Considering the changes and upheaval they can bring to formerly quiet communities, real estate developers are not often perceived as sympathetic characters.

But with the way Pelham Town Council has handled the proposed Park Place South development, in East Fonthill, Mountainview Homes is rapidly coming to resemble a mugging victim.

To recap the pummeling thus far, at a regular council meeting on March 22, Councillors Lisa Haun, Ron Kore, Marianne Stewart, and Bob Hildebrandt supported the development, to be built along Summersides Boulevard near Station Street, but insisted on a design change to the layout of townhouses included within it. Their gripe was the interior units, which they believed were inappropriate for the project due to a perceived lack of windows and outdoor space.

These were also the most affordable homes within the development, and likely the most affordable among new construction coming to Pelham. The same townhouse design has been successfully implemented in other Niagara communities and beyond.

At the next regular council meeting, on April 6, in response Mountainview provided schematics and artist renderings of the units in question, which were discussed at some length. (Coun-

cillor Wayne Olson, who supports the proposal, earlier told the Voice that council had already received sufficient information the first time around, saying, “I knew what I was voting for [on March 22].”)

The developer characterized the internal units as specifically designed to offer a townhome lifestyle at affordable price points for first time buyers and downsizers. Further, all livable spaces in the three-story interior units had windows to allow sunlight. Each unit had two exits—through the front door and through the garage.

Councillor Haun conceded at this meeting that the design of the units was aesthetically pleasing, but still lacked outdoor space and amenities, and did not, in her personal view, meet an acceptable standard for affordability. However, she and Councillor Ron Kore both expressed a willingness to reconsider the proposal.

The matter was referred back to planning staff for a recommendation report for council's consideration.

The development once again came before council last Monday, May 3, during their regular meeting. Contrary to expectations, and absent any discussion, the same four councillors once again voted down the development as proposed. [See related story, p. 3] Ken Gonyou, Director of Land

Not good enough for Pelham, said council, twice.

Development with Mountainview, told the Voice that, “Pelham council approved the subdivision, and they approved the zoning with the exception of the blocks in the central part of the plan. We submitted additional information back to council, and provided floor plans of the units. [Council] ended up maintaining their original position to reduce the number of back-to-back townhouse units from 40 to 20, along with additional setbacks and adjustments.”

So what happens next?

“We're assessing the situation’s impact right now—but will have to wait until we receive the final

statement from Pelham Council, or the Pelham Clerk or planner, which details precisely their adjustment to the approval. We don't have it in writing yet,” said Gonyou.

Based on similar cases, Mountainview may have grounds for a damages award, if a judge agrees that Town Council acted in bad faith, going against the advice of the Town’s own staff, who approved the site plan as submitted.

“There are options for us to appeal [via LPAT, the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal] but we haven't given much thought to that yet,” said Gonyou. “We still want to see

• 4K HDR PROCESSOR FOR VIVID COLOUR • MOTIONFLOW XR FOR CLARITY • DOLBY ATMOS SURROUND SOUND

$ $ 899 999 55" SAVE 200 65" SAVE 300 75" SAVE1499 500 $

NOW

reg $1099

$

NOW

$

reg $1299

NOW

reg $1999

$

FREE DOORSTEP DELIVERY IN NIAGARA

ENHANCE YOUR MOVIE NIGHT! YAS-209

SHOP OUR WEBSITE

NOW

399

$

CALL OR SHOP ONLINE FOR CURBSIDE PICKUP

WWW.THOMASTV.COM

130 THOROLD RD, WELLAND 905 788 3221 CURBSIDE PICKUP TUES-FRI 10-5 or BY APPOINTMENT

the written statement, because the actual terminology might be different from what people think.”

Gonyou underscored that Mountainview’s design complies with both provincial policy and the Town of Pelham’s official plan, and was supported by the Town’s planning staff.

“We had numerous meetings with planning and engineering staff at the Town, and we made numerous adjustments and redesigns of the plan.”

See NEXT STEPS Page 15

Store is Open

BRING ENTERTAINMENT HOME

SAVE ON 2020 SONY X800H SERIES

SUPPLIED

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

Fresh Ontario Asparagus H A S A R R IVED!

PLUS: GET THE BARBECUE OUT! We have been adding a number of items to the store the last couple weeks! We now have PORK LOIN CHOPS, CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS AND WINGS, BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST, T-BONE STEAK, STRIP LOIN STEAK, tons of assorted SAUSAGE, HOT DOGS, BURGERS, PIROGIES, and so much more.

Fresh ONTARIO RHUBARB is now available along with lots of other local produce. We have a great selection of BOSTON FERNS, PATIO PLANTERS, HANGING BASKETS and more.

It’s a one-stop shop! You won’t be disappoi nted!

Fresh off the Farm SELECTION OF FRESH VEGETABLES

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 May 12 2021

Airport governance "needs to be worked out"

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent Tim Nohara, President and CEO of Pelham-based Accipiter Radar Technologies, articulated his position on the future of the Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport (NCDRA), where he has had a commercial hangar since 2017.

“I'm a stakeholder, one of many around the table there,” he told the Voice. “If we are going to build a vision and business plan, fi rst of all, we need to decide governance—and that's where we've been in a holding pattern for the past couple years. In 2018, there was an ask to have the Region take that it over, but more recently the NCDRA Commission has decided that it would prefer to retain control. For me, what's important is whoever has governance, are they going to leverage this asset?”

Welland councillor Leo Van Vliet, who chairs the NCDRA Commission, told the Voice that a strategic plan is in progress, with a draft hopefully completed by end of the year. Plans of uploading airport operations to the Region are “in limbo,” he said.

“The Region doesn’t seem to have the appetite for it.”

The airport was constructed in 1942, to train pilots for the British Commonwealth in World War II, and has aging infrastructure. Businesses currently based at the NCDRA include Skydive Niagara, the St. Catharines Flying Club, Tarczy Aircraft Maintenance, and Accipiter Radar Technologies. The facility also houses Royal Canadian Air Cadet glider operations, and supports law enforcement and air ambulance fl ights.

The addition of an advisory panel, made up primarily of pilots and those with experience in the aviation industry, has been a great addition at the airport, said Van Vliet,

and has “already saved us mega-dollars.

They feel the airport can be self- sufficient.”

Van Vliet said that the governance issue needs to be worked out, and that the airport needs to be operated as a business. He noted that continuity is important, and that the commission must be comprised of those with expertise, not simply political appointments from the municipalities which fund the operation.

Accipiter is heavily invested in radar technology to stop bird strikes on aircraft, which can have catastrophic consequences—such as the emergency landing on New York’s Hudson River by Captain “Sully” Sullenberger, in 2009. The company has environmental protection applications for the Athabasca Tar Sands in Alberta, using radar to keep birds off of toxic tailings ponds, and closer to home, keeping birds safe from the blades of wine turbines.

Nohara sees a particular opportunity for the airport in unmanned aircraft advancement, and said that companies like Amazon and Google are currently investing huge amounts of money in drone research for parcel delivery.

“One of the areas [in which Accipiter is involved] in is aviation safety, and the scope of drone technology building off of that is immense—developing drones that can carry more weight, consume less power, go further, deploy sensors, monitor situations. There is applicability in everything from pipeline inspections to agriculture, to you name it. Drones can deliver vaccines to remote indigenous communities, and provide emergency response for forest fi res and traffic accidents. We need safe, lowrisk, Class G airspace to do the research cost-effectively, and that is what we have

111 Hwy 20 East FONTHILL

Tim Nohara.

DON RICKERS

See GOVERNANCE Page 14

DAILY SPECIALS!

25%

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

OPEN FOR TAKE-OUT! Daily Updated Hours ë î Specials $10 Mon, Wed, Thur, 4 to 7 PM MONDAY Homemade Burger & Side WEDNESDAY 10 Wings THURSDAY Beef on Weck & Side FRIDAY 1-Piece Fish & Chips SATURDAY Pizza & Wing Combo ($20)

OFF

NATURAL SOAPS AND CLEANSERS

Fri, Sat, 3 to 8 PM

Closed Sunday & Tuesday

May 11-19

$ 45 & 0 4 $ TRY OUR OMBOS!

C FAMILY

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

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

CURBSIDE PICKUP!

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

The Centrespread There is a season, turn, turn, turn PHOTOGRAPHY BY DON RICKERS

On the boundary between Ridgeville and Fonthill, where Effingham Street meets Highway 20, sit about four acres of grapevines. Contributor Don Rickers has kept his eye on the view, recording the last year's worth of seasonal changes.

Clockwise from top: this spring, last summer, last autumn, and this past winter.

A May 12 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

A May 12 2021

Page 11

Page 12

The Voice

A May 12 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

Persistence pays off Sarah Leach is Pelham's new Deputy Clerk

BY DON RICKERS Voice Correspondent When Holly Willford was recently appointed as Pelham’s Town Clerk, it left her previous role as Deputy Clerk vacant, creating an opportunity for another staffer to move up the ladder.

Clerk’s Department assistant Sarah Leach was eager to advance her municipal career, evidence being the numerous municipal administration courses she has been taking since joining the clerk’s office four years ago. Her persistence paid off: she will assume duties as Pelham’s new Deputy Clerk on May 24.

In a statement, the Town of Pelham said that it is pleased to fill the position from within, continuing to focus on a culture of mentorship and training amongst its senior ranks, positioning employees like Leach for the opportunities to advance their careers within the corporation.

“I am thrilled to have Sarah step into this role and to have her continue to serve the Clerk’s Department in a more involved manner,” commented Willford in the statement. “Sarah’s experience, knowledge, and dedication will serve her and the corporation well in the years to come. She’s a familiar face to many in the community and a great team player.”

Leach has been with the Town since 2016, and worked as an ac-

counts receivable cashier until 2017.

“It was a really great experience, and allowed me to establish relationships with local residents,” she said. “In this new challenge, I'll be taking a more active role in the Committee of Adjustment, records management, elections, and public meetings under the Planning Act.” She has been present at most Town Council meetings for the past year and a half, and has been referred to as “the magic behind the curtain” for handling many of the technical aspects of council meetings (especially during the pandemic, when council went virtual by video).

“There's always a fear that the technology will fail, but I'm very accustomed to working with it, and we're really prepared for whatever glitches might happen,” said Leach.

A St. Catharines native, Leach graduated from Brock University with a degree in sociology with a concentration in criminology, and more recently added to her credentials with a certificate in records and information management from Mohawk College, in Hamilton. She continues to take various AMCTO (Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks, and Treasurers of Ontario) courses to

Sarah Leach, at her desk in Pelham Town Hall. bolster her knowledge of government affairs.

“I had fantastic mentors along the way,” said Leach. “Obviously, [just retired Clerk] Nancy Bozatto had a huge influence, and I consider her to be one of the most inspirational and influential people in my life. I credit my success to her 100 percent. And, of course, I've worked closely with Holly [Willford] for three years now, and have learned so much from her. I really feel that this transition will

Great food, Great people

DON RICKERS

be seamless for us as a team.”

Leach’s recreational pursuits focus on the creative arts.

“That’s my passion—I love to write, paint, and craft. I really think it's important to explore different avenues of creativity, and ways to express yourself. And continual learning is important to me, expanding my skill set. My mom always referred to me as a student for life.”

A special perk of the job is having powers as a civil marriage

officiant. Leach hasn’t done any weddings yet, but will be presiding at nuptials in the near future. She noted that in her previous role, she wrote the order of service and readings for civil ceremonies.

“We're very lucky to have the pavilion in Peace Park for wedding services, because it does offer quite a nice local location,” said Leach, “but I’ll be happy to travel to locations throughout the Niagara region to accommodate the wishes of matrimonial couples.”

ACTIVE IN PELHAM

“Finer dining at diner prices” Fresh homemade food at down-toearth prices in the heart of Fonthill

MAY FUNDRAISER!

For every Pancake or French Toast order, we’re donating $3 to the Niagara Children’s Centre!

ROAD SAFETY. IT STARTS WITH YOU. A MESSAGE FROM THE PELHAM ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

CURBSIDE PICKUP Thur 9-2, Fri 9-7, Sat/Sun 9-2 Fish & Chips Fridays, and Prime Rib Dinners last Saturday each month!

DELICIOUS FISH & CHIPS

Share our posts on social media! facebook.com/townofpelhamontario

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

1507 Pelham Street, Fonthill (289) 897-9191

Pedestrians, cross at intersections by pointing the way and making eye contact with drivers. Be patient, drivers and give the time needed to cross the road safely.

L.L.B.O. Licensed

twitter.com/townofpelham instagram.com/townofpelhamontario

To learn more visit: Ontario.ca/Transportation

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

MASS_NRG_B_Bleed_Mask_Op2

The Voice

Page 13

A May 12 2021

BURSTING PETALS A Fenwick farm has planted some one million tulip bulbs in a field on Memorial Drive in Fenwick for a pick-your-own experience. The field has become a colourful highlight for walkers who use Memorial for a stroll, and a photo-op for the walkers and drivers who pull over to get a good look at the vibrant acreage. To maintain social distancing, flower orders have to be placed online and only ticket holders are permitted into the property to pick their bouquets. The field was open for picking on two weekends including Mother’s Day, and lineups were across the field and out to the street. Additional days have been added, so visitors can admire the kaleidoscope of tulip colours and pick some flowers to take home.

BRIAN GREEN

Pelham Art Festival 2021 Online Show & Sale

TM

Original Fine Art 60 + artists

May 1-15 Including Mother’s Day Weekend!!

2021 Theme: Our

Planet, Our Future

• Paintings, Mixed Media, 3-D, Photography and Art in Support of the Environment • Youth Art Challenge • Music & Videos • Curated Galleries

e O n lati nPelhamArtFestival.com

A R S

L

CE

G

Lead Sponsor

34

E

Y

PelhamArtFestival @PelhamArtFestival www.PelhamArtFestival.com

R E B AT

IN

For detailed information find us at:

Secure online shopping from the comfort of your own home Supporting our community and Ontario artists

Every agriculture operation is unique.

Your advice should be too.

Our experienced and knowledgeable agriculture account managers can help you reach your specific business goals.

Whether you’re looking to expand your operation, pass it to the next generation or you’re focused on managing risks, we’re here to help you succeed.

Matthew Mahler Sr. Agriculture Account Manager 905-414-7905 matthew.mahler@rbc.com

Tara Leiden Agriculture Account Manager 289-407-4163 tara.leiden@rbc.com

Partner Sponsors

Visit rbc.com/farmadvice Supporters ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. VPS108505

124817 (04/2021)

Page 14

The Voice

A May 12 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

FIRE

GOVERNANCE

years gone by.

The acreage passed through various hands in the intervening years, and is currently owned by Abidin Akkok, who lives in Mississauga. He was alerted by his Fenwick neighbour that a fire was consuming one of the ramshackle buildings still standing on the property. Akkok made the trek to North Fenwick to meet with police and firefighters on site.

Lymburner was present to view the smoldering and charred remains of the building, and informed Akkok that another house on the site was both uninhabitable and unsalvageable.

“Trying to repair this is going to cost more than ripping it down and starting over—just look at the fuel load you have here,” referring to wood stacked and scattered around the structure.

“I’m telling you, kids are in here all the time. They're going to light this up next,” warned Lymburner, who added, “If I have to come back here again, you're going to get charged, and it’s going to cost big dollars.”

Lymburner advised Akkok to ask his neighbour, who has a heavy equipment excavator, to give him a price to tear down all the rotting buildings.

Akkok, who has owned the property since 2014, said his initial plan was to repair some of the buildings, and that he had hoped to eventually turn the property into a campground. He said he had been busy finishing his PhD in industrial engineering at Ryerson University, in Toronto, and had not had time to address the situation at 850 Roland. Akkok detailed how thieves stole lumber and construction materials from the property in the past.

“I used to go to the police, but they couldn't do much,” he said.

Constable Phil Gavin of the Niagara Regional Police told the Voice that

[at NCDRA].”

Nohara envisions commercial drone development which could lead to partnerships with Niagara College and Brock University.

The Regional Municipality of Niagara commissioned HM Aero Aviation Consulting to complete a feasibility study in 2020, examining business opportunities and the future development potential of both the Niagara District Airport and Niagara Central Dorothy Rungeling Airport (NCDRA).

The report indicated that NCDRA (which is actually classified as an aerodrome, and not a certified airport) is best suited to supporting general aviation, recreational, and fl ight training activities. The airport is jointly owned by the municipalities of Welland, Wainfleet, Pelham, and Port Colborne, which collectively provided a total subsidy to the airport in 2018 of $82,219. A review of NCDRA’s financial statements by the consultant indicated that land lease payments are the primary source of non-municipal grant revenue, recorded at some $79,000 in 2018. Total revenues were $126,661 that year, with operating expenses reportedly $220,757.

Numerous upgrade projects were recommended in the consultant’s report, including rehabilitation of pavements for airstrips, parking lots, and access roads. Issues were also identified with the airport’s sanitary sewage treatment system, and lack of potable water on site.

The consultant suggested that business development opportunities over the next 20 years could include new hangars supporting aircraft maintenance, and the establishment of a restaurant, pending the identification of surplus lands through a formal airport master plan.

Other potential opportunities included canoe and kayak tourism outfitters along the Welland River, enhanced skydive package opportunities, charter passenger and cargo air services, high-volume professional fl ight training, and aviation industrial development.

Some of the airport’s deficiencies noted by the consultant are not view as daunting problems by Nohara. He brings in bottled water, and uses propane for heating. A significant issue was a lack of high-speed internet connectivity, which Nohara ended up installing himself.

“I urge our politicians to settle the governance issue, and get on with the growth issue,” said Nohara. “We’ve got the capability to leverage this tremendous location, but need a focal point and a vision to help draw these local assets together.”

continued from Page 1

continued from Page 9

Top, Abidin Akkok has owned the former resort since 2014, and had plans to open a campground. Right, echoes of the past, the Ruehle name on a mailbox.

DON RICKERS

officers responded to a call on May 3, 2021, around 5 PM, for a report of a fire on Roland Road that was deemed suspicious in nature. It has been assigned to detectives for further investigation.

A damage estimate has not been determined as the structure that burned was abandoned.

Gavin said that anyone with information about the fire should call 905688-4111, extension 1009024. Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online, crimestoppersniagara.ca, or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

Because your home is more than just a house Be sure your homeowners insurance is properly protecting what matters most to you.

1201905 CN.2

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

209 Hwy 20 East Unit 8 Fonthill, ON North-East corner of Hwy 20 and Rice Road

www.fosterfootcare.com

Happy 50th Anniversary!

Pelham High sweetheart "kids"!

Hugh Flintoft and Joyce Flintoft (nee Robins), married in Pelham on May 15, 1971, announce their Golden Anniversary May 15, 2021!

All my love, Hugh.

Love and congratulations from daughter Melissa, her husband Joe and grandchildren Lauren and Nicolas!

Stop in, call or click to contact me today.

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.

CHIROPODY SERVICES: Custom Made Orthotics Routine Nail and Callus Care Diabetes Foot Care Compression Stockings …and More!

Give us a call to book an appointment

(289)897-8366

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Place these ads for free! 30 words + photo

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

Page 15

A May 12 2021

CLASSIFIEDS

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.

THREE WAYS TO JOIN

Page 14 ONLINE thevoiceofpelham.ca/voicemembership/

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 ■ Twelve free Classified ads up to 30 words ($120 value) VOICE of Pelham Wednesday, August 27, 2 ■ Periodic special offers from localTHE businesses ■ Delivery of the print newspaper if you live on an established carrier route

CLA

COMMUNITY Events

Delivery by Canada Post, $69.95 (in Niagara)

$10 gift card NEXT STEPS

continued from Page 8 The Voice reached out for comment from all six councillors and Mayor Marvin Junkin.

Councillors Hildebrandt, Stewart, Kore, and Haun did not acknowledge the request.

Mayor Junkin told the Voice that he was surprised by last Monday’s vote.

“At least two councillors had indicated at council’s April 6 meeting that they were prepared to vote favourably for this development, in light of the additional information that they had been given that night,” said Junkin. “Obviously staff was under the same impression, that being the reason why they brought this item forward again.”

After this latest setback, said the Mayor, “I would speculate that the developer won’t want to waste any further time, and will take his case to LPAT, where, because he has followed all the rules, he will win his case.”

In detailed remarks to the paper, Councillor John Wink argued that council’s original request to the developer to change the design was wrong on two counts.

“Firstly, the change to semis from townhouses brings the intensification target of the subdivision to 66 persons per gross hectare, which is below the medium-density target of approximately 70 persons per gross hectare,” said Wink. “The second reason is I believe as a councillor I should not let my personal biases enter into my decision.”

Wink noted that Mountainview did the research to determine that back-to-back townhouses were a reasonable option for the subdivision and that there would be demand for this type of housing. He also noted that there was no public opposition to the proposed design.

“When the staff report was presented [last Monday] to council to...approve the draft plan of subdivision, there was no discussion by council,” said Wink. “Procedurally, if a councillor is in opposition to a motion, we as councillors are to make comment as

The Voice Z

FONTHILL BANDSHELL PRESENTS DE TEMPS ANTAN of Pelham and Central Niagara Burke’s Masonry 2003, Éric Beaudry, André Brunet and Pierre-Luc Dupuis have THE VOICE Since IS 100 PERCENT been exploring and performing time-honoured melodies from OF the PUBLICATION stomp- Bricklaying, tuckpointing, COMMUNITY-OWNED CELEBRATING 25 YEARS step repair, granite ing grounds of Quebec’s musical past. Using fiddle, accordion, harmonica, coatings, brick slices guitar, bouzouki and a number of other instruments, our three virtuosos 905-682-7061. blend boundless energy with the unmistakable joie de vivre found only in MASONRY REPAIR FLOORINGP18-28 to the reasons why we oppose the motion. traditional Quebec music. Show runs from 7-9 p.m.

Hearing no opposition to the motion, I saw ALLTYPE MASONRY

Z

Minor Bros. $20 gift card

BY PHONE ■ Local business gift cards shown at left ($30 value) Call our office at (905) 892-8690, ■ Weekly delivery to your mailbox by Canada Post Services PELHAM COMPUTER ■ ExclusiveCLINIC link to high-quality digital PDF version of the paper.

Mon-Thurs, 8 AM to 2LIBRARY’S PM. contractor.

“One-to-One Help” with a volunteer tutor. ed Getads help browsing, ■ Twelve tech free Classifi up with to 30web words ($120 value)Excavating Water, sewer upgrades, ■ Periodic special offers from local businesses social media, editing and sharing your INwebmail PERSONaccount set-up, e-books, foundation repair, water ■ For in Canada outsideyour Niagara: $79.95 and more.

Includes use ofdelivery laptop or BYOG (bring own gadget).

Our offiphotos ce is located at Saturdays 12:30 – 3:30. Register and pay ahead in person. $5.00 per 1/2 proofing, drainage systems, 1428 Pelham Street, Fonthill, VisitHardware. www.pelhamlibrary.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for more details. quarry stone supply, placeacross from hour.

Beamer’s ment. 905-384-1972. P18-23

no need to make comment on the staff reBrick, Block, Stone and Chimney repairs. port. I was completely caught off guard by Wet and damaged basement repairs.

PELHAM LIBRARY CARD MAKING WORKSHOP the vote of the council.”

Phone Tom Deamude at 289-241-4767.

Wink added that there may “consider35 years of experience. Materials Make sixbecards with fall themes, learning a construction variety of techniques. able legal costs incurred by the Town” if the areapproved, provided.

At time original proposal is not forcing an of registration, please enquire about tools needed.

CUSTOM MILL LPAT hearing and almost certain decision Tues., Sept. 16 10in– 12:30. $10. Please register ahead. Visit www.pelhamfavour of the developer. sawmill service. library.on.ca or call 905-892-6443 for Portable more details.

Councillor Wayne Olson said he disagreed I will come to your home or farm and custom mill your logs. with the premise that there is anything Firewood & lumber also available. Call Rob Patterson, wrong with the townhouses as designed.

FABULOUS FENWICK LIONS FISH FRY905-401-4948, “I voted in favour of an attractive, walkriverwood@primus.ca able, bikeable, shopable, Tastysustainable, treats withconfunds heading straight back into the community. Haddock, venient and affordable housing alternative,” french fries and much more. Runs Sept. 9 from 4-7 p.m. said Olson, referring to the development’s FOUND proximity to downtown Fonthill. “Our Set of keys at the bike path area of Port Robinson, near the Ferry houses are the best available way to secure PELHAM MINOR HOCKEY EQUIPMENT SALE our financial future while we get on with Terminal on Sunday, April 18. Phone 905-892-8921.

Buy, sellhave or trade used equipment at the Pelham Arena. Aimed to provide living. Many older residents told me that they want to sell their family homes, cheaper options for players in this upcoming FORseason.

SALE Runs Sept. 6 from help their kids, and take up a low-mainte9-12 in the morning. nance lifestyle in the community that they Golf lessons offered by World Golf Teachers Federation top 100 grew up in.” teacher. All ages and all skill levels. Lessons held at Brock Golf Olson argued that council’s time and that Course. Call Doug at 905-327-1492.

PELHAM MUDFEST of Town staff was better spent in tweaking the development with theand nextwomen decadeswill in be back in the mud as the second run on the year is Men mind. held Bissil’s “It is my hope that weat can get onHideaway. with adding some important and practical measures to address climate change, such as soNIAGARA REGIONAL EXHIBITION lar- ready alternatives for a variety of uses, such as electric vehicle charging, and in-live entertainment headline this years exciting event. It Rodeo, games and creased permeable surfaces to return storm runs from Sept. 11-14 at the Welland Fairgrounds. runoff to the water table. Now is the time to work with the developer to add these valuable enhancements to the development.”

BIG MOVE CANCER RIDE Over four decades, Mountainview has Thefrom Big Move Cancer built neighbourhoods Fort Erie to Ride is a non-competitive ride taking place on Sept.

Grimsby, and west towards Kitchener-Wa7. Proceeds for the Big Move stay in Niagara and support the Walker Famterloo. A company donation during the ily Cancer Centre.

Town’s community centre fundraising netted them naming rights to the lounge on the facility’s upper level—that is until council WALKING CLUB recently voted to change the name of the lounge as a tribute Interested to the late in Councillor walking in Pelham? Join them Tuesdays at the Pelham Arena Mike Ciolfi, a lobbying effort spearheaded from 9-10 am and Thursdays at Fonthill Bandshell for 9-10:30 am. There

by Councillor Lisa Haun.

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

Ga

7 SPRU FONTH items, clothes sonable 30, 8AM

Yard SALE, of Chr decorat items, S 1PM 6 NORTH

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

LOST My grandmother’s broach (silver leaf-shaped with thistle) on Sunday, April 18 between 2 – 3:30 pm during walk and hike through Lathrop Nature Reserve from Holy Trinity Church parking lot on Chestnut Street via the Elm Street entrance. If found, please phone 905-892-1891 or email: mfd.smith@sympatico.ca

FREE! Large Table Saw. Phone 289-897-9684.

ST

“T VI

C

PL

GA

S

AD

w

C

905

Page 16

The Voice

A May 12 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

Electrical

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

Concrete Supplies Concrete Supplies

We Make House Calls!

THE PUMP DOCTOR

ADDITIONS Family built since 1955

FENWICK 905-892-2391

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

Plumbing

905.892.2655

PORT COLBORNE 905-835-2391

devriesrenoltd@gmail.com

Pumps and residential repairs

LICENSED & INSURED

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

We Service All Makes And Models

WILLIAMS PLUMBING & PUMP SERVICE

Flooring

Landscaping

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

905-218-3662 ♦ Fenwick

Landscaping

Landscaping Landscaping

Paper Shredding

LANDSCAPES Inspired By Your LIFESTYLE

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

or Toll free

799 Balfour St, Fenwick

1-800-881-1628

cottoninc.ca

Lawn Cutting

Advertising

Little Oak’s Lawn Cutting

TheVoice

LAWN CARE •Reliable •Courteous •Friendly •Professional

Our readers could be your customers. Tell them why they should choose you!

Chris Scott

Call (905) 892-8690

905.358.0678 Let the best little business work hard for you!

2

905.892.6908

www.dekorteslandscaping.com

Landscaping

Roofing STEEL - YOUR LAST ROOF 55 YR MFR WARRANTY

BELL GROUP 874 Hwy # 20 W, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0

l

874 Hwy #20 W, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 874 Hwy # 20 W, Fenwick, ON L0S 1C0 Landscape Design l Landscape Construction l Driveways, Patio & Walkways l Landscape Design l Landscape Construction l Driveways, Patio & Walkways 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

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

advertising@thevoiceofpelham.ca

&

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

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

905-892-7616 INSURED - LICENSED - GUARANTEED Fonthill, Niagara since 1998

4.5 Star Reviews at www.bellgroupinc.com

Phone: 905.892.2188 • www.naturesownidea.com

PLACES OF WORSHIP

2

Bethany Christian Reformed Church www.bethanycrc.ca

First Presbyterian Church 602 Metler Rd., North Pelham

Holy Trinity Anglican Church holytrinityfonthill.org

Pelham Evangelical Friends Church www.pelhamfriends.ca

Concordia Lutheran Church 105 Welland Rd., Fonthill

Fonthill Baptist Church www.fonthillbaptistchurch.ca

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

Ridgeville Bible Chapel ridgevillebiblechapel.com

Fenwick Church of Christ www.fenwickchurchofchrist.ca

Fonthill United Church www.fonthillunited.com

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

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

Fenwick United Church www.fenwickunited.com

Glad Tidings Church of God www.gladtidingschurchofgod.com

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

St. Ann Roman Catholic Church www.stannfenwick.com

FAITH LIFT

continued from Page 19

So what is Jesus doing now?

Jesus had been very busy during his three-year public ministry. He travelled, he taught, he trained, he healed, and he performed many other kinds of miracles. At the end of his life, he took our place on a cross (a Roman instrument of torture) to pay for our sins. And then he returned to life again to prove that all he taught and claimed was true. He then spent 40 more days on earth preparing his followers for the global task of evangelization and discipleship he had given them. Only then did he return to his home in heaven and send his replacement (the Holy Spirit) to continue his work on earth.

Various New Testament passages reveal to us what Jesus has been busy doing since.

The apostle Paul reveals that Jesus “intercedes” (or prays) for believers (see Romans 8:34). The author of Hebrews (possibly Paul) tells us the same. He writes that Jesus “always lives to make intercession” for believ-

ers who draw near to the Father by their faith in His Son (see Hebrews 7:25).

The apostle John also reveals that Jesus is advocating for us before his Father (see 1 John 2:1-2). An advocate is like a defense lawyer today who represents a client. In this case, every believer is the defendant and Jesus is representing and defending us saying that his sacrifice on the cross has covered our sins and provided us with complete forgiveness. In today’s lingo, you could say that Jesus “has our back” and is constantly “going to bat” on behalf of his children.

I find this truth very comforting in these uncertain pandemic times. Jesus is in heaven praying for me and when I go to be with him someday, he will step forward to represent me and welcome me into my eternal home. I’m sure glad that when Jesus decided to work from home about 2,000 years ago, he continued his ministry of intercession and advocacy on our behalf. He’s the best defense lawyer you could ever have. Will he represent you? ◆ Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who once considered being a lawyer.

FUNDRAISING WENT SWIMMINGLY The cash catch from the Fonthill branch of the Royal Canadian Legion’s February Friday Night Fish Fry suppers landed on Pelham Cares’ dock recently.

From left, Joan Smith, Jacqueline Schwenker, Jim Garner, and Keith Moore, of Pelham Cares, and from the Legion Toni McKelvie (President), and Ann Smelsky.

RIC GRETSINGER

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

OBITUARY

EMMONS, Elinor Francis (nee Penwarden) December 31, 1924 - May 2, 2021 Passed away peacefully at Woodlands of Sunset Retirement Home on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at the age of 96. Beloved wife of 73 years to John Emmons. Loving mother of David Emmons (Lyn), Daniel Emmons (Sharon) and Reta Lilley (Bill). Cherished grandmother of Timothy Emmons (Jennifer), Karen Emmons, Joshua Lilley (Sara) and Mathew Lilley (Jayme). Dear sister-in-law of Virginia Penwarden, Joan Emmons, Jim Wilson and Norm Emmons. Predeceased by sisters Ruth Brettel (Harry), Elma Hesler (Richard), Norma Wilson and brothers Doug Penwarden and Bruce Penwarden (Joan), sistersin-law Heather Emmons, Rosemary Emmons and brother-in-law Marshall Emmons. Also predeceased by her granddaughter Holly.

Elinor will also be missed by her many nieces, nephews, her church family and numerous friends. Elinor spent over 50 years working alongside her husband and her family at Barron’s Flowers in Fonthill. Elinor was a long time and faithful member of Kirk-on-the-Hill Presbyterian Church in Fonthill and The Order of the Eastern Star.

She was also an avid curler at the Welland Curling Club. She was always interested in the activities of her grandchildren and her 7 greatgrandchildren.

A private visitation and service was held for close friends on Thursday, May 6th at 11:00 am. Interment followed at Fonthill Cemetery.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Woodlands of Sunset for the respect, compassion and care they provided to our mother. As an expression of sympathy donations made to Kirk-on-the-Hill Presbyterian Church or to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.pelhamfuneralhome.ca

BALANCED LIFE

continued from Page 18 ois in place with it. When it came loose, it developed a mind of its own inside my riding shorts.

I could not ignore my current fiery discomfort any longer. I had to take a look.

Instead of 50 shades of grey, I was staring at 50 shades of blotchy red. Either the metaphorical musky had waged an epic struggle, or a cheese grater and sheet of sandpaper had battled to the death inside my shorts.

Somewhat recovered from viewing the shocking damage, I really need to know what’s going on. My wife reminded me our friend JoAnn always gets skin rashes, and suggested she might be able to help. JoAnn and her hubby Tom are lifelong friends, and since it felt like my pants are on fire, I seriously considered my wife’s suggestion.

Still, I was a bit reluctant to call. Then I remembered that whenever Tom had something go wrong with one of their bikes, he’d text me a photo of the broken or offending part, and ask me what to do about it.

Should I text some pho-

tos and ask for an opinion?

I pictured six foot, two inch tall Tom, retired Ontario Provincial Police officer and straight-as-an-arrow Ottawa Valley boy, who might not equate photos of bicycle parts with my offerings, and how it all worked out for Brett Favre and Anthony Weiner, even though their situation was totally different than mine, and I skipped the texting photos idea.

What I did know was that regardless of what had happened, there is always comfort in a nice hot bath, a chance to clean up and wash away whatever. So I filled the tub, grabbed The Economist, and lowered myself into the tub to stretch out and read — for about a third of a second.

If you know yoga, I went from a seated forward fold pose to a back bridge in the blink of an eye, and shrieked.

My wife, reading in bed in the next room, called out, “You all right, what’s happening?”

Describing the feeling of hitting the hot water in an accurate clinical manner would have been difficult, so I replied that I was fine. I told her that I had a rash, and it didn’t take to the hot water well. She suggested that the

Support your local service clubs

Page 17

A May 12 2021

OBITUARY

CULP, James Edward Passed away peacefully at the Welland County General Hospital on Wednesday May 5, 2021 at the age of 86. Beloved and devoted husband of 60 years to Jean Culp (nee Sorley) and loving father of Kevin Culp of Arizona and Bruce Culp of Hamilton.

Cherished grandfather of Joshua, Zachary, Matthew and dear brother of Paul Culp. Predeceased by his sister Doris, brothers Robert, Lorne and daughter-in-law Sandy Culp. Cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass, followed by inurnment will take place when James’ many friends can gather safely.

Arrangements entrusted to PATTERSON FUNERAL HOME, 6062 Main St. Niagara Falls. Online condolences at pattersonfuneralhome.com

pain might go down if I put some solvent on it.

Solvent?

Was she thinking turpentine, carbon disulfide, or maybe some CLR? I’d learn later that she’d been engrossed in an extremely interesting part of her book, and had meant to say salve.

Good thing, for a moment I thought she’d obtained her medical wisdom from Trump University.

Her next suggestion was an icepack. I’m no reproductive science expert, but I’m pretty sure cryogenics (used to freeze eggs and sperm for later use) happens post-donation, and doesn’t generally have anything to do with freezing the ingredients while they’re still in the donor’s body. No icepack thanks.

I was in a jam. I knew they’d cut back on elective surgery recently, so I couldn’t risk a trip to the emergency room in case an unethical surgeon saw my rash as a chance to earn a quick paycheque by performing a questionable investigative surgery.

I settled in for a sleepless night, unable to lie on my stomach (remember the early anatomical generalization).

Then it dawned on me.

Just before dinner, my wife was repotting a plant we’d inherited from her mother years earlier, and asked for

COLUMN SIX

continued from Page 1 always packed with kids trying to cool off from the summer’s heat. We would jump off our bikes, leaving them laying on the ground where we dropped them, only to come out an hour or two later, finding them in exactly the same spot.

Imagine that.

Up until 12 years of age, I think the farthest anyone in my group of friends had ever travelled on their bikes was to Beaverdams at the end of Collier Road, or DeCou House, further down on Decew Road. Now that was quite the adventure.

With our lunches packed in brown paper bags and streamers flowing from our handlebars, off we would go for the day. Riding to visit friends in Thorold south, and spending days upon days swimming in parts of the old Welland Canal over by the old Ontario paper mill was another adventure full of fond memories.

There is so much incredible history in that area, and yet at 12 years old, we were oblivious to the past.

Almost all of our spare time was spent outside.

We were not allowed to waste the days away inside watching TV or bothering

my assistance. It was a big plant, almost a metre tall, with a root network the size of a golf ball.

It fell over regularly, and this was our last attempt to salvage it.

My solution was to build a support by modifying a wire tomato cage. Meal preparation called, so I was left alone to balance the plant, cut the wire support into shape, then wrestle and twist it around the plant’s stalk while it spewed sap all over my hands.

A cool wind gust struck just before I finished, which of course triggered a sprint inside to the bathroom.

I cautiously crawled out of bed, adopted the widelegged stance of a rodeo cowboy who had challenged one too many bulls, and gingerly walked to my computer so as to create as little friction as possible. The plant belonged to the Euphorbia genus. The “B” in its name was telling—this vile plant had nothing to do with euphoria.

It was deer-resistant and pest-repellent because it released skin rash-causing, Elmer’s Glue-like sap when its foliage was disturbed, which I must have transferred into my shorts unwittingly.

Mystery solved, bits healing nicely thank you, and somehow my mother-in-law found a way to ensure she wouldn’t be forgotten this Mother’s Day 2021. ◆

NIAGARA PERSONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Providing compassionate, reliable and affordable home care service 15+ YEARS OF PSW EXPERIENCE

ASSISTANCE WITH ERRANDS

PERSONAL CARE

RESPITE AND PALLIATIVE CARE

HOUSEHOLD TASKS

MEAL PREPARATION

Adriana Peck-Liebau, Certified Personal Support Worker

905-414-7712 niagarapsw@gmail.com

our parents. Those inside days were strictly for rainy days and snowstorms. Even during some of those we were forced outdoor to play, when we would make mud pies in the rain or build igloos and mazes of tunnels in the snowbanks.

These " country kids" were the best, most fun, cool kids that I had ever met

There was no internet, no cellphones or iPads to entertain us. Those were the days of one telephone per family, attached to the wall and usually with a party line; one black-and-white TV with rabbit ears to keep us entertained (color, if you had the money) and some of us kids owned our own transistor radio.

Between my year-round paper route, through windy rain and snowstorms, picking fruit in the heat of the summers, singing Christmas carols door-to-door in the winter, and now, at the ripe age of 12, being allowed to take on some babysitting jobs, I was not only able to buy my own transistor radio, but expected to start buying some of my own clothes and other wants and needs of a 12-year-old girl as well. That would include such things as 45 rpm records and teen magazines containing huge posters with the likes of Bobby Sherman, Michael Landon, and the Beatles. Oh, be still my beating heart.

This is the age at which I also remember my parents stopping my allowance as they felt I no longer needed one. Of course, if I had known that would happen, maybe I would not have worked so hard.

But back then you did not have that choice. At 12 years old you either earned your own money or did without.

A lesson that has fared me well through the years.

So even though we thought of ourselves as city kids, our worlds were actually quite small. Having had such a forced outdoor social life would come to serve us well in our next adventure in life.

Our regular school at Richmond Elementary was undergoing some renovations, so the Grade 7 class,

my class, was chosen as the one to be uprooted and shipped out for the next school year. This was September 1966 to June 1967.

We would be bused each day to spend the entire year in a tiny two-room country schoolhouse on Holland Road in Fonthill. This came as a bit of a shock and a little scary for myself and some of my fellow classmates.

A shock because most of us had never had the opportunity to venture that far from home before, especially unchaperoned by parents or other adults. What would normally be a 20-minute drive became about an hour, since we had to stop to pick up classmates along the way. The school was only about 20 km away, but to us it seemed like the other end of the world— and having to get up an hour or more earlier each morning to catch a school bus? Well, we were not looking forward to that.

Yes, it was a little scary.

We were leaving our friends in other classes and wouldn’t be seeing them for a whole year, a daunting amount of time at that age, and whatever would us city kids have in common with these country farm kids?

While most of us looked forward to the adventure and meeting new friends, it was still quite overwhelming at first.

As it turned out, I have to say, my Grade 7 school year was the best year ever. Being in a two-room schoolhouse has a lot of advantages. It was so much more relaxed than our bigger school, and learning was actually fun.

Our teacher, Mr. Whelan, was teacher, principal, nurse and friend…he had to wear many hats. That following summer some of us even ended up working at a nearby farm picking fruit.

The bond created between us “city” kids on the school bus lasted for years, and some of those friendships still survive today. The experience of being in such a small school was more fun than we could ever have imagined and the experience would be dearly missed far more than we realized at the time.

But above all, the best thing I learned is that kids are kids, no matter where you are from. These “country” kids were the best, most fun, cool kids that I had ever met. I’m sure at first we probably seemed a bit snooty, as we felt like the outsiders, but they accepted us with open arms and some really good friends were made that year, and a See COLUMN SIX back page

Hair Removal...

Providing a wide range of services using sugar or wax for men and woman.

INDIVIDUAL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE

TRACY STRYCKER 289.213.3834 34 Deerpark, Fonthill salonallegra.com

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

Page 18

The Voice

A May 12 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

THE BALANCED LIFE

by John Swart

Think what dental floss does to the end of your finger when you wind it too tight

I

didn’t say a word to my wife during dinner, but my weird discomfort was escalating. Not to worry, it would soon go away like such inconvenient little aches and pains always did. What was the worst that could happen?

An hour later something was really starting to sting in all the wrong places. If you don’t bike, or haven’t endured a ride long enough to cause pain where you and your saddle converge, you need to know this. When a cyclist, female or male, proclaims their butt hurts after a long ride, they are using a broad anatomical generalization. The area of pain

is between their navel and thighs for sure, but it’s seldom the gluteus maximus muscle we call the butt. The pain more likely centres around the soft, nerve-filled tissue which rests atop the nose of their bike seat.

This time was different though. It had to be some kind of a skin reaction, but to what?

I’d ridden for a few hours in the morning, and stopped occasionally to mark my territory along the abandoned dirt roads. Nothing unusual in that. I hadn’t been picking up empty bags of chemical fertilizer or other foreign substances which might have stuck to my riding gloves

then transferred inside my bike shorts by accident.

Don’t judge—they’re fingerless gloves and I almost always squirt a cleansing rinse of whatever’s in my water bottle on them after the fact just to be safe.

Maybe that was it.

I’d switched to a new energy drink formula. Was my skin reacting to something in the drink? Had the drink transferred from my gloves to my skin? This seemed highly unlikely, as the drink was a salt, sugar and orange juice mix, and my groin felt like it had been assaulted by a chili pepper, cayenne, and Tiger Balm concoction.

This type of reaction was uncharacteristic for me. I’d been raised by a loving mother who believed the quicker one built up antibodies naturally, the safer one was. As a child, I’d been free to handle and taste pretty much any-

BOB LOBLAW

Pubic health warning for biking gardeners (what typo?)

thing I found on the farm, rendering me immune to allergies and rashes ever since.

Proof? I take great pride in installing my bike tires without using tire wrenches, and it amazes all my friends when I repair a roadside flat. It requires good hand strength, but the secret is to lubricate the last few centimetres of tire to be snapped over the rim by licking it and depositing lots of saliva so that it slides onto the rim

easily. To be clear, I did use wrenches in areas of Sudan and Cuba where the major mode of transportation was carts pulled by cows or oxen.

Still baffled, I remembered one painful time when the nylon thread used to stitch the chamois (soft padding) into my shorts had come loose, and sort of worked its way around in my shorts like a discarded fishing line might ensnare a porpoise.

Each pedal stroke more

firmly wound the errant nylon thread around various parts of me. Think of what dental floss does to the end of your finger when you wind it too tight then dither while flossing.

Those shorts had been made in China, the first time I’d strayed from Canadian-made Louis Garneaus, and I paid a price that day.

Instead of normal nylon, my theory is that the Chinese shorts supplier got a deal on some excess 15-pound test fishing line, the kind you’d use to hoist a flopping muskellunge or sea bass into a boat, and stitched the chamSee BALANCED LIFE Page 17

V oice HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 It could be that you are very aware of things going on around you this week, Aries. Unfortunately, many of them will be out of your control. Still, keep an open mind.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Relax and settle down for a few days, Taurus. Take some time to enjoy the people around you and try to travel to some new locales along the way. A little vacation can be helpful.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Don’t be surprised if some relatively minor details cause a setback in the days ahead, Gemini.

Some heightened focus might be in order. Try to zone in.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, if you need to confront someone this week, do so tactfully. Remember the adage about catching more flies with honey.

You’ll find that tactic is handy.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, this week could become a tad challenging as strong astrological energies are affecting people’s emotions. Maintain your composure at all costs.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Your organizational skills are about to increase productivity ten-fold this week, Virgo. Don’t be afraid to take big chances and even grab the helm on a large project.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Libra, write down new goals, as it seems your emotions have changed over the past several days. This way you can channel your ambitions accordingly.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, this week you dare to go against the grain and make

your voice hear. Embrace your self-confidence and don’t hesitate to take on a leadership role.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Your presence will be remarkable this week, Sagittarius. You radiate confidence and energy for all to see, and the people around you could be counting on you for leadership.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 It’s not possible to transform the people you know with a magic wand or a twinkle of your nose, Capricorn. Let others be who they are and appreciate their individuality.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, if you are feeling a bit neglected and unloved this week, ask your partner for some support. He or she will take the cue and the spark will reignite.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Some conflicts within the family have you serving as peacemaker, Pisces. Negotiate with others to resolve their differences.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS MAY 9 Billy Joel, Singer (72) MAY 10 Missy Franklin, Athlete (25) MAY 11 Sabrina Carpenter, Actress (22) MAY 12 Rami Malek, Actor (40) MAY 13 Debby Ryan, Actress (28) MAY 14 Rob Gronkowski, Athlete (37) MAY 15 Alexandra Breckenridge, Actress (39)

SOLUTIONS DOWN 1. BRAVOS 2. RELINE 3. ASLEEP 4. VII 5. EDT 6. SUE 7. TERMITES 8. ABOS 9. EON 10. TD 11. NEMESES 12. ASININE 16. AIRES 17. TAOS 18. ION 22. MIRO 25. KIRSCH 27. ASIDES 28. RASES 29. ALMS 30. SORER 32. MATE 34. COPLANER 35. APOTHEM 36. NEBULAE 37. ODIN 38. NURSE 40. SEAL 41. ESTATE 42. ABATED 43. TWEEDY 45. MME 48. OOHS 51. CTN 52. TEA 53. ERG 54. RAG 56. RA

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

SOLUTIONS ACROSS 1. BRAVEST 8. AETNA 13. RESIDUE 14. BODES 15. ALLITERATION 19. MI 20. VIE 21. MIAOS 22. MEN 23. ONE 24. IRON 25. KISI 26. SEPARATES 30. SIREN 31. SALES 32. MOROSE 33. ISMS 34. CARS 35. ANODES 38. NOTEC 39. PEDES 40. SUPERHEAT 44. OBIS 45. MERL 46. SBW 47. TUN 48. OMASA 49. TAE 50. HL 51. COELENTERATE 55. EARTH 57. AERATED 58. MEANS 59. RAGGEDY

Enjoy our Take-out Fish & Chips Fridays!

From our family to yours...stay safe

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

The Voice

Page 19

A May 12 2021

FAITH LIFT

by Pastor Rob Weatherby

The day Jesus decided to work from home

D

uring this pandemic, a lot of Canadians have decided (or been obliged) to work from home.

I’ve worked from home since 1995, when my family moved from Cornwall (eastern Ontario) to Sudbury (northern Ontario). The country church I pastored for 23 years did not have an office so I gladly set up shop at home. I loved it. It took me exactly ten seconds to get from breakfast to work.

Have you ever thought about Jesus working from home? We call it “Ascension Day,” and believers celebrate it on Thursday (May 13).

Luke provides us with the most detail. He writes that Jesus commanded “that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations.” He then records that Jesus led his disciples a short distance east of Jerusalem toward the town of Bethany.

There he blessed them and “parted from them and was carried up into heaven.” (see Luke 24:44-53) In his sequel (Acts), Luke provides more specifics. Jesus foretells that the disciples will receive power from the Holy Spirit to be his “witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria

and to the end of the earth.”

Luke continues that Jesus “was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.”

He also mentions the appearance of two angels who tell the disciples that Jesus will return someday in the same way he left. Luke also identifies the Mount of Olives as the exact location of this event (see Acts 1:6-12).

Thus, after spending 33 years on this earth, Jesus (the eternal Son of God) returned to his home in heaven from whence he came.

His work on earth was done but his work in heaven was just beginning.

See FAITH LIFT Page 16

What happened?

Matthew ends his Gospel with the “Great Commission,” in which Jesus meets his closest followers on a mountain in Galilee and commands them to “make disciples of all nations.”

This involves baptizing new believers and teaching them everything Jesus taught. The command begins with the promise that Jesus has “all authority in heaven and on earth.” It ends with the promise that Jesus will be with them “to the close of the age” (see Matthew 28:16-20). These two promises (of his power and presence) make the Great Commission possible. Matthew doesn’t mention that Jesus ascended to heaven a short time later.

Neither does John.

But the two middle Gospels (Mark and Luke) both record the ascension. Mark ends his Gospel with Jesus’ command to “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel (Good News) to the whole creation.” Then Mark records that Jesus “was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” (see Mark 16:15-20)

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: Mother's Day

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

AFFECTION AUNT BREAK BREAKFAST CARING DEDICATED

DESSERT FANFARE FOSTER GATHERING GRANDMOTHER GREETING CARD

HONOR HUGS MATERNAL MOM PRESENTS RELAXATION

REST RESTAURANT SISTER SPA VACATION WOMAN

ANSWERS ON PAGE 18

Voice

CROSSWORD

PETER PIPERS 111 HWY 20 E, FONTHILL

Curbside Pickup Homemade Pizza 905-892-0782

Page 20

The Voice

Voice

A May 12 2021

www.thevoiceofpelham.ca

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

4

Gluten-free Snickerdoodles

Grade 7 class at St. Johns West School, 1966.

The author is in the second row, centre, in a plaid skirt.

SUPPLIED

It used to be that gluten-free cooking, especially baking, was extremely limited and the results may have not tasted much like gluten-containing counterparts. However, thanks to recipe experimentation and new flour blends on the market, baking gluten-free breakfast items, breads and desserts is much easier and tastier — as is the case with “Gluten-Free Buttery Snickerdoodles,” courtesy of King Arthur Baking Company. These flavor-packed cinnamon cookies are sure to wow friends and family at gatherings, like spring picnics or Memorial Day Celebrations, even if they don’t need to follow gluten-free living.

COLUMN SIX

Gluten-Free Buttery Snickerdoodles Yields 31⁄2 dozen 21⁄2-inch cookies

continued from Page 17

Dough 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature* 3⁄4 cup sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1⁄2 teaspoon salt* 1 teaspoon baking powder 11⁄3 cups Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour *If you use salted butter, decrease the salt to 1⁄4 teaspoon Coating 2 tablespoons sugar 1 to 11⁄2 teaspoons cinnamon, to taste Preheat the oven to 375 F. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets.

To make the cookies: Beat together the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg, beating until smooth. Beat in the vanilla, salt, and baking powder. Add the flour, mixing until totally incorporated.

To make the coating: Shake together the sugar and cinnamon in a medium-sized zip-top plastic bag.

Drop small (1-inch diameter) balls of dough into the bag; a teaspoon cookie scoop works well here. Roll/toss the cookies in the cinnamon-sugar until they’re completely coated.

Space the cookies at least 11⁄2 apart on the prepared baking sheets. Use a flat-bottom glass to flatten them to about 3⁄8 thick; they’ll be about 11⁄2 in diameter.

Bake the cookies for 8 minutes (for soft cookies) to 10 minutes (for crunchier cookies). Remove them from the oven, and cool them on the pan until they’re firm enough to transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Store any leftover cookies, well wrapped, at room temperature for several days; freeze for longer storage.

It’s Time for a SPRING Tune-up!

MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

ratures Tempe ing!! is r are

FINANCING 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

Ask me about a Complimentary Home Over 30 yearsEvaluation of trusted service in Niagara Over 30 years of trusted service in Niagara Over 30 years of trusted service in Niagara

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

boyfriend crush to boot. I only hope they felt the same way about us.

I kept in touch with a few of my classmates, writing back and forth for a few years until eventually life drifted us apart. One of the girls that I became friends with lived in Pelham. We would take turns visiting each other on occasional weekends, and I always looked forward to going to her place as we would ride our bikes past my crush’s house and often he would join us when we were out of sight of his parents place.

Her sister had a horse that we would ride and of course there was always miles and miles of bush to play in. I look back and realize that makeup and clothes were not a concern for me in those days, not like the 12-year-old girls of today. I’m not sure if it was just a sign of the times or whether it was the fact that I had four older brothers and was always a bit of a tomboy.

Either way, none of the girlie stuff mattered, thank goodness. It was all about getting together with friends and having fun.

Spending time in Pelham was like a whole new world for me. I remember riding our bikes to parks, and we would also bike to a particular water-

ing hole in Pelham, though for the life of me I can’t remember where it was.

I do remember there was the biggest maple tree I had ever seen, where we would dump our bikes and then walk in through the bush until we came to this really cool watering hole where we would swim for hours. I don’t think it was well known at the time because there was never anyone else there, and it very well could have been on a farmer’s property, but nevertheless we swam oblivious to the world around us.

Another adventurous ride was to Pelham Road over the Western Hill.

Again my memory is vague, but it was probably the Decew Falls Generating Station. We would again dump our bikes, swim across the stream or creek, climb up the hillside where someone had attached a rope swing to a tree branch, and off we would jump, squealing until we plummeted down into a hole— for the life of me, to this day I do not know how we never missed that hole and broke our necks.

About three years later, at 15, I had cause to spend some time at Bissell's Hideaway. In those days it was not a resort as it is now, but a small place with a great pool and a really cool barn where we would eat our lunch and imagine all the barn dances they had there at night. Sadly I moved away

to BC before I could experience any of those dances.

Over the years I had come back often to visit family and friends in Thorold and St. Catharines, but in 2015 I was back home and the circumstances caused me to reminisce about days gone by. I contacted an old school friend and she and I set out on an adventure to retrace some of our youth. This time we left the bikes at home.

We traveled through Thorold, Beaverdams, Decew Falls, DeCou House, Fonthill, St. Johns West, the Western Hill, and North Pelham, all the while telling each other our stories and laughing until we cried. We saw how things had changed and yet we could still see a semblance of the past.

We drove by houses of long lost friends, stopping in and surprising a few. Seeing these friends from our past, varying from 45 to 49 years ago, was exciting, fun and very good for the soul.

At the end of the day, we realized what an amazing childhood we had both had, growing up in the Niagara-Pelham area, and how very lucky and grateful we were to have been able to do so.

Memories of a beautiful area with some amazing people, that will never be forgotten. ◆

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