Goderich Sun March 5, 2026

Goderich Sun

Surge in seniors and drop in healthcare workers hitting region

The economic region of Huron, Perth, Bruce and Grey counties is facing a rapid surge in its senior population at the same time as there is a disturbing drop in healthcare workers.

The Four County Labour Market Planning Board called the situation “alarming” in its recently released report, “Navigating the Future of Care.”

“Healthcare is definitely a flashing beacon,” said Dana Soucie, executive director of the labour board.

According to the report, from 2014 to 2024 the four-county region had the largest percentage increase in the population aged 65 and older of all economic regions in the province, up 42 per cent.

It is a portion of the population that generally requires more healthcare and has more complex issues than other age groups.

While this population sector was surging, the four-county region experienced a 10 per cent decrease in the number of persons employed in health occupations.

Out of the 11 economic regions in Ontario, the area covering Huron, Perth, Bruce and Grey counties was the only one to see a drop in health-care workers.

“The gap between labour supply in the health-care

Wingham-based Britespan Building Systems Inc has pledged a donation of $500,000 over five years to the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital’s (AMGH) Magnetic Moments capital campaign.

Dedicated to supporting regional health care, this five-year pledge helps bring the AMGH Foundation closed to its $6.5 million campaign goal to purchase an MRI machine for the local hospital.

According to Ben Hogervorst, Britespan Building Inc co-owner, he and his business partner Rob Stute have always believed in the importance of supporting the local community and AMGH as a leading regional facility in Huron County.

“We feel strongly that the addition of an MRI in Huron County will help ensure the facility remains vibrant and attractive in recruiting doctors while providing Huron County with outstanding care close to home,” said Hogervorst.

Zehrs Bakesale Raises

Over $700 in Support

A bake sale was held on Saturday, February 14 at Goderich Zehrs in

her mother Liz Higgins-Sager at the bake sale in February.

INTERNATIONAL WOMAN’S DAY • MARCH 8, 2026

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY...

and

in healthcare workers hitting region

workforce and demand for health-care services continues to widen, heightening pressures on an already strained sector that is struggling to attract and retain workers,” the report said.

The impacts include forced emergency department closures and extended wait times for patients.

The report cites wage differences and a higher cost of living as factors in driving some workers to leave the region.

The 2025 living wage rate—the hourly income workers need to meet basic expenses—was calculated at $24.60 an hour in the four-county region, the second highest in Ontario just behind the Greater Toronto Area.

But the average overall hourly wage of-

fered in the region has been consistently below the Ontario average, hitting a gap of $5.60 an hour in the first quarter of 2025.

The rural nature of the region also presents challenges for attracting and retaining workers in the health-care sector, the report said.

Possible barriers include housing and other living costs, geographic isolation, increased workloads due to an older population with more complex health concerns, limited resources including outdated equipment, and family concerns such as lack of accessible or affordable childcare options.

Given the shortages in the four-county region, the report concludes it is critical that attraction and retention efforts be prioritized.

Britespan Building Systems Inc. makes $500,000 pledge to AMGH Foundation for MRI machine

Currently, neither Huron nor Bruce counties have an MRI machine, with the closest located in Stratford, London and now Palmerston.

For locals in need of a life-changing scan, this means significant travel time and financial strain, in addition to lengthy wait times.

With Britespan’s gift the total raised to date is $1,800,748 including a five-year $250,000 pledge from COAST Goderich.

Pledges to the Magnetic Moments campaign may be fulfilled over a period of up to five years, allowing donors to plan longer-term and commit larger gifts

through multi-year giving.

“Magnetic Moments is the largest capital campaign in the hospital’s history, and it will take all of us pitching in with gifts of all sizes to bring an MRI to Huron County,” explained Dr. Tiffany Kittmer, Magnetic Moments campaign chair.

“It is incredibly inspiring to see community champions like Britespan Building Systems Inc leading the way with such generosity.”

Donors keen to discuss pledges or onetime gifts are encouraged to contact the AMGH at amgh.foundation@amgh.ca or by calling the office at 519-524-8508.

Editorial Kindness builds community — a message from our new Director of Community Engagement

I was always the kid who was told I was “too sensitive” or “too nice.” Even now, people still tell me I should be more direct, tougher, or “show them who’s boss.” But that has never really been how I move through the world.

Many readers know I began my career as a nurse. Later, during the pandemic, I finally followed my dream and began taking journalism courses through the University of Toronto, hoping to become a writer in some capacity one day. That leap changed my life in ways I never expected.

I’ve always preferred a good book or a small group of friends over loud parties or big crowds. I love meeting people one-onone in little cafés across the region, learning who they are and where they’ve come from.

Ten years ago, I might have thought that kind of sensitivity was a weakness. But writing for a local newspaper taught

me the opposite. It’s actually what allows me to connect, to listen, and to build relationships — and those relationships don’t just help me grow, they help our whole community grow too.

That’s why, when I was offered the opportunity to take on a new role at Grant Haven Media, I felt genuinely excited. Not only is it a position the company needs, it’s one that feels as though it was made for someone like me.

As the new Director of Community Engagement, I see my role as a bridge between our company, our communities, our supporters and, most importantly, you — the readers. It’s a chance to help shape how Grant Haven Media is seen

across Southwestern Ontario, and to make sure local voices are heard, valued and reflected in the stories we tell.

Through this journey, I’ve learned a few things: I love writing. I love my community. And yes, I really do love my job (I’ve also been told I use the words “I love” far too often — guilty as charged).

What makes this even more meaningful is finding a workplace filled with people who feel a little like me. The kind ones. The observant ones. The people who might once have been labelled too soft, too eager, or too sensitive. Somehow, in this company of writers and storytellers, I found a kind of family — people who notice things,

care deeply, and believe in lifting others up rather than pushing them down.

We don’t have to bully our way to the top. We don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to matter. Sometimes simply showing up as you are — kind, thoughtful, curious and sincere — is enough to move you exactly where you’re meant to be.

I’m finally realizing that being the sensitive, friendly woman who loves people and stories might not just be okay — it might be exactly what is helping shape the world we need.

If you have a community event coming up, a story to share, or just want to say hello, I’d love to hear from you. Please email me at amandajanewriter@gmail.com.

Ministry to establish Ontario’s first business succession planning services hub

KATHLEEN SMITH Editor

Described at Ontario’s first business succession planning services hub, and delivered by the Kingston Economic Development Corporation, the Succession Ontario program will offer tools and resources to help business owners understand and plan ownership transitions.

Restoring small-town journalism, one community at a time!

Publisher

Stewart Grant • stew@granthaven.com

Editor

Kathleen Smith • kate@goderichsun.com

Graphic Design / Sales Inquiries

Sarah Cairns • info@goderichsun.com

Business Development

Heather Dunbar • heather@granthaven.com

Billing Administrator

Cindy Boakes • boakescindy1576@gmail.com

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Wendy Lamond • wendylamond74@gmail.com

Contributors

Annette Gerdis, Tanya MacIntyre, David Yates, Paul Knowles, Brittany McKay, John Miner

36 Water St. St. Marys, ON, PO Box 2310 N4X 1A2 info@goderichsun.com | 519.655.2341 | granthaven.com

On February 3, the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade announced nearly $2 million in funding to establish Succession Ontario.

According to the Huron Chamber of Commerce, the province’s plan is explicitly local.

Ontario’s Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) network will receive training and resources so that centres like the Huron Business Centre (the local SBEC) can expand one-on-one advisory support.

“The Huron County Business Centre provides local support for all kinds of businesses,” said Brittany Wise, Huron Business Centre Manager.

“As part of Ontario’s SBEC network, we provide support for every stage of operation, including purchase, growth, transition and succession.”

Planning for succession is often framed as a private

business decision, but in rural communities, it is also economic development infrastructure.

According to Huron Chamber, when ownership transitions go well, good businesses remain open, jobs stay local and essential services continue to anchor Main Streets.

That is why succession planning belongs in the same conversation as business retention, entrepreneurship supports and community resilience.

“Succession planning is not about ending a business,” stressed Colin Carmichael, Huron Chamber of Commerce.

“It is about protecting the jobs, services, and local investment that make Huron County work.”

Carmichael explains that by framing transition plan-

Goderich Sun

Goderich Salt & Harvest Festival wins best promotional campaign and recognised as FEO Top 100 Event

Receiving two provincial recognitions at the Festival and Events Ontario (FEO) Awards Gala at the end of February, the Goderich Salt & Harvest Festival won best promotional campaign and named in the top 100 events.

According to the Town of Goderich, these honours recognise the festival’s marketing excellence, visitor appeal as well as the strength of its community and corporate partnerships.

Mayor Trevor Bazinet expressed pride when this event received FEO recognition.

“We are home to the largest underground salt mine in the world, and we’ve worked deliberately to build tourism experiences that reflect what makes our community truly unique,” said Mayor Bazinet.

“I also want to thank our staff and volunteers for the tremendous work behind the scenes. This award showcases their volunteer spirit and pride in serving Goderich.”

The 2025 Goderich Salt and Harvest Festival took place over Labour Day weekend (Aug. 28-31) throughout Goderich’s downtown and waterfront, offering dozens of activities.

Free events included the Salted Market, Above Ground Salt Experience, Mine Rescue Demonstrations, Salt Mine Virtual Reality, Salty Basin Beer Garden, Salt Walk, Thursday and Sunday BIA Salted Concerts, Farmers’ Market, Flea Market, petting zoo, wagon rides, family photo booth, and inflatables.

Paid events included the BIA Friday

Night Concert, the Saturday Compass Minerals Concert, which featured Finger Eleven and sold out with 1,500 attendees, as well as bus tours, food trucks and salty menus at Goderich restaurants.

According to Goderich Tourism, the journey to establish Goderich’s salt tourism began in 2020. The inaugural festival in 2023, championed by past Mayors John Grace and Myles Murduck, has flourished under the continued support of Mayor Bazinet and their respective councils.

Designed as a signature tourism event, the festival authentically tells a distinctive

local story. The event is funded through community and corporate support, including partnerships donations, sponsorships, and participant revenue.

Jenna Ujiye, Tourism and Community Development Manager stressed that this recognition reflects an enormous amount of work behind the scenes.

Town staff lead the planning and delivery of the Salt & Harvest Festival. This includes building the program and logistics to marketing and on-site operations.

“I’m grateful for the professionalism and commitment our team brings to this event,” said Ujiye.

“We also rely on strong partnerships and volunteers to make the festival sustainable and impactful, including Compass Minerals, the Goderich BIA, Royal LePage, Parrish & Heimbecker, Coldwell Banker and many local businesses and community supporters.”

According to Ujiye, the Best Promotional Campaign recognition reflects a coordinated approach across print, digital, media and on-site storytelling, including SaltedGoderich.ca as the event hub, an eight-page program and downtown site map, cohesive signage and wayfinding, the ‘Hidden Treasure Below’ booklet and a 28-foot Salt History Timeline, supported by radio promotion, influenced content and paid social advertising.

While Goderich Tourism looks ahead, the 2026 Goderich Salt & Harvest Festival is scheduled for Labour Day weekend (Sept. 3-6) with the Compass Minerals Concert on Saturday, Sept. 5. Further details about the 2026 festival and concert will be unveiled at the end of March. For current information, please visit https://www.saltedgoderich.ca/festival

Support the local businesses that support your local newspaper.

The staff at the Maitland Valley Family Health Team and Family Health Organization would like to thank Matt Hoy for his commitment to the health of our community. After 8+ years as Executive Director of Maitland Valley Family Health Team, we wish him well in his retirement.

Stop VAW hosts community information session on intimate partner violence

Stop Violence Against Women (Stop VAW) is hosting a series of community information sessions, and the next session will take place in Stratford at the end of April.

At the Feb. 17 session in St. Marys, host Dr. Jennifer Olenewa, Stop VAW co-ordinator, reviewed different types of abuse and how to recognize the signs of intimate partner violence (IPV). Participants also learned what to say to support someone who may be experiencing IPV, as well as about the community resources and programs available throughout Perth County.

In 2019, IPV cost $7.4 billion and has only risen since the pandemic. Rural communities face higher IPV rates, with women experiencing IPV 75 per cent more frequently than urban women.

“More significantly, the rate in rural communities for women is 75 per cent higher than women who live in cities,” said Olenewa.

“So, there is a way greater risk of experiencing IPV in rural communities, such as Perth County.”

She went on to note that slower response times, caring for pets and livestock, lack of services and resources, the presence of firearms, isolation, lack of autonomy, lack of affordable transit, limited cell phone or internet access, and limited safe housing options are all barriers for women living in rural communities.

Sydney Touzel, a survivor, also spoke to attendees about her personal experience with IPV after surviving an attack in St. Marys in 2020. She has since gone on to advocate for survivors and most recently

raised almost $13,000 for Optimism Place in Stratford.

Her conversation leaned into the complexities of intimate partner violence, emphasizing that it often starts subtly with financial, emotional and psychological abuse before escalating to physical violence.

“A lot of people assume that it starts physical,” she said.

“In my experience, there was financial, emotional, gas lighting and then isolation. It started off very slow, which I think a lot of people don't realize. It started with tiny things like asking for my phone, asking

Ladies Auxiliary Makes Donation to Maitland Trail Association

where I was, and then that escalated into arguments, which turned into things being thrown, then holes in walls, and then things being thrown at me.”

Touzel also emphasized the importance of recognizing abusive behaviours early and connecting with police when appropriate. She noted that police were called on three occasions; however, officers can only act when there are legal grounds to proceed.

“You don't necessarily have to disclose everything that's happened, but if you just give them one little bit of information that they can act on, that can make a mountain

difference, even just a nod when they ask certain questions,” stressed Touzel.

“If you don't say anything, they can't do anything.”

Const. Darren Fischer, community resource and media relations officer, then spoke about how and when to connect with police. He emphasized the importance of calling 911 in emergencies and the police’s role in safety planning.

Fischer discussed the mandatory charge policy, which was developed in 1986. This law allows police to lay criminal charges in domestic or intimate partner violence incidents when they have reasonable and probable grounds to believe an offence has occurred — even if the victim does not want to press charges.

“Police will come,” said Fischer.

“We provide emergency services and can be called 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If it is three o'clock in the morning on Christmas Day and you need somebody to come and talk to you about the abuse that you’re experiencing, we are there. We will be there as quickly as possible.”

Fischer also noted the goal of having 30 per cent of the Stratford police force be women by 2030.

To learn more or to register for an upcoming session, including the Stratford session, visit stopvaw.ca and click on Events. Registration is required for food and drink planning only; no personal information will be stored. Food and drinks will be provided, and free parking will be available at each location.

Anyone concerned about intimate partner violence can contact Optimism Place’s 24/7 support line at 519-271-5550 or 1-800265-8598 (toll-free).

Ontario to launch first business succession planning services hub

ning as a key part of wider regional business retention efforts, and by emphasizing coordinated supports that serve both owners and prospective buyers, local businesses and service can be sustained through that change.

“When owners plan early, they create real choices, for families, for employees, and for buyers, and they give the next leader the best change to step in with confidence and keep the business rooted in our communities,” added Carmichael.

According to Huron County Community Profile (2025), the region’s median age is 46.8 years, a reminder that a large share of the region’s workforce and many business owners are already in later-career stages.

That same profile notes that of the almost 3,000 businesses in Huron County, 90 per cent have fewer than 10 employees.

In these small businesses, ownership transitions can have a much larger impact on employees.

Rural Ontario faces an added challenge beyond readiness – finding and financing

the next owner, especially when the next generation has moved away, when sector skills are scarce, or when the current owner hopes to keep the business rooted locally.

Carmichael stresses that why buyer readiness matters just as seller readiness and why local supports help navigate valuation, financing, timing and operational continuity.

Strong transitions have four things in common: clarity on the desired outcome and timeline, business readiness work that reduces owner-dependency, a successor strategy that matches local realities, and professional advice early enough to avoid forced decisions.

For business owners thinking about succession, the most practical first step is local support.

These new resources are being complemented by other local partners, and Community Futures Huron is set to launch a new business buyer/seller platform called BizLink.

This new online tool will guide both buyers and sellers through the transition process.

Huron Perth Chicken Farmers donate over $2,000 to Gateway

ates the generosity of the Huron Perth Chicken Farmers as they have been a generous donor for years.

Huron Perth Chicken Farmers visited the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) office recently to present a donation of $2,700.

This donation will support the Farmers’ Safety and Well-Being program.

According to Gateway, this generous donation will directly support Gateway initiatives aimed at promoting the health, safety and well-being of farmers and agricultural workers across Huron, Perth, Bruce and Grey counties.

Gateway CERH sincerely appreci-

Their support plays a vital role in advancing initiatives to improve the overall well-being of residents throughout our communities.

For more information about Gateway CERH and its Farmer’s Safety and Well-Being Program initiatives, please visit https://www.gatewayruralhealth. ca/shed-talks.

Alexa Hugill is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for Gateway CERH

BRITTANY McKAY Sun Correspondent

At a recent Clinton council meeting, members voiced their support for an upcoming application to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) that would allow local radio station CKNX to transition from the AM dial to the FM dial.

CKNX has served Midwestern Ontario for nearly 100 years, providing residents with local news, emergency alerts, agricultural reporting, and community-focused programming. For many rural communities across the region, the station continues to be a reliable and accessible source of important local information.

Mayor Jim Ginn confirmed council had received a request from the station seeking a letter of support for the proposed change. “I did get a request from CKNX for a letter of support. They’re wanting to change from AM to FM,” Ginn said, noting staff had prepared a letter for council’s acceptance. “I thought it was pretty much a no-brainer.”

However, Deputy Mayor Marg Anderson raised concerns regarding the transition, particularly as it relates to agricultural programming.

“They have totally different broadcasts on AM than they do FM,” Anderson said. “I have spoken to a couple of farmers and people in the agricultural business regarding this, and

Heartwarming Luncheon showcases the best of community Council backs CKNX transition from AM to FM

This year’s Heartwarming Luncheon hosted by Community Living of Central Huron on February 13, was a tremendous success, bringing people together in a powerful display of compassion and connection.

A total of 858 meals were served—an extraordinary achievement made possible through the dedication of volunteers, community partners, and generous neighbours.

Nearly 500 lunches were delivered throughout Huron County by volunteer drivers who spent the day on the road ensuring meals reached homes, workplaces, and community members who couldn’t attend in person.

The remaining meals were enjoyed at the Goderich Legion, where guests gathered for food and fellowship, or picked up as takeout.

A special highlight of this year’s luncheon was the involvement of students from St. Mary’s School in Goderich and Goderich Public School. After sharing lunch with community members at the Legion, students participated in a thoughtful Art Collective activity exploring what we value as a community.

Their artwork reflected themes of belonging, kindness, and the beauty found in both our similarities and our differences. Their presence added a vibrant, hopeful energy to the day.

Many returning volunteers, once again, offered their time,

energy, and enthusiasm—familiar faces who help make the luncheon feel like a true community tradition. It was equally heartening to see new volunteers stepping in for the first time, eager to contribute to an event that means so much to so many.

The success of the Heartwarming Luncheon was supported by the generosity of numerous local partners, including Goderich Legion, Shanahan Meats, Tim Hortons Goderich, Metzger Meats, Zehrs Goderich, Armstrong’s Bakery, Goderich Place and Huron County Dairy Producers.

Their contributions helped reduce the overall cost of the event and ensured that the luncheon could continue to reach as many people as possible.

One of the most meaningful aspects of the day was the kindness shown by community members who purchased extra meals so that individuals experiencing homelessness—or anyone who arrived in need—were welcomed without hesitation and served with dignity.

This quiet generosity is a hallmark of the Heartwarming Luncheon and a reflection of the values that define this community.

The Heartwarming Luncheon continues to demonstrate what makes Central Huron such an extraordinary place to live: people who show up for one another, who share what they have and who believe in building a community where everyone belongs.

In the words shared by organizers, “We truly live in an incredible community.” And this year’s luncheon proved that once again.

their concern is that when they drop AM, that drops all the markets, a lot of the agricultural advertising, and agricultural information.” Anderson noted that given the county’s strong agricultural presence, it is important to ensure that key market and farming information would continue to be available following the transition.

Ginn responded that it was his understanding the programming would remain unchanged.

Councillor Michael Russo added that the transition could potentially expand the station’s reach. “The AM band is very narrow and very selective in its target reach,” Russo said. “The FM band allows them to go onto internet radio. So, if anything, they’re going to actually triple or quadruple their listening ability if they go into the FM band and leave the program the same.”

The transition confirms CKNX’s move to the FM dial and support the long-term sustainability of local broadcasting in the region.

Weekend Quiz

By Jake Grant

1. What actor starred in Ace Ventura?

2. What is the capital city of Iran?

3. What does MAID stand for in medical terms?

4. Which Renaissance artist painted 'The School of Athens' in the Vatican?

5. In 'Children of Men', what event has made humanity desperate?

6. The Danube River flows into which sea?

7. Which hormone is produced by the pineal gland and helps regulate sleep cycles?

8. A Phon is a unit of what?

9. What is the highest-rated daytime talk show in American Television history?

What country do the Galapagos Islands belong to?

Home Improvements 2026

Upgrade Your Space: Local Expertise for Every Upgrade at Groves TV and Appliance

Groves TV and Appliance Centre in Clinton has provided the community with friendly, knowledgeable sales and services since 1935.

The family business began with Art Groves, and his son Clayton took over in 1970. The business is now run by Dan Groves, who took over in 2009.

Art Groves started selling radios in 1935 from his home, and two years later bought a storefront on Huron Street in Clinton. As hydro progressed Art added televisions and appliances.

Groves now offers kitchen and laundry appliances, furniture and décor, mattresses and sleep products, and ventilation.

In 2010, a new division was opened under the name SleepMatters, which offers a wide selection of brand name mattresses and plenty of bedding products.

The buying group Dan belongs to is involved in mattress sales. When it came to expanding to bedding, it was the right fit and timing. The owner of SleepMatters wanted to move on to other interests.

“I took the chance and bought him out,” explained Dan.

“Given the appliance traffic we have in store, we have tripled bedding sales.”

Groves also offers a newly expanded showroom in Clinton, providing customers with the latest in bedding, electronics and appliances.

Groves TV and Appliance Centre also offer professional delivery and installation services for appliances, furniture and mattresses.

With 90 days comfort guarantee, Groves TV also offers best price guaranteed, to ensure customers are satisfied with your mattress or furniture.

After closing their Goderich location during the pandemic, Groves expanded their Clinton location, one that is much more efficient to run and proven to be more successful.

Groves TV just finished adding more showroom space into the old warehouse area at the store due to the recent build of a 5,000 square foot offsite warehouse, allowing Groves TV to double their backup inventory.

‘Sales and Service since 1935’ is Groves TV tagline. Dan feels his company’s service and customer focus is what sets them apart from the rest.

Something that remains the same since 1935 is the quality customer service that Grove’s TV provides.

“Having great staff that has the same focus is a winning combination,” he explained.

“The new larger warehouse allows us to have lots of stock where most have to order giving a longer wait time to receive product.”

In addition to a service customers can trust, most of the purchasers at Groves TV are repeat and loyal customers, due to Groves TV’s long-standing family tradition and excellent customer care.

Looking back on the legacy of the Groves family, Dan feels a sense of pride.

“It is an amazing feeling when you look back at the years, and how the business has grown,” added Dan. Currently, Dan is the only remaining family member involved, but he considers his staff as family.

“Future plans will be for one of them to continue the legacy past 100 years of operation,” Dan said.

“This is our 90th year being family owned, so we are very proud of that accomplishment.”

Recently, Groves TV won Dealer of the Year (2025) for BrandSource stores across Canada.

Visit Grove’s website www.grovestv.com for online shopping.

Clinton walk shows community support in fight against homelessness

need.

Clinton residents and Clinton Public School students bundled up and stepped out to participate in a local event to engage on homelessness initiatives across Huron County, helping to raise both funds and awareness for some of the area’s most vulnerable individuals.

Michelle Millar, manager of community development for United Way Perth-Huron, said the organization traditionally hosts three main events in Wingham, Goderich and Exeter.

However, smaller communities have expressed a desire to participate in their own way.

“We realize that there are so many communities in between, and they want to celebrate and walk for a cause in their own way,” Millar said.

“That’s why we’ve done these kinds of offshoot events before the main event.”

The Clinton walk is part of the broader Coldest Night of the Year campaign, a national initiative that brings communities together to raise funds for local charities supporting people experiencing homelessness, hunger, and hardship.

Millar expressed the need is evident not only in larger centres but also in small towns across the county.

“In Clinton, like anywhere else, we see homelessness, people living rough, people who are vulnerable, people living paycheque to paycheque — one paycheque away from homelessness,” she said.

“That’s who we’re here for today.”

Funds raised through the annual campaign do not go toward launching new projects, Millar explained. Instead, they help sustain existing programs operating under what United Way calls its Hero on Homelessness initiative.

Benefiting organizations include Safe Homes for Youth, the Food Bank Distribution Centre, Turning Point, local Connection Centres and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

“It’s all those people who are doing the amazing work to help our community members,” Millar added.

“Do they need more? Do we need to give more? Yes. But that means the community must give more.”

For smaller communities like Clinton, the fundraising goal is ambitious. This year’s target is $150,000, and as of [February 27th, 2026], organizers reported they were already 85 per cent of the way there.

Millar noted the Coldest Night of the Year continues to resonate with residents.

"It brings people together,” she said.

“Clinton and all the other communities across Huron County are certainly doing their part to say, ‘We care.’”

Organizers say every dollar raised will stay local, directly supporting frontline agencies working to prevent homelessness and provide critical services to those in

Ryan Erb, Executive Director of United Way Perth-Huron also attended the event. He explained collaboration, awareness and year-round support are key to helping the community’s most vulnerable residents.

Erb expressed about the importance of raising awareness and building solidarity around homelessness, emphasizing that meaningful change begins with community involvement.

“One of the things we want to do is let the world know that we are working together to help our most vulnerable citizens,” Erb said.

In Goderich, Clinton, and surrounding areas, funds raised support the Bridge Program — a partnership initiative designed to provide short-term housing and stabilization support.

The program is operated locally by the Canadian Mental Health Association and funded by the County of Huron and United Way Perth-Huron.

The Bridge Program offers 15 temporary beds for individuals experiencing homelessness, typically allowing stays of up to three months. During that time, staff work with citizens to stabilize their situation and help them explore longer-term housing solutions.

“We’re trying to help people stabilize and then look for options for more permanent solutions,” said Erb.

Those next steps may include transition ing into longer-term housing programs, such as Turning Point in Exeter, a six-bed transitional housing program where resi dents can stay for up to a year. In other cas es, individuals are supported in securing permanent housing as quickly as possible.

The Bridge Program, which has been operating for the past couple of years, rep resents a shift from previous seasonal mod els that only ran during the winter months. It is now a year-round program — a change Erb says is making a measurable difference.

“Because we have more time with people and because it’s now operating year-round, we’re seeing really strong outcomes,” he said.

“We’re helping more people and provid ing more stability than before.”

Erb stresses that continued communi ty support is essential to maintaining and expanding these services. By participat ing in local fundraising events, spreading awareness, and learning about the realities of homelessness in rural Ontario, residents can play a direct role in strengthening the safety net.

“Homelessness can look different in rural communities,” Erb noted.

“But it’s here — and when we work to gether, we can make a real difference.”

Walkers successful in reaching fundraising goal at Goderich Coldest Night of the Year

KATHLEEN SMITH Editor

Participants for the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) in Goderich went above the $150,000 goal in support of the Huron Homelessness Initiative.

With 250 walkers, 47 teams and three volunteers, the CNOY in Goderich took place on Saturday, February 28. As of March 2, participants have raised $156,302.

Huron Homelessness Initiative provides programs such as emergency shelter for women and children escaping intimate partner violence at Artemis Huron, youth shelter supports via Huron Safe Homes for Youth and year-round, 24-hour temporary emergency accommodation and supports as well as transitional housing.

According to United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH), every dollar raised from CNOY is a statement that everyone deserves warmth, dignity, and support.

Mayor Trevor Bazinet expressed his thoughts on what CNOY means as a community.

“This event proves that when our community comes together, we lead with empathy, generosity, and action,” Bazinet wrote in a post on social media.

“Walking in the cold is symbolic. It reminds us that for some, winter isn’t just uncomfortable; it can be dangerous. But because of you, people facing hunger, homelessness and hardship know they are not alone.”

With 47 teams involved in the walk this year, some notable fundraising was accomplished by Bernie’s Bunch (26 members raised $27,410), Trinity Trekkers (10 members raised $9,726) and OH MY GODERICH (four members raised $9,486).

Individual walkers played a big part in the fundraising efforts, including Bernice Glenn who raised $7,785, Cheryl Dunn who raised $5,985 and Randy Carroll who raised $5,101.

While the CNOY event raised enough funds well past the initial goal, donations are still being received.

To donate to this cause visit https://cnoy.org/location/goderich

For more information about local programs or to get involved, residents can visit the United Way Perth-Huron website or participate in upcoming community initiatives supporting homelessness prevention and housing stability in need.

THE HARBOUR HILL DIFFERENCE

Gateway brings farmers’ safety and wellbeing program to the Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium

info@goderichsun.com

Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) attended the Southwestern Ontario Dairy Symposium in Woodstock in recent weeks.

Gateway proudly participated as an exhibitor and delivered a brief presentation, discussing the Farmer’s Safety and Well-Being Program.

Gateway CERH connected with farmers, dairy producers, industry leaders, and agricultural professionals throughout the event while attendees visited the Gateway CERH booth to learn more about the organization’s programs and research initiatives.

During the symposium, Gwen Devereaux, President of Gateway CERH, deliv-

ered a brief presentation highlighting several key priorities.

These priorities included promoting the farmer’s safety and well-being program and SHED Talks, advancing research that reflects real world agricultural needs as well as collaborating with industry partners to strengthen rural well-being.

By participating in the Dairy Symposium, Gateway continues to strengthen relationships within the agriculture sector and advance the program's mission to support the health, safety, and well-being of farmers in our rural communities.

For more information about Gateway CERH and its Farmer’s Safety and Well-Being Program initiatives, please visit https://www.gatewayruralhealth.ca/ shed-talks.

I guess Trump meant ‘Bored of Peace’ not ‘Board of Peace

Exciting to see double-digit highs in next week’s weather forecast!

Mid-Western Ontario Ag Expo returns to Clinton for second year with close to 100 vendors

The Mid-Western Ontario Ag Expo returned to Clinton for its second year, bringing together producers, businesses, and community members under one roof at the REACH Huron facility.

After initially launching at Memorial Hall in Goderich, General Manager Nick Cadotte said the Expo quickly outgrew its original venue, prompting a move to a larger, agriculture-focused space.

“The Mid-Western Expo is our second year in Clinton,” Cadotte said.

“We started off the first year at Memorial in Goderich, and then unfortunately that facility closed, but we've grown and exceeded that space anyways.”

This year’s Expo featured close to 100 vendors representing a wide cross-section of the agricultural industry, including swine, dairy, poultry, and cash crop operations. Attendees could also connect with insurance providers, agri-business services, and other companies supporting rural communities.

“Agriculture plays a huge role in our economy,” Cadotte added.

“We're just here to highlight the businesses — from women's clothing to Farmers Gold snacks that are 100 per cent produced chips from Canada — We have a wide variety of vendors.”

The REACH Huron facility, an equestrian center hosting academic programming and riding operations, was selected for its strong ties to the agricultural community.

“Ridgetown College and the University of Guelph have their equestrian program here. There’s a riding stable out back and roping. Fanshawe is next door with some programs, and the REACH Centre just made sense,” Cadotte explained.

“It’s a very big industry and the facility suits us perfectly to bring in everybody celebrating agriculture. We have

businesses from Quebec, Chatham-Kent, and Toronto all represented here in Huron County.”

In addition to vendor booths, the Expo included live entertainment.

The Expo also aims to bridge the gap between producers and consumers by promoting education and awareness, particularly among youth interested in agricultural careers.

“It’s an ever-evolving industry that technology plays a big role in, so it's good to connect with the ever-changing industry,” Cadotte noted.

“We have schools coming, and we want to expand on that next year to promote farm safety and education of what careers could be in agriculture.”

Inside the Expo stood a vendor tailored to women’s clothing. Nicole Toebes, CEO and founder of Agpro Workwear Inc, showcased a line of overalls designed spe-

cifically for women. She built from the ground up to meet the unique fit and functional needs of those working within the industry.

“I’ve been farming my entire life and firefighting as well. I couldn’t find any workwear that fit,” Toebes said.

“I was wearing men’s clothing and making do. When I did purchase women’s workwear at a premium price, the quality wasn’t there, and the fit certainly wasn’t either. It was like a petite men’s size, and as a six-foot-tall woman, I’m not a petite man. I was finding this huge gap in the market.”

Discussions with friends and other women in agriculture revealed that this was a shared concern. Inspired by those conversations, Toebes moved forward with developing a clothing line tailored to better suit women’s bodies without compromising durability or performance.

Another clothing vendor that sparked attraction at the expo was Jody Fulton’s, owner of Jody’s Junction Co., a handmade millinery business specializing in custom felt hats.

“I mainly make handmade felt hats,” Fulton explained.

“I’m a self-taught milliner. I started getting into Western wear as well, but the hats were my focus when I began.”

Fulton brings style and craftmanship together in every hat. Her collection ranges from soft wool felts to beaver and rabbit fur felts. She offers customized designs for those truly looking for one – of -a kind hat.

The REACH Centre also serves as a regional hub for post-secondary students pursuing careers in agriculture, hosting programs from both Fanshawe College and the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus.

Samantha Green, Student Services Coordinator for Ridgetown, said the Expo provided a unique opportunity to welcome members of the public into spaces that are not normally open.

“Having the Ag Expo here is a really nice opportunity because it’s our home base,” Green expressed.

“We’re able to invite people into the barn, which isn’t something we normally do, and it allows them to meet the horses and talk to us about all of the programs we offer.”

Green added that visibility within the local agricultural community is essential for connecting students with future career opportunities.

"It's a really big agricultural community,” she said.

“Almost all of our programs offer a coop option, so it’s about making those connections with local farmers and agricultural businesses to give our students more opportunities for co-op placements in the future.”

Memorial Arena to be repurposed as the Goderich Memorial Community Centre

KATHLEEN SMITH Editor

Goderich Memorial Arena will soon become the Goderich Memorial Community Centre after years of deliberation on what to do with the unused space.

Following years of workshops, studies and discussions, it has been decided that the arena will be repurposed as a community centre.

The Goderich Memorial Community Centre will be operated by a Board of Directors under a newly formed non-profit corporation, with the assistance of Quinn Ross and his team at the Ross Firm. This newly formed non-profit corporation will have approved governance policies in place, and additional operational policies will be developed as the organisation grows.

According to Matt Hoy, Chair of the Goderich Memorial Community Committee, the Board consists of one representative from each participating service group in Goderich, with each group selecting its own member.

Additionally, three community members were appointed following a public call for individuals interested in serving on the Board.

Current representation includes Kinsmen, Rotary, Kinettes, Legion Branch 109, Ladies Auxiliary, IODE and Lions.

“The Board brings a wide range of expertise, including financial management, governance, senior business leadership, community service, and fundraising experience,” explained Hoy.

“Many members have extensive histories of successful community involvement. Goderich is fortunate to have such dedicated and skilled individuals guiding this initiative.”

With Memorial Arena no longer in operation, the Town of Goderich sought a sustainable direction for the site while considering community needs and building off the Town’s vision for multi-use community spaces.

After a comprehensive study was completed, including public workshops and

stakeholder engagement, three options were presented to Town Council: Do nothing or sell the property, demolish and prepare the site for new use, or reuse and repurpose the building.

Town Council agreed to repurpose the building as it supports both short-term use and long-term redevelopment potential.

It was recommended that while repurposing the building, this be done through phases beginning with essential repairs and safety upgrades, followed by incremental reconfiguration of interior spaces. Eventually the façade and rooftop would receive enhancements.

Each participating service group is contributing $20,000 for a total of $140,000 to help fund the repurposing of the building.

This amount has been matched by the Town of Goderich. The Town has also committed $60,000 annually to support the facility.

Hoy says this partnership is a win for both the municipality and the community.

“The Town will spend significantly less supporting the repurposed building than it would maintaining it in its current state, or demolishing it,” Hoy commented.

“Ongoing municipal support is comparable to funding provided to other cultural and community organisations in Goderich.”

The building remains owned by the Town and is being leased to the Goderich Memorial Community Committee for management.

Should the initiative not succeed, the facility would revert fully to the Town.

“Any upgrades made will enhance a municipally owned asset,” added Hoy.

Upgrades have not yet begun, but the Board is currently obtaining tenders and finalising cost estimates for the initial phase of required work.

While the necessary upgrades have been identified, Hoy says the Board is focused on developing the most efficient systems that integrate with the building’s existing infrastructure.

“As a volunteer-driven community initiative, repairs and improvements can be com-

pleted more cost-effectively than through municipal processes,” Hoy explained.

“We hope to offer some portions of the building for use by mid-summer 2026.”

Hoy says this will be a multi-year project, and progress will move forward responsibly and as funding allows.

According to Hoy, the final programming mix has not been determined in reference to what the community centre will offer to residents.

Previous municipal focus groups have provided recommendations, and those insights will be carefully considered, but ultimately, programming decisions will be made by the Board of Directors.

Potential uses may include space for service and community groups, indoor farmers’ markets, trade show, concerts, indoor sports or community events and gatherings.

“The Board will ensure that any programming is financially sustainable and responsive to community needs,” Hoy added.

He stresses that the facility is not intended to duplicate services already provided elsewhere in the community, such as those offered at the YMCA or other recreation spaces.

There will be no ice surface, as that would be a cost-effective use of the building.

“The goal is to complement, not compete with existing services and enhance opportunities for residents in Goderich and the surrounding area,” Hoy said.

Repurposing the Goderich Memorial Arena preserves a building with deep historical and community significance.

The facility has long served as a site for elections, a venue for major community celebrations, a gathering place for town meetings, a disaster relief hub following the 2011 tornado, as well as a hockey arena to host the beloved Young Canada Week tournament for many years.

“As a memorial building, it represents the sacrifices made for Canada and holds strong sentimental value within the community,” remarked Hoy.

According to the committee, this community centre is expected to play a signif-

icant role during Goderich’s Bicentennial celebrations in 2027, including potential concerts and fundraising events welcoming both current and former residents of ‘The Prettiest Town in Canada’.

Hoy explains that this is not a precedented idea. Communities like Bayfield have successfully repurposed former arenas into thriving community spaces.

“Forward-thinking residents build many of the institutions we now value, including our YMCA, beautiful library, modern medical centre, and regional hospital,” said Hoy.

“This initiative continues that tradition.” Hoy stresses that it is important to clarify that the Goderich Memorial Community Committee is leasing the building only. Ownership remains with the Town of Goderich.

The parking lot will continue to be municipally owned. A shared-use agreement will be established, as both the Committee and Bannister Park will utilise the space.

“As with any small community project, rumours can circulate,” remarked Hoy.

“Residents are encouraged to rely on official announcements from the Committee regarding financial standing, commitments, and final programming decisions.

“Many elements are still being determined, and the Board remains open to adjusting direction based on community needs.”

While this is an exciting time for Goderich, Hoy reiterates that expectations must be realistic. This will be a multi-year project and will proceed responsibly, based on available funding.

The goal is long-term sustainability rather than rapid transformation.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” added Hoy.

“The Board is committed to doing this properly to ensure the facility serves generations to come.”

Residents can expect future opportunities to get involved, whether through volunteering or supporting fundraising initiatives.

“This project reflects the forward-thinking spirit that continues to define our community,” concluded Hoy.

Young Canada Week: Celebrating 75 years of an historic hockey tournament in Goderich

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Months ago, it was decided that the 75th anniversary of the Young Canada Week – often called the Granddaddy of all minor hockey tournaments – should have a proper celebration to acknowledge the rich history of the beloved hockey tournament.

The party begins on Friday, March 13 at the Maitland Recreation Centre (MRC) and this year’s 75th anniversary edition of the tournament will be a party to be remembered.

According to Mike Alcock and Brandon Corriveau, co-chairs of the Goderich Lions Young Canada Week tournament, Monday, March 16 has been designated as Young Canada Celebration Day.

Instead of regular tournament games, a series of special events will be held including a Hockey Hall of Fame exhibit in the gymnasium at MRC, with interactive activities and an NHL trophy display.

There will also be a showcase featuring a historical look at the tournament through the decades of its existence.

On the ice, there will be a full day of exhibition games including a U13 Huron Heat girls’ game and A Division showcase games, featuring the Southwest Admirals U12, U13, U14, U16 and U18 teams, plus a AAA Division con-

The main event on March 16 is at 7:30 p.m. with a match-up of the Toronto Maple Leafs alumni team and a Young Canada Week alumni squad, which promises to be an unforgettable highlight.

Tickets for this game are being sold at the MRC at times shown on the 75th Young Canada Week Facebook page. They are also available at Huronia Welding on Suncoast Drive and online at Eventbrite.com.

The Maple Leafs team features captains Doug Gilmore and Rick Vaive as well as Nik Antroov, Todd Warriner, Al Lafrate, Gary Leeman, Brad May, Todd Gill, Dan Winnik, among others, and coached by Rod Seiling.

The Young Canada Week team features players from the various eras of the tournament and includes the possibility of NHLers Dave Shaw, Dave McIlwain and Cal O’Reilly.

The team will be coached by myself – Richard Madge – who coached Goderich Lions teams in the tournament over a number of years, including the team of 1980, which won the B Championship.

The regular tournament games begin with the U13 Division on Friday, March 13 with the first puck drop at 9:30 a.m. The official opening ceremonies will be at 7 p.m. that evening, prior to the Goderich Sailors game.

The Local League (LL) and Rep Championship games will be played on that Sunday.

The U15 games will run from March 17 until March 19, while the U18 games run from March 20 until March 22.

There is free admission to all events, except the showcase alumni game on Monday, March 16.

A 50/50 draw will run throughout the tournament, with the winning ticket to be drawn March 22 at 9:30 p.m. Last years total surpassed $28,000 and an even larger amount is expected for this year.

On Celebration Day, a bonus draw will see two 75th anniversary jerseys autographed by the NHL alumni players up for grabs.

Tickets for the 50/50 draw will be sold at the arena all week and are also available at rafflebox.ca.

A separate jersey raffle will offer 18 NHL and two Team Canada Olympic jerseys as prizes. Two jerseys will be awarded each day with draws at 7 p.m.

On Celebration Day on March 16, two Doug Gilmore autographed jerseys will be the prizes.

With all these special prizes and events, the 75th anniversary represents a notable milestone in the history of the beloved tournament.

It will also be the last tournament for both Mike Alcock and Brandon Corriveau as co-chairs.

Both issues statements regarding their Young Canada Week tenures.

Alcock stressed that it has been an honour to be involved for the past five tournaments, especially through a rebirth of the tournament that involved the expansion from a single age group to now including three age divisions.

“I am proud of how Young Canada Week has been able to adapt to the changing organisation of youth hockey and I look forward to assisting the next chairs as they strive to make Young Canada Week an even bigger success,” said Alcock.

Corriveau participated as a player and a winning coach in the tournament and stated it was an honour to serve as a co-chair.

On the organisational side, Corriveau thanked Alcock and former Goderich Minor Hockey President Mike McBride for helping to revive the tournament’s success by changing its format to include new divisions of play.

He also paid tribute to the work of his wife Tara Corriveau, crediting her with being the organisational and scheduling backbone of the tournament for several years.

“As the 75th celebration comes to an end, so will my tenure as co-chair of the tournament,” Corriveau remarked.

“My hope is that the future tournament organisers will continue to bring a passion that will cement the life-long memories of Young Canada Week in the next generations of participants.”

As the 75th Young Canada Week draws closer, the anticipation grows to celebrate the historic minor hockey tournament that holds a special place in the hearts of those who were privileged to play or coach in this beloved tournament that remains an important part of Goderich.

For all game times and more information, visit Young Canada Week’s Facebook page or website.

Young Canada Week celebrates 75 years’ worth of memories from a beloved minor hockey tradition

KATHLEEN SMITH Editor

A time-honoured minor hockey tradition is returning in a few weeks to welcome teams to its 75th anniversary in Goderich.

The Goderich Lion’s Young Canada Week (YCW) hockey tournament has been held in Goderich since 1950/1951 and this year the beloved tournament will celebrate this milestone.

There were 12 local teams that participated in in the very first, one-day tournament in 1950. Hosting 200 players in the inaugural tournament, success from the event meant expansion was inevitable.

The following year the tournament saw 26 teams participate over four days, and in 1952 it had grown to 37 teams compete over six days.

During those formative years of the tournament, YCW saw the likes of future NHLers Larry Jeffrey, Whitey Stapleton, Paul Henderson, Gary Doak, Rick MacLeish and Wayne Gretzky grace the ice at Memorial Arena in Goderich.

A decade after its inception, YCW was referred to as the biggest, little hockey tournament in the world by the 1960s.

Teams from all over Ontario continued to participate but the tournament soon drew teams from other Canadian provinces, and the United States to compete in the growing-in-popularity minor hockey tournament.

Within 20 years of the tournament, 10,000 goals had been scored, and some 27,000 players had participated.

In 1973, Wayne Gretzky, playing defence at the time, wore his white gloves and scored two goals in Brantford’s first game. They were his 100th and 101st goals of the season.

The 2,000th game of the tournament was played at the newly renovated Goderich Memorial Arena in 1977. It wasn’t until 1985 when girls were once again making an appearance in the tournament after a 30-year absence, and in 1989 the tournament celebrated another milestone.

NHL players Larry Jeffrey and Gary Doak returned, years later after playing in the tournament as kids, to be part of the 40th anniversary opening ceremonies.

By the 1990s, the tournament rolled into its fifth decade, and despite how much time had passed and how many other tournaments became established, YCW continued to draw teams from all over to fill various divisions.

In 1999, the granddaddy of all minor hockey tournaments celebrated its 50th anniversary with a long list of NHL celebrities headlined by Jean Beliveau.

Over the years, YCW has been more than just a hockey tournament for the Town of Goderich and volunteers who have helped throughout the years. It is a living tradition that unites the community with a passion for the game of hockey, sharing in joy and camaraderie.

In 2014, hockey legend Leonard ‘Red’ Kelly and fellow Stanley Cup winner and local Larry Jeffrey, along with Joe O’Brien who refereed during the first YCW in 1950, took part in the opening ceremonies.

That year, 12 girls’ teams and 61 boys’ teams took part in the tournament.

Despite numbers dwindling in the 2010s, due to a plethora of tournaments to choose from, and a few years where the tournament couldn’t be held, most recently during the COVID-19 pandemic, YCW has been able to maintain its position as the longest running minor hockey tournament in Canada.

Those postponements in 2020 and 2021 played a part in the survival of the world’s oldest minor hockey tournament.

It was in 2022 that YCW featured three age categories – U13, U15 and U18 in both Local League (LL) and Rep Divisions.

With this adjustment, each year following the pandemic, the tournament was once again filled with teams ready to compete in the historic minor hockey tournament in Goderich.

A tournament born from the love of the game that has survived decades, postponements, and has seen many NHLers skate upon its ice, the YCW in Goderich has proven to be a timeless tradition of sportsmanship, community and a beloved piece of history for this town.

As a result of the dedication from volunteers, organisers, sponsors, coaches and players, YCW continues to be the highlight to a hockey season for many.

In its 75th year, with a proper celebration and events

planned to mark the occasion, YCW continues to be the tournament that will never be forgotten throughout the decades to come.

Trail Talk: Warmer weather is a pleasant change for local hikers, but can make for messy hikes

As you read this, the warm weather will have arrived, which has been a pleasant change after the long cold spell, but it creates a problem on the trails.

Often a trail has a hard crust over a foot or more of snow, and with the mild temperature forecast of 12 oC this usually means that if not wearing snowshoes, you break through the crust and leave a deep hole.

It can make walking very difficult, trying to find a good route without large holes.

Later on in spring you can walk where the edge of the trail has melted, while waiting for the centre section to slowly disappear.

On Wednesday, nine of us snowshoed or hiked the Hullett Sugar Bush Trail to try to ensure it was in good shape for the Maitland Trail CNOY hike on Saturday, February 28. This hike is for hikers who prefer to be out in nature as an alternative to walking round Goderich Square for Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY).

Recently, eleven of us snowshoed the Maitland Trail in the Falls Reserve. There were a few inches of fresh snow in places, and when we reached the Falls Reserve a groomer had left a hard packed trail with a modest indent for skiers. We did our best to stay away from that track.

There is quite a steep descent towards the river from the pond, where in summer, for a fee, fishing in season is permitted. The pond was still frozen over.

At the base of the hill there are many spice bushes. I believe these are still healthy, unlike most of the ones in the Maitland Woods that succumbed to fungi. The Maitland River in this section was mostly open water, which is in great contrast to the river seen from Forsters Bridge on Sharpes Creek Line where no open water is visible.

When the river is in flood mode a shortish low section of trail can be flooded. I remember many years ago, coming across this flood and having difficulty finding a route around it.

On most of the section between the area that used to be a group campsite and

where the groomed trail joined the blue trail at the top of the hill, we had to create a packed trail.

I found the steep hill at the start of the blue trail easier to climb with snowshoes, than in summer when there is often a lot of loose rock. One hiker without aluminum snowshoes with good claws, found it easier to climb the hill without snowshoes. This whole trip took us about 1 hour 20 minutes and it has great scenery with the forest, river and the falls. Many years ago, the Falls Reserve had the largest Eastern White Cedar in Ontario, which unfortunately died of old age. If you buy a park pass, (at a discount with proof of being a Maitland Trail Supporter), you can explore many other trails in the Reserve.

In previous years the Maitland Trail Association (MTA) held a river walk when the water level was low, as most of the river below the falls has flat rocks. This area is one where Queen snakes, which are not venomous, might be found.

I once joined a group trying to locate them (unsuccessfully). The snake’s main food is crayfish, which don’t do well if the water level is low and too warm. Last year these conditions were common so I suspect that the Queen snakes have become

NOTES:

Camping in the Falls Reserve Conservation Area is available from April 17 to October 12 by making a reservation on-line.

EVENTS:

Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m. - Join the BRVTA for a hike on the Bayfield Woodland Trail for about one hour.

Sunday, March 15 at 10 a.m. - Hike or snowshoe the Maitland Trail. I hope to have this on the Maitland Trail starting on the East side of Sharpes Creek Line at 80842. And last from 1.5 to 2 hours. However, the location may change, so be sure to contact me pcapper99@gmail.com to register for the hike.

Saturday, March 21 - Two options: Hike with Paula Deering at Exeter from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or hike with BRVTA from 11 a.m. until 12 noon at Bannockburn Conservation Area.

Tuesday Trompers meet at 9 a.m. on Tuesday to hike for about an hour. If you wish to be on this email list, send an email to mta@maitlandtrail.ca

Midweek hikers meet at 9 a.m. and hike for 1.5 to 2 hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact Patrick Capper at pcapper99@gmail.com

LIFE hikers meet every Friday for a hike of about 1.5 hours, with a choice of pace, striders moving a little faster than the strollers. The hikes now start at 9 a.m. and can be joined through One Care.

Goderich Sun

Calling for artists now as Exposure returns to Goderich Co-op Gallery this spring

to bring in up to four pieces for exhibition during the month of April.

Spring brings fresh energy to the Goderich Co-op Gallery with the return of Exposure, our annual community art show.

Artists of all ages and stages are invited to take part and share their creativity with the community. Last year’s exhibition featured 95 new works of art, filling the gallery with an abundance of colour, imagination, and conversation.

Throughout March, artists are invited

Applications are available on our website, with printed copies also available at the gallery.

Exposure will be on exhibit from April 1 to 30. Save the date and join us for the opening reception on Saturday, April 4, from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Many participating artists will be in attendance, along with gallery members.

Some works will be for sale, which is perhaps your chance to discover a new favourite artist. All artwork will be fresh,

local, and Canadian.

Gallery members and consignees refresh their displays regularly and will be moving into new spaces in early March, giving visitors even more to discover.

Whether you stop in often or haven’t visited in a while, there is always something new to see. While you’re at it, take a moment to explore our newly launched website at gcgallery.ca.

There is also still time to view the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival, College and Kids Camp exhibit, on display until the end of March. The exhibit features a se -

lection of festival artifacts created over the 34 years since the first festival in 1993.

We invite you to drop by the Goderich Co-op Gallery, located downstairs from Elizabeth’s Art Gallery at 54 Courthouse Square, and share in the creative abundance. We are open with winter hours until the end of March, Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (On the second Wednesday of each month, we open at noon following our member meeting.)

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and events.

Goderich Duplicate Bridge Club Results

If you are interested in playing, we are welcoming new members.

If you have a partner, you can simply arrive to play. If you need a partner, we will do our best to find someone from our spare list.

The Goderich Duplicate Bridge Club meets every Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. at the Christian

Mill

For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/yc4v2t9r or call Club President Michele Hansen: 519-441-3275.

Our plan to protect Ontario is building new nuclear facilities

As Canada stares down economic uncertainty, we’re ready with a plan to protect Ontario. We’re building the first small modular reactors in the G7, and the first large-scale nuclear facilities in decades. Creating 150,000 new jobs.

That’s how we protect Ontario.

Historian David Yates releases new book ‘Huron at the Crossroads’, 1925-2025

KATHLEEN SMITH

Editor

Loaded with stories about Huron County’s recent past, historian David Yates’ newest book ‘Huron at the Crossroads, 1925 – 2025’ is sure to awaken memories.

From watching CKNX-TV’s ‘Circle 8 Ranch’, to attending a 1967 Centennial event, or summers at Judith Gooderham Pool, the ‘streaker fad’ and where you were on the morning of 9-11, this new book is a fast-paced and easy read.

Stories within ‘Huron at the Crossroads’ are sure to engage readers of all ages and interests.

Joe: Fulop: It’s Only Crokinole…but I Like It, or The Chin Brothers Hockey Line tell of the county’s athletic greatness, while others like Matt Dinning’s death in battle in Afghanistan are tragic reminders of the cost of being free.

Throughout the process of finding and researching stories for ‘Huron at the Crossroads’, Yates thought the streaking fad was a fun story to investigate.

“I had no idea that it was such a big deal,” admitted Yates.

Another story Yates says readers can look forward to learning about was the annual gathering of the Octogenarian Club at St. Patrick’s Park from the 1920s to the 1960s.

More recent stories like Canadian Idol contestant Kati Durst, or the story on Phil Main were interesting because Yates was able to interview these remarkable individuals. Researching is part of the process, and Yates enjoys every minute of it.

“For some reason, I love researching old stories,” he added.

“It’s a hobby like stamp collecting that becomes an obsession.”

A surprising find during research for this new book was the number of new settlements founded in Huron County in the last 100 years.

Many perceive Huron County as already settled in the

19th century but new and vibrant places like Bluewater Beach, Ad Astral and Huron Parks were established and became thriving communities during the period of 1925 until 2025.

Yates explained that one doesn’t have to be a history buff to enjoy the book.

“Anyone who likes a good story or wants to know more

about the area will get something out of the book,” added Yates.

“It’s a mix of nostalgia, comedy and unfortunately, tragedy.”

According to Yates, change is constant and that’s why history has always been so interesting to him. People and institutions rise, have their hey-day before fading away, and Yates explains that it’s luck if one generation will remember who or what you were.

Fame, fads and public pools – they all fade away. Read ‘Huron at the Crossroads’ for a modern perspective on Huron County history.

Those who are interested in checking out ‘Huron at the Crossroads’ may gain a better understanding of the area, while realising that Canadians and Huron County have a unique culture.

“Contrary to some, rural living does produce its own culture and society,” Yates said.

“The stories of those people deserve to be told and told loudly, and proudly.”

While reading, one is reminded at how transient everything is.

Yates explained that with the Goderich bicentennial occurring next year in 2027, he thought it would be a good opportunity to look back and recover some of the people, places and events of the last century.

“Many readers will remember the people, places and events covered in the book,” Yates said.

“While some will be of people and places that few remember or know about.”

Although the period differs from the other books by Yates, like his earlier books, ‘Huron at the Crossroads’ is an anthology, or patchwork quilt of stories that when stitched together, making a colourful picture of the last 100 years.

‘Huron at the Crossroads’ can be purchased at the Bee’s Knees in Goderich, Michael’s Pharmasave in Goderich, Clinton and Bayfield, at Blyth Citizen and the Bayfield Village Book Shop.

International Women’s Day 2026: Celebrating 115 Years

“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” – Gloria Steinam

Since 1911, March 8 has been recognised globally as a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

This year will mark 115 years of the first International Women’s Day (IWD), and it also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality.

International Women’s Day is a day of collective global activism and celebration that belongs to all those committed to forging gender equality. It is a day to celebrate women's achievements, to raise awareness about discrimination and the issues still impacting women’s advancement, and a day of action to forge gender parity.

Organizations, groups, and individuals worldwide can all play a part - in the community, at work, at home, and beyond. Groups can choose to mark this day in whatever manner they deem most relevant, engaging, and impactful. IWD is about gender equality in all its forms.

For some, IWD is about fighting for women's rights, for others, it is about reinforcing key commitments, while for some, IWD is about celebrating success.

It can mean festive gatherings and parties, and whatever choices are made, all choices matter, and all choices are valid. All these activities help contribute to, and form part of, the thriving global IWD movement that is focused on gender equality.

The international theme for 2026 is “Give to Gain.” It encourages individuals or groups to give something to the movement to help accelerate growth and gain ground on gender equality.

This could be a monetary donation to women’s organizations but it could be anything you can do for the cause. At work, at home, and in the community, there are many ways to overtly advance women.

Suggestions for giving on this year’s IWD includes giving respect, visibility, knowledge, funding, truth, equal pay, justice, resources, a voice, protection, mentoring, introductions, credit, opportunities, safety, training, role models, access and time.

Whatever way is most impactful, let's Give to Gain gender equality, not just on International Women’s Day but all year long.

Across the province, the Ontario Federation of Labour is celebrating another anni-

versary – 50 years since the formation of a women’s committee to further gender equity in the workplace.

For this anniversary they are using the powerful theme “Women Power Work - Solidarity Across Generations”.

For five decades, the OFL Women’s Committee has been at the forefront of resilience, resistance, and progress, fighting for social and economic justice for women and gender-diverse workers across Ontario. This milestone isn’t just history; it’s a call to action.

Every year the OFL commissions artwork to demonstrate their IWD theme. This year’s art features a vibrant circle of women and gender-diverse workers from construction, health care, transportation, public administration, arts, retail, and education. It reflects intersectional identities: Black, Racialized, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, disabled, Muslim, young and senior workers. A full spectrum of solidarity.

During the war years women played an integral role in the war effort. It was so obvious that women powered work on the factory floor, in essential services, in the farm fields and in the armed forces, only to be relegated to traditional roles in the post war years.

In 1978, 85 young women in Huron Coun-

ty’s Fleck Plant came together during a long-term strike in an auto wiring plant, to protest poor pay and working conditions for women. That local strike proved that women powered work - that they were essential.

Ground-breaking labour legislation was the result. Residents of Huron County see the local theatre give voice to real life stories and this year about the power and contributions of women at work in the Farmerettes story and the new play about the Fleck strike. It is a powerful local medium that furthers the cause of gender equality.

When women have gender equality at work they can do more to elevate the living standards of their families, to power the local economy, to increase the status of other equity-seeking groups.

Empowering women through gender equity sends out a positive ripple effect to their families, their communities and their country.

In 2026 the Huron District Labour Council and its affiliates, together with the Ontario Federation of Labour call to join in solidarity on International Women’s Day.

Let’s make it our day by doing what we can to truly make a positive difference for women.

Together, we honour the past and build the future.

Securing our future as an energy superpower

We’re building the first small modular reactors in the G7 and first large scale nuclear facilities in 30 years.

That’s how we protect Ontario.

Grey Matters: A new look at independence this spring, safety without sacrificing freedom

March always feels like a reset. The days are getting longer, the sun feels warmer, and even if winter hasn’t completely let go; we know spring is coming.

It’s the time of year when many of us start thinking about fresh starts, cleaning out cupboards, getting back outside, and shaking off those winter habits.

It’s also a good time to think about something we don’t always

talk about openly: independence.

Lately, there’s been a lot of discussion in the media including pieces in The Wall Street Journal about senior safety and what it really means to live independently. The stories all circle around the same question: how do we stay safe without feeling like we’re giving something up?

For most older adults, independence isn’t just about where you live, it’s about choice. It’s about deciding what your day looks like, when you get up, what you eat, who you see, and how you spend your time. No one wants to feel like that’s being taken away.

Here’s the part that proves changing independence doesn’t have to mean doing everything alone.

• Having a little backup can actually protect your freedom and independence.

That backup might be as simple as:

• Regular check-ins: A phone call, a neighbour dropping by, or a family member popping in even a quick “how are you today?” can make a big difference.

• Emergency plans: Knowing exactly what to do if something unexpected happens can prevent panic and confusion.

• Help with meals: Whether it’s occasional meal delivery, a friend bringing over a dish, or a prepared meal service, this support keeps nutrition on track without extra stress.

• Home maintenance support: Snow removal, minor repairs, and heavy chores can be a burden. Getting a little help frees energy for things that matter most.

• Living arrangements with support nearby: Retirement communities or homes with on site support gives peace of mind without taking away choice.

None of this takes away independence. In fact, it often strengthens it. When seniors feel

secure, they can go out more, participate more, and simply enjoy life. Confidence replaces worry, and that’s freedom in action.

March is actually a great time for what I like to call a “safety reset.” Not because something is wrong, but because being proactive is always easier than reacting during a crisis. Ask yourself:

• If I fell tomorrow, how quickly would someone know?

• Is my home set up to prevent accidents?

• Am I getting enough social interaction?

• Do I feel supported, or do I feel stretched thin?

Sometimes the answer is, “Everything’s working just fine.”

And that’s wonderful. Other times, it might open your eyes to small adjustments that could make life easier and help you feel more confident in your independence.

Retirement living has changed a lot over the years. It’s not what

it used to be. Many communities today offer private spaces, social activities, meals, and support all while keeping independence front and centre. For some people, moving isn’t about losing freedom. It’s about gaining simplicity, connection, and reassurance.

Safety and freedom don’t have to compete. It isn’t safety versus independence it’s safety supporting independence.

As we head into spring, maybe the goal isn’t holding tighter to doing everything alone. Maybe it’s choosing the kind of support that lets you live confidently, sleep a little easier, and enjoy your days without worry. Because real freedom isn’t about proving you don’t need anyone.

It’s about knowing help is there and still living life your way.

Annette Gerdes is the General Manager at the Goderich Place Retirement Residence

Better Mental Health: Flexible thinking leads to a better mindset to protect our mental health

During my career I hosted a program calling Conflicting Interests, where I interviewed people from opposing sides of an issue.

Those conversations reminded me of how quickly political discussions can divide friends, families and communities.

Intolerance shows up in many forms.

Sometimes it’s loud and obvious, other times it’s more subtle, appearing in dismissive comments, rolled eyes or avoiding

conversations altogether.

Intolerance often stems from rigid thinking – the believe that one’s own views are the only right ones. This rigidity is part of human nature.

We all hold our personal beliefs about what matters most to us.

These values are subjective and shaped by our culture, upbringing and life experience. Alongside values are virtues. These are character traits that put those values into practice. Honesty, discipline, courage and compassion are examples of virtues that tend to be respected across cultures.

Values answer the ‘what and why’ of our lives. Virtues reflect the ‘how’.

Problems arise when values harden into demands, and when flexibility gives way to dogma. When thinking becomes extreme, it can fuel emotional distress. Anger, frustration and anxiety tend to rise when we insist others must share our outlook.

Over time, that emotional load can damage relationships, alienate colleagues, and take a toll on our own mental health.

This is where Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT) can help. CBT can be used to successfully treat anxiety and depression, and a host of other illnesses.

It can also be a powerful tool for examining rigid patterns of thought. CBT can teach us the power of the pause. When we take a few seconds to reflect and ask ourselves – is my thinking helping me or hurting me?

Flexible thinking doesn’t mean abandoning our values. It means recognizing that others have their own values.

Through reflection, we can shift from an all or nothing mindset to one that allows room for dialogue and compromise.

When we reach a state of enlightened self-interest, we can look after our own needs in ways that also consider the well-being of others.

This balanced perspective

opens the door to healthier conversations. Instead of ridiculing or condemning people who disagree with us, we can focus on understanding their viewpoint, even if we ultimately continue to disagree.

This doesn’t just preserve relationships; it also lowers the emotional temperature in political discussions.

CBT encourages us to think for ourselves while respecting the right of others to do the same, even when their thinking seems illogical or misguided. We don’t need to agree with everyone, but we can choose to stay open, flexible and respectful.

In the end, it’s in our collective best interest to hold onto tolerance. Shutting down conversations, name-calling, or escalating into hostility and violence helps no one.

What strengthens our communities is the willingness to stay engaged calmly, respectful and with the humility to know we don’t hold all the answers. This kind of mindset not only protects

our relationships, but it also protects our mental health.

I’m sharing CBT and communication skills during MIND MOJO sessions being held at various locations around our community.

Send an email to book a session for your group: mentalhealthfitnessalliance@gmail.com Participants will walk away with easy-to-use tools for improving communication, reducing stress and strengthening their mental fitness.

Tanya MacIntyre is a Certified CBT Specialist, Mental Health Fitness Trainer, and owner/operator of Red Roof Recovery (RRR) and its training division ~ Mental Health Fitness Alliance (MHFA).

DISCLAIMER: This content is not intended to constitute, or be a substitute for, medical diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard medical advice from a doctor, or delay in seeking it, because of something you have watched, read, or heard from anyone at RRR or MHFA.

OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: Art and imagination on display at the Clay and Glass Gallery

Let’s be honest: you may have never heard of the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery. Or, if you have, you probably have never visited the place.

Well, I am here to suggest that you rectify that situation, immediately. Because there are a large number of special things about the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery that truly make it worth a visit.

First, it’s unique. Located near Uptown Waterloo, it is the only art gallery in the country that is exclusively dedicated to exhibiting and collecting contemporary Canadian glass, ceramic, enamel and stained glass works of art.

Second, the folks at the Gallery are brilliant at staging exhibitions. If you are a museum-goer who is just a bit tired of crammed display cases and claustrophobic exhibition rooms, you are going to love the Clay and Glass. The building, which opened in 1993, is the very definition of spacious. More about this later.

Third, the exhibitions are always fresh. Clay and Glass PR director William Hlowatzki told us that the exhibitions are changed up, every season. Right now there are four exhibitions that will be on display for the next few months, only.

Fourth, the gift shop offers a

spectacular array of hand-crafted glass and clay jewelry and other giftware, made by Canadian artisans, many of them local to the southern Ontario region.

Fifth – and this may seem too good to be true – admission is free. Yes, anyone can enjoy the unique works in the Clay and Glass any time it is open – and it’s open six days a week, closed only on Mondays.

I asked William how free admission could be possible, since clearly this is a professionally-managed institution with staff, acquisition budgets and operating costs. He pointed to the list of donors – private people, corporations, foundations and government bodies –that keep this amazing institution afloat and moving ahead.

According to the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery’s website, the museum owes its existence to Canadian ceramic artist Ruth Gowdy McKinley, a

founding member of “Ceramics Canada.” When she died in 1981, her colleagues in that organization began to envision an art gallery, honouring her memory, that would focus on works created in clay, glass and enamel. The plan quickly moved forward; ground was broken in 1989, and the new Gallery opened in 1993. The building was designed by Patricia Patkau of Patkau Architects of Vancouver, and was honoured with a Governor General’s Award for design. What makes that an even more significant accomplishment is, as William told us, the Clay and Glass was Patkau’s first public building. In parallel with the construction of the physical building was an endowment campaign, led by the late Winifred Shantz and former board chair Ann Roberts, herself a ceramic artist of note, and a professor in the University of Waterloo Fine Arts Department.

Right now, there are four exhibitions on display at the Clay and

Glass. The most extensive is the utterly captivating “Fabled Clay,” featuring the work of four artists: Janet MacPherson of Hamilton, Lindsay Montgomery of Toronto, Amélie Proulx of Lévis, Québec, and Annette ten Cate, of Grey County. The shared focus of these wildly diverse works is “story-telling”. Visitors will be enthralled by the stories inherent in the works – and will also be drawn into creating their own stories as they contemplate ornate teapots embraced by demons; a bear in bunny slippers; or a beer-swilling, naked “Shepherdess”.

Nicely displayed in a smaller gallery room is the exhibition, “Frogs’ Return” by Melanie Barnett of Treaty 7 Territory in Medicine Hat, Alberta – a series of complex, whimsical ceramic creations involving said amphibians.

“Weathered Rock”, a multi-faceted, multi-media work by D’Andrea Bowie of Whitchurch-Highlands, Ontario, occupies another exhibition area. All

three of these exhibitions will continue through mid-May. The fourth current exhibit is “Material Syntax: 3D Printed Masonry Façade Systems”, a display by University of Waterloo Architecture students. It closed March 27.

The latter is just one example of how the Gallery interacts with the community. In 2025, the Gallery hosted 478 workshop sessions, attended by 14,514 people. That is twice the number that attended workshops in 2024. Through community outreach programs, the Gallery also staged 65 workshop sessions through the Region of Waterloo, reaching 3,000 participants.

I’m writing this feature because we quickly realized that the Clay and Glass Gallery offers a variety of day-trip options. Would-be visitors can investigate workshops, offered at a reasonable fee (see the website for details); or they can simply visit the Gallery, at no charge, and spend as much time as they would like exploring the imaginations of these creative artists.

And some added good news: the Gallery, located at 25 Caroline Street North in Waterloo, is on the edge of Waterloo Park, a perfect place for strolling and picnicking (in warmer weather, of course), and is also a block away from Uptown Waterloo. If good food is part of your day trip agenda, high-end restaurants like Solé and Proof; good pubs like Beertown and McCabe’s Irish Pub; and many other dining options are minutes away.

So, after a highly entertaining visit, I happily recommend the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery as a centrepiece for an intriguing day out.

Paul Knowles is an author and travel writer, and past-president of the Travel Media Association of Canada. To contact Paul about travel, his books, or speaking engagements, email pknowles@golden.net.

COMING EVENTS

MACKAY CHORISTERS

On Thursday mornings from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Lakeshore United Church.

Looking for a choir family? Come join the MacKay Choristers, Huron County’s daytime choir. Weekly rehearsals every Thursday morning. For more information: singers@mackaychoristers.ca

POST TRAUMATIC STRESS AWARENESS TRAINING

On Thursday, March 5 from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Goderich Town Hall.

KINSMEN-KINETTE CLUB TV AUCTION

On Friday, March 6 from 6:30 p.m. until 11:35 p.m. Also on Saturday, March 7 from 2:45 p.m. until 11:55 p.m. Broadcasted on Local TV stations.

MAKE A MESS! INDOOR PLAY FOR KIDS

On Saturday, March 7 and Saturday, March 14 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at the Huron County Museum. Drop in each Saturday afternoon for unstructured play for primary-aged children and their families. Create without instructions, colour without lines, and play games without rules.

Included with regular admission to the museum, or free when you show your Huron County Library card or membership.

Children five years old and under are always free.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY FUNDRAISER

Join in on a coffee fundraiser for Artimis House on Sunday, March 8 at 7 a.m. at Cait’s Café.

PRO HOCKEY HEROES VS. GODERICH FIREFIGHTERS

On Sunday, March 8 at 1 p.m. at Maitland Recreation Centre (MRC).

Goderich Firefighters will face-off against a full line-up of former NHL hockey heroes. This event is in support of Huron Hospice. Doors open at 1 p.m. Puck drops at 2 p.m. Tickets required.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE

On Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Goderich Library.

Make friends and practice speaking English while talking about culture, family, food, movies or anything you like. Hosted by the Huron Welcome Hub for newcomers. Admission is free.

GODERICH CHESS CLUB

On Tuesday evenings from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Goderich Library in the activity room.

This club warmly welcomes all chess enthusiasts of any age to join. Whether a seasoned player or a newcomer eager to learn the game, this is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of chess. Participants may come and go as they please during this timeframe.

Admission is free. Equipment will be provided.

SMART RECOVERY MEETINGS

Hosted every Sunday from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. at Red Roof Recovery.

YOUNG CANADA WEEK

Beginning on Friday, March 13 and running until Sunday, March 22 at the Maitland Recreation Centre (MRC). Come watch as hockey teams compete in the historic minor hockey tournament during the March Break.

AMGH MAGIC MOMENTS MRI FUNDRAISER CONCERT

On Friday, March 13 at the Goderich Legion from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Join Dan Ward and son for an evening of live music to support the AMGH Magic Moments MRI Campaign. All your St. Patrick Day favourites – country, rock – and an album release party. Best of the Burn Pile is available now on all major streaming platforms. Donation cover charge will be collected at the door.

HOW TO ATTRACT BIRDS TO YOUR YARD

On Tuesday, March 17 at 7 p.m. at the MacKay Centre in Goderich.

Join the Goderich District Horticultural Society as Jenn and Tim Elliott will give a presentation on how to attract birds to your yard.

Everyone is welcome to attend this free event.

SPRING FLING COMEDY EVENT

On Friday, March 20 in Exeter and Saturday, March 21 in Goderich.

Presented by Huron County Pride with the support of Community Futures Huron, the Spring Fling Comedy event brings talented comedians to the area, offering friends and neighbours a fun, laugh-filled evening.

These are age of majority events.

Friday, March 20: Imposter Brewing Company, Exeter. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets: $15 until February 28, and $20 after February 28. Tickets must be purchased in advance on Eventbrite.

Saturday, March 21: Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Goderich. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 8 p.m. Tickets available on Eventbrite.

SPRING OPEN HOUSE AT GODERICH PLACE

On Wednesday, March 25 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at Goderich Place.

Come in and tour the beautifully appointed common areas, meet the dedicated team and view model suites. See why Goderich Place continues to be the number one choice in Huron County.

There will also be experts to discuss selling your home, downsizing and moving.

Ask about the respite and winter stay packages as well. Call Jennifer Puckett to arrange a tour: 519-524-4243 ext. 224 or visit www.goderichplace.ca

ANNUAL FARMER’S BREAKFAST

On Friday, March 27 at Cowbell Brewing in Blyth. Join Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) Foundation’s annual farmer’s breakfast.

Keynote speaker Jesse Moore, partner at MNP in Kincardine will present Farm to Filing: 2026 Income Tax Topics and Tax Planning for Farmers.

Money raised supports the $6.5 million Magnetic Moment campaign to bring an MRI to AMGH. Tickets and details: amghfoundation.ca

EXPERIENCE FANSHAW AT OPEN HOUSE

On Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at all locations.

Come meet faculty and current students from all areas. Drop-in and ask about your program interests, career options and becoming a Fanshawe student.

Hear from college experts on student life, admissions, financial aid, and more.

Explore campuses in London, Woodstock, Clinton and Tiverton (as well as St. Thomas and Simcoe).

COMMUNITY ART SHOW: EXPOSURE

Opening on Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m. at Goderich Coop Gallery.

Join in the celebration of a free, community art show running from April 1 until April 30.

Show off your talents and your love of art.

Entries are available on our website and at the gallery, lower level.

Visit gcgallery.ca for more information.

TREK TO ELORA

On Wednesday, May 13 join for a day of history, culture and exploration as the Huron County Historical Society treks to Elora in Wellington County.

The coach leaves the Huron County Museum at 8 a.m. on May 13, headed for Elora. Historical background commentary on route provided by Elysia DeLaurentis. A stop at Drew House to enjoy coffee and snacks. Guided historical walking tour of downtown Elora with free time to explore the shops.

Lunch at The Wild Tart.

Experience the Elora Gorge up close. Visit the ‘hole in the rock’ and learn about the local history of the Grand River. Price is $100 per person, all inclusive.

Pre-register with David Armstrong by May 1: 519-5241156 or Davidarmstrong@hurontel.on.ca

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S 2026 GARDEN TOUR

On Saturday, July 11 the Goderich District Horticultural Society will host its 2026 Garden Tour from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

This non-profit group takes care of several flower beds around Goderich and hold several events.

The money raised at this tour is spent on plants for these gardens and to support other community groups that work hard to make Goderich the Prettiest Town in Canada. Tickets can be purchased at the MacKay Centre on July 11.

Goderich Sun

Deadline: Friday prior at 3 p.m.

Contact: info@goderichsun.com

Why do leprechauns make great musicians?

They always know how to find the right clover.

What do you call a fake Irish stone? A sham-rock.

Why shouldn’t you borrow money from a leprechaun?

They’re always a little short.

What kind of spells do leprechauns use? Lucky charms.

Why did the shamrock cross the road? To prove it wasn’t chicken—it was clover.

What’s a leprechaun’s favorite sport? Pot-of-gold fishing.

Why did everyone want to talk to the leprechaun? He was a wee bit funny.

What do leprechauns love to barbecue? Short ribs.

Why did the rainbow go to school? To get a little brighter.

How can you tell if someone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day?

Don’t worry—they’ll be wearing green.

Why don’t leprechauns ever get lost? They always follow their gold standard.

This

with a local raccoon and possum that visit frequently.

DAISY ROSEMARIE SAGER (NÉE ARKELL)

February 14th, 1932-February 18th, 2026

With deep love and sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Daisy “Rosemarie” Sager (née Arkell) at the age of 94. Born in 1932 in Calgary Alberta, to the late Frederick and Daisy (Scotchmer) Arkell. Rosemarie was the youngest of four siblings; the late Vera (Robert) Turner, the late Thomas (Marianne) Arkell and the late Kenneth (Olivia) Arkell. Rosemarie’s family moved to Bayfield in her teenage years and she attended school in the Clinton area. In her early twenties, she married the love of her life, Donald Nicholas Sager, in Goderich, where they built a life rooted in family, community, and enduring friendships. Rosemarie was the devoted and loving mother of three sons; Clare (Jane Hopkinson) of Goderich, Nick (Cathy Wise) of Bayfield and Tom (Arlene Corrin) of Goderich. She warmly welcomed Jane, Cathy, and Arlene, into her heart as a family. “Grandma Rose” took immense pride and joy in her seven grandchildren; Nicholas (Liz) Sager, Jeremy (Katie) Sager, Carey (Brianne) Sager, Ryan Sager, Devin (Marti) Sager, Kaylie (Brandon) Norris- Lue and Melayna (Gray) Sager and her six great-grandchildren; Nolan, Addison, Isabelle, Emeline, Nelle and Andie. They were truly the light of her life. A woman deeply committed to her community, Rosemarie volunteered her time generously. She served on various committees and service organizations in Goderich, including the Historical Society, the Goderich Lioness, the Heart & Stroke Foundation and dedicated many Sundays to teaching Sunday school at her church. Her faith and service were quiet but steadfast pillars of her life. Professionally, Rosemarie was an accomplished and respected leader who took time and pride in mentoring young professionals in the workplace. She had a long and accomplished career at Champion Road Machinery in Goderich, in particular her role in Human Resources. She was admired for her integrity, intelligence, and inspiring leadership. Rosemarie will be remembered as an astute, kind-hearted, and generous woman who would help anyone at a moment’s notice. She loved cooking and cherished her Sunday family meals, where there was always room at the table and everyone was made to feel welcome. She had many hobbies too numerous to mention including stained glass, gardening, quilting, knitting, and was an avid reader. Her warmth, strength, and unwavering love for family and friends leave a lasting legacy. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Our Families extend our sincere appreciation to the staff of One Care Home & Community Support Services, Ontario Health at Home, and Huron Hospice Bender House for the outstanding care and kind support through Rosemarie’s Journey. Cremation has taken place and Rosemarie will be laid to rest alongside Donald at a private family service at Maitland Cemetery on May 22nd , 2026. Family and friends are invited to join in a Celebration of Life at St. George’s Anglican Church Community Hall (87 North Street, Goderich, ON N7A 2T7) from 2:00- 4:00pm. The family is thankful for everyone’s support and though not required, donations in Rosemarie’s memory made to Huron Hospice Bender House or the Heart and Stroke Foundation are appreciated. Family and friends may sign the book of condolences at www.mccallumpalla.ca.

Peter C. Baldwin passed away peacefully at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich on Feb. 15, 2026 in his 88th year.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Baldwin (Wyatt) and children, Kirsten (Mark), Anthony (Vennessa), Nigel and grandchildren, Keira (Josh), Livia, Adelyne, Rebecca and Corbin, and his sisters, Jean Marriott, Beryl Merrin, Sheilagh Prince, and his brother, David Baldwin. Predeceased by brothers, Roy and Fred Baldwin and his parents Cecil and Eileen Baldwin (Fowler).

Peter travelled to Canada from England in 1968. After several positions, he became an Anglican Clergyman in 1980 after completing an M. Div. Peter started his ministry at Sauble Beach and continued at Milverton/Atwood/ Millbank, Essex/Cottam, Goderich/Port Albert and as an interim pastor in Cambridge, Stratford and other parishes. In 1983, Peter started serving as a military chaplain in Windsor, Ontario. Later he was promoted to Major in London, Ontario at 31 Brigade Headquarters. Peter earned a doctorate in Pastoral Counselling from Indiana. He was actively involved in Prepare Enrich, Cursillo, Alpha, Women’s Shelter, District Health Counsel, Nursing Home Ministries and the Legion. Donations to Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Foundation, Goderich Legion Branch 109 Poppy Fund, St. George’s Anglican Church or charity of choice are gratefully appreciated by the family.

Funeral Home visitation was held at the McCallum & Palla Funeral Home on Sunday February 22, 2026 from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Funeral Service was held on Monday February 23, 2026 at St. George’s Anglican Church at 11:00 am

Hundreds of shade trees, fruit trees, apples, pears, peaches, plums, sweet and sour cherries, apricots, nectarines, blueberries, haskapp grapes, raspberries, elderberries etc. Lots of spruce, pine, cedars for windbreak and privacy hedges. Sizes 1-8 ft. in containers ready to go. Flowering shrubs and much more. Mon-Sat 7:00am to 6:00pm

Martin's Nursery, 42661 Orangehill Rd Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0 (1 Conc. North of Wroexter on Belmore Line)

CAMPFIRE WOOD Seasoned hardwood, bagged and ready for your summer enjoyment. $7.00/bag $20/3 bags $30/5 bags. Face cords available. Call or text for pick up. Delivery available in the Goderich/Point Farms/Bayfield area. Jim 519-301-1395

Barbara Grace Beattie took her last breath with family by her side at Owen Sound Hospital on Friday February 20, 2026, in her 89th year. Beloved wife of Ernest Michael Beattie of 69 years. Will be greatly missed by Brad (Janice), Darryl (Leanne), Kevin (Carol) and Bryce (Kathy). Cherished Grandma of Kyle (Alyssa), Chris (Meaghan), Megan (Dylan), Sinead, Ciara (Nick), Katelyn, Josh and Julia. Dearly loved great-grandma of Emma, Jack, Luke and Claire. Predeceased by her parents, Ethel and Frank Cumming, and by her siblings Lloyd, Donald, and Gloria. Barbara was born in Chatham, Ontario, grew up in Blenheim/Ridgetown area, and raised her four sons in Bayfield, Port Albert and Goderich. During their school years, Barb never missed a single one of her son’s football games. She loved spending time with all of them and their families with frequent family parties, events and celebrations. She worked at Victoria & Grey/National Trust in Goderich for several years and loved the customer interaction every day. In retirement, Barb and Mike spent the summers on their 32’ Bayfield sailboat (Saffron II), and spent many winters in Florida experiencing everything Disney with her family. Her love of Disney continued long after they stopped travelling there. Her favourite show was Downton Abbey and she never tired of watching it repeatedly in the past several years.

A Celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation or Parkinson’s Canada are appreciated. Wareing Cremation Services, 161 Broadway St., Tillsonburg, Ontario has been entrusted with Final Arrangements. Your messages of remembrance and condolence may be shared at www.wareingcremation.ca

7 8 5 1 5 4 8 2 2 8 1 6 4 2 9

VIVIAN SCHILBE

November 13th, 1929- February 15th, 2026

The family of Vivian Schilbe (nee Glenn) of Bayfield sadly share the news of her passing on Sunday, February 15, 2026, in her 97th year. Beloved wife of the late Laird Schilbe. Dear Mother of Larry Schilbe of Goderich, the late Paul Schilbe of Kincardine, Marie and Joe Vanstone of Bayfield, Joan Schilbe of Bayfield, Lissa and Robert Kolkman of Blyth. Loving Grandmother to Mark, Kimberley and Scott, Joseph, Michelle and Jeff, Jason, Desiree, Wesley, Derrien and Bridgett, Leticia, Kurtis and Sabrina, Marlayna and Brad, Brennan and 10 cherished Great Grandchildren. She is survived by her brother, Norman Glenn of Nova Scotia and her sister Marie White of British Columbia. She is predeceased by her siblings, Wilfred Glenn and Eleanor Graham. Vivian was born in Dungannon on November 13, 1929, to George and Margaret Glenn. Her family later moved to Goderich where she eventually met Laird, her husband of 59 years. They started their family in Goderich. In 1967 they moved to a property just outside of Bayfield where they built a home and finished out their years. Vivian was a quiet, gentle soul with a sense of humour and a great love of family. She will be fondly remembered and missed by many who knew her. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Foundation or to the charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Vivian’s Life will take place on Saturday March 14th from 1-4 pm at the Bayfield Town Hall, 11 The Square, Bayfield, Ontario. Family and friends may sign the book of condolences at www.mccallumpalla.ca.

Anne Maria Cribben passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at her home in London Ontario, surrounded by her loving friends.

She will be greatly missed by her partner, her family and the many, many friends who treasured her company, admired her indomitable spirit and were privileged to have a place in her generous heart.

Annie was born in Ireland but spent most of her adult life in Canada. She divided her time between London, Ontario where she worked as a nurse at the London Health Sciences Center, and Goderich, Ontario where she lived with her partner Dr. Michael Watts. Annie and Michael shared a passion for sports, travel, adventure and a great love of nature. The beautiful shores of Lake Huron were especially dear to them.

Annie cared deeply for all the people in her life and even people she did not know personally. In between her demanding work and social commitments, she gave freely of her time to volunteer organizations, too many to list. The world was made richer by her presence in it.

Annie is survived by her life long partner Michael Watts of Goderich, Ontario; her niece Nicola Moore nee Cribben (Dave) and their three children James, Karla and Harry Moore; her niece Sonya Harnett nee Cribben (Alfie) and their two children Maya and Lucas Harnett; sister-in-law Valerie Cribben and her friend Martine, all residing in Ireland.

Though saddened by her passing, we will turn our thoughts to celebrating her life, her many accomplishments, and all that she taught us of living, the world and of ourselves.

TED MCLEAN (WILLIAM OLIVER) March 10, 1934 - February 22, 2026

Peacefully at Stratford General Hospital on February 22 in his 92nd year.

Cherished husband and best friend of Mary ALMA of 61 years until her passing in 2021.

Survived by caring sisters Pat Sinnott and Gladys Coleman. Loving son of Ismay and Wilfred McLean. Pre-deceased by Tom & Jean McLean, Bob & Edna McLean, Helen & Art Semmler, Ted Sinnott, Don Coleman, Morley & Shirley McLean, Dick & Beth McLean, Lill & Don Kilburn, and nephew-in-law Lyall Mabon. Fondly remembered by clan nieces and nephews and their children, many friends, and St. Peter’s Catholic Church parishioners. Talented pie baker. Member of Knights of Columbus. Animated storyteller. Snowbird with Soulmate Alma to their winter home in Orlando, Florida for over 50 yrs. Uncle Ted had a lifelong passion for standardbred racing. Superstar pacer was Deep Run Danny. Enjoyed farm life and was a proud dog owner.

Cremation has taken place, with a graveside service planned for May 15, 2026 at St. Peter’s Cemetery.

McLean family wishes to thank neighbour Norma Walters for her years of kindness and support, Dr. Loretta Seervaratnam for her outstanding ongoing care, and the Clinton Public Hospital’s doctors and nurses for their compassion in recent months.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Ted’s memory to Alexandra Marine & General Hospital, Goderich or Clinton Public Hospital or a charity of your choice.

DONNA MAY BERRY

In loving memory of Donna May Berry. Born May 10th, 1939 at the age of 86, passed away peacefully at London Health Science Center Hospital, London, ON on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026. Donna is survived by Sam of Strathroy, sister Betty of Goderich and sisters-in-law Sharon Berry and Linda Berry. Predeceased by her father William J. Berry and mother Florence Berry, brothers Joe, Bill, Sandy, Tom and Gord and sisters Ann, Mary, Isabel and Marg. Donna was a longtime employee of 3M in London until her retirement. She will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews and all who knew her.

Interment Dungannon Cemetery in the spring. Friends may sign the book of condolences at www.mccallumpalla.ca

Sunsets of Goderich

MARCH EVENTS