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False alarm fees increasing LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media
Police responding to false alarms at properties in Norfolk County will now cost the owners a little more. The Norfolk County OPP Detachment Board recently approved the increase in an effort to “reflect the current cost recovery rate.” Owners will now be charged $240 per occurrence, up from the previous $200. While the board approved the increase, the county also had to approve an amendment to the user fee bylaw to coincide with the new charges. The fees are applied when a false alarm is triggered, often at a business, the police are called, and the owner is considered to be at fault. “Since its inception, the false alarm program has been intended to offset a portion of the policing costs borne by the County, including costs associated with responding to false alarms and administration costs,” the staff report said. In some cases, owners can appeal the charge. For instance, some alarms on farms can lead to a well-meaning passerby calling the police, despite there being no need to. Ethan Burnett, a summer student and clerks assistant at Norfolk, said the program has multiple goals in addition to cost recovery. It also incentivizes owners to ensure their alarms are in working order. Additionally, staff are looking at ways to reduce the number of false alarms that occur. “We’re looking at an education campaign that we can hopefully launch to help educate alarm owners from how they can prevent false alarms on their end,” he said.
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTO)
Jesse Murphy & The Big Dream put a wrap on the 2026 Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival on Monday, August 3rd, closing the four-day festival with a star-powered performance.
Friendship Festival ends on high note CHRIS ABBOTT Editor
The 2026 Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival ended on a high note Monday, August 3rd. The four-day festival had a good crowd Friday, a great crowd Satur-
day – and a fantastic crowd Monday. Sunday, however, was rained out. “We were watching the forecast in the days before… at the beginning of the week, it looked terrible,” said Sara Moody Veldhuis. “And then it cleared up - it was going to be perfect. Then a day or so later, no.”
It rained hard early Sunday morning, and continued to rain off-and-on Sunday afternoon and evening. “The big problem for us, (Sunday) we had so much water… when it comes down like that, it pools. We’ve got a lot of electrical equipment, the vendors have a lot of elecCONTINUED ON PAGE 2
August 13, 2026
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Simcoe Advocate
Heritage Friendship Festival ends on high note CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
ctrical equipment, and we could not operate our stages.” A decision was made to move the Lynwood Park car show to Monday’s rain date, but the grounds were still too wet and the car show was cancelled. Organizers were considering the possibility of a late August date for their 2026 show, which is a fundraising initiative for the Heritage Friendship Festival, and this year also for the food bank and Haldimand Norfolk REACH. “Hopefully it will happen,” said Moody Veldhuis. “They worked so hard and they had such an incredible first show last year. It was amazing. It sold out last year, so they were expecting ‘bigger and better’ this year. They have such a great group of volunteers that do the car show.” People returned in a big way Monday, lining up for food vendors, and the YTP KidsZone was packed. Buskers played at Wellington Park and Clifton Park, and there was music filled the air all-day Saturday and Monday at the Wellington Park Main/Side stages and the Clifton Park community stage. “It takes a lot to put it (KidsZone) on,” Moody Veldhuis noted. “The people
curities Inc.
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
Ian Bell performed Saturday afternoon at the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival.
from Young Theatre Players really do a tremendous job. One of the things I’ve always said, ‘You’ve got to cater to families.’ That’s what this festival is all about. There’s a lot of adults today who went to it as kids. So it’s like a homegrown audience we’re building there.” ABEL Enterprises’ annual Duck Race on Monday sold out (750 tickets), and with a brisk tailwind breeze, the ducks quickly floated down the Lynn River.
For almost 60 years, it’s been a free admission festival – and Moody Veldhuis said they plan to keep it that way. “This is never going to be a ticketed event, that’s not what this is all about. We want ANYONE to be able to come here and have a good time. This is a community event we want people of all walks of life to be able to come here and just enjoy themselves.” Church Out Serving had to move its Sun-
day morning outdoor service from Wellington Park to the nearby Salvation Army. “Looking forward to hopefully making that happen next year, that’s a community event where people can come together, all denominations, and just enjoy each other’s presence. We also do a Sunday morning Gospel jam, so it would have been a nice carry-over.” Sunday’s musical performers will all be invited back next year, she said. “It’s sad that we couldn’t make it happen, but some big festivals all over the place got hit hard Sunday. It wasn’t just us. It’s an outdoor festival, you just have to ‘go with the flow.’ We’ve really been lucky. “We’re sad about (Sunday), but ‘onwards and upwards’ we say. I think today (Monday) was a nice, tidy way to end the festival. Quite often we have a rain shower to end the festival… but I don’t think we’re going to get that today.” PROFESSOR LOUIE Music fans will want to see Professor Louie and the Crowmatix on Sunday, August 30th at the Polish Hall in Brantford. The Grammy nominated band from Woodstock, New York will be playing from 3-6 p.m. at the 154 Pearl Street location – Rock, Americana and Blues, celebrating the music of The Band. Mark Wilson and The Way It Is will also be on stage. Live music, good food. Tickets $30 in advance (Homegrown Hideaway) or $35 at the door.
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The Echelon played Saturday afternoon at the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival.
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Amber Banks on stage Monday afternoon at the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival.
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Simcoe Advocate
August 13, 2026
‘Dahlia in a Dish’ by Marie Papple was a first-place winner at the Simcoe & District Horticultural Society Flower Show.
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(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
Flower show highlights summer season CHRIS ABBOTT Editor
The beauty of local gardens was on display Saturday at the Simcoe & District Horticultural Society’s annual Flower Show. Judged by certified judge Dianne Elliott, following the Ontario Judging & Exhibition Standards, the top entries received ribbons. Exhibitors (members of the Simcoe & District Horticultural Society) may place up to three entries per class, and there are 89 classes in Annuals, Perennials, Roses, Foliage, Floral Design, Photography, Fruits and Vegetables, and Potted Plants. The ‘On the Trail’ category, one of the largest in the show, encourages creative arrangements for roadside flowers, foliage and stems. “It’s just whatever you can pick up,” said Helen Uren, president of the Simcoe and
District Horticultural Society, noting it’s one of her favourites. Twelve or more members participated in this year’s show, said Uren, who had entries in about 20 categories, and the show was open to public viewing Saturday, August 8th from 1-3 p.m. Marie Papple, from the Renton area, had about 30 entries. “This is only my second year, and I entered about the same amount last year,” said Papple. “I entered every class that I could… some specimens I don’t have. I pretty much grow what I like, then I go in the garden and see what I can enter. “I do have an extensive garden because I like a lot of things,” she smiled. “My husband says I am addicted to plants,” she added with a laugh. “It’s a lot of time in the spring, then after spring it’s not so bad. Then of course in the fall, all the cleanup.”
Papple said she enjoys the ‘process of gardening,’ and annually tries to improve it. “Everything is a learning experience in gardening. You can never know everything, and sometimes you learn by trial and error. You might say ‘OK, next year I’m not going to grow that…’ Like things that the bugs annihilate, I’m not going to grow those next year. It also depends on your property – some things grow better than others. “This year I got into dahlias, I think they’re going to be my favourite. And I like zinnias, and I enjoy floral designs.” In addition to the annual flower show, mini flower shows are held in April, May and November. *** Simcoe & District is one of 21 horticultural societies in A Carolinian District. CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
Short Snapdragons by Carol Monroe at the Simcoe & District Horticultural Society Flower Show.
Bobbi Ann Brady MPP, HALDIMAND-NORFOLK 519-428-0446 | 905-765-8413 babrady-co@ola.org
bobbiannbrady.com
August 13, 2026
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Simcoe Advocate
EDITORIAL
Will they choose power over 40,000 people? Haldimand-Norfolk
MPP
Bobbi Ann Brady For the past four years, I have been advocating alongside Haldimand Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley for a major energy project at the Nanticoke Industrial Park. In fact, in November 2024, I encouraged you, the residents of Haldimand-Norfolk, to reach out to key cabinet ministers, including the energy minister, to let them know that in our riding we prefer power over development. At both annual municipal conferences, Mayor Bentley has carried the torch with respect to a new energy project. Most of us agree our community is better served by attracting good-paying industrial jobs than by building 10,000 or more homes to accommodate a population increase of up to 40,000 people. Ontario’s electricity demand is projected to increase by 75 per cent by 2050. Recognizing that need, the Ford government announced late 2024 that it was considering three sites for new electricity generation. All three locations Nanticoke in Haldimand County, Lambton in St. Clair, and Wesleyville in Port Hope - are owned by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and are already zoned for electricity generation. For Haldimand, this represents a significant opportunity to build on our community’s long history of energy production while creating well-paying local jobs and strengthening Ontario’s electricity supply. An energy project would also create skilled, well-paying jobs, attract private investment, and generate long-term economic benefits Restoring small-town journalism, one community at a time!
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without placing the same pressure on local roads, schools, hospitals, and municipal services that comes with rapid residential growth. But getting this right is just as important as getting it done. An energy project of significant scale must be one our community can support with confidence. Over the past days, many of you have shared thoughtful ideas and concerns on my socials and while there is no shortage of opinions, we must all be cognizant not everyone will agree on a path forward. That’s why meaningful public consultation is essential. Decisions must be made in an open and transparent way, and not behind closed doors because if the project is to be successful it must earn the trust and confidence of the people who will live with it for generations. I was heartened by OPG’s commitment of $500,000 to Haldimand County, through growth and readiness funding, to explore new generation options including nuclear, hydrogen, and natural gas. The 900-acre Nanticoke site features electricity zoning up to 3,000 megawatts. I was disappointed the Minister of Energy declined to answer a question during the media scrum, at the announcement, about whether a city of up to 40,000 people should be built alongside heavy industry and a new electricity generation project. He has declined to answer that question when I have personally asked him at Queen’s Park too. I also couldn’t help but notice the number of representatives in attendance, including the CAO and Mayor of Norfolk County. While I welcome anyone who wants to support opportunities that benefit our riding, over the past four years Norfolk’s silence on a neighbouring city has been deafening and disappointing. Such a development would have profound implications not only for Haldimand, but Norfolk too. It’s encouraging to see interest now that there is news to celebrate but leadership also means speaking up when difficult issues are on the table, not just when the cameras are rolling. Hopefully at the end of the day the Minister of Energy is in conversation with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and he is urging his colleague to reject Empire Homes’ request for a Minister’s Zoning Order. Ontario cannot pursue two conflicting visions for the same piece of land. WHY ‘BOOTS ON THE GROUND’ MATTERS Mental Health Awareness Month. I expected a few comments and perhaps a few smiles. What I didn’t expect was one of the most powerful conversations I’ve ever had on social media.
The response was overwhelming. Thousands engaged with the post, but what struck me most wasn’t the number of likes or shares - it was the number of men who quietly, and often courageously, shared their struggles. Men who admitted they were hurting. Men who spoke of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and the weight of trying to carry life’s burdens in silence. Their honesty served as an important reminder: mental health doesn’t discriminate. While the campaign focused on men, the reality is that mental illness affects women, children, seniors, friends, spouses, neighbours, and colleagues alike. It touches every family and every community. As long as I have the privilege of serving the people of Haldimand–Norfolk, I will continue fighting for a mental health system that ensures no one has to struggle alone. Whether it is a father, a mother, a teenager, a veteran, or a senior, everyone deserves timely access to compassionate care and the hope that comes with knowing help is available. One of the other wonderful things that came from that post was the number of men who reached out to tell me what they are doing to make a difference. One group of men who reached out, who I met, was Boots on the Ground, which is a peer support group designed especially for First Responders. The helpline is Ontario-based, 24/7, anonymous, and callers can talk to trained volunteers who have been in the caller’s boots so to speak. Callers include firefighters (professional and volunteer), police officers, paramedics, nurses, corrections workers, dispatchers, military, or veterans whether in active duty or retired. The conversations often centre on challenges that can quietly overwhelm a person’s life: strained relationships, sleepless nights, financial pressures, alcohol or drug dependency, or the frustration of navigating systems such as the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). Regardless, there remains a common thread, which is that they are experiencing a very normal human response to abnormal circumstances or difficult situations. No matter the issue, the goal of Boots on the Ground volunteers is to ensure every caller feels heard and validated. Blaine Phibbs, of Caledonia, is the Program Manager for the organization and said that early intervention can mean the difference between a frontline worker becoming a difficult coworker, a disengaged spouse, a drinker, or the combination of it all. Boots on the Ground is a registered charity and non-profCONTINUED ON PAGE 7
Simcoe Advocate
Simcoe home could lose heritage designation LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media
A Norfolk homeowner may get their wish to have their home be de-designated from heritage status, despite staff’s recommendation against the request. Councillors turned down a staff recommendation to refuse the request to de-designate the MacKay/Black residence, and instead passed a motion put forward by Coun. Chris Van Paassen to go through the process. “I think that’s fair and legitimate and they should be allowed to do this,” he said. Van Paassen reiterated a point he made during previous discussions about de-designation, saying there are no longer the same financial support programs to help property owners maintain heritage buildings. “We’re the ones who are changing the rules of the game, not them,” he said, referring to governments who have reduced or ended heritage support programs. According to the staff report, the prop-
erty owner requested the de-designation because they’re aging and would like to minimize maintenance costs. But manager of planning Morgan Casciani said financial hardship is not considered an appropriate criterion for de-designation. She said de-designation can occur if a property loses the characteristics that made it worthy of protection. “That is not the case in this instance,” she said. Several features of the home were identified in the report, including “the brick bonding, the cornice with dentils, the large windows and distinctive ‘cat’s paw’ hood moulds, all contribute to making this a unique building.” Alexander MacKay, described as a “colourful figure in Norfolk County’s pioneer history,” built the home and was the original owner. In the 1960s the Black family took ownership of the property, and remain owners to this day. Both the heritage committee and the county’s planning staff recommended refusing the request to de-designate.
August 13, 2026
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(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTO)
Huzzah, a young duo from the Langton area, played for the first time Monday, August 3rd on the Heritage Friendship Festival’s Clifton Park Community Stage.
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August 13, 2026
Simcoe Advocate
Proposed increases worry homebuilders LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media
Somebody’s got to pay for it. While Norfolk’s homebuilders say proposed increases to the county’s development charges could further strain an already weakened market, county staff say long-term infrastructure needs are going to have to be paid for somehow. County councillors learned about the review of the charges at the July 28 council meeting. “It’s a simple mathematical equation that’s in front of us. We have a growth forecast. That growth forecast means that there’s specific infrastructure required to support that growth. That infrastructure is costed. That then gets broken down in terms of development charges because in theory growth should be paying for growth,” said CAO Al Meneses. “If there’s contemplation that we do not in Norfolk County want growth to pay for growth, that cost is still there. Someone has
to pay for the cost of that infrastructure to support that growth. Whether it’s development charges, whether it’s current taxpayers, whether it’s grants from other levels of governments, those costs are the costs.” A background study completed by Watson and Associates identified just over $1 billion in total capital needs, and attributed just under $400 million of it to costs that could be recoverable through development charges. To collect that money, the consultants recommended significant increases to DCs on residential units. DCs on single and semidetached builds in rural areas would increase to $31,364 per unit from the current $8,215, while builds in urban areas would hit $49,387, up from the current $25,709. DCs on apartment units and other multiples would range from $16,611 to $21,345 in rural areas, and $26,156 to $33,612 in urban areas. Non-residential charges are also pro-
posed to increase. For rural areas the charges would increase to $69.20 per square metre of gross floor area, from the current $40.93. Urban area charges are proposed to go up to $174.75 from the current $170.19. Several members of the homebuilding sector in Norfolk spoke to oppose the possible increases. “To add $25,000 to each house, it’s simply not going to work,” said Ike Keesmaat, president of the Haldimand Norfolk Home Builders Association. “The building industry right now is suffering.” Prominent Homes’ Sam Bunting said a building boom that occurred coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, pointing to numbers that show steady decline over the past few years. Last year there were 126 dwelling units built, he said, down from over 300 in 2021. “We are seeing a significant slowing of our industry right now and for us to receive
news that development charges are being proposed to double, you can imagine how we would feel and how scary that would seem,” he said. Despite the fears surrounding the proposed increases, consultant Peter Simcisko said DCs would remain a small component of the overall cost to build a home. Currently, he said DCs in Norfolk represent about 3.6 per cent of the cost of the average home. Typically, he said DCs fall within a range of between four and eight per cent of the cost of a home, and with the proposed increases Norfolk would still fall within that range. The presentation at the July 28 meeting was to introduce the background study and get feedback. A staff report and recommendation will come back at a future meeting. Councillors asked staff to include a breakdown of what the impact on the tax levy could be should they choose to lower the DC increases from the consultant’s proposal.
Norfolk Ribfest returns to Simcoe August 28-30 CHRIS ABBOTT Editor
The 2nd annual Your Local Norfolk County Ribfest is returning to Simcoe, August 28-30 at the Norfolk County Fairgrounds. Enjoy live music and award-winning ribs - and you can vote for your favourite! The three-day ribfest supports Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, and volunteers from the Rotary will be welcoming people at the main gate. Last year Rotary volunteers accepted donations at the gate (admission is free) and raised $3,194 selling 50-50 tickets. “We’re hoping it’s even higher this year because we started selling 50-50 tickets in July,” said Paul Macko, Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, membership chair and Ribfest 50-50 coordinator. “So I think we’ll do better than that.”
King Smoke will be one of three rib vendors featured at the 2026 Norfolk County Ribfest, August 28-30 at the Norfolk County Fairgrounds.
The 50-50 draw will be held Sunday, August 30 at 5 p.m. Funds raised by the Rotary will go toward local causes (like the new hospice in Jarvis) and some international causes. For more information on Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise visit their website at norfolksunrise.org. “I think the Ribfest feedback this year is pretty positive,” said Macko. “I was talking to people at the Friendship Festival last weekend and people were pretty excited about it.” “My hope and plan is to celebrate these cities, utilize as many services as we can from their area, and boost up that community,” said organizer Chris Glassford from Glassford Productions. “So if we can help out someone like the Rotary… that’s what gets these things going. I like to see the communities benefit from these kinds of things.” Three rib vendors are scheduled to be there this year – King Smoke, Crazy Canucks from Brantford and Jack the Ribber, replacing Route 55. “I don’t think it’s a ribfest until you have three, so I like to keep it at three as a starter,” said Glassford. “We originally had four (in 2025), but… quality over quantity. We went with three of the best ribs that you’re going to get in Ontario and we focused on those.” Live music includes sets from Sonic Sinners (5:30-6:30 & 7-8 p.m.) and The AC/ DC Eras Tribute (8:30-9:30 & 10-11 p.m.) on Friday, August 28. On Saturday, August 29 it’s After the Lounge (5:30-6:30 & 7-8 p.m.), and The Almost Hip (8:30-9:30 & 10-11 p.m.). Ribfest hours are 3-11 on the Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the Saturday, and it concludes Sunday, August 30 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beverages can be purchase from the Summit Saloon Event Bar. “It’s a good location, it’s central to Norfolk County,” said Macko. “It’s an investment in our community and we need to support it.”
(FILE PHOTOS)
Ryan Bond of Simcoe enjoys ribs at the 2025 Norfolk County Ribfest. The 2nd Annual ‘Your Local’ Norfolk County Ribfest is August 28-30 at the Norfolk County Fairgrounds in Simcoe.
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTO)
The Happy Few played on the side stage Monday at the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival.
Simcoe Advocate
Flooding isn’t just about rain, it’s about choices CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
it organization that does not receive ongoing core government funding but does align and partner with government-funded initiatives, such as Warrior Health and Connex Ontario. Its day-today operations and peer support helplines are sustained almost entirely by private donations, community fundraisers, and corporate partnerships. If you know a frontline worker who could benefit from Boots on the Ground, please have a look at the resources available at www.bootsontheground.ca and share the information with them. FLOODING Flooding isn’t just about rain, it’s about our choices. As I sit writing this column, rain is teeming down. The fields need it and I know some farmers who have spent the past few weeks irrigating; or ‘irritating’ as we called it in my younger days. But you likely heard the city of St. Catharines was recently drenched by 250 millimetres of rain. The storms unleashed “two to three times the amount of rain that was forecast.” Destruction was everywhere. It got me thinking again about how paving over large swaths of our province often results in immense flooding. And as you are also aware, one of my passions has been protecting agricultural land through my "Foodbelt" legislation (Bill 21, the Protect Our Food Act) co-written with Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner. Perhaps Mike and I should begin promoting our foodbelt legislation as flood protection as well. When we pave over land, it basically turns it into an asphalt parking lot. Asphalt does not absorb rain, and no rain can soak into the ground, but rather it flows to the nearest storm sewer grate. And with the sad state of sewer and storm water infrastructure, the deluge becomes too great. Next thing you know, water pools on the streets and overflows into basements wreaking havoc on homeowners. Flooding is already Canada's most common and costly natural hazard, and whether you believe it is man-made or
part of the Earth’s natural multi-billionyear cycle or both, climate change is having an impact. I fully believe human activity worsens flooding. When we drain wetland, alter lakes, and mow down forests, the soil loses some of its natural ability to absorb water. Flooding isn’t all about the weather, it’s also determined by land use, infrastructure selection, and how much room we give water to move. Judging by my web findings, Canadian flood damage costs are estimated at $2-5 billion per year. Storms and flooding are a huge cost centre in terms of insured losses in our country. Since 2021, reports are that insurance premiums have skyrocketed by 31 per cent. Flood water issues are now a significant factor influencing insurance markets, housing affordability, and overall financial risk. When our water systems fail, the financial consequences are obvious. Increased flooding leads to higher insurance payouts and less availability of coverage. Soaring insurance costs make homeownership more burdensome and elevate mortgage risks. Infrastructure failures result in increased municipal debt, putting extra pressure on taxpayers. Frequent flooding can also make real estate values and assets unpredictable. It’s not just that flooding brings high costs; it creates compounding risks across our markets, systems, and households, which should give us all a reason to be alarmed. We see that flooding is becoming more frequent and more severe. While heavier storms are part of the story, what we as policymakers choose to do with the land is another. Every acre of land that is paved over is one less to absorb rainfall, which results in more water rushing into our creeks, rivers and our neighbourhoods. Productive farmland is a sponge that slows runoff and helps reduce pressure on our drainage systems. Stories of recent flooding should prove that as we debate growth and development, protecting our landscapes is not only about conservation but also about building communities more resilient to flooding and better equipped to handle the reality of extreme weather events.
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August 13, 2026
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County tweaks changes for waste collection LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media
Norfolk will attempt to expand the number of condos that can receive municipal waste collection services when the new system comes online next month. Coun. Adam Veri sought a reconsideration of a previous decision and managed to get an amendment approved that directs staff to continue municipal waste collection for condos on boulevards where feasible. Calling waste collection a core service, Veri said there are several condo complexes in the municipality that front onto a boulevard where the service could continue when Norfolk switches to a new cart and automatic collection system. “What I’m trying to accomplish is if there’s room on a public road, like Richardson Drive, where there’s a boulevard that makes this collection possible, I would like the service to continue,” he said. “If we review it and it’s not possible then I’m not asking for that.” The move to the new collection program required updated technical guidelines that areas must meet to be eligible for service. The new bins and trucks require additional space, and that makes some condo complexes tricky to service.
Council approved the technical guidelines earlier this year and then at the July council-in-committee meeting approved a staff report that pointed out 28 condo corporations won’t receive the municipal service under the new system. That would be a continuation for some, who have already utilized private services. However, there were five corporations that applied for continued municipal service but were denied under the new guidelines.
Adam Veri, Norfolk Ward 6 Councillor.
Addition approved for Port Dover apartment LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media
Norfolk councillors have greenlit a plan to add 35 units to an existing 30unit property in Port Dover. The proposal would see 13 rentgeared-to-income units in the addition. Proponents applied for relief from existing parking rules and to allow for a total of 65 units. There were concerns about the potential height of the build, which could reach five storeys. Neighbouring residents feared a five-storey building would be imposing in what is mostly an area of one and two-storey homes, and reduce their privacy. However, five storeys is already allowed, meaning council was limited in its ability to control the height.
Still, the applicants said they’re working on ways to reduce the height in an effort to accommodate their neighbours’ concerns. “The project team is working to reduce overall building height, certainly they would like to get to three storeys,” said Caroline Baker, representing the owners. She suggested four storeys might be more realistic, but they’ll see what they can do. “We understand where the residents are coming from… but it’s not our decision to make,” said Coun. Kim Huffman, who as deputy mayor chaired the meeting. The parking changes, namely reducing the lot ratio to one parking spot per unit, did generate some questions from councillors, but ultimately enough for them to deny the application.
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August 13, 2026
Simcoe Advocate
Waterford Legion hosts 4th Annual Ribfest CHRIS ABBOTT Editor
One hundred racks of ribs were prepared for the 4th Annual Ribfest at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 123 Waterford on Saturday, August 8. Live music was provided by Mary Simon (3-6 p.m.) and The Killin’ Time Band (610 p.m.).“It’s growing – it fluctuates every year,” said Legion member and grillmaster Ed Lemery. “This year, there’s been a lot going here and in Norfolk County. Everything’s getting busier and busier. “Ribfests are everywhere now,” he added with a smile. “When I first started it, there wasn’t many. Now, everybody has it.” Mark Kozicki (Kozicki Produce) donated corn for the event. Townsend Butchers supplied the ribs. The Waterford Legion also hosts a popular barbecue chicken fundraiser in June
– and chicken lovers will be glad to know there’s another one coming up soon. “We usually run a fundraiser in September with brisket and barbecue chicken,” said Lemery. “We also do a couple steak barbecues through the year. I try to change it up.” Nationally, Royal Canadian Legion recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Waterford Legion’s 100th is coming up in a couple years. “We have our 100-year of this Legion in 2028, so we’ll be doing a whole week of events, and some games days – a Legion Olympics sort of thing.” Waterford Legion’s annual chili cookoff returns in March 2027 – open to the community to compete, and sample. “Next year we are hosting it, but we’re also doing a Legion challenge,” said Lemery, a two-time champion. “The thought behind that is, whoever wins it gets to host it the next year, supporting other Legions.”
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
Waterford Legion member Ed Lemery sets up the barbecue for more ribs at the Legion’s 4th Annual Ribfest on August 8.
Waterford Legion Branch 123 raises banner BRENDA MOSER
Advocate Contributor
Waterford Legion Branch 123 and its members played host to a full house of guests on July 18th. They were all there to celebrate not only 100 years - and going strong - but the long-standing work and dedication of its members and the community support as well. They were also proud to unveil a new banner/sign and Legion logo, and to honour the building. Longtime Waterford Legion member and President Gord Barnett said the turnout was amazing with at least 150 at the event, including Ward 7 Councillor Kim Huffman. Eleven new members were sworn in during the event as well. The ‘barbecuers’ were kept busy feeding the crowd. After a burger or two they were treated to some delicious cake. Also on the agenda was a group of North Shore Highlanders from Port Dover. It was their third Legion event that weekend but they were more than happy to be in Waterford. The new banner to honour the building,
the Legion Centennial, and new Legion logo were a very important part of the celebration - 100 years strong and still growing! “All in all, it was a good day and good event,” said 1st Vice-President Brad Walker. “No one needed to leave hungry! A good spread, as always, with plenty of food.” There was also a regalia table where one could purchase Legion shirts or hats. The Waterford Legion has always been there to support local community events and it easy to see the community appreciates all of their support and work throughout Waterford by the numbers in attendance. There are many monthly events as well as upcoming special events. The list of these can be found on their Facebook page under Waterford Legion. “The Branch is celebrating 98 years this year with plans in the works for our 100th in 2028,” said Barnett, noting they are always happy to welcome new members. Thank you for all that you do to support Waterford and let’s continue to support our local Legion branches!
Legion members Frank Schram, Dave Avery and Ron Van Groenigen, working on their third batch of ribs, monitored the two ‘large’ barbecues Saturday during the 4th Annual Waterford Legion Ribfest.
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North Shore Highlanders recently performed at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 123 Waterford. From left are Kevin McKnight, Amber McKnight, James McKnight, and Murray McKnight.
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Simcoe Advocate
August 13, 2026
Banners honour Waterford area veterans BRENDA MOSER Advocate Contributor
On a cold day last fall, dozens gathered at the old Waterford Train Station for the official announcement of the launch of the Waterford & District Veteran’s Banner Program. Just recently the first of those banners went up at the Waterford Legion, 223 Nichol Street. Volunteers gathered in the Legion parking lot ready to lend a hand and be a part of this special event. The timing was to coincide with the Dominion Royal Canadian Legion 100th Anniversary weekend. Rick Huffman, Chair of the Waterford & District Veteran’s Association and Lion Chief Tom Crowhurst were on the ‘bucket crew.’ Past and present Lion members were also
there to lend a hand. The ‘ground crew’ included Lion Bordan Tchegus; Lion John Lambairn; past Lion member Paul Hyrvoyevich and Legion President Gord Barnett. In spite of the wind, they were able to successfully erect the four Veterans banners. Now proudly on display at the Waterford Legion are Pte. Alec Walter ‘Sandy’ Nicoll, Cpl. Frank Reginald Jull, Pte. Harold Matthew Monteith, and Sgt. W.A. Craig Fettes. More Veteran banners will be raised in various locations throughout Waterford at a later date. Take the time to stop and read each and every name. It’s the least we can do to honour these Veterans who put their lives on the line for Canada. Thank you to everyone who worked to ensure that these Veterans will be long remembered! Lest We Forget.
Council approves new ‘Silos of Waterford’ LUKE EDWARDS Grant Haven Media
A new project will see 118 purpose-built rental units built in Waterford. Norfolk County councillors approved the plan at the July 28 council meeting, after it was greeted with positivity at a public hearings meeting held earlier in July. The development is actually a revised proposal that decreased the number of units from what was initially envisioned. “There seems to be a good uptake of community members who were very pleased with the change in the direction of this project… and I think it will be a great benefit to our community,” said Kim Huffman, who’s serving as deputy mayor and is the Ward 7 councillor for the area. The units will be a mix of semi-detached and townhouse dwellings. There’s also a planned three-storey building that will be used for tenant storage and as an amenity space for events and activities. Council previously approved a plan for 255 units on the property, including an
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eight-storey apartment. However, a changing housing market had the developers come back with the new, reduced proposal. The property is 3.4 hectares in size, and is located west of McCool Street, between Nichol and West Church streets. It’s known as the Silos of Waterford.
Kim Huffman, Norfolk Ward 7 Councillor
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The first four Veteran banners at Waterford Legion Branch 123 were recently installed. On the people lifter are Rick Huffman (left) and Tom Crowhurst.
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August 13, 2026
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Simcoe Advocate
August 13, 2026
Family fun at the YTP KidsZone
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Who doesn’t love playing in the KidsZone soap bubbles at the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival? (CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
Cullen Worth demonstrates his skill on the hoops at the Crystal Lake Conservatory station.
Oakley Carvalho was making huge bubbles Monday at the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival… and his young ‘assistant’ was doing a great job popping them. Young families had a blast playing games and trying activities in the YTP (Youth Theatre Players) KidsZone at the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival. Indy Kichler made a tie dye shirt with her family.
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Weekend Quiz By Jake Grant
Who played Allie Hamilton in The Notebook (2004)?
7.
What sensory organ do starfish have at the end of each arm?
2.
Two lines that never intersect are said to be what?
8.
How many musical families are there in a standard orchestra?
3.
What year was WestJet founded?
9.
4.
What crop was known as maize?
What is Africa's oldest continuous democracy?
5.
Heidelberg is a city in what Woodstock Ingersoll Echo Goderich Sun country?
STRATFORD TIMES
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1.
STRATFORD TIMES
6.
Woodstock Ingersoll Echo
10. What kind of fruit juice is used to mix a Tom Collins?
Goderich Sun
Name the big three parent grocery companies in Canada?
This week’s answers are found on pg. 27
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August 13, 2026
Simcoe Advocate
Some questions unanswered after pig farm fire J.P. ANTONACCI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Late in July, two weeks after a fire at a giant pig barn in Norfolk County killed thousands of pigs and caused millions of dollars in damage, the cleanup was still underway and some key questions remain unanswered. Who owns the barn? The 4.5-acre hog barn on Highway 3 between Simcoe and Delhi - larger than three football fields and thought to be among the largest of its kind in the province - is owned by Mae-Mart Farms, a Waterford-based livestock and grain operation that operates several pig barns in Norfolk and once boasted of having the largest single-storey chicken barn in Canada, with room for 55,000 broiler chickens. As of July 30, the website for the seventh-generation family farm was off-line. It is currently back online. Reached by email, Mae-Mart Farms president Philip Wiedrick declined to be interviewed. “At this point, we are focused on our family, our employees, and beginning the long process of recovery,” Wiedrick told The Spectator, directing all questions to Ontario Pork, the industry group representing the province’s pork producers. “The support our family has received from our community and the agricultural sector has meant a great deal during this incredibly difficult time,” Wiedrick added. How many pigs died? That is still unclear, though the barn could hold more than 20,000 pigs and the death toll is thought to be in the thousands.
Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (still commonly known by its former name, OMAFRA) deferred to Ontario Pork, but a spokesperson for the industry group declined to get into specifics about the loss of livestock. “Our focus continues to be on supporting the family as they navigate the recovery process,” communications manager Julie Kuiack said in an email declining an interview request “out of respect for everyone affected and the circumstances surrounding this incident.” Did any pigs escape? No pigs escaped as the wind whipped the flames through the sprawling structure on the morning of July 14, bringing 50 firefighters to the scene to attack the fire while shuttling water to the remote rural location from hydrants in Simcoe. Ontario Pork did not comment on the design and layout of the barn - including whether there were sprinklers or other fire-mitigation measures in place - but in general, pig barns contain numerous gated pens and divided sections, making quick removal of livestock a challenge. What was the damage? The farm pegged its losses at $30 million, according to the fire department. The business is insured. What does the cleanup involve? Provincial law says farms must safely and responsibly dispose of deceased animals - also known as deadstock – within 48 hours, whether through burial, incineration, composting or delivery to an appropriate disposal facility. That timeline is meant to guard against the spread of patho-
gens, the contamination of the water supply or the release of greenhouse gases like methane as the carcasses decompose. In exceptional cases, such as a fire suddenly leaving an operation with a large volume of deadstock, farms can apply for an exemption to the 48-hour timeline. An OMAFRA spokesperson confirmed MaeMart Farms applied for and was granted “emergency authorization” to extend the deadstock removal process. Technical specialists from the ministry were brought in to help the farmer and Ontario Pork with “the appropriate disposal of deadstock,” though what that process has entailed in this case is unknown. Was there environmental damage? The province sent an environmental compliance officer to assess the site. The inspector determined the water used to fight the fire - 3.5 million litres, the fire department said - was contained within manure pits under the barn, and no water or manure runoff got into the municipal water supply. Norfolk County issued an air quality warning the day of the fire as smoke drifted as far as Jarvis, about 20 kilometres to the east. Was this a factory farm? Ontario Pork says no pigs in Ontario are raised in factory farms, stressing the family ownership of most swine operations. The education-focused national non-profit Agriculture in the Classroom goes one step further, saying factory farming is a “myth” and “farms come in all shapes and sizes.” Whatever the label, the pig barn that burned down in Norfolk was an example of a concentrated animal feeding operation
(CAFO), with thousands of animals living under one roof. Ontario’s roughly 1,200 pig farmers must follow national standards, colloquially called “Canada’s Pig Code,” that dictate “how animals are housed, what they eat and how they are cared for… all designed to keep pigs healthy,” Ontario Pork said, adding pig barns “are inspected by trained third-party veterinarians regularly.” Will pork get more expensive? Ontario farms annually produce 5.5 million hogs for human consumption, and Ontario Pork’s spokesperson said the fire at Mae-Mart Farms “will not affect the availability of Ontario pork.” “Ontario’s pork sector remains strong and resilient, with producers across the province continuing to provide a safe, high-quality supply of locally raised pork,” said Kuiack, who did not comment on whether the loss of thousands of hogs would have any effect on the price of pork. How did the fire start? One of the biggest questions about this fire will forever go unanswered. Because the barn was built atop large manure pits and the flames destroyed the floor, it was unsafe for fire inspectors to enter the wreckage of the building. Once the cleanup and remediation efforts started, any evidence that could have helped investigators pin down the fire’s origin was destroyed. The cause of the fire will therefore officially go down as “undetermined.” - J.P. Antonacci is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator. The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
Next step toward nuclear power in Nanticoke J.P. ANTONACCI
ocal Journalism Initiative Reporter
The province is “seriously considering” a nuclear reactor for Nanticoke, Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said on July 29 at the site of the former Ontario Power Generation coal-fired power plant in Haldimand County. “We really see potential here to attract investment and create jobs,” Lecce said, adding the province wants to “breathe new life” into the site while helping meet Ontario’s future electricity needs, with demand projected to increase by as much as 90 per cent by 2050. “We need to generate a ton of power,” Lecce said. “We have a serious challenge and a massive opportunity.” Nanticoke was one of three OPG-owned properties shortlisted for a small modular reactor in 2024. On Wednesday, Lecce announced OPG and Haldimand County will sign a formal memorandum of understanding and begin consultation about energy-generation options at the site by Lake Erie. He stressed the province has not decided how electricity would be generated at the Nanticoke site, saying a nuclear reactor offers more bang for the buck but a gas plant could be brought online more quickly. Noting that a small modular reactor has an expected lifespan of 65 years, Lecce said the province wants to craft a “generational plan” for what he called a jewel of land ideally suited for “firm baseload” energy generation. (Firm baseload refers to power sources like gas and nuclear that are available no matter the weather). OPG will contribute $500,000 toward the consultation process. OPG senior vice-president Kim Lauritsen said that money could fund feasibility studies to determine
Haldimand’s infrastructure needs related to a future power plant. Haldimand Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley called the “significant” grant from OPG “the start of a conversation” about options for the sprawling Nanticoke property. The province likes the 900-acre site because it is an industrial property already zoned for electricity production up to 3,000 megawatts and has transmission lines left over from the coal plant, which came down in 2018. Haldimand council is on board with exploring options for Nanticoke and OPG has promised to consult with local First Nations. “We will only move forward in partnership,” Lecce said. Simcoe and District Chamber of Commerce president Renee VanKooten said the potential economic benefits of a new power station at Nanticoke could extend into neighbouring Norfolk County. “We see this as a chance to strengthen the entire region,” VanKooten said. Lecce did not say whether a decision on building a nuclear plant in Nanticoke would be influenced by whether the province issues a minister’s zoning order regarding a controversial development proposed for Nanticoke. That project would see 10,000 new homes built on industrial land near the Stelco steelworks. “I’m not entering that debate,” the minister said. “I’m here to generate power.” Not far from the entrance to the OPG site, Ray Spencer was enjoying the view of Lake Erie from the cottage on Hickory Beach Lane he and his wife have called home for 25 years. Spencer said he is not perturbed by the idea of a nuclear plant opening down the road, saying nuclear power gener-
(J.P. ANTONACCI PHOTO)
On July 29, Energy Minister Stephen Lecce announced OPG and Haldimand County will sign a formal memorandum of understanding and begin consultation about energygeneration options at the site of the former coal-fired power plant in Nanticoke. He was joined by Haldimand Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley (far left) and OPG senior vice-president Kim Lauritsen.
ation is a “viable” option. “Nuclear energy has matured to a point where it’s safe,” Spencer said. But with many proposals having been bandied about for the OPG property over the years and coming to naught, Spencer, 75, doubts he will see a nuclear plant come online in Nanticoke during in his lifetime. “Unfortunately, because Canada needs to giddy up and get going on projects,” he said. - J.P. Antonacci is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator. The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
Simcoe Advocate
August 13, 2026
Heritage Friendship Festival annual favourites
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Simcoe Lions Club’s iconic food truck.
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
Rotary Club of Simcoe had served approximately 998 pancakes – and easily surpassed 1,000 – by Monday afternoon at the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival.
Caitlin and Tom O’Neill were flipping pancakes for Rotary Club of Simcoe’s ‘Pancakes in the Park’ at the Heritage Friendship Festival.
Michael Helmer enjoys funnel cake at the Heritage Friendship Festival.
Lion Bob Foster volunteered time on the grill for the Simcoe Lions Food Truck at the Heritage Friendship Festival.
Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival offered tons of food and beverage opportunities in Wellington and Clifton Parks this year. Gloria Poirier volunteered at the Simcoe Lynn Valley Lions ‘sundae festival,’ scooping ice cream and adding toppings.
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August 13, 2026
Simcoe Advocate
2nd Annual Cultural Fusion Extravaganza Bringing the community together with music, dancing and food CHRIS ABBOTT Editor
The second annual Cultural Fusion Extravaganza, August 8 in Simcoe, featured live music, dancing, singing, drums, good food… and fire. The cultural showcase on Argyle Street, hosted by JK’s Restaurant, ran from 11 a.m. to… at least 11 p.m. “This year’s theme is ‘Heritage in Motion, Many Origins, One Journey,’” said JK’s Kathyann Fearon, co-organizer with Jerneil Fearon, and their family. “It’s about bringing the community together, bringing some of our culture,” said Kathyann. “It’s been a pretty good day so far. People are coming and going all the time and enjoying what they are seeing. Look, they’re doing the limbo now!” Young children enjoyed a ‘Kiddies Corner’ which included face painting and colouring, and Andy the Balloon Guy was on site. “We had a few singers,” said Kathyann. “It started with country, then Hannah (Dolson) played from 2-3, and we have some steel pan (Panman Pat) right after this. And a calypso singer (Brown Sugar).” Highlight of the day was Toronto’s Chris Precius from Fire10 Entertainment, known for fire eating and breathing, Caribbean drumming and dancing, limbo and reggae performances (www.fire10ent.com). Precius led a fun audience-participation drumming session… followed by limbo for kids, teens and adults, which had people lining up to find out ‘how low they could go’ under the wooden bar.
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant at the Cultural Fusion Extravaganza in Simcoe.
“He (Precius) will be doing drumming, dancing and will finish off doing fire,” said Kathyann. “Right now he’s just engaging with people, everybody is drumming.” The fire dance was a showstopper – Precius let it all go, rapid firing fire again and again and again, amazing the children in the audience, and finishing off with audience participation dancing. His engagement with the crowd was ‘next level.’ Food and beverages at the Cultural Extravaganza were available from JK’s Restaurant and La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant. Booths were run by Liquidation & Discounts Outlet (Simcoe), Sovee’s Sweets (Hamilton), and Nick’s Sweet Tooth, a
local enterprise by Nicholas Fearon, now in his third year offering flavoured cotton candy and snow cones. The ‘After Party’ was scheduled to run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. after all the kids went home, said Jerneil. The one-day festival started small, but the Fearons hope to see it grow from year to year. “We are trying to make it an annual event,” said Kathyann. “Last year when we started it was just us (JK’s Restaurant). We invited a few more vendors this year… but getting to this point has been really hard. When people started walking in at 11 this morning, we were still setting up. Getting the barricades (to close Argyle Street) kind
Chris Precius demonstrates his fire eating and breathing skill at the Cultural Fusion Extravaganza.
Chris Precius from Fire10 Entertainment leads a group drumming session at the Cultural Fusion Extravaganza Saturday in Simcoe.
of pushed us behind. “We would like to see the community come together, and we’re going to make it bigger and better.”
Limbo was a great audience participation activity at the Cultural Fusion Extravaganza. Nick Fearon at the Cultural Fusion Extravaganza.
Chris Precius demonstrates his fire eating and breathing skill at the Cultural Fusion Extravaganza.
La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant at the Cultural Fusion Extravaganza in Simcoe.
Panman Pat and Brown Sugar entertain with calypso music on the Cultural Fusion Extravaganza stage.
Simcoe Advocate
Lucas Wilson at the Heritage Friendship Festival (CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
Illusionist Lucas Wilson proved “anything is possible” at the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival, performing on the Main Stage Saturday, and twice more on the Clifton Park stage later that day. The talented Catherine Grant was unavailable to assist Lucas this year, but the Norfolk County magician was able to get help from the audience making colourful ‘donuts,’ helping a young assistant produce a rubber chicken and long, long scarf in a bucket… and for the finale, assisted by an enthusiastic Octivia Mullin (wearing rabbit ears), Lucas levitated a table. The hand through a mirror… well, it certainly looked like a mirror.
August 13, 2026
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August 13, 2026
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Simcoe Advocate
Ducks zoom down the river in record time CHRIS ABBOTT
Editor
The third fundraising Duck Race organized by ABEL Enterprises in Simcoe was the fastest. “Because of the wind and we have a lot of water in there this year,” said Michele Langedyk, ABEL Enterprises, Office Administrator. “So the current is good.” Heavy rain Sunday was said to raise the water level for the Monday, August 3rd race, and a tailwind helped. But it was all about luck for the 750 plastic/rubber ducks and their ticket holders. Ramona Adams won the 1st place prize of $500 (Duck 76), narrowly beating Chris Howe’s entry (Duck 99) for the $300 second prize. John Bergsma’s Duck No. 505 won the $200 third place prize. “Just two tickets – 505 and 553,” said Bergsma, who followed the ducks all the way down the river to the finish line. “The current came down quick. Eight minutes this year. Last year it took 22.” “There was a cluster of three, and two together, it depended which hit first,” said Bergsma, who had luck on his side. Just behind the Top 10 were clusters of 20-30 ducks floating together. The current was so strong the rope & pool noodle barricade finish line was unable to stop all the ducks – some breached the ‘breakwall’ and continued down the river where they were later picked up. “We caught them all,” said Bergsma, who assisted recovering some of them after the race. A head count is completed every year to make sure they have all the ducks. Duck 575 (Michelle Reycraft) won the fourth place $100 and Alan Ladd’s Duck
357 took fifth ($50). “Being able to see 750 ducks all floating down the river, bobbing around, going over the rocks, through rapids, it’s just something that doesn’t happen every day,” said Scott Williams, ABEL Enterprises, Executive Director. “It’s a lot of fun. “And of course all the kids love seeing people in waders,” he laughed. “It’s just a lot of fun.” Funds raised from the duck race go to ABEL Enterprises projects and member activities. Historically, the duck race was previously run by the Rotary Club, said Robynn Beazley, then Norfolk Association of Community Living, then the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival. “The water level being up, and the water being so fast, it wasn’t a 45-minute ordeal,” Beazley laughed. “I was livestreaming and I said, ‘I’m going to have to start running…’ It moved pretty quick this year.”
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
This year’s ABEL Enterprises Duck Race sold out in the last hour before the Monday, August 3rd race in Simcoe. 750 people purchased tickets, and many of them lined the banks of the Lynn River to watch.
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Simcoe Advocate
August 13, 2026
SPORTS
Norfolk Harvesters ‘first team’ wins Men’s A CHRIS ABBOTT
Editor
Norfolk Harvesters triumphed 38-12 Saturday in the NRU Men’s A Division Championship. The Harvesters’ First Team dominated the Stratford Blackswans at the start and finished strong to win the league trophy on home turf at Waterford District High School. “First time winning the A Division,” said Harvesters vice captain Tyler Lane as the Norfolk Harvesters Second Team was warming up for their championship game in a Stratford double-header. “This was our final game of the season, so we put everything on the line today. “We did beat them (Stratford) last time,” said Lane, recalling an earlier NRU season match. “It was a rocky start, but the boys
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(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
orfolk Harvesters First Team won the 2026 NRU Men’s A Championship Saturday with a win over the visiting Stratford Blackswans.
came together, figured out what we were doing, and we just carried that on to this game, steady all the way through. “This game, we emphasized ‘let’s come out hot, let’s come out strong.’ It got a little rocky towards the middle of the game, but we kept our mentality the same and we fought back, and finished off strong.” The Harvesters First Team, who only lost once this year to Sarnia in the season opener, likes to play fast and they like to play heavy, said Lane. “We use our forwards a lot. Just play quick, that’s our game, and finish on the edges.” Size-wise, both teams had some (very) big players, but the Harvesters’ speed was the difference. “Everyone has their drawbacks, everyone has their benefits. There’s a place for everybody, every size on the field.”
Eligible to compete for promotion, the Harvesters opted to stay in Men’s A. “We’re going to stay in the A for a little bit, see where the team can go before moving up. This is ‘top of the league’ right now for us and this is where we want to stay. Being a small town, trying to keep our two (men’s) teams going, keep them strong, keep them happy - that’s our main goal. “We came second last year – we only lost to one team all year. So this year, we knew what we wanted. This was our target all season. It was within sight from Day 1.” Lane said the Harvesters club also had high hopes for the Second Team in their championship game Saturday afternoon. “We believe they can do it, through and through. The expectation all week was two championships, and walking home. This was our first opportunity to do it at home for a very long time, so we were happy to do it.” The Men’s A championship should help build the program, said Lane. “The younger guys that were coming in this year, they don’t know the battles that we’ve gone through the last few years that I’ve been here. We’ve been growing ever since. They got to see some really good rugby, they got to see how it’s played and what structure we want to play.” Following the Second Team championship game, the Harvesters were planning to ‘celebrate the season’ in Waterford, hosting a social with the Stratford team. Interested in playing next summer? Contact the Norfolk Harvesters through their website or Facebook page for more information. “Surprisingly a lot of new guys come in not playing much ‘footy.’ We have a good number of guys that come out here, no experience. They just hear of the club and say ‘let me give it a shot.’”
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August 13, 2026
Simcoe Advocate
Tournament celebrates international workers CHRIS ABBOTT
Editor
Some of the soccer teams were just playing for fun during the seventh annual Farms of Norfolk Football Association tournament on August 9. Some focused a bit more on the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise championship trophy, designed to look like World Cup hardware, won this year by a Brant County team. “A little bit of both,” said Kendy Valdes from Norfolk County’s Scotlynn Group. “It definitely got more competitive since last year,” said Scotlynn’s Ronny Amaral. “Very competitive since last year. We saw the trophy – it was huge.” Win or lose, everyone had a good time, said Valdes. The 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tournament at the Norfolk County Youth Soccer Park, 660 West Street, Simcoe, provided an opportunity to recognize the important contributions that seasonal agricultural workers make to local farms, communities, and food systems. This year was especially meaningful as they celebrated 60 years of the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program,
nationally. International agricultural workers are very important, said Lynda Kohler, Executive Director, Grand River Community Health Centre, as they support many farms in the region and the local economy. “I think it’s nice to have the community come out and support this soccer tournament because we can show our recognition of their work,” said Kohler. “The tournament is more than a sporting event - it is a celebration of culture, teamwork, resilience, and the longstanding partnership between Canada and the workers who have been coming here through SAWP for six decades,” said Maureen Acuna Harrison, Health Promoter/ Community Health Worker (International Agricultural Workers Health Program) at the Grand River Community Health Centre, who leads the coordination of the FNFA soccer tournament. Scotlynn played in a third-place game Sunday afternoon, and were narrowly defeated 3-1 by Proplant Propagation Services from Port Dover. Proplant scored a late game-winner on a perfectly executed cross-and-header, then added an insurance goal with less five minutes remaining in a back-and-forth game. “It was a close game,” nodded Valdes, one of only a couple females on the field during the one-day 14-team tournament, two more teams than organizers anticipated. “This game was just for fun, but… we want to win, too.” “It was a good day - I think everyone had a good time.” Like most teams, Scotlynn went into the tournament with limited ‘official’ practice. “No,” smiled Valdes. “No practices.” “What Scotlynn does is they practice on their own field,” said Amaral. “They have small nets and sometimes we have friendly games. People make teams, they play against each other.”
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
Kendy Valdes, left, on the Scotlynn soccer team, defends against a Proplant Propagation player.
He said the Scotlynn tournament team is made up of field workers, the packaging division, and some office workers. Amaral said he focuses more on sports like rugby and football. He would have played rugby for the Norfolk Harvesters but he was too late to sign up. “At Scotlynn, it’s just soccer,” he said, noting Scotlynn reached the semifinals last year. “And two or three years ago, I think we won the tournament. First place.” Looking back at Sunday’s tournament, which included teams from Norfolk, Brant, Haldimand, and Oxford counties, Amoral shrugged and laughed. “It’s just for fun mostly.”
Sandy Shore Farms, near Port Burwell, was edged 3-1 by Oxford Cattle Company.
Strawberry Tyme Farms went toe-to-toe with Pfenning’s Organic at the Farms of Norfolk Football Association soccer tournament on Sunday.
Scotlynn’s Chavva Palomera avoids a Proplant tackle during the Farms of Norfolk Football Association soccer tournament Sunday in Simcoe.
Simcoe Advocate
August 13, 2026
Local Leader award to reduce registration fees
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National finalist Roger Demeester donates $8,000 award to Langton & Area Minor Hockey CHRIS ABBOTT Editor
In Norfolk County, Roger Demeester is known as a lifetime volunteer with Langton & Area Minor Hockey Association. It was an easy choice for Barry Long, owner/president of Long’s Lumber Timber Mart in Langton to nominate Demeester in Timber Mart’s Local Leaders competition, based on Demeester’s legacy, accomplishments, and volunteering in the community. “I asked Roger if I could nominate him – I don’t think he realized his picture was going to be all over Facebook,” Long laughed. Timber Mart dealers across Canada voted April 4-May 4 to pick a winner in the West, Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic. Demeester had the highest number of votes in Ontario, guaranteeing an award of $8,000 with a chance to win $18,000 through a round of national online public voting. “It’s time to celebrate the changemakers in our communities,” Timber Mart had an-
A presentation for the $8,000 Timber Mart Local Leaders finalist cheque was made to Roger Demeester Saturday at Long’s Timber Mart, 12th Concession, Langton. Demeester donated the funds to Langton & Area Minor Hockey Association. From left are Ian Cook, Long’s - Member Services; Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady; Roger Demeester; and Barry Long, Long’s Timber Mart owner/ president.
nounced on Facebook. “Cast your vote for the Local Leader who is inspiring action and making a real impact where it matters most.” “We were really close,” said Long. “The winner from Quebec had 8,900 votes, Roger had 7,900 votes. So close! The Atlantic finalist had 1,100 votes and the West 1,100.” Demeester proudly accepted an $8,000 cheque as a finalist, which was presented to Langton & Area Minor Hockey Association. The official presentation was made Saturday at Long’s Lumber Timber Mart, 12th Concession Road, just down the road from the Langton arena where Demeester has been timekeeper and goal announcer for 8,900 hockey games. Timber Mart has been sponsoring a Langton & Area Minor Hockey team since the first season in 1971-72. Originally novices, then for decades the ‘Long’s Lumber atom’ reps. “Now it’s atom house league,” Long noted. “I think there was only one year we didn’t have a team.” “Roger has a funny story about me being in the penalty box when I was a kid… and now my granddaughter is in there. You would hear his voice for my goals, and now my granddaughter. It’s awesome!” said Long, who won an OMHA championship in Langton in 1981-82. “There’s a genetic carryover,” laughed Demeester, who grew up playing pond hockey in Glen Meyer and was one of the originals on the LAMHA board of directors. Langton minor hockey saw considerable
Roger Demeester and LAMHA president Janine Northey.
success in the mid-late 70s, and that continued for decades, filling the arena championship banners. “When we built the arena, the Tillsonburg and the Delhi organizations were overflowing with kids. So we represented a whole new geographical area for kids to play hockey. These days, people don’t care how far they have to drive, but in those days, they did.”
Friends and family gathered Saturday at Long’s Timber Mart for Roger Demeester’s Local Leaders finalist presentation.
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
The $8,000 will be used to reduce registration fees. “What we’re trying to do mostly is to get young kids, the really young kids, in the learning process of hockey. We’re trying to get more kids to have the opportunity to join minor hockey. And learn the sport.” As they get older, Demeester noted it’s possible they could move up to higher divisions, and even someday the possibility of scholarships or pro hockey. “One of my concerns has always been… we can’t take the fun out of hockey for kids. It can’t just be ‘the road to somewhere,’ it’s got to be fun getting there. Sometimes I worry that maybe people get carried away, everybody has bigger expectations. But let’s not take the fun out of it. “One of my philosophies over the years is ‘A good kid is a winner.’ A good kid is worth a million bucks, too, even if they’re not a great hockey player. The best part of minor hockey’s job is ‘Teach them what life is going to look like,’ because you’re not going to win them all.” Watching the kids grow up has been his greatest enjoyment. “I look at this minor hockey players, 20, 30, 40 years later and I wonder what they’re doing now.”
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August 13, 2026
Family fun at the YTP KidsZone
Simcoe Advocate
Elsie Brown, left, paints a rock with Martha Carlton in the Heritage Friendship Festival YTP KidsZone.
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
Caleb Kazmierczak challenged his friends to a game of cornhole at the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival.
NEWSPAPER PICK UP LOCATIONS
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTO)
Cowboy Medicine’s Lane Smoylie and Kale Kerr performed first on the Clifton Park Community Stage on Saturday, then played on the Main Stage in Wellington Park at the annual Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival.
SIMCOE__________ • Annaleise Carr Aquatic Centre • Aspira Cedar Crossing Retirement Living • Barnyard Patio & Pub • Barrel Restaurant • Bubbles Laundry • Canadian Tire • Cedar St Food Market • Cedarwood Village Retirement Apartments & Nursing Home • Ferris Funeral Home Limited • Florian Clinic & Day Spa • Harmony Pastry Shop & Cafe • Joy Bakery Cafe • McDonald's - 77 Queensway East • McDonald's - 160 Queensway East • My Paint & Décor • Norfolk County Archives • Norfolk County Library • Pharmasave Clark's Health Centre • RE/MAX Erie Shores
Realty Inc • Real Canadian Superstore Queensway East • Riversyde 83 • Robinson Chevrolet Buick GMC Simcoe Inc • Roulston’s Pharmacy • Royal LePage Trius Realty • Ruffins Pet Store • Shoppers Drug Mart • Simcoe Convenience • Simcoe Little Theatre • Simcoe Recreation Centre • Simcoe Seniors Centre • Sobeys • Tim Hortons - White Horse Plaza • Tim Hortons - Queensway East • Walmart Supercentre WATERFORD_______ • Belching Barista • Esso • Foodland Waterford • Kerry’s James St. Eatery • Minor Bros. Country Living • Tricenturena Waterford
Arena • Waterford Heritage & Ag Museum • Waterford Home Building Centre • Waterford Pharmacy and Health Food DELHI___________ • Caffery Hardware & Electric Limited • Canadian Tire • Circle K • Crompton Home Building Centre • Dave’s Variety • Delhi Community Arena • Roulston’s Pharmacy • Tim Hortons • Wilkinson’s YIG COURTLAND_______ • Courtland Bakery Ltd. • Courtland Variety & Café LANGTON________ • Langton Food Market • Langton Pharmacy SCOTLAND_______ • Scotland Food Market
Simcoe Advocate
Busking at the Heritage Friendship Festival
August 13, 2026
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(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
Vocalist Jordin Anger, right, and Steve Anger at the Friendship Festival Wellington Park busking stage.
Bela Cameron at the Clifton Park busker Judah DeVries from Simcoe entertained on stage during the Simcoe Heritage Friendship the electric keyboard Monday at the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival. Festival.
Benoit Lagace from Port Dover plays electric keyboard in Clifton Park.
The two busker stages at the Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival – one in Wellington Park, one in Clifton Park - allow festival-goers a chance to see developing musical talent, some performing for the first time on an outdoor stage. Katie Gorzo of Simcoe set up in Wellington Park.
Josie Snowden (right) and Jeremy Snowden shared the Wellington Park busker stage.
Syl Delage from Port Dover helped wrap up the Heritage Friendship Festival at the Wellington Park busker stage.
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August 13, 2026
Simcoe Advocate
Fearon launches Nick’s Sweet Tooth Young entrepreneur started his own business at the age of 11 CHRIS ABBOTT Editor
Nicholas Fearon was born to sell. In September 2024, at the age of 12, the Walsh Public School student was selling his snow cones, popcorn and cotton candy products at the Simcoe BIA Apple Fest. “Fresh cotton candy, on a stick or in a bag,” said Fearon, jumping into his sales pitch for a customer. “Made right in front of your eyes.” Today, it’s known as Nick’s Sweet Tooth as he has expanded his business. “Originally it was Nic’s Sno-cones,” said Fearon, operating at the front of JK’s Restaurant doing snow cones and fresh cotton candy. “I started it summer last year (2023). It was going okay, I made a good amount. Friendship Festival was my first festival. At that one, I actually made the money to buy my cotton candy machine. “After I saw how that year went, I decided ‘I should add cotton candy.’ Snow cones, cotton candy, it’s the perfect match, and just slowly started progressing. Then my dad made me a cart and I decided I should do all these festivals. “And we had this popcorn machine, I didn’t even remember why we bought it in the first place. So I decided, instead of let-
ting it sit down there, I cleaned it all up, got everything working again, got the wheels turning in it, and decided ‘Let’s sell it!’” He returned to the Heritage Friendship Festival, and although he didn’t do as well in 2024, he followed it up at the huge Paris Fair. “My first fair,” he smiled. “I thought it was really good, although it was cold and bad weather. A lot of people, it was something big!” He started doing Friday festivals, and they turned out to be his major sellers. “I got a lot of good sales, I met people, made friends.” Fearon wanted to do the Norfolk County Fair in 2024, but he was on ‘standby’ and did not make it the cut. “Hopefully we can get in next year (2025). That’s one of my highest goals, to get into the Norfolk Fair, get some stuff out.” Fearon’s parents own JK’s Restaurant in downtown Simcoe, and he ‘grew up in a very business-like environment.’ “I actually got the idea for snow cones in my mom’s home country (Barbados). I went down there, visiting my grandfather – we wanted to be there for him. I saw snow cones and I tried them, and I’m like ‘SO GOOD,’ I loved it. I said to my mom, ‘It
(FILE PHOTO)
In 2024, 12-year-old Nicholas Fearon dreamed of someday owning his own store for Nick’s Sweet Tooth.
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTO)
Nick’s Sweet Tooth has opened for the 2026 season – 14-year-old Nicholas Fearon was busy Saturday at the Cultural Fusion Extravaganza in Simcoe.
would be such a good idea if I could bring this to Canada’ and I did. “We saw it online and bought it. I didn’t have the money at that time, I was a regular 11-year-old, I had nothing. My oldest brother, he was in Barbados at the time, he decided to help me out and bought it for me.” Within a week, he started paying back his brother. “By the end of that summer I had paid him off, and I thought, “Well, I’m climbing the ranks now.’” In 2024, Fearon said his ‘major dream’ was being able to put wheels on his cart, and eventually taking it to a different country to sell his products. “That’s something I look forward to. “My goal, by the age of 19, is to have my own store. But I want this as a start-off to my life, a running start. After I’ve got that store, and I’m running it for a few years, and I’m running it at full capacity and I’ve got all these exotic candies and stuff, I’m selling and making…” Norfolk County is a small place, Fearon said, and it might mean moving to a bigger centre someday.
“I either want to bring the people to me, or go to the people. “But I only plan to do this until I can do my dream. My real-life dream is to invent something that could change the world. But I know that’s going to take a lot of money. So I’ll have a few jobs, and I’m doing this one to get a little money.” His family has been supportive throughout his entrepreneurial journey, and he’s thankful to his dad for the cart. His siblings also share his entrepreneurial spirt. “Sometimes at these festivals… I’m a kid, I still want to go and explore. My mom let’s me explore and she’ll help me run it. And she’s always nagging me about cleaning up. I think that’s what mother’s do. She’s always there for me, helping me, she’s right behind me. She’s always saying, ‘it can only go up.’” The Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show is still on the 14-year-old’s radar. “I’m still working on my connections,” he said at the Cultural Fusion Extravaganza in Simcoe Saturday. That would be moving up in the sales world to sell at one of the biggest and oldest fairs in the province.
Donation honours local legacy in Delhi A generous donation from the Radvansky family is helping shape the future of student learning at Delhi District Secondary School while honouring the legacy of a community member who believed deeply in the power of education. "For our family, this donation is a meaningful way to honour the legacy of my uncle, Joe Radvansky," said Sally McIntyre, whose family took part in a celebration to mark the grand opening of the Technology Hub just prior to the end of the school year. "Joe believed deeply in the value of education and the opportunities it creates for young people. As both an aeronautical engineer and a tobacco farmer, he understood the importance of hard work, innovation, and lifelong learning." The $50,000 donation was directed to the newly renovated Innovative Technology Hub, a modern learning space designed to expand hands-on opportunities in welding, design, fabrication, and other skilled technology programs, and will welcome students in September. The family is also funding a scholarship that will support students on their post-secondary pathways in STEM-focused studies. "When communities invest in public education, they invest in the future," said Dr. JoAnna Roberto, Chief Executive Officer for Grand Erie in a media release. "The Radvansky family's generosity will have a lasting impact on students
at Delhi District Secondary School." Principal Jim Merrick said the project transformed a previously underused area into a student-centred learning environment, reflecting the school's commitment to meaningful learning opportunities for students across all pathways. The renovation was made possible through support from the Grand Erie District School Board and the significant contribution from the Radvansky family. Their donation helped complete the renovation, purchase new equipment, and establish a Mac Lab. McIntyre said the family wanted to make a gift that would have the greatest impact and was pleased to learn the school was seeking support to complete its Hub. "It felt like the perfect fit supporting a program that encourages creativity, problem-solving, and the technical skills that were so important throughout Joe's career," she said. "We are especially grateful that this contribution not only helped complete the tech lab without the need for additional fundraising, but also provided STEM-focused scholarships that will benefit students for years to come." Staff and community partners whose collaboration brought the project to life highlighted the important role community investment plays in expanding innovative programming for students. The new learning space will support future generations of Delhi District Secondary School students.
Simcoe Advocate
August 13, 2026
Witness to a 50-year-old mystery
OH, THE
PLACES WE'LL GO By Paul Knowles Laurie Wickens passed away last month. I know what you are thinking: “That’s a very odd opening sentence for a travel feature.” I agree. But the thing is, not many people have used a unique, personal experience to create a travel destination, a museum that has drawn visitors for two decades. But Laurie Wickens, and a few dedicated friends, did exactly that. And three years ago, I had the chance to visit their museum, officially the “Shag Harbour UFO Interpretive Centre,” founded in 2006 by the Shag Harbour UFO Incident Society, and until his passing in July, usually staffed by Laurie Wickens. And that’s where I met him. But the story goes back decades further, to the night of October 4, 1967. On that evening, a number of Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia residents saw something they could not explain, and would never forget. One of those witnesses was Laurie Wickens. What they saw – and this was corroborated by several witness-
(PAUL KNOWLES PHOTOS)
UFO witness Laurie Wickens, who helped turn that experience into a quirky tourist destination.
es – was a flying object, about 60 feet in diameter, with flashing lights. It was flying above the waters of Shag Harbour, and then crashed into the sea, and disappeared. Wickens, then a 17-year-old kid, and he had the presence of mind get to a pay phone and call the RCMP to report the incident. Whoever answered the phone at the local RCMP office was skeptical. Instead of asking for more details, Wickens was asked if he had been drinking! The call ended. But a few minutes later, before he left the area, the phone rang. Turned out, the cops had been getting quite a few calls since Wickens’, and they all agreed that something mysterious was happening. Later on, the testimony of Pan Am pilots added to the veracity of the sighting – they had seen an object that matched the description flying over the Gulf of Maine that night. Wickens’ answer to the return
Even though the Shag Harbour museum organizers don't think the flying object was extraterrestrial, the museum caters to somewhat wilder theories.
call from the RCMP? “I told you I wasn’t lying.” In the end, the Shag Harbour UFO became officially noted as “the only government-documented UFO crash in the world.” So even the government agreed that something “unidentified” happened that night. But to this day, no one knows what, exactly. It’s probably important to note that Shag Harbour is located close to the southern tip of Nova Scotia. It’s 65 km south of Yarmouth, due east of Portland, Maine, and not all that distant from Boston. Those proximities are probably important, because while Laurie Wickens and his colleagues were happy to talk about the Shag Harbour UFO, they didn’t insist that it was anything other-worldly. Wickens told me that almost immediately following the crash, a large American navy vessel sailed into Shag Harbour. Townspeople were instantly aware that
Laurie Wickens passed away last month, but until his passing, his phone number was on the museum door. If the place wasn't open, it soon would be.
the place was suddenly teeming with American and Canadian military officers, and a U.S. Navy dive team was also in town. The kerfuffle lasted for about five days. And just as quickly as the American contingent had arrived, they were gone – the ship sailed away, the uniforms were gone, and everything was back to normal. Including, it was eventually determined, the sea bed of Shag Harbour. No evidence was ever found – or at least, ever acknowledged by powers that be – of any crashed flying object, unidentified or not. A spokesperson for Canada’s National Defence Headquarters stated, “The Rescue Coordination Centre conducted a preliminary investigation and discounted the possibilities that the sighting was produced by an aircraft, flares, floats, or any other known objects.” Thus, by definition: an Unidentified Flying Object. Local people, including Wickens – and occasional visiting UFO enthusiasts – continued to search, but to no avail. There is a bit of a contradiction
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between the museum, and the actual opinions of Laurie Wickens and his colleagues. The museum includes a lot of UFO theory, including figures that look remarkably like E.T. But the witnesses and experts I met hold to one of two other possibilities – either the Americans spirited away a wrecked, experimental craft, or the Shad Harbour UFO was an amphibious vessel that left under its own power. Either way, those in the know point straight south of the border for their answer, concluding that an American military vessel that had no business entering Canadian airspace or water, did so anyway. Wickens was a fisherman by profession, but spent countless hours at the museum. His obituary, marking his passing in July, stated that he “was a huge part of the Shag Harbour UFO Incident Society and museum.” Another publication, The Canadian Gothic, wrote, ““For many Canadians, and for countless people around the world fascinated by the unexplained, Laurie was much more than the primary witness to the Shag Harbour Incident. He was the reason the story endured. Laurie’s passing marks the loss of one of the last living connections to one of Canada’s greatest mysteries. His story, and the mystery that followed him for nearly six decades, will continue to inspire curiosity for generations to come.” The Shag Harbour museum is one of the quirkiest, and most charming, small museums I’ve had the privilege to visit. I hope that it can continue to operate, after having lost one of its most valuable human resources, UFO witness and eager story-teller Laurie Wickens. 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.
A painting that reflects the memories of the UFO witnesses.
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August 13, 2026
Simcoe Advocate
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OPEN: MONDAY-FRIDAY 9AM-5PM & SATURDAY 9AM-3PM 136TH LANGTON FAIR ANNOUNCEMENT
AUGUST 14 & 15, 2026 NORWICH T'N'T PULL
Feel the horsepower at one of Ontario's premier truck and tractor pulling events! The Norwich T'N'T Pull returns August 14 & 15 at 365701 Evergreen St., Norwich, featuring two actionpacked days of championship truck and tractor pulling, local farm tractor classes, highway semis, food vendors, a licensed beverage garden, camping, and family-friendly fun. The excitement continues after the pulls with live entertainment both nights. Friday night features Street Survivors – A Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute, followed by Bootleg Creedence on Saturday night, performing the greatest hits of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Gates open 5:00 p.m. Friday and 9:00 a.m. Saturday. Admission is $30/day or $50 weekend pass for ages 13+, $10 weekend pass for children 5–12, and free for children 4 and under. Presented by Tirecraft, with all proceeds supporting the Optimist Club of Norwich & District's youth programming. For tickets, the event schedule, camping information, and more, visit https://norwichtractorpull.com.
136th Langton Fair will be held on Wednesday September 16, 2026 at the Langton arena. Parade will begin at 11 am with opening ceremonies to follow. CWL luncheon at the Langton Community Centre. Also Baby Show, Talent Show, Tobacco Tying Contest and Car and Tractor Show! Also exhibits for Preserves, Baking, Homecrafts etc For adult and student prize lists call or text Carol 519-875-2973 or Susan 519-427-6314 Langton Arena SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 46TH ANNUAL NORFOLK COUNTY TERRY FOX RUN
Registration begins at 10:00 a.m Event begins at 11:00 a.m You can register at terryfox.org - runsite is Norfolk County. Lions Park | 75 Davis st E. Simcoe
EVERY MONDAY & THURSDAY SIT & FIT
365701 Evergreen St. | Norwich SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 WATERFORD LEGION GOLF TOURNAMENT
$90.00 includes green fees, cart and steak dinner. Steak dinner only $22.00 Register at Waterford Legion. Cut off date: August 24. Must be prepaid
Starting at 12:00 pm (45 minutes in duration) A FREE light exercise program. Organized & run by the Alzheimer Society. Come on up to the and join in the fun! Waterford Legion | 223 Nichol Street in Waterford
THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH LYNN RIVER PROBUS CLUB 10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m
Port Dover Golf Course SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 2ND ANNUAL PORCH MUSIC
Event runs from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. A FREE community concert featuring live music, local food & drink, family fun and community events across four amazing venues in New Hamburg. The Waterlot – Main Stage | Imperial Market Patio | Puddicombe House | LYNC Station WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Our retired and semi-retired members enjoy diverse interest groups, friendship and fellowship. We have interesting speakers at our monthly meetings as well as time to socialise.Current and prospective members are welcome to join us at the Army, Navy & Air Force Club, Simcoe, which is on the corner of Water St. and Culver St. Simcoe. Enter via Culver St. For more information, please visit our website at: lynnriverprobus239.com or email lynnriverprobus239@gmail.com.
SECOND SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH COURTLAND COUNTRY OPEN MIC JAM Music starts at 1:00 p.m | Dinner at 5:00 p.m
All welcome! Courtland Community Centre | 272 Main St., Courtland, ON
LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH OPEN JAM Starting at 5:00 p.m (Until Sold Out) Everyone is welcome to bring an instrument or just come out and listen to the music. Free event For More Information call the Legion at 519-443-5588 or www. teetervillelegionbranch526.ca The Wagner Memorial, Teeterville Legion Branch 526. 3890 Teeterville Road, Teeterville, Ontario
EVERY OTHER FRIDAY INGERSOLL COUNTRY MUSIC JAMBOREE 1:00 p.m - 4:00 p.m Every other Friday, 1-4pm be fall-ish and come to the Ingersoll Country Music Jamboree at Masonic Hall, 190 Thames St. S. Ingersoll. Join us, walk ins welcome. Qualifications - love 5070's country music. Perform, listen, dance & enjoy! September 4 & 18, October 2, 16 & 30, November 6 & 20, and December 4. Masonic Hall | 190 Thames St. S. Ingersoll
ROTARY CLUB OF SIMCOE A community focused 100 year old club welcomes community minded people as guests to be possible new members. We meet every monday 11:45a.m - 1:00 p.m except july & august, when we meet bi-weekly. For socialization and community & international betterment and supporting norfolk and youth through our arts and medical scholarships.Interesting speakers, with lunch downstairs at the simcoe legion 200 West St. Simcoe. For more info see our website the rotary club of simcoe or email simcoe.rotary.club@gmail.com. Come out and see what we are about! Simcoe Legion | 200 West St. Simcoe
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Simcoe Advocate
Jokes
August 13, 2026
25
PET OF THE WEEK
What do you call a fish without an eye? Fsh! -What do fish use to make phone calls? A shell phone! -Why did the fish blush? Because it saw the ocean’s bottom! -What do you call a fish that is really good at tennis? A racket fish!
Nominate your Pet of the Week by emailing info@simcoeadvocate.com
MR.MARBLES Meet our Pet of the Week: This is Mr.Marbles. He is a Crowntail Siamese fighting fish and came from Paulmac's in Simcoe 2 months ago. He has doubled in size since he joined our family. He gets excited whenever he is fed bloodworms and when my daughter talks to him. The only time we don't see him swimming around is when he's asleep in his underwater pagoda. Submitted by Elizabeth B.
-What do you call a fish that tells jokes? A clownfish!
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Simcoe Advocate
Annuals, perennials, roses, foliage and more CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
There are 19 districts in Ontario, all belonging to the Ontario Horticultural Association, which was established in 1906. Simcoe & District meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month, 7:30 p.m. in the Junior Farmers Building (No. 1) at the Norfolk County Fairgrounds in Simcoe (172 South Drive). There are typically a half dozen meetings every year, and events
are held monthly. The next meeting, 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 9, features Cheryl Peck, with a presentation on ‘Making the World’s Best Apple Cider.’ On Oct. 22, Simcoe & District is hosting a trip to the Hamilton Fall Garden & Mum Show, which includes stops at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and Carluke Orchards. You can contact the horticultural society by email (simcoehorticultural@gmail.
com), Facebook or Instagram. The website is gardenontario.org/site.php/Simcoe. Three other horticultural societies operate in Norfolk County – Delhi (second Monday of the month at the Delhi Friendship Centre), Port Dover & Woodhouse (third Thursday of the month at Grace United Church), and Waterford (first Wednesday of the month, Waterford United Church).
Dahlia (under 4”) by Aimee Rixmann at the Simcoe & District Horticultural Society Flower Show.
(CHRIS ABBOTT PHOTOS)
Marie Papple with her On the Trail entry in Saturday’s Simcoe & District Horticultural Society Flower Show.
Maureen Gillard from Hagersville and Gracia Murase from Waterloo visited the Simcoe & District Horticultural Society Flower Show in Simcoe Saturday.
Weekly Crossword SNACK ATTACK
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10. Tortilla chips topped with cheese and other toppings 11. Sweet topping or flavour often found on popcorn and desserts 12. Crunchy, cheesy snack 14. Sweet treat made with sugar
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y potato or tortilla snack
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CLASSIFIEDS
Email to inquire: info@simcoeadvocate.com FOR SALE For Sale: Shade Trees; Maples, Oaks, Birch, Beech, Honey Locusts, Elms, Magnolia, Hydrangea Tree, Tulip Tree, Crab apples, Ivory Silk Lilac, Chanticleer Pear, Golden Weeping Willows and more. Apples, Pears, Peaches, Plums, Apricots, Nectarine, Blueberry, Haskap etc. Lots of healthy strong Spruce, Cedars and White Pine for your privacy hedges and windbreaks. Hundred of flowering shrubs. Reg Hours 7am- 6pm Mon-Sat at Martins Nursery c/o Emanuel Martin. 42661 Orangehill Rd., Wroxeter, ON
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BI-WEEKLY PUBLICATION DATES AUGUST 27 SEPTEMBER 10 & SEPTEMBER 24
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Crispy potato or tortilla snack Crunchy mixture of oats, nuts and other ingredients 4. Chewy candies often shaped like animals or fruits 5. Snack mix commonly made with nuts, dried fruit and chocolate 6. Chocolatey square baked treat I will pay cash for antiques and collectibles. Coca Cola, 7. Sweet treat made from cocoa Pepsi or any pop company. Brewery items9. - Kuntz, Sweet baked treats often dunked in milk Huether Labatts, etc. Old radios and gramophones, 10. Tortilla chips topped with cheese and other wristwatches, pocket watches, old fruit jars - Beaver toppings 11. signs Sweet topping or flavour often found on Star, Bee Hive etc. Any old oil cans and popcorn and desserts Red Indian, Supertest etc. Any small furniture. 12. Crunchy, cheesy snack If you are moving or cleaning out stuff please contact 14. Sweet treat made with sugar
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Across: 3. Movie-theatre favourite that comes in a buttery variety 8. Soft, fluffy sweet often toasted over a campfire 12. Crispy snack often served with cheese 13. Chewy candy with a distinctive flavour 17. Popular salty snack and ballpark favour 19. Dried, seasoned meat snack 20. Soft, sweet dessert often sold in individ cups 22. Dried grapes that make a sweet snack
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