St. Marys Independent - Feb 19

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s (CBHFM) class of 2026 will consist of six new inductees.

A long-discussed plan to transform 14

Church St. N. into a multi-use community hub initially dubbed the Community Commons took a significant step forward Feb. 10 as St. Marys council received a detailed financial analysis outlining how the project could proceed without increasing the burden on the town’s tax base.

The report, presented by CAO Brent Kittmer, builds on council’s August 2025 decision to pursue a vision for the former Mercury Theatre building as a flexible community space serving all ages and interests. As outlined in Kittmer’s report to council, the vision includes

programming space for the library, Friendship Centre, museum and early learning services, as well as permanent space for adult learning, shared social-connection areas and flexible rooms for service clubs, arts groups and youth programming.

“We need programming space for social connection and we need programming space to meet our space deficits (across all departments). … We need to have space for social services and we just need to have space for people to drop in,” Kittmer said after discussing the town’s projected growth and how it can expand and diversify recreational, cultural, leisure and social programming that appeals to and is accessible to residents of all ages

Former Toronto Blue Jays centre fielder Devon White will be inducted alongside national team legend and current St. Louis Cardinals coach Stubby Clapp (Windsor), former Women’s National Team star Kate Psota (Burlington) and early Montreal Expos ace and later executive Bill Stoneman.

Longtime Baseball Canada executive director Jim Baba (Moose Jaw, Sask.) will also be inducted posthumously.

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s veterans committee has also elected former major league umpire Paul Runge (St. Catharines).

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2026 class will be honoured in a ceremony at the Hall of Fame grounds in St. Marys on June 20.

“We look forward to celebrating the outstanding careers of this year’s inductees in St. Marys this June,” said Scott Crawford, CBHFM director of operations. “Each of them, in their own way, has made a tremendous impact on the game of baseball in our country.”

COMMUNITY

through the Community Commons at 14 Church Street project.

“I’ve been doing public administration for 20 years. I’ve seen a lot of projects have detractors, and you’re always going to have detractors because it’s difficult to spend public dollars and it’s difficult to spend it on community building projects like this. But this is one of the first times where I’ve seen a strategic plan, a recreation master plan, at least two other master plans, your project consultant who is a paid professional in the field for decades, your staff, your public-led committee all strongly encouraging you to move forward with this project and saying there is a need in this community for this today and we need to build it. I’ve never seen it so aligned like that … and sometimes you have to take a brave step.”

While earlier discussions on the project focused heavily on projected operating costs, the updated report shifts attention to a capital funding strategy designed specifically to limit the amount of “new” money that would need to be raised through taxation.

According to the report, total projected capital costs for interior, exterior and related improvements are estimated at approximately $3.73 million in 2025 dollars. That figure includes interior-renovation costs of roughly $2.06 million, exterior upgrades and building-envelope work totalling about $870,000, and an $800,000 allowance for furnishings, audiovisual equipment and consulting.

Rather than relying solely on debt or a tax increase, the funding plan leverages multiple sources. These include development charges, existing reserves, community fundraising and strategic borrowing.

The 2024 development charges study anticipated library expansion costs and, af-

ter adjustments, approximately $840,000 in development charges could be applied to 14 Church St. The St. Marys Public Library also holds roughly $181,000 in reserves for capital and maintenance purposes.

In addition, a dedicated 14 Church Street reserve has been established. The strategy recommends beginning annual contributions to that reserve now to offset future capital and debt-servicing costs. Staff projections indicate those contributions can be accommodated within the town’s existing long-term capital plan without requiring additional levy increases.

The report also notes that St. Marys remains in a strong financial position when it comes to debt. As detailed in the financial analysis, the town’s annual repayment limit under provincial guidelines far exceeds its current and projected debt-servicing costs. Existing debt obligations are scheduled to decline significantly through 2027 and 2028, creating flexibility to redirect retired debt payments toward new capital priorities like 14 Church St. Community fundraising will also play a role. The St. Marys library board and its capital campaign advisory committee are preparing to formally launch the Community Commons at 14 Church Street campaign, with funds raised to be used directly to offset capital costs. As of the report date, donors including Friends of the Library, a local law firm and an anonymous local family have pledged $165,000. The advisory committee and library board have set a campaign fundraising goal of $1 million including potential grant funding. More information on the campaign and donor recognition will be presented at council’s March 10 meeting.

The report makes clear that the goal of the funding strategy is to integrate the 14 Church St. project into the town’s broader

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infrastructure and capital framework so no new tax-supported money needs to be levied specifically for the project.

“As of today, I’m saying it’s $1.3 million in debt,” Kittmer said. “If community fundraising goes up by several-hundred thousand dollars (beyond the $165,000 already committed) and we get a grant and the library asks us to use a portion of their reserve, we’re debting out even less of this project.

“If you told me we could do this project for $1 million or less in debt, I would be confused why we’re not doing this tomorrow. That’s my personal and professional opinion because I just watched us spend $1 million on the interior of (town hall), we spent $1.8 million on the pool; we’ve spent $1 million a lot of time, pretty easily, without a lot of thought – forgive me – because we know it is needed. And that’s what I’m saying; we intrinsically know this is needed and that’s not a lot of money. That (annual) debt repayment (of $118,555) is not a lot of money for us to assume.”

While the report also updates projected operating costs once the building is complete – estimating a reasonable range of $150,000 to $185,000 annually depending on final service levels, hours of operation, volunteer support and staff – the primary focus of the Feb. 10 presentation was the capital plan and the financial flexibility that allows council to move forward without increasing pressure on local taxpayers.

While councillors were supportive of the new financial plan, several councillors expressed concerns over how the current council can ensure this project continues moving ahead after a new council is elected in October. While Kittmer said there is no binding decision council can make to force a new council to continue down this road, getting public buy-in for the project and financial commitments from donors who support it now and in the next few months will go a long way in keeping the momentum going.

“I’m appreciating what I’m seeing here more than what I saw in August, for sure,” said Coun. Dave Lucas. “ … To go forward with this project without increasing our tax levy is significant to me. … I felt like, in August, we were basically looking at a two per-cent tax increase to our levy into perpetuity, so I would really struggle with that. But how you presented this and the numbers I’m seeing, I’m getting my head wrapped around it and I think it’s great that we need to get community support onboard with this.

“Yes, we’re always going to have detractors; maybe a different council will have a different idea. If you can create that positivity around the project in the community, there’s a better chance that new council sitting here will feel it’s a positive project. … I think we’ve definitely started in the right direction. I think we need to keep moving in that direction.”

EDITORIAL

I joined the community fundraising team for the Community Commons at 14 Church project

GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor

There is a long-held notion that journalists should not get personally involved in the stories we tell.

And that’s for good reason. Personal opinions can muddy the facts, our own biases can get the best of us, and even when we put every effort into keeping our personal lives separate from our professional work, there’s always the chance someone may perceive collusion when there isn’t any.

So, in the interest of full transparency, I’d like to put it here in print; I have joined the ad-hoc fundraising committee for the Community Commons at 14 Church capital campaign.

Despite reporting on the Town of St. Marys’ project to restore the former Mercury Theatre building at 14 Church St. N for the past several years, and with no plans to stop reporting on it, I will sit on the volunteer committee advising the St. Marys library board on how best to achieve a goal of raising $1 million through grants and donations in support of a project I believe is crucial for St. Marys’ future growth.

After I was invited to sit on the committee by St. Marys Public Library CEO Sarah Andrews, I had to think hard about whether my involvement would compromise my reporting on the project.

And while I’m sure some might make an argument that it could, I have made it no secret in my editorials and with those I’ve spoken to about the project that I like the plan the town has set out to establish flexible space for library, museum, seniors and children’s programming along-

side meeting and office space for myriad groups and organizations that need it.

I would encourage our readers to visit the Town of St. Marys YouTube page and listen to CAO Brent Kittmer speak on the need for this project at council’s Feb. 10 meeting. Without getting into too much detail (read my front-page story on the project’s financial plan for that), it seems the stars have aligned on a project that has the blessing of all town staff, council and consultants, and won’t cost taxpayers an extra dime.

And the benefit will be enhanced programming, especially in the arts and culture sector, for residents and visitors of all ages. Kittmer says the Community Commons at 14 Church could give youth a reason to stay in St. Marys or return later in life, and it could make programming more accessible to residents on the north and west ends of town where most of the town’s projected future growth will likely be.

So, why did I get involved? Simply put, I found the enthusiasm of staff, council and the project consultant to be infectious and it was hard to say no. I’ve spent my entire career reporting on fundraising initiatives from the outside; now, I’d like to see how they work from the inside.

My involvement won’t stop me from reporting the facts of the project, good or bad, but I’m taking this opportunity to use my experience in media and communications to support a project I can see so much potential benefit from.

There will be more to come on the Community Commons at 14 Church capital campaign in future editions of this newspaper, so stay tuned.

SHOP

Bravo Boo

We have 3 Bravos this week.

1) Bravo to the fact that I can keep up on what is happening in St. Marys no matter where I am in the world through the electronic version of the paper. Thank you!

2) Bravo to the lady that helped me get up when I fell at the Independent Grocery store on Wednesday. Thank you I really appreciated it.

3) Bravo to the great town workers who keep the Grand Trunk trail in such good shape. It makes a big difference to so many of us. We get to walk safely , talk to others and appreciate the beauty we see every day. Thank you again!

We have 3 Boos this week.

1) Boo to the driver that almost hit me while I was crossing at Water Street and Queen Street (I had the right of way). Please be cautious when crossing streets. It shook me up but glad I have a guardian angel.

2) Boo to the people who boo the referees at hockey games, especially when the players are only children.

3) Boo to the black Toyota SUV driver on Water Street Saturday around 11 a.m. with the mattress on their roof. The mattress was not secured in any way which poses a safety risk to all those around. Driving is a privilege, not a right! I’d implore this driver to make better choices so we can all make it home safely to our families.

Quote of the Week

“At the end of the day, every citizen and every person in Tumbler Ridge, including our first responders, are going home to their families to try and explain this. And sometimes there’s just not a way to explain this. So we’ll continue providing that support, however it’s needed.”

— RCMP North District Commander Supt. Ken Floyd on the horrendous shooting that took place in Tumbler Ridge.

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

St. Marys Independent

Publisher

Stewart Grant • stew@granthaven.com

Regional Editor

Galen Simmons • galen@granthaven.com

Graphic Design / Sales Inquiries

Tyler Carruthers • info@stmarysindependent.com

Business Development

Heather Dunbar • heather@granthaven.com

Billing Administrator

Cindy Boakes • boakescindy1576@gmail.com

Administrative Assistant

Wendy Lamond • wendylamond74@gmail.com

Contributors

June Grant, Nancy Bickell, Mary Smith, Nancy Abra, Lauren Eedy, Spencer Seymour, Sarah Cairns, Paul Knowles, Jake Grant, Julia Paul, Emily Stewart, McGinny Photography

36 Water St. St. Marys, ON, PO Box 2310 N4X 1A2 info@stmarysindependent.com | 519.284.0041 | granthaven.com

Family is anyone who loves you unconditionally. Where there is love, there is life. If you have the ability to love, love yourself first.

Best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer someone else up.

Celebrate International Women’s Day at the Friendship Centre

St. Marys Fire Department is reminding residents to keep fire hydrants, vents, and all exit pathways clear of snow and ice. In an emergency, having more than one clear way out can save lives. Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless, and dangerous. Working alarms matter!

COMMUNITY OUTREACH OFFICE HOURS

Our Community Outreach Worker is available every Tuesday at the Library (10:30 AM to 12:30 PM) and Friendship Centre (1:30 PM to 3:30 PM) to help residents access support for housing, mental health, finances, and more.

The St. Marys Friendship Centre is hosting an International Women’s Day celebration on Monday, March 9 from 1-3:15 p.m. This special event invites residents to come together for an afternoon dedicated to celebrating women and their achievements.

Attendees can look forward to fun activities such as women-inspired trivia, a health-focused TED Talk on the importance of exercise as we age, as well as a presentation from bestselling author and motivational speaker Rosita Hall. Hall will share valuable insights on resiliency and self-care, aiming to inspire all participants to master the art of self-care. The celebration is designed to foster community spirit and recognize the transforming power of women in society.

“We’re excited to welcome residents to the Friendship Centre for an afternoon dedicated to celebrating women,” said St. Marys senior services wellness coordinator Eliza Reid in a press release. “International Women’s Day is an important occasion to recognize the strength of women in our community and beyond. We hope everyone will join us for this special celebration as we acknowledge the contributions of women and encourage one another to continue building a supportive and inclusive community.”

townofstmarys.com/stonetownsupports

Entry to this event is by cash donation or a non-perishable food item. Those attending are encouraged to get into the spirit and wear purple. Pre-registration is required by visiting www.townofstmarys. com/internationalwomensday2026 or calling the Friendship Centre directly at 519284-3272.

This course is ideal for aspiring swim instructors. It will be taking place March 16 - 19 from 2PM to 7 PM daily. Participants must be 15 years of age by the end of the course and have completed Bronze Cross certification.

Register by March 2: https://tinyurl.com/2jdjuha8

THINKING OF RUNNING FOR COUNCIL?

Experienced and knowledgeable trainers from Clerks On Call will guide prospective election candidates through the essential information they need before deciding to run for municipal office.

information at townofstmarys.com/candidate

566 Queen St. E. • 519.284.4348

Senior of the Week

Our senior of the week is Mabel Ballantyne. Mable grew up in Cherry Grove just outside of St. Marys. She has three children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mabel likes to knit and to write letters and cards to her family and friends. She also loves to play scrabble and Chinese checkers. Mabel turned 100 years young on Feb. 4. Happy Birthday!

If you would like to nominate someone for Senior of the Week, contact us at 519.284.0041 or info@stmarysindependent.com.

WEEKEND QUIZ

By Jake Grant

1. Which fruit is known as the “King of Fruits”

2. A “prickle” is the collective noun for what groups of animals?

3. Which singer was known as the “The Empress of the Blues”?

4. Which company’s original name was “Cadabra,” as in “Abracadabra”?

5. What is the fastest-growing plant in the world?

6. What is the unit used to measure electrical resistance?

7. Which actor played the character of Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise?

8. At what degrees Fahrenheit does ice melt?

9. Which is the only sea in the world that has no coastlines?

10. How many distinct phases make up the lunar cycle?

Sydney Touzel raises $12K with fundraising marathon in support of Optimism Place

On a particularly foggy Valentine’s Day morning, Sydney Touzel began her charity run from Little Falls Public School in St. Marys to Optimism Place in Stratford – a run that ended with a $12,606.25 cheque being presented to the local women’s shelter. For more on Touzel’s story, visit https://tinyurl.com/yhzzat94.

is a time to celebrate the people we love — and that includes looking after their health. At St Marys Optometry, we’re proud to care for individuals and families in our community, offering thorough, unrushed eye exams for every stage of life.

If you or someone you love is overdue for an eye exam, now is a great time to book. We’re always happy to welcome new patients and see familiar faces back in the clinic.

Community outreach worker hosting weekly drop-in office hours

ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT

Staff Contribution

The Town of St. Marys community outreach worker is hosting weekly drop-in office hours every Tuesday at both the St. Marys Public Library (10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) and the Friendship Centre (1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.).

These sessions help residents connect with support programs offered by the town.

Office hours provide:

• Referrals to support services for mental health, finances, recreation, or food insecurity

• Help accessing housing supports like Rent-geared-to-Income and necessary paperwork

• Assistance completing forms for

ODSP, Ontario Works, or identification documents

• Support liaising between landlords and tenants

• Connection with ODSP and OW workers for additional assistance or documentation

Connecting with community members facing challenges is vital.

“Starting a conversation often helps me identify support services I can suggest or provide,” said outreach worker Jade Orquin in a press release. Establishing trust encourages people to feel welcome and comfortable dropping by for a chat.

For a list of social services available in St. Marys, visit the Stonetown Supports page at www.townofstmarys.com/stonetownsupports.

Stratford police investigating fatal crash in Perth South

ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT

Staff Contribution

The Stratford Police Service (SPS) is investigating a collision in Perth South last week that killed one of the drivers involved.

Shortly before midnight on Feb. 11, the SPS received notification of a serious motor-vehicle collision at Perth Line 32 and Perth Road 125 in the Township of Perth South.

Emergency Services attended and discovered that a pick-up truck had collided with a four-door vehicle. As a result of the

collision, the driver of the pick-up truck died from injuries sustained in the collision. The driver of the four-door vehicle suffered serious, non-lifethreatening injuries and was transported to hospital, while the passenger suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The investigation into this matter is ongoing and more information will be released when available.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact SPS at 519271-4141 ext. 2. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS or www.p3tips.com.

CBHFM announces 2026 induction class

Stubby Clapp

Born in 1973 in Windsor, Stubby Clapp is known as “Captain Canada” for his long commitment to the national team. He joined the Junior National Team in 1991 and helped them to a gold medal at the World Youth Baseball Championship in Brandon, Man., that summer.

Five years later, the scrappy infielder was selected in the 36th round of the 1996 Major League Baseball (MLB) draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. In total, Clapp played 23 games with the Cardinals and 11 seasons in the pro ranks.

But even during his pro career, Clapp never forgot his roots. In 1999, he suited up for Canada at the Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Man. and delivered a walk-off, bases loaded single in Canada’s extra-inning, upset win over the U.S. to help propel Canada to an eventual bronze medal.

Following his playing career, Clapp managed the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds to Pacific Coast League championships in 2017 and 2018. That earned him a promotion to the position of first base coach with the Cardinals in 2019, a post he has held for the last seven seasons.

Over the years, Clapp has also served as a coach for the national team, including on the 2015 Pan Am Games gold-medal-winning squad. Clapp was inducted onto Baseball Canada’s Wall of Excellence in January 2025.

Devon White

Born in 1962 in Kingston, Jamaica, Devon White cemented his reputation as one of the greatest defensive centre fielders in major league history while with the Toronto Blue Jays from 1991-1995.

After being selected in the sixth round of the 1981 MLB draft by the California Angels, he’d spend parts of six big league seasons with the club before being traded to the Blue Jays on Dec. 2, 1990. In his first season with the Blue Jays, White batted .282 with 17 home runs and 33 stolen bases and captured his first of five consecutive Gold Glove awards.

He followed that up with another strong season in 1992 that saw him lead the majors with a 3.9 defensive wins above replacement (dWAR). In the World Series that year, he made what is arguably the most famous defensive play in franchise history. In the fourth inning of Game 3, Atlanta Braves slugger Dave Justice belted a ball deep to centre field at SkyDome. White leapt into the wall and made a miraculous catch to begin what should have been a triple play.

White returned in 1993 to serve as a catalyst atop the Blue Jays’ order and help them to their second consecutive championship. He collected two more Gold Gloves in 1994 and 1995 before signing with the Florida Marlins.

White still ranks in the top 10 in several all-time Blue Jays statistical categories, including second in stolen base percentage (84.6 per cent), sixth in stolen bases (126)

and seventh in triples (34).

Since hanging up his playing spikes after 17 major league seasons in 2001, White has worked as a coach in the minor league ranks. His most recent position is special assistant to player development in the Blue Jays’ organization.

Kate Psota

Born in 1986 in Burlington, Kate Psota joined the Women’s National Team in 2004 and evolved into one of its best and longest tenured players.

Psota honed her skills with the Burlington Organized Minor Baseball Association (BOMBA) where she cracked the roster of a boys triple-A rep team at age nine. In 2002, she became the first female to be named the Baseball Ontario Junior Player of the Year.

When the Women’s National Team was formed in 2004, Psota made the team and developed into a star at first base. In 2008, she won Baseball Canada’s Ashley Stephenson Award, which is handed out annually to a women’s team member to recognize their on-field accomplishments, team spirit and leadership. She followed that up by being named the Women’s National Team MVP in back-to-back years (2009 and 2010).

In her 15 seasons competing for Canada, Psota was on teams that captured six Women’s World Cup medals, including silvers at the 2008 and 2016 tournaments. In total, Psota was named to the World Cup All-Star team four times (2010, 2012, 2016 and 2018).

She hung up her playing spikes in 2021

and became a coach with the Women’s National Team. For her efforts, she was inducted into the Burlington Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.

Jim Baba

Born in 1956 in Moose Jaw, Sask., Jim Baba devoted more than three decades to the growth and development of baseball in Canada.

Throughout his career, Baba’s greatest passion was coaching and he taught countless National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) courses. In the early ‘90s, Baba began his association with Baseball Canada, coaching and managing national teams at international competitions, including at the 1991 Pan Am Games.

In 2000, Baba became Baseball Canada’s manager of baseball operations prior to transitioning to the executive director position. Some of his most notable achievements as executive director included supporting men’s senior national team gold medal wins at the 2011 and 2015 Pan Am Games and overseeing the implementation of national programs like Rally Cap and Girls Baseball.

Between 2002 and 2021, he also served as a technical official for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) at 25 international events, including Olympic qualifiers, Pan Am Games, the Women’s Baseball World Cup and the World Baseball Classic.

For his efforts, he was inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008.

He passed away on Sept. 12, 2025, at the

age of 69.

Bill Stoneman

Born in 1944 in Oak Park, Ill., Bill Stoneman was the ace of the Montreal Expos during their early years. He’d later become a key executive with the club. Chosen by the Expos from the Chicago Cubs in the 1968 expansion draft, the right-hander cracked the Expos’ inaugural Opening Day roster and on April 17, 1969, in just the ninth regular season game in Expos’ history, he tossed a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium. This made him the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter for a Canadian major league team.

In 1971, Stoneman recorded a career-high 17 wins and posted a 3.15 ERA in 39 appearances (38 starts) and established then Expos’ records in complete games (19), innings pitched (294-2/3) and strikeouts (251). He followed that up with another outstanding season in 1972 when he registered a career-best 2.98 ERA in 35 starts. On Oct. 2 of that year, he threw his second no-hitter. This one came at home, at Montreal’s Jarry Park, in a 7-0 victory over the New York Mets. This made him the first pitcher from a Canadian major league team to throw a no-hitter in Canada. After one more season with the Expos, Stoneman completed his playing career with the California Angels in 1974. He returned to the Expos as an assistant to the president in 1983 and rose to the position of vice president of baseball operations. Following the 1999 season, he was hired to be the general manager of the Angels. In 2002, he assembled the Angels’ only World Series-winning team.

Paul Runge

Born in 1940 in St. Catharines, Paul Runge was a highly respected National League umpire for parts of 25 major league seasons.

He polished his skills as a minor league umpire for parts of nine seasons before graduating to the National League in 1973. Over his quarter century as a big-league umpire, Runge was selected to umpire nine National League Championship Series, four World Series and three All-Star Games.

On Oct. 23, 1993, he was umpiring second base when Blue Jays slugger Joe Carter belted his walk-off, World Series-winning home run against Phillies closer Mitch Williams.

In total, Runge umpired 3,194 regular season MLB games, 43 championship series contests and 22 World Series games. Just three Canadians have umpired more MLB games: Bob Emslie (Guelph), Jim McKean (Montreal, Que.) and Ernie Quigley (Newcastle, N.B.).

In 1998, Runge became the National League’s director of umpires. He served in that post through 1999.

As a family tradition, his father, Ed, was an American League umpire from 19541970 and his son, Brian, umpired in the National League from 1999-2012.

St. Marys council declares intimate partner violence an epidemic

St. Marys the fourth municipality in Perth County to make the declaration

GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor

St. Marys council has formally declared intimate partner violence an epidemic in the community following a presentation from Optimism Place Women’s Shelter and Support Services.

At its Feb. 10 meeting, council voted in favour of the declaration after hearing from Optimism Place executive director Donna Jean Forster and board chair Nancy Preston, who outlined the scope and local impact of intimate partner violence (IPV)

According to statistics shared with council, in 2024 alone, there were 994 reports of intimate partner violence in Perth County, resulting in 227 charges laid. Probation and parole services supervise an average of 115 clients each month who are on probation for domestic-violence charges.

Optimism Place reported that in 2024, 203 women and children accessed shelter services, with an additional 200 women accessing IPV-related support services without requiring residential shelter. Since 2022, 50 Perth County women have been assessed as high-risk for intimate partner

prevalence of intimate partner violence, noting that 44 per cent of women who have been in an intimate relationship report experiencing some form of psychological, physical or sexual abuse.

Beyond the statistics, Forster said IPV is a community-wide issue with significant social and economic costs, including impacts on safety, wellbeing and productivity. She emphasized that a formal declaration is not merely symbolic, but intended to serve as validation for survivors and as a call to action for sustained, coordinated community response.

a good feel for it, but I bet the numbers that you’re talking about are only a percentage of what’s out there.”

“This is very near and dear to me because I had a very good friend many years ago who had an issue, and this brings back a lot of stuff for me,” Coun. Marg Luna added. “I do believe it is an epidemic and I know at our community policing advisory committee meetings, we have asked that we get numbers for intimate partner violence. It is in St. Marys for sure, as we know.”

Council’s unanimous vote signals for

1

Historic St. Marys Lions Club artifact discovered during home renovation

discovery feel personal and connected to a bigger story.”

A medallion tucked away for decades has finally come to light, revealing a forgotten chapter of the St. Marys Lions Club.

Sawyer Lang was working a renovation job in a St. Marys home last fall when he discovered a medallion embedded with the name Karl Sorrick inside the walls. Lang connected with Lions members and was invited to a club meeting on Jan. 6.

“When I first saw it, I thought it was a police badge,” said Lang. “It was cool to discover how connected it was to both the community and my own family. It made the

Lions member Dawn Reynen learned that the home belonged to charter member David R. Stevens, whose son was Lang’s father’s boss on a dairy farm. Lang’s family currently maintains friendships with Stevens’ great-grandchildren.

After researching its origin, Reynen discovered the medallion was a commemorative piece gifted to members by Lions Club International President Karl Sorrick. Visiting from Jackson, Mich., Sorrick met with Lions members at town hall on Feb. 20, 1941.

“I was sitting with former Lion Mari-

anne Ferguson when she mentioned there was a book in our storage unit with some of the club’s history,” said Reynen. “When I looked, I found a tote full of newspaper clippings and memorabilia, along with a white binder. Inside the binder, I discovered meeting minutes that mentioned the event.”

The special occasion was attended by 200 men, including members from several Lions Clubs, along with the Rotary Club of St. Marys. Each attendee received a medallion.

Delegates in attendance came from St. Marys, Arthur, Milverton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Clinton, Goderich, Mitchell, Exeter, Stratford, London, Ingersoll, Strathroy and

Sarnia.

“Our club was chartered in 1940, only a year before Sorrick paid a visit, which was the only time an international president came to St. Mayrs,” said Reynen. “Like David, the vast majority of the people who received these medallions were founding members.”

Lang has handed the medallion over to the Stevens home’s current owners, and this Friday will mark 85 years since Sorrick’s visit.

“It’s incredible to see something like this turn up after all these years,” Reynen said. “It was fascinating to see the mystery unfold.”

With membership declining, Lions aim to inspire a new generation of volunteers

The St. Marys Lions Club is calling for new members as it continues supporting local programs and events.

To help with the growing concern of the club members aging out, Lions member Dawn Reynen hopes the group will increase its membership this year. Reynen said the struggle is shared on an international level.

“Eventually, the Lions won’t exist,” said Reynen. “We currently have 13 active members. We’ve discussed being more proactive, but it’s difficult; we’re just not attracting younger members.”

Reynen said the club’s struggle could be tied to the town’s aging demographic, with only 800 residents under the age of 40.

“Stratford is facing the same issue; their club is just as small as ours, even though they have a bigger centre,” said Reynen. “I don’t think many people realize that a significant number of events, like fairs and Santa Claus parades, are organized by service clubs.”

This month, Lions members are delivering food for the Meals on Wheels. An initiative facilitated by the Friendship Centre and pre-

pared by St. Marys Memorial Hospital staff, Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers cooked lunches to seniors and residents with varying abilities.

Next month, each member will sell milk chocolate Easter Bunnies, packaged with the Lions emblem, for the Solid Milk Chocolate Easter Bunnies fundraiser. The Lions Club purchase the bunnies from Donini Chocolate in Belleville. The Lions will also serve a pancake breakfast at McCully’s Hill Farm on the last Sunday of March.

The Lions will hold a community dinner at the St. Marys United Church in April. The dinner is by donation only and will include a variety of chicken, mixed vegetables, mashed potatoes and a dessert.

To join the Lions Club, residents can approach members at community events. They can also be reached by email at stmlions1940@ gmail.com or by calling 519-317-3473.

“Being part of the Lions is about giving back to the community, and that’s always been there for us,” said Reynen. “It’s a good feeling to know the time we spend, whether it’s serving dinners, delivering meals, or selling chocolate, is actually helping people right here in town.”

Community engagement, skill-building and social justice at Riverwalk Commons Knit-A-Longs

Riverwalk Commons is inviting knitters of all levels to come down and work on new projects.

Events known as Knit-A-Longs, where participants work on projects like a cowl or a hat, are being held every Tuesday evening in February from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Riverwalk Commons. Each Knit-A-Long costs $10 for participants and includes tea or coffee, with $5 going towards the pattern. It also gives participants a chance to socialize and chat while working on their craft.

“February is just such a sad, dark month for a lot of people. Just being able to come out for an hour after supper and just get together with other people. Whether they’re knitting or not, it’s just a place for people to go to in town just to do something different,” said Melissa Barton, owner and founder of Riverwalk Commons.

The Knit-A-Longs at Riverwalk Commons began with a group working on their own large knit blanket, but the projects have been scaled back to smaller fibre works. Anyone of any skill level is welcome to participate.

“Some people are just remembering to cast on again. We just help each other out. There’s not a master knitter or anything,

but we work through things together,” Barton said.

For the month of February, participants could either work on a cowl neck warmer from a pattern by Tanis Fibre Arts or a red Melt the Ice Hat from the Needles and Skein shop in Minnesota. The $5 for the

red hat pattern will go towards the fundraiser Needles and Skein is running for the Immigration Rapid Response Fund, which supports those targeted by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The red hat movement originated in Norway in the Second World War as knit

red hats were worn to protest Nazi occupation. The hats were banned on Feb. 26, 1942, due to the protest. Red hats from the original movement can be found at Norway’s Resistance Museum, also known as the Norwegian Front Home Museum.

The Red Hat movement is making a comeback as a form of protest against ICE.

“Not everybody comes in to knit from a social-justice perspective, but I do. I love that stuff,” said Barton, who was wearing a sweater that said “nice” during the interview with the Independent and explained it was another form of advocacy – be “nice” instead of ICE. “To me, art is resistance, you know, there’s that phrase and I love it and I love reading stories about women and their acts of solidarity through craft and just this story of the Red Hats in Norwegian history. They ended up being banned because they were so threatened by everybody wearing red hats. Isn’t that amazing?”

There will be one last knitting session on Feb. 27 starting at 6:30 p.m. and participants are required to bring their own materials. Riverwalk Commons has events and workshops throughout the year, including drop-in sessions on Wednesday afternoons.

More information can be found online by visiting rwcommons.com.

St. Marys Independent SPORTS

U11 A Boys win gold in Rock Cup tournament

The Social Thirty-One U11 A Boys St. Marys Rock added another prize to their trophy case by winning gold at the Rock Cup tournament in St. Marys Feb. 6-8.

Though their performances weren’t perfect throughout the tournament, head coach Mike Johnson praised the group for riding the emotional waves and eventually finding their way to the top prize.

“It’s impressive for a group of 10-yearold kids to handle those emotional ups and downs and find that rallying cry to come together,” said Johnson. “There was a team meeting before the last round-robin game and the kids all shared important parts of their season with each other, and they just gelled coming out of that meeting and they were picking each other up, and it was just a tidal wave of positive emotion going out onto the ice that night, and it carried for the rest of the weekend.”

Johnson added the ability to handle the ups and downs was tested better at this tournament than at their previous tournament showings.

“It’s been fun watching them perform in the big moments, learn what it’s like to overcome those pre-game jitters and those tense feelings when games get tight. They are learning a lot about themselves has been great. I really saw that in the finals of this tournament.

“There was a calmness about them,” Johnson continued. “They knew what they had to do and they were more ready to perform out there and a little bit less jittery than we were in our previous tournament. I think they’re learning how to handle those big moments and just focus themselves on the details they need to do to be their best.”

To get to the gold medal game, the Rock went up against a familiar foe from throughout their regular season, the Elgin-Thames 73’s, who the Rock have had numerous quality battles with all year. After falling behind 1-0 in the opening period, St. Marys tied the game midway

(SPENCER SEYMOUR PHOTO)

The Social Thirty-One U11 A Boys St. Marys Rock earned the gold medal at the Rock Cup tournament Feb. 6-8. Pictured in the front row, from left to right, are Elliott Maddock and Ryan Pickel. In the second row, from left, are Kai Sherwood, Everett Crummer, Lincoln Jennings, Nico Thompson, Bode Keller and Jack Anderson. In the third row, from left, are Owen Simons, Rhett Parkinson, Logan Masselis, Ashton Ropp, Tucker Posthumus, Myles Avey and Kyle Johnson. In the fourth row, from left, are Jaden Ropp, Mitch Watt, Mark Jennings, Scott Crummer and Mike Johnson.

through the second with a goal by Lincoln Jennings. In the final minute of the second, the 73’s retook a one-goal lead, which they held onto until midway through the third when Everett Crummer potted the game-tying goal.

The game then went into overtime, where Ashton Ropp netted the game-winner.

Nico Thompson earned assists on all three goals, while Ryan Pickel earned the win in goal. Johnson noted, among the strong efforts from throughout his squad, Thompson and Pickel were especially strong.

“It was a really impressive effort from the entire team,” Johnson said of the semi-final. “Ryan (Pickel) made the saves we needed to keep the game in control.

Nico (Thompson) played the best game I’ve seen him play. He just absolutely was in total control out there and was a huge part of that win. He came with a level of energy and compete level that just outmatched anything he’s done in the past.

“He’s a fast, talented hockey player, and even though he doesn’t have size as

his advantage, he finds ways to battle. He showed everyone what he’s made of and he picked the kids up and made some great offensive plays, some great defensive plays and really was the heartbeat that drove the game for us that game.”

The Rock almost didn’t make it to the semis, but according to Johnson, one of the team’s best performances of the season at a crucial time in the round-robin allowed them to get their game back on track and make it to the semi-final.

“We were really disappointed in our effort on Friday,” Johnson said. “We played two of our worst games of the year, and we’ve been slumping a little bit coming in, and battling some illness and injury. We just weren’t firing on all cylinders, and it got even worse on Friday. We were fortunate to be given the opportunity to get ourselves to the semi-final. We had a winand-in scenario in our final round-robin game, and the kids came in and played one of their best games of the year in that game against Southeast Surge, and that was the momentum builder we needed.”

The Rock then met the Stratford War-

riors in the championship contest, and initially, it appeared St. Marys was on track to cruise to a decisive victory, earning a 5-0 lead with just under nine minutes to go in the second period, including with a pair of goals by Jennings, as well as individual goals by Rhett Parkinson, Kyle Johnson and Bode Keller.

However, the Warriors began clawing back, first by scoring with just under six and a half minutes left in the second, followed by three straight goals in under a minute to suddenly make it a one-goal game.

The bench boss noted the team’s execution of their gameplan was strong, especially early on.

“We gave them a little key to focus on, which was to use our speed and keep pucks behind their defence, and they bought into that and executed it really well and got control of the game early,” Mike Johnson said. “We got a little jittery and the game tightened up on us, but our kids pulled through when they needed to, so that was great.”

The white-knuckle third period finally saw the Rock regain control of the game when Thompson fired home a clutch goal to give St. Marys a two-goal lead, and according to Mike Johnson, give the rest of the Rock a chance to settle down, and eventually extend their lead to 8-4 with late goals by Parkinson and Kai Sherwood.

“Everybody got super excited, but it also gave everybody a little bit of a chance to catch their breath. Even just the time we had in the setup after the goal from the celebration to the faceoff gave us a chance to have a quick little reset, and a quick little message to the kids on the bench to try and get back out and focus on staying on the defensive side of the puck.”

The team also had a special moment during the tournament when Jeff Bradley, head coach of the St. Marys Lincolns, surprised the team in the dressing room and read the starting lineup before one of their games.

U13 A Boys capture gold at Rock Cup tournament

SPENCER SEYMOUR

Independent Sports Reporter

The St. Marys Firefighters U13 A Boys St. Marys Rock earned the top prize at the Rock Cup tournament in St. Marys Feb. 6-8.

Coach Jonathan Ward told the Independent the team’s tournament win was cathartic for the group.

“The boys performed well,” said Ward. “Being in our home arena, I think they felt a little bit of extra pressure and wanted to win because it was a home tournament, and we’ve lost the last couple in the semis and finals. Every single one of them is very passionate. They care a lot about winning. It shows the character they have and the care that they have for the game. They love coming to play, and they love winning.”

After going unbeaten through the threegame round-robin, the Rock faced the Ausable Valley Coyotes in the semi-finals, with Ward crediting the group for staying focused all game long.

“Ausable Valley is a team we’ve played six or seven times,” Ward said. “And sometimes, you get a little complacent when you play the same team over and over again, but they didn’t do that at all. They went out, they worked hard, moved the puck really well, worked as a team and they put the pedal down the whole time.”

Keaton Ward got the scoring started with four minutes and 40 seconds left in the first before the Coyotes tied the game at

The St. Marys Firefighters U13

tournament in St. Marys Feb.

Boys St.

(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

the

Matthew McCarty and Luke Saville. In the middle

are Deon Keller, Jack Parsons, Gavin Santagapita, Talon Nov, Owen Robinson, Keaton Ward, Myles Havens, Charles Coppins, Attley Ehgoetz and Joey Brown. In the back row, from left, are Harper Murrell, Mark Monteith, Talan Ward, Hudson Monteith, Theo Keller, Liam Showers, Emmett Parkinson, Jeremy Saville and Jonathan Ward.

one apiece. The Rock shut Ausable Valley down the rest of the game, and got goals from Myles Havens, Charles Coppins and Talan Ward to secure a 4-1 victory and a spot in the finals. Their opponent in the gold-medal game was the Southwest Admirals, who jumped

out to a 1-0 lead in the opening period, but Talan Ward got the game tied back up with just 22 seconds left in the period. Southwest retook a one-goal lead and held it until the 8:43 mark of the third when Talon Nov tied the game at 2-2. Southwest regained the lead by scoring with just under

six minutes left on the clock, but once again, the Rock found an equalizer, this time off the stick of Attley Ehgoetz with two minutes and 20 seconds left in the third.

Tied at three, the game entered overtime and St. Marys got the game-winner from Owen Leslie-Robinson with 4:44 left in overtime.

Jonathan praised the team for their resilience throughout the finals, leading to the Rock clawing back after falling behind three times.

“They did well composing themselves in tough situations,” Jonathan Ward said. “That final game, they really fought hard and came back from being down twice and came back in overtime and scored the final goal to win it. It was impressive to see a group of boys, that group of 12-year-olds, compose themselves, bring themselves back together and continue to overcome that sort of pressure.”

Jonathan Ward added that resiliency was a running theme of the weekend, as the Rock was fighting through a variety of obstacles that made the tournament even more difficult.

“I was nervous because we had a lot of kids with bumps and bruises, but nobody was missing any shifts. Everybody was putting in the time and the work and overcoming their bumps and bruises and emotions. They didn’t quit. They’ve been in that situation a few times before and proved that they can continue to deal with that sort of pressure.”

U9 MD Boys find consistency, belief in Rock Cup silver

SPENCER SEYMOUR

Independent Sports Reporter

The Finnbilt Construction U9 MD Boys St. Marys Rock found new levels of consistency and confidence in capturing the silver medal at the Rock Cup tournament in St. Marys Feb. 6-8.

According to head coach Brett Graham, the team had very few lacklustre moments throughout the tournament.

“I thought the kids had a really great weekend,” Graham said. “We played some pretty good hockey. They were working hard, playing consistent and we were getting pucks out at our blueline, which has in the past come back to haunt us sometimes, but for almost the whole weekend, they were doing a really good job of doing that.”

The Rock went undefeated through the round-robin, winning all four of their games to earn a spot in the finals against the St. Thomas Junior Stars. Graham said the team’s consistency led them to their four straight victories.

“We talked about making sure that we were playing the entire 30 minutes,” Graham told the Independent. “They did a really good job of not having a bad period here or a bad period there or having a couple of bad shifts in a row. They were just very consistent in their game right through the whole tournament.”

That consistency, Graham noted, led to

his squad finding a deeper belief in themselves.

“It’s unbelievable considering how young they are. This team has really come a long way just since the start of the season. We weren’t playing very consistent hockey at the start. They are just believing in themselves now. That’s the biggest thing. I think they’re going out thinking now, ‘Hey, we can win this game.’

“The mentality of going into a game when you know you’re going to get beat up pretty good isn’t a lot of fun,” Graham continued. “But they’re going into all these games now thinking they can win every single game that they’re playing in, and that’s the biggest change I’ve seen in them.”

Graham further stated the team got major contributions throughout the weekend from the whole lineup.

“Angus (Palmer) had a bunch of great plays on defence and scored some big goals for us as well. Will (Graham) played a lot of hard-nosed minutes and shut guys down on the other team. Mason (Krauskopf), our goaltender, was always on his game, it seemed. Jackson (Monisit Brown) scored a bunch of our goals and is a kid we really rely on. There were definitely a lot of really great individual performances and moments. Every single player made contributions and played a very important role in the team’s success in the tournament.”

Finnbilt Construction U9 MD Boys

Lincs rebound from three-game losing skid with backto-back wins

The St. Marys Lincolns got back in the win column with a pair of victories to end a three-game losing streak.

The Lincolns dropped their third in a row on Feb. 11 to the London Nationals by a score of 6-5, largely due to a catastrophic second period in which London scored three powerplay goals. It marked the second time in three games the Lincolns’ penalty kill had been scored on three times.

Head coach Jeff Bradley noted the team’s lack of discipline and some poor puck management made the difference between winning and losing.

“We had some terrible turnovers, and we were undisciplined,” Bradley told the Independent. “We were taking penalties, and we weren’t able to kill them off. We shot ourselves in the foot, and we decided we were going to give an opponent a game that we desperately needed.”

Lincoln Moore led the Lincolns with a pair of goals, while Jakob Drobny scored his first career GOHL goal, and Oliver Lacko registered a pair of assists in his first game back in the Lincolns’ lineup since Jan. 16. Devun Colebrook and Blake Elzinga also found the back of the net.

The Lincolns did have a better showing against London than in their previous two losses against LaSalle and Stratford, but, according to coach Bradley, they had every chance to win, but ultimately faltered.

“I thought we saw some progress in some things that we should be happy with, and there were some guys who needed to step up who I thought did a really good

job,” Bradley said. “I saw our powerplay get a little bit better, in terms of our body and puck movement. We didn’t take a step back physically. But in the end, I thought we basically gave the game away.”

McMillan scores in dying seconds to lift Lincs past Sugar Kings

The Lincolns finally snapped out of their

winless drought on Feb. 13 with a 4-2 victory over the Elmira Sugar Kings, with Luke McMillan firing home the game-winning goal on a point shot that bounced and deflected into the net with 15.8 seconds left in the third period.

Although the Lincolns had a somewhat sleepy second period that saw El-

mira come back from being down 2-0 to tie the game at two apiece, Bradley said the team’s overall performance was much stronger.

“I felt that’s the team we are. That first period, I think that was us playing up to our capabilities, and to me, that’s about as good as we can be. In the first period, we were organized, we were physical, we were engaged, and we were focused in every aspect of our game.

“In the second period, we took a bit of a step back as far as decisions with the puck,” Bradley continued. “I thought we got away from making hard plays because I thought we got a little bit relaxed with the success we were having, and then that allowed Elmira to get back in the game. But then in the third period, I thought we got right back to it, and regardless of the way the winning goal went in, I thought that was a well-deserved win for us.”

First-period goals by Ethan Weir and Ryan Hodkinson got the Lincolns out to a 2-0 advantage in the first period, and Bradley praised the two forwards for turning in strong showings.

“I thought everybody played very, very well, but Ethan (Weir) can just take this team to a whole other level, and I thought his play dictated that,” said Bradley. “Putting him with Blake (Elzinga) and Ryan (Hodkinson) could be incredibly important for our team, but Ethan needs to play at that level to make that line go, and when he does, it could be an unstoppable line for us.”

“I thought Ryan had not been as dominant and MVP-like these last few games as

Lincs rebound from three-game losing skid with backto-back wins

he has been the entire season, and it took him one game to be the best player on the ice between two of the top teams in the league, so with him, you’re talking best player in the league category now. The impressive thing to me is that Ryan’s lows aren’t all that low. They’re still pretty high. I think that’s what separates good players from great players is their highs and lows, and he is never too low.”

After Lucas Nutting and Sam Ratcliffe tied the game in the second frame, the game stayed deadlocked until McMillan’s knuckle-baller found its way by Liam Reid. Chase McDougall then added an empty-netter.

According to Bradley, the game, given the Lincolns and Sugar Kings’ proximity to one another in the standings, was a must-win.

“Moral victories aren’t enough when you

played badly for three games. We need actual results, and that’s what we got (on Friday). We needed to win. The last time we played Elmira, we lost in overtime, but I thought we deserved better. We could call that a moral victory after our performance in Listowel the game before. But when you lose three straight in the fashion we lost them, I think we had to win and had to perform well, and our guys did that.”

Explosive first period guides Lincs to victory over Stars

In a Family Day matinee, the Lincolns erupted for four goals in the first period, en route to a 5-3 win over the St. Thomas Stars.

Colebrook, McMillan, Callum McAuley, and Declan Ready scored the four first-period goals in a span of nine minutes and 50 seconds.

Elzinga added another goal in the third period.

Bradley was pleased with the team’s execution of their gameplan, noting it was another step towards being at the level they want to maintain.

“I was happy with the result,” Bradley said. “I thought we were physical. I thought we just controlled the play from start to finish. We weren’t careless with the puck at all. We made low-risk plays and relied on our hockey sense and our strength. I think we were able to coast through the end of that game because our start was so good. It wasn’t the full 60-minute performance we wanted, but it was enough to get what we needed out of that game.”

Bradley added that Weir once again delivered a strong effort, as did the line of Ready, Jack Clarke, and Chase McDougall.

“I thought the (Jack) Clarke line really set the tone for us. They played against St. Thomas’ top line for all of the first period,

and it just put them on their heels. They hit them every chance they had and came with some offence as well. I also thought Ethan (Weir) had another really good game. He’s engaged physically, and when he is, he’s first on pucks. He’s able to use his brain quite a bit, and I think that’s a really advanced hockey brain.”

When reviewing the continued struggles with consistency, Bradley said the grind of the regular season and the team’s focus on succeeding in the playoffs are factors in their consistency.

“I just think there’s got to be some understanding from everybody that we’re not going to be able to get by not playing a full 60 minutes. It’s a long season, and these kids just cannot wait to get to the playoffs. They’ve shown that they’re able to snap out of it when they need to, and we’ve just got to trust that they’re going to do that when the time is most important.”

COLUMNS

UKRAINIAN CORNER:

ALONA VASYLIEVA Independent Columnist

The moment that second line appears on a pregnancy test, a clock starts ticking. It’s not just the biological countdown to birth; it’s the frantic, sweaty race to figure out who on God’s green earth is going to watch this tiny human so you can occasionally shower or, you know, afford to buy bread.

In Ukraine, the law says you get three years of maternity leave. On paper, it sounds like a spa retreat. In reality, unless your partner is a tech mogul or you’ve been hoarding hrivnia under your mattress since the ‘90s, three years at home is less “leisurely bonding” and more “extreme budgeting.”

I’ve learned two English expressions since moving to Canada that perfectly sum up this chaos:

“It takes a village to raise a child.”

“Bringing home the bacon.”

In my head, these have merged into one terrifying reality: “It costs a whole village’s worth of bacon just to pay the babysitter.” By the time you pay for child care so you can go to work, you’re basically working just to afford the person who is watching your kid so you can go to work. Every culture has its “child-care flavour.” The Ukrainian jackpot: If you live near your parents, you’ve won the lottery. While nannies are popular, many of us – myself included – initially balked at the idea of a stranger in the home. The idea of a stranger in my house made my eye twitch.

In Canada, we outsource our parenting to teenagers. I love the progression here: first, the kids take a “Home Alone” course. Then, they take a “Babysitting Course” to learn how to keep other people’s kids alive for pocket money. It’s a beautiful circle of life.

In Canada, discussing child care is the ultimate “polite” taboo. It’s a topic handled with more delicacy than a political

Olympic-level overthinking – building a village when the bacon is overpriced

The St. Marys Ukrainian Parents Club: Ukrainian mothers navigating the “Season of the Snot” and child-care chaos with a plan for Paris and a whole lot of heart.

debate and more fervor than a religious revival.

Securing a spot in Ontario is a feat of strength. You basically need to register your child’s name the morning after your first date with your husband. If you wait until you’re actually pregnant, you’re already 400th on the waitlist.

The only thing that saved my sanity was discovering junior kindergarten. The fact that Ontario lets four-year-olds go to

Straight from the Shelves

LAURA MCASH

St. Marys Public Library

Reading is knowledge and knowledge is power. February 22 to 26 is Freedom to Read Week, an annual event that encourages Canadians of all ages to reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom. Make the most of this week by making sure your Library card is up to date or by signing up for a card if you don’t have one already; it’s free! You can also check out our display of banned and challenged books in the Library and browse a list of titles available across PCIN (tinyurl.com/Freedom-to-ReadWeek).

Fri., Feb. 20: Open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 21: Edith’s Storytime Adventures (10 a.m.), Dungeons & Dragons (10 a.m.)

Mon., Feb. 23: Learning for Life - Grief and Loss with Jayne Dill* (6-8 p.m.)

Tues., Feb. 24: Tuesday Book Club* (11 a.m.), Tween Book Club* (6 p.m.)

Wed., Feb. 25: EarlyON Play & Read (9:30-10:30 a.m.), Mahjong (1-4 p.m.)

Thurs., Feb. 26: Open 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

*Registration Required

~Pyramid Recreation Centre 2/3rd Hall (317 James St. S, St. Marys)

school was like a gift from the heavens. It’s the perfect “pre-game” for real school, giving parents a few hours of silence – or at least, fewer hours of, “Mom, look at this rock!”

It is hard to believe that the 2022 arrivals have gone from surviving a move across the world to surviving the chaos of school registration for kids who were just newborns a moment ago. It’s a hilarious time warp where you realize you’ve raised a

bilingual hybrid who says, “Sorry,” like a polite local but still demands borsch for their school lunch.

When we first arrived and found jobs, I was a cocktail of joy and pure, unadulterated neurosis. It was mid-fall – the official Season of the Snot.

I had literal panic attacks: What if Alex gets sick? What if I get sick? I’m trying to show my boss I’m a reliable, hardworking professional, but I can’t exactly do that if I’m home wiping a nose every five minutes! I wasn’t just thinking; I was overthinking at an Olympic level.

Thankfully, we created the “Ukrainian Parents Club” of St. Marys. This isn’t just a group; it’s a high-functioning paramilitary organization. Snow Day? The WhatsApp group explodes. Bus Canceled? A logistical web of carpools is activated within seconds. Weather doesn’t cooperate? We don’t care.

We know each other’s schedules better than we know our own. It is a relief to have that mutual support. But let’s be honest, even the most devoted mother needs “Girl Power” to keep her mental health afloat. We don’t just “meet for coffee.” We host events. We have a rotating schedule of sanity-saving gatherings to ensure we don’t forget our own names. We’re currently planning an “International Brunch in Paris.” Will there be a view of the Seine or a view of a Tim Hortons in Ontario? We haven’t decided yet. Either way, there will be croissants and zero judgment.

One minute we’re hosting an edgy art gathering, and the next, we’re in full Bridgerton cosplay. We will drink tea with our pinkies up and gossip like Lady Whistledown on a double espresso, purely because it’s hard to feel like a “Diamond of the Season” when you usually have macaroni glued to your yoga pants.

Between these brunches and the glorious “Family Day” holiday in February, we manage to survive. We bring the bacon, we build the village and we keep the “Babysitting Situation” from winning.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are that of their authors and do not reflect the opinions of the St. Marys Independent or Grant Haven Media.

Clear the sidewalks, already!

I need to talk for a minute about the disgraceful condition of the sidewalks in St. Marys.

They are an embarrassment for anyone coming to visit our town. I’m not sure why the sidewalk plows haven’t been out, but it has been weeks since any of them have been out. As someone who loves to walk, I haven’t been able to.

If I go out, I have to walk on the road. I’m sure the drivers don’t like that very much. Hopefully they understand why I, and every other walker, have to walk on the road.

I have been on James Street trying to walk on the sidewalk and have seen the sidewalk plow going down the road. Wouldn’t it make sense to go down the sidewalk and clean them up!

We have a beautiful town, but the sidewalks are definitely not. If the sidewalks have been cleaned by the time this is in the Independent, then thank you, I guess, but it should have been done a long time ago. Jill Reid, St. Marys

HISTORIC ST. MARYS: Heritage Fair – 30th Edition

On Friday, February 20, from 7 to 9 in the evening, the 30th St. Marys Heritage Fair will be held at the community hall at the Pyramid Recreation Centre, 317 James Street South. Sponsored by the St. Marys Museum, this free event provides area groups and individuals the opportunity to promote and celebrate their local history projects and special collections. They will share their stories and their collecting passions with other exhibitors and with visitors who come to enjoy this very social event.

Some organizations are celebrating a special anniversary. For example, the Royal Canadian Legion was founded in 1926. As their national website states, 2026 marks 100 years of remembering those who served, 100 years of helping veterans, and 100 years of community service. Our own Royal Canadian Legion Branch 236 Perth Regiment Veterans will have a display at the Heritage Fair. Perhaps it will reveal plans for commemorating this special year in St. Marys.

The St. Marys Lincolns hockey team played its first season in 1956-7, 70 years ago. Jacques Cousineau, who played on the 1962-3 team that won an All-Ontario Champions, is an avid collector of Lincolns’ memorabilia. His display that includes programs, photographs, team jerseys, and newspaper articles is always a highlight at the Heritage Fair. This collector is so knowledgeable that even a short conversation with him is an education. For example, just ask about the team’s second All-Ontario Championship in 1976 – 50 years ago.

The Stonetowne Quilters Guild’s display will show how quilting has evolved though our country’s history. Even pioneer women with limited time and resources expressed their creativity by piecing together cloth fragments to make beautifully patterned quilts. They also served the practical purpose of keeping their families warm during the long winters. Today, honouring their predecessors, guild members create amazing, intricate works of fabric art. Piecemakers is a quilt show, sponsored alternate years by the Huron Perth Quilters’ Guild and the Stonetowne Quilters’ Guild. In 2026, the show will take place on April 23, 24 and 26 at the PRC. More information will be available at the Heritage Fair.

Although at this point in 2026, we seem to be caught in endless winter, two displays at the Fair will assure us that summer really is coming. The St. Marys Horticultural Society’s volunteers will have photographs of the public gardens throughout the town maintained by this wonderful group. They will be selling memberships and will be more than willing to talk to anyone who would like to become a volunteer gardener. Ann Slater will also be on hand promoting the St. Marys Farmers’ Market, beginning its 35th season on May 2, 2026. If not at that first May market, very soon after, marketgoers will be lining up for rhubarb, asparagus, and early salad greens.

Ken Telfer’s exhibit on preparing property history reports will be popular on Friday evening. Ken will explain how he leads the St. Marys Museum’s volunteer research team to create reports for owners of older homes and local buildings. About 25 years ago, as its archival resources expanded, the Museum started offering this service. Since then, reports have been prepared for more than 100 local and area properties. Through the years, the format of these reports has evolved. The earliest ones were mainly lists of names and dates for consecutive owners with a few extra details added to provide some context.

In the past decade or so, the Museum’s reports have become longer, partly because resources for researchers have increased thanks to the internet. As well as genealogical sites such as Ancestry.com, other sites are now open for anyone to access. For the Museum’s property researchers, the most important is the Government of Ontario’s OnLand. This site serves as a virtual Land Registry Office to search or browse records in the Ontario Land Registration system. It takes a bit of patience to learn what the abbreviations mean and to decipher the handwriting of some

early county registrars. But the documents found by using OnLand are the starting point when preparing a property history report.

Ontario’s census data from 1851 to 1931 is now available on-line and indexed for easy searching. This allows property researchers to gain information about the families that lived in a house through its history. Different census years provide different information, but most at least give the age, gender and country of birth for each member of the household. Usually, the occupation and religion of the head of the household are given and his/her relationship to the other people in that dwelling. It is common to find three generations living together under one roof. Later census records include more specific data: street addresses, number of rooms in the residence, yearly income, and even, in 1931, whether the household contained a radio.

Census information is most revealing when used with other historic resources. For example, the census provides the names and ages of household members. If a name is no longer there by the next census, cemetery records may show the exact date of death. Once this is established, the next step is to consult the microfilmed copies of the St. Marys Journal Argus to see if an obituary was published. In these historic newspapers, full obituaries are frequently found for adults but are more common for men than for women. Still, when a full obituary has been published, it may provide personal details not available elsewhere.

These details might include the person’s former occupation, his or her association with a club or organization, involvement with a church or a political party. Some of these leads can be more fully explored, again using newspaper articles and even advertisements for businesses. Other resources at the Museum include reference books on architecture and social history, township and local history books, and files of previous genealogical research. Using all these resources together, it is possible to create an interesting description of the history of a house and those who lived in it. At the Heritage Fair, Ken Telfer will have application forms available for anyone interested in having a property history prepared. This work is done completely by volunteers, doing the research as their time permits. In return for a completed property research report, homeowners are asked for a donation to the St. Marys Museum.

The St. Marys Museum will have a table of its own, selling memberships and promoting upcoming activities. The Friends of the St. Marys Museum are delighted to announce that on May 21, 2026, they are sponsoring a showing of the film, We Lend a Hand, the story of the young women who, during World War II, worked on Ontario

farms, taking the place of men on active service. To help with the war effort, farmers were urged to step up food production. But the produce of many farms and orchards could not have been harvested without the efforts of these young Farmerettes. The Museum’s table will have more information about the showing of this film.

February 20, 2026, will be a busy evening at the PRC. The Lincolns will be trying to secure the most advantageous playoff position. The Heritage Fair runs from 7 to 9 p.m. and so anyone going to the hockey game can drop in before the game starts or between periods. But most Heritage Fair visitors will come specifically to see the displays, to talk to the exhibitors, and to enjoy some social time during this very long winter. For more information, contact the St. Marys Museum: museum@town.stmarys.on.ca.

OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO:

It’s a question I get asked a lot; “Which is better, a river cruise or an ocean cruise?” The answer, of course, is “it depends.” I am writing this article because a significant number of the people who approach me have never done a river cruise, but they are considering it.

First off, there are not simply two categories of cruising. Ocean cruises now include a wide spectrum of options, from gigantic floating cities holding 5,000 or more passengers to more elite vessels that carry only 500-600 passengers and offer more personal service.

As well, ocean ship itineraries now range from the multi-port cruises of the Caribbean to voyages to Antarctica, through the North-West Passage, or, almost literally, cruises to everywhere with months-long, round-theworld itineraries.

That being said, ocean-going cruise ships tend to include a few things that many passengers love: casinos, Vegas-style entertainment, good bars and a variety of dining choices. We all know cruise veterans who no longer bother to get off the boat – they are there for all of the above and happy to avoid the hassle of dis-

embarking into a cookie-cutter port or a crowded tender to carry them landward.

And if that is to your taste, go for it. I will mention that a few of my acquaintances have tried smaller, ocean-going ships and have come away with a lot of praise for the increased level of personal service and high quality of dining options.

And what’s different about river cruises? Well, almost everything. Most of the big-ship amenities are missing and so are most of the passengers. For example, Viking longships on most European river cruises carry a maximum of 190 passengers, and that assumes every one of the 95 cabins has two occupants, which virtually never happens. Those figures apply to most of the river-cruise companies. Some of the rivers (like the Seine) require slightly smaller boats, so they never top 170 passengers.

There will also be 50-plus crew on board, most of whom are there as cleaning staff or restaurant servers, so excellent personal service is not just the norm, it is inevitable.

Some things will seem very different for first timers used to ocean ships. The entertainment is confined to the multi-purpose lounge (also the location of the bar, educational seminars and the daily briefing sessions). Usually, the format is rather piano-bar-like, but there will also be special entertainment. I have enjoyed light opera, flamenco, pop music and concerts reflecting local culture. There is a small area for dancing.

In my experience, dining on river cruises has always been top-notch, but there is not a wide

choice of restaurants – the ships have one dining room with no tables for just two, by the way, so you inevitably meet other travellers, and another spot on the upper deck with a few tables and a chance to dine al fresco in nice weather. I have always found that there is a wide and generous choice of menu options. And although river cruise ships offer relatively inexpensive beverage packages, if you like wine or beer, the already included pourings at mealtime are generous.

Apart from the lack of crowds and consistently superb service, the best thing about river cruises is your proximity to the destinations you are visiting on the cruise. There is a marked difference in comparison to many ocean cruises. Here, there is no stereotypical port with gold shops, souvenir stands and the like. The ship ties up at the dock and you are almost always immediately moments from the heart of the town or city.

While river cruise itineraries tend to include a daily excursion at no up-charge and also offer frequent add-ons (some pricey, some very worthwhile such as our recent visit to the wineries of Châteauneuf-du-Pape), you can also easily explore historic towns on your own, a mere stroll away from your stateroom.

Of course, both ocean and river cruises can include unanticipated problems. On the river, you are unlikely to encounter the rough seas that can happen in the ocean-going vessels, but high or low water levels in the rivers can disrupt schedules. The last stage of our cruise to Budapest saw us taking a bus from Vienna because the water level in the Danube was

Which cruise is the cruise for you?

dangerously high.

So, the choice is yours. There are advantages to either option, ocean or river. I have done both.

My favourite ocean cruise was a voyage in the eastern Mediterranean that took me places I would be unlikely to see any other way – Ephesus, Santorini, Dubrovnik and Malta among them. I loved it.

But more recently, my cruising has been on the rivers of Europe – the Danube, the Rhone, the Bordeaux region, the Rhine – and I can honestly report that I have enjoyed every moment. I have always travelled with Viking River

Cruises, though I hear positive reports of other cruise companies, as well.

It is clear that with many Canadians looking for alternate travel options these days, cruising has become an option that is attracting a lot of interest. So, wherever and however you choose to go, bon voyage!

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.

FROM THE GARDEN: The promise of renewed life

In the dead of winter, when my garden is still only a memory under its blanket of snow, I reach for my cherished seed box, a reminder of hope. Leafing through the envelopes of seeds I saved last fall creates mounting anticipation for my garden to return to its glory. Each seed is a quiet promise. Winter is not here forever. The sun rises higher in the sky, and its rays are warmer. Spring is coming.

Hues of brown, gray, lifeless seeds seem insignificant to most people. But to a gardener they are a treasured commodity. They may be a fragment of last summer’s garden, but encapsulated within, they are the expectation and aspiration of the coming garden season.

Even if we have a hoard of precious seeds, many of us have

more we want to plant on our wish list. It is however, when purchasing seeds, most important to get reliable seeds from a dependable source. Seeds grown and produced that will be compatible for our garden zone is also imperative.

Canada’s seed legacy is far richer than most people realize. More than 120 seed companies operate across the country, many of them small, passionate operations preserving varieties that might otherwise be lost. These are seeds shaped by our climate — tomatoes toughened by prairie winds, beans carried through generations in Maritime kitchens, squash grown from seeds once traded along Indigenous travel routes.

The oldest seed company in Canada is Halifax Seed Company, founded in 1866 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It began as a small waterfront sea merchant and has remained a continuously family-run business ever since. The company quickly became known for supplying vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, along with tools and gardening supplies. Today, the Halifax Seed Company is operated by fourth-generation Tregunno family members, has maintain its legacy, and is considered a cornerstone of Canadi-

The recent tragic shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. has left both the community and Canadians grieving. As we mourn these losses, it’s vital to focus on the factors affecting youth today, especially those impacting their mental health. Young people in Canada face various mental-health challenges that can seriously affect their wellbeing and development.

Experts point to a combination of social pressures, academic expectations and the pervasive influence of social media as contributing factors to this trend. Many young Canadians report feeling overwhelmed by schoolwork, extracurricular activities, family discourse and the constant comparison to peers. For youth especially, mental-health struggles can feel overwhelming, making the path forward seem daunting.

an horticultural history.

Many gardeners order seeds from various seed companies in Canada. This practice has been added to our online shopping habits in the past few years. But it isn’t that new as you may think. Matter of fact, William Bradley of Georgetown, Ontario, as a way to keep his appliance store employees busy, started a mail-order business for seed packets. That was in 1928 and the Dominion Seed House of Georgetown, Ontario was established. This seed company was hugely influential. The Dominion Seed House perfected a national mail-order seed catalogue, which was available across the country and was highly welcomed in rural areas with limited retail options. Their marketing and branding in the post war era up to the 1970’s presented gardening as a lifestyle, not just a necessity. Their catalogue was colourful, highlighting new and exclusive seed varieties as well as tools and garden supplies. I recall, growing up, the Dominion Seed House catalogue was coveted by my Mum, an avid gardener. Her ritual on winter’s days was leafing through this seed catalogue, marking and making her list of vegetables and flowers for the garden. This is a tradition that I follow as well with my seed

Despite these struggles, hope can be found in supportive relationships, connection and access to resources, together with the resilience that young people often demonstrate. Finding hope may involve small steps such as community programs, talking with a trusted adult and peer support, all of which play key roles in fostering optimism and recovery. Offering understanding, guidance and practical assistance is vital for helping youth navigate mental health and family difficulties. It’s important to remember that healing is not a linear journey.

We can encourage families to connect with health professionals for medical review and planning, access mental health experts for ongoing care, and learn warning signs and contact appropriate authorities in crisis situations.

While the road ahead may be difficult, hope emerges as a powerful force and

catalogues. The Dominion Seed House perhaps helped shape the modern Canadian seed catalogue. Besides ordering from seed companies, seeds can be purchased at our local hardware stores, big-box retail stores and garden centres. But, more exciting for gardeners across Canada in February and March are the ‘Seedy Saturday’ events. Gardeners of all types, age and experience look forward to these fun events to escape the thoughts of winter and embrace the upcoming gardening season. ‘Seedy Saturdays’ and in some cases they happen on a Sunday, is a

gardener’s paradise. They are the perfect place to swap or exchange seeds with other seed savers, attend workshops and talks, buy seeds from local seed companies and purchase gardening related wares from vendors. The London Middlesex Master Gardeners are hosting their annual ‘Seedy Saturday’ on March 7 at Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre, 656 Elizabeth Street, London from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on London’s biggest gardening festival check out https://londonmiddlesexmastergardeners.com/ seedy-saturday-2026/

guiding light. By reaching out, supporting one another and nurturing open dialogue, families and youth can move forward one day at a time towards a brighter future.

Together, we can honour the memory of the precious lives lost in Tumbler Ridge by embracing a renewed commitment to mental-wellness reform across our nation. My thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and families as we seek a way forward to better support struggling youth and their families.

Here are a few free confidential resources for youth, families and communities. Visit their websites and become familiar with their services.

• ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600, text 247247, or connexontario.ca

• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868, text 686868 or visit the website online

• Reach Out call: 519-433-2023 or 1-866933-2023 or text 1-519-433-2023

• Psychology Today: A directory to find a private fee-for-service Therapist in your area

Editor’s note: The information provided in this document is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional intervention, advice, psychological, or therapeutic care. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental-health crisis or requires specialized support, please consult a qualified health-care provider, go to your local emergency or contact 911. Always seek individualized guidance from licensed professionals regarding any questions or concerns you may have about mental health or family matters.

Michell Henderson is a registered social worker with MH Counselling and Therapy in Thorndale. To reach out about her column, email mhenderson.msw.rsw@outlook.com.

Riddles

I spin and jump in sparkly clothes, on shiny ice with fancy toes. What sport am I?

Figure skating

We sweep and slide a heavy stone, yelling “Hurry!” in a loud tone. What sport are we playing?

Curling

I’m a race that’s fast and tight, skaters lean into the turn just right. What sport am I?

Speed skating

I fly through the air on skis so long, trying to land smooth and strong. What sport am I?

Ski jumping

I twist and flip with snowy flair, off a ramp and through the air. What sport am I?

Freestyle skiing

We chase a puck across the ice, with sticks in hand — it’s fast and nice! What sport are we playing?

Ice hockey

Four athletes push, then jump inside, down the icy track we glide. What sport are we in?

Bobsledding

I race across snow, far and wide, using only skis to glide. What sport am I?

Cross-country skiing

I ride a board on snowy ground, carving turns without a sound. What sport am I?

Snowboarding

Riddle Kid

youtakeawayfrom me. What am I?

- Word Search -

SPONSORED BY:

Adult Learning Programs of Perth, Upstairs at the St. Marys Public Library (700 Church Street North, St. Marys, ON) | Phone: 519.284.4408 | Cell: 226.374.8231 alearning@town.stmarys.on.ca | www.adultlearningperth.ca | Facebook: @AdultLearningProgramsofPerth

WINTER OLYMPIC SPORTS

Alpine skiing

Curling

Figure skating

Nordic combined

Speed skating

Biathlon

Ice hockey

Ski mountaineering

Snowboard

Skeleton

Freestyle skiing

Bobsleigh

Short track

Cross country

Alpine skiing

Ski jumping

St. Marys Veterinary Clinic is pleased to be the sponsor of the

PET OF THE WEEK

BREATHE EASY: WINTER WELLNESS FOR PETS

Did you know that cold weather and close indoor contact can increase the spread of respiratory infections in pets? If your furry friend is coughing, sneezing, showing nasal discharge, or appearing lethargic, it’s important not to ignore these signs. Early veterinary care can help prevent complications and keep your pet happy and healthy. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help!

GHOST

Our Pet of the Week is Ghost, a 15-year-old husky/ shepherd cross. Ghost and her family, Rick and Cynthia Giasson, moved to St. Marys a year ago and love it here. If Ghost could talk this is what she would say. “I can’t wait to go on walks everyday! I’m a true husky that loves to be outside, especially in all these blizzards we’ve had here. I’ll come in the house to warm up if I’m coaxed in with treats, but then I want back out.”

Thorndale News

Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society February meeting colourful and inspiring

Brian Trapp, the Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society’s February meeting speaker, provided members with an illuminating and inspiring presentation, “Gardening with Dahlias and Roses,” on a cold winter evening.

Trapp, an avid gardener, was inspired by a neighbor’s garden in Fort St. Johns, B.C., at a very young age. He now lives in Dorchester.

Trapp began growing dahlias in 2009, starting with only nine plants. Over the years, he developed a growing passion for these beauties, and he now has more than 700 varieties of dahlias, along with many roses in his eight gardens. He also maintains a small greenhouse, riverside gardens on his property and floral patches of sunflowers.

In his presentation, Trapp said he has found turkey-manure compost from a local supplier in Putnam that boosts the growth and flower production for both his dahlias and roses. Though a rose plant normally produces 12 flowers initially, with the addition of this poultry compost to the

soil, he’s seen flower production increase by more than five times over successive

A mild winter day perfect for family fun at Thorndale

Winter Carnival

years. He also said he has found with this poultry compost, when applied, his canna and rose leaves change colour and it deters the Japanese Beetles from feeding on them.

Growing dahlias is Trapp’s passion and he opens his gardens to the public in August for everyone to come and enjoy his prized beauties.

The next meeting of the Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society is set for Wednesday, March 11, with another informative speaker. Lisa Finkbeiner will deliver a presentation on “Tricks to Change the Colours of your Hydrangeas.” With the society’s first official meeting being on March 28, 1996, they will also be celebrating its 30th anniversary at this meeting with cake, awards and memories shared by founding members.

The Thorndale and Area Horticultural Society has led and directed the beautification of Thorndale in the many gardens and planters they maintain throughout the community. Their tireless energy and work over the years adds to vibrancy of Thorndale.

Thorndale area home lost in fire

ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT Staff Contribution

The Thames Centre Fire Department responded to a fully involved residential structure fire at 21473 Nissouri Rd., southwest of Thorndale, on the afternoon of Saturday, Feb. 7.

Firefighters from both stations worked for hours in the freezing temperatures to bring the fire under control. Middlesex Centre Fire Services –Arva Station also assisted with water-shuttling operations.

There were no injuries to people as a result of the fire, however, a family dog was lost in the blaze.

The Thames Centre Fire Department fire investigators have not been able to determine the cause due to the extensive damage. However, the fire is not considered suspicious. There is no estimate of dollar loss at this time. The home is a complete loss.

HELP WANTED

Hills Resort Embro, Ontario is now accepting applications for

All applicants must hold the following qualifications:

• Current Certification of National Lifeguard Service (NLS)

• Current Certification in Standard First Aid and C.P.R.

• Experience working with children

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment

Positions If interested, please forward your resume to: Email: thebakers@happyhills.com Or call if you have any questions: 519-475-4471

For full job descriptions, see our website: www baseballhalloffame ca Museum Assistant - 1 full-time position

$18 60/hr (weekdays and weekends)

Maintenance – 1 full-time position Pay: $20 10/hr (weekdays and weekends)

Application deadline for all positions: Feb 27, 2026

Start date for all jobs will be late April

IN MEMORIAM

Andrew L. Hodges

In Loving Memory

Looking Back

Dollar Days

25 years ago (2001)

Wild turkeys are back. Sixteen of the birds, which were recently brought up from Tennessee, were released last Tuesday in Fullarton Township. The release came about through a cooperative partnership between several groups. The location of the release is not being publicized at this time so to give the turkeys an opportunity to settle into their new location. Although the wild turkey is native to Ontario, it disappeared from the province in the early 1900s due to habitat destruction and unregulated hunting.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY WONDERFUL HUSBAND

Ken Annis

Many lonely heartaches

Often a silent tear

But always a beautiful memory

Of one I loved so dear.

To your resting place I visit

And place your flowers there with care

But no one knows the heartache

When I walk away and leave you there.

If tear drops could build a stairway

And memories were a lane

I would walk all the way to heaven And bring you home again.

THANK YOU

Mabel Ballantyne

I want to sincerely thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for cards, flowers, gifts and for coming to my 100th birthday party. Every one of you made my day. No one knows just how much I appreciated your kindness and thoughtfulness.

May God bless every one of you with the best of health and happiness forever down the road.

With warmest regards and many Thanks again, Mabel Ballantyne

When word got out on the street that the Youth Centre was missing CDs, youth began searching their collections at home. Several CDs doubling up in cases or slimmed into someone else’s case by volunteer D.J.s at dances were returned last week.

50 years ago (1976)

Councillor Ernie Tucker has noted quite a change in town operational costs since 1887. Ernie produced an 1887 copy of the Journal giving total town expenditure of $28,000 in that year at a recent meeting of Town Council.

Numerous citizens probably wondered if Town Hall was being raided last Tuesday morning. The assembled police cruisers were, however, simply there as a result of the monthly crime conference attended in St. Marys by officers from police departments throughout Perth and Huron Counties.

75 years ago (1951)

Some local businesspeople and their employees are occupying all day parking space on Queen Street when their cars could be placed elsewhere with the former space left for shoppers.

Mr. Roberts, teacher at the West Ward School, has done a fine job in providing an open-air rink on the north end of the school grounds. Scores of youngsters from the neighbourhood find this a very attractive spot.

100 years ago (1926)

President James McLean of the Ontario Fairs’ Association attributes much credit to the 360 fairs and exhibitions in Ontario for the success that Canada’s cattle, horses, sheep and swine have attained at the great international fairs where Canadian stock stands in the forefront - demonstrating that Canada is one of the best breeding grounds for livestock in the world.

The merchandize bargains offered by St. Marys retail stores on Dollar Days last Friday and Saturday drew a very large crowd of eager buyers to local stores, and a huge quantity of goods was turned over by the enterprising businessmen who participated in the annual sale. On Saturday afternoon, the streets were lined with people, some of whom had come miles attracted by the specials advertised in last week’s issue.

CLASSIFIED ADS CLASSIFIED ADS

WANTED

$ Cash Paid $ for your RECORDS and LPs. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Fold, Soundtracks, and more. Selectively buying CDs, Cassettes, Turntables, and Stereo Equipment. For more information: Diamond Dogs Music 114 Ontario St. Stratford/ 226-972-5750

WANTED TO BUY

All collectibles including sports cards, beanie babies, Funko pops and stamps. Highest prices paid. Free appraisals.Are you downsizing or need an estate clean out? We can help. Call or text Stan anytime 519-868-3814.

WANTED

I will pay cash for antiques and collectibles. Coca Cola, Pepsi or any pop company. Brewery items - Kuntz, Huether Labatts, etc. Old radios and gramophones, wristwatches, pocket watches, old fruit jars - Beaver Star, Bee Hive etc. Any old oil cans and signs - Red Indian, Supertest etc. Any small furniture. If you are moving or cleaning out stuff please contact me at 519-570-6920.

FOR SALE

Hundreds of shade trees, fruit trees, apples, pears, peaches, plums, sweet and sour cherries, apricots, nectarines, blueberries, haskapp grapes, raspberries, elderberries etc. Lots of spruce, pine, cedars for windbreak and privacy hedges. Sizes 1-8 ft. in containers ready to go. Flowering shrubs and much more. Mon-Sat 7:00am to 6:00pm. Martin’s Nursery, 42661 Orangehill Rd Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0 (1 Conc. North of Wroexter on Belmore Line)

FOR SALE

First and second cut hay - 4’ x 5’ round bales for sale. 519-461-0067

MOVING SALE

We are moving! Everything must go! Two-year old queen bed set. Brand new AC window unit. Two-drawer storage unit for kitchen. Pyrex casserole dishes. Quilts, bedding, towels. Large dog crate. Computer Desk. Many kitchen items and so much more. Call 226-261-3660 or email revjanet.jollylockyer@yahoo.ca

or email us at info@stmarysindependent.com

CORRECTIONS:

1. An error was printed in this story, “Kinsmen Club of St. Marys gearing up for Summerfest concert series,” printed on page 7 on the Feb. 12 St. Marys Independent. In the first paragraph, the author of the article indicated that the concert series would run from Friday to Saturday, July 23-25. In fact, the series will run from Thursday to Saturday, July 23-25. The Great Canadian Midway will continue on Sunday, July 26, after the conclusion of the concert series. In the sixth paragraph, the author indicated that the funds raised from the event would go towards struggling teens in need. In fact, the Kinsmen are discussing all ideas on how to use funds in the community to serve the community’s greatest need. We regret any confusion this may have caused.

2. An error was printed in the story, “Roof leak causes delays on blue rink,” on page 5 of the Feb. 12 St. Marys Independent. In the story, the delay to the tournament occurring at the Pyramid Recreation Centre was described as lasting an hour and 20 minutes. This was not correct, and by the time the situation reached its conclusion, the delay ended up being approximately 20 minutes on each ice pad. We regret the confusion this may have caused. Additionally, the Independent issues a formal retraction of the commentary, “The St. Marys sports community deserves better,” on page 4. We regret how we covered this issue and will strive to do better.

3. An error was printed in the Week Ahead events calendar in the Feb. 12 edition of the St. Marys Independent. In the listing for Stratford Walking Tours’ Feb. 14 walking tour, we stated the tour started from the M & M Craft Building when, in fact, the tour’s start location was only shared with participants after they signed up. An article on this walking tour published in the Jan. 29 edition of the St. Marys Independent also included the incorrect start location. The owner of Stratford Walking Tours would also like to clarify advance tickets are always required for these walking tours and they should be purchased online at www.stratfordwalkingtours.ca ahead of time. We regret any confusion this may have caused.

SATURDAY MEAT DRAWS

Enjoy an evening of drinks and friends and try your lucky at quality meat prizes!

FRIDAY HOT DOG LUNCH

Drop in for a delicious hot dog at the Legion baraffordable and tasty!

TUESDAY BUDDY CHECK

Free coffee, friendly conversation, and looking out for one another!

BINGO FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Fun, prizes, and a great social afternoon!

INFORMATION Branch 236, St. Marys

HALL RENTALS

All persons having claims against the Estate of Matthew Arbogast Mackey, late of Stratford, Ontario, deceased, who died on October 18, 2025, are hereby notied to send into the undersigned Personal Representative of the said deceased, on or before the 17th day of March, 2026, full particulars of their claims. After the said date, the Personal Representative will distribute the assets of the said deceased, having regard only to the claims of which he shall then have notice. DATED at Stratford, Ontario, this 2nd day of February, 2026.

A. Paul Parlee

Personal Representative by his Solicitors, KDB Law Professional Corporation Barristers & Solicitors 14 Erie Street, Box 902, N5A 6S8 Stratford, Ontario N5A 2M4

THE WEEK AHEAD

SPONSORED BY: McDonald’s St. Marys 752 Queen St. E., St. Marys Founding and Forever partner of Ronald McDonald House

PRC & Friendship Centre events – See the Stonetown Crier on Page 5

St. Marys Public Library events – See Page 22

FRIDAY, FEB 20

- Royal Canadian Legion hot dog lunch at Noon

- A.N.A.F. meat draw – 6 p.m.

- St. Marys Heritage Fair at the PRC – 7-9 p.m.

- St. Marys Lincolns vs Strathroy Rockets at the PRC –7:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, FEB 21

- Royal Canadian Legion meat draw – 5 p.m.

- Thorndale Ag Society presents “A Murder of Scarecrows” (dinner & show) – 6 p.m. at Thorndale Community Centre, 265 Queen St, Thorndale, Call 519-4610218, $50

SUNDAY, FEB 22

- Thorndale Ag Society presents “A Murder of Scarecrows” (brunch & show) – 12:30 p.m. at Thorndale Community Centre, 265 Queen St, Thorndale, Call 519461-0218, $50

MONDAY, FEB 23

- Community dinner at St. Marys United Church – 5 p.m., Sponsored by Hodges Funeral Home

- The Learning for Life: Grief & Loss event with Jayne Dill at the PRC – 6 p.m.

TUESDAY, FEB 24

- Royal Canadian Legion buddy check coffee – 10 a.m. to Noon

- Knit-A-Long event at Riverwalk Commons – 6:30-7:30 p.m., $10

- St. Marys Legion cribbage – Starts 7 p.m. sharp

WEDNESDAY, FEB 25

- Town of St. Marys candidate info session at the PRC –6-9 p.m.

- St. Marys Ministerial Lenton lunch & devotion at St. Marys United Church – 12:15 p.m.

- Thorndale Ag Society presents “A Murder of Scarecrows” (show only) – 8 p.m. at Thorndale Community Centre, 265 Queen St, Thorndale, Call 519-461-0218, $25

THURSDAY, FEB 26

- A.N.A.F. sausage on a bun – 12-1:30 p.m.

Our plan to protect Ontario is diversifying our trade

As Canada stares down economic uncertainty, we’re ready with a plan to protect Ontario.

Diversifying our trade will connect our province to new markets.

That’s how we protect Ontario.