St. Marys Independent - July 2, 2026

Visitors and staff at the Friendship Centre can expect a more accessible, functional and modern space after St. Marys council awarded the contract for a long-planned interior refresh of the facility.

At its June 23 regular meeting, council awarded the project to Trigon Construction Management for $115,700.70 and approved

additional funding from the town’s general capital reserve to cover the project cost.

“This project is in regards to doing a lot of accessibility and staffing-ergonomics upgrades to the Friendship Centre,” St. Marys recreation operations manager Doug LaPointe told council. “The office area where all the program and support staff work has kind of shrunk in relation to how many staff we have, so the number of staff have

SIMMONS Regional Editor

As work to transform the West Quarry into a passive recreational space nears completion, St. Marys council has approved a new bylaw establishing the rules governing how the public can use the site.

Council passed the new quarries bylaw at its June 23 regular meeting, replacing the town’s previous quarry bylaw and introducing regulations specific to the newly redeveloped West Quarry while maintaining rules for the East Quarry.

“As we’re reaching a point of substantial completion for the West Quarry enhancement, we are looking to provide a housekeeping matter because of the current provisions in the quarries bylaw,” said St. Marys clerk Jenna McCartney. “ … There is a list of examples of how we are looking to not formally amend (the bylaw) but put forward a brand-new bylaw.”

The new bylaw formally permits fishing from the land surrounding the quarry, the use of human-powered watercraft such as canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, and passive recreational activities within the West Quarry between dawn and dusk. It also formally renames the quarries from the Swimming Quarry and Fishing Quarry to the East Quarry and West Quarry respectively.

Unlike the East Quarry, which is designated for supervised swimming and non-motorized watercraft only when municipal lifeguards are on duty, the West Quarry has been designed as a passive recreational space centred on enjoying

COMMUNITY

the waterfront and surrounding greenspace.

“Swimming; we are maintaining a prohibition of that in the West Quarry at this present time,” McCartney said. “I have been asked a very realistic question; why? I don’t have a great answer for that right now, other than at one point in time, the town’s insurer suggested that was not a risk-adverse option for the town, so we’re investigating that with our insurer right now and waiting to hear feedback.

“Should we be stopping it and, if we

West Quarry St.

do, what does that look like?”

The bylaw prohibits overnight use of either quarry and bans access to the West Quarry water surface annually from Dec. 1 through March 30 – a measure that effectively prohibits ice fishing due to the potential risks associated with shifting ice.

It also prohibits members of the public from entering areas that have been posted as restricted or closed.

To help protect both visitors and the newly restored site, the bylaw also prohibits climbing quarry structures, rock

faces, overhangs and fencing, as well as damaging vegetation, fencing or other infrastructure. Visitors are also prohibited from entering areas undergoing repairs or restoration work.

Violations of the bylaw can result in fines under the Provincial Offences Act.

The bylaw comes as the town wraps up the West Quarry enhancements project, a months-long effort to remove industrial hazards left behind from the site’s former quarry operations and prepare it for public use.

Cleanup work included removing

waste concrete, steel and other debris, clearing invasive vegetation and hazardous trees, improving access to the water and creating new greenspace while preserving six historic concrete quarry pillars as a heritage feature.

When the project was announced earlier this year, town officials described the goal as creating a flexible public space where residents and visitors could enjoy activities such as fishing, paddling, picnicking and relaxing along the waterfront while leaving future enhancements open to further public consultation.

outgrown the area.

“We’re looking to update that with some redesign and also the accessibility upgrades; the entranceway needs to be updated, and we know that there are some traffic-flow problems. We’d like to open up the foyer area a little bit more to allow for people to flow through the centre a little bit better. And also, we felt it was a good time to update the paint scheme of the centre.”

Located inside the Pyramid Recreation Centre, the Friendship Centre has served as a hub for seniors’ programming and services for the past 20 years.

The project is intended to improve both the experience of visitors and the working environment for staff as demand for programming at the centre continues to grow.

Among the planned upgrades is a redesign of the entrance area to create a

larger, more open foyer that can better accommodate visitors, including those using mobility scooters, walkers and other accessibility devices. The work will also include replacing the existing entrance door with an automatic sliding door to further improve accessibility.

Behind the scenes, office spaces will be reconfigured to improve staff ergonomics and provide additional workstations to support the growing number of employees delivering senior services.

The project will also include a new reception area and welcome desk, along with a complete repainting of the public and office spaces. The refreshed colour palette will replace the centre’s original early-2000s finishes with lighter, more contemporary colours intended to brighten the facility and complement updated décor and signage.

“I’ve received a lot of positive comment about this project and I think it’s

absolutely worth doing. I’ll be happy to see what it looks like when it’s done,” deputy mayor Brogan Aylward said before council voted to award the tender.

Council approved transferring an additional $9,192.06 from the general capital reserve to cover the difference between the approved capital budget and the successful tender price.

An additional $13,861 was also approved from the reserve after donations originally expected to fund portions of the project fell short of earlier estimates.

The project had originally anticipated donations covering the ergonomic upgrades and painting components, but available donations totalled less than expected.

Six prequalified contractors submitted bids for the project following a competitive procurement process. After reviewing the submissions, staff recommended awarding the contract to Trigon Construction Management as the proposal offering the best overall value to the municipality.

EDITORIAL

As our summers keep getting hotter, we need to make AC mandatory in Ontario

For the first time since I moved away from home, I have central air conditioning. Though I definitely took it for granted as a kid, living without it as a renter for more than a de-

cade has given me a deep appreciation of how drastic a person’s quality of life can improve once they have AC in their home.

From high-rise apartment buildings to single-story houses, I’ve lived without AC in nearly every kind of rental. I remember long, sleepless nights covered in sweat with an electric fan on high blowing straight into my face, and days when the heat was so oppressive I couldn’t do anything except sit in my living room in nothing but my underwear with an ice pack on my head, trying to move as little as possible. (Sorry for that mental image).

When I first moved to the Stratford, I rented the cheapest

Bravo Boo

We have 2 Bravos this week

1) I lost my iPhone and a local couple turned it into the fire hall. It was given to the fire chief who got it back to me all within two hours of losing it. Small town St. Marys at its best. Bravo!

2) Downtown St. Marys looks absolutely stunning with the strings of lights at night. The flowers are very eye-catching with the greens and purples. Cudos to whoever had these brilliant ideas. Very welcoming.

apartment I could find – the attic of a three-story home. As we all know, heat rises and gets trapped in the top level of a home. It got so hot in my attic apartment, there was no amount of fan power, cold showers or open windows that could help me stay cool.

At the time, I didn’t have enough money saved to buy an air conditioner, so I had to beg friends and family members until someone finally gave me one. A year later, that air conditioner ended up leaking, staining the bricks below my window, so, at my landlord’s insistence, I had to go through the same process all over again until my sister, who was moving back home at

We have 1 Boo this week 1) Boo to the dark coloured SUV driving up Southvale late Sunday night who threw soft drink cups out their window. St. Marys is a nice, clean town and we don’t need your trash on our streets. Do better!

the time, agreed to lend me hers. It definitely wasn’t enough to keep the whole attic cool, but at least it was on wheels and I could roll it from room to room as I went about my day. Had it not been for those air conditioners, I’m not sure I could have actually lived in my apartment on some of those hotter days.

With this week’s heat warnings and temperatures rising into the 40s, I can’t help but think back to those days and wonder how I would manage this heat without central air. I am truly no good in the heat. It affects my mood, it affects my relationships, it affects my health and, since I work at home, it affects my work.

As our summers continue to

trend hotter, I think it’s important we remember those lower-income renters who either can’t afford to buy an AC or have window-box and portable air conditioners that simply can’t compete with this heat. I truly believe having a living space that can be kept at a comfortable room temperature should be a human right, not a privilege for those who can afford it. We should make it mandatory in Ontario for landlords to provide AC that can keep their units between 22 and 23 degrees Celsius even when the temperature outside reaches the mid 40s. It’s not just a comfort thing; it’s a health-and-safety thing.

Quote of the Week

“The hard work from these guys, the character of them. They’re Canadian heroes. That’s what I told them at the end. They’re now Canadian heroes. I’m so happy for them.”

- Jesse Marsch, Canada’s World Cup head coach, after Stephen Eustáquio and the Canadian national team defeated South Africa 1-0 to advance to the round of 16 for the first time ever.

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

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Wendy Lamond • wendylamond74@gmail.com

Contributors

June Grant, Spencer Seymour, Emily Stewart, Jake Grant, Mary Smith, Nancy Abra, Lauren Eedy, Paul Knowles, Amy Cubberley, Laura McAsh, Alona Vasylieva, Nancy Bickell

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

Always make time for the things that make you feel alive. If you can change your mind, you can change your life. You are not made for everyone to like you. Be yourself and the right ones will. Make yourself a priority once in a while. It’s not selfish, it’s necessary.

Legion hot dog lunches take summer break

St. Marys Legion Branch 236 recently hosted its final Friday hot dog lunch before taking a break for the summer. The popular weekly lunches are offered by donation, with proceeds supporting the Legion’s programs and services. Rev. Pirie Mitchell thanked the volunteers for their hard work throughout the season, while musical entertainment was provided by Gloria Connell, Daisy Anderson and Margaret DeLong, who have performed together for approximately 30 years. The weekly hot dog lunches will resume Sept. 11. In the photo, Connell, Anderson and DeLong entertain diners during the lunch.

The latest municipal news from the Town of St. Marys

ELECTION NOMINATIONS

NOW OPEN

Nomination packages are available for pickup by appointment only during the construction of the Church St stairs at Town Hall Please call 519-284-2340 ext. 212 or email clerksoffice@town stmarys on ca Municipal nomination forms must be filed in person (by appointment) at St Marys Town Hall by Friday, August 21 at 2 PM Nomination forms for school board candidates shall be filed with the respective municipalities

QUARRY OPEN FOR SEASON

Cool off this summer at Canada’s largest outdoor freshwater swimming pool The Quarry is open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM Splash, climb and slide at the Super Splas Marys inflatable park (tickets sold separa

Learn more: townofstmarys.com/quarry

There's fun for everyone at the annual Stonetown Heritage Festival on Saturday, July 25! This free event celebrates the cultures, stories and histories that shape the past and present of St Marys The festival features family-friendly activities, heritage tours, art, vendor's and farmers' market, and live music and dance More details: townofstmarys com/elections

STONETOWN HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Learn more: discoverstmarys ca

TOWN HALL STAIR RECONSTRUCTION

Town Hall’s outdoor staircases are currently undergoing construction Access to the Town Hall service desk and public washroom will be closed for approximately six weeks Services usually offered at Town Hall will be provided online, by phone or at other municipal facilities

Our seniors of the week are Ray and Pat Iredale who celebrated their 59th anniversary in June. Ray was born in Stratford and grew up in St. Marys. Pat was born in Burford and met the love of her life while living in rural Thamesford at the age of 14. Together they have one daughter, one granddaughter and one great -grandson whom they are extremely proud of. The pair have raised purebred, registered beagles and German shorthaired pointers. They enjoy camping, canoeing, fishing, hunting, playing cards and visiting craft breweries and wineries. After 10 years of being retired, they are still waiting for the day that they can get out of bed and say “Gee, I have absolutely nothing to do today.” That just hasn’t happened yet.

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. What is the birthstone of July? 2. What is the fictional island in Mamma Mia called?

3. What is the capital city of Australia? 4. What do you call a beginner surfer? 5. What is the Italian name for ice cream?

Multi-day heat event hits Huron-Perth

ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT

Staff Contribution

A multi-day heat event started on June 29 and was expected to continue until Friday, July 3.

Maximum temperatures of 30 to 32 degrees Celsius and humidex values of 37 to 42 hit the area on Monday, June 29. Heat and humidity increased further on Tuesday, with maximum temperatures of 31 to 36 degrees Celsius and humidex values of 40 to 45.

Minimum overnight temperatures of 21 to 25 degrees Celsius have provided little relief from the heat. A heat warning was issued for Perth County June 29.

Heat warnings are issued when high temperature or humidity conditions reach criteria established by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

While extreme heat can affect everyone’s health, Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) says the risks are greatest for:

• older adults;

• infants and young children;

• people with chronic illnesses, such as breathing difficulties, heart conditions, or psychiatric illnesses;

• people who work in the heat;

• people who exercise in the heat;

• people experiencing homelessness; and

• people with low income (who may not have access to cooler air).

Heat-related illnesses are preventable. HPPH recommends taking measures to avoid over-exposure to extreme heat:

• Drink plenty of cool liquids, especially water, before feeling thirsty to decrease the risk of dehydration. People can be dehydrated before they start feeling thirsty.

• Reschedule or plan outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day.

• Wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing made of breathable fabric.

• Take cool showers or baths until refreshed.

• Prepare meals that don’t need to be cooked in the oven.

• Block sun out by closing curtains or blinds during the day.

• Avoid sun exposure. Wear a wide-brimmed, breathable hat or use an umbrella for shade.

• Never leave people or pets inside a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight.

• Check in on neighbours, friends and older family members, especially those with chronic illnesses, to make sure they are cool and hydrated.

Heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat edema (swelling of hands, feet and ankles), heat rash and heat cramps (muscle cramps). These illnesses can affect a person quickly. Watch for symptoms of heat illness, which include:

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness or fainting

• Rapid breathing and heartbeat

• Extreme thirst

• Decreased urination with unusually dark-yellow urine

• Changes in behaviour in children (i.e. sleepiness)

Anyone with these systems following exposure to high temperatures should immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids. Water is best.

Symptoms of heat stroke include high body temperature, confusion, being unconscious or stopping sweating. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 or a local emergency number immediately if someone is showing symptoms of heat stroke. While waiting for help, cool the person right away by:

• Moving them to a cool place, if possible

• Applying cold water to large areas of the skin or clothing

• Fanning the person as much as possible.

• Take a break from the heat by spending a few hours in a cool place, such as a tree-shaded area or air-conditioned space.

6. What 80s girl band sang “Cruel Summer”?

7. What summer seafood is now a delicacy but was once considered “poor man’s protein”?

Pollution levels tend to be higher on hot days. The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) can be used to determine local air quality and help locals make decisions to protect their health. The current and forecast AQHI for Ontario is available at www.airqualityontario.com/aqhi.

• Contact the municipality, visit the town website, or call 211 for hours and locations of any nearby cooling centres.

8. Which Harry Potter character died on the beach?

9. The person in charge of officiating a baseball game is called what?

10. What is the standard distance for Olympic target archery?

Follow Environment Canada’s weather forecasts at www.weather.gc.ca to plan ahead and stay safe in hot and humid weather.

Discover local hidden gems this season with the summer in St. Marys Passport

ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT

Staff Contribution

Back by popular demand, the St. Marys Museum, in partnership with several local attractions, has announced the return of the Summer in St. Marys Passport for summer 2026.

This initiative invites both locals and tourists to explore the rich heritage and vibrant culture of St. Marys through a series of unique stops.

“The participation in this program over the past few years has been so rewarding,” said St. Marys Museum curator and archivist Emily Taylor in a press release. “It’s great to see people exploring the distinctive sites that St. Marys has to offer.”

From July 1 to Sept. 7, participants are encouraged to collect as many passport stamps as they can. Passports can be picked up from any of the staffed participating sites. The 10 stops on the Summer in St. Marys Passport include:

• Art of Ideas Gallery

• Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

• Downtown St. Marys BIA

• St. Marys Farmers’ Market

• St. Marys Museum

• St. Marys Public Library

• St. Marys Quarry

• St. Marys Station Gallery

• Stonetown Heritage Festival Information Tent

• Yak Shack

Any passports with six or more stamps can be returned to the St. Marys Museum by Friday, Sept. 11, at 4 p.m. to be entered into a draw to win $100 in St. Marys Money.

Participation in this program, including the physical passport and stamps, is free. However, we encourage residents to support local businesses and facilities when visiting.

For more information, contact the St. Marys Museum at 519-284-3556 or museum@town.stmarys.on.ca.

Recreate historic photographs and win big with St. Marys Museum’s contest

ST. MARYS INDEPENDENT

Staff Contribution

Picture St. Marys: Past and Present hosted by the St. Marys Museum and Archives returns this year for Stonetown Heritage Festival.

Starting on July 1, residents of St. Marys and visitors to the town are invited to participate in a photo contest to recreate any photograph in the museum’s collection as accurately or creatively as they wish. Simply visit Picture St. Marys (https:// bit.ly/4gN6dNL), the St. Marys Museum and Archives’ online photo collection, to pick from a choice of over 4,000 digitized photographs. Email a re-creation to museum@town.stmarys.on.ca along with the “local identifier” number listed with the original to enter the contest.

Submitted photos will be uploaded to a Facebook album on the museum’s Face-

book page, in addition to being displayed around the museum as part of the “Picture St. Marys: Past and Present” exhibit. The creator of the photo with highest combination of virtual (likes/positive reactions on Facebook) and in-person votes will win $100 in St. Marys Money gift certificates.

Submissions will be accepted between July 1 and July 20, with voting running from July 1 to the end of Stonetown Heritage Festival (July 25). The earlier submissions are received, the larger the opportunity is to earn votes.

A reminder to participants not to trespass on private property or attempt to re-create any of the more daring photos in the collection for this contest. Please try to avoid the use of generative AI for this contest; the town is encouraging people to get creative and have fun.

Hearn says experience in health care governance and business leadership has

GALEN SIMMONS Regional Editor

Stephen Hearn says his decades of leadership experience in both the corporate and non-profit sectors have prepared him to help guide St. Marys through the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Hearn has announced he will seek a seat on St. Marys council in the Oct. 26 municipal election, saying he wants to build on the work of the current council while helping the town plan for continued growth and an aging population.

“As a former senior manager for a large corporation, my financial acumen and strategic leadership have provided me with the background necessary to support and hopefully continue the great work completed by the previous councillors and mayor,” Hearn said.

Hearn and his wife, Pat, have been married for 44 years. Though the couple has lived in several communities over the years, they returned to Hearn’s hometown of St. Marys in 2015.

He said community involvement has long been an important part of his life. While living in Guelph, Hearn served on the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation. Since returning to St. Marys, he has been a member of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance board of directors, serving as both board chair and chair of governance.

During his time as board chair, the health-care alliance completed the renovations to St. Marys Memorial Hospital and oversaw construction of the new chemotherapy wing at Stratford General Hospital.

Looking ahead, Hearn said managing growth while ensuring the community remains affordable will be among the most important issues facing St. Marys.

He noted Huron and Perth counties have a significantly older population than the provincial average, creating increasing demand for health-care services and supports that allow seniors to remain in their homes longer.

“St. Marys is continuing to grow, and this will present some challenges as we have a number of new residents who are older,” Hearn said. “There will be different needs in the future which include a strong health-care system and more in-home support services.”

At the same time, Hearn said attracting younger families will be essential to maintaining a vibrant community.

“We need to attract younger families to ensure a vibrant community,” he said. “To attract this cohort, it is our responsibility to make sure that the town has the correct resources and is affordable.”

If elected, Hearn said he wants council to continue seeking public input as the community evolves.

“We as a community need to ensure that we have a good strategy that continues to evolve to support those needs, with council obtaining the feedback and actioning the requirements,” he said.

Outside of his professional and volunteer work, Hearn is an active member of the Masonic Lodge and the Shriners, and he enjoys golfing.

His campaign will officially launch after Labour Day. Hearn said he plans to spend the campaign knocking on doors throughout the community to meet residents, hear their concerns and gather ideas.

“I welcome any feedback on thoughts for improvement,” he said, adding residents can contact him by phone at 226-880-0862 or by email at shearn@live.ca throughout the campaign and beyond.

Find baseballs and explore downtown with Grand Slam Search

St. Marys’ love of baseball continues to grow and now youth have a chance to win tickets to big-name baseball games after finding baseballs scattered around downtown.

Throughout the month of July, children and teens up to 17 years old are encouraged to find one of the Grand Slam baseballs hidden amongst 25 businesses in downtown St. Marys. Participants can pick up a Grand Slam Search Card at Betty’s Bookshelf and return it after finding at least 17 baseballs or more, with initials from each participating store, to be entered in a draw to win either the grand prize of Toronto Blue Jays tickets or the second and third prize of London Majors tickets.

Jan Scott, the owner of Betty’s Bookshelf, told the Independent that following 2024’s Where’s Waldo? Search, she wanted to do something baseball-related and reached out to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Scott Crawford, director of operations, and Lindsay Earle, care of collections and public engagement supervisor. Earle said the hall of fame team also approached the Downtown St. Marys Business Improvement Area (BIA) as there were six scheduled baseball tournaments in St. Marys for 2026.

“We want to foster a welcoming environment for … not only players but their family members in town and we thought it was an awesome opportunity to get people from the ball diamonds to the downtown businesses in between

games,” Earle said. “It’s a great way to engage our ball players and especially the parents and the little siblings in between games.”

After the Where’s Waldo? Search, Scott received consistently positive feedback

ST. MARYS

on the free summertime activity for kids, which served to encourage more people to discover downtown St. Marys businesses.

“Events like this provide entertainment for residents, but they also introduce our

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Canada is a free book gifting program devoted to inspiring a love of reading in the hearts of children everywhere.

To learn more of to register a child visit our website. stmarysimaginationlibrary.com

businesses in an approachable manner,” Scott said.

Scott also wants to provide children with something to do for the summer.

“I think it’s really important to have something for the kids to do in town each summer that has no barrier to entry.

A three-year-old can do these scavenger hunt events but so can a 15-year-old. They are free and keep kids connected to the community,” she said.

Two of the baseball tournaments have already occurred, with four more to go for divisions U9 to U18 up until the end of August. Earle said that the Grand Slam Search also gives those visiting St. Marys for baseball tournaments an opportunity to check out other places like the Quarry, Hearn’s Ice Cream and local restaurants.

“It’s a really awesome opportunity with all these people in town for baseball to show off our best, and our best is so good,” she said.

Scott is also pleased with the enthusiasm for baseball throughout the community.

“Seeing the baseball spirit grow in St. Marys is incredible,” she said. “Just this past weekend, the ball diamonds were full of kids in town for a tournament and it was so nice to see so many people outside. If our Grand Slam Search can contribute to the growth of enthusiasm for baseball and St. Marys, I’d be thrilled.”

Betty’s Bookshelf will be closed on July 1 for Canada Day, but anyone looking to be a part of the Grand Slam Search can pick up a card at 6 Water St. S, Unit 2, on July 2 and beyond to start their journey.

St. Marys DCVI celebrates Class of 2026 at commencement

Graduates of St. Marys DCVI’s Class of 2026 celebrated commencement at the Pyramid Recreation Centre on June 25.

The ceremony recognized students for their academic achievement, leadership, community service, athletics, skilled trades, the arts and volunteerism through dozens of scholarships, bursaries and special awards.

The following students received awards during the ceremony:

• Kaylea Bains: Joyce Dalgleish Parkview United Church Character Scholarship

• Griffin Ball: Cooper-Standard Automotive Award; Kai Lahde, C.E.T. Student Award

• Elizabeth Blackler: St. Marys Presbyterian Church Legacy Award

• Payton Blight: INOAC Interior Systems: Richard Hawkins and Family Memorial Scholarship; Wellburn Agromart Agricultural Bursary

• Andrew Bradley: Usborne and Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company: Academic Proficiency Award - College Stream; Brent McRoberts Memorial Award

• Maryn Breckon: Joan Bushfield Memorial Award

• Laicee Brunsdon: Festival School of Hairstyling Bursary; Skilled Trades Bursary – AMDSB

• Andrew Brunton: Kintore Optimist Scholarship

• Natalie Burroughs: St. Marys Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship

• Marin Chateauvert: INOAC Interior Systems: Richard Hawkins and Family Memorial Scholarship; Happy Valley Family Health Team Scholarship

• Cameron Chenier: St. Marys Optometry Awesome Award

• Myles Clinton: St. Marys Rotary Club Math/Science Award; GRIT Engineering Inc. STEM Scholarship

• Meadow Concannon: Academic Proficiency Award

- Workplace Stream; Andrew L. Hodges Funeral Home Scholarship

• Isaac Cousineau: St. Marys Cement: Construction Technology Award

• Naomi deVries: Crime Stoppers of Huron-Perth Bursary

• Kaleb Dingman: David Bonis Memorial Award

• Owen Dittmer: Robert Weston Jr. Award

• Callan Eaton: Usborne and Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company: Academic Proficiency Award - College Stream; Douglas Waghorn Memorial Award

• Austin Eidt: Kinette Award of Merit

• Haven Fenton: Kathy McPhail Memorial Co-operative Education Award

• Marlowe Graham: Hubbard Pharmacy Scholarship; Usborne and Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company: Academic Proficiency Award - University Stream; St. Marys Lion Larry McClelland Memorial Scholarship

• Daniel Greig: Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Service Award; Principal’s Award for Leadership; St. Marys DCVI Retiring Student Council Award; St. Marys Insurance Group - Community Spirit Award; St. Marys Rotary Club Service Above Self Award; Friends of the St. Marys Public Library Award; Kinsmen Club of St. Marys Scholarship Award; Sheila Greason Scholarship; St. Marys Kinettes Wendy Richardson Memorial Award for Service

• Simon Greig: Bank of Montreal Bursary

• Ava Greve: Inner Wheel Club Bursary

• Mitchell Hainer: Kinette Award of Merit

• Ella Hartman: O.S.S.T.F District 8 Student Bursary

• Bronwyn Hawkins: Township of Perth South Agricultural Community Award; Happy Valley Family Health Team Scholarship

• Charlee Henderson: Royal Canadian Legion Branch

236 Bursary

• Brody Higham: Minister’s Recognition for Community Involvement - Bronze Pursuing an Apprenticeship in Plumbing

• Adrianna Hollestelle-Black: INOAC Interior Systems: Richard Hawkins and Family Memorial Scholarship

• Abby Houston: Hubbard Pharmacy Scholarship; Usborne and Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company: Academic Proficiency Award - University Stream; Cade Family Scholarship; Deep Water Music Scholarship

• Benjamin Kittmer: Academic Proficiency AwardWorkplace Stream; Finnie Distributing Technical Proficiency Award

• Emma Kruse: Skilled Trades Bursary - AMDSB

• Molly Linklater: Town of St. Marys Scholarship; St. Marys Insurance Group - Community Spirit Award

• Cameron Lobb: O.S.S.T.F District 8 Student Bursary

• Charolotte Martin: Hillcrest Rebekah Lodge Award

• Alex Matheson: Graduating Class of 1978–79 Legacy Award

• Cameron McClocklin: Teahen Construction Limited Plumbing and Design Group Skilled Trades Award

• Libby McCurdy: Town of St. Marys Scholarship

• Chase McDougall: OnePoint Association of REALTORS - Foundations For The Future Scholarship

• Draven McLaughlin: St. Marys Presbyterian Church Legacy Award

• Katie Namink: Janice Mitchell Culinary Bursary

• Andrew Nanephosy: Charles and Vera Courtnage Memorial Scholarship; Joyce Dalgleish Parkview United Church Spirit Scholarship

• Rachael Nelson: Marion Warder Bain Language Scholarship

• Oceanne Pardy: St. Marys Optometry Awesome Award

• Priya Pickel: St. Marys Community Players Arts

Award; St. Marys Independent English Award; Stratford Festival Drama Award; Stratford and District Horticultural Society Youth Bursary

• Avery Reid: Delmar Foods: Family Studies Award; Community Living St. Marys and Area Scholarship

• Luke Richardson: Salukis Merit Award

• Sofiia Romaniuk: Larry Bannerman Foundation Scholarship

• Justin Ropp: McConnell Club of St. Marys Scholarship

• Turner Roth: Media, Arts, Communication Award

• Gracy Schlotzhauer: Compass Group Scholarship

• Corynn Sewell: Dan Rankin Memorial Scholarship; Royal Canadian Legion Branch 236 Bursary

• Alina Shyshkivska: Larry Bannerman Foundation Scholarship

• Julien Skirten: Cooper-Standard Automotive Award

• Rumley Snider: St. James - Tecumseh No. 73 Masonic Lodge Bursary

• Ethan St. Clair: St. Marys Volunteer Firefighters Association Scholarship

• Danny Switzer: Trouw Nutrition/Shur-Gain: Manufacturing Technology Award

• James Switzer: Festival Hydro Award

• Arik Taylor: Salukis Merit Award

• Jonah Thomson: Kathy McPhail Memorial Co-operative Education Award

• Marieke van Lierop: Robert Weston Jr. Award

• Anastasiia Vecherenko: Larry Bannerman Foundation Scholarship

• Nathan Wolfkamp: Tradition Mutual Insurance Company Cormick Wheeler Award

• Emily Wright: Cade Family Scholarship

• Ring and Cane Awards: Abby Houston and Rumley Snider

Congratulations to all members of the St. Marys DCVI Class of 2026. The St. Marys Independent wishes each graduate the very best as you begin the next chapter of your education, career nd life.

St. Marys DCVI Class of 2025-2026 Valedictorian’s speech

The following is St. Marys DCVI Valedictorian Abby Houston’s commencement address, delivered to her classmates in the Class of 2025-2026 at the Pyramid Recreation Centre June 25.

Hello everyone! I’m so thankful that you guys gave me the privilege of representing us today. It’s been an honour to get to watch all of us grow over the past four years. Everyone says high school is different, but you don’t truly see that until you’ve been through it, so I want to thank my friends and family for helping me along the way.

High school has been a fun and interesting time for me as I’m sure it has been for you. Some mornings we would come to school to see Marcou trying to light his desk on fire or Chateauvert blasting music down the hallway at 8:30 in the morning and you just knew it was going to be a good day. I want to thank the staff for making us all feel welcome and helping us in our times of need. We couldn’t have made it here without your support. You have truly made an impact on all of us that we will never forget.

We have gone through many changes during our time here. Grade 9 was all about finding your people and learning how to navigate high school.

Grade 10 we solidified friendships and started to think about what we wanted to do with our future. Then Grade 11 came and we had to work our butts off to get what we wanted. And Grade 12, of course, has been quite a ride. We made it through first-semester exams, the hockey boys all having blond hair, and now we made it to our commencement. It is crazy to think back about who we were then and who we are now.

As for me, if I asked myself in Grade 9 if I would be our valedictorian, I would have said absolutely not. Who was I? I didn’t know all of you, so how could I represent you? I didn’t have the confidence that I have now, and I only gained that confidence through my experiences with all of you. I found my confidence through the support of you and our wonderful staff. Whether it was Ms. Mitchell giving me opportunities to perform and show my creative side, Seebach, Marcou and Good giving me chances to learn in the lab, or Shaddick giving me the opportunity to write some super awesome, fun calculus tests, I always came out of those experiences feeling more confident in myself, confident that I had the skills to succeed in life academically, socially

and personally. Having confidence that if I was having a bad day, I knew I had someone to go to, or if I needed help figuring something out, that someone would always be there.

I learned that being confident doesn’t mean you’re the loudest person in the room. It means that you are yourself in every room you enter. So, as we move on to the next chapter in our lives, I want you to take time to participate in opportunities and continue to seek them out so that we can grow to be confident, independent adults who have the skills to lead meaningful lives because, as Billy Joel said, “You can get what you want or you can just get old.”

I know we’ve all learned important life lessons through our four years here. A few weeks ago, I asked some of you what was the most important thing you learned about life from high school. Some answers I got were learning how to manage your time effectively, not caring what other people think about you, that change is necessary for personal growth and that people will only change if they want to. As we go through life, there will always be chances to learn, and I advise you to always take them. Some of the biggest

lessons we are going to learn is through failure.

Transitioning to the next step in our lives might be hard for some of us. We’re going to have to learn to live away from home, manage difficult courses, learn how to navigate the workforce and so much more. We are going to have failures during this time. Unfortunately for me, I choose to make my academic life this difficult. I quickly fell into the mindset that just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean I’m not going to do it. But that can’t fight off the fact that we all have hard times every once in a while. There were times when I questioned why I took my courses and if I was good enough to do them. But then I started to learn about the balance of life. You have to give yourself a break. You need time to relax and get yourself

back to a good place. When you don’t give yourself this time, then your failures feel just like failure, even though every one is actually an opportunity to learn, even when it doesn’t feel like it. One of my favourite Aerosmith lyrics is, “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got,” so don’t be afraid to try new things because your failures will just let you grow.

One of the major things I noticed as I went through high school was how much our differences melted away. I learned to appreciate that we are all a part of each other’s story. I became friends with all different kinds of people. From my wild boys to my crazy girls, you know who you are, we all found ourselves learning to care for and appreciate each other. We all have our differences but ultimately, we’re in this together. Take the time to learn about the people around you because “Life moves pretty fast; if you don’t stop and look around you, you could miss it,” as Ferris Bueller said. Cherish the people around you because they can help you become your best self. Allow people to know you. Let yourself be vulnerable. These next few years are going to be pretty great, but they are also going to be difficult. Allow yourself to lean on people when you need to.

Remember the importance of mental health and make sure you keep an eye on yourself and the people around you. The final thing I want to leave you with tonight is that you should always continue to be yourselves once we leave here. I am a musical nerd and I love it. I am totally going to tell you everything about my favourite movie the second you mention it and I will explain all of my biology notes to you out of pure enjoyment for myself. Some of us may love to dance, or fix cars, or randomly shave our heads and dye it blue. Do what makes you happy and you will always thrive in life. Of course, I’m going to bring up my favorite movie, as Back To The Future so wisely put it, “Your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has. Your future is whatever you make it. So, make it a good one.”

Thank you, everyone, and enjoy the rest

Jacobs Liquidation holds second annual Vendfest

WENDY LAMOND

Independent Reporter

On June 26 and 27, Jacobs Liquidation held its second Vendfest, which showcased local vendors with unique finds to sell to the community.

Jacob’s owner Craig Jacobs said they wanted to keep each day to around eight or nine vendors in case the weather turned and they were still able to be under the

covered area. The event went from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. There were homemade creations, jewelry, Tupperware, Avon, the Telescope Guy, a registered psychotherapist, author Shalyn Dussiaume and many other options with something available for everyone.

An exciting addition to Vendfest and to Jacob’s Liquidation is the Sausage Stop, a division of Jack’s Fries. Owner Sandra

McCurdy will be cooking up sausages and footlongs at Jacob’s Liquidation location, 1911 James St. S St., from Tuesdays to Saturdays this summer, minus a few days where she will be at local events like the Kirkton Fair. They are currently looking at hours but hope to be cooking from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

“We just want to thank all the wonderful local vendors and customers who came out and made this event a success!

The feedback was great and the customers loved the diversity of products,” Jacobs shared.

The business is looking at opening four to six vendor spots in front of the store on a regular basis in the summer. Any local vendors interested can email jacobsvendfest@gmail.com or call Jacobs at the store at 226-661-4000.

Join the email newsletter at jacobsliquidation.com.

Sharing our parks: Understanding reservations and public use

accommodate those reservations wherever possible.

As summer arrives and residents begin planning birthday parties, graduation celebrations, family reunions and other outdoor gatherings, the Town of St. Marys would like to provide some clarification on how park bookings work.

In a press release, the town said it offers residents and visitors the opportunity to reserve designated outdoor spaces and park amenities for special events. These free bookings help individuals and groups plan gatherings with greater confidence, while ensuring that community spaces remain accessible to all.

It is important to note that St. Marys parks and amenities are public spaces. The town does not physically close off reserved areas, post reservation signs, or proactively enforce bookings onsite. As a result, the success of the bookings system relies heavily on cooperation and courtesy among park users.

If reserved space is occupied when a reservation holder arrives, the town encourages both parties to engage respectfully. Booking holders should kindly advise other users that the space has been reserved, and park visitors are asked to

“We are fortunate to have an abundance of beautiful outdoor spaces throughout St. Marys” said Thomas Redman, public works coordinator, in the press release.

“With a little communication and consideration, there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the outdoor amenities in our community.”

The town would also like to clarify that sponsorship of park amenities does not grant exclusive or priority access. For example, while community organizations and service clubs may sponsor facilities such as pavilions, sponsorship does not create any ownership of interest or reserved-use privileges. Sponsored amenities remain available for public use and can be booked through the town’s normal booking process.

The Town of St. Marys is working to create a more streamlined booking system through ActiveNet. In the meantime, residents interested in reserving a pavilion, park space, sports field, or other outdoor amenity are encouraged to review the outdoor event application at www. townofstmarys.com/town-government/ applications-permits-licences.

What’s new with the St. Marys Memorial Hospital Auxiliary?

JANIS FREAD

St. Marys Memorial Hospital Auxiliary

We did it!

Team Auxiliary raised $1,875 for Hike for Hospice, which surpasses last year’s hike. Every year, Auxiliary members gather pledges and complete a Hike on your Site to support Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth. Thank you to everyone who sponsored us.

Our next event is coming soon. We will be at the Stonetown Heritage Festival on Saturday, July 25, offering a blow-out sale of ladies’ garments plus we’ll have a fun coin-toss experience to help you get rid of all that loose change!

For those who rely on walkers and wheelchairs to get out and about, we’ll have walker and wheelchair totes that affix to your device to help carry all the odds and ends you need with you. And we’ll have a selection of our popular, uniquely embellished jean jackets for women and children. Make sure to come by and say hello – we’ll be located near Meridian.

The Boutique is open all summer, Monday to Friday, noon to 4 p.m.

Follow the Auxiliary on Facebook at The Boutique at St. Marys Memorial Hospital or email smmhauxiliary@gmail.com.

STK celebrates five new black belt students

OH, THE PLACES WE’LL GO: Learning

on the job at a chef’s table in

Grenada

Chef Janice hands me an apron, a large, very sharp knife and a cutting board. “Chop this onion,” she says.

Fast forward a few minutes. Chef Janice examines my work, and I fail. “No, chop it much finer than that.” Lesson learned.

I was standing behind the chef’s table at the Mount Cinnamon Beach and Wellness Resort in St. George’s, Grenada. I was invited to Grenada as a member of an eight-person group of Canadian travel journalists.

To tell the truth, I probably should not have been included on the trip because places like Grenada like to introduce new travel media to their destination, and when it comes to this wonderful island in the east Caribbean, I am not new. This was my third visit to Grenada and I hope it won’t be my last.

In my job, one should be focused on new, international destinations, I suppose, but there is a short list of amazing places that I would love to return to again and again. Ireland, for example. The southern tip of Italy. South-west England. And Grenada is definitely on that list.

So, when they invite me, I go. But while there, I figure that I should do my best to find new and different experiences to write about.

Being a sous-chef to Chef Janice fits that category perfectly.

Food is an increasingly important element of travel anywhere in the world. More and more people are building travel itineraries around opportunities to enjoy local cuisine. Others may not make food number one but still want to experience local food and drink.

It’s the opposite of what may still happen in large, all-inclusive resorts where they offer food they think their guests – especially Americans – are comfortable with. I don’t want “comfort,” I want “authentic.”

When our group arrived for our visit to Mount Cinnamon, the chef’s table was set for the eight of us. Our host asked, “Would anyone like to assist the chef?” Two of us immediately raised our hands and were designated sous – or maybe something lower than sous – chefs for the duration.

We stood behind the chef’s table, which was spread with an amazing array of ingredients.

Some were obvious – large, freshly caught filets of fish (which turned out to be Mahi Mahi), the aforementioned onions, garlic, tomatoes, lettuce. But then there were the many ramekins filled with colourful and aromatic spices.

That made sense. Grenada brands itself as “the spice of the Caribbean.” Later in our visit, we toured the Belmont Estate,

known for fantastic chocolate, but where our guide, Kelly, began at a table laden with about three dozen kinds of fruits, nuts and spices, all grown commercially on the estate.

Just as the national symbol for Canada is the maple leaf, Grenada’s symbol is nutmeg, the signature spice of the island.

So, while my colleague and I were assigned the more easily identified elements – onions, garlic, tomatoes – Chef Janice added a delicious and mysterious mix of spices to the food we were preparing.

After I was released – we won’t say fired – from my culinary duties, and had enjoyed the amazing meal we had prepared, I checked out the menu in the adjacent restaurant. The list of ingredients in the various dishes was mouthwatering: toasted coconut, rosemary, chives, chili oil, ginger, passionfruit, citrus, capers, thyme, cilantro, lemon, turmeric aioli, lime, tamarind chutney, mango, mint, parsley, basil, cinnamon and more, virtually all fresh from the island. And these are just the seasonings that accent the main ingredients!

The meal I – well, mostly not I – eventually served started with a very tasty Callaloo Soup. Callaloo is a leafy plant; the green soup included coconut milk, garlic, onion, chili peppers and pinches of sundry amazing spices from the magic ramekins.

The main course was grilled Mahi Mahi garnished with tomato, onion and pineapple salsa, sauteed local vegetables (including chunks of yellow pumpkin)

and twice-baked potatoes. I was involved in all of this but, shall we say, my learning curve was a factor. I was cautioned not to over-stir the vegetables, and when it came time to plate the meal, I forgot to start with the lettuce leaf that was supposed to be under the veggies. So, I got that one. A victim of my own incompetence.

Though as I enjoyed every single bite of an amazing meal featuring fresh, local, Grenadian ingredients and unique tastes, I did not feel at all victimized. Mostly, I felt lucky.

Local spices, fruits, vegetables and seafood are in evidence everywhere in Grenada, from the restaurants and pubs to the

stalls in St. George’s Market to the hillsides where what might appear to be forests are actually orchards where foods like nutmeg or papaya grow on trees that shelter the soil beneath them, where other foods and spices grow.

There are lots of reasons to visit Grenada – more about this in coming months – but for any visitor, the amazing local cuisine should be high on your list. 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.

EAT AT OUR HOUSE: Canada Day indulgences

Why not celebrate the bounty of our nation with the following inspired recipes which showcase traditional flavours of Canada.

The ice cream and maple brie toasts are perfect to serve during the heat of the summer - indulgent and celebratory!

Cream-cheese-stuffed French toast with strawberries

A sweet breakfast or brunch treat. Perfect for Canada Day.

Prep: 10 minutes; Cook: 15 minutes; Total: 25 minutes;

Serves: 6

Filling ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened (I used lactose free)

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

French toast ingredients:

• 12 slices Texas toast or brioche (I used day-old sourdough)

• 2 eggs

• 3/4 cup milk

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp granulated sugar

• Optional toppings: strawberries, maple syrup, whipped cream

Method:

• Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until you have reached a spreadable consistency. I let the cream cheese sit at room temperature unpackaged for a half hour.

• Spread a thick layer of cream-cheese filling on one side of the bread. Top with a second piece of bread forming a sandwich. I also included sliced

strawberries inside for an added wow factor.

• In a small bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar and cinnamon together. Dip sandwiches in egg mixture to coat evenly.

• Melt butter over a griddle or skillet. Cook sandwiches until golden brown on both sides.

• Top with strawberries, syrup and whipped cream (or your selection). You could also try blueberries, sliced banana, cinnamon sugar, chopped walnuts or pecans.

No-churn strawberry ripple ice cream

Prep: 30 minutes plus freezing; Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups strawberries, plus extra for serving

• ½ cup fine sugar

• 2 ½ cups cream

• 1 tsp vanilla paste or 1 vanilla pod

• 1 tin condensed milk

• 50g meringue nests

Method:

• Hull the strawberries and halve. Place in saucepan on medium-low with sugar and 2 tbsp water. Cook for 10-15 minutes until strawberries have reduced to a syrup. Strain and mush through a fine sieve and leave to cool completely. Reserve strawberry pulp to serve over oatmeal or yogurt.

• Place cream in a large bowl with vanilla extract. Whisk until small peaks form, stir in condensed milk. Crush over meringue and fold through.

• Pour cream mixture into a freezer proof container. Drizzle over most of strawberry syrup and gently ripple through, leaving pools of syrup. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until set. It will keep for 3 months.

• Move ice cream from freezer to fridge 30 minutes before serving.

• Scoop into bowls or cones and top with remaining strawberries, crushed meringue and

strawberry syrup.

Maple brie toasts

Delicious, sweet and buttery maple appetizer served warm or room temperature. Perfect for any gathering!

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf crusty baguette, sliced

• 1/2 cup maple syrup

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter

• Pinch of sea salt

• Brie or other soft ripened cheese

Method:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add butter, maple syrup and a pinch of salt.

• Cook bread in two batches. Add bread slices and cook until golden and caramelized, flipping once using tongs.

• Add extra butter and maple syrup if needed, ensuring bread is not dry.

• Transfer to a lightly oiled plate and let cool slightly. Spread with brie or soft cheese of choice.

SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO OUTDOORS:

New exhibit highlights the history and art of decoy making

A hand-carved duck decoy is part utility and part art, with a mix of history thrown in on some occasions.

The opening of the Davidson Decoy Gallery Collection offers an insight into the world of hand-carved decoys and gives visitors a chance to see some of Ontario’s finest examples of decoy carving. Situated in the Backus Education Centre outside of Port Rowan, the gallery is situated in an area steeped in waterfowling history. Carvers of the area are known by collectors across the continent.

The use of decoys to lure waterfowl into range for harvesting dates back to ancient Egypt. In North America, Indigenous peoples used decoys to bring ducks into bow-and-arrow range. Research has found reeds were a common base for Indigenous decoys. Decoy-making advanced

in the 1800s when market hunters carved wooden decoys, examples of which are highly prized by collectors today.

Wooden decoys continued to be used by the average hunter into the mid-20th century, when cheaper plastic displaced them from common use. Some of the Long Point hunt clubs still use wooden decoys to this day.

As the use of rougher hunting blocks declined, decoy carving grew as an art form, with the detail of both carving and painting reaching new heights.

The Davidson Decoy Gallery is a modern, well-lit display of decoys not only from the Long Point area but also from other areas across the entire province.

The local display includes examples of decoys from the Reeves family, who are renowned across North America. Divided up into sections based on the carvers’ home areas, it tells the story of waterfowling through more than 100 decoys. It also includes several examples of modern artistic carvers, including world champions such as Pat Godin, Jeffrey Krete and Paul Burdette.

The tale of how the gallery came into being was revealed at an opening ceremony this spring. Backus curator Chloe Anna gave credit to Long Point Region Conservation Authority – which owns the Backus Con-

servation Area – general manager Judy Maxwell and former curator Sarah Pointer, but said the real credit goes to Bruce Malcolm and Tom Davidson.

“Without their help, this wouldn’t be a thing,” she said. “They’re super passionate and know so much about waterfowling history.”

The journey to the display began with a phone call from Davidson, a hunter at the Lee Brown Marsh, to the marsh manager, Kim Brown.

“It started with a phone call to Kim, and I asked if there was anywhere we could buy or rent a building. He described this place,” Davidson said at the opening.

Brown was surprised at the call.

“I was in shock,” he said. “I’d seen his collection, and it was unbelievable.”

After Davidson drove to see the facility, the wheels were put in motion.

Davidson also met local Bruce Malcolm, who has been collecting decoys for 55 years. In addition to loaning their own decoys for the display, the two sourced decoys from elsewhere.

Malcolm was behind the Canadian Decoy and Outdoor Collectible Association, of which he is a member, bringing their annual show to Backus last fall.

Some of the members donated decoys at that time, and the show is coming back on Sept. 19.

Davidson, who lives near Caledon, hunted the Long Point area for 45 years, at Lee Brown Marsh for 35 years and was a member of the former Bluff’s Hunting Club on Long Point. He has a passion for the area, saying there is nowhere the hunting is better than at Long Point.

“Our objective was to pay tribute to the great carvers of the past and try to entice collectors of the future,” he said of the display.

The gallery is open until Sept. 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday. Extended hours are planned for the fall, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in September and October, to allow waterfowl hunters in the area to see the display.

Jeff Helsdon is an award-winning outdoor writer, a columnist for Ontario Out of Doors and writes for several other outdoor publications.

Riddles

What does the sun drink out of? A sun-glass!

Why did the ice cream truck break down? Because it hit a rocky road!

What do you call a snowman in the summer? A puddle!

Why don’t fish play basketball? Because they’re afraid of the net!

What kind of tree fits in your hand? A palm tree!

What did one beach say to the other beach? Long time, no sea!

What do frogs like to drink on a hot day? Croak-a-Cola!

What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing—it just waved!

Why did the banana wear sunscreen? Because it didn’t want to peel!

What do ducks put on at the beach? Quack-screen!

- Word Search -

JUNE NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Screwworm fly

Backrooms movie

SpaceX IPO

Trillionaire Musk

Iran negotiations

NY Knicks

Carolina

Hurricanes

Keir Starmer resigns

Gavin McKenna

Venezuela earthquake

World Cup

Jonathan David Stephen Eustaquio

Lionel Messi

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

PET OF THE WEEK

Canada Day festivities are fun—but loud fireworks and crowds can stress pets. Keep them indoors in a safe, quiet space, and make sure ID tags are up to date.

Enjoy the celebrations while keeping tails wagging and purrs happy!

Safe pets, happy holiday!

DAISY

Our Pet of the Week is Daisy. Daisy is a 10-monthold cat who was adopted from Feline Friends and has quickly become a beloved member of the Cunningham family. She loves spending her days watching the birds and chipmunks outside the window, always curious about the world around her. Friendly and affectionate, Daisy never misses a chance to greet people and make new friends.