The Citizen - Feb. 21, 2019 sample edition

INSIDE THIS WEEK:

AMBASSADOR - Pg. 6

SCOUTS - Pg. 10

GALLERY - Pg. 19

Morrison comes away from convention rejuvenated

‘The Citizen’ honours local Scouts and Guides

Blyth man now president of Blyth Festival Art Gallery

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Volume 35 No. 8

Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Initiative impresses MPPs By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

A time for family Family Day weekend is always a busy one in Huron County. Thanks to service clubs and other volunteer groups, there is always plenty to do. In The Citizen’s coverage area, the Londesborough, Brussels and Blyth Lions Clubs were all serving up breakfast in their own communities, as were the Blyth Legion and the Legion

Ladies Auxiliary. At the Brussels Legion there was karaoke and the Catch the Ace draw while the arenas were full of young hockey and broomball players. In Belgrave, several teams took their skills to the snow-covered volleyball courts on Sunday for North Huron’s annual Family Day event, which boasted events in Belgrave, Blyth and Wingham. (Quinn Talbot photo)

Phil Beard of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority thinks some great progress has been made on bringing the details of the Carbon Footprint Initiative (CFI) to the provincial government. Beard was part of a special meeting with members of the CFI and Huron-Bruce MPP and Minister of Education Lisa Thompson and Perth-Wellington MPP and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Randy Pettapiece. Beard says that the provincial government is currently undergoing consultation to help inform its climate action plan and both Thompson and Pettapiece seemed excited by what was going on with the CFI. The meeting was held earlier this month at the Pioneer Seed Plant in Wingham and included representation from across the initiative. Beard said that the meeting was meant to bring the MPPs up to speed on the initiative and the CFI’s work to reduce members’ carbon footprint and to sequester carbon. Martin Vogt, the CEO of EFS Plastics Ltd., was the first to speak, discussing recycling plastic and the competition his company faces. With subsidies in Alberta for the production of new plastic bags, Continued on page 3

Blyth student’s essay named world’s best By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Mikayla Ansley’s “Kindness Matters” has won the grand prize in the Lions Clubs International peace essay contest. This is the first time that a Blyth Lions Club-sponsored participant has triumphed on the world stage. The official announcement will be made at Lions Day with the United Nations in New York City on Saturday, March 9. There, Ansley will be honoured with a plaque and a prize of $5,000 U.S. Ansley and her family have been invited to make the trip courtesy of Lions Clubs International. Ansley and her family were informed of the win on Monday evening by Lions Club President Barney Stewart and several other members of the club. Stunned, Ansley cried when she heard news of her win.

This comes after Ansley’s essay placed first in Lions Multiple District A, which comprises all of Ontario and Quebec. With that victory, Ansley’s essay was part of the international competition and it would be read in Milan, Italy this summer. She won $1,000 Canadian for her Multiple District A win, on top of the $100 she won at the District A9 competition late last year. The competition, which was spearheaded by Lions Clubs International several years ago, invites students between the ages of 11 and 13 with visual impairments to write an essay on their answer to peace. This branch of the competition was established as an answer to the organization’s peace poster competition but for students with visual impairments. The essay details Ansley’s battle with bilateral retinoblastoma, a rare form of ocular cancer that caused

her to lose her left eye and most of the vision in her right. Ansley said many people were very kind to her family at a time when both of her parents, Mike and Katie, had to quit their jobs to take her to the hospital on a regular basis. “I’m so thankful to all the people that held our hands through it all, by donating toys, blankets and money so that this family could stay on our feet,” she wrote. She also details the steps she’s taken to pass kindness on in recent years, whether it’s a fundraiser at her school, writing letters to world leaders or simply exchanging a smile. Ansley wrote that the smallest acts of kindness on a daily basis can change the world. When speaking with long-time Lion John Stewart and Club President Barney Stewart, Ansley wondered aloud how she would spend her prize money. While her father Mike suggested saving it for

college, Mikayla said she could see herself buying everything from an iPad to the iPhone X to a year’s supply of candy or an electric fence for the family’s dog. Mikayla’s journey in the competition began through her father, Mike, who is a member of the Blyth Lions Club. Long-time member John Stewart informed Mike of the competition, specifically aimed at children between the ages of 11 and 13 with visual impairments. From there, Mike and Katie mentioned it to Mikayla and she was immediately interested, although she says she has never considered herself much of a writer. Mikayla has won numerous awards for her public speaking achievements over the years, a forum she says she much prefers. With her limited vision, she said, the physical act of writing or typing on her iPad can be exhausting.

However, she committed to writing about a topic she’s passionate about and asked her father to proofread for her before she submitted the essay late last year. Before Mikayla turned the essay over to her parents, she said she was confident she had done a good job, knowing it was a good opportunity to get the message of kindness across. When Mikayla found out that her essay had triumphed at the local level, she was really happy with her success, but she said she was truly over the moon when she found out about winning the competition at the Multiple District A level. The Blyth Lions Club hopes to host a come-and-go open house to celebrate Mikayla’s win sometime in the coming months. More news on that event and the Ansleys’ visit to New York City will be available in a future issue of The Citizen.

PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019.

Mounsey Fund supports volunteers through awards the number of nominees put forward and he’s always impressed with their achievements, even if they aren’t deemed the winner of an award. The quality of volunteers in Huron County, he said, is second to none and often they are taken for granted. He said that handing out the awards year after year has been humbling. To hear all of the volunteer work being done in the community is truly amazing, Armstrong says. Really though, Armstrong says, it has been the buy-in from families like the Dinnings, the Phams and the Crews, among others, that has legitimized the awards. To have Lincoln and Laurie Dinning, the parents of fallen soldier Matthew, present an award in his name, Armstrong says, makes it an amazing experience for the winners, for the families and for the DMMF. The same could be said for the Pham family and the Crew family. When Caldwell won the Vu Pham Award and was presented her plaque by Heather, Vu’s widow, and Jordan Pham, their son, Caldwell said it meant so much more to know the

Honouring the worthy The Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund has a long history of honouring worthy volunteers. First, it was through the Meritorious Service Cross for Fund volunteers, now it’s through the Order of the Good Samaritan Awards, an annual set of awards handed out by the Fund. The awards go to stand-out volunteers, but also honour the memory of fallen police officers and military personnel, as they’re named for local heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Above, Fund Founder Patrick Armstrong, right, awarded long-time volunteer Paul Josling, left, with the Meritorious Service Cross in February of 2014. Josling, who has since passed away, has since been honoured by the Fund as a fallen emergency responder himself due to his decades with the Blyth Fire Department. (File photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Last week, the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund (DMMF) handed out a number of awards under its Order of the Good Samaritan Awards umbrella, honouring several local volunteers for their efforts in the community. Among the local winners were Grace Caldwell from the Belgrave area, who won the Police Const. Vu Pham Award, and Bob Rowe of Walton’s Freedom Syrup, who won the Cpl. Matthew Dinning Award. DMMF Founder Patrick Armstrong says that since the awards were established in 2012, the Fund has tried to do two things with the awards. Not only is the DMMF honouring worthy, hard-working volunteers throughout the community, but the awards are honouring fallen police and military members at the same time. The awards were established in the same year that the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medals were being handed out. Armstrong was one of the recipients, but it got him thinking that the DMMF should be honouring outstanding citizens in the community as well. Armstrong said that while the DMMF itself is a registered volunteer-run charity, installing defibrillators in public buildings all over southwestern Ontario, he didn’t want the Fund to be a “one-trick pony” either. Once he brought the idea to the

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executive and the members were in favour, Armstrong then approached family members of fallen emergency responders, such as the Phams, the Dinnings, the family of OPP Constable Bruce Crew and several others. Through those consultations, he worked with family members to marry a fallen member of the emergency responder community to

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a winning volunteer with attributes that would make sense with that person. For example, deceased OPP Const. Vu Pham was a dedicated volunteer with area youth, both through sports and through the church, so his award honours a young volunteer in the area. Armstrong says that in the years since the awards have been handed out, he has seen a sharp increase in

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story of the man behind the award. With the families of fallen emergency personnel so supportive of the DMMF, Armstrong says it lends the awards a tremendous amount of credibility and they really mean something to those who win them. As for the Fund itself, it has now placed over 100 defibrillator donations throughout the province and beyond. The 102nd donation, Armstrong says, has been placed in the name of a man who died in Haiti in 2010 with the help of the Rotary Club in the Dominican Republic. Armstrong says that while the defibrillator couldn’t make it all the way to Haiti, it’s on the same island and there to serve Haitian refugees. There have also been donations in Petrolia, Milverton and Millbank and there will be another donation this May in conjunction with the DMMF’s Run Around The Square in Goderich on Mother’s Day. For more information on the DMMF or its Order of the Good Samaritan Awards or to nominate someone, visit davemounsey.com

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019. PAGE 3.

Onn aims to breathe life into Leo Club with events, projects By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

Best in the world Mikayla Ansley, centre, has written this year’s best Peace Essay and has earned her family a trip to the United Nations headquarters in New York City for her efforts. From left: Mike Ansley, Blyth Lions Club President Barney Stewart, Mikayla Ansley, Lions Youth Opportunities Chair Shawn Loughlin, Katie Ansley and long-time Blyth Lion John Stewart. (Denny Scott photo)

CFI discussion promising: Beard

Planning for the future Local conservation stakeholders discussed the Carbon Footprint Initiative with Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson and Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece recently. From left: Maitland Valley Conservation Authority’s (MVCA) Phil Beard, Wingham Pioneer Seed Plant manager Chet Calhoun, Pettapiece, MVCA representative Deb Shewfelt, North Perth Chief Administrative Officer Kriss Snell, Thompson, EFS Plastics Ltd. CEO Martin Vogt and J.H Keeso and Sons Ltd. President Richard Keeso. (Photo submitted) Continued from page 1 Beard said, it makes it cheaper to make new plastic bags than it is to recycle them. That reality and battling against government subsidies for the production of new plastic bags makes it tough for the company to compete with its recycling model, not to mention that it fails to encourage recycling and increases waste. Chet Calhoun, the plant manager of the Pioneer plant, is one of the country’s leaders in reducing the company’s carbon footprint, Beard says. The company measures everything and has taken great strides to reduce its carbon and energy usage. Richard Keeso, the president of J.H. Keeso and Sons Ltd., also spoke about responsible and sustainable logging. Though his business had experienced a devastating fire in recent months, he spoke about the practices being implemented at the business and how logging can be sustainable and a moneymaker for a farmer, while also helping the environment. North Perth Chief Administrative Officer Kriss Snell spoke about reducing a municipality’s carbon footprint through the implementation of monitoring energy usage and purchasing electric vehicles to vastly reduce the use of fossil fuels. Deb Shewfelt represented the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority and spoke about the work being done throughout the watershed as well. He also spoke about the Authority’s purchase of electrical vehicles, saving 2,000 litres of gas per year being burned. The Authority has also been able

to cut its electrical usage by onethird. Beard said that MPPs Thompson and Pettapiece were enthusiastic about what they heard at the meeting and Beard hoped they would bring the initiatives being implemented throughout the community back to Queen’s Park for consideration for the provincial government’s climate action plan. Beard also said that he came away from the meeting hopeful as well. With a provincial government with more rural representation, he said, he hoped that the unique needs of

rural communities are being considered by the government. “I thought [MPPs Thompson and Pettapiece] were quite keen and supportive,” Beard said, adding that they planned on bringing the ideas discussed back to the provincial government for consideration. As for the future of the CFI, Beard said the goal is to continue spreading the word about the program and trying to bring additional businesses and municipalities on board. For more information on the CFI, visit the Authority’s website at www.mvca.on.ca.

What are you doing with your time? (J.R. Miller) “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of the time” Ephesians 5:15-16

Though their efforts were dashed this month due to an outbreak at Huronlea Home for the Aged, the Brussels Leo Club is aiming to become an active force in the community. Under leader and Brussels Lions Club member Zoellyn Onn, the club has been reinvigorated and rededicated itself to being active and visible. On Valentine’s Day, members of the club were scheduled to visit with Huronlea residents, but were unable to due to an outbreak at the home. However, the coming months are full on the Leo Club’s calendar, according to Onn. In addition to being an everpresent part of Lions Club functions, such as breakfasts and the annual elimination draw, the Leos have also been branching out and taking on their own activities. Members will be selling potted bulbs in March and they are currently planning for an Easter egg hunt in April for children to coincide with the Lions Club’s breakfast, planned for Sunday, April 14. Onn says that while there are still some details to iron out, there will likely be an entry fee for the hunt, or a per-egg donation to the Leo Club to help with its work in the community. The Easter egg hunt, specifically, she said, will benefit the planned expansion and renovation of the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. She has been working with the Leos, as well as the Lions, simply throwing out an abundance of ideas for potential fundraisers. They may

not all work in the end, she said, but everything is worth a try. Not to mention that, as with many initiatives, they sometimes take a few years to get off the ground. The club is looking for members, Onn said. After a strong start several years ago and a number of projects completed, the Leo Club has been quiet in recent years, but Onn is hoping to engage with the youth of Brussels to change that. The club is open to youth between the ages of 12 and 18 who want to help make their communities a better place. While at one time it was common for many local communities to have Leo Clubs as a feeder system for area Lions Clubs, the Brussels Leo Club is now the only Leo Club in the immediate area, Onn said. In addition to work throughout the community, which is based more on being visible and providing services in Brussels rather than raising money like the Lions Club does, there are fun excursions involved with the club as well. Onn said the club is hoping to tackle the lack of youth activities in Brussels with bowling nights, trips and a feeling of community for the younger members of the community. If you are between the ages of 12 and 18 and are interested in becoming a member, contact Onn at 519-887-6336.

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PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019.

Editorials & Opinions

President: Keith Roulston • Publisher: Deb Sholdice Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Denny Scott Advertising Sales: Brenda Nyveld • Heather Fraser

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Let’s help them do it Any community, but especially a rural one, couldn’t prosper without the hundreds of people who volunteer their time, talents and efforts to give us things we wouldn’t otherwise have. Often, we don’t even know how much these people contribute until someone points it out. Last week’s newspaper was an example where awards were given to several individuals for a job well done. There was Belgrave-area student Grace Caldwell who received the Vu Pham Award from the Dave Mounsey Memorial Fund’s Good Samaritan Awards recognizing dedication of youth for various volunteer activities she takes on. Also receiving a Good Samaritan Award, this time the Corporal Matthew Dinning award, was Bob Rowe for raising nearly $100,000 for the families of fallen soldiers through the Freedom Syrup project at the sugar bush on the Walton-area farm of Jeff and Shannon McGavin. Last month Rowe also received a Remarkable Citizen Award from HuronBruce MPP Lisa Thompson for the same work. Similar examples of the good deeds can be taken from nearly every issue of The Citizen. Recently the latest round of support to local charities was passed out from the proceeds 2017 International Plowing Match at Walton – money that wouldn’t have been available but for the hard work of hundreds of volunteers who made the match successful. Meanwhile volunteers in the Brussels area are taking up the major challenge of raising money to renovate the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. It takes so such effort to make a rural community successful that each of us should share the burden with the volunteers any way we can. — KR

Amplifying the rural voice Lost in the fuss about the federal cabinet shuffle last month was the news that a new Ministry of Rural Economic Development was being created. (Rural news is never a particularly hot topic in the national media and the issue was further muddied by the intrigue over why Jody Wilson-Raybould was shuffled out of the Justice Ministry.) Still, the appointment of Nova Scotia MP Bernadette Jordan as the Minister of Rural Economic Development is regarded as very important by those involved in promoting healthy rural communities. “This puts rural Canada in the federal government in a very visible way,” said Ryan Gibson, a professor of economic development at the University of Guelph and a frequent participant in events sponsored by Blyth’s Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture issued a press release saying: “As rural-based industry, the competitiveness of Canada’s agricultural industry is intimately connected to the vibrancy of rural communities and critically important to Canada’s economic growth.” Such high visibility at the federal cabinet table has been missing since 2013 when the former Rural Secretariat was abolished, Gibson noted. Keeping rural issues anywhere near top of mind for important decision-makers is a huge challenge. As people speed through or fly over vast areas of land with nary a 40-storey condo town in sight, it’s easy to forget that millions of people make their living in rural Canada. They deserve to have the special requirements of their way of life considered when important decisions are being made. With a federal election due this fall and the recent scandal in Ottawa casting doubt about whether the Liberals can win re-election, the new ministry could be swept away before it even gets organized. It shouldn’t be. Here’s hoping whoever forms the government after the election realizes it’s important to retain a strong rural voice at the highest levels of government. — KR

Don’t choose sides Amazon’s decision last week to cancel the building of a planned second headquarters in New York after opposition mounted against the company, shows again the dubious value of subsidizing huge, profitable corporations. Giving the world’s largest company a $3 billion subsidy to locate in New York probably seemed to be a good investment when New York officials first proposed it. After all, Amazon promised to create 25,000 jobs for people who would buy homes and pay taxes to the city (not to mention the taxes on Amazon’s buildings). But in courting the world’s largest retailer, city officials really chose sides on the future of retail business. Thousands of small retailers were going to be taxed in order to subsidize the behemoth that is working to put them out of business. Union members would be contributing tax dollars to subsidize Amazon which is notoriously anti-union. As seen in the lack of loyalty General Motors has demonstrated by closing its Oshawa assembly plant only 10 years after the Canadian and Ontario governments saved the company from bankruptcy, there’s no sense of responsibility in big business. Given that, governments should never take the side of corporations against ordinary taxpayers. — KR

Looking Back Through the Years February 22, 1968 The Brussels PeeWee hockey team trampled their competition from Zurich by a score of 8-0 to earn them a spot in the Western Ontario Athletic Association (WOAA) finals. With their series victory over Zurich, Brussels would go on to play Paisley in a best-of-five series for the crown. The locals would begin the series on the road in Paisley, before returning to Brussels on Feb. 23 for the second game of the series. Judy Vallance of Brussels won top honours in the Huron County public speaking competition held in Clinton. February 21, 1973 The front page of The Blyth Standard lamented the lack of advertising ahead of the Huron byelection, set for March 15, stating that only the Liberal Party appeared interested in appealing to locals. “All three parties kicked off their campaign with extensive advertising campaigns this week, but only the Liberals felt the value of reaching voters in the northern parts of McKillop and Hullett Townships,” the story read. Richard W. Collings of RR1, Blyth was among 30 students to be featured in the 1973 edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities by turning heads at Massachusetts’ Springfield College. The Blyth Board of Trade voted to work with the Blyth Agricultural Society to help find a replacement for the Blyth Fall Fair, which had been officially discontinued the previous week. February 22, 1995 Representatives from the Huron County Plowmen’s Association felt they were very well received at the

annual general meeting of the Ontario Plowmen’s Association in their bid to bring the 1999 International Plowing Match (IPM) to Huron County. Neil McGavin, who was one of the members of the local delegation, said that the county put forward a strong argument on behalf of itself that he hoped would play a role in potentially nipping competition in the bud. “We were very well received,” McGavin said. “At present, there are no other counties prepared to make a bid and we are hoping that an early offer might scare off the competition.” It was Huron County Queen of the Furrow Shannon Craig who spoke at the meeting on behalf of her home county, telling provincial members of the enthusiasm of the youth of Huron County for agriculture. She included the fact that the county had produced 10 students who had earned $2,500 scholarships from the organization in agriculture-related fields and that Huron County consistently provided the largest number of entries for recent IPMs. Bus service had returned to Blyth thanks to Grey-Bruce Air Bus offering a daily run to London, leaving the village just after 9 a.m. every day and returning just before 7:30 p.m. every night. The Blyth Business Association was welcoming residents to the Blyth Village Council Chambers on March 1 for a brainstorming session for the 1995 Rutabaga Festival, as well as other special events and promotions to help attract visitors to Blyth. February 26, 2009 Central Huron Councillor Alison Lobb was named the new chair of the Maitland Valley Conservation

Authority, succeeding Mark Beaven, a Morris-Turnberry councillor at the time. In his farewell speech, Beaven said the Maitland Valley Conservation was the “Toronto Maple Leafs of conservation authorities” in that it attracted talent when they were young, only to watch that talent makes its way to other conservation authorities in the years to come. Jamie Zimmerman of the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office spoke to North Huron Council regarding its next fire chief in the wake of the restructuring of the department. He suggested that North Huron should have one chief for the entire department, followed by a deputychief for each division (Blyth and Wingham), followed by two captains for each division and then the firefighters. Morris-Turnberry Council was requesting a traffic study for Belgrave, saying that some form of a crosswalk across London Road was necessary to ensure the safety of residents on the east side of the road travelling to the west side of the road where most of the community’s facilities, like the community centre, park and ball diamond were located. Blyth native Jackie Falconer was set to lead the elite 18-member York University Chamber Choir for a special performance at the Tribute Communities Recital Hall at the university, featuring the work of William Byrd, Michael Haydn and Fanny Hensel, meaning the vocalists would all be singing in English, German and Latin. Falconer’s work with her alma matter came before she was set to be part of a performance of Mozart’s Requiem at New York City’s Carnegie Hall later that summer.

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21 2019. PAGE 5.

Other Views

This weather’s been for the birds

I

f there’s any compensation for the cold, stormy weather we’ve suffered through this winter it’s that it has brought a bounty of beauty for those of us who feed birds. While some people might think we bird feeders are developing welfare-bum birds, the reality is that many species have to be desperate before they resort to visiting a bird feeder. We know we have cardinals in our area, for instance, because we see flashes of red in distant shrubbery, but it wasn’t until the cold weather started to bite that the first pair showed up at the feeder. The next day there were two pairs and then three, all the way up to six bright red males and six browncamouflaged females. Growing up, I can’t remember anyone in our practical farm neighbourhood who fed wild birds. My first introduction came nearly 50 years ago when I was editor of the Clinton News-Record and one of my jobs was to retype the scratchy handwriting of Lucy Woods Diehl so it was readable when the compositors at the printing plant had to set it in type. Lucy was severely crippled by arthritis – which accounted for the barely-legible handwriting – and one of her joys was to sit by the window of her little house on the cliff-top in the oldest part of Bayfield, and watch – and tell her readers about – the birds that came to her garden. My own efforts to feed the birds came sometime after we moved out to the country in the mid-1970s. Even then it was a relatively rudimentary effort because in an old farmhouse there is seldom a convenient window where you can watch the birds. Feeding the birds became more serious after we built an addition on the back of the house with large windows that brought the outside in. We could sit and watch the birds as

Keith Roulston From the cluttered desk they came and went and we began to get greedy to attract more. Most people probably start feeding birds the way we did. We went and got a big bag of a mixture of sunflower seeds, millet, corn and whatever. That’s when you discover that each bird species has its favourite food. If you want a wide variety of birds, you need a varied buffet to attract them. Chickadees and blue jays, for instance, like sunflower seeds but finches like very small seeds. As well, some birds will come to a hanging feeder while others, like mourning doves, want to eat off the ground. The next thing you know your feeding set-up expands. Obviously there have been a fair number of people who have followed the same path as we have because these days there are shops that do nothing but sell bird feed, with special blends to attract different bird varieties. They also carry bags of peanuts or safflower to black oil sunflower seeds to create specialty feeders. Watching birds feed you can see human traits expressed by the various species. Tiny chickadees are also the bravest, often returning to the feeder while you’re still filling it. With a little patience (which I don’t possess) you can train them to eat right out of your hand. Blue jays are the Donald Trump of the feeder, bossing the other birds around almost saying “I’m bigger than you and have the sharpest

beak so I’ll take what I want first, and you suckers can wait.” Mourning doves are usually the largest birds at the feeder but they’re also the most timid, making them easy targets for blue jays. Feeding the birds can also be a lesson in life-long learning. I’m not sure I ever thought about it but I suppose I assumed goldfinches went south for the winter. It was only when we had them around the house all year round that I began to see their colour transition from bright yellow to dull gray in the fall and back to vivid plumage in spring. I’ve been learning, but I’m miles from being an expert in wild birds, even if feeding birds is costing us a fortune. Remember that woman in Goderich last fall who had a rare bird in her garden and people came from hundreds of miles to see it? I stayed home. In fact I’d never have been confident enough to identify it as rare, although this has its compensations. Recently a woman in the Ottawa area made the mistake of saying on social media she had a rare bird in her backyard. She was invaded. Bird watchers not only trampled her yard but watched the family through their windows. So much for the image of birdwatchers as timid! Watching the birds hasn’t totally compensated for a miserable winter but it has helped. Looking out the window and seeing the red of the cardinals near the blue of the blue jays, the flighty perkiness of the chickadees or the variety of woodpeckers at the suet feeder, makes the white walls of blowing snow behind them fade from consciousness. Still I can hardly wait for spring and the return of robins and cedar waxwings and wood thrushes to fill the yard with their own different beauty and music.

Not all community projects are equal

W

ingham seems to be experiencing something of a renaissance of volunteerism in the recent years and it’s a welcome advent for the community. Unfortunately, not all volunteer projects and groups are created equal. While some look to enhance the municipality without costing huge tax dollars, others won’t make such promises. Take, for example, the Feb. 4 meeting of North Huron Township Council. Now, before I get any further here, I’m not looking to pit two community initiatives against one another. All I’m doing, as a North Huron ratepayer, is making sure everyone realizes the difference between the two pitches. Those two pitches are the relocation of the North Huron Museum and the revitalization of the Howson Dam. Both groups approached North Huron Council that night asking to be made committees of council, though there was a notso-subtle difference between the two. While the North Huron Museum Committee came forward and members said they would fundraise for moving the museum to ensure the cultural location stays in the municipality, the Howson Dam and Pond Committee didn’t mention fundraising, instead members said they would “assist” in the repair of the dam, which could cost between $2 million and $9.3 million, depending on how extensive a repair or replacement job council opts for. Council could also choose to remove the dam, which could cost as little as $436,000. Now the problem with the committee's stance is threefold: number one, this isn’t a binary decision. With the museum, council has already made a decision: the existing facility needs to be closed. That leaves council with two options: move the museum or deaccession it. No one is arguing that closing the museum is a good move, culturally. Sure, financially, it may be better in the long run, but once you get

Denny Scott Denny’s Den rid of a museum, you’ll never get it back again. The committee wants council to decide to keep the museum, a move that I don’t know anyone can say is a bad idea since it’s being presented as a tax-dollar-free option. The decision behind the dam, however, isn’t as clear. First off, there are numerous options for council to pursue. The dam can be replaced, reinforced or removed and, within each of those options, there are multiple tiers of work that can be done. The second problem with the stance is that word “assist”. Assist means to provide aid. The word itself comes with a connotation that one person or entity is responsible while another is helping. See, that’s a problem, because, unlike the museum, which represents increasing the budget by a few per cent over a few years, the dam may quite possibly cost upwards of $9.3 million to rehabilitate. That’s twice the municipality’s entire budget for this year, and this group is only offering to “assist”. If this committee said it would fundraise to repair the dam, I wouldn't be writing this column. I’d be writing a column commending both groups on their efforts. This kind of thought process is problematic. Unnecessary infrastructure (and yes, it’s unnecessary, all the water skiing and boating and swimming in the world isn’t going to change that) can’t be the focus of significant municipal investment.

The problem runs far deeper than just North Huron, as every level of government contributes money to people, places and things that don’t need it. The solution is pretty simple too: let ratepayers make their own decisions about which unnecessary projects they want to help. Whether it’s sending foreign aid to Venezuela or repairing the Howson Dam, let me decide if my hard-earned money should go to it. I’m not against the Howson Dam, or helping Venezuelans, but that should be my call to make: not a politician’s. The final problem with the dam is a little less rooted in fact and more in my own beliefs: the dam won’t be the boon the committee seems to think it could be. While the committee likes to look back at the history of Wingham with rose-coloured glasses and remember what the dam and pond once were, the reality is that tourism has changed significantly over the years. I don’t think that Riverside Park or the pond will see the heydays of decades past. That said, I’m still not condemning the project. I’m saying that, because of the uncertainty of the benefit to North Huron as a whole, tax dollars should definitely not be spent on this. When I say that, I don’t just mean money being put out for the repairs. I’m talking to the fact that the committee wants a North Huron staff member to attend meetings and discuss the issue with committee members. That would cost tax dollars that come out of the entire municipality’s budget. So, unless the committee wants to guarantee it will raise the funds on its own, I don’t think that staff time, and the associated dollars, should be invested in the project. Again, not because I’m against it, but because of the uncertainty of the project, which is primarily tied to the significant investment it represents.

Shawn Loughlin Shawn’s Sense

Look one way: down

O

ne common character attribute many of us share, whether we choose to admit it, is the defence mechanism of looking down on others when it suits us. In last week’s New York Times story about famed musician Ryan Adams and his alleged pattern of abuse, Adams would often look down on his musician wife, Mandy Moore, in this way. Now, in no way am I making light of the allegations made in the story. They are serious and should be dealt with accordingly. It was something that Adams would say to Moore than got me thinking about this. Adams, a musician who always struck me as someone who never tired of patting himself on the back, would say Moore wasn’t a real musician because she didn’t play an instrument. The way Adams treated Moore was emotionally abusive, but it was that lookdown at her that made me think of this column. For example, right here in this office, Denny and I will often look to ourselves and other newspaper journalists as being the “proper” reporters of the world, whereas our counterparts on your TVs, radios and internet are simply picking up our reporting, rewording it and sending it out in a different way. Look to athletes and you’ll hear talk debate among football players and hockey players as to which of them is the toughest. They’ll both be united in their feeling of superiority over baseball and basketball players. And don’t even get any of them started on soccer. Even then, there would be a look-down hierarchy among athletes on their own teams. In baseball, infielders look down on outfielders and vice versa. In football, the whole team looks down on the kicker and in hockey, players assume the goalie is... weird. Fans do it too. After years of futility, for example, let’s say a team finds unexpected success. As the fans celebrate in the stands, there is an arrogance on behalf of the “true” fan who has “been there since the beginning”, as opposed to someone at his first-ever game. Growing up in a family of police, I was always privy to the very one-sided (in my house, anyway) debate between police and firefighters. Police thought firefighters plucked cats out of trees during the few hours a day they weren’t being paid to sleep, while firefighters were sure police only took brief breaks from coffee and donuts to pin parking tickets on cars that didn’t deserve them and/or tend to an emergency only until it got too scary, at which time they’d call for firefighters. In the world of music, there is a disproportionate amount of weight placed on the frontman/woman of a band. When someone hears a song on the radio, it’s that person’s voice they first hear. It takes a rather trained musical ear to yearn for a great bass line or complex drumming. That reality leads to a band’s singer knowing that the band wouldn’t survive in their absence, but a bassist or drummer could easily be replaced. It works with towns too. Remember North Huron Councillor Chris Palmer’s empassioned plea against legalized marijuana in Wingham? He said that if Wingham residents wanted to buy weed, well, they could go to Teeswater. So, while you could say that Wingham has its problems, consistently boasting the highest tax rate in the county with a noncorresponding offering of amenities, at least it has Teeswater to make residents feel better about themselves. I could list any number of examples, but as you can see, they could go on forever. Hunter S. Thompson said there’s only one way to look at a politician: down. Save it for the politicians and leave one another alone.

PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019.

Ambassador Morrison attends OAAS convention Brussels Fall Fair Ambassador Amanda Morrison has come away from the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) annual convention excited for the summer and with a whole host of new friends. Morrison, along with several members of the Brussels Agricultural Society, attended the convention from Feb. 14-16 in Richmond Hill, saying that she learned a lot in those three days. First, Morrison said that the OAAS decision to move the convention to Richmond Hill instead of its traditional location of the Royal York in Toronto was a good one in her opinion. She said it was a smaller space to navigate and it was simply a better setting for the seminars happening. At the convention, Morrison said she was able to connect with over 80 other fall fair ambassadors from all over the province, many of whom she’s still corresponding with

through social media days after the convention ended. She said that the convention began on Valentine’s Day and all of the ambassadors gathered together for numerous ice-breaking activities so they could get to know one another. Every night, she said, there was a hospitality suite and entertainment that ranged from country music bands to a Tragically Hip tribute act to a magician. The next day, Morrison attended a number of seminars aimed at the ambassadors. The first focused on food as a tourism tool and how that fits in with Ontario’s fall fairs. She also learned about spreading the word about fall fairs through social media. The ambassadors also participated in an agriculturally-focused scavenger hunt in the hotel that day. Morrison said she had a great time at the convention and made plenty of friends with other ambassadors. She plans on keeping touch with them

ahead of seeing them all again later this year when they all head to the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) for their final competition.

NEWS FROM BRUSSELS

At the Branch

McHardy, Brown win in darts

A seasoned guide The Brussels Agricultural Society’s Fall Fair Ambassador Amanda Morrison, right, had a guide to the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) annual convention with a bit of experience when Hannah McCutcheon, left, a former ambassador herself, attended the event alongside her. (Photo submitted)

By Jo-Ann McDonald The Brussels Lions Club held its regular meeting at the Brussels Legion Branch on Monday night to start the week. The meal of lasagna was enjoyed by approximately 25 people and was prepared by Comrades Linda Bird, Judy Lee and Kathy Burkholder. The Tuesday night Cadets was cancelled due to the weather. They go by the rule that if school is cancelled, so is Cadets. The Thursday night darts had 13 players hitting the boards. Winners were: first, Roger McHardy and Sandra Brown; second, Chris Brown and Sheron Stadelmann and high shot, John Stadelmann, 133. The group put the names in the hat and

McCallum claims silver finish with chocolate chip cookies By Denny Scott The Citizen

Big winner Bridget McCallum, left, shown with her sister Kaleigh, the Brussels Fall Fair Little Ambassador, proudly displays her award-winning chocolate chip cookies, which earned her a reserve-champion award at the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies Convention over the weekend in Richmond Hill. (Photo submitted)

Seven-year-old Bridget McCallum from North Woods Elementary School won the reservechampion title for her chocolate chip cookies at the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies’ convention over the weekend. McCallum, daughter of Chad and Crystal McCallum of Brussels, said she was happy to receive the news, and said the winning cookies started with a recipe from her mom. “She helped me make the cookies just a little bit,” she said. “She put the cookies in the oven and used the mixer.” McCallum said her entry was special because of a few key factors. “I think it’s the time we take that makes them special,” she said. “I put in extra chocolate chips too. It’s about how long you keep them in the oven too. If you keep them in too long, they overbake and get crunchy.” McCallum also taste-tested the batch the whole way through, providing her own quality assurance.

BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED

had a draw for some sweethearts and chocolates. The Catch the Ace draw had a good crowd to witness the drawing of the name of Bud Chamney, Auburn. He chose envelope number 32 and found the ace of clubs, winning $500. The estimated jackpot will be $9,700 this week. The Valentine’s karaoke had a nice crowd and there were four winners of Valentine’s baskets. The Saturday euchre was the first time the Branch tried the progressive style of play. Comments and suggestions were received both in

favour and against the new style. The high score of 86 was by Ethel for first; second, Dorothy Carter, 82; third, Lillian Appleby, 80 and most lone hands, Frank Hulley and Norm Dobson, five. The dances resumed on Sunday night with the Classic Band playing. There was a good crowd of just over 50 and they enjoyed the newer songs played by the band.

Keep up to date on activities in Huron County on stopsalongtheway.ca

Brussels Legion 218 Catch the Ace Weekly Winner Winning Ticket: Bud Chamney $500 Envelope #32 found the Ace of Clubs Estimated Jackpot for February 22 is $9,700

Brussels Legion invites all to the

Spring O’Limpix Saturday, February 23 Registration starts at 6:30 p.m. Events start at 7:30 p.m. Events include Posterior Free Style, Bag Agility, Legion Cup, Skiing, Corn Hole and Spud Butt. Teams of 2 ~ $5.00 per team Cash Prizes

Brussels Minor Soccer Registration Wednesday, February 27 and Thursday, February 28 7:00 - 8:30 pm Upstairs at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre Children 2 and older can register

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019. PAGE 7.

Firefighters prevent significant damage to hall By Denny Scott The Citizen The dust has settled on the burst pipe in Blyth Community Memorial Hall and the prognosis is that things

could have been a lot worse. “We’re still waiting for some of the invoicing and information to come in, but it’s really turning into a bit of a non-event,” North Huron Director of Public Works and

Facilities Sean McGhee told The Citizen during a recent interview. On Jan. 30, a pipe burst at the back of the Bainton Gallery in the TCC Link at the site, resulting in water cascading through the gallery.

Order up Several local community groups including the Blyth Lions, Legion and Legion Ladies Auxiliary, hosted the annual Family Day breakfast at the Blyth and District Community Centre on Monday. (Shawn Loughlin photo)

“The fact that things have turned out as well as they have is based largely on the very, very rapid response of the Fire Department of North Huron,” McGhee said. “There was no damage to the flooring and, while some drywall does need to be replaced, it could have been a lot worse.” McGhee said that the fire department’s timely arrival and members’ efforts, alongside other volunteers, to get the water off the floor and out of the building prevented damage to the parquet flooring. “It could’ve been a much different day,” he said. As for what caused the burst pipe, McGhee said that is a mystery yet to be solved. “We’re investigating it,” he said. “Basically, until we put everything back together, it will be difficult to determine whether it was temperature-related or not.” McGhee said the nature of the duct work in the area will be investigated, and he will be working with the contractors in charge of the recent renovation of Memorial Hall to figure that out. “We’re definitely looking to figure out what that root cause is,” he said. “We will take temperature readings and talk to the [heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)] people to figure this out.”

Sympathies extended to local families From Marilyn’s Desk By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318

Sympathy is extended to Floyd Herman and family in the death of Floyd’s mother this past week. Sympathy is also extended to Shirley Giilck and family (a former resident of Blyth, now living in Cambridge) in the death of her husband. Happy birthday Bruce Siertsema who celebrates Feb. 21; Sharon Jackson, Robbie Lawrie of Bayfield, Joan Caldwell and Shirley

Giilck, Cambridge, Feb. 22; Heidi (Craig) Martin, Gowanstown, Feb. 24; Aimee Townsend and Sharon Bromley, Feb. 25; Elsie Walsh, Huronview, Feb. 26; Alicia Marshall, Feb. 27; Dana Weber (her birthday is Feb. 29) and Joann MacDonald, Feb. 28. Winners of the Tuesday afternoon shoot party were: first, Bob Thomas and second, Mae Ritchie. These were the only two prizes awarded as there were fewer players because of

the bad weather. The next shoot party will be Tuesday, Feb. 26. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with cards beginning at 1 p.m. Come out and have some fun.

Visit The Citizen online for breaking news on northhuron.on.ca or follow us on Facebook and Twitter

While that mystery remains, McGhee reiterated that things could have been much worse than they were, saying that the insurance adjuster who attended the site was “pleasantly surprised” at the limited amount of damage to the site.

NEWS FROM BLYTH All Comes Out In The Wash Blyth Laundromat 191 Westmoreland St., Blyth 519-523-9687

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Scramble Blyth hosted several broomball games over the weekend including the Blyth Bantam Girls taking on challengers from the southeast in Seaforth. (Quinn Talbot photo)

Is your number correct in the recently delivered Bell Canada phone book? Do you have a new listing since that book was compiled? Let us know about corrections or additions Call 519-523-4792 or info@northhuron.on.ca

PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019.

Second annual wine and cheese night on Thursday By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Clinton’s second annual wine and cheese tasting is set for Feb. 21 featuring plenty of music, entertainment and, of course, local wine and cheese. Central Huron Community Improvement Co-ordinator Angela Smith created the event last year to much acclaim, selling it out in its first year. This year’s event will be held in the upper hall of the Central Huron municipal office and all proceeds will benefit the Clinton Public Hospital Foundation. Showing off the municipality’s best producers, the wine will come from Maelstrom Winery and the cheese will come from the Van Dorp family’s Blyth Farm Cheese. Music will be provided by the jazz bands from both Central Huron Secondary School and St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary School and there will also be salsa dancing by Les Cook and Anne Elliott of Blyth

East Side Dance, as well as other local dance enthusiasts. Tickets are $25 per person and include eight samples. Smith says she hoped to keep the tradition of the event this year, but also wanted to change it up enough so it was different than the first year, opting for the dancers this year instead of the art exhibit. Her inspiration for the event in 2018, she said, was to provide locals with a chance to dress up (smart casual attire is recommended) for an elegant night out on the town, a little different from a traditional Huron County night out. The results, selling out last year’s event, suggest that Smith found what she was looking for with the event/ She says she’s happy to bring jazz bands from both local high schools out to the event and showcase local talent. Last year there was an art show, in addition to a performance by one of the high school bands. Tickets are available at the Central Huron municipal office or online at eventbrite.ca. Contact Smith at 519476-5922 for more details.

Obituaries Local producers on display Paul Van Dorp of Blyth Farm Cheese, shown slicing up some of his own produce, is one of the Central Huron producers that will be featured at the second annual wine and cheese tasting set for tonight, Feb. 21, at the Central Huron municipal office. (Courtesy photo)

Recruitment committee seeks funds By Denny Scott The Citizen The Wingham and Area Health Professionals Recruitment Committee is seeking additional funding from local councils for when it eventually recruits a new physician to the area. At Morris-Turnberry Council’s Feb. 5 meeting, Jan McKagueWeisher, representing the committee, said that, on top of the municipality’s $7,717 scheduled contribution to the organization, the committee was requesting $2,275 to put into a reserve maintained by the municipality to pay an incentive to a new doctor. McKague-Weisher said that, while the committee has attracted new doctors to the area, the past three doctors have just maintained the current patient load for the area. “Right now, we’re spending $25,000 on incentives,” she said, which she later explained requires a four-year contract with the physicians. McKague-Weisher explained that the committee works through various avenues to attract doctors. Word-of-mouth among medical students can help, she said, but there are significant challenges in convincing doctors to relocate to Huron County. “Housing is an issue,” she said. “We almost lost a new doctor due to not being able to find a home for his family. “Spousal opportunities are also a problem,” she said, adding that other centres have claimed doctors from

BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED

the committee by being able to offer jobs to spouses. Councillor Jim Nelemans asked if the province was doing anything to alleviate the shortage of doctors, and McKague-Weisher said those decisions are up to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and their lack of action has been frustrating. “There are internationally-trained doctors who would be here, but they can’t get licences,” she said. “It’s frustrating. It makes me ill to think

about physicians in other countries, who have practised for years, that can’t get licences while we’re in such a need.” Nelemans said that what frustrated him was the incentive program. “If you multiply the incentive by the number of municipalities, there are millions going to incentives,” he said. Council received McKagueWeisher’s report, shifting the request to its budget deliberations.

Remember Last Winter?

JAMES KITTEL James Kittel of Wingham, passed away at Wingham and District Hospital on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. He was 73. James was the beloved husband of Irene Kittel and the cherished father of Corinna and Jody McConnell, Marie and Sean Routledge, Ron and Linda Markle, William and Teresa Markle, the late Scott Markle and Kelly Markle, Shelley and Mike Duchaine and Sandy Pace. He was the special grandpa of 15 grandchildren. James was the dear brother of Teresa Arrigo. James will be lovingly remembered by Irene’s family. James was predeceased by his parents Jerome Kittel and Marie Weber and brother-in-law Salvatore Arrigo. Private arrangements have been entrusted to McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham.

Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy and may be placed through McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham. Online condolences may be left at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019. PAGE 9.

Sports Club concludes second draw The Brussels Curling Club concluded play for the second draw earlier this month. Following the conclusion of play, a social time with delicious snacks was enjoyed. The draw winners were announced and the new sheets for the third draw were available to all the curlers to see who their new teammates will be. Second-draw winners were: firstplace, Mike Bernard, Brian Warwick, Dianne Flood and Dawn Rybicki, 48.5; second, Jo-Ann McDonald, Doug Bremner and Steve Bowers , 44; third, Matthew Cardiff, Ken Penfound, Janelle Caldwell and Merv Bauer, 42; fourth, Mike Alexander, Brent Alexander and Danica Janmat, 30.5; fifth, Steve Knight, Katherine Thomet, Sarah Alexander and Nicole Alexander; 30; sixth, Don Chesher, Martin Thomet, Debbie Coultes and Shelby Radford, 28; seventh, Douwa Top, Tyler Jutzi and Haden Flood, 27.5; eighth, Carman Bernard, Jeff Cardiff, Karen Uhler and Luke Rapson, 26.5; ninth, Steve Steiss, Diana Dolmage, Dona Knight and Perry Pearce, 25.5 and 10th, George Zwep, MaryAnn Thompson, Halee McCann and Barbara Cadotte, 22.5. The third draw began on Feb. 18. The Brussels Curling Club will be hosting its year-end mixed bonspiel

on March 16. Green and St. Patrick’s Day will be the theme of the day. The plans are in the making and they hope to fill the day with 20 teams. There will be two draws and three six-end games. Club members will be calling on the local business

people for a donation for the prize table and members will also curl, and help with the food for the day. It’s always a fun day and anyone interested in putting a team in this fun bonspiel can call Steve Knight. Hope to see you there!

Eyes on the prize The Blyth PeeWee Ice and PeeWee Bullets didn’t travel far on Saturday to play each other, taking on one another at the Blyth and District Community Centre. (Quinn Talbot photo)

EXPERIENCE LOVE Not quite Ryder Lee couldn’t quite clear the blockers with his spike during one of Hullett Central Public School’s volleyball teams’ practices last week. (Denny Scott photo)

Main to walk to mark Mental Health Week Phil Main from Classic Rock Mornings is pledging to run/walk/crawl 24 kilometres per day during Mental Health Week, May 6-10 in communities across midwestern Ontario. “The run is dedicated to some really great people we’ve lost and to those who continue to fight in silence,” says Main. Beginning May 6, Main will begin his 120-kilometre journey working alongside the Tanner Steffler Foundation, Get in Tough for Hutch, WES for Youth Online, Mental Health Matters, #Lextalkandlisten and Strides for Mental Health. The

goal is to help raise funds but most importantly, to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health. Each organization will host an awareness event in their local communities. In Main’s personal journey, he’s discovered that helping others has been good medicine. “Mental illness takes many forms, but I think I’ve dealt with it enough to be empathetic to the struggles of a lot of people who battle depression and anxiety. I believe we all have a duty to use whatever we’ve been given to help each other and I want to do that,” says Main.

BMG Recreation and Summer Sports SUMMER SPORTS AND SWIMMING LESSONS REGISTRATION February 27th and 28th 7-8:30 pm at the BMG Community Centre Soccer and baseball you need 2 cheques - one to pay and one for the shirt deposit - birth certificate for first time registrants - Brussels Lions Club pays $20 of each swimming lesson registration

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Youth Winter Sports Pages Coaches and parents ~ we need your team’s picture and players’ names 1. Please submit team photo A.S.A.P. 2. Please include players’ and coaches’ names for under the photo.

Please help us get ALL the Winter Sports teams published.

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PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019.

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519-482-9521 • 519-523-4577 • Christopher M. Smith • Mark Rushton • Amanda Rich •

The tradition of service continues...

1ST BLYTH BEAVERS — Back row, from left: Elizabeth Spencer, Hudson Smith, Bailey Smith, Braxton Stryker, Macy Smith, Joseph Thiessen, Grace Caldwell, Laura Edgar. Front row: Clara Storey, Liam O'Dette, Felix Dawe, Owen Smith, Rosalena Thiessen, Sadie Caldwell. Absent: Jeremy Losch, Tolesen Topor and Lavern Clark.

1ST BLYTH CUBS — Back row, from left: Shari Cartwright, Erica Clark, Adam Wilts. Front row: Zackory Spencer, Nathan Wilts, Wyatt Young, Emily Spencer, Peyton Riley.

1ST BLYTH SCOUTS — Back row, from left: DOC Dave Cartwright and BlueBeard Lavern Clark. Front row: Bradly Spencer, Thomas Brady, Caitlin vanGent, Kacey vanGent.

1ST BRUSSELS SPARKS — Back row: Guider Kat Dreyer Front row: Lenyx Campbell, Lauren Riegling and Alison Van Nes.

G. L. HUBBARD LIMITED Growers And Packers Of Quality Rutabagas Proud supporter of Scout & Guide Week

Blyth 519-523-4554

The Township of North Huron Proud supporter of our youth www.northhuron.ca

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019. PAGE 11

Howson & Howson Ltd. Flour Mill Blyth 519-523-4241

Friend of Youth 1ST BRUSSELS BROWNIES — Back row, from left: Guiders: Kat Dreyer and Kelsey Rathwell. Front row: Brooke Laffin, Charlotte Dreyer, Sarah Van Nes and Elizabeth Losch.

1ST BRUSSELS GUIDES — Back row: Guider Andrea Van Nes Front row: Johanna Van Nes and Laura Van Nes.

Optimist Club of Brussels Gas Station and Express Mart

The Municipality of Central Huron 519-482-3997 www.centralhuron.com

Open 6 am to 10 pm

39977 Blyth Rd., Blyth

519-523-9090

Proud supporter of our Youth!

The Citizen 1ST BRUSSELS PATHFINDERS — from left: Guider Mady Deitner Front row: Benetta Van Nes and Rose Van Nes.

Blyth Brussels 519-523-4792 519-887-9114

Blyth 519-523-4311

Bear sightings, dozens of dogs on Trick’s HE report By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Bob Trick, the animal control officer for Huron East, as well as several other municipalities in

Huron County, provided a year-end report for council at its Jan. 22 meeting. In his report, Trick outlined his work over the course of the year for Huron East, which included

dozens of complaints. Trick said he caught 18 dogs and responded to 10 dogs at large complaints, three dog attacks and 11 complaints of barking. There were 20 dog-related instances,

according to his report, where he was either contacted by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) or at which the police were present. He said there had been four sick skunks found in Brussels. Two were sent away to be tested for rabies, but came back negative. There were 44 additional reports of sick skunks throughout Huron East, one of which was sent to be tested for rabies, but came back negative. There was one report of a sick squirrel, two bear sightings, 15 kennel inspections and five heritage estate issues. He said there was one report of an iguana bite, but as iguanas are cold-

blooded, it didn’t have to be tested for rabies. Trick said the Huron County Health Unit contacted him five times. He was called to a number of incidents of livestock at large, as well as a call of a skunk at a day care centre. He said he was called to an incident where a sick racoon climbed up a person’s leg, but did not bite him. He sent two bats away to be tested for rabies, but they came back negative. Over the course of the year he attended to five cat complaints, two complaints of people having too many pet rats and six calls regarding dog feces.

Police investigating stolen car in Auburn

Pancakes John Gillis, left, and Bryan Morton were two of the volunteers tasked with bringing breakfast to hungry diners at the Brussels Lions Club’s community breakfast at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre on Sunday. A free skate was also held, with all proceeds going to Brussels pool initiatives. (Quinn Talbot photo)

Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers are investigating the theft of a Nissan Sentra that was stolen from a residence in Auburn last week. Investigators have learned the vehicle was last seen parked in the driveway of a Blyth Road residence around 6 p.m. on Feb. 11. The following morning a neighbour noticed the vehicle was missing just before 7 a.m. The vehicle was left unlocked with an ignition key left in the centre console. The stolen vehicle is described as a silver, 2006 Nissan Sentra model S18, 4-door sedan and is valued at approximately $3,000. Should you have any information that could assist investigators please contact Huron OPP at 1-888-3101122 or (519) 524-8314.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Drop by our office in Blyth or Brussels and check out our wonderful selection of books. We have books for all ages. 413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114

PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019.

Committee vows to fund NH Museum move By Denny Scott The Citizen Like the Town Hall Theatre in Wingham before it, the North Huron Museum may be relocated without tax dollars, if necessary, according to volunteers supportive of the move. Represented by Doug Kuyvenhoven, a committee

interested in relocating the museum and keeping it operational spoke to North Huron Township Council during its Feb. 4 meeting. Kuyvenhoven’s family has offered the former train station in Wingham to the municipality essentially free of charge to house the museum. He told council that, if necessary, the committee would work to fund

the move entirely, and council has reason to believe him: Kuyvenhoven was a big supporter of the town hall theatre renovation project. Kuyvenhoven said that, after council last dealt with the issue, a meeting was held at the Wingham branch of the Huron County Library to find members for the committee. There were various community

groups in attendance, and approximately 25 people attending in total. “We are here tonight to ask council to consider creating a Wingham Museum committee of council with terms of reference to be worked out by staff,” Kuyvenhoven said. “The committee would do the planning, volunteering and fundraising associated with the move.” Kuyvenhoven said that the committee would do what the theatre renovation committee had done before it. “We can repeat the success of reopening the Wingham Town Hall Theatre,” he said. “That was all

accomplished with zero taxpayer dollars. Give us the opportunity for the creation of a community committee. We need you to support and empower us to do the job.” Council directed staff to research the committee’s creation, including creating terms of reference. After hearing the presentation from Kuyvenhoven, and a similar request from Andy McBride on behalf of the Howson Dam and Pond committee, Reeve Bernie Bailey commended both groups on their efforts. “It’s good to see volunteers turning out in this community again,” he said. “I’m so happy the volunteers are back.”

Sniff Out a Great Deal in the Classifieds. Shoppers with a nose for bargains head straight for the Classifieds. In the Classifieds, you can track down deals on everything from cars to canine companions. It’s easy to place an ad or find the items you want, and it’s used by hundreds of shoppers every day.

Go with your instincts and use the Classifieds today.

Season-ender

The523-4792 Citizen• 887-9114 Classifieds

The Huron East Centenaires did their best to stave off elimination on Friday against the Ripley Wolves, but the Cents came up short with Ripley posting a 5-2 win. The loss was the fourth in a row in a series against the Wolves, ending the Cents’ post-season play. (Quinn Talbot photo)

YMCA usage holds steady through ’18 By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Usage of the Central Huron YMCA held steady in 2018 and its operators are again looking for funding from Central Huron Council to upgrade the facility. Leigh Cove, Lindsay Whitaker and Mike Ennis, all from the YMCA, spoke to council at its Feb. 4 meeting, looking back at a successful 2018 and looking ahead to the future of the location. Cove told council that membership held steady at the centre with 559 total members in 2018 compared to 555 total members the year before. Where the centre saw major gains, however, was in non-member participants, which could provide a bump in membership in the future. The centre had nearly 70 non-member participants in 2018, a robust number for Clinton, Cove said. She also told council that those at the centre have been impressed with its retention rate as well. Hoping to achieve a 58 per cent retention rate, the YMCA hit 60 per cent, exceeding that goal. Whitaker told council that the centre’s revenue was down in 2018 compared to 2017, dropping from $163,092 to $138,928, despite a larger contribution from Central Huron Council ($42,545 in 2018 compared to $35,233 in 2017). However, she said, in 2018, nearly $10,000 was reinvested into the site, which included repairs to the current radio equipment, replacement parts,

preventative maintenance and new wellness accessories for the fitness centre. She said that again the YMCA would be asking for another $10,000 for capital funds for 2019. This money, she said, would go towards converting the existing Energy Zone space into a multi-purpose space used for functional training, new and existing group exercise classes, youth leadership courses and children’s programming opportunities. In addition, the YMCA personnel were requesting an extension of the Recreation, Arts and Sports Program (RASP) funding from the municipality. Since 2016, the municipality has provided $7,500 per year to aid children and youth participating in activities at the YMCA, regardless of their financial circumstances. The requests from the YMCA were referred to council’s upcoming budget deliberations, which will be taking place in the coming months.

Have A New Addition?

Let everyone know about your new bundle of joy!

Call for prices and details

519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114

YOU DID IT! Show off those wedding photos in our Wedding Showcase to be featured February 28th with our special Bridal Section. Announce your wedding for the community to celebrate. A newspaper clipping makes a great memento for your scrapbook and future generations. Send in a photo of the wedding couple plus a maximum 300 word write-up. Just $25 (including HST) (paid in advance). Your story will appear along with those of other couples who were married this past year in The Citizen’s February 28 Wedding Showcase feature. Deadline: February 22 Issue date: February 28

The Citizen 413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792

541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114

Email: info@northhuron.on.ca

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019. PAGE 13.

From the Minister’s Study

Ruth’s story one of self-sacrifice, commitment By Pastor Gary van Leeuwen Blyth Christian Reformed Church The story of Ruth, from the Old Testament, is one of the betterknown stories in the Bible. Set about 1,200 years before Jesus Christ was born, it begins with a husband and wife, Elimelek and Naomi, leaving their hometown of Bethlehem because of a famine. They travel to a neighbouring country with their two sons. A reader of Hebrew would notice the irony in these opening verses of the story, for Bethlehem means “house of bread”, but it was anything but. The irony continues with Naomi’s story, for her name means, “pleasant” or “beautiful,” but life in the foreign land is anything but pleasant or beautiful for Naomi. Very soon after her family arrives in that land, Naomi’s husband dies. Her two sons marry, but they soon die as well. Naomi is left a widow in a foreign land. Those who know about the culture are quick to note that Naomi has very few rights, because she is a foreigner, a widow and a woman. Knowing that her life will be difficult, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, and her two daughtersin-law begin the journey with her. Knowing what lies ahead of them (they will become vulnerable as foreigners, widows and women in Naomi’s hometown), she urges them to return. One does, but her daughter-in-law, Ruth, commits herself to Naomi. No matter what happens, Ruth vows, I will go with you, and even when you die, I will remain in your place, for your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth shows a fearless commitment to Naomi and we respect her for it. It was not an easy decision. When the two women arrive back in Bethlehem, the women of the village greet Naomi, but she pleads with them to call her by a different name. Call me Mara, she says, for Mara means “bitter”. She has experienced bitterness in the time she was away. She lost her husband and two sons, and, except for her faithful daughter-in-law, she has nothing left. As she explains this to her old friends, she admits that it is the Lord who has taken away all her blessings. We are never told why, and it doesn’t seem to matter to Naomi. But she is not bitter against God. Rather, she uses a name for God which is translated as “Almighty” and which is used most often to describe God as he grants the blessing of children. Even in her loss, Naomi expresses a deep trust in the Lord. Instead of turning away from him, she uses a name to describe him in such a way that she appears to be trusting that he can restore her. And that is what God does. Ruth, in order to survive, puts herself in a very vulnerable position, gleaning the fields behind the harvesters. From time to time the harvesters would drop a head of wheat, and the law said that they were obligated to leave it there so that the poor could take it home and have something to eat themselves. Ruth and Naomi would, very possibly, be able to survive on those leftovers from the fields. It appears they will have a grim existence. But Ruth “happens” to have chosen to glean in a field of a

gracious man named Boaz. Boaz is a distant relative of Naomi and he instructs his workers to leave a little more wheat stalks behind than they normally would. And, when he speaks to Ruth, Boaz seems to welcome her as a member of his extended family. Although she is a foreigner, he uses language that would include her among his people. The story progresses with Naomi and Ruth having plenty of food to eat and it would end well there, except that is not the end of the story. Ruth proposes marriage to Boaz, and he agrees. At the same time Boaz will be obligated to care for Naomi, and, as was the custom of that time, the first child born to Ruth and Boaz will not be considered theirs. He will belong to Naomi. It’s a rather strange custom, but it guaranteed that Naomi’s memory

would not be forgotten. She would live on in the memories of her grandchildren and beyond. Ruth and Boaz do have a child, and he is named Obed, and Naomi takes on the role of his mother. Obed, whose name means “one who serves”, becomes the one who serves to carry on Naomi’s name and keep her memory alive. As we read about Boaz, we see the author give him the title of “Guardian-Redeemer”. A guardianredeemer is one who gives up his own rights and position to care for another. Guardian-redeemers sacrificed their own futures for the sake of another. Boaz, by agreeing to marry Ruth, was giving up his life to that he could provide the very thing that had embittered Naomi’s life: he would provide her children. The story of Ruth and Boaz is a story of self-sacrifice and

The Regional Ministry of Hope Sermon Series: These Anglican Churches The ABC’s of Anglicanism: Welcome You Week three: C is for Creeds and our beliefs

Trinity

St. John’s

Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector 519-357-7781 email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca The­Regional­Ministry­of­ Hope

BLYTH

BRUSSELS

9:15 am

11:15 am

St. Paul’s Trinity

WINGHAM

11:15 am

COME WORSHIP WITH US!

BRUSSELS

United Church Worship and Sunday School Sunday, February 24 at 9:30 am Worship leader, Sandra Cable All are Welcome

commitment. Their marriage is not a marriage based on mutual attraction or even love at first. It is a marriage founded in the deep desire to be of benefit for a woman who has lost everything. And, although we can be sure that Ruth and Boaz loved each other, their first commitment was to Naomi. In a sense, the story of Naomi is the story of the human race. When we live life with God as he intended

us to, our lives are meant to be pleasant and beautiful. However, the human race has wandered away from God. It does not take much study to realize how broken and troubled our world has become. Even in our community many who had dreamed of a full and complete life have ended up being emptied of much of its blessings. Broken relationships, unrealized dreams, Continued on page 19

You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship SUNDAYS Morning Service Evening Service

10:00 am 7:30 pm

BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743

Sunday, February 24 You re Invited to come worship with us

at 10:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 650 Alexander St. (former Brussels Public School) Sunday School for children 4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service. Wednesday Night Kids’ Club 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm (ages 5-12)

For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621 Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173

Blyth United Church Sunday, February 24 Worship Service at 11:00 am

Special Speaker: Sandra Cable

MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24

Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday ~ 9:30 am - 2:00 pm blythunited@tcc.on.ca Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches Accessible

We invite you to join our church family in:

Worship & Sunday School - 9:30 am (*New time) Coffee & Snacks following the service Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm ~ Soup & More 2 - a free community meal held in Melville’s basement, and made possible by the Brussels churches working together. Nursery care available 519-887-6687

February 24 9:30 a.m. Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. Worship

Pastor Phil Delsaut “Keep Your Focus” (2 Peter 1:1-10) SPECIAL REPORT from PNG Missions Team! Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 p.m. HEIRBORN (JK-Gr. 6), 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jr. & Sr. YOUTH (Gr. 7-12) Feb. 26 Way of Jesus training, Feb. 28 Annual Meeting huronchapel.com huronchapelkids.com huronchapelyouth.com 519-526-1131 ~ 119 John’s Ave., Auburn

OFFICE: 519-523-4224

THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS. OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday 6:00 p.m. 17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday 9:00 a.m. 220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph’s Sunday 11:00 a.m. 1025 Wallace Avenue N.

PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019.

Classified Advertisements – RATES – 20 words or less only $7.00 + HST. Additional words 20¢ each + HST. 50¢ will be deducted if ad is paid in advance

DEADLINE 2 p.m. Monday in Brussels 4 p.m. Monday in Blyth Phone 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 e-mail: info@northhuron.on.ca

Articles for sale GERBERS FIREWOOD SERVING you for over 10 years. Your number one source of quality slabwood and bodywood. Delivery available. No Sunday calls. 519-656-2057, 519441-2085. 01-50p -------------------------------------------FREE – 2018 CITIZEN PHONE BOOKS are available at our offices in Blyth and Brussels. tfn -------------------------------------------REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. All are in colour. 4x6 – $4.00, 5x7 – $5.00, 8x10 – $8.00. Phone to order 519523-4792 or 519-887-9114. tfn -------------------------------------------THE CITIZEN IS AVAILABLE TO purchase at these locations – Auburn Co-op, Belgrave Variety, Blyth Corner Café, Blyth Variety, Blyth Food Market, Blyth Ultramar, Brussels Bulk & Bargains, Brussels Foodland, Brussels Variety, JR’s, Clinton Convenience, Clinton Foodland, Walton Inn, Dean’s ValuMart in Wingham, Wingham Mini Mart, Brown’s Pharmasave, Wingham. Seaforth Foodland, GT Mini Mart in Seaforth, Fincher’s in Goderich, The Citizen Blyth, and Brussels. tfn

Coming events WORLD DAY OF PRAYER, Melville Presbyterian Church, Friday, March 1, 2 p.m. Everyone welcome. 08-2 -------------------------------------------PANCAKE SUPPER ON TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 at St. Paul’s Trinity Anglican Church, Wingham from 5 - 7 p.m. Adult: $12, Children 12 and under: $6, Preschool: free. Everyone welcome. 08-2 -------------------------------------------BLYTH LEGION AND LADIES Auxiliary are hosting a Bingo on February 26 at the Blyth Arena. Doors open at 6 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. 08-1p -------------------------------------------ST. JOHN’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, Brussels, Shrove Tuesday, Pancake and Sausage Supper, March 5, 2019, 5 - 7 p.m. By donation. 08-2p -------------------------------------------PANCAKE SUPPER AT TRINITY Anglican Church, Dinsley St., Blyth, Tuesday, March 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Adults: $8, Under 12: $4. 08-2b --------------------------------------------

Coming events

In memoriam

Services

Wanted

SUPPORT CANADIAN FOOD Grains “Facing World Hunger”, 5th Brussels and Area Community Luncheon: ham, rolls, scalloped potatoes, salad, vegetarian baked beans and luscious desserts. St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 17 Flora Street, Brussels, Sunday, Feb. 24 starting at 11:30 a.m. Everyone welcome. Free-will donation. Matched 4:1 by the federal government. Reservations not needed. Contact Bob Kellington 519-440-9534. 06-3

HALLAHAN. In loving memory of Sheila, a wife, mother and grandmother who passed away February 21, 2014. Some people just know, Right from the start, How to bring joy, To another’s heart. Some people just know, How to love and to give, And they do such nice things, Everyday that they live. They’re always a blessing, Wherever they go, It’s a sweet way of life, That some people just know. – Loved and remembered everyday by Joe Hallahan and family. 08-1p

READY FOR THAT NEW JOB? We’ll help you get it. The Centre for Employment & Learning, 152 Josephine Street, 2nd floor, Wingham, 519-357-4995. 08-1p -------------------------------------------FAXING SERVICE We can send or receive faxes for you for only $1.00 per page. The Citizen, 413 Queen St., Blyth. Phone 519523-4792. Fax 519-523-9140. tfn

I AM INTERESTED IN PURchasing breeding pet rabbit stock, for the spring, that are various colours and breeds. I am also interested in hobby chickens and possibly other fowl. Please call Gisele Ireland 519392-6461. 07-4

Help wanted

Help wanted

CitizenTo -Citizen

Employment Opportunity SUMMER 2019 DAY CAMP POSITIONS

“SWAP SHOP” ad “One person’s junk is another’s treasure”

Let us help you turn that junk into $$ ➨ Free ad up to 25 words, person to person only (no businesses), items valued at $1,000 or less. Your ad will run three times unless it sells faster! ➨ The Citizen reserves the right to limit the number of items or ads per person.

Call 519-523-4792 or email: info@northhuron.on.ca FOR SALE – Wood’s custom chest freezer for sale for $100. Model C12WCB in great working condition. Comes with two wire baskets, 50" wide by 24" deep by 35" tall when closed, 54" tall when open. Pick up in Blyth. Call 519-955-2682. 07-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE – Solid big oak desk with 10 drawers below and 10 bookshelves above. Kept in great shape, asking $450 or best offer. 519-291-9486. 06-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE – Ariens snowblower 24 inch, kept in super condition and works great, $500 or best offer. 519-291-9486. 06-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE – Couch hide-a-bed perfect for extra company. Not pet worn. Kept in good shape, $100 or best offer. 519-291-9486. 06-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE – Ladder rack for work van, like brand new and adjusts to fit any size van. Holds two to three ladders, $475 or best offer. 519-440-1289. 06-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE – Roasting chickens, free range birds, processed in government-inspected facility. 89 lbs. range, $2.90 per pound. 226-622-2175. 04-3 ---------------------------------------FOR SALE – Large glass display cases with glass shelves, heavy glass and aluminum construction, commercial grade, $275 each. 226-622-2175. 04-3

We are looking for energetic, conscientious, caring, and organized individuals to work at our day camps in Wingham and Blyth for the months of July and August. Duties Include: Planning, implementing, and supervising summer programs and special events; ensuring a safe and positive environment for all participants with a fun atmosphere; demonstrating responsibility, leadership and commitment to quality programming. Qualifications for Employment: • Current First-Aid & CPR Certificate • 16 years of age or older • Police Check Required • Experience in the organization and implementation of activities for children and youth of various ages. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 15, 2019 at 4:30 p.m. When applying please reference job posting number (SDC1). Thanks to all those who apply. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Please submit cover letter and résumé to: Township of North Huron Attention: Human Resources Box 90, 274 Josephine Street, Wingham Ontario, N0G2W0 or E-mail: hr@northhuron.ca The Township of North Huron is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations are available for all parts of the recruitment process. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. We thank all applicants for their interest and only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. Information is collected solely for the purpose of job selection under the provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY Summer Student The Municipality of Morris-Turnberry is currently accepting applications for two (2) summer student positions for the summer of 2019. The successful applicant will work for approximately a 16 week period. 2 students for general labour duties: approximately 35 hours per week Interested Candidates must have: • Be capable of working independently • Must have a minimum ‘G2’ drivers licence • Must be returning to school in the fall of 2019 • Preference will be given to students enrolled in Post Secondary education • Good written and oral communication skills will be an asset • Knowledge of grass cutting equipment would be an asset Please submit your résumé and a letter of interest to the undersigned by: 12 noon on Friday, March 15th, 2019 For further information contact the undersigned: Mike Alcock, Director of Public Works Municipality of Morris-Turnberry PO Box 310, 41342 Morris Road, Brussels, Ontario N0G 1H0 Telephone: 519-887-6137 Fax: 519-887-6424 Email: mail@morristurnberry.ca Only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All word ads in The Citizen classifieds are put on our webpage at

www.northhuron.on.ca

Find a job or advertise a job on the Citizen Careers section of our website www.northhuron.on.ca

THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019. PAGE 15.

Letters to the Editor

Blyth man critical of Ford government decisions THE EDITOR, After reading Shawn Loughlin’s column in the Feb. 14 issue of The Citizen about fact-checking, I was reminded of what a talking head said some time ago… “Truth is what people are willing to believe”. What’s been going on in our own province also necessitates some fact checking and truth-seeking. I think we sometimes feel insulated from what’s going on at Queen’s Park, but in a very real sense we aren’t. Our form of government in which we sometimes participate – at election time, but not much at other times – requires us to be involved all the time. I’ve learned from our cousins to the south, that we cannot, nor should we take for granted how we are governed. For some time I’ve sat back, watched, and read, about what’s been happening in, and to, our province. I must admit, I’ve been waiting for others to take up this conversation. To be clear, I am no ideologue, I vote on principle, and have voted for all three major political parties during my lifetime. I consider myself an independent liberalconservative, who votes for candidate first, then party, the one I think best suited to deal with the important issues facing our riding, province and our country. There’s no doubt that the June 6, 2018 provincial election was a vote “against”, rather than a vote “for”. No question, issues like hydro rates, the Hydro One sell-off and the cost of the gas co-generation plant move from Oakville to Sarnia were all contributors. I think that allowing for the benefit of the doubt for a new

government allows time for adjustment, despite the fact that the Conservative Party’s election platform lacked substance. There’s a world of difference governing, than being in opposition. But, times change… facts are facts. It began with Premier Doug Ford withdrawing Ontario from the cap and trade initiative (a campaign promise), now estimated to cost Ontario taxpayers approximately $3 billion in future provincial revenue. This shortfall will have to be made up, and added to the debt, over time. But further, there’s the question of what happens to the $2 billion already collected? Does that have to be returned to those companies which participated in cap and trade previously? When the Premier irresponsibly invoked the notwithstanding clause of our Constitution to punish the City of Toronto Council complement, I finally had that sense of foreboding you sometimes get. And when he insisted he wouldn’t “be shy” about invoking it again, I sensed then, we may have made a mistake. In making Ontario “open for business”, the government went after labour reform… and elimination of workers’ rights. Most might agree that, while a welldeserved minimum wage increase was necessary for those workers, the increase was too much, too soon for most service industries to absorb, but eliminating many of the other common sense workers’ rights demonstrated significant overreach, including employer WSIB premium reductions; delaying pay equity; impacting collective bargaining for

unions will all have adverse effects on workers, including those in the public sector-municipalities, school boards, hospitals, etc. Then he went after sex education in the school curriculum. The adage, “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it,” applied here. The decision to repeal without a viable replacement was irresponsible. Even students in Toronto protested that decision. Minister of Education Lisa Thompson recently announced that after a series of telephone town hall meetings, online survey, and opensubmission form, a replacement was coming. Interestingly, the new sexed curriculum change may take student instruction and guidance back to the 1990s. In this day of social media, and its implications, Ontario is going back to teaching sex-ed that’s 20 years out of date. And just recently, that same Minister spoke to the issue of potential class size increases in elementary class rooms that will impact children in a primary learning environment, as well as affect teacher complement. In November, the Premier determined to fire the overpaid CEO of Ontario Hydro, who finally left of his own accord. The timing of this meddling by the Premier couldn’t have been worse, in that Hydro One was in negotiations to acquire U.S. utility, Avista in a $6.7 billion deal. The meddling “forced resignation” caused Washington State regulators to reject the deal and trigger a kill fee of $150 million plus legal fees that Ontario will end up paying. The aggregated cost will be north of $200 million. Claiming the absolute right to

appoint whomever he wants, the Premier appointed a close friend to the position of OPP commissioner; coincidentally, qualifications were lowered to effect what Ford has called a “political appointment” which has since been delayed while the province’s Integrity Commissioner reviews the circumstances surrounding the appointment. In the race for the Premier to meet other election promises, and lower revenue levels, bond agencies lowered Ontario’s credit rating, leading to higher borrowing costs and higher interest payments, already a key line-entry in the provincial budget. The government has, in fact, added more gasoline to a fiscal fire, which again, will fall on taxpayers, you and me. Since the seven-seat Liberals no longer have official party status, and the Premier was concerned about disaffected members of his own caucus defecting, he raised the threshold from eight seats to 12,

thereby stemming any losses to his caucus- seemed a bit authoritarian to me. The government recently also decided to loosen child care ruleseasing daycare ratios and loosening restrictions that were put in place after a number of tragedies. Parents of children in daycare should find this disturbing. And it seems the government has now created a new publicly-run, and taxpayer-funded, website: Ontario News Now, which from what I read, merely creates a self-promotion opportunity for the government. Self-promotion could also morph into something less desirable. Then there’s the issue of a muted cabinet. The Premier, it seems, calls the shots. Sound familiar? So… when you add it all up, I admit to having buyer remorse. A wise man once said, “If you expect nothing, you’re never disappointed”. Somehow, I had higher expectations of better... not worse. Greg Sarachman, Blyth.

Endangered Species Act crucial: Hollingworth THE EDITOR, Premier Ford’s intentions to diminish the power of the Endangered Species Act is despicable and completely shortsighted. His intentions are a most serious threat to many of Ontario’s endangered species. Once a species is extinct it is lost to future generations forever.

What right does one man have to further diminish the fullness and the beauty of the earth by allowing the unnecessary destruction of natural habitat; habitat which has nurtured species for millennia? Think again, Mr. Ford. Your grandchildren and my grandchildren will thank you if you do. Jim Hollingworth MD Goderich.

PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019.

Gillis, Boettcher families welcome new additions By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570

So many folks around the area have travelled to get away from our crazy weather and Merv and Donna Bauer are two of them. They decided back in early fall they would take a cruise around South America. They flew from Toronto to Miami and then on to Santiago, Chile. After a mere 16 hours in the air, they took a bus trip through the city, while they waited for their room. The hotel was in a valley with breathtaking scenery and temperatures over 40°C. The Norwegian Sun was the name of their cruise ship for the next 14 days as they cruised around South America to Buenos Aires, Argentina. The first day started out nice and warm and it gradually felt much cooler as they headed out into the Pacific Ocean, to 15°C and very windy.

After three days at sea, they landed at Coyhaique and the Simpson Valley and enjoyed a very scenic bus tour of the area. They saw the Andes Mountains with lots of snow, and giant rhubarb that grows everywhere and is used jams, jellies and other preserves. On board again, they headed for the Strait of Magellan with much cooler weather, only 9°C, with wind and rough water and they could see the glaciers. The Strait of Magellan is considered the most important natural passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The ocean was too rough with 22foot waves through the channels, as they are too narrow for navigation with rough seas, so they missed that part of the trip. They do report they had the best night’s sleep with the rocking and rolling of the sea. Until the building of the Panama Canal, it was the main shipping route for commercial traveling between the two oceans. The southern-most capital city in Chile is Punta Arenas. They entered through the Beagle Channel down the Avenue of Glaciers. They went on a smaller boat cruise to tour around the lighthouse at the horn, to what is known as the “end of the world”. It was picture-perfect and

A new face Pastor Phil Delsaut has been named the interim minister for Huron Chapel in Auburn. He has begun preaching steadily at the church after Pastor Mark Royall left the location late last year, while former Living Water Christian Fellowship Pastor Ernest Dow remains on in an assistant capacity. (Nick Vinnicombe photo)

they saw sea lions, lots of penguins and native birds. They sent postcards home to themselves so they would have the end of the world postmark from the local post office. The next morning the ship went around Cape Horn. This is where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Antarctic Sea all flow together. They stopped at Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands; a quaint city with very few residents. It was decorated with lots of colours with different vegetation and the houses were all different colours with steel roofs. They finally were heading up the coast and stopped at Puerto Madryn and the temperatures were up to 21°C. They strolled the beaches and local shops and then enjoyed sunning back on the ship. They had a great time speaking with the workers on the ship and found out they are from all over the world. The first thing they are taught is English and they have classes for them on the ship. They arrived in Buenos Aires and had travelled 4,098.2 nautical miles by ship. They enjoyed a teak dinner and a bottle of wine for only $43 U.S. at a hotel they stayed in. They travelled 21,000 miles by air, sea and bus not to mention the miles they walked. There is only a two-hour time difference, and it made for a relaxing and fantastic trip. It was cool at times, but warm at others. Overall, it was memorable trip and one they will always remember. Thanks for sharing it with everyone! It is hard to believe someone would want to come to our area with our roller coaster weather, but some former residents did just that. You may have seen the familiar faces of Randy and Cathy (Sholdice) Fischer on the streets of Brussels this past week. They were here to visit with moms Liz Sholdice and Donna Fischer and other family members. There were 13 players who braved the roads and blowing snow to play Cranbrook darts after three weeks of cancellations. Lone player George Zwep won all five games. Team six of Logan Pattersen and Rob Vanderveen won their five games. With many mixed teams, the rest of the teams tied. High lady was Pat Gillis with 111 and Logan with 120. They are hoping the weather changes soon so they don’t miss any more nights of darts. Congratulations go to Erik and Edda Boettcher on the birth of a little girl on Nov. 26. Wee Ronja Marlene arrived in November and is doing well. Another new little one for Moncrieff Line is the arrival of Knox

Letter to the Editor Hullett writer critical of Ford THE EDITOR, The Endangered Species Act came into force in 2008. The Act was considered a model for others to follow, even though the Liberals created it but have not enforced it, making exemptions for a number of industries. Since its inception, the number of species needing protection has increased. The Provincial government under Premier Doug Ford is about to weaken the legislation once again. My wife’s thesis was on the extinction of species and one could say that it is the loss of habitat that drives extinctions. There are many other factors that also count, but this is a big one. Often it is wetlands that

are destroyed and wetlands play a vital role in human survival. We need these wetlands to purify our water and to mitigate the effects of heavy rainfalls, which seem to happen more often now. There are many other reasons to protect natural habits. Unfortunately, Mr. Ford took over the Conservative Party and it is his agenda to please his wealthy friends. This is obvious in Bill 66 which iss going to bypass the Clean Water Act. His attacks on the education, healthcare, worker safety and other things are multiple examples of his agenda. If you want to get a glimpse at how the extremely wealthy behave read “Aristocrats are Anarchists” in The Guardian.

A childhood friend, who I consider a genius, became a lawyer and defended large corporations. He told me that capitalism is really the only system that works but it needs to be heavily regulated. And he understood why firsthand because he defended them and when money is the motivator nothing or anybody is safe… not our water, our air and our green spaces. And for that matter, neither are our lives safe. So talk to your MPPs and let them know that weakening the Endangered Species Act is a dangerous and foolhardy thing to do. And it is not being done “For the People”. Franklin Taylor.

Winston Gillis, son of Mark and Caitlin Gillis. He arrived on Jan. 22 and is also doing well. He will be welcomed by his big brother Nash. Neil McDonald is here from Vancouver. Weather there has been a roller coaster of rain and snow and many things in between. It seems all of Canada is having crazy climate swings right now. He arrived in a snow storm, couldn’t be picked up until the next day, and it has stormed three days of his stay so far, but there is hope for the weekend and better weather before he leaves. We are pleased to hear that Jim Armstrong is out of hospital and back to his home in Goderich. We are glad to know he is feeling better. Under the weather is Ruth Lowe and we hope she is soon feeling better. Edythe Warwick is still in Wingham Hospital, having therapy and will hopefully be getting along better real soon. The stormy weather on Friday afternoon resulted in a vehicle collision and injuries to a Walton man. Gord Pryce suffered non-lifethreatening injuries when he was hit by another vehicle. He has suffered a number of injuries that will take a long time to heal. His grandson suffered minor injuries and was released.

Our thoughts are with Gord’s wife Irma and their family at this time. Celebrating birthdays this past week are Valentine’s babies Betty Glanville, Krista Fraser, Val Pethick, Gary McNichol, Betty Graber Watson, followed by Keith Clark, Connor Driscoll, Jack Knight, Hayden Lee, Monica McNichol, Brian Dolmage and Jenna Martene. Happy birthday to all.

NEWS FROM WALTON Promoting our Community INSIDE THIS WEEK:

FUNDING - Pg. 2

RESPONSE - Pg. 3

CONCERT - Pg. 6

Education Minister in Blyth to hand out grants

Morris-Turnberry Mayor calls for autonomy

Brussels Ministerial comes together for show

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4-H Clubs awarded

White Christmas The snow was falling on Friday night as Clinton held the final Santa Claus parade of the Huron County season, bringing residents and visitors out to the town to help

celebrate the holiday season. One of the main attractions of the parade every year is the Clinton Pipe Band, seen here appealing to the ears of all in attendance. (Nick Vinnicombe photo)

The Huron County 4-H Leaders’ Association Awards Program was recently held at the Seaforth Agriplex, recognizing 4-H members for their efforts throughout the year. COUNTY AWARDS Loretta Higgins won the Murray Cardiff Award for Top All-Round Member. The Don Pullen Award for highest overall score in the county went to Evy Verschaeve. She also won the Dedication Award for dedication to the club. The Warden’s Novice Award for first year competitive member with the highest score went to Emily Datema. The Ben Lobb Award for the junior member with the top essay went to Kayla Drennan. Emily Franken won the Ontario Plowmen’s Association Award for outstanding agricultural 4-H member as well as the Longstanding Graduating Member Award. She also received her graduation seal. The Citizen-Rural Voice Awards for press reporter book competition awards went to Dugald McIntosh (first) and Mercedes Prout (second). The Huron County 4-H Leaders’ Association Award for club secretary book competition were awarded to Emily Bieman (first) and Kayla Drennan (second). The winning team for the county Go for the Gold Competition was the South Huron Sheep Club Team which consisted of Amanda Bos, Rachel Gras, Grace Hallahan and Evy Verschaeve. The Top Gate Sign Award for the Continued on page 12

Seaforth’s Fisher elected Huron East Deputy-Mayor By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Seaforth Councillor Bob Fisher is Huron East’s new deputy-mayor, besting two others who put their names forward at the inaugural meeting of Huron East Council on Dec. 4. Fisher, Tuckersmith Councillor Ray Chartrand and Grey Councillor Alvin McLellan all let their names stand for the municipality’s secondin-command position. This came

after Huron East eliminated the atlarge deputy-mayor position, reducing the size of council from 12 members to 11 just ahead of October’s election. It was Fisher who nominated Chartrand for the position. Chartrand then paid the favour back by nominating Fisher. Former Deputy-Mayor Joe Steffler nominated McLellan for the position. Fisher told his fellow councillors that he has lived in the community

for over 40 years. In addition, he has been a councillor for 12 years and spent nearly 40 years in business, all experience he felt would aid in being the deputy-mayor. Fisher also listed a number of projects he’d like to see undertaken or continued both in Huron East and in Huron County. In Huron East, Fisher said he wanted to see the municipality’s community centres better utilized and to promote a harmonious relationship between residents

of all of Huron East’s five wards. At the county level, Fisher said he wanted to see a greater focus on tourism, saying that Huron County could easily be the Prince Edward County of southwestern Ontario. He also said that while the county’s accessibility advisory committee has done a lot of great work, there is still more to be done. Fisher also said that, as someone who is legally blind, he also hoped that being named deputy-mayor would inspire others with disabilities

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saying that if they “get [their] ass off the couch and do something” like he has they can accomplish anything. McLellan said that his decades of experience as a councillor and on numerous boards and committees would make him an ideal choice for the deputy-mayor position. He said that being self-employed would ensure that he wouldn’t miss any meetings, adding that he hates to miss any council meetings. He said he had been asked if he Continued on page 15

Contest opens December 12 Applications will be accepted until January 25th, 2019 at 4:30 pm Forms are available online or at the Township of North Huron office at 275 Josephine Street in Wingham Email: inittowinit@northhuron.ca or call the Project Co-ordinator at 519-441-7629.

IN IT TO WIN IT: brought to you by the Libro Prosperity Fund, Wingham BIA, North Huron Economic Development Committee, Huron County Economic Development and Community Futures Huron.

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Brussels Livestock report

Weather lightens run of cattle at sale Total receipts for Brussels Livestock for the week ending Feb. 15 were 1,517 cattle and 319 lambs and goats. On Tuesday due to the weather we saw a light run of cattle. Fed steers and heifers sold steady. Choice steers and heifers sold $145 to $150 with sales to $154. Second cut steers and heifers sold $135 to $145. Cows sold steady. On Thursday veal sold on a strong active trade with heifers selling $5 higher. Lambs, sheep and goats sold steady. On Friday, calves and yearlings sold steady. Garald Kuepfer of Brunner, consigned two gold heifers that averaged 1,583 lbs. and sold for an average price of $154. Terry Murray of Clifford, consigned eight heifers that averaged 1,294 lbs. and sold for an average price of $144.94. Four charolais heifers averaged

1,268 lbs. and sold for an average price of $148. Larry Reinhart Sr. of Mildmay, consigned four steers that averaged 1,473 lbs. and sold for an average price of $143.59. One red steer that weighed 1,480 lbs. and sold for $147. Dave Adams of Lucknow, consigned three head that averaged 1,457 lbs. and sold for an average price of $132.72. One grey steer weighed 1,685 lbs. and sold for $145. There were 300 cows on offer. Beef sold $65 to $75 with a high of $83.50; D1 and D2, $59 to $64 with a high of $66; D3, $53 to $58. Jessie Vanloo of Bluevale, consigned one charolais cow that weighed 1,545 lbs. and sold for $83.50. There were six bulls selling $68 to $121. Ezra S. Brubacher of Wingham, consigned one black bull

that weighed 1,725 lbs. and sold for $121. There were 190 head of veal on offer. Beef sold $145 to $157 with sales to $159; good holsteins, $105 to $110 with sales to $115; Sl heavy holsteins, $90 to $100; heavy holsteins, $85 to $90; medium holsteins, $90 to $100. Lamar Frey of Listowel, consigned five head that averaged 844 lbs. and sold for an average price of $146.73. One charolais heifer weighed 835 lbs. and sold for $159. Mark M. Martin of Teeswater, consigned three head that averaged 865 lbs. and sold for an average price of $125.86. One red steer weighed 910 lbs. and sold for $139. Mosie J. and Ella Shetler of Lucknow, consigned 12 holstein steers that averaged 661 lbs. and sold for an average price of $106.74. One

holstein steer weighed 635 lbs. and sold for $112. Lambs, 50 - 64 lbs. sold $338 to $342; 65 - 79 lbs., $328 to $331; 80 - 94 lbs., $237 to $250; 95 - 109 lbs., $208 to $230; 110 lbs. and over, 184 to $194. Sheep sold $100 to $175. Goats: billies sold $150 to $300; nannies, $100 to $175; kids: meat, $300 to $435 / lb.; dairy, $275 to $360 / lb. Nick and Mike Masse of Zurich, consigned 18 lambs that averaged 68 lbs. and sold for an average price of $330.02. Eleven lambs averaged 62 lbs. and sold for an average price of $342. Lynn Campbell of Mitchell, consigned 14 goats that averaged 67 lbs. and sold for an average price of $320.47. Two goats averaged 48 lbs. and sold for an average price of $435. Top quality stocker steers under

Thompson, Phillips discuss conservation By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Representatives of local conservation authorities sat down with a pair of MPPs earlier this month to discuss challenging facing rural conservation authorities and some potential solutions. Huron-Bruce MPP and Minister of Education Lisa Thompson organized the meeting in Formosa, bringing Ajax MPP and Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks Rod Phillips to her riding to try and tackle the issues. Four conservation authorities were represented at the meeting: GreySauble, Saugeen, Ausable-Bayfield and Maitland Valley. Phil Beard of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority said he felt the meeting was productive, adding that he felt it was clear to the MPPs that the effects of climate change were manifesting themselves in different ways than they do in larger urban centres. He said that the focus of much of the discussion was provincial

legislation that could be changed in order to aid rural conservation authorities, as well as programs currently in place that would have adverse effects on the environment if they were to be discontinued. For example, Beard said, the Lake Huron Learning Collaborative is cofunded by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as the federal government, local governments, conservation authorities and watershed groups. It has seen some tremendous success, Beard said, and if the funding were to be pulled, there would be no way that conservation authorities from Grey, Bruce, Huron and Perth Counties would be able to fund it on their own. Beard said that the program is doing really great work throughout the four counties for a very minimal cost. The five-year work plan for the program was just recently completed, Beard said, so if funding were to be discontinued, all of that work would have been for naught.

Jim Campbell, chair of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, had also recently penned a letter to Phillips outlining a number of factors that relate to a rural conservation authority, hoping that his concerns will be brought back to the provincial government. Beard says that many things are working well and that “we don’t always have to reinvent the wheel” when it comes to conservation. However, when it comes to the impact of climate change on rural communities, Beard says it’s clear that it has been hard on rural Ontario. Soil and nutrients are being lost from fields thanks to heavy rain and flood events, and that local residents can’t rely on consistent weather patterns any longer. In 2012 and 2013, for example, Beard said, the Maitland Valley watershed experienced the driest year in the last 30, followed by the wettest year in the last 40. That kind of unpredictability puts the community at risk and it makes it nearly impossible for a conservation authority to prepare for what’s

coming next in the weather forecast. There are also impacts being felt along the Lake Huron coast, thanks to bluff collapse, gully erosion and shoreline erosion. Campbell, in his letter, said that over 800 residences valued at $360 million along the 50kilometre section of the Lake Huron shoreline located in the Maitland Valley jurisdiction are at greater risk due to climate change. Beard felt the meeting was productive, with the local conservation authorities providing some information and some insight for both Thompson and Phillips to bring back as the provincial government prepares its climate action plan.

400 lbs. sold $203 to $215; 400 - 499 lbs., $222 to $240; 500 - 599 lbs., $207 to $235; 600 - 699 lbs., $201 to $225; 700 - 799 lbs., $188 to $209; 800 - 899 lbs., $181 to $193; 900 999 lbs., $181 to $188; 1,000 lbs. and over, $173 to $189. Top quality stocker heifers, 300 399 lbs. sold $155 to $170; 400 - 499 lbs., $169 to $205; 500 - 599 lbs., $158 to $190; 600 - 699 lbs., $167 to $175; 700 - 799 lbs., $153 to $185; 800 - 899 lbs., $152 to $171; 900 lbs. and over, $154 to $157. Marvara Farms of Drayton, consigned 75 head that averaged 706 lbs. and sold for an average price of $186.53. Ten simmental steers averaged 628 lbs. and sold for an average price of $225. William McWhinney consigned seven steers that averaged 868 lbs. and sold for an average price of $178.41. One charolais steer weighed 732 lbs. and sold for $201.

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Eating well The Londesborough and District Lions Club held a special fundraising breakfast on Sunday morning, which produced lines out the door of the local community hall. The meal raised money for the Huron Residential Hospice near Clinton. (Quinn Talbot photo)

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PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019.

Steffler Foundation to bring Landsberg to Mitchell By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen

From near and far After a long and storied career in the world of sports broadcasting, Michael Landsberg has had quite the second act, speaking about mental health and wellness all over the country. He was in Huron County in 2017, speaking in Exeter and Blyth, seen above, and now he’s returning to the area to speak in Mitchell this April. (File photo)

The Tanner Steffler Foundation is bringing mental health advocate and long-time Canadian sports broadcaster Michael Landsberg to Mitchell this April on the heels of three successful events in Huron County in the spring of 2017. The event, which is scheduled for Thursday, April 11, is sponsored by Mitchell’s Ignite the Fight in coordination with Mitchell Ringette and with support from the Tanner Steffler Foundation. There will be two events: first a sit-down dinner with Landsberg at the Mitchell Golf Club, followed by an evening conversation with Landsberg at the West Perth Community Centre. The foundation first brought Landsberg to Huron County last May, starting with a high school student discussion in Exeter, followed by a dinner event at Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company and then a discussion at Memorial Hall in Blyth, all of which were very well attended. When in Blyth, Landsberg said that he felt all of the same mental health concerns in Huron County would be felt across the country and he hoped there would be a stronger support network amongst friends, families and neighbours in a community like Huron County as opposed to those in large urban centres. “I think Huron County would be identical to virtually every county this size in this country,” Landsberg

said. “The same issues exist everywhere. One asset a small community has is the sense of community where you can hopefully engender a spirit in a community that’s hopefully a safe place for mental health. You can’t do that in a big city.” Landsberg reiterated this point during his speech at Memorial Hall. He said that having a sense of community can be an excellent jumping-off point for mental health awareness. When he speaks in larger city centres like Toronto, he said, he’s not speaking to community. Rather, he said, he’s speaking to a number of people who happen to live in the same area, but there isn’t the same sense of community that can be found in smaller towns like those in rural Ontario. When Landsberg was here in May, 2017, he said that not only was he able to speak with and tell his story to nearly 1,500 people, but he said he felt like he took something away from his time in Huron County as well. “I felt like I learned a lot. For me it was time really well spent,” Landsberg said. “You have to pick and choose where you go to speak on this subject and it needs to be time well spent and it was. I loved it. I found the level of openness and honesty of the students in the crowd was unlike anything I’d ever seen.” After realizing he was depressed and subsequently seeking help, Landsberg began to speak publicly about mental health awareness more

and more. He and his daughter have since started the Sick Not Weak charity that seeks to end the stigma that mental illness is a weakness in a person, rather than a sickness just like any other physical disease or condition. As Landsberg has transitioned out of sports broadcasting and has made speaking on mental illness his fulltime job, he said he feels like he does more for the world in one day now than he did in his whole career on television. He said that putting his broadcasting and public speaking skills to work as an advocate for mental health awareness hasn’t been a difficult transition. He’s using the same skills, he said, but he’s dealing with a new subject matter. “Now, I get to take all the skills that I’ve learned, that I’ve studied, that I’ve benefited from and my experiences and now I get to use them speaking on stage, so it’s not a big leap,” he said. “The subject matter, more than anything is me. I’m sharing my own life experiences and the more I share, the more open I am, the more candid I am, the more effective I am.” For more information on the event, visit the Tanner Steffler Foundation website or to buy tickets, visit www.eventbrite.ca.

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THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019. PAGE 19.

Stevenson now president of Festival Art Gallery gallery, he said he saw a definite uptick in her confidence from the sheer exposure of the show. Having a show at the gallery, he said, puts an artist’s work in front of thousands of people over a three- or four-week period, often reaching people that would have never otherwise have connected with the work of a particular artist. Since he first became involved with the gallery, however, Stevenson says that his favourite function the gallery serves year after year is hosting the annual student show. Welcoming artwork made by students from the community is an amazing experience and Stevenson says he’s consistently impressed and astonished at the high level of art that comes into the show every season.

In addition, like some of the artists who apply for regular season professional shows, Stevenson has seen student artists grow from season to season as they submit their work to the student show. They also have a different outlook on art and the world, Stevenson says, so to see what they come up with every year can be an eye-opening experience. For the coming season, Stevenson will be the president of the gallery, while the vice-president spot remains vacant. Colleen Schenk is the secretary, while Cora de Vries is the treasurer, Rob Tetu is the communications and education coordinator and Bruce Stainton is the exhibition committee chair. For more information, visit the Blyth Festival Art Gallery on Facebook or at blythfestival.com.

A new era Carl Stevenson, seen here on the left in a green dress shirt, has now taken over as the president of the Blyth Festival Art Gallery after numerous years as the vice-president. He is looking forward to another diverse season at the gallery this summer. He and other members of the gallery executive are seen here last summer at the opening of Kathy White’s fibre art exhibit. (File photo)

By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Carl Stevenson of Blyth is now the president of the Blyth Festival Art Gallery and is looking forward to a strong and diverse first season this summer. While Stevenson had been a patron and supporter of the gallery for years, he first became a member about four years ago when his daughter, Kelly, was featured at the gallery for her first-ever individual show. He soon took the next step and became a member of the gallery’s executive, walking right into the vice-president role. Stevenson said he wanted to be involved because of his daughter’s involvement and due to his love of art, though he never considered himself much of an artist, aside from his work in photography, which he had submitted to the gallery as part of its annual community show. As the vice-president, he filled in for the president at functions, exhibit openings and speaking engagements if the president wasn’t able to attend.

However, what really interested Stevenson during that time was being a member of the selection committee. Being able to go behind the scenes of the selection process and visit with artists in their studios was very inspirational, he said. Because often the artist would pitch a concept for a new exhibit, the art that would be featured at the gallery for the coming season would not yet have been created, so listening to an artist speak about their vision and inspiration was a very interesting part of the process. “It’s really interesting to see how [the artists] put themselves into their work. In a lot of cases you can see them develop over the years,” Stevenson said. In the years since Stevenson has been involved, he says he’s proud to see the diverse artistic offerings season after season. Being open to and accepting of all types of art is crucial to what the gallery does, he says. So, when it was time for a new president, Stevenson was willing to take over the position, saying he had

learned plenty over the years as the vice-president and thought it was time. The transition began in late November, so Stevenson hasn’t had much time in the position, but he says that an exciting and diverse season has been chosen for this year and he’s looking forward to being able to share more details in the coming weeks. As far as what the gallery accomplishes season after season, Stevenson says that it’s a crucial part of the Huron County art picture, encouraging artists from the community and serving as a stage for artists who may not find one elsewhere. He has seen firsthand the effect that a Blyth Festival Art Gallery show can have on a young Huron County artist. When Stevenson’s daughter Kelly’s work was featured at the

Family business When Blyth artist Kelly Stevenson was featured in her first solo exhibition, “Who Heals You”, at the Blyth Festival Art Gallery, seen above, her father Carl became involved with the gallery’s executive. He has seen first-hand the positive effect the gallery can have on a young artist. (File photo)

BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED

Find fullness in God Continued from page 13 splintered families – all of these empty life of it fullness. In a sense, instead of Naomi (beautiful and pleasant), our lives have become Mara (bitter). True, there can be much about life that is beautiful, but it could be so much better. The story of the human race continues. Boaz gave up his own life by offering all that he had to fill Naomi’s life again. t is rather significant that one of the descendants of Obed, Boaz and Ruth’s son, is Jesus Christ. Like Boaz, he has become our guardianredeemer, giving up his life so that we can experience God’s blessings. Naomi’s life because full again because Ruth and Boaz thought of her first. When Jesus came to this earth, he did not seek his own rights and freedoms. Rather, he gave his life, dying on a cross to redeem us from our empty way of life. Through believing that his death is redemptive, our relationship with God is restored, and when it is restored, we can know again God’s fullness. That fullness may not take

the form of a big house or lots of money. For some of those who believe in Jesus Christ, it does not even take the form of a full stomach every day. But when we know that we have a God who is Almighty and who cares about us, our hearts become full. They become full because we know that the Almighty God who loves us will take care of us for now and for eternity. Naomi’s memory lives on through Obed, but in Jesus, we have more. When we allow him to become our servant, by accepting the gift of his self-sacrifice, we have the sure promise of not only living on in someone’s memory but of living on forever in eternity. The story of Ruth, while it remains a beautiful story of a courageous woman who was willing to sacrifice herself for her motherin-law, is also a story of God as he fills the life of a woman who had been emptied of all she had. This story can move us to self-sacrifice, but it is also meant to return us to God and, when empty, find our fullness in him.

Caregiver Connection Group An in-person social network ffo or caregivers by carre egiivers Providing peer and resource connections for caregivers in Huron and Perth Co ounties

Caregivers provide support, assistance and/ /o or care, for family members and friends f in need. Being a caregiver can be rewarding and fulfilling. However, caregiverrs often feel alone and overwhelmed in their journey. on and If you are a caregiver and would like to connect with other caregivers in Huro Perth Counties, please join us at an upcoming Caregiver Connection Group. These groups are hosted by caregivers for caregivers - come as you are for a coffee, snack and conversation! Stratford Public Library Group 19 St. Andrew St., Stratford 2nd Monday of the month – 10:00 to 11:30am 4th Monday of the month – 1:00 to 2:30pm Brussels Library Group 650 Turnberry St., Brussels 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month – 2:00 to 3:30pm For more information call Huron Perth Community Support Services Network at 1-844-482-7800.

PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019.

Huron East Council approves severance despite protestations By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Huron East Council has approved a contested zoning bylaw amendment for Don and Jill Sholdice after two weeks of further consultation yielded few results. Huron County Planner Denise Van Amersfoort spoke to the issue at council’s Feb. 5 meeting, saying that the department was recommending denial of the application to create a new lot due to a myriad of concerns. The issue was first discussed at council’s Jan. 22 meeting when the Sholdices applied to create a new lot on Elizabeth Street that would have an unusual shape and allow two horses on the property. They were proposing to sever it from their current property and create the new lot, but concerns with a laneway were at the heart of the matter between the Sholdices and their neighbours, Jenna Fischer and Andrew Baker. In her report presented on Jan. 22, Van Amersfoort said that while developing the property wouldn’t be impossible, it would be difficult, which is why the department felt as though the Sholdices’ plans would be almost temporary in nature ahead of development that could take place 40 or 50 years down the road. The property, she said, is a largely undeveloped parcel that is nearly five acres in size. Sholdice said that he and his wife bought the property with the hopes of developing it in this way one day, but that the last thing they wanted to do was cause any trouble with their neighbours. The largest issue with the application has proven to be a proposed laneway that would run between the new lot and the Fischer and Baker home. Fischer spoke to council at the Jan. 22 meeting, saying that the laneway wouldn’t be compatible with the current character of the neighbourhood and that she would be worried about the safety of children along that portion of the property. Sholdice said that he has been planning to take several measures to ensure separation along the laneway, including a four-foot-high fence and the planting of trees, but that the two families have yet to come to a solution on which both can agree. Councillor Joe Steffler said he had recently visited the property in question and felt that the Sholdices would put it to good use by developing it in this manner. He also said it would be a good use of the property, which, has been sitting vacant for some time. If the laneway wasn’t located in the proposed location, Sholdice said, the new property and the current property would then have to share a driveway, which isn’t agreeable to the owners and isn’t good planning practice for future owners, said Van Amersfoort. At the Feb. 5 meeting, Van Amersfoort said that two weeks of discussion hadn’t propelled the issue any further and that, despite the Sholdices’ best efforts, her department recommended denial. Because of the noise, dust and loss of privacy in the backyard associated with a long laneway like the one proposed by the Sholdices, a fence and row of trees would be necessary. In addition, it would create a unique situation for the severed property,

referred to as the Higgins property, that would likely result in a construction of a fence on that side of the property as well, essentially creating a fenced-in laneway. She also said that the decision would create a rather odd-shaped lot, which the Planning Act always instructs planners to avoid at all costs. Van Amersfoort also said that the new property would have approximately 50 per cent of the frontage of other properties in the neighbourhood, which would lead to compatibility concerns. Fischer again addressed council, saying that she felt her and Baker’s concerns were not heard at the previous meeting and that some councillors already had their minds made up and had decided to approve the application no matter the planning recommendation. She said that she and Baker shared many of the concerns voiced by Van Amersfoort in her report and they worried that the creation of an oddshaped lot would leave the neighbourhood with an albatross for generations to come. Fischer and Baker said they thought of their Elizabeth Street home as their “forever home” and they wanted to do everything they could to preserve its integrity. Sholdice told council that he had no plans to subdivide the property in the future and that he planned to pave the new laneway in the next two or three years, which may help with concerns over dust. Councillor Joe Steffler was the first to speak against the recommendation of the planning department, saying he was very familiar with the property and felt that the Sholdices would do right by it in developing it. He also said that a similar lot with reduced frontage had been created in Egmondville not that long ago and he felt council should do the same in Brussels. Deputy-Mayor Bob Fisher also spoke in favour of the Sholdices’ application. Councillor Alvin McLellan joined, saying he was leaning towards approving the application for a number of reasons. Council voted unanimously to approve the application, despite the planning department’s advice to the contrary. Council passed a motion approving both of the Sholdices’ applications and voting to stop up, close and convey that short portion of Hawkes Street beside the Sholdices’ newly-severed property. As a disputed severance, the Sholdices’ application will be up for Huron County Council approval at the March 6 meeting of council.

Drop by our office in Blyth or Brussels and check out our wonderful selection of books. We have books for all ages. 413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114

Secrets and snowballs With a steady stream of winter weather in the first two months of the year, area students have been able to consistently play in the snow for weeks without interruption. While some students opt to slide down hills or play soccer, these young ladies have opted to gather snow, while documenting some secrets in a special book of theirs. From left: Reese deBoer, Macy Smith, Abbey Haak and Marie Bolen. (Denny Scott photo)

Winter Reads THE REAL WOOD BIBLE For the woodworker who loves wood, this is a complete and illustrated guide to choosing and using 100 decorative woods, from common native woods to exotic imported woods. Gives key characteristics, advice on working with the wood. $29.95

RALPH FEELS SPECIAL Seaforth-area author Fran Hook, and illustrator Pattie Armstrong tell the continued adventures of Ralph, the stuffed door-stop dog and his creative friend Stephanie who gets him singing, dancing and joining her for tea parties. $10.00 THE COLOR SCHEME BIBLE: Inspirational palettes for designing home interiors Don’t be overwhelmed by colour choices available. Learn how colour creates ambience and creates the illusion of space. 200 distinctive colour schemes and their effects. $19.95

BLYTH THROUGH THE LENS Blyth historian Brock Vodden tells Blyth’s story in photographs, many of them rarely seen – from the fairs, railways, town bands, sports teams, church activities, landmark buildings to remarkable personalities. $40.00 AT KNIT’S END: Meditations for Women who Knit Too Much Humorous and philosophical readings about knitting and crafters. Quotes from famous personalities often trigger the meditations by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, “The Yarn Harlot”. $16.95 150 BEST GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICHES Make grilled cheese sandwiches into an exciting meal with combinations of different cheeses and additional ingredients, both meats and meatless. Recipes for breakfasts and brunches, appetizers, even desserts. $24.95

THE BARNYARD READ-ANDPLAY STICKER BOOK Stories of farm animals and activities, plus the chance for kids to create their own stories with 80 reuseable vinyl stickers. $11.95

THE ART OF BIRDWATCHING Here’s a humorous guide to the fastest growing hobby in North America including both useful information and lots of fun. Also included, a list of contacts for naturalist clubs across Canada. $11.99

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