Southpoint Sun - April 1, 2026

Dippers in Kingsville raise over $40,000 for Childcan

By Paul Forman

Usually a visit to an island in March involves a flight south and some rest and relaxation under balmy conditions. Not so for the 124 participants who made their way to

Cedar Island, braving Erie’s three-degree Celsius water in this year’s Childcan Polar Bear Dip that took place on the morning of March 28.

Suzanne Fratschko Elliott, the Executive

Director of Childcan, was thrilled to see the turnout for an event that had taken a recent hiatus from being held in Kingsville.

“Its’s so amazing to see how the local community has rallied to support our organization,” she said.

“We are funded solely by these types of events and are so thankful for the generous individuals that took part.”

Childcan has been a presence for children and families dealing with childhood cancer since 1974, providing financial and emotional support, and funding research to combat paediatric cancer.

SEE POLAR DIP Page 2

POLAR BEAR DIP

Continued from Page 1

The fearless dippers gathered to form 13 teams who then took turns sprinting from the beach towards volunteer divers from The Dive Shop and South Shore Scuba Club standing in the frigid waters 75 feet offshore.

After the dip, participants made their way to the Kingsville Legion Branch 188 where they received a complimentary hot lunch from Legion members. Music from British Beat 66 followed the lunch, along with a moving address from Ashley Swartzentruber as to how Childcan has had a profound impact on the journey that her son Micah has taken as he recovers from a brain tumour that was discovered when he was just five years old.

Swartzentruber shared, “The call we got from Childcan was a turning point, it gave us hope. I could breathe a little easier because of Childcan’s help. Thank you for everything you do, we are truly blessed.”

Maddisyn Spencer was this year’s top individual fundraiser with $2,782.70, while the top fundraising team was Cammie’ Crew with $8,869.46. Corporate sponsors UE Enclosures, MC3 Manufacturing and Ironworker Local #700 generously provided further funds for the charity event and the day ended with an amazing $41,500 and counting being raised for the important services that Childcan provides for vulnerable families in need.

FULL DENTURE FABRICATION IN LEAMINGTON

221 Talbot Street West, Leamington

Kingsville

The Town of Kingsville has passed a by-law to help recover costs on false alarms triggered by faulty alarm systems.

At their March 23 meeting of council, a by-law motion was brought forth by administration to impose fees and charges on “at fault” false alarm calls attended by OPP.

About $52,000 worth of false alarm calls were responded to in 2025 in Kingsville.

The proposal was to issue no charges to the first two false alarm responses in a calendar year, then follow up with a $150 charge for the third one, and a $375 charge for any after that.

Kingsville Councillor Larry Patterson, who spent some years on the police services board, said that three chances are too many.

Patterson asked if he could make a motion to amend the original motion to one time at no charge and then anything after that they get charged.

Councillor Tony Gaffan said that wind and weather can affect some alarms at commercial establishments, so he felt the motion was good as originally written.

Mayor Dennis Rogers reminded council that there was a 17 per cent increase in OPP budget for this year, which accounted for two per cent of the town’s budget increase for 2026.

“We can’t afford $50,000 and leave it on the table,” he said. “We have to ensure that the dollars that we spend on our OPP see that they are out in the community, not wasting time on false alarms.”

“Let them have it one time and then charge them on the second false alarm,” he said.

With that, Councillor Patterson’s motion was brought forward and approved 5-2, with only Councillors Gaffan and Jarvis Chausse opposing.

SPRING PIANO FESTIVAL

About 33 local piano students showcased their musical skills at the inaugural Spring Piano Festival held at Faith Mennonite Church on Sherk Street in Leamington on Saturday, March 28. Organizer Olga Nesterenko joined fellow piano teachers Gregory and Emily Duff, Jonathan Tofflemire, Zoey Driedger and Chuck Silver, as they welcomed the students to the piano to play two selections each. The students were then adjudicated, given feedback, and awards ceremonies followed. In the top photo, Matteo Ingratta plays his first selection ‘Allegretto in C Major’ and in the bottom photo, Gregory Duff gives feedback to the students. SUN photos by Mark Ribble

SWANS BEGINNING A FAMILY IN POINT PELEE

This mute swan was busy preparing its nest alongside the Boardwalk at Point Pelee on Tuesday, March 24 while its mate was busy gathering roots from the water nearby. The swans have been residents in the park for some time and seem quite content to raise a family there. The mute swans are identifiable from their bright orange beak with black bulbous knob and lay between four and 10 eggs and the female sits on the nest for about 36 days before the little cygnets emerge. A native of Europe, mute swans are considered an “introduced” species in North America.

Dare To Dream Jr. to hit CCSS stage April 17

The Little Tomato Children’s Theatre (LTCT) will present their 2026 production Dare To Dream Jr. on the weekend of April 17-19 at the Cardinal Carter Catholic High School auditorium.

Now in its 26th year,

Little Tomato’s cast and crew have been hard at it since October, bringing the new Disney musical to life.

Dare to Dream Jr. is an all-new musical revue that follows an eager group of trainees on their

first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio.

LTCT invites musical theatre lovers of all ages to ‘be their guests’ on an incredible journey to see how these novice Imagineer trainees set out to help each other discover their dreams.

By working together they explore the power of dreams to unite, inspire and make anything possible.

This new musical, to be performed for the first time in Windsor-Essex, draws from a century of beloved Disney films such as The Jungle Book, Aladdin, The Lion King, Toy Story, Frozen, Tangled, Moana, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Pocahontas and Beauty and the Beast, just to name a few.

encourages individuals to pursue their aspirations and ambitions, even if they seem unrealistic or challenging, emphasizing the importance of having the courage to envision a better future and of working diligently in order to achieve one’s goals. It’s a positive compelling new story told through favourite Disney songs to be enjoyed by all ages.

The talented cast ranges in age from 6-18 years and hail from all over Essex

County.

They have been busy rehearsing since October learning lines, songs and exciting choreography.

LTCT has put together a new multitalented creative dream team for this show, including RoseAnne Palazzolo as director, Roger Hewitt as music director, Sharon Clifford as producer, along with an energetic group of choreographers, Shannon Burke, Brigita Adomaityte Catherine Valle, and

Karen and Karis Driedger. Dare to Dream Jr. opens Friday, April 17 with a 7pm showtime. A Saturday matinee follows on the 18th at 2 pm and a second show on April 18 at 7 pm. The weekend will wrap up with a matinee Sunday, April 19 at 2 pm. Tickets can only be purchased through LTCT by emailing them at littletomatotix@gmail.com. Adults $20, Children 12 years and under $10.

It features a thrilling mix of contemporary Disney songs, timeless classics, and brand-new medleys from Disney’s greatest composers, including Alan Menken, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Elton John, and many more, all wrapped into one spectacular show.

Dare to Dream Jr.

Church

Easter Services

PALM SUNDAY: MARCH 29 @ 10:30 AM GOOD FRIDAY: APRIL 3 @ 10:30 AM

EASTER SUNDAY: APRIL 5 @ 10:30 AM Pastor David West Officiating

Roast Beef Dinner

Voice For Impact event attracts about 80 for youth employment talk

By Mark Ribble

The South Essex Community Council’s (SECC) second Voice For Impact event was held March 25 at the Leamington United Mennonite Church on Oak Street.

About 80 attendees enjoyed a light breakfast and listened to keynote speaker Akosua Alagaratnam speak on youth unemployment issues.

Alagaratnam is the Executive Director of First Work, a leading membership organization bringing together the best providers of employment services, business lead-

ership, academia, and government committed to advancing healthy employment ecosystems.

The event was hosted and mediated by SECC’s Executive Director Carolyn Warkentin, who also led a question and answer panel with local employment leaders Cameron Grieve, Emily Pontini and Krista Rempel. The three panelists answered questions about youth employment challenges they’ve faced in their positions as employment leaders in the community.

Grieve is the Youth

Indigenous Liaison at The Bridge Youth Resource Centre, while Pontini is the Job Developer at SECC. Krista Rempel is the Executive Director at The Bridge Youth Resource Centre.

According to Alagaratnam, Ontario’s youth unemployment sits at 14.2 percent, which is nearly 3x the adult rate. That rate is approaching the 2009 recession levels. She said recovery has stalled for ages 15-24 while it is rebounding for adults.

Those at most risk are Indigenous, Black, Racialized, Newcomer,

Disabled, Rural/Northern and youth not in education, employment or training.

“Our young people are in it together,” said Alagaratnam. “There is a large issue when it comes to youth employment trends in general. Youth are being left behind.”

She added that they’ve seen heavy tech shifts in the last two years with the onset of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Grieve urged employers to offer mentorships and apprenticeships to youth, while Pontini says that there is a lack of funding in programs while AI technology has created gaps in the normal stream of resume submissions.

Rempel said she noticed a gap in transition from high school to young adult to full adult, and they’ve got plenty of challenges trying to get to and from post-secondary education.

“There are ongoing conversations around loss of transportation such as the LTW bus,” she said. “And there are systems in place preventing older adults from retiring, which limits space for new hires.”

All three panelists

agreed that collaboration is key and they’ve all witnessed the result when organizations such as The Bridge, SECC and First Work come together for a greater cause.

Warkentin agreed and said they count on government programs to continue or pick up where others left off.

“SECC has been the youth employment spe-

cialist in the county for 35 years,” she said. “That has now been eliminated. Programming designed for youth and by youth is absolutely critical.”

The attendees spent time toward the end of the event asking questions of the three panelists.

SECC plans to hold another Voices For Impact in the near future.

opinion ~ expression ~ and other musings

The NHL playoffs will be more American this year

It seems our Canadian contingent in the NHL playoffs will be only a couple of teams this year.

Last year, we saw five of the seven Canadian NHL teams make it to the post-season, with

only Calgary and Vancouver missing out — the Flames were beaten out of a Wild Card spot

A tip of the hat to CHYR historian Scott Holland who sent me this “classic” photo of CHYR Radio last week. It brings back fond memories of when I first landed in Leamington on September 17, 1977. It was a Sunday night when the bus dropped me off at 8 p.m. in front of the CHYR building. I banged on the front door and Jim Alexander came down the steep stairs to let me in. He was doing the evening show and was a gracious host to me. In fact, he let me stay overnight at his house that evening after he went off the air at midnight.

He told me not to mention that to the general manager Lou Tomasi because Jim was sort of

on the outs with Lou as there was a union trying to take over. I thought, “Oh boy, what have I got myself into here?”

FLASHBACK RADIO

with Chuck Reynolds

He said, “Just keep your nose clean and stick with the management as Lou will watch out for you.”

That’s exactly what I did and my radio name would forever more be Chuck Reynolds. In five weeks’ time, another new DJ by the name of Vic Lehan came along to replace me on the all-night show like we were brothers. His radio name would be Pete Summers for as long as he was here and we would always look

out for each other.

By the way, Lou was a great boss. We learned a lot about radio and the business from him in the years to come.

His sales manager, Bill Gay, was also a great friend and I would spend the next 22 years at CHYR, eventually being the program director and the morning man for many years.

Even though we soon moved to the newer location at 100 Talbot Street East, I still have fond memories of the old building on Erie Street North that you see in this photo above.

Advertising guidelines

AND PUBLISHERS -

Registration No. 09204. Published every Wednesday 194 Talbot St. E. Unit #1, Leamington ON N8H 1M2 519-398-9098 • sun@southpointsun.ca

through a tiebreaker.

As it sits right now, just the Canadiens and Oilers are in. Ottawa and Winnipeg are holding on to some hope but sit on the outside.

The rest are not going to be there.

The Leafs, who finished with 108 points last season atop the Atlantic Division, and the Jets, who finished atop the entire Western Conference last year with 116 points, are both on the outside looking in.

Toronto’s woes have been well publicized in this lost season, but the Winnipeg Jets have made an even-more monumental collapse, unnoticed to many of us in the east.

Montreal’s resurgence has been encouraging for Habs fans, while the Senators are on the brink of getting another Wild Card spot, but so far, haven’t grabbed it.

The sudden surge of one of last year’s bottom-dwellers in the Atlantic division has left no room for any team that dared to falter, such as the Leafs and the defending Stanley Cup champions from Florida. The Buffalo Sabres weren’t expected

to be any different this year, but they’ve come on like gangbusters since Christmas and sit in first place as of this writing.

RIB’S RAMBLINGS

Mark Ribble

Of course, most hockey fans want parity within the league, so this is good news for hockey fans, just not the fans of Florida, Washington or Toronto.

And the Anaheim Ducks’ return to glory seems like those years of dismal play are finally paying off.

Now, if you are a Mitch Marner fan, it’s puzzling to know that his chosen team, the Vegas Golden Knights, are still not sitting in a guaranteed playoff spot with just a couple weeks to go. And Marner himself, who scored 102 points for the Maple Leafs last season, sits at just 71 points with this year’s Knights, with about eight games to go.

So, those of us who are not Habs, Oilers or possibly Senators fans will turn our attention to baseball, where the Tigers and Blue Jays are expected to both have great seasons.

That Blue Jays’ starting pitching staff is downright scary and should perk the eyes and ears of American League opponents for the entire season. The absence of Bo Bichette in Toronto — a polarizing figure much like Marner was — isn’t being felt so far, especially with the play of shortstop Andres Gimenez and new third baseman Kazuma Okamoto.

Time will tell, but hopefully the Detroit and Toronto faithful will be rewarded in September with a long run for each of their squads. Meanwhile, a tip of the hat to the Leamington Flyers, who made a valiant effort but fell in five games to the always stellar Collingwood Blues. In a season where they were expected to fight for a playoff spot, their 10-win finish to the regular season put the league on notice going into next season.

1954 Ford speedometer

In the London Times on August 4, 1904, you can find this sentence: “His speedometer showed he was only going 10 miles an hour.”

Many of the early cars had no speedometer at all, and you judged your speed by how much the fenders were rattling. Up until 1914, the Model T Ford came with a speedometer as standard equipment. The dial went up to an incredible 60 miles per hour and the car could actually hit that speed if going downhill.

THE OLD CAR DETECTIVE

Bill Sherk

After 1914 the Model T was sold without a speedometer because Henry Ford wanted to lower the price of the car. It was not until the debut of the Model A Ford in December 1927 that Henry again offered a speedometer as standard equipment. Today the numbers on your speedometer are much higher than the ones on the Model T, especially if you are driving a car that measures its speed in kilometres. And if you are not driving such a vehicle, you can buy a decal that converts your old speedometer to metric.

Always looking for stories. Email billtsherk@sympatico.ca

Strategy on display at Kingsville Optimist Chess Tournament

By Paul Forman

In a sport that famous French polymath Blaise Pascal referred to as “the gymnasium of the mind,” 250 young people

Erie-Seacliff amendment approved

By Mark Ribble

A seven-storey apartment building at the corner of Seacliff Drive and Erie Street South has been given the green light by Leamington council.

At the council meeting of March 24, the Fortis Group presented their proposed layout for the property, along with plans for a drive-thru restaurant closer to the road. The building itself would sit back in behind the current WFCU building, facing Seacliff Drive.

A Zoning Bylaw amendment was required to change the zoning of the property from Commercial Highway Zone C2 to Highway Commercial C2-24, which allows for a reduction in parking requirements and an increase in building height.

When it came time for comments from the public, Rob Piroli spoke about urban planning and whether the proposal fit the neighbourhood.

His main concern was parking, saying that this residential proposal presents parking concerns with their request to reduce Leamington’s minimum parking requirements.

Piroli talked about a development he has in Amherstburg that carried a 1:1 parking ratio and he said they are having problems with overflow parking on

ranging in age from six to 15 participated in the annual Kingsville Optimist Chess Tournament over this past weekend at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens.

Members of the Optimist Club of Kingsville organized the youth

event and the assistance provided by over fifty volunteers made the day run smoothly as always.

The Optimists handed out 135 trophies to the top players in a total of 44 sections.

Colasanti’s graciously provided the venue for

the chess tournament and provided medallions for each competitor.

The day was topped off by each player receiving a bundle pack that included some lunch, a plant, and coupons for the arcade compliments of the Optimists and Colasanti’s.

streets there. He said they no longer ask for parking below 1.5:1 in any community in which they build.

“You are going to create a large impact on the surrounding businesses, of which I have one,” he said. “The parking is going to spill over and once you approve this, you can’t change it. Please defer tonight and get yourself a parking analysis study.”

Another resident spoke about her concerns about the lack of studies for parking and whether the units would be considered ‘affordable housing’.

Councillor Anthony Abraham shared his thoughts that he felt the property was the last great commercial spot left in Leamington and that they should be looking at commercial development on that corner instead of residential.

Fortis Group spokesperson David Mady answered that they initially considered a hotel development there, but that the property has sat vacant for a number of years and they’ve been unable to attract commercial development.

“I would never develop a (commercial) site behind other commercial businesses,” he added.

In the end, council voted on and approved the by-law amendment.

Report on Ruthven flooding and mitigation efforts at council

By Mark Ribble

At a lengthy council meeting on March 23, Kingsville council heard reports and passed a motion on their Ruthven Sanitary Sewer Master Plan, to better mitigate wastewater and storm sewer flow going forward.

A significant flood in 2023 prompted the town to look at ways to reduce flooding and provide relief to residents of Ruthven and to developers who are building new

homes in the area.

In 2022, the town received notice from treatment plant operators that Kingsville’s wastewater treatment plant is over 80% capacity. This notification triggered a study for expansion of treatment plant capacity, which will ultimately service future growth in Kingsville.

After the big storm, the town completed smoke testing in the Ruthven system and found that 60+ residents were improperly

In Memory of our Loving Husband, Dad, Papa & Great-Papa

Jim Young

Who passed away on March 31, 2013

Let this be a loving reminder that someone is missing today. Someone our hearts still hold onto as we travel along life’s way. Someone who made life so special for all those who gather here. Someone who won’t be forgotten, but cherished from year to year. And now, as we pause to remember, let us all fondly recall How dearly each of us loved him and oh, how he loved us all.

Your Loving Family

APRIL 3 & 5 HOLY WEEK SERVICES at Wheatley Baptist Church, 47 Talbot Road East: Good Friday, April 3 at 10:30 am; Easter Sunday, April 5 at 10:30 am. Everyone is welcome.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8

ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS MEETING at 6:30 pm every other Wednesday at Leamington Library, 1 John St. Free to attend. Develop Communication and Leadership Skills in a positive, friendly environment. Next meeting dates are April 22, May 6 & 20, June 3 & 17. More info: email ErieShoresTM@yahoo. com, Facebook Erie Shores Toastmasters or go to ErieShores.toastmastersclubs.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12

SOLI DEO GLORIA SINGERS’ CHORAL CONCERT“Gospel to Glory” at 3:00 p.m. at Leamington United Mennonite Church, 78 Oak St. East. Everyone welcome. Admission by suggested $20 donation at the door.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12

TREANOR MEMORIAL MIXED DOUBLES DART

TOURNAMENT in honour of Bud and Jean Treanor at Kingsville Legion Branch 188, 145 Division St. South, in support of PTSD service dogs. $10/person prepay, $15/person at the door. Registration between 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Register early, limited spots. Contact Scott 519-890-4371, Kim 519-919-5437 or RCL Br. 188 at 519-733-5162.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

ROAST BEEF DINNER 4:30-6:30 at Trinity United Church New California, 1005 Road 2 West, Kingsville. $25 per person. Call 519-733-2020 and leave name and number. We will call back, take your order and reserve pickup time. Deadline to order is Wednesday, April 15.

connected to the sanitary sewer system, which was allowing rainwater into the system, where it is not supposed to be.

The town then conducted flow monitoring studies, throughout Kingsville and Ruthven and discovered that 76% of all flows in the Ruthven sanitary sewer are from greenhouses and many greenhouses were pumping during on-peak hours as opposed to the agreedupon off-peak hours.

Some short-term solutions were implemented in 2024 and 2025, including pump station capacity improvements like a large, oversized pump and a company on stand-by in case of an emergency.

Last May, council approved a Greenhouse Sanitary Sewer By-Law to regulate the discharge into the town’s sanitary sewer system by greenhouse operators, which included discharge regulations, flow monitoring equipment and fines/penalties, along with permit fees to fund the start-up of the new monitoring system.

Also in play is current litigation stemming from a lawsuit initiated by the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) in August 2025 with the Superior Court of Justice.

The lawsuit stems from Kingsville’s efforts to bring all 25 Kingsville-based greenhouse

operators under compliance with their by-laws regarding sanitary sewer discharge overwhelming the municipal sewer systems.

Since issuing by-laws and notices requiring the greenhouses involved, seven greenhouse operations have taken the necessary steps to comply and eight more are in the process. Another 10 operations have made little-to-no progress, according to town officials.

The case is currently before the courts and Kingsville CAO John Norton said they are currently working their way through the legal process and he was only able to comment so much.

Public input was recently requested on Have Your Say Kingsville and more public input was given at the March 23 meeting, where council was told that the current pause on development is hurting landowners who are wishing to build in Ruthven and a planned upgrade to the Ruthven Pump Station just may not be enough to solve the issue.

The consensus among councillors at the meeting was to get the remaining 10 greenhouse operations on board with everyone else.

After efforts in 2023 to bring everyone into compliance, a drastic drop

in wastewater treatment occurred over 2024 and 2025, according to the report.

Councillor Tony Gaffan pleaded with those not in compliance to help out.

“I’m begging, please step up,” he said. “This is for the betterment of the community.”

Gaffan also asked administration what it would cost to build a new larger pump station in Ruthven, to which the answer was about $10 million, compared to about $2 million for an upgrade.

The town has already spent about $800,000 to address the problem.

Mayor Dennis Rogers was grateful to the stakeholders who have been compliant and the others who are working their way toward compliance and asked the rest to be a part of the solution.

“Waiting to see how this lawsuit goes is not a good approach,” he said.

Councillor Thomas Neufeld asked to put forth a motion to bring the remaining 10 operators into compliance with a 90-day notice or disconnect them from the system.

Deputy Mayor Kimberly DeYong did bring forward a comprehensive motion after saying that she felt that they were heading in the right direction.

“The risk of flooding in Ruthven is at its lowest in some time,” she said.

Community Calendar

SUNDAY, APRIL 19

SILVER AMBASSADORS 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPRING CONCERT at 2:00 pm at Essex Legion Br. 201, 103 Talbot St. North, Essex. Experience the magic of live music that transcends generations, bringing the spirit of spring to life! Donations welcome. Free parking. More info: SABand1234@outlook.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

ERIE SHORES HEALTH FOUNDATION STRATEGIC GIVING BREAKFAST — Join us to learn how donating stocks and securities can reduce taxes and support local healthcare. 8:00 – 9:00 a.m., Kingsville Golf & Country Club. Free event including breakfast. RSVP by April 13: foundation@eshf.ca or 226- 620-1499.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

SELF DEFENSE WORKSHOP at The Village Resource Centre, 108 Talbot Road East, Wheatley at 1:00 p.m. $40/person. For more information call 226-484-1004 or visit www.villageresourcecentre.ca. Wheelchair accessible.

ONGOING

WHEATLEY & DISTRICT

FRIENDSHIP CLUB ACTIVITIES171 Erie St. N. Wheatley. Lots of activities for the 50 or older crowd. Membership is only $10 per year. Quilting Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Cards Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:00 pm. Bingo 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month, 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Use of Exercise Equipment and Pool Table 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Monday to Thursday. Heritage Society 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month 1:00 - 3:00 pm. For more information or to become a member call 519825-4870.

GRIEFSHARE: ARE YOU GRIEVING THE LOSS of someone close to you? Find comfort & support at 13 weekly group sessions every Wednesday from now until April 8, 1:00-2:30 pm, at LakePoint Family Church, 285 Talbot Street East, Leamington, 519-322-2316. www.

griefshare.org

CELEBRATE RECOVERY is a safe, confidential & nonjudgemental space to find healing & support to overcome our hurts, hang ups & habits. We meet Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm at South Point Community Church, 475 Bevel Line in Leamington. For further information contact tracy@southpointcc.ca or call 226-347-0033.

THE VILLAGE RESOURCE CENTRE WEEKLY EVENTS - 108 Talbot Road East, Wheatley. Monday @ 7:00 pm –Women’s Fitness Class - $15. Monday @ 7:00 pm"Light The Way" Nar-Anon Family Group. Wednesday @ 6:00 am – Women’s Fitness Class - $15. Wednesday @ 10:00 am - Chair Yoga - $10. Wednesday @ 7:00 PM – GriefShare - $20/person for the workbook. Thursday @ 7:30 pm - "Wheatley Warriors" Narcotics Anonymous Group. Friday @ 9:00 AM – Tai Chi$10 – starts April 10th. For more information call 226-484-1004 or visit www.villageresourcecentre.ca. Wheelchair accessible.

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF OLINDA Service Sunday, at 10:30 am with Rev. Paul Langston-Daley. Topic: Roll Away the Stone. 2953 Olinda Side Road, Ruthven, 548-324-4352. All are welcome.

IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519-999-1234.

SOUTH ESSEX COMMUNITY COUNCIL - ADULT DAY PROGRAM - Join us at Faith Mennonite for a day service providing social, recreational and personal support to clients and respite. For more information or to register, call SECC at 519-326-8629 or visit our website at secc.on.ca.

EPWORTH UNITED CHURCH Service with Rev. Joshua Kang. Live stream at 10:20 am, service begins at

“We’re not done, but I hope everybody can sleep knowing that it’s a lower risk than it was two or three years ago.”

DeYong reported that in 2013, Leamington chose to not allow greenhouses to hook up to their sewers and Kingsville instead sought a report on how they could connect greenhouses to their system. They went ahead and allowed the connection with restrictions in place, but passed no by-laws.

“Here we are 13 years later,” she said.

A vote was taken on the motion, which included proceeding with the Water and Wastewater Master Plan, which will feature a plan for upgrading Ruthven’s sewer system. It also included instructions to maintain emergency rental pumps and other contingencies to address any potential flooding in Ruthven. The motion also stated that administration bring forward a new comprehensive sewer by-law to address all users of the sanitary sewer system, from residential, industrial and greenhouse facilities. And that administration continues with compliance efforts to reduce flows from greenhouses exceeding their allotted discharge allowances.

The motion was carried unanimously.

10:30. Old Fashion Hymn Sing at 4:00 pm. Bible Study Wednesday from 10:00-11:30 am. 56 Division St. S., Kingsville. www.epworthkingsville.com

STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH? Reach out to Hope 4 Me Peer to Peer Support Group. Virtual and in-person meetings available. Contact Tracy, Sue or Nancy at hope4mepeer@gmail.com for information about the group.

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519790-7739 or www.alanonwindsoressex.com

KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE: STEP-IT-UP INDOOR POWER WALKING, Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays. No fee. Registration required. kingsvillecentre.com

THE WHEATLEY HERITAGE SOCIETY invites you to visit their rooms at the Friendship Club, 171 Erie St. North, Wheatley, to browse the collections of stories & artifacts or share your remarkable journey of family. Open the first and third Thursday of each month, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm or contact Dianne Lenarduzzi 905-921-1332 for more information.

COMMUNITY MEALS AVAILABLE AT: (Take-out only) every Monday, 4:00 - 5:00 pm at Leamington United Church, 9 John St., 519-326-9461. Every Wednesday, 4:00 - 5:00 pm at St. John's Anglican Church, 60 Erie St. N. Leamington 519-326-3111.

WHEATLEY BAPTIST CHURCH - 47 Talbot St. E. Everyone is welcome to come worship with us. Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Bible study Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Adult fellowship Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. For more info call 519-825-7433.

KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE: GENTLE EXERCISE at 10:00 am, Wednesdays and Fridays, at Ruthven United Church, 1907 Queen Blvd. By Donation. Registration required. kingsvillecentre.com

T.O.P.S. – TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY, a support organization for those interested in losing weight. Meetings are every Tuesday at Leamington Half Century Centre, 160 Talbot St. East. Weigh-in 6:006:45 pm, meeting 7:00-7:30 pm. First meeting is free. Everyone welcome. More info: contact Joan at 519-326-2388.

COMMUNITY CLOTHING CUPBOARD OPEN WEDNESDAYS - appointments preferred, walk-ins are welcome 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Call 519-326-3111 to book your appointment. All are welcome! Free! St. John's Anglican Church, 60 Erie St. N., Leamington. Donated gently used clothing for men, women and children of all ages.

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE at Leamington United Mennonite Church, 78 Oak St. East, for those who enjoy morning coffee/tea and conversation, the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00 am in church auditorium. All welcome, no RSVP required.

KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE: CAFE at 9:00 am to noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 1860 Division Rd. N. Free coffee, cookies, wifi and more.

HURON FARMWORKERS MINISTRY takes place Thursday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 60 Erie St. N., Leamington. Workers can access a simple meal, clothing, food items, spiritual care and employment/immigration information. The program is in need of used or new bicycles to assist workers with transportation. Contact Deacon Deborah Wilson-Safa at 519-326-3111.

INDIVIDUALS WHO REQUIRE ASSESSMENTS TO ENTER TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR ADDICTIONS can contact Ian MacNeil, Social Worker with Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare, located at 33 Princess St. (1st floor) in Leamington, on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. You can leave a message 24/7 at 519-984-2531. Contact Ian at this number for more information.

Council rejects high-rise on Robson Road

By Paul Forman

With a push for high-density housing from the province, the rezoning of 107 Robson and 6 Donald Street was up for debate at the March 24 Leamington Council meeting as Piroli Group Developments set forth a proposal to build a 14-storey building consisting of 60 units.

The vacant property is at the corner of Robson Road and Donald Avenue and also abuts Cherry Lane.

With three high-rises already in the area, town administration recommended a zoning change for the new development, creating an R6-5 zone from what is currently an R5-3 zone on Robson and an R1 zone on Donald.

Brian Pearce of Baird AE Inc. presented on behalf of the developer and showed concept renderings of the new building along with supporting documents. Pearce also described how the proposal provided favourable ratios as far as parking for the residents of the proposed tower.

The development proposal had been deferred at council’s meeting on

February 24 and some councillors had additional questions.

Councillor Paul Tiessen asked about sewer capacity in the area and if it could handle overflows.

The municipality’s Director of Infrastructure Services, Rob Sharon, said the town’s current infrastructure could handle any new demands from the new building and would not affect further development in the vicinity.

Several residents from abutting streets spoke against the proposal, including David Clifford, who was concerned about the town setting a precedent for further development along Robson Road.

“I looked at 15 other waterfront communities and none of them would support this type of development. Our official town plan is over 20 years old and is outdated,” said Clifford. “Let’s defer this until we revisit the official plan in the fall and make an informed decision.”

Nick Jewell of Donald Avenue expressed concern about the potential

for traffic congestion on Donald and the possible risk it may pose to the families residing on the road. He brought his own hand-drawn layout to the meeting.

“I humbly submit a different plan and would like to see entries and exits directed toward Cherry Lane instead,” said Jewell.

Other residents brought up issues including how it would cast shadows on their properties, its effect on migrating birds, impacts on parking for special events at the marina, setback issues for pedestrians and the lost potential of a prime spot for tourism.

Councillor Tim Wilkinson weighed in after the residents provided their input.

“Setbacks are what I’m worried about and the look and feel of Robson Road,” he said. “How will it affect our crown jewel, the marina? What will happen when big events are at the marina and there is greater demand on the residential streets around there?”

Councillor Heather Latam reiterated the

question that many residents had as to why so many storeys.

Developer Rob Piroli answered that question, saying they want to maximize the views and enjoyment for the residents investing in the

building and they need to have 14 storeys to make the building viable as it’s a very expensive build. He also said there would be little-to-no shadowing.

When put to a vote, council voted against the

14-storey development. The applicant now has 20 days to present his case to the Ontario Land Tribunal or can revise the proposal for future consideration by the municipality.

Council reconsiders 2027 gymnastics rental

By Paul Forman

At their March 24 regular meeting, Leamington Council was presented a motion of reconsideration on the proposed rental of the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre (NFFRC) for April, 2027.

At their previous meeting on March 10, council voted 4-3 in favour of allowing the bid from the Rose City Gymnastics Club to move forward with the NFFRC as the host venue for the 2027 Ontario Gymnastics championships.

That would involve removing the ice in the Highbury Canco Arena for the period between March 24 and April 11, 2027, for which user groups would need to have an alternative place

to play.

That decision left fans of the Leamington Flyers upset that the home team would not be playing in their home arena should they advance beyond the second round of playoffs next season.

Councillor Paul Tiessen introduced the motion of reconsideration, saying that both the municipality and the Flyers have had good discussions and with additional feedback from the public, the motion was put forward.

“We’ve asked for this reconsideration due to feedback from the residents as well as the results of discussions between our administration and the Flyers,” he said. “Both parties are

committed to working collaboratively to finalize a memorandum of understanding that will support the organization’s long-term success and its sustainability in Leamington.”

Mayor Hilda MacDonald reiterated the financial impact that the gymnastics championships would have on the town as it would draw up to 5,000 visitors over the meet’s five days. “This was a tough decision, sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don’t,” she said.

By a unanimous vote, the motion to remove the ice that was passed on March 10 was revoked, while the town may present an alternate plan to Rose City Gymnastics.

K OF C HOSTS PALM SUNDAY PANCAKES

of

Allaire makes her stance known on conservation authority re-alignment

Amherstburg Councillor and Chair of the Essex Region Conservation Authority, Molly Allaire, has sent a message to Toronto outlining ERCA’s opposition to the proposed consolidation of conservation authorities in the province.,

“I am writing to state,

in the strongest terms, my opposition to the proposed consolidation of Conservation Authorities,” said Allaire in her letter to the Conservative government. “ERCA operates in a low-lying floodplain surrounded by three bodies of water, and we are already

meeting the very provincial objectives this plan claims to address. This is not reform—it is unnecessary disruption.”

Allaire added that, from a taxpayer standpoint, the proposal is indefensible.

“Conservation Authorities are primarily funded

through municipal levies (53%) and self-generated revenue (35%), with minimal reliance on provincial funding,” she says. “Yet your government is prepared to spend approximately $20 million on restructuring and rebranding instead of fixing the specific systems that may actually need improvement. That is not fiscal responsibility—it is waste.”

Allaire is asking the province to work together with Conserva-

tion Authorities to come up with a better approach and says that building faster should not mean building irresponsibly.

“Work directly with Conservation Authorities to identify gaps, set enforceable standards, and streamline approvals where needed,” she said. “A blanket amalgamation of this scale is a blunt, costly instrument that ignores science, local expertise, and common sense.”

Allaire says that

equally concerning is the shift away from watershed-based governance toward arbitrary, population-driven boundaries. That approach disregards environmental realities and undermines effective decision-making. She says the claim that the current system is “too confusing” is not a systems failure—it is a failure of communication and coordination, both of which are fixable without dismantling what already works.

“As a taxpayer, a municipal leader, and the chair of a high-performing and locally supported Conservation Authority, I expect better. Your government has long claimed to stand for fiscal discipline and common-sense decision-making. This proposal meets neither standard.”

HONOURED FOR HELP WITH AEDs

The Leamington Kinsmen Club was recently honoured by the Municipality of Leamington for their donations of publicly accessible AED units at several locations across the municipality. The Kinsmen Club and local resident Pamela Evans provided AED units for installation at the Kinsmen Ball Diamonds, Seacliff Park, the Leamington Arts Centre and the Leamington Marina last year. The project was spearheaded by Essex-Windsor EMA. On hand for the presentation on March 24 were several Kinsmen, including, back row, from left, Dave Seaton, Tyler Hicks, Dustin Hurst, Andy Gould, Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald and Wayne Jeffery. In front are Steve Ingratta, Harry Garbarino, Lloyd Symons and Dave Thibodeau of Essex-Windsor EMS. SUN photo by Mark Ribble

Leamington Bridge Club

The following are the top-scoring teams in recent Bridge games at the Leamington Half Century Centre. Bridge lessons are available. If interested, call 519-738-4939.

March 27: 1st Kate Comiskey and Sue Duransky, 2nd Roger Cote and Pauline

Mikolash, 3rd Henry Hildebrandt and Derek Parry.

March 30: 1st Roger Cote and Pauline Mikolash, 2nd Katy Klym and Sue Duransky, 3rd Kim Hamm and Case Mulder.

or call in your classified ad by Friday at 12:00

Ph: 519-398-9098 Email: sun@southpointsun.ca

NOTICE

Notice of Public Meeting to Consider Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments related to Housing:

Take Notice that the Council of the Municipality of Chatham-Kent will consider amendments to the Chatham-Kent Official Plan and Zoning By-law, under Sections 17 and 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O.1990, c.P.13, concerning the entire Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

And Take Further Notice that the proposed amendments will be considered on the date, and at the time and place shown below:

Date: Monday, April 27, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Municipality of Chatham-Kent Council Chambers

Address: 315 King Street West, Chatham ON

An Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment are proposed to encourage the development of housing, and to meet obligations under the federal governments Housing Accelerator Fund program.

The proposed Official Plan Amendment will:

•Amend Section 2.3.4.2.18 by allowing an increase in the number of Dwelling Units on a lot containing a Single Detached Dwelling, Semi-Detached Dwelling or Rowhouse Dwelling in the Residential Area from three (3) to four (4).

The proposed Zoning By-law Amendment will:

•Amend Section 3 – Definitions by Adding a Definition for Supportive Housing

•Amend Section 4 – General Provisions by:

Increasing the number of Dwelling Units permitted within a Single Detached Dwelling in the Residential Low Density Zone from three (3) to four (4), where up to two (2) units may be in an ancillary structure, but the lot shall contain no more than four (4) units.

Increasing the number of Dwelling Units within a Semi-Detached Dwelling Unit and Row House Dwelling Unit in the Residential Low and Medium Density Zones from two (2) to three (3), and up to one (1) unit may be in an ancillary structure, but the lot shall contain no more than four (4) units.

Establishing minimum dimensions for a standard Parking Stall at 2.75 metres by 5.5 metres.

Establishing minimum dimensions for a parallel parking stall at 2.75 metres by 7.0 metres.

Requiring that accessible off-street parking spaces provide a barrier free path of travel to a building entrance.

•Amend Section 5 – Zones:

Increase the maximum height of Row House Dwelling types from 10.97 metres to 12.15 metres.

Increase the maximum height of Apartment Dwellings and Senior Citizen Dwellings in the Medium Density Residential Zone from 10.97 metres to 15.24 metres.

•Amend Schedules ‘A’ – Zoning Maps, and ‘B’ – Exceptions to Zones by Amending the Zones of the following properties owned by the Municipality: 199 Westcourt Boulevard, 55 Minnie Street, 92 Churchill Street, 55 Croydon Street, 110 Sandys Street, 426 Lacroix Street, 396-416 Park Street/421-461 Park Avenue East.

Information and Providing Comment

For more information about these matters, including information about appeal rights, contact Allison Lambing, Planner I, Planning Services at 519.360.1998 or ckplanning@chathamkent.ca. A full copy of the proposed amendments are available at www.chatham-kent.ca Mail should be directed to Municipality of Chatham-Kent Planning Services, 315 King Street West, Box 640, Chatham ON N7M 5K8.

Dated at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent this 1st day of April, 2026

NOTICE

E-mail or call in your classified ad by Friday at 12:00 p.m. 194 Talbot St. E.

Election Notice

Notice of Nomination for Office

Nominations for the Municipality of Leamington’s 2026 Municipal Election may be filed starting Friday, May 1, 2026

Positions include Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Councillors as well as Trustee for the following school boards: Greater Essex County District School Board, Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde and Conseil scolaire catholique Providence.

Election Day is Monday, October 26, 2026. The term of office is from November 15, 2026 to November 14, 2030.

Anyone who wants to be a candidate in the 2026 Municipal Election must file a Nomination Form accompanied by a Declaration of Qualification and pay a filing fee ($200.00 for the Office of Mayor, $100.00 for all other offices). The Nomination Form for all offices (except School Board Trustee) must be accompanied by the endorsement of at least 25 eligible voters.

Nomination forms must be filed in person with the Clerk at the Leamington Municipal Building (111 Erie Street North, Leamington), during the nomination period (May 1 to August 21, 2026). On Nomination Day (August 21), nominations will be accepted from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

An appointment with the Clerk is required to file nomination forms. To book an appointment, please call 519-326-5761 or email clerks@leamington.ca.

No person who proposes to be a candidate may solicit or accept contributions for election purposes or incur campaign expenses until they have filed a Nomination Form.

Election information on the 2026 Municipal Election is available on the municipal website: leamington.ca/election

Ph: 519-398-9098 Email: sun@southpointsun.ca We accept E-TRANSFER,

•Erie Shores HealthCare ER, 194 Talbot St. W., Leamington (up to 18 years of age)

• Windsor Regional Hospital ER, 1995 Lens Ave. (up to 15 years of age)

•Windsor Regional Hospital ER,1030 Ouellette Ave. (16+ years of age)

•Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare

24 hour Community Crisis Telephone Line 519-973-4435

•Mental Health First Response Team, (16+ years of age with a serious mental illness)

240 Grand Ave. W., Suite 100, Chatham 519-436-6100 Toll Free1-866-299-7447

•Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre 24 Hour Crisis Counselling 20 Sandys St., Chatham 519-351-9145

•Chatham-Kent Victim Services

24 Third St., Chatham 519-436-6630

•Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis CentreSexual Assault Crisis Intervention

405 Riverview Dr., Suite 101, Chatham

519-354-8908

•Sexual Assault Crisis Line 519-253-9667

•Trans Lifeline 1-877-330-6366

•LGBT Youthline 1-800-268-9688

•Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868

Avis d’élection

Avis de nomination de candidature

Les candidatures pour les élections municipales de 2026, à la Municipality of Leamington peuvent être déposées à partir du vendredi 1er mai 2026

Les postes comprennent ceux de maire, de maire adjoint et cinq conseillers généraux, ainsi que celui de conseiller scolaire pour les conseils scolaires suivants: Conseil Greater Essex County District School Board, Conseil WindsorEssex Catholic District School Board, Conseil scolaire Viamonde et Conseil scolaire catholique Providence.

La date des élections municipales sera le 26 octobre 2026. Le mandat s’étend du 15 novembre 2026 au 14 novembre 2030.

Toute personne souhaitant se porter candidate aux élections municipales de 2026 doit déposer un formulaire de mise en candidature accompagné d’une déclaration de qualification et acquitter les frais de dépôt (200 $ pour le poste de maire et 100 $ pour tous les autres postes). Le formulaire de mise en candidature pour tous les postes (sauf celui de conseiller scolaire) doit être accompagné de l’appui d’au moins 25 électeurs admissibles.

Les formulaires de mise en candidature doivent être déposés en personne auprès du greffier à l’hôtel de ville de Leamington (111, rue Erie Nord, Leamington), durant la période de mise en candidature (du 1er mai au 21 août 2026). Le jour de la mise en candidature (21 août 2026), les candidatures seront acceptées de 9 h à 14 h.

Il est nécessaire de prendre rendez-vous avec le greffier municipal pour déposer un formulaire de mise en candidature. Pour prendre rendez-vous ou poser des questions sur les élections, veuillez composer le 519-326-5761 ou envoyer un courriel à clerks@leamington.ca.

Nul ne peut solliciter ou accepter de contributions à des fins électorales ni engager de dépenses de campagne avant d’avoir déposé un formulaire de mise en candidature.

Des renseignements sur les élections municipales de 2026 sont disponibles sur le site Webde la municipalé: leamington.ca/election

Be where Canadians are looking for credible news, written by humans, for humans.

PINNACLE ACRES REQUIRES Full time greenhouse general labourers. $17.60/hr 50+ hours, 7 days/wk. Must be available Saturday & Sunday. Work site: 333 County Rd 18, Leamington ON, rural setting, must have own transportation. Crop maintenance and harvesting, other duties as required. Must be able to lift a minimum of 40lbs on a repetitive basis, fast paced environment, strong work ethic, punctual, reliable. No experience or education required. Please apply via email: careers@pinnacle-acres.com

Requires permanent full-time greenhouse workers.

• $17.60/hr. Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 5:00 for 40 hours/week.

• Work Site: 311 Mersea Road 6, Leamington, Ontario N8H 3V8.

• Planting, Harvesting, Crop Maintenance and other duties as required.

• Must be able to lift a minimum of 40lbs on a repetitive basis.

• Health and Dental benefits included.

• No experience or education required. Please apply via email: hello@kusafarms.co

2078 Talbot Road, Kingsville

NOW HIRING TRUCK DRIVERS

Seasonal Full Time & Seasonal Part Time STARTING END OF APRIL Flexible Hours. Positions for Class D License. Positions for Class DZ License. Retirees welcome.

Apply by phone 519-326-8840 ext. 5 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

PACKERS - VEGETABLE GREENHOUSE

Full-time Monday to Saturday • $17.60 per hour No experience necessary - will train. We are seeking dedicated and detail-oriented Packers to join our team. The ideal candidates will be responsible for efficiently packing and preparing products for shipment, ensuring quality standards are met. This role is vital in maintaining smooth operations within our production process and delivering excellent service to our customers. Prior experience is a plus, we welcome applicants eager to learn new skills. This position offers an engaging work environment where teamwork and attention to detail are highly valued.

Responsibilities:

• Pack products accurately according to specifications and quality standards.

• Inspect produce before packing.

• Capable of lifting up to 25 lbs.

• Maintain a clean and organized packing area.

• Assist with inventory management and restocking supplies as needed.

• Follow safety protocols related to packing area. Apply: Kingsone Farms Inc. 838 Road 3 East, Kingsville, ON

INDOOR YARD SALE/ RUMMAGE SALE Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11, 9:00 am - noon both days. Leamington United Church, 9 John Street, Leamington, ON. ap1-8

LOOKING TO BUY an electric bike. Call 519-8198123. mr18-tfn

INCOME TAX

CONFIDENTIAL

PREPARATION of personal, senior and farm income tax returns. Regular or E-filing. Pickup and delivery as well as contact-free service available. Over 35 years’ experience. Call Tim Mousseau 519-975-2414 or toll free 1-855-975-2414. fe4-ap22

SERVICES

PLUMBING SERVICESRepairs, installations, drain cleaning, sump pumps. Call Ed Higginbottom 519-3291779. ja14-tf

IRWIN PLUMBINGResidential rough-ins and repairs - 519-324-2202. A text is preferred if capable. Call if not. ja7-tf

LAUNDRY SERVICESWash, dry & fold laundry. Pay by the pound with a 7-pound minimum. Pick up & delivery free in Leamington. Perfumefree detergent & dryer sheets extra. Not for oily or industrial uniforms. Call Susan at 519564-0526. Text preferred but will take calls. mr18-ap8

PROPERTY FOR SALE

INVESTMENT PROPERTY FOR SALE BY TENDER85 acres more or less. At intersection of Puce Road [Essex County Rd 25] and Hwy 401, East of Puce Road – bordered by three roads: Hwy 401, Puce Road and Walls Road. For more information, contact: Hickey Byrne Law Firm at 519-7767349 or by email to byrnej@ live.ca. Bid packages available at: 14 Centre Street, Essex, ON N8M 1N9 or by email on request. Tenders due April 23, 2026. ap1

Lakeview Towers LeamingTon

The ONLY waterfront residential rental property in the area! Enjoy stunning views, convenient access to Rick Atkin Park and the Municipal Marina, the Pelee Island Ferry Dock and Seacliff Park and Beach. Stroll the Lakefront boardwalk right outside your door and relax on our two rooftop terraces with breathtaking views.

Amenities include underground and surface parking, Smart Card Laundry with reading lounge, Resident Social and Games Lounge, and a newly furnished Lobby, all with FREE Wi-Fi. Choose from freshly painted and detailed spacious one or twobedroom suites. All Utilities included in rent! 519-326-8819 or www.ska-apartmentrentals.com

Children at Division Road Preschool during a visit from the Easter Bunny, April 3, 1996. kingsvillearchives@gmail.com

Submarine cycling - Ditches rose foot after foot following the Thursday evening rainfall and these young lads wasted no time inventing a new game, “submarine cycling”. If nothing else, it’s a quick way to wash a ten-speed bicycle! Cedar Beach Drug Store, owned by Red Morris, offered drugs, toiletries, china and souvenirs for sale as well as providing a

April 1986 - A large number of hardwood trees along the cliff at Wheatley Provincial Park have fallen victim to the high waters and the heavy wave action. Mr. Cam Kennedy, Park Warden at Wheatley Provincial Park, is seen above, balanced precariously over the swirling waters of Lake Erie as the waves have undermined a giant twin oak tree.

In the foreground, a 40-year-old hickory tree has finally given up the battle and tumbled into the lake. The root systems of the trees along the cliff have enabled the trees to hang on for just a little bit longer, but when the time finally comes, the network of roots causes large segments of the cliff to slide into the water. Sometimes pieces of the cliff, weighing up to a hundred tons, slide down the steep cliff and into the waters below.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

WORD SCRAMBLE

Rearrange the letters to spell something pertaining to fishing.

ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20

Your confidence is at an all-time high, Aries. This is the week to pitch an idea or finally send that text you’ve been mulling over. The universe is backing your bold moves.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, this week you’re entering a cycle of “treat yourself.” You deserve it right now, so enjoy. Whether it’s a brunch out with friends or a mental health day, lean into the experience.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21

Expect a random invitation to create a new connection, Gemini. Your wit is extra sharp this week, so use it to charm the room. Your social calendar is likely to fill up.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22

Cancer, the things you have been visualizing are about to materialize. You might feel an urge to organize your space or redecorate. Jump on that opportunity this week.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23

Leo, you have been feeling underappreciated lately, but that ends soon. Expect a moment when your unique talents become the star of the show. It’s a great week for travel.

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, a puzzle that you have been trying to solve finally clicks into place. You are moving among different social circles and it can be tricky to balance it all. Trust your intuition over logic.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, harmony is an ideal to aspire to this week. If there has been any tension in your circle, you are able to help dissolve it quickly. This is prime time for a date night or friends’ dinner.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, people are drawn to you this week, and you have that certain something that is impossible to ignore. Use this influence wisely.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21

This week you’re in the mood to see what happens and let fate take the lead. Letting go of control might put you in a very fun situation, Sagittarius. Agree to a spontaneous plan.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20

This week you are ticking off your to-do list with amazing efficiency, Capricorn. The real magic happens when you sign off of work and head home to great news.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, you are thinking light years ahead of everyone else right now. Share your ideas, however unusual they may be and see who is along for the ride.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20

The universe is making you choose whether to enjoy financial riches or riches of the heart this week, Pisces. It can be a tough choice to make, so give it some time.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS

MARCH 29 - Megan Hilty, Actress (45)

MARCH 30 Celine Dion, Singer (58)

MARCH 31 Ewan McGregor, Actor (55)

APRIL 1 Logan Paul, Social Media Star (31)

APRIL 2 Zach Bryan, Singer (30)

APRIL 3 Eddie Murphy, Comic (65)

APRIL 4 - Natasha Lyonne, Actress (47)

Blues end Flyers playoff hopes in five games

By C. Scott Holland

The Leamington Flyers season is officially over after dropping a thrilling 5-4 overtime decision to the Collingwood Blues on Friday, March 27.

The game five loss in Collingwood wrapped up the series, four games to one in favour of the Blues.

Friday’s deciding game followed last Thursday’s 3-0 shutout at the hands of the visitors in front of 1,160 fans. The Blues headed home with a 3-1 series lead and a game five match on Friday night.

On Thursday, the Flyers’ downfall occurred mostly in the opening frame as they took the contest’s first penalty and allowed the Blues to score on the ensuing man advantage. Erik Muxlow was sidelined at 3:04 on a tripping call and Blues’ forward Tate Vader onetimed a top of the slot shot

that beat Flyers’ starter Tre Altiman.

If being down 1-0 wasn’t bad enough, Leamington’s offense sputtered throughout the stanza. While on a powerplay that began at 12:59, they surrendered a shorthanded goal when Brayden Stumpf and Nathan Omeri went on a two-on-one break.

Omeri’s right lane shot skipped past Altiman.

The Flyers regained some composure during the second period and put 18 shots on Blues’ goalie Hagan Bach, while Altiman faced only three shots.

Bach halted all of the Flyers’ attempts, including breakaways by three of the Flyers’ best players. In the third, the Blues played with confidence and a resolve to win.

Much of the period was back and forth, but the Flyers were limited to six

scoring chances while the Blues put 10 on Altiman. Trailing 2-0, head coach Dale Mitchell pulled Altiman for an extra-attacker with 2:50 left, but Stumpf’s long shot found the empty net at 17:16 and sealed the Blues’ victory.

Bach finished the shutout win with 33 saves while Altiman had 21.

Friday night at Collingwood, in a must-win situation, the Flyers jumped out to leads of 3-1 and 4-2 but gave up two midthird period goals before falling in overtime.

Brayden Degelas scored twice for the Flyers, while singles went to Matthew Thomas and Reid Hayes.

A rare overtime powerplay allowed the Blues to score the winner with just 28 seconds left in the overtime period.

Collingwood outshot Leamington 31-28 over the course of the game.

LDSS launches spring sports season

By Leah Sharon

Spring sports are officially underway at Leamington District Secondary School, and this past week proved that athletes are more than ready to jump back into sports.

On Tuesday, March 24, Emery Stapleton and Marissa Wiebe took part in the Tier 1, 2, and 3 Girls All-Star Game hosted at Essex District High School. The event brought together top talent from various schools, dividing athletes into regional teams. Emery, serving as captain of Team East, demonstrated strong leadership and skill, while Marissa contributed greatly to Team West. Although the two competed on opposite sides, both athletes delivered powerful serves and consistent play that helped lead their teams to victories, resulting in an overall tie. Congratulations to the girls on all of

their accomplishments this season.

Nineteen students from LDSS’s STEPS and MAPS programs proudly represented the school at the SOO Bocce Tournament held at Riverside, and their results were nothing short of remarkable. The STEPS team delivered a flawless performance, finishing the day with a perfect 3–0 record. The four MAPS teams collectively achieved an impressive 10 wins and just three losses. Every athlete contributed to the success, showing not only their competitive spirit but also their ability to support one another.

On Thursday, March 26, Ben Mu, Ethan Barnewall and Dylan Marchand represented LDSS with determination and pride at the Belle River District High School singles badminton tournament. Each player faced tough competition

but remained focused and resilient throughout their matches. Their effort and sportsmanship did not go unnoticed, as they competed with intensity from start to finish.

Continuing into Friday, members of the senior badminton team also traveled to Belle River District High School to compete in a double’s tournament. LDSS athletes stepped up in every match, showing noticeable improvement in their skills while also demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship. A special congratulations goes out to Ryan Krueger and Drake Wigle, who battled their way to a well-earned bronze medal finish.

As the spring season begins, it’s clear that LDSS athletes are setting the bar high. This is only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting and successful season.

SUNDAY MORNING MEN’S LEAGUE WRAPS UP 25TH SEASON

Elliot Dunlop celebrates 83d birthday on ice

been organizing hockey matches since long before the Leafs last won the Stanley Cup.

Monday, March 23, with family members in attendance at the Unico rink, his stick and puck group honoured him to mark his 83rd birthday with a toast and birthday cake.

Elliot plays twice a week without fail, 12 months of the year as ice is available, picking the teams each week after telling an age-appropriate joke.

On the big day, his teammates spent more time trying to set him up for a goal than a bunch of guys helping a single friend get a date at a Sadie Hawkins dance.

Golden Years Mini Golf report

There were 76 golfers who played 36 holes of mini golf at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens on Thursday, March 26. They recorded an outstanding 117 holes in one.

PHOENIX

Hi, I’m Phoenix. I like to be very clear right from the start: I prefer to be in charge of the relationship. I do enjoy affection, curling up in a lap is absolutely my idea, but it has to be on my terms. When I ask for pets, they’re lovely. When I’m done, I’ll calmly walk away and expect my decision to be respected. Being picked up isn’t my thing, and I’m not a fan of face touches either. What I do love? Playtime. Wand toys are my favorite, and I take them very seriously. I’m confident, opinionated, and know exactly what I want. If you appreciate a cat with strong boundaries, lots of personality, and plenty of love to give when the moment is right, apply for me today!

Opposition netminder Dan Woods wanted no part of watching Elliot do the Tiger Williams goal celebration, completely stonewalling the silver-haired sniper.

Elliot summed up the day.

“You guys are the reason I keep coming out,” he said. “You’re a fun group and you don’t try that hard.”

He also noted, “My family wondered why I continue, but after being here today they completely understand.”

Leading the way with six aces was Randy Nash, followed by Colleen Pearse and Constance Budd with 5 aces; Heather James, Ray Foster and Tom Hyatt 4; Bill Ward, Shran Collins, Steve Acott, Andy Orsini, Andrea Maceyovski, Walter Balsam, Armand Decaluwe and Mary Ann Sherman 3; Margaret Rice, Theresa Decaluwe, Herman DeGoey, Jim James, Patty Hopper, Erle Nash, Bob Springthorpe, Jack Bostin, Al Wass, Bob Tanner, Nick Penzari, Anne Bonyai, Zena Raymond, Jackie Cooper, Mary Metz, Laurie Hylton, Donna Bileti, Barb Fick, Julia Kos, Richard Metz and Arlene Fillmore 2; and Keith Hopper, Kathy Klym, Debbie Clinton, Jennie Brown, Denise Branch, Joanne Law, Bill Mayville, Bruce Cooper, Nancy Springthorpe, Penny McMurphy, Grant Raymond, Beulah Whines, Greg Broome, Linda Whittle, Gail Turk, Georgia Skeates, Carolyn Dufour, Dean Bateman, Dave Tonks, Tony Hudvagner, Lloyd Symons, Geoff Reid and Steve Bonyai 1.

Top score over 18 holes were Keith Hopper and Laurie Hylton with 35; Bill Ward, Randy Nash, Tony Hudvagner, Constance Budd and Mary Ann Sherman 36; Keith Hopper, Bill Ward, Andy Orsini and Randy Nash 37; Debbie Clinton, Andy Orsini and Mary Ann Sherman 38; and Debbie Clinton, Colleen Pearse, Shran Collins, Jack Bostin, Tom Hyatt, Grant Raymond and Armand Decaluwe 39.

Leading the way over 36 holes with 72 was Keith Hopper, followed by Randy Nash and Bill Ward 73, MaryAnn Sherman 74, Andy Orsini 75, Laurie Hylton 76, Debbie Clinton and Constance Budd 77, Jack Bostin 79. First place went to Team 12 (Randy Nash, Laurie Hylton, Donna Bileti, Gail Turk) with 324. Second place was Team 6 (Barb Haas, Bob Tanner, Al Wass, Jack Bostin) with 329. Third place was Team 10 (Kathy Bechard, Ray Foster, Andy Orsini, Jackie Cooper) with 338. Most honest golfers were Team 16 (Lloyd Symons, Linda Taylor, Tony Hudvagner, Armand Decaluwe).

Fun, laughs and also golf will continue on Thursday, April 2 at 10:30 a.m.

Kingsville Friendly Club play results

There were 37 Kingsville Friendly Club members who played cards on March 24.

Bridge: Kim Hamm

3590, Mandy Hric 3060, Linda Trott 2970. Euchre: Ken Martinuik 99, Dave Snider 96, Dave Malley and Real Couture 89.

Most lone hands: Willie Fittler 6. Cribbage: Sue Girardin 1307, Ken Bachmier 1247, Stuart Wheelton 1230. Pepper: Kathy Hedge 285, Carrie Schultz 281, Bill Fielding 221. Most peppers: Kathy Hedge 7.

Door prize winners were Debbie Everaert, Liette Couture and Irene Myers.

Fifty-four members enjoyed their card games on March 27. Bridge: Mac Stanley 3900, Jean Kuipers 2720, Corrine Ingall 2690. Euchre: Willy Fittler 87,

Allison Douglas 82, John Gerhardt 80. Most lone hands: John Gerhardt 6. Pepper: Bill Fielding 292, John Bigley 282, Winnie Moore 279. Most peppers: John Bigley 5. Door prize winners were Rick Wynants, Kathy Hedge and Jenn Roth.

Members are sad to say goodbye to a long-time member Ken Salter, who passed away on March 23, 2026. He will be missed. The Kingsville Friendly Club meets every Tuesday and Friday at the Lions Hall, 21 Mill St. West. Doors open at noon and play starts at 12:45 sharp, followed by social time at 3:15.

IT pool teams fare well at Nationals

The billiards teams from the Leamington International Hotel did their hometown proud over the weekend of March 21-22 as they travelled to Niagara Falls for the CCS Canadian Nationals.

The men’s team finished second in all of Canada, while the ladies team

dropped a close game in the Women’s Second Chance final.

Competing in the 8-Ball Standard division, the local boys cruised through competition from across the nation. It came down to the final game where they bowed out and captured the silver plaque for their prowess on the table.

PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR HOUSE IS

Lasers compete in the pool

Members of the Leamington Lasers Swim Team competed at the 2026 Western Region SC

Championships in London in February with the following results: Jibreal Chowdry, age

16: 100m back finals 7th; 200m back finals 7th.

Gia Edwards, age 12: 200m free 4th; 100m free

TEAM PHOTOS

• Submit team photos any time during the season

5th; 400m free 8th; 800m free 2nd.

Evelyn Matthews, age 16: 400m IM finals 5th; 100m fly finals 5th; 200m fly 2nd; 50m fly finals 4th.

Oluwaspemsire Oyedeji, age 16: 50m breast finals 8th.

Ella Simon, age 11: 100m fly 6th; 200m fly 2nd.

Myla Walker Smith, age 12: 200m free 2nd; 100m fly 6th; 50m free 2nd; 100m back 2nd; 200m IM 2nd; 400 m free 4th.

Two swimmers also competed at the 2026 Ontario Age Groups MPAC at Markham Pan AM Pool in Unionville March 5-8. Here are the results:

Myla Walker Smith, age 12: 400m IM 5th; 200m breast 10th; 100m free 14th; 100m back 13th; 200m IM 12th; 200m breast 10th.

Gia Edwards, age 12: 100m free 25th; 400m completed; 200m completed; 800m 25th

• Be sure to include team name and names of players/coaches

• Jpegs are preferred

• Cell phone photos are fine, please send as large as possible (high resolution)

Send your sports team submissions to

WRITE-UPS

• Send in your game or tournament write-ups by Mondays at 8am

• Please limit your submissions to 150 words

• We recommend having one person responsible for write-ups throughout the season (i.e. team manager or parent)