Southpoint Sun May 26, 2010

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

LDMH Auxiliary celebrates 60 years

By Sheila McBrayne

The Leamington District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary celebrated its 60th ‘diamond’ anniversary at a spring volunteer luncheon held on Wednesday, May 19 at the Roma Club. Approximately 150 of the 240 volunteers of the LDMH Auxiliary enjoyed the luncheon, fashion show and presentation of service pins.

LDMH Auxiliary President Maureen Sutherland welcomed the volunteers and introduced the head table. LDMH Chaplain Liz Chaplin said grace before lunch was served.

The dessert course was accompanied by a fashion show commentated by Sybil Wales. Models in the show included Rosemary Bradford, Anita Bradt, Betty Brown, Trudy Colasanti, Dominique Darowski, Jenny Darowski, Jo Evans, Joan Garceau, Jean Harrison, Muriel McGuire and Irene Meyer.

Alysia Therrien treated the volunteers to Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady. Auxilian Ruth Pike took the volunteers down memory lane with her presentation of Memories of LDMH Auxiliary.

Jo Evans, Membership Convenor, handed out the years of service pins. Receiving pins for five years service were: Maria Aguiar, Ann Beattie, Anita Bradt, Betty Ceman, Heather Collins, Carole Dibbley, Sue Gaffan, Betty Hatch, Maureen Sutherland, Lyle Smith, Marjorie Vanden Brande and Marie Wigfield.

Ten-year pins were presented to: Rosemary Bradford, Elizabeth Baumann, Annette Whitesell, Erica Hamm, Delores Jakob, Mary Jane MacVicar, Joyce Nicol and Audrey Nicholson.

Fifteen-year pins were presented to: Madeline Butler, Trudy Colasanti, Linda Derbyshire, Audrian Hutchinson and Dolores Tracey.

Susanne Darowski received the only 20-year pin. Receiving pins for 25 years of volunteering were: Ruth Brown, Elsie Neufeld and Vi Pepper.

Thirty-five year pins were presented to Shirley Bigelow, Hazel Brown and Dorothy Latam.

Two special ladies were honoured with 40-year pins –Claudia Brown and Jo Parsons.

LDMH Auxiliary has a shared history with the hospital including its anniversary and celebrating 60 years of working together. The following is an excerpt from the Auxliary’s history, which can be found in its entirety on the LDMH website (www.leamingtonhospital.com).

“In its infancy, the hospital experienced a period of adjustment as staff grew accustomed to their new surroundings, and the community got used to having such a modern medical facility at their disposal. During the first 18 months of operation, its beds were only half occupied and it faced a deficit of more than $25,000. Continued public support through subscription, however, helped offset the losses, and municipal grants helped clear debts.

By the end of the first summer, the Women’s Auxiliary had raised the community’s awareness as well as over $1,000 by staging a tag day and garden tea at the home of the Board Chairman’s wife, Mrs. H.M. Bradley. Early Auxiliary purchases included tables and lamps, fire extinguishers and a $250 donation to help beautify the hospital

grounds. In April of 1951, they provided the hospital with a $700 oxygen tent to ensure one was always available for emergency use. In 1952, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s Horace Brown saluted the fine work of the 164 members of the Women’s Auxiliary, on his coast-to-coast broadcast of Bod’s Scrapbook. He hailed them “the homemakers of the day.”

Barn back for the third time

First reported in the March 17th issue, then again in the April 21st issue, the question of what to do about a boundary adjustment on Mersea Road 6 was back on Leamington Council’s agenda Monday, May 17th.

The problem centers around two barns that would be transferred from the original farmland to the residential lot as a result of moving the boundary line. As a general rule, barns are expected to remain with the farm when a residential lot is severed off. Creating a residential lot in our agricultural lands requires a rezoning from farmland (A1) to residential (A5), and is done to separate the ownership of the home from the farm, but it is not an acceptable way to create a ‘hobby farm’ (zoned A3). To help ensure this, the land area of a hobby farm has to be a minimum of 2 hectares (just under 5 acres), and there are stiff restrictions on where and how this can be accomplished. The proposed boundary adjustment would add about half an acre onto the residential lot, leaving it well short of the area of a hobby farm. As a second safeguard against this, there is a stringent restriction on what accessory structures can be on an A5 residential lot, and barns aren’t allowed, so no future owner could simply decide to start up an animal operation or welding shop, activities considered to be incompatible with residential use.

The dilemma facing Council boils down to whether or not to make an exception in this case and allow barns to be

removed from a farm and added onto a residential use (and then to make another special dispensation to allow for one of the barns which is too high for that residential zone), or to enforce the restrictions that have prevailed in the past and either demand the demolition of the barns that are in good condition to allow the change in lot line, or to simply refuse the entire business until a resolution is found before another application is made.

Peter Neufeld, speaking on behalf of the homeowners, emphasized that this is a Council decision, not about whether the opinion of administration is right or wrong, but rather about Council’s authority to determine the application of policy in a unique local situation.

After extensive discussion, a motion by Councillor Rick Atkin to defer consideration of the matter until administration could prepare a report on what would be involved in amending the Official Plan so that the issue would no longer be in contravention was defeated.

A motion to permit the application was made by DeputyMayor Schmidt and seconded by Councillor MacDonald.

In a recorded vote, Councillors Atkin, Derbyshire and Patterson made it clear that they opposed the motion in view of the clear advice against it by administration and the difficulty acceding to the request would create when future requests are received. Councillors Enns and MacDonald along with Deputy-Mayor Schmidt and Mayor Adams voted in favour of the motion, paving the way for a re-zoning. Questioned after the meeting, Councillor Herb Enns said that the specific considerations that made this matter something he had to support were the proximity of the two structures to the house (less than fifty feet away), the fact that the utilities – water, hydro and phone – all run from the house to the barns, and the fact that their configuration meant that to access them if they were left with the farm a completely new access road would have to be built through the field since the only access to them is up the driveway to the house. He also mentioned that he had a list of 20 addresses where essentially the identical combination had been allowed in the past.

The by-law amendment to spot zone the property will probably be before Council in June, and that will be the end of the matter. For this property.

Leamington Tomato Festival gets financial boost from federal government

On Thursday, May 20, Dave Van Kesteren, Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent Essex, announced the Leamington Tomato Festival will be receiving $20,700 in federal funding towards the operational costs of the popular summer festival.

“The federal government is proud to sponsor this local festival as it has become an important weekend for businesses in Leamington with the increase of visitors, as well as for the residents of Leamington who benefit from the heightened sense of community this annual festival brings,” said MP Van Kesteren.

“The government is making a conscious effort to see smaller communities being able to grow and leave their mark in this corner of the world,” he added.

“The organizers genuinely appreciate the opportunities afforded through the Heritage Canada grant which now allows us to reach out to the greater community to involve them in the Tomato Festival’s activities and events. Much thanks and appreciation to Dave Van Kesteren for his support and assistance,” said Dave Campbell, Chair, Leamington Tomato Festival.

Mr. Campbell also thanked Leamington Mayor John Adams and council for being so supportive of the Tomato Fest committee. “Your commitment to us is on the right path,” said Mr. Campbell. “Our goal in three years is to be the number one festival in Essex County, and it’s of the only ones where there is no charge to get in.”

The Government of Canada created the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program in September 2007. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in local activities

Suspicious fire causes $30,000 damage to Queen Elizabeth School

Leamington Fire Department was called to an early morning fire on Sunday, May 23 at Queen Elizabeth Public School in Leamington. Damage is estimated at $30,000 and is being classified as suspicious

Leamington firefighters received the call to the school on Maxim Avenue at 1:44 a.m.

The school sustained fire, smoke and water damage as a result of the blaze. A total of 15 firefighters battled the blaze for approximately two hours.

that present arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage. The program will benefit many community events and celebrations throughout Canada this year.

The Leamington Tomato Festival runs from August 20 until August 22 and includes a parade, pageant, a centre stage with continual live entertainment along with many other annual activities associated with the Tomato Festival. For more

information on the festival please visit www.leamingtontomatofestival.com or call 519-326-2878.

IPBC announcement

The Institute of Professional Bookkeepers of Canada (IPBC) announces the certification of Penny Brando and Beverly Haggins, both of Kingsville, Ontario, as Certified Professional Bookkeepers (CPBs). Mrs. Brando is a bookkeeper and consultant at Indigo Business Studio. Mrs. Haggins is the owner of HB Accounting Services.

The IPBC’s national mandate is to institute professional standards specifically for the Canadian bookkeeping profession. Mrs. Brando and Mrs. Haggins received the national CPB designation after passing the IPBC’s three-hour national exam. The exam is based on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) accepted worldwide. Applicants must achieve at least 75 per cent in order to pass. Both passed the exam with a score in the 90% range.

Ball hockey season starts

The first game in the Women’s Ball League was Monday, May 17 at Wheatley Arena. The Journal girls defeated the Hair Biz Hotties by a score of 6-1.

Scoring the first goal of the 2010 season was Heather Hyatt. Other goal scorers for The Journal-Cindy Osadzuk, Christine Hopper, Laura Epp, and Sheila McBrayne with 2 goals.

Pam Prudence had the lone goal for the Hair Biz team who did a great job considering their short bench. Game 2--The Johnson Electric Johnston Fishery Girls defeated the Dries Potatoes by a score of 3-2. Goal scores for the Fried or Baked team was Elsie Leili and Sue Weaver.

For the Johnson team, Catherine Frauenelob scored her first goal in 25 years and celebrated Ovechkin-style by jumping up on the glass! The second goal came from Margot Gillespie who scored one on a sweet pass from newcomer Angele Stammler. With 2 minutes remaining in the game Kristy Kennedy came through with the game winner.

ERCA funding continues

The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) has been awarded an additional $140,000 to provide cost-sharing grants to property owners under the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program (ODWSP). Landowners within a one-kilometre radius of a municipal drinking water treatment plant intake can help protect drinking water sources in the lakes and waterways, through voluntary early-action stewardship projects.

As part of its commitment to safe drinking water and as established in the Clean Water Act, the Ministry of the Environment has created the ODWSP, a financial assistance program, to help landowners take early action to reduce threats to local municipal drinking water sources.

“We are pleased the Government of Ontario continues to recognize the importance of local stewardship in protecting our sources of drinking water. This funding will help landowners take action on their property to protect our shared drinking water resources,” said Anthony Leardi, Chair, Essex Region Conservation Authority, and Essex Region Source Protection Authority.

If you have a business, farm, or property within a one-kilometer radius of a municipal water treatment plant intake, you may quality for assistance on projects such as septic system improvements, runoff and erosion control, a consultant’s evaluation and recommendations, or a water well decommissioning. For complete project details and to see if you qualify for this funding, please contact the Essex Region Conservation Authority at 519-776-5209 ext. 369 or www.essexregionsourcewater.org/stewardship.

Rock of Hope Dedication at Gore Hill Public School

The Gore Hill Parent Advisory Council held a dedication of its recently installed Rock of Hope in the school’s courtyard. The courtyard area is part of the planned improvements at the school of 240 students. In the next two months improvements will also be made to the soccer fields and basketball area. Pictured here for the official ribbon cutting held at the dedication on Wednesday, May 19 are, from left to right, Kailey Foster, Principal Mrs. Mastronardi, Student Ambassador Taylor Meloche, Leamington Councillor Bill Derbyshire, Josh Garton, Parent Advisory Council Chairman John Garton and Luke Meloche. The Rock of Hope was dedicated as a thank you to all who donated and supported the school’s fundraising efforts towards the improvements. (Sun Photo)

20 years of cell phones...

The contract on my cell phone recently came due and I made the leap from a simple cell phone to an iPhone. Wow, I can’t believe what I’ve been missing out on. It’s absolutely amazing.

I resisted for a few weeks, but soon caved in to the idea of having my email follow me, in addition to people being able to call me wherever I am. So now I have an iPhone, or should I say, the iPhone. This phone does anything you can think of wanting in a handheld device.

It’s certainly come along way since my first bag phone in 1990. Remember when we actually called them car phones because they plugged into your car and weren’t the portable-go-anywhere cell phones of today. The bag phones were short-lived (shorter than the three-year contract with Bell Mobility).

My next cell phone was a very large hand-held phone that required a lot of charging. In the car it was always plugged in; you had to make sure it was well charged because it didn’t hold it for long. My next cell was a little smaller, but still had problems holding the charge.

I think it was about 2000 before I had my first flip phone – an innovation at the time. The phones kept getting smaller and smaller and the batteries improved to hold a charge longer.

The phone I just traded in was my first phone that had a camera… And now I have the iPhone. I can’t think of anything it can’t do except maybe earn its keep. But even then, it does allow me to do my banking no matter where I am, so it does take care of the finances. I thought I’d use the phone, email, internet and sometimes the camera, but I had no idea how handy the apps would be. I’ve used the voice recorder as a tape recorder for interviews. I’ve used the GPS mapping to get myself to an appointment on time. I’ve used the movies app to check out trailers and decide what movie to spend $10 on without being surprised or disappointed. I’ve used the ESPN app to check on game scores. I even used the 5000 Quotes app to throw in a good quote to finish a story. The apps go on and on and I know I’ve only scratched the surface of what this phone can do. Believe it or not, it can even act as a whoopee cushion… Yes, there’s an app for that too.

Snippets from Doreen’s Beauty Shop

If baldness was sand, I’d be Saudi Arabia. My follicle follies have included everything from comb-overs, to perms, to parting it on the sides – you name it. Like ground beef, it doesn’t really matter how many ways you whip it up, the end result is the same. I’ve pretty much given up. With me, it’s now “what you don’t see is what you get.”

Just think, there was time, 20-plus years ago, when I used to own more brushes than ball hats. Conversely, the only brush I personally possess these days sits next to the tube of Colgate on the bathroom vanity.

Speaking of vanity, I attempt to deceive the general population by wearing a ball cap as often as possible. Of course the cat’s out of the bag whenever I walk into work or church. I suppose there are business hats I could wear. However, considering it’s 2010 and Punch Imlach was the last person I saw wearing a fedora, I don’t even know if

you can buy them anymore. Then there’s the Tic Hooper model. Surely you know the style. It kind of looks like a Smartie with a mullet. My dad used to wear one of them things. Of course, my dad dressed more out of adherence for public decency laws than for reasons related to fashion. My dad, bless his soul, often wore something on his head other than hair. Don’t tell my older brother, but he’s bald too – a conclusion that he will surely have to face someday soon. Speaking of face, he has a lot of it, just like his baby brother.

I haven’t tried the hairpiece thing. To be honest, I haven’t seen one that didn’t look as phony as a shotgun wedding. I once tried (and with disastrous results) “Hair in A Can”. I remember the day I bought the stuff. I rushed out to my car, put my hand over my eyes and sprayed this stuff generously all over my dome. It didn’t help matters that it had to be 90º that day. Driving down the road, the interior fogged with

whatever ingredients they make phony hair stuff aerosol with, I noticed that I needed some gas. Oblivious to my new look, I pulled into the Rankin Variety and informed the lady at the pumps that I needed some gas. She kind of cocked her head with a curious look and inquired, “What the hell happened to you?” Feeling a bit self-conscious, I scooted into the washroom and peeked into the mirror. To my horror, I looked like Eddie Munster –the big V on the forehead, dripping sideburns et al. The stuff wasn’t even blonde anymore. It kind of looked like choco(Continued on Page 7)

What would be your dream job in the future, say 10 years from now? What would you like to be doing?

Location: Leamington District Secondary School – Grade 9

Rebecca Friesen

“I plan on being in school still by then, probably in the English department for awhile at least. I don’t know what I want to do yet.”

Holley Taves

“I’ll be in ECE (Early Childhood Education). Hopefully there will be some jobs by the time I get there.”

Snippets from Doreen’s Beauty Shop

(Continued from Page 6)

late pudding. Plenty of water and a lot of hand towels later, I was able to remove most of the crap from my head. I then pulled myself together, paid the confused lady ten bucks and hightailed it outta Dodge. The irony to all of this is my mother was a hairsmith, literally. (Grandpa Smith was bald too). Imagine that! Your mother’s a hairdresser and the only thing she’s capable of cutting is my name out of her will.

I guess she was pretty good at cutting hair. I wasn’t really in a position to judge. Doreen’s Beauty Salon started in our basement on Holden Street, before expanding into a small shop beside Dr. Payne’s office. (Only in Dresden will you find a doctor named after a leading ailment.) Her final move was to the main drag next to Babcock Jewelers.

I used to have a lot of fun with mom’s business. Once I opened the front door and invited in a wandering goat. (We figured it got loose from the stables at the track.) As if it was on a mission, this stupid goat trotted to the back of the shop and promptly jumped up on an unsuspecting Suzie Wilmott, who happened to be seated in the “Hair Chair.” Elderly and petite, Suzie had to be one of the classiest, well-dressed ladies in town. She was not amused. Nonetheless, Suzie handled this event with all the aplomb you’d expect from a grandmother who was attacked by a goat in beauty parlor. Said goat and I were swiftly banished from the joint.

I did give Mother plenty of free plugs on the radio during my tenure as a disc jockey. After most hair-related tunes, I’d remind people to stop into Doreen’s “Curl Up and Dye.” I can just imagine her trying to save face with the customer at this point, stating, “Did I tell you my oldest boy is a doctor?” Mom’s business is long-gone now. Memories of her shop, along with my hair, have long been swept up and disposed of. Stock prices in the Dresden gossip industry have surely dropped. As for me, only the bald jokes and 3 dozen ball hats remain.

Recently, at a Dresden fundraiser to support brain tumor research, an event that featured town notables getting their head shaved for charity, I was repeatedly asked if I was going to participate. It hardly seemed worthwhile. After all, how exciting can five bucks and the use of Bic razor be?

Bobby Enns

“Well there’s two things – either a video game designer or programmer, or a stuntman. I love action movies and it would be fun to get paid to be part of it.”

Dustin Jackson

“My dream job would be programming. I sort of want to learn how to hack into sites and get paid for it, and then help them improve their security so other people can’t hack into it.”

Perennials and parenting: the rewards are endless

From where I sit right now, I look out over our backyard and think back to when it was simply a grassed lawn, a clump of phlox for color and a hammock strung between two good-sized trees. Simple, like life seemed then when the kids were small and I knew for a given time they were all safe on that hammock.

Over the last 18 years while living here, our yard, like our family, has gone through many transitions. I would have to say, “It does look pretty lovely, but not without much effort.”

The gardens, like our family, started off in a simple manner. We made a basic plan around the environment that our property had to offer and then went about our way as if things would just take off, like in the textbook.

Plants, like children, are very individualistic, and even though we may have given them the best nutrients and care, it quickly became apparent whether or not they were thriving. Each needed and continues to need a slightly different touch or some tweaking in the way they were handled. Just when you think you may have it right, something changes. You are rewarded every year. They thrive, blossom so to speak, and flourish.

Along the way, hardiness is tested – both the parents’ and the child’s. I note that when my plants are surrounded by complementary plantings they not only look better, but actually feed off of each other. The same seems to go for humans, and so we care for the friends as well.

The perennials have matured, and although they are much more stable we continue to surround them with all the things they need to stay healthy. Compostenriched soil is wheel-barrowed to every garden, and top dressing to help keep the weeds out.

Our children are learning to thrive on their own but will continue to always need their parents’ guidance. They have learned to care for themselves but will always feed off of the encouragement, support that we give and the knowledge that we have raised good individuals. When the sky clouds over, it is family that you can rely on. The rain or tears are better if shared. We share the same roots, and no doubt the “apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.”

Autism Awareness

In June of last year, three generations – Grandma (Sharon Mills of Wheatley), Mom, Daughter (Candy Glover and Mindy Glover of Leamington) – went to get tattoos in honour of autism awareness. Their granddaughter, daughter and sister have autism. This was the first tattoo for all three. The trio had their tattoos done by Kris Kani at Eerie Art, 43 Erie Street South Leamington. (Photo Submitted)

Lakers win 23-17

The Leamington Metro Rookie Lakers opened their season with an impressive 23-17 win over the Belle River Braves on last Thursday evening.

Billy Friesen led the way for the Lakers with a perfect 5 for 5 performance at the plate. The speedy first baseman also knocked in five RBIs.

Jonathon Fehr and Eric Dominguez punched out four hits each, while Colin Wall, Benny Bueckert, Hayden Pilmer, Adam Neufeld, Adam Jeffery and Russell Derbyshire recorded three hits each.

Jeffery’s hit totals included a single, double and a triple.

“We started out a little slow,” said Laker’s coach Dan Dominguez, “but finished very strong. We (the coaching staff) were a little concerned since this was our first game due to some rainouts, but I liked what I saw.”

Michael Wiebe and Eric Wright had two hits each to round out the Leamington offensive attack.

The Lakers’ next home game is Thursday at 6:15 p.m. against Amherstburg

Junior golfer making her mark in the golfing world

Leamington’s Alyssa Getty, 13, has qualified for the Golf Canada (RCGA) C.N. Future Links Ontario Championship at Sutton Creek Golf Course on May 27-30. Sutton Creek will play host to the top 99 elite Junior Golfers from across Canada. Getty is one of four local Junior Golfers to land a spot in this prestigious national event. Also representing this area are: Laura Demarco, 16, of LaSalle; Quinn Vilnef, 17, of Amherstburg; and Anthony Dadamo, 17, of Windsor.

Getty, a grade 7 student at Ruthven Public School, already has her 2010 golf season off to a successful start with five-tournament win in the five events she entered in Florida this past winter, most of them competing in the 19 & Under age division. Her last event was the Florida Junior Girls National Invitational in Ocala, Florida, where she won first out of a field of 38 girls to secure an American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) exemption.

On the Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) fall-winter tour, Getty secured an AJGA Junior All-Star exemption for her second place finish in points ranking on the tour for the season. She won the low scoring average in the Girls 11-14 age division as well. Getty also secured an AJGA Junior all-star exemption from the Plantations Junior Golf Tour for her third-place ranking for the year and was invited to both the PJGT Championship at Purdue University and the FCWT championship in Florida on May 27-30. Getty has recently received an invite to represent Team Canada at the Optimist Golf World Cup in July. She is the Canadian Junior Optimist National Champion for 2008 and 2009 in the Girls 14 & Under division. She has also accepted an invitation to join the International Team at the World Youth Team Challenge in June – the largest Junior Ryder Cup Event (match play format) for Juniors 16 & Under in the world.

Getty was named to the GAO Under 17 High Performance Team in October for the 2009-2010 year. It is a year-long training program for elite athletes in Ontario with access to numerous coaches for the swing, fitness, nutrition, and mental aspects of the game.

Getty’s goal this summer is to play in the Canadian Women’s Amateur at Kingsville Golf & Country Club in July and play golf close to home on the Jamieson Junior Golf Tour, formally the Burger King.

Alyssa Getty is the daughter of Steve and Michelle Getty.

REMINDER

SECC Walk, Rock and Roll 5 km walk and outdoor benefit concert Saturday, May 29 at Leamington Marina.

Walk - 10 a.m.

BBQ & concert - 12 noon

Joint Forces Inspection

On Tuesday, May 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Essex OPP and the Ministry of Transportation conducted a traffic enforcement initiative in the Town of Essex.

Officers and agents targeted commercial motor vehicles, issuing 31 documentation violations (including licence plate), 3 load violations (including unsafe), 6 equipment violations, and 4 seatbelt violations.

Vehicle Rear-Ends Motorcycle

On Wednesday, May 19 around 2:30 p.m., Essex County OPP responded to a motor vehicle collision with a motorcycle eastbound on Hwy 3 east of Sexton Sideroad. Police advised that a male driver (47) from Oldcastle, riding a 2004 Harley Davidson, was stopped for traffic when he was rear-ended by a female driver (19) from Windsor.

The male driver was transported to Metropolitan Hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The female driver was charged with following too close under the Highway Traffic Act. Hwy 3 was closed eastbound between Sexton Sideroad and County Road 34 for a short time.

Vehicle Bursts Into Flames After Being Rear-Ended

On Saturday, May 22 around 2:00 p.m., Lakeshore OPP responded to a two-vehicle collision northbound on Manning Road. Police advised that a Pontiac Grand Prix was stopped northbound waiting to turn left (west) onto Baseline Road when it was struck from behind by a Dodge Caravan.

The Pontiac burst into flames, and the male driver (50) and the female passenger (51) from Woodslee were pulled from the burning vehicle by other drivers. The female was taken to Hotel Dieu with serious but non life-threatening injuries.

Tecumseh Fire Search & Rescue Service attended and extinguished the burning vehicle.

The male driver of the Dodge Caravan (50) from Windsor was charged with careless driving under the Highway Traffic Act.

OPP Use All Resources on Long Weekend

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) used all its available resources and personnel on the Victoria Day weekend to ensure that Ontario’s highways, trails and waterways remain amongst the safest in the world. The OPP works with the Ministry of Transport enforcement officers to make the roads safer by ensuring that vehicles are safe, loads are secure and towing attachments are legally appropriate.

This week, March 22-28, is Safe Boating Awareness Week and the OPP Marine Unit was out on the waterways over the long weekend to help prevent drowning and other incidents.

Over the Victoria Day weekend last year, two people were killed in two separate collisions on OPP patrolled roads. No watercraft or ATV fatalities were reported.

Kijiji Ad Draws Attention

On Monday May 24 around 1:30 p.m., Lakeshore OPP responded to a complaint of an ad on Kijiji. Police advised that a member of the public notified police of an ad offering a free 6-month-old child. The Kijiji ad has a generic address in Belle River.

The Children’s Aid Society, Essex County Criminal Investigation Unit and Lakeshore OPP are currently investigating the ad, but it is believed to be a hoax. Anyone with information about the person(s) responsible for posting the ad is asked to contact Essex County OPP Criminal Investigation Unit at 519-723-2491 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Leamington Police looking for baseball equipment

The Leamington Police are looking to the public for donations of used ball equipment to be used in a charity ballgame versus the Mexican farm workers. Western Union has agreed to sponsor the game.

“Everyone knows that at any given time we have thousands of Mexicans who are working in Leamington,” said Cst. Kevin O’Neil. “They work very hard in our greenhouses and farms, not to mention the money that they spend here in our community. The workers are here in town for several months, away from their families, and they don’t have a whole of activities while they are here. We thought that it might be fun to challenge them to a ball game and give some of them a chance to hit a ball again – an event where they can cheer on their country right here in Leamington. None of their players have any equipment so we are asking the public to look through their garages for any unused gloves, balls, bats or spikes that will be put to good use.”

LDSS Math Club ranks well in contests

The Math Club at Leamington District Secondary School held a special awards luncheon on Friday, May 21.

Students from grade 9 to grade 12 meet Wednesdays at lunchtime and complete old contests and challenging questions. The club also writes a series of contests. University of Windsor sponsored contests are written 6 times throughout the year and University of Waterloo sponsored contests are written in February and April.

Each LDSS math team is made up of the top 3 scorers in the February contest. They are then ranked at zone level, which is comprised of schools in the Lambton-Kent District School Board and the Greater Essex County District School Board – both public and separate. The LDSS team of grade 9s ranked 12th in the zone, grade 10s were 8th, grade 11s were 11th, and grade 12s were 3rd.

On Friday the Math Club honoured those who received recognition for their efforts in the Waterloo contests.

“Thank you to all,” said teacher Mary Kay Gabert. “We had a very successful year and appreciate all your efforts. There are upwards of 40 participants in Zone 80 and you did very, very well.”

Ranking among the top 25, the following students in grades 9, 10 and 11 received a Certificate of Distinction from the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing, University of Waterloo:

Grade 9 – Rebecca Friesen, Keny Patel, Holley Taves, Thao Do, Dustin Jackson and Bobby Enns, who achieved highest in school and received a medal as well as a certificate.

Grade 10 – Dennis Verweij, Andrew Prevett, Davey Watson and Henry Frankis.

Grade 11 – Spencer Marentette and Alex Stubbs, who tied for top spot and each received a medal and a certificate.

The Math Club at LDSS is coordinated by Mrs. Gabert and Mr. Phinney.

No final date has been set, but the game will be on a Sunday afternoon in July

Anyone who has any equipment is asked to call Cst. Kevin O’Neil 326-6111 ext. 235 or drop it off to the Leamington Police.

“We’re going to have a BBQ and make this a real fun event for the whole town,” Cst. O’Neil added.

The Pelee Passage Light – one man’s story

By Allison Siddall

This area is steeped in history, and because of our proximity to Lake Erie many of the stories are marine-related and share a common theme: commercial fishing, sports fishing, rescues, tragedies, floods, boating, swimming – the list goes on and on.

Harold Stockton, 93, of Wheatley, has a unique lake-experience story to tell – one that in all likelihood isn’t shared by anyone else.

It all started when Harold, fresh out of the Army after the Second World War, returned home to this area and noticed that several of the wooden fishing tugs were in rough shape. They were rotting, but during the war there was little that could be done about it because there wasn’t any steel available to build new boats. A welder and a mechanic, Harold saw an opening to build boats out of steel and went about setting up shop as a boat builder, first on Point Pelee Drive where Paula’s Fish place is currently located and later, in 1953, on Concession C. He built fish tugs for Wheatley fishermen Ned Derbyshire, Bill Lamb, Harvey Getty & Sons and Frank Bailey, as well as for several fishermen in Kingsville. Here is where the story gets fascinating. The Pelee Passage is the name given to the channel running through the gap created by Point Pelee and Pelee Island. Lake depths run in the 30 to 40 foot range, with the Pelee Passage Light marking the western edge of various shoals, including Grubb’s Reef and Middle Ground Shoal, and the Southeast Shoal Light, about 6 miles away, marking the eastern edge and the deeper water of Lake Erie. The Pelee Passage Light was built in Toronto in 1900 and shipped to Pelee in 1902, and by 1957 was sorely in need of repair. Being a welder, Harold was called in as a jobber to fix the steel plates that were coming loose on the outside of the lighthouse. He had to weld the plates from the outside because access from the inside was bricked over. To do this, he was hoisted up the outside of the lighthouse using block and tackle and a bosun’s chair (a device used to suspend a person from a rope to perform work aloft). He had to go right to the top of the 65-foot high lighthouse, which was mounted on a base that was 12-14 feet high. “I was hanging there on the outside of the lighthouse, in the middle of the lake. I got halfway up and didn’t think I could do it,” said Harold. “The others said ‘just hang there awhile till you get used to it.’ Then they started hauling me up and I started hollering and didn’t stop until I got to the top. After that I was okay, and I was okay every day after that.”

Harold said the job was a real challenge. Besides hanging precariously over the waters of Lake Erie while welding the plates, when he was wearing his welding mask he couldn’t see the ropes on the block and tackle and was afraid he would burn them. He said that he was always very conscious of where the ropes were “because if I burned them I would be in serious trouble.”

“I don’t know why I was hired to do that job,” said Harold. “Probably because no one else would do it. The whole deal amounted to money. They paid big money to do that job and it was an opportunity.”

What is also fascinating is Harold’s description of how the actual lamp in the lighthouse worked. “The light in the top of the lighthouse was a kerosene lamp, just like a big Aladdin light,” said Harold. “It was stationary and had a reflector mounted on framework that

Leamington Branch 84 Legion news

By Pat Simpson

Members of the President’s Committee are working to get the Branch records and equipment organized for the move to our new location. There is no set moving date at this time as our new location is being renovated. If you can volunteer to help with the packing and sorting of memorabilia, please let a member of the President’s Committee know that you are willing to assist.

The winners of Friday

night fun darts on May 14 were Jim Simpson and Marsha Mitchell.

The seniors social held May 12 was the last event until we move to our new location. Please watch the Legion News for the date. 124 seniors enjoyed the social this month.

Our membership stands at a total of 145 as of May 5. If you have not paid your dues for 2010 please stop into the Branch and pay your dues and enjoy a visit with your fellow members.

General Meeting: June 2 at 7. Executive Meeting: June 16 at 7.

floated in mercury. It operated by weights and had to be cranked every four hours.”

Cole Main operated the Pelee Passage Light during the time that Harold did the work there. They developed a friendship over the two weeks that Harold boarded at the lighthouse while completing the repair job. They have kept up their friendship over the years, and as a matter of fact spoke on the phone just a couple of weeks ago. Cole, 88, now resides in Picton and is doing well.

Americo Dean. It was moved to its present site by Dean Construction Co. Ltd. Harold is also very knowledgeable about Pelee’s marine lore. He spent a season at the Southeast Shoal Light, working two weeks on and two weeks off, but that is a whole other story…

Are you using the proper equipment?

Many golfers are using clubs that are too old. Whether it is an old persimmon driver, or an old set of blade irons, I often see people using clubs that are out of date.

If you are using clubs that are ten or more years old, I know you will have more success on the golf course buying a new set of clubs or a slightly used set. The average woman golfer should not be using their husband’s hand-me-downs.

A junior should not be using a cut-down set of blade irons. Even the tour pros are hitting clubs that are considered more forgiving and easier to hit.

To find the right set for you, talk to your local golf professional. They are trained to know how to best fit you for your swing. Clubs come in a wide range of prices. A new set of clubs does not have to be as expensive as one might think.

The game can be hard enough as it is, the equipment you use should not make it any harder. Good luck with your golf game.

For questions or comments email: jepp@erieshoresgolf.com.

Cardinal Carter Corner

We would like to recognize several students for their achievements this past month.

The Cardinal Carter Track Team has been enjoying a very successful season. Congratulations to Mark Beneteau, Matteo Del Brocco, Paul Sabutsch and Devin Foldesi, who qualified for the SWOSSAA championships in Sarnia. Mark Beneteau and Matteo Del Brocco had fine performances in the 100m race at the SWOSSAA meet and qualified for OFSAA regionals. Good luck!

We are also very pleased to recognize grade 12 student Joshua Vezina, who is the 2010 recipient of the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board Director’s Award for Humility and Justice. Congratulations Joshua!

Congratulations to grade 11 student Chris Slikboer, who placed first in his weight class in the All-Ontario Powerlifting competition. Chris moves on to the national competition in a few weeks.

Several Cardinal Carter students recently participated in the illustrious Begbie History Contest. In a field of over 1500 competitors from across the country, CC’s own Samantha Keller earned a medal for her score

Learning leadership skills

The Leamington Kiwanis Club sponsored two of their Key Club members’ attendance at a recent Kiwanis International Key Leadership Training Session held on May 14, 15 and 16th at the Circle Square Camp in Brantford, Ontario. The purpose of the camp is to provide young adults with the experience and exposure to leadership skills. These young adults presented their report to the parent club at the club’s regular meeting on May 20. Pictured left to right are: Kiwanis Club President Lloyd Honey, Key Club members Krystin Ives and Noah Vezina, and James Ives, Key Club liaison.

of 81%. Way to go Samantha!

What else are we up to at Cardinal Carter?

Cardinal Carter is proud to be hosting the 7th Annual Day of Champions on June 9. This year, we are expecting 135 Community Living students from eight secondary schools across WindsorEssex County to participate in this “Crazy Olympics” style event. The success of this day is a direct result of the tremendous generosity of our community sponsors. Anyone interested in donating to the Day of Champions is asked to contact the school at 519-322-2804 ext. 37. All sponsors registered by May 26 will be recognized on a T-shirt given to all participants.

CC students are enjoying spirit week from May 2528, with theme days including jersey day, superhero day, Flashback to the 80s day and spirit wear day.

We welcome speaker Robert Pio Hajjar on Friday, May 28. Robert will be speaking about his experiences living with an intellectual disability and is a testament to all that is possible within an environment of inclusion. We invite members of the community to attend Robert’s presentations on Friday at 12:00 noon and 1:20 p.m. For further information, please contact the school at 3222804.

OBITUARY NOTICE

Maria Chambers

Maria Chambers (nee Pavao), “Dear”, “Aunt Mia”, 50 years, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her dear and devoted family and friends on Sunday, May 23, 2010.

Beloved wife of Brian Chambers for 29 years. Loving and cherished mother of Kristin (Adam Paglione) and special “Grandma” to Diva. Cherished daughter of Cremilde Pavao and the late Joaquim. Dear sister of John Pavao (Rina), Alfie Pavao, Jack Pavao (Dee), Mary-Jo Tarnovietchi (late Eugene), Emily Murracas (John), Fred Chambers (Kathy), Ron Chambers (Bev), Richard Chambers. Proud aunt of Jennifer Chevalier (Nick), Stephanie and Vanessa Pavao, Jaclyn and Lindsey Pavao, Ashley Tarnovietchi, Kiera and Kylie Murracas, Jason, Steven, Madison and Abbey Chambers.

Special thanks to Nurse Lorna from St. Elizabeth for her compassionate care and support.

Visiting at the Reid Funeral Home & Reception Centre, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631) on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m.

Funeral Mass to celebrate Maria’s life will be held from St. Michael’s Church, 29 Elliott Street, Leamington, on Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 10 a.m. Interment at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery to follow.

As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Sun Parlor Home would be appreciated. Family and friends are invited to share their words of comfort and remembrance at www.reidfuneralhome.ca.

Reunion organizers looking for Abbott descendants

For nearly a dozen years, various Abbott family researchers have connected via mail, phone and internet. Why? They share the same common great-great-greatgrandfather – William Abbott, and the same place – Point Pelee, Ontario.

After sharing and comparing notes, fully documenting that they are indeed all related, a gathering of Abbotts has been organized. A reunion of Abbotts who have never met, but who are all related and share the same history will take place June 18-20. Organizers are particularly looking for descendants of Elizabeth Abbott Hillman.

Interested? Contact Clint Abbott for reunion details and complete registration information at 616-550-1067 or-mail squint55@comcast.net.

Gilligan’s

If you walk out of Gilligan’s and you are still hungry then you have a problem… Gilligan’s has been a Leamington landmark for the past number of years and rightly so. As the weather started to improve and we looked forward to the long weekend, we headed over to Gilligan’s to be treated to some cold beer and great bar food! As we walked in we were welcomed warmly by Chad and Gayle, seated quickly and brought a drink promptly thereafter. With lots of beverage options – from half a dozen types of draft, bottles of many kinds, well drinks, wine – Gilligan’s has a wonderful community pub atmosphere, that is also very family friendly. We just happened to be there on Wednesday, the same night that kids eat free, and all the parents and kids seemed to be enjoying themselves and their dinner.

Of course the highlight of the Gilligan’s menu are the massive burger options. Gilligan’s offers choices of other game meats like turkey, buffalo and ostrich as burger options, but for us we had to go straight up with one of the “original” burgers. We have sampled a number of the burgers but our favourites are definitely the cheddar apple-wood bacon melt, the hot and spicy, and the backyard burger. All the burger options come in three sizes ½ lb, ¾ lb and 1

lb; we’ve never been able to venture beyond the ½ pound, and even with that we walked out with leftovers. The burgers come with choice of soup, steakcut fries or Caesar salad. As Gayle explained to us, with the newly revised menu came an overhaul of the Caesar salad, and it is definitely much improved – the homemade crotons, applewood bacon bits and shaved parmesan make this a great spin on a classic!

From signature clubhouse sandwiches to favourites like quesadillas, burritos and fish and chips, Gilligan’s offers a full menu of options to ease your craving. One of the new features on the menu is the king chicken sandwich – a grilled chicken breast rolled in a thick grilled pita and stuffed with lettuce, tomato, onion and a signature garlic sauce. This is a great new sandwich definitely worth a try. Oh, and the other thing they have is true buffalo chicken wings! I also have a new favourite flavour –Honey Hot! A great mix of sweet and heat! There are a number of flavour options that will bring us back – especially on Tuesday for ½ price wing night with purchase of beverage!

Providing great service, a fantastic community atmosphere, and great food makes Gilligan’s a choice spot for regulars and visitors alike.

Meet Peter Boyer of “Same Latitude as Rome”

Peter is 61 years old, a singer/songwriter originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, and now living in Cottam, Ontario. Significance of group name –Peter said that seeing they are from the most southerly location in Canada, he wanted a group name that would promote their uniqueness geographically Type of music – Peter describes his music as folk music (acoustic/roots). The band has been together for 4 years. Venues where you can find Peter and the band include area clubs such as Taloola’s Café (Walkerville), The Phog, The Milk, Coach and Horses and FM Lounge, all in Windsor, as well as Windsor Folk (McKenzie Hall) and Last Friday Coffee House in Leamington.

Upcoming shows – The Nashville Songwriters Association (Tin Pan North) Canadian Chapter May 28 and 29 in Oakville and Toronto. Also on July 1, Canada Day, at Leamington Marina prior to the fireworks.

Email: peterboyer@gmail.com Website: www.samelatitudeasrome.com Facebook profile: peterboyer

Members of the group – The main group consists of Peter Boyer (guitar/vocals), Jeff Meloche (drums), Chris Martin (upright bass/electric bass) and Besnik Yzeiri (violin). Also helping out for recordings and some shows are Heather Lavis (guitar/vocals), Bart Lavis (vocal harmony), Anneke McCabe, (guitar/ vocal harmony) and Christine Scholtz (guitar/vocal harmony). Peter likes to include the family – Heather, Anneke and Christine are all Peter’s daughters. Peter does some solo shows and some duos and trios.

Most interesting place played – Faro Folk Festival in Faro, Yukon. Peter shared a songwriting workshop stage with the famous folk singer Tom Paxton.

Brushes with fame – Peter has had lots of brushes with fame, having played with or been on the same bill with many Canadian and American artists such as Colleen Peterson, Stan and Garnet Rogers, Snezzy Waters, Bruce Cockburn, Ricky Skaggs and Tom Paxton, to name a few. He also worked with Dan Akroyd on a Canadian play called “Tom Paine” back in his university days. “Fame has totally eluded me and I’m okay with that,” says Peter CDs or recordings – 2007 Northern Saloons and Community Halls; 2008 Which Side of the Line Are You On?; 2009 Faerie Queen and Other Stories. Peter is currently working on a new CD and always has his CDs available for sale at his shows.

Where do you hope to be in 5 years? – Peter is hoping to have better and better new songs for the band to record and perform.

Do you play originals or covers? – The band plays mostly original songs and a few blues classic songs. They have had airplay on CJAM, CBC, CHYR radio stations.

If you could play with anyone, whom would you most like to play with? – Peter stated that if he could play with anyone it would be his sister Naomi Boyer, who was killed tragically in a car accident. Peter and Naomi started their music careers together as a folk duo.

How often do you practice? Peter practices 1-1.5 hours a day, mostly arranging and writing new songs. Peter is a parttime musician/full-time songwriter and plays a couple shows a month.

Formal training? – Peter started playing harmonica at age 8 and then started guitar at age 15. He is a self-taught musician and had his first gig in a bar in Kingston at age 16, playing blues harmonica with a bar band. They snuck him in the back door because he was underage.