Southpoint Sun November 21, 2012

Leamington Christmas Parade this

Saturday

The 2012 Light Up the Night Christmas Parade is this Saturday, Nov. 24!

The parade starts at 6 p.m.

The parade route begins on Georgia Avenue, heads up Erie Street North and finishes at the fairgrounds. To help ensure everyone’s safety, please refrain from parking along the parade route from 4:00-8:00 p.m.

New this year, before the Christmas parade on Saturday, Santa will be at Windsor Family Credit Union’s Leamington location on Erie St. S., 1:00-3:00 p.m., where children can get a free picture taken with Santa. The only requirement is that an email address be provided in order to send you your photo.

There is also a fundraiser the evening before the parade, Fri. Nov. 23 from 5:009:00 p.m. at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens, to assist with parade costs. Tickets are $15 per adult and $10 for children, and includes dinner, golf and rides, a visit from Santa and a silent auction.

Contact the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce at 519-326-2721 for more information.

Leamington Scouts raising funds for Jamboree

By Bryan Jessop

A dozen Leamington Scouts are hard at work making a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity become a reality.

The Second Leamington Scouts have been fundraising for about a year so far to raise the $25,000 necessary to send a dozen youths and four Scout Leaders to the Canadian Scout Jamboree at Sylvan Lake, AB June 6 to 13, 2013. So far, the group has raised just under a third of that amount, having collected $8,000 to date.

Most recently, The Cliff restaurant in Leamington hosted two perch dinners on Friday, Nov. 16 with proceeds going towards the Jamboree expenses. One meal began at 5:30 p.m. with another following at 7 p.m. Meals sold at $16 per adult and $12 per child up to 12 years of age.

Eleven of the 12 Scouts to make the journey from Leamington to Sylvan Lake (near Red Deer, AB) are members of the Second Leamington Scouts while the other is a member of Sixth Leamington Scouts. So far, the group has raised funds through car washes, chocolate bar sales, a yard sale and a pasta dinner at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens.

The next major event in the group’s list of fundraisers will be Family Pasta Night at Jose’s Bar and Grill in Leamington Monday, Dec. 10 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. From each dinner sold, $5 will be donated to the Leamington Scouts for the Jamboree.

On Saturday, Jan. 19, the Leamington Scouts will meet Scout groups from Kingsville, Wheat-

ley, Essex and Harrow for a Bowl-a-thon fundraiser at Empire Lanes in Ruthven. Participating Scouts are raising money through the event by collecting pledges.

“Each Scout group keeps the money it has collected — it doesn’t go into a pool,” said Leamington Scout Leader David Meek. “We don’t have specific times yet, but it will probably be in the afternoon. We’re still working on the details.”

The Scouts attending the Jamboree in Alberta range from 11 to 14 years in age. Next year’s Jamboree will

feature traditional Scout activities such as creating fire without lighters or matches as well as events specific to the Prairie location. Halfday trips to Sylvan Lake (a community of 12,000 people visited by a million tourists per year) and Red Deer are also on the itinerary, as is the opportunity to walk on a glacier, tour a coal mine and visit Royal Tyrrell Museum, featuring 40 mounted dinosaur skeletons including Tyrannosaurus Rex and Albertosaurus. Several half-day hikes are also being scheduled for the eight-day event.

The Canadian Scout Jamboree is normally held once every four years, although it will be six years between the last Jamboree and the 2013 event in Alberta. A number of Leamington Scouts attended the last Jamboree in 2007, hosted by Tamaracouta, Que., just north of Montreal.

Those interested in making donations to the Leamington Scouts for next year’s Jamboree can arrange to do so by contacting Meek at cj13scout@gmail.com.

Council will live with old Official Plan - for now

Consideration of the Official Plan that was deferred until the Monday, November 19 Council meeting resumed with a list of delegations and correspondence.

It was suggested by Councillor John Jacobs that the concern evidenced by the letter, petition and delegations was primarily due to a “lack of information to the general public”.

Councillor Rick Atkin made a proposal that resonated with the other members of Council. Rather than go through duplication of effort— a single purpose meeting to consider the Official Plan amendment a matter of mere months before public meetings will have to be held for the mandated five-year review of the official plan—he suggested, “we live with the old Official Plan” and “we merely adopt the expansion to the C.I.P.”

Tracey Pillon-Abbs agreed that Council could do that, and pointed out that the County is in the process of reviewing its own Official Plan, adding that Leamington’s review could conceivably be delayed as a consequence, so passing of Schedule D (that delineates the Commercial Improvement boundaries) is critical; everything else could wait.

BILL CHAPLIN Municipal Correspondent

Consequently, on a motion from Councillor Jacobs, Leamington Council adopted Schedule D to be forwarded to the County for approval, and merely received the rest of the report.

Administration to negotiate land deal

There is a small chunk of property between the Arts Centre and the commercial properties on Talbot and on Mill that the municipality owns.

Back in 2004 Leamington purchased the property intending to construct a theatre expansion to the Arts Centre.

Since then, the Bank of Montreal building has been converted to performance space, and the buildings are no longer needed.

As a consequence of debate Monday night, November 19, Leamington Council has made its desire known: retain the lawn fronting on Talbot Street as open space, but dispose of the building facing Talbot, and arrange the disposal of the Gregory Building facing Mill Street in such a way that the new owners will preserve its historic exterior appearance.

Both the law firm whose offices abut the buildings and the Leamington Chamber of Commerce were present Monday evening to convey to Council their interest in these buildings, so administration has been instructed to have the value of the buildings appraised, and then to enter into negotiations with a view to eventual sale of the properties.

Uniform

Appearance

Leamington already has clothing agreements with unionized employees who require either uniforms or safety gear because of their jobs. With the passing of a recommendation Monday night from the CAO, Bill Marck, now salaried employees who regularly go out to perform their jobs and who interact with the public will be supplied with uniforms.

This policy now covers positions such as building inspectors, Public Works supervisors, and others who should be readily identifiable as municipal employees.

Correction

In the cutline of the photo of Tracy Pillon-Abbs in firefighter gear, which ran November 7, 2012, she was incorrectly identified as a volunteer firefighter. In her role as Director of Development Services she is on scene at fires and must be in full bunker gear in accordance with Health and Safety regulations. The Leamington Southpoint Sun apologizes for this error.

Leamington issues first CIP grants

The Corporation of the Municipality of Leamington’s Uptown Community Improvement Plan has taken off to a good start. With several applicants lined up for 2012 and 2013, the grant programs are progressing very well.

Indoor Arts Show this weekend at Arts Centre

On November 6 the Uptown Community Improvement Plan Program allocated a Building Exterior and Façade Improvement Grant to Club Fitt at 18 Mill Street West. The total funds being held for this project from the CIP Exterior and Façade Improvement Grant is $3,955. The project will include an additional 120’’x58’’ window on the right side of the building front façade as well as an expansion to the existing left side window of the front façade to the size of 40’’x44’’.

Additionally, on November 8, a Renovation Grant was allocated to Leamington Source for Sports at 9 Erie Street North. The renovation project includes a new floor, exit and emergency signs, new windows, a new roof, fire extinguishers as well as a ramp for ac-

cessibility within the store. The total amount allocated for this Renovation Grant is $6,437.04.

Grossi Construction and Management has also been allocated a Building Exterior and Façade Improvement Grant for a total of $15,000 on November 13. The project will include a total transformation of the previous Leamington Post building located at 27 Princess Street into a new office complex.

“The main goal of the CIP is to focus on the uptown core,” said Director of Development Services, Tracey Pillon-Abbs. The boundaries are located on the Leamington website: www.leamington.ca. She further advises that, “it is important to note all of the requirements when filling out the application. Although applications will be processed on a first come first serve basis, it is also on the premise of the application being fully completed and correct. Please insure you have read all of the criteria prior to submission.”

Please feel free to contact the Planning Services Department at the Municipality of Leamington Municipal Building for pre-consultation if you have any questions or concerns regarding the application or process.

“We are eagerly anticipating the upcoming changes to Uptown Leamington area and look forward to working with the property owners toward achieving a viable, healthy, safer, accessible and aesthetically pleasing uptown,” said Pillon-Abbs.

Leamington Arts Centre presents A Signature Christmas: Indoor Arts & Craft Show on Saturday, November 24 and Sunday, November 25 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days This Christmas give the gift of art! Start your Christmas shopping off early by visiting the indoor Christmas Artist Market. Enjoy hot apple cider and browse the galleries, the artist’s booths, the gift shop, and the miniature show where everything is priced under $99.

Enjoy a warm Christmas setting, plus, purchase $1 raffle tickets for your chance to win local photography, jewelry and a membership to South Essex Arts Association.

Jerome Rondelez Sr. was a young man when he started in the retail industry with his brother fifty years ago, in 1962. They started in a little store on Main Street in Kingsville called Rondelez Brothers, selling electronics including Philco televisions. He also worked as an industrial technician helping industries with electronic devices. They expanded from selling appliances to later adding furniture and mattresses, and finally flooring.

Jerome learned the industry on all levels, from the ground up. He was a hands-on person, doing everything from going to customerʼs homes and fixing their television, to installing their living room carpet! Growth continued through the years and the number of people employed grew with them. Many credit the Rondelez Brothers as their first employer. Jerome came from a strong work ethic and never gave up. The bigger the challenges and the struggles, the harder he worked.

Through perseverance and with strong family support, the time came for a change in 1992. Jerome, along with his wife Madeline and

their three children, Jerome Jr., William and Michelle, who grew up in the industry, together created MAIN-WEST Furniture, Appliances, Carpeting and Mattresses.

MAIN-WESTʼs history continues with the values Jerome Senior has instilled in his children. MAIN-WEST is a family business that services your family and helps to make your house a home, with the help of family and friends who are like family and have been with the firm for years. William Bachtold, Aaron Bishop, and Jake Redecop have been a part of our team for twenty years or more, and Filomena “Phil”, Patrick, Justin, Ryan, Kyle and David and others have also made our life path easier to travel.

Now it is our opportunity to say ʻThank Youʼ to all of our customers and their friends throughout the years by having a storewide sale with great savings at both locations at 41 Main Street West Kingsville and 52 Mill Street West Leamington.

on staff to get it done before the holidays! Call today!

Also many remnants in stock along with hardwood, laminate flooring, carpeting and ceramics.

When did I become

old?

When did I become old? I can’t put my figure on exactly when it was, but I’m old…

I stopped watching Entertainment Tonight because I don’t know who the people are. I could never work for TMZ because a celebrity could walk right past me in an airport and I’d never recognize them.

This week I was teased in the office for saying things like “the Facebook” and I do realize that makes me sound 100 years old, but in my defense, Facebook co-creator Mark Zuckerberg did originally call it the Facebook until a marketing advisor said to “drop the the” because it sounded cooler.

In the world of music I’m also not very current. I somehow always manage to revert back to my favourite ‘80s music. I do like a lot of the top 40 hits, but couldn’t tell who sings what and I realized yesterday that I haven’t watched a music video in a decade!

Probably the scariest telltale that sometime between 30 and 40 I turned old, is when I catch myself saying the exact things my parents did that drove me crazy as a kid! Every time I said something wasn’t fair, I always got the response, “you’ll be the better person for it.” At the time I didn’t want to be the better person, I wanted to do or have what everyone else did or had! And what did I hear myself say last week - ”I know you’re right, but just do it anyway, you’ll be the better person for it.”

PEOPLE AS A PRIORITY: A Parent’s Perspective on the Ontario Government’s Proposed Draft Regulation on the Eligibility of Adults with Developmental Disabilities

By Michelle DiCarlo

According to the new proposed draft regulation on eligibility for adult developmental services in Ontario, children with developmental disabilities who turn 18 years old after March 31, 2013 may or may not be eligible for adult developmental services. What will happen for children turning 18 after March 31, 2013 is unclear and uncertain; however, what is clear is they will no longer be eligible for Special Services at Home funding (SSAH).

People are a Priority!

People as a priority may not be the message here, especially given the fact that people with developmental disabilities represent the most vulnerable people of our society and require the greatest care, commitment, respect, and investment. No one in society is immune from disability.

I’m not sure if this makes me old, but I do find myself mimicking my dad’s habits. It used to drive me nuts that he seemingly followed us from room to room turning off lights and radios in our wake. And now, here I am turning off lights that aren’t being used…

I recently upgraded my iPhone 3 for an iPhone 4S. The transfer of information from old to new has left me with a rolodex of everyone’s emails, Facebook and phone number accounts. I guess it’s better to have too much information than losing them all. I haven’t even attempted to turn on or use Siri, my voice controlled assistant. Apparently Siri will make a phone call, send a message, dictate a note or check the weather for me. I’ll let you know how that goes…

People as a priority must be the frontline message to the Ontario government regarding this proposed draft regulation on eligibility for adult developmental services. All children, regardless of when they turn 18 and become adults need to be included in the transition to adult services and must be included in this new draft proposal.

In September of 2012, the Ministry of Community and Social Services released a proposed draft regulation concerning the issues of eligibility under the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, (SIPDDA), 2008. This draft regulation discusses various criteria through which a person will be deemed eligible for services and supports under the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS) Passport Program which provides funding to support adults age 18 years and older who have developmental disabilities.

What is ironic is that the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act was created to be fair, flexible, and in place for the future, as stated on the Ontario Government’s own website: “The government wants to improve services and supports for adults who have developmental disabilities and their families. It wants services and supports to:

• be fair so that everyone gets treated the same way

• be flexible, so that people’s needs are addressed

• be here for the future

To make these changes, the government has created the Services and Supports to

(Continued on

People as a priority

(Continued from Page 6)

Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, 2008. It will replace the Developmental Services Act, which is 35 years old and is out of date. “ Is everyone getting treated the same way under this proposed draft regulation? Where are the provisions for the future for those turning 18 after March 31, 2013? How can this proposed draft regulation be part of the Social Inclusion Act of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act (SIPDDA) if it may erect barriers that the Act itself is meant to eliminate?

The old Developmental Services Act (DSA) was replaced by the new act, SIPDDA. Under SPIDDA, eligibility for adult developmental services for individuals who were at least 18 years and older and receiving supports or on a waitlist for supports were transferred from the old Act (DSA) and were covered under SPIDDA.

On January 11, 2011, the adult portion of the Special Services at Home Program (SSAH) and the direct funding portion of the Passport Program were funded under a different law, The Ministry of Community and Social Services Act. This meant that those people who were receiving services through these programs were not automatically made eligible for services and supports under SIPDDA.

In April 2012, the adult portion of the Special Services at Home Program ended and children receiving those supports were transferred to the Passport Program. In addition, allowances were made for those people turning 18 before March 31, 2013 to be transferred into the Passport Program.

This proposed draft regulation would cover 5 groups of people:

1) Adults who transitioned from SSAH to Passport Program on April 1, 2012

2) Children receiving SSAH who turn 18 before March 31, 2013

3) Adults who were on the SSAH waitlist as of March 31, 2012

4) Children who turn 18 between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013 who are on a waitlist for SSAH before they turn 18

5) People who applied and were found eligible for adult services and supports under DSA between January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2011 and began to receive support or were placed on a waitlist during that time.

For parents raising children with disabilities the demanding physical care and responsibilities for their child increases as they grow into adults, placing enormous physical and emotional stress on parents, particularly mothers, as highlighted

in the following 2000 Canadian study:

In the face of limited social programs offering support to adults with developmental disabilities, the burden on families intensifies as they try to cope with funding cuts and changing models of care that require more family income, an income that is already restricted by care demands, or is nonexistent, forcing many parents on social assistance.

People with disabilities are an enhancement to society, not a deficit.

It is now 2012 and not much has changed.

What is extremely clear here is that stress is caused by the lack of support, not from the person with the disability.

Many Canadian studies have demonstrated that although people with disabilities live in our communities, they are not active members. In order to make social inclusion for people with disabilities a reality, we must all commit to a supportive community through government policies, barrier-free access to community and supportive employment practices.

Inclusion of people with disabilities needs to be framed in reality: people with disabilities are an enhancement to society, not a deficit.

People must be the priority, always!

St. Vincent de Paul warns of fraudsters soliciting donations

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVP) has issued a press release regarding fraudsters attempting to collect donations in the organization’s name: “It has come to our attention that a person or persons have been soliciting donations for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Society of St. Vincent de Paul does not conduct door-to-door solicitations, nor does SSVP solicit telephone donations.”

While SSVP is grateful to their donors, they feel it is important that the public be alerted to people requesting money, food or other items in a door-to-door campaign. “The generosity of the good people in Windsor and Essex County may make residents vulnerable to people misrepresenting charities,” the press release continues. “We at SSVP wish to notify the public of the possibility of fraudulent attempts to get money or goods under false pretences.”

The cat came back...

After being lost for 49 days Aspen, a cat, which escaped her cage in Leamington, was found on Woodward Avenue in Windsor.

Kelly Hall was surprised to receive a phone call on November 13 from the Humane Society in Windsor. “I got a phone call from the Humane Society around 4:30 p.m. And I almost didn’t answer it, as I had two daycare parents here picking up their children. But I did. A young cat had been brought in a couple of days ago, that matched the photo of our little girl,” stated Hall in an email.

One of the employees at the Windsor Humane Society recognized Aspen from a lost cat poster on the day that the cat was being prepped for adoption.

“She was calling to see how many paws Aspen had declawed. She was happy to learn that our numbers matched!” she stated. A second check was made to Aspen’s tail.

“I explained that the one way to rule it out as our cat was to feel her tail. Aspen’s had been broken as a kitten, before we took her in, and healed with a kink in it. She put me on hold as she went to check. I was in disbelief when she returned to the phone saying that yes, there was a definite break in her tail.

Hall drove to Windsor to see the cat, which sounded very much like Aspen. It was her! How she got from Leamington to Windsor is, and probably always will be, a mystery. Where she’s been for the past 49 days is also anyone’s guess.

Returned safely to her Essex home, Aspen looks great, is eating well, seems to remember her surroundings and has somehow learned how to “meow” like a real cat, instead of the pigeon cooing that she did before.

The Hall family thanks everyone who helped find and bring Aspen home.

Leamington’s two new transit buses roll in Dec 12

On Wednesday, December 12, Mayor John Paterson will unveil one of two newly acquired accessible transit buses. The unveiling will take place at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex at 11:00 a.m. with the program starting in the lobby and then proceeding to the parking lot where attendees and the public will have the opportunity to see a demonstration of the special features of the buses and climb on board for a look around. The second bus will already be working its route but will make a brief stop at the ceremony.

Special features include a kneeling feature which allows the operator to lower the vehicle closer to the ground to lower the step height into the vehicle making it easier to get on and off the bus, a wheelchair ramp and two flip up seat areas on the bus where wheelchairs may be anchored to make access to transit easier for residents requiring mobility assistance, and a bike rack allowing riders to ride for part of their trip.

The two buses came from Ontario based Overland Custom Coach and were purchased with funding from the Ontario Dedicated Tax Fund for Public Transportation program. The total cost of both buses was $326,000. Mayor Paterson emphasizes the importance of the Gas Tax Funding; “this investment has helped us purchase more specialized accessible transit vehicles, redesign our routes, extend hours of service, and upgrade transit infrastructure. This all translates into a healthier community providing better transportation alternatives for a broader range of residents”.

Leamington Transit implemented its new route and new schedule on June 1, 2012. The new route is laid out to have the bus run

along the same route in both directions except for small loops at the end. This layout allows riders to go to their destination and return without having to ride the entire length of the route. Extended hours of operation from 7:00 am-7:00 pm Monday through Saturday were also implemented after consultation with riders who felt the extended hours would help them with early morning trips and evening appointments, and for getting to and

from work.

Bus signs have already been posted along the new route. The new route and schedule can be seen on the Leamington Transit web site at http://www.leamington.

ca/residents/transportation.

asp

Transit rates are: Adults

$2.00, Seniors $1.75, Students $1.00, Children 12 and under $1.00. One child under 6 rides for free when accompanied by a paying adult. For additional savings, passes good for 22 rides are available for $35 for adults and seniors $30.

Coats for Kids serves 668 people

South Essex Community Council (SECC) in Leamington had another hugely successful Coats for Kids 2012 campaign.

This year they gave out 837 coats and 570 accessories such as mitts, hats, scarves and snowpants. The number of persons served was 668, including 278 adults and 390 children.

Organizers at SECC acknowledge with thanks the effort of all the volunteers, Fletchers, Canopy and Kennedy cleaners, local schools and the many businesses and individuals that contributed. Without their help, this important event would not be possible.

Connection to host Christmas concert

is presenting a Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 2 at 3 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 3 Fox St., in Leamington.

Begin the Christmas season with a little sparkle! Everyone is welcome to come out, listen and sing along to a variety of Christmas favourites.

A freewill offering will benefit the Leamington Salvation Army Food Bank and the Leamington Pregnancy Centre. For more info contact Brad or Lynn at 519-326-4825.

The local group is very popular and performs numerous benefit concerts throughout the year, including free weekly musical evenings at Leamington Marina during the summer.

NOVEMBER 22 - Operation Christmas Child: Shoeboxes filled with small gifts for needy children in Haiti, South or Central America or West Africa will be accepted at Meadow Brook Fellowship (last set of doors), 219 Talbot St. E., Leamington, from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. Suggested items: toys, school supplies, hygiene items for a boy or girl plus personal notes and photos. Info: Lisa Sawatzky at nlsawatzky@hotmail.com, 519-326-3748, 519326-3605.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22 - In the event of a disaster are you prepared to protect yourself and your family? Learn how by participating in a Personal Preparedness Workshop presented by the Canadian Red Cross from 7- 8:30 pm at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 220 Erie St. N., Leamington. This is a free workshop. For further information contact: Donna Girard 519944-8144 ext. 225.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 - Bazaar & Bake

Sale hosted by Imperial Chapter #21 Order of the Eastern Star, from 9 a.m. - 12 noon at Leamington Masonic Hall, 3 John St. Baked goods, crafts, new-to-you table. Everyone welcome.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 - The Leamington Horticultural Society’s annual Holiday Wreath Workshop from 9 a.m. - 12 noon. Wreaths $25 ($20 with your own straw wreath) and pots $35 (the pot is provided). All materials provided. Refreshments available. Come out and create your own unique decorations.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 - Warm up with hot chocolate and cookies at Leamington Christmas Parade, courtesy of St John’s Anglican Church, 60 Erie St. N. Washroom facilities available.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 & SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 - 6th Annual Wheatley Our Village Christmas House Tour Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. & Sunday, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. 6 area homes decorated professionally for the

holidays with local retailers and shops offering specials throughout the weekend. Tickets $15 per person. 13 years and older welcome. Tickets can be purchased the day of the tour at Wheatley United Church, 59 Talbot St. W. or call 519-825-7943.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 & SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 - County Classic Chorale Christmas Concerts at Knox Presbyterian Church, Leamington. Saturday 8:00 p.m. Sunday 3:00 p.m. Phone 519-326-5924 for tickets.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26 - Friendship Dinner at Knox Presbyterian Church, 58 Erie St. S. Leamington at 5:00 p.m. for those in need.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 - Soup ’n Salad Luncheon, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Portuguese Club, 217 Talbot St. W., Leamington. Over 30 varieties of donated soups, salad bar, coffee or tea, dessert. $9 for advance tickets, $10 at the door. Available in Leamington and Kingsville at United Communities Credit Union or Century 21 offices. Info: 519-791-2868. Proceeds to Canadian Cancer Society.

STARTING SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 - The Leamington Rotary Club annual Christmas tree sale. Balsam and Fraser fir trees will be on sale at Leamington Canadian Tire, 262 Erie St. S. Proceeds will support Leamington Rotary Club projects i.e. L.D.M.H. Women's CentreDigital Mammography, yearly bursaries for LDSS, Cardinal Carter and UMEI, Southpoint Minor Hockey and Community Living.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 - Homemade Christmas Cookies and Squares will be on sale at Knox Presbyterian Church, 58 Erie St. S., Leamington. 9:00 a.m. until sold out. Come and choose for yourself the baking you would like from a large selection. Cost: $4 a dozen. The easiest way to do your Christmas baking.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 - Leamington Recreation Complex E-Waste drop-off depot,

9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sponsored by Computers for Kids and CAW Local 200. Bring your used items (working or not) i.e. TVs, computers, electronics, print cartridges, etc. to the E-Waste collection at the Complex parking lot. For full details visit www.cfkcanada.org.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 - Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner - fundraising benefit dinner for Speqtra at Wheatley Legion, Erie St. N. Tickets $10 each, available at Bowman Feeds or reserve at 519-322-2463 or 519-325-8042.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 & SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 - 1:00 - 4:00 pm – English Christmas Tea with Scones at Olinda-Ruthven United Church, 1907 Queen Blvd, Ruthven. Display of creative Christmas Memories, Cookie Sale, Quilted items, and Christmas Gift Boutique. Tickets $7.50. We are Wheel Chair Accessible. Support persons for people with Special Needs ~ FREE.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 - Everyone welcome to Christmas Concert with gospel group “Connection” (Brad, Brian and Lynn Bailey, Darrin Manley, John Moran, Kim Sykes, Janis Willan), at 3 p.m., First Baptist Church, 3 Fox St., Leamington. A variety of Christmas selections. Freewill offering to benefit local Salvation Army Food Bank and Leamington Pregnancy Centre. Info: Brad or Lynn at 519-326-4825.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5 -Give a Holiday Miracle on SHERK STREET. Over 98,000 donations of blood needed to help hospital patients. Participate in “A Miracle on SherkStreet” this holiday season by donating a life-saving gift of blood at your local clinic. Between December 3 and January 2, 230 donations are needed in the town of Leamington. Start your holiday miracle at the Leamington donor clinic, (249 Sherk St.) Wednesday, December 5 F.T. Sherk Recreration Complex, 249 Sherk St. 1:00 p.m. – 7:00

Seven injured in head-on crash

On Nov. 14 the OPP, Kingsville Fire & Rescue and numerous paramedics responded to the scene of a two-vehicle crash involving seven people.

At approximately 6:45 p.m. a Chrysler Intrepid was travelling eastbound on Hwy #3 near the Graham Side Road when it entered the westbound lane and collided head on with a westbound Chrysler mini-van. The Intrepid was being driven by a 19-year-old man from LaSalle, and the mini van was being driven by a 50-year-old Windsor woman with 5 passengers.

The crash occurred in the westbound lanes of Hwy #3 and as a result of the crash the Intrepid caught fire. All occupants were able to evacuate the vehicle, but the female driver of the mini-van had to be extricated by witnesses before she sustained further injuries from the fire.

All 7 occupants were transported to various hospitals with non-life threatening injuries; however, the female driver and some passengers were listed in serious condition. Hwy #3 was closed between County Rd. 18 and Graham Side Rd. for a few hours.

Too good to be true? It’s probably is a scam

The Essex County OPP Crime Unit is investigating a few occurrences of mail fraud.

Over the past month the OPP has received calls from citizens reporting that they have received mail from various companies indicating that they have been selected to be part of a Consumer Research Program. The citizens are offered a job and specialized training in this field. Part of the program requires the citizen to visit major retailers and purchase approximately $100 worth of products. The citizen is then asked to fill out a survey and transfer personal funds to the company, while assessing their experience with the transfer process. In turn, the citizen will supposedly receive monthly paycheques of approximately $500.

The types of documents that are mailed to the citizen are scanned documents and include an initial “fraudulent cheque” valued at thousands of dollars. The citizen is told that they will be hired as a “secret shopper” and is asked to fill out and return a form which includes personal and confidential information.

This scam has been reported across Canada. Locally, no citizen is out-of-pocket as a result of the scam.

Police are warning the public to be very cautious of this type of fraud. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a fraud,” said Essex County OPP Sgt. Rick Tonial. Citizens are reminded that they should never give out personal information by phone, email or regular mail without being 150% sure of the recipient and reasons for the request.

Rotary Club’s Christmas Gift Show a huge success!

Leamington Rotary Club’s Christmas Gift Show, held Nov. 17-18 at the Kinsmen Recreation Complex, was a huge success with 79 vendors displaying unique Christmas gifts and one-of-a-kind items, as well as art activities for the kids with Katherine Burton of Art Works. Proceeds from the Christmas Show go toward supporting local Rotary Club projects.

(Submitted photo)

Property Expansion on Talbot St. W.

A commercial property at 224 Talbot St. W. is going to be expanded. Council was requested to enter into a site plan agreement so that the building on the property can be enlarged for more retail space. The agreement requires the removal of two existing outside containers, which will have to be removed before construction can begin.

1

1

IN HONOUR OFor IN MEMORY OF A LOVED ONE

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2ND AT 7 PM

Memorial Service • Refreshments - Coffee & Hot Chocolate At Leamington District Memorial Hospital

Dedicate a Bulb and let the Christmas Spirit shine on Your Hospital & Your Community...

Please light a bulb for the following individual: IN HONOUR OF:

IN MEMORY OF:

I would like to Donate $ to Leamington District Memorial Hospital Foundation (Cheques should be made payable to the LDMH Foundation) Funds raised will be used for Spiritual Care for families and friends in their time of need.

NAMES WILL ALSO BE PUBLISHED IN THE LOCAL PAPERS AND DISPLAYED ON A SCROLLING SCREEN AT LEAMINGTON HOSPITAL

Forms and donations can be dropped off at ERIE SHOPPERS DRUG MART (Leamington) or KINGSVILLE SHOPPERS DRUG MART

Or form can be mailed to: LDMH Foundation, 194 Talbot St. W. Leamington, ON N8H 1N9

Please include cheque with form. All donations must be received by Monday, November 26/12

If you would like a receipt for tax purposes (donation of $20 or more) please fill out form below:

NAME:

ADDRESS:

TOWN/CITY:

POSTAL CODE:

~Coordinated by the LDMH~ ~Spiritual Care Committee, Hospital Foundation & Hospital Auxiliary~ WenormallyacknowledgeDonorsthroughourDonorRecognitionProgramand/orotherpromotions. ShouldthisnotbeacceptablepleasecontacttheFoundationtomakeyourwishesknown.

WFCU hands out $7,500 in local scholarships

By Sheila McBrayne

The Leamington branch of Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) handed out a total of $7,500 to seven local students who won an essay contest as part of the Leamington Scholarship Program.

As part of the grand opening celebration of WFCU Leamington in December 2011, a scholarship program was announced, which pledged $28,000 over five years in scholarships from the Leamington branch. Students from JK to Grade 8 and Grade 12 were invited to submit an essay answering the question, “How have you demonstrated commitment to community involvement and leadership within your community?”

On Tuesday, November 13, five Grade 12 students each received $1,000 scholarships, to be used toward post-secondary education tuition. Winners included: Christopher Adams, Leamington District Secondary School; Linda Aziz, Cardinal Carter Secondary School; Abby Neufeld Dick, UMEI Christian High School; Grace Enns, Cardinal Carter Secondary School; and Sarah Oswald, Cardinal Carter Secondary School.

Sophia Costa, Queen of Peace Elementary School, was awarded a $200 scholarship in the Grade 3-5 category. Hope Monaco, also from Queen of Peace, won $300 in the Grade 6-8 category.

Marty Komsa, President and Chief Executive Officer of WFCU, surprised everyone with an extra bonus draw of $1,500 and $500. All seven names were entered in the draw, but it was the youngest recipients who won the extra scholarship money.

Nine-year-old Sophia Costa won the $1,500, which, added to her $200 original scholarship, is $1,700. Funds will be entrusted to WFCU in the name of the recipients to be used towards their postsecondary education (in a high interest account). In approximately nine years, when Sophia graduates from high school, the $1,700 should be even more. She’ll need all she can as Sophia plans to be lawyer.

The second bonus draw of $500 was won by Hope Monaco, for a total of $800 for her post-secondary education.

“Leamington is a closeknit, very tight community… We’re proud that our business plan is not just financial services, but to give back to the community,” said Komsa. “It’s a start, a small start, with more to come,” concluded Komsa.

Rural Home Lot Expanded

A report was presented to Council that proposed a mandatory public meeting so that a half-acre L-shaped piece of land covered by a treed windbreak could be transferred from a farm to the residential lot forming a corner of the property. While in one respect it is no big deal, the land must still be re-zoned from farm use to rural residential for the minor boundary adjustment to take place. The meeting will take place on Dec. 19th.

Leamington Br. 84 Legion news

By Lisa Cowen-Tehonchuk

The Legion would like to give a big THANK YOU to the Leamington OPP for the quick apprehension of the person involved in taking the poppy boxes.

It was nice to see everyone on Sunday, November 11th for the Remembrance Day Service. It was very well attended. Thank you to all the volunteers that helped with poppy canvassing, those who helped on Remembrance Day, and those members that donated food for the luncheon after the service.

Ladies Auxiliary: A big thank you goes out to all the wonderful supporters of the Spaghetti Dinner held on Nov. 3. Door prizes were donated by Rina’s Pizza, Happy Inn, Ray’s Rib House, Community Muffler, Gilligan’s, Cellar Door Wines, Wheatley Sharks, and Branch 84. Music was provided by Easton Weston & Company. Watch for the Auxiliary’s upcoming events, starting with a Canadian winter theme basket raffle to be held following the Dec. 22 meat draw. Tickets are available for

The Churches of Leamington and District Welcome You

ANGLICAN

St. John The Evangelist

60 Erie St. N., Leamington 519-326-3111

Sunday Worship Services

8:30 & 10:30 am

St. Mary’s Church

East West Road, Pelee Island

1st & 3rd Sundays from June to September at 10 am

Calvary Church

North Shore Road, Pelee Island 1st & 3rd Sundays from October to May at 10 am

BAPTIST

Calvary Baptist Church

475 Bevel Line Road, Leamington 519-326-0876

Sunday Worship 10:30 am

First Baptist Church

3 Fox Street, Leamington 519-326-4372

Sunday Worship 10:45 am

Heritage Baptist Church

555 Talbot St. W., Wheatley 519-300-1400

Pastor Francisco Penner Sunday 11 am & 7 pm, Wed 7 pm

CONGREGATIONALIST

Faith Everlasting Congregational Church

589 Hwy 77, Leamington 519-322-2994

Sunday Worship 11 am

220 Erie St. N., Leamington 519-322-1644

Saturday Services: Bible Study 9:30 am Worship 11:00 am

LUTHERAN

St. Paul’s LutheranEvangelical Church

311 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-326-3966

Sunday Worship Services

9:30 am (Germ), 10:30 am (Eng)

Sonshine Lutheran

194 Talbot St. E., Leamington 519-398-8179

Thurs. Bible Study 7 pm Worship Sercvice Every Sun.10 am

MENNONITE

Faith Mennonite Church

269 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-326-6391

Sunday Worship Services

10:50 am (Summer 10 am)

Leamington Evangelical Mennonite Mission Church 1408 Deer Run Rd, Leamington 519-326-9734

Sunday Worship Services 9:15 am (German), 10:45 am (English)

Leamington Evangelical Mennonite Church 108 Mersea Rd 3, Leamington 519-322-9915

Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Leamington United Mennonite Church 78 Oak Street East, Leamington 519-326-2727

Sunday Worship 9:45 am

Summer Worship Services 9:30 am (German), 10:15 am (English)

Meadow Brook Fellowship 219 Talbot Street East, Leamington 519-326-3605

Sunday Worship Services 9:30 am & 11 am

North Leamington United Mennonite Church 625 Mersea Rd 6, Leamington 519-326-7928

Sunday Worship 10:00 am

South Point Community Church 55A Talbot St. W., Leamington 519-322-1858

Sunday Gatherings 10 am

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Iglesia La Buena Semilla 269 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-733-0342

Sunday Worship 6:30 pm

Leamington District Memorial Hospital

194 Talbot St. W., Leamington 519-326-2373, Chaplain’s Office ext. 4443

PENTECOSTAL

FGT Family Church

285 Talbot St. E., Leamington 519-322-2316

Sunday Worship 9:15 & 11 am

Leamington Christian Centre 98 Elliott Street, Leamington 519-322-1504

Sunday Worship Services 10:30 am English/Spanish 6:30 pm

Templo Christiano De Leamington

39 Talbot St. E., Leamington 519-325-9654

Sunday Worship Services 3 pm

Mount Zion Full TabernacleGospel

6 Mill Street, Leamington 519-252-0031

Sunday Worship 7:30 pm

United Pentecostal Church

312 Erie St. St., Leamington 519-326-7056

Sunday Worship Services 11 am

PRESBYTERIAN

Knox Presbyterian Church

58 Erie St. S., Leamington 519-326-4541

Sunday Worship Services 11 am

ROMAN CATHOLIC

St. Michael’s Parish

29 Elliott Street, Leamington 519-326-2643

Sunday Masses: 7:30 am.(English) 10:30 am (English/Children’s Liturgy) 10:30 am (OLBS, Wheatley, English)

3 pm (Spanish), 7 pm (Youth)

St. Joseph’s Church

310 Sherk Street, Leamington 519-326-2643

Saturday Mass: 5 pm (English)

Sunday Masses: 9 am (Italian, English) Noon (Portuguese, English)

St. Anthony’s Parish (Maronite Rite)

280 Talbot Street East, Leamington 519-322-2282

Sunday Masses 9:30 & 11 am (Lebanese, English)

SALVATION ARMY

The Salvation Army Citadel

88 Setterington Street

Leamington 519-326-4901

Sunday Worship 10:30 am UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA

Leamington United Church

9 John Street, Leamington 519-326-9461

Sunday Worship Services 10:30 am

Mersea United Church

1301 Mersea Road 8, Wheatley 519-825-4157

Sunday Worship Services 9:30 am

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

Unitarian Universalist Church of Olinda

2953 Olinda Sideroad, Ruthven 519-326-4352

Sunday Service 10:30 am

purchase from the bartender.

Seniors: The next Seniors Dinner is the Christmas Dinner on Dec. 12. You must have a ticket to attend. Get your ticket soon ($10), as they are almost sold out. Entertainment will be by Gord Ciliska.

Sports: Friday night fun darts begins at 8 p.m. and the cost is only $2 to play. Everyone is welcome.

Junior Darts for youth ages 7-18 are held every Saturday morning at 9:30. Cost is $2 and includes a hotdog and pop. You do not have to be a member for your children to join the fun. If your child does not have darts, the Branch will provide them.

Branch Happenings: The Members Christmas Party is Dec. 15. Honours and Awards will be held that day. There will also be a raffle for a 40-inch flat screen TV. Tickets are on sale now for $2 apiece or 3 for $5. Get your ticket now, before they are sold out.

Come on out each and every Saturday for the weekly meat draw. First draw is at 3:30 p.m., the last one is at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

The next General meeting is Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.

OPP Weekly Blend

Leamington: Sometime on Nov. 14 a vehicle was scratched while parked on Henry Ave. in Leamington.

A residence on Victoria Ave. South was broken into on Nov. 14. Suspects broke a window and entered the residence.

Sloan’s Christmas Tree Village

U-Cut & Pre-Cut Trees

Two residences in the 1000 block of Point Pelee Drive were entered some-

Over 15 activities to choose from Tree baling and shaking included Open: Nov 23 - Dec 23 Weekdays 10-5 Weekends 9-6 • Cash Only / No Pets Fraser,Douglas,Concolor and Balsam Fir • Spruce • White Pine

Village One: Trees, Activities, Campfires - Admission

Village Two: Trees, Campfires Only • No Admission Some activities weekends only 29876 Zone Rd 7,Bothwell 519.471.4691 www.sloanschristmastreevillage.com

time overnight Nov. 17. Several items were stolen. Anyone with information about any of these incidents is asked to call Leamington OPP.

Kingsville: On Nov. 19 on Clovelly Dr. a vehicle that was unattended and left running for a short time was entered, and in a span of 10 minutes an iPod and some cash were taken from the vehicle. Police are reminding people once again to lock their vehicles at all times and report any suspicious activity.

Essex/Harrow: Essex OPP officers checked 200 vehicles in a RIDE program last week. Compliance was 100%.

On Nov. 14 in Harrow, at about 6:45 p.m., a rock was thrown through the window of a vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence on Adelaide St. Anyone with info is asked to contact Essex OPP.

Lakeshore: Several unlocked vehicles were entered and property was stolen over the past week in Lakeshore. The vehicles were parked on Girard Dr., Matthew Cres. and Traditional Trail. Stolen items include CDs, laptop, wallet, two MP3 players, a GPS unit and a purse. Don’t be a victim of theft – lock your vehicle!

Lakeshore OPP officers conducted a RIDE program last week. Of the 150 vehicles checked, three provincial offences notices were issued.

Tecumseh: Tecumseh OPP officers checked 220 vehicles in a RIDE program last week. One 3-day suspension was issued.

Tattered and torn, whipped and worn

Did you ever notice that the words “listen” and “silent” have the same letters? Interesting. Now that I have your attention, here we go.

SHANNON MATHESON

Lifestyles...

This week I attended a wedding shower. The young man getting married, a friend of my son and daughters, has become a familiar face around our household. Their invitations included a couple of stores where the couple had registered, including the web addresses; consequently, I was able to peruse them and order the gift online. Very easy! I was obviously not the first to visit the site, because most of the gifts had been purchased already. Luckily, one item caught my eye. The hand mixer was still available. Another lesson my mother taught me was to always give a gift that you would like to keep for yourself. Our hand mixer bit the dust and started to smoke a month ago, as my daughter and niece were making our favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe. Last week I purchased a new mixer and that night, while making the same cookies, the mixer broke down. Needless to say, it was returned the next day.

I followed the instructions to order the mixer on line and thought to myself, “I wonder if it will pass the famous cookie test.” It looked reliable, but the true test would only be ‘the’ cookies and that’s when I decided to include our family cookbook as part of the gift.

Wedding gifts, practical or not, are wonderful. Unlike when we registered, couples go out together and make their wish list of articles not just for the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, but for the garage, the garden and the tool shed as well. Gifts this past weekend were wrapped in sheets, tablecloths and dish towels, then tied tightly with extension cords and strands of Christmas lights.

As I drove home from the shower, my thoughts drifted to all the special gifts in my cupboards that continue to be part of our daily lives and special occasions. I pictured a pottery platter that I fill with meats and cheeses at Christmastime, a crystal vase in which I often arrange fresh cut flowers from my garden to place on our table or take to family members on special occasions. The Webster’s dictionary from Mark’s cousin is invaluable and well worn. Sitting proudly through-

out our home, a collection of picture frames has grown with the arrival of each of our children, as various events in their lives are held and remembered.

Hopefully, wedding gifts live the test of time. Sure, the mixers may burn out and the cups and dishes get chipped, but the memories that created their wear and tear remain. Batter spats on the wall tell the tales of baking days and food fights. Similarly, fingerprints on the window become difficult to remove, for fear we may forget.

The new couple is starting off with crisp new sheets, shiny batter bowls and an empty cedar chest. May they savour all the moments they will create together and always keep a special spot in their cupboards for these presents from their loved ones. The wedding glow will make it difficult for them to believe and realize how much they will appreciate these gifts more and more over time. Sheets might become ghosts, dishes will be filled to the brim with wonderful ingredients, as food is shared. The chest will safely store all the ‘special things,’ but the memories will keep them warm for a lifetime.

Greenhouse operation cleared for takeoff

By Bill Chaplin, Municipal Correspondent

Two reports on the Monday, Nov. 19 Council agenda have cleared the way for JPI Acres to expand their greenhouse operation. The current two hectares of greenhouse will be expanded by adding another five hectares in two phases, but to do that both the Drainage Superintendent and the Manager of Planning had to get involved.

A “subsequent connection” drainage report was presented to Municipal Council. This report assured Council that the Silver Creek Drain has adequate capacity for the runoff from the operation, and assigned an appropriate share of the costs of the drain to the farm. All costs of the report are charged to JPI Acres as well.

The second report proposed a site plan agreement for the existing and proposed greenhouses. This is a standard procedure these days, designed to ensure both safety and respect for municipal restrictions.

Ford Technicians aren’t your typical mechanics. They’re trained by Ford to know your Ford better than anyone else, especially when it comes to winter tires. They’ll help you find the tires that fit your vehicle best, according to its year, model, weight and drivetrain. This winter, don’t let just anyone install your winter tires.

TRUST THE EXPERTS WHO KNOW YOUR FORD BEST.

WINTER TIRES

Challenger MT600D

The MT600D Series is purpose-built for agribusiness professionals looking for a big-time productivity edge. This tractor is your high-capacity, high-power choice for unrivaled performance day after day, season after season, year after year. Shown here with the... 1435 Harrow Disc

You can find any number of reasons the Model 1435 is North America’s “Number One” disc harrow. For one, the 1435 offers working widths from 21’ to 40’ so you can cover more ground with each pass. Yet, they fold to a narrower transport width than smaller competitive disc harrows. Thanks to Sunflower’s patented split- wing technology, the 37’ and 40’ models also offer a lower transport height than most disc harrows in their size class. Wide working widths, heavy construction, easy transport and top-of-the-line features ... no wonder it’s our most popular model.

Sunflower - The Ultimate Answer

Multiculturalism celebrated in Queen of Peace classroom

By Bryan Jessop

‘Vive la difference’ was the lesson of the day for the Queen of Peace Grade 7 class of Barbara Gaspard on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

The date was appropriate for a visit from guest speaker Nigel Couch, as it marked the 10th anniversary of Canadian Multiculturalism Day being declared by royal proclamation on Nov. 13, 2002. With Canadian Multiculturalism Day taking place during the school summer holidays — June 27 — Gaspard explained that her class selected the anniversary of it’s declaration as the day to celebrate instead.

Couch, the Community Diversity Educator for the Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County, made a presentation to Gaspard’s class highlighting the benefits of living in a multicultural community or country.

“Multiculturalism now is more important than ever,” said Couch, himself a two-time immigrant — once from his birth country of Wales to London, England and in 2009 from England to Tecumseh, Ontario. “We’re becoming more tolerant and educated all the time.”

Couch pointed out that of the 250,000 immigrants who made Canada their new home every year, 67 per cent are skilled and educated workers simply seeking out new opportunities. The former London, England police officer and his family were among this 67 per cent in 2009 and despite speaking English and originating from a nation with similar laws and a political structure to Canada’s, noted that there were still challenging adjustments to be made.

“My wife still uses Scottish terms, so they have a hard time understanding her when we’re at Tim Hortons,” he noted. “My son heard one of my presentations and criticized me for my fake Canadian accent — I have to water it down or people don’t understand me.”

Couch also explained to the class that Canada presented his family with differences from the UK that he appreciates a great deal.

“In the UK, I would never let my children play outside — it just wasn’t safe,” he said. “I like the open spaces in Canada. Sometimes I wonder why the cars have steering wheels.”

To illustrate the crowded living conditions that are a part of every day life in England, Couch offered the class a vivid analogy.

“Imagine the difference between 60 million people living on your thumb and 30 million people living on your hand,” he explained. “The houses in England are much, much smaller. After we moved to Canada, my wife woke up our son in the morning by calling him on his cell phone.”

Recently, Couch spent two years living in the British territory of Turks and Caicos, a series of islands about 130 km north of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. While living there, he observed large groups of Haitians moving to the islands in search of jobs and a better life, a situation parallel to currently working with a large immigrant population of Bhutanese moving into the Windsor area.

As part of his career, Couch helps immigrants moving to Essex County acclimatize to life in Canada while promoting a harmonious existence between new Canadians and existing residents throughout Essex County.

CILISKA EXCAVATING

“It works both ways,” he said to Gaspard’s students. “The newcomers have to learn about Canada and Canadians have to learn about newcomers.”

Gaspard’s class — which also celebrated multiculturalism by dressing up in attire traditional to their ancestral nations of origin, displaying tables of worldwide goods and artifacts and creating multicultural meals — was an ideal group for Couch’s presentation. The students represented backgrounds including Lebanese, Italian, Portuguese, Austrian, Iraqi, English, American, Scottish, Irish, French, German, First Nations, Polish, Croatian, Ukranian, Dutch, Hungarian, Spanish and Yugoslavian descent. The group also represented backgrounds within Canada, as one student was born in the Northwest Territories.

Gaspard herself has been an ambassador of multiculturalism, having recently made a presentation on the history of Lebanese immigration to Leamington at the Leamington Library for Elder College, through the University of Windsor.

“I remember growing up in the 60s and seeing segregation in Detroit,” she noted. “We’ve come such a long way in such a short period of time.”

ERCA seeking nominations for Conservation Awards

The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) is calling for nominations for its 2012 Conservation Awards. These awards honour and recognize those in the community who have made outstanding contributions towards improving our natural environment, and ultimately the health and quality of life in the Essex Region.

The annual Awards will be presented to individuals and organizations in three categories:

• The Youth Award recognizes a youth leader who has undertaken habitat or conservation projects or activities and is a student in the elementary or secondary schools of the region.

• The Education Award for excellence in conservation education programs or projects in schools, organizations, companies, youth groups, etc.

• The Volunteer Award for outstanding effort in volunteering time and services for conservation programs and projects.

The Environmental Achievement Award is for programs or projects which have enhanced the region’s environment. In addition to individuals and organizations, municipalities can also be nominated for environmental achievements.

To submit a nomination, simply write a one-page summary of the individual or organizational accomplishments that merit the receipt of the award, or contact ERCA to receive a nomination form. Be sure to include the category, name, address and phone number of the nominee, in addition to your own name, address and telephone number. Nominations close on Friday, December 7, 2012.

The awards, presented since 1992, will be presented at ERCA’s Annual General Meeting in January 2013.

For more information on any of these awards, contact Danielle Breault Stuebing at 519776-5209 ext. 352. Nominations can be faxed to 519-776-8688, or e-mailed to dstuebing@ erca.org

Nominations can also be submitted online or download a nomination form from the website at erca.org on the About ERCA page and click on ‘Conservation Awards’.

Local Bridge Results

Leamington Half Century Centre, Mon. Nov. 12: North/South – 1st Ernie and Sonia Jackiw; 2nd Marie Ellwood and Anne Reffle; 3rd Sandy and Joyce Gammie. East/West: 1st Dave Derbyshire and Mame Nicholson; 2nd Rose Hills and Joyce Moran; 3rd Jim Perkes and Roger Cote. Games are played each Monday at 1 p.m. New members are welcome.

Kingsville Bridge Club, Wed. Nov. 14: North/South – 1st Bonnie Duroucher and George Dragich; 2nd

Jeanne Manners and Marie Ellwood; 3rd Bob Branton and Jack Warmenhoven. East/West – 1st Henry Hildebrant and Bob Lee; 2nd Bill Chaplin and Chris Brennan; 3rd Roger Cote and Jim Perkes. Bridge is played every Wednesday at the Lions Hall in Kingsville at 7 p.m. For more info call 738-4939.

Wheatley Friendship Club, Tues. Nov. 13: 1st David Derbyshire, 2nd Derek Parry, 3rd Frank Lasi. Contract bridge is played every Tuesday at 1 p.m. New

p.m. • Subsidy available. For details call 519-733-8202 www.discoverychildcareschools.com

members are always welcome, with free bridge lessons for those who would like to learn. If you like playing euchre or pepper, you’ll love playing bridge.

Have Your Say, photo contest

Municipality of Leamington asking for public participation in redesigning its website

The Municipality’s website is in serious need of an overhaul. E-Solutions have been assigned the task of designing a website that is useful, inviting and accessible. As part of this process, the Municipality is asking for the public’s help.

The new website will have a graphically rich homepage with rotating pictures showcasing images from in and around Leamington. But pictures are needed! So, the Municipality is holding a photo contest. Photo bugs are asked to submit their best shots of Leamington between now and December 31st for a chance at some great prizes, and to see their picture on the website. Photos are needed of people doing all sorts of things… playing, working, relaxing and just plain living! The Municipality wants to see your pets, kids, toys, houses, farms and friends. They want beaches, sunsets, quiet scenes and rambunctious gatherings. If it’s from Leamington, they need it!

Photos will be judged by Chad Riley from the Leamington Arts Centre, Kevin Black from Blackburn Radio, Pat Bailey from the Leamington Post, and Councillor Larry Verbeke.

Submission details can be found on the website at www.leamington.ca. All photos must be accompanied by a signed release and will become the property of the Municipality of Leamington. Contest closes Dec. 31/12. Winners will be announced in January 2013.

In addition to the photo contest, the Municipality is asking people to complete an online survey to help better identify what you want to see on the new website. The survey should only take a few minutes to complete, but the results are very important to the Municipality and the design team. Interested

participants can be invited to a future focus group to review the first draft of the site. Take the survey online at www.leamington.ca

From left to right, Emily Bunda, Elle Klassen, Soleil Klassen, Daniella Scurto and Grace Hyatt create bracelets to be sold for a suggested donation of $1 each. The group hopes to make 300 of the bracelets to be sold at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex Saturday, Nov. 24 during the Capitals Cup Challenge, a novice to midget hockey tournament organized by Southpoint Minor Hockey Association.

Bracelets helping make wishes come true

By Bryan Jessop

Five local girls are making a charitable effort with a ‘Capital’ C. Wheatley sisters Elle and Soleil Klassen — 12 and 11 years old, respectively — along with their friends Emily Bunda, Grace Hyatt and Daniella Scurto have made hundreds of bracelets that they are selling for $1 each to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation of Southwestern Ontario. The group is feverishly working to make 300 alone to sell during the second of three days of the Capitals Cup Challenge, an annual tournament organized and hosted by the Southpoint Minor Hockey Association. The tournament itself is also in part a fundraiser for the local branch of the Make a Wish Foundation.

The Klassen sisters and their friends will be selling the bracelets from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — possibly starting earlier and

finishing later — on Saturday, Nov. 24 at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex.

The idea to create and sell the bracelets for the Foundation stemmed from a weekend family trip to Chicago in August of this year. On the flight home, Elle noticed a girl of roughly the same age take her seat two rows ahead. The girl, bald, wearing an oxygen mask and wrapped up in a blanket, was obviously suffering a serious illness. Elle asked her parents if she could approach the girl upon landing at the airport to tell her “not many people could look so beautiful without hair,” but they couldn’t find her.

“Elle cried the whole way home,” said her mother Taschia Taylor, noting that the elder daughter was emotionally moved by the unknown girl. “She talked and thought about it for weeks and then finally asked ‘can we do something?’”

The group has sold a handful of the bracelets, made of spare buttons donated by friends, family and neighbours, at Precision Car Care and Auto Wash Ltd., owned and operated by Scurto’s father. Although only a few of the bracelets were sold at the Windsor business, customers also helped the girls raise funds through donations to the Make A Wish Foundation cause.

We know there’s a lot to see and do online. That’s why Xplornet offers high-speed Internet service that is truly high-speed, with packages available as fast as 5 Mbps 2 And it’s also why we offer monthly bandwidth allowances as big as 90 GB 1 That’s a lot. How much is it? It’s enough to stream 198 movies, download 23,040 photos or listen to Internet radio 24 hours a day 3 Because we know that when it comes to the Internet, you shouldn’t have to settle for less. What do you want to do online?

Another opportunity to sell the bracelets presented itself when a friend of the family who works at Ground Effects in Windsor noted that a co-worker is a volunteer representative of MAWF. The friend’s co-worker arranged to have several of the bracelets sent to the Southwestern Ontario branch headquarters in London to be sold. Thus far, the bracelets and corresponding donations have allowed the girls to raise about $350. Arrangements to have more bracelets sold during the Capitals Cup Challenge were made through yet another connection — Bunda’s father is a representative on the Southpoint Minor Hockey Association’s board of directors.

“It’s all working out better than we ever thought it would,” said Taylor.

Over 400 visitors attend Orchid Show

The Essex County Orchid Society’s annual Orchid Show & Sale held Nov. 10 at Colasanti’s in Ruthven was a great success with over 400 visitors from across Essex County and the Windsor, Chatham, Sarnia and Woodstock areas. Attendees had high praise for the Orchid Show and expressed awe at seeing so many different types of beautiful and fragrant orchids in one location. The day featured artistically arranged displays and seminars on growing orchids, as well as photography, painting and sketching competition. Organizers are already looking forward to next year’s show, which will again be held at Colasanti’s. For more information on the Essex County Orchid Society visit www. essexcountyorchidsociety.webs.com

Network

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOMINATE an outstanding young person, aged six to 17, for the 2012 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards before Nov. 30. Nomination forms at www.ocna.org/juniorcitizen, from this newspaper, or call 905-6398720 ext. 239. Recognize our leaders of tomorrow.

AUTOMOTIVE

Vehicle buyers are ONLY protected by OMVIC and Ontario consumer protection laws when they buy from registered dealers. There’s no protection if you buy privately and you risk becoming victim of a curbsider. To verify dealer registration or seek help with a complaint: www.omvic.on.ca or 1-800943-6002.

AUTOS FOR SALE

100% AUTO FINANCING APPROVAL

- We can get you approved for an automobile no matter what your circumstances are. Drive a little and save a lot. Over 300 vehicles to choose from. Apply online www.canadianautogroup.ca. CANADIAN AUTO GROUP INC., 250 Springbank Dr., London, ON, TollFree 1-888-474-8815 / 519-472-8815.

MORTGAGES

$$$ 1st, 2nd, 3rd MORTGAGESDebt Consolidation, Refinancing, Renovations, Tax Arrears, no CMHC fees. $50K you pay $208.33/ month (OAC). No income, bad credit, power of sale stopped!! BETTER OPTION MORTGAGES, CALL TODAY Toll-Free 1-800-282-1169, www.mortgageontario.com (LIC# 10969).

AS SEEN ON TV - 1st, 2nd, Home Equity Loans, Bad Credit, SelfEmployed, Bankrupt, Foreclosure, Power of Sale or need to ReFinance? Let us fight for you because “We’re in your corner!” CALL The Refinancing Specialists NOW Toll-Free 1-877-733-4424 (24 Hours) or click www.MMAmortgages.com (Lic#12126). SKILLED HELP SHOP MANAGER IMMEDIATE FULL TIME knowledge an asset. Experience.

Contact for details: Eileena Haynes 306-634-8388 E-mail: Eileena.Haynes@doallind.com Fax - 306-634-8389

FLUID POWER MECHANIC Immediate Full Time Position/s available for our Hydraulic Division. Able to: technical drawings. Assemble, drilling rig hydraulics. drilling rig components. equipment.

specialist, or millwright. Relocation Assistance available! E-mail: Eileena.Haynes@doallind.com or fax 306-634-8389 Attn: Eileena

BUSINESS OPPS. SILVER CROSS franchisees operate for residential applications. Franchisees required for: Etobicoke, North York, Peterborough, Belleville, Kingston, Cornwall, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, North Bay, Owen Sound, Parry Sound, Gravenhurst, Pembroke, Brockville, Smith Falls. For franchise information CALL 1-800-572-9310, Email: smurray@silvercross.com or visit: www.silvercrossfranchise.com.

ADVERTISING

ADVERTISE ACROSS ONTARIO OR ACROSS THE COUNTRY! For more information contact your local newspaper.

REACH MILLIONS OF CUSTOMERS IN ONTARIO WITH ONE EASY CALL! Your Classified Ad or Display Ad would appear in weekly newspapers each week across Ontario in urban, suburban and rural areas. For more information Call Today Toll-Free 1-888-219-2560, Email: k.magill@sympatico.ca or visit: www.OntarioClassifiedAds.com.

NOTICES

RETIREMENT HOMES IN ONTARIO

MUST BE LICENSED. To check the licence status of a home visit the Public Register at www.rhra.ca. Resident Rights are in place. To report harm or risk of harm to residents call the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority at 1-855-ASK-RHRA.

CAREER TRAINING

LEARN FROM HOME. EARN FROM HOME. Medical Transcriptionists are in demand. Lots of jobs! Enrol today for less than $95 a month. 1-800-466-1535 www.canscribe.com, admissions@canscribe.com

DRIVERS WANTED

ER-OPERATORS NEEDED for Flatcross border. Home Most Weekends. Willie @ 1-800-565-3634 Ext. 244 or Fax resume to: 905-563-0899.

LAIDLAW CARRIERS VAN DIVISION

require experienced AZ licensed drivers to run the U.S. Premium mileage rate. Home weekly. New equipment. Also hiring Owner Operators. 1-800263-8267

Full-Time AZ FAST Approved Compa- Home throughout the week, Com-

crossing. TOLL-FREE: 1-800-5672609 Ext. 230. Ext. 208 for Owner Operator Inquiry. Fax: 519-644-9059, www.elginmotorfreight.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES

GET CASH FAST!

For your Jewelry, Diamonds, Luxury Watches, Designer Bags, Apple Electronics. SELL them or GET a LOAN at: www.PAWNUP.com or CALL 1-888-435-7870

Online Pawn Shop, without leaving home!

MoneyProvider.com. $500 Loan and +. No Credit Refused. Fast, Easy, 100% Secure. 1-877-776-1660.

VACATION/TRAVEL

HAWAII ON THE MAINLAND, healthy low-cost living can be yours. Modern Arenal Maleku Condominiums, 24/7 secured Community, Costa Rica “friendliest country on earth”! 1-780952-0709; www.CanTico.ca.

PERSONALS

ARE YOU COMING HOME to the dog/cat every night? Wouldn’t an attractive, interesting person be better? CALL MISTY RIVER INTRODUCTIONS TODAY! (519)658-4204, www.mistyriverintros.com.

WEIGHT NO LONGER! Herbal Magic will help you Lose up to 20 lbs by New Year’s Eve - Proven Results! Call NOW 1-800-854-5176.

DATING SERVICE. Long-term/shortterm relationships, free to try! 1-877297-9883. Talk with single ladies. Call #7878 or 1-888-534-6984. Talk now! 1-866-311-9640 or #5015. Meet local single ladies. 1-877-804-5381. (18+)

TRUE PSYCHICS! 4 Answers call now 24/7 Toll Free 1-877-342-3036; Mobile #4486; (18+) $3.19/minute; http://www.truepsychics.ca.

EMPLOYMENT OPPS.

EXPERIENCED PARTS PERSON for a progressive auto/industrial supplier. Hired applicant will receive top wages, full benefits and RRSP bonuses plus moving allowances. Our 26, 000ft2 store is located 2.5 hours N.E. of Edmonton, Alberta. See our community at LacLaBicheRegion.com. Send resume to: Sapphire Auto, Box 306, Lac La Biche, AB, T0A 2C0. Email: hr@sapphireinc.net. PART-TIME JOBS - Make your own schedule, sell chocolate bars to make $$$, decide where and when you sell, start and stop when you want. Tel: 1-800-383-3589. www.chocolatdeluxe.com

NEWSPAPER EDITOR/REPORTERIndesign knowledge, strong writing, verbal skills required. Apply with sample writing/photography with resume and references. For more information contact. Clark Pepper Publisher. cpepper@shellbrookchronicle.com

THE YUKON NEWS is seeking an experienced editor. We are located in Whitehorse, Yukon, are independently-owned and publish twice weekly. Salary begins at $75,000. Please see www.yukon-news.com/editor for details.

ACCESSORIES INSTALLER/JOURNEYMAN TECHNICIANS. Hanna Chrysler Ltd. (Hanna, Alberta) needs a few more good people. Busy, modern shop. Competitive wages, benefits. Great community. Inquire or send resume. Fax 403-854-2845; Email Chrysler@telusplanet.net.

FOR SALE

#1 HIGH SPEED INTERNET $28.95 / Month. Absolutely no ports are blocked. Unlimited Downloading. Up to 5Mps Download and 800Kbps Upload. ORDER TODAY AT www.acanac.ca or CALL TOLL-FREE: 1-866-281-3538.

SAWMILLS from only $3997 - MAKE your own bandmill - Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT 1-800-566-6899 Ext:400OT.

SOUTHPOINT SUN

Security Building Fridge & Stove Utilities included For viewing please call 519-322-1924 tf

ANTENNAS

JACK RICCI ANTENNA

SPECIALIST - HDTV antenna systems, satellite dishes, aiming & accessories, specialty and non-denominational free religious programming. TBN 3ABN 7th Day, etc. on G19 satellite, burglar alarms, telephone, paging, intercom and background music systems. Sales and service. Prewire your new house. 519-326-8973, ricci@mnsi.net. no7-ja30

EXPERIENCED RPN

AVAILABLE for private care in-home or facilities. References available. Call 519-326-4618 and leave message. no21

QUALITY GUITAR REPAIR by Reese. Will service all stringed instruments. Over ten years experience, custom work available as well. Next day pickup upon request. Cell: 226-344-1142 Home: 519-825-4707. ma30-tf PRINTING: Business envelopes, invoices, flyers, business cards, custom print jobs, whatever your printing needs, call Mallory at The Wheatley Journal for quick and economical service. 519-825-4541. tf

ELECTROLUX SALES & SERVICE: Complete line of vacuums and shampooers/ floor polishers. Will provide free estimate on Central Vac installations. Contact Dan Bailey. 519-825-7698. tf

Saturday, December 1 at the Wheatley Legion Erie St. North Tickets $10 - available at Bowman Feeds or reserve at 519-322-2463

Fundraising benefit for... In

Thank You

The Leamington Salvation Army would like to thank Julie Scratch for her 15 years of dedicated service. Julie, we wish you joy and happiness in your future endeavors. God bless you.

Captains Corvin and Charlene Vincent

For position details please visit our Website: www.muccifarms.com

Please forward your resume, stating your position of interest, by email to mcornellier@muccifarms.com or apply online.

Flyers’ goalie Mancina selected for Team Ontario

By Bryan Jessop

It makes sense that Team Ontario’s roster for the annual World Under 17 Hockey Challenge be made up of Ontario Hockey League players. Leamington Flyers goaltender Matt Mancina, however, has made a rare exception of himself.

The 16-year-old Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League rookie received a phone call from Team Ontario head coach Troy Smith — who also represents the coaching staff of the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers — the day before the team’s final roster was made public.

Mancina tried out for Team Ontario during a camp in Woodstock in late April, followed by a provincial camp in Cornwall at the end of July. At this point, the only pre-tournament practice scheduled for the team will take place Dec. 15 in Toronto.

“I was excited and slightly surprised because I’m the only player on the team who doesn’t play in the OHL... “I knew I had two very good camps, but you never know sometimes.”

- Matt Mancina

The World Under 17 Hockey Challenge will be hosted by Victoriaville and Drummondville, Que. from Dec. 28, 2012 to Jan. 4, 2013. Smith explained to Mancina and fellow Team Ontario netminder Brent Moran of the OHL’s Niagara Ice Dogs that the title of starting goaltender has not been set in stone and could vary from game to game.

“...the starting job will be up for grabs,” Mancina stated. “The way you play will determine how much you play.”

Mancina, a Lakeshore, Ont. resident, has started in 16 games thus far with the Flyers, winning 11 and losing four. He has allowed 47 goals and stopped 383 shots for a save percentage of .891 and a goals against average of 3.08. Last season, he played for the Sun County AAA minor midget Panthers, where he established a save percentage of .897 and a

2.45 goals against average, along with two shutouts.

Last

17

mondville, Que. Dec. 28, 2012 to Jan. 4, 2013.

Early-season honours are nothing new for Mancina. During the OHL’s 2012 Priority Draft, he became the Guelph Storm’s third pick (49th overall) and although he did not find a spot on the team’s roster, went on to become the GOJHL’s Goaltender of the Month for September. Mancina credits support from his Flyers teammates and coaches for much of his success.

“My Flyers teammates were happy for me when they heard the news,” he explained. “I wouldn’t have been able to achieve this if they hadn’t played as well as they did in front of me. Also the coach staff, especially the general manager (Mike) Sadler has been very supportive.”

Team Ontario will not get the chance to ease their way into the tournament, as they will start against Team USA Dec. 29 at 1:30 p.m. From there, Pool ‘B’ round-robin play will pit them against Slovakia (Dec. 30, 7:30 p.m.), Atlantic Canada (Jan. 1, 1:30 p.m.) and Quebec (Jan. 2, 7:30 p.m.). Pool ‘A’ will consist of Western Canada, Pacific Canada, Sweden, Finland and Russia. Last year, Team Ontario captured bronze by defeating Sweden in the third-place game while Russia captured gold and USA silver.

Weil’s Peewees defeat C.A. Bailey

By Joline Driedger

With a score of 4-1, Weil’s Peewees won over C.A. Bailey on the weekend. From start to finish, it was one great game. Curtis Drewitt, again, was great between the pipes, stopping everything coming his way.

Steven Wiebe scored two goals in the first for Weil’s. In the second, Derek Keck, with an amazing shot, buried the puck after receiving the pass from Damon Palichuk, and Steven Wiebe buried another. Good job, boys!

Impens nets game winner for Sharks

By Bryan Jessop

Though it wasn’t with the prettiest of wins, the Wheatley Sharks finished the first half of the 2012-’13 season on a high note, defeating the visiting Mooretown Flags 5-4 in overtime on Monday, November 19.

With the win, the Sharks improved their record to 11 wins and nine losses and maintained the distinction of being the only Great Lakes Junior ‘C’ team to complete the first half of its season without an overtime or shootout loss.

Wheatley started the game with a sturdy offensive charge, foiling what should have been several routine plays for the Mooretown defense to clear the puck from their own zone. The Sharks were rewarded for their efforts about seven-and-a-half minutes into the first period, when Brendon Anger fired a wrist shot from between the face off circle’s hash marks that cleanly beat Flags goalie Brandon Johnson. Anger’s shot flew about a foot above the ice surface, avoiding the outstretched left pad of Johnson after passes came from Craig Adamson and Austin Fontaine.

The Flags struck back on an Alec Rutherford backhand shot during an odd-man rush with 89 seconds remaining in the opening period. The deadlock stood for the opening faceoff of the second period, despite Wheatley’s 11-4 shots on goal advantage.

The Sharks’ forwards kept the pressure on for the first 14 minutes of the second period, setting up passing plays that started near their own blue line. The series of forward feeds eventually led to a clear breakaway for Kyle Quick, who made no mistake against Johnson, burying a wrist shot that gave Wheatley a 2-1 lead. Assists came from Anger and Kurtis Ouellette.

The Sharks took a two-goal lead when Eric Rivard took a perfect cross-crease feed from Jesse Margerison and buried the puck before the opposition’s defense or goalie could react. Dylan Impens also earned an assist on the play.

A series of miscues late in the period allowed Mooretown to storm back and tie the game, starting with an Andrew Sokol tally that came after Sharks’ blueliners failed to take control of a bouncing puck near Marc Tremblay’s crease. Mike Burns gave his team the equalizer when Tremblay got caught going the wrong way, narrowly allowing the puck to slide inside the left post for a 3-3 tie.

Six of the game’s eight infractions came within seven seconds of each other, as Adamson was assessed a five-minute fighting major and four minutes in instigator penalties while Mooretown’s Jeff Sit took two minutes for roughing. The Flags’ seven-minute power play was reduced to about five minutes seven seconds later, when Jeff Schroeter was sent to the box for boarding.

The Flags kept up the momentum they built at the end of the second period going into the third and eventually took their first lead of the game when Mike Burns buried his own rebound past a sprawling Tremblay. Mooretown’s go-ahead goal was the only power play marker of the night.

The Sharks, however, maintained their composure and through persistent offense, knotted up the score at 4-4 with a Mike Reid wrist shot from six feet inside the Mooretown blue line. Impens was credited with a helper on the goal.

With just over a minute expired from overtime, Impens took advantage of the Flags’ defense mishandling the puck and raced in on Johnson to bury the game-winner on a wrist shot at 3:53.

“I just thought to keep it easy, make a move and put’er in,” said Impens after scoring his sixth goal of the season. “We had a few mishaps and some bad bounces, but our coach

RECREATION EVENTS RECREATION EVENTS

Recreation Events from the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex – Live your life in motion!

Complex Weight Room: Elliptical machines, treadmills, StairMasters and stationary bikes will increase your cardio heart rate, and the weight equipment and free weights will strengthen and tone your muscles. Come for a tour and meet with a personal trainer. Set your goals high and reach your personal best! Plus the Complex offers over 50 fitness and aqua fitness classes per week!

Register Youth for Red Cross Babysitter Training and Home Alone courses. Register Adults for Red Cross First Aid Training at the Complex.

Birthday Parties at the Complex: Children love a Complex party — swimming, skating or gym time followed by a pizza party for the whole gang!

Book your team party, work party or youth group party at the Complex. Swimming, skating or gym time followed by a pizza party for the whole gang!

New Moms! Come get yourself in motion. Bring your baby along for Stroller Fit and/or Mom and Tot Aqua Fitness in the pool. The new mom gets the benefit of exercise and your baby will sleep good at night! Complex instructors will help get you back into pre-baby shape!

Take part in Rec Swimming: Adults can build their swimming endurance during the many lane swim times offered each week. Or come and relax in the soothing effects of the salt water during any of the adult or 55+ swim times.

Take part in Rec Skating: There’s designated Senior Skates, Adult Skates and Parent & Tot Skates throughout the week, plus public skating on Sunday afternoons from 1:00-2:20 p.m. Live your life in motion!

Reduce your stress! Increase your energy! Come exercise at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex.

The Municipality of Leamington is creating a new Municipal website:

• We want your best photos! Deadline to submit photos is December 31, 2012.

• We want your input on a survey!

Go to www.leamington.ca to connect to the photo contest rules and to answer the website survey online.

We have something for every...body!

pulled us back up and we came into the third (period) with a positive attitude.”

The win against Mooretown snapped a two-game losing skid for the Sharks, the first since Sept. 21 and Sept. 26 losses to Belle River and Wallaceburg, respectively. It was also the second consecutive game between the Flags and Sharks to end in a 5-4 extra-minutes victory for Wheatley.

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, the Sharks lost 4-1 to the hosting Essex 73’s. Fontaine scored the lone Sharks goal with an assist offered by Corbin Haggerman. Essex finished the scoring with an empty net goal and were outshot by Wheatley 32-31.

On Friday, Nov. 16, the Sharks dropped a 6-4 decision in Dresden. Wheatley goals were scored by Dan Matoski, Brian Johnson, Jon Woelk and Adamson. Assists for the Sharks went to Johnson, Rivard, Ouellette, Anger, Fontaine, Woelk and Quick.

On Friday, Nov. 23, the Sharks will visit the Alvinston Flyers in a pivotal game in the race for fourth place — the Sharks sit one point behind the Flyers, but have one game in hand. The next home game for the Sharks will be Monday, Nov. 26 against the Essex 73s, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Timbits hockey action

On Sat. Nov. 17 in Novice houseleague action, Timbits Red defeated Timbits White 7-0.

Ben Omar and Vita Alfano each had a hat trick for the Red team, with Owen Jeffrey adding a single goal.

Timbits White played a great game but was unable to beat Jarret Boisvert, who was in net for Red.

(at left) chases after the puck in

25 vs. Sarnia at Heinz Rink 7:10 pm

Thursday, November 29 vs. St. Marys at Heinz Rink 7:10 pm

Junior C Hockey Wheatley Sharks vs Essex

Monday, November 26 7:30 pm at Wheatley Area Arena

Mondays: Youth Development Academy at Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex. Ages (5-7, 8-9, 11-13) Tuesdays: Youth Development Academy at UMEI Christian High School. Ages (5-7, 8-9, 11-13) Tuesday's and Thursday's: Girls Club Volleyball Training at UMEI Christian High School. Ages (12-18) All REGISTRATIONS at: www.velocityvolleyball.ca

Peewee B

girls win, tie

The Southpoint Stars Rhine Danube Peewee B girls travel team netted one win and one tie in mid-week play last week. Wednesday saw the Stars come out on top with a 2-1 win against Lakeshore. Emily Hyatt fired in the first on an assist from Morgan Brown and Kylie Murracas. Murracas then netted the gamewinner on a pass from Hyatt and Brown.

Looking for revenge, the Lakeshore team came out firing the next night, but ended up settling for a 2-2 tie. Murracas was again strong on the offence, with assists to Emily Hyatt and Morgan Brown. Charlie Demers’ beautiful snipe from the point netted an unassisted goal.

This weekend the Stars head north to Kitchener for a tournament. Good luck, girls!

Atom Minors take two

out of three

It was a big weekend for the Atom Minors as they won both there games against the A division teams. Friday’s game started the weekend rolling for the Caps, with a big win over Riverside 5-4. Single goals went to Thomas Jennings, Austin Neufeld and Brennan Pulley. The Minors got two helpers from A/P Kannan Gale. Collecting assists on the 5 goals were Daraicha (2), Ouellette, Jennings, Neufeld, Jadischke, Chauvin, Babkirk and Vida.

The team traveled to Windsor to face the Spitfires and fell 7-3. Goals were from Jennings, Collison and Ouellette in this game, with Jennings, Neufeld and Jadischke collecting assists in the losing cause.

This set up the final game of the weekend against Essex in their home rink. Adam Zylstra would face an Essex penalty shoot late in the first and laid out a beauty of a poke check to hold Essex off the scoreboard.

Essex took a 1-0 lead late in the second, but the Caps replied 30 seconds later for a 1-1 tie off the stick of Neufeld, banging home a Daraicha rebound.

The Caps potted three more in the third for a 4-1 victory. Vida, Jennings and Ouellette all found the back of the Essex net with Tiessen, Ouellette, Neufled and Vida all collecting assists each.

The Caps earned four big points on the weekend, all on the single A teams in the league. Keep winning the little battles on every shift and the wins will take care of themselves.

Golden Years mini golf

Fifty golfers, plus the Phantom, dropped 78 aces over 36 holes in mini golf Nov. 15 at Colasanti’s.

Leading the way with 4 aces each were Caroline Ascott, Bill Ward and Gerry Wilkinson. Three dropped for Pete Daudlin, Frank Lasi, Bill Mayville, John Murphy, Andy Orsini and Liz Scratch. Chipping in with 2 each were Madeline Butler, Eunice Cascadden, Ethel Ferguson, Dorothy Johnson, Eva Kah, Murray Knox, Julia Kos, Tom Hyatt, Betty McManus, Winnie Moore, Al Stockwell, Bill Taylor, Shirley Thiessen, Steve Vigh, Gerrit Vriesen, Linda Walsh, Donna Wiebe and John Vlodarchyk. Sinking 1 apiece were Lauria B., Barb Arner, Iggy Arner, Mary Binder, Don Bolen, Fran Clifford, Nancy Hill, Lloyd Honey, Cam Keith, Ethel Shore, Eleanor Wilkinson and Ken Womack.

A low score of 16 for 9 holes was recorded by Tom Hyatt, Andy Orsini, John Murphy and Bill Ward with 2. Following closely with 17 were Madeline Butler, Eunice Cascadden, Gerry Wilkinson, Julia Kos, Gerrit Vriesen, Pete Daudlin, Cam Keith and Frank Lasi. A score of 18 was registered by Don Bolen, Donna Wiebe, Liz Scratch, Iggy Arner, Gerry Wilkinson (with 2), Audrey Knox, Ken Womack, Gerrit Vriesen, Bill Mayville, Pete Daudlin and Frank Lasi.

An excellent score of 35 for 18 holes was delivered by Frank Lasi, followed closely with 36 by Eunice Cascadden and Gerry Wilkinson with 2. Tom Hyatt, Andy Orsini, Gerrit Vriesen and Pete Daudlin each managed a 37, and Eva Kah, Julia Kos (with 2), Pete Daudlin and Bill Mayville recorded 38.

Taking top spot for 36 holes was Bill Ward with an amazing 71. Gerry Wilkinson shot a 72, while Frank Lasi and Pete Daudlin each had a 75.

A 76 went to Gerrit Vriesen, and Andy Orsini, Eunice Cascadden, Julia Kos and Bill Mayville registered 78.

Team 17 took first place with 232 (Pete Daudlin, Bill Mayville, John Murphy). Second was secured by Team 14 (Ken Womack, Bill Ward, the Phantom). Third and final place went to Team Jacks (Moe Scratch, Eunice Cascadden, Gerry Wilkinson).

Remember to join the Golden Years mini golfers every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Colasanti’s for some fun and fellowship. It only costs $10 to register and $5 each week for 36 holes.

Southpoint Stars face strong competition

Southpoint Stars action on the weekend saw some strong competition.

The Atom UCCU team came out 1-0 over the Essex Orange team.

Southpoint Peewee Community Trophies team notched a narrow 1-0 victory over a strong LaSalle opponent. The winning goal was recorded by Brienne Mastronardi, with assists going to Kelsey Almasi and Camryn Iverson. Erica Tay-

lor was strong in the pipes for the team.

In Bantam play, the Fox Ready Mix team fell 3-0 to a dominant Amherstburg squad. The other Bantam team, Wheatley Optimists delivered an excellent offence, scoring 5-0 in Chatham.

In Intermediate play, the Rhine Danube team had a strong performance on Friday night winning 2-0 against Lakeshore Blue.

Goal scorers for that game were Morgan Amicone and Joline Driedger. Sunday, the Rhine Danube girls struggled with the offence, losing to LaSalle 4-2. Goal scorers for this game were Kayla Leipold and Maddy Hamm.

The Intermediate Lion’s Club team continues to

dominate, this time squashing the Harrow Lady Rams 2-0. Kim Goyeau got the unassisted game winner in the first period. The second goal came late in the period from Sammar Liebrock, assisted by Bryclin Mullins and Syd Dries.

The Leamington Flyers have given an injured teammate the ideal get-well present.

The day after Flyers forward Bryce Doan suffered serious injuries from a head-on traffic collision while driving to a team practice, his team earned a 5-2 victory over the visiting LaSalle Vipers. Doan, himself a LaSalle resident, is recovering in Windsor hospital from facial lacerations and several broken bones, reportedly to his shoulder, collarbone, wrist, arm and jaw.

“We’re a pretty close team and Bryce is a big part of it,” said Flyers head coach Tony Piroski. “Something like this hits home and it hits hard. It’ll be a long, tough recovery for him, but at least he’s been given the chance to recover.”

Coaches, bench staff and players held a meeting before the Thursday, Nov. 15 game against their cross-county rivals and during the game, hung Doan’s jersey behind the bench. Together, the three assists of Alex Seguin, two goals each from Kyle Shaw and Tony Spidalieri, the goal and assist by Cole Chevalier, two assists by Jacob McGhee and single assist from David Dalby added up to a points total of 12 — the number of Doan’s jersey.

“I’m proud of my guys for playing two hours of hockey like that for Doaner,” said Piroski.

Only two of the Flyers’ previous 22 regular season games featured more penalty minutes than the Nov. 15 tilt against the Vipers and only Shaw’s second goal — the last of the game — was scored at even strength.

“When something like that happens, there isn’t much flow to the game,” said Piroski. “We played well five on five and we were pretty good on special teams.”

Spidalieri opened the scoring by tapping a rebound past Vipers’ goalie Taylor Speed about 11-and-a-half minutes into the first period, where the Flyers outshot their guests 9-6. The second period was far more eventful on the scoresheet, as the teams traded goals beginning with a lazer of a slapshot by Chevalier from the blue line.

Leamington began running into penalty trouble from there, allowing the Vipers to pull to within one on an Eric Noel marker. LaSalle was granted a minute and 15 seconds with a five-on-three advantage and potted their first goal just after Chevalier finished serving an interference penalty — assessed 45 seconds before Spidalieri was sent to the sin bin for tripping.

The Flyers regained their two-goal advantage on Spidalieri’s second of the night and 14th of the season, earned on an ice-level shot that was deflected before it reached Speed’s crease. The Vipers once again cut Leamington’s two-goal lead in half with 38 seconds remaining in the middle frame, as a Blake Jones wrist shot beat a screened Austyn Roudebush.

Flyers win one for Doan

By Bryan Jessop

The third period belonged to Shaw, who gave his team an insurance goal at about the midway point of the third by slamming home a loose puck in the crease before Speed could locate the idle puck. Shaw finished the scoring after taking a pass from Seguin and descending on the LaSalle net with a short breakaway, cleanly beating Speed with a quick wrist shot. Since joining the Flyers, Shaw has collected three goals and four assists in three games.

The Flyers outshot the Vipers 36-23 and were four for 12 on the power play, compared to LaSalle’s two for eight. The game was attended by a season’s-best crowd of 734.

Five days earlier, the Flyers completed the cross-conference segment of their regular season with a 9-2 win against the Stoney Creek Warriors. Shaw led Leamington with four assists, with Seguin, Doan and Nathan Opblinger netted two apiece. Single goals were scored by Dalby, Jared Dennis and Dakota Olvin. Brett Babkirk, Riley Babkirk, McGhee and Chevalier earned two helpers each while solitary assists went to Opblinger, Dennis, Chris Scott and Spidalieri.

Overall, Western Conference teams were successful against Midwestern and Golden Horseshoe opponents — combined, Western teams posted 18 wins, five losses and three overtime/shootout losses in crossconference games. The St. Mary’s Lincolns

Leamington’s Tony Spidalieri gets tangled up by Scott Prier of the LaSalle Vipers while trying to carry the puck towards the Vipers’ net in the first period. Prier was assessed a two-minute hooking penalty. Spidalieri went on to score twice during the Thursday, Nov. 15 game, won 5-2 by the Flyers. (SUN Photo)

Spidalieri of the Flyers

the

have yet to play their third game, a Dec. 28 match against Stratford of the Midwestern Conference. The Flyers, Vipers and Chatham Maroons went 3-0-0 against out-of-conference teams.

On Saturday, Nov. 17, the Flyers visited the Lambton Shores Predators and won 4-3, extending their winning streak to five games. Brett Babkirk, Chris Scott, Troy Cox and Joe Manchurek scored for the Flyers while assists were provided by McGhee, Seguin, Leardi, Amante, Dennis, Riley Babkirk and J.P. Grineau. Manchurek’s goal was the game-winner, scored with 3:50 remaining in the third period. The Flyers outshot the Preds 45-22. Both teams were shut out on the power play — Leamington went zero for four while Lambton Shores went zero for two.

The next day, Leamington visited the Chatham, where the Maroons won 5-2. Riley Babkirk and Dennis scored for the Flyers, taking assists from Scott, Leardi, Cox and Riley Babkirk. Leamington outshot Chatham 40-32 while both teams were zero for two on the power play.

In an unusual portion of their regular season schedule, the Flyers will not play Thursday, Nov. 22. They will, however, host a rare Sunday game Nov. 25 against the Sarnia Legionnaires with the standard start time of 7:10 p.m. The Legionnaires hosted the Flyers Tuesday, Nov. 20.

The Rest of the West

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, the Vipers squeaked past the Maroons with a 5-4 overtime win while the London Nationals doubled the St. Thomas Stars 6-3. During the Flyers win against LaSalle, the Predators pulled off a 43 overtime win against the hosting Sarnia Legionnaires. On Nov. 17, Strathroy hosted the Legionnaires and won by a score of 7-3. While the Flyers were in Chatham, St. Thomas hosted St. Marys in what turned out to be a 5-4 shootout win for the Lincolns.

Upcoming Home Games: sun, nov 25 vs sarnia 7:10PM THURS, nov 29 vs sT MARYS 7:10PM

Upcoming away Games: sat, DEC 1 at STRATHROY7:30 pm WED, DEC 12 at LASALLE7:00 pm

Lions fall short in Arnott final

By Bryan Jessop

Although the Leamington Lions showed signs of improvement as the senior football season progressed, so too did the St. Joseph’s Lasers.

The two teams met in the WECSSAA Arnott Conference championship game at the St. Denis Community and Athletic Centre and by the time the fourth-quarter clock read 0:00, the Lasers were celebrating the school’s first-ever senior football championship, having won 34-13.

Leamington’s offense was kept in check through most of the game. Although Grade 12 student and running back Collin Seng made a 45-yard run early in the first quarter, the Lions came up empty-handed through the first half, trailing 17-0 at the halftime break.

Scoring began on a Lasers’ pass-and-run play with a successful PAT kick late in the first quarter. On the ensuing kick to the Lions’ kick return team, the ball was fumbled and recovered by St. Joseph’s on Leamington’s own 27-yard line. The Lasers’ offense made a touchdown pass on their first play following the fumble, also followed by a successful extra-point kick.

Scoring in the first half ended at with 48 seconds on the clock with a St. Joseph’s field goal.

The Lasers picked up where they left off to start the third quarter, expanding their lead to 23-0 with a 75-yard touchdown run, again accompanied by a PAT kick that sailed directly through the uprights.

The Lions offense began showing signs of life shortly thereafter, moving the ball to the opposition’s five-yard line before Seng ran the ball into the end zone. Seng also booted the PAT, bringing the score to 24-7.

The fourth quarter began with another Lasers’ field goal, kicked from 22 yards. Leamington’s defense recovered a St. Joseph’s fumble at the Lasers’ 25-yard line, giving the Lions offense opportune field position to attempt their second touchdown of the game. They made the most of the chance, as the LDSS squad moved the ball up to the Lasers’ two-yard line before Hunter DeLaurier, supported by his offensive line, pushed the ball through the end zone. A two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

The Lasers ended the scoring with a 16-yard touchdown run and PAT kick, officially sealing the Lions’ first loss of the season against a fellow Arnott team.

“We made more mistakes that game than we did all year. It looked like nerves had a lot to do with it,” said Lions head coach Greg Wood, who will retire following the 2012-’13 school year. “Not to take anything away from St. Joe’s — they were well prepared and played an excellent game.”

Wood explained that despite the championship loss, he was pleased with his team’s effort throughout the season.

“Overall, it was a great year for what we accomplished,” Wood said. “Our players performed beyond our expectations. We’ve got nothing to be ashamed of.”

Wood also credited fellow coaches Jason Primeau and Ross Spettigue with outstanding seasons.

Leamington will have the opportunity to bring many of its 2012 players back onto the roster for next season, as only seven of the 28 players who finished this year’s campaign will not be eligible to return next year. Only about a dozen of this year’s players brought with them prior organized football experience onto the gridiron.

During the regular season, the Lions nipped the Lasers 8-7 en route to a 5-1 pre-playoffs record. Their only loss in the regular season came against their crosstown rival Cardinal Carter Cougars of the Wilson Division.

In local junior football action, the Cardinal Carter Cougars earned a spot in the Janisse Championship final by defeating the host Belle River Nobles 16-3. Chris Tannous made a 65-yard touchdown run, followed by a Kiefer Simpson 26-yard field goal and an 80-yard fumble return by Josh Van Roie. The championship game will be played Wednesday, Nov. 21 at the St. Denis Community and Athletic Centre starting at 7:15 p.m. against the Herman Green Griffins.

After 14 months of construction, Larry Renaud Ford & RV Sales has opened the doors to its brand new spacious location at 2560 Cty. Rd. #20 in Harrow to the public. Located down the street from its original location, the 25,000 square foot facility will house the family-owned and operated Ford dealership in style.

Larry Renaud

Highlights of the new facility include a ten car showroom, comfortable customer lounge with TV’s and WiFi, expanded parts department and a 16 bay service department with a 15 ton hoist capable of lifting Class A motorhomes.

Family Owned & Operated Since 1974

Capitals Cup sets out to make wishes come true

By Bryan Jessop

Southpoint Minor Hockey Association’s Greg and Tara Liebrock are hoping that the third is in fact the charm for the Capitals Cup Challenge.

The third annual hockey tournament of its kind will feature 28 teams from across Southwestern Ontario for a threeday series of games Friday, Nov. 23 to Sunday, Nov. 25 at the Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex and Wheatley Area Arena. Setting itself apart from most other minor hockey tournaments, the Capitals Cup Challenge is also a fundraiser for the Canadian Make A Wish Foundation’s Southwestern Ontario chapter.

Each year, the Liebrocks set out to raise $15,000 or more through fundraising involvement from participating

teams and players. Last year’s tournament raised more than $17,000 while the inaugural edition in 2010 generated more than $22,000 for a two-year total of about $40,000. By raising in excess of $15,000 each year, the tournament is able to help Make A Wish Foundation fulfill the wishes of two or three children registered with the program.

Although support of the Make A Wish Foundation is not a mandatory segment of the tournament, all five of the participating Southpoint teams are involved, setting up donations through the website www.makeawish.ca/swoevents.

Last year, one of the tournament’s peewee teams raised money through a bottle drive. Individual players receive a ballot to enter a draw for prizes for each $25 raised, with no limit to the number of ballots they can earn.

“If one player raises $1,000, they get 40 ballots,” Tara Liebrock explained. “It’s the players from younger divisions that really get involved in the fundraising part of it. We’re happy to have a lot of teams in younger divisions this year.”

The list of items to be won through player ballot draws includes Beats Headphones, a Blackberry Playbook, an Apple IPad 2, two Samsung Galaxy Tablets (one seven-inch and one 10-inch), a Google Nexus 7 Tablet, an Acer 10.1” Iconia Tablet, an Apple IPod Touch 4th Generation, a 32inch LCD television and a 22-inch LCD television. Prizes, donated by local sponsors, are continually being added to the list.

For this year’s Capitals Cup Challenge, five teams have entered at the novice level, five in the atom major division, four in the peewee major group, six at the bantam major level and eight representing the midget major division.

Pool A’s first place team against Pool B’s second place team and vice versa.

The eight midget major teams (Southpoint, Stouffville, Wallaceburg, Applewood, Belle River, Pelham, Lorne Park and St. Thomas) will be divided into two pools of four with round robin games being played against each team within each team’s pool. Semi finals will feature Pool A’s first place team against Pool B’s second place team and vice versa.

A group of about 10 volunteers will be helping the Liebrocks organize the Capitals Cup Challenge during the weekend of the tournament. While the Liebrocks are the event’s main organizers, they are assisted by several individuals in making the annual fundraiser happen.

“We’ve always got friends who help out with their ideas — we’re very lucky that way,” said Tara. “Every year, we learn from the mistakes we made the previous year.”

For more information, visit the website www.capitalscupchallenge.ca.

Novice teams, featuring Southpoint, Grimsby, Erie Northshore, Amherstburg and Erindale will start with a series of round robin games within one pool, with first place to take on fourth place and second against third for the semi finals. The atom major group, with teams from Southpoint, Rochester, Amherstburg, Orangeville and Ajax, will play in the same format as the novices.

The peewee major teams of Southpoint, Erie Northshore, Caledonia and Barrie will also play a one-pool series of round robin games where all four teams will advance to the semi finals (first vs. forth, second vs. third). Bantam major teams (Southpoint, Petrolia, Riverside, Waterloo, Erie Northshore and Caledonia) will be divided into two pools of three, where each team plays the three teams of the other pool for the round robin segment. Playoffs will begin with

Bantams score two wins over the weekend

The Southpoint Naples Pizza Bantam local league hockey club played Kingsville and Belle River over the past weekend.

On Saturday, team Naples entertained a team from Kingsville and came away with a 5-0 victory. Connor Ribble led the way with two goals and an assist. Ty Simpson, Matthew Dick and Colton Horne also scored with helpers from Michael Moavro and Anthony Cervini.

On Sunday the team travelled to Belle River to take on a very enthusiastic squad. The teams traded chances throughout the contest with both goalies playing strong. Team Naples seemed to wear Belle River down in the third and capitalized on a late mistake. Michael Moavro scored on a great individual effort with only one minute to play. Matthew DOC Dick got the only assist. Riley Fast was awesome and earned the shutout. Also showing great effort on the ice were Anthony Cervini, Tristyn Corlett, Riley Gabriele and Jackson (The Hammer) Ingratta.

The team plays the same Belle River squad on Tuesday night. Get your tickets early!

Critic’s anti-‘trades tax’ tour includes Leamington visit

By Bryan Jessop

Two Ontario Conservative MPPs met concerned trades workers at the Leamington Legion last week in an effort to enlighten residents on what the official opposition to the provincial Liberals are calling a ‘trades tax’.

Ontario MPP for Simcoe North Garfield Dunlop, also the Progressive Conservative party’s critic for skilled trades and apprenticeship reform, made a stop in Leamington to spread the word on new fees the provincial government plans to implement towards trades workers at some point in January of 2013. Dunlop was joined by fellow Tory and ChathamKent-Essex MPP Rick Nicholls for the local visit, hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 84 on Monday, Nov. 5. Garfield visited about 75 communities prior to his Leamington visit, informing trades workers of all sorts about the new annual fees that they could be forced to start paying within less than three months. The meeting in Leamington was attended by about 45 local workers.

The new fees are expected to range from $100 to $200 annually per worker, affecting professions ranging from hair stylists, cooks, bartenders and waitresses to plumbers, electricians, sheet metal workers and auto mechanics. These fees, which the Ontario Conservative party refers to as a “trades tax,” will effectively replace the current and more affordable certificate of qualification renewal fee of $20 per year per worker.

“The government has made no communication attempts to tell people that this is coming,” said Garfield, who made stops in Flamboro and Haldimand earlier that day. “We need to spread the word. The people I’ve spoken with so far have been pleased that our caucus has brought this message into the open and that we want to kill this tax completely.”

Both Garfield and Nicholls pointed out that the new fees could prove more costly for skilled trades customers as well as workers and businesses — in more ways than one. First, smaller businesses may be forced to cover the new, more costly fees by increasing their labour rates. Secondly, noted Garfield, a typical addition to a home or business may require several workers representing several companies, as the proverbial ‘Jack of all trades’ may no longer be permitted to perform various tasks such as electrical, plumbing and drywalling work.

“There’s no added value from this tax for anyone,” Nicholls said.

Garfield explained to those at the Leamington meeting that the new tax/fees will be implemented from the newlyformed Ontario College of Trades.

“It has a sort of sexy sound to it, but it’s not what it sounds like,” said Garfield, who is also a plumbing contractor. “It’s 50 bureaucrats in a three-story building. I can’t believe anyone would do this in this state of the economy.”

Additionally, apprentices who currently do not pay renewal fees or taxes will be required to pay an annual sum of $100, Garfield noted. Also, he continued, a trades tax for the companies themselves of $600 per year may be implemented as soon as 2014.

Garfield has been encouraging Ontario’s 600,000 trades workers to fight the new fees “anyway they can,” by writing letters to cabinet ministers, voting appropriately during the next provincial election or by signing petitions being directed toward Ontario’s Liberal party. Nicholls noted that copies of the petition are available at his Leamington office, located at 115 Erie St. North, Unit B. The petition, which can also be signed by nontrades residents, can also be signed at www. stopthetradestax.com.

“I think we can do it, I really do,” Garfield said during a question and answer period when asked if the tax could be stopped. “It’s something we feel is complete bureaucracy — it’s taking Ontario in the wrong direction.

looking on, Chatham-Kent-Essex

Nicholls reads a letter from

constituent unable to attend a Monday, Nov. 5 meeting at the Leamington Royal Canadian Legion Branch 84. Dunlop is ‘touring’

throughout the province to discuss the provincial Liberal party’s

persons’ fee to take effect in January of 2013.

Garfield explained that the Ontario College of Trades will be able to enforce new annual fees via enforcement from the Ministry of Labour, noting that failure to make such payments could result in certification and licenses being revoked.

Garfield and Nicholls remained at the Leamington Legion to address concerns individually following the Q&A session before heading off to Chatham to deliver the same messages. From there, Garfield made his way to Stratford to continue his party’s efforts to quash the Ontario College of Trades and its new trades fees. The Conservative party’s efforts have since gained the support of the Ontario Construction Employers Coalition, an organization representing about 20 associations and 125,000 members.

Growing indoor amaryllis bulbs

Amaryllis plants are very easy to grow indoors and certainly help to add colour for the holiday season. A healthy amaryllis begins with proper planting of the bulb. In some cases they are already potted when purchased. However, if you purchase the bulb packed in wood chips or sawdust it is best to soak the base of the bulb with the roots in lukewarm water for several hours before planting.

Next, choose a container that doesn’t allow more than 2 inches between the bulb and the sides of the pot. Most bulbs will fit in a 6-inch pot, though larger bulbs may require an 8-inch size. It is always very important to make sure that a drainage hole is in the base of the container.

Pot the bulb with new soil and ample compost for nutrition. During planting, keep half of the bulb exposed to the surface of the soil. After planting, water the bulb until water runs out of the drain hole, and then afterwards water only when the soil is dry. Too much water will cause the bulb to rot.

Place your newly planted amaryllis in a sunny window, keeping the plant at room temperature. About 8 weeks after planting you will see buds, and the plant will be ready to flower.

Once the bulb begins to flower, move to a cooler location to prolong the life of the bloom. After a week the flowers will start to wither, so trim the flowers off and move the pot back into a sunny window. Continue to water the green leaves as you did during the growing period.

After six months, the bulb should be allowed to go dormant and the leaves will start to turn yellow. Trim them back to around 2 inches from the top of the bulb. Store the potted bulb in a cool dark location – around 50ºF – for several months, perhaps in the basement. Stop watering until you see signs of new growth.

After this time, return the pot to a sunny location and water as you did before. Within 8 weeks the amaryllis will bloom again.

When the stem reaches a height of 6 inches, use a soluble fertilizer with low nitrogen. This will increase the flower size and brightness of the colour. Continue watering with a fertilizer mix even after the blooming is complete to help increase leaf and bulb growth.

Your questions and comments are always welcome. Email inthebackyard74@yahoo.ca or visit my website www.bptreemarketing.com