Kyle, a farmer and community advocate, filed her nomination on May 1, positioning her campaign around managing growth while maintaining financial sustainability. “Brant is on the right path,” Kyle
CASANDRA TURNBULL
Managing Editor
A proposal to permit a hydro-vac slurry processing facility at 40 Curtis Ave. N. is drawing growing concern from nearby residents following its presentation at a County of Brant planning meeting in April.
The application, submitted by Zelinka Priamo Ltd. on behalf of property owner DCH Group Inc., seeks a zoning bylaw amendment to allow the use on lands currently zoned Heavy Industrial (M3).
A hydro-vac slurry processing facility is used to handle waste collected by hydro excavation trucks, which vacuum up a mixture of soil, water and debris from construction sites. At a processing site, that slurry is offloaded into tanks or holding areas where it is mechanically separated — typically using high-speed equipment — into reusable water and solid materials such as sand and gravel, which are then transported off-site for reuse or disposal.
Zelinka Planner Danieli Elsenbruch, speaking on behalf of the applicant, presented the proposal to council on April 14, explaining the amendment would rezone the property to a site-specific exception to permit the facility at the rear of the site.
“This type of use is not permitted within the current Heavy Industrial (M3) Zone, and therefore a Zoning By-Law Amendment is required,” her presentation noted.
The report was received for information only, with no decision made.
The 0.6-hectare property, located within the urban settlement area of Paris, is currently used for industrial and ancillary office purposes.
A hydro-vac slurry processing facility separates water and solid materials collected by hydro excavation trucks, which remove debris such as sand, soil and gravel from construction sites.
During the meeting, councillors pressed for more information about how the operation would function and its potential impacts.
“It all boils down to two things. Is it noisy and is it smelly?” said Coun. Steve Howes.
Coun. Robert Chambers questioned where similar facilities operate and asked for opportunities to review one before the proposal returns to council.
Elsenbruch said the owner operates a similar facility but she couldn’t recall where. It was later determined that a similar facility called Da-Lee operates in Hamilton and has been using comparable technology for several years. It is a licensed industrial waste treatment and recycling plant that processes hydro-excavation slurry and other materials, using equipment designed to separate solids from liquid waste.
At the Curtis Avenue site, the consultant indicated the business would process its own materials, with an estimated 10 to 20 trucks entering and exiting the property daily. Residents living nearby say the proposal raises significant concerns about noise, environmental impact and proximity
to homes and greenspace.
“I learned about the proposal from a neighbour after the April 14th council meeting. I was flabbergasted that there was seemingly no attempt to notify the residents just down the hill from the proposed site,” said Christine Turple.
Turple questioned the need for a zoning amendment if the use is consistent with surrounding industry.
“If a hydro-vac slurry processing facility is ‘consistent with surrounding industry’ … then why is a zoning amendment even necessary?” she said. She referenced Councillor Lukas Oakley’s online comments in a social media post that he didn’t see issues with the proposed use as it was consistent with surrounding industry, referencing Mitten Vinyl in business since 1959.
Turple also raised concerns about quality of life impacts.
“I worry I will no longer be able to do the things that drew me to the area such as relaxing in my backyard enjoying the wildlife, riding my bike on the rail trail or paddling down the Grand on a hot summer day.”
Other residents echoed similar sentiments.
“If this project moves forward it will significantly increase the noise pollution in my neighborhood. We already endure a great deal of industrial and traffic noise here,” said Denise Miller.
“The noise, environmental impact, and increase in heavy vehicle traffic are all of
concern to me,” she added, noting worries about “industrial zoning up against residential areas.”
Michael Bertolini said the facility could have broader impacts on the community.
“This plant would have constant noise increase 365 days a year and serves no benefit to Paris businesses, or tourism,” he said.
“I feel that this would directly impact the ability to enjoy the outdoors without excessive noise and other unnecessary detractors like smell and traffic increase.”
He also pointed to potential health and environmental concerns tied to the materials processed at such facilities, noting slurry can contain “petroleum hydrocarbons … heavy metals … industrial chemicals or unknown contaminants.”
An online petition opposing the proposal has gathered support, arguing the facility would be better suited to lands specifically zoned for heavier industrial uses and raising concerns about noise, odours, traffic and potential contamination of air and water.
Facilities of this kind can produce “highpitched, piercing whine” and involve frequent truck traffic, with petition organizers warning of possible impacts on nearby homes, wildlife and the Grand River watershed. Council has not yet made a decision on the application. The proposal is expected to return at a later date following further technical review, public input and a staff recommendation.
making meaningful changes for the better.
dence in municipal government” and bringing a renewed focus to financial stability and community engagement.
“It is time to restore public confidence in municipal government, return us to a stable financial position, and focus on what counts closest to home first,” she said.
Garneau Bisaillon resigned from council in October 2025, describing an “irreconcilable conflict” between her role as an elected official and the needs of her business, Creek View Acres Nursery & Orchard. At the time, she acknowledged the possibility of a future run for higher office.
Her resignation followed concerns tied to a dispute involving the removal of unmarked mature trees on her property, which was later reported in regional media by a Local Journalist Initiative Reporter. The County maintained the work was authorized and conducted appropriately, calling some of her claims “patently false.”
Now re-entering municipal politics, Garneau Bisaillon said her decision to run for mayor stems partially from that experience.
“My experience as a resident and business owner last fall left me even more committed to returning the County to a place of good governance, financial sustainability, and better management,” she said.
Ultimately, she says the experience offered a silver lining, a chance to reflect on what happened and focus on
She also addressed her departure from council and subsequent decision to run for mayor. “I never stopped being passionate about municipal issues and present in our community, but it quickly became clear I needed to be in a different role to lead the changes I felt strongest about.”
A key theme of her campaign is rebuilding trust between council and the public, which she said has eroded.
“There’s a clear disconnect between public engagement and Council decisions, so restoring public confidence begins with listening to residents and taxpayers,” she said. “We need better governance that prioritizes transparency, consultation, and integrity.”
Since leaving council, Garneau Bisaillon has remained active in the community, using social media to break down municipal decisions and budget matters for residents.
“When Mayor Bailey’s budget came out last fall, I wanted to understand why the proposed property tax increase was so much lower than what the Long-Term Financial Plan forecast months earlier,” she said. “I felt that residents and taxpayers deserved to know this information and the response online was overwhelmingly positive.”
She said that effort evolved from education into advocacy, driven by public interest ahead of the nomination period.
Looking ahead, Garneau Bisaillon said she plans to foster a more collaborative and respectful council environment.
“A confident Mayor values respectful debate and diverse opinions, rather than preventing Councillors from advancing views that don’t align with their own,” she said. “I won’t tolerate bullying behaviour.”
While she is among a small number of women to seek the mayor’s chair in Brant, Garneau Bisaillon said her campaign will remain focused on municipal issues rather than identity.
“It’s important that everyone in our community sees themselves represented on Council, but I wouldn’t say I’m letting the prospect of being the first woman elected Mayor of the County guide my campaign,” she said.
Garneau Bisaillon was first elected to Brant County Council in fall of 2022. She was the first candidate to announce intentions to run for Brant’s top council seat.
said in her announcement. “We’ve made real progress as a County, but being on the right path doesn’t mean we can stop steering. This is a moment that calls for steady, practical leadership to guide what comes next.”
Kyle said her decision to run comes as the county faces increasingly complex pressures tied to growth.
“Brant is at a point where the decisions we make over the next few years are going to shape the community for decades to come,” she said. “As growth accelerates, the decisions become more complex, and that’s where steady leadership really matters.” Having served on council in her first term from 2022 to 2026, Kyle said she has seen firsthand both the opportunities and challenges facing the municipality, including infrastructure demands, financial
pressures and the balance between development and farmland protection.
“Serving as a Ward 1 Councillor has given me a front-row seat to both the opportunities and the pressures we’re facing,” she said, adding the experience has reinforced the importance of long-term planning and collaboration.
Kyle’s platform centres on what she describes as “thoughtful growth,” with a focus on ensuring development is supported by infrastructure such as roads, water and wastewater systems.
She said a key priority is strengthening the commercial and industrial tax base so growth can help fund itself, rather than placing added pressure on residential taxpayers.
“It’s about getting that balance right — supporting growth in a way that is both economically strong and fair for the people
who already call Brant home,” she said. Reflecting on her time on council, Kyle said one of the most important lessons has been the complexity of municipal decision-making.
“Good decisions don’t happen in isolation. They come from strong information, open discussion and a willingness to look at both the immediate impact and the longterm consequences,” she said.
She added that collaboration, both at the council table and with staff, community partners and other levels of government, is essential to moving projects forward.
Kyle said her leadership approach as mayor would focus on planning ahead, clear communication and bringing people together.
“What I’m hearing from residents is that they’re looking for leadership that is clear, consistent and grounded in the realities
they’re experiencing day to day,” she said. Transparency and public engagement are also central to her campaign, she said, noting that helping residents understand complex issues builds trust in local government.
“When people understand the context behind decisions … it builds trust, even when not everyone agrees with the outcome,” she said. Kyle said there are also opportunities to improve how the county engages with residents across both urban and rural areas, ensuring people feel included in the decision-making process.
“At the end of the day, people shouldn’t feel like decisions are happening around them. They should feel like they’re part of the conversation and part of the process.” Kyle said she will be sharing more details about her campaign priorities in the coming weeks.
CASANDRA TURNBULL
Managing Editor
The Paris Legion will once again be permitted to host live outdoor music this summer, but without the long-term certainty it had hoped for.
During its April 28 meeting, County of Brant Council approved a one-year exemption to the municipal noise bylaw for the Legion’s patio, stopping short of granting a permanent exemption requested by representatives.
Paris Legion past president Roy Haggart appeared before council seeking a standing exemption for summer entertainment, noting the significant impact live music has on attendance and revenue.
“We learned last year that people stop coming out, because they were coming out for the entertainment not just the food,” said Haggart. “If we don’t have something going on it’s going to happen again and we can’t afford it to happen again.”
The Legion’s patio is expected to open the third week of May.
Council heard that staff already have delegated authority to grant noise bylaw exemptions, but council itself retains the authority to approve them. Last year’s exemption ex-
pired in the fall, prompting the Legion’s return to request renewed approval.
Coun. John Peirce introduced a motion to grant the exemption for this year, while directing staff to explore options for a more permanent or streamlined approach, such as an automatic annual renewal process.
Coun. Steve Howes suggested council consider a twoyear exemption to provide greater stability for the organization.
“I was hoping we might look at giving them a two-year exemption tonight while we figure out a more long term plan for them,” said Howes. “I’m thinking about two years because organizations need to do some future planning, and they need the peace of mind of some stability.”
However, county staff advised caution, noting potential changes to the noise bylaw in the near future that could affect how exemptions are granted.
Council ultimately supported Peirce’s motion, approving a one-year exemption while staff prepare a report outlining possible long-term solutions.
The issue of noise enforcement and exemptions has been an ongoing discussion at the county level. Earlier debates have highlighted concerns around the subjective nature of determining “excessive noise” and whether more stan-
dardized measures, such as decibel limits, should be considered. The Legion has previously emphasized the importance of patio music as a key driver of fundraising and community engagement, noting that increased attendance directly supports its charitable contributions and local initiatives. Staff are expected to report back to council with options for a more consistent, long-term approach to noise bylaw exemptions.
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CASANDRA TURNBULL Managing Editor
County of Brant Ward 2 Paris Coun. Lukas Oakley will not seek re-election in the upcoming municipal vote, ending his first term on council as he looks to pursue a fulltime career in public service.
In a press release issued April 28, Oakley said the decision came after months of consideration.
“This decision was reached this past December with much discussion with family, friends, mentors, and my municipal peers,” he stated in a press release issued on April 28. “Serving in municipal office is very demanding both personally and professionally.”
Oakley, who is in his late twenties, pointed to the challenge of balancing council responsibilities with career and personal life.
“Daytime, afternoon, and evening meetings, plus weekend engagements are difficult to maneuver a career around in your late twenties,” he said, adding he plans to focus on his family and career while continuing to work in public service.
Despite stepping away, Oakley described his four-year term as “incredibly rewarding” and said he had intended to run again.
The Paris Independent sent Oakley some follow up questions to reflect on his time
on council. In his responses, Oakley highlighted several accomplishments, including introducing recorded voting to improve transparency and advocating for funding to address gender-based violence.
“Fundamentally, our government is meant to be accountable to us, the public; and how can that be so if we don’t know how our individual politicians are representing us?” he said of the push for recorded votes.
He also pointed to nearly $750,000 in funding over three years for gender-based violence support services as a key achievement.
“I am a strong believer that it is incumbent upon those who sit at the levers of power to take more tangible action,” he said. He noted that in November 2023 the County of Brant declared gender-based violence as an epidemic. In working with service providers, Oakley was shocked to learn they were beyond capacity, so he set out to make a difference by boosting funding for vital services.
Reflecting on his time in office, Oakley said some of the most memorable moments came from community engagement, including hosting mock council sessions for local students. He was proud of the future leaders in the community who showed promise in debating issues honestly. “Imagine my
surprise as BOTH YEARS I as the mock developer failed to get through an indoor trampoline park rezoning application,” he fondly recalled.
Oakley was also proud of the opportunities he had in representing the county in delegations to provincial ministries.
“It was such a great experience being able to take key issues we are facing, and bring those issues straight to he folks at the top,” he said, citing delegations to the Minister of health on a new hospital and Minister of Education for new elementary schools.
“Real meaningful change was able to be made, and I got to be at least a small part in that,” he said.
Oakley added that serving on council deepened his appreciation for municipal staff and public service workers.
“I had not understood to the degree I do now how crucially vital and underappreciated public service workers are,” he said.
Looking ahead, he said future councils should prioritize expanding transit and investing more in in-house municipal capacity.
“Transit relies on mass usership and habitual changes from using personal vehicles to using transit; this won't happen overnight,” he said.
He also urged council to reduce reliance on external consultants in favour of building internal expertise.
“Every single time we chose this term of council to invest in a staff member or piece of equipment… we have had a better end product in less time for cheaper,” he said.
Oakley thanked residents for the opportunity to serve and left the door open to a future return to municipal politics.
“I thank you again for the great privilege and responsibility you entrusted me with four years ago,” he said. “I hope that I have the opportunity and privilege to be able to serve this community again in the future.”
By Jake Grant
1. What is the largest living species of lizard?
2. What fashion brand is known for the double “G” logo?
3. How many championships do the Toronto Raptors have?
4. What baby animal is called a puggle?
5. The gong belongs to which section of the orchestra?
6. Who wrote The Jungle Book?
7. Captain Kirk was the captain of what Star Trek starship?
8. The term Grand Prix was first used in a motor race in which country?
9. Who was the first Marvel villain to appear in Fortnite?
10. What is the name of Bluey’s little sister?
More than 100 birdwatchers and photographers lined a quiet gravel road north of Paris on May 2, hoping to catch a glimpse of a rare White-faced Ibis sighting first reported by Tom Miller Sr. The unexpected visit drew enthusiasts from across the region, many using eBird to track and confirm the bird’s presence. The property’s owner Jeff Shantz shared these photos.
Pictured is a rare White-faced Ibis, known for its dark appearance at a distance and, up close, its glossy maroon plumage with green and bronze tones and distinctive white facial outline.
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Dear Editor:
My thanks to Chris Whelan for his excellent article (April 22, 2026) about the history of journalism in Paris. I very much enjoyed learning about the early link between the Paris Star and the New York Times as well as so many the other
interesting details about the various publications and the changing processes of putting together editions over the years. Congratulations to the Paris Independent for continuing the very important local newspaper tradition.
Pat Moore | Paris, Ont
Dear Editor:
I just read the story in the Independent about a pile of trash that was found at the rail trail parking lot on Powerline Road. How utterly disgusting. What is wrong with people? Why is it some people feel the need to treat our beautiful town like a garbage dump? It’s unbelievable how inconsiderate people can be. Why?
I have been picking up garbage on Mile Hill for the last couple of years. Every couple of months I collect 5 to 8+ large garbage bags full of coffee cups, beer cans, food containers, water bottles and dog poop among other things too gross to mention. The other day things looked pretty good. Today coming home from a shopping trip, I noticed lots of new trash along the side of the road. Why? As you drive out of town along any of the roadways, there is lots of trash tossed into the ditches. There is also a lot of trash blown along fences especially at many of the businesses and retail establishments. Why?
Earth Day just passed. In the April 15th Independent there was one story about a
family who picked up trash along Race Street. Thank you very much Becky, Tyler, Preston and August for caring about your community and encouraging others to do the same. I really wish that story would have motivated more people to help pick up trash. In this week’s issue there were a couple more people - Oaklyn and John and Audrey Bell - who picked up trash in their neighborhoods. Thank you for being awesome and caring. We need more people to care. We need people to stop littering. We need people to take their dog poop bags home and dispose of them properly and not leave them at the side of the road. We need businesses to pick up trash along fences. We need more visibility to Earth Day in the Independent leading up to it. We need to Shout it Out Loud so the litter bugs in our community take accountability and change their behaviour and not just on Earth Day but Every Day!
Let’s all work together to keep Paris and the surrounding areas beautiful.
Ute Schram | Paris, Ont
By Chris Whelan
Walking up the drive of the Hiram Capron Homestead on Homestead Road, one is immediately struck by the profound sense of continuity that defines Paris, Ontario. The house is more than just a residence; it is a stately monument to our town’s very inception, built by the man who envisioned a community where others saw only wild riverbanks. Hiram Capron, an industrialist originally from Vermont, he settled in the Forks of the Grand in 1829. Legend tells us he was struck by the immense industrial potential at the junction of the Grand and Nith Rivers—a geographic "fork" that would eventually power the mills and factories of a burgeoning town. Capron didn’t just build a home here; he laid the literal and social blueprint for the community we call home today, earning him the enduring title of "King Capron".
I recently had the distinct pleasure of visiting with the current steward of this historic treasure, Robert Miss. As the owner of the Capron Homestead, Robert treats the property not merely as a house, but as a trust for the people of Paris. After a generous and deeply informative full tour of the interior—which remains one of the finest examples of mid-19th-century architecture in the province—Robert led me to a quiet corner of the home to reveal a small object that perfectly bridged two of our town’s most storied legacies.
Resting on a worn wooden table was a
small, perfectly preserved cooper's pail. To the untrained eye, it might look like a simple primitive antique, but for those of us immersed in the "Paris Past," it was a physical link to a nearly forgotten trade.
As many of you read in last week’s column, the John Taylor Cooperage was once a vital, bustling fixture of our local industry, located at 89 Walnut Street. In the 1800s, the cooper was an essential figure in any community; nearly everything from flour and sugar to whiskey and nails was shipped in wooden barrels. The Taylor family were masters of this craft, providing the vessels that allowed Paris-made goods to reach markets across the country.
While the original Cooperage building was carefully dismantled and moved to the Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto back in 1976 to ensure its survival, its historical heart remains firmly rooted in Paris. This small bucket, however, represents a more intimate side of that industrial history. It was crafted by Alex Taylor, a direct descendant of the legendary John Taylor.
The craftsmanship is evident in the tight fit of the staves and the sturdy metal banding, but the most moving detail is the handwritten tag that accompanied it. The tag reveals that Alex didn't build this for a local merchant or a mill; he made this miniature pail specifically for his granddaughter, Annie Haight. It is a rare "apprentice-sized" piece, likely built as a toy or a keepsake, showcasing a grandfather's love through the medium he knew best: oak and iron.
The journey of this little artifact is almost as compelling as the item itself. History has a way of scattering pieces of a community across the map, and it often takes a keen eye to bring them back home. Robert Miss shared that he happened upon the bucket quite by accident at an antique establishment in Kingston recently.
Despite being hundreds of kilometers away from Walnut Street, the provenance was unmistakable. Recognizing the "Taylor" name and its undeniable significance to our local narrative, Robert knew the piece belonged back within the walls of a Paris landmark. He was incredibly happy to share this find with me, and by extension, with the readers of The Paris Independent, as a way of celebrating the interconnectedness of our local families.
Seeing this pail inside the Hiram Capron Homestead serves as another reminder of how our history is layered. We often focus on the "big" history—the founding of the town, the construction of the Great Western Railway, or the massive textile mills that once lined our shores. But those grand achievements were built on the backs of tradesmen like the Taylors, who spent their days in dusty shops on Walnut Street making the barrels that made the commerce possible.
It is a rare and beautiful thing to see the heavy, industrial history of a cooperage transformed into something so delicate and personal. While Hiram Capron gave us the streets we walk upon and the land we live
on, it’s these small, cherished items like Annie Haight’s pail that hold the warmth and the memories of the families who grew up within those stone and timber walls. We owe a debt of gratitude to residents like Robert Miss, who continue to look for these "lost" pieces of Paris. Thanks to his discovery, a small piece of the Taylor legacy has returned to the shade of the Capron trees, right where it belongs. It would be another great tragedy if Paris were ever to lose this homestead to the developer’s wrecking ball. Let’s pray that is never allowed to happen!
Historical Note: For those wishing to see the work of the Taylor family, you can still visit the original John Taylor Cooperage building today at The Village at Black Creek Toronto, where it stands as a testament to the skill and spirit of Paris's early craftsmen.
By Wayne Wilkinson Paris Historian / Artist
Our historical journey this week starts with "ice"—a nickname for diamonds due to their resemblance to crushed ice crystals. 13 Grand River St. North has a long history of housing jewelers. Records indicate that as early as 1857, Robert Barclay operated a jewelry store at this location. In an 1868 advertisement, he featured watches made by the premier British watchmaker, Thomas Russell and Son. This prestigious Liverpool firm was founded in 1811 and eventually produced watches and chronometers for the British Royal Family, including Queen Victoria. If you hap-
pen to own one of these timepieces, you have a precious possession highly sought after by collectors.
In 1872, George Clarke took over the business. By 1890, another jeweler, Fred Walton, opened his doors at 13 Grand River St. North. In his advertisements, he called his store "Diamond Hall"—a name guaranteed to grab attention! His successor, W.T. Laskey, retained the name when he took over the shop in 1901. Moving our timeline ahead to 1936, the location became the "Wright and Ellis Specialty Shop," owned by Emma Wright and Annie Ellis. In 1940, they moved their business to #80.
For many years following, the building was occupied by the CP and CN Telegraph and Express offices, until the Brantford Expositor took over the space in 1968–69. "Paris Sports" moved in for a couple of years until 1973, when the "Iona Gift Shop" opened. Later, Parisians satisfied their barbecue cravings by patronizing "PARIS BBQ" between 1985 and 2000. In 2010, an elegant and popular women's dress store called "Debbie’s Basic Black" opened. After 11 successful years, it closed its doors, and in August 2021, Taran White provided Paris with a beautiful art gallery
featuring a broad spectrum of works by both local and distant artists.
After the gallery closed in 2023, the space remained unoccupied until recently becoming "Duey’s Ice Cream." Well-established in Brantford but new to Paris, Duey's invites you to indulge in your favorite treats while sitting out on the balco-
ny overlooking the river. It is the perfect spot to reflect on how this location’s story began nearly 170 years ago with—you guessed it—ice.
Some information obtained from the archives at the Paris Museum & Historical Society
By Gary Chalk Non-Pulitzer Prize Winning Columnist
Canadians Living Retired love to talk about their health, particularly having a MRI. This is what I mean…
“Thanks everyone for attending our 50th wedding anniversary. I would like to propose a toast. I know you cannot stand up but please raise your glass…”
“Donna, it’s been a terribly long wait, but I heard your MRI is happening soon.”
“Ken, it’s great to know the swelling in your knee is going down while you wait for your MRI.”
“Good luck Doug with your MRI later this autumn.”
“And the following friends with us are
approaching their first anniversary waiting for their MRI: Sue, John, Jim, Becky, and Lindsey.”
“Did I miss anyone? Oh yes. How could I forget, Barlow! He sprained his paw this morning and is having a MRI as we speak at the veterinarian.”
Recently when Jan told me about my MRI appointment it was both good news and bad news.
“Good news Gary. The clinic called. The MRI on your forearm is Friday morning at 7:15.”
“Good news? Jan, I am Living Retired, so I don’t get up until the crack of noon. I’d give an arm and a leg for an afternoon appointment.”
At the clinic I was handed a hospital gown that is supposed to tie up, but doesn’t. I got my right arm through the arm hole; but I became dizzy spinning in circles trying to get my left arm in the left arm hole. Do these things tie up at the front? The back? The side? I am out of options. This thing is frontless AND backless.
Walking to the MRI room in the hospital gown that is supposed to tie up, but doesn’t, I felt air flowing in places of my body that I never knew air flowed!
To MRI my left forearm they placed me facedown on my stomach. My left arm was twisted up over my head with the palm facing up. Was I having a MRI or playing Twister? Foam bricks were stacked around my body to keep me still. Sound-deadening headphones capped my ears. Apparently, the technician said, “Gary, what kind of music would you like to listen to?” But I could not hear because I was buried facedown in a pillow! After a series of hand gestures, we settled on soft rock.
“Gary, we are good to begin the MRI. It will last about twenty minutes. You must remain still. Just relax and be comfortable.”
RELAX AND BE COMFORTABLE?
I am wearing a hospital gown that is supposed to tie up, but doesn’t. My head is stuffed facedown in a pillow. My left arm is in a position it has never been before, and I am supposed to relax and be comfortable?
In my headphones I hear The Eagles. ‘Welcome to Hotel California, Such a lovely place, Such a lovely face.’ Suddenly my nose itched. I had to sneeze. My ear had a twitch. Body parts I didn’t know I had, demanded attention! In my headphones, it’s more Eagles.
‘Well, I am running down the road trying to loosen my load, I’ve got seven women on my mind’ — and I am an immoveable blob facedown in a pillow in a hospital gown that is supposed to tie up, but doesn’t!
Suddenly the music was interrupted, “Gary, how are you doing in there?” Without moving my lips, I muttered “Ooom inne.” With that the music continued, ‘It’s another tequila sunrise, Starin’ slowly cross the sky, I said goodbye.’
Halfway through ‘Take it To The Limit’ my MRI was over. The technicians unpacked me; then I tried to hold myself together as I walked past people in the waiting room. I looked like Fred Flintstone in his sleeveless orange loincloth! I couldn’t get The Eagles out of my mind, ‘You can’t hide your lyin’ eyes, And your smile is a thin disguise.’
About the columnist: Gary is described as, ‘A satirist who sees aging as a grand, glorious opportunity to strut the stuff he’s gleaned after years of learning, laughing, loving, and living life fully. Baby boomers love him: he pokes fun at politicians, mythmakers, bean counters, his wife Jan, and most of all himself! While he gets you roaring with laughter and nodding in agreement, he also gets you thinking and reflecting.’ Gary is also a popular keynote speaker at service clubs, corporate events, and retirement parties. You can reach Gary at Gchalk@me.com
By Jeff Johnston (a.k.a. Stones)
This past weekend I was invited to cover the 2026 Paris District High School (PDHS) reunion for the graduating classes of 1963 through 1973 on May 2nd, 2026, and wow—what an event. It was incredibly well-organized; I made several new friends and ran into many familiar faces.
First, let’s give a massive round of applause to the organizers and volunteers who handled the endless emails, texts, and logistics required to bring this all together. Led by Margaret Fleury, the committee executed an amazing event. I enjoyed their stories of countless planning meetings where they all needed their hearing aids on. Over 290 alumni attended, traveling from Bethel, St. George, Glen Morris, and right here in Paris. Some, like Mike McCully, came from as far as Nova Scotia, noting they "wouldn't have missed this for the world."
The day was filled with friendly banter, reconnections with old boyfriends and girlfriends, and stories from those staying with local family. As many focused-on retirement, children, and grandchildren, the conversation always drifted back to the ties that
bind: those formative years at PDHS.
The atmosphere was defined by endless chatter as people reconnected over a fantastic meal provided by Strodes. This marks the fourth such reunion (following 1983, 1992, and 2022), and the energy was high as the live band, Panther Tracks, began to play.
Moving through the crowd, I ran into Donny Morrison, Bev Smith, and Ginny Forbes, to name a few. I also met Ed Story, a former Head Prefect, and Bob Stevenson. Bob, whose father served as our Chief of Police, shared a great memory of being 12 years old and enjoying a Cherry Coke at the Ritz Grill on Dumfries Street. I caught up with Debbie Hilborn—who actually worked for my father—and is a longtime friend of my sisters.
We reminisced about the local staples of the era: The Kalico Kitchen, The Ritz Grill, The Paris Inn, and Cormier’s. I had a lovely visit with Sue Buck—who has quite the love story, by the way—and saw the Lainson girls, who shared memories of finally beating the St. John’s girls in basketball under the leadership of Mr. Powell.
The stories kept coming: who had a car? The "Tobacco Kids." The unspoken knowledge of exactly which class you belonged to. There was a funny realization that back in high school, students had a courtyard for smoking while cannabis was illegal—how times have changed!
They spoke of the "old" PDHS before the expansions, the year the Grade 8s moved to the high school for the first time, the gym uniforms, school sweaters, and the yearbooks that preserved it all. We remembered Linda Madden and Doug Adams, the Snow King and Queen.
It warmed my heart to hear the reverence held for former teachers like Foster Scott and Derek Blackburn. These were educators who truly cared, asking students about their dreams and plans. There were even a few fond imitations of old teachers! The crowd also spoke of the late Grant McLaren’s kindness; even when he was winning races, he was always right there cheering everyone else on. There is a deep kinship among this group. Everyone looked fantastic—Jim Fowler is as handsome as ever, and the ladies were lovely. As far as I’m concerned, everyone in the room looked 39. It was a true pleasure to be there; honestly, words don’t do this crowd justice. Margaret Fleury is passing the torch to the next leader, so we owe her a huge thank you for keeping everyone in touch for so long. As Margaret so eloquently put it: the best ships are friendships, and may they always be. Keep smiling, Stones
Grant Haven Media publications were big winners in the Ontario Community Newspaper Association (“OCNA”) awards.
Held in Collingwood on April 24, the awards are an annual competition that pits community newspapers against each other in a wide variety of categories. The event also includes the annual induction ceremonies for the OCNA Hall of Fame.
The Paris Independent’s Michelle Malvaso was honoured with a big award, Photographer of the Year. The judges noted that Michelle’s photos – every one of them submitted were keepers. Her image from the downtown dig project was described as well composed and dramatic. Her photo from the Paris Drinks Fest, of Sam Roberts, makes the reader feel like they are right there. Her image of kids playing in the mud made the reader want to be 10 years old again. The Independent also took a pair of thirds, with Edward Lander in the Arts and Entertainment category and Chris Whelan for third place mention for Best Editorial Cartoon.
In other Grand Haven papers, Tillsonburg Post editor Jeff Helsdon was the winner of the prestigious Reporter of the Year Stephen Shaw Award. Helsdon also placed third for Best Business Feature for the story on Shaw’s Ice Cream. Post contributor Jeff Tribe won that category with a story in the Simcoe Advocate profiling Norfolk’s wineries and micro-breweries. In addition, Tribe placed second in the Best Guest/ Freelance Column category.
Tillsonburg Post designer Stacie Eden
received an honourable mention for Best Use of Colour. Long-time Tillsonburg resident, newspaper editor and former OCNA president, the late Bill Pratt was inducted into the OCNA Hall of Fame during the evening.
Simcoe Advocate Editor Chris Abbott captured third in the Best Sports Pages division.
Woodstock Ingersoll Echo’s farm edition for 2025 was the second-place winner for Best Special Section.
Connor Luczka, editor of the Stratford Times, was second for Best Editorial, circulation 8,000 and under. The Times’ Amanda Nelson was second in the Most Creative Grip and Grin Photo category and received an honourable mention in Best Guest/Freelance Column category for a piece written by Canadian musician Loreena McKennitt.
Designer Erin Parsons took first in Local Retail Outlet for an ad in the Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette. Gazette Editor Galen Simmons was third in the Health and Wellness story category. Also on the advertising front, Grant Haven publications were awarded honourable mentions for Best Creative Ad. Recognized were: Parsons for a St. Marys Independent ad, Michelle Foster for the Simcoe Advocate, and Sarah Cairns for the Stratford Times.
“Given that we were a small one-newspaper operation just a few years ago, it was pretty surreal to attend the gala with so many talented team members, and I was thrilled to see them recognized by their peers,” said Grant Haven publisher Stewart Grant, who was installed this weekend as the new President of the OCNA.
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) and the Grand River Conservation Foundation (GRCF) have launched the Trails to Wellness campaign, with the goal of raising $50,000 to support trail and land maintenance.
This May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, the campaign will raise funds to care for the open trails and natural spaces across the Grand River watershed that support mental health, well-being and connection to nature. The GRCA maintains trails and areas that are free to use, providing welcoming natural spaces for people to experience the benefits of being outdoors. However, it does not have a dedicated revenue source to support trail maintenance and relies largely on donations to keep these areas maintained and operational for every-
Funds raised through the Trails to Wellness campaign will support essential work such as:
• repairing trail surfaces and addressing wear
• managing vegetation and maintaining trail conditions
• clearing debris and waste
• maintaining boardwalks, bridges, and crossings
“GRCA trails are open places to walk, reflect, and recharge,” says GRCF Chair Ted Smith. “The Foundation relies on donations to keep these spaces welcoming and well cared for. By supporting this campaign, you help ensure they continue to serve our communities and promote wellness.” To learn more about the Trails to Wellness campaign or to donate, visit the campaign page on the GRCA website.
has been damaged following an act of vandalism last
County staff are assessing the extent of the damage and working to restore the field. In a social media post, the County of Brant noted that ‘repairing vandalism requires time and resources that could otherwise be used to support other community projects and initiatives—and ultimately comes at a cost to residents and taxpayers.’ Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Willowbridge Community Services is set to expand access to counselling across Brantford-Brant after receiving a $597,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The three-year “Grow” grant, announced April 27 during a visit from Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma, will support enhanced counselling services, including expanded walk-in therapy and reduced wait times for individuals, couples and families with low incomes.
“Willowbridge Community Services has been committed to advancing care through compassion and creativity” said Will Bouma, Brantford-Brant MPP. “I am pleased to be part of a government that supports organizations such as Willowbridge, that help
empower individuals to improve their lives for a more positive future, by helping build stronger connections and a deeper sense of belonging.”
The funding will allow the organization to enhance its “quick access” model, combining walk-in and appointment-based single session therapy (SST) with expanded ongoing counselling options. Two additional psychotherapists will also be hired to increase service capacity.
The initiative aims to address ongoing barriers to care, including high fees and long wait times, while strengthening clinical quality through training in single session therapy, trauma-informed care and the social determinants of health. Measurement-based tools will also be used to
CASANDRA TURNBULL
Managing Editor
The County of Brant Public Library is continuing to see steady growth across its services, with increased membership, program participation and overall usage highlighted in its 2025 annual report presented to council April 28.
“Every time I come I’ve brought numbers that show a steady upward trend to library statistics,” said library board chair Fred Gladding.
According to the report, the library recorded 32,070 registered members in 2025, with approximately 22,000 considered active - defined as cardholders who have used their membership within the past two years.
Library use remained strong across several key areas. The system logged 128,910 in-person visits and saw 378,144 items borrowed over the year, while staff responded to more than 43,000 reference and research questions from patrons. Internet usage at branches also rose by more than nine per cent. Programming continues to be a major driver of engagement.
“One of the big features of the library is the programming,” said Gladding. “Those programs also include outreach programs.”
In 2025, the library delivered 1,859 programs for both adults and children, attracting more than 30,650 attendees. Outreach efforts included 424 visits to local schools to promote early literacy.
Highlights from 2025 included the 20th anniversary of the One Book, One Brant
community reading program, which featured a visit from author Emma Donoghue, as well as new initiatives such as the Paws to Read program and a literary-themed gala, Winter at Pemberley.
The library also expanded community-focused initiatives, including the introduction of free menstrual products at all branches and the launch of wellness dropin sessions in partnership with the Sexual Assault Centre of Brant.
Council also heard that participation in the English Conversation Circle program increased significantly, with attendance jumping 116 per cent year over year.
From a financial perspective, the County of Brant contributed approximately $2.8 million to library operations in 2025, representing roughly 96.7 per cent of the library’s operating budget. Additional revenue included about $125,000 in grants.
Coun. John Peirce asked staff to clarify how active members are defined and inquired about financial breakdowns during the presentation.
Beyond usage and finances, Gladding emphasized the broader value the library brings to the community, noting patrons collectively saved more than $7.2 million by using library resources — an average value of $19.23 per borrowed item.
The library was also recognized provincially in 2025, receiving the Angus Mowat Award for Service Excellence for its programming for seniors.
In his message included in the report, Gladding said the library continues to play a vital role in fostering lifelong learning and community connection.
track outcomes and support continuous improvement.
Providing more accessible, community-based care is also expected to ease pressure on hospital emergency departments. According to the organization, nearly 20 per cent of participants in one study said they would have gone to the emergency department if walk-in counselling had not been available.
“Counselling has become unaffordable for many in our community, particularly those who do not meet strict eligibility criteria for limited subsidized programs,” said Leslie Josling, Executive Director of Willowbridge Community Services. “This investment comes at a critical time, as de-
mand for mental health services continues to grow. It allows us to respond earlier, reduce distress, and support people in building stronger relationships and wellbeing. Counselling is not a luxury—it is essential to healthy communities.”
Founded in 1914, Willowbridge Community Services provides counselling, developmental services and autism programs to individuals and families across Brantford, Brant County, Hamilton and surrounding areas. The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the provincial government, invests in community-based projects aimed at building healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. In 2025-26, it funded nearly $107 million in 746 projects.
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Over 200 people attended the County of Brant Public Library’s One Book One Brant author event at the TF Warren Group Cainsville Community Centre on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
Now in its 21st year, One Book One Brant is an annual County-wide reading event celebrating Canadian literature. Every year, the library selects a book from a Canadian author and encourages the community to read the book together. This year’s selection was Linwood Barclay’s Whistle.
The story follows a grieving mother and her young son after they move to a small town seeking a fresh start. While there, they encounter unsettling visions, eerie sounds and a mysterious train set that appears to have a life of its own.
Barclay, who is known for novels such as No Time for Goodbye, The Accident, Take Your Breath Away, and Elevator Pitch, is a Canadian, New York Times bestselling author, former newspaper editor and columnist.
To celebrate the culmination of the 2026 One Book, One Brant program, Barclay made the trip to Cainsville to speak about Whistle.
“What a wonderful place to be celebrating 21 years of reading together and being able to connect over Canadian literature. It’s such a pleasure to be here and to see all of my fellow readers joining us today,” said Emma Johnston, program and outreach coordinator with the Brant County Public Library. “Linwood is the author of over 20 novels. He came from the newspaper business and has a lot of other writing behind him. He is also the author of a memoir and has done screenwriting as well. So we have quite a large amount of talent in our presence right now.”
Johnston then went on to interview Barclay about the premise and writing style of Whistle and the characters within it.
“Whistle was a bit of a departure for me. I typically do thrillers based in the real world, but I wanted to do something a bit different and do a kind of horror, supernatural thriller. Typically, in horror fiction, when you have toys that become evil, it’s usually something like Chucky the doll, or it’s the little monkey in Stephen King’s The Monkey. …I thought, ‘I wonder if you could do this with toy trains? I wonder if you could do for toy trains what Chucky did for dolls?’” said Barclay. “The challenge was, ‘Can you pull this off?’ and I thought I would give it a try. So I wrote this book, and I had more fun writing this than just about anything I’ve done in the last ten or 15 years. I just had a blast writing it, it was so much fun to do.”
Johnston also asked Barclay about his career in journalism and his transition into writing novels.
The author said that as a child, he was obsessed with television and that he used to write 30- to 40-page novels inspired by his favourite shows between the ages of 11 and 14.
“By the time I was in my late teens and early 20s, I had written two or three of my own novels, and when I was 23 or 24, I was sending them out to publishers; thankfully, none of those were published,” he said with a smile.
With a dream to become a published author after university–but with no such luck–Barclay said he decided to find a job where he could get paid to write everyday and began working at the Peterborough Examiner.
“I was there for a couple years, then I went to a small paper in Oakville. When I went to the Toronto Star in 1981, I applied for a reporting job,” he explained. “They said, ‘Well, we don’t need reporters but we’re desperate for copy editors.”
Barclay took the editing job and from there, quickly moved through the ranks.
“I did all these editing gigs for 12 years, and then an opportunity came up to write a column,” he said. “I applied
for it and I got it, so in 1993 I started writing three columns a week; a humour column.”
The column experience eventually led to writing and publishing four humour-based novels, but it wasn’t until 2007, with the thriller No Time For Goodbye that he finally got his big break. The following year, the novel was the top-selling novel of the year in the UK.
“That’s when I quit the Toronto Star,” he said. “Ever since then, I’ve been doing a book a year, and some years there were two.”
As far as what makes a great story, Barclay said there needs to be a few things.
“I think in a thriller, maybe one of the most important things is that there has to be something at stake. There has to be something important that matters; there has to be something that is so serious that it would make average people rise to the occasion,” he said. “I like to write about extraordinary things happening to ordinary people. That, in part, is because I don’t know a hell of a lot about secret agents and spies, and I don’t know anything about smuggling plutonium or anything like that, so I like to put ordinary people in extraordinary situations. But in addition to all of that, you need really good characters, you need that sense of momentum and I think you need great dialogue; you need all of those things to make it work.”
As the sit-down interview wrapped up, Barclay then read a quick excerpt from Whistle and answered some questions from the audience.
Brantford resident Kim Lancaster, who had the author sign her copies of Whistle, A Tap on the Window and Parting Shot, said she was happy to attend the event.
“I’ve been a fan of his for probably 25 years, going back to the writing he did at the Toronto Star, and I was actually sort of surprised that he was such a warm, natural guy,” she said. “To hear him talk and be so funny, it was just a heartwarming afternoon for me. I’ve been to a couple events like this, and you can usually tell that the author is just there to promote the book, but this didn’t feel like that at all. He came off very comfortable with us.”
Lancaster said that she originally read Whistle last year but recently reread it and found she enjoyed it even more the second time around.
“Even though I already knew the ending, I had kind of
forgotten what led up to it,” she said. “So I read it again, and I found I loved it even more the second time around because you see all the sneaky hints in his writing, it’s amazing.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County.
KARON SINNING
Paris Independent Travel Columnist
After marvelling at the towering beauty of the Sagrada Família and the imaginative landscapes of Park Güell, Karon Sinning’s Barcelona adventure shifts from bucket-list landmarks to the rhythm of the city itself — where wandering streets, sampling local flavours and embracing the unexpected take centre stage. Picking up where she left off, Sinning and her travel companions trade structured tours for a more relaxed pace, discovering that some of Barcelona’s most memorable moments happen in between the must-see stops.
Saturday, April 11, in Barcelona we had time on our hands before our Flamenco and Tapas event in the evening. We decided to go to our old standby…the hop-on-hop-off tourist bus. The front desk staff were happy to provide us with a map to the location where we could board the bus.
As usual we enjoyed the bus tour but unfortunately only had time for one half of the city. The ticket was good for 24 hours so, Sunday morning we were up early to do the second bus line and the other half of Barcelona. This tour, which we’ve been able to access just about anywhere, offers a good overview with added history of a new city. We’ve even done it in Toronto as part of our staycation last summer.
Saturday evening, we decided to walk from our hotel to the Tapas/Flamenco dinner and show. The walk took us down La Rambla, one of the most famous walks in Barcelona. The Flamenco show was at the end of La Rambla and our hotel was basically around a corner from the middle of it. We allowed ourselves plenty of time and Google's 23-minute walk turned into about a 45-minute walk for us, as we found the
The weather was great for our stay, with the evening temperatures about 22C. The rain forecast for the last couple days basically was either early morning or overnight. Perfect!
We arrived at the Tablao Flamenco de Cordobes a bit early, and as luck would have it, there was a cafe right outside. Time for a quick drink.
Before the show, we had booked dinner as part of the evening. This consisted of a tapas buffet. Tapas are a very Catalonian (Spanish) dish. It consists of small portions of appetizers. Just about anything you can imagine comes as a tapas and I was determined to try them. While Roy thoroughly enjoyed many of them, they were not my favourite. Most restaurants are exclusively tapas here, at least along La Rambla, or so their outdoor menus indicate. This made me crave a good old fashioned Green’s meal from Malta!
Going in, I had a definite vision in my mind as to what Flamenco dancing was: a flamboyantly dressed man and woman, dancing close, hands linked, arms outstretched with sharp turns and big dips for the woman. Nope.
I would best describe what we witnessed as a kind of loud stomping, angry balletopera, where the dancing was violent and involved whipping around dresses for the women and jacket pulling for the man. The singing was coarse yelling and as I can’t carry a tune on a plate…there may be a career in Flamenco singing for me. There was also some very lovely guitar playing interspersed between the dances, so that was good. The costumes for the women were extravagant which I did expect. While it was something to experience, I would say that it is now done and dusted!
Sunday was a free day, no booked tours; so we finished up the red bus tour and then had a stroll down La Rambla. Turns out that was an excellent idea.
Sunday, April 12th, is the Barcelona Hat Stroll on La Rambla. Starting at noon, everyone shows up wearing their finest headgear. It really seemed like anything goes for hat enthusiasts and it certainly was an opportunity to stand out in just about any style.
People watching on La Rambla is always fun, but the hat day folks made it extra special.
Catch next week’s Paris Independent to see how Karon’s Barcelona tour ends! About the columnist: Karon Sinning is a proud Paris resident who has a passion for travel and storytelling. Along with her partner Roy and friends, she enjoys exploring countries around the world and experiencing new cultures, food and everyday life beyond the tourist trail. Through her travel column, Karon shares those journeys with Paris Independent readers, offering practical insights, personal reflections and a sense of connection to the people and places she visits.
The atmosphere was bittersweet yet buzzing with energy at the local Legion this past Thursday as the Ladies Dart League celebrated the final night of the season. In a departure from typical competitive attire, players traded in their standard gear for a "Pajama Night" theme, proving that comfort and precision go hand-in-hand.
While the mood was cozy, the performance on the board remained sharp. The night saw a high level of technical skill, with several players delivering standout performances to close out the year.
The individual spotlight shone brightly on Bry, who secured the high score of the night with a solid 88. Bry’s dominance didn’t stop there, as she also joined Debbie K at the top of the "Double Out" leaderboard, with both players successfully clinical in finishing two games for their respec-
tive teams.
The center of the board saw plenty of action throughout the evening. Debbie K continued her impressive run by landing a bullseye, a feat matched by a deep roster of talent including Katy, Kim, MaryAnne, Liz, Cynthia, and Bry.
Consistency was the name of the game for several league veterans. Annie, Shari, Patti, and Nancy C each secured critical double outs, providing the winning momentum needed to clinch victories for their teams.
As the season draws to a close, the league members reflected on a year defined by camaraderie and friendly competition. While the "bittersweet" nature of the finale was felt by all, the night of pajamas and precision served as a fitting tribute to another successful season on the oche.
I’m felt, not seen, yet often shown.
Love
No roots, yet I grow in vases.
Flowers
I’m folded, not spoken, but say a lot.
Card
I cost nothing, but mean everything.
Appreciation
I’m made in minutes, remembered for years.
Breakfast
I hold tight without hands. Hug
I repeat yearly, but never feel the same.
Mother’s Day
Sponsored by:
Meet our Pet of the Week:
Best buds, loving life, taking in the smells of spring after a fun filled day with friends on the Wiggle Bum bus! Can't get any better than this!
Stay tuned for more heartwarming stories every week from Paris Veterinary Clinic.
MOTHER MOMENT FAMILY CARING KINDNESS LOVE FLOWERS BOUQUET GARDEN HUGS SMILES CARDS GIFTING CHERISH SUPPORT NURTURE DEVOTION GRATITUDE APPRECIATE BREAKFAST SURPRISE CELEBRATE LAUGHTER HOME MEMORIES
May 6 - May 12 2026
Mar 21 - Apr 20
Energy builds. A decisive move forward reveals new options and sharpens your direction. Trust your instincts—it keeps you moving with focus and clarity.
Apr 21 - May 21
Calm supports you, Taurus. Daily habits restore balance and settle your thoughts. Embrace routine—it builds quiet strength and prepares your next step.
GEMINI
May 22 - Jun 21
Ideas spark quickly, Gemini. A new thought brings excitement and invites discovery. Follow it closely—it opens doors to growth and fresh opportunity.
Jun 22 - Jul 22
Clarity returns, Cancer. A peaceful pause shows you what matters most. Move ahead softly—it encourages balance and a sense of inner calm.
LEO
Jul 23 - Aug 23
Confidence grows strong, Leo. Your energy draws others in and lifts the mood. Step ahead with pride—it’s your moment to lead and stand out.
VIRGO
Aug 24 - Sept 22
Order settles in, Virgo. Finishing small tasks brings ease and steady control. Trust your system—it keeps everything flowing with simple precision..
MAY 6
George Clooney, Actor (65)
MAY 7
Kevin Owens, Athlete (42)
MAY 8
Stephen Amell, Actor (45)
MAY 9
Billy Joel, Musician (77)
Sept 23 - Oct 23
Balance surrounds you, Libra. A thoughtful exchange offers insight and calm. Choose patience—it deepens bonds and smooths the way forward.
SCORPIO
Oct 24 - Nov 22
Insight sharpens, Scorpio. Quiet changes uncover something meaningful. Trust your instincts—it leads you ahead with steady strength and focus.
SAGITTARIUS
Nov 23 - Dec 21
Momentum rises, Sagittarius. A fresh path awakens your sense of adventure. Take the chance—it brings growth and exciting new direction.
Dec 22 - Jan 20
Progress holds steady, Capricorn. Your hard work begins showing real results. Stay focused—it strengthens a solid and lasting base.
AQUARIUS
Jan 21 - Feb 18
Creativity flows, Aquarius. A unique idea gathers energy and attention. Trust your thoughts—it pushes meaningful progress ahead.
Feb 19 - Mar 20
Stillness helps you, Pisces. Quiet moments bring understanding and ease. Listen within—it guides you with calm strength and gentle clarity.
MAY 10
Kenan Thompson, Actor (48)
MAY 11
Sabrina Carpenter, Musician (27)
MAY 12
Tony Hawk, Athlete (58)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Paris Horticultural Society - The Paris Horticultural Society will hold its next general meeting on May 6 at the Paris Fairgrounds. Social time begins at 7 p.m., followed by the program at 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker Dan Cooper will present “Gardening from a Hammock,” a talk on low-maintenance gardening. A Master Gardener of over 25 years and co-author of the book of the same name, he specializes in shade and organic gardening. Guests are welcome to attend.
Spaghetti Supper - Etonia Princeton United Church #101 - Hwy. 2, Etonia. Wednesday, May 6, 2026 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Adults: $20; children (12 and under) $6; preschoolers free (includes meat and meatless sauces, meatballs, garlic bread, pie for dessert, tea/coffee/ juice).Takeout available. Wheelchair accessible.
FRIDAY, MAY 8
The Paris Optimist Club will hold its next monthly Youth Dance on Friday May 8, 2026, The theme for this dance is Spring. (be colourful!) The dance is for students in grades 5 to 8 only. Grade 9 and older students are welcome to attend as volunteers. The DJ begins the Dance at 7:00 pm and it ends at 10:00 pm. Volunteers must arrive at 6:45 pm. The Dance is held at the Syl Apps Community Centre, 51 William Street in Paris with adult chaperones to make sure everyone has a great time. Entry fee is $5.00 with a concession booth for pop, chips, candy and pizza. Tap payment is now available. Please note we have a no re entry policy. All proceeds support the Paris Optimist Club and its projects for the youth of our community. For any further information and to volunteer as a chaperone or as a high school student, please call 519.757.5020.
SATURDAY, MAY 9
Indoor Garage Sale - Indoor Garage Sale from 8:30am to 11am at Sydenham-Heritage United Church. Browse a variety of items with something for everyone! Located at 120 Sydenham Street (corner of Dundas & Sydenham).
Doors Open Brant - Saturday, May 9 from 10 am to 4 pm. Join the County of Brant, City of Brantford and Six Nations of the Grand River for a one-of-a-kind experience, where history comes alive - one door at a time! Explore fascinating places, discover local heritage, experience free, behind-the-scenes access.
Mother's Day Pre-Party - Spoil Mom early with handmade gifts, baby longhorns, and farm-fresh memories! Celebrate Mom a day early with a farm-fresh experience from 10 AM – 3 PM! Explore our curated vendor market, visit the gift-making station for kids, and snap family photos at our themed ops. Enjoy live music (12 PM – 3 PM), lunch from the Longhorn Smokehouse, and a sweet treat from the ice cream truck. Be sure to walk the driveway to see the Longhorn cattle and their new babies! Don't forget the Kids Corral and our prize-filled scavenger hunt. Moores Berries and Farm Fresh Produce at 497 Pinehurst Rd. https://www.mooreberries.ca/event-details/mothers-day-pre-party
TUESDAY, MAY 12
Brant County Men's Probus Club Meeting - is on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026 at 10 AM at the Sherwood Restaurant 799 Colborne Street in Brantford. The guest speaker will be from the Brantford Library discussing their services for seniors. New members are always welcome.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
Catholic Women's League Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, May 13th at 7 PM in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 17 Washington Street, Paris.
THURSDAY, MAY 14
Brant Heritage Quilters Guild - Will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, May 14 at St. George United Church, 9 Beverly St. E., St. George. Doors open at 6:15pm with meeting start time 7pm. New members welcome. Cost for non-members $5/meeting”
Women Inspiring Women, Women's Institute Monthly Meeting - Thursday, May 14th, 7-9 pm at the Paris Fairgrounds, Community Room. A talk on native plants and their benefits with the Grand Erie Master Gardeners
Men’s Probus Club of Brantford Monthly Meeting - will be held on Thursday, May 14, 10:00 a.m. till noon, at Walter Gretzky Municipal Golf Course, 320 Balmoral Drive with keynote speaker Isabel Hilgendag. She’s a Brantford native whose family own and operate Bow Park Farms and acts as Wilfred Laurier’s northern research coordinator. Ms Hilgendag will be talking to us about her hiking adventures. She has walked the Pacific Coast Trail from Mexico to Canada and last year hiked the Bruce Trail (900 kms in 18 days)The goal of the Probus Club of Brantford is to provide fellowship, friendship, and enjoyment for people in their retirement and semi-retirement years. Men’s Probus Club,
website: brantfordprobus.ca. Mailing address: PO Box 26003, Brantford, N3R 7X4. Come join us.
MAY 19, 21 & 26
Free Introductory Lawn Bowling Session - Come and join us on the Green on May 19th, 21st and/or 26th at around 7:00 PM for a free Introductory Lawn Bowling Session. All you will need is a pair of flat soled shoes, comfortable clothing and an interest to “Give it a Try” - we will be available until about 8:30 PM. Come to the parking lot at the site (169 Grand River Street North) and walk over to the playing surface. We will have bowls for you to use and some of our current members will be available to assist, provide some basic instruction about the game and answer any questions you may have. For further information, check out our website at www.parislawnbowlingclub.ca.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
St. Paul's Rummage and Bake Sale - Doors open 8:00am at 48 Broadway St W Paris.
Annual Banfield Art Crawl - Join the Annual Banfield Art Crawl, a celebration of Fine Art in a little 'hood in Paris, Ontario! Saturday, May 23 from 10 am to 4 pm. Free to attend. Roam the neighbourhood and check out the talent in Paris! For a list of participating streets visit banfieldartcrawl.ca.
Etonia Princeton United Church Yard Sale - 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale will be held at 459 King Edward St., Falkland. (between Princeton and Paris)
TUESDAY, MAY 26
Knights of Columbus will be holding their monthly meeting - on Tuesday, May 26th at 7:30 PM in the Sacred Heart Parish hall at 17 Washington Street, Paris.
SATURDAY, MAY 30
Join us for the Alzheimer Society IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's in Brantford/Brant County - Mohawk Park - Lower Pavilion, Brantford. 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. This annual walk helps raise funds so the Alzheimer Society can continue providing vital programs, support, and resources for people living with dementia and their families in our community. Bring your friends, family, coworkers, or start a team and walk with us. Every step helps make a difference. To learn more, register, or donate, visit www.walkforalzheimers.ca and select Brantford/Brant County. Let’s come together as a community to support those affected by dementia!
Optimist Club Bottle and Can Drive - Paris Optimist Club Bottle Drive. We will collect your liquor/beer bottles and cans at the Optimist Club House from 10 am to 12 pm on May 30th. If you can't make it through construction for the drop off, Optimist Club members can arrange to pick up your empties. Please reach out to Jackie at 519-608-9867. Additionally the club is collecting pop cans, just ensure they are packed separately from the liquor cans/ bottles.
SUNDAY, MAY 31
Brant Men of Song - are hosting 5 men's choirs at the Sanderson Centre on Sunday, May 31st at 3 pm. Contact Sanderson for tickets.
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
Kiwanis Teddy Bear Picni - A Family Favourite Is Back! Join the Kiwanis Paris-Brant club for this year’s Teddy Bear Picnic on Sunday, June 7 from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Burford Fairgrounds. More information about the event is available at www.parisbrantkiwanis.org
MONDAY, JULY 20 - FRIDAY, JULY 24
Summer Kids Camp Paris Baptist Church - Join our detective squad and hunt for clues to uncover the truth of who Jesus is! July 20 - 24 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Free Program Ages 5-12. Register now at parisbaptistchurch.org
1 & 3 TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH
The Brantford Stamp Club – The Brantford Stamp Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from September to December and January to May, plus the 1st Tuesday in June and December. Meetings are held at the Branlyn Community Centre, 238 Brantwood Park Drive, Brantford. Doors open at 7 p.m., with meetings starting at 8 p.m.
EVERY OTHER FRIDAY
Ingersoll Country Music Jamboree Meeting – Spring into the Ingersoll Country Music Jamboree meeting every other Friday 1-4 p.m. at Masonic Hall, 190 Thames St. S. Ingersoll. Join us, walk ins welcome. Qualifications - love 50-70's country music. Perform, listen, dance & enjoy! May 1, 15 & 29, June 5 & 19.
