Share Your Thoughts on the Watt’s Pond Greenway. Pages 3-4 FOCUS ON HEALTH – Physical & Mental - Pages 14 - 17
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The Paris Independent Saturday, January 29, 2022
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THIS WEEK In Health
THANK-YOU, HEALTH HUB DONORS!
Pages 5 - 9 In Community
CHASE THE ACE! Pages 12 - 13 Good Reads
ONE BOOK, ONE BRANT Page 18
The Paris Firefighters were hard at work creating another ice rink for residents to enjoy at Optimist Park. Located at 3 Catherine Street, this outdoor rink is for skating only – no hockey permitted. Meanwhile, over at Syl Apps Rink, Arabella and Arizona Haw enjoy a sunny morning skate. Mom Melinda says they’ve took advantage of the rinks regularly since they opened and are thankful for the hard work of all the volunteers. Be sure to follow the County of Brant online for updates on whether the rinks are opened or closed, based on ice and weather conditions. Photo credit Dan Haw
" no obligation market evaluation available for your property. " Trust my experience.
County County Offices Offices Closed
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January 29, 2022
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR FOR SENIORS- Every Wednesday in January and February at 10 a.m. Register online at brantlibrary.ca/calendar TRIVIA NIGHT- Every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Test your knowledge, invite the family! Brantlibrary.ca/trivianight READY & RHYME – Every Thursday with Miss Ann at 11 a.m. Pick up a program kit from your local branch! brantlibrary.ca/calendar
Email theparisindependent@gmail.com with your community calendar submission. Help us share community news and events!
PARIS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY– Monthly General meeting via Zoom on February 2, 2022 at 7:30 pm. Guest speaker is Bev Wagar, Halton Master Gardener. Her program is ‘ Ecological Native Gardening.’
SNOW BUDDIES - If you are interested in being a Snow Buddy, please visit www.brant.ca/SnowBuddies and fill out the Snow Buddy Online Registration Form. VEGANUARY SERIES- Explore what it means to be vegan. The one-month long series starts Jan 18 at 7 p.m. brantlibrary.ca/calendar PARIS PERFORMERS’ THEATRE SHOW POSTPONED –The February show ‘Rabbit Hole,’ has been postponed. Watch the group’s Facebook page for further updates. Publisher Managing Editor Advertising Sales Photographer News Reporter News Reporter
Chris Whelan Casandra Turnbull Chris Whelan Michelle Malvaso Carolina Saenz Bailey Zimmer
STATEMENT We are a non profit organization made up of like minded volunteers from our community with the main purpose of providing our community of Paris and area with a trustworthy and reliable source of community news. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of everything we publish, we regret any errors that may occur. We limit our liability to that of printing a retraction upon notification of such errors in the next available publication. Our mail and Email addresses are listed below:
Published Weekly on Saturday
PO BOX 99900 LA 012 395 STN MAIN PARIS, ON, CANADA N3L 0C3 Email: theparisindependent@gmail.com
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COUNTY NEWS County revises Watt’s Pond Greenway plans following feedback from area residents By Casandra Turnbull The County of Brant is still working on plans to finalize a Greenway space on Watt’s Pond Road, following feedback provided by area residents. The original park design was presented in late fall of 2021 and folks were encouraged to provide comments through the county’s communication website, EngageBrant. While some residents were pleased to have a well-kept green space in their neighbourhood,
others were concerned that increased activity and noise at the park would result in less privacy for people whose backyards face the park. Others sited increase traffic in the neighbourhood, an abundance of park lights flooding their yards and potential garbage landing on their properties as areas of concern. One resident has suggested the county spend the money to build a natural barrier closer to the road to block traffic noise from all the quarry trucks
that use Watt’s Pond Road on a regular basis. The park, which would be accessible off Watt’s Pond Road or Robbins Ridge Road, was approved with a $100,000 budget. Since new park construction is supported through development charges, there will be no direct costs borne by the municipality. The timeline for completion is spring or summer of this year. Continued on Page 4
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The county has always maintained the park would remain natural while incorporating a pathway, some small playground components, a pavilion with picnic tables, large shade trees and some small gardens. After collecting feedback, the County revised the design to ease concerns and reiterated the park is more of a passive greenway designed to be a safe, well-kept greenway for residents living in the surrounding area. It was also noted that a more interactive, user and family-friendly, park is planned near by on Hartley Ave. A revised conceptual drawing of Watt’s Pond Greenway Park includes the removal of proposed lighting, the removal of the pavilion, portions of the pathways have been relocated so they are further from the back of the lot lines, the proposed play features are screened either by vegetation or lots with wooden fences and there will be more trees in the open grass area. Councillor Steve Howes commented, “I’m confident that a park this size, with these amenities, is unlikely to draw people from all over town. It will be a nice spot for the many residents of the north end to visit on foot.” Parks and Rec Manager Kathy Ballantyne echoed the same sentiments. “As this is a neighbourhood greenspace with very little amenities, it is generally meant to service residents that are in the immediate vicinity,” she said. “The goal of the design was to have a well-maintained greenspace that offers residents a serene space to stroll into and appreciate a bit of nature. I feel the adjustments that have been made address the concerns raised,” she continued. In fact, with a county-maintained greenspace nearby, residents who abut on to the park can be assured the existing vegetation is trimmed regularly to prevent overgrowth and reduce the risk of ticks close to inhabited areas. Ballantyne confirmed the county did receive numerous complaints last year from homeowners who felt the existing vegetation was migrating into their yards. The County invites residents to provide further feedback before it goes to council for final approval. The public forum is open until February 4 for comments. You can voice your concerns or support through Engagebrant: https://engagebrant.ca/wattspondgreenwaypark
January 29, 2022
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January 29, 2022
COMMUNITY NEWS
BUILDING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY Meet the Team who led the Campaign
Health Hub Services Please contact the service provider directly for information including appointment bookings, services available and more. •
Alzheimer's Society | 519.759.7692
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Brant Community Services (Ontario Disability Support Program & Ontario Works) | Coming Soon
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Brant Family and Children's Services | 519.753.8681
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Brantford Radiology | 519.752.6829
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Cobblestone Medicine and Rehab Centre | 519.442.2237
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Community Hub Pharmacy | 519.442.4283
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Grand River Community Health Centre | 519.754.0577
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Life Labs | 1.877.849.3637
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Nova Vita | 519.752.HELP (519.752.4357)
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Paris Denture Clinic | 519.442.1663
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Paris Heart Clinic | 647.290.4009
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Participation Support Services | 519.756.1430
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PrimaCare Community / Family Health Team | 519.442.9834
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Sound Choice Hearing Health Services | 226.895.1282
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January 29, 2022
Community rallies to meet fundraising goal By Casandra Turnbull A new innovative and collaborative state-of-the-art Health Hub opened its doors to the community a few months ago. The centralized health services building is a major asset to this community and celebrating this achievement isn’t possible without recognizing the incredible donors who helped meet and exceed the fundraising targets. The $13 million facility is now home to an array of health and social services. The County of Brant donated the land and capital funding throughout the construction phase of the project. A successful $2 million fundraising campaign achieved three very distinct goals: to lower the cost of the project allowing it to be cost-neutral for taxpayers, to provide affordable spaces for non-profit agencies and to allow for extra suites to attract more physicians to the growing community. The campaign, called Building a Healthy Community, kicked off one year before the building’s grand opening. Recognizing the challenges a campaign might face during a global pandemic, it was important that a strong, committed, and experienced fundraising team was established, said Paris Councillor John Bell, who is a member of the committee, as well as Acting Chair of the PrimaCare Family
Health Team Board. “We hoped for success, but we moderated our expectations on the timeframe within which we might achieve the target. It’s truly a testament to the generosity and community spirit of many individuals, local service clubs and local businesses that we achieved the target before the opening of the hub.” Bell is also a proud donor, citing that he and his family are pleased to have a state-of-the-art healthcare and community facility. “I am immensely proud of our collective achievement,” he said, adding that the community now has two strong health service facilities – the Health Hub and “a rejuvenated Willett strongly supported by new BCHS management.” Community member and campaign volunteer Marilyn McCulloch was approached to sit on the committee. She has extensive fundraising experience stemming from her work with the Optimist Club. She said she was more than happy to join the team because she saw the immediate value of the facility. “This was a project that would benefit the whole community, not just a specific group of people.” Building a Healthy Community Campaign Chair Marilyn Campbell Davis shared similar thoughts. “The Health Hub had a broad community appeal as health care is top of mind with many in the community,
particularly with Covid,” said Campbell Davis. She also has experience fundraising in this community. She chaired the project to raise funds for the Brant Sports Complex. The first set of publicly named donors were announced in the spring of 2021. Over the course of the next few months the donations continued to pour in. Like any campaign, organizers always hope for that one large donation to validate and accelerate the goal. That validation came in the form an $800,000 donation from The Cowan Foundation. “It was a great endorsement for the Health Hub. It gave the (campaign) group confidence to continue to approach other potential donors, knowing that a long-standing company was investing,” explained Campbell Davis. The donation effectively renamed the facility to the Cowan Community Health Hub. “The Cowan Foundation is thrilled to extend our support to this project that will provide an integrated approach to health care for County residents. Our organization has deep roots in the County of Brant, both from a business and personal perspective. My Uncle Bob Cowan was a proud and committed resident and business leader in Paris. Continued on Page 8
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January 29, 2022
. Kevin & Alicia Haight
Laura (Perriman) Ritchie
. Stedman Foundation
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Community members see great value in Health Hub Continued from Page 6
him.”
Both Bob and his father, Frank Cowan, held the same unwavering commitment to their communities by making a positive difference in the lives of others,” explained Maureen Cowan, Chairman of Princeton Holdings Limited and The Cowan Foundation. “Their legacy and values continue through the charitable work of The Cowan Foundation and I know Bob would have been extremely pleased to contribute to this Health Hub, especially in this community that meant so much to
Just two months after The Cowan Foundation donation, the County announced the campaign met its goal following a $250,000 donation from residents Salah Bachir and Jacob Yerex. “We are honoured to be part of this great initiative and congratulate everyone on their hard work. We thought this would be a perfect holiday gift to our families and community,” noted Bachir. In recognition of a collaborative effort from residents, service clubs and local businesses, the Paris Dam
was illuminated in blue just before Christmas to thank everyone for their support and contributions. The committee is no longer actively seeking donations, but if you’d still like to contribute, you can do so online at https://webofrms.brant.ca/Finance/Br ant-Community-Health-HubDonation
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WHY DONATE?
January 29, 2022
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The Lions Club of Paris pledged $50,000 toward the campaign. They’ve donated $15,000 of that pledge. The St. George Lions donated $50,000.
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(Isaac & Julie Rosebrugh)
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January 29, 2022
PARIS’ FIRST HEALTH HUB - Dr. Sowden House & Dispensary
Paris Past by Chris Whelan
Dr. Samuel Sowden
Elizabeth Simpson
Dr. Samuel Sowden (1807-1872) was born in Scotland, but later immigrated to Canada at an unknown date. He had emigrated by 1843, when he married Elizabeth Simpson (1822-1903) with whom he had four children: George (c. 1845), Ann (c. 1848), Sarah (c. 1849), and Samuel (c. 1853). He lived in Normandale before moving to Paris and may well have met Hiram Capron there. However, it would not be for several years that he would follow Capron to Paris. Sowden purchased a lot from Capron on May 19, 1844, for £12, 10s — plus an extra 5s to Mary De Long Capron for her dower. Sowden certainly diversified his business; an 1851 business directory lists him as a chemist, druggist, stationer, and bookseller. He stayed in Paris for most of the rest of his life but returned to Scotland in 1870 due to failing health and died in 1872. Photos from https://ourbrant.fandom.com
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January 29, 2022
PARIS’ FIRST HEALTH HUB - Dr. Sowden House & Dispensary
The Sowden House was the home and office of Dr. Sowden built around 1845. The original home was built in the distinctive cobblestone style by Levi Boughton, it has a more recent addition in a more modern style as well as the back of the house is finished in fieldstone. Photo above: Paris Museum and Historical Society.
Inside Doors
Back of House Fieldstone Restored Outside Shutters The house acted as a combination of living space and business. Sowden was a druggist; the rounded corner door led to his dispensary where he sold medications. The original shutter door design has been restored, and the original inner doors are still present. Photo Left: Paris Museum and Historical Society. Photo Right: https://ourbrant.fandom.com
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S E RV I C E C L U B S
Catch the Ace – If You Can! By Casandra Turnbull The Lions Club of Paris could use your help, and when you help the Lions, you’re helping your community. Like most organizations since the start of the pandemic, Lions Club members had to rethink their fundraising strategies to continue to serve the community. Its major fundraising source, their mobile Food Truck often spotted at the Maple Syrup Festival, Springtime in Paris, the Vintage Motorcycle Rally and the Paris Fair, has been out of commission for obvious reasons. “It’s not safe for the food truck to operate and so we have turned to other options,” said Lion Rod Laframboise, 1st Vice President, Lions Club of Paris. One alternate, and safe, fundraiser has been an online progressive raffle: Chase the Ace. “The raffle was attractive because it is a totally virtual raffle. Our club has made a concerted effort to raise our virtual profile by working on our website, Facebook and Twitter presence,” said Lion Ken Linington, President of the Paris club.
The Lions Club of Paris’ major money-maker is their food truck, often spotted at various events in the community. With events on hold due to the pandemic, the Club has turned to online fundraising initiatives so they can continue to serve the community. Lions Club of Paris Photo
This is the club’s second attempt at the online fundraiser. The first Chase the Ace raffle in 2021 netted the club $5,500. They are hoping to build on that success in 2022. How it works is 52 playing cards are hidden in envelopes. Residents have until February 15 at 7 p.m. to purchase tickets. When you purchase a ticket, you also get to pick a numbered envelope. On the draw date, one lucky ticket is pulled. That person takes home the weekly prize lot, but also gets to open the envelope they selected to see if they’ve found the hidden Ace of
Spades. If the Ace is selected, they win the jackpot. If the Ace is not selected, the game continues into weekly draw#2. That envelope number is no longer available when people purchase tickets in the second draw. Tickets purchased between now and February 15th are only valid for the first week draw and are removed before the next weekly draw commences. Weekly ticket sales are split into three portions: 20% for the weekly prize awarded to the weekly draw winner, 30% for the progressive catch the ace jackpot, Continued on Page 13
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“By participating in Catch the Ace, you are supporting the Paris Lions Club in all its community endeavours and helping to make our community a better place to live for people of all ages.” which continues to grow until the Ace of Spades is revealed and 50% to Paris Lions. Each week the progressive jackpot gets larger while your odds of catching the Ace increase. There is a guaranteed Jackpot of $1,500. “By participating in Catch the Ace, you are supporting the Paris Lions Club in all its community endeavours and helping to make our community a better place to live for people of all ages,” said Laframboise. The Lions Club supports a diverse range of National programs from Diabetes awareness and research to vision screening and the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs. Locally, the club has deep roots dating back over 90 years. They are responsible for the original creation of Paris Lion’s Park in 1931, the ongoing refurbishment of the park over the years, including the recent completion of the Pete Lavoie Little League baseball diamonds in 2019. Financially, they’ve contributed to local schools for playground equipment, various projects at Green Lane Sports Complex, restoration to parts of the Paris Cenotaph, local 4-H clubs, and provided scholarships to local students, just to name a few initiatives. Approximately 60% of funds raised goes to local initiatives, 30% to provincial and national interests and 10% to
international causes. Publicly raised funds never go towards the administration of the Lions Club, said Lion Linington. Their mandate to serve the community also extends beyond financial contributions. They host public speaking contests, facilitate international youth exchanges, conduct highway clean ups, host eye screening in area public schools and host a peace poster contest among a much longer list of accomplishments. The Club’s most recent fundraising focus has been a $50,000 pledge to support the new Cowan Community Health Hub. Lion Linington estimates it will take a couple years to fulfill that pledge. Catch the Ace tickets are $10 for 3, $20 for 10 and $50 for 50. You can purchase them online at https://parislionscatchtheace.ca/ . To learn more about the Lions Club or to become involved, contact secretary@lionsclubofparis.ca. Remember, the first draw deadline is 7 pm on February 15th. Goodluck!
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January 29, 2022
H E A LT H N E W S JOIN THE FIGHT – February 4th is World Cancer Day By Casandra Turnbull
Cancer is a terrifying word. Sure, it’s uttered frequently, and most people show empathetic emotions when they speak of cancer. But the word becomes more disturbing when you attach the disease to yourself or a close family member. It’s as if a door opens and you see ‘cancer’ in an all new, terrifying light. I’ll never forget the night I received the news that my mom had cancer – Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It felt surreal, like an out of body experience. My stepfather continued to explain the diagnosis but truthfully, I don’t remember the rest of that phone call. My mind kept circling around the word cancer and suddenly I could ‘see’ all the ugliness cancer brings: the uncertainty, the gruelling treatments, the nasty side affects of treatment, the mirage of doctor’s appointments, the cracks in our healthcare system, the potential long-term effects of treatment and all the emotional weight it carries. After that phone call our family truly saw how cancer ravages the body and tries to do the same to the mind. My mom faced chemotherapy, radiation and a subsequent stroke stemming from the chemotherapy. It stripped her of her strength, but it did not take away her determination. Of all the unpleasant memories, I’ll tell you one positive thing cancer did do – it brought our family closer. It reminded us to love fiercely because tomorrow is not always guaranteed. It also showed us all the flaws in our healthcare system. Unlike millions of others, my mom’s cancer story had a fortunate ending. To this day, I’m proud of her resilience and utter perseverance. She stared the beast in the face and kicked cancer square in the backside. Ten years later, when I meet someone with cancer or affected by cancer, I don’t just offer empathetic words. I feel their flight, for the word cancer forever has a new meaning.
Susan Markus rings the bell after successfully completing treatment and beating stage 4 cancer. Not everyone is as fortunate. Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide.
February 4 is World Cancer Day, a global initiative led by the Union for International Cancer Control. By raising worldwide awareness, improving education, and catalysing personal, collective and government action, supporters of World Cancer Day are working together to reimagine a world where millions of cancer deaths are prevented and access to lifesaving cancer treatment and care is equal for all. This year’s theme is ‘Close the Care Gap,’ and encourages you to look at the hard facts: inequity in cancer care costs lives, people who seek cancer care hit barriers at every turn, income, education, location, and discrimination are just a few factors that can negatively affect care and this gap effects everyone – one day it could be you. Continued on Page 15
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H E A LT H N E W S Continued from Page 14
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide. One in five men and one in six women worldwide will develop cancer over the course of their lifetime and one in eight men and one in eleven women will die form the disease. At least one third of common cancers are preventable. So, on February 4th take a moment to question the status quo and help reduce the stigma; listen to the perspectives of the
people living with cancer and let those who lived through the experience guide our thoughts and actions. Help remove some of those cancer barriers: offer to transport a neighbour or friend to cancer treatments, make a donation to your local hospital or cancer clinic to purchase new life saving technology, make a donation to the Cancer Society to help fund research to one day meet the goal of defeating cancer, strengthen primary health care delivered in your community and educate yourself
on cancer prevention. If you want to make a difference, take the 21-day challenge. It takes the proverbial 21 days to create a positive habit. Commit to improving your personal health, making history by helping to eliminate cervical cancer, or educating yourself and speaking out about the inequities that exist in accessing cancer services by visiting: https://www.worldcancerday.org/ 21DayChallenge
TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK A NURSE Nurses are feeling unsustainable pressure – filling colleague vacancies, caring for a rising number of Covid patients and battling through extreme exhaustion. While pressures have mounted since the start of the pandemic, it’s undeniable cracks existed in our healthcare
system long before Covid played a factor. It’s often a thankless job. So, why not take a moment to recognize the efforts of those around us – even if it’s one nurse at a time.
Practical Nurses Association of Ontario, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario and Ontario Nurses' Association, are seeking nominations for the Ontario Nursing Now Awards!
Three Ontario associations -
These awards recognize registered practical nurses (RPN), registered nurses (RN), and nurse practitioners (NP) for their contributions to the health and well-being of Ontarians.
nursing Registered
Nominate someone today: http://awards.werpn.com/nursin g-now Nominators do not need to be nurses. Nominations close February 25, 2022, and the award winners will be announced during Nursing Week in May 2022.
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January 29, 2022
H E A LT H Y L I F E S T Y L E DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR 2022 GOALS JUST YET Just for the Health of It! with Coach Shell
*You can purchase equipment and do at home workouts, even if it is 'not your thing'. Not working out at all is worse than having to do a home workout.
*You can do LIVE virtual workouts from home to keep you How are you doing with your accountable. Pretty much every New Year's Resolutions? Are single gym and studio is offering you still going strong, or did you something LIVE that you can do give up? over video chat. Is this you? You were all gung*You can prep your meals since ho at the beginning of January, you are home more. Think of it as you joined a gym, you planned now you have more opportunity out your meals, you threw out all the leftover Christmas baking to bake those turkey muffins or and you were ready to go. AND prep your overnight oats as you THEN THE LOCKDOWN are working from home. HAPPENED. Your favourite *You can get the kids involved gym closed, your kids were and make cooking part of their pushed to online learning, you learning. Have the kids help you had to work from home again pick and make a new recipe each and .......your resolutions went week. They will be more apt to try into lockdown too. You throw the 'healthy' version of something some Baileys in your morning if they are involved in cooking it. coffee; you pull out that stool to grab the 'hidden' stash of *You can bundle up and get leftover cookies from the top outside for a hike with the family, cupboard and you decide 2022 your spouse or bestie. Walking is was not going to be your year not only great for weight loss but after all. Maybe next year you for your overall mental health. say as you find yourself face *You can create a meal plan of first into a bag of Doritos. foods that you love to eat. When Don't let something that is out of you are busy, spending the time your control interfere with planning and prepping your food things you can control, saves you time as you know what especially when it comes to you are going to eat and when. health and wellness.
*You can START AGAIN. It is never too late. You may have to restart six times this year until you get it - and that's okay. The great thing about nutrition and exercise that you don't have to be 100% to see results. You can have some good days and bad, you can have weeks where you work out seven times and others when you only get in once. You can have a month of perfect eating and then a week of take-out meals. Every single good meal you eat and workout you complete will contribute to your overall health and wellness. Every single one. So, get off that couch, press pause on your latest bingeworthy show, put down the Doritos and jump on that elliptical for 30 minutes. Plan your meals out in your head while moving, and then head to the kitchen to start prepping your food! And at the same time, prep yourself to still have the best 2022 yet. It’s not too late. You got this! Coach Shell is the proud owner of Gaudet Fitness Solutions (aka GFS) She runs classes in person and online, offers video recordings of classes daily, and has coached hundreds of women to better health and wellness with her B-Lean Nutrition program. She also runs 34 large weight loss challenges each year that women in Paris and surrounding areas love to join.
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January 29, 2022
M E N T A L H E A LT H When is it time to get help for your mental health? (NC) Canadians’ perception of mental health has come a long way. Far from the stigma that once made people feel ashamed to admit to experiencing mental health issues, nowadays it’s common for people to seek out supports and treatment. Professional services benefit those struggling with mood and emotions, substance use, life changes and, especially in the past year and a half, feelings of isolation and anxiety during the pandemic. Here are some signs that it’s time to seek help:
feel energized from spending some time solo. But if you’re withdrawing from your social circles altogether or feel nervous about reaching out to your friends and family, you might need some extra support. Therapy can help you understand why you’re dealing with these feelings, and help you get set on the right foot in reclaiming your social and mental health. Fortunately, there are many virtual services you can access from your own space. If you’re ready to get started on your wellness journey, the Wellness Together Canada portal offers free, reliable information and 24/7 support. Here, you can access self-assessment tools or choose to connect with peer support, social workers, psychologists and other professionals via confidential text sessions or phone calls.
1. It’s affecting your daily routine. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the thought of returning to your pre-pandemic life, or fearful to even test the waters with what you are comfortable with, it might be time to seek professional help. A healthy dose of fear is normal, but when it’s preventing you from functioning in your daily life, it’s a good idea Support is just a call or click away. Find more to find out why. information at wellnesstogether.ca. 2. You’re feeling extreme emotions, or www.newscanada.com nothing at all. Anxiety, fear, hopelessness and anger are all perfectly acceptable, especially during hard times. But if you’re feeling overcome with too many emotions and your mind is racing a hundred miles per minute with stress, it can lead to serious health concerns.
At the same time, losing interest in the activities and hobbies that brought you joy and feeling unmotivated can also be indicators of something much more serious. 3. You’re withdrawing from friends and loved ones. Spending time alone is normal and can be therapeutic and calming. Introverts might even
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COMMUNITY NEWS Library selects high interest topic as this year’s One Book One Brant By Carolina Saenz Celebrating it’s seventeenth year, the One Book One Brant (OBOB) program, presented by the County of Brant Public Library begins on January 27th, 2022. This highly anticipated event is celebrated yearly, and always receives great feedback from book lovers across the community. Gary Jermy, Outreach and Community Impact Coordinator at the County of Brant Public Library, has coordinated this successful event for six years. “The short and simple goal of One Book One Brant is to promote the joy of reading. We then strive to encourage a large group of people to read and discuss the same book while also promoting Canadian authors,” writes Jermy. When it comes to selecting the featured book certain criteria is considered, such as recent releases, best sellers, award winners/ nominees, the library’s circulation statistics, themes, and feedback from the public. According to Jermy, OBOB has featured a variety of genres each year including mysteries, historical fiction, memoirs, sci-fi, and cooking. A
full list of previous years’ selections is available online for all to browse. “We had an amazing memoir last year with ‘By Chance Alone’ by Max Eisen so following it up this year with another memoir was never the intent but felt the nature of the topic justified the approach,” explains Jermy. This year’s title was carefully chosen in response to the public’s feedback and request for programs on Indigenous culture. In June 2021, just a week after news broke of mass burials discovered in Kamloops B.C., the library coordinated a program with the Woodland Cultural Centre that focussed on Residential Schools. With an overwhelming interest and demand for this program, Jermy said it was an easy decision to use what is one of the library’s most popular events as a platform to provide the community with an opportunity to learn more. This year’s OBOB features “Black Water: Family, Legacy, and Blood Memory,” by David A. Robertson, a memoir of an incredible journey and the reclaiming of Roberson’s Indigenous identity.
One Book One Brant is underway. Pick up or reserve a copy of Black Water at a nearby Library branch.
“There are a lot of great indigenous authors to choose from, but David Robertson’s ‘Black Water’ rose to the top. The blend of his story about why he was raised without being told he was Indigenous and reconnecting with his father in later life, the book’s accessibility (less than 300 pages and easy to read), and his namerecognition across the country were all factors in making him the top choice for this year,” said Jermy. Copies of “Black Water” are available at all branches since January 27th, with holds available in case all copies are signed out. In addition to print format, the book is also available in ebook and eaudiobook format via brant.overdrive.com/ Continued on Page 19
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Virtual program offered with Indigenous Educator David Anderson Continued from page 18 To further encourage community participation, those who checkout a copy will also be entered into a prize draw. Registration for the OBOB Virtual Book Club is available for all book lovers who wish to participate in discussions of this year’s title on March 23rd at 2 p.m. and March 24th at 7 p.m. And to conclude the OBOB event, this year’s featured author David A. Robertson will provide an author talk via Zoom on March 27th at 1:30 p.m. Participation for that is also open for online registration. In continuation with this programming, Indigenous Educator Dr. David Anderson is presenting on the topic of “Understanding the Truth and Finding the Road to Reconciliation,” on February 23rd at 7 p.m. via Zoom. He will be discussing the history of Canada in relation to Indigenous Peoples and the harmful impacts of colonialism, while also taking a local viewpoint with regards to Six Nations. Those interested are invited to register online or by calling the library at 519-442-2433.
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About the Author DAVID A. ROBERTSON is the winner of the Beatrice Mosionier Aboriginal Writer of the Year Award, the John Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Writer and the TWUC Freedom to Read Award. His books include The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga; When We Were Alone (winner of the Governor General’s Award, a finalist for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award and a McNally Robinson Best Book for Young People); Will I See? (winner of the Manuela Dias Book Design and Illustration Award, graphic novel category); and the YA novel Strangers (recipient of the Michael Van Rooy Award for Genre Fiction). He is the creator and host of the podcast Kiwew. Through his writings about Canada’s Indigenous peoples, Robertson educates as well as entertains, reflecting Indigenous cultures, histories and communities while illuminating many contemporary issues. David A. Robertson is a member of Norway House Cree Nation. He lives in Winnipeg.
The Paris Independent
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January 29, 2022
COMMUNITY NEWS Emergency Food Services receives $130,000 funding boost The County of Brant is pleased to share the news that an additional $130,000 in funding is to be allocated to supporting emergency food services in both the County of Brant and the City of Brantford. The City of Brantford provides social assistance and homelessness services for both the city and county. “Support for local food organizations and helping those most in need remains paramount as COVID-19 continues to affect many individuals and families. We are grateful for the City’s administration of social services to County residents and would encourage anyone in need to seek the help they require,” said Mayor David Bailey. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, local food support organizations have provided vulnerable citizens in Brantford and the County of Brant with 1,722,324 meals for those in need. This most recent funding announcement is part of the $2.510 million that was allocated to this region from April 2021 to March 2022 to help protect the most vulnerable during the pandemic.
County of Brant residents looking for more information are encouraged to contact the Salvation Army at 519-7527814 or 519-442-3432.
The Paris Independent
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January 29, 2022
COMMUNITY NEWS
Local farmers receive National recognition The Little Brown Cow Dairy is receiving national recognition following news that Jenny Butcher and Wes Kuntz were named the winners of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF) Program. The local duo shares the honour with Raymond and Tracey Bredenhof (R&T Poultry and Bredenhof Hops) from Abbotsford, B.C. They were selected from a list of 7 regional winners during the national event held virtually in Saskatoon in early December. The award recognizes outstanding farmers in Canada between the ages of 18 and 39, who exemplify excellence in their professional while fostering better urban-rural relations. Butcher and Kuntz started the Little Brown Cow Dairy in 2008 when they began renting quota, a barn, yard site and purchased 20 cows. They eventually purchased their property in 2011 and began processing 100% of their milk. In 2017 they purchased commercial space and opened the ‘Local Food Emporium’ with an emphasis on local products. They employ eight full time staff, including two chefs, who prepare a variety of frozen meals. Everything show cased in their Cockshutt Road Emporium is sourced from within 100 kilometres. To learn more about their business and what they offer, visit https://www.facebook.com/littlebro wncows
From Left to right: Wes Kuntz & Jenny Butcher (ON), Raymond & Tracey Bredenhof (BC) and Steve Cooper (COYF President) Photo courtesy of Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer’s Program Below, the Little Brown Cow located at 234 Cockshutt Rd in Brantford
The Paris Independent
January 29, 2022
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PUBLISHER’S STREAMING PICS
FILMED IN PARIS
Galaxy Cinema Brantford will Reopen January 31st, 2022 Click on image below for Tickets & Showtimes