Our Lady of Mount Carmel church celebrates 150 years as a parish July 18 with a mass, music, games, and a barbecue chicken dinner. Anyone interested in attending the 5 p.m. dinner must buy their tickets before July 4, the caterer’s deadline for attendance numbers. You can do so by contacting Judy Steeper (519-294-6639), Fran Roelands (519-294-6710), or Cecile Muller (519-238-8536). Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 10.
Free activities require no tickets, and include refreshments and cake after the 2 p.m. mass. Souvenir pens will be given to each family after the mass, and live Christian music, face painting, and old-fashioned games will include sack races, wheelbarrow races, three-legged races, bean bag toss, relay races, etc.

Here’s your chance to mingle with local artists and enjoy an evening out: artists at the Sunset Arts and River Road Galleries, located west of Purdy’s on River Road, invite you to their 2010 gala opening June 25 from 4 to 9 p.m.
Grand Bend Strip publisher Casey Lessard is among the artists selling art at Sunset Arts this summer. His photo of tundra swans mid-flight is one of the works featured in his Casey365.com project from 2009.

The Grand Bend Studio Tour runs May 1 and 2 in studios and galleries across the area. This year’s roster includes: Adelaide Glass (Linda Rupp), Anne Luxton, Barb McKnight, Barry Richman, Bill Nieuwland, Bliss Studio, Casey Lessard (I’ll be at Pine Dale and Sunset Arts), Christopher Grimes, David Bannister, Debra Bailey, Fran Roelands, Gallery Algo, Helga Otton, Jack Winn, Josy Britton, Kristyn Watterworth, Laura Jones Wright, Mary Lynn Fluter, Michael Billett, Patricia Downie, Sunset Arts, and Teresa Marie. Admission is free to all.
The best place to start is at Baillie’s Framing, where you can find maps to the various locations, including the River Road strip of galleries, Pine Dale Motor Inn, Bliss Studio in Port Franks, and various home studios.

Photo and story by Casey Lessard

A sight to see, thousands of tundra swans are now back at the Thedford Bog behind the Lambton Heritage Museum. The bog is a natural staging area for the swans, who are on their way from Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, to cooler climates in Canada’s North for the summer. The trip is 6,500 km, so it’s understandable they’d want to stop for a rest and some food. Here, that includes the grains left in the fields from the fall harvest.
To celebrate the annual migration, the Lambton Heritage Museum (on Highway 21 south of Greenway Road) hosts the Return of the Swans festival. With displays, videos, and other resources, the museum is a good home base to learn more about North America’s smallest and most abundant swan.
For the month of March, the Lambton Heritage Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors/students, $3 for children, and $15 for the family.
The best source of updates for people interested in watching the birds is the museum’s website, http://www.returnoftheswans.com, which has a migration report that is updated daily with locations where the birds are gathered. If you don’t have internet access, you can also call 1-800-265-0316.
If you go
Dress warmly and bring binoculars. If you plan to take photographs, here are some tips from the publisher:
- Assume you will need a long telephoto lens (at least 300mm). The birds are pretty far away, but there are locations where they fly over a road to move from field to field, and here you need only about 100mm. This is where I stand because you can capture them coming at you, and then over you. Just watch out for small falling objects.
- Remember to look behind you. If they fly toward you and over, they will come back later.
- Use a fast shutter speed (1/1000 or faster). These birds flap their wings quickly, so if you want sharp images, you need to freeze that motion. I try to get to about 1/4000 if I can. Can’t get that high? You might need to raise your ISO (but if it’s daylight, try to avoid higher than ISO 800)
- Use a slow shutter speed with a tripod. Breaking the rules can get some interesting motion photos. This works best in lower light.
- Use your burst mode or continuous shooting mode. You’ll want to take a rapid series of shots to get one you like. There are times when you wait five minutes for 20 seconds of action.
- If you use continuous shooting, make sure your focus is set to Servo AF, which means the camera continues to focus as long as you hold the shutter button down. Remember that the birds are constantly changing your focal point.
- Shoot at your highest resolution. You will have to crop most of these photos later.
- Bring lots of memory cards or film. You will shoot a lot, and you might get a couple of good shots from the whole day. It’s worth it, though.
- Try to arrive early. The light will give you good texture and colour, and you might be the only one there.

Sunday, March 21
2 to 4 p.m. – Trivitt Anglican Church, Exeter
Celebration launch of Bach Music Festival of South Huron and Bach’s 325th birthday. Concert, birthday cake and door prizes. Free to attend. RSVP to bachmusicfestival@bellnet.ca or 519-235-2565.

A teaser of what’s to come in July 2011, the Bach Music Festival of South Huron’s celebration launch will feature organist Janet Heerema and cellist Christine Newland. A year of concerts and special events for area residents and visitors from across Ontario will culminate in the first week-long international festival July 11 to 17, 2011.
The goal of the series is to attract music aficionados to South Huron as an important and accessible location for concerts, and the caliber of the music is expected to enhance the local economy. For more information, contact executive producer Louise Fagan at l.fagan@rogers.com or call 519-851-0393. Everyone is welcome to attend the celebration launch March 21 to get a taste for what is in store for next year’s festival.

Linked fundraisers result in first hair cuts since birth, father’s death

Inspired by a desire to help raise money for residents of Haiti recovering from January’s earthquake, Ashlan Hollingsworth, 4, of Parkhill had her first ever hair cut at the hands of Rachel Michielsen of Beauty ‘n’ the Beach salon in Grand Bend. The $560 she raised went to support The House that Jack Built, a charity named in Rachel’s father Jack’s honour.

Her sister, Jessica Michielsen, also got a cut; she raised $12450 by cutting her dreadlocks, growing since Jack’s death in 2005. The money goes to Baptist Haiti Mission’s fund to rebuild Haiti.

Cutting Jessica Michielsen’s Dreadlocks from Casey Lessard on Vimeo.

Friends and family gathered Sunday, February 28 at the home of Jessica Michielsen to help her cut her dreadlocks for a Haiti earthquake fundraiser. Jessica cut her hair for The House That Jack Built, the charity named in honour of her late father, the builder Jack Michielsen of Arkona. The House that Jack Built builds homes for needy families in Haiti. In the wake of last month’s earthquake, the fund needs to be filled to help as many families as possible.
Jessica has been growing the dreadlocks since 2005 as part of the process of grieving their father. Each dreadlock was worth $100, and with 50 dreadlocks available, Jessica exceeded her $5000 goal, raising $8000 for the fund.
Jessica invites interested donors to make a long-term commitment, and says fund managers, registered charity Baptist Haiti Mission Canada, will be on hand to discuss monthly withdrawals; any sized commitment is welcome.
Since the earthquake of January 12, Jessica says donations The House that Jack Built fund have exceeded $16,000. Donations are collected by registered charity Baptist Haiti Mission Canada and donations over $10 are receiptable.

The House that Jack Built
Baptist Haiti Mission Canada
P.O. Box 11
602 Wellington Ave.
Wallaceburg, ON.
N8A 4L5

Photo by Casey Lessard

Welcome Wagon is once again rolling out the red carpet for area brides, showcasing wedding vendors at their annual Bridal Showcase at the South Huron Recreation Centre this Tuesday, February 23.
Brides and grooms attending the show will be treated to displays and fashion shows, and have the chance to win prizes that include a diamond pendant from Bakelaar Jewelers in Exeter, and a honeymoon sun vacation courtesy Today’s Bride magazine. The first 100 brides will receive a gift bag.
Participating vendors include photographers, cake makers, gown stores, and many more. Doors open at 6 p.m., and admission is free. To register, visit: http://www.welcomewagon.ca or call 1-866-873-9941.

Submitted by Tim Cumming, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority

Tickets to the Conservation Dinner usually sell out quickly but now there is extra reason to purchase tickets early, according to the volunteer dinner committee.
Patrons who purchase their gala dinner tickets before February 22 will be eligible for an ‘early-bird’ prize draw where they may win a limited edition print by artist Gary Corcoran. The print is of a beautiful nature painting entitled Winter Sylvan – Downy Woodpecker.
The 21st Conservation Dinner is a local success story with donors, patrons and volunteers working together to support environmental health through accessible trails, commemorative woods, fish stocking for youth, conservation education and other conservation initiatives. This year’s gala charitable dinner and art auction takes place on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at the South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter.
Tickets are $50 per person and patrons received an charitable gift receipt for half that amount. For tickets, talk to a Conservation Dinner committee member or phone 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610.
The gala Conservation Dinner includes a live auction of art and other unique items, a silent auction, special raffles and general raffles. Local individuals and businesses wishing to sponsor auction items or contribute donations to the event are encouraged to contact Ausable Bayfield Conservation.
For information on the Conservation Dinner visit conservationdinner.com

By Casey Lessard

Sisters Rachel Michielsen-Gray and Jessica Michielsen are running two hair-cutting fundraisers this month to benefit a charity honouring their father, the late builder Jack Michielsen of Arkona.
Rachel, a hairdresser at the Beauty ‘n’ the Beach salon, will be cutting hair this Saturday, February 20 at the salon’s temporary location, 20 Ontario Street South in Grand Bend (across from New Orleans Pizza). She and Barb Speirs will be donating all proceeds from hair services bought that day to The House that Jack Built, a fund named in her father’s honour that builds homes for needy families in Haiti. In the wake of last month’s earthquake, the fund needs to be filled to help as many families as possible. The salon will offer draw prizes, refreshments (by donation) and hand massages. To book an appointment, call 519-238-6520.
Rachel’s sister Jessica is running a separate fundraiser that involves donors cutting the dreadlocks she has been growing since 2005 as part of the process of grieving their father. Each dreadlock was worth $100, and with 50 dreadlocks available, Jessica has already exceeded her $5000 goal, raising $8000 for the fund.
All dreadlocks are accounted for, but those interested in donating and being part of the cutting process (if dread purchasers don’t show for the event) are invited to an open house at 27 Eastglen Drive in Arkona from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, February 28. Jessica invites interested donors to make a long-term commitment, and says fund managers, registered charity Baptist Haiti Mission Canada, will be on hand to discuss monthly withdrawals; any sized commitment is welcome.
Since the earthquake of January 12, Jessica says donations The House that Jack Built fund have exceeded $16,000. Donations are collected by registered charity Baptist Haiti Mission Canada and donations over $10 are receiptable.

Sunday, January 31
1 to 3 p.m. – Morrison Dam, Exeter
Winter Wonderland snowshoeing event

ABCA education staff will be leading a guided hike on snowshoes. Participants will travel by snowshoe on the South Huron Trail while learning about trees and animal life in winter. The cost is $5 per adult to join in on the guided hike and there is no charge for children when accompanied by an adult. Please call 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 to register for the guided hike.
Anyone who wants to rent snowshoes for the event can rent them for only $3 per pair. They are available for rental starting at 1 p.m. sharp and must be returned by 3 p.m.
Snowshoers are reminded to dress appropriately for being outdoors and wear comfortable, low-heeled boots. After snowshoeing, enjoy some hot chocolate (please lug-a-mug) and warm up by the fire.

Saturday, February 13
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Sunnivue Farm
27093 New Ontario Road, between Parkhill and Ailsa Craig
Winter Day

Winter activities, good food, and good conversation. Organizers are hoping for snow so participants can enjoy snowshoeing, skiing, making snowmen, snow forts or snow sculptures. There will be a hockey game and hockey stick snow-shoveling contest, so bring your own hockey stick either way.
If snow fails to fall, there will still be a hockey game, and participants will enjoy a walk by the river or through the bush.
Visit the farm’s water buffaloes, who stay close to the barn in cold weather.
For lunch, the farm will provide hot apple cider, one of Ellinor’s renowned soups, bread, and wieners. Feel free to contribute additional treats.
For more information, call Sunnivue Farm at 519-232-9096.

Just a brief mention that South Huron District High School is hosting a Grade 8 night Wednesday, January 13 (snow date Jan. 14). The event takes place at 6:45 p.m. in the large gym.

Public policy and regulation among subjects of winter Partners in Learning discussions

The winter season of Partners in Learning, a discussion group that meets at the Southcott Pines clubhouse, runs Wednesdays from Jan. 13 to Feb. 10 and then March 3 to 31. This season’s topics include Science, Serving the Public Interest?; Has Big Brother Gone Too Far?; Theatre, Behind the Scenes; and The World of Books. Socrates Café runs Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. every other week from Feb. 4 to April 1.

“Has Big Brother Gone Too Far”
Molly Russell, moderator

I find that hardly a day goes by that I don’t hear on the news that there is some law being instituted to “protect” the public. I think these laws have gotten out of hand. That’s the premise of my course.

Give me some examples.
For instance, when the actress went skiing in Quebec and died of a head injury, they wanted to bring in a law that said everyone has to wear a ski helmet all of the time. And people are saying, come on, that’s too much.
Seat belts are another example. Most people would agree that seat belts are probably a good thing, and they have saved lives. My mother was in a car crash, and in those days (1952), they didn’t require seatbelts. My dad was saved because he had the steering wheel. But my mother was tossed from the car and she died. So seatbelts are at least rational for most people.
Another one: people were in a boat, and had lifejackets in the boat. The boat capsized and they weren’t wearing them, and one of them drowned. So now in a boat you have to wear a jacket at all times. How are you going to get a suntan or swim off the boat in your bikini, etc.?
To protect us, they put laws in, but they base it on a small part of the population. What are they really afraid of? I think people are afraid of being sued. (Demonstrating a coffee cup cardboard sleeve) This is from VIA Rail. They decided they had to do this to protect people from the heat of the cup. Is this really necessary? It’s very costly.

But laws are made by people. How do these laws come into place if people don’t think they’re a good idea?
I disagree with that statement. Laws are not made by people; laws are made by politicians. And politicians wish to be reelected. They get on bandwagons and lose the rationality that’s really behind a lot of human behaviour. Most people would say there is too much regulation because we are not making these laws, but are subject to these laws.

So what would you like to see? What is the solution?
I’m going to throw that out to the participants. I think there are two things: one, the politician thing; and two, people protecting themselves from being sued. Should we have people sign a waiver saying, if they get hit by a car and they’re not wearing a helmet, that they can’t sue?
The problem lies where laws infringe upon my freedom. Human beings are individuals. Every one is different. You can’t do a blanket law and treat everyone the same.
I feel we need more examples of people taking responsibility for their actions, and not having Big Brother telling them what to do.

Science, Serving the Public Interest?
Mike Ash, moderator
It’s exploring whether science supports or doesn’t support the benefit of society. And how that connects with public policy because public policy gets formulated by interest groups and input from the public, but also hard information – let’s call that science. How do those things all connect?

What are some issues you are looking at that are hot topics influenced by public policy?
With the Copenhagen conference going on, what is science telling us about the future of the environment and sustainability? This is probably one of the areas we will explore. For 20 years, scientists have been warning us about global warning, but why hasn’t this translated into public opinion and public policy action to make a change and an improvement? What’s the problem there?
How is science providing information to predicting the future or the formulation of public policy that supports the public interest?
How well can we predict the future? Do we believe these predictions? Does the public understand what science is telling them? How good is science at communicating that to the public? Why are there contradictions in scientific evidence, for example when one group says one thing and another says the opposite?

Why is this topic important right now in Grand Bend?
I think probably because there’s so much conflicting information out there and I think there might be a perception that science isn’t held in the esteem it once was. Why is that? We need to know why we can’t have fact based, research based decision making for the betterment of society. I know people think that happens a lot, but I’m not sure society is taking full advantage of scientific information.
Certainly locally, there are some issues to talk about. Wind energy; are there really health issues related to wind energy?
One interesting topic might be whether public opinion and public interest are one in the same. This comes across in the balance of the welfare of individuals and special interest groups and society overall. How does that translate into the best solutions and policies overall?
Today, public input seems to be dominated by opinion and communication through social networking tools. Fact based decisions are less, rather than more, common at all levels of society. Today, with the Internet, anyone can put out information and sway the public without any basis in fact.

It’s a challenging and demanding topic, and I think it will be very interesting for the group.

To register, visit partnersinlearning.ca

Darlene O’Rourke taking part in torch relay

Story and photo by Casey Lessard

This is one flame Dashwood firefighter Darlene O’Rourke won’t want to put out. O’Rourke is on her way to Summerside, PEI this week to take part in the 2010 Winter Olympic torch relay. She will run the torch November 22 at approximately 5:56 p.m.
O’Rourke won the chance to be part of the run after submitting an entry each day through the Vancouver 2010 website sponsored by Coca-Cola and RBC. She was asked to submit a choice of three cities, and her choices were London, Vancouver and Summerside. She passed into the second round and was asked to submit a 200 word essay about how she lives an active lifestyle and inspires others to do the same. July 30, she was notified that she was being considered, as long as she passed legal muster, and was notified October 2 that she would be carrying the torch.
“Being a part of the torch relay is very important to me,” O’Rourke says. “I have competed in world championships for tug-of-war and won a bronze medal and know how proud it makes you feel to represent your country in such an event. Words can not describe how great this opportunity is to be a part of the Olympics in your country.”
It’s taken more than a ballot to make this happen. O’Rourke has to cover the cost of travel and accommodations in Summerside, and has received support from friends, family and neighbours. She gets to keep her torch bearer uniform, and thanks to a $350 contribution from her work, Hayter’s Turkey Products, she will also get to bring home the torch she will be carrying.
To follow her progress, you can visit iCoke.ca, CTV.ca, or her blog, which she will start posting Friday:
darleneorourketorchrelay.blogspot.com

Locally, the torch comes through the London-Strathroy area December 27.

Father Brad Dunbar has been rector of Trivitt Memorial Church in Exeter and St. John-by-the-Lake in Grand Bend for the past two years, and recently presided over Trivitt’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

As told to Casey Lessard
Photos by Casey Lessard

Trivitt has begun to recognize that we live in a post-Christian era. The days when everyone went to church Sunday mornings are gone. Families are way too busy. So what’s been happening is a looking back to the early church and trying to do the things that started Christianity: feeding people, housing people, and trying to be a voice for people who don’t have one. It’s active, not passive.
We have a three pronged approach: we look to our world, we look to our region, and we look to the town of Exeter. With our global view, Trivitt has been active in the construction of an AIDS clinic in South Africa, and that’s been a big project. In our area, we’ve been sponsoring Huron University College to support their trans-cultural projects. And in a big way, we’ve worked aggressively in being part of the town of Exeter. The money raised at our Thanksgiving celebration went to the Habitat for Humanity in Exeter. We have a weekly Alpha program that includes a free meal. There’s a free monthly meal hosted the third week of the month for the needy, and we go to the different agencies that help people who are on social assistance, and the end of the month is a tough time for those people, so Trivitt tries to feed them.

Spirituality’s important, and how it is expressed can be varied. We’re trying to bring a message of hope and good news to Exeter, but being creative about it. We’d like to make our physical space available for the town when it’s needed. We want to be a civic church and a centre for the community.
I’m involved in Fresh Expressions (www.freshexpressions.ca), and the idea is to find new ways to meet people half way. The folks who are in their 20s and 30s don’t necessarily have a church memory, but they have a strong spirituality. If you go to Chapters, the best sellers on the shelf will all be books on spirituality. So it’s important for people. What we’re trying to realize and live out is the traditional method isn’t going to work in the reality we live in. We’re looking toward the church of 2050 as opposed to the church of 1950, and I think that’s going to look quite different.
The building will still exist – it’s architecturally significant. The church will look different. The interior will not look like it does today. Just like banks and schools have changed in the last 100 years, so will the church change to meet the needs of the community using it. What the people in their teens and 20s are going to look for is different than what it looked like in 1950. You can’t avoid technology, and I think it will be a big part of how the church looks. Kids today are the generation of the screen. They work and learn and play using the screen. It will be a significant change for the Anglican church. New churches look more like gymnasia than churches, and it’s intentional. People are more comfortable walking into a gymnasium than they are walking into a church. Our building will show the history of the church, but will change to meet the needs of the emerging generation of churchgoers.

For a lot of people, walking into a church building – and we look like a traditional church – can be a very intimidating thing. It can be a barrier for people, so when we hold concerts and shows and other events, and people are able to come in and enjoy, they get a little more comfortable with coming into our worship space. If they don’t go to church, it’s a gentle way to say, Hey, we’re here. If they have something in their lives that makes them need to speak to a pastor, we want to be an option they consider. We also see it as a benefit to the community; we have the physical space to put on big productions and we would like to bring them to South Huron, and we don’t think you have to drive to London for that.
We’re looking at a couple of very contemporary services that we’re hoping to start in Exeter at a different time than Sunday morning. Often, that’s the only time of the week you can relax, sleep in and have bacon and eggs or whatever. We’re going to offer church in a worship sense at different times of the week. We’re also looking at programs that feed someone’s spirit but don’t seem like traditional worship.

The parish spent some time doing some soul searching, and we discovered that music was very important to us and to Exeter. In bringing music director Janet Heerema in, we’ve brought a music professional in full-time and she has made a dramatic impact right from the start. She does an adult choir, children’s choir and a hand-bell choir, which are community based, and the Trivitt choir. The community choirs have people from various churches in the area, and some who don’t go to church. As a church, it’s a gift to the community: we pay her salary and she spends a great deal of her time working on music for the community.
We have an aggressive arts agenda over the next 10 months. We created an arts and culture community and started brainstorming what people might enjoy in the area. The Three Cantors came up on the list, and they work out well for us because they donate from the proceeds of the show to the Huron Hunger Fund, which is affiliated with the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund. It becomes a charitable event, and they’re a big draw, so it will sell out.

Future concerts include a children’s choir concert Dec. 6, and a Christian rock concert in March. The Three Cantors (www.3cantors.com) perform Wed., Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 available online (www.trivitt.ca).

After learning that the annual Kause for Kids fundraiser was cancelled after seven successful years, Jen Gaukroger at Paddington’s decided last week to revive the event as Bikes for Tykes November 7.
“There’s not a lot going on in Grand Bend in November,” Gaukroger says, “and when you get 600-700 people coming in and supporting our town, I’d hate to lose that crowd.”
Like Kause for Kids, motorcycle riders will tour the town starting at 11 a.m. in support of the Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society. Gift donations will go as Christmas gifts to children who are wards of the state.
Tickets for the event, which includes a barbecue and party at Paddington’s, are $20; $135 gets you two tickets and a hotel room for the night. Tickets are available at the pub or by credit card at 519-238-5788 Thursday through Saturday.

If you’re looking for a spooky evening out as Hallowe’en approaches, there’s nothing spookier than walking around alone in the dark in a corn field. If you’re looking to share in this tension-building thrill, take a friend to the Sunrise Corn Maze at the Sunrise Garden Centre on Highway 4 south of Centralia (just south of McGillivray Drive). The maze is open weekends until Hallowe’en. Friday nights it is open until 10 p.m., so bring a flashlight or two.
The maze was created by an American company, which used GPS mapping to make it precisely the way it looks in the drawing below. There are several mazes of varying difficulty in the field, as well as other activities for kids of all ages.
The maze is open Fridays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and through the week by group appointment. Admission is $8 for people 12 years and older, and $7 for children 3-11. One dollar from each ticket goes to the Children’s Hospital in London. To learn more, visit www.sunrisecornmaze.com or call 519-227-1879.

Community/Charity

Grand Bend Nursery School is now offering five sessions a week of the Early Learning Program, a FREE high quality program designed to help prepare young children for school. If you have children 2.5 to 4 years old and reside in Lambton Cty, call GB Nursery School 519-238-8514

Tuesdays
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Pt Franks Comm Ctr.
Kids Matter every Tuesday. Join us as we crochet sleeping mats out of milk bags to send to the children in Africa and South America. Bring your lunch, scissors and a #7 crochet hook. Peggy Smith 519-296-5834.

7 p.m. – Grand Bend Legion
Bingo

Fridays
5 to 7 p.m. – Grand Bend Legion
Meat Draw

Saturday, September 5
10 a.m to 2 p.m. – 45 Centre St, G.B.
Yard Sale. Household items, purses, dishes, glasses, golf clubs, electric snow shovel.

Sunday, September 6
10 a.m to 12 p.m. – 45 Centre St, G.B.
Yard Sale. Household items, purses, dishes, glasses, golf clubs, electric snow shovel.

Wednesday, September 9
To Oct. 28 – Pt. Franks Comm. Ctr.
Bridge lessons. Mavis 519-238-1239.

2 to 4 p.m. – Southcott Pines clubhouse
Partners in Learning Open House and AGM. Everyone welcome!

Friday, September 11
5 to 10 p.m. – 184 Church Street, Ailsa Craig
Taste of Harvest. An elegant evening of local wine tasting, gourmet local food sampling by Ian Wark, and live entertainment by Justin Plet. Proceeds to Ailsa Craig medical clinic. Hosted by John & Jan Bender. $75 inclusive. 519-294-6553 or Baillie’s Framing, Parkhill & Ailsa Craig Foodland.

Tuesday, September 15
10 a.m. – Grand Bend Legion
Grand Bend Men’s Probus Club meeting. Everyone welcome!

Wednesday, Sept. 16
10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 to 4 p.m. – Southcott Pines clubhouse
Partners in Learning fall courses. Sept.16-Nov. 18 . 10 a.m. – The Lively Arts; 2 p.m. – Innovations that Changed the World

Thursday, September 17
2 to 4 p.m. – Schoolhouse restaurant lower level
Socrates Cafe discussion group


Arts & Entertainment

Saturday, September 5
Grand Bend Art Centre
Rotary Club of Grand Bend Special Event: Autumn Indulgence Art Preview.

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (pre-registration required) – Grand Bend Art Centre
Plug Into Your Creativity/Conquer Your Fear. Suzette Terry. $80 ($75 for members). 519-238-8978 grbartcentre@hay.net

Saturday, Sept. 5
3 to 7 p.m. – Grand Bend Legion
Elimination Draw. Live Music with Midlife Crisis.

Saturday, Sept. 12
3 to 6 p.m. – Grand Bend Legion
Live Music with Willie Styles

Health & Fitness

Mondays
6 to 7 a.m. – Dashwood Comm. Centre
Funfit low impact aerobics. Begins Sept. 9 with Cecile Muller, 519-238-8536.

8 to 9 a.m. – Lion’s Pavilion, by BMO
Workout for Your Life. $8/class; $5 spouses/students. Beth Sweeney, (519) 238-5555.

10:30 to 11:45 a.m. - Pt. Franks studio
Gentle Yoga – Sept 14-Nov 9 (8 wks). Anne Chute 519-243-3552.
annesyogaworks.com

6:45 to 8 p.m. - Pt. Franks studio
Gentle Yoga – Sept 14-Nov 9 (8 wks). Anne Chute 519-243-3552.
annesyogaworks.com

Tuesdays
9 a.m. – Port Franks Comm Centre
Healthy Lifestyle Exercise Program. Low impact aerobic workout, strength work and stretching. Sponsored in part by Healthy Living Lambton. Free!! Cindy Maxfield 519-238-1556 ext 6.

6 to 7 p.m. – McNaughton Park pavilion, Exeter
Workout for Your Life. $8/class; $5 spouses/students. Beth Sweeney, (519) 238-5555.

7 to 8 p.m. – Parkhill Wellness Centre (Basement)
Yoga – Sept 1-Oct 20 (8 wks). Anne Chute 519-243-3552   www.annesyogaworks.com
 
Wednesdays
6 to 7 a.m. – Dashwood Comm. Centre
Funfit low impact aerobics. Begins Sept. 9 with Cecile Muller, 519-238-8536.

8 to 9 a.m. – Lion’s Pavilion, by BMO
Workout for Your Life. $8/class; $5 spouses/students. Beth Sweeney, (519) 238-5555.

8:45 to 10 a.m. – Pt. Franks studio
Yoga – Sept 2-Oct 21 (8 wks). Anne Chute 519-243-3552   www.annesyogaworks.com
 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. - Pt. Franks studio
Pilates – Sept 2-Oct 21 (8 wks). Anne Chute 519-243-3552 – annesyogaworks.com
 
6 to 7 p.m. – McNaughton Park pavilion, Exeter
Workout for Your Life. $8/class; $5 spouses/students. Beth Sweeney, (519) 238-5555.

7 to 8 p.m. - St. Francis Advocates Building, Arkona
Yoga – Sept 9-Nov 4 (8 wks). Anne Chute 519-243-3552 – www.annesyogaworks.com

Thursdays
9 a.m. – Port Franks Comm Centre
Healthy Lifestyle Exercise Program. Low impact aerobics, strength work, stretching. Sponsor: Healthy Living Lambton. Free!! Cindy Maxfield 519-238-1556 ext 6.

Fridays
6 to 7 a.m. – Dashwood Comm. Centre
Funfit low impact aerobics. Begins Sept. 9 with Cecile Muller, 519-238-8536.

8 to 9 a.m. – Lion’s Pavilion, by BMO
Workout for Your Life. $8/class; $5 spouses/students. Beth Sweeney, (519) 238-5555.
Thursday, September 3
Huron Good Food Box Program deadline for September delivery. You get a great assortment of healthy fruits and vegetables for $15. To order and pay, call registered dietitian Miranda Burgess at the GBCHC, 519-238-1556 ext 222. Boxes will be delivered to the Health Centre September 17.

One day event includes visits from Maude Barlow and Cindy Cook

Story by Casey Lessard

Considering the fact that Grand Bend’s economy is based on the attractiveness of the waterfront, it’s surprising no one thought of celebrating the natural resource before. Aquafest 2009 runs Saturday, August 9 all day at locations around the area, including the main beach, Pinery Provincial Park, and River Road. The free event celebrates the value of water and stems from the Grand Bend Community Foundation’s environment committee.
“It’s a natural for this area to think about water,” says Pat Morden, who co-chairs the event with Jennifer Mossop. “It’s something we see every day.
“It occurred to us that a beachfront festival that drew attention to environmental issues in a fun and celebratory way would be very appropriate with what Grand Bend is. We have this magnificent resource and we want to be able to swim every day when it’s hot and sunny. We want to enjoy clean water and feel good about our kids paddling in the water. We now have these wonderful enhancements to the beach that make it more attractive. We want beautiful and clean water for us to enjoy.”
It’s good for the greater community, too, especially considering the fact that most of the water for the region comes from the lake.
“We have a role as stewards of a precious resource and one that’s becoming more rare all the time. This is our way of drawing attention to it without too much gloom and doom, but with an attitude of ‘Let’s see what we can do.’”
The event was scheduled for mid-summer so the committee could reach cottagers, residents, and visitors in town for the day. The hope is to raise awareness of water issues and to promote conservation and preservation.
“We’re emphasizing the usual things you can do at home to conserve water,” Morden says. “We can think about our water use and our septic systems and avoid pesticides and harsh cleaners. I’m hoping people will become more involved in the broader issues related to water and the first step is to create awareness and activity at the grassroots level. Every time you do something for the environment in your own life, that’s going to prepare you and encourage you to take broader action.”
The event includes activities for children and adults, and includes a visit from Cindy Cook of Polka Dot Door fame. Author and activist Maude Barlow, the senior advisor on water issues to the president of the United Nations, is the event’s keynote speaker.
Everything is free and runs rain or shine.

Grand Bend Aquafest
Saturday, August 8
Rain or shine. Free admission

Grand Bend beach
10 a.m. – Oakwood team building games
11 a.m. – Live music by Pedro Quintana
12 p.m. – Lambton Main Street Players
12:30 p.m. – Cindy Cook (Polka Dot Door) – environmentally themed children’s show
1:15 p.m. — Mr. Something Something – Juno-nominated afro-jazz band powered by the SoundCycle.
2:15 p.m. – Maude Barlow
2:30 p.m. — Brian Dale and other local musicians take the stage
4 p.m. — Mr. Something Something

Other Main Beach Activities:
• Children’s activities & face painting
• Kite surfing demonstration by Eclipse Kites
• Vendor/exhibitor Fair
• Shoreline aerobics provided by Workout For Your Life
     
11 a.m to 5 p.m. – River Road Gallery
Aquafest Art Exhibit featuring underwater photography by Mary Lynn Fluter.

11 a.m to 5 p.m. – GB Art Centre
Children’s Art Exhibit. Amateur photo contest submissions on display.

Pinery Park
8 a.m. – Riverside Trail
Birding hike guided birding tour.
9 a.m.
Nationally renowned canoe maker Skip Izon will discuss canoe design/construction.
2 p.m. – General Store Parking Lot
Lambton Main Street Players
7:15 p.m. – Outdoor Theatre
Maude Barlow: keynote address at Outdoor Theatre. If severe weather approaches Ms. Barlow will speak at the Grand Bend Legion (20 Municipal Drive)
8 p.m. – P9 beach parking lot
Sunset hike

Late night television fans have the opportunity to see Jimmy Fallon’s Late Night house band, The Roots, when they perform at the Cutting Edge Music Festival August 2 at the Motorplex. Named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the “twenty greatest live acts in the world,” The Roots are releasing a new album this summer. The eight-piece Philadelphia hip-hop band has performed with such greats as Paul Simon, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, and Mos Def.

It may sound like an odd place for a metal concert, but the Grand Bend Legion will host four metal bands, including Toronto’s To Cherish, Battlesoul from London, Grizzly from Wingham and a band yet to be announced. Also on the roster are indie rockers Blaze ‘n’ Murder of Wingham and punk group Streetcore of Clinton/Bayfield. The show is July 25 at the Grand Bend Legion.

Bob Teskey was “a good listener and companion.” This week, his wife Barb pays tribute to his legacy by walking in the Relay for Life. Her lesson: live your dreams.

Originally from Sarnia, retired teacher’s assistant Barb Teskey, 58, and her family are participating as team Family Ties in Grand Bend’s 12 hour Relay for Life at Klondyke Sports Park July 10 and 11. The survivor lap starts at 7 p.m.
Teskey’s husband Bob was a teacher for 30 years, and was six months away from retiring from Cathcart Public School when he was diagnosed with pneumonia. Two weeks later, doctors had bad news: he had lung cancer, and it had already spread to his bones. Despite radiation on his hip, Barb and Bob received disheartening news on February 14, 2005: Bob would have to move into palliative care. Bob Teskey died two months later aged 54. He left behind two sons, and an expectant daughter-in-law.

As told to Casey Lessard
Photos courtesy Barb Teskey

Bob was a good companion. I miss his presence. I used to go out and walk all the time and knew that he was there waiting for me. Coming home at night and knowing that he’s not here to greet me and be here for me – you just have to cope. You have to go on.

Bob and I were born and raised in London, and we went to the same high school. There were a bunch of us who hung out in a coffee shop after high school, and we knew each other and had been friends for a long time.
We were very good friends, so it was difficult to make that leap into romance. It just happened. Then we decided that we would be together. He had a wonderful sense of humour, and I think that’s why I was attracted to him. We had a lot of the same interests. Our favourite thing to do in Sarnia was walk in Canatara Park, and we spent a lot of time at a cottage in Kettle Point until the boys were 16. We always loved being at the beach and having a cottage. When he passed away, I knew a lake setting was where he would have loved to have been.

With the pneumonia, we just assumed he would be okay. He was on medication for a couple weeks and it wasn’t going away. He went in for another x-ray and they saw a mass on his lung. In the original x-ray, it wasn’t there. You’re in a state of shock, and that point we weren’t aware of how aggressive it was. But it became very apparent that it was moving very quickly. It was Valentine’s Day that he had to go into palliative care. The cancer left him paralyzed from the waist down from that point.
It doesn’t even give you enough time to think and to process it. You’re also in some denial that this is meaning that it’s the end. We hadn’t really wanted to believe it.
He never once complained. He told me, “Barb, there are worse things with parents losing children to it.” He didn’t seem frightened. He didn’t say, Why me? He was very brave through the whole thing.
His battle with cancer was very short. It was such an aggressive cancer, and for the last two months of his life, I lived in palliative care with him. We had all the comforts we needed, but it was a difficult time, especially at the end when he lost consciousness. The last few days were very tough, just sitting beside him.
He was so looking forward to retiring and pursuing other interests, such as traveling. In an instant, your life is changed.
When he was in palliative care, he was quite ill when I found out that our son and daughter-in-law were going to have our first grandchild, so I very much miss that he didn’t get a chance to meet his grandchildren. That’s one of the toughest things because we were looking forward to being grandparents. I believe he is with us and knows that he has a lovely granddaughter and grandson.

He asked my daughter-in-law to make up photo boards for the funeral home, so she made them up really quickly so we could have them. We had the pictures in his room so that when people came in, we would talk about all the different pictures. It made it easier because we would talk about old memories. We didn’t really talk about his passing that much, other than he and I personally. We would just talk happy memories. A friend taped an interview with him for many hours, which I haven’t yet been able to listen to. He tells me he hasn’t yet, either.
Because he was a Grade 8 teacher and young – he was only 54 when he died – of course, the children were devastated. He received all kinds of wonderful messages from the kids and parents.
This was the first time my children had to go to a funeral, and it had to be their father. They were both overwhelmed by the number of people who were there. It was very difficult for them.

Because this happened so quickly, we didn’t have time to prepare. If there’s anything you want to do in life, don’t put it off. You don’t know when your day is going to come.
I was nervous I wouldn’t have a travel partner, but people always call. I basically say yes to everything people offer. Wherever they want to go, I’ll go. It’s very important to be happy and live your dreams before anything happens to you. Do what you want to do.
We shared wonderful times together. I know he would have loved being up here at the water with me. It’s very difficult that he’s not able to share this with me.

Barb recommends everyone should attend or participate in a Relay for Life. To donate, visit www.cancer.ca/relay

EDIT (Adding events):
Saturday June 20, 2009
1:00 p.m.
Visitor Centre, Pinery Provincial Park

3:30 & 4:30 p.m. – Rum & Spirits program
& Voyageur Canoe trip (Canoe Dock)

Story by Casey Lessard
Photos courtesy Pinery Provincial Park

It has been a big part of family life for area residents and visitors for 50 years, and this weekend the Pinery Park is celebrating that milestone with cake and more at the visitors’ centre.
Friends of Pinery Park is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year; the non-profit is dedicated to education, promotion, preservation and support of the park and its activities. Brenda Kulon, 55, of Bright’s Grove has been coming to the park most of her life, and chairs the committee.
“My first time in Pinery park was as a kid,” Kulon recalls. “I was amazed at the tall pines. In my high school years, we did a lot of camping here. And then as a young adult, I volunteered here counting butterflies and was a photographer for the park during my 30s.”
Over the years, Kulon has noticed major changes in the features and operation of the park, including the move from planting pines to restoring the native habitat, the oak savannah. Some changes were for the better and others not.
“Environmentally, we’re losing a lot of the insect population and species, and we don’t understand why,” she says. “A lot of it is habitat loss, but there has to be another reason. We don’t have the knowledge. As far as staffing, there used to be numerous people working as educators, and now the Pinery is threatened with fewer and fewer of them. The role of volunteers in the park is still very important because your experts are often outside of the park system. You need both. There’s a happy medium.”
Marty Page also remembers early days at the park, enjoying time swimming and having barbecues. His father installed the hydro lines as an employee of Ontario Hydro that first year.
“My dad said that they rather enjoyed working in the Park in the winter, as the trees blocked the cold winds,” Page says. “There were two trucks working everyday. Each truck had a foreman, a driver and four linesmen. There were First Nations people hired from the reservation at Kettle Point, I believe, and their job was to dig the holes for the poles to be set in and they had to be paid cash each day when they were finished.”
Park lovers like Page are critical to the Pinery’s ongoing success, Kulon says.
“Friends was formed by caring people who were dedicated to the preservation of what’s inside Pinery park and to the education and promotion of the park. Friends was designed to be the voices of the Pinery and show people what a beautiful place it is.”
Getting involved by volunteering could mean anything from fundraising, to educating visitors, to helping with promotions.
“We do a lot for the park, and a lot of those things they (the ministry) can’t do on their own,” says Friends manager of operations Jessica Brownlee. “We do a lot of fundraising for park projects. We do the trail guides, educational exhibits, interpretive signs. We built the Savannah bike trail, maintain the website, and run the nature store, which is a fundraiser for the Friends.”
Noting the variety of family experiences possible, Brownlee notes the Pinery’s value in giving people a chance to commune with nature while helping in the preservation of the wildlife, culture and history of the park.
“It is a big place with lots to offer,” she says, mentioning the variety of activities from hiking, biking, swimming, to toboganning, snowshoeing and skating that take place. “It’s really a special place.”

The Grand Bend Horticultural Society hopes this year’s Festival of Homes, Gardens and Arts sells out like last year’s event did. On board for the June 27 event are nine homes and gardens, 23 artists and 2 nurseries. Passports for the tour are $15, with locations disclosed that day. The passport includes treats such as homemade cookies and lemonade, and samples from local restaurants, Parmalat Cheese in London, and Brantford’s The Cider Keg. M&M Meat Shops is a major sponsor, and is donating proceeds from a lunch barbecue to the event.
Entertainment will be provided by UWO’s New Horizon Band, with Paul Seagrave performing at the Putherbough home in St. Joseph during the afternoon.
To reserve your passport, call 519-236-7884.

Friday, June 19
Main Beach, Grand Bend
2 to 9 p.m. – Burgers and beer
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. – Live entertainment

Saturday, June 20
Main Beach, Grand Bend
11 a.m. to 9 p.m. – Burgers and beer
11 a.m. – Bed races on the beach road
3 p.m. – Mr. & Mrs. Burgerfest contest on stage in the main tent
All afternoon – DJ music
All day – Games and face painting for kids of all ages
10 p.m. to 1 a.m. – Live entertainment

Sunday, June 21
Main Beach, Grand Bend
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Burgers and beer
2 to 3 p.m. – Kids and father figure sand castle contest
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – DJ music
2 to 6 p.m. – Live entertainment

When it comes to making money, the Huron Country Playhouse Guild has chosen the right person for its upcoming fundraiser. Humourist and motivational speaker David Chilton, renowned author of Canada’s all-time best selling book, The Wealthy Barber, knows his finances and can help you find your way out of the current economic mess.
Chilton will speak at the Playhouse Friday June 12, with the $25 tickets more than half sold. All proceeds go to the Huron Country Playhouse Capital Campaign, and with a copy of Food Network stars Janet and Greta Podleski’s Eat Shrink & Be Merry (a $30 value) included, as well as performances by the stars of the 2009 Playhouse season, organizers expect the show will sell out soon.
The Huron Country Playhouse Guild is a volunteer organization of 100 theatre members who support theatre enhancement projects through a variety of fundraising initiatives. Tickets can be ordered by calling (519) 238-6000 or toll free at 1-888-449-4463.

Focus of annual show is representational art

Paint Ontario
March 14 to April 5
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Lambton Heritage Museum

By Casey Lessard

“Fight poverty, buy art.”
That’s the mantra Paint Ontario founder Barry Richman uses to encourage people to support the representational art show he started in 1996.
“Paint Ontario was established by me, selfishly,” says Richman, “to serve artists like me – representational artists. We paint something that looks like that thing. Not abstract, not installations.”
This year’s juried show accepted 300 entries from about 110 artists; only 120 fit on the walls at the Lambton Heritage Museum. Most artists are from Ontario, with some from Michigan and elsewhere. Some artists will have no pieces accepted into the show, and the most an artist can have in the show is three.
It’s an attractive venue for artists for a reason. Forty-three paintings sold last year, an increase from the year before; this year may be different because of the economic climate.
“I don’t know any place that sells 43 pieces in three weeks. I don’t know how sales will go, but we’re up 50 per cent in entries from last year.”
All of the art is available for sale, with prices ranging from $175 to $6,000. Last year’s average sale price was $645. To prize for best in show is $2000, with other prizes offered. They include purchase awards for two pieces: $750 for a local piece featuring people living a healthy lifestyle that will be purchased by the Grand Bend Area Health Services and paid for by John and Helen Walsh; and $500 for a piece chosen by Richman to join the Paint Ontario permanent collection.
Richman is available to give tours to anyone coming to the show for the first time; he also has a wall set up with a good cross-section of the different subjects represented in the show.
“The biggest thing I enjoy is watching how artists have grown compared to last year. Artists come and are very objective about why not all of their pieces got in the show, or why none got in. They find out where they’re falling short and talk to me about what makes a good painting or a great painting. To me, that’s very important.”
For more information, visit www.paintontario.com

Meet Me at the Diner
Exeter Skating Club Carnival
Sunday, March 29
12 and 4 p.m. (two shows) – South Huron Recreation Centre
$8 (advance) or $10 (at door), $4 for children 12 and under

While skaters prepare their routines for the Exeter Skating Club carnival March 29, students at South Huron District High School are preparing a backdrop to match the theme, Meet Me at the Diner.
“In groups they came up with images that reflect the various eras from the 1950s to now,” says visual arts teacher Carleen Hone, who is supervising the project by her Grade 10 art class. Among the images are portraits of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Garfield, as well as images of breakdancing and iPods.
The SHDHS band will also perform at the carnival, which features junior national skating champions and local skaters.

Red Hand Day demands United Nations action

Story and photos by Casey Lessard

Our Lady of Mount Carmel students were caught red-handed February 5. They were painting their hands red and sending a handprint to the United Nations to put pressure on the international body to stop the use of child soldiers globally. The project is an initiative of Human Rights Watch, and Mount Carmel’s social justice club supports the move.
“We’re children and we can connect to the children who are fighting,” says Lauren Stewart, who formed the club with fellow student Jessica Lavery after seeing Free the Children founder Marc Kielburger speak. He told them that if they wanted to make a difference, they should start a social justice club. With 29 members, the club makes up almost 20 per cent of the school population.
“For these kids, putting a red hand means more than just finger painting. We are going to send these to the United Nations and hopefully it will make a difference.
“We want to see the decrease of child soldiers around the world.”
Principal Todd Chisholm is impressed with the students’ initiative.
“They make the decisions about their projects. It’s purely student-driven,” Chisholm says, noting such concern is nurtured in the classroom. “We talk about outreach and doing social justice for others. That’s already embedded in our classroom teaching, and at the school level, we have a philosophy about being a Community of Caring.”
Teacher Carrie Ducharme-Ivatts is the school’s Community in Caring leader. The project’s goal is to promote social justice and environmental awareness.
“You educate the whole person, and not just one aspect,” Ducharme-Ivatts says. “We focus on the spiritual, academic and intellectual components.”
Lenten activities will support Mission Services in London, with projects that include a raffle to support shelters, donation drives for clothing, lunch bags, and juice boxes.
“When the kids actually do it,” she says, “they get the value out of it. They feel they are making a difference.”
Lauren Stewart agrees, noting the students want to volunteer, but opportunities are limited for elementary students.
“They want high school students,” Stewart says. “It’s hard to find volunteer work off-site. We’re hoping they’ll see how hard we try and let us come on-site. It’s better for us.”
The group aims to accomplish one project per month, focusing on wide-ranging social justice concerns at home (such as bullying), in the community (Blessings and Mission Services) and around the world. Guest speakers and field trips are also planned.

The Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority hosts its 20th Conservation Dinner April 16 at the South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter. This year’s feature artist is Bill Nieuwland of Huron Woods. The 64-year old self-taught artist frequently paints scenes that capture the ABCA’s mandate area. Nieuwland is donating three pieces: two giclée prints of previous work (Blue Point Sunset and Diamond Lake in Temagami), and a new, original work that he painted from the vantage point of his home on the Old Ausable River Channel called My Backyard.

As told to Casey Lessard

We moved here because we loved the trees, the beach, the river, the wildlife, the solitude, the quiet.
I always painted nature as a kid, and that’s what I love doing. I paint a lot of local scenes and a lot of water scenes. I did one of Arkona, and they sold a print of that at their silent auction last year.
My favourite spot is either the beach or the river. Most of my paintings are made in those areas. I’ve done four of my backyard, but you can only do so many of your backyard. I’ve done several of the Pinery. Then there’s the beach; I’ve done logs on the beach, geese on the beach, a lot of scenes on the beach.
I try to paint as much detail and dimension as I can. You want to outdo yourself every time. To do that, I look at other artists who do excellent work and wonder how they do it. I try to catch the methods they use, but I’m not trying to outdo them; I’m trying to outdo myself.
Four years ago, Doug Ellison suggested we join him at the dinner, and we were impressed. The dinner and atmosphere were great. They’ve picked some real good artists in the past. It’s quite a recognition and I’ve been donating prints to the silent auction ever since. I’m able to show my art to 450 people and be recognized in another area other than just Grand Bend. It’s a way for them to raise money. Plus it gives me exposure to people interested in my art.
I live on the river. I want it maintained in good standing. The ABCA does a good job and they have a lot of support, with a lot of people coming to the dinner. I believe in what they stand for: conservation areas are very important. I love nature, so I want to keep it as good as we can keep it.

For more information, visit www.abca.on.ca or www.conservationdinner.com

World Religion Day
Sunday, January 18
2 to 4 p.m. – Grand Bend Legion (Kevin Locke will also perform at the Huron Woods clubhouse Sunday night at 7 p.m.)
Featuring Lakota hoop dancer Kevin Locke and the London Unity Choir. Clergy of local churches will offer readings and prayers for world peace. Refreshments served. Everyone welcome.

Gord and Josy Britton wouldn’t miss World Religion Day for anything. Currently in Ethiopia singing with Van Gilmer’s Bahá’í House of Worship Gospel Choir, the Brittons will return home just in time to celebrate the event’s fifth year in Grand Bend.
“Every year we’ve had participation from the Grand Bend United Church, the Anglican church, the Catholic church, the Presbyterian church in St. Joseph, and the United church in Dashwood,” says Josy. “We’ve had representatives of the Muslim and Jewish communities. To cover other religions, we’ve had to invite people from outside the area. The last two years we’ve had the princess from Kettle Point come and do a native prayer.”
This year, organizers are especially proud to have American Lakota hoop dancer Kevin Locke as the guest of honour.
“He’s an amazing individual,” Gord says. “He has such skill. His hoop dancing is unbelievable. What adds to its beauty is its symbolism.”
“His hoops are in four colours: black, white, red and yellow,” Josy adds. “They represent the four races, four directions, four winds. He uses 28 hoops to show all sorts of symbols of renewal. He makes them into birds, butterflies, eagles, sun, moon, and stars. He shows changing seasons through the dance. He shows that everyone is each other’s brother and there can be unity.”
Promoting unity is the main goal of the event, an initiative of the Bahá’í faith. The Brittons are members of this faith, and one of its principles is to build a peaceful world through the unity of mankind.
“We have to start understanding and celebrating our diversity,” Gord says, “and World Religion Day promotes that unity in diversity. All these faiths and non-faith groups come together to celebrate in unity.
“All of these religions share a golden rule, stated in different ways. Live together, respect each other and treat your neighbour as yourself. You don’t bomb your brother if you believe the world is one country and we are one human race.”
The Brittons faced concern when they converted to the Bahá’í faith, but have found the community more welcoming as time has passed.
“Some of our friends were worried that it was a cult or something,” Josy says. “There isn’t any fear anymore. People are surprised at how few Bahá’ís there are here because we’re quite an active group.”
“We often focus on the divisions,” Gord notes, “but all the world religions come from the same source, and that’s God. God wouldn’t create competing religions. If they look closely enough, they’ll find a great deal of commonality in the spiritual teachings, but where the differences lie are in the social teachings. Social conditions change. We shouldn’t be judging religions on the social differences.”
Ultimately, the Brittons believe we are all the same and looking for the same things in life. The key is to work to understand other cultures and religions, and events like World Religion Day help achieve that goal.
“Understanding isn’t tolerance. It’s celebrating the fact that there’s something that connects us all. We’ve traveled to Israel, India, Africa, and elsewhere, and families are families. People wake up and care about their children and want to get on with their lives in a peaceful way. It’s not going to happen by accident, but by deliberate planning.”
The event is free, and people of all beliefs are welcome to attend.

Partners in Learning, which is launching a new session this month (see p 13), has a new spin-off group that is planning to show feature films once a month. The group, called Sunset Cinema, will air its first film, Big Fish, January 22 at 7 p.m. at the Grand Bend CHC. Future films will show the first Thursday of each month from September to May.
Jane St. Laurent, Jackie Southcott and Dinah Taylor are the current film selection committee, and have only decided on the first film but are already planning for the future.
“We’re hoping to show films that are not readily available in our community,” Taylor says. “We get a lot of the blockbusters in London, but there are a lot of others that never get here. We’re looking at films from the last 10 years and hopefully newer ones.”
The group has no budget, and can’t charge admission; donations are welcome to help afford movies that incur a cost.
While there is no specific theme to the programming, the group is leaning away from overtly violent or sexual films, but 14A-rated films such as Paul Haggis’ Crash are being considered. The group wants films to generate discussion, which will take place after the films for those who wish to stay; the discussions are optional as the film presentations are also intended for entertainment purposes.
For more information about the films, watch for posters or call Dinah Taylor at 519-238-1114.

2009 Grand Bend Winter Carnival Events Guide

Monday Feb. 16, 2009
3 to 5 p.m. – Oakwood Clubhouse
Bring the family for a free swim. Special Kids menu begins at 4 p.m.

Scale model drivers hit the track at Grand Bend Speedway

Story and photos by Casey Lessard

Grand Bend Speedway’s existence is only half a secret, with many people seeing the sign south of the Motorplex but never really knowing what goes on at the oval half-scale track. Built in 1996 and expanded last year, each summer weekend, the track hosts drivers from ages seven to adult who participate in racing that resembles NASCAR, but with cars half the size of the models you see on the road.
“It seemed like a good way to spend Saturday nights with the kids,” says Mike Koricina of Ailsa Craig, whose son and daughter are Speedway veterans. “We’ve been here eight years. I do all the work on the cars to prepare them and make them go fast. Sometimes it’s too much (to handle), but it gives you quality time. It’s not a big money game. It’s not a lot of return. You do it because you like it.”
“Every time we come here, we have a good time and it keeps getting better,” says Dillon West of Aylmer, who drives mini-trucks that reach speeds of up to 80 mph.
Michelle Koricina, 19, is a two-time 6.5 HP micro-sprint champion (2003, 2004) and currently leads the 9 HP mini-sprint standings heading into the tail end of the season.
“My brother did it first and I copied,” she says. “I’m a dancer, too, so it’s like opposites. But I wanted to try it and I really liked it. I like starting at the back and having to pass everyone to get to the front.”
In a sport dominated by men, women like Koricina and Katlynn Freel don’t let the pressure get to them.
“You kind of get looked at differently but once you get in the car, it’s different,” Freel says. “It’s good to be a role model for the younger girls.”
The 16-year-old Londoner takes her share of knocks, hitting the wall at the Flamborough track when she was nine years old. She’s stuck with it and plans to move up to the four-cylinder street stock class next year.
“I’ve hit the wall a few times, but you have a full roll cage and five-point harness, fireproof suit, Snell rated helmets,” she says. “Some guys roll and are back the next week. They get up and walk away. You can’t ask for anything else. You want to be safe.”
For Michelle Koricina, her career may take a safer path as she pursues hairdressing at Marvel in November, but her passion remains on the track.
“I’d like to race at Delaware,” she says as she drops a hint while her dad listens, “if my dad buys me a truck.”

Races at Grand Bend Speedway run Saturdays at 6 p.m. until October 4.To learn more, visit
http://www.grandbendspeedway.com.

Soap Box Derby

Saturday, September 20
10 a.m. – Registration
10 to 11:30 a.m. – Inspection and Practice
11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Judging (non-racing)
12:15 to 1 p.m. – Lunch
1 to 4 p.m. – Racing

For a man who refuses to grow up, the soap box derby is the perfect activity to do with your kids. Just ask Travis Davis.
“You take a piece of plywood, start with a frame and build a shell according to the size of the individual and go from there,” says Davis, who built his first soap box car when he was in his 20s, and whose garage and home are full of toys with engines. The Dashwood Optimists, who will host the event, approached him to seek his input on a community event, and he suggested the derby.
“So far I’ve had 12 people call me,” he says noting Matt Hayter is also selling kits.
For $25, the Optimists provide car builders with wheels, axles, mounting brackets and a $5 gift certificate for RONA.
Two drivers will begin on an 8’ ramp and race down a hill. Top speed is about 15 mph, Davis says.
“It feels like you’re going down a hill in a real car,” says Ethan, 9, whose car is shaped like a shark. Sister Emily, 10, will be driving a miniature version of Herbie the Love Bug.
“Weight is a major factor,” Davis says. “The lighter your car, the better off you are. We have a weight limit up to 200 lbs. The lighter the car and the child, the faster you will go.
“It’s to bring the community closer together,” he adds, “so we have more fellowship and have a good time. Everyone’s welcome to come out, and we hope to do it every year.”
Formore information, contact Matt Hayter at 519-237-3731 or Davis at 519-237-3152.

Christine’s Marina, Bar & Grill
Port Franks
August 3, 1:30 p.m.
Live entertainment and prizes
Event supports the Northville Fire department.
For more details, contact Christine’s at 519-243-3636.

By Casey Lessard

Bob Putherbough of the Grand Bend and Area Horticultural Society wrote us to tell us of the Home & Garden Tour’s outstanding success, which far exceeded anyone’s expectations.
“We had about 950 people,” he told the Strip. “We thought if we got up to 300, it would be fantastic.
“We had to cut the advanced sales off at 800, and we had to stop day-of sales just after 10 o’clock. We would have overwhelmed the homeowners if we had allowed any more.”
The July 5 tour featured five houses and eight gardens. Lunch was served at the Caddyshack at Grand Cove.
“Everyone is over the top with the numbers we got. We could only serve food to 800.
“I hired a policeman to be there for four hours; we heard on Sunday that a friend saw him just after he arrived, and she said he was like a deer in the headlights. He actually called in two of his buddies and we had three cruisers at times with flashing lights directing people across the street.”
Proceeds from the event go to the horticultural society’s activities maintaining flowerbeds in Grand Bend. One of the underpromoted aspects of the event was the fact that vendors – including artists and garden centres donating portions of their earnings – would be at some of the locations.
“We’ve learned a lot. We had vendors, but people didn’t know to come with money. The vendors did okay, but not nearly as well as they could have done if we had stressed there would be vendors here.”
The society will decide this week whether to run the event again next year. The success of the tour has to be weighed with the small number of volunteers available to help. Stay tuned for future plans.

Ask your kids if they would like to spend time this summer with other area kids, taking day trips and playing outside, and they’ll likely agree that the Grand Bend Youth Centre is a good place to spend the summer. Here’s what’s coming up this summer at the centre.

Tuesday, July 15 to 17
Animal Adventures. Includes trip to Toronto Zoo!

Tuesday, July 22 to 24
Sports Week. Skateboarding, basketball and a trip to East Park Golf Gardens.

Tuesday, July 29 to 31
Rancher Week. Backyard camping, sing a longs, and smores. Trip to Dude Ranch for hay rides and outdoor fun including a Survivor Game.

Tuesday, August 5 to 7
Wet and Wild Week. Bring along a white t shirt on Tues. as we will be doing T-Dye shirts!. You’ll also need your bathing suit for a fun wet week of activities including a trip to Bluewater Fun Park!

Tuesday, August 12 to 14
Thrill and Chills Week. Come join us for some cool science experiments, help create a haunted house and then we head off to Canada’s Wonderland!

Tuesday, August 19 to 21
The Grand Finale. Join us as we explore different cultures games, foods and crafts. Bring your dancing shoes as we try out our Dance Dance Revolution game. We end the summer with Carnival Day on Thursday!

To register, call 519-238-1155.

Children’s Festival
Saturday July 26
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Main Street Exeter
Presented by Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Yard Sale
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Pie Sale – Community Living South Huron
10 a.m.
Come visit the White Squirrel
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Activities and Crafts – bubble pool, boat pond, princess tiaras, airplanes, colouring pages, paper masks and more.
11 a.m. – Barbecue – hot dogs, hamburgers and cold drinks.
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Scribbles the Clown
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Drum circle

All children will be given a passport allowing them to participate in each activity station. Additional tickets can be purchased for 25¢ each. All proceeds from the event go to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron. Volunteers wanted, call: 226-268-3871 or email cw@shbbbs.on.ca

The inevitable day has arrived.
I had hoped I would be able to continue to provide the Grand Bend Strip newspaper for free indefinitely, but after thinking long and hard this spring, I realize that the only way for the paper to publish this winter is to ask for your support.
Like you, I value the ability to learn more about the people who live and work in this community. I love meeting you and capturing your memories for the paper. This is what I feel I can bring to this community, and I want to stay here.
I also feel it’s important to bring to light some of the problems that exist here, and the challenges we face in this community. I’m willing to put the work into creating quality journalism here, but I can’t do it alone.
The Strip will continue to be free until the end of the summer, which on most people’s calendar is the Thanksgiving weekend. After that, it will be available only to Strip Club VIP members. Even the website will be restricted to VIPs. I have yet to decide whether the exclusivity will continue next summer.
I promise to make membership worthwhile, and hope you will contribute to surveys to improve the paper, and take advantage of special offers from our advertising clients.
For more information about club membership, please see our subscription page.

Looking for something fun to do with the family? There are several great events happening the weekend of July 12, including the Kettle Point Pow-Wow, which takes place on the reserve Saturday and Sunday. The event features native dance, music, food and crafts in a beautiful park setting.
Meanwhile, Saturday July 12, Parkhill hosts its second annual Cardboard Boat Races at the dam on the north end of town. The event starts at 10 a.m. with canoe races, inner tube races and cardboard races (12 noon). Admission is $3, with live music by Fathead, 2008 Juno winner for blues album of the year. For more information and to register your boat, visit:
http://www.parkhillcardboardboatraces.ca/

The RONA MS Bike Tour is a pledge-based fundraising event that provides Canadians with the opportunity to ride through scenic countryside from Grand Bend to London and back. Over 1200 cyclists have already registered for the two-day event.
Event organizers are seeking volunteers for various roles for the Tour on Saturday and/or Sunday, July 26-27. Please contact Nelson Couto at 519-680-7878 or by email at nelson.couto – at – mssociety.ca.

There are eight homes on the Grand Bend and Area Horticultural Society Home and Garden Tour, which takes place July 5. Among them is the Spanish inspired home of Frank and Nancy Moore, who owned a home in Costa Rica and wanted to bring some of the same feel to a plot of land north of Grand Bend. Frank has traveled extensively through South America for a book he’s writing on a famed British botanist; Nancy is a yoga instructor and master gardener.
Bob McIntosh and Kate McKenzie’s home in St. Joseph Shores is one of two in the area on the tour. It’s also for sale at $1,800,000. Among its amenities is a kitchen designed by the same man who designed the kitchen for Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Bermuda home.
Tickets for the tour ($15 advance, $20 on the day) are available at Sobey’s or the Tender Spot, and include lunch. For more info, call Bob Putherbough 519-236-7884.

The Huron Country Playhouse Guild’s first annual gala was a great success, raising $20,000 for the Playhouse; now the guild moves to its focus to its second major fundraiser for the year, the Dinner for Eight. The dinner is Saturday, September 13, and features a different course from Grand Bend area fine dining establishments at three different homes. Tickets for this draw are $5, with only 500 for sale. To get your ticket or for more information, call Doreen (519-238-5423), Marcia (519-243-3833) or Mary (519-238-5640).

The Huron County Library is adding teen game nights and drop-in gaming to its year-round program offerings starting in July. Ten of the county’s 12 branches will host monthly gaming events for youth aged 12 to 18.
Each event will feature a big screen Nintendo Wii tournament with such games as Rock Band, Guitar Hero, Super Smash Brothers and Dance Dance Revolution, as well as a variety of video, card and board games available for use. Prizes and snacks will be provided at each event and all of this comes at no cost to the patrons.
During the summer, most of these events run from 6 to 8 p.m., but some libraries will switch to 4 to 6 p.m. in the fall to accommodate students coming directly from school.
For more information those interested should check with their local librarian or visit the “Video Games at the Huron County Library” Facebook group where all relevant dates and details are available and updated regularly.
This month’s dates:
Monday July 7th – Goderich (6-8pm)
Tuesday July 8th – Zurich (6-8pm)
Monday July 14th – Clinton (6-8pm)
Tuesday July 22 – Hensall (6-8pm)
Thursday July 31st – Exeter (6-8pm)
In addition, all 12 branches have board and card games on their shelves for use in the library; families or groups of friends can use them whenever the library is open.

By Jurgen Herrmann

In June 1978, Erwin and Luzia Schottroff began the dynasty that was to become the Pine Dale Motor Inn. Erwin and Luzia gave up farming and moved to Grand Bend with their three girls, Mary-Jo, Jackie and Barbara. What was to be a five year stay turned into a lifetime of hard work.
On June 15, 2008 they will have been in business for 30 years with three generations having contributed to the success of the Pine Dale. The inn started out with 23 rooms and eight cottages and remained that way for about four years before the Schottroffs expanded to the 41 rooms, two conference rooms, games room, and licensed lounge now on-site. Guests share meals in the park-like setting out back, and share a drink at the Bavarian pub.
An outdoor swimming pool became an indoor pool when the building was upgraded in 1982, and is now open year round. The saltwater pool hosts swimming lessons, aerobic groups, youth and church groups, and many people simply looking for a casual swim.
The inn has a committed staff, some on the payroll for 26 years. Wherever you see a staff member cleaning rooms, gardening or shoveling tons of snow, the odds are good that you’ll see them working shoulder-to-shoulder with a Schottroff family member.
The Schottroffs believe supporting the community keeps it alive, and that’s one reason they purchase most of the hotel’s supplies locally. Erwin has served on the Chamber of Commerce executive for many years, and was recently awarded the Ontario Volunteer Service Award for 25 years of outstanding volunteerism.
One point of pride is seeing guests who arrived as children return with their own kids for a stay. Family is important at the Pine Dale, and perhaps one day, you’ll see a fourth generation manager running the inn.
To celebrate the Pine Dale’s 30th anniversary, the Schottroffs are hosting an open house at the Inn June 16 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Grand Bend Burgerfest, a fundraiser for the Optimist Club, returns to the beach this weekend, June 13 to 15.
This year’s event revives favourites from ages past: bed races and the Ms./Mr. Burgerfest competition.

Friday, June 13
12 p.m. – Business Luncheon
5 p.m. – Admission opens to the public
8 p.m. – Entertainment with “Rumblefish”

Saturday, June 14
11 a.m. – Bed races on main beach road
1 p.m. – Music with Yeager, Murray Andrews, Brian Dale and Lance Bedard
5 p.m. – Ms./Mr. Burgerfest competition
8 p.m. – The Pat Waterfield Rock & Soul Review

Sunday, June 15
2 to 5 p.m. – Jazz and blues artists Denise Pelley and Cheryl Lescomb
3 p.m. – Parachute jump on main beach

Admission – $5; all proceeds to the Grand Bend Optimist Club
http://www.grandbendtourism.com
http://www.visitgrandbend.com
http://www.grandbend.com

Zurich Mennonite Church turned 100 on March 27th and has a year of special events planned to celebrate God’s faithfulness and blessings.
On March 30 celebrations started with a retro worship service that reminiscent of the first worship service held in 1908. Some of the old customs observed that day were a cappella singing, kneeling for prayer, all male leadership, and segregated seating with men and boys on the right side and ladies and girls on the left side of the church. Elder Dennis Estep led the worship service. Pastor Phil Wagler and former Pastor Clayton Kuepfer presented challenging messages and deacon Don Gingerich affirmed the message.
A “Home Coming Weekend” is planned for June 20 to 22 and friends and former members are invited back to help celebrate. Pre registration is encouraged; call the church office at 519 236- 4933 for more information.

Hemp is not marijuana, and it can be used to build homes, cars and even to build longer lasting human bodies, not to mention protect as clothing.
You can learn all about the virtues of the versatile hemp plant when Angie Richter of The Currant Organic General Store in Parkhill presents a two-hour workshop June 12 at her Main Street store.
Hemp contains no THC (active ingredient in marijuana) but it does contain “all the Omega-3,-6, -7, -9 fatty acids, all the amino acids to make a complete protein, fibre, vitamin, minerals, enzymes,” Richter says, “and it tastes delicious.”
Tickets are $65 and include one pound of hemp seeds, tea sampling and baked goods, and a chance to win prizes at the workshop. To register, call 519-294-1025 or stop by the store.

Royal LePage Heartland is raising money for its charity, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, with a barbecue Saturday June 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of its Grand Bend Ontario Street North location. Broker of record Fred Lobb and representatives Julie Murphy, Ruth and Jerry Zehr, Helen Miller and Brenda Triebner will serve hot dogs and hamburgers, by donation only. Proceeds go to shelters in Exeter and Goderich.

The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority planted almost 56,000 trees on private land this spring, and landowners are expected to plant 20,000 more.
That’s good news considering the ABCA watershed report card gave forest conditions a ‘D’ grade last year and water quality in the watershed earned a ‘C.’
If you want to learn how to collect seed and plan your own planting for 2009, the ABCA is offering a free workshop (including lunch!) Thursday, June 5 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Morrison Dam site east of Exeter. Call Trees Ontario at 1 877-646-1193 to register.

Support children’s Natural Heritage Education Programs at the Pinery by taking part in the Friends of Pinery Park charity golf tournament June 21 at Widder Station.
Packages include: Golf Package ($100): 18 holes of golf, golf cart, 3 course dinner; Sponsor Package ($100): signage on hole and sponsorship recognition. Sponsor and Golf Package ($450); Dinner Only ($35).
For more info., contact 519-243-1521.

There are still a few tickets available for the Huron SPCA Animal House dinner auction, (May 30, South Huron Rec. Ctr., Exeter) which raises money for the Huron County animal shelter. The event sold out at the end of February, but dinner chairperson Kate McKenzie says a few tickets have been returned and are available.
Anyone interested in attending should contact Kate at 519-236-4044.

The Pinery Flea Market opens for the season today, Sunday, May 4 and runs every weekend until Thanksgiving. Also today, the Grand Bend Studio Tour continues from 12 to 4 p.m. at various sites around town. Get out and enjoy the spring weather!

The Grand Bend Studio Tour runs this weekend, featuring 25 artists at venues around town. For more details, visit the Grand Bend Studio Tour website. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 3 and from 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday May 4.

Twelve-year-old Julianna Zahn is walking from London to Windsor April 24-26 as a tribute to her late father’s long struggle with liver disease. A father to Julianna and Kevin, and husband to Anita, Mike Zahn died August 29, 2007 after three failed liver transplants. He was ill all of Julianna’s life.

As told to Casey Lessard

He always joked with us, no matter how sick he was. He always had a good sense of humour, and I really loved that about him.
Even when he felt terrible, he always smiled at us and wanted hugs. He loved music so much and whenever he felt bad, he picked up a guitar and played. He loved animals, just like I do.
My whole life I had to watch my dad suffer. Doing this walk makes me feel that I am helping him because I always had to sit there and watch him suffer, and I couldn’t do anything. We had rough moments when he was really sick and he couldn’t take it. But we’d tell him that we loved him and a big smile would come across his face.
I always remember when he went away in the ambulances. You’d hear the sirens and see them coming in and getting him. And I remember him struggling to get up the stairs, because his bedroom was up there and that’s where he wanted to be.
I want people to know everything about transplants. The waiting, the stress. It’s not just surgery and pain. You have to go through all of this depression, and transplants are really difficult. Some people do well after transplants, but a lot of people are not so fortunate. The heart, the liver and the lung are the worst. Canada has one of the lowest rates of organ donation among Western countries. There aren’t enough donors. People need to sign their donor cards.
While I’m doing the walk, there will be people walking with me who have had transplants. It’s going to feel like he’s walking with me in a way. I know if he were here he would encourage me.
I know I’ll always have my mom to turn to because she knows what I’m going through; her dad died when she was my age. When other girls get to turn to their dads, I get to turn to my mom. I really am going to miss having my dad around to talk to and having a dad. That’s really going to be hard for me when I get married because before he died, the doctor asked him what inspired him to have the third transplant, and he said, “Because I have a daughter to walk down the aisle.”
Sponsor sheets are available at Westland Greenhouses, Country Corners gas station, Movie Gallery, Sobey’s, Twigs flower shop, New Orleans Pizza, Re/Max Doug Pedlar, The Fitness Centre, and Grand Bend Heating Plus.

Support Julianna Zahn’s walk by attending a fundraising barbecue Saturday April 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Twigs Floral Co. on Ontario St. S. in Grand Bend.
There’s recently been a role reversal at Twigs. Linda Relouw sold the flower shop to her employee Carla Sitter, and Relouw now works at the shop part-time. The store will have a re-grand opening Saturday, an event that will also celebrate the store’s 12-year anniversary.
Sitter studied floral design and business at Humber College, and has worked at Twigs for five years, with three years additional work experience at stores in Toronto and London.
In addition to flowers, the shop carries gourmet food products from Gourmet Village and Garlic Box; Sugar and Spice Chocolates, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans, and a variety of gifts. The store is open year-round, Monday to Saturday, 9 to 5. http://www.twigsfloralco.com.

Pedal the Pinery
10 a.m. – Pinery Provincial Park
Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser. Ride and Stride 1 p.m. Ride 20 km, walk 8 km. Kiddy walk/ride 1.5 km. Pledge forms available from Peggy Smith at 519-296-5834 or email endoftheline@execulink.com.

Tyson Breuer’s life changed during a short trip to Grand Bend’s Movie Gallery in June 2006. His seatbelt was scratching his neck, and Tyson reached up to discover a sizeable lump on his collarbone. He was misdiagnosed with a terminal form of cancer (a form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma), but then rediagnosed weeks later with a treatable form of classical Hodgkins lymphoma. Treatment started in August.
“A lot of people don’t know what radiation and chemotherapy involve,” he says. “Chemo is a drip that you get through an IV, and it’s a long drip. You’re in there for five hours minimum; eight hours was normal for me, but others are there for two days.
“You’re taken into a chemo suite that smells like new plastic. You’re sitting in this room with tons of really sick people. It’s not a great spot to be in.”
“It messes with your head. Every day after chemo, I would think about out the best way to kill myself so that no one would find my body. That’s the kind of thing I did every day.”
Chemotherapy was once every two weeks for six months. Following that, Tyson had a month off before 25 doses of radiation.
“Radiation for me was the easiest thing. It depends on the person. The radiation hit my breastbone, my heart, my lungs. I had a raspy cough and a sore throat. Those are all of the side effects I had. Some men who have prostate cancer end up with problems with their GI tract and urinating.”
The 20-year-old has now been in remission for a year, but he takes nothing for granted.
“You always have to be cautious. Any time you wake up with a night sweat or something unusual with your health, you get concerned. You have to deal with that kind of stuff on a daily basis. It’s not something you can easily forget.
“I wish I could say I learned not to be angry or that everything’s precious. I still worry about school, getting a job, relationships and all that crap. I still have those kinds of issues. What I’ve learned is my parents and my sister will always be there for me no matter what.”
The family has taken part in the Pinery ride for years, and you can join them April 27.

Grand Bend Nursery School needs your help to raise the money needed to stay open, and is launching an annual golf tournament fundraiser at St. Joseph’s Bayview Golf Club May 30.
The nursery school is housed in the Grand Bend Public School, and lost 2/3 of its government funding, reducing its teaching budget by $7,500 per year. Parents already cover the bulk of the costs through tuition and fundraisers.
“With this cutback, we literally will not be able to keep our doors open if we don’t find something big that we can do to help generate some money for us,” says teacher’s assistant Carrie Grainger, who notes the school has been running for about 34 years. “In order to keep young families coming, the town has to offer something. You have to be able to cater to everybody. When you look at the community, there’s nothing for that age group (from 2-5). For the parents, it is important that they have that free time, once or twice a week. And it’s in a learning environment, so they’re learning to play nice and socialize.”
The fundraiser is seeking golfers, volunteers and sponsors, with each hole available for sponsorship at $100 per hole. There will be a live and silent auction, so any donations are welcome. All funds go directly to the school. To register as a player or sponsor, contact Julia at ELS and Company, at 519-238-2199.

Students at Parkhill’s North Middlesex District High School are preparing their annual dramatic performance, this year producing the musical Grease: You’re the One that I Want. The play runs May 8, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. at the high school. “We thought it was something the students would be excited about performing,” says music director Rod Culham. “It has 50s and 60s rock, and that’s always fun to do and yet fairly simple. And the story line is where they are: teenagers in high school. It has love relationships that involve being bad and good.
“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t think kids have changed that much since the 50s. There are differences, of course, but there has always been the investigation of good and evil, the excitement of sexual tension, and the element of teasing each other, the questioning of adult authority. The same sorts of things that were relevant then are still relevant today.”
Sandra Smith directs the play, with technical direction by Rick Pardo, costumes by Lindsay Denning and choreography by Andrea Wegg. The production involves a cast of more than 20 students, six instrumentalists, and many adults assisting.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors and students, and are available by calling the school at 519-294-1128.

The 2008 Westover Shore to Shore Relay is signing up teams of walkers and runners for its May 30-31 event, a 322 km journey from Port Stanley to Grand Bend. Participants travel through picturesque parts of Elgin, Chatham-Kent and Lambton counties to end with a spectacular finish at Grand Bend beach. This event brings together individuals of all fitness levels in teams of 8-12 for a unique and rewarding challenge to cover a variety of distances.
All proceeds from the event go to benefit the Westover Treatment Centre located in Thamesville. Westover is a treatment centre where individuals can go to find counselling, guidance, support, and friendship in their recovery from tobacco, alcohol and other drug addictions. The centre also aids individuals who have been affected by another person’s addiction.

Cribbage teams from across the country will converge on the village as Grand Bend hosts the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion championships April 26 and 27. Grand Bend was awarded the tournament after bidding to host after a successful run at the championship in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 2006. In all, 49 players will be visiting Grand Bend, including the team from Kapuskasing that won this year’s Ontario championship.
“It is not a spectator sport simply because everyone is kept to a confined area,” says Legion president Ron Crown.
The community can support the event by showing hospitality to the visitors, including socializing at some public events, including a dinner and entertainment Friday, opening ceremonies, horse races and music Saturday, and the Sunday evening awards presentation.
“It’s about meeting the people, talking to them and showing them a good time,” Crown says.
Visitors will be shown the area, including the beach, the Pinery, the Motorplex, and Huron Country Playhouse; some may choose to visit their old haunts in Centralia or Clinton.

The second annual Lambton Shores Trash Bash event is Tuesday, April 22 from 10 to 11 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help clean up trash, and anyone interested should meet at one of the following five locations throughout the municipality at 10 a.m.: Arkona Library, Grand Bend Legion, Forest Library, Port Franks Community Centre, and Thedford Village Complex. Bring your own gloves and wear bright colours. The municipality will supply garbage and recycling bags. For more information, contact Grace Dekker (dekfam@execulink.com), Catherine Minielly (minieljc@xcelco.on.ca), or Ruth Illman (illmanru@xcelco.on.ca).

Are you a previous parishioner of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in St. Joseph? Join St. Peter’s 135th Anniversary Celebration! Saturday, July 12th features an evening of local entertainment. An outdoor mass will be celebrated Sunday, July 13th at 10:30 a.m. followed by lunch. Enjoy this opportunity to view historical displays, reminisce, and renew old friendships. There will be various activities for the children. In order to accommodate everyone, advance registration is recommended. For more information and to register call Monique 519-236-7817, Dennis 519-236-4755 or visit www.bluewater.dionet.ca.

Curves for Women is offering area women a chance to get into shape while helping others. Its annual food drive runs until the end of March, and supports the Exeter and Zurich food banks.
Curves waives the $199 start-up fee for new members who bring in a bag of groceries; current members earn Curves cash for each donation. The gym will also offer different draws, prizes, games and activities this month.
Donors should bring non-perishable foods, with baby food and healthy lunch snack items very popular.
“Food banks need the support and this is a good way to be a citizen of the community,” says Curves owner Ann Barteaux. “This club has done really well. We were over 2500 lbs. last year and 3000 lbs. the year before.”
The food drive occurs across North America.

The Huron SPCA is preparing for its 2008 dinner auction, which will be held Friday, May 30 at Exeter’s South Huron Recreation Centre. Donations and tickets sales for the annual fundraiser have brought in $166,000 for the animal shelter over the past three years.
The SPCA’s new shelter location has helped adoptions triple and reports of cruelty have multiplied, allowing the SPCA to help more neglected, abused and abandoned animals than ever before.
Event co-chair Kate McKenzie expects the dinner will sell out by April, so if you want to attend you should buy your tickets soon. They’re available at Baillie’s Picture Framing in Grand Bend, Exeter Animal Hospital, the SPCA shelter in Goderich, or by contacting McKenzie at 519-236-4044.
“This event is crucial for the survival of the animal shelter in Huron County,” says branch coordinator and agent Wendy Reid. “The SPCA does not receive any government funding for our shelters and in spite of the generosity of the local veterinary clinics, our veterinary bills alone total over $40,000 annually. Any money we raise in Huron County stays here to help the neglected, abandoned and abused animals in this area.”
The event committee is also seeking volunteers.
“We need people to assist us to get donations for the Live and Silent Auction,” says event co-chair Liam Brennan. “Closer to the event, we need workers to help with set-up and work the night of the event. This is a great opportunity for students to get community hours.”
Volunteers should contact Kate McKenzie at 519-236-4044.

The Huron Country Playhouse Guild is planning its first ever gala fundraiser for the Playhouse. The Guild Gala will be held at Grand Cove Estates Thursday, May 22, and is a special evening for women that includes a social hour, gourmet dinner catered by F.I.N.E. Restaurant, entertainment, fashions, wine tasting and a live auction. All proceeds from the $100 tickets go to the Playhouse, and tax receipts will be issued. For more information, call Marsha at 519-243-3833 for further information.

If you have school-aged children and are looking for a way to occupy them for a day or more during the March break, you have several options available. Be sure to register early (Youth Centre registration ends March 1):

Monday, March 10
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Grand Bend Youth Centre
Trip to Fort Rose sugar bush, including wagon rides and a pancake brunch. Dress warmly. Post-trip games and crafts at the centre for the afternoon. Cost: $35. Ages 5 to 13.

Tuesday, March 11
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
Morrison Dam
Winter Wonderland: Plants and animals and how they survive the winter. Snowshoeing, hiking, nature crafts and eco-games. Bring “litterless” lunch, snacks and water bottle. Dress for the weather. Early drop-off and late pick-up available. To register, contact Denise Biega at 519-235-2610, extension 255.
Cost: $35 for one day, $65 for two days, or $95 for three days. Ages 5 to 10.

Wednesday, March 12
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Grand Bend Youth Centre
Trip to Spikes in London for rock climbing and indoor beach volleyball. Pizza and drink lunch included. Games and crafts to be enjoyed back at the centre for the afternoon. Bring your winter wear for outside fun!
Cost: $35. Ages 5 to 13.

Wednesday, March 12
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
Morrison Dam
“Snow” Much Fun: Winter activities and learning about snow. Snowshoeing, hiking, nature crafts and eco-games. Bring “litterless” lunch, snacks and water bottle. Dress for the weather. Early drop-off and late pick-up available. To register, contact Denise Biega at 519-235-2610, extension 255.
Cost: $35 for one day, $65 for two days, or $95 for three days. Ages 5 to 10.

Thursday, March 13
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
Morrison Dam
Winter Survivors: Animals and how they survive the winter. Animal tracking, snowshoeing, hiking, nature crafts and eco-games. Bring “litterless” lunch, snacks and water bottle. Dress for the weather. Early drop-off and late pick-up available. To register, contact Denise Biega at 519-235-2610, extension 255.
Cost: $35 for one day, $65 for two days, or $95 for three days. Ages 5 to 10.

Friday, March 14
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Grand Bend Youth Centre
Sledding fun at the Pinery with hot chocolate and s’mores. No Snow? No Problem! We’ll go bowling instead! Hot dog and drink lunch provided.
Cost: $35. Ages 5 to 13.

Families are invited to spend Ontario’s new holiday together snowshoeing at Morrison Dam east of Exeter. The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (519-235-2610) is running a snowshoeing event Sunday, February 17 from 1 to 3 p.m.; the event is free for people with snowshoes, and anyone can rent snowshoes for $3 per pair.
Snowshoers are free to roam around and experience walking on snowshoes in the open areas around the ABCA Administration Building and on the MacNaughton-Morrison Section of the South Huron Trail.
Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable, low-heeled boots. This event is dependent on the presence of snow. After snowshoeing, relax and enjoy some hot chocolate. Please bring your own mug to cut down on waste created from using disposable cups.

Here is the full list of events for the weekend:

Saturday, February 9
1 p.m. – downtown
Rotary Club Parade. See adults section for details.

Sunday, February 10
12 to 2 p.m. – Oakwood clubhouse
Children’s Talent Show (free). Register at Guest Services before February 3. Sing, dance, play – bring your original ideas to win prizes! Prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd.
“We just want to have the kids come out and do their dancing or singing,” says Diana Simpson of Oakwood Inn Resort. “When they register they’ll have to say what they’ll be doing. We have a lot of talent in the area, and it’s a great way for them to get out and show people what they can do.”

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Pine Dale Motor Inn
Craft Sale. All vendors are welcome.

Gables
Search for Talent Contest with Fat Kat Karaoke Bobbie

11:30 a.m. – United Church
UCW Lunch. $6 for 13 and up; $3 for children. Hot dogs available for children.

2 to 4 p.m. – Bikini Bobs
Sleigh rides after the parade. $5/person; free for children five and under.

3 to 6 p.m. – Gables
Search for Talent contest with “Fat Kat Karaoke Bobbie.”

5 to 8 p.m. – Grand Bend Legion
Steak BBQ. Tickets available at Legion. 519-238-2120.

8 p.m. – Oakwood Huron Room
Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Show with Joanna Downey and Bobby Keele. Cost: $20 per person includes tax. Call 519-238-2324. Buffet dinner (seatings between 5 and 7 p.m.) & show together for only $50 including tax & gratuity.

9 p.m. – Oakwood clubhouse
Entertainment by Murray Andrews

9 p.m. to close – Riverbend
Kountry Karaoke Contest with Jude

10 p.m. – Oakwood Huron Room
Ms. and Mr. Winter Carnival Pageant Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd. Call Diana Simpson at 519-238-2324 for details. “We were looking for something different this year,” Simpson says. “We’re challenging all businesses in the area to send someone to represent them in the contest. There are three different rounds: a fashion round with one summer and one winter outfit of their choice; a talent round where the contestants perform a talent of their choice; and a questionnaire round where the contestants answer questions related to the winter carnival.” All contestants will be in the pageant float in the parade Saturday morning.

Sunday February 10
8 to 11 a.m. – behind Bank of Montreal
Grand Bend Firemen’s Breakfast

11 a.m. – Grand Bend Legion
Veteran’s Memorial Mixed Dart Tournament. Register at 11 a.m.

2 to 5 p.m. – Colonial parking lot
Waiters’ Race

For more information, call the Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce: 519-238-2001

‘Benguin Goes Wild West’ for 2008 Grand Bend Winter Carnival

By Casey Lessard

Grand Bend’s 22nd Winter Carnival launches February 1 and runs two weekends at venues around town.
“It’s about getting the community as a whole doing stuff together in the shoulder season,” says committee chair Lynda Hillman-Rapley. “This is my second year as chair, but I’ve been to all 21 carnivals. People respond very well. That’s how we got Ontario Lottery and Gaming; someone from their organization was here last year and they thought it was great so they wanted to sponsor it.”
Hillman-Rapley wants to point out that no matter the weather, the show will go on.
“No snow, no problem,” she says. “Whether there’s snow or not, this carnival happens, and the parade is huge. Jim Southcott does an amazing job.”
She also praises her team of organizers.
“Our committee is the best of the best. We all work together; no decisions are made without everybody doing it.”

Here is the full list of events for the weekend:

Friday, February 1
6 to 9 p.m. – Grand Bend School gym
Sobey’s drive-in for the kids (free)

Saturday, February 2
12 to 5 p.m. – Grand Bend School gym
Mad Science plus crafts, sports and a movie. Free. Call 519-238-1155.

6 to 8 p.m. – Skateboard park beside Legion
First-ever Winter Carnival fireworks. Hot chocolate and hot dogs for sale.

Sunday February 3
10 a.m. – Grand Bend Legion
Youth Darts. Call 519-243-2452.

12 to 2 p.m. – Oakwood #8 hole and clubhouse
Free tobogganing, s’mores & hot chocolate. Parents or guardians must supervise their children.
Oakwood Inn
Registration closes for February 10 Children’s Talent Show (free). Register at Guest Services before February 3.

Saturday, February 9
1 p.m. – downtown
Rotary Club Parade. See adults section for details.

Sunday, February 10
12 to 2 p.m. – Oakwood clubhouse
Children’s Talent Show (free). Register at Guest Services before February 3. Sing, dance, play – bring your original ideas to win prizes! Prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd.
“We just want to have the kids come out and do their dancing or singing,” says Diana Simpson of Oakwood Inn Resort. “When they register they’ll have to say what they’ll be doing. We have a lot of talent in the area, and it’s a great way for them to get out and show people what they can do.”

5 to 7 p.m. – Grand Bend Legion
Meat draw

9 p.m. – Oakwood clubhouse
Traci Kennedy

9:30 p.m. – Bikini Bob’s
Mike’s Country Band

10 p.m. to 2 a.m. – Gables
Rumblefish

Saturday February 2
9 a.m. to end of day each weekend – Lions Park (behind Legion)
Gables co-ed snow-pitch tournament (runs Feb. 2 & 3, 9 & 10). $150 per team. Top prize is $300. Contact Jane or John Musser: 238-6690.
Snow-pitch is slo-pitch with fluorescent orange balls (the balls are softer as well). The tournament happens regardless of the weather. Each weekend sees eight teams compete for semi-finals, and the final is the second weekend. Winners from both weekends must be available for second weekend championship game. Teams that win at least two games win money. “It’s a favourite,” says Jane Musser. “It’s pretty funny watching them hit a ball and run in their snow pants.”

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Oakwood
Snow-golf. Cost: $15 per person includes golf (club &ball), chili with bun and hot chocolate. Call 519-238-2324 to register your tee-time.
“We have a special nine-hole tire ring golf course,” says Diana Simpson of Oakwood Inn Resort. “You use a tennis ball and a regular iron, and go around the course.”

1 to 8 p.m. – Riverbend
12th Annual Olympics. Call 519-238-6919 to register.

2 to 6 p.m. – Gables
Karaoke with Fat Kat Karaoke Bobbie. Prizes.

6 to 8 p.m. – Skateboard park (beside Grand Bend Legion)
First-ever Winter Carnival fireworks. Hot chocolate and hot dogs for sale. Seating at the ball diamond; parking at the Colonial and Beer Store parking lots. Legion lot will be closed for safety reasons. Four teams of professional fireworks artists from across Ontario will each present 12 to 15 minutes of fireworks using consumer fireworks. A pyro-digital display set to music will be performed during judging.
“By having the competitors use consumer fireworks, we are able to bring the audience closer to the action and create a more intimate show” says organizer Kevin Poole. Storm date is Saturday February 9th at 6:30 p.m.

Grand Bend Legion
Brad Karel and the Thrillbillies with Grand Bend’s Stephanie McClennan. Dance to new country. Presented by Grand Bend Legion and the Winter Carnival. For tickets, call 238-2001. Sponsored in whole by Ontario Lottery and Gaming.

9 p.m. – Oakwood clubhouse
Traci Kennedy

9 p.m. to close – Riverbend
Karaoke with Jude

9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. – Bikini Bob’s
Mike’s Country Band

10 p.m. to 2 a.m. – Gables
Rumblefish

Sunday, February 3
1 to 5 p.m. – Gables
Wild West ride: try out the Mechanical Bull. Cheer the cowboys on. Sponsored by 104.9 The Beach.

Bikini Bobs
Super Bowl party. Crazy cow contest at 6 p.m. $3 food and beverages all day.

4 p.m. – Oakwood
Super Bowl party – door prizes and special drink prices!

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Pine Dale Motor Inn
Craft Sale. All vendors are welcome.

Gables
Search for Talent Contest with Fat Kat Karaoke Bobbie

11:30 a.m. – United Church
UCW Lunch. $6 for 13 and up; $3 for children. Hot dogs available for children.

2 to 4 p.m. – Bikini Bobs
Sleigh rides after the parade. $5/person; free for children five and under.

3 to 6 p.m. – Gables
Search for Talent contest with “Fat Kat Karaoke Bobbie.”

5 to 8 p.m. – Grand Bend Legion
Steak BBQ. Tickets available at Legion. 519-238-2120.

8 p.m. – Oakwood Huron Room
Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Show with Joanna Downey and Bobby Keele. Cost: $20 per person includes tax. Call 519-238-2324. Buffet dinner (seatings between 5 and 7 p.m.) & show together for only $50 including tax & gratuity.

9 p.m. – Oakwood clubhouse
Entertainment by Murray Andrews

9 p.m. to close – Riverbend
Kountry Karaoke Contest with Jude

10 p.m. – Oakwood Huron Room
Ms. and Mr. Winter Carnival Pageant Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd. Call Diana Simpson at 519-238-2324 for details. “We were looking for something different this year,” Simpson says. “We’re challe
nging all businesses in the area to send someone to represent them in the contest. There are three different rounds: a fashion round with one summer and one winter outfit of their choice; a talent round where the contestants perform a talent of their choice; and a questionnaire round where the contestants answer questions related to the winter carnival.” All contestants will be in the pageant float in the parade Saturday morning.

Sunday February 10
8 to 11 a.m. – behind Bank of Montreal
Grand Bend Firemen’s Breakfast

11 a.m. – Grand Bend Legion
Veteran’s Memorial Mixed Dart Tournament. Register at 11 a.m.

2 to 5 p.m. – Colonial parking lot
Waiters’ Race

For more information, call the Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce: 519-238-2001

The StarDust dinner theatre wants your help making this Christmas a happy one for area kids and their families. The Parkhill theatre is donating the profits from its December 8 & 9 Rod Stewart (by Doug Varty) tribute shows to the Ailsa Craig food bank. The theatre will also receive donations of toys and non-perishable food items at the theatre that weekend from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. both days. Owner Dustin Pritchard hopes to be able to donate $3000 through Middlesex Christian Ministries. For tickets or information, call 519-636-8863.

YeeHaw! Benguin Goes Wild West for the 2008 Grand Bend Winter Carnival, which runs February 1, 2, 3 and 8, 9, 10. The Royal Canadian Legion hosts a country dance February 2, the Rotary parade is February 9, and events for children and adults will run both weekends. The Strip will keep you updated on all the events planned.
The event organizing committee includes: chair Lynda Hillman-Rapley (Lakeshore Advance), Bob Uhrig (Sobeys), Mike Rahn (No Frills), Jen Gaukroger (Bikini Bobs), Tracey Ulch-Windsor (Riverbend), Judy Mason (Colonial/Gables), Diana Simpson (Oakwood), Neil Clifford (Lakeshore Advance), Karrie Rowcliffe, Jim Southcott (Rotary), and Chris Bregman (Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce).

Principal’s Page
By Jeff Reaburn

Two weeks ago we held a Career Week at South Huron to promote awareness among the students of the many career options open to them, especially the careers available right here in Huron County. The Career Week was sponsored by the School Council and funded by a Parents Reaching Out grant that the School Council received from the Ministry of Education. Over the course of the week, students attended sessions on small business and entrepreneurship, future opportunities in Huron County, apprenticeships and non-traditional careers, financial planning, private colleges, a career fair, and opportunities in agriculture.
I would like to thank the many individuals from local businesses, industries, and institutions who gave of their time in support of this venture. The afternoon sessions were very well attended and I think the students learned a great deal from them. I know that I learned more about career opportunities in Huron in this one week than I have in many, many years, and we are very grateful to all the individuals who took the time to share their expertise with us. Unfortunately, with the exception of the session on post-secondary financing, the evening sessions were not very well attended, but the information provided at these sessions was extremely valuable.
I would like to thank as well the many teachers who gave up class time to bring their classes to the afternoon sessions, and to Isaac Moore, Warren Elder, and Mitch Boyle, who helped us every day with the sound system and presentation technology. Finally, I would like to thank Jim Brintnell and Karen Brown of the School Council for their hard work and support in organizing, promoting, and running the Career Week activities.
On a less than positive note, we had some disappointing behaviour at our Halloween Dance last week. A number of students chose to smuggle alcohol into the dance and were drinking while attending the dance. Several students were caught and have been suspended from school. However, we have pretty reliable information that there were many more who escaped detection, some of whom were identified but left the dance when they realized that some of their peers had been found out. This incident has disappointed me greatly and has caused me to re-evaluate several aspects of our school dances and our methods of supervision. As you may know, we have police at our dances and one of the things that they routinely do is check bags and backpacks as students are entering the school. We also have breathalysers that we use at the door. Sometimes we breathalyse everyone, a practice for which we and several other schools have been criticized, and at other times we do random sampling. In fact, one of the reasons that I chose to get breathalysers in the first place was due to parent complaints when their children were suspended that many others were drinking as well, and why weren’t they caught and suspended?
As well, staff members circulate in the gym and in the halls around the gym to monitor student behaviour during the dance. They also check the bathrooms periodically, but this practice often results in complaints from students who feel that their privacy is being violated. Perhaps now they will understand why we need to do so.
Despite all these precautions, some students did smuggle alcohol into the dance, which was probably made easier due to the fact that this was a costume dance. As I indicated to several people following this incident, if we reach the point where we have to search students and breathalyse them on the way out as well as on the way in, then it is time to discuss why we are having dances in the first place.
As a result of this incident, I have cancelled the dance scheduled for February, and we will be breathalysing everyone who attends dances in the future. As well, there will be no more costume dances. This may seem a harsh reaction and it does penalize students who did nothing wrong, but I feel the need to send a statement to the student body on this issue. Should we continue to have problems of this nature, then we will have to consider not having dances at all.
The Provincial Code of Conduct is very clear – students are not to attend school functions under the influence of alcohol, and suspension is the recommended consequence. In fact, if a student is caught supplying alcohol to another student, then the principal must consider an expulsion. Please note that it does say “consider,” but students need to be aware that this is a possible consequence should they be caught in such a situation. Hopefully, this is not a decision I will ever have to consider.

“I’m going to walk over on my artificial leg. And maybe get up and do a slow dance with somebody.”

Benefit and dance for Tom Lessard
Saturday, November 3 – 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Crediton Community Centre
Sponsored by Centralia-Huron Park Lions Club. Age of majority required. Lunch provided.
Entertainment by Li’l Audrey.
Admission: $5.
Tickets: Corry Price (519) 228-9907 or Debra McNair (519) 235-0158.
Proceeds will offset costs associated with leg amputation Tom received this summer. An artificial leg costs (after government help) at least $2000. Tom could need three in total.

As told to Casey Lessard
Photos by Casey Lessard

Tom Lessard: The pain was out of this world. I’ve never gone through pain like that. Some of it was the gout, but that was just in the toe. The rest of the pain was just a constant screaming pain. Even morphine didn’t work. I had constant pain in my leg 24 hours a day. It was excruciating.

It all started in 1988. I used to go back and forth to Exeter on Fridays. Then my leg started cramping up in my calves. I went to Dr. Gans, and he didn’t know what the heck it was. He was treating me with cortisone and all this other stuff for almost a year. Finally, he said, “You ever been tested for cholesterol?” I said no. “Well, let’s get you tested.”
It was way up. “All right,” he says, “let’s get you on this stuff,” and he put me on Zocor. He got me an appointment with Dr. Mike Sweeney here in London. I got down to him and he said, “I’ll tell you what. You smoke?”
“Yeah, I’ve smoked for 40 years.”
“Well, you either quit smoking or I’ll take your legs.”
I said, “Well, that’s easy enough, I’ll quit smoking.”
Smoking dried out the arteries and took away the elasticity they need. The cholesterol builds up in there. That’s hereditary from my mother and father, but back then we never knew.
The doctor said, “We’re going to put artificial arteries in your legs between your groin and your knees. We’ll do the one this time…”
I said, “Can you do them both?”
“It’s quite an operation,” he said.
I said, “Let’s do them both.”
I got in on the 16th or 17th of December, they did both my legs, and I had some heat down there and the pain was gone. It was December 25th when I got out.
He said, “I’ll guarantee it five years.” That worked along pretty good until about 2002 (14 years later), and then I had problems with my left leg. It started going crampy and all sorts of funny little things. So I went in and they gave me an angioplasty and sort of scraped out the inside of the artery, so that fixed my left leg.
Then in 2004, the same thing happened in my right one. They did that one, but then I got a fungus in my toes. That was about a year and a half ago, at the beginning of 2006. My family doctor tried to treat it but it kept getting thicker and thicker and thicker. Then I got what seemed like gout in my big toe.
At first, they said, “Just stick a piece of cotton batten in between your toes,” so I did that for a week and it didn’t work. So I went to a clinic and the doctor there said, “You’ve got gout.”
She sent me over for x-rays and blood tests, and sure enough, that’s what it was. I got this gout treatment, but nothing was healing properly. My toenail fell off. The foot started swelling up and problems in my right calf again.
I went to see my specialist, but I had a hard time getting to see him. Finally I did, and they hauled me in and that was February of this year. They did an artery bypass from my groin right to my ankle.
After it was over, they took the stitches out a little early and in my calf, there were five or six of them and it didn’t heal properly. They treated that for six months.
I’d go to the specialist and they kept taking pieces off my heel. Then I had an ulcer down there, the toenail was gone, and it was getting black. Finally, they said, we’ll take your toes off. This was the last week of June.
They took the toes off and part of the heel, and two days later when they took the wrapping off, I looked down at my toe and my foot was all black. They took off the rest of the leg to the knee the next Friday.
I came out of the operating room and I felt like a million dollars. I hadn’t been in my bed since October – I couldn’t sleep in my bed because it was too painful. I went 31 days with no sleep in that stretch between October and July.
I played pool the other day with the therapist. I had the leg on and you go around the pool table and see how long you can stand and move around. Also, we played shuffleboard last week. You try to stand for half an hour without too much pressure or getting too tired.
My leg feels better, but I’ve got a job to do at the post office. I like to go visit my friends at the bar. I’d like to go shopping, running to town and back. I can’t rake the lawn or do anything outside, which I always liked to putter around. A lot of the time I can’t even sit out there because I need someone to make sure the doors open for me.
I’ve lost my home life for the time being, and when I’m home I can’t do much. I have to ask Rita, “Can you take me out?” Then we have to get the wheelchair out and the walker and get down the steps. Then we get to where we’re going and it’s a big chore. So I very seldom even ask her.

They say if you’ve had gangrene, it’s a 50 per cent chance you’ll lose your other leg in five years. I had gangrene, so 50 per cent; that’s not bad odds. I’ve had 70 years (his birthday is October 27), and I went 20 years on a five-year promise.
If I have to lose the other one, what can you do about it? If you don’t want to live, you just say leave it on and let the gangrene take you. But I’m not going through that because that gangrene is deadly.

I think it’s very nice of these friends and neighbours to hold this benefit. I’m not going to turn them down. If they raise some money for me, I can certainly use it. We don’t have a lot of money.
I want to walk over there (to the benefit). I’m going to walk over on my artificial leg. And maybe get up and do a slow dance with somebody.

View from the Strip
By Casey Lessard

An important meeting is taking place this weekend (Saturday, October 27 at 9 a.m.) at the Grand Bend Public School, and anyone interested in the future of Grand Bend should attend. It’s billed as a beach revitalization meeting, but anyone who attended the last one in the summer knows it’s a lot more than that.
Attendees at the last meeting left feeling like the municipality had ignored the realities of the village, and noting the town should get the main strip right before making changes to the beach.
It will be hard walking into a room full of people who are skeptical of your plans, but that could have been avoided by asking questions of the stakeholders in the first place. The people I’ve talked to about this issue say they’ve never been approached (before or after the meeting), and they should have been.
Not all of the ideas presented at the last beach improvement meeting were bad; some weren’t considerate of the context of the village. Many people who attended would like to see the main street cleaned up and made more attractive first. They forgot the meeting was focused on beach improvement, not village improvement. Unfortunately for Lambton Shores, most people consider the two the same.
And yes, there were arguments about the quality and quantity of work put into maintaining the beach on a daily basis. They should not be forgotten either, and we’ll see whether they are addressed.
It’s a good sign that the town has listened to residents who were furious over meetings held on weekdays. We’ll see Saturday morning whether the municipality has listened to anything else, and I’m sure there will be plenty of people who disagree with the plans walking in the door.
Once bitten, twice shy, right?

Strip monthly until May
Our next edition is November 21. We will appear in your mailbox monthly until the Victoria Day weekend. See updates at our website: http://www.grandbendstrip.com.

Name spelled wrong
I also want to apologize for spelling Louise Lockrey’s name wrong. I’ll try to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Big and Little Sisters find common ground at hockey arena

Whodunnit?
Friday, November 16, 6 p.m. – South Huron Recreation Centre, Exeter
A Wild West murder mystery fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters South Huron with three-course dinner catered by Barbara’s, silent auction, and music by Stone Angels.
Tickets: $50. Call 519-235-3307

Story and photos by Casey Lessard

Exeter residents Doris Osgood, 48, and Natalie Priebe, 14, spend Friday nights together at the South Huron Community Centre. The two are Big and Little Sisters, and enjoy spending time together, but especially at the hockey rink, where they volunteer with the Exeter Hawks. Osgood’s son is the goalie for the team, and her husband is the announcer.

Doris: My little sister is bigger than me (laughs). We’ve been together not quite a year. It was just before Christmas…
Natalie: …December 19…
Doris: …when we got together. Amy from Big Brothers Big Sisters was really excited because she knew how into hockey our family was. My son’s the goalie for the Hawks and she knew that Natalie was right into hockey, so she’d probably enjoy tagging along, and she does.
Natalie: There were some other things we had a common interest in, but the hockey is how we hooked up. We both like hockey and really enjoy doing it. That’s why we enjoy seeing each other every week.
Doris: My husband is the announcer for these games, so we’re up in the press box. He’s keeping track of the penalties and the shots on net. We’re there with a piece of paper keeping a count on that, which is verified with the person in the penalty box area.
Natalie: I like doing the shots on net. That’s my job when I come to the games. If I miss a shot, Doris is right in there telling me that I need to put it down.
Doris: We also come down in the intermission and help with the fundraiser activities – the 50-50 and the chuck-a-puck – if they need people to help there.
It’s great for Natalie now that she’s in high school because I can sign for volunteer hours for her. I know the other people here appreciate having her here as well. With most groups and activities, you’re always looking for people to come along and help.
Natalie: We moved to Exeter a year ago. My parents are separated, so it was difficult. I went to a new school, moved into a new house, got separated from my father. I was in Seaforth for my whole life so it was difficult leaving Seaforth and coming to Exeter, but in a way it’s better to start a new life and see what else is out there.
It helps to have someone there. (Without Doris,) I’d still be going through difficult times, not letting anybody know what’s going on in my life between my parents and with my family. When Doris is there, we talk about some of those things and how to resolve things. During the intermissions we’re usually down here talking about something.
Doris: My son is 18 years old so, having had a teenager, it was okay for me to have an older child as a match instead of someone younger. I think it’s probably a more relatable match. She can talk to me and I still understand where a teenager is coming from and I’m in tune with what my own son is going through at the high school.
Natalie: It makes you feel better that you’ve got one more person in your life. The first couple of days, I didn’t know what it was going to be like, but it’s pretty good.
Doris: It is great to interact with somebody else who’s not in my family. Not having a daughter or sisters, it’s cool to be able to do girl things. But we’re not really girly-girls. It’s a comfortable interaction. It’s really nice to relate to somebody who does enjoy the same things but not my own age.
This is something I always had in my heart: to be a Big Sister. We’re all busy these days, so it wasn’t that I decided all of a sudden that I had time. I realized that soon, if I didn’t say yes, I’d be looking back years later saying I wish I would have done it.
It’s not about having time or money. Most of the stuff we do doesn’t cost much. It’s not about thinking you have so much to offer someone else and being an influence on them. It’s about just being there for someone else. In today’s world, where everybody’s going so fast, some people get left behind and it’s kind of nice that there’s a program that opens things up for her.

“(Big Brothers Big Sisters) gives them the support of a mentor,” says organization secretary Laurie Mackechnie, “support they might not be getting from other avenues or at home.”
The organization has two major fundraisers each year, including the bowl-a-thon held across the country, and one local event. This year, the spring event had to be cancelled because of low ticket sales, and they’ve decided to try the Whodunnit to raise much-needed revenue.
“Combined with money from the United Way, that’s all the money we have for the year. If there’s good attendance, we hope to raise about $5000.
“Finances have been tight. We need to have enough funds to pay the staff to run the programs. If this fundraiser is not a success, we may have to re-evaluate some of the programs we offer. We would have to find ways to cut costs or increase funding.”
The murder mystery event is a new event for BBBS, but Mackechnie promises a fun night.
“We have a group of actors coming in to do the murder mystery part of the night. I’ve seen them before and they do a great job and it’s a whole lot of fun.”

Story and photos by Casey Lessard

What are you going to do with your life? It’s not an easy question for students to answer. The South Huron District High School council tried to help during Futures week last week.
“Each of us has our own understanding of what’s available,” says council chair Jim Brintnell, “but until you open it up, it’s hard to know what’s out there.”
Two sessions focused on small businesses and entrepreneurship.
“You have to have a goal,” said Alison Lobb of the Huron Small Business Enterprise Centre, “and then you have to put it on paper.”
Monday’s small business session inspired local shop owners to give their advice on how to be a success.
“Whatever you do, do your best,” said Wilma Truemner of Bridal Elegance in Exeter. “Do a lot of research. Go to people who know what they’re doing and ask questions.”
Julian Bayley of IceCulture reinforced the importance of a good first impression, and the importance of social skills: “You will always be using your networking skills.”
Darren Kints of Dairy Queen encouraged students to ignore naysayers: “If you listen to people who say you can’t, you won’t.”

Motorcycle riders show their heart with fundraiser/parade

Kause for Kids
Saturday, November 3
Gables, Grand Bend
10 a.m. – staging
12 p.m. – parade
Admission:
New unwrapped toy plus $20, or $75 in pledges
Tickets available at Colonial and Peckitt’s Mens’ Wear
Entertainment by Hotel California, tribute to the Eagles

“We think there’s a need to level the playing field for special needs kids,” says Nelson Desjardine, founder and committee member of the Kause for Kids. The event is a fundraiser operated by Ontario’s West Coast Riders in conjunction with the Grand Bend Optimist club.
The annual motorcycle parade through Grand Bend and subsequent lunch and party is always a sell-out, and if you’re interested in taking part, you should register soon.
“It’s been a great response,” Desjardine says. “Since year one, the tickets have sold out. We couldn’t do it without the community. They know what we’re all about. It’s about kids with special needs.”
Even if you can’t take part in the ride, you can still participate.
“We expect to sell out and the overflow will go to the Colonial. People can come out to the parade and donate toys at the parade. Bikes will be decorated in a Christmas theme. We’ll have quite a few spectators along the parade route. It’s just like a Santa Claus parade but with motorcycles.”
Hopefully the weather will continue to cooperate, which it has for the last five years. Last year, the event raised $33,313, which was given to the Grand Bend Optimist Club for distribution to various children’s charities (a full list is available at http://www.grandbend.com/kauseforkids/). Some of the funds raised at the event have been earmarked for a special needs project at the Grand Bend beach. Twelve hundred toys were received and distributed to needy children in the area.

Here are some of the charities benefitting from the Kause for Kids:
Thames Valley Children’s Centre, Sunshine Dreams for Kids, Spinabifida & Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario, War Amps Champ Program, Make a Wish Foundation, Camp Trillium, Huron United Way, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Sari Therapeutic Riding, Alexander MacKenzie Secondary School for Special Needs Students, Community Living Sarnia – Lambton Summer Respite Program, Foundation Huron, Grand Bend Optimists (Beach Project – Special Needs), Children’s Health Foundation, Bruce Shriners for Shriners Hospitals, Mocha Motor Corps for the Shriners Hospital Ride, Ride for Sight, Childhood Cancer Foundation/Childhood Cancer Research Fund, Baby steps walk for NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit St. Joseph’s Hospital, London)

Owl Prowl
Morrison Dam Conservation Area (ABCA administration centre workshop), Morrison Line, east of Exeter
Saturday, November 3, 7 to 9 p.m.
Register ahead of time at 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2810

The Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority’s Owl Prowl is your chance to take a guided hike in search of night creatures, especially the Eastern Screech Owl.
The evening begins at 7 p.m. sharp with a multimedia presentation focusing on the owls and how they adapt as nighttime hunters.
“It’s really amazing to find out about nocturnal creatures such as owls in our area and the fascinating ways they adapt to their environment,” says Julie Hicks, ABCA conservation education specialist.
After the slide show, you will join a guided night hike. Once your eyes will become accustomed to the dim light, you’ll be able to explore the wonderful world of owls and other creatures of the night.
Dress appropriately for a nighttime hike, and bring a mug to enjoy hot chocolate around an outdoor fireplace after the hike. This helps reduce waste created from using disposable cups.
Last year, more than 150 people joined the prowl. If rain is imminent on Nov. 3, call the ABCA for an update.

Operation Christmas Child helps needy children around the globe

By Casey Lessard

Operation Christmas Child is back for its 15th year of providing the world’s poorest children with a Christmas gift of toys, hygiene items and school supplies from Canadian families. The project, adopted by Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse charity in 1993, has seen 54 million shoe boxes from 11 countries hand-delivered to children worldwide, with Canadians donating about 10 per cent of the boxes collected by the charity last year.
This year’s shoe boxes will be collected from November 5 to 10 at collection centres across Canada, including Belongers in Exeter and other churches in the area. Operation Christmas Child is calling on children, families, churches, businesses, schools, scout troops, and civic organizations to join this massive effort to bring joy and hope to needy children abroad.
One thing to note is the fact that toothpaste is not allowed this year due to customs regulations in the receiving countries. Shoe boxes should be filled with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, wrapped hard candy and an encouraging letter.
To find the drop-off location closest to you, see http://www.samaritanspurse.ca or contact churches nearby to see if they are running the program. To volunteer to inspect and process the boxes between November 12 and December 8, call 1-800-303-1269.

(Click above link for a map to the Poinsettia Tour)

The 4th annual Poinsettia Tour (October 13 and 14 at 10 venues) kicks off the holiday season in Port Franks, and gives visitors a chance to see what businesses are preparing for holiday gifts. Follow the poinsettia signs to the 10 venues along the way, and remember to sign up for draws at each store.

1) Northville Convenience Store
8575 Lakeshore Road (Highway 21) – (519) 243-2050
Owners: Rebecca and Barb Losee
Fall/winter hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
What to expect: “We’re more like a general store,” says Rebecca Losee. “We sell just about everything: from unique giftware to groceries, movies, homemade popcorn, Shaw’s ice cream, power tools, camping and fishing equipment. We also have two other rooms; in the first room we have clothing and beachwear and jewelry, things for babies and toys. In our back room is home décor, including furniture, vases, and anything to decorate a home with.”

2) MacPherson’s Restaurant
8512 Lakeshore Road (Highway 21) – (519) 243-2990
Owners: Veronica Brennan
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sundays 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
What to expect: Restaurant and variety store offering home-cooked meals, movies, an ATM, gift shop, greeting cards and lottery. We try to have a little bit of everything.

3) Port Franks Community Centre
9997 Port Franks Road
Presented by Ausable Port Franks Optimist Club
What to expect: Tearoom and craft show. Luncheon.

4) Miss Pia Jane (see ad)
7602 Ransford Street (off Port Franks Road) – (519) 243-3576
Owner: Louise Lockney
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the tour; Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What to expect: Old, new, used and vintage gifts for the home, cottage, and camp. See the store very festively decorated with lots of cool flowers and lovely holiday gifts. Bright stars and holiday balls. Lovely gifts, fabulous jewelry. Painted furniture, great artwork, home décor, fabulous flowers, jewelry and handbags. Explore the building and visit all the nooks and crannies to see the surprises in store. There’s always juice and hot cider all winter long. “It’s a comfortable place to shop, browse and meet friends,” Lockney says.
5) New Life Treasures (see ad)
7574 Riverside Drive – (519) 243-2831
Owner: Glenna Hupka
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (for the tour); otherwise fall hours (to Christmas) are Wed to Sat 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What to expect: Treasures of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Home décor and red-hat society items. All artwork will be on sale at half-price, candles are half-price. Refreshments include apple cider and lemon and banana cake. I have a really interesting new item: wine bottle night-lights that are hand-made by Glenna Hupka, Gerda Prossler and Noreen Baker. They’re Christmas lights in a wine bottle that is decorated and one-of-a-kind. Our designer Lolita wine and martini glasses come with recipes on the bottom. Visitors can sample Wildly Delicious bread dipping oils. “Last year was my first year,” says Hupka, “and I met a lot of nice ladies who stopped by from Kitchener and Toronto, and I want to thank them for coming by.”
6) Rustic Creations (see ad)
10000 Erie Street (at corner of Riverside Drive) – (519) 243-3090
Owners: Nancy and Wayne Millman
Hours: for the tour 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; otherwise hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What to expect: Goodies and refreshments, and lots of primitive crafts and candles, Christmas items and fall items. Hand-made dolls, wooden birdhouses and angels, rustic looking crafts. Most items are hand-made by Michelle McIntosh and Wayne Millman. “Visitors can tour the property and we have lots of things in our garden for sale, too,” says McIntosh.

7) Christine’s on the River (see ad)
10070 Poplar Avenue (off Riverside Drive) – (519) 243-3636
Owner: Christine Orosz
Hours: fall hours: Thursday 4 – 10 pm, Friday 4pm – 12am, Saturday and Sunday 12 – 10 pm
What to expect: For the tour, the lunch specials will include chicken Caesar salad, a dock salad and a chicken Caesar wrap with choice of soup or fries. The menu will be available at all the stops on the map. “The tour is a great way to get more people to know about Port Franks because it’s a hidden gem that no one really knows about,” Orosz says. “If the weather is good, we’ll have a good turnout.”

Roadside Art – The Birdman of Port Franks and gift baskets by Birdie (see ad)
7449 Sanderson Road (off Riverside at intersection leading to Christine’s on the River) – (519) 243-3860
Owners: Doug (the Birdman) and Brenda (Birdie) Wilkinson
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment
What to expect: Birdie will have a whole pile of gift baskets made, and the Birdman has made birds and planters. He’s making a bird made of rock right now, but normally the birds are made of motorcycle gas tanks. All of his planters are made from propane tanks. He’ll make custom orders as well. The gift baskets are all occasions, including diaper cakes for babies, gift baskets for wedding showers, dog and cat baskets. “Whatever they want is what I make,” says Brenda Wilkinson.
9) Bliss Studios (see ad)
7617 Riverside Drive – (519) 243-3598
Owners: Tony Miller and Lorraine Thomson
Hours: by chance or appointment
What to expect: It’s a contemporary art studio that shows established and emerging artists. Right now we’re showing Back in the Saddle, and it features Tamara Croxall, Sarah Kane, Kim Ange, Stephen Shellenberger, Lorraine Thomson and Tony Miller. “The most important thing is to see the art, although of course, the art is for sale,” says Miller. “We just want people to experience it. The building used to be a fishery, and it was one of the first buildings in Port Franks, so it’s an interesting place to visit.”

10) Rodgers Meat and Fruit Pies
7805 Alfred Street – (519) 243-1629
Owner: Rosemary and Gary Rodgers
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday for the tour (depending on stock)
What to expect: Specializing in individual- and family-sized frozen meat pies (ground beef, steak, chicken and turkey pies) and frozen fruit pies that are in season. “It’s a home-based business, so you’ll be visiting our house,” Rosemary Rodgers says. “We also have a yummy lemon loaf. We’ll have good samples and anyone who wants to buy, can.”

11) Thedford Arena and 12) Lambton Heritage Museum – Lambton Colour and Craft Festival
Fundraiser for the Lambton Heritage Museum

Compiled by Casey Lessard

Still looking for something to do on the October 13th and 14th weekend? There’s plenty going on, whether you want to walk, run or drive.
Port Franks businesses are hosting the 4th annual Poinsettia Holiday Shopping Tour. Ten venues take part in this event to help you find unique gifts ahead of the holiday rush. Pull out our centre spread and take along our guide to the area and the businesses that are taking part. The tour runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Two of the stops listed on the map are part of the 26th annual Lambton Colour and Craft Festival, which takes place at the Thedford Community Centre and the Lambton Heritage Museum and runs at the same time, Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the museum programming and raises about $30,000 each year.
“The museum offers educational programs for students,” says event coordinator Gwen Watson, “and we preserve and interpret the history of Lambton County.”
“The festival started small,” Watson says, “and we’ve increased the number of vendors to over 100 crafts people. We opened it up to Thedford to accommodate the number of vendors we have.
“We have a wide variety of things. We have country decorating accessories, your wooden folk art, painted wood and that type of thing. We have Christmas decorations, jewelry, quilting, fused glass, clothing, food items, jams, dips and oils. It’s quite an assortment of products.
Downtown Thedford will also feature the Fall Fantasia, which is a combination of farmers’ market, bog and orchard produce, and sidewalk sale for the different stores in the village.
If you’re looking for a way to get some exercise, head to the Pinery for its annual Pinery Road Race. The event is in its 6th year and runs Sunday, October 14 with a children’s run at 9:45 a.m. and 5km and 10km runs for adults starting at 10 a.m. To sign up, visit: www.eventsonline.ca/events/grandbend_run/

Zurich Bean Festival
Friday August 24 starting at 7 p.m.
Cruise night, midway and fireworks
Saturday August 25 – 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Pancake and sausage breakfast, midway, car show, beans and pork chop dinner, entertainment all day and dance starting at 9 p.m.

Cash crop farmer Randy Regier, now nearing 50, has been growing edible beans in the Zurich area for all of his life. Regier operates 9,000 to 10,000 acres of land, rotating wheat, corn, soybeans and white beans.

As told to Casey Lessard

It’s a family tradition right back to my grandfather. We’ve always been in the edible bean business. It’s always been a big part of our operations and that goes way back to the beginning.
As a young fellow, it was an exciting time to get up at 3 or 4 in the morning and sit on a tractor and help my father with this crop. There’s a lot of enjoyment and pride in this crop and with that we always need a reward.
Forty years ago, there were people who in a good year in a good market would sometimes grow 100 acres of edible beans and it would purchase that farm that year. Today, that could never happen.
There’s been a huge change in the land values versus the return on a per acre basis. Today’s land value is probably 50 times higher than it was 40 years ago, and the value of the edible bean is probably still at the same price. They were getting $25-$30 to the hundredweight, and today that value is still the same. The production cost is probably three to four times higher. That reflects the industry as a whole. You make it up through volume.
My grandfather grew probably 30 acres of edible beans. My father at the end of his time in the business was probably in the 1,000 to 2,000 acres a year. Between myself and my brothers, we are probably in the neighbourhood of 6,000 acres of beans.
When we harvest them, we do a rod pulling process, where a rotating rod slides under the ground. It just pulls the plant out or nips it off. Another machine splits the ripe pod – it has to be ripe and it has to be dry, so it’s in the mid-day harvesting – it separates the pod and the bean that’s inside away from each other. It’s collected through screenings and it goes into an elevator that takes it into a bin that collects only the bean itself. They thrash very easily once they’re dry.
This pulling process has to be done through the evening hours when they’re in a tough stage from the dews so that the pod is hard to crack. Then you need the heat of the day to crack the pods open.
Edible beans don’t like a lot of heat. If you go into the southern counties, where the heat units are a lot higher, that was a hindrance to this crop. In early spring or in the fall, the lake was a bit of a safeguard from frost. It keeps temperatures more moderated. I think that’s why it was started in this area and grew to a point where processing plants were established, and the industry has grown from there.
It’s a labour intensive crop. We’re always dealing with weed control. We have insects. Five, six or seven years ago, we never thought of leafhoppers. Now, leafhoppers are quite an issue in the edible bean industry. It’s not a major issue to control but it comes at another expense.
There’s always the concern of a frost in the spring that would mean a replant. And there’s always the possibility of an early frost that would hinder the plant from maturing and having a good quality bean.
This year, the drought has been very devastating on all the crops in this part of the country. The edible beans are no exception. The drought has slowed down growth because of the lack of moisture. If we have a lack of plant, we have a lack of availability of spots to flower and set pods. With the drought we can have poor pollination taking place. There is a point when the plant triggers a shutoff and aborts. With the drought they’re in a stress form and are aborting small pods to ensure survival of the plant.
I expect this year that yields will be probably 30 per cent off what we would normally have.
If you have zero bushels, it doesn’t matter what the price is. This year, this crop will probably not be a profitable crop. The market values are respectable but yields will be down. You take the good with the bad, and this year, with the drought, it will be a severe year economically.
The agricultural business has become not nearly as lucrative as it was in years gone by. For a lot of reasons, our expenses have continued to rise. Yields overall – with technology of different varieties – have increased some, but have not kept up with the pace of the expenses to operate these operations.
When we have a situation like this, it’s going to be more difficult to recover.
The effort that farmers put into putting a good quality product in front of the consumer is probably lost. There’s a lot of risk, a lot of hard work put into the quality the consumer wants and sometimes, because of Mother Nature, that quality is very hard to obtain. That comes at the expense of the producer. The consumer probably lacks education of really what the food chain is about in this day and age. Thirty to 50 years ago it was much more appreciated.
Farmers are stubborn, and I think we will carry on and try to produce this crop for many years to come.

The Bean Festival
A lot of people put a lot of work into making the Zurich Bean Festival a good event. I think it would be nice if the bean festival did what the London Rib Fest does, having a contest for different recipes. We have to change with the times and show people who come to the event all the new ways of displaying this product, and I think a competition would make it fun. There are a lot of different recipes that can be used to cook and serve beans and it would be good for the consumer to see there are many ways of enjoying beans. It would make the festival more of a bean event.
It’s amazing how many people over the years have come here for this festival. I’ve been far and wide, and you say you’re from Canada. “Okay…” You say Ontario. “Okay…” You say Zurich. “Okay…” But you mention the bean festival and it’s “OH!” It’s put Zurich on the map and we shouldn’t lose sight of that.

Bliss Studio
Group Exhibition
Opening August 25, 3 p.m.
7617 Riverside Drive, Port Franks
(519) 243-3598
Featured artists: Tony Miller and Lorraine Thomson (studio owners), Stephen Shellenberger, Tamara Croxall, Sarah Kane and Kim Ange
Music by Joani Paige

Story by Casey Lessard

“I’ve been walking around here in my pajamas showing people our work,” says Tony Miller in the studio and gallery he shares with partner Lorraine Thomson. “They show up here and say, ‘Are you open?’ I’m walking around in my housecoat. We’re very low-key. We’ve taken that mystery and snobbishness out of art. We’ve got people walking in here in bikinis and stuff right off the beach.”
The beach is where the artists and former art gallery managers took their first step toward creating their studio in Port Franks. Taking a cue from American mythology professor Joseph Campbell’s “follow your bliss” philosophy, Miller asked Thomson during a vacation in Costa Rica what her bliss would be.
“Her answer was, ‘To live with you, do art and be near the water.’ I said, ‘Let’s do it.’”
The two did not set out to run an art gallery out of their home, but after discovering the former fishery and setting up the Bliss art studio, they decided it would make a great gallery, too. The building was once a stable and barn; now, the upper level is their living space and the lower level is a large open gallery and storage space. Wide open doors let in natural light and the room can easily accommodate a crowd of art lovers.
“A friend of ours told us about it,” Thomson says. “A lot of people who live in the Port said that they considered buying it but it’s an unusual type of property as far as space. I think it just works perfectly for what we’re doing here.”
Outside of her work as an art instructor in local schools, Thomson has used the gallery to teach art classes for children and adults, including a course called ‘Everyone is Born an Artist,’ which has helped many local seniors discover their drawing and painting talents.
Their focus now, however, is giving new artists a place to show their work as they develop.
“It’s hard for young people to break into getting into a gallery,” Thomson says.
“It really is,” Miller adds. “To get your first exhibition is brutally hard. You usually pay the gallery a fee and then it’s 40 percent commission on all the works you sell. We don’t do that. We do take a commission, but we don’t gouge people. The main thing we want to do it show the work. We don’t rely on this for an income. We just love doing art.”
Miller and Thomson also believe in giving customers a chance to test drive art in their homes to see if it fits.
“Take it home,” Miller says. “If you like it, you like it. If you don’t, bring it back. No one leaves here with something they don’t want. That’s a number one rule.”
“A painting or a piece, any piece of art work is a very personal choice,” Thomson adds. “You can only buy art for yourself. Either you connect or you don’t. Our art work isn’t for everybody. We’re not doing high realism. There is a lot of meaning behind our pieces. A lot of emotion and meaning.”
The Port Franks community has welcomed the gallery and its owners with open arms – and a big opening party. “When we came here we weren’t sure if people would accept us,” Miller recalls. “The day before we opened the gallery, there’s a bouquet of roses on our front porch. No card. Then the day we opened there’s a parade of people walking down the street with trays of food. We hadn’t even met them, except for one couple. They all come marching down with trays of food and welcomed us. The River Road Gallery people showed up. They brought us a nice plant. We probably had 150 people our very first day. It was wonderful.
“I guess they accepted us, and they’re happy we’re here. We’ve had a lot of people come by and say, ‘This is what we needed.’”

Royal Canadian Legion
200 Broad Street, Parkhill
Youth dart league
Ron Wilcox: (519) 294-6344

Story & photos by Casey Lessard

Competitive darts isn’t at the top of the list of things to do for most young people, but area Legions are hoping to change that. The Parkhill branch of the Royal Canadian Legion is hosting one of Canada’s top dart players, two-time world champion John Part, who will spend Friday with local kids and dart lovers. (The event is sold out.)
“He’s a great ambassador,” says Ron Wilcox, who coaches the youth dart league with Kathy Bullock. “He’s the only non-European to win the world championship twice. He works with youth leagues around the world. This is the only time he does it in Canada. Without the youth players ten years from now darts will be gone. We’ve got 200 teenagers in this area and we have five players. We want to get more kids in here.”
“The first time I played darts was at a dart exhibition with John Part,” says Wilcox’s nine-year-old son Steven, a member of the youth league. “I was a little nervous. I almost beat him in the third game on double-4.”
Now hooked, Steven says he will likely play darts the rest of his life.
Sara Carter, 15, agrees.
“This is something I’ll do forever,” she says. “When I get up in the older group I’m going to play with my dad.”
The family connection is how many of the young players get involved. Eleven-year-old Dakota Duval’s parents encouraged her to join the league after playing darts on their board at home.
“I tried it and I really liked it,” she says. “It’s been fun because we’ve been going places and playing against other teams. It feels really good if you win. It gets you more motivated to play the next game. I win sometimes.”
The squad almost won the provincial qualifier for the premier Darts Ontario league last year, placing second to the only team that advanced to the provincial championships.
“I like the experience,” Carter says. “You go to tournaments and you learn more. You’re self-conscious. There’s a lot of noise at tournaments so you have to be aware and be able to block that out while playing. When you go up and you’re playing there are lots of people who like to watch you. You have to be confident and focused otherwise you might not shoot what you want.”
“It gets them off the streets, gets them interested,” Ron Wilcox says. “Their math skills are great. It gives them confidence. Gives them different opportunities to travel and meet other people.”
All of the young players agree the hardest shot is the pressure cooker of doubling in or out.
“It’s a planning thing,” Carter says.
“It’s really frustrating,” adds Duval. “When we were in Ontario Darts my teammate and I kept trying to hit double and I’m the one that could hardly ever shoot double one, so luckily she got it.”
The league’s roster of five players is expected to grow to about 20 as the small Grand Bend and Parkhill leagues merge when the next season begins in the fall.
“If we got more kids involved we could do it two or three nights,” says Ron Wilcox. “As long as kids are interested we’ll keep going.”

Local businessman wants to be the next Canadian Idol

Oakwood Inn pub
June 1 & 2
9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Grand Bend native Greg Gallello owns and operates Little Gino’s, Yogen FrÜz, and Sam’s Playing Fields Batting Cages as well as performing live music in the area

Personal Style:
Really laid back. I grew up on the beach. My whole life has been about where the sand meets the water. Everything has been laid back, easygoing, good vibe.

Influences:
Musical influences would definitely be more modern. The Fray; they’re just throwing out hit after hit right now. It’s just a good feeling when I listen to their songs or when I play them myself. Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Coldplay. Serious influences would even be anything from The Beatles, Billy Joel, Elton John.

What people can expect:
I want people to come with high expectations. I play to the crowd, and my repertoire ranges. I have all different age groups that I play to, so from 19 to 60 or 70. I play everything from 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s to more modern. I like to see other people having a good time and paying attention.

Interview and photos by Casey Lessard

Who makes you want to sing?
Myself. I just love singing. I’m singing all day long. There’s no particular one person who makes me want to sing. I sing because it’s my life.

What is your favourite music moment?
My newest favourite music moment was auditioning for Canadian Idol. Before that, I have a couple that have stayed in my mind and made me want to pursue music more. When I was 16, a friend of mine was in charge of Canada Day long weekend. We had around 40,000 to 45,000 people on the beach and I was asked to open up for the fireworks. Another one was hearing myself on the radio for the first time, on FM96. I was 19 at the time, and going out west after a summer here to pursue a music career. I called FM96 because I was driving out and thought it would be cool to go with someone. So I asked Jeff McArthur if he could do a shout out to anyone listening for anyone to go out West with me. He asked why I was doing that, and I told him I was a musician, a piano player, etc. He asked if I had a piano around. I said sure. He asked me to play Piano Man and I did a three-minute live piece on FM96 and asked if he could play it. I found out six months later that he kept it and was still playing it when I got back the next June every couple weeks.

Where do you like to spend your time?
On the beach. Being a businessman and running four businesses here in the summer, I don’t get down there that often, but when I do, that’s where I do a lot of my writing and my brainstorming. All my music comes from the beach. When I’m down there, everything just feels right.

When do you think you will achieve what you want?
I’ve already achieved almost everything I want to. Everything above what I’m doing now is just an added bonus. I like to get back what I put out, and I’ve been putting out so much with my music that it just feels right how everything is coming back for me. You can always hope for more, right?

Why did you start performing?
It was fun. I’ve always just had that in me to want to perform in front of people. It always felt good. Growing up with two sisters and a brother, I was the one that always wanted the most attention and found any way I could to get it. It started out banging pots and pans, and turned into different instruments and singing.

You can track Greg Gallello’s progress on Canadian Idol starting June 5 at 8:30 p.m. on CTV.

Teacher’s tenure equals half of Mt. Carmel school’s age

Story and Photos by Casey Lessard

“To come over the horizon on that highway, it’s just a great feeling. You’d think that would wear off after a while, but it hasn’t.”
Gloria Miotto Wilks is talking about her daily commute from north of London to Mt. Carmel, which she has made for the past 25 years. The senior staff member, Miotto Wilks has been a teacher at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic school for half of the school’s life.
“[I feel] very young;” she says, laughing. “Younger than 50! It definitely makes you think about time and time passing. But I’ve always thought about it very positively and it’s been a super positive experience. I don’t look at it as an aging thing. I look at it as fun and learning.”
Staff and students are preparing for the school’s 50th anniversary this weekend, with a special mass Sunday at the church followed by an open house at the school. It will be a chance for past students and staff to reminisce and talk about their time at the school with other guests. The occasion brings back fond memories of Miotto Wilks’ first trip to the school. Her first class was a 5/6 split, and she came prepared.
“I had come from Toronto and had done my student teaching in a very difficult area,” she recalls. “There were a lot of racial issues in the early 80s, and it left a very bad experience at my last teaching post. I came here thinking I’d better come in here charged. I remember I put my long hair into a bun to look older and sort of strict, and when I walked into the classroom, I had one of the most fantastic classes I’ve ever had and even looking at them now, they’ve done wonderful things. I let my hair down the second day.”
Fast forward 25 years, and Miotto Wilks is still learning every day. Technology funded by the government has helped the process along.
“In the last five years I probably learned as much or more than I did in the previous 20. The government has given us lots of money and our board has tapped into that for literacy and numeracy. In the last five years, the philosophy of teaching has changed. We always did new things to a certain extent, but philosophically the growth has been more in the past five years.”
After starting out with Commodore computers, “We now have two smart boards, we have a computer lab, and each classroom is outfitted with two computers. If I had to say an area where I’d like to grow, that would be it. As computers were coming to the fore, I was busy with my kids at home and I’m not a technical person by nature. There definitely is a place for it. The kids type their homework and do a lot of their research on it.”
Even such basics as the 3Rs have changed.
“When you were a little kid, a math book had a lot of numbers on the page and a lot of it was skill building and facts. Now, there are a few numbers, but much more problem solving types of activities. I know for parents it was a big learning curve for them to figure out what the question was asking. I’ve even had that problem as a teacher. We’re making kids more cognizant of the fact that they’re thinking. Reading is thinking, so I’ll stop in the middle of a lesson and ask, What are you thinking about? What have you asked yourself while you’re reading? Also a lot of sharing of ideas; a lot of group work. It’s not quiet anymore.”
Miotto Wilks has taught Grades 3 to 8 and had a French homeroom for nine years. But unexpected moments have created the fondest memories.
“I remember I met a boy in the mall – I taught music and not that great; I play the guitar. This boy came and stopped me, he’s now 20 and he graduated from Fanshawe and he came and hugged me. He said, ‘Remember teaching us Simon and Garfunkel songs, that was so cool! Whenever I play those songs as a DJ I think of you.’”
And Miotto Wilks will never tire of seeing her students succeed.
“I was teaching Grade 7/8 at the time, a very bright class, and one gal was awesome and two years ago I got an invite from her parents. They had a little graduation party at their family farm and they really wanted me to come. So I did and she was thrilled that I came. She wrote me a beautiful thank you note with a picture of her as a doctor in it.”
So with her own success translating to her students, what will she do for an encore? Although Miotto Wilks doesn’t keep track of the exact number, she could retire within the next 5-7 years.
“I am not one to sit around and not do much, so the thought of retiring makes me feel sad. I need to be busy, so I might volunteer with the men’s mission. I don’t know if I’ll supply or not. I think once I’m finished I might be finished. Doing nothing is not a choice for me.
“I love coming here every day. People ask me, Are you tired of it? I say, No, it’s a new day for me every day.”

50th anniversary

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Mt. Carmel
Sunday, June 3
11 a.m. – Celebratory mass
12:30 p.m. – Open house

Contact: Principal Mike Bruneel
(519) 237-3337
http://mtcarmel.hpcdsb.edu.on.ca/

Mass
- Guests from school board speaking and local, provincial and federal governments presenting certificates

Open house: School open for community members, past students and staff to look around and reminisce
- Food available
- DJ playing music from 50s
- Photos from the beginnings to now on display
- Silent auction to help offset event costs

“There’s a lot of buzz about the event in the community. Most of the response has been from past students who are looking forward to coming back to the school. We’re looking forward to having the whole community come out and celebrate the past, present and future of the school.” – Mike Bruneel

Grand Bend Farmers’ Market launches dining partnership with local restaurants

This summer, when you eat at local restaurants you can choose to eat local produce as part of your meal. Each week one restaurant will feature a dish or dishes from the Simply in Season cookbook. The recipe used will feature a fruit or vegetable in season that week in our area, and your serving will contain produce grown locally.
For a list of participating restaurants, visit the farmers’ market Wednesday mornings or contact Doug Smaill at Huckleberries on Main Street in Grand Bend.
Each week’s participating restaurant and featured recipe will also be advertised in the pages of the Grand Bend Strip.

Take advantage of home-grown goodness at the market just east of the main strip

Grand Bend Farmers’ Market
Gill Road Parking Lot
Wednesdays until October
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Story and Photos by Casey Lessard

If you want a little taste of Europe, head to the Grand Bend Farmers’ Market Wednesday morning. Sure, there are no cobble stone streets, but the Gill Road parking lot market can easily compare for the quality of food products available for sale. Plus, you don’t have to fly all the way to Europe for the experience.
“I love it,” says Elaine Ste. Marie, who enjoys being reminded of her visits to farmers’ markets in Europe, where she lived for seven years. “Last year I must have bought flowers every week.”
Staying home is also good for the environment.
“All of this food product has traveled very little distance,” says Christine Bregman of the Health Nut, who was shopping for flowers. “There’s more food value in locally grown foods. If I have to choose, I choose local. Local organic is optimum. Local is next. Then organic after that.”
There’s also the direct benefit of buying from the grower.
“It’s a better profit for our farmers and neighbours,” she says, “and the fact is the quality is better.”
Expertise is also the market’s strong suit.
“I can tell people what variety of asparagus they’re buying,” says vendor Melody Arnhold. “Then there’s the advantage of incredible freshness – we picked this morning and are selling it today.”
Market manager Doug Smaill notes there are key economic benefits.
“A study was done by Farmers’ Markets of Ontario and found that for every dollar spent at a farmers’ market, $3 was spent in town on supplemental products. That might be a meal at a local restaurant or whipped cream for berries. Our farmers brought in $100,000 last year so we figure that translated into $300,000 for local businesses.”
This is the second year for the market, but already there are hopes it will become a permanent fixture with a roof over the vendors’ heads. That would help keep the food even fresher and prevent the vendors and customers from wilting, too. Anywhere from 700 to 1,000 visitors go through the market each week in the summer.

The basics

What is available: Fresh local produce, meats, flowers, honey, baked goods, organic products and some crafts.
Bring cash: no machines here, but ATMs nearby at TD Canada Trust or Bank of Montreal.
When to come: If you like it busy, 10:30 a.m. is the peak time. “The locals come here after getting their mail and going to the bank,” market manager Doug Smaill says. But if you want only the freshest food, get there bright and early. Some of the produce is picked that morning and brought straight to the market.

Huron Country Playhouse
Wed. May 30 to Sat. June 23
(519) 238-6000 for tickets

Story and photo by Casey Lessard

If director Dave Campbell has nine lives, he has spent four of his bringing Cats to the stage. His fourth go at the musical, based on poems by T.S. Eliot, opens at the Huron Country Playhouse today (May 30) and Campbell thinks he’s finally got it right.
“I’ve finally found the right mix of people and I’ve finally got the right amount of set,” he says. “I originally did it in Orillia on a budget of nothing. Alex Mustakas came out and saw it and realized the potential. I don’t think it’s the kind of show anybody would have decided to just do. They would have said there’s no way you can do this in regional theatre. Not with the resources you have.”
Taking advantage of the facilities the Playhouse has to offer, Campbell is also leaning on the tremendous talent working to produce the show.
“You can only really do this show with incredible performers,” he says, “which for me is great. I have to have the best people that are available: they have to be able to sing, they have to be able to dance, they have to be able to act.”
Playing a strong supporting role is the set, a role Playhouse audiences always appreciate.
“We’ve been very lucky that we have a set designer, Tim Webb, who is extremely creative. He works with what little we have to create these incredible out of scale things because everything has to appear either 3:1 or 7:1 to make people look small like cats.”
Cats was turned into a musical in the early 80s, and is based on vignettes from Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and other poems by Eliot, which were designed for a child audience.
“Back in the 80s, when they stitched this show together from his poems,” Campbell says, “one of the problems is that they realized they did not have an ongoing story. So they dug through all the T.S. Eliot work until finally his wife came up with one piece that he hadn’t finished. It turned out this was the story of an adult cat. As they looked at it they realized it was a sad story. When they asked his widow, she said he never really wanted to finish it because all the other ones were suitable for kids but this one wasn’t because it was the story of an old cat. She was sick and she was tired and it was an unfinished poem as well.
“So they took this story of Grizabella and they wove it through all these little vignettes, so what you have is the story of a cat who’s left the tribe, went out and lived the high life, gone to parties, she’s basically had it all while these people stayed at home, raised kids, toed the line.
“Once a year, the cats get together in the junkyard to find out from their leader Old Deuteronomy who is going to move on to the next level called the Heaviside Layer, which you can interpret as anything. There are huge parties and celebrations. And this night is the night Grizabella decides to come back. They’re not particularly happy that she’s come back and ruined their party.”
The production brings other experienced Cats to the Playhouse.
“I’m really lucky,” he says. “I have quite a few people who did the original production in Toronto. For example, the woman who is playing Grizabella, the old cat, played Sillabub, a kitten in Toronto. So it’s sort of like art imitates life. Mike Jackson who has played several roles in Cats in Germany, as well as being on the national tour of Chicago, is here playing the role of Rum Tum Tugger.”
Backing up the 18 cast members are another 18 or so crewmembers who build and make the show run smoothly.
“We have a crew that is really devoted to doing great work. Even though they have limited resources, they go as far as they can to do exactly what you want. You can’t buy that passion or excitement.”

The Caddyshack, Grand Cove Estates
Fri. June 8 and Sat. June 9 – 7:30 p.m.
(519) 238-5043 for tickets ($7.50)

Story and photo by Casey Lessard

The scene: you open the freezer to discover the bodies of four nuns, and you don’t call the police. Why? Because you put them in there after burying 48 others. Sound macabre? It’s actually the setting of a musical comedy being performed at Grand Cove Estates June 8 and 9. The bodies are in the freezer because the convent in Hoboken has run out of cash from burying the sisters – and buying a VCR.
Priorities, right? Now, the remaining sisters need to raise money to bury the four sitting in the freezer, and that’s where the fun begins.
“We were looking for something special,” says director Jerry Andrews. “We have a lot of talent in ladies. Getting guys to come out on stage is very difficult. So I thought we needed a show that had ladies in a lot of the parts. I’ve seen Nunsense before, and I thought, what a wonderful chance to do it here.”
“Jerry’s wonderful,” says Claire Castle. “He gets me to do things I would never do. I’ve been everything from a stripper to Mother Superior now. That’s running the gamut.”
Andrews is known for pushing performers, but only in a positive way. He backs up his pressure with 30 years of community theatre.
“It’s been such a wonderful experience,” says musical director Sylvia Rees. “The level of what we are doing, Jerry keeps raising the bar, so there’s a challenge there.”
“I’ve done so many musicals,” Andrews says, “I thought, we need to do a book show (where we have to pay royalties). We’ve done a lot of cabaret style shows. This is our first entry into a book show. This one gave more opportunities for people. Stretching them a little. A lot of dialogue.”
It’s tough work, but the payoff is greater.
“People surprise themselves when they’ve never done this before and they make a success of it,” says Rees. “That’s a thrill to watch happen.”
“This has all been a very big surprise for me,” Castle agrees, “because I’ve never done things like this before. I’ve found out that I’m a ham at heart. I really, really like it. I used to be very shy and I’m doing things I never knew I could and would do. Everybody here is so willing to accept you. They back you 100% all the time.”
With a cast and crew consisting entirely of Grand Cove residents, Andrews says he loves to see the feedback actors, especially less experienced ones, get.
“There’s no duplicate for applause. I can’t get it as a director. It’s the artist on stage that gets the applause. Seeing it happen is what makes it for us.”

Grand Bend Legion
June 2
3-6 p.m.

Goderich-native Arlene Darndrough (keyboard and vocals) and Seaforth-native Kim Such (guitar and vocals).
Strip spoke with Arlene Darndrough.

Personal Style: We do just about everything. We just worked our repertoire up so we do almost everything except for current top 40. Once in a while, Kim will do a couple of those tunes. We do jazz, we do classics, we do country, whatever people ask for.

Influences: Anybody. We like all sorts of music. I can’t really say that there’s any because we take the CD of the song that we like and duplicate it. It’s just been experience in bands and trying to find something that everyone enjoys so we can do any venue we want and keep it affordable.

What people can expect: It’s entertaining and they can dance if they want. There’s humour.

Interview by Casey Lessard

Who got you started in music?
Arlene: Probably my father. He was a self taught singer and piano player. He played in nightclubs and he played Eddie Duchin style. Eddie Duchin was a famous piano player and he had a specific style. They actually made a movie about him, so he was as popular as Glen Miller.

What do you like about being a musician?
I like music or I wouldn’t be doing it. I just like any kind. The challenge is good and the end result is satisfying as well.

Where did you first perform?
It was with a big band and I don’t remember the name but it was at the Stork Club in Port Stanley. As Cactus Jam we’ve been together 15 years with different members coming and going; I’ve been the only constant but different people come and go.

When did you decide that this was something you would do all the time?
When it became obvious that people wanted to hear music they could dance to and have it still be affordable. These days DJs have taken over. But I’ve always wanted to be in a band. This seems to be what people want and we’ve kept with it.

Why do you think people still want live music?
It’s not so much the young generation. The older generation wants live music because they’re used to it. We’re affordable so we do a lot of backyard parties and special events. Some people prefer to see live music at work. Some bars we go to, the younger generation is receptive to it, but at weddings, you’ll almost never see a band now. That’s probably because a bigger band is not affordable. A lot of bands do it for pleasure more than for profit.

Victoria Day Regatta
Grand Bend Yacht Club
River Road
(519) 238-6676
Saturday May 19 to Monday May 21

Sunday racing cancelled due to weather.
Monday racing (10 a.m.)

Story and photos by Casey Lessard

“Sailing is not a sport; it’s a way of life.”
Bill Newton should know; this is his 40th season at the Grand Bend Yacht Club, and there’s no stopping the Grand Bend resident.
“You’ll never find anything more relaxing than sailing,” he says. “The lack of motor noise and the lap of the water on the side of your hull. Adjusting your sails to get the most out of your boat. It’s always a challenge to go faster than the next boat. If you think of a sailboat doing seven or eight knots, that would be equivalent to a car doing 100-120 miles an hour, versus one knot less 60 or 70. It’s like the difference between a racecar and a slow car.”
The Grand Bend Yacht Club is dedicated to racing, and anyone interested in the sport should make the trip to the dock this weekend for the Victoria Day regatta. Saturday’s Commodore’s brunch (members only) is followed by a sail past salute just after noon. Races run Sunday and Monday starting at 10 a.m. weather permitting.
While not guaranteed, you might earn your sea legs much like Newton did those many years ago.
“I was 17 and in the air cadets and I was coming back from the Toronto Island airport from a session flying, and I was out at one of the yacht clubs. Somebody yelled out, ‘Where’s my crew? Anybody here who can crew?’ I had never been on a boat before, but of course, I said, ‘Yeah, I can crew.’ He invited me on his boat and it took about two seconds for him to realize I don’t know anything about sailing, but he sort of liked my courage and asked me to come back to sail for the rest of the season.”
Commodore Tom Quigley suggests interested rookies should contact him before trying to catch a ride.
“In our club, you have to be a boat owner. There are people who are here who go racing every week and are looking for crew. But we can’t accommodate everybody. It’s a good way to get some experience; email me at
commodore07@gbyc.ca and if there are people looking for crew we can link you up with them.”
After his early experiences, Bill Newton moved to Grand Bend in 1968, joining the club with its 28 slips – one for each member. The club now has 52 slips for 35 full members.
“When I joined we didn’t have a clubhouse,” he says, “so what you see behind you is what we call our overnight success that took 25 years. We couldn’t get a mortgage for it, so all the money for it came from our members.”
You don’t need to take out a mortgage to become a sailor; Newton says someone bought a boat last year for $2000. The cost can go much higher. After some prying, he says he’s invested more than $100,000.
“We encourage first-time boat owners to crew on other boats. It gives them confidence on the racecourse. We have a summer school for sailing. We are really trying to encourage young people to learn how to sail; not only the technique but also the safety.”
“Our idea is to promote the sport of racing and sailboats,” says Quigley. “We have racing every Sunday in the spring and fall and a few other races in the summer.”
“If you can always keep in mind it’s got to be fun,” Newton says, “and have respect for the water. Learn how to interpret the weather and wind conditions so you don’t get in trouble. That can take a lifetime of learning. What direction the winds are coming from will determine what kind of day you will have.”
“It’s quite exhilarating,” Quigley adds. “It’s something you have to experience to appreciate it.”

Best place to stand: On the pier
If the wind is favourable, you can see the race very well. If the winds are unfavourable, you won’t see anything.

Bring: Binoculars
We’re very willing to explain to people what’s going on. The only thing is that people can’t talk to us during countdown because we’re very focused on that.

Length:
Victoria Day regatta: we set our rules so that if nobody makes it to the first mark within an hour, the race is over. You also have to finish within 30 minutes of your first class finisher or you’re disqualified.

Everybody races against each other, but the person who comes across first doesn’t necessarily win. It goes back to the computer and the computer decides based on the rating who won. We also have some one-design racing here, which is the shark fleet; in that case, the first person across the line wins.
The start sequence is a series of flags and signals. You cannot go over the line early or you’ll be called back. Time over distance is how it’s measured.
We have four racing classes here. So we usually have three starts at every race. It’s fun to watch. We have a rolling start the first time, which means it’s one-two-three, all in a row. Flags go up that signal people what class is going, what course they’re going to be doing. We do the countdown over the radio with a pier start so that everybody hears it. Then we finish them from the pier, or in a perfect world, we have a committee boat go out into the middle of the course and start them out there.