Grand Bend, Ontario community newspaper and entertainment events guide. Also serves Zurich, Dashwood, Port Franks, Exeter, Parkhill. Casey Lessard photos.
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John ByrneCAO Lambton ShoresAs told to Casey Lessard This is probably one of the heaviest-used (per capita) beaches in Ontario. We want people that come to this community to see we’re on the leading edge: we’re a progressive community; we’re environmentally sensitive; we’re doing things about reintroducing its natural landscape.The beach is probably our most [...]
John DehondtLambton Shores Ward 1 councillorChair of beach enhancement committeeAs told to Casey Lessard Everybody likes the beach the way it is. We want to improve the parking lot and give some additional reasons to go to the beach. People want us to spend money on the main street. What people forget is there are [...]
Doug Smaill and Janet CarterHuckleberries CaféAs told to Casey Lessard Doug: They’re putting the cart before the horse. People come to the beach. That’s not an issue.I have yet to talk to anyone who is really for beach enhancement. Most people like the beach the way it is now. We need to talk about main [...]
Kristie McIndoe on behalf of Mel and Elia DouglasBonnie Doone Manor on the BeachVia Fax Since the beach enhancement idea first surfaced a few years ago, we have been talking with our customers about what they would like to see at the beach. Many of these families are second, third and fourth generations returning year [...]
Jaye RobinsonBeachfront cottage ownerDirector of events, City of Toronto department of economic development, culture and tourism.As told to Casey Lessard The most pressing issue Grand Bend faces is the water quality in Lake Huron. It’s quite extreme. Unless everybody plays a part in cleaning up the lake, it’s not going to be addressed. Residents and [...]
Chair David BannisterAs told to Casey Lessard I am very much in favour of enhancing the beach. I know people have certain reservations about parts of the plan, but I think overall the plan is a good beginning.The main beach is very important to the community. It’s part of the persona of Grand Bend. I’m [...]
Ron Hunt and Craig ScottAs told to Casey Lessard Ron: Rotary is behind this project. We think it should go ahead.Craig: It becomes a matter of attracting people. Kincardine has just done a fabulous job in its beachfront. Goderich, 10 years ago, built a beach that wasn’t even there and made it accessible. Port Stanley [...]
Story and photos by Casey Lessard Originally from Wales, Bill Osmond is a retired steel refinery instrument technician and Elvis tribute artist. He lives with his wife in Grand Cove Estates. I was watching an Elvis concert – one of the last ones before he died. He walked on stage and he was just a [...]
Last Friday students received their Semester One Mid-Term Reports and were asked to complete the Response Form that accompanies them. This form needs to be signed by a parent and returned to the students’ Day One, Period One teacher. We would like to have these forms returned to us by November 30 so that we [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Looking for a gift for your favourite golfer? The Lung Association’s Golf Privilege coupon books give you a chance to help the charity and get deals at courses across southwestern Ontario. For $39, you get 40 coupons for deals at 17 courses including Bayview Golf Club in St. Joseph, and Sand Hills Golf Resort in [...]
The London Free Press is reporting that a Port Franks woman believes a cougar was in her yard:London Free Press story about cougar sighting For more, visit:Jim Sweeney’s blog
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 [...]
Liberal MPPs Carol Mitchell and Maria Van Bommel have been reelected to the provincial legislature. To see the full results, visit the CBC website for Huron-Bruce and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. The existing first-past-the-post system defeated the mixed member proportional representation system in the electoral reform referendum. (See the CBC website)
Couple hopes to one day sail around the world in hand-built catamaran Story and photos by Casey Lessard Retired teachers Hank (North Lambton Secondary School, Forest) and Diane (Our Lady Immaculate, Strathroy) VanderVelden, both 58 years old, set sail from Port Franks Thursday, embarking on a journey they started almost 20 years ago. With an [...]
Grassroots ministry is not your average Saturday night ritual Story and photos by Casey Lessard “This is guts,” says Reg Finkbeiner. “This is Sermon on the Mount.”Finkbeiner is one of the regulars at Church, a grassroots faith ministry hosted at the Grand Bend Youth Centre at 7:30 p.m. every Saturday.“I come here to worship,” he [...]
(Theresa van Koeverden wrote the poem The Warning after the drowning death of Jule Marie Kovar of Fort Gratiot, Michigan in August. The 14-year old slipped under the surface as she swam in rough waters at the Grand Bend beach near the pier.)The WarningBy Theresa van Koeverden Soft warm sandShifting shards of rockUnder toesLying, drifting, [...]
By Casey Lessard Julie Nelson has an idea she hopes will help women like her, local businesses, and area school children all at once. Nelson is organizing a community market day fundraiser at the Grand Bend Public School Thursday, September 27 starting at 6 p.m.“I was used to working with schools so I decided to [...]
Please note the operating hours for Christine’s on the River in Port Franks are incorrect in this week’s Grand Bend Strip. The hours should read: Tuesday to Thursday – 3 to 10 p.m.Fridays – 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.Saturdays and Sundays – 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.Closed Mondays The Strip apologizes for the inconvenience.
www.flickr.com Browse photos from our September 12 issue Style 101 fashion spread above or view the photos as a slideshow Photos by Casey Lessard. Clothing courtesy Lynda and Scott Bogart at Big Reds Clothing Co. in Exeter. Hair by Becky Carter at To Dye For in Exeter.
The Parson’s PredicamentOctober 19 (8 p.m.), 20 (8 p.m.), 21 (2 p.m.) – Huron Country Playhouse IIFundraiser for Grand Bend United Church, produced by the choirPost-performance Dessert by UCW Tickets available at Tender Spot and Sobey’s. $15 adult, $10 student Story by Casey Lessard The hottest ticket in town this month will be for the [...]
Elinor and Fred Clarke love to share their experiences of life on all seven continents Seventy-four year old Elinor Clarke leads an aerobics class for seniors at the Grand Bend Legion Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting at 8:45 a.m., with classes resuming the first week of September. Participants pay $3 per week, regardless of how [...]
Grand Bend teen earns top honours at Canadian championship Fourteen-year-old Dylan Kaelin, who lives south of Grand Bend, swept the motocross racing categories he entered at the Canadian Amateur National Championships in Walton, Ontario, August 15-19. Dylan took home three top-honours and the Bronze Boot award for best all-round amateur rider. As told to Casey [...]
