REC ROUNDUP

The Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex has all Kinds of Christmas Gift Ideas!

for everyone on your List!

The EVER POPULAR 3 month New Year Shape-UP Special is available for $115.00 & HST and is always a welcome gift under the Christmas TREE! It's the Gift of Healthy Living! Or you can Purchase memberships or Gift Certificates in any $ denomination. Youth will love a Skate/Swim/Gym pass to keep them active this winter, plus we've got Student memberships or purchase someone a Program card to take part in any of our 50 Fitness or Aquafitness classes. Personal Training sessions would be appreciated by anyone. Everyone sets New Year's resolutions and the Complex is here to help. Shopping is made easy, with the diverse range of programs that the Complex offers for everyone on your Christmas list.

YES!...we are happy to say that Complex Membership rates for 2012 will remain the same as 2011! And registering for programs, classes or membership at the Complex is very affordable and convenient.

There are no initiation fees or sign-up fees. We even have a pre-holiday 1 month membership to help you get started into exercise this Dec. before all the holiday parties get started.

Book your Holiday Work Party or Team Party at the Complex! Select an hour of Swimming or Skating, or a Fitness Activity Class, followed by a pizza party for the whole gang! Plus, there are endless Rental Options at the Complex. Rent the ice for pick-up hockey or Gather your friends together for an outing of fun skating. It's good refreshing Canadian fun! on the ice at the Unico Arena!

Or, rent the Pool for your Church Youth group, or rent any of our meeting rooms for family reunions, Bridal showers, birthday parties etc. The possibilities are endless!

There's another Rock 'n Swim Friday coming up from 7 – 9pm on Fri. Dec. 9th . Swim to the sounds of all your favourite music played by a DJ. The Music is again sponsored by Dr. Karen Archer -Family Dental Care. What a splashing good time for your family in the Complex Saltwater Pool!

And, here's your chance to come out and skate with your Favourite Leamington Jr. B Flyers Players!!!

On Sunday, December 11th come out for the regularly scheduled Sunday afternoon Rec. Skate from 1 – 2:20. Scheduled to appear are Brett Babkirk, Kyle Bowman, Colin Greely, Jacob Henrikson, and Dakota Olvin. Rec. Skating with the FLYERS on Dec. 11th at the Unico Arena - Leamington!

Childhood Diabetes is on the rise. So consider enrolling your children in the various youth sport programs to help them be active and in motion and ward off chronic disease. Check out the Complex activity guide at www.leamington.ca/recreation/activitiyguide.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

‘March sisters’ take to stage in Migration Hall’s production of ‘Little Women’

'Little Women' will take to the stage at Kingsville's Migration Hall December 9-18. Based on Louisa May Alcott's own family, it the the classic story of the March sisters in a musical.

It features a small but talented cast of 11 men and women. Stephanie Ruston (Kingsville), Stephanie Allen Santos (Kingsville), Abbey Arnott (Kingsville) and Shawna Wiznuk (Harrow) will be playing the beloved March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, with Jane Renaud (Tecumseh) as the strong and wise Marmee March and Jane Rogers (Kingsville) as the staunch and proper Aunt March.

Newcomer Susan Rideout (Amherstburg) is featured as the owner of the New York boarding house, Mrs. Kirk, and Carmen Danner (Kingsville) plays Meg's love, Mr. John Brooke. Chris Fazekas (Leamington) and Ray Silvius (Kingsville) appear as the March's neighbours and friends, Laurie and Mr. Lawrence, and the serene and peaceful Professor Bhaer is played by Andy Carscadden (Tecumseh).

The musical follows the adventures of Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March as they grow up in Civil War America. The beloved story of the March sisters is timeless and deals with issues as relevant today as when they were written.

Now, this wonderful narrative has been brought to life as an exhilarating new musical filled with glorious music, dancing and heart. 'Little Women' embodies the complete theatrical experience, guaranteeing a night filled with laughter, tears, and a lifting of the spirit. This powerful story soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartache and hope.

This intimate production will bode a more intimate setting with table seating, treats and a small gift for the youth in attendance. This setting will also offer small local businesses, community and social groups a unique opportunity to treat their employees, members and families to this endearing theatrical experience this holiday.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Santa Claus to light up the night Nov. 26

And with the flick of a switch, Santa will light up uptown Leamington to signal the start of the holiday season.

The occasion — the annual nighttime Community Christmas Parade at 6 p.m.

Spectacular floats, boasting thousands of sparkling lights, representing the hard work and good cheer of local businesses, churches, schools and service clubs will travel from the corner of Georgia and Erie Street South north to the Leamington Fairgrounds.

Santa will however, light up the night, in front of the Leamington Library.

Parade committee chair Scott McCallum said it should be a wonderful fun-filled night for families to come out and kick off the start of the holiday season.

McCallum said they are hoping to have about 50 floats, all decked out in glowing lights, to provide a spectacular parade of lights down Erie Street.

He said they will also be collecting canned goods and non-perishables for the food bank and new, unwrapped toys for Toys 4 Tots.

British cyclist making her way across Canada

British cyclist making her way across Canada

Mark Ribble

Leamington Post

Tana Silverland's journey began in June 2010 when she left Whitehorse, Yukon on her recumbent trike she fondly calls 'Ranger'.

Since then, she has covered thousands of kilometers on hundreds of Canadian roads and highways and made a stop in Leamington early last week.

Silverland is riding from coast-to-coast, stopping in as many communities as she can to raise awareness about SOS Children's Village, a charity close to her heart.

And to top it off, she is doing it all by herself. No support team following behind her in a van. No media vehicle chronicalling her journey. Just her and her bike.

To understand Silverland's quest, you will have to understand her passion for the charity and why she thinks SOS Children's Village is worthy of a trip across this vast country of ours.

Originally from the U.K., Silverland spent time volunteering in the SOS office in her hometown and she became so enamoured with the way they conduct their charity, she decided it would be a great cause to cycle for.

Keep in mind that she had no cycling background and she didn't live in Canada.

"I was so impressed by the family atmosphere of SOS that I wanted to help in any way I could," she said.

SOS has been established in Canada for over 40 years and few people know about its existence.

That's something that Silverland hopes to change.

"My main focus will be talking to as many people in as many communities as I can," she said.

The map of her route is somewhat erratic looking but she says it was designed that way.

"I do a lot of back and forth so I can reach the communities I want to reach," she said.

Her trek brought her to Leamington last week where she was put up by a host family here while her trike got some much needed TLC.

"The family in Leamington, as with all the communities, has been fantastic," she said.

She relies solely on the goodness of others in her quest, as she is able to arrange a host family for each community where she spends the night. She's been fortunate to find someone in each community that will house her and feed her and that's the way she planned it.

"I want to emulate the plight of the children who may not know where their next meal is coming from," she said.

Silverland states that she was fortunate enough to grow up in a loving family and that makes her that much more motivated to help the kids of the SOS charity.

Her journey has taken her through mountains, prairies, heat and cold.

"A strong headwind with torrential rain is the worst," she said.

She made the trip to the tip of the Canadian mainland at Point Pelee and then was off toward Tilbury as the day progressed into twilight.

She will eventually reach the east coast and then double back to Ottawa, where she plans on ending her trip next fall.

It will have been two-and-a-half years since she began her trek.

And through it all, her faith in the Canadian people stays strong.

"The Canadian people have been incredibly kind," she said.

Community Living wants to wrap your gifts

Leamington Post

Community Living Essex County is once again holding their gift wrapping service at Devonshire Mall this holiday season.

In its 20th year, the gift wrapping table will be located in the mall outside Chapters Bookstore and all proceeds go to Community Living Essex County.

The booth opens November 28 and closes Christmas Eve at 5 p.m. Numerous volunteers will be on hand throughout the season to help you wrap your gifts for a small fee or donation.

Last year, over $12,000 was raised to help people in Essex County who have intellectual disabilities and their families.

To volunteer as a gift wrapper, contact Tony DeSantis at 519-776-6483, ext. 246 or email him attony@communitylivingessex.org

Janzen Equipment recognized by Essex County Growers

Leamington Post

When the annual Essex County Associated Growers Award was given out yesterday at the Bounty of the County Trade Show and Convention, the folks from Janzen Equipment accepted it with pleasure, knowing that it was a group effort.

Although Ron Janzen incorporated the business in 1981, the growth since then has been amazing, and he has his dedicated group of employees to thank for that.

In 1969, Ron began farming, growing crops such as tomatoes, seed corn, soybeans and wheat.

At the encouragement of long time friend, Peter Epp, he became involved with the Essex County Federation of Agriculture as a member, director and eventually president. He also served as a director on the board of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Due to increasing difficulty finding reliable harvest workers, the farm's first mechanical tomato harvester was purchased for the 1975 harvest. It quickly became apparent that a California-built machine was not suited to the soil and climate conditions in southern Ontario. Repair parts were not readily available and as a result, in 1976, Ron became the parts distribution agent for the Blackwelder dealer in Ohio.

In 1978, a new shop building was constructed to provide a local parts and service facility for owners of Blackwelder harvesters. This arrangement continued until 1981, when Janzen Equipment Limited was incorporated, purchasing all interests of the Ohio company. Friend and fellow tomato grower George Krotek, became a partner in the company for the first decade of its history.

During the 1980s and 1990s, as the processing industry converted from hand harvest to machine harvesting, many used Blackwelder harvesters were purchased in California. Those were shipped to Ontario to be rebuilt and extensively modified to suit the local conditions. Other endeavours included building four wheel drive self-propelled crop sprayers, picking aids and even the development of a mechanical pickle harvester.

During this time, Ron was also involved with the Ontario Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association. After becoming a member, he served several terms as a director and later president.

In the early 90s, as the market for tomato harvesters declined, Janzen Equipment focused on even more extensive modifications of harvesters. Many of those machines are still in operation today.

The opportunity for diversification came in the form of a totally new direction for the company. John Deere Canada offered a dealership contract including consumer and commercial equipment. In July of 1992, the contract was signed and equipment began arriving. Sales grew quickly, with the store ranking in the 'top ten' list for eleven of the last nineteen yeas – reaching as high as fourth in Canada for two of those years among independent C&CE dealers.

The success achieved by the company is a result of the talent, hard work and dedication of many team members. This is especially true of three 25-year individuals – Stacy Morse, Bill Hiebert and John Hiebert. Without them, the story of Janzen Equipment Limited could not have been written.

"We've been together as a team for all those years and they deserve the recognition for this as much as I do," said Janzen.

He also cites his extremely patient and understanding wife Judy and son Marcus for supporting him through the years.

Public meetings on 2 new subdivision Dec. 19

Mike Thibodeau, Special to the Post

Two public meetings scheduled for next month will seek input on proposals to build two new subdivisions that will total about 100 building lots.

On Nov. 7 Leamington council agreed to a Dec. 19 public meeting for a 12-acre development on Seacliff Dr. East and immediately adjacent to the new east side arterial road.

The developer plans a variety of home styles in the plan.

For council, the most controversial aspect of the plan is a pedestrian walkway planned on the north end to connect the subdivision with Antonio Ct. to the north.

Several councillors predicted problems similar to issues experienced with two other walkways. But others advocated warning any potential buyers of possible problems.

Another subdivision will be scrutinized at a public meeting on the same day, Dec. 19, which is planned on land north of Robson Rd.

The Santos subdivision has been in the planning stages for several years. It is about 17 acres located west of Malibu Dr. and west of Erie Shores golf club and 58 lots are envisioned on the site.

To the north is a green area, which also includes the town-owned cemetery.

The town is taking cash is lieu of green area and plans to eventually develop the green area as a parkland, although no details have been studied.

At the Nov. 14 meeting Councillor Rick Atkin wanted to be assured that residents who buy homes in the area, which also includes plans for two more subdivisions will have direct access to the park area.

Speqtra in Joey’s Contest once again

Leamington Post

The Joey's Only Community Revival Contest is on again and this time around, Leamington's Speqtra group hopes to win.

Speqtra (Special Equestrian Therapeutic Riding Association) finished second in last year's voting by just 400 votes and the group is looking for enough votes to push them into first place this year.

Voting began November 1 and runs through November 30 and is open to all Canadians 13 years of age and older.

Top prize is $15,000 toward the cause with two $4,000 prizes awarded for second and third place.

The Joey's Only Community Revival was created by Joey's Only Seafood Restaurant founder Joe Klassen, who believes in the power of community.

Speqtra is a charitable, volunteer-based organization whose goal is to enhance the lives of all young people and adults with special needs, by providing a unique program of proven equine therapy and recreation..

To vote, log on to http://.communityrevival.joeys.ca and help Speqtra get to the top.

Councillors debate ’accessible’ parking areas

Mike Thibodeau, Special to the Post

Deputy Mayor Charlie Wright says the minutes of the Nov. 7 council meeting did not reflect the point he was emphasizing.

But other councillors disagreed and said they did.

At the Nov. 7 meeting Wright questioned the need for handicap accessible parking spaces in the new parking lot built west of the parking lot with the new town hall.

Last week Wright said his view is those spaces should be built close to the town hall "not across the street."

But Councillor Rick Atkin disagreed saying those special spaces were always part of the overall plan.

The trail was always a component of this building and that's what a delegation of people told council during talks about the new town hall, said Atkin.

He said the new parking, built on the west side of Queens Ave. helps with the overflow from the town hall, and will eventually serve as a starting point for the trail along the old C&O railway when it is built.

Mayor John Paterson said he too agreed with Atkin's view the spaces are "there to use for the walkway."

Wright, who is a member of the town's accessibility committee said he was only asking that if new facilities are being built "let's look at where we put them (parking spots)."

The 4-H Christmas Craft Club

By: Jennifer Scherer

On November 12 the 4-H Christmas Craft Club visited the Park House in Amherstburg for a field trip.

We learned how to do some Tinsmithing by making small candle holders and we also learned how to make candles using beeswax, just like children would have made many years ago. We would like to thank Paul Laframboise and Valerie Buckie at the Park House for making our visit a wonderful one, we all really appreciate it.

Wet conditions put a damper on Two Creeks tree planting, but volunteers get job done

Volunteers old and young turned out Saturday for the fourth annual tree planting in the hickory-oak savannah at Two Creeks Conservation Area.

Wet trails meant the 65 seedlings had to be carried by hand or wheelbarrow from the parking lot in the southwest to the northeast quadrant of the 85-acre site, but the work was completed in an hour.

The continuing program is aimed at replenishing the diminished oak population of the savannah.

Event organiser Marjan Willett said after the planting that the survival rate of previous years has been very good and that two generations from now, the results will be plain to see.

The reforestation effort is part of the continuing Care for Carbon Carolinian Forest project, which aims to replant the conservation area with native species and help offset our carbon footprint. It's part of an overall strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This year's cost was again paid for by a $1,300 grant from the Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program. The CFWIP, part of the Ministery of Natural Resources, provides the opportunity to participate in hands-on fish and wildlife management and biodiversity conservation activities.

Nearly 350 trees have now been dug in at the site over the last four years.

For more on the conservation area, which is owned by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority and managed by volunteers, see twocreeks.ca. For more on the CFWIP, see MNR's website at mnr.gov.on.ca/en

LDSS presence at Remembrance service refreshing

If you didn't drive through uptown Leamington on Remembrance Day, you may have missed a moving tribute to our veterans.

The students of Leamington District Secondary School lined the streets, one thousand strong, all waving Canadian flags as the Remembrance Day parade marched from the Legion to the cenotaph.

The history students from LDSS were even more involved as they marched in the parade, many of them carrying bristol board signs with Leamington's war heroes' names.

To see this act of remembrance was moving, knowing that each of these kids braved the crisp fall temperatures to make this event happen.

We wrote a couple of weeks ago about our wish to see Remembrance Day made a statutory holiday in this province and our stance hasn't changed.

Obviously, the staff and students at LDSS believe strongly enough in the special day to forego classes for a couple of hours and devote their time to something more important.

And that, quite frankly, is refreshing.

The war dead of Leamington are long gone, but hopefully will never be forgotten.

They gave their lives for their community and country.

We challenge all of the other schools in this community take the hint from the good folks at LDSS.

Let's fill that park with thousands of people next November 11.

It's the least we can do.

Three OPP officers affected by Co2 during rescue

Leamington Post

Western Region Ontario Provincial Police Command are breathing a sigh of relief after being told that three Essex County OPP members are likely going to make a full recovery following an early morning rescue on Wednesday, November 16.

OPP officers were called to a residence just outside of Leamington to check on the well-being of a distraught person shortly before 8:00 a.m.

Upon arrival they located an unresponsive victim in a garage inside a locked vehicle suffering from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. The officers spent several minutes in the garage while affecting the rescue.

The victim was treated by EMS at the scene and transported to hospital where a full recovery is expected.

Around noon the same day, the three officers involved in the rescue began to feel ill effects from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning and were taken to the Leamington Hospital for treatment.

They were treated for exposure to the high levels of carbon monoxide inhaled during the rescue and are expected to make a full recovery.

"I'm very proud of the efforts of my officers who day in and day out put their lives on the line ensuring the safety and security of all citizens of Essex County," said Detachment Commander Rick Derus.

Local firm ships first of 20 electrical houses

Mark Ribble

Leamington Post
On Friday, November 11, the first of many electrical houses built by EnerQuest Services left the building.
The 48-foot 'house' will contain the electrical system responsible for storing and collecting electricity from a solar farm near Napanee, Ontario. The equipment within the house will collect, convert and distribute the electricity generated from the solar panels and get it to the power lines.
Enerquest designed and built the house and has plans for 19 more in the next couple of months.
Company President, Bill Parr, says they have hired 15 people in the last six weeks, as a direct result of green energy.
"This is the first house supplied under the government feed-in-tariff rules," he said.
Parr's crew was working endless hours the last few weeks to get this project finished in time for shipping on Friday afternoon.
Ten such electrical houses collect the power for each solar farm. In comparison, a wind farm only requires one house. The solar farms are usually 90-100 acres in size.
For Parr, this latest project is a boon for an already-growing business that he began nine years ago in his garage. They are now in a 30,000 square foot building and more expansion is planned.
EnerQuest won an innovation award in the annual Leamington Business Excellence awards in 2007.

They are the only company in Ontario building the houses from start to finish, and only one of two in the entire country. Other companies are building components, but EnerQuest designs and builds the houses on site.

They get their steel from Atlas Tube, powder painting from their neighbours at Uni-Fab and spray coatings from Spray Tech out of Wheatley.
The initial order was secured in July and it generally takes between 18 and 22 weeks to build each house. Parr is hoping for a lot more orders. There are 40 solar farms launching in 2012, which surely means more orders.
"We may have many more down the road," he said.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Guilty plea in Bridie Fanning’s murder

Bridie Fanning was not the first person killed by Abraham Froesse-Friessen. And in December Froesse-Friessen will be sentenced on his second murder conviction.

Fanning, 47, was shot to death in her Kingsville apartment on Jan. 25 — on Nov. 7, Froesse-Friessen pleaded guilty in Superior Court in Windsor to second degree murder in her death.

The 52-year-old Froesse-Friessen, who lived in a neighboring apartment, previously served 15 years in prison for first-degree murder in Texas.

Court was told in the months leading up to her death, Fanning had called police to report harassment by Froesse-Friessen.

He was arrested and charged with assault and unlawfully in a dwelling house and then released.

About three months later, court heard, Froesse-Friessen called 911 to report that he had shot Fanning.

Froesse-Friessen was originally charged with first-degree murder but agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder.

Queen Elizabeth surveillance matter “concluded”

Leamington Post

Greater Essex County District School Board Director of Education Warren Kennedy has confirmed that the recent investigation at Queen Elizabeth Public School in Leamington, which included video surveillance, has been concluded and the Board's concern has been resolved.

"It was unfortunate that the integrity of the entire staff at Queen Elizabeth was brought into question," Kennedy says. "For that, I apologize."

Kennedy has given his assurance to the school community that he has tremendous confidence in the staff at QEPS and he is looking forward to working together with them to provide students with the best education possible.

Kingsville mayor dons vest in name of student safety

By Pat Bailey

It was a step back in time for Kingsville Mayor Nelson Santos.

On Wednesday morning he slipped on a fluorescent safety vest, picked up the hand-held 'stop' sign and headed to the corner near St. John de Brebeuf School.

With the safety of the students in the forefront of his mind, Santos led the group of Grade 4 and 5 students to the intersection of Mill and Spruce Streets — reminiscent of his time as a member of the bus patrol, back in the day, when he was a student at St. John's.

Santos was helping launch a new initiative, Active and Safe Routes to School, presented about two years ago to County Council by representatives of the Windsor Essex County Health Unit, and was taking the youngsters along the route deemed safest for their travel to and from school.

Carolie Walters, R.N. public health nurse, the program was launched to encourage youngsters to forego the bus ride or car ride in favor of a little extra physical activity — but to ensure they walk to and from school safely.

Walters said only 15 to 20% of Canadian student walk to school today, in comparison to nearly 50% in the 70s.

She said they formed a coalition of sorts to address issues that could prove to be barriers preventing youngsters from making the trek to and from school on foot — such as the lack of sidewalks, the lack of crossing guards, heavy traffic or criminal activity.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Billy Raffoul carrying on family music dream

Mark Ribble,

Leamington Post

For Leamington's Billy Raffoul, life in the spotlight is almost a normal, everyday thing.

After all, growing up the son of a successful musician tends to put you in the spotlight on occasion.

The 17-year-old Grade 12 student at Cardinal Carter has performed numerous times with his famous dad, Jody Raffoul.

In fact, he has opened for Jody on the Chrysler Theatre stage in Windsor.

Last Saturday, he took his blossoming music career to another level when he was invited to perform on that same Chrysler Theatre stage with award winning Canadian musician and composer, Pavlo.

Pavlo has sold over half a million records worldwide and has two gold albums under his belt.

Pavlo has performed with Jody Raffoul in the past and when his tour brought him to Windsor last week, he thought t would be nice to have Jody join him on stage. Pavlo often invites a popular local musician to join him on every stop of his tour.

When Jody Raffoul wasn't available, it was suggested that he ask his son Billy. Once Pavlo took a look at Billy's videos on YouTube, he was sold on the idea and showed up in Leamington at Billy's door on November 3.

The day before, he had called and explained that he needed Billy to learn the lyrics to Gordon Lightfoot's 'If You Could Read My Mind' in one day.

As Billy played and sung the song with Pavlo in his Leamington home, the music legend came to realize that he had a blossoming young star on his hands.

Billy also impressed the musician with a rendition of Adele's hit 'Someone Like You'.

So what was originally planned as Billy Raffoul coming out on the stage in the middle of Pavlo's performance of 'If You Could Read My Mind' became Billy performing the entire song with Pavlo and then entertaining the packed house with the Adele song.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Former Leamington Spa mayor dies at 84

Carolyn Reid is mourning the death of a dear personal friend, as well as a friend to the Municipality of Leamington.

Carolyn learned through a phone call recently that Peter Tombs, the former mayor of Leamington Spa, England had died following a rather lengthy illness. He was 84.

She said their friendship blossomed when Peter and his wife Margaret (who passed away in 2000) visited here to join in the town's Centennial celebrations in 1974. Carolyn said not only did the visit forge a friendship between the two towns, it was also responsible for her family and the Tombs' family forming a lifetime friendship for 37 years.

She said in 1976 Peter and Margaret paid a visit to her family, bringing along three of their five children. Two years later, two of their children, Sarah and Chris, returned to Leamington for another visit with the Reid family.

In 1981, the Reid family was invited to Sarah's wedding — making the trip there to join in the celebration.

The friendship continued and Carolyn said in 2007, she and her late husband Jim, paid a surprise visit to the Tombs' in honor of Peter's 80th birthday.

On Nov. 10, Tombs' funeral was held at King's Sutton Baptist Church, exactly 11 years after his wife's funeral.

For Carolyn, it was a rather tough time — wishing she could be there but committed to attending a niece's wedding in Louisiana. Deep down, Carolyn said she takes solace in knowing that Jim, Margaret and Peter, will be together watching over her and the rest of their families during their travels.

But Carolyn said she will miss their friendship.

She said Peter was a dedicated man who gave so much back to his community.

A draftsman by trade, Carolyn said he worked for many years as a standards and technical information officer.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Soup, salad fund raiser Nov. 30

The Canadian Cancer Society is looking for another successful 'soup and salad' luncheon again this year.

With last year's event raising $18,000, the cancer society is gearing up to prepare for the onslaught of diners on Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Leamington's Portuguese Club.

The luncheon will feature over 30 soups prepared and donated by area restaurants and organizations and include a salad bar, including fresh produce donated by local greenhouse growers.

Event chair John Woelk said the entire event is organized and run by volunteers, including the ladlers.

In addition to the locally prepared soups, and locally grown vegetables, Woelk said they also have locally grown flowers, fresh buns, cake, coffee, tea, displays, jewelry for sale and prizes.

He said any food leftover is donated locally as well — to the Salvation Army food bank.

Anyone wishing to become a sponsor or make a donation is asked to contact Woelk at johnwoel@hotmail.com.

Local veteran returning ‘home’ for Remembrance Day

Mark Ribble,

Leamington Post

Remembrance Day has a special meaning for a lot of people.

For Leamington native Corporal Shannon Gray, this one will be even more special, as she returns to her roots to participate in Leamington's annual Remembrance Day ceremony.

Gray joined the military in 1986 and then left to raise her family in 1989, but the urge to serve her country struck her again in 2005 at the age of 38 and she signed up again.

Growing up in Leamington and Blytheswood, Corporal Gray attended St Michaels, St. Louis and Blytheswood Public School before graduating from Kingsville High School. She credits her parents, Darrell and Julie Scratch, with instilling in her the values she still lives by today.

"I would like to thank my parents for the support they gave me while I was overseas. If it wasn't for the way I was raised, I don't think I could have dealt with what I dealt with in Afghanistan," she said.

And while she was there, she was thankful for the support from her hometown, especially the hugs and support her mother Julie received from so many in this area.

Corporal Gray is indeed a veteran of Afghanistan, serving with the Canadian Army as a medic. She was stationed at a small outpost called Shoja in the Panjawi district, just outside of Kandahar. Her overseas service ran from May, 2010 until December of last year. She has many memories that will stay with her for the rest of her life.

"I will always remember the gratitude of the Afghani people," she said.  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Foot Patrol Officer Nabs Robbery Suspects

Four males were arrested, thanks to some quick police work by a local officer, following an assault and robbery on Nov. 2 in the downtown area.

According to OPP, a local man was walking downtown about 10:30 p.m. when he was approached by a group of males. He was robbed of cash and thrown to the ground and punched several times. The victim was taken to Leamington District Memorial Hospital with facial injuries and was treated and released.

The Essex County K-9 Unit, the Emergency Response Team and the Essex County Crime Unit were called in to help in the search for the suspects.

But according to an OPP press release, an officer on foot patrol in the Leamington core heard the broadcast of a search for the robbery suspects. The officer headed to some well-known local hangouts and found four males who matched the description of the suspects.

The males, one adult and three young persons, all of Leamington, were arrested and charged with robbery.

The adult suspect was held in custody for a show cause hearing and the young suspects were released for a future court date.

New manager of planning services

Danielle Truax was named the new manager of planning services for the municipality of Leamington.

Truax, an employee of the Town of Kingsville since 1999, will begin her duties on Nov. 21.

"Danielle will bring a good municipal background and knowledge of the community to the department," said Tracey Pillon-Abbs, director of development services. "She has the leadership, skills and experience to ensure that the department can continue high quality services."

Truax has been involved in a variety of planning functions, including providing expert evidence at the Ontario Municipal Board, presenting planning advice to council and being the primary advisor to the Committee of Adjustment.

In her new position, Truax will be responsible for all development and long-term planning matters, including pre-application consultation, special projects, involvemnt in regional/provincial issues and processing planning act applications.

Remembrance Day should be a holiday

With Remembrance Day just two days away, we often turn our thoughts to the veterans past and present.

Remembrance Day was previously known as Armistice Day and originated to observe the end of World War 1, which occurred at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.

The day is also observed by the commonwealth nations including Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, among others.

The United States observes it as Veterans Day and it's a federal and state holiday over there.

Not so in Canada, where each province sets their own observance, and all but Ontario and Quebec observe an official holiday.

The fact that Ontario, which probably sent more Canadian soldiers to fight for their country than any other province, does not consider it a holiday is a travesty that is long overdue to be corrected.

Sure, we have the parades and ceremonies marking the occasion, but to truly do it up right, Ontarians need to be able to properly observe Remembrance Day without having to take time from work to do so.

The simple fact is, Remembrance Day is far more important to our culture than Family Day, yet the McGuinty government still ignores the requests to make November 11 a holiday.

Until then, we must still take time to get to our area services to pay respects to those who fought and died for our freedoms.

And if the weather is bad, think back to the cold, wet trenches of the two world wars, or the jungles of Vietnam, or the heat of Afghanistan, and remember what 'they' endured to protect the freedoms that we have today.

Lest we forget.

‘Soup’s on’ at local soup kitchen

By Pat Bailey

Bill Dunn likes to stir the pot — especially when it's for a good cause.

And today Dunn will be whipping up his famous cream of potato and bacon soup for the first of nine 'soup kitchens' offered this season at the Mason's Hall on John Street.

Known as the local 'soup guru', Dunn became aware of the need in the community through his work with the Masons in recent years.

So last year, Dunn decided he would make use of his 'God given talent of making soup' to help some of the less fortunate people in the area have at least one good meal each Wednesday in November and December.

And Dunn was shocked by the response. "I started last year with four pots of soup (each a different kind)," said Dunn, "then six, and by the end I was making 10."

This effort, he said, is for the entire community and attracts all walks of life — not just those struggling to make ends meet.

And the important thing, said Dunn, is that making a donation is optional — no one is singled out, and in fact, no one is watching to see who pays or how much they pay.

Through his volunteer effort, Dunn has learned a great deal about Leamington and the surrounding area.

"Most importantly," said Dunn, "I learned we've got an incredible community."

He said dozens of volunteers have come forward to help out in the soup kitchen, make soup, donate plates, cutlery, cups or help out financially.

"We never know what we're going to get," said Dunn, "until we get there."

Dunn said his own employer, the Real Canadian Superstore, has been very supportive, as well as Alberto's European Bakery and several ladies who have donated freshly baked bread, spinach pie and additional extra treats.

He said big soup pots have been donated, ingredients have been donated and the facilities have been donated.

And Dunn said it's all of those people behind the scenes, and people like Joe Yammine that are key to the success of the soup kitchen.

Yammine, owner of Break Time Corner, has donated his kitchen to prepare the soup.

Yammine said it's the least he can do.

"I came from a poor family," he said, "and migrated to Canada in the early 1990s to escape poverty and war — looking for a better life."  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Bank Theatre still needs votes

Leamington Post

The Bank Theatre and Meeting Place is nearing the end of round two in the Aviva Community Fund online competition and they have jumped up in the standings, but it appears they will fall short of getting into the top ten.

Voting for round two ends today (November 9) at noon and the local group has over 5000 votes, which catapulted them from 25th place last week to 17th over the weekend. A top ten finish would qualify them for the semi-finals without going through round three.

As it stands, they will have to compete in round three, which starts November 14 and runs through to the end of the month. They will need a top ten finish in round three to get to the semi-finals.

At stake is $100,000 in funding, which will help kick-start the theatre's fundraising efforts and speed up the renovation process as the old Bank of Montreal building goes through a complete makeover into a theatre and entertainment venue.

The Sun Parlor Players will be the theatre's main user group when the project is complete but it is expected that the venue will be used for musical acts, concerts and even conventions and meetings.

The Aviva Community Fund is an annual competition created by Aviva Insurance and worthwhile community projects are nominated by local users and voted upon by the public via the website.

The local theatre community is scrambling to get as many votes as possible for round three. The uptown area revitalization will benefit greatly from the opening of the Bank Theatre and the performing arts community has been waiting a long time for a venue such as this.

To vote, go to www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf11000