Leamington Fire Service was called to a fire at the 300 block of Erie St. South

FireFighters were called to a fire at 9:00 p.m. on April 5th at the 300 block of Erie St. South. The restaurant had just closed so 1 employee was on scene and escaped uninjured. There were 25 firefighters on scene for 4 hours. There is extensive damage (fire, smoke and water), loss is undetermined at this time. The fire is still under investigation, no cause has been determined yet.

Sherk’s Third Book Another Classic

by C. Scott Holland

One of Leamington’s most prolific authors, Bill Sherk, a.k.a. the Old Car Detective, has penned his third book detailing the history of old automobiles and their owners.

Dundurn Press which published the book and his two previous ones, “I’ll Never Forget My First Car” (Dundurn Press 2005) and “60 Years Behind The Wheel: The Cars We Drove In Canada” (Dundurn Press 2003), approached Sherk in the summer of 2010 about writing a third book of car stories. For the last 20 years Sherk has written a column for Old Autos and has done a weekly syndicated column which marks its fifth anniversary this year.

Sherk’s  collection of hundreds of stories about various makes and models of cars from over the last 100 years was drawn upon once again to form the basis for this volume – “Old Car Dectective:  Favourite Stories 1925 – 1965”. Spanning the era 1925 to 1965 (excluding 1943-45 when new cars were not manufactured because of WW II) and containing over 80 individual stories about the adventures of each owner and his or her own classic automobile.

Sherk presents many of his own favorite tales about car models from that 40-year block of time. 

As the author said, “The challenge (of this writing this book) was to include at least one story from every Canadian province.”

Even if you aren’t familiar with old cars, or are a seasoned car buff, this book is masterly crafted. The stories are short, full of humor and yet detail each car’s history – from its manufacturer to each model’s own unique, individual owner(s).

Whether young or old, car savvy or casual admirer, Sherk’s stories, especially many in the first part of the book, will bring a smile to the reader’s face or even a good chuckle when imagining some of the events that took place revolving around the owners and their cars.

From Model Ts to Studebakers to Hudsons to Mustangs, Sherk’s collection covers a wide gamut of cars and trucks owned and driven by Canadians everywhere.

After reading the book, one realizes that Canadians of all ages have had a passion for convertibles . About three-quarters of Sherk’s fascinating collection concerns various convertible models, as well as first cars owned by many people, but nonetheless there are plenty of stories about hardtops, too.

Technical aspects are lovingly given regarding the various autos and in many places a synopsis of a company’s history.

Sherk’s book is big on rare cars and he demonstrates in several stories why he is Canada’s leading “old car detective”. Among the many stories one will encounter are:  a 1927 Pontiac Sedan with a back seat urinal, a disastrous date with a 1936 Chevrolet, a dad caught drag racing his son’s 1953 Monarch in Detroit and Sherk’s own 1940 McLaughlin-Buick (the Sherkmobile).

Local readers may recognize some of the owners, but for everybody that reads this book, the pictures will elicit personal memories and dreams of cars both past and present.

Sherk, himself, summed it up best by saying, “Behind every old car there is a story waiting to be told.” 

This illustrated book is definitely a goldmine and on a scale of empty to full, Sherk’s ‘favorites’ gets a full tank rating! The book was released on Apr. 4 and is available locally at the Leamington Post or from the author Bill Sherk , P.O. Box 255, 25 John St., Leamington, Ont. N8H 3W2.

Japan’s crisis is another reason to look at energy use

By David Suzuki

The massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Japan are horrendous and heart-wrenching, and our thoughts are with the people of that country as they cope with the aftermath and the terrible losses they have suffered.

To make matters worse, the terrifying natural disaster has sparked a human-caused crisis, as radiation leaks from crippled reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, sparking fears of a meltdown.

Although our immediate concern is for the people of Japan, we must also draw lessons from this misfortune. First, we can learn from the Japanese about being prepared. As horrific as the earthquake and its aftermath were, the situation could have been far worse if the Japanese people took the same complacent approach to disaster planning that many Canadians follow. But it’s also another indicator that we have to take a close look at our energy systems.

Last year, the world watched another energy-related calamity unfold, as oil spewed into the Gulf of Mexico after an explosion on theDeepwater Horizon drilling platform. Both the nuclear crisis in Japan and the oil spill in the Gulf focused our attention on the things that can go wrong in our insatiable pursuit of cheap energy. But the issues around our energy use are far more serious and persistent. They include pollution, political instability, rising costs, and climate change.

Once again, our energy appetite has provoked a global nightmare. We can sink deeper into crisis, or we can use it as an opportunity to look at ways to achieve a sustainable energy future. Fossil and nuclear fuels are finite and therefore cannot be truly sustainable. They will run out, and we’re already seeing one of the outcomes of depleting supplies: skyrocketing prices. Another consequence is that we will have to rely increasingly on oil from difficult sources (environmentally and politically) like deeper water, the tar sands, the Arctic, and volatile political jurisdictions. Using fossil and nuclear fuels also creates enormous problems now and into the future as greenhouse gases and radioactive and long-lived wastes accumulate.

In addition, fossil and nuclear fuels are not equitably distributed throughout the world. Oil deposits, for example, are often found in geopolitically unstable areas. And nuclear energy has proven to be incredibly expensive and time-consuming to get into production. If the money proposed to refurbish aging facilities and build new ones were put toward renewable energy from wind, solar, and geothermal, the impact would be immediate and would get us moving toward a truly sustainable energy future.

The need to assess our energy options is more important than ever. All have consequences and tradeoffs. Climate change caused by burning fossil fuels endangers our planet, nuclear disasters and nuclear waste are potentially significant threats to our health and ecosystems, and even renewable sources have impacts. It’s time we took a close look at our energy use and sources in order to find better ways of providing for our needs. We can all start doing our part by using less.

Regardless of the path we choose, we must plan more carefully. A number of organizations in Canada are working to develop a national energy strategy – something that is surprisingly lacking in a developed country like ours.

For its part, the David Suzuki Foundation has joined with the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Trottier Family Foundation to consider Canada’s energy options as part of the Trottier Energy Futures Project. We’re looking at questions around what we can do to limit strain on our energy production system. How is our energy use leading to overinvestment in potentially dangerous energy sources and technologies? How can we factor in energy sources with fewer environmental impacts? We look forward to working with Canadians from all walks of life to develop a sustainable energy future for Canada.

We all hope the situation in Japan doesn’t become more serious than it already is, but with that hope we must come to the realization that we can and must find ways to reduce the risks that come with our energy use and technologies.

Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation communications and editorial specialist Ian Hanington.                                                

Learn more at www.davidsuzuki.org.

LEAMINGTON MERSEA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Leamington Mersea Historical Society has received several calls from Cork, Ireland.  Darryl Atchisen formerly of Chatham, Ontario and his son have a collection of wooden nickels.  They are looking for a wooden nickel that was made for Leamington’s Centennial in 1974.  He has a picture of this nickel which has a tomato on one side.

He says that a limited edition of these coins was made and passed out during a town parade. distributed from buckets on the back of a town fire truck.  If any one remembers anything about these coins, the LMHS would be interested in hearing from you.

The Leamington Mersea Historical Society held their Annual Meeting in March.   The reports from the various committees were approved and we discussed the planning of future events.

Several members took part in the Essex Train Show, a very successful event held at the Essex District High School and the I.O.D.E Antique Show at the Sherk Complex.  These events assist us in making the public aware of our society and museum. The free membership draw at the I.O.D.E show was won by Trudy Brown of Wheatley.

Our next fund-raiser is a Pasta Dinner and Variety Show which is to be held at the Rhine Danube Club on Friday, May 13 at 6 p.m.  Tickets are $15.00.  Call Betty Fox at 519-326-5916.

The next regular meeting is Saturday, April 30 at 12 noon.  Our program will be to describe the members and guests item from his/her family history or to recount an incident or story that has been passed down over the years. Bring a bag lunch.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

4-H

The 4-H Sewing Club

Jennifer Scherer

On March, 26th, the "Bobbin Bees" met for their second meeting at the Harrow Fair Building at 10:00 am.

We started off our day by setting up our machines and those who hadn't finished cutting their aprons out did so.

We then did the business portion of our meeting starting out with the 4-H Pledge. We listened to the secretary's report. We also nominated a treasurer for the club. Congratulations to Alex who is our new treasurer.

Leader Anne went over the new 4-H Newsletter with the club and discussed some of the different activities that we can get involved in with the Essex County 4-H including Go for the Gold and a Communications Presentation. There are many opportunities in the newsletter for 4-H members and volunteers. We decided on the date for our next meeting then we closed the business meeting.

We had plenty of time to pin together and sew some of the parts of our aprons at the meeting. We pinned the ties, yoke and pockets together and sewed them so that when we meet again we can put them onto our aprons. Some got a little farther than others but lots of sewing and seam ripping was accomplished!

We took a lunch break then continued on with our sewing until it was time to go. We will meet back at the Harrow Fair Building on April 4th at 7:00pm to continue putting our aprons together.

4-H Spice Club…it BURNS !

By Mitchell Clermont

The first meeting of the 4-H Spice Club was held on Sunday March 13, 2011 at Mrs. Matthews home in Essex. It was a complete success, full of action, spice, and hilarious comments. The first order of business was to elect executive positions in the club. The people accepting the positions were; President: Brynn, Vice President: Joelle, Treasurer: Nicole, Secretary: Joelle, and Press Reporter: Mitchell.

We then tried to decide a name for our club. There were some very good names like; Allspice, All 4 Spice, and….Heartburn, but we finally decided on "Spice Club… IT BURNS!!!" When the name was decided upon we split into teams to cook. Each team was given a different dish to cook. We made ginger cookies, spice cake, spicy veggie salad, veggie dip, and a pumpkin spice cheesecake. Mrs. Chris, our club leader prepared curried chicken, deviled eggs and Alabama firecrackers. Mrs. Chris said everyone had to try a taste of everything.

I don’t care for deviled eggs, but I had to try one anyway, although I almost lost my lunch! Mairi our club photographer loved that! She began snapping pictures of my many disgusted facial expressions. The food from the rest of the day was excellent, especially the spice cake. Clearly, everyone did a wonderful job. In our following meetings we are planning to make Spicy Food from Around the World. We meet again in Essex on April 3^rd.

News from Essex 4-H

Your local 4-H Association is planing a members trip to Ottawa on June29-July2.  We are excited to offer such an opportunity to youth in our community. The trip encompasses the vision of 4-H by incorporating parliamentary procedures, agriculture and community outreach. The experience will enrich our members with pride for Canada inturn helping to build the leaders of our future.

We are planning several fundraisers and hope to reach our goal of $20 000. Our members are working hard to achieve it! We wish to include all our members in this great opportunity. We will visit Parliament Hill, the Canadian Agriculture Museum, the RCMP Horse Stables and RCMP Breeding Farm, a state of the art Dairy Farm, connect with local Ottawa 4-H Clubs, and celebrate Canada Day proudly in our Nations Capital.

We appreciate any support generously donated to our endeavour whether as a door prize for our silent auction at our " Luau" Fund Raiser dinner July 23, tickets will be available soon, or a cash donation (tax receipts provided) or sponsorship. For more information please contact our local Essex County 4-H Leaders’ Association President, Anne Conrad at essex4-hontario@live.ca or 519-322-0215.

GOLDEN YEARS MINI GOLF LEAGUE

Fifty-three participated in last week’s mini golf league play.

Team 16, took the 1st place prize with a 230 stroke total, by members Stan Vickery, Marg Ross and Doug Vickery. The second spot went to Team  7, Pete Daudlin, Iggy Arner and Bill Adams with their 234. In third place,Team 10

shooting a 240, Even par for the two rounds.

The best day's total a 72, shared by Gerry Wilkinson's 38/34 and Iggy Arner"s 35/37.

Other sub-Par scores was a 35 by Carolyn Daudlin and Stan Vickery. A 36 for Frank Lasi, Colleen Pearse and Andy Orsini, a 37 for Rose Taylor, Don Ribble, Julia Kos, Doug Vickery, Lloyd Honey, Frank Lasi and Bill Adams, a 38 by Stan Vickery, Art Sweet, Gary Honey, Audrey Knox, Bill Ward, Madeline Butler and Don Ribble. 38's counted for Eleanor Wilkinson, a pair for Moe Scratch, Steve

Vigh, Doug Vickery, Marg Ross, Tom Bondy and Bill Mayville. Even Par single tallies for Angus MacRae, Murray Knox, Bill Ward, Marie Lasi, Julia Kos, Gary Honey and Eva Kah.

Holes-in-one totalled 107, with six for Stan Vickery, four for Barb Murphy, Gerry Wilkinson, Julia Kos, Frank Lasi,Marg Ross Eva Kah and the phantom player, Three dropped for Rose Taylor, Bille Mayville, Eleanor Wilkinson, Pete and Carolyn Daudlin, Murray Knox, Iggy Arner, Don Ribble, Marie Lasi, Colleen Pearse,Lloyd Honey, Dorothy Harrow, Andy Orsini and Doug Vickery.

Three showed for Art Sweet, Eleanor Brook, Audrey Knox, Steve Vigh, Bryon Walker, Ralph and Madeline Butler, Gary Honey, Ruth Slote and Mary MacRae. A single ace fell for Tom Bondy, Barb Arner, Winnie Moore, Angus MacRae, Gerrit Vriesen, Bill Adams, Moe Scratch, Neil Quick, John Murphy, Bill Taylor and Ethel Ferguson.

Still Time to join us, see you next Thursday 9:30 at Colasanti’s.

Midget AE’s advance to Bluewater Day of Champs

 The Bob Dick Plant Farm sponsored Midget AE’s bounced back from two season ending losses to defeat LaSalle in the semi-final game of Bluewater League playoffs.

League leader LaSalle was the top seed going into the playoffs and had Southpoint’s number all year.

The Caps followed the game plan and jumped out to an early lead. The teams traded goals in the final 30 seconds and the first period ended with Caps ahead 2-1. Southpoint scored the only goal of the second and headed to the third up by a 3-1 score.

LaSalle came out flying in the third and with five minutes left to play, the game was tied at 3-3 and headed for overtime. With 2 minutes left in overtime Brian Travis capped off a fantastic game, scoring the winner with his third goal of the game.

The win propelled the Caps to the Bluewater Day of Champs against Windsor.

Taylor Omstead also scored for Southpoint. Deryck Badz (2), Jared Mastronardi (2), Jake Koning, Matt Livingstone, Davey Watson, and Jonathan Augustine added assists. Tyler Jackson was spectacular in net for the Caps and made several great glove saves to pick up a well deserved team win.

The season came to a close with the Caps facing off in a home and home series with Windsor.

In game one Windsor claimed a 2-1 victory in what became a penalty-filled contest. Branden McKeen’s unassisted goal was Southpoint’s only goal. Matt Chamberlain started in net and Tyler Jackson finished the game.

In the second game it was all Windsor as the Caps could not put the puck in the net and lost 5-0. Tyler Jackson was in net for the Caps.