Hometown Strathroy - Caradoc March 2025 Issue 51
Celebrating Local Women In Business
Miss Cathy (Pacheco) Studio Owner/Artistic Director Dance Factor Studio Ltd. “Walk In, Dance Out!” – Proud to offer a space that brings people together through the joy of dance. With expert instruction for both chil- dren and adults, the studio fosters creativity, confidence, and com - munity. A welcoming environment where everyone can learn, grow, and have fun through movement! www.dancefactorstudios.com 55 Frank Street, Strathroy 519-245-7333
Emily Melo Pacheco Owner
Sonya Such, RN Owner/Register Chiropodist Footcare Freedom Clinic Specializes in treating a variety of foot and ankle issues. Treatments include difficult nails, corns and calluses, warts, ingrown toenails, wounds, orthotics and sports. 11 Metcalfe St.,W, Strathroy
Orchard Clothing Company We are a customer-oriented ladies clothing store in Strathroy. It was born out of my personal need to want a place to one stop shop that I felt good in and could get friendly advice and recommendations. I couldn’t find it so I created it. 51 Front St E, Strathroy Orchardclothing.ca 519-245-8997 On FB/IG @orchardclothingco eather Branson ersonal Account Manager cFarlan Rowlands surance Brokers Inc. ve
Call to book at: 548-866-0243
pecializing in Personal lines me & auto insurance in our cal Strathroy branch. th over 30 companies to choose m call me for a competitive ote, today! ranson@mcfr.ca 9-913-3137 Ext. 1730 cfarlanrowlands.com Astra Scripnick, RMT Owner/Operator Rosehill Massage Therapy Offering personalized, therapeutic treatments in a serene environ- ment. My focus is on listening to clients and providing care that promotes healing, muscle recovery, and relaxation for overall well-being. astra@rosehillmassagetherapy.ca 95 Frank St., Strathroy rosehillmassagetherapy.ca
Sheila Joris & Doreen Dustin Co-Owners Kyis Embroidery Providing in-house embroidery and heat print service to Strathroy and area for 27 years! Visit us online, email us or visit us at 19 Front St. W. to view stock apparel or unique accessories and gifts. info@kyis 519-245-7208 www.kyis.ca Visit us online, email us or visit us at 19 Front St. W. to view stock apparel or unique accessories and gifts. info@kyis 519-245-7208 www.kyis.ca Katie Watson Owner Elwyn’s Garden Sheila Joris & Doreen Dustin Co-Owners Kyis Embroidery Providing in-house embroidery and heat print service to Strathroy and area for 27 years!
Melissa Athanasiou Owner Roy’s Family Restaurant Primeshine Auto Spa My husband and I own Roy’s Family Restaurant and Primeshine AutoSpa in Strathroy. We’ve run Roy’s for six years and the car wash for nearly three. I’ve been in the restaurant industry since 18, working for others and my in-laws. I love what I do and enjoy welcoming both regulars and
new guests every day. royscoffeeshop.com primeshineautospa.ca
As a family-owned local flower shop, we are dedicated to creating unique and thoughtfully designed arrange - ments. We pride ourselves on sourcing fresh, locally grown flowers. Whether you need a vibrant bouquet, elegant wedding package, or comfort - ing sympathy arrangement. Katie@elwynsgarden.ca 519-280-0709
Hospice Care Coming to Strathroy-Caradoc
Accessing a hospice home is a special gift for someone with a life-limiting illness who is in the final stages of their disease. Hospice homes offer comfort, dignity, and a precious oppor- tunity for that person and their loved ones to share their final moments in peace. Plans are well underway to create such a home in Strathroy. The Strathroy Hospice will be a five-bed facility designed to feel as close to home as possible. It will include large, private rooms where families can gather and spaces to go outside with the option to roll a bed out if a patient wants fresh air. “Our vision is to create a beautiful, peaceful home in a rural setting where both patients and their families feel comforted,” says Tyler Damen, Chair of the Strathroy Hospice Board. “This home will provide community members from Strathroy, Middlesex County, Lambton County, and nearby areas with high-quality, compassionate care, and families will receive sup- port without the burden of travelling long distances,” adds Tyler. The journey to get to this point has involved five long years of laying the groundwork, becoming a registered charity, and obtaining approval to be a hospice organization. For Tyler, who has been at the centre of this project since the beginning, the journey also has been a personal one. “I watched my father-in-law go through the end-of-life pro- cess,” recalls Tyler. “We needed a place like this for him, but there wasn’t one. We were fortunate to own a vacant rental
house where he could receive full-time care and be surround- ed by his family.” Tyler understands most people won't have that option, high- lighting the critical need to have a dedicated hospice in the Strathroy-Caradoc community. Tyler points out that Strath- roy-Caradoc was identified by the provincial government as the largest underserved area in Ontario when it comes to hos- pice care. The Strathroy Hospice Board hopes the new hospice home will be fully operational within the three years. However, that timeline remains fluid, according to Tyler. Their next step is to raise the capital for the building, and they’ve set a fundraising goal of $5 million. The Strathroy Hospice will launch its capital campaign on Thursday, March 6 with a free event at the Caradoc Sands Golf Course. The public is invited to come meet the Board of Directors and learn about how Strathroy Hospice will provide essential end-of-life care to the community. Anyone interested in attending should register at www.strathroyhospice.com.
Your one stop auto and truck DETAIL SHOP 28412 Centre Rd., Strathroy (Located next to Home Hardware) Mon-Fri 8am-5pm | Sat & Sun: Closed 519-520-0800 primeshineautospa1@gmail.com
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The more I thought about it, the more I realized the only way to make this work was to drive Old Don home. With my 12-year- old son, Ben as my co-pilot and Old Don, laying in his casket, squeezed in the back of a Ford Explorer, we started our 2200 kilometre funeral procession. Old Don, Ben and I got to visit the St. Lawrence seaway, the Bay of Fundy, the Northumberland Strait and finally, the Atlantic Ocean as we progressed eastward. When we arrived at the little cemetery just minutes from where Old Don would fish as a lad, the old man had successfully re - traced the path he took when he left his hometown 50 years before. We were greeted by some of his east coast relatives who had asked me to come prepared to say a few words about our travelling companion. My notes remained in my pocket. Instead, I told them the story of our road trip and all the places Old Don got to visit along the way. Such is life. It’s always hard when we get to the end of the road, but if the trip was impactful, the memories created live on in the people who were along for the ride. I know that my young son, Ben will never forget bringing “Old Don” home and why what we did was so important.
The Homecoming by Bill Denning A few years ago, “Old Don” died. Don was a Cape Breton- er who came to Ontario when he was a young man looking for work. He spent most of his life in Strathroy, but never for- got about his beloved home in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. He was friends with my great uncle, so had no problem en- trusting his undertaker buddy with the task of sending him back east when he died. When Old Don shuffled off the mortal coil, his dying wish
became our sacred duty. As we began to sort out the logistics, we ran into some problems. The first issue was that the cost of cargo flights had increased to more than the total amount in the pre-arrangement fund he had established with us twenty years earlier. The second issue was that there were no provisions made for the services of a receiving undertaker to pick up Old Don at the airport and bring him to the cemetery. And lastly, we were in the middle of a travel disrupting pandemic. But we had to find a way. Like Robert Service said in The Cremation of Sam McGee, “A promise made is a debt unpaid." In addition to that, we had signed a guaranteed contract with Old Don, so we were obligated to fulfill his wishes, even if it meant taking a loss.
Denning's of Strathroy 32 Metcalf St. W. Strathroy www.strathroyfuneralhome.com 519-245-1023
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March 2025 Page 3
International Women’s Day March 8th March 8th is International Women’s Day, a day that celebrates women’s global, social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. Women entrepreneurs are leaving their mark on the world. By creating successful companies, they contribute to the economy’s betterment. Female entrepreneurship is vital for our future. By encouraging more female entrepreneurs to share their ideas and start their businesses, we cre- ate a healthy balance in the community, allowing it to thrive and develop. In this edition of the Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc magazine, we have highlighted a few of the amazing local women in business who are making a difference. The faces on the cover of this issue, from left to right, are: Aimee Bloemendal – Bert’s Repair Service and Road Runner Sign Rental; Emily Melo Pacheco – Orchard Clothing Company; Cathy Pacheco – Dance Factor; Sonya Such – Footcare Freedom Clinic; Janice Phillips – McFarlan Rowlands; Heather Branson – McFarlan Rowlands; Carol Koepke – Platinum Key Realty; Nicole Miller – Platinum Key Realty; Stacey Landstra – Platinum Key Realty; Amanda Barth – OnWest Insurance; Astra Scripnick – Rosehill Massage Therapy; Doreen Dustin – Kyis Embroidery; Sheila Joris – Kyis Embroidery; Melissa Athanasiou – Roy’s Family Restau - rant and Primeshine Auto Spa; Danielle Jazey – Dale Wurfel; Angela Mota – Needham School of Dance; Katie Watson – Elwyn’s Garden; Deborah Rankin – Synergy Realty Ltd.
Hometown Strathroy- Caradoc Issue #51 March 2025 Your local community connector The 100% locally owned and produced Hometown Strathroy- Caradoc is published ten times a year with thousands delivered free to area residences, set out at local venues, and posted online at www.villagerpublications.com Publisher & Editor: Barb Botten P.O. Box 134, Lambeth Station Ontario N6P 1P9 Barb@villagerpublications.com 519-282-7262 Content Manager: Lynne WIlliams All articles by Lynne Williams unless noted otherwise Graphic Artist: Jon Botten Advertising: Gloria Rae Gloria@villagerpublications.com 519-495-4564 Debbie Mindorff Debbie@villagerpublications.com 519-870-3203 Copyright @ 2015 Villager Publications. All rights reserved. This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the Publisher. Information presented has been compiled from sources believed to be accurate at the time of printing however the Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. We’d love to hear from you. Contact Barb at Barb@villagerpublications.com See this page for photo identifications and pages 16 to 18 for details.
Proudly Canadian Villager Publications is a proudly Canadian-owned and operated business, deeply committed to supporting our communities. We stand with local busi- nesses, create jobs for fellow Canadians, and use homegrown resourc- es to write, design, and publish your Villager community magazines each month. With every issue, we celebrate the spirit of Canada—its people, its businesses, and its unwavering sense of community.
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Completing these projects will allow us to take a pause and reassess future projects based on the plans in front of us, such as the Master Roads Study. A factor we did not expect was the slowdown in our growth rate. Over the past several years, our growth rate has been at 2%, which meant additional revenue that kept the tax increases down. Unfortunately, the growth rate slowed to 1% and directly impacted our revenues. I ex- pect the rate of growth will increase over the next few years. I already see new develop- ments happening in Strathroy. To keep the increase manageable and still ac- complish work that needs to be done, Coun- cil opted to use some of our reserve funds for a few capital projects. Overall, the financial health of Strathroy-Caradoc is strong. We have additional reserves for future major capital proj- ects, and we have room to use debt wisely. The challenge for Council, not unlike every oth- er community in Ontario, is to balance fiscal responsibility with catching up on major infra- structure projects. We are not unique, and I feel we have been responsible with your tax dollars while mindful of the pressures we all face.
Mayor’s Message On February 3, the Council of Strathroy-Cara- doc approved a tax increase of 4.95% for 2025. No one, including myself, likes adding to the burden that residents already feel. As a Coun- cil, we discussed the challenges that everyone is feeling these days: the pressures from the rate of inflation, the cost of everyday expens - es, insurance and increasing mortgage rates are impacting all of us, including the Munici- pality. Our cost of delivering services like parks and recreation, snowplowing, road repairs, and capital improvements is increasing due to those same pressures. The 4.95% represents a percentage to neutral- ize the cost of living (anticipated to be around 2.5%) and provides room for growth and com- pletion of capital projects. Overall, we are in line with neighbouring municipalities and far lower than larger cities, London, for example, that are facing 8% increases. This year, municipal staff will focus on com- pleting major projects that have carried over, like the Central Firehall and Queen Street up- grade in Strathroy. We will also complete some new smaller projects such as tar and chipping some gravel roads, sidewalk repairs, and im- proving lighting at ballparks.
Colin Grantham, Mayor 519.245.1105 x 251 cgrantham@strathroy-caradoc.ca www.strathroy-caradoc.ca
Colin
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My VON Journey in Strathroy by Jackie Wells
My professional dreams be- came a reality when I was hired as a community nurse for the Victorian Order of Nurses. I was presented with my navy uniforms, a little black bag and a company vehicle with the VON logo, so all would know my mission. Two nursing colleagues, two Home Care case managers and Public Health staff shared an office in Strathroy Hospital. We were the health team for Middlesex County. It was 1981 and the province had just launched the chronic home care pro- gram, opening the gates for seniors to receive nursing vis- its in their homes.
Jackie with Ken Campbell and Dalton Walpole Photo courtesy of Strathroy and District Historical Society
My VON nursing career saw wounds to be dressed, diabetic teaching, help with bathing, prenatal care, newborn care, cardi- ac monitoring and a 94-year-old woman who needed assistance preserving jelly. I visited some folks without running water and some whose primary concern was getting wood into the house to keep warm. There was always a story to share. Because of the increased number of patients who wanted to die at home, a Palliative Care team was developed, and I chose this work as my focus. Working by the side of a family living with a terminal illness was one of my most rewarding experiences. From my childhood rural roots, I understood that so many people wanted to help but often just didn’t know how. Neighbours would drop off a pot of soup or a pie hot from the oven when what was really needed was a compassionate touch or someone to stop and listen when life was full of darkness and despair. Surely, I thought, neighbours and friends could be trained to offer that sort of help and thereby support the healthcare professionals. I have a story about a very special man whom I shall name Dick. On his final day, he helped me see that although as pro - fessionals we may treat illness, sometimes the most comfort comes from someone who cares enough to just be there. Dick and many others became the catalyst to develop a program where trained volunteers would complement the work of health- care professionals. These volunteers have enriched the lives of many families, as well as their own lives, by participating in the family journeys.
While I was coming to this understanding, the federal govern- ment was asking “What do seniors need to stay well longer and remain in their homes?” People like the dynamic Ina Henderson gathered a group of local citizens to actually ask seniors what they would need. The Strathroy community was chosen as one of the pilot projects across Canada for a new program, lead- ing to Meals on Wheels, transportation, volunteer visiting and many other services. These VON volunteer programs evolved over the years, beginning from an office on Albert Street. To - day, thanks to a partnership with Sprucedale Care Centre, a full menu of community healthcare services is offered from one location on Head Street. So how did a naive country girl go from visiting nurse to pro- gram developer? By listening to those who went before me, people like Ruth Jeffery, who called me at the beginning, saying “I hear you want to lead volunteers. Come for tea and I will tell you how it’s done!” That visit led me to pursue my vision for VON in Strathroy. My dreams were realized beyond anything I could ever have imagined. There have been so many lessons, from so many people. And I am still learning. Receiving the Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 from MP Rose-Marie Ur. Photo courtesy of Jackie Wells
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March 2025 Page 7
ing the packaging, or handling devices, such as eye droppers, insulin pens, etc. Discuss any problems with the pharmacist If you notice or suspect any problems, talk to the pharmacist. They will recommend solutions. They may also offer to meet with your parents, depending on the type or severity of the problem(s). 4. CONVENIENT HOMECARE SERVICES Pharmacies offer a range of services to help elderly people manage their medications from home, including large fonts for labels, pill dispensers, medication synchronization, pill split- ting, and delivery. Ask the pharmacist at Bossons Pharmacy for more information on convenient homecare services. Source: https://www.guardian-ida-remedysrx.ca/en/article tips-to-help-your-elderlyparents-take-their-medications-correctly#sectionEnd
Your Pharmacists can help with Medication Questions Michael Gleiser Owner/Pharmacist Bosson’s Pharmacy & Home Health Care
Team up with the Pharmacist to help your elderly patients take their medications correctly. You visit your parents one day and open the medicine cabinet to find an array of medication bottles, including one without a label that’s full of pills of different shapes and colours. That’s when you realize it’s time to team up with your parent’s pharmacist to avoid a serious incident and to ensure they’re getting the full benefits of their treatment. 1. ASK FOR A LIST OF YOUR PARENT’S MEDICATION Start by asking the pharmacist for an up-to-date list of the me ications your parents are taking. Take the time to review it with the pharmacist so you understand the purpose of each medica- tion and how it should be taken. Due to confidentiality, the pharmacist will require your parent’s authorization before sharing this information with you. 2. CLEAN OUT THE MEDICINE CABINET Gather all your parents’ medications together, then compare them with the list you got from the pharmacist. Set aside any that are not on the list. Also, check if any medications come from another pharmacy. If there are several bottles of the same medication, do not put them all into one bottle. Check the date on the pharmacy label and only keep the most recent. Do the same for all forms of medication (e.g., creams, syrups, drops, and inhalers), not just pills. Check the expiration dates of over-the-counter medications, natural health products, and others (e.g., first aid or personal hygiene products) and set aside any that are expired or that your parent no longer use. Now, make a list of all the products your parent use—regularly or from time to time—and give it to the pharmacist, especially if you found medication from multiple pharmacies. He or she will check that they are compatible with your parent’s prescription medications and will advise you whether it is prudent or wort while hanging on to them even if they are not expired. Bring back any expired or unused products to the pharmacy, where they will be safely disposed. Do not discard them in the toilet or with household garbage. 3. CHECK HOW YOUR PARENTS TAKE THEIR MEDICATION Ask your parents whether they take their medication as reco mended, and make sure they aren’t forgetting some or adjust - ing their dosage themselves. Ask them whether the medication is causing any adverse side effects or whether they have difficulty swallowing them, open -
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ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Evolving into an Artist Earl Brown didn’t decide to be - come a rustic wood carver; he evolved into the art form through long hours of whittling wood into images inspired by the natural world around him. Earl’s evolution began when he was a kid back in the days when you could carry a pocketknife with you. Growing up in a small town, Earl had easy access to bush and beaches where he could collect driftwood and broken branches. He spent hours whittling the piec- es of wood he found, methodically chipping away at them until they transformed into something com- pletely different. “A mouse, an eagle or something that catches my attention in na- ture becomes the motivation for a carving creation,” explains Earl. “I still have a carving I made when I was 10.” For a career, Earl worked as an electronic repair technician for (226) 998-8703 Enhance Physical Health, Confidence and Self Esteem with Sifu Carlos Ferraz
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ence. He tells the story of one woman who came to an art show where Earl’s work was on display and picked up a carving of a small bird. “As she held it with both hands, she hung her head quietly for several seconds,” Earl shares. “When she finally looked at me, she said her grandpa had carved little birds like mine. She hadn’t thought of that in many years.” The woman bought the bird, and Earl watched her walk away still holding it with both hands. Whatever comes from his workbench, whether a walking stick or a little bird, carving gives Earl a sense of deep satisfaction. He pours his heart and soul into each piece he makes and is proud that many of his family and friends have a “piece of him” some- where in their world. To see more of Earl’s work, email Earl at dearlbrown@live.com or find him on Facebook at Earl's Bush & Beachworks.
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the Thames Valley District School Board. In his spare time, he continued losing himself for hours, whittling away at projects, carving his favourite subjects: birds and animals. As a self-taught wood carver, trial and error and repetition were Earl’s teachers. He worked to improve with each version of the pieces he carved. He still gets tremendous enjoyment from learning. “Some people say I’m an artist, but I’m really from the ‘Jed Clampett School of Carving,’ meaning just sit down and whittle,” laughs Earl. Earl takes great delight in seeing how a piece he has carved can transport customers back to a memory of a person or experi- MSM Yearly Exterior Car Wash Club Membership Available FREE VACUUM with car wash
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Besides playing with Nunavut, Jake coached twice for US teams at the Olympic level. In 2014, Jake coached a friend’s team in the US Olympic Men’s Trials, which they didn’t win. Two years later, the USA Nation - al Program leader asked Jake to join their high-performance coaching team and to be head coach for their Mixed Doubles Team at the 2018 Olympics in Korea should they qualify, which they did. Not surprisingly, getting to know Sam Mooibroek during the past three seasons was how Jake landed the coaching spot for Team Mooibroek and another trip to the brier. It didn’t hurt that Jake also played against the fathers of three Team Mooibroek players. As the team’s coach, Jake offers insights based on his years of competitive curling. “I love working with Sam, Ryan, Scott, Nathan and Gavin,” Jake adds. “They’re keen to learn and work hard at being the best versions of themselves.” Jake also keeps the mood light as stress levels increase. “Com- peting at this level gets intense. The guys need to understand that the emotions they feel are normal.” The 2025 Montana’s Brier runs from February 28 to March 9. Regardless of what happens, Jake knows he enjoys these op - portunities because of the support he gets from the community, including the Ilderton Curling Club, Arthur Voaden Secondary School, where he teaches high school math, and his wife, Sara, who shares Jake’s passion for curling. Photo courtesy of Team Mooibroek
Local Connection at the 2025 Montana’s Brier
Long-time Strathroy resident Jake Higgs is no stranger to high- stakes curling with two Montana’s Briers behind him. This year, Jake heads to his third national championship in Kelowna, BC, this time, however, as the coach for Ontario’s provincial champion. Jake’s first two runs at the Canadian men’s curling title happened in 2020 and 2023 when he played on Team Nunavut Team as their “import player.” This year, Sam Mooibroek, the skip for Team Mooibroek out of the Whitby Curling Club, asked Jake to help his team tweak their game for this year’s provincial play down, it paid off for the young team with a championship win. Coming from a family with a deep passion for sports, the only question for Jake as a child was whether he would follow the hockey path like his father, an NHL assistant head coach, or the curling path, inspired by his mother’s love of the game. “I started curling at age 10 and playing competitively at age 14 or 15,” Jake explains. “I played hockey too, but I loved the strategy involved in curling more.” Jake has curled at a high level for most of his life, but he’s the first to admit it’s not solely because of his skill on the ice. “I’m good at is thinking my way through the game,” he says. “It’s like playing chess on ice. I’m always thinking a few moves ahead.” For Jake, curling is as much about the connections you make as it is the strategy. Networking at local tournaments and making friends over the years have given Jake extraordinary opportunities.
Team Ontario: Nathan Steele (Lead), Scott Mitchell (Second), Ryan Wiebe (Third), Sam Mooibroek (Skip), Gavin Lydiate (Alternate) with Jake Higgs (in back).
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Page 10 Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc
Getting to Know Lianne Rood The Strathroy-Caradoc community thrives on a foundation of farming, and the people who live here, whether they are farmers or not, embody the spirit of rural life: a strong work ethic, a desire to serve, and an innate ability to tackle life’s challenges. Lianne Rood, the current Member of Parliament (MP) for Lamb- ton-Kent-Middlesex, knows firsthand what that means.
After high school, Lianne got her university degree, and while politics still wasn’t on her radar, she knew by that point she had the heart to serve her country and do something that would make it better. Lianne’s political path began unfolding in 2006 when Bev Ship - ley, then MP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, offered her a job in Ottawa, which turned into several years working as a political staffer for several MPs and cabinet ministers, before being elect- ed in 2019 and serving as an MP for the past six years. During her staffing tenure, Lianne helped develop and imple - ment Bill C18, The Freedom for Grain Farmers Act, which she says gave farmers the ability to sell their grain when and to whom they wanted. During this time, Lianne also realized that women were in politics as elected MPs and knew that this was what she wanted for herself. Now, Lianne hopes she can be a role model for young people, especially young girls. “I love speaking with them and showing them that they can do anything,” shares Lianne. “Nothing can stop you from doing what you feel called to do.” Lianne also hopes to inspire young people to be bold enough to put their names forward on a ballot someday and be the leaders for the next generations. For now, Lianne continues drawing on her strong work ethic, desire to serve, and innate ability to tackle life’s challenges at the federal level for the people in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. To contact Lianne, email liannerood@parl.gc.ca, call 519-245-6561, or visit liannerood.ca. Photo courtesy of Lianne Rood, MP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex Creative Bookkeeping FREE 30 Minute Consultation to Assess Your Needs Payables | Receivables | Payroll | Bank Reconciliation | Financial Reports Bookkeeping | Budgeting | Quickbooks Training Cloud-Based Accounting for easy 24/7 access & security Ana Costa, Owner & Operator | 519.319.3534 ana@creativebookkeeping.ca | creativebookkeeping.ca Cloud-Based Accounting for easy 24/7 access & security Ana Costa, Owner & Operator | 519.319.3534 ana@creativebookkeeping.ca | creativebookkeeping.ca Cloud-Based Accounting for easy 24/7 access & security Ana Costa, Owner & Operator | 519.319.3534 ana@creativebookkeeping.ca | creativebookkeeping.ca Cloud-Based Accounting for easy 24/7 access & security Ana Costa, Owner & Operator | 519.319.3534 ana@creativebookkeeping.ca | creativebookkeeping.ca Creative Bookkeeping FREE 30 Minute Consultation to Assess Your Needs Payables | Receivables | Payroll | Bank Reconciliation | Financial Reports Bookkeeping | Budgeting | Quickbooks Training FREE 30 Minute Consultation to Assess Your Needs Payables | Receivables | Payroll | Bank Reconciliation | Financial Reports Bookkeeping | Budgeting | Quickbooks Training FREE 30 Minute Consultation to Assess Your Needs Payables | Receivables | Payroll | Bank Reconciliation | Financial Reports Bookkeeping | Budgeting | Quickbooks Training Lianne enjoying her hometown beach, where she finds the peace and calm to balance her busy life.
Lianne grew up in Grand Bend, Ontar- io, where her family farmed potatoes on 1,000 acres of land scattered throughout Lambton, Middlesex, and Huron coun-
Lianne working hard to bring in the potato harvest
ties, including fields near Komoka, Strathroy, and Mount Bry - dges. Her family made potato history by being the first farm in Canada to bring mini potatoes to grocery stores. “Some of those potatoes would have come from the Strathroy-Caradoc area,” adds Lianne. Carrying on the entrepreneurial spirit inherent in farming, Lianne and her brother continue operating a business together, focus- ing now on growing fingerling potatoes in the New Liskeard area for a niche market that includes the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). They’ve also started growing haskap berries. “We both have full-time jobs, but we love farming,” Lianne ex- plains. “There’s lots you can’t control when you’re farming and different challenges arise every day, but I love solving problems.” Lianne brings that love of a good challenge to her political world as well, and it’s part of what makes her good in that arena. However, Lianne didn’t always see the path to becoming an elected official. “I had a keen interest in current events and politics, even as a young girl in grade school,” she recalls. “I vividly remember following federal political events, when I was 13. No one else I knew was doing that.” At a young age, Lianne found she was a natural leader on sports teams, and in high school, she served on student council. Yet a career in politics never occurred to her, and no one ever pointed her in that direction. “It was a very different world then,” Lianne admits. “When we discussed careers in the 90s, no one ever suggested politics. That wasn’t something women were encouraged to do.”
Brian (Bo) Derbyshire Councillor
Greg Willsie Councillor
Ward 2
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March 2025 Page 11
Aunts, Uncles and Cousins by John Caverhill
to Windsor to introduce Gay to some of our extended family. Uncle Mac was at his best, which meant Aunt Evelyn was constantly remonstrating “Oh Ma-ac! What will Gay think?” Saturday morning, Dad, Uncle Mac, Gay and I went for a walk along the riverfront. It was a warm, humid morning with a gradually thickening blanket of fog over the city. As we trolled along, Uncle Mac started to limp. No one said anything at first, but Gay became especially concerned as the limp worsened and suggested that we should turn back, but Uncle Mac assured her it was just the damp weather, and he would be all right. Gay took his elbow to help him along. Now, if my uncle had continued this way, he could have enjoyed the assistance and the sympathy of a young, pretty woman, but Mac being Mac, he couldn’t let the situation rest at that point. As the fog thickened to a solid grey, Uncle Mac’s limp had altered so his gimpy leg seemed to rise and drop, giving him an odd sort of up and down, hitch-along gait. Dad and I were puzzled as Uncle Mac had never had any leg problems, but knowing his propensity for a good joke, we figured something was going on. Gay, now really concerned, demanded to know what was wrong. Uncle Mac halted and, leaning heavily on Gay’s arm, gazed soulfully into her eyes and confided that the problem lay with his artificial leg. Gay asked sympathetically if there was pain. Uncle Mac replied, “No, there was no pain. The problem was caused by the choice of material used in the artificial leg”. Gay, by now thoroughly puzzled, asked what material was used. The answer was cork! Uncle Mac then started to explain how the cork leg, because of its natural buoyancy, tended to float in dense fog conditions, causing his leg to rise. At this point, Gay echoed Aunt Evelyn’s “Oh Ma-ac!” Whether visiting them in Windsor or entertaining them here at home, we always had a good time when Uncle Mac was present. Every family should have an Uncle Mac.
Page 12 Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc Page 16 Ilderton and Area Villager • March 2025 He would go to great lengths to set the stage for some fun, as the following story shows. I had just become engaged. Father, Mother, my fiancé, Gay and I made a midsummer weekend visit Malcolm Leitch (Uncle Mac to me) was born and raised on a farm near Glencoe which to this day is still surrounded by many farms whose owners bleed plaid if they cut themselves. He married my mother’s sister, Evelyn, the youngest daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Boyd, who had a farm on the Thames Road north of Appin. My Aunt Evelyn, a gentle, sweet soul, was perfect for Uncle Mac who was always ready for a good joke. He claimed Macksville, a tiny hamlet on Thames Road, north of Appin, was named after him. Like many young lads in the early 20th Century, Uncle Mac felt the pull of the thriving young auto industry in Windsor. He and his young bride moved there, and he joined Chrysler Motors, where he worked until he retired in the late 1960s. Uncle Mac and Aunt Evelyn had one son, Mac Jr. We were the same age and when we were young and unattached, at least once each summer, with a couple of girlfriends we would take the Boblo Island excursion boat on the Detroit River down to Boblo Island, a trip that took about one and a half hours each way. Since Boblo Island is on the American side, we would cross over on the Ambassador Bridge. People then “dressed up” for dances; blue jeans for dances was unheard of, so if young couples gave Boblo Excursion as their destination, they would often be waved through with a cheery “Enjoy yourselves”. The boat’s main deck, which was the dance floor, was covered on top and open on the sides with seating around the perimeter. A very good dance orchestra played a variety of music with emphasis on the big band favourites of that time. During dance breaks, we would lean on the deck railing and watch the city lights of Windsor and Detroit slide by. Music then was at a pleasant background level, allowing one to converse at a normal level, or simply listen to the gurgle of the bow waves rolling away from the boat as it glided through the water. For anyone fortunate enough to have taken the Boblo Excursion Boat, it is a golden memory indeed. Back in the early 50s, if I remember correctly, the news (newspaper and radio) reports were full of the exploits of a notorious outlaw group called the “Boyd Gang” named after their leader. There was no connection between the gang leader Boyd and the Appin Boyds, and anyone less viraginous than my mother and Aunt Evelyn would be hard to imagine, but for Uncle Mac, the temptation was too much to resist. They would be at a social gathering, and from behind his hand, in a tremulous undertone just loud enough for Aunt Evelyn, who would be nearby to hear, he would confide to someone next to him that, yes, his wife was a former member of “that Boyd family”. He would sorrowfully add that he always had to caution the host or hostess of any gathering that they should count the silverware after he and his wife left because old habits die hard. At this point, Aunt Evelyn would become aware that her partner, for better or worse, was up to his usual shenanigans and would exclaim “Oh Ma-ac! Don’t say such things! People might think it is true!” Uncle Mac would solemnly shake his head and then say with a chuckle, “If I lose my job, at least your family can support us”.
John Caverhill is the younger son of the late Ernest Caverhill and Susie Boyd of Lobo Township. John’s writings often reflect his experiences and observations of growing up on the family farm, attending the one room school, S. S. No. 7 Lobo (Bear Creek School), and Vanneck United Church. John’s sense of humour and story-telling skills are legendary. His keen observation skills have augmented his repertoire .
Back in the Day
To advertise here please contact Gloria@villagerpublications.com Denfield General Store and Post Office in its original location, 1903. Photo: London and Middlesex Heritage Museum Archives. To advertise here, please contact Tami@villagerpublications.com
machine itself, the MHA had to construct a 3,300-square-foot space within SMGH to house the suite. The new MRI suite includes a scanning room, patient prep and waiting ar- eas, offices, and a reception space. To fund this critical project, SMGHF launched its $8.6 million Advance & Renew Fundrais - ing Campaign – Phase 1 in July 2024. This is the largest fundraising initiative in the Foun- dation’s 35-year history.
MRI Suite Opens in March The Strathroy-Caradoc community has been eagerly anticipating the arrival of its new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine since Ontario’s Ministry of Health announced operational funding for one at Strathroy Mid- dlesex General Hospital (SMGH) two years ago. Now, the wait is finally over. This March, the Middlesex Hospital Alliance
(MHA), with the support of the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation (SMGHF), and our generous donors, the Bill & Lynne Gray L.H. Gray & Son Limited Diagnostic Imaging Department will officially open the new Marilyn Buttery & Lynne Lawrence CommonWealth Financial MRI Suite. Renovations for the MRI suite at SMGH began in April 2024 after the hospital’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Program was relocated to downtown Strathroy. The MRI machine was delivered in early January 2025, marking a significant milestone in the project. “I am incredibly proud of our teams who have worked so hard on the MRI suite here at SMGH over the past year. I am happy to report that this exciting project is on time and on budget,” says Julie McBrien, President & CEO of MHA. “This is an exceptional example of the MHA delivering on our strategic commitment to ‘Advance How We Deliver Care’ as outlined in the new Strategic Plan we released in the Fall of 2024.” While the government approved funding for the MRI’s opera - tional costs, it did not cover the purchase of the equipment or the necessary renovations. In addition to acquiring the MRI
“We’re truly grateful for the incredible generosity of our major donors and the countless members of the community who have supported this project from day one," adds Michelle Hancock, CEO of the SMGH Foundation. The new MRI suite at SMGH has received Ministry of Health funding to operate five days per week, eight hours per day. This addition will enhance early detection, patient diagnosis, and treatment planning while reducing wait times and improving ac- cess to high-quality, patient-centered care close to home. Addi- tionally, it will foster collaborations and resource-sharing oppor- tunities with London’s hospitals. While the MRI Suite will begin performing patient scans this March, approximately $3 million still needs to be raised to fully cover equipment and construction costs. For more details about the new MRI service and its impact on patient care, visit www.mhalliance.on.ca. To support this vital advancement in local healthcare, make a donation at www.smghfoundation.com. Photo Credit: SMGH Foundation
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March 2025 Page 13
Team Captain and fellow defenseman Alex Laszlo, with 9 goals and 31 assists for 41 points. Rounding out the team's top scor - ers was Assistant Captain Ben Landers, with 34 points, including 17 goals and 17 assists. Logan Griffiths, the Bulldog's new goalie acquired from the Aylmer Spitfires at the trade deadline, boasts a 1.73 goals against average and had his first PJHL shutout in a 7-0 win against the Exeter Hawks on February 2. The Bulldogs headed into round 1 of the playoffs strong, promis- ing to make it an exciting match as they fight for a round 2 spot. Come cheer them on! Tickets are available at the door. Anyone interested in volunteering on game days or as a board member, contact General Manager Brian Griffiths at bgrif - fiths9494@gmail.com. Photos courtesy of KPH Photography
Bulldogs Family a True Pack January 2025 was a rough start to the year for the Mount Bry- dges Bulldogs. After practice on January 29, two cars heading east on Glendon Drive hit black ice near the Mt. Brydges Ford Dealership. They lost control, resulting in three players from the team suffering serious injuries. While not life-threatening, the injuries have sidelined all three players at the time of this writing. The team expects two players to return before the end of the season, and the third, who suf- fered a more serious injury, is likely out for the season. The accident happened near the home of former Bulldogs Board Member Michelle Dwyer-Martin, who was on the scene helping the players and stayed with them until the ambulance arrived. The players, their families, and team management are immense- ly grateful to Michelle for her quick action and diligence in caring for the injured players until help arrived. One young man involved, who is not a local player, found out that night that his Bulldog team was as much family as his real one, as the parents of the other players involved and Andy Fri- yia, Board President, rallied around him until his family arrived from out of town. Going into the playoffs, the Bulldogs were in a tight race among the top four teams, with a one-point spread between each spot. This means a scrappy playoff season with all teams hungry for the win. Before the last two regular season games, Mount Brydges' own Nolan Griffiths, a defenseman, led the scoring for the year with 17 goals and 29 assists for a 46-point total. Close behind was
Newly acquired goalie Logan Griffiths
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Forward Ben Landers
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Defenseman Nolan Griffiths
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Page 14 Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day, a time for revelry and wearing green to celebrate all things Irish. However, St. Patrick's Day began as a religious feast day, honouring the patron saint of Ireland and commemorating the anniversary of his death in 461 CE. St. Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland in the last half of the third century. Many legends have arisen since his death, including one tale that proclaims he rid Ireland of all its snakes. St. Patrick is also said to have used the three leaves of the shamrock, Ireland’s national plant, to explain Christianity's Holy Trinity to his followers. Today, the religious aspect of the celebration has given way to more secular activities involving Irish and non-Irish alike, celebrating by wearing green clothes, sporting shamrock decorations, and drinking green beer. In that spirit, the Mount Brydges Legion invites you to get your Green On and join them at their annual St. Patrick’s Day Party on Saturday, March 15, at the Legion, 2500 Veterans Drive. The evening will feature the band Train Wreck and, of course, green beer. Admission is only $5. Pay at the door. Doors open at 8 pm. Flourless Chocolate, Guiness and Whiskey Cake Submitted by Marilyn Fletcher, Mount Brydges Legion From: www.canadianliving.com Ingredients Cake:
3/4 cups cocoa powder 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon salt 200 g 70% dark chocolate (about 7 oz), chopped 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed 1/2 cup stout beer (such as Guinness) 1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 3 eggs 2 egg yolks 3 tablespoons Irish whiskey Whiskey Cream Cheese Icing: 1 lime Half pkg (250 g pkg) cream cheese , softened 1/4 cup unsalted butter , softened 2 tablespoons Irish whiskey 2 cups icing sugar Instructions Cake: Grease 9-inch round cake pan and line bottom with parchment paper.
In small bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt. Set aside. In heatproof bowl set over saucepan of hot (not boiling) water, melt chocolate with butter, stirring, until smooth. Whisk in stout and brown sugar until combined. Whisk in whole eggs and egg yolks; remove from heat. Sprinkle with cocoa mixture; stir just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in 375°F oven until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean with a few moist crumbs clinging, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes. Invert cake from pan onto cooling rack; peel off parchment paper. Brush with whiskey; cool completely, about 1 1/2 While cake is cooling, finely grate zest of lime to make 1 tsp; juice lime to make 1/2 tsp. Set aside. In bowl, beat cream cheese with butter until smooth. Beat in whiskey and lime juice; gradually beat in icing sugar until smooth. Using offset palette knife, spread icing over top of cake; sprinkle with lime zest. (Make ahead: Cover loosely and refrigerate for up to 1 day.) St. Patrick’s Day Party Saturday March 15th Mt. Brydges Legion $5 cover Doors open at 8 pm hours. Transfer cake to large plate. Whiskey Cream Cheese Icing:
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March 2025 Page 15
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