Hometown Strathroy - Caradoc June 2024 Issue 44
June LOCAL EVENTS Thursdays – June 6, 20, 27 Free Lunch All Saint’s Church 124 Front St. E. 11:30 am Saturday June 1 Mount Brydges Community Fest Town-wide in Mt. Brydges 10 am – 2 pm Saturday June 1 Movies in the Park Lions Park, Lions Park Drive 8 pm Free Wednesday June 5 Chip Bingo Strathroy Lions Hall 432 Albert St., Strathroy 7 pm – 9:30 pm Saturday June 8 Community Yard and Bake Sale Twin Elm Estates, Strathroy 8 am – 12 noon Saturday June 8 Father’s Day Shopping Extravaganza Caradoc Community Centre 565 Lions Park Dr., Mt. Brydges 10 am – 2 pm Saturday June 8 Live music: Insomniax Mt. Brydges Legion 8 pm – $5
June 13, 14, 15 Used Book Sale Strathroy Library, 34 Frank St. During library hours June 14, 15, 16 Strathroy Hometown Festival Alexandra Park, Strathroy For times and more information visit www.strathroyhometownfestival.com Friday June 14 Strathroy-Caradoc Firefighters BBQ Bossons Pharmacy 35 Front St., Strathroy 5 pm Saturday June 15 Summer Solstive Mystic Market
Portugese Canadian Club 375 York St W., Strathroy 1 pm – 10 pm Saturday June 15 VON Activity Challenge Lions Park, Strathroy 9 am – 1 pm Saturday June 22 Food trucks and games Mt. Brydges Legion Starts at 3 pm
SAVE THE DATE - WEDNESDAY JULY 17 2nd annual Harness the Hope Breast Cancer
Charity Golf Tournament Caradoc Sands Golf Club www.harnessthehope.com/golf
WEEKLY EVENTS
Mt. Brydges Legion 2500 Veterans Dr., Mt. Brydges 519-264-1580 Mondays – Bingo 2nd & 4th Wednesdays – Cards Fridays – Darts Saturdays – Meat Draw
Strathroy Legion 266 Metcalfe St., W., Strathroy 519-245-0683 Thursdays – Luncheon, Bingo Fridays – Catch The Ace Saturdays – Meat Draw 4th Wednesday - Seniors Euchre
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Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Finding the Fun in Her Art For Ulila Robson, art is a constant exploration of mediums and design. Inspired by the world around her, Ulila’s creations usually result from an idea that may include graphite, paints, sculpture, or collage. “I have been painting and drawing since I was little,” explains Ulila. “I started with graphite drawing, pen and ink, and then moved on to oil painting. Now I use mainly acrylic paints.”
While Ulila is drawn to painting scenery with trees, water, and skies, she admits she enjoys painting or drawing almost anything. “Creating pictures is total relaxation for me,” Ulila adds. “Sometimes I’ll sit in front of a blank canvas with a brush and colours and simply start painting an idea in my mind.” Ulila has also done many commissions throughout the years. “It’s enjoyable to create a work that someone appreciates enough to frame and hang on their wall.” She advises aspiring artists to enjoy their subject matter and don't be too critical of their work. Take time to create, and let it be fun and relaxing. For example, when deciding on a subject, sometimes, Ulila draws with her brush, building upon the lines and layers without worrying about the outcome. “It may end up completely different than the original idea,” she laughs. “That’s part of the fun of it.” You can email Ulila at ulilarobson@bell.net.
Ulila studied Commercial Art in secondary school and has taken many drawing and painting courses through the years. Her style is primarily realism, but she finds the freedom of design and colour often used in modern and abstract art intriguing as well. To keep her hand in the commercial art field, Ulila opened a sign shop in downtown Strathroy called Robson Signs, where she created hand-painted letters and computer-generated graphic designs. She eventually moved the store to her home and retired seven years ago. Ulila looks to the beauty of the natural world for inspiration. As an avid birder, she often finds herself in the many Ontario forests, lakes, and parks, where she takes photos or does sketches that she then uses as a reference for the paintings back in her home studio.
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Issue 44 - June 2024 Page 3
RESIDENTIAL
Libraries Across Middlesex Celebrate Seniors Month Each June the Province celebrates and recognizes the hard work seniors have done to shape Ontario into the great place it is today. This year is Middlesex County Library’s second year celebrating Seniors Month with a range of programs and activities designed for specif- ically for older adults.
According to Liz Adema, Public Services Coordina - tor, Strathroy Library, Seniors Month is an opportunity to celebrate the seniors in our communities and to recognize that the drive to explore, learn, and grow never ends. “Lifelong learning helps everyone to achieve fulfillment and satisfaction and improves quality of life and our sense of self-worth,” Liz explains. The Strathroy Library has several special activities planned. June 4 – Digital Demo Day at 10 to 11:30am; Curi - ous about what tech the library offers? Older adults can drop in to explore library apps, accessible devices, creative tools, video games and more.
Hometown Strathroy- Caradoc Issue #44 June 2024 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 Grandfather Larry Crandon, son John Crandon, daughter/granddaughter Rose on the Crandon homestead in Metcalfe Adelaide standing in front of Larry’s 1948 International Farmall Tractor. Larry Crandon is the owner/operator of Strathroy Overhead Door.
Above: Strathroy Knitting Circle program
June 5 – Too Many Photographs? At 11 to 12pm; Learn how to preserve and organize your collection of photos, from black and white to digital, they’ll cover it all. June 19 – Seniors Bingo at 3 to 4pm; Join Laura for a fun afternoon of Bingo! June 24 – Coffee Social at 11 to 12pm; Drop in to enjoy a hot drink, refreshments, and good conversation! The fun doesn’t stop at the Strathroy Library. Activities and programs will happen at all 15 Mid - dlesex County branches, including a fresh trivia challenge each week. Information packages about seniors’ services in the community will also be available at each branch. Here are some other events happening in the County for seniors in June. June 12 – Internet & Password Safety in Glencoe, 10:30 am; Join Tom Cheel from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, 123 McKellar Street, Glencoe to learn about best practices for internet and password safety. June 20 – Safe Driving for Older Adults in Komoka, 1 pm; Join Rick Higgins from DriverZed.com, 1 Tunks Lane, Komoka, to learn about changes to Ontario’s driving laws and how they affect you, review good driving habits, and find out about resources for older drivers. June 25 – Fraud Awareness for Seniors at the Adelaide Metcalfe Fire Hall at 2 pm; Join Tom Cheel from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to learn about common frauds and best practices to avoid being scammed. All these programs provide opportunities for seniors to socialize, learn about library resources, en- sure their online safety, maintain independence, improve technology skills, and explore their cre- ativity. “Programs build community connections and foster lifelong learning and growth,” Liz adds. The full list of seniors programs can be found on the Middlesex Library’s event calendar at mid - dlesex.libnet.info/events or by calling your local library branch. More information on Seniors Month and government activities can be found at:
www.ontario.ca/page/celebrating-seniors-ontario. Photos courtesy of Zoe Reilly-Ansons, Strathroy Library
Page 4 Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc
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employer. Retaining them was a huge win for us, and it highlights again the need for an Economic Development department. There is also a bit of a “realtor” aspect to the role of the Economic Development Commissioner. We own industrial land in the Molnar Industrial Park, which is key to attracting business. These are municipally owned assets that we can leverage, hopefully at a profit, to attract new business. As an aside, one of the hurdles we face to growth is the lack of industrial land. We are actively working toward fixing this. Commercial businesses, stores, and restaurants are also vital to the economy and, in most cases, impact citizens directly. One of Heather’s roles is to attract and retain new commercial endeavours. In this role, she works with both the Strathroy Business Improvement Association (BIA) and the Chamber of Commerce. On top of this important role, Heather also oversees our Community Transit – Inter Community Transit operation. 190 Wortley Rd. Martial Arts and Wellness Programs in the Heart of Wortley Village
Mayor’s Message In Strathroy-Caradoc, we are very fortunate to have many industries and businesses, both large and small. Some of these are long-time fixtures, Gray Ridge Eggs, Burnbrae Farms, Meridian Lightweight Technologies, for example. Others are new, such as Norbec in the Molnar Industrial Park. Both keeping those industries and attracting new ones fall under the mandate of our Economic Development Commissioner, Heather Lalonde. Heather joined us in December of 2022 and has a wealth of experience. We are very fortunate to have Heather. From my limited viewpoint, I see the job of Economic Development to be threefold – retention, attraction, and promotion – not just for industry but any commercial endeavour, including stores or restaurants. They all fall under Economic Development. Retention of the current industry is a vital part of Heather’s role. As we have seen lately, the competition amongst municipalities to attract new business is intense. The industrial tax base, along with the accompanying employment, is key to the health of a community. Locally, we saw most recently that Burnbrae chose to remain in Strathroy and build a new plant in the Molnar Industrial Park. I am quite certain that other areas would have loved to attract this stable
Colin Grantham, Mayor 519.245.1105 x 251 cgrantham@strathroy-caradoc.ca www.strathroy-caradoc.ca Come learn the benefits of cursive writing and try your hand at some pangrams with Dez, a local archivist. PA Day Creativity Break (Teen) February 2, 2024 3:00 – 4:30 pm (Drop-In) What’s Happening at Landon Library Submitted by Ashleigh Hickey Cursive Writing (Ages 8+) January 20, 2024 10:30 am – noon (Registered) It’s time to be creative! Drop by your local library to take a break and create. Craft supplies may vary, chill vibes only. STEAM, Saturdays (Family) February 3, 2024 10:00 – 11:00 am (Drop-In) Drop-in to explore a variety of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math related activities! AlvegoRoot Theatre Trivia Night Manor Park Memorial Hall, 11 Briscoe Street For ticket information and to learn more about AlvegoRoot’s 2024 season, visit www.alvegoroottheatre.com
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Various animals and parasites that live in water can also cause skin reactions, for example, contact with jellyfish or the parasite
Your Pharmacists can help with Medication Questions Michael Gleiser Owner/Pharmacist Bosson’s Pharmacy & Home Health Care
that causes “swimmer’s itch.” REACTION TO MEDICATION
A number of medications, including antibiotics and aspirin, can cause a skin rash. With antibiotics, since some infections can also cause a skin rash, it can be difficult to tell whether the rash is a reaction to the medication or a symptom of the illness. Some medications can make skin highly sensitive to the sun, resulting in spots and blisters, even with very brief exposure to the sun. Most skin rashes caused by medication are minor. However, sometimes the reaction may be caused by an allergy to the med- ication and require medical care. If you experience a skin rash after taking a medication, consult your pharmacist without delay. If you are in an emergency, call 911. EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS In very hot and humid weather, heat rash, also known as prickly heat, can appear when the sweat glands become blocked. The rash usually disappears when skin temperature cools, for exam- ple, after applying cold compresses. Exposure to very cold temperatures can cause frostbite, and one of the first signs of frostbite is redness of the skin. VIRUSES, BACTERIA, AND FUNGAL INFECTIONS A number of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections–including chickenpox, impetigo and athlete’s foot–can be accompanied by a skin rash. The specific location of the rash on the body, its appearance, the speed at which it appears, and the presence of other symptoms can all help to identify the probable cause of infection. If you suspect you may have any type of infection, you must visit the doctor as you may require medication. If you develop a skin rash, consult your pharmacist. Your phar- macist can identify the likely cause of infection and recommend treatment options or refer you to a doctor if further medical care is required. Source: https://www.guardian-ida-remedysrx.ca/en/article/com- mon-causes-of-skin-rashes#sectionEnd Monday-Friday 9am-6pm / Sat 9am-3pm
8 CAUSES OF SKIN RASHES Skin rashes are characterized by the appearance of spots or redness on the skin. They can cover a large part of the body or be restricted to one small area. They may appear on their own or be accompanied by other symptoms such as itching or pain. In more serious cases, they may be accompanied by heat, fever or shortness of breath, which would require a visit to a doctor. The cause of a skin rash may be obvious or, on the contrary, may require some detective work. Here are the most common causes of skin rashes: ECZEMA Eczema is a very common problem in children and can persist through to adulthood. It usually appears as a red rash, typically around the elbows or knees, or on the cheeks, neck, wrists, or ankles, and tends to occur in cycles. The rash is accompanied by an intense itching sensation. CONTACT DERMATITIS Contact dermatitis occurs when skin is exposed to an irritating substance, for example, fabric softener, or to something the per- son is allergic to, like an animal. Diaper rash is one example of contact dermatitis and is caused by contact with urine or feces. The redness resulting from contact dermatitis is localized in the area that comes into contact with the substance in question. It may be accompanied by itching and/or pain. INSECT OR ANIMAL BITES Insect bites (e.g., mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, bedbugs) generally cause localized redness and/or swelling around the site of the bite and may be accompanied by itchiness of varying intensi- ty. The number of bites and their location on the body can be an indicator to help identify the insect. Travel related diseases can also be spread by insect and animal bites. These may be accompanied by a fever and require a trip to the physician. To reduce risks, be sure to have the appropriate vaccinations for your destination and take protective measures. Your pharmacist can help you determine the required vaccinations and even in- ject most of them for you. Some insect bites, including wasp or bee stings, can cause a serious allergic reaction that requires emergency treatment. In this case, the skin rash tends to spread rapidly over a large part of the body and is accompanied by shortness of breath or heart symptoms.
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Lip Smackin’ Good Times at Ribfest Again This Summer Save the dates and work up your appetite. The fourth annual Ribfest will be coming to the Strathroy Fair Grounds Recreation Complex on July 5, 6 and 7. Rib vendors will compete for the 2024 titles of Best Ribs and Best Sauce. There will be entertainment, a variety of activities for kids, a ball tournament organized by the Tri-County Slo-Pitch league, Stingray Invitational Swim meet at the Aquatic Park on Saturday and so much more, including a licensed beverage tent! The popular competition is organized by the Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc. The beverage tent will be run by the Strath- roy Rotary Club. For more information, contact Kait Topham, Events & Booking Coordinator for the Municipality, at 519-245-1105, Ext. 257 or visit the Events page at www.strathroy-caradoc.ca.
Oven-Baked Pulled Pork Submitted by Felipe Barrera, Own - er Operator of Mississippi Smoke - house, one of the vendors at this year’s Ribfest. Mississippi Smokehouse has been ribbing for eight years, and Felipe has won many awards over that time. Since not everyone has a smoker, here is a recipe for ov- en-baked pulled pork: 1 bone in pork shoulder fresh. Place in roasting pan (minimum 4 inches deep). Add choice of rub to the shoulder. Be sure to rub it in everywhere. Some people like to cover in mus- tard first as well. Set oven to 235°F. Place in the oven uncovered for 7 to 8 hours. Remove from oven and pull the bone out. The shoulder will fall apart. Ready to serve and very easy to do.
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Issue 44 - June 2024 Page 7 12/04/2024 2:43:47 PM
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Cassie Chadwick: a very double life by Lindsay Kernohan
In the spring of 1902 James Dillon re - ceived a delightful surprise when he ran into Mrs. Cassie Chadwick, the wife of a dear friend, in the lobby of a New York hotel. She explained that she was on her way to her father’s house. Would he escort her there? The pair took a carriage to the man- sion belonging to Andrew Carnegie on East 91st Street. Chadwick, leav - ing Dillon behind in the carriage, re- quested to speak to the head house- keeper, explaining that she was there to check the references of a potential new maid. The housekeeper insisted
who was sent back to Canada to be raised by her parents. She then moved to Ohio as Mme. Linda Devere, where she tricked Joseph Lamb into cashing forged cheques for her. She raised $40,000 with this scheme before being arrested. Sentenced to 9.5 years, she served only 3.5. Elizabeth returned to Cleveland as Cassie Hoover and married Dr. Leroy Chadwick, a wealthy widower. The marriage shocked his friends and family; no one had met her, and rumours swirled that the pair had met while she was working in a brothel. Thanks to the Chadwick family, Cassie was now wealthy enough to enjoy a lavish lifestyle and lived quietly with her husband for years. By 1902, however, she was back to her old ways. Using her faked promissory notes from Carnegie, Chadwick defrauded several large banks, taking out loans and paying them off with money from other loans. As she defaulted on her debts, family members and old acquaintances stepped forward to confirm she was not related to Carnegie. Chadwick was arrested in November 1904. In March 1905, she was found guilty of conspiracy and sentenced to ten years in prison, where she died in October 1907. Before her death, she arranged for a portion of her hidden funds to be sent to Canada to purchase a tombstone. She is buried in Woodstock’s Angli - can Cemetery. While the total amount of Cassie Chadwick’s spoils is unknown, it is estimated at around $16.5 million in today’s dollars. She caused the bankruptcy of the Citizen’s National Bank of Oberlin and ruined the personal fortunes of many. Con artist, fraudster, charlatan. Was Cassie Chadwick indeed one of Strathroy’s own? Numerous sources state that Bigley was born in Strathroy, al - though there is little documentation to back this claim. While the truth about her early years may be lost, her exploits as an adult have cemented her into the historical record as one of North America’s greatest imposters. Euclid Ave. mansion of Cassie Chadwick on Cleveland's Millionaire's Row Photo credit: Wikipedia, Public Domain
Cassie L. Chadwick 1904.
that there must be a misunderstanding – no one by that name had ever worked there. Cassie thanked her and, as she walked back to the carriage, pulled a large envelope out of her coat. Dil- lon, embarrassed, awkwardly asked who her father was. Cassie explained that she was Andrew Carnegie’s illegitimate daugh - ter. He provided for her and she would inherit millions when he died. Cassie showed him the contents of her envelope, filled with promissory notes signed by Carnegie himself. It was a fantastic, brazen story – with only one problem. Not only was she not Carnegie’s daughter, she had never met the man. Cassie Chadwick was just one of many names used by imposter Elizabeth Bigley. Elizabeth Bigley was born in the late 1850s and grew up on a small Ontario farm. There is little information available about her early years, and much of it is contradictory, due in part to Eliza- beth herself continually lying and changing stories to evade the clutches of the law. Many accounts list her birthdate as October 10, 1857, although her gravestone states 1859. Alternate sourc - es list her place of birth as Strathroy, Eastwood in Oxford County, or Woodstock. The 1861 census identifies an Elizabeth Bigley, age 3, living in East Oxford. Elizabeth perpetrated her first fraud as a teenager when she opened a bank account in Woodstock using a dubious letter of inheritance from an uncle, then wrote worthless cheques on the account to various merchants. She was caught but released due to her youth. But her escapades continued and more of her fraudulent schemes were exposed locally and then in Cleveland. From there, Elizabeth went on a journey of re-invention, living in boarding houses and adopting new aliases. There were multiple short marriages, including one to a man named Hoover, who left her an inheritance of $50,000. The pair had a son named Emil,
Page 8 Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc
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Horta-Craft Ltd Grows into the World of Retail Gardening Horta-Craft Ltd, a family-owned national distributor of plant tags and print signage for the horticultural industry, has launched a new division under its banner. Located at 4836 Egremont Drive, northeast of Strathroy, HC Gardens opened in May and offers a complete line of quality annuals, trees, house plants, gardening supplies and tools – everything you need for successful gardening. Owner Paul Lofgren saw an opportunity to fill a gap in gardening services in this region of Strathroy-Caradoc. He and his wife, Crystal, wanted to expand their business, and retail gardening was the natural next step. “We love helping people to enjoy gardening and be successful at it,” says Paul. “We want to inspire and encourage an interest and joy in gardening for everyone, even kids.” Besides plants and gardening products, HC Gardens will host workshops on different topics to help educate and foster that love and sense of fun in growing things. They also have a blog on their website and a social media strategy that includes shar- ing gardening and plant care tips. The Lofgren’s dream of a garden centre has been three years in the making. While the pop-up-style operation they opened in May is not quite what Paul envisioned, the lesson for him was in realizing they could get the business started and build toward that final vision. “It requires adjusting your expectations,” explains Paul. “Things aren’t what I envisioned yet. We’ll keep building on what’s here now, and in 20 years, it will be interesting to look back over the process.” Paul is happy to provide for the community’s gardening needs, but he’s also proud to be a local employer. Many staff from Hor - ta-Craft and HC Gardens live in Strathroy-Caradoc.
What Paul loves most about going into the retail gardening busi- ness is sharing his love of the growing process with others. “There is movement throughout it. It’s so rewarding to do all the required preparation and maintenance to then feel satisfaction when you finally see results. I want to help people experience the beauty and sense of fulfillment from their own efforts.” HC Gardens is open Monday to Wednesday from 10 am to 6 pm, Thursdays and Fridays 10 am to 8 pm, and Saturdays 9 am to 4 pm. They’re closed on Sundays. You can also order online. For more details, find HC Gardens on social media or visit hcgardens.ca.
Issue 44 - June 2024 Page 9
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year,” says Strathroy Hometown Festival Chair, Shari Terwilligar. “We’ve brought back the favourites, like the midway, bike rodeo, and Karaoke Idol, but have added some new things as well.” The Hometown Festival promises fun for the entire family with free entrance to the park, and the usual attractions, including Vendor Alley, Karaoke Idol, horse and carriage rides, the bike rodeo, and live concerts in Alexandra Park. Tradition continues with the Strathroy Cruisers’ car show open - ing the Festival on Friday, June 14. More than 200 vintage cars will be parked along the streets starting at the corner of Frank and Front Street, starting at 2 pm.
Hometown Festival Celebrates 45 Years For 45 years, residents of Strathroy and the surrounding area have enjoyed the Hometown Festival. This year is no different! The festival will take place as usual on Father’s Day weekend, June 14 to 16 in Alexandra Park. A small, but passionate, committee of six volunteers is the driv- ing force behind organizing and operating the annual festival. This year’s dedicated volunteer committee consists of Shari Ter - willigar, Dave Brock, Colleen Wiendels, Chris Soares, Rhonda Booth, and Strathroy-Caradoc Municipal Events & Booking Co - ordinator, Kait Topham. “We’re excited and proud of our community involvement, par - ticipation, partnerships and the fun we have planned for this
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Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc
The Magical Midway rides are also back, promising thrills and giggles for all ages. Presale midway ride vouchers are $25 be- fore noon on June 14 and $35 afterwards. If you’re interested in music, check out the local bands perform - ing on Friday and Saturday night. Tickets are $10 for Friday only and $25 for Saturday only. However, you can immerse yourself in music with a weekend pass for $30. The line up this year includes Speed Wobble, The Doubts, The Fish, Loaded Dice, Basement Bound, and Nightrain, a Guns N’ Roses tribute band. New this year is a Hometown Breakfast on Sunday, June 16 from 8 to 11 am at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 116, 266 Metcalfe Street West, Strathroy. The cost for breakfast is $15 and $8 for children 10 years old or younger. The Festival has also expanded this year to include various sporting events throughout the weekend. There will be Co-Ed and Men’s two-pitch baseball games played between the York
Street fields and the Welch field at the Fair Grounds. On June 15, pickleball, ball hockey, and beach volleyball tournaments will be held at the Fair Grounds, and families can enjoy corn- hole at Alexandra Park. Registration forms can be found on the Festival website. Another new attraction is the Interactive Hockey Zone scheduled for Saturday, June 15, 11 am to 5 pm in Alexandra Park. For a toonie, you can come and test your hockey skills! Visit the Fes - tival website www.strathroyhometownfestival.com for ticket and voucher sale locations, dates, and times and for the full schedule of activities. Anyone interested in volunteering or registering for the sports activities can do so on the website as well. Photos courtesy of Colleen Wiendels Photography
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Mount Brydges Shopping Extravaganza June 8th
Garden Show – Save the date! The Strathroy-Caradoc Horticultural Society is hosting it’s 26th annual Showcase of Gardens again this year. The tour takes place on Sunday, July 14, 2024, from 10-4 pm, rain or shine and features local artists at select gardens. Save the Date! Plan to take a time out from your own gardening to enjoy the splendours in Strathroy-Caradoc’s backyards.
Come on down to the Caradoc Community Centre, Saturday, June 8, 2024, 10 am – 2 pm, 565 Lions Park Drive, Mount Bry - dges for some great Father’s Day finds for Dad or treat your - self to something special. There will be over 50+ vendors inside the Caradoc Community Centre. Admission is free and so is the parking. There will be door prizes, sweets and treats, photo ops, and much more! Source: www.visitmiddlesex.ca/events/mount-brydges-fa- thers-day-shopping-extravaganza
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Page 12 Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc
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Audiences at this year’s Strathroy Hometown Festival can ex - pect to hear a good mix of original rock music as well as a se- lection of cover songs that band members pull from their 1990s and Classic Rock influences. “We love to see people having a great time in the crowd and we pride ourselves on delivering a fun and memorable experience for them,” say band members. “We have played everything from small parties, local bars, and legions to outdoor events and a slot opening for The Trews at Rockin Wheel in 2018.” Basement Bound has released one EP, Mourning Chills , and one full LP, Harmony , that contains the track “Strathroy” in hon- our of their hometown. “We have played the Strathroy Hometown Festival several times over the years, and we’re looking forward to performing on the Mainstage on Saturday in front of our hometown fans,” says Pierre. Basement Bound’s website – www.basement - bound.com – contains links to its Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages. Tickets are now on sale for the Mainstage performances. For more information, visit the Strathroy Hometown Festival website www.strathroyhometownfestival.com and check out their Face- book page. Basement Bound will also be headlining the Local Legends Night at the Strathroy Ribfest on July 6.
Basement Bound returns to the 2024 Strathroy Hometown Festival by Richard Young The Strathroy Hometown Festival has been a staple in the Strathroy community for over forty years. The Festival prides it- self on community involvement, participation, partnerships, and fun. The 2024 Festival takes place from June 14 to 16. Over the years, the Festival has built up a well-deserved reputa - tion for presenting top-notch musical performers, many of them local. The 2024 Festival is no exception. This year’s acts include Speed Wobble, Loaded Dice, The Doubts, The Fish, Nightrain Guns N’ Roses, and hometown crowd favourite, Basement Bound. Basement Bound was formed in 2010 when singer Sidney Wilpstra and a few other local musicians including guitarist Pierre Chouffot began jamming with a focus on writing original music. Nick Wilpstra soon joined on drums and after some personnel changes, a steady lineup was formed with Martin Strybosch joining on guitar. The re- cent addition of Ricky Mead on bass helped to solidify the rhythm section and bring the band to a whole new level. All of the members grew up in the Strathroy area and consider it home. “Our name reflects the one constant that our jam space has al - ways been a basement. I guess we're always bound to end up there,” says Pierre.
Issue 44 - June 2024 Page 13
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Cruising for 25 Years and Still Motoring This summer marks the 25th an- niversary of the Strathroy-Cara- doc Cruisers Car Club. Estab- lished in 1999 by a handful of local classic car owners looking for a way to get together, the Cruisers have been meeting weekly to share their love of cars with others ever since. One such car enthusiast, hailing from Thedford, is Doug Baker, who comes out to every Strathroy-Caradoc Cruiser Wednes- day evening show he can with his son William and has for the last 25 years. Doug has lived in Thedford for 50 years but became involved with cars as a young man living in Windsor. His son William, now 37, has been cruising with his dad his entire life. Between the two of them, they have three different Mopars: a ‘62 Plymouth Belvedere and a ‘63 Plymouth Belvedere, both belonging to Doug and William’s ‘66 Plymouth Belvedere. According to Doug, Mopar is a term that refers to a wide range of classic cars from the Chrysler family, including the Dodge and the Plymouth. While Doug and William are the true cruisers, it’s also a hobby that their family enjoys. Doug’s wife, Beth, and their other son, James and his wife, Sam, also attend the Strathroy-Caradoc Cruisers shows with them. “We like spending the time together with family,” says Doug. “We also enjoy hanging out with old friends and meeting new ones. Each night is a new adventure because you never know who or what will show up.” Doug has had various cars since he was a teenager in Windsor. William was a backseat participant, riding in his dad’s car until he bought his own, nine years ago, which he’s been driving ever since. Doug and William take pride in their vehicles but don’t take them - selves too seriously. “There’s no pressure to be perfect because you know by the time you get to where you’re going, the car’s going to be dirty again,” laughs Doug. Even though Doug considers the Sarnia Cruisers his home club, he and William love coming out to the Strathroy-Caradoc Cruis- ers shows because it’s such fun being with friends and family and hanging out with all the great people there. “We all look forward to Strathroy on Wednesday nights because it always feels like being with family,” he adds.
The Strathroy-Caradoc Cruisers don’t just meet to chat. They also fundraise for local charities through donations and 50/50 draws at their Wednesday night shows. This year, the charities they are fundraising on behalf of include the Strathroy Hospice Building Campaign, Mount Brydges Caring Cupboard, 37 Frank Street Café, Women’s Rural Resource Centre, Middlesex Com - munity Living, Southwestern Middlesex Health Centre and the Salvation Army. On June 14, the Strathroy Cruisers Car Club will host their an - nual car show once again. They have been an opening day tra- dition for the Hometown Festival since its inception. More than 200 vintage cars will line the street, starting at the corner of Frank and Front Streets, from 2 pm until 8:30 pm. The Strathroy-Caradoc Cruisers Club’s Wednesday night car shows happen in the Canadian Tire parking lot on Adelaide Road every Wednesday, weather permitting. The weekly show runs from 5 pm to dusk, starting early May to the end of Septem- ber. For more information, contact Mary Wright at 548-888-4364. Father and son enjoy the Strathroy Cruisers Car Show each week. Pictured L-R, Will, Beth and Doug Baker. Photo courtesy of Mary Wright
Page 14 Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc
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Home Run Dreams in Melbourne Steve Morriss, a familiar name in the local baseball scene, is currently fo- cused on a new endeavor that holds immense promise for Melbourne's youth. Alongside Matt Howard and Peter Belrose, Steve reminisces about their shared love for baseball during their time playing together in the Four Counties Slo-Pitch League. All three gentlemen reside in Melbourne and are fathers to young children, nurtur- ing a collective dream of establishing a thriving local baseball league at the Melbourne ball diamond. This dream isn't just about sports—it's about fos- tering a sense of community and giv- ing kids the opportunity to experience the joys of playing locally.
Steve Morriss and son, Jacob
Their journey began with the creation of the Melbourne Sports & Recreation Association, a platform dedicated to revitalizing the once-vibrant Melbourne ball diamond and providing local children with a chance to play and grow in their own backyard.
Melbourne Men's League Champions, 1974.
However, the past 10 years have seen the diamond fall into disuse. Despite the daunting task ahead, Steve remains resolute, noting, "It's overwhelming, but we are determined to make this happen." Their efforts gained traction last year when the Melbourne Agri- cultural Society graciously granted them full operational use and management rights over the main Melbourne baseball diamond. Local businesses also stepped up with generous in-kind donations to kickstart the project. While spring's uncooperative weather has posed challenges, Steve, Matt, and Peter are undeterred in pursu- ing their vision. Youth baseball isn't just about the game; it's a powerful force that bridges generations and strengthens communities. It teaches in- valuable life lessons like teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, shaping young players into future leaders both on and off the field. Moreover, baseball facilities can evolve into community hubs, host- ing gatherings, events, and celebrations that bring people together under a shared passion. To stay updated and learn how you can contribute to this exciting initiative, join the Melbourne Sports & Recreation Association's Facebook group and reach out via email at melbournesportsassoci- ation@gmail.com. Together, we can build a brighter future for Mel- bourne's youth through the love of baseball and community spirit.
Melbourne Men's Fastball Team, 1950.
The Melbourne ball diamond holds a special place in the town's history. In the past, it was the heart of Friday Night fastball games, drawing crowds who cheered passionately for their home team un- der the vibrant lights. Families cherished these outings, not just for the love of the game but also for the community connections they forged with their neighbours. The cantina buzzing with food and drinks added to the festive atmosphere. In 1910, progress was already being made to build a park and racetrack at this location. The first ball diamond was clay soil with grass on the outfield. The first lights on wooden poles were turned on in 1948. Exhibition games were held as fundraisers to help pay for the lights and a second set of lights on steel poles was in- stalled in the 1970s. By the 1980s, the diamond was drained and changed to a surface of chips and dust preventing the rainouts due to flooding. Over the years, a lot of planning, hard work, ded - ication and support from the community of Melbourne went into this amazing facility for playing ball. Melbourne’s softball and slo- pitch teams in the ‘70s and ‘80s were the pride of the town. Every night and every weekend, the Melbourne community gathered to collectively cheer on their team and enjoy the comradery.
Melbourne Ladies Team, 1969.
Issue 44 - June 2024 Page 15
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Page 16 Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc
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King of the Roost by John Caverhill Somehow, along the way, the terms, “chicken” and “chicken- hearted”, have evolved into derogatory terms used to describe those who are timid or “afraid to take a chance”. I started the preceding sentence with the word “somehow” because anyone who has seen a mother hen fly into action in defence of her baby chicks, or a couple of roosters each battling to dominate the other, knows that timidity is not a part of their makeup. For a few years back in the 1950s, the barnyard of our neighbour, Elliott Shipley, was dominated by a large rooster who quickly dispelled any ideas one might have had concerning timid chickens. He feared “neither man nor beast” as he strode roosterfully about the barnyard, a supreme example of rampant male chauvinism. He demanded and accepted as his right, instant and abject obedience from all members of his harem. Any hen unfortunate enough to attract his amorous advances would fly squawking to the far side of the barnyard after the brief copulatory confrontation ended in an explosion of feathers hitherto attached to the hen. The stature of this bird and his belligerent approach to life combined with the malevolent glare from his eyes never failed to impress those who saw him. His whole aspect was that of one who, thoroughly disillusioned with his fate, would sneer, and spit out the side of his beak at any rhapsodizing about the beauty of life. The poor fellow, however, had good reason to be disillusioned with his lot in life. Most of us have experienced sunburn which can vary from mildly uncomfortable to extremely painful. The expression, “Sore as a sunburned neck” obviously originated from someone who experienced the malady on one of the more vulnerable and uncomfortable parts of the human anatomy. To have complained about a sunburned neck to this rooster would have been like complaining to Noah about an upset pail of water. During his early chickenhood, he had fallen victim to some malady that left him completely bereft of feathers except for a thin downy fringe around his neck, a ridiculous tuft on his tail, and a few tattered specimens on the end of each wing. The resulting exposure to the elements, especially the sun, had left his skin a fiery red and if one could have painted his temper, I am sure it would have been equally fiery red. At the time of this story, the big fellow was concluding his second year as boss of the barnyard. Getting maximum egg production requires the annual replacement of your flock of laying hens. Back in the days when most farms had laying hens, the general custom was to buy baby chicks each spring and by mid-fall, they had matured to the point where they started to out-produce
the previous hens which were then sold to make way for the new flock. Arnold Paisley of Ilderton operated his own trucking business and each fall many local farmers called on him to truck their flocks of old hens to the local meat-processing plants such as Coleman’s in London. On this particular day, the loading of the Shipley flock had just been completed, and Arnold was enjoying a cup of tea in the kitchen before departing with his load. Elliott excused himself, slipped out to the barn, grabbed the rooster which he had trapped the night before and slipped it into the top chicken crate on the load. Shortly after, Arnold departed with his load, leaving the barnyard which seemed strangely quiet to the young hens. During chores the next morning, Elliott’s curiosity was roused by an unusual commotion rising from the chickens out in the barnyard. Stepping around the corner of the barn, he was confronted by a large, naked, sunburned rooster. Like the cat who came back, his rooster had likewise returned and was wasting no time in re- establishing himself as ruler of the barnyard. While the Shipleys were at breakfast, the phone rang. It was Arnold with a story to tell. The day before at the packing plant, they were just going to start unloading the hens when they came face-to-face with the head and neck of a rooster sticking out from between the slats of the top crate. Judging from the indignant glare of his eyes, this rooster was not a happy bird. According to Arnold, the workers refused to take the bird when they saw in all his sunburned glory, claiming that even soup made from him would be so tough it would break a spoon. Arnold concluded by saying he was sure the rooster was a family pet who had ended up in the shipping crate by mistake, so he returned the bird late at night not wanting to disturb the Shipley family while they were asleep. Eliott countered that while he appreciated Arnold’s thought- fulness, he had hoped to get double the regular price for the rooster because, in addition to being de-feathered, he was also parboiled! And so, the boss of the barnyard was home to stay. Elliott claimed that his close encounter with the soup kettle left him a better bird. As for the rest of us, while the old fellow seemed as irascible and domineering as ever, one couldn’t help admiring his indomitable spirit as he strode amongst his harem unbowed by the slings of fate.
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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 .
C atty S haCk THE
To advertise here please contact Debbie@villagerpublications.com Page 14 Ilderton and Area Villager • June 2024 London Animal Care Centre: 121 Pine Valley Blvd., (519) 685-1330 The Catty Shack: 756 Windermere Rd., (519) 432-4572
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Issue 44 - June 2024 Page 17
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