Hometown Strathroy - Caradoc September 2025 Issue 56
STRATHROY-CARADOC LOCAL EVENTS – SEPTEMBER
Monday Sept 22 Karaoke Mt. Brydges Legion 1 pm Saturday Sept 27 2025 VON Activity Challenge Lions Park, Mt. Brydges Register at: www.raceroster.com Donations welcome 9 am – 1 pm Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday No-cost dinners First Baptist Church 20 Centre St., Strathroy 6:30 pm Saturday Mornings Downtown Strathroy Market Frank and Front Streets 9 am – 12 pm Beyond the Surface An exhibition of paintings by Karen Caughlin, Sam Haasen, and Sara Melo September 1 – 27 Museum Strathroy-Caradoc 34 Frank St., Strathroy FREE 519-245-0492
Saturday Sept 13 Fall Shopping Event Caradoc Community Centre 565 Lions Park Rd., Mt Brydges 10 am – 2 pm Saturday Sept 13 Mt. Brydges Legion Golf Tourney Wardsville Golf Course $110 per person Shotgun start at 10 am Thursday Sept 18 Ladies Auxilliary – VON Lunch Mt. Brydges Legion Noon – 2 pm $15, pay at the door Call 519-245-3170 to register Saturday Sept 20 Railway Safety Day Train Rides by donation 334 Metcalfe St., Strathroy 10 am – 4 pm Free
Thursdays – Sept 4, 18, 25 Free Lunch All Saint’s Church 124 Front St. E., Strathroy 11:30 am Wednesday Sept 3 Chip Bingo Lions Hall 432 Albert St., Strathroy Doors open 6 pm, Game at 7 pm Friday Sept 5 Childcan Families Afternoon at Kustermans 23188 Springwell Rd., Mt. Brydges Free - Registration required 4 pm – 8 pm Wednesday Sept 10 SC Cruisers Car Club Kahuna’s Kones 23752 Adelaide Rd., Mt Brydges 4:30 pm – dusk (last one of the season)
WEEKLY EVENTS
Strathroy Legion 266 Metcalfe St., W., Strathroy 519-245-0683 Thursdays: Luncheon, Bingo Fridays: Catch The Ace Saturdays: Meat Draw 4th Wednesday: Seniors Euchre
Mt. Brydges Legion 2500 Veterans Dr., Mt. Brydges 519-264-1580 Mondays: Bingo 2nd & 4th Wednesdays: Cards
Fridays: Darts, Euchre Saturdays: Meat Draw
Autumn is just around the corner!
BROKERAGE
519-495-2222 519-495-2222
Quentin Vieira (STAGE MANAGEMENT) “I’m excited to be a Stage Management Student for this year’s High School Project Disney’s Newsies at the Grand Theatre. It’s a great chance to combine my love for the- atre with hands on experience. Being part of HSP has been an amazing way to grow and “As part of the sound crew for Disney’s Newsies at the Grand Theatre, I will help bring the story to life by shaping each moment through sound. I am proud to be contributing behind the scenes, creating a powerful experience for both the cast and the audience.” Erica Mota (EXTRA EXTRA!) “I’m so excited to be a part of the cast of Disney’s Newsies in the Grand Theatre’s High School Project 2025! I can’t wait to bring this incredible story to life on the Grand stage!” do what I’m passionate about.” Alyssa McCulloch (SOUND)
Extra, Extra! Students seize the stage for Grand Theatre High School Project: Disney’s Newsies Famed for its imaginative and iconic dance sequences, Dis- ney’s Newsies is a vibrant musical spectacular inspired by a true story and features a Tony Award-winning score. It’s the per - fect showcase for the talents of more than sixty of London and area’s brightest young artists who will bring the production to life on the Grand Theatre’s Spriet Stage this September. Student artists have arrived at the theatre and are busy preparing for the production, working side by side top professional theatre artists recruited as mentors from across the province, including many who call London home. Disney’s Newsies plays on the Grand Theatre’s Spriet Stage from September 17 to 27, 2025. Single tickets range from $26 to $55 and are available by phone at 519-672-8800, in-person at the Box Office (471 Richmond Street), and online at www. grandtheatre.com/event/newsies. Don’t forget, Grand Theatre 2025/26 Season Subscribers save 15% when they add Disney's Newsies to their season. Let’s meet some of the Strathroy area students who are bringing the show to life:
toria Street and Buchanan Street in Strathroy. As part of this work, approximately 30 meters of sidewalk will be installed on Metcalfe Street West to connect the existing sidewalk on Victo - ria Street to the new crosswalk. Sidewalk replacement locations are all in Mount Brydges and include Church Street, Wellington Street, Gore Street, John Street, Thomas Street, Wesleyan Street, and Franklin Drive. The replacement sidewalks will be the standard 1.5 meters wide which will allow Public Works staff to perform winter mainte- nance on the new sidewalks. Asphalt Resurfacing on Drury Lane and Railroad Street has started and is anticipated to be completed by the end of August. Sidewalk removals have also begun for the Sidewalk Replace - ment program and will be finished by mid-September. Visit the Township website at www.strathroy-caradoc.ca to stay informed on these projects and other events happening in the Strathroy-Caradoc area. Photos courtesy of Strathroy-Caradoc Municipality
Strathroy-Caradoc Construction Update
In June, Strathroy-Caradoc Council passed two construction-re- lated motions to proceed with critical infrastructure improvements. The first was the 2025 Asphalt Resurfacing project, an annu - al capital endeavour to upgrade roads that have deteriorated from regular wear and tear, weather conditions, and increased traffic volumes. Steve Smith Construction Corporation won the tender to com- plete asphalt resurfacing on Drury Lane and Railroad Street in Strathroy. As part of a new approach to ensure quality im- plemented this year, municipal staff contracted B.M. Ross and Associates to assist with project management, site inspection, and geotechnical material testing as part of the Asphalt Resur - facing program. While the project’s original scope was the standard “shave and pave,” an engineering review recommended widening Railroad Street, adding gravel to improve the road base, replacing side- walk ramps to meet Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards on Drury Lane, and addressing drainage issues to ensure long-term performance and safety. While these changes increased the scope of the 2025 Asphalt Resurfacing project and therefore exceeded the original budget, they are a necessary long-term investment towards improving local infrastructure. The second motion passed by Strathroy-Caradoc Council was to proceed with the 2025 Sidewalk Tender awarded to Fiorino Concrete Ltd to install and replace sidewalks in the Strath- roy-Caradoc area. New sidewalk locations include Thorne Drive and English Street in Strathroy. The Municipality is also adding a crosswalk at Vic -
Road work on Drury Lane
Road work on Railroad Street
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Drink, Dab & Dance for Strathroy Hospice The Board of Directors for the new Strathroy Hospice invite you to drink, dab and dance the evening away at their upcoming Juke Box Bingo fundraiser Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Mount Brydges Community Centre, 565 Lions Park Drive. The fun gets underway at 7 pm and lasts until 12 am. “It’s Name That Tune meets Bingo,” explains Darren Micallef, Board Vice-Chair and the key organizer of this event. “A live DJ mixes radio hits, retro tunes and classic songs while players dab the songs on bingo cards. There will be more music and dancing after the games.” The money raised at Juke Box Bingo will support the building and operations of Strathroy Hospice. “Our hospice will serve anyone needing palliative care from Strathroy-Caradoc, in- cluding the rural and Indigenous communities in the surrounding area,” adds Darren.
Hometown Strathroy- Caradoc Issue #56 September 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 The Del Ko Brydge U10 Boys Tier 2 Panthers
Tickets are available at Damen Optimal Health, Mainstream Credit Union, or The Still in Mount Brydges. The price is $50 per per - son for bingo, the dance, and pizza from An- dy’s Pizza. VIP tables of eight are also avail - able for $480 and include one round of NE1 canned cocktails. For more information, visit www.strathroyhos- pice.com or follow the hospice on Facebook. Anyone interested in sponsoring the event should contact Darren Micallef by emailing Darren@everaspirecoaching.com.
Proudly Canadian Villager Publications is a proudly Canadian-owned and operated compa - ny, deeply committed to supporting our local communities. We’re ALL and ONLY about your LOCAL artisans, entrepreneurs, events, service organi - zations, businesses, people and places. Creating jobs for fellow Canadians, we use all homegrown resources to write, design, publish, print and deliver your Villager magazines each month. With every issue, we celebrate the spirit of Canada.
Villager Publications proudly produces locally-focused magazines in 12 different communities, celebrating the unique stories, people, and character that make each area special. All of our printed magazines can also be enjoyed online at www.villagerpublications.com. CELEBRATING LOCAL STORIES ACROSS 12 COMMUNITIES
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Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc September 2025
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Community Cupboards Almost Bare Two Strathroy foodbanks are finding their cupboards are empty - ing more frequently because more people are coming to them for help, thanks to daily increases in the cost of living. The foodbank at Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) is avail - able to anyone, regardless of age, including seniors. However, access is limited to once a month to ensure they don't run critical- ly low on essential items. “In a small town, rising costs don’t just strain wallets—they strain hearts,” says Michelle Helkaa, Community Employment Specialist at YOU. “Food donations are a lifeline for our most vulnerable neighbours, ensuring that the homeless, our youth, and our seniors are nourished not just with meals, but with dig - nity and hope.” YOU's list of needed items includes things you might find in your pantry or cupboards. “We also have a large chest freezer and two fridges to store things that need to be kept cold,” Michelle adds. “Unfortunate - ly, we can’t accept fresh produce because we don’t know when someone will access it.” Food or monetary donations can be dropped off at 32 Front Street West, across from Back Alley Burrito in Strathroy, Monday to Fri - day, 9 am to 4:30 pm. For more information, contact Michelle Helkaa at 519-282-5750, Kristan Foley at 519-852-7719, or the YOU Strathroy main line by calling 519-432-1112, ext. 501. The Women’s Rural Resource Centre (WRRC) has also put out a call on their social media, asking for donations for their Food Same caring, professional staff – now located down the hall. CLOSED The Middlesex-London Health Unit’s Main Office in the Shops on Sydenham will close on September 30. The Dental Clinic will remain open. Clients booked for Sexual Health and Vaccination Clinics will be seen in the Dental Clinic. Drop off your well-water samples here too! Questions: strathroyoffice@mlhu.on.ca 519-663-5317
Cupboard program, which supports local individuals, children and families facing tough times. Their shelves are nearly bare as well. Like YOU, WRRC will ac - cept typical pantry items with good expiry dates and unopened boxes, along with any personal care items. “We also support clients with grocery and gas cards and have a freezer and fridge to store milk, eggs and meat for the communi- ty,” adds Vidhya Sunitha Pushpajanpillai, Administrative Coordi - nator at WRRC. Donations can be dropped off anytime at WRRC, 145 Beech Street, Strathroy. For more information, contact Vidhya at vid - hyap@wrrcsa.org or 519-246-1526, x 601.
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Special Wishes from your Community Businesses, Clubs, Neighbours and Friends
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Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc September 2025
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ARTIST OF THE MONTH
Finding the Story to Paint For John Ziler, one of The Art Group – Strathroy Caradoc’s newest members, the best part of painting is telling a story. He loves capturing a moment in time that draws the viewer into the scene, encour- aging them to create a story from what they see.
error and by taking a few art courses at Fanshawe College. “It was well before the internet when I started as a young boy,” John adds. “Books and the library were a great help in learning techniques.” John appreciates all forms of painting, but he is drawn to realism when creating his own work. He primarily paints with acrylic but also dabbles in oils and watercolours, working from photographs, drawing the scenes and then painting in the blocks and detail. Over the years, John has found that art has trained his mind to become more observant of the world around him. It’s also helped him leave the negativity of that world behind. “Painting is such a constructive diversion,” he explains. “You can become so im - mersed in it that time passes incredibly fast.” For John, the ultimate reward in painting comes when he sells a piece and realizes that someone thought his work was good enough to adorn their home. Molly Maid John knows his work appeals to at least one person. Laughing, he shares the story of how a painting in a local thrift store caught his eye one day. “I bought it, took it home and found my name on it dated 2002.” To see more of John’s work or to learn more about The Art Group – Strathroy Caradoc, visit www.theartgroupstrathroy.com.
“Being a farm boy, I enjoy painting rural settings with old buildings which always have a story. It’s interesting to imagine what that story is,” John explains. Growing up on a farm near Dashwood, west of Exeter, John was always drawing, colouring and painting with watercolours from an old tin box. “I’ve done it for as long as I can remember,” he adds. “I wanted to be an automotive designer as a young boy and spent many hours drawing cars.” John became an elementary teacher instead and taught for 32 years, including art, where he taught his students drawing, pot- tery, and painting with watercolours. At 82, John’s longest-running student has been himself. He is a self-taught artist who learned to draw and paint through trial and Kung Fu & Tai Chi School EXPERIENCE MARTIAL ARTS AND WELLNESS BOOK A TRIAL CLASS AT https://kungfu-taichi.ca Dedicated classes for children • Day Camps Classes for teens, adults and seniors. (226) 998-8703 Enhance Physical Health, Confidence and Self Esteem with Sifu Carlos Ferraz 190 Wortley Rd. Martial Arts and Wellness Programs in the Heart of Wortley Village
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has prescribed an NSAID like naproxen, you should also avoid all non-prescription products that contain other NSAIDs like ibu - profen. To be sure you are making the right choice, ask your pharmacist for help. Caution is needed with other forms too Some pain relief medication is also sold in forms not taken by mouth, such as products that you apply on your skin or supposi- tories. Even if these products are not taken orally, the amount of ingredient they contain could be enough to cause an accidental overdose if you take them together with an oral pain relief med- ication. It is the total quantity of medication that counts, not the way you take it. Your pharmacist can help If your pain is not sufficiently relieved by the medication you have been prescribed, talk to your pharmacist before increasing the dose or taking a second medication to relieve it. Your phar - macist will analyze your situation and be able to propose a safe and effective solution. Your pharmacist is there to make sure you are using your medications correctly, for example by ensuring they do not interact and are suited to your needs. Always follow his or her recommendations, and ask questions if you have any doubts or concerns. www.guardian-ida-remedysrx.ca/en/article/acetamino- phen-anti-inflammatories-and-overdose#
How to Avoid Accidental Overdose of Common Pain Medication Your Pharmacists can help with Medication Questions Pharmacist Meagan McGill
Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medications you can buy with- out a prescription at the pharmacy, whether to relieve headaches, back pain, temporary muscle aches, or menstrual cramps. They are also of- ten prescribed to relieve chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis If your doctor has prescribed a medication to relieve your chron- ic pain, you should be especially careful about using over-the- counter (OTC) medications at the same time. By doing so, you could be consuming the same active ingredient twice and get- ting a dose that’s too high, without you realizing it. and other chronic diseases. Risk of accidental overdose Every year in Canada, approximately 4,500 people are hospi - talized for mistakenly taking too much acetaminophen. When taken in high doses, acetaminophen can damage the liver, while anti-inflammatories can cause serious heart, stomach or kidney problems. Know what to look for Don’t simply rely on the name on the label (brand name) when buying over-the-counter medication as many products with dif- ferent brand names may contain the same active ingredient. Take the time to read the ingredient list or ask your pharmacist. It is also important to be very careful with cold and flu or allergy medications. “All-in-one” medications often contain acetamino - phen or an NSAID such as ibuprofen. If your doctor prescribes you an anti-inflammatory from the NSAID family, you must also be careful not to take a second over-the-counter NSAID, which may have different active ingre - dient names. Since NSAIDs all act in a similar manner, their ad - verse effects tend to be cumulative. For example, if your doctor
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Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc September 2025
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on Valentine's Day. They also coordinate a medical equipment lending program for anyone who needs items such as wheel- chairs, walkers, toilet seats, or crutches. The only requirement is for people to return the item when it's no longer needed. You will find Mount Brydges Lions at most community events, such as the Farmers Community Night and, more recently, the Rockin Wheel fundraiser. These “trailer events” help raise money by selling hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings, and poutine. Ron Madill, the club’s most senior youngster at 91, a dedicated Lion since 1959 and the source for the club’s history, adds “It's great to be a Lion!” Mount Brydges Lions meet at the Mount Brydges Community Centre on Lions Park Drive, Mount Brydges, on the first and third Monday of the month. Strathroy Lions Established in 1924, the Strathroy Lions currently have 45 mem - bers who work hard to support local needs wherever possible. Some of the ways they get involved include hosting bingo nights and food drives, working in the community garden and hosting their winter BBQ and Good Friday Brunch. One key fundraising project the club is involved with is selling 50/50 tickets to raise money for a $35,000 service dog from the Lions Foundation (dogguides.com). The Strathroy Lions also participate in local events, like the Hometown Festival, Canada Day celebrations, and, of course, their Tree of Lights ceremony and the Santa Claus Parade. “We are a passionate group dedicated to serving the community where we can,” says Lion Mariette Desjardine, who has been a Lion for 27 years. “We reinvest all the money we raise through our events into the community.” Strathroy Lions meet at the Lions Hall, 432 Albert Street, Strath - roy, on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, except July and August. For over a century, the Strathroy Lions Club has contributed to the betterment of Strathroy by building facilities and raising money for various community projects and charities. For example, their new Disc Golf Course on Albert Street recently had its grand opening. Everyone who is a Lion or Lioness volunteers their time and energy to make their community a better place to live. The quiet evidence of their hard work is everywhere you look, from the flowers hanging from streetlamps to financial support provided to many local and national charities to the delicious food served at the next community event. The danger facing the Lions, and all service clubs, is that as members get older, there may not be anyone to carry on the es- sential work these organizations do. Being part of such a mighty force may seem daunting. However, the message from all the clubs is the same: Do what you can. “As a member, you don’t have to come to every event or meet - ing,” explains Tom Aitken, President of the Melbourne Lions. “We know people are busy. We’re grateful for whatever time someone can give.” The Strathroy and Mount Brydges clubs echo that message.
One Act of Kindness at a Time “We are serving a world in need. One act of kindness at a time” is the tagline for Lions International, a community-focused orga- nization with 1.4 million members worldwide, serving in 49,000 clubs throughout 200 countries and regions, and donating over $1 billion to various charities and community projects. Three of those clubs quietly perform mighty acts of kindness in the corner of the world that is Strathroy-Caradoc. These clubs have existed for countless years, raising money, organiz- ing community events, and making their communities brighter, cleaner, and safer spaces in which to live. Melbourne Lions
The Melbourne Lions Club is a small but mighty force in Melbourne. The club started in 1980 with 30 mem- bers. Forty-five years later, with a current membership of 20 dedicat- ed volunteers, the club stays busy with key community events, such as their pancake supper on Shrove
Tuesday in February and a chicken BBQ dinner every spring. They also do a spring clean-up on the highway near Melbourne, and you will see members selling fresh-cut French fries at vari- ous community events like the Del-Ko-Brydge Canada Day cel- ebrations and the Melbourne Agricultural Society’s Fair Day. The money raised at these events helps support several local charities in the area, including the Women’s Rural Resource Centre (WRRC), 37 Frank Street, and Camp Dorset, among others. They also contribute to the Eyes Right and Knights of the Blind, two of Lions International’s flagship programs. The club’s focus has always been to make its community a little brighter. One Lion does this regularly with witty messages on a roadside sign that offer passers-by a daily giggle. Melbourne Lions meet at the Melbourne Agricultural Society’s hall, 21886 Melbourne Road, Melbourne, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. The second meeting is always a dinner meeting hosted by the ladies of the Melbourne Agricul - tural Society. Mount Brydges Lions
Founded in 1948, the Mount Bry - dges Lions Club has spent the last 77 years striving to strengthen and improve their community by sup- porting local charities financially and by building spaces for indi- viduals, families, and children to gather and play. The Mount Brydges Lions were in - strumental in helping to finance and
To advertise here please contact Debbie@villagerpublications.com build many of the amenities within the community, including the arena, community center, splash pad, soccer fields, and Fletch - er baseball diamond. They’ve also upgraded the playground with equipment and created beautiful wheelchair accessible trails. Today, the Mount Brydges Lions has 35 dedicated members who have found unique ways to add to their contribution. For exam- ple, they pay for parking at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital
Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc September 2025
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Hometown Golf News by Jeffrey Reed A hometown golfer is headed to the Home of Golf. Strathroy’s Taylor Kehoe, a senior with the Michigan State Spartans women’s golf squad, will compete with her teammates in the 2025 St Andrews Links Collegiate at the his- toric Old and Jubilee Courses in St Andrews, Scotland on Oct. 13-15. Both the Spartans men’s and wom - en’s teams will be joined in the four- school field by Cal, Princeton and the University of St Andrews. “Our team is very excited to repre- sent Michigan State golf and our university at this once-in-a-lifetime
Award-winning golf jour - nalist Jeffrey Reed has covered the sport in South - western Ontario since 1980. Reed is publisher and editor of LondonOntarioSports. com. Contact him at jeff@ londonontariosports.com.
Local Golf Boosts Economy Southwestern Ontario golfers have access to 13 private golf clubs, 112 semi-private and public clubs, 20 stand-alone out- door golf practice centres, numerous golf ranges housed at lo- cal clubs and open to public golfers, plus a growing number of indoor golf simulators and practice centres. The latest study from the National Allied Golf Associations (NAGA) reports that Strathroy and area golf courses help con - tribute a massive $23.2 billion annually to Canada’s GDP. The study said Canadians played 74 million rounds of golf in 2023, while spending $14.2 billion on everything from green fees to golf clubs.
event,” MSU women’s head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll said. “The opportunity to bring our team to the birthplace of golf and to play internationally is a trip we will always remember.” Kehoe, a University of Alabama transfer who competed in the U.S. Women’s Amateur championship in early August, appeared in 10 tournaments and played 30 rounds for the Spartans during the 2024-25 season. She finished an impressive second on the team with a 72.43 scoring average – the seventh-best sin - gle-season mark in Michigan State history. She earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. Daughter of Mike and Elisha Kehoe of Strathroy, Taylor first swung a golf club at age 6 and played her early rounds at Strathroy’s Bear Creek Golf and Country Club (now Willow Tree Golf), and at Caradoc Sands Golf Club. Heart Award Nominations Open
For a 16th year, nominations are open for the LondonOntarioGolf.com Heart Award, one of Ontario’s most presti - gious golf awards. The winner, chosen by the Heart Award committee, is hon- oured for unselfishly giving back to golf while growing the game in Southwestern Ontario, and falls within the category of golf professional/instructor, golf mentor, golf course owner/operator, golf course architect/designer or media member. Long-time Sunningdale Golf & Coun-
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try Club head golf professional Jason Wyatt captured the 2025 Heart Award. His long tenure at Sunningdale – 36 years – is alone impressive and unique to the Canadian golf industry. Wy- att has dedicated his life to the game as a mentor, a fundraiser and an innovator. He said, “To be recognized as the 2025 Heart Award recipient is such an honour. The game of golf has been my life, and to continue to grow the game, change the golf in- dustry and continue to mentor young professionals is still my passion. I believe these are the pillars of the Heart Award.” Visit LondonOntarioGolf.com to download the Heart Award nomination form.
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Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc September 2025
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Mayor’s Message As summer winds down and we head into au- tumn, I want to highlight a few different topics that you may be curious about. First, I’d like to report on a topic that is per - sonal to me, having grown up in the area. The County of Middlesex recently completed the installation of traffic lights at the corner of Mel - bourne and Glendon Roads. This corner has historically had a significant number of acci - dents and fatalities. Having grown up in the Melbourne area, I am aware of this history, and I was proud to lead the charge at the County to get this project completed. I want to thank Southwest Middlesex Mayor Alan Mahyew and all of the County Council for supporting this im- portant initiative. Second, you may be wondering what our Coun- cil’s priorities are as everyone heads back to work or school. Our number one priority in the coming months is the completion of the 2026 Budget. A very close second is deciding on the Mount Brydges wastewater treatment facility and the direction we are going to take to bring it into compliance. Third, also a wastewater is- sue, is the expansion of the Strathroy waste- water treatment plant. To me, these decisions are the largest and most important ones Coun- cil will make in the coming months.
Third, you may be wondering about what more is being done about housing. In my role as Coun- ty Councillor, I was appointed to and serve as vice-chair for London and Middlesex Community Housing (LMCH), which looks at revamping cur - rent housing or creating new housing. As part of their regeneration program, they are working on a plan for a new project in Strathroy. However, and this is very important to note, it’s in the very early stages and will require multiple approvals. Last, I’d like to offer a brief reflection on what I’ve enjoyed and learned so far in my term as mayor. It’s the people–this great community filled with amazing people. I have truly enjoyed meeting many new people and look forward to continuing to do so. Many times, concerns are expressed, and I enjoy trying to help resolve the problem. So, it’s the people who live here who make this an amazing job. And yes, you do keep me on my toes! Happy September, everyone and welcome back!!
Colin Grantham, Mayor 519.245.1105 x 251 cgrantham@strathroy-caradoc.ca www.strathroy-caradoc.ca
Colin
Open Borders on the Ice this Season With hockey season around the corner, minor hockey teams and the fans that support them may see some interesting changes in who’s playing on what team this year. nounced transformational changes to its Player Movement Reg - ulations. Specifically, they removed the catchment borders dic - tating on which team a player could play. For example, a child living in Strathroy could not play for the Mount Brydges Cougars. According to the OHF website, these residency rules–that is, play where you live—have been in place for decades, and in many cases, date back to the inception of minor hockey in Ontario. This change now lets families choose where they want their child to play hockey. Last December, the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) an - One hockey mom whose son plays for the Mount Brydges Cougars is excited about what this means for the game. “Hopefully, organizations will focus more on development and coaching to retain and attract players, which will result in the strengthening of many of the OHF teams, including the Cougars.” Open Borders will transform the face of minor hockey, and undoubtedly, the hockey landscape will be smooth skating for youth hockey in our community.
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Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc September 2025
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Painting is for the Birds This past August, the Gallery Painting Group of London visited Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre in Mount Brydges to paint the recovering animals and their surroundings. Forty members of the group en- joyed a presentation by Brian Salt, then got down to work capturing on canvas the beautiful surround- ings and the majesty of the ani - mals rehabilitating at the Centre. The Gallery Painting Group was founded in 1953 and presently has a membership of 70 talented
The Gallery Painting Group doing a post-session critique
artists. The group meets twice weekly throughout the summer at various locations in and around the London area to paint scenes of beauty and interest. From October 23 to October 26, the group will host its annu- al show and sale at First-St. Andrews Church in London. More than 300 paintings produced this summer from a variety of loca- tions will be on display. For more information or to see samples of work by the group’s members, visit www.gallerypaintinggroup.com. Photos courtesy of the Gallery Painting Group, Michele Stewart
Laggar Falcon in charcoal and pastel by Michele Stewart
Rehabilitation Centre Grounds in oil by Catherine Eichstedt
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Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc September 2025
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The Harmony of Friendship and Fun When Kris Gear sold Patrick McLaughlin a house in 2013, nei - ther of them realized it would be the start of a creative endeav- our that would morph into an enigmatic, high-energy Green Day/ punk cover band called The Insomniax. Kris and Patrick grew up in Komoka and Delaware, respective- ly. They met while playing hockey together in their twenties; yet their musical paths never crossed until that fortuitous sale. “The house was close to mine, and we enjoyed hanging out,” recalls Kris. “We realized we had music in common, and that became a regular part of spending time together.” Jam sessions, featuring Kris on guitar and vocals and Patrick on drums, became a weekly event for years, even during COVID. “I wouldn’t have gotten through the pandemic without Kris and the time we spent together,” adds Patrick. Four years ago, Jody Pincombe, Kris’s friend from Strathroy, heard of the weekly jams and wanted in. “I told Jody to learn bass because we had the other instruments covered,” laughs Kris. “He bought a bass and taught himself to play!” It didn’t take Jody long to fit in. “Jody has been an amazing ad - dition,” adds Patrick. “He’s a great guy, and he’s improved leaps and bounds as a bass player in his short time playing.” Three years ago, an invitation to perform at a backyard party lit a new fire in the trio’s heart. “The energy from the crowd felt so good,” Kris shares. “We began craving doing more live shows and decided to start a formal band.” The band was dubbed The Insomniax in honour of Kris’s love for Green Day’s music. “After listening to song after song, I scanned the Green Day album names and The Insomniax stuck,” says Jody. The Insomniax play nineties pop punk and rock, but their music spans other genres. “We do rocked-up versions of great songs. Anything from John Denver to the Ramones and everything in between,” says Jody. “We take older songs and add a twist to give them a bit of an edge,” Kris adds. The Insomniax brand themselves as the “most mediocre high-en- ergy Green Day/Punk rock cover band in London,” but all three members bring years of experience to their gigs. Kris has played guitar and sang in bands since high school. Jody has also been a musician since his youth, playing a multitude of
Left to right: Jody, Patrick, and Kris
instruments including piano, trumpet, guitar and now bass. He and Kris became friends when they sang in the same band as teens. Patrick, the only member who worked as a professional musician, grew up playing drums, guitar, and singing. He started his first band in grade 7 and toured as a drummer in his twenties, perform- ing throughout Canada, the US, Europe, and Scandinavia. Modesty and talent aside, it’s the love, respect, and deep friend - ship these three men feel for each other that feeds the notes they play and sing together. “It started for me as guaranteed hang time with Kris,” says Pat - rick. “I value this time with my friends and look forward to getting together the same way I did when I was 12.” Jody and Kris concur. They also look forward to having fun play- ing great tunes together. Kris sums it up: “I love playing the mu- sic that I love, with friends that I love.” The Insomniax are all about sharing that love on stage, igniting the energy with their harmonies and creative spins on classic songs, revving up their audience to join in the fun. To book The Insomniax for parties and events or see where they’re playing next, follow them on Facebook at "The Insomniax". Photos courtesy of Insomniax
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A Tale for Baby Boomers by Steve Down
Does 663-J mean anything to you? Mull this over as you read on. The 1950s and ‘60s were a simpler time to grow up in a small town like Strathroy. There were no stoplights, no McDonalds, no Tim Hortons. What Strathroy had were magnificent tree-lined streets and a charming, friendly atmosphere. Children could ride their bicycles on any street with no concerns for safety. The era of the magnificent steam locomotives was nearing an end. Sitting on the front steps of my grandparents’ home on Oxford Street watching the billowing black smoke spiralling skyward from these iron beasts was a thrill. And it was fun to keep a list of the many different train cars from all over North America that went flying by on the rails. Once the train passed, I would look for the horse-drawn milk wagon to come down the street as it made its daily delivery to homes. The fascinating thing was to see this horse automatically stop in front of the right house as the delivery man jumped off. Each morning hundreds of glass bottles of milk were dropped off at Colborne School, too, to be given out to the students. This era was before in-town students rode school buses, so getting to Colborne was a matter of riding a bike, walking, or being driven by a parent a distance that by today’s standards would seem absurdly far. Colborne is featured in another mem- ory. An annual soap drive was held at the school, with literally hundreds of bars of soap being collected by the students and taken to Strathroy Hospital for use by patients. I once had the opportunity to accompany the school principal, Mr. MacVicar, on a soap delivery to the hospital. (He was one imposing principal because of his physical height!) Another school project involved students bringing in used fruit baskets. I guess it was both a fundraiser and an early form of recycling. In the 1950s, Strathroy Hospital was housed in a red, brick building across the street from the current SMGH. I had the mis - fortune of needing its services as a child. My only vivid recollec - tion was of riding up what seemed like an open freight elevator on a stretcher, then having a mask placed over my face with the never-to-be-forgotten stench of ether. Nurses back then wore immaculate white dresses and cute little white hats. For many years Strathroy Hospital was actually a training school for nurs- es, with a class graduating every year. How many people can remember visiting the Strathroy Zoo? It was known as the Pincombe Zoo – a fence-enclosed area at the bend of Front Street East which held peacocks, as well as deer and other local wildlife. And one of the town’s dentists was Dr. Tremner who had an office on the south side of Front Street ad - jacent to the Lamantia Hotel. Memories come to mind of either
Colborne Street School, Circa 1950s or 1960s.
being a patient or simply walking by his office. It was hard not to stare as his dentist chair was right in front of a big window with Venetian blinds, mere inches from the street. I recall the House of Refuge, now Strathmere Lodge, a scary place from a child’s point of view. This very old multi-storey brick building housed many unfortunate seniors and others with no place to live. Oh, and by the way, 663-J was our home phone number. Mak - ing a phone call involved talking to an operator at the local telephone exchange, who connected you manually to what- ever number you wished to reach. It was only later that the black rotary phones came into use. Now you can add your own memories! Published in The Age Dispatch, August 28, 2014
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Hometown Strathroy-Caradoc September 2025
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Art’es Bakery: a Taste of Portugal in Strathroy by Michelle Chevalier
I hadn't spent much time in the Strathroy area until I started a job here a few years ago. Chain coffee establishments were nev- er my go-to, so I tried Art’es Bak - ery and soon became a regular customer during coffee breaks. The initial draws for me were the great-tasting coffee and the European ambience, with the wonderful-smelling fresh-baked breads and an array of tantaliz- ing sweets. Adding to the atmo- sphere were the lively sounds of Portuguese being spoken.
Not surprisingly, fish and seafood are also available for pur - chase at Art’es in the form of canned and frozen items, such as cod, tuna, sardines, shrimp patties, and even octopus. On the shelves is an array of imported oils and other condiments, such as olives, and of course, beans. Maria said that she loves Strathroy, although someday, she would like to retire in her native country. Strathroy is fortunate to have a place where everyone can experience a taste of Portugal. It adds to the diverse culture that we are so proud of in Canada.
Fernando Goncalves and his wife, Maria Pima, own Art’es Bakery. I spoke to Maria about the history of the bakery. Art’es (pronounced "Artish" in Portuguese) means "art" or "the art of," and to Maria and Fernando, this refers to the art of baking. Maria emigrated twenty-seven years ago in search of a better life. She met Portuguese-born pastry chef Fernando in Toronto, and when the former Caldense bakery came up for sale twelve years ago, they made their way to Strathroy to open Art’es. When you enter the bakery, one of the first things to catch your attention is the tantalizing display of sweet treats, all made by Fernando. There are some Canadian and European sweets such as the cream-filled cannoli, mini cheesecakes, tiramisu, and fruit turnovers. Portuguese offerings include custard-filled tarts and flaky pastries, as well as bean tarts, which Maria ex - plained originated in the Portuguese Islands. A particular cus- tomer favourite is the fresh, thick sugar donut sandwiching a layer of custard. The breads are primarily sourdough, made into rounds and buns. After drying for a few days, the round sourdough be- comes a vessel for the "sopas" or soup, which is served during the Portuguese festival called Espirito Santo, soon to be cel - ebrated at the Portuguese Canadian Club of Strathroy. Corn- bread, which is served with fish typically, and sweet breads round out the choices.
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