Welcome to the Club - Winter 2022
A Magazine for 55+ Like No Other! Welcome to The Club features timeless articles and anecdotes including many from the archives of Daytripping Magazine. It's online at www.welcometotheclub.ca and is also distributed free in Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario.
A Magazine for 55+ Like No Other!
Welcome to The Club features timeless articles and anecdotes including many from the archives of Daytripping Magazine. It's online at www.welcometotheclub.ca and is also distributed free in Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Welcome to ...
THE
FREE E & PRICELESS
S
A GUIDE U E
TO BEING E
I
G OVER E THE E HILLI
L
...which.w isbeer
e
under it!
CLUB
Sarnia-Lambton
A ‘’New’ ’
Magazine a azine for PEOPLE E
P L
E
who o
aren’t
r
e
t
Is Sarnia-Lambton
the Live, local
music capital
of canada?
See arcle on Pages 20-22
L to R: Steve Mullen, e , Paul u Maguire, Chrisne Chrisne Storey
www.facebook.com/CelcHillbillies/
From the creators of...
welcometotheclub.ca
VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 1 WINTER 2022
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Welcome to our Winter 2022 issue!
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
P A G E
2
Our bottom borders contain Sarnia residents’ responses to a post on the
This FREE magazine is distributed in most of Sarnia-Lambton.
It’s only Rock & Roll...
By Mark Moran, Publisher
What’s bugged me about every other
“seniors” magazine I’ve ever seen is that
they try to be two things at once — with
articles about challenges as we age on
the inside pages, but with a flashy photo
of Lady Gaga in a meat dress on the front
cover. Yes, she actually wore a meat dress
once... who could make that up?
So here’s your latest issue of Welcome
to The Club and our cover story is about
the local, live music scene. I’m going to
defend this decision (and it’s a bit too
late to change it now anyway) but you
are always welcome to let us know how
we’re doing, and what you’d like to see
in ‘your’ magazine. I’m very serious...
please feel free to call or write anytime.
Playing music locally is something
I know about very well, having done it
almost all my life. There is a newsworthy
momentum building in our local music
industry and my first instinct was to
send the story to the Sarnia Journal. It’s
a fantastic paper and, while I suppose
we’re all in competition, the Journal’s
excellent local coverage is the kind of
competition I greatly admire. But then
the article kept growing and growing and
I realized that I just happen to publish
Advertisement Bloopers
Every newspaper or magazine makes mistakes from time to time (except for
Daytripping of course.) But sometimes the customer does! These are excerpts
from actual classified ads people placed in various papers, showing obvious (and
not so obvious) mistakes made. As you'll notice, many were unintentional.
2 female Boston
Terrier puppies,
7 wks old, perfect
markings, 555-1234.
Leave mess.
Vacation Special:
have your home
exterminated.
Now is your
chance to have
your ears
pierced and get
an extra pair to
take home, too.
Used Cars:
Why go
elsewhere to
be cheated?
Come here
first!
Lost: Small apricot
poodle. Reward.
Neutered.
Like one of the family.
Wanted:
Unmarried girls to
pick fresh fruit and
produce at night.
Dog For Sale:
Eats anything
and is fond of
children.
Get rid of aunts: Zap
does the job in 24 hours.
For Sale:
an antique desk
suitable for lady
with thick legs
and large
drawers.
a magazine and, while it may not be a
perfect fit, you’ll probably forgive me. I
also reasoned that I’m over 55 and more
and more of my fellow musicians are my
age, older or getting close.
It also occurred to me that someone
who turns 80 this year was 16 when
Johnny B Goode went #1 and 24 when
the Beatles crossed the ocean in 1964.
You had a choice to love or hate disco
and may have completely avoided Devo
and Milli Vanilli. You may have lived the
greatest rock and roll life of anyone! If you
didn’t, well... don’t shoot the messenger.
There’s also an excellent article by
Cathy Dobson about the stunning
changes and lottery success that has put
Sarnia’s Imperial Theatre a decade ahead
of where supporters hoped it could be.
And of course we also have a number of
timeless articles from the archives of our
sister publication, Daytripping.
So please look it over and let us
know what you think. I’m writing this
in December and fear that we will all
have more free time than we’d like in the
coming weeks, so I hope this magazine,
‘your’ magazine, is a welcome escape.
Thanks for reading!
For Rent:
6 room
hated
apartment
.
For Sale:
Eight puppies
from
a German
Shepperd
and an
Alaskan Hussy.
Man, honest.
Will take anything.
Dinner Special:
Turkey $2.35;
Chicken or Beef $2.25,
Children $2.00.
Great
Dames
for sale.
Tired of
cleaning
yourself?
Let me
do it?
We do not tear your
clothing with
machinery. We do it
carefully by hand.
Mt. Kilimanjaro,
the breathtaking
backdrop for the
Serena Lodge.
Swim in the
lovely pool
while you drink
it all in.
Welcome to The Club is published four times annually by Moran Advertising, Brights Grove, Ontario. The publisher reserves
the right to reject, discontinue or omit any advertisment without notice or penalty to either party. No portion of this
publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without the permission of Moran Advertising. The content of this
publication does not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher. The content of this publication has not been deemed
by the publisher to be correct and accurate. The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising
directly or indirectly from errors occuring in this publication beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by that
portion of the advertisment in which the error occurred, whether such error is due to the negligence of its servants or
otherwise, and there shall be no liablity for non insertion of any advertisment beyond the amount paid for such advertisment.
Use of Material: submitted articles, letters, and other works or materials may be used, published, distributed and stored by
Moran Advertising, Welcome To The Club, and Daytripping Magazine, in whole or in part, in print or by any other means.
Welcome to ...
Welcome to ...
THE
THE Club
CLUB
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 • WINTER 2022
Trivia 4
Discount List 6
Word Search 8
Postcards from the Past 10
Recipes 19
Crossword 27
Milestones & Memories 32
Other Stuff 1-40
Cathy Dobson, on
o , Lee Michaels, s
A.C. Stone, Beryl Beckett, k
ett,
t,
Mike
Keenan, enan
, Lambton b
Archives, A
h
e , John h
Gardiner, n r,
Chris h Treftlin,
n
Mariann M ann Pafford, d Mrs G. Halpin, i , Kelly-Lynn y Musico, i o Estelle
le
Salata, l Glynn y n A. A Leyshon, e
Therese es
e Lecuyer, y r Janet Robinson,
b
i n,
Eileen en
Cade-Edwards, d
e d
s
Agnes g e
Burroughs, roug
ughs
Lyn Tremblay,
Sipkens Nurseries, s,
Megan a
Nichol, i h l Sheila Tiernay, n y Dan Peer,
e r
Doug Nicholson, i on
, Barry B Loxton, on, Mike k
Sexton, n Leo e
Spence p n e and a d
all a l the Recipe i
p
and a d
Milestones i n s & Memories es
submissions.
b
ssio
ions
Mark Moran - Publisher, Ad Sales
Carrie Ann Timm - Associate so
Publisher
Carla MacGregor r - Advertising in
Sales
Rhonda Long - Advertising in
Sales
Angela Lyon - Graphics & Article Formatting
Carla Mejia j - Graphic p Design
g
From the publishers
of Daytripping Magazine
The Club Features
You’ll find
current and
nostalgic
articles
throughout
The Club.
YOUR CONTRIBUTORS
CLUB STAFF
P.O. Box 430 • Brights Grove, ON • N0N 1C0
519-491-1676 • info@welcometotheclub.ca@
Articles & Local Photo
Submissions Always Welcome!
www.welcometotheclub.ca
A Magazineg
for 55+
like no other!
winter 2022 Facebook Group “If You Grew Up in Sarnia” asking “What did life teach you?” P A G E 3
Welcome to ...
TAKE HOME!
Fresh Made Comfort Food
A tradition since 1992!
105 MICHIGAN AVENUE
PT. EDWARD • 519-344-2855
BUTTONS
&
Bows
Casual Elegance
at its finest!
THE Club
Ladies Clothing
& Accessories
From size 6t 8!
January ar
through March Hours:
Tues-Fri 10 to t
4 • Saturday t
10 to 3
www.buttons-and-bows.ca
nd bows.c
a
131 Michigan Avenue, Point Edward • 519-491-1412
You must be 55 or over to read this magazine (but we won’t rat on you).
Do you live in the
BOONIES?
The CLUB is
available at all
Lambton County
libraries
(while they last)!
A Perfectly
Polished Look!
WOODEN
116 Michigan Ave
SPOON
POINT EDWARD
(519) 344-3535
SURVIVOR
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
www.twinbridgelighng.com
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
“Your Feet Will Be In Good Hands”
Contact Julie Today!
Are your feet f sore r
and a n
d
keeping i
you o
from
r m
doing i the things that t you u love?
Cerfied Cerfied Master t
Pedicurist ist - Julie Coulombe
ombe
will give you the best experience and the
professional aenon your feet need!
ADVANCED FOOTCARE
Diabecs, Ingrowns, Corns, Warts,
Fungus & other common foot problems
519-344-1071 • Julie@athomespa.ca
At Home Spa @ Mara Surgical Clinic
704 Mara St. Point Edward, Unit 106
Owen R. Wyrzykowski
WYRZYKOWSKI & ROBB
Barristers and Solicitors
Serving
Sarnia
Since 2006
Whether you are buying or selling real estate, or need to
update your estate planning, we provide personal service
to help you through the legal process.
Driving
TRIVIA
Selected
After Hours
questions from
Annual Trivia Night
“The Daytripper” has a team entered every year, but we have yet to win.
Answers Below
1. Which of the following island nations is farthest west?
a] Puerto Rico b] Curacao
c] Aruba d] St. Maarten
2. Which artist is famous for his statue The Thinker?
3. The first World Cup of Soccer (Football) was held in which country
in 1930?
a] Brazil b] Uruguay c] France d] Germany
4. Which province was the last to join Canadian confederation?
5. What is the average distance (in kilometers) that women and
children walk for water in Africa and Asia?
6. What 1960s singer starred in, and sang the theme for, the spring
break film, “Where the Boys Are?”
a] Peggy Lee b] Connie Francis
c] Doris Day d] Patsy Cline
7. Which country has not fought a war since 1814?
8. What is the International Air Transport Association airport code for
Heathrow Airport?
a] HRW b] HTR c] LHR d] LHW
9. Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji are the names for writing systems
used in which country?
10. Which Apollo mission landed the first humans on the Moon?
a] Apollo 7 b] Apollo 9
c] Apollo 11 d] Apollo 13
11. What is the standard distance of a drag race?
12. How much time did Jonah spend in the belly of the whale?
13. What is the commonly held title of a queen’s husband?
14. The original lyrics to Little Richard’s Tutti Frutti were “Tutti Frutti.
good booty.” True or False
15. What did German August Kotter introduce to the world in 1520?
a] The rifle b] The petri dish c] Lederhosen
Owen R. . Wyrzykowski
y
ki
519-336-6118
6118
orw@wrlawoffice.ca
722 Lite Street, Point Edward
• Real Estate Purchases & Sales
• Mortgages & Credit Lines
• Wills & Powers of Aorney
• Estate Planning & Administraon
30 Years Experience
ANSWERS:
1. Aruba; 2. Auguste Rodin; 3. Uruguay; 4. Newfoundland; 5. 6 kilometers;
6. Connie Francis; 7. Sweden; 8. LHR; 9. Japan; 10. Apollo 11;
11. 1,320 feet, 402 metres or 1/4 mile; 12. Three days and three nights;
13. Prince Consort; 14. True; 15. The rifle.
P A G E
4
Life Taught Me... Love yourself as you are.
We’re all getting older, we may as well laugh about it!
Do more of what you love.
Let us take care of the rest!
Be welcomed by a warm community of
like-minded peers. Enjoy the peace of mind that
comes with knowing help is available at the push
of a buon if you need it. Connue to enjoy your
independence in a supporve environment that
gives you the freedom to pursue your passions
and spend more me with those you love most.
Included in your stay:
• Chef-prepared meals • Fitness classes
• Great recreaonal • Weekly
programs
housekeeping
• 24/7 emergency • Pet Friendly
support
And more!
1218 Michigan Ave. Sarnia, ON
siennaliving.ca
Move-in incenves!*
Find out why people in
Sarnia love living with us.
Please call to learn more.
Suites are limited.
519-542-8814
* Terms and condions apply.
Welcome to
What’s New in Business
Manjit Singh and his wife Balwinder
Kaur have spent the last two years
expanding their business and winning
awards.
They’ve done all that despite being
cautioned to shut their restaurant down
entirely to wait out the pandemic.
“Everyone was scared about what
would happen but I said no, these are
extraordinary times and we’re going to
work really hard on takeout and delivery
and keep it all going,” said Singh.
Just 10 years ago, he and his wife
Story and photo by Cathy Dobson, Point Edward
Breakfast specialist Adam Lalonde, left, owner Manjit Singh, Indian cuisine cook Jaspal Singh,
and Georgina Dunn at the new Point Edward Sitara location.
opened Sarnia’s first Indian restaurant,
Sitara Indian Cuisine on London Road.
The odds may have been against
them since neither had any restaurant
experience—both were healthcare
workers—and they didn’t know if
Sarnians would get excited about
Indian food.
But over the years, they proved
Sarnians have an insatiable appetite for
Sitara’s Southern and Northern Indian
food. The original London Road location
was expanded, a second downtown
563 Front St. N., Sarnia
519-337-9998
GlassAndPillarSpa.com
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Sweet Winter Treat!
Chocolate olat
Truffle f
fle Coconut Wrap
a
+ Express p Facial
i
al
+ Our r Signature g
t
Manicure
$180.00 +HST
AMAZING AZ
North t
American e a
& IndianI d
BREAKFAST DAILY 8am a
to 1pm
at a t
Sitara a a Point i t Edward
(Reg. $223.00)
We have the highest safety protocols in place!
• BUTTER CHICKEN • NAAN BREAD
• CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA • KORMA
A
•
BIRYANI • SAMOSA • SEEKH KABAB
B
• PANEER TIKKA • VINDALOO
• CHICKEN TIKKA SIZZLER
• TANDOORI CHICKEN • LAMB CURRIES
DINE IN • TAKE OUT • DELIVERY
Party Room, On-site Cooking & Catering with Sitara Food Truck
#1 RATED
RESTAURANT
on TRIPADVISOR IS R
for
the last 9 YEARS!
Rated among the
TOP 10% WORLD WIDE
YEAR 2020 & 2021
21
on TRIPADVISOR!
ISOR
721 LITE ST., POINT EDWARD I 519-491-5606 WWW.SITARASARNIA.COM
restaurant opened, as well as a Petrolia
location.
“In 2020, we were probably one of
the busiest restaurants in the city and
knew we would be okay even with the
pandemic,” Singh said. Last May he
took the business to the next level and
bought a building rather than lease.
The plan was to consolidate by
closing the London Road and downtown
locations and moving all operations to
the corner of Lite and Front Street in
Point Edward.
Singh and his business partners
purchased the former Open Grill
building where the kitchen was much
bigger with plenty of room for food
prep and the traditional Indian tandoori
ovens.
Sitara also began operating a food
truck last summer to serve up samosas
in Wallaceburg.
Twenty-seven work for Singh now, a
big increase since he started with three
employees in 2012.
The new location can seat 200 but
Sitara is keeping capacity at 75% to
“play it safe and ensure our customers
are comfortable,” Singh said.
Downtown’s Sitara closed but the
original Sitara on London Road remains
open to handle the demand for takeout.
In Point Edward, Canadian and Indian
breakfast has been added for the first
time. When Singh learned how popular
the Open Grill’s breakfast was, he hired
two long time Open Grill employees,
Adam Lalonde in the kitchen and
Georgina Dunn in the dining room.
“I hired them to do breakfasts
because I knew nothing about Canadian
breakfast, to be honest,” he said. “But
it’s funny how things work out. I’d never
tried eggs benedict before and when I
did, I asked how that would taste with
butter chicken sauce.
“Now 80% order eggs benedict with
butter chicken sauce.”
Singh and his wife have retired from
their healthcare jobs to dedicate all their
time to their fast-growing business.
Their success is based on a
willingness to learn from others and a
sincere dedication to give back to the
community, he said.
“Business isn’t just the money part,
it’s service to the community. For me,
that’s the only way to do it.”
That’s why Sitara delivered nearly
2,000 free, individually-packaged
meals to local healthcare, grocery and
hospice workers during the pandemic.
“I knew workers at Bluewater Health
were under so much stress that I
convinced the hospital to let us deliver
meals during the first, second and third
wave,” he said.
For that, Singh was recognized by the
Rotary Club of Bluewaterland with the
Paul Harris Fellowship for his volunteer
work. He was also named a Local
Business Person of the Year by Alignable,
North America’s largest online referral
network for small business.
That’s quite a distinction considering
there were 25,000 nominees and 33 in
Sarnia alone.
Singh said he was grateful for the
support of other businesses that voted
for him in the Alignable competition.
“We are totally blessed and receive
amazing support from the community,”
he said.
If you have a great idea for a business
story, send it to cathydobson62@gmail.
com.
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Life is a bed of roses. Very thorny roses.
P A G E 5
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Feel free to send in photos showcasing Sarnia-Lambton.
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
Get It Done Right The First Time
JOBS BIG OR SMALL:
• Faucet Installation • Leak Repairs
• Clogged Drains • Camera Inspection
• Toilet Replacement & Installation
• Sump Pump • Frozen Pipes
• Sewer & Waterline Replacement
Welcome to ...
The DISCOUNT LIST
Acomprehensive c p h
e s
i list i s of discountsoroffersi
s u
t
s or offers that h
t
benefit efi t
people plep e over a
certain i
age in Sarnia-Lambton. n a-
b
t n.
Please let us know of any that are e missing!
in
g
TOWN
BUSINESS
SPECIAL OFFER
Ask For Your Seniors Discount
Professional sion
onal
a 24/7 4 7 Emergency Service
345 Ontario Street, et Unit B
SARNIA I • 519-337-1545
37-1
-154
545
CustomPlumbingSarnia.com
t
P umbi
ia AGE+
CONTACT
BRIGHTS GROVE Shoppers Drug Mart 20% OFF Thursdays 65+ 519-869-4224
CORUNNA Corunna Pharmasave 10% OFF Tuesdays & Fridays 65+ 519-862-2020
Shoppers Drug Mart 20% OFF Thursdays 65+ 519-862-1451
Corunna Foodland 2% OFF Wednesdays 60+ 519-862-5213
FOREST Forest Naturals & Home Health 15% OFF Wednesdays 65+ 226-520-0054
Forest Pharmasave 15% OFF Wednesdays 65+ 519-786-5161
Williamson Farms Country Store Various Wednesdays 55+ 226-520-0144
PETROLIA Bargain Shop 20-30% 1st Wednesday of month 60+ 519-882-0057
Country Yarns 15% OFF See ad in The Club all ages 519-882-8740
Gramma’s Candy Store 5% OFF Tuesdays 60+ 519-882-1212
Heidi’s Your Independent Grocer 10% OFF Tuesdays 60+ 519-882-2211
Hogan Pharmacy 20% OFF Wednesdays 60+ 519-882-1840
M&M Meats 10% OFF Tuesdays 60+ 519-882-4316
PT EDWARD Twin Bridge Lighting 15% OFF Mondays 55+ 519-344-3535
SARNIA Bulk Barn 10% OFF Wednesdays 65+ 519-542-6668
Custom Plumbing 10% OFF Every day 65+ 519-337-1545
Generation Paint Company 15% OFF Every day 65+ 519-330-4424
Giant Tiger 10% OFF Ist Monday of month 65+ 519-336-0831
Goodwill 25% OFF 2nd Monday of month 55+ 519-541-9273
London Road Pharmacy 20% OFF Thursdays 60+ 519-491-6778
M&M Meats 10% OFF Tuesdays 60+ 519-542-8398
Michaels 10% OFF Every day 60+ 519-542-3200
Don’s Home Renovations 10% OFF See ad in The Club all ages 226-343-2265
Petsmart 10% OFF Grooming on Tuesdays 65+ 519-542-2822
Peavey Mart 20% OFF Last Tuesday of month 55+ 519-542-4091
Pet Valu 10% OFF Last Thursday of month 65+ 519-541-0468
Russell Street Home Hardware 25% OFF See ad in The Club 60+ 519-383-0688
Salvation Army Thrift Store 25% OFF 1st Wednesday of month 60+ 519-344-3781
Sarnia Pharmacy 10% OFF Tuesdays and Fridays 65+ 519-337-3215
Shoppers Drug Mart 20% OFF Thursdays 65+ 519-337-3727
Value Village 30% OFF Tuesdays 60+ 519-541-0153
STRATHROY M&M Meats 10% OFF Tuesdays 60+ 519-245-6355
WYOMING Wyoming Tree Service 10% OFF Every day 65+ 519-845-0847
Call 519-491-1676 or email info@welcometotheclub.ca to add one!
Please remember: e
r: These discounts are for reference. eren
ence
They may change & may not
apply ply to specific c items. Stores are not obligated to adhere to what we’ve printed.
You may also need to ask in order to get the discount. t Thanks for understanding.
ndin
Family l
Owned w
e
& Operated and Proudly
Serving Lambton County Since 1991
Church Ladies
With Typewriters!
The Fasting & Prayer
Conference includes meals.
Scouts are saving aluminum
cans, bottles, and other
items to be recycled.
Proceeds will be used
to cripple children.
The sermon this morning:
'Jesus Walks on the Water’.
The sermon tonight:
'Searching for Jesus’.
Ladies, don't forget the
rummage sale.
It's a chance to get rid
of those things not worth
keeping around the house.
Bring your husbands.
Don't let worry
kill you off -
let the Church help.
Miss Charlene Mason
sang: 'I will not pass
this way again,'
giving obvious pleasure
to the congregation.
For those of you who have
children and don't know it,
we have a nursery
downstairs.
Next Thursday there will
be try-outs for the choir.
They need all the help
they can get.
Irving Benson and Jessie
Carter were married on
October 24 in the church.
So ends a friendship
that began in their
school days.
A bean supper will be
held on Tuesday evening
in the church hall.
Music will follow.
P A G E
6
Life Taught Me... Everything is not always as it seems.
Most articles in here have been written by people like you.
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Providing ing the best quality and style of footwear otwe
for generaons.
er • Orthotic Friendly •
• Styles for Men, Women & Children •
565 Murphy Road, Sarnia • 519-383-0588
A cup of tea was more than just a drink
to my immigrant parents. It was an elixir, a
calm place in a storm, a blessing of nature.
It was almost a religious experience. As
with any process that smacked of ritual,
there were iron clad rules. There were
ways to make a good “cuppa” that I, as a
kid, could not understand. First the water
had to be fresh from the faucet and the
kettle had to be emptied – no mixing of
fresh water with stale water. After the
kettle had reached a boil, the tea pot itself
had to be rinsed with freshly boiled water
after which spoonfuls of loose tea (tea
bags were an invention of the devil) had to
be put into the pot - one spoonful for each
person plus another for the pot. Milk and
sugar were then added to one’s cup. During
World War II tea was scarce and sugar was
rationed, so careful consideration had to
be made of the supply of these ingredients.
Sometimes my mother entrusted me
Tea, and ME
to put a kettle on and when I did, if not
watched, I ignored the “fresh water”
dictum and no one was the wiser, although
I never told anyone of my short cut. The
tea tasted the same! That “boil only fresh
water” and the amount of tea to be added
to the pot piqued my curiosity. If they
could not tell I had heated water that was
already in the kettle, would they be able
to detect any difference if I also included
some gently used tea leaves left from the
last brewing should I
manage to be entrusted
with the entire process.
I did it and they could not.
As I suspected, no one
was the wiser. So much
for the quasi-religious
rituals.
Do you want to reach
our age 55+ readers?
advertise
in the club
Call 519-491-1676
info@welcometotheclub.ca
By Glynn A. Leyshon, London
from Daytripping July-Aug 2011
Part of the mystique of tea drinking
was the barbaric idea of serving tea to
someone in bed – as though that were a
kindness. My father who worked shifts
would arise very early and thoughtfully (?)
deliver a cup of tea to the bedside of my
mother, wake her up, then leave for work.
What sadist thought that one up?
Sugar was another conundrum during
the war. My father would drink at minimum
four cups of tea a day and liked to have three
teaspoons of sugar in each cup –
a not insubstantial amount
day in day out. My mother
made copious amounts of
jam each fall using fresh
fruit, which we devoured
completely each year.
BIG BOX PRICES. SMALL STORE SERVICE.
110 S. Mitton • 519-344-7557 • alsvacandsew.ca
Jam, of course, requires a lot of sugar.
Thus came a conflict over the rationed and
scarce sugar. My mother partially solved
this by accident. She was about to throw
out a cup with a flaw in it – the bottom of
the inside of the cup was rough – probably
due to some incompleteness in finishing.
In any event, it was rough enough that my
father, stirring his tea, felt the same gritty
response to his spoon that undissolved
sugar created. Thus, my mother would
put one teaspoonful of sugar into his cup
before serving, and he would stir and sip
contentedly just as though the tea had
been laced with three spoonfuls. We had
sufficient sugar for plenty of jam making.
Yes, there was a lot of mumbo jumbo
about making a good cup of tea. Today
I drink tea made in the microwave oven
and with a, gasp, tea bag. I swear I hear
someone turning over in some distant
place.
WE MAKE
Beautiful Smiles
50
CELEBRATING YEARS
OF MAKING DENTURES!
As a way of giving back to our community this year,
we are donating a portion of every denture we make
to the United Way of Sarnia Lambton.
~ Are you unhappy with the way
your Dentures make you look or feel?
~ Are your Dentures loose? ~ Sore spots?
~ Not eating the foods you love?
~ Are they over five years old?
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU!
Digital
(photographic)
impressions now
available
Since 1972, our family has made thousands of dentures for our patients.
Ask your dentist to refer you to us or call yourself for your free consultation.
We are adhering to strict Covid guidelines to keep you safe.
Call to book your free consultation.
519-336-6580
1200 Lambton Mall Road, Sarnia
www.feigedentureclinics.com
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Take responsibility for your actions.
P A G E 7
Welcome to ...
THE Club
“Big or Small, JohnnyRemax
Sells T hem All”
Thank you for continuing to shop locally - it’s making a big difference!
Slow Cooking WORD SEARCH
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
John A. McCharles, Broker
Re/Max Sarnia Realty Inc. Brokerage
519-383-4812
johnnyremax@bellnet.ca
Affordable Rates • All Work Guaranteed • 25 Years Experience
GENERATION PAINT COMPANY
Interior & Exterior Painting and Makeovers
All types of
painting,
feature walls,
wallpaper
15% Seniors
DISCOUNT
Find these words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally and backwards.
PLUS HANDYMAN SERVICES:
• Repairs • Waterproofing (caulking)
• Maintenance • Renovations
Call Mark 519-330-4424 or email 1863989ontarioinc@gmail.com
Old age, I decided, is a gift. I am now,
probably for the first time in my life, the
person I have always wanted to be. Oh,
not my body! I sometimes despair over
my body... the wrinkles, the baggy eyes,
and the sagging butt. And often I am taken
aback by that old person that lives in my
mirror, but I don’t agonize over those
things for long. I would never trade my
amazing friends, my wonderful life,
my loving family for less gray hair
or a flatter belly. As I’ve aged, I’ve
become more kind to myself, and
less critical of myself. I’ve become
my own friend. I don’t chide myself
for eating that extra cookie, or for
not making my bed, or for buying
that silly cement gecko that I didn’t
need, but looks so avant-garde on
my patio. I am entitled to over-eat,
to be messy, to be extravagant. I
have seen too many dear friends
leave this world too soon; before they
understood the great freedom that
comes with aging. Whose business
is it if I choose to read or play on
the computer until 4 a.m., and sleep
until noon? I will dance with myself to
those wonderful tunes of the 60’s, and
if I, at the same time, wish to weep over
a lost love... I will. I will walk the beach
in a swim suit that is stretched over a
bulging body, and will dive into the waves
with abandon if I choose to, despite the
E-Mail
The E-Mail
IN-BOX
Send the good stuff to info@welcometotheclub.ca
Old Age
pitying glances from the bikini set. They,
too, will get old. I know I am sometimes
forgetful. But there again, some of life
is just as well forgotten and I eventually
remember the important things. Sure,
over the years, my heart has been broken.
How can your heart not break when you
lose a loved one, or when a child suffers,
or even when a beloved pet gets hit by
a car? But broken hearts are what
give us strength and understanding
and compassion. A heart never broken
is pristine and sterile and will never
know the joy of being imperfect. I am
so blessed to have lived long enough
to have my hair turn gray, and to
have my youthful laughs be forever
etched into deep grooves on my
face. So many have never laughed,
and so many have died before their
hair could turn silver. I can say "no,"
and mean it. I can say “yes," and
mean it. As you get older, it is easier to
be positive. You care less about what
other people think. I don’t question
myself anymore. I’ve even earned
the right to be wrong. So, I've decided,
I like being old. It has set me free. I like
the person I have become. I am not going
to live forever, but while I am still here, I
will not waste time lamenting what could
have been, or worrying about what will
be. And I shall eat dessert every single
day!
P A G E
8
Life Taught Me... Always go with your gut.
Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.
Welcome to ...
Kern
water
1804 London Line, Sarnia
519-542-4211
kernwater.com
Mon–Fri 9 am–6 pm • Sat 8 am–2 pm
THE Club
U-Fill
Water
Delivery
Service
Reverse
Osmosis
and Alkaline
Big Box Stores
By Agnes Burroughs, Dorchester • from Daytripping May-June 2008
When I was a little
girl, growing up in a rural
community, the general store
was ‘the’ place to be. The mixed
scent of kerosene, apples and
wood assaulted your nostrils
as the bell above the door
announced your presence.
Creaky solid wood floors let
everyone know what part of the
store you had ventured into.
You could pick up a pound
of nails for your latest wood
project, a lace hanky with
embroidered flowers for your
sweetheart’s birthday, or a pair
of shiny shoes for a wedding on
Saturday.
Everyone was a handy man back then,
and could get plumbing parts to fix the
stopped up sink, oil filters for the tractor,
shingles for the roof and electrical wire
for the lamp. There were wheelbarrows,
tires and belts hanging from the ceiling in
the hardware department, above the kegs
of nails of every size. Right next to those
could be the fabric section with bolts and
bolts of colorful fabric from burlap to
gingham to oilcloth for the kitchen table.
Remember that smell.
“Would you be needing a couple
pounds of flour, or a 50 pound bag this
time? We just got a new supply of white
sugar in, and you should see the patterns
on those bags, going to make real fine tea
towels once you launder them a time or
two. I hear by way of the party line that
Miss Gertha is ailing again with the gout.
Those are mighty nice eating apples, but
not much for making pies, did you see the
new car that the Nichol’s family just picked
up over to Ingersoll? That new minister
sure has some high fallutin ideas don’t you
think? How is the new baby doing after
that bout with croup?” All this information
was freely given and appreciated when
you came into the general store for your
monthly purchases.
There were shiny mouth organs,
metal toy cars, dolls with real glass eyes,
marbles, kazoos, yo yo’s, toy guns and a
whole parcel of other trinkets inside the
glass case that you had to press your face
up to for better viewing.
Christmas time was extra special at
the general store, because they would
bring in wonderful items like oranges,
hard rock candy, wagons, walking dolls,
cowboy hats and extra nice gift items for
the whole family. One year I had earned
$3.00 babysitting a whole pile of kids for
an evening. I was able to buy lace hankies
for my Mom, regular work hankies for
my Dad and candy for all the kids for a
Christmas treat.
For a nickel, you could fill a small brown
paper bag with a real tummy ache’s worth
of licorice, gumdrops, jaw breakers, tootsie
rolls and lemon drops.
I don’t remember there being a
pharmacy or drug area. Didn’t anyone
get sick, or did we just use the good old
recipes like goose grease on your chest for
a cold and lots of fresh air, sunshine and
clean laundry to get ourselves better?
The way I see it, all of the things at my
General Store were necessities. Everything
had a purpose and would be used, reused
and passed on if it had any life left. Each
visit was an adventure to be talked over
and revisited many times over the month.
Do you want copies of...
Welcome to ...
THE
CLUB
For a group,
apartment
building,
or meeting?
They’re FREE
for people 55 + !
Call 519-491-1676
or email...
info@welcometotheclub.ca
DELIVERY MONDAY THRU SATURDAY
1018 Murphy Rd, Sarnia • 519-542-7273
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Cancer doesn’t discriminate.
P A G E 9
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Don’t let old age get you down - it’s too hard to get back up!
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
POSTCARDS
of
SARNIA-
LAMBTON
Sponsored o
o
By:
B
y
F. Filia & Associates Ltd.
Franco Filia
2-565 Murphy Road, Sarnia
519-332-5400 I franco_filia@cooperators.ca
Advisor/Owner
Queen Elizabeth II Public School, Petrolia
See the
Dave Burwell
Postcard Collecon
at
sarniahistoricalsociety.com
Polymer Research Lab
Sarnia-Port Huron
Ferries, Sarnia
Graveyards Along Country Roads Offer Solace
As we travel our country roads, we come
across them in the most unexpected places
- - in the middle of a cornfield, surrounded
by picket fences on the edge of a small town
or even near off-ramps on busy highways.
They are the burial grounds of those
once loved, but now more often than not,
forgotten by generations who have no
memory of their lives.
Many times I have pulled over to the side
of the road and taken a little time to explore
these sacred places. I find their solitude
welcoming and for a few moments I can
lose myself in the past, wandering among
slanting headstones that are for many, the
last remaining evidence they once passed
this way.
I feel compelled to read each name, to
acknowledge that decades and sometimes
more than a century after their death,
someone wonders about their life. A life
that is now reduced to nothing more than
a little dash that separates a birth date from
the year of death.
I have my favourites.
One near my home is graced with a
beautiful old tree, its weeping branches
stretching out as if protecting the aging
tombstones. At another, I sometimes stop
to close the ‘witch’s gate,’ the revolving
gate that is said to keep out bad spirits. On
a recent visit, the stillness was interrupted
by the cackle of black-birds. They rose as
one and blackened the sky as they took
wing over the nearby fields, leaving only the
ghostly whisper of the wind in the branches
of tall pine trees.
On other roads, I pass pioneer graveyards,
where greying moss-covered headstones
are neatly arranged in a row, tallest in the
middle. A stranger happening upon these
consecrated grounds can learn a lot about
the community he is passing through. The
carved names bear the familiarity of their
homelands - perhaps Britain, Ireland or
Germany. Evidence of their hardships are
witnessed by the ages written on those that
mark the final resting place of children. On
many, the winds and rains of time have all
but erased their tiny angel guardians.
There is one more special graveyard that
often haunts my memory and is perhaps
the reason I’m drawn to others. There are
no headstones and very few people left who
even know it exists. Only two bodies are
buried in what we call, ‘the little graveyard
field’. The only marker is a stand of small
Lake Cabin Lodges, Brights Grove
by Lyn Tremblay, Simcoe
From Daytripping March-April 2004
trees that are a little taller than the scrub
brush that in recent years has replaced the
plowed field. She was a baby child and he
was a young man. I only remember the
stories, told by relatives whose memories
were already fading. It is said they died from
a common disease of the time.
As children, we gathered apples from
the only other tree in the field. Each spring
brown rows of plowed earth neatly circled
the apple tree and the clump of trees
that marked the graves. The field and the
nearby barn were part of a plot of land
homesteaded by my great-grandparents.
As more seasons and years pass and the
brush in the little field grows thicker, it is
now I who pass on the stories so that those
buried in ‘the little graveyard field’ will not
be forgotten.
P A G E
10
Life Taught Me... The majority of people on the planet are good people.
Maybe we should stop it with the elderly jokes. They’re getting old.
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Punchline
“Do you believe in life after
death?” the boss asked one of
his employees. “Yes sir, I do”
said the new employee.“Well
then, that makes everything
just fine” said the boss, “After
you left early yesterday to go
to your grandmother’s funeral,
she stopped in to see you!”
Join us by the Lake!
Reserve for panoramic
views of Lake Huron
from our patio!
~ Take Out Available ~
~ Lakeside parks & benches ~
• Authentic Hickory Smoked Ribs
• Genuine Broasted Chicken
• Seafood, Sandwiches, Wraps
PRIME RIB WEEKENDS
TUESDAY
WING NIGHT
NIGHTLY
SPECIALS
2713 Old Lakeshore Road
Brights Grove • 519-869-2794
www.skeeterbarlows.com
Senior Support Care
~ PERSONAL CARE - dressing, bathing,
incontinence care, mobility assistance
~ LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING - laundry
~ SOCIALIZING - engaging in activities
~ TRANSPORTATION to appointments
This is the perfect time to surround
yourself in your home with indoor plants
that improve your environment and
bring you peace when you look at them
and enjoyment as you care for them.
Houseplants bring vitality and calming
to your home in the winter with their
bright foliage and air purifying qualities.
For many, houseplants become pets with
their keepers, known as ‘plant parents.’
Plus, caring for indoor plants is relaxing,
allowing the gardener to slow down and
get back to basics.
When choosing your indoor house
plants you will need to consider the
positioning in your home for the
recommended light, the watering
frequency and if the plant is pet friendly.
While watering indoor plants or dusting
~ MEAL PREP
~ MEDICATION REMINDERS
~ COMPANIONSHIP
~ GROCERY SHOPPING
~ PALLIATIVE & RESPITE CARE
Contact Us: 519-704-1267 or 519-466-4302
A Year Round Garden Centre, e
Gi Shop p & Bouque!
Extraordinary selecon
of Plants and Unique
Decoraons &
Poery for enhancing
your indoor and
outdoor living spaces.
Just s East of Sarnia i
on Cty Rd 22
Take k Exit 15 off Hwy 402
USA
Lake Huron
Sarnia
N
Bright’s
Grove
From
26
London
401
22
From
SIPKENS
Wallaceburg
NURSERIES
Re-imagine Your
Living Spaces
ZZ Plant
East of SARNIA
519-542-8353
OPEN Monday to Saturday
(Rd. R
d 22)
Proud Member of...
Story and Photos
Courtesy of
Sipkens Nurseries
off leaves you will be more aware of the
small moments of joy and beauty each
plant brings.
Easy plants to care for, especially for
new plant parents;
• Satin Pothos; broad range of light
with a lower frequency of watering in
the winter
• Bird of Paradise; lush oversized floor
plants with ample light reaching 10-
12ft
• ZZ Plant; looks like stalks of
asparagus until the leaves peak out, a
range of light for ZZ plants
• Snake plant; natural beauty, bright
indirect light, let the top 2 inches dry
between watering
• Rubber Plant; originally from the
Himalayas, this plant needs bright
indirect light, has glossy large thick
leaves
Moderate plants to care for, perfect
for newer gardeners;
• Hoya Plant, a very pretty blooming
star like flowering plant and pet
friendly.
• Chinese Money Plant; moderate
bright indirect light, pet friendly!
• Swiss Cheese Plant; Moderate to
bright indirect light is best, a lower
frequency of watering in the winter
also known as the Monstera
Ideal for Experienced gardeners, a
plant that needs more love;
• Fiddle Leaf Fig; broad leaves and can
grow 8’ range, and they need a lot of
natural light, water thoroughly once
a week.
We want your
photos, stories
& anecdotes
showcasing
Sarnia-Lambton!
Welcome to ...
THE
CLUB
Send them to
info@welcometotheclub.ca
We also welcome your ideas,
comments or questions.
Enjoy being surrounded by your house
plants this winter, spring will be here
before you know it!
Gardeners Winter Checklist:
❏ Plan your indoor house plant
paradise based on your experience,
lighting and your lifestyle
❏ Continue to feed the birds with seed
and suet throughout the winter
❏ Start early to grow seeds indoors:
celery, broccoli, parsley, cauliflower
and summer flowers
❏ Dust houseplant leaves, replace soil
or repot those that have outgrown
their homes
❏ Tidy garden beds in late March: cut
back perennials and grasses, remove
garden debris and cover gardens
with mulch and remove weeds
❏ While relaxing in your cozy home,
think, dream and plan your garden
layout for spring
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Learn a trade.
P A G E 11
Rubber
Plant
Welcome to ...
THE Club
BOUTIQUE MEDICAL SPA
1098 London Road, Sarnia • 519-542-0079
www.aboutfacesarnia.com
BOOKS
TIGHT
SCULPTING
25% OFF
Thank you, to all the advertisers you see throughout the magazine.
FOOT ORTHOTICS
SLIPPERS, SHOES, BOOTS, SANDALS
Curl up with a book on a cold winter day,
Forget where you are, let your cares fade away.
Read about the Sahara, and the Taj Mahal,
Picture the Grand Canyon or the Great China Wall.
It’s so easy to travel with a book in your hands,
Read about the people and customs in faraway lands.
You can take a cruise on a luxurious boat,
Just reading about it, your mind seems to float.
Then you’re brought back to earth when the doorbell rings,
The bothersome salesman with his loud voice brings.
The children in wanting their afternoon snack,
Oh! well, maybe tomorrow you can go back.
Pick up the book that waits on the shelf,
Curl up in the chair and forget yourself.
Julie Munday, Certified Pedorthist
www.soledecisions.com
30+ YEARS
EXPERIENCE!
For help with comfort,
support, circulation,
ASK ABOUT IN-HOME SERVICE fatigue and balance.
303 Davis St, Sarnia • 888-971-6345 Essential Business - Onsite Lab
By Mrs. G. Halpin, St. Thomas
Puzzle
Solution
For The Club Winter 2022
CROSSWORD on page 27
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
P A G E
12
Life Taught Me... Life is a beautiful struggle.
It’s the advertising that makes this magazine possible, and free!
Welcome to ...
Going Above & Beyond for Our Clients!
STEPHANIE MURRAY
Sales Representave
Cell: 519-383-5185
Office: 519-542-9999
movewithsteph@gmail.com
sarnia realty Inc., Brokerage*
*Indepentently owned and operated
1319 Exmouth Street, Sarnia
THE Club
LAURIE LAURIN
Sales Representave
Cell: 519-328-7251
Office: 519-542-9999
laurie.l@bell.net
#laurieloveslambton
Birth Names
of Vintage
Film Stars
1. Jack Benny
2. George Burns
3. Eddie Cantor
4. Joan Crawford
5. Tony Curtis
6. Dale Evans
7. Judy Garland
8. Cary Grant
9. Rita Hayworth
10. William Holden
11. Al Jolson
12. Boris Karloff
13. Jerry Lewis
14. Dean Martin
15. Marilyn Monroe
16. Roy Rogers
17. Barbara Stanwyck
18. Lana Turner
A. Archibald Leach
B. Asa Yoelson
C. Benjamin Kubelsky
D. Bernard Schwartz
E. Dino Crocetti
F. Edward Israel Iskowitz
G. Frances Gumm
H. Frances Smith
I. Joseph Levitch
J. Julia Jean Turner
K. Leonard Slye
L. Lucille Fay LeSueur
M. Margarita Cansino
N. Nathan Birnbaum
O. Norma Jean Baker
P. Ruby Stevens
Q. William Beedle
R. William Henry Pratt
ANSWERS:
1-C, 2-N,
3-F, 4-L,
5-D, 6-H,
7-G, 8-A,
9-M, 10-Q,
11-B, 12-R,
13-I, 14-E,
15-O, 16-K,
17-P, 18-J
January is Alzheimer’s Awareness month.
Do you know someone living with dementia?
3 out of 5 people living with
dementia will go missing at some
point, a frightening experience, and
a dangerous one. That’s why the
Alzheimer Society of Sarnia-Lambton
is partnering with The Sarnia Police
Services and OPP to provide an
opportunity for individuals living
with dementia to be registered as
someone at risk of going missing.
Critical information shared provides
searchers with quick access to key
information to assist in locating and
returning the individual home safely.
Registration
is easy!
Vulnerable Persons Registry
Let’s all do our part to help individuals with
dementia live safely in our community.
Simply call Alzheimer Society Sarnia-Lambton
at 519 332 4444 to learn how.
Established in 2010, Shine at Home serves seniors who wish
to live in full independence. Since our earliest beginnings we
have learned that with just a little help, people can remain
in their homes for many years safe and free in the
knowledge that a dedicated team is there for them.
Seniors’ Home Independence Network
Life is Better When
You’re Home
Seniors live at home -
independently,
comfortably & happily.
It doesn’t matter how old you are, life is always better
when you’re home. There’s a deep comfort that comes
from being in familiar surroundings, sleeping in your own
bed, and living under a roof that belongs to you.
Housekeeping
Companionship
and Care
Call today and find out
how Shine at Home
can help you:
519-336-9898
"All the staff go out of their
way to make life easier for our
Mom when we aren't able to
be there everyday! We
definitely recommend Shine at
Home to others looking for
excellent care for their elderly
parents"
Heather – Daughter of Client
"The lady who does my
housekeeping is so nice and
efficient and always fits in
special requests"
Ruth Ann - Client
shineathome.com
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Have patience.
P A G E 13
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Do you remember being 19? Neither do we!
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
Family owned and
operated in Sarnia!
We takegreat pride in
our workmanship
and customer service!
- SHOWROOM HOURS -
Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4:30pm
Cats!
As every
cat owner
knows,
nobody
owns a cat.
(Ellen Perry Berkeley)
Thrilled with our new windows!
The workmanship was excellent,
installaon was mely, efficient and the
windows look great! We would highly
recommend Beehive! ~ Dara
1781 London Line • Sarnia
519.491.8888
beehivewindowsanddoors.com
You can’t buy
Happiness
but you can
BUY
LOCAL!
Life Lessons Learned by Adults
1) Raising teenagers is like nailing JELLO to a tree.
2) There is always a lot to be thankful for it you take time to look for it. For
example, I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.
3) One reason to smile is that every seven minutes of every day, someone
in an aerobics class pulls a hamstring.
4) The best way to keep kids at home is to make the home a pleasant
atmosphere and let the air out of their tires.
5) Car sickness is the feeling you get when the monthly car payment is due.
6) Families are like fudge... mostly sweet with a few nuts.
7) Laughing helps. It's like jogging on the inside.
8) Middle age is when you start choosing your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.
9) The mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely.
10) If you can remain calm, you just don't have all the facts.
11) You know you're getting old when you stop to tie your shoes and wonder
what else you can do while you're down.
P A G E
14
Life Taught Me... You get what you pay for.
Putting the “old” back in “Damn, you’re old!”
Curtain Opens on a
New Era for the
Brian Austin Jr. says he sometimes
feels like he’s in a completely different
building when he looks around at all
the recently-completed renovations
and upgrades at The Imperial Theatre
in downtown Sarnia.
All new washrooms, new flooring,
new paint, a new roof, new seating
and a new PA system were installed in
the last year.
As general manager, Austin Jr.
readily acknowledges how fortunate
the community theatre has been
during the pandemic.
Public support for monthly 50/50
draws proved a runaway success. And
that money was spent on extensive
renovations that were completed
quickly while COVID-19 shut down the
building.
“When the first lockdown
Story and photos by Cathy Dobson, Point Edward
happened, we had just announced a
five-year capital campaign to raise
$1.5 million,” Austin Jr. explained.
“And now we’ve been able to raise
that money and renovate all our public
spaces in just one year.
“I am just so grateful.”
Initially, the pandemic threw all
public venues like The Imperial
Theatre into survival mode.
In March 2020, the first lockdown
forced Austin Jr. to refund more than
$300,000 in ticket sales. With no
live performances, the challenge was
to pay the theatre’s three remaining
staff, cover the building’s overhead
and try to continue with renovations
that were started.
Early on, the obvious steps were
taken.
He turned down the heat and
Welcome to ...
cut hydro bills in half. A few small
productions were staged outside
on Christina Street. But nothing
generated the cash needed to keep the
organization afloat.
Then inspiration struck.
Austin Jr. was on Facebook and
noticed the Toronto Blue Jays had
huge success with a 50/50 digital raffle
in the pandemic’s early days.
“Our in-person raffles during our
intermissions always made a couple
hundred dollars, so I thought, ‘Why
not?’ and took it to the board.”
Once the onerous paper work
involved in a third-party raffle was
sorted out, the Imperial held its first
monthly 50/50 draw in October 2020.
Initially, it generated a respectable
but not spectacular $10,000 or so a
month.
Then suddenly sales exploded and
the take-home prize grew to over
$60,000. As Austin Jr. put it, the raffle
became big enough to actually change
someone’s life.
For seven consecutive months, the
prize money exceeded $100,000 and
surpassed $300,000 a couple of times.
“I remember saying my personal
goal was to see the prize reach
$100,000 and we did that in spades,”
he said.
“I am so humbled by the support of
our patrons and the community.”
By late 2021, The Imperial had paid
out an impressive $1.7 million
in prize money and pocketed
$1.3 million once various fees
and marketing costs were
factored out.
The monthly 50/50 draw
eclipsed all other fundraising
activities in the theatre’s 25-
year history.
In fact, the Imperial’s
$1.5-million, five-year capital
plan was realized in just one
year primarily because of
the 50/50’s success. Just as
astounding, all the projects in
that five-year plan were more
quickly completed because the
theatre was empty for such an
extended period.
Austin Jr. says he believes The
Imperial’s 50/50 is so lucrative
for a number of reasons.
“I think we have a bit of an
edge because we’re used to
selling tickets,” he said. “We
also have a huge data base so
we can email about 38,000
people every day to promote the
draw.”
And a lot of hard work has gone
into promoting it, he added. “We build
a lot of hype around it and do a ton of
marketing.”
On top of the 50/50 draw, The
Imperial took on another unique
fundraiser last spring and began selling
pairs of the theatre’s 25-year-old seats
to help pay for 618 replacements.
THE Club
That generated $10,000, said
Austin Jr. “We considered it a fantastic
response. A lot more people than
I thought are attached to those old
chairs. They said they associate them
with their first date or a special show.”
The new burgundy seats are “really
cushiony” and come with aisle lights
built into the arms and cupholders.
“The cupholders really seem to be a
big deal,” Austin Jr. laughed.
As pandemic restrictions are
reduced and live shows are being
staged for the first time in nearly two
years, Imperial Theatre patrons are
being welcomed back to a completely
accessible, more environmentallyfriendly
and more lavish venue.
Austin Jr. describes it as state-of-theart
and anticipates more out-of-town
artists will be attracted to performing
there because of the PA improvements.
And, should anything shut out
audiences again, a new audio suite
has been added to live stream and
record shows.
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... You make your own happiness.
P A G E 15
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Laughter is the best medicine - here’s to your health.
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
Music Lessons & Books for All Ages
Store & Studio 115 Mitton St. S. 519-344-2319
SARNIA
519-337-3713
LONDON ROAD PHARMACY
Locally Owned and Operated
Make Ideal Protein Your
New Year’s Resolution
Medically Supervised
Weight Loss Program
Diet • Personal Coaching
Weekly Weigh-ins
Call Tammy for Details!
Weekly Blister Packs Available!
www.londonroadpharmacy.com
A meaningful life will
not be found in the
next job or the next car.
The way you get
meaning in your life
is to devote yourself
to helping others and
creating something that
gives you purpose.
Mitch Albom
~
SENIOR’S
DAY
Every Thursday
20% OFF!
Tammy Maure
1249 London Rd
519-491-6778
* Every surface & product is sprayed with disinfectant fog daily for your safety!
IN SARNIA-LAMBTON
OIL SPRINGS
519-834-2833
• AUTO • HOME • FARM
• TENANTS • COMMERCIAL
1-800-265-7506 • www.cam-ron.ca
“I love getting
my Tel-Check calls
and medication
reminders!”
Sometimes I feel lonely
Sometimes I forget to take my medication
Sometimes I just like to talk about how
I’m feeling or what’s going on in the world
You can receive daily or weekly Tel-Check calls to:
• Lessen feelings of isolation by having a friendly
chat with our volunteers
• Make medication/nutrition/hydration reminders
• Provide you with safety reminders such as ensuring
doors are locked and appliances are turned off
or
You can call our Distress Line Volunteers (519-336-3000)
if you are struggling and need to talk (7am–Midnight)
or
You can call the Care Pathways Program if you are
looking for information and referrals about services
for older adults and caregivers
1-888-DISTRES(347-8737)
519-336-3000 (7am-Midnight)
To find out more about these programs
or refer a patient/client/loved one,
please contact our office at 519-336-0120
The Hint is ...
At which type of building might you
find a carving such as this?
If you can guess that part, you just
have to pick the right town.
Find dthe answer in our
Spring 2022 issue
From our Fall 2021 issue:
The Hint was ...
This is a just a portion of a mural
by Todd Charlton. If you’re
looking at this, you just might be
going places.
The Answer is...
You’ll find this mural on a
building on Telfer Road near
Sarnia’s Chris Hadfield Airport.
VOLUNTEER - If you enjoy talking to seniors and
are looking for a fulfilling volunteer opportunity,
visit us online at www.familycounsellingctr.com and
complete a volunteer application under the heading
‘Get Involved.’ We’ll be in touch!
To learn about all of our programs and services,
visit us online at www.familycounsellingctr.com
P A G E
16
Life Taught Me... Be the best you can be.
v1.1 LEO
v1.2 Forest Kineto
v1.3 Heritage St.
v1.4 Sarnia Blessi
v2.1 Canatara Log
You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old. George Burns
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Grandma’s Quilt
Suffering from middle-aged insomnia,
the ad caught my eye.
“Dragon’s Den Fight Over This
Canadian Sleep Start Up.”
Intrigued, I read on.
“This weighted ‘Hush Blanket’ induces
sleep and is a revolutionary fix for
sleeplessness.”
Revolutionary? Ha! My Grandma
made the first “Hush Blanket” 70 years
ago. It was a quilt that had to weigh at
least 30 pounds.
My bedroom on the prairies was so
cold in the winter that I could carve my
initials on the frost that had formed on
the INSIDE window pane. You didn’t
need curtains because the ice was so
thick it blocked out the light, the first
“frosted window,” so to speak.
My Mom used to slide one of those
heavy rubber red hot water bottles
wrapped in a towel between the sheets
at the foot of the bed, but it did nothing
to warm up the rest of the mattress.
Hopping around on one foot, trying
to put on your flannelette pajamas
or nightgown (usually made from old
sheets) and then crawling in was a frigid
eye opener. But then it was Grandma’s
quilt to the rescue.
You snuggled in under the flannelette
sheet, topped by a wool blanket with
satin trim, the bedspread, and then
Grandma’s quilt. It was a patchwork
creation, made from dribs and drabs
of material, some as old as Grandma
herself. Some were backed with denim,
others with thick cotton or linen. Some
had tufts of wool sticking out of each
patch. Some had been carted over
from the “old country.” But they all had
one thing in common: they
weighed a ton and once
under them you literally
could not move and
slept in the same
position all night.
The quilts were great
for curing a fever. You
could sweat one out
in a single night.
You’d be soaking wet
By Lee Michaels,
Sarnia
but it was so cold outside the sheets you
didn’t dare try to throw it off, instead
trying to inch your way around to find a
cooler spot on the bed.
But the best thing was the “tickle
blanket” otherwise known as the
universal pacifier. That satin edge was
so soothing. As a pre-schooler, I used to
suck my thumb and rub it along the side
of my face as I was going to sleep. As
I grew older the thumb-sucking stopped
but the tickling did not. Over the years,
the corners became frayed, and at times
a little ratty looking. The tickle blanket
didn’t get washed much because it was
too difficult to put through the ringer
washing machine. Mom would wash
the satin edges and hang it out on the
clothesline to dry, carefully re-sewing the
corners to get the perfect crisp “tickle”
edge. Grandma’s quilt had to be laid out
on bales of hay or the ground to air out
in the summer because it was so heavy
it likely would have pulled the clothesline
pole right out of the ground.
I would love to have Grandma’s quilt
right now, although it would be murder
for a menopausal woman. I never knew
what happened to it or when it simply
disappeared.
I still do have my own “tickle blanket.”
The corners are less grubby, but when
the sandman is missing, its corners take
me back to simpler times and I’m soon
sawing logs, although I no longer suck
my thumb.
How many of you remember
Grandma’s quilt and the tickle blanket?
Editor’s Note: There are still several
of these patchwork, weighty blankets
in my family, passed down from my
grandmother and even my great
grandmother. They may be
tattered in spots and some
patches worn right out, but
are still loved and used
regularly. I particularly
love the patches of
Grandpa’s pants and
Grandma’s dresses that I
remember them wearing
when I was young.
Welcome to ...
THE Club
We donate $25 for each reprinted
Daytripping Magazine article.
$1475 donated since Jan. 2021
This issue’s recipient is
Canatara Log Cabin Restoration
Great Selection of Fashionable
SODA
Everyday Eyewear!
... A Frankly Optical Experience!
Visit Beth and her daughter Amanda for the perfect pair
of glasses, sunglasses or contact lenses.
Walk in
or book
a one on one
appointment
time!
Ideas...
Women’s Interval
Neighbourlink
River City Vineyar
Try not to take Victim Services
anything personally. CCMF
No one thinks about Habitat you
as much as you Hospice do.
• Fashionable designer frames
at compeve prices
• Durable, high quality brands
• Personal aenon to your vision needs
• Honest opinion on your frame fit & style
• Value brands available to fit your budget
• Offer direct billing to most vision plans
Stop In & See
The Difference
An Independent,
Locally Owned
Business
Can Offer!
Humane Society
Inn of the Good S
Lawrence House
Kiwanis Animal Fa
Pathways
Noelle’s Gift
Mike Weir Founda
Gallery in the Gro
VPP
Theatre Sarnia
Lambton Young T
Bluewater Trails
Strangway Centre
various city optio
various trails
147 N. Mion St., Sarnia • 519-337-4060 • TheEyeGuySarnia.com
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Good times don’t last, but neither do bad.
P A G E 17
Welcome to ...
THE Club
missed a lot of morning classes when
I was at university. What does seem to
The
work well now is the smell of freshly
brewed coffee.
Retirement Anyway, in class we concentrate
Coach © on one of the sayings of Zen masters
by Mike Keenan
of the past. They liked to test the
http://theretirementcoach.libsyn.com/ enlightenment of their students
through statements and dialogue that
was deliberately paradoxical. The first
collection of subjects or koans was
Meditation
made public way back in the 11th
and Zen Koans century.
From China, koan practice immigrated
For Seniors to Japan in the 13th century. A famous
Listen to Mike’s podcasts (humour, travel and poetry) at: The Retirement Coach:
koan is: “What is the sound of one hand
http://theretirementcoach.libsyn.com/ His book, ‘Don’t Ever Quit - a Journal of Coping
with It’s Crisis vital & for Nourishing retired Spirit,’ people is available to remain
print & electronic clapping?” format I spent at Amazon: hours trying to figure
nimble https://amzn.to/2KBdPWQ in both body and mind. that one out. Finally, I remembered
Otherwise, we get too set in our ways, once listening to a politician speak at
too fixed in our thinking. It’s important a public gathering. When he finished,
to be open to new learning. Thus, I’m I tried to clap my two hands together
back in yoga class. The eldest in our but only one hand moved. Aha, I was
group is Joan who is 82. She is the star on to something. It was only a matter
of the class.
of time before the eureka would occur
Our teacher is keen on meditation, just like Archimedes in the bathtub
so I suggested that we study Zen koans when the water overflowed or was
to add a new dimension to our regular that Pythagoras? No matter. It’s just an
program of asanas, breathing exercises analogy.
and relaxed meditation. A koan is a I will provide you with an example of
puzzling statement or a story, used in a brilliant modern-day koan. Historically
Zen to aid meditation and promote the Dalai Lama holds political and
spiritual awakening. My spouse has religious leadership over Tibet from
often stated that I need awakening of Lhasa, a city in the People’s Republic
one kind or another. In fact, not even of China. Lhasa literally translates to
the alarm clock in the bedroom seems “place of gods” in the Tibetan language.
effective in that regard. I confess that I The 5th Dalai Lama ruled in 1642 and
This magazine comes with a free, built-in, old fashioned fly swatter!
religious successors lasted until the
1950s.
Okay, the Dalai Lama walks up to a
hotdog vendor at a Toronto Blue Jays
baseball game. The vendor admires the
monk’s yellow robes and asks, “What’ll
ya have?”
The Dalai Lama ponders for a
second and responds, “Make me one
with everything.” Get it? One with
everything! Neat, eh? I suppose it would
work just as well with “a hamburger
with the works.” I thought that the Dalai
Lama was a vegetarian. I suppose that’s
the truly puzzling part of the koan.
Another good baseball koan is “Who’s
on first?” This koan can get tricky. Before
you know it, you are totally confused. I
watched two guys named Abbott and
Costello try to figure it out for over
seven minutes, but “who’s on first” led
to “what’s on second,” “I don’t know”
on third, “why” in left field, “tomorrow
pitching,” “today catching” and “I don’t
give a darn” the shortstop. Actually, it
was quite amusing.
Tony, one of my retired pals, came
over to see me the other day, and I
thought that I would try out a Zen koan
on him. I told him the one about the
sound of one hand clapping, but he
didn’t get it. He was puzzled. “Explain
it to me,” he said. “Okay,” I replied but
first I suggested, “Would you like a cup
of tea.”
“Sure,” he replied.
I boiled water, threw a couple of tea
bags into the pot, poured in the hot
water, steeped it, and then started to
slowly pour the tea into Tony’s cup, and
when the cup was full, I kept pouring.
Tony shouted, “Hey, it’s full; you’re
spilling tea all over me and the floor; no
more can go in.”
“Aha,” I said. “You see, just like this
ordinary cup, Tony, you are simply too
full, over-flowing with yourself. How
can I explain Zen koans to you unless
you first empty your cup?”
By this time, Tony had tea stains all
over his pants, and he was not amused,
so he left. Of course, I thought that I
had been brilliant, but obviously, my
wife was correct when she predicted
that some people are never ready for
spiritual awakening.
I was in the local public library the
other day when a lady walked in and
asked the librarian, “Do you have
children’s books?”
The librarian replied, “Do you have
the mind of a child?” Wow, I was
impressed. That was almost as good
as “the sound of one hand clapping,”
which I’m still working on.
Listen to Mike’s podcasts (humour,
travel and poetry) at: The Retirement
Coach: http://theretirementcoach.libsyn.
com/ His book, ‘Don’t Ever Quit - a Journal
of Coping with Crisis & Nourishing Spirit,’
is available in print & electronic format at
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KBdPWQ
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
P A G E
18
Life Taught Me... Fill each day with love and gratitude.
Many of the articles are from the archives of Daytripping Magazine.
Recipes
Send Us
Your u
Recipes!
e c es
We’ll be bringing you recipes from Club contributors & from local
fundraising cookbooks we’ve collected over the last quarter of a century.
You’re welcome to send your own recipes, or on behalf of an organizaon
that has a new cookbook, & we can help promote those cookbooks for free.
Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Cauliflower Cheese Soup
1 medium cauliflower
2 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup buer or margarine
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup grated medium cheddar cheese*
Buered bread crumbs for garnish
(from Point Edward
Ex-Servicemen’s
Assoc. Cookbook)
4 lb sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks, 5 to 6 sweet potatoes
6 slices bacon
1/2 cup half and half
3/4 tsp ground cumin
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 tsp pepper
1/3 cup buer or margarine, at room temp. 1/3 cup chopped fresh chives
1 1/4 tsp salt
In a pot, combine sweet potatoes with enough salted water to cover. Over
high heat, bring to boil. Cook unl tender, 10 minutes. Drain; return to pot.
Meanwhile, in nonsck skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon unl
crisp, 6 to 8 minutes; drain on paper towels. Crumble. In microwave-safe
bowl, combine half and half and maple syrup; microwave on High unl
warm, 1 to 2 minutes. Mash sweet potatoes with buer unl smooth.
Gradually mash in maple mixture. Sr in salt, cumin and pepper. Reserve
1/4 cup bacon and 1 teaspoon chives. Sr remaining bacon and chives into
potatoes. Transfer to dish; top with bacon and chives. Serves 8.
By: Eva Howard (from
Wyoming Lioness Club 30th
Anniversary nive
Cookbook)
okbo
ok)
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 cups milk
parsley
Cook cauliflower in chicken stock unl tender. Do not drain. Cool a bit. Run
through blender to desired texture. Set aside. (I don’t put it in the blender).
Melt buer in saucepan. Add onion and sauté unl limp. Do not brown. Mix
in flour, salt and pepper. Add milk; heat and sr unl it boils and thickens.
Add cheese and cauliflower mixture. Sr to heat and melt cheese. Garnish
with buered bread crumbs. Add parsley as an ingredient or as a garnish.
NOTE: For cream of cauliflower soup, omit cheese. Makes about 5 cups.
Welcome to ...
Kids’ Letters to God
Dear God,
If you watch me in
church Sunday, I’ll
show you my new
shoes.
- Mickey
Looking for
PRIVATE IN-HOME
PHYSIOTHERAPY?
Mobility Works Physio Yoga
will come to you!
Balance Training,
Funconal Strength.
Falls Prevenon, and more!
THE Club
The heart
smiles through
the eyes no
mask can cover.
• Sleek, Stylish
Masks in
20 Styles
• Home Decor
• Gis • Plants
• Fresh Flowers
• Jewellery
1362 Lambton Mall Rd., Sarnia
519-542-3301
Closed Sundays
www.mysecretgarden.ca
Maple Glazed Pork Roast
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tsp slivered orange rind
Apple Crisp
1/2 cup buer, melted slightly
3/4 cup oatmeal
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
By: Jenn MacRae
(from Brigden Fall
Fair Cookbook)
ook)
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
3 lb boneless pork loin roast
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Sauce: In a small bowl,, combine barbecue sauce, maple syrup and orange
rind, set aside.
In another small bowl, combine ginger and salt; rub over meat. Place meat,
fat side up on a rack in roasng pan. Roast uncovered at 325 degrees F for
1 3/4 to 2 hours or unl done. Allow 35 to 40 minutes per pound. Brush
oen with sauce during the last hour. Serves 10 people.
By: Vicky Coulbeck (from Holy Rosary
School, Wyoming 50th Anniv. Cookbook)
1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
6 cups peeled and sliced apples
Mix all ingredients except apples in a bowl. Put sliced apples in the boom of
a casserole dish. Sprinkle mixed topping over apples. Bake at 350 degrees F
for 20 minutes. Cover with aluminum and bake 10 to 15 minutes more. This
will make the apple crisp juicy. Serve with ice cream, whip topping or as it is.
Send Your Recipes to info@welcometotheclub.ca
ca
MOBILITY WORKS
phy s i o
y oga
MOVE. FEEL. LIVE.
Book IN-HOME
Physiotherapy or Private Yoga
at: www.mwphysioyoga.com
Covered under most
Extended Health Benefits.
Kelly-Lynn
Musico
REGISTERED
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
REGISTERED
YOGA TEACHER
Contact Kelly-Lynn at 519.312.6122
or mwphysioyoga@outlook.com
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Always keep a positive attitude.
P A G E 19
Welcome to ... THE Club
Here’s to living life to the fullest (until about 9 pm).
Publisher’s note: This is a long
article but I hope you’ll enjoy it, even
if it’s a bit off topic for some readers
of a 55+ magazine. As I write this on
Dec. 29th, new restrictions have been
introduced with 50% capacity at clubs
and restaurants and much of what I write
here might not be as relevant when you
read it, but if that’s the case I hope it
will ring true sooner than later. It’s safe
to say that all of the establishments I
mention here will (once again) need our
continued patronage to get back on their
feet. I also want to pay respects to George
Webber who was a legend in our industry
and recently passed away. Thank you for
supporting local business and live music.
London Ontario was recently
named a UNESCO City of Music by the
United Nations educational, scientific
and cultural organization, becoming
the first city in Canada to receive the
designation. I had no idea that
Jeff Black & Nicole Morley outside Night Life - photo by Megan Nichol
this prestigious title existed but
they’ve earned it. Budweiser
Gardens is pulling in some of Is Sarnia-Lambton the
the best acts on the planet,
Aeolian Hall is an acoustic
Live, Local Music
treasure and the Forest City has
earned national praise as hosts
of the Canadian Country Music
Awards and even the JUNOs.
Kudos to the city, to Tourism
London and in particular
to Chris Campbell, who through his
work with Tourism London, Budweiser Capital of Canada?
Gardens and his own company (Music
City & Music Tourism Consultancy) had venues and countless other musicians. time. The Corunna branch of the Royal
this vision and has pushed for years Jeff, by the way, is a singer, guitarist, Canadian Legion also has an afternoon
with unrelenting tenacity to make it and bassist who plays as a solo act quite jam, usually the last Saturday of the
happen. That said, I’ve stayed countless often but is a part of several bands and month.
nights in London both recently and over also performs in a magnificent duet As he drives a bit further into Sarnia
the years, am always looking for a band, with Nicole Morley.
he sees lights shining up in the sky,
solo or duo act to go see, and usually So as Jeff is driving north he may maybe the lights of a local Broadway,
have difficulty finding one. I’ve long go through Port Lambton, Sombra, but no, it’s just the petrochemical plants.
believed that larger cities are plagued Courtright and Mooretown and think Go a little further Jeff and you’ll find
by bands that will play for free and that there’s no place to play or hear a few downtown Sarnia and a whole host of
you get what you pay for. If the music live tunes, but lo and behold he reaches places, most of which you’ve played. I’ll
is not good people won’t come, your Corunna where Two Water Brewing mention Up N’ Downs on Front Street
regulars will stop coming, the venues Company has regular entertainment first, out of respect for the number of
will suffer and the industry as a whole including most, if not all, Thursday years and days each week that they’ve
is weakened.
nights. Just one or two musicians supported local, live music, but there
Then I look at Sarnia-Lambton where usually, but there’s nothing wrong with are many more. Night Life on Christina
I’ve been a professional musician since that. Antonio’s Pizza across the road Street may be newer to the scene but
1985, and I think we might have more also has entertainment from time to Jeff has been playing there quite a bit
venues to play in per
on Thursdays, and lately on
capita than anywhere
Sundays with drummer and
in Canada, maybe with
singer Brian Cox. Drums and
the exception of Saint
guitar are not a common
Johns, Newfoundland.
mix, but they make it work.
That might sound like
Other venues in or near
hyperbole, and maybe it
the downtown include Wild
is, so how about we take a
Wings, Collide, The Insignia
stroll and check them out.
Hotel, the original Refined
Let’s Go On Tour!
Fool Brewing Co., Tin Fiddler
Jeff Black is a very well
Brewpub, Maud’s Variety, the
known local musician
Moose Lodge and a whole
who lives in Wallaceburg
host of other venues that go
but drives north to our
live on each First Friday. This
neck of the woods quite
list quite often includes the
often for gigs. One
Sarnia Legion, Blackwater
heckuva nice guy, too. I’d
Coffee, Downtown Market,
like to take a tour of our
the Lawrence House, Grind
county through his eyes,
Cafe and others.
since he’s a “real” pro—
Venture a bit north along
one that plays music
Borderlite trio on the outdoor stage at Ipperwash Beach Club
Sarnia Bay and you’ll hear
for a living, knows most (l-r) Ed Roane, Pete Meharg, John Tiernay - photo by Sheila Tiernay live music year round at
Winter 2022
Paddy Flaherty’s and next door at Big
Family Brewing Co., then also across
the road at Alternate Grounds Cafe
& Dockside at the Sarnia Bay Marina
in the warmer weather. Yes, we’ll be
including summer venues in this list as
well, hoping that they’ll all be back in
2022. Venturing into Point Edward for a
spell you’ll discover Stevie D’s, and Jeff
Black knows this place all too well. He’s
one of many very talented musicians
who go there on Wednesday evenings
to jam. I finally had the opportunity to
take part recently and it was a pleasure
to play with a number of top-notch
players I’d never met before. Owner
Steve Dumont has turned the restaurant
(formerly Bottoms Up) into a prominent
entertainment venue and agrees that
there is an incredible local music scene,
particularly because of the large number
of single and duo acts there are. We
discussed if the pandemic has perhaps
given people the time to hone their
talents and the courage to step
onto the stage. A local Facebook
page called The Quarantine
Sessions - Connecting Through
Music has seen countless
musicians, many of whom
had never played in front
of people, broadcast one or
many songs for all to see.
Kevin Churchill founded that
group along with James Miller
and says, “I really believe we are in a
renaissance period for live music and
the arts. I’ve never seen so many venues
offering live music and bands and solo
acts and duos doing their thing. Is it a
local thing? I don’t know but I do think
it is pretty special!” Dumont added that
tipping musicians has become more
commonplace and it has made a big
difference in allowing venues to bring
in entertainment at an affordable rate.
Stevie D’s has live music on other days/
nights as well.
Still in Point Edward, Los Puntos
Cantina was hosting small acts last
summer and the Match Eatery &
Public House at the Starlight Casino
has been known to as well. Back into
Sarnia proper you’ll be able to down
a pint while listening to live music at
Two Amigos, Twisted Arm Bar & Grill,
the newer Refined Fool Brewing Co. on
London Road and Imperial City Brewing
Co. Out in Brights Grove you’ll find
summer patio entertainment at The
Oaks and also on Wednesdays at the
Brights Grove Summer Market.
So by the time he’s driven around
Sarnia and Point Edward Jeff is just
amazed at the number of places he can
play, but he has lots of time, and gas is
cheap these days, so he heads back out
in the county to see what else he might
find and winds up at Rüstr. What’s a
Rüstr you might ask? This is on London
Line near Mandaumin Road where three
musicians Bil Eldridge, Mike Beggs and
Steve Kiernan have transformed the
former Bluewater Optimist Hall into a
live music hall, indoors and out. The
indoor venue seats about 100 people
and has hosted many local acts but is
also geared to ticketed events featuring
P A G E
20
Life Taught Me... Dogs are kinder than people.
You’re welcome to send in articles to help build this new magazine.
mid-sized or up and coming recording
acts that are travelling close enough to
the area to make Sarnia a stop on their
tour.
The addition of Rüstr to the local
music venue has made a significant
difference from what I see. For example,
they have a Sunday brunch with live
entertainment (and great food) from
10am to 2pm. I wondered how far in
Canada someone would have to travel
to find that offered anywhere else, and
then discovered that it’s also offered at
Refined Fool downtown and at Greens
(oops, that one is downtown on Christina
St. and I missed it). One key thing here
is the time at which entertainment is
offered. Most bands in London still
start at 10 p.m. and play until 2 a.m. on
weekdays and I’m in bed by then. Since
this article is in a magazine for 55+ I’ll
assume that I’m preaching to the choir
on this one.
So Why All this Music? Why Now?
For starters it can be attributed to the
pandemic. The number of patios that
can now be licensed has gone through
the roof (hopefully to stay that way) at
a time when craft breweries and local
wineries are coming of age and farm
markets are more popular than ever. The
“Shop Local” philosophy has married
all three of those things together. This
Joan Spalding - photo by Dan Peer Photography
“Golden Age” is taking place in other
areas of Ontario and Canada, but I’ll
continue to argue that Sarnia-Lambton
is doing it best, but could do it even
better.
The pandemic also brought about the
aforementioned Quarantine Sessions
and a new pool of talented musicians
that are now brave enough and have
built up the repertoire needed to take
their places on stage.
The timing is also making live music
more popular. In Sarnia we’re finding
live music at numerous places starting
at 2 or 4 in the afternoon, or from 7 to 10
p.m. It’s long overdue! The generations
that grew up on live music still love and
will support live music, and our venues
have realized that this is the audience
they need to attract. The younger
generations didn’t grow up with The
Campbell St. Stations or the Courtright
Hotels or the Kenwick-on-the-Lakes—
it’s a shame that this new, golden age of
live music may have a shelf life, but we
may be just beginning to
see the best years of it.
The musicians are
older as well, and
this is another key
component. There are
certainly many talented
younger musicians–
Chris Molyneaux, Demi
Krall and Rodney James
Medwid to name just a
few, but there are far too
many seasoned artists to
mention that are leading
the way and will be for
years to come. I’ve often
joked that after 35 years
I’m basically playing
the same songs for the
same people. That’s not
completely accurate but
it isn’t far off.
Whether or not this is sustainable is a
good question. Will supply and demand
dictate that not all these establishments
can support live music? Will there be
fewer patrons if COVID goes away and
locals can leave for the US or
other destinations? If COVID
gets worse and we’re all locked
down again, will the music
industry bounce right back
when the time is right? Your
guess is as good as mine.
Speaking of the lockdowns,
even the darkest days of the
quarantine couldn’t stop some
of us. Scott Manery started
broadcasting three hour
concerts on Facebook live from
his basement on Saturday
nights (Scott also has a great
radio show called Nine Hours
North of Nashville, Sunday
mornings on CHOK). I followed
Scott’s lead and started a live
show on Tuesday nights and
can’t tell you what a rewarding
experience it’s been. To top
that though, as of December
26th, 2021, local country
music legend Joan Spalding
had been live streaming a
3:00 afternoon show for an absolutely
incredible 634 days straight.
Hey Jeff... What About the County?
So... imagine that Jeff hasn’t been to
Petrolia since the Squire Hotel closed
down and has been longing to see
what’s up in Canada’s Victorian Oil
Town.
What the heck is with all these craft
breweries, he might exclaim. There’s
one here too. Black Gold Brewery
opened last year and has regular
entertainment inside or on the patio.
Helen‘s Hideaway Family Restaurant/
Haywood’s is right next door and has
entertainment most weekends, and
Crabby Joe’s had a fabulous outdoor
stage a couple of summers ago which
we hope comes back. Even the Petrolia
Welcome to ...
Farmers Market has entertainment on
Saturday mornings and Tuesday nights
when the air is warm enough to play.
A bit further south in Oil City Jeff finds
that there’s absolutely no place to play,
but Alvinston has Armor’s Ale House.
Painkiller Jane warming up for the Trews in a parking lot on Front St. in 2013
(l-r) Jamie Dufour, Mark Moran, Heather Wellington, Pete Michieli
Then he turns tail and heads back north
to Wyoming where the Legion has had
entertainment on some Saturday nights
for years. Covid put a stop to that for a
while but they’re back up and running
to some extent. A new restaurant called
LOCA also opened and my good friend
Adam Miller was their first of hopefully
many entertainers. Wyoming is where I
started my own music career years ago
with bands like Trax, Damn Straight,
Done Deal. I’m currently with Painkiller
Jane and also have a duo with Colleen
Beauregard in addition to a solo act I
bring out from time to time.
From there Jeff continues north
and finds Alton Farms Estate Winery
on Aberarder Line south of Forest and
it’s on one of the sunny afternoons
when they have—you guessed it—live
entertainment on the patio. Around a
country corner still just south of Forest
he’s going to drive up the laneway
to Stonepicker Brewing Co. which
routinely has acts outside on warm
days and inside year round. The Forest
location of Skeeter Barlows also has live
acts and a bit further up the road in
Port Franks he might just find his old
pal Mark Blayney playing at Grogs
Restaurant. They’ll spend some
time talking about the amazing new
outdoor stages at Widder Station
in Thedford and at the Ipperwash
Beach Club. There are also a number
of campgrounds in this area that
hire bands during the summer, not
to mention all the fairs and festivals
in every corner of Lambton County.
Oh, we’re not done yet though. Jeff
ventures up Highway 21 where Brian
Dale might be doing his regular gig
at the Pinery Flea Market, which
will be hopefully open again this
summer after a two-year hiatus.
Brian is a staple in the Grand
Bend music scene, often seen at
numerous venues including playing
with friends at the Lake Hound
Restaurant. As you can imagine, the
THE Club
number of venues in The Bend can be
plentiful but often changes. The Rotary
Club has also built a fabulous stage on
the beach and feature weekly Summer
Sounds concerts, often on Sunday
nights with the hopes of keeping people
in town a bit longer.
Grand Bend sits right
on the county line so
we could dip our toes
a bit north and try to
claim the Oakwood
Inn or White Squirrel
Golf Club. There’s
also Huron Country
Playhouse but we can’t
mention that without
celebrating two more
stellar theatres.
They may not often
feature local bands
but you’ll never hear
better music than you
do at Sarnia’s Imperial
Theatre and Victoria
Playhouse Petrolia.
Brian Austin has done
an incredible job at
the Imperial of bringing in an array of
talent, including numerous household
names. My personal favourite is the
Classic Albums Live series where a
group of selected musicians come in to
play an album so perfectly that you can
close your eyes and barely be able to
tell that it’s not the recording. Fans of
the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd,
Queen, etc would fall in love with this
production, but get your tickets fast
for those shows! And in Petrolia, David
Hogan and David Rogers as artistic
directors have established Victoria Hall
as one of the best and most reliable
performance centres in the land. Music
Director Mark Payne and an all star
cast of superbly talented artists never
disappoint and crowds relish in the
opportunity to see many of the cast
members return in different roles.
I think that’s it. I think we’re done,
Jeff. Good thing you don’t drink brother.
You can drive home safely after your
tour through Sarnia-Lambton’s awesome
collection of music venues. We came up
with well over 30 places to play with
Continued on
next page...
Jim Chevalier with Canada’s Voyageur guitar
- photo by Doug Nicholson (we believe)
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Don’t eat yellow snow.
P A G E 21
Welcome to ...
Continued from
previous page...
Mark Blayney - photo by Barry Loxton
regularity, not including the theatres,
one-time events or fairs and festivals
like Ribfest, Bluewater Borderfest, etc.
Oh wait, what’s that, we missed one?
How could we possibly forget about the
Duc D’Orleans II which cruises up and
down the St. Clair River in the summer
with live bands a few days or nights
each week, and is also one of the most
enjoyable places for musicians to play.
It’s always an adventure with Ken and
Sherry and their fabulous crew.
So How Do We Get Even Better??
If there’s more opportunity for live
music to flourish it would be in Sarnia’s
city-owned facilities. We hope to see
music come back to life at the Agora
Stage in Centennial Park, in Canatara
Park and especially at the Progressive
Auto Sales Arena which has the ability
to host large shows that would attract
tourists, but is barely ever used to its
full potential. In the last show I saw
THE Club
HOME HANDYMAN!
Reasonable Prices
FREE ESTIMATES
Decks, Sheds, Repairs...
(Excludes plumbing/electrical)
YOU NAME IT,
I’ll get it done for you.
10% OFF with mention of this ad
there, Elton John played for three hours
straight, by himself. There were no
other musicians, just Elton John. I have
no idea how Sarnia got that lucky, but
we did. We also had 14 years of Bayfest
which grew to become a world class
concert series and tourism bonanza,
but it ended 10 years ago. It would also
be nice to see Sarnia and other towns
block off their streets on occasion for
more live music festivals.
Tourism is important and I for one
believe that having this many live, local
music venues can attract music lovers.
As I write this in December 2021,
Monday is the only day without live
entertainment in our area. On many
days of the week you can see two, three
or more performances starting as early
as 10 a.m. and almost all are free (but
Scott Manery & the Barnburners at Ribfest
2015 - photo by Mike Sexton
30 YEARS
EXPERIENCE
Call Don at
226-343-2265
I’d write something better here, but I forgot to!
please tip musicians). I would love to
travel to another part of the province
and stay one or more nights just to enjoy
live, local music but, if there are other
places with this much entertainment,
none of them are letting us know about
it. But.. are we telling others?
That’s my point and the goal of this
article. I’ve heard countless people
complain over the years that there’s
nothing to do in Sarnia-Lambton and
that we don’t have much of a music
scene. They’re completely wrong and
always were, but our music scene is
better than ever right now and we may
in fact be the Live, Local Music Capital
of Canada. We should be promoting
it as a tourism product and may have
aces up our sleeve in this department
as well. Tourism Sarnia Lambton’s
Executive Director Mark Perrin has loads
of experience as an event coordinator,
and Digital Marketing Coordinator Adam
Veen plays in two bands, Rumblefish
and Aces High. I believe a key to this
is to have one place where locals and
visitors can find a calendar of all events,
large or small, in one place. Music, craft
shows, fairs, beef dinners, everything.
Doing this is extremely difficult in these
uncertain times and organized event
calendars were much more common
before the advent of social media.
However, if you have a complete and
up-to-date list of attractions, in this case
music, then you can promote it as a
unique tourism product and put “heads
in beds” which is the primary goal of all
tourism marketing. In this case we could
also keep people from leaving our area
since they would know just how much is
happening in their own backyard. I hope
TSL and their community partners will
work on this because it’s something that
is not being done in any other market
that I’ve ever seen, and it would give us
a strategic advantage to attract visitors.
In the meantime you can find
valuable information on who’s playing
where at www.sarniarocks.com and the
Supporting Sarnia Lambton and Live
Music Sarnia Facebook pages.
Bil Eldridge at Grind - photo by Leo Spence
If you’ve made it this far, thank you
for reading and my apologies if there
are any venues that I’ve somehow
missed. Please support live music
everywhere and remember to tip
musicians if you like what you hear. I
pray that no businesses will have to shut
down in 2022 but, if that’s the case, I’m
confident that they can all rebound if
we do our part to help them.
Enjoy the show!
Welcome to ... Winter 2022
141 Mitton St. South, Sarnia • info@tywc.ca • www.tywc.ca
WE ARE HERE
FOR YOU
~ SUPPORT ~
~ RENEW ~
~ BALANCE ~
All Inclusive Suites & Apartments with kitchenettes.
CUSTOM MENU OPTIONS • ACTIVITIES • 24HR CARE
Call for a personal tour.
WALLACEBURG • 519-627-9292
WE CHANGE THE SHAPE OF YOUR STRESS
Call us Today 519-339-8999 Ext. 2
P A G E
22
Life Taught Me... Pick your battles.
We are really hoping to include some great events in future issues!
“Big or Small, JohnnyRemax
Sells T hem All”
John A. McCharles, Broker
Re/Max Sarnia Realty Inc. Brokerage
519-383-4812
johnnyremax@bellnet.ca
Come In
& Eat
With Us!
(I through L)
Ignorance: When you don't 'tknow something and someone finds out.
Ingrate: Bites the hand that feeds him, then complains of indigestion.
Irony: Millie Vanilli on a karaoke machine.
I.R.S.: Income Reduction Service.
Junk: Something you need the day after you throw it away.
Jury: 12 men & women trying to decide which side has the best lawyer.
Justice: A decision in your favour.
Kiss: Putting your honey where your mouth is.
Lamb Stew: Much ado about mutton.
Laziness: A remote control to locate your other remote controls.
Left Bank: What the bank robbers did when their money bag was full.
Lefties: The only people in their right minds.
Love: Two vowels, two consonants, two fools.
Light Year:
Love: The feeling you get towards someone
A regular
who meets your neurotic needs.
year with
less calories.
LSD: Virtual reality without the expensive hardware.
For over 20 years,
we have had the
pleasure of serving you,
our family & friends.
Here at Big Fish,
you are a part of
our family & we can’t
wait to share a drink,
our love of food
od
& laughs with you.
See you soon,
on,
Alex, Stacey & Gus
For Lunch, Dinner or a Special Occasion
Make Reservaons at Sarnia’s Finest
1717 LONDON LINE, SARNIA I 519-542-5553
BIGFISHLOUNGE.COM
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Choose a Certified Collision Repair Center
& get the peace of mind you deserve!
Family owned & operated.
Proudly serving Sarnia-Lambton
& surrounding areas for over 60 years.
Certified
Collision ion Care
Provider
for ...
• FORD
• CHRYSLER
• DODGE
• JEEP
• RAM
• FIAT
• NISSAN
• KIA
• GM
• HYUNDAI
• GENESIS
856 Confederation St., Sarnia • 519-337-3842
Canada’s Farmerettes
By Beryl Beckett • from Daytripping Nov-Dec 2021
The Land Girls are pretty well known.
The British issued a postage stamp in
their honour. and the BBC made a movie
about them. The Canadian Farmerettes?
Not so well known… even ‘hardly
known.’ It’s about time we change that.
Farmerettes in Canada worked the
fields left empty of labour at a time
when most males were in the Armed
Forces during World War II. How do I
know? I was a Farmerette! Four teenaged
girls from Petrolia, Ontario became
Farmerettes. Maybe some of you knew
us: Lois and Jean Duncan, Mona Dougall
and me, Beryl Anderson. I’d love to say
we were patriotic but truth be known
we got out of school early, didn’t have
to write final exams AND we got paid! A
whole 25 cents an hour… though we had
to pay room and board at the camps out
of our pay. We wanted adventure and we
figured it would be like camp. Not quite.
So off we went…Jean and Mona were
sent to St. Davids, Vineland while Lois
and I went to Goodwins Farm Camp,
all in the Niagara region. We cut fields
and fields of asparagus, usually in the
morning, and worked fields and fields
of strawberries in the afternoon. Not
walking and bending but stooping
continually. I’m surprised I’m still not
stooped over.
Anyway, one vegetable I didn’t like was
asparagus. Come dinner time, we were
starving. First off: cream of asparagus
soup—couldn’t even try it. So I waited for
the main meal: creamed asparagus on
toast. Believe me, I polished it off. By the
end of the meal I really liked asparagus.
Dessert? You guessed it. Strawberries.
At Goodwins we had a Japanese
family interned there… a lovely family,
the Mitsuis. Mr. Mitsui had been Mr.
Goodwin’s sergeant in the Canadian
army during World War I. In World War II
he was considered an enemy of Canada.
Different wars, different worlds. I can
only imagine the hurt of Mr. Mitsui.
We worked hard but we also had
fun travelling around the Niagara area
via thumb. We hitchhiked all over,
even to Buffalo, NY (where we almost
got arrested). We’d hitch rides into St.
Catherines where we’d spend evenings
drinking chocolate cokes (don’t knock it
‘til you try it) at the Dianne Sweet Shoppe
and meeting boys. Almost every weekend
we’d hitch rides to Niagara Falls.
Then Lois and I got transferred to
Vineland Camp where we thinned
peaches, picked peaches and packed
peaches for the rest of the summer. We
began to feel we lived on ladders leaning
against peach trees.
So why tell you about Farm Camp and
Farmerettes? A small but dedicated group
of people are trying to get the Canadian
Postal Service to issue a commemorative
stamp honouring the Farmerettes, but to
do this they need to know there would
be an interest in the history of the
Farmerettes of Canada. They suggest
anyone reading about us on Facebook
click “Like” and make sure you “Share”
with your friends. Also, if you have
contact with anyone in radio, TV, blogs
or any print (newspapers, newsletters,
etc.) please ask them to spread the word
about The Canadian Farmerettes.
Thank you for taking time to read this
and thank you in advance for spreading
the word.
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... You never know what lays ahead.
P A G E 23
Welcome to ...
GIFTWARE & UNIQUE HOME DÉCOR
SHOWCASING MANY LOCAL ARTISANS
Home of Just-A-Nuff Antiques
TUESDAY-FRIDAY 10-5 • SATURDAY 10-3
850 Colborne Street @ Exmouth Street
Northgate Plaza, Sarnia • 519-336-3838
Online Subscripons are FREE
welcometotheclub.ca
THE Club
SARNIA
It’s a New Year &
time to UNWIND.
We can help!
TIME
to
UNWIND
Heaven is
Handmade
“A Yarn Boutique”
Everything you
need for
Knitting & Crochet!
250 North Christina Street
Sarnia • 519-491-9276
www.HeavenIsHandmade.ca
We’d like to hear your honest opinions on how you like this magazine.
Because all women
deserve to feel
beautiful...Every day!
Professional Bra Fitting I Mastectomy Fittings & Products
Stylish Sleep & Loungewear I Swim i & Cruiseweari
NEW LOCATION:
Looking
for trails?
The Lambton
Shores Nature
Trails website
LSNTBlazers.com
is a great place to
explore your hiking,
snowshoeing and
cross-country skiing
opons in
Lambton Shores.
Wallaceburg ac b
g
Location: c
i
on:
JACK’S J
A S TIRE
T
I E
7966 6
M
McCleary c
a
y Line • 519-627-3335
9
-333
335
35
500 Exmouth St., Unit 9 • Sarnia
519-491-5256 91-5
52
56
• www.lilithboutiquesarnia.ca
w.
lith
iq
uesa
ia .ca
There Are Many Ways to Say “I Love You.”
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
Auto Centre
and more reputable brands.
Be prepared with
Winter Tires and
winterize your vehicle.
24 HOUR EMERGENCY TIRE SERVICE
519-383-1000
1341 4 Plank a k
Road, a ,
Sarnia
a a
GET YOUR
VEHICLE
WINTER
ROAD
READY!
SARNIA
Auto Centre
www.tirecraft.comw.ti i
c f
by Eileen Cade-Edwards, London • from Daytripping May-June 2002
As the bus in which I was a passenger
passed our local hospital, the little
boy on the seat in front of me leaned
against his mother’s arm. Up to then
he had remained very quiet and still.
“Daddy doesn’t love me, does he?”
he said suddenly.
“How can you say such a thing!”
exclaimed his mother in surprise.
“He doesn’t!” insisted the little boy.
“Don’t ever say that again,” scolded
the mother. “You know he loves you
very much.”
“He never said so when I came out
of hospital like you did.”
“Of course he did,” the mother
answered without hesitation.
“When?” insisted the boy. “I
never heard him.”
“Well, don’t you remember when
Daddy spent the whole evening
fixing your train? That’s when
he told you he loved you.”
The little boy wrinkled his
nose and glanced suspiciously
at his mother. “Is that when Daddy
said it? I didn’t hear him.”
Of course the little boy didn’t
understand but I felt sure his mother
would somehow explain in a way that
would be clear to him. Unfortunately,
I had to leave them for I had already
arrived at my destination.
I thought about that brief conversation
between the boy and his mother for
quite a long time afterwards.
Not everyone can express their love
in words. To some people “I love you”
is one of the hardest things to say.
But there are many ways of “saying”
I love you.
The mother who sits for long hours
mending her son’s favourite jacket
or alters a dress for her daughter so
that it fits to perfection. The young
wife who spends hours making the
dessert she knows her husband loves,
or the husband who brings home little
unexpected gifts of flowers or candies.
Then there is the humorous
proclamation.
A friend of mine has a wonderful
husband. On her club nights he
will wash the dishes, feed the
children, put them to bed and
do anything else that needs to
be done, without so much as
a sigh. But when it comes
to those three little words
she longs to hear, all he can
manage is: “I think I’ll trade you
in for a new car.”
“I used to be quite upset about
it,” Mary told me, “but now I
understand. He is telling me he
loves me - but in his own funny way.”
So when we long to hear those
three little words - I love you - let us
remember there are other ways to
“say” this that are just as significant
and meaningful if we will only train our
hearts and minds as well as our ears to
recognize them.
The little boy whose father spent
the evening mending his toy train will
one day understand this, even if his
mother is unsuccessful in explaining
it to him now.
P A G E
24
Life Taught Me... Acquire as much knowledge as you can.
Our contact info is on page 3 - email us or call (we actually answer)
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Welcoming
New Patients
SARNIA PHARMACY
Corunna Pharmasave
• Pharmacist available 24/7 for our paents
• FREE Delivery • FREE Compliance Packs
• $2.00 Co-Pay waived on elegible ODB Prescripons
• 10% discount on otc items every Tuesday & Friday
Open Monday-Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-2, Sunday Closed SARNIA: 206 Maxwell Street • 519-337-3215
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT • AWARENESS • COMPLIANCE CORUNNA: 409 Lyndoch Street • 519-862-2020
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign
In a
Non
Smoking
Area...
Roland FP-10 Digital Piano
88 Keys Touch Sensitive $799.99
Add the Stand for $169.00
"If we see smoke, we will
assume you’re on fire and
take appropriate action."
430 Exmouth St.
Sarnia
519-344-7740
You so
deserve
this!
pickersalley.com
Granny’s
Jewels
By Therese Lecuyer, Essex
from Daytripping May-June 2016
It was made with patience. Every bead
was chosen with care. Was it the right
colour? Was it the right shape? Did he use
just the right amount?
Painstakingly, he strung the beads on
the pipe cleaner. In my mind’s eye, I can
see his little tongue hanging out of his
mouth as he threaded the pipe cleaner
through the circle of the bead, like he was
threading a needle.
One minute in a child’s time is like
five minutes for an adult. It must have
seemed like forever. One bead, two
beads... twenty beads. Choosing just the
right beautiful colours and just the best
shapes.
Although he is only four years old,
he puts so much thought into his
masterpiece for Granny. He knows her
favourite colour and attempts to create
a masterpiece meant especially for his
granny’s eyes.
Getting it just the right size to fit her
wrist and tying it off so as to never lose
any of the “precious” stones to the floor,
is a feat of future engineering skills. Dad
has taught him well... one day he might
follow in his footsteps.
After sitting back and admiring it, and
making sure it is just right, he packs it
away for his 2000 mile plane trip out east
to Granny and Grandpa’s house.
At just the right moment, he digs it out
of his suitcase and presents it to me—
Granny.
With a look in his eyes of pride and
much love he hands his handiwork to me.
At first I question why? It’s not a special
occasion like my birthday or Mother’s
Day or Christmas. Ben has made this just
because he loves me, which means so
much more!
I admire his handiwork and eye to
detail. He’s put many of my favourite
coloured beads in there and a cluster of
many shapes and sizes combine to make
a work of art. Ben’s work of love for his
granny.
Granny’s eyes fill with tears knowing
the time, energy and love that was put
into it.
It goes with everything! I wear it
often...and although we are so far apart I
feel that he is with me. After all, included
in the many things like beads, and pipe
cleaners that were assembled to make
this treasure...was Ben’s love.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR AGES 55+
(From mThe Booklet “A Seniors’ Guide ToSarnia-lambton”)
a ambton Resource booklet available through Age-Friendly Sarnia-Lambton
by calling 519-332-0527 or visiting www.agefriendlysarnialambton.ca
RESOURCE NAME SERVICES OFFERED PHONE WEB/EMAIL
211 Mental Health Support, Food Services, Financial Assistance 211 211oncovid19.ca
Age-Friendly Sarnia Lambton List of Supports & Services 519-332-0527 agefriendlysarnialambton.ca
Bayshore Home Care Solutions Assistance with Housekeeping, Errands & Meal Prep 519-383-6979 bayshore.ca
Canadian Red Cross Grocery Pickup & Transportation Services 519-332-6380 redcross.ca
Care-A-Van Door-to-Door Public Transportation - lift equipped vehicles 519-336-3789
Habitat for Humanity Low-Cost Home Reno Services 519-339-7957 habitatsarnia.org
Heart to Home Meals Pre-Made Frozen Meal Delivery to 60+ 877-404-4246 hearttohomemeals.ca
Instacart Delivery from several local stores 888-246-7822 instacart.ca
Lambton Elderly Outreach Home & Yard Maintenance, Meals, Various Resources 800-265-0203 lambtonelderlyoutreach.org
Lambton Public Health Individual, Agency and Cargiver help 226-254-8222 lambtonpublichealth.ca
Neighbourlink Household Chores, Transportation, Shopping, Companionship 519-336-5465 neighbourlinksarnia.org
Sarnia Blessings Free Meals for Seniors & Vulnerable People 519-402-9093 sarniablessings@outlook.com
Shine at Home Transportation, 24 hr Housekeeping, Shopping, Meal Prep 519-336-9898 shineathome.com
Strangway Community Centre Recreational, Social & Educational Programs & Activities 519-332-0656 strangway@sarnia.ca
Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) Dementia Programs, Home Nursing, Respite, Much More 519-542-2310 von.ca/en/site/sarnia
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Spend as much time with family as you can.
P A G E 25
Welcome to ...
940 MURPHY ROAD
Sarnia • 519-542-1491
THE Club
NORTH END APPLIANCE
Serving Sarnia-Lambton for 33 Years
519-336-7676
635 Cathcart Blvd., Sarnia
northendappliance.ca
Here at Napoli Pizza
we’re not just a food
business, we’re a
family business. Our
specialty is homemade
pizza, pasta and so
much more.
We are dedicated to
providing you with
only the highest
quality ingredients. We make our food the old
fashioned way. With classic Italian dishes, we
offer our customers a warm atmosphere filled
with the same friendly faces and aromas of
freshly made dough, sizzling pizza and delicious
fresh pasta. Whether you’re dining in or
ordering out, we’ve made your food with the
same quality & care we would make for our own
family, so that you can enjoy it with yours!
A new magazine for people who aren’t (new that is!)
CASH IN ON CLEAN UP!
Recycle your scrap metal for CASH!
ELECTRONIC WASTE RECYCLING
Copper • Brass • Aluminum • Lead • Stainless Steel
Batteries • Scrap Appliances • Aluminum Pop Cans
Container rental and C&D garbage disposal also available
SUPERIOR SERVICE, SUPERIOR VALUE! OPEN TO BUSINESSES & PUBLIC
MON-FRI 7:30-4:30
1279 Plank Rd, Sarnia • 519-337-3779 • www.trijan.ca SATURDAY 7:30-12
Russell Street
Family Owned
and Operated
Since 1989.
WE BUY & RECYCLE
ALL SCRAP METAL
25% OF F
any regular priced
giftware or home
decor item.
(For Seniors 60+)
120 Russell Street North, Sarnia • 519-383-0688
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
Polypharmacy: What is it and why should I care?
By Chris Treftlin, Shine at Home, Sarnia
Here is a true story. We will call her
Frances. Frances is in her mid 80s
and she has three doctors. A general
practitioner, a heart specialist, and a
doctor looking after her arthritis—a
rheumatologist. She sees them all
regularly. Periodically, as her condition
changes, she gets new prescriptions.
Her GP is monitoring her Type 2
diabetes and the doctor has her on two
medications to control that condition.
From her heart specialist she has
a medication to thin her blood, a
medication to help control her blood
pressure, and a medication to help
control her cholesterol. From her
rheumatologist she gets a medication
to control inflammation and one to
control joint pain.
That is how it started. Now as
time passed each of these doctors
changed and added to Frances’
list of medications. Frances was
complaining of poor sleep, so her GP
gave her a sleeping pill. The pain in
her joints was getting more intense,
so her rheumatologist increased her
pain medication. Frances herself was
watching an infomercial and decided to
order an over-the-counter med to also
help with her sleeping.
These doctors, all well intentioned
are fixing the issue in front of them.
They are unaware of what the other
doctors are prescribing. The pharmacist
is filling the script and not checking
to see if there could be bad drug
interactions. Perhaps there are multiple
pharmacies involved.
At this point we count 17 medications.
This is Polypharmacy, and it is a big,
big, challenge for seniors and healthcare
in general. The overprescribing and
overuse of medications in our senior
population is called the second
pharmacological epidemic, the first
being the opioid crisis.
You see doctors know how to
diagnose and treat, while pharmacists
understand best medications, and drug
interactions. The chart shown illustrates
the differences in the training of doctors
and pharmacists.
Let’s get back to Frances. She has been
dealing with a great deal of dizziness and
confusion in recent weeks. So intense
are these bouts of dizziness that she
remains in her armchair for most of the
day. Frances was attributing the brain
fog and dizziness to her old age—she
just sucked it up. She should not have.
Constant, persistent dizziness is not
a condition of aging. It is, for Frances
and similar cases, being caused by the
17 drugs in her system.
Getting up from her armchair one
day the dizziness became so intense
she lost her balance and had a bad
fall. Hospitalized for a time, she was
moved a Long-Term-Care (LTC) facility
to recuperate. Once there, a multidisciplinary
health team came around
her and coordinated all aspects of her
care including her medications. The
LTC doctor and pharmacist took over
her medications and reduced the 17
to…wait for it…five. Yes, five. Frances
recovered from her fall-induced injury,
and the chemical cocktail that had
been coursing through her veins.
Paradoxically, her son reported that the
fall was the best thing that could have
happened to his mom. “I got my mom
back!” he told the leaders and staff at
the LTC community.
This true story was shared with me
by Andy Donald, owner and CEO of The
Health Depot, and a Certified Geriatric
Pharmacist. Andy is on a mission to
improve the health care system for
seniors by reducing and eliminating the
scenario I just described. “We need to
get rid of healthcare silos. We are not
talking to each other in a way that puts
the patient first. No one is to blame. It
is just that the way we have been doing
things is baked into the system.”
Andy says the solution will come from
two different sources. First, technology
has advanced to a degree that doctor’s
prescriptions will be matched up
against all current patient medications
and will flag potential issues. Also
known as eHealth. Pharmacist access
to all patient medication records will go
a long way to reducing polypharmacy.
Secondly, and perhaps more
importantly, a change in attitude in
healthcare is required to ensure true,
patient-centred care: the doctor asking
the pharmacist, the pharmacist putting
the patient first, asking, inquiring, and
yes, saying there is a better way.
Check out www.thehealthdepot.ca,
or contact Andy Donald CGP via email
andy@thehealthdepot.ca
P A G E
26
Life Taught Me... Get a helmet and enjoy the ride.
Our next issue will come out around the beginning of April 2022.
THE CLUB Winter 2022
CROSSWORD
Call to
book a
tour!
Welcome to ...
THE Club
70 Duke Street, Wallaceburg
WallaceburgRetirementResidence.com
519-627-0719 I emma.king@wallaceburgretirementresidence.com
This FREE Magazine is made possible by the
companies you see adversing in these pages.
Please consider them when making your
purchasing decisions, and please let them
know that you saw their ad in...
Welcome to...
THE
THECLUB
ACROSS
Kern
water
Better Water
for Better
Health
DOWN
PUZZLE SOLUTION ON PAGE 12
Home Water
Treatment
Mon–Fri 9 am–6 pm • Sat 8 am–2 pm
1804 London Line, Sarnia
519-542-4211
kernwater.com
Water softeners,
whole house filters
and drinking
water units
Benefits
Water Treatment:
• Improved taste and clarity
• Removes contaminents
• Environmentally friendly
• Cost-effective
Water Softener:
• Healthier hair, skin
and nails
• Preserve appliance life
• Cleaner/shinier silverware
and glassware
• Softer clothes that last
longer
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Treat others how you want them to treat you. P A G E 27
Welcome to ...
Seniors
SAVE 20%
Every Thursday!*
*Discount applies to
regular priced merchandise
&Church
One particular four-year-old
prayed, “And forgive us our trash
baskets as we forgive those
who put trash in our baskets.”
THE Club
Available with a PC Optimum card at
the following Shoppers Drug Mart stores:
510 Exmouth Street, Sarnia
123 Mitton Street South, Sarnia
420 Lyndoch Street, Corunna
FOLLOW US!
To find (and post) current events
& community information, please
follow our Facebook page.
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Growing old is inevitable, but growing up is optional!
Our Wonderful Language
It all began when I went
to Barrie because they were
going to bury Barry who had
died from eating a poison
berry, not from beriberi as
first reported. As executor,
I’d been asked to write a
report on the funeral rite
and I wanted to make sure I
got it right. First I talked to
his fiancé Mary who, not surprisingly,
was less than merry now that she was
no longer going to marry Barry. Also,
so I wouldn’t err, I had to resolve
the question hanging in the air…
who was Barry’s heir? The situation
was confused because Barry’s cousin
Claude, had clawed his way into the
equation, the clod. It also looked like
Claude’s mother Bea would also be a
problem because she seemed to have
a bee in her bonnet. If Bea, who was
Barry’s aunty, was anti my report, it
would certainly up the ante.
Another problem I had to check was
a missing cheque Barry was supposed to
have received from a mysterious Czech.
I also had to talk to Barry’s brother
Harry who, ironically, was no longer
hairy now that he had joined the Hari
Krishnas.
Mary said, “He’ll be a problem,
the heel, because he had an ongoing
argument with Barry that just wouldn’t
heal.
It would be a tough knot to untangle,
but there was naught I could do;
I’m not one to give up easily. So, to
pique their interest, at the peak of my
investigation, I let them have a peek at
By A. C. Stone, Windsor
From Daytripping
March-April 2007
my preliminary report.
To throw them off the
scent, I sent the message
that Barry didn’t have a
cent to his name.
When I was a tot, I
was taught that, after
you hook a fish you
should keep your line
taut so, to get to the meat
of the matter, I asked them to meet me
in Barry’s office where, I promised, I
would mete out the answers. I entered
the room with my report wrapped in
plastic as protection against the rain,
rapped firmly on the table and waited
until I had their rapt attention. Pushing
back my chair I rose and announced,
“I’m sorry folks, but you’re no richer
than your forebears were in days of
yore. Barry left all of his money to his
children from a previous marriage.”
Those children were Gord, who had
been gored by a bull after he threw a
gourd at the animal; Hugh, whose eyes
were the same hue as Gord’s, and who I
felt would hew to the party line plus the
twins Lou and Lew who were so close
they even went to the loo together in
lieu of leaving each other, even for a
few minutes.
There was a moment of stunned
silence before their lawyer asked,
“You mean they’re not going to inherit
anything?”
I told them I was sorry and with that
they tried to rein in their emotions and,
as they trudged slowly out into the rain
they realized that Barry could still reign,
even from the grave.
Welcome to ... Winter 2022
P A G E
28
Life Taught Me... You are stronger than you think.
If your business offers anything to people 55+, you can advertise too!
Punography
• Velcro - what a rip off!
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Weekly Deliveries
on Sundays
Easy Order by Phone
519-491-5797
• I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.
• Venison for dinner? Oh deer!
• Be kind to your dentist. He has fillings, too.
• I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded d dough.
• Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.
• Cartoonist found dead in home. Details are sketchy.
• Earthquake in Washington obviously government's fault.
• I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not so sure.
• England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.
• I dropped out of communism class because of lousy Marx.
• All the toilets in New York's police stations have been stolen.
Police have nothing to go on.
• Did you hear about the cross eyed teacher who lost her job
because she couldn't control her pupils?
Fresh Meals to Your Door
All Homemade & Prepared Just For You!
Shepherds Pie • Quiche
Roast Beef with Mashed & Veggies
Beef Stew • Lasagna
Pork Chop with Baked & Veggies
Roast Chicken with Mashed & Veggies
Penne with Meat Sauce
Meatloaf with Mashed & Veggies
Salisbury Steak with Baked & Veggies
Turkey with Mashed, Veggies, Stuffing, Gravy
Full Pound Portions - $9.95
SOUPS: Chicken Rice, Vegetable,
Beef Vegetable & Texas Style Chili
500 ml - $5.55 • 1 litre $7.99
www.phillycheesejakes.com
If you need access to additional funds,
using the equity in your home
can be a lower cost way to borrow
the money than taking out a traditional loan.
For example, you can use your home equity to:
RENOVATE YOUR HOME,
AN ADDITION, POOL
BUY AN
ADDITIONAL
PROPERTY
INVEST
IN STOCKS
BARRY
PORTER
Mobile Mortgage
Specialist
BUY A CAR
OR BOAT
Cell: 519-466-3833
E-mail:
barry.porter@rbc.com
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Take care of your financial future.
P A G E 29
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Don’t put this down! You’ll have to bend over to pick it back up!
CAROLYN R L N MOSIER
BscP.T. MCPA
Registered
ered
ed
Physiotherapist
ist
Forest Physiotherapy
and Rehabilitation
10 Watt Street, et
Forest • 519-786-3336
36
Available frozen
as whole, quartered
or by individual cuts.
By appointment please.
• Farm Raised • Free Range • Non-Medicated
7078 Wisbeach Road, Arkona
519-494-1139 • wisbeachchickens@gmail.com
Welcome to ... Winter 2022
foresttravelservice.com 519-786-2319
We’re here to help you
make travelling easier.
18 King Street West, Forest
ESTABLISHED
IN 1977
7143 Forest Road,
Plympton-Wyoming
(4 km S. of Forest)
Come
to our
on farm
Brewery!
stonepickerbrewing.com
Follow us for live band announcements.
Tea With Daddy
One day my mother was out and my dad was in
charge. I was maybe 1 1/2 years old.
Open the door to your
financial well-being.
Pat Smits
Financial Advisor
12 Mac Donald Street
Forest, ON N0N 1J0
519-786-4924
www.edwardjones.ca
Someone had given me a little tea set as a gift, and
it was one of my favourite toys. Daddy was in the living room engrossed in
the evening news and my brother was playing nearby in the living room
when I brought Daddy a little cup of ‘tea’, which was just water, of course.
After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom
came home. My Dad had her wait in the living room to watch me bring him
a cup of tea, because it was, “just the cutest thing!”
My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the hall with a cup
of tea for Daddy! She watches him drink it up, then says, “Did it ever occur
to you that the only place that baby can reach to get water to make ‘tea’ is
the toilet?”
Stay Independent, Prevent Falls
In my work as a registered
physiotherapist, I regularly meet clients
who are at risk of falls. It’s quite common
to have falls as we age. Falls occur when
we lose our balance and end up either
on the ground or lower than where we
started. Approximately 30% of people
over the age of 65 fall each year. One
in five may require medical attention
which can affect their ability to perform
daily tasks such as getting into a car,
rising from a chair, or carrying groceries.
Preventing falls is important to stay
independent!
There are several things that may
contribute to falls: poor balance, poor
By Kelly-Lynn Musico, Brights Grove • Registered Physiotherapist, Registered Yoga Teacher
vision, and dementia to name a few. The
good news? Many falls can be prevented!
That’s were my physiotherapy work
comes into play. I get the privilege of
educating clients with simple steps to
help keep them safe of falls.
Here’s what you can do to lower your
risk:
EXERCISE:
Taking part in regular exercise reduces
the risk of falls. Ensuring your exercise
program include both strength and
balance exercises. Walking, gardening,
swimming are a few great ways to stay
active. A registered physiotherapist can
assist in setting up your exercise program
that is specific for you.
HOME SAFETY MODIFICATIONS:
Making sure the floor is free of clutter
and tripping hazards. Remove
scatter rugs. Arrange furniture
for ease of movement. Keep
commonly used items
within reach, so you are
not bending too low. Ask
someone to your home
to help make sure it is set
up as safely as possible.
OTHER HEALTH
INTERVENTIONS:
Your vision and
footwear and general health
can all have an impact—check them out!
Review all medications with your doctor
or pharmacist. Even some over-thecounter
medications can increase your
risk of falling.
Keeping yourself safe from falls can
keep you independent! Stay Active!
An Old Fashioned Country Store with a Modern Twist!
• Collecbles & Giware • Kids secon
• Fudge • Maple Buer Tarts & Baking
• Williamson Farms Beef & Local Pork, Cider,
Cheese & Maple Syrup • Gi Baskets
Wednesday is
SENIORS DAY!
Numerous Savings for 55 & over
Shop Online www.williamsonfarmsmarket.com
Curbside Pickup is always available • Ask us about delivery!
14 King St. W., FOREST • 226-520-0144
January through March - Open Tuesday to Friday 10am-6pm • Saturday 10-5
P A G E
30
Life Taught Me... Always get more than one quote.
Please let us know about places we should be dropping off free copies.
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Stop & shop in Forest, Ontario!
Check out our downtown - browse our shops,
enoy a meal at one of our fantastic restaurants or
take in a movie at the historic Kineto Theatre!
Make a day of it in Forest!
Keep up to date with event & shopping information
on our website, Facebook & Instagram!
Forest Pharmacy
Unique Gifts & Greeting Cards
Herbal Products & Supplements
Compression Stockings • Mobility Aids
Purses, Scarves & Jewellery
*Free Delivery in Lambton Shores
* Some restrictions apply
Seniors Save *15% Wednesdays
View our flyer and services at
forestpharmacy.ca
Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5, Sun & Holidays 10-2
19 King Street West, Forest, ON
519-786-5161
info@forestpharmasave.ca
SIGNS FROM GOD
These were found on signs outside of churches.
WHOEVER IS PRAYING FOR SNOW
PLEASE STOP
FRENCH
A bad compromise is better
than a good lawsuit.
A bad workman never
finds a good tool.
A big nose never spoiled
a handsome face.
A clear conscience is a good pillow.
A crooked log makes a good fire.
A door must either be open or shut.
A drowning man clings to a blade of grass.
A fool's speech is a bubble of air.
A good tale is none the worse for being twice told.
A great fortune in the hands
of a fool is a great misfortune.
A handsome shoe often pinches the feet.
A lame man won't walk with one who is lamer.
A man travels as far in a day as
a snail in a hundred years.
A muffled cat never caught a mouse.
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Home is where your heart is.
P A G E 31
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Please submit a photo of your loved one for this feature page! It’s Free!
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
Just u s
send s n
us s a photo h o o of f someone m n e who w o
h has s celebrated ebrated ed any ybirthday y
oranniversary anniversary, r
ary ,
a
rerement, rerement, an award or if they just deserve e recognion. recognion. The main m
person p
must s be 55
5
or over v and the photo must be of good quality. Photos are not guaranteed to o run.
.
info@welcometotheclub.ca
Box 430, Bright’s Grove, ON N0N 1C0
IT’S FREE TO HAVE PHOTOS PUBLISHED!
Helen Vandevenne
celebrated her 98th birthday with family and
friends on Oct 13th. She lives at Thompson
Gardens in Corunna, previously from Wilkesport.
Helen and her sister Dorothy Pet who is 96 have
hand quilted over 100 quilts since moving into this
Seniors Home. Helen is an inspiraon to all.
Leah Cullinan
Happy rerement
to my wonderful
wife, Leah!
Love Rob
Ken Henry
Leona Allen
Rered from Tourism Sarnia Lambton
aer many years of hard work and
dedicaon to the community. Leona
was a key part of TSL and is
reknowned for knowing everything
that was happening for people
travelling in Sarnia-Lambton.
Firefighter Ken Henry, and his wife, Nancy, were
recently honoured for 50 years of service by the
Petrolia/North Enniskillen Fire Department.
During a recent ceremony at the Petrolia Legion, Ken
was presented with a plaque from the office of the
Ontario Fire Marshal, both his 45 and 50 year bars
to go on his service medal presented by Nelly Green.
He was also gied a wood carving of a PNEFD
Maltese cross and an engraved watch presented by
PNEFD Chief Jay Arns. Greengs were brought by
dignitaries at all levels of government. Speaking in
thanks, Firefighter Henry spoke about some of the
changes, challenges and champions of his 50 years
of volunteer service.
Ron Vanderburgt
with some of the 60 plus birthday
cards he received for his 60th
birthday on October 8th. Ron’s
four children organized this
unique surprise.
Bob Topliffe
Bob, of Wyoming and a member of
Petrolia Toastmasters, was recently
awarded a MEMBERS MAKING A
DIFFERENCE award from District 86
Toastmasters. This award recognizes
that Bob has volunteered with RAYJON
for more than 20 years and has been a
part of more than 40 eyeglass clinics in
Hai, Mexico, Dominican Republic and
other third world countries.
P A G E
32
Life Taught Me... Never piss off the bartender.
Sometimes, no news really is good news.
3G CUSTOM APPAREL & MORE
T-shirt & Sweater Pressing
FUNDRAISERS WELCOME
Photo credit:
Phil Collins
(for real)
4110 Petrolia Line
Petrolia
519-882-1212
~ OPEN 6 Days a Week ~
Tues. to Sat. 11am to 8pm
Sunday 11am to 6pm
My Lefthanded, Backwards,
Upsidedown Life & Assorted Short Stories
Well, back in the old days, I was
pretty much terrified of girls. I knew
I liked what they had to offer, but was
pretty uninterested in actually seeking
them out. Didn’t like to put them in
the awkward position of having to
crush my dreams and didn’t like to
be put in the position of having my
dreams crushed. Problem was that
I’d made new friends in high school,
and these guys were obsessed with
chasing girls – it was pretty much all
they thought about – except possibly
how to get hold of some liquor and
get drunk – because that was starting
to happen as well – but that’s another
story. Anyway, if you were intent on
chasing girls, it meant that you were
likely going to end up going to dances
– and, if you remember, dances were
not my favourite activity.
However, in order to be one of
the crowd, I knew I’d have to attend
dances. So, I bucked it up and went
to the first few dances of the school
year. Everything was going okay
because I would sort of hide off to
the side of the event and let my
buddies have their way with the girls.
In those days, most dances featured
a live band, so it was always good
to watch the band – mainly because
things were happening in that area
of my life as well – but that’s another
story, too. And, so, I ended up in my
Sunday best at the annual Valentine’s
Dance. Not really too worried, but
knowing I’d need to keep my guard
up nonetheless……
And the dance was going okay, and
I was doing my usual hiding, when
something unfortunate happened.
One of my newfound buddies wanted
to dance with this certain girl in the
worst way – but she had a friend she
was with…and none of the other guys
seemed to be around. So, he asked the
By John Gardiner
The following is an excerpt from “My Lefthanded,
Backwards, Upsidedown Life & Assorted Short Stories”
by Wallaceburg writer John Gardiner, who grew up and
came of age in Hanover, Ontario during the 1950’s and
1960’s. In this memoir, Gardiner tells the story of his
growing-up years with a series of colourful anecdotes
about the way life used to be. More of the writer’s work is
available at www.johngardinerstories.com or by contacting
the author at gardiner@kent.net.
I Attend the Valentine’s Dance
inevitable question in a circumstance
like this. Would I go with him and ask
the friend to dance. I said, “No, man,
I don’t actually dance.” He responded
that it was a dance I was attending
and he’d buy me a “ten-to-go” bag of
French Fries after if I’d do it. So, off
we headed across the dance floor. And
before I knew it, I was dancing. It was
a slow tune and for my generation of
dancers what that meant was that all
you had to do was grapple with your
partner – there were no real steps but
it was good if you kept your feet to
yourself. I made it through the song,
whereupon the girl I had asked said
her thanks and headed off. I don’t
remember how my friend made out,
but I had done my duty….and I’d
danced with a real live girl and lived
to tell about it.
Now the thing was that at the
annual Valentine’s Dance, they had
a tradition at old HDHS and that was
that near the end of the night, they
crowned the “Queen of Hearts.” And
the way they did this was by putting
all the girls’ names in a big empty
thing, then drawing out one of them.
And, of course, they pulled the name
of the girl I’d danced with. So, she
headed off up to the stage to receive
her honours. And when she got there,
something truly horrible happened.
They asked her who she had last
danced with – and, you guessed it, it
was me. And, suddenly, I was on stage
and I was the “King of Hearts”…….
Wow…..They slapped a cardboard
crown on my head and shoved a
sceptre into my hands and I was all
set. Truly one of the most traumatic
things that has ever happened to me.
I did survive, but it was a close call. It
taught me that I’d need to do a better
job of hiding as I journeyed through
life. Hide well, my friends, because
there are bad things in life and they’re
just waiting out there to get you.
Welcome to ...
Established in 1978,
Lambton Pharmacy continues to
provide caring, professional pharmacy
services to residents of the beautiful
town of Petrolia and Lambton County.
4130 Glenview Rd, Unit 2, Petrolia
519-882-0650
Danielle Edgar, B.Sc., PharmD
Pharmacist
Monday–Friday 9–6
Saturday 9–12
HOGAN
P•H•A•R•M•A•C•Y
Beautiful Gift Shop
• Wedding • Birthday
• Baby • Home Decor
THE Club
Everything for
your Kning,
Crocheng,
Cross Stch &
Needlepoint
Country Yarns Needs!
- Menon this ad for a 15% discount -
2776 LaSalle Line, PETROLIA • 519-882-8740
(BETWEEN MANDAUMIN & WATERWORKS)
Wed.10-5 • Thurs.10-6 • Fri.10-5 • Sat. 10-3
www.country-yarns.com
395 Fletcher St
Petrolia, Ontario
4177 Petrolia Line, Petrolia • (519) 882-1840
THE WALK
OF DOWNTOWN PETROLIA
Petrolia’s Alternative Fuel
226-738-0665
blackgold.beer
Full Service Pharmacy
Full Service Cosmetic Department
Full Service Home Health Care Dept.
Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-6, Sun10-5
Petrolia’s
Luxury
Downtown
Development
The Walk is Petrolia’s only luxury
apartment project in the downtown
core. Within walking distance to the
grocery store, hospital, pharmacies and
more, the location is ideal for adopting
Petrolia’s trendy downtown lifestyle. 519-882-3157
www.albanyretirementvillage.com/the-walk
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Never assume everyone has the same heart as you do. P A G E 33
Welcome to ...
VAST SELECTION OF TEAS
Exquisite Giftware
Home & Garden Decor
Jewellery • Gourmet Foods
4192 Petrolia Line • Petrolia • 519-882-0238
• Fresh Produce
• Fresh Meat
• Party Trays
• Bakery
• Deli
THE Club
FULL SERVICE FLORIST • LOCAL ART
4194 Petrolia Line, Petrolia • 519- 882-1330
My Daily Work Out
Here I am at eighty, I need more exercise,
Doctor says its good for you, keeps you fit and wise.
So I got up this morning and "dragged my heels" a bit,
Now that's a great beginning, should really keep me fit.
Then "jumping to conclusions" and "climbing walls" I know,
Will help build up my muscles and help my spirits grow.
I push my luck and get to work, "and 'round in circles run,"
While "bending over backwards" that's really not much fun.
Making "mountains out of molehills" & "swallowing my pride,"
I feel I've had my exercise, at least I think I tried.
So now I think I should relax and things are done and said,
I'll "put off until tomorrow" and go crawl into bed.
Every Tuesday is SENIORS DISCOUNT DAY
10% OFF for age 60 and over (must tell cashier)
Doesn’t apply to tobacco, lottery or gift cards
By Mariann
Pafford,
London
• Bulk Food
• Seasonal
Merchandise
• Flower
Market
60 might be the new 40, but 9 pm is the new midnight.
www.albanyretirementvillage.com
Retirement
Village
Downtown Retirement Living
in a Quaint Victorian Town
Call to Book a Tour:
423 Albany Street
Petrolia, ON
519-882-3157
Enjoy Friends | Enjoy Independence | Enjoy Life
TOP 10
1962
Country Songs
1 Ned Miller From a Jack to a King
2 Claude King Wolverton Mountain
3 Marty Robbins Devil Woman
4 Patsy Cline She's Got You
5 Marty Robbins Ruby Ann
6 Patsy Cline Crazy
7 Carl Butler Don't Let Me Cross Over
8 Walter Brennan Old Rivers
9 Jim Reeves Losing Your Love
Source:
10 Jim Reeves Adios Amigo playback.fm
Billboard Hits
1 Pat Boone Speedy Gonzales
2 Ray Charles I Can't Stop Loving You
3 The Tornados Telstar
4 Elvis Presley Return to Sender
5 Elvis Presley Good Luck Charm
6 Chris Montez Let's Dance
7 Elvis Presley Can't Help Falling in Love
8 Little Eva The Loco-Motion
9 Bobby Vinton Roses Are Red
10 Elvis Presley She's Not You
Source:
playback.fm
Movies
Lawrence of Arabia
(Oscar for Best Picture)
The Longest Day
In Search of Castaways
That Touch of Mink
The Music Man
Mutiny on The Bounty
To Kill A Mockingbird
Hatari!
Gypsy
Lolita
Source: the-numbers.com
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
Use our easy
ONLINE
SHOPPING
SERVICE
www.yourindependentgrocer.ca
We’ll bring your groceries to your car!
P A G E
34
4136 Petrolia Line,
Petrolia • 519-882-2211
www.yourindependentgrocer.ca
Life Taught Me... Have a sense of humour.
You’re not getting older, you’re just becoming a classic!
Welcome to ...
THE Club
BOB BAILEY
MPP – Sarnia-Lambton
Building A Better Sarnia-Lambton
Presenting petitions at Queen’s
Park on behalf of seniors living
in Ontario land lease
communities, including
Bluewater Country in Sarnia.
Proudly attending a Righteous
Among the Nations ceremony
hosted by Israel in Toronto, which
recognized the heroism of late
Lambton County residents Jan and
Elsje Snippe for saving a Jewish
boy in the Netherlands during The
Holocaust.
Recognizing the 100th anniversary
of the Sarnia Cenotaph and the
restoration of the 100-year-old
“Tommy” statue after it was
damaged.
Visiting local industry with the
Minister of Energy (centre) and Rob
Thompson, NOVA Chemicals VP
Manufacturing East.
Welcome to 2022 – and congratulations to The Club on a very
successful first year. As the sophomore year of this unique
publication kicks off, I know we’re all excited to see what
informative, entertaining and humourous features The Club team
will deliver in the next 12 months to its thousands of 55+ readers!
Although 2021 continued to provide many challenges, almost
everyone I’ve spoken with in recent months has been more
positive and upbeat as life in Ontario returns to normal. Even if
we’re not completely out of the pandemic woods yet, I think all of
us are feeling more optimistic about the future.
With the end of Ontario’s 42nd Parliament coming this spring,
there is still plenty of work to be done at Queen’s Park, including
a new budget that will set the stage for the province’s future. As
your Member of Provincial Parliament since 2007, I have always
advocated strongly for everyone in Sarnia-Lambton, ensuring
that our local issues are front and centre. Additionally, over the
past several months, I’ve been honoured to make numerous
funding announcements in support of programs that are directed
specifically to the needs of those 55+, many of whom are living
on fixed incomes.
Just a reminder that if you have concerns related to any
provincial matters, my Constituency Office staff is always
available to help. Please check out my contact information at the
bottom of this page and feel free to stop by my office, call or
email any time.
I’d like to extend my best wishes to all The Club’s readers for a
healthy and prosperous 2022. Stay safe and be well!
Talking with workers at the
former Lambton Generating
Station prior to the proposed
demolition in early 2022.
CONSTITUENCY OFFICE
805 Christina St. North, Suite 102
Point Edward, ON N7V 1X6
Celebrating the 150th
anniversary of First Baptist
Church in Petrolia with Pastor
Alex Craig.
Contact Bob Bailey
Tel.: 519-337-0051
Fax: 519-337-3246
Participating in the Ontario
Trillium Foundation event in
Petrolia to celebrate Lambton
County Developmental Service’s
$53,000 grant for a new
accessible mini-van.
Discussing local economic issues
with the Associate Minister of
Small Business and Red Tape
Reduction (left) and Terri O’Brien,
owner of local business Feather
Your Nest
E-mail: bob.baileyco@pc.ola.org
Website: bobbaileympp.com
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Be thankful you live in Canada.
P A G E 35
Welcome to ...
WYOMING
ROOFING
THE Club
• Residential
i
t
ial
• Re-Roofs
• New Work
Mike Daamen
n
519-845-0182 5-
82
• 519-899-2422
99-2
-242
2
JEN’S
SALON
571 ERIE ST, WYOMING
519-845-3596
If this brings back good memories, send us some of your own.
You’ve got a lot riding on those tires!
You can trust
Wyoming Tirecraft
for personal
small town service.
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
T he Winsomeness of Winter
By Janet Robinson, Burlington • from Daytripping Nov-Dec 2021
I have to admit, I am not a fan of
winter. I tend to hibernate during the
cold months, awaiting the warmth of
spring, and the emergence of the beauty
of flowers and greenery once again.
I gather my books together for good
reads, peruse new recipes to try, and
live the indoor life with the satisfaction
that I am warm and comfortable.
Yet, winter does have a certain charm
to it. Everyone loves to see a landscape
with newly fallen snow like feathery
pillows tenderly placed on each branch
and surrounding foliage. It’s peaceful
and calming to view.
I would often look out the window
during an evening snowfall and marvel
at the diamond-like sparks of colour,
flashing from tiny snowflakes as the
outdoor lights lit up those flakes,
displaying all the colours of the rainbow.
Reds, greens, blues, oranges, all shouting
with unheard voices, “Behold!”
And there is such elegance in the
ice-laden branches of trees and other
structures after an episode of freezing
rain. The following day’s sun glistens
on every part of the landscape and it is
a treat to drive around for a few hours
before it melts away to behold what
nature has given as a fleeting covering
of what appears to be crystal and glass
everywhere.
Some folk are very brave and layer
up in warm clothing venturing out for
walks and sometimes escapades into
the wooded areas or fields to view the
birds and other animals. There is an
abundance of life in the perceived dead
landscape, with the antics of squirrels
scurrying about, nuthatches eagerly
eating up the suet a benevolent home
owner has put out, and deer silently
walking through the ubiquitous down
which has blanketed the fields. Yes,
there is life in the frozen land.
Winter has inspired photographers
and painters who give recognition to the
often overlooked tranquility of this silent
world. The pristine white is the perfect
backdrop for the scarlets of cardinals
and berries, the greens of the pine and
spruce trees, the blues of the jays, and
the blacks and browns and rust colours
of other creatures. The artists of the
world have always appreciated the visual
gifts that this frigid season has given us.
Children have consistently embraced
the season, building snowmen and
forts, making snow angels, sliding on
the ice. This is not a strange world to
them, but another opportunity to play
in a different and creative way and
their rosy cheeks and gleeful smiles
attest to the joy the season has brought
them. Likewise, most dogs are thrilled
to have the chance to plough through
the fresh snow and roll in it with great
exuberance, and it lightens the heart to
watch them.
So rather than sigh with discouragement
and impatience as we await the warmer
seasons, we should see winter through
new eyes and a heart of gratitude for the
beauty which continues through the next
few months. It’s there if we look for it.
Wyoming
Auto Centre
ALL MAJOR BRANDS
Cars, Trucks, Performance
Specializing in Farm
AUTO SERVICE
We can also do repairs,
oil changes, brakes, batteries,
seasonal maintenance
and much more
It’s worth
the trip
to Wyoming!
547 Ontario Street, Wyoming • 519-845-0813 • tirecraft.com
Phrase Origins Pull Out All the Stops
Refers to using every possible effort to achieve something.
Pipe organs have many sets of pipes, with knobs called
stops, to control the air flow. Usually they are
strategically pulled out to achieve a specific sound, but
when they are ALL pulled out, it results in a very full
sound, with maximum volume.
Green County Ebikes
and
Mobility Scooters
New • Used
Parts • Sales • Service
Financing Available
Ebike &
Mobility Scooter
Batteries
638 Broadway Street, Wyoming • 519.333.8313 • www.greencountyebikes.com
TUES. TO SAT.
9AM - 5PM
P A G E
36
Life Taught Me... Nothing is ever as it seems.
Let’s grow old together. You go first.
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Wyoming’s First and Only
Health Food Store & Refillery
Growing
A Greener
Community,
One Tree
At A Time
647 Broadway Street, Wyoming
226-307-0694 • suncoastnaturalhealth.ca
FARM FRESH ARTISAN GOAT CHEESE
GLUTEN FREE • LOW LACTOSE
SPECIALTY FOODS AS WELL
569 BROADWAY ST, WYOMING • 519-845-1613
SENIORS 10% OFF (65+)
Contact Us: 519-845-0847
info@wyomingtreeservice.ca
Confessions of a Stoker
I am in love with central heating.
Each time I saunter into the hall and
turn the thermostat up or down, a
smug smile lights my face. For life
wasn’t always so simple.
Soon after our marriage, my husband
and I moved into his parents’ home on
their one hundred acre farm. We had
our own private living quarters in half
of the one-storey home and my in-laws
shared the other half. Unfortunately,
we also had our own coal stove. To a
girl raised in an apartment building
who had never set eyes on a furnace
much less an ancient cook stove, the
results proved to be a near disaster.
My mother-in-law was a wellintentioned
woman with 40 years stove
tending experience behind her. She
was given to daily periodic inspections
into our half of the house to peer
beneath the grates. And not without
good reason.
A gingerly lift of the lid and
wild, grasping flames would leap
uncontrollably out of the innards,
licking savagely at her arms and face.
Then, with the patience of Job and nary
By Estelle Salata, Dundas • www.estellesalata.ca • From Daytripping Nov-Dec 2016
an accusation in my direction, she
would bank the fire with just the right
amount of coal or wood. No more, no
less. I soon began to regard her as a
sort of genius whose great talent for
tending fires was being wasted on
incidentals. She would have excelled
as a forest ranger in the northern
hinterland.
On one of her daily rounds she
found me huddled in the ashes like
Cinderella. She caught me bundled up
to my eyeballs in scarves, parka, wool
socks and boots. A near empty box of
burnt matches gave mute testimony to
my ineffective attempts at becoming
an efficient farm wife.
With a sympathetic cluck of her
tongue, she stoically took one match
and built a crackling fire in a matter
of minutes. Even after a year, I still
required a week’s supply of newspapers
and a full box of matches.
One cold, blustery mid-winter
afternoon, she popped in and caught
me garbed in beach wear with the
windows wide open. I dropped the fan
I had been waving, and passed it off
663 Broadway Street
Wyoming, ON N0N 1T0
519-845-3212
beth@bethhackettins.ca
623 Broadway St., Wyoming • 519-845-9915 • VillageFireplaceShop.com
with a weak, sickly grin.
It was in the chill days of mid winter
that the Stove War, as I was prone to
call it, got completely out of hand. One
evening around midnight my husband
and I awakened suddenly. I had dreamt
of getting lost in the Sahara desert. It
felt as if the hot sun still blazed down
on us.
“Why is the ceiling pink?” I asked
my husband.
A check on the stove showed that
it had scored another triumph. The
entire surface area was red hot. The
walls and furniture felt uncomfortably
warm. We threw open the windows
and door, praying that stray animals
wouldn’t wander inside. We dragged
the furniture closer to the door just in
case we had to make a quick getaway.
We tip-toed quietly through the silent
house. I prayed that my mother-in-law
would continue to sleep through the
entire disgraceful episode.
We were forced to wear coats,
go outside and stand on the back
stoop until the heating cooled down.
Some two hours later, when the stove
had finally spent itself,
we crept back into the
house, bleary-eyed with
lack of sleep. Congratulating
ourselves on a job well done,
we heard a slight click of the
adjoining door. We looked up
to see a ghost-like figure clad in
a white, flannelette nightgown
carrying a water bucket.
“Why is all the furniture
piled up over by the window?”
my mother-in-law asked in an
innocent voice.
I stammered back the first
words that came to my head.
“We didn’t want to burn
the house down?”
Just for a moment, I
thought of moving back
to the city first thing
in the morning.
Can anyone blame
me for being in
love with automatic
heating?
Great Local Service
AUTO • HOME • FARM • INSURANCE
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Always dance in the rain.
P A G E 37
Welcome to ...
THE Club
Putting the Grey in Great!
Welcome to ...
Winter 2022
• Manicures • Pedicures • Waxing
• Cosmetic Injections (Botox & Fillers)
• Electrolysis • Independent Hair Stylists
a getaway from the everyday
635 Broadway Street
WYOMING
226-307-0772
WHEN YOU REACH
OLD AGE, YOU
CAN GO TO ANTIQUE
SHOPS AND VISIT
YOUR OLD FURNITURE.
PICK YOUR OWN • Strawberries
• Apples • Pears • Pumpkins (in season)
PRODUCE FRESH FROM OUR FIELDS
RETAIL STORE on the Farm with lots of
fresh produce, baking & local preserves.
www.zekveldgardenmarket.ca
4622 London Line, Reeces Corners • 519-845-3482
OPEN MON-SAT
Children Welcome
MARLEY PHARMACY
59 9Y Years of fS Service i to oWyo
Wyoming o &Th The Surrounding S o un
i Community!
C i
!
“Where Good Friends Meet!”
Physician Consults
available through our
VIRTUAL
WALK-IN CLINIC
Call us for details
• Compounding Service
• Rapid COVID Tesng
Bandmasters in Lambton County
Courtesy of Lambton Archives, County of Lambton
607 Broadway Street, Wyoming 519-845-3341
Lambton County has a vibrant musical
history. Every community in Lambton
County has been inspired to put some
sort of music group together and it was
the presence of the military in Lambton
County that helped music flourish. The
military wore handsome
uniforms and they needed
music to accompany their
assemblies, marches and
and growth of our musical history in
Lambton County.
William Brush
A man devoted to the stirring music
of military and concert bands and
school orchestra’s in Sarnia was William
E. Brush. Bandmaster Brush
was born in Watford in the
year 1880. He moved to
Forest where as a young man
special events. With a
he became a cornetist with
variety of instruments,
the local band. Interested in
concert bands have
pursuing a career in music,
emerged to the delight of
community residents and
the pride of community
he moved to Toronto where
he studied under Capt. John
Slatter of the Toronto’s 48th
leaders.
Highlanders Band. Brush
The bandmaster or
was a featured euphoniumist
conductor led the bands William Brush in that city for several years.
while choosing the music, motivating,
and directing the musicians. Without
the bandmaster, the band would often
disintegrate. Here we feature two
striking band masters who had a large
musical impact on the development
Mr. Brush moved to Sarnia in 1909
and joined the 27th Regimental Band
as cornetist and Bandmaster. When the
27th Regiment was removed from the
Sarnia Militia List, the band became
known as the Sarnia Citizens Band.
When the Sarnia Board
of Education decided to
establish an orchestra
at Sarnia Collegiate
Institute, he was brought
in to train, teach, and
direct the school band.
For a number of years
he was also organist and
choirmaster at Devine
Street Methodist and
later he became the first
President of the Lambton
County Music Festival.
A Bandmasters Funeral: William Brush
To many in Sarnia,
William Brush was
known as the quietspoken
Bandmaster
of the Sarnia Citizens
Band for 46 years. He
never missed a parade,
concert, or practice.
His death in December
of 1954 shocked and
saddened the Sarnia
Community. His efforts
with countless musically
Percy Cox leading the White Roase Band
minded students in local schools and
able leadership of the city band was
unsurpassed. He earned the respect
and admiration of bandmasters and
bandsmen across the
province with his counsel
highly regarded, especially
for his knack of turning
amateur musical groups
into finely tuned musical
organizations.
Percie Cox
Percie Cox began
his musical career at
the age of 17 when he
became a member of the Percy Cox
Leytonston Salvation Army Band and
the Headquarters singers located on
Fortress Road, London England. It is
with the band that he studied the cornet
and at sometime early in life the piano,
becoming proficient in both.
On March 16th, 1911, Percie set
sale for Canada, leaving the harbor in
Liverpool at 4:50pm. By March 27th he
made it to Port Arthur where he met his
future wide Eva MacArthur.
To Percie, music was the love of his
life which he pursued with vigor and
with much success. He immediately
joined local concert bands while
working, raising a family, and teaching
piano and other musical
instruments. By 1939 his
music career flourished and
Percie took a job with the
Canadian Oil Company in
Petrolia, being offered the
position of Bandmaster of
its newly acquired Petrolia
Citizens Band, later known
as the Petrolia White Rose
Band. Immediately he took
to preparing the band for
the Canadian National Exhibition in
Toronto, and to everyone’s delight, led
the band to take the first prize at the
C.N.E in 1927, 1928, and 1929.
Teaching was an important part of
his life in Petrolia. In his small studio
in the Town Hall, he gave instruction to
hundreds of young men and women in
wind, reed, and tympanic instruments.
He continued his love for music and
the band until his peaceful passing in
August 1969.
P A G E
38
Life Taught Me... Have no expectations.
Thanks again - keep this copy or pass it on to a friend please.
Welcome to ...
THE Club
winter 2022 Life Taught Me... Learn to enjoy your own company.
P A G E 39
Check out our Facebook page and
watch how LEO, The Sarnia Sting,
and the Strangway Centre,
City of Sarnia are connecting
across generations!
Volunteers needed for:
Meals on Wheels
• Deliver to: Port Franks, Forest,
Wallaceburg, Corunna & Petrolia
• Monday, Wednesday & Friday
for approximately two hours
• Use personal vehicle (mileage
provided) or agency vehicle
• Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination required
Friendly Visiting
• Weekly face-to-face or
over-the-phone meetings to foster
meaningful connections and help
decrease feelings of isolation!
The Peer Program:
For You, By You!
The Peer Program at Lambton Elderly
Outreach is a peer-to-peer social group
from those who want to participate in
various social activities planned for and by
participants! All content is generated by
the members who have an interest in a
particular area then we make it happen!
Past events include coffee and chat,
painting in the park, and bingo! To be a
part of this group, please call or email the
Community Engagement Specialist at
519-845-1353 ext 310.
aweiler@lambtonelderlyoutreach.org.
How We Can
Help You Live
at Home
Transportation
Non-Urgent Stretcher Van
Meals on Wheels
Home Maintenance
Personal Care
Home Help
Care Giver Respite Support
Crisis Intervention
Housing Support
The Peer Program
Friendly Visiting
Diners Club
LEO Scored 98% Exemplary Standing
for providing Quality Services
Funded in part by the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton
and Jackpot City, Sarnia
Lambton Elderly Outreach • 1-800-265-0203 • www.lambtonelderlyoutreach.orgb ld l h