Welcome to The Club Winter 2024-25

Welcome to...

FREE & PRICELESS

Must be 55

or older!

THE

CLUB

Sarnia-Lambton

A GUIDE TO FEELING YOUNGER

...Even if we might be getting older.

See pages 32-40 for our...

C hristmas

Gift Guide!

“The Secret Bench of Knowledge”

sculpture by Lea Vivot at Sarnia Library.

Photo by Kai Sorensen

See page 3 for more information

From the creators of...

welcometotheclub.ca

VOLUME 4, ISSUE 4 WINTER 2024/25

Welcome to...

THE Club

Welcome to the Winter issue!

Community & Home

Support Services

“Our support services

enable clients

to live with

Dignity & Respect.”

“Alone we can do so little.

Together we can do

so much!”

Helen Keller

Volunteer &

Social Opportunities

Become a

Director of the Board!

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• Be at least eighteen (18)

years of age

• Sit on a Board

committee

• Commit to a 3-year term

• Live in Lambton County

• Attend meetings every

two months

During my 3+ years serving on the Board of

Directors I have learned so much about how a

not-for-profit community organization functions as

well as what a crucial role LEO plays in our community

in supporting our seniors. I have always been proud

to share with others my involvement with this

dedicated group of Board members, and the LEO

Leadership Team. I will always have a special

place in my heart for LEO.

-Bob DeRaad

HOW TO APPLY:

earmstrong@lambtonelderlyoutreach.org

lambtonelderlyoutreach.org/board-recruitment

Transportation

519-845-1353 • volunteer@leohelps.ca • www.lambtonelderlyoutreach.org

Making Access to Community Supports & Health Services Easier!

Expanded local services & supports listings

New community navigator option

Inclusive of all ages & stages

Find. Specific supports you need.

Search.

☎

Community

Navigators listen

and help find local

resources and

supports based

on the needs

of the caller.

Talk. Call to speak with a Community Navigator.

www.agefriendlysarnialambton.ca 519-336-3000

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.org

P A G E

2

Read along the bottom borders for some words of wisdom & thought-provoking questions.

WINTER 24/25

This FREE magazine is distributed in most of Sarnia-Lambton.

One Door Closes, Another Opens

On October 28th, 2020 - in the midst

of a global pandemic - I got an email

from Carla MacGregor and the magazine

you’re reading got a big kick start.

I’d never met Carla, but heard her

name a few days before when I ran

into Al McMillan (in Davies Antiques in

Harriston if I remember correctly). Both

he and Carla had worked at the Sarnia

Observer in advertising sales, and

Al was a local legend in the business.

When I mentioned that we were looking

for a good ad salesperson, he suggested

Carla.

The idea for Welcome to The Club

had been on the back burner for years

and I was dying to try it. The pandemic

provided some ‘downtime’ to make it

happen. By that time I’d spent countless

hours driving from town to town while

working on Daytripping Magazine,

pondering the idea of a different

product for people

my age and up. I had

tons of ideas lined

up and a long list of

names for it like “The

Senior’s Citizen” and

“Over The Hill.” My

sister, Theresa Lecky,

had stepped into

retirement and been

put right back to work

reading (and grading)

every story sent in

by contributors to

Daytripping since it

began in 1995.

The fundamental

idea was to give a

second life to all the

wonderful stories

that all these readers had sent in over

the years, and it’s worked better than

expected. We also donate $25 for every

article we reprint and, while many of

these contributors have passed away,

their words live on. We thank you for

picking up The Club and loving these

stories from the past, as well as the new

ones, but this dream became a reality

when Carla MacGregor reached out.

You may have noticed that Welcome

to The Club is free, paid for by the

advertisers that we hope you’ll thank

with your patronage. Without ad sales,

there is no magazine. I started in ad

sales at the age of 18 but couldn’t do it

alone. Carla had worked in the Sarnia-

Lambton market for years, believed

in this new idea and put 100% of her

heart into it. It’s no wonder that she was

successful — Carla is about the nicest

person you could meet and she truly

cares about people and her community.

Unfortunately, she’s had to move on.

Carla got her real estate license a couple

years ago and her honest, hard working,

and sincerely caring personality has

won over the local market. She’s too

busy selling and finding homes for

by Mark Moran, Publisher

people to do both jobs. I had a first

hand look at her wearing the realtor hat

when my brother-in-law and his wife

moved to Brights Grove last year. Carla

spent a day with them, having lined up

numerous homes that were for sale and

fit their needs, and added one more

while they were out house shopping.

It’s that last one that they bought.

Carla followed up well after the sale

in numerous ways and I couldn’t have

been more impressed with the work

she did for them.

I don’t have a lot of experience in

saying goodbye to employees. I only

have five co-workers and they’ve been

putting up with me for years. Angela

Lyon has been taking care of all the

articles in both magazines for 13 years

now. Carla Mejia (the original Carla)

has been making it all look pretty for

21 years. Carrie Ann Timm started

27 years ago, is

now an assocate

publisher and is

largely responsible

for creating each

issue of The Club.

Then there’s Laurie

Dunlop, who doesn’t

work with The Club

but has been by my

side with Daytripping

for 29 years now. It

celebrates 30 years

in March.

Thank you Carla

MacGregor, for being

a great friend and for

all you did to make

The Club a hit from

day one!

So if you need to buy or sell a house,

call Carla. If you need an ad, call me or

Rhonda Long. Rhonda’s worked with

me on Daytripping for 19 years and is

now taking on a larger role with The

Club as well.

On Another Note...

While choosing the photo by Kai

Sorensen for the cover of this issue it

occurred to us that there’s probably

a name for the sculpture in front of

the Sarnia Library, and sure enough

there is. It’s called “The Secret Bench

of Knowledge.” However, we also

discovered in the process that it’s not

the only one. Multiple castings (with

some differences) were created by artist

Lea Vivot and placed in cities including

Ottawa, Montreal and New York. The

inscriptions on the bench are written

by school children about their love of

reading.

And on that note, thank you for

reading this issue. Please let our

customers (and ones that should

be) know just how much you like

Welcome to The Club – they make it

possible and we need them to keep it

going strong.

Welcome to...

Welcome to ...

THE

CLUB

Event Listings .................... 20-21

Discount List ............................... 6

Where to Find the Club .......... 8

Giving List (Volunteering) .... 15

Snapshots ................................... 16

THE Club

The Club Features

Chris i

Treftlin, e f

t i ,

Sipkens Nurseries, N r es s,

Kelly-Lynn e ly L yn

n

Musico, M s c ,

Ruth

R t

Sharon, Mary Lou Tasko, a k , Steve e e Loxton, on, Esther Meerschaut,

r

h

a t

Gladys d

Nolan, N l

a , Calvin M Patrick, i

k

Maxine i

McBryan, B

a , Norma r a West

t

Linder, d

e , Glynn A. Leyshon, e

Sylvia Berk, k Verena ena Berger, e , Blanche

h

Haskett, k

t,

Nancy McSloy, S

l y Agnes g e

Burroughs, ro

ughs

Gayle Etherington,

i

ton,

Nadine Wark, k Mike Keenan, enan

, Peter R. Smith, t , Will Bartlett, t,

William

i liam

Weatherstone, r to

Cathy Dobson, on, Andrea d e

Basra, r , Ronny D'Haene,

e,

Deb Lumley, l

e ,

Barry Loxton on

Photography, t hy,

Cheryl y

Ryan

y n

Photography, t

ogra

h

y Jayne Primeau m a

Photography, h t hy, Dave McIntosh, h Kai

a i

Sorensen, r n e Glen C. Phillips

lips

Mark Moran - Publisher, Ad Sales

Carrie Ann Timm - Associate Publisher

Rhonda Long - Advertising Sales

Angela Lyon - Graphics & Editing

Carla Mejia - Graphic Design

From the

publishers of

DAYTRIPPING

ING

MAGAZINE

VOLUME 4,

ISSUE 4

Winter 2024

YOUR CONTRIBUTORS

CLUB STAFF

Trivia ....................... 35

Recipes ................... 13

Crossword ............ 11

Word Search ....... 24

Sudoku .................. 22

P.O. Box 430 • Brights Grove, ON •N0N •N0N 1C0

519-491-1676 • info@welcometotheclub.ca

www.welcometotheclub.ca

SUBSCRIBE!

To receive eive

The Club in the

mail for $20/year (4 issues),

s)

give us a call to discuss payment.

t

You can also view each issue online -

just ask to be added to our email notification tion

list.

t

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.

WINTER 24/25

A day without sunshine is like, well... night.

P A G E

3

Welcome to...

THE Club

DO YOU LOVE THIS MAGAZINE?

Please consider leng your favourite local

business (and our adversers) know that

you read it, keep it and that it should work

well for them. It’s only free (and possible)

because of their adversements.

Welcome to... THE

THECLUB

You must be 55 or over to read this magazine.

Lambton County Library:

Books By Mail

By Andrea Basra, Public Services Coordinator

Adult Programs and Outreach, Lambton County Library

Do you have difficulty accessing

transportation to get to a library?

Mobility challenges? To better serve all

Lambton County residents, the Books

by Mail service can bring the library

directly to your door. This service is

provided free of charge to patrons who

qualify for the service and can be used

on an indefinite or temporary basis.

Reserve items using the online

catalogue on the library website or by

calling any library location. Items will

be mailed via Canada Post and

will include a pre-paid, preaddressed

envelope. Return

items using this envelope, seal

it, and put the package into

any mailbox.

Almost any item in the

library catalogue can be

borrowed using the Books by

Mail service. Due to Canada

Post restrictions, there may

be some items that cannot

be borrowed due to their

weight or electronic

components. You can

reserve items by using the

online catalogue, the Iguana

app, or by calling any

library location. Accessible

borrowers can borrow up

to 50 items at one time and have an

extended loan period. And if items are

held up in the mail, that is no problem:

Lambton County Library is fine-free!

To register for the service and receive

the Accessible Borrower registration

forms through the mail, call 519-845-

0809 ext. 5220 for more information.

The Accessible Borrower form can

also be downloaded from the library

website www.lclibrary.ca, completed,

and returned to any library location.

The

Wisdom of...

Thomas Jefferson (Pt. 2)

If we can but prevent the government from wasting the

labours of the people, under the pretence of taking care

of them, they must become happy.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time

with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he

whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts

as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save

one-half the wars of the world.

Advertisements contain the only truths to be relied on

in a newspaper.

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental

attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can

help the man with the wrong mental attitude.

When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and

hang on.

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of

civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.

No man will ever carry out of the Presidency the

reputation which carried him into it.

P A G E

4

If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving isn’t for you.

WINTER 24/25

We’re all getting older, we may as well laugh about it!

Welcome to...

THE Club

WE MAKE

Beautiful Smiles

Canadian Dental Care Plan

(CDCP) covers:

• complete dentures, including

standard and temporary dentures

• denture repairs, relines and rebases

CDCP Reduces

Financial Obstacles

to Dental Care -

You May Be Elgible!

• complete immediate and overdentures

(requires preauthorization)

• partial dentures (requires preauthorization)

Contact Us To Schedule Your Appointment Today! 519-336-6580

FREE

CONSULTATIONS!

1200 Lambton Mall Road, Sarnia www.feigedentureclinics.com

Living in the Past

By Esther Meerschaut

from Daytripping Spring 2023

If you’re like me, you will have many

items in your house that you didn’t

buy. Those objects once belonged to

your parents.

My father died in 1967 and my

mother in 1987, but every time I use or

see something they used or that was in

their house, my parents are once more

with me, and I am again living in the

past.

Some items my parents gave me

while they were alive, and others I got

after they passed on.

Dad gave me his Bible and, although

I cherish it very much, I don’t use it

because the print is quite small.

I have the birthday book Dad’s first

wife had and when I started doing

genealogy it was useful in learning

the true birthdates of some family

members, as well as knowing for sure

that Dad did indeed have a third name.

Of the 80 years Dad lived, he had

a journal for only one: the year I was

born. On the date of my birth, Dad

wrote only that my mother and I were

fine. He made no mention of my older

sister and never

mentioned either of us for the

rest of that year. He concentrated on

where he went and what the weather

was like every day.

All his life, Dad took beautiful

photographs, but he dated only a few.

With permission from my sisters, I

took all of Dad’s photos and put them

in order as best I could. Whenever I

look at them, I am again back in the

past, again in my childhood, and again

living at our marina in the tourist

village where I grew up.

The object Dad gave me that I use

often is a hammer. As he handed it

to me, he said, “Every woman needs

a hammer.” Dad, what you said is so

true. Every time I use that hammer, I

am with you again and admiring your

thoughtfulness and foresight.

Before she died, Mom gave me

her flat pancake griddle. Every time I

used it, I remembered the wonderful,

delicious pancakes she made. Now

the pancake griddle sits on its shelf

because I heard that such a large

surface doesn’t work well with a flattop

stove, but I won’t get rid of something

my mother had and which she used.

I have the letters that Mom wrote

to Dad before they married. One of

my sisters inherited Dad’s letters

from that same period of time. Mom,

a bookkeeper and secretary, wrote

business-type letters. Dad wrote of

romance. In one of her letters, Mom

described the suitcase she had bought

for their honeymoon in 1937. I have

that suitcase.

Mom had two little decorative heads

of deer that I liked and those she gave

me. Now they hang on the wall above

my bed.

I have Mom’s flat eggbeater that was

perfect for breaking up a solid mass

of concentrated green pea soup, or if

I had only a shallow mixture to use

an eggbeater on. Alas, Mom often left

the eggbeater in the dishwater and the

wooden handle is now loose, but will

I part with it? No. I only wish I could

buy a similar eggbeater, but even if I

could, I would still keep Mom’s. Such

an eggbeater is another good invention

that is no longer available.

I have the large green fluffy bath

towel Mom used. I put it in the dryer

where it helps to absorb some of the

moisture from a load of laundry I have

just put into the dryer.

When my mother was younger, she

read books. She had piles of them.

After her death, we five daughters put

the books in five piles, and we each

took a pile. I read those I wanted to

and then passed those and the rest on

to others.

In my bedroom sits a five-foot-high

narrow bookcase, which once held my

mother’s books. Now it holds mine.

If I look around my house, will I find

other items from the past? Probably.

I have talked to other people and

like me, they have items in their house

that they cherish simply because those

things once belonged to their parents

or grandparents. Or another relative.

We will keep and cherish these relics

from the past whether they are useful

or not. We keep them simply because

by looking at them or using them, we

are again living our younger lives with

our loving parents. Once again, we are

a child in our parents’ home.

WINTER 24/25

On the other hand, you have different fingers.

P A G E

5

Welcome to...

THE

DISCOUNT

LIST

Sponsored By:

THE Club

Cut out this list and tell your friends about it... great deals!

Welcome to ...

The DISCOUNT LIST

A list i of o local discountsi

s or offers that a t

benefit n

efi t

people ple e over e acertain a a i

age.

PLEASE LET US KNOW OF ANY THAT ARE MISSING!

TOWN

BUSINESS

SPECIAL OFFER

AGE+

CONTACT

BRIGHTS GROVE Shoppers Drug Mart 20% OFF Thursdays ask 519-869-4224

CORUNNA Corunna Foodland 2% OFF Wednesdays 60+ 519-862-5213

Corunna Pharmasave 15% OFF Tuesdays & Fridays 60+ 519-862-2020

Shoppers Drug Mart 20% OFF Thursdays ask 519-862-1451

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

Ask for your

Seniors Discount

Family l

Owned e d

& Operated

p and Proudly Serving

Lambton t n County Since 1991

345 Ontario Street, Unit B

SARNIA • 519-337-1545

CustomPlumbingSarnia.com

Give us a call with

your plumbing questions

or for a free estimate!

FOREST CDS Pharmacy 15% OFF Wednesdays 60+ 519-786-2104

Forest Foodland 2% OFF Wednesdays 60+ 519-786-2321

Forest Naturals & Home Health 10% OFF Wednesdays 60+ 226-520-0054

Forest Pharmasave 15% OFF Wednesdays 60+ 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

Johnny G’s Premium Pizza 15% OFF Tuesdays 55+ 519-882-2000

M&M Food Market 10% OFF Tuesdays 60+ 519-882-4316

McDonald’s 20% OFF* Coffee/Tea daily 55+ 519-882-3678

Subway 25% OFF Mondays 55+ 519-882-4215

SunCoast Natural Health 15% OFF Every day 65+ 226-307-0694

PT EDWARD Twin Bridge Lighting 15% OFF Mondays 55+ 519-344-3535

SARNIA Bulk Barn 10% OFF Wednesdays 65+ 519-542-6668

Cameron Paint 15% OFF Wednesdays 55+ 519-491-9994

Cameron Paint 20% OFF 1st Friday of month all ages 519-491-9994

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 Food Market 10% OFF Tuesdays 60+ 519-542-8398

McDonald’s 20% OFF* Coffee/Tea daily 55+ 519-336-7096

Michaels 10% OFF Every day 55+ 519-542-3200

Mission Thrift Store 20% OFF Thursdays 65+ 519-337-1614

OMG Poutine 15% OFF Tuesdays 60+ 519-491-5563

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 60+ 519-541-0468

Ren’s Pets 10% OFF Last Wed. of month 60+ 519-333-6606

Rexall Pharmacy 20% OFF Tuesdays 55+ 519-332-5575

Russell Street Home Hardware 20% OFF See ad in The Club 60+ 519-383-0688

Rona+ 10% OFF 1st Tuesday of month 55+ 519-541-2120

Salvation Army Thrift Store 20% OFF Wednesdays 60+ 519-344-3781

Sarnia Pharmacy 10% OFF Tuesdays and Fridays 65+ 519-337-3215

Shoppers Drug Mart 20% OFF Thursdays ask 519-337-3727

Value Village 30% OFF Tuesdays 60+ 519-541-0153

STRATHROY M&M Food Market 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

en

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

P A G E

6

Despite the cost of living, have you noticed how popular it remains?

WINTER 24/25

Most articles in here have been written by people like you.

Welcome to...

THE Club

To garden or not to garden (in the

winter)? Does that really need to be a

Gardening question?

Of course you should garden in the

winter. There are many opportunities to

in Winter do so, but you might just need to take a

little different viewpoint for inspiration.

The garden might be dormant and

seem like a barren wasteland in the

winter months, but if you take a few

minutes to read on, you might gain a

different perspective.

The gardens we plant in spring

summer and fall are still alive in the

winter. There may be less of a chance

of putting a shovel in the ground, but

there is tending that can be done still.

This tending out of doors, is a much

slower-paced activity. Just the same as

you would cut flowers for a vase in the

summer, there is much beauty to be

found in the winter garden. Spent flower stalks, seed pods, pine cones, evergreen

boughs can all be found in the garden to make winter decorating with botanicals an

exciting experience.

Here at the greenhouse we put many of these together into winter/Christmas

planters and arrangements. While fresh greenery arrangements may only last

4-6 weeks indoors (when using a water floral foam), greenery arrangements like

planters and wreaths can last much longer when kept in the cold of winter. I have

had wreaths look beautiful all the way to March on a cold winter. If you like dried

wreaths, consider using grapevine, southern Magnolia, cones and pods to make an

‘everlasting’ wreath or centerpiece.

As winter comes on, don’t forget to look outside, not just at the white stuff, but

also take a walk to see the wildlife, especially birds, that love the winter. Making a

little extra effort to put out some birdfeed and a fresh source of water and these

feathered friends will repay you with regular visits.

But maybe it’s ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ and you don’t have the desire to get out.

Pursue your need to garden indoors with your favourite houseplants, or maybe it’s

time to get to your favourite garden centre to enjoy their outside inside and build a

terrarium or dish garden to bring home.

Not everyone can or wants to fly south to garden in the winter, just change your

perspective and continue to practice your favourite hobby—gardening!

Winter Gardening Checklist

❏ Make botanical arrangements for

indoors and out

❏ Collect new indoor plants.

❏ Make up a new reason to shop for

plants

❏ Tend your indoor plants by more

careful watering and tidying after

the darkest days of the year

❏ Put out food for our wild birds

❏ Enjoy the beauty of the season

surrounding us

❏ Plan for spring gardening

❏ Start seedlings for your garden

indoors or source seeds for your

garden from your favorite garden

centre.

❏ Plan large outdoor projects

by seeking the advice of a

Professional Landscape Designer

❏ Take those resolutions and start

on them one day at a time.

Courtesy of Sipkens Nurseries

WINTER 24/25

Remember, half the people you know are below average.

P A G E

7

Welcome to...

THE Club

ALL AIRPORTS

Thank you for continuing to shop locally!

OLD AGE!

Author Unknown

From Sarnia....

Private & Personal... “Door to Door” Chauffeur Service • 24 HRS. Day

Toronto, Detroit, Flint, Hamilton, London, Kitchener/Waterloo Airports

(This is not a “Shuttle Service”)

- “New Model”

- Experienced, Accident Free, Mature Male Driver

- Have Current Sarnia Police Check, RCMP Check, USA NEXUS Check

- Luggage Service In/Out Vehicle, from Home &Airport Pickups

- Portable “Luggage” Weight Scale, & Small “Step Stool” in Vehicle

- GPS Confirmation of Flights, with Texting Service when Boarding & Landed

- Small Pets are “Welcome,” in an Airline-Approved Pet Carrier

SPECIALIZING IN CANADIAN “SNOWBIRDS”

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR AFAIR PRICE - GRATUITIES ARE APPRECIATED

Scan with Phone

• Prevent Auto Thefts at Airports .....

• Airport flight schedules are cancelled .....

• Trains are cut back.....

• Buses are cut back.....

• Shuttles are cut back.....

Please Email or Text for more details.

Also, for other services like Train Stations, Weddings,

Hospital Treatments, coming to the area for a Funeral.

NOTE: 12 Passenger Van also available

FULLY INSURED – DRIVERS ARE VACCINATED – NON SMOKING

Thank You, Joe Szasz Sr.

Joe @ 519-339-6628 ... or joebe1@sympatico.ca

(Text preferred. Please leave a message on voice calls, as I am usually on the road)

Just a line to say 'I'm living'

That I'm not among the dead

Though I'm getting more forgetful

And more "mixed up" in my head.

Have gotten used to my arthritis

To my dentures I'm resigned

I can manage my bi-focals

But - 'Oh Dear' I miss my MIND.

For sometimes I can't remember

Standing on the bottom stair

If I'm going up for something

Or - just come down from there.

And, before the fridge - so often

My poor mind is filled with doubt

Have I just put the food away

Or come to take some out?

If it's not my turn to write you

There's no need for getting sore

I may have thought that I had written

And don't want to be a bore.

So you remember I do care for you

And wish that you were near

But right now it's nearly 'mail' time

So I must say "Good-bye" dear.

Here I stand beside the mailbox-

With a face so very RED!

Instead of mailing you this letter

I've just OPENED it instead!

Welcome to ...

THE

CLUB

SARNIA

Alzheimer’s Society

Bluewater Home Hardware

Continental Hair

Downtown Market

Food Basics

Imperial Theatre

Lambton Audiology

Local Motif

London Road Diagnostic Clinic

Pharmasave London Road

M&M Food Markets

Marilyn Gladu, M.P.

WHERE to PICK UP The club

Metro - London Rd.

Metro - Northgate

Mission Thrift Store

My Secret Garden

Patodia Eye Institute

Russell St. Home Hardware

Sarnia Library

Shine at Home

Shoppers - Wellwise (Northgate)

Sipkens Nurseries

Sole Decisions

Strangway Community Centre

Swiss Chalet

The Bookkeeper

The Eye Guy

The Shoebox

Treat Yourself Wellness

United Way

van Goozen Music

BRIGHT’S GROVE

Foodland

Skeeter Barlow’s

CORUNNA

Foodland

Hogan Pharmacy

Rob’s No Frills

Pharmasave

FOREST

Alton Farms Winery

Foodland

Pharmasave

Williamson Farms Country Store

GRAND BEND

Lambton Heritage Museum

MOORETOWN

Mooretown Sports Complex

OIL SPRINGS

Oil Museum

PETROLIA

Black Gold Brewery

Central Lamb. Family Health

Country Yarns

Heidi’s Independent Grocer

Hogan Guardian Pharmacy

Lambton Pharmacy

SunCoast Natural Health

POINT EDWARD

At Home Spa

Bob Bailey, M.P.P.

Tourism Sarnia-Lambton

Twin Bridge Lighting

WHILE THEY LAST!

*Not a complete list, but these locations

should always receive papers.

PORT FRANKS

Grog’s Restaurant

REECE’S CORNERS

Lambton Elderly Outreach

Marcanda Gifts & Tea Room

Zekveld’s Garden Market

WYOMING

Foodland

Lambton County Archives

Little Bean Kids Co.

Marley IDA Pharmacy

Spa-Cation

Also available at

ALL Lambton

County Libraries

P A G E

8

Nothing is fool-proof to a talented fool.

WINTER 24/25

You’re not getting older, you’re just becoming a classic!

Kern

water

1804 London Line, Sarnia

519-542-4211

kernwater.com

Mon–Fri 9 am–6 pm • Sat 8 am–2 pm

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Osmosis

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A Page Out of Her Life

Myra Adams pushed thin grey wisps of

hair back with nervous fingers. She sat

reading a novel, “When We Were Young”

by Roselle Grant, a best seller. Her warm,

but untidy kitchen made her feel guilty

as it was early morning, and she was

stealing a few minutes for one of her

dearest pleasures, reading. It was difficult

to concentrate, work habits had been with

her too long.

To heck with housework, she decided,

and as she read on, drawn into the

thoughts of the author, it seemed it was

she, Myra Adams of whom the author was

speaking.

In a twinkling she was back in her old

home town in Northern Ontario, a child

again. She was once more struggling with

caps and boots, and dark grey fleecelined

petticoats. And the long warm hand

knitted scarf, wrapped around her head to

keep from freezing. Temperatures often

were in the sixty below zero area then.

She thought of the sled, a wooden

one her father had made. She hated it,

because it wasn’t like the shiny new ones

most of the other children had. Hers

hadn’t runners of steel to ease it over the

ice and snow that came early in October,

and stayed until late in May. Every day she

had to take the sled to the public pump

to fetch drinking water. With five girls to

wash for, Myra’s mother needed plenty of

water, and a well could not be dug in their

basement.

Reading on further for a few lines,

her mind became diverted again. Why

wasn’t there any well in their basement?

She thought of the huge rocks her father

had taken out when he painstakingly dug

enough space for a furnace. No wonder

he had to give up, the house was built on

the pre-Cambrian Shield, the oldest rock

formation known.

Myra tried to read again, but her mind

couldn’t concentrate on the book. She got

up and turned on the tap to start doing the

breakfast dishes. How easy it was these

days, to what her poor old mom had to

put up with. While she sloshed the water

over the dishes, she remembered how the

water was purchased in those old days.

Charlie Ryan came around twice a week

in a large wagon, pulled by a horse. The

wagon held a huge tank of water which

was pumped through a long hose into the

house. The hose was guided into two large

barrels. Myra smiled as she remembered

how she would watch this performance

through the dining room window, laughing

Welcome to...

by Gladys Nolan

from Daytripping May-June 2006 issue

to see the small icicles that hung down

from Charlie’s mustache.

Finishing up the dishes Myra went

back to the book. Something in its pages

reminded her so much of things past.

The washing she always did on Mondays

could wait. As she read on, washing and

housework forgotten, Myra’s thoughts

again wandered to when she had to take

that ugly sled to fetch drinking water. A

large copper container her mother boiled

the clothes in when she did the washing,

also was used to bring the drinking water

home. Often, as she tugged the sled, the

copper boiler would tip over and water

went tumbling to freeze as fast as it hit

the ground. A small pail had to be re-filled,

often in order to fill the boiler. Myra wiped

away the tears as she remembered getting

home with the water. Why was she so

haunted by the past? Mama was always so

gentle and kind. Myra’s job was finished

the minute she drew the sled to the

back door. She couldn’t remember what

happened after that except the fragrant

home made bread and jam her mother

had ready for her. Sitting by the big warm

wood stove with her feet tucked up under

her, Myra would sit happily munching on

the feast, making every mouthful last.

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Forcing herself back to the pages of the

book, she read on for a couple of chapters,

when something suddenly in the lines

brought her back to when her mother did

the washing.

She could almost see her mother as she

would bend over the washtub, scrubbing

the clothes, twisting them, then lifting

them into the copper boiler full of boiling

water on top of the stove where they’d

stay for a few minutes, then finally she’d

lift the clothes carefully out of the boiler

and into a large tub of rinse water into

which she’d placed a bag of bluing which

was supposed to whiten clothes. Then,

squeezing the clothes by hand tightly they

were ready to be hung on a clothes line

where they immediately froze into ghostly

shapes, crackling in the northern air until

all the frost was blown out of them, except

where the pegs held them stubbornly to

the line.

Strange, she thought, how these things

crept back to her through the pages of

a book, one in which she was no longer

interested for the moment. She gathered

the remnants of breakfast to throw to

the birds, and automatically started to go

to the basement to do the laundry. Not

a glamorous life, to be sure, but a lot

improved since those childhood days, and

not so far removed really, from the pages

of the book. Tonight, in bed, she would

finish reading it.

See article by Shine at Home’s Chris Treftlin on Page ...

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WINTER 24/25

He who laughs last thinks slowest.

P A G E

9

Welcome to...

We’re here

to help YOU

hear better!

OUR SERVICES

• Hearing Assessments for 5 years and older

• Tinnitus Evaluation & Treatment

• Hearing Aids & Assistive Listening Devices

• Hearing Aid Accessories & Batteries

• Providing hearing care for

Sarnia-Lambton since 1988

CALL US TODAY TO

BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT!

LAMBTON AUDIOLOGY ASSOCIATES

SARNIA • 519-542-0569

102-1433 London Road

PETROLIA • 226-738-0401

4-4119 Petrolia Line

www.lambtonaudiology.com

THE Club

~ Syed Balkhi

i

HAPPINESS

is the new rich.

INNER PEACE

is the new success.

cess

ss.

HEALTH

is the new wealth.

KINDNESS

is the new cool.

Drop us a line… we’d love to know what you think!

info@welcometotheclub.ca or message on Facebook

Feedback

Comments from Our Readers

THIS Club is one that I WANT to belong to! Younger people tend to

dread our age group, but until you’ve been there, hey don’t complain!

There are definitely perks to being ‘of a certain age,’ and Welcome To

The Club showcases many of them. Definitely a great read from ‘cover

to cover,’ FREE magazine (no Senior Discount needed!). Thanks for a

great publication!

Cheryl Cassin, Marthaville

Send your thoughts ts to info@welcometotheclub.ca

th

ec

lu

ca

or comment me t

on our Facebook ok page

Don’t let old age get you down - it’s too hard to get back up!

Russell Street

SAVE

20%

OF F one

regular priced

item with

this coupon.

For Seniors 60+

(some exclusions apply)

Happiness is the new rich.

Inner peace is the new success.

Health is the new wealth.

Kindness is the new cool.

When the Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens

opened in November 1931, Saturday

night became Hockey Night in Canada!

Foster Hewitt’s captivating accounts

of the hockey games played below his

broadcast booth in the gondola were

broadcast from one end of Canada to the

other.

w cool.

In ~S the Syed mid Balkhi

1930s, thousands of young

lads sat by the radio listening to Hewitt’s

fast paced account of the game, waiting

for his signature, “He shoots, he scores!”

It was a great way to spend a Saturday

evening, especially for country boys and

their fathers who lived too far away from

town to attend a movie.

In our area, the Toronto Maple Leafs

were the team to cheer for. Nearly every

public school lad who every laced on

a pair of skates, wore a Maple Leafs’

hockey sweater. It didn’t matter whether

he played hockey or shinny or simply

wore it to the local skating rink - the

sweater was a valued possession. The

odd time someone claimed loyalty to the

Montreal Canadians and appeared with

a ‘les Habitant’ sweater, the wearer was

viewed as a traitor and was either pelted

with hard packed snowballs or

had a hockey puck drilled at

him!

The Leafs were our team

and could do no wrong.

The Saturday night game

was always discussed at

school on Monday. If

the Leafs lost, what

went wrong? If they

won, we pretended

we were the players

who had scored the goals. The Leafs won

their share of games, but in all the years

I attended S.S. #8, they failed to win the

Stanley Cup, much to our dismay.

Even grade two boys were familiar

with the players’ names – Red Horner,

Charlie Conacher, Syl Apps, Teeder

Kennedy, Gordie Drillon, King Clancy,

Busher Jackson, Max Bently, Hap Day and

Joe Primeau with George Hainsworth and

Turk Broda between the pipes. Broda’s

120 Russell St. North,

Sarnia • 519-383-0688

Family Owned and

Operated Since 1989.

Maple Leafs and Syrup Cans

By Calvin M. Patrick • From Daytripping March-April 2008

goaltending abilities caught the fancy of

one of my schoolmates, Brian, who later

played goal in organized hockey.

And what red-blooded Canadian boy

during the 1930s did not collect the

labels off cans of BeeHive Golden Corn

Syrup? Labels were bought, sold, traded

and stolen amongst the young hockey

fraternity. Why were they so coveted?

Because you could send the labels away

(plus ten cents) for a photo of the Toronto

players – one label for each photo. You

could bring your favorite players right

into you own home. Syrup labels were

prized possessions.

Arnold, a bachelor farmer from the

11th concession, made frequent trips

to the Ilderton Co-op mill to have grain

ground for his livestock. His last stop

before heading home was always at

Carter & Hutchinson’s General Store.

There he picked up his groceries which

included bread, baloney and numerous

cans of BeeHive Syrup, all with the prized

blue labels. With groceries packed into

boxes on top of the feed bags, Arnold

began his trip back to the farm, two miles

east of Ilderton.

Once the horses started

up, he never looked

back, paying attention

only to his team. Not

wanting to give our

secret source away, we

waited a few moments

before we leaped

into action. It took

nerve, stealth and a

penknife to skillfully remove

the labels from the syrup cans. Before the

farmer reached the end of the village, our

deed was done!

We always wondered what Arnold

thought when he unloaded his groceries

and discovered five or six shiny syrup

cans, minus their labels. Then again,

maybe he never noticed. I wonder if my

friends remember our covert actions as

I do. We all became ‘highwaymen’ at

an early age! We were all part of those

rogues who attended S.S. #8.

P A G E

10

Eagles may soar, but weasels don’t get sucked into jet engines.

WINTER 24/25

Maybe we should stop it with the elderly jokes. They’re getting old.

THE CLUB Winter 2024/25

CROSSWORD

Welcome to...

THE Club

Celebrating 30 Years in Sarnia, Ontario

595 MURPHY ROAD, SARNIA • 519-337-1614

missionthriftstore.com/store/sarnia

Nativity Walk

at Sarnia’s First Christian Reformed Church

ACROSS

The annual Nativity Walk is taking

place at First Christian Reformed

Church in Sarnia on Friday, December

6 from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. and Saturday,

December 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There are over 300 unique nativity

sets displayed from all over

the world. Sets are donated

for the two day walk from

those in the congregation,

other local churches and the

community. There are sets

made of resin,

ceramic, glass,

metal, wool and

wood and even

some from

coconuts! There

are local handcrafted sets, Indigenous

sets and sets from all over Africa and

Europe. This popular holiday event

is something people in the Sarnia

community and beyond now look

forward to every year to mark the start

of Advent and the Christmas holiday

season.

Bring your children and

grandchildren to experience the joy and

beauty of the Christmas season. Walk

through the many areas of the church

filled with beautifully displayed

Nativity sets; sit in the sanctuary

and enjoy the live music in a

peaceful atmosphere and

then enjoy some free hot

apple cider and homemade

baked goods in the church

basement while

the children do a

craft or play with

the children’s

nativity sets in

our kids’ area.

The church is at the corner of

Murphy Road and Exmouth Street and

is fully accessible.

There will also be an opportunity to

give a donation to the Inn of the Good

Shepherd. Call Stacey Huxtable 519-

908-9587 for more information.

DOWN PUZZLE SOLUTION ON PAGE 28

WINTER 24/25

Borrow money from a pessimist - they don’t expect it back.

P A G E

11

Welcome to...

THE Club

Thank you, to all the advertisers you see throughout the magazine.

Musical Soundtracks of My Life

by Nadine Wark, Sarnia

My parents would have to take credit

for my introduction to music. I like to

think that my Mum sang lullabies to

me, and Dad maybe hummed a wartime

tune.

As I have passed several decades

of my life, I cannot do justice to my

musical soundtracks in a submission

like this, but I would like to showcase

the highlights of some of those special

songs, artists and memories.

As a young girl in elementary school,

I have fond memories of flipping

through a large box which contained

my parents’ 78’s. These large round

78’s were breakable and had to be

handled carefully. I do remember

seeing the odd one with a straight-line

crack across it or at least half-way. Each

one came in a flimsy paper sleeve with

a hole in the centre.

These 78’s brought me so much

pleasure so I was extra careful with

them. One of my Christmas gifts was

what looked like a small green suitcase

and it was a record player! It played 78’s

and 45’s and inside was all I needed…

turntable, arm and needle, volume and

off-on buttons. As I spent significant

time going through a selection from

the 40’s and 50’s, I grew to enjoy what

I heard.

My mother would tell me that

“We’ll Meet Again” and “White Cliffs

of Dover” by Vera Lynn were wartime

songs. There was Patti Page (the

singing rage), Rosemary Clooney,

McGuire Sisters, Andrew Sisters, Pat

Boone, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, the

Platters, and so many others. I distinctly

recall Rosemary Clooney singing “How

Much is that Doggy in the Window”

and “I’ll Be Seeing You.” A recording

of hers with lyrics that seemed odd

to my youthful mind was “Come-

On-A-My House” which became her

signature song. The big bands, with

full orchestras, such as Guy Lombardo,

Duke Ellington, Stan Keaton, Count

Basie and Benny Goodman to name a

few were in the record box. Then there

were the jazz singers like Tony Bennett,

Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and many

more. My favourite big-band song

was “In The Mood” by Glenn Miller

Orchestra. Dad used to say that Mum

was quite a dancer and could do a

mean jitter-bug. Mid-50’s had me very

interested in Elvis along with teen idols

like Ricky Nelson, Bobby Rydell, Paul

Anka, Bobby Vee and countless others.

Ricky Nelson had a great opportunity

to promote his musical talent on The

Ozzie and Harriet Show.

My musical soundtrack includes

hymns of the faith that have stood the

test of time, along with Sunday School

songs, various choirs and musical

theatre, right through my adult life. All

have brought a joy and richness to my

musical world.

As a teen, I owned a large collection

of both LPs and 45’s which, sadly, are

long-gone with the senior down-sizing

years. I mean, who is going to join me

now doing The Limbo with Chubby

Checker?? (my friend Carolyn and I

were experts at one time!) And if I threw

a Twist Party in my building, would

anyone come? Parting with the music

and memories of the records, I almost

felt like some kind of ceremony should

have taken place. Might I add, all Beatle

45’s and LPs were kept and added to

the Memorabilia box belonging to both

myself and brother Steve, the world’s

#1 Beatle fan.

When transistor radios (with

antennas!) became all the rage in the

late 50’s, my friends and I would carry

them to the beach and listen to CKLW

Windsor radio. The 60’s were alive with

Motown out of Detroit and all the single

artists and harmonizing groups that

came out of that era and whose music

has stood the test of time. I would pick

The Supremes and The Temptations as

the top two groups of Motown and my

favourites were “Stop In the Name of

Love” and “My Girl.”

After-school and Saturday shows

included American Bandstand, Shindig,

Hulabaloo, Where the Action Is and Soul

Train which featured live artists/bands

performing their hits while dancers

gyrated to the beat. The Beach Boys

made their mark with songs of surfing,

hot cars and “California Girls.” If only I

could be a “Surfer Girl!”

Not to be overlooked, in the 50’s and

throughout the 60’s was the sounds of

Doo-Wop from the U.S…street corners

of boroughs of New York and to this day

I still admire their harmonizing. Dion

& the Belmonts had their first big hit

“Teenager In Love” in 1959. Highschool

dances, teen-towns and roller rinks

played this music. The Duprees were

another favourite, singing “You Belong

To Me” and they still perform today

under that name. Both of these ‘doowop’

groups had numerous hits.

The British Invasion was aptly

named because us North Americans

felt as if we had been ‘invaded’ with

so many bands hopping planes and

coming to shows like Ed Sullivan (who

cannot remember that spine-tingling

night of February 9, 1964 when the

Beatles appeared the first time of three

times that month on Ed Sullivan?) It

was magical and so were their moptop

haircuts.

Termed ‘the Bad Boys of Rock ‘n

Roll,’ the Rolling Stones blew in like

a stone gathering moss. We may not

have transistors nowadays but you can

still hear them today on the airwaves,

on-line, or live in concert and Mick at

80 years old singing “I Can’t Get No

Satisfaction.” In 1967, a group called

the Electric Prunes recorded a song

entitled “I Had Too Much To Dream

Last Night” which was ‘a play on

words.’ Someone said it was the most

‘psychedelic’ song of the 60’s, but it

was merely about teenage love gone

wrong. The sounds of the Harptone

and Fuzztone guitars was so unusual.

I must mention Jerry Lee Lewis (the

Killer) along with Little Richard and

Chuck Berry who between the three

of them had a large catalogue of hits.

Chuck Berry released a catchy tune

called “Nadine (honey is that you?)”

What I remember about that song is

that I did not buy the ’45. The Guess

Who, all-Canadian band put out hit

after hit and “These Eyes” is definitely

in my musical soundtrack.

The summer of 1967 was huge for

Beatle fans with their release of the Sgt.

Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band LP. I

rushed out to get it and together

with good friend Carolyn (rabid

Beatle fan) we sat and listened.

Well, it was different from any

other album we had heard…many

of the lyrics I could not make

sense of but musically it was so

innovative and considered ‘high art’

which was obvious, looking at the

album cover with artists, singers,

dancers, actors, actresses from

the past and present. The Magical

Mystery Tour came out the latter

part of 1967 and I rushed out to

buy it, listening together again with

Carolyn. Two of my favourites from

this LP are “Penny Lane” and “The

Fool on the Hill.” Along with all the

rock music, country and folk music

always thrived and influenced many

other genres with cross-over hits.

Simon & Garfunkle had a pop/folkish

flavour to their music, and the lyrics

of “Sounds of Silence” were relatable

to many for different reasons. The duo

produced one of the best ballads of

all time, in my opinion, with “Bridge

Over Troubled Water.” Another band,

Chicago, with their talented brass

section and soloist Peter Cetera

produced hit after hit and still sell out

their concerts. They started in 1968 as

Chicago Transit Authority, shortened

the name to Chicago in 1969 and

never looked back.

The 70’s era included symphonic

rock and disco music, the 80’s new

wave music, and the 90’s alternative.

I got educated quickly with the sounds

of the 90’s emanating from my son’s

bedroom. Like most parents at the

time I thought, “What the heck is that?”

Woven through the musical tapestry

of the decades is break-dancing, hiphop,

rap, etc. Not everybody’s cup

of tea, but rappers are really poets,

telling stories past, present and future.

I respect and recognize their focus and

ability to memorize so many words

at a fast pace. Eminem from Detroit

comes to mind.

I sat down one day a while ago and

composed a list of all the artists/bands

my husband and I had seen over the

decades. We were surprised to realize

just how many there were, around

40. Unless you count the Everly Bros.

in 1959 at the Sarnia Arena, my first

concert was Three Dog Night, early

70’s, I believe at the Olympia in Detroit.

We took my son and a friend to see

Micheal Jackson in 1985 and his talent

was like no other. My all-time favourite,

(next to the Beatles), the Electric Light

Orchestra (ELO) we saw twice, Detroit

in 1978 when they toured with the

flying saucer on stage and again in

2017 at Little Caesar’s in Detroit. I

am going to see them a third time in

October, 2024. The orchestrations,

light show and sound are something to

behold. Jeff Lynne founding member,

calls the band Jeff Lynne’s ELO. I say if

you have the original lead who wrote

all the music, sings, produces and so

much more, then that is all you need.

His band is hand-picked, no doubt, and

pros all the way. Jeff Lynne’s concept

of joining together classical music with

rock sure worked for him and ELO.

Well, this is just a smidgen of the

musical soundtrack of my life. At any

given moment, I could be humming

a tune. It could conjure up a memory

from the past like February 9, 1964, a

trip back in time, when I knew exactly

where I was and who was there

with me. Carolyn for sure, causing

complete chaos with my English Mum

commenting, “If they’re from England,

they must be ok!”

P A G E

12

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

WINTER 24/25

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

Treasured Family Favourites

Publisher’s s note: I came from a large family of nine ne

and have a deep

ep

appreciation pr

i for potluck holiday dinners ne

and family favourites. .Iwas I speaking

k g

Welcome to...

THE Club

Family-Fave Meatloaf

Just like Mama used to make!

MEATLOAF:

2 eggs, slightly beaten

2/3 cup milk

2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Mix together eggs, milk, salt, pepper and bread. Add onions, carrots, cheese

and meat; mix well. Lightly grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan and add mixture.

GLAZE:

1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon prepared mustard

1/4 cup ketchup, bbq sauce or chili sauce

Combine glaze ingredients and spread over loaf. Bake at 350 degrees F from 1 to

1.5 hours. Allow to stand about 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges and

remove from pan. Slice. Makes 6 to 8 servings. VARIATION: If desired, use a

combination of ground beef, veal, pork, turkey or chicken.

Big-Batch Slumgullion

This is an old family recipe. Mom got it from her father. We ALL make it for our families now.

It’s a delicious dish to bring to a potluck, too. Leftovers (if you have any) will freeze well.

1 lb. short pasta (penne, fusilli, rotini)

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

2 lb. lean ground beef

3 onions, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 lb. mushrooms, sliced

2 ribs celery, sliced

1 sweet green pepper, chopped

1 lrg. can (369 ml) tomato paste

4 cups water

3 slices fresh bread, crumbled

1 onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup raw carrots, shredded

1 cup Cheddar cheese, shreddedd

2 lbs. lean ground beef

1 teaspoon each dried oregano & basil

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 pkg (10 oz/284 g) fresh spinach,

cooked, drained & chopped

1 lb. low-fat mozzarella cheese,

cut in small cubes

salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In large pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta until just al dente (tender but

firm), about 10 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

In large nonstick skillet or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add beef,

onions and garlic; cook, stirring, for a few minutes or until beef is no longer

pink. Drain off fat. Add mushrooms, celery and green pepper; cook for 5

minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomato paste, water, oregano, basil and

parsley; simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.

Combine meat sauce, spinach, pasta and mozzarella cheese; season to taste with

salt and pepper. Spoon into lightly greased 16-cup/4 litre casserole dish.

Sprinkle with breadcrumbs, then Parmesan. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F

oven for 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Makes 14 servings.

Holiday Cran-Ban Loaf (Cranberry & Banana)

You are sure to enjoy this appealing and moist Christmas Loaf. We often make it to

gift to friends and loved ones. It’s good! Makes 2 loaves.

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

2 cups mashed ripe bananas

2 teaspoon vanilla

2 teaspoon lemon juice

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups coarsely chopped fresh cranberries

or frozen cranberries

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup milk

In a large bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy; beat in eggs,

1 at a time, beating well after each. Beat in bananas, vanilla and lemon juice.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Stir into butter mixture alternately with milk, making 3 additions of dry

ingredients and 2 of milk. Fold in cranberries and pecans. Scrape into 2

oil-sprayed loaf pans, smoothing top.

Bake in centre of 350 degree F oven until cake tester inserted in centre comes

out clean, about 1-1/4 hours. Let cool in pan on a rack for 5 minutes. Remove

from pan, let cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap; store at room temperature

for 24 hours before slicing. (MAKE-AHEAD:

Store in airtight container for up to

2 days or overwrap in heavy-duty foil and freeze for up to 2 weeks.)

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WINTER 24/25

If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?

P A G E

13

Welcome to...

THE Club

I’ve decided: whatever age I am is the new 30!

Welcoming

New Patients

SARNIA PHARMACY

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• Pharmacist available 24/7 for our paents

• FREE Delivery • FREE Compliance Packs

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A FATHER, A SON & A HAIRCUT

A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father if

they could discuss his use of the family car.

His father took him into his study and said, “I’ll make a deal with you.

You bring your grades up, study the Bible a little, get your hair cut,

and then we’ll talk about it.”

After about a month, the boy came back and again asked

his father if they could discuss his use of the car. They

again went into the father’s study where the father said,

“Son, I’ve been very proud of you. You have brought your

grades up, you’ve studied the Bible diligently, but you

didn’t get your hair cut.”

The young man replied, “You know, Dad, I’ve been

thinking about that. Samson had long hair, Moses had

long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair.”

“Yes,” his father said, “And everywhere they went,

they walked.”

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THE Club

You are walking down the street,

and someone is approaching you. You

have a few options. First you could

bury your head into your chest and

keep walking. Next you could get your

phone out and pretend you are getting

some monumentally important text

of some kind or another, or you could

smile, make eye contact and say, “Good

morning (afternoon, evening, etc).”

Now watch what happens. This part

is out of your control. What you have

done is create the potential for positive

feedback. It becomes a “loop” if it

continues with the next person. That

individual that you offered a “Good

morning,” (afternoon, evening, or good

day) will more often than not continue

this behaviour. It may be on the street,

in the office, grocery store, church,

park… you get the picture.

Simple acts of kindness create

positive feedback loops. We know that

basic garden variety politeness a.k.a,

please and thank-you, used to be the

norm. Not so anymore. Impatience

has gone to a level that is harming our

society. I would go as far as to say that

it is negatively affecting our

social cohesion. Our ability

to just get along.

In a study by Adam M.

Grant and Francesca Gino

from the University of

Pennsylvania and North Carolina-

Chapel Hill respectively, these

Professors proved the Positive Feedback

Loop I mentioned earlier. Read their

book A Little Thanks Goes a Long Way:

Explaining Why Gratitude Expressions

Motivate Prosocial Behavior if you want

a deep dive. Here is the study in brief.

The professors set up two groups of

students asking for help with a fictitious

cover letter for a job application. The

first group of students asked a set

group for help. A couple of lines in the

A Path to Wellness

Positive Feedback Loop –

What Is It, Why Do I Want It, and How Do I Get It?

By Chris Treftlin, Shine at Home, Sarnia

One kind word

can warm three

winter months.

(Japanese Proverb)

email and a due date. The second group

asked a different group of students for

help, however this time they expressed

their gratitude for the assistance.

Here is where the magic happens. The

group that was asked to assist with the

cover letter and received the expression

of gratitude responded positively

twice as often as the group that did

not receive any acknowledgement or

thanks. The professors took it further.

They had the students that received the

assistance respond to the individuals

that assisted, again one set of responses

with a gratitude condition, and one

without. They had the students ask for

assistance on a second cover letter. Do

you know what happened? Ding, Ding,

Ding—You got it! The second request

that had a gratitude condition was

responded to twice as favourably.

All of the above points to only one

possible understanding. If I treat

someone with kindness, respect,

and patience, I will receive kindness,

respect, and patience. But it goes

further, and here is where the “loop”

comes in. If I treat you with kindness,

respect, and patience, then you

will treat the next person you

see with the same kindness,

respect, and patience

In this way, positivity, or

prosocial behaviour as our

professors communicate, can dominate

our culture. So you see... smiling, being

kind, and offering a positive greeting

may be more important than any of us

thought.

Here is your challenge. Do just

one kind thing a day that offers an

act of kindness to another person.

It could be in your family, friends, an

acquaintance, or a stranger. It doesn’t

matter who receives your kindness, just

that it happens. Who knows, we may

start a revolution.

P A G E

14

42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

WINTER 24/25

Lend a hand to a local organization... see the list below for ideas.

Welcome to...

THE Club

To Help You ‘SEE’ The World More Clearly

Kind, Patient,

Efficient,

Informative

& Caring

Dr. Murari Patodia

Cover of the CLUB

After serving his apprenticeship in Denmark as a photo lithographer

and 2 years in the Air Force as a photographer, Kai emigrated to Canada

in 1957 where he started working for Haines Printing Ltd. in Sarnia and

later became part owner. Later he founded Grafiks Marketing &

Communications from where he retired and started freelancing for local

Industries and Getty Images. Now ninety years old, he says he keeps

active with his camera that he uses as "Mental Therapy."

Our local cover

photographer is

Kai Sorensen

My grandson was visiting one day when he

asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God

are alike?" I mentally polished my halo while I

asked, "No, how are we alike?" "You're both really

old," he replied. Yep, I’m as old as God!

Sarnia Lambton Rebound Program & Special Event Volunteers, Cinderella Project Volunteer Committee, Rebound Rocks 519-344-2841 ext. 101

Victorian Order of Nurses Visitor, Footcare Clinic Assistant, Bingo, Adult Day Program, In-Home Exercise 519-542-2310 ext. 4267

LC Long-Term Care Living Various opportunities from Coffee Program to organist/pianist to dining companions lambtoncares.ca/volunteer

Lambton Elderly Outreach Reception, Transportation, Friendly Visiting, Meals on Wheels, Diner’s Club, Forever Fitness 519-845-1353

Alzheimer Society of S-L Program, Event and Bingo Volunteers 519-332-4444

Habitat for Humanity Handyman Assistant, Build Volunteer, ReStore: Sales Floor Support, Cashier 519-339-7957

St. Joseph’s Hospice S-L Residence Reception, Volunteers for Kitchen, Grocery Shopping, Direct Support, and more 519-337-0537 stjosephshospice.ca

Literacy Lambton Volunteer opportunities in the Adult or Family Literacy Programs, Special Events, and more literacylambton.org/volunteer/

Noelle’s Gift to Children Bingo & Event Volunteers: online registration at www.noellesgift.ca under volunteer tab www.noellesgift.ca

Bluewater Health Patient Care Assistant, Help Program, Reception 519-464-4400 ext. 5406

United Way of S-L Bingos, and Thank You Community Volunteers theunitedway.on.ca or 519-336-5452

P-W Historical Society Plympton-Wyoming Historical Society (positions on the Board) and at Museum (in Camlachie) sueewright53@gmail.com

Canadian Red Cross Meals on Wheels (Sarnia, Bright’s Grove, Pt Edward), Transportation in- and out-of-town www.redcross.ca (volunteer tab)

Family Counselling Centre Provide support to local older adults through Tel-Check and Distress Line programs.. 519-336-0120 ext. 251

St. Vincent de Paul S-L Volunteers needed to raise awareness and help end hunger and poverty in our community. stvincefb@gmail.com

Sarnia Humane Society Several volunteer opportunities. Non-clumping cat litter, towels and small fleece blankets, etc. www.sarniahumanesociety.com

River City Vineyard Donation of food, extra clothing, valuables, and small household items to foodbank and shelter 519-383-8463(VINE)

Petrolia Food Bank Monetary and food donations to food bank (please check expiry dates) 519-882-3950

Inn of the Good Shepherd Clothing, linens & bedding, food items. Volunteer opportunities available. 519-344-1746

Women’s Interval Home New unused items only will be accepted to shelter: hygiene items, clothing, gift cards, etc. kyla@womensintervalhome.com

Petrolia Comm. Refrigerator Any type of food items, personal items and monetary donations 519-882-1390

Willing Hands Yarn Club Donations of yarn used for scarves, hats, blankets, etc. distributed locally and nationally. 519-336-8808

United Way of S-L Funding over 30 local programs/services that assist people in or near poverty. theunitedway.on.ca or 519-336-5452

WINTER 24/25

For every action there is an equal and opposite criticism.

P A G E

15

Welcome to...

THE Club

VULNERABLE PERSONS REGISTRY

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

collected provides searchers with

quick access to key information to

assist in locating the individual and

returning them home safely.

WORD JUMBLE

EDAEMTIN ______________________

SMNIGSI ________________________

ISKR ____________________________

NFMINATOOIR __________________

NIGOACLT_______________________

DAIVUILIDN _____________________

ERLZAIMESH ____________________

SAWEERNSA ____________________

EDSISEA ________________________

OVEL ___________________________

TPOPRSU _______________________

ANSWERS: DEMENTIA, MISSING,

RISK, INFORMATION, LOCATING,

INDIVIDUAL, ALZHEIMERS, AWARENESS,

DISEASE, LOVE, SUPPORT

We love showcasing Sarnia-Lambton’s talented photographers!

Snapshots

by Sarnia-Lambton Photographers!

Ronny D’Haene

Deb Lumley

Registration

is easy!

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.

Running Away From Home

by Norma West Linder, from Daytripping March-April 2006

Almost every kid takes a notion at some

time to run away from home following

some real or imagined grievance. When

my three were little, they all threatened at

least once to go away and never return.

“Don’t forget to write,” I’d respond with

a cheery smile.

I learned from my mother that this was

the best of all possible reactions to such a

threat. I was around six when I decided,

after what was probably a well-deserved

spanking, to leave home

forever. My older sister

aided and abetted. For

good measure, we took

our little brother along.

“We’ll hide out in

the ice house,” said my

sister. “There’s no ice in

it now, and the sawdust

will make a nice soft bed.

We’ll sneak some blankets and food out

there. And a flashlight.”

Our yard in Mindemoya, Manitoulin

Island, was a huge one, and the ice house

was in one far corner of it. Our plan went

off without a hitch, and soon we were

comfortably bundled up in one corner

of the big wooden building. As it grew

dark, the familiar interior of the ice house

began to look strange and frightening.

Our little brother was the first to break. “I

want to go home,” he cried.

My sister suggested singing songs to

keep our spirits up. The sound of our own

voices scared us before we were halfway

through the story about the lonesome

cowboy who learned to love a maiden

with eyes of heavenly blue.

We started hearing weird noises

outside. One time Grandpa shot a skunk

in the ice house. Maybe its mate was out

there looking for revenge.

“I’m hungry,” I complained. “What did

you bring to eat?”

My sister produced half a dozen raw

potatoes and a paring knife. “This is all

I could find. Hold the flashlight while I

peel one.”

For a time, we were too busy munching

to talk. Then my sister reminded us that

we had to save some potatoes

for breakfast. The very

thought was depressing.

“What time do you think it

is now?” I asked.

“Probably about onethirty.

We’ve never been up this

late before. They’ll be so happy

to see us tomorrow they’ll never

be cross with us again. You’ll see. It’ll be

just like that guy we read about in Sunday

School. His parents were so glad when he

came home they made a big feast just for

him.”

An explosive crack of thunder stunned

us into an uneasy silence. When the

second clap sounded, we left the ice

house by common consent. The rain

caught us moments later, and we turned

ourselves in, drenched to the skin. Our

parents didn’t look surprised to see us.

They seemed to be sharing a private joke.

Years later, my mother confessed

that she almost gave in before we did.

The lesson was extraordinarily effective.

None of us ever ran away from home

again.

Cheryl Ryan Photography

Dave McIntosh

Want your

photo featured?

519-491-1676 or

info@welcometotheclub.ca

Barry Loxton Photography

Jayne Primeau Photography

Nadine Wark

P A G E

16

If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.

WINTER 24/25

It’s the advertising that makes this magazine possible, and free!

You will follow a similar pattern,

but remember, the key to a fulfilling

The

retirement is to find hobbies that

bring joy and laughter into your

Retirement

life. Mix and match these ideas or

Coach © by Mike Keenan come up with your own pastimes.

http://theretirementcoach.libsyn.com/

Beware of pressure from others.

It seems everyone expects you to

be living your best life in retirement,

Banish Boredom?

Ah, retirement. When we get to kick

back, relax, and do things we never had

constantly on the go and trying new

things. Your friends and family ask

what exciting things you have planned,

and you feel you have to come up

with something impressive to say, like

time Listen for to when Mike’s podcasts we were (humour, working. travel A and time poetry) skydiving, at: The Retirement which Coach: I tried.

to http://theretirementcoach.libsyn.com/ pursue passions, travel the world His book, and ‘Don’t Ever But Quit sometimes - a Journal of you Coping want to stay

enjoy with Crisis moments & Nourishing with loved Spirit,’ ones. is available in print home & electronic and format watch Amazon: Netflix. And that’s

https://amzn.to/2KBdPWQ

But what happens when the okay. It’s okay to be bored sometimes.

excitement wears off, and boredom sets

in? I retired close to 2.5 decades ago.

I can tell you firsthand that avoiding

boredom is a perilous journey.

It starts innocently. You have free

time, so you decide to take up a hobby.

Perhaps painting or woodworking or

yoga. You’re eager to have something

It’s okay to not have every moment of

your retirement planned out. Of course,

telling yourself that it’s okay to be bored

is easier said than done. When you’re

used to being productive all the time,

it’s hard to give yourself permission to

relax and do nothing. But trust me, it’s

worth it.

new and challenging to focus on. For Here’s the problem. If you’re

a while, it’s wonderful. You learn new

skills, meet people, and feel fulfilled.

Inevitably, the honeymoon period

ends. You realize painting isn’t as

exciting as you thought. You’re not good

at it, or it doesn’t hold your interest. So,

you move on to the next thing.

This pattern continues with different

hobbies, activities, and anything to

keep boredom at bay. Eventually, you

feel you’re going through the motions.

Not enjoying anything, but too scared

to stop because you don’t want to be

bored again.

At first, I tried stand-up comedy,

making people laugh by writing and

constantly avoiding boredom, you’re

not living in the moment. You’re

thinking about what you will do instead

of enjoying what you are doing. And

that’s no way to live.

What’s the solution? How do you

avoid the perils of avoiding boredom

in retirement? The answer is balance.

Balance is the key to a happy retirement.

It’s about finding a mix of activities

that you genuinely enjoy and that keep

you engaged, without overloading your

schedule or stressing yourself out. It’s

about being honest with yourself about

what you really want to do, even if that

means saying no to things that sound

performing my comedy routines. exciting but ultimately don’t interest

However, somewhat introverted, I you.

preferred to move behind the scenes, It’s also about giving yourself

writing jokes for other comedians.

Then I took up dance classes like

salsa, swing, and hip-hop, and thus, I

hit the dance floor, thinking I was John

Travolta in the movie, Saturday Night

Fever. After that wore off and I wore

down from the exercise, I explored the

world of wine by attending tastings and

learning about different varietals.

This led to lawn gnome collecting.

I started a collection of quirky lawn

gnomes to help decorate my garden.

Then, gourmet cooking, experimenting

with recipes. I invited friends over for

themed dinners. Of course, this led to

mystery dinner parties. I hosted murder

mystery dinner parties for friends and

family, or whoever was available.

permission to be bored. To embrace the

downtime and the muted moments. To

sit in your favourite chair with a book

and not feel guilty about it. And above

all, it’s about being kind to yourself.

Retirement is supposed to be a time

of relaxation and enjoyment, not a

never-ending quest to stay busy and

entertained. So go ahead, take a nap, or

watch that cheesy movie you’ve been

meaning to see. Spend an entire day

doing absolutely nothing. And don’t feel

guilty about it for a second.

In the end, the perils of avoiding

boredom in retirement are nothing

compared to the joy of living a

balanced, fulfilling life. So take a deep

breath, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Becoming more extroverted, I It’s going to be a wild, wonderful,

moved into karaoke, belting out my

favourite tunes at karaoke nights and

embracing my inner rock star, thinking

this time that I was Elton John. After

that, it was comic book collecting. As

occasionally boring journey.

Listen to Mike’s podcasts

(humour, travel, and poetry)

at The Retirement Coach:

http://theretirementcoach.

a kid, I collected comic books, so I

libsyn.com/ His book,

thought it might be fun to attend

conventions dressed as my

favourite characters. My

spouse thought I looked

‘Don’t Ever Quit - a

Journal of Coping with

Crisis & Nourishing Spirit,’

is available in print &

terrific as Superman,

electronic format at

but didn’t appreciate

Amazon: https://amzn.

my Batman outfit.

to/2KBdPWQ

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Great Selection

of Fashionable Eyewear!

EYEWEAR FOR EVERYONE

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Science... According To Kids

Real science test answers of 5th & 6th graders.

~ A census taker is man who goes from house to house,

increasing the population.

~ The blood circulates by flowing down one leg and up the other.

~ Mushrooms always grow in damp places so they look like umbrellas.

~ Momentum is something you give a person when they go away.

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29 99* DINE-IN &

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2 Quarter Chicken Dinners + 1 App + 1 Slice

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VALID NOV. 17, 2024 - FEB. 13, 2025. *Valid in dining

room and takeout. White meat (-70 Cals) add $2.00 per

entrée. Taxes, upgrades of sides, and beverages extra.

Maximum appetizer value of $9.99. Dining in, present

original coupon before ordering. Phone orders, provide

coupon code before ordering. Online orders, click “add

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Limit one coupon per Guest per visit.

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OFFER, COUPON OR PROMOTION

WINTER 24/25

A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.

P A G E

17

Welcome to...

THE Club

This magazine comes with a free, built-in, old fashioned fly swatter!

P A G E

18

Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.

WINTER 24/25

Many of the articles are from the archives of Daytripping Magazine.

Welcome to...

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Electric t i Powered P d • Mobility y Scooters

Bikes & Kick Scooters

Life is

better

on an

e-bike!

Sales,

Parts &

Service

Since 2014

154 Mitton St. North • Sarnia sarniaebikes@gmail.com

Seize the

Season…

enjoy our

natural

wonders!

By Mary Lou Tasko,

Lambton Shores Nature Trails

www.lsntblazers.com

Many people have trouble being

enthusiastic about the advent of our

Canadian winter, especially with the

prospect of long hours spent indoors.

Add to that the holiday time when many

homes are busy hubs, filled with children

home from school and extended family.

It is the most wonderful time of the year

… but we all could use a change of pace

and a breath of fresh air.

Fortunately, there are many ways we

can do that in Lambton Shores. Outdoor

offerings include hiking, snowshoeing,

cross-country skiing and even winter

camping! The abundance of accessible

natural areas can provide hours of

entertainment, whether you are seeking

an active workout or a leisurely wildlifewatching

stroll.

Winter hiking offers something

quite different from summer hiking—

less traffic, quite often, and a different

perspective on nature. Wildlife, such as

rabbits, deer, owls and other birdlife are

easier to spot, and the varied landscape

of dunes, wetlands and ridges is more

apparent. It’s easy to enjoy a peaceful

walk in the woods or a more strenuous

Ideas...

Kids’ Letters to God

Welcome to...

Women’s Interval Home

THE Club

Neighbourlink

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River City Vineyard

Daytripping Magazine article.

Victim Services

$5750 donated since Jan. 2021

CCMF

Habitat

THIS ISSUE’S RECIPIENT is...

Hospice

Forest Kiwanis Kineto Theatre

Humane Society

Inn of the Good Shepherd

trek on a challenging program for more experienced hikers in are available through the winter months.

trail.

the Ausable River Valley.

No matter Pathways which activity you choose, be

Most people are If you’re looking for a variation on sure to participate SODAsafely. Trail conditions

aware that the Pinery winter hiking, snowshoeing is a change can vary considerably during the winter

Provincial Park v1.1 has of Strangway pace that won’t Community break the Centre

Noelle’s Gift

bank. It’s a months; a trail you hiked on a snowy day

hiking trails, but there v1.2 perfect Forest way Kineto slow Theatre

Mike Weir Foundation

you down, especially without issue may be more challenging

are other local options v1.3 if Heritage you are a St. novice, Clair

Gallery in the Grove

in order to enjoy the in wet or icy conditions. Respect your

as well. Lambton v1.4 scenery Sarnia Blessings and watch for wildlife. Other physical condition Theatre Sarnia and limitations

Shores Nature Trails

v2.1

than

Canatara

winter

Log

attire

Cabin

and snow

Restoration

boots, you when choosing Lambton a trail. Young While Theatre you may Playe

currently maintains don’t need much extra equipment or have previewed the trail on a map, pay

several trails, from v2.2 the preparation Sarnia-Lambton time to Rebound

Bluewater Trails

snowshoe.

attention to blazes and signage while

very accessible Grand v2.3 Lambton Fresh snow, Shores ideally Nature least Trails

Strangway Centre

six inches you’re out there. Remember that you are

Trunk Trail in Forest v2.4 to deep, nuSarnia is perfect Foundation

various city options

for snowshoeing. You can likely to encounter uneven ground, fallen

the formidable Ausable v3.1 snowshoe Lambton on Wildlife any terrain, Inc. including your logs or overhanging various trails branches. Dress in

River Valley Trail

v3.2

in backyard,

United Way

a local

of Sarnia-Lambton

green space or most layers, wear Halkovich appropriate Outdoor footwear, Learning and C

North Middlesex. Since of the local hiking trails. At the Pinery carry a backpack with cell phone, water

trails vary in length and terrain, it’s v3.3 not Provincial Miracle Max’s Park, the Minions

Parents for Parks

winter hiking trails are and snacks and a simple first aid kid.

difficult to find a match for every level v3.4 of available Lawrence as well House as ungroomed Centre for roadways. the Arts

Petrolia Discovery

If you are less inclined to participate in

ability and motivation.

v3.5 Bluewater If you wish Centre to purchase for Raptor snowshoes, Rehabilitation

LEO

physical activity, you can take advantage

Each trail has its own appeal: V4.1 it’s VPPwise to read a buying guide so you of learning opportunities with The Pinery

for example, the Ausable River

V4.2

Cut know

NeighbourLink

what you

Sarnia-Lambton

do and don’t need. where naturalist-led outdoor programs

Conservation Area has an accessible If you’d like to give snowshoeing a are offered on the weekends through the

viewing platform above the Cut and V4.3 a try Seaway before Kiwanis investing Animal in a pair, Farmyou can winter. They are an excellent way to learn

winding boardwalk across the dunes; V4.4 borrow Forest Kineto them Kiwanis through Theatre the Lambton ($500 sponsor) about our area’s natural history, plant

Ipperwash Dunes & Swales is cradled by

conifers that provide a serene canopy in

winter; L Lake provides a gently rolling

trail loop with vistas of the wetland, and

Mystery Falls offers a short hike to a

beautiful waterfall. The Lambton County

Heritage Forest offers several kilometres

of varied trails to keep things different

each time you visit. All trails are marked

County Library (a week at a time, up to

four pairs per library card) or rent them.

The Pinery Provincial Park and Ausable

Bayfield Conservation Authority both

offer snowshoe rentals. And, if you want

to combine a little snowshoeing with

learning, the Lambton Heritage Museum

has snowshoes available to borrow with

museum admission. The Woodland

and animal life, and may inspire you to

do your own exploring. Winter camping

opportunities at the Pinery are another

way to experience and embrace the

natural beauty of our Canadian winters.

Beat those seasonal doldrums or

escape the holiday madness by stepping

outside… and maybe a little further!

Lambton Shores Nature Trails’ website

with blazes and maps, and most have Heritage Trail behind the museum is a (www.LSNTBlazers.com) is a good

rest stops along the way.

StoryWalks® at the Port Franks trailhead

and Ausable River Cut Conservation Area

provide a short but fun activity with

younger children during any season.

Older kids can participate in LSNT’s Youth

Nature Challenge hiking patch program

which includes a challenge trail for each

of the seasons, winter included. LSNT also

offers the what3words CHALLENGE patch

convenient, short walk that might be a

good way to try your feet at snowshoeing.

Cross-country skiing is another option

to enjoy snowy winter weather. While

it does require a little practice, it offers

a great workout while enjoying the

natural environment. When the weather

cooperates, The Pinery offers 38 km of

groomed cross-country ski trails including

a ski-skate trail for enthusiasts. Rentals

starting point to explore hiking options.

There you will find descriptions of local

trails, including difficulty level, access

and safety information and maps, as

well as links to other organizations that

offer winter recreation.

You can also chat with us in person

at our Holiday Market in Port Franks on

Saturday, November 23rd while you do a

little holiday shopping!

Dear God,

Why is Sunday School

on Sunday? I thought

it was supposed to

be a day of rest.

- Tom

WINTER 24/25

Success always occurs in private; failure in full view.

P A G E

19

Welcome to...

Upcoming

THE Club

EVENTS

Welcome to ...

THE

CLUB

Events are listed FREE for

non-profit groups

(space

perming).

WEEKLY EVENTS

Dates/times subjest to change. We recommend that you check ahead.

weekdays Sarnia Weekly adult activities at Strangway Centre, Sarnia sarnia.ca 332-0656

weekdays TV Low Impact Fitness on Your TV, Cogeco, 9am Cogeco Channel 700

weekdays TV Balanced Yoga on YourTV Cogeco, 9:30am Cogeco Channel 700

weekdays Sarnia Mall Walking, visit Guest Services to sign up www.lambtonmall.com

weekdays various Wellness Programs by North Lambton CHC. Pre-reg. www.nlchc.com

weekdays Sarnia Day Hospice St. Joseph’s Hospice, Reg. required 519-337-0537

monthly various Book Clubs and events at Lambton County Libraries lclibrary.libnet.info/events

monthly various LEO Diners Club, Hot Lunch, pre-reg. required 519-845-1353 ext 301

Mon Corunna Pepper, Corunna Legion, 1pm www.corunnalegion.ca

Mon Corunna Cornhole, Corunna Legion, 6:30pm www.corunnalegion.ca

Mon (last) online Drop in & Chat, Lambton Ont Ancestors, (not in Dec) www.lambton.ogs.on.ca

Mon (4th) Forest Buddy Check Coffee, Free Support Group, 11am Legion www.forestlegion.ca

Mon Petrolia Adult Lunch Time Skate, $3, 12-1pm, Greenwood Rec. 519-882-2350

Mon (2nd) Sarnia Buddy Check Coffee, Free Support Group, 11am Legion svance505@gmail.com

Mon (2nd/3rd) Sarnia Open Stage at Lawrence House, 6:45pm, Free www.lawrencehouse.ca

Mon Watford Shuffle Up and Deal, Euchre, ELCC, 1-4pm, $3 www.warwicktownship.ca

Mon Watford Walk with Warwick, 9-10am, ELCC, indoor shoes only www.warwicktownship.ca

Mon Watford Open Play Adult Pickleball, ELCC Watford 7pm www.warwicktownship.ca

Mon Wyoming Forever Fit with LEO, Wyoming Legion, 9:30am 519-845-1353 ext 301

Tues (2nd) online Zoom Genealogy meetings, 7-8:15pm, Free www.lambton.ogs.on.ca

Tues Alvinston Adult Skate, 9-10am, BAICC www.brookealvinston.com

Tues (alt) Petrolia Meat Raffle - 6:30 at Black Gold Brewery, Kiwanis www.petroliakiwanis.ca

Tues Petrolia Yoga - Petrolia Legion, 7pm, pre-register www.petrolialegion216.ca

Tues Watford Open Play Corn Hole, ELCC, 1-2:30pm, indoor shoes only www.warwicktownship.ca

Tues Wyoming Euchre, 7pm, $10, everyone welcome FB Wyoming Legion Group

Wed Br Grove Meat Raffle, 5-7pm, Huron Oaks Golf Course FB Sarnia Lakeshore Optimist Club

Wed Corunna Forever Fit with LEO, 9:30am 519-845-1353 ext 301

Wed (1st) Forest Kiwanis Bingo at Legion, 7pm info@forestkiwanis.org

Wed Oct-May Forest Darts, Forest Legion, 7pm www.forestlegion.ca

Wed (3rd) Oil Springs Meeting Night at Oil Springs Legion, 7pm FB Oil Springs Legion

Wed (3rd) Petrolia Jamboree, Soft Rock, Country. Lunch 12-1pm $10, 1-4pm petrolialegion216.ca

Wed (2nd) Petrolia Lions Gift Card Bingo, Petrolia Lions Hall 7pm 519-882-8728

Wed Sarnia Triple C Carvers, Royal Cdn Naval Assoc, 8:30am-noon www.tripleccarvers.ca

Wed Sarnia Chair Yoga, 9:15am, Lambton Mall promo court, FREE FB Lambton Mall

Wed Watford Walk with Warwick, 2-3pm, ELCC, indoor shoes only www.warwicktownship.ca

Wed Watford Open Skate, 12-1pm, ELCC www.warwicktownship.ca

Wed Watford Open Play Adult Pickleball, ELCC Watford 9:30am www.warwicktownship.ca

Wed (1st) Wyoming Meat Bingo, Wyoming Lions Hall 7pm, October-June FB Wyoming Lions Club

Thurs Alvinston Adult Skate, 9-10am, BAICC www.brookealvinston.com

Thurs Corunna Cribbage, Corunna Legion 1pm www.corunnalegion.ca

Thurs Corunna Cornhole, Corunna Legion, 7pm www.corunnalegion.ca

Thurs Forest Shuffleboard, Forest Legion 10am www.forestlegion.ca

Thurs Forest Euchre, Forest Legion 1:30pm www.forestlegion.ca

Thurs Petrolia Adult Lunch Time Skate, $3, 12-1pm, Greenwood Rec. 519-882-2350

Thurs Petrolia Darts, Petrolia Legion 7pm www.petrolialegion216.ca

Thurs Petrolia Meat Raffle, Petrolia Optimist Club, Crabby Joe’s 6pm www.lcpetroliaoptimist.org

Thurs Sarnia Catch the Ace, Trivia Night, Sarnia Legion www.sarnialegion.com

Fri Corunna Bridge, Corunna Legion 1pm www.corunnalegion.ca

Fri (2nd/4th) Corunna Meat Darts, Corunna Legion, 7-11pm www.corunnalegion.ca

Fri Forest Cornhole, Forest Legion, 7pm www.forestlegion.ca

Fri Grand Bend Meat Raffle, 50/50, Karaoke, 5pm at Legion FB Grand Bend Legion

Fri Petrolia Karaoke at the 216 Lounge, Petrolia Legion 8pm www.petrolialegion216.ca

Fri (2nd/4th) Sarnia Open Dances, 7:30-11pm, $10, Polish Hall Sarnia 519-337-5708

Fri (1st) Sarnia First Friday, downtown multi-cultural walkabout FB Sarnia First Friday

Fri Sarnia Live Music and Dancing, Sarnia Legion, 7-11pm www.sarnialegion.com

Fri Watford Walk with Warwick, 9-10am, ELCC, indoor shoes only www.warwicktownship.ca

Sat Corunna Meat Draw, Corunna Legion, 4pm www.corunnalegion.ca

For Live Music Listings check out “Sarnia’s Live Music Hub”

on Facebook or visit www.sarniarocks.com

We’re living life to the fullest (until about 9 pm).

NOV 2024

S M T W T F S

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

DEC 2024

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 31

DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Please check ahead if possible.

Sat Forest Meat Raffle, Forest Legion 3:30pm www.forestlegion.ca

Sat (alt) Oil Springs Meat Raffle, Oil Springs Legion 4pm FB Oil Springs Legion

Sat Petrolia Meat Raffle, Petrolia Legion 2pm, $2 per ticket www.petrolialegion216.ca

Sat (4th) Petrolia Progressive Euchre Tourn, $10, 1pm start www.petrolialegion216.ca

Sat Sarnia Meat Raffle, Sarnia Legion 3pm www.sarnialegion.com

Sat Sarnia Live Music and Dancing, Sarnia Legion 7-11pm www.sarnialegion.com

Sat Wyoming Meat Raffle, Wyoming Legion 4pm FB Wyoming Legion

Sun (1st) Petrolia Free Family Swim, Petrolia YMCA 1-3:30pm, Nov & Dec www.petrolia150.com

Sun (4th) Sarnia Sarnia Stamp Club meeting, Grace United 2-3:30 sarniastampclub@cogeco.ca

EXHIBITS

ongoing L Shores Historic Buildings at Lambton Heritage Museum www.heritagemuseum.ca

ongoing online Nnigiiwemin/We are going home exhibit (virtual) www.heritagemuseum.ca

ongoing online Lambton Agricultural Hall of Fame (virtual) www.heritagemuseum.ca

ongoing online Lambton at War (virtual) www.heritagemuseum.ca

ongoing online Shine: Spotlight on Women of Lambton www.heritagemuseum.ca

ongoing online The Farmerettes (virtual) www.heritagemuseum.ca

ongoing online First Nations in the 149th www.heritagemuseum.ca

Nov 2-Dec 14 Br Grove Gifts of the Season, Annual Artisan Sale galleryinthegrove.com

Jan 20-31 Br Grove Workshops in the Grove galleryinthegrove.com

Feb 1-Mar 8 Br Grove Joan Bennett Ross & Adelle Taylor Exhibition galleryinthegrove.com

Mar 15-Apr26 Br Grove Jennifer Bain, Taryn Henry & Samantha Pickard Exhibition galleryinthegrove.com

Nov 1-30 Sarnia Members Exhibit “A Time for Giving” lawrencehouse.ca

Dec 6-28 Sarnia Members Exhibit “Handmade for the Holidays” lawrencehouse.ca

Oct 4-Mar 15 Sarnia Dark Ice | Glaces obscures www.jnaag.ca

Nov 1-July 6 Sarnia Sculpting Life: Inuit Carvings from perm. collection www.jnaag.ca

NOVEMBER 2024

13 Sarnia Sarnia Concert Assoc pres. Bridge and Wolak, 7:30pm www.imperialtheatre.net

14 Alvinston Christmas Craft Sale, Downtown, 4-8pm www.alvinstonoptimist.com

15 Sarnia Imperial Theatre presents: Elton Rohn, 8pm www.imperialtheatre.net

15-24 Sarnia Secret Santa Shoppe at Pathways www.pathwayscentre.org

16 Corunna Winter Market, 10am-2pm, $2, at Legion 519-862-1240

16 Watford Christmas Joy Market, ELCC, 9am-2pm, 40+ vendors FB A-Z Events

16 Sarnia O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy, 3pm and 7:30pm www.imperialtheatre.net

16 Sarnia Festive Nutcracker Project Kick Off, 169 Christina St. N. FB NuSarnia Foundation

16 Sarnia St. Bartholomew’s Church Bazaar (718 Cathcart) 9-12 Facebook

17 Petrolia Free Skate Birthday Party, Greenwood Rec., 1:50-2:50pm www.petrolia150.com

17 Wyoming Dance, The Pierce Family, Legion, 1-4pm Bill 226-402-2730

18 Forest Fall Film Festival, “Sing Sing” $8 7pm www.kineto.ca

18 Sarnia Open Stage at Lawrence House 7pm www.lawrencehouse.ca

20 Forest Fall Film Festival, “Sing Sing” $20 incl Lunch & movie 519-466-2287 to reserve

20 Watford Horticultural Soc. AGM, 6pm, RSVP by Nov 15 226-402-0116

20-Dec 8 Petrolia “Starbright Christmas 2024” A Glorious Tradition at VPP www.thevpp.ca

22 Sarnia St. Joe’s Hospice Education Series: Growing in Grief, 1:30-3:30pm 519-337-0537

22 Sarnia It’s Too Late to Stop Now - The Music of Van Morrison www.imperialtheatre.net

22-23 Petrolia Christmas Open Houses at downtown businesses www.petrolia150.com

22-24 Watford Christmas Open House & Craft Sale FB Watford/Warwick Horticultural Society

23 Petrolia Progressive Euchre Tourn, $10, 1pm start, Noon Lunch $6 www.petrolialegion216.ca

23 Petrolia ChristmasFest 2024, St. Paul’s UC, 10am-3pm 519-882-1390

23 Port Franks Holiday Marketplace in the Port for LSNT, 10am-3pm FB Lambton Shores Nature Trails

23 Petrolia Christmas with the King! Elvis tribute, 7:30pm www.petrolialegion216.ca

23 Forest Trivia Night, 7-10pm, $50 for 4 person team FB Forest Legion Branch 176

23 Sarnia Hotel California, The Original Eagles Tribute www.imperialtheatre.net

24 Corunna Jim “Mitch” Mitchell Memorial Euchre Tourn. $10, 1pm 519-862-1240

25 Sarnia State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine: Swan Lake www.imperialtheatre.net

29 Forest Christmas in the Park www.shopforest.ca

29 Sarnia DeGroot’s Winter Night Market, 4-9pm, Free www.degroots.ca

29 Wyoming Comedy Night, $20 adv. $25 at door, 8pm FB Wyoming Legion Group

30 Sarnia Christmas Concert, New Horizons Comm. Ch., 1:30pm FB Bluewater Chordsmen

30 Forest Santa Claus Parade, 7pm, “Gingerbread House Christmas” FB Kiwanis Club of Forest

30 Forest Forest Ladies Auxiliary Craft Sale FB Forest Legion Branch 176

30 Grand Bend Jingle Bells Parade Facebook

30 Sarnia Christmas Market, Canon Davis Mem. Church 9am-noon 519-344-9531

30 Petrolia Rumblefish! at Petrolia Legion, 7-10pm www.petrolialegion216.ca

P A G E

20

The hardness of butter is directly proportional to the softness of the bread.

WINTER 24/25

Feel free to submit events... info@welcometotheclub.ca

Welcome to ...

THE

CLUB

Events are listed

FREE for non-profit

groups (space

perming).

JAN 2025

S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Please check ahead.

DECEMBER 2024

to Dec 8 Petrolia “Starbright Christmas 2024” A Glorious Tradition at VPP www.thevpp.ca

1 Petrolia Free 150 Birthday Swim at YMCA, 1-3:30 www.petrolia150.com

4 Sarnia Derek Edward: Oxy Moron, 7:30pm www.imperialtheatre.net

4 Watford Moonlight Madness throughout town www.facebook.com/azeventsswo

5 Sarnia Elvis Christmas Special w. Pete Paquette www.imperialtheatre.net

6 Petrolia Town Christmas in the Park, Chili Cook Off www.town.petrolia.on.ca

6 Sarnia First Friday - Downtown Cultural Walkabout www.sarniafirstfriday.com

6 Sarnia First Friday Exhibits Opening 6-9pm www.lawrencehouse.ca

6-7 Pt Edward Christmas at the Club Craft & Vendor Sale, Sarnia Yacht Club Facebook

6-7 Sarnia Annual Nativity Walk, First Christian Reformed Church 519-908-9587

7 Petrolia Christmas Market, 10am-3pm, at Farmers’ Market www.town.petrolia.on.ca

7 Sarnia Gwetaandaawe Market, Maawn Doosh Gumig Gym, 9-2pm 519-336-8410

7 Petrolia Santa Claus Parade, 2pm, “Celebrating Petrolia 150” www.town.petrolia.on.ca

7 Forest Christmas Market and Soup Fest at Alton Farms www.AFEW.wine

7 Pt Edward Christmas in the Village, 11am-3pm www.villageofpointedward.com

7 Sarnia Stars on Ice: 2024 Holiday Tour, 7pm https://tickets.sarniasting.com

8 Wyoming Dance, Celtic Hillbillies, Legion, 1-4pm Bill 226-402-2730


11-14 Sarnia The Nightingale Chorus: Finding Christmas www.imperialtheatre.net

13 Wyoming Picking & Fiddling at Wyoming Legion Br. 388, 7-10pm Bill 226-402-2730

13 Sarnia St. Joe’s Hospice Education Series: Getting Unstuck, 1:30-3:30pm 519-337-0537

13-14 Pt Edward Christmas Market, Quality Inn, Fri 5-10pm, Sat 2-9pm Facebook

13-15 Petrolia “The VPP Holiday Jamboree” Foot Stompin’ Festive Fun www.thevpp.ca

14 Forest Downtown Jazz & Guests, “Jazzy Christmas” 1-2pm www.kineto.ca

14 Alvinston Christmas Celebration Market, 4-8pm, BAICC azevents.swo@gmail.com

14 Wyoming Christmas in the Village, 5:30pm, Lions Club Hall FB Plympton-Wyoming Special Events

14-15 Petrolia Tattoo Festival, Petrolia Legion, 9am-5pm www.petrolialegion216.ca

15 Port Franks Breakfast with Santa (9, 10 & 11 by reservation) www.ausableportfranksoptimist.club

15 Petrolia Free Skate Birthday Party, Greenwood Rec., 1:50-2:50pm www.petrolia150.com

15 Sarnia ISO: Messiah, 3pm www.imperialtheatre.net


20-21 Sarnia Rock and Roll Christmas Concert, 8pm www.imperialtheatre.net

21 Corunna Pete Denomme w. Jim Nestor at Legion, 5-8pm www.corunnalegion.ca

28 Petrolia Progressive Euchre Tourn, $10, 1pm start, Noon Lunch $6 www.petrolialegion216.ca

31 Petrolia Petrolia 150 Closing Event at Greenwood Rec. Centre www.Petrolia150.com

31 Petrolia New Year’s Eve w. Borderline, dinner at 7pm www.petrolialegion216.ca

31 Corunna New Year’s Eve Neon Party, 7pm, $35, Travis Laur Band www.corunnalegion.ca

JANUARY 2025


11 Forest Colt McLauchlin, Kineto Concert Series www.kineto.ca

19 Sarnia ISO - Hamilton’s Steel City Rovers: Journey of Steel, 3pm www.imperialtheatre.net

20-31 Br Grove Workshops in the Grove www.galleryinthegrove.com

29-Feb 2 Sarnia Theatre Sarnia presents: Stephen King’s Misery www.imperialtheatre.net

FEBRUARY 2025

5 Sarnia Classic Troubadours Live: James, Joni, Jackson, Carole www.imperialtheatre.net


8 Sarnia Hells Bells: Celebrating the Music of AC/DC www.imperialtheatre.net

15 Forest Michael VanHevel, Kineto Concert Series www.kineto.ca

23 Sarnia ISO: At the Movies, orchestral accom.to full length movie www.imperialtheatre.net

28 Sarnia Sandman: Celebrating the Music of Metallica www.imperialtheatre.net

SEND US YOUR EVENTS NOW

for FREE TEXT LISTING

Include locaon, date, name of

event, and website or phone #.

Send to:


FEB 2025

S M T W T F S

1

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28

Welcome to ...

THE

CLUB

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Recipes My Mother Never Served

By Glynn A. Leyshon • from Daytripping May-June 2016

On going through an old trunk, I

came upon a tattered, coverless, recipe

book which my mother brought out with

her from Wales. Reading some of the

contents was a revelation. I had heard,

for example, the word “fritter” but had

never had the occasion to taste or even

see one. I had no idea they could be

either meat in a batter or fruit in a batter.

Yes. Fried in a batter, fruit! The key steps

according to the book:

1. The batter must be smooth.

No lumps.

2. The batter must be thick.

3. The fat must be very hot.

The caution given to rate the batter’s

thickness is something I, in my naivety,

have never seen. The cook is supposed to

dip her finger (throughout the book it is

assumed the cook is a woman. I did say it

was an old book) into the batter and allow

the finger to drain off. After draining off,

the finger should be perfectly white and

covered and you should not be able to

see the colour of flesh through the batter.

Let’s hear it for smooth batters!

Among the more bizarre recipes are

those for stewed lettuce or even stewed

cucumbers in brown gravy to say nothing

of puréed celery, turtle soup, or lamb’s

head! The author also offers little tidbits

of information such as “Not one cook in

a hundred can distinguish boiling from

simmering,” then goes on to explain the

difference as being one of boiling and

almost boiling. Welsh Rabbit turns out to

be not a heaping plate of Bugs Bunny,

but a simple serving of, basically, bread

and cheese. But actual rabbit, however,

does not get away that easily. The book

offers the little hopper baked, boiled,

curried, larded, stewed and piquant.

Who knew?

The language the unknown author

uses also leaves a mark. For example,

”delicious titillation of the tongue” is

not normal fare in a cookbook of today.

Then again, the recipes themselves are

arcane to say the least. Consider, salt cod

with parsnips. One’s mouth waters at the

thought! And there is a whole chapter on

various sauces, 71 sauces to be exact, to

help with the titillation.

There is a chapter devoted to game

including grouse, ptarmigan, hare, lark,

partridge, teal and duck. Another gives

an insight into pie. Pies made from hare,

squab, giblet, eel, fish, kidney, pork, lark,

rook and shepherd’s (no actual shepherds

die in this recipe). It is fair to say the

people of that era ate a distinctively

different type of food from that which

we eat today. I cannot remember the last

time I had lark pie.

There are 35 pages of fish recipes

including lamprey, stewed eel, and pickled

salmon. One drools to contemplate such

bounty. I did not know lamprey was even

edible and eel, stewed or otherwise, does

not tempt me.

The crowning touch is chapter 23,

Invalid Cookery. It is not, as one might

expect, cookery that has no validity

but rather foods prepared for the sick

and dying. As the author so bluntly

puts it, “The diet which keeps a healthy

man healthy will kill the sick one.” It

is something to think over especially if

you are under the weather and newly

married to a novice cook.

WINTER 24/25

The sooner you fall behind the more time you’ll have to catch up.

P A G E

21

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PAGE 28

New Year, True You

By Kelly-Lynn Musico, Brights Grove • Registered Physiotherapist, Registered Yoga Teacher

As a physiotherapist, I often encounter

the pressure many feel at the start of

each year to adopt the mindset of “New

Year, New You.” While the idea of selfimprovement

can be admirable, this

concept may suggest that we need to

change who we are to find our sense

of happiness or success. I feel this

concept can leave us feeling inadequate

or imply that our current selves are not

good enough. So, instead of striving for

a “new” version of ourselves, why not

embark on a journey to rediscover and

embrace our true selves—both physically

and emotionally?

Reconnecting with our True Self?

How can we do that?

Physical Self: Listening to our body.

Our body is incredibly intelligent; it

communicates its needs through signals

like pain, tension, and even fatigue.

As a physiotherapist, I am constantly

encouraging us to listen to our bodies. It

is important to listen to our signals rather

than ignoring or “pushing through”

them to avoid injury and stay safe. So,

if you are starting the year with thoughts

around new fitness, it is important to opt

for activities that are safe, enjoyable, and

always remember to listen to your body.

This may also help to foster sustainable

mobility and encourage a lifelong journey

toward better health.

Emotional Self: Honouring emotional

well-being.

The pursuit of a “new you” often

overlooks the emotional aspect of our

well-being. Emotional health is often

intertwined with our physical health.

Stress and unresolved emotions can

manifest in the body as muscle tightness,

fatigue and other physical symptoms.

Have you considered the new year as an

opportunity to explore and nurture your

emotional health? It is just as important

as our physical well-being. So, perhaps

adding some practices like mindfulness,

meditation, or even talking to a counsellor

or therapist can significantly enhance

our emotional well-being.

Finally, The Power of Small, Consistent

Steps:

Meaningful changes in our body

and mind can come through small and

consistent actions. So maybe forgo those

lofty unrealistic goals and aim for simple

small daily habits that can contribute

positively to our overall physical and

emotional well-being.

Small ways to contribute to our

physical and emotional well-being:

• Park Further Away: When running

errands or going to appointments,

park a little further away from the

entrance to get in a few extra steps.

• Take the Stairs: If able, opt for stairs

instead of the elevator, even if it’s just

for a few steps or floors.

• Stretch During TV Time: If able, do

a few gentle stretches or simple

exercises, like leg lifts or seated

marching, during commercial breaks.

• Spend Time in Nature: If possible, take

a short walk in a park or sit outside

to enjoy the fresh air and natural

surroundings.

• Household Chores: Activities such as

sweeping, vacuuming, or dusting can

help keep the body moving.

• Dance to Music: Put on some favourite

tunes and dance for a few minutes. It’s

a fun way to get the heart pumping.

• Stand on One Foot: While holding

onto a stable surface, if able practice

standing on one foot for a few seconds

to improve balance.

• Sit-to-Stand: If able, practice standing

up from a chair with little or no use

of your hands to help strengthen leg

muscles.

• Mindful Breathing: Take a few minutes

each day to practice deep breathing

or meditation. This can be done while

sitting or lying down.

• Daily Gratitude Practice: Write down

or think about three things you are

grateful for each day. This helps shift

focus to positive aspects of life.

Each small step is an investment in

our true self.

The Journey to Rediscovery

So, let’s let this new year be an

opportunity to reconnect with our

authentic self. Embracing our body’s

unique needs; without judgement or

expectation, honouring our emotions;

and cultivating habits that genuinely

support sustainable well-being. By

embracing this approach, maybe you’ll

discover that the path to physical and

emotional health is not about reinventing

yourself, but about rediscovering who

you truly are.

The true you has been there all along;

it just needed to be heard and embraced.

Move. Feel. Live.

P A G E

22

Monday is an awful way to spend 1/7th of your life.

WINTER 24/25

Aging Bonus: You can go to antique shops and visit your old furniture!

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POINT EDWARD

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www.twinbridgelighng.com

Harvesting Hemp on the Fraleigh Farm Bosanquet Township, circa 1930

The county’s first farmers chiefly grew wheat because that grain gave them immediate

access to local and well-established regional, national, and international markets.

However, the commodity did have its drawbacks, including periodic serious drops in its

world price and its susceptibility to the cold and a variety of parasites. In response to these

difficulties and in reaction to the development of markets for other crops, such as the

demand of area breweries for barley, Lambton farmers diversified their production over

the last half of the nineteenth century. Agricultural census figures show that the county’s

five most significant crops and their corresponding yields in 1851 were wheat (279,989

bushels), corn (182,176 bushels), oats (79,955 bushels), potatoes (55,954 bushels), and

peas (26,079 bushels). Census returns fifty years later, besides showing spectacular leaps

in production, reveal wheat’s relative slide from absolute dominance. In 1901, the five

most significant crops and their yields were oats (2,706,790 bushels), wheat (1,051,880

bushels), corn (992,574 bushels), barley (445,799 bushels), and potatoes (365,988

bushels).

The twentieth century witnessed even more interesting crop diversification. For

instance, around 1925, Howard Fraleigh began to grow hemp on his farm near Forest.

To augment his flax milling business, Fraleigh cultivated hemp as another source of fibre

for making binder twine and cordage. However, in 1938, during what Fraleigh’s son,

Sid Sr., later described as an era tinged with paranoia

about the plant, an amendment to the federal Opium

and Narcotic Drug Act practically outlawed hemp

cultivation, including that done on the Fraleigh farm.

The great fear was that the plant could be used for less

legitimate purposes. LHM

Courtesy of Glen C. Phillips -

Lambton: An Illustrated History of the County © 1999

WINTER 24/25

Just because you’re not paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you.

P A G E

23

Welcome to...

THE Club

We’d like to hear your honest opinions on how you like this magazine.

foresttravelservice.com

CAROLYN R MOSIER

BscP.T. MCPA

Registered

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10 Watt Street, et

Forest • 519-786-3336

36

Those of you around my age will

remember a time when the arrival of the

mail was something to look forward to.

In those days, 1950s and 60s, there was

always the chance that among the bills

there would be a real “letter.” Whether

from a friend or a family member, a letter

contained all sorts of news and updates

that you simply could not otherwise learn.

It was something to sit down and read out

loud to other family members.

Where I grew up in England (South

London), the mail, or post as we used to call

it, was delivered twice on weekdays and

once on Saturday. The mail was important.

The information that we transfer at the

push of a button today had to be printed

on paper and physically delivered back

then. Everything relied on the mail being

quick and efficient, and that was reflected

in the importance given to it. Even today,

opening someone’s mail or destroying it is

On Loss Letters

a major offence subject to severe penalties.

Although telephones had been in use

since the late 1800s, it wasn’t until the

decline in costs in the 1960s and 70s that

the general public started making more use

of them for social interaction. I remember,

in the early 1960s, my dad worked for a

bakery where he was on call at night in

case of a breakdown. The company paid

for us to have a phone for emergency calls

- strictly out of bounds for social calls.

As the telephone became more

widespread and less costly, so the need

to write letters declined, but the real

death of the letter came with the spread

of the internet and later text messaging.

Once you could share photographs and

messages with any number of people,

instantly, over any distance at no cost, the

WHAT IF...

The hokey pokey

is REALLY what

it's all about?

By Peter R. Smith, Brights Grove

letter simply could no longer compete.

Today the mail is delivered to our

mailbox every weekday. It consists largely

of commercial flyers and letters from

charities to which I once donated, and

some of which I still support. They keep

my recycling box supplied. It seems to

have become fund-raising lore at some

point that if they send me some ‘gift,’

then I am more likely to respond with a

donation. But what to do with the ‘gifts’

that I neither want nor need? Cheap pens,

nickel coins, plastic things of dubious

usefulness and strangely a seeming

lifetime’s supply of address labels. I hardly

mail anything these days, so why do I

need sheets of address labels? You can’t

help thinking that they must have spent

some of your last donation to fund their

Do you live in the

BOONIES?

The CLUB is

available at all

Lambton County

libraries

(while they last)!

latest request.

Before the days of texting and email,

it took a lot more time and thought to

write a letter. It required sitting down with

a pen and paper, and more importantly

it required time. Time to remember

everything you wanted to say and time to

craft it into an appealing and interesting

text. Done well, a letter conveyed more

than just the news, it told a story, it was

intimate and personal. Today it is largely a

lost art, while we could still spend time and

effort in crafting an engaging message, the

fact is that our lives are busier today than

they were back then. Most email messages

appear to have been thrown together

in a few minutes, complete with a few

grammatical and spelling mistakes. I can’t

help thinking that for all today’s speed and

efficiency we have lost something along

the way. A visit to the mail box is just not

as exciting as it used to be.

Stop & Shop in

DOWNTOWN

FOREST

Check out our downtown -

browse our shops 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 & socials.

Black

Friday

Friday

November

22nd

Santa Claus

Parade

Saturday

November

23rd

Christmas

in the Park

Friday

November

22nd

New Year’s WORD SEARCH

FREE

PARKING

DOWNTOWN

Find these words hidden vertically, horizontally, diagonally and backwards.

P A G E

24

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

WINTER 24/25

Contact us any time by email - info@welcometotheclub.ca

Welcome to...

THE Club

• Herbal Products & Supplements

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Aunt Hattie wasn’t really my aunt,

but everybody in my family called her

that. She died in a retirement home in

Florida at the age of 102.

I had occasion to visit her in Miami

once. She was already in her 90’s but

looked 80ish. She was small, spirited,

flexibile and birdlike. She was clear and

sharp in her mind. She did volunteer

service for other seniors in her

retirement complex, those who were

less able-bodied.

As we sat drinking tea in her

apartment sitting room, she told me

about her life history. Born to an upper

middle class Jewish family in the city

of Vitebsk, Russia, she had aspired to a

career on the operatic stage. Her father,

a self made man and engineer, was

dead set against his daughter going on

the stage, even if it was the opera. So she

eloped with a poor Jewish housepainter

and ran off to America with him in

1909. Her furious father and perplexed

mother could do nothing about it. The

couple settled on the Lower East Side of

New York in a tenement flat.

Hattie was used to a very comfortable,

refined lifestyle, like any other upper

middle class girl in Russia in her time.

She had been well educated at home

by tutors. She spoke French, German

and English fluently. In New York she

found herself living in a dark, dismal,

impoverished flat. But she was not

discouraged. She tried repeatedly

to get into the world of opera. She

consistently failed. She was a good

singer but not good enough.

She gave singing and language

lessons for 50¢ or a dollar to the

children of prosperous families. She

still had career hopes. But when she

discovered that her husband had been

cheating on her with various girls she

left him — for good.

She moved in with a

neighbourhood prostitute,

the only woman who would

take her in. She taught

her to speak French. In

turn, her hostess taught

her current American

songs and dances and

suggested that Hattie use

these songs and dances

and go on the vaudeville

stage. Hattie suggested

that they form an act and

go together. It took much

persuasion by Hattie,

Aunt Hattie

By Sylvia Berk • from Daytripping Sept-Oct 2014

but soon they formed a “sister” song

and dance act, including comedy. They

made a bare living, but it was better

than starving or prostitution.

When vaudeville died, around 1930,

they went into burlesque. Hattie’s

partner became a dresser for the girls

and Hattie became a seamstress and

wardrobe mistress. This lasted til after

World War II.

Then Hattie and Mamie (which was

her friend’s name) settled down

in Miami Beach where they

worked as room clerks in

small inexpensive resort

hotels. Part of their pay

was in lower rent. Most

of the guests were

average middle aged

workers from the east

coast. In the evenings

Hattie and Mamie

would entertain the

guests with songs

when they weren’t

playing cards with

them.

One evening a well

dressed man came in with his wife.

Hattie recognized him at once as her

ex-husband. He recognized Hattie

too, even after all the years. She was

5' tall, weighed 90lbs, had short thick

hair, bright blue eyes and hardly any

wrinkles. She dressed like a school

girl in a school uniform — navy blue

skirt, white blouse, navy blue cardigan,

sweater and black walking shoes.

She walked right up to him, “Henry?”

she asked. “Henry Shapiro?” He

nodded. “Nice to see you after all these

years,” she said. She stuck out her hand

and pumped his. “Your husband is one

fantastic house painter,” she said to his

wife.

The wife beamed. He beamed. Then

Hattie went back to sit beside Mamie,

who smiled pleasantly.

Mamie, taller and fuller-bodied than

Hattie, got herself up in show business

style — make up, jewellery, hair dye

etc. — the whole thing.

They worked on, then Mamie died

of an aneurysm and Hattie retired

from paid work, but not from living.

She worked for many charities in the

area and did not stop singing. Aunt

Hattie knew every popular song of the

last 100 years. She sent me a basket

of oranges each Christmas. She was a

terrific gal!

WINTER 24/25

Always try to be modest, and be proud of it!

P A G E

25

Welcome to...

THE Club

Retirement: the pay sucks, but the hours are really good!

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2024

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Tales from Weaselscat

a quiet small town somewhere in Saskatchewan

By Will Bartlett, Camlachie

Episode 4: Karl’s Physical Examination

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YOU KNOW YOU’RE

GETTING OLD WHEN

YOU’RE SITTING IN

A ROCKER AND

CAN’T GET IT GOING.

~Milton Berle

“Do you smoke tobacco products?”

The question hung in the air for a

few seconds like a perfectly blown

smoke ring. Karl sat on the edge of

the examining table in the small white

room and smiled mischievously at

the nurse. Nurse Shawna was a fresh

and much appreciated addition to

the recently renovated Weaselscat

Health Clinic and Wellness Centre.

A trim thirty something, her auburn

hair and green eyes identified her as

someone from “outside.” However, she

was confident that her expertise and

efficiency would be reassuring to her

patients and would endear her to them.

Beneath her hospital greens festooned

with Disney characters, beat the heart

of a true professional, dedicated to the

welfare of her patients and the dignity

of her profession. Her pen hovered

impatiently over the clipboard while

Karl studied her expression. Was her

red hair an indication of a

quick temper, or perhaps an

Irish appreciation of humour?

Thinking that Karl may

be hard of hearing, Nurse

Shawna repeated her

question in a loud, clear

voice, “Do you smoke

tobacco products?”

Karl took a chance and

made his decision. Just as

she was about to speak again,

Karl smiled and cheerfully answered,

“Not yet.”

Nurse Shawna’s brow furrowed as

she pondered this tidbit of information.

The pen still hovered over the clipboard.

As she was about to probe deeper into

the subject, Karl offered, “I plan to start

when I turn 80.”

Again her brow furrowed and the pen

hesitated.

“I figure by then, what have I got to

lose?” said Karl, enjoying the moment.

Nurse Shawna grunted in

exasperation, stabbed the clipboard

with the pen and continued the

interview, “Do you drink alcohol?”

“Only occasionally” chirped Karl with

an air of exaggerated dignity.

“Okay, so you are a social drinker,”

stated Nurse Shawna, happy to finally

have an answer that fit into one of the

neat little boxes on the form on the

clipboard.

“No, no, no, that’s not the right term,”

said Karl with a serious, thoughtful

frown.

Again, the exasperation rose in Nurse

Shawna’s expression. With a steely glare

and a stern tone she reproached him,

“Well, if you only drink occasionally,

you would fit into the category of a

social drinker!”

“No, no, I know that’s not it;

there’s another term for it.”

Nurse Shawna’s face began

to turn red, and Karl realized

that storm clouds were quickly

gathering in those green eyes.

“Aha,” he cried, “I remember

now… binge drinker!”

Nurse Shawna struggled

to contain her temper as she

made a note in Karl’s file

warning all future medical

personnel that he could be a challenging

patient. Karl smiled smugly to himself,

pleased with his trickery, and blissfully

unaware that within a few minutes,

Nurse Shawna would be examining his

prostate. But until then…

Life was good in Weaselscat, a

quiet small town somewhere in

Saskatchewan.

P A G E

26

Get a new car for somebody you don’t like - it’ll be a great trade!

WINTER 24/25

Our next issue will come out around the start of March 2025.

• Manicures • Pedicures • Waxing

• Massage Therapy • Electrolysis

a getaway from the everyday

635 Broadway Street

WYOMING

226-307-0772

Spoil the Grandkids!

The perfect spot to SHOP LOCAL

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Welcome to...

THE Club

647 Broadway St, Wyoming

TOP 10 1984

Billboard Hits

1 Prince When Doves Cry

2 Tina Turner What's Love Got to Do with It

3 Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson Say, Say, Say

4 Kenny Loggins Footloose

5 Phil Collins Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)

6 Van Halen Jump

7 Lionel Richie Hello

8

9

Yes Owner of a Lonely Heart

Ray Parker Jr. Ghostbusters

Source:

www.billboard.com

10 Culture Club Karma Chameleon

Country Songs

A Slice of History

On top of my computer stands a copper

bust of Napoleon Bonaparte. Not every

person can leave a mark in history as he

did. However, some of us are fortunate

to be touched by a slice of the past in

a personal way - if we take the time to

listen.

A kaleidoscope of Rotarians and spouses

moved and mingled in the lobby of a

Convention Center in British Columbia. I

stood waiting for my husband who had

wondered off with my drink order.

“Hello. My name is Esio. Esio Marzotto.”

His words sounded like an Italian opera.

I shook the man’s offered hand and

looked into a pair of trusting, warm eyes.

“Pleased to meet you. Your name sounds

interesting, I have never heard it.”

“It’s a long story, maybe later I’ll tell

you all about it.” I wasn’t going to let him

slip away. “How about right now? I’m

curious.”

The smell of meat and spicy sauce

tantalized our taste-buds as we waited to

be seated for dinner at the Conference.

Esio began to speak about his father,

Roberto Marzotto.

Roberto was only seventeen years

old when he joined the Italian army.

Obviously, his parents were distressed

about their youngest son’s decision.

Source:

playback.fm

1 Julio Iglesias & Willie Nelson

To All The Girls I've Loved Before

2 Anne Murray (with Dave Loggins)

Nobody Loves Me Like You Do

3 The Judds Why Not Me

4 George Strait You Look So Good In Love

5 John Conlee In My Eyes

6 T.G. Sheppard Slow Burn

7 Anne Murray Just Another Woman In Love

8 The Statler Brothers Elizabeth

9 Crystal Gayle Turning Away

10 Ronnie Milsap Show Her

Movies

Ghostbusters

Indiana Jones and the

Temple of Doom

Gremlins

Beverly Hills Cop

The Karate Kid

Police Academy

Footloose

Star Trek III: The Search for

Spock

Romancing the Stone

Purple Rain

Amadeus

Oscar Winner, Best Picture

Source: wikipedia.org

by Verena Berger

from Daytripping, July-Aug 2007

But the boy left his eleven siblings,

parents and home in Pordenone,

Northern Italy, to fight in the First

World War. He was assigned to the

cavalry division of Captain Esio

Babini.

“What are you doing here?”

said the Captain, “you’re much

too young to fight a war.”

“I’m here to honour my

country,” answered Roberto. A slight

shiver ran up my spine. I knew what

was coming. I knew the story. I knew

the ending. But Esio’s melodic voice had

captured me and I craved to hear the

story in his own words.

Capt. Babini appointed Roberto his

valet. The teenaged soldier was stationed

close to the commander’s tent. He shined

the Captain’s shoes, prepared his meals

and tended to his horse. For months,

Roberto fulfilled his duties. Eventually -

he hoped - he would be rewarded with an

order to join the troops at the front.

During the last autumn days in 1918,

the cavalry broke camp and moved northeast,

close to the Tagliamento River, near

Venice. The next few days would become

notable with brilliant accomplishments

for the Italians. Heavy fighting would take

place and the havoc years to ameliorate.

623 Broadway St., Wyoming • 519-845-9915 • VillageFireplaceShop.com

We want your

photos, stories

& anecdotes

showcasing

Sarnia-Lambton!

Welcome to ...

THE

CLUB

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We also welcome your ideas,

comments or questions.

Esio’s words took me back to a time long

before I was born. I envisioned a foggy

morning and imagined smelling wet

earth mixed with gunpowder and

horses. I saw anxious soldiers

mounting their animals and

assembling without much talking.

I heard nervous hoof-steps, rifles

banging against halters. I felt

tension in the air.

Roberto grabbed his gun,

ready to fight for his country. But

to his great discontent, the Captain

refused Roberto’s wish to march into

combat.

“You, son, stay here and be ready when

we return.” It was an order!

“Here you are!” My husband intruded,

handing me a drink. I pressed my lips

together. He understood my gesture,

nodded toward Esio and listened to the

tale end of his story.

At the shore of the Tagliamento River,

the Italians fought against the German-

Austrian forces in one of the last battles

of World War l. Many lost their lives. The

ones who didn’t - the wounded - crept

and hobbled back in confused horror.

Roberto waited in vain for Captain Esio

Babini.

Like so many young men, Roberto

returned home with internal scars that

only fellow soldiers can understand.

He eventually married and immigrated

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to Toronto where he started his family.

To honour the man who had protected

Roberto, as a father would his son,

Roberto named his first-born child Esio.

My hands were shaking. I tried to say

something, thank him for sharing this

personal story, but there was a lump in

my throat.

The crowd started to move from the

lobby toward the dining hall. With a

wave and a smile Esio said, “Enjoy your

dinner,” and joined his table companions.

For weeks, this story haunted me. I

asked myself why this man’s past had

made such an impact on me. Was it the

name? The man? The story?

It was all that and more. Every family

has a past, every person a story. If not us,

who will tell them? We, each of us, are

a slice of history. Our forefathers lives

branded and shaped us. Because of our

families‚ past - or in spite of it - we are

who and where we are today.

Esio gave me permission to write his

story but admitted, “I wished I had asked

more questions. My dad didn’t talk much

about the war.”

Captain Babini didn’t conquer parts of

Europe, nor did he have laws standardized

to his name. But to Roberto Marzotto’s

family, Babini was as big a man as

Napoleon was to the French. Somewhere,

Captain Esio Babini deserves to be written

about.

WINTER 24/25

If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of car payments.

P A G E

27

Welcome to...

THE Club

4622 London Line, Reeces Corners • 519-845-3482

Puzzle

Solution

PICK YOUR OWN • Strawberries • Raspberries

• Apples • Pears • Pumpkins (in season)

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OPEN MON-SAT

Children Welcome

Puzzle

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Growing old is inevitable, but growing up is optional!

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• hay fever

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prescriptions for:

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• insect bites and hives

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Cupid: That Cute Valentine Symbol

by Maxine McBryan • from Daytripping Jan-Feb 2004

For The Club Winter 24/25

SUDOKU on page 22

Your safety starts with your tires!

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For The Club Winter 2024/25

CROSSWORD on page 11

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There are many stories of the origin

of Valentine’s Day, but how many of

you know the story of Cupid, the cute

cuddly little guy who shoots arrows

which made people fall in love? In

Roman mythology he was Cupid, son

of Venus, and in Greek mythology,

Eros, son of Aphrodite. He certainly

wasn’t cute and cuddly to the ancients.

According to the story of Cupid in

Apuleius‚ The Golden Ass, he was a very

beautiful and handsome god. This,

very briefly, is Cupid’s own love story.

Venus was a beautiful but jealous

goddess. One day she sent her son,

Cupid, to destroy the very beautiful

mortal, Psyche who was getting too

much attention for her beauty.

However, when Cupid

saw Psyche he fell in

love with her and took

her as his wife. Problem

was, Cupid was a god and

couldn’t let a mortal see

him, but even though

Psyche couldn’t see her husband she

was very happy. Too happy as far as

her two jealous sisters were concerned.

They claimed she was hiding a monster.

Psyche told them she wasn’t, but now

her curiosity got the best of her. One

night she took an oil lamp into the room

where Cupid was sleeping. He was the

most beautiful being she had ever seen.

Unfortunately, some of the hot oil from

the lamp fell onto Cupid and woke him.

He was so angry at her disobedience

that he left.

Psyche was heart-broken and asked

Venus for a second chance. Venus

reluctantly agreed but first Psyche had

to perform four tasks. The first one

required that she separate a bungle of

different grains in separate piles before

night fall. It was an overwhelming task,

but she got some help from the little

ants that took pity on her and came to

her aid. The second task was a little

harder. She had to go to a forest at the

end of a river and gather some wool

from sheep with golden fleece. Well,

when she got to the place, a green reed

in the river side warned her that the

sheep were vicious, and she should

hide in the reeds until they came to the

river for water that evening. Then she

could gather the fleece which would

come off on the briar when the sheep

walked back into the forest. This she

did, and having gathered the wool into

her apron, Psyche return to Venus.

Venus was getting a little frustrated

with Psyche’s successes and figured

out an even harder task for her to do.

Go to the mountain and bring back a

vessel of water from the river Cocytus,

which nourished the floods of Stix.

Psyche climbed the mountain as

far as she could but couldn’t get

to the river. There was a huge

boulder and two dragons on

each side she couldn’t pass;

however, the Eagle, the royal

bird of Jupiter, came along

and saw her problem.

The Eagle took the vessel,

flew up over the dragons and boulder

and got the water from the river. He

brought it back to Psyche, and she

returned it to Venus. The fourth one

was much more difficult. She had to

deliver a parcel to the underworld.

She was also told not to open the box

which contained beauty. Going into

the jaws of Hades was bad enough, but

that wasn’t her downfall. Her curiosity

got the best of her again. When she

opened the box, she found slumber and

fell into a deep sleep.

While all this was happening, Cupid

had been locked in a chamber in a

state of melancholy over his lost love.

He recovered and escaped with his

wings. He found Psyche asleep in the

field, picked her up, and took her back

to Mount Olympus. The other gods

took pity on Psyche and made her a

goddess. Cupid and Psyche reconciled

and bore a child called Pleasure.

Psyche means soul: this is a story

of the fusion of love (Cupid) with the

soul (Psyche).

P A G E

28

Love may be blind but marriage is a real eye-opener.

WINTER 24/25

Thanks for reading - keep this copy or pass it on to a friend please.

Welcome to...

THE Club

BOB BAILEY

MPP – Sarnia-Lambton

Building A Better Sarnia-Lambton

With members of the Bluewater

Nigerian Community in Sarnia. This

new association offers a supportive

network for residents in the area, and

promotes cultural exchange and

understanding within the community.

Checking out some of the

best-in-class student amenities

at Lambton College’s Cestar

Campus in Toronto.

Joining St. Clair Township Mayor

Jeff Agar to announce $33M in

provincial funds for infrastructure

improvements in the Township.

Speaking at the inaugural Ontario

One Call Conference and Trade Show

on behalf of the Minister of

Infrastructure.

Hello, Club readers! Where does the time ago? As we get set to

turn the page on another calendar year, I can't help but think

back on all the great things that happened in Sarnia-Lambton in

2024.

Currently, I’m at Queen’s Park as the Legislature is now back in

session following the summer constituency period. Housing

continues to be the central focus for the Ontario government. I

was very pleased this summer that the Ontario government

announced an investment of $41,785,125 in critical

infrastructure projects in St. Clair Township and the City of

Sarnia. These investments will allow for the development and

construction of thousands of new homes in the next few years.

This important funding from the province means that there will

be more housing options available for all members of our

community. I’m also encouraged that our government continues

to invest in important supportive housing projects across the

province. I’m hopeful that Sarnia-Lambton will soon be

announced as the site of one of these important facilities.

Ensuring people are receiving the services they need and that

they have a place to call home is critically important to me and

something that all levels of government should be working

towards.

Just a reminder that if you need assistance with any provincial

matters, please feel free to contact my Constituency Office – in

person, by phone, via email or through my website. My staff is

always ready to help!

Best wishes to all The Club readers for a fabulous holiday

season. I can hardly wait for all the excitement to come in 2025!

On a tour of the construction of

Eastern Power’s Hydrogen Ready

Power Plant with the Minister of

Energy-Intensive Industries.

Showing the Minister of Finance

how St. Clair Mechanical is helping

Ontario grow its industrial and

manufacturing base.

Joining the Minister of Finance and the

Team at Kel-Gor to learn more about

the large industrial project components

that are being built right here in

Sarnia-Lambton.

Petrolia’s 150th anniversary

celebrations continue all year.

To learn more visit

www.petrolia150.com

CONSTITUENCY OFFICE

805 Christina St. North, Suite 102

Point Edward, ON N7V 1X6

Contact Bob Bailey

Tel.: 519-337-0051

Fax: 519-337-3246

E-mail: bob.baileyco@pc.ola.org

Website: bobbaileympp.com

WINTER 24/25

Seen it all, done it all, just can’t remember much of it.

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!

Established in 1978,

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provide caring, professional pharmacy

services to residents of the beautiful

town of Petrolia and Lambton County.

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Pharmacist

Monday–Friday 9–6

Saturday 9–12

Good Question!

• Why isn't there mouse-flavoured cat food?

• If nothing sticks to TEFLON, how does TEFLON stick to the pan?

• What's another word for thesaurus?

• Why do they put Braille dots on the keypad of the drive-up ATM?

• What was the best thing before sliced bread?

Then & Now

by Steve Loxton

circa

1896

Historical vs. current

Sarnia-Lambton photos

Visit “Lost Lambton, Found!” on Facebook

• Fresh Produce

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• Deli

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Every Tuesday is SENIORS DISCOUNT DAY

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Use our easy

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We’ll bring your groceries to your car!

The Iroquois Hotel was Petrolia's most opulent. A fire in 1929

destroyed its towers and 3rd floor. Its movie theater lasted into the

1960s, while the west half was Ramsay's market for decades. A

shadow of its original grandeur, it was

finally demolished about 1998. But,

some of its 2nd floor stained glass

windows were saved and incorporated

into the new Hogan Pharmacy.

In the photo from 1955 (right), you can

see the Iroquois Theatre marquee and

Ramsay’s market.

2024

4136 Petrolia Line,

Petrolia • 519-882-2211

www.yourindependentgrocer.ca

P A G E

30

Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don’t.

WINTER 24/25

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Memory Lane

If you have the time, please come with

me on a walk down memory lane—back

to my childhood, many moons ago. I had

a very happy childhood, although with

eight children, Mom and Dad and Dad’s

mom, “Nanny” in one house, it was not

easy for Dad to keep enough food on

the table. Dad knew responsibility at a

very young age. When he was barely

seventeen his father died and Dad was

then the sole supporter of his mom. He

had to give up any education he may

have wanted to get a job.

Nanny lived in our home from the

time Dad and Mom were married until

her death when I was fourteen. You

rarely heard my dad complain about his

role in life. He was always smiling and

had a wonderful sense of humour. He

was a very honest man and expected

everyone else to be the same. He never

locked his door, saying, “A lock only

keeps the honest man out.”

Dad would walk into a store, any store,

and promptly say, “Could I get a quarter’s

worth of ten dollar bills?” Needless to

say he never found a merchant who

would accommodate him. He

would chuckle and say, “Oh,

well, it was worth a try.” He

would occasionally run a bill

at the local grocery store and

if it was owed longer than the

owner thought it should be,

he’d ask Dad when he’d be able

to close the account. Dad

would say a certain

time and he would

have the money to

pay it. “You know, my

friend, I’d rather owe it

to you than beat you out

of it.” And he would smile.

Whenever us kids would say

we were afraid, Dad would say, “Never

be afraid until you see something worse

than yourself,” and “Don’t worry about

being kidnapped. They’ll bring you back

at the first lamp post.”

When we all went out, it took two

cars. Dad would say to the second

driver, “If I get there first, I’ll draw a line.

By Blanche Haskett

from Daytripping May-June 2021

If you get there first, you rub it out.” As

each of us grew older we understood

the joke, but as youngsters, we’d always

look for that imaginary line. We would

often wake up to Dad shouting up the

stairs, “Time to get up, kids. It’s daylight

in the swamp!” We couldn’t understand

why we had to get up. We never lived

near any darn swamp!

“Beech, birch and maple, all begins

with A,” Dad would say to us. We would

argue the point until he’d say, “Well, all

does begin with A.”

He taught us to say the alphabet

“Beech, birch and maple,

all begins with A.”

backwards. I happened to say it in front

of my seven year old granddaughter

one day and she asked me to write it

down for her, which I did. Two weeks

later when I visited them she was quite

excited when she said the alphabet

backwards as if she had been saying it

as long as I had. My son learned it while

on guard duty one night in a foreign

country. “If you and Patricia can do it,

I can too!”

When we’d ask Dad to read

anything to us, he’d say,

“You’d better read it. I went

to night school. I can’t read in

the daytime.” As each of us

started driving, he’d

say, “Now don’t

forget to watch

the car in front

of the car behind

you.”

“Yes, Dad, we’ll be

careful.”

We were a poor family by

monetary means, but we soon learned

that we were the richest family we knew

because love and laughter were the two

main ingredients in our household. We

grew up healthy and happy and every

one of us inherited Dad’s unique sense

of humour. Thanks, Dad!

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WINTER 24/25

Honk if you love peace and quiet!

P A G E

31

Welcome to...

THE “christmas” Club

Christmas Gift Guide

In the next few pages you’ll find a few gift ideas, Christmas greetings,

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1. Who wrote the novel ‘A Christmas Carol?’

2. What were the names of the Three Wise Men?

3. What did the True Love send on the seventh day of Christmas?

4. In which 1994 film did Tim Allen become Santa Claus?

5. Who wrote the original story of the ‘Grinch?’

6. Who sang the Christmas hits about Rudolph and Frosty?

7. What is Scrooge’s first name in ‘A Christmas Carol?’

8. What gifts did the Three Wisemen bring to Baby Jesus?

9. Which actor who played Santa Claus won an Emmy for his role?

10. Who caught the Grinch stealing presents & the Whoville Christmas tree?

11. In the song Winter Wonderland, where will they conspire?

12. What is the meaning of Donner, one of Santa’s reindeer, in Dutch?

13. In the song ‘Frosty the Snowman’ what is his nose made of?

14. Who wrote the poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas?

15. In ‘A Christmas Carol’ what is the crippled little boy’s name?

16. Of the Tales of Hoffman, which became a classic Christmas ballet?

17. What was the Grinch’s dogs name?

18. What is the song title of the best selling Christmas recording?

19. Who portrayed Scrooge in the 1951 movie version of A Christmas Carol?

20. In ‘The Christmas Song’, what are the children trying to see?

21. Name the song title: “Oh the weather outside is frightful.”

22. How long after the death of his partner, do the ghosts visit Scrooge?

23. On the eleventh day of Christmas what did the True Love send?

24. In which 1947 film did Edmund Gwenn play a Santa at a Macy’s store?

25. In ‘The Night Before Christmas’ when did the narrator first see St. Nick?

26. When Joseph and Mary left the city, where did they go?

27. In which musical does The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy occur?

28. What is the 1983 version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ starring Bill Murray?

29. Who wrote the story ‘The Gift of the Magi?’

30. What was the last thing the Grinch stole from the first house he visited?

31. Name the song title: “Long lay the world in sin and error pining.”

32. How was the final ghost different form the others that visited Scrooge?

33. In ‘The Christmas Song, what are the people dressed up like?

34. What was the original name for the poem ‘The Night Before Christmas?

35. Who narrated the animated version of ‘The Grinch Who Stole Christmas?’

1. Charles Dickens 2. Balthazar, Melchior & Caspar 3. Swans 4. The Santa

Clause 5. Dr. Seuss 6. Gene Autry 7. Ebenezer 8. Gold, Frankincense & Myrhh

9. Edmund Gwenn for Miracle on 34th Street 10. Cindy Lou Who 11. By the fire

12. Thunder 13. A button 14. Clement C. Moore 15. Tiny Tim 16. ‘The Nutcracker’

17. Max 18. Bing Crosby’s White Christmas 19. Alastair Sim 20. If reindeer really

know how to fly 21. ‘Let It Snow’ 22. Seven years 23. Pipers 24. Miracle on

34th Street 25. On the lawn outside 26. Egypt 27. ‘The Nutcracker’ 28.

‘Scrooged’ 29. O. Henry 30. Log from the fireplace 31. ‘Oh Holy Night’ 32. It

never spoke 33. Eskimos 34. ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ 35. Boris Karloff

P A G E

32

Just remember... if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off.

WINTER 24/25

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In the December 18, 1997 episode of

Seinfeld, Frank Costanza (Jerry Stiller)

introduced “A Festivus for the Rest of

Us” as an alternative to the distorted

materialism of Christmas. Festivus,

which is supposedly observed on

December 23, but celebrated throughout

the month, has become a household

word to more people than one would

expect. Festivus parties and gatherings

are held throughout the month. The

“Festivus” meal is whatever you want,

but should be non-traditional comfort

foods such as meat loaf or spaghetti

with red sauce. New Yorker, Allan Salker

who has hosted Festivus gatherings has

authored a book “Festivus: The Holiday

for the Rest of Us.”

Costanza tells of an incident which

happened years ago when he was

buying a doll for his son George and had

to wrestle someone for it, thus his idea

for “Festivus” - a nondenominational

holiday. In designing the “Festivus”

traditions, Costanza satirized real-life

family traditions such as the artificial

Christmas tree, stripping it to the pole,

creating the “non tinsel, aluminumcovered

pole.” Costanza found tinsel to

be distracting. During holiday dinners,

arguments erupted and the “Airing of

Grievances” was traditionalized. To

clear the air “Feats of Strength” was

proposed. George in his infinite wisdom

sent greeting cards to his friends and

colleagues stating that in lieu of presents

he was donating to the “human fund,”

a fund for people. His boss was so

impressed that he donated $20,000 to

a fund that did not exist.

I am sad to say that even “Festivus”

has become somewhat commercialized.

There are companies who manufacture

“non tinsel, aluminum-covered poles.

A Festivus For the Rest of Us

by Nancy McSloy • from Daytripping Nov-Dec 2008 issue

I also found

T-shirts for sale

and “Festivus”

greeting cards.

Last December I was driving my

grandson’s friend home. When I pulled

into their driveway, I noticed that the

Christmas lights were on. When I

mentioned the lights, his friend told

me that since her mom is a staunch

Seinfeld fan, she decided that they

would celebrate “Festivus” this year.

On December 23rd I received a call

from the mom, wishing us all “Happy

Festivus” or whatever holiday we

celebrated. The non tinsel, aluminumcovered

pole was up and the presents

around it. They planned to “Air their

Grievances” at midnight and continue

with their “Feats of Strength” in the

morning. Dinner consisted of ham,

brussels sprouts and several nontraditional

dishes.

All kidding aside, perhaps “Festivus”

is not a bad idea. Starting in September,

we are bombarded with decorated

Christmas trees and other Christmas

paraphernalia when we walk into the

department stores. The commercialism

has reached epic proportions and many

people are so stressed and exhausted

by the time Christmas rolls around

that what should be a day full of

enjoyment and reflection is one of the

most stressful days of the year. Hospital

emergency rooms and distress centers

are bombarded with calls and visits

from the lonely and depressed. Children

want every toy

and game that

is advertised for

weeks prior to Christmas,

often causing financial strain on the

family.

As a child growing up in rural

Southwestern Ontario in the 1950’s,

I still reflect on the spirituality, the

camaraderie and the simpleness of

a very sacred holiday. The Christmas

concerts at church school, coming home

from school to the smell of cookies and

other Christmas goodies in the oven,

snowshoeing with my dad to the back

of the farm to cut down the Christmas

tree. In a “perfect world” the tree would

have never won an award, but in my

eyes it was beautiful. The decorations

were modest and there was always at

least one hundred Christmas cards

received. Christmas dinner with many

family members was always home

made, everyone brought something

and everyone pitched in and helped. I

am still certain that the voice of Santa

on the local radio station was the “real

Santa.” Gifts were much simpler then

as well - a doll, homemade doll clothes,

new clothes for school. The stockings

were dad’s work socks and were filled

with candies, oranges, nuts and other

goodies. Those were the days!

To me the real meaning of Christmas

is the most important part of the

season. As I sat at church last Christmas

Eve and felt the spirituality and peace

that should be a part of the season, I

realized that I too have been caught up

in the commercialism of Christmas.

I left feeling so relieved that I had

attended the service and had a feeling

of peace within me, realizing that there

is much more to Christmas than tinsel

and expensive gifts.

There appears to be more hype about

being politically correct when extending

wishes for the holiday season. I want to

be able to say Merry Christmas without

hesitation. I want to be able to wish my

‘sisters and brothers’ “peace on earth

and good will toward men.” In return if

my ‘sisters and brothers’ are celebrating

Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Diwali, Ramadan,

Christmas or any other celebration,

even “Festivus” - I would hope they

would be comfortable in extending

their traditional greetings. Last year

I visited Trinidad. Ramadan had just

started and Diwali was approaching.

The family that I was visiting were

a mixture of Hinduism, Muslim and

Christianity. When I asked what they

celebrate, the response was “all three.”

Perhaps here in Canada we put too

much ownership on our own particular

holiday, depending on our beliefs and

forget about the many other holidays

and traditions that are a part of our

diverse country.

Another Christmas is fast approaching.

I plan to continue with my greetings by

extending a Merry Christmas and best

wishes for a happy, prosperous and

healthy year ahead. I plan to have a

stress free, simple Christmas, extending

my Christmas wishes as I see fit. Who

knows, I may even participate in some

“Festivus” activities and as a part of my

volunteer work with new Canadians, I

hope to take part in some of the many

other traditional celebrations.

WINTER 24/25

The things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those who got there first.

P A G E

33

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• Never give up on anybody;

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• Remember someone’s name.

• Pray not for things, but for wisdom

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• Be tough-minded, but tender

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By Agnes Burroughs • from Daytripping Nov-Dec 2021

To most folks this past Christmas

morning was just like many others. The

children wake you early even though

you know there will be a long day

ahead—you rise and smile and know

that once again you are blessed to be in

this most perfect of worlds where there

is plenty of food, lots of presents and

family you know will be coming home.

For us the day started as usual at

6:00 a.m. in the darkest of worlds with

no welcoming sunshine, just dark, dark

shadows, steamy breaths and bone

snapping cold. But coming to the barns

is like coming into a different world with

the soft lowing of the cattle welcoming

you to their ever hungry world. It’s

always warm there and smells like

home. They lope over to greet you and

despite the fact you know they don’t

understand you greet them with “Merry

Christmas” tones and offer them extra

rations just because it’s Christmas for

everyone. They never refuse to eat,

and also seem to enjoy extra straw

bedding just because it’s Christmas.

They dash around like mini tornadoes

scattering the lovely yellow straw in

every direction and essentially helping

you spread the blankets out for them

to lie on and chew their cud. Feeding

the corn silage and the hay somehow

feels extra special because that’s what

you do at Christmas—you eat a lot extra

and so should they have that option. We

always clean our plates at mealtime but

they seem smarter than us and back

off from eating too much. I guess they

don’t want to feel stuffed, but alas, beef

cattle always look full anytime, and have

no gauge to judge their fullness. The

older cattle saunter in from outdoors

with beautifully manicured blankets of

snow on their backs. Seemingly never

cold, they take a glance in the feeder for

anything new but, sorry, same corn into

the silo in fall, and same corn out for

winter feed. They shuffle over and stare

ponderously at the feed and then start

to munch down.

On to the chicken barns where they

are long arisen from their night time

slumber, (how in the world do they stay

upright on their perches without falling

off?) their noisy cackles announcing our

arrival and their rush to the opening

doors. Many peelings and scraps have

them scrambling over one another to

get the best pickings. We wish them a

Merry Christmas as we replenish their

water and give them an extra scoop of

food. I’m sure they don’t understand

our chatting but sometimes when their

egg offerings are down, I threaten them

with severe reprisals, and miraculously

they step up their game and give more

eggs—maybe they do understand?

Back to the house for our warm bowls

of porridge and toast. It’s always been

that way—first the animals get their

food and bedding and then the humans

get their breakfast. Our children all

grew up knowing that there would be

no presents until after chores, breakfast

and then chaos. It taught them a great

lesson that patience and kindness to

animals takes precedent over Christmas

presents.

After the last of the presents, it’s time

to get our feast ready for everyone to

enjoy. Turkey with all the trimmings

and extra candy lying about fills the

house to overflowing. A brief break in

the afternoon, and then thank goodness

it’s time to head out to the barn again

to wear off some of that extra pie

and whipping cream. We actually are

grateful we have a super excuse to get

out of the house and get a little exercise

before it’s time for supper. And that

was our Christmas Day—sure hope you

enjoyed yours.

P A G E

34

A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.

WINTER 24/25

Welcome to...


HOGAN

P•H•A•R•M•A•C•Y

Beautiful Gift Shop

• Wedding • Birthday

• Baby • Home Decor

Full Service Pharmacy

Full Service Cosmetic Department

Full Service Home Health Care Dept.

Wednesday is Senior’s Day

20% OFF* for Customers 60+

*SOME EXCLUSIONS MAY APPLY, PLEASE SEE STORE FOR DETAILS

Enjoy our Holiday Events! !

Cosmetics s Supreme Sparkle Event: Nov. 26

LADIES NIGHT - All Day/All-Night Event: Dec. 3

MEN'S NIGHT - All Day/All-Night Event: Dec. 10

LastMinute Christmas Event: Dec. 17

4177 Petrolia Line, Petrolia • (519) 882-1840 Mon-Fri 9-9, Sat 9-6, Sun10-5

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. “Bad-Ass” librarians from this African city preserved

thousands of centuries-old manuscripts from Al-Qaida’s

destruction.

2. What is the term for the process of improving the strength

and durability of materials through the application of heat

and/or pressure?

Welding Forging Tempering Quenching

3. What famous American poet wrote The Road Not Taken

and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening?

4. Rodney, Ontario, is home to North America’s smallest of

these institutions.

5. What is the capital city of New Zealand?

Auckland Wellington Christchurch

6. In which year did the Titanic sink?

7. This rapper began their career as an actor on the teen

drama Degrassi: The Next Generation?

8. Which pitcher holds the record for the most career

strikeouts?

9. In Monster’s Inc., a code 2319 refers to what type of

incident? Be specific..

ANSWERS:

1. Timbuktu ; 2. Tempering; 3. Robert Frost; 4. Jails ;

5. Wellington; 6. 1912; 7. Drake; 8. Nolan Ryan; 9. white sock

PRIME RIB

WEEKENDS

By William Weatherstone, Sarnia

When I was a kid I used to go to

the Sarnia Ice house on the north end

of Front Street, facing the river, where

they produced 100-lb blocks of ice for

delivery all over town.

When the ice blocks were formed

in the steel containers a + sign was

engraved on the side of the ice block.

This was the indentation to break

down the 100-lb ice blocks into four

25-lb blocks just using an ice pick.

When the driver stopped for a

home delivery and chopping off a

25-lb chunk, there was always pieces

or shards laying on the truck’s deck.

While the driver delivered the piece, us

kids would rush up and steal the loose

pieces while running away, eating the

ice like it was a treasure. The driver

had a very large set of tongs to carry

the blocks of ice with.

Above the ice building was the

TUESDAY

WING NIGHT

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519-869-2794 • skeeterbarlows.com

Join us by the Lake!

• Authentic Hickory Smoked Ribs

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• Seafood, Sandwiches, Wraps

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House...

1942

curling rink where I used to enter and

watch the curlers doing their thing from

behind a glass observation room. They

used real brooms to do the sweeping,

slapping their way down the ice.

Across the road next to the river

was the Salt Block, and behind that

was the bay in the river where ice sail

boats would race each other, going

like gang-busters on three ice blades

while the sails filled with the fresh

cold northern winds off Lake Huron.

This is just one more memory that

we will never see again.

NOTE… At that time we had what

was called an ice box, not an electric

refrigerator. In the top we put in a 25-

lb block of ice. In the center door was

the food storage. Under the unit was

a water pan to catch the water from

the melting ice block, which had to be

dumped periodically.

WINTER 24/25

It was recently discovered that research causes cancer in rats.

P A G E

35

Welcome to...

van Goozen Music

Give the Gift of Music

Lessons on Many Instruments

FOR ALL AGES

(Yes, we mean you!)

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Lessons • Sheet Music

Instruments & Supplies

519-344-2319 • vangoozenmusic.com

115 Mitton Street South, Sarnia

Mainframe

QUALITY PICTURE FRAMING

• Canvas Stretching • Jersey Frames

• Needlework Stretching

• Frame Repairs • Glass Replacement

• Object Framing such as War Medals &

Sports Memorabilia (the list is endless)

• Plak-it also available

GREAT

GIFT IDEA


1249 London Rd

Tepperman’s Plaza

SARNIA

519-383-7114

I have a particular fondness for one

little Christmas ornament!

Not glamorous by

any stretch of the

imagination, it

is just a simple

blue bulb with a

house scene painted

on in white glitter.

Scratched, faded and

rather ordinary looking

in comparison to the rest,

I realize its beauty lies

within the special history

we share.

It reminds me of my

father’s house and the times

we would plead for him to go into

our attic and retrieve the Christmas

decorations. My dad would get the ladder

and open up the trap door bringing down

the same two cardboard boxes over the

course of my entire childhood. It was a

ritual that was eagerly anticipated by the

entire family.

Mom made shortbread while dad

got stuck with light stringing duty. His

amazing level of patience made him a

great candidate for this awful job. Yards

of unruly multi coloured lights lay on

our small living room floor as he tried

to make sense of the knotted mess. Of

course, we were never lucky enough to

have the lights work the first time they

were plugged in. My father usually had

to spend a good half hour chasing down

the culprit bulb which was most certainly

the second to last on the string. When

finally lit, we would marvel at the glorious

colored lights of red, green, yellow and

blue. Colours of youth, pure and simple.

To this day, I cannot warm up to the idea

of clear lights on a Christmas tree.

My little ornament takes me back

to the hours of fun I had

decorating the trees of my

youth. The basic simplicity

of my life back then, what

it took to make me happy

and the joy I felt in

more uncomplicated

times. The thrill of

unwrapping the

same ornaments

year after year

was a familiar

by Gayle Etherington reacquaintance that

recharged the senses.

From Daytripping

I never seemed to tire

Christmas 2004

of viewing these ancient

treasures, savoring the

feeling of nostalgia they

brought with them. Their visual

presence filled me with the spirit of the

season and stayed with me far longer

than any gifts received.

As I get ready to hang this special

ornament on my tree again this year,

it also reminds me that time does

change no matter how hard we resist.

My Christmas is no longer just about

decorating one small tree and opening

gifts. Taking time to find the bliss in the

season takes a more concentrated effort

on my part as I pass through this phase

of my life at light speed.

As memories of long gone Christmases

start to grow dim, I have a little ornament

that keeps me in tough with my past.

The winds of change may blow constant

through our lives but reconnecting with

something as fragile as time is very

comforting to the soul.

I love that it is remarkable only to me.

It holds within it the most wondrous

capability of bringing out the child in me.

I think it is a miracle from something

made of glass.

Gifts &

Home Decor

For The

Holiday Season!

GIFTWARE & UNIQUE

HOME DÉCOR

SHOWCASING MANY

LOCAL ARTISANS

TUESDAY-FRIDAY 10-5

SATURDAY 10-2

850 Colborne Street @ Exmouth

Northgate Plaza, Sarnia

519-336-3838

Port Huron (HQ)

1805 Cleveland Ave.

Port Huron, MI 48060

Fort Gratiot

4790 24th Ave.

Fort Gratiot, MI 48059

(810) 985-4745

Mon-Fri 9-6

Sat 10-4 • Sun Closed

(810) 985-4745

Mon-Fri 10-6

Sat 10-4 • Sun Closed

P A G E

36

I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it.

WINTER 24/25

Welcome to...


TUESDAY IS

SENIOR’S DAY!

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Plus

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SARNIA

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305 Caradoc St. S.

519-245-6355

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1202 Lakeshore Rd.

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STRATHROY

*10% off regular priced items. Must be 60 years of age or older. Valid proof of age required. Purchases of Gift Cards and taxes excluded. Not to be used in conjuction with any other offer.

The brand new pastor and his wife,

assigned to their first ministry, to

reopen a church in suburban Brooklyn,

arrived in early October excited about

their opportunity. When they saw their

church, it was very run down and

needed much work. They set a goal to

have everything done in time to have

their first service on Christmas Eve.

They worked hard, repairing pews,

plastering walls, painting, etc, and on

December 18 were ahead of schedule

and just about finished.

On December 19 a terrible tempest

hit the area and lasted for two days. On

the 21st, the pastor went over to the

church. His heart sank when he saw

that the roof had leaked, causing a large

area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet

to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary

just behind the pulpit, beginning about

head high. The pastor cleaned up the

mess on the floor, and not knowing

what else to do but postpone the

Christmas Eve service, headed home.

On the way he noticed that a local

business was having a flea market type

sale for charity so he stopped in. One

of the items was a handmade, ivory

coloured, crocheted tablecloth with

exquisite work, fine colours and a cross

embroidered right in the centre. It was

just the right size to cover up the hole in

WINTER 24/25

The

IN-BOX

Send the good stuff to info@welcometotheclub.ca

E-Mail

the front wall. He bought it and headed

back to the church.

By this time it had started to snow. An

older woman running from the opposite

direction was trying to catch the bus.

She missed it. The pastor invited her

to wait in the warm church for the

next bus, 45 minutes later. She sat

in a pew and paid no attention

to the pastor while he got a

ladder and hangers to put

up the tablecloth as a

wall tapestry. The pastor

could hardly believe how

beautiful it looked and it

covered up the entire

problem area. Then he

noticed the woman walking

down the centre aisle. Her face was like

a sheet.

“Pastor, “ she asked, “where did

you get that tablecloth?” The pastor

explained. The woman asked him to

check the lower right corner to see if

The Tablecloth

the initials, EBG were crocheted into

it. They were. These were the initials

of the woman, and she had made this

tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria.

The woman could hardly believe it

as the pastor told how he had just

gotten the tablecloth. The woman

explained that before the war she

and her husband were well-to-do

people in Austria. When the Nazis

came, she was forced to leave.

Her husband was going to

follow her the next week. He

was captured and sent to

prison and she never saw

her husband or her home

again. The pastor wanted

to give her the tablecloth, but

she made the pastor keep it for the

church. The pastor insisted on driving

her home, that that was the least he

could do. She lived on the other side of

Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn

for the day for a housecleaning job.

You never really learn to swear until you learn to drive.

Christmas Eve arrived and they

had a wonderful service. The church

was almost full. The music and the

spirit were great. At the end of the

service, the pastor and his wife greeted

everyone at the door and many said

that they would return. One older man,

whom the pastor recognized from the

neighbourhood continued to sit in one

of the pews and stare, and the pastor

wondered why he wasn’t leaving.

The man asked him where he got the

tablecloth on the front wall because it

was identical to one that his wife had

made years ago when they lived in

Austria. He wondered how could there

be two tablecloths so much alike. He

told the pastor how the Nazis came,

how he forced his wife to flee for her

safety and how he was supposed to

follow her, but was arrested and put in

a prison. He never saw his wife or his

home again all the 35 years in between.

The pastor asked him if he would allow

him to take him for a little ride. They

drove to Staten Island and to the same

house where the pastor had taken the

woman three days earlier. He helped

the man climb the three flights of stairs

to the woman’s apartment, knocked

on the door and he saw the greatest

Christmas reunion he could ever

imagine.

P A G E

37

Welcome to...


141 Mitton St S, Sarnia • 519-339-8999 • www.tywc.ca

Dream Big! Win Big!

Dream Home Lottery hits 30-year milestone

By Cathy Dobson, Sarnia

An astonishing 800 people toured

Bluewater Health’s 2024 Dream Home on

the first open house weekend in October,

proving the community’s enthusiasm for

the hospital fundraiser hasn’t waned one

bit, even after 30 years.

And there are other signs that this

could easily be a banner year for the

hospital foundation’s biggest annual

fundraiser.

Early ticket sales for the Dream

Home Lottery outpaced all other years,

according to Kathy Alexander, executive

director of the Bluewater Health

Foundation.

“There are a lot of firsts this year,” she

said. “Not only are ticket sales ahead,

this is the first year that the Dream Home

winner can claim $1 million cash if they

don’t take the house.”

Kathy Alexander, left, executive director

of the Bluewater Health Foundation, and

Tabitha Brinn, the foundation’s lottery

specialist, talk about their favourite features

in the kitchen of this year’s Dream Home.

This year’s Dream

Home is the first built

by ForBroad Custom

Homes, owned by local

contractors Pat and Ken

Maaten. It’s the first time

Jen Sottosanti Designs of

Sarnia has decorated the

home.

And, at $1.5 million, the Dream Home

has never before been valued so high.

The total prize board is $2.1 million, with

the lottery continuing past the Dream

Home Feb. 20 draw date for the first

time, said Alexander.

Ticket holders have a chance to win

cash and vacations every day throughout

March and April.

For three decades, the Bluewater

Health Foundation has built a Dream

House, never missing a year despite

the pandemic. And every year, the

community has responded. In fact,

many make a tour of the Dream Home

an annual tradition.

“People make it an event to walk

through the house so they can dream

about winning it,” said Alexander. She

loves hearing people share their plans as

they take it all in.

“I even see them with measuring

tapes, checking to see what could fit

where.”

Foundation staff say buying a Dream

Home ticket is a chance to dream big

and win big.

“It really is something people look

forward to,” said Tabitha Brinn, the

foundation’s lottery specialist who

diligently researches what vacation

Kathy and Tabitha in the cold

storage room added to the Dream

Home thanks to the generosity of

several sponsors including Shale

Ridge Estate Winery & Cidery in

Thedford.

Star Wars Holiday Humour

Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker were having one of

their little father and son chats - lightsabers drawn and

sparks flying. Vader pinned Luke against a bulkhead and

glared into his face, "I know what you're getting for Christmas

To:

LUKE S.

Luke," he said, "Oh yes, I know!" Luke fought himself free and jumped to a

higher platform just out of Vader's reach, "How do you know?" Luke yelled at

him. Darth Vader shot Luke an icy glare and said, "I felt your presents."

destinations and prizes

will keep the fundraiser

fresh and exciting every

year.

“Thirty years of one

event is uncommon,”

acknowledged Alexander.

She believes the public

stays engaged and

supportive because of

the foundation’s ability

to identify specific capital

projects the lottery makes

possible.

“The biggest winner,

really, is the hospital, and that makes it a

win/win for people who purchase tickets,”

said Alexander. Over

30 years, lottery

proceeds have

supported priority

projects at Bluewater

Health including the

hospital’s building

redevelopment, its

first MRI and other

diagnostic imaging

equipment, as well

as a helipad.

Throughout its history, the Dream

Home Lottery has generated $10 million,

making it the number one fundraising

event for the hospital every single year.

This year’s goal to raise $700,000 is

the most ambitious yet.

Proceeds will go towards redevelopment

of the Emergency Department at Charlotte

Eleanor Englehart Hospital (CEEH), which

is Bluewater Health’s (BWH’s) partner in

Petrolia.

“That’s a huge undertaking and they

need Dream Home to be successful in

order to achieve their fundraising goals,”

said Alexander. “It’s a very much needed

renovation for CEEH.”

In Sarnia, fundraising is ongoing for

redevelopment of the BWH cancer clinic.

Dream Home proceeds will be directed

to that if necessary, she said.

“The reality is that there is never a

shortage of need for equipment and

programs and Dream Home tickets truly

enable us to purchase some of the best

technology.”

The first Dream Home Lottery in 1994

sold 2,500 tickets and was deemed a

resounding success. Since then, the

lottery has grown exponentially and

plans are to sell 150,000 tickets with

11,116 chances to win this year.

Five years

ago, the lottery

was deemed

large enough

to go online,

extending its

reach and drawing

ticket purchases

from across the

province.

That same year,

the furniture in the Dream Home

became part of the Grand Prize as well.

This year’s 3,800-square-foot Dream

Home is located at 6923 Shoreside Dr.

near Camlachie. It’s in Waterside Estates,

a subdivision so new it isn’t accessible

via GPS yet.

To get there from Sarnia, take

Lakeshore Road to Fleming Drive., pass

Egremont Road and watch for signs to

the right.

Open houses at the four-bedroom,

four-bath house featuring an enormous

loft, office, media and games room,

main floor laundry and 12-foot ceilings,

are held Saturdays and Sundays from 1

p.m. – 4 p.m.

Ticket prices start at $50 for two and

are available until Feb. 5 at midnight.

For more information, visit www.

bwhfdreamhome.com.

P A G E

38

I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

WINTER 24/25

Welcome to...


WINTER 24/25

Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

P A G E

39

Slide

on over

and give

yourself

a new lease

on life!

SENIORSLIVING

There’s SNOWplace like US!

Cozy in for the winter and start enjoying gourmet meals, friendships,

entertainment, excursions, fitness programs and much, much more!

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Experience all that S&R Seniors Living has to offer.

Why wait?

Winter is the best time to move. Hurry & Reserve our select promotional suites today.

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170 Front Street, Sarnia

Call to reserve your suite today!

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Ask Us…

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a Tour ~

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about our respite stay packages starting at $99/month

Welcome to The Club Winter 2024-25

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