THURSDAY, March 4/10

*****

AYLMER TODAY:

-Malahide Council, 8 pm

-Bayham Council, 7 pm

-Meagre Meals, Anglican Church, Aylmer, at Noon

-(Sat.; Aylmer Kinsmen present Illusionist Brian Michaels; 8 pm; at EECC; Tickets $30; Proceeds to Cystic Fibrosis.)

-(Sat.; Kids Company present ‘Tales From an Empty Fridge’; at Old Town Hall Theatre; 2 pm; Tickets $10 Door, $8 Advance at Campbells II.)

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OBITS:

-Marsha Campbell; of Aylmer;   on March 2;   in her 58th year;   Visitation at Kebbel Funeral Home, Friday 2-4 and 7-9 pm;  Funeral at Kebbels Saturday at 11 am.

-John Shaw; of London; on Feb. 27; in his 82nd year; husband of Joan;   Survivors include daughter  Patricia and Chris Thompson of Aylmer; Visitation at Gilpin Funeral Chapel, Forest, Friday at 12 pm; Funeral at 1 pm.

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“EESS GIRLS LOSE HOCKEY FINALS;   STILL ADVANCE TO WOSSA”

Aylmer – St.Joes withstood a strong  EESS power play in the final minutes and then added an empty net goal to post a 3-0 victory in the second game of the two-game Tri-County Girls Hockey finals yesterday here. The win sealed the title for StJoes as the teams battled to a 3-3 draw in game one on Monday. East Elgin still qualifies for WOSSA hockey, slated for March 10 in Stratford.

-“MALAHIDE FIRE CALLS LAST WEEK”

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– 8:25 a.m. February 22, 2010 – Station #2  assisted by Station #1-  50998 Talbot Line – MVC.

– 11:27 a.m. February 22, 2010 – Station #1 assisted by Station #2, Richmond Road – MVC

– 5:29 p.m. February 22, 2010 – Station # 2 – 7516 Imperial Road – Medical Assist

- 8:13 p.m. February 25, 2010 – Station #4 – 15464 Putnam Road – CO Alarm

– 6:55 p.m. February 26, 2010 – Station assisted by Station # 1 – Talbot Line – MVC

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“WORLD JR CURLING STARTS SATURDAY FOR AYLMER’S CRAIG VANYMEREN”

Aylmer – Judy VanYmeren reports that her son Craig left Tuesday as part of Canada’s team at the World Junior Mens Curling Championships, March 6-14 in Flim Switzerland. Judy and Pete will join leave today to watch the proceedings. Both junior mens and womens matches are being held – there are 10 teams in each. Canada will face Finland in their only game Saturday.

WEDNESDAY, Mar. 3/10

***

AYLMER TODAY:

-Elgin County ‘Agri-Seminars’; New Sarum Diner; 8:30 am – 3 pm; $25

-EESS Girls Hockey Playoffs; Host St Joes 2:15 pm

-Mon-Sat = Aylmer Church of God ‘Gospel Meetings’, 7 pm

-(Sat. – Aylmer Kinsmen present Illusionist Brian Michaels;  8 pm;  at East Elgin Comm.  Complex;  $30;  Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis.)

-(Sat.;  Kids Company- ‘Tales from an Empty Fridge’; 2 pm; Old Town Hall Theatre; $10 at door, $ 8 advance; At Campbells II.)

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MALAHIDE MASTER PARKS AND REC PLAN UPDATE:

(This information is supplied by Eugenio  DiMeo, Malahide Director of Corporate/Community  Services)

What it is:  -This document will encompass all aspects of parks and recreation planning including: collection of data, analysis of existing services and facilities in the Township of Malahide and in similar municipalities, coordination of staff and public input, goals and policy formulation, document preparation (including maps and visual enhancements), implementation schedule, cost analysis and presentation to the Township of Malahide.

Procedure: -An inventory of existing public and private Parks and Recreation facilities in the Township of Malahide – including the contact person, condition, size, seating, etc. An inventory of existing programs currently being offered by public and private agencies in the Township of Malahide. An analysis and comparison of facilities and services provided by similar municipalities in near proximity to the Township of Malahide.  Evaluation of current and projected demographic and sociological factors pertinent to the Township of Malahide, including composition of the population, population growth projections and trends, economic factors and land use patterns.

A survey and series of public citizen meetings to determine specific desires of the public in reference to Parks and Recreation shall be held.  An action plan based on survey, public meetings and data collected for this plan and consistent with provincial and federal requirements for the submittal of request for grant or funding, shall be presented to meet the specific needs including program opportunities, facilities needs, land acquisition and recommendation of specific areas of the Township where facilities should be located.An action plan with priorities for capital construction, facility renovations and land acquisition based on 5-year, 10-year and 20-year projections shall be submitted.

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“SATURDAY KINSMEN SHOW HAS AYLMER CONNECTION”

The Aylmer Kinsmen Club is presenting Illusionist Brian Michaels Saturday night at the EECC as a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis. Brian is married to and assisted in his show by the former Carrie Lamers, a niece of Andy Lamers of Aylmer.  Carrie told the AylmerNews she was raised in the Ingersoll area and met her busband at Laurier University.  Brian was from Hamilton and has been practicing magic since he was 10. They both began doing shows soon after graduating and have now had 12 years in the business. Most of their events are for corporate after dinner entertainments, especially in the Toronto area,  but they have toured throughout Canada and in the US. Highlights have included performing as opening acts for Celine Dion and Gordon Lightfoot.

TUESDAY, MARCH 2/10

*****

Final Moments of the EESS Junior Basketball WOSSA Victory

AYLMER TODAY:

-(Wednesday: Elgin County presents ‘Evolution of the Harvest’ agri-seminars; New Sarum Diner; 8:30 am-3 pm;  $25.

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EESS SR. BOYS BASKETBALLERS LOSE WOSSA SEMI BY ONE PT.! (BUT TAKE 3RD PLACE GAME)

Aylmer - EESS Senior Boys almost made it two school teams in the WOSSA finals here yesterday as they were edged 51-50 by Stratford Northwestern in their basketball semi-final. They bounced back to down Ingersoll 55-45 in the third-place game.

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EESS GIRLS TIE ST.JOES IN HOCKEY FINALS OPENER

St.Thomas – East Elgin and St Joes played to a 3-3 deadlock in the opener of their two-game TVRAA South girls ‘ hockey finals yesterday here. The second game will be tomorrow in Aylmer. EESS goals were scored by Caitlin Duffy, Holly Scherer, and Averi Nooren.

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EESS JR WOSSA BOYS B-BALL CHAMPS (see last night’s story) ACTUALLY HAVE A PREDECESSOR!

EESS  won the schools first WOSSA Junior Boys Basketball pennant yesterday – since Tri-County/Oxford-Elgin/TVRAA play began in 1953. However East Elgin did win a WOSSA title in 1950-1 – before the ‘modern era’ – in the junior division.

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“CHATEAU GARDENS EXPANSION UPDATE:”

(Last week, the Ontario Government announced it would help fund an expansion at Chateau Gardens Retirement Home, Talbot West, in Aylmer. Further info was provided to AylmerNews by its owners,  Chartwell Seniors Housing)

1. How long has Chartwell owned CG? -Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT began in 2003. Chartwell purchased Chateau Gardens Aylmer August 2006. (It was built in 1983).

2.How many seniors homes does Chartwell own in southwestern Ontario? -Chartwell has 157 residences across Canada. In Southwestern Ontario we have  4 long term care homes and 8 Retirement Residences.

3. How is the province involved? -Minister of Health and Long Term Care, Deb Matthews announced that Chateau Gardens Aylmer was part of a provincial wide initiative for re-development, as part of the first round of the Ministry’s multi-year Capital Renewal Program of 35,000 long term care beds in the province.  The program is designed to allow older LTC residences in the province to build to the new design standards over the next decade.

4.How do you anticipate this will increase staffing (what is the present staffing)? -The present employees are 77 full and part time staff for care and services to our residents in the home.  With the support of expected Ministry of Health funding there could be a potential to create  up to 5 new part time positions.

5.What direction for the expansion? -We currently own land adjacent to the home and that land will be used for the expansion as well as a full renovation of the existing home. The expansion will go east.

6. What exactly will change in the building with the Ontario funding? -The residents’  overall living space will increase. Their bedroom space will increase as well as the amenity space available to them.  Our goal will be to make the living space as comfortable and inviting as possible.  In addition, there will be 2 residents to a room instead of  4 in a standard room.  Each home area will have its own dining room, physiotherapy and recreation area. We will expand from 60 to 64 beds with two 32-bed units.

7.When do you think building will begin? -We are currently in the design phase of the home and we hope to break ground in early 2011 and construction will take 18 months.

LATE MONDAY!

“EESS JR. WIN WOSSA BOYS BASKETBALL CROWN – FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL’s HISTORY!”

AYLMER – East Elgin decisioned Woodstock Huron Park 65-34 here tonite to capture their first ever Junior Boys WOSSA Basketball title. The Eagles led only 13-11 after the first quarter but had a 24-15 edge at halftime and put the game out of reach with a 19-8 advantage in the third quarter. Clayton Passmore led the victors with 16 pt.

EESS Jr Boys line up to receive their WOSSA basketball medals tonight after defeating Huron Park (click to enlarge).

Spencer Roloson and Dennis Catt had 6 each. EESS had downed London Central earlier in a semi-final today to advance to the finals.

MONDAY, MARCH 1/10

*****

“EESS WINS JR. SEMI-FINAL; ADVANCE TO WOSSA B-BALL FINAL AT 6:30 TONITE”

Aylmer - EESS handled London Central 54-44 in a WOSSA semi-final match here this morning to qualify for the Junior Boys Basketball championship tonight at 6:30 – to be played on their home court! East Elgin – which has never won WOSSA Junior – will play Woodstock Huron Park.

Today the Eagles trailed only 3-2 early in the contest and held a comfortable 10-pt. lead for most of the second half.  They had quarter leads of 13-6, 23-18, and 38-25 – their greatest margin was 47-32.  EESS platooned 10 players throughout the game.  Leading scorers were Spencer Roloson 16, Clayton Passmore 13,  Christian King 6, Kyle Booy 5 and Dennis Catt 5.

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AYLMER TODAY:

-WOSSA Boys Basketball at EESS; Jr. play at 10:30; Sr. play at Noon (Jr championship at 6:30; Sr. at 8 pm)

-Monday to Saturday = Church of God: ‘Gospel Meetings’ – 7 pm

-Aylmer Council: 7 pm

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OBITS:

-Bill Chromczak;   of Tillsonburg;   on Feb. 25;   in his 89th year;   husband of Helen;  Survivors include: son Hank and Marge of Brownsville and daughter Dianne Galeckas and Ed of Eden. Funeral today, arranged through Ostranders of Tillsonburg,  at 10 am.

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“BORDER BUZZING ON BEE BAN:   (NO EFFECT ON AYLMER APIARY)”

(The Toronto Star reported Saturday that Canada was imposing a ban on Queen Bees from Hawaii due to an mite infestation. Aylmer beekeeper Chris Heimstra of Clovermead reported his business isn’t affected.)

“We raise most of our queens ourselves. However, in the early spring we bring in 100 or 200 queens from Chile, depends on our needs.  In the past 5 years, we have brought some in from Australia/New Zealand/Hawaii.  All of the countries have varroa mites, so it doesn’t make any sense that queens cannot come in from Hawaii, unless it is a mite that is not currently in Canada.   It is really bad news for beekeepers in Hawaii who make a lot of money from exporting queens to Canada, and beekeepers in Canada who use the queens.  I am sure there must be a good explanation.  I hope Canada does not import more queens now from the USA, because they have Africanized bee genetics in the southern states and we don’t want that genetic material mixed into our Canadian genetic pool.
(The bees so far are looking good coming through winter! ) “

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“WHAT ABOUT AN AGRI-INDUSTRIAL PARK FOR BAYHAM? (…now that Malahide is developing one)”

(The following info was supplied by Bayham Reeve Lynn Acre)

“Bayham has a small industrial park already on Bayham Drive, next door toTillsonburg’s DDM plant. However, our park is “dry” meaning it has no municipal water and sewer connections. We’ve been negotiating withTillsonburg to extend their services across the road to us, but negotiations have ground to a halt. Bayham would certainly be interested in rezoning some property in our south end (which has municipal water and sewers already) but we need to have a landowner in favour of this. We do not have the resources to purchase any property, like Malahide is planning to do, if they get the grant. In these economic times, lots of municipallities/townships are taking the lead on establishing industrial parks etc. in order to attract big business, and thereby increase their tax base. It’s risky…but can have some huge benefits if it works.”

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“EESS GIRLS HOCKEY IN FINALS”

-East Elgin Girls tangle with StJoes in the two-game TVRAA Conference hockey finals. They play today at StJoes and host on Wednesday.  They have already qualified for WOSSA playoffs later this week.

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SATURDAY, Feb. 27/10

"HISTORY OF AYLMER TO 1900" (Used!=$5). Now available at Campbells/ Library

*****

AYLMER TODAY:

-(Monday-Saturday:   Church of God ‘Gospel Meetings’ ,   7pm)

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OBITS:

-Violet Brooks;  of Tillsonburg, formerly of Springfield;   on Feb. 26;   in her 81st year;   wife of Douglas;   Visitation at Kebbel Funeral Home Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 pm;   Funeral Monday at Kebbels at 1pm.

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“THE SATURDAY (S)CEREAL!!!” =  “AYLMER 50 YEARS AGO”

“Aylmer Truman Garage Rockets Juveniles advanced to the OMHA hockey finals for the second straight year in March, 1960.  Coached by Bob Heslop, Aylmer was defeated by Huntsville in 1959 and then the two teams squared off again the next year. Aylmer was hoping to win its first OMHA title at any level.  Aylmer dispatched of Paris in three straight in the semi-finals by scores of 11-4, 9-2, and 12-4. In the best-of-five finals Aylmer travelled to Huntsville on a weekend for the opening games – but fell 8-0 in the opener and 7-6 in overtime in game two.  The first game saw the team shaken up somewhat as two vehicles carrying Aylmer players collided on the way up – fortunately there were no serious injuries. Back home the following weekend, Aylmer was edged 3-2 Friday and Huntsville were champs once more.”

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"AMISH OF AYLMER" ($5); Available at local stores.

FRIDAY, Feb. 26/10

*****

“ONTARIO ANNOUNCES THE RE-DEVELOPMENT OF AYLMER’s CHATEAU GARDENS”

(Statement from MPP Steve Peters)

AYLMER – Residents in the Aylmer area can look forward to more modern and comfortable living as the province redevelops the 64 beds at Chateau Gardens. The Chateau Gardens project is part of a province-wide announcement to redevelop over 4,100 beds across Ontario. The redeveloped homes will meet the most modern design standards and will feature greater wheelchair access for residents in private and public spaces. The redeveloped homes are expected to be completed as early as 2012. This phase of the government’s renewal strategy will help create or sustain approximately 4,000 jobs in Ontario. “All long-term care home residents should have access to modern facilities that offer the very best and latest features,” Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Steve Peters said. “This redevelopment of our older long-term care beds will provide Aylmer area residents with new amenities such as new bedrooms and washrooms as well as a new common room, lounge and activity space.”

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“BAD WEATHER CANCELS WOSSA BASKETBALL AT EESS TODAY; RE-SKED TO MONDAY!”

(-EESS Jr will play at 10:30, Sr at Noon)

“BAD WEATHER FORCES BUS CANCELLATION FOR ELGIN SCHOOLS  TODAY”"

(Report from Dave Cryderman of Badder BusLines, Aylmer) “East/West roads were heavily drifted earlier this morning. Weather forecast indicated that winds would remain high for the rest of the day and more snow was likely during the afternoon.”
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“FIVE QUESTIONS: “THE MALAHIDE AGRI-INDUSTRIAL PARK”

(The following info was provided by Michelle Casavecchia, Chief Operations Officer for Malahide, responding to an AylmerNews inquiry into the proposed Malahide Agri-Industrial Park near  Springfield)

1-What is the actual location and maximum size of the park?

The Springfield Agri-Industrial Park is proposed to be located just southwest of the Village of Springfield on College Line between Hacienda Road and Springfield Road.  The present proposal provides for the development of approximately 390 acres.  However, this proposed parcel size remains unconfirmed since it is dependent on two things:  (i)  the ability to reach an agreement with the respective landowners regarding future development options for their land; and (ii) the ability to obtain approval from the Province for an official plan amendment and subsequent zoning and subdivision agreements necessary to create the Agri-Industrial Park.

2-Why is this location the primary site for development according to the Official Plan; Isn’t this area still good quality farmland?

Since 1998, Springfield has been identified in the Malahide Official Plan as the Township’s primary growth and settlement area. The proposed site is close to and provides easy access to key transportation routes including Highway 401 (via Imperial Road) and Highway 3.  The proposed site is close to Springfield, yet far enough away from the built-up areas to provide for buffering.  Springfield provides proximity to sanitary sewers and water once the proposed waterline extension is completed. Other services such as natural gas, high speed internet, and 3 phase electricity are also available. As well, there is easy access to the surrounding communities of Woodstock,St. Thomas, Aylmer, Tillsonburg, London, and Ingersoll.

While the subject lands are not currently designated to permit the development of an Agri-Industrial Park,  the Township will be seeking an Official Plan Amendment to re-designate the 390 acre parcel from Agriculture to permit Agri-Employment Uses.  The Township is presently preparing and will be submitting the required Official Plan Amendment to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval in the next few weeks.  The proposed Agri-Industrial Park will help to ensure the protection of the Township’s agricultural resource base by allowing for the diversification of the agricultural economies of the Township and the Elgin County region. The proposed site is currently designated for agricultural use and is actively being farmed.

3-Why does Malahide need this kind of park; are other nearby townships doing the same?

The Township of Malahide is proposing this 390 acre fully serviced development to create a healthy sustainable economy while ensuring the protection of the Township’s agricultural resource base by focusing and diversifying the agricultural economies of the Township and the Elgin County region.  It is the Township’s intent that industries locating in this Agri-Industrial Park will support and compliment the Township’s agricultural nature. It is not intended to be related to traditional manufacturing or compete with urban industrial areas. There is a demonstrated Township and County-wide need for Agri-Industrial Lands.  In 2007, the County of Elgin undertook a complete Economic Development Plan.  The Plan outlined in the SWOT analysis as a weakness -”Lack of Serviced Industrial Land”. The limited availability, quality and location of services industrial/employment land is the single biggest impediment facing the County in its efforts to attract new industrial/business investment.”

Re-others: I do not know.

4-Specifically what kinds of businesses might operate here, why didn’t the bio-diesel facility across the road go here?

The primary use shall be for agricultural-related industry and employment.  A sample of permitted uses include – food and beverage processing, crop/seed development, bio-fuels production, fertilizer plants, intensive indoor/outdoor aquaculture, nutraceuticals (soluble fibers, oils, acids, etc).

The proposed Agri-Industrial Park is not yet ready for construction.  My understanding is that they are ready to proceed this spring and the Agri-Industrial Park will not be ready until 2011.

5-How will this be serviced in terms of water and sewage; Next steps?

In order to establish the proposed Agri-Industrial Park, the Provincial Policy Statement mandates that it be serviced with full municipal services.  Springfield provides proximity to sanitary sewers and to municipal water once the proposed waterline extension is completed.
As previously indicated, the site does not presently have a municipal water supply. The first step in the process to supply water to the site is the completion of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA).  This public process is currently underway and will identify and evaluate the various alternative solutions and a report will be created recommending the preferred route for the water transmission main and other technical details required to service the proposed Agri-Industrial Park.  Finally, the other significant factor in enabling this project to proceed is financing.  The Township has submitted an application for funding to the Federal Government to assist with the overall servicing costs of the Agri-Industrial Park.  This grant funding will be incremental in enabling the Agri-Industrial Park to go forward for the purposes of addressing local needs and priorities, resulting in long term job creation, economic diversification, and enhancing business competitiveness.

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AYLMER TODAY:

-Aylmer Community Band/Choir present “A Night At The Movies’; Doors open at 7, Show at 8 pm;  $10; at Old Town Hall Theatre; Tickets at Prime Ingredient

-Thursday-Saturday: Elgin Adult Council for Education presents Job Skills, Training Programs etc.;  at Elgin Mall; 11 am to 8 pm

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“EESS GIRLS HOCKEY TEAM WINS SEMI-FINAL;  Vs. STJOES IN FINAL”

-EESS defeated Ingersoll 6-4 in TVRAA TriCounty Girls Hockey yesterday. EESS now advances to the final against St.Joes.

THURSDAY, Feb. 25/10

*****

WOSSA  BOYS BASKETBALL SKED AT EESS FRIDAY:

JUNIOR = 10:30 am – EESS vs. London Central (semi-final);  (winner plays in final at 6:30 pm)

SENIOR = Noon – EESS vs. Stratford Northwestern (winner plays in final at 8:15 pm)

NOTES:  EESS Jr. overall record is 22-3;  EESS has never won junior boys WOSSA basketball;  Team members include:

Grade 10s = Clayton Passmore, Greg Bennett, Tyson Benoit, Jevon Bisschop, Scott Boersema, Kyle Booy, Christian King, Spencer Roloson, Joel Twinem, Tyler Unger; Grade 9s =Derek Farnell , Dexter Van Vlaanderen , Craig Maltby, Dennis Catt , Dylan Burch; Coaches Albert Van Vlaanderen, Leon Passmore, Ryan Nesbitt. Managers Scott Kerkvliet and Jeremiah Krahn.

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AYLMER TODAY:

-Thursday-Saturday: Elgin Adult Council for Education For presents: Job Searching, Training Programs  at Elgin Mall, 11 am – 8 pm

-Communities in Bloom Committee meets in Town Council chambers at 4 pm; All Welcome; Planning for this year’s competition.

-First Impressions/Aylmer Optimist Club present “20 Years of Fashion” at East Elgin Comm. Complex;  7 pm;   $30;

-(Friday: Aylmer Community Band/Choir presents: ‘Friday Night At The Movies’: Doors open at 7, Concert at 8 pm; $10; Tickets at Prime Ingredient

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 24/10

*****

AYLMER TODAY:

-(Thursday-Saturday; Elgin Adult Council For Education presents Job Searching, Training Programs etc. at Elgin Mall; 11 am-8 pm)

-(Thursday= Communities in Bloom meeting at Town Hall Council Chambers, 4 pm,  All Welcome. Preparing for this year’s competition)

-(Friday – Aylmer Community Band/Choir presents “Friday Night At The Movies”; at Old Town Hall Theatre; Doors Open 7 pm, Concert 8 pm; Tickets $10 at Prime Ingredient.)

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EESS SPORTS PLAYOFFS TUESDAY:

-SR. BOYS BASKETBALL – EESS 47, Huron Park 41 (Walker, Cornelissen, Rollo 8 pt each); qualify for WOSSA this weekend

-VOLLEYBALL – Seniors lost to WESS ; Juniors lost to St Joes (season over for both teams)

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BAYHAM HARBOURFRONT COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS (From Thursday Council meeting):

-Ron Bradfield, Craig Gregson, Doug Lester, Brenda Martin , Ray Talbot.

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“ELGIN COUNTY CULTURAL MAPPING PROJECT  TO BE COMPLETED BY MARCH 31st”

Elgin County’s Cultural Mapping project is underway – a board for public input has been set up in the Aylmer Library – with the deadline date being March 31.

According to the overview: “Broadly speaking, cultural mapping is a process of collecting, recording, analyzing and synthesizing information in order to describe the cultural fabric of a given community or group that, once analyzed, affirms the “uniqueness” of place.  Within the context of the County, this includes both tangible assets (such as museums, historic sites, parks, trails and ecological sites) and intangible assets (such as ethnic communities, local heroes, folklore, celebrations and events).  The information gained from this project will ultimately benefit the County’s marketing, tourism development and planning efforts.”

Added Brian Masschaele, Elgin Director of Community and Cultural Services: “The timing is appropriate in light of the development of the County’s first official plan, a process which is just starting.  We are therefore in a unique position to integrate cultural considerations into the OP from its inception as opposed to having to graft it on after the fact which is the case almost everywhere else.  It differs from pure tourism promotion due to the fact that is is also playing a role in the planning process, although tourism promotion is still a major benefit. Tourism is currently promoting existing attractions and members but this project will hopefully tell us things we don’t know and could cause us to develop new campaigns as a result.  For instance, we know Elgin has a lot of ecological assets but they have never been jointly marketed.  In order to market them, we need qualitative and quantitative information which this process will reveal.”

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“A READER WRITES:”

“I notice the meeting of CIB is on your agenda this week. About 10 years ago, Judi Wright along with Marg Sinclair, were here in Kaslo, B.C.  for a visit. and Judy remarked that our village would be a perfect fit for Communities in Bloom.  Well it has taken time, but there is now,a Kaslo committee, that is now planning their second year with CIB. Slowly we are progressing, and can look to the Aylmer model as a guide. Sharing a good idea, often has amazing results. Thanks. Mary Stickel.
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“A READER WRITES”

“I write from Bristol, England, UK and wonder if you or your readers can help me. I am trying to trace whether there are any living descendants of Wallace Antill (1892 – 1916).  Wallace was born in Leicester, England in 1892 and he emigrated from Liverpool, England to Halifax, Canada on 24 Mar 1910. He married Arabella Alice Cleaver on 11 Sep 1912 in Elgin Co, ON.  .  Wallace enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 18 Sep 1915 but was killed at the Battle of the Somme on 18 Nov 1916They had two children born in Canada: John Cleaver Antill (b abt 1914) and Muriel Bertie Antill (b abt 1915).  Muriel married Stanley J Armstrong abt Dec 1933 and John married Lillian Mabel Graham abt Dec 1941 in Aylmer, ON.

Thanks – John Antill

cdefg@blueyonder.co.uk

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TUESDAY, Feb. 23/10

*****

AYLMER TODAY:

-Elgin NFU presents 2 films: 7:30 pm ‘In Transition”/8:30 ‘Power of Community’; FREE’; at Old Town Hall Theatre

-(Friday = Aylmer Community Band/Choir presents “Friday Night At The Movies”; at Old Town Hall Theatre; Open 7 pm, Concert 8 pm; $10; Tickets at Prime Ingredient.

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OBITS:

-Michelle Volland, on  February 22,  of Tillsonburg and St. Thomas in her 49th year.Cremation has taken place. Visitation at  Kebbel Funeral Home on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A private graveside service will be held at Calton Cemetery.

-Donn Curtis, February 22,  of Straffordville in his 72nd year. Dear brother of Lorna Horton of Lyons. Visitation at Kebbel Funeral Home on Friday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. where the funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 11:00 am.

-Colleen Wiebe,  February 21, 2010. of R.R.#2, Aylmer in her 45th year. Beloved wife of John Wiebe. Loving mother of Rebekah, Andrew, Jeremy and Heather. Visitation at Kebbel Funeral Home,  on Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at the Springfield Baptist Church on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.

-William Berry,  February 21, 2010. of Aylmer in his 83rd year. Beloved husband of Helen (Parker) Berry. Dear father of Nancy Chevalier and husband Wayne of Aylmer and Bill Berry and wife Tina of Aylmer. Visitation at  Kebbel Funeral Home, Aylmer on Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. where the funeral service will be held on Thursday February 25, 2010 at 1 p.m.

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AYLMER POLICE REPORT:

-Some counterfeit bills were passed in town recently, two American bills were exchanged at the CIBC and another at a local business. No suspects yet.

-An identity theft occurred recently involving an Aylmer woman. Someone obtained her drivers licence and bank card numbers – not the cards -and used them in transactions in Toronto. She was alerted by an NSF notice at her bank machine. She realized  the latest transactions were not hers. A bank where bogus cheques were used to withdraw the money is examining their video tapes for a suspect.

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EESS SPORTS REPORT – by Allie Walker

The Sr boys basketball team had a great game against St. Joe’s this past week, winning the first three quarters with ease, and ending the match with a tight fourth quarter. The boys won 49-39. Top scorers were Carson Morse and Steve Barton with 10, and Even Rollo with 7. The boys play on Tuesday at Huron Park. If they win against the Huskies, they will then advance to WOSSA. The Jr boys played against Parkside with an outstanding win, 72-29. The Sr girls volleyball team had an incredible win against Glencoe this past Thursday. They won all three games 25-13, 25-10, and 25-7. They now face West Elgin in West Lorne on Tuesday. The Jr girls volleyball team won their games against Central Elgin on Thursday as well, winning all three games 25-16, 25-22, and 25-22. They now will play St. Joe’s on Tuesday. This past week both Boys and Girls hockey teams played against Parkside. The boys had an unfortunate loss, 5-1. The goal was scored by Trevor Stuart. The girls however won against Parkside. Top scorers were Leslie Todd, Krista Stevenson, Tina Marceau, Averi Nooren, and Morgan Vansevenant. Goalie Kelli Boogemans had 14 saves. They will now play the first place team next week. This past week was WOSSA for the swimming team. Andy Marsh qualified in three events to go to OFSAA. Alex Toth was third in one event, and second in another. He is now advancing to OFSAA as well. Joining Andy and Alex at OFSAA is Miranda Afman who won the 50 m backstroke. The girls curling team had a fairly successful year this year. Despite their inexperience, the girls did fairly well and won a game against Parkside. The girls finished the season fifth in the standings. The boys curling team also did fairly well. They finished fourth in the standings and will compete at the TVRAA South Playoffs in Glencoe on Monday.

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AYLMER COUNCIL MONDAY:

-The town officially signed a development agreement with Walter Ostojic and Sons to construct the first of two 23-unit affordable housing apartment buildings at the north east corner of Melanie Drive and Brown Street.