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The Citizen, 2019-08-01, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2019. This past month, our daughter Ella has been participating in the SHAD program at The University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. They end the program with an open house, so we decided that we should travel out east to see what Ella and her peers have been working on and learning about. Going away for five days requires more than just packing a bag and finding someone to feed the cats. It involves a whole lot of advanced planning and the amount of energy that goes into the planning is paid off with energy available to enjoy the holiday. The first hurdle is the airline. I have let WestJet know the size of my wheelchair, that I cannot transfer by walking and that my chair has no battery. Airlines are hit-and-miss with their accessibility service – sometimes that skinny little aisle chair is ready for me, and sometimes not. It often seems that the airport has more to do with it than the airline itself – at Toronto’s Pearson airport, service is outsourced and not provided by the airlines. Flying also requires a certain amount of dehydration on my part – no morning coffee – or anything else, until we reach our destination. Not only are airplane washrooms non-accessible, my wheelchair is underneath the plane! Most hotels provide a free shuttle service, but the only one with a wheelchair lift that I have seen is in Jamaica. Finding a taxi is then the next step; some require that I transfer into the back seat. Vans are better because they don’t require a transfer, I just roll into the back and they shut the hatch right behind me. I have to find accommodations in hotels; Airbnb or the like is not an option. Try searching and you see why – basement, heritage home, skyline apartment or a bungalow (with eight steps). This, of course, also boosts the cost of travel for anyone who can not climb stairs. Hotels constructed prior to 2015 usually have one, maybe two “accessible” rooms. Even though Canada has a National Building Code and Ontario’s Building Code was updated in 2015, any structure built prior to that date gets “grandfathered in” which means the building only has to be as accessible as the regulations required in the year it was built. For an example, the “brand new” Marriott on Erb Street in Waterloo was built in 2014; therefore the 2015 (updated for accessibility) building code does not apply. What you get there, are bathrooms (hotel rooms and public washrooms) which are useless for anyone who needs a grab bar for leverage. Very disappointing. I’ll be calling the hotel in Fredericton and asking for pictures to show the set up of the hotel bathroom. This way I’ll know what to expect, and whether or not to take my travel shower chair that comes apart and folds into a suitcase. Often, roll-in showers in hotels require “go- go-gadget arms” because the shower seat is about three feet away from the controls. Once we get there, we’ll be spending a day at the university. I’m not getting my hopes up about how much of the campus I’ll be able to see, especially Ella’s dorm room. Experience tells me that a three level dormitory will not have an elevator! Our big outdoor adventure is kayaking in the Bay of Fundy. I spoke with the owner of the outfitter which was reassuring; he’s got a plan to get me down to the ocean and in and out of the kayak. He also said that the amount of wildlife right now is fantastic – can’t wait! In order to travel the two hours (plus ferry ride) from Fredericton to Deer Island, we’ll have to rent a car. That’s what’s next on my list of things to do – a car that is large enough for the four of us, our gear and my chair - hopefully I’ve not left it too late. I wanted to share just a few of the details that I think about every time I travel (and I haven’t talked about eating out, using public washrooms and carrying emergency wheelchair equipment); not for your sympathy, but so you can appreciate why access for everyone, everywhere is so important. Safety, dignity and independence are all permanent. If we constructed our built environments so that everyone, no matter their ability, would be able to participate, we all could travel with the ease of pack your bag, feed the cats and go! For now, I just need to make a dozen extra phone calls and clear my calendar for a week-long nap when I get home. Happy summer, everyone. 401 Albert Street, Box 340, Brussels, ON N0G 1H0 Phone: 519-887-6336 ~ Fax: 519-887-6438 email: riversidefuneralhome@hotmail.com www.riversidefuneralhome.ca Nominate someone you know who doesn’t have a subscription to The Citizen but should! Promoting our Community CitizenTh e $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, December 13, 2018 Volume 34 No. 49 RESPONSE- Pg. 3 Morris-Turnberry Mayor calls for autonomy CONCERT- Pg. 6 Brussels Ministerial comes together for show FUNDING - Pg. 2 Education Minister in Blyth to hand out grants Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON N0G 1H0 INSIDE THIS WEEK: Seaforth’s Fisher elected Huron East Deputy-Mayor 4-H Clubs awarded Seaforth Councillor Bob Fisher isHuron East’s new deputy-mayor, besting two others who put their names forward at the inauguralmeeting of Huron East Council onDec. 4. Fisher, Tuckersmith Councillor Ray Chartrand and Grey CouncillorAlvin McLellan all let their namesstand for the municipality’s second- in-command position. This came after Huron East eliminated the at- large deputy-mayor position,reducing the size of council from 12members to 11 just ahead of October’s election. It was Fisher who nominatedChartrand for the position.Chartrand then paid the favour back by nominating Fisher. Former Deputy-Mayor Joe Stefflernominated McLellan for theposition. Fisher told his fellow councillors that he has lived in the community for over 40 years. In addition, he has been a councillor for 12 years andspent nearly 40 years in business, allexperience he felt would aid in being the deputy-mayor. Fisher also listed a number ofprojects he’d like to see undertakenor continued both in Huron East and in Huron County. In Huron East, Fisher said hewanted to see the municipality’scommunity centres better utilized and to promote a harmonious relationship between residents of all of Huron East’s five wards. At the county level, Fisher said hewanted to see a greater focus ontourism, saying that Huron County could easily be the Prince Edward County of southwestern Ontario. Healso said that while the county’saccessibility advisory committee has done a lot of great work, there is still more to be done.Fisher also said that, as someonewho is legally blind, he also hoped that being named deputy-mayor would inspire others with disabilities saying that if they “get [their] ass off the couch and do something” like he has they can accomplish anything.McLellan said that his decades of experience as a councillor and on numerous boards and committeeswould make him an ideal choice forthe deputy-mayor position. He said that being self-employed would ensure that he wouldn’t missany meetings, adding that he hates tomiss any council meetings. He said he had been asked if he The Huron County 4-H Leaders’Association Awards Program wasrecently held at the Seaforth Agriplex, recognizing 4-H members for their efforts throughout the year.COUNTY AWARDS Loretta Higgins won the Murray Cardiff Award for Top All-RoundMember.The Don Pullen Award for highest overall score in the county went to Evy Verschaeve. She also won theDedication Award for dedication tothe club. The Warden’s Novice Award for first year competitive member with the highest score wentto Emily Datema. The Ben Lobb Award for the junior member with the top essay went to Kayla Drennan.Emily Franken won the OntarioPlowmen’s Association Award for outstanding agricultural 4-H member as well as the LongstandingGraduating Member Award. Shealso received her graduation seal. The Citizen-Rural Voice Awards for press reporter book competitionawards went to Dugald McIntosh (first) and Mercedes Prout (second). The Huron County 4-H Leaders’Association Award for clubsecretary book competition were awarded to Emily Bieman (first) and Kayla Drennan (second).The winning team for the countyGo for the Gold Competition was the South Huron Sheep Club Team which consisted of Amanda Bos,Rachel Gras, Grace Hallahan andEvy Verschaeve. The Top Gate Sign Award for the White Christmas The snow was falling on Friday night as Clinton held the final Santa Claus parade of the Huron County season, bringing residents and visitors out to the town to help celebrate the holiday season. One of the main attractions of the parade every year is the Clinton Pipe Band, seen here appealing to the ears of all in attendance. (Nick Vinnicombe photo)Continued on page 12 REALIZE YOUR DREAM IN IT TO WIN IT: brought to you by the Libro Prosperity Fund, Wingham BIA, North Huron Economic Development Committee, Huron County Economic Development and Community Futures Huron. Enter the In It to Win It contest to Win! $10,000 Prize Package. Receive invaluable (mandatory) business training to give you a good foundation in your dream to expand an existing business or establish a new business on Main Street in Wingham. Full details at www.northhuron.ca Contest opens December 12 Applications will be accepted until January 25th, 2019 at 4:30 pmForms are available online or at the Township of North Huron office at 275 Josephine Street in Wingham Email: inittowinit@northhuron.caor call the Project Co-ordinator at 519-441-7629. Continued on page 15 By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Recipient will be announced in the last paper of the month. Riverside Funeral Home will sponsor one new subscription per month. Call, email or fax your submission to Riverside Funeral Home - include person’s name, complete mailing address and your name and number. Accessible travelling By Julie Sawchuk Obituaries JEAN ELIZABETH NETHERY It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Jean Elizabeth Nethery of Goderich and formerly of Blyth. Jean passed away on Friday, July 26, 2019. She was in her 89th year. The beloved wife of the late William Alex Nethery, Jean was the loving mother of Larry and Cathy Nethery of Blyth, Connie (and the late Murray) Nesbitt of Blyth, Joyce and Dave Ireland of Teeswater, Brenda and Greg Cardiff of Listowel, Denise and Bill Tedesco of Wingham and Angela and Wade Berard of Bayfield. Jean was the cherished grandmother of Becky, Benjamin, Bonnie and Evan, Jeff and Michelle, Catherine and Don, Rodney and Kristen, Thomas and Melinda, Nich and Jen, Jenn and Brian, Paul and Arlene, Kristy and Bret, Alexander, Zachary, Jordan, and Mackenzie. She was the great- grandmother of 11 great- grandchildren. She was the dear sister of Roy Dawson, Mae Ritchie, Florence Machan, and Murray and Sonja Dawson. Jean was predeceased by her parents Phil and Jenny Dawson, infant son Cameron Nethery, sister Lois Dawson, brother Harold Dawson and by her in-laws Matilda Dawson, Mervin Ritchie, Doug Machan, Isabel and Charlie Scanlon, Marion and Jack Snell, and Jean and Ray Potter. Jean was an upstanding and well-regarded resident of Blyth for years. She was named the North Huron Publishing Co. Inc. Citizen of the Year in 2010, earning numerous nominations for her work in the community. “She makes no public presentations, goes quietly and continuously about supporting those who work for the betterment of our village,” one nominator wrote that year. “Jean would be an exemplary Citizen of the Year.” Jean was a long-time volunteer with the Blyth Festival, which also earned her nominations for the prestigious award. “Jean has been a faithful volunteer at the Blyth Festival for many years and has encouraged others to do the same,” a nomination read. “She generously offers many people rides when they would otherwise be exempted from community activities, such as diners’ club and church services.” When she was informed she had won the award, Jean admitted she was shocked. “It’s such an honour,” she said of winning the award. “I just feel like they must be talking about somebody else.” Friends will be received at the Falconer Funeral Home – Blyth Chapel on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Trinity Anglican Church in Blyth on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Blyth Union Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to Trinity Anglican Church in Blyth or a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated. Messages of condolence for the Nethery family may be placed at falconerfuneralhomes.com. GORDON LAWRENCE JACKLIN Gordon Lawrence Jacklin passed away with his loving spouse, Debbie, at his side on Saturday, July 27, 2019. He was in his 77th year. Gordon was the loving husband of Debbie for 35 years and brother of Don and Marlene (Brian). Gordon was predeceased by his parents Lawrence and Elaine, brother Wayne, two brothers in infancy and sister-in-law Joyce. He will be missed by many nieces and nephews. Gord was the happiest while on the horse-racing track. At Gord’s request, cremation has taken place and a graveside service will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Brussels Legion Branch 218 would be appreciated. Condolences may be left at riversidefuneralhome.ca Creating Memories in Stone for Over 95 years Goderich/Clinton Michael Falconer Memorial Counsellor 519-524-8457 | Cell: 519-525-2281 www.stratfordmemorials.com The Boys A free-to-the-public amateur concert was held at the Seaforth Agriplex on Saturday as part of the Tanner Steffler Foundation’s Six String Music Festival. Above, a group of young performers called The Boys kicked off the event with some classic rock covers. (Denny Scott photo)