Soap box racers speed through Wellesley

New residents welcomed to Wellesley

New to the village, Claire and Johnston Callaghan with twin sons, Kieren and Kaden attend the Wellesley newcomer barbecue last Thursday at the community centre.
Photo submitted

By Gail Martin
Special to the Independent

Newcomers to the village of Wellesley received a warm welcome on Aug. 21, at a community barbecue that was designed with them in mind.
The Wellesley Board of Trade and the Wellesley Community Health Centre combined forces last Thursday, to help new residents meet their neighbours, and get connected to the many services found in the community.
Lynda Kohler, from the health centre, said that the idea came out of community meetings held in Wellesley three years ago, when long-time residents expressed the desire to meet their new neighbours.
“They said they wanted some way to get to know the people in the community,” said Kohler.
After applying for a grant to the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation, the health centre partnered with the board of trade to make the community barbecue a reality.
More than 700 invitations were hand-delivered by the Wellesley Youth Council, inviting both long-time residents and those who have just moved in.
Lisa and Keith McIntyre were among some of the newest residents at the barbecue, having just moved from Windsor last week.
They were full of praise for the event.
“It’s nice for new people in the area, to meet people,” said Lisa. “We’ve enjoyed the socializing.”
This is the second year for the barbecue. In addition to the two barbecues, the money from the Hallman Foundation has been used to produce a glossy brochure about the village, highlighting events, as well as providing a business directory.
Each new resident who came to the barbecue received a welcome package full of brochures and items from local businesses, and were introduced to others on their street, by a unique seating system that had everyone sitting in “streets.”
They also had a chance to view 19 different displays from community agencies and organizations, such as the health centre, the Board of Trade, the local 4-H club, and more.
Kohler said the idea was not only to provide information about services that are available, but to give residents an idea of the many ways they can help out.
“This gives people an opportunity to volunteer in the community as well,” said Kohler. “We hope to draw some interest (in these groups).”
Local politicians were also on hand at the barbecue, including Kitchener-Conestoga MP Harold Albrecht.
“It’s a great idea,” Albrecht enthused. “It’s just too easy to live in our own little subdivision, and not get to know anybody. Wellesley does a great job of things like this.”

New Hamburg girls set up successful snack stand during Huron Street construction

Sophia and Alayna Bailey, along with babysitter Tara Otto made the most of the Huron Street construction this summer with their “Hard Helmet” snack shop, supplying the construction workers with cold drinks, freezies, homemade baking and other treats.  With construction now complete, the girls have retired their red wagon for the season.
Photo submitted

Local mom and daughter travel to Ontario Summer Games and bring home gold

Courtney Greer (SJAM Grade 10 Student), of Petersburg, competed in the Ontario Summer Games in Ottawa earlier this month and her team won the gold medal for U15 Girls Soccer. She plays for the Brams United Blaze in  Brampton at the OYSL level. Courtney’s mom Cora Hennel-Greer is one of the trainers for the team so it was great for mother and daughter to bring home the gold.

Here, Courtney and Cora hold the Ontario Cup Trophy (Provincial Champions) with their Ontario Summer Games Gold Medal, the Ontario Cup Championship Medal.

New Hamburg Cruise Night — August 15, 2008

Paul Marr submitted this series of photographs taken during New Hamburg’s annual Cruise Night.

Moparfest roars into New Hamburg

Bob Boyer, of Renfrew, with the help of IBC’s Zach Budd, attempts to navigate through the virtual streets of a driving simulator while taking a cell call. The Distractions Undermining Motorist Behaviour D.U.M.B. car is sponsored by the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Moparfest attracted close to 20,000 visitors and 1,600 vehicles for the two-day event.

Cheryl MacDonald, of Hamilton, gives the thumbs up with Dukes of Hazard actor Byron Cherry, aka Coy Duke, next to a replica of the General Lee. MacDonald brought her own 1969 Charger to Moparfest.

Visitors of all ages took in the hundreds of Mopar cars on display last weekend in New Hamburg.

An old beater, for sale among the cars on display Saturday, awaits the care and attention necessary to transform it into a Mopar dream vehicle.

Some Moparfest visitors might remember seeing this police cruiser when it was on the streets of Mapleton township.

Saxophone player Gene Hardy, of Rolly Rocker and the Hemi Heads, blows away the crowd Saturday.

Gryphin Johnson, 5, receives an airbrush tattoo of the Dodge Ram logo to match his dad’s truck. The airbrush tattoos tent was one of numerous fundraisers for Juvenile Arthritis leading up to Amanda’s Cruise for Juvenile Arthritis in Bloomingdale on Sept. 29.

Sam Whiteside in Beijing

To follow New Hamburg’s Sam Whiteside, visit our Sam Whiteside Blog

http://nhindependent.wordpress.com/sam-whiteside-in-beijing

Printed with permission from Sam Whiteside’s sponsor http://www.showyourrealface.com/

Fright Night

Castle Kilbride was crawling with reptiles and animals on Friday night. For more photos, see this week’s Independent.

Tracy Loch Photos

Wilmot Family Resource Centre hosts skate demo

Tim Murphy
Independent staff

The New Hamburg arena continues to the home for a popular sport, but its not hockey.
For a few days each week this summer, the old barn will play host to local skateboarders eager to grind up rails and ramps provided by the Wilmot Family Resource Centre.
“We’ve been getting pretty good turn outs,” said Damien Peters, a youth worker with the WFRC.
There is a day program geared towards the younger kids, as well as evening skates.
“Every Friday night we have an open skate. We try to do something different each night, and gear it towards families.”
There are a variety of contests, skate videos, movie nights and other games.
“Maybe another demo if this goes off without a hitch,” he said. “We’re doing as much as we can every week, we’ve been really busy this summer.”
He said the facilities have proven a hit with the kids.
“I think it is well received from what I gather talking to the kids. It gives them someplace to be during the day and evenings.”
This past Friday evening, local kids had a chance to watch a skills show and skate with some talented boarders from Love Skateboards.
“People who are definitely good influences,” said Peters.
Isaac Watamaniuk, who co-owns Love Skateboards with brother Joel, said the company is based out of Waterloo.
“We’re going to skate with the kids and show them a good time,” he said. “Just getting the kids excited for skateboarding and summer.”
Watamaniuk skated at the summer camp in New Hamburg for nine years while he was growing up.
“I think it is great in a smaller town like this, a small community where everyone knows everyone,” he said, adding giving kids a place to skate can help keep them from hassling business owners in the downtown.
“I think it is a good atmosphere, a good environment and activity.”
Skateboarding keeps kids in shape and helps them express themselves positively.
“I think there are a lot of identity issues with kids not knowing how to express themselves.”
Peters said the skate camp always receives positive feedback from youth.
A permanent skate park, which could also run indoors during the winter, would be a hit.
“All the kids want that, every single one of them,” he said. “Another option I’d say is to look into building a concrete skate park. I think that is something the township could look into.”
There will be skateboard competition on Aug. 14, running through the afternoon.
“Everyone should come out, everyone will be able to compete,” said Peters.
There will be prizes and other give-a-ways.
“It should be a good time for everyone.”
Registration can be taken in advance at regular skate days, or can be taken at the door on Aug. 14.
“Come out and shred, come out and hang,” Peters said.

Me to We

New Dundee Public School students recorded a song to help raise cash to build a school in Kenya. This is their song.

River Edge Recordings generously provided their studio where the instrumentals were recorded and their engineer, Mark Fortuna, came out to New Dundee School to record the students. What an exciting day that was for the kids! The finished CDs arrived the day before school got out for the summer! School may be over…but the lesson we’ve learned about the importance of helping others goes on!

The financial support of the New Dundee and Mannheim Optimist Clubs, the N.D. Board of Trade and the N.D. Women’s Institute made the recording possible. Others can now help build a water system to provide safe, clean drinking water for the school community in Pimbiniet, Kenya by making a $10 donation for the “Me To We” CD. Thank you to these local businesses who are helping us with this important project by carrying the CDs: Me Me’s Café in New Hamburg, Teddy’s Bakery in Baden, and the Village Market and the Emporium in New Dundee.

Wilmot Aces report results

Twenty Five members of WOA travelled to Collingwood to compete in the 16th Annual Collingwood Outdoor Swim Meet. The meet which the Aces have competed at the past two years, offers something for everyone. The team even had the opportunity to test out their boat making skills and have a captain race the boat. Jacob Isaac, 9 years, was the captain of the ship and did a great job racing the end however due to some technically difficulties Jacob sunk, but the team had a lot of fun getting ready for the event.

The Wilmot Aquatic Aces in Collingwood.

Gavin Tessier, 14, had a great meet, recording several best times and winning 6 gold medals. Alex Buehlow won gold in 50 bk, silver in 100 bk and 100 fr and bronze in 100 fly, 100 Im and 50 fly. Erica Buehlow won a 5th in the 50 br, and 6th in 100 br, Jaime Doucet was 4th in 50 bk and 100 fr and 6th in 100 bk, Celine Funk had a best finish of 18th in 50 bk, Elise funk had a best finish of 10th in 100 br.

Ally Govier was 14th in the 100 br, Lindsay Gutoskie 9th in 50 bk, Caleb Isaac finished 5th in 100 bk, Jacob Isaac struck silver in the 100 fly and bronze in the 50 fly, he also picked up a 6th, Tyler Kinzie had a best finish of 16th, Blythe Mackie won bronze in the 100 fly, Meghan Mackie was 8th in the 100 fly, Zachary Sanders in his first 11-12 meet was 8th in 50 br, Sarah Sine who graduated from the Aces this year was 10th in 50 bk, Sam Whiteside was 8th in the 100 fr and Vicky Whiteside was 6th in the 100 bk.

Three members of the Aces,along with three members of the Speed Sharks competed in Halifax on the weekend at the East Coast Championship. The group of six did very well finishing 23rd overall and showing they can swim with the best in the eastern part of Canada. Several Ontario team and teams from all of the the East coast provinces were in attendance at the meet. A total of 379 swimmers were at the meet.

Alex Buehlow 13, lead the way with a second place finish in the 800 fr and a club record, and thirds in the 1500 fr, 400 fr (CR), 50 fly (CR), a fourth in 100 fly and a fifth in 200 fly. Erica Buehlow, 16, also had a great meet breaking the club record in the 50 breaststroke. Erica made four finals with a best placing of 11th. Kristopher Sanders 15, also swam well with three top 16 finishes with a best placing of 11th in the 200 br.

Kristopher and Alex and Derek Govier  will be training for the next month preparing for the Ontario Games being held in Ottawa this Aug.

The Aces recently announced the teams overall winners:

Most Improved: to the male and female in each age category who has shown the most improvement (times, stroke development, attitude, work Ethic, commitment, sportsmanship) during the season.

• 8 and Under: Damon and Rachel Woolvett
• 10 and under: Celine Funk and Josh Cober
• 12 and under: Annisa Malthaner and Sam Hesch
• 14 and under: Taffin Sekulin and Derek Govier
• 15 and over: Erica Buehlow and Trevor Mains

Most Time off:

Novice:

• 1st Trevor Mains 101.07 sec off
• 2nd Caitlyn Armstrong
• 3rd Sara Kinzie
• 4th Gavin Tessier
• 5th Josh Cober

Competitive

• 1st Meghan Mackie 628.36 sec off
• 2nd Kris Sanders 519.27 sec off
• 3rd Alex Buehlow 407.03 sec
• 4th Taffin Sekulin 387.79 sec
• 5th Blythe Mackie 342.74 sec off
• 6th Elise Funk  322.85 sec
• 7th Zachary Sanders 312.39 sec
• 8th Lindsay Gutoskie 277.53 sec
• 9th Vicky Whiteside  259.35
• 10th Jacob Isaac  241.94 sec off

Most Improved Master Swimmer

• Michele Lanthier

Good Sport Award: given to three swimmers one from each of the main groups. This swimmers displays fair play, has fun and always works at getting better.

• Jr. Aces  Sara Kinzie and Abagale Mathews
• Teal/White: Ally Govier
• Green and up: Dylan Riddell

Team Player Award: is given to the swimmer who is avery important member of the team because of their committment, fun personality and for wanting to be a part of this team even if they are not the best swimmers, makes people feel welcome to the team

• Elise Funk

Special Helper Award: always willing to help anyone out helps with the younger swimmers, very enthusiastic and is great for team spirit;

• Zachary Sanders

Coaches Awards: to the swimmer who is an all round athlete,they work hard, have team spirit, work ethic and the coaches love to have this person around, they have fun with all team members. One from each group

• Jr Aces: Caitlyn Armstrong
• Teal/White: Kaitlyn Ulmer
• Green and UP : Sarah Sine and Kristopher Sanders

IM AWARD: Best combined 400 IM from best 100 times of each stroke;

• Alex Buehlow 4:33.94 and Brooke Davidson 4:45.66

Spirit Award: this award is given to the person who exudes cheerfulness, helpfulness, confidence and who the coaches most enjoy seeing on the deck. This person shows great sportsmanship and cheers his or her teammates on no matter what.

• Caleb Isaac

ACE of The YEAR: This award is voted on by the swimmers, it is given to the all round swimmer who works hard, is a postive role model, has great team spirit, sets goals and tries to obtain them, is the person everyone would most like to be like.

• A tie: Brooke Davidson and Meghan Mackie

Ball hockey tournament

Read the full story here.

Canada Day in New Hamburg

Wilmot celebrated Canada Day on July 1 in New Hamburg.

Here is a sample of the activities which took place, including a rubber duck race, a classic car show and shine and more

Baden holds Idol competition

The Independent covered the recent Baden Idol competition on video.

Wilmot Horticultural Society celebrates 40 years of beautifying Wilmot Township

Ruth Zehr, Treasurer WHS giving a history of WHS.

President Teresa Dietrich presides over the evening.

Members of the Ayr Paris Band entertained.

Theresa Dietrich, President of Wilmot Horticultural Society, was Master of Ceremonies for the 40^th Anniversary Celebrations, which took place at New Dundee Community Centre on June 9, 2008. She welcomed the group of 90 present and former members, but we were also honoured to have Madeline Honderich and Gwen Tye, two charter members, present for the Celebrations. Mayor Wayne Roth brought greetings from Wilmot Township and presented a Certificate to honour this milestone event.

Gerbera Daisies, in shades of pink, decorated the tables for the delicious dinner, catered by Angie’s Restaurant. Ruth Zehr gave an interesting historical synopsis of some of the events that have occurred during the past 40 years. There was also a Display Table with scrapbooks and artifacts from early years, as well as posters with names of early founding members and other items of interest.

All Past-Presidents, Secretaries, Treasurers, Board Members, as well as the many people who have served as volunteers for Civic Beautification, Flower Show, Garden Explosion, Garden Tour, Junior Gardeners, or Fund Raising, were recognized for their contributions to Wilmot Horticultural Society and Wilmot Township during the past 40 years.

Ayr/Paris Band, along with Soloist, Cathy Robertson, provided the Entertainment for our 40^th Anniversary Celebrations. This was a fitting climax to our evening of “Celebrating 40 Years of History for Wilmot Horticultural Society”.