The Shelburne Freelancer

                     Shelburne's Online Newspaper Since 2015 

                    

The Shelburne Freelancer

Pharmacist Sanjay Lekhi, owner of Shelburne Town Pharmacy, is very proud of what he and large number of volunteers have been able to accomplish in support of Sick Kids Hospital during their annual Fundraising Event held at Giant Tiger Plaza, on Saturday May 28, 2016. 

Bringing in $2,200 was a community effort and the community turned up to see Elvis impersonator, Terry Dieter, Feral Cat Rescue Kittens, Troupe-Adore with a series of wonderful live performances, Shelburne Police Services, Emergency Services, Shelburne Fire Department,  Classic Martial Arts Centre- Umaka Dojo, Games,and more! 

"The community is strength. Shelburnites have kind hearts to help children in need. Some child somewhere will benefit from this fundraiser," commented Lekhi, adding,"The Fundraiser is so much better because of all the great volunteers! I'm so happy, thrilled about the outcome as everyone worked so hard." In their inaugural fundraiser last year, Lekhi reports $15,00 was raised and so 2016 exceeded all expectations with a whopping, $2,200 raised. 

Paul and Nicole Taylor, owners of CARS (Canadian Automotive Restoration Specialists) and advocates for Autism Awareness, were also hosting an Autism Awareness Day in support of their five year old son, Paul Jr. who lives with Autism. Getting the word out is incredibly important to the Taylor's and even more so since Ontario's Premier, Kathleen Wynne sanctioned cutbacks in Autism Services that are devastating to parents and children living with Autism. Wynne has been long affiliated with Autism throughout her over twenty year relationship with spouse, Jane Rounwaithe, who was heavily involved with Kinark Child and Family Services, raising conflict of interest issues with the public as a notable amount of "Autism Money" seemed to find itself in Rounwaithe's direction over the course of many years. Now shrouded with suspicion, Wynne is quickly learning that parents across the province are holding her accountable for ridiculous and unfounded cutbacks to IBI Services (Intensive Behavioural Intervention) that are not backed by scientific studies as she states children over five years of age do not benefit from which is categorically incorrect and leaves the public scratching their heads over where the "Autism Money" went as studies are nowhere to be found. 

As for the Taylors, their major priority is to have IBI therapy returned to Ontarians like their son who have benefitted dramatically with the care and progress IBI provided. A very controversial situation with little attention by Wynne or Rounwaithe pointed to the heart of the matter, the children living with Autism. Click here to watch City News report for an even better understanding.

Lake's company based in Flamborough, just outside of Hamilton was required as clean-up was simply too big a job, as the Town Of Shelburne clean-up crew are still working relentlessly in an attempt to catch up, following the terrible and devastating ice storm only a couple months passed. 

Concerns surrounding the water flow which is at present almost at a standstill along the path and the flooding which occurs during every torrential downpour was brought to the attention of Town Council by Shelburne Mayor, Ken Bennington. Convinced work on the path for tree removal should ensue quicker than later, it is with great optimism the damaged and fallen tree removal can help in the prevention of future flooding, and aid in the return of a fresh water flow from the Boyne river, strong enough to flush out some of the water that has become stagnant and green with pond scum. Health issues are also a concern as water such as this attracts mosquitoes carrying virus' and will also at some point drive neighbourhood geese to a healthier source of water. Time will tell if this effort works as the Town of Shelburne once again makes every attempt possible to maintain a healthy environment for Shelburnites. 

For more information on Great Lakes Tree Service, contact Andrew Lake at 905-659-8844 or email info@greatlakestreeservice.org and visit www.greatlakestreeservice.goldbook.ca 

Paul and Nicole Taylor, Owners Of Cars Automotive Restoration Specialists located at 735 Industrial Road (across from Tim Horton's) are also advocates for Autism Awareness as their young son, Paul Jr. and the family live with Autism. They will be hosting an Autism Awareness Fundraising Day, on Saturday, May 21, 2016 and they will introduce Slicksters Hotdogs, owned by Sean Strickland  who will be located on the CARS property for the summer.  Strickland believes this location to be a prime location and looks forward to serving up hotdogs to Shelburne and the surrounding communities who pass by. All proceeds from beverages sold on the 21st  by Slicksters Hotdogs will be donated to Autism Awareness. The day promises to be filled with fun & hotdogs ! See You there!  For more information, conatct Owners,  Paul and Nicole Taylor at 735 Industrial Rd, Shelburne, Ontario,L9V 2Z4, call, PHONE 905 866 3519 or email  cars@carspecialists.com (Lto R: Back) Owners of CARS, Nicole Taylor, Paul Taylor,  Slicksters Hotdogs, Owner, Sean Strickland and featured in front sporting a styling Fedora, the young, Mr. Paul Taylor, (Jr.) who is a little camera shy! 

other Towns to follow suit. Click on image above to see the CTV interview.The McDowell's five year old daughter, Emily, has spent the majority of her life unable to communicate due to living with autism. After six months of Intensive Behavioural Therapy,(IBI) Emily did what what every parent with an autistic child dreams of and began speaking. Now that Emily is five years old, with new cuts to Autism Services thanks to Kathleen Wynne's ill advised decision, Emily's progress will likely come to a screeching halt which is devastating the McDowell family and leaves little hope for other parents who would otherwise be inspired by Emily's progress. The idea that Wynne could even fathom pulling the rug out from these families, removing all hope because a child is five years of age, is so odd, so strange, an internet savvy public can only wonder if there is some sort of financial incentive for Wynne and are looking for answers. We all know the expression," If It ain't broke don't fix it!" however the problems that existed previously to the cutbacks, wait times, etc, are small inconveniences compared to the mess, devastation and complete lack of consideration for children with Autism Wynne has now created. Families who live in Ontario are now considering moving to other provinces where IBI is available in the hope of trying to provide some sort of future for their child. 

The generous donations of Shelburnites actually goes where is should be going, no detours, but right to the Foodbank. According to Pellow, this monetary type of donation comes in quite handy. While food drives are excellent ways to collect food items, there some items necessary for life's need that money can by in the way of, soap, diapers, shampoo, even pet food. That's right, pet food!  Pellow also reminds critics how life can change on a dime for anyone and some times that includes families and their pets.

  Click on the Shepherd's Cupboard Logo (Below-L)for all contact information.

While numbers are down for those in need as compared to last year's, Pellow revealed some interesting and concerning facts and first and foremost is the low minimum wage and how it's affecting families especially. "People simply cannot survive on minimum wage, it's that simple, and I sometimes wonder if people realize we are here to help," commented Pellow adding," technically this is a supplement service to a regular job that doesn't pay enough or to supplement regular social assistance. It's so hard for seniors and families these days. The money from the key chain sales, is so helpful. On occasion we might be able to buy a pallet of food at a time. On one occasion we need a fridge. The money is so appreciated. It really is." 

What began as an idea from vanTeunenbroek became a NoFrills Key Chain reality that Shelburnites embraced and even more Shelbunrites were given the help they need. Now that's, 'The Good Stuff !"

Branch 220 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Shelburne presented Abiding Place Ministries with a cheque for $1,751.95 as part of a total $3,503.90 donation to The Little Bouquet Children's Home In Haiti, towards the purchase of a bus. (LtoR) Photo and Message by Phil Norris, Public Relations Officer. 

Click on image above to visit Abiding Place Ministries' website!

(Above)Edd O'Gorman (LtoR) Thanks Mayor Bennington for spending time examining property behind Jelly St. South following the devastating ice storm of 2016. 

Just a few weeks later, it is easy to see why Mayor Bennington was so concerned as drainage clean- up has not been performed and water-flow has come to a standstill creating a very stagnant and smelly situation not to mention the many environmental questions involved. Click here to go to our Photo Gallery for more photos of this serious issue the Town Of Shelburne faces. 

Notably worth mentioning is the fact that the NoFrills' Key Chain Quarters sell for only $2 and $1 of every sale gets directly donated to Shelburne's local food bank, the Shepherds Cupboard, making this philanthropic gesture a "win-win" situation for all involved. 

This week marks yet another added convenience for John's NoFrills' shoppers as van Teunenbroek introduces Shelburnites to their newly installed Photo Lab Service. "I am just supplying customer demand," commented van Teunebroek adding, "It's an added convenience for my customers." Humble in his regard for his actions, van Teunenbroek has always been a huge and consistent supporter of the Shelburne community. Now shopping at John's NoFrills can actually be as simple a chore as arriving, not fumbling to find a quarter for the shopping cart, conduct a little banking near the Pharmacy, move two feet over, get your photos printed, and continue on your way during your convenient, one stop shopping experience. Special Thanks to John van Teunenbroek, owner of John's NoFrills for helping to make the lives of Shelburnites so much simpler and easier. John's NoFrills is located at  101 Second Line RR#1, Shelburne, ON L9V 3J4 and for more information call, 1800-296-2332.

Council's decision to deny Finocchio's request comes on the heels of many complaints from local Shelburnites and after careful consideration, was announced at the Council meeting held on April 25th, where a particular incident was revealed involving an elderly citizen being aggressively ushered off the outdoor space by Finocchio who is greatly aggravated by locals simply walking through the space without patronizing his business. In an attempt to avoid locals simply passing through, Finocchio has placed plenty of signage but to no avail. Shelburne Town Council's decision reflected Shelburnites' complaints which Finocchio flatly denies and also completely denies ever having been abrasive, overly passionate, aggressive, or forceful when ordering people off the property he rents,  as the complaints reflect. So self assured the petition will work, Finocchio has revealed he has taken out a $50 Ad in the Shelburne Free Press hoping the publicity will work in his favor when he and his Lawyer attend the next Sheburne Town Council meeting which will be on Monday, May 9, 2016 held at Shelburne Town Hall at 7p.m. Finocchio will bring up his cause during question period. 

The Pritchard family are originally from, Stoke Ontrent, England, where Jackie began experimenting with soap making as a hobby while helping out in the family bakery business in product and development. As her talent and curiosity grew, Pritchard found herself making soaps and lotions, attending craft shows, until she created the Canadian Bath Bomb Company which she ran out of a separate building on their farm in Melancthon. Deciding to downsize, the Pritchards relocated to Shelburne's Main st. where they will work and live selling their high quality product line. The dynamic and business savvy couple also sell wholesale in addition to the retail store they will run. The Pritchard and their Canadian Bath Bomb Company are a welcomed addition to Shelburne's Main Street and to the Shelburne Community. 

Click on the image above to visit the Canadian Bath Bomb Company's website. For more information contact Jackie Pritchard at 519-943-6112 or email jackie@canadianbathbomb.com, find them on etsy at www.bathbomco.etsy.com, and visit their website at www.canadianbathbomb.com

This article sponsored by the Shelburne Business Improvement Area(BIA). 

Centre Dufferin District High School's Graduation Committee Thinking Outside The Box 

To Make Grad, 2016 The Best Year Yet!

What a great addition to the forward thinking actions of the committee speare headed by CDDHS Math teacher, Crystal Heaslip. In case you missed the event, click on the image above to see the vendors who attended featured in the May 2016 Photo Gallery. Fabulous work and yet again, it happened in Shelburne!

As the Sawyers are a cherished and well loved facet of Shelburne society having helped the Town of Shelburne continue to thrive over decades of adversity, the Sawyers feel, after 97 years in business, "It's time." Looking forward to a little rest, a little travelling and re-painting their beloved classic Ford Truck, Jim and Marion (above) are secure in their decision to sell and will be sorely missed. Also worth noting, they are convinced in the fact that Sharpe Farm Supplies Ltd. are very dedicated to their profession and will do their best to serve Shelburne and the surrounding area.

The future does look very bright for Sharpe and it's always nice to know while some things will not change, "Chick Day" will continue as a well desired service. Meet the new welcoming faces eager to serve customers, Sharpe Farm Supplies Ltd. employees,(LtoR) Store Manager Lisa Kruk and Equine Consultant, Alex Cartwright and of course, the stars,  the chicks!