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By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice

When Leeann Sousa told her husband Stephen he needed a hobby, she had no idea it would include making a feature film.

Her wifely advice came after the couple moved to Wallaceburg from Brampton in 2023. Now, two short films later, the pair are in the throes of creating a crime action drama with many familiar sites serving as movie sets.

The fact that its mostly local folks acting in the film is a bonus.

“I’m always looking for good talent,” the indie filmmaker said in a recent interview with The Voice. “I’m always looking for people who want to participate and be involved in the filming process.”

‘Finding Cronus,’ the full feature film the Sousas are working on, tells the story of Artemis – a rich but evil antiquities collector. Stephen wrote the script telling the story of the villain’s search for a mystical artifact called the Book of Epignosis – a tome he hopes holds the secret keys to power. The ruthless Artemis does whatever he has to, Stephen said, to try and find the book.

However, there’s also a secret agent named John who has been after Artemis for a long time and he makes it his mission to try to get the notorious criminal behind bars. But close to the end of Indiana Jones styled movie, agent John finds out he has more in common with Artemis than he thought.

“I can’t say anymore without giving away the end of the movie,” Stephen joked.

It’s Sousa’s first full-length feature film. With Leeann’s help, he’s already created two short films – Never Ending Rain and Limbo’s Glance. Both are currently in regional film festivals. Limbo’s Glance was filmed entirely in the Wallaceburg’s County Fair Mall and stars local chiropractor Curtis Scott.

Prior moving to Chatham-Kent, the couple operated a toy store in Mississauga, among other ventures. Both have worked as photographers in the past, and earlier in life, Stephan dabbled in videography with his father Silverio, filming weddings and other events.

So, in response to his wife’s suggestion, he decided to return his former pastime.

“It’s turned out to be a really fun thing to dabble in,” Stephen said, noting he’s networked with indie filmmaker Robert Bellamy who is currently working on a Bell Media production to be aired on Crave.

“I got involved because it was a passion,” he said. “I wanted to complete something.”

However, Stephen stresses he’s leaving the Finding Cronus story “open at the end” in case anyone wants to pick it up and develop a television series or sequel.

Movie making has its challenges, the pair said. Finding characters is an ongoing task, Stephen said, explaining he hands out his business card when he sees someone he thinks is suitable for a role, in addition to running ads.

In developing Finding Cronus, the pair has filmed in a variety of local sites, including Wallaceburg’s Canadian Belgian Dutch Club and Loads of Love in Chatham. In August, they’ll be filming at Glasstown Brewing Company in Wallaceburg.

Stephen said the toughest part of the process is scheduling everyone to get together for a shoot.

“Everyone is on a volunteer basis and in saying that, I want to accommodate their schedules,” Stephen said. ‘I don’t want to take away from their work. They’re helping me out and I do my best to help them out.”

The couple said they love their new home in Wallaceburg, adding living in a small community makes it easier to network and co-ordinate with others in the filming process.

Stephen said he plans to put Finding Cronus on Tubi – a free streaming channel for all to watch – and he’s also hoping to arrange a screening at Chatham’s Capitol Theatre.

“I want to put it out there so people can see what I can do,” he added.

And while filmmaking began as Stephen’s so-called hobby, Leeann said it’s turned into a “joint hobby” and partnership, as she serves as the director.

If you are interested in helping out or finding out more, direct message SEFilm (Sousa Entertainment Film) on Facebook.

By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice

Mike Neuts has covered a lot of ground in the last 20 years.

On Oct. 25, 2005, the Thamesville resident and his wife Brenda founded Make Children Better Now (MCNB) – a non-profit agency aimed at carrying an anti-bullying message to children and youth.

Created to honour the memory of their son Myles, who died as the result of a tragic bullying incident at school, the non-profit has allowed Neuts to share his story to some 300,000 students across Canada.

“There’s a lot to celebrate,” Neuts said of the past two decades, noting MCBN has followed its mandate to “support like-minded organizations helping kids.

“We want to help provide happy and healthy environments for all children.”

Myles died in February 1998. The 10-year-old was taken off life support six days after he was discovered unconscious hanging from a coat hook in a washroom stall in school.

A coroner’s inquest was held to probe Myles’ death. Its jury couldn’t determine the exact cause of death but they did bring forward 24 recommendations to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

After much soul searching, the Thamesville couple founded MCBN, in part to fulfill the changes recommended by the inquest.

The MCBN acronym aligns with Myles Casey Benson Neuts’ initials – another way for the couple to honour their child’s memory.

Following the publicity generated by the inquest, Neuts was asked to share his anti-bullying message at a London-area elementary school.

The effort grew from there, and along with presentations to thousands of students, Neuts has worked with dozens of agencies, law enforcement and educational groups, as well as mental health professionals.

And while Myles’ death was a senseless tragedy, Neuts said sharing his experience has brought hope to many. He has received 40,000 letters and cards. Some feature little drawings from young children; some come from bullies who say they will never do it again and some are from victims who say Neuts’ talk kept them from committing suicide.

“As long as I can, I’ve got to do whatever I can, because it seems to be helpful,” he said.

Through fundraising and advocacy work, MCBN has launched various initiatives, supporting many other youth-oriented organizations and campaigns promoting empathy, justice and respect.

Over the years, MCBN has sponsored summer camps, the singing program Respect Revolution, and held summits on children’s mental health, bringing experts to Chatham-Kent to assist with children’s mental health.

But that’s just a few of the things MCBN has assisted with, Neuts said, stressing there’s more to be done as bullying appears to be on the rise.

Cyber-bullying on social media is a particularly pressing problem, he said, creating difficult challenges for officials and children themselves. In days gone by, victims of bullying could find relief outside of school or work.

“There’s no safe place,” he explained. “Thanks to technology, it occurs 24-7.”

The current political climate isn’t helping the cause, he explained, as world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, are bullying others on the world stage.

That isn’t helping create healthier kids or safer environments, he added, noting that in his opinion, many Americans are afraid but aren’t speaking out.

“I think that if you have a different skin colour than white, you’re extremely scared of him,” he added. “Victims of bullying don’t speak out because of fear.”

The news coming out of the United States makes Neuts think of friends he’s met along the way, including Jewish Auschwitz survivor Dr. Eva Olsen. Olsen became like a “grandmother” to him, he said, sharing her story of surviving the Nazi regime in the Second World War. Except for herself and her sisters, Olsen’s family perished at the hands of the Nazis.

She taught Neuts that everyone has a role to play.

He said Olsen also taught him that the bullies were the Nazi Gestapo and Hitler, the victims were the intellectuals and Jewish people, and the bystanders were the countries that “handed over” their Jewish population to Hitler with no questions asked.

He points out that bystanders – those who stand by and watch as bullying occurs – are guilty too.

Bullies who downplay their actions by saying they were just joking, don’t get a pass either, Neuts said.

“’I didn’t mean to hurt anyone – I was just having fun’ is a common excuse.”

But on a positive note, he said there are many great children and youth and they don’t get recognition.

“The sensationalized stories are about the bad people, and the bad people always get press,” he said. “There’s an awful lot of really good young people out there that we don’t acknowledge in our day-to-day lives.”

MCBN will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special gala at the John D. Bradley Centre in Chatham on Oct. 25, landing on the exact date the agency was started. The extravaganza will feature music by Big Shiny Toons, a silent auction, photo booths and more.

Tickets for the fundraiser are $150. Interested parties can contact neutsmike@gmail.com; tony.drouillard@hotmail.com; or davaroubichaud59@gmail.com online.

By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press

One thing the Town of Kingsville has been trying to accomplish is bridging the gap between generations through the creation of intergenerational programming.

Its administration is one step closer to being able to achieve that goal, thanks to its successful application to a $25,000 Seniors Community Grant from the province, the maximum available funding through this program.

According to the province, the Seniors Community Grant Program has supported over 1,800 projects in communities across Ontario since 2018.

Last Wednesday afternoon, Essex MPP Anthony Leardi outlined the details of the grant during a special announcement hosted at the Kingsville Carnegie Arts and Visitors Centre.

Leardi congratulated Kingsville on being successful in this grant application, which will go a long way to keep seniors connected through a variety of meaningful ways.

“We want to keep our seniors active and connected, because social isolation is public enemy number one,” Leardi said, reiterating a motto Minister of Seniors and Accessibility and MPP for Scarborough North, Raymond Cho, often shares.

Part of the ways to keep seniors active and connected is through a Seniors Community Grant.

The funding will support the Kingsville Community Centre offer a Drum Fit program, with location to be determined.

Kingsville Community Centre Chairperson Tom Harmon is looking forward to learning more about the program, noting it sounds loud.

“We have put some feelers out, and we are getting an excellent response to this Drum Fit [program]. So, we think this is just going to be an excellent program.”

The Art Society of Kingsville (ASK) will host the Art Bridge program that will connect seniors with youth through art. ASK Chairperson, Wendy Durante, noted that while the details of this program are being fine-tuned, it will be hosted through the Kingsville Carnegie Arts and Visitors Centre starting this fall. She anticipates it will be a two-hour program running for 13-weeks that will include arts and storytelling.

It will be designed to foster meaningful connections between youth and seniors through creativity and storytelling.

“At its heart, Art Bridge is about building bridges between generations, between experiences, and between voices that deserve to be heard and celebrated,” Durante said. “We believe the arts have a unique power to unite people, and through Art Bridge, we look forward to nurturing shared expression, mutual understanding, and lasting relationships in our community.”

She offered her sincere thanks on behalf of ASK for being selected as a partner on this grant application, and for the incredible opportunity.

“We are excited to witness the imagination, insight, and connection that this program will inspire,” she added. “We are honoured and really excited to receive this support.”

The Essex County Library will host the Interviewing a Grandparent initiative.

“I want to see the interviews,” Leardi said excitedly. “I am looking forward to seeing these interviews and I am going to watch them all.”

Other activities planned include yoga and skill swaps.

“We have a great working relationship with our MPP Anthony Leardi, who I know goes to battle in Queen’s Park on multiple revenue streams,” Kingsville Mayor Dennis Rogers said.

Rogers also spoke of how this grant will not only connect generations, but is connecting community groups.

Connecting generations is something that has always been near and dear to his heart, as someone who grew up with a close and important relationship with his grandparents.

“I am very excited to see this program move forward. It is going to provide a tremendous amount of value for residents of all ages,” Rogers concluded.

Information on these programs will be available at the www.kingsville.ca/programs, in addition to other town-operated programs, such as an intergenerational tea on November 29.

By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press

With competitors firmly focused on straightness and uniformity in creating furrows, and burying straw stubble well, they all vied for a top ranking in Essex County Plowmen’s Association’s annual Plowing Match Competition and Farm Equipment Show last Saturday.

The annual event not only brings farmers from the area and across Southwestern Ontario together to compete, and hopefully earn enough points to get an invite to showcase their skills at the International Plowing Match in the fall, it offers a family funday members of the community can check out and enjoy.

This year’s local match took place at Reaume Farms in Comber, which provided the participating plowmen a plot of land to work. Once plowed, judges assessed the workmanship to determine who did it the best in each category, designed to incorporate small to large plows, and antique tractors.

One category was offered to test and encourage youths interested in the ag industry.

The Essex County-based match-up is one of a series of competitions set-up all over Ontario, where participants can compete to try to qualify for the International Plowing Match, which will take place in the Niagara Region this September.

Danielle Gagnon of Kingsville was proud to wear the 2025 Essex County Queen of the Furrow sash she won last year on the competition site. This is a leadership program for young women ages 18-25. They are judged on their plowing abilities, knowledge of the agricultural industry, on a speech they prepare for the banquet, and an interview with a panel of judges.

Gagnon won last year’s competition, and later that night was crowned the winner for the 2026 term, as well. She focused the topic of her speech on housing development and how much farmland is lost in Ontario every year.

She has been involved in the farming industry since she was five. She got involved with a farm through her older sisters, who were helping to care for the horses. She said she has been driving a tractor for years.

Last year’s appearance at the Essex County Plowing Match was her first, and she was looking forward to competing again this year.

As part of her 2025 win, she is headed to the International Plowing Match in September, where she will compete amongst other title holders from other regions.

She is excited and nervous to compete at the next level, but is looking forward to the opportunity.

“I think it’ll be a good experience,” she said.

“It was a perfect day,” Murray McLeod, Secretary/Treasurer of the Essex County Plowmen’s Association, said. “We had probably one of the highest attendance of people coming out to watch the plowing in a while.”

He spoke of how the event offered a class on lawn tractors for youngsters in the Kids’ Zone, which ended-up being a big hit. McLeod heard over 50 youths got involved. Typically, around 30 participate. He was pleased to see the interest.

Families were able to tour the competition site aboard a wagon, and grab a bite to eat from the Rotary Club of Essex’s food booth.

In addition, agricultural displays and demos were hosted onsite.

Competition on the site this year went well, McLeod added.

One competitor was planning to compete at the Ploughing Championship to take place in the Czech Republic, another was preparing to compete in the United States competition in Ohio. This heightened the level of competition on Saturday.

“We had some really good plowers from out of County who came down this year,” he said. “The plowing was good, because the moisture in the ground was good.”

In addition to being a place to compete, the Essex County Plowing Match continues to be a mainstay for local farmers to connect and pass along tricks of the trade.

That comradery extends to the banquet that is held later in the evening, where competitors share a meal with their families, and awards for top placings earned during the match are presented. This year’s banquet was held at neighbouring Visitation Church. In addition to recognizing plowing accomplishments, sponsors were recognized and the Essex County Plowmen’s Association presented scholarships to three deserving students.

Every year, the Essex County Plowmen’s Association selects a new farm as the host site, spreading it around the region.

“We are always looking for a host,” McLeod said, noting those interested in hosting the competition next year should connect with the board.

By Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter,  Essex Free Press

With National Drowning Prevention Week kicking-off on Sunday, July 20, the Town of Essex hosted a Water Safety Day down at the Colchester Harbour and Beach.

The informational event aimed to arm individuals and families with tips to help keep safe in and around water by learning how to prevent incidents, recognizing hazards, and putting safety first.

National Drowning Prevention Week takes place annually during the third-week of July. The Lifesaving Society designates this recognition to bring attention to drowning prevention.

This year’s recognition week will take place July 20-26, with the “Safer Together” theme.

During the event, individuals and families were able to visit various stations set up throughout the site, each providing a different tip or piece of information on how to be safe around the water. Each station was manned by different organizations, such as the Town of Essex and the Swim and Lifesaving Club, Essex Fire & Rescue Services, the OPP, and the Guardian Marine Rescue.

Dan Metcalfe is part of the Windsor-Essex County Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Coalition, and is also the Emergency Measures Coordinator for the County of Essex. He hosted one of the booths onsite, noting he tries to attend several events to promote water safety throughout the season.

The County of Essex works closely with a number of partners to promote water safety and prevent injuries in the water, including local police, fire, EMS, Canadian Navy, Coast Guard and Auxiliary, Windsor Port Authority, and others.

The County of Essex is also a member of the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium, and leads the Windsor-Essex County Drowning Prevention and Water Safety Coalition.

He reiterated the importance of being smart around the water and to recognize potential risks or hazards. One way to do so is to sign youths up for swimming lessons. In addition, swimmers should stay within an arm’s reach of children swimming, always have someone on duty to supervise water activities, wear a properly fitted and approved lifejacket when in a boat, use the buddy system, be on the lookout for potential hazards, and respect currents in lakes and open water, as they can change.

Having respect for the water is paramount.

Currents in lakes, and in piers, can change, which can put swimmers at risk, he said.

Metcalfe also noted there are two currents that meet at Sand Point Beach in Windsor, which form a whirlpool and can be dangerous to swimmers. He also spoke of there being two currents at Point Pelee that can also put swimmers at risk.

It is important to pay attention to signage when visiting water areas, to be aware of any dangers, he added.

He also spoke of how storms can move sandbars from where swimmers may have become used to them being located.

For Mayor Sherry Bondy, promoting this day of recognition was important, knowing all of the local municipalities are surrounded by water. It is important to take the time every year to provide important education to the public about water safety around pools and beaches.

Having a municipality with shoreline, residents take part in water and beach activities, Bondy added, reaffirming the need to reiterate safety procedures and things that can be overlooked but can be crucial to being smart around the water.

Bondy spoke of drownings that have taken place at Sand Point Beach in Windsor and the need to ensure that does not happen again.

“It was great to see people out at the Water Safety Day, and the different groups coming together to participate, such as the OPP Rescue Boat [team] and hear how they respond,” Bondy added. She was also glad to see members of the Guardian Marine Rescue team, which operates rescue boats in Colchester Harbour and Belle River. Bondy noted they are always looking for donations and members. To learn more, log onto https://www.guardianmarinerescue.ca/

Recently, Bondy brought the matter of water safety up at Essex County Council, wondering if it would be possible to raise a flag to recognize the upcoming National Drowning Prevention Week. It was noted the County did not have a flag to raise, but would double down on the messaging this year.