Category: Uncategorized

By Matt Weinagrden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

For Donna Spickett, one chapter closes – as another one opens. The long-time employee has retired after spending 52 years with the Essex County Library.

 

“I started as a desk clerk at the LaSalle branch of the Essex County Library (ECL) in 1973. I never imagined that my career in the library would have lasted beyond my high school years!” said Spickett.

“When I finished high school I wasn’t sure which direction I wanted to go to further my education, so I continued to work at the LaSalle library until 1980 when an opening came up in Essex for a branch assistant.”

 

She worked at ECL part time for 10 years, was married in 1981 and had three children. She worked part time until 1999 – which gave Donna and her husband Matt time to raise their family.

“Our children loved their mom working at the library! I was always borrowing a variety of books for them to read,” she laughed. “My family supported me through my career because they knew I loved it!”

 

 

In 1990, when her mother (Jean Forbes) retired from the LaSalle Branch, she came back to LaSalle as the branch supervisor.

 

Over the years, Spickett shares she has seen many technical changes at the ECL.

“When I started there was a small binder to find the general location of books with the Dewey Decimal system,” she laughed. “We had a very small card catalogue with recipe cards in a file box which we also used. We checked out books with a stamp attached to a pencil and patrons had a card number which we wrote down on the cards that we removed from the books when they took them out.”

 

She says the stamp was changed nightly, so patrons could keep books out for three weeks. They would file the cards alphabetically and numerically at the end of the day and count them for circulation statistics.

“When computers came into the ECL system in the 90’s things started to move quickly with technology. There are now databases available for free to access newspapers and magazines from around the world, Libby to download e-books and audiobooks, storybooks in different languages (Lote), transparent language and many more,” she added

During the Covid shut down the library attached an RFID tag into each book, which meant that they could place a number of books onto a tablet to check them out instead of scanning each individual book.

RFID stands for “Short Frequency Identification” and these smart barcodes are attached to items in order to easily identify them by using radio frequency technology.

In more simple terms, radio waves transmit data from the tag to the reader that then transmits the information to a RFID computer program.

Spickett also acknowledges she has seen many major changes to library programming over time.

 

“Our programming consisted mainly of children’s programs to bring families into the library. We started out with story times and craft programs, which continued to grow with great attendance,” she shared.

Currently programming has expanded to all ages including adult crafts, cooking programs, book clubs, outreach and community partners.” she said.

 

Overtime she recalls many fond and favourite memories.

 

“My greatest memories are the families that come in today – that came in when they were children! They talk of the programs that went to when they were very young and they are now carrying on the library tradition with their families,” Spickett shares.

“The cards and kind words I have received over the last month show me that I have touched many people and they certainly have touched my life! The LaSalle Branch has moved six times since I started in the 70’s. With each move it was so nice to see more and more families coming into a newer location.”

 

Spickett says that working for the ECL has been a wonderfully fulfilling career.

“It is overwhelming when I think back to the beginning of my career!

Some of the patrons that I have met over the years have become great friends and I looked forward to seeing them in the library,” she said. “The staff that I have worked with will never be forgotten.

We have shared family stories and enjoyed each other’s company for many years!

I will miss seeing them on a daily basis.”

 

As one chapter closes another chapter begins.

“My husband and I hope to do some travelling in the fall and winter,” Spickett says.

“We moved last year, and I am looking forward to the nicer weather to work in the yard and garden.

I will have more time to spend with family and our six grandchildren…they are also looking forward to that.” she added.

 

“I was honoured to be a part of ECL and the LaSalle Community for over half a century!”

 

By Devan Mighton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

For the first time since 2014, the Windsor Clippers Junior B lacrosse team will start their season with a new bench boss.

Trevor Learn, the team’s fourth head coach since its inception in 2003, is also the first alumnus to take over at the helm.

“At this point, we’re very young, so we’re going to have to rely on working hard,” explains Learn, who played with the team from 2009 until 2014, amassing 93 goals and 248 points in 91 regular season games. “Our game plan is to work hard and be the most in-shape team. We’re going to start there. We’ve got the building blocks to match the pace of the Junior B game. [For our rookies,] the jump is a bit of a step ahead of our minor program – the U17 jump is quite significant – but they are putting in the work.”

Taking over from longtime coach and Windsor Warlocks minor lacrosse president Jerry Kavanaugh, the team Learn has inherited is a young, but hard-working group. Despite their best efforts, last year’s Clippers finished outside of the playoffs for the second time in franchise history, only two seasons removed from winning the Marlene Soulliere Trophy as OJBLL Western Conference champions and playing for the All-Ontario title. Finishing with a 7-13-0 record, the 2024 Clippers never gave up, fighting until the end, missing the final playoff seed one spot behind longtime rivals, the Wallaceburg Red Devils.

“This year’s group is all bought in,” states Learn. “Starting in training camp, and moving into our first few practices, everybody’s on the same page and working hard, showing up on time at dryland, smiling, even at the end of dryland – you know you’ve got a good group when that happens!”

Learn wants to see growth in his first year behind the Clippers’ bench. “I’d like to make playoffs this year,” he says. “I think that’s a good goal for us. I think it’s something we can definitely take care of.”

Fourth year player and 19-year-old LaSalle resident Kane Murphy is excited about the challenges of the upcoming season.

“I think it’ll be a good change up,” states the St. Clair College paramedics student. “It’s a young squad, and I’m looking forward to that, seeing what we can do, how we can improve, and hopefully we can make the playoffs this year – and, we’ll see what happens.”

Murphy put up 16 points in 20 games during the 2024 campaign. “We’ve gotta start and feel it out. Whenever we’re out there, we’ve got to give it 110 per cent,” he says. “We can’t be afraid to get hit, we’ve got to bare down and pick up those tough loose balls. If we do the small things right, I think we’ll have a good chance and we’ll come out well.”

Third year veteran and recent Sandwich Secondary School graduate Owen Coffey is chomping at the bit to get the season going.

“I can’t wait,” states Coffey, an 18-year-old University of Montevallo commit who earned five points in 19 games last year. “I felt we needed some change after how last season went. We came up just short of making the playoffs, and that was something we didn’t want – of course. With the change, we see a lot of younger faces, it’s a very young team, and I’m excited to see what we can do. I think we can make a run for it this year.”

When he looks around the dressing room this year, he sees a team full of players excited to get rolling. “There’s a lot of new guys that have maybe never played junior lacrosse before, but I can see that they’re excited and are ready to work hard and play. That’s all you really need for a team, people who are ready to put in the work and be there – that’s what we want to see around the room. I’ve been waiting all year for this. I’ve been playing in the States and it’s nothing like playing junior with my friends – and the atmosphere here – I just love playing here in The Shipyard. Playing with my friends, it’s an experience you can’t get anywhere else playing lacrosse.”

This season will be Hudson Dalpe’s rookie season with the Clippers. In 2024, pulling double duty with the Warlocks U17’s, Dalpe tallied 15 points in 10 games as an AP with the Clippers.

“I played a little bit last year and it was really fun, I got to play with my brother (Vance),” says the Lakeshore resident, who attends St. Anne’s Catholic High School. “I’m going into my rookie season, so I’m excited to get a full season with the Clips – not just have a limited amount of games to play – and see what we can really do.”

Last summer was a banner season for the rookie, who also earned silver with Team Ontario at the Canadian National Lacrosse Championships in Regina, SK, and was drafted in the second round, 20th overall, by the St. Catharines Athletics in the 2025 OJLL Entry Draft.

“We’ve got a good squad this year,” opines Dalpe. “We’ve got some new guys, we’ve got some American guys, and some returning players. Everybody already knows each other already, we’ve done some team bonding experiences, and I think we look pretty good – we look like we’ve got good chemistry already.”

Joining Learn on the bench will be David Hodgins and Zane Dalpe as offensive co-ordinators, Brayden Bell as defensive co-ordinator and Ken Gough, as equipment manager and trainer.

“The roster is shaping up pretty good,” reports Learn. “We do have a few older guys and they’re going to be part of our leadership team. The core group is very young … and we do have a learning curve there, but I have faith in this group. They have a lot of passion and we’re all working together as hard as we possibly can and, I think that at this point, that is a great standpoint to move forward with.”

In net, the Clippers enter the season with three tenders: veteran MJ Schwager, Mason Jacobs, who played with the Six Nations Rebels last season, and rookie Dan Deters, who was named 2024 Warlocks Goalie of the Year in U17. In addition to Murphy, Coffey, and Dalpe, the Clippers floor will be graced with the likes of Ty Myers, Logan Gough, Connor Scott, Adam Lyder, Keegan McIntyre, Ashton Maluske, Michael Diponio, Gage Soulliere, Vance Dalpe, Keegan Bernier, Keagan Drexler, Luke Morin, Ngwiisus Whiteye, Ajinn Vantassel, and Americans Jacob Hunsinger and Kyle Spondike.

Meanwhile, Owen Arthur, Cahan Lessard-Williams, Jacob Levesque, Gabe Arnett, Sebastian Rail, Nathan Anger, Caleb Whitson, and Liam O’Neill, have all been assigned to the Warlocks U22 squad where they can AP for the Clippers while staying busy.

The Clippers’ season opened on Thursday, Apr 24 against the London Blue Devils. However, their home opener will take place on Saturday, May 3 at 7 p.m. at Forest Glade Arena against the Owen Sound North Stars.

By Angelo Lucier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

A new season is upon us with the Sabres getting off to a fantastic start, especially with their OFSAA winning track team, and dominant baseball team, along with the undefeated Ultimate Frisbee team, and the resilient soccer teams.

 

Track & Field – The Track & Field season started off strong with a triumphant All-Comers meet by the Sabres. Hosted at Sandwich, the four events showcased were the 100m, 1500m, long jump, and shot put, with medal-winners in all four! In the first track event, the 100m, Junior Girls runner Charlotte Townsend won 1st place, Novice Boy Will Lester got 2nd, and in the senior girls Jaela Bailey and Ella Steel-Douglas came home with gold and silver. In 1500, meanwhile, Senior Girl Leah Shannon placed 1st, Senior Boy Grayson Pitcher received 2nd, Novice Girl Julia Carswell placed 2nd, and in a great junior girl race Alexandra Pardalis and Kallie Zajacz received gold and bronze, respectively. In field events, Adekanye Adedolapo placed 2nd for novice girls long jump, Charlotte Townsend placed 2nd in junior girls, Lucas Tuckey placed 2nd in novice boys shot put, and Ajax Smith placed 2nd in junior boys. After the first meet of the season, the Post asked grade ten athlete Pardalis on the toughness of the season; “Racing and training is often difficult but to persevere and overcome adversity defines who we are as runners.” The OFSAA winning team is looking forward to their future meets, with 2 more All-Comers meets before the WECSSAA Finals!

 

Boys Baseball – The baseball team has come out the gates dominant, with a combined 18-0 score against their first two opponents – Holy Names and Massey. Both sides of the ball have been extremely successful, led by the pitching prowess of Chase Patterson, Carter Chase, and Jack Brnardic. The boys’ quest for WECSSAA gold continues, as they travel to Leamington to take on Belle River and Riverside this week.

 

Ultimate Frisbee – The “Sandy Frizz” team’s season started off with a bang, defeating the rival Villanova team with an excellent score of 6-2, and beating Marantha 8-2. The Sabres made plenty of great plays, throwing the frisbee to perfection, and forcing drops of the frisbee from the other team. Their 14 combined scores in two games were impressive, as in their past games, they continued to march into the “end zone” without fail. As they are undefeated, this places the team 1st overall in WECSSAA, as they prepare for more games to come this upcoming week.

 

Boys Soccer – The senior boys’ soccer, meanwhile, have had a rough season, running into tough teams, including Massey, Villanova, and Holy Names, the latter of which the Sabres

played strong throughout the game, coming up just short with a score of 1-0 in a nailbiter of a game. It is only halfway through the season, and it is still anyone’s game, with the boys being only one win away from being in position to host a playoff game.

 

Girls Soccer – The Sandwich senior girls soccer team has gotten off to an unfortunate start, dropping their first two games to Holy Names and St Anne. There were multiple bright spots throughout the matches, with stellar defense, particularly from Aidee Roberts-Maurizio and Vivianna Merlino, the latter of which scoring the Sabres first goal of the season in a free kick against the Saints. The team is looking forward to continuing the season, with only one more game to go until the halfway point.

By Matt Weinagrden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

A dozen local runners tool part in the 129th running of the Boston Marathon on April 21st 2025.

“The weather was 50 degrees and sunny with no wind,” said Mike Aubin, a Belle River runner.

“The crowds were incredible.”

Richard Ditty, from Woodslee, ran his 13th straight Boston and this was Aubin’s 8th Boston.

Both men requalified for 2026 Boston Marathon.

The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world’s best-known road racing events.

 

Back row from left; Shawn MacFarlane, Janet Morrice, Deanna Galbraith, Jason Petruniak, Mike Aubin, and Theresa Lukas

Front row from left; Derek Mulhall, Ashley Meloche, Julie Adoranti, Rich Ditty andGeorge Drew.

By Matt Weingarden , Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

A unique pilot program that started in 2023 in Lakeshore has proven to be a popular choice for local students.

Classroom Champions empowers children to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Through the mentorship and mindset of participating world-class athletes, the program is designed to improve student engagement, build growth mindsets, and inspire positive classroom culture.

“We talk about a lot of topics like goal setting, a sense of community and responsibilities, a healthy lifestyle and emotions,” said teacher Jenn Woodrich, who runs the Lakeshore program.

Each adult athlete, generally from Ontario, is paired with a class and sends the group a monthly video on a pre-determined topic. The class watches the video and enters into discussion about the topic and the sends its own video feedback to the athlete through the year.

“An athlete, either an Olympic or Paralympic, has a different mindset which tends to be more developed when it comes to goal setting, handling success and failures,” said Woodrich. “While this is sports related, we’re not training to compete so to speak. These are life building skills we’re learning.

Typically delivered through school boards and local classrooms, the Lakeshore pilot project was the organization’s first step into community-based programming.

Woodrich noted that many students in her classroom learn to face their own big issues with resilience, thanks to the tools provided by Classroom Champions lessons and stories shared by their Athlete Mentors. Whether it was learning to manage emotions or tackling academic hurdles, these Athlete Mentors give Jenn’s students the strength to push through their struggles.

When a world class athlete stands on the podium, the world sees victory – but the real story lies in the confidence connection and resilience that got them there. This championship mindset isn’t just for athletes it’s a powerful blueprint for success in school and beyond. Imagine students learning from the best, gaining life experience/skills like perseverance, discipline, and confidence from inspiring role models who have lived it!

The program starts in September through March and open to students aged eight to 12. Over 10 weeks, students will participate in weekly classes at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre. There is a $10 registration fee.

“This is an important program for today’s youth, especially given the number of challenges out there today,”

said Woodrich. “I’ve received comment from parents who say that they see a difference in their child’s attitudes. Teachers at school have noticed a difference as well, noting a change in applying problem solving skills.

To learn more and register for the program, please contact 519-728-2700 ext. 0, email RecInfo@Lakeshore.ca, or visit Lakeshore.ca/ClassroomChamps.

By Matt Weingarden , Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

The Lakeshore Helping Lakeshore organization was overwhelmed by the incredible outpouring of love, generosity, and community spirit shown during their 2nd Annual Spring Food Drive benefiting the Community Support Centre of Essex County.

The group collected a remarkable amount of donations to stock the local food bank! In addition to receiving many of the specific items requested, they also gathered just over $580 in generous cash donations.

“We cannot thank you all enough for coming together as a community today and making such a huge difference!” read a heartfelt message on the group’s Facebook page.

“Special thanks to Paul Lajoie and Larissa Vogler. And a big thank you to our amazing volunteers! We had the privilege of working with several incredible local teens who were a tremendous help throughout the day. We’ve got some truly wonderful kids here in Lakeshore, that’s for sure!”

Sincere appreciation also goes out to Rymerson’s YIG, Atlas Tube staff, Lighthouse Cove Variety, Stevenson’s Transportation, Belle River Legion Branch 399, BR Vape, Comber Library, Emeryville Post Office, FACCA INC., Good Neighbour Club, Noble Champions Group – NCG Wrestling, Pet Valu, St. Joachim Post Office, Stoney Point Library, Your Wooden Treehouse, Wayne White’s Fresh Meats & Deli, and Windsor Pure & Clean H2O To Go!

A big thank you to Mayor Tracey Bailey and the dedicated volunteers from the Goodfellows, who helped unload and sort the many generous donations received.

“And a never-ending thank you to each and every one of you who support us every day! Together, we truly can—and are—making a difference!”

By Ken Pastushyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter

Essex OPP Constable Jim Chauvin was selected as one of five law enforcement officers to represent Canada at the World Special Olympics Winter Games Final Leg torch run in Turin, Italy this year running from February 23 to March 9.

 

Like all Olympic torch runs, it began in Athens. The next day the torch was flown to

Rome for a special blessing at the Vatican. Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica was one of the

highlights of Chauvin’s trip.

 

“It was absolutely stunning!” said Chauvin referring to the altar at St. Peter’s Cathedral

“Gorgeous!”

 

Another religious experience for Chauvin was seeing the famous Sacred Shroud of

Turin during three days of sightseeing.

 

Chauvin was part of a contingent of 90 law enforcement officers, mostly from the United

States. They all stayed at a retrofitted hotel and shopping centre, formerly a Fiat test

track. Turin is headquarters to Fiat Motors in Italy and heritage cars like the 1936

“Topolino,” the 1957 Nuovo 500, the 1971 Fiat 127, the 1972 Dino and the 1980 Fiat

Panda were on display outside the complex.

 

As well-known as Fiat’s sport-utility cars is the Italian cuisine.

 

“Lots of gelato, cannoli, pasta and pizza,” said Chauvin who compared the wood-fired

Pizza pies to those of Oven 360’s Neapolitan-style pizza. “I also tried my first espresso.”

 

Chauvin also watched his first professional soccer match in person at the home of

Juventus F. C. in the Serie A division. At halftime, eight athletes, who were members of the final leg team along with four torch runners were escorted onto the soccer pitch.

 

The torch run to promote Special Olympics is why law enforcement officials are in

Turin.

 

The five-day journey of carrying the torch through the Piedmont region of the Italian

Alps began on March 1. Chauvin said law officers wrote the badge numbers with a felt pen

on their running shoes of two Virginia Beach police officers who were killed in the line of

duty prior to coming to Italy. One of Chauvin’s teammates is a Virginia Beach officer.

 

There was a total of eight torch run teams. Each team of 10-11 had an Italian officer, an

Athlete and eight or nine more officers from around the world.

 

Two runners, one officer and one athlete, would hold the torch high in the air and run approximately 100 metres. It would continuously be passed on to two more runners for three kilometres in each town.

 

After each run officers and athletes would be greeted by local dignitaries, school children

and Moly the Mole, the mascot of the Turin Games at all the town squares. This was

done twice a day in 10 different countryside towns like Bardonecchia, Cueno and Novara.

 

The ski resort town of Colle Sestriere, near the French border was another was a stop

for the torch runners. It was also the venue for alpine skiing at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.

The opening ceremonies for the 2025 Turin Special Olympics were inside the Inalpi Arena,

also the venue for ice hockey in 2006.

 

During the opening dinner, Chauvin gave a speech about what Special Olympics means

to him. On March 8, he was invited to speak again at a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Turin.

Coca-Cola is a major sponsor of the Turin Games.

 

“We can’t do it without our sponsors,” said Chauvin. “Even just local donors help, every

dollar counts across Canada.”

 

Chauvin said the Windsor Polar Plunge had lots of sponsors like Caesars Windsor,

Unifor 444 and 200 along with St. Clair College.

 

On the last day, a Polar Plunge event was held in Turin where the final leg team raised an incredible $350,000 U.S. for Special Olympics.

 

“A big part of it is just getting the word out,” said Chauvin. “Over the years besides

participating in torch runs, I’ve organized torch rides, NHL alumni games, grocery

packings. These are some of the ways we raise funds for Special Olympics.”

 

And Chauvin has been raising funds and getting the word out since 2001with the Essex

Police Department. In 2009, he continued as a local coordinator with the OPP and becoming a zone co-coordinator for Southwestern Ontario. He was on the

provincial operations committee for six years before returning to a local representative

again in 2023.

 

Chauvin applied for a spot to the final leg team, voted on by the operations committee and had the honour of being selected.

 

Asked about some of his memorable moments in Turin, Chauvin answered…

 

“Oh gosh, just meeting the officers and athletes from around the world,” said Chauvin.

 

There were 90 athletes representing Canada during the Turin Games. Chauvin met with

many of them during his last night in Turin. One was Brianna Williams from Windsor who

won a Level Five (six being the highest) gold medal in the combined male/female figure

skating competition.

 

“It’s all about inclusion and equality. That’s what they are looking for,” said Chauvin.

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

With the year 2000 being a millennium year, and as part of Woodslee’s St. John the Evangelist Parish’s 125th anniversary, the students at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Elementary School were encouraged to write a letter to their future selves.

Those words were sealed in a time capsule – buried beneath a large boulder for the past quarter-of-a-century.

Recently, that time capsule was unearthed, and its contents – including the letters – were rediscovered on Sunday, when the time capsule was opened. The letters and the rest of the time capsule contents – including school memorabilia, a year book, history of the church, photos, and church bulletin will be viewable during St. John Parish’s upcoming 150th anniversary celebration.

In 2000, Donna Murawski was the Chairperson of St. John the Evangelist School Parent Advisory Council.

She recalled the excitement the students had in writing the letters, which was to note where they hoped to be in 25-years.

“These letters would be put into a time capsule to be opened in 2025. So, here we are. The rock has been moved, and the time capsule pulled out of the vault,” Murawski said, ready to explore the contents tucked-away for a quarter-of-a-century.

Unearthing the time capsule was not a small endeavour, she added, noting the church had to rely on a neighbour with a backhoe to help remove the large rock. She was happy to announce on Sunday the time capsule “had survived beautifully with no damage.”

In addition to writing the letters, the students also signed the time capsule, with most of the signatures still legible.

Throughout the years, Murawski said the past students have mentioned the letters, and excitement is buzzing as the parish’s 150th anniversary nears.

Unearthing the time capsule was an especially emotional moment for Murawski, not only as an individual who organized the initiative 25-years ago, but because three of her children were students of the school then. One of her children passed away March 13, and she was looking forward to seeing that letter. He would have been there to eagerly take part in the celebration.

Seeing the content of the time capsule was “just amazing,” Murawski said. “It is an exciting time.”

Students will be able to pick-up the letters they wrote to themselves after the 1pm mass on Sunday, June 22. Those unable to attend, but would like their letter, can connect with her to make arrangements. She will try to mail the letters to the past students who want them.

The 150th anniversary of St. John the Evangelist Parish will take place June 18-22. June 18 will be Youth Day, with a school mass, free luncheon for the students, and an afternoon of games and activities.

June 21 will be the Golden Years Day, which will offer a luncheon at noon for parishioners 75-years-of-age and older and those who have been married for 50-years or more, followed by games and fellowship. Holy Hour will take place at 4:30pm.

The big celebratory 150th event will be Sunday, June 22. Mass will be at 1pm with Bishop Fabbro, food, refreshment, games, historical displays, and family photo opportunities in the hall. Everyone is welcome to join in.

Information from St. John the Evangelist Church notes in 1875 parishioners met in a barn-type building on what is now Oriole Park Drive. In the late 1800s, a more formal wooden structure was constructed on the site of the current church and parking lot. The current building was opened in 1900.