SportsXpress Chatham Jan/Feb 2019

Page 1

YOUR COMMUNITY SPORTS CONNECTION

Chatham-Kent & Area Edition

January/February 2019 Volume 5 Issue 1

I literally lost half a person and now I inspire others..

@ck_sportsXpress

Wallaceburg Tartans Make History www.facebook.com/cksportsxpress

@ck_sportsxpress


behindthebench

Beat Fundraiser Fatigue You’re two innings into your daughter’s softball game, it’s a hot July afternoon and you’re going to be here for a while. Suddenly you hear twinkling music. You look behind you and what do you see? An ice cream trailer! A line quickly forms and you’re not far behind. What could be better than some cold refreshments on a hot day? How about knowing that your ice cream is keeping kids in sports? Every organization faces fundraiser

fatigue at some point. Ice Cream Dreams is there to save the day. Here’s how it works: For a set fee, organizations can rent the Ice Cream Dreams trailer and have it brought to the location of their choice. Ice cream is sold at cost to the organization and their volunteers serve it for a profit. The idea comes from James Browning of The Co-operators Wallaceburg. Having kids in sports, he knows first-

Article by SportsXpress

hand the difficulties of fundraising, and getting volunteers on board. With that in mind, Ice Cream Dreams puts the ‘fun’ back into fundraising. Aside from health & safety training, there is no prep and very little cleanup for the organization. It’s a win for everyone involved, the organization – and the eager customers! Ice Cream Dreams will be available to organizations in May of this year. Bookings will go quickly!

For more info contact James at 519-355-8047! Coverage for the important things in life

Find the insurance coverage and investments you need, all in one place. 1044 Dufferin Ave Unit 2 • Wallaceburg, Ontario • 519-627-3332


thelineup... Rebecca Reimer Publisher & Sports Marketing Coach rebecca@cksportsxpress

06

Jamie Knight Sports Marketing Coach 519-401-5945 jamie@cksportsxpress.com

07

letterfromthepublisher Happy New Year! I love the holidays because they give me time to think about what I want out of life, to clarify my goals and passion. This year they can be defined in the word ‘rest’. I realize the irony of the word given that I have three children aged 5 and under, but over and over again this word came back to me. With this in mind, I am moving on from SportsXpress. I will be transitioning out of my role as Publisher for something a little less rigorous. There is a team in place to take over my role and continue with SportsXpress. You can continue to expect a great magazine and video content so please keep sending us your stories! I want to thank you all for your support over the past four and a half years. It has been absolutely wonderful to walk alongside you in your challenges and your victories! We’ve made some great memories: Kraft Hockeyville, CK SportsXpo, Rogers Hometown Hockey and many more. But my favourite memories by far were sitting with you and listening to your personal stories. Thank you for sharing them with me! Rebecca Reimer, Publisher CK SportsXpress rebecca@cksportsxpress.com

sportsfiles

behindthebench

06 | Braelyn’s Legacy Lives On

02 | Beat Fundraiser Fatigue

07 | Encouraging Players to Be Leaders

04 | For the Love of the Game

08 | Wallaceburg Tartans Make History

12 | BARAC Committee Keeping Arena Open

14 | The Doctor Gets his Due

11 | The Gym is my Happy Place

fromthesidelines

health&fitness

04 | CKPL Book Review

05 | Inspiring Health with My Story

08 Chatham Office

111 Heritage Road, Suite 100 Chatham, Ontario N7M 5W7 Tel: 519-351-0510 Toll free: 1-800-265-3992 Email: rick.nichollsco@pc.ola.org

Leamington Office

115 Erie Street North, Unit B Leamington, Ontario N8H 3A3 Tel: 519-326-3367 Toll free: 1-800-265-3992 Email: rick.nichollsco@pc.ola.org

Rick NICHOLLS, MPP CHATHAM-KENT-ESSEX

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019

3


behindthebench

For the Love of the Game

January / february 2019

Article submitted by Gary Patterson, Photo credit Gary Patterson It was simple, if I wanted to write a story about Challenger Baseball I had to play a game… that order came from Dan Kobylka, the organizer and coach of Challenger Baseball in Chatham. Challenger Baseball has been set up to teach children and adults with disabilities about baseball. The league gives the players the opportunity to experience baseball while empowering them and enhancing their lives. As I walked up to the diamond with my glove and helmet, I could smell the fresh cut grass of a warm summer’s evening with just a hint of dust from Kinsmen Park blowing in the wind. It was a perfect night for baseball. Most of the players were already at the field and I got hugs from a couple of my buddies David and Jonathan as we readied ourselves for a great night of baseball. In my years reporting on sports including MLB Spring Training and regular season games I have never witnessed anybody having as much fun as the players in Challenger Baseball. It took me hours to get the smile off my face as the laughter of the players

and the cheering rang through my brain… what a blast. The encouragement from both sides was overwhelming whether it was Colin snagging a line shot or Joey racing around the bases in his wheelchair. Kobylka was so right, you can’t get a feel for Challenger Baseball unless you participate. Playing with these teams warmed my heart and increased my love for the sport that can bring so many people together because the sheer joy that each player experienced was tremendous. Challenger Baseball in Chatham is an uplifting experience for the fans and now I know how uplifting it is for the players. That warm summer night became a little more special as we all huddled for a team picture and then left the field. Nobody remembered the score but everybody remembered the experience, the happiness and the fun, participating in the best game on the planet. No barriers, no judgement, just an incredible night of joy and fun. For more information on Challenger Baseball go to chathamminorbaseball.com

fromthesidelines “Try Not to Suck: The Exceptional, Extraordinary Baseball Life of Joe Maddon” by Bill Chastain Submitted by Kate McCullough Vandenhende, CKPL Read all about the driving force leading the new era of the Chicago Cubs. Since the Cubs 2016 World Series win, their first in in 108 years, Maddon has been one of the league’s most intriguing managers. Author, Bill Chastain, reveals the story behind the bold and unpredictable life and career of Joe Maddon.

Available at a Chatham-Kent Public Library branch near you or through our website, www.ckpl.ca.

www.ckpl.ca 4

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019

Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cksportsxpress Read Us Online PUBLISHER Rebecca Reimer rebecca@cksportsxpress.com ADVERTISING Jamie Knight 519-401-5945 jamie@cksportsxpress.com GRAPHIC DESIGN Debbie Dunmall ddunmall@gmail.com CONTRIBUTORS Jamie Knight, Jeff Byrne, Gary Patterson, Chatham Kent Public Libraries, Ket McCullough Vendenhende, Chatham Kent Recreation, Julie Coolen, Jeanine Robertson, The Blackbird family, Legacie Blackbird, Megan Day, Robert Hamilton, Jamie Browning, Rebecca Reimer, CK SportsXpress Team, and other sports enthusiasts PHOTOGRAPHERS Rebecca Byrne, Gary Patterson, April Blanchard, Janine Day, Robert Hamilton, Performance 360, CK SportsXpress Team, and members of various local sports organizations and community sports fans AFFILIATES Cambridge Chatham-Kent London Mississauga Waterloo Windsor

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress is an independently owned and operated member of the SportsXpress Network Editorial Contributions: Submissions are welcome from writers, photographers, athletes, coaches and individuals. Please contact the publisher. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. Contributors are responsible for obtaining all approvals for publication of photos and content prior to submission. All submissions may not be used. We may edit, publish, reproduce, distribute and archive submissions in any form or medium without any compensation. We are not responsible for lost or damaged submissions. Contents copyrighted. All rights reserved. Reproduction or transmission of any article, photograph or artwork in any form or by any means without permission from the publisher is prohibited. Chatham-Kent SportsXpress is published six times per year. Chatham-Kent SportsXpress is committed to protecting your privacy as our customer. We may collect personal information only if it is required for the proper functioning of our business and only share this information with our business partners. The editors and contributors who write for ChathamKent SportsXpress attempt to provide accurate and useful information and commentary. However the editors, contributors and Chatham-Kent SportsXpress cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of this information. We assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any readers based on the information provided.


health&fitness

Inspiring Health With My Story Article by Jeanine Robertson, Photo credit Jeanine Robertson My name is Jeanine Robertson, I am a wife, mother of two beautiful girls and a driver examiner. In 2013, I found myself to be very unhealthy, weighing 280lbs. I knew I needed to change my lifestyle and become a better role model to our children. I set many goals for myself and took it one day at a time. I had many good rewarding days but then came days where I felt so defeated and hopeless. Deprivation kills consistency, and consistency is where results come from. I did not give up!

“I knew I needed to change my lifestyle and become a better role model to our children. I set many goals for myself and took it one day at a time. I had many good rewarding days but then came days where I felt so defeated and hopeless.”

Since then, I have partnered up with my personal trainer, Emily Ramsden and launched Transform2Fit, a group challenge focused on weight loss and getting physically fit. I have also taken my course with Canfitpro to become a Healthy Eating & Weight Loss Coach. I branched off to become a Coach as there is nothing more rewarding to me then to help, motivate, support, educate others all while sharing my story & struggles to those who are where I once was. I now

have the opportunity to work with clients helping them live a healthy lifestyle all while focusing on proper nutrition to meet their individual goals and unlock their full potential. Being called “COACH” is by far one of my greatest achievements. Always remember, dream BIG & work hard-the results will follow!

Fast forward to 3 years later where I set the biggest goal for myself. I competed in a fitness show and was crowned the WBFF World Transformation Champion. I literally lost half a person with a total weight loss of 140lbs.

Dresden Meat Packers

“A Cut Above the Rest” www.dresdenmeatpackers.com/ • Carrying Fresh Maple City Bakery Products • Fresh & Frozen Meats

Now at 2 Locations!

Dresden Meat & DELI

“Wallaceburg’s Retail Butcher Store”

Proudly Serving You Since 1972

SHOP LOCAL!

Start your year the right way with locally sourced meat!

• Custom Butchering, Cutting, & Wrapping • Variety Packs Available

10210 McCreary Line, Dresden 519-683-2585

30 McNaughton Ave. Wallaceburg 519-627-5959

Mon-Fri 8 am - 5:30 pm | Sat 8 am - 3 pm

Mon-Fri 9:30 am-5:30 pm | Sat 9:30 am-5 pm Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019

5


sportsfiles

Braelyn’s Legacy Lives On Article by SportsXpress, Photo credit April Blanchard

The Wallaceburg Memorial Arena was packed with purple on December 8 to honor Braelyn Blackbird. The nineteen year old passed away of Cystic Fibrosis in September of 2018. Play for Brae was held to raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis, and to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald house and the Cystic Fibrosis Canada. Braelyn was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at a young age, meaning she spent lots of time in hospitals and at the Ronald McDonald House. Not to be defeated, she continued to play sports, soccer, basketball and hockey. Eventually she decided she would rather watch hockey with her dad than play, cheering

for her favourite team, the Montreal Canadiens. She received a double lung transplant in August of 2017 and things seemed to be going well. But in February of 2018, the family discovered her new lungs were in acute rejection. After going through the assessment process for another transplant, Braelyn decided she didn’t want to do it again. The process is exhausting: medications, surgeries, and not feeling like herself. She just wanted to be in the comfort of her home with her family. Before she passed away, she asked her family to continue her legacy by raising money for the charities that had so profoundly impacted her. Originally the plan was to have three teams play in her memory. It quickly began to grow, until it became a full day of games. Braelyn’s parents were blown away by the community support. A small way to remember their daughter turned

into a massive success. At the end of the day, they had raised over twenty thousand dollars! “The amount of support was overwhelming. The day wouldn’t have been a success without our sponsors, they rallied together. I never thought it would get as big as it did” says dad Luke Blackbird. This was truly a community effort, many teams who were not able to play in the tournament because of scheduling made financial contributions, including several other sports organizations. The family would like to thank Mike Moniz, Carry Vancoillie, Shayne Fraleigh, Mason Krayenbrink for all the work they put into Play for Brae – special thanks to Kitsi Wrightman as well. Braelyn passed away September 7, 2018. Her legacy lives on in a community so willing to rally around her family and give generously to a cause dear to her heart.

• Because every expert was once a beginner • Check out www.leaveyour marklacrosse.ca for past camps, clinics & testimonials • Contact us today for school visits! • 519-401-5945

LACROSSE

• jknight@leaveyourmarklacrosse.ca • Follow us on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter for upcoming camps in Bothwell & Wallaceburg!

Proud Sponsor of Play for Brae! 6

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019


sportsfiles

Encouraging Players to be Leaders Interview by SportsXpress and Jeff Byrne, Photo credit Rebecca Byrne

The Wallaceburg Tartans Junior team had quite the successful season. Coach Jeff Byrne takes us through the process: What was your season like? Our overall season was really good. We only lost seven games for the season and four of those were against teams in our league. We play in the hardest league from Hamilton down. We played in four tournaments and lost one game in three of them.

We played really bad; they played well and put a beating on us. We had to go back to the drawing board as a team and coaching staff to make us better moving forward. How did your team grow this season? This team grew up a lot throughout the

season. We lost all five starters from the year before so all the girls had to step up right from the start. Our girls worked hard to keep up this success that WDSS has had and that’s not an easy task. Not only did they grow as players, they became leaders!

What was the highlight of the season? I would say there were two highlights from this year’s team. The first one would be going to Guelph and winning that tournament two years straight; beating a really good St Johns Highschool from Brantford in the final. The second would be winning SWOSSA for the second straight year for the high school. What was the hardest moment of the season? This would have been against St Pats in their gym.

Come join us for live sports on the big screen!

153 Nelson St Wallaceburg (519) 626-9844

Follow us on Facebook for our menu changes & daily specials

Proudly serving Wallaceburg and community since 2016!

We Cater!

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019

7


sportsfiles

Wallaceburg Tartans Make History Legacie Blackbird & Megan Day, Photo credit Janine Day The WDSS senior basketball team made history this fall when they won gold at OFSAA. We chatted with their captains, Legacie and Megan, to get their take on the season. What was your season like? Legacie: This season was filled with a lot of fun, it was probably one of the most fun teams I have ever played on but once it was time for practice or a game, we got down to business and that why I think we had such a successful season. Everyone got along with everyone. There wasn’t just one person who stood out, we had at least 3-4 girls in the double digits every game! Megan: That’s a tough question to answer. I think for any athlete or coach you never just feel one emotion or have just one thought after a season. Looking back on it now, I feel that this season was truly the best one yet. Not because of winning OFSAA or only losing 5 games the whole season, but because of the people I was playing with. People say you’re only as strong as your weakest link, and I think that we didn’t have one. We had chemistry that allowed us to take our game to the next level. We were serious about the game, but we had fun playing. We all compensated for one

another, if one of us was having a bad game, the other 8 of us were there to fall back on. We went from basically strangers, to teammates, to a family. Not only did I come out of this season with what I’ve been working towards my whole high school basketball career, but also 8 new amazing and talented family members that made it happen. What was the highlight of your season? Legacie: The highlight was being in the hotel rooms with my teammates and being with them almost every day for 3 months. Every day we had some kind of new joke and the grade 11’s made us laugh constantly. Yoga was also a highlight because nobody knew what they were doing and at the end the majority of us fell asleep. Megan: The highlight of the season for me was our SWOSSA game against Kennedy. The gym was packed with fans and you couldn’t even hear the sound of the ball bounce on the floor the whole game. For me that was the biggest test this season. It gave me a feeling that I hadn’t felt the previous two SWOSSA games that sent us to OFSAA.

This article brought to you by: The Wallaceburg Kinsmen

1416 Dufferin Avenue, Unit #7 (Kinsmen Community Centre) Wallaceburg, Ontario N8A 2W5 Phone: 519-627-1346

http://wallaceburgkinsmen.com FB/WallaceburgKinsmen/

8

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019

That game we proved that this year was going to be different. It was a tough game and that’s what made the feeling so amazing. When that final buzzer went to end the game, Legacie ran into my arms and I picked her up and we ran to the huddle with the other girls as all of our fans rushed onto the floor. I will never forget that moment and that feeling. What was the hardest moment of the season? Legacie: The hardest moment of the season was all


sportsfiles our game around. We were the first to every ball, our shots were falling, and the other team didn’t get an easy shot. We started playing how we all knew we could. As a co-captain I felt the pressure for sure. Playing through that was the hardest moment for me. of the games leading up to OFSAA, I felt like we had a point to prove because we made it to OFSAA two years in a row. Our LKSSAA and SWOSSAA finals, everyone had a tone of nerves. We just really wanted to make it to OFSAA and prove a point. Megan: The hardest moment of the season for me was our quarter finals at OFSAA. We’ve lost in the quarters my last two OFSAA trips so it was a mental game. The few of us who had been on those losing teams had to overcome all of those negative feelings and thoughts we had been fighting. The other 5 of them who had never been in a position like that had to fight the nerves and overcome the pressure that was put on them. In the first half it was noticeable that we weren’t doing that. We were playing scared, it was like we weren’t playing to win, we were just scared to lose. We went into the change room at half and just sat there. The coaches came in and talked to us and I don’t really remember what they said. I just remember stepping back on that court and every single one of us turned

How did the team grow? Legacie: Zelina McCarter, Kea and I were the only ones who played on the senior team before and only watched the grade 11’s and Ferrah play club and junior so we had no clue how they acted or what they were like. It was all a surprise in the summer when we started practicing. As we practiced and played our first tournament, we did a good job of finding each other and that chemistry. Every Monday was also a good time for us to grow at our Mental Monday sessions. At these sessions we talked about teamwork, not getting down on ourselves and personal goals – this really helped us because we started gaining a lot of confidence not only in ourselves but with the rest of our teammates. Megan: I had never played with over half the team before this season. Our first practices were a bit of a mess, there wasn’t a lot of hustle and the two different groups kind of kept to themselves. The more we

practiced together the more it changed. We saw each other basically everyday except Sundays for 3 straight months. We rode to tournaments together, stayed in the same hotel rooms, went out to eat every meal together. By the end of the season we were spending every possible moment together. We bonded into a true team. Basketball wise, at the beginning we all knew how to play and everybody on the team had something to offer, but we weren’t playing to our full potential. But in no time we were playing like we have played together for years. We went to seven tournaments including OFSAA and in total played 37 games. It was fun playing with these ladies. They were all competitive and we all had similar goals. Every game we all worked together and the outcome was usually a win. When we didn’t quite play our best, we never got down on ourselves. With the help of our coaches, we figured out what we needed to change in order to change that outcome. The team was always fully committed to the task at hand every time, whether it was practice, a game or our mental training, no one ever slacked off. We had some bad games like all teams, but at the end of the day we would all learn from it and change it for the next game. We would never dwell on a loss or start blaming each other. I’ve never played with a team that could so easily bounce back from a loss. It was an amazing experience. Congrats ladies!

This article brought to you by: Goodfellow Construction Ltd. Over 54 Years of Experience in Construction Industry Corunna, Ontario Phone: 519-862-1405 www.goodfellowconstructionltd.com

Congrats Wallaceburg Tartans! Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019

9


• Cable Internet • Highspeed DSL • Rural Access • LTE now available in select areas

Quick, reliable, friendly service for your internet needs.

519-627-7114 | www.kent.net

Get Noticed with a YourSports feature! YourTV’s newest show featuring local sports organizations and their athletes. Share your organization and it’s opportunities!

Stay tuned for Hannah’s story as a swimmer with Type 1 diabetes!

1000’s of views on YouTube & Facebook!

Check out the latest videos at

10

YourTV Chatham-Kent

Contact

Chatham-Kent

®

.ca

to feature your athlete or club!

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019


behindthebench

The Gym is My Happy Place Article by Rebecca Reimer, Photos submitted by Rebecca Reimer and Performance 360

worry about my kids during that timeProgress care thing for me. I thought it might help Report me feel better. I had my 360 scan done with Kathrine At first all I felt was exhausted, but the week before classes started. She as I got stronger and realized how much REBECC Profile asked about my health and exercise Scan IHis was torycapable of in the gym, it started Chang Summary Your profile information history and then we discussed my goals. translating to other areas of my life.eI’d Recap of your scans These are the biggest Full Nam With my son six months old, I e think, “If I can do this in here, I can do all areas of chan Rebonly ecca Reimer # of Scans to date 2 wasn’t concerned with losing the baby of the laundry AND put it away. Torso I can do Age Lost 1.84 in (-0. 26 weight yet. I just wanted to feel Befo good re/After the dishes, 64 days even though I don’t want to. Neck & Arms Gender Lost 0.10 in (-0.3 and be motivated. Female I can make that hard phone call.” Slowly Net Loss/Gain Lost 2.6 in (-0.9%) Leg s I started being motivated to tackle Lost 0.65 in (-1.1 First Scan Nov 2, 2018 things I had been Last Scan Jan 4, 2019 avoiding. I realized one Friday that I hadn’t watched Netflix all week, I was too busy doing stuff! My ‘after’ scan showed that I was now in the ‘fit’ category; but what blew me away was how much my posture had improved! Working out was good Six months ago I would have for me in so many ways: laughed if you told me I would my body functions enjoy going to the gym. Today better, I am happier, I am itching to get to my 5:15 and best of all, I am class! motivated again. I was introduced to So now the gym is Let me tell you Performance 360 when I wrote an my happy place. I walk in the door and that after my first class, I did not feel article about their partnership with it’s bright and clean, the staff smiles motivated at all! I just felt like throwing longtime article contributors CK and greets me, often by name, I drop up. It was awful! But I kept going back, Performance Health. After interviewing my kids off with Lori and go to my MX4 and every class was a little less awful the owner, Dave Miller, I knew I wanted class, worry free. Every time I go, it is a until I finally started to enjoy the classes to be a part of what is happening at reminder of all that I am capable of. and push myself. Performance 360! If you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, I got to know some of the trainers, Not long after, they launched their or thinking ‘I could never do (fill in the Jamie, who will literally slow down just4mUm program. A 360 body scan blanks)’, I encourage you to get up and while counting down if she sees you’ve (before and after the six week program), move. Those endorphins will do it got more in you. Erich, who is always three MX4 workout classes/week and every time. checking in to make sure the exercises the best part, childcare offered during In the words of my wise Tough Mudder feel right. And Kathrine, who pushes you the classes. friend Joe Perry, “It doesn’t matter how further than you ever thought you’d go! As a mom of three kiddos, I’ll admit slow or awkwardly you go, if you are I’ve struggled with perinatal the childcare was a big part of my moving, you are lapping everyone on depression since I became pregnant with motivation. The idea that I could do something for myself AND not have to my son and going to the gym was a self the couch!” DASHBOARwas D awesome!

For more information on Performance 360 and how they can help you achieve your goals, check them out on Facebook or give them a call at (519) 436-1530 Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019

11


behindthebench

BARAC Committee Keeping Arena Open Submitted by Robert Hamilton, Photo credit Robert Hamilton Market in 2016. They expanded their programs to include a youth lacrosse and youth soccer program as well as a fitness room in 2018. The goal for 2019 is to continue to expand the present programs and offer several tournaments. They are also looking to offer more senior activities with an exercise program, and social

When local citizens discovered the Bothwell Area Sports Centre was being earmarked as a possible budget cut in the 2016 Chatham-Kent budget deliberations, they rose to the occasion. They formed a subcommittee of the Bothwell Community Boosters, BARAC

activities such as cards and board games. The community has overwhelmingly endorsed this initiative and support is widespread. Funding comes from BARAC membership fees, event registration, business sponsorships and an association with the Riverview Gaming Centre in Chatham. or The Bothwell Area Recreational Advisory Committee, run by volunteers to keep the arena thriving. The arena is mostly an ice event facility, but uncompetitive municipal ice rates have hampered the group from

making any head roads into increasing winter usage. Their success has come in the off season. The committee started with Pickleball, Ball Hockey, Roller Skating, Lacrosse Camp, Hosrsehoes and a Flea

Find out how to support BARAC and keep the arena open by following them on Facebook and pick up next issue for a full schedule!

This article brought to you by ...

12

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019


LONDON’S BIGGEST OUTDOOR SPORTING EVENT! CONTINUING THE TRADITION OF COMPETING ON THE STREETS AT VICTORIA PARK!

STREET HOCKEY

STREET BASKETBALL

MAY 18-19

MAY 25-26

REGISTER NOW!

LIMITED EARLY BIRD REGISTATION OFFER.

DIVISIONS FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES. CERTIFIED OFFICIALS.

GOTGAMEsports.ca

TOM&AL’S

519-627-1277

25 Lisgar Street Wallaceburg www.tomandalsfurniture.com

Quality HOME

* Canadian Made *

FURNISHINGS • Does your home need an upgrade? • Have an idea but not sure where to start?

Available in Fabrics or Leather

• With endless colour, fabric and material choices – we make your dreams a reality!

We’ve got it and we treat you right. Since 1968 Furniture, Appliances, Electronics, Mattresses and more

Samsung appliances now at

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019

13


sportsfiles Chatham-Kent Ministries

The Doctor Gets his Due Article submitted by Gary Patterson, Photo credit SportsXpress

Giving Hope Today

Thank you for your support during our Christmas Kettle Campaign!

elps Your support h need n us help those i nd! all year rou

For more information: Chatham 519-354-1430 Ridgetown/Blenheim 519-674-3765 Wallaceburg 519-627-8257 www.cksalvationarmy.org/

14

Kenny “Doc” Houston didn’t like attention, not even a little bit. If Ken could slip in a back door to a minor hockey game or an event without any fan fare he was a happy man. Don’t get me wrong he loved people and would take time for young and old alike to share stories and talk hockey or horses, but he never liked being the centre of attention. This being the case, Doc would have been a little put out by the ceremony that saw the arena in Dresden become the Ken Houston Memorial Agricultural Centre. Friends, family and former teammates gathered to celebrate the re-naming of the arena and celebrate who Ken Houston really was…a local hero and legend. The Calgary Flames showed that

Ken Houston’s family is honoured at the Dresden Junior Kings game.

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019

they are more than just a hockey club but a family, as they donated jerseys and bought a full page ad in the commemorative program to honour Doc, who hadn’t played for the team in 35 years. Sons of Kent Brewery brewed a double batch of a special beer called “Doc’s Lager” to honour Kenny. With a full compliment, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 642 Pipe and Drum Band marched the family and teammates into the arena through an honour guard of minor hockey players. Then Kenny’s grandchildren pulled the cover off the banner to reveal the new name of the arena in front of 800 sets of teary eyes. Doc’s closest former teammates were there, as Eric Vail, John Gould, Phil


sportsfiles Doc’s closest former teammates were there, as Eric Vail, John Gould, Phil Myre, Pat Riggen, Bob Gould and Dennis Hextal all watched with pride as their buddy received the great honour. Myre, Pat Riggen, Bob Gould and Dennis Hextal all watched with pride as their buddy received the great honour. Kenny would have been a little bashful knowing that the Dresden Agricultural Society, The Dresden Legion, The Dresden Arena, The Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Dresden Minor Hockey, Dresden Minor Hockey Moms, Dresden Figure Skating and Erickson Manufacturing all pulled together to make it happen. He would have given Dave and Cheryl Cameron a huge hug for spearheading the event and he would have been humbled by the attention he received from Ron MacLean, Tara

Sloan and Rogers Hometown Hockey on television. Doctor would have been smiling at the evening ceremony that saw money raised for the Ken Houston Memorial Scholarship Fund as well as funds that will go to different local Dresden charities. He would have beamed with happiness watching his wife, Susan and children, Nicole, Andrea and Brian celebrating and bonding through the night.

The fact that he played eight seasons in the NHL and had six 20 goal seasons didn’t mean a whole lot that weekend, because people were there to celebrate who Ken Houston really was…a great guy who took time to celebrate his hometown, his friends and his family. Yes, the night of December 15th, The Doctor was in the house and he finally got his due.

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January - February 2019

15


February 2019 Locations Blenheim

Bothwell

Chatham Memorial

Thames Campus

Chatham William Erickson

Dresden

Ridgetown

Tilbury

Wallaceburg

Wheatley *Occasionally recreational skating may be pre-empted. Be sure to check cancellation postings at the arena, online at www.chatham-kent.ca or call 519.360.1998

Dates

February 01 February 03 February 10 February 17 February 24 February 01 February 03 February 10 February 17 February 18 February 24 February 01 February 02 February 09 February 16 February 18 February 22 February 23 February 03 February 10 February 17 February 18 February 24 February 01 February 08 February 15 February 18 February 22 February 08 February 10 February 15 February 17 February 18 February 22 February 24 February 02 February 07 February 09 February 14 February 16 February 21 February 23 February 28 February 01 February 03 February 10 February 17 February 18 February 24 February 01 February 03 February 10 February 18 February 24 February 01 February 03 February 10 February 18 February 24

Times

2:00pm - 3:30pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 12:00pm - 1:30pm 12:00pm - 1:30pm 12:00pm - 1:30pm 3:30pm - 5:00pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 12:00pm - 1:30pm 1:00pm - 2:30pm 1:00pm - 2:30pm 1:00pm - 2:30pm 4:30pm - 6:00pm 1:00pm - 2:30pm 4:00pm - 5:30pm 4:00pm - 5:30pm 4:00pm - 5:30pm 6:00pm - 7:30pm 4:00pm - 5:30pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 1:30pm - 3:00pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 1:30pm - 3:00pm 1:30pm - 3:00pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 1:30pm - 3:00pm 6:30pm - 8:00pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 6:30pm - 8:00pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 6:30pm - 8:00pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 6:30pm - 8:00pm 3:00pm - 4:30pm 12:30pm - 2:00pm 1:00pm - 2:30pm 1:00pm - 2:30pm 1:00pm - 2:30pm 3:00pm - 4:00pm 1:00pm - 2:30pm 1:00pm - 3:00pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 1:00pm - 2:30pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm 4:30pm - 6:00pm 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Sponsors

CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living Handy Bros. Climate Care CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living Coca-Cola CK Promoting Healthy Living Captain Garnet Brackin IODE Van Kesteren Hyundai Van Kesteren Hyundai Van Kesteren Hyundai Coca-Cola Captain Garnet Brackin IODE Van Kesteren Hyundai Chatham La Sertoma Alexander & Houle Funeral Home Ltd. St. Clair College Alumni Coca-Cola Howard Mutual Insurance Co. Portuguese Club of Chatham With This Ring – Wedding Officiant With This Ring – Wedding Officiant Coca-Cola CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living Coca-Cola CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living Howard Mutual Insurance Co. CK Promoting Healthy Living Rural United Pastoral Charge CK Promoting Healthy Living Emmanuel Congregational Church CK Promoting Healthy Living Rural United Pastoral Charge CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living Royal Canadian Legion BR 206 CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living Coca-Cola CK Promoting Healthy Living Anonymous Donor MAHLE Filter Systems Canada Portuguese Club of Chatham Coca-Cola CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living CK Promoting Healthy Living Coca Cola CK Promoting Healthy Living

• Make sure to thank your ice sponsors with your patronage •

Public SkatingSchedule


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.