SportsXpress Chatham/Kent January/February 2017 by SportsXpress

YOUR COMMUNITY SPORTS CONNECTION

Chatham-Kent & Area Edition

January/February 2017 Volume 4 Issue 1

Exclusive Interview

Derek Whitson with

Derek Whitson

@CKSportsXpress

Chatham Gymnastics Full of Promise www.facebook.com/cksportsxpress

Public SkatingSchedule January 2017 to March 2017

Location Times Blenheim

Sunday 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Bothwell

Sunday 2:00 - 3:30 pm, Friday 5:00 - 6:30 pm

Chatham Memorial

Saturday 12:00 - 1:30 pm

Thames Campus

Sunday 1:00 - 2:30 pm

WK Erickson

Friday 4:00 - 5:30 pm

Dresden

Sunday 1:30 - 3:00 pm

Ridgetown

Thursday 3:30 - 5:00 pm, Saturday 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Tilbury

Sunday 1:00 - 2:30 pm

Wallaceburg

Sunday 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Wheatley

Sunday 3:00 - 4:30 pm

*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

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

thelineup

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 Chatham-Kent & Area Edition

letterfromthepublisher Happy New Year! This past year I had the privilege to try many new things, one of which was a Tough Mudder. My world opened up a little more with every new experience.

We hope this year you will find the courage to try something new! Our goal in 2017 is to publish more about our outlying communities. You are important to us and raising great athletes! We want to hear from you! As always we are open submission and want to hear your stories. Submit them through our website and Facebook page. We look forward to bringing you more great stories this coming year!

Rebecca Reimer, Publisher | 226.996.9100 | rebeccar@sportsxpress.ca

sportsfiles

asktheexpert

Informative articles on sports, health, fitness and nutrition 09 | Living Longer 18 | Eat Fat Get Slim

behindthebench 14 | Bobs Motorsport 15 | Blenheim Curling Club

sports@school 08 | Coaches Makes a Team

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January-February 2017

fromthesidelines

Chatham-Kent

CKPL Read of the Month Submitted by Arlene Maris Chatham-Kent Public Libraries NFL Brawler: A player-turned-agent’s forty years in the bloody trenches of the National Football League by Ralph Cindrich (2015) Have you ever wanted to know what really happens on the NFL playing field or in the behind closed-door contract talks? Here’s your chance to hear all about it in this first-hand narrative of the only person to ever be both a player www.ckpl.ca and an agent for the NFL. Ralph Cindrich gives his readers the insider details he’s experienced in his over 30 years in professional football. Available at a Chatham-Kent Public Library branch near you or through our website, search.ckpl.ca.

Check out these great events at your local library... Blenheim Adult Colouring Night Thursdays, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Drop-in

Thamesville Book Club Second Thursday of the month 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Chatham Die Cut Days Wednesday evenings 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Tilbury Adult Colouring Every Tuesday 6:00 to 8:00 pm All ages welcome

Dresden BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) Book Club Second Tuesday of the month 3:00 to 4:00 pm Ridgetown The Friends of the Ridgetown Library First Tuesday of every month (except July and August) 7:00 pm

Wallaceburg Reading Buddies, Grades 1 to 6 Thursdays, February 2 to March 9 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm Wheatley Adult Colouring Every Tuesday 6:00 to 8:00 pm All ages welcome

Your Community

.ca

Sports Connection

Magazine • Web • Sports & Event Marketing

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cksportsxpress Read Us Online PUBLISHER Rebecca Reimer 519.436.4990 rebeccar@sportsxpress.ca EDITOR Lauren Perry GRAPHIC DESIGNER Debbie Dunmall ddunmall@gmail.com CONTRIBUTORS Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Rebecca Reimer, Don Hector, Derek Whitson, The Children’s Treatment Centre, Ethan Hobbs, Judy Hobbs, Christy LeBoeuf, Sharon Smith, Tom Deelstra, Dr. Brian Sides, Shay Ireland Heidt, Darren Heidt, Gary Patterson, Krystal Duquette, Malakai (Duquette) Ladd, Joscelynne Leach, Hunter Lindsay, Bob Funke, Justin Van Horn, Dave Cameron, Rick Zavitz, Greg Foster, Deb Dunmall, Lauren Perry, Nicole Lindsay, SportsXpress team and other sports enthusiasts PHOTOGRAPHERS Don Hector, Trevor Reimer, Derek Whitson, The Children’s Treatment Centre, Avery College, Karen Koomans, Dr. Sarah Ytsma, Jody Maynard, Nick Martines, Chatham This Week, Mike Gallant, Murray Melton, Rebecca Reimer, SportsXpress Team and members of various local sports organizations and community sports fans PARTNERSHIP Kingston London EDITIONS Niagara Northumberland Durham Peterborough Southern Counties Waterloo Mississauga Windsor Guelph Dallas PARTNERSHIP Contact SportsXpress at: INQUIRY 1.877.588.8856 or email Sales@Sportsxpress.ca PRESIDENT/CEO Walter Browning walter@sportsxpress.ca

Sales – Service Parts – Financing

Mailing Address 50 Ottawa St. South, Unit 110, Kitchener, ON, N2G 3S7 519.208.9302 or 1.877.588.8856 Editorial Contributions: Submissions are welcome from writers, photographers, athletes, coaches and individuals. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. Contributors are responsible for obtaining all approvals for the 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. SportsXpress is published six times per year. For detailed circulation information, contact Sports Express Media Inc. Sports Express Media Inc. 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 Sports Express Media Inc. attempt to provide accurate and useful information and commentary. However, the editors, contributors and Sports Express Media Inc. cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of the information. We assume no responsibility for any actions or decisions taken by any readers based on the information provided.

Chatham 23550 Prince Albert Rd. N7M 5J7 519-352-9480 or 1-888-311-2555 Comber 8705 County Rd. 46 N0P 1J0 519-687-6662 or 1-877-603-6441

VP OPERATIONS Clint Szakacs clint@sportsxpress.ca

view & upload Photos • Video • Articles

www.mcgrails.com

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Your Community Sports Report

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January-February 2017

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40 Chatham-Kent Participants Heading to Winter Provincial 55+ Games Submitted by Don Hector, Photo credit Don Hector The Chatham Mixed Curling Team one of 6 sporting teams from Chatham-Kent heading to Winter Provincial 55+ Games February 21 to 23, 2017. Fall winners of the 55+ games will advance to the Winter 55 + Games being held in Cobourg, Ontario. Local ChathamKent play downs were held at a variety of venues across the Municipality from mid October to late November. They will join over 1000 competitors from 35 other Districts from across Ontario that will meet in this 2 day provincial event. Chatham-Kent competitors will compete in ice hockey, mixed curling, volleyball, badminton, 10 pin bowling and duplicate bridge. Four other events are offered at this Provincial Event including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, skating and table tennis. Our Top Place Mixed Curling Team heading to Cobourg. Left to Right: Brenda Taylor, Bill Park, Mary Robertson and Skip, Jim Brackett from the Chatham Granite Club. Other top place finishers in other events offered in Chatham Kent were Richard Sharp and Carol Mancell (GOLD – Euchre); Jacqueline Brown and Rose Sterling (GOLD – Scrabble); Mike O’Neil

and Sheila McGregor (GOLD – Carpet Bowling); Eva Behnke and Rena Delargy (GOLD – Bid Euchre); Sandra Cuthbert, Peggy Parker, Jean Tremblay (GOLD – 6 Handed Pepper); Derek Parry and Roy Trowell (GOLD – Duplicate Bridge); Charlie Martens and Ron Paine (GOLD – Cribbage); Brenda Dejong, Pam Benedict, Linda Crummy, Betty Conway, Michelle Garroway (GOLD – 5 pin Team Bowling); Marion Vlietman, Marg Rheault, Penny Croteau, Elaine Lowther, Jan Liberty (GOLD – 10 pin Team Bowling); Jim Brackett, Brenda Taylor, Mary Robertson, Jim Howe (GOLD – Mixed Curling).

For more information on local Chatham-Kent 55+ games and how to get involved go to:

Local 55+ competitors at 5 pin playdown

www.ckseniorgames.com

or contact: Don Hector, Chatham-Kent 55+ Games Coordinator Email: ckseniorgames@gmail.com • Telephone: 226 881-2453

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January-February 2017

fromthesidelines

G&M Team Spotlight – Derek Whitson Submitted by SportsXpress, Photo credit Derek Whitson and Children’s Treatment Centre Derek Whitson was born loving sports. He played baseball until he was fifteen and tried every sport he could growing up. Professionally, he played soccer and sledge hockey as a part of Team Canada in the Paralympics. He is also an avid golfer, having worked at the Links of Kent for almost 10 years. Derek always loved hockey, but being born with cerebral palsy meant getting up on skates was almost impossible as a child. He was introduced to sledge hockey at the Children’s Treatment Centre in 2000 and discovered his passion for the sport. He went on to play for the Windsor Ice Bullets and eventually Team Canada. Derek credits much of his success to his parents. “My parents didn’t treat me any differently, they didn’t see my disability, so I didn’t either, and my friends followed suit.”

Being a professional athlete takes an incredible amount of work. “I always played the highest level of sport, because I put sports over having friends… That’s how I succeeded. I was outside every day practicing… If you want to make Team Canada, you have to make it your life, eat sleep and dream it!” Derek took a year off after Sochi to recover from an injury and figure out his next steps. He recently lost his father and has decided to try out for Team Canada one more time. He wants to win the gold medal for his dad. After that, he plans on retiring from playing professionally. He wants to continue coaching and play the game for fun. He is currently working with Medicine Hat Adaptive Sport and Recreation,

a program started by his fiancé Tara Chisholm that works towards adapting sports for people with disabilities. The list of programs currently includes adapted yoga, curling, sledge hockey, wheelchair basketball, boccia and more. He says, “If you want to try a sport, do it. Just have fun! Don’t worry about what people think or how you look - if you love it, do it!” His work with MHASR helps people do that every day. Derek doesn’t want to see people lower their expectations for those with disabilities. “I can shoot a puck over 70 miles per hour… We will surprise you! It might be a little different, it might be harder for us at times but we can do it! Everyone is good at something!”.

CTC’s happy sledge hockey players

G&M Homeselling Team is pleased to sponsor Derek Whitson and the Canadian Sledge Hockey Team. The

G&M

Homeselling Team Groombridge & Moon

Kirk Groombridge Broker 519.350.6501 Dan Moon Salesperson 519.437.1701 Dale Groombridge Broker 519.436.2954 www.GMHomesellingTeam.com

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January-February 2017

Love Where You Live

sportsfiles

Fourteen Year Old Plans Bonspiel to Help Montréal Shriners Hospital Interview by SportsXpress, Photo credit Avery College

Name: Ethan Hobbs Age: 14 Hometown: Chatham

as many teams as the ice will hold to make the day enjoyable. My first bonspiel had 10 teams. Last year we had 18 teams. This year I am hoping to have a complete sell out with 20 teams!

Sport: Curling What do you like about curling? Curling is fun. I love a game of strategy! Curling is comparable to a game of chess on ice. Plus, there is the physical aspect of the game too. What made you decide to do a bonspiel? Both my older brother and I were patients at the Montréal Shriners Hospital for Children in Canada. They provided us with outstanding care for many years. I wanted to give back to the hospital for helping us. What is the biggest challenge in organizing a bonspiel? Finding enough teams to fill a day. You need an even number of teams to play. You also want

Eric Hobbs, Ethan Hob bs, Reg Johnston (past president of the Gra nite Club) Dwight Coughlan (Mocha Shriners, Board of Manag ers Shriners Hospital for Chi ldren Canada)

How many people does it take to plan a bonspiel? It’s a team effort! My mom and I do the planning throughout the year. We have a coordinator for the kitchen the day of the event, along with a team of volunteer helpers. A drawmaster, who keeps the games on time. Community sponsors like Schinkels Gourmet Meats and VIA Rail Canada. The set up committee starts the day before. Clean up crew. We also get support from the local Ahcom and Mocha Shriners and the hospital in Montreal.

What are the details for your bonspiel this year? My bonspiel will be held Feb 25, 2017 at the Chatham Granite Club. 41 William St N. It is a 2 - 6 end day with 2 draws. Lunch and supper are included. There will be a silent auction table and a door prize of a trip for 2 to Montreal compliments of VIA Rail. Cost $220 per team. $25 for dinner only.

What is your goal for this year? I would like raise $4500 this year. To date I have raised $7650+ for the hospital. By the time I finish high school I would like to say that I raised $25,000!

Is there anyone you’d like to thank? I would like to thank everyone for their support in my adventure! It has been a great opportunity to be a ‘Kid Helping Other Kids’!

To register – Please contact my mom Judy at 519.36.51939

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Local Yoga Instructor Heads to Mexico Interview by SportsXpress, Photo credit Christy LeBoeuf Name: Christy LeBoeuf

Why do you practice yoga? I practice yoga for peace of mind. I practice yoga to enhance clarity, patience and selfgratitude. I practice yoga to take a brief moment to check in with what is truly going on inside me. I practice yoga for awareness. I practice yoga for samadhi (Sanskrit for: the stage at which union with the divine is reached).

yoga because someone had faith in me. Simply that. I give all the praise to my wonderful 200hr Vinyasa yoga instructor, Anna Laurita. If it wasn’t for Anna’s faith and continued support in me as a yoga instructor and a person, it is guaranteed GoGoYogaGirl and Supra Yoga School (my yoga businesses) would not exist. She’s had exponential confidence in my ability to work with professional athletes and yoga students. I hope to inspire my students the same way she inspired me.

Why do you teach yoga? I could give you a long explanation as to how passionate I am about yoga or how it changed my perspective on life, but I won’t. I teach

What are your future goals? My goal to open a yoga school has come much sooner than I thought. In February and March 2017, I will be leading

Hometown: Chatham

the 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I have to thank the friends that I have in the spiritual community that have shown me the power of positive thinking, perseverence and truly manifesting my desired future.

People can learn more about the courses I offer in Mexico and Canada by visiting my website: www.gogoyogagirl.com

sports@school

Coaches Make a Team Submitted by Sharon Smith, Photo credit Karen Koomans Chatham Christian High School has a dynamic sports program but not necessarily because of its size. The high school currently has a total of 69 students enrolled. So how does a school this size have a boys’ volleyball team qualify for OFSAA – especially when there were only 4 actual seniors on the team – 2 of whom had been to OFSAA as a junior, 2 years ago? There are many factors but one of the main reasons is that they have excellent

coaches who are truly dedicated and have the experience to back their passion. That dedication is only possible with their families supporting them. Margaret Koomans, who is Coach Richard’s wife says, “During the season, I feel a bit like a volleyball widow.” She sees the countless hours off the volleyball court of organizing and planning for practices, games and tournaments. But she says, “By the end of the season it is amazing to see the respect that has been earned between the team members and the coaches and to see how the athletes’ skills have grown.” For most involved it is quite awestriking to see the

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January-February 2017

team dressed up with their purple bow ties heading out to the OFSAA banquet. The team qualified for OFSAA after winning LKSSAA playing against Lambton-Kent Composite School and then with a thrilling victory over Maranatha Christian Academy of Windsor in the SWOSSAA Championships. They really felt the support of the local community with many business and individuals donating money to help support the costs of the team to travel to North Bay for their OFSAA experience. What a thrilling experience! Thank you to Coaches Richard Koomans and Dale Lahey, to the families of both coaches and the team, and other supporters.

asktheexpert

Living Longer Time Magazine recently summarized much of the medical research on a subject very dear to me. In a very nice article titled “The Science of Living Longer,” the authors covered many of the lifestyle factors considered keys to longevity. In the article, they cited the importance of omega 3 fatty acids from fish/flax oil, and eating vegetables. They found that omega 3’s actually decreased the aging factor in our genes and chromosomes. They also reported on the value of exercise for all ages showing that seniors who participated in resistance training with weights improved not only strength, but also memory, decision making and balance even at advanced ages. The authors also discussed the importance of healthy brain DNA as an indicator of longevity. This ties in with material I’ve reported in the past that showed brain health is dependent on nerve input from the spine; explaining why regular exercise, movement, and chiropractic adjustments have been linked to enhance

Submitted by Dr. Brian Sides, D.C., Photo credit Sarah Ytsma

brain DNA and general wellness. Movement of the spine and how it relates to the brain and nervous system is critical for healthy aging. Even Dr. Oz chimed in his opinion as he believes everyone could live to 100. In his summary of the keys to longevity he covered many of the items I’ve focused in this column. For instance, he also argues that DNA does not equal destiny and that lifestyle factors greatly influence the outcome of our DNA and our health. He stresses daily physical activity to improve bone strength and function of the nervous

system in order to improve balance and prevent falls. He also recommends getting fifteen minutes of sun exposure every day or taking a vitamin D to supplement. To eat, he recommends choosing foods that look the same when you eat them as when they come out of the ground. He also recommends getting at least seven hours of sleep per night to enhance human growth factor. The biggest recommendation to longevity from Dr. Oz is to have and live by a meaningful purpose whether that purpose is your family, your work, or your community. Purpose gives you a reason to live!

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fromthesidelines

Chatham Gymnastics Centre Continues to Grow

By SportsXpress, Photo credit Jody Maynard

Gym owner Shay Ireland-Heidt believes gymnastics teaches life skills. At Chatham Gymnastics, gymnasts are taught to keep trying despite adversity, to help one another, to admit their mistakes and take criticism well. These are all integral parts of both gymnastics and life. Shay has been a gymnast herself since she was 9 years old. “I always loved the sport. It’s fun and always different. It’s complex.”As she progressed, she began coaching in Blenheim. Since then she has coached wherever she lived; Blenheim,

Windsor, London, Owen Sound, and now Chatham. When Shay started the gym in September of 2014, she had no idea how much it would grow; she was simply following a dream. Her initial enrolment of 140 gymnasts has grown to over 300 in two and a half years. Their competitive program has gone from 7 gymnasts to 59. They have had to expand the gym twice and are now at 12,000 square feet. Chatham Gymnastics exists is to offer a safe place for kids to be active and

keep busy. They offer drop ins for the community and host various events throughout the year. One that puts a smile on Shay’s face is the fitness and strength training competition between their gymnasts and the Wallaceburg Lakers held last September. They host various holiday events such as Easter egg hunts and Somersault with Santa and also make an elaborate Christmas parade float. Shay’s husband Darren is a huge part of why these are successful. He handles many of

Chatham Gymnastics Centre Progra

• Chatham Super Kids • Wonder Waddlers • Super Tots • Incred • Storm Twisters • Incredible Jets • Dancenastics • Bionic Boys • S • Ninja Super Zone • Tramp and Tumble • Adult Gymnastics • Inspire • Chatham Inspire Cheer – Competitive Cheerl 10

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January-February 2017

fromthesidelines

the details when it comes to events, marketing, and hiring staff. He does it in part to help his wife accomplish her dreams. But mostly, it’s to create great memories for CK’s kids. Shay has made an effort to build her programs with her fond childhood memories in mind. The gym is family run and family oriented where a nurturing and caring environment is a priority over winning.

ams

dible Kids • Power Flips Spartans • Incredble Hulks e Gymnastics – Competitive leading

She says “A lot of the lessons learned at Chatham Gymnastics Centre have less to do with gymnastics and more to do with self-confidence; a strong sense of self-worth; learning that they can face a challenge and succeed; the ability to overcome obstacles and realizing they are stronger, braver and more capable than they had ever imagined!” Parents are a big part of Chatham Gymnastics. They offer feedback, help at the desk, organize fundraisers and more. Running the gym is a team effort by Shay, her staff, students and parents – together they make one big family.

Chatham Gymnastics would like to thank Pro-Clean, Reg Denure, Chamberlin Printing (Brad Butzer), and Sun Rays Pools and Spas for their support. Thank you to Campbell Toyota for being generous with parking. Thank you to CK for letting Shay live out her dream. But mostly they would like to thank their parents, for all their support and willingness to help out in any way they can. Chatham Gymnastics would not be where it is without you!

Chatham Gymnastics Centre 20 Currie St, Chatham-Kent 519-354-9722

www.Chathamgymnastics.com Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January-February 2017

behindthebench

Thompson Shines Bright Submitted by Gary Patterson, Photo credit Nick Martines Detroit is one of the greatest sports cities in the world, with fans that are passionate, knowledgeable, fiercely loyal and, above all, fans that want to win. Through the years they have had the biggest stars in sports roll through town like Howe, Yzerman, Kaline, Verlander, Sanders, Layne, Thomas and Lanier. Some of the best sports broadcasters have also become the fabric of Detroit’s sports persona. The likes of Ernie Harwell and Paul Carey, George Blaha, Van Patrick, Bruce Martyn, Bud Lynch, Ray Lane and George Kell, just to name a few, have graced the Detroit airwaves with their array of dulcet tones to excited cries. Dresden’s Trevor Thompson is without a doubt one of the best sportscasters to entertain the D-Town sports fans. Thompson has covered all four major sports in Detroit at one time or another and primarily covers the Red Wings and Tigers as a host /reporter and he does it with class. Players, managers and fellow broadcasters have nothing but respect for Thompson who treats everyone the same whether they are the GM or the usher. The former LKCS Cardinal is very humble and likes to change the subject when you talk about one of his four Emmy Awards or his coveted Ty Tyson Award for Excellence in Detroit broadcasting. The personal relationships that he has built through the years with the players, managers and the media in Detroit is second to none - there is not a bad word to say about who he is as a person or his job with the microphone. The awards speak for themselves, showing the sheer talent that Thompson displays as he quickly picks up on the important questions and always holds the integrity of the sport he is covering to the highest degree. It’s easy to see where Trevor gets his humbleness from as his mother and father, Sandra and Al Thompson, beam with pride

when someone mentions Trevor; and they are just as proud of Trevor’s siblings Steven and Felisha. “You can take the man out of Dresden but you can’t take Dresden out of the man” is the perfect saying for the laid back, gracious broadcaster. When it comes to broadcasting, Dresden’s Trevor Thompson is one of the brightest stars in the Detroit sports scene… a star the just keeps getting brighter.

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January-February 2017

sportsfiles

Meet CK’s Drag Racers Submitted by Krystal Duquette and Nicole Lindsay, Photo credit Henry Roffelson My name is Malakai (Duquette) Ladd. My track family knows me as Duquette because of my Papa Boomer Duquette. He has been racing at St. Thomas Dragway Park since 1998. I am 11 years old and I am a junior dragster racer. We have to pass a lot of testing and get a licence before we can drive. My car goes up to 80mph and my dial in time (time to get to the 1/8mile). Is 8.90 secs. This is my second year racing. I placed 8th place last year and I got better this year and placed fourth. My goal for next year is to win more races and hopefully be top two in points. I also play football, soccer and volleyball. I love drag racing. I get to fix my own car with my Papa, I change my own oil, I even help him with his race car. The hardest part is catching a good light and not “red-lighting”(hitting the gas before the green light). You have try and hit the gas at the perfect time so you don’t lose by going before the green or too far after it. You can watch me at St. Thomas Dragway Park. I would like to thank my Papa Boomer, Grandma Debbie Duquette. My Uncle Leon Johnson for helping me every weekend. My sponsors Henry Roffelsen and Chuck Lindsay of R&L Racing, Charlie and Debbie Chase of Chase Installation and RPM designs. My name is Hunter Lindsay I am and a Jr Dragster racer. I primarily race at St Thomas Raceway park that is my home track but I have raced also in Grand Bend and Toronto Motorsports Park. I love to race in my car because I love driving it fast. I am allowed to race at 85mph or 136 km. The hardest part of racing is trying to get closest to the green light without leaving early and getting a red one. This year I placed 9th and am aiming for finishing in the top 3 next year. I would like to thank my Grandpa Chuck Lindsay who built my car and Henry Roffelsen who are part of our racing team R&L Racing. I’d also like to thank my dad Scott for helping me tune up my car and the daily oil changes that are needed. My mom Nicole for making sure we all eat well while we are there. Be sure to stop by at one of my races and SAY HI!

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January-February 2017

behindthebench

Bobs Motorsport – Let the Adventure Begin! Written by SportsXpress, Photo credit Chatham This Week Bobs Motorsport Ltd. is your local Suzuki and Yamaha dealer. They sell and service Suzuki Motorcycles and Quadrunners, Yamaha Motorcycles, ATV’s, Snowmobiles & Generators. They also service all Japanese brands of Motorcycles & ATV’s. Their showroom includes clothing and accessories that will make your recreational vehicle experience complete. Established in 1977, the family owned and operated store is built on integrity and great customer service. Bobs Motorsport has won numerous awards over the years for sales and service, as well as the coveted ‘Dealer of the Year’ award. They’ve also been recognized by Suzuki for over 30 years of exceptional service. When you walk into their store you’ll be helped by Bob or his wife Judy, daughter Sha-Lynn, son Darrell or son in law Mario – a true family run dealership. Service manager Brian has been with the company for over 20 years and apprentice Justin started just over a year ago. If you ask Bob why he does it, he’ll

simply reply “for the love of the sport”. He has always loved being active and outdoors, playing racquetball, football, and soccer growing up. He is also a member of the Chatham-Kent ATV club, actively working towards passing a permanent ATV bylaw in Chatham-Kent. When you walk into Bobs Motorsport you won’t find any high pressure sales people. They aren’t concerned about selling you a product for the sake of it. They work with you to find out exactly what you are looking for by asking you questions to steer you to the right

recreational vehicle. Your happiness is their main concern. This way of conducting business has ensured that people keep coming back, generation after generation.

Check them out at 615 St. Clair Street in Chatham to see why they are seven time “National Service Award Dealer” for Canada

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Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January-February 2017

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Looking for Inclusive Winter Fun? Check out Blenheim’s Golden Acres Curling Club Submitted by Justin Van Horn, Photo credit Mike Gallant, Golden Acres Curling Club Member Located in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, Blenheim’s Golden Acres Curling Club offers an alternative to Canada’s other winter sport. Curling is widely popular on television, drawing big ratings on TSN, SportsNet, and CBC. And at the grassroots level, local curling clubs offer inclusive fun, fitness, camaraderie, and competition for all ages and abilities. At the Golden Acres Curling Club, this 4-sheet curling facility offers great ice, a spacious and comfortable licenced lounge, and is wheelchair accessible. While the focus at of the GACC is curling, rental opportunities for meetings, birthday parties, showers, anniversaries, or other types of celebrations or functions is welcomed. For its nearly 100 members, the GACC is an inviting place to gather and play curling, share laughs, and build friendships. Currently, the GACC offers leagues for adults. Whether you’re an experienced curler, or a “newbie” wanting to get out and try a new activity, the GACC offers a spot for you. Beginning on January 22nd, our Sunday afternoons at the club

will be filled with Junior curlers taking to the ice and learning the game. More information about how to register your child for our KidsCurl program can be found by visiting our website at www. blenheimcurling.com. On alternating Fridays, you can experience curling at special events called TGIF at the GACC. Both members of the club, as well as non-members come together to have fun curling, and play off-ice games in the lounge. There is music playing, munchies being snacked on, and of course, the bar is open. This is an affordable activity for couples, groups of friends, or you can just bring yourself! The curling season at the GACC typically runs from late October to late March. Memberships are for the full season, but half-season memberships are offered too. Becoming a member and joining a league can be done as a team, or, the GACC league conveners can help individuals put teams together if you don’t have your own foursome.

The GACC is always looking for new sponsors. With your business’ sponsorship, your business will be recognized at our club with signage. You can also have your business’ name embedded right in our ice! We also need sponsors for bonspiels that we

host, such as the upcoming Anniversary Mixed Bonspiel on January 28-29, the Sweethearts Mixed Bonspiel on February 10-11, and the Men’s Bonspiel on February 25th. For more information about Blenheim’s Golden Acres Curling Club, please visit www.blenheimcurling.com

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Junior C Hockey – More Than Meets the Eye Written by Rebecca Reimer, SportsXpress, Photo credit Murray Melton Did you know that it takes over a $100,000 to run a Junior C hockey club for one year? Before being invited to an Executive Meeting for the Dresden Kings, I had no idea the amount of work that it takes to keep a team running. In Dresden, the people responsible for everything that happens behind the scenes before Friday night are the Executive Board and Associate Members. They meet regularly to keep things running smoothly. A large part of this involves fundraising; planning events that keep their players on the ice. For the Dresden Jr. Kings, it takes a golf tournament, a bbq draw, a dance, a fish fry and several other events to stay in the black. The 2016-2017 Executive Board is made up of President Dave Cameron, Vice President Rick Zavitz, Secretary Laurie Vanrabaeys, Treasurer Jack Leclair and Directors: Rick Patterson, Larry Rabideau, Lynn Liberty, Richard Caryn, and Murray Melton. The public can become an Associate Member by attending the Annual General Meeting and paying a one time fee as long as they stay involved. The board does more than raise money for the team; they also donate money back into the community. They host a United Way game, a Breast Cancer

Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January-February 2017

night, Cystic Fibrosis fundraisers, and Remembrance Day game for the Legion among others. While there is an agenda for the meeting, most of the contributions to the conversation are made without written notes; proving that this Executive is passionate about what they are doing, and definitely right for the job. Volunteers come up several times in the meeting. President Dave Cameron reminds me that the volunteers are incredibly important. They put the planning into action. They are the hands and feet of the Kings organization. They set up before games, keep score, handle admission, prepare food, clean up and much more. They are the unsung heroes. I was impressed by the efficiency and respectful atmosphere of the meeting. In thinking back, I realized that what keeps these meetings respectful and on track is a common goal: keeping a locally owned hockey team in Dresden. After all, Jr. Kings appointed number one fan Gary Carol says, “It’s a good place to hang out on a Friday night!”. When the meeting closed I asked to take a photo of the board. The resounding reply was “you don’t need one, this is all about the kids!”.

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First Mike Mathany Memorial Bursary Presented Submitted by Joscelynne Leach

Last November, the Chatham Youth Soccer Association lost one of its most valuable contributors. Mike Mathany was a man who was very generous with his time at the CYSA, and loved the sport. He served in various roles on the board of directors, including president, for 25 years. He always made sure all of teams were entered into the computer system, and was very efficient at working with short timelines. He was also the club’s head referee, and looked after training and educating all beginner referees. In addition to his dedication to community soccer, Mike taught at Ursuline College (“The Pines”), a local secondary school, where he coached soccer teams throughout his career. Mike’s friends and family generously contributed funds to the CYSA in Mike’s memory, and a bursary was established, because the board thought it would be a befitting way to pay tribute to an educator who gave tirelessly to the advancement and promotion of soccer in the community.

This November 18th, at the Annual General Meeting, the CYSA presented the first Mike Mathany Memorial Bursary, in honour of one of its most cherished members. Mike’s family members, including his brother, Tim Mathany, daughter, Ashley Rivard, and nephew, Drew Mathany, were in attendance, where they shared memories of Mike, and presented the award. The applicants for the bursary had to meet the following requirements: be currently involved with the CYSA in some capacity (as a player, coach, and/ or referee), be a graduate of secondary school in 2016, be attending postsecondary institution in the Fall of 2016, submit high school transcript, résumé of volunteer work and community involvement, and write a 500-word essay about what soccer means to them, past, present and future. A panel of CYSA board members assessed all of the applications, and, after careful and thoughtful deliberation, they selected Alex Bernardi as the first recipient of the bursary. Alex is a graduate of Ursuline College, and has played soccer with the CYSA since he was 5. He has been a referee for several years, helped coach within the organization, and most recently played on the Chatham Express club representative team. Bernardi had an extensive list of community work, including volunteering for the Goodfellows, leading at Muskoka Woods camp, and volunteering to referee and score keep at various sporting events. Alex is currently attending postsecondary school at the University of Western Ontario where he is studying actuarial sciences. The $500 bursary will be presented annually, as a way to remember a wonderful man who loved a beautiful game.

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Eat FAT Get SLIM! What? Sounds like an oxymoron right? We have become fat phobic! We need to change this, looking at the 3 Macronutrients Fats/Proteins/ Carbohydrates – fats are the most important in my opinion. Our Brain consist of 60% fat – mother nature provides a clue! So the next time someone calls you a ‘fat head’, say ‘thanks’; It’s a compliment! You may have heard of EFA’s (essential fatty acids) which the body can’t manufacture. These beauties (EFA’s) help with many cellular functions and are like ‘gate-keepers’ in a sense and help keep toxins from running rampant in the body as as well as letting nutrients into the cells. Fifty years of medical research has proven that EFA’s can influence the human body in a number of ways, including cardiovascular health, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, brain function, infant development, immune function and cancer prevention. Now onto the fat eating and slimming part! Have you heard of KETO, Ketosis or

Submitted by Greg Foster

Ketogenic? Ketosis is a metabolic state where our body uses fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates From the beginning, newborns are generally in Ketosis, at birth the mom and the baby are in a state of ketosis and within the first few days the baby adapts to using their fat stores as the primary fuel source and convert them into ketones which provide the baby with energy. Between feedings, these Ketones are the building blocks for brain development. That’s a big clue for us! The breakdown of Ketogenic Eating is – high in fat 65%, moderate in protein 25% and low in carbohydrates 10%. If carbs are available, your body will use those first. If carbs are not available, your body will to start to break down the ingested and stored fats to provide

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energy. When your level of ketones are high enough you improve your bodies ability to use fat for fuel dramatically. Which means more efficient fat-burning. No blood sugar spikes meaning you’ll have more constant energy. It’s actually a preferred energy source for your brain AND we function better on it. You can join my facebook page, https://www. facebook.com/ketosis4all/ to find out more. Do your own research, I recommend the book Fats that Heal Fats that Kill by Udo Erasmus as a good starting point. Always go to a good source your local Health Food store and to those that have the knowledge and passion for wellness, in the end it is always your Choice. In health and abundance, Greg Foster

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Chatham-Kent’s Junior C Schedule As seen on pointstreaks.com (Dates are subject to change)

Blenheim

Wallaceburg

January 08: Blenheim vs Dresden January 15: Blenheim vs Lakeshore January 22: Blenheim vs Mooretown January 26: Blenheim vs Dresden January 29: Blenheim vs Petrolia

January 04: Wallaceburg vs Petrolia January 11: Wallaceburg vs Blenheim January 18: Wallaceburg vs Essex January 25: Wallaceburg vs Wheatley

Wheatley

Dresden

January 02: Wheatley vs Wallaceburg January 09: Wheatley vs Blenheim January 16: Wheatley vs Petrolia January 23: Wheatley vs Lakeshore

January 06: Dresden vs Petrolia January 13: Dresden vs Mooretown January 20: Dresden vs Blenheim January 27: Dresden vs Wallaceburg

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Chatham 519-351-1419

Tilbury 519-682-1284

Wallaceburg 519-627-4251

• Treadmills • Exercise Bikes • Yoga Acc. • Weights & Acc. • Boxing • Sport Therapy • Snowblowers • Shovels • Ice Melter • Snowbrushes • Wiper Blades • And much more! Chatham-Kent SportsXpress • January-February 2017

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