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  • Give the Gift of ART!

    Local artists and artisans are coming together to celebrate another year of creativity with The Gift of Art: Holiday ARTsale. This festive event will showcase hand-made works from some of Chatham-Kent’s most talented creators, including painting, pottery, woodturning, and printmaking. It’s the perfect opportunity to find a unique gift and check off the art lover on your holiday shopping list.

    To make shopping easier, ARTspace will extend its hours on Fridays from November 21 to December 19, 2025, staying open from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Regular drop-in hours remain Wednesday through Saturday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission is by donation, making the event accessible to everyone.

    Organizers encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity to support the local art scene and experience the vibrant artistic community that thrives in Chatham-Kent.

    For more information, visit www.tagartspace.com or www.chatham-kent.ca/TAG. Updates can also be found on social media @TAGCK and @ARTspaceCK.

    “We look forward to seeing you,” organizers said, inviting the community to join in celebrating the season with art.

     

  • 2026 Recycling and Waste Collection Guide Available for Pick-Up at Municipal Locations

    The Municipality of Chatham-Kent, in partnership with Waste Connections Canada, has released the 2026 Recycling and Waste Collection Guide to help residents manage their waste responsibly. The annual guide provides essential information on curbside collection schedules, blue box recycling, and local waste diversion programs.

    As part of the municipality’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and reducing paper waste, residents are encouraged to access the guide electronically at www.chatham-kent.ca/garbage. For those who prefer a printed copy, guides are available at all Municipal Service Centres, all Public Library branches, and at the Waste Connections Canada office located at 91 Sass Rd., Chatham.

    Residents can also access collection schedules, reminders, and service updates by downloading the Recycle Coach application. The app provides convenient tools to help households stay on track with waste and recycling practices. More information and the Recycle Coach search tool can be found at www.chatham-kent.ca/garbage.

  • Former integrity commish updates her report on Chatham-Kent councillor

    By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice

     

    Chatham-Kent council will be asked once again if North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville should be penalized for breaching council’s code of conduct.

     

    Expected to be brought forward at the Dec. 1 meeting, the return of the matter comes on the heels of a revised report from former integrity commissioner (IC) Mary Ellen Bench. 

     

    Bench was asked to revisit the issue to reconsider “appropriate” penalties for the events that transpired in 2023 regarding the flying of flags on municipal property.

     

    In April of 2023, Jubenville brought an unsuccessful motion forward to council that only municipal, provincial and Canadian flags be flown at municipal sites. At the time Jubenville argued that Chatham-Kent should take an “all or nothing” approach, ruling out all special interest flags. She made the request after the pro-life Life in Motion group, did not receive a response to its request to fly their flag.

     

    However, the matter caught fire on social media when Jubenville questioned the flying of Pride flag at Blenheim District High School. Subsequently, complaints were made to the IC who commenced an investigation.

     

    Bench’s investigation found the councillor had violated two sections of the code, relating to bullying and the improper use of influence.

     

    Council ended up docking Jubenville three’s month’s pay, but the councillor challenged the integrity commissioner’s recommendation in court. 

     

    This past summer, a judicial review “quashed” Bench’s report and council’s penalty. Jubenville was also awarded $20,000 in costs from the municipality but has not been paid.

     

    The three-panel judicial review determined that Jubenville had not violated Section 10 of the code, but found it was “reasonable” that she did breach Section 15 of the code relating to discreditable conduct through bullying and harassment. Bench was asked to address penalties for the Section 15 violation.

     

    In her new report, Bench recommends council suspend Jubenville’s pay for a two-month period.

     

    But ultimately, it’s council’s decision.

     

     “My role at this time is to reconsider my recommendations on penalty in view of the divisional court’s decision,” Bench wrote. “The purpose of this report is only to provide recommendations of appropriate penalty. The decision on penalty is ultimately in the hands of council.”

     

    When contacted by The Voice about the issue after she posted the report on social media, Jubenville said she wanted the flag policy to be fair for all.

     

    “I don’t regret making the motion,” Jubenville stated. “I still stand by it…let’s keep in simple and eliminate the division in the community.”

     

  • Stuff the trunk to help others

    By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice

     

    Ozzy the Audi wants you to “park” some donations in the trunk. 

     

    Decorated with more than 2,500 twinkling lights, the Smurf blue car will be driving across Chatham-Kent to collect food and donations for the Salvation Army and other agencies.

     

    Owner Brandon Taylor, who just purchased the 2010 AudiA4 last summer, said he got the idea for “Stuff the Trunk with Ozzy the Audi” after a discussion with his mom Michelle Medd. Medd told him she learned Wallaceburg’s Salvation Army was having a hard time meeting the needs of residents as it was running out of food.

     

    Taylor was concerned and he hit on the idea of using the car as a travelling donation bin to help feed the needy at Christmas.

     

    “I was trying to think of something to do to help and came up with this,” he said. “We’ll have the trunk open and people can throw stuff in.” 

     

    In addition to the 700 feet of lights held in place by painter’s tape, Ozzy features a rooftop Christmas tree, a wreath, as well as other festive trim.

     

    Taylor, who is laid off from his seasonal job, said he has the time to give back and hopes to bring his oversized Christmas ornament to as many Santa Claus parades and events as possible. He said he’s aiming to keep donations within the communities where they are collected.

     

    Taylor has set up an email for those who want to donate or to have Ozzy attend their event. If interested message ozzytheaudi@gmail.com.

     

  • A Royal to Remember

    By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News

     

    The Chatham-Kent 4-H Dairy Club enjoyed a tremendous showing at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto recently.

     

    Mitchell Anderson, of Ridgetown, was a double champion at the TD 4-H Calf Classic.

     

    His 4-H calf, Karnview Lemagic Revolve, earned first place in the Spring Yearling class as well as overall Grand Champion 4-H Calf of the TD Calf Classic.

     

    Nearly 350 4-H members were competing at the TD Calf Classic at the Royal Winter Fair.

     

    The four-member Chatham-Kent 4-H Dairy Club finished eighth overall in the TD 4-H Calf Classic Premier County team standings for the 47 counties entered.

     

    Meredith Anderson placed ninth in the Intermediate Showmanship class with Charbend Master Desiree out of 120 in her class.

     

    Emily O’Connor finished 11th in the Jersey Yearling Class with Beslea Strathburn VIP Ephiphany ET. Kallie Rourke was awarded a 12th-place finish in the Winter Heifer Conformation Class with Elm Bend Miranda Lambert.

     

    “What an incredible couple of days for these 4-H members,” said Janice Anderson, who, along with Rob Reid, has been the 4-H Dairy Club leader for 15 years. “We only have a few dairy farms in Chatham-Kent, so we’re super proud of the kids.”

     

    “To finish eighth against 47 other counties that have much larger dairy populations, this is quite an accomplishment.. said Anderson. “They all did very, very well.”

     

    Mitchell’s 4-H championships are just the latest awards for the Anderson siblings. Morgan, Mitchell and Meredith were all named ‘Youth Agriculturists of the Year’ in 2021, ‘22 and ‘24, respectively, at the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce Rural Urban Banquet.

     

    Morgan was also awarded a $1,000 bursary from the Kent Federation of Agriculture in 2021. Mackenzie Anderson, another sibling, won a $6,000 Dairy Farmers of Ontario Bursary from the Ontario Hockey Association this summer.

     

    Anderson’s winning calf comes from Karnview Farms in Woodstock

     

    He drives from Guelph, where he works and attends the University of Guelph, to train Karnview Lemagic Revolve for the summer and fall show circuit and prepare for the TD Calf Classic at the Royal Winter Fair.

     

    Anderson works as a dairy fitter, clipping heifers and dairy cows across Canada, the United States and Australia.

     

    He met the Karn family through 4-H and helps prepare their animals for fairs.

     

    Anderson added a third title at the Royal Winter Fair with Maple Ain Blondes Have More Fun in the 2025 Red & White Holstein Competition, a calf he owns in partnership with Mary-Inn, Maple-Ain, Josh Karn and Alex Chabot.

     

    Since there are so few dairy farms in Chatham-Kent, members of the local Dairy Club borrow 4-H calves from outside the area and train them for the fair circuit.

     

    Meredith Anderson’s Charbend Master Desiree comes from her cousin Jenn Charlton, while Rourke’s Elm Bend Miranda Lambert came from Janice’s brother Terry Charlton, both from Brantford.

     

    The calves were transported to Janice and Glenn Anderson’s grain farm on Spence Line in Howard Twp. in the spring, where pens were set up for the girls to feed, care for and train them for the 4-H shows.

     

    “You don’t have to be from a farm to show livestock, and you don’t have to go out and buy an animal,” Janice Anderson explained. “Farmers are very generous in lending their animals, whether they are beef steers, heifers or sheep.”

     

    “If a kid wants to do 4-H and needs an animal, most farmers are very accommodating,” she continued. “You can borrow one, lead it and be successful.”

     

    4-H members show their animals at various fairs throughout the late summer and fall to prepare for the Royal Winter Fair.

     

    There are two components to judging animals on the fair circuit and at the Royal Winter Fair.

     

    The first is showmanship: the animals must walk fluidly in sync with their 4-H member and stop in the show position, initiated by a slight touch on the point of the shoulder or the halter.

     

    “Animals teach perseverance to the members because you can’t always control what an animal does,” Janice Anderson explained. “An animal has a personality, and you can’t necessarily talk to it and say, ‘I need you to behave today’ like you do a person.”

     

    “You develop a trust relationship with this animal, and it’s amazing how these animals respond to how they’re trained, it’s pretty amazing,” she said.

     

    The other component the animals are judged on is conformation, or appearance.

     

    Training calves, or any animals, is all a part of the 4-H Motto of ‘Learn To Do By Doing,’ learning through experience and teamwork.

     

    The Chatham-Kent 4-H Dairy Club meets monthly from March to September. The first meeting is typically at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus dairy barn before visiting other 4-H clubs on farms in Essex, Lambton and Middlesex counties to learn about different dairy operations. The members learn basic tips on caring for and nurturing calves, and receive information from veterinarians on health issues.

     

    “The joint meetings give them the chance to meet kids outside of school and outside of Chatham-Kent and help develop friendships that last beyond their 4-H days,” Janice Anderson said.

     

    The Dairy Club is one of over 20 offered by Chatham-Kent 4-H Association. The club offers programs for two age groups: Cloverbuds (ages 6-8) and the 4-H Program (ages 9-21).

     

    The Chatham-Kent 4-H Association also offers cash bursary awards annually in several categories for 4-H members.

     

    You can find out more about the Chatham-Kent club by attending 4-H Rally Night on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at the Blenheim Memorial Arena from 7:30-9 p.m., where members are encouraged to bring friends for a skate.

     

    The various clubs of the Chatham-Kent 4-H Association will have displays set up in the Blue Line Room on the second floor to promote their groups.

     

    More information about Chatham-Kent 4-H is available on its website (Google ‘Chatham-Kent 4-H’) and on its Facebook and Instagram pages.

     

  • Chatham-Kent Police, OPP launch Festive R.I.D.E. Campaign

    By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News

     

    The Chatham-Kent Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police launched their annual Festive Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) campaigns last Wednesday night.

     

    The Chatham-Kent Police set up its first Festive R.I.D.E. spot check on Keil Dr. N., between McNaughton Ave. W. and Baldoon Road, in Chatham.

     

    This location is the traditional starting point for the Festival R.I.D.E. program in remembrance of the Pie Ladies – Verna Neaves, Marion Dawson, Jean Ripley and Bernice Phillips – who were killed at this spot when their vehicle was struck head-on by an impaired driver in the early evening hours of  Saturday, Nov. 24, 2007, as they were returning from a church function.

     

    Over 170 cars were checked at the Keil Dr. spot check.

     

    Police conducted three more R.I.D.E. programs throughout Chatham-Kent on Wednesday, checking a total of 365 vehicles and administering two roadside tests, but no charges were laid.

     

    However, the impaired driving arrest of a 19-year-old Raleigh Twp. woman on Queen’s Line, west of Chatham, at 2:50 a.m. Thursday, emphasized the frustration of police as they continue to find – and arrest – drivers who are impaired by alcohol and drugs despite all of the warnings and campaigns.

     

    “We see impaired driving as the leading cause of serious or fatal collisions every year,” said Act/Sgt. Lisa Rodger, who heads up the CKPS Traffic Management Unit. “The fact that we’re still seeing (impaired driving), despite how much we advertise ‘don’t drink and drive,’  it’s very frustrating for us.”

     

    “There are so many options – taxi, Uber, call a friend or family member, a designated driver – no matter what we say or do, we’re still catching people,” she stated. “And it’s a totally preventable offence.”

     

    Rodger said Chatham-Kent Police had already arrested 129 drivers on impaired charges before Wednesday night, 33 of those as a result of collisions, including two fatal accidents.

     

    In 2024, four lives were lost as a result of impaired driving, as police made 107 arrests, including 43 drivers who were involved in a collision.

     

    Chatham-Kent Police conducted 75 R.I.D.E. spot checks in 2024, as 6,886 vehicles were stopped and 22 roadside tests were administered.

     

    Police have already set up 78 R.I.D.E. spot checks in 2025 throughout Chatham-Kent before Wednesday’s Festive campaign kicked off.

     

    The Festive campaign begins on the third Wednesday of November across Canada in recognition of the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims to honour and remember those who lost their lives or were seriously injured in preventable road crashes.

     

    “The National Day of Remembrance is a powerful reminder of why initiatives like R.I.D.E. exist,” Rodger said. “Every impaired driver stopped could mean a life saved.”

     

    “Our officers will be visible and proactive throughout the holiday season to help ensure everyone gets home safely,” Rodger said.

     

    Motorists can expect to see a R.I.D.E. spot check at any time on any day throughout the holiday season.

     

    Along with the official Festive R.I.D.E. spot check, Rodger said officers on general patrol often set up their own checkpoints in cities, towns and rural areas across Chatham-Kent.

     

    “We understand it’s the holiday season, people like to celebrate, but do it responsibly,” Rodger said. “If you plan to drink, designate a driver, call a taxi, use a ride share service or arrange alternative transportation.”

     

    “Impaired driving is 100% preventable,” said Rodger. “We’re asking everyone to do their part this holiday season … if you’ve been drinking or using drugs, don’t drive.”

     

    Chatham-Kent Police encourages the public to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911 when it is safe to do so.

     

  • Ridgetown man pleads guilty to Clark’s death

    By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News

     

    A Ridgetown man was sentenced to just over 11 months in jail in the vehicular death of a 66-year-old woman in Ridgetown three years ago.

     

    Wendy Clark, of Morpeth, suffered life-threatening injuries after being struck by a car in downtown Ridgetown on Oct. 19, 2022.

     

    She died two days later in a Windsor hospital.

     

    John Wilson, 40, learned of his sentence from Chatham-Kent Assistant Crown Scott Kerwin in a Chatham court on Nov. 14.

     

    The Ridgetown man pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene of a collision resulting in bodily harm.

     

    Chatham-Kent Police also laid an impaired driving charge against Wilson.

     

    That charge, however, was dropped due to conflicting evidence in 2024.

     

    According to previously published media reports, Mrs. Clark had just stepped out of her vehicle on Main St. and was about to cross the street to go to a pharmacy when she was struck.

     

    Her common-law partner and two-year-old nephew were in the vehicle when she was struck.

     

    The driver of the other vehicle fled the scene.

     

    However, witness statements and surveillance video helped Chatham-Kent Police identify the driver, who was located and arrested.

     

    He was originally charged with failing to remain at a collision resulting in bodily harm, dangerous driving causing bodily harm and two related Highway Traffic Act offences.

     

    Wendy’s family have been advocates for safe driving – namely, impaired and distracted driving – since the accident.

     

    The family sponsors a $500 scholarship annually in the Drive Safe, Someone Loves You, Wendy Clark Memorial Award essay contest. Secondary school students are asked to write an essay on the actions a passenger can take when riding in a vehicle being driven by an impaired or distracted driver.

     

    The family sold key chains, with the ‘Drive Safe Someone Loves You’ slogan and the initials ‘WC’ for Wendy Clark, to finance the scholarship.

     

    Anonymous donors funded a memorial bench with the same inscription, along with ‘In Loving Memory of Wendy Clark,’ located in front of the Riverside Ice Cream store.

     

    Family members attended the Nov. 14 sentencing and were naturally upset that the guilty party received less than a year in jail for Mrs. Clark’s death.

     

    “It’s been an exhausting, emotional three-plus years,” Rachel Mattsson, Wendy’s daughter, said in a statement to the Ridgetown Independent News. “No amount of time would suffice for the void I have for losing my mom.”

     

    “Eleven months certainly isn’t close to enough to bring justice,” she said. “I do not wish this on anyone.”

     

    “Drive safe, someone loves you,” Rachel concluded.

     

  • Get ready for ‘150 Years of Ridgetown Christmases’ Parade

    By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News

     

    Ridgetown’s Sesquicentennial anniversary will be celebrated once more.

     

    ‘150 Years of Ridgetown Christmases’ is the theme of the 76th annual Ridgetown Kiwanis Club’s Christmas parade, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 13, starting at 1 p.m.

     

    Hundreds of people will line Main St. to see the many floats and entries, as kids eagerly wait to see Santa Claus, who will be taking a little time off from his hectic Christmas schedule to make a special trip to town and be part of the parade.

     

    “We’re looking for folks to decorate their floats to reflect on Christmas in Ridgetown through the years,” said Greg Roberts, of the Kiwanis Club. “It can be from the pioneer days, maybe how Christmas looked in the 1930s, 40s or from any time.” 

     

    “It will be interesting to see how people fit the theme into their floats.,” stated Roberts.

     

    There is no registration or entry fee to enter a float – or any other parade entry.

     

    Service clubs, organizations, businesses and individuals who would like to participate in the parade can simply show up at the marshalling area at Ridgetown District High School on Harold St. by 12 noon, and they will be placed in succession.

     

    The Kiwanis Club will be handing out prizes for the top floats in seven categories. The best overall float will receive $300. There will also be $200 prizes in six other categories – best decorated, best youth, best organization, best commercial, best costume and best in theme. The only restriction is that entries may not include Santa Claus on their floats.

     

    The festive atmosphere will continue in the Royal Bank parking lot, where Santa Claus will host a post-parade party, with kids aged 12 and under having a chance to win fabulous prizes in the annual Christmas Gift Draw.Before the parade, families are encouraged to visit the Royal Bank to register their children for the prize draw.

     

    Families can then take their spot on Main St. for the parade and return to the Royal Bank lot afterwards for the draw, as kids must be present to win a prize.

     

    The parade starts at 1 p.m. at RDHS on Harold St., then heads west on Main St. to its end at West St.

     

    Anyone with questions about the parade can call Roberts at 519-784-1871 or send an email to gregmroberts@gmail.com

     

  • Showcasing epic Dresden home for charity

    By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice

    For the second year in a row, lights will twinkle for charity at Dresden’s Glenlochie Lodge.

     

    And for those who want to get into the holiday spirit, guided tours will be held at the stately Victorian home on Nov. 22 and 23.

     

    The tour will showcase all things Christmas, including at least 25 decorated trees.

     

    “We basically have one for every window,” said Christy Cummings, who owns the home with husband John. 

     

    The three-storey brick home was built in 1883 by Alexander “Sandy” McVean. The Cummings purchased the structure in 2019 and poured their energy into restoring the home. 

     

    John said they had to cut down 22 trees, as you could barely see the house through the brush; removed countless layers of wallpaper, went through 75 gallons of paint, restored the original pine floors and installed new plumbing and electrical throughout.

     

    According to John, much of the house remains intact.

     

    “This is all original,” he added, pointing to the intricately carved wood trim in the sitting room. “We painted, fixed and just about replaced everything.”

     

    The pair are happy they chose to call Dresden home.

     

    “When we moved to town, we had so many people help us,” Christy explained, adding they’ve made many friends along the way and wanted to give back. 

     

    “We got the volunteer bug all of a sudden,” she added, noting 50 per cent of the money raised will go towards the Dresden Shines Christmas Town fund to help buy lights and decorations. The Dresden Historical Society will benefit from the other half of funds raised.

     

    Time slots for tours on Nov. 22 are 2 p.m.; 3:30 p.m.; 5:30 p.m.; 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. On Nov. 23, tours will be conducted at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

     

    Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased online at glenlochielodge@gmail.com or by calling 519-384-0874. 

     

    The home is located at 384 St. George St. Dresden.

     

  • Set out those gifts on Saturday in Chatham-Kent

    By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice

     

    The Gift is once again ready to help local residents unwrap some Christmas goodness.

     

    The community-wide drive, which got its start during the pandemic, will see an army of volunteers gathering donations Nov. 22. Folks are being asked to put a new gift or food donation out on their porch at noon for pickup.

     

    Currently headquartered at Junctura Inc. at 15 Maple Leaf Dr., signs are being painted and volunteers are organized for the drive.

     

    Rocky Gaudrault, Junctura owner and CEO, said he’s happy to be a long-term supporter of The Gift.

     

    “The idea is that we can make an awesome Christmas for anyone who needs it,” Gaudrault told The Voice recently. “This is an effort that represents different levels of support and includes peer support. 

     

    “It’s inclusive. We don’t judge and that’s the magic sauce,” he added. “Be loud. Be generous. Lend a hand.”

     

    According to Gaudrault, he likes the way The Gift operates. Volunteers round up donations and bring them to a site where people can come and “shop” for holiday items. 

     

    The Gift campaign operates across Chatham-Kent and people are encouraged to access the organization’s webpage to find out where donations will be warehoused and handed out.

     

    Come Together CK executive director Brent Wilken, who is the Blenheim community Gift captain, said people are hurting economically.

     

    “The need is great and the people that are donating are struggling too,” he said. “Whatever amount of donations raised will be going back into the community.”

     

    According to Wilken, who has spearheaded The Gift from the outset, volunteers are enthusiastic and “loving it more than ever.”

     

    “Everyone is welcome,” he added. “There are no religious or political affiliations and we literally have volunteers from Tent City.”

     

    Helping out with The Gift has also helped change lives, he said, adding the good news stories are increasing.

     

    For more information access thegiftck.ca online or call 519-358-1030 for information on your community.

     

    The Gift’s wish list includes non-perishable food items, unwrapped toys, puzzles and games, craft and art supplies, winter coats, scarves, hats and gloves, gift cards, backpacks, clothing, hygiene and self-care products, blankets, sleeping bags, and tents.