cktimes.ca Archives for Notes from a Garage


Notes from a Garage

With John Gardiner

Supporting the local boy, successful events, a special surprise party and farewell to Jon!

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Well, well, well, so my old friend Jeff Wesley has thrown his hat back into the political ring – I knew it wouldn't be long. And I've already called Jeff to tell him I'm onboard while he seeks the Liberal nomination in Lambton-Middlesex-Kent – hoping he's successful in that and then during the uphill battle he'll face winning a tough election campaign. Now, before you all call me a hypocrit for voting Liberal again after promising I was done with that bunch, let me explain myself. There are two reasons I'd go back on my word and support the Liberals in the next election – and they've got nothing to do with the federal Liberal party. They have everything to do with Jeff Wesley. I've watched Jeff through five successive election campaigns here in Wallaceburg. No one, and I repeat NO ONE, is a harder worker or more dedicated to a cause than this guy. He can simply work harder and longer than anyone I know if he believes in something. And he believes he can make this a better country – that's why he's running. Now for reason two! Comeon, folks! Can you imagine the benefit to Wallaceburg if we have a homegrown Member of Parliament sitting on the benches of the House of Commons. This would help us enormously – no doubt about it. If you live in the north end of Chatham-Kent, you've got to support the local boy. Forget about the Liberal Party, forget about Paul Martin and the rest of those guys. Let's try to help Jeff on his way – he's given a lot to Wallaceburg – let's give him a little something back.

A fabulous job by the folks running the Gregor's Crossing Medieval Faire, Chelle Cartier and her crew, and Sue Larsh, Tina Myers and the BIA contingent. From all reports, both events were wonderful successes and a great deal of credit belongs to the hardworking people who organized them and pulled them together. I dispatched a reporter, Barbara Simpson, to both events, and she said a great job was done by all. Sadly, I missed both events – now the explanation.

My wife was having a special birthday this past weekend and I decided we should have a party. Now, you have to understand that exactly 10 years ago on her birthday, I gave her a very special surprise party. A full sit dinner for 25 prepared by chef extraordinaire Terry Stenton and his good wife, Sharon. You have to understand that my wife, Carol, is not one who enjoys being the centre of attention – she couldn't believe I "surprised" her on her birthday 10 years ago, and, well, she had no inkling anything was up this year. In fact, when she walked through our front door on Saturday evening about 5:30 p.m., the first words out of her mouth were, "Oh no, not again!" The second set of words out of her mouth were directed at me and were, "I'm going to kill you". But as I watched the merrymaking in our house over the course of the night and listened to the laughter, I knew I'd done the right thing. When you love someone, you sometimes do strange things to show them. This was one of those strange things. Love you, Carol, and happy birthday!

This week, we say goodbye to cktimes' columnist Jon Gilbert. Jon has written Bushwacked for the paper since its inception almost three years ago and I am indebted to him for his great effort. Bushwacked was the perfect column for our little good news newspaper. It was a gentle, comfortable, feel-good piece that made you feel better when you read it. Jon is a talented writer and I really do hope that he keeps at the keyboard and doesn't get distracted by all this retirement and travelling stuff. Jon's column will remain on the cktimes' site in the Archived Columns section and if you ever just want to feel better, drop in for a visit and read some great writing.

Of course, great effort by everyone who contributes to cktimes. Together, we're building a great community newspaper for all of Chatham-Kent. Take care.....and remember..."Hew to the line; let the chips fall where they may."



John Gardiner is a 25-year-veteran of the community newspaper business, but he is also a prolific writer of moralistic short fiction he refers to as "emotional thoughtscapes" or "adult fables". Samples of his fiction can be found at:

He has also produced a noteworthy piece of humanist philosophy which can be found at: http://www.xs4all.nl/~aboiten/ad502.htm He welcomes comments on his work.