MORE News - Wednesday, May 31, 2006
5,31,06 - RUMOUR - Is/Was the Hespeler Heritage Winery for Sale? Well a HN supporter sent in this website that suggests Hespeler Heritage Winery is for sale? There is no date on this ad. We don't know but the site seems to suggest it is. By The Owner Ad

5,31,06 - FORBES WETLAND SUBDIVISIONS MEETINGS UPDATE - This update is from the Friends of the Forbes Wetland.... the City of Cambridge is giving people only 7 days to prepare for an upcoming City General Committee meeting where the Planning department is trying to push through the Forbes Subdivision Community Plan. That city meeting is scheduled for monday June 5, 7pm at City Hall. Please ATTEND this meeting. If you want to speak at the meeting call, 519-740-4680 ext. 4233 to register.

5,30,06 - ALMOST NUDE WOMEN RUMOUR TRUE - Thanks to a HN supporter, who is one of the models, yes there were women posing lately in different locations in Hespeler and its for a calendar that will be put out for the great reunion this summer. The women are all around 50 years old. We at HN support this worthy cause as the money raised goes to the cancer society.

LAST TWO DAYS TO VOTE IN POLL - Seems like mos tpeople want a big museum for Hespeler in the old Town Hall. vote.

5,29,06 - RUMOUR - Nude Women in Hespeler!- Well, we thought walking over to Indulge for an ice cream was the most exciting thing we could have done in Hespeler on Sunday. Evidently we were wrong. Several HN supporters reported seeing several nude Hespeler women at different locations in town. So the tall tale goes that women were spotted, sans clothing, at the old post office and in the Speed River next to the historic Blackbridge Road Bridge.

 

POWERFUL DONNA REID IS RUNNING IN HESPELER - Monday, May 27, 2006
Powerful Donna Reid has entered the race for Ward 1 Hespeler Councillor Race. Donna received over 9000 votes running for the NDP in the last election federally. Current councillor Rick Cowsill may be in serious trouble to win his seat again. Donna, with the NDP machine behind her, will make the Hespeler Ward 1 election a real campaign for the first time in recent memory.

 

UPDATE - VOTE for Brian Logie! - Sunday, May 21, 2006
Brian is catching up. He is now only 2% points behind the leader. Vote often, the poll lets you vote more than once. http://www.tsn.ca/lays

A loyal HN supporter sent this in .... Brian Logie is a hockey stick historian. He has written the authorative paper on the Hespeler Hockey Stick Factory and has the largest collection of Hespeler Hockey sticks in the world. For people who went on the Hespeler Hockey Stick Plant tour last year, Brian gave the first part of the tour.

He is in a contest to be the first fan honoured in the Hockey Hall of Fame. He lives in London but his committment to the Hespeler name in hockey sticks is second to no one. Please vote for Brian http://www.tsn.ca/lays  

Big Brothers Leave Hespeler! - Friday, May 19, 2006
Thanks to a HN supporter who sent in this news tip. June 1st Big Brother leaves their location in the Hespeler Town Hall. Leave your comments on the Anything Hespeler BLOG for what this space can be used for.   read more...
Secret Moments - Gone But Not Forgotten - Thursday, May 18, 2006
Thanks to the HN supporter who sent in this jpg of the Secret Moments Spa business card. I love how they spelled Hespeler!

Read in our BLOGS (under Hespeler Business) an opinion from a HN supporter how the last days of Secret Moments played out. Interesting reading.   read more...

4 More Hespeler Links added to Links Page - Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Hespeler Geographical Map, Hespeler Model Aviation Club, Hespeler Salvation Army, Hespeler Jujitsu. New Churches "only" Links section Check them all out!  
Hespeler Heavyweight Bodybuilders Website Coming Soon - Tuesday, May 16, 2006
It seems Hespeler's own Champion Bodybuilder Robin Hillis is getting another website. You can check our LINKS section under Hespeler Sports for a good current link to Robin's history and photos. The new site is not done yet.   read more...
Interesting BLOG posted - Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Check out the Hespeler & Area Politics BLOG.  
BLOGS moved to front page - Saturday, May 13, 2006
Now its easier to add your comments, opinions, just click on the blue coloured BLOGHERE icon on the front page and post your comments. They will be immediately posted. Have fun.  
What is on today in Hespeler. - Saturday, May 13, 2006
HESPELER MINOR HOCKEY GOLF TOURNAMENT SAT. MAY 13, New Dundee Golf Course, registration 12:00pm, 1:00pm shot gun start. For more info - http://www.hmha.ca/

JACOB HESPELER S.S 20th ANNIVERSARY REUNIONSaturday, May 13th, 2006 Hawks Happening: Open House:1:00 - 5:00pm, photo display, light refreshements, special presentaion Family Car Rally: 10:30 - 1:30pm, get the family involved! Dance: 7:00 - 1:00am including cash bar, silent auction and late lunch located @ Hespeler Legion. Prices: $7.00 registartion fee per alumni, other family members free (Open house, light refreshments, small memento) $10.00/ per person for dance or $15.00 package (Registration and one dance ticket) Get ready to party! Contact us at (519) 658-4910 ext. 786. Visit us at 355 Holiday Inn Drive, Cambridge ON  

Natures Reflexion is Coming Downtown - Thursday May 11th, 2006
Natures Reflexion, sells healthy natural pet food and as mentioned before is opening up in downtown Hespeler. We have added their web site to our LINKS page under "Business Links".   read more...
HESPELER BUILDINGS FOR SALE! - Wednesday, May 10, 2006
You might have wondered, you may have heard rumours. Well as service to our HN readers. Here is the site listing all the Hespeler Buildings for sale.   read more...
Hespeler Reunion Banner Story Correction - Wednesday, May 10, 2006
It seems we had some incorrect facts on the HR Banner news piece yesterday. So there are two BLOGS we have posted in the Hespeler Businesses BLOGS section that were emails sent in by the Hespeler BIA and Hespeler Reunion representatives. Please read them.  
FEW SPOTS LEFT IN GOLF TOURNAMENT - Wednesday, May 10, 2006
There are still a few spots left in the Hespeler Minor Hockey Golf Tournament set for May, 20006. This event helps keep the cost of registration for playing hockey down.   read more...

NEW RUMOUR - Canine Coffee Shop downtown!

NEW BUSINESS 22 Queen St. W. nice little store selling furnishings for the home, check it out next time you are downtown getting an ice cream at Indulge. its located across the street from the bank.

NATURAL PET FOOD STORE -The hair salon for pets going in downtown Hespeler is actually a Pet Food Store selling Natural Healthy Pet Food. We wish them luck.  

ANOTHER SITE UPDATE! - Sunday, May 07, 2006
1. Our 2nd NEW BLOG service is up and running. enjoy! BLOG Away. WIN A HN T-SHIRT. Sorry the old comments are gone since the old BLOG service provider is gone.....

2.A NEW POLL - VOTE- Have your say - Is Hespeler growing too fast?  

SITE UPDATE! - Saturday, May 06, 2006
1. IMAGES SECTION UPDATE - It took a long time but finally we have posted almost all of the photos that were in HN the last two years. When a new photo is removed from the front page of HN it is stored in the 2006 Hespeler News link located in the IMAGES section. Enjoy looking at all the photo links in the IMAGES section.

2. BLOG PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS - The new BLOG was working great and yesterday the free BLOG provider went "Missing in Action", so until it comes back we are working on a solution...  

Rumours OLD & NEW - Friday, May 05, 2006
It seems another HN RUMOUR (from March) has come true. According to a reliable source that posted on our BLOGS, there is indeed a cat/dog salon openiing up in downtown Hespeler. We got the location and owner wrong but our RUMOUR did suggest it would be downtown. Its time to get your pooch pampered! Check out our RUMOURS section for a tall tale of hespeler publishing.  
Pizza Wars Round 6 - Thursday, May 04, 2006
We already have Pizza Pizza, Titos, Ernies, Little Ceasars and Ginos in town. Thanks to a HN supporter who sent in this picture of the latest pizza entry in Hespeler on Townline Rd, New Orleans Pizza.   read more...
Hespeler and Hillcrest P.S Choirs Sing in Kitchener -RARE VIDEO FOOTAGE - Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Its a two night event at the Centre in the Square in Kitchener with public school choirs from across the Region singing together. Tuesday night it was Hillcrest and Hespeler Public schools with other schools. Over 450 kids on stage.

They announced no cameras. Well thankfully a HN supporter in the audience had a camera took a picture (see above) and a short VIDEO FOOTAGE for the rest of us that couldn't be at this magical event. Great job to the kids and teachers. Thanks to our friends over at Death of a Wetland for hosting this video. A NOTE about the video, after a few seconds of running it skips back to the beginning again but then runs right through uninterupted to the glorious ending.To see the video and   read more...

New Board at HMHA Elected - Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Hespeler Minor Hockey on Sunday elected a new board. A HN supporter sent in this picture. Check out the HMHA site in the future for details on the news board members names.   read more...
FINALLY HESPELER NEWS READERS BLOG IS READY! - Sunday, April 30, 2006
Check out our new BLOGS section and enter your thoughts on any Hespeler and area related topic you have an opinion on. We are giving out a HN t-shirt to the first person who enters a BLOG and will be giving out HN T-shirts throughout the week. Tell a friend   read more...
ALLADIN AT WOODLAWN PARK
On April 26-26th this past week the students of Woodlawn Park put on the excellent performance of Alladin. Thanks for the excellent picture that was sent in.to see the picture and   read more...
T-SHIRT WINNERS & THANKS FOR BLOGGING! - Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Roger V. and Rick O"Shea win Hespeler News T-shirts for posting BLOGS on HN. Keep on Blogging more contests to follow.  
ANOTHER CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR MAYOR - Sunday, April 30, 2006
Seems Hespeler resident and current Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig has another person who has decided to run against him in November. Its Steve Halicki from Nelson Ave. Sources tell HN at least two more candidates will enter the mayors race.  
WHOLE MOM STROLLER FITNESS IS ON AGAIN! - Sunday, April 30, 2006
is up and running again. Fun, social, health activity for body, mind and spirit for mom and baby. Meet at Sault Park off of McMeeken in East Hespeler Monday 10am, Wednesday 6pm, Thursday 9:30am, Saturday 9:30am $35/5 or $65/10 classes session ends June 27. Email - heather@swaysilver.ca  
TONIGHTS THE NIGHT - Hespeler Minor Hockey AGM -
They need alot of people to step forward tonight to fill positions on the board at the annual general meeting. It is 7pm SUNDAY, April 30,2006 at the Hespeler Arena. Please come out, get involved and support the best run hockey organization in Cambridge.   read more...
REMEMBER ADLER'S - Saturday, April 29, 2006
Downtown Hespeler clothing store Adler's was on Queen St for over 40yrs. Check out this great ad.   read more...
FUN RUN & WALK IN HESPELER! - Thursday, April 27, 2006
check out our Upcoming Events section  
DISCUSSION PAGE STILL NOT WORKING - Thursday, April 27, 2006
sorry about that, we are working on it.  
BREAKING NEWS - Mattress Fire on Queen St. - Monday, April 24, 2006
Thanks to a HN supporter for sending in these dramatic photos of a mattress fire on a house on Queen St. Lots of cops and Hespeler's own fire department responded. Everyone is okay! Remember you seen it here first.   read more...
Swat Team in Downtown Hespeler - Friday, April 21, 2006
Friday night in front of the Short Stop in downtown Hespeler and the SWAT team from the Waterloo Regional Police are out in full force. As a HN supporter watched arrests were made. Seems drug deals were behind the raid. It was just two nights ago when a older person was mugged for her purse in the Short Stop parking lot. . Remember you read it here first.  
Discussions Page Under Construction - Sunday, April 23, 2006
Thanks to the readers who let us know some parts of the Discussion page were not working. We are trying to fix it!  
Police Everywhere in Hespeler Saturday April 15,06
We missed what happened on th 15th, Saturday, but there were cops everywhere in Hespeler. A HN supporter sent in a picture, see IMAGES section of three police cruisers. It was taken on the 15th in the afternoon in Hespeler.  
Albert Kroeger Passes On - Friday, April 21, 2006
It is with deep regret we announce the passing of Albert Kroeger, 92 yrs. old on Wednesday. Well known in later years for riding his three wheeled bike in downtown Hespeler. Albert is at Lounsbury Funeral Home (519) 658-9366   read more...
Heritage Property Loses Designation - Friday, April 21, 2006
300 Maple Grove Road was the location of a designated heritage property that has lost its heritage designation. Why? It was torn down. Who would do such a thing? Challenger Motor Freight....  
Image & Rumour added - Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Check out the Images & Rumours Sections for the latest. Thanks to the HN supporter that sent us in the picture of the new Indulge. Looks great  
INDULGE & TOP DRAWER OPEN - Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Great to see Indulge at their new location and Top Drawer Consignment Store Open Downtown.  
Submitting Items to Hespeler News - Monday, April 17, 2006
Just a friendly reminder you must use the new email addresses in theFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to contact HN. Thanks  
Happy Easter - Sunday, April 16, 2006
Have a Happy Easter from the new web masters and everyone else at HN!  
Massive Site Update - Friday, April 14, 2006
We are happy to be back. Please read all the info (click on "read more" further down this paragraph) and vote in our poll and let us know if you like the changes.   read more...

Changes to the OMB
The Ontario Liberal Government has
announced changes to the dreaded Ontario Municipal Board. (OMB) These changes are very positive and go a long way in giving municipal councils and citizens more power in saying no to developers. The Tory friendly OMB was basically a "YES" board for developers. If local councils or citizens voted against a particular development, the developer went to the OMB, the OMB overrided local councils and gave the developer the approval to build.

The changes to the legislation yesterday are definitely not perfect. Eliminating the OMB would have been the answer but this did not occur. The weak phrase in the new legislation is that the OMB must "have regard for" local council decisions. The "have regard for" phrase is also in current environmental legislation and does little to stop the elimination of wetlands. Still there are some solid items in the new legislation that curtail some of the powers of the OMB. But how does this affect the Hespeler and Puslinch Community?

In Puslinch there should be shouts of cautious joy. The Puslinch Council supports its residents and cares about the quality of life and environment of the community. It has gone to the OMB before and lost its case. Residents and council are fighting against another gravel pit from Preston Sand & Gravel in their community. The changes to the OMB and the serious flaws of the proposal ( below the water table, gravel pits!) may well spell victory to the local residents and council should the gravel pit proposal go to the OMB.

In Hespeler unfortunately the situation is more grim. The provincial wetland killing, Mattamy Homes/ Forbes Subdivision ( over 800 homes) should never be approved if the developer or present city council and staff had any regard for the environment or community. Tragically the anti-environment, anti- Hespeler present Cambridge City council & staff will never say no to developers and will bend over to any developers wishs. Mattamy Homes will never have to go to the OMB as the city council/staff could care less about Hespeler and the beautiful wetland and wildlife that exists there.

The changes to the OMB are good but as long as the same old anti-environment, anti-Hespeler Cambridge City council get elected and senior bureaucrats at the Planning Department don't get replaced, the developers will still run the city and the public will have no real voice in how decisions are made.

WOW - What a Great Hespeler Christmas Celebration!
1. WEDNESDAY UPDATE - LOTS OF STUFF

A. ALL NEW IMAGES OF HESPELER SANTA CLAUS PARADE - thanks to everyone who sent in pics!Click on Images Link

B. CHUBBYS SHOCKER - Go to the RUMOURS Link for this shocking tale

MONDAY UPDATE - We got ten emails telling us how great all the festivities were on Saturday in Hespeler. Unfortunately no one sent us any pictures. But we at HN thought all the events were spectacular. Congrats to everyone that organized it. (especially Russell Bygrave for the hard work of putting on the Christmas parade.

2. Coming next weekend the second in our political series - Liberal MP candidate Janko "I can't weld anymore " Peric. All his money friends and our thoughts on his election chances. You may be surprized.

3. Very strange - What does Secret Moments -Hespeler's Adults Only Spa on Adam Street and Titos Pizzeria have in common?? They both spell the word Hespeler wrong in their advertising. We thought you'd care.

Preston Sand & Gravel hit Cement Wall!
The Score is People 1, Preston Sand & Gravel 0 - Well it was packed at the Puslinch Property Advisory Council (PAC) Meeting to hear the Preston Sand & Gravel make their case for wiping out prime farm land for another gravel pit. An estimated 100 people jammed the room to deliver scathing verbal assaults on PS&G and their environmentally challenged pit proposal. Perhaps most refreshing was that PAC members (including 2 council members) were also dead set againist the pit idea and weighed in with their anti pit sentiments.

When was the last time the City of Cambridge Planning Department Staff or City council voted no to any development in Hespeler? It was a joy to be in a room with PAC members and citizens who truly cared about the environment. The comments from citizens were cutting and called PS&G greedy in their pursuit to wipe out the farm land. In a big announcment the PS&G proposal was put on hold as the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Grand River Conservation Authority both stated that no pit licences can be issued for pits below the water table. While this is a hugh temporary win, PS&G are not done yet.

The sleazy Tory appointed pro development Ontario Municipal Board is the last word on development proposals. PS&G will go there if they have to. Although the Liberals proposed to get rid of the OMB the OMB are still their with the same Tory stiffs sitting on it. Puslinch council has went to the OMB before and lost battles to stop other gravel pits. This is admirable since, unlike Cambridge council who allows subdivision developers to wipe out wetlands, Puslinch at least tries to stop the pit developers.

So what can people do. Your MPP is a good place to start. Number 1 is to find Liz Sanders MPP and tell her to start representing the people in her riding on this issue. The MNR and GRCA need support in the upcoming fights at the OMB. It is long overdue to get the OMB overhauled or eliminated. Don't bother with Tory Gerry Martinuek. The Tories are anti environment party. the present state of the OMB is a result of their past government. Keep in touch with Hespeler News as we follow this story. Oh yeah in case you did not notice their is a link of a diagram of the proposed pit to the left of this page.

The Case of the Missing MPP!
Well, where is Guelph-Wellington MPP Liz Sandals? That is the question over 30 people in her riding want answered. They have called emailed her many times and no replies and also called her. Yet Liz is nowhere to be found. It seems these people and plenty of others who object to seeing prime farmland turned into a gravel pit in Puslinch want some help from their local MPP.

Liz's disappearing act is strange considering her website http://www.lizsandals.onmpp.ca/ on the front pagepage states, " It is very important to me that I am accessible to my constituents."

Has she been kidnapped? Does she even care about this issue? We have included a picture with this story in case anyone sees Liz. Liz's disappearing act reminds me of Tory MPP Gerry Martinuks' "decade long" no show when it comes to getting his support for GO Train service to this community. But we digress.

Wanna Ride a Bike in the Hespeler Santa Claus Parade

Clifford at the Hub Bicycle Shop is recruiting people to ride their bicycles in the for this Saturday, December 3rd Hespeler Santa Claus Parade. Anyone with a bicycle and helmet is welcome. Dress for the weather! Sign up at The Hub or call 249-1473.Be in the parade its even better than watching it if that is possible. CHECK OUT THE UPCOMING EVENTS PAGE FOR THE LATEST ON THE DOWNTOWN HESPELER CHRISTMAS EVENTS ON DEC. 3!

PLAYFAIR BOWL FOR SALE!

Say it isn't so, A Hespeler institution is for sale. It seems Pete and Sharon Moyer are moving on with their lives and are selling the bowling alley. How many times have your kids been to birthday parties there? We hope the new owners keep the bowling alley and don't wipe it out.

Fitness Classes for Youth & Adults at Sublime!
Well its a fact that childhood obesity is a growing problem. But it does not have to be. Sublime Personal Training & Nutrition Consulting located in the Village on the River Spa on Queen Street offers fitness training for youth called "KIDFIT".

The owner of Sublime is Nancy Woods-Pimm.(see image left ) Nancys' qualifications are impressive. She has several professional training and coaching certifications and a university degree and post graduate work.

Some of the other programs available from Sublime included fitness assessments, personal training for adults and a healthy eating program. HN is impressed with the small class size (1 to 4). A hardcore HN supporter has their child in the "KIDFIT" program and raves about how good it is. Give Nancy a call at 239-9355 to learn more about the programs at Sublime.

Last days for the DiSilvas at Cambridge Youth Soccer?
We thought it would never happen. The Ontario Soccer Association (OSA) is finally investigating Cambridge Youth Soccer. The local politicans and print media

(Times/Record) have long had their heads in the sand and turned a blind eye to the scandal at CYS.

Tonights CYS Annual General Meeting has been postponed. HN has learned the reason for the postponement is that the OSA is investigating CYS. Previous annual general meetings have been explosive with irate parents and coaches expressing their distain for how the DiSilvas family control and operate the CYS. Many questions have been raised about where all the money goes. Perhaps more telling of the problems at CYS is why the majority of the Cambridge Soccer travel teams do so poorly. Zero support and development from the club is sited as the main reason why.

Its an accepted fact that is you want your child to compete at a higher level in soccer and be successful you must leave Cambridge and the CYS at an early age.

At a recent coaches meeting, CYS announced that they will no longer pay for tournaments that travel teams go in and that fees are going up for travel teams. Pay more get less........ Incredible but true at the CYS.

Some HN supporters have suggested starting up Hespeler Minor Soccer because they are sick of dealing with CYS and driving all the away across town to play other Hespeler kids. Maybe the time is right.

It remains to be seen if the OSA can uncover any wrongdoing in the murky operations of CYS. One thing is for sure, parents and children who have long been held hostage by CYS feel vindicated as their concerns are starting to be heard. We at HN wonder why the local politicians and print media remain silent....................

Thursday, Novermber 10, 2005
1.
FORBES WETLAND RUMOUR UPDATE We received two emails from reliable sources clarifying the RUMOUR from yesterday. Originally the Planning Department was going to have the Forbes subdivision city council meeting in November but is is now pushed forward to January. Residents will be given notice of the meeting and documentation related to the new land use/traffic patterns before the meeting date.

2. REMEMBERANCE DAY Make sure you go down in front of Hespeler Town Hall on Friday morning for the Rememberance Day service.

Wednesday, Novermber 9, 2005
1.
FORBES WETLAND RUMOUR SHOCKER We received two emails from HN supporters on this story. It seems the cty if having a meeting SOON to approve land use and traffic patterns for the wetland killling Forbes subdivision even though residents have never seen or commented on these current plans.PLEASE READ OUR RUMOURS SECTION FOR MORE ON THIS SECRETIVE COUNCIL/PLANNING DEPARTMENT MOVE. Thanks to HN supporters for sending us this info.

2. The GUESTBOOK has important information on the Hammet/Houseler Emergency Lane upcoming meeting. Check it out.

3. HESPELER KIDS WEBSITE - It is finally up. It is run totally by hespeler kids. I am sure if more kids want ot contribute stuff, the kids running the site would love it. See link above!

Tuesday, Novermber 8, 2005
1.
Storm last night took down a bunch of trees in Hespeler. Sad sight to see a car underneath one of them on Phin Street.

2. The Mystery of the Never Finished Cooper Street - Well, people have asked us and we do not know. Why half finish a road? Sure they spray painted the sewer grates pink, so you don't lose a muffler. Yes its fun to swerve around the grates like a FORD test track. I am sure there is an answer but we don't know it.

3. Gravel Pit Updatel Preston Sand & Gravel have formally applied to Puslinch for a zoing change from agriculture to aggregrate. Petitions have been signed. If you are opposed to the gravel pit attend the Puslinch meetings, November 28 at 7pm. We support 100% those fighting the gravel pit

4. Another letter in our Guestbook that the Cambridge Times refused to print so far.

5. Hespeler West Subdivision - Well the dog & pony show is happening again with the community plan workshop set up for Nov. 17, 5:30 to 9:0pm at the Warner Mennonite Church. This subdivision which is bounded by Maple Grove, Fountain St., Hwy, 24 down to the hwy401. It will be hugh! The FORBES WETLAND IS 59 hectares and will have 800 Homes. The HESPELER WEST SUBDIVISION is 708 hectares. How many homes? You do the math, its depressing! Hespeler News thinks Hespeler is growing way way to fast and you can thank our present city council for that.

6. DEATH OF THE FORBES WETLAND When "Death of a Wetland" & "Scandal at the Grand River Foundation" web sites asked us to host one combined site. We said YES. So enjoy the Death of the Forbes Wetland Link

Activa Holdings Snake Charming 101!

Well what happens when a women starts up a website documenting the environmental spills, etc. of local Waterloo construction companies. She gets sued! Activa Holdings has sent in their pond scum lawyers to serve notice to the women that publishing the truth is not allowed.

Not surprizing is the fact that Activa Holdings gave money to the provincial Tories. Thats definitely the party that puts the environment and moral values last. Activa builds homes that can best be described as "crap".

We at HN support her website and will have a link to it as long as it is on the net. Read this interesting site located at .http://ca.geocities.com/infringements@rogers.com/

Dr. Mehan Loses It

Well it was packed yesterday at the old Legion in Hespeler as well respected Hespeler physician Dr. Mehan had his head shaved to raise funds for cancer research. Dr. Mehan's mother was in attendance and is a breast cancer survivor. Radio station 99.9FM was there to promote the event. Dr. Mehan raised over $12,000.! Hespeler News supporters are in total agreement on this one, Mehan is a class act. Enjoy these pictures sent in from a HN supporter NOW LOCATED IN OUR IMAGES SECTION.

Hespeler Multi Modal Transit Station Gathers Steam!
Well its old news that no one wants the Challenger site used for a garbage hauler storage area. Unfortunately its seems, that local city , regional council members, Gerry & Gary our local MPs and MPPs and Grand River Transit are asleep at the wheel. The Challenger site holds great potential for a multi modal GO/GRT Bus rail transit station.

But it seems we will get a Shoppers Drug Mart Strip Mall instead............ Wow the same as the entrance to downtown Galt, brillant thinking.... With our local papers unable to formulate any opinion, it seems Hespeler people who want inter city transit options are in for a tough fight. An inquiry to GRT staff about the this possible multi modal station site was rejected, I guess they would rather you stand at the corner of Holiday Inn drive.

But wait, there is a guy in Kitchener proposing that there should be a light rail line from Hespeler to Guelph. Amazing. The person is not aware of the Challenger site being available to be used as a transit terminal but at least he has the right idea. Check out this site .http://www.grmonorail.ca/guelphlightrail.htm read the idea and then click on the PDF map. Now why can a person in Kitchener think of this idea and our elected officials and bureaucrats can't ?...

The T-Shirts Are Available !
Thanks to all our models for doing such a great job. Check out the Images section for pictures of the models. There are 9 Hespeler News T-shirts still available for $10.00 from Cliff at The Hub Bicycle Shop on Queen Street .

More Skullduggery from the Planning Department
We knew it could only get worse. The Planning Department at the City of Cambridge has done it again with the proposed wetland killing Forbes Subdivision. Another study has been budgeted for and no one has told the pubic or asked for their input. There is $65,000. set aside for an Environment Assessment of Blackbridge Road Study and Design. The real name of the study should be, ''The Death of the Blackbridge Road Bridge" but thats too real. Amazing that the city can design the new roads for the subdivision without knowing or caring if the roads and area can handle the future traffic volumes. The public are still being denied access to the two traffic studies the city refuses to release from two years ago about the Forbes subdivision. You will not hear any complaints from the present pro-urban sprawl, anti-Hespeler, anti-environment city council.

Gerry's White Male Friends
Gerry's friends - It seems like only yesterday when the majority of Cambridge people voted against Progressive Conservative Gerry Martiniuk in the last election but due to our election system the Tory got elected. Well for the benefit of our hespeler news readers we supply the following information. Gerry spent $80,000. to win his seat in 2003.

We think you should know who his election campaign contributors were. You will not notice many women on this list of who gave money to Gerry in the last campaign. Apart from pentaguishine psych hospital visitor/ ex Cambridge Times columnist Margaret Barr and politician forever Jane Brewer its pretty slim pickings to find any women or for that matter any non white contributors to Gerry.

Here is the link, happy reading.http://www.electionsontario.on.ca/stats/03files/election/cr1/03pcp211cr1.htm The local Cambridge Tory party provincially have over $142,000. in the bank according to their 2004 financial return and that is a scary fact. http://www.electionsontario.on.ca/stats/04files/annual/ar1asf/04pcp211ar1.htm .

Crisis at the Cambridge Hospital Emergency Room
Well, its no secret that you have to be on deaths door to go to the Emergency Department at
Cambridge Hospital. The situation in the Emergency Department (ER) has been in a deadly tailspin lately.

It all started when the emergency room doctors were getting pressure from the province and they asked the Cambridge hospital CEO for support. When no support was given from the hospital's 5 out of the 7 emergency room doctors quit! That leaves only 2 doctors left to cover the whole ER. The gag order was sent out that no staff were allowed to talk about this crisis to the media.

Could things have gotten worse? Yes, the hospital is replacing Registered Nurses (RNs) with Nursing Assistants (RPNs) in the Emergency Department. Now RPNs play an important role in hospitals but they are less qualified than RNs and putting a less qualified nurse in ER, thats a very bad and dangerous idea.

So who replaced the departed ER room doctors at Cambridge Hospital. They have replaced them with an international program that has doctors staffing the ER. So doctors fly in from anywhere in the USA or Canada work a few shifts and then fly home. Is there any quality control system to ensure these doctors are good? Nope. Reports from the ER state some imported doctors are great and some....... might have gotten their degrees from the back of a cereal box.

Meanwhile moral is at an all time low in ER. Stay tuned to Hespeler News for more on this continuing debacle.

Despicable Behaviour at City Council & the Planning Department

We have followed the story of the Ellacott Lookout idea from the beginning. Hespeler residents thought of the idea.

The decision to put steps down to the sensitive area of the Mill Pond pond that do not allow people with limited physical mobilities access is simply despicable. That decision taken by the City of Cambridge Planning Department and supported by the City of Cambridge Council not to make the entrance to the pond handicap accessible shows just how uncaring the present city council is. The excuse the Planning Department gives is that it will cost more money. This statement shows you the planing department and council don't even bother to factor into their budgets the needs of the people with limited mobilities.

As mentioned previously in Hespeler News, this is in total violation with the spirit and future intent of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act but again the city doesn't seem to care.

Ironically, just down the road there is the Spring Street Dock and Parking Lot the City owns. This area is perfect for people of all abilities to use to launch their canoes. Yet the city ignores spending any money fixing up this area. They'd rather meet the needs of only the able bodied person by building the Ellacott Landings stairs then meeting the needs of everyone by fixing the Spring Street Dock.

We can't hold the other Cambridge Councillors or the Planning Department staff accountable for their morally contemptible and ignominious behaviour, but for Hespeler's Mayor Doug Craig and Hespeler Councillor Rick Cowsill we expected more.

Ice Cream Eating Contest Was Wild
Last night what a great time downtown. The Grub Hub was jammed and people outside were looking in the windows to see all the action. Alex Vokey claimed the 11L ice cream top prize. Classical Guitars, Easy Riders and Chubbys all pitched in to make for a fun night. The music performers were great. For more pictures of last night go to our Images of Hespeler Section

Grub Hub Looking For Entertainment
Friday nights starting in September, Grub Hub will be having local entertainment (bands, duos etc). If you or your kids play music and want to get exposure by playing live, Give Tim a call at Grub Hub. 220-1921

New Parrot Club Opening Starting Up in Hespeler!
Growing faster than a flock of Seagulls at the beach!! Come join out flock today!!!

The Parrot Club of Southwestern Ontario is proud to present the new Cambridge Club WHERE: The Masonic Hall, 1 Groh Ave. Hespeler, ON (near hwy401 & hwy 24north) across from Tim Hortons and Smitty’s Fine Furniture, WHEN: Third Tuesday of every month August 16/05, Doors open at 7, meeting begins at 7:30 until …… within reason, PHONE: 519-504-7145. MAIL:cambridge@parrotclub.ca If you have a pet bird or considering a parrot as a pet, join us at our next meeting! Come and join us at this truly unique companion bird club. It's All About The Birds!!!!

Carmen Douma-Hussar at Worlds
Well not to many people in Hespeler realize they have a , Canadian Champion, Canadian Olympian and World class athlete whose comes from Hespeler. Carmen Douma-Hussar is a fantastic runner, who earlier this year won the New York Mile. She is part of Canada's National Track & Field Team currently in Finland for the World Track & Field Championships.

Its true you will not see Carmen around town. She went to Villanova University in the USA and trains out of Pennsylvannia but her folks and roots are in Hespeler.

The World Track & Field Championships are being shown on CBC. Carmen has reached the finals of the 1500m running event. She also did this at the Athens Olympics. Being among the top 8 runners in the world at this distance is quite an accomplishment. Check CBC for the times of the World's T&F from Finland today and watch Carmen run for a medal.

Peter Krause vs. Billings
Why do we cover this story, it has nothing to do with Hespeler? Here is why we cover this story. 1) Mr. Krause is responsible to run a 21 million dollar taxpayer funded organization. (The Grand River Conservation Authority) 2) His salary is paid for my taxpayers. 3) Other media give it little or no coverage. 4)We find it unbelievable that he is not asked to step down from his GRCA Chairperson position, with pay, until the trial is over.

Well it seems like not so long ago when Peter Krause, and Christine Billings each left their families and homes in search of new love.

The hi flying Grand River Conservation Authority Chairmen Krause and Guelph City Councillor Billings were co habitating at Christines place.

Things turned sour in the last couple years and Peter was sleeping dans le sous sol sans Christine! The relationship got way out of hand and on October 23, 2004, Christine called the police and told them she had been assaulted by the courageous Krause.

Everyone went into damage control mode. Although the Guelph Mercury made it front page news. The Record buried the story then and continues to bury it now. Could it be that Peter has friends high up at The Record?

Fast forward to January 2005 and Krause's lawyers had the assault trial postponed till July 2006. Meanwhile at the GRCA CEO Paul Emerson and the rest of the GRCAboard of the Living dead (including Cambridge's Jane Brewer and Claudette Brewer) are standing behind their alleged woman beater and relected him as chair of the GRCA.

Hespeler News was at the court room this past week in Guelph to hear the truth of what went on the night of Otcoer 23, 2004 between Krause and Billings. Unfortunately the legal system denied us the truth again as the trial was postponed again til January 19, 2006! Don't worry we will be there.

BREAKING NEWS -Food Basics & Zehrs Flood!
A Hespeler News Supporter sent in this great picture of the Zehrs flooded parking lot.

Another Hespeler News Supporter was at Food Basics at around 5pm today during the storm. They didn't suspect the flood waters would be inside the store!

The store was flooded and it was also leaking from the roof. Outside the parking lot was 30cm deep in water.

Could be the Curse of The Martins. The Martins were the store managers at Food Basics up to last year. They exposed the Corporate A&P owners who were swindling money from store managers. Courts proved The Martins and other store managers right. The Martins won the battle but lost their store.

Somewhere in Hespeler the Martins are laughing....

MATTAMY HOMES Wetland Scandal Widens
UPDATE JUNE 29, 2005 See the pictures by Hespeler News Supporters of the community that no one wants. Click on pictures to read more information. Notice in the bottom right of the map#2 the homes/street that are overlooking the mill pond. In the future when you look from Elliacott Lookout across the pond you will see a subdivision homes, not the beautiful scenery we now enjoy.

1. 800 Homes - Its as bad as you can imagine. That doesn't include the northwestern parcel of land owned by Koekrtiz Property (approx. another 200 homes there)

2. Major Road Rips Through Wetland - Milton Avenue will be extened right into the subdivision as a major artery out of the subdivision. The road through the wetland is in violation of GRCA wetland policy but they and the City Planning Department don't care. Already nicknamed DeerKill Road, this road will be well known for the amount of road kill it will produce.

3. TRAFFIC STUDY NONE EXISTENT - Although mandated by the City Council to be done and available at the community plan stage, there is no traffic study completed. Lots of blank stares from city staff and the Toronto consultants when asked for a copy of the study. How can the roads and surrounding neighbourhoods handle the traffic volumes? The answer is simple. The roads can't handle the future volumes, that why there is no traffic study for the public to comment on.

4. People on Milton Avenue Traffic Nightmare Here is what we do know. 800 homes are gong to be built, Previous city documents have stated traffic estimates in the range of 3000-5000 vehicle trips a day. Currently Milton Ave. has about 20 vehicle trips a day. As a major road in and out of the subdivision this will incease to 3000 vehicle trips a day minimum.

Sadly peoples lives will be ruined as their quiet family street becomes traffic chaos and their housing values go down.

Surrounding streets like Guelph Avenue, Fisher Mills and Queen St will become even more congested. The whole area will suffer severely from increased noise and air pollution.

5. Why No Major Exits on to BlackBridge Road The developer doesn't want to pay for a new bridge on BlackBridge Road. The new subdivision home owners will demand it in the future and taxpayers will pay for the bridge, not the developer.

6. Can You Do Anything to Stop this Mattamy Homes Disaster?

I). Write a letter to the Cambridge Times, The Record and the Toronto Star stating how Mattamy Homes is wiping out a provincially significant wetland and destroying the quality of life for you and your children.

II). This will make you feel good (but won't make a difference) email Mayor Doug Craig and Rick Cowsil letting them know that you object to the subdivision.

III) Attend the next planning department community meetings. We know they are a charade . Voice your opinons to the City staff and the Toronto"dog and pony show"Planing Partnership Consultants about how disgusted you are with the subdivision.

IV).Definitely attend the city council meeting when the subdivision is on the agenda. You get 5 minutes to let the councillors know your feelings on the subject. Yes, it is true that this council doesn't care about the environment,or the unstainable growth in Hespeler and is notoriously anti Hespeler, but hey it feels good to have your say.

For more background information read the following.

Unanswered Questions and Missing Documents Not Made Available to the General Public (if they even exist!) by City of Cambridge Planning Department and the Grand River Conservation Authority (updated June 13, 2005 from the Death of the Forbes Wetland site)

1. The Traffic Impact Study does not exist. Two years after being mentioned at a Community Meeting the study is not being released by the Planning Department for comment by taxpayers. The one lane historic Blackbridge Road Bridge will not be able to handle the traffic volumes generated by the subdivision. (mandatory - City of Cambridge Planning & Development Committee Meeting July 4, 2000)

2. Mattamy Homes E.I.S. Study (environmental impact study) to Reduce Wetland Protection Buffers - The public were never given a chance to comment (or even view) the study by Mattamy Homes. This study recommended reducing buffer sizes and eliminating protection for the wetland. So more home can be built.(this study was referenced in passing in Report No. P1-61-05, Planning Services, Yvette Rybensky, City of Cambridge, june 8, 2005)

3. Greenspace Management Strategies - The Forbes Creek Subwatershed Study recommends 50m buffers, enhancement areas and a 300m wildlife corridor to protect the wetland and wildlife - (Greenspace Managemen Strategy 7.1 Forbes Creek Subwatershed Study, August 16, 2002, pg 5)

UPDATE - Although the Ministry of Natural Resources and the GRCA have supported the buffers and enhancment areas identified in the Forbes Subwatershed Study, the City of Cambridge Planning Department has allowed the developers the opportunity REDUCE/ELMINATE THE SIZE OF BUFFERS after the community plan stage so more house can be put in> More of the wetlands, wildlife and enhancement areas will be wiped out. (the memo Yvette Rybanensky, Planning Service to the City Management Committee Report No. P1-61-05, states, "The applicants (developers) will still have am opportunity to complete an E.I.S (see #2 above) at the plan of subdivision stage to reduce the buffers, if demonstrated to be appropriate )

4. Aquatic Rehabilitation Strategy, - City of Cambridge Planning Department has never stated who will pay and who will perform the restoration of the Forbes Creek and ponds as out lined in the Aquatic Rehabilitation Strategy in the Subwatershed study. It is the developer who put in the dams and altered the ponds. Estimated cost about $1-2million. This is supposed to be done before any subdivision plans are implemented.(Aquatic Rehabilitation Strategy 7.2 Forbes Creek Subwatershed Study, August 16, 2002, pg 7)

5. Environmental Monitoring Plans - Required since subdivision will have devastating effects on the wetland. Who will pay to monitor and who will pay for the loss of function of wetland and damage done to wildlife and plants? (Adaptive Management Monitoring Strategy 7.5 Forbes Creek Subwatershed Study, August 16, 2002, pg 8)

6. The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) A. GRCA has made NO recommendations on the removal of dams in the Forbes Creek as recommended in the Subwatershed Study. B. GRCA has made NO comments on if/how this subdivision being built contravenes their own Wetland Policy, especially since roads are being proposed to cut through the wetland.

7. Documents on who will pay for the road and bridge infrastructure costs for the new subdivision. The developer is supposed to pay for the subdivision infrastructure costs. Estimated costs just to improve BlackBridge Road and replace the Bridge - $3-4million.

8. Pro Developer Bias at the Planning Department - Yvette Rybensky, City of Cambridge Planning Services, is involved in the Community Plan Stage. Ms. Rybensky has clearly shown her pro development bias in outbursts at earlier community meetings. Why is she still involved in the process? (cambridge reporter, 2001, letter to the editor)

 Hespeler Downtown - Opinion


TIME TO RETHINK YOUR THOUGHTS ON DOWNTOWN HESPELER How many people have said, I wish our Downtown was like St. Jacobs or I wish someone would come in with a bunch of money and turn this place around. There are even Hespeler ultra conservative business types and residents who want to eliminate some businesses downtown because they don’t fit into their vision of what a downtown should consist of. Well get over it folks. If you want to be boring go to Wal-Mart.Hespeler News supporters say…..Hespelers’ downtown is worth visiting now.

There are a bunch of new stores Downtown that offer a uniqueness and identity that the stodgy/stuffy St. Jacobs could never compare with.

A lot of this business are run by Hespeler people. Its time to promote the uniqueness of the downtown. Hespeler News supporters recently did a clandestine visit of the following new businesses and offer these observations.

Indulge - Tim runs Indulge and well…the ice cream is great and the prices reasonable.

Hub Bicycles Sop - Cliff who runs it is very friendly, does a bunch of stuff for the community, has a bike club and sells and fixes bikes. Cliff has reasonable prices. Hespeler News supporters have gone their since they opened and give it a big thumbs up.

Classical Guitar - Hespeler News supporters have supported them since they opened up and have nothing but praise. There are real nice owners, who are community minded, they offer a wide selection of instruments again at reasonable prices. You can go to a box store and buy crap and your kid will quit playing the instrument in a couple months or come here and buy a decent instrument at a decent price. Besides you can jam in the store! Grub Hub - Young businessmen Tim offers a great place to eat in a totally renovated cafe. Wraps and Smoothies are two of the Hubs specialties. Why do people eat bland boring food at the mall.? Walk with your family downtown and try out the Grub Hub you will not be disappointed.

Village by the River Spa- This place is hitting a home run already. It offers everything under the sun for women. The person who runs it Diane has a dynamic personality and lives in Hespeler. We saw more than a few men around Mothers Day going in to buy gift certificates for their wife. Save your marriage send your wife to the spa!

Easy Riders - Perhaps the most unique and interesting stop on our visit to downtown Hespeler was Easy Riders. The store offers high end motorcycles for sale and a variety of quality leather products. They also do motorcycle repairs. Ann, the owner, must have some sort of design background because the store front and inside are always well maintained and stylish in decor . We loved the way the interior of the building highlighted the original wood floors and interior stone walls.

Ann is a good promoter and businesswoman . Hespeler News supporters remember how much fun it was a couple years back when Queen St. was closed off and hundreds of motorcycles came into a town. No trouble just plain fun. Maybe Ann can get some classic bikes/choppers to come downtown a few nights this summer. Stop in and visit Ann.

Chubbys Hespelerites Larry Sims and Scott Morley are newest on the block and have hot rod auto parts and lots of T-shirts. Hespeler News supporters are hoping that Chubbys are going to have some old hot rods downtown on a certain day in the summer. Nice friendly local people. Check them out.

Pottery Shop Wow, what a neat little store, make it part of your visit downtown.

We know you already know all about the other businesses downtown like the hair dressing salons, Daisy mart, Short Stop, PlayfairBowl and the adult massage parlor. We support them all. On Saturday, June 4th, some of the downtown businesses and DAVE FM radio are having a great fun day planned. That will a great time for you to check out the stores in downtown Hespeler. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy the diversity of the downtown.

Where to Build the Skateboard Park?
t seems like an easy issue. The kids need something to do other than torching businesses in Hespeler. Skateboarding is popular. So put a skateboard park in Cambridge. But where? Here are a few options and some concerrns expressed by the citizens.

1. Hespeler Arena Parking Lot - Seems ideal. Centrally located next to a growing population, a large open area next to the arena. Unfortunately local residents and an anglican priest don't want it anywhere near where they live. strange...

2. Guelph Avenue Hespeler Old Industrial Area - This idea may have came from Mayor Craig. This area was suposed ot be part of a natural area according to the last consultants report. Well known to teenagers in the summer for night parties. This lawless area of town is not what you would call desirable by any stretch of the imagination.

3. Riverside Park - They can't be serious. It takes at least an 1hour on a good day to get there by Grand River Transit. Even the walking dead Preston councillors think this is a bad idea. So what is the answer. Let the battle begin........

UPDATE: It seems City Council voted to keep the boundaries the same. Good move.
What the Tories couldn't do in the 1970s the City of
Cambridge is trying to do in two of the three proposed ward boundary changes. Here is our opinion on the changes.
OPTION A - Everything stays the same. Well thats fine by us except Hespeler is doubling in population and its way to much work for one councilor. Hespeler Councillor Rick Cowsill already seems stressed to the max! Option A is good but we need two councillors to cover the future unsustainable growth in Hespeler.
OPTION B - The person who thought of this boundary needs to take their medication. What is the purpose of having half of the boundary being south of the #401. What do we have in common? A real bad idea.
OPTION C - Definitely an anti Hespeler move from someone at the city hall in Galt. Cutting out Silverheights and putting it in with the future mega (and we mean mega) subdivision proposed for fisher mill road area cuts up Hespeler. Hard to say if it is a worse option than Option B. They are both so bad..
CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON HESPELER BOUNDARY CHANGES July 12, 7pm, Council Chambers. If you want to speak to council on this issue you should call Susan Wysman at the City to get on the agenda at 740-4680 ext. 4233. WARNING IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO A COUNCIL MEETING BEFORE IT IS DEPRESSING.

Hi, I'm GARY GOODYEAR!


Much hilarity in downtown Hespeler yesterday when Gary "I still have no Gay friends" Goodyear MP decided to introduce himself to the local busniesses. The only problem is no one knows who Mr. Goodyear is. Goodyear is followng in the footsteps of former MP Yanko Peric by doing a disappearing act once he got elected. Other than his anti same sex marriage rants, Goodyear is hardpressed to show evidence of why he should ever have been elected in the first place. Back to the story.........


Gary Goodyear walks in to one local business and says, "Hi, I'm Gary Goodyear", the clerk, who like 99% of other Hespeler people doesn't recognize Goodyear states, "Hi, I am a worker". Further down the road another merchant wonders, "Is there another election coming up?"No ones knows why Gary visited the downtown and no one knows exactly what Gary has been doing since he got elected. But hey, thats politics.

KFC - Fix the Barrel!

A Hespeler News Supporter wonders why when he goes to other Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets the barrel on top of the pole outside the store rotates and is in good shape. The one in Hespeler never moves and is in rough condition. Can it be saved, does anyone care? There was a rumour last year, that proved to be false, that KFC was leaving town. We like'd them to stay downtown but spend a few bucks and fix the barrel. Get the barrel rockin...
.
Whose Maintaining the Hanging Baskets in Downtown Hespeler

Andy Jardin, is the gentleman from Jardin landscape and Design, is who you might see every 2nd night downtown watering all the hanging baskets that run along Queen St. Andy, a 12 yr. Hespelerite, makes sure that that they are well watered and looking great for the people of hespeler to enjoy as they visit the downtown area. Many people have commented on how nice the flowers look. Thanks Andy from Hespeler News. Andy also has his own landscaping company Jardin Landscape and Design 241-0670.

Ellacott Lookout Tomfoolery Continues

First reported July 8, 2005 in the Hespeler News the saga at Ellacott Lookout continues to mystify local Hespelerites.

The recent Galt news that Mill Race Park will get a $335,000. staircase to get to the river to launch canoes is more dirt in the face of Hespeler people who have seen non action from the city on the installation of a wooden lookout structure at Ellacott.

The Mill Race Park staircase does not allow for people with limited mobilities to access the river. This is in total violation with the spirit and future intent of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act but the city doesn't seem to care.

Here are the facts at Ellacott Lookout as we know them

1.The City of Cambridge Council approved the money for building of a wooden/stone type Lookout for people to view the beautiful Mill Pond from.
2 A Public meeting was held to choose between a few different Lookout designs.
3.The Contract was awarded LAST YEAR to Gateman-Milloy to build the Lookout. Still no Lookout.
4. There is expected to be steps down to the pond from the Lookout. The staircase does not allow for people with limited mobilities to access the river. This is in total violation with the spirit and future intent of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act but again the city doesn't seem to care
Just down the road there is the Spring Street Dock and Parking Lot the City owns. This area is perfect for people of all abilities to use to launch their canoes. Yet the city ignores spending any money fixing up this area.
This latest tomfoolery from the City Planning Department is unacceptable. Does anyone know why there is a delay? Our guestbook is always open!
It is sad to note that the spectacular view from Ellacott Lookout (as shown in the picture) will be wiped out in the future when the subdivision is built across the pond by Mattamy Homes.

Hespeler Bodybuilder at the Canadian Nationals

I asked Hespeler's own Robin Hillis to tell us about herself and her body building career. Enjoy this article from a fascinating individual.

My name is Robin Lynne Hillis. I am 34 yrs old and have always been athletic, from baseball to track and field, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, etc. I was always tall and lanky. My last year of high school, I came across a magazine for a project I was doing, featuring a female bodybuilder, Cory Everson. I fell in love with her look and was addicted.

I started training in 1990 (15 years ago) and entered my 1st show 1992. The McKenzie Challenge in
Hamilton. I placed 2nd. Although I never stopped my training, I didn't go back on stage until 2002 as I started a family.

I decided to try to compete in the Musclemania in 2002 in
Toronto. I didn't place and decided to go back to the Ontario Physique Association. In 2003, I competed in level 1 in Mississauga and placed 3rd. The following year, in Elliott Lake I placed 1st for heavyweight and won overall. 2 weeks later I won the 2004 Heavyweight women's Bodybuilding championships.

That qualified me to enter my first national event - the Canadians. They were held September 3rd in
Laval, Quebec. So, my boyfriend, Jeff and I packed the girls up and off we went to Quebec. Once in Quebec, I had my whole family meet us there to support me and cheer me on! What a joy it was!

I placed 10th in a very big lineup of heavyweight women and got some call outs. So although I didn't place in the top 5, I am happy with my performance, with my conditioning and the experience. This is the best shape I've been in. Last year at the
Ontario's I weighed in at 156 lbs. This year, I was leaner and harder and weighed 170 lbs. That is 14 lbs of muscle I put on! So I met my goal and feel I won that way.

So what is next? I have to requalify at the
Ontario's and then off to Saskatchewan for the Canadians 2006 or wait until 2007. Either way, my goal is to earn my pro card where I can start to compete in the states and eventually make it to the Olympia! It was great chatting with you and telling my story.

Why You Should Go to The City of Cambridge Official Plan Meeting.< Monday September 12, 2005

The City of Cambridge Website Promotes itself as - As One of the Fastest growing".That type of thinking is the reason Hespeler people should attend these borefest Offical Plan Review Meetings. Uncontrolled & unsustainable urban sprawl is turning Hespeler into Hell.

The Review of the Official Plan is very scary for a number of reasons.

1. Urban Land Needs Analysis- Simply put this is where the city turns more land into subdivisions. City Council think out of control growth is good but they have zero evidence to support that. Watch out Hespeler, the the developer and their friends on council and in the Planning Department are looking our way.

2.Implementation of Sub Watershed Studies - The Forbes Wetland Subdivision (they call it the Hespeler North Community Plan, although no one wants the community except Mattamy Homes). The City states the plan for the subdivision is almost done, although the last community meeting revealed horrific flaws in the plan including; missing documents, misleading maps, traffic studies not released to the public and millions of dollars taxpayers will be on the hook for. There is persistent pro-developemnt anti-environment bias from the Planning Department. See article below.

3. Legacy Cambridge Report - Some of the reports recommendations include; i) Getting rid of parking on Queen Street East, ii) Getting rid of the plants, shrubs on the north side of River Road, so all the garbage, currently stopped by the plants, can be blown right into the Mill Pond & wetland. iii) Turning parts of Hespeler into a Heritage District (this includes the 800 Mattamy Homes brand new drywall special homes) silly idea you bet!

4. Hespeler Village River Activation Master Plan - They say they want your opinion, but do they? The Ellacott Lookout is over a year late in being installed and the City ignored their own policy document to make the area accessable to people with disabilities. The City will be putting out more money ($250,000) for more consultants to do studies about dredging the Mill Pond. This dispite the fact that it may cost over $10 million dollars and the
Puslinch Lake dredging experience has been unsuccessful.

5. Hespeler Road Re-urbanization & Beautification - We know this has nothing to do with Hespeler. But its so funny.........What a joke. Beautification of Hespeler Road.......more box stores, neon signs......Home Deport signs in the middle of a fountain....bigger Walmart signs. Hespeler Road is nothing more than an extension of the Mississauga style consumer driven communities we have created. Faceless bland, chain stores. 25 years ago the street could have been saved, maybe. Now...its way too funny. How about nicer Burger King signs....They can't be seriously wasting taxpayers money on this.

When is the meeting,
Monday September 12, 2005, Council Chambers, 46 Dickson Street., 7pm, Our advice - Bring a pillow and a good book to read.

Rememberance Day, WWI , The Coombe, & Flanders Field
Be sure to attend at
10:30am today the Rememberance Day event at the Hespeler Town Hall. As time passes the First World War in particular seems to get forgotten as almost all that have served in it have died. There were over 130 young men from the Combe Receving home on Guelph Avenue in Hespeler that fought in the WWI.


These men were orginally orphans from
Ireland who came to Canada to get a fresh start in life. Most had only been in the country a few years but were proud of their new land and signed up to fight. Many did not come back.


For history buffs,we have included a link to a fantastic site dedicated to WWI. We have pointed the link to the origins of the most famous poem written about the WWI, "On Flanders Field".
href="http://www.firstworldwar.com/poetsandprose/inflandersfields.htm">http://www.firstworldwar.com/poetsandprose/inflandersfields.htm Feel free to browse the whole site.

City of
Cambridge Councillor Health Watch #12

Well one of our most popular updates is the health of the Cambridge Councillors.
The fitness test is simple. Can the councillor walk or run from the Cat's Meow to Ernie's? Thats about one block. Here are the GRADE RATINGS - F - current physical condition prevents them from doing this type of exercise, D - can't walk, C - probably can walk the whole distance, B - might even try running part of it, A - will run the whole thing

Well our panel of experts have examined the visual evidence and have assigned these grades.
Ben Tucci - B
Rick Cowsil - C
Doug Craig - C-
Karl Keifer - F
Gary Price - F
Ted Fairless - D
Linda Whetham - D-

Haunted Bus Tour Almost SOLD OUT - Sunday, October 16, 2005
According to a reliable hespeler news supporter the October 22 Hespeler Haunted Bus Tour 8:00pm and 10 pm tours are SOLD OUT. There are only 10 tickets left for the
midnight tour. Let the exorcisms begin.........

CRISIS IN THE
"ER" AT CAMBRIDGE HOSPITAL - Saturday, October 15, 2005
Read this shocking story on the main page.


Guest Book Entry -
Monday, October 10, 2005
Well its not a Hespeler issue but it sure shows that the present council and Planning department are anti environment. Very interesting letter in our Guest Book from a hespeler news supporter on a planned wipe out of an environmentally sensitive area in south
cambridge. As usual deadwood councillor Gary Price is no where to be seen. interesting reading for sure...

Hespeler Minor Hockey Association Fundraising Halloween Dance with Live Band - Friday, October 07, 2005
Come on out to the Hespeler Minor Hockey Halloween Fundraising Dance. Where/ when: Friday, October 28th, 2005, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Beehive Hall, Hespeler Arena, Featuring: Live Band, Prizes for the best costumes, Late evening buffet
For tickets, please see a member of the Board of Directors, your league convenor. Tickets are $15/person or $30/couple. read more...


Site Update - Friday, October 07, 2005
Check main page for the always popular, Political Update #37. Thie time it is the local hespeler councillor seat.

Latest Updates - Thursday, October 06, 2005
Read the main page for updates on the Roszell Rd. gravel pit, a new GO Transit station idea for the Challenger Motor Site and an update on the Hespeler Haunted Bus Tour.

Hespeler Hair Salon Investigation -
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Click on the tab to read the first installment of this ongoing undercover investigation.

Models Wanted - UPDATE - Tuesday,
October 04, 2005
UPDATE- Big Thanks to the 4 women , 1 man and kids that volunteered to be models for the new hespeler news t-shirts next week. Remember if you want you can take the photos yourself wearing the t-shirt in the privacy of your home and send them to us digitally. We can drop the shirt off at your door.
Hespeler News is looking for people to model their soon to be released hespeler news t-shirts for an upcoming publicity photo page on hespeler news. If you want to remain anonymous we can put a mask on you! We can come to your work, home or even place of worship. No pay and no nudity required. Email us if you are interested.


SHOCKING NEWS -
Sunday, October 02, 2005
It seems notorious
Toronto to Michigan Garbage hauler Wilson logistics is setting up shop in Hespeler. See the main page story.

Haunted Bus Tour highlights -
Saturday, October 01, 2005
We will highlight some of the stories to be told on the tour in Hespeler News. Remember to click on the link for more info.

Site Update -
Friday, September 30, 2005
1.
New Story on Proposed Bike Levy.
2. New RUMOUR - Check out the Rumours Section to read about the Beer Store renovations!

Jeff's Mini Poll Update -
Thursday, September 29, 2005
We realize the Popular Jeff's Mini Poll has not been operating well lately so we have moved it to another location. Just click on the link above to VOTE.
Because of the previous problems, we have put back on the question, "Should Puslinch Council allow a zoning change to allow for a gravel pit on
Rozell Road. VOTE again.


Gifted Floral is Great -
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Well a Hespeler News Supporter emailed us to say that they regularily shop at Gifted Floral on Queen St. and think highly of it. so do we. We have also added them to our links section. read more...

Try the Message Board & Ask Rick -
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
A hespeler news supporter runs the "Message Board" and among other sections has a "Ask Rick Cowsill" section also. If you have not tried it yet, you should. Its a great way to express yourself and discuss topics with other hespeler folk.

Hespeler News Goes Undercover -
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Coming soon, an investigative report on the downtown hairdressing salon scene. Why so many? Will they cut a Hespeler News Supporters hair without an appointment? What will the haircut look like. You will be surprized, we were.

The Art of Maria I. Menage -
Sunday, September 25, 2005
See the main frame for the information on the art show of this Hespeler Artist.

Hespeler Haunted Bus Tour -
Saturday, September 24, 2005
The details are out exclusively at Hespeler News. read more...

Letter the Cambridge Times Will Not Print -
Saturday, September 24, 2005
A Hespeler News Supporter sent us in a letter that The Cambridge Times would not print. Please go to our Guestbook to read the letter. Feel free to send or post any letters the Times will not print or have edited severely.
Isn't it nice not to have one newspaper control what people get to read in our community...


St. Andrews Celebrates 150 years in Hespeler - Friday, September 23, 2005
See our main page story and read more...

New Hillcrest Principal a Stunner - Thursday, September 22, 2005
Well it seemed like it would be just another parent teachers night at Hillcrest when a Hespeler News supporter was greeted by the new principal of Hillcrest Public School, Mrs. Mercea. You would have thought they were taping a session of Fashion File. Mrs. Mercea is of course a great leader and intellectually fascinating but she is also blessed with supermodel looks.
Parents teachers nights will never be the same.


Exotic Pets Coming to Downtown Hespeler -
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Well check out our Rumours Section for this latest tall tale.

The Reids Dark Secrets -
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Another Hespeler News first. No local media will touch this story as the Reid Heritiage Homes puts so much money in local newspaper advertising.
Click on the link and read about the religious sect that the Reids Family belong to. read more...


VOTE in Jeff's New Mini Poll Question -
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Check out the Jeff's mini poll page for the results of the question, "Is the Sewage Pumping Station on
River Road the Ugliest Building in Hespeler?"
Also VOTE in our new poll, "Should Puslinch Council approve the Gravel Pit on
Rozell Road.


THANKS FOR DOWNTOWN WEDNESDAYS -
Sunday, September 18, 2005
To all the merchants downtown and to the people who supported the Downtown Wednesday nights in Hespelerthis summer.
It will be even bigger and better next year.


Gravel Pit Wars Update - Saturday, September 17, 2005
All the neighbours turned up for the meeting put on by well known land rapers Preston, Sand & Gravel regarding the proposed gravel pit at Rozell Road just outside Hespeler boundaries.
No one was impressed with PS&G focus on the lake that will be created after the pit was done in 40 yrs! Everyone in the room would be dead by then. They didn't seem to mention that truck traffic will be well over one million trips during that 40 yr. perod.

Gravel Pit To Destroy Aboriginal Settlement

There is a new rumour, posted in our Rumours Section, related ot this story, that PS&G don't want you to know about.


ASK RICK COWSILL! -
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Wow, we think this is great. If you go to the Message Board you can ask City of Cambridge Hespeler Area Councillor Rick Cowsill a question, and time permitting, he will answer them.Can't beat that. Thanks to the Hespeler News Supporter who runs the Message Board. read more...

SHOCKER RUMOUR -
Monday, September 12, 2005
Canada's Wonderland is Moving! Where, you will be surprized? Check out our Rumours Section.

2 MEETINGS YOU SHOULD ATTEND -
Sunday, September 11, 2005
1. City of Cambridge Official Plan Review Meeting Monday, September 12, 2005, Council Chambers, 46 Dickson Street., 7pm,
2. Meeting on Proposed New Gravel Pit Outside Hespeler , Public Meeting, on Wednesday September 14, 2005 at at tent to be set up at 6524 Roszell Road from 6;30 to 9:00pm. This pit if approved will last thirty years and operate from
7am till 9pm.

See centre column for details on why you should go to these meetings.


Hespeler Bodybuilder at Canadian Nationals - Sunday,
September 11, 2005
See main page story on Robin Hillis.

City of
Cambridge Official Plan Review Meeting - Saturday, September 10, 2005
Read our thoughts on why you should go to this meeting.

Hespeler Haunted Bus Tour Will Happen! - Friday, September 09, 2005
Another Hespeler News Rumour Comes True - On October 22, Saturday, in cooperation with Ernie's Bar & Grill & Wellington Breweries there will be a bus tour leaving Ernies for sites in hespeler, beaverdale, fisher mills & glenchristie to tell stories of ghosts, monsters, strange occurences and the undead. As soon as we get more details we will tell you.

GRAVEL PIT WAR! -
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Residents are all fired up about the proposed Gravel Pit located just outside Hespeler borders in
Puslinch Township. Read the main story.

Site Update -
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
1.
Activities Guide Debacle - Read the main page for this story.
2. Hespeler News First Past the Post Update #36 - Always interesting to see when the local media covers a Hespeler story.

3. Post Office & the Cops - Lots of cops at the old post office building on Saturday morning. It seems a window was broken and an alarm went off.


Coming Soon -
Monday, September 05, 2005
1.
At long last the article on the Reids Heritage Homes connection to the religious sect/cult The 2x2's.
2. The Art show at Grub Hub.

3. The Orchid show coming to Hespeler.

4. Pictures from the first days of the Hespeler Minor hockey this season.


We Are Back and so is ERNIE'S - Friday,
September 02, 2005
Well actually Jeff is back from holidays so he can load stuff on the site. Thanks to everyone who has voted in Jeff's Mini Poll. It seems Crowe Foundry may be the winners.
The BIG NEWS is ERNIE'S IS RENOVATING - but they are also promoting Hespeler history! See main page for details! Hespeler News staff are excited about this story.


Ugly Sewage/Storm Sewer Building -
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Well just in case you have not driven down
River Road lately, see the main page for two pictures that tell the whole story. Click on the pictures for the description, then vote in jeff's Mini Poll. It is no wonder no one in Hespeler trusts the City of Cambridge.

Art Show at Grub Hub - Friday, August 26, 2005
Well we don't have all the details yet (when do we ever!) but it seems the artist putting on the Art Show at Grub Hub (hespeler news will be there) is Maria I. Menage. We expect to be interviewing her this weekend to get all the scoop on the upcoming art show.
On another note, for those people that have asked it will be a couple weeks before the Hespeler News T-Shirts are in.


Todays News - Thursday, August 25, 2005

HESPELER REUNION WEBSITE UP Well this is the big event next year in Hespeler and we at Hespeler News support it. Check out the site link at the top of this page.

2.
Downtown Building for Sale = Check out this main page story.

3. Hub Cycle Team pictures have been moved to Images of Hespeler Section


The Hub Cycling Team in Action - Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Check out this main page for some pictures of Hespeler's own Hub Bike Shop Cycling Team in action in Albion Hills lately. Get and stay healthy join the cycling team

New News -
Sunday, August 21, 2005
1. Grub Hub,
12 Queen Street East, Hespeler, is now open for light breakfast and morning coffee at 7am. Expect Tim to have some tasty breakfast food.
2. New Rumour - Check our Rumours Section for a new tall tale on "Ernies".


Updates -
Monday, August 15, 2005
1.
Hespeler's Carmen Douma-Hussar finished 8th in the World's Track & Field Championships held in Finland in the 1500m race.
2. Two New Rumours in the Rumours Section

3.The Hespeler News T-Shirts are almost ready to be won.

4.Thanks to the Hespeler News Supporter who corrected our Wilkies Store location in our Images Section


We Can't Believe it Either - Sunday, August 14, 2005
First hinted at in the Guestbook, it seems the former mexican food business at the corner of Queen & Guelph Avenue will now be home to a hair dressing salon/massage type place.
Another hairdressing place.......we support all Hespeler businesses but 6 hair dressing salons in two blocks!


Carmen Douma- Hussar at the World's - Saturday,
August 13, 2005
Read the main page story of Hespeler's own Carmen Douma Hussar battle for a medal at the World Track & Field Championships in
Finland. There is also a new link in the LINKS & HISTORY page for Carmen. read more...

New Rumour - Art Show in Downtown Hespeler? -
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Well another rumour is making the rounds and we thought you should know about it. Go to our Rumours section for more details.

Who is Maintaining the Hanging Baskets in Downtown Hespeler -
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
See the main page story for all the news.

SITE UPDATE -
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
1.In the Free Ad Section, Hespeler's ownJardin Landscape & Design.
2. Main Page story, Gary Goodyear Comes to Downtown Hespeler

3. Downtown Hespeler - Wednesday Nights - Ice Cream Eating Contest at
7pm sharp at Grub Hub and Karoke in front of Classical Guitars.

4. Coming SoonWho is taking care of those beautiful hanging baskets in downtown Hespeler? ALSO, Is an Art show coming ot Downtown Hespeler????


Hespeler Tennis Club is Happening - -
Monday, August 08, 2005
Hespeler News Supporters rave about how much fun it is at the Hespeler Tennis Club. It really is open to people of all skill levels. They have great lessons throughout the summer. Visit their website read more...

NEW MESSAGE BOARD - Friday, August 05, 2005
A Hespeler News supporter suggested it and a different Hespeler New Supporter is running it. Please click on the link above to the new Message Board. Please support the effort that goes into making and managing the Message Board. read more...

ELLACOTT LOOKOUT UPDATE - Tuesday, August 02, 2005
A Hespeler News Supporter sent in this explanation as to why Ellacott Lookout is taking so long.
"I believe that Mill Race canoe launch was approved prior to the Ellacott Lookout project so that is one reason that it is proceeding now and first.

With respect to Ellacott Lookout, there are two phases-the first one is the wooden shelter /lookout and the second phase is the walk-down to the river's edge.

The second phase would take some time since they would have to get approval from GRCA and Ministry of the Environment and that would necessitate environmental testing, etc.-long process BUT now the experts are saying that phase two should proceed first since the shelter may be in the way when they proceed to do phase two so now phase two is going ahead first and phase two second - makes sense? Therefore there is a delay in getting the necessary approvals to do phase 2. That is why there is a delay."

Please vote in Jeffs Poll to show the city our displeasure with their decision not to make the steps to the pond accessable to people with limited mobilities. We will send the Poll results to the City councillors.


WIN A HESPELER NEWS T-SHIRT -
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Coming soon details on how to win a HESPELER NEWS T-shirt!

Ellacott Lookout Tomfoolery -
Friday, July 29, 2005
see main page story on this scandal.

SITE UPDATES -
Thursday, July 28, 2005
1. Photo on Main Page from last nights fun downtown.
2. A long Time Hespelerite (45yrs.) and Hespeler News supporter has started up a new Messageboard titled, MEET ME ON THE CORNER.The are a wide variety of topics. Please check out this site. Its in our links section also

read more...


TOM LAND TO
LEAVE TOWN! - Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Hespeler News Supporters sent in this update from another website. Its seems Tom Land, the man who sold the Forbes Wetland to Mattamy Homes and made millions is moving.
It doesn't seem to matter that he told the City of
Cambridge Council and the local media that he would not leave Hespeler. He said he want ed to raise his family here. read more...


HOCKEY STICK TOUR UPDATE - - Saturday, July 23, 2005
A Hespeler News Supporter emailed us to say that the Stick Tour is SOLD OUT for this weekend.

GREAT HESPELER
REUNION NEEDS YOU! - Thursday, July 21, 2005
Read about this story on the main page.

ERNIES GETS INTO HISTORY RUMOUR -
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Check out our latest Rumour!

MUSICIANS & BUSKERS WANTED -
Saturday, July 16, 2005
For Wednesday Nights in Downtown Hespeler. We hope to have about six musicians or buskers downtown each Wednesday in August.
Contact Joy, 651-0588 at Classical Guitars on
Queen St. E. to set up your audition time.


Reids Homes Floodfest -
Friday, July 15, 2005
Well lots of storm related stuff going on in Hespeler. Seems Reids "Cheapo" Homes had some serious flooding problems. (see Guestbook entry)
On a Related note - Hespeler News has had for some time a story related to the Reids and their religious convictions (eg: They belong to a group called by various names The 2x2's, The Truth etc. religious cult) A quick search of those two terms on the Net will give readers a taste of what the cult is all about.

Perhaps its time for Hespeler News to tell the real story about The Reids that the mainline media will not. Stay tuned.


Peter Krause - Not In Jail Yet! -
Friday, July 15, 2005
Tomorrow we will give you an update on public servant, Grand River Conservation Authority Chairmen Peter Krause criminal trial. For those new to this story, Peter has been charged with assaulting Christine Billings a Guelph City Councillor in a love gone bad meltdown. Local media are keeping this story quiet. Do we want a guy who assaults women representing the GRCA? We don't think so..................

NEW FORMAT, NEW POLL - Thursday, July 14, 2005
Hey, a couple Hespeler News Supporters had written in and said the site was hard to read. So, we designed a new one. Let us know if you like the new format by completing Jeff's Latest Poll Question. In case you are wondering the 2 Google ads on the page cannot be removed.

ITS TIME TO BARTER - Thursday, July 14, 2005
A Hespeler based International Business where you can Barter Your Goods and Services, Business Barter or Home Exchange for a Vacation,.Trade Anything, Pay Nothing!
We love the idea! Hespeler News Supporters check out the site. read more...


CHOPPING UP HESPELER MEETING TONIGHT -
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
7pm City Council Chambers - New Electoral Boundary Changes. See centre column for the whole story. What decision will the Galt and Preston Councillors make that will decide the future of Hespeler?



Mystery of the Post Office Clock NEWS, - Sunday,
July 10, 2005
It seems a Hespeler News supporter has entered some interesting stuff in the Guestbook on this saga.

Forbes Park Festival A Success - Sunday, July 10, 2005
Was there any doubt! Nice weather helped bring out the crowds for this event.

Hespeler Minor Hockey On Line Sign Up - -
Friday, July 08, 2005
Sign up NOW on-line for the upcoming season and save money on regisration costs. Its a great organization. read more...

BREAKING NEWS STORY - TRAGEDY AT THE BEER STORE! -
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Irs the long weekend and the lineups are even longer at the Beer Store in Hespeler. So when a men came out of the beer store carrying 3-24s it was no big deal.
But a Hespeler News Supporter eyewitness saw the man trip over the trailer hitch of a vehicle and fall to the ground breaking 2-24s of beer (Coors & Canadian)

But the story has a happy ending as the good employees at the Beer Store replaced the mans 2-24s at no charge.

Wow was that an exciting story.


PHOTOS OF FORBES SUBDIVISION MAPS -
Thursday, June 30, 2005
View the maps, click on them for more information. Read the article underneathe the maps. THIS IS A SCANDAL. There is no way a subdivision that size can fit in the environmentally sensitive area. The Forbes wetland, wildife, historic bridge and quality of life for people in the area is ruined forever.
Thanks to the Hespeler News Supporter for the secretly taken photos of the flawed plan maps.


WEDNESDAY NIGHTS COME ALIVE IN DOWTOWN HESPELER -
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Starting July 6/05 and every Wednesday there after from
6 pm till dusk.
Come downtown Hespeler to enjoy a night of sales, shows and fun! Local business have teamed up to put a weekly night of family fun together. Activities will include: Live music, car, bike and bicycle shows, Sales and fun and more.

Bring your friends, family, pets and smiles! See you downtown Hespeler!


COMING TOMORROW - THE CHOPPING UP OF HESPELER - Tuesday,
June 28, 2005
The City of Cambridge is changing the ward boundaries. How many councillors will Hespeler get? Will Hespeler be joined with the Cambridge Centre mall?!!! Will Silverheights be chopped out of Hespeler?
This is the biggest political event since the amalgamation of
Preston, Galt & Hespeler by the sleezy Tories. You should pay attention to this move by the city. Hespeler's future is on the line.

READ ABOUT IT HERE TOMORROW!


SOLVED the Mystery of the Stop Lights on
Guelph Avenue Bridge - - Monday, June 27, 2005
Tim & Larry knew the answer to the mystery.
As part of river activation, the city is expending money to decorate the bridge with new and hopefully ornate light standards, flower boxes, etc. and that is going to co-incide with work slated by the region to repair the bridge.

Therefore the lights are in anticipation of that work and the necessity to reduce it to one lane during the construction period.

WE STILL WANT YOUR ANSWER IN JEFF'S MINI POLL!

We got a few emails over the weekend asking us why there are new stop lights on each side of the
Guelph Avenue bridge over the Speed River? Well we at Hespeler News don't have a clue!

There is also a set of lights at the end of the almost deserted
Milling Road? What is this all about?Someone who knows should write into our Guestbook and help solve this great mystery.




NEW YAHOO GROUP FOR GRR & GPH Streetcar lovers - Sunday, June 26, 2005
Well, you may know that there used to be street cars (interurbans) that ran from Kitchener through Preston and Galt down to Port Dover. Of course Hespeler had 10 minutes service to
Preston and beyond. It was $2.00 to go to Port Dover!
Bill Miller, well known rail historian has set up a yahoo group to discuss anything related to the old grandriver railway (it still exists!) and the streetcar lines.

If you have never tried Yahoo Groups its a great way to exchange ideas and keep in touch with people eith similar interrests. Its free..... read more...


800 HOMES & TRAFFIC CHAOS - Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Read the main page for the latest information from the community meeting last night on the Forbes Subdivision.

WHO STOLE THE HESPELER POST OFFICE CLOCK MYSTERY? -
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Check out this page for the mystery of who stole the clock from the Hespeler Post Office. A $50.00 REWARD is being offered by Hespeler News for the safe return of the working clock. Do you know where it is?...........someone does. Please pass on this website to anyone with details to help solve this mystery.

CLASSICAL GUITARS EXPANDS AGAIN! -
Thursday, June 16, 2005
No worries about who is moving into Route 81! Classical Guitars is expanding again!!!! They need more studio room for their popular music lessons. Kick out the jams! Remember you read it here first............

GUESTBOOK SHOCKER, -
Thursday, June 16, 2005
See the Guestbook for the shocker about Ernies changing owners!

MATTAMY HOMES - FORBES WETLAND MEETING - Thursday,
June 16, 2005
The City of
Cambridge have hired the Toronto based Planning Partnership to have a meeting on the North Hespeler Community Plan. (that is another way of saying Wiping Out the Forbes Wetland) Tuesday June 21, 2005, 7pm, St. Andrews Church 73 Queen St. E.
Be prepared to be broken up into small groups (they hate facing questions from everyone) and be given way too much information to be able to adequately analyze the information.

They give you nothing to review in advance. They wouldn't want you to come prepared to the meeting would they.

For background reading, we suggest the Skulduggery story on this page or go to the Links section and read the Death of the Forbes Wetland or Scandal at the Grand River Foundation site for all the stuff the city and Mattamy will not tell you about. read more...


Do We Have Enough Fire Trucks! -
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
In 1914 Hespeler had 2 fire trucks and 500 people. We are now apporaching 15,000 people in population (with no end in site) and we have only one fire truck.
Kinda makes you wonder if this unsustainable growth is putting lives at risk....


Hespeler News Warning -
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
There has been a tragedy at the Glenchristie lime quarry on Highway #24. A young man has drown swimming there.
Kids have been using the abandoned quarry as a place to swim. It is private property and illegal to trepass. The quarries are 50 to 60 feet deep.

Please warn your children not to go there.


Hespeler Library in Exile - Thursday, June 09, 2005
Hespeler News Suporters think the new kids library is great and should stay permamently on Queen St. It adds alot to the downtown.
Don't let the fact that the City of
Cambridge has a "Deliverance" style decor on the front of the building stop you and your child from visiting. Inside it has been well organized by the hard working library staff there.

Come on Mayor Craig and Councillor Cowsill spend some money on the front of the building! Its gonna be there for a year and hopefully more.


Latest News Update! -
Monday, June 06, 2005
1.Well Saturdays Downtown Fun Event went really well.
Only suggestion for next time, CLOSE Queen St. to traffic.
2. We can't believe it either but VIDEO WARS has just heated up in Hespeler with the edition of Super Video 2. It is located at the back of the Hespeler Restaurant/Pizza Pizza Plaza.

3.Coming soon in Hespeler News -Carving Up Hespeler- Political Boundary Changes

4. We love the idea of the new temporary library right on Queen St. How about the City spending at least some money on painting the around the top of the building and a better sign. Talk about cheap.

4.What year will the splash pads be turned on?


Hey We Forgot Ernies! -
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Seems strange but true...A website devoted to Hespeler and no mention of Ernies! Well its true, a Hespeler News supporters has keenly noticed we have not talked about Ernies.
Ernies has been there supporting the Hespeler Community for over 27 years. Yes we love Ernies, who doesn't.

To make up for this oversight we will scour the photo archives and try in the next couple weeks, and put together a few vintage Ernies/Queens Hotel photos! Thanks for noticing.....


UPDATE - Unbelievable Rare Wetland Photos Added - Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Hespeler news supporters who manage the Scandal at the Grand River Foundation Site have told us they have a NEW photo gallery link showing pictures of the Forbes Wetland then and now. So we asked them if we could have put the pictures on Hespeler News and they said yes. Go to our Images of Hespeler Link

ANOTHER RUMOUR COMES TRUE - Monday, May 30, 2005
Well this is a biggie. We told you on
March 14, 2005 in our Rumours Section that Toyota was building their new plant near Woodstock. Fast Forward to May 30 and Toyota announces they are building their car plant in Woodstock. Remember you read it here first!!!!!

GRUB HUB RATED "A" - Monday, May 23, 2005
Hespeler News Operatives went into Hub Grub on Queen Street for a meal.They had wraps and smoothies and stated, "the food was great." say no more.

HOT TUB WARS HEAT UP! -
Monday, May 16, 2005
We thought it would happen.... The new guy on the Holiday Inn Drive, Vita Spa, puts out the big neon sign stating 30 hot tubs on display. Just down the road at Great Escape Hot Tubs (winner of last Hot Tub War) they have neon sign, giant truckload sale and telephone pole advertising.
Hespeler is not big enough for two Hot Tub companies. More battles to follow...............


NEW History of Black Bridge Road Rail Bridge Link - Saturday, April 30, 2005 - Saturday, April 30, 2005
Well, we all know the story. Developer (Mattamy Homes) wants new subdivision, city says yes, wetlands and historical structures wiped out. Read this report that stated the rail bridge should be replaced with a similar structure. It wasn't, it is gone and these pictures and article is what we have left. Go to the Links section or.... read more...

ANOTHER HESPELER NEWS EXCLUSIVE - Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Soccer fanatics at Hespeler News are estatic over the news that a new SOCCER STORE is opening up in Hespeler. Located at
420 Queen St. W in Hespeler the DaSilva Enterprises SOCCER SHOP is your soccer specialty store. Their hours are 9:00am to 6pm, closed Sunday, call 651-2855. Remember you read it here first.............

HAUNTED HESPELER GHOST TOUR RUMOUR - Friday,
April 15, 2005
WOW - Check out the Rumours Section on this page for more information..

HOT TUB WARS ROUND 2 -
Sunday, April 10, 2005
We can't believe it either but its time for round two. You may recall in Hespeler News the story of how THE GREAT ESCAPE HOT TUB COMPANY on Hoilday In Drive went head to head in a battle with WATERSPRITE HOT TUB GALLERY (also on
Holiday Inn Drive) for the battle to sell Hot Tubs in the ever expanding Hespeler market. Throw in a company from Kitchener that advertises in Hespeler and it was a HOT TUB WAR.
Well less than four months after WATERSPRITE went out of business, VITA SPA has just opened up in same location.

IT could be a tough battle against the GREAT ESCAPE HOT TUB CO.We at Hespeler News think there is room for only one HOT TUB Company in town, so let the WAR begin.(again!)


APRIL 9th, 2005 - COPS & BLOOD AT 132 QUEEN ST. W - Sunday, April 10, 2005
Well two cop cars, an identification van were at
132 Queen St. W. parking lot this morning. There were blood stains on the parking lot. What could it all mean? It seems a man under the heavy influence of mind altering substances and bleeding passed out in the parking lot.
Interestingly the man got up went over to Sunnyvale Variety to pass out there again! Thankfully our crime fighters from the Waterloo Police were able to catch this man.


Hespeler Tennis Club is Rockin -
Friday, April 08, 2005
The Hespeler Tennis Club has a NEW Head Coach Andrew Graham and a NEW Board of Directors. Located in beautiful
Forbes Park, they offer summer camps, team tennis, adult, kid lessons and tournaments. Registration is April 20 and 23rd.

Hespeler IOOF Lodge to Close -
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
SAD NEWS, the oldest Hespeler organization, formed in 1886, the International Order of Odd Fellows has decided to close. We at Hespeler News had hoped this rumour was not going to happen but it did. Read the full story coming soon to Hespeler News.....

Chubby's Speed Shop and Apparel Opening April 2 - Monday, March 28, 2005
Chubby's Speed Shop and Apparel on Queen St.E will be opening Saturday April 02/05. Our shop is specializing in apparel and automotive parts for street rod, nostalgic, and classic car enthusiasts. We are excited to be one of the new stores opening in Hespeler and invite everyone to come by and check us out!

Robbery at Daisy Mart - Monday, March 28, 2005
Easter Robbery Madness in Downtown Hespeler Thank god no one was hurt today in this brazen suppertime 5pm sunday broad daylight Easter robbery at the Daisy Mart on Queen St. The cops showed up with the tracking dogs and they were searching some of the upstair apartments in the downtown. Remember you read it here first........

HESPELER LEGION PIPE BAND NEEDS PLAYERS -
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Want to learn the pipes or drums. Do you already know how to play them?. Can you commit to Thursday night practices? Call
Roy at 621-0841. The Hespeler Pipe Band is a tradition in Hespeler. Coming soon to the Image Gallery, pictures of a pipe band practice from the 1960s!!


The Great Hespeler Reunion will occur on July 6,7,8,9, 2006.

The Great Hespeler Reunion will occur on July 6,7,8,9, 2006.They need volunteers to help make this event a hugh success.A list of "proposed events" is below. These events will happen if volunteers step forward to chair them.


They are seeking Chairs for about 10 events. In addition; they will require 300-400 volunteers before & during the
Reunion. Anyone interested can obtain a volunteer form from me by phone: 658-9290 or email. lary_turner@msn.com


The Hespeler Reunion website should go online in the next month and we will definitely let everyone know about it. As Hespeler News grows we will increase our support for the Great Hespeler Reunion. Get involved, Have fun. Lary Turner, Vice Chair GHR Committee.



2006 Great Hespeler Reunion Posssible Event Lineup


2006 Great Hespeler Reunion Book,Welcome Center,Opening Ceremonies,
Hespeler Passports, Commemorative Tree Planting/Dedication, Historical/Architectural Walking Tour, Public School Visits/Youth Education,Art Show, Friday Night Dance, Midway/Forbes Park, Queen St. Mall/Vendors, Main Stage Entertainment, GHR Parade/Queen St. & Guelph Ave, RCMP Musical Ride/Parade, Parade Fly Past, Street Dance, Beer Tent, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Concert, Fireworks Display, Beef Bar-B-Q Dinner, Free Family Swim, Helicopter Rides, Steam Train Rides, Bicycle Road Tour, NHL/Hespeler Old Timers Hockey Game, Old Timers Ball Game, Golf Tournament, Dart Tournament, Horseshoe Tournament, Tennis Tournament, 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, Canoe Races, Kids Fishing Derby, Beard Growing Contest, Soapbox Derby,Speed Skating Races, GHR Amazing Race, Motorcycle Show, Anywhere Skateboard Park, Martial Arts Demonstrations,AMAZING!



A Hespeler Bus Ride - A Great Experience

Born and raised in small town Hensall
Ontario, I moved to Waterloo to go to University and never went back. After spending 10 years in the north end of Waterloo I moved my new family to Cambridge, a decision I have never regretted.


Working in
Mississauga, I have never taken a GRT city bus to get around. However there is a first time for everything. Our family of four has one vehicle. This morning, my oldest daughter went with her mother to the Toronto airport to pick up my in-laws returning from vacation. I had a few errands to run in downtown Hespler so I was left with the choice of walking or hitching a ride on the bus. With my four year old daughter in tow, I didn’t feel like forcing a 30 minute walk on her so the bus was the natural choice.


The bus was punctual and uneventful as we were the ONLY people on the bus. My errands took under and hour and we managed to catch the very next return bus. During the ride back, my daughter propped up her favourite toy in the seat beside her, a “Sleeping Beauty” doll in a pink dress which she has been very attached to for the past year. I’m sure by now you can guess where this is going. Not 15 seconds after stepping off the bus, I realized that my daughter had forgotten her doll on the bus. I tried in vain to wave down the bus but he never notice me. I watched the bus turn the corner and drive away as my four year old sobbed behind me, completely devastated at the loss of her doll.


Upon arriving at our house I immediately called the GRT lost and found. They redirected me to the
Cambridge terminal. I called several times but there was no answer. As a last resort I decided that we would go back to the bus stop to catch the bus on the next round. Once again with my four year old in tow we headed out to the bus stop. This time it had started to rain so being “ever prepared”, we took umbrellas. We should have taken a submarine! We were about half a block away from our house when it began to pour. I couldn’t believe just how much water was coming down. Trying my best to be a good father and ease the loss in my daughter’s heart I stood there in the pouring rain for 10 minutes waiting for the bus on the off chance that her doll was still there.


When the bus driver pulled up, he was amazingly friendly allowing us to come onto the bus to check for the lost doll. There she was, just as my daughter had left her, sitting on the same seat. I couldn’t believe our luck. I thanked the bus driver as did my daughter. The look on her face was reward enough for me.


This experience has brought two things to mind. First of all… the bus driver of route 71 that day was amazing and his service alone has instilled in me a desire to use the GRT bus service again… something that I had always avoided in the past. Secondly… how are they possibly making any money on this route? I was on that bus for three consecutive rounds. The total number of people that I saw, not including myself and my daughter was two! That was over a period of three hours! At $2.25 a pop, the route made $6.25 over 3 hours that day. Doesn’t seem like a money maker to me.


I try my best to be environmentally friendly when I can and as such I would recommend to anyone in the Hespler area looking to get around… give the GRT bus a try. I would love to see it being used and hate the thought of the route being canceled due to lack of use.



27$ Million Dollar Boondoggle


UPDATE:
4/19/05 - In case there was any doubt in your mind that the Region of Waterloo airport was a giant debacle think no more. With the new announcement that Sunquest Air is bringing charters in the tax payer money pit continues. Curiously omitted from the Cambridge Times Article was the fact that taxpayers are putting out another $650,000 in upgrades to allow Sunquest to fly out of the airport for only 15 weeks!


New Region of Waterloo CEO Mike Murray thinks its a good deal. Hmmm...Over $2 million dollars in yearly taxes go to it, $26 million total in taxpayer money and the fact that EVERY PASSENGER AIRLINE THAT HAS FLOWN OUT OF THERE HAS GONE BROKE. (quik air, trillium, etc...)


Where are our elected representatives, Craig, Brewer and Miller? Why is Regional Government unaccountable for pissing away taxpayers money.

UPDATE:12/11/04 Quik Air Leaves Town. Quik Air like others before it, cancelled service from Waterloo Regional Boondoggle Airport. The airport continues to be a giant $26million taxpayer sinkhole.



Update - September 3rd. 2004 - A bad situation just got a whole lot worse. The Region of Waterloo in July started charging $8.95 a day for parking at the desolate airport. Another tax grab by the Region of Waterloo and a giant disincentive to people when you are trying to build up business at the taxpayer money pit. To no ones surprize Quik Air passenger numbers still stagnate. In fact on September 3rd their morning flight from
Ottawa to Waterloo Region Airport to was cancelled. No one was booked on the flight!



What if the Region of
Waterloo spent $27 million to give approximately 250 people their own airport to fly out of every year. It would be an outrage.


A total of $27million is spent by taxpayers to help maintain and enlarge the Waterloo Regional airport.. The Region of Waterloo airport is the biggest Region of Waterloo taxpayer funded sinkhole in recent memory.



Head cheerleader for supporting the airport with our tax dollars is non other than Region of Waterloo Chairperson Ken Seiling We can’t blame Seiling for everything as the rest of Waterloo Regional council has supported funding for the airport.



But just how many are flying out of
Waterloo Regional Airport. In 2003, the last year when Trillium Airlines was in business, Transport 2000 did a ridership survey for one week. The survey found that on average 5 people a day were taking Trillium Air to Ottawa. Now Quik Air is flying out of Waterloo Regional Airport for points east including Ottawa. Random sampling by Transport 2000 revealed that on average 4 people were riding to Ottawa each way!



You could probably get even madder when you realize our tax dollars are subsidizing American owned aviation giant North West Airlines to fly out of
Waterloo Airport. A North West subsidiary is flying from Waterloo Region to that holiday mecca of Detroit Michigan. Having lived in Windsor Ontario and ventured across to Detroit on a number of occasions, Detroit would not be my preferred tourist destination.



Instead of spending the $27 million on the airport, it would be cheaper to have bought every person that has taken Quick Air and Trillium in the last year their own single engine plane and/or flying lessons or their own pilot. This seems like an unbelievable fact but costing out the price of a plane (used Cessna 172 - $60,00.) and lessons ($7,000 to get your own pilots licence) or hire a pilot ($50.00/hr) This would have saved millions of dollars for the taxpayers.



More remarkable is for every trip travelled by air, you could give all the people who flew Quik Air and Trillium a first class Via Rail ticket from Kitchener to Ottawa return AND increase passenger rail service frequency to once an hour on our line from London through Kitchener into Toronto.. This passenger rail service frequency increase is for all the public, not just the rich people who can afford the air fares out of Waterloo Region. The Region of Waterloo could still have over $6 million left to refund taxpayers.



We could also have spent the $26 million in having hourly GO Train service into
Toronto and still give tax payers back millions of dollars.!



We live in a truly unfortunate time when Region of Waterloo politicians can waste $27 million of taxpayers money and nothing can be done to stop it.




Hespeler IOOF Lodge - 1896-2005 CLOSES


The Independent Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) Hespeler Lodge No.321 Started in 1896. The three rings in the IOOF logo represent friendship, love and trust.


This organization in the early 1900s had over 250 members in the Hespeler lodge. The Hespeler Lodge provided, among other things, crutches, wheel chairs, and beds to persons in need. These types of services were vital in the community especially before the development of the various health care legislation, health care insurance plans and the public institutions that now provide similar services.


There was also a Rebekah Lodge #129 of the IOOF for Women that at one time existed in Hespeler. The IOOF has always been located in various buildings downtown. They are now located above the flower shop downtown.


In April 2005, a sad event occurred in Hespeler’s history. The Hespeler Lodge #321 members voted to close the Hespeler Lodge and amalgamate with the Preston Lodge. This has happened to other IOOF lodges like
Guelph and Fergus also lately.

the reasons why the Lodge is closing is probably related to the fact the services they originally provided are now provided by government or health insurance plans.


The IOOF did not change their mandate as other service organizations have. (Sponsoring sports teams etc.) Therefore their need in the community has dwindled. Their lack of success in attracting new employees also played a part in their demise.


The picture above is taken before the historic vote to close the Lodge. Some of the long time members in the picture include Bert Brown, Eric Fox and Chuck Brent. Hespeler News thanks the members for their years of service to the community.
Their is an excellent detailed history of the IOOF located in our links page:



THE HESPELER JUNIOR PIPE BAND
The band was formed in formed in 1960 by Robert Chalmers. The band lasted til around 1970. For Hespeler young people fortunate to be in the band it was an experience of a life time.

Travelling to different cities in Canada and even the USA, band members got the chance to see many sites and meet many people. Strong friendships developed among band members.

Hespeler families like Alexander, Inglis, Chalmers, Shields, Ebbs had more than one family member in the band.


The band members acknowledged the hard work involved with two practices a week, a performance on Saturday and often a practice on Sunday to go through mistakes that happend at Saturday's performance. All former members interviewed stated it was some of the best times in their life.


How good was the band? It was in a class all of its own. Here is one example of how good they were. On one day they took first place in the Norfolk County Warriors Day Parade and in the evening won first place at the City of
London Torchlight Parade.


Will there be another Hespeler junior pipe band? Probably not, but, the Hespeler Legion Pipe Band needs members and you can call
Roy at 621-0841 for more information.


TO SEE SOME IMAGES OF THE JR. PIPE BAND PRACTICING CLICK ON THE IMAGES OF HESPELER SECTION

IS IT TIME FOR A MINOR SOCCER ASSOCIATION IN HESPELER?

Here are the present scenarios.

1.You race home after work to drive across town for a 6pm weeknight game at Riverside Park and you get there and all the other families playing that night are from Hespeler.

2. Saturday morning and you pass by empty soccer fields in Hespeler to drive across town with your 4 year old child to play soccer at Riverside Park.

3. You notice that taxpayer funded sports fields at our schools are neglected and unused… If you feel there is something wrong with those real life scenarios mentioned above read on….


Why do Hespeler kids not play soccer in Hespeler? Simple question, difficult answer. Cambridge Youth Soccer has grown in popularity the last five or six years and the people running it seem blind to the needs of Hespeler people. The City of
Cambridge & the Waterloo School Boards also choose to ignore the problems facing youth soccer in Cambridge. Let’s look at each issue separately.

1.Scheduling of Games in Hespeler – Why on Saturday morning don’t the young children have their games on the fields beside Hespeler Arena? Why are not all mini soccer games up to U9 played in Hespeler? There certainly are enough kids in Hespeler and the population is rising? It is estimated that over half of the 5000 kids playing in soccer in Cambridge are from Hespeler.


It would definitely reduce the stress of parents if they didn’t have to drive across town to bring their kids to the game. Playing in Hespeler would also reduce the traffic on streets as many could walk or bike to the game. This all makes sense but somewhere at Cambridge Youth Soccer no one seems to take the effort to schedule the Hespeler kid’s games in Hespeler.


2. The Conditions of Hespeler Soccer Fields – Why are
Woodland Park, St. Elizabeth and Silver Heights Schools are the sports fields in poor condition? Why aren’t these fields not maintained and why can’t kids use these fields to play soccer?


The guilty parties are the City of
Cambridge and the Waterloo School Boards. The City of Cambridge and the Waterloo School Boards are unwilling to work together to come to an agreement to maintain these fields for our youth to use. Ironically, we the taxpayer own these fields but have no control over there use. There is no logical reason we cannot use and maintain those fields in Hespeler except the bungling of the bureaucracies that control them. Even more bizarre is the fact that the City of Cambridge is building new fields when existing fields are left to rot.


Cambridge Youth Soccer is putting their indoor facility at
Riverside Park. This part of the City has little to no population growth. That means everyone will be driving there from somewhere else. Yet Hespeler with the largest population growth gets ignored.


It is conservatively estimated that over 3500 Hespeler children will be playing soccer within five years. Perhaps its time Hespeler stood up and organized a new soccer association for the good of the community. Yes it will be hard to do. Cambridge Youth Soccer will not be happy. Dealing with the dysfunctional City of
Cambridge , both Waterloo school boards bureaucracies and politicians will be a challenge to say the least.

We should be able to play organized soccer in our own community….

The History of the Hespeler Hockey Stick Brand Name

It’s no secret that Hespeler has the world’s oldest hockey stick factory located on Sheffield Street. But what is very interesting is the turbulent history of the “Hespeler” brand name. Anyone growing up in the 1920s through the 1960s will recall that the Hespeler brand was thee hockey stick to use. The history of the Hespeler Stick Factory and the actual stick manufacturing techniques of the plant will be the focus of a future article. Here is the story of the Hespeler brand name………


In 1905 the Hespeler Wood Specialty Company began operation with their signature patented brands of Hespeler Hockey sticks like the “
Canada and “Supreme” models. By the 1920s, Hespeler was the most popular brand in the World and Hespeler sticks were used by the Canadian Olympic hockey gold medal championship team. By 1947 over 1 million wood products (axe handles, baseball bats, hockey sticks ) a year was produced out of the Sheffield plant.


1972 was a devastating year for Hespeler’s identity as a town and as a premier hockey brand. The Provincial Tory government forced Hespeler with
Preston and Galt to amalgamate to become the City of Cambridge. (that’s another future feature story!).
Also in 1972, the Hespeler/St. Mary’s Wood Specialty Products plant on
Sheffield Avenue was sold to Cooper Canada. Cooper immediately discontinued the use of the Hespeler brand name of hockey sticks.


The Hespeler stick brand disappeared until 1987 when Steve Davies a
Toronto area sports supplier noticed the trademark for the Hespeler name had not been renewed. Steve patented the Hespeler trademark name and began reviving the name. Steve’s Hespeler Hockey Co. used the Hespeler hockey stick plant (now called Canstar) to produce the Hespeler brand stick.


In 1997, First Team Sports Inc, and American company known for its in-line skating products, bought Steve Davies Hespeler Hockey Co. which included the Hespeler brand. You may have noticed in your local Canadian Tire the return on Hespeler Hockey sticks and equipment around this time.


First Team Sports even hired hockey mega superstar Wayne Gretzky to promote the Hespeler line and
Wayne even became a board member and shareholder of Hespeler Hockey Co. This is not surprising as Wayne used Hespeler sticks in his youth.


It is thought that around this time the Hespeler brand stick was again no longer made in Hespeler. The Canstar Hespeler Plant was changing ownership also. The Canstar Plant was first being owned by Bauer and then by Nike
Canada.


First Team Sports Inc. did very poorly, primarily due to the over production of in-line hockey skates and equipment. Then Hespeler Hockey Company CO. was sold along with the Hespeler brand name to Huffy Sports, another American company. The reemerge around the year 2002 of the Hespeler hockey stick and equipment line was and continues to be seen in sport stores in
Ontario.


But as of the writing of this story, Huffy Sports has gone into bankruptcy protection, their websites promoting Hespeler hockey sticks and equipment are gone and once again the future of the Hespeler name is unclear.


The Hespeler hockey stick plant on
Sheffield Street has recently survived Nike/Bauer attempted closure of the plant. It has been sold to long time workers there and is called Heritage Hockey Sticks.


Where have the Hespeler hockey stick brand name been made during these years? Hard to say but stick plants in
Victoriaville, Quebec and Coboconck, Ontario are two possibilities.


Let’s hope one day in the near future the Hespeler brand hockey stick returns to the
Sheffield Street plant, now into its second century of operation.


Who Stole the Hespeler Post Office Clock


At the corner of Queen and Cooper Streets is the Hespeler Post Office. It was an important part of our community and a meeting place. Canada Post in one of their most infamous and community killing moves, decided to save money and close the downtown post offices throughout many parts of Canada and move them into whatever corner store would have them.


Although the facts are not well known to Hespeler News, and the story has been passed on through many people, it seems in these dark days of the closing of the Hespeler Post Office the clock was stolen. The clock was located at the top front of the building. You can still see the clock dial.



Was it; Canada Post management, an unhappy postal employee or someone else, who stole the clock, we do not know, but someone does.


Its been over twenty years, lets return the clock intact so it can be put back in front of the Hespeler Post Office. Hespeler News is offering a $50.00 cash reward for the safe return of the working clock. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Your identity will not be revealed. Lets return another part of Hespeler's History! See the CONTACT section to email us if you have any information in the " Case of the Missing Post Office Clock."


No Police In Hespeler

Tragically most people in the core of Hespeler have accepted the fact that there is no police presence there. But how much tax money is being spent on policing in Hespeler?


The Record reported on
December 31, 2003, that it costs $402. per household for policing. The Region of Waterloo has stated in their publication titled, “Living Here” that it costs $290.89 per household for policing. According to the Waterloo Regional Police, both figures are correct depending on how you calculate the costs. A simple question of how much it costs to provide police services leads to a very confusing double answer.


In The Record Ken Seiling, Police Service Board member and Regional Chair, stated “that we run a pretty efficient operation here.” What type of efficient operation is he talking about the $402. or the $290.89 cost per household. We will pick the low estimate to figure out the Hespeler policing costs.


According to Region of Waterloo documents, in 1997, an average of $190.44 per household of tax dollars was spent on policing. In 2002, 5 years later, and average of $290.89 per household of tax dollars was being spent on policing. A $100.00 tax increase in policing costs per household and still no adequate policing in Hespeler.


The most staggering statistic is the total estimated cost per year Hespeler residents pay for the poor policing. With 7,300 households paying on average $290.89 per household, Hespeler taxpayers pay over $2.1 million.


What can be done about this boondoggle. Nothing really. You can complain all you want but politicians have no control over the quality of policing in the Waterloo Region. I wonder how much the Ontario Provincial Police would charge Hespeler residents for policing?


The Waterloo Regional Police want to hire more police officers. Will that make a difference in Hespeler? I doubt it. One thing is for sure the cost of policing will go up even further. It is already the largest amount on the regional part of your tax bill.
Is there effective and efficient policing from the Waterloo Regional Police in Hespeler Its amazing what $2.1 million won’t buy you.

CYCLING IN HESPELER - How a dangerous situation is getting a lot worse

What if you wanted to go for a ride on your bikes with your family to pick up a video at the video store in Hespeler? How about go with your child on bikes to their school or to the soccer fields in Hespeler? What is you wanted to bike or walk south of Hespeler over the Highway 401?Welcome to “living dangerously!”

The City of Cambridge, like many other cities, has and continues to design communities that are not sustainable or livable. It is based on the 1960s concept that an auto dependent community is a well designed one. One good example in Hespeler is Queen Street East and River Road.

Once a quiet street where you could go for a bike ride on is now an extremely dangerous location to bike. The City of Cambridge Council approved a large subdivision that Queen Street serves as a major artery into. The narrow street and sidewalks are hazardous with the large traffic volumes speeding down the street.


Even more amazing is a Legacy
Cambridge Report (November 2003) suggesting that Queen Street East and River Road have bike lanes!! Hespelerites on that Cambridge committee included Tim Hilborn, Hespeler Kingpin Lawyer, Tom Land, Millionare Wetland Developer, and Karen Grant, Hespeler BIA director(sans compagnie). Interestingly no one in Hespeler has ever seen those three people on a bike!


TOP 3 MOST DANGEROUS CYCLING SPOTS IN HESPELER


1. Franklin Boulevard/401 Overpass - Thee most dangerous crossing. A past fatality only serves to reinforce the fact that if you do want to walk or cycle at this intersection DON’T. There is no safe way to cycle or walk to get over the Highway 401 at
Franklin.


2.All Queen Street (east, downtown,west)- too narrow too many cars,


3.Cooper Street from Ellis to Queen Street TIED with
Franklin Boulevard top of the hill to Tannery Street. - both are too narrow - avoid.


What can taxpayers do to make Hespeler a more sustainable livable community? Unfortunately with the present city council not a lot. This council is very pro-development in the most unsustainable way. They approve subdivision after subdivision without assessing the social and environmental consequences of what they have done. A physically healthy community is not a goal of this council. Vote someone else in next election instead of the same old people who got us into this mess.


When do the volunteers at Hespeler News suggest people go cycling in Hespeler? Go out biking Sunday early morning before
8am.

SOCCER FIELD CRISIS IN HESPELER


It seems our elected officials Mayor Craig, Councilor Cowsill, and the Cambridge School Board Trustees of the
Waterloo Region Public & Separate School share one thing in common. The needs of thousands of young children who want to play soccer in Hespeler are ignored. Consider the latest debacle from the City of Cambridge and the School Boards.


The
Preston part of Cambridge is growing approximately 2% in population the next 10 years. Hespeler is the midst of growing by 100% population in 10 years. So where does the City of Cambridge decide to put a full size soccer field. In Preston!


Ridiculous but true. For some reason our elected officials want to put more traffic on the roads and put more stress on parents by driving further to get to the game on time. This was easily accomplished by the incompetence of the our city staff and elected officials., by locating, the soccer field in a location NOT near a growing population base of young families.


But of course the situation is much worse than this $179,000. sham. Not only has the City of
Cambridge ignored our youths needs but the School Board (in cooperation with the City) has taken out a soccer field in Hespeler!


Hespeler News Readers know we have talked about the Waterloo Public and Separate school soccer fields in Hespeler that are in need of maintenance. (see article below “Is it Time for a Soccer Association in Hespeler) More incompetence at the Board and City staff prevent them from coming to an agreement on maintaining these fields.


Woodland Park Public School (on Ellis St.) is one of the schools with a sports field in need of maintenance. But the field is now no longer usable because someone……decided to put a mini playground in a corner of the field! This wiped out the option of the field being used for any sports event. They even took out one set of goal posts.


The U10 Girls Cambridge Youth Soccer (CYS) Teams with Hespeler children on them received their soccer schedules. NONE of the games are played in Hespeler they are played in
Preston and Galt. Since about half the U10 CYS Girls ten teams are from Hespeler it is a cruel taxpayer joke that kids and parents have to drive to Galt and Preston to find a full or even medium size soccer field. There is only 1 full size soccer field in Hespeler at Jacob Hespeler High School.


Meanwhile sports fields at
Hespeler Public School, St. Elizabeth Separate School and Silverheights Public School days will probably never be used for Hespeler children as elected officials at the City and the School Boards ignore the physical and social health of our young people.


Can it get any worse…..Yes, The City of Cambridge is planning to put more soccer fields...... in Galt


WILDLIFE ON THE MILL POND

Hespeler people know that this is the most beautiful area of Cambridge. Over 177 species of wildlife are found in this area. We thought that everyone should know what is in the area so perhaps the creek and mill pond will be protected from development.


There are many people watching the pond to spot the latest wildlife. Eventually we hope to have this as a separate page at Hespeler News.


Our first wildlife sighting posting is the Osprey. It has been nesting in the pond area for several years. The Osprey nest is big and found very high in the tree. It forages for fish by hovering above water at considerable height, then plunging feet-first.Occassionally dives beneath surface. Size is 56-63cm in length/ 1.4-1.8.kg.


You can see the Osprey from
Riverside Park or Elliacott Lookout. The best way to see the Osprey and their nest is to take an canoe ride out on the pond.



LOCAL RIDING INSTRUCTOR FEATURED IN
CANADA'S LARGEST NATIONAL MAGAZINE


Liz Lewis, of Irish Creek Stables riding school on Wellington Rd. 34 in Hespeler, Ont., was profiled in a feature story in the July 2005 issue of Canadian Living magazine. The focus of the article, entitled "Facing Down Fear", was how Lewis was pivotal in helping a
Toronto woman overcome her fear of riding.


Lewis, who has been the owner and operator of Irish Creek Stables since 1976, has a BA in Psychology from the
University of Guelph and is a member of the British Horse Society. The July 2005 issue of Canadian Living is on newsstands now.


Lewis first became interested in helping non-riders deal with their fear of getting on a horse when she realized many adults who brought their children to her riding school loved horses, but had anxiety about riding.


Part of Lewis's approach is to get the rider to focus on why they want to ride as opposed to their fear. "If you have the passion to ride and you want to tackle your fear, than there's no reason why you can't," says Lewis.


Her experience and focus on safety and horse education has had a positive influence on the
Cambridge and Guelph riding community, including the Canadian Pony Club and the Ontario Horse Trials Association among others, for the past three decades.


Irish Creek Stables has riding lessons for every level of rider, as well as a special riding clinic dealing with fear of riding for all ages. Irish Creek Stables also runs summer day camps for all levels of young riders.


For more information, log on to www.irishcreekstables.com. You can also contact Chris Kopinak at Irish Creek Stables, 519-658-2998 with any questions or for a copy of the Canadian Living story



ANOTHER STRIP MALL FOR HESPELER


Well, it was good news when Challenger Trucking was moving out of town. Less trucks and pollution... But what is moving into
410 Queen St. W. Its a strip mall! Even though there is one only a block away. Whats the first thing a person will see when they come off the highway24 in Hespeler? A gas station, convenience store, or another pizza place?

Its seems developers in full cooperation from the City of Cambridge Planning Department and Council will bend over backwards to turn Hespeler into a sterile Mississaugiish community?


We at Hespeler News have a better idea for what to d owith that location? How about a Grand River Transit /Greyhound Bus Terminal with a GO Train link across the street?


Currently GRT has a couple bus signs near the Smitty Furniture Parking Lot that is supposed to be their Hespeler Terminal! Greyhound hides next to the Roller Rink in a tiny convence store.

GO Trains, well we all know the story... 410 Queen St. West is an excellent location near the highway for the bus station with rail link to Guelph and Toronto. Sadly our Regional and Municipal Councillors continue to ignore Hespelers needs.

I wonder if there room for another Dollar Store in town.....



GRAVEL PIT WAR! - Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Residents are all fired up about the proposed Gravel Pit located just outside Hespeler borders in Puslinch Township. Read the main story.

Central Ontario Orchid Show Comes to Hespeler -
The Annual COOS Orchid Show and Sale will be held for the second year at the Hespeler Arena, 640 Ellis Road, Saturday, Sept 24 from 11:00am to 5:00pm, Sunday, Sept 25 from 9:00am to 5:00pm
Admission: $6, supervised children 12 and under - free. 658-6807 read more...


Cambridge Women killed by Black Bear - Wednesday, September 07, 2005
A very tragic event happened yesterday in a remote northern Ontario park. Our sympathy to the friends and families of the women. read more...

Site Update - Tuesday, September 06, 2005
1. Activities Guide Debacle - Read the main page for this story.
2. Hespeler News First Past the Post Update #36 - Always interesting to see when the local media covers a Hespeler story.

3. Post Office & the Cops - Lots of cops at the old post office building on Saturday morning. It seems a window was broken and an alarm went off.


Coming Soon - Monday, September 05, 2005
1.
At long last the article on the Reids Heritage Homes connection to the religious sect/cult The 2x2's.
2. The Art show at Grub Hub.

3. The Orchid show coming to Hespeler.

4. Pictures from the first days of the Hespeler Minor hockey this season.


We Are Back and so is ERNIE'S - Friday, September 02, 2005
Well actually Jeff is back from holidays so he can load stuff on the site. Thanks to everyone who has voted in Jeff's Mini Poll. It seems Crowe Foundry may be the winners.
The BIG NEWS is ERNIE'S IS RENOVATING - but they are also promoting Hespeler history! See main page for details! Hespeler News staff are excited about this story.


Ugly Sewage/Storm Sewer Building - Sunday, August 28, 2005
Well just in case you have not driven down River Road lately, see the main page for two pictures that tell the whole story. Click on the pictures for the description, then vote in jeff's Mini Poll. It is no wonder no one in Hespeler trusts the City of Cambridge.

Art Show at Grub Hub - Friday, August 26, 2005
Well we don't have all the details yet (when do we ever!) but it seems the artist putting on the Art Show at Grub Hub (hespeler news will be there) is Maria I. Menage. We expect to be interviewing her this weekend to get all the scoop on the upcoming art show.
On another note, for those people that have asked it will be a couple weeks before the Hespeler News T-Shirts are in.


Todays News - Thursday, August 25, 2005

HESPELER REUNION WEBSITE UP Well this is the big event next year in Hespeler and we at Hespeler News support it. Check out the site link at the top of this page.

2. Downtown Building for Sale = Check out this main page story.

3. Hub Cycle Team pictures have been moved to Images of Hespeler Section


The Hub Cycling Team in Action - Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Check out this main page for some pictures of Hespeler's own Hub Bike Shop Cycling Team in action in Albion Hills lately. Get and stay healthy join the cycling team

New News - Sunday, August 21, 2005
1. Grub Hub, 12 Queen Street East, Hespeler, is now open for light breakfast and morning coffee at 7am. Expect Tim to have some tasty breakfast food.
2. New Rumour - Check our Rumours Section for a new tall tale on "Ernies".


Updates - Monday, August 15, 2005
1.
Hespeler's Carmen Douma-Hussar finished 8th in the World's Track & Field Championships held in Finland in the 1500m race.
2. Two New Rumours in the Rumours Section

3.The Hespeler News T-Shirts are almost ready to be won.

4.Thanks to the Hespeler News Supporter who corrected our Wilkies Store location in our Images Section


We Can't Believe it Either - Sunday, August 14, 2005
First hinted at in the Guestbook, it seems the former mexican food business at the corner of Queen & Guelph Avenue will now be home to a hair dressing salon/massage type place.
Another hairdressing place.......we support all Hespeler businesses but 6 hair dressing salons in two blocks!


 
New Rumour - Art Show in Downtown Hespeler? - Thursday, August 11, 2005
Well another rumour is making the rounds and we thought you should know about it. Go to our Rumours section for more details.

Who is Maintaining the Hanging Baskets in Downtown Hespeler - Wednesday, August 10, 2005
See the main page story for all the news.

SITE UPDATE - Tuesday, August 09, 2005
1.In the Free Ad Section, Hespeler's ownJardin Landscape & Design.
2. Main Page story, Gary Goodyear Comes to Downtown Hespeler

3. Downtown Hespeler - Wednesday Nights - Ice Cream Eating Contest at 7pm sharp at Grub Hub and Karoke in front of Classical Guitars.

4. Coming SoonWho is taking care of those beautiful hanging baskets in downtown Hespeler? ALSO, Is an Art show coming ot Downtown Hespeler????


ELLACOTT LOOKOUT UPDATE - Tuesday, August 02, 2005
A Hespeler News Supporter sent in this explanation as to why Ellacott Lookout is taking so long.
"I believe that Mill Race canoe launch was approved prior to the Ellacott Lookout project so that is one reason that it is proceeding now and first.

With respect to Ellacott Lookout, there are two phases-the first one is the wooden shelter /lookout and the second phase is the walk-down to the river's edge.

The second phase would take some time since they would have to get approval from GRCA and Ministry of the Environment and that would necessitate environmental testing, etc.-long process BUT now the experts are saying that phase two should proceed first since the shelter may be in the way when they proceed to do phase two so now phase two is going ahead first and phase two second - makes sense? Therefore there is a delay in getting the necessary approvals to do phase 2. That is why there is a delay."

Please vote in Jeffs Poll to show the city our displeasure with their decision not to make the steps to the pond accessable to people with limited mobilities. We will send the Poll results to the City councillors.

 BREAKING NEWS STORY - TRAGEDY AT THE BEER STORE! - Thursday, June 30, 2005
Irs the long weekend and the lineups are even longer at the Beer Store in Hespeler. So when a men came out of the beer store carrying 3-24s it was no big deal.
But a Hespeler News Supporter eyewitness saw the man trip over the trailer hitch of a vehicle and fall to the ground breaking 2-24s of beer (Coors & Canadian)

But the story has a happy ending as the good employees at the Beer Store replaced the mans 2-24s at no charge.

Wow was that an exciting story.

PHOTOS OF FORBES SUBDIVISION MAPS - Thursday, June 30, 2005
View the maps, click on them for more information. Read the article underneathe the maps. THIS IS A SCANDAL. There is no way a subdivision that size can fit in the environmentally sensitive area. The Forbes wetland, wildife, historic bridge and quality of life for people in the area is ruined forever.
Thanks to the Hespeler News Supporter for the secretly taken photos of the flawed plan maps.


WEDNESDAY NIGHTS COME ALIVE IN DOWTOWN HESPELER - Thursday, June 30, 2005
Starting July 6/05 and every Wednesday there after from 6 pm till dusk.
Come downtown Hespeler to enjoy a night of sales, shows and fun! Local business have teamed up to put a weekly night of family fun together. Activities will include: Live music, car, bike and bicycle shows, Sales and fun and more.

Bring your friends, family, pets and smiles! See you downtown Hespeler!


COMING TOMORROW - THE CHOPPING UP OF HESPELER - Tuesday, June 28, 2005
The City of Cambridge is changing the ward boundaries. How many councillors will Hespeler get? Will Hespeler be joined with the Cambridge Centre mall?!!! Will Silverheights be chopped out of Hespeler?
This is the biggest political event since the amalgamation of Preston, Galt & Hespeler by the sleezy Tories. You should pay attention to this move by the city. Hespeler's future is on the line.

READ ABOUT IT HERE TOMORROW!

SOLVED the Mystery of the Stop Lights on Guelph Avenue Bridge - - Monday, June 27, 2005
Tim & Larry knew the answer to the mystery.
As part of river activation, the city is expending money to decorate the bridge with new and hopefully ornate light standards, flower boxes, etc. and that is going to co-incide with work slated by the region to repair the bridge.

Therefore the lights are in anticipation of that work and the necessity to reduce it to one lane during the construction period.

WE STILL WANT YOUR ANSWER IN JEFF'S MINI POLL!

We got a few emails over the weekend asking us why there are new stop lights on each side of the Guelph Avenue bridge over the Speed River? Well we at Hespeler News don't have a clue!

There is also a set of lights at the end of the almost deserted Milling Road? What is this all about?Someone who knows should write into our Guestbook and help solve this great mystery.


NEW YAHOO GROUP FOR GRR & GPH Streetcar lovers - Sunday, June 26, 2005
Well, you may know that there used to be street cars (interurbans) that ran from Kitchener through Preston and Galt down to Port Dover. Of course Hespeler had 10 minutes service to Preston and beyond. It was $2.00 to go to Port Dover!
Bill Miller, well known rail historian has set up a yahoo group to discuss anything related to the old grandriver railway (it still exists!) and the streetcar lines.

If you have never tried Yahoo Groups its a great way to exchange ideas and keep in touch with people eith similar interrests. Its free..... read more...


800 HOMES & TRAFFIC CHAOS - Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Read the main page for the latest information from the community meeting last night on the Forbes Subdivision.

 Hespeler Library in Exile - Thursday, June 09, 2005
Hespeler News Suporters think the new kids library is great and should stay permamently on Queen St. It adds alot to the downtown.
Don't let the fact that the City of Cambridge has a "Deliverance" style decor on the front of the building stop you and your child from visiting. Inside it has been well organized by the hard working library staff there.

Come on Mayor Craig and Councillor Cowsill spend some money on the front of the building! Its gonna be there for a year and hopefully more.


Latest News Update! - Monday, June 06, 2005
1.Well Saturdays Downtown Fun Event went really well.
Only suggestion for next time, CLOSE Queen St. to traffic.
2. We can't believe it either but VIDEO WARS has just heated up in Hespeler with the edition of Super Video 2. It is located at the back of the Hespeler Restaurant/Pizza Pizza Plaza.

3.Coming soon in Hespeler News -Carving Up Hespeler- Political Boundary Changes

4. We love the idea of the new temporary library right on Queen St. How about the City spending at least some money on painting the around the top of the building and a better sign. Talk about cheap.

4.What year will the splash pads be turned on?


Hey We Forgot Ernies! - Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Seems strange but true...A website devoted to Hespeler and no mention of Ernies! Well its true, a Hespeler News supporters has keenly noticed we have not talked about Ernies.
Ernies has been there supporting the Hespeler Community for over 27 years. Yes we love Ernies, who doesn't.

To make up for this oversight we will scour the photo archives and try in the next couple weeks, and put together a few vintage Ernies/Queens Hotel photos! Thanks for noticing.....

UPDATE - Unbelievable Rare Wetland Photos Added - Wednesday, June 01, 2005 - Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Hespeler news supporters who manage the Scandal at the Grand River Foundation Site have told us they have a NEW photo gallery link showing pictures of the Forbes Wetland then and now. So we asked them if we could have put the pictures on Hespeler News and they said yes. Go to our Images of Hespeler Link

ANOTHER RUMOUR COMES TRUE - Monday, May 30, 2005
Well this is a biggie. We told you on March 14, 2005 in our Rumours Section that Toyota was building their new plant near Woodstock. Fast Forward to May 30 and Toyota announces they are building their car plant in Woodstock. Remember you read it here first!!!!!

GRUB HUB RATED "A" - Monday, May 23, 2005
Hespeler News Operatives went into Hub Grub on Queen Street for a meal.They had wraps and smoothies and stated, "the food was great." say no more.

NEW History of Black Bridge Road Rail Bridge Link - Saturday, April 30, 2005 - Saturday, April 30, 2005
Well, we all know the story. Developer (Mattamy Homes) wants new subdivision, city says yes, wetlands and historical structures wiped out. Read this report that stated the rail bridge should be replaced with a similar structure. It wasn't, it is gone and these pictures and article is what we have left. Go to the Links section or.... read more...

ANOTHER HESPELER NEWS EXCLUSIVE - Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Soccer fanatics at Hespeler News are estatic over the news that a new SOCCER STORE is opening up in Hespeler. Located at 420 Queen St. W in Hespeler the DaSilva Enterprises SOCCER SHOP is your soccer specialty store. Their hours are 9:00am to 6pm, closed Sunday, call 651-2855. Remember you read it here first.............

HAUNTED HESPELER GHOST TOUR RUMOUR - Friday, April 15, 2005
WOW - Check out the Rumours Section on this page for more information..

HOT TUB WARS ROUND 2 - Sunday, April 10, 2005
We can't believe it either but its time for round two. You may recall in Hespeler News the story of how THE GREAT ESCAPE HOT TUB COMPANY on Hoilday In Drive went head to head in a battle with WATERSPRITE HOT TUB GALLERY (also on Holiday Inn Drive) for the battle to sell Hot Tubs in the ever expanding Hespeler market. Throw in a company from Kitchener that advertises in Hespeler and it was a HOT TUB WAR.
Well less than four months after WATERSPRITE went out of business, VITA SPA has just opened up in same location.

IT could be a tough battle against the GREAT ESCAPE HOT TUB CO.We at Hespeler News think there is room for only one HOT TUB Company in town, so let the WAR begin.(again!)


APRIL 9th, 2005 - COPS & BLOOD AT 132 QUEEN ST. W - Sunday, April 10, 2005
Well two cop cars, an identification van were at 132 Queen St. W. parking lot this morning. There were blood stains on the parking lot. What could it all mean? It seems a man under the heavy influence of mind altering substances and bleeding passed out in the parking lot.
Interestingly the man got up went over to Sunnyvale Variety to pass out there again! Thankfully our crime fighters from the Waterloo Police were able to catch this man.


Hespeler IOOF Lodge to Close - Wednesday, April 06, 2005
SAD NEWS, the oldest Hespeler organization, formed in 1886, the International Order of Odd Fellows has decided to close. We at Hespeler News had hoped this rumour was not going to happen but it did. Read the full story coming soon to Hespeler News.....

Chubby's Speed Shop and Apparel Opening April 2 - Monday, March 28, 2005
Chubby's Speed Shop and Apparel on Queen St.E will be opening Saturday April 02/05. Our shop is specializing in apparel and automotive parts for street rod, nostalgic, and classic car enthusiasts. We are excited to be one of the new stores opening in Hespeler and invite everyone to come by and check us out!

Robbery at Daisy Mart - Monday, March 28, 2005
Easter Robbery Madness in Downtown Hespeler Thank god no one was hurt today in this brazen suppertime 5pm sunday broad daylight Easter robbery at the Daisy Mart on Queen St. The cops showed up with the tracking dogs and they were searching some of the upstair apartments in the downtown. Remember you read it here first........

HESPELER LEGION PIPE BAND NEEDS PLAYERS - Thursday, March 10, 2005
Want to learn the pipes or drums. Do you already know how to play them?. Can you commit to Thursday night practices? Call Roy at 621-0841. The Hespeler Pipe Band is a tradition in Hespeler. Coming soon to the Image Gallery, pictures of a pipe band practice from the 1960s