If you’re happy, wag your tail

LYNN NAGLE

For Chatham This Week

There was a lot of dog wagging going on at John Waddel Park on Water Street Aug. 7.

The DOLRA (Dog Off-Leash Recreation Area) committee organized a fundraiser for the park.

There were dog races, sit bingo, Frisbee throwing, face painting, a barbecue, silent auction, as well as many other activities to entertain the dogs and their human friends.

Dogs gave puzzled looks to their owners who were asking them to sit on the painted grass at the Bingo course. Everyone laughed as someone else's dog joined the crowd and promptly heeded the command, sitting on the targeted centre.

The obstacle course may have been designed for the dogs, but kids and adults ended up peeking and calling down the tunnel trying to encourage their pets to try it. A few dogs were willing to jump the hurdles and raced through the tunnel without encouragement, and were watched with awe by the spectators. The other dogs did not seem concerned or impressed with their trained counterparts.

The day could not have been made possible without the support of numerous public and private sponsors.

Many of the dogs are regulars to the park and promptly set about mingling with their dog friends.

Some dogs arrived looking forward to playtime with their owners, or whomever they could find to throw the ball, stick or Frisbee.

Other dogs came to mingle with the people and were looking for a pat, scratch, or a belly rub.

Article ID# 2716455

New grandstand at Fergie Jenkins Field

August 21, 2010

LYNN NAGLE

Chatham This Week

Baseball players, fans and local politicians were on hand to celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated Rotary Park and Grandstand at Fergie Jenkins Field on Aug. 21.

Jason Chickowski, Project Coordinator for Chatham Minor Baseball Association proudly told the crowd the new grandstand was constructed by Westhoek Construction and Fab Tech Welding, using products supplied within Chatham-Kent where possible.

The grandstand is now fully accessible and capable of supporting regional and provincial sporting events. Upgrades were also made to the lighting, dugouts and fencing.

Rick Bedard, Chairman for CMBA thanked the three levels of government that approved and helped fund the $425,880 project.

Many other organizations stepped forward with financial support to help enhance the facilities. They include the Rotary Club, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, McGeachy Charitable Foundation, CMBA, Chatham-Kent Community Foundation and the Enabling Accessibility Fund.

"Investment in recreational amenities is a high priority with Chatham-Kent Council," said Mayor Randy Hope. "Sports facilities improve our health and our quality of life. They engage citizens in community-building activities and they attract visitors, helping us to reach out to other communities. This is a great investment."

Former players, Mike Murphy and Ed Robbins, passed baseballs to new generation players Alex and Luke Chickowski for the ceremonial first pitch. The balls were caught by past generation players Ed Myers and Chuck Rylett and then returned to the new players Alex and Luke as keepsakes.

Doc Miller, Bill Atkinson and Fergie Jenkins, former baseball players from Chatham, were remembered at the ceremony.

This article also appeared in the Wallaceburg Courier Press


About Lynn Nagle
Ms. Nagle has been a prolific freelance writer for major publication across Ontario, and also writes for Corporations, Associations and Magazines.