Instead of three fathers, the local contingent grew to six men who participated in the 16-kilometre challenge that included slogging through mud, under barbed wires, dodging fire, scaling walls, balancing and carrying logs. 

“We did every event, from running through wires with 10,000 volts of electricity, to diving into a ice tank,” said Mudder Dad Greg Turkstra

Designed by British Special Forces, Tough Mudder events started in 2010 in Europe. Proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project, which assists soldiers who are making the transition from service-related injury to civilian life. 

Congratulations and thanks to the Dundas Valley Sunrise Rotary Club, under the leadership of the event co-chairs Ken Beel and George Gould for once again stepping forward to partner with the City of Hamilton to ensure that our annual Victoria Day Fireworks Display continues in the Dundas Driving Park. Last weekend, thousands of people from the entire city came out to enjoy this Dundas tradition (we were the “only show in town”). It was great to see all of the smiling faces, both young and mature. Also, thank you all for your generous cash donations in support of Rotary projects and food items for the Dundas Food Bank.

• • •

This Saturday, May 25, Dundas Community Services in association with Dundas’ Salvation Army Family Centre, will be holding their annual food drive in support of the Dundas Community Food Bank. Donations of non-perishable food can be left at your front door or in apartment lobbies for pick-up by volunteers between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., or they can be left at the Dundas Fire/EMS Station in Memorial Square. Some 200 volunteers are needed to help as drivers or canvassers, so please come to the Dundas Lions Memorial Community Centre, 10 Market St. S. anytime between 9 a.m. to noon to assist. For further information, call 905-627-5461.

• • •

On Saturday, May 25 and Saturday, July 13 from 11 a.m  until 4 p.m., experience Farm Crawl Hamilton 2013 – an agri-tourism experience in the Heart of the Greenbelt. For info, visit www.farmcrawlhamilton.ca or call 905-627-9208.

• • •

Join us on Thursday, June 6 from 3 -7 p.m. for opening day as the Dundas Farmers Market celebrates its fifth anniversary in the Municipal Parking Lot at the corner of Hatt Street and Miller’s Lane in downtown Dundas.

• • •

Coming up is the 16th Annual Dundas International Buskerfest hosted by the Downtown Dundas BIA along King Street West. It will operate from 6 p.m. on Friday, June 7 until 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 9. The event will once again present top street performers from around the world. For further information, visit the Buskerfest page at www.downtowndundas.ca

• • •

For the past number of years, I’ve been pushing for service improvements to the HSR’s Route 5 and I’m extremely pleased to announce that, effective June 23, there will be a doubling of service including weekends and into the evening on every day on that transit bus route. 

For further information, visit www.hamilton.ca/hsr or call 905.527.4441. 

• • •

The next Dundas Community Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19 in the Council Chambers in the Dundas Municipal Service Centre (old Town Hall), 60 Main St.

By Debra Downey

Senior Editor

Tim Potocic wants more people to know about Hamilton’s long and rich blues tradition.

The owner of Sonic Unyon Records has worked with an organizing team for several years to bring to life a new Hamilton event. 

And this Saturday, June 1, marks the start of the Hamilton  Blues and Roots Festival.  

“We want more people to hear the amazing, award-winning musicians from right here in our city,” said Potocic. 

The free, day-long outdoor music and cultural festival focused on blues and roots music will take over Westdale Village and transform it into a vibrant showcase for street performers, food and craft vendors, a beer garden, family movie night event and more. 

Potocic said the inaugural year will also highlight some outstanding local musical talent, including Juno Award nominee Steve Strongman, Maple Blues Award and Juno Award nominee Harrison Kennedy and Hamilton Music Awards winner Terra Lightfoot.

“It is going to be a great day,” said Potocic. “People can walk around and check out the vendors, eat some great food and hear some amazing music.”

The festival is being hosted by Sonic Unyon and the production team behind Hamilton’s hugely successful Supercrawl festival, with support from the Westdale Village BIA, the Ainslie Wood/Westdale Community Association, Councillor Brian McHattie and local bluesman Steve Strongman, the event turned the corner from idea into reality.

Juno Award nominee Steve Strongman will be among the performers at Hamilton’s first Blues and Roots Festival.  

By Allyson Wenzowski

Special to The News

The Carnegie Gallery Secret Gardens Tour celebrates its 20th anniversary on Sunday, June 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.  

Established in 1993 as an annual fundraiser for the gallery, the tour is an eagerly awaited event that features a diverse selection of gardens in and around Dundas.  

 To celebrate the 20th anniversary, eight garden retreats will be featured, from innovative lifestyle gardens and floral fantasies to bucolic country retreats. As part of the tour theme, artists will be sketching, painting, carving and making jewelry in the gardens throughout the day.  

One of the country gardens belongs to Eric and Kathy Herring   on Old Governors Road. Their garden covers 1.5 acres, with many flower beds and architectural accents including two gazebos, a portico, waterfall and pond, sundial and numerous sculptures, along with a large variety of exotic trees, shrubs and perennials.

 As part of the Secret Gardens Tour, the Carnegie hosts a tearoom with complimentary jazz music, lemonade, iced tea, and an assortment of sweet biscuits. Numerous door prizes are also up for grabs. 

Tickets, $20 each, include a frameable poster featuring a print from acclaimed artist Wes Bates, plus a ballot for a chance to win a door prize. Tickets can be purchased at the Carnegie and The Keeping Room in Dundas and Bryan Prince Booksellers in west Hamilton. 

For further information visit www.carnegiegallery.org.

Photo by Allyson Wenzowski

Eric and Kathy Herring’s country garden on Old Governors Road features many architectural accents, including two gazebos, a portico, waterfall, pond and sundial.

Over the past two weeks, as the community first searched for, and then mourned, the loss of young husband and father Tim Bosma, we witnessed the powerful potential of online networking as it brushed up against the real world in an impactful way.

Within hours of leaving his Ancaster home on May 6 in his truck with two suspects who had contacted him to arrange a test drive through an online classified site, Bosma was determined missing; as police issued a press release asking for coverage through traditional media, a very organized and thorough campaign overtook Facebook and Twitter. A downloadable poster featuring Bosma’s likeness and a photo of his truck, along with contact numbers for the Hamilton Police Service and Crime Stoppers, was repeatedly posted and spread to thousands of Facebook users, who continually re-posted it to their own timelines. These online flyers were soon adorning the windows and notice boards in area establishments.

According to Hamilton police, who have made one arrest and continue to search for at least two suspects in connection with the case, more than 700 tips have been called in by members of the community. In an investigation in which speed is of the essence, the logistics of spanning municipalities stretching from Brantford to Kleinburg and hitting several points in between, we imagine, can be a logistical nightmare. In the Bosma case, however, the momentum never wavered – everyone was on the same page, with a singular focus. At every turn, 140-character posts outpaced anything  traditional media could provide.

Following the arrest of a suspect and then the shocking discovery of Bosma’s remains last week, the focus of the online campaign became two-fold: the search for additional suspects continued, and the community banded together to mourn and to support a family in what is surely the most difficult time of their lives.

Again, social media rose to the occasion, providing not only solid information, but creating a space to send wishes to Tim’s widow, Sharlene, and their young daughter. A memorial in Brantford and an opportunity for the public to sign a book of condolences at Ancaster’s old town hall last Friday  were well attended, underscoring our connection to the family.

The tragedy that knocked on the door of the Bosma house this month came to us all – but  so did the realization that we have the power to strengthen our bonds to each other.

There are many theories related to bullying that profess to explain who and why particular children are bullied. After 37 years in the education field, I have formed my own theory.

In my many years as a principal and school superintendent, I have found that there are four conditions that are always met when a victim has been bullied.

• Victim does not “stand up” to the bully – The starting point for bullying activity occurs at the earliest stage when a bully targets a boy or girl and engages in some preliminary bullying such as name calling, aggressive behaviour such as pushing or shoving or some other intimidating action.

The bully is checking out whether the identified victim will provide any form of resistance to the unwanted negative behaviour.

Resistance can vary depending on the individual situation, but it can range from a verbal outburst such as “no, leave me alone” to a more aggressive response that might include a verbal rebuke, as well as a noticeable change in behaviour that clearly indicates that the child does not appreciate nor welcome the unwanted behaviour.

A lack of resistance to the unwanted behaviour by the victim gives the bully the message that such negative behaviour will be unopposed by the victim.

• Victim does not have friends or bystanders to “stand up” to the bully – A child who is passive and has no supporters to offer aid and assistance is in an extremely vulnerable position because no one is challenging the bully. This is a critical moment because without bystanders to intervene, the victim is now alone and has no defence against the bully.

• Victim does not tell school staff – The bully has victimized a student who has not offered any resistance nor had any friends or bystanders to do it for him or her. It is now critical that the victim tell an adult at school about the bullying and ask for help. It could be a teacher, an educational assistant, a bus driver, or the principal. The victim must tell an adult about the bullying and continue to do so until someone takes action.

For a student who is not able to stand up for himself or herself and has no friends or bystanders to do it, trying repeatedly to draw the attention of an adult about the bullying may be a very difficult task.

• Victim does not tell an adult family member – The last line of resistance for the victim now is that he or she will tell an adult family member and have this individual report the bullying to the school principal.

However, if the victim does not tell a family member and continues to be silent about the situation, the bullying pattern will now continue unabated.

As you can see, a student who meets all four of these conditions is in grave danger at school. Without any support system of friends to intervene and fearful of “telling” on the bully, the victim is at significant physical and psychological risk attending school.

In the news release, Matthews leaves out that physiotherapy is to be delisted from OHIP coverage effective August 1. In fact, according to government websites, Ontario regulation 552 has already been amended – with no public consultation whatsoever.

Under the current system, seniors in long term care homes can receive up to 100 treatments per year, 150 in exceptional cases. This has been in effect since 2005 – the last time the Liberal government tried, and failed, to delist physiotherapy.

In her announcement, Matthews makes no such service level commitment. More disturbing is her promise that there will be more physiotherapy available in clinics. By committing $44.5 million to treat 150,000 seniors, the government has allocated $300 per person, or 12 treatments at $25 per treatment.  Currently, seniors can receive up to 50, or up to 100 treatments, depending on their condition.  To say more people will get some degree of physiotherapy may technically be true; to suggest that any person will receive more just isn’t true. They will receive less.

The Minister’s announcement fails to address how the $156 million stacks up against the current funding levels. The current OHIP provider, the Designated Physiotherapy Clinics Association, has been advised that the total expenditure for the fiscal year ended March 2012 was $172 million; for the fiscal year ended March 2013, it was some $200 million. So, this funding announcement is a de facto cut to existing funding.  Despite the clever messaging, the numbers just don’t support the Minister’s claims that this is an increase.

Girish Pillai, Physiotherapist , Ancaster

I have cried a river of tears  this month for a woman I have never met and a toddler whose name I do not know.

Sometimes these tears are great, heart-wrenching sobs. They are tears for a wife and mother whose agony, pain and fear I cannot fathom.

“It was just a truck, a stupid truck. You don’t need him, but I do. Our daughter needs her daddy. Please, please let him come home. We need him home.

“…His parents need their little boy back! All of our brothers and sisters want their brother back! We look forward to being able to put our arms around Tim and to tell him how much we love him. ”

— Sharlene Bosma, surrounded by family, Hamilton police headquarters, May 9, 2013.

As we all later learned, Tim Bosma — husband, father, son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law,  friend and total stranger — was already dead.

• • •

Sometimes the river of tears slips unbidden from my eyes and seeps down my cheeks. I swipe impatiently at them, trying to  conceal my raw emotion. These tears are for a little girl who shares her daddy’s blond hair and adorable dimples. She often asks, “Where daddy go?” 

“As a family, with our friends and our community, we will remember Tim, and his daughter will grow up knowing how much he loved her.”

The doting father was often content to simply sit and watch his daughter sleep; at other times the pair would raucously run through the house playing a tickle game.

“(Our daughter) will know how much Tim was loved by me and his family and his friends and even perfect strangers.”

— Sharlene Bosma in front of an ever-growing media mob at  Ancaster Christian Reformed Church, Thursday, May 16, 2013. 

• • •

Sometimes the tears are silent. They are quiet cries from my heart, usually in the morning as the early-rising spring birds twill their morning tune outside my window.

They are tears for lost opportunity, lost love, for what might have been. 

They are tears of silent sorrow for the perfect, fun-loving and happy family pictured in the photo gallery at inmemoryoftimbosma. ca.

“I know that he is no longer My Tim. He has become Our Tim. He is now in the hearts and minds of thousands and will be remembered by so many.”

— Sharlene Bosma at her husband’s memorial service at Carmen’s Banquet Centre,  the same venue as their wedding reception, one day before Valentine’s Day three years ago.

I have — like so many others in the community — wept a river of tears  this month for the evil and unmerciful hand of darkness that swept through the pastoral, bucolic fields of Trinity Road on May 6 at 9:20 p.m. and left such utter devastation in its wake. 

These tears are for the long road ahead as the Bosma family and the entire community tries to heal.

I have no wise words of wisdom. 

No comfort to offer, right now. 

Just a river of tears. 

Debra Downey has been the editor of the Ancaster News for the past eight years. Tim Bosma, a resident of the Hamilton suburb, went missing and was subsequently found murdered on Tuesday, May 14, 2013, his body burned beyond recognition.

On the group’s Facebook page, it states, “We may never know what really happened to Tim Bosma, but what we do know is that his wife, Sharlene, is left without her husband and their 2-year-old daughter is left without a father. 

“This happened in our community and it’s up to the community to come together in times like this to do what we can to help.

“It may not be much, but hopefully we can do our part to help them during this difficult time. We can’t imagine what they’re going through right now.”

For more information on the band, see www.inmycoma.com.

Carl Fiamelli and Bruce Hooker led the A’s attack with seven hits and six runs. Henry Kirchner pitched a good game in the A’s first loss of the season.

Doug Parsons played a stellar shortstop to lead his Orioles to a 7-6 squeaker over the Pirates. Larry Sbrega was solid at third and Mike Gustar pitched brilliantly. Gustar added three hits. Barry Goldman and Brian Bick smacked clutch hits. Mark Carlton belted a shot to left centre to make the game close. Rob Winger caught a blazer at first, and Wayne Watson made a worm-burner catch. Ken Boyko pitched his usual fine game and made a sharp play to force an out in the sixth.

The unbeaten Braves doubled the Sox 12-6 behind the golden glove of Steve Warrick. Claudio Sartori hammered four hits, including going back to back with Chris Chevalier. Mario Sardo and Don Nikulka smashed timely hits. Pat Moulden provided three hits and alert infield play for the Sox, and Bill Snyder added two hits. Art Rinsma batted in two runs. Youthful Ken Moulden made a nice grab at short, and Jim Jenks was a rock at first.

Ron Lacroix pitched a great game for the Indians. The team came from behind to beat the hard-luck Brewers 9-5. Free spirit Darren Stockley, venerable Dave McInnis, menacing Bill Irvine and high-priced star John Delaney led the Tribe offense.

Bruce Lawson and Paul McKinney led a stout defence. Ed Salwach had three hits for the Brew Crew, and Bob Wilt socked a double. Rick Pearson twisted two slick double plays.

The Dodgers continued their mighty hitting with a 22-3 drubbing over the Tigers. Dave Harrington had a perfect day at the plate and made a scintillating play at second. Coach Phil Tiessen added five hits and ran down a long fly ball in left. 

John Donovan hammered the ball and turned a smooth double play with help from third-sacker Ray Beitz, who also had four hits. Foe Borsollino had five hits. Steve Davis thumped the ball for the Tigers, and Neil Panabaker played a solid game.

The impressive Jays held off the surging Giants to prevail 10-7. Intimidating pitcher Frank Hruska kept the Giants at bay, and Mark Edmondson played well at shortstop. Dave Dykeman smashed the ball hard, and Rolph King played an outstanding all-around game. Slugger Mike Hiltz blasted the ball around the park to lead the Giants, ably abetted by Glenn Herrell, Jim Gaudry and Larry Travale. Dean McKoy was solid behind the plate.