September 10, 2013

& views

Tuesday, September 10, 2013 • 1

September p 2013

NEWS

WE HAVE SOMETHING WE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU...Our profits Join us on Thursday September 19, Friday September 20, or Saturday September 21 and pick up your Equity Cheque in front of the Retail Centre. If you are not able to pick up your cheque on one of these dates we will be mailing them to you the following week.

During these three days you can also take advantage of the Member Appreciation Scratch Sale - 10-50% off on GROCERIES (excluding tobacco, lottery, dairy and prescriptions), HARDWARE (excluding agricultural chemicals), FASHIONS, SACKED FEED, PETFOOD, LUBES & OILS (in feed store excluding fuels, case lot oil & 20 litre pails of oil, tanks & pumps) Chicken Barbecue will be held on Friday, September 20, 4:30-7:00 (or the first 1200 customers). Chicken Dinner is $5.00 and includes barbecued chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, bun, dessert and a drink.

We hope to see you then!

Did you know? If you don’t yet have a membership it is a onetime fee of $10 to become a lifetime member.

Next year you too could be sharing in the profits. Get your membership today at any of our locations.

David Peckham Heads off to the Interior

David Peckham joined the Otter Co-op Feed sales team in December of 1992 at our Aldergrove location. David has recently made the move to join the Armstrong operation to serve our dairy customers in the interior as well as to expand our sales in dairy feeds and Value Added products in the region. His experience and expertise in hay and silage management and herd knowledge will be a true asset to our customers as we grow our service in the Armstrong and surrounding areas. We wish David and his family much happiness and success in their new adventure.

Otter Co-op Welcomes

Tim Marshall

Otter Co-op is excited to announce the appointment of Tim Marshall as our Nutritionist/ Technical Service Manager. Tim will bring a wealth of expertise and knowledge to our group with his 32 years of service in the feed industry.

His expertise in nutrition, purchasing, technical service and sales will be instrumental in our growth and progress for future. We are looking forward to his positive contribution to our already growing business.

Ian Flatt Retires

After 32 years with Otter Co-op Friday, August 30th was a day of mixed emotion as staff and customers shared a farewell cake for Ian Flatt as he retired from Otter Co-op after thirty-two years.

Ian started with Otter in April of 1981 in the Sporting Goods Department. At that time the Hardware and Agro Departments were separate and Ian started on the Hardware side.

Eventually the two departments merged and Ian was promoted to Hardware Supervisor and eventually to Hardware Manager.

Never a request too large – be it from a customer or staff member – Ian was always willing to help and dedicated to making his department a success.

Ian and his wife Lois live in Abbotsford; have two grown sons, one daughter-in-law and two grandsons. From everyone at Otter Co-op we wish Ian and Lois a long and happy well deserved retirement.

Congratulations!

2

Views serving our

• Tuesday, September 10, 2013

NEWS&

The fall season is upon us!

President’s Message:

COMMUNITY

As I am writing my report, I realize that Fall is upon us: leaves falling off trees, dark mornings, and much cooler days. It is so nice to live in a place where we can experience the changing seasons. So too at the Retail Center, where we are shifting to Fall and Winter clothing, replacing barbeques with snow shovels, and more of us meeting up with friends in the coffee shop.

OTTER CO-OP BOARD PRESIDENT

raspberry social CANADA DAY

There was a great turn out for the Canada Day Raspberry Social at Otter Co-op.

Approximately 700 people stopped by for the celebration and enjoyed the Raspberry Shortcake, music by Gracie & the Guys and a display put on by The BC Pioneer Truck Society. There were $968.41 received in donations which we were very happy to be able to present to The Langley Hospice Society.

During the summer our five gas bars each held a Customer Appreciation Day. They served free hot dogs, cookies and refreshments. There was also lot of prizes to be won including the Grand Prize of a $500 Co-op Gift Card at each of the Gas Bars. Thank you to everyone that stopped by to partake in our Customer Appreciation Celebrations.

WINNERS OF THE $500 GIFT CARDS Gloucester Gas Bar – Jessica Wightman Ladner Gas Bar – Brian Horne 248th Street Gas Bar – Sandy Sull Ross Road Gas Bar – Rudy Braun Fraser Heights Gas Bar – Brent Woodward

blueberry social BC DAY

Blueberries and Ice-Cream, Bluegrass music by Backspin/ High Rise Lonesome, Aldergrove and Langley Artists displaying their art work, pottery and jewelry were all part of the Otter Co-op B.C. Day Social. Also included were representatives from Langley Meals on Wheels and Langley Seniors Recreation and Resource Centre with an information table. The total received in donations was $630.40 which was presented to Matthew’s House in Abbotsford. Thank you to everyone that came out and supported our B.C. Day Celebration.

Wow, summer is over and fall is on its way this month! I hope you had some time to enjoy the fantastic weather we experienced throughout the summer, with some great temperatures and sun in July and August.

NER Pi Picttured dh here (l. to r.): her son and mother.

Thrilled winner

PHONE # _________________________

I am able to report that at the end of Period #6, Otter overall sales were 1.5% ahead of last year at this same time. Not a great increase, but definitely something we are proud of with the tight economy, increased competition, and rise in cross-border shopping. Sales increases have been seen in our feed, pharmacy, and general merchandise divisions. Our bulk petroleum division has seen a nice increase in bulk delivered litres to farm and commercial business, but we have seen a significant decrease in litres delivered to reseller gas bars. And with the increase in cross border shopping, our food and gas bar divisions have both seen a decline in sales this past summer. Hopefully with everyone over their vacations, the kids back in school, and the line ups at the border getting longer, this trend will even out and people will spend more time shopping at home.

Sales decreases in these divisions are definitely affecting our bottom line so far this year, and we are off of last years’ savings at this time by over 50%.

Some exciting events at Otter the first half of our 2013 year include the purchase of a feed mill operation in Armstrong, and the planning of a new bulk plant, cardlock, gas bar, convenience store and office space in Chilliwack. Our sales continue to grow in the interior, and we are pleased to announce that our Chilliwack project is going to tender this month, with plans to begin construction in October. The Chilliwack site is projected to add in excess of $35 million a year in sales, and is a great fit to our trading area and the customers we already serve there.

We continue to work towards an upgrade at our 248th cardlock and gas bar site, and plans continue on a gas bar and convenience store on Highway 11 between Abbotsford and Mission. Your Co-op board, management and staff continue to work diligently on keeping Otter a growing, diverse and profitable business for our members, and we look forward to serving you the rest of the year. I’d like to take this opportunity to again thank our members for their continued support, as well as all of our great team members here for their continued work in making Otter the great place to shop, whether it be for petroleum, feed, general merchandise, pharmacy or food. Stop by during Equity Days, say hello, and share in your portion of the $5.88 million going back to members based on their purchases in 2012; we hope to see you here at the Co-op!

Jack Nicholson GENERAL MANAGER

CONGRATULATIONS

appreciation PLAQUE OF

PICTURED HERE John Jackman and Ron Morris

PICTURED HERE (l. to r.): Otter Co-op General Manager Jack Nicholson presenting Langley Hospice Society representative Shannon Todd Booth with a cheque from donations received at the Raspberry Social.

CUSTOMER WIN

Jackie Godin along with

NAME: ____________________________________________________.

And remember, when you shop local you are supporting many people … your neighbors, your friends, or even your friend’s children.

General Manager’s Message

Here at Otter, we are just over half way through our fiscal year, and time continues to fly by too quickly.

Drop off completed puzzle to any of our locations to be entered into a draw for a chance to win one of four $25 Co-op Gift Cards.

And that brings me to our upcoming “Equity Days” being held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, September 19th – 21st starting at 9:00 a.m. each day where members can come to the Retail Center to pick up their cheque. On Friday, September 20th we will be hosting the chicken barbeque starting at 4:30 p.m. with a cost of $5.00 per person. Why not join us?

Otter Co-op’s Operations

We are excited to be preparing for our Equity Days being Jack Nicholson held at the Retail Centre on September 19 through 21, General Manager where we have the privilege of providing our members with their cash and equity allocation from the 2012 fiscal year; which amounts to over $5.88 million! We had a fantastic record year last year, and are proud to share the profits with our membership, which forms one of the great Membership Benefits of being a Co-op member. We would not be able to share these profits without your continued great support and patronage of our business lines. ry the right is a ve Pictured here on ent) ER N tm ar IN ep W D FF ns A io ST Fash Strobel (Family photo surprised Carolyn Contest. Also in Q BB rd ya ck Ba f af in St g e in th ar of sh r winne ns dept.) n (family fashio is Dorothy Nielse t. en Carolyn’s excitem

It seems that we are welcoming at least 250 new members each month who are paying their $10.00 lifetime membership to take advantage of our cash-back and equity which the Co-op proudly offers. For the fiscal year that ended March 2, 2013, our cash-back and equity totals $5.88 million. A member needed only to spend $270.00 in the last fiscal year to receive a cheque.

Dorothy Anderson

Winners!

gas bar winners

Three summer events, the Board Barbeque, held in June, our July 1st Raspberry Social, and the August 5th BC Day Blueberry Social were all well attended and donations collected were given respectively to the Otter Staff Community Group, the Langley Hospice Society, and Matthew’s House in Abbotsford. All very worthy community involved groups with Otter Co-op donating in excess of $100,000 yearly to these and many other organizations in our trading area. Our next big donation will be to Langley Meals-on-Wheels whom the Board of Directors has chosen to be the recipient of our Co-op sponsored chicken barbeque on September 20th.

On behalf of the Board of Directors I wish you a bountiful harvest season.

BACKYARD BBQ CONTEST

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION

Dorothy Anderson Board President

If you haven’t been to the Retail Center come on over and check us out … you will be surprised.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013 • 3

members of the Vintage Car Club of Canada (middle l. to r.) presented Otter Co-op representatives (outside l. to r.) Merilee McAuley and Bev Dornan with a plaque of appreciation on the success of the First Annual Car Show.

Ed Klassen

Ed Klassen came to work for Otter Co-op in 1985 in the Hardware Department.

He used to say “I’m just working here until I decide what I want to do.”

Here it is twenty-eight years later and he is retiring from Otter Co-op. Not sure if he never figured it out or if Otter was such a great place to work he decided not to leave. We wish Ed and his wife Elaine many years of happy retirement enjoying the grandchildren, climbing mountains and just doing all the things that bring joy to your life.

All the Best!

2

Views serving our

• Tuesday, September 10, 2013

NEWS&

The fall season is upon us!

President’s Message:

COMMUNITY

As I am writing my report, I realize that Fall is upon us: leaves falling off trees, dark mornings, and much cooler days. It is so nice to live in a place where we can experience the changing seasons. So too at the Retail Center, where we are shifting to Fall and Winter clothing, replacing barbeques with snow shovels, and more of us meeting up with friends in the coffee shop.

OTTER CO-OP BOARD PRESIDENT

raspberry social CANADA DAY

There was a great turn out for the Canada Day Raspberry Social at Otter Co-op.

Approximately 700 people stopped by for the celebration and enjoyed the Raspberry Shortcake, music by Gracie & the Guys and a display put on by The BC Pioneer Truck Society. There were $968.41 received in donations which we were very happy to be able to present to The Langley Hospice Society.

During the summer our five gas bars each held a Customer Appreciation Day. They served free hot dogs, cookies and refreshments. There was also lot of prizes to be won including the Grand Prize of a $500 Co-op Gift Card at each of the Gas Bars. Thank you to everyone that stopped by to partake in our Customer Appreciation Celebrations.

WINNERS OF THE $500 GIFT CARDS Gloucester Gas Bar – Jessica Wightman Ladner Gas Bar – Brian Horne 248th Street Gas Bar – Sandy Sull Ross Road Gas Bar – Rudy Braun Fraser Heights Gas Bar – Brent Woodward

blueberry social BC DAY

Blueberries and Ice-Cream, Bluegrass music by Backspin/ High Rise Lonesome, Aldergrove and Langley Artists displaying their art work, pottery and jewelry were all part of the Otter Co-op B.C. Day Social. Also included were representatives from Langley Meals on Wheels and Langley Seniors Recreation and Resource Centre with an information table. The total received in donations was $630.40 which was presented to Matthew’s House in Abbotsford. Thank you to everyone that came out and supported our B.C. Day Celebration.

Wow, summer is over and fall is on its way this month! I hope you had some time to enjoy the fantastic weather we experienced throughout the summer, with some great temperatures and sun in July and August.

NER Pi Picttured dh here (l. to r.): her son and mother.

Thrilled winner

PHONE # _________________________

I am able to report that at the end of Period #6, Otter overall sales were 1.5% ahead of last year at this same time. Not a great increase, but definitely something we are proud of with the tight economy, increased competition, and rise in cross-border shopping. Sales increases have been seen in our feed, pharmacy, and general merchandise divisions. Our bulk petroleum division has seen a nice increase in bulk delivered litres to farm and commercial business, but we have seen a significant decrease in litres delivered to reseller gas bars. And with the increase in cross border shopping, our food and gas bar divisions have both seen a decline in sales this past summer. Hopefully with everyone over their vacations, the kids back in school, and the line ups at the border getting longer, this trend will even out and people will spend more time shopping at home.

Sales decreases in these divisions are definitely affecting our bottom line so far this year, and we are off of last years’ savings at this time by over 50%.

Some exciting events at Otter the first half of our 2013 year include the purchase of a feed mill operation in Armstrong, and the planning of a new bulk plant, cardlock, gas bar, convenience store and office space in Chilliwack. Our sales continue to grow in the interior, and we are pleased to announce that our Chilliwack project is going to tender this month, with plans to begin construction in October. The Chilliwack site is projected to add in excess of $35 million a year in sales, and is a great fit to our trading area and the customers we already serve there.

We continue to work towards an upgrade at our 248th cardlock and gas bar site, and plans continue on a gas bar and convenience store on Highway 11 between Abbotsford and Mission. Your Co-op board, management and staff continue to work diligently on keeping Otter a growing, diverse and profitable business for our members, and we look forward to serving you the rest of the year. I’d like to take this opportunity to again thank our members for their continued support, as well as all of our great team members here for their continued work in making Otter the great place to shop, whether it be for petroleum, feed, general merchandise, pharmacy or food. Stop by during Equity Days, say hello, and share in your portion of the $5.88 million going back to members based on their purchases in 2012; we hope to see you here at the Co-op!

Jack Nicholson GENERAL MANAGER

CONGRATULATIONS

appreciation PLAQUE OF

PICTURED HERE John Jackman and Ron Morris

PICTURED HERE (l. to r.): Otter Co-op General Manager Jack Nicholson presenting Langley Hospice Society representative Shannon Todd Booth with a cheque from donations received at the Raspberry Social.

CUSTOMER WIN

Jackie Godin along with

NAME: ____________________________________________________.

And remember, when you shop local you are supporting many people … your neighbors, your friends, or even your friend’s children.

General Manager’s Message

Here at Otter, we are just over half way through our fiscal year, and time continues to fly by too quickly.

Drop off completed puzzle to any of our locations to be entered into a draw for a chance to win one of four $25 Co-op Gift Cards.

And that brings me to our upcoming “Equity Days” being held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, September 19th – 21st starting at 9:00 a.m. each day where members can come to the Retail Center to pick up their cheque. On Friday, September 20th we will be hosting the chicken barbeque starting at 4:30 p.m. with a cost of $5.00 per person. Why not join us?

Otter Co-op’s Operations

We are excited to be preparing for our Equity Days being Jack Nicholson held at the Retail Centre on September 19 through 21, General Manager where we have the privilege of providing our members with their cash and equity allocation from the 2012 fiscal year; which amounts to over $5.88 million! We had a fantastic record year last year, and are proud to share the profits with our membership, which forms one of the great Membership Benefits of being a Co-op member. We would not be able to share these profits without your continued great support and patronage of our business lines. ry the right is a ve Pictured here on ent) ER N tm ar IN ep W D FF ns A io ST Fash Strobel (Family photo surprised Carolyn Contest. Also in Q BB rd ya ck Ba f af in St g e in th ar of sh r winne ns dept.) n (family fashio is Dorothy Nielse t. en Carolyn’s excitem

It seems that we are welcoming at least 250 new members each month who are paying their $10.00 lifetime membership to take advantage of our cash-back and equity which the Co-op proudly offers. For the fiscal year that ended March 2, 2013, our cash-back and equity totals $5.88 million. A member needed only to spend $270.00 in the last fiscal year to receive a cheque.

Dorothy Anderson

Winners!

gas bar winners

Three summer events, the Board Barbeque, held in June, our July 1st Raspberry Social, and the August 5th BC Day Blueberry Social were all well attended and donations collected were given respectively to the Otter Staff Community Group, the Langley Hospice Society, and Matthew’s House in Abbotsford. All very worthy community involved groups with Otter Co-op donating in excess of $100,000 yearly to these and many other organizations in our trading area. Our next big donation will be to Langley Meals-on-Wheels whom the Board of Directors has chosen to be the recipient of our Co-op sponsored chicken barbeque on September 20th.

On behalf of the Board of Directors I wish you a bountiful harvest season.

BACKYARD BBQ CONTEST

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION

Dorothy Anderson Board President

If you haven’t been to the Retail Center come on over and check us out … you will be surprised.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013 • 3

members of the Vintage Car Club of Canada (middle l. to r.) presented Otter Co-op representatives (outside l. to r.) Merilee McAuley and Bev Dornan with a plaque of appreciation on the success of the First Annual Car Show.

Ed Klassen

Ed Klassen came to work for Otter Co-op in 1985 in the Hardware Department.

He used to say “I’m just working here until I decide what I want to do.”

Here it is twenty-eight years later and he is retiring from Otter Co-op. Not sure if he never figured it out or if Otter was such a great place to work he decided not to leave. We wish Ed and his wife Elaine many years of happy retirement enjoying the grandchildren, climbing mountains and just doing all the things that bring joy to your life.

All the Best!

4 • Tuesday, September 10, 2013

& views

NEWS We

for your health needs

FREE

DELIVERY

OTTER CO-OP PHARMACY & GLEN MOUNTAIN PHARMACY

Watch for upcoming Clinics & Flu Shots

Glen Mountain Pharmacist Kin Ng

Otter Pharmacy

Otter Co-op Pharmacy 604 607 6934

PHARMACIES HA H ARM MA ACIES

Glen Mountain Pharmacy 604 851 9654

)T T B L )T PAYS TO BELONG

Did you know?

Every Thursday from 11:30-4:00 our Bakery Department will be making fresh mini donuts out in front of the retail centre.

• Full Prescription Service • Full line of vitamin supplements • Ostomy Supplies • Home Health Care • Free blood pressure testing • Free blister packing • Vaccinations • True Rewards: Become a Co-op Member today & participate in the dividend program

Otter Co-op Retail Centre has a variety of FRESH IN-STORE MADE

cakes

with our own unique recipes.

We have cakes for Birthdays and all your Special Occasions, Come in and check our selection or order one today at 604 607 6920.

job vacancies • FULL TIME POSITIONS Full Time - Sr. Administration Clerk Full Time - Bulk Petroleum Manager

•

PART TIME POSITIONS

Part Time Pharmacy Technician Part Time Glen Mountain Produce Clerk

Did you know?

IT ONLY COSTS YOU A ONETIME FEE OF

$10 TO BE A LIFETIME

PICTURED HERE (l. to r.) Bakery Manager Dave

MEMBER

Forward and Demo Guy Rick Addison also little Gavin Davis stops by to test the donuts. So Good!

Did you know you can bypass the switchboard and dial direct to the following departments?

Administration 604 856 2517 Petroleum: 604 607 6912 Feed: 604 607 6901 Hardware: 604 607 6909 Bakery: 604 607 6920 Café/Deli: 604 607 6921 Produce: 604 607 6919 Meat: 604 607 6918 Grocery: 604 607 6936 Pharmacy: 604 607 6934 Otter Co-op Board Members: Dorothy Anderson – President Frank Hauzer – 1st Vice President Dick Mayer – 2nd Vice President Susan Dodd – Secretary John Watt Frank Braun Larry Jantzen Angie McDougall Maria Pucek

ottercoop.com

OF

OTTER CO-OP?

coming events Food & Friends • Resumes the 2nd & 4th Monday of the month - September 9 & 23 Equity Days • Sept 19-20-21 Equity Days Chicken BBQ • Friday September 20 - 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm Fashions BOGO Sale • Friday & Saturday, September 27 – 28 Thanksgiving 1 Day Scratch & Save Hardware & Fashions • Saturday, October 12 Fashions BOGO Sale • Friday & Saturday, October 18 – 19 Kids’ Club Halloween Party • Sunday, October 27 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Ladies Night • Saturday, November 2 (Tickets on sale October 15) 3 Day Scratch & Save Hardware and Fashions • November 14 – 16 Seniors Shopping Day and Turkey Dinner • Tuesday, November 26 (Tickets on sale November 12) 3 Day Scratch & Save Hardware and Fashions • November 28 – 29 – 30 Fashions BOGO Sale • December 6 – 7 – 8 2 Day Scratch Hardware & Fashions • December 13 – 14 Breakfast with Santa • Saturday December 7 & 14, 2 sittings at each (Tickets on sale Nov. 12) Kids’ Club Christmas Skating Party • December 22 10:15 am –12:15 pm (Twin Rinks Langley Red Rink)

You’ll find us here: RETAIL CENTRE 3650 248 St Aldergrove (604) 856 2517 Hours: Sun-Sat 8am-8pm Most Statutory Holidays 9am-6pm Administration Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-6pm Closed Sunday Post Office Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-5:30pm Closed Sunday Pharmacy Mon-Fri 9am-7pm Sat 9am-5pm Sunday 11am-5pm

FEED STORE PETROLEUM 3548 248 St Aldergrove, BC Feed Store Phone: (604) 607 6901 Petroleum Phone: (604) 607 6912 Hours: Mon-Sat 8am-5:30pm Sunday 9am-5pm Closed Stat Holidays GAS BARS: 248 Street Gas Bar 24795 Fraser Hwy Aldergrove, BC (604) 856 7011 Ross Road Gas Bar 29622 Fraser Hwy Abbotsford

(604) 856 0030 Ladner Gas Bar 6420 Ladner Trunk Rd Ladner, BC (604) 940-1322 Gas Bar Hours: Mon-Fri 5am-11pm Sat/Sun/Stat Hols 6am-11pm Gloucester Gas Bar With a Tim Hortons 26474 56th Ave, Aldergrove, B.C. (604) 856 6676 Hours: 5am-11pm 7 Days/ Week incl Stat Holidays Fraser Heights Gas Bar 16788 104 Ave. Surrey, BC

(604) 582-2517 Hours: Mon-Fri 5am-11pm Sat/Sun/Stat Hols 6am-11pm

Abbotsford (604) 851 9636 Hours Mon-Sat 9am-8pm Sunday 10am-6pm

PITT MEADOWS 12343 Harris Road Pitt Meadows (604) 465 5651 Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5:30pm Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday 10am-4pm Closed on Statutory Holidays

GLEN MOUNTAIN PHARMACY 2596 McMillan Road Abbotsford (604) 851 9654 Hours Mon-Fri 10am-6pm Saturday 10am-5pm Closed Sundays & Holidays ARMSTRONG FEEDMILL 100 Udy Place Armstrong (250) 546 8117

GLEN MOUNTAIN PRODUCE 2618 McMillan Road