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04 | 07 | 2012 VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 17

Wellesley PS Teacher tackles an age-old issue LIVING HERE PAGE 32

COMMENT PAGE 10

F-35 file undermines feds yet again

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50,000 to 60,000 visit Elmira for sap festival

Two restaurants in the mix as township clears commercial development in Elmira

Though down from recordsetting attendance last year, crowds were plentiful enough to make it a successful outing

STEVE KANNON

JAMES JACKSON It’s never easy following up a recordsetting performance, something that organizers of the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival discovered last Saturday.

Despite ideal temperatures and sunny skies, the estimated number of attendants to the festival is down compared to last year, with somewhere between 50,000 and 60,000 people coming to Elmira – down from a historical best of 80,000 last year.

“I was a good year. A normal year,” said chairperson Cheryl Peterson. “People compare it to last year but that was just a phenomenal year.”

Peterson also said the slight drop in numbers was actually good for the crowds that did come because there were fewer people to contend with for space in the busy downtown streets, and she said that virtually all of the nearly 150 vendors were pleased with the turnout and with the day as a whole.

Explaining the drop in attendance is a complicated matter. Had it rained or snowed all day it would be easier to understand, but in an unfortunate twist, the warm weather the region experienced in mid- to late-March – with temperatures festival | 8

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Although the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival saw a drop in attendance over last year’s event, organizers are estimating that some 50,000 to 60,000 visitors were out last Saturday. [colin dewar / the observer]

A Harvey’s restaurant is pencilled in as one of the tenants at a commercial building planned for the Foodland property at the south end of Elmira. Construction could begin this spring, as Woolwich planners have signed off on the site plan and building permit application.

The project, a 6,900-square-foot building with four units, is part of a larger development Sobeys Capital Inc. hopes to carry out on the site at Arthur Street and South Field Drive. Parts of the plan, including an expansion of the Foodland store, require zone change and Official Plan amendments that are still under review by the township. The new building fits into existing zoning on the property.

The Harvey’s and another restaurant, perhaps serving pitas, have been discussed for two of the units. Other tenants have not been discussed. The building will house four units, 2,100 square feet, 1,800, 1,510 and 1,465, plus space for a mechanical room. It will sit on the southwest portion of the property, adjacent to the driveway that runs off of Arthur Street, explained manager of planning John Scarfone.

A second new building on the site, to the north and closer to the Tim Hortons, is also in the works, though that project hasn’t moved along in the process. The development | 3

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2 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

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Teacher Cathy Lindner leads a group of pre-school children at the Wellesley and District Co-operative Preschool Hop-a-thon on Apr. 4. The students were hopping for those who can’t as part of a fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy. (Inset) Linder reads a book about bunnies to the children. [james jackson / the observer]

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THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

Wellesley finds more than $100,000 in savings on roads JAMES JACKSON The Township of Wellesley has saved more than $100,000 through its competitive tendering process for 2012 paving and gravel maintenance projects.

In a report presented to councillors Monday night, general manager of com-

munity services Kevin Beggs indicated that the asphalt tender, secured by Steed & Evans, came in at $396,206.50, more than $82,000 below budget.

In a separate report Beggs indicated that Joe Kerr Ltd. had won the tender for gravelling operations in 2012 by submitting a bid of $185,400.00, nearly $26,000 below budget.

municipalities across the region that he had talked to are experiencing similar savings as construction companies have had to become more competitive now that the government stimulus funding has ceased.

“Some said they’ve had over a millions dollars in savings,” Olender indicated. “These companies

Councillors praised the work of staff in their budgetary work this year to ensure cost estimates were kept reasonable.

“What I look at is staff being able to predict the approximate prices. You did a good job of following the costs,” said Mayor Ross Kelterborn to Beggs.

Coun. Jim Olender also indicated that other

are looking for work now, and we’re benefiting at this end, too.”

In both of his reports, Beggs indicated that prices are always the unknown factor when tendering work, and that the budget of $478,503.84 plus HST for the asphalt paving and $211,293.00 plus HST for the gravel maintenance, were based on the best in-

formation available to him.

The asphalt budget was included in the roads capital budget for 2012, and the gravel maintenance was included in the 2012 roads operating budget.

For the asphalt tender, four companies responded. Capital Paving Inc. tendered $499,185.45, Savings | 4

St. Teresa school benefits from kiwanis club book donation

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Elmira were at St. Teresa school on Tuesday to present a $600 donation for the school’s library, which will be used to purchase new graphic novels. The club has made a similar donation to each school in town. Principal Sherry Peeples (left) was joined

by Luke Decorte (Gr. 8), Austin Whittom (Gr. 6), past Kiwanis president Ron Wagner, Kaitlin Lang (Gr. 7), librarian Joe Walsh, Matthew Columbo (Gr. 3) and Kiwanis member John Chapman. [james jackson / the observer]

development: Sobeys plans expansion at its site at corner of Arthur Street and South Field Drive from | cover

company’s overall plan, submitted last year to the township, calls for an 8,000-square foot building, perhaps housing a Beer Store location.

The larger part of the plan would see the Foodland store expand into the vacant portion of the existing building, increasing in size to 47,000 square feet from the current 34,000.

A 22,000-sq.-ft. addition would be built on to the current structure, some 9,000 sq. ft. for a retail outlet such as a dollar store and 13,000 sq. ft. for a mix of retail, services and of-

fices, perhaps including a wine store.

The Official Plan and zoning changes requested

by Sobeys would allow for the grocery store to expand and permit a wider range of uses on the eight-acre site.

The expansion of the grocery store is likely to be the biggest stumbling block, however. While the township has yet to make a decision on the application, the peer review carried out of the applicant’s market study raised several alarms.

The township engaged Robin Dee & Associates to review a study by Tate Economic Research entitled “Elmira Retail Mar-

HOW TO REACH US

EE RY FR IVE L DE

rather will directly undermine that role by precluding the re-entry of a major food store into the core area and removing an important traffic generator in the form of the Beer Store.”

Woolwich would like to see more development in the core, including a grocery store, said director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley, adding the Dee report was fairly damning of the Sobeys plan in that regard.

“Mr. Dee’s peer review was pretty critical.”

Before his department makes a recommendation on the OP and zone change application, however, he

ket Demand and Impact Analysis.” Dee’s report shot down claims expanding the Foodland store would have no impact on the potential return of a supermarket to the downtown core – the former Foodland location at Arthur and Church streets has been vacant since November 2008.

The review also warned of the impact of moving the Beer Store from downtown to the southern end of Elmira. “[I]t is my opinion that the Sobeys expansion as proposed will not serve to promote the core area as the commercial focus for the Elmira (settlement area) but

expects more meetings with the applicant, which will offer a rebuttal to the township’s report, and with Dee – something of a backand-forth can be expected over the next couple of months before the issue ends up back before township council for a decision.

On the development front, the township has heard nothing more about the proposed Canadian Tire store for the lot to the south of the Sobeys land.

The last discussion, dating back to late fall, held the potential of some work getting underway in 2012.

In St. Jacobs, however, construction of a new Holi-

day Inn hotel could get underway as soon as next week. That 100-room project is slated for a site on Benjamin Road, immediately next to the Jack’s Family Restaurant location.

And the vacant former township hall on Arthur Street in Elmira could also see some development, as the township has received an offer on the building, deemed “serious” by chief administrative officer David Brenneman.

While no details are forthcoming – the offer is conditional at this point – there are indications of a potential use as a health, wellness or medical-type centre.

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4 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

Federal budget something of a balancing act, says MP JAMES JACKSON The new federal budget is one that provides a long-term view for Canada which should help keep the country competitive in international markets and help reduce our deficit, according to KitchenerConestoga Conservative MP Harold Albrecht. “[That is] the big thing that you’ll see different in this budget from a lot of budgets from the past, especially in minority years,” Albrecht said earlier this week of the budget that was presented on Mar. 29.

While Albrecht does admit that there is very little in the way of direct benefits to the residents of Kitchener-Conestoga, he

did say that his constituents should feel the trickledown effect of the overall strategies the government will take in terms job creation, the encouragement of innovation and investment and research.

For months speculation has run high over what the 2012 budget would present to Canadians, and while the budget contained fewer austerity measures than some pundits speculated it would, some notable measures were tabled by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

The federal government expects a deficit of more than $21 billion in 2012/2013, but has promised to balance the books and return Canada to a

mint will stop issuing new pennies by the end of this year, saving some $11 million annually.

Federal officials have also said they would help mining and other developments by reducing the regulatory burden on them, such as capping the time for regulatory reviews at 24 months and by introducing a new “one-project, one-review” system for environmental assessments which would prevent dual federal and provincial reviews from occurring simultaneously.

While these review changes have drawn some criticism from environmental groups who are worried that the Harper government is looking to downplay the environmental review process, Albrecht said that Canada will continue to be good stewards of the environment.

“This is in no way undercutting the environment. I think in many ways you’ll see it improving it because you’ll have a more welldefined timeline,” he said.

“You’ll have one review for the project [and] that review will be rigorous. There is definitely not a weakening of the environmental regulatory system.

“I think a key factor in not only the resource sector, but manufacturing, is getting rid of a lot of the red tape and the obstacles that are put in the way,” he added.

Albrecht also addressed the issue of Old Age Security, saying that the federal government was

budget surplus by 2015 – the same year as the next scheduled election.

“It may be a coincidence, but it’s something that we’ve targeted whether we were a minority or a majority,” Albrecht said. “We’d like to eliminate it next year, but we can’t.”

To accomplish that goal, some 19,200 federal public sector jobs will be cut over three years, the age of eligibility for Old Age Security will gradually rise from 65 years to 67 beginning in 2023 while the retirement age for federal public servants will rise from 60 to 65 for people hired in 2013, Canada will review its participation in some international organizations, and the

savings: Earlier tendering makes for more

competitive bills, sees prices in under budget Asphalt

from | 3

Gravel Maintenance

Coco Paving Inc. Bidder Tender offered Bidder Tender offered submitted a bid Steed & Evans Ltd. $272,100.00 Capital Paving Inc. $499,185.45 of $455,005.59, The Murray Group Donegan's Haulage Ltd. $209,400.00 Coco Paving Inc. $455,005.59 Ltd. submitted $433,387.51, but Joe Kerr Ltd. $185,400.00 The Murray Group Ltd. $433,387.51 Steed & Evans Budget for 2012 $211,239.93 Steed & Evans $396,206.50 won the contract with their bid of Savings by selecting Budget for 2012 $478,503.84 $25,839.93 $396,206.50. lowest bid: Savings by selecting For the gravel $82,287.34 lowest bid: The focus of gravelling projects, Wellesoperations this year will be ley received three Greenwood Hill Road and responses; Steed & Evans Road, and Willow Way in Hackbart Road, as well as Ltd. for $272,100.00, Dothe rural areas, and in the Hutchison Road and Boomnegan’s Haulage Ltd. for urban areas of Edgewood er Line, Moser Young Road, $209,400.00, and the winCourt, Village Place and Empey Road, Temperance ning bid from Joe Kerr Ltd. Parkview Drive in WellesRoad, Mallott Road, and for $185,400.00. ley, and Isabella Street, Bricker School Line and apAsphalt paving in 2012 Gordon Hain Street, Adproximately 30,000 tonnes is planned for Greenwood elaide Street and the fire of gravel will be used.

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work of mental-health professionals, with a particular focus on suicide prevention and in identifying and treating post-traumatic stress disorder.

“As the minster was reading the budget I was flipping through. That was the first thing I was looking for, to see if there was anything in there. I’ve been championing that for a long time and I’ve spoken to him personally on a number of occasions.”

The unveiling of the federal budget was ill-timed for most Ontarians, who were subject to their own provincial budget just two days earlier, one that called for dramatic spending cuts and austerity measures to help tackle the projected $15 billion deficit that the province is facing this year.

Albrecht can sympathize with residents, saying that while the time of belttightening may be upon all of us, the situation could be much worse and we only have to look across the Atlantic Ocean to see how bad it could be.

“Greece, Italy, even Britain with their huge cuts to education. We’re going to experience some pain, but nowhere near the extent that many other G7 countries are going through.”

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not balancing the books on the backs of seniors, as was suggested by new NDP leader Thomas Mulcair last week, but that the realities of Canada’s economic and demographic situation demands these changes in order to ensure that the OAS program is viable for future generations of Canadians.

“In 1970 we had roughly seven people working to support each person on OAS. Today it’s down to four. By 2030 it’s projected to be slightly over two people supporting every person on OAS,” Albrecht said.

“The other factor is that people are living longer and healthier. In 1970 the average age was 69, today it’s 79.”

He also stated that the OAS changes would not occur overnight starting in 2023, but rather be phased in gradually to allow workers the chance to adjust.

The MP was particularly pleased to find provisions in this year’s budget to deal with suicide prevention, a problem which Albrecht drew attention to last fall when he tabled Bill C-300 requesting support for a national suicide prevention strategy.

The budget calls for the establishment of a new net-

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THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

Council approves beer gardens Wellesley council made quick work passing a motion to authorize outdoor beer gardens at six events in and around the township this summer.

In a report to councillors on Mar. 2, recreation facilities coordinator Brad Voisin provided a list of teams or groups requesting such gardens at their events, stating that they help boost revenues to cover event costs.

Events include: the K-W Pride Fastball Tournament May 25-27, Kruisin’ with the King June 16, a memorial ball tournament in St. Clements June 16, the Don Dietrich Memorial Tournament June 22-23, the Don Green Memorial

Slo-Pitch Tournament Aug 10-11, and the K-W Slo-Pitch League Tournament Sept. 14-16.

EDSS students finds success at Sears Drama Festival

EDSS’ production of the ladder play Tuna Fish Eulogy won four major awards for the school at the Sears Drama Festival held last week in Kitchener.

The play took home the Outstanding Production award, which means the cast and crew are off to the regional finals to be held at St. Benedicts in Cambridge starting on Apr. 16.

Harris gets reply on aggregate questions

On Apr. 3 Conservative MPP Michael Harris received his formal response for information regarding the review of the Aggregate Resources Act. In his

request dated Dec. 6, 2011, Harris asked Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle for a “detailed timeline for completion of the review, (promised during the election) including an indication of the specific areas of the Act to be examined, as well as the expected impact of this review on existing quarry applications currently in front of local councils and/or the Ontario Municipal Board.”

As part of his response, Gravelle wrote, “[t]he review of the Aggregate Resources Act is anticipated to commence in the near future. As the review proceeds, it will be important to ensure that there is adequate time and opportunity to hear from residents of Ontario and other interested stakeholders. Timelines for completion

OPP warns of phone scam Wellington County OPP are warning consumers not to blindly trust phone calls that claim to be able to negotiate significantly lower interest rates on credit cards or loans.

Members of the OPP Anti-Rackets Branch say that type of “service scam” is becoming more prominent during the tough economic times experienced by many Canadians.

March 28

March 29

11:25 AM | A 52-year-old Brampton man lost control of his 2002 Honda CRV while driving south on Vance Road near Chilligo Road in the south end of Woolwich Township before flipping into a ditch. The vehicle sustained severe damage. No injuries were reported and no charges were laid.

9:00 AM | Police received a call about a set of power tools that were stolen from a residence on Floradale Road. Police are continuing to investigate.

March 30

5:20 PM | A 59-year-old Fergus woman was charged with ‘turn not in safety’ when she turned left on a red light from Line 86 onto Katherine Street, hitting a 51-year-old Kitchener man driving a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am. Minor damages were sustained to the woman’s 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe. The Pontiac sustained severe damage. No injuries were reported.

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CBC delayed in Waterloo Region

Given cuts in the CBC budget, the organization is delaying plans to launch a radio station in Waterloo Region to later in the fall or into early 2013. The delays also affect rollouts in London, Saskatoon and Kamloops, B.C. The public broadcaster has announced it plans to cut 650 jobs over the next three years as it deals with a 10-per-cent budget cut mandated by the federal government. It’s looking to save $115 million on its $1.15-billion budget.

Home sales up Residential property sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS® System) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors increased eight per cent in March compared to last year. There were 660 residential sales last month, 32.8 per cent more than in February.

During the first quarter of 2012, there were a total of 1,502 residential sales, an increase of 1.1 percent compared to last year’s 1,480 sales.

The average sale price of all residential sales increased 3.9 per cent to $310,631 compared with March 2011.

Single detached homes sold for an average price of $355,273, an increase of 3.3 per cent compared to last year.

sweet tour for elmira cubs

March 31

POLICE BLOTTER

8:00 PM | A 39-year-old West Montrose man operating a 2007 Jetta was driving south along Bloomingdale Road when he hit a deer. The driver and an 11-year-old female passenger sustained minor injuries. The vehicle was severely damaged. The deer survived and was last seen running across a field.

The production was also given the award of merit for technical achievement and two awards of excellence in acting for Alyssa Tomlin and Kelsey Bradley.

The production will have a matinee showing on Apr. 15 starting at 3 p.m. at the EDSS gymnasium before the students head to Cambridge on Apr. 17 for the finals.

2:15 PM | Police responded to a three-vehicle collision at the roundabout on Arthur Street and Sawmill Road near St. Jacobs. A 67-year-old Caledon woman driving a 2011 Lexus was charged with ‘following too closely’ after she rear-ended a 24-year-old Ottawa man driving a 1995 Honda, which in turn hit a 45-year-old Hanover man operating a 2006 Honda CRV who had slowed down for traffic. The Caledon woman suffered minor injuries. Her car was severely damaged.

Ap r i l 2

10:00 AM | A work trailer belonging to Stand Out Mobile Polishing on Industrial Crescent in Wellesley had its locks broken and power tools were stolen. Police are investigating the incident.

Ap r i l 3

2:15 PM | Police were notified about an invoice scam where local businesses in Elmira were receiving phony invoices for lighting tubes.

Police advise all businesses to check their invoices carefully.

'Tis the season of maple syrup, and Elmira Cubs were treated to a tour of Fred Martin's West Montrose Maple Syrup Products Apr. 3. About 25 Cubs toured the recently built demonstration sugar shack, had a wagon ride to the sugar bush and saw firsthand how sap is collected. Cameron McGee and Mitchell Boileau of St. Jacobs were very excited to see the large evaporator in the main shack. Cubs toured the scaled down demo shack introduced at this year's Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. [pat merlihan / the observer]

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THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

Council to help with bid to develop a community garden in Wellesley scheduled with members of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church to discuss the possibility of using land at the back of their property.

He said he had also spoken with members of the horticultural society and they have promised him support by way of gardening expertise.

Coun. Herb Neher said he thought the garden was a fantastic idea for the community, but inquired as to how Milne intended to keep vandals out of the garden patch, stating that “kids are kids.”

Milne said he intended to erect some snow fence around the outside of the plot to deter vandals, and that the garden plot would be sub-divided using rope.

“I don’t want to go to this effort for the families and end up with nothing,” he added.

Coun. Jim Olender told Milne that the community centre board of Wellesley had also considered the plot of land near Gerber Road as a potential spot for a garden because of its proximity to a body of water, saying it was “a piece of land that we really don’t know what to do with.”

Mayor Ross Kelterborn directed staff to devise a list of potential sites within the village of Wellesley that are owned by the township and could be converted into a garden plot, and asked for that report to be ready for the next committee meeting, scheduled for Apr. 24.

JAMES JACKSON Wellesley council has put its support behind a local resident hoping to start a community gardening plot in time for this year’s planting season.

Keith Milne, a peer health worker for the Wilmot Family Resource Centre, appeared as a delegation before council on Monday evening and stated his case for the benefits of community gardens and to ask for councils help.

“The people I am aiming this at are people who are perhaps senior citizens in the area who don’t have a place to garden, and disadvantaged people as well who might not have gardening facilities or the tools and equipment,” Milne said. “[Community gardens provide] good locally grown food that is nutritious and can help them keep their costs down for the coming year.”

The only catch, however, is Milne’s lack of land, which prompted him to appear before council and request their assistance in locating township property which was being under-utilized and could be devoted to a gardening plot.

Milne said that the plot of land near the hardware store on Gerber Road had caught his eye, as it fulfilled his criteria of being within walking distance of the village of Wellesley. He also indicated that he had a meeting

Event aims to position Kissing Bridge Trail as a community-wide resource colin dewar The second annual Spring on the Trail is set to go May 12.

The event began as a necessity to bring the public’s attention to the trail, explaind Doug Creson of the Kissing Bridge Trailway Advisory Board.

“A lot of residents in Elmira associate the trailway with the intersection on Arthur Street North, and people living in West Montrose associate the trail with the sign by the Kissing Bridge – we are trying to identify the trailway as a whole. This trail is 45 kilometres long and that is a large area that is being preserved in trust for our next generation to use,” said Creson. “We want to make sure people are using the trail and if they don’t know it is there they might not understand that it is theirs to use.”

The trail was developed 14 years ago and the intent of the Spring on the Trail event is to bring people out onto the trail and discover what it offers across southwestern Ontario.

“The plan is to be able to take your kids on a bike, hike or walk and leave at the starting point in Guelph and never have to share the trail with a car, so you don’t have to look over your shoulder and to see if your child is OK behind you,” said Creson. “We have to take a bigger view of the trail and look at what kind

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Doug Creson of the Kissing Bridge Trailway Advisory Board hopes to make Spring on the Trail an annual event to match the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival and summer sidewalk sale. [coline dewar / the observer]

of asset we had here in Ontario and it is truly a valuable one that one else has.”

This event complements things like the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival and the street dance and sidewalk sale which are one-day events that bring the community together and brings tourists to the region, he added.

“We want to be able to advertise this trail to the Ontario, Quebec and New York market as the 401 of trailways allowing visitors

to see and walk through picturesque views and three suspension bridges located along the route all while creating tourism here.”

In Elmira the days focus will be on kids on the trail as a kiddy fun track will be set up with inflatable castles and rides and numerous merchants in Elmira will set up stations and booths.

“We are trying to create a true sense of community and encourage businesses to turn the trail into Main

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Street or flea market for the day,” he said. “This is not a one-day event where we say thanks for the money and put some stone down on the trail two kilometres away – it’s ultimately about bringing the community together on the trail.”

There will also bike challenge where cyclists can start in Guelph travel to Millbank and back covering 90 km.

“This is a unique challenge and we are looking to attract those cyclists that have moved away from road cycling but still want to ride a good distance on a safe route.”

For the explorer there will be a "geo-cash" event where visitors on the trail will have to find caches with tokens that will allow them to get a key which will open up a treasure chest that will have cash inside.

Passports for the event are $20 for individual or families and are tax deductible. Each passport gives the user a passport number and that number is entered into prize draws with the grand prize being $2,500 in travel vouchers.

Passports are available at the Bank of Montreal and FB and Me fashion boutique in Elmira The funds raised by the Spring on the Trail event will be put back into the trail building and repairing bridges and maintaining the trail as a whole.

The event begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m.

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NEWS | 7

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

Township high schools drop slightly in Fraser rankings colin dewar The two public high schools in Waterloo Region’s rural townships have slipped in the rankings complied by the Fraser Institute in their annual report card.

Elmira District Secondary School (EDSS) is now ranked 84 out of 718 secondary schools, tied with 13 other schools throughout the province, while Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School (WODSS) in Baden is ranked 208 along with 23 other schools. In the past five years, the two schools had been ranked 37th (EDSS) and 139th (WO).

For the 2011 school year EDSS received a grade of 7.8 out of 10 compared to 8.2 in 2010 while Waterloo-Oxford earned a score of 7 compared to 7.4 the year before.

The Fraser Institute’s report card format uses indicators such as success in standardized exams and graduation rates to assess each school.

Co-author Michael Thomas says the report card provides parents with a simple-to-use, objective tool to judge trends in academic performance.

“We like to say the report card answers the question for parents: how is my school doing compared

to all other schools in the report card academically?” said Thomas. “We hope the report card is used as a comparative tool for improvement so that parents and educators can identify some successful schools in the province, maybe some that are similar to the characteristics of their own local school, and try to emulate some of the success they have had through their academic results.”

The report also compares a school’s performance with the performance expected based on parental average income, drawn from Statistics Canada’s most recent census data.

With an average family income of $86,100 WaterlooOxford performed better than EDSS who didn’t do as well as expected based on an average family income of $136,000.

Along with the report card, the institute’s website allows users to compare the performance of the 718 secondary schools from across Ontario based on eight key indicators derived from province-wide tests of mathematics and literacy.

The report card shows that there has been an area of improvement among the Grade 9 math results across the province.

“There has been a steady

increase in performance over the last five years among both streams – the applied and academic,” said Thomas.

“This is very good news.”

On the flipside the literacy test has shown no notable improvement over the last five years.

“This is an exam that students take for the first time in Grade 10 and they have to pass it in order to graduate in Ontario and we have seen no improvement over the last five years and 19 per cent of students are not passing this exam on the first try so there is a lot of room for improvement in that area.”

This year’s results also

indicated that, provincewide, fewer students tested below the provincial average on reading and numeracy skills than in 2010.

In 2011, only 26.6 per cent of tests written were below the provincial standard.

“This is an area of improvement as well as fewer tests are being failed overall when you look at both the math and literacy tests,” said Thomas. “It was over 30 per cent five years ago and we have seen a decline since then.

There is, of course, room for improvement as just over a quarter of the tests are still below standard or fails.”

Wellesley shows some flexibility in fence bylaw james jackson The Township of Wellesley demonstrated some flexibility within their fence bylaw earlier this week, permitting one exemption and rejecting another.

Council approved the fence proposal at the property owned by Dennis and Emily Schultz at 3634 Nafziger Rd., permitting them exemption from sec-

tion 3.1(e) of the township’s fence bylaw, and rejected the proposal from Tyrone DeBrouwer at 2 Ferris Dr. seeking an exemption from section 3.1 (b) and 3.1(e) of the bylaw.

Section 3.1(b) states that no part of any fence shall be erected, nor any shrubs or foliage be planted or maintained that exceed 0.8 metres (2.6 feet) in height in a driveway daylight triangle or in a corner daylight

triangle, and Section 3.1(e) states that no part of any fence located in a front yard or within 1.5 metres of an exterior side yard lot shall exceed 0.8 metres (2.6 feet) in height.

The two parties had appeared as delegations at the Mar. 20 council meeting, both stating that the “unique” conditions of their property, as well as their desire to protect their pets and children from traffic,

should excuse them from the bylaw.

Council deferred a decision on both fences until a report could be completed by staff.

In the case of the Schulze’s property, the owners argued the unique location and dimensions of their property made them exempt from the fence bylaw.

Their property is situated between Nafziger Road and a township maintenance

lane, and as a result of this configuration they have no usable backyard, meaning the only place for their children to play is in their side yard.

Their property is also located in what Dennis described as a “sink hole” and that the grade of the property drops down approximately two feet (0.6 metres) from street level into the yard, meaning a fence 0.8 metres in height would

barely come up to the level of the sidewalk, affording virtually no privacy.

The couple proposed to council a plan to build a stepped-fence that would be 1.2 metres (3.9 feet) high at the southeast corner of the property, increasing to 2.0 metres (6.5 feet) at the centre of the property, step down to approximately 1.25 metres (4.1 feet) until it fence | 10

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8 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

festival: Community groups get sweet rewards for efforts raising funds at the festival from | cover

reaching summery 25 to 27 degrees – actually made the single-digit temperatures we had last Saturday morning feel downright chilly, and that may have played a small role in keeping some people away, Peterson said.

“Usually a six-degree weather day in March is great for people to get out,” she said.

She also noted that high gas prices and the stillstruggling economy may have taken their toll as well,

saying that many factors affect attendance each year.

While the day started slowly, it picked up by the early afternoon as the sun came out and temperatures rose into the double-digits, and despite the drop in attendance there is not likely any threat to the town’s Guinness Book of World Record status as the world’s largest one-day maple syrup festival, established in 2000 when 66,529 people attended.

The organizing committee held a debriefing meet-

ing this past week, and final numbers of pancakes sold and total attendance were not available for press, but Peterson said they did use more than 600 litres of maple syrup throughout the day.

Last year some 14,000 pancakes and 800 litres of syrup were consumed by the crowds.

Of course it’s impossible to forget that the EMSF is also a major fundraiser in the community, and last year 23 community groups received about $60,000 in

grant money from the festival. While Peterson said that number will likely drop this year, it’s still a great cause, and the money will be distributed on June 13.

Peterson extends her thanks to the more than 2,000 volunteers who came out to make the day run smoothly.

The 2013 Elmira Maple Syrup Festival is set for Apr. 6, rain or shine, and planning for that will begin this fall. Visit www.elmiramaplesyrup.com for more information.

Three-year-old Mason Clemmer enjoys a bite of the delicious pancakes and maple syrup first thing Saturday morning. [james jackson / the observer]

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THE WOOLWICH COMMUNITY FUND

Grants from the Woolwich Community Fund will be awarded this spring. Special grants are available for youth initiatives through the Fountain of Memories Fund.

Charitable organizations whose services benefit the citizens of Woolwich Township are invited to apply. Grants will be provided for capital expenditures or as seed money for new initiatives (not for operating expenses).

Grant applications will be accepted until Friday May 18, 2012 The Woolwich Community Fund application form and information on how to apply are available at: http://www.kwcf.ca/forgrantap/grantevalu~4 or contact

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Jim Schwindt, Chairman - Woolwich Community Fund TELEPHONE: 519.669.5012

NEWS | 9

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

sweet times at the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival

Dhiren Ravi, 7, works hard to saw through a timbre Kerri Martin (left) and Kayla Hochgrafe show off the fruits of their labour at the log-sawing display at the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival last Saturday morning. The Hundreds of volunteers helped cook thousands of big, as his family cheered him on at the log-sawing Elmira Venturers and Rovers use the log-sawing event to raise funds for programming. delicious pancakes for the upwards of 60,000 spectators [James Jackson / The Observer] demonstration. that are believed to have attended this year’s event. [colin dewar / the observer] Kings’ forward Andrew Smith (left) and defenceman Clayton Greer participated in the annual pancake flipping contest at the Woolwich Memorial Centre that had more than 20 teams. Their team finished third overall. [james jackson /the observer]

A team representing Woolwich Minor Hockey were named the winners at this year’s pancake flipping contest held at Snyder Arena during the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival, taking home a commemorative truck in the process. Paul Wilson (left), Jim Radcliffe, Steve Hanley, Chris Schnarr and Brian Knipfel beat out the Michael Harris PC team by a narrow 20-19 score in the flipping finals. The five men also won the title from 2007-2009.

Larkin Kitsemetry, 8, (left) from Elmira and her friend Jenna Toering, 7, from Guelph enjoy a spin on the Scrambler in the parking lot of the WMC. [colin dewar / the observer]

Over 150 vendors came out for the festival many of them cooking food like turkey legs that were enjoyed by numerous visitors. Fernan Enriquez, (right) plays a panflute as he entertains visitors to the festival. [colin dewar / the observer]

10 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

Students walk to help Sierra leone

St. Teresa school in Elmira held a walk-a-thon Mar. 23 to raise money for clean water and sanitation projects in Sierra Leone. Altogether the school raised $2,069 from pledges, and Brittany Cowan (Gr. 8), Connor Runstedler (Gr. 8), Tynan Hillwood (Gr. 7) and Abby Hanley (Gr. 6) were just some of the walkers who participated in the event. [james jackson / the observer]

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Local students take part in science fair

Zak Lienhart of St. Jacobs P.S. was one of the 300 students from 29 different schools in grades 7 through 12 from Waterloo Region, Wellington County and the Upper Grand District School Board to compete at the 39th Waterloo-Wellington Science and Engineering Fair held at Bingemans in Kitchener on Apr. 3. Lienhart’s project tested which light bulbs produce the most heat. His conclusions found it was an incandescent bulb. Right, Cameron Rose from St. Jacobs P.S. tested the effects of air pressure on the way a ball bounces and how air affected the mass, elasticity and hardness of balls and how less force was used to deform a ball. [colin dewar/ the observer]

Helen: Fighting cancer, emergency blood transfusion. Tuesday 3:30pm

Jonny Martin (left) and Connor Martin built a scale ground water soil structure model to measure the velocity of salt water flow. Their project showed that it took salt 15 minutes to travel through their model from one end to another.

fence: Wellesley council makes exceptions

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reached the northeast corner, where it would increase to 1.83 metres in height (6 feet).

In his report to council, chief building official Rik Louwagie indicated that the fence, as described by the Schultze’s, should have no negative impacts on visibility issues for pedestrians or vehicles, and that the sketches prepared by the home owners indicated the fence would be esthetically pleasing.

The neighbours on either side of the couple also indicated, in writing, their approval of the fence project.

While councillors allowed the exemption of the bylaw given the unique circumstances, they did express some trepidation that it would lead to a large influx of similar requests.

“Personally I have no problem with this. My concern is that I wouldn’t like to see this open up the flood gates,” said Coun. Jim Olender, a sentiment shared

by Coun. Herb Neher.

“We need to outline some way for residents to get at this exemption, otherwise we’ll get people in off the street and we will say there is a process to follow, but

we have no process,” Neher said.

Louwagie suggested that staff could devise a standardized method of appeal similar to a minor variance application, which would put the onus on property owners to make their case as to why they should be exempt in the future.

In the case of the DeBrouwer application, councillors immediately indicated that the property was a very different scenario than the one presented by the Schultze’s.

The property at 2 Ferris Dr. is a corner lot and DeBrouwer had proposed building a wrought-iron fence measuring 5 feet (1.5 meters) in height along his exterior side yard, exceeding the height restriction of 0.8 meters described in the bylaw.

DeBrouwer also wishes to continue the fence along the rear of his property, but there is a neighbouring driveway to the south which creates a driveway daylight lighting triangle, limiting the height of the fence at the rear of the property to 0.8 metres under the bylaw.

In his presentation to council on Mar. 20 DeBrouwer indicated that the presence of a 1.2 metre fence on

his neighbour’s property to the south (erected prior to the implementation of the fence bylaw) should exempt him from the bylaw, and the fact that the wrought iron fence is see-through should alleviate the visibility issues.

In his report to council, however, Louwagie noted that the proposed fence could potentially pose visibility issues for pedestrians and traffic given that it would be higher than the existing fence, and the proposed location of the fence along the side property line could interfere with the growth of trees currently located on and adjacent to the property.

Councillors agreed that while they granted the exemption to the Schultze fence given its peculiar circumstances, the same could not be done for the DeBrouwer proposal.

“I’ve been out there and looked at it, and it’s certainly not the same situation. Not even close,” said Olender.

Council elected to enforce the height requirements of the fence bylaw and Louwagie informed council he would tell DeBrouwer of their decision over the phone the next day.

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

April is Healthy Communities Month in Woolwich

NEWS | 11

Group has a long list of activities and events lined up, including next weekend’s Taste of Woolwich COLIN DEWAR The annual Healthy Communities Month in Woolwich is once again upon us, with a full slate of events and activities lined up to help residents get out and enjoy the warmer weather and appreciate just how much the township has to offer.

“The main goal of Healthy Communities is really to try and enhance the social, economic and environmental well being of residents through out the Township of Woolwich,” said organizer Joy Finney.

The kickoff for the sixth annual Healthy Communities Month will be A Taste of Woolwich, which has been moved to the Breslau Mennonite Church this year. The event will take place on Apr. 16 and runs from 5-8 p.m. The event allows the community to connect with local farmers.

“We have moved the event to Breslau because of the population growth and we wanted to help build relationships between farmers and the new residents there. Part of the motivation for that is to allow farmers to learn what people would like to see grown here,” said Finney.

This year’s program includes tips for quick and nutritious meals for

young families, the art of cooking slowly for healthy families on the go and why we should pay for the benefits of local food. There will also be a youth recipe challenge with the winning recipe to be showcased by Chef Ryan Terry of Flow Catering. Admission to A Taste of Woolwich is only $2 per adult.

The following weekend, on Apr. 21, there will be a community clean-up and yellow fish storm drain painting event that begin at 8:30 a.m. and runs until noon.

Later that evening, a free screening of the movie "Revenge of the Electric Car” will be shown at Trinity United Church starting at 7 p.m. The documentary explores the electric car craze and the future of the automobile as a film crew go behind the closed doors of some of the major automakers to chronicle the story of the resurgence of the electric car.

On Apr. 28 the biggest event of the month will take place as the St. Jacobs arena hosts the Green Living and Tech Fair. The show will run from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and includes workshops on creating an energy-smart living space, energy saving ideas and technologies for under $100, building a strong

Chef Ryan Terry prepares a meal at his restaurant Flow in Elmira. Terry will be a part of A Taste of Woolwich on Apr. 16 showcasing a winning youth recipe for the event. [colin dewar / the observer] back and healthy mind through hiking and healthy active living with information from the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

“The event gives people access to and knowledge about local businesses that are supporting green and healthy living,” said Finney.

breslau lions make it official

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet local business owners to discuss

green energy, healthy living and discover tips for reducing daily energy use.

There will be a free electronic waste drop off at the fair as well as an old bicycle donation bin courtesy of The Working Centre.

A bus tour leaving from the arena in St. Jacobs to REEP house in Kitchener will be available for fair visitors. The REEP house is a completely renovated century home that highlights some of the alternative energy resources available including in-floor heating, ground source heat pump and recycled polymer roof shingles. Tours start at 12 p.m. Admission to both the fair and bus tour is free.

The month ends with a bird watching hike with Mark Bauman along the Health Valley Trail in St. Jacobs on Apr. 29, 2-4 p.m.

The hike is part of an effort to get people out to enjoy the fresh air while encountering the different types of birds the area with the scenic views of St. Jacobs.

For more information about these, or any other events scheduled for Healthy Communities Month in Woolwich, visit their website at www. healthywoolwich.org.

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The Inaugural Meeting of the Breslau Branch Lions Club was held Mar. 26 at the community centre.

Attending were Breslau club president Tanya Gould (left), Breslau Lion Craig Mason, District A15 governor Norma Peterson, St Jacobs Lions Club president and Breslau member Dennis Lougheed, District A15 membership and club growth leader Larry Wainwright, Breslau secretary Aline Chan, Breslau treasurer Michelle Barnard, Breslau Lion Ernie Kaethler, Breslau Lion Peter Chan. At right, the official signing of the Breslau branch formation papers. Dennis Lougheed (left), Norma Peterson, Aline Chan. [submitted]

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12 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

JOE MERLIHAN PUBLISHER STEVE KANNON EDITOR

COMMENT

DONNA RUDY SALES MANAGER

JAMES JACKSON REPORTER

COLIN DEWAR REPORTER

PAT MERLIHAN PRODUCTION MANAGER

LEANNE BORON GRAPHIC DESIGN

JON SARACHMAN GRAPHIC DESIGN

PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NUMBER 1004840 | ISSN 12039578

OUR VIEW / EDITORIAL

THE VIEW FROM HERE

F-35s yet another reason to distrust Harper's stances AUDITOR GENERAL MICHAEL FERGUSON this week released a damning report on the government’s plan to buy 65 new F-35 fighter jets to replace its fleet of CF-18s. He paints a picture of lies and cover-ups in the Department of National Defence, which worked against to proper protocols throughout the process and consistently downplayed the cost knowing full well the state price tag of $16 billion was wrong by at least $10 billion.

From rigging the process so that only the F-35 would qualify right through the government choosing the plane before the process was complete and in the face of no documentation, timetable or actual costs, the file was mismanaged from the start. Ferguson found plenty of blame with bureaucrats inside and out of the military, but did not have documentation to say how much the politicians knew.

Clearly, however, given the public statements by Harper himself, as well as cabinet ministers such as Peter MacKay and Julian Fantino, they should have had such details before taking a definitive, hard-line stance.

NDP leader Thomas Mulcair's questions and subsequent call for MacKay’s resignation – joined by Liberal leader Bob Rae’s request that Harper step down – were sloughed off by the government. The reaction was reminiscent of Harper’s stance last year on opposition calls for details on the F-35 program when the Parliamentary Budget Officer released damning estimates of the costs associated with the program.

Then, too, the government was dismissive, issuing assurances about the costs. It’s refusal to provide figures led in part to the first-ever contempt of Parliament charges upheld against a government.

The Conservatives continued to push for the F-35, denying the PBO’s estimates of $29.3-billion price tag while maintaining the $16-billion figure, despite constant reports of cost overruns and delays that had other members of the international Joint Strike Force project backing away, including the U.S. itself. Not until this week’s report did Harper in effect admit everything prior had been a fiction, as the government meekly fell in line with the AG’s recommendations.

What remains to be seen, however, is who’s head will roll.

In the past, a defence minister in MacKay’s situation would have resigned. Others, including Public Works Minister Rosa Ambrose would be gone, too. Perhaps even the prime minister. But such honour no longer exists on Parliament Hill.

And this government has shown itself incapable of recognizing, let alone correcting numerous ethical lapses: from Bev Oda to Tony Clement, ministers breaching the public trust have not been reprimanded let alone fired.

Beyond the scandal itself, there’s the issue of how the F-35 file undermines yet again the Harper government’s claim to good fiscal management. Clearly the opposite has been true from day-one, but the fact that the Conservatives were determined to blow, in secret, at least another $10 billion on the program without oversight or accountability speaks volumes.

On this project, it continues to use numbers everyone else said were unrealistic, using them to justify going ahead. In making changes in Old Age Security in last week’s budget, the government used its own numbers despite those from more credible sources maintaining that the OAS system is sustainable in its current form. The AG’s report reminds us not to take at face value what’s coming out of Harper's mouth.

With an early-April date for Easter, residents still have a few weeks to take to heart the message that April is Health Communities Month.

WORLD VIEW / GWYNNE DYER

Election results put Burma on democratic pathway WORLD AFFAIRS “It is never easy to persuade those who have acquired power forcibly of the wisdom of peaceful change,” Aung San Suu Kyi once remarked.

But the leader of Burma’s main pro-democracy party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), never wavered in her belief that it was possible. Now it may actually be happening.

In last Sunday’s byelections in Burma, the NLD won at least 40 of the 45 seats at stake. Burma is still far from being a genuine democracy, but the outcome was so encouraging that NLD official Myo Win said: “The army has changed and is now more lenient. So there is more of a possibility that Aung San Suu Kyi can become president in 2015.”

“The Lady,” as most people call her, is finally free after 22 years of political repression, most of them spent under house arrest.

It’s hard to believe that she may be peacefully elected

president of Burma in three years’ time – but it was also hard to believe that Nelson Mandela would be elected president of South Africa only four years after he was freed from 27 years in prison in 1990.

Not only is Aung San Suu Kyi free, but she is now a member of parliament. She boycotted last year’s general election, the first since 1990, because she distrusted the regime’s intentions, but she has now joined the political game. She had to, because otherwise the game would probably have ended quite soon.

The army has monopolized power in Burma for the past 50 years, ruthlessly suppressing all dissent and leaving the country the poorest in South-East Asia. Now a former general, Thein Sein, has persuaded his colleagues that it is time for the army to let go, but many of them are just waiting for him to fail.

He has been president for a year now, and he badly needed a success.

Whether the outcome of these by-elections is quite the kind of success he needed remains to be seen. The army’s original

idea, after all, was to open up politics just enough to end foreign economic sanctions and deflate domestic pressure for change.

The new constitution of 2008 gave serving soldiers one-quarter of the seats in the new parliament, and in the elections of 2010 the regimes’ puppet political party won a huge majority of the seats.

It was probably the spectacle of the “Arab Spring,” with non-violent revolutions overthrowing decades-old Arab regimes that were just as cruel and corrupt as Burma’s, that subsequently persuaded the army it had to go further. Last August, President Thein Sein met Aung San Suu Kyi for the first time.

What promises he made remains secret, but it was enough to persuade The Lady to rejoin the political process.

From the army’s point of view the recent by-elections, held to replace 45 regime supporters who gave up their seats upon being appointed to posts in the new government, seemed an ideal way to start the opening-up process. Even if the NLD did well in

them, it would not shake the regime’s overwhelming majority in parliament, and the next national elections are not due until 2015. But the NLD may have done too well.

The pro-democracy party’s nearly clean sweep in these by-elections will remind many generals of the 1990 elections, and that is not a happy thought for them. Having drowned a non-violent protest movement in blood in 1988, the army held a general election in 1990 to legitimize its rule, confident that it could guarantee the right outcome.

It was wrong: the NLD won 80 per cent of the seats. It was a political disaster for the military, who only preserved their rule by ignoring the election results and jailing the opposition leaders. That gave them another two decades in power, but their rule was clearly illegitimate and the regime became an international pariah.

Now we have another election outcome in which the NLD wins more than 80 per cent of the seats. It DYER | 14

COMMENT | 13

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

THEIR VIEW / QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What is your favourite Easter treat?

»»Alex Macdonald

»»Zoe Kovacs

»»Matt Watson

»»Avinash Pandey

»»Hillary Strong

My favourite easter treat is chocolate mini eggs.

I like mini eggs and cream eggs.

Reese chocolate is my favourite easter treat

Reese chocolate is the best easter treat.

I enjoy mini eggs around easter time.

"They could be helping to wipe out an industry that has provided more than $1 billion towards our health care and education." Marlene Malina | Page 13 HIS VIEW / STEVE KANNON

No need to speculate as to the cause of rapid gasoline price hikes EDITOR'S NOTES The supply of oil is up, demand is down. Traditional economics tells us the price should be falling.

That’s not the case, as you well know if you’ve filled up your gas tank.

Why is that?

Well, as always, oil companies are prone to using any excuse – say, unrest in the Middle East, for instance – to hike the price.

They make more profits that way. Increasingly, however, it’s the speculators who are driving up the price: they make huge windfalls betting on the commodities markets.

There’s so much money to be made, in fact, the oil companies themselves get in on the action, making money on the speculation and then boosting profits when the manipulation of the markets leads to real increases at the pumps.

Oil futures represent a contract between a buyer and a seller in which the buyer agrees to purchase

a set amount of oil at a fixed price. An airline, for instance, might want the stability of knowing what its costs are going to be months down the road, agreeing to pay today for oil that has yet to be produced. Similar deals have existed for years with other commodities such as wheat. In the case of food, a farmer could plant a crop knowing what he would be paid at harvest. The buyer, say a large cereal producer, would know the cost, without being subject to the ups and downs of the market.

Commodities trading was a fairly small undertaking, involving the industry players themselves. But that was before the likes of Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup got in on the action. Drawn by the betting aspect, they pumped billions of dollars into commodities trading.

Deals were no longer about real goods – oil, wheat, barley, whatever – but about bits of paper and simply bits of information being bought and sold, traded and hedged. The speculation outstripped the real investments in commodities

HOW TO REACH US

housing bubble still plaguing the U.S. economy, little has been done.

That said, last month some 70 members of the U.S. Congress signed a joint letter that said federal regulators should curb speculation in crude oil markets which has artificially pushed up gasoline prices.

The lawmakers – 23 senators and 47 members of the House – said in a letter to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission that the regulators must stop Wall Street futures traders from dominating the oil market. The commission has flouted a provision in the 2010 Wall Street reform law that required regulators to put tough new trading limits in place by Jan. 17, 2011. “We are disappointed that, more than a year later, the commission has not fulfilled this important regulatory duty,” the letter reads.

“It is one of your primary duties – indeed, perhaps your most important – to ensure that the prices Americans pay for gasoline and heating oil are fair, and that the markets ... operate

free from fraud, abuse, and manipulation.”

They stressed that gasoline pump prices are up despite high supplies and low demand. According to the Energy Information Administration, the supply of oil and gasoline is greater today than it was three years ago, when the national average price for a U.S. gallon (3.78 litres) of gasoline was just $1.90. Today, the national average is more than $3.70 a gallon at a time when the demand for oil in the U.S. is at its lowest level since April of 1997.

The Dodd-Frank Act to reform Wall Street of 2010 should be limiting the worse of speculative

excesses. Instead the rules have yet to be fully implemented in the two years since the law was passed.

And Wall Street has no intention of stopping, as witnessed by legal action in federal courts as those making money at everyone else’s expense look to delay or block the new rules.

As many critics have noted, it’s as if the industry and the government learned nothing from the folly of deregulation, nor from the futility of chasing the latest bubble.

You can thank greed and the money that greases the political system for that pain you’re feeling at the pumps.

YOUR VIEW / LETTER

Racetracks need our support To the Editor, I was disturbed with the attitude of a couple who wrote in a few weeks ago and boasted about how the raceway lands were developed into a sprawling subdivision, that their tax dollars were flowing into the township, etc. Do these

same people realize that the agriculture society was willing to move the raceway out of this area and buy property still within the Woolwich Township boundaries? It would have been a win-win for everyone. The township would have had the tax dollars from the homes as well as reaped the rewards of the LETTER | 14

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many, many times over.

What can be done? Since much of the speculation originates in the U.S., that’s the place to start.

Americans, however, have spent decades weakening controls over commodities speculation, though there is some pushback at this point given the high cost of gasoline and the country’s poor economy.

Controls were loosened considerably in 2000, leading to a massive build-up of money in the commodities market leading up to the economic collapse of 2008.

A report by the U.S. Senate points to correlations between the influx of money in oil futures markets and the rising cost of oil. The price of oil doubled, tripled and eventually quadrupled in step with the increase from $13 billion to $260 billion in the market from 2003 to 2008.

The crisis created by the financial services industry didn’t stem the tide, however. Quite the opposite: with equities in turmoil, yet more money flocked to future. Despite the same kind of actions that created past bubbles, including the

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14 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

THE MONITOR

VERBATIM

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

April 11 marks the International Day of Pink, celebrating diversity and raising awareness to stop homophobic, transphobic and all forms of bullying. The International Day of Pink started in Nova Scotia when two straight high school students saw a gay student wearing a pink shirt being bullied. The two intervened and a few days later got everyone at school to arrive wearing pink, standing in solidarity.

“But they key question to the prime minister is; How could he allow Parliament to be intentionally mislead on the F-35s? Either he knew and it's unconscionable or he didn't, and it's incompetence.”

A new supermarket of up to 34,000 square feet was approved for the south end of Elmira, winning the support of Woolwich councillors meeting Apr. 6, 3004. The store would eventually open as a Price Chopper. Today it's home to another of the Sobeys' banners, Foodland.

»»Day of Pink Organization

»»NDP leader Thomas Mulcair calls out Stephen Harper over the Auditor General's

»»From the April 10, 2004 edition of the Observer.

report about mismanagement and deception in the F-35 file.

DYER: Rest of the world can

NATIONAL VIEW

help with economic support CONTINUED FROM | 10

will already have occurred both to the soldiers and to Aung San Suu Kyi that if the NLD had not boycotted the national elections in November 2010, it would have won them despite all the regime’s attempts to manipulate the results. And it virtually guarantees that the NLD will become the government in 2015, if those elections are ever held.

The Burmese army’s choice is now stark: it must either accept that outcome or halt the whole democratization process. President Thein Sein seems committed to the process come what may, but some senior generals will certainly prefer the latter option, particularly because an NLD

government might investigate how they got so rich.

So it would be a good idea for the NLD to promise an amnesty for all crimes committed by the military regime.

The coming year will be a tricky one, and it could end in disaster if Aung San Suu Kyi overplays her hand. However, the past 22 years have taught her patience, and she clearly understands that Thein Sein needs her help in staving off the pressure from the more hawkish generals.

The rest of the world can also help him, by ending sanctions and allowing investment to flow into the crippled economy. And with luck, Burma will be a democracy three years from now.

LETTER: OLG decision will

hurt the horse-racing industry FROM | 13 revenue from the slots at the new racetrack as well!

Many of my relatives as well as others started their careers at Elmira Raceway.

Children had their first jobs there.

Regardless of what happened in the past, the news of the OLG reversing their decision to stop the Slots at Racetracks Program next year is not good news for anyone. Farmers, breeders, trainers, owners, drivers and many more peoples’ lives are in jeopardy. Their livelihoods are in question.

Generations of families have done nothing but raise and race horses all their lives. Without the revenues from the slots, horse racing would have been washed up years ago.

The partnership with the OLG has kept a long time industry going.

My husband and I raced horses for years and retired from them about 20 years ago for financial reasons.

The Slots at Racetracks program provided the industry with revenues that helped the tracks raise the purse monies for racing.

We saw that horses were racing for 10 times the amount compared to what we saw in the 1980s. We ventured into it again and purchased a horse in 2010.

In 2011, we purchased two more. It now looks like our comeback will be shortlived because of the OLG’s decision to end their agreement with the racetracks and we will not be in a financial position to continue with the horses. We are only one of many examples of the people involved in the industry.

I am willing to bet that only a couple of my neighbours knew that we had racehorses. Many more people living in Elmira either are involved with horses directly or know of someone who is. Just because some of you are against gambling in any form, doesn’t mean that you should judge what oth-

ers do.

I would like the people who think its great that the raceway left Woolwich and think it is funny or that its bittersweet that the OLG is cancelling their agreement with the tracks to think about how the lives and livelihoods of those people directly involved could end up! Where are thousands of horses going to end up? Slaughterhouses?

What about families who have nothing beyond their

horses? Should they all end up on welfare for your tax dollars to support them.

The OLG and Dalton McGuinty are wrong on this one. They could be helping to wipe out an industry that has provided more than $1 billion towards our health care and education.

Please help support the horse racing industry. It could be your neighbour that suffers.

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SPORTS | 17

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

SPORTS HOCKEY/ JUNIOR C

HOCKEY/ TWIN CENTRE

Woolwich contingent part of New Hamburg Firebirds Junior C team’s banner season

Twin Centre goes 3-for-3 at OMHAs All three teams that qualified for the finals capture Ontario titles in their divisions

JAMES JACKSON A trio of Woolwich residents and former Woolwich Minor Hockey players had a big role in the success of the New Hamburg Firebirds this season.

Matt Horst of St. Jacobs wore the captain’s ‘C’, while Nick Pope of St. Jacobs and Damien Parent of Winterbourne were both assistant captains on the Junior C hockey club that finished first in the league this year, and went on to win the Niagara West title on Mar. 12 before bowing out to Grimsby in the Schmalz Cup all-Ontario final in a four-game sweep.

“It was an awesome season,” said Horst, a defenceman who has played for the New Hamburg squad for the past three years.

“We all knew that we have accomplished something amazing, but it’s frustrating because only one team in all of Ontario gets to finish the year with a win.

“It’s kind of bittersweet.”

The series against Grimsby could have gone either way, said Horst, and a bounce here or there – particularly in Game 2 which ended with a 4-3 loss and in Game 3, a 3-2 loss in double overtime – could have changed the outcome of their season.

That shouldn’t take away from the team’s overall success this year. They finished with a regular season record of 26-7-3 before sweeping their first-round series against Woodstock 3-0, beating Aylmer in the second round in six games, and then defeating Norwich in the finals in five

Get A Headstart on your Deck Project

JAMES JACKSON

Nick Pope (left), captain Matt Horst and Damien Parent are three local hockey players who played a key role in the success of the New Hamburg Firebirds’ season. [JAMES JACKSON/THE OBSERVER] games for the Niagara West division championship.

Parent, who has played for New Hamburg for four seasons, said it was particularly nice to finally beat their rivals from Norwich in the finals.

“Last year and the year before you knew you’d lose to them [Norwich], but this year we had a sense that we were going to beat them,” he said, adding that the atmosphere at the Wilmot Recreation Complex for the final game was unreal as more than 1,000 fans packed the stands.

The players agree that the reason for their success this year was a result of how tight-knit the team became over the course of

the season.

“There was never anybody that was going against the grain. Everybody was going the same direction and we didn’t have any big obstacles all year long within the dressing room that we had to overcome, which is amazing,” said Horst.

For Pope, playing in his first season as a Firebird after playing Junior B in Owen Sound last year, the team readily accepted him into the fold and he responded by leading the team in scoring during the regular season with 15 goals and 44 points playing on the same line as Parent for most of the year.

“We stuck together through thick and thin to

League Convener Ron Park (left) made a presentation to Horst before the Firebirds’ home game on Feb. 4 for their first-place finish in Niagara West.

[SUBMITTED] win the championship.

Everyone sacrificed something; it wasn’t just one line going out, or just one guy.”

This season was a reunion of sorts for Pope and

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Parent. The wingers had played on the same line during their Midget hockey days in Woolwich, losing in the OMHA finals that year.

It was a historic year for Twin Centre Stars minor hockey as all three teams in the finals captured the Ontario Minor Hockey Association title as the best team in the province, the first time that three teams from Twin Centre have won the Ontario title in the same year.

The Novice Rep team (7-8 years old) wrapped up their series against South Huron on Mar. 31 in four games, the Atom AE team (10-11 years old) finished their series on Mar. 23 with a 5-0 win over Centre Hastings, and the Bantam Rep club (13-14 years old) finished off Blenheim on Mar. 27.

“That’s just amazing,” said Steve Krulicki, head coach of the Atom team.

“To have three teams win in one year was amazing. There was a lot of excitement and a lot of buzz and lets hope the success continues and the fun continues next year.”

For the Novice Rep team the win finishes off what head coach Jamie Hislop called “the triple crown” of achievements for the 2011/2012

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18 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

ATOM #2 CAPTURES DIVISION TITLE

THE SCORE WOOLWICH WILD

Novice: LL #1 Mar 29 vs Twin Centre Woolwich: 4 Twin Centre: 1 Goals: Ben Fretz x3, Mac Benham Assists: Jamie McCormick, Corbin Schmidt Woolwich wins ‘B’ division championship

Woolwich Peewee: MINOR A Mar 30 vs Uxbridge Woolwich: 6 Uxbridge: 2 Goals: Riley Runstedler x2, Austin Cousineau, Sammy Davidson, Daniel Carr Assists: Cole Altman, Riley Runstedler, Garrett Reitzel, Austin Cousineau, Daniel Carr Mar 30 vs Stoney Creek Woolwich: 4 Stoney Creek: 1 Goals: Riley Runstedler x2, Cole Altman, Garrett Reitzel Assists: Cole Altman x2, Riley

Shutout: Riley Weigel Mar 30 vs Pelham Lincoln Tournament Pelham: 1 Woolwich: 0 Mar 31 vs Dundas Woolwich: 3 Dundas: 1 Goals: Benton Weber, Cade Schaus, Nick Campagnolo Assists: Earl Schwartz x2, Daniel Gallant, Matthew Uhrig, Bruce Martin Apr 1 vs Dundas (Semi-finals) Woolwich: 7 Dundas: 1 Goals: Jonny Martin x2, Matthew Uhrig x2, Daniel Gallant, Tim Mayberry, Benton Weber Assists: Nick Campagnolo x3, Jonny Martin x2, Matthew Uhrig x2, Bruce Martin x2, Cade Schaus x2, Matthew MacDonald, Benton Peewee: AE Weber, Tim Mayberry Mar 3 vs Acton Apr 1 vs Pelham (Finals) Playoffs Woolwich: 3 Pelham: 1 Woolwich: 2 Acton: 0 Goals: Earl Schwartz, Brett Goals: Alex Turchan, Henry, Jonny Martin Matthew Uhrig Assists: Cade Schaus x2, Assists: Tim Mayberry, Mitch Rempel, Alex Turchan, Brett Henry Alex Turchan, Earl Schwartz, Nick Campagnolo Runstedler, Daniel Carr Mar 31 vs Toronto Woolwich: 5 Toronto: 0 Goals: Kyle Bruder, Riley Runstedler, Cole Altman, Bradley Hale, Nick Ravelle Assists: Bradley Hale, Liam Hartman, Riley Runstedler, Daniel Carr, Austin Cousineau Apr 1 vs Stoney Creek Woolwich: 2 Stoney Creek: 0 Goals: Cole Altman x2 Assists: Riley Runstedler Apr 1 vs Uxbridge Uxbridge: 4 Woolwich: 3 Goals: Austin Cousineau, Garrett Reitzel, Cole Altman Assists: Liam Hartman, Riley Runstedler

Goals: Tanner Horst x3, Joel Cairney x2, Alex David Assists: Tanner Horst, Joel Cairney, Alex David, Zach Goetz Mar 29 vs Plattsville Plattsville: 7 Woolwich: 6 Goals: Tanner Horst x2, Alex David x2, Joel Cairney, Dan Faries Assists: Troy Brunkard, Tanner Horst, Alex David, Josh Simpson, Joel Cairney, Lucas Bauman, Dan Faries, Zach Goetz Mar 31 vs Plattsville Plattsville: 2 Woolwich: 1 Goals: Josh Simpson Assists: Dan Faries

TWIN CENTRE HERICANES

Novice: LL #2 Mar 28 vs Grand River Twin Centre: 4 Grand River: 0 Goals: Lauren Skanes x2, Mia Thompson, Emily Krueger Assists: Lauren Skanes, Mia Thompson, Emily Krueger, The Woolwich Atom #2 team were the winners of the B division of the Grand River Local League this season. Back row: Ray Boehm, Troy Emma Sommer Dunn, Mike Grant. Middle row: Tanner Mann, Matthew Radler, Matthew Fleischmann, CJ Sider, Brannon Slade, Tyson Kraemer, Sam Nitsche. Shutout: Kirsten Livingston Front row: Tim Brunkard, Owen Hill-Ring, Joseph Boehm, Matthew Dunn, Brendan Grant, Adam Anstett, James Ormson, Max Nitsche, Apr 2 vs Twin Centre #1 Jonathan Dinglestad.

[SUBMITTED] Twin Centre #2: 2 Twin Centre #1: 0 Goals: Colby Bond Centre Wellington: 1 Bantam: MINOR A Midget: LL #1 Goals: Reese Looser, Claire Higgins Goals: Colby Bond x2 Assists: Garrett Schultz Mar 21 vs Centre Wellington Mar 27 vs Plattsville Assists: Mia Thompson, Emily Mar 31 vs Centre Wellington ‘D’ Division Finals Assists: Matheiu Fife, Black Woolwich: 1 Krueger, Lauren Skanes Doerbecker Centre Wellington: 1 Woolwich: 2 Woolwich: 6 Plattsville: 3 Shutout: Kirsten Livingston

BANTAM LL#2 IS B DIVISION CHAMP

SILVER MEDAL FOR SNOWBOARD TEAM

The Woolwich Bantam Local League #2 team came home as B Division champions after defeating their rivals from New Hamburg last weekend 3-0. Overall the team finished with a record of 22-12-2 this year, including tournaments and playoff games. Together with players The boys’ snowboard team won silver at the Spring Fling race for high school students at Beaver Valley Ski Club on Mar. 13. Back row: Ethan from New Hamburg, the team collected donations for the New Hamburg food bank as well as taped their sticks neon green to commemorate Adler-Duiker of Elora, Richard Maggs of Fergus, and Grant Henderson of Fergus. Front row: Andrew Grose of Alma, Carl Kellum (coach), Linda the death of a New Hamburg player’s father from cancer last week. [SUBMITTED] Adams of Heidelberg (assistant coach) and Davin Grose of Alma. [SUBMITTED]

FIREBIRDS: Only one of the three will be returning to the squad next season FROM | 17

Parent and Horst also played minor hockey together in Woolwich for four years before Horst left to pursue minor hockey in Waterloo.

“It’s kind of neat how everyone got back together,” said Horst.

Looking forward to next season, both Parent and Horst have graduated from the Junior hockey ranks as they both turn 22 this

year, leaving Pope, who is finishing up his first year of business foundations at Conestoga College, to return to the Firebirds squad to hopefully lead a defence of their league title with other returning players.

Parent will wrap up his business and arts degree at the University of Waterloo this summer, while Horst will finish his kinesiology degree in December and may suit up for the Waterloo men’s hockey team, but said

he has dreams of coaching minor hockey and possibly in the Junior ranks some day.

In the meantime the pair is still letting the end of their Junior hockey careers sink in.

“It was a nice way to end our career, but it’s still slightly emotional,” said Parent.

“We got off the ice and you can’t help the tears,” added Horst. “All we’ve known is playing hockey.”

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SPORTS | 19

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

NOT SO GREAT OUTDOORSMAN / STEVE GALEA

Spring brings with it the great migration OPEN COUNTRY Sometimes I think that a National Geographic special or two ought to be devoted to outdoorsmen and their strange habits.

I’m sure it would make for some fascinating viewing for those unfamiliar with this strange but colourful subspecies – particularly the one known as the angler.

Take, for instance, the first great migration. No one really knows what signals it. Some believe it’s the increased hours of sunlight or the phase of the moon. Others suggest

that it is a learned behaviour – a dramatic reaction to the imminent onset of spring chores.

Whatever the case, it’s one of nature’s great miracles.

You see, on that incredible day, outdoors enthusiasts all over the nation wake up early and shuffle down to the basement, garage, shed or wherever else their outdoors gear has been exiled to. Then, under the pretext of “tidying the place up,” they begin the age-old ritual of choosing and assembling a fishing rod and spooling line.

Not many outside observers have seen this secretive ritual, but I can assure you that it’s

beautiful. Look closely and you’d swear there was some sort of underlying intelligence too.

It begins with a nervous strutting throughout the storage grounds. Then, the outdoorsman’s neck cranes and he turns and points to the fishing rod that he has chosen as his mate for the spring.

Listen closely and you’ll hear a gentle cooing as he reaches forward to take it.

The rod, for its part, plays coy and unimpressed.

He responds with an elaborate and gaudy display. In this, the outdoorsman assembles the rod and takes several imaginary casts. Sometimes, the rod accepts his advances; but this often

ends in tragedy too – especially if a ceiling fan is running. Then, a prolonged wailing, which is difficult to watch or comprehend, is emitted.

This raises an interesting question – do an angler and his rod mate for life? Some romantics might tell you this but, in my experience it is not the case at all.

At best, the union is short-lived – often only for the duration of the trout season. Sometimes, it’s even cut shorter by the arrival of a spring fishing catalogue offering this year’s models.

Still, this coupling, however brief, is a meaningful event that is quite beautiful to watch. He

gently feeds the chosen rig expensive fishing line.

If the reel is receptive to his advances, it accepts this without so much as a tangle or backlash and the union is almost complete.

Then, after testing the drag, they strut side by side, out into the sunlight. Always shy, they are looking for a secluded place to consummate the partnership by casting at a birdbath, puddle or fish pond. Most times though, the front lawn suffices.

This intimate dance is often interrupted by a passing neighbour who says, “Catching any?”

Typically, before you can come up with a witty response, he chuckles and

TWIN CENTRE: Accomplishment at OMHAs is a first for the TC organization FROM | 17

season. The team won the regional silver stick tournament late in 2011 and captured the international silver stick title in January in Michigan with a 5-0 record. The final component was the OMHA title, which they secured in front of a jam packed and enthusiastic home crowd last week-

end.

“We really focused on a team atmosphere,” said Hislop. “They listened to everything we taught them and just went out and executed.

“It was a total team effort.”

The Atom club also had the opportunity to finish its series on home ice to a crowded arena,

and didn’t disappoint, capping off a successful season that saw them finish with a record of 17-4-1 in the regular season and a perfect 15-0-0 in the playoffs.

“It feels great, it’s amazing,” said Krulicki, who won an OMHA title 20 years ago while playing in Kitchener and whose team was allowed

On Mar. 31 the Twin Centre Stars Novice Rep. team were crowned the OMHA champions, one of three local teams to take the title, and completing the “triple crown” that included the regional and international Silver Stick tournaments earlier this season. Back row: assistant coach Brent Murray, trainer Jeff Stemmler, manager Paul Schnarr, head coach Jamie Hislop, assistant coach Duane Gowing. Second row: Michael Hayes, Curtis Bisch, Sam Erb, Evie Adam, Jaxson Murray, Easton Gowing, Brayden Hislop. Front row: Austin Stemmler, Jonathan Gervais, Kyle Kraemer, Jacob Thompson. [SUBMITTED]

to use the Applejacks’ dressing room during the game.

“Winning it as a player is amazing. You kind of forget over 20 years, but it was great to be a part of this and help the kids grow and get better.”

The road to the OMHA title wasn’t an easy one for the Bantam club. In their 13 playoff games, the team was either losing or tied heading into the third period on eight

occasions, but managed to battle back for a 7-0-1 record in those games.

Head coach Brock Gerber said the team’s “never say die” attitude was apparent nearly every night.

“It was a great year of hockey with a dedicated group of players,” he said. “You’d need some luck, but I think it was mostly hard work by the kids and determination.”

walks away. But that’s another story. A simple plop of a lure or casting weight in the water will end the ritual; but a miss, tangle in the overhead phone line or a backlash will incite angry vocalizations and perhaps even the rejection of the partnership.

Then the process must begin anew.

This secretive courtship happens countless times each year and is as much a part of spring as the blooming of trilliums or the scent of that first skunk – more the latter I suppose, especially if an old fishing vest or waders are involved.

Rank is UW male athlete of the year Elmira’s Garrett Rank is one of the co-winners of the male athlete of the year award at the University of Waterloo, awarded last week during the 52nd annual athletics banquet.

Rank, who shares this year’s Totze Trophy with hockey player Chris Ray, captured his second straight Len Shore Trophy as the OUA men’s individual gold medal winner; in doing so Rank led the Warriors to their first OUA Championship gold medal since 2006.

Rank earned a spot on Team Canada’s National Squad, won the Toronto Star Amateur in July and also earned medalist honours at a U.S. Men’s Amateur qualifier.

The Twin Centre Atom AE team was one of three teams to win the OMHA Championship with a 3-game sweep over Centre Hastings. They went undefeated in all 15 OMHA playoff games sweeping all five of their series’ to become champions. Back row: Jeff Kaufman, David Zyta, Steve Krulicki, Dan Koebel. Middle row: Dylan Hehn, Caleb Wellman, Ben Hayden, Alex Kaufman, Curtis Butler, Blair Bender, Tyler Zyta, Devon Lee, Brock Krulicki, Josh Hubert. Front row: Blair Gowing, Jack Koebel, Cameron Hoy, William Weber, Peter Holmes, Liam Robertson. [SUBMITTED]

20 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

LL#1 SQUARES OFF AGAINST LL#2

ROCKETS JUST SHORT OF A MEDAL

The Twin Centre Hericanes Novice Local League #1 and #2 finished with both the gold and silver medals in the “A” division of their league after playing each other in the championship game. Seen here is the LL #2 team. Back row: Steve Krulicki, Michelle Thompson, Lauren Brick, Shawn Thompson and Rhonda Kuchma. Third Row: Bella Kuchma, Katya Yusim, Emma Sommer, Claire Higgins, Reese Loose, Nicole Hehn.

Second Row: Lauren Skanes, Emily Krueger, Megan Jantzi, Mackenne Krulicki, Mia Thompson and Rachel Jantzi. Front: Kirsten Livingston.

The St. Clements Rockets junior ringette team had a very close 4th-place finish at the regional’s, just missing out for a medal against Wellington North 5-4. Back row: Darryl Green, Lisa Carere, Laura Runstedler, Rachel Carere, Lauren Horst, Kylee Barless, Courtney Brubacher, Sarah Wetteskind, Laura Schultz, Lee Brubacher. Front row: Lauren Crawford, Emma Schultz, Emily Green, Trinda Crawford, Meaghan Dietrich. [SUBMITTED]

SILVER FOR TC NOVICES

TC PEEWEES CAPTURE LEAGUE TITLE

The Twin Centre Novice Local League #1 ended their championship series Mar. 29, claiming the silver medal for their division. Team members are: Tyler Rose, Ben Belcourt, Cole Martin, Alex Erb, Mathew Gedcke, Blake Wolf, Connor Doerbecker, James Snyder, Christian Economides, Hayden Foster, Carson Lichty, Cory Martin, Noah Bailey, Seth Bailey. Coaches: Brent Wolf, Zeno Economides, Dale Lichty, Bill Doerbecker.

The Twin Centre Stars PeeWee Rep team came out on top as league champions last Sunday during their series against Tavistock. Back row: Brent Fritz, coach Dave Freeman, Mike Ferrede, Rod Straus, Scott Gaudet. Middle row: Joel Heise, Derek Wagner, Noah Donsig, Adam Runstedler, Jessica McLachlan, Brett Hartin, Brett Kraemer. Front row: Cole Bender, Nathan Belcourt, Erik Holmes, Troy Hemmerich, Evan Gowing, Will Martin, Spencer Adam, and Mitch Esbaugh.

[SUBMITTED]

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VENTURE | 21

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

VENTURE FOOD FOR THOUGHT/ OWEN ROBERTS

NEW BUSINESS / APPLIANCES AND SERVICE

Providing the comforts of home Appliances that are essential to our lives are what keeps ‘em busy at Elmira Home Comfort COLIN DEWAR It’s spring and that means barbecue season is just around the corner.

Nothing tastes better than a juicy steak or some lightly season veggies fresh off the grill.

Replacing a propane tank can be a pain, but installing a gas line from your home to your grill might be the perfect way to keep that grill going all season long.

Tim Chappell, owner of Elmira Home Comfort (EHC), has been working overtime installing gas lines for clients.

Chappell is a gasfitter and refrigerator mechanic and provides installations for furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, fireplaces, barbecue lines and gas piping. He also installs gas and propane stoves and dryers.

The business has been operating in Elmira since September 2010, and Chappell says he has been very fortunate so far with the support from the community for both the installation and sales side of his business.

EHC’s showroom is located at 1 Union St. and offers over 3,000 feet of display space with the appliance sales in the store being steady all year round said Chappell.

The business offers a full line of appliances including refrigerators, stoves, freezers, dishwashers, washers and dryers both new and used with brand names such as Whirlpool, Inglis, Gen-

eral Electric, Danby and Frigidaire. The business also provides installation for HVAC equipment and acts as the depot for Sears catalogue pickups, which helps bring in new customers.

“It is an open concept like an indoor sidewalk mall and we find that the flow of traffic in the mall always lead to us,” said Chappell. “The community has been great and we have had a lot of support.

We always thought that Elmira could use a store like this that sells the appliances and has the installation services we offer too. ” A former truck driver, Chappell made the move to become a gasfitter when he decided he wanted a career and not a job.

“I had a friend in the trade and he brought me along on a couple of his jobs and it seemed interesting to me so I decided to take the plunge. Every day is something different – it can be a broken furnace where I will either fix it or put a new one in or installing a gas line,” he said.

Chappell’s father-in-law, Dave Robb, runs Belmont Appliance and the two companies work hand in hand, with Belmont taking care of the service side while EHC does the installation side.

“We have a very large Mennonite clientele, from my father-in-law being in the business for so long.

Now that we have been open for just over a year we are starting to see some repeat customers – that is

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A gasfitter and refrigerator mechanic, Tim Chappell is very busy installing gas lines for barbecues all across the region in anticipation of summer. [COLIN DEWAR / THE OBSERVER] a good sign.”

With 10 years of experience as a gasfitter, Chappell said there have been many changes over the years, especially with furnaces, as older ones are not energy efficient.

“Anything that goes up the chimney of a house

is about 50 to 60 per cent efficient whereas the new models are roughly 96 per cent energy efficient,” said Chappell. “With the older models, 50 cents out of every dollar spent on gas goes out the chimney, but HOME COMFORT | 22

BUSINESS:Elmira Home Comfort LOCATION: 1 Union St., Elmira PHONE: 519-669-4600 OWNER:Tim Chappell

ROBERTS | 22

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VENTURE PROFILE

I’m among that crowd of Canadians who feel they’re getting taken to the cleaners by Big Oil, while governments stand by and collect tax on inflated gas prices.

Greed is the only reason that’s emerging after this week’s mean-spirited spike at the pumps. Other excuses – such as switching from winter to summer gas, problems in the Middle East and and shortages due to refineries closing – have been written off as lame by industry experts.

Some people say complaining about the price of gas is like a junkie complaining about the price of dope. But I don’t accept that. Mass transit works well in many situations, but it doesn’t always fit the bill in an expansive country such as ours. In many cases, driving a vehicle is a necessity.

Periodically, advances are made in renewable fuel, an energy source that’s already arrived and shows great promise for further refinement. Efforts are underway in labs and facilities across the country,

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22 | VENTURE

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

ROBERTS: Biomass-based fuels showing great promise, both for farmers and consumers FROM | 21

including the University of Guelph, to create and improve reasonably priced bio-based fuels and products made from feedstocks, or biomass, which can be grown in Canadian farmers’ fields. As an example, a consortium of 10 scientists from seven Ontario universities came together last month, led by Guelphbased Ontario Agri-Food Technologies, to form what they’ve called the Ontario Biomaterials A-team, to zero-in on these opportunities.

Biomass production comes with its own critics who say using land to grow crops for energy is diverting it away from food production. Others say it’s not and argue farmers should be able to grow whatever they want. It’s their land.

We need to recognize that despite whatever altruistic image we have of farmers – stoic, humble, serving society first – they must make a profit on whatever they grow. If we won’t pay them a reasonable price to grow food, then who can blame them for growing

more lucrative crops that are turned into renewable energy, particularly if they help lessen our dependence on Big Oil and prove to be easier on the environment?

For farmers, the price of biomass has been a problem. Traditionally, they’ve been able to sell corn headed to ethanol production for a decent price. But it turns out other feedstocks – miscanthus, switchgrass, sorghum and tall prairie grass, in particular – can also produce profitable energy, according to a new

report released last week.

The report, Assessment of the Business Case for Purpose-Grown Biomass in Ontario, says farmers here have the potential to grow “hundreds of thousands of tonnes” of these crops. And more importantly, says the report, they can fetch a margin comparable to that of traditional cash crops (such as corn, wheat and soybeans).

That’s a significant finding. Profitability is relative compared to some other forms of energy, says Don Hewson, managing Direc-

tor of the Bowman Centre for Technology Commercialization in London, which had a lead role in the study. In local markets, he says, biomass is less than half the cost of heating oil and propane, which now supplies a large portion of rural Ontario. Indeed, space heating applications, using heating oil and propane are potentially profitable markets for purpose-grown biomass pellets in Ontario Hewson admits large energy utilities are currently best served by coal or natural gas. But, he adds,

in the near term other opportunities could arise such as agricultural biomass exports to Europe. The business case for energy crops is expected to improve even more as additional acreage is grown, especially as research in plant breeding and advances in production practices help increase yields.

“There is a future for the purpose-grown biomass industry,” says the report.

“Farmers are encouraged to include these crops in Ontario’s agricultural system.”

HOME COMFORT: Weather plays a big part in the business cycle,

as customers take their cues from cold snaps and hot spells FROM | 21

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Tim Chappell says he has had a lot of support from the community for his business Elmira Home Comfort.

[COLIN DEWAR / THE OBSERVER]

with the new furnaces it is just five cents that is lost.

They have come a long way but nothing is made like it use to be; just like appliances, you won’t get 30 years out of a furnace anymore but you won’t get 30 years out of anything anymore either.”

Chappell said it’s all about new technology saving his customers money and that allows his customers to run their furnaces, air conditioners or other appliances at a minimal cost.

This is a busy season for Chappell as he is installing numerous gas lines for barbecues across the region, including Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Elmira and the surrounding towns and

villages.

“When we have a good solid warm spell we will be getting a lot of calls for air conditioners and that looks like it may happen earlier this year with the warmer weather we have been experiencing,” he said. “Once people turn on their air conditioners and realize they are not working that is when we get busy.”

This past winter was slow for the company as it was way above seasonal and the company depends on cold winters and hot summers “If mother nature does not agree with us it does not work out so well for us, but on the flipside the warmer weather starting sooner will give us a better spring and summer this year.”

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THE ARTS | 23

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

THE ARTS ON THE STAGE / CALVARY UNITED

Paying tribute to the fiddle masters Calvary United will be alive with the sound of Don Messer and Al Cherny as the Scott Woods Band performs Apr. 14 STEVE KANNON That Scott Woods will be playing a fundraising concert at a church in St. Jacobs is the result of a happenstance about eight years ago. That he’ll be playing the fiddle is something that happened naturally many years earlier. That he’ll be paying tribute to some of the legends of the instrument, well, that just comes with the territory.

Woods, whose band performs Apr. 14 at Calvary United Church, came to music at an early age: his dad, Merv, had his own band starting back in 1944.

His mom, Carolyn, joined the Merv Woods Orchestra in 1956 as a piano player, eventually becoming Mrs. Woods in 1960. The couple had four children – Elizabeth, Kendra, Bruce and Scott – all of whom studied classical violin and piano and performing with the band by the time they were eight years old.

Suffice it to say Scott Woods was immersed in music. So much so, in fact, that as a kid he used to cue

Multiple award-winning fiddler Scott Woods will be channeling some of the greats when his new show, Fiddle Legends, takes the stage next weekend at Calvary United Church in St. Jacobs.

[SUBMITTED]

up albums or cassettes of fiddle music when he went to bed, letting the music sink in as he drifted off to sleep.

“I think I picked it up subliminally. I didn’t always know the name of the song – you’re not really taking in the details at that point – but I certainly learned a lot,” he said in a telephone interview this week from his Fergus home, having just arrived back from yet another tour.

“I’ve got all sorts of music in my head ... that I learned that way.”

Having been inspired by the likes of Don Messer, Al Cherny, King Ganam, Graham Townsend and Ward Allen, putting together his newest show – Fiddle Legends – seemed like a natural fit.

“These are the guys who inspired me. These are the real pioneers in fiddling.”

Paying tribute to Messer, a much-loved Canadian icon, is nothing new to Woods. Starting in 1998, he spent seven years playing the part of Messer in Memories of Don Messer’s Jubilee, a tribute show that

toured the country from coast to coast.

It was near the end of that stint, while continuing to play with the family band that now contains the third generation of Woods, that he became involved in concerts organized specifically as fundraisers for churches, charities and community groups. Following the death of his father in late 2003, Woods’ mother said she might spend more time doing more mission trips.

“I remember talking about that, and I said, ‘if it was me, I’d probably do a show somewhere instead to help them raise money.’”

From that suggestion came 12 or 15 fundraising shows in 2004 as something of an experiment.

“It kind of caught on.

The word spread,” Woods recalled.

In 2005, the Scott Woods Band did 85 such shows. In 2006, 160 concerts. Today, they try to keep that to about 150 shows a year, 99 per cent of which are fundraisers.

It’s been a great fit for Woods, who’s a two-time winner of the Canadian

Open Fiddle Contest, twotime winner of the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championships, and Canadian Fiddle Entertainer of the Year. As well, he’s won competitions and performed throughout Canada, the United States and Europe.

Next weekend’s show at Calvary United will be a real family affair, with Woods joined by his mother Carolyn (piano), sister Kendra (fiddle, clarinet, saxophone, accordion, vocals), nephew Ben (drums, fiddle, guitar, bass, mandolin) and 17-yearold Kyle Waymouth, who, along with bass, drums and fiddle, will be leading a very physical step-dancing performance.

“There’s going to be a lot of energy. It’s just a fun, family show,” said Woods.

The Scott Woods Band take to the stage at Calvary United Church Apr. 14 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 ($10 for children), available from the church office (10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday-Friday) at 48 Hawkesville Rd. Call 519-885-5012 or 519-669-5912 or visit www.calvaryunited. com for more information.

Easter musical looks at the choices we make Woodside Bible Fellowship present The Choice, a story of love and cultural differences at the time of the crucifixion COLIN DEWAR To mark Easter weekend, Woodside Bible Fellowship in Elmira is presenting the musical The Choice.

Written by Robert and Cindy Sterling, the musical features the drama and spectacle of ancient Rome during the rule of Tiberius Caesar and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

The musical is an Easter story set in a seaside city where a young Roman centurion, Marcus (played

by Dustin Martin), falls in love with a beautiful Jewish girl, Hannah (Elycia Martin), who is a follower of Jesus. Over the course of the production, Marcus becomes fatefully intertwined in the events

leading to the execution of Jesus and must weigh the words and example of Jesus against the wealth and power of the world – in that balance hangs a choice he must make.

“It’s a story of the forbidden love and the cultural difficulties of the two main characters that takes place during the biblical time of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection,” said Darlene Frede, one of the three directors of the musical.

Frede, along with directors Brenda Barriage and Darrell Martin, have built a chorus and cast of more than 40 people to produce an “emotionally strong musical.”

The trio has worked together on numerous productions over the years,

Elycia Martin as Hannah and Alicia Brubacher as Rachel perform a scene from The Choice, an Easter musical being presented this weekend

by Woodside Bible Fellowship.

[COLIN DEWAR/OBSERVER] with Martin focusing on the music direction and Frede and Barriage concentrating on the drama and stage directing.

“This is the first time we have worked together in 10

years but we have found our old groove and everything is coming out just great,” said Frede. “It was the perfect time to set up this production and this time of year is a great time for people to

come out a see a production especially about the Easter story.”

This is the second time the church has tackled this musical, the first production having taken place 12 years

ago.

“We are re-doing the musical but we have a new vision for it and it is a bit different than the last time we produced it,” said Frede.

The troupe has been rehearsing since January leading to the opening night.

The Choice will run over three nights, Apr. 6 through Apr. 8, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the curtain rising at 7:30 p.m. The production is 70 minutes long and admission is free.

“I feel this is an important story for people to see,” said Frede. “We do find that Easter is a time when people go to church, that and Christmas, so we feel that Easter is a good time to present something as it bring people out.”

24 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

THE MOST NEWSPAPERS, IN MAILBOXES THAN ANYONE.

CLASSIFIED HELP WANTED

Millwrights • Fabricators Industrial Mechanics Experience in any or all of the above is an asset.

Wide variety of duties.

Fax resume to (519) 669-0155 WORK WANTED PERSONAL CAREGIVER AVAILABLE to care for the elderly.

Light housekeeping, cooking, laundry, shopping and to appointments. 519-206-0225, leave message.

FOR SALE BOX SPRING, STILL in package, 53 in. wide. Window air conditioner, both very cheap. Phone 519-669-3345.

DIS N DAT Treasures. 2000 sq ft of antiques and quality used furniture. Open Thurs. Fri 10 - 6, Saturday 10 4. 15 Dunke St. N., Elmira. 519-669-5005.

MATTRESS AND BOX Spring, new, never used, still in sealed bag. Sacrifice $195.

Delivery available. Temperpedic Memory Foam Mattress, new, never used, in sealed bag. Like sleeping on a cloud. No pressure points.

Bankruptcy sale $595, box spring $200 extra. Delivery available. 519-635-8737.

MOVING SALE - 2 bedroom sets, blue sofa, La-Z-Boy sofa and loveseat, 60 gallon aquarium, stand and fish, corner desk and hutch, Roxton dining table with six chairs, outside tools. Call 519669-1875 to see.

AUCTIONS SAT. APRIL 7 at 10:00 AM Clearing auction sale of a one and a half acre hobby farm or country property including a 4 bedroom brick house with barn; riding lawnmower; lawn and garden; household effects; antiques; tools; and miscellaneous items to be held at 4631 Perth Line 55 in Milverton for Henry and Mary Kuepfer. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555 www.Jantziauctions.com

AUCTIONS AUCTION SALE OF antiques, household effects, stamps, and miscellaneous items, to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley or 2 miles north of Philipsburg, for Doug & Sandra Scott, Kitchener, Myrelle Rees, Philipsburg, Elton & Sylvia Kropf, Plattsville, on Thursday, April 12th @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions 519-699-4451.

AUCTION SALE OF 6 Storage units, and camper to be held at 176 Hayward Ave. in Kitchener for Hayward Mini Storage, on Friday, April 13th at 6 p.m. Gerber Auctions 519-699-4451.

AUCTION SALE OF Antique tractors including 5 Waterloo Bronco’s, JD & Ford, Waterloo walk behind tractors, early Equipment and other related items, to be held at 121 Dodge Dr. in Kitchener (Homer Watson, to New Dundee Rd., right on Dodge Dr.), near Conestoga College, for Keith & Carol Johnston, on Saturday, April 14th @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions 519699-4451.

SAT. APRIL 14 at 10:00 AM - Property auction of a one acre country property including a one and a half story 4 bedroom house with finished in law suite. Situated on a gorgeous property with a pond; mature trees; garden shed; etc. To be held at 3766 Lobsinger Line on the western edge of St. Clements for Reinhard and Patricia Wege. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555 www.jantziauctions.com

HELP WANTED

AUCTIONS

AUCTIONS

TRINITY UNITED CHURCH, ELMIRA IS SEEKING A MUSIC DIRECTOR

PROPERTY AUCTION SALE

AUCTION SALE

To be held at 3766 Lobsinger Line on the western edge of St. Clements for Reinhard and Patricia Wege on:

(Choral Director, piano or/and organ).

of Brick bungalow, household effects, antiques and miscellaneous items, to be held at 14 Bauman St. (off Duke) in Elmira, for the Hilbert Scheffner Estate, on

SATURDAY, APRIL 14 | 10:00 A.M.

SATURDAY, APRIL 21 | 11:00 A.M.

CONSISTING OF A CHARMING and

HOUSE – 3 bedroom, brick bungalow located on a 56 X 120ft. private lot. House has 50 year aluminum roof, alum. soffits & eaves, some hardwood flooring, central air, oil furnace, updated hydro service, and walkout basement. Water municipally supplied. Paved driveway. NOTE – Plan to view this tidy house on a quiet dead end street. A good starter or retirement home with a large back yard. Lots of potential. See www.auctionsfind.com/gerber for photos.

We are an enthusiastic and supportive congregation.

Music is an essential aspect of our worship, with 2 Choirs and Praise Band. The successful candidate will have a commitment to contemporary/traditional music and choral leadership.

This (part-time) salaried position starts Sept. 1, 2012.

Please send resumé with references to Music Director Position, Trinity United Church, 21 Arthur St. N. Elmira, Ontario N3B 1Z4 or by email to

triunited@golden.net AUCTIONS

CLEARING AUCTION SALE Of antiques and collectables; household effects; lawn and garden tools; and miscellaneous items to be held at 97 Park Avenue west in Elmira (old race track area) for Jackie and Stuart Lawrence on:

unique one and a half storey 4 bedroom house with in law apartment. Custom built in 1972 on one acre of land; double car garage with openers; extra long paved driveway. Main floor has: 1 bedroom with doors to deck; eat in kitchen; dining room; 5 pc bath with his and hers sinks; solarium or sunroom with gas fireplace; living room; laundry room; hardwood flooring throughout living and dining room. Upstairs has 2 nice sized bedrooms; 2 pc bath; and lots of closet space. In law suite has: separate entrance; bedroom; kitchen; dining area with doors to deck; living room with gas fireplace; 3 pc bath. Many updates including new roof in 2005; new furnace and air conditioning in 2006; new softener, iron filter and central vac system. Large fenced private backyard with gorgeous pond; gazebo; flower beds; mature trees; and garden shed Note: An incredible property on the outskirts of town with the advantage of in town living and out of town country experience. A ready to move in property with many updates. A must see as this is a rare find.

Jantzi Auctions Ltd.

HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS AND ANTIQUES

www.JantziAuctions.com

– flat to the wall cupboard; bonnet chest; chest of drawers; Victrola gramophone; parlour table; child’s chairs; rocking chairs; Duncan Phyfe chairs; crocks; jugs; old trumpet horn; side table; Coke memorabilia; ink wells and blotters; old metal signs including Coke; Christmas decorations; assorted older tools; old children’s books and other readers; pictures and picture frames; ¾ iron bed; art deco china cabinet; collection of Jadite dishes; older glassware including depression; crystal; cups and saucers; hen on nests; cheese dishes; coffee makers; desk and chair; folding chair; occasional tables; and the list goes on and on.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS – Stihl weed

trimmer; blower vac; wheel barrow; lawn mower; Workmate workbench; grinder; tools boxes; and assorted hand, power, and garden tools.

Note – Nice clean auction with many interesting collectables as Jackie has been well known for her Jadite collection.

AUCTIONEER:

Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555

www.JantziAuctions.com

TERMS – Will be sold at 12:00 noon subject to a reasonable reserve bid with 10% down on sale day and the balance in 60 days or when possession is given.

TO VIEW – Call 519-669-2263 HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS – Crosley fridge

(bottom freezer) – good. Maytag stove – good. Maytag Neptune front load washer & dryer – excellent. Queen bed. Dresser.

Matching loveseat & recliner. Floral sofa & loveseat. La-Z-Boy leather recliner. Ext. table with leaves & 4 chairs. Roxton whatnot shelf. Walker. Dolls wearing JD clothing.

Pictures. Pyrex. China, glass, cookware & other household goods.

ANTIQUES – Walnut 4 drawer chest. Press back nursing rocker. Small tables. Captain’s highchair. Quilts. Crocks (1 – 12gal. with lid). Oil lamps. Royal Doulton “Goody Two Shoes”. Costume jewelry. Cruet set. Hat pins. Fishing creel. China & glass (coloured Iris, depression, carnival, Fenton, etc.).

AUCTIONEER:

SATURDAY, APRIL 14 | 12:00 NOON

#1 IN THE REGION

HOW TO REACH US

PERIOD.

519-656-3555

MISC. ITEMS – Lawn Boy gas mower.

Police, Municipal, Bankruptcy, Fleets & Others

Fertilizer spreader.

Small lawn trailer.

Johnson Sea Horse 9.9hp outboard motor.

Homelite gas leaf blower. Electric chain saw. Dove tail template. Fishing rods, reels & tackle. Wheel barrow. Battery charger.

Bench grinder. Odd hand & garden tools, etc.

Note – See www.auctionsfind.com/gerber for photos. Executors not responsible for accidents day of sale. Lunch booth. Terms – Cash or cheque with I.D.

Monthly PUBLIC Vehicle

AUCTION to be held at

Breslau Airport Road Auction Complex

5100 Fountain St., North, Breslau (Kitchener)

Sat

April 14th 9:30am

2009 Dodge CHARGER 2009 Ford ESCAPE XLT 4x4 2- 08/09 Crown Victoira’s 5 - 2008 Dodge CHARGERS 2008 Chev IMPALA 2007 Dodge CHARGER 2006 Ford F150 XLT S/C 4x4 2005 Chev IMPALA 2004 Dodge 1500 Quad 4x4 2000 Lincoln Navigator

2005 Polaris FUSION 900 S/M 1977 Arctic Cat Lynx S/M John Deere AMT 600 ATV www.mrjutzi.ca - Website is updated daily as vehicles arrive!

PARTIAL LIST ONLY!!!

No Buyer’s Premium!! INDOOR - Heated Building!!!

VIEWING: Friday April 13th 2012, 1 pm to 4 pm TERMS: $500.00 Cash Deposit on Each Vehicle or as announced

M.R. Jutzi & Co PROFESSIONALS IN THE ORDERLY LIQUIDATION AND APPRAISALS OF COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, CONSTRUCTION, MUNICIPAL EQUIPMENT & VEHICLES 5100 FOUNTAIN ST. NORTH, BRESLAU, ONTARIO, N0B 1M0

www.mrjutzi.ca

519-648-2111

AUCTIONEERS:

Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451 or 698-0138

2827 Hutchison Rd., R#1 Millbank (Crosshill)

AUCTIONS SAT. APRIL 14 at noon Clearing auction sale of household effects; antiques; collectables; Jadite glassware collection; lawn and garden tools; and miscellaneous items to be held at 97 Park Ave west in Elmira (near old race track) for Jackie and Stuart Lawrence. Jantzi Auctions 519-656-3555 www. jantziauctions.com

AUCTIONS WED APRIL 18 at 10:00 AM -clearing auction sale of household effects; furniture; antiques; tools; and miscellaneous items to be held at the St. Jacob’s Community centre in St. Jacob’s for a Waterloo estate with additions. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555 www.jantziauctions.com CLASSIFIEDS | 27

PHONE 519.669.5790 | TOLL FREE 1.888.966.5942 | FAX 519.669.5753 | ONLINE WWW.OBSERVERXTRA.COM

ADDRESS 20-B ARTHUR ST. N., ELMIRA, ON N3B 1Z9

CLASSIFIED ADS

DISPLAY ADS

519.669.5790 EXT 0

519.669.5790 EXT 104

ads@woolwichobserver.com

sales@woolwichobserver.com

RESIDENTIAL COST $7.50 /20 WORDS EXTRA WORDS 20¢ PER WORD

COMMERCIAL COST $12.00 /20 WORDS EXTRA WORDS 30¢ PER WORD

PLACING A CLASSIFIED WORD AD In person, email, phone or fax submissions are accepted during regular business hours. Deadline for Saturday publication is Wednesday by 5 p.m. All Classified ads are prepaid by cash, debit, Visa or MasterCard. Ask about Observer policies in regard to Display, Service Directory and Family Album advertising.

CLASSIFIED | 25

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

TIRE

THOMPSON’S

Complete Collision Service

WHERE TIRES

Auto Tech Inc.

ARE A

SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE.

Providing the latest technology to repair your vehicle with accuracy and confidence.

101 Bonnie Crescent, Elmira, ON N3B 3G2

519.669.8330

Farm • Auto • Truck Industrial On-The-Farm Service

FAX: 519.669.3210

35 Howard Ave., Elmira

AFTER HOURS

RUDOW’S CARSTAR COLLISION CENTRE

AUTO CLINIC

Accredited Test & Repair Facility

30 ORIOLE PKWY. E., ELMIRA www.thompsonsauto.ca

1-800-CARSTAR 519-669-3373

519-669-7652

33 First Street, East Elmira, ON

CLEANING SERVICES

RUDOW’S CARSTAR COLLISION CENTRE

Call Us At (519)669-3373 33 First Street, East Elmira, ON

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Have You Paid Enough Taxes? Call Us For Our

• Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning on Location • Area Rug Cleaning Drop-off and Pick up Service • Bleached out Carpet Spot Repair • Janitorial • Grout Cleaning • Carpet Repair & Re-Installation • Pet deodorization • Floor Stripping

BODY MAINTENANCE AT:

21 Industrial Dr. Elmira

24 Hour Accident Assistance

519-669-4400

519.669.8917

519-669-3232

Quality Collision Service

PAY NO TAXES SPRING CLEAN UP!

...& SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTING

SHELLY & SCOTT TAYLOR

NOW ACCEPTING

28 Pintail Drive, Elmira, ON, N3B 3G9

• 40 ton Mobile Crane

taylortax@rogers.com

519-664-9999

• 14 ton BoomTruck

519-669-0003

$139 FREE Gift Offer Learn More Online At...

budurl.com/SAVE139

ST. JACOBS

Chem-Dry Acclaim® 61 Arthur St., N. Elmira

www.completecarpetcare.ca

ROB McNALL 519-669-7607 LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-866-669-7607

ORTLIEB CRANE & Equipment Ltd.

World’s Largest & Most Trusted Carpet, Upholstery and Fine Rug Cleaners For Over 30 yrs

NEW CLIENTS

Call for Details

GENERAL

24 Hour Service (Emergencies only) 7 Days A Week

669-3332

GENERAL SERVICES

RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING EFFORT!

FOR THE MUSIC-LOVER IN YOUR LIFE Softener Salt & Pool Salt

TROPHIES | CUPS | PLAQUES | MEDALLIONS RIBBONS | NAME TAGS | NAME PLATES DOOR PLATES | CUSTOM ENGRAVING

QUICK LOCAL SERVICE | 245 Labrador Dr., Waterloo

www.UniTwin.com | 519.886.2102

FREE BAG In troductor Offer y

> Superior Salt Products > Fast, Friendly Service > Convenient Delivery Times > Discounts for Seniors

Taking Salt to Peoples’ Basements Since 1988

519-747-2708

We’ll transfer music from LPs, 45s, 78s and cassettes to CDs. We’ll take your favourite albums, clean up clicks, pops and surface noise and enhance the overall sound of the recording.

Various sizes & rates

More Info & pricing vinylp2cd@gmail.com

519-669-0541 Waterloo ELMIRA, ON www.riepersalt.com -Service both residential and commercial driveways and parking lots.

CLEAN • DRY • SECURE Call

Boat Covers | Air Conditioner Covers | Small Tarps Storage Covers | BBQ Covers | Awnings & Canopies Replacement Gazebo Tops | Golf Cart Enclosures & Covers •Ratches, Hooks, Straps, Webbing etc.

•Canvas, Vinyl, Polyester, Acrylic Fabrics

519-669-4964

519.595.4830 6376 Perth Rd. 121 Poole, ON

100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

-"Your driveway/parking lot is the first thing guests see -keep it looking its best."

-Sealing Asphalt will help protect against fluid & oil spills, preserves it so it will last longer, and improve curb appeal.

-

GENERAL SERVICES

BICYCLE SALES & REPAIRS PROFESSIONAL BIKE MECHANIC ON STAFF

Buy your bike from us and get a FREE annual inspection!

ABSOLUTE

DRIVEWAY SEALING FRIENDLY LOCAL SERVICE | CALL FOR A FREE QUOTE  SERVICE BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DRIVEWAYS AND PARKING LOTS.  "YOUR DRIVEWAY/PARKING LOT IS THE FIRST THING GUESTS SEE - KEEP IT LOOKING ITS BEST."

20

$

 SEALING ASPHALT WILL HELP PROTECT AGAINST FLUID & OIL SPILLS, PRESERVES IT SO IT WILL LAST LONGER, AND SAVE THE IMPROVE CURB APPEAL.

PARTS EXTRA

22 Church St. W., Elmira

Tel:519-669-5537

STORE HOURS: M-F: 8-8, SAT 8-6, SUN 12-5

BRAD GERBER

519.656.3245

e: bg-absolutesealer@live.ca

HST

WHE N YOU YOU TEL SAW L US IN THTHE AD E

"OBS

ERVE

R”

HEALTH SERVICES

Reimer Hyperbarics of Canada

WE’RE AT YOUR SERVICE. We specialize in getting the word out.

Advertise your businesses services here.

Get weekly exposure with fantastic results. Call us at 519.669.5790.

Established 2000

F. David Reimer

UNDER PRESSURE TO HEAL Safe, effective and proven for 13 + UHMS (Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society) Approved indications: ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Crush Injury Enhancement in Healing of Wounds Necrotyzing Soft Tissue Infections Intracranial Abscess Clostridal Myosistis and Myonecrosis Crush Injury. Compartment Syndrome Skin Grafts and Flaps

● Air or Gas Embolism ● Thermal Burns ● Acute Traumatc Ischemias ● Exceptional Blood Loss ● Decompression Sickness ● Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ● Delayed Radiation Injury + Many More

www.reimerhbot.com For more information call:

519-669-0220

56 Howard Ave. Unit 2, Elmira, ON, N3B 2E1

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY. SEE AN IMAGE IN THE OBSERVER THAT YOU LIKE? DON’T WORRY, WE DO PHOTO RE-PRINTS! VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR SIZES, PRICING AND ORDER FORMS.

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

General Repairs

26 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

HEALTH SERVICES

Sew Special

Floor Model Sale On Now! Let Us Help You Get Cozy

BOWEN THERAPY ...is the solution for your PAIN! Benefits may be evident as early as the first session.

Treatments are safe for everyone from infants to the elderly.

Call Now!

Kevin Bartley, B.A. Hons.,

Professional Bowenwork Practitioner 60 Memorial Avenue, Elmira (519) 669-0112

Ltd.

RESIDENTIAL & AGRICULTURAL

Driveways • Sidewalks • Curbs • Barn Renovations Finished Floors • Retaining Walls • Short Walls Decorative/Stamped and coloured concrete www.facebook.com/marwilconcrete

519-638-2699

Every Body is Better with Bowen!

• Residential • Commercial • Industrial

Custom Drapery Custom Blinds

Randy Weber

Free Estimates

ECRA/ESA Licence # 7000605

519.669.1462 Fax: 519.669.9970

In Home Consultations

www.fergusfireplace.com

Tel:

18 Kingfisher Dr., Elmira

Over 20 Years Experience

1871 Sawmill Rd., Conestogo | 519-664-3800 or 877-664-3802 Celebrating Our 180 St. Andrew St. W., Fergus 17th Year At 519-843-4845 or 888-871-4592

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

ST. JACOBS GLASS SYSTEMS INC. 1600 King St. N., Bldg A17 St. Jacobs, Ontario N0B 2N0

Home Improvements

FREE ESTIMATES

• Store Fronts • Thermopanes • Mirrors • Screen Repair • Replacement Windows • Shower Enclosures • Sash Repair

WINDOWS & DOORS | ROOFING SIDING | SOFFIT & FACIA | DRYWALL ADDITIONS & RENOVATIONS MURRAY MARTIN | 519.669.9308

TEL:

1722 Floradale Rd., Elmira, ON, N3B 2Z1

519-664-1202 / 519-778-6104 FAX: 519 664-2759 • 24 Hour Emergency Service

ER RS OVYEA 10

20 years experience

SINCE 1961

Specializing in Paint & Wall coverings

FOR ALL YOUR HOME DECORATING NEEDS. 27 ARTHUR ST. S., ELMIRA

519.669.3658

free estimates interior/exterior painting, wallpapering & Plaster|Drywall repairs

519-669-2251 36 Hampton St., Elmira

Lois Weber 519-669-3985 Elmira

FARMING SERVICES

IRA HOME COMFORT M L E (519) 669-4600 APPLIANCES – FURNACES – FIREPLACES AIR CONDITIONERS – WATER HEATERS SPRING SPECIAL ON AIR CONDITIONING TUNE UP $99, INSTALLED FROM $1999 FURNACES INSTALLED FROM $2499 FRIDGES $499, STOVES $399, WASHERS $399, DRYERS $369, FREEZERS $199 Come visit our show room FREE QUOTES 1 Union Street, Elmira

BOOK YOUR

SPRING GRADING

BEFORE APRIL 15 AND RECEIVE A

10% DISCOUNT

ehc@hotmail.ca (519)-669-4600 OUTDOOR SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

READ’S DECORATING

Custom Sewing for Your Home

 Wood, Pellet or Gas?  Insert or Free Standing?  Traditional or Contemporary Styling?  Practical, Cost Effective, Top Performer?

> Excavating > Backfilling > Overseeding & Top Dressing

YOUR SOURCE FOR YEAR-ROUND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE • Lawn Mowing Packages • Lawn Maintenance & Landscaping • Top Dressing/Overseeding • Mulch Delivery & Installation • Commercial & Residential Full Flower Bed Maintenance

> Trenching > Fine Grading > Lawn Seeding

Murray & Daniel Shantz ALMA, ONTARIO

PHONE:

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

519.846.5427 FAX: 519.846.5134

Call Jeff Basler, Owner/Operator, today 519.669.9081 mobile: 519.505.0985 fax: 519.669.9819 | ever-green@sympatico.ca

OFFERING A QUICK AND EASY WAY TO RECLAIM UNUSED LAND

Brush Mowing/Long Grass | Capable of mowing up to 3 inch diameter brush Tracked Skid Steer equipped with Brush Mower

- Trail Maintenance and Development - Wooded Lot Thinning - Pasture Reclaimation All other - Orchard Maintenance tracked skid - Industrial Lots steer services are available - Real Estate Lots

OUTDOOR SERVICES

Outdoor

Services

> Commercial & Residential > Fully Insured > WSIB Clearance > Senior Discount

Lawn Maintenance Programs | Spring Clean-up Flower Bed Maintenance Programs Leaf Clean-up and Removal | Soil & Mulch Delivery & Installation | Snow Clearing & Removal | Ice Control KEVIN DETWEILER

P: 519-669-1188 | F: 519-669-9369

kdetweiler@rogers.com

PLUMBING SERVICES

Plumbing and Maintenance Inc.

BRUBACHER LTD. 19 First St. E., Elmira

519-669-3362

For all your Plumbing Needs.

24 HOUR SERVICE Steve Jacobi

ELMIRA

519-669-3652

ROOFING SERVICES

AMOS

Steve Co.

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

C.J.

www.groprolawncare.com

OWNER-OPERATOR

PLUMBING SERVICES

R O O F I N G

INC

PLUMBING & HEATING SPECIALISTS!

FREE ESTIMATES 519-669-1278

27 Brookemead, St, Elmira

YOUR

•Tree Trimming & Removal • Aerial Bucket Trucks • Stump Grinding • Arborist Evaluations • Fully Insured & Certified • Certified to Work Near Power Lines

One stop shop for all your needs.

PLUMBING, FURNACE REPAIRS, SERVICE & INSTALLATION, GAS FITTING 66 Rankin St. Unit 4 | Waterloo

519-885-2828

• Specializing in residential re-roofs • Repairs • Churches A Family owned and operated business serving KW and surrounding area for over 35 years.

BOOK NOW FOR SPRING INSTALLATION. CALL JAYME FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE.

519.501.2405 In Business since 1971 • Fully Insured

WE’RE AT YOUR SERVICE. We specialize in getting the word out.

Advertise your businesses services here.

Get weekly exposure with fantastic results. Call us at 519.669.5790.

CLASSIFIED | 27

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

Visit us at our NEW LOCATION! 3 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-5426

OPEN HOUSE SAT. April 7, 2-4 P.M. | 67 Riverside Dr., Elmira

NEW LISTING

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated

$259,000

ADORABLE HOME IN MATURE AREA

Elmira - Don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity! Updated and renovated. Open concept living room with original hardwood floors, built in cabinet. Main floor bath, Bright kitchen with new cupboards and countertop. Separate dining room with French door walk out to large concrete patio and yard overlooking park! Main floor laundry with skylight, 3 bedrooms including large master bedroom with huge walk in closet. Upstairs bathroom equipped with luxurious whirlpool bath.

MLS Call Paul direct

Paul Martin

$539,000 ONE OF A KIND!!

Drayton - Luxurious, custom built home loc’d in quiet area. 3100sqft + huge fin’d bsmnt.

Spacious kit designed w/cooking & entertaining in mind! Unique & exceptional home, spacious but still makes you feel right at home. Beautiful sun rm w/hot tub overlooking fabulous private yrd w/gazebo, pond & waterfall, beautifully gardens. Stamped concrete drive & lg patio w/retractable awning. MLS Call Alli or Paul direct.

FINISHED BASEMENT!

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

CALL CALL DIRECT DIRECT

BRAND NEW

Elmira - Don't miss this brand new, open concept semi. All the conveniences on 1 floor, main flr laundry, master w/ensuite, 2nd bedroom, eat in kit & sizeable living room w/garden dr. Fin'd basement w/3rd bedroom, 3pc bath & bright rec room. The small yard will be easy to care for! Large garage is 17.5ft x 20ft, perfect for storage & still have room for a vehicle. Located close to downtown, walking distance to library, restaurants & banks. MLS Call Paul direct.

519-503-9533 www.homeswithpaul.ca $500.00 donation will be made with every home bought or sold by Paul in Woolwich.

Elmira - Perfect for empty nesters!

$314,000

$299,900

Don’t miss out on this semi detached raised bungalow. Complete with main floor laundry, 4 piece ensuite and open concept eat-in kitchen and living room.

All the conveniences on one floor. The small yard will be easy to care for! The large garage is 17.5ft x 20ft, perfect for storage and still have room for a vehicle. Located close to downtown, walking distance to library, restaurants and banks. MLS Call Paul direct.

Alli Bauman SALES REPRESENTATIVE

$369,000 $329,000 SPACIOUS BACKSPLIT OUTSTANDING VALUE

CALL CALL DIRECT DIRECT

519-577-6248

www.elmiraandareahomes.com

A donation of $300.00 will be made with any home bought or sold through Alli or Bill.

Elmira - Outstanding value for this 1800sqft custom built 1 owner raised bungalow. Fin’d basement incl: Rec rm w/wd burning fp, 3pc bath, bdrm, den/office or 5th bdrm possibility & lr workshop. Open living rm w/hardwd flr. Convenient main flr laundry. Separate dining rm w/walk out to yard. Fabulous big backyard complete w/interlock patio, hot tub & cute shed great for your family or entertaining! MLS Call Paul direct.

BY HOB

Elmira - no backyard neighbours. This beautiful back split home with sunroom overlooking natural green space. Move in condition! Carpet free main floor with new hardwood and ceramic. Kitchen updates include granite countertops and new backsplash. Concrete driveway and over sized garage (1.5). Unspoiled 4th level perfect for games/playroom waiting for your finishing touches. MLS Call Paul direct.

$319,000 HOME/COTTAGE Port Elgin - is the location of this lake-view property. Relax on the front deck and enjoy the sunsets, Chantry Island and the peacefulness of Lake Huron. This year round home/cottage is situated on a 70 foot by 230.79 foot lot with plenty of potential.

The location is a short distance to Port Elgin’s sand beach or Southampton and if you like to walk, run or cycle there is a paved trail across nearby. MLS Call Bill direct.

FARM

Bill Norris SALES REPRESENTATIVE

CALL CALL DIRECT DIRECT

519-588-1348

www.elmiraandareahomes.com

$675,000 $749,900

CUSTOM BUILT BUNGALOW

LOCATED ON 20 ACRES

Woolwich - Loc’d on 20 acres. Spacious 2400 sqft bungalow equip’d w/MF lndry, sep dr, huge fin’d bsmnt & walk up to garage. Open kit & FM w/wood fp. Master w/huge walk in closet & attractive slider to 3 tiered composite deck w/hot tub. 25x36 ft insulated, heated shop, 100amp w/bathrm & phone. 20,000 sqft 2 storey barn equipped for chickens or turkeys, currently empty. 17 acres of bush w/trail, mostly hardwood & poplar. MLS Call Paul direct.

FROM | 24

AUCTIONS AUCTION SALE OF Antiques, household effects & miscellaneous items, to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley or 2 miles north of Philipsburg, for the Wilbert Schmidt Estate, Stratford, & the Ella Cousineau Estate, Elmira, on Thursday, April 19th @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions 519-699-4451.

AUCTION SALE OF Brick bungalow, household effects, antiques and miscellaneous items, to be held at 14 Bauman St. (off Duke) in Elmira, for the Hilbert Scheffner Estate, on Saturday, April 21st @ 11:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions 519-699-4451.

AUCTIONS SAT APRIL 21 at 12 noon - Clearing auction sale of zero turn riding lawnmower; snow blower; lawn and garden equipment; household effects; tools; and miscellaneous items to be held at 850 Hawkesville Rd (approx 4 kms west of St. Jacob’s or 3 km north of Heidelberg) for Peter and Susie Redecop. Jantzi Auctions Ltd 519-656-3555 www.jantziauctions.com SAT. APRIL 21 at 10:00 AM - Property auction of a red double brick legal non conforming duplex with both apartments having separate entrances and separate hydro located in a highly desirable area of Kitchener close to down town to be held at 163 Park St. in Kitchener near Victoria for Mary Arbeau. Jantzi Auctions Ltd 519-656-3555 www.jantziauctions.com

FARM SERVICES KILN HEAT TREATMENT Service.

519-664-3688.

Certified to heat treat to ISPM#15 standards. Willow Brae Pallets.

PETS PAWSITIVE CANINE CONNECTION Spring Classes have started, next Puppy Class April 23 (8 hours of training), Street Safety Class April 18 (24 hours of training). $20 Introductory Class April 14. All training is done outside without the use of treats. Dogs must have a martingale collar and a 6 foot leash.

519-500-3594 www.pawsitivecanineconnection.com

RENTALS ELMIRA 1 BEDROOM available Apr. 1. Downtown location above store, no pets. $510.00 plus utilities.

For all inquiries please call 519-669-5431.

ELMIRA 2 - 1 bedroom apartments available. Units & building clean, modern and managed. No pets, non smoker please. $560 or $650 + utilities. Call 519669-2212.

HOUSE TO SHARE. Person looking to share clean, quiet, three bedroom house in Wellesley. $500/ mth utilities included. 519327-8530.

RENTALS MOOREFIELD - ONE bedroom apartment furnished, laundry facilities, parking, electric heat, cable TV, no pets, adult building. References. $695.00 inclusive. First & last. 519638-3013.

COMING EVENTS OPEN HOUSE AT Foundation Christian School on Wed. April 18, 2012 - 9:30 a.m.

- 7:30 p.m. Foundation is now accepting registrations for the coming school year in grades JK through grade 8. Join us at 28 Katherine St. S. in Winterbourne. Call 519664-0110 or visit onarock.ca email: admin@onarock.ca for more information.

100% LOCAL

Elmira - 79.5ft x 274ft Lot. Call and design this home to fit your needs and wants. Spacious bungalow on large treed lot. Stairway from garage to basement. Custom designed kitchen. Huron Homes will entertain other plans for houses on this lot. Call 519-503-9533 to have a look at the blueprints. MLS Call Paul direct.

GARAGE SALES INDOOR GARAGE SALE Woolwich Memorial Centre - Elmira. Sat. April 14, 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Some vendor space available.

519-669-6026.

LARGE DOWNSIZING GARAGE Sale. Fri. Apr. 13, 1 p.m. & Sat. Apr. 14, 9 a.m.

10 Canary Crt. Elmira. Sears Craftsman riding mower LT11 and more. Good quality items, priced to sell.

INDUSTRIAL/ COMMERCIAL RENTALS ELMIRA: $1300.00 ++ Professional office building; south end of town, 2nd floor 5+ offices, board room, fully furnished option.

Administrative possibilities.

Call 519-669-3192

POWER OF PRESS. NEWSPAPERS HAVE PROVEN TO SUPPLY TRUSTWORTHY ADS AND SHOPPING RESOURCES. PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS WITH A PROFESSIONALLY DESIGNED AD IN THE OBSERVER TODAY.

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

28 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

Sunlight Homes Drayton Heights

When you buy or sell your home with us, part of our commission supports women’s shelters & violence prevention programs.

ELMIRA REAL ESTATE SERVICES

MODEL HOME OPEN EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 1-5PM

Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage 90 Earl Martin Dr., Unit 1, Elmira N3B 3L4

519-669-3192

BONNIE BRUBACHER Broker of Record

Elmira@royallepage.ca | www.royallepage.ca/elmira

The Edge Semi-detached homes from

$199,990

SHANNA ROZEMA Broker.

LAURIE LANGDON Sales Representative

SOLID HOME

INVESTMENT/COMMERCIAL!

BEAUTIFUL AND SPACIOUS!

BRAND NEW on KNAPP ROAD!

$299,900 ELMIRA. 3 bdrms, 4 baths! Built in 1998, new carpet and ceramic on the upper level, open concept main floor, gas fireplace, walkout to deck, fenced yard, 1.5 car garage, dbl driveway, fin basement/2011. MLS

$219,900 ELMIRA. Affordable property with many uses, great location downtown, updated upper level apartment with separate entrance & hydro, onsite parking, newer roof, gas furnace. MLS

$379,900 ELMIRA. This impressive 2 storey

$362,000. Paradigm (Elmira) Homes New

FLORADALE – 20 ACRES

ELMIRA 3.74 ACRES - POOL

$999,000. Private setting, minutes from Elmira. Shop 60 x 32. Lovely bungalow with triple garage and fully finished walkout basement. 12 acres mature bush and trails, plus 8 acres workable. MLS

$775,000. Ideal location on the edge of town,

Choose from one of our plans or let us custom build your home fully detached.

Homes starting from

$254,790 Many models to choose from Learn More About Sunlight Heritage Homes and Our fine communities by Visiting us Today!

Alyssa Henry

www.sunlighthomes.ca

won’t disappoint! Beautifully maintained, lovely kitchen with walkout to fenced yard, patio/pergola and garden shed, bright upper floor great room, 3 bdrms, whirlpool ensuite ++++ MLS

Model now available. 1780sq ft 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath. New design with welcoming entrance, spacious kitchen with built-in custom island and generous dinette. Additional features included 4 LG Appliances. Other plans with 4 lots remaining. EXCL.

HEIDELBERG/BAMBERG – 60 ROLLING ACRES

519.787.0203

Broker Re/Max Real Estate Centre Inc.

Have a question? Email us at: info@sunlighthomes.ca

LOOK HERE EVERY SATURDAY FOR YOUR OPEN HOUSE LISTINGS

4+ bedroom family home with many updates.

38 x 24 heated shop, ample parking/storage.

Fantastic park-like yard for many outside activities. MLS

$1,900,000. Private, peaceful and perfect. Landscaped grounds including picturesque

pond surround the spacious 4 Bedroom bungalow with triple garage. Additional 4000 sq ft shop with heated lower area. Agriculture land, truly a picturesque setting. MLS

WHETHER YOU’RE STARTING OUT OR EMPTYING THE NEST. START YOUR PROPERTY SEARCH HERE. Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated

3 Arthur St. S. Elmira • www.remaxsolidgold.biz OFFICE: 519-669-5426

DIRECT: 519-572-2669

BERT MARTIN, BROKER

LEON MARTIN

BROKERAGE

EMAIL: bert@remaxsolidgold.biz

R.W. THUR REAL ESTATE LTD.

Call Bert For Your FREE Market Evaluation

BUNGALOW!

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage | Independently Owned and Operated

45 ARTHUR ST. S., ELMIRA

BRAD MARTIN

519-669-2772

MVA Residential

Broker of Record,

JULIE HECKENDORN

TRACEY WILLIAMS

Res: 519.669.1068

Res: 519.669.8629

Cell: 519.505.0627

Broker

Great location central to schools, parks, Rec Centre and 10 minute walk to down town. Three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, great room with addition, finished basement, triple wide paved drive, great for camper or motor home.

MLS $329,900. Call Bert to View.

COMMERCIAL OFFICE SPACE

Two adjoining offices in Multi-Tenant Plaza. Also 920 s/f unit consisting of two offices, reception area, kitchenette and bathroom. Located in busy plaza 10 minutes from Waterloo. MLS. Call Bert to view.

Your referrals are appreciated!

E

IC

Sales Rep.

N

EW

PR

HOBBY FARM with 7 stalls and 7 individual pastures, brick bungalow with country kitchen, oversized recroom. $489,000.

MLS

3 bedroom back split, on a large landscaped lot, with an awesome family room, eat in kitchen, 2 bath, central air, gas fireplace. $229,900.00 MLS

GORGEOUS HOME

ONLY 1 NEIGHBOUR! - Backs to greenspace & walking trail. Good condition. Gas fireplace in L.R. W/O to deck - faces south. Upper level loft/office. 3 baths (ensuite privilege).

Finished rec. rm. & 2pc. 5 appl. Incl.

NEW MLS $312,900.

LOCATION - quiet court. Pride of ownership is evident! Updated windows, furnace, and CAC. Remodelled bathrm. Gas stove in rec. rm. 5 bdrms. 2 baths. Lovely front entry. Hdwd. in L.R. & D.R. NEW MLS $349,900.

LISTINGS WANTED! We have several buyers wanting to relocate. If you’re thinking of selling, why not find out how much equity you have in your existing home. Call for details. www.thurrealestate.com

COUNTRY LOTS .5 acre don’t miss this chance to enjoy sunrises and sunsets. Within 40 minutes KW, or Guelph. High speed internet is available with fibre optic. Starting at $68,000 MLS ADDRESS: 3 Arthur St. S., ELMIRA • DIRECT: 519-503-2753 EMAIL: leonmartin@remax.net

FOR RENT. WITH REAL INVESTMENT YOU WILL SEE A REAL RETURN. MAKE THIS SPACE YOUR NEW HOME. ADVERTISE WITH US TODAY.

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

CLASSIFIED | 29

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

FAMILY ALBUM ENGAGEMENT

BIRTHDAY

BIRTHDAY

Best Wishes to the Happy Couples!

Happy 80th Birthday

Happy Birthday &

Retirement

Peter and Donna Fulcher, Ron and Joyce Stemmler, Lester Loree and Lois Loree are delighted to announce the marriage of their children.

Matthew Fulcher and Lisa Stemmler will be married on July 20th 2012 Quentin Loree and Mandy Fulcher will be married on August 18th 2012

Relatives and Friends are invited to an Open House on Sunday, April 15th, 2012 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Maryhill Community Centre to help Bob Fehrenbach celebrate his 80th Birthday.

Join us for an Open House April 14, 2 p.m. at the Elmira Legion.

Best Wishes Only Please.

Best Wishes Only Please.

BIRTHDAY

BIRTHDAY

Look who’s 50!

Happy 10th Birthday Madison (MJ Jr.)

Happy Birthday Rob

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES. COME ON! WE KNOW YOU HAVE GREAT FAMILY PHOTOS, WHY NOT SHOW THEM OFF IN THE OBSERVER.

FUNDRAISER

Fun Casino Night

That’s My Girl!

Friday, April 13th, 2012 8:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. in support of

Michelle & Tony Krasovec Lions Hall, Elmira

$20.00 per person at door

Love always, Mom and all of your family.

IN MEMORIAM

CROSSWORD PUZZLER

Smith, Kenneth C.

Always remembered in our hearts.

Joyce and Family

OBITS LEBOLD, ELSIE | Peacefully at Chateau Gardens Long Term Care in Elmira, Sunday, April 1, 2012, Elsie (nee Lichti) of Wellesley in her 85th year.

MOYER, KATHERINE PATRICIA (PAT) | Peacefully passed away with her family by her side at St. Luke’s Place, Cambridge on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at the age of 74 years.

Local relatives are her daughter Cathy Bauman and her husband Gary of West Montrose.

Kin Club of Woolwich

facebook.com/FITTE

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

OBSERVER PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

In Memory of

In loving memory of Ken, dear husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who passed away April 3, 2009.

Sponsored by

Love Mom & Dad and Zoey Poo & Critters

& $ 5 , % 2 8 0 ( $ /

+ 2 0 , 1 , ' 6 $ 0 0 $ 1

% 2 2 $ 1

$ 6 7 ( 1 2 / 2 5 8 / ( 7 3 2 , 0 + $ ' ' * ( 1 ' < ( 2 5 0 $ 6 , 1 2 3 5 7 < 5 8 % 2 % 6 , 0 6 2 + 6 (

, 6 0 6 / ' + $ 7 6 ( * 2 , , , 2 & . & 2 + 0 $ + ( / + ( ' ( ( 5 $ 7 , 0 ( 0 2

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THE CHALLENGE

DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T FORGET TO TAKE US.

PAYNE, BARBARA ANN (NEE GRASS) | Passed away peace-

fully, on Sunday, April 1, 2012 at the Freeport Health Centre of the Grand River Hospital, Kitchener. Barb Payne of Drumbo and formerly of Plattsville and Port Elgin, in her 69th year. Local relatives are her son Warren Payne and his wife Tara of Elmira.

INCLUDE US IN YOUR TRAVEL PLANS. SNAP A PIC WITH YOU, THE OBSERVER AND A LANDMARK & SEND IT IN.

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

30 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT NOTICE OF HEARING April 23,2012

metre to Misty River Drive and approximately 2.6 metres to Sawmill Road.

The property is zoned Settlement Residential (R-1) and contains a single detached dwelling and accessory buildings.

On Monday, April 23, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. the Committee will meet in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Offices, 24 Church Street West, Elmira to consider the following applications. All persons interested in the applications may attend and may contact Nancy Thompson at 519-669-6040 or 519-664-2613 (ext. 6040) regarding meeting details. Email: nthompson@woolwich.ca.

The Committee will also consider signed, written submissions for or against the applications if submitted to the Township of Woolwich no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Submissions can be forwarded by mail or hand delivery to: Township of Woolwich, Attn: Jeremy Vink, P.O. Box 158, 24 Church Street West, Elmira, ON N3B 2Z6 or Fax 519-669-4669 or Email jvink@woolwich.ca.

MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION A2/2012 – Jeremy Ninaber PROPERTY: 1808 Sawmill Road, Conestogo, Plan 601 Musselman Survey, Lot 8 North King East Water PROPOSAL: The applicant is requesting permission to recognize the following in order to permit a full second storey addition (currently one and a half storey) to the existing single detached dwelling: • reduced lot area from 1,390 square metres to approximately 990 square metres; • reduced lot frontage for a corner lot from 30 metres to approximately 22 metres; • reduced lot width from 30 metres to approximately 22 metres; and • reduced building line setback adjacent to a street from 6 metres to approximately 1.0

2012 DOG TAGS The Animal Control By-law of the Township of Woolwich requires that every dog must wear a dog tag when off of the property of the owner of the dog.

Dog Tag Fees are: Neutered/Spayed - $25.00 - Non-Neutered/Spayed - $35.00 After April 15th an additional $15.00 applies to the above rates unless where a bill of sale is provided to show the dog was obtained after April 15th.

Dog Tags are available at the following locations: • The Village Pet Food Shoppe, 10 Church Street West, Elmira • Creature Comfort Pet Emporium, 1553 King Street North, St. Jacobs • The Township of Woolwich, 24 Church Street West, Elmira • Eldale Vet Clinic, 150 Church Street West, Elmira • Breslau Animal Hospital, 2057 Victoria Street North (Unit 3), Breslau Remember purchasing a dog tag can return your dog to you much easier if your dog escapes. Dogs without a dog tag are taken to the pound and the owner must pay all costs incurred by the pound for keeping your dog before it will be released to you.

MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION A3/2012 –Bronwyn Shannon Burchell PROPERTY: 1525 Jigs Hollow Road, Crooks Tract, Broken Front Concession Part Lot 1, West of Grand River, 58R-14854 Parts 1 and 2 PROPOSAL: The applicant is requesting permission to construct an accessory building in the front yard in order to permit the construction of a 5.2 by 7.3 metre detached garage.

The property is zoned Agricultural (A) and contains a single detached dwelling and an accessory building.

CONSENT APPLICATION B8/2012 – Ryan and Michele Pickering PROPERTY: 821 Sawmill Road, Bloomingdale, James Wilson Tract Part Lot 6 PROPOSAL: The applicant is requesting permission to sever a vacant strip of land measuring approximately 12 by 60 metres from 821 Sawmill Road and convey it as a lot addition to the adjacent property at 811 Sawmill Road. The proposed severed and retained lands are zoned Settlement Commercial (C-3). The proposed retained lands contain a single detached dwelling and accessory buildings.

Further information about the applications may be obtained from Engineering and Planning Services at 519-669-6038 or 519-664-2613 (Ext. 6038).

DATED this 7th day of April, 2012 Jeremy Vink, RPP, MCIP Senior Planner Engineering & Planning Services

NOTICE OFWATERMAIN FLUSHING/ HYDRANT MAINTENANCE OPERATION The Township of Woolwich will be engaging in a watermain flushing/hydrant maintenance program from Tuesday April 10, 2012 – Thursday April 12, 2012 in Elmira Friday April 13, 2012 in Elmira/St. Jacobs Monday April 16, 2012 in Conestogo and Maryhill Tuesday April 17, 2012 in Heidelberg and West Montrose Wednesday April 18, 2012 in Breslau Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. **These dates are subject to change and will be communicated on the Township website Watermain flushing is performed at this time of low water usage to minimize its impact on water service.

Please refrain from using excessive amounts of water during this time period (i.e. doing laundry, using the dishwasher, etc.)

The flushing process may cause discoloured water and a reduction in pressure. It should be noted that both of these conditions are temporary and not harmful. If discolouration occurs, open a cold, hard water tap in the basement until it runs clear before resuming regular consumption. In some situations this may take 5 to 10 minutes. If, however, either of these conditions persist, please contact Cynthia Lean at 519-669-6041 or 519-664-2613 ext. 6041.

The Township of Woolwich appreciates your patience as we continually work to improve the quality of drinking water throughout the Township.

MARRIAGE OFFICIANTS REQUIRED FOR EVENING ANDWEEKEND CIVIL CEREMONIES The Township of Woolwich is seeking professional, dependable individuals who are capable of fulfilling the requirements of the role of Celebrant for civil marriage ceremonies held during evening or weekend hours. Ceremonies would be held in the Council Chambers located at the Township’s Administration Office, 24 Church Street West in Elmira, or at any location selected by the bride and groom inside the boundary of the Township of Woolwich. A description and map of the Township is available at www.woolwich.ca.

Interested persons must have: • A professional appearance suitable for the role of Marriage Celebrant.

• A flexible schedule and an ability to accommodate evening and weekend consultations, rehearsals and ceremonies.

• A clean driving record and reliable transportation to attend consultations, rehearsals and ceremonies.

• Previous training, such “Civil Marriage Solemnization Training” provided by the Association of Municipal Manager, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario.

• Previous experience in the role of Marriage Celebrant.

• Three references.

Experienced Marriage Celebrants with satisfactory references will be compensated at a rate of $30 per hour. Mileage will be reimbursed at 44 cents per kilometre.

Qualified individuals or companies are encouraged to submit a cover letter outlining how they meet the requirements of the position along with a resume and references to: Christine Broughton Director, Council and Information Services Township of Woolwich P.O. Box 158, 24 Church St. W. Elmira, ON N3B 2Z6

By Fax (519) 669-1820

By E-mail cbroughton@woolwich.ca

CLASSIFIED | 31

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

NOTICE OF COMPLETE APPLICATION AND PUBLIC MEETING

APPEALS: Zoning Amendments If a person or public body that files a notice of appeal of a decision of the Council of the Township of Woolwich in respect of the proposed zoning by-laws does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Council of the Township of Woolwich before the proposed zoning by-law amendments are passed:

Tuesday May 1,2012 7:00 p.m.

Township Council Chambers 24 Church StreetWest,Elmira Regarding the following Applications

a) the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of the Township of Woolwich to the Ontario Municipal Board; and b) the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board unless, in the opinion of the Board, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

Linda Pletsch, Zone Change 7/2012 Take Notice that in accordance with the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, as amended, the Township of Woolwich has received a complete application for the above noted Zone Change application for proposed Zoning By-law Amendment as detailed below. Please be advised that Notice of a Complete Application does not indicate whether the municipality is in support of, or in opposition to the proposal. That determination will be made at a later date.

NOTIFICATION: If you wish to be notified of additional Township public meetings, Township staff reports or the decision of the Township of Woolwich regarding these applications you must make a written request to Engineering and Planning Services at the Township of Woolwich at the address shown at the top of this page.

If you cannot attend the meeting, you can express your concerns/comments about the proposed change in writing to the Township of Woolwich. Any comments received on or before April 24, 2012 (Note that this date is before the public meeting) will be included The Township of Woolwich will hold a Public Meeting, under Section 34 of the Planning in a report prepared by Engineering and Planning Services and presented at the Public Act, to consider the following Zone Change application. No decisions will be made at Meeting. Any comments received after the Public Meeting, but prior to Council making a this meeting; its purpose is to provide additional information to the public and agencies decision on the applications, will also be considered. and to receive comments and information from them.

The personal information accompanying your submission is being collected under the The Township has received a Zone authority of the Planning Act and may form part of the public record which may be reChange application from Linda Pletsch leased to the public. Questions about this collection should be directed to the Records for the property located at 166 Woolwich and Freedom of Information Officer at 519-669-6005 or 519-664-2613 ext. 6005.

Street South, Breslau and described as German Company Tract, Part Lot 115, MORE INFORMATION: The public may view planning documents and background matePlan 58R-5355 Part 5 (see Map 1). The rial relating to this application at the Township of Woolwich, Engineering and Planning property is designated Urban Area in the Services Department between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or on the Township’s Official Plan and is zoned Township website at www.woolwich.ca.

Settlement Residential (R-1). The 0.4 hectare property contains a single famQuestions or written submissions may be directed to: ily dwelling and also has frontage onto Township of Woolwich Joseph Street.

Engineering and Planning Services Department Box 158 The purpose of the application is to rezone the property from Settlement Residential 24 Church Street West (R-1) to Residential Mixed Medium Density with Design Guidelines (R-4A) in order to Elmira, Ontario facilitate the future severance on full municipal services. Two of the residential lots to N3B 2Z6 be created would have frontage onto Joseph Street, while the retained lot containing the existing house will continue to have frontage on Woolwich Street South.

Telephone: 519-669-1647 / 519-664-2613 Please Note:

Dated at the Township of Woolwich this 7th day of April, 2012

2012 SALUTE TO WOOLWICH BUSINESSES All Woolwich Business Owners are invited to the third annual

Salute to Woolwich Business Event an event to support and celebrate the importance and success of local businesses

Wednesday May 16, 2012 Register by May 9

4:00pm – 7:00pm

Breslau Community Centre

Event Overview This is Woolwich’s premiere business-to-business event, providing Woolwich businesses with the opportunity to learn from a business leader and each other, expand networks, promote brands and businesses, and give back to the community by supporting a local charity.

Keynote Speaker Networking Local Business Tradeshow

Robin Todd President & CEO of Marks Supply Inc., and Chair of Junior Achievement Network with other Woolwich business representatives, elected officials, and Senior Staff from the Township.

Rent a table to showcase your brand, products and services.

Cost per table: $50 for Woolwich businesses, $75 for Non-Woolwich businesses.

JOIN US ON WEDNESDAY MAY 16TH

to learn from a local business leader, expand your network, promote your brand, products & services, and give back to the Woolwich community.

This is a FREE event. Registration Required.

Refreshments will be provided.

Information │Sponsorship │Contact To inquire about or register your Sponsorship, register as a Guest, book a table in the Local Business Tradeshow, or request more information, contact: Laurel Davies Snyder Economic Development & Tourism Officer 519.669.6020 ldaviessnyder@woolwich.ca

Thank you for considering Sponsorship of the 3rd annual Salute to Woolwich Businesses event.

32 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

LIVING HERE CHEF’S TABLE/ KIRSTIE HERBSTREIT & JODI O’MALLEY

BOOKS / FIRST-TIME AUTHOR

A story for our time

A few maple syrup treats to try at home in keeping with the spirit of the festival

With sci-fi novel that employs time travel, Wellesley PS teacher tackles an age-old issue JAMES JACKSON The debate of whether the human race is the result of God’s divine power (creationism) or of millions of years of change (evolution) is a heated one, and it’s the primary topic tackled in John Settle’s first novel, Time and Time Again, published earlier this year.

As the son of an Anglican missionary and priest as well as a student of philosophy at the University of Guelph, it’s a familiar topic for the Grade 5, 6 and 7 teacher at Wellesley Public School.

The fictional story is aimed at young-adults and follows a pair of teenagers named Adam and Evelyn as they try to unravel the secrets of a mysterious group of men that are travelling through time.

While Settle admits he isn’t particularly a fan of traditional science fiction, the genre granted him some freedom in exploring his ideas for the story, which he’s been working on for nearly 20 years.

“I was playing with the ideas of evolution versus creationism, and the time travel gave me a way to discuss them in a unique way.”

The story’s main character is Adam, a 14-yearold boy living in the year 2040 where time travel has become so mundane it’s almost boring, and where people can travel back and forth in time at will using Time Taxis.

“Some people work in different time periods, but then some people just va-

RECIPE NOTES

Wellesley Public School teacher John Settle has published his first book, Time and Time Again, which touches on the debate of creationism versus evolution in a world where time travel has become as common as driving is today.

[JAMES JACKSON / THE OBSERVER] cation,” explained Settle.

“Evelyn finds that someone has done something wrong in the past. She doesn’t understand what it is, but she gets chased by the bad guys and Adam tries to help her and figure out what is really going on.”

What ensues is a voyage spanning through the extreme limits of human history, from 2.5 million B.C. to 2.5 million A.D. The mystery focuses on Australopithecus, an extinct species that arose in Africa about four million years ago and which many archeologists and paleontologists believe played a

significant role in the evolution of humans today.

Settle said that the book takes three perspectives on evolution and creationism.

The first side argues for the sake of creationism and that God gave birth to the human race; the second argues for a purely evolutionary understanding of how humans became the dominant species on the plant; and the third view (expressed by Adam) is that it shouldn’t matter which side is right.

Throughout the book the first two factions begin to oppose the others’ ideals.

Protests break out, and the

conflict eventually escalates into nuclear war that the reader never experiences but the fallout of which is witnessed when Adam and Evelyn travel 2.5 million years into the future.

“There is no mention of who won the war,” said Settle.

The author said he drew inspiration from his daily life, in particular from his father, Tom, and their conversations about evolution and creationism.

Prior to becoming an Anglican minister and Archdeacon in Quebec, Settle’s father was a philosopher of science for many years

and believes in the idea of evolution from a religious context.

“He believes that God needs to be taken into consideration when you consider evolution. He believes it was influenced by God,” said Settle.

“A few of those ideas sneak into the book.”

Settle’s upbringing spans nearly as far as the timelines in his book. Born in Hong Kong in 1960, he moved to England when he was five years old then to Guelph two years later. He studied at the University of

Having taken in the smells and tastes of the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival – we go every year with friends – perhaps you’re feeling inspired to try your hand at a few delicacies.

Of course you can find every type of food imaginable amongst the large crowds that gather to celebrate this fantastic time of year. But for some of us, there is only one reason to go: the maple taffy on snow. We wait for what seems like hours to watch the experts re-create a pasttime snack of yesteryear.

Getting the temperature of the maple syrup just right in a large cauldron over an open fire of hot coals. Once its ready it is delicately poured on crisp white snow and then swirled around a popsicle stick to harden just right. Then it is ready to be slowly dissolved in your mouth by the lucky folks who have waited with patience.

This ‘dessert’ is actually

AUTHOR | 35

Wishing our customers and friends a joy-filled and blessed Easter!

- Leroy & Donna Martin

20 Oriole Parkway E., Elmira, ON N3B 0A5 Tel: (519) 669-1082 Fax: (519) 669-3084 info@leroysautocare.net

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NEW LOCATION!

RECIPE | 35

LIVING HERE | 33

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012 “A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME”

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E-MAIL: ads@woolwichobserver.com

July 20th-July 21st

West Montrose Family Camp

Christian Mothers’ Society. Everyone is welcome!

APRIL 7 ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT, hosted by the Optimist Club of St. Jacobs. Riverside Meadows Park on Water St. in St. Jacobs. Hunt starts at 10 a.m. sharp. This is a fun event for young children and there is no charge for participation. Also included: balloons, prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

FUN AFTERNOON AND EVENING of games planned at the Woolwich Youth Centre. Come out and play Clue, Guitar Hero and ball hockey.

APRIL 12 WEEKLY BINGO 7 P.M. at Elmira Lions Hall, 40 South St., Elmira. All proceeds go to support the many projects of the Lions Club of Elmira. For more information call 519-500-1434.

APRIL 8

Cardlock Fuel Management

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WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE MALE Chorus Fish Fry at Parkminster United Church, 275 Erb. St, Waterloo.

Continuous servings 4:30-7 p.m. Advance tickets $15 adults; $7.50 for children under 12. For tickets call 519208-9326 or chorus@wrps.on.on.ca.

CALLING ALL ZOOMERS, BOOMERS and seniors – New Horizon’s meets every second Thurs. from 10 – 11:30 a.m. from Sept. to May at the Maryhill Community Centre, 58 St. Charles St. E., Maryhill. April 12 – Phil Dickie – 2010 Champion Tree Hunt. Get informed, socialize and have fun. For further information please call Joan Haid 519-648-2742 or email jehaid@xplornet. ca.

APRIL 10 BINGO – 7 P.M. at St. Clements Community Centre sponsored by Paradise & District Lions Club. For further information contact Joe Brick at 519-6994022.

WOOLWICH YOUTH CENTRE WILL be experiencing yoga this evening, so come out and challenge yourself. We will be starting at 6:45 p.m. at the Youth Centre.

COME BY THE WOOLWICH Youth Centre after school for some homework help or make a craft with Cat later in the evening. We are open Tuesday through Friday, 3:-5:30 p.m. and 6-10 p.m.

APRIL 13 H.U.G.S. PROGRAM – 9:15-11:15 a.m. Meet with other parents to discuss parenting and child health issues.

Topic: Children’s Allergies: Food and Environmental allergies. Asthma in children will be discussed by Chris Tofflemire, N.P. Held at Woolwich Community Health Centre, 10 Parkside Dr. St. Jacobs. For more information call Heidi 519-664-3794, ext. 237.

APRIL 11 ST. CLEMENTS PARISH WILL be hosting a Spring Card Party at the St. Clements Community Centre, 1 Green St, St. Clements. Doors open at 6 p.m., lunch will be served at 6:30 p.m. There will be lots of prizes, 50/50 draw and quilt raffle. Admission is $5. Wheelchair accessible. This event is sponsored by the St. Clement’s

COME READ WITH ME Family Storytime in Breslau – 9:30

to 10:15 a.m. at Breslau Community Centre, presented by the Region of Waterloo Library. A family storytime program recommended for parents/caregivers and children 2 years and up. Friday mornings from April 13 to May 18. Breslau Community Centre, 200 Woolwich St. in Breslau. Read, sing, play games, and have fun with literacy! It’s free. For more information contact Janelle Wenger at 519-575-4590, ext. 3222.

Carnival, Silent Auction, Live Entertainment

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FUN AND BUSY DAY at the Youth Centre. Our afternoon activity will be hidden trivia about superstitions.

Youth in grades 6, 7 and 8 are welcome on a field trip to a K2K Dance, leaving the YC at 6:45 p.m., make sure to bring your permission form. Join us for public swim at 7:00 p.m.

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APRIL 15

519-669-2884

HUNGRYMANS BREAKFAST WITH WOOLWICH Lions Club. Serving from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. All you can eat. Adults $6; 6-10 yrs $3; 5 and under free. Menu: ham, sausage, fried or scrambled eggs, pancakes, home fries, beans, toast & jam, coffee, tea & juice.

Proceeds go to Friends of Hockey – includes boys and girls hockey and ringette and sledge hockey. Royal Canadian Legion, 11 First St. E., Elmira.

APRIL 16 A TASTE OF WOOLWICH 5-8 p.m., Breslau Mennonite Church, 226 Woolwich St. S., Breslau. $2 donation for adults, children free. Meet local farmers & restaurateurs, see cooking demonstrations by chefs & local youth, sample & buy savory foods, and learn about the benefits of buying local! A Woolwich Healthy Communities Event. For more information visit www.healthywoolwich.org.

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lic. Placement is not guaranteed. Registrations, corporate events, open houses and the like do not qualify in this section.

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34 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

STRANGE BUT TRUE / BILL & RICH SONES PH.D.

Do bad dreams trigger snoring or does snoring trigger bad dreams? so relaxed that, except for an occasional finger, toe, or facial twitch, you are essentially paralyzed.

Moreover, you cannot easily be awakened. Thus, REM sleep is sometimes called â&#x20AC;&#x153;paradoxical sleep,â&#x20AC;? with the body internally aroused yet externally quite calm. Interestingly, horses, which spend 92% of each day standing and can sleep standing up, must lie down for REM sleep.

WEIRD NOTES

Q. Do bad dreams trig-

ger snoring or does snoringtrigger bad dreams?

A. Neither, since people rarely snore during dreams, says David G. Myers in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Psychology: 10th Edition.â&#x20AC;? When REM (rapid-eye-movement) sleep starts, snoring stops.

REM also pulls the plug on acts such as walking (â&#x20AC;&#x153;sleepwalkingâ&#x20AC;? happens in a different stage of sleep) and talking. Although your brainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motor cortex is active during REM, your brainstem blocks its messages, leaving muscles

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line.

SOLUTION: on page 29

Q.

What remarkable classic device underscores the brainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mysterious ability to generate a sensation of depth from the eyesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; two different images? Maybe you were enchanted by one of these as a child.

Q. When baseball stat-

isticians really get going, how far afield can they take things?

A. Check these out from the 2006 major league season, says Craig Robinson in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Flip Flop Fly Ballâ&#x20AC;?: Pitchers of all teams threw a total of 716,083 pitches, whose cumulative distances from mound to batter would have totaled just over 8,205 miles, or roughly the distance from Busch Stadium, St. Louis, to Mumbai, India.

Finally, while thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no evidence that any particular surname makes for a better ballplayer, if history repeats itself youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re most likely to make the majors as a Smith (145 from 1871-2009), Johnson (104), Jones (95), Miller (84), Brown (82), Williams (73), Wilson (69), Davis (63), Moore (49) or Taylor (47).

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t despair if your name begins with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Zâ&#x20AC;?--there have been more than five of these, though according to reference.com, surnames beginning with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Xâ&#x20AC;? have struck out.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Bill a journalist, Rich holds a doctorate in physics. Together the brothers bring you â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strange But True.â&#x20AC;? Send your questions to strangetrue@compuserve.com

OBSERVER CROSSWORD PUZZLER

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Non-triskadekaphobicâ&#x20AC;? players who clearly were not afraid to wear the No. 13 on their uniforms for at least part of the 2011 season numbered 25, including Willie Randolph, Asdrubal Cabrera, Ozzie Guillen, Alex Avila, Omar Infante, Alex Rodriguez, Clint Hurdle and Gerald Laird. And for a different angle on â&#x20AC;&#x153;stolen basesâ&#x20AC;?: During 2008, if all 2,757 of those bases had literally been stolen, at $90 per base, it would have cost major league baseball a quarter of a million dollars.

That year, Willy Taveras of the Colorado Rockies led the majors with 68 stolen bases, for thievery of about $6100 total value (under Colorado law, a Class 4 felony).

a stereoscope with two flat drawings and found that when a person looked into it, the two drawings fused together to produce â&#x20AC;&#x153;a single three-dimensional drawing poised in space.â&#x20AC;?

THE CHALLENGE

THE BIG EASY

A. After World War II, the little plastic hand-held View-Master was quite popular, taking reels of tiny Kodachrome transparencies that you flicked through by pressing a lever, says Oliver Sacks in â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Mindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eye.â&#x20AC;? As he recalls his own childhood, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I fell in love with faraway America at this time, partly through View-Master reels of the grand scenery of the American West and Southwest.â&#x20AC;? Known as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;stereoscopeâ&#x20AC;? from the Greek for â&#x20AC;&#x153;solid vision,â&#x20AC;? it got its name in the 1830s from Charles Wheatstone, a young physicist fascinated by the idea that the difference between the eyesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; two retinal images was crucial to the sense of depth. To test this out, he designed

SOLUTIONS: 1. BUNNIES NOSE 2. BUTTERFLY MISSING 3. PAINT CAN MISSING 4. LARGE EASTER EGG DESIGN 5. EGG IN PILE MISSING 6. BUNNIES FOOT 7. PAINTBRUSHES 8. BUNNIES HAIR

CAPTION While celebrating their 50th anniversary in January with kids and grandchildren, Dale and Julie Snider stop in front of a luscious palm tree and include the Observer in a photo. Seen here in Cozumel, Mexico.

Cozumel, Mexico

LOCATION

OBSERVER SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

OBSERVER TRAVELS

OPEN 24 HOURS | 7 DAYS A WEEK

DELIV SER ERY AVAILVICE Call fo ABLE rD

etails

ACROSS 1. Move fast 6. Doctrines 11. A state in the United States 13. Amber or umber 14. Behind the times 15. Check 17. Charm 19. ___ lily 20. A prefix meaning equal 21. Research In Motion 22. Hawaiian dish 24. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rocky ___â&#x20AC;?

25. Chrysanthemum 27. A unit of length 28. A very popular food fish 30. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not pretty 33. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ ___ bearings,â&#x20AC;? opposite to the pistons 35. Electrical unit 37. Circumvent 38. Bad aroma 39. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Awright!â&#x20AC;?

315 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-5403 42. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Nightmare on ___ Streetâ&#x20AC;?

44. Copy cats?

45. The objective form of â&#x20AC;&#x153;weâ&#x20AC;?

46. Informal term for a mother 48. Abandon 50. A harp that is played by the wind 52. Not working 55. Somebody who suffers persecution 58. Execâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note 59. A short composition for a solo instrument 60. Australian runner

61. Early pulpit 63. A breed of dogs 64. Game with matchsticks 66. To a very great extent or degree 67. ___ and aahs 69. â&#x20AC;&#x153;twenty miles __

hourâ&#x20AC;?

DOWN 1. Known as great apes 2. Astringent 3. Costa del ___ 4. Boring tool 5. Express refusal 6. Driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lic. and others 7. The leader of an Arab village 8. O. Henryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Gift of the ___â&#x20AC;?

9. Zeno, notably 10. Writer (born in Russia) noted for his science fiction 11. Substitution of a maleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name 12. Babysitterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handful 13. Arctic deer with large antlers 16. Catastrophic wave 18. Some like it hot 23. A state in the Rocky Mountains

26. Euripides drama 28. One who lives in solitude 29. Come together 31. Eliminate 32. Iced, with â&#x20AC;&#x153;upâ&#x20AC;?

34. Green light 36. Objective form of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;?

40. Clairvoyance, e.g.

41. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Beg pardon ...â&#x20AC;?

43. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fantasy Islandâ&#x20AC;? prop 47. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ calls?â&#x20AC;?

49. Beaverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work 51. Affranchise 53. A room in a hospital 54. In the direction of 55. Breakfast, lunch or dinner 56. Capital of Jordan 57. Worthless material 62. Cause osmotic diffusion 65. ___ constrictor 68. â&#x20AC;&#x153;think __ itâ&#x20AC;?

SOLUTION: on page 29

LIVING HERE | 35

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

CHEF’S TABLE: Feeling inspired to make a few maple syrup treats of your own?

FROM | 32

something that we did at a dinner party for a fun, traditional and different ending to a meal. Fresh (clean!) snow was collected ahead of time and we waited with sticks in hand as the maple syrup came to just the right temperature in order to harden properly.

Mmmmm.

Whether you made it out last weekend or not, read below for some tips on how to create your own ‘festival!’The following information comes from The Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association.

When making sugar, candy or maple butter with maple syrup it is all about the size of the sugar crystal and the temperature you boil it to determines this. A candy thermometer is a good investment to get these exact temperatures when working with boiling sugar. For example, to make maple butter we have a 2 degree Celsius window to get it right. 10°C-11°C above boiling, so if you are boiling water at 97°C and you boil your maple syrup to 110°C you will be actually boiling 13°C above boiling which is 3 degrees above your target of 10°C, and your maple

butter won’t work.

Soft Maple Sugar The syrup is boiled to a temperature of 114°-117°C (238°-242°F). It is cooled to 65°C (150°F) and stirred until it is a dull yellow colour.

It is immediately poured into molds. The sugar crystallizes and can be readily cut with a knife.

Hard Maple Sugar The syrup is boiled to a temperature of 121°-124°C (250°-256°F), a few degrees higher than for soft sugar and cooled to 93°C (200°F).

It is stirred until it becomes cloudy and begins to thicken. Then it is poured into molds. The resulting hard block of sugar may be broken into chunks, crushed or grated.

Maple Butter The syrup is boiled to a temperature of 110°C-111°C (230°-232°F) and them rapidly cooled in pans set in cold water, to a temperature of 10°C (50°F) or below, then stirred continuously until creaming is completed.

AUTHOR: Time span gave writer plenty of leeway to be creative

The book, published earlier this year, follows a pair of teenagers named Adam and Evelyn as they try to unravel the actions of a mysterious group that are travelling through time.

[JAMES JACKSON / THE OBSERVER]

FROM | 32

Western Ontario, completed his degree at Guelph in 1984, and studied for one semester at the University of Florida in 1985.

He said it was his experience living in Florida, “in an apartment by myself in a strange country,” that really sparked his interest in writing.

That writing is also influenced by his experiences as a teacher, and as a fa-

ther while raising his own two children, Jeremy and Stephanie, who are 16 and 18 years old respectively.

“I think it’s helped me understand a little bit about how to portray characters that are approximately their age. The kinds of things they think about and the way that they talk and things that they are interested in,” he said.

“I hope it has, anyway,” he added with a laugh.

While he didn’t write the

story with the intention of having it act as a parable or a lesson for our time, he said it could certainly be perceived that way.

Themes such as tolerance and violence in the name of religion are prevalent in the novel.

One of the challenges he was faced with was keeping the scope of the story manageable, which was difficult given the fact that the story spans some five million years of human history. He noted, though, that the timelines gave him some creative freedom in interpreting the future, while using historical and archaeological records to remain faithful to the past.

“I could invent a lot of things,” he laughed. “So I did. I invented some means of travel, and not just time travel, but vehicular travel.”

He imagined a world where oil prices spiked so high that airline travel was no longer viable, and used other real-world scenarios we are witnessing today to

Maple Taffy on Snow

Chefs Kirstie Herbstreit and Jody O’Malley are both Red Seal certified chefs. Together they run The Culinary Studio, which offers classes, demonstrations and private dinners. To contact the chefs, visit their website www.theculinarystudio.ca

The syrup is boiled to a temperature of 131°-132°C (268°-270°F) and then carefully poured onto crushed ice or snow. The resulting taffy is a delightful treat.

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influence his future in the book.

Like any good science fiction writing, the book contains a plot twist at the end that may surprise readers. Without giving it away, Settle tried to hint at the fact that the names of the main characters were not chosen at random.

“It’s not a coincidence.

It’s intentional.”

Time and Time Again is available at three locations: The Bookshelf in Guelph, Upper Case Books in New Hamburg, and The Robins Nest café in Elmira. Settle will be holding a book signing in New Hamburg on May 5 at 3 p.m., and in Elmira on May 12 from 3-5 p.m.

Settle is working on an idea for another novel, as well as a trilogy of children’s picture books with Cambridge artist Mircea Gabor, the same artist who completed the cover art for Time and Time Again.

For more information, visit www.johnsettlebooks. com.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

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36 | BACK PAGE

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2012

Visit: www.healthy woolwich.org for more info.

WOOLWICH

HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

April/May 2012

Join Us!

A Taste of Woolwich Mon., April 16 | 5-8pm

at Breslau Mennonite Church, 226 Woolwich St., S. Breslau

$2

per adult donation, children FREE.

Meet local farmers & restaurateurs. See cooking demonstrations by local chefs. Sample & buy savoury foods, and learn about the benefits of buying local!

5:45 p.m. Quick & Nutritious Meals 6:25 p.m. Benefits of Local Food

6:15 p.m. Local Youth Recipe Challenge 7:10 p.m. Learn The Art Of Crock Pot Cooking

Community Clean-up Day Yellow Fish Storm Drain Sat., April 21 | 8:30am-12:00pm Painting Sat., April 21 With Girl Guides & Beavers Contact Ann at (519) 664-2613 ext. 6027 or aroberts@woolwich.ca about a location near you.

Tree Planting Tues., April 24, Wed., April 25 & Sat., May 5 @ 8:30am-12:00pm Contact Ann at (519) 664-2613 ext. 6027 or aroberts@woolwich.ca

Green Living and Tech Fair

Sat., April 28 | 11:00am-4:30pm FREE! - Donations Welcome at St. Jacobs Arena, 29 Parkside Dr., St. Jacobs

Meet local business owners who specialize in green & healthy living, buy green products, attend workshops, drop off old bikes and e-waste! Children’s activites too!

12:00 & 2:00p.m. ..... Green Home Upgrades 12:30 & 2:30p.m. ...... Energy Saving Ideas and Technologies for under $100 1:00p.m. ....................... Hiking for a Strong Back and Healthy Mind 1:30 & 3:00p.m. ........ Going Green For Energy Savings 3:30p.m. ...................... Healthy Active Living

Sustainable Living Tours of REEP House Sat., April 28, 12:00-3:45pm FREE! Donations Welcome Bus departs St. Jacobs Arena at 12:00, 1:00 & 2:00pm REEP House for Sustainable Living is REEP’s super-insulated, water-wise century brick home and education centre that has achieved 86% energy savings.

Electric Movie April 21st Night! Sat, 7:00pm FREE Trinity United Church, 21 Arthur St., N. Elmira

Featuring the must see documentary “Revenge of the Electric Car”. Check out an electric car and meet the owner.

Bird Watching Hike Breslau Hike Sun., April 29 | 2:00-4:00pm

Sun, May 6 | 2:00-4:00pm

Join Mark Bauman for birding and hiking on the Health Valley Trail in St. Jacobs

Join Hike Leaders Lisa and Sheri to hike the Hopewell Trail in Breslau

For more information about hikes: www.healthywoolwich.org or Call Paul at (519) 664-3643