February 4, 12

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

VOLUME.....17 ISSUE.........05

1 NEWS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 04, 2012

Synchro swimmers awash in medals

.com

www.

> STORY ON PG. 23

Woolwich taxes to rise 5.25% Staff increases to eat into general levy as well as extra take aimed at infrastructure deficit Steve Kannon

T

axes will increase 5.25 per cent in Woolwich this year, a hit of about $31.41 on the average home with an assessed value of

$254,000. Half of that amount represents a special levy to fund infrastructure projects such as road paving and bridge repairs.

A good chunk of the extra money will be

spent on the township’s growing staff complement rather than on services to the public.

While councillors expressed some concerns, they ultimately passed the 2012 budget with

those spending priorities in place.

Plans to hire an engineering technologist at an estimated salary of $70,000 plus another $30,000 to support generous benefits would

eat up 57 per cent of the $175,000 expected to be raised by the 2.5 per cent infrastructure levy – each one percentage point in tax increase represents $71,000.

Similarly, an “11th hour” staff request to add yet another administrative assistant/ communications person would consume

> SEE TAXES ON PG. 05

What it means to be Mennonite

SUPER FANS Ben Sawyer (right) and Brody Dietrich, both three years old, waited for nearly two hours for the chance to meet NHLer Nick Spaling at the Dan Snyder Arena on Jan. 27.

NHL player Nick Spaling returns to his Drayton roots to shoot a commercial message for the church James Jackson

PHOTO

» JAMES JACKSON

W

WEEKEND WEATHER

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hile the majority of NHL players were enjoying a nearly weeklong break for the AllStar game festivities in Ottawa last weekend, Nick Spaling took the opportunity to give back to his community.

Spaling, a native of Opinion...............08 Business.............11

Drayton and 2007 draft pick of the Nashville Predators, was in his hometown and at the Dan Snyder Arena in Elmira Jan. 27 to shoot a commercial for the Mennonite Church of Canada.

The commercial is aimed at children grow-

> SEE MENNONITE ON PG. 02

Living Here.........13 Sports...............16

Entertainment....20 Classifieds.........21

NEWS 2

THE OBSERVER

Mennonite: Giving back to the community > CONTINUED FROM COVER

» JAMES JACKSON PHOTO

ing up within the Mennonite Church, as Spaling did, and to encourage them to chase their dreams and not be held back by their faith or the stigma that surrounds it.

“The purpose is to chip away at some of the stereotypes that are sometimes associated with Mennonites,” said Willard Metzger, executive director of Mennonite Church Canada and former pastor of the Community Mennonite Fellowship in Drayton, which Spaling attended as a child.

“Sometimes people will associate Mennonite with a certain ethnicity, a German ethnicity, or oftentimes would assume that all Mennonites are oldorder Mennonite with the horse and buggy, so we’re trying to dispel that.”

The shoot consisted of two locations; youth playing ball hockey in the parking lot of Community Mennonite Fel-

“Being a part of the Mennonite Church, when this opportunity came up I thought it was a great way to get the church’s message out there and to get that point across,” said Spaling after the shoot at the WMC. “It’s a new and evolving way of looking at things, instead of your typical Mennonite that a lot of people think of these days.”

The commercial is just the first in a series that the Mennonite Church hopes to film, and Metzger said they have arranged to film a member of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as ordinary business people and entrepreneurs to give the commercials a wellrounded mix of highprofile professionals as well as the everyday person.

Metzger said he was unsure when the commercial might hit the airwaves, but hoped it could coincide with the Predators’ playoff push in early spring.

MORE ICE TIME Spaling spent about half an hour at the WMC

filming a commercial for the Mennonite Church of Canada. lowship, and Spaling playing in a mock NHL game at the Dan Snyder Arena.

The scenes will cut between one boy in particular at the ball hockey game (symbolizing Spaling as a youth), and Spaling at the NHL level taking slap shots and body checking opponents into the glass.

“The main focus of it is that you can find Mennonites anywhere and everywhere. The idea is that ‘I’m Nick Spaling. I’m an NHL player, and I’m also a

Mennonite,’” explained Metzger.

Metzger has been trying to organize the shoot for nearly a year, but with Spaling’s busy NHL schedule, it has been hard to find the time. Finally, the pair decided they could do it over the NHL AllStar break since Spaling would be returning home to visit family because he couldn’t make it home for Christmas.

The NHLer said he was happy to help the community that had done so much for him growing up.

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St. Jacobs power centre to have more rental options Woolwich loosens restrictions on the types and sizes of development, recognizing market conditions Steve Kannon

T

he St. Jacobs big-box retail centre not powering up as expected, the township is broadening the range of uses at the site to help the developer draw in tenants.

Official Plan and zoning changes approved this week provide more options at the Smart Centres site, where a decade-long delay appears to have caused typical power centre tenants to settle elsewhere. That’s limited the number of potential businesses willing to locate there, with the problem compounded by land-use restrictions that grew out of the sometimes-nasty debate over the Walmartanchored project.

In recognition of the market conditions, director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley suggested it’s appropriate to relax the

restrictions on the property. Allowing a wider range of service commercial uses, including restaurants, opens up the possibility of more tenants, he said.

The changes approved Tuesday night by councillors meeting as a committee of the whole follow an application last spring by owner King/86 Developments. The company argued that current restrictions on the site are making it difficult to lease space there, noting only about half of the permitted 305,000 square feet has been built.

A planning and marketing report prepared for the company prior to a public meeting last May shows the requested changes would generate more business without having any negative impact on existing operations in Woolwich

> SEE KING/86 ON PG. 08

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THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

3 NEWS

Wellesley girl’s poem nets $5k for Habitat for Humanity

>> The taxman cometh yet again

NO PLACE LIKE HOME Katie McDonald was one of five runner-up winners in the Genworth Meaning of Home essay contest. She wrote her poem outside in the family treehouse.

James Jackson

K

atie McDonald’s poem “Homemade Happiness” expresses just how important her home is to her and her family, and thanks to her writing efforts, an Ontario family is a little bit closer to having a home that they can call their own.

Katie is one of five runner-up winners in the Meaning of Home national essay contest that was organized by mortgage specialists Genworth Financial Canada, and $5,000 will be given to a Habitat for Humanity project in her name.

She also received a new iPod and a pizza party for her entire Grade 6 class at Wellesley Public School.

“My mom heard about the contest, so I thought it would be a lot of fun,” said Katie.

Katie’s mother Sharon, a Grade 6 teacher in Kitchener, said she was surprised to learn that Katie was one of the winners, but that surprise quickly disappeared.

“She is such a creative girl. Her writing, her doodling, she’s always reading,” said Sharon. “She loves her home and is very passionate about our home and what it stands for. I wasn’t surprised by what she wrote.”

Katie’s poem touches on many themes that most of us can probably relate to. She describes how home is a place of joy and delight, and that it is like “arms that embrace.”

She also writes about how her creativity takes flight and that fun has no limit in her home – and she even makes mention of her father Ken’s homemade waffles.

“My dad makes those a lot,” she said with a smile.

This is the fifth year of the essay contest, and it has seen more than 10,000 essays submitted in that time.

The latest contest was also Genworth’s best – a total of 3,190 essays were submitted from coast to coast, and the contest was open to children in Grades 4, 5 and 6, with the winners chosen from a

list of 24 finalists.

Genworth’s leader of community relations said that Katie’s poem was wellwritten and truly conveyed the meaning of home, which was why she was selected as a runner-up.

“It’s not just a place to sleep, and it’s not just determined by the brick and mortar,” said Linda Belanger.

“It’s somewhere where a family gets together and, as (Katie) said, the home is about the people inside and the love that’s around it.”

An Ethiopean-born Grade 4 student from Calgary, Edelawit Schnell, was the grand prize winner and $60,000 was given to a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in her name. Altogether Genworth has donated more than $450,000 to the charity since the contest began.

This year the company also donated $5 to Habitat for Humanity for every essay that was submitted.

“We added this element so that every kid can feel like

they are contributing,” said Belanger.

Since this year also marks the fifth anniversary of the contest, Genworth will be publishing a book of all the winners and the runnersup from the past five years, with all of the proceeds going back the Habitat for Humanity.

Katie said that she didn’t know anything about Habitat for Humanity before the contest, but since she decided to enter she did a little more research on the organization and said that they are doing important work to try and build homes for those who can’t afford them.

She has donated her $5,000 to Habitat for Humanity in Stratford, and hopes the money can be used to help someone else discover the joys of home that she loves so much.

“I’ve always grown up in a good home so I thought it would be fun to write about it and tell other people about where I live.”

Stories of Woolwich’s past go digital and online Colin Dewar

T

hose longing for a taste of yesteryear can now simply turn on their computers and listen to a collection of digital interviews with “old-timers” as they create a rich portrait of local history, courtesy of a new audio collection at the Elmira library.

The project is a partnership of the Region of Water-

EE RY FR IVE L DE

loo Library and the Region of Waterloo Archives.

Originally started in 1974, the oral history preservation was a joint project between the library, the Woolwich Township and Canada Trust.

“Former librarian Mary Anne Cressman took on the project knowing that a lot of old-timers had some great stories and she did not want to lose sight of that,” said

Sheryl Tilley, supervisor of the Elmira library.

Tilley found 40 cassette tapes in the bottom of a cabinet in 2010 and discovered they contained interviews with local citizens. Four of those tapes had degraded and were unusable for the digital project as they were not held in an archival setting.

Recognizing the need to make the oral history of the

W • O • O • L • W • I • C • H

town available to as many people as possible, Tilley contacted regional archivist Lesley Webb and requested to host the interviews on Archives Online, a descriptive database of records held in the archives.

Working together, the library and the archives created online access to the

> SEE LIBRARY ON PG. 06

The taxman returns to Woolwich Mar. 9, the due date set this week for the first installment of 2012 property taxes.

Meeting Jan. 31, township council approved an interim tax bill plan that will allow it to collect an amount equal to 50 per cent of last year’s levy. The move lets the municipality continue collecting funds even though it has yet to set taxation levels for 2012.

The first 25 per cent will be due on Mar. 9, and the second on May 11. Adjustments will be made later in the year to accommodate this year’s budget, set for approval next month. Woolwich is looking at an increase of 5.25 per cent, 2.75 in the general levy plus 2.5 for a special infrastructure fund.

>> Woolwich nixes drainage petition It was, as Coun. Mark Bauman noted, déjà vu all over again as Woolwich council received another drainage petition regarding flooding on land near Line 86 and Northfield Drive. Whereas last year it was property owner Ken Geisel, this time around it’s the Region of Waterloo doing the asking.

Geisel, who has longstanding grievances about water backing up onto his property and flooding his home, withdrew his petition when estimates put project costs, to be shared by affected property owners, at $120,000 to $180,000. With that price tag in mind, councillors had no problem this week quickly turning down the region’s request, submitted under the Drainage Act. The region now has the right to appeal Woolwich’s decision to the Ontario Drainage Tribunal.

>> CCBF launches Elmira chapter Two new chapters of the Canadian Christian Business Federation emerged from a recent meeting in Elmira, thanks to a strong turnout of more than 40 people.

Those in attendance represented a cross section of professions and ages, from a UW business student to retirees Most were men and women between 40 and 60 who either own businesses or are involved in one of the professions, reports executive director Keith Knight.

As a result, there will be chapters in Elmira and Kitchener. The Elmira group will meet at At The Crossroads Family Restaurant on the third Friday of the month. The first regular meeting will take place on Feb. 17 beginning at 7:30 a.m. over breakfast.

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NEWS 4

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

LAW & ORDER

Police looking into report of compromised credit cards Guelph woman driving a 2008 blue Mazda was eastbound on St. Charles Street near Durant Road, between Bloomingdale and Maryhill, when she lost control of her vehicle on the shoulder of the road and swerved into the ditch. The vehicle sustained severe damage. The woman had minor injuries and was treated at the scene. She was charged with failure to change address on her ownership papers.

January 27 >>9:00 AM | A 2005 Pontiac operated by a 29-year-old

Making a run for it

Wellesley man notified police Jan. 25 that his debit and credit cards had been compromised numerous times over the last few months, always after he visited a service station near the St. Jacobs Farmers Market.

The man said he was called by his bank about a purchase made in the United States. When police contacted the bank they had no records of calling him about compromised bank cards.

Police are continuing to investigate the matter.

Kitchener man struck a hydro pole on Kossuth Road after the driver lost control of his vehicle when he tried to overcorrect on the icy road.

The vehicle sustained severe damage. Waterloo North Hydro was called to repair the pole.

No charges were laid and no injuries were reported.

>>8:50 PM | A 40-year-old

Elmira man lost control of his 2002 Hyundai on Floradale Road near Line 86, crossed the median and slid into the ditch.

Damage to his vehicle was severe. The road was closed for several hours as a tow truck tried to remove the vehicle from the ditch. No charges

BID FOR FREEDOM A horse broke » JOE MELRIHAN

>>5:00 PM | A 25-year-old

A

PHOTO

January 26

free of its buggy and made its way down Arthur Street in Elmira on Monday. Police were called to the scene but arrived after the horse’s owner had regained control of the animal.

were laid and no injuries were reported.

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>>6:25 AM | A 53-year-old

Fergus man lost control of his 1994 BMW on Shantz Station Road in Woolwich Township when he hit black ice and slid off the road, flipping his vehicle and hitting a tree. Both the vehicle and tree were destroyed.

No injuries were reported and no charges were laid.

>>3:40 PM | Police responded to

a collision on King Street North, between Lobsinger Line and Printery Road near St. Jacobs.

A northbound BMW struck a southbound commercial delivery truck , causing the BMW to slide into the east ditch. A northbound pickup truck then struck a SUV from behind as they attempted to stop for the first collision. The 38-year-old female driver of the car and her 9-year-old daughter were transported to Grand River Hospital with minor injuries.

The road was closed for several hours for the investigation.

Environmental response crews attended to clean up a minor diesel fuel leak from the commercial delivery truck.

There were no charges in either collision due to icy roads and whiteout conditions.

>>4:00 PM | A 23-year-old

Priceville man lost control of his commercial vehicle on William Hastings Line west

of Manser Road in Wellesley Township due to icy road conditions and slid into a ditch. No charges were laid and no injuries were reported.

way stop and was hit from behind by a 47-year-old Elmira man driving a 2007 silver Dodge Magnum. No charges were laid due to the icy roads.

>>4:00 PM | A 69-year-old

>>10:00 PM | A 45-year-old

Durham woman driving a 2004 Chevy Impala pulled over onto the shoulder of Scotch Line Road and began to reverse to assist another motorist in a ditch. While she was reversing she was struck by a 49-year-old Waterloo man in a 2002 Pontiac when he lost control of his vehicle on the icy road. Severe damage was sustained by both vehicles. No charges were laid.

>>4:55 PM | Icy road conditions

caused a 1997 Jeep Cherokee driven by a 58-year-old woman to lose control and roll into a ditch. Moderate damage was sustained to the vehicle. No charges were laid.

>>7:20 PM | A 2004 Jeep Liberty driven by a 79-yearold Paisley man lost control while travelling southbound on Floradale Road and slid into the ditch on the east side before hitting a hydro pole.

Waterloo North Hydro was called to inspect the lines in the area. No charges were laid and no injuries were reported.

>>7:30 PM | A collision occurred at Snyder Avenue and First Street in Elmira when a 50-year-old Puslinch man operating a silver 2007 Chevy Avalanche stopped at the four-

Elmira man driving a 2008 Lincoln SUV lost control of his vehicle and hit a fence on Line 86 near Covered Bridge Road.

The vehicle sustained minor damage. No charges were laid.

January 30 >>6:30 AM | A regional snowplow

operated by a 34-year-old man hit a traffic light on Oriole Parkway near Arthur Street in Elmira when the driver was trying to maneuver around a car. The driver was charged with ‘setting vehicle in motion not in safety.’

>>5:00 PM | Police were called

about a horse breaking free of its harness and running through the downtown of Elmira along Arthur Street. When police arrived the owner of the horse had the situation under control and was preparing to harness the animal.

January 31 >>3:45 PM | A 24-year-old Waterloo man driving a Nissan Altima had his vehicle seized and was served notice of suspension after he struck a Honda Civic operated by a 38-year-old Woolwich Township man on Menno Street in Breslau.

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THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

5 NEWS

Heidelberg residents unhappy with plan for community mailboxes H

eidelberg residents upset about the Jan. 23 closure of the community’s post office say the new community mailboxes pose a hazard in the village.

Canada Post’s decision to scrap service in the village followed a dispute with the owner of Forwell Super Variety. Since then it’s made overtures to eight businesses within the community and had direct discussions with six but has been unable to come up with a new location for a full-service outlet.

Canada Post says it has only one option: install community mailboxes.

The Crown corporation has started to erect the community boxes in the village, which led a

delegation of residents to speak to Wellesley council Tuesday night expressing their concerns about the location of the boxes and the safety of the residents in the Heidelberg.

“We have had a post office in Heidelberg since 1858,” said John Maziarz, who spoke for the delegation. “We had a commercial area that had a post office and it was safe to park in the area while collecting mail – cars were not in the way of traffic, and it was safe for pedestrians and motorists.”

Maziarz claimed the community boxes would change the traffic flow in the village as more cars would be on the road stopping to collect mail.

“Some of these mailboxes are in blind spots

or on hills and this will be problematic for everyone involved, including horse-drawn buggies,” said Maziarz. “They will create a road hazard.”

Currently residents must travel to St. Clements to pick up their mail until Feb. 20 when the boxes are completely installed and ready to be used.

“There is a lot of mail order parcels now which means more parcels and we have to travel a longer distance to pick up items that were easily accessible to us at the old retail location,” said Maziarz.

“The parcels won’t fit into the small community boxes.”

The delegation believed that Canada Post has created a situation that could be potential-

PHOTO

Colin Dewar

» COLIN DEWAR

Canada Post claims it has no other option following its closure of post office in the village

THE NEW REALITY The post office in Heidelberg was closed

Jan. 23 and Canada Post has been erecting community mailboxes around the village.

ly unsafe and could cost the township money in snow removal around the boxes.

“Economically and safety-wise it does not make sense to have these boxes in the village,” said Maziarz.

“We will not be ser-

viced properly and it will cost a lot more.”

Mayor Ross Kelterborn had invited representatives from Canada Post to speak to the delegation and reassure the use of the community boxes were safe.

The community mail-

box concept is not new, having been in operation since 1984 with a vast majority of mail handled through community mailboxes, said Tom Creech, corporate communications officer at Canada Post.

Mail delivery, he argued, has moved closer to residents as the nine locations in Heidelberg are now located within neighbourhoods.

“We have taken the 400 people that go to the store and spread them out all within their own neighbourhoods.

Only the people living in the area are going to go to those boxes,” said Tom Zadorsky a Canada Post representative.

Each box is designed to have parcel compartments in them which

> SEE MAIL ON PG. 06

Taxes: Woolwich taxes balloon, largely based on increased staff salaries > CONTINUED FROM COVER one percentage point of the 2.75 per cent general tax hike. That position would add to recently expanded administrative overhead for the offices of the chief administrative officer, clerk and council. The secretarial function would fall into a pay range of $44,000 to $54,000, plus an additional $18,000 in benefits.

The two new hires would come on top of plans to increase spending on wages and salaries – the biggest part of the township’s operating budget – by hiring a new engineering technician ($55,000$66,000 a year) and expanding some parttime jobs to full-time.

Overall, the township will spend $12.7 million this year, generating

revenues of $5.9 million, for a net operating deficit of $6.8 million that will be covered by taxes.

At the same time, Woolwich intends to spend some $8.4 million on capital projects, mostly on roads and bridges.

The amounts were approved with minimal debate Jan. 26, the last of council’s special budget meetings, which focused on capital spending.

Most of the capital costs are in the engineering and planning department ($6 million), with the reconstruction of and Nightingale Crescent and Mockingbird Drive in Elmira the largest project at a cost of $1.4 million. The reconstruction of Ernst Street in Elmira will cost another $725,000.

A variety of pav-

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ing projects, including Tanager Street, Whippoorwill Drive, Three Bridges Road, Hemlock Hills Drive, will absorb $747,000, while bridge repairs are slated at $786,000.

One item still up in the air is the project to reconstruct Bauman and College streets in Elmira at a cost of $1.4 million – the scale of that work will depend on the fate of the proposed Hawk Ridge Homes subdivision, turned down by Woolwich but currently the subject of a legal challenge at the Ontario Municipal Board.

The bulk of that spending draws on the township’s capital reserves, with some of this year’s capital – about $1.1 million – coming from 2012 taxes.

The special infra-

structure levy is earmarked for extra road, bridge and sewer repairs, which is why Coun. Mark Bauman in particular had trouble with spending more than half of it on another staff addition rather than on muchneeded projects.

“I want to see our extra levy charge go into something hard,” he said, suggesting the money be set aside in a reserve fund for a few years to build up a pool to help with the township’s multi-milliondollar infrastructure deficit. Someone could be hired at a later date to oversee a much larger collection of projects.

Director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley argued, however, that his department is already having trouble dealing with

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$400,000, is currently earmarked as a project for 2013.

Restoration of the Gore Park bandstand is expected to cost $80,000 – much of the wood in the structure needs to be replaced, as do the existing asbestos shingles on the roof. The township plans work to maintain the integrity of what is being treated as a heritage structure despite the current lack of a formal designation.

The tax increases proposed by Woolwich council – final budget approval is expected in March – reflects the township’s portion, which typically counts for about 20 per cent of the total property taxes. The region grab’s the lion’s share at 50 per cent, with the school boards hoovering up 30.

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the current workload due to a shortage of staff time.

“We really need this position immediately,” he said, maintaining it would be a good investment. “The (extra money) is going to be carefully and well spent.”

Although the project supervisor would be a one-year contract position, he admitted the department could look for an extension – “we may ask for it in future years.”

In the rec. department, the largest project will be some $500,000 for an accessible playground/splash pad in Elmira, though funding for that is expected to come from community fundraising, specifically the Kate’s Kause campaign.

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THE OBSERVER

Library: It’s about sharing stories of the past > CONTINUED FROM PG. 03 interviews for everyone to enjoy.

“For the first time these interviews are available around the world because of the digital format. So if someone is doing a genealogy study and happen to live in France they can access this information online,” said Tilley. “We have taken Elmira around the world.”

The digitization of

the tapes was possible thanks to community funds donated in the memory of Cressman, who passed away in July 2010.

“This project was near and dear to (Cressman’s) heart and I am glad we were able to take the next step with it and allow more people to hear the oral history of Elmira,” said Tilley.

To listen to the voices of Elmira’s past, users can visit the library’s

online catalogue, accessible from the home page www.rwl.library. on.ca, or through Archives Online at http://row.minisisinc. com. When searching the library’s catalogue, simply type ‘oral history interview’ in the search box.

CDs of the recordings are also available for purchase through the Regional Archives by calling 519-575-4757, ext.

3027. Any money raised from the CD purchases

ONLINE Sheryl Tilley, supervisor of the Elmira Library, listens to the online collection of digital interviews. will go into transcribing the interviews and anyone interested in volunteering their time to transcribe the records are asked to contact the Elmira library.

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

Mail: No progress > CONTINUED FROM PG. 05 will handle at least 70 per cent of the parcels that are mailed out.

If there is a signature item the parcel will be delivered to the door and if no one is there to receive it, it will be sent to St. Clements to be picked up.

Canada Post will also be hiring someone to maintain the post boxes; they will shovel the snow, and make sure any graffiti or posters are removed.

“Unfortunately closing the retail at the variety store and moving delivery to St. Clements, that was an emergency case that happened and Canada Post did give residents a month’s notice on the change of address and the change to community mailbox service,” said Zadorsky.

Not everyone is expected to change their address effective Feb.

20, as Canada Post does give users a free change of address service for one year, said Creech.

The representatives expects some people will end up walking to the community boxes because they are located so close to home which will actually decrease the number of vehicles on the road.

“We know people don’t like change but our experiences have been that once these boxes have been used by customers for a length of time they come to appreciate the features that are available to them. It is a one stop shop to be able to mail and pick up most items,” said Zadorsky.

Canada Post worked with the municipality to find the suitable locations for all the boxes and if there were any safety concerns or incidents the boxes can be easily removed and located to a safer area.

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THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

7 NEWS

WMC the scene of infrastructure money love-in Federal, provincial and municipal partners fete the completion of road projects

» JAMES JACKSON

ll three levels of government – federal, provincial and municipal – came together on Jan. 27 in the community centre of the Woolwich Memorial Centre to recognize improvements to township roads and infrastructure.

MP Harold Albrecht, MPP for Kitchener Centre John Milloy, and Woolwich Mayor Todd Cowan took turns thanking each other for the joint investment that contributed a total of $6.4 million to the rehabilitation of Snyder

PHOTO

A

James Jackson

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Woolwich Coun. Julie-Anne Herteis, MP Harold Albrecht, Mayor Todd Cowan, and MPP for Kitchener-Centre John Milloy were at the WMC Jan. 27 to recognize improvements to township infrastructure.

Avenue South, Samuel side Drive West, HerStreet, Ann Street and bert Street and William Floradale Road, as well Street in Elmira.

The federal and proas portions of River-

Grants up by 57% Support to community groups to boost taxes by another quarter of a per cent Steve Kannon

W

oolwich councillors were in a generous mood this week, adding more than 50 per cent to the amount the township doles out in community grants.

The extra expenditure above the budgeted amount will be tacked onto tax bills, amounting to another 0.21 per cent to bring the levy increase to 2.75 per cent.

Most of the increase to $40,887 from the original $26,084 – an increase of 57 per cent – comes in the form of a $10,000 grant to the youth centre in Elmira.

The youth centre grant is new this year, with the rest of the money going to the usual community groups. Woolwich Community Services, which runs the youth centre, was the largest recipient at $10,000, followed by the Woolwich Counselling Centre, $7,750 and Community Care Concepts at $7,500.

Presentations from representatives of each of the groups help sway councillors as they discussed grants as part of

2012 GRANTS APPROVED BY WOOLWICH COUNCIL Woolwich Community Services – general

$10,000

Woolwich Community Services – youth centre

$10,000

Woolwich Counselling Centre

$7,750

Community Care Concepts

$7,750

WRPS Safety Patrol Program

$1,637

Special assistance

$1,500

Travel assistance

$1,000

Historical Society of St. Boniface and Maryhill

$750

District 26 Senior Games

$750

TOTAL: the 2012 budget process. Cathy Harrington of Community Care Concepts, for instance, noted the agency serves 87 per cent more individuals since its last grant increase in 2006. CCC, which operates the Meals on Wheels program, arranges transportation for seniors to get to medical appointments, and runs a variety of day-programs, served about 11,000 people last year, half of whom live in Woolwich.

Coun. Mark Bauman said none of the requests was frivolous, calling the increases reasonable in voting to boost this year’s grant budget.

It would be hard to turn down the youth centre request, he

$40,887 argued, given the subsidies to arenas, used heavily by other groups of youths.

“When it comes to groups like this … personally, I’d like to give them more,” added Mayor Todd Cowan of all the requests.

The remaining organizations on the township’s grants list include $750 for the Historical Society of St. Boniface and Maryhill, $750 for District 26 of the Ontario Seniors Games and $1,637 in support of the regional police safety patroller program in Woolwich schools A figure of $2,500 was set aside to deal with special assistance or travel grants that may be requested during the year.

vincial government each contributed about $2.1 million to the projects, with the Township of Woolwich contributing the balance of the costs.

“I just want to say what a privilege it has been to work on these construction projects across the riding,” said Albrecht to a crowd of about 15 people gathered at the WMC. “Transportation infrastructure is crucial to our local economy, we all know that. It connects workers with jobs and products with markets.

Improvements to transportation infrastructure are also important for the safety of our community.”

The federal government’s support came from the infrastructure stimulus fund, a part of Canada’s economic action plan which officially wrapped up on Oct. 31 of last year.

Albrecht said that

throughout the action plan the federal government sought to find shovel-ready projects that could readily use the funds, and he said that the Township of Woolwich was always up to the task.

“When those stimulus funds were announced it wasn’t a case of Woolwich scrambling to figure out how they could spend the funds,” Albrecht said.

Milloy not only thanked both Cowan and Albrecht for their cooperation with the funding, he said that it was important to make these types of announcements to maintain credibility and accountability in the public eye.

“I think it’s important that we report back to people about what happened to those funds and those taxpayer dollars that came from this community,” said Milloy,

who couldn’t resist taking a shot at the provincial PC party by saying although the word “taxes” had been vilified by some in the last election, they are a useful way of society pooling collective resources to help pay for the things that we all derive a collective benefit from.

Cowan was upfront about the fact that without provincial and federal financial assistance, most of the infrastructure problems in the township would be impossible to deal with due to the small tax base.

“We have over 20 roads and bridges that need to be improved at this point, and we can pay for about two, so the more money the better,” he said.

“Thank you again, we couldn’t have done it without you – well, we could have, but it would have taken a hundred years.”

NEWS 8

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

Increase to youth ice rental rates scaled back Change to primetime hours, other fee hikes will see higher costs to minor hockey Steve Kannon

I

ce rental rates for youth activities will remain the same in 2012, but groups such as Woolwich Minor Hockey will be paying more nonetheless courtesy of a shift in the primetime schedule at township arenas.

Overall, the recreation and facilities budget is smaller this year than last, the result of cost-cutting measures that, coupled with fee increases, should help the department deal with the financial fallout that started in 2010

when it exceeded its budget by $550,000. The plan is to spend $3.8 million, down from $4.1 million in the 2011 budget.

Revenues are also expected to be somewhat lower, however, including a slight decrease following council’s decision Jan. 26 to eliminate a planned five-per-cent hike in arena rental fees charged to youth groups. Ice will remain $130.80 per primetime hour, and $73.37 for non-prime. But the primetime designation will begin at 5 p.m. on weeknights rather than

6 p.m., resulting in additional costs of about $6,000 a year to minor hockey, the biggest customer of ice time.

Fee increases are part of the township’s plan to recover a greater percentage of operating costs from facility users rather then drawing on general tax revenues.

Staff had orignally proposed an across-theboard rate hike of five per cent in addition to the change in primetime hours, but councillors sent them back to try again. That combination would have meant a defacto 11 per

cent increase for minor hockey.

Coun. Mark Bauman said the decision was a good compromise, calling further increases, including an idea to charge all ice time at the prime rate, “premature.”

For adult rentals, the township is going ahead with planned hikes, raising fees to $196.46 from $186.85 (primetime) and to $110.62 from $104.81 for off-prime.

The changes will produce an additional $11,000 in revenue at the arenas in Elmira and

St. Jacobs. Cost-cutting measures will also be rolled out at both locations, said director of recreation and facilities Karen Makela.

The biggest changes will be at the Woolwich Memorial Centre, with some $150,000 in expenditures cut or reallocated to other parts of the department budget. Staffing levels have been changed, including eliminating customer service workers at the front desk, not manning the fitness centre on weekdays and cuts to arena and pool staff.

As well, some staff costs charged solely to the WMC, for instance, will be spread out to other departments given that personnel also spend time elsewhere with other duties, she explained.

On the issue of staffing, Mayor Todd Cowan asked Makela to tackle a public perception that WMC employees spend a fair amount of time standing around doing nothing – “I hear that all the time.”

Valid or not, the perception lingers and should be addressed, he added.

King/86: Delays meant fewer tenants available for power centre > CONTINUED FROM PG. 02 and Waterloo.

After reviewing the studies, Woolwich’s planners – as well as their counterparts in Waterloo – determined some extra uses would be suitable. Among the long list of new options for development are a medical clinic, photo studio, printing/copying/publishing establishment, rental/repair service (rent-all), travel agency, veterinary operation, auction centre and hotel/motel.

Controls over the number and size of restaurants have also been loosened. But the township didn’t want to provide too much leeway for fear the development would fill up with fast-food restaurant chains if smaller operations are allowed.

Originally, the goal was to have large-format restaurants, as is often the case at power centres. So far, however, the only taker has been the Arby’s, and the developer had to use up one of two exceptions

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to get the 1,800-squarefoot restaurant built.

Under the new Official Plan and zoning, the developer can have two restaurants at minimum size of 800 sq. ft., two at 1,200 sq. ft. and one at a minimum size of 1,800 sq. ft. (the existing Arby’s operation).

As an incentive, the township will allow two more restaurants of at least 1,500 sq. ft. if two larger restaurants of at least 5,000 sq. ft. locate in the power centre.

“The need to consider smaller-type res-

taurants, recognizing that many of the larger restaurants over 5,000 sq. ft. (such as Boston Pizza, East Side Mario’s, Kelsey’s, the Keg and Swiss Chalet) are already located in the City of Waterloo within a four-kilometre radius of King/86’s development. As such, the list of larger restaurants that would normally be attracted to the King/86 development has diminished over time,” reads the staff report submitted to councillors.

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Kennaley said the new arrangement strikes a balance between existing retail in Woolwich and Waterloo and the needs of the developer “We want the King/86 development to make good use of the land that’s available to them … to allow them to develop in a reasonable fashion.”

Responding to a question from Coun. JulieAnne Herteis, Kennaley said the decision would have few immediate implications

on St. Jacobs-based Mercedes Corp., which also holds land in the stockyards area. It, too, is having trouble renting space at the outlet mall and would like to see restrictions eased there.

Kennaley, however, noted the company is looking for changes that would be better dealt with in the broader context of a secondary plan review that will look at the whole area. The process is set to begin this year, running into early 2013.

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THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

9 NEWS

Local aid initiative to stock training centre G

loria and Ed Cardoso’s Breslau garage is jam-packed with hammers, tool boxes, saws, and other hand tools.

The couple have been collecting the tools and other materials to help set up a training centre for adults in a rural area of Sierra Leone.

People across the region have donate thousands of items that will help poor villagers of the west African nation earn a living as carpenters, masons, seamstresses and small-engine mechanics.

They had such success collecting tools for the GEKO-Sierra Leone charity that they’re adding books, computers, clothing and a car to the cause.

The Cardosos have collected early readers, reference books and textbooks that can be used in schools for the resource centers.

The goal is to be able to set up a small resource centre in villages where higherachieving children can offer help to other children in the village.

“Many of the children in Sierra Leone have parents who are

illiterate; they have no access to support for their schoolwork or any reference materials so we are sending hundred of resource materials from young children’s books to encyclopedias,” said Gloria.

Originally, filling a 20-foot shipping container was the goal for the Breslau couple but after discussions with friends and family the Cardosos decided to double the size of the container to allow room for the 1998 Nissan Maxima that had been donated by friend Liz Peloso.

“We discussed sending a car to the charity that we are working with as it would allow them to drive from community to community and help with the delivery of the tools, books and clothing that we have collected,” said Gloria. “We found out it would only cost $1,000 more to ship a 40-foot container so it only made sense to make use of that.”

Doubling the size of the container allows space for the car, the three crates of tools, one crate of books, and the donated clothing, sewing machines and

PHOTO

Colin Dewar

» COLIN DEWAR

Success of Sierra Leone aid program requires larger shipping container

computers. Shipping the container to Sierra Leone will cost $5,000.

“We have had so many people donate to the cause especially the Rural Wellington Hospitals in Fergus and Elora who donated children’s clothing and books from the three

consignments stores,” said Gloria. “We also have had our neighbour, Tim Hall, helping us move the crates and store them in his warehouse. He has been a real angel helping us.”

To offset the cost of shipping the container to Africa, the couple

is selling coffee purchased and wrapped in cloth made in Africa for $20 a bag. Only 30 of the bags of coffee remain.

Anyone interested in purchasing some coffee or donating to the cause can visit 292 Townsend Dr. in Breslau.

SHIP SHAPE

Ed and Gloria Cardoso of Breslau have collected tools, sewing machines, books and clothes to send to charity in Sierra Leone, Africa to help build a training and resource centre.

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OPINION 10

THE OBSERVER

OPINION

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

I am quite happy to pay a bit extra on my tax bill if it ensures the safety of children and seniors.

Richard Clausi letter on page

12

VERBATIM

I

n the past, we have heard stories about what is known in Ottawa circles as ‘March Madness,’ when organizations spend unused operational funds on things such as new furniture, promotional items, stockpiling of IT hardware ... This type of expenditure ... is something that our government strongly opposes.

>>While most Canadians have no trouble with the sentiment, there’s more than a little irony to having the message delivered by Treasury Board president Tony Clement

THE MONITOR

T

he latest actuarial report on the OAS/GIS projects that the number of recipients will increase from 4.9 million today to 9.3 million in 2030. The increase in total costs that is projected is much more modest, from 2.4% of GDP to a peak of 3.2% in 2030. That is because our economy will continue to grow.

>>Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

EDITORIAL

Pension reform, not OAS cuts, is what’s needed

T

he federal government’s musings/ trial balloons/policy statements about support for seniors and retired workers, specifically Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement (OAS/GIS), has caused the expected backlash.

Critics have been quick to jump all over any plan to reduce benefits.

That’s not to say, however, that we shouldn’t look at changes to the system. A simple look at the math, including a potential tripling of the $36 billion a year in such spending, is enough to see why that is.

In the short term, there’s little to be done. No serious talk of an overhaul involves current recipients, nor those moving into retirement age over the next 15 or 20 years. That means, of course, that changes will have to be made over the medium and long terms, likely in small, incremental steps.

OAS and GIS are both important contributors to the well-being of today’s seniors, many of whom could not survive financially without the programs. Yes, seniors as a group have more disposable income than ever before, but not everyone of them is leading the Freedom 55 lifestyle.

As the current debate over pension reform – brought into stark contrast over excessive MP pensions and lucrative public sector terms – many Canadians have no work-related pension and very little in the way of retirement savings. Ideally, we would see changes to the Canada Pension Plan to provide long-term, self-funded retirement benefits, but Stephen Harper has shown no leadership on that front.

Until retirement income is stabilized, OAS and GIS are the great equalizers. Changes, if any, will likely work on the margins: raising

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> COPYRIGHT

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Joe Merlihan, Publisher | EXT 107 jmerlihan@woolwichobserver.com Steve Kannon, Editor | EXT 103 skannon@woolwichobserver.com James Jackson, Reporter | EXT 101 jjackson@woolwichobserver.com Colin Dewar, Reporter | EXT 102 cdewar@woolwichobserver.com

> LETTER POLICY

the age of eligibility by a year or two, clawing back OAS payments at a lower income threshold (currently $69,562), or de-indexing the plan from inflation.

One thing is clear: demand will grow, as we’re an ageing society.

That’s why reform is needed today in order to change course over the next generation or two.

Altering the current arrangements will come with a price to our society, especially if we continue to do nothing about retirement funding.

In 2009, 4.4 million Canadians received Old Age Security. The vast majority of these seniors had average annual incomes well under $40,000.

In fact, 40.3 per cent had incomes of less than $20,000, while 35.4 per cent took in $20,000-$40,000. A much smaller number, 13.8 per cent, made $40,000-$60,000, with the rest above that bracket.

Donna Rudy, Sales Manager | EXT 104 drudy@woolwichobserver.com Pat Merlihan, Production Mgr | EXT 105 pmerlihan@woolwichobserver.com Jon Sarachman, Production | EXT 108 jsarachman@woolwichobserver.com Leanne Boron, Production | EXT 109 lboron@woolwichobserver.com

The Observer welcomes letters to the editor on topics of interest to our readers. Letters may be edited for brevity, grammar, and legal considerations. All letters must be signed and contain the writer’s full name and telephone number for verification purposes. Unsigned or anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. If you have a legitimate concern and cannot sign your name to a letter, please contact the editor to discuss alternative means of resolving the issue. This newspaper declines announcements, poetry and thank-you letters in the opinion section. Maximum suggested length is 500 words.

Seniors with an annual income of under $20,000 tend to rely on OAS and GIS to provide roughly half of their retirement income.

As OAS tops out at $540, the Guaranteed Income Supplement provides additional funds for those seniors most at risk. The GIS is means tested, clawed back roughly at a rate of $0.50 for every $1 of income up to $16,368.

The maximum monthly benefit is $732.36. About 1.6 million Canadians qualified for some level of GIS support last year; 19.6 per cent of men and 23.9 per cent of women over age 65 receive the GIS. Even if those percentages somehow drop, the tripling of demand expected as the Baby Boomers retire means more people in absolute terms will be dependent on the programs.

Changes are needed. But it’s pension reform, not cuts, that will provide long-term security.

> CIRCULATION The Observer is an audited controlled circulation publication. Canadian Media Circulation Audit calculates and prepares The Observer circulation reports | 14,812.

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THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

Plenty of parallels between Scotland and Quebec referndums T

he answer to a question often depends on how you ask it, and Alex Salmond is doing all he can to get a “yes.” Scotland’s separatist First Minister wants independence for his country, which has been part of the United Kingdom for the past 300 years, and he has just revealed the question he wants to ask in the referendum he has promised: “Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?”

It seems to be a simple question, but it’s psychologically loaded. A more neutral question would offer the Scottish voters two choices: “Scotland should become independent” or “Scotland should remain in the United Kingdom.” Tick one box. But if he did that, most of the voters would surely vote for the status quo.

People don’t usually choose to leap into the unknown unless they are brimming with self-confidence or living in intolerable misery. Neither applies to the Scots, so Salmond twists the question a bit: “Do you agree (with all the rest of us, implicitly, or at least with all sensible people) that Scotland should be an independent country?”

People also don’t like to contradict the (implicit) majority, so putting it that way might win a few thousand extra “yes” votes.

In his heart, Salmond would probably prefer a more inflammatory question like “Do you want to seize Scotland’s independence back from the Sassenach (Saxon, i.e English) oppressors, or would you rather live as slaves?” That would delight the tartan super-patriots who are his core constituency, but it would alienate the

THE VIEW FROM HERE

International Affairs GWYNNE DYER moderate middle whose support he must gain to win the vote.

A more promising tack would be the one that the Quebec separatists in Canada took in their 1995 referendum: “Do you agree to the independence of Scotland if we promise that it won’t hurt a bit: the English will still be our friends, we’ll be richer than we are now, and we can even go on using the pound. In fact, you’ll hardly notice the difference, except that you’ll feel much better about yourself.” (I’m paraphrasing a bit here.)

The question in Quebec’s 1995 referendum was actually: “Do you agree that Quebec should become sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political partnership within the scope of the bill respecting the future of Quebec and of the agreement signed on June 12, 1995?”

“Do you agree?” again: everybody knows that trick. “Sovereign,” a positive, vague word, not “independent,” an explicit word meaning irreversible change. (Salmond has missed a trick there.) And “the agreement signed on June 12, 1995,” which the average ill-informed voter would assume is some reassuring deal with the federal government, when actually it was just a joint statement by Quebec political

parties.

The 1995 referendum in Quebec came close to yielding a majority for “yes.” Prime minister Jean Chrétien responded by passing a “Clarity Act,” which stated that the question in any future referendum on secession must be accepted as clear by the federal House of Commons; that any question not referring solely to secession would be considered unclear; and that a simple majority of 50 percent of the votes plus one would not be enough to mandate such a large and irreversible change.

The Canadian “Clarity Act” has subsequently become the international standard for secession referendums. It is regularly cited in Spain, for example, as the standard that a Basque or Catalan referendum on independence would have to meet, and in Belgium with regard to Flemish or Walloon secession.

It has similarly limited Alex Salmond’s freedom to shape the Scottish referendum question, which is why it is relatively clear.

Salmond still has two cards up his sleeve. One is a proposal to let 16- and 17-year-olds vote in the referendum, on the calculation that the younger they are, the likelier they will be to support radical change. (The normal voting age in the UK is 18.)

He is also still talking about adding a further option in the referendum for “maximum devolution” of power to the Scottish government, a halfway house that would leave the United Kingdom government responsible for little except defence and foreign affairs. But he will > SEE DYER ON PG. 12

11 OPINION

THE VOICE

Should Elmira continue its sidewalk snow removal?

It works for me.

>>Cal Cressman

Oh yes, I think it’s a good service and it gives someone employment. >>Donna Melnychuk

BY SCOTT ARNOLD

Yes, definitely. Everyone walks around, especially seniors, and they could slip and fall.

>>Joshua Weber

There seems to be a different tune coming out of the mayor’s office these days, with taxes up sharply to pay for an expanded overhead.

I think people should look after their own snow on the sidewalks. >>Randy Martin

OPINION 12

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

In danger of running afoul of Parkinson’s Law T

hose in search of Parkinson’s Law in action need look no further than Woolwich Township, where Cyril Northcote Parkinson’s classic dictum is clearly in evidence.

What is Parkinson’s Law? Even if you don’t know the term, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the sentiment behind it: Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.

First postulated in 1955 and expanded into the 1958 book Parkinson’s Law: The Pursuit of Progress, the theory came from the writer’s experience with the British civil service. With mathematical precision – and a large dollop of humour – he dissected the actions of bureaucrats, discovering that bureaucracies expand over time, whether they’re needed or, in most cases, not.

In a notable example, he showed that the British Colonial Office continued to grow even as the empire shrunk precipitously. In fact, the department had its largest-ever staff after it was folded into the Foreign Office because there were no longer any colonies to administer.

Two forces are at work in explaining the growth of needless bureaucracies and the costs thereof: “An official wants to multiply subordinates, not rivals” (the Law of Multiplication of Subordinates) and “Officials make work for each other” (the Law of Multiplication of Work). He notes in particular that the total of those employed inside a bureaucracy rose by five to seven per cent per year “irrespective of any variation in the amount of work (if any) to be done.”

Managers wish to appear busy, so they increase their workload by creating paper and rules, filling out evaluations and forms, and filing them. Then they hire more assistants, who in turn require more managerial time for supervision. Moreover, many bureaucratic budgets rely on the “use it or lose it” principle, meaning the current year’s expenditures determine

From the Editor Steve Kannon the following year’s budget. This provides a deep incentive to spend (even waste) as much money as possible to guarantee an everincreasing budget. Parkinson’s views remain consistent with those of conflict theorists, who hold that bureaucratic growth serves only the managers, who in turn use their increasing power to control the workers.

All of this usually adds up to little in the way of productive outcomes, either in government or the private sector (Parkinson’s Law applies to all bureaucracies, but examples are most egregious in the public sector because there’s no offsetting pressure from competitors, shareholders and the like).

What we end up with, then, is much ado about nothing – the size of the bureaucracy and the amount of paperwork don’t necessarily bear any resemblance to the actual work done.

“Granted that work (and especially paper work) is thus elastic in its demands on time, it is manifest that there need be little or no relationship between the work to be done and the size of the staff to which it may be assigned,” Parkinson argues in his original essay.

“Politicians and taxpayers have assumed (with occasional phases of doubt) that a rising total in the number of civil servants must reflect a growing volume of work to be done.

Cynics, in questioning this belief, have imagined that the multiplication of officials must have left some of them idle or all of them able to work for shorter hours. But this is a matter in which faith and doubt seem equally misplaced. The fact is that the number of the officials and the quantity of the work to be done

are not related to each other at all.

The rise in the total of those employed is governed by Parkinson’s Law, and would be much the same whether the volume of the work were to increase, diminish or even disappear.”

What Parkinson outlines is prevalent at all levels of government, growing worse from local to federal.

While Woolwich has largely avoided the worst of the law’s impacts – there has, however, been an entrenched deference to bureaucrats on the part of council members, but that’s just part of the problem – we’re starting to see more of it here.

First off, the size of the staff has been creeping upwards, most notably with the opening of the WMC. Some of the jobs have proven unnecessary, even on the frontlines, though changes have been slow. The situation is much worse at the middlemanagement level. Then there’s the issue of paperwork, as Parkinson sagely warned of: we’ve seen a lot more consultants and host of overbureaucratized report writing even for what were once simple functions, from tenders to ersatz attempts at business development projects.

Worse still, as the current budget talks have shown, the township is prone to the Law of Triviality, an-

other Parkinson revelation whereby “the time spent on any item of the agenda will be in inverse proportion to the sum involved.”

By that he means just what we’re seeing today: some long discussions of minor budget items, leading at time to easy cutting around the edges, but little regard for the bigger items, which are glossed over quickly.

Woolwich council is not as profligate as the provincial and federal governments. It also has another advantage when it comes to reducing its size: it has no deficits to contend with, which means its cuts will translate into immediate tax savings rather than going to pay down the results of past spending decisions.

As Parkinson and other scholars following up his work have noted, there’s an inherent resistance to downsizing within bureaucracies.

When cuts do come, they typically involve frontline staff, not management and other entrenched bureaucrats. Those affected tend to get lower pay while doing the actual work that is of value to the public.

In that light, cuts don’t save as much money as they could, hurt services to the people paying the freight and maintain management layers that provide little if any value.

Dyer: A never-ending struggle > CONTINUED FROM PG. 11 probably end up trading that for an agreement with London to postpone the referendum until late in 2014.

He needs to postpone it because Scottish independence would lose by a majority of almost two-to-one if the referendum were held today.

But if Salmond has more than two years to pick quarrels with London that will incense Scottish nationalists, he might be able to change that.

Just two months before the independence referendum in Que-

bec, only one-third of Quebecers planned to vote “yes.” On the day, almost half did (49.5 per cent). Even more than in normal politics, questions of national independence tend to be decided on emotional grounds – and once the question is on the table, it is there forever.

Quebec has held two referendums on independence, in 1980 and 1995.

The voters rejected it both times, but the separatists are still waiting for a third opportunity. (English-speakers in Quebec call it the “neverendum.”)

Must get a winner one day.

LETTERS

Snow clearing is an inexpensive safety measure To the Editor, In the late ’70s or early ’80s I was on the original committee that brought the problem of snowy sidewalks to the attention of the town council. At this time there was no legislation or plan for clearing the sidewalks: the street snowplows piled snow up sometimes five feet high on the sides of the streets and the sidewalks. This made shovelling very difficult, as some mornings there would be two feet of snow on the walks.

Children walking to school walked on the road or worse on top

of the banks and would slide down into traffic. Our committee investigated different solutions: a) do nothing, b) pass a bylaw, c) have a plow.

Doing nothing was not an option.

We looked into other places such as Waterloo that had a bylaw but found the bylaw was very hard to enforce and then there were walkways that still had to be dealt with. So council eventually decided that a plow was the best solution.

While I agree with Coun. Allan Poffenroth that there are problems with the snow clearing of sidewalks (I, too, have slipped and slid on them), I would challenge the council not to abolish the present system but to make it better – $12 is a small price to pay for safety.

>>Helen Grainger Elmira

Cleared sidewalks a boon for pedestrians To the Editor, Re: sidewalk snow clearing in Elmira, this is a valuable service that is easily worth the miniscule cost per resident in Elmira-proper.

This settlement has a defined sidewalk network that is used by students walking to the district high school and local elementary schools, in the morning and afternoon. This is not necessarily true of outlying areas. Many residents both run and walk these walks as part of their personal health program. Since classes start in the early part of the morning, a haphazard pattern of cleared/non-cleared sidewalks does create a hazard as pupils and stu-

dents dodge in and out of streets.

A councillor suggested that he prefers to walk the streets – that might be an overstatement! I am an avid walker and although, I have seen some rough patches, the sidewalks are generally clear. Ice spots are a concern – perhaps, salt needs to be part of the contract package.

Damage to lawn edges can be easily fixed in the spring.

I am quite happy to pay a bit extra on my tax bill if it ensures the safety of children and seniors. The timely clearance of snow-covered sidewalks in the town of Elmira after a snowfall is appreciated by this resident who “walks the streets.” I suspect there are many who feel the same way.

>>Richard Clausi, Elmira

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

13 BUSINESS

BUSINESS

Colin Dewar

M

aps are everywhere. People use them on a daily basis whether it is to see where traffic has stopped on major highways or using Google Earth to visit some far off country in the comfort of their own home.

What most people don’t know is that they are using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, a mapping tool. GIS is taking textual information and displaying it in a visual format.

Eva Dodsworth, the geospatial

PHOTOS

St. Clements woman’s new book explains the value of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

» COLIN DEWAR

Cool technology is also a useful business tool data services librarian at the University of Waterloo has written a new book entitled “Getting Started with GIS: a LITA Guide” that describes the technology behind mapping applications such as the Region of Waterloo Locator, and Google Maps, Google Earth, and many others.

“Twenty-five years ago you could have a mapping software program on your computer and it would have been a hardcore GIS program that only computer programmers

READY TO GO Dodsworth, a geospatial data services librarian, is launching her book on Feb. 16 at the University of Waterloo..

GIVING DIRECTION Eva Dodsworth has written a new book entitled “Getting Started with GIS: a

LITA Guide” that describes the technology behind Geographic information System mapping applications. were capable of using,” explained the St. Clements woman. “The problem is people assume that still to be the case today, believing GIS is about complex maps and analysis but it has changed and people are using Google Earth and Google Maps and are inputting their own local knowledge onto public map databases without realizing they are using GIS.” Dodsworth’s book provides the basics of what GIS is and is comprised of hands-on guides providing readers with the tools of how to learn and map online to the point where you can get your own application and put it online and use GIS for analysis.

“We are using maps in every single thing we do; children, students and adults are using it, and the book is filled with examples of how society is using it in great numbers. There are 600 million users on Google Earth – there are fewer Facebook users.”

The book was written for library

use, public, academic and specialinterest. Many public libraries have fun events like geocaching that allow the public to get familiar with their community, but they’re also using geographic technologies like GPS units that tie into GIS, said Dodsworth.

She began teaching a few courses at library schools and wanted to get all librarians familiar with GIS. There was no textbook available so she wrote her own and began to train other librarians at the University of Waterloo.

“I tried to teach the concept that GIS is not difficult; we are already using it with out us even knowing we are using it.”

Dodsworth said people are becoming more interested in geography and learning about places.

They’re now using geography for the basis of searching on Google.

“It is very interesting: we can use Google Earth and zoom into an

> SEE GIS ON PG. 13

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BUSINESS 14

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

Winning hearts for farming, one million views at a time A

griculture has long wondered how to get the public and other decision makers to pay attention to it – to see it’s different, new and exciting. Well, here’s one approach that as of late has been endorsed a million times: Go back to your roots.

Last week, London-based Farms.com announced an unassuming video put together last summer by one of its interns, Mackenna Roth, has reached a video plateau normally reserved for scandal, tragedy and rock stars. God Made A Farmer, an accessible, digestible PowerPoint video barely two-and-a-half minutes long, has now garnered one million views on the farms.com website.

The PowerPoint images provide a backdrop for an original, liveaudience narrative by legendary radio voice Paul Harvey (of “The Rest of the Story” fame). In it, the renowned broadcaster, who died in 2009, squeezes the realities and

Food For Thought Owen Roberts the romance out of farming, with his one-of-a-kind delivery. Based on the biblical story of Creation, Harvey takes journalistic license to describe how, on the eighth day, God made a farmer to be the caretaker of his planned paradise.

The narrative goes like this: “God said I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, milk cows, work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper then go to town and stay past night at a meeting of the school board, so God made a farmer … God said I need somebody willing to sit up all night with a newborn colt, and watch it die, then dry his eyes, and say ‘maybe next year’… so God made a farmer.”

GIS: It's part of everday life now > CONTINUED FROM PG. 12 area and add a little pushpin and link in a resource either from the library or your own images or videos of that place,” said Dodsworth.

“With maps, you have the aspect of finding information that you can’t see in a text format – it allows you to see information visually.”

There are numerous business programs that run using GIS technology, including Simply Map, a database that shows census information, which is easier to analyze if there is a visual component. It shows where employment is and the distribution of income.

“It is great for anyone interested in creating a new retail location and they are interested in finding all the retail locations of a certain area, not by going through the Yellow Pages, which would take too long, but to visualize where they are by looking at a map and seeing where all the retail locations are, including any competition.”

Using a mapping system gives the user a sense of scale to an area or neighbourhoods, how many people live there and the demographic distribution of the neighbourhoods.

It can give someone who may be thinking of starting a new retail venture information about their business and how successful it will or will not be.

“People feel that you need to be specialized to do GIS and it does help to have some skills or experience but my feeling is with all these online tools, these are resources for community users. GIS can be found everywhere, including social technology with maps and GIS interwoven into most social media.”

The official book launch is open to the public will be held at the University of Waterloo on Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. in the Laurel Room, South Campus Hall. RSVP to ckieswet@ uwaterloo.ca by Feb. 10 if you’re interested in attending

You get the picture. Big arms, big heart, big soul.

People love this image, whether they live in Woolwich Township or downtown Toronto. We know from public opinion surveys that farmers are among the most respected professionals, right up at the top alongside those who serve the public, such as nurses, scientists, firefighters and other first responders.

Interestingly, it seems farmers like the here-to-help imagine too, even though they shy away from it in public. As a website, Farms. com mainly attracts farmers. And although the God Made A Farmer video has gone viral, many of the initial views that propelled it into the stratosphere most likely came from the farming community.

Nonetheless, farmers continue to worry about their public image. For years, they bucked the hayseed stigma by explaining patiently to urbanites how complicated and sophisticated farming has become.

Indeed, it has. But I don’t think that’s what the public wants to hear.

Here’s why. I was fortunate to speak last week in Guelph to the fledgling and energetic Ontario Lavender Association, about how farmers can involve the media in their marketing endeavours. I was

asked what kind of an image I thought farmers should portray – modern, or traditional?

My response basically reflected Paul Harvey’s message: big arms, big heart, big soul. It’s modern and traditional at the same time.

Why fiddle with one of the best public images in existence?

Members of the public want to know their food is being grown by real people who care about them and their families. They want to know farmers have some measure of public responsibility in their credo. Interestingly, they see farmers differently than they see farming, which outside of local food circles is often villainized by some as being corporate and industrial … even though some of farmers’ best opportunities involve the industrial use of their crops for energy and manufacturing.

Agriculture must work hard to marry the public perception of farmers with farming, and they need farmers to do it. Farmers are the most credible spokespeople for their sector.

It takes time and effort to represent your sector. But if a million people are watching – and learning, hopefully – it’s time very well spent.

Watch God Made a Farmer at Farms.com ( http://goo.gl/i3ooz).

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THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

15 LIVING HERE

LIVING HERE

PHOTO

» JAMES JACKSON

A different perspective on life Work with HIV/AIDS patients in Africa proves a real learning experience for Heidelberg nurse James Jackson

A

frica is a continent well-known for its struggle against HIV/ AIDS, and at the forefront of that battle are the doctors, nurses, physical therapists and councillors throughout the rural communities who are working tirelessly to help stem the growing tide of the epidemic.

Heidelberg resident Alice Price found herself on the frontlines of the battle last fall as she spent five months in the village of Mseleni in the Northern KwaZulu Natal region of South Africa, which has the highest prevalence of the disease among all South African provinces.

Price was on an international placement to complete the final portion of her bachelor of nursing program at Ryerson University, and she spent most of her time in the rural villages observing how HIV/ AIDS treatment made its way from the bureaucratic

levels of government to the people on the ground.

She received a $6,500 grant from the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, and returned to Canada at the beginning of January.

“My project was focused on looking at the policies that the government makes around HIV/AIDS and how it is manifested and implemented at the rural hospital and given to the patients that have HIV/ AIDS,” said Price.

She wanted to focus her research on the rural community instead of the cities of South Africa because they are more remote

and more difficult to access.

The people living in rural areas have less access to hospital and medical treatment largely because of the difficulty in travelling across the countryside; due to the sand and rocks, four-wheel-drive vehicles are essential, and not everyone has

A WORLD OF EXPERIENCE Heidelberg’s Alice Price was in South Africa from September to

January as part of her nursing degree from Ryerson University. Her work involved observing the care and treatment HIV/AIDS patients received from the government. access to one.

“It is harder for them to come into the hospital because they can’t just get into a car and go,” said Price.

“They live in homesteads that consist of maybe four or five round buildings that are made of sticks or piles of stones or straw, with a thatched roof.”

From her observations, Price said that there are a number of challenges facing the healthcare providers who are trying to counteract the spread of HIV and AIDS. One of the biggest challenges is the way that the health care system is setup. She said that there are two levels of healthcare in the country, a public system that most of the people have access to, and a private system that is solely for the white community or the upper-middle class black community.

That division means those in the public system have less access to healthcare compared to the private system. At the hospital she was working at, for example, there were modern machines such as x-rays and MRIs, but if the machine broke, it could take several days to be fixed.

“That wouldn’t happen at a private hospital,” she said.

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing Africa, however, is changing the cultural norms ingrained in their society. Price said that because of the high level of patriarchy, women and children are marginalized compared to the men.

Likewise, cultural norms still take precedence over the pressing need to contain HIV and AIDS. For example, if a man loses his job in

one village and travels to another looking for work, he may be away for several months at a time. During that time, he is expected to find a new sexual partner, which only helps spread the disease faster.

She also said that even though condoms are widely available, as well as educational material on how to properly use them, “in the heat of the moment, realistically they aren’t going to use them,” and until that behaviour is no longer tolerated, AIDS will continue to be a deadly reality.

Price said that in the region she was working in, approximately 50 per cent of the population has contracted HIV/AIDS, and women are much more likely to be tested than men because once a woman is pregnant testing for HIV is mandatory.

Price had lots of experience as a nurse before heading to Africa; she graduated in 1984 with her nursing diploma and worked as an oncology nurse and family nurse before starting her own foot-care business. She sold that business prior to enrolling in the nursing degree program at Ryerson in 2010.

Despite those years of experience, though, she thinks that her trip to Africa was one of the best learning opportunities of her life and that she can approach new situations without the cultural bias she might have carried before.

She also said that her time with the Zulu people of Africa – whose greetings can take up to three minutes to complete – taught her the

> SEE SOUTH AFRICA ON PG. 17

LIVING HERE 16

THE OBSERVER

SUDOKU

THE CROSSWORD

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. You already have a few numbers to get you started.

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Rake Rig Run Set Side Strike Thrust Trap Trim Truck USL USR Way Wings XLR

> SOLUTIONS: Find the answers to all of the puzzles on pg. 34

ACROSS 1. In the direction of 3. Indy 500 sound 8. Camp sight 12. Certain digital watch face, for short 15. Aged 17. Informant 18. About 20. Sacred 21. Sections or patches coloured differently 23. Art consisting of a painting on three panels 25. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ on Down the Roadâ&#x20AC;?

26. Turn inside out 27. Run off to the chapel 28. A person who accumulates things and hides them 30. Indemnify 31. Hasenpfeffer, e.g.

32. Drawn tight 33. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ___ of the Ancient Marinerâ&#x20AC;?

36. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They oohed and ____ when they saw the puppiesâ&#x20AC;?

38. A chorus line 42. Terminal that serves passengers 45. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Glow ___ ___ ___â&#x20AC;?

46. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bâ&#x20AC;? of N.B. 47. Arabic for â&#x20AC;&#x153;commanderâ&#x20AC;?

48. Came down 49. Auto parts giant 50. Remaining after all deductions 51. Send to the canvas 52. Beat it 55. Indian king 56. A large wilderness area 59. Adjoin 60. A network of intersecting blood vessels 61. Table game played with matchsticks 62. To drive or scare off by some exclamation 67. A tight-fitting cap that keeps hair dry 72. Boris Godunov, for one 73. Butt of jokes 74. Soon, to a bard 75. Put an edge on 76. Detectiveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need 79. Age 84. â&#x20AC;&#x153;____ Ducksâ&#x20AC;?, NHL 88. Of or relating to or located near a hilum 90. Capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out 92. A supernatural life force 93. Frequently or commonly occurring 95. A native or inhabitant of Russia

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96. The peak of a hill 97. A male monarch or emperor 98. drunks 100. ___-tac-toe 101. Mozartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;___ del Cairoâ&#x20AC;?

102. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ of Edenâ&#x20AC;?

103. Marsh bird 104. A state in New England

DOWN 1. Boozehound 2. Antipasto morsel 3. Mouselike animal 4. European freshwater fish resembling the roach 5. Surgery 6. Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reindeer, e.g.

7. Actress Oberon 8. Arctic native 9. A chip, maybe 10. E or G, e.g.

11. Attract 12. Amount of work 13. â&#x20AC;&#x153;... or ___!â&#x20AC;?

14. Textile worker 16. Abstruse 17. Don Juans 19. However

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32. Bolivian export 34. The thing named or in question 35. One thousandth of an ampere 37. Used as a greeting 38. Gulf of ___, off the coast of Yemen 39. Dalai ___ 40. Hop, step and a jump 41. Creole vegetable 42. Annoy persistently 43. Accord 44. Begin 46. Billiard cushion 52. Swiss capital 53. External body part 54. Beanery sign 56. No angel 57. Ancient colonnade 58. Prince of Wales, e.g.

63. Casual top 64. Detail 65. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ a chanceâ&#x20AC;?

66. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ kartâ&#x20AC;?

67. Scarlett Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hara, e.g.

68. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been ___!â&#x20AC;?

69. Inch 70. A negative 71. A laminated metamorphic rock similar to granite 75. Plural of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;?

77. Bridge positions 78. Bad lighting?

80. ___ de deux 81. Final notice 82. Allegation 83. Beginning of a conclusion 84. Early pulpit 85. Bust maker 86. Small buffalo of the Celebes having small straight horns 87. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hee ___â&#x20AC;?

88. Half a matched set 89. Acad.

90. Get ready, for short 91. Artificial bait 94. J.F.K. overseer 99. The ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle

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THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

17 LIVING HERE

Eye of round an ideal choice for a Classic Beef Dip

G

oing to cooking school in Calgary was an amazing experience.

Discovering what is ‘local’ in another city is really interesting – no maple syrup or summer sausage to be found! And there are definitely some things that you can count on to be on every menu in town. One of those great Albertan treasures was the Beef Dip Sandwich. My roommate would make this for dinner at least twice a month, featuring, of course, some great local beef.

So I was inspired the other day while deciding what to do with the better half of an eye of round beef roast that was roasted the day before. The beef is from Taylor Family Farms of Owen Sound, fed on a diet of non-GMO hay and barley – all the makings for really tasty beef.

Eye of round cut, which is a really lean cut of beef that, if over-cooked, can be extremely dry. We rubbed it

beef dip.

Rub roast well all over with a generous amount of salt, pepper and oil; Place in roasting pan and roast at 425°F for 20 minutes; reduce oven heat to 375°F and continue to roast for a further 40 minutes. This will produce a roast between mediumrare and medium. Do not turn oven off; Remove from roasting pan and let rest on carving board, covered, for about 15 minutes. This will allow

From The Chef's Table Kirstie Herbstreit & Jody O'Malley simply with salt, pepper and a little oil and roasted it plain. The next day the leftover roast was easy to slice thin, heat up, and serve with the appropriate ‘Beef Dip’ staples. The following recipe is based on roasting the beef solely for the purpose of

Classic Beef Dip (enough for 4-6 sandwiches) >>2 lb eye of round beef roast >>Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, >>Canola oil, as needed >>1 onion, thinly sliced

>>1 lb mushrooms, thinly sliced >>3 cups beef stock (low, no salt or homemade) >>6 crusty rolls >>butter, as needed >>1/2-lb mozzarella cheese, grated

South Africa: Tough times coping with an epidemic HERE TO HELP Price spent

PHOTO

» SUBMITTED

her days travelling to the rural communities of the Northern KwaZulu Natal region of South Africa, where the rate of HIV/AIDS is as high as 50 per cent. Despite the crisis and the trials and tribulations of receiving health care, she says the people she met were very welcoming.

> CONTINUED FROM PG. 15 importance of slowing down and taking time to really talk to someone.

“We’re in such a rushed society: you get on the treadmill and you just keep flying straight ahead,” she said. “But if you have an exchange

with someone for three minutes, you’re going to actually really stop and look at them.”

Looking forward, Price has also enrolled in the masters of public health nursing program at the University of Waterloo, as well as the masters of nursing program at Ryerson.

TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD

Pleasant Park, Nova Scotia

Before heading out sightseeing to the largest forested area on the Halifax penninsula Stephanie Barber makes sure to include her Observer, and her friends Melanie Burt (middle) and Courtney Zylstra.

the juices to redistribute themselves throughout the roast; Meanwhile, sauté onions and mushrooms in a little oil in a saucepot. Add beef stock and simmer until reduced slightly; Slice rolls in half, but not all the way through. Spread lightly with butter and sprinkle a little cheese in each roll; toast in oven for about 5 minutes; Slice beef thinly: use a sharp knife and make long, even strokes back and forth; Pile beef into rolls; serve each roll with a ladle of the mushroom-onion beef jus in a small bowl for each person.

>>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.

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LIVING HERE 18

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

Event provides a day out for rural women Colin Dewar

W

omen from surrounding townships will be offered a warm welcome at the Calvary United Church in St. Jacobs on Feb. 15 during Waterloo Rural Women’s Day. The annual event features a complete day of seminars and discussions groups, including a presentation

by Peg Bauman who will be speaking about farm family dynamics and what it is like to live a family situation where extended families live in the same house or on the same farm.

“You have people working and living together and there are different situations arise from that kind of experience and most of the women attending this event can identify with those sort of scenarios,” explained organizer Heidi Wagner, a rural community health worker at the Woolwich Community Health Centre.

Andrea Gal, a student at Wilfrid Laurier University, will be speaking on the topics of food and fashion in the early 20th century in rural Ontario.

“She will be taking us back into time and we

will see what the rural women 100 years ago had to deal with, and we will discuss whether it is the same or different for today’s rural woman. There will be some issues that will be similar and many that will be different,” said Wagner.

In the afternoon a tea consultant will be speaking to the women. Peggy Schieck of Steep Tea will be discussing the importance of taking time for oneself whether that be “to have a cup of tea to just relax and smell the roses and enjoy life as it comes.”

“We just want to take

a part of their day and let them feel special and a little pampered and recognized for their efforts and achievements,” said Wagner.

After the seminars the women will form small groups where they can discuss the topics of the day and how each person copes individually with issues.

“It is good to hear that others have similar experiences.

It helps to make you feel that you are not alone on this track.”

Registration is $20 and begins at 9 a.m.; a lunch will be provided.

There will also be child care provided to allow young mothers the chance to attend the event.

“It is multi-generational which makes it nice because you have mothers bringing their daughters or daughterin-laws and vice a versa and it cuts through ages with the commonality being that we are all rural women either living on farms or are retired farmers,” said Wagner. “We find that there is camaraderie amongst that group of women that you may not find in another group of women. This is a community of

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

19 LIVING HERE

Cubs get into the spirit of racing at Conestoga Mall

women that live in the country.”

Wagner notes that activities such as this one provide much-needed social opportunities.

Whereas men often have meetings and places where they can interact, commiserate and have discussions with other men, women don’t always have that chance, especially in the rural areas.

Some 50 women are expected to attend this year’s event held at the St. Jacobs Calvary United Church, 48 Hawkesville Rd. For more information, contact Wagner at 519-6643794, ext 237.

KUSTOM KUB KARS

Top right, best design awards went to Monique Bertrand, Erik Spencer and Evan Pogue. Below right, Fastest car bragging rights went to Braydon Boerner, Brendan Marshall and DJ Campbell.

PHOTOS

» MIKE VALE

SPEED THRILLS The annual tradition of creating and racing chunks of wood transformed into works of art and speed was on as Elmira Cubs competed head-to-head at a regular meeting Jan 17. The group travelled to Conestoga Mall Jan 24 to compete against area-wide packs, qualifying 17 Kub Kars to the finals to be held Feb. 11 at the mall.

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THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

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THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

21 SPORTS

PHOTO

ANOTHER STOP Elmira’s Nick Horrigan sticks out his left pad to stop Pat Clifford of the Cullitons at point -blank range in the first period of Elmira’s 6-2 victory last Sunday.

Horrigan made 26 saves in the win.

» JAMES JACKSON

SPORTS

Kings make it three in a row over the last week

Playing with plenty of confidence, team will be hard to beat going into last part of the season, says coach James Jackson

T

he Elmira Sugar Kings used a potent and balanced attack to claim a victory in each of their past three games.

They defeated the Listowel Cyclones 8-4 on the road back on Jan. 27, beat up on the Stratford Cullitons 6-2 at home last Sunday night, and edged the Kitchener Dutchmen also by a score of 6-2 on

Tuesday night at Kinsmen Arena.

Head coach Dean DeSilva was pleased with the team’s performance as they head towards the playoffs.

“I was real happy over

the weekend, real happy with how we played Friday night in Listowel and Sunday against Stratford,” said DeSilva. “That’s right from goaltending, defence, everybody. I can’t find fault in any-

Jacks drop pair to extend losing streak to three

» JAMES JACKSON

espite scoring first in both of their games last weekend, the Wellesley Applejacks lost both contests to run their current losing streak to three games.

Wellesley dropped a 4-2 decision at home to the Tavistock Braves on Jan. 28, and then fell 4-3 the next afternoon to the lowly Norfolk Rebels, giving the team an 18-11-2 record and falling to fifth place in the SOJHL’s McConnell Conference standings.

“I’m not sure which game I was more disappointed in, Saturday or Sunday,” said head coach Kevin Fitzpatrick.

“We had a chance to so-

PHOTO

D

lidify second place, and now we’ll be hard pressed to get home-ice advantage (in the playoffs).”

The weekend started well enough as Wellesley opened the scoring last Saturday night against the Braves at 7:08 of the first period. The puck was rattled around the Jacks net and the Braves’ defence couldn’t keep the puck in at the blue line. Matt Sovereign got around the defenceman to start a 2-on-1 rush with Connor McLeod, who finished off a cross crease pass from Sovereign to make it 1-0.

Tavistock tied it up just over seven minutes later when Josh Wagler banged home a rebound past Jacks goaltender Jordan Bauman

> SEE KINGS ON PG. 25

>>SOJHL looking at merger with Junior C

Coach wants to see his players return to work ethic that gave them early success James Jackson

body’s game.”

The goals came in bunches all night against Listowel as Elmira scored two in the first, three in the second, and

THAT KIND OF WEEKEND Wellesley forward Connor McLeod fends off two Tavistock defenders during second period action of the Jacks’ 4-2 loss last Saturday night.

at 14:53 after Bauman made the initial save.

The second period was fast-paced, with only one

penalty called in the entire period, but the Braves car-

> SEE JACKS ON PG. 25

The Wellesley Applejacks could find themselves playing in a new league as early as next season as a committee has been formed to examine merging all 15 Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League teams with their Junior C counterparts.

Currently the SOJHL consists of 15 teams split into two conferences – eight in the McConnell Conference (Delhi, Hagersville, Wellesley, St. George, Ayr, Tavistock, Burford, Norfolk) and seven in the Yeck Conference (Exeter, Lambeth, Thamesford, Mt. Brydges, North Middlesex, Port Stanley and Lucan).

This isn’t the first time a proposal has been tabled that would see a merger between Junior C and the SOJHL, and meetings have been scheduled over the next few weeks to discuss the logistics of this latest proposal.

Issues that still need to be worked out include the number of regular season games, the playoff format, player releases, and boundaries, but the move could take effect as early as next season, depending on the final proposal brought forward at the OHA annual meeting this June.

SPORTS 22

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

Truth delayed is truth denied in a world run by spin doctors Steve Galea approved before I got them. This is highly sensitive stuff, after all.

One week later, I ended up doing the research myself. The Internet and biologists from out-of-province government agencies are allowed to answer a lot quicker.

My point here is that this monster is out of control.

Then again, maybe I’m wrong.

Maybe you need to put a spin on bear hibernation. Otherwise it might indicate that bears get bored with Ontario winters and that would be hurtful to tourism at a very difficult time.

I also suspect that our government doesn’t want to racially profile bears as being lazy either. Or suggest that in this land of plenty, they spend long winters in inadequate housing.

In any case, now I’m very nervous about asking for interesting facts about migratory birds.

I’m sure if I investigated their migration, our MNR spin doctors would probably suggest that while waterfowl go south, it’s only because they have dual citizenship. And then they would point out that an increasing amount now overwinter in Ontario while the rest come back because, despite economic difficul-

takes considerably longer. You see, instead of verbally telling me, that employee now takes my questions down, fills out a form and sends it to communications people. They look over the biologist’s answers, remove language they’re uncomfortable with, and return it to the biologist who takes more time out of a busy day to call me and give me an answer that is essentially what he or she was going to tell me in the first place – minus any negative implications to government policy.

The communication gets spun – and that’s hard to bear.

Peewees emerge victorious in Harriston

» SUBMITTED

Not-So-Great Outdoorsman

ties, Ontario is a good place for waterfowl to live – mostly due to this government’s policies on biodiversity.

Really, though? I just asked when bears typically come out of hibernation in Ontario and what percentage of their body fat is lost during the process? And instead of getting a quick answer from someone who knows, the process has become complicated.

Forget the inconvenience. Let’s talk about the impact on the bottom line. What would have taken five minutes of a biologist’s time now

PHOTO

T

here’s an old saying that proclaims justice delayed is justice denied. I think you could say the same about truth – or pizza, for that matter.

In this case, since I am about to go on a bit of a rant about the Ministry of Natural Resources, we’ll stick to truth. But that’s only because, as far as I know, they don’t deliver pizza.

Before I begin, let me say that I have great respect for the frontline people who work in this important ministry. They do a fine job and, these days, they do a fine job with much less. Cutbacks have hit them hard. They try to help when you ask questions, but their hands are tied by a media policy that does not allow them to answer directly without prior approval.

So, as any journalist can attest, when you deal with the MNR and other government ministries these days, there are no quick answers to the questions you pose. Instead, every query, no matter how simple, needs to be taken up the ladder to their communication people so that the answers can be massaged and politically sanitized before coming back.

I understand the need to put a political spin on politically sensitive questions, but the last time this happened to me I was asking a very knowledgeable biologist to divulge a few interesting facts on bear hibernation. My questions still needed to be recorded and the answers

IN MINTO CONDITION The Woolwich LL2 Peewee squad won the B division championship at the Minto Tournament held in Harriston on Jan. 21. Back row: Kevin Bartley, Emmett Bartley, LeVar Piper, Dave Berry, Phares Horst, Brian Knipfel. Third row: Alex Berry, Tegan Schaus, Keean Dowdell, Brendan Knipfel, Mike Devries, Noah Rawlinson, Tevin Piper. Second row: Max Bender, John Wang, Nathan Horst, Dylan Smith, Ryan Diemert. Front: Terry Chau, Alex Harnock.

TC Novices claim Silver Stick title in Michigan Stars sweep to victory, mirroring their undefeated record in league play this season James Jackson

A

trip to St. Clair Shores, Michigan last month was a fruitful one for the Twin Centre Stars Novice Rep team as they captured the International Silver Stick title.

The team went a perfect 5-0 in the tournament, tallying a whopping 33 goals in those five games to take home the title.

“It’s very exciting,” said team manager Paul Schnarr.

“It’s something that doesn’t come along very often.”

The team qualified for the tournament by sweeping the regional Silver Stick tournament in Wasaga Beach back in November with a 4-0 record, and the win at St. Clair Shores was sweet redemption for a handful of players on the team who had the chance to go to Michigan last season, but didn’t win a game.

“From winning no games last year to winning it all was quite amazing and sure was exciting.”

The team is comprised of 7- and 8-year-old play-

ers from Wellesley, St. Clements, Hawkesville, as well as the surrounding area, and they opened the tournament with an 11-0 drubbing of the Detroit Devils on Jan. 21. They followed that up with a hard-fought win against the Kincardine Kinucks, in which they overcame a 2-0 deficit after the first and a 3-2 deficit after the second period to emerge 4-3 after the final buzzer.

The next day they beat the Strathroy Rockets 4-1 to advance to the semi-finals

where they beat the hometown St. Clair Shores squad 7-1.

In the finals they once again faced off against the Kinucks, this time emerging with a 7-4 win for the title.

“They were passing the puck around and had a real team effort and determination to win,” Schnarr said.

“It’s very tough to be an international silver stick champion, that’s quite an accomplishment.”

Jaxson Murray was named the most valuable

player of the tournament, and Schnarr said their key phrase before each game was to be “extremely amazing.”

While the win was Schnarr’s first in his four years of managing the team, he said the real reward was watching how the team came together this season to play as a cohesive group. They are currently undefeated in 33 games this season, and the OMHA playoffs are already underway.

> SEE SILVER STICK ON PG. 24

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THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

23 SPORTS

Pair of competitions sees more medals for synchro team

ST. CLEMENTS

» SUBMITTED

t was a busy weekend for the Waterloo Regional Synchronized Swim Club as members participated in the 17th annual invitational routine meet at Wilfred Laurier University on Jan. 28, followed by the Ontario Winter Games qualifiers at the club’s home pool in Elmira on the 29th.

17th annual Waterloo Synchro invitational, Kitchener More than 400 swimmers attended, with Waterloo swimmers finding their way to the podium seven times: Gold: 10U team: Jadyn Brooks, Cassidi Clairmont, Emma Jewer, Shereen Knechtel, Kelsey Maresse, and Grace Payne 13U team: Grace Collins, Emily Beer, Kate Fitzpatrick, Sarah Frizzell, Jenna Schell, Gabrielle Scott, Victoria Zinger Silver: 10U duet members Jadyn Brooks & Cassidi Clairmont Bronze: 15U team: Grace Adams, Hannah Atkins, Amy Knechtel,

PHOTOS

IN FORM Grace Adams and Brooklyn Kamphuis of the 16+ duet team perform Jan. 28 at WLU pool, finishing fourth.

Brooklyn Kamphuis, selves the first qualificaClaire Stubbe, Maelin tion position over teams Stubbe, Kelly Thurlow from Kitchener-Waterand Kailey Veitch loo, Burlington and LonFourth: 14 yr duet don.

(Amy Knechtel and The 15U team also finKelly Thurlow) and 16+ ished on top and the 13U duet (Grace Adams and team finished second, Brooklyn Kamphuis) beating out teams from Sixth: 12U team: Av- K i t c h e n e r- Wa t e rl o o, eryl Bender, Anna Guen- London, Burlington and ther, Isabelle Ly, Sydney Guelph.

Maresse, Avery Noll, All three teams are Leeah Toner, Jessica now headed to the OnWormald tario Winter Games in Ontario Winter March. The event is held Games qualifier, bi-annually and sees Elmira more than 2,200 athletes In the 12U event, Wa- from across 25 different terloo swimmers came sports competing for out on top to earn them- their regions.

TEAM GOLDEN Jadyn Brooks, Cassidi Clairmont, Emma Jewer, Shereen Knechtel, Kelsey Maresse, and Grace Payne of the 10U team took home gold in a field of 11 teams at WLU.

Orangeville a good stop for Peewee girls

ST. CLEMENTS

Wed. Feb. 15/12 Thurs. Feb. 16/12 Sat. Feb. 18/12 Sat. Feb. 25/12

6:00pm - 8:00pm 6:00pm - 8:00pm 10:00am - 1:00pm 10:00am - 1:00pm

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PHOTO

Registration Dates and Times

» SUBMITTED

SOCCER REGISTRATION 2012

THE TITLE'S THEIRS The Twin Centre Peewee B girls’ team won the B division title at the

Orangeville Tigers tournament on Jan. 29 with a 2-0 win over Grand River. Back row: Laura Weber, Tim Weber (asst. coach), Deanna Mainland, Jocelyn Oja, Laura Ridge, Madelyn Jantzi, Sophie Jantzi, Leah Sebben, Delanie Kidnie, Lauren Quehl, Kathy Oja (trainer), Mark Diebold (asst. coach), Andy Oja (coach). Front: Sadie Diebold, Tiffany Towns.

Bantams claim top spot in Michigan

Team Categories and Information MIXED BOYS & GIRLS

SEPARATE BOYS & GIRLS

Parents and Tots (2009/2008) $70.00 10 and under (2003/2002) $90.00 Tuesday and Thursday 6:15pm Tuesday and Thursday 6:30pm

8 and under (2005/2004) $90.00 Monday and Wednesday 6:15pm

14 and under (1999/1998) $100.00 Tuesday and Thursday 7:00pm

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» SUBMITTED

6 and under (2007/2006) $70.00 12 and under (2001/2000) $100.00 Monday and Wednesday 6:30pm Monday and Wednesday 7:00pm

PHOTO

I

James Jackson

SWEPT THROUGH The Major Bantam Woolwich Wildcats went undefeated at the 50th international Silverstick hockey tournament in Port Huron, Michigan from Jan. 27-29. Back row: Matt Snyder (trainer), Pat Shantz (asst. coach), Joe Amlinger (head coach), Grant Kernick, Matt Leger, Cole Lenaers, Jason Gamble, Harrison Clifford, Josh Kueneman, Connor Peirson, John Lunney (asst. coach), Mike Lenaers (manager), Alex Uttley. Middle row: Cole Conlin, Nicholas Pavanel, Luke Brown, Riley Cribbin, Nathan Schlupp, Scott Martin, Troy Nechanicky, Liam Gangl. Front: Jayden Weber, Thomas Vickers.

SPORTS 24

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

Silver Stick: Still basking in the win, team is now readying for playoffs > CONTINUED FROM PG. 22

kids grow and come together as a team.”

The manager also credited the coaching staff, led by heach coach Jamie Hislop,

for much of their success in helping the team develop both on and off the ice.

For now their focus is on the playoffs, a round-robin

format against Delhi, Tavistock and Ayr with the top two teams facing off in a best-of-five playoff to determine the winner.

PHOTOS

» SUBMITTED

“It’s surprising as the year goes on all of a sudden they start to gel and

talk to each other and have sleepovers and have really come together as a team. To me that’s the most important thing to see how these

SWEET VICTORY The Twin Centre Novice Rep team took first place at the International Silver Stick tournament held

Jan. 21 and 22. Back row: Brent Murray (asst. coach), Jamie Hislop (head coach), Jeff Stemmler (trainer), Duane Gowing (asst. coach), Paul Schnarr (manager). Third row: Sam Erb, Curtis Bisch, Evie Adam. Second row: Jacob Thompson, Michael Hayes, Jaxson Murray, Brayden Hislop, Kyle Kraemer, Austin Stemmler, Easton Gowing. Front: Johathan Gervais. Above right, The Twin Centre team celebrates its victory in the finals. Below right, Kyle Kraemer (#93), Jaxson Murray (#14), Evie Adam (#11) make their way up ice in the championship game against the Kincardine Kinucks.

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THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

25 SPORTS

Kings: Coach likes how team is gelling just ahead of the postseason

» JAMES JACKSON

three more in the third en route to the win. Riley Sonnenburg led the way with a hat trick and an assist, while Brett Priestap also added four points on a goal and three assists.

Justis Husak was strong in goal, making 38 saves for his eighth win of the year.

Sunday night at home against the Cullitons the Kings fell behind early but managed to rally to snap the visitor’s four-game winning streak.

Stratford took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission despite being outshot 23-15 by the Kings, and Brad McClure extended that lead to 2-0 on the powerplay just 1:54 into the second.

The Kings, however, pushed back with four unanswered goals and headed to the dressing room up 4-2 at the end of 40 minutes.

“I don’t think there was anything that sparked us,” said DeSilva of the comeback.

“There is a sense of confidence and a sense of belief with the players and the team. There was no panic, and we talked about that before the game.”

Elmira’s Michael Hasson got the ball rolling less than two minutes after Stratford made it 2-0 when he crossed the Culli-

behind the icing line before passing it out front, where Kraus was waiting near the lip of the crease to bang home his 21st of the year.

In the third the Kings continued to pressure the Cullitons and gave them no quarter in their own zone. Hasson tallied a shorthanded goal just 1:47 into the third after Lukas Baleshta stripped the Stratford defender of FAMILY SUPPORT Sugar King board member Henry Boese (left) and general manager Paul the puck near the CulliJennings (right) presented Donna Pickering and Bob Kramer of the London Military Family Resource ton blue line and made a nice cross-ice feed to Centre (middle) with a cheque for $5,908 from the annual support the troops game held Jan. 22.

Hasson for his second tons blueline and unof the night, and Sonleashed a quick wrist nenburg finished off shot through a screen the scoring at 14:45 on at the top of the faceoff the powerplay from circle, beating StratSmith and Cass Frey. ford’s Jesse Raymond Nick Horrigan finfor his 14th of the year. ished with 26 saves to Brett Catto and Mitch collect the win.

Dunning picked up the “We felt very, very assists. confident with what The floodgates we were doing and opened a few moments we thought we could later when Brady wear them down even Campbell undressed though we were down Raymond on a breakby two goals at one away when he faked point,” said DeSilva of backhand and managed their overall game plan to pull the puck back against Stratford. to his forehand and On Tuesday night tuck it past the sprawlthe Kings travelled to ing keeper to knot the Kitchener for a game game 2-2 at 11:20 of the against the 8-28-7 period. Catto and Will Dutchmen and didn’t Cook collected the as- THREE-POINT NIGHT Brett Catto (#10) carries the puck let up, handing them across the Cullitons’ blue line in the second period. Catto finished their eighth straight sists.

Andrew Smith gave with three assists in the 6-2 win. loss with a 6-2 win. Will the home team the lead wrist shot from the left the scoring in the peri- Cook led the offence for good just two min- faceoff dot to make it od on the powerplay at with two goals, and utes later when he took 3-2 at 13:25. Priestap 17:35 after defenceman Scott Nagy and Sona cross-ice pass from had the other assist on Colton Wolfe-Sabo car- nenburg had a pair of Sonnenburg and picked the goal. ried the puck deep in the top corner with a Brad Kraus finished Stratford territory and PHOTOS

> CONTINUED FROM PG. 21

Jacks: Regular season wraps up next weekend > CONTINUED FROM PG. 21 ried most of the play and used a couple of quick goals midway through the period to put the game out of reach.

Chad Woodhouse’s shot at 11:07 hit a stick or a skate in front of Bauman and redirected past him, and Nick Quehl made it 3-1 at 12:57 by converting a quick pass from behind the Jacks net.

Tavistock held a decisive 14-7 advantage in shots in the second period as well.

“I thought they outplayed us all over the ice,” said Fitzpatrick.

“They kept coming and coming and coming

and they just outplayed us.”

In the third the teams traded goals as Kevin Howorth made it 3-2 with a shorthanded goal at 13:25 by finishing off a 2-on-1 rush with Shawn Fitzpatrick, but Tavistock restored their two-goal lead at 15:49 on the powerplay.

Bauman finished with 38 saves for the loss.

The following afternoon Wellesley travelled to Norfolk to take on the Rebels, who came into the match with only one win all season, but managed to double that total Sunday against the Jacks.

The Rebels used a

three-goal outburst in the third period – all coming on the powerplay – to break the game open and skate away with a 4-2 win.

“There are no excuses,” said Fitzpatrick.

“Sunday was just overconfidence, or whatever you want to call it, and it was a real disappointment.”

All weekend long the Jacks offense sputtered and failed to establish any presence in the offensive zone. They only managed 22 shots against the Braves, and the team finished 0 for 10 on the powerplay over the two games.

Fitzpatrick said the team needs to get back to the systems that

made them successful earlier in the season.

“I’m not concerned about our record right now, it’s about getting that work ethic back,” he said. “We dominated for about a month and a half. The talent is there, we’ll just have to see if it comes forward.”

The Jacks hit the road this weekend with games in Ayr on Thursday night at 7:30, and a rematch in Tavistock on Friday night at 7:30.

Results were unavailable before press time.

Wellesley closes out the regular season with a pair of home games on Feb. 10 and 11 against St. George and Burford. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.

assists in the win.

Horrigan collected the win by making 25 saves.

DeSilva said that the players have turned the corner from their struggles earlier in the season and that every player knows their role when they step onto the ice. That being said, he also credits the team’s four solid lines for the well-rounded offence on display during the Kings recent winning streak.

“If we expect one line to do the scoring, and it’s not their night, they focus on the defensive side of the puck and the other three lines can pick up the scoring.”

He also said they would be treating the remaining eight games on the schedule as a tune-up for the playoffs, treating every game like it was a part of a playoff series.

“Over seven games we’re going to be tough to beat, and we’re talking about the playoffs being all about momentum, so we can’t give teams any opportunity.”

The Kings play at home against Guelph tomorrow (Sunday) in an afternoon tilt, with puck drop at 2 p.m. then head to Stratford next Friday night for a rematch against the Cullitons starting at 7:30 p.m.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2012

Dan Snyder Memorial Arena at 2:00 PM

GUELPH

HURRICANES GAME SPONSORED BY:

THE CO-OPERATORS

FOR A FULL LIST OF UPCOMING GAMES

visit www.kings.on.ca

SPORTS 26

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

SCORECARD TWIN CENTRE NOVICE LL #2 JAN. 30

Twin Centre 3, Grand River 0 Goals: Emily Krueger, Katya Yusim, Claire Higgins (Mackenna Krulicki) Shutout: Kirsten Livingston

TWIN CENTRE ATOM LL 7547 - GIRLS JAN. 30

Twin Centre 3, Grand River 1 Goals: Jordyn Torti x2, Olivia Bolender (Olivia Bolender, Taylor Hartung) WOOLWICH ATOM B - GIRLS JAN. 27

ORANGEVILLE SWEETHEART TOURNAMENT

Woolwich 3, Orangeville 0 Goals: Mya Brubacher, Sydney Detweiller, Cassidy Moser (Delaney Douglas, Cassidy Moser) Shutout: Cailyn Wilkie JAN. 28

Woolwich 10, Chatsworth 0 Goals: Mya Brubacher x4, Jade Lipczynski x2, Cassidy Moser, Hannah Petrosino, Ali Harnock, Alenna Martin (Jade Lipczynski, Mya Brubacher, Sidney Detweiller, Delaney Douglas, Zoe Peev, Cassidy Moser, Hannah Petrosino, Abi Burkholder) Shutout: Cailyn Wilkie JAN. 28

North Halton 3, Woolwich 2 Goals: Cassidy Moser, Hannah Carr (Jade lipczynski, Delaney Douglas, Caylee Gallant) JAN. 29

Sarnia 2, Woolwich 0

TWIN CENTRE PEEWEE LL - GIRLS JAN. 27

Ayr 1, Twin Centre 0 JAN. 29

Waterloo 2, Twin Centre 1 Goals: Libby Henderson (Kate Seip) WOOLWICH BANTAM C - GIRLS JAN. 29

Woolwich 0, Wilmot 0 Shutout: Alyssa McMurray

WOOLWICH BANTAM BB - GIRLS JAN. 28

Woolwich 2, Lambeth 1 Goals: Meghan Martin, Michelle Bauman (Randi Paul) TWIN CENTRE MIDGET LL #2 - GIRLS JAN. 29

Twin Centre 1, Waterloo 1 Goals: Megan Kroetsch JAN. 30

Twin Centre 3, Waterloo 2 Goals: Tessa Brenner, Ali Hergott, Stephanie Temple (Taylor Holst x2, Stacey Frey, Kaitlyn Jantzi) WOOLWICH MIDGET B - GIRLS JAN. 28

Woolwich 2, West Seneca 2 Goals: Katherine Hoffman, Jasmine Fritz (Victoria Horst, Tori Martin, Jenny Norris, Amy Calenda) JAN. 29

Woolwich 2, Kitchener 0 Goals: Amy Calenda, Cory Hinsperger Shutout: Linny Lesage WOOLWICH NOVICE LL #1 - BOYS JAN. 28

Beverly 8, Woolwich 1 Goals: Coleton Benham (Nolan Bridge, Nolan Williamson) TWIN CENTRE NOVICE LL #1 JAN. 26

Twin Centre #1 3, Twin Centre #2 1 Goals: Ben Belcourt x2, Connor Doerbecker (Blake Wolf x2, Mathew Gedke, Alex Erb, Carson Lichty) WOOLWICH NOVICE LL #4 - BOYS JAN 28

Paris 6, Woolwich 1 Goals: James Bertie (Thomas Hill-Ring, Oscar Fitch) JAN. 29

Woolwich 4, St. George 3 Goals: Simon Shantz x2, Lucas Radler, Jordan Wang (Jackson Dumart, Sam Siopiolosz, Simon Shantz, Daniel Kelly, Nolan Karger, Owen Hackert, Tanis Uhrig) WOOLWICH NOVICE AE - BOYS JAN. 28

Centre Wellington 3, Woolwich 1 Goals: Gavin Wilson (Ethan Birmingham, Danny Soehner) JAN. 29

Stoney Creek 5, Woolwich 4 Goals: Connor Waters x3, Cameron Leonard (Kody Lewis x2, Ethan Birmingham) WOOLWICH ATOM LL #1 - BOYS JAN. 28

Woolwich 3, Twin Cente 0 Goals: Matthew Brubacher, Ryan Parrott, Kyle Deyell (Connor Kroetsch, Nathan Curtis, Josh Kohlsmith, Kyle Deyell) Shutout: Cal Schell JAN. 29

Woolwich LL #1 1, Woolwich LL #3 1 Goals: Matthew Brubacher (Nathan Curtis) WOOLWICH ATOM LL #2 - BOYS

Shutout: Nathan Belcourt

JAN. 28

Woolwich LL#2 4, Woolwich #4 0 Goals: CJ Sider x4 (Tanner Mann x2, Joseph Boehm x2, Brannon Slade, Brendan Grant) Shutout: James Ormson WOOLWICH ATOM LL #3 - BOYS JAN. 28

Woolwich 10, Paris 1 Goals: Sullivan Keen x2, Ian McGregor x2, Tyler Newton x2, Matthew McKay, Eric Martin, Kyle Rintoul, Matthew Thaler (Tyler Newton x3, Ian McGregor x3, Matthew McKay x2, William Carter x2, Eric Martin, Simon Zenker, Nathan Kocher, Corbin Kaufman, Matthew Thaler, Sullivan Keen, Kyle Rintoul, Sullivan Keen) WOOLWICH ATOM LL #4 - BOYS JAN. 30

Woolwich 6, Paris 1 Goals: Jesse Martin x3, Benjamin Witmer, Cameron Martin, Ryan Martin (Ryan Martin x2, Jordan Dickieson, Nicholas Lunz, Ryan Moser, Dante Del Cul, Benjamin Witmer) WOOLWICH ATOM AE - BOYS JAN. 27

Caledon 3, Woolwich 2 Goals: Seth Morrison, Ryan Belanger (Seth Morrison, Ben Weigel) JAN. 29

Woolwich 4, Orangeville 3 Goals: Hunter Weigel, Jackson Hale, Zac Pickard, Hunter Schmitt (Hunter Schmitt x2, Zac Pickard, Kieffer Beard, Jake Clemmer) WOOLWICH MINOR ATOM AA - BOYS JAN. 28

Woolwich 2, Guelph 1 Goals: Keaton McLaughlin, Isiah Katsube (Lucas Huber) WOOLWICH MAJOR ATOM AA - BOYS JAN. 25

Woolwich 2, Flamborough 1 Goals: Brody Waters, Austin Cousineau (Lukas Shantz, Kurtis Hoover, Griffen Rollins, Kayden Zacharczuk) JAN. 27

Woolwich 2, Milton 1 Goals: Austin Cousineau, Eli Baldin (Kayden Zarcharczuk, Griffen Rollins, Jake Code)

TWIN CENTRE PEEWEE REP - BOYS JAN. 26

Twin Centre 3, Waterford 0 Goals: Troy Hemmerich, Will Martin, Cole Bender (Brett Hartin, Troy Hemmerich, Noah Donsig)

JAN. 28

MINTO MINOR HOCKEY BANTAM LL TOURNAMENT

Goderich 4, Woolwich 3 Goals: Nick Berlet, Bradley Mathieson, Liam Dickson (Nick Berlet x2) JAN. 28

Woolwich 7, Minto 2 Goals: Alex Taylor x2, Connor Bauman, Jared Beacom, Trent Thompson, Jacob Cornwall, Liam Dickson (Nick Berlet x4, Jared Beacom x2, Terrell Piper, Liam Dickson, Jacob Cornwall, Alex Taylor) JAN. 28

Woolwich 5, BCH 0 Goals: Alex Taylor x2, Liam Dickson x2, Nick Berlet (Trent Thompson x2, Connor Bauman x2, Nick Berlet x2, Terrell Piper) Shutout: Dawson Inglis JAN. 30

REGULAR SEASON

Woolwich 5, Ayr 0 Goals: Liam Dickson x3, Connor Bauman, Nick Berlet (Jacob Cornwall, Vince Dally, Connor Bauman, Alex Taylor, Trent Thompson) Shutout: Kyle Ropp WOOLWICH BANTAM MINOR A - BOYS JAN. 22

Woolwich 4, Owen Sound 3 Goals: Ryley Cribbin x2, Greg Huber, Danyal Rennie (Garrett Schultz, Ryley Cribbin) JAN. 25

Hespeler 4, Woolwich 1 Goals: Tyler Townsend (Mathieu Fife) JAN. 30

Woolwich 6, Hespeler 0 Goals: Tyler Townsend x2, Danyal Rennie, Mathieu Fife, Greg Huber, Garrrett Schultz (Ryley Cribbin x2, Mathieu Fife x2, Colby Bond x2, Garrett Schultz, Jayden Hipel, Danyal Rennie) Shutout: Connor Duench WOOLWICH BANTAM MAJOR A - BOYS JAN. 27

INTERNATIONAL SILVER STICK, PORT HURON MICHIGAN

Woolwich 4, Mt. Laurel 2 Goals: Harrison Clifford, Scott Martin, Matthew Leger, Jason Gamble (Grant Kernick x2, Scott Martin, Ryley Cribbens, Harrison Clifford, Cole Conlin) JAN. 27

Woolwich 7, Hyland Hills 0

Goals: Josh Kueneman x3, Matthew Leger x2, Grant Kernick, Connor Peirson, Nicholas Pavanel (Matthew Leger x2, Harrison Clifford x2, Nicholas Pavanel, Josh Kueneman, Scott Martin, Ciole Lenaers) Shutout: Jayden Weber JAN. 28

Woolwich 4, Innisfil 0 Goals: Cole Lenaers x2, Josh Kueneman x2 (Harrison Clifford x2, Matthew Leger, Josh Kueneman, Luke Brown) Shutout: Thomas Vickers JAN. 28

Woolwich 4, Skylands 0 Goals: Josh Kueneman x2, Grant Kernick x2 (Harrison Clifford, Matthew Leger, Cole Conlin, Ryley Cribbin) Shutout: Jayden Weber JAN. 29

Woolwich 3, Portland 0 Goals: Grant Kernick, Matthew Leger, Jason Gamble (Nathan Schlupp, Jason Gamble, Josh Kueneman, Harrison Clifford, Ryley Cribbin) Shutout: Thomas Vickers JAN. 29 (FINALS)

Woolwich 2, West London 1 Goals: Luke Brown, Josh Kueneman (Matthew Leger)

WOOLWICH MIDGET MINOR A - BOYS JAN. 30

Woolwich 4, Dundas 3 Goals: Wes Martin x3 Jason Joostema (Alex White, Jason Joostema, Adrian Gilles, Johnny Clifford, Bo Uridil, Matt Lair, Tyler Seguin) Woolwich 3, Guelph 1 Goals: Wes Martin, Timmy Shuh, Bo Uridil (Jason Joostema, Alex White, Adrian Gilles, Wes Martin) WOOLWICH MIDGET MAJOR A - BOYS JAN. 25

Woolwich 6, Guelph 0 Goals: Ryan Ament x2, Evan Yantha, Weston Morlock, Eric Hanley, Logan White (Matthew Schieck x 2, Dalton Taylor, x2, Evan Yantha x2, Weston Morlock, Jordan Moore, Justin Neeb) Shutout: Tyler MacGregor JAN. 29

Woolwich 4, Guelph 0 Goals: Ryan Ament, Evan Yantha, McKinley Ceaser, Matthew Townsend (Naythan Playford x2, Matthew Scheick, Ryan Ament, Jordon Moore, Sebastien Huber, Matthew Townsend, McKinley Ceaser) Shutout: Blake Ziegler

Novices take part in OHL Experience

PHOTO

CONSOLED The Woolwich Bantam LL #1 team claimed the consolation B championship title at

the Minto minor hockey Bantam tournament on Jan. 28. Back row: Jordan Luis, Jacob Cornwall, Nick Berlet, Matt Jessop, Trent Thompson, Terrell Piper. Middle row: Brad Mathieson, Vince Dally, Connor Bauman, Alex Taylor, Liam Dickson, Jared Beacom. Front: Dawson Inglis, Kyle Ropp.

LESSON ON ICE The Woolwich Novice 1 & Woolwich Novice 3 teams participated in the

OHL Experience with the Guelph Storm last weekend. Those who participated include: Dominic Roth, Matt Yorke, Keith Mikel, Aiden Von Kannen, Ryan Curtis, Brady Gingrich, Logan Frey, Jordan Chang, Mitchell Brubacher, Finn Matthews, Cole Seabrook, Will McDougall, Simon Bauman, coach Jonathan Horst, assistant coach Matt Roth, Craig Curtis, trainer Kirby Gingrich, Logan Beard, Coleton Benham, Mac Benham, Nolan Bridge, Connor Dingelstad, James McCormick, Zach McMurray, Liam Moyer, Ethan Murr, Corbin Schmidt, Caiden Ziolkoski, Ben Moyer, coach Jeff Benham, assistant coach Gerry Beard, trainer Rob Moyer.

PHOTO

» SUBMITTED

» SUBMITTED

Bantams take consolation prize in Minto

WOOLWICH BANTAM LL #1 - BOYS

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

27 SPORTS

Hockey returns to its roots at Paradise Lake pond hockey tourney WEATHER PLAYS ITS PART It was a day for young players throughout the region to get back to their hockey roots as they competed in the pond hockey tournament held Jan. 28 at YMCA

» JA

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SJ

AC

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Camp Ki-Wa-Y on Paradise Lake.

OS OT PH

IT'S ALL FOR FUN AND FUN FOR ALL Players not only contended with their opponents, but the elements as well as slushy ice and a constant downfall of snow made stick handling on the frozen pond tricky. Above right, Joey Jackson (left), Stone Henderson, Bradon Thornton and Jude Lancaster didn’t let the less-than-ideal conditions put a damper on their game, though.

At this campground, it’s not just souls that are bared

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

HOWDY, NEIGHBOUR Norman (Brian Otto) and Ruth (Kathy Fahey) are out of their element in a nudist resort whose denizens include Tracy Biggar, Michael Hunter and Brandon Maxwell.

» STEVE KANNON

ENTERTAINMENT

THE OBSERVER

PHOTO

ENTERTAINMENT 28

Uptight couple finds things aren’t what they used to be in the ETC comedy Bare Bear Bones he kids gone and no longer caught up in the hurlyburly of child rearing, empty-nesters Norman and Ruth come to an eye-opening realization: they have no idea what they’re relationship is all about.

Acting on the advice of discount marriage counsellor that they revisit a spot where they remember being in love, the middle-aged couple heads for a campground they used to visit when the kids were young. So, late one night with a borrowed tent trailer in tow, they end up at the Bear Bones Campground, the scene of better days past. Trouble is, just as they’ve changed so too has the vacation spot: they wake up the next morning to find the place is now the Bare Bones Alternative Campground. To make matters worse, the trailer hitch is broken, so they can’t just up and leave.

It’s not really the right tonic for such a conservative couple. Or is it?

Well, it certainly doesn’t start out that way, which provides plenty of laughs in the Elmira Theatre Company’s presentation of Bare Bear Bones.

Written by Elmira playwright Mike Grant, the story uses the comedic setting as backdrop for a lighthearted

He had plenty of fodder when penning the story, drawn from years of observing how couples interact.

The relationship he created for Norman and Ruth has much in common with what he saw in his parents, and in his own marriage.

» SUBMITTED

T

exploration of marriage and the relationships between men and women.

“It started as a fish-outof-water story, but it had to have more. It tells the importance of communication in a relationship,” said Grant.

“The campground became a

PHOTO

Steve Kannon

THE NOT-SO-FULL MONTY Some creative blocking has been employed to keep the cast, including Thom Smith, Tracy Leighton, Crystal Levesque and Tracy Biggar, under wraps in the ETC production of Bare Bear Bones. metaphor for the stripping down – the bare bones – of the relationship.”

“This is exactly what my wife and I sound like when we’re arguing,” he laughed.

Being stuck in an uncomfortable environment, Norman (Brian Otto) and Ruth (Kathy Fahey) are forced to communicate for the first time in years, getting past the banter and joking to have a real heart-to-heart discussion.

But first they have to contend with being surrounded by a whole pile of people walking around wearing nothing but smiles. It’s a setting that’s a challenge not only for our uptight pair, but for those staging the play, as they had to create the illusion of a nudist resort.

Campground denizens are always seen behind a hedge, a clothesline or a well-placed prop.

“It they’re expecting the Full Monty, they’re not going to get it,” laughed director Deb Deckert of audience expectations – this is the Elmira Theatre Company, after all. “We’ve had to do some creative blocking.”

She has high praise for the set designers and builders, led by Phil Dietrich, who’ve managed to recreate a campground setting to an appropriate scale for the ETC stage.

“He really does a wonderful job – all part of the magic we call theatre.”

Involving both camping and relationships, the play probably touches on two subjects familiar to most of

us.

The second act of the play involves a considerable amount of time around the campfire, which provides a recognizable scenario for anyone who’s ever enjoyed the great outdoors. “Which is pretty much all of us who’ve enjoyed the Canadian institution of camping,” said Deckert.

And, as Grant noted, you don’t have to go far to see how married couples behave.

The story contains plenty of slice-of-life moments sure to draw laughs and looks of recollection.

“Anyone who’s been married for any length of time will recognize this situation,” said Deckert.

The Elmira Theatre Company production of Bare Bear Bones runs Feb. 10-12, Feb. 16-19 at 76 Howard Ave. Show times are 8 p.m., except Sunday (2:30 p.m.). Tickets are $18, available from ETC (www.elmiratheatre.com or 519-669-3230) or through the Centre in the Square box office in Kitchener by calling 578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, online at www.centre-square. com. There will also be special sweetheart supper and show on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, with dinner provided

by Flow Café and Catering.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., buffet dinner at 7 p.m., with the show to follow. Those tickets are $58 per person.

» February 04, 2012

29 CLASSIFIEDS

CLASSIFIEDS

THE OBSERVER

HELP WANTED

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HELP WANTED

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(519) 886-8888

WCHC’s Nominating Committee is now recruiting Board nominees for the 2012-13 year. Board members reflect the community that WCHC serves: • Residents from across the WCHC catchment area:  Woolwich Township  Wellesley Township  Parts of Perth County: area bordered to the north by Perth Line 72, to the east by Perth Road 116, to the south by Perth Road 119, and to the west by Perth Road 121, and the area bordered to the north by Perth Line 56, to the east by Perth Road 103, to the south by Perth Line 43, and to the west by Perth Road 107  Part of Wilmot Township: the area bordered to the north by Gerber Road (12), to the east by Wilmot Line, to the south by Snyder’s Road/Christner Road, including all Baden and Petersburg addresses, and to the west by Wilmot-Easthope Road.

• Catchment-area residents with a mix of work and volunteer experiences in health and community services, business, farming, law, financial management, facilities management, organization and board develop ment, patient safety and quality of healthcare.

• Catchment-area residents who are representative of, or work with, the priority populations that WCHC serves at its St. Jacobs, Wellesley and Linwood sites: Families with young children (0-6), Seniors (60+) and their caregivers, Rural and farming families, and Youth (14-19 years of age).

Board members do not have to be clients of the health centre. However, Board members must be able to attend regular Board meetings on the 4th Monday evening of every month from September to June, and take part in one other Board committee. Please call Heather at (519) 664-3534, ext. 239 to receive an application package Applications are due by Friday, March 30, 2012. All interested applicants will be required to attend a pre-orientation session which will be set up for early April. For further information, please contact Denise Squire, Executive Director, at (519) 664-3794.

HELP WANTED

>>Established Framing Company in KW area requires framers with a minimum of 1 year experience. Must have own transportation. Top wages offered to energetic and responsible applicants.

Please call 519-656-9200.

WORK WANTED

>>Are Your “To do lists” too long? Weekends “too short?” Let me help or do it for you. Over 20 years experience in renovations, decks, fences, household

AUCTIONS

PETS

JOIN THE WOOLWICH COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE (WCHC) BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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>>E x p e r i e n c e d

Mennonite cleaning lady. In Elmira area only.

Call Darlene at 519-6692285, evenings.

TRAINING & LESSONS

>>Standard

First Aid Course (includes CPR & AED). March 15 & 16.

Student discounts available.

For more information call or email Erin Miles 519-6691747. e_l_miles@yahoo.ca or www.elmtraining.ca

FOR SALE

>>4X8 Utility Trailer.

519-669-5966. >>Roasters or Fryers for

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>>Roxton Triple dresser

with mirror $550.00 and Roxton chest of drawers $200.00, excellent condition.

Good, used freezer $20.00.

Call 519-669-0313.

PLACING A CLASSIFIED AD | Classified ads can be obtained in person, by phone (519-669-5790), fax or email from Monday to Thursday 8:30am-5pm or Friday 8:30am-4pm. All classified ads are prepaid.

Deadline is WEDNESDAYS by 4pm.

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Call 519-638-7781.

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Shared kitchen. Phone 519669-5279. >>Wanted: Mature professional seeks apartment or house to rent in Elmira. Non smoker, no pets. Call 519-505-3059.

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>>Pet Transportation & Cleaning Services.

Vacuuming, dusting and mopping. Reliable, honest and prompt. Wages negotiable. Bondable and police check. Call 519-2082785.

Printing & Copying Services >>Black and white, 8 1/2 X 11 flyers designed and printed for as low as 6¢. Professionally designed, quick turnaround, local service.

Delivery, folding and colour work also available.

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The hardworking crew that helps keep Woolwich in bloom WAITING FOR SPRING

The Elmira & District Horticultural Society held its annual meeting on Jan. 16, including just some of the 29 flower bed volunteers who plant and maintain 12 local flower beds. Back row: Karen Geddes, Carolyn Sieling, Tony Vorstenbosch. Fourth row: Barb Smith, Diane Coulman, Marlene Snyder. Third row: Lynn Dettweiler, Linda Palmer, Joyce Crane.

Second row: Naomi Freiburger, Bea Bauman, Edna Diefenbacher.

Front row: Donna Carlaw, Lyn Schwindt, Helen McLeod, Anne Vorstenbosch, Donna Freeman.

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THE OBSERVER

» February 04, 2012

Frankenstien or Dracula? It’s really no contest Q.

Would you rather meet Frankenstein or Dracula in a dark alley some night? How about Adam or Prince Vlad IV?

A.

This one’s no contest in that Frankenstein refers not to a monster or a real person but rather to Viktor Frankenstein, the scientist in Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel “Frankenstein” who creates the monster, says Joey Green in Contrary to Popular Belief.

In the novel, Frankenstein names his monster Adam; in the 1931 movie, he is not given a name. Dracula, on the other hand, was a real person and a frightening one at that. In his 1897 novel “Dracula,” Irish author Bram Stoker named his fictional vampire

Strange But True Bill & Rich Sones

Count Dracula after Prince Vlad IV of Walachia, the brutal tyrant who ruled the region south of the Transylvanian Alps (now part of Romania) from 1456 to 1462. During that time, the son of Vlad Dracul (Romanian for “Devil”) executed thousands of people by impaling them on pointed stakes, earning him the nicknames “Vlad Tepes” (“the Impaler”) and “Vlad Dracula” (“son of the Devil”). Stoker based his fictional character on the vampire

legends that probably arose in reaction to Vlad IV’s savage executions, Green adds. In the novel, Dracula is killed when a stake is driven through his heart.

Why did the city of Florence ban the use of our modern number system in the late 13th century.

Q.

A.

Italian mathematician Fibonacci had introduced the Hindu-Arabic number system to Europe and demonstrated its superiority over Roman numerals for involved calculations, says Richard Webb of “New Scientist” magazine. The use of the symbol zero as a placeholder -- representing “nothing” -- was revolutionary. For

2012 DOG TAGS

The fees before April 15th are: * Neutered/Spayed - $25.00 * Non-neutered/non-spayed - $35.00 If the Dog Tag is purchased after April 15th (unless a bill of sale is provided to prove that the dog was purchased after April 15th) an additional $15.00 will apply.

A replacement tag costs $5.00 If a Dog Tag is purchased after October 1st and a bill of sale is provided to prove that the dog was purchased after October 1st the fee is $15.00.

If you have found a dog or lost your dog please call the Township Office at 519-669-1647 ext. 6106.

DOG BITES - DIDYOU KNOW? The Township’s Animal Control By-law, By-law 75-2006, and the Dog Owner’s Liability Act prohibit the owner of a dog to permit a dog to bite or attack any person or domestic animal. It is the responsibility of the owner of the dog to exercise reasonable precautions to prevent it from behaving in a manner that poses a risk to the safety of persons or other domestic animals.

If a dog has bitten or attacked any person or domestic animal the Township’s Enforcement Officer may issue a fine in the amount of $495.00 to the dog owner and an Order that would require the dog be kept muzzled. Additionally, the Township’s By-law Enforcement Officer may seek a further Order of the Court if necessary for the protection of the public pursuant to the Dog Owner’s Liability Act. The Enforcement Officer has 30 days to act after being informed of an incident.

>> Send STRANGE questions to brothers Bill and Rich at strangetrue@cs.com

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities It’s the law.

Dog Tags for 2012 are now available to be purchased at the following locations: Township of Woolwich Office at 24 Church Street West, Elmira.

Village Pet Food Shoppe, 10 Church St. W., Elmira Creature Comfort Pet Emporium, 1553 King Street North, St. Jacobs Eldale Veterinary Clinic, 150 Church Street West, Elmira Breslau Animal Hospital, 2057 Victoria St. North (Unit 3), Breslau, Ontario.

example, the number 302 means three hundreds plus no tens plus two ones, a notational trick that facilitated arithmetic and commerce. But governing authorities were worried about forgery, since the new system seemed easier to falsify, either by adding a zero to the end of a number or putting a tail on a zero to make it a nine.

The convenience of the new approach eventually won out, though it took until the 17th century before the concept of zero as a number and not just a notational convenience dawned on mathematicians.

Through the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), Ontario is working towards making the province accessible for people with disabilities by 2025. Under this Act, Ontario has enacted accessibility standards. These are the rules that businesses and organizations in Ontario must follow to break down barriers in important areas of everyday life: customer service, transportation, employment, information and communications. The standard for built environment (buildings, structures) has not yet been enacted.

Who has to comply with the AODA Standards?

Every business and organization operating in Ontario that: • Provides goods or services to the public or other organizations, and • Has at least one employee in Ontario.

What are the benefits for businesses?

1 in 7 people in Ontario have a disability and that number is expected to increase over the next 20 years.

In fact, projections show that by 2021 seniors with disabilities will outnumber 25-64 year olds with disabilities. In 2025, the majority of persons with disabilities will be 65 years of age or older – approximately 1.25 million seniors with disabilities in Ontario.

How many customers or clients is your business missing out on because it isn’t accessible?

Operating an accessible business or service opens up your business or service to new customers.

What types of actions do businesses need to take?

• Allow people with disabilities bring their service animals onto any part of the premises that is open to the public, except where the animal is otherwise excluded by law.

• Allow people with disabilities bring their support person with them when accessing goods or services on parts of your premises open to the public.

• Develop policies, practices and procedures for accessible customer service and train your employees on how to serve people with disabilities in a manner that takes their disability into account.

• Give your customers with disabilities the same opportunity to access your goods and services as other customers. Allow them to access your goods and services in a manner that is integrated with other customers, unless an alternate measure is necessary.

If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog you should contact the Township’s Enforcement Services Division at (519) 669-1647, Extension 6106 and leave details so that the Enforcement Officer can follow up with you. The K-W Humane Society does not respond to dog bite incidents.

Business operators can visit ontario.ca/AccessON to find out what they need to do to be in compliance with the Province’s accessibility legislation. The Township of Woolwich also has an information package available upon request. To receive your information package, provide your mailing address to the Township’s Accessibility Co-Ordinator Val Hummel at (519) 669-6005 or vhummel@woolwich.ca. Or contact the Province of Ontario’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Contact Centre directly:

Your co-operation in keeping the sidewalks cleared of snow and ice is greatly appreciated.

Phone TTY toll-free

FREE ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS AT

1-866-515-2025 1-800-268-7095

TTY Fax

416-325-3408 416-325-3407 IN PRINT ONLINE. IN PICTURES. IN DEPTH.

THE OBSERVER

» February 04, 2012

31 CLASSIFIEDS

REAL ESTATE

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

Call for your

FREE Market E valuation!

FEATURE PROPERTIES

OPEN CONCEPT

QUALITY BUILT SEMI

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage

Elmira - This open concept,

Independently Owned and Operated

raised bungalow is currently being built by Huron Homes in mature area. Close to downtown, walking distance to restaurants & banks. Complete w/deck, MF laundry, spacious master w/lg closet & 4 pc ensuite. Double garage (17.5 x 20 ft) perfect for storage & still easily have parking for 3 vehicles. Convenient separate side entrance. MLS Call Paul direct.

Paul Martin SALES REPRESENTATIVE

CALL CALL DIRECT DIRECT

519-503-9533 www.homeswithpaul.ca

$303,000

$303,000

Elmira - This open concept, raised bungalow is currently being built by Huron Homes in mature area. Close to downtown, walking distance to restaurants & banks.

Complete w/deck, MF laundry, spacious master w/lg closet & 4 pc ensuite. Double garage (17.5 x 20 ft) perfect for storage & still easily have parking for 3 vehicles.

Convenient separate side entrance. MLS Call Paul direct.

$500.00 donation will be made with every home bought or sold by Paul in Woolwich.

$249,900

$624,000

IMPRESSIVE HOME

West Montrose - On picturesque setting. Only 20 min to Waterloo. Spacious grand foyer w/curved oak staircase & french drs leading you to through this exceptional home. Complete w/sep DR, MF laundry, LR, FR& fin'd basement. Master w/FP, walk in closet & captivating ensuite complete w/stand up shower & corner whirlpool bath. Sit back & enjoy the lg deck overlooking inground kidney shaped pool w/brick privacy wall & country setting. MLS Call Paul direct.

Alli Bauman SALES REPRESENTATIVE

CALL CALL DIRECT DIRECT

519-577-6248

www.elmiraandareahomes.com

$453,900

LOOKING FOR YOUR FIRST HOME?

NEW VERDONE HOME

Elmira - Looking for your first home? Look no further! This convenient home is full of personality.

Close to downtown and bus route. Many updates including: mudroom at side entrance, kitchen updates, unique ceramic tile throughout and finished basement. Single garage equipped with separate workshop room. Back slider to fenced yard with large deck and shed. MLS Call Paul direct

Elmira - Meet “Olivia”, another fabulous home by Verdone. 2216sqft plus fin'd bsmnt. Many quality finishes some incl: Ceramic, Hrdwd, oversized trim & mf crown moulding. MF lndy, spacious LR, Dinette walk out to covered 16.4 x 9.4ft deck.

Fabulous must see kit built for convienience, French drs to mf den. Lg master w/crown moulding, 2 walk ins, lg beautiful ens w/free standing tub & oversized glass shower. MLS Call Paul Direct

A donation of $250.00 with any home bought or sold through Alli or Bill.

Bill Norris

$749,900

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

CALL CALL DIRECT DIRECT

519-588-1348

HOBBY FARM

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.

www.elmiraandareahomes.com

PLACES OF FAITH

HEARING ASSISTED

St. Teresa Catholic Church No God, No Hope; Know God, Know Hope!

Celebrate Eucharist with us Mass times are:

Sat. 5pm, Sun. 9am and 11:15am

19 Flamingo Dr., Elmira • 519-669-3387

Trinity United Church, Elmira “Our mission is to love, learn & live by Christ’s teachings” Sunday Worship: 10:30 am Sunday School during Worship Minister: Rev. Dave Jagger

rm A Wlcaome We all! to

www.execulink.com/~unitedchurch/index.html Visit us at: www.wondercafe.ca 21 Arthur St. N., Church office 519-669-5560

Feb. 5 Making Friends For Eternity

Zion Mennonite Fellowship Finding The Way Together

47 Arthur St., S. Elmira • 519-669-3153 www.thejunctionelmira.com

Sunday School at 9:30am Service at 10:30am REACH WITH LOVE. TEACH THE TRUTH. SEND IN POWER. 290 Arthur St. South, Elmira • 519-669-3973 www.ElmiraAssembly.com (Across from Tim Horton’s)

Sunday, February 5, 2012 9:15 & 11:00 AM Series: Family Apps

5 First St., Elmira • 519-669-1459 www.elmiracommunity.org

FREE ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS AT

NURSERY PROVIDED

SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Gospel in the OT Christ our Passover

- The Junction -

Sunday School - 9:30am Worship Service - 10:45am

#5 - The “Work Hard” App SUNDAYS @ 10:30AM Services at John Mahood Public School

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

Phil Barnes Discovering God Together

519-669-2319 | www.wbconline.ca 4522 Herrgott Road, Wallenstein

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

10:30am Worship Service 9:15am Sunday School Pastor: Richard A. Frey www.stpaulselmira.ca

27 Mill St., Elmira • 519-669-2593

Check the Observer for your local faith listings!

200 Barnswallow Dr., Elmira • 519-669-1296 Check out our website www.woodsidechurch.ca

IN PRINT. ONLINE. IN PICTURES. IN DEPTH.

CLASSIFIEDS 32

THE OBSERVER

» February 04, 2012

REAL ESTATE

Sunlight Homes Drayton Heights MODEL HOME OPEN EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 1-5PM

ELMIRA REAL ESTATE SERVICES

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

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

519-669-3192

BEAUTIFUL & SPACIOUS $384,900

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

Homes starting

SHANNA ROZEMA Broker.

LAURIE LANGDON Sales Representative

MONIQUE ROES Sales Representative

ELMIRA’S EDGE

ELMIRA.

Tastefully decorated home, neutral colors, living room, oak kitchen w/island, pantry, & valance lighting, walkout from dinette to interlock patio w/built-in Pergola, fenced yard, shed w/hydro, 2nd floor family room w/gas fireplace & California shutters, 2nd floor laundry room w/built-in cabinets, master bdrm w/walk-in closet, 5 piece ensuite bathroom w/whirpool tub, heater & California shutters. C/V, C/A, water softener, stainless steel dishwasher & microwave included!

You'll be impressed! Call to view. MLS

$193,990

The Edge Semi-detached homes from

BONNIE BRUBACHER Broker of Record

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

$799,900. 3.74 acres bordered by neighbouring forest and overlooking open farmland. 4000 sq ft 4+ Bedroom home with basement inlaw suite. Updates to mention a few; beautiful new kitchen and flooring . Entertainment is a delight, from outside pool to inside games rooms and large family room. Also for the handyman a 38 x 24’ heated shop and huge amount of parking area. MLS

ELMIRA 2 STOREY!

POSTCARD PERFECT

COMMERCIAL BUILDING

$299,900 ELMIRA. Wow!!!

Completely finished top to bottom, 3 bdrms, 4 bathrooms including master ensuite, open concept main floor, living room with gas fireplace, walkout to deck & fenced yd backing onto creek/path, central air, central vac, double driveway, 1.5 car garage!

MLS

$1,900,000. Spectacular 61 acre property!

Boasts 3500 sq ft 4 Bedroom, 4 bath bungalow.

Huge shop for your large and small toys; plus a heated workshop for the hobbyist. Spring fed pond, landscaped yard, privacy and tranquility, minutes to University centre, bordering city limits.

MLS

$229,900 ELMIRA. Sought after location, zoned C-2 with many possible uses for this building, office space, salon, boutique!

Upper level one bdrm apartment in excellent condition ready to rent out!

Onsite parking, gas furnace, separate hydro.

A Must See MLS

from

$249,900 Many models to choose from Learn More About Sunlight Heritage Homes and Our fine communities by Visiting us Today!

Alyssa Henry Broker Re/Max Real Estate Centre Inc.

www.sunlighthomes.ca

519.787.0203

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

LET OUR 50+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU!

YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE TO FIND A HOME.

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

EMAIL: bert@remaxsolidgold.biz

QUIET neighbourhood close to downtown. Large lot (backs to a park). Detached garage 24’x16’.

Replacement doors & windows, cupboards, furnace and shingles.

3 bedrooms (2 w/hdwd. flrs.). New MLS $219,900.

AFFORDABLE CONDO - Why rent?

2 bdrm (extra-large master). 4 appl. Incl. Fin. rec. room & 2 pc. washroom. Laminate in L.R. Private patio backs to courtyard. MLS $143,500.

WOODED LOT! - Spacious bungalow with full walkout bsmt.

Recent hardwood on most of the main lfloor. 2 pc. ensuite. Fin. bsmt. with lovely stone fireplace. Updated windows, furnace & garage dr.

Huge lot. EXCL. $359,900.

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE Approx. 3000 sq. ft. Large open room, private offices, board room and washrooms. Lots of parking.

Great exposure between Elmira & St. Jacobs. MLS $2,500/MONTH.

Call Bert For Your FREE Market Evaluation

BEAUTIFUL

3 year old with 3rd floor loft and view of countryside, 3 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, walkout from dining room to new deck, walkout from basement to rear yard, new central air, master ensuite w/corner tub.

Call Bert to view. MLS.

$379,000

Brokerage

R.W. THUR REAL ESTATE LTD. 45 Arthur St. S., Elmira

Brad Martin

Broker of Record, MVA Residential Res:

Julie Heckendorn

519.669.1068

Broker

Res:

519.669.8629

Tracey Williams Sales Rep.

Cell:

519.505.0627

Your referrals are appreciated!

Private Sale - 71 Second Street, ELMIRA

www.thurrealestate.com

Find local open house locations listed here every Saturday.

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.

519-669-2772

Independently Owned and Operated 17 Church St. W., Elmira

wendy.taylor1@rogers.blackberry.net marylou@mmrealestate.ca

Wendy Taylor BROKER MANAGER

Mary Lou Murray SALES REPRESENTATIVE

24hrs 519-669-1544 24hrs

www.peakrealestate.com Thinking of Buying or Selling call or email today!

Coach House Realty Inc. Brokerage

OFFICE PHONE: 519.343.2124

159 William St.,

KATHY ROBINSON

(Across from Home Hardware)

519.292.0362

Palmerston

coachhouse@wightman.ca www.coachhouserealty.ca

***Broker of Record

EDITH MCARTHUR

*Sales Representative

519.638.2509

YOUR DOLLAR WILL GO FURTHER HERE!

OPEN HOUSE SUN., FEB. 5, 1-3 | 58552Ridgeview Dr. Drayton MAIN ST. PALMERSTON

NEW Impressive all brick bungalow w/walk out bsmt. 3 bdrms, 2 baths, great rm w/vaulted ceilings, gas fp & mantel, rich oak kitchen w/island, main floor laundry, central air & carpet free floors. Double garage w/basement entrance. House is maintenance free on an oversized lot with deck & paved driveway. $349,900 Call Edith 519.638.2509(h) 519.741.6791(c) MLS 1211587.

$369,00 - Large Bungalow – large 135’x80’ corner lot, fenced

yard, mature trees. Florida room, deck, double concrete driveway, large double garage. Hardwood floors, kitchen – oak cupboards, 3 bedrooms, 3 skylights, large L shaped rec room, gas fireplace, full cupboards with sink. High Efficiency furnace, central air, central vac. Call 519-669-5270.

8012 Highway 89, Conn. $299, 999

MLS # 1211618.

Excellent opportunity for family that requires a shop. Property is Zoned C-2.

House features 3 beds, 2 baths with some updates. Shop is 30x60 quonset style with 220 amp hydro, 2 pc. washroom, hoist and office area. Spring fed pond at rear of property. MLS Please call Wendy Taylor to view.

“You dream...We’ll work.”

Free, no obligation, Opinions of value • “We are looking for offers!”

OPEN HOUSE SAT., FEB. 4, 11-1 | 552 Main St. Palmerston Loads of value in this 3 bdrm, 1.5 bath family home in move in condition on oversized fenced yard backing onto green space.

Features: eat in kit w/ample cabinetry, great foyer (lg enough for den/office), main fl fm rm & laundry, din/liv rm w/walk out to back deck, 2 outdoor sheds, front porch. A must see to appreciate the value it has! $169, 900 Call Kathy 519.292.0362 MLS 1121978 .

THE OBSERVER

» February 04, 2012

33 CLASSIFIEDS

SERVICE PROS CARPET CARE

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING EFFORT!

Renovating?

Let us do the clean up

RENOVATION CLEAN UPS! Call for Details • 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 www.completecarpetcare.ca

ROB McNALL

519-669-7607

LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-866-669-7607

MEDICAL TREATMENT

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

www.UniTwin.com | 519.886.2102 MUSIC SERVICES

SEWING SERVICES

FOR THE MUSIC-LOVER IN YOUR LIFE

Sew Special

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

We’ll transfer music from LPs, 45s, 78s and cassettes to CDs.

FREE ESTIMATES

519-669-2251 36 Hampton St., Elmira

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

OFFERING A QUICK AND EASY WAY TO RECLAIM UNUSED LAND MANY APPLICATIONS:

• Industrial lots • Pasture reclaimation • Golf courses • Cottages • Trail maintenance & development • Real estate lots • Orchard maintenance • Ski resorts • Wooded lot thinning, etc.

Free Estimates In Home Consultations

More Info & pricing vinylp2cd@gmail.com

Over 20 Years Experience

519-669-0541 ELMIRA, ON

Lois Weber 519-669-3985 Elmira

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!

For more information call:

60 Memorial Avenue, Elmira (519) 669-0112

SELF STORAGE

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

Custom Blinds

www.reimerhbot.com

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

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

Custom Drapery

Kevin Bartley, B.A. Hons., Professional Bowenwork Practitioner

519-669-0220

20 years experience

Custom Sewing for Your Home

F. David Reimer

UNDER PRESSURE TO HEAL

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

QUICK LOCAL SERVICE | 245 Labrador Dr., Waterloo

BOWEN THERAPY

Reimer Hyperbarics of Canada Established 2000

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

We’ll take your favourite albums, clean up clicks, pops and surface noise and enhance the overall sound of the recording.

TREE SERVICE

PAINTING

Every Body is Better with Bowen!

SKATE SHARPENING

Davco Forestry Brush Mower capable of mowing up to 6" diameter brush and also for mowing any long grass.

HELPING RECLAIM YOUR UNUSED LAND!

• Environmentally friendly • Extremely low ground pressure • Returns nutrients back to soil • No erosion problems - leaves soil structure intact • No Burning • No harm to keeper trees

SERVICE ANYWHERE IN ONTARIO

OUR EQUIPMENT CAN HANDLE TOUGH BRUSH & LONG GRASS!

For more information contact: JEFF BASLER

RR 1, Elmira, Ontario, N3B 2Z1 | Mobile: 519-505-0985 | Office: 519-669-9081 Fax: 519-669-9819 | Email: ever-green@sympatico.ca

PLUMBING

PLUMBING

PLUMBING

YOUR Steve PLUMBING Co. & HEATING Plumbing and Maintenance Inc.

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

24 HOUR SERVICE Steve Jacobi

SPECIALISTS!

One stop shop for all your needs.

BRUBACHER LTD.

PLUMBING, FURNACE REPAIRS, SERVICE & INSTALLATION, GAS FITTING

C.J.

For all your Plumbing Needs.

19 First St. E., Elmira

ELMIRA

SPECIALIZING IN:

66 Rankin St. Unit 4 | Waterloo

519-669-3362

519-669-3652 SEPTIC SERVICES

519-885-2828

SALT

SERVICE DIRECTORY

Softener Salt & Pool Salt

Septic Tank Cleaning

Various sizes & rates

CLEAN • DRY • SECURE

Call

519-669-4964

100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

Inspections for Real Estate Septic System Repairs & Restoration Catch Basin Cleaning

The Sharp Shop | 112-D Bonnie Cres., Elmira

519.669.5313

MON-FRI 12PM TO 6PM | SAT 9AM TO 5PM SUN 12PM TO 3PM

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

GLASS SERVICES

ST. JACOBS

GLASS SYSTEMS INC.

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

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

519-896-7700

or

519-648-3004

www.biobobs.com

Home Improvements

WINDOWS & DOORS

ROOFING | SIDING | SOFFIT & FACIA DRYWALL INSTALLATION

MURRAY MARTIN | 519.669.9308 1722 Floradale Rd., Elmira, ON, N3B 2Z1

troductor y Offer

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

Taking Salt to Peoples’ Basements Since 1988

519-747-2708 Waterloo www.riepersalt.com

IS FOR RENT

Call today to get your business listed!

519.669.5790

www.ObserverXtra.com

TAX SERVICES

SKATE SHARPENING

While you wait!

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

1600 King St. N., Bldg A17 St. Jacobs, Ontario N0B 2N0

Waterloo Region • Woolwich Township

FREE BAG In

THIS SPACE

State of the achAinert Sharpening M

$4.99 per pair 5th pair FREE.

22 Church St. W., Elmira

Tel: 519-669-5537

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

...& SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTING

SHELLY & SCOTT TAYLOR 28 Pintail Drive, Elmira, ON, N3B 3G9

519-669-0003

taylortax@rogers.com

CLASSIFIEDS 34

THE OBSERVER

DEATH NOTICES

>>POND,

Evelyn (Elligson) - Peacefully passed away on Monday, January 30, 2012 at Heritage House, St. Jacobs, at the age of 97 years.

>>SCHWINDT, Ruth 1931 - 2012 Passed away peacefully to

be with her Lord and Saviour on February 1, 2012 at Chateau Gardens in Elmira.

>>SHANTZ, Bradley James â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bradâ&#x20AC;?- Passed away suddenly as

the result of a heart attack on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at the age of 46 years.

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR â&#x20AC;&#x153;A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIMEâ&#x20AC;?

Kleensweep Carpet Care

Moandya, January 30, 2012 at the Grand River Health Centre, at the age of 87. Local relative: Sister Muriel Stever (Clayton) of Linwood.

West Montrose, ON

T. 519.669.2033

COLLEEN

Cell: 519.581.7868

Truck & Trailer Maintenance

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS CROSSWORD 7 2 3 ( 5

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>>WALKER, Thelma Ruth - Peacefully after a brief illnesss, on

>>WEBER, Noah M. - Passed away peacefully at his residence, RR 4, Elmira, on Sunday, January 29, 2012 at the age of 98 years.

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Bus: 519.895.2044 ext. 217 Home: 519.747.4388

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>>Linwood Snofest at the Linwood Community Centre. Lots of kid games including Erick Traplin, family skate, food and the annual firemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breakfast.

Breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m.

FEBRUARY 7

>>Caregiver Coffee Hour Group will meet from 10-11:30 at Chateau Gardens, 11 Herbert St., Elmira for a time of support and education. Our speaker this month is Cara Dowhaniuk of the Alzheimers Society.

She will be addressing the issue of difficult behaviours in those we care for who have dementia. Learn how to minimize triggers and then how to deal with behaviours that do arise. Please call either Cara at 519742-1422 or Lorraine at 519-664-3794 for more information. >>Bingo â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7 p.m. at St. Clements Community Centre sponsored by Paradise & District Lions Club. For more information contact Joe Brick 519-699-4022.

FEBRUARY 9

>>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.

>>Calling

all zoomers, boomers and seniors â&#x20AC;&#x201C; New Horizonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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. Feb. 9 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Henry Walser â&#x20AC;&#x201C; bereavement. Get informed, socialize and have fun. For further information please call Joan Haid 519-6482742 or email jehaid@xplornet.ca.

>>H.U.G.S. Program 9:15-11:15 a.m. Meet with other parents to discuss parenting and child health issues. Topic: What Can I Claim? Understanding Tax credits. Colleen Coglin, tax manage with BDO Canada LLP will present. Held at Woolwich Community Health Centre, 10 Parkside Dr. St. Jacobs.

Call Heidi at 519-664-3794, ext. 237 for more information. >>The Breslau Recreation Association is holding itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1st Annual Breslau Winterfest on Feb. 10-12. Events include: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wines of Winterâ&#x20AC;? tasting event ($15/person), horse-drawn wagon rides ($5/family), orienteering, outdoor games & familyfriendly activities, family movie night, community breakfast, skate on The Mill Pond, and a bonfire! For more information please visit breslau.org or contact breslaurecreation@woolwich.ca.

FEBRUARY 11

NANCY KOEBEL

Draw Date March 10th, 2012.

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>>Maryhill Knights of Columbus & CWL Valentine Supper at the Maryhill Community Centre. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Two seatings 5:30 & 7 p.m. Rolled ribs, mashed potatoes & all the fixings followed by coffee, tea & dessert. Tickets $15/adult & $7 for children 11 and under. Five & younger free. Advance tickets only. Mike Runstedler 519-648-3394, Doug Zinger 519-648-2939. >>Mamma

Mia Italian Night, Trinity

woolwichkin.com United Church. Lasagne, Caesar Salad, garlic bread, spaghetti and sundae bar for children under 10. Two seatings, 5:00 or 6:30 p.m. $10 per adult, $5 children, family rate $25 (2 adults, 2 children). Tickets available at Readâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Decorating, Trinity United Church 519-669-5560 or at the door, great Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s outing.

FEBRUARY 14

>>Tuesdays February 14 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; March 6, 1-3 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Craving Change â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A four-week â&#x20AC;&#x153;how toâ&#x20AC;? course that will help you discover why you eat the way you do, why you find it difficult to change your eating habits and what you can do to change those habits.

Classes will be held at Woolwich Community Health Centre, 10 Parkside Dr., St. Jacobs.

For more information call 519-664-3794.

New to the Community?

Do you have a new Baby?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to call your Welcome Wagon Hostess.

Elmira & Surrounding Area

SHARON GINGRICH 519.291.6763 psgingrich@hotmail.ca

>>Bingo â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7 p.m. at St. Clements Community Centre sponsored by Paradise & District Lions Club. For more information contact Joe Brick 519-699-4022.

FEBRUARY 15

>>Stamp Camp â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7-8 p.m. at Elmira Branch Library. Join us for beginner stamp collecting. Free for ages 5 to 15. Space is limited. Event will take place at the library, 65 Arthur St. S in Elmira. For more information call the Elmira Branch Library at 519-669-5477. >>Waterloo Rural Women Day, Calvary United Church, St. Jacobs, 9:30 a.m.

Speakers: Andrea Gal: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rural Women a Hundred Years Agoâ&#x20AC;?, Peggy Bauman: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Farm Family Dynamics,â&#x20AC;? Tea Lady: Peggy Schieck of Steep Tea. For more information call 519664-3794, ext. 237 or visit our new website www.waterlooruralwomen.org.

FEBRUARY 16

>>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.

>>Living With celiac disease and wheat sensitivity. 10:15-11:15 a.m. This topic will be presented by Dr. Sue Fisher, Naturopath/ Pharmacologist. Held at Woolwich Community Health Centre, 10 Parkside Dr. St. Jacobs. For more information call 519664-3794.

FEBRUARY 17

>>Games Night â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Elmira Branch Library. Join us for a fun evening of board games. Play or watch Great Getaway Games such as Atlantis, Settlers of Catan, Mississippi Queen, 10 Days in Africa and more! Just drop in â&#x20AC;&#x201C; free event. For more information call the Region of Waterloo Library at 519-669-5477.

FEBRUARY 18

>>The Gloryland Chorus presents â&#x20AC;&#x153;Great Gospel Favourites,â&#x20AC;? 7:30 p.m. at Floradale Mennonite Church. Fundraiser for Meserete Kristos College. Free-will offering. For more information call 519-669-2861.

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PRINTING & COPYING SERVICES Black and white, 8 1/2 X 11 flyers designed and printed for as low as 6¢.

Professionally designed, quick turnaround, local service. Delivery, folding and colour work also available.

Call 519.669.5790 ext 107 for details.

THE OBSERVER

» February 04, 2012

35 CLASSIFIEDS

FAMILY ALBUM ANNIVERSARY

ANNIVERSARY

Happy First Anniversary Monique & Tony Roes February 5th

MARRIAGE

Ernest & Naomi Frey

Celebrating 50 years!

MEMORIAM

Congratulations

Jennifer & Kevin Martin

In Loving Memory of

Walter Kieffer If a flower grew everytime that I thought of you, then I could run through the garden forever.

Dad it’s hard to believe that it is 4 years ago on Feb 11, 2008. I know that you are close by, I feel your presence with me still, I can hear your voice and feel your hands in mine.

Dad you meant the world to us, and we thank you for your beautiful spirit.

Congratulations Mom and Dad

Love Your Family Mom, Dad and Shanna, Jamie, Bryson & Bronwyn M&T Business Card Ad:Layout 1 04/03/09 May your lives be blessed with much happiness.

from your children and grandchildren 50 years of love and support is truly inspiring.

Family and friends are invited to a OPEN HOUSE on Sunday February the 12th 2012 10:22 AM Page at 1 Moorefield Mennonite Church, Moorefield Ontario from 2-5pm

With love from both of your parents Eric & Sharon Staebler and Bert & Marilyn Martin.

The wedding ceremony & reception took place in North Carolina on October 9, 2011.

We wish you God’s love & blessings on your marriage.

Dad continue to care for and make more beautiful God’s garden for that is where we will be seeing you again.

Forever in our hearts your wife Ina, daughter Sharon and Peter, Grandchildren Angie, Natalie and Great grandson Riley.

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BACK PAGE 36

THE OBSERVER

» Saturday, February 04, 2012

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