WHERE TIRES ARE A SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDELINE. Farm - Auto - Truck - Industrial - Lawn & Garden - On The Farm Service
ELMIRA, ON | 519-669-3232
AT PARTICIPATING STORES
12 | 10 | 2015 VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 50
KINGS POST BIG WIN AGAINST LISTOWEL AT WMC SPORTS PAGE 21
COMMENT PAGE 16
AUDITOR GENERAL SHOWS WYNNE FOR WHAT SHE IS
Woolwich gains some time to save Elmira transfer station
www.OBSERVERXTRA.com
HERALDING SANTA’S ARRIVAL IN ELMIRA
Region to keep facility open until the end of May while township looks for a private operator STEVE KANNON
FACING THE CLOSURE THIS month of the Elmira waste transfer station, Woolwich will have another five months to bring on a private operator as the region appears ready to extend a lifeline one last time. Regional council’s planning and works committee voted this week to keep operating the facility until the end of May. There will be no more reprieves, Mayor Sandy Shantz reported to her Woolwich colleagues meeting Tuesday night. Where Waterloo Region had planned to mothball the waste stations in all of the rural townships by December 31, Woolwich will now have a chance to find an alternaWASTE | 7
Spectators lined both sides of Arthur Street on a cold and foggy Saturday morning last weekend, to see Santa Claus in the annual Elmira Santa Claus Parade. Top, a member of a cadet band from Kitchener plays holiday classics with a festively decorated horn. Below left, a clown rides in his comically small fire engine, while blowing bubbles and handing out candy. Below right, a group of drummers playing complicated rhythms, all getting ready for Santa. [LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER]
2 | NEWS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
HURRY IN! December 11th to 17 th
% 50
Thank you to all of our loyal customers and friends for your support in 2015.
OFF
Jewellery SALE REGULAR PRICE
Put your freight into our caring arms. “Your Transportation Specialists” • Specialized Equipment • Distribution • Expedite • Consolidation • Oversized • LTL / TL • Air / Ocean
3585 Lobsinger Line St. Clements 519.699.5018 | 1.800.266.2671 | dti-logistics.com
INSTOCK ITEMS ONLY
PLUS:
PRICE REDUCTIONS IN OUR FURTHER
WAREHOUSE May not be exactly as shown. While quantities last.
1 Union St., Elmira
HOURS:
519.669.3072
Mon.-Wed. 9:30-5:30 Thur.-Fri. 9:30-7:00 Saturday 9:30-5:30 Sunday
www.elmiragiftoutlet.com
12:00-4:00
Nov 22-Dec 20
Wyatt Street Dental Centre 3 Wyatt Street East, Elmira | 519-669-2961 www.wyattstreetdental.ca
NEWS | 3
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Woolwich to take more time with Breslau development strategy
Floradale woman spots scam, notifies authorities after bogus voicemail message
LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT IN ST. CLEMENTS
Council defers vote as property owners and developers continue to take issue with township proposals STEVE KANNON LEGAL WRANGLINGS WITH TWO major developers have complicated a planning review of the Breslau settlement area, threatening to delay a process that’s already gone on for more than three years. Thomasfield Homes and Empire Communities have outstanding appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board, looking to push ahead with the next phases of their respective developments in the village. Based on landowners’ response to the latest, and what planning staff deems final draft of an overarching framework for the village – the Breslau settlement plan – more legal battles seem likely. Each of the speakers, many of them planners representing developers and property owners, presented a laundry list of deficiencies in addressing Woolwich councillors Tuesday night. Among the many concerns are staged, limited growth policies, sweeping environmental restrictions and the very boundaries drawn up in the plan. Woolwich’s goal of staging growth – the plan envisions the construction of 100 new dwellings and some 275 additional residents each year – was panned by all. Amanda Kosloski, a planner representing Empire Communities, said the company still has many
concerns with a document the township’s planning staff deems ready. With the staging policy, for instance, she argued the township can’t simply apply policies in place in Elmira to land in Breslau, where the demand for housing is much greater. “It’s an artificial development cap that doesn’t represent good planning,” she said. “Growth wants to happen in Breslau.” For Thomasfield Homes, the holder of the largest tracts of development land, the township’s vision doesn’t mesh with its own. The Guelph-based firm’s planner, Bill Green of the GSP Group, said his client still has more than a dozen outstanding issues with the plan, including the growth policies. He argued that creating demands on development unique to Breslau – including environmental controls and affordable housing allocations – aren’t fair. If such policies are adopted, they should be townshipwide. Servicing – the extension of water and sanitary sewers – is also a concern for all parties. While Woolwich recently negotiated more capacity from Kitchener, all of the landowners want to ensure their projects will have access to the services. Paul Puopolo, a planner representing Breslau Properties, said his client would
HOW TO REACH US
BRESLAU | 9
LIZ BEVAN
A crowd gathered in St. Clements on Saturday evening to witness the illumination of the Tree of Light. The event, hosted by the Paradise and District Lions Club, saw the selling of individual bulbs in memory of loved ones. The event was attended by Mr. and Mrs. Claus, seen here, getting a picture with Alex Martin, 9, and Nate Gawthorn, 9. Club members were on hand giving out cups of apple cider and cookies, while listening to young carolers. [LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER]
A FLORADALE RESIDENT MADE all the right moves to avoid becoming the victim of fraud, and now she wants to warn other residents in the region who could fall prey to phone scammers. On Dec. 1, Carol Norris checked her voicemails after work, and found a message left by someone purporting to be from the RCMP, requiring her to call back immediately, or she would be arrested on charges stemming from issues with the Canadian Revenue Agency. “They called and said that I must call immediately and speak with a Constable James Morrison or my lawyer needed to call, or the situation would be badly enforced on you,” she said, mentioning that the phone number they called from, 289-301-5371, was listed in the White Pages, but didn’t have a name attached to it. “I didn’t bother calling them and I checked it out on the Internet first because they didn’t identify who the call was for. There are three people living in my house.” Brian Williams, a senior fraud specialist with the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre, says Norris did the right thing, and the call is a common one. “The CRA call is on the scale of 1,000 to 3,000 calls per day. It is even bigger in the United States,” SCAM | 10
PHONE 519.669.5790 | TOLL FREE 1.888.966.5942 | FAX 519.669.5753 | ONLINE WWW.OBSERVERXTRA.COM
NOW OPEN EARLIER to serve you better 8 am Mon - Fri
Storewide
Christmas
SALES
Prices reduced
to 70 30 All Christmas % OFF
Merchandise
Wraps & Bags Napkins Chocolates Hostess/Secret Santa Gifts Stocking Stuffers and more…
10 Church St. W. Elmira 519-669-2201 www.schelterofficeplus.ca Office & School Supplies • Print Copy Courier • Computer IT Supplies
SCHOOL & OFFICE SUPPLIES THAN
1
PRICED $ LOWER
BETTER THAN A
BUCK
AD
TCH MGA uaranteed low prices
4 | NEWS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY BROKERAGE
REAL ESTA ESTATE STAT STA TATE LTD. LD LT
Kindly accept my sincere Thank-you for giving me the privilege of being of service to you in 2015. After 29 years of sending out Christmas Cards BRAD MARTIN to new and Broker of Record former clients, I have decided to make a personal donation to Woolwich Community Services in lieu of sending cards.
Here Comes
Christmas! As we deck the halls & trim the tree we want to share with you our appreciation for you business.
It’ss been a pleasure to serve you. It Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.” L uk e 2 : 1 0
HAROLD
ALBRECHT
45 Arthur S. S., ELMIRA 519.669.2772 www.thurrealestate.com
Member of Parliament, Kitchener-Conestoga
www.HaroldAlbrechtMP.ca
519.747.2280 | brian.blshantz@golden.net • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
May
J y
Christmas
Wishing you a Beautiful Holiday and a New Year of Peace and Happiness
Surround You
Our Best Wishes to you and your family.
Hol
t, so Tender and M ild y Infan
Thank You for placing your trust in us. Monty & Karen Steenson & Grace Maher
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • Making the cars of the world more comfortable
62 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519.669.2207
Bus: 519.669.5478 | Toll Free 1.800.265.6126 www.ffmltd.com
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
NEWS | 5
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
WRDSB re-elects chair, vice-chair At the inaugural meeting of the Waterloo Region District School Board Monday night, trustees re-elected Kathleen Woodcock as chairperson of the board. John Hendry was returned as vice-chairperson. Woodcock was first elected in 2000 to represent the area of Waterloo/ Wilmot. Hendry, representing Waterloo/ Wilmot, is the board’s longest serving trustee, at 29 years. A chairperson and vice-chairperson are elected annually at the December
inaugural meeting. Their term begins immediately. By board bylaw, they may serve for a maximum of two consecutive years.
HOV a cash grab, says Harris Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris, the PC transportation critic, is taking aim at the provincial government’s latest cash grab. Harris says the official unveiling of the latest Liberal plan to dig into our wallets will force Ontario motorists to pay twice for the privilege of driving their own roads.
Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca announced the province will convert the high-occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) on the QEW to highoccupancy toll (HOT) lanes. The pilot project in the GTA will allow motorists who don’t have passengers in their vehicles to pay a fee to use HOV lanes. “It’s one thing to create tolls on new roadways where people have the option of choosing an alternate route – it’s an entirely different story to ask motorists to pay again to access lanes on roads they’ve already bought,” said Harris. “What’s more, when I asked the Minister to commit today in the house, he refused to guarantee that tolls collected
would go solely to governments’ transit commitments as they have suggested.” Harris added today’s announcement to divert attention from the scathing Auditor General’s report was not only light on details as to what pricing scheme motorist would face and how much the government hoped to accrue, but it ran entirely counter to the ministry’s own advice. “This is the same minister who went forward with Pan-Am HOV lanes when his own staff told him there would be, ‘significant impacts on the general purpose lanes’ – months later we saw those ‘impacts’ lead to a 73 per cent increase in accidents,” Harris indicated.
NOVEMBER 29
pedestrians to strike the pavement. Both pedestrians were transported by ambulance to a local hospital with minor injuries. The 32-yearold driver, a West Perth woman, was charged with ‘fail to yield to pedestrian.’
While this week’s announcement focused on the QEW, Harris warned motorists to stay tuned for 400 series tolls as, “the minister pushes his latest revenue tool down our roads.”
Home sales back up in November Home sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS) of the KitchenerWaterloo Association of Realtors in November were up 9.8% compared to November of last year. A total of 413 residential properties sold last month compared to 376 in November 2014. Residential sales
in November included 254 single detached homes (up 10% from last November), 22 semi-detached (down 31.2%), 33 townhomes (down 15.4%) and 99 condominium units (up 37.5%). Single-detached homes in November sold for an average price of $412,581 an increase of 8.2% compared to last year. The average sale price for a condominium was $225,341, an increase of 7.3%, while townhomes and semis sold for an average of $313,015 (up 13.8%) and $257,955 (down 1.9%) respectively. The average sale price of all residential sales through the MLS system increased 6.7% to $350,703 compared to November 2014.
POLICE BLOTTER
Stay vigilant to avoid thefts while Christmas shopping, police advise WITH THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING season heading into the big stretch, police are reminding shoppers to be mindful that thieving eyes are on you. While “shoppers rush home with their treasures” there are others who are hoping you’re distracted so they can steal your goods.
Police offer up the following tips: • Never leave a purse, wallet or handbag unattended in a shopping cart • Shop with a buddy whenever possible • Don’t carry large sums of cash when you shop • Keep your cash concealed • Always conceal your PIN when using credit or debit machines • Refrain from taking out large amounts of cash from ATMs • Don’t leave purchased items in an unattended cart – even for a second • Keep your vehicle and/or house keys in a pocket and out of sight • Take all purchased items to your car and secure them • Keep all purchased goods in a locked vehicle, and out of plain view • Park in well-lit areas of shopping malls • Park in well-travelled areas of parking lots • Refrain from parking in garages where there is limited or poor lighting The key to successful shopping is never being distracted and always being aware of people all around you. Thieves target distracted and careless shoppers, police warn.
Merry Christmas from the Council and Staff at
4:00 PM | A Guelph police officer on patrol along the border with Waterloo Region – Kossuth and Shantz Station Road area – encountered a vehicle that appeared to be experiencing mechanical difficulties. The officer stopped to render assistance to the stranded motorists when he learned that the vehicle was stolen. One of the two vehicle occupants fled the area and Guelph police requested the assistance of the Waterloo Regional Police. Both male occupants were ultimately arrested with the assistance of the Waterloo Regional Police and Guelph canine unit. The vehicle was found to contain approximately $8,000 in stolen property from a break-and-enter reported a few days prior. Both males were held for show cause and charged with ‘possession of stolen property under $5,000,’ ‘break-and-enter and commit,’ ‘possession of stolen property over $5,000’ and ‘breach of probation.’ DECEMBER 1
7:00 PM | Two pedestrians were struck by a pickup truck in Shakespeare. An OPP investigation revealed that a 48-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man, both residents of the Township of Perth East, were walking eastbound on the north sidewalk along Hwy 8. They crossed Perth Road 107 within the crosswalk on a green light and while approximately half way across the intersection were sideswiped by a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck making a left turn from Hwy 8 onto Perth Road 107. The impact caused the
Krista Sandelli Jessica OWNER/RMT Zantinge RMT
Julie Wemp RMT
Caitlin Clemmer RMT
DECEMBER 6
2:08 AM | Sometime between 1:26 and 2:08 a.m., an unknown male suspect broke in to the front main doors of the Wilmot Sportsplex at 1291 Nafziger Rd. The suspect forced entry to the operations office, the snack bar as well as the ATM machine located in the lobby of the complex. A total amount of property taken is yet to be determined. The suspect is described as a lone male wearing overalls, a ski mask and gloves. The investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to call Waterloo Regional Police at 519653-7700. 9:51 AM | Members of the Wellington County OPP were conducting R.I.D.E. spot checks on Wellington Road 7 in Centre Wellington Township when officers spoke with the male driver of a 2004 Ford that entered into the spot check. They immediately detected the odour of alcohol on his breath. A roadside screening test was conducted, resulting in a fail. A 34-year-old Mapleton Township man was subsequently charged with ‘over 80 mgs.’ His driver’s licence was suspended for 90 days and his vehicle impounded for a period of seven days. He is to appear in Guelph Criminal Court on Dec. 18 to answer to the charge.
Come Join us for a
Turkey Dinner
Julie-Maria Krista Bauman Lindsay Plantz Steph Gaudet Schroth RMT RMT RMT RMT
· 8 Therapists Available · Evening Appointments · Deep Tissue, Relaxation, Sports Injury, Prenatal Massage · Reflexology · Fireside Couples Massage · Matrix Repatterning GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE.
69 Arthur St. S., Elmira
In the old Clock Tower Building 519-669-3494
Wishing You a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year from all of us at:
www.rpmconstructionltd.com Ltd
Elmira | 519.669.1217
Delivering Our Best Wishes!
To Santa’s Garage & Yours Happy Holidays from:
with a
reservations recommended “PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAS T; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.”
Friday or Saturday Evenings in December CAFÉ HOURS: Mon.-Thurs. 8-4, Fri. & Sat. 8-8
(519) 669-2142 | 2238 Floradale Rd., Floradale | www.bonnielouscafe.com
ELMIRA
81 Arthur St. S. 519-669-1533
FERGUS
390 Beatty Lane 519-843-1620
ERIN
4 Erinville Drive 519-833-9785
6 | NEWS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Warmest thoughts & best wishes for a great Holiday 270 Arthur St. N., Elmira, ON
Have a Happy & Safe Holiday!
Wishing You All The Best In 2016
We wish all of our friends, family and customers our very best for the new year!
WAYNE G. MARTIN Promotional Consultant for over Forty Years Promoting People, Providing Promotions Email: waynegmartin2013@gmail.com
519.669.8420 After Hours Cell: 519.577.1459 TRUCK & TRAILER REPAIR & MAINTENANCE
CALENDARS | PENS | APPAREL | TOTE BAGS
Cell: 519-574-4141 | Office: 519-669-2045 | Fax: 519-669-3845
Elmira, ON | 519-669-8550 | www.talbot-promo.com
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS
With the warmest of • MERRY • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR wishes to all our Here’s hoping every customers Wishes all of happiness comes & friends. you a very your way throughout this holiday season and beyond.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! from
Sulphur Products 284 Union St., Elmira 519-884-2082 www.ccc-group.com | 60 First St. E., Elmira | 519-669-1332 519.669.5040 • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
Wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas
Wishing You A Merry Christmas
GERBER AUCTIONS LTD. • Real Estate • Farm • Estate
THANKS FOR A GREAT 2015! From David & Karen Martin & Family and all the staff at
“Where Quality Comes First”
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • Phone.......519.699.4451 3044 Sawmill Rd., or 519.698.0138 www.stirtonconstruction.ca 519-664-3711 St. Jacobs, ON Cell............519.498.7126 8012 8th Line., RR #2 Drayton | 519-638-5462 • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
May joy, love and peace warm your hearts this holiday season.
With Bright Wishes
from
It’s the happiest time of the year,and it’s customers like you who make our work worthwhile. Thanks so much for your support. “A Good Job Done Every Time”
3785 Nafziger Rd., Wellesley 519.656.3083
Colleen | t. 519-669-2033 | c. 519-581-7868 RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • PERSONALIZED SERVICE • FREE ESTIMATES
75 Rankin St. Waterloo 519-746-6000 www.dunnheating.com
NEWS | 7
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
TREE SALES A SCOUTING TRADITION IN ELMIRA
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
As the days until Christmas dash by, we’d like to take time out to thank all of you for stopping by our way this year.
Happy Holidays! WASTE: Woolwich seeking private operator FROM | COVER
tive to keep the much-used facility open on a permanent basis. Chief administrative officer David Brenneman has been in contact with five potential operators, all pre-screened by the region as qualified candidates, to determine if there’s a way to see the facility turned over to a private business. While regional staff had been charged earlier this year with carrying out that task, when September rolled around little had been done. The region then tossed the ball back in Woolwich’s court, essentially giving the township just a couple of months to do something before pulling the plug. Now, the township should have some breathing room. Not overly optimistic at the start of the process, Brenneman said the region now appears open to finding a private sector solution to keeping the transfer station open. While not keen on having the transfer station remain open even in private hands – it maintains curbside collection is all that’s needed in the townships – the region is looking at the option, he said. The region has drastically cut service levels – the facility is now open just two days a month, down
from almost daily – and planned to close all four rural stations last year before extension into March and then the end of December. Sale of the land would be necessary as the region is constrained by union agreements against leasing out the facility to a private operator, nor does it want to maintain responsibility for future upgrade costs. Projected long-term capital expenditures of more than $7 million were part of the rationale for regional council’s decision earlier this year to close all four transfer stations in the rural townships. For the Elmira facility, such costs were estimated at $2.3 million over the next decade. Also, the region doesn’t want to jeopardize the waste stream, as there’s a chance a private operator would take the material elsewhere to avoid the region’s high tipping fees at the Erb Street landfill site. On the operations side, the stations represent 10 per cent of the waste management department’s costs in the area, but just one per cent of the volume of waste and three per cent of revenues. In that light, regional council decided to save what amounts to $411,000 a year based on previous levels of service, or about $225,000 based on the every-other-Saturday schedule now in place.
Recognizing the costs at play, Brenneman said fees at the transfer station might have to rise under a private operator. Likewise, the business would have to increase the amount of waste it handles, perhaps taking in industrial, commercial and institutional waste from a wider geographic area. With the reprieve, Woolwich can now explore the options, with a bit more time to work on a potential hand-over, says Brenneman. Timing is a key issue, as the private companies that have expressed an interest in taking over the facility have stressed the need to keep the site in operation during the transition stage, which could take a considerable amount of time. Along with the time the region would need to clear the way for something like the sale of the land, the new operator would also face regulatory hurdles from the provincial Ministry of the Environment. In closing the Elmira station, the region will have to turn over the property to the township – a 1991 agreement in which the region took over the facility says the property reverts to Woolwich should operations cease. But ownership doesn’t come with any of the licenses and clearances to run a transfer station, however.
Open 24Hrs. 7 Days a Week!
Closed Christmas Day.| Boxing Day 10am-5pm
315 Arthur St. S. Elmira | 519-669-5403
EECI: 15784
Zachary Gidge and Sean Dunham from the local Rovers group were busy selling Christmas trees in Elmira for the annual Scouts Christmas tree sale at Gore Park. [WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER]
From Doug & Mary Lou, and staff at Elmira Foodland
8 | NEWS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Province clears water-protection plan for Grand River watershed WHITNEY NEILSON IT’S BEEN NINE YEARS in the making, but Grand River watershed drinking water will finally be protected under a source protection plan come next year. The Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change approved the Grand River Source Protection Plan on Nov. 26 and it will go into effect on July 1, 2016. Lisa Stocco, Grand River Conservation Authority communications manager, says it was a complicated process, thus requiring so many years to complete. “Extensive research was taken to identify the sources of municipal drinking water from municipal wells, which meant discovering where the wells are drawing their water from and how quickly the water moves through the ground to the wells. For surface water intakes it meant identifying how quickly water moved down the river to the municipal intake. These studies helped
This map in the Grand River Source Protection Plan shows local areas where there are significant drinking water threats due to such things as waste disposal, sewage systems and commercial fertilizer. [SUBMITTED] us find the well head protection areas and intake protection zones,” she explained. The Lake Erie Source Protection Committee made four plans, the Grand River plan being the most recent one to be approved. The plans were also developed for Catfish Creek, Kettle Creek and Long Point Region watersheds. All of
the 22 source water protection plans for the province have now been approved. “The province had identified a list of potential threats to ground water and surface water sources, which included things like various chemicals, organic materials like human sewage or animal waste, and then with this information municipalities and their
consultants identified the locations of where activities that might have these types of chemicals or organic materials were taking place and the level of threat that they could pose to the wells and intakes,” Stocco said. From there, policies were developed to reduce the risk posed by the threats in the wellhead protection
areas and intake protection zones. She says the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change set the plan to begin in July in order to give the municipalities and other agencies that are responsible for the implementation of the plan the necessary time to put it into action. “That might include
things like hiring or training staff or setting up internal processes for things that may need to change, for example things like approving permits.” Putting together the source protection plans started when the provincial government approved the Clean Water Act in 2006, an important step after some 2,300 people got sick and seven died from tainted water in Walkerton, Ont. “For the average person it’s the people that live within either the well head protection area or the intake protection zones that would be affected. They just need to become aware of how these new policies affect their land. If you’re a homeowner and you have a septic system you may be required to have your system inspected regularly to ensure it’s working properly. Or a farmer who perhaps uses or stores manure on their property will need to know how the policies affect what they do,” Stocco said. You can look at the plan at www.sourcewater.ca.
Woolwich adopts fire master plan, but puts off decision on Elmira station STEVE KANNON NEW FIRE STATIONS IN Breslau and Maryhill are a given, but Woolwich will continue to debate the merits of staying put at the existing location in Elmira even as council signs off on a new township-wide fire master plan. Having deferred a deci-
sion when the plan was first presented in October, councillors meeting this week approved a revised document, but see it as a work in progress. With the prospect of sharing costs with a Region of Waterloo EMS ambulance station in Breslau, Woolwich will press ahead next year with plans for a
As We Give Thanks
new facility there. The partnership could see about a third of the cost picked up by the region. The project has been estimated to cost up to $1.7 million. Where a small station in Breslau now acts as a satellite of the Maryhill fire station, that arrangement would be reversed under the new plan. Once
a bigger Breslau facility is operational, the aging Maryhill station could be replaced with a smaller operation that would act as an offshoot of Breslau, explained township fire chief Rick Pedersen at Tuesday night’s council meeting. The Maryhill building would require extensive repairs, estimated to cost
WISHING EVERYONE a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season!
in October leaned heavily in favour of moving, new information paints staying put in a more favourable light. Building a new station would cost $1.7 million, while renovating the existing facility – tearing down parts of the aging building and putting on an
$500,000, whereas a new facility could be built for perhaps $600,000. With the Elmira station, however, councillors remain divided on renovating the existing Howard Avenue building or moving to a new location in the Lunor subdivision on Church Street West. While the report tabled General : Xmas - New Year General : Xmas - New Year General : Xmas - New Year
STATION | 10
4 1/2”W x 5”H 4 1/2”W x 5”H 4 1/2”W x 5”H
Warmest wishes
Warmest wishes
Greetings for aSeasons wonderful holiday. Warmest wishes andfor best wishes for the holiday. New Year. a wonderful for a wonderful holiday.
We think of the many blessings bestowed on us this year. Your support has been much appreciated throughout these months. May God bless you at this wondrous time and always.
for asights, wonderful holiday. Cheeriest sounds, merriest holiday joys, brightest delights... I would like to thank you for your business over the past year and We would like to wish everyone a safebrightest and happy may they be yours this Cheeriest sounds, holiday joys, wish you season. and yourmerriest family a sights, safe and happy holiday. Cheeriest sounds, merriest sights, holiday joys, brightest delights... delights... may be this season. holiday thank of our clients for their business. may they they and be yours yours this all season.
Largest 100% Canadian multi-product insurer. Largest 100% Canadian multi-product insurer.
Largest 100% multi-product Home Auto Canadian Life Investments Group Business Farm Travel Largest 100% Canadian multi-product insurer. insurer.
Home Auto Life Investments Group Business Farm Travel Home Auto Life Investments Group Business Farm Travel
Home Auto Life Investments Group Business Farm Your Agency Name Travel Agent Name, 123 Street Address, City/Town Your Agency Name Your Agency Name Agent Name, 123 Street (000) Address, City/Town 456-7890 Agent Name, 123 Street Address, City/Town
Allen & Suzanne Morrison, Your Agency Name (000) 456-7890 456-7890 Agent Name, 123 Street Karen, Linda,Address, Allison(000) &City/Town Steve.
100 Union St., Elmira
Woolwich Rentals
519.669.0524
Reist Industries
519.669.1501
www.woolwichrentals.ca www.reistindustries.com
(000) 456-7890
519-577-0370 | www.marwilconcrete.ca
Photo Here
25 Industrial Dr., Elmira | Tel: 519-669-2632 allen_morrison_insurance@cooperators.ca
Photo Photo Here Photo Here Here
NEWS | 9
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
BRESLAU: Landowners’ concerns abound FROM | 3
like a guarantee capacity will be set aside for their lands in central Breslau. They have plans for a residential subdivision of 400 to 600 homes. Also currently outside the settlement area, Conestoga Meat Packers has its eye on access to sanitary sewers to help with a planned expansion of the company’s Menno Street processing plant. At the other end of the village, SmartREIT – the new name of SmartCentres following its acquisition by Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust, has its own list of concerns. The company owns land on the north side of Victoria Street, bounded by Ebycrest Road on the west side. The area is slated for commercial development in the power centre mode. Anne Messore of SmartREIT/Breslau North Development Inc. (BNDI) said the company’s holding originally totalled 57 acres, of which about 20 acres is inside the current settlement area. It lost nine acres expropriated by the province for the new Hwy. 7, bifurcating part of the land and making it unusable. They would like to see all of their property inside the settlement area, but would settle for a reworking of the parcels to maintain 20 acres in a more useful configuration. John Scarfone, Woolwich’s manager of planning, said the rationalization of the company’s lands will have to be a separate process, as the Region of Waterloo won’t approve any changes until it makes amendments to its own official plan. That could take place next year. The township plans to rework some of the settlement boundaries in Breslau, Elmira and St. Jacobs and elsewhere in 2016,
though will tackle them individually as some will be easier changes than others. In some cases, land currently in a settlement area may be removed and its allocation given to another property, which could make for a battle. In BNDI’s case, it’s just reworking their own property. “Their proposal is not contentious because they’re rationalizing their own lands,” he noted. While staff recommended adopting the new settlement plan, councillors ultimately deferred a decision until early next year, saying they need more information. The pending legal action also limited some of the discussion points “This is a frustrating process for me,” said Coun. Mark Bauman of being muzzled by the OMB issues with Thomasfield and Empire. Council is in something of a legal limbo, not being able to discuss certain facets of the settlement plan in public. Complicating matters, the OMB will be looking for the township to make a decision on the plan prior to its hearings, which are scheduled for May and June. Councillors will take up the plan again at a Jan. 12 closed session with legal counsel before coming back to it in open discussion at the committee of the whole meeting on Feb. 2. Much of the growth addressed in the plan will come via a mixed-use (residential, commercial and industrial) development to the east of the village, expansion of a residential project at the south end, and new commercial development to the north, on the other side of Victoria Street. Developers for each of those projects were on hand to pitch their visions.
Likewise, developers seeking inclusion in the planning area also made their cases, hoping to turn land into bankable projects. Both Thomasfield Homes and Empire Communities, builders of subdivisions on the east and south sides of Breslau respectively, are looking to move forward with the next phases of their developments, each needing new lots to build on. Empire Communities hopes to build 531 units – a mix of single-detached houses and townhomes – on a 77-acre parcel to the west of its existing Riverland subdivision. The development would be home to an anticipated 1,636 people, with employment land in the mix adding another 76 employees. The plan also includes three parks and space for a new elementary school. Thomasfield’s latest bid for its eastside lands would bring 2,300 new residents and 3,330 jobs to the area. Proposed is a combination of residential (singlefamily, semis, townhouses and apartment buildings), commercial space, offices, retail stores, industrial uses, schools, open space, trails and wetlands extending over more than 335 acres east of the company’s current development, the Hopewell Heights subdivision. The development would cover two pieces of land, 226 acres immediately east of the subdivision and 109 acres east of Greenhouse Road, the site of much of the proposed industrial land. There would be 865 residential units; 53 acres of employment land; 15 acres set aside at the south end of the western property, adjacent to the CN rail line, set aside for a GO Transit station; and substantial amounts of protected wetlands and extensive trailways.
5% OFF
10% OFF THROUGHOUT
REST OF STORE Toys, Books, Dishes, Cards Stationary, Cards, Towels and all clothing, mitts, underwear, hosiery (excludes all coats) STORE HOURS: Dec 24, 31 - 8-4 CLOSED: Dec. 25, 26, 27, 28, Jan 1, 2, 3, 4
May He bring you peace, comfort, joy, and hope throughout the season and in the new year. God Bless Your Holidays 1657 Cox Creek Road, West Montrose
Tel: 519-884-7070
NEW CA SETSNISTER d or youecorated r designown !
NEW for Christmas S D BOOK EN K also BOO S HOLDER
GROCERIES (excluding dairy, eggs, and baking)
n e M e s i W m i H k e e Still S
15% OFF COTTONS
Best Wishes to you and your family this Holiday Season from staff & management
50% OFF SELECTED FABRICS
SANYO CANADIAN
10% OFF All FABRIC, SEWING
Dec. 1 - Dec. 31
NOTIONS, SWEATER, QUILT BATTS, CLOCKS
Closed Mondays, Tues.-Fri. 8-6, Sat. 8-5
THANK-YOU to all our customers for your support. We look forward to Customer seeing you in Appreciation the future!
Days
Dec 15 & 16 FREE Long Johns & Coffee
The book TRAIL OF THE CONESTOGA is back in stock!
2192 Floradale Rd., Floradale, ON. 519.669.1381
MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED
10 | NEWS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
BRIGHTENING UP THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays.
Wherever you go this holiday season, our fond wishes are with you. All the best to our many friends throughout the area! This has been a great year for us, thanks to your generous support.
18 Park Ave. E. Elmira, ON
519.669.1445
rmwexteriors.com
Charita Horst and Heidi Harris helped assemble poinsettia and wreath orders at the Elmira Lions Hall before delivering them for Woolwich Community Services’ annual poinsettia sale. [WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER]
STATION: Council wants more information FROM | 8
addition – is estimated to cost $1.6 million. The latter option, however, could be funded entirely through development charges – fees levied on the developers of new homes to cover the cost of future service upgrades – whereas the new building would require more financing options, said Pedersen. The new station would also rely on a fairly healthy profit from selling the cur-
rent property. Even with that, there’s a forecasted shortfall of more than $350,000 above current financing models. The renovation project, however, could see a surplus of $80,000 if the township sells the Church Street property, which has an estimated value of $412,500. Both Ward 1 councillors favour renovating the existing building, while other want more information before making a decision.
“I don’t support the move for the Elmira station,” said Coun. Scott Hahn. Fellow Elmira councillor Patrick Merlihan also favours staying put. With either option, the work is pencilled in for 2020, but the township would have to begin collecting development charges in earnest to pay for the project, suggested director of finance Richard Petherick.
MAKING A MESS AT ENTRANCE TO ELMIRA TRAIL
An unknown culprit dumped heaps of garbage, including food wrappers, pillows, shoes, clothing and personal hygiene products in the parking lot at the entrance to the Kissing Bridge Trail off Snyder Avenue North at Victoria Glen Street late last week. [LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER]
SCAM: Police warn people to take precautions FROM | 3
he said, mentioning that the first thing to do when you are unsure of a caller or an emailer is to double check. “The advice is when a stranger contacts you by phone, mail or email, and they want something out of you, whether it is money or personal information, verify who you are dealing with.” Like the call Norris received, Williams says one of the ways scammers gain people’s trust is by bringing up the idea they can consult a lawyer, or have a lawyer call back instead. “Some messages are really smooth and sophisticated. There are different lev-
els of care and attention,” he said. “One of the angles they use, because they know about the psychology of their victims, they leave the option for you or your attorney to call back. What this does, is it sets up the victim to thinking that these people would speak to a lawyer so therefore it must be on the up-and-up. What happens in reality, if you phone back and you tell them you are going to speak to a lawyer before you do anything, you will hear, ‘click.’” Norris reported the call to both the local police and the Anti Fraud Centre, but wants to make sure that nobody in the area is tricked
by the calls. “When I received the call, I thought there are a lot of older people in our tiny little town, and how many would get that phone call, think it was legitimate and call them back?” she said. “The girl on the Anti Fraud line said I was lucky that I hadn’t called back the number. She said many people have lost thousands of dollars. I just thought it should be reported where people will read it.” For more information on the different phone scams that are making the rounds on Canadian answering machines, or to report a potential fraud, visit www. antifraudcentre.ca.
NEWS | 11
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Groups moving quickly to welcome Syrian refugees to Waterloo Region WHITNEY NEILSON
Mercedes Corp. president Marcus Shantz says DH Lodging in St. Jacobs will fill its nine rooms with Syrian refugees after the inn closes later this month. He says it will be temporary housing for some 16-22 refugees and that St. Jacobs will be a great, central location for them to get their bearings in a new country. [WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER] stead of each individual congregation tackling it on their own. He said one of the early next steps they need to take is to put together a local steering committee who will oversee this effort. They’ll create as many family hosting teams as needed and handle the paperwork while working with MCC and the Canadian government. “Each church will be deciding how much money it can contribute to the effort. At the meeting we provided response sheets to participants and this coming weekend at the Wellesley parade we’re planning to hand out invitation cards for members of the community, so if they would like to make donations toward the effort there will be an email address they can contact. Based on the level of response we re-
ceive that will let us know how many refugees we can sponsor,” Kipfer said. While refugees are expected to arrive in Waterloo Region before the end of the year, Kipfer says it will likely take the folks in Wellesley until sometime in January to get the funds and volunteers together. He says to h is knowledge, this is the first time the churches have worked together to sponsor refugees, but individual churches in Wellesley have sponsored refugees before. They joined forces along with community groups earlier this year to open the Wellesley Food Cupboard. Working with a group of churches means they’re able to draw from a larger pool of resources and manpower, while also building relationships in the community, he adds. “I think we have been
very richly blessed. It seems like a natural expression of our faith to do this. And I think among many in the community, whether or not they’re active in church, I think the plight of Syrian refugees has really touched peoples’ hearts and I think people are motivated by compassion. They want to respond with hospitality, generosity, and love,” Kipfer said. Tara Bedard, immigration partnership manager, says the website came together quickly following a meeting in November when the cities and the regional government got involved in bringing refugees to the region. It’s expected more than 1,000 Syrian refugees will be relocating to the region. “We started earlier in the fall realizing that sponsorship efforts were increasing, so there would
BY THE NUMBERS:
Syrian Refugee Effort
25,000 » Total number of refugees to arrive in Canada by the end of February 2016
10,000 » Total number of refugees to arrive in Canada by the end of 2015 » Up to 10,000 refugees to arrive across Ontario
1,000+ » Estimated number of refugees to arrive in Waterloo Region
416 » Refugees have arrived in Canada as of December 9, 2015
Thank you Elmira for making our first year a success! From the SOS Staff Team Church St
r St
We look forward to helping you achieve and maintain good health in 2016.
Ar
th
ur
St
S
Wa lke
LOCALLY AND ACROSS WATERLOO Region, support for Syrian refugees continues to grow. A Refugee Resettlement Steering Committee was created in the region this month, alongside a new website with information for people looking to learn about how they can help. Churches in Wellesley also met last week along with the Mennonite Central Committee to see how they could band together to do the most good. Maple View Mennonite Church pastor Brent Kipfer says about 150 people came from four churches and various community groups. “The four sponsoring churches, we’re hoping to be able to bring at least four or five families to the area. At this point based on the information we’ve received at our meeting last Tuesday, each of the churches as well as some other community groups are going back to their own group and will be deciding what level of support they’re able to give, in terms of finances, in terms of volunteers to be part of local refugee hosting teams. Based on those responses we’ll be able to decide how many families we can sponsor,” Kipfer said. The meeting came about after Kipfer and other pastors in Wellesley got to talking about how many people in the community wanted to help resettle Syrian refugees. They thought by coming together it would allow for the whole community to join in, in-
be more privately sponsored folks coming into the community and how to connect them to services,” Bedard said. She says they decided what to put on the website after conversations they had in the community with agencies and sponsorship groups throughout October and November around the information they were seeking, and the kinds of questions they were starting to get from folks in the community. “There’s a lot of support for the efforts to support refugees in general, and seeing this community, there are so many groups getting involved in private sponsorship of refugees. Not just wanting to help people once they get to the community but also taking on their sponsorship and actually facilitating that they come here,” Bedard said. Since launching the site, she says feedback has been largely positive. People looking to help out like that they can go to one place to find the information they’re looking for, like how to donate, where to volunteer, and general information about the Syrian conflict. “We really want the portal to be a space where everybody knows they can turn for information, whether that’s private individuals who they want to support somehow but they don’t know ways they can do so, that’s a place where they can go and find out,” Bedard said. For more information on the Syrian refugee resettlement process, visit www. WRwelcomesrefugees.ca.
Pa
51 9 •6 6 9 •1 2 1 2
w w w.sosphysiotherapy. c a
3 Wyat t
St .
ELMIR A
Wy
Jam es St
rk
Av
eE
E ast
att
St
E
E
12 | NEWS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Santa comes to town Santa waves to the crowds lining Arthur Street last Saturday morning, while marching bands play classic carols, the Elmira Sugar Kings thank their fans and hand out candy and a human mailbox collects children’s letters to send to the North Pole. The parade is organized by the Kiwanis Club in Elmira and according to organizers, grows larger and longer every year. [LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER]
CHRISTMAS SALE
WEEKLY SPECIALS
Specials from December 14th – December 19th Fresh Lean
Sirloin Tip Roasts
5.49
$
REG. PRICE
$8.59 /lb.
Store Made
Mini Blackforest Hams
3.79
$
REG. PRICE
$4.49 /lb.
Store Made
Assorted Liverwurst
3.99
$
REG. PRICE
$4.49 /lb.
Fresh Local
Roasting Chickens
2.69
$
REG. PRICE
$3.29 /lb.
Store Made
• 22 utility, stretch & decorative stitches • One-Step Auto-buttonholer • Needle threader built-in .95 $ • 3 Bonus quilting feet • Hard-shell carrying case
Smoked Picnic Hams
1.79
$
299
REG. PRICE
$2.69 /lb.
SUV1122
Our ORDER HOTLINE is up and running. Reserve your Local Fresh Turkey, Goose, Roast or Smoked Ham today!
Four DLB
HOURS OF OPERATION SE
LL
E
RVI
E C E W H AT W
SE
Monday to Wednesday ...... Thursday & Friday.............. Saturday.............................. Sunday.......... Dec 13 & 20
9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 12:00 noon - 4:00pm
FREDERICK ST. MALL, KITCHENER TEL.
$379.95
HD718
Serving the K-W Area for Over 35 Years W
Visit us online at www.stemmlermeats.ca
$499.95
• Heavy duty metal frame • Easy drop in bobbin • 18 Stitches • 1 Step Automatic buttonholer • Needle threader
Many other models to choose from • Free lessons on any machine purchased • Sewing Baskets • Scissors
3031 Lobsinger Line, Heidelberg 519-699-4590 Mon. - Wed. 8-6; Thurs. - Fri. 8-8; Saturday 7:30-5
• 3 or 4 Thread overlock • Easy Lay-in threading • Colour-coded thread paths • Built-in rolled hem plate • Auto tension release
5198846981
NEWS | 13
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Season’s Greetings to you and yours
• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
Woods, clemens, fletcher & cronin Law Office
Thinking of you and wishing you a season of heavenly peace.
One KM south of Winterbourne
MODULAR BUILDINGS | MOVING,LEASING & SALES
265 Katherine St. S.
519-664-3701
9 Memorial Ave.
26 Wellington St. S.
Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6 T: 519-669-5101
Drayton, Ontario N0G 1P0 T: 519-638-5767
2170 Floradale Rd., Floradale
519.669.2183
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
Join Hands & Pray
Let Us
For peace in our hearts, peace in our homes and peace throughout each and every land.
From all of us at:
K&K Liquidation and Auction Ltd. Call Today!
WINTER HOURS | FRIDAYS 10AM-6PM | SATURDAYS 9AM-4PM
DUB-L-E ESSO
Hutchison road,GREETINGS • SEASON’S 519-699-1118 • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •1420SEASON’S GREETINGS 390 Arthur St., S., Elmira • www.richmondheatingandair.com WELLESLEY 519-669-2015 1-2633 Hergott Rd. | St Clements www.kandkliquidation.com • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS
519-656-0770
HIGH EFFICIENCY HEATING | NATURAL GAS PIPING | SEE US FOR GOVERNMENT REBATES ON FURNACE & AIR CONDITIONERS
• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
14 | NEWS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
HOLIDAY HEARING SAVINGS Special DEC Coupon Offers! If you or a loved one are having difficulty hearing, now is the best time to book your FREE, no obligation hearing test and take advantage of these special, limited-time coupon offers!
THESE COUPONS CAN BE COMBINED!
FREE
Receive a FREE hearing test and earn
25 AIR MILES® reward miles!
Hearing Test
Hearing tests are provided free of charge for adults ages 18 and older. 25 reward mile offer is limited to adults ages 50 and over and is non-transferable. Please allow up to 45 days for the reward miles to appear in your collector account. ®†™†Trademark of AIR MILES® International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne Inc. and Canada Hearing Ltd. Expires 12/31/15. Limit one use per customer.
FREE
Receive a FREE professional cleaning & check-up for your current hearing aids!
Hearing Aid Check-up
The annual fundraiser at Baby Charlotte was a hit last weekend, with some $400 in donations from cookie sales, photos with Santa, and face painting, and an additional $5,000 worth of brand new clothing donated to outreach programs in the rural townships through CAPC.
This is a free service regardless of make, model, or where you bought your hearing aids. No purchase required. Expires 12/31/15. 12/31/1 Limit one use per customer.
[WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER]
FREE
Proceeds from retail fundraiser help support childrens’ group in Woolwich and Wellesley
Packs of Batteries
Get 3 packs of batteries when you join the ListenUP! Battery Club. No purchase required. See clinic for details. Expires 12/31/15. Limit one use per customer.
Save up to
1,000
$
off all styles of the latest digital hearing aids
WHITNEY NEILSON
This limited-time offer applies to ADP and private sales of select models of hearing aids and is subject to change without notice. Some conditions may apply. Please see clinic for details. Expires 12/31/15. Limit one use per customer.
Member Discount
SAVE 10%
Members of these trusted groups and more SAVE 10% off the regular price of any hearing aids!
See full list at partners.ListenUPcanada.com. Present membership card at time of purchase. Expires 12/31/15. Limit one use per customer.
Earn up to:
1,000 reward miles AIR MILES®
with your purchase of select hearing aids!
Reward mile value is non-transferable and depends on select models purchased. Please allow up to 45 days for the reward miles to appear in your collector account. ®†™†Trademark of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne Inc. and Canada Hearing Ltd. Expires 12/31/15. Limit one use per customer.
Book your FREE appointment today! See list of clinics below or visit ListenUPcanada.com/HolidayAd • Cambridge Hespeler | 1 Hespeler Road | Call Jennifer at 1-888-858-4260 • Cambridge St. Andrews | 190 St. Andrews Street | Call Barb at 1-888-865-0409 • Guelph | 2-690 Woolwich Street | Call Janet at 1-844-200-4528 • Kitchener | 558 Belmont Avenue West | Call Navreet at 1-844-484-8377 • Stratford | 295 Huron Street | Call Liz at 1-844-804-3354 • Waterloo | 304-99 Northfield Drive East | Call Ralinda at 1-855-242-7166
Referred by Physicians over 50,000 Times. LUC04
NSP-HLDY-WOOB
PICTURES WITH SANTA, FACE-PAINTING and homemade Christmas cookies sold at Baby Charlotte on Saturday raised some $400 for children in Woolwich and Wellesley. The money will go toward the local Community Action Program for Children efforts, administered though Carizon Family and Community Services’ Rural Family Outreach Workers. Carla Muller, Baby Charlotte store owner and Conestogo resident, also donated $5,000 worth of brand new baby and children’s clothing. She estimates 100 people came through her store – located in Kitchener, but previously in Conestogo – for the fundraiser where kids could get a photo with Santa and some cookies for a good cause. They’re also donating all the money they raise through gift wrapping. “We had a face painter from Makin’ Faces Face Painting; Cathy’s amazing, she can paint anything. We had little Elsas and little Spidermen running around. It was unbelievable how many kids we
had in the first hour and a half. And then very quickly it was naptime,” Muller said. She spent long nights the week before baking 1,500 cookies, posting updates on the store’s Facebook page as late at 3 a.m. They’re doing gift wrapping for $1 for a small gift and $2 for a large gift, with all funds going toward CAPC, and there are cookies leftover for sale at the shop. “We’ve always done a fundraiser of some sort. And from time to time we’ve been really proud supporters of the CAPC. Lynda Kohler and Shirley Redekop are amazing women who I swear they never sleep. They’re everywhere and they really make a difference. They come and pick up a load of bins of clothing from us and they’re immediately ‘you take this and I’ll take this and I can swing by this house on my way home and you can swing by that place on your way home.’ There’s no red tape. It’s amazing. They just say we’ve got this stuff, let’s get it out there to people who need it,” Muller said. Kohler is the program
coordinator at Woolwich Community Health Centre and Redekop is a family outreach worker and program coordinator at Carizon. The first fundraiser they did was in 2011 where they donated 116 pairs of children’s shoes to WCHC. “I remember the first year when we had all those shoes. Linda sent me a photo, she showed me this picture of all these little girls, they’re all wearing Pediped shoes, these little glittery shoes and they were all so overwhelmed with having new shoes because they’d never had new shoes before. It’s just amazing,” Muller said. Muller chooses a different charity each year to give the money raised from gift wrapping, Santa photos, and face painting. They took 38 photos with Santa, which Muller then framed and emailed to the families so they could use them as Christmas cards if they wanted. They also donated $7,000 worth of clothes to WCHC back in February. “We’ve been really fortunate and it’s been really good for us here. It’s really nice to give back,” Muller said.
NEWS | 15
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Wishing all of our clients & friends a Merry
Visit us today and enjoy our:
CHRISTMAS SPECIALS! Jolly Fingers & Toes!
75
$
Christmas
Signature Manicure Signature Pedicure Brow Wax
65
$
125
$
175
From Everyone at:
519-669-2786
Prices DO NOT include tax
4 Park Ave. W, Elmira
THURS.
25
26
27
28
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!
12 AM - 11 PM
CLOSED
FRI.
SAT.
29
30 12 - 8 PM
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE !
WED.
12 - 5 PM
SUN.
MON.
31
1
NEW VE E A E Y R’S M
- 11 P 11 AM L TO L A C E! RESERVTHUR S.
Birth Date | Town Parents Names
$40 +hst
Deadline for submission Monday, January 11, 2016
BOOK EARLY!
Email photos & caption information to: ads@woolwichobserver.com
FRI.
Regular hours continue ND
fRI. jAN. 2
15 FIRST STREET E., ELMIRA • 519-669-2833 • elmirabowl@rogers.com
Babies of the
Last Name, First Name
CLOSED
(Great Stocking Stuffers!)
THE PERFECT GIFT!
Book An Appointment
WED.
TUES.
* Upgrade polish to shellac for $10 * Upgrade express to signature facial for $15
CLOSED
TUES.
12 - 8 PM
Spa Manicure Spa Pedicure Signature Facial Shampoo & Style
11 - 8 PM
11 - 6 PM
MON.
CLOSED
1 Hour Hot Stone Massage Express Facial
The Ultimate Gift!
$
21
Wash & Style Polish Application Makeup Application *Add 6 foils for $30
Warm Up For Winter!
New Year!
CHRISTM22AS H23OUR24S 12 - 5 PM
Party Night!
and a Very Happy
L Y O S D I A H ! Y P P A H
! R A YE 5
Full colour photo of your little one published in the January 14, 2016 edition.
201
16 | COMMENT
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
JOE MERLIHAN PUBLISHER STEVE KANNON EDITOR
COMMENT
DONNA RUDY SALES MANAGER
WHITNEY NEILSON REPORTER
LIZ BEVAN
PATRICK MERLIHAN PRODUCTION MANAGER
JAKE STALLARD GRAPHIC DESIGN
REPORTER PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NUMBER 1004840 | ISSN 12039578
OUR VIEW / EDITORIAL
THE VIEW FROM HERE
Auditor’s report details Wynne’s incompetence IF LAST YEAR’S REPORT by the Auditor General was damning – filled with tales of profligacy and mismanagement by Kathleen Wynne’s government – the 2015 version is scathing. Over hundreds of pages, it details incompetence and corruption on a systemic scale. From failures to protect children and long-term care patients to dropping the ball on the electricity file to the detriment of the system and our wallets, Bonnie Lysyk paints a picture of a government adrift and wasting money like no other before it. The many instances of mismanagement includes a new computer system used in the administration of social assistance – SAMS – was launched prematurely with serious defects at a cost of over $200 million, which was about $40 million over budget, with additional costs to fix the defects that are expected to bring the total cost to about $290 million. The malfunctioning system lead to some $140 million in benefit errors, perhaps $89 million in overpayments and $51 million in underpayments. Eighty per cent of the new funding the Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure approved in the last five years to support businesses went to select companies that were invited to apply for it. In brief, tax dollars were doled out to friends of the government with no accountability. In that vein, Lysyk found the Ministry of Research and Innovation does not track the total funding ministries and agencies invest in research and does not evaluate the impact of funded research. This results in difficulty determining whether value for money is being achieved. Again, zero accountability for tax dollars. Another potential slush fund. Some of the strongest language was directed at the government’s handling of all things electricity. Hydro One’s transmission and distribution systems have become less reliable, yet their costs are increasing, she notes. Ontarians are very familiar with the botched job Wynne has made of the electricity file. Quantified, Lysyk notes we paid a collective $37 billion more than market rates between 2006 and 2014. In that time, the price paid by residential customers rose by 70 per cent. While prices reflected increased costs for dealing with an aging system, much of the overpayment can be traced to poor policies. The Liberals routinely ignored expert advice – and even common sense – in pursuit of ill-advised policies and political patronage and vote-buying. Despite all the extra money we’ve been dumping into it, the electrical system continues to worsen, at a high risk of failure, she notes. Overall, the report reveals that Ontario is led by an incompetent bunch that cares not for the good policy and the public good, but for channeling money to win votes. The Ontario government is spending more money than it has. Spending more than the economy can keep up with. Spending more than even the inflation argument can attempt to justify. Spending more than we can afford to pay. Such profligacy is hardly a surprise to anyone paying attention – a whole lot of people aren’t, if the last election is any indication. The latest report from the provincial Auditor General puts the spotlight firmly on the questionable leadership of Kathleen Wynne. As we’re stuck with her for a few more years, we can expect Ontario’s economic status to worsen as Wynne wastes billions and continues her record of doing the opposite of what’s right for the public.
As the loonie’s value keeps dropping, people start making alternate arrangements for the typical winter getaway. WORLD VIEW / GWYNNE DYER
U.S. politicians can’t tell the truth about terrorist attacks WORLD AFFAIRS ON SUNDAY PRESIDENT BARACK Obama spoke about a mass shooting in the United States for the 17th time in the past seven years. (There have actually been 355 mass shootings in the United States already this year – defined as cases where four or more people have been shot – but he only does the big ones.) But this time Obama spoke from the Oval Office. He’s only done that twice before, about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the end of combat operations in Iraq, both in 2010. The shooting in California killed 14 people and wounded 21 so it wasn’t even the biggest mass killing of his administration, but it got special treatment because it was a terrorist attack. He needed to do that because you just have to say the word “terrorist” to send many Americans into a flat panic, and many American politicians into spasms of oratory overkill. A representative example
was New Jersey governor and would-be Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie, who said: “We need to come to grips with the idea that we are in the midst of the next world war.” The next world war? The last world war killed at least 41 million people. The next one – the Third World War that we were waiting for when I was growing up – would have killed hundreds of millions, even if it didn’t cause a nuclear winter and kill billions. With due respect to the victims, the 16 dead in San Bernardino do not add up to a new world war. Neither do the 130 French (and a few foreigners) killed with guns and suicide bombs in Paris last month, nor the 224 Russians on the plane brought down over Egypt by a bomb at the end of October. Even in Europe, Islamist terrorism kills at the most hundreds per year; in America, it kills almost nobody. Before this week, only 16 Americans had been killed on home soil by Islamist terrorists in the past 14 years (13 soldiers killed by U.S. Army psychiatrist
Nidal Malik Hasan at Fort Hood, Texas in 2009, and three killed at the Boston Marathon in 2013). That’s an average (including the San Bernardino deaths) of two people per year killed in the United States by Muslim terrorists. . So why didn’t Barack Obama finish his speech by pointing out that Americans are 170 times more likely to drown in the bath than to be killed by Islamist terrorists? Because no public figure in the United States is allowed to say that the terrorist threat is very small in the West generally, and utterly minuscule if you actually live in the United States. You’re not allowed to say it because more than 6,000 American soldiers have been killed in two foreign wars that were justified by the 9/11 attacks (although Obama was bold enough to say plainly in his speech that those wars actually served the Islamists’ purposes). And you’re not allowed to say it because almost 3,000 Americans died on 9/11: that single attack 14 years ago has permanently
defined the scale of the terrorist threat in American minds, even though the likelihood that a comparable attack could be mounted today is extremely small. (In 2001, nobody was looking out for such an attack; now they are.) On the one hand, we have a trillion-dollar “war on terror” defended by a U.S. military and security establishment that has grown fat on the proceeds. On the other hand, we have a very small terrorist threat to the “homeland” against which, for the most part, that establishment’s efforts are irrelevant because the attackers are home-grown, self-radicalized lone wolves. None of the three “Islamist” attacks over the past 14 years was planned from abroad. All were carried out by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. None of those people, so far as is known, was even in contact with organizations like al-Qaeda or Islamic State (although Tashfeen Malik pledged her allegiance to the latter on her Facebook page on her way to the DYER | 19
COMMENT | 17
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
THEIR VIEW / QUESTION OF THE WEEK
What are your plans for the holiday season?
» Erin Schmidt
» Holly Carter
» Ryan Rashbrook
» Klayton Hoelscher
» Becky Brubacher
“We always do the same thing. We go to my in-law’s in Walkerton, then back home for Christmas morning.”
“Staying in town this year, with family.”
“Playing hockey, and going to Florida.”
“I have none. Hopefully, skating.”
“Spending time with family in town.”
“For Western, Asian and African countries that do not have large Muslim populations, they are merely a strategic nuisance.” Gwynne Dyer | 16 HIS VIEW / STEVE KANNON
U.S. gun culture is increasingly inexplicable to pretty much everybody else EDITOR'S NOTES NOTHING SAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS like the traditional family photo sent out with the Christmas cards. Mom, dad, grandma, the grandkids ... everyone packing heat. Well, I suppose that’s Happy Holidays American-style. Nevada state representative Michele Fiore’s family portrait is indicative of the gun crazy culture south of the border. So, too, are the comments she made on her weekend talk show in which she not only spoke out against hosting Syrian refugees but appeared to be in support of going overseas to kill them. “I’m about to fly to Paris and shoot ‘em in the head myself!” she said, laughing away. “I’m not OK with Syrian refugees, I’m not OK with terrorists, you know I’m OK with putting them down, blacking them out. Just put a piece of brass in their ocular cavity and end their miserable lives. I’m good with that.”
Such hyperbole isn’t uncommon in the wake of a long string of terrorist acts carried out by Muslims, including last month’s attacks in Paris and the shootings in San Bernardino that are being investigated as terrorism. The sentiment isn’t even uncommon in more moderate Canada, but we do expect our elected leaders to be even-keeled. Not so in the U.S., where the bombastic Donald Trump is a leading figure in the presidential race. Shootings like the one last week in California aren’t rare in the U.S. – it was the 355th incident in which at least four people were shot, qualifying as a mass shooting. Americans die by the thousands via gun violence. According to the Brady Campaign, a gun-control organization, each year an average of 108,476 people in America are shot in murders, assaults, suicides and suicide attempts, unintentional shootings, or by police intervention. Of those, 32,514 die – 11,294 are murdered, 19,992 people kill themselves, 561 people
HOW TO REACH US
67,000 Americans have died in wars, while 1.5 million have succumbed to the gun. About 1.17 million people have died in combat since the founding of the U.S., while about 1.49 million have died of a gunshot since Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed in 1968. With every mass shooting like San Bernardino, the worst incident since the Sandy Hook slaughter of school children three years ago, the gun-control battle rages anew. So commonplace are gun deaths that “lesser” examples such as the shooting at Planned Parenthood in Colorado last month (three dead, nine injured) seem to be taken in stride. Then there’s the spate of police shootings, typically of unarmed black men, with a smattering of black women and children. Few are the prosecutions, and fewer still the convictions of officers in even the most egregious cases – plenty of “feared for my life” excuses, however. Stand your ground. Open carry. Second amendment. The gun debate is incomprehensible to
many of us in this country. Controls and bans seem self-evident, but are a nogo in the U.S. of A. While each mass shooting brings gun-control advocates out, it also fuels the sale of even more guns – with no irony, many think it’ll make them safe, while others fear that there might actually be a crackdown on their ability to buy that assault rifle with the grenade-launcher attachment. Experience shows that no such thing will happen. Despite the outpouring of emotion that followed Sandy Hook, for instance, and despite polls and surveys showing the overwhelming majority of Americans supporting tighter restrictions on gun ownership, nothing has been done. With every incident, some people call for further restrictions on gun ownership. On the other side of the argument, gun advocates make excuses (the NRA in the States, the National Firearms Association here) and argue for greater access to guns, saying armed civilians could have gunned down such criminals before
their killing sprees continued. Some even push for heavily armed schools and churches. The latter arguments are commonplace in the U.S., where second amendment – the right to keep and bear arms – issues abound. In Canada, the notion seems ridiculous: having more guns at hand increases the risk. It would be far more likely for someone to see red, snap and use a readily available gun than it would be for someone to be faced with a murderer on a shooting rampage. Here, we’re not, of course, immune from such tragedies, but they aren’t a daily occurrence. Still, we operate under a different mindset than do those in the States, where politicians must be progun, or at least not come out in favour of gun control. That kind of thinking would not fly here: even the gun registry debate was more about waste, graft and rightwing ideology than about the guns themselves. And that Christmas card you receive from an elected official isn’t going to include a Glock 9mm.
PHONE 519.669.5790 | TOLL FREE 1.888.966.5942 | FAX 519.669.5753 | ONLINE WWW.OBSERVERXTRA.COM
ADDRESS 20-B ARTHUR ST. N., ELMIRA, ON N3B 1Z9 LETTERS
are killed unintentionally, 414 are killed by police intervention, and 254 die but intent is not known. That works out to 297 shootings each day, of which 89 people die from the gun violence. Still, Americans can easily get their hands on all kinds of weapons, including the assault rifles used in San Bernardino. The trouble with lax gun laws was on display last week in an all-too-common scene whereby a man said to be experiencing mental health issues shot a woman and her daughter following a soccer practice, then turned the gun on himself. The seven-year-old girl died. The man, described as a family friend, had a concealed carry permit and a legally purchased gun he obtained just three months earlier. Little Emma Nowling of Michigan joins an evergrowing list of gun victims. As New York journalist Alvin Chang points out, gun violence in the U.S. kills more Americans than the country’s seemingly interminable wars. Since Vietnam, for instance,
Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Observer. Include name, address and daytime phone number. Unsigned letters must contact Editor for publishing consideration. Keep letters under 350 words. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. This newspaper declines announcements, poetry and thank-you letters.
EDITORIAL
ADVERTISING
PRODUCTION
PUBLISHER
519.669.5790 EXT 103
519.669.5790 EXT 104
519.669.5790 EXT 105
519.669.5790 EXT 107
editor@woolwichobserver.com
ads@woolwichobserver.com
production@woolwichobserver.com
publisher@woolwichobserver.com
COPYRIGHT The entire contents of The Observer and online edition are protected by copyright. No portion thereof is to be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the specific permission of the publisher. Reproduction rights can be obtained from ACCESS COPYRIGHT located at 1 Young St., 1900, Toronto, ON M5E 1E5 | 416.868.1621
PRESS COMPLAINTS
The Observer is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact skannon@woolwichobserver. com. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit mediacouncil.ca or, call toll-free 1-844-877-1163
18 | COMMENT
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Rejoice!
S F May your holiday be filled with joy and good cheer and the New Year bring you peace and happiness.
Season Greetings
8 Snyder Ave. N., Elmira
Call 519-669-4111
E lm ira, O nt. 108 B onnie C res . P H : 519-669-2145
www.chartwellreit.ca
HILLCREST Home Baking 2192 Floradale Road | 519-669-1381
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS Wishing You & Your ring in the new year. Wishing FamilyCHRISTMAS A Safe & • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY you a safe Happy Holiday Season.
and happy holiday season from all of us at
VALUGUARD SECURITY SYSTEMS LTD.
Helping Our Clients Achieve Their Business Objectives.
21 Industrial Dr.,Elmira Small Engines: 519-669-2884 Auto Clinic: 519-669-7652
McCarter Grespan Beynon Weir P.C.
Lawyers 519-699-4020 675 Riverbend Drive, Kitchener | 519.571.8800 • SEASON’Svaluguard.ca GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • Wilkinson MERRY Dr. Carole
Merry Christmas Wishing you every happiness this holiday season and throughout the coming year.
& Dr. Chad Chhatwal O P T O M E T R I S T
Wish to announce the followingHoliday Hours: CLOSED
Dec. 25th, Jan. 1st.
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •
SYD SNIDER
OWNER/MANAGER
100 Bonnie Crescent, Elmira | 519.669.1949
921 Katherine St N West Montrose
519.669.3388
CLOSED at 12:30
Dec. 24th & Dec 31st SEASON’S GREETINGS
•
Warmest Season’s Greetings!
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYSwww.grandridge.ca • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
EMMANUEL “God With Us”
31 David St., Wellesley | 519.656.2909
519-669-0264 56 Howard Ave. Elmira, ON
AUMAN
PRINTING
4 Herbert St., Elmira
519.669.2540
COMMENT | 19
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
THE MONITOR
VERBATIM
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
Sales of Canadian maple products declined for a second consecutive year, down 5.8% from 2014 to $358.0 million in 2015. Quebec remained the most important producer, accounting for over 80% of sales nationally. The average price of maple products in the province was $37.74 per gallon in 2015. Maple production declined 6.1% from 2014 to 8.9 million gallons in 2015. Ontario production was relatively unchanged at 369,000 gallons.
“This government has so far ignored the concerns of Ontario families when it comes to the sell-off of Hydro One. Does the government plan to do the same when it comes to selling off other public assets that provide Ontario with a reliable revenue stream to pay for hospitals, roads and transit?”
Eager to extinguish a long-smoldering neighbourhood issue, Woolwich councillors this week quickly backed a deal to swap land with EDSS. The reciprocal-use deal will allow the school to create a smoking area away from nearby residents. The plan sees a portion of the school property become township property, while a portion of University Avenue in front of the building becomes school property.
» Statistics Canada
» Ontario NDP finance critic Catherine Fife says that the Fall Economic Statement
» From the Dec. 10, 2005 edition of The Observer
shows the Liberal government is leaving the door wide open to the privatization of more public assets.
DYER: Islamist attacks pale in
NATIONAL VIEW
comparison to other shootings now bombing Islamic State targets in Syria), then by all means do so. You might save the Syrians from a very unpleasant fate. But don’t imagine that this is necessary for your own defence. Conversely, don’t worry that the bombing will cause terrorist attacks on you at home. Those attacks will happen no matter what the United States (to pick an example at random) is doing or not doing abroad. And a country that can blithely ignore 63 shooting attacks in its schools since the beginning of this year can manage to live with a small Islamist attack every few years too.
FROM | 16
massacre at the Inland Regional Centre in San Bernardino). The Islamist extremists pose an existential threat to Syria and Iraq. They are a serious threat to the other Arab countries, and a rather more distant problem for other Muslim countries. For Western, Asian and African countries that do not have large Muslim populations, they are merely a strategic nuisance. If any of those outside powers want to fight the Islamists on home ground (like the NATO countries and Russia, who are all
MAKE IT YOUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTION TO GET ENGAGED http://observerxtra.com/write-a-letter/
Prince of Peace
At this time of year, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas — the miracle of a babe, born in a manger. May His love ring out to the world.
The
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
Doctor of Audiology is iin… By Juliane Shantz, Au.D. Born & Raised
Luke 2: 11
in Elmira
Grand daughter of Levi & Melinda Shantz Supporting Community for 19 years.
Many teens are already at high risk for permanent hearing loss due to exposure to high-volume music coming from their mp3 players and concert venues. Now, there is also research suggesting that those exposed to secondhand smoke as children have a higher risk of suffering from low- and high-frequency hearing loss during their teens. This finding comes as troubling news to the estimated 60 percent of children in this country who are exposed to some kind of secondhand smoke. It may be even more concerning that, when researchers studied the health data of 1,533 children between the ages of 12 and 19, 80 percent of the adolescents with hearing loss were unaware that their hearing was compromised. Testing is recommended.
We wish to thank each and every one of our customers for their support this year. May you have a Wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Teens that are exposed to passive smoke should be more closely monitored for hearing impairment. They also should be educated about the risk factors of hearing loss, such as noise pollution and second-hand smoke. EAR & HEARING CLINIC offers customers a full range of diagnostic and hearing-loss prevention services, hearing instruments, and assistive devices. To schedule an appointment, please call our clinic. “Hear the Sounds of Life.”
Elo & Florence, Darrell & Dianne, Walter, Jordan, Trenton, Darren
35 Howard Ave.
•
SECONDHAND SMOKE THREATENS TEEN HEARING
Peace on Earth, good will towards men.
OK TIRE ELMIRA 519.669.3232
•
4790 Herrgott Rd., Wallenstein,
519-669-2192
www.efsaudersales.ca
“Serving your lawn & garden needs since 1975”
FREE Hearing Tests* & Workshops
Call for Details | ELMIRA 519-669-4425 | The Clock Tower Wellness Centre
*
20 | SPORTS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
SPORTS HOCKEY / OFFICIATING
Refereeing is a real family affair Doug Martin and his boys Alex and Kyle are happy to be the guys behind the whistle at local games WHITNEY NEILSON WITH 50 YEARS OF hockey refereeing experience between them, Doug, Kyle and Alex Martin finally officiated a game together this season. The father-and-sons trio say it was definitely a special moment. “You can imagine that being a big deal, we’re all three there at once. It was fun,” Kyle said. “It was a bit of the blowout for the other team. But it was fun to be a part of that together,” Alex said. They reffed a Woolwich Minor Midget game. Doug is in his 40th season, Alex in his eighth, and Kyle in his second. Kyle plays pickup hockey when he can and Alex plays in a men’s league. They’re both goalies. They all agree it’s a good way to stay a part of the game and keep active. “I’m a little older and out of shape than I was when I was 22,” Doug says with a laugh. Doug usually refs one game a week, while Kyle does a few a week, and Kyle has 45 games to ref this month alone. Doug’s a level five ref, Alex is a level three, and Kyle is a level two. Doug got into reffing when he used to work at the old Elmira arena, sweeping the stands and moving the nets. “There would be times when referees wouldn’t show up or a guy wouldn’t want to referee, so I’d just throw on my skates and go out there. One thing led to the other and then I started
NOT SO GREAT OUTDOORSMAN / STEVE GALEA
Lost and found items have minds of their own OPEN COUNTRY
Kyle says for him it’s telling a coach he’s wrong. Alex says learning all the rules is a task in itself, with 10 different scenarios for each rule in the official rule book. Doug says watching kids grow from 14-year-old refs into adults and fathers of their own kids is the most enjoyable part for him now. “Now I go out to a game, often the coach is a kid that I used to referee when he was novice. They’re all giving back to the game,” Doug said.
TWO WEEKS AGO, I realized that my trusty hunting knife went missing somewhere in the house. A week later, after backtracking, looking everywhere, interrogating the usual suspects (the dogs), and turning my great hunting and fishing hall (aka our laundry room) upside down, I formally upgraded its status to lost. Late last week, I regret to say, I took the last desperate measure in finding that knife before calling off the search. Yes, I ordered a new one. It hasn’t arrived yet, but when it gets here, I expect that I will find the old knife almost immediately. I’m not sure why it works this way. All I know is that I have half a dozen ice fishing rods because of it. I suspect this might be due to the jealous nature of outdoor gear. That old hunting knife, having been put to use in deer season, probably decided to take a vacation without letting anyone know. Left to its own devices it would probably resurface
REFS | 29
GALEA | 22
Hockey refereeing has become a family tradition for Elmira refs, Alex, Doug and Kyle Martin. The three of them finally worked a game together this season. [WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER]
to get into junior hockey,” Martin said. He stopped reffing junior hockey when he was in 20s because it was a big time commitment and he had young kids. He’s stuck with minor hockey since then. Alex followed suit when he was 14, and Kyle after that. “I always went up when my dad was reffing and just followed him around,” Alex said. “He used to be a 13 year old in the stands and I’d be out reffing and I’d be watching to make sure he was okay,” Doug said. “For me having a dad as
a ref, that kind of drew me in, but I started late. I was done minor hockey and I wanted to give back to the community, if you will,” Kyle said. Doug says the Woolwich Minor Hockey system is a good association to be a part of for reffing. And he’s seen plenty of changes to the game since he started when he was only 15. “I think it’s better. You always hear the bad publicity about hockey and the referees. When I think back to when I was a kid refereeing it was kind of out of control most of the time.
Now every parent and coach have to take Respect in Sport. You don’t get the coach standing up on top of the boards. It’s few and far between,” Doug said. “It’s cleaned up a lot,” Kyle said. He notes there are a lot more female referees than there used to be too. When asked, Doug says the biggest challenge he finds refereeing now is keeping up with the game. “I go and watch a Sugar Kings game, they do a fourman system. I used to ref that by myself and do that five nights in a row,” Doug said.
I f f oo t & lo w e r li m b pa i n a r e a ff ect i ng yo u r qu a li t y o f li f e, o u r e xpe r i enced ped o r t h i s t s w a nt to h elp! Patrick Purves, who became a Pedorthist after experiencing the difference good orthotics can make in an active life, helps patients at our Woolwich Physiotherapy clinic location. An avid athlete with a passion for Pedorthics, Kalsey Smith serves patients at our SOS Physiotherapy clinic location.
Wool wi ch P h y si o th e rapy 8-25 I ndu st r ia l D r ive El m ira , O N N 3B 3K3 Tel ( 519) 669-2578
SOS P h y si o th e rapy ( E l mi ra ) 3 Wy a t t St . E., Su ite 2 El m ira , O N N 3B 2H 4 Tel ( 519) 669-1212
www.kimberlyrau.com
SPORTS | 21
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Kings find their scoring touch against Listowel Team runs up a six-goal lead thanks to the work of its special teams en route to a 6-2 victory at the WMC LIZ BEVAN THE ELMIRA SUGAR KINGS delivered a hefty win against the Listowel Cyclones on Sunday night at the Woolwich Memorial Centre. When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 6-2. After a few weeks of working on special teams in their weekly practices, the Kings capitalized on three of four power plays, two of which came in the first period. The first goal of the game came off Quinten Bruce’s stick, helped along by Ryan Walsh and Dawson Shackleton, giving the Kings the lead while Cyclones defenseman Kade Landry sat in the box for hooking. The boys quickly doubled up, with yet another power play goal less than two minutes later from Mackenzie MacSorley, from Ethan Skinner and Mitch Montgomery. MacSorley scored with just a couple of seconds left in the power play, after players took their
time, setting up a few shots in front of Listowel’s net. “I thought the power play units were moving the puck really well,” said Sugar Kings coach Ty Canal. “You could tell they were feeling comfortable. We were rewarded with a couple of goals, and it was good to see. We want to keep the puck moving, and keep it in the system at the same time.” The second period leaned well in Elmira’s favour, with four more pucks getting past Listowel netminder Wyatt Nicholson. First up, just three minutes in and unassisted, MacSorley scored his second goal of the game and seventh since joining the Kings lineup earlier last month, putting the guys even farther in the lead. At just six minutes into the second, Zac Coulter buried one, with a little help from Colton Culbert, followed three minutes later by a goal from Ty Biles with assists from Walsh and Jeff Jordan.
Jake Moggy and Jeff Jordan celebrate one of the six goals the team scored against the Listowel Cyclones on Sunday night. The Kings capitalized on three of four power plays. They will be playing top seeded teams, Stratford and Kitchener this weekend. [LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER] The boys decided a five-goal lead just wasn’t enough for them, however, and Shackleton scored the third power play goal of the game, while Listowel’s Holdyn Lansink was keeping the penalty bench warm on fighting, head contact and misconduct penalties.
he said. “When you are rolling four lines pretty much the entire game, that is definitely a positive. Some lines that weren’t getting scoring chances (in other games) were (on Sunday) and in the first two periods especially. I thought all of our lines were taking the defensive zone to the next
KINGS | 29
From our family to yours,
Making Spirits Bright!
Merry Christmas
519.698.2472
www.erbelectric.ca
Canal says he was pleased to see more scoring chances and goals than in previous games. It shows him the guys are improving and know what they are doing when they get on the ice. “I thought it was a really good team game. Right from the drop of the puck, everyone was playing well,”
level which enabled them to play in the offensive zone. It is great to see.” In the third, the Cyclones decided they couldn’t take it anymore and came off the bench fighting hard. The team replaced the goalie for the last 20 minutes. It proved to be a decent move, as the Kings’ scoring streak was over for the night. They managed to hold on to the win, however, with only two goals against in the third. “Listowel came out of the third period strong out of the gate and they were able to score on us early,’ said Canal, adding that even with a second goal for Listowel, Elmira held them off. “They got two goals fairly quickly, but our guys were able to rebound from that point on and shut it down, which was nice to see. We knew they were going to come out in the third and play really strong, but we were able to weather it as best they could. After
www.josslin.com 519 • 669 • 1611
ESA Licence #7000438
Experience the sweet sounds of the holiday season at The Westhill Retirement Residence! Dec 23
The Waterloo Chamber Players | December 23rd at 3:30 pm Enjoy the music of a small orchestra, followed by a complimentary Wine & Cheese. THE WESTHILL RETIREMENT RESIDENCE 25 WESTHILL DRIVE, WATERLOO, ON | westhill.sifton.com | 519.725.0525
22 | SPORTS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
GALEA: Missing items likely
Her decision to cut energy costs by 75% with LED lighting was a great idea. And a great start. Once you start seeing the benefits of our incentives for LED lighting, you’ll want to look into making other areas of your business more efficient too. When you do, you’ll be joining thousands of organizations across Ontario who are already enjoying the savings that our programs deliver. Take a look at their stories and our incentives at
saveonenergy.ca/business
to re-appear when replaced FROM | 20
again sometime during bass season when there isn’t much call for a hunting knife. That’s typically what happens. Then, it will disappear again, until the night before deer season, when I’ll accidentally stumble upon it hanging out with a sexy little fillet knife in my tackle bag. This whole dynamic changes, however, when you purchase a replacement. That’s when the old unit’s insecurities come into play. You see, when that old knife realizes that it is about to be replaced, it will suddenly reappear and say, “Hey! Hold it! What’s going on here?” That’s when I’ll look at it and announce, “You’ve been fired for poor attendance.” It’s a knife, so it will probably ask for a severance package. I will counteroffer with a job sharing opportunity. It will accept that offer reluctantly. OK, at this point, I should probably explain I do not actually speak to knives, nor do they talk to me – it’s not at all like the fly rods. No, I am speaking of this inanimate object as if it were a sentient being only because it allows us all to relate to it better, plus I need someone to blame for its loss and it sure as heck isn’t going to be me.
Now back to our regularly scheduled column. You might ask, once that knife shows itself, why not return the new one? To that I’d reply, mind your own business. I mean that other knife has travelled a long way and it would be very rude to send it back. It has feelings, too, you know. Again, I don’t really think it has feelings. Honest. In any case, the new knife actually will work out very well. You see, if each of my knives knows that there is another one waiting in the wings, they’ll both be on their best behaviour. They’ll stay sharp, so to speak. Once the new knife arrives, they will both always turn up in plain view so Jenn will constantly ask me, “Why do you have so many hunting knives anyway?” And, believe me, I will dare not explain it this way. Instead, I will tell her that I had lost one, ordered a new one, and then found the other. For her part, she will roll her eyes and suggest that, if I kept the great hunting and fishing hall (aka our laundry room) organized, I probably wouldn’t ever lose any gear at all. That’s true. So I will organize my gear. I think I’ll wait ’til January, though, and hope a fly rod goes missing first.
3860 Manser Rd., Linwood | 519-698-2610 | 1-800-663-2941
Get started today conservation@wnhydro.com
Program Partners:
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105
Subject to additional terms and conditions found at saveonenergy.ca. Subject to change without notice.
OM
2 Arthur Street S., Elmira | 519.669.8225 www.kitchenkuttings.com
GIFT IDEAS | 23
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS? Shop a great local business for the special people on your shopping list!
CHRISTMAS SALE UP TO
50% OFF
QUALITY MENS APPAREL
UNTIL CHRISTMAS
UP TO
50% OFF
M E N ’ S C L O T H I E R | 18 - 2 4 A R T H U R S T R E E T S . | 519 - 6 6 9 -115 2
(until Dec. 23)
Pay 50% of 2016 @ 2015 Rates & SAVE 5%
Tuesdays & Thursdays 10-5:30 Fridays & Saturdays 10-4 ***December 21st-23rd 10-5:30
THE GRILL ON THE GREEN Open Year Round!
STORE HOURS:
MON - WED 9-6 T H U R S - F R I 9 -7 S AT U R D AY 9 - 5
40 Eldale Road, Elmira
www.elmiragolfclub.com |
519.669.1652
Haircuts For Kids
Happy Holidays!
You
Come see us for your child’s holiday haircut! Ask about our New Holiday Themed Fantasy Photos for great eat gift ideas!
Tons of great stocking cking
Redeem this ad for products in store
SALE
SAVE 40% STOREWIDE! Excluding CHRISTMAS TREES December 15th to 23rd, 2015 1661 New Jerusalem Rd. Elmira
~
Membership Offer
B r o w n s M e n s we a r. c o m
W. C . B R O W N A N D S O N S
wishes
2015 Merchandise
ON CLEAROUT
Hours: December 1st-23rd
Brand Name Clothing Suits, Sport Jackets, Ties, Shirts, Pants, Sweaters, Reversible Casual Sweaters, Jeans, Wool & Leather Coats & Jackets, Flannel Pajamas, Socks, Underwear and Much More! Sizes Small to 3XLarge SHO P ONL INE:
Gift Cards & 2016 Golf Merchandise
519.664.0404
www.stjacobscountrygardens.com CLOSED for the season as of 12/24/15. Thank You for your patronage.
Christmas Hours: Monday - Thursday 9am - 7pm Friday 9am - 8pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 11am - 4pm
24 | GIFT IDEAS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS? Look to the Observer’s Gift Ideas guide to find the perfect gift from a great local business!
Listowel • Elmira •
Mildmay
Toys starting GREAT
DEAL
% 25OFF
Christmas Décor Dé
In the heart of Mennonite Country Just minutes from the St. Jacobs Farmer’s Market
Gifts · Candles · Cards Home+Garden Decor Canadian Made 3585 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements
from $3.95
Your
Regular Priced, in-stock items
Christmas Headquarters
Sale effective Saturday, December 12th - Friday, December 18 th
OPEN MONDAYs until Christmas Dec 14, 21: 10am - 6pm
www.in-season.ca · Tues - Wed 10-6 · Thurs - Fri 10-8 · Sat 10-5 · Closed Sun · 519-218-2188
Gifts
Quality Products a Accessorie nd s the Wood from burner
Hearth for the
Bellows
Kettles
Hearth Gloves
Tool Sets
Fireplace Screens & Doors
6805 Hwy 86 W, Elmira 519-669-1561 • www.stoltzsales.com
Never Enough Thyme Catering Inc. was created with one thought in mind ... to create more thyme! Enjoy our food shop, specialty cakes and catering.
Ch
ENT
wit
Hearth Racks
www.thewoodburner.com 396 Victoria St. N., Kitchener | tel: 519.578.9663 STORE HOURS: Mon.-Thur. 10-6; Fri. 10-8; Saturday 9-4
*See store for details.
Hours: M-F 9-
GIFT IDEAS | 25
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN
TIME IS RUNNING OUT! Only 1 more Gift Ideas feature left before Christmas!
Check back next week for NEW OFFERS from GREAT LOCAL BUSINESSES!
Season’s Greetings
DEC
17
DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
A GREAT SELECTION OF GIFT BASKETS & WICKER TRAYS
GIFT BOXES
December 11th to the 24th*
Visit our website for more information.
Great deals on accessories, cell phone, Internet, Television and Home Phone services - plus prizes! 25 Industrial Dr, Elmira
Milverton - Stratford - Drayton - Listowel
800 250 8750 www.mornington.ca
ST. JACOBS - Corner of Sawmill Rd. & HWY. #86
519-664-2400
*Don’t worry, we can count. We know it’s actually 14 days, but hey, we’re not open on Sundays.
hristmas
TERTAINING
th Never Enough Thyme
Enjoy:
APPETIZERS DINNERS DESSERTS
Ready To Serve!
-6, SAT 9-5
Gift Certificates Available ✦
83A Arthur St. S, Elmira
✦
www.neverenoughthyme.ca
✦
519-669-0374
From
St ylish New Arrivals to
Comfortable Classics.
GIVE IT ALL
NOW INTRODUCING:
The World’s Softest Sole!
The Joya technology The innovative Joya technology gives you a comfortable, unique feeling as you walk. The core feature of the softest shoe in the world is the soft, supple sole, which supports the natural sequence of movements and promotes active walking. With Joya shoes, walking becomes a true experience. Swiss technology Developed by an innovative Swiss company with a long-standing tradition in the comfort shoe segment.
with a
Comfortable upper Manufactured from soft, breathable premium materials combined with a comfortable fit. Breathable insole Antibacterial, washable Ortholite insole. The air-permeable material provides a pleasant foot environment.
Gift Certificate this
Holiday Season SPECIALIZING IN CUSTOM FOOTWEAR, CUSTOM ORTHOTICS, FOOTWEAR REPAIRS & ALTERATIONS FOR ALL TYPES OF FOOTWEAR Elmira, ON
519-669-3030 | info@footfoundation.ca www.footfoundation.ca
Soft, elastic midsole Made of soft PU (polyurethane) foam. The material stands out for its excellent shockabsorbing, strain-relieving properties
Abrasion-resistant outer sole Made of tough, resilient natural rubber. Provides a reliable grip thanks to the solid tread.
Flexible, dynamic footbed Adapts individually to suit the shape of your foot; the soft, supple material gives you maximum freedom to move about.
26 | SPORTS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
GREAT
Hurry in Limited Quantities Available!
ALL CHRISTMAS
GIFT
DECOR
GIVING
IDEAS! FREE! PURCHASE THE 1ST CHRISTMAS DECOR ITEM & RECEIVE THE 2ND ITEM OF EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE FREE. IN-STORE ITEMS ONLY.
IN-STORE DECEMBER 9th – 16th
ST. JACOBS
ST. JACOBS HOME FURNITURE & APPLIANCES 1421 KING ST. N, DOWNTOWN ST. JACOBS | (519) 664-3301
Mon - Fri 8 to 6 | Sat 8 to 5 | Sun 12 to 5
AND D APPLIANCES
www.homefurniture.ca e.ca
ASSORTED IN-STORE
CHRISTMAS
EARN E
TREES 70 UP TO
%
OFF reg. price
AEROPLAN MILES ON
E VE R Y TH I NG
Some conditions may apply, see store for details. Final Sale.
Brighten your neighbourhood this Holiday with safety in mind Use the proper clips for securing lights and decorations - staples and nails can damage electrical cords!
Check for overhead powerlines before using a ladder outside or when you’re hanging lights on trees.
Use lights rated for outdoor use - read the instructions, and never exceed the recommended wattage.
Keep outdoor connections above ground and out of puddles; don’t run them across driveways or walkways. Use GFCI-protected receptacles with a cover to protect you from shock when plugging in outdoors.
This message is brought you by: wnhydro.com /wnhydro
@wnhydro
SPORTS | 27
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Jacks extend winning streak to five games
Wellesley squad playing solid hockey, notching another pair by skating past Burford and Woodstock LIZ BEVAN THE APPLEJACKS HAVE EXTENDED their winning streak to five this weekend with wins against Burford and Woodstock. On Saturday night, the Wellesley boys paid a visit to the Burford Bulldogs, winning the game 4-3. Head coach Brad Gerber says he is proud of the boys for coming out on top on foreign ice, but believes the score shouldn’t have been that close. “We had a really good first period. The boys played to the plan and we were rewarded for that. At the end of the first, we were quite pleased,” he said, mentioning that the second period didn’t go as smoothly. “In the second period, we kind of got away from everything and it was very frustrating for the coaching staff. We started turning the puck over in bad places on the ice and didn’t get the puck in deep. There were penalties as
From
well. The guys have got to stay focused. They have to be intense, but they have to be under control. It is junior hockey, so it is hard.” The boys got their mojo back in the third, getting back to the game plan, says Gerber. “It worked out good,” he said. “It was 2-2 after the second, and then we scored two goals in the third. They scored a late one in the third, but overall, to win on the road is always good and it kept our win streak going.” The matchup with Woodstock on home ice on Sunday night played out the same way as Saturday with strong first and third periods, and waning play in the second. Wellesley’s Braidon Kerbs started off the scoring late in the first with three and a half minutes left, helped along by Brady Gerber and Spencer Brick. The first period ended in the Applejacks favour, and coach Gerber says the boys
need to learn to keep that momentum going for the whole game. The second period saw only one goal tallied on the scoreboard, put to the back of the net by Woodstock Navy Vets forward Austin Richardson, assisted by Dan Haig and Dylan Wefflaufer. There were, however, plenty of penalties. There were 30 minutes worth of penalties given out to Wellesley players for tripping, roughing, roughing after the whistle, head contact and abuse of officials. “The second period, again, we let it go,” he said. “We took some penalties again and they were selfish penalties that we can’t do. I think the biggest thing we have to get across to them now is they have to play 20 minutes a time, but it is a 60 minute game. If we can get 60 minutes out of them, it would all be good.” The game was tied up JACKS | 29
OSMO Stabilizer with Zenmuse X3 4K camera + ADOBE Premiere Elements 12 Bundle Perfectly stable video even when you move. Compatible platform for the range of Zenmuse Professional Cameras
$879.00
Save $120 DJI PHANTOM 3 PROFESSIONAL +BUNDLE with Lowepro DroneGuard Kit, and ADOBE Premiere Elements 12 MAC/Win Included 4K Video / 12 Megapixel Photo Camera. Integrated 3-Axis Stabilization Gimbal. Easy/Intelligent Flight System. Requires iPad or Android Phone/Tablet. Free DJI Pilot App.
$1699.00 Save $200 SHOP ONLINE AT: www.bjphoto.net 468 PHILLIP ST., WATERLOO, ON | 519.886.6630
the staff and families of Premier Equipment.
Wishing you all the best this season and a happy, prosperous new year!
We feel very absleossuedr to have you roud to customers andfriep nds! call you
Please n ote we will b e closed Dec 25/15 Jan 4/16
2316 Floradale Rd., Floradale | 519-669-8818
28 | SPORTS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Season’s Greetings
Wishing You All a Safe & Happy Christmas!
Have a Wonderful
• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
From our Family to Yours
TOTAL HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS
We hope this holiday season brings many beautiful surprises.
from all of us at:
Thank you for making our year a very bright one.
Providing the latest technology to repair your vehicle.
THOMPSON’S Auto Tech Inc.
ECRA/ESA# 7000404
|
519.669.1461 64 Howard Ave, Elmira 30 Oriole Pkwy. E., Elmira | 519.669.4400 519-664-2008 or 1-800-410-1141 • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
Christmas Greetings
C ist as
Christmas is here, and we hope the season delivers much happiness and good fortune to you and yours! We appreciate the year-round support of good friends like you, and we wish you all the best at •Christmastime and SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • throughout the new year. 47 Northside Dr., St. Jacobs, ON 374 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-3390 519-664-2281
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
SPORTS | 29
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
PARK MANOR CLAIMS VOLLEYBALL TITLE
THE SCORE
WOOLWICH WILDCATS
Tyke: SELECT Nov. 29 vs Dundas Home: 5 Visitor: 0 Goals: Spencer Hume, Tristan Hill (3), Luke Wood Assists: Avery Collingwood, Cam Dawson, Mac Zettel, Carter Weir(2), Mitchell Krasovec, Caleb Paquet, Lucas Benham Shutout: Carson Waechter
Novice: LL#2 Nov. 22 vs LL#4 Home: 3 Visitor: 0 Goals: Reid Deyell (2), Ben Lowther Assists: Connor Haley, Ben Lowther, Reid Deyell, Ben Lipp Shutout: Lucas Hubbard Nov. 28 vs Twin Centre Home: 1 Visitor: 0 Goals: Ben Lowther Assists: Bryce Brubacher, Hunter Lance Shutout: Reid Deyell
Novice: AE Dec. 3 vs Halton Hills Home: 3 Visitor: 3 Goals: Tyler Gingrich, Declan Johnson, Hayden Weber Assists: Nathan Dyck, Declan Johnson Dec. 5 vs Halton Hills Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Evan Woods, Declan Johnson Assists: Nathan Dyck
Novice: MAJOR Nov. 25 vs Guelph Home: 3 Visitor: 2 Goals: Josh Carson, Riley Dettweiler, Sam Radcliffe Assists: Riley Dettweiler, Sam Radcliffe (2), Jacob Noot, Cam Beisel Nov. 28 vs Erin Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Danny Schaefer (2) Assists: Keaton Kidd, Jacob Noot Dec. 2 vs Burlington Home: 5 Visitor: 2 Goals: Sam Radcliffe (3), Danny Schaefer (2) Assists: Cam Beisel, Ethan Burkholder, Josh Carson, Matt Darrigan, Connor Goebel Dec. 6 vs Halton Hills Home: 5 Visitor: 2 Goals: Sam Radcliffe (3), Josh Carson, Riley Dettweiler Assists: Sam Radcliffe, Cam
Beisel, Josh Carson, Mitchell Roemer, Owen Weppler, Josh Frey
Atom: MINOR AE Nov. 30 vs Caledon Home: 2 Visitor: 1 Goals: Tyson Roth, Preston Hackert Assists: Owen Weber, Tyson Roth Dec. 2 vs Halton Hills Home: 5 Visitor: 0 Goals: Owen Weber (2), Josh Uhrig (2), Preston Hackert Assists: Kane Kruschat, Owen Weber (2), Tyson Bauman Shutout: Jake Wingrove Dec. 5 vs Halton Hills Home: 4 Visitor: 0 Goals: Preston Hackert, Tyson Roth, Kane Kruschat, Tyson Bauman Assists: Keegan Martin, Owen Tettman, Owen Weber, Josh Urhig Shutout: Ethan Gilbert Dec. 6 vs Flamborough Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Josh Urhig Assists: Owen Weber
Atom: MINOR A Nov. 29 vs Oakville Home: 5 Visitor: 2 Goals: Eric Kane, Brady martin, Pacey Camm (2), Nathan Martin Assists: Elijah Weiss (2), Pacey Camm, Eric Kane (2), Nathan Martin Dec. 1 vs Guelph Home: 4 Visitor: 0 Goals: Michael Gear, Brady martin, Mitchell Walker, Elijah Weiss Assists: Pacey Camm (2), Mitchell Walker, Brady Martin, Eric Kane Dec. 4 vs Guelph Home: 11 Visitor: 1 Goals: Eric Kane (2), Liam Wood, Stuart Sinclair, Ian Leech, Brady Martin (2), Pacey Camm, Owen Weber, Andrew Chumley Assists: Michael Gear, (4), Owen Weber (3), Pacey Camm (4), Evan Passmore, Ian Leech, Elijah Weiss, Tyler Fisher (2), Eric Kane (2), Stuart Sinclair (2), Mitchell Walker Dec. 6 vs Halton Hills Home: 7 Visitor: 1 Goals: Evan Passmore, Ian Leech (2), Owen Weber (2), Michael Gear, Pacey Camm Assists: Andrew Chumley (2), Liam Wood (2), Stuart Sinclair
Atom: MAJOR A Dec. 7 vs Burlington Home: 3 Visitor: 3 Goals: Ethan Martin, Jordan Chang, Drew Birmingham Assists: Cade Beacom, Ethan Martin, Ryan Brubacher, Joe Martin (2)
Atom: MAJOR AE Nov. 26 vs Milton Home: 2 Visitor: 4 Goals: Jordan Change, Ethan Bickerton Assists: Cade Beacom, Ethan Martin, Jordan Change, Ryan Brubacher Nov. 30 vs Halton Hills Home: 1 Visitor: 1 Goals: Austin Schnarr Assists: Evan Lucier, Ben Wilke
Peewee: LL#2 Nov. 30 vs Paris Home: 5 Visitor: 5 Goals: Patrick Perry, Thomas Hill-Ring, Ashton Weber, Matt Henry, Emmett Weissenboeck Assists: Jon Staken, Thomas Hill-Ring, Jamie Reichard, Braxten Breen Dec. 5 vs New Hamburg Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Goals: Ashton Weber, Emmett Weissenboek Assists: Dominic Roth Dec. 6 vs LL#1 Home: 2 Visitor: 1 Goals: Thomas Hill-Ring, Emmett Weissenboeck Assists: Patrick Perry, Ryan Shantz, Dominic Roth, Thomas Hill-Ring
Peewee: LL#3 Dec. 5 vs LL#1 Home: 5 Visitor: 3 Goals: Coleton Benham, Tanis Urhig (2), Gavin Wright, Matthew Yorke Assists: Andrew Buehler, Oscar Fitch, Josh Sager, Matthew Yorke (2) Dec. 6 vs New Hamburg #2 Home: 0 Visitor: 5
Peewee: MINOR AE Dec. 5 vs Flamborough Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Shelby Rempel Assists: Joshua Moore
Peewee: MAJOR AA Dec. 5 vs Centre Wellington Home: 5 Visitor: 1 Goals: Michael Hayes, Owen Troyer, Owen Lee, Cole Slade, Cameron Leonard
Assists: Gavin Roemer (3), Nate Snyder (2), Spencer Young, AJ Mitchell
Bantam: LL#1 Nov. 28 vs New Hamburg #1 Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Turner Willoughby Assists: Sam Nische Dec. 5 vs Paris Home: 6 Visitor: 0 Goals: Adam Anstett (2), Turner Willoughby, Nathan Taylor, Sullivan Keen, Sam Nitsche Assists: Adam Schill (2), Nathan Taylor (3), Nick Lunz, Tim Brunkard, Grayson McGirr Shutout: James Ormson
Bantam: LL#2 Dec. 5 vs New Hamburg Home: 4 Visitor: 0 Goals: Blake Richardson (2), Andrew Kieswetter, Tyson Kraemer Assists: Seth Horts, Andrew Kieswetter, Tyson Kraemer Shutout: Matthew McArdle
Bantam: MINOR A Dec. 6 vs Guelph Home: 1 Visitor: 4 Goals: Brett Allen Assists: Trevor Ferretti, Matt Fleischmann
Midget: MINOR A Nov. 20 vs Owen Sound Home: 5 Visitor: 2 Goals: Evan Gowing (2), Chase Mooder, Cade Schaus, Riley Runstedler Assists: Isaiah Thornback (2), Cade Schaus, John Wang Nov. 21 vs Oakville Home: 4 Visitor: 3 Goals: Isaiah Thornback, Cole Altman, Chase Mooder, Nolan McLaughlin Assists: Evan Gowing (2), Riley Runstedler (2), Daniel Carr, Brent Mulder Dec. 2 vs Burlington Home: 9 Visitor: 6 Goals: Nolan McLaughlin (2), Eva Gowing (3), Isaiah Thornback (2), Riley Runstedler, Brent Mulder Assists: Riley Runstedler, Cole Altman (3), Evan Gowing, John Wang, Nolan McLaughlin, Isaiah thornback, Brent Mulder (2), Austin Flaherty Dec. 5 vs Milton Home: 4 Visitor: 6 Goals: Nolan McLaughlin (2), Riley Runstedler, Cade Schaus Assists: Riley Runstedler,
Nick Ravelle, Devin Williams, Daniel Carr, Brett Mulder, Brad Hale Dec. 7 vs Oakville Home: 6 Visitor: 3 Goals: Isaiah Thornback (3), Cole Altman, Evan Gowing, Brent Mulder Assists: Cole Altman (2), John wang, Evan Gowing, Brent Mulder, Isaiah Thornback
Midget: LL#2 Nov. 20 vs LL#1 Home: 7 Visitor: 1 Goals: Luke Charter (2), Jordan Luis (2), Blake Doerbecker, Luke Decorte, Joe Hanley Assists: Luke Decorte (5), Jordan Luis (2), Luke Charter (3), Nick Kieswetter, Matt Greene, Vince Daily, Sammy Huber Nov. 21 vs Wilmot Home: 2 Visitor: 0 Goals: Sammy Huber, Luke Decorte Assists: Luke Decorte Shutout: Chace McCallum Nov. 27 vs New Hamburg #1 Home: 6 Visitor: 3 Goals: Bruce Martin, Kyle Gingrich (2), Jordan Luis, Luke Decorte, Nick Kieswetter Assists: Luke Decorte (2) Jordan Luis, Luke Charter, Hayden Fretz, Bruce Martin, Dawson Inglis, Blake Doerbecker
TOURNEYS
Novice: LL#3 Walkerton Novice Tournament, Walkerton Dec. 5 - 6 Game 1 vs Walkerton #1 Home: 4 qVisitor: 4 Goals: Adam Lavigne (2), Luke Forbes, Carson Staken Assists: Taylor Weber, Reed Snyder Game 2 vs Saugeen Home: 4 Visitor: 3 Goals: Adam Lavigne (3), Carson Staken Assists: Reed Snyder, Carter Crummer Game 3 vs Walkerton #3 Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Goals: Adam Lavigne (2) Assists: Declan Martin, Luke Forbes Game 4 vs Chatsworth Home: 2 Visitor: 0 Goals: Taylor Weber, Adam Lavigne Shutout: Tommy Madison
KINGS: Weekend games vs. Stratford, Kitchener FROM | 21
they scored, we were able to calm the game down and get back to the pace we wanted to play.” The win against Listowel brings the Kings’ record to a decent 11-12-1-4, good enough for fifth in the Midwestern Conference. Ahead of them in the standings are the two teams the Kings will be facing off against this coming weekend – Kitchener and Stratford,
sitting at first and second, respectively. Canal says the boys will be ready for Friday’s game against Stratford, and Sunday’s against Kitchener, but that goes for every game they play. “I think this whole league is tight and you have to be ready at every game,” he said. “Last weekend, there some times in the game that we were a little bit flat, on our heels. We definitely have to make
sure that we are ready this weekend. Both these teams are playing very good hockey and we have to make sure that we are ready to counter and play the way we want to play.” On Friday night, the Kings will be in Stratford to face the Cullitons for a 7:30 p.m. matchup. The boys will be back home on Sunday afternoon for a matinee play against the Kitchener Dutchmen. The puck drops at 2 p.m.
The Park Manor Grade 7/8 boys’ volleyball team won the Waterloo Region District School Board varsity championship last week, defeating Laurelwood Public School to take the title. [JOE MERLIHAN / THE OBSERVER]
WATERLOO WOLVES
Atom: MAJOR AA Dec. 5 vs Woodstock Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Liam Witmer, Brandon Kong Assists: Dimitri Eleftheriadis, Nolan Romhild Dec. 6 vs Burlington Home: 3 Visitor: 1 Goals: Nolan Reesor, Liam Witmer, Josh Dierickse Assists: Zack Arnold (2), Dimitri Eleftheriadis, Damon Radley, Carson Bernhardt
WOOLWICH WILD
Novice: B Dec.5 vs Kitchener Home: 4 Visitor: 2 Goals: Sara Forwell (3), Kayla Sargent Assists: Nora Hanley
Novice: LL#7121 Nov. 27 vs Cambridge
Home: 1 Visitor: 3 Goals: Olivia Weiss Dec. 5 vs Grand River Home: 2 Visitor: 6 Goals: Brooklyn Kroetsch, Sarah Montgomery Assists: Olivia Weiss (2), Ally Crane
Atom: LL Dec. 5 vs Cambridge Home: 5 Visitor: 1 Goals: Claire Jacklin (5) Assists: Nora Beatty
Peewee: LL Dec. 5 vs Central Perth Home: 1 Visitor: 4 Goals: Brianna Bettridge Assists: Emma Brubacher, Annie Sargent Dec. 7 vs Wilmot Home: 4 Visitor: 1 Goals: Emma Brubacher (3), Brianna Taylor Assists: Kylie Stevanus, Brianna Taylor
Peewee: B Dec. 3 vs Ayr Home: 3 Visitor: 1 Goals: Julia Doerbecker,
Ella Campbell, Delaney Keen Assists: Delaney Jacklin, Payton Revelle, Charlise Roth Dec. 5 vs Mississauga Home: 4 Visitor: 0 Goals: Maddy Goss, Delaney Keen, Ella Campbell, Sydney Dettweiler Assists: Carly Bauman, Delaney Jacklin (2), Delaney Keen Shutout: Bethany Hebbourn Dec. 7 vs Guelph Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Delaney Keen Assists: Sydney Dettweiler
Bantam: LL Dec. 7 vs Twin Centre Home: 4 Visitor: 2 Goals: Liette Fife (4)
TOURNEYS
Peewee: C Panthers on the Prowl Tournament, St. Thomas Dec. 4 - 6
Game 1 vs Lambeth Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Lexi Runstedler (2) Assists: Avery Durrer Game 2 vs Kincardine Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Makenna McLaughlin, Braelyn MacPherson Assists: Teesha Weber, Maggie Sabean, Lexi Runstedler Game 3 vs Mooretown Home: 2 Visitor: 0 Goals: Makenna McLaughlin, Teesha Weber Assists: Faith Katsube, Maggie Sabean Game 4 vs Grand River Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Teesha Weber Assists: Kate Ratcliffe Game 5 vs Mooretown Home: 3 Visitor: 0 Goals: Lexi Runstedler (2), Teesha Weber Assists: Teesha Weber, Maggie Sabean, Jill McIntyre, Makenna McLaughlin, Kate Ratcliffe Shutout: Sydney Chapman
JACKS: Streak sees team approach .500 FROM | 27
with one apiece heading into the third period, where Wellesley took back control of the game. The Jacks scored two – the first goal came from Brenden Goran from Tyson Bender, just over six minutes into the final frame. The second goal was scored by Cal Jefferies on an empty net when Woodstock pulled their goal for an extra player, helped along by Alex Uttley and Sean McEwan. The second win of the Applejacks’
weekend brought their record to 1112-1, sitting fifth of nine teams. Next up for Wellesley is a matchup against Ayr on Thursday night, placed second in the league and a notoriously tough team to beat for the Applejacks. The boys will also be facing Paris on home ice on Sunday afternoon for a 2 p.m. puck drop. “They are two teams that are ahead of us in the standings,” said Gerber. “I think at practice we just want to make sure that our energy level is high, that everyone is working hard and we are doing every drill with purpose.”
REFS: Drawing on each’s other experience FROM | 20
Aside from contributing to the community, the skills they’re learning on the ice are transferable off ice, too, where managing multiple tasks and staying calm are definite assets in the workplace environment. Alex says he’s made friends through his reffing and agrees with his dad about learning more than hockey on the ice. “It’s actually helped to
develop a lot of skills that I didn’t even know it would, like communication skills with coaches. All of a sudden you’re 16 and you have a 35-year-old guy yelling at you from the bench and you have to go over and address them. You get more comfortable with those situations,” Alex said. On a final note, Alex shares their family joke for when they get home later than expected from a game.
“When your wife asks when you’re coming home late from the arena my dad used to always say the game went into overtime, but little did she know that ‘overtime’ was actually going out,” Alex says with a laugh. They don’t have any games scheduled to ref with all three of them again, but Doug expects they’ll be on the ice in stripes together in the future.
30 | VENTURE
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
VENTURE ON THE JOB / HEALTHY WORKPLACES
Working at staying fit
FOOD FOR THOUGHT/ OWEN ROBERTS
Farmers pressure government to moderate farm safety bill FIELD NOTES
There’s a payoff to both employer and employee with measures to counter sedentary pace of most jobs, says study WHITNEY NEILSON IT COMES AS NO surprise that an essential part of being healthy is leading an active lifestyle. But hitting the gym isn’t enough if your job leaves you sedentary most of the day. A new report by the Conference Board of Canada this month, Moving Ahead:
A new report from the Conference Board of Canada says that fitting in 10-15 minute spurts of walking or standing during the work day can help negate the downfalls of a sedentary workplace.
Workplace Interventions to Reduce Physical Inactivity and Sedentary Behaviour, outlines ways employers can help their employees keep active during the day, in turn, helping themselves. Project Health through the Region of Waterloo’s Public Health department aims to do just that, providing information and
resources to encourage local businesses to create healthy work environments. Some of their suggestions include promoting 10-15 minute walks during breaks, walking meetings, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible. INACTIVITY | 33
ALBERTA’S NEW NDP GOVERNMENT has done what few governments do these days – it changed its course of action based on pressure from farmers. In most provinces, farmers don’t make up a high enough percentage of the population to make a government take its foot off the gas, despite agriculture’s significance to the economy. And that was almost the case in Alberta, too. The government underestimated farmers’ ire over proposed farm safety legislation called Bill 6, The Enhanced Protection for Farm and Ranch Workers Act. It was introduced Nov. 17 to the Alberta Legislature, and would ensure farms and ranches be subject to Occupational Health and Safety legislation. It would also provide Workers’ Compensation Board insurance coverage so that workers can continue to support their families if they are injured on the job, and protect farm and ranch owners against the impact of workplace injuries and illness. And finally, it would include farm and ranches ROBERTS | 33
Our wish may be old-fashioned, but it still holds true. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, too!
1205 KING ST. N., ST. JACOBS
519.664-2226
IN THE SPIRIT OF
Christmas
May you find yourself at the center of good tidings this holiday. Thanks for your support this past year.
1540 Floradale Rd., Elmira 519.669.5105 | www.mgmill.com
VENTURE | 31
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
Happy
Yuletide Greetings
Holidays
We’re hoping your holidays are light and carefree this year. Thank you for your kindness throughout the season.
Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Holiday Season!
519-669-8511
toll free: 1-888-669-8511 www.freysflowers.com
519.669.3362
®
www.martinmills.com
REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
| 519.669.5171 • Sales Representative Dale R. Keller 35 Earl •Martin Dr., ElmiraGREETINGS 19 First Street East, Elmira • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS SEASON’S
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
FROM ALL OF US:
Mark King, Lee Clemens, Kerry Mullen, Brittany Hahn, Lori Moser, Tracey Williams, Amanda Kuntz
Blessings from afar This Christmas we hope that all of your prayers are answered and your days are filled with the gifts of the season.
Elmira Insurance 3031 Lobsinger Line, Heidelberg • 519-699-4590 SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • Brokers Snider Bros. Furniture Limited
Mon.-Wed. 8-6; Thurs.-Fri. 8-8; Saturday 7:30-5 19 Arthur Street, Elmira - 519-669-5077 45 Arthur St. S.,HOLIDAYS Elmira | 519.669.5484 us online at www.stemmlermeats.ca • visit HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS
• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
32 | VENTURE
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
Blessings At Christmas During the holiday season more than ever our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made our progress possible. And in this spirit we say, simply but sincerely thank you and best wishes for the holiday season and a happy new year.
7705 Fourth Line, Wallenstein | 519.698.9930
Homemade Soups & Pies | Lunch & Dinner Specials Breakfast Served All Day 3685 NAFZIGER RD., WELLESLEY | 519-656-2430 HOURS: Mon.-Wed. 6:30am-4:30pm • Thurs. & Fri. 6:30am-8pm • Sat. 7am-4pm
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
Wishing you all the
Gentle Joys
of an old fashioned
Christmas SPLINE CUTTING | LARGE TURNING KEYING (INTERNAL & EXTERNAL) CNC Turning and Milling
Same Day Service
Happy Holidays! We’re counting our blessings this holiday season, and your kind friendship is among them. With thanks and best wishes from our family to yours for a very merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous new year.
South West Ontario Veterinary Service | 519-664-2237 RYAN WEBER | 519.669.2198 • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS Conestogo • SEASON’S GREETINGS • 1010 Industrial Crs., St. Clements Phone: 519.699.0600
Mount Forest | 519-323-1880 Tavistock |HOLIDAYS 519-655-3777 • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY
63 Union Street., Elmira www.rytechmachine.ca
• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
VENTURE | 33
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
ROBERTS: Farmers worry when governments start mucking with how they run their operations FROM | 30
in Employment Standards and Labour Relations legislation. Some of these measures were to start as early as the new year. Many Alberta politicians were expecting the passage of the farm safety bill to be a slam dunk. Two separate incidents have claimed young lives on Alberta farms in the past while. Another tragic situation occurred in Ontario, and while it may not impact directly on Alberta, when people die on farms,
headlines appear across the nation. Farms are mixed bags of activity. Sometimes they’re havens of peace and serenity. Other times they’re teeming with massive and potentially dangerous machinery. Farmers who raise livestock have additional safety concerns. And farmers and farm families live where they work, adding additional safety issues to the mix. The Alberta government thinks it has a role in making farms safer. But many farmers – including
many in other provinces, including Ontario – think agriculture is already legislated enough. If you follow the news, you’ll have seen photos or footage of Alberta farmers – 500 of them, in some cases – protesting the government’s proposals outside the legislature in Edmonton and in rural communities. Despite appearances, they’re not against farm safety. Many farms have farm safety plans. Farm safety associations are active in all provinces. They offer training and courses
for those willing to take it. Rather, they are against what they say is the way legislation could change the culture of farming, and ignore the some of the realities. For example, a lot of farm family children work on the farm. Farmers, of course, don’t knowingly put them at risk. But farmers worry that provisions in the proposed bill would make it illegal for farm kids to be active in the operation like they are now (even though the Alberta premier has said the bill is not intended
to take away opportunities such as 4-H). Farmers also say they have some unique needs when it comes to wageearning or salaried workers. When a field needs to be harvested, sometimes they have to work long hours to get the crop off, or they’ll lose it or have it significantly devalued. Likewise, when a cow decides to calf, it’s not watching the clock. No one, including the farmers themselves, suggest safety should be sacrificed. But if legislation exists that says employees
can only work eight hour days, who then can farmers count on? The province has admitted it did a poor job of explaining the intent of the proposed legislation, and now wants to work with farm groups to clarify the way forward. But there’s little chance it will back down totally and “go away,” as some farmers want it to. I don’t think that’s what society wants, and once again, farmers will need to find a way to keep their social licence with consumers.
INACTIVITY: Getting up from the desk every 30 minutes is beneficial FROM | 30
Annette Collins, public health nurse for the Region of Waterloo, says individuals who are looking to fit more activity into their workday, should set a goal and then find ways to measure their success. For example, someone could strive to get up and walk around for a couple minutes every hour, and track it on a chart at their desk. It’s recommended that people working sedentary jobs like data entry or anything where you’re sitting at a desk get up every hour and move around. Even if you work out on a regular basis, being inactive during the day can have negative effects on your health, even negating the benefits of working out. Adults should complete 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week as recommended by Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines, in stints of at least 10 minutes. Some examples include brisk walking, running, swimming, dancing, moving furniture, weightlifting, and gardening. “Even if you’re doing all of that, more than 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity exercise in a week, if you’re sitting the rest of the time you’re actually cancelling out the health benefits from being active. I like to say it’s an ‘and,’ not an ‘or.’ You want to be meeting the physical activity guidelines, but then you also want to be breaking up sitting time. They talk about 30 minutes and getting up, at most people should be sitting an hour and then getting up and moving,” Collins said. She says she’s aware that employees can’t be getting up and down all the time when work needs to get done, but research shows that office workers who get up to stretch every 20 to 30 minutes have the same
productivity as those who didn’t, or better. The report indicated only 15 per cent of Canadian adults (18-64) meet the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. “We would like to see workplaces develop and implement a comprehensive plan, a comprehensive plan involving a range of strategies. We want to see them enacting strategies that raise awareness and knowledge, that build skills and with that confidence and competence, creating a supportive environment to make it easy for employees to move at all intensities, and also to develop policies to support employees, which just formalizes the commitment to being an active workplace,” Collins said. The report suggests encouraging employees to get up from their desks every 30 minutes for two minutes, or at least every hour for two to four minutes, introduce height-adjustable desks to promote standing, promoting standing or walking meetings and provide meeting spaces that enable this behaviour, introducing twominute stretch breaks every 30 minutes during meetings, providing extra-long telephone cords or headsets so that employees can stand during phone calls, organizing work tasks so that employees can stand or sit while doing their work, and fostering an organizational culture that encourages reducing sedentary behaviour or increasing physical activity. “If you’re going to have small groups doing discussion, instead of giving them a piece of paper to record their conversion on at their table, why not give them a flip chart, encourage them to stand up around the flip chart and record it that way,” Collins suggested. She says some companies have it built into their meet-
ing agendas that everyone stands during certain portions of the agenda. For people who work for small companies she recommends setting up walking groups and developing a buddy system if their boss isn’t keen on health and wellness initiatives. She notes she heard of a company who set up a bulletin board where people could write down their lunch times and how long they’d like to walk for, to find that walking buddy. “Often times when you’ve got social support, you’ve got somebody that you’ve made a commitment to you’re more likely to follow through on it than if you’re just doing it on your own,” Collins said. The Public Health website has a goal setting workshop, which people can print to help them stick to their goal, whether it’s to fit in small walks during the day or to do stretches at their desk every hour. “Look at the reasons why you want to be active or be more active. If it’s something that’s very concrete, for example I want to lose x number of pounds, then I really caution employees to avoid those types of goals. Rather, think about how you feel when you’re active, look for what we call intrinsic motivation, things coming from inside you, more energy, better sleep,” Collins said. Home Hardware received a Healthy Workplace Award from Project Health in 2011 and 2012. The head office in St. Jacobs offers lots of ways for its employees to stay active, including providing discounts to local gyms, a weekly bootcamp, and an indoor one-kilometer walking route. Home Hardware spokesperson Jessica Kuepfer says last year leading up to Christmas they had a scratch off advent calendar
where people would find a new exercise to do at their desk each day, instead of the traditional chocolate. “We offer specialized education for our truck drivers, look at injury prevention and making sure they have proper lifting technique. We have health clinics every year. We’ve definitely caught some things for some of our staff that would not normally go to the doctor and get that done,” Kuepfer said. They held a four week walking challenge this summer where staff were challenged to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps a day, with prizes as incentives. They had 440 people complete the challenge, double last year’s participation. Some 480 people attended their annual health clinic last year, and they have health experts come in during the lunch hour throughout the year. “For our health clinics almost everyone goes over on their lunch breaks. ... There’s always someone over at the booth talking to the expert there,” Kuepfer said. And with prolonged sitting being linked to premature death, heart disease, some cancers, and Type 2 diabetes, having options to keep moving at work will help the employees and the employers due to fewer sick days, injury, and health benefit costs. “All studies point to the fact that taking care of yourself is one of the big things in that. It’s very important to us to keep our staff healthy and balanced,” Kuepfer said. Anyone looking to track their steps with a pedometer can contact their local library to borrow a pedometer. The goal setting worksheet and exercises you can do at your desk can be found at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/physicalactivity.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! From all the staff at BIO-AG
519-656-2460
www.bio-ag.com
Wellesley, ON
Oh Holy Night!
May the message of hope and peace He brought us on that first Holy night spread throughout humanity.
59 CHURCH ST. W. | 519-669-8475 CHRISTMAS HOURS | Closed: Dec 24-26, 31 & Jan 1
34 | THE ARTS
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
THE ARTS ON STAGE / SYMPHONIC CHRISTMAS
Something Spectacular for the yuletide season Roch Carrier reading his classic The Hockey Sweater is just part of what the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony has in store LIZ BEVAN THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS coming alive with garlands, lights, gifts and a little help from the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony (KWS) and friends. Tickets for the musical ensemble’s annual Yuletide Spectacular are on sale now, and conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser says the evening and afternoon shows are a great way to get into the holiday spirit. “It is a great concert for people to come to if they are unfamiliar with the symphony and it is a great way to get in the mood of the holidays,” he said. “It is one of our most popular concerts throughout the entire year.” There is a reason the show is so popular and a staple on many people’s holiday to-do lists. “This year, we have the Dance Centre performing The Nutcracker with us, the KWS youth orchestra is going to be on stage with us, the Grand Philharmonic Orchestra and the Grand Harmonic Children’s Orchestra is going to be there,” he said, adding that there is one special highlight he called a, ‘once in a lifetime opportunity.’ Celebrated Canadian author Roch Carrier will be on hand to read his everpopular story, The Hockey Sweater, accompanied by the symphony orchestra and a striking visual display of the children’s story’s original artwork. The story, originally published in 1979, details the real-life
The Yuletide Spectacular has become one of the most popular performances in the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony’s annual schedule. They’ll be joined by the Grand Philharmonic Orchestra, The Dance Centre, the youth orchestra and others during four concerts at the Centre In The Square. [SUBMITTED] experiences of Carrier and his Montreal Canadiens jersey being accidentally replaced with a jersey from the hated foe, the Toronto Maple Leafs. He endured the ridicule of his friends for apparently supporting the wrong team. The story encompasses Canadians’ love for hockey and the allegiances that are formed when rival teams hit the ice. “The experience of winter is central to Canadian life. We have embraced it and turned it into something that we look forward to. Now, we get to go out and ski, we get to go out and skate and we get to go out and play hockey. That
COME JOIN US FOR THE ANNUAL
has permeated how we experience winter,” said Batholomew-Poyser. “This is one of the reasons that Roch Carrier’s story has caught on and why it resonates so well with people. It is part of what it is to be Canadian.” The narration of the story will be accompanied by original music, composed by Abigail Richardson, with projections of the illustrations playing on the wall behind the symphony. “The author himself is actually going to be there and people will have a chance to meet him and talk to him. It is a oncein-a-lifetime thing to hear him read his own story,”
said Bartholomew-Poyser, being careful to mention that the audience won’t just be sitting and watching the performances. There will be opportunity for concertgoers to participate in the group carol singing that is a large part of the show. “We do Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, then we have some Rudolph, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock – we hit all the spectrums,” he said, adding that the variety of holiday songs in the singa-long are indicative of the inclusivity the show is trying to promote. “It is important for us to make the Yuletide inclusive, because if it is not inclusive, then
God sent his Son into the world, not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17
FRIDAY DECEMBER 18TH & SATURDAY DECEMBER 19TH 1303 MARYHILL RD., MARYHILL Call ahead for RESERVATIONS and ADVANCED SEATING! www.commercialtavern.ca
519-648-3644
We’re grateful to our customers for utilizing our services.
Conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser it is not a celebration and it is not a community celebration. We want to have musical events like this because you have people from all different walks of life gathered under one
roof celebrating a common thing. It is about unifying the community, especially with everything that is going on in the world right now, we just need that. We want it to be for everybody and just be happy. Take a three hour break from life and see some really excellent talent.” The KWS is putting on four performances of the Yuletide Spectacular at Centre in the Square in Kitchener, at 8 p.m. on Dec. 18, at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 19, and the last performance, at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 20. The shows sell out every year, so to buy tickets, visit www.tickets. kwsymphony.ca.
Merry Christmas May the holidays bring plenty happiness and joy to your heart.
All the Best in the New Year! ELMIRA, ON
(519) 669-3030 or 1-888-669-3030 www.footfoundation.ca
9 Mill Street, Elmira 519-669-5161
THE ARTS | 35
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS Thank you for voting us
• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY Waterloo Region’s Best Roofing Company
Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season We look forward to working with you in 2015
AMOS
519.698.2114
In Business since 1971 • Fully Insured
INC
R O O F I N G
Serving Elmira and Surrounding Area for over 30 years!
Linda Dreveny
Michelle Dreveny
linda@soldbylinda.ca
michelle@soldbylinda.ca
Sales Representative
Sales Representative Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage
www.soldbylinda.ca Office: 519-888-7110
Independently Owned and Operated 180 Weber St. S., Waterloo
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
Give
Glory To God
STOP BY FOR A COMPLIMENTARY 2016 WALL CALENDAR.
Hergott Road
Lobsinger Line
1011 Industrial Cres., Unit #2. St. Clements Industrial Cres.
Quality & Value Since 1995
from
Waters & Hastings Professional Corporation Have A Great Holiday!
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • 21 Arthur GREETINGS St. S., Elmira |•519.669.1641 Floradale, Ontario • LetUsFloorYou.ca (tel) (fax) 519-699-5412 • 519-699-5411 HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS chastings@waters-hastings.on.ca • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY
519-669-3392 HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS
• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
36 | CLASSIFIED
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
CLASSIFIED
CLASSIFIED DEADLINE:
WEDNESDAYS BY 10AM
WE SPECIALIZE IN GETTING THE WORD OUT!
HELP WANTED
PLACE AN AD IN OUR CLASSIFIED SECTION TODAY! Call: 519-669-5790 or Visit: www.observerxtra.com
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
A DVANCE MILLWRIGHTS INC. Licensed 309A Electrician Required Require Experience Installing rigid conduit. Must be able to read drawings and turn into finished jobs. Require WHIMIS, Fall Arrest Training, and Skyjack / Lift training certification. Experience running small jobs desirable. Travel to Job-Sites required. Benefit plan and company sponsored RRSP after 3 months. Please direct resumés to: Tim Ropp Operations Manager Ziegler Electric Ltd. 101 Bonnie Cres. Elmira, ON N3B 2Z5 FAX: 519-669-1343
Do you take a logical & systematic approach to problem solving? Are you self motivated self starter who takes pride in their work? Advance Millwrights Inc. has been serving the aggregate, feed mills, fertilizer, food & foundry industries since 1992. We are looking to add the following to our team of skilled employees
Industrial & Construction Millwrights • • • • • • • • •
HELP WANTED
• •
TOTAL RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
SCHEDULER/DISPATCHER WANTED
Please email resume to info@totalhomeenergy.ca
#1
NEWS
Minimum 2-5 years experience License CFQ ticket or qualified experience 2nd & 3rd year apprentice excepted Stick welding experience & CWB Tickets an asset Ability to read & follow blue prints & field sketches Must be mechanically inclined Ability to work with minimal supervision Trade experience with heavy duty equipment Trade experience in Agricultural, Industrial & Food plants Innovative & problem solver Forklift & elevated platform tickets an asset
We offer competitive wages, benefits & RRSP package. Please fax resumes to 519-669-4659 or email to jeffb@advancemillwrights.com
HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS
Required for busy HVAC Company located in St Jacobs offering full time employment with benefits, hours Mon. to Fri. 8:00am to 5:00pm. Must be customer oriented, organized, able to multi task, work with minimal supervision, problem solve, have basic computer skills and have technical background in the HVAC industry. Responsibilities would be answering phones, scheduling customer service, dispatching technicians, maintaining customer records, ordering parts, warranty part returns and tracking.
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED Dynamic Millwrights Inc., is looking to fill the following positions:
• • • •
Draftsman Industrial Painter Plasma and Brake Operator Road Crew
Competitive wages, Company Benefit and Group RRSP package offered. Please forward resume to info@dynamicmillwrights.com We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
SOURCE
8596 Road 164, Listowel, ON N4W 3G6
IN THE REGION
HOW TO REACH US
NOW HIRING
Some experience with LTL Freight is preferred but we are willing to train. All applicants must possess a clean CVOR & driver abstract. At EnviroCompany paid benefits. Please apply in person at 7201 Line 86, Wallenstein, ON. or send your resume and drivers abstract to Email: info@enviro-eze.com Fax: 519-669-8301
HELP WANTED
HEALTH CARE BOWEN THERAPY YOUR CHOICE for effective treatment of specific health conditions or wellness maintenance. KEVIN BARTLEY, Professional Bowenwork Practitioner, Clock Tower Wellness Centre, 69 Arthur St. S., Elmira. 519-669-0112. Every Body is Better with Bowen!
FULL TIME KITCHEN HELP required in busy restaurant. Must be available to work evenings and Saturdays. Experience an asset but will train. Send resume to: rgerber.schmitsville@gmail.com or in person to Schmidtsville Restaurant, 3685 Nafziger Rd. Wellesley. HELP WANTED CEDAR VALLEY DESIGN IS looking for full time help in our wood trim and moulding shop. Work involves operating rip saw, moulder, fork lift and or machine set up and sharpening equipment. Call 519-669-0122, West Montrose. DRIVERS AZ: $2500 SIGN-ON Bonus! Long haul Canada/ US. Steady year-round Miles! Monthly/annual bonuses! Great pay & benefits. 877-758-3905. FULL TIME RECEPTIONIST NEEDED. Looking for a mature full-time receptionist for a busy rural veterinary clinic. The candidate must have great client service skills, polite phone manners and be prepared for any situation that walks through the door. The candidate must also be able to work a variety of hours including evenings and weekends. If interested, please forward resume to rvtfred2015@gmail.com
FOR SALE
HELP WANTED NURSERY WORKERS NEEDED STARTING October 22, 2015. Pay rate $11.25/ hour. Working hours 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., 6 days per week. Work includes field potting, weeding in field and containers, truck loading, digging etc. Must be willing to work in all weather conditions and weekends. Own transportation required. Police clearance needed. Please send resume to: West Montrose Farms Ltd., 1614 Halm Road, West Montrose, On. N0B 2V0.
WORK WANTED
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS FOR SALE - wreaths, arrangements, baskets etc. OPEN HOUSE: Sat. Dec. 12, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 13 Flamingo Dr., Elmira. Or call anytime 519-6699059. FRESH, OVEN READY FREE range geese for Christmas. Call Laverne Bauman 519595-3398. HOSPITAL BED, USED 6 months. $500 o.b.o. Support pole $75 o.b.o. Call 519-6695388. SOFTNER SALT - 20KG bags, minimum 25 bags, skid lots of 56. Delivered in St. Jacobs, St. Clements, Elmira & Linwood areas. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-5744141 or 519-669-2045.
CLEANING LADY AVAILABLE. DRAYTON, Elmira and surrounding areas. Please call 519-669-4805.
MORE CLASSIFIEDS ON PAGE 39
PHONE 519.669.5790 | TOLL FREE 1.888.966.5942 | FAX 519.669.5753 | ONLINE WWW.OBSERVERXTRA.COM
ADDRESS 20-B ARTHUR ST. N., ELMIRA, ON N3B 1Z9 PLACING A CLASSIFIED WORD AD
CLASSIFIED ADS
DISPLAY ADS
519.669.5790 EXT 0
519.669.5790 EXT 104
ads@woolwichobserver.com
sales@woolwichobserver.com
RESIDENTIAL COST $7.50 /20 WORDS EXTRA WORDS 20¢ PER WORD
COMMERCIAL COST $12.00 /20 WORDS EXTRA WORDS 30¢ PER WORD
In person, email, phone or fax submissions are accepted during regular business hours. Deadline for Thursday publication is Wednesday by 10 a.m. All Classified ads are prepaid by cash, debit, Visa or MasterCard. Ask about Observer policies in regard to Display, Service Directory and Family Album advertising.
CLASSIFIED | 37
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
AUCTIONS
FAMILY ALBUM
Police, Municipal, Repo, Fleets & Others Monthly PUBLIC Vehicle
AUCTION to be held at
Breslau Airport Road Auction Complex
5100 Fountain St., North, Breslau (Kitchener) th
Sat Dec. 12 9:30 a.m. 3-2013 TAURUS Interceptor AWD 4 - 06/11 Ford E150 XLT Cargo Vans 2-2010 GRAND CARAVAN SE’s 2012 Honda CIVIC EX 2010 VW TOURAG AWD 9-07/11 CROWN VICTORIA’s 2010 Chev 3500 Diesel Amb 2009 GMC SIERRA 2500HD 4x4 2007 Ford E450 Diesel Handi-Bus 2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Quad 4x4 2006 Dodge CARAVAN SE 2 - 07/10 Caliber’s 2 - 03/06 Chev 1500 Cargo Van’s 2005 Ford FREESTYLE AWD 2006 FUSION SEL 94 Chev G30 DEL 16’ Cube Van 2001 Jaguar S-Type 24’ Tri-Axle 5th Wheel Equip Trailer
Check Website for Daily Updates NO Buyer’s Premium or Penalty!!!
VIEWING: Friday December 11th, 2015, 1 pm to 4 pm TERMS: $500.00 Cash Deposit on Each Vehicle, or as announced.
M.R. Jutzi & Co PROFESSIONALS IN THE ORDERLY LIQUIDATION AND APPRAISALS OF COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, CONSTRUCTION, MUNICIPAL EQUIPMENT & VEHICLES 5100 FOUNTAIN ST. NORTH, BRESLAU, ONTARIO, N0B 1M0
www.mrjutzi.ca
519-648-2111
AUCTIONS
PROPERTY AUCTION
To be held at 2678 Herrgott Rd., St. Clements for Harold Voisin on
SATURDAY JANUARY 9 AT 12:00 NOON
CONSISTING OF: A charming brick bungalow with 4 plus bedrooms; kitchen with quality oak cupboards; living room with large window; 4 pc bath; entranceway with breezeway and skylight, doors to back patio; finished basement has: large family room; bedroom; laundry area; utility room; 3pc bath. Attached 2 car garage; attached single car garage. Roof was done approx. 2 years ago. Many great features including central air; central vac; heated by a gas forced air furnace, water softener; cedar lined closet; hardwood flooring; concrete driveways; nice outdoor patio. Large corner lot with cedar rail fencing, nice landscaping and flower beds. An exceptional property in a sought after residential neighbourhood; house is in impeccable condition and well maintained.
Thank You We would like to thank our neighbors, friends and relatives for the gifts, cards and best wishes on our 50th Anniversary open house. It sure made our day. Thanks again, Jim & Shirley Hehn
OBITUARY
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CONSIDER MUNICIPAL FACILITY NAME CHANGES Tuesday, January 12, 2016, 6:00 p.m. Council Chambers, Township of Woolwich Offices 24 Church Street West, Elmira The Council of the Township of Woolwich, at the Committee of the Whole meeting to be held on Tuesday, per the “Township of Woolwich Naming Policy”. Proposed name changes: Former Riverland Sales Centre
The Empire Room
Breslau Memorial Park
Breslau Memorial Park (In memory of Private Donald Ralph Burkholder and all War Veterans)
Woolwich Township Arena
St. Jacobs Arena
Woolwich Community Centre
St. Jacobs Lions Hall
Wintermeyer, Patricia (Pat) Peacefully passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2015 at Grand River Hospital, Freeport Site at the age of 72. Pat (Voisin) Wintermeyer was the beloved wife for 48 years to Paul of Elmira. Cherished mother of Raymond of Kitchener, Janet and Steven Baker of Hamilton, and Darlene and Christian Hirt of Trenton. Loving grandma of Jacquelyne and Curtis Wintermeyer; Jesse, Jordan, Justin and Sydney Baker; and Elliott and Annika Hirt. Sister of Jack Voisin and Cathy Wittig, Jan and Lorne Ellah, Basil Voisin and friend Betty Clifford, Sharon and Paul Fassbind, Bill and Jan Voisin, Jim and Zita Voisin, and Kim and Don Bailey. Predeceased by her parents Englebert and Mary (Lively) Voisin, brother Patrick, brother-in-law Don Kieswetter and sister-in-law Peg Voisin. The family received their relatives and friends at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira on Saturday December 5, 2015 from 1-4 p.m. and on Sunday, December 6, 2015 from 1-4 p.m. Parish prayers were offered at the funeral home on Sunday at 4 p.m. Funeral mass was celebrated at St. Teresa of Avila RC Church, 19 Flamingo Drive, Elmira on Monday, December 7, 2015 at 11 a.m. Interment in Memory Gardens, Breslau. In Pat’s memory donations to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario or St. Teresa’s RC Church would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com DEATH NOTICES HILL, ELAINE MARIE |- Passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s
AUCTIONEER:
MARTIN, JOHN G. | Peacefully, on Monday, December 7, 2015, at his residence, John G. Martin, in his 85th year, of RR 2, Wallenstein.
www.JantziAuctions.com
P.O. Box 158
24 Church St. W. Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6
Phone: 519-669-1647 or 877-969-0094 Fax:name 519-669-1820 Hours Emergency: 519-575-4400 January 12, 2016, will consider facility changes forAfter properties owned by the Townshipwww.woolwich.ca of Woolwich, as
General Hospital, Kitchener, on Friday, December 4, 2015, at the age of 92 years. Elaine Hill, of Elmira,
Wellesley | 519-656-3555
Community Information Page
THANK YOU
OPEN HOUSE: Saturday December 19 from 12noon to 2pm or by appointment.
Jantzi Auctions Ltd.
“PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAS T; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.”
SHANTZ, SAMUEL | Peacefully passed away on Monday, December 7, 2015, at Barnswallow Place, Elmira, at the age of 78 years
SMALL ADS, BIG IMPACT. THE OBSERVER
Additional information on the above noted name changes can be obtained from the Recreation and Facilities Services Department weekdays between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Township offices located at 24 Church Street West, Elmira. Written submissions may be directed to: Karen Makela, Director of Recreation and Facilities Services 24 Church St., West PO Box 158 Elmira, Ontario, N3B 2Z6 or to kmakela@woolwich.ca If you wish to address Council at the meeting on January 12, 2016 regarding the name change proposals, please register as a delegation by contacting Kiera Schlueter 519-669-6115 or 1-877-969-0094 ext. 6115 on or before Thursday, January 7th, 2016.
MAKING WOOLWICH ACCESSIBLE The Council and staff at the Township of Woolwich are committed to developing and planning for an inclusive community by identifying and removing barriers faced by persons with disabilities. On October 27, 2015 Council passed the Township’s new multi-year Accessibility Plan. This plan focuses on the initiatives Council and staff are carrying out to meet the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The new Accessibility Plan may be viewed on the Township’s website: http://www.woolwich.ca/en/townshipservices/accessibility.asp Feedback relating to accessibility in the Township is continuous and welcomed. If you or someone you know has any concerns or suggestions relating to accessibility in the Township please contact our Accessibility Co-ordinator at 519-669-6010 or jforth@woolwich.ca.
OVERNIGHT PARKING BAN The Township of Woolwich has an overnight parking ban in effect from December 1st to April 1st between the hours of 2:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. No overnight parking is permitted on Township roads during this time. Any vehicles in violation of this parking ban may be ticketed. Please note that the Region of Waterloo has an overnight parking ban on all regional roads year round. For further information please call 519-669-6009.
2016 DOG TAGS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Under the Animal Control By-law #31-2013 it is a requirement that all dog owners within the Township of Woolwich license their dogs by March 1st of every calendar year. In the event your pet is lost and has a license, Animal Services will make every effort to reunite you with your pet at no extra cost. For safe return of your dog if found, please ensure you have attached the Township of Woolwich Dog Tag to your dog’s collar. Dogs without tags are taken to the Humane Society and owners will incur Humane Society costs of $35.00 per day. Dogs wearing their tags found outside of regular Township business hours can also be reported to the Woolwich Memorial Centre or the Breslau Community Centre. To report a lost or found dog, please contact the Township of Woolwich at 519-669-6009 Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:00am and“PROUDLY 5:00pm. After hours, information or found dogs can be provided to the REMEMBERING OUR PASonT; lost CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.” Woolwich Memorial Center. Please contact the WMC Monday to Friday after 5:00pm until 10:00pm or weekends 6:00am to10:00pm at 519-669-1647 x 7001 or the Breslau Community Centre Monday to Friday after 5:00pm P.O. Box 158 until 9:00pm or Saturday and Sunday 10:00am to 3:00pm at 519-648-9524. 24 Church St. W. Dog Tags are be available at the following locations: Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6 The Township of Woolwich 24 Church Street West, Elmira (Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm) Woolwich Memorial Centre 24 Snyder Avenue South, Elmira (Sun-Sat 6am – 9pm) Breslau Community Centre 100 Andover Drive, Breslau (Mon-Fri 4pm-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-3pm) *Pet Valu 315 Arthur Street South, Elmira 519-669-1350 *Eldale Vet Clinic 150 Church Street West, Elmira 519-669-5672 *Breslau Animal Hospital 2057 Victoria Street North #3, Breslau 519-648-9738 *Creature Comfort Pet Emporium 1553 King Street North, St. Jacobs 519-664-3366 Before March 1st: March 1st and After: Neutered/Spayed - $25.00 $40.00 Non-Neutered/Spayed - $35.00 $50.00 For more information about the Woolwich Dog Tag Program please contact the Township of Woolwich at 519-669-6009. Half the dogs found and picked up in 2015 were able to be easily identified and returned to their owner.
Community Information Page
Phone: 519-669-1647 or 877-969-0094 Fax: 519-669-1820 After Hours Emergency:
519-575-4400 www.woolwich.ca
38 | CLASSIFIED
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
Wishing You A Merry Christmas Season Saturday, Dec 12th | 2-4pm SIZE BUNGALOW OPENPERFECT HOUSE 18 Spring St., Drayton
Donating back to the community we call home.
Drayton - Large rec room with a walkout to the back yard, perfect for a busy family, or empty nester. Bright dinette off of the kitchen, 3 bedrooms upstairs, and one down, new trim and doors, furnace and water heater replaced (2012), roof replaced in 2008. Steps to the Drayton Theater, and walking distance to schools and public library. Don't miss out! MLS 30503684.
$264,000
$219,900
NEW LISTING
$309,900
FAMILY HOME GREAT PRICE Elmira - This 4 bedroom home is perfect for a growing family as well as a retired couple due to the convenience of the main floor master bedroom with ensuite and walk in closet. Enjoy a morning coffee in the East facing sun room, and family time in the large living room. Walking distance to downtown and Rec Centre. Much larger than it looks! MLS 30500120.
DON'T MISS THIS! Elmira - This centrally located 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, semi detached is waiting for you! Need a fourth bedroom or a spacious office? The basement is fully finished with a rec-room and an extra room. This 1600q.ft. + home is modernly updated and features ample storage, ensuite bathroom, walk-in closet, parking for two cars and a fully fenced yard. MLS 30504235.
BEAUTIFUL CENTURY HOME
Alli Bauman Paul Martin Sue Wideman SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT
SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT
allibauman@rogers.com
paul@remaxsolidgold.biz
519-577-6248 519-503-9533
SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT
226-750-9332
$464,000
Elmira - Character and charm are evident throughout this Century home! This spacious 2 storey is elegantly decorated throughout with large principal rooms Including a study on the main floor. Beautifully landscaped with a detached double garage. Located in the friendly town of Elmira 10 mins from Waterloo. Zoned for a home based business. MLS 30500671.
suewidemanhomes@gmail.com
BUNGALOFT
STUNNING LOG HOME Drayton - This beautiful bungalow with loft is currently being built, located in the town of Drayton just a scenic drive from KW, quality at every turn, 1800 sq ft with hardwood and ceramic, 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. large master bedroom ensuite and walkin closet. MLS 1537660.
Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated
3 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-5426
$599,900
$422,500
Near Hawkesville - Stunning custom built log home on a mature 2 acre lot just 10 minutes from Waterloo. Character is evident everywhere, from the exposed logs to the open banister over the front door. With 4 +1 bedrooms, tons of room for your growing family. This could be your forever home! MLS 30501159.
Call today Thinking About Selling? and book a FREE HOME EVALUATION
Last Name, First Name
Birth Date | Town Parents Names
Babies of the
$40 +hst
Deadline for submission Monday, January 11, 2016
BOOK EARLY!
Email photos & caption information to: ads@woolwichobserver.com
! R A YE 5
Full colour photo of your little one published in the January 14, 2016 edition.
201
CLASSIFIED | 39
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
REAL ESTATE LISTINGS
Bonnie
Coldwell Banker WIN Realty, Brokerage
519-323-3022 Independently p y Owned & Operated p
1-800-354-6795
76.2 ACRE PARCEL OF CASH CROP LAND, just minutes outside of Holstein. 50 acres workable, possibly more if tile drained. 2015 crop remains property of Seller.
$549,000 4 BUILDINGS, consisting of approx. 32,000 sq ft on 2 separate parcels of land, approx 2.5 acres, zoned industrial.
Rozema
BROKER OF RECORD
BROKER
90 Earl Martin Dr., Unit 4, Elmira N3B 3L4
WELL-MAINTAINED 2+1 BEDROOM home on a quiet, low traffic street. Spacious rear yard, privacy fence. Original plaster crown molding, hardwood floors and brick fireplace, with newly installed natural gas insert. Upgraded windows, roof & high-efficiency gas furnace. $264,900. Text WIN 46 to 555444 for video.
$264,900
Shanna
Brubacher
153 Main St. S., Mount Forest, ON
Elmira Real Estate Services
INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED, BROKERAGE
519-669-3192 www.YourFamilyTeam.ca
“HELPING YOU IS WHAT WE DO.”
OPEN HOUSE | SATURDAY, DEC 12TH & SUNDAY, DEC 13TH • 1-3PM PARADIGM (ELMIRA) HOMES presents:
DRAYTON RIDGE EXECUTIVE TOWNS MODEL HOME at: 162 RIDGEVIEW DR., DRAYTON *
Priced from $322,900 . Beautiful 1424 sq ft Bungalows with 9' ceilings, open concept, hardwood & ceramic flooring. Seeing is believing. $356,900*. End unit loft offers 1977 sq ft, vaulted ceilings, generous open concept plan with lovely standard features to please. Builder bonus for upgrades, call for details. Exclusive.
*
$474,900 Bill Nelson, 519-323-4660 Broker of Record
Brett Parker,
Sales Representative
519-323-9447
® REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
519.500.1865 (Direct)
Dale R. Keller
519.747.0231 (Office)
Sales Representative
410 Conestogo Road, Unit 210, Waterloo, ON N2L 4E2
www.KellerSellsRealEstate.com | dale@kellersellsrealestate.com
NEW LISTING - DRAYTON | $279,500 2 Storey, 3 BDRM, 2 Bth yellow brick on a large yard. High ceilings, original wood trim, new furnace, and more. MLS Call Dale. For info on these or any other real estate enquiries, Call Dale
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS $349,000 Make this spacious sidesplit your own beautiful creation, well cared for
home with double car garage, large kitchen, family room w/gas fireplace, room for improvements. MLS.
in and enjoy, well maintained, rec room w/gas insert, walkout to deck, updates. A great home. NEW MLS.
M-5 ZONING - ELMIRA VACANT LAND - $568,000 2.43 acre prime
RURAL BUILDING LOT - DRAYTON - $98,500 1.06 acre parcel, single
location in South end business park! MLS.
SELLING YOUR HOME? PLACE AN AD IN OUR REAL ESTATE SECTION TODAY! Call: 519-669-5790 or Visit: www.observerxtra.com
ANTIQUE AUCTION SALE OF Primitives, pottery, furniture, textiles, folk art, stamp collection & other interesting items, to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley, for The Susan Williams Estate and additions, on Saturday, January 2nd @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451. AUCTION SALE OF Household goods, antiques and miscellaneous items, to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley, for Bruce & Carole Kleinknecht, Elmira, Fabian & Marlene Cortis, Kitchener & additions, on Saturday, December, 12th @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519699-4451.
SAT DEC 12 AT 10:00 AM -Building lot auction of a 0.615 acre country lot to be held at part lot 17 (Part 4 Plan 58R14838) south of Snyder’s Road in the Township of Wilmot in Waterloo Region for the estate of Enid (Harold) Schmidt. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555. www. jantziauctions.com
FARM SERVICES BAGGED PINE SHAVINGS AGRICULTURAL Spray Lime, 22.5kg. bag; feed grade lime, 25kg. Delivered. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141 or 519669-2045.
FARM SERVICES FERTILIZER AND SEED GRAIN - at competitive pricing. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141. ICE SALT & ICE MELT - Ice salt comes in 20 & 40kg’s, Ice melt comes in 20kg bags. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-5744141 or 519-669-2045. KILN DRIED CORN & CORN SCREENING Delivered by Einwechter. Minimum 15 ton lots. Call George Haffner Trucking 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.
WANTED WANTED - ZERO Turn lawn mower, good condition. Call 519-698-0604.
FOR OPTIMUM ADVERTISING RESULTS…THE OBSERVER. PLACE AN AD IN OUR CLASSIFIED SECTION TODAY! Call: 519-669-5790 or Visit: www.observerxtra.com
R.W. THUR REAL ESTATE LTD.
519-669-2772
45 Arthur St. S., Elmira www.thurrealestate.com
BROKERAGE
LET OUR 50+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU!
CLASSIFIED ADS | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 AUCTIONS
family dwelling permitted. MLS.
CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE FALL MARKET ANALYSIS!
LISTINGS NEEDED Call Dale Today! 519-500-1865
AUCTIONS
NEW LISTING $254,900 WOW! Amazing starter home, mature area, 150’ deep fenced yard! Move
RENTALS 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT FOR rent in Elmira, Jan. 1. $900/month utilities included. No pets, no smoking. Call 226748-4818 3 BEDROOM HOUSE FOR rent, Elmira. Link home, 2.5 bathrooms, garage, fridge, stove, washer, dryer included. $1300/ mth, utilities extra. Call 519-664-1619.
BRAD MARTIN
JULIE
TRACEY
LUKE
WILLIAMS Broker of Record, HECKENDORN SHANTZ Broker Sales Rep. MVA Residential Sales Rep. Res: 519.669.1068 Res: 519.669.8629 Cell: 519.505.0627 Cell: 519.584.4400
GEDDES ST., HAWKESVILLE
3 BEDROOM, BACKSPLIT SEMI for rent in Elmira. Available Feb. 1st. $1200 + utilities. No smoking. 519-669-9059. 4 BEDROOM APARTMENT FOR rent in Linwood. $850/mth plus heat and hydro. Call 888-958-2033 ext. 130.
COMM/INDUSTRIAL FOR RENT SPACE FOR LEASE. 854 sq. ft available in Downtown Elmira. Park Street East. Former dental office - ideal for medial related business or office space. Some parking & basement storage available. $725 Per Month. Call Brad, R. W. Thur Real Estate Ltd at 519-669-2772 for more information. MLS.
$279,900 “CHARACTER” GALORE in this quaint home backing to Mill Race in Hawkesville. 3+ bdrms. Formal LR/DR and eat-in kitchen. Main flr. family room w/walkout to a deck. Office in lower level w/separate entry. Zoning will allow for some commercial uses. MLS.
SPACE FOR LEASE
COMING EVENTS HOLIDAY CRAFT AND MARKETPLACE. Dec. 13 from 10 - 4 p.m. Grand River Raceway main building, Elora. Over 40 exhibitors! Get your Christmas shopping done in one spot. Free admission.
$725/month 854 SQ. FT. AVAILABLE IN DOWNTOWN ELMIRA – Park Street East. Former dental office. Ideal for medical related business or office space. Some parking & basement storage available. MLS.
CALL FOR YOUR FREE MARKET EVALUATION
40 | CLASSIFIED
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES
THOMPSON’S
TIRE
WHERE TIRES
Complete Collision Service
Auto Tech Inc.
ARE A
SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE.
Providing the latest technology to repair your vehicle with accuracy and confidence.
101 Bonnie Crescent, Elmira, ON N3B 3G2
519.669.8330
Farm • Auto • Truck Industrial On-The-Farm Service
FAX: 519.669.3210
35 Howard Ave., Elmira
AFTER HOURS
519-669-3232
GENERAL SERVICES
RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING EFFORT!
AUTO CLINIC 21 Industrial Dr. Elmira
Accredited Test & Repair Facility
519-669-4400
519-669-7652
30 ORIOLE PKWY. E., ELMIRA www.thompsonsauto.ca
519.669.8917
TROPHIES | CUPS | PLAQUES | MEDALLIONS RIBBONS | NAME TAGS | NAME PLATES DOOR PLATES | CUSTOM ENGRAVING
QUICK LOCAL SERVICE | 245 Labrador Dr., Waterloo
www.UniTwin.com | 519.886.2102
GENERAL SERVICES
www.biobobs.com
While you wait! State of the acAhinrte Sharpening M
Various sizes & rates
$4.99 per pair
CLEAN • DRY • SECURE Call
www.biobob.com or call today!
5th pair FREE.
519-669-4964
22 Church St. W., Elmira
Tel: 519-669-5537
100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA
Visit our website
STORE HOURS:
1871 Sawmill Road
519-648-3004
or
800-232-6396
M-W: 8-6, T-F 8-8, SAT 8-6, SUN 12-5
GENERAL SERVICES
COUNTR Y
’s 60’s / 70
HIGH SCHOOSL BAND
GOSPEL
Boat Covers | Air Conditioner Covers | Small Tarps Storage Covers | BBQ Covers | Awnings & Canopies Replacement Gazebo Tops | Golf Cart Enclosures & Covers
ROCK
MORE INFO | 519.669.0541
6376 Perth Rd. 121 Poole, ON
877-664-3802
519-843-4845 888-871-4592
www.fergusfireplace.com
SERVICES
Plumbing and Maintenance Inc.
TUNING & REPAIRS
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL
Your favourite albums get a whole new life on CD after we clean up the clicks, pops and surface noise.
519.595.4830
519-664-3800
Steve Co.
BAUMAN PIANO
MUSIC TRANSFERS FROM LPs, 45s, 78s, CASSETTES TO CD
General Repairs
FERGUS
180 St. Andrew St. W.
HOME IMPROVEMENTS SERVICES
MUSIC-LOVER GIFT ALERT!
•Ratches, Hooks, Straps, Webbing etc. •Canvas, Vinyl, Polyester, Acrylic Fabrics
WOOD GAS PELLET
CONESTOGO
EMAIL: vinylp2cd@gmail.com
For all your Plumbing Needs. 24 HOUR SERVICE
JAMES BAUMAN
Steve Jacobi
Craftsman Member O.G.P.T. Inc NEW PHONE NUMBER
ELMIRA
519-669-3652
519-880-9165
HOME IMPROVEMENTS SERVICES
The Right Window Treatment Can
Save you
Blinds by Elite or Mera
In home consultations Wide selection of styles & fabrics 1011 Industrial Crescent St. Clements | 519-699-5411 www.LetUsFloorYou.ca
FREE
INSTALLATION When you buy 3 or more
Hours: M-F 8:30 - 5:30 Sat 9:00 - 3:00
WINDOW FASHIONS • Residential • Commercial • Industrial
Randy Weber ECRA/ESA Licence # 7000605
519.669.1462 Fax: 519.669.9970 Tel:
Evenings By Appointment
Free in-home Consultations. Call someone you can trust. Call Cindy.
18 Kingfisher Dr., Elmira
A Brand You Can Trust 22 Church St. W., Elmira
Tel: 519-669-5537
STORE HOURS: M-F: 8-8, SAT 8-6, SUN 12-5
AT YOUR SERVICE. We specialize in getting the word out. Advertise your business services in our directory. Weekly exposure with fantastic results! Promote your service today! Call Donna at 519-669-5790 ext. 104
WEICKERT& MEIROWSKI Concrete Foundations Limited
YES... WE DO RESIDENTIAL WORK!
6982 Millbank Main St., Millbank 519-595-2053 • 519-664-2914
CLASSIFIED | 41
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENTS SERVICES
IRA HOME COMFORT M L E (519) 669-4600
COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL
ST. JACOBS
GLASS SYSTEMS INC.
APPLIANCES – FURNACES – FIREPLACES AIR CONDITIONERS – WATER HEATERS SPRING SPECIAL ON AIR CONDITIONING TUNE UP $99, INSTALLED FROM $1999 FURNACES INSTALLED FROM $2499 FRIDGES $499, STOVES $399, WASHERS $399, DRYERS $369, FREEZERS $199 Come visit our show room FREE QUOTES 1 Union Street, Elmira
1553 King St. N., St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0
• Store Fronts • Thermopanes • Mirrors • Screen Repair • Replacement Windows • Shower Enclosures • Sash Repair TEL:
ehc@hotmail.ca (519)-669-4600
RESIDENTIAL & AGRICULTURAL - Design and build -
FRAMING • ROOFING RENOVATIONS • EAVESTROUGHS
(519) 569-0772 • Commercial & Industrial General Contracting • Specializing in Concrete Work & Excavation • Retaining Walls
info@trappconstruction.ca www.trappconstruction.ca
• • • •
Stamped Coloured Concrete Demolition Bin Service Machine Bases
Concrete Breaking & Removal
OUTDOOR SERVICES
AMOS INC
R O O F I N G
• Specializing in residential re-roofs • Repairs • Churches A Family owned and operated business serving KW, Elmira and surrounding area for over 35 years.
WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED
CALL JAYME FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE.
519.501.2405 | 519.698.2114 In Business since 1973 • Fully Insured
John Schaefer Painting Interior/exterior Painting, Wallpapering & Plaster | drywall Repairs
> Commercial & Residential > Fully Insured > WSIB Clearance > Senior Discount
Lawn Maint Maintenance Main tenance Programs | Spring Clean-up Flower Bed Maintenance Programs Leaf Clean-up and Removal | Soil & Mulch Delivery & Installation | Snow Clearing & Removal | Ice Control
NOW ACCEPTING VISA OR MASTERCARD
519-669-2251 36 Hampton St., Elmira
27 Brookemead, St, Elmira
KEVIN DETWEILER
P: 519-669-1188 | F: 519-669-9369
kdetweiler@rogers.com
OWNER-OPERATOR
OBSERVER PUZZLE SOLUTIONS Since 1998
•Final grading •Lawn repair & complete seeding well equipped for large stoney areas •Spike Aerator/Overseeding •Natural & Interlocking Stone •Retaining Walls, Walks & Patios •Help for Top Water & Drainage issue
Murray & Daniel Shantz
ALMA, ONTARIO | PHONE: 519.846.5427
$ 6 2 1
$ 0 , & (
% 5 8 7 (
( $ 6 ( /
* ( 1 7 ( ( / 1 ( 6 6
3 ( 5 9
$ ; , 2 0
6 7 2 / (
8 1 6 $ ' ' / ( 7 ( ( 7 2 7 8 0
$ 5 ' ( 0 9 2 ( ' * ( / ( 0 , 8 ' ( 5 $ / / $ 1 7 2
$ 5 , $ ' , 6 * 8 ' ) / $ 7 $ 3 6 7 ( 1 ( 2 ' ' $ : 6 2 * ( 0 : / / , 2 1 ' 2 ( 2 : ( + 5 6 ( ( 8 & , ' 3 $ ' , 3 3 ( $ 6 ( ( 5 6 ' ( 6 .
PRINTING | MAILING | SIGNAGE SERVICES
$ 8 8 6 7 3 , $ / 7 , 9 , = 6 ( ( 7 6 7 + < ( 6 0 $ * $ ' ( 1 ' ( $ ( 7 6 7 ( 7 2 6
7 , / / 6
2 1 , 2 1
* $ 7 7
$ 8 6 7 ( 5 , 7 , ( 6
7 , 3 , 6
6 7 $ 6 +
5 ( ( 9 (
2 ' ' ( 5
SUDOKU CHALLENGE
Advertise your business services in our service directory. Weekly exposure with fantastic results! Call Donna at 519.669.5790 Ext 104.
Services
CROSSWORD PUZZLER
Your Business Here!
Outdoor
FREE ESTIMATES
OUTDOOR SERVICES
SPACE FOR RENT
519-577-0370
darwayconstruction@icloud.com | Alma, ON
HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES
CONSTRUCTION INC.
www.marwilconcrete.ca
Wayne Martin | 519-504-2016
519-664-1202 / 519-778-6104 FAX: 519 664-2759 • 24 Hour Emergency Service
“25 years in Business�
Driveways • Sidewalks • Curbs • Patios Finished Floors • Retaining Walls • Steps Decorative/Stamped and Coloured Concrete
AGRICULTURAL | RESIDENTIAL
42 | LIVING HERE
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
LIVING HERE CHEF’S TABLE/ DONNA GINGRICH
AGING / STAYING HEALTHY
Research shows dancing can make for healthier brains
Combination of exercise and music helps to combat the onset of dementia, among other benefits LIZ BEVAN A GROUP OF PEOPLE gather in the Woolwich Memorial Centre every Friday to dance the morning away, while also trying to keep the effects of dementia and cognitive decline at bay. Through the Body, Mind and Movement Program, run by dance teacher and Alzheimer’s researcher Jill Simpson, attendees get themselves moving to the music and improve their brain health. Simpson says the most beneficial activity to stop the worsening of cognitive decline isn’t crosswords and puzzles, but rather, exercise and some music. “Crosswords are a great thing to do, however they are not the greatest,” she told the Observer just before her morning class on Dec. 4. “(Activities) have to have a cardiovascular component. When you exercise, at a certain heart rate, our brains start pumping these chemicals. The music component is very important, too, because there is a part of our brain that perceives rhythm and it is also the part of the brain that produces these chemicals, or neurotransmitters.” While researchers haven’t figured out how to reverse cognitive decline, plenty of studies have revealed that exercise and dance can prevent damage from worsening, maintain-
Two participants in the Body, Mind and Movement Program get their muscles moving along to the music. The program is designed to stave off declining cognitive function after studies show music and exercise combined help maintain brain health. The program runs on Friday mornings at the Woolwich Memorial Centre. [LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER] The class runs every Frito be dance. But what is it ing current levels of cogniday morning at 10:15 a.m. about dance? As a memory tion for longer. in the seniors’ centre at trigger, music is awesome. “Things we thought the WMC, and drop-ins are This class is a combinawere going to be dynamite welcome. tion of using the rhythm to weren’t necessarily good Participant Jane Goll stimulate your brain while – swimming, running, says she leaves the class you are producing these walking had zero effect on every week feeling better neurotransmitters (during the brain,” said Simpson. than when she went in, exercise) and putting it “It has be very specific exeven going home with difall together so that people ercise. There was only one ferent tips, tools and inactivity that was better (for can come and feel they are formation relating to brain doing something for their brain health) than crosshealth. brain.” words, and that turned out
“She does a little talk before hand about dementia and about Alzehimer’s. I just find that to be a great help and she gives us ways to fight it on our own time,” she said, adding that the class is always dynamic and uplifting. “The class is always fun and (Jill) is really great. She keeps it lively and it is just a lot of fun. She is very good.” Elaine Wilson says she always has a good time in the class and it gives her a boost for the rest of her day. “I don’t really enjoy exercise, but (Jill) makes it fun,” she said. Some of the exercises are done from a chair to get heart rates up and muscles moving. Then, Simpson takes the exercisers on a walk around the gym, to the rhythm of the music, teaching short and simple steps. Everyone is encouraged to move at their own pace, and to make use of the area around them. The class held at the WMC is just one of four currently running in the region, and Simpson says there are plans for a fifth class starting in the new year. For more information about the Body, Mind and Movement program, and its different locations, visit Simpson’s website at www. bodymindandmovementprogram.com, or email her at bodymindandmovementprogram@gmail.com.
In full Christmas mode with Chocolate Mint Cheesecake RECIPE NOTES FIRST OF ALL, I need to inform you that I made a big mistake in the recipe I shared two weeks ago for Raspberry Almond Torte. If you tried to make it and it flopped, I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. In the filling, the white sugar should be 1/4 cup, not 1 cup as written. It is hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner. Today, as I write this, the grass is green and the snow we had is long gone. Here in the great white north Christmas and snow go hand in hand. In spite of this, there are other signs of Christmas that cannot be missed – Christmas music, plans being made and Christmas baking! Every year, for as far back as I can remember there has been dozens of teeny tiny cookies made and enjoyed during the Christmas season. Some of them are so good they are made year after year; others are new recipes tried and then forgotten. Years ago, we would sometimes make a steamed Christmas Pudding and CHEF’S TABLE | 48
Did You Know? Beginning January 2016, all insurers must offer a discount for the use of winter tires. Be sure to check with your insurance company and make sure you get your discount in the new year! – Jason
Tel: (519) 669-1082 Fax: (519) 669-3084 info@leroysautocare.net 20 Oriole Parkway E., Elmira, ON
www.leroysautocare.net
Accredited Test & Repair Facility
LIVING HERE | 43
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015 “A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME”
Kleensweep Carpet Care
Everything Vacuum
COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR
Cardlock Fuel Management
COMMERCIAL 24 CARDLOCK FUEL DEPOT HOUR M&G MILLWRIGHTS LTD. • Design • Installation • Custom Fabrication
MATERIAL HANDLING & PROCESSING SYSTEMS
E-MAIL: ads@woolwichobserver.com
DECEMBER 11
DECEMBER 13
DECEMBER 16
HUGS AT WOOLWICH COMMUNITY Health Centre, St. Jacobs from 9:30-11 a.m. Topic: visit with Santa, personal time with him. Parents and children age 0-5 are welcome to attend. Call Heidi 519-664-3794, ext. 237 for more information.
FOLLOW THE STAR CHRISTMAS Concert. The InterMennonite Children’s Choir presents “Follow the Star.” Conducted by Carolyn Neumann VanderBurgh, accompanied by Christine KlaverSchmidt; 3 p.m. at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church. Tickets available at the door - $10 adult; $5 children (ages 5-18).
SENIORS LUNCH CLUB, AT noon (doors open at 11:30 a.m.). Wellesley Community Centre, 1000 Maple Leaf St., Wellesley. Cost $6. Join us for a noonday light lunch and fellowship. Call Community Care Concepts at 519-664-1900 or toll free: 1-855-664-1900 for more information.
HUNGRYMAN BREAKFAST WITH WOOLWICH Skating Club, 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Elmira Legion, 11 First St. E. All you can eat ham & sausage, fried or scrambled eggs, pancakes, home fries, baked beans, toast & jam, coffee, tea and juice. Adults $6; 6-10 yrs $3; 5 & under free. Santa will be stopping by for a visit, too!
ELMIRA LIONS BINGO - Doors open at 6 p.m., starts 7 p.m. sharp. Lions Hall Elmira. For more information call 519-500-1434.
COFFEE TIME AND MORE! Join Woolwich Community Health Centre counsellor Marinela and Low German health worker Anna for some coffee, tea and cookies. Discuss every day struggles that everyone faces. Share your stories, learn from each other’s successes and learn new ways to cope with today’s challenges; 9:45-11:30 a.m. at Gale Presbyterian Church, 10 Barnswallow Dr., Elmira. Free child care is provided for participants. For more information, call Marinela at 519-664-3534, ext. 235. COMMUNITY CAN DINE - where the entire community comes together to meet and eat. Please join us from 6-7:30 p.m. at Trinity United Church, 21 Arthur St. N., Elmira. Menu: traditional turkey dinner. Pay what you can. This event is offered the second Friday of every month.
DECEMBER 12 ANNUAL BREAKFAST WITH SANTA. 9 a.m. - noon at Calvary United Church, Hawkesville Rd. St. Jacobs. Full breakfast - eggs, hash browns, pancakes, sausage and drink for $5. Hosted by the Optimist Club of St. Jacobs.
519.669.5105
DECEMBER 14 BABY FOOD BASICS: 6 months to 1 year. Join registered dietitian and certified lactation consultant Robin Hicken and learn about the foods that are good for your baby’s age and stage, how to choose, make and store baby food as well as learn about ways to nurture a “good eater;” 2-3:30 p.m. at the Woolwich Community Health Centre. For more information about this free session, call 519664-3794, ext. 0.
GALE CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON, 11:15 a.m., Gale Presbyterian Church, 10 Barnswallow Dr., Elmira. Luncheon tickets available at the church office at the cost of $15 each for the 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m. sittings or takeout. Call 519-669-2852.
P.O. BOX 247, ELMIRA
w w w.elmiravacuumelectrical.ca Tuesday - Friday, 9am-5:30pm
•
Saturday, 9am-3pm
DECEMBER 17
HUGS AT ST. PAUL’S First Lutheran Church in Wellesley from 9:30-11 a.m. Topic: wee hands talking, teaching sign language to toddlers. Parents and children age 0-5 are welcome to attend. Call Heidi at 519-664-3794, ext. 237 for more information.
21 INDUSTRIAL DR. ELMIRA
519-669-2884
DECEMBER 23 SENIORS COMMUNITY DINING AT noon (doors open at 11:30 a.m.), Linwood Community Centre, 5279 Ament Line, Linwood. Cost: $11. Community Care concepts invites you to join us for a hot noonday meal, fellowship and entertainment. Call 519-664-1900 or toll free: 1-855-664-1900 for more information.
DECEMBER 15
1540 FLORDALE ROAD
www.mgmill.com
519-669-8362
9 C h u r ch S t . E . , E l m i ra
T. 519.669.2033
Truck & Trailer Maintenance
All Makes & Models
www.freybc.com
West Montrose, ON
Cell: 519.581.7868
Repairs Service Se
3435 Broadway St. Hawkesville 519-699-4641
Rugs and Upholstery
•Mattress Cleaning •Residential •Commercial •Personalized Service •Free Estimates
COLLEEN
Vacuum Sales,
Skilled craftsmanship. Quality materials. CONSTRUCTION STARTS HERE.
CORPORATE WEAR PROMOTIONAL APPAREL WORK & SAFETY WEAR | BAGS T-SHIRTS | JACKETS | HATS
JANUARY 13 SENIORS COMMUNITY DINING AT noon (doors open at 11:30 a.m.). Calvary United Church, 48 Hawkesville Rd., St. Jacobs. Cost: $11. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for a hot noonday meal, fellowship and entertainment. Call 519-664-1900 for more information.
245 Labrador Drive | Waterloo
519.886.2102 www.UniTwin.com
SUBMIT AN EVENT The Events Calendar is reserved for non-profit local community events that are offered free to the pub-
lic. Placement is not guaranteed. Registrations, corporate events, open houses and the like do not qualify in this section. 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
NANCY KOEBEL
Bus: 519.744.5433 Home: 519.747.4388
Individual life insurance, mortgage insurance, business insurance, employee benefits programs, critical illness insurance, disability coverage,
TOTAL HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS
New to the Community? Do you have a new Baby?
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
It’s time to call your Welcome Wagon Hostess.
YOUR OIL, PROPANE, NATURAL GAS AND AIR CONDITIONING EXPERTS
RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, LIFs and Annuities. 652 Waterbury Lane, Waterloo
Elmira & Surrounding Area
HOW CAN I HELP?
11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS
226-266-2432 pmerlihan@woolwich.ca @PatMerlihan www.merlihan.com
SHARON GINGRICH 519.291.6763
519.664.2008
SUNDAYS - 9:00 & 11:00AM WEDNESDAYS - 7:00PM
St. James Lutheran Church
MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED
COUNCILLOR | WARD 1 WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP
VERMONT Castings
psgingrich@hotmail.ca
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
PLACES OF FAITH | A DIRECTORY OF LOCAL HOUSES OF WORSHIP
building relationships with God, one another and the world
SANYO CANADIAN
PATRICK MERLIHAN
9:00 am: Christian Education 10:15 am: Worship Pastor: Hans J.W. Borch
Proclaiming Christ through Love and Service
60 Arthur St. S., Elmira 519-669-5591
NURSERY PROVIDED
Finding The Way Together 47 Arthur St., S. Elmira • 519-669-3153 www.thejunctionelmira.com
11:00 am
The Rejected Gift
verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter
4522 Herrgott Rd., Wallenstein www.wbconline.ca • 519-669-2319
290 Arthur St. South, Elmira • 519-669-3973 www.ElmiraAssembly.com (Across from Tim Horton’s)
CALVARY CHAPEL
Sunday, December 13th “How to Worship the Saviour”
Reflections on “A Christmas Carol”
Elmira Mennonite Church
9:15 AM & 11:00 AM 18 Mockingbird Dr., Elmira • 519-669-1459 www.elmiracommunity.org
Worship: 9:30am
Third Sunday of Advent:
Freedom Bound 58 Church St. W., Elmira • 519-669-5123
Emmanuel EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH
Worship Service
Sundays 10:30am
elmiraemmanuel.com Sunday, December 13th
meets at All Saints Anglican Church 500 Northfield Dr. West, Waterloo • 226-234-8384
Christmas AT THE Movies Speaker: Gordon Wright
Sunday Service 6:00 pm
Speaker: Ron Seabrooke
Discovering God Together
REACH WITH LOVE. TEACH THE TRUTH. SEND IN POWER.
The Book of Revelation
HEARING ASSISTED
Sun., December 13th
10:45am Worship Service
Service at 10:30am Rev. Paul Snow
www.kcf.org/academy
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Zion Mennonite Fellowship 9:30am Sunday School
Sunday School at 9:30am
850 Sawmill Rd, Bloomingdale, ON N0B 1K0 (519) 744-7447 | kcf@kcf.org | www.kcf.org
33 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.1591
200 Barnswallow Dr., Elmira • 519-669-1296 www.woodsidechurch.ca
519.669.5030
Sunday School 9:45am Worship Service 11:00am Hopping Thursdays 7-8:30pm 22 Florapine Rd., Floradale • 519-669-2861 www.floramc.org
44 | LIVING HERE
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
STRANGE BUT TRUE / BILL & RICH SONES PH.D.
We could be heading for future where cars drive themselves while you sleep WEIRD NOTES
Q. Are you a “morning
person�? Can science explain why you might be a lark rather than an owl?
A. It has to do with your circadian system, that brain region of 20,000 nerve cells that regulates everything from hormone levels and when you digest food to when you feel sleepy, says Sonia AncoliIsrael of UC-San Diego’s Sleep Medicine Center, as reported by Nathan Reese in “Mental Floss� magazine. Larks (think of morning birds) are “phase advanced,� feeling tired early in the evening, while
owls are “phase delayed,� feeling tired later at night. As you’ve probably observed, people’s circadian rhythms change over time, with babies waking at dawn but teens struggling to get out of bed by noon. As adults get older, mornings usually get easier. Genetics plays a key role here: “In 2012, scientists discovered a single nucleotide near a gene called ‘Period 1’ that determines whether you’re an owl, a lark, or in between.� Since research suggests that early risers have a mental edge, to become more lark-like, stick to a regimented sleep schedule and avoid disruptive evening light before you call it a night, Reese says. Q. What striking thing
happens when you put on specially tinted lenses incorporating the latest color vision science and optical technology? What if you’re colorblind, or more accurately, color-deficient?
A. With these ordinary looking EnChroma lenses, colors appear more vibrant, saturated and full. According to the EnChroma.com website, “colorful objects, such as flowers, colorful paint and fabrics, food and traffic signs suddenly ‘pop’ with a heightened purity and intensity. Experiences like a rainbow or a sunset, seen for the first time with these lenses, are magically transformed beyond any rational description.� A little background first: People with color vision
observers.
deficiency have red and green photopigments that overlap more than normal, “analogous to how two adjacent radio stations might bleed together and make a mess of conflicting information...� Drawing on perceptual psychophysics, the EnChroma team was able to simulate the appearance of thousands of colors and see what happens to a visual system affected by any given filter. They eventually produced a lens that improves the signal separation of affected retinal cone cells and provides better color vision. Though not a cure for color blindness, as the website says, EnChroma can serve as an optical assistive device for most deficient
Q. Is there a “robocar� in your future?
A. Asked about driver-
less cars in 2013, Google cofounder Sergey Brin replied, “You can count on one hand the number of years until ordinary people can experience this,� says Paul McFedries in “IEEE Spectrum� magazine. Already, BMW, Lexus and Toyota have “self-parking cars� that can detect a suitable parking spot, plus computerized systems to maneuver on in. Regarding “driverless cars,� Audi, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Tesla, Volkswagen and others are testing prototypes that are legal in a few states. As someone quipped, “Who’ll need the
hassle of owning a car once they’re all self-driving, and ‘robotaxis’ can be summoned with just a few taps on your smartphone?� But this is only the beginning:  To “smart cars� will be added “smart roads,� leading eventually to the ideal of “crash-avoiding� or “crashless� vehicles, with “platooning� cars whisking along together at a steady speed and set distance.  “The ultimate goal is the ‘autocar’ that is so intelligent and so safe that you could fall asleep in it -- the pie-in-the-sky, headon-the-pillow sleeper car.�
ABOUT THE AUTHORS Bill is a journalist, Rich holds a doctorate in physics. Together the brothers bring you “Strange But True.� Send your questions to strangetrue@compuserve.com.
OBSERVER CROSSWORD PUZZLER ACROSS 1. Felis onca 7. “Tosca� tune 11. Mercury, for one 15. Fine, in France 16. “Eeew!� 19. Wrongs 20. Rear guard? 22. Hip bones 23. Spanish eighths 25. Bug 26. Apportion 27. Essential 28. Article of faith 30. Fails to be 31. Advantage 32. Eccentric 33. Namely 34. Dinger 36. Bar topic 38. “Help!� 40. Beanery sign 44. Hindu queen 46. Beauty 48. Surfer’s outfit 50. “What’s the ___?�
51. Common fraction 54. Day ___ 55. Roman siege device 57. Anonymous John 58. Sasquatch’s kin 60. “... or ___!� 61. Dolly, for one 63. “48___� 65. Coordinate 66. Big time 67. “Comprende?� 69. Biology lab supply 71. After 74. Clear 76. “GoodFellas� actor 79. Glorify 80. Crash site? 81. Thought 82. Brawl 83. Calm 85. 20-20, e.g. 86. Charity workers 88. Stow cargo 90. Kind of pad 91. Secretary, e.g. 92. Pitcher
DOWN 1. Argo pilot 2. Priest’s scarf 3. Cultivated nature 4. Throw 5. Promo 6. Modernize 7. Build (on) 8. Split apart 9. Vacation spots 10. Obviously surprised 11. “Life ___ We Know It� 12. Employs 13. Plows 14. Farcical newspaper 17. Astir 18. UN agency 21. ‘People’ counterpart 24. Relax 28. Dry (off) 29. Remote target 34. Thug 35. Artist’s stand 37. Burning 39. Dog tag datum 41. Thrifts
42. Dakota dwellings 43. Hiding place 45. Australian runner 47. ___-Atlantic 49. “___ will be done� 52. Archetype 53. ___ and aahed 56. Spinning top 59. Flows out 62. Coop flier 64. Worst 68. Large sea ducks 70. “Fancy that!� 71. Creep, perhaps 72. Adage 73. Lifted, so to speak 75. Hiked 77. Superman player 78. More eccentric 81. Part of the verb “to be� 83. Word before large 84. “Don’t ___!� 87. 007’s doctor foe 89. Gift-tag word
OBSERVER TRAVELS
SUDOKU CHALLENGE
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. We have got you started with a few numbers already placed in the boxes.
In October Karen Metzger took a trip to South America to visit Peru. Here we see her at Machu Picchu with her Observer in hand!
LIVING HERE | 45
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
Season’s Greetings from Volkswagen Waterloo Please drive safe this holiday season.
Happy Holidays. Brighten your home this Holiday with safety in mind Don’t run extension cords under carpets, through doorways, or in places where they can be damaged by furniture. Never connect more strings of lights than recommended by the manufacture – read the instructions.
Make sure bulbs don’t touch supply cords, wires, cloth, paper, or any material. Use LED lights – they are cool to the touch.
Avoid plugging too many decorations into an outlet. Overloaded circuits can cause a fire.
Turn off holiday lights and decorations when you leave your home or go to bed or use a timer.
This message is brought you by: wnhydro.com /wnhydro
@wnhydro
46 | LIVING HERE
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Wishing everyone everryone ever yone• HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY www.rolaninc.ca • MERRY CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • Sending MERRY our
Peace & Joy
Best Wishes to our good friends
this Christmas Season.
(large & small)
Thank you for your patronage. ELMIRA TRUCK SERVICE
COMMERCIAL 24 CARDLOCK FUEL DEPOT HOUR
Season’s Greetings!
everywhere.
We wish you and your family all the best this holiday season! ELECTRICAL WHOLESALE | AUTOMATION & CONTROL ELECTRIC MOTOR SALES & SERVICE
63 Union St. Elmira, ON, N3B 2Y3
18 Arthur St. N., Elmira | 519-669-2561 25 Earl Martin Elmira |GREETINGS 519-669-5377 • SEASON’S Ph: 519.669.1842 Email: sales@rolaninc.ca • Drive, SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
Season’s Greetings
This holiday season, we gratefully pause to wish you the many blessings of Christmas and a peaceful and a prosperous new year.
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S • 3435 GREETINGS Broadway St., Hawkesville
From the staff at Wallenstein Feed & Supply
519-699-4641
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
LIVING HERE | 47
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS Independently Owned and Operated
“You dream...I’ll work.” • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
Greetings of the Season
wendy@wendytaylor1.com
May your home be filled with laughter and fun this holiday season.
from Mike
Propane & Natural Gas Piping HEATING & AIR CONDITONING
Krukowski
Air Purification Systems
3836 Manser Rd., Linwood | 519-698-1137
PLEIN DISPOSAL INC.
Merry Christmas and sincere thanks to our customers and friends this holiday season. 1070 Industrial Cres., St. Clements autofleetservices.ca
519-699-9496
Thank You for your patronage over this past year.
40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
25 Earl Martin Dr., Elmira, N3B 3L4 519-669-5136
Wendy Taylor 24hrs 519-747-0231 24hrs
BROKER MANAGER
www.peakrealestate.com
Warm wishes to all of you for a joyous holiday season. Many thanks for your continued patronage.
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL Call for your FREE estimate
519.669.8776 ~ ELMIRA
www.dentechelectric.com • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •
• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
From
Our Family to Yours, Wishing You & Your Family A Very Me rry
Christmas!
DOING IT RIGHT FOR OVER 80 YEARS!
There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays. All the Best in the New Year! Commercial • Agricultural • Residential Construction
Mobile: 519-699-4095 Office:• 519-699-4828 • ONSEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • 1370 KING ST N. St. Jacobs, (519) 664-3412 thomantireser vice.ca (1989) Ltd.
CERTIFIED DEALER
We also offer complete lines of high quality tires such as
Email: fermon@fermonconstruction.com
fermonconstruction.com • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS
• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY
48 | BACK PAGE
THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2015
CHEF’S TABLE: Perfect for a special holiday meal FROM | 42
serve it with a brown sugar and butter sauce. It fills your kitchen with a spicy aroma while it steams; it tastes like fruitcake, only better! You can find this recipe in my cookbook on page 81. This recipe I am sharing today is a perfect dessert for a special holiday meal. You can garnish it as you please; mini candy canes stuck into whipped cream rosettes or those chocolate mint wafers with a green stripes through the middle called Andes baking chips. Drizzle the top with melted chocolate and your guests will ask where you bought it. To slice a cheesecake professionally, stick a large knife into very hot water. Wipe the blade with a clean cloth and cut into the cheesecake. Between each cut, put the knife back into the hot water, then wipe the blade. The slices are cleanly cut and the cheesecake does not stick to the knife. Wishing you an old fashioned Christmas with simple pleasures and fabulous food.
Chocolate Mint Cheesecake Crust: 2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs 1/4 cup white sugar 1/2 cup butter, melted Filling: 2 250gr. cream cheese, softened 2 300ml. condensed milk 4 eggs 2 Tbsp. peppermint extract Glaze: 1/2 cup chocolate chips 2 Tbsp. butter 1/2 tsp. vanilla Garnishes: Whipped cream Mini candy canes or Any kind of chocolate mint candy
For crust, mix all ingredients in a bowl. Press into 10” or 11” springform pan. Set aside. For filling, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add condensed milk, mix. Add eggs and peppermint extract and mix only until combined.
Pour filling on chocolate base in springform pan. Bake at 325º F for 55-65 minutes or until cheesecake is almost set. It may jiggle a bit in the middle, it will firm up as it cools. Cool at room temperature, then refrigerate several hours or overnight To serve, remove sides of springform pan. Slide a thin utensil under the crust to loosen, then slide the whole cheesecake on a pretty serving plate. Garnish as you wish. For glaze, put all ingredients in a strong plastic bag. Set the bag into a small container so it does not spill then melt in the microwave in short intervals. Snip a tiny hole in one corner of the plastic bag, then drizzle the chocolate over the garnished cheesecake. Refrigerate until serving. Serves 12.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Donna is the author of A Taste of Nostalgia Cookbook, which is available by calling 519-638-5791 or email donna.atasteofnostalgia@gmail.com.
DECEMBER
DOOR BUSTERS THURSDAY DECEMBER 10 TH TH UNTIL SUNDAY DECEMBER 13
THURS/FRI 9 A M - 9 P M S AT U R D AY 9 A M - 6 P M S U N D AY 1 1 A M - 5 P M
HEAVY BERBER
FRIEZE CARPET
CARPET REMNANTS
15 YEAR WARRANTY
15 YEAR WARRANTY
12’ X 12’
plus
canadian made
IN STOCK
no tax!
87
plus
IN STOCK
1
PER SQ FT
LAMINATE
IN STOCK
hot deal!
PER SQ FT
REG 2.99
no tax!
57
EACH
199
HANDSCRAPED
LAMINATE
LAMINATE FLOORING
HOT BUY!
WITH PADDING ATTACHED!
AC4 COMMERCIAL
1
plus
¢ $ 37 $
REG 2.99
IN STOCK
no tax!
IN STOCK
1
12.3 mm thick
IN STOCK
1
14.3 mm thick
$ 37 $ 47 $ 97 PER SQ FT
REG 2.99
PER SQ FT
REG 3.99
PER SQ FT
REG 4.99
SOLID CHERRY OR HARD MAPLE
MAPLE HARDWOOD
HICKORY HARDWOOD
HARDWOOD - HOT BUY!
CLICK ENGINEERED
CLICK ENGINEERED
Give the Gift DONATE 3/4” 3/4” thick thick of HOME TODAY! $ 67 $ 97 $ 37 canadian made
IN STOCK
2
A Place to Call HOME This project enables people to stay in our community so they can maintain their existing relationships while developing new ones. It avoids placing our most vulnerable community members in situations of isolation. Staying in Elmira also lessens the burden for families, knowing that their loved ones’ housing needs are being met locally.
Downtown Elmira Being located in the core enriches residents’ lives while adding to the vibrancy of the area:
We need your help so we can start construction on time. Region funding will be available in early 2016, and we’re taking all the steps necessary so we will be ready to break ground in Spring.
• Walking distance to retail businesses • One block from bus stop • Next to Woolwich Community Services
Local fundraising committee members: Brad Martin, Naomi Freiburger, Dan Driedger, Vi Radcliffe, Grant Bauman, Linda Palmer, Ken Martin, Gloria Martin
• Accessible without steps • Elevator to all floors • Wide doors • Several units have step-in showers
Help us create new barrier-free affordable rental housing in Elmira. DONATE TODAY. CONTACT US TO DONATE: Executive Director
PER SQ FT
REG 4.99
ddriedger@mennohomes.com 226-476-2535
202 - 50 Kent Ave. Kitchener ON, N2G 3R1
www.mennohomes.com CRA # 86304 7015 R0001
2
IN STOCK
PER SQ FT
REG 4.99
3
PER SQ FT
REG 8.99
SHOWER WALL TILES
ALL-GLASS BACKSPLASH
16” X 16”
4” X 8”
HOT BUY!
IN STOCK
IN STOCK
77 97 ¢
PER SQ FT
REG 1.99
4
¢ $ 97 PER SQ FT
REG 2.99
PER SQ FT
REG 8.99
VINYL PLANKS
CLICK VINYL PLANKS
HUGE SELECTION
LUXURIOUS!
LUXURIOUS!
OVER 1000 IN STOCK!
• Access to thrift shop and foodbank
Barrier free:
Dan Driedger
IN STOCK
PORCELAIN TILE
IN STOCK
Construction Spring 2016
canadian made
IN STOCK
97
100% water proof
1
5x8 FROM
57
¢ $ 47 $ PER SQ FT
REG 2.99
WWW.
IN STOCK
100% water proof
AREA RUGS
PER SQ FT
REG 3.99
EACH
.COM
1362 VICTORIA STREET N. KITCHENER 519.742.9188 M-F 9AM-9PM SAT 9AM-6PM SUN 11AM-5PM
*products may not be exactly as shown. limited supply
canadian made
2 stains avail!