December 13, 2008

NEWS |

1

Nutcracker takes on a distinctly Canadian avour...................................... 22 THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Finding inspiration in new venture

Âť13 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 49

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2008

www.ObserverXtra.com

Âť WEST MONTROSE

Suspicious blaze in Wellesley Battle brewing

over gravel pit

All three stations respond to fire now under investigation by police MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

Bridge Keepers group goes on the offensive to counter company’s bid for license

Police are seeking information regarding two men who fled the scene of a suspicious house fire in Wellesley Village Tuesday night. Two males emerged from a duplex at 1020 Molesworth St. at the onset of the fire, both with flames coming from their clothing. They extinguished those fires by rolling around on the ground and in the snow and then fled the scene, one suspect in a dark-coloured pickup truck, the other on foot. Firefighters from all three township stations tackled the blaze. One woman was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. Damage to the structure was pegged at $200,000 Wellesley firefighters were called to the residence at approximately 8:30 p.m. Dec. 9. When they arrived, they were told occupants were still inside the building. They conducted two

STEVE KANNON

PHOTO | JOE MERLIHAN

See FIRE Âť02

OF STOREWIDE 15%OFF 1Â˜ĂŒÂˆÂ?ĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊ31st, 2009 1Â˜ĂŒÂˆÂ?ĂŠ >Â˜Ă•>ÀÞÊ Ă€>˜`v>ĂŒÂ…iĂ€ĂƒĂŠUĂŠ7>Â?Â?ĂƒĂŠUĂŠ >Â˜ĂŒiÂ?ĂƒĂŠUĂŠ ÂœĂŠ ĂŒĂŠ9ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂƒiÂ?vĂŠ ÂˆĂŒĂƒĂŠUĂŠ Ă€iiĂŠ ˜}Ă€>Ă›i`ĂŠ

A family heirloom >“iÂŤÂ?>ĂŒi or timeless gift

564 7iLiÀÊ-ĂŒÂ°ĂŠ ÂœĂ€ĂŒÂ…]ĂŠ1Â˜ÂˆĂŒĂŠĂ“ĂŠ7>ĂŒiĂ€Â?œœ]ĂŠ" °Ê Ă“ ĂŠx ĂˆĂŠ Ph: 519-884-2511 www°VÂœÂ?œ˜ˆ>Â?ĂŒÂˆÂ“iĂƒÂ°VÂœÂ“ĂŠ -Â…ÂœĂœĂ€ÂœÂœÂ“ĂŠ ÂœĂ•Ă€Ăƒ\ĂŠĂŠĂŠ ÂœÂ˜Â°ĂŠqĂŠ Ă€ÂˆÂ°ĂŠÂ™Â‡xĂŠĂŠ->ĂŒÂ°ĂŠÂ™Â‡{

Nobody welcomes a gravel pit with open arms. With every application comes some kind of opposition – some more than others. You can put the bid for a large pit near West Montrose into the “battle brewingâ€? category. Concerned about the impact on the settlement’s quaint lifestyle centered on the historic covered bridge, a group calling itself the Bridge Keepers has begun rallying the community to fight. Guelph-based Capital Paving wants to extract aggregate from a 115-acre site near the intersection of Letson Drive and Kathleen Street. The best defence is a good offence, maintains organizer Tony Dowling, who’s employed the Internet as part of an aggressive marketing strategy against the proposed operation. “You have to work hard – the field is pretty heavily tipped in favour of the applicants,â€? he said in an interview, noting communities typically get short shrift when it comes to gravel pits. The group is concentrating on the potential negative impacts on one of Woolwich Township’s major tourism draws, the kissing bridge, its 127-year history and the rural flavour exemplified by the Mennonite population. “Lots of visitors come here to see the bridge. There’s a great panoramic view of the scene from Jigs Hollow Road that people just love. This (the pit) will ruin the whole experience.â€? Bridge Keepers is working up an entire campaign to help bring officials on side. The application process is underway with both the Ministry of Natural Resources, which licenses gravel pits, and the township, which must grant a zone change to allow the operation on what is currently farmland. Having deemed Capital Paving’s initial application incomplete, the township is now waiting on the company to provide more information before proceeding with a review of the project. See GRAVEL Âť02

2 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

» From cover

And just this week, it added a sub-watershed study to its list of requirements to determine the impact on the groundwater and surrounding geology, explained Dan Kennaley, Woolwich’s director of engineering and planning. “This might constitute a significant delay for Capital Pavement,” as the study typically must go through four seasons. For its part, Capital Paving expects to carry out many studies to show why the pit should be located at the West Montrose location. The company is sensitive to community concerns, and wants to minimize the impact of its operation at the site, said representative George Lourenco. The company has seen an extraordinary amount of feedback from this proposal, much more than what he’s seen with other applications. “With this one, there’s been quite a bit of concern – about the bridge, the tourism impact, the Mennonite [traffic].” Although the pit would be larger than many in the area, it would still be smaller than the industry average, added Lourenco. The company would extract a maximum of 500,000 tonnes of gravel annually, drawing down what is believed to be about 2.5 million tonnes of available resources. The pit would oper-

ate for seven to 10 years before closing down and being rehabilitated back to farmland. The impact would be much smaller than opponents predict, he said. “I’ve been through this process before. Perceptions change with the opening of an operation … and neighbours find out it’s not as bad as what they thought it would be.” He points to the company’s pits of comparable size elsewhere, including one in Guelph-Eramosa Township that operates adjacent to a small settlement – “We do have operations that coexist with residential areas.” Still, he’s not surprised there’ll be a fight over the proposal, with opponents questioning why this location must be used when there’s plenty of aggregate throughout the region. While that may be, there’s no certainty that just because gravel exists that anyone can get access to it, perhaps due to environmental concerns, impact on wetlands or other restrictions. The area in question has already been designated by the township and Waterloo Region as suitable for aggregate extraction, he said, adding residents’ concerns will be addressed as the application process moves along. “Any aggregate application comes with opposition. Industry is trying to change the per-

ception of aggregate extraction – it’s not what it used to be.” Dowling, however, remains unmoved. The location is just not suitable for dump trucks making some 260 return trips each day, with gravel being crushed and hauled at all hours of day on rural roads used by horse-and-buggy Mennonites, a parochial school nearby, he said. “There are many other sources of aggregate. This is just about the worst place you could pick.” There’s also the question of negative effects on the Grand River, which offers pristine conditions and great fishing in the stretch near West Montrose, Dowling added. To make their case, members of the Bridge Keepers will attempt to win in the forum of

PHOTO | JOE MERLIHAN

Gravel: Company pledges thorough study; group skeptical

JUST SAY NO Tony Dowling, one of the organizers of the Bridge Keepers group, is not eager to see another gravel pit, much larger than this Sittler operation, near the West Montrose covered bridge. public opinion. They expect they’re in for a long battle, one they’re willing to see though.

“We have the public support, we have the will and we have the finances to continue.”

Fire: Cause remains unknown » From cover

searches but found no one; they did, however, rescue two pets. “When we first arrived there was a report of occupants still in the building so we wanted to knock it down as quickly as possible and get in there and do our search. We found a dog and a cat – they were fine,” said Wellesley district assistant chief Ted Stroh. It appears two other cats, however, perished in the blaze.

Wellesley, St. Clements and Linwood stations were all called in when the structure fire was confirmed, and battled the fire for up to five hours. “There were a lot of flames when we first arrived.” Fire reached into the attic, making it difficult for firefighters to extinguish it quickly. It is believed that the fire started in the kitchen, but the exact cause is still unknown. Both police and the Fire Mar-

shall’s Office are investigating as arson is suspected. Police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating and identifying the men who fled from the scene to determine their physical well being and what their involvement may have been in this incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Division #1 detective office at (519) 650-8500, ext. 4438 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS.

HURRY, WHILE SELECTION LASTS!

LITFTOR TH ON LE O E YOU NE R LI S ST

2 FOR $20.00 OR

1 FOR $11.99 REG. $13.99 EACH

*May Not Be Exactly As Shown.

1 Union St., Elmira | 519.669.3072 | www.elmiragiftoutlet.com | Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:30-5:30; Saturday 9:30-5:00; Closed Sundays

LEADING OFF

» NEWS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

“I think it’s going to be an awesome learning experience and it’s going to open my eyes to things we just don’t understand in Canada.” Shannon Zimmerman

3

NOT YOUR TYPICAL SNOWBIRD Shannon Zimmerman was a bit shocked when she returned to Elmira from Halifax and found six inches of snow on the ground. Zimmerman left for a study tour of Israel this week, where the PHOTO | joni miltenburg temperature is in the low 20s.

A study tour, with air raids

Elmira woman heads to Israel prepared for culture shock, and expecting to find the story behind media portrayals JONI MILTENBURG A few days before she left for a study tour of Israel, Shannon Zimmerman got a call from the trip’s organizers. A visit to a town on the border of the Gaza Strip might involve a bulletproof bus, they told her. And there’s the possibility of an air raid, which would mean hunkering down in a bomb shelter. “When I told my dad that, he thought it was the coolest thing,” Zimmerman said. “He was just like, ‘that’s awesome. You’ll never get to experience that again!’ And I [said], ‘I hope I never get to experience an air raid again!’” On Wednesday, Zimmerman and 13 other student leaders from across Canada flew to Israel for an eight-day tour of the country, sponsored by the Canada-Israel Committee. Zimmerman has travelled to a num-

ber of foreign countries – including Switzerland, Italy, France, Sweden and Finland – but this trip will be different, and not just because the possibility of air raids. “I can’t relate any of my other travels to Israel,” she said. “I think it’s going to be an awesome learning experience and it’s going to open my eyes to things we just don’t understand in Canada … To go and see how such a widespread conflict in this country affects people but how life goes on.” The Dalhousie University student returned home to Elmira for a few days before departing for Israel. Elmira’s winter wonderland came as a bit of a shock; until last weekend’s storm, which she missed, Halifax was balmy by comparison. Zimmerman is in her fourth year at Dalhousie, studying political science and international development. She

isn’t exactly sure what she wants to do after graduation, but she’s looking into law schools and radio broadcasting programs. Zimmerman is heavily involved in student politics at Dalhousie, where she sits on the board of governors and chairs the arts and social sciences society. “I definitely have an interest in politics and in public life, but what form I will do that in … I’m just going to try everything and see what works.” The students on the trip are all leaders at their schools, through involvement with their student newspapers, student unions or other activities. Zimmerman was excited to meet her fellow travelers, noting that it’s an intense introduction: an 11-hour flight, followed by touchdown in a new country. Their itinerary is packed, and includes visits to the Holocaust museum, the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the Dead

Thursday, December 18, 2008 10 CHURCH ST. W., ELMIRA (Top Floor Above Village Pet)

519.669.9996

Sea, the Israeli Parliament, the Temple Mount, a kibbutz and several Christian holy sites. The students will be meeting journalists, diplomats, an Israeli parliamentarian and a Holocaust survivor. But the trip isn’t just about culture; Israel is a country in the middle of a conflict, something that will be brought home by a tour of the Jerusalem security barrier, security briefings on hilltops overlooking Lebanon and Syria, and a visit to the largest Israeli settlement in the West Bank. Zimmerman said most people are apprehensive when she tells them she’s going to Israel, picturing suicide bombers and rocket launchers. “When I tell them that I’m going, that’s their gut reaction. And I think that goes back to the way it’s depicted in our media. I imagine I’m going to find that it’s not a fair depiction, that things are a lot See STUDY »06

COME JOIN GRAMMA B FOR A COFFEE, COOKIE AND A CRAFT! > Scrapbooking > Card Making > Kids Crafts > Wood Crafts > Doll Houses

& Much More!

CHRISTMAS HOURS: Dec. 24th 9-4 Closed Dec. 25-28th Mon. 29th 9-6 New Years Eve 9-4 Reopening Jan. 3rd

REGULAR HOURS: Mon.-Wed. 9-6 | Thurs. & Fri. 9-9 | Sat. 9-6 | Sun. 12-5

4 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

» FROM THE EDITOR | STEVE KANNON

Auto bailout must come with many strings attached of the vehicles to the stridency of the unions. The Detroit Three – no longer the Big Three, as competitors have long since stormed the fortress – have got themselves into this mess, largely the result of short-term thinking. They certainly weren’t thinking things through when they let quality slide for so long, convinced they were the only game in town. They built big, gas-guzzling cars when the first energy crisis dictated small, fuel-efficient models – precisely what the then-upstart Japanese manufacturers were offering. When fuel prices fell, they didn’t see it as a temporary situation, opting to build increasingly large SUVs, vans and trucks while neglecting the economy-minded. The rising importance of the environment seems to have eluded them entirely. The quarterly financials and today’s stock prices – oh so important to bonus and executive compensation – far outweighed any vision for the future. To make matters worse, the competition was paying attention to the trends, leaving Detroit in the dust. The easy answer to some minds is to let the chips fall where they may, even if that means bankruptcy for one, two or all three of the North American automakers. Given the industry’s impact on the economy, however, governments are unlikely to allow a complete failure. But, as the bailout talks in the U.S. show, aid will come with some strings attached, which is as it should be. Somebody has to make sure shortterm thinking does not remain the mo-

dus operandi. Otherwise, the money would simply be blown in no time – somebody’s got to pay for bonuses and private jets – and the car companies would be back looking for more assistance. Currently, Detroit is looking for $25 billion from the U.S. government, where Congress is knee deep in negotiations. General Motors and Chrysler are pushing hardest for the loans, with Ford saying it can weather the storm, but eager to see support in that it shares many suppliers with the other domestic manufacturers. In return for the financing, the industry has proposed downsizing operations, moving quickly to meet more stringent fuel-efficiency targets and working on alternatives such as hybrids and electric cars. In that vein, officials also expect the industry to make hard choices about staffing, union contracts, executive salaries and size of its dealership network. In Canada, the debate has been at a much lower level, though Chrysler this week intimated – some would say threatened – it would move operations from Brampton and Windsor to U.S. plants if it didn’t get $1.8 billion in

government aid. Though the Harper government could be criticized for its inaction on the economy, it’s right to wait for the U.S. to make a move before deciding what, if anything, will happen here. One thing is certain on both sides of the border: business-as-usual is not an option. Giving money to the automakers simply to keep them afloat a while longer would be a colossal waste of money. They’re already burning through billions of dollars, with no end in sight. They’ll have to change course – and shed many jobs and plants – if they’re to survive. Government money must go only to a turnaround, for which each of the companies must provide a detailed plan that includes guarantees. Anything less would be to flush the money down the drain. In short, they need to start building cars that people actually want to buy, today and when the economy picks up. That means well-built, efficient/alternatively-fueled cars that capture your attention. A tall order for a domestic industry that’s rarely managed to do any of that, let alone all of the above.

Veronica MacDonald

I just finished it last night. Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book, Outliers.

» ABOUT FACE

photo | JONI MILTENBURG

An Irish cousin of mine is in Canada right now on a work/ study stay. As guys, we got around to talking about cars, and he mentioned he’s looking at buying a Ford Focus when he finishes med school next year -- a nice car, he says, wondering why he hasn’t seen any here. Of course, he’s probably seen many of them, but just hasn’t recognized what they are, given how much they differ from the European models. Having owned a Focus here and driven the European model on my last trip to Ireland, there really is no comparison (and not just the steering wheel being on the other side of the car). The same is true of other North American cars on the roads of Europe: styles and configurations you won’t find on this side of the pond. That includes fuel-efficient diesels, ubiquitous over there, but limited to a few German models here. This goes to the heart of the debate over bailouts for the Detroit Three. Yes, they’re in rough financial shape, but that’s mostly of their own doing – they just haven’t adapted to the changing reality in the North American auto market. Judging from the scads of columns and online forums, just about everybody has some advice for the automakers. Even more of us have strong opinions about the bailout. We’re generally opposed to the idea, for a host of reasons ranging from the quality

Community Care Concepts

What’s the best part of winter? Spring. What’s your favourite comfort food? I’d have to say now, for the winter, chili. What are some of your hobbies? I love swimming, snorkeling, and those kinds of things. I love reading. What’s the best book you’ve read lately?

Do you travel? I love to travel. If I won the lottery, that’s what I would do a lot. I try to travel in the winter months so I get to go someplace nice and warm, get a break from the snow. What’s the most interesting place you’ve been? Last March I went to a conference and went to Sweden and presented our Home at Last program to the International Journal of Integrated Care. It was quite a big thrill to be going to this huge conference and doing this presentation.

NEWS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Woolwich Township will borrow up to $6 million to meet its shortterm obligations. Current expenses, largely related to a number of capital projects such as the Woolwich Memorial Centre, have strained the municipality’s normal cash flow, director of finance Richard Petherick told councillors meeting this week. The demand loan arranged through the Royal Bank should carry the township through the middle of 2009, when other sources of revenue, including monetizing part of Woolwich’s senior debt from Waterloo North Hydro, come on-stream. Currently, terms of the deal call for a 3.5-per-cent interest rate; with this kind of loan, only interest is paid, amounting to a cost of approximately $2,856 a month for each $1 million borrowed.

Elmira teen wins contest Elmira’s Dan Bossenberry was the big winner of the Record’s Within Earshot Music Video Contest, garnering the most votes (407). Nearly 2,500 online viewers selected their favourites from among some 30 amateur videos. The music for the video “Come Alive� was written and performed by Bossenberry, and the video was directed and produced by his friend Craig Wood and his brother Alex. “Come Alive� was an early front-runner in the online voting, and maintained its lead to finish atop the list. It featured Bossenberry and some schoolmates, and was filmed in Elmira, Kitchener and Heidelberg. Bossenberry will soon have an extra $1,500 in his pocket.

Street to be renamed

With all seven homeowners in agreement, Woolwich will rename Dorathea Place to Kraftwood Place, councillors decided this week. Developed by Ralph Kraft in the 1960s, the small subdivision south of Bloomingdale featured a small cul-de-sac off of Kraft Drive, named Dorothea after his wife.

Street to be closed off

Looking to reduce illegal parking and trespassing, Woolwich council this week voted to temporarily close a portion of Greenhouse Road south of Kramp Road near Breslau. A steel barrier will be erected later this year or possibly next spring.

Âť DESTRUCTIVE ACT

Vandals torch St. Teresa cemetery cross

Installed just two years ago, wooden structure will be repaired; police continue to investigate MARC MIQUEL HELSEN Two years ago, it took several parishioners from St Teresa of Avila Church in Elmira many hours to build and raise a wooden cross at the parish cemetery on Arthur Street North. Last weekend it was almost burned down in a matter of minutes due to an act of vandalism. Fortunately, cold and wet weather prevailed, helping to quell a gasoline fire that could have razed the cross. Passersby raised the alarm at approximately 8:20 p.m. Dec. 6, promptly notifying police and firefighters. By the time they arrived, the fire was virtually extinguished. “You feel pretty sick. You just wonder, ‘why would anybody want to damage something like that?’ Because it’s a religious thing in our faith and we believe that the cross – why would anyone want to damage our cross? It wasn’t bothering anybody,� said Elmira resident John Basler, the man who built the cross more than two years ago. The incident is currently under investigation by Waterloo Regional Police, with detectives seeking witnesses to further their case. It appears that the arsonists wrapped rags doused in gasoline around the cross; the cap

PHOTO | MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

Woolwich to tap short-term loan from RBC

CROSS PURPOSES Richard Hoover, recreation facilities manager for Woolwich Township, and Fr. Ray Reitzel of St. Teresa of Avila Church hope they’ll be able to salvage the cemetery cross that was burned by vandals Dec. 6.

of a gasoline canister was found on scene. “It doesn’t take much of a person to do something like that. You’ve got to be ‌ pretty well down at the bottom of the ladder when you go torching a cross,â€? said Basler, noting the fire could have been worse had it caught and spread. Damage to the structure was considerable, said police, and at first it was expected that the monument would have to be replaced, making for a laborious and expensive procedure

as the cross stands 4.8 metres (16 feet) tall, 2.3 metres (7.5 feet) wide and is embedded in 1.4 metres (4.5-feet) of concrete; an additional 1.2 metres (four feet) of concrete secure the cross above the surface of the ground. However, a second look revealed that the cross might very well be salvageable. “Fortunately, it (the fire) didn’t go in too deep,� said Fr. Ray Reitzel of St Teresa of Avila parish. The cross is made of two types of wood, and it ap-

STEVE KANNON Having worked hard and paid a lifetime’s worth of taxes, seniors deserve a bit of a break if they feel like a dip in a public pool, says an Elmira resident who brought her case to Woolwich council this week. Georgina Steele is looking for the township to set a discounted seniors’ rate for using the facility, as

OPEN DAILY 9 TO 8

Experience Christmas Gift Shopping in the Country! Fresh Cut or U Cut Trees, Wreaths, Hanging Baskets, Urn Fillers, Boughs and more.

well as special swim times reserved for seniors. Neither currently exists. Councillors asked recreation department staff to look into the matter, with Mayor Bill Strauss noting this was the first such request in his 12 years on the job. Steele has also been asking other seniors to contact the township to provide feedback on the idea of special consideration

for that age group. Suffering from arthritis, she’s been advised by her doctor to go swimming three to five times a week. At the current rate, she’d spend $675 a year if she went to the pool five times a week, far in excess of the $33 she spent when she lived in Hamilton, Steele explained – “I can’t afford that.� On the availability of swim times, she explained

FINAL DAYS IN ELMIRA!

LAST DAY 0 C. SAT, DE

Free Hot Cider & Cookies!

2

TH

We accept:

seniors often have to share the pool with children, who naturally splash around as they play in the water, creating obstacles for older users swimming laps or walking in the shallow area as a form of exercise therapy. “When you become a senior, it’s hard to share the water with kids,� she laughed. Coun. Ruby Weber noted there would be more swim

LAS CHAN T CE!

See CROSS Âť07

80off

HOURS: Wed - Fri 10-5, Sat 10-3 Evenings by appointment

!RTHUR 3T 3 ;!"/6% %,-)2! 0(/4/= s 519-669-2667

times available when the Woolwich Memorial Centre opens in September 2009. The facility will include a therapeutic pool, as well. Staff will study Steele’s suggestions, looking at what neighbouring municipalities offer for seniors at their pools. Facilities manager Brian Detzler made arrangements to meet with Steele to move the issue along.

Thursday, December 18, 2008 9am.

%

ALL Ladies wear fashions for fall, winter, holiday, spring, summer + cruise wear in sizes 4-20 | CASH + CARRY DEALS

BENJAMIN TREE FARM & GIFT SHOP 4 km from Weber St. N., on Benjamin Rd., WATERLOO

519-699-5000

pears the fire only damaged the protective outer layer. When Basler made the cross, he originally wanted to make it out of waterresistant cedar. However, knowing that he would have to paint it, he opted for a pine timber centre with a white pine exterior. What might complicate the restoration is the fact that the white pine exterior was fixed with carpenter glue and wood screws to the inner timber. Wary of splintering the wood,

Basler noted he doesn’t want to settle for any temporary solutions that would require the cross to be replaced in a few years down the road. “We want it to last for a number of years; we don’t want to put a band-aid fix on it and then have to go back in three or four years and then redo it,� he said, noting that the cross was built with the intention that it would last some 40 or 50 years. A possible alternative would be to plane down the exterior and reapply a new coat in the spring. Basler is now working along with a number of people throughout the township to explore methods of saving the wood structure. Just as they did when the cross was built in June of 2006, the community is rallying together to repair the damage. Although it was Basler who cut, assembled, morticed and polished the cross two years ago, several other parish and community members came together to replace the cemetery’s decaying 1940s cross. The Martin family of the Elmira Meat Market donated the lumber. Gladys Doherty, a longtime friend of the Baslers, traced the church’s history and recorded it onto a scroll that was then inserted into a time capsule in the cross. Doherty, a descendent of

Council ponders seniors’ rates, hours at Elmira pool

BENJAMIN TREE FARM AND GIFT SHOP

OPEN DAILY 9-8

5

COME JOIN GRAMMA B FOR A COFFEE, COOKIE AND A CRAFT!

10 CHURCH ST. W., ELMIRA

B

(Top Floor Above Village Pet)

519.669.9996

6 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Ready, Teddy, go

PHOTOs | MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

PHOTO | MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

Santa’s big day in Elmira

THE SEASON OF GIVING Woolwich Township fire prevention officer Bill Cronin and Cathy Pickard of Josslin Insurance in Elmira display some of the teddy bears employees at the local firm donated to the fire department. Each employee donation of $10 was matched by the company, allowing 35 stuffed animals to be purchased in town. The fire department gives them out to youngsters caught up in situations to which firefighters respond.

Move to south end proves agreeable for Elmira’s Foodland MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

A FESTIVE TIME Santa Claus was the star of the show Dec. 6 at the parade organized by the Elmira Kiwanis Club. Among the floats that made their way along Arthur Street, the Traces Steel Band (above, right) provided some cheery tunes. Anna Petrone, 3, waves from one of the parade entries.

Decades of grocery shopping in downtown Elmira came to an end last month when Foodland moved to its new location in the south end of town. And while many residents – particularly seniors and those who don’t drive – feared that the move would make it difficult for them to shop, it now appears that they are adapting well to the new location. “I’ve heard nothing but good feedback, even from my customers here,” said Mary Jordan, coordinator for the Woolwich Seniors Association (WSA). Since opening its doors on Nov. 21, the new Foodland store has extended its delivery services from the core of Elmira to its rural areas, and is also offering free shuttle service from downtown to the store and back from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. “It’s been a positive thing for them; they’re not as upset about losing the grocery store downtown now because of those factors,” said Jordan. While some downtown residents were initially wary of the shuttle ser-

vice as an alternative, it seems that many have embraced it, said Foodland owner Doug Pagett. “I think on Saturday morning it’s become an outing for some people now. They get on it, and they come down and then when they’re done they sit and have a coffee and shoot the breeze and get back on the bus and back downtown,” he explained. Currently, the shuttle bus stops at the site of the old store, at the Dunke Street apartments, and at the Wyatt Street apartments. While the service has proved popular, Pagett noted that it is still in its infancy and locations and times may change according to user feedback. The new store, which employs roughly 40 more people than the previous one for a total of 125, has seen steady business. While Pagett has noted a slight reduction in the number of horse-andbuggy clients, more are taking advantage of the store’s rural delivery service. And customer traffic is pretty much solid right up until midnight. Open 24 hours, employees use the lull between 12 and 5 a.m. to prepare for the following day. Previously located at

the corner of Church and Arthur streets, Foodland opened its doors Nov. 21 at the site of the former Price Chopper store, which never saw the volumes experienced by Foodland. Sobeys Inc.’s decision to close the Price Chopper in Elmira in September and transfer the Foodland operation to the south-end location met with some resistance. Downtown residents and businesspeople launched a petition campaign, garnering some 1,300 signatures opposing a move they argued would have a negative impact on the core, and especially on seniors and those who don’t drive, as well as old order Mennonites living north of Elmira. As for what will go in the former Foodland building at Church Street, that remains up in the air, said Tracy Chisholm, director of communications for Sobeys Ontario. The company currently holds a five-year lease on the building. Whether or not a new grocery format store will replace the former anchor remains to be seen. “I don’t know what’s going on there … there are no firm plans yet,” said Chisholm this week.

Study: A different perspective » From page 03

different than what CNN and those 24-hour news cycles make it look. “I have a little bit of apprehension, but I don’t think I’m more nervous about going on this trip than other trips.” Much of their time is divided between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and Zimmerman is interested to explore the differences between the two

cities. Jerusalem, the capital, is known for its holy sites and religious significance, while Tel Aviv is the country’s economic hub, home to the country’s stock exchange, with a secular lifestyle and vibrant nightlife. In Tel Aviv, the students will meet representatives of the city’s well-established gay and lesbian community.

“I think that going to this country with 13 other people that I’ve never met before is going to be such a valuable experience,” Zimmerman said. “You get to meet people, be put in what could be an uncomfortable situation … and then learn as much as you can in eight days. I’m really looking forward to the experience more than any thing else I think.”

NEWS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Cross: Community rallies in support » From page 05

19th century Irish Catholic immigrants to the area and an active participant in the community for many years, sifted through endless amounts of church records and library books, documenting her church’s history. She was certainly disturbed to hear about the act of vandalism last weekend. “It’s been there for years; why all of a sudden would someone do a thing like that?” said Doherty. “I just couldn’t believe it because our town is a community that respects everybody.” At this point, police do not know whether the Catholic cemetery was targeted or whether it was the site of a random

7

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 - FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19

act of vandalism. Basler doesn’t care either way. “I don’t want to know. I don’t want to hold grudges and if it’s a religious thing that somebody did this, I want to forget about that.” That said, he noted that he was encouraged by the public outcry and show of support. “Anyway, we’ll work together on it. I was talking with a few of the guys at the coffee shop this morning and some of them are from different faiths and different denominations and [said] ‘John, if there’s anything I can do to help you, say so,’” said Basler. Police have no suspects and are asking anyone with information to call 519-650-8500, ext. 3399.

Fabulous Fragrances for the Season Receive

20X THE SHOPPERS OPTIMUM POINTS

A LABOUR OF LOVe Several parishioners came together more than two years ago to build and raise the cross at the Elmira cemetery.

*

®

Receive 20x the Shoppers Optimum Points when you spend $100 or more on fragrance and fragrance gift sets. ®

PHOTO | FILE PHOTO

*Offer valid on the purchase total of eligible products using a valid Shoppers Optimum Card® after discounts and redemptions and before taxes. Excludes bonus points. Not to be used in conjunction with any other Shoppers Optimum Points® promotions or offers. See cosmetician for details. Offer valid Saturday, December 13 to Friday, December 19, 2008.

"):0/24&/,)/

PLUS THESE SPECIALS DECEMBER 13 TO DECEMBER 19** *!.5!29 s "): 0/24&/,)/ s 7//,7)#( /"3%26%2 *!.5!29 s "): 0/24&/,)/ s 7//,7)#( /"3%26%2

7//,7)#( /"3%26%2 s "): 0/24&/,)/ s *!.5!29 7//,7)#( /"3%26%2 s "): 0/24&/,)/ s *!.5!29

3LUMPING GREENBACK DRIVES UP LOONIE

4HE FALLING 5 3 DOLLAR SENT THE LOONIE ROCKETING UPWARD THIS WEEK WITH THE LOONIE EDGING TOWARD CENTS AS THE YEAR DREW TO A CLOSE ITS HIGHEST LEVEL IN A DECADE 7ITH DElCITS TAKING A TOLL ON THE GREENBACK ANALYSTS ARE NOW CALLING FOR THE #ANADIAN BUCK TO REACH CENTS IN THE NEXT YEAR

3NAKES AND LADDERS DOING BUSINESS IN #HINA

-AD COW CASE RIPPLING THROUGHOUT ENTIRE BEEF INDUSTRY

#ONTINUED FROM COVER

4HE ART OF SECURING VENTURE CAPITAL

4RADE WITH #HINA WILL BE THE FOCUS OF THE DAY AS THE 'REATER +ITCHENER 2ON .EUMANN PRESIDENT OF 3LIP3TREAM $ATA )NC WILL DISCUSS METHODS 7ATERLOO #HAMBER PRESENTS 2OB -AC+ENZIE #ANADIAN #ONSUL 'ENERAL IN OF ATTRACTING VENTURE CAPITAL AS THE REGION S TECHNOLOGY BOOSTER #OMMU 3HANGHAI *AN AT THE #HARCOAL 3TEAK (OUSE IN +ITCHENER (IS TALK ON THE NITECH PRESENTS ITS NEXT 4ECH4ALK "REAKFAST 4HE EVENT IS SET FOR *AN AT #HINESE MANUFACTURING ENVIRONMENT IS SET FOR A M #ALL THE +ITCHENER (OLIDAY )NN #ALL

"AGGAGE BOY TO #%/ %$33 GRAD NOW IN CHARGE OF "RITAIN S LARGEST FREIGHT RAILWAY

of the #!3%9 ,%33!2$ /"3%26%2 34!&&

+

Showcase the new arrival to your family in a special delivery January 10, 2009.

$

30 email:

00 +GST

ads@observerxtra.com

EITH (ELLER S INTEREST IN THE RAIL INDUSTRY BEGAN THROUGH A PART TIME JOB IN HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW THE %LMIRA NATIVE HAS MOVED TO %NGLAND TO TAKE CON TROL OF 'REAT "RITAIN S LARGEST FREIGHT RAILWAY (ELLER IS NOW THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFlCER AT %NGLISH 7ELSH 3COTTISH 2AILWAY %73 HE TOOK OVER *AN h) STARTED WHILE ) WAS GOING TO %LMIRA HIGH SCHOOL v HE RECALLED h) STARTED AS A PART TIME BAGGAGE PORTER AT THE +ITCHENER STATION 4HROUGH MY HIGH SCHOOL

YEARS AND WHEN ) SPENT PART OF ONE YEAR IN UNIVERSITY ) WORKED PART TIME CONTINUOUSLY FOR #. HANDLING BAGGAGE LATER ;)= WORKED IN THE OFlCE IN +ITCHENER WHERE THE YARD SWITCHERS WORKED h)N THOSE DAYS IT WAS NOT AUTOMATED AT ALL SO IT WAS PENCIL AND PAPER AND A TELEPHONE AND A RADIO TO GET A HOLD OF THE SWITCH CREWS 3HORTLY AFTER ) STARTED FULL TIME ) WENT INTO MANAGEMENT AND WE STARTED AUTOMATING THE SWITCH OFlCES WITH )"- KEY PUNCH MACHINES v 7ITH THAT EXPERIENCE (ELLER WENT ON TO WORK IN THE INFORMATION TECHNOL OGY DEPARTMENT IN THE EARLY S HELPING BUILD THE lRST MAINFRAME SYS

TEM THAT RAN THE RAIL OPERATIONS FOR #. )T WAS JUST ONE STEP IN LEARNING ALL THE FACETS OF THE BUSI NESS h) WORKED MOST OF MY CAREER IN RAIL OPERATIONS AS A TRAIN MASTER OR AS SISTANT SUPERINTENDENT ) SPENT A VERY SHORT TIME IN MARKETING 4HEN ) WAS CHIEF OF TRANSPORTATION BUT THE GOVERNMENT SOLD #. IN AND ) VE BEEN A SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT SINCE v 4HE DEPTH OF HIS EXPERI ENCE HAS HELPED HIM BE AN EFFECTIVE MANAGER SPURRING %73 DESIRE TO HAVE HIM IN CHARGE h) HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF GENERAL MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS A TRACK RECORD OF BEING ABLE TO APPLY RAIL

WAY KNOWLEDGE TO DRIVE IMPROVEMENT v (E ALSO HAS A TRACK RE CORD OF BEING ABLE TO TURN A COMPANY AROUND -OST OF HIS TIME WAS SPENT IN #. S %ASTERN #ANADA REGION EAST OF 4HUNDER "AY h4HAT AREA HAS TRANSFORMED FROM A CHAL LENGING AREA n TOUGH TO MAKE MONEY IN THE RAIL WAY n AND TODAY IT S AN EQUAL CONTRIBUTOR WITH THE REST OF #. 7E WERE IN THOSE DAYS BY MOST MEASURES ONE OF THE POOREST RAILWAYS IN .ORTH !MERICA AND NOW WE RE THE BEST AND THE STOCK PRICE REmECTS THAT v (ELLER S PREDECESSOR AT %73 0HILIP -ENGEL T 3EE 2)$).' PAGE

4(% ")' 3(/7 %LMIRA NATIVE +EITH (ELLER HAS LIVED IN MANY #ANADIAN CITIES WHILE WORKING HIS WAY UP TO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF #. 2AIL (E IS NOW IN ,ONDON AS #%/ OF THE 5 + S LARGEST FREIGHT RAIL OPERATION %NGLISH 7ELSH 3COTTISH 2AILWAY

+YLER *AMES !USTIN

$ECEMBER 0!2%.43 $ENNIS -ARIE "RUBACHER (/-% %LMIRA

4YLER +IERAN -ARTIN

/CTOBER 0!2%.43 4ROY -ARTIN -ICHELLE $EMPSTER (/-% %LMIRA 'RANDPARENTS *EANET 4OM -ARTIN +ATHY $AVE 7ENNERSTROM

-ADELINE *OAN $UNN

3YDNEY $IANNE #HALMERS

%THAN $ODDS

!UGUST 0!2%.43 'ERRY (EIDI #HALMERS (/-% %LMIRA

-AY 0!2%.43 ,ORI *ASON $ODDS (/-% &ERGUS

-AY 0!2%.43 4ROY *ULIE $UNN (/-% (EIDELBERG

,OVE !UNT 7ENDY 5NCLE "RIAN 'RANDPA 'RANDMA 2UTHERFORD

3ABRINA )SABELLE )RENE -C'UIRE

+EITH 7ALTER -IKEL

3HELBY 3HIRLEY !NN -IKEL

!DRIANNA -ARIE -OLENAAR

*ANUARY 0!2%.43 3TEVE 4ANYA -IKEL (/-% %LMIRA

.OVEMBER 0!2%.43 $IRK ,ISA -OLENAAR (/-% %LMIRA

3EPTEMBER 0!2%.43 -ATT 2OSE -C'UIRE (/-% %LMIRA

*ANUARY 0!2%.43 3TEVE 4ANYA -IKEL (/-% %LMIRA

"RETT 7ILLIAM &ORESTER &EBRUARY 0!2%.43 *ENTRY !NITA (/-% "RACEBRIDGE /.

3AMPLE

WHAT’S INCLUDED? s &ULL #OLOUR PHOTO IN THE *ANUARY ISSUE *ANUARY ISSUE s .AME 0ARENTS 4OWN

"IRTHDAY s %XTRA COPIES OF THE PAPER s 7EB 0AGE 'ALLERY ONLINE s DEADLINE: *AN s DEADLINE: DEADLINE:

*AY /WEN "AUMAN

IT WAS BORN AFTER AN !U GUST BAN ON FEEDING CATTLE PARTS TO CATTLE h4HAT WOULD HAVE RAISED A LOT MORE QUES TIONS v SHE SAID h7E VE ALWAYS KNOWN IN EITHER #ANADA OR THE 5 3 THAT THERE WAS A SMALL POSSI BILITY THAT SOME ANIMALS BORN BEFORE THE FEED BANS COULD CONTRACT THE DISEASE )T WAS LOGICAL THAT AT SOME POINT WE MIGHT HAVE A VERY FEW CASES OF "3% IN ANIMALS BORN BEFORE THE BAN v 4HE !LBERTA CASE WAS ALSO DISCOVERED IN AN ANI MAL BORN BEFORE THE FEED BAN WAS IN PLACE $AY NARD SAID A MASS KILLING OF ALL CATTLE BORN BEFORE THE FEED BAN n SIMILAR TO MASS KILLINGS IN THE 5NITED +INGDOM AFTER ITS MAD COW OUTBREAK n WAS UNNECESSARY h"ECAUSE #ANADA HAS A SPECIlED RISK MATERIAL 32- POLICY IN PLACE THERE IS NO RISK /NCE YOU REMOVE THE COMPO NENTS OF AN ANIMAL THAT ARE KNOWN TO POTENTIALLY CARRY THOSE PRIONS VI RUS LIKE PARTICLES FROM THE DISEASE SUCH AS THE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD

3HAKIRA %LYSE "AUMAN

ANY OTHER MEAT THAT COMES FROM THE ANIMAL IS KNOWN TO BE SAFE v 4HIS WEEK THE !MERI CANS IMPOSED NEW RULES n INCLUDING THOSE CON CERNING THE CONTROL OF 32-S n IN AN ATTEMPT TO HARNESS THE PROBLEM 5NTIL THE PROBLEM IS UNDER CONTROL THE VALUE OF CATTLE WILL CONTINUE TO BE DOWN h%VERYTHING S OFF AT LEAST TO CENTS PER POUND v SAID /,%8

SALES REP $AVID 2OPP COMPARING PRICES BEFORE AND AFTER LAST WEEK S ANNOUNCEMENT h4HE lNISHED STEERS AND HEIF ERS ARE DOWN 4HE OLDER COWS THEY RE STAYING WHERE THEY WERE v 3O FAR /NTARIO CATTLE FARMERS HAVE LOST MILLION BECAUSE OF THE "3% PROBLEM 4HE COM MENT PERIOD TO DETERMINE WHETHER #ANADIAN CATTLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED BACK

INTO THE 5 3 WAS PLANNED TO END -ONDAY AND $AY NARD HOPES THAT REMAINS THE PLAN SO THE BORDERS CAN REOPEN NEXT WINTER h4HE 53$! WAS QUOTED AS SAYING THEY REALLY HOPE OTHER COUNTRIES WILL USE SOUND SCIENTIlC PRACTICES AND NOT PUBLIC PERCEPTION WHEN DECIDING WHEN THEY RE GOING TO RE OPEN THEIR BORDERS TO 5 3 BEEF !ND THAT S EXACTLY WHAT WE HOPE THE 5 3 WILL

DO WHEN THEY RE DECIDING TO REOPEN THEIR BORDERS TO #ANADIAN BEEF v h9OU HARDLY KNOW WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING v SAID -ERT 3CHNEIDER OF 0ALMERSTON WHO WAS BUYING AT THE EXCHANGE h9OU RE IN IT YOU VE GOT TO STAY IN IT )T S A LONG TERM INVESTMENT )N TIME IT WILL COME BACK IN OUR FAVOUR TO BE ABLE TO MAKE MONEY AGAIN n AT LEAST WE HOPE IT WILL v

#ONTINUED FROM PAGE

(ELLER S FOCUS WILL BE TO ENSURE THE COMPANY S SUCCESS BY PAYING ATTEN TION TO THE CLIENTS IT HAS AND THOSE IT IS PURSUING h7E RE GOING TO DRIVE THE PERFORMANCE OF %73 IN TERMS OF COST CONTROL AND MORE IMPORTANTLY CUSTOMER SERVICE v (ELL ER SAID #URRENTLY EACH %73 CUSTOMER CONTRACTS AN INDIVIDUAL TRAIN HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MANY CUSTOMERS CONTRACT ONE TRAIN ON A PER CAR BASIS h)N %ASTERN #ANADA FOR EXAMPLE THE INDIVIDUAL CARLOAD BUSINESS IS THEIR BREAD AND BUTTER 7E RE

GOING TO BUILD THAT SAME MODEL IN THE 5NITED +INGDOM WITHOUT LOSING THE VALUE WE RE CREATING IN THE TRAINLOAD BUSI NESS v 4HE MOVE MARKS (ELLER S lRST TIME LIVING OUTSIDE OF #ANADA HIS GROWN CHILDREN REMAIN IN #ANADA BUT HE AND HIS WIFE NOW LIVE IN ,ONDON h) M PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT IT 7E VE MOVED QUITE OFTEN SO MOVING IS NOT NEW -Y WIFE AND ) HAVE BEEN TO THE 5+ QUITE OFTEN SO WE RE QUITE FAMILIAR WITH ,ONDON 7E RE LOOKING

FORWARD TO SEEING THE REST OF THE 5NITED +ING DOM AND %UROPE v )T S AN OPPORTUNITY THE YOUNG (ELLER NEVER EX PECTED IN HIS EARLY DAYS HANDLING BAGGAGE AT THE #. RAIL YARDS h) USED TO SEND THE MAIL FROM +ITCHENER TO 4ORONTO EVERY NIGHT AND THERE WAS AN AD DRESS ) SENT SOME OF THIS MAIL TO AND IT WAS THE GENERAL MAIL AND BAG GAGE AGENT IN 4ORONTO AND ) THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GREAT IF ) EVER GOT THAT JOB 3O ) SHOT BY MY EXPECTATIONS OF THOSE DAYS v

2IDING THE RAILS FROM %LMIRA TO THE 5 +

RESIGNED AFTER LONG RUN NING DISPUTES WITH THE "RITISH GOVERNMENT OVER INSUFlCIENT FUND ING OF FREIGHT RAIL LINES ,ONDON S 'UARDIAN NEWSPAPER SAID IN .O VEMBER 4HE COMPANY RECENTLY WENT THROUGH A TOUGH PERIOD TRAINS RUN NING UNDER THE %NGLISH #HANNEL WERE BROUGHT TO A STANDSTILL AFTER ASY LUM SEEKERS WERE CAUGHT USING THE TRAINS FOR TRAN SIT AND THE COMPANY LOST AN IMPORTANT CONTRACT WITH 2OYAL -AIL WHICH CHOSE TO USE ROAD AND AIR TRANSPORTATION INSTEAD

!VERY "ROOKELYN "ENDER

"RIANNA #ASSIDY ,ILIAN "ETTRIDGE

#AMRYN +AREN "OOTH

(/-%

(/-%

(/-%

%LMIRA

%LMIRA

3T #LEMENTS

"IG 3ISTER "LYTHE IS THRILLED

-AY 0!2%.43 "RIAN ,EA !NN "ETTRIDGE (/-% %LMIRA

-AY 0!2%.43 7ARREN 3ALENA "OOTH (/-% %LMIRA

"ETHANY +ATE (EBBOURN

3AMANTHA 2OSE (ORST

!DEN *AMES +ENNEDY

.OVEMBER 0!2%.43 $ALE *ENNIFER (ORST (/-% %LMIRA

'2!.$0!2%.43 &LOYD -ARILYN 'INGRICH

!PRIL 0!2%.43 $EREK -ELANIE !USTIN

%MMA 6ICTORIA "RUBACHER

FUTURES MARKETS ARE SLID ING DOWNWARD !T PRESS TIME IT WAS UNCONlRMED BUT ALMOST CERTAIN THAT THE INFECTED ANIMAL WAS FROM #ANADA h)T DOESN T MATTER WHETHER IT S A #ANADIAN OR !MERICAN ANIMAL v $AYNARD SAID h4HIS IS A .ORTH !MERICAN PROBLEM AND WE NEED TO TREAT IT THAT WAY 5NTIL -AY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ANIMALS CROSSED THE BORDER EVERY YEAR FROM EITHER #ANADA INTO THE 5 3 OR THE 5 3 INTO #ANADA 5NTIL -AY WE HAD A COMPLETELY INTEGRATED MARKETPLACE h7E NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RULES WE HAVE IN PLACE IN #ANADA ARE THE SAME RULES THAT APPLY TO PROCESSORS AND CATTLE IN THE 5 3 "ECAUSE AT THIS POINT IN TIME OUR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AND DEFENSE MECHANISM ARE ACTUALLY A LOT HIGHER THAN THE !MERICANS v 4HANKS TO #ANADIAN RECORDS OFlCIALS KNOW THE 5 3 COW WAS BORN IN !PRIL INITIAL REPORTS SAID THE COW WAS ONLY FOUR AND A HALF YEARS OLD WHICH WOULD HAVE MEANT

"RADY ,UKE 'INGRICH .OVEMBER 0!2%.43 +IRBY 3ANDRA 'INGRICH (/-% %LMIRA

#ALLUM *OSEPH 7ILLIAM -ORRISON -AY 0!2%.43 3COTT ,AURIE -ORRISON (/-% 3T *ACOBS

*ULY 0!2%.43 3TEVE $ANA "AUMAN

4AYLOR 'IRLING

%ASTON *EROME 'OWING

-ARCH 0!2%.43 4RACY *EFF 'IRLING (/-% %LMIRA

.OVEMBER 0!2%.43 (EATHER $UANE 'OWING (/-% 3T #LEMENTS

#OLTON *AMES 0ATRICK 3CHMITT

2YAN $ANIEL 3HANTZ

.OVEMBER 0!2%.43 +EVIN ,AURA 3CHMITT (/-% %LMIRA ,ITTLE BROTHER TO (UNTER

3EPTEMBER 0!2%.43 $ALE !NDREA "ENDER

!UGUST 0!2%.43 -ARLON #INDY "AUMAN

NEE 3PIELMACHER

(/-% 3T #LEMENTS

/CTOBER 0!2%.43 3TEVE +RISTINE (EBBOURN (/-% %LMIRA

3.99

$

/CTOBER 0!2%.43 "RAD 7ENDY 3HANTZ (/-% %LMIRA

3EPTEMBER 0!2%.43 -ARJ 2OBERT +ENNEDY (/-% (ALIFAX . 3

3IMON ,UKE 3HANTZ

!LEXIS -ICHELLE 7ALLACE

/CTOBER 0!2%.43 -AX 3HERI 3HANTZ (/-% %LMIRA

-AY 0!2%.43 2OB 4AMMY 7ALLACE (/-% %LMIRA

'AVIN !LEXANDER 7ILSON !PRIL 0!2%.43 *OHN -ANDY 7ILSON (/-% %LMIRA

#OLE *EFFREY "RUBACHER *ULY 0!2%.43 *EFF $ANIELLE "RUBACHER (/-% %LMIRA

0AIGE "ARBARA -AC-ILLAN !PRIL 0!2%.43 0EGGYANN $ARREN -AC-ILLAN (/-% %LMIRA ,ITTLE SISTER FOR #HANELLE

2ACHEL 7ITTIE &EBRUARY 0!2%.43 $EAN ,AURIE 7ITTIE (/-% 3T *ACOBS

DairyLand Milk 4L Selected Types

2.99

$

Everyday Market Butter 454g Selected Types

Limit 4. After Limit $3.49

1.99

$

Dempster’s Stays Fresh Enriched White Bread 675g

**Prices in effect from December 13 to December 19, 2008 only. While quantities last. No rain checks. See cashier for details.

ELMIRA Reserve your spot by E-mail: ADS OBSERVERXTRA COM or phone Donna at EXT

11 Arthur St North, Elmira 519-669-1653 0490-08 1088-WOOLO-DEC13-4C.indd 1

12/3/08 10:20:03 AM

8 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Door Crasher

Tuscany Brown Leather

We are proud to be a Wish Tree Location for Woolwich Christmas Goodwill

t MA D DA

CAN A

CAN A

!CCESSORIES s #HRISTMAS $ÏCOR 7ALL !RT s #ANDLES s -IRRORS ,AMPS s !ND -UCH -ORE

IN DE

All Regular Priced, In-Stock

E IN

t MA DA

25%

OFF

CELEBRATING

No high pressure sales, just quality products at competitive prices.

30YEARS 1978 - 2008

*Sale Ends December 24, 2008

Visit our ce p p a lian t. p e d HOURS Mon.-Thurs. 8-6 | Fridays 8-9 | Saturdays 8-5 | Sundays 12-5

1421 King St. N, Downtown St. Jacobs | 519-664-3301 www.homefurniture.ca

NOW EARN AEROPLAN® MILES ®Aeroplan is a registered trademark of Aeroplan Limited Partnership.

NEWS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

» LAW & ORDER

9

Maybe someone didn’t like the homework? »»

December 5

12:05 AM | Police received a phone call from a truck driver on Arthur Street in Elmira that a blue Dodge Neon was weaving all over the road. The complainant surmised that the driver was likely impaired. When police stopped the young male driver, they discovered he wasn’t impaired but that his vehicle had apparently encountered some mechanical problems. 8:45 AM | Sometime overnight a business on Isabella Street in St. Jacobs was the site of an attempted break-and-enter. Some concrete blocks were located on the property and it appears they were placed there in an attempt to possibly smash some windows. The windows, however, were barred. The doors were also secured. The suspect attempted to pry off some window molding. A single set of footprints, about size nine or 10,

Police and firefighters responded to a fire at the railroad tracks near St. Jacobs Public School about 4:30 p.m. Monday. A teacher and a custodian witnessed the fire and contacted police. When emergency personnel arrived on scene, they found the remnants of a red Swiss Gear backpack. A single set of footprints led from the school field to the track and then to Henry Street. was found on the property. 11:00 AM | A garage on Floradale Road was unlawfully entered. A vehicle key, a pellet gun, and some pellets were taken, as was a car stereo. Police found

footprints leading to a neighbour’s house, however nothing was taken from the property. The suspects then added insult to injury, urinating outside the property in the snow. The investigation continues.

»»

December 7

10:00 PM | Police received a report of a vehicle collision on Katherine Street at Maryhill Road near Bloomingdale. A passing driver notified police that a vehicle had crashed into the ditch; its interior lights were on and people were inside. When police arrived on scene, nobody was present. Eventually, the parties were contacted. It appears the driver lost control of the vehicle over some icy roadway. There were no charges.

»»

December 8

10:30 AM | A parking lot on Mill

Street in Elmira was the site of a hit-and-run. It appears that a blue Ford F150 had been spinning its tires when it hit another parked vehicle, a black Infiniti, and then took off. It was last seen heading towards Memorial Avenue. Anyone with information is asked to notify police. There were no injuries. The parked vehicle suffered moderate damages.

was taken to the hospital for assessment. Injuries were minor. There were no charges due to the icy road conditions. Damage was extensive.

»»

December 9

5:19 AM | There were no human injuries as a result of a vehicle collision with two fawns in the area of Arthur Street and Florapine Road near Floradale. The deer were not found. The vehicle suffered front-end damage.

1:00 PM | A handicap parking permit was taken from the inside of an unlocked vehicle while parked at an Elmira store. The driver returned to the vehicle to find the permit gone.

6:20 PM | Three vehicles were involved in a chain-reaction collision at King Street and Northside Drive in St. Jacobs. Two vehicles had been stopped, one behind the other, waiting to turn onto Northside Drive, when a third vehicle failed to stop in time, hitting the second vehicle, which subsequently collided with the first in line.

8:45 PM | Two vehicles collided in the area of Listowel Road and Arthur Street South in Elmira. One of the drivers apparently lost control of their vehicle while southbound on Arthur, crashing into another northbound vehicle. One driver

There were no injuries, but one driver was charged with ‘careless driving.’

»»

December 10

8:00 AM | Police were called to the scene of a theft from a house on Ruggles Road in Floradale. The suspect first tried to gain access to a gun box in an area barn, but was unsuccessful in the attempt; the thief then stole a radio from a truck at a neighbouring property. Footprints led from the first scene, through the second and to a third where it is unknown whether anything was taken. 9:44 AM A | passenger van travelling on Listowel and Steffler roads near Elmira, slid off the road and into a ditch, hitting a culvert and flipping over. There were no injuries. Damages were moderate. Initially, the driver appeared to be in shock.

MARC MIQUEL HELSEN Volunteers for Meals on Wheels got a helping hand from the man in red this week, and local seniors loved it. “Santa was great … the elderly really enjoyed it,” said Peter Van Beek, a relatively new volunteer to the organization that delivers hot meals to seniors and disabled adults in Woolwich, Wellesley and Wilmot townships. Old St. Nick was the man of the moment, said Van Beek, as he triggered many fond memories for the “gleeful” and emotional seniors.

“It was really touching. Every stop was basically the same: they were just sort of overjoyed and delighted.” Because of the Christmas season, Santa Claus accompanied Meals on Wheels volunteers on some routes this week and plans on doing so in the near future. Meals on Wheels is a food delivery program run by Community Care Concepts. The meals are prepared by the Village Manor in Woolwich, the Schmidtsville Restaurant in Wellesley and Nith View Homes in Wilmot, and delivered to area homes five days a week.

The warm meals, which include soup, salad, a hot entrée and dessert, cost $5.50 and are delivered directly to clients’ homes. Volunteers have been driving for the program for many years, said Van Beek, a little reluctant to take the spotlight as a relative newcomer to the initiative. As the son of senior parents living in Vancouver, Van Beek has a special connection to the program in that he enjoys interacting with the seniors. This week was particularly special. “It really made my day. I was telling everybody about it,” he explained,

noting he was greeted with large smiles whenever he coincided with the portly fellow in red at one of the stops along the way. “The seniors just love it – just light up when they see Santa, and they love it; it’s just something a little bit different – a bright spot in their day,” he noted. Because he has been such a popular volunteer, Santa will surely be back in the two weeks leading up to Christmas. “We’ve contacted the north pole to see if he could deliver meals for our clients,” explained Meals on Wheels assistant coordinator Barb Speers.

Rockway’s Grade 8 Chili Supper & Information Evening Wednesday, January 14, 2009 6:00 - 8:30 PM

Stop in today!

Learn more about Herbal Magic and our common sense system for weight loss:

WEEKLY SPECIALS Specials from December 15 - December 20 FRESH, Locally Raised

FRESH, Locally Raised

Grade "A" Turkeys

2.59

$

Grade "A" Geese

4.99

$

Ib. /$5.71kg.

Store Made

Store Made,

2.99

Ib. /$6.59kg.

Store Made,

Maple Smoked Side Bacon

3.59

$

(5lbs+Bulk) Ib. $3.29lb. /$7.91kg. $7.25kg

SKIN ON

Blackforest Hams $

Ib. /$11.00kg.

Bone-in Hams $ $ 1.99 1.79 Ib./$4.39kg. Ib./$3.95kg. SKINLESS

�

Please REGISTER ONLINE at ww w.r o ck wa y. ca/ gr 8c hil i

ST. NICK ALWAYS DELIVERS Santa Claus lent a hand to Sharon Walsh of Meals on Wheels and the organization’s volunteers this week, helping to distribute food to clients in the area, including this stop in St. Jacobs Monday.

FREE WEIGHT LOSS UNTIL 2009

Learn about: Academic Program � Electives � Athletics � Field Trips � Arts � Retreats � Expedition 2010 � Service to the Community ... and more!

PHOTO | MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

Santa makes the rounds with Meals

Order one of our locally raised, fed for quality and flavour, fresh Turkeys or Geese.

Forming Faith... Building Character

All cold meats are free of MSG, flour, wheat and milk products.

110 Doon Road, Kitchener

3031 Lobsinger Line, Heidelberg 519-699-4590

(Beside Rockway Golf Course)

Kitchener 519.743.5209 www.rockway.ca

Mon.-Wed. 8-6; Thurs. - Fri. 8-8; Saturday 8-5 See us WEEKLY at the Waterloo Farmer's Market and visit us online at www.stemmlermeats.ca

Personal Coaching

Real Food

Natural Product s

Lose weight and get yourself back. REAL FOOD | PERSONAL COACHING | NATURAL PRODUCTS

Your consultation is FREE and the results are PRICELESS Medical Cross Reference | Naturalpathic Doctors Scientific Resource Team | Pharmacist Successful Weightloss and Management Programs

519-669-9299 www.herbalmagic.ca

25 Industrial Dr. Unit 6, ELMIRA

Hours: Mon. Wed. Fri.: 8am - 6pm, Tues. Thurs.: 9am - 5pm, Sat.: 9am - 12pm

10 | COMMENT & OPINION

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

» CARTOON Published Saturdays since 1996 by Cathedral Communications Inc. Publications Mail Agreement No | 1004840

WOOLWICH OBSERVER 20-B Arthur Street North, Elmira, Ontario, Canada N3B 1Z9

Phone: 519.669.5790 Toll Free: 1.888.966.5942 Fax: 519.669.5753

General Inquiry | EXT 100 info@woolwichobserver.com Joe Merlihan, Publisher | EXT 107 jmerlihan@woolwichobserver.com Steve Kannon, Editor | EXT 103 skannon@woolwichobserver.com Joni Miltenburg, Reporter | EXT 101 jmiltenburg@woolwichobserver.com Marc Miquel Helsen, Reporter | EXT 102 mmhelsen@woolwichobserver.com Donna Rudy, Sales Manager | EXT 104 drudy@woolwichobserver.com Pat Merlihan, Production Mgr | EXT 105 pmerlihan@woolwichobserver.com Matthew French, Production | EXT 108 mfrench@woolwichobserver.com Lindsay Lehman, Production | EXT 109 llehman@woolwichobserver.com www.ObserverXtra.com

CIRCULATION The Observer is an audited controlled circulation publication. Canadian Media Circulation Audit calculates and prepares The Observer circulation reports | 14,942.

DELIVERY Delivery concerns can be addressed by contacting our office during office hours or by visiting www.ObserverXtra.com and send us a message.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Annual subscriptions are available at a rate of $37.10 (includes GST) for delivery within Canada. Contact the office or email sales@woolwichobserver.com for further details. All issues from 2006 on are available online free of charge. ASSOCIATIONS The Observer is a member of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association [OCNA], Canadian Community Newspaper Association [CCNA], Ontario Press Council, and The Greater KW Chamber of Commerce.

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

PRESS COMPLAINTS The Observer is a member of the Ontario Press Council which considers complaints against member newspapers. For more information about the Press Council contact www.ontpress.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 Yonge St., 1900, Toronto, ON M5E 1E5 FAX: 416.868.1621

» EDITORIAL

Housing changes a certainty Given the economic climate and falling new home prices, we can expect to see some shifts in Woolwich’s housing boom. A slowdown in the growth of Elmira is likely, though the fundamentals remain sound. Two projects to be reviewed next year, a sprawling 1,000-plus unit subdivision on Church Street West, and a modest infilling development on Union Street, are a study in contrasts. But they’ll both likely feature higher densities than have been the norm. In grouping the homes more closely, planners achieve a number of goals: using less land, reducing the infrastructure (particularly water and sewer pipes) needed to service the homes and, ideally, reducing the need for cars. The suburbs of old have come under fire for the sprawl and isolation they represent. New thinking, endorsed by the province under its Places to Grow plan, calls for more integrated neighbourhoods where people can live, shop and work in close proximity, perhaps even doing so on foot or bicycle rather than depending on the personal automobile.

That remains something of an elusive dream in this area. And price more than anything has dictated smaller lot sizes. Most of us, it seems, still want a big lot and big house away from what we see as the downside of higher density urban living. But skyrocketing land prices and soaring taxes and charges on development have driven up costs such that 80- and 100-foot frontages are beyond the means of many as house prices, even in today’s climate, outstrip incomes. As with public transit, higher densities and mixed communities are fine for the other guy. According to Ontario’s Places to Grow study, the province’s urban areas in the Golden Horseshoe face many growthrelated challenges. Increasing numbers of automobiles are travelling over longer distances resulting in clogged transportation corridors, including those that provide access to border crossings. Traffic congestion and the delay in movement of goods cost Ontario upwards of $5 billion in lost gross domestic product each year. Useful and efficient public transit is

» VERBATIM “Why should we have to kick and scream for rates that we should be given right away? It seems that the system is failing in some respect.”

Patrick Novak’s Facebook site, Pass on Rate Cuts Canadian Banks

difficult to introduce into sprawling communities, and this limits the ability to respond effectively to growing traffic congestion issues. Employment lands are being converted from their intended uses, thereby limiting future economic opportunities. So-called green field development requires new infrastructure to be built to service lower-density areas, while existing infrastructure in the older parts of the cities remains underutilized – this is the impetus of the brownfield developments preferred in the Waterloo Region’s Smart Growth strategy. Urban sprawl contributes to the degradation of our natural environment, air quality and water resources, as well as the consumption of agricultural lands and other natural resources so critical to the future economy. Implementing those changes will be difficult, and it will take years to see results even if such plans are implemented here. We’ve seen some density shifts due to economics, but the remainder of the goals remain as yet unmet in this area.

» THE MONITOR A new study looking at the environmental impact of tar sands tailings ponds estimates that more than four billion litres of contaminated tailings water already enters the groundwater each year, and new projects could expand this number to more than 25 billion litres within a decade. Environmental Defence

COMMENT & OPINION |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

» HARD TALK | RAFE MAIR

11

Like FDR, Obama has a daunting task ahead of him I woke up with a start at 6 a.m. on Nov. 5 while on a trip through the Mediterranean. Because it was so early in the morning for us, I didn’t watch the U.S. election results and as I flashed on CNN was delighted to learn that Barack Obama had won. Tommy Toad would have been an improvement over Dubya, over John McCain and certainly over Sarah Palin. And there he was in the middle of his victory speech. It was a fine and generous speech but it was more. It had a ring of confidence to it. It sounded Rooseveltian or Churchillian, though God knows he’s far, far away from those lofty heights. And great orators don’t necessarily make great leaders and sometimes bad orators – Harry S Truman and Dwight Eisenhower come to mind – do show considerable leadership. Before venturing further, let’s concede that six months from now – max – President Obama will be taking it on the chin from all quarters. We tend to forget that this is supposed to happen in a democracy. The mainstream media, almost all

of it owned by Republicans, will be all over him. But we must remember that though the American media isn’t as bad as ours – none in the western world are – the public seems quite able to sort all that out. Most of the time, anyway. President Obama’s task is not as tough as that of Churchill, as he had a nation and perhaps a world to save from Nazism. Still Obama’s challenge and opportunity is very much like that Franklin D. Roosevelt faced in March of 1933 when he took over a nation sinking fast into a huge depression, orating his ringing phrase “the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself ...” The similarity doesn’t end there. Both in 1933 and now in 2008, the opposition Republican Party was in tatters. Herbert Hoover, Roosevelt’s opponent and the sitting president, a bright enough man with a wonderful record as an engineer and as a humanitarian, simply couldn’t cope with the fallout from the 1929 stock market crash. George W. Bush, an idiot, was not up for re-election (thank God for the 22nd Amendment), but, like Roosevelt with Hoover, Obama had an able and well thought of opponent in John McCain. All this by way of saying that president-to-be Obama, as did FDR, won

a substantial victory, has a favourable Congress and a very substantial mandate to do something. The question is what? Unlike FDR (Mr. Obama is not likely to be known by his initials BO) in his first term, the 44th president faces foreign calamities. They were different times in the ‘30s. For example, Roosevelt, embarrassed by the antics of Nicaragua’s dictator Trujillo, simply shrugged and said “he may be a son of a bitch, but at least he’s our son of a bitch.” And while the U.S. still has the same sort to deal with, most of them have oil and must be dealt with politely. What a mess! Just a partial list: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, North Korea and now, for the first time in decades, a South American country, Venezuela. Israel/Palestine, Somalia, Republic of Congo ... dear, oh dear, is there no end to it? The biggest problem internationally is Russia. Of all the damned fool things the U.S. has done in the last decade, the most foolish has been to gratuitously alienate Russia. Put yourself in the Kremlin for a moment. Communism has gone and with it Russia’s internal and external empires. The Cold War is over and what does the White House do? Instead of disbanding NATO, now

that the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact are dead, it extends it into former Russian satellites. Is it surprising that this pissed off the Russian leaders? Then, to have the insane “missile shield” located in former Warsaw Pact countries beggars belief. This was Donald Rumsfeld’s great idea. As most people understand, a working missile defense shield gives the power to strike without fear of retaliation, which means, duh, the object nation must spend all the money it takes to find a way to penetrate the shield so that the principle of mutually assured destruction, which kept the Cold War cold, is re-established. In short, a new and more terrible version of the Cold War is commencing – doubtless the worst decision of eight years of bad judgments under George W. Bush. Dare I observe that those who have no recollection of the October 1962 missile crisis can have no idea what it’s like when the leaders of Russia and America are noseto-nose with itchy fingers on nuclear triggers? One of the very first people Obama called on his victory night was Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who has already announced Russian plans to upgrade their nuclear arseSee MAIR »12

» INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS | GWYNNE DYER

Small earthquake in Canada, not many hurt “Small earthquake in Chile, not many hurt” is legendary in journalistic circles as the most boring headline of all time. Well, there has just been a very small political earthquake in Canada, leaving no visible casualties at all. So why did 77 per cent of Canadians who were polled on the subject last week say that they were “truly frightened” for the future of the country? Canada is the safest country on the planet. It is best placed of all the G-8 countries to weather the coming recession: its governments over the past decade consistently produced small budget surpluses and paid the national debt down. It is far enough north to be largely immune to the negative effects of climate change. It has no dangerous neighbours, and no borders under pressure from refugees. Maybe Canadians were just bored. The man who shook Canadians out of their boredom and gave them the opportunity to be outraged and scared is Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a politician so hyper-partisan that he is widely believed to lie awake at night dreaming up new ways to humiliate and crush the opposition parties. Harper has never actually persuaded Canadians to give his Conservative Party a majority in parliament, but in government he has always behaved as if his minority were a majority, defying the divided and under-funded opposition parties to

unite against him and risk an election they would probably lose. Last October he called an early election himself, and sure enough the Conservatives increased their seats in parliament – but not enough to form a majority government. Nothing daunted, Harper ignored the parliamentary mathematics and launched a headlong attack on all the opposition parties at once. In an “interim budget statement” late last month, he announced that he was cancelling the federal subsidies, calculated on the basis of how many people voted for each party, that keep the opposition parties in business. The Conservatives, like the Obama Democrats in the United States, have perfected the art of raising funds directly from their supporters, and have little need of federal subsidies. Perhaps the other parties should have done the same, but they didn’t. If the subsidies were suddenly withdrawn, they faced insolvency. It was typical of Harper’s aggressive tactics, but untypical in its sheer stupidity. By threatening the three opposition parties with political extinction, Harper forced them to unite and take him down – which they had the parliamentary numbers to do. Within days the Liberals and the New Democrats had formed a coalition and got a pledge of support for 18 months from the Bloc Quebecois. (The BQ did not join the coalition since it is a nationalist party that is dedicated to taking Quebec out of the Canadian federation, but BQ leader Gilles Duceppe promised to support the coalition on money bills and other confidence measures where defeat would bring it down.)

At this point Harper tried to pull out of his kamikaze dive, withdrawing his plan to end subsidies to political parties and several other proposals that had deeply annoyed the opposition parties, but it was too late. Asked if Harper’s concessions would make him reconsider his support for the coalition, Duceppe replied tartly: “If my grandmother had wheels, she would be a tractor.” Having been scorned and brutalized by Harper for years, the opposition now had the bit between their teeth, and insisted that they would vote the Conservatives out as soon as parliament reconvened. So Harper refused to reconvene parliament, first postponing it for a week until Dec. 8 and then persuading or bullying Governor-General Michaelle Jean into “proroguing” (i.e. adjourning) it for almost two months. Liberal MP Justin Trudeau compared it to “pulling the fire alarm before going into an exam you know you’re going to fail.” Harper will spend the next two months waging a demagogic propaganda campaign damning the ‘unholy” Liberal alliance with the “socialist” New Democrats (most of whom would fit comfortably into the left

Write a letter to the Editor.

wing of the Democratic Party in the U.S.) and the “separatist” Bloc Quebecois (which never mentions the word separatism these days, since that option is virtually dead in Quebec). He may succeed in poisoning the wells as he retreats, but he still faces a parliamentary confidence vote in late January or early February. If the coalition does not break up in the meantime, he will still lose. Which matters scarcely at all. Canada is not in an economic crisis. Its economy is still growing (unlike that of the United States), and the Bank of Montreal recently predicted that unemployment would only rise to 7.5 per cent next year (from the current 6.2 per cent). Any emergency economic measures that are needed will merely be to align the Canadian response with that of the incoming Obama administration in the United States, Canada’s biggest trading partner. They would be about the same whether the Conservatives or the new coalition were in power. It is a very small earthquake, and nothing has been hurt except people’s feelings. Still, it will help to keep the blood flowing during the long Canadian winter.

We’re looking for a few good letter writers. Do you have what it takes? Any opinion on a current event will do.

519.669.5790 | 1.888.966.5942 | www.ObserverXtra.com

12 | COMMENT & OPINION

Mair: Let’s hope Obama has a cure » From page 11

nal. One tends to forget that Russia or former satellites border on all the hot spots in Asia and there’s no reason not to secure their friendship, not in some sentimental way, but as a practical way of dealing with a half a dozen or more potential horror stories. Obama’s move is promising and one can only hope and pray that it’s not too late. On the home front – unhappily it’s ours, too – God only knows what to do about saving a smashed economy. It’s been said of FDR, like Voltaire’s physician, that he merely kept the patient amused while nature ran its course. There is one thing the new president must do. Never again can unrestrained capitalism be permitted to hold the country, indeed the world, ransom to the ability of thieves in three-piece suits to plunder without consequences. After the 1929 crash, FDR faced the same situation. The

capitalist establishment pleaded with him that they could police themselves. Roosevelt knew better and put one of the bandits, Joseph Kennedy (father of JFK) in charge of the new Securities Exchange Commission, saying he was “setting a thief to catch a thief.” Surely now that we’ve seen the Savings & Loan scandals, the Enron scam, the collapse of banks one thought of as impregnable, and the stock market crash, we’re ready for some real rules in the investment world, with the government an active policeman, and laws, which if broken, result not in bonuses but time behind bars. No man has come to the White House with the array of problems domestic and foreign as has Barack Obama. We know he can speak and inspire people. Obviously he knows how to command loyalty. Let’s hope and pray he can also fix economies and, indeed, the world.

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

» OBSERVER Q&A Do you think government should bail out the big three?

“Only with strings attached.”

“I would suggest that governments could give them a line of credit and if they need the money on this line of credit they get it, then they have to pay it back.”

“No. I don’t think they should … You can’t pay your bills, are they going to help you?”

“No. They’ve made mistakes – there are consequences for what we do poorly.”

»» Todd Cowan

»» Jim Goll

»» Denise Carriere

»» Rose Brubacher

» THE VIEW FROM HERE | SCOTT ARNOLD

Christmas Shopping

Made Easy

Visit our store full of fun ideas! Pet Supplies

KIDS WILL BE KIDS, PROMPTING SENIORS TO LOOK FOR SOME TIME OF THEIR OWN AT THE ELMIRA POOL.

Bird feeders and feed

my pet. my home.

KLDC_RR_BW_3_3x5_1.pdf 29/07/2008 9:15:01 AM

Produce Home Décor

for design 1858 Sawmill Rd. Conestogo conscious pets (beside The Black Forest Inn) and their 519.664.0520 humans

Maple Syrup | Local Honey Sauerkraut | Squash Dried Flowers | Carrots Apple Butter

Bakery Variety of Muffins and Breads Chelsea and Cinnamon Buns Hotdog & Hamburger Buns Rolls | Pies

Christmas Cookies

Meat Counter Pork Sausages | Bacon Chops | Cold Cuts | Ribs Liver Wurst| Head Cheese Ham | Black Angus Beef

ur up yo Pick as Fruit tm Chris ift baskets ,g r cakes ookies r you c Orde ey turk Poins ett Are H ia’s ere!

Hours: Mon.-Fri. | 9 - 6pm Saturdays |9 - 5pm Sundays | CLOSED

is costing you up to $150 per year in electricity FREE* removal and recycling call 1-877-797-9473 or visit:

Right from our farm. Most cuts available

Katherine St.

Hey Kids!

Saturday, December 20, create a Christmas Card featuring your favourite pet. Please come in or call to book a time.

Winterbourne

www.everykilowattcounts.com Lundy Rd.

221 Katherine St. N., Winterbourne | 519.664.0556

* Fridges and freezers must be at least 10 years old, in working condition and between 10-27 cubic feet. A program offered by the Ontario Power Authority in cooperation with Cambridge and North Dumfries Hydro Inc, Guelph Hydro Electric Systems Inc., Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Inc. and Waterloo North Hydro Inc.

Âť

BUSINESS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

BUSINESS Âť THOSE LITTLE TOUCHES

13

A place where the accent’s on home dÊcor With its grand opening, new Elmira store allows couple to make available those Inspiring Accents

Whenever Jennifer Patterson’s friends would drop by her house for a visit, they’d often comment on how nice the interior dĂŠcor looked. Now that she and her husband Derek just opened Inspiring Accents in Elmira, those same friends – and everyone else, too – will likely get a chance to try those same styles in their own homes. The Elmira couple, originally from Walkerton, recently opened Inspiring Accents on the corner of Arthur and Church streets in Elmira. The grand opening was held Dec. 6. The store carries all sorts of products for the home and for “herâ€? including: jewellery, purses, mirrors, ottomans, pictures, picture frames, vases, and greenery. Some early favourites this season are Christmas decorations, as well as dishware, serving ware and jewellery. “Hopefully you can come in and be inspired ‌ [so] instead of redoing an entire room, it’s

PHOTO | Marc Miquel Helsen

MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

OPENING IS GRAND Owner Jennifer Patterson (left) and manager Stefanie Epworth are already busy this Christmas season at the Inspiring Accents store on Arthur Street in Elmira, which had its official opening Dec. 6. amazing what you can do with just one or two pieces or a different texture, or just changing up the colour – you don’t have to spend a

whole lot of money just to make a change,� said Jennifer Patterson of the philosophy behind Inspiring Accents. Boosted by local sup-

pliers, the store carries products from throughout the province as well as from overseas. Patterson had always entertained the idea of

315 Arthur St. S., Elmira

St. Agatha

Shuttle Bus Services PICKUP AND DROP-OFF LOCATIONS & TIMES Old Store (6 Arthur St. N.)......9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30 Dunke St. Apartments.............9:45, 10:45, 11:45, 12:45 Wyatt St. Apartments..............10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 1:00

For more information call: 519-669-5403 | 519-669-3550

Everyone is welcome to use our shuttle service. Doug & Mary Lou Pagett Proud Owners & Operators

See OPENING Âť14

Skin, Nails PURE Hair,Registered Massage Therapy N-R-G [ ]

Elmira

SERVICE RUNS Wednesday, Friday & Saturday

opening such a store. Armed with the knowledge obtained by studying interior decorating Jennifer was eager to pursue the venture. She

was further motivated when a friend in Hanover, who runs her own store, suggested that she’d help her friend launch the Elmira venture. Subsequently, when the former Reichard’s building on Church Street came up for sale last year, the Pattersons jumped on the chance to put their plan into action. Although both Jennifer and Derek work other jobs – Jennifer in human resources, Derek in marketing – they are finding time to do both. “This is what I like doing. In HR, I work in a technology company, so I’ve been through two – I’m on my third start-up – I guess I’ve always watched businesses start, and have always been around the entrepreneurial type of people. There’s always an excitement to starting up your own business, and it’s probably more where my passion lies than anything else,� said Jennifer. Derek’s background in marketing communications, of course, didn’t hurt either.

t /P VOEFSXJSFT t /P FMBTUJD JO TUSBQT t/P TUSBQT UP GBMM EPXO t /P CBDLT SJEJOH VQ t(SFBU GPS TQPSUT

8FEOFTEBZ %FD TH GSPN BN QN

Pre-Book your appointment today!

30% Discount PO BMM JO TUPDL +FVOJRVF $MBTTJD 4BUJO -BDF $POĂśEBOUF #SBT

25% OFF any service

Located at 11 Thrush Crt. Elmira Please call Connie at 519-741-4258 5P CPPL ZPVS "QQPJOUNFOU "QQPJOUNFOUT 3FDPNNFEFE

with this coupon

Expires January 31/09

HOURS

Tues- Fri: 10am - 7peÛÛ� Sat: 9 am - 5pm

519.880.8040 1856 Notre Dame Drive, St. Agatha

14 | BUSINESS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

» FOOD FOR THOUGHT | OWEN ROBERTS

Big chill already facing farmers this winter For Canadian farmers, winter is coming in like a political and economic lion. It’s already sending chills through the agri-food community, and unfortunately – like the season itself – things will get worse before they get better, with profound implications for Canadian farmers and consumers, jobs and the price of milk, eggs and chicken. The big chill is the threat to supply management, the legislated system that keeps prices at what Canadian dairy, egg and poultry farmers say they need to produce safe and quality food. They maintain that they can’t compete against cheap imports and keep up their same exemplary standards. Ottawa agrees, and erects tariffs at the border to keep them competitive. This drives other countries nuts, particularly those who trade with us and accept our exports. They scoff at Canada’s call for them to eliminate their trade-distorting agricultural subsidies, when, they say, supply management makes Canada just as guilty. It’s not exactly an apples-to-apples

comparison, but it’s close enough to make the point – to them, Canada is hypocritical about open borders and trade. Despite the criticism, Canadian trade negotiators have said supply management is non-negotiable in international talks. Something has to give. And soon, it could. The World Trade Organization (WTO), the referee for global trade, has been trying unsuccessfully for years to mediate an accord on agricultural subsidies. But it’s not giving up. Now, it wants to get countries including Canada back to the negotiating table in Geneva this month. The topic will be a draft of what could become a formula for cutting tariffs and trade-distorting agricultural subsidies. Last week, a draft of the formula was circulated. And Canada made a fuss. Canadian dairy, egg and poultry farmers say the draft fails to acknowledge supply management’s traditional role in Canada and the “sensitive products” that would be significantly damaged without border protection. “While [the WTO] technically acknowledges, for the first time, issues

In 1973, the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation was created with the mandate to promote and encourage interest in the heritage and culture of Waterloo Region.

for supply management, the provisions for ‘sensitive products’ continue to be devastating to the Canadian dairy, poultry and egg sectors,” says Jacques Laforge, president of Dairy Farmers of Canada. He predicts the proposed provisions mean “about one billion dollars in losses” for dairy farmers alone. His colleague David Fuller, chair of Chicken Farmers of Canada, says the proposed changes would compromise 215,000 jobs related to supply management. These are dire and deliberate predictions, being issued at a time when politicians need the agri-food sector to be Canada’s economic beacon. Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz agrees with the farm groups. He says Canada has “serious concerns” about elements of the proposed plan and how it impacts supply-managed industries. He plans to fight it.

“In the event of a meeting of WTO ministers in Geneva, the government of Canada is going to continue to press hard to achieve all of its objectives,” he says. I’m not sure how this inflexibility will wash. Canadian negotiators can again show their counterparts from around the world other countries’ exports are not appreciably impacted by Canada protecting its borders for dairy, poultry and eggs. Then the negotiators can once more demand supply management be left alone. But besides being an economic matter, supply management is also a matter of principle, no matter if you’re in Canada or halfway around the world. Does a country have a right and an obligation to protect its own citizens – farmers, or whoever – from being hurt by others’ unfair practices? Absolutely. The question is: Who’s being unfair?

Opening: Small-town charm » From page 13

Born and raised in Walkerton, the Pattersons moved to Elmira some two years ago with the birth of their second child, after about a decade of living in Waterloo. “I had my heart set on Elmira: A, because there wasn’t anything really around; B, the fact that I could walk back and forth to work and being close to home,” she explained. “I really like the idea of being in a

small town.” Because she is still working full-time at her other place of employment, Jennifer has a manager looking after the store when she’s not around. Needless to say, between caring for a young family and balancing two jobs during the Christmas rush, the Pattersons are really busy these days. “I’m thinking I could use some sleep right now, but everyone keeps saying sleep’s overrated …,” she quipped.

Your branch has the winning combination.

The Foundation offers funding for investment in heritage-related endeavours. Grants are available to support local heritage preserWBUJPO t QSPKFDUT and events t CVJMEJOHT and landmarks t publications of an historical nature. The Foundation also has an awards program that recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals, institutions and organizations that contribute to heritage preservation in the Region of Waterloo. Do you or your organization have B IFSJUBHF SFMBUFE QSPKFDt that could benefit from the funding offered by the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation?

Scotiabank Team at St. Jacobs Branch 1410 King Street North, St. Jacobs, ON

Winner 2008 Scotia Applause Best of the Best Top Team Your banking is in good hands. Our branch has just been awarded the Best of the Best Top Team award. We’re honoured to receive tangible results as we fulfill our commitment to deliver service excellence to you, our customer. And we’re not looking back. Our team looks forward to continue helping you achieve your financial goals because your satisfaction is our best reward. We invite you to join us and start banking with a winning team.

For more detailed information about the Foundation and its programs, visit www.wrhf.org, or call the Region of Waterloo Sheave Tower, Blair offices at (519) 575-4493

Ontario Central West District ® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia.

GIFT IDEAS FEATURE |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Putting A Wrap On Christmas Wide variety of Chocolates & Truffles Belgian Chocolate Letters Personalized Gift Baskets Festive Chocolate Pizzas Stocking Stuffers www.brittles-n-more.com

Come enjoy a FREE sample while you browse throughout our store. 1429 King St. N., St. Jacobs | 519.664.1440

The Gift of Flight Introductory Flight - Gift Certificate

$49.95

GOLF LIQUIDATION

“BLOW-OUT SALE” AT ARISS VALLEY GOLF CLUB

THURSDAY,

FRIDAY,

DEC. 11& 18 1:00 - 6:00

SATURDAY,

DEC. 12 & 19 1:00 - 6:00

DEC. 13 & 20 12:00 - 5:00

LARGE SELECTION OF ALL GOLF EQUIPMENT & ACCESSORIES

Putters & Balls Available

Graphite Drivers FROM

$40.00

Assorted Woods FROM

$10.00

Bags

50% OFF

Aviation Giftware: Books, Tshirts, Sweatshirts, Caps, Mugs, Clocks, Desk Sets, Business Card Holders and more. Shop in person or phone

The Pilot Shop NOW AT 2 LOCATIONS

OPEN 9AM-7PM 7 Days Per Week Waterloo Wellington Flight Centre Cessna 152 or Cessna 172

519.648.2213

National Flyers Academy Cessna 172 or Diamond Katana

519.648.3797 5

Looking for a New Career?

Helicopter Flight Training

Great Christmas Gifts & Stocking Stuffers!

ARISS VALLEY GOLF CLUB IS LOCATED ON REG. ROAD 86 BETWEEN ELMIRA & GUELPH

519-824-1551 CASH, VISA, MASTERCARD ACCEPTED (DEALERS WELCOME)

Unique Christmas Gifts

For The Last Minute Shopper!

Gift Certificates starting at $175.00 +GST

Great gift idea for the ‘hard to buy for’ person!

Inspirational Tealight Holders JXU^\am JT__ ;TaZ\aZf Handmade Scented Candles (Over 40 Scents in 3 Sizes)

C_TdhXf C\VgheXf JeXTg[f :\Yg 5Tf^Xgf :TeWXa FgbaXf Fountains & More!

No Availaw ble! Destro y

s Lampe Odours B is now erger here!

Wax Scent ed ed Be a Air Fr eshen rs Great ers Gift I tem! From

$10

Located at the Region of Waterloo Airport

The Little Store With A Whole Lot More TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHT CALL:

1.877.648.3732 www.greatlakeshelicopter.ca

CANDLES & GIFTS FACTORY OUTLET STORE

3059 Lobsinger Line, Heidelberg Phone: 519-669-4346 Monday - Friday...............9:00am - 5:00pm Saturday...........................9:00am - 4:00pm Sunday............................10:00am - 3:00pm

15

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

GIFT IDEAS FEATURE |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Putting A Wrap On Christmas Elmira

Your Entertainment Headquarters

Fruit Baskets t Meat Platters t Cheese Trays

And much more!

Gifts

Quality Products a Accessorie nd s the Wood from burner

Hearth for the

Tool Sets Hearth Racks

www.thewoodburner.com 396 Victoria St. N., Kitchener | tel: 519.578.9663

315 Arthur St. S. 519-669-5403 or 519-669-3550

Stove Heat Fans

Fireplace Screens & Doors

Visit us at our new location

*See store for details.

STORE HOURS: Mon.-Wed. 9-6; Thur.-Fri. 9-8; Saturday 9-5; Sunday 11-4

GREAT

Gift Ideas! 1. PICK A CV UNIT 2. PICK A HOSE KIT 3. SAVE $100.00

Instock Carpet Buy for Installation in 2009 & Get Free Topaz Delux Carpet Pad

New Arrival

s "/.53 s "2).' ). !$ !.$ '%4 $100.00 ). !##%33/2)%3

VALID TO DECEMBER 24TH 2008

%LMIRA S 6AC #ENTRE RETAIL STORE STORE RETAIL

519.669.8362

Area Rugs, Super Special 6’x9’

Only

$99.00

Bibles, Bible Covers, Inspirational Books

BUY 2 - GET THE 3RD FREE

Stocked with Everything You Need for the Christmas Season!

Richmond Richmond: Bevel Edge Laminate

Toys | Clothing | Gloves | Hats Collectables | Coats

$2.29 2 Colours in Stock

30% OFF In Stock

CIH Hand Tools

30 Year Wear Warranty Stop in & Receive a Free 2009 Wall Calendar!

STORE HOURS:

Mon.-Fri 8:30-5:30 Saturday 9:00-3:00 Evening By Appointment 1011 Industrial Cres., Unit #2 (Beside K&K Liquidators)

519.699.5411

Lobsinger Line

Hergott Road

16 | GIFT IDEAS FEATURE

Located on the corner of Line 86 and the Floradale Road | 519.669.1561

Industrial Cres.

®2007 CASE CORPORATION

Visit us on the World Wide Web at www.caseih.com Case IH is a registered trademark of Case Corporation

15

18 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

SPORTS Âť JUNIOR B

Determined Kings bury Dominators

Kids and Cops

Solid two-way game leads to 7-4 win in match that saw plenty of action

OVER THE LINE Elmira Sugar King Philip Teri gives his team the 3-1 lead with this goal in a 7-4 win over the Guelph Dominators Dec. 6. ough. Our power play certainly put a lot of pressure on Guelph – we gave up a couple goals on the penalty kill, but I thought the execution of our penalty killers was very good. We just have to make sure we come up with some good saves – that’s the best way to kill penalties,� said coach Geoff Haddaway. Between the pipes was Jake Williams, who donned the Kings jersey for the

first time since coming from the Junior A Oakville Blades, stopping 25 of 29 Guelph shots. The teams went into the intermission with the Kings ahead by one. In the second period, it was McNeil – who went on to nab a Gordie Howe hat trick (a goal, an assist and a fight) – who capitalized on a Josh Ranalli-Freeman pass to make it 2-0 on the power play with just 1:12

DON'T GET LEFT OUT IN THE COLD!

FREE QUOTES ON NEW FURNACES

on the clock. The Dominators finally got on the marker a few minutes later when Jordan Metz, from Paul Gorz, buried the rubber at 4:04. Elmira’s Philip Teri responded quickly, banking in a rebound after Kyle Blaney let a slap shot rip from the point; Trent Brown picked up the second assist. Guelph’s Craig Dool (David Searle, Paul See KINGS 19

WE SERVICE ALL MAKES OF FURNACES

PHOTOS | MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

There was no shortage of goals Dec. 7 as the Elmira Sugar Kings took on the Guelph Dominators at home, defeating them 7-4 in three periods of end-toend hockey. The win puts the Kings in seventh place with a record of 12-15-3), 10 points ahead of Guelph, and 18 points ahead of the last place Owen Sound Greys. Brantford leads the pack with 55 points. As soon as the puck dropped at the Elmira barn last Sunday, the Dominators and the Kings got off to a frantic start. But it was the King’s nitro-charged forward Brent Freeman who drew first blood at 4:55 as a result of a speedy burst from his own end into the Guelph zone. After zipping out of his own end, Freeman cycled the puck around the Guelph net before banking in a rebound for the night’s first goal. Kyle McNeil and Jon Jutzi picked up the assists. The energetic Kings looked inspired in the first frame, winning many of the little battles, finishing their checks, cleaning up in front of their own net and eliminating rebounds that might have otherwise turned into goals. “I thought it was a pretty good effort, pretty thor-

PHOTO | MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

MARC MIQUEL HELSEN

ROUGHHOUSING Mathew Temniuk of the Twin Centre Stars Novice Rep team does battle with Michael Catenacci of the OHL Kitchener Rangers during the 10th annual Kids and Cops event at the Wellesley Arena Dec. 6. The youngsters participating took part in a number of activities, including radar trap speed skating with the Waterloo Regional Police.

SUNDAY

DECEMBER 14, 2008 Elmira Arena at 7:00 PM

Have the le aders in the natur al g as industry check your furnace today!

be assured

A Proudly Canadian Company.

that your furnace is safe, reliable, and efficient. Great payment plan available

BRANTFORD GOLDEN EAGLES

( ) ' ( % & & ) # ) % . # 9 ( % ! 4 ) . ' s . ! 4 5 2 ! , ' ! 3 0 ) 0 ) . ' s ! ) 2 # / . $ ) 4 ) / . ) . '

(ERGOTT 2D 34 #,%-%.43

ÂŽ

Turn to the Experts

0(:

519-699-1118 FAX: 519-699-5273

FOR A FULL LIST OF UPCOMING GAMES

visit www.kings.on.ca

SPORTS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Âť THE NOT-SO-GREAT OUTDOORSMAN | STEVE GALEA

19

In this case, “fun� and “snow� don’t go together As I write this, the snow is piled up more than six feet high in some places on my driveway. The fact that it will probably get worse before winter actually arrives is not lost on me either. In the fields, there is at least two feet of snow in most places. This prompted me to dust off my snowshoes yesterday. As I sit here, in traction, I am reminded that snowshoeing is much like childbirth – if you remembered the pain, you probably wouldn’t do it again. Don’t get me wrong; snowshoeing is not all that painful, 98 per cent of the time. No, it is only torturous once or twice an expedition. Unfortunately, this pain lingers on well into your 90s. This is something that the snowshoe-

ing industry doesn’t tell you about. Yesterday, it happened as I was using the herringbone method to control my descent down a steep incline – okay, most people would call it a cliff. That’s another thing – calling it the herringbone method sounds quaint and harmless, which, quite frankly, is a bit misleading. I suggest that we refer to it as the wishbone method from here on in. That is more evocative of the crisp snap that is frequently heard when your snowshoes and limbs get confused and go separate ways, as frequently happens during this technique. In case you cannot visualize what happens when a middle-aged man with very short legs tries to descend a very steep – okay, vertical – incline while wearing snowshoes and utilizing a method that has him stretching his inner thigh muscles intentionally, try to recall the crash sequence at the beginning of the Six Million Dollar man. Then imagine

it with a larger fireball and mushroom cloud. If you are too young to remember this, it is probably for the best. Let’s just say it is not pretty. Eventually, however, I got up and had to face the most dreaded obstacle that any snowshoer with a 25-inch inseam can face – the creek that’s 51-inches wide. Crossing something this narrow, of course, looks deceptively easy. And it would be too, for gymnasts, ballerinas, or anyone who routinely practices the splits. The worst part of this situation is that, as you are stretched out with one snowshoe on either bank and shooting pains emanating from groin muscles you never even know you had, you’ll look over and see a narrower spot that would have been effortless to cross. Even so, I crossed this obstacle eventually, although let me just say that swimming in snowshoes is not nearly

as simple as it might sound. Sure, it got considerably easier after passing through the whitewater downstream, but it’s still not something I can, in good conscience, recommend. In any case, even this situation was not so bad when compared to the hidden straddle. In its simplest terms, this commonly encountered situation arises when you are breaking trail and see a fallen tree across the path. And while common sense would dictate that you take the extra steps and go around it, you are faced with a Catch-22 situation – namely, if you had any common sense you wouldn’t be snowshoeing. So you straddle what looks like a tree at ankle height and immediately sink hard until your genitalia collides with the log, thereby making a gonging sound only previously heard on Saturday morning cartoons. Next time I snowshoe, it will be straight to a snowmobile.

Early snow moves up time to hit the slopes JONI MILTENBURG The early start to winter that has plows creating snowbanks and drivers scraping their cars is good news for staff at Chicopee ski resort. The Kitchener hill opened several runs on Wednesday, three days earlier than scheduled.

“We’re hoping, for the weekend, to have the entire north side runs open which would be 10 of 14,� said marketing manager Dwayne Orth. The slopes were covered with a layer 20-40 centimetres thick, even after warmer temperatures brought rain on Tuesday. Manmade snow stands up to warmth

better than the natural stuff, and the warm spell was a brief one. Orth said there has been plenty of natural snow already this year, and the temperature has stayed cold enough (below -4 degrees) for the snow guns to churn out the white stuff. So far Chicopee is off to the same good start as

Kings: Team expects rough rematch in Guelph Saturday Âť From page 18

Gorz) made it 3-2 at 7:36. The Kings widened the lead at 10:06 off a Jutzi blast from the point; Michael Therrien picked up the assist. But the Dominators narrowed the gap while on the power play at 14:07 courtesy of Jordan Metz (Scott Collins, Tyson Theater) at 14:07. The second period buzzer sounded however, and the teams headed to their dressing rooms, the visiting side down by just one goal at 4-3. In the third period, the Kings came out hard, pressuring a Guelph squad that was competing in its third game in as many nights. “I think generally your game plan in every game is to try to wear the other team down by continuing to put pucks in deep and exert a lot of pressure on the forecheck,� said Haddaway, adding that he doubted whether exhaustion might have been used as an excuse by the Dominators. “I often find your third game in three nights is sometimes your best ef-

fort; now, I can’t speak on Guelph’s behalf, maybe they started to get tired, I don’t know, but I don’t think [head coach] Matt Mullin over there will allow those guys to use that as an excuse. We don’t allow our guys to use it as an excuse,� he said, noting that the Kings often improve throughout the course of a three-game weekend. At 4:06 of the final frame, Jutzi picked up his second goal of the night while Shane Smith and Teri picked up the assists, making it 5-3 for Elmira. Jutzi, who already boasts 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 28 games compared to last year’s two points in 35, has experienced something of an offensive boom this year. Though the blue liner knows that defending is his top priority, offense is coming rather easily, and for that, there is a simple explanation. “This year I’m just trying to shoot the puck more and put it on net; when you put pucks on net good things happen,

and so far that’s what’s happening this year,� said Jutzi. The Dominators got one back at 6:25 when Searle converted on a Dan Mohle assist on the power play making it 5-4. But the Kings would have nothing of the Guelph comeback: Therrien scored an unassisted, shorthanded goal at 10:11 and Bill Terpstra turned a Blaney assist into gold when he buried the biscuit with just 10 seconds remaining in the game. The final buzzer sounded with a 7-4 decision and the Kings two points the richer. The Kings are in Guelph today (Saturday) for a rematch. “They’ll be coming back. They’ll remember what happened Sunday and I’m sure they’ll be pretty excited about it,� said Jutzi, noting that his team too, will be motivated. “We need two points again; we know we can do it.� Elmira comes home to face Brantford Sunday. Game time is 7 p.m.

last year; in 2007, the hill also opened a week early. Orth said they’re hoping for a similar season this year. “We had a long season right from early December right through the end of March break. I think it was about 106 or 107 days,� Orth said. “Another year like last year would be ideal.�

Usually the ski season averages between 90 and 95 days. Orth said they’re anticipating a busy holiday season, given the number of phone calls over the past two weeks, asking when the hill would open. “We don’t have the lodging, so people can come up day-of and buy

tickets. So it’s tough to gauge in advance, but I would say based on the lesson activity that we’re seeing so far, there definitely is an interest in people getting out on the slopes.� Chicopee was open for limited hours on Wednesday and Thursday; regular hours started Friday.

I D L A O Y H S Y ! P P A H OURS HOLIDAY H 25 24

23

1 - 4 PM & 7 - 10PM TUES.

27 1 - 5 PM & 7 - 10PM SAT. NE W V E E YEARE’SSLOTS

3 TIM

CLOSED

1. t 1. 1. t 1. 1. t 1. NS!

ATIO R RESERV CALL FO ’ per person $12 hours of 2 shoes, includes ling & punch bow

SAT.

CLOSED

CLOSED

WED.

THURS.

28

29

1 - 5 PM & 1 - 4 PM & 7 - 10PM 7 - 10PM MON. SUN.

1

31

CLOSED

THURS.

26

FRI.

30

1 - 4 PM & 7 - 10PM

TUES.

3

2

1 - 4 PM & 7 - 10PM

FRI.

1 - 10PM

SAT.

GIFT CERTIFICATE S AVAILABLE! (GREAT STOCK ING STUFFERS!)

&)234 342%%4 % %,-)2! s s ELMIRABOWL ROGERS COM

20 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Serves up at EDSS

Jacks lose lead, then the game

Junior and senior girls’ volleyball teams post wins over Waterloo-Oxford squads The EDSS senior girls’ volleyball team showed optimism and grit – and a penchant for giving their coach high blood pressure – on Tuesday, defeating Waterloo-Oxford three sets to two. After splitting the first two sets, Elmira got off to a slow start in the third, allowing Waterloo-Oxford to build up an 18-4 lead at one point. The plucky team battled back to win the set 25-23. But the Lancers couldn’t clinch victory in the fourth, forcing a fifth set, which they won handily by a score of 15-7. “They like to leave it to the last minute – I guess they like to come back,” said coach Mel Austin after the game. “I have to say, that’s not usually a quality of an Elmira team. To stick it out to the end or have great comebacks, that’s a great quality to have.” Even when trailing by double digits or fighting for the final point, the girls stayed positive, brushing off mistakes and cheering every good serve and spike. “They are the happiest team

that I’ve ever coached,” Austin said. “They don’t have a mean spirit in them at all.” On Tuesday, Austin got an impressive performance from her middle blockers, Katie Martin and Robin Taves, who were both strong at the net. Melissa Weber, the left outside hitter, was also on form, blasting spikes over the net for a number of kills. Austin said Weber is a nice surprise; she didn’t play last year because she was on exchange. The team is split about 50-50 between returning veterans and new recruits, and they’re all showing potential, the coach said. The win over Waterloo-Oxford was an improvement over their first match, where they lost to Southwood in straight sets. “We were a little bit like deer in the headlights that game; it was the first game of the season and we were sort of getting in the rhythm,” Austin said. “We don’t have any club players, whereas some teams, they’ll have 10 of them on one team. We don’t get the kids that play volleyball year round, we get the all-around athletes.” EDSS tends to finish in the midSee EDSS »21

Loss to Mount Brydges drops Wellesley squad to last place in the SOJHL standings JONI MILTENBURG

PHOTO | JONI MILTENBURG

JONI MILTENBURG

SO IT BEGINS Mel Blake lines up a serve during EDSS’ first set against Waterloo-Oxford Tuesday, emerging with a victory in five sets.

Notice to Hog Producers

The Circovirus Inoculation Program provides eligible hog producers with financial assistance to offset costs related to testing, diagnosis and treatment of hog herds for Porcine Circovirus Associated Diseases (PCVAD2). Diagnostic testing/clinical diagnosis • Hog owners or herd managers whose herd(s) have had a certified diagnostic test for PCVAD2 since March 1, 2006, can receive up to $150 per test, up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and up to $4,000 for the duration of the program.

After dropping another close game Dec. 5, the Wellesley Applejacks are now 5-14-3 and sitting in last place in the Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League. The Jacks lost 5-4 to Mount Brydges, the team currently sitting at the top of the Yeck Conference with 35 points. Wellesley held a two-goal lead for almost the entire second period, but the Bulldogs scored at the end of the second and twice in the third to take the game. Mount Brydges handed Wellesley the man-advantage 55 seconds into the game with a penalty for interference. With 10 seconds left on the power play, Ben Jefferies put Wellesley on the board, pounding the puck in on a feed from Dan Berwick and Brett VanGerwen. Mount Brydges fired back 25 seconds later, with Kyle Boult hitting one in on an assist from Dan Taylor and Justin DeVries. The Bulldogs took the lead at 13:36, when Adam Fletcher (Boult) got past keeper Luke Zehr to make it 2-1. Just over a minute later, Eric Parr (Pat Doyle, Scott Hanley) found the mesh to tie things up again. The teams headed to the dressing rooms as the first period ended with two goals apiece. As the second period opened, Wellesley again led off the scoring, with Kurt Atchison notching the point on a feed from Read Shantz and Shawn Fitzpatrick at the four-minute mark. Doyle (Hanley) made it a 4-2 lead for the Jacks when he knocked the puck past Bulldogs netminder Steve Nickles at 11:45. But Mount Brydges, fresh off wins over Lucan and Lambeth, wasn’t going down so easily. The Bulldogs piled shots at the net in the second and third, outshooting the Jacks 32-17 over the two periods. It looked like Wellesley would take their two-goal lead into the third period, but with 20 seconds left, Ben Hillen (Kevin Eichenberger, Dan Taylor) scored a power play goal to make it 3-2. Mount Brydges evened the score a minute into the third period with a goal by Brad Maher (Mason Sibley). Both teams scrambled for the tie-breaking goal, but it was Mount Brydges that got there with five minutes left in the game. Hillen scored his second of the game on a feed from Fletcher and Mike Grootjen. The Jacks weren’t able to make good on another chance and the game ended 5-4. The Jacks were scheduled to play two games last weekend, but Saturday’s game against Ayr was cancelled because of poor weather. Wellesley faces off against rival Tavistock tonight (Saturday). The puck drops at 7:30 p.m.

• In the absence of a certified diagnostic test, a clinical diagnosis must have been performed by a veterinarian between March 1, 2006, and November 15, 2007.

Bowling Scores ending Dec. 9

Vaccination

Queen of the lanes is Grace De Boer, a Monday +55 bowler. She threw a 655 triple that include a 285 single. King of the lanes is Wayne Martin. On the Town Men’s league, he bowled a 722 triple and 269 single.

Hog owners or herd managers whose animals were part of a herd that tested positive for PCVAD2 can receive up to $1 per piglet and up to $7 per gilt, sow, or boar.

Application deadline is December 31, 2008. For more information or for an application form, call 1-800-667-8567 or visit www.agr.gc.ca/cdhi

Mixed Leagues: Merv Brubacher 497 double (260), Ron Bates 459 double (288), Darlene Bates 412 (207), Jim Hakkers 381 (222). Sharon Soeder 555 triple (194), Jason Decosta 539 (214), Ruth Ann Clement 495 (189), Russ Soeder 468 (215), Darlene Martin 497 (192). +55 Leagues: Gene Ruppel 606 (262), Verna Walz 604 (234), Robert Harlock 590 (222), Cal Cressman 564 (212), Dave Krupp 562 (231), Albert Martin 562 (210), Lillian McKee 536 (188). Ladies: Rosie Martin 622(273), Jennifer Brunkard 598(252), Boni Moser 574(204), Connie Kilbey 566(214), Shirley Wilken 540(273), Pat Allgeier 520(201). Men: Stew Sauder 675(262), Richard Detweiler 668(250), Bob Merner 652(260), Karl Jordan 651(245), Manny Metzger 650(240), Pat Schedler 641. Youth Bowling: Pee Wee: Rowen Spencer 61 single. Bantam division: Quentin Mayer 359(133), Matthew Murray 302(113), Terry Chau 286(111).Juniors: Ben Straus 605(208), Travis Martin 573(241), Jason Detweiler 476(178), Jennifer Malina 428(146), Geoffrey Campbell 306(123), Andrew Playford 282(109).

WOOLWICH MAJOR PEEWEE

Dec. 3 Woolwich 6 Dundas 6 Goals: Alex MacLean x2, Alex White, Owen Griffiths, Wes Martin, Johnny Clifford (Wes Martin x3, Timmy Shuh x2, Bo Uridil x2, Johnny Clifford, Owen Griffiths) Dec. 7 Burlington 5 Woolwich 2 Goals: Wes Martin, Alex MacLean (Cody Petrosino)

WCSSAA EDSS LANCERS Dec. 4 Elmira 6 Grand River 2 Goals: Erin Zach x4, Kailey Esbaugh, Stephanie Straus (Caelen Rank, Kailey Esbaugh, Stephanie Straus, Samantha Nosal, Jessie Lubert

WOOLWICH MINOR ATOM A Dec. 4 Woolwich 5 Guelph 1 Goals: Noah Zeller x2, Connor Martin, Ryan Shantz, Jacob Uridil (Connor Martin x2, Ryan Shantz x2, Owen Read, Mitch Waters)

WOOLWICH ATOM LL #1 Dec. 6

Woolwich 5 Tavistock 1 Goals: Jake Lewis x2, Connor Graham, Benton Weber (Jake Lewis) Dec. 7 Woolwich 6 Plattsville 3 Goals: Benton Weber, Nic Campagnolo, Zach Pogue x2, Jake Lewis x2 (Zach Pogue x2, Benton Weber x2, Jake Lewis, Walker Schott)

WOOLWICH NOVICE LL #2 Dec. 4 Woolwich 7 Twin Centre 1 Goals: Matthew MacDonald, Austin Cousineau x2, Isiah Katsube, Kayden Zacharczuk (Sullivan Keen x2, Devin Williams, Austin Cousineau x2, Travis Weber, Kayden Zacharczuk) Dec. 6 Woolwich 4 Paris 4 Goals: Austin Cousineau x3, Isiah Katsube (Isiah Katsube x2, Austin Cousineau)

WOOLWICH MIDGET GIRLS LL Dec. 6 Woolwich 3 Wilmot 2 Goals: Nikki Bisbee, Carly Ellis, Lisa Ashworth (Samantha Grace, Nikki Bisbee)

WOOLWICH PEEWEE LL #3 ST JACOBS LIONS Dec. 6 Embro 5 St Jacobs 4 Goals: Tanner Horst, Austin Horst, Colin Hartwick, Nick Berlet (Austin Horst, Kyle Arsenault, Tanner Horst, Nick Berlet, Cole Burkhart Dec. 7 St Jacobs 3 Woolwich 1 St Jacobs goals: Colin Hartwick, Tanner

Horst, Nick Berlet (Trevor Bowman, Austin Horst, Brendan Taylor, Brett Kaiser, Troy Brunkard) Woolwich goal: Nathan Dowdall (Troy Nechanicky, Mackenzie Turchan)

WOOLWICH NOVICE GIRLS Dec. 6 Wilmot 3 Woolwich 1 Goal: Kambel Beacom (Nicole Snyder)

WOOLWICH GIRLS PEEWEE

Woolwich tournament Dec. 6 – Game 1 Woolwich 7 Grand River 0 Goals: Breanna Campbell x2, Lize Schuurmans x2, Erin Graham, Brooke Davenport, Leslie Quinn (Blaire Snyder x2, Erin Graham x2, Jenna Weber x2, Jessica Townsend, Lize Schuurmans, Emily Schuurmans) Shutout: Sarah Brunkard, Carrisa Truax Game 2 Woolwich 4 Waterloo #2 2 Goals: Emily Schuurmans x2, Lize Schuurmans, Erin Graham (Kendra Yantha, Jessica Townsend, Sydney DeRose, Jenessa Babcock, Marlowe Schott, Jenna Weber, Leslie Quinn, Emily Schuurmans) Game 3 Woolwich 7 Burlington 2 Goals: Emily Schuurmans x3, Lize Schuurmans x2, Leslie Quinn x2 (Emily Schuurmans x2, Leslie Quinn x2, Jessica Townsend x2, Lize Schuurmans x2, Kendra Yantha, Jenessa Babcock, Marlowe Schott) Championship

Woolwich 4 Waterloo #3 2 Goals: Lize Schuurmans, Brooke Davenport, Emily Schuurmans, Jessica Townsend (Emily Schuurmans x2, Erin Graham x2, Cassidy Bauman, Lize Schuurmans, Brianna Schlupp)

WOOLWICH MINOR MIDGET A Dec. 3 Woolwich 6 Burlington 6 Goals: Alex Albrecht x2, Ted Sebben, Brandon Nickel, Evan Morrison x2 (Matt O’Hara, Ben Brown, Evan Morrison, Ryan Bauman x2, Caleb Bauman x2, Ted Sebben x2, Graham Colby) Fergus tournament Dec. 4 – Game 1 Woolwich 5 Dundas 1 Goals: Ben Mitchell, Jeremy Martin, Alex Albrecht x3 (Jake Martin, Andrew Brubacher, Ted Sebben x2, Jeremy Martin) Dec. 6 – Game 2 Woolwich 2 Essex 2 Goals: Ted Sebben, Ryan Bauman (Alex Albrecht x2, Ryan Bauman) Game 3 Woolwich 2 Bracebridge 0 Goals: Alex Albrecht, Ryan Bauman (Ryan Bauman, Ted Sebben x2, Ben Mitchell) Shutout: Alex Martin Dec. 7 – Semi-final Mount Bridges 3 Woolwich 2

Goals: Matt O’Hara, Jeremy Martin (Evan Morrison, Ben Mitchell)

WOOLWICH MINOR BANTAM A Dec. 5 Woolwich 7 Guelph 2 Goals: Mitch Kernick, McKinley Ceasar x2, Eric VanGerwen, Matt Bannon, Jake Moggy, Kyle Bauman (McKinley Ceasar, Evan Buehler x2, Kaitlin Doering x2, Jake Moggy, Kyle Bauman, Matt Schiek) Dec. 7 Woolwich 2 Oakville 2 Goals: McKinley Ceasar, Eric VanGerwen (Evan Buehler, Zac Smith, Kyle Bauman, Mitch Kernick)

WOOLWICH MIDGET LL #1 Dec. 5 Woolwich 4 Ayr 2 Goals: Nolan Beatty x2, Devon Church, Brett Shantz (Joey Primeau x2, Jesse Summer, Devon Church, Justin Weber, Zach Bauman) Dec. 6 Woolwich 3 Norwich 2 Goals: Brett Shantz, Brandon Lamers x2 (Devin Church, Oliver Beatty, Zach Bauman)

WOOLWICH BANTAM AE Dec. 3 Woolwich 4 Acton 3 Goals: Jordan Moore x2, Evan Yantha, Mackenzie Martin (Kirk Tuffnail, Tyler Fulcher, Jeff Martin, Jordan Moore) Dec. 5 Centre Wellington 3 Woolwich 1 Goal: Jordan Moore (Aaron Burkhardt, Sebastian Huber) Dec. 6 Woolwich 3 Collingwood 3 Goals: Connor Jansen, Aaron Burkhardt, Jordan Moore (Aaron Burkhardt, Jordan Moore, William Frank) Dec. 7 Woolwich 5 Saugeen Shores 2 Goals: Jordan Moore, Sebastian Huber, Kirk Tuffnail, Connor Jansen, Evan Yantha (Josh Simpson, Sebastian Huber, Kirk Tuffnail) Dec. 7 Saugeen Shores 4 Woolwich 2 Goals: Evan Yantha, Jordan Moore (Sebastian Huber, Mackenzie Martin, Josh Simpson) WOOLWICH GIRLS ATOM B Dec. 3 Woolwich 3 Waterloo 1 Goals: Megan Chapman x2, Meghan Martin (Megan Chapman, Caitlin Pickard, Meghan Martin) Dec. 6 Woolwich 1 Goderich 1 Goal: Cassandra Tuffnail

WOOLWICH MIDGET AE Nov. 29 Arthur 3 Woolwich 2 Goals: Nick Pope, Kyle Hanley (Kyle Uttley, Zac Barriage) Dec. 5 Woolwich 5 Caledon East 4

Submit your sports scores to Joni: jmiltenburg@woolwichobserver.com

Goals: RJ Good x2, Brent Kron x2, Kyle Hanley (Andrew Moore x2, Jake Radcliffe, Brandon Brubacher x2, Brent Kron, Kyle Uttley, Nick Pope x2, Mark Fackoury) Dec. 7 Orangeville 5 Woolwich 3 Goals: Kyle Uttley, Mark Fackoury, Nick Pope (RJ Good, Brent Goetz x2, Dylon Price, Jake Radcliffe, Jacob McIntosh)

Goal: Laura Ridge (Leah Sebben)

Dec. 6 Twin Centre 6 Milverton 2 Goals: Jessica Harnack, Pam Hammer x2, Erika Lebold, Meagan Esbaugh, Lauren Quehl (Erika Lebold, Meagan Esbaugh, Laura Weber, Deanna Mainland)

Goals: Connor Runstedler x2, Mathieu Fife, Liam Dickson, Connor Goss (Mathieu Fife, Connor Runstedler x2) Dec. 8 Woolwich 4 Burlington 4 Goals: Mathieu Fife, Connor Runstedler, Danyal Rennie, Garret Schultz (Connor Runstedler, Liam Dickson, Mathieu Fife, Tyler Moser)

WOOLWICH MAJOR BANTAM A

WOOLWICH MAJOR NOVICE

WOOLWICH MINOR NOVICE LL #1

Dec. 7 Oakville 4 Woolwich 2 Goals: Dalton Taylor, Ryan Ament (Shane Young, Clinton Dechert)

Dec. 6 Woolwich 9 Guelph 2 Goals: Cade Schaus, Kyle Bruder, Keanan Stewart x3, Liam Hartman, Tyler McBay, Cole Altman, Sam Davidson (Riley Runstedler x2, Liam Hartman x2, Jordan Lee x2, Austin Whittom, Kyle Bruder, Cade Schaus, Keanan Stewart) Dec. 7 Hespeler 7 Woolwich 1 Goal: Riley Runstedler

Dec. 6 Woolwich 7 Embro 0 Goals: Jacob Code x2, Garrett Reitzel x2, Bradley Hale, Riley Demers, Ryan Elliott (Owen Lucier x2, Riley Demers) Shutout: Jackson Hale Dec. 7 LL#1 7 LL#5 0 Goals: Jacob Code, Bradley Hale, Connor Bradley, Seth Morrison, Noah Scurry x2, Brody Waters (Seth Morrison, Owen Lucier, Cole Campbell) Shutout: Jackson Hale

TWIN CENTRE ATOM C GIRLS

WOOLWICH RUSSELL PEEWEE AE Dec. 3 Arthur 3 Woolwich 2 Goals: Jordan Shantz, Owen Griffiths (Spencer Inglis, Alex White) Dec. 5 Woolwich 4 Arthur 2 Goals: Spencer Inglis, Baily Nickel, Cole Burkhart, Calvin Cressman (Joseph Dubue, Calvin Cressman x2, Nigel Baldin x2, Bradley Mathieson)

PEEWEE LL #1 Dec. 6 Woolwich 3 Ayr 1 Goals: Brodie Keen, Marty Metzger, Matt Lalonde (Isaac Fishbein, Matt Lalonde, Zac Martin, Spencer Anderson) Dec. 7 Woolwich 3 Plattsville 0 Goals: Matt Lalonde x3 (Spencer Anderson, Brodie Keen) Shutout: Zac Martin

TWIN CENTRE MIDGET BB GIRLS Dec. 5 Twin Centre 3 Cambridge 2 Goals: Ainsley Smith, Stephanie Straus, Steph Baril (Contessa Brenner x2, Emily Neeb, Melissa Kaleta) Dec. 7 Twin Centre 5 Milverton 1 Goals: Steph Baril x2, Contessa Brenner, Brittany Straus, Stephanie Straus (Melanie Freeman, Contessa Brenner, Ainsley Smith, Stephanie Straus)

WOOLWICH PEEWEE B GIRLS Dec. 8 Woolwich 1 Cambridge 1 Goal: Lauren Lawson (Rebecca Luis)

WOOLWICH MAJOR ATOM A

GRAND RIVER NOVICE LL #5

Dec. 7 Woolwich 5 Dundas 2

Dec. 6 Plattsville 3 Grand River 1 Goal: Brendan Gilles (Riley Weigel)

WOOLWICH RUSSELL ATOM AE Dec. 4 Woolwich 3 Centre Wellington 1 Nathan Schwarz x2, Gareth Rowland (Jacob Dubue, Aaron Weigel, Sheldon Metzger, Cameron Rose, Alex Taylor) Dec. 6 Woolwich 0 Centre Wellington 0 Shutout: Chace McCallum Dec. 7 Dundas 2 Woolwich 1 Goals: Brant McLaughlin (Jacob Dubue) Dec. 9 Woolwich 6 Centre Wellington 2 Goals: Nathan Schwarz, Mathew Uhrig x3, Alex Taylor, Gareth Rowland (Brant McLaughling, Nick Kieswetter x2, Nathan Schwarz)

Curlers take top spot

WOOLWICH NOVICE GIRLS Dec. 8 Waterloo 6 Woolwich 3 Goals: Morgan Hanley, Cailyn Wilkie, Taya Beacom (Chantal McMurray, Cailyn Wilkie, Taya Beacom)

WOOLWICH NOVICE LL #3

Bradford tournament Dec. 5 – Game 1 Barrie 6 Woolwich 3 Goals: Zac Pickard, Justin Uhrig, Ethan Young (Justin Uhrig, Ethan Young) Game 2 Bradford 3 Woolwich 0 Game 3 Woolwich 6 Barrie 5 Goals: Nolan McLaughlin x2, Zac Pickard x2, Justin Uhrig, Brady Brezynskie (Ethan Young x2, Keaton McLaughlin, Brady Brezynskie, Joshue Kohlsmith, Mackenzie Willms

TWIN CENTRE ATOM LL GIRLS Dec. 3 Woolwich 1 Cambridge 1

AN INVITING WIN The Elmira Curling Club won the Ladies Intercity Curling League on Dec. 5. Seventy-five women from Milton, Brampton, Elora, Fergus, Chingaucousy, Guelph, Acton, Orangeville and Elmira took part, donating gifts to the Woolwich Community Goodwill program in place of a gift exchange. From left, Susan MacTavish, Julie Norris, Virginia Henry, Gail McLeod, Camilla MacKinnon, Susan Martin, Carolyn Adams, Linda Deziel and Linda Lawrie accepted the trophy.

EDSS: Teams look to break out Confused? We can help. of the middle of the pack » From page 20

dle of the pack, behind powerhouses like Forest Heights, Grand River, Bluevale and Jacob Hespeler. If the girls can continue to fight back from deficits, they have a shot at changing that this year. The junior girls also won their match Tuesday, 29-27, 23-25, 25-19 and 25-17. Coach Fred Meissner said it was

nice to win, but he isn’t really focused on points or standings. “It’s not about competition; it’s about giving them the skills to get ready to play senior. I [coach] junior because I want to get them ready for senior, that’s my goal.” Six of Meissner’s roster of 14 are returning from last year. Becca Lomax is setting well, he said, and Tracy Weber is play-

ing well all around. Of his new Grade 9 players, Emily Heron is playing well and getting court time early. The juniors also lost their first match against Southwood, but they won a tournament in Norwell on Nov. 29. “With junior volleyball, it’s tough,” Meissner said. “You can be playing well one game and down the next.”

21

PHOTO | SUBMITTED

SCORECARD

»

SPORTS |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Tax-Free Savings Account A Fresh Approach to Your Savings Your Values Your Credit Union

Serving members of Mennonite, Amish and Brethren in Christ churches across Ontario.

www.mscu.com

»

22 | ENTERTAINMENT

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

ENTERTAINMENT » ON STAGE AT CITS

The Nutcracker goes Canadiana

SPIRIT OF THE NORTH Phillip Payne and Christina Graziano dance in the roles of Loons in Ballet Jörgen’s Group of Seven Nutcracker, to be performed Dec. 28 at the Centre In The Square.

Art by the Group of Seven inspired Ballet Jörgen’s new version of the timeless Christmas favourite new characters and associated dances, the Group of Seven Nutcracker retains the familiar storyline and, of course, the timeless musical score. It still involves a little girl named Klara and a nutcracker doll. Klara has come to Canada and is attending her first party here, set in a school rather than a home, as in the original. The ballet’s second act is noted for its celebration of dances (various nationalities in the original). The Group of Seven Nutcracker follows this tradition, but places the second act in a Canadian summer setting with trillium flowers, raccoons, loons, dragonflies, bears, Mother Spruce, and a grand pas de deux danced by the King and Queen Birch. “It’s been fun learning

She has accepted a full-time position and joins nine other Registered Midwives in the practice. Jennifer completed her midwifery training at McMaster University and most recently practiced in London, Ontario.

Jennifer Bowman

REGISTERED MIDWIFE BHSc Midwifery, B. Kinesiology

• ST. JACOBS MIDWIVES provide prenatal care, delivery at hospital or home, and early post partum care to low-risk women. We serve the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, as well as the townships of Woolwich, Wellesley and Wilmot. • There are no fees for midwifery services for Ontario residents. • Our clinic is located at 9 Parkside Dr,. in St. Jacobs, 5 minutes north of Conestoga Mall. • No referrals necessary.

519 578-1570 1 800 265-8977

101 Queen Street N • Kitchener

• A limited number of spaces are available. Call early to avoid disappointment. Ticket Centre Hours: Monday - Friday 10AM - 8PM Saturday 10AM - 6PM Closed Sunday

MEDIA SPONSORS

CENTRE STAR MEMBERS SAVE

10% GROUPS OF 20+ SAVE UP TO 10%.

TED

Jennifer Bowman

Colleen McGuckin; photographer: Andrew Oxenham

Share The Magic and support the work of Family and Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region. Purchase a ticket for $15 and send a child to The Nutcracker.

MIT

is pleased to welcome

NUTCRACKER Children start at $21

SUB

ST. JACOBS MIDWIVES

GROUP OF SEVEN

Tickets start at $33

TO |

See NUTCRACKER »23

ANNOUNCEMENT

NEW SHOW !

Sun Dec 28, 2008 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

PHO

ters, this version has added loons, birches, dragonflies, beavers and squirrels, Tom Thomson came pad- among others. “It’s a Northern Ontario dling by. Then stayed around to watch the ballet feel to a very traditional in which the images of the ballet,” said Katharine GarGroup of Seven create the rett, who dances several mood. Call it a distinctly parts in this ballet, includCanadian feel to the classic ing the role of Grandmother in the first act, a fox or a story of The Nutcracker. Set against the world- Mountie in the battle scene, famous images of the ru- a flower and a snowflake. Having taken part in ral north, Ballet Jörgen Canada’s Group of Seven many productions of The Nutcracker puts a twist on Nutcracker – a ballet staple the traditional Christmas and a longstanding Christmas essential – she was favourite. Choreographed by Bengt more than happy to take on Jörgen to Tchaikovsky’s fa- the altered version that will miliar score, this distinctly make its way to Kitchener’s Canuck adaptation evolved Centre In The Square Dec. from a collaboration with 28. “It’s nice to have a new the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, which has story – something fresh. allowed three of the great What’s been really lovely 20th century Canadian has been speaking with landscape artists to be fea- audiences, who’ve been tured: Franklin Carmichael thrilled with the Canadian (Church and Houses at Bis- setting,” she said in a teleset, 1931), Tom Thomson phone interview this week. “Everyone has been in awe (Snow in the Woods, 1916) and L.L. FitzGerald (Trees of this Nutcracker.” Taking place in Northern and Wildflowers, 1922). Ontario GerWool-Obs_DEC:Layout 12/2/08 3:16 rather PM Pagethan 1 In addition to the 1traditional Nutcracker charac- many, and featuring several

STEVE KANNON

To book an appointment, please call:

519-664-2542

For more information, visit our website at

www.stjacobsmidwives.on.ca Unit 2 - 9 Parkside Dr., St. Jacobs

Our Beef is cut from Canada Grades AA, AAA

Weekly Specials Ontario Corn Fed

$3.99/LB

Lean Stewing Beef

Ontario Corn Fed

$3.39/LB

London Broils

$4.49/LB

Smoked Pork Loin Chops

$4.99/LB

Boneless Sirloin Tip Roasts

Deli Sliced

$6.99/LB

Pine River

$8.19/LB

Oven Roasted Chicken Breast

Old Cheddar

SPECIALS DEC 15 - DEC 20

HOURS : Mon.-Sat. 9-6 1386 King Street North, St. Jacobs 519-664-3610

ENTERTAINMENT |

23

PHOTO | SUBMITTED

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

HOPPY TO BE HERE Tiesa Gutauskas and Annemarie Pineda perform as frogs. Their roles will be filled by local dancers when the show comes to Kitchener.

Nutcracker: A new twist » From page 22

these new Nutcracker roles, taking on the creature that you’re portraying,” said Garrett. Family fare, this performance is certainly aimed at children – it’s often the first ballet experience for many in the audience. Ballet Jörgen also offers young dancers a chance to take

part in the presentation. This year, students from dance schools in the Kitchener-Waterloo area have been selected to join the professional cast for the local performances or to tour with the company. These students were selected at the September auditions from a group of 65 children ranging

from eight to 18 years of age. The Group of Seven Nutcracker dances on stage for two performances Dec. 28 (2 and 7:30 p.m.) at the Centre in the Square. Tickets are $33-$53 for adults, $21-$29 for children, available from the box office by calling 5781570 or online at www. centre-square.com.

Mon - Thu: 9:30 am - 9:30 pm

11 Church Street East, ELMIRA 669-3030 or 888-669-3030 info@brutech.com | www.brutech.com Mon to Fri 9:00 am - 5:30 pm

Fri. 9:30 am - 11 pm

Sat. 9:30 am - 9 pm Sun. 10 am - 6 pm

24 | CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM

CLASSIFIED DEPT. LINWOOD VETERINARY SERVICES Full-Time Employment Linwood Veterinary Services is looking for a full-time employee. Job duties include order picking and delivery. Also includes other in-clinic duties. Good driving record essential. Please apply in person at the Clinic or email to: johnb@linwoodvet.ca

WORK WANTED

PETS

»»Let Me Clean your house. Call Andrea 519-664-0692.

»»Megamutts Dog Train-

TRAINING & LESSONS

»»Give the Gift of Music this Christmas! Guitar & Bass Lessons, Musical Instruments & Accessories. Gift Certificates available. Call 519 -669-5885.

ing - Gift certificates available for 2009 classes. Next session starts Jan. 21. www.megamutts.com or 519-669-8167.

HORSES

»»Florapine

Stables Horse boarding, newly renovated facilities. Riding corral, bush trails, full board and outdoor board CHILD CARE with good shelter. Outside »»F/T & P/T position avail- board $175; with stall able. Nutritious meals, $275. For more informaweekly themed units. Near tion call Galen & Kathy Catholic school and on Weber at 519-669-4227. Public School bus route. 519-210-0080. WANTED

»»W a n t e d

- Pine & Spruce logs. Any size »»Mature Care Giver with over 3” x 3 ft. Call Steve at 2 1/2 years agency ex- 519-575-3658. perience. Willing to assist seniors. Please call AUTOMOTIVE 519-669-3535. »»2001 Dodge Caravan Sport - 3.3L V6 auto, FOR SALE full load including quad »»Easton Stealth Hock- seating, pwr right slidey Pants worn 2 times ing door, AM/FM cas- practically brand new. sette radio. Finished Sr. adult, med. up to 32” in silver. 155,000 kms. waist. $159 new; asking $6,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831. $100. 519-699-5673. »»Elmira Stove Works »»2005 Dodge Gr. Carawood insert in excellent van SXT - 3.8L V6 auto condition. Black with trans, fully equipped inbrass accents. Also, king cluding Stow N Go seatbed frame. Call Rob at ing, O/H console, rear air/heat, pwr door group, 519-669-3163. driver seat, pwr. adj. »»New Mattress Sets! pwr pedals, AM/FM 6 disc CD All sizes- from $298/ radio, one owner. Finished set/taxes included. Call in linen gold. Only 52, about our free sheet 652 kms. $14,900. Voisin offer. Footwear, house- Chrysler 519-669-2831. hold, toys, baby items, and much more. Nearly »»2006 Dodge Gr. CaraNew Centre, Linwood, van SE - 3.3L V6, auto, 519-698-0088. Tues. - Stow N Go, fully loaded inFri. 9-5, Sat. 9-3. We can cluding rear air/heat, pwr. driver seat, alum. road deliver. wheels, 5yr/100,000 kms, »»Snow Tires - four, gold plan plus service TOYO 215/70R15 on contract, finished in magChev Venture rims, low nesium. Only 61,702 kms. miles, like new. $400.00 $16,500. Voisin Chrysler firm. 519-669-3999. 519-669-2831.

HEALTH CARE

»»2004 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab 4X4 - 5.7L hemi, auto, pwr windows, pwr door locks, pwr driver seat, tilt/cruise, AM/FM CD radio. Finished in Lt. blue. ONly 62,000 kms. $19,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831. »»2007 Jeep Commander Limited 4X4 - 5.7L MDS, auto trans, fully loaded including leather seats, 3 sunroofs, trailer hitch, 7 passenger seating, finished in black. Only 32,000 kms. $38,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831. »»2005 Dodge Gr. Caravan SE - 3.3L V6, auto, fully loaded including rear heat/air, quad seating, pwr. driver seat, alum. road wheels, DVD entertainment system. Finished in black, only 74,250 kms. $12,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831. »»2006 Dodge Gr. Caravan SXT - 3.8L V6, auto, Stow N Go, fully loaded including rear heat/air, pwr. driver seat, Pwr. sliding doors, alum. road wheels. Finished in inferno red. Only 46,345 kms. $17,700. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831. »»2006 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab 4X4 - 5.7L MDS auto trans, fully equipped with all pwr. options, trailer tow group, chrome step bars, bed liner, tow hooks, one owner. Finished in lt. khaki. Only 79,002 kms. $18,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2381. »»2008 Dodge Avenger SXT 4dr. 2.7L V6 Auto Trans. AM/FM CD Radio, pw. pdl. Tilt/cruise, alum. road wheels, finished in Lt. Sandstone. Only 31,397 kms. $ 18,900. Voisin Chrysler, 519-669-2831.

RENTALS

WOOLWICH MEMORIAL CENTRE ICE TIME Call Recreation Office 519-669-6025 to request ice at the NEW COMPLEX Starting in September 2009

FAX | 519.669.5753 EMAIL | sales@ObserverXtra.com

christmas trees

FOR SALE

FLOATING

Elmira’s LARGEST selection

CHRISTMAS TREES

of major brand computers

Kept indoors & out of the weather! 51/2 to

Premium Quality

12 ft. tall

;gVhZg [^g 7VahVb [^g HXdiX] e^cZ 8dadgVYd hegjXZ

Corner of Hwy 6 & Sideroad 18 Phone:

519.843.5394

& @B Cdgi] d[ 9dlcidlc ;Zg\jh dc =ln + AZ[i ijgc dcid H^YZgdVY &-

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOMOTIVE

»»2008

»»2004 Jeep Gr. Cherokee Laredo 4X4 - 4.0L 6 cyl., auto, fully loaded including alum. road wheels, finished in silver. Only 88,000 kms. $14,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831.

Dodge Caliber SXT - 24E sport pkg. 2.0L, CVT Trans, air, tilt, cruise, pw. pdl, AM/FM CD radio, alum. road wheels. Finished in silver. Only 22,600 kms. $17,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831. »»2006 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Mega Cab 4X4 - 5.7L hemi, auto trans, fully loaded including all pwr options, pwr sunroof, chrome tube step bars, trailer tow group, bed liner, tonneau cover. Finished in min. gray, only 17,000 kms. $29,900. Voisin Chrysler 519-669-2831. »»2008 Dodge Gr. Caravan SE - 3.3L V6, auto trans, fully loaded including Stow N Go seating, rear air/heat. Pwr driver seat, finished in black. Only 35,175 kms. $18,900. Voisin Chrysler, 519-669-2831. »»Will pick up your unwanted or scrap car or truck. I will pay you up to $150 for your full-size scrapper. Call Brad @ 519572-0987 for quick and free removal.

519.669.5790 | 1.888.966.5942

COMPUTERS LAPTOPS MONITORS and SERVICE Come see our showroom at:

112 Bonnie Crescent, Crescent Elmira r ra

519-669-5551

Lighting up the night

RENTALS

»»Elmira - 2 BR basement

apt. available Dec. 1st. Only $750 + util. Please call 519-744-3711.

»»Naples Florida - 3 bedroom home, mature neighbourhood. Close to beach and shopping. March and April available. $2500/ mth. Call for pictures 519-577-8513.

»»St. Jacobs - Upscale

apt. in village core. One + bedroom, controlled entrance, includes 5 appliances, ensuite laundry, A/C. 1,064 SF. Rent $1,200 per month (utilities extra). Available immediately. Steps away from excellent shopping, restaurants, theatre, na- O CHRISTMAS TREE The Paradise and District Lions Club held its Tree of Light ture trails. 519-664-2293 ceremony beside the St. Clements library on Lobsinger Line Dec. 6. The tree on ext. 322.

100% Local. Period.

PHOTOs | marc miquel helsen

AUTOMOTIVE

HELP WANTED

»

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

the church property was lit, free cookies and cider were served and carols were sung. Carolling was led by the St. Clements Church Traditional Choir. Approximately 50 to 75 people turned out for this lighting despite the cold temperatures, blowing snow and high winds.

AD RATES | Residential 20-Word Ad $7.50 Extra Words 20¢/word | Commercial 20-Word Ad $12.00 Extra Words 30¢/word | Bold Headline Add $1.00 /line | Display Ads are quoted individually. PLACING A CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT | Classified ads can be obtained in person, by phone | fax from Monday to Thursday 8:30am-5pm or Friday 8:30am-4pm. Email queries to classifieds@woolwichobserver.com 24/7 - email will be replied by next business day. All classified ads are prepaid by Visa | MasterCard | Debit | Cash | Cheque unless on account. Deadline is Thursdays by 10am.

ADVERTISING POLICY | All advertising is accepted subject to the Publisher’s discretion. The Publisher will not be responsible for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occured. Please check your ad on the first day of publication. The Observer’s responsibility, if any, is limited to the charge for the space for one insertion only.

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

BY THE NUMBERS

EASY

CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM |

MEDIUM

HARD

HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started.

REMEMBER: you must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.

Find the answers to this week’s puzzles on page 31.

Š2008 Cathedral Communications Inc.

Community Information Page THE TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH "Proudly remembering our past; confidently embracing our future."

CHRISTMAS OFFICE HOURS The Township Office will be closed the following dates: Wednesday December 24th at 12 p.m. Thursday December 25th to Friday December 26th Wednesday December 31st at 12 p.m. Thursday January 1st to Friday January 2nd The office will re-open on Monday January 5th, 2008.

SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL BY-LAW #85-2006 Notice to all Property Owners in St. Jacobs, Heidelberg, Breslau, Conestogo, Maryhill, Bloomingdale, Winterbourne, West Montrose, Floradale, Stockyards Area. Woolwich Council has adopted a Sidewalk Snow Removal By-law requiring property owners to clear adjacent sidewalks of snow and ice in all settlement areas, except Elmira. The Sidewalk Snow Removal By-law requires the owner to clear away snow and ice from the sidewalks in front of or alongside their property within twenty-four (24) hours after a snowfall ends. Non-compliant property OWNERS CAN BE TICKETED UNDER THE BY LAW lNE AND THE COST TO HAVE the Township clear the sidewalk can be charged to the property owner APPROXIMATELY 4HE BY LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO a) Sidewalks in Elmira; b) Sidewalks adjacent to back-lotted properties on Kressler Road between Apollo Drive and Alten Way in Heidelberg; c) Curb-faced sidewalks where snow has been pushed onto the sidewalk to a depth of at least 12 inches by road clearing operations. Curb-faced SIDEWALKS ARE DElNED AS SIDEWALKS ADJACENT TO THE CURB FACE OR NOT MORE than .25 m from the curb face. Questions about sidewalk snow removal in Elmira should be directed to the Township’s Engineering Department at (519) 669-1647 Extension 6041. Questions about sidewalk snow removal in all other areas should be directed to the Municipal Law Enforcement Division at (519) 669-1647, Extension 6005 or 6106. Your co-operation in keeping the sidewalks cleared of snow and ice is greatly appreciated.

OVERNIGHT PARKING BAN Effective December 1st to April 1st, parking is prohibited on all Township roads and streets from 2:30 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. to facilitate winter road maintenance operations. Vehicles found parked overnight on Township roads during the parking ban or on Regional roads at any time will be ticketed. For further information, please call 519-669-1647 extension 6009 or 6005.

P.O. BOX 158, 24 CHURCH ST. W. ELMIRA, ONTARIO N3B 2Z6 WEBSITE: www.woolwich.ca

TEL: 519-669-1647 or 519-664-2613 FAX: 519-669-1820

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY: 519-575-4504

RECREATION WINTER PROGRAMS Starting week of January 5, 2009 ADULT FITNESS

ADULT VOLLEYBALL

MONDAYS, TUESDAYS AN THURSDAYS (9 WEEKS) 7:00 – 8:00 PM AT PARK MANOR SCHOOL

TUESDAY (16 WEEKS) 8:15 – 10:15 PM AT ELMIRA HIGH SCHOOL (SINGLE)

LINE DANCING

YOGA CLASSES

THURSDAY (6 WEEKS) 5:00 – 6:00 PM AT ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH

MONDAYS, TUESDAYS O WEDNESDAYS (9 WEEKS) 7:00 – 8:30 PM AT PARK MANOR LIBRARY

IRISH DANCE WEDNESDAYS (9 WEEKS) 6:15 – 7:15 PM AT PARK MANOR SCHOOL

BALLROOM DANCING TUESDAYS (9 WEEKS) 8:30 – 9:30 PM AT ST. JAMES LUTHERAN CHURCH

RECREATION OFFICE WILL REMAIN OPEN WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10TH UNTIL 7:30 PM FOR REGISTRATION PURPOSES. (FRONT DOOR ONLY)

PILATES CLASSES TUESDAYS OR THURSDAYS AT PARK MANOR (9 WKS) TUES. & THURS.. 7:00 – 8:00 PM LEVEL 1 - BASIC TUES. 8:15 – 9:15 PM LEVEL 2 – ADVANCED

ADULT BADMINTON MONDAY OR THURSDAY (15 WEEKS) 8:15 – 10:15 PM AT PARK MANOR

Email: gspencer@woolwich.ca Registration Forms available at www.woolwich.ca Completed Registration form and post dated cheque (dated January 2, 2009) may be dropped at 24 Church Street West. REGISTER AT RECREATION OFFICE, 24 CHURCH ST. W., ELMIRA OR CALL 669-6025 OR 664-2613 ext. 6025 FOR MORE DETAILS. The Township reserves the right to cancel classes if insufficient registration.

2009 DOG TAGS Dog Tags for 2009 are now available to be purchased at the following locations: s Township of Woolwich Office at 24 Church Street West, Elmira. s Village Pet Food Shoppe, 10 Church St. W., Elmira s Creature Comfort Pet Emporium, 1553 King Street North, St. Jacobs s Eldale Veterinary Clinic, 150 Church Street West, Elmira s Breslau Animal Hospital 2057 Victoria St. North (Unit 3), Breslau, Ontario.

25

The fees before April 15th are: s .EUTERED 3PAYED s .ON NEUTERED NON SPAYED And after April 15th are: s .EUTERED 3PAYED s .ON NEUTERED NON SPAYED ! REPLACEMENT TAG COSTS If you have found a dog or lost your dog please call the Township Office at 519-669-1647 Extension 6106.

26 | CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Puzzle answers, games, opinion polls and much more at:

www.kidscoop.com

Pretend you have $500 to spend on things advertised in today’s newspaper. With your Learning Buddy, look through the paper and make a list of things you could buy. Be sure to calculate the tax on each item as part of the total cost. How close to $500 can you get without going over?

How much money do you need to buy the thing you want? That’s your savings goal. For extra inspiration, tape a picture of the thing you want to buy in a place where you’ll see it everyday. Fritter wants:

Cost:

You want:

Cost:

Write down everything you spend money on. After a week or so, add up what you spent. Is there anything you could do without? How much would that save you? How much money did Fritter spend this week?

What things would you suggest Fritter do without to save for the race track?

How much money would he save by not buying those things?

Write down what you want to buy and the amount of money you need. Help complete Fritter’s plan.

I need $ ________ to buy ___________ .

I need $ ________ to buy ___________ .

Money I have saved up now: Weekly allowance I can save: Weekly work/chores income: TOTAL:

Money I have saved up now: Weekly allowance I can save: Weekly work/chores income: TOTAL:

After the first week, how much more money do you need?

After the first week, how much more money do you need?

How many weeks will it take to save the entire amount?

How many weeks will it take to save the entire amount?

Fritter started putting his money in a bank account at Glacier Savings and Loan. Money he puts in the bank is called a deposit. When he takes money out, that’s called a withdrawal. The bank sends Fritter an information sheet every month. But this one is incomplete. Can you figure out how much money Fritter had (called a balance) on November 30?

ALLOWANCE BALANCE SAVINGS GOAL CHORES DEPOSIT MONEY LOAN WORK SHEET BANK SPEND EQUAL DATE TRACK

Look through the newspaper and find 8 five-digit numbers. Cut them out and glue them onto a piece of paper in order from smallest to largest.

Find the words in the puzzle, then in this week’s Kid Scoop stories and activities. M A K C S E A S K S

… comes from setting goals, making a plan and following your plan!

A V K H G M I R N H T G C O N D O B K E I S A R I W A N P E S L R E V L A T E T O A T S A B O L E Y P U A N S N T A O D E Q C A Y S P E N D D E C N A W O L L A

What would you do if you found $5 on the playground? What would you hope someone else would do if they found $5 you had lost?

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

WORD-UP

Âť

SOLUTION FOUND ON PAGE 31

CREATED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE OBSERVER

CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM |

ACROSS 1. J. Edgar Hoover’s org. 4. Give rise to 9. Turned sharply 14. “If the ___ is concealed, it succeedsâ€?: Ovid 15. Even if, briey 16. Yogi’s language 17. “The Catcher in the ___â€? 18. Part of N.Y.C. 19. Scattershot 20. Apanese warrior 22. Halftime lead, e.g. 23. Giving an example 26. “Carmina Buranaâ€? composer 29. Last: Abbr. 30. French word for “skyâ€? 32. “___ bad!â€? 33. Fly catcher 35. Thanksgiving dish 36. Sun, e.g. 37. For all to see 41. Hairsplitter 43. Carp 44. Plane, e.g. 46. Drone, e.g. 47. Common Market inits. 48. Financial predicament 49. “Much ___ About Nothingâ€? 51. Chow

CARPET CARE

CONSTRUCTION

NOW

OPEN NEW!

Green

Cleaning Supplies For Home and Office Â&#x2122; CVgeZi Je]dahtZgn 8aeVc^c\ dc LdXVi^dc Â&#x2122; PZi YZdYdg^oVi^dc Â&#x2122; ?Vc^tdg^Va Â&#x2122; ;addg Hig^ee^c\ Â&#x2122; 7aeaX]ZY dji CVgeZi Hedi RZeV^g Â&#x2122; <rdji 8aeaning Â&#x2122; 6reV Rj\ 8aeVc^c\ 9rde"d[[ VcY E^X` je HZgk^XZ Â&#x2122; CVgeZi RZeV^g RZ">chiVaaVi^dc

www.completecarpetcare.ca

ROB McNALL

519-669-7607

LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-866-669-7607

AUTOMOTIVE

& Equipment Ltd.

Concrete Foundations Limited

GENERAL CONTRACTING

â&#x20AC;˘ Concrete removal & replacement â&#x20AC;˘ Siding work up to 66â&#x20AC;&#x2122; high

â&#x20AC;˘Pole Structures â&#x20AC;˘Remodeling & restoration

519-846-9066

Marty Trapp RR#1 Elmira

fax: 519-846-9319

DECORATING

YES... WE DO RESIDENTIAL WORK!

Readâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Decorating

Specializing in Computerized Dynamic Balancing

24 Hour Service 7 Days A Week

COMMERCIAL â&#x20AC;˘ RESIDENTIAL

AUTOMOTIVE

Auto Tech Inc.

Complete Collision Service

101 Bonnie Crescent, Elmira, ON N3B 3G2

Accredited Test & Repair Facility

519.669.8330

519-669-4400

FAX: 519.669.3210

(Behind the old Trylon Building)

519.669.8917

21 HOWARD AVE., ELMIRA

E L M I R A

PHOTO 57 Arthur St. S., Elmira

519-669-FILM

www.elmiraphoto.com

Over 15 Years Experience

â&#x20AC;˘ Store Fronts â&#x20AC;˘ Thermopanes â&#x20AC;˘ Mirrors â&#x20AC;˘ Screen Repair â&#x20AC;˘ Replacement Windows â&#x20AC;˘ Shower Enclosures â&#x20AC;˘ Sash Repair

TEL: 519-664-1202 / 519-778-6104 FAX: 519 664-2759 â&#x20AC;˘ 24 Hour Emergency Service

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOMOTIVE

Mike PAINTING

519.669.9160

Cell: 519.998.4094

AUTOMOTIVE

TIRE

Providing the latest technology to repair your vehicle with

YOU NAME IT: WE FRAME IT!

GLASS SYSTEMS INC.

On-Site Balancing Fans, Rotors, Armatures, Pump Impellers, Drive Shafts & Many Styles of Rotary Equipment Available

fax: (519) 653-7949

CUSTOM FRAMING

ST. JACOBS FREE ESTIMATES

tel: 1-800-525-4022

Âť

PAINTING

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

For all your home decorating needs

27 Arthur St. S., Elmira

519-664-9999

GLASS SERVICES

Specializing in Paint & Wallcoverings

519-669-3658

â&#x20AC;˘ 14 ton BoomTruck

â&#x20AC;˘ 35 ton Mobile Crane

ST. JACOBS

6982 Millbank Main St., Millbank 519-595-2053 â&#x20AC;˘ 519-664-2914

DYNAMIC BALANCING SINCE 1961

CRANE

WEICKERT& ORTLIEB CRANE MEIROWSKI

commercial â&#x20AC;˘ industrial

accuracy and confidence.

519-669-7652

EXPERT ADVICE | QUALITY SERVICES LOOK UP A PROFESSIONAL.

CONSTRUCTION INC.

THOMPSONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

21 Industrial Dr. Elmira

21. Crescent-shaped pipe 24. Distant 25. ___ tide 27. Specialty 28. Watch chain 31. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Acidâ&#x20AC;? 33. Beau 34. A person devoted to reďŹ ned sensuous enjoyment 38. ___ power 39. Ease up 40. Central part 42. Beyondâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partner 43. Bar order DOWN 45. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fantasy Islandâ&#x20AC;? prop 1. Person of Iranian descent 49. Canny 2. Prosecuted John Scopes (1925) 50. Treat, mention, or speak to for teaching evolution rudely 3. Agenda entries 52. Dyed fabric 4. Of or relating to sacred rites 54. A small island in the central 5. Flexible PaciďŹ c Ocean 2,800 miles to the 6. Heirloom location southwest of Hawai 7. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ me?â&#x20AC;? 55. Provide, as with a quality 8. A negative 56. Bring up 9. Certain herring 57. Aerodynamic 10. Fast talk 59. 100 kurus 11. Pale or subdued colour 61. Bunk 12. Tokyo, formerly 62. Biochemistry abbr. 13. Faint 63. Calendar abbr. 19. Time in power 66. At the same time that

CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS

AUTOMOTIVE

AUTO CLINIC

53. Aquanauts 58. Series of short loud sounds 60. Magazine 61. Hardly a brainiac 63. Couples 64. Conk out 65. Broadcasting 66. Cliffside dwelling 67. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no ___!â&#x20AC;? 68. Tibetan religious painting on fabric 69. A short erect tail 70. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A rat!â&#x20AC;?

Š2008

SERVICE PROS

27

AFTER HOURS

RUDOWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CARSTAR COLLISION CENTRE 24 Hour Accident Assistance

1-800-CARSTAR

Body Maintenance

WHERE TIRES

RUDOWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CARSTAR COLLISION CENTRE

SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE.

at

ARE A

Call Us At

519-669-3373

519-669-3373

33 First Street, East Elmira, ON

33 First Street, East Elmira, ON

&ARM s !UTO s 4RUCK )NDUSTRIAL s /N 4HE &ARM 3ERVICE

35 Howard Ave., Elmira

519-669-3232

28 | CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Âť STRANGE BUT TRUE | BILL & RICH SONES

Botanists succeed in bringing Biblical tree back to life Q. Assume your distant cousin has two children and you remember that at least one is a girl. If boys and girls are equally likely, what are the odds that the other child is also a girl? Fifty-fifty, right? A. There are four possible combinations here: BG, GB, GG and BB, where BG denotes a first-born boy and a second-born girl, and so on. But since you know there is at least one girl, the BB combination can be eliminated. This leaves BG, GB and GG, and of these three equally likely possibilities, only one is a two-girl family. So the chance of two girls is one-in-three. This result is surprising to most people but the following is positively mind-boggling: Suppose you not only remember there is one girl but also that her name is Florida. Here, instead of

only two types of children, you need to distinguish three: boy (B), girl named Florida (F) and girl not named Florida (N), yielding nine possible combinations: BB, BF, BN, FB, FF, FN, NB, NF and NN. Since you know one child is a girl named Florida, you can eliminate BB, BN, NB and NN. Furthermore, since parents seldom give two children the same name, FF is improbable and can also be eliminated, leaving the four (equally likely) possibilities BF, FB, FN and NF, two of which are two-girl families. Therefore, the chance of two girls is one-in-two! (From The Drunkardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives, by Leonard Mlodinow) Q. How did contemporary botanists bring a Biblical tree back to life? A. Five date pits were found in the 1960s in the Dead Sea region of Israel and in 2005 one of the seeds was planted and sprouted, says Amy Maxmen in Science News. Recently a team reported the sapling is indeed the germination of the oldest known seed. This palm that some ancients had called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tree of Lifeâ&#x20AC;? has been revived from a

2,000 year â&#x20AC;&#x153;sleep,â&#x20AC;? genes and all, said Mordechai Kislev of Bar-Ilan University in Israel. Genetic fingerprinting suggests the sapling is the once-extinct Judean date palm, with radioactive carbon dating putting it between 206 B.C. and A.D. 392. The plant, named the Methuselah after the oldest person in the Bible, was in the care of a British doctor in Jerusalem, said the New York Daily News. Previously, the oldest seed to germinate had been 1,300 years old. The Methuselah opens a window into the past, commented plant geneticist Paul Gepts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A small window, but a window nonetheless.â&#x20AC;? Q. Who are â&#x20AC;&#x153;enologistsâ&#x20AC;? and how are they going high-tech these days? Quite soberly, one might add. A. These wine experts aim to spot counterfeit claims about the year a wine was made, says David Grimm in Science magazine. When grapes grow, vine leaves take up carbon-containing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it to sugar, which eventually becomes the alcohol in the wine, allowing carbon-14 dating to gauge its

SERVICE PROS HAIR

HOCKEY

PAINTING

PLUMBING

HAIR LOFT

ELMIRAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HOCKEY HEADQUARTERS

519-210-0411

Destiny Rhame SALT

free estimates

interior/exterior painting wallpapering & Plaster|Drywall repairs

519-669-2251 36 Hampton St., Elmira

Mon-Wed. 9-6, Thurs, Fri. 9-8, Sat. 9-5, Sun. Closed

SELF STORAGE

SEPTIC

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

519-747-2708

graphfix ltd. Signs & Banners

www.remingtongraphfix.com

Vehicle Lettering Logos & Graphics Large format printing Decals & Safety Stickers

BILL SCHENKEL

519-664-1809 1600 King St. N., Unit #18

ST.JACOBS

FAST, FRIENDLY SERVICE AT COMPETITIVE PRICES!

Plumbing and Maintenance Inc.

RESIDENTIAL â&#x20AC;˘ COMMERCIAL â&#x20AC;˘ INDUSTRIAL

C.J.

For all your Plumbing Needs.

BRUBACHER LTD.

24 HOUR SERVICE

19 First St. E., Elmira

Steve Jacobi

519-669-3362

ELMIRA

519-669-3652

HEADQUARTERS Various sizes & rates

CLEAN â&#x20AC;˘ DRY â&#x20AC;˘ SECURE

SIGNAGE | VINYL & DIGITAL

Steve Co.

ELMIRAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SHARPENING

WINTER PRODUCTS AVAILABLE

Visit our Website at www.riepersalt.com

PLUMBING & HEATING SPECIALISTS!

SHARPENING

Taking Salt to Peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Basements Since 1988

Softener Salt & Ice Melts

Âť

PLUMBING

YOUR

20 years experience

Â&#x2014; F^TgX F[TecXa\aZ Â&#x2014; AXj HfXW F^TgXf Â&#x2014; Fg\V^ F^TgX EXcT\ef Â&#x2014; 8dh\c`Xag 48 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-8799

(Send STRANGE questions to brothers Bill and Rich at strangetrue@compuserve.com)

EXPERT ADVICE | QUALITY SERVICES LOOK UP A PROFESSIONAL.

Destinyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 35 Arthur St. N. Elmira, ON N3B 1Z6

age. And now thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a new tool: Wine merchants may soon turn to particle accelerators for dating old, valuable bottles of the drink. Here low-energy protons are trained on the bottle, causing its atoms to emit X-rays and providing a kind of fingerprint that can be compared with a database to determine the age and provenance of the bottle, says editor Constance Holden. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For example, French bottles made before 1957 typically contain traces of magn sium, so a bottle with a chromium signature dated before 1957 would be a fake.â&#x20AC;? The technique wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to tell the exact year a wine was bottled, because the chateau could have bought the bottle a year or two earlier, explains physicist Herve Guegan of France. Still, â&#x20AC;&#x153;every day we sell bottles valued between $1,000 and $20,000, so being sure about their age is quite important to us,â&#x20AC;? says Stephen Williams of the Antique Wine Co. in London.

Call

519-669-4964

100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

TOWING

TRUCKS

JOHNS TOWING AND RECOVERY

CASH PAID

FOR YOUR UNWANTED SCRAP VEHICLES CARS, TRUCKS OR VANS WE PAY CASH WITH FREE TOWING PLEASE CALL

519-568-8666

TRANS IT! VEHICLES

s 4ON #URTAIN 3IDE &LAT "ED LONG WIDE s #ARGO 6AN s 0ASSENGER !STRO 6AN 7ITH X TRAILER s #AR

PHONE 519.503.0888

Septic Tank Cleaning Inspections for Real Estate Septic System Repairs & Restoration Catch Basin Cleaning Waterloo Region â&#x20AC;˘ Wellington County

519-648-3004

or

Have your skates sharpened with us four times, and the fifth oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s FREE!

Knife and Scissor Sharpening See store for details.

519-896-7700

www.biobobs.com

TRUCK REPAIR

22 Church St. W., Elmira

Tel: 519-669-5537

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

window coverings

Qualified Licensed Mechanics Ready to Serve Your Needs. OPEN Monday-Fridays 6am-6pm Saturday 6am-2pm

270 Arthur St. N., Elmira, ON TRUCK & TRAILER REPAIR & MAINTENANCE

Mobile Services | CAT and Cummins Diagnostics Government Emissions Testing | Air Conditioning Aluminum and Steel Welding | Hydraulics Government Safety Inspections

raperies & Blinds â&#x20AC;˘ Curtain Hardware Custom D

40 Memorial Ave, Elmira CALL KIRBY, Service Manager | 519.669.8420 After Hours Cell: 519.577.1459

519-669-8309

Âť

CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

HOME HUNTERS ELMIRA REAL ESTATE Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage SERVICES

519-669-3192

90 Earl Martin Dr., Unit 1, Elmira N3B 3L4

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage

29

R.W. THUR REAL ESTATE LTD. 45 ARTHUR ST. S., ELMIRA

519-669-2772

BROKERAGE

Independently Owned and Operated

4B Arthur St. S. Elmira t www.remaxsolidgold.biz OFFICE: 519-669-5426

DIRECT: 519-572-2669 EMAIL: bert@remaxsolidgold.biz

BERT MARTIN, BROKER RED

RED

UCE

UCE

D

BONNIE BRUBACHER Broker of Record

SHANNA ROZEMA Broker.

DARREN ROMKEY Sales Rep.

LAURIE LANGDON Sales Rep.

DALE KELLER Sales Rep.

MONIQUE BRUBACHER Sales Rep.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURE PROPERTIES

$247,500

COUNTRY BUNGALOW! Good home on large lot with mature trees offers three bedrooms, country kitchen with custom cabinets, family room, recroom, detached garage/ workshop and paved double drive. MLS.

$127,000

GREAT STARTER! Great home in small community offers main floor family room, three bedrooms, formal dining and living rooms, renovated bathroom, some new windows, hi/eff gas furnace. MLS.

$1,450,000

FARM! Square 100 acres, 90 workable, cash crop and hog operation with finishing and nursery barns, drive shed, older livestock barn, 1500 s/f 3 bedroom bungalow with new kitchen and attached double garage. MLS. Call Bert to View.

16 PINTAIL DR. $299,900 ELMIRA | 60ft wide mature lot, mainfloor family room with wood burning fireplace, eat-in kitchen, living/dining room. MLS.

LEASE SPACE! Approximately 2,000 s/f of commercial with office and warehouse. Zoning allows many uses. Located in a busy plaza with lots of parking. Only 10 minutes to Waterloo. MLS. Call for details.

$384,500 ST. JACOBS | This 1923 home has been thoughtfully and perfectly restored including the 2002 two storey addition with beautiful charm and character. Grand kitchen, spacious master with luxury ensuite. Not to forget the captivating enclosed front porch and studio/ attic. MLS.

Your referrals are appreciated!

$249,900 | DRAYTON | This home built in

D

BILL NORRIS Sales Rep. Cell: 519-588-1348

TRACEY WILLIAMS Sales Rep. Cell: 519-505-0627

42 ROBERTA ST. ELMIRA

$320,000 | Base price for this spacious open

concept bungalow, great potential in the unspoiled basement. Also offered 4 Bdrm 2 storey 2050 sq ft, still time to pick your colours. Come and see the quality standards and options offered. Excl.

OPEN HOUSE - SATURDAY | 2-4PM

MAKE YOUR MOVE!

NEW HOME (to be built) 1521 sq.ft. Open concept main floor -kitchen, dinette and great rm. w/ cathedral ceiling. HUGE master bdrm! MLS. $269,900.

MOVE IN! New home w/walkout

bsmt! 3 baths (ensuite). Large kitchen. Main flr. laundry. Upper level fam. room. Lots of upgrades. MLS. $355,000.

OVER 2000 SQ. FT.

THE PERFECT SETTING!

1977 on a 1/2+ acre lot features crown molding in living area, main floor laundry, deck/patio, an electo-magnetic water softener, newer windows, central air, an inviting family room with gas fireplace and lots of storage space. Mmmm...especially pleasant! MLS.

COMMERCIAL Bldg. approx. EXISTING CHURCH! Seating 3450 sq. ft. (2 storey addition 1987) Retail & office space. Gas heat & air cond. Other adjoining lots available. MLS. $289,900.

capacity 175+. Addition in 1986, incl. full basement. Ideal for office, lofts, etc. 1 block from downtown. C-1 Zoning. MLS. $649,000.

DRAYTON - SPACIOUS 4-level back split. Oversized kitchen -walkout to covered deck & deep lot. 3+1 bedrooms, 2 baths, dble garage. MLS. $234,900.

CENTURY HOME - Lovely cherry kitchen. Restored woodwork. Hdwd. floors, 4 bdrms, 3 bthrms, Rec.rm w/ fireplace. Dble. garage. MLS $334,900.

MARTIN GROVE VILLAGE

$96,000 | CLOSE TO FARMERS MARKET Many generous updates. Offers 2 Bdrms, 4pc bath, laundry, bright kitchen, 4 appliances and a great yard. MLS.

$549,900 ELMIRA | Desirable mature cul de sac location.1883 sq. ft. ranch bungalow, plus finished basement. Triple interlock drive with lots of room for your toys, heated attached garage - a pleasure on frosty mornings; MLS.

Coach House Realty Inc. Brokerage

OFFICE PHONE: 519.343.2124 Edith McArthur * 519.638.2509 Marg Sorensen * 519.343.4489 Kathy Robinson * 519.343.4816

ALLI NORRIS Sales Rep. Cell: 519-577-6248

PARADIGM HOMES

PICTURESQUE VIEWS

*SALES REPRESENTATIVES:

JULIE HECKENDORN Broker Res: 519-669-1068 Res: 519-669-8629 MVA Residential

OPEN HOUSE - SATURDAY | 2-4PM

Tell your Realtor that the Observer sent you!

159 William St., Palmerston (Across from Home Hardware)

BRAD MARTIN Broker of Record

Further Information: WEBSITE: www.royallepage.ca EMAIL: Elmira@royallepage.ca

Sherry Waite

Sales Representative

RCR Realty, Brokerage

Independently Owned and Operated

NEW LISTING! Outstanding log

NEAR DRAYTON 3.32 Acres

home w/stocked pond, hardwood bush. You must see the exceptional features in this unique custom built 2000 sq. ft. home. 3 + 1 bedrms, 2 baths, double garage w/access to basement. Call Edith McArthur to view this gorgeous home. 519.638.2509. MLS 0847238. $459,900.

HERE IS YOUR CHANCE TO BUILD YOUR OWN ESTATE on 36 acres of land, will make a great horse or hobby farm, only 35 min to Waterloo. Creek runs through property, surrounded by trees. Building permits available. MLS

00

workshop for the snowmobilers. s Drive the sleds in the back overhead door, and drive out the front overhead door! s Economical wood heating- enjoy the warmth of wood! sReduced in Price to Sell - Priced way below assessed value s Quick close possible

,0

81â&#x20AC;&#x2122;x159â&#x20AC;&#x2122;. 3+2 bedrms, 3 bathrms, spacious kitchen w/ pantry & inviting eating area, separate diningrm, gas fireplace in livingrm, finished basement, central air & vac, dishwasher, water softener, walkout to deck. Call Marg Sorensen to view 519.343.4489 and put this home on your Christmas wish list. MLS 0847252. $369,900.

LEON MARTIN

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

39

COME SEE! COME BUY THIS...Spacious home on big lot

Live in the Country! Live for SNOW DAYS! s Ideal 25 x 40 ft. attached garage/

$3

DRAYTON

519-846-0660

Your local Mapleton Country Realtor

s ,OT ON ACRES s HOUSE IS OVER SQ FT s $RAYTON AREA s BEDROOMS BATHROOMS s WALK THROUGH CLOSET TO ENSUITE WITH SKYLIGHTS s MASTER BEDROOM WITH FRENCH DOORS s CERAMIC AND HARDWOOD mOORS s Only 4 years old, Massive attached workshop GARAGE s /PEN CONCEPT /AK +ITCHEN s MAKE AN OFFER! s

OPEN HOUSE

8242 Concession 12, Drayton - Saturday, December. 13th, 1-2:30

PET LOVERS Business opportunity for a person that wants to work from home. Very good income, website included Havanese dogs. $70,000 MLS ADDRESS: 4-B

Arthur St. S., ELMIRA â&#x20AC;˘ EMAIL: leonmartin@remax.net â&#x20AC;˘ OFFICE: 519-669-5426

DIRECT: 519-503-2753

Buying or Selling Your Home? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Come to the right place. Call Donna 519.669.5790 x. 104 | 1.888.966.5942 | www.ObserverXtra.com

EVENTS CALENDAR » Singing under

30 | CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM

“A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME”

Kleensweep Carpet Care

West Montrose, ON

T. 519.669.2033 Cell: 519.581.7868

Truck & Trailer Maintenance Cardlock Fuel Management

COMMERCIAL 24 CARDLOCK FUEL DEPOT HOUR MATERIAL HANDLING & PROCESSING SYSTEMS • Design • Installation • Custom Fabrication

MILLWRIGHTS LTD.

519.669.5105

P.O. BOX 247, ROUTE 1, ELMIRA

24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

TOTAL HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

YOUR OIL, PROPANE, NATURAL GAS AND AIR CONDITIONING EXPERTS

11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS

519.664.2008

SANYO CANADIAN

MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED

33 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.1591

RETAIL STORE STORE RETAIL

s %LECTRICAL 3UPPLIES s .EW 6ACUUMS s 6ACUUM 2EPAIRS s 0ARTS !CCESSORIES s !LL MAKES AND MODELS 9 CHURCH STREET EAST, ELMIRA

519.669.8362

» KIWANIS CLUB

Since 1987 - DentureTech Since 1995 - Denturist

DENTURE

Home

Rugs and Upholstery

•Residential •Commercial •Personalized Service •Free Estimates

COLLEEN

Skilled cra ftsmanship. Quality materials. CONSTRUCTION STARTS HERE.

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

Allen Morrison, Agent/Owner

Auto

Allen Morrison Insurance Inc.

Life

Investments

25 Industrial Drive, Elmira, ON N3B 3K3

Group

3435 Broadway St. Hawkesville

519-699-4641 www.freybc.com

DECEMBER 14

»» “The Gifts Of Christmas Revisited” will be presented by The Cantata Choir of Knox-Elora and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian churches; 7:30 p.m. at Knox-Elora Presbyterian Church, Elora. Free-will offering and fellowship hour. »» Christmas In Winterbourne – Come join our annual Sing-a-Long at 7 p.m. Music by – Monday Night Jam Club and guests. Refreshments and bake sale. Fun for the whole family. Chalmers Presbyterian Church. Free-will offering will be taken. Donations for the Food Bank would be appreciated. »» Community Memorial Service – 7 p.m. A Service of Healing. Elmira Mennonite Church, 58 Church St. W., Elmira. »» Sweet Adelines with St. Agnes Children’s Choir, 3 p.m. followed by parish potluck; free-will offering; St. Agnes Catholic Parish, 75 Bluevale St. N., Waterloo. 519-746-5114. DECEMBER 15

»» Covered Bridge Carol Sing – West Montrose. Join community members at the annual Christmas tradition hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Elmira; 7 p.m. cider, cookies and song sheets are provided free of charge. No admission charge for the event although the Kiwanis Club would appreciate donations of cash or non- perishable foods towards its Christmas Goodwill Food Drive. DECEMBER 16

»» Foundation Christian School presents The First Leon, a heartwarming story about the true meaning of Christmas. Join us for this charming musical, sing carols and enjoy refreshments with the students, staff and families of Foundation Christian School. Program will be held at Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church (245 Lexington Ave. Kitchener) at 6:30 p.m. Free admission. For information, call 519-664-0110. »» Lunch at Gale Presbyterian Church from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join us for our Christmas lunch, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, jellied salad, Christmas pudding and sauce, beverage $9 per person. Takeout available. Please note: last year we sold out – this year we have planned for more people but come early as we expect there will be a lineup.

Bus.:519.669.2632 Fax: 519.669.4282

Business

FREE CONSULTATION

After Hours Emergency Services: 1-800-465-2667

Farm

• Total Denture Care Travel

Email: allen_morrison@cooperators.ca

www.cooperators.ca • Same Day Service Disability

on Repairs and Relines • Metal Partial - Soft Relines •Since Implants 1987 - DentureTech •Since DENTURE SPECIALIST 1995 - Denturist

$%.452%

DENTURE Vinolea Jahandari DD

• ELMIRA Total Denture Care • Same day service on and relines 15repairs Memorial Ave., Since 1987 - DentureTech • Elmira Metal Partial - Soft Relines 1995 - Denturist (Behind Bank of Montreal) • DENTURE SPECIALIST

519.669.1535 KITCHENER

FREE CONSULTATION 519.744.9770 ELMIRA • Total Denture Care KITCHENER 519-669-1535 • Same Day Service519-744-9770 15 Memorial Ave., Elmira (behind Bank of Montreal) on Repairs and Relines • Metal Partial - Soft Relines • Implants • DENTURE SPECIALIST

Elze’s Vinolea Jahandari DD

Wonderful 519.669.1535 ELMIRA

15 Memorial Ave., Elmira

Wines

A Fine Wine Establishment

(Behind Bank of Montreal) KITCHENER

519.744.9770

29 Church St. W., Elmira

519.669.0799

New to the Community? Do you have a new Baby? It’s time to call your Welcome Wagon Hostess. Elmira & Surrounding Area

DECEMBER 19

»» Meatloaf Dinner and all the Fixin’s – 6 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion, 11 First St. E., Elmira, downstairs; $6. DECEMBER 21

»» Rejoice In The Birth Of Our Saviour Carol Sing – Sing along as Rev. Robert leads the congregation in an evening of Christmas Carols and shares the stories behind the carols; 7 p.m. Free-will offering. Waterloo North Presbyterian Church, 685 Highpoint Ave. Wheelchair accessible. For information 519-888-7870. »» Country Christmas – wagon rides, carol singing, visit with Father Christmas, 1-4 p.m. Cost is $7, $5 students/senior, $4 child, $18 family. Doon Heritage Crossroads, 10 Huron Rd., Kitchener. For more information, call 519-748-1914.

SHARON GINGRICH 519.291.6763

elmirawelcomewagon@sympatico.ca

Be Prepared For Winter!

DECEMBER 31

»» New Year’s Eve Gourmet Take Out – Gale Presbyterian Church from 5-7:30 p.m. Roasted red pepper and tomato soup, three appetizers (one of each), croissant, cantaloupe and blueberry salad in a white wine and vanilla bean sauce, breaded pork tenderloin medallions in a white wine and mushroom sauce, served with buttered noodles and maple ginger roasted baby carrots, chocolate truffle cheesecake with raspberry coulis, topped with whipped cream, fresh raspberries and chocolate curls. Tickets $20. Children’s meal – chicken fingers with plum sauce, oven roasted home fries, maple and ginger carrots and gummy worm pudding $5. We deliver or you pick up at church. For tickets, call 519-669-2852 or 519-669-3827. JANUaRY 11

»» Elmira Sugar Kings Hungry Man’s Breakfast – serving from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Elmira Legion, 11 First St., Elmira.; $5 per person. All you can eat. Submit calendar listings to info@observerxtra.com

519.669.2884 21 Industrial Dr., Elmira

cover of the Kissing Bridge

MARC MIQUEL HELSEN Set in the scenic covered bridge in West Montrose, the annual Kiwanis Club carol sing at that location got its start when local resident Tony Dowling took a fateful trip through the structure some 20 years ago. As he sang a Christmas song to himself, Dowling was impressed with the sound that bounced off the walls of the structure built in 1881. “I thought, ‘that sounds pretty good.’ I thought it would sound a whole lot better if we had a couple of hundred voices supporting it, because my voice isn’t the best in the world,” quipped the Kiwanis Club president and carol sing co-chair. “It’s like an old violin or an old guitar; wood is a great resonator for sound.” Upon making this serendipitous discovery, Dowling took the idea to Wonderful Wines his peers in the service club. The idea caught on and, with the exception of a temporary hiatus in the late 1990s for bridge repairs, the event has become a Christmas tradition in West Montrose. This year’s event is set for Monday at 7 p.m. Cider, cookies and song sheets will be provided free of charge. Admission to the event is free, although the Kiwanis Club would appreciate donations of cash or non-perishable foods for its Christmas goodwill food drive. Attendees are cautioned to dress for the weather. Caroling will last for approximately one hour. Guests are invited to arrive early and stay afterwards to enjoy the atmosphere, camaraderie, lights in the village and, of course, a cup of hot cider. All this should make for a unique event, said Dowling. “It really harkens back to another time; I think people come out [because] it’s not like a lot of the Christmas events that are commercialized. Even though we may have a lot of people, we keep it low-key … just gather around, have a cup of cider, have a couple of cookies, take your song sheet and go into the bridge and we sing.” The popular event can draw as many as 200 visitors, depending on the weather. “Come on out … it’s one thing to hear about it; it’s another thing to actually come out there and enjoy it,” said Dowling.

DEATH NOTICES

NANCY KOEBEL

Bus: 519.895.2044 ext. 217 Home: 519.747.4388

Individual life insurance, mortgage insurance, business insurance, employee benefits programs, critical illness insurance, disability coverage,

RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, LIFs and Annuities. Suite 800, 101 Frederick St., Kitchener

LINDNER, Christopher William

– Passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2008, a this home in St. Jacobs. He was born nine years ago in Kitchener. MARTIN, Manuel “Manny”

– On Friday, December 5, 2008, at his residence. Manny Martin in his 78th year of Elmira.

MILLER, Jean

– It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Jean Miller, in Elmira, on Friday, December 5, 2008. She was 89 years old.

Âť

CLASSIFIEDS | SERVICES | REAL ESTATE | FAMILY ALBUM |

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

FAMILY ALBUM

BIRTHDAY

BIRTHDAY

IN MEMORIAM

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY

Mrs. Theresa (Hahn) Siemon 1955-1976

Loved always, forgotten never

Andy / â&#x20AC;&#x153;Muckluckâ&#x20AC;?

Âť SuDOKu SOLuTiOnS

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY December 9, 2007

Have a fantastic and well deserved holiday! ~Love Colleen Friends forever & Always Jocelyn, Gary, & David

P L A C E S O F FA I T H

Time ďŹ&#x201A;ies when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re having fun! Can you believe it? Julia is turning one! Happy ďŹ rst birthday to our sweet little princess Julia (AKA our little Schnookums)! You have brought so much into our lives and we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t imagine it without you. You truly are a blessing to our family and we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to see what the future holds! Lots of love and kisses from Mommy, Daddy, your 4 legged pal Lindy and all of our families!

LOCAL CHURCH

) $ 5 6 ,

FAMILY ALBUM

% 5 < $ 1

: 2 . 2 ( ( * 5

e that Tell someocnare you

for as little as

$

15

& 5 2 1 7 $

, 6 $ 7 & ( 0 8 5 6 7 $ 8 / ( % 3 ( 1 , 7 & + 8 % 5 $ / ( 7 , $ , 5 1 . $

3 / , $ 1 7

$ 7 7 , &

/ 2 2 6 ( 1

< 2 / .

$ 6

: 1 + 2 < 5 ( , 1 * & ( , < $ 0 3 ( / ( $ , 1 ' $ 5 ' 8 2 ( 5 , & 8 7

6 + $ '

/ , 1 * 2

8 1 ' ( 5 7 2 $ 1 % ( 2 9 ( ( 1 ' 8 (

/ 6 '

SERVICES DIRECTORY

' , 6 6 ( 6

5 $ , 6 (

HEARING ASSISTED

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

NURSERY PROVIDED

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Trinity United Church ELMIRA

Sunday School During Worship

Minister: Rev. Dave Jagger Sunday Worship: 10:55am

Visit our new website on: www.wondercafe.ca %$ 4eg[he Fg! Abeg[ Â&#x2014; 6[heV[ BYĂ?VX ($, )), (()# Ă&#x201E;Bhe `\ff\ba \f gb _biX _XTea TaW _\iX Ul 6[e\fgĂ&#x2021;f gXTV[\aZfĂ&#x2026;

Scene It Ad:Layout 1 02/12/08 10:59 AM Page 1

'+ ;Tj^Xfi\__X EW! Â&#x2014; 519-664-2311

( 9\efg Fg! 8_`\eT Â&#x2014; 519-669-1459 www.elmiracommunity.org

JOIN US

SUNDAYS AT

10:30AM & 6:30PM %,# 4eg[he Fg! Fbhg[ 8_`\eT Â&#x2014; 519-669-3973

www.ElmiraAssembly.com (Across from Tim Hortonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s)

Upbeat Family Worship & Sunday School 10:00 am

J[XX_V[T\e TVVXff\U_X Â&#x2014; AhefXel 6TeX cebi\WXW Â&#x2014; ;XTe\aZ 4ff\fgXW

Sundays @ 10:30am John Mahood PS

Check out our website www.woodsidechurch.ca

6 / ( ( .

St. Jacobs

SUNDAY, DEC. 14, 2008

%## 5TeafjT__bj 7e! 8_`\eT Â&#x2014; 519-669-1296

call 519.669.5790 ext 104 to order or stop into our office

THE WITCH OVERCOMING SUPERNATURAL EVIL

Speaker: Harold Paisley

) ) 2 2 5 % 7 (

CALVARY UNITED

Series: In The Beginning â&#x20AC;&#x153;Good News For A Changeâ&#x20AC;?

( ' ' , 2 0

Welcome to

Sunday, December 14, 2008 9:15am & 11:00am

Âť CrOSSWOrD

~Mom, sisters & brothers

JULIA LORENE BINGEMAN

HARD

MEDIUM

EASY

B����������� M�������� C����� Pastor: Mary Mae Schwartzentruber Sundays - 9:45 am Family Worship Service 11:00 am Sunday School for all ages

$$($ FalWXeĂ&#x2021;f 9_Tg EW! 5_bb`\aZWT_X Â&#x2014; 519-745-2411 www.bloomingdalemennonite.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Making Faith Liveâ&#x20AC;? Sunday Worship 9:15 am - 10:15am

Faithsteps 10:30am - 11:50am

% 9\efg Fg! 8_`\eT Â&#x2014; 519-669-5030

S�. T����� C������� C�����

No God, No Hope; Know God, Know Hope! Celebrate Eucharist with us Mass times are:

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

$, 9_T`\aZb 7e! 8_`\eT Â&#x2014; 519-669-3387

31

T:10.25”

32 | BACK PAGE

THE OBSERVER | Saturday, December 13, 2008

! e n o y r e For Ev

DODGE RAM 1500

JEEP WRANGLER

DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

DODG DODGE AVENGER

JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

CHRYSLER 300C

JEEP COMPASS

DODGE CHARGER

DODGE DAKOTA

JEEP PATRIOT

DODGE RAM 2500 HEAVY DUTY

DODGE CALIBER

Receive Total Discounts † $ up to 14 ,711! Take a closer look at your favourite model now. chrysler.ca

jeep.ca

dodge.ca

V I S I T Y O U R N E I G H B O U R H O O D C H R Y S L E R , J E E P® , D O D G E R E T A I L E R

INCLUDES 1 YEAR PREPAID SUBSCRIPTION

Wise customers read the fine print: *, † These limited time offers apply to retail deliveries of selected new and unused 2008/2009 models purchased/leased between December 2, 2008 and January 2, 2009. At participating retailers only. Offers subject to change without notice. See participating retailer for specific pricing details and conditions. * Employee Price Discount offer applies to all new and unused 2008 and 2009 models excluding only 2008/2009 Dodge Sprinter and Challenger and 2009 Dodge Journey models. Employee Price Discount offer can be combined with other retail incentives including Consumer Cash, Delivery Allowance and/or subvented purchase financing rates. Excludes CAW negotiated ER Bonus and select targeted bonus cash programs. 0% purchase financing offered on approved credit by Royal Bank of Canada or Scotiabank to qualified retail customers on the purchase of 2009 Dodge Charger, 2009 Chrysler 300 or 300C models for up to 84 months. Some conditions apply. Offer is subject to change without notice. See participating retailer for complete details. † Total discounts include Consumer Cash, Employee Price Discount and other incentives which are deducted from the negotiated prices either before or after taxes. Maximum $14,711 total discount is for 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel. See participating retailer for complete details. ™ SIRIUS and the dog logo are trademarks of SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc. ® Jeep is a registered trademark of Chrysler LLC.

T:14”

JEEP LIBERTY