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05 | 05 | 2016 VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 17

LIFE RECIPES FROM THE ARAB-ISRAELI COOKBOOK ARTS PAGE 23

COMMENT PAGE 8

DUFFY AFFAIR JUST ONE OF SENATE’S LOWLIGHTS

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ON THE RUN AT REGIONAL TRACK MEET

EDSS’ Braxton Holland sprinted to a 10th place finish out of 79 athletes in the junior boys’ 100-metre dash at the annual Track Wars in Cambridge on Apr. 29, where Elmira District Secondary School was one of 49 schools competing. See page 11 for details.

MennoHomes breaks ground on affordable housing project in Elmira

WHITNEY NEILSON POLITICIANS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS ceremoniously turned some soil last Friday at the official ground-breaking ceremony for the future MennoHomes affordable housing project in Elmira, marking the beginning of its construction. Occupancy is slated for the spring of 2017 for the building which will be located on the same property

as Woolwich Community Services on Church Street at Memorial Avenue. They’ve raised $525,000 in donated dollars since October when they launched their capital campaign. The group needs $1.7 million in donations to complete the $3.1 million project. MennoHomes executive director Dan Driedger addressed the crowd gathered around the former site of Procast Foundries. “This site has been look-

[WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER]

ing like this for many, many years and I know there’s a lot of people in the Elmira area who are excited about the fact that Woolwich Community Services is here with the Lions Resource Centre and that we are also now going to be able to have a spot right beside them responding to a very urgent need in Elmira for affordable housing,” Driedger said. He explained in order to HOUSING | 4

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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

St. Clements native honoured for his work on the stage in New York

PART 2 STORIES FROM THE ARCTIC

Second in a series about area residents who’ve lived and worked in Canada’s North

LIZ BEVAN BORN AND RAISED IN St. Clements, Jeffrey Kuhn eventually moved to New York City to pursue his love of musical theatre. It’s a move that has paid off. On May 1, Kuhn was announced as the winner of the Featured Actor in a Musical award at the Lucille Lortel Awards, honouring excellence in off-Broadway production. He currently works as Zazu in The Lion King in New York City, but took a break to fill a role in Southern Comfort: a play detailing the struggles of a transgender man, Robert Eads, in rural Georgia and his relationships and struggles as he tries to find unbiased treatment for ovarian cancer as he approaches the end of his life. Kuhn played Jackson, also a transgender man, who stays by Eads’ side while he searches for treatment and peace. “Robert’s access to proper care and treatment was derailed by ignorance and discrimination in several of the places he sought treatment. The stage adaptation is based on the characters in a film but with some key dramatic inventions. I play Robert’s ‘son,’ one of his closest chosen family, Jackson, also a transgender man, which is based on the real person Maxwell Anderson in the film.” The play was inspired by a documentary film by filmmaker Kate Davis. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. Kuhn’s run of the production was shown at The Public Theatre in New York City. He was as surprised as ever when he heard his name announced in the Featured Actor in a Musical category. “The whole experience was kind of surreal and out of body,” he said from New York. “I had absolutely no expectation or idea how it was going to play out so it was just a total surprise to hear Anna Chlumsky (of My Girl fame) say my name. The idea of awards or accolades never entered my mind so it was all a complete and happy surprise after the fact.” After attending and graduating from the Ryerson Theatre School in Toronto, Kuhn made his way to Stratford where he performed on stage before heading to New York City with Garth Drabinsky’s original Broadway production of Ragtime. He decided he wanted to make New York City his home. Whole waiting for his green card, he spent some time in Toronto, where he was part of the premiere cast of The Lion King ACTOR | 36

HOW TO REACH US

EE RY FR IVE L DE

Arctic life is everything she’d ever hoped for Long fascinated with the North, former Elmira woman finds living there has exceeded her expectations Former Elmira resident Kelly Kamo McHugh has spent the last two years in the Northwest Territories working and enjoying the great outdoors. She notes seeing the Northern Lights and Arctic wildlife as some of the best parts of life up north. [SUBMITTED]

WHITNEY NEILSON LIVING 200 KILOMETRES NORTH of the Arctic Circle – where the sun doesn’t set for two months of the year, and where it doesn’t appear for all of December – is a dream come true for former Elmira resident Kelly Kamo McHugh. She moved to Inuvik in March of 2014 and soon secured employment with the Northwest Territories government as an environmental technician. “I’ve always wanted to live in the Arctic. I’ve always been really fascinated by it and I knew that one day I would want to eventually live up here once I’m done school. The opportunity arose so I took it,” Kamo McHugh said. She’s putting her environmental science degree from the University of Guelph to good use, working on a highway project where she monitors the water and soil, and takes ground temperature measurements to monitor the permafrost along the road. This means she’s outside a lot of the time, which is just how she likes it. She’s been given a lot more responsibility than she would

have if she were working elsewhere. “I get asked to do tasks that I’ve never done before or that I normally would not be qualified to do down south, but as long as you are willing to try and put effort into learning new things, then you can gain extensive work experience,” she said. As can be expected, it took some time to adjust to the subarctic climate. “My first weekend there was a Muskrat Jamboree Festival and we were waiting on the ice road for one of the events to start and I just remember that was the coldest I’ve ever been.

I think it was only minus-40 with the wind chill, but I was like, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to be able to last if I can’t even survive this one day,’” she laughs. “Eventually I got used to it. As long as you dress for the weather you’re okay.” She’s travelled to Tuktoyaktuk and Aklavik since making the move up north. Both communities can only be driven to in the winter when the ice road is open. Despite being more than 6,000 kilometres from where she grew up, she says there are plenty of commonalities between Inuvik and Elmira. “Growing up in Elmira I

find is very similar to living in Inuvik. It’s a really small town, you can walk everywhere, you go down the street and see a bunch of people that you know, everyone’s really friendly,” she said. When she was preparing to go to Inuvik two years ago she didn’t know anyone who lived there, but as soon as she started telling people where she was moving they would share their stories and people they had known, either friends or family that had moved up there and loved it. She said this only made her even more exARCTIC | 6

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4 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

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Construction officially began on the MennoHomes Elmira affordable housing project last Friday as politicians and community supporters came out to turn some soil and provide an update of fundraising efforts. [WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER] FROM | COVER

get their funding together from the region, through the province and the federal government last fall, they had to put together an affordable housing survey to identify and quantify the need here in Elmira. They received about 150 responses and out of those, 99 of them would have qualified for affordable housing according to the region’s wait list. Also, 75 of them had incomes under $30,000 a year, and 40 of those had incomes under $20,000 a year. “So we often look around and say this is a very prosperous community and it is, but within that prosperity there are certainly needs that need to be responded to as well,” Driedger said. It’s often noted how this will be the only apartment building in town with an elevator. He says that’s crucial. “One in five falls causes a serious injury as broken bones or a head injury. More than 95 per cent of hip fractures are caused by falling and falling on stairways. Falls remain the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations among Canadian seniors and between 20 and 30 per cent of seniors fall at least once a year,” Driedger said. The building will include 25 one-, two-, and threebedroom units. About 40 per cent of them will be sin-

gle mature women, which they noticed was a large need from the survey. There will be families too because some who responded to the survey expressed they or someone in their family had mobility issues and nowhere to move to accommodate that. Regional chair Ken Seiling explained the region was delegated the authority for housing back in 2000, which allowed them to consolidate funding from various levels of government and work with partners in the community because the days of governments building housing projects by themselves are long gone. “Without people like MennoHomes these things wouldn’t be happening, so I just want to say thanks for the great work you’re doing,” Seiling said. Kitchener-Conestoga MP Harold Albrecht noted he was involved with MennoHomes through his church even before he went into politics. “What I liked particularly about MennoHomes is they don’t just put up a building and give you the keys and walk away. They actually help and walk with the people that are going to be occupying those homes and help them through many of the transitions,” Albrecht said. His provincial counter-

part in the riding, MPP Michael Harris, thanked the countless volunteers who’ve been busy campaigning for the project. “Our community here in Woolwich is extremely generous. There’s a lot of significant projects that have made our community great and here is another example of one,” Harris said. Mayor Sandy Shantz said the township is excited about the partnership and noted how it was just two years ago they were doing the groundbreaking for the new WCS building next door. “This is a very giving community and I think that’s why we have the things that we do and that’s why we’re going to have this great housing facility,” Shantz said. WCS executive director Don Harloff extended his gratitude to MennoHomes for partnering with them on the project so they could share the cost of the property. “We arrive at this day with deep gratitude for the journey we’ve been on together with many of you. ... This is a realization of a deep and beautiful dream that we’re continuing to unfold together,” said MennoHomes board chair Margaret Nally. Anyone interested in donating can visit www.mennohomes.com/elmira.

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Hart Haessler from Brampton shows off some of his handicrafts at the Family Festival at the Woolwich Memorial Centre on Apr. 16. [LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER]

NEWS | 5

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Woolwich will bring the noise The sound of sirens will be a regular occurrence if you live in Breslau, Elmira or St. Jacobs, as the township test of the systems in those communities. Part of Woolwich’s Community Alert Network (CAN) program, the sirens will be tested in Elmira on May 11 at 9:30 a.m., in Breslau May 12 at 9:30 a.m. and St. Jacobs May 13 at 11 a.m. After those dates, the siren will be tested every Saturday at noon in Elmira and every second Monday evening at 7 p.m., for 15 to 30 seconds

in Breslau and St. Jacobs. If residents hear the siren outside this specified timeframe and for longer than 15-30 seconds, they are asked to go indoors, take shelter-in-place, keep their phone lines open and wait for the CAN message. The purpose of the siren testing is to couple it with the Township’s Community Alerting Network (CAN) system in order to alert residents of potential or real emergencies such as major fires, chemical releases or severe weather events. Along with the sirens, the system provides an information message via residents’ home telephone or cell phone.

Housing sales, prices up in April Residential sales through the Multiple Listing System (MLS) of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors were up again in April. There were 667 properties sold in the area, a 9.5% increase compared to April of 2015, and a 19.3% increase compared to the five-year average for the month of April. At 2,019, home sales year-to-date were 18.8% above last year’s total for the same period and 18.4% above the five-year average. Monthly sales in

April stand as the highest on record. While sales activity has been strong, the number of active residential listings on the system at the end of April was 1,272, 29.4% fewer listings compared to the same period last year. April’s sales included 427 singledetached homes (up 2.6%) and 161 condominium type units (up 42.5%) which include any property regardless of style (ie. semis, townhomes, apartment, detached etc). Sales also included 41 semi-detached homes (up 24.2%) and 33 freehold townhouses (down 28.3%). The average sale price of all residential sales increased 2.9% to $367,444 compared to April

2015. Single-detached style homes sold for an average price of $424,552 an increase of 5.7% compared to last year. The average sale price for an apartment-style condominium was $226,240, an increase of 2.3%. Townhouses and semis sold for an average of $271,661 (up 0.6%) and $283,201 (up 3.0%) respectively.

Public Education and Awareness – Public Sector and Utilities award for its Restaurant and Business Certification Program. The program uses a point system to give local restaurants and businesses credit for water conservation activities they perform at their site. Once they accumulate enough points, they are awarded the water efficiency certification. In 2015, five local restaurants were certified. With the expanded program, certifications are expected to double in 2016. The award was presented Tuesday at the OWWA’s annual conference in Windsor.

Water award for region

Conservation efforts paid off on the awards front, as the Region of Waterloo this week won the Ontario Water Works Association (OWWA)’s

POLICE BLOTTER

Police issue warning about text message secret shopper scam POLICE ARE WARNING ABOUT the recent resurfacing of what they’re calling the “secret shopper scam” following an incident involving a Perth County woman. The resident received a text message informing her that she was selected to become a mystery shopper. The scam has evolved from sending letters advising unsuspecting individuals that they have been selected to become mystery shoppers, to now sending text messages. As a result of the text message the resident signed up to become a mystery shopper. She received a letter in the mail with an enclosed cheque for $2,480.58. The letter stated that as part of her assignment she was to keep $400 from this amount and use the rest to wire funds through a popular wire transfer service at a local location. The assignment explained that she was to evaluate this company. This would be done by rating the time it took for the cashier to conclude the transaction, cleanliness and convenience of the premises, mannerism of the cashier and general customer satisfaction. This assignment was as a result of complaints received

from customers about poor service at the local location. The resident completed the first task and sent a number of money transfers as instructed, to a third party in England. Within a half an hour of completing the task she spoke to a family member and explained what she had done, and how easy she was able to earn money. The family member recognized this to be a scam and told the resident to immediately contact the money transfer company about this suspected fraud. The money transfer company was able to stop the payment and return the funds to the resident. The resident will be hearing back from her bank within the next few days that the cheque she deposited is counterfeit. Fortunately the resident is not out any money. This is an old scam that is now using text messaging. Police are urging everyone to use common sense and think, “Is this too good to be true?” Anyone interested in more information on fraud can contact the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre at 1-888495-8501 or you can check online at www.antifraudcentre.ca.

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Barn fire quickly extinguished Fire crews from Elmira and Floradale were called to a report of a fire in a barn wall at a 19 Side Road residence in Yatton on the morning of Apr. 28. The barn is home to cattle and they were unharmed. Firefighters used chainsaws and axes to open the wall up and doused it with water to ensure the fire was out. [WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER]

APRIL 24

12:00 PM | An OPP officer on patrol along the Perth Oxford Road near Tavistock stopped a westbound Hyundai motor vehicle for speeding. The vehicle had been observed travelling at a high rate of speed; radar clocked it at 133 km/h, 53 km/h above the posted 80 km/h zone. As a result, a 23-year-old Tavistock man was issued a summons for ‘race a motor vehicle.’ His driver’s licence was seized and has been suspended for a period of seven days. His vehicle was towed from the scene and has been impounded for a week. He is to appear in Stratford Court on May 24 to answer to the charge. APRIL 27

10:50 AM | Wellington County OPP received a call regard-

ing a serious collision involving two vehicles on Wellington County Road in the Town of Minto. A 26-year-old woman from the Town of Minto, the driver of a 2004 Toyota, suffered serious injuries. She was taken to a Hamilton hospital by air ambulance. Her passenger, a 69-year-old Town of Minto woman, was treated at a local hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the second vehicle, a 60-year-old Minden Hills man in a 2001 Honda, suffered minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital. APRIL 28

4:00 PM | Waterloo Regional Police, along with Ministry of Transportation, conducted a commercial motor vehicle enforcement initiative at Nafzinger Road and Snyder’s Road East, with the focus on commercial

vehicle safety and wellbeing of other motorists on the regional roads in the New Hamburg area. During the initiative, six commercial vehicles were stopped and full mechanical inspections were conducted. Four vehicles were taken out of service for major defects. A total of 18 charges were laid. Infractions included defective brakes, leaking wheel seals, broken suspensions, worn out tires, and drivers driving with excessive hours of service, and not completing proper inspections of their vehicles. Three of the six vehicles were towed from the site to be repaired. APRIL 30

1:00 PM | An OPP officer stopped a driver for disobeying the stop sign in Monkton. The 38-yearold female driver was charged for

that offence, while the 38-year-old male passenger was charged under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act with having a lighted tobacco product in a motor vehicle while another person less than 16 years old was present. The occupants of the motor vehicle were all residents of the Municipality of North Perth. M AY 1

3:30 PM | An OPP officer pulled over a car on Perth Line 86 east of Listowel for ‘racing.’ The vehicle speed was clocked at 132 km/h in a posted 80 km/h zone. An 18-year-old Township of Perth East man was issued a summons to appear in Stratford Court. His car was impounded for a week and his driver’s licence was seized, suspended for a period of seven days.

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6 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

ARCTIC: There’s plenty of beauty to be found in the unspoiled nature of Canada’s far north FROM | 3

Here, Kelly Kamo McHugh looks at the pingos located in Tuktoyaktuk, earth-covered ice formations that she often flies over. Below is a photo she captured of the annual reindeer migration. [SUBMITTED] She says driving on the But the positives definiteand she wasn’t even tired. exist in areas of permafrost. ice road is another interestly outweigh the negatives. “You totally lose track of The second largest pingo in ing part of northern life. She Her number one hightime during the summer the world is located in Tuknever thought she’d be able light so far is being able to and don’t need as much toyaktuk, titled Ibyuk. to say she drove on a river. see the Northern Lights. sleep, because you have so When asked about any And on a clear day you can “They’re absolutely inmuch energy from the sun,” challenges to living in look straight down and see credible, better than I ever she said. Inuvik, she says adjusting fish swimming along. imagined and it’s just crazy Something that did take to the total darkness in DeShe’s also proud of the that they’re just right over some getting used to is the cember is one. community greenhouse top of our town. If there’s amount of bugs in the sumFor two months of the there which has about 90 a clear night in the winter mer. She says she’d never summer, it’s midnight sun plots where people can seen so many bugs before in you’ll be able to see them. season, which means the grow their own vegetables I can’t even describe beher life. When she’s outside sun doesn’t set. While some for the summer. It’s located ing able to see them dance collecting water samples people have trouble sleepin the old hockey arena. across the sky while you’re she wears a bug net because ing, she says often she’d be Despite being in town she in minus-30 degree weathshe prefers not to use bug busy and look at the clock, can walk 10 minutes outside er,” she said. spray. not realizing it was 2 a.m.

and be in the wilderness. And there are plenty of ways to enjoy it from canoeing in the summer to snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and skiing in the winter. With that, she’s seen wildlife she’d never see in Elmira, like bears, caribou, wolves, moose, and ptarmigan. And nothing beats watching the reindeer migration. “Every year they move from their winter location to their summer location. You can actually watch them cross the ice road to their summer location. I’ve seen it three times now and it’s absolutely incredible. The first time I saw it was my first weekend up in Inuvik and I knew it would be the best place if I got to see stuff like that,” she said. With two years of northern life under her belt, she plans to stay in Inuvik for at least another year. She’d also like to live in the Yukon and Iqaluit. “I feel like I’m not ready to leave Inuvik yet. I love it here.” To see more photos of life in Inuvik, check out her Instagram account, @kellyface__.

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cited to go, except for obvious worries about the cold. “I was really nervous about my first winter here. I didn’t know how it would go. As long as you stay active and stay involved then you’ll be okay,” she said. Anyone moving up north should keep an open mind when they arrive, she advises. Formalities can be very different than what they’re used to, but it just takes time to adjust. She attributes much of her desire to live in the Canadian Arctic to its unique landscape. “I’ve always thought that whenever I’d seen photos or videos of the Arctic it’s just the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen, so I just wanted to be able to see that and experience that northern life myself. And also I’m really interested in northern and Inuit art, so just the culture is really what appealed to me as well,” she said. The landscape has lived up to her expectations. She often flies over pingos for work in a helicopter and she’s hiked to them three times. Pingos are earthcovered ice hills which only

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NEWS | 7

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

‘Tis the season for hitting the trail Local volunteers gearing up for the annual Spring on the Trail event that stretches from Guelph to Goderich

Spring on the Trail organizers are encouraging communities across the Guelph to Goderich Rail Trail to get out and use it next weekend for their annual outing, which aims to connect communities and raise some funds for the trail. [SUBMITTED] and they potentially have funding from provincial and regional governments. “It’s all predicated on grassroots funding. So that’s what the Spring on the Trail is really all about, is building bridges, connecting communities. And if we can get the grassroots funding going on some of these big bridges then we can come in with matching dollars from the other organizations and other government bodies,” Cerson said. They’re also putting in a bridge this fall in Blyth, which has already been funded. He says these bridges are in strategic spots where the trail gets interrupted.

“We’re really just trying to be good community members that think that somebody from the village of Monkton, Ontario should be able to cycle up or walk up to Linwood, Ontario and find their way in Elmira, just like the original rail line was supposed to accomplish moving people between places,” Cerson said. He says it’s important to know that 99 per cent of donations to G2G go right back to the trailway, so people can feel good about donating to the cause. He also commends local groups like the Lions Club, the Bridge Keepers group in West Montrose and the

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home to Guelph. Many took it to heart. They’ll come out and ride the roundtrip 90 kilometres from Guelph to Millbank. When they raise general monies such as at Spring on the Trail they try to support the smaller communities along the trail. He says some of the money will be used for trail resurfacing in Linwood. They’re also working on campaigns for bridges right now, including the bridge over the Grand River in West Montrose and the bridge that goes over the Wallenstein connection at the feed mill over the Conestogo River. Those are going to be $1 million projects

PIECE

AS SEASONAL WEATHER SEEMS here to stay, organizers of the annual Spring on the Trail are once again encouraging communities to hit the trails next weekend. Well, every weekend, for that matter. Spring on the Trail takes place May 14 all along the Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail, or G2G, which spans 127 kilometres from, not coincidentally, Guelph to Goderich. Volunteers will be set up at each trail head in communities along the trail providing information and assistance to participants. The annual outing is a chance for the trail group to encourage engagement and also raise some funds to keep the trails groomed and growing. Doug Cerson, executive director of the G2G Rail Trail, says it’s about more than that though. You can walk, run, hike, or bike it, and it doesn’t matter if you do one kilometre or 10. All that matters is you get out and connect with your community. “We really encourage local business owners to get out and celebrate the trail by challenging their employees or friends and family, service clubs, to come out, the church groups to come out and really create a sense of community at the trail head in their community that day,” Cerson said. Last year was the first

year they expanded to include Goderich and Blyth and expanded their presence in Millbank. An example of how donated dollars are used is the newly installed bridge in Millbank, which was a $70,000 project. He says that was a strong show of support for a small community. “The majority of that $70,000 came from fundraising through Spring on the Trail and other monies from North Perth, as well as the province through their regional tourism program. So all of that money that we were able to bring together was really something that we generated out of the awareness that Spring on the Trail has brought to the G2G and the Kissing Bridge Trailway,” Cerson said. While there’s no definite number of participants from last year’s event, he knows they had roughly 300 to 400 people give donations on the Kissing Bridge Trailway section. “We don’t pressure anybody to stick the money in the can, so to speak. It’s all voluntary donations and it’s all done through people feeling good about having this wonderful green space between Guelph and Goderich,” Cerson said. The trail is particularly popular with cyclists. He says when they first started Spring on the Trail, they’d joke with people to start in Guelph, stop at Anna Mae’s in Millbank for a piece of pie and then ride back

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8 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

JOE MERLIHAN PUBLISHER STEVE KANNON EDITOR

COMMENT

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OUR VIEW / EDITORIAL

THE VIEW FROM HERE

Duffy’s return puts Senate faults back in the spotlight THIRTY-ONE CHARGES DISMISSED IN court late last month, Mike Duffy was back in his Senate seat this week. Perhaps more importantly to him, he was back on the public payroll – senators will be paid $145,400 this year. Money has been central to Duffy’s tenure in the Red Chamber. Since his 2008 appointment by former prime minister Stephen Harper, Duffy was a ceaseless promoter and fundraiser for the Conservatives, parlaying his fame and contacts as a television journalist into cash for the party coffers. Money was also central in the scandals Duffy became embroiled in, from questionable expense claims – his primary residence in PEI vs. his longtime home in Ottawa, his per diems and meals, valid Senate expenses vs. Conservative party partisanship – to the notable $90,000 payment from Harper’s chief of staff Nigel Wright. In the same vein, we’ll be watching to see if there’s any effort to reimburse Duffy for some $270,000 in lost wages since he was suspended from the Senate in late-2013. Though the criminal charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery against the senator were dismissed, the Conservatives could maintain the suspension predated the charges, and was related to Duffy’s conduct. The ruling by Ontario Court Justice Charles Vaillancourt upheld Duffy’s contention that he had done nothing wrong, that his housing claims and the Wright repayment were forced on him by the party. Duffy’s trial was most notable for shining a light on the sordid goings-on of a government that claimed to be all about transparency and honesty yet acted in exactly the opposite manner. Canadians were treated, if that’s the right word, to revelations of the grubby power-mongering in the PMO, which seemed to trump Duffy’s misdeeds. At this point, the focus moves to Senate reform, the kind introduced by Justin Trudeau perhaps in reaction to the woeful example set by Duffy and his colleagues Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau. While calls for the abolition of the Senate increased as the news became more tawdry, that idea was and is something of a nonstarter. In opposition, Trudeau did away with party affiliation, though changes have been slow to come. Scandals and lack of effectiveness aside, it costs Canadians something in the area of $95 million a year to keep the 105 senators in the lifestyle to which they’re accustomed. Aside from being undemocratic, unaccountable, illegitimate and unnecessary, the Senate is stacked with people who clearly aren’t required to show ethical behaviour, let alone acting as a sober second thought. The Senate Ethics Officer has been the opposite of effective, in part due to a lack of independence. Rather, the office is under the control of a committee of senators. Still, violations of Senate ethics rules are not penalized in any way, and the rules do not require senators to be honest, and allow senators to make decisions even if they have a financial interest in the outcome (as long as the decision applies generally to a broad group of people or organizations). Moreover, conflicts of interest that senators have are not made public unless a senate committee approves it; senators can accept the gift of unlimited travel, even from lobbyists; and senators may sit on the boards of businesses and so they can be essentially inside-government lobbyists for those businesses. Mike Duffy may be the poster child for what’s wrong with the Senate, but he’s not an isolated example. Changes, if not outright abolition, are clearly needed.

His bacon saved by the court, Mike Duffy headed back to the House of Pork a little bit worse for wear but with plenty of balm courtesy of the taxpayers. WORLD VIEW / GWYNNE DYER

A failed state, Iraq is becoming increasingly dysfunctional WORLD AFFAIRS PROPERTY PRICES IN CENTRAL Baghdad are as high as London’s, even though Iraq’s national income is down by 70 per cent since the collapse in the oil price. Islamic State’s bombs regularly devastate parts of the capital, and still the real estate market booms. Why? Because there is so much “dirty money” in Iraq that needs to be laundered. If you lack the political clout to get your stolen money out of the country, then the safest course is to put it into residential property. Although that’s not a very safe bet either when the entire pseudo-democratic system bequeathed to Iraq by the U.S. invasion is on the brink of collapse. Last weekend’s intrusion into the Green Zone, the vast (10 sq. km) blastwalled government compound in Baghdad, by thousands of angry Iraqis was probably the beginning of the end of the current dispensation in Iraq. After only two days they

left again after delivering an ultimatum calling for wholesale reform of the government, but they vowed to return if it does not happen. It will not happen, and they will be back in the streets soon. Former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, forced from power in 2014 after Islamic State conquered the western half of Iraq, has been plotting a comeback with other parties in parliament. He may not succeed, but he and his allies are certainly able to block the passage of most measures they do not like. The cement binding Maliki and the other plotters together is their determination to retain the utterly corrupt system that has allowed them to loot the country’s oil wealth for so long. The oil wealth is a great deal less now, but it is still practically Iraq’s only source of income and they have no intention of giving it up. The man who replaced Maliki, President Haider alAbadi, is in relative terms a reformer. He belongs to the same Dawa Party as Maliki and cannot afford to get too far out of touch

with his power base. Nevertheless, almost a year ago he promised that he would replace many of his cabinet members, drawn from the various parties in the ruling coalition, with “technocrats” who would (theoretically) be less likely to steal the government’s money. He couldn’t deliver on his promise, however, because any cabinet changes have to be approved by parliament. None of the parties there were willing to give up their own cabinet ministers, and with it their ability to divert the government’s cash flow into their own pockets. Three times Abadi’s proposed reforms were rejected by parliament. It was after the last time, in April, that Moqtada al-Sadr, a populist cleric with a big following among Baghdad’s multitudinous Shia poor, ordered the invasion of the fortified Green Zone. That did force parliament to approve five of Abadi’s cabinet changes, and more will probably follow. But changing the figureheads in the government ministries will not end the

looting of public funds, which permeates the system from top to bottom. Indeed, you might say that corruption is the system in Iraq. Like several other oilrich countries, Iraq distributes some of the cash-flow to the citizens by means of paying them to do nonjobs. Most of the rest is stolen by the 25,000 or so people who hold senior administrative, political or military positions, leaving a small amount for public works. There are seven million government employees in Iraq – in other words, a large majority of the adult male population – and most of them do little or no work. Indeed, some of them don’t even exist, like the “ghost soldiers” whose pay is collected by their officers. Collectively they were paid around $4 billion a month, which was all right when monthly oil income was up around $6 billion. The oil revenue is now down to $2 billion a month. The Central Bank has been making up the difference DYER | 10

COMMENT | 9

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

THEIR VIEW / QUESTION OF THE WEEK

How are you going to make Mother’s Day special for your mom?

» Mitchell Krasovec

» Hunter Brown

» Kayo Schmitt

“Giving her lots of hugs and kisses.”

“Getting her presents, flowers.”

“We’re going to make breakfast in bed and get “I’m going to make sure I’m really good and her lots of chocolate.” maybe get her a gift and make her feel special.”

» Riley DeLong

» McKayla Germann “Make her a card.”

“All this talk about the Iraqi army driving Islamic State back is just hot air.” Gwynne Dyer | 8 HIS VIEW / STEVE KANNON

Trump, refugee crisis in Europe put the spotlight on immigration issues EDITOR'S NOTES NOT OFFICIALLY BILINGUAL, THE U.S. southwest is nonetheless much more so than is the case here in Canada. Spanish is much more prevalent – signs, advertising, product labels and, most notably, in everyday speech – than French is anywhere in this country outside of Quebec. The reason is simple: immigrants, legal or otherwise, and day workers abound. It’s no surprise, then, that Donald Trump and, more generally, the presidential debates were a hot topic during my recent swing through that part of the U.S. Immigration has long been a divisive issue in America, particularly in the border states, but when a would-be leader talks of expulsions and building a wall along the Mexican border – at Mexico’s expense, no less – things do get a bit more heated. Always simmering, the issue is boiling over in

much the same way as the Muslim migration concerns have reached panic levels in Europe. Subject to neither of those large-scale influxes, Canada nevertheless has problems of its own, some related to intake of Muslims but generally with a growing unease with shifting demographics, the result of more than two decades of some of the highest per capita levels of immigration. When reports such as the one released this week by federal Auditor-General Michael Ferguson outline problems with the immigration screening process, the flame burns a little hotter underneath the simmering pot. More than 260,000 people became Canadian citizens – the largest number ever, more than twice what the country saw in 2013, for instance. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is responsible for making sure that every person who is granted citizenship meets the eligibility requirements, but that goal is not always met, Ferguson’s report notes. He determined that dozens

HOW TO REACH US

ship program and did not verify that the measures it implemented to detect and prevent fraud were working as intended,” the report notes. “We found that some important controls designed to help citizenship officers identify and act on fraud risks were not consistently applied. We also found that the Department was not reliably receiving from its partners – the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canada Border Services Agency – important information on criminal charges and potential residency fraud that citizenship officers need to make informed decisions about granting citizenship.” These holes in the system are important because it’s almost impossible to strip someone of citizenship once it’s granted – we’re much better off to prevent them from becoming citizens, or even entering the country, in the first place. While Canada has done a better job of integrating newcomers into its population than the U.S. and European countries, many

of the problems there could easily surface here. Now’s the time to nip it in the bud. That probably means drastically curtailing, or even halting, this country’s unsustainably high levels of immigration. Canada currently admits 250,000 immigrants a year, the highest per capita level in the world. Government officials, however, can provide no good reason for doing so. The failures of the current system are obvious. Economically, new immigrants cost us far more than they add to the economy – estimates range from $10 billion to $30 billion, depending on how keen critics are to bolster their case. Yet we continue to hear that unsustainably high immigration levels are needed to offset an aging population or to counter declining birthrates or to provide skilled workers or to provide people to do work Canadians don’t want to do … and the list goes on. Few of the economic arguments stand up to scrutiny – just ask anyone trying to buy a house in

Toronto or Vancouver, for instance. Worst still are the impacts to our culture and social cohesion. That topic, however, is a political hot potato, rife with accusations of racism, which stifles debate. While maintaining high numbers, the previous Harper government changed some rules to bolster more economically viable immigrants, a process that met some resistance from those with an financial stake in the burgeoning industry that suckles at the teat of unrestrained access. The new government is looking to loosen things up again. Still, it’s hard to deny the majority of immigrants don’t meet the alreadyweak economic rationale for immigrants: the need for skilled workers who already speak one of our two official languages. In fact, only 17 per cent of immigrants fit that bill. Another 26 per cent are the immediate family members – spouse and children – of those imKANNON | 10

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and perhaps hundreds of fraudsters and suspected criminals were sworn in as citizens. The three most common reasons for revoking citizenship are fraud related to residency, identity, or undeclared criminal proceedings. Residency fraud involves pretending to live in Canada to maintain permanent resident status and meet residency requirements for citizenship. In 2012, the department issued a public warning that nearly 11,000 individuals had been linked to residency fraud investigations, the report points out. Problems abound, with the system rife to be gamed by people who have no business being here. Trouble is, there’s no clear process in place to identify and weed out fraudsters, says the Auditor-General. “We found that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada was not adequately detecting and preventing fraud in the citizenship program. The department did not have a systematic method of identifying and documenting fraud risks in the citizen-

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10 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

THE MONITOR

VERBATIM

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

Amidst several high-profile sexual assault cases over the past year that challenged the credibility of women that report sexual assault, a new study reveals that two-thirds of Canadians (67%) believe the majority of sexual assault claims are true. Timed with the launch of the annual May-long Campaign to End Violence, the survey also indicates that both women (75%) and men (59%) tend to believe those who come forward are telling the truth.

“Canada ranks near or at the bottom on most of the nine indicators we used to assess environmental performance. While some of Canada’s poor grades can be explained by our large land mass, cold climate and resource-intensive economy, the results clearly indicate that the environmental challenges are significant and we have a long way to go towards improving our comparative environmental performance.”

Worried groundwater decontamination efforts are moving too slowly, the township wants an Elmira chemical company to do more. It’s also calling on the provincial government to step up to help protect Woolwich’s interests. To that end, council passed a resolution requesting the Ministry of the Environment press Chemtura to remove contaminated source material in order to meet the 2028 timeline for remediation of the aquifers under Elmira.

» Canadian Women’s Foundation

» Louis Theriault, public policy vice-president with the Conference Board of Canada,

» From the May 5, 2012 edition of The Observer

points out why Canada received a “D” grade in an environmental assessment of 16 countries in which it placed 14th

DYER: Plenty goes undone as

NATIONAL VIEW

Iraqi gov’t attention drifts away

FROM | 8

from its reserves, but those are now running low. The system is about to go bankrupt and the economic crisis is now more urgent and more dangerous than the military confrontation with Islamic State, but that does not seem clear to many of the major players in Iraq’s dysfunctional political system. It is so dysfunctional that little is being done even to repair the Mosul Dam, which requires constant work on its foundations if it is not to break and drown Mosul, four

hours downstream, under a 24-metre-high wave. The wave would be much lower when it reached Baghdad two days later, but it would still be big enough to wreck property values for a long time to come. All this talk about the Iraqi army driving Islamic State back is just hot air. The only Iraqi military advances have happened under the cover of massive U.S. air strikes, and the government’s own attention is elsewhere. So, increasingly, is that of the population. But Islamic State is still paying attention.

KANNON: Festering issue isn’t

going away any time soon FROM | 9

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migrants, although they, too, are lumped into the economic class, which officially makes up about 60 per cent of immigrants. That class also includes “business” immigrants, the kind that come here to open businesses, typically small ones that pay poorly rather than the occasional splashy ones governments like to trot out for public consumption. The numbers are obvi-

ously padded to hide the fact that more than fourfifths of immigrants – including the 13 per cent who come as refugees – don’t contribute to the economy, but in fact draw far more social services than they provide in tax revenue. The economics are already dubious, but as we can see in Donald Trump’s America and Angela Merkel’s Europe, is the clash of cultures that will prove the most divisive and, ultimately, harmful.

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PUBLIC MEETING Elmira Pump is redeveloping the property located at 84 Howard Avenue, Elmira, Ontario. Peritus Environmental Consultants Inc. is conducting a risk assessment in accordance with O.Reg.153/04, as amended, and is required to provide public notice of its findings. This assessment has revealed that the soil and groundwater contain trace levels of contaminants with negligible human health and ecological risks. On Thursday May 19, 2016 at 7 pm a public meeting will be held at the Township of Woolwich Administration Building, Council Chambers 2nd Floor, 24 Church St., W., Elmira, Ontario. You are invited to attend this public meeting for additional information.

SPORTS | 11

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

SPORTS NOT SO GREAT OUTDOORSMAN / STEVE GALEA

TRACK & FIELD / HIGH SCHOOL

Sitting down to discuss the new normal OPEN COUNTRY

girls’ high jump. EDSS had a fourth-place finish in the boys’ 4 x 800m relay. There are 47 students on the team this year, a slight increase in participation from previous years. She says many of them are Grade 9s or seniors this year. “We’ve been practicing for awhile. We’re finally getting to go outside, which TRACK | 15

GALEA | 12

[WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER]

EDSS battles at Track Wars

Track and field team puts together a good day at annual meet in Cambridge

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because they couldn’t run all the events that day, instead of doing a 200 and a 400. Three hundred metres is an unconventional race but that’s why they offered that one to try to settle the difference between the two events,” Douglas explained. Read also came fifth in the senior boys’ 100m dash. Danielle Weber finished third in the junior girls’ high jump. Sonya Wideman earned fourth in the senior

th

So it gets them just a little bit ready for WCSSAA,” Douglas said. A handful of athletes from the EDSS team earned second place finishes. These include Lizzy Klosa in the midget girls’ 100-metre dash, Savannah Campbell in the senior girls’ 300m dash, Emily Willms in the senior girls’ javelin throw, and Owen Read in the senior boys’ 300m dash. “They ran a 300-metre

Ar

CHILLY TEMPERATURES AND NEARLY 2,000 competitors didn’t stop Elmira District Secondary School’s track and field team from coming away with some top finishes at the annual Track Wars held Apr. 29 at Jacob Hespeler Secondary School in Cambridge. Athletes from 49 schools spent the day running, jumping and throwing to test their merits early in

the track season. EDSS track and field coach Lisa Douglas says the team is happy with their results and excited about the regional competition, WCSSAA coming up next week. “It was a great event for them to get exposure to the events that they want to try at WCSSAA. It was an excellent way for them to get exposed to what’s to come because the meets have been pretty informal so far.

W al ke

WHITNEY NEILSON

r St

Logan Cressman jumped 4.62 metres in the senior boys’ long jump. He was one of 47 athletes from EDSS who competed in Track Wars at JHSS last week.

SOMETIMES THE STORIES THAT pass as news on the Internet are patently ridiculous. One that immediately comes to mind is a story I browsed right by this morning. The headline for this little gem read, What is the normal amount of times to poop each day? Suffice it to say, I do not have an online subscription to The New Yorker or The Financial Post. Of course, I never did read this piece of drivel simply because its premise makes no sense at all. There is no normal. Anyone who has ever spent time in the outdoors knows that. In my experience at least, what’s normal depends on the activity and the ability of the camp cook. Here’s a clear example of what I mean. Let’s say I am walking out of the woods alone in pitch black after leaving a very active bear bait. Suddenly, I hear a snap of a twig behind me and a growl; then a growl in front of me and a couple to each side. This is followed by rapid, heavy footfalls coming right at me as branches snap and teeth gleam in the moonlight. In a situation like that, I

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12 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

OUT GETTING INTO THEIR STRIDE FOR WOOLWICH CANCER FUNDRAISER

The Cousins Combating Cancer team gets amped up for the Great Ride ‘n’ Stride event in Woolwich on Apr. 24 (left). Members of the Inspired by Sarah team were asked to cut the ribbon, starting out the race, but before riders and striders took to the streets, they warmed up with a bit of calisthetics. [LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER]

GALEA: Getting the poop on what it means to be normal when it comes to getting a move on FROM | 11

guarantee I will have upped the national daily poop average by a fair bit – all the way to the truck, in fact. Given the situation, I’d say that is quite normal, too. Now, let’s take the same bear-hunting situation but this time turn it around. The sun has dropped past the horizon, it’s no longer legal shooting time; I’m about to

come down from my tree stand with gun or bow cased. Suddenly, a huge bear comes in and won’t leave the bait site. To make matters worse, our camp cook goes by the nickname of Greasy and nature is calling, screaming actually. Worse still, no matter how I try to scare the bear away, it simply won’t leave. There’s nothing for me to do but clench tight and

hold it all in while I wait out that bear. Clearly, in this case, the number of poops taken in the day goes down substantially. Yet, that too is quite normal, given the circumstances. I think you see what I’m getting at. I have not done, and will not do, any detailed fact checking on this, but I would still feel confident

arguing there is no normal. Here’s another bit of proof. Consider, if you will, a couple of birdwatchers on a canoe trip. You might guess that the normal daily number of poops for people in this situation is one or two – and that would be a reasonable guess. Until, that is, those same distracted canoeists find themselves surprised by a stretch of Class VI white

water. Then clearly, the number increases. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I rest my case. I guess that’s the difference between some online news site and the old school newspapers I prefer to read. Good newspapers have real journalists and editors who look for real facts and stories with substance. They leave the silly, frivolous things to people like me.

Most online news sites, however, look for stories that are essentially the literary version of train wrecks. And they do it to get you to click on the site. Then, they leverage those clicks into advertising dollars. And the good newspapers have to compete against this. Like it or not, that I suppose, is the new normal. And, as you can see, very often it’s a pile of crap.

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SPORTS | 13

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Saturday’s car show kicks off series of fundraisers for new Woolwich Sun Rays hockey team WHITNEY NEILSON WITH THEIR FIRST SEASON on the books, the Woolwich Sun Rays are already in preparation for the fall, hosting a car show fundraiser this Saturday to ease the burden of registration fees for their players. Co-founder Diane Bauman MacLachlan says the idea to hold a car show came from their head coach, Chris Thompson. He operates Thompson’s Auto Tech in Elmira, where the event is being held. “It does take money, sponsorship and donations from organizations in this community to keep our team going. We subsidize the registration because

there are players who range from age six and up. They don’t have funds as the typical hockey player does, so we’re trying to make it possible for everyone to be on a team,” Bauman MacLachlan said. They’re also going to be holding more fundraisers over the next year to help send the team to the Special Hockey International tournament in Peterborough. The tournament will be held over March Break in 2017. “Some of our players have never played an away tournament, so this will be an exciting time for them,” Bauman MacLachlan said. She says their first season was “phenomenal, with

12 players and 25 volunteers. “We were actually quite special in that situation where a lot of organizations are having difficulties getting volunteers, and this year we had 25. It’s been a special year from the moment we started the team right up until now. We’re looking forward to more players in the fall as well,” Bauman MacLachlan said. There’s been increased interest in the team in the last two months of their season where more people are saying they think they’ll be ready to join in the fall. If everyone who’s expressed interest signs up they could go from 12 to 20 players.

She notes some of their players went from not knowing how to skate when the season started to being able to do it on their own within a matter of weeks. “From the moment we stepped on the ice in September until March there was a huge improvement in every player on our team. Part of that is the volunteers. We had a lot of

support by volunteers. So when it was required we did have one-on-one as the year went on.” At Saturday’s event, the Optimist Club of Elmira will be running a barbeque, Cowboy Up is providing the music, and magician Michael Francis will entertain the crowd. The car entry fee is $10 per car. She’s estimating around 100 cars will be on

display if the weather forecast holds up. “We’re just very gracious that the community has had outpouring support for us this year from donors to volunteers and the players,” she said. The Woolwich Sun Rays are holding their Car Show Fundraiser at Thompson’s Auto Tech at 30 Oriole Pkwy. E. in Elmira this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. XXXXXXXX | xx

We need your input! The Woolwich Sun Rays are holding their first car show this Saturday in Elmira to raise funds for the players to ease the cost of registration. This is one of the cars that will be part of the show at Thompson’s Auto Tech. [WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER]

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE BUSINESS LICENSING AND MOBILE FOOD VENDOR BY-LAW

The Region of Waterloo is developing a plan which will help guide the future of the Region of Waterloo International Airport for the next 20 years. Come to our first Public Information Centre to learn more about the Airport, the Master Plan project and provide your feedback. This is the first of two public information sessions that will be scheduled. Event: Date: Location:

Airport Master Plan Public Information Centre Wednesday May 25, 2016 Waterloo Region Museum 10 Huron Road, Kitchener 4 – 8 p.m. Airport Overview Presentations at: 5 & 7 p.m.

This is to advise that the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Wellesley will be receiving public input on a draft by-law concerning business licensing and mobile food vendors within the Township of Wellesley. A draft by-law will be posted on the Township website as soon as it is available at www.wellesley.ca.

Times:

Public input will be received at a Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 7th, 2016 at 6:45pm at the Township of Wellesley Council Chambers, 4805 William Hastings Line, Crosshill. The public are encouraged to attend and provide comments concerning this matter. If you wish to provide written comments please submit them to the undersigned by no later than May 31st, 2016.

Under the Municipal Act, personal information such as name, address, telephone number, and property location that may be included in a submission becomes part of the public record. Questions regarding the collection of this information should be referred to the Region of Waterloo International Airport at 519-648-2256.

Grace Kosch, Clerk 4639 Lobsinger Line, St. Clements, Ontario N0B 2M0 gkosch@wellesley.ca

For more information visit: www.waterlooairport.ca/masterplan If you require accessibility assistance to participate in this event please contact us in advance at: 519-648-2256 or TTY: 519-575-4608.

14 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

EDSS boys’ slo-pitch team earns a W to start out Coach has high hopes for a Lancers squad that has been strong for the last four years LIZ BEVAN THE SPRING SEASON IS off to a winning start for the Elmira District Secondary School’s boys’ slo-pitch team. The squad faced off against Galt Collegiate at the Lions Optimist Park in Kitchener on Tuesday afternoon, swinging their way to an 8-6 victory. EDSS won it all a couple of years ago, and came close the last two years. Head coach Alex Derma says the boys have a big reputation to live up to this year. “Last year, we lost in the finals, so we have had some pretty good years in the past. We have made it to the finals for the past four years,” he said ahead of the team’s first game on Tuesday afternoon. “We lost the semis, won the championship, lost in the finals and lost in the finals. We have had a pretty good run, so we are expecting some pretty big things for the team.” The Lancers are made up of a lot of younger players this year, says Derma. However, he believes the

lineup is a strong one. “We did lose a lot of guys from last year. We have a lot of younger guys, but we also have a lot of athletes on our team. We had 50 guys turn out for tryouts for the team, which is a lot of guys for a high school slo-pitch team. We are looking forward to seeing what they can do,” he said. “There are going to be a bit of growing pains to get the young guys caught up to the game of slo-pitch and to get into the gel of the team. We are going to take a little bit of time for that, but at the end of the day, we have a bunch of athletes on the team.” Their goal is to make it as far as they did last year, when the boys’ team lost in the finals, but Derma says they would be happy with a semi-final showing. “Overall, I would say, it depends on who you run into along the way and in

The EDSS boys’ slo-pitch team started off their year with a tick in the win column against Galt Collegiate on Tuesday afternoon. They won the game 8-6. the championship games, but I’d say that at least semifinals is our goal, and then from there, it is whichever team is hot and winning those final games. Then go from there,” he said. Although quite a few players left the team after

graduating, Derma mentioned a few names that would be important to the team’s efforts this season. “Jeremy Schouppe is one. He plays shortstop for us. Connor Bauman is another one. He is in his last year of high school and he

is a third baseman. Colin Wideman is our pitcher. He has been getting better each year and he works hard and probably our captain this year. Those are the big guys that are back for this year,” he said. The team hits the field

[LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER]

every Tuesday until the end of the month. Next, on May 10, they will be up against Forest Heights Collegiate Institute at 1:30 p.m. then Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School at 3:30 p.m. Both games are at Norm Hill Park.

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SPORTS | 15

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

TRACK: EDSS

EDSS SQUAD VICTORIOUS OVER WODSS

team finding its form FROM | 11

Sonya Wideman leaped to a fourth place finish in the senior girls’ high jump.

is nice because we couldn’t go on the grass. The kids are excited about being able to practice their events in a more realistic situation,” Douglas said. They’re also helped by some student athletes who’ve pitched in to coach. She says it’s a great benefit to the team because there’s so much variety and specialties in track and field, and not always enough coaches to go around. With their eyes on WCSSAA, they were busy this week focusing on details like their hand offs in relay races. She adds the throwers are excited to get out on the grass now and practice. She expects they’ll probably see big improvements in both of those areas. “It’s a really fun group this year. They’re very inclusive and very supportive of each other, which you sometimes don’t see in a track and field team, just because they have their own individual events. I think that support they have for each other has become contagious and is going to lead to a really successful season,” Douglas said. They previously competed in a Maxi Meet at the end of April and have their second Maxi Meet today (May 5). They’ll head to JHSS from May 11-12 for WCSSAA, followed by CWOSSA May 18-19.

Coach Lisa Douglas says throwers are excited to practice outside now on the grass.

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The Lady Lancers continued their domination on Tuesday afternoon, beating Waterloo-Oxford 5-0. Goal scorers were Amy Lacey (3), Julia Jakowska, and Nathalie Hilbert. Jamie MacDonald earned the shutout. [WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER]

RALLYING ‘EM UP FOR THE SEASON

EDSS teams and students gathered in the school’s gym on Tuesday morning for their first-ever spring sports pep rally. Teachers and students got up to play games and pump up the students for the upcoming sports season. [LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER]

Dr. Rebecca Cannon B.A., N.D.

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Waterloo Region District School Board

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Surplus Portable Sales The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) is accepting interest or questions related to Surplus Portable Sales. The Surplus Portables will be sold “As is” “Where is” and the successful bidder will be required to remove the portable, remove all foundation supports and remediate the property to its original condition. Removal and site remediation must be completed no later than July 8, 2016. The successful bidder will provide a certified cheque or money order for the purchase price, a $10,000 damage deposit in the name of the WRDSB, and will be responsible for all appropriate permits, licenses, insurances, applicable taxes and will adhere to all governmental and WRDSB safety, security and regulations while working on the property.

General Contracting Agricultural Residential New Buildings Commercial Renovations www.stirtonconstruction.ca 8012 8th Line.RR #2 Drayton, ON | 519-638-5462

There are approximately six (6) Portables at various schools within the Waterloo Region. Interested parties may receive a listing of available portables, an asbestos audit, and additional information.

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16 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

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SPRING HOME AND GARDEN | 17

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

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18 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

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SPRING HOME AND GARDEN | 19

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

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20 | SPRING HOME & GARDEN

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

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VENTURE | 21

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

VENTURE FOOD FOR THOUGHT/ OWEN ROBERTS

TO MARKET / LOCAL FOOD

Even the pasture can be affected by climate change

Homegrown market ready for another season

FIELD NOTES

Elmira Farmers’ Market sees a growing local customer base for the range of local products it has on offer

Emerson Bowman has plenty of vegetables, vegetable plants, flowers and other goods ready for sale at the Elmira Farmers’ Market, which opens for the season this Saturday. WHITNEY NEILSON JUST IN TIME FOR spring produce, the Elmira Farmers’ Market returns for its fourteenth summer this Saturday with last year’s vendors returning, along with a few others ready to test the waters. One of the organizers, Laurene Martin, says it will be amazing to see what vendors already have ready to sell. “There’s always the produce vendors, the very early ones, they will grow in their greenhouses have radishes and lettuce and tomatoes. There won’t be a huge amount of produce yet, but I’m expecting in a week there will be asparagus and rhubarb – that is very popular at the very

beginning,” Martin said. Emerson Bowman of Wallenstein is a regular vendor at the market and says he’ll have vegetables like cauliflower, lettuce, and cabbage ready to sell, among others. Peppers will come soon too. He also notes he’s seen an increasing popularity in the vegetable plants themselves as more people are looking to grow their own food. But Martin thinks this weekend they’ll likely see flowers moving in volume due to Mother’s Day. “They’ll have the hanging baskets and the early pansies and all that kind of stuff that are hardy for the cool weather. The colour will be out these next few weeks. It’ll look pretty because of all the flowers and

all that. That will be the leading thing for the start,” Martin said. The vendors sell a variety of goods other than produce, such as meat, cheese, eggs, crafts, baked good, and even sand box diggers for the kids. She says there will be two or three new vendors this summer. One’s coming for sure who will be selling crafts. “One vendor’s starting, she has these homemade hand lotions and soaps and that kind of stuff, so I think that should be a good thing,” Martin says of another. The criteria to be a vendor is they have to make, bake or grow their own products. They’re not interested in having the market

whole variety, so they’re not there all season,” Martin explained. According to Harvest Ontario, asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cherries, cucumber, lettuce, peas, radishes, and strawberries will all be in season next month. Some farmers have produce ready earlier due to their greenhouses. Martin says vendor-wise the market isn’t growing by leaps and bounds but consumer-wise they are. And they’re pleased. “We don’t have the touristy crowd. We have the locals buying their produce and I think that’s what has really stabilized us. Local produce that is there it’s

WHEN IT COMES TO climate change, here’s another thing to worry about: the continuing viability and stability of ancient fungi living deep inside your pasture grass, and the overall lack of attention they – and indeed, the ecology of pasture grass in general – are receiving in these rapidly changing times. In nature, microscopic fungi live inside grass, between plant cells. These fungi help their host grasses compete against others, and give their hosts superior survivability traits, so that they too may live on. Their role is to help the grass flourish, not to help livestock get fat. Normally, this symbiotic evolutionary technique is good for both, and it’s stood the test of time. In fact, plant ecologist Prof. Jonathan Newman, dean of the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Guelph, points out that this grass-fungi relationship has been going on successfully for about 30 million years. But he also knows times have changed. And so does the country’s biggest scientific granting agency, the Natural Sciences and

MARKET | 22

ROBERTS | 22

[WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER]

become a flea market. They have between 12 and 15 full-time vendors every summer but there are always part-time vendors who come seasonally. “There’s one that’s there just in strawberry season, there’s one that comes with corn. They might just have a strawberry patch, they might just have a field of corn. They don’t do a

22 | VENTURE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

ROBERTS: Research will help us figure out climate change’s impact on grasslands, pastures FROM | 21

Engineering Research Council. It’s just funded a study for he and his lab to try to determine if this millennia-old relationship is likely to last, and if indeed it’s changing, how that will affect pasture. His findings will have implications for lawns, golf courses and everywhere else grass grows ... which is just about everywhere. It’s even more of a worthwhile pursuit when you consider pasture’s economic importance to

agriculture, and to the ecological palette of the global landscape. Around the world, pasture and fodder crops cover more than 70 per cent of agricultural land. In Canada, Newman’s lab is the only one looking at how the symbiotic relationship between grass and fungi could be altered with climate change. This would all be so much easier to study, and manage, if grass wasn’t so competitive. But it is, and you can tell just by looking around. Think beyond pas-

ture. Grass rules. And it might not be obvious, but through the ages, native grass species have been continually outcompeted by invasive species. Mostly lately, humans have aided this phenomenon by cultivating imported grass seed with beneficial traits, such as hardiness and higher protein or vitamins, for their livestock pastures. They’ve made invasive species work for them. When it doesn’t, they try to fix it – for example, after a variety called Kentucky 31

became a problem because its fungi harmed livestock, plant breeders proceeded to develop grasses that wouldn’t cause livestock woes. But grass is grass, and it’s still very competitive with other varieties around it. Kentucky 31 has persisted, and continues causing farmers problems. No wonder … despite its impact on agriculture, it’s still sold for lawns. However, grasses like this and others routinely “escape” from the pasture into which they

were seeded or introduced. Then what? That’s a question that Newman says needs addressing now, with so much other climate-driven change occurring. For example, what if an invasive grass arrives on the scene in our new hotter and drier world, stands up well against drought … but like Kentucky 31, ends up being toxic to livestock, and spreads like wildfire? Newman hopes to come up with some answers. For the past nine years he’s

worked with 340 research plots near the university. His focus is on trying to determine if grasses used for pasture are becoming more aggressive, if they are affected by increasing levels of greenhouse gas, and which ones thrive under different soil conditions and management techniques. He doesn’t know what he’ll find … but that’s why society supports research, to help him try to find out. Otherwise, how will we know?

RECOGNIZED FOR HIS LONGTIME CONTRIBUTION TO 4-H

MARKET: Its customer base

has been growing each year FROM | 21

there consistently and almost anything that you can buy around here is available there. Consumers really like it and we’re getting more and more people,” Martin said. The vendors are local, with the farthest being from Linwood, so customers know their food hasn’t travelled far and they’re supporting the local economy. Everything comes from within a 16-kilometre radius. She notes they also are seeing more customers from further away. Some of the regulars come from

Kitchener and Waterloo, choosing to bypass the infamous St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market which is open yearround. She says for some people the Elmira Farmers’ Market is a better option, despite the number of farmers’ markets available. “It’s because here they know there’s lots of parking, there’s easy access, they know the produce is fresh, they know it’s local,” Martin said. The Elmira Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from May 7 to the end of October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot behind Home Hardware on Church Street.

John Drummond of Waterloo Region was recognized for 30 years of being a 4-H Club leader at the 4-H Ontario Conference and annual meeting. Drummond has spent more than half of his life as a 4-H volunteer, and has led several clubs in the area, including veterinary, dairy, cooking and paintball. In 2013, Drummond was recognized as 4-H Canada’s Volunteer of the Year. Presenting the award are Jenna MacDougall, representative for Monsanto Canada, sponsor of award; Tammy Oswick Kearney, president of 4-H Ontario; Drummond and Debra Brown, executive director of 4-H Ontario. [SUBMITTED]

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THE ARTS | 23

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

THE ARTS ON STAGE / LIVE THEATRE

Food for thought about Mideast conflict Now on stage at the Registry Theatre, The Arab-Israeli Cookbook offers captivating personal stories from the area LIZ BEVAN THE CONFLICTS IN THE Middle East may seem far removed from Woolwich, but The Registry Theatre is bringing the story to the stage in Kitchener. Premiering tonight, May 5, The Arab-Israeli Cookbook is a production about the everyday lives of families living in the midst of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza over a meal and casual conversation. Bruce Cameron, the show’s director, says that the production is a glimpse into people’s kitchens as they tell the audience about their struggles and relationships, all while eating. The format the play takes is unique, as well. “It is a piece of verbatim theatre, which means that all the words from the play are taken from actual interviews from people. It is a unique style of theatre because what the audience is introduced to, is they meet and get to know a whole variety of characters from all various cultures, social strata, religion, etc. ... by hearing their stories and their experiences of life in the Middle East,” he said, adding that the food theme has a unifying aspect that brings down borders. “It is framed around food, hence the title of the play. The playwright, Robin Soans, when he wrote the play, he spent most of his time and interviews in people’s kitchens, in their shops and in their restaurants, so the food became the central focus

that allowed them to tell their story. How they go on in their life with details of what goes on in their lives. The roadblocks, the suicide bombings and just everyday life, with their family relationships and more.” The show has a large cast of 16 playing 40 different roles. The number of people involved presented a challenge for the actors, says Cameron, but he believes they have done a wonderful job. “How to separate those roles, when you are playing more than one character, you can confuse an audience. So, the actors have been working very hard to create those different characters, with different accents, different physicality to the characters,” he said. “It has been going very well.” Another obstacle Cameron has while directing is the amount of food that needs to be prepared, live on stage. It is also a challenge for the actors. “A lot of the food is actually being prepared, cooked, served and eaten as part of the play,” he said. “It certainly has that realism to it. We are actually cooking on stage, and some of the actors have to learn their particular recipe they are cooking, but it also has to work within the context of their lines and the timing of that. There is no room for error or improvisation because it has to be done by a certain cue. When they say they are chopping this and adding that, that is what they have

Wendy Weinberg (left) is Rena, Margaret Steel is Nadia and Oliver Pavia is Fadi in The Arab-Israeli Cookbook, now running at The Registry Theatre. to be doing on stage.” Cameron had seen the show around 10 years ago when it first started making the rounds of stages around the world, and it has been in the back of his mind since then. He jumped at the chance to get the rights for the script. “It is rarely done in North America and it has kind of gnawed at me the last few years. I thought to myself, ‘if I ever have the opportunity to do that, that

a r i m l E t e k r a M s ’ r e m r Fa

would be a neat show,’” he said. “It is just so unique from other pieces of theatre and such a diverse cast in terms of age and culture, which makes it neat.” He says he hopes the audience learns something while watching, and wants them to take some time to reflect on the content after leaving the theatre. “I think the playwright did a pretty good job of not trying to draw judgment and to introduce you to

people and make you realize that, ‘hey, they have perspective here and they have to move on in their lives and maybe in some cases, learn to live with one another,’” he said, adding that the title of the play could be misleading. “It is more than Arab-Israeli. You look at a city like Jerusalem, and some of the play is based there. It doesn’t use the name Palestine in the title, and many of the characters in the play

[SUBMITTED]

are Palestinian, there are characters with a Christian background, and a significant number in Jerusalem. The play reflects more of the diverse nature of the people living in the Middle East.” Tickets for the show are $18, or $15 for students and seniors, and are available at www.registrytheatre.com or at the door of the theatre on show night. The show runs from May 5 to 7 at 7:30 p.m.

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24 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

CLASSIFIED

CLASSIFIED DEADLINE:

WEDNESDAYS BY 10AM LOST & FOUND

AUCTIONS

AUCTIONS

AUCTIONS

HAVE YOU SEEN MY CAT?

AUCTION SALE

AUCTION SALE

AUCTION SALE

WED MAY 11 AT 10:00 AM

Of Household goods, antiques, Royal Doulton’s & miscellaneous items, to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley for Martha Hoffstetter, Washington, The Eleanor Saxton Estate, Wingham & additions, on

Sugar is:

• White with black blotches on his sides • Mature • Black tail • Very timid

REWARD Sugar went missing the evening of Saturday, April 23rd. IF you’ve seen him, or know of his whereabouts, please call:

519-210-0551

Of Brick bungalow, household goods, antiques and miscellaneous items, to be held at 61 Duke St. In Elmira, for Joan Weichel, on

SATURDAY, MAY 14TH @ 10:30 A.M.

PROPERTY: 2 bedroom brick bungalow,

2 decks and detached single car garage. House has good roof, updated windows & hydro service, good flooring (hardwood currently under carpet on majority of main floor), 2 bedrooms and finished basement with additional bedroom, rec-room, washroom & small workshop. Heat – natural gas. Note – A neat and tidy home in a quiet neighborhood. See www.auctionsfind.com/ gerber for photos. TERMS – Will be sold at 12:00 noon subject to a reasonable reserve bid with 10% down on sale day and the balance in 60 days or when possession is given. To View – Open houses Sat April 23 & 30 from 1-4pm or call 519-885-3803.

HOUSEHOLD: FRIDGE. 24in. stove. Viking

HELP WANTED

Youth Worker

(Permanent Part Time) Promote, design, and implement activities of the Youth Centre in Elmira. Post secondary degree (or working towards degree) with emphasis on youth and youth issues. Must be enthusiastic with the inherent ability to relate to youth. Excellent for someone seeking a career involving supporting Youth. Tues-Fri: 20hrs per week Apply to: Woolwich Community Services 5 Memorial Avenue Elmira, On N3B 2P8 Fax: 519-669-4210 Email: kelly_wcs@yahoo.ca

washer & dryer. Chest freezer. 3 – 4pc. bedroom suites (1 waterfall, 1 Kroehler queen poster bed set, 1 double). Blue upholstered matching sofa, chair & ottoman. Upholstered furniture. Willis piano. Cedar chest. Filing cabinet. Startview reading machine. Books. Games. China, glass, cookware & other household goods.

ANTIQUES: 4 tier barristers bookcase with

drawer – nice. 2 china cabinets (1 – Krug). Storage cupboard. Duncan Phyfe table & chairs. Duncan Phyfe end tables. Rocker. 2 Kuntz beer trays. 3 Kuntz tip trays – good. Tea wagon. Stenciled child’s sleigh. 4 wooden handled golf clubs. Mantle clock. Royalty memorabilia. Royal Albert “Cenntenial Rose” 6 pl. setting of china. China & glass (coloured glass, fancy cups & saucers, etc.). MISC. ITEMS to included few good propane barbeque, hand & garden tools, wheel barrow, patio furniture, alum. ladders, shop vac, etc.

NOTE – See www.auctionsfind.com/gerber for photos. Lunch booth. Proprietress and auctioneers not responsible for accidents day of sale. Terms – Cash or cheque with I.D. AUCTIONEERS:

Only interviewees will be contacted.

MORE HELP WANTED ADS ON PAGES 25 & 26

HELP WANTED IN store. Hillcrest Home Baking, 519669-1381.

HEALTH CARE BOWEN THERAPY YOUR choice for effective treatment of specific health conditions or wellness maintenance. KEVIN BARTLEY, Professional Bowenwork Practitioner,

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

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

Clock Tower Wellness Centre, 69 Arthur St. S., Elmira. 519-669-0112. Every Body is Better with Bowen!

COMPOST. GREAT FOR use as mulch and fertilizer. Available to pick up in 1.5 yd totes or bulk. Call Mapleton Compost, Eli or Marlin Brubacher. 519-669-2186.

CALL GRANT BRUBACHER for 1 hour deep muscle therapy treatments at your home. 519-577-3251. Excellent for all ages. Serving Mt. Forest, Harriston, Milverton, Millbank, Elmira and surrounding communities.

SOFTNER SALT - 20kg bags, minimum 25 bags, skid lots of 56. Delivered in St. Jacobs, St. Clements, Elmira & Linwood areas. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141 or 519-6692045.

HOW TO REACH US

HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS AND antiques;

oak 5 pc bedroom suite (queen bed, dresser with wing mirror, chest of drawers, dresser); leather chair, glass top coffee and end tables; kitchen table and 4 chairs; touch lamps; 4 oak chairs; maple table; blanket box; quilts; embroidered runners; woven mats; HO scale train set; Coca Cola bottles; Molson Export cooler; ½ moon table; 2 drawer silverware chest on legs unique; coolers; needle point chair; Victorian chair and rocker; dividers; brass buckles; toaster oven; wrought iron patio chairs; Nikon camera; camera supplies; flashes; lenses; tripods; camera bags; Cannon mega pixel 4.1 digital camera; metal signs; anniversary clock; 12 step electric stair lift; 16 step electric stair lift; water cooler; air purifier; crocks; jugs; oil lamps; cabbage cutter; display case; file cabinets; table lamps; press back chairs; old games; Tonka trucks (never been used); old games; toys; dolls; early flags; 1960’s Dansk kitchenware; china and glass including depression; art glass; oriental; crystal; pinwheel; Bavaria; and many other items too numerous to list.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: Legend 4

wheel electric scooter; Beach tool chest; Mastercraft Maxxum large tool chest on wheels like new; Craftsman tool chest on wheels; air compressor; floor jacks; jack stands; Delta compound mitre saw; come along; Craftsman cordless drill set; saw horses; creepers; tool boxes; wood and router bits; socket sets; wrenches; tool kits; trouble lights; quantity of hardware; sand paper; toe straps; workbench; step ladder; deep sockets; tape measures; portable compressor; car scissors jack; oil cans; rope; fans; battery charger; and large selection of good quality hand power and lawn and garden tools.

NOTE: WELL kept quality auction full of good quality tools, some that are brand new. 10% buyers premium, cash, cheque, Visa, Mastercard and debit.

Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451

HELP WANTED

At the St. Jacob’s Community Centre in St. Jacob’s for a Waterloo estate with additions on:

LAWN FERTILIZER AND LAWN SEED - Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045. WOOD BEDDING ATTENTION Dairy farmers. Kiln dry virgin wood bedding. No sticks, slivers, MDF or particle board. Your dairy cattle deserve better. Low summer prices. Year round supply. Serving the dairy industry for over 50 years. Call 416-435-8166.

AUCTIONEER:

Jantzi Auctions Ltd. Wellesley | 519-656-3555 www.JantziAuctions.com

AUCTIONS SAT. MAY 7 at 10:00 Clearing auction sale of woodworking equipment; specialty wood; hand carved wood toys; lawn and garden equipment; and miscellaneous items to be held at 53 Rosewood Dr. in Kitchener for Art Hackbart. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555. jantziauctions.com

AUCTIONS WED. MAY 11 at 10:00 AM - Clearing auction sale of household effects; furniture; antiques; tools; and miscellaneous items to be held at the St. Jacob’s Community center in St. Jacob’s for a Kitchener estate with additions. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555. jantziauctions.com CONTINUED ON PG. 25

THURSDAY, MAY 12TH @ 10:00 A.M.

HOUSEHOLD: CHERRY 4 pc. custom made

bedroom suite (queen bed, highboy, dresser, night stand – very nice!). Knechtel dresser & chest of drawers. Ultramatic single bed – good. 8pc. maple dining room suite. 2 cedar chests. Grandfather clock. Winter newer style piano – good. Oak centre pedestal table & 4 chairs. 3 curio cabinets. Brown sofa bed (like new). 3 pc. wicker set. Glider rocker. Deacon’s bench. Insignia TV (2 years old). Electronics. Bose Wave radio (AM/FM & CD), 1 yr. old. Office chair. Singer industrial sewing machine. China, glass, cookware, etc. ANTIQUES: Oak china cabinet, bowed sides, claw feet, nice. Oak ext. table & 6 chairs. Oak buffet. Washstands. Fumed oak dresser & washstand. Wicker buggy c/w wooden spoked wheels – nice. Victor floor model phonograph. Treadle sewing machine. Trunks. Friction powered Super Atom train c/w box. Tri-Ang Railway Mail Coach train set c/w box. Older Christmas ornaments. Snow shoes. Crosley radio c/w turn table. Farm tools including wooden molding planes. Porcelain collector dolls. Early Family Heralds. Post cards including salesman sample type album (opens to 15ft. in length). Selection of 1950’s hockey cards. Signs & advertising pieces. John Deere collectibles. Steel implement seats made into stools. Daisy counter top butter churn. Butter prints. Sad irons. Charcoal iron. Beck’s & Old Topper beer trays. Approx. 15 oil lamps (majority coloured, 1 miniature). Costume jewelry. 50 Royal Doulton’s (See web for details). Assorted china & glass, cornflower, etc. Coin collection (majority Canadian, includes 1800’s pennies, half cent pieces, 50 cent pieces, paper money, etc. etc. (see web for details). Stamp collection (3 stamp albums, Historic vehicle collection, etc.) Note – Coin & stamp collection to sell at approx. 1:00 p.m. MISC. ITEMS: Prowler 3410 - 4 wheel scooter, like new. Golden 4 wheel scooter. Shoprider electric wheel chair. Champion 4000 watt generator. Schwinn Meridian 3 wheel bicycle. Small Troy Bilt tiller. Wheelbarrows. Pressure washer. Hand, power & garden tools. Craftsman band saw. Bench model drill press. Vice. Alum. step & ext. ladders. Electric hedge trimmer & leaf blower. Garden décor. List goes on!

NOTE – See www.auctionsfind.com/gerber for photos & complete list. Terms – Cash, debit or cash with I.D. 10% buyer’s premium. AUCTIONEERS:

Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451

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

100% LOCAL

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

ADDRESS 20-B ARTHUR ST. N., ELMIRA, ON N3B 1Z9 PLACING A CLASSIFIED WORD AD

CLASSIFIED ADS

DISPLAY ADS

519.669.5790 EXT 0

519.669.5790 EXT 104

ads@woolwichobserver.com

sales@woolwichobserver.com

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

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

In person, email, phone or fax submissions are accepted during regular business hours. Deadline for Thursday publication is Wednesday by 10 a.m. All Classified ads are prepaid by cash, debit, Visa or MasterCard. Ask about Observer policies in regard to Display, Service Directory and Family Album advertising.

CLASSIFIED | 25

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

CLASSIFIED ADS CONTINUED | AUCTIONS | PUBLIC NOTICES HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Warehouse & Customer Service Help Needed Weekdays full time, Available immediately. Mechanically inclined, Able to lift heavy items, Fast learner. Computer capable.

Apply to Fish Farm Supply Co in person at 116 Bonnie Cres, Elmira or fax at 519-669-2864. AUCTIONS AUCTION SALE OF Household goods, antiques, Royal Doulton’s & miscellaneous items, to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley for Martha Hoffstedler, Washington, The Eleanor Saxton Estate, Wingham & additions, on Thursday, May 12th @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451.

AUCTIONS SAT. MAY 14 at 10:00 AM - Property auction of a commercial lot in the small hamlet of Bellmore. Property has lots of potential and is located on a busy road, to be held at 1606 Huron Bruce Rd Wroxeter. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555. jantziauctions.com

HELP WANTED

AUCTIONS

Reciprocal Ventures Inc. 7201 Line 86, RR#3 Wallenstein, ON N3B 2Z2

Local growing transportation company is looking for an administrative assistant. Experience in border crossing paper work an asset. Successful applicant must have strong computer and phone skills and a desire to learn.

Please drop off your resume at our office or email to tmatheson@rvidispatch.com

The Township of Wellesley Requires a Full Time Permanent

Public Works OPERATOR 1

See our website for further details at www.wellesley.ca/misc/jobs

THANKS FOR ADVERTISING IN THE #1 COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER IN ONTARIO

WED. MAY 18 at 10:00 AM - Clearing auction sale of furniture; antiques; tools; collectables; lawn and garden; and miscellaneous items to be held at the St. Jacob’s Community centre in St. Jacob’s for an area estate with additions. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555. jantziauctions.com FRI. MAY 27 at 5:00 PM Toy auction of approx 200 airplanes; model kits; farm toys; tractor trailers; model ships; banks and Nascar to be held at the St. Jacob’s Community Centre in St. Jacob’s for area collectors with additions. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555. jantziauctions.com

AUCTIONS SAT. MAY 28 at 2:00 PM Property auction of a 27.63 acre country lot with airplane landing strip and hanger; 12 acre pond, storage sheds and more to be held at 1606 Region Road 86 4 kms west of Elmira for Donald Hoffer. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555. jantziauctions.com SAT. MAY 28 at 8:30 AM Annual charity auction sale of quilts; new furniture; and miscellaneous items to be held at the New Hamburg Fair Grounds on Jacob St. in New Hamburg for the Mennonite Relief Sale. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555. jantziauctions.com CONTINUED ON PG. 26

PUBLIC NOTICE

“PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAST; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.”

Community Information Page Township of Woolwich Public Notice of Temporary Stop Sign Installations and No Parking on Various Streets in St. Jacobs As directed by the Council of the Township of Woolwich, new intersection stop signs and no parking signs will be installed in St. Jacobs as a result of the Regional Municipality of Waterloo’s reconstruction project of King Street North. These amendments to the Township’s Traffic and Parking By-law 70-2006 are considered temporary and will be authorized by by-law on May 10, 2016. They will be enforceable under the Highway Traffic Act. As an amendment to Schedule 12, “Intersection Stop Signs” of By-law 70-2006, new temporary intersection stop signs will be installed at the following locations in St. Jacobs: - Water Street at Abners Lane for both north and south bound traffic; - Young Street at Hachborn Street for both north and south bound traffic; and, - Queensway Drive at Princess Street for both north and south bound traffic. As an amendment to Schedule 1, “No Parking” of By-law 70-2006, temporary parking restrictions will be added to the following locations in St. Jacobs: - No parking will be permissible along the west side of Water Street; - No parking will be permissible along the south side of Printery Road; - No parking will be permissible along either side of Hachborn Street; - No parking will be permissible along either side of Albert Street; and, - No parking will be permissible along the either side of Abners Lane. The stop signs and no parking signs are expected to be unveiled on/or about May 11, 2016, weather dependent.

Wonders of Woolwich Campaign

P.O. Box 158

24 Church St. W. Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6

Phone:

519-669-1647 or 877-969-0094 Fax: 519-669-1820

After Hours Emergency:

519-575-4400 www.woolwich.ca

Notice of Public Meeting Township of Woolwich Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Thursday, May 12, 2016 Council Chambers, 2nd Floor Administration Building, 24 Church Street West, Elmira 6:30 p.m. Public Meeting

Want to get involved in our website redesign? Submit your own photos taken within the Township of: >Landmarks >Buildings >Scenery >Favourite Places Your photo could be selected for the Township’s website! Prizes: 1st- $100 Gift Certificate 2nd- $50 Gift Certificate 3rd- $25 Gift Certificate How: Email your photo to mschildroth@woolwich.ca Deadline: May 25th by 12:00 noon Use #WOWcampaign on Twitter: @WoolwichUpdates Winning photos will be selected by Mayor Sandy Shantz For photo quality requirements and to participate in our website redesign survey, please go to: www.woolwich.ca

The Township of Woolwich Requires a Junior Municipal Law Enforcement Officer 14 Month Full-Time Contract Starting On or About July 4, 2016 The Enforcement Division within our Council and Information Services Department requires a Junior Municipal Law Enforcement Officer on an interim basis. Please visit our Employment Opportunities page at www.woolwich.ca for full details.

Emergency Alert Siren Testing The Township of Woolwich, as part of our Siren/Shelter-in-Place/ Community Alert Notification (CAN) program, will be doing a test of the siren systems in:

Elmira – Wednesday, May 11 at 9:30 am Breslau – Thursday, May 12 at 9:30 am St. Jacobs – Friday, May 13 at 11:00 am The full media release is available at: www.woolwich.ca. Thank you for your cooperation as we work to keep Woolwich safe! For questions and additional information, please contact: Mark Schildroth, Township of Woolwich Email: mschildroth@woolwich.ca Phone: 519-669-6006 or toll free at 1-877-969-0094

NEW – TOLL FREE NUMBER!

You can now reach the Township of Woolwich TOLL FREE at

1-877-969-0094

26 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

Donating back to the community we call home.

SPRING IS HERE! LIST NOW! FULLY FURNISHED

DESIRED COURT LOCATION

NEW LISTING

$429,900

Alli Bauman Paul Martin Sue Wideman SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT

SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT

allibauman@rogers.com

paul@remaxsolidgold.biz

519-577-6248 519-503-9533

SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT

226-750-9332

suewidemanhomes@gmail.com

Conestogo Lake - This south west facing 3 bedroom cottage on Conestogo lake is the perfect starter cottage. Including forced air oil heating, fully equipped kitchen, fully furnished rooms, a 3 piece bathroom, 100 amp service and wrap around deck. The detached garage has washer and dryer included. With full extendable dock with electric reversible winch and rails running into the lake, it is ready for your family to start enjoying summer! MLS 30518137.

Waterloo - Found on a friendly quiet Court this home was designed for the growing family, this home has 4 bedrooms upstairs, and a possible 2 in the basement. With large principle rooms, family can spread out in the separate dining room open to the family room, or go down one level to the living room with lovely gas fireplace and walkout to the huge back yard. Enjoy entertaining on the 12x23 ft deck as well as abundant room for play in the partially fenced yard. The basement features 2 rooms currently used as a music room and exercise room with new paint and carpet as well as the generous laundry room and 4 piece bath. You must see it to believe all that this home has to offer! MLS 30516889.

SENIORS’ DREAM

GORGEOUS COUNTRY SETTING

$229,900

10 MINUTES FROM KW

D L SO

D L SO

$489,900 Heidelberg - Feel the stress of the day unwind as you sit on your covered deck overlooking the large back yard. Great curb appeal with a 121 foot frontage. Enjoy the ease of main floor laundry, an ensuite off the master as well as a walk in closet. This home has a double car garage with ample parking including a spot for your RV/Camper. Beautiful spot just outside of the city, call to book your viewing today. MLS.

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage

3 Arthur St. S., Elmira 519-669-5426

$399,900 Drayton - Beautiful bungaloft featuring hardwood and ceramic floors. This 1800 sq. foot beauty is move in ready with 4 pc. ensuite, large walk-in closet and spacious master bedroom. 2nd bedroom for out of town guests. Need extra space for an office? Then the loft is perfect, complete with 4 pc bathroom. Nestled in the town of Drayton 30 minutes from Waterloo. MLS 30511742.

$499,000

D L SO

Linwood - Small town living minutes from the city. You will feel right at home in this fully updated home with a family room out front as well as a sunken living room off of the eat in kitchen. The open concept allows for formal dining in the separate dining area outside of the kitchen as well. With 4 bedrooms, there is loads of room for your growing family, and the ease of a walk in closet and ensuite bathroom in the master bedroom. Enjoy entertaining in your beautiful back yard with a view of farm land behind while you take a swim in the salt water pool, or just watch the kids on the custom play centre. Could this be your next home? MLS 30515723.

Call today Thinking About Selling? and book a FREE HOME EVALUATION

Independently Owned and Operated

CLASSIFIED ADS CONTINUED | AUCTIONS | PUBLIC NOTICES HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

MAINTENANCE Work: Monday - Friday, with some Saturday work required. Must have a high mechanical aptitude, be able to do heavy lifting, and be comfortable working at heights or congested areas. Jones Feed Mills offers competitive wages and a good benefit package. Please note that only successful applicants will be notified. Resumes can be emailed to msh@jfm.ca

Retail Sales Associate Looking for a mature person with good retailing qualities and communication skills, friendly customer service and motivated; must be able to work Saturdays. Job description: Sales, writing orders, pricing stock, some computer skills and general duties. This position is for a mature adult and student looking for flexible full-time and part-time hours. Apply in person with resume to: W.C. Brown and Sons – Men’s Clothier Downtown Elmira · 519-669-1152

Thur Heavy Truck and Trailer Repair is looking for a

Truck and Coach Technician or Apprentice to join our team. This individual will be motivated, dedicated, energetic and career driven. They will be eager to embrace new technology and thrive on diagnostic challenges. They will also have a good working knowledge of general maintenance and repair. We service and repair all makes and models with the best diagnostic and shop equipment available. We are a friendly, family business that places high value on all our customers and staff. We provide ongoing training programs. We offer wages that are among some of the best in the industry, with a generous benefits package. We look forward to hearing from you. Please email resume to Kirby@thurtransport.com or fax to 519-669-0164

HELP WANTED

AUCTIONS SAT. JUNE 4 at 9:00 AM -Annual consignment auction of horse drawn machinery; woodworking machinery; metal working equipment; miscellaneous items and much more to be held at the farm of Enos Bauman at 2620 Moser Young Rd St. Clement. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555. jantziauctions.com AUCTION SALE OF MH 50 tractor, riding lawn mower, household effects, antiques and miscellaneous items, to be held at 1558 Erb’s Rd. in St. Agatha, for Kevin & Traci Nowak, and for Shirley Nowak, on Saturday, June 18th @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451.

FARM EQUIPMENT JOHN DEERE TRACTORS and bobcat S300 for rent. 45 - 150 hp. Rent by day, week or mos. Great rates. 519-591-1274.

CONTINUED ON PG. 27

CLASSIFIED | 27

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

LET OUR 50+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! Bonnie

Brubacher

BROKERAGE

R.W. THUR REAL ESTATE LTD.

WOLLE REALTY , B

R O K E R A G E IN D E P E N D E N T L Y O W N E D A N D O P E R A T E D

Office:

519-669-2772 45 Arthur St. S., Elmira www.thurrealestate.com

“HELPING YOU IS WHAT WE DO.” BRAD MARTIN

Shanna

BROKER

JULIE HECKENDORN

LUKE SHANTZ

Broker of Record, Broker Sales Rep. MVA Residential Res: 519.669.1068 Res: 519.669.8629 Cell: 519.584.4400

OPEN HOUSE

Rozema

90 Earl Martin Dr., Unit 4, Elmira N3B 3L4

BROKER

519-669-3192

www.YourFamilyTeam.ca

SATURDAY, MAY 7TH • 1-3PM 162 RIDGEVIEW DR., DRAYTON

ISABELLA ST., LINWOOD

$499,000 LINWOOD – backs to acres of farmland! Main flr. laundry & 2pc. Spacious kitchen/ dining area with walkout to deck with a lovely view. Hdwd. floor in liv. room. Main flr. fam. room w/woodstove. FOUR bedrooms, 3pc. ensuite bath. Large, open rec. room w/several windows is great for entertaining. Newer gas furnace & central air. Dble. driveway with lots of parking. MLS.

EMPTY NESTERS/RETIREE’S $337,900 1424 sq ft Freehold Townhome. Gorgeous kitchens, 9’ ceilings, Fireplace,

FAMILY HOME $559,900 ELMIRA Situated on a treed lot in a mature neighbourhood, steps to

4.45 ACRE PROPERTY $649,000 NEAR DORKING Large 2-½ storey surrounded by mixed bush. detached

1 BEDROOM CONDO $213,900 WATERLOO/LAURELWOOD Ideal for the empty nester, lovely unit, darkwood

hardwood, stunning upgraded features are offered through out in this last unit. Partially finished basement, Double garage and more. Its ready to add your personal choices. Visit our Model Home noted above Or call for details. MLS.

downtown & rec centre, welcoming foyer, large principle rooms, main floor family rm. w/gas fireplace overlooks private yard, walkout to deck, 4 spacious bedrooms, finished basement, dbl garage. MLS.

PARK AVE. W., ELMIRA

$489,900 UPSCALE CENTURY HOME close to all amenities. Loaded with character – natural woodwork, pocket doors & hdwd. floors. 2,568 sq.ft. features a main flr. family room w/lots of natural lighting, gas fireplace & walkout to deck (overlooks an attractively landscaped lot w/beautiful perennial gardens). Large dining room. Main floor bathroom. Potential for 4 bdrms. 3 storey addition includes a master bdrm. w/walkin closet, ensuite, & walkout to deck. Full bsmt w/separate entrance is a great workshop area (or in-home business!). MLS

CALL FOR YOUR FREE MARKET EVALUATION

shed/barn with hydro & water, priivate backyard offers an inground salt water pool, gazebo & patio. 4 bdrms, 3 baths, ample hardwood & wood trim throughout. NEW MLS.

kitchen w/island, 4 appliances, insuite laundry, living room has walkout to balcony, master with walk-in closet, 2 bathrooms, wonderful amenities. MLS.

SPRING IS HERE. WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORTH? CALL TODAY FOR YOUR NO OBLIGATION HOME MARKET ANALYSIS.

ADVERTISE IT IN THE #1 COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER IN ONTARIO

® REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE

CLASSIFIED ADS CONTINUED | AUCTIONS | PUBLIC NOTICES FARM SERVICES BAGGED PINE SHAVINGS Agricultural Spray Lime, 22.5kg. bag; feed grade lime, 25kg. Delivered. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141 or 519-6692045. BIG SQUARE BALING with acid and roto cut. Now also custom cultivating. Den-Dor Farms. Call Brandon 519897-2648 or Dennis 519-5033980. KILN DRIED CORN & CORN SCREENING Delivered by Einwechter. Minimum 15 ton lots. Call George Haffner Trucking 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

FIREWOOD GERBER’S FIREWOOD YOUR source of quality slabwood and seasoned bodywood. All prices include delivery. No Sunday calls please. 519656-2057.

WANTED CASH FOR OLD watches, jewellery, all gold and silver, coins, military, toys, records. Call Terry 519-2426900. gallamore@golden. net 40 years experience, fair honest prices. Will travel. LOOKING TO RENT Senior couple looking to rent in the Millbank. Linwood or Elmira area. Call Abram at 519-807-5088 or Maria at 226-929-8584. WE NEED - Primitives, benches, crates, boxes, crocks, cast iron, cupboards, old farm tools, hand tools, cast iron & old metal, stands, picture frames, paintings, sap buckets, small multi pane windows, apple ladders. Not charity store stuff. Iron Bucket 519787-8287, leave message. St. Andrew St. W., Fergus.

RENTALS 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT in Elmira. Quiet building, newly renovated, close to downtown. Call 519-6695798. ELMIRA - MODERN, clean 1 bedroom in newer 6-plex. Bottom unit, stairs involved. Ideal for single person. Non smoker, no pets - definite. $680 + utilities. Available by July 1. Call 519-669-2212.

TRADES & SERVICES SPRING IS HERE - clean yards, garages, gardens, general work to be done, give me a call. David 226868-0245.

GARAGE SALES CLEANED OUT DAD’S House. May 20th, 1p.m. 8 p.m. May 21st, 7 a.m. 2 p.m. 2215 Floradale Road. Lots of treasures. Dishes, books - old and new and so much more!

FRI. MAY 13, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sat. May 14, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. 18 Tanager St. Elmira. Bicycles, kitchen items, 2 dehumidifiers, golf & base balls, 6 chair patio set, 20 ft extension ladder and much more. FUNDRAISER GARAGE SALE at Breslau Mennonite Church. Saturday, May 7, 8:00 a.m. - 1 p.m. Household items, furniture, books, perennials & houseplants, cactus, baking, BBQ hotdogs and more! Proceeds go towards youth programs. 226 Woolwich St. South. (access Woolwich St. S. via Fountain Street North). GARAGE SALE - May 7th, 8 a.m. - noon. 117 Killdeer Rd., Elmira. Tools, craft supplies, puzzles, little bit of everything. MAY 7TH, 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. Household and garage sale items. Corner of Henry St. and Queensway Dr. St. Jacobs.

INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

519.500.1865 (Direct)

Dale R. Keller

SAT. & SUN., May 7 & 8th, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 6 Apollo Dr. Heidelberg. Christmas items, highchair, linens, patio items, silver plate pieces, and lots more.

www.KellerSellsRealEstate.com | dale@kellersellsrealestate.com

WEST MONTROSE COMMUNITY Garage Sale. Saturday, May 14th, 7 a.m. Big selection of trinkets, treasures and “best-buys” & bargains!

This bright, spacious, raised bungalow offers plenty of room for a family with 3 plus 1 bedrooms, large finished rec. room with wood stove, attached garage, nice deck overlooking a large backyard hedged in for privacy, Brand new furnace and A/C, newer hot water heater, and freshly painted, you can move right in! MLS.

ELMIRA AND AREA Community Garage Sale is Saturday May 28th. Plan to clean out your house and make some money. Don’t forget to advertise your sale. You’ll be competing with lots of sales so get a hand up with a map listing published in the May 26th edition of the Observer. Call 519-669-5790

For info on these or any other real estate enquiries, Call Dale

ST. JACOBS COMMUNITY Garage Sale is Saturday May 28th. If you’re only going to have one garage sale this year, make it this one. Plan to advertise your address and items in the Observer. 519-669-5790.

519.747.0231 (Office)

Sales Representative

410 Conestogo Road, Unit 210, Waterloo, ON N2L 4E2

Just Listed | $329,000 | Drayton

C ynthia P ower S a l es Rep resenta ti v e

519-241-9586 c y nth i a m p ow er@ h otm a i l . c om “ Enl i st th e p ow er of p ersona l serv i c e. ”

New World 2000 Realty Inc. Brokerage 1-800-704-2337 ext. 7619

28 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY

THOMPSON’S

TIRE

WHERE TIRES

Complete Collision Service

Auto Tech Inc.

ARE A

SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE.

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

101 Bonnie Crescent, Elmira, ON N3B 3G2

519.669.8330

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

FAX: 519.669.3210

35 Howard Ave., Elmira

AFTER HOURS

519-669-3232

GENERAL SERVICES

Accredited Test & Repair Facility

519-669-4400 30 ORIOLE PKWY. E., ELMIRA www.thompsonsauto.ca

519.669.8917

SPACE FOR RENT

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

MUSIC-LOVER GIFT ALERT! COUNTR Y

’s 60’s / 70

HIGH SCHOOSL BAND

GOSPEL

ROCK

TUNING & REPAIRS

MUSIC TRANSFERS FROM LPs, 45s, 78s, CASSETTES TO CD Your favourite albums get a whole new life on CD after we clean up the clicks, pops and surface noise.

JAMES BAUMAN

MORE INFO | 519.669.0541

Craftsman Member O.G.P.T. Inc NEW PHONE NUMBER

519-880-9165

EMAIL: vinylp2cd@gmail.com

GENERAL SERVICES

BIKE SALES & REPAIRS

BAUMAN PIANO

SERVICES

www.biobobs.com

RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING EFFORT!

WITH

CYCLIST & PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC

Various sizes & rates

PETER STREET

CLEAN • DRY • SECURE Call

Visit our website

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

VISIT US TODAY!

519-669-4964

22 Church St. W., Elmira

519-669-5537

100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

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

QUICK LOCAL SERVICE | 245 Labrador Dr., Waterloo

www.UniTwin.com | 519.886.2102

www.biobob.com or call today! 519-648-3004

or

800-232-6396

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

IRA HOME COMFORT M L E (519) 669-4600

Steve Co.

John Schaefer Painting

APPLIANCES – FURNACES – FIREPLACES AIR CONDITIONERS – WATER HEATERS SPRING SPECIAL ON AIR CONDITIONING TUNE UP $99, INSTALLED FROM $1999 FURNACES INSTALLED FROM $2499 FRIDGES $499, STOVES $399, WASHERS $399, DRYERS $369, FREEZERS $199 Come visit our show room FREE QUOTES

Plumbing and Maintenance Inc.

FREE ESTIMATES Interior/exterior Painting, Wallpapering & Plaster | drywall Repairs

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

For all your Plumbing Needs. 24 HOUR SERVICE

NOW ACCEPTING VISA OR MASTERCARD

Steve Jacobi

519-669-2251

1 Union Street, Elmira

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

ELMIRA

519-669-3652

36 Hampton St., Elmira

SPECIALIZING IN:  Finished Flat Work/Floors  Foundations & Footings  Driveways, Sidewalks & Patios  Decorative & Exposed Concrete  Coloured Concrete kroetschconcrete.com kroetschconstruction@hotmail.ca

519-747-4414

HOME IMPROVEMENTS SERVICES

The Right Window Treatment Can

Save you

Blinds by Elite or Mera

In home consultations Wide selection of styles & fabrics 1011 Industrial Crescent St. Clements | 519-699-5411 www.LetUsFloorYou.ca

FREE

INSTALLATION When you buy 3 or more

Hours: M-F 8:30 - 5:30 Sat 9:00 - 3:00

WINDOW FASHIONS • Residential • Commercial • Industrial

Randy Weber ECRA/ESA Licence # 7000605

519.669.1462 Fax: 519.669.9970 Tel:

Evenings By Appointment

Free in-home Consultations. Call someone you can trust. A Brand You Can Trust 22 Church St. W., Elmira

Tel: 519-669-5537

18 Kingfisher Dr., Elmira

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

WEICKERT& MEIROWSKI Concrete Foundations Limited

YES... WE DO RESIDENTIAL WORK!

6982 Millbank Main St., Millbank 519-595-2053 • 519-664-2914

HOME IMPROVEMENTS SERVICES

UNITED ROOFING

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

ST. JACOBS

1-519-261-0639 • Mount Forest, ON Asphalt Shingle Roofing Steel Roofing Aluminum Soffit & Fascia Vinyl Siding Board Siding Drywalling

GLASS SYSTEMS INC. 1553 King St. N., St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0

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

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

RESIDENTIAL & AGRICULTURAL - Design and build -

AGRICULTURAL | RESIDENTIAL FRAMING • ROOFING RENOVATIONS • EAVESTROUGHS

Wayne Martin | 519-504-2016 darwayconstruction@icloud.com | Alma, ON

Driveways • Sidewalks • Curbs • Patios Finished Floors • Retaining Walls • Steps Decorative/Stamped and Coloured Concrete www.marwilconcrete.ca

519-577-0370

CLASSIFIED | 29

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

CONSTRUCTION INC. (519) 569-0772 • Commercial & Industrial General Contracting • Specializing in Concrete Work & Excavation • Retaining Walls

info@trappconstruction.ca www.trappconstruction.ca

• • • •

Stamped Coloured Concrete Demolition Bin Service Machine Bases

Concrete Breaking & Removal

AMOS

Since 1998

R O O F I N G

•Final grading •Lawn repair & complete seeding well equipped for large stoney areas •Spike Aerator/Overseeding •Natural & Interlocking Stone •Retaining Walls, Walks & Patios •Help for Top Water & Drainage issue

INC

“25 years in Business”

OUTDOOR SERVICES

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

WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED

CALL JAYME FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE.

519.501.2405 | 519.698.2114 In Business since 1973 • Fully Insured

519-669-1278

www.groprolawncare.com

Murray & Daniel Shantz

ALMA, ONTARIO | PHONE: 519.846.5427

PRINTING | MAILING | SIGNAGE SERVICES

COMMUNITY

GARAGE SALE HURRY IN! Deadline for a map listing is TUESDAY, MAY 24th | 5PM

MAY 28th 2016

• 2 week listing

• Just map listing $5 + HST

• Listing on map • Rain insurance

(includes 20 words)

$12 + HST

(We’ll run it free one more week if it rains)

Listing included in the May 19 & 26 editions (both if ad material recieved prior to deadline May 17)

Map listing published May 26th 20-B Arthur St. N., Elmira | 519-669-5790 | www.ObserverXtra.com |

@woolwichnews |

/ObserverXtra

30 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

FAMILY ALBUM ANNIVERSARY

BIRTHDAY

Barbara (LaCombe) & Don Straus

Happy Birthday

OBITUARY

OBITUARY

Schill, John

Martin, Emerson M.

Peacefully passed away on Monday, May 2, 2016 at St. Mary’s Hospital, at the age of 81 years. Beloved husband of Betty (Grubb) Schill for almost 62 years. Loving father of Lorne (Wendy), Diane (the late Richard Dietrich – 2014), Jim (Carolyn), Rosemary (Frank Nibourg), Patricia (Mike Runstedler). Also lovingly remembered by his 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Step-brother of Ron Schill (Candy), and brother-in-law of Gerald Grubb (Shirley), Noreen Weber (the late Lorne), Geraldine Grubb (the late Clarence). Predeceased by his father Lawrence (1946), mother Rose Lunz (1935), stepmother Rachel Schmidt (1940), brother Lloyd, sister Rita Gleeson (Carl), father-in-law Otto Grubb and motherin-law Ottilia (Hinsperger) Grubb. The family received their relatives and friends on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira, where parish prayers were offered at 3 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 11 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila RC Church, 19 Flamingo Drive, Elmira Private family interment in St. Joseph’s RC Cemetery, Macton. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation – Cardiac Care would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy. A special thank you to the nurses and doctors on the 5th floor of St. Mary’s Hospital for the special care given to John.

Passed into the presence of Jesus, surrounded by his family at the Freeport Campus of GRH, on Monday, May 2, 2016, one day short of his 87th birthday. Emerson was the beloved husband of Anna (Weber) Martin for 63 plus years. Loving father of Ron and Marg, Gloria and Murray, Rick and Linda, Brenda and Terry, and Damaris and Gord. Lovingly remembered by his 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Brother and brother-in-law of Henry, Wilma, Velina, Mary, Clarence and Eva, and Verna. Predeceased by parents Amos C. and Louisa Martin, brother Nelson Martin, brothers-in-law Amos L. Martin, Cleason Weber, sister-in-law Irene Martin, and son-in-law John Speers. Emerson was raised in Wallenstein, having owned and operated the Amos C. Martin tile business along with his father and brothers in both Wallenstein and Parkhill for over 40 years. He enjoyed a second career of driving long haul truck for 15 years and was pleased to see every state and province many times over. He had a real passion for music which he instilled into his children, and enjoyed their expression of it in their lives. His love for Jesus was embraced by his children, who in turn choose to serve Him also. The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff at GRH; KW Campus, Freeport Campus, and St. Mary’s General Hospital for their commitment to serve, and the compassionate care received. The ICU doctors were especially dedicated to finding a cure for Dad, which in the end helped bring closure and comfort to the family. Visitation will be held at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira on Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 7-9 p.m., and on Friday, May 6, 2016 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Woodside Bible Fellowship, Elmira. There will be viewing at the church from 1-1:45 p.m. Interment to follow in Hawkesville Cemetery. In his memory, donations to My People International, Rising Above, GRH – ICU, and Freeport Hospital Foundation.

60 th Wedding Anniversary

We welcome friends & family to share this day at our open house

Sunday, June 5, 2016

2:00-4:00 at the Golf’s Steak House in the ballroom.

Dear, Darling Issy, Mom and Nana,

Please NO gifts! Your faces will be our joy!

You get more beautiful with each passing year. Happy 70th birthday on May 6th.

BIRTHDAY

DEATH NOTICES

50 & Fabulous! Happy Birthday Rosie!

BELK, MARY BARBARA | Â Passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, April 29, 2016 at her residence, The Maples Home for Seniors, Tavistock. Local relatives are her sister Fern Huber and her husband Paul of Wellesley.

May 8th

GRAVEL, VIOLA (NEE DANIS) |Â It is with profound sadness

that the family of Viola Gravel announces her passing, on April 28, 2016. She passed away peacefully with her son at her side, at Twin Oaks of Maryhill, at the age of 93. SAUDER, MELINDA (MARTIN) | Peacefully on Sunday evening, May 1, 2016, at her home, Melinda (Martin) Sauder of RR 1, Waterloo, at the age of 86 years. ZETTEL, JEAN | Passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2016 Love always, Ron, Nicole & Tyler, Kaitlyn & Justin, Tyler & Duke!

in the arms of her cherished and loving husband John, whom she married on May 21, 1949.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com Lyle L. Dahmer

IN MEMORIAM

Betty Albrecht March 1, 1952 - May 4, 2011 It has been 5 years since we said goodbye, but not a day has passed when we have not remembered you and given thanks for the gift of your life, your love and your deep commitment to every one of us! Till we meet again, Love, Harold, Gavin and Jenn, Bronwyn, Serena Aaron, Benj and Shel, Malachi, Zipporah, Zachari, Arja and Jamie, Kanah, Talya, Ranen.

MOM’S DAY IS MAY 8TH

Take a moment this weekend to let mom know how important she is in your life.

In loving memory of Lyle L. Dahmer who passed away Saturday, March 26th, 2016 at the age of 89. Lyle married Grace Nabert (nee Noble) (predeceased) in September of 1965 and was the loving father of Erna (predeceased), Frank (w. Jan), Randy (w. Sue) and Donn (w. Frauke). Cherished grandfather and great grandfather, dear brother of Neil (predeceased), and Uncle to Scott (w. Heather). Lyle was a caring provider to his family and had a big heart always hoping for the best for the people he loved. Forever in our Hearts. Funeral Service at: St. Matthew’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 131 Flax Mill Drive, Conestogo, ON NOB 1N0, Saturday, May 14th, 2016 at 10:00 a.m., Interment in St. Matthew’s Cemetery Condolences received at:

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

www.rossfuneralchapel.com

Happy Mother’s Day Weekend.

OBSERVER PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

PLACE A FAMILY ALBUM NOTICE TODAY! Call: 519-669-5790 or Visit: www.observerxtra.com

5

6 3 $ ( 2 6 7 ( 1 , * / ' , ( 9 $ 7 ( ( 0 6 ( 5 1 ( 7 / / 2 ( & , ) ( & 7 5 2 1 , &

$ 1 , 6

6 , 1 $ ,

' 8 3 & $ 7 7 (

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% / 2 &

/ , 1 ( 8 8 3 1 , 2 2 : 1 (

( 9 ( 1 6

5 ( ' ( ( 0

2 : $ ( 5 1 7

SUDOKU CHALLENGE

IS TUESDAYS BY NOON FOR THURSDAY PUBLICATION

( ' , 7 2 5

CROSSWORD PUZZLER

NEW DEADLINE FOR FAMILY ALBUM

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

LIVING HERE | 31

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

LIVING HERE BEYOND TINKERING / WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

Retirement home recycling program a hit on many levels Program sees men living at Chartwell Elmira facility disassemble old electronics for scrap metal that raises funds for Mennonite Central Committee

CHEF’S TABLE/ DIERRE ACHESON

Mother’s Day an ideal time for a good breakfast RECIPE NOTES

they were very much on board with it,” Rau said. She notes it can be timeconsuming for the thrift shop volunteers to take apart the donated appliances and this also saves space for the thrift shop by not having to store the bro-

The special day for Mom is here. I remember being excited to have an excuse to make breakfast in the morning for my parents. The first experiments with cooking did not always have perfect endings, although my folks didn’t let me know it wasn’t very good. Our daughter is now starting the concoctions in the kitchen and she is really making an effort to treat us to her idea of a great meal – I can’t help but smile. I have no dreams that she will take over the family business, but I do hope they find their passion and wake up in the morning excited about the day ahead. That being said, showing our kids how to create in the kitchen and where food comes from is integral to them enjoying healthy meals in the future. Whole foods, small amounts of protein, handmade and less convenience food will provide our kids with healthier lives than we are experiencing in our generation. Small changes and choices are a challenge but their future is worth the effort. Just like our parents

E-WASTE | 34

CHEF’S TABLE | 34

Allan Weber and Arthur Therriault are two of the men at the Chartwell Retirement Residence in Elmira who are giving back to the community by separating metal from old and broken appliances to be sold as scrap metal, with the money going back to help MCC, where they get the appliances from. [WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER] WHITNEY NEILSON MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE AND Chartwell’s Elmira Retirement Residence are finding new ways to better the community together. Chartwell launched a new e-waste program earlier this year, which re-

cycles broken and unsold appliances from the Elmira MCC Thrift Shop, while giving the retirement residence’s men a chance to tinker with tools and give back to the community at the same time. The men remove the metal from small appliances and the metal is taken

back to the thrift shop for them to sell as scrap. Chartwell’s recreation manager, Vicky Rau, says she came up with the idea when she was looking for more programs they could run for the men. “We have a program called H.O.P.E., Helping Others for Purposeful

Engagement, and that’s a Chartwell Signature program. What they want us to do is to do things that we can give back to the community, so I thought what can we do to give back to the community while doing things? So I came up with this idea and I went over to talk to them and

Did you know?

Under-inflated tires can result in a loss of fuel efficiency. Make sure your tires are properly inflated, especially when you exchange winters for summers. At Leroy’s Auto Care, we always check tire pressure when switching out tires and during every maintenance service. Feel free to stop by if you ever need a top up! – Andrew

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

www.leroysautocare.net

Accredited Test & Repair Facility

32 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

“A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME”

Kleensweep Carpet Care

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

T. 519.669.2033

Truck & Trailer Maintenance Cardlock Fuel Management

COMMERCIAL 24 CARDLOCK FUEL DEPOT HOUR M&G MILLWRIGHTS LTD. • Design • Installation • Custom Fabrication

MATERIAL HANDLING & PROCESSING SYSTEMS

519.669.5105 1540 FLORDALE ROAD

All Makes & Models Everything Vacuum

www.freybc.com

West Montrose, ON

Cell: 519.581.7868

Repairs Service Se

3435 Broadway St. Hawkesville 519-699-4641

Rugs and Upholstery

•Mattress Cleaning •Residential •Commercial •Personalized Service •Free Estimates

COLLEEN

Vacuum Sales,

Skilled craftsmanship. Quality materials. CONSTRUCTION STARTS HERE.

E-MAIL: ads@woolwichobserver.com

519-669-8362

MAY 6

MAY 7

MAY 8

CONSUMER PROTECTION TALK - 1:30-3 p.m. at the Woolwich Seniors Centre. All welcome. For more information call 519-669-5044.

BOARD GAMES DAY IN Breslau, 1-11 p.m. Join us for our next board games day at the Breslau Community Centre (100 Andover Dr.). New people are always welcome. For more information, email boardgamers@rogers.com. Admission $4. Children under 12 free if accompanied by an adult.

MOTHER’S DAY BREAKFAST AT St. Clements Community Centre, 1 Green St., St. Clements; 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tickets: adults $10; children 4-8 $5; children 3 and under free. For tickets call Marilyn at 519-206-0151. Everyone welcome; there is an elevator if needed.

CAR SHOW FROM 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Thompson Auto Tech, 30 Oriole Pkwy E., Elmira. Car entry fee $10/car. BBQ provided by the Optimist Club of Elmira; music by Cowboy Up; entertainment by Magician Michael Francis. Proceeds to Woolwich Sun Rays special hockey. For more information call 519-669-4400 (rain or shine).

MAY 11

COFFEE TIME AND MORE! Join Woolwich Community Health Centre counsellor Marinela and Low German health worker Anna for some coffee, tea and cookies. This group will discuss everyday struggles that everyone faces; 9:45-11:30 a.m. at Gale Presbyterian Church, 10 Barnswallow Dr., Elmira. For more information call 519-664-3794, ext. 235 and speak to Marinela. Free child care is provided for participants. HEALTH EDUCATION AT WOOLWICH Community Health Centre: Aging with Wisdom. This free educational session will be held at the Woolwich Community Health Centre from 10:15-11:15 a.m. Presented by Christina McKenzie, retired MSW and adjunct professor with the University of Toronto. For more information call 519-664-3794. CHOLESTEROL SOLUTIONS. REGISTERED DIETITIAN and certified diabetes educator Karen Reitzel will help you discover easy ways to modify your diet and help you to improve your cholesterol level, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Woolwich Community Health Centre (10 Parkside Dr., St. Jacobs). For more information call 519-664-3794. THE KIDS 2 KIDS dance is a safe and fun DJed event for kids Grades 5-8. Next dance May 6, 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door; doors open 6:30. Snacks & drinks available for purchase. For details see: www. stjacobslions.org.

THE ST. TERESA OF Avila Catholic Women’s League will be hosting their annual Mother’s Day tea from 1-3 p.m. at St. Teresa of Avila Church Hall, 19 Flamingo Dr., Elmira. Door prizes, bake & penny tables, gift basket draws and lunch area. This is an open invitation for everyone (men too) to come out for an enjoyable afternoon to honour our mothers. ELMIRA & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL Society’s annual plant sale from 8 a.m. - 12 noon, at the corner of Industrial & First St. in Eldale Tool & Machine’s parking lot. Plant donations for the sale can be brought on Friday, May 6 from 6-8 p.m. Please make sure they are in a clean pot, well watered and labeled. Receive a plant voucher for every 2 plants you bring in and redeem it on Saturday. Find the perennials you need for the spaces in your garden, while supporting your local horticultural society and the beautification of your community. Questions? Call Louise Bexton @ 519-210-2110.

9 Church St. E., Elmira www.elmiravacuumelectrical.ca Tuesday - Friday, 9am-5:30pm

Saturday, 9am-3pm

Quality & Service you can trust.

SENIORS COMMUNITY DINING AT noon (doors open at 11:30 a.m.). Calvary United Church, 48 Hawekesville Rd., St. Jacobs. $11. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for a hot noonday meal, fellowship and entertainment. Call 519-664-1900 for more information.

MAY 12 WOODSIDE EVERGREEN FELLOWSHIP FOR Seniors, 10:30 a.m., 200 Barnswallow Dr., Elmira. Songs of the Faith - Jubilation Male Chorus; Devotional: Pastor Daniel Moes. Suggested donation $7/person - includes hot lunch. For more information contact Reta Malloy 519-669-8752.

21 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.2884 | martinselmira.com

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NEW HORIZONS WELCOMES ALL zoomers, boomers and seniors. Enjoy coffee or tea and a delicious snack. Topic: Can You Hear Me Now? presented by Dr. Juliane Shantz, doctor of audiology; $2 per person. 10-11:30 a.m. at the Maryhill Community Centre. For more information call Joan Haid at 519-648-2742 or email at jehaid@xplorenet.ca.

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850 Sawmill Rd, Bloomingdale, ON N0B 1K0 (519) 744-7447 | kcf@kcf.org | www.kcf.org

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Apr. 16, 9am Learn to Can Sausage

4522 Herrgott Rd., Wallenstein www.wbconline.ca • 519-669-2319

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Birdland Plaza, 112 Oriole Parkway, Unit 5, Elmira 519-669-1459 • www.elmiracommunity.org

290 Arthur St. South, Elmira • 519-669-3973 www.ElmiraAssembly.com (Across from Tim Horton’s)

LIVING HERE | 33

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

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

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Me, me, meâ&#x20AC;? ... I-talk isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily a sign someone is a narcissist WEIRD NOTES

Q. Does overuse of the first-person pronouns indicate a narcissistic personality? If a coworker goes on and on about â&#x20AC;&#x153;I did this,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;it belongs to me,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;my way is best,â&#x20AC;? is she or he overly self-absorbed? A. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what conventional thinking holds, so psychologist Matthias Mehl and colleagues at six universities â&#x20AC;&#x201D; four in the U.S. and two in Germany â&#x20AC;&#x201D; set out to determine if this is true, says Lacy Schley in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Discoverâ&#x20AC;? magazine. They asked some 4,800 people to

either talk about or write about themselves, then they measured the degree of â&#x20AC;&#x153;I-talk.â&#x20AC;? Interestingly, they found that those with high marks on the narcissism assessment didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t engage in excessive I-talk any more than those with low scores. Mehl was surprised by the findings. As he says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I listen to somebody who uses â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at lot, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very hard to not make the inference that this person is self-absorbed â&#x20AC;Ś but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not true.â&#x20AC;? Q. They risk death for you, fight crime and are tough as superheroes to boot. Who are these praiseworthy folks?

A. No, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not police

officers or firefighters but rather everyday garbage

collectors, who face dangerous situations more often than you might imagine, reports Samuel Anderson in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mental Flossâ&#x20AC;? magazine. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With 33 fatalities per 100,000 employees a year, sanitation work is one of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deadliest jobs â&#x20AC;&#x201D; two to three times as dangerous as being a police officer and seven times as dangerous as firefighting.â&#x20AC;? Also, in some areas theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re â&#x20AC;&#x153;neighborhood watchpeopleâ&#x20AC;? who report suspicious activity to police. As to their superhero status, back in the 1940s, sanitation workers in New York City were required â&#x20AC;&#x153;to lift a 120-pound trash can onto a tall ledge, climb an eight-foot fence, and run a football field with

50 pounds in each handâ&#x20AC;? (the so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Supermanâ&#x20AC;? test, which has since been relaxed). Interested in joining their ranks? Not so fast! In 2014, out of 96,000 job applicants in New York City, only 500 were hired, for an acceptance rate of less than one percent, making the field â&#x20AC;&#x153;more cutthroat than Harvardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s six percent.â&#x20AC;? Q. This is not to say that mosquitoes are smarter than you, but as â&#x20AC;&#x153;Science Newsâ&#x20AC;? magazine puts it, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Good luck outsmarting one of them.â&#x20AC;? Why?

us. As chemical ecologist Ben Webster noted in one study, the carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaled breath betrays a living target, and â&#x20AC;&#x153;blood-hunting mosquitoes prove sensitive to the merest whiff of CO2,â&#x20AC;? even as little as 0.015% above regular air. Now a new report in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Current Biologyâ&#x20AC;? by Floris van Breugel of Caltech suggests that mosquitoes use other clues since CO2 plumes can get scattered. For example, researchers found that plastic filters and dark spots that contrasted with the flooring piqued the insectsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interest. Added to visual contrasts was the lure of heat since warm objects didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require the puff of CO2 as a trigger. Their

A. The ways mosquitoes have for sensing the presence of bitable bodies are â&#x20AC;&#x153;annoyingly robust,â&#x20AC;? says the magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Susan Mili-

conclusion: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The interactions of these clues mean that a mosquito catching an exhalation of CO2 can fumble along until some visually interesting or warm object invites closer scrutiny.â&#x20AC;? A final warning comes from the studyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s co-author, neuroscientist Michael Dickinson: Mosquitoes make mistakes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but when they fly to a rock instead of a person, they pull back and try again. And again. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the relentlessness that ensures success.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Watch out!

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

OBSERVER CROSSWORD PUZZLER ACROSS 1. ___-guided 5. Burst 10. Less inept 15. Battery contents 16. Eternal 17. In person 18. Baptizing 20. Put an edge on 21. Abominable Snowman 22. U.S. property manager 23. Tertiary period 25. Any Platters platter 28. Charged particles 30. Apply 31. Debilitated 35. Deplete 37. A.T.M. need 38. Dash lengths

39. Improvement 42. Place coffee and surfing? 45. Corn Belt state 48. Aquatic shocker 49. Kind of ticket 50. Life estate 52. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Venice of Brazilâ&#x20AC;? 53. Advocate 54. Van. alternative 56. Bowed 57. Mom 58. Batman and Robin, e.g. 60. Certain Scandinavian 61. Ghanian monetary unit 62. Gatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cousin DOWN 1. Fond du ___, Wis. 2. Hurting

3. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your majestyâ&#x20AC;? 4. Redactor 5. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Comprende?â&#x20AC;? 6. Thin silky fabric 7. Spanish liqueur 8. Biblical mount 9. Kind of wheel 11. Alliance 12. Batting order 13. Half the integers 14. Cash in 16. Word before large 19. Long John 20. Canadian bozo 23. Come after 24. Visored cap 26. Angry outburst 27. In and of ___ 29. Best

32. Opening time, maybe 33. Alimentary canal 34. Water carrier 36. Kind of suit 40. Cracker spread 41. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Prayer for ___ Meanyâ&#x20AC;? 43. Like some music 44. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For shame!â&#x20AC;? 46. Be behind 47. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A jealous mistressâ&#x20AC;?: Emerson 50. Coif 51. Part of a nuclear arsenal, for short 55. More shrewd 59. Annul 60. TV monitor?

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Chris and Lynda Wilk of Elmira crossed one location off their bucket list visiting Dubai in April and taking in the grandeur of living large. This was one of their stops on a hop on, hop off bus tour. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re standing with The Observer in front of Atlantis, The Palm; a resort located at the apex of the man-made island, Palm Jumeirah, in Dubai, UAE.

34 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

E-WASTE: Keeping busy and giving back to the community

CHEF’S TABLE: Mother’s Day a

chance for kids to do some experimenting in the kitchen

FROM | 31

ken and unsold items. “They never put things in their store that don’t work but they might not sell or they get things and they plug them in and they don’t work. So then they keep them for me,” Rau said. Rau says she never has to convince the men to participate in the program. They enjoy the challenge of taking different items apart and seeing the variety between old and new appliances. She notes the older appliances have much more metal to remove whereas new models have more plastic than metal. “I take the material back to them and they get money for it and then that goes to help all of the good work the MCC does. So that’s our contribution to the community,” Rau said. Six to eight men participate in the program which runs twice a month. It’s facilitated by volunteer John Thomson, who provides the tools and the know-how. She says it’s specifically a men’s program because they seem to have more programs oriented toward

FROM | 31

wanted better for us, we want more for our kids. That doesn’t mean more technology or trinkets, designer clothing and the like. Instead, I am thinking about quality of life, experience with people and relationships, celebrations with food that’s healthy and balanced. Celebrate Mom and the legacy she gave you to carry on into the future. Happy Mother’s Day!

the female residents. “You’re always trying to find meaningful programs that have a purpose. It’s fine to have your social things and that but also you want to be useful,” Rau said. She adds many of the residents spent their work-

ing life giving back and just because they’re retired doesn’t mean they don’t want to be productive. “They love to work with their hands and work with tools and it’s fun taking things apart. They’re contributing. It’s a purposeful program,” Rau said.

Smoked Salmon Frittata with Asparagus and Goat Cheese

The men meet twice a month for the new program. Recreation manager Vicky Rau says it’s meaningful work for participants such as Frank Walter, seen here pulling apart a toaster.

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LIVING HERE | 35

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

Having woven together a fascinating historical tale into a book, author to address Elmira audience LIZ BEVAN A FORMER ELMIRA MINISTER turned author is coming back to town to share her novel with a reading group at Elmira Mennonite Church. On May 11 at 7 p.m., Oriole A. Vane Veldhuis will be visiting the church to discuss her book For Elise: Unveiling the Forgotten Woman on the Criddle Homestead. The book tells the true story of Veldhuis’ great grandmother and the struggles of her life as a pioneer in rural Manitoba in the late 1800s. Veldhuis put the story into a 500-page book, using the diaries of her great-grandfather, Percy Criddle, and many trips to Europe doing family research. “I am excited to be returning with the results of 12 years of full-time retirement digging into an unpleasant family secret. The research uncovered a stranger-than-fiction tale that cried out to be shared. Written primarily for family, whose ancestor had been relegated to ‘mistress’ status in recorded history,

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she is now raised to her proper place as a talented, courageous woman, in whom our family can be justly proud,” said Veldhuis, adding that the book is also for women in general. “But perhaps more important for the public is what my search revealed: the powerless status of women and their unacknowledged contribution to our country. I was very conscious of writing history from the underside as opposed to the accepted top down, winner perspective. It’s a sad but memorable story.” She and her husband Art served as ministers in Elmira in the 1980s, and have maintained friendships with many people in town, including Sally Weber, a member of the Elmira Mennonite Church and one of the organizers of the event. The evening discussion and author visit coincides with the church’s reading group, focused on women and their stories. Weber says the story struck a chord with her and encouraged her friends to read it before Veldhuis’ visit.

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“I was able to pass them around for people to read before Oriole comes. Some of them have notes and we passed them around. It is a very heartbreaking story,” she said. “It is shocking, and the one question is why would Elise have even gone to Manitoba? The story is all about her hardships and heartache. But there is a lot more to it.”

Weber says it is a big treat for the group to have the author of one of the books they read to come and discuss the work with them. The book is now in its third printing. “It is about women and we have a reading club and we just finished a book in April. This just fell in place for May. We read stories about women

and it is my opinion that authors write to make change,” she said. “We’re growing in our reading, and I thought, when Oriole mentioned that she was coming to town, it fit right in. We never meet the author of our books and most of them are kind of a biography type. This will be the first time we meet the author and we can

ask her questions about what it was like for her to find out about her greatgrandfather and greatgrandmother.” The event starts at 7 p.m. on May 11. For more information about the author and For Elise, visit www. vanecriddle.wordpress. com. To learn more about the event, call 519-6695123. Everyone is welcome.

36 | BACK PAGE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2016

ACTOR: New York provides the opportunities FROM | 3

in 2000. His dreams came to fruition when he was approved, and returned to New York. He has appeared on stages around the world in productions like Spamalot, Wicked and Assassins. He says his family have been his biggest cheerleader in his journey to Broadway success. “My family has always been super supportive of my career. Not only going into a field which was uncertain and unstable, but choosing to move to New York and call that my home,” he said. “They would love to have me closer, but they have always encouraged me to follow my heart and they have always expressed their pride and their support.” He also has some advice

St. Clements native Jeffrey Kuhn was the winner Sunday of an award from his off-Broadway role in Southern Comfort. [SUBMITTED] solid, traditional, clasfor young people who want sical training at the best to pursue a career in the school they can attend. I arts, but also come from a remember being very eager small town, like he did. to dash out of the gate, but “I would suggest that schooling will always be they do all the theatre your best investment.” they can possibly do, at To read more about the their schools or wherever,” Lucille Lortel Awards, visit he shared. “And I would www.lortelaward.com. recommend getting good,

HEALTHY KIDS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE WATERLOO REGION

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RUN, JUMP, PLAY EVERYDAY! Creative Outdoor / Indoor Play

Introducing children to new fun and creative games! (Registration required) Cost: $2.50/child/day

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Conestogo Community Park May 28, 1 - 3 pm

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