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Perth’s Canadian Tire ambassador delivers little taste of Canada overseas By LAURIE WEIR ljweir@metroland.com
News – A Perth woman had a whirlwind trip to Europe recently as she took red and white greetings to expat Canadian families, just in time for July 1 celebrations. Shana Cook, a retail manager at Canadian Tire in Perth, was the ambassador chosen by the store’s owner, Pierre Hofstatter, to deliver Canada Day care packages to three families. She had a few days to prepare. “It was amazing,” she said, as it was the first time for her on a plane as well. When asked to be the ambassador, Cook said, “I literally jumped at the chance.” “Switzerland is absolutely beautiful. I’m a country girl so getting to fly in and see the mountains was definitely the beginning of a great trip for sure.” Excellent weather, the kindness of people and easy travel were some of the perks of the trip. “It was a whirlwind trip, that’s for sure,” she said. “We were busy every day. It certainly wasn’t a European vacation. I think we nailed it for sure.” Her trip was June 15 to 21 - just in time for this long weekend. She had a travel companion. Bursting with red, white and Canadian pride, the care package was delivered in a Canadian flag adorned cooler. The families received a package filled with everything “Canadiana”, from full- and mini-size Canadian flags, to clothing, water bottles and cooler bags
sporting the iconic maple leaf. The cooler also included fun family outdoor sports and recreation gear like Frisbees and soccer balls. “I was shocked and honoured to be asked to do this,” Cook added. “I really wanted to do it to make the Town of Perth proud, and Canadian Tire proud.” Cook has lived in Perth for seven years, and has worked at Canadian Tire for six. “With Canadian Tire’s 90-year history, we’ve helped Canadians bring Canada Day celebrations to life for decades,” Allan MacDonald, Canadian Tire’s chief operating officer, said. “We’re proud to be able to bring a taste of home and celebration overseas for our Canadian expats living all over the world.” Cook added that seeing the joy on the family members faces was priceless. “Canadian Tire has really made the holiday so special for these families who were homesick for a little taste of Canada.” While overseas, Cook visited the suburbs of Bern, Switzerland, Jurbise, Belgium and Wolfenbuttel, Germany, seeing firsthand, transcontinental Canadian pride. “As Canadians living abroad, while we love sharing our nationality and culture with our new neighbours,” said Tatiana Warkentin, a Canadian expat living in Bern, Switzerland, “it’s hard to be away from home on Canada Day. We were so surprised when Shana arrived at our door with Canadian Tire’s
Submitted photo
Canada Day was delivered to expats living abroad last month when Perth woman, Shana Cook, delivered Canadian Tire care packages to three families living overseas. Pictured are Tatiana Warkentin and her husband John in Bern, Switzerland with Shana Cook (centre) ambassador with Canadian Tire. Canada Day care package.” Warkentin added that couldn’t wait to celebrate
new friends in Bern on July 1. titude of towns across the Canadian she The expatriate recipients of the Canada landscape, from Ontario to Manitoba with Day care packages come from a mul- to British Columbia.
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Page design P d i and d space sponsored d by b The Th Perth P th Courier C i 613 613.267.1100 267 1100
www.perthchamber.com The Dorothy Griffith Memorial Golf Tournament 34 Herriott Street, Perth, Ontario K7H 1T2 Old Firehall Voice: 613.267.3200 Fax: 613.267.6797 E-mail: welcome@perthchamber.com Website: www.perthchamber.com President: Jill Campbell
Wednesday, August 14, 2013 Perth Golf Course
The Chamber golf tournament is right around the corner and we have begun planning for the event. The day of fun includes: golf, cart, dinner and most on course games! Once again there will be prizes and raffles along with a live auction. To Register: welcome@perthchamber.com, or call the Chamber Office (613)267-3200
Õ ÌÞÊUÊ-ÌÀi }Ì ÊUÊ->Û }Ã The Perth & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the Chamber will be working with the Canadian Forces Appreciation Program to promote events, festivals and businesses in Perth & District. To date, the Canadian Forces Appreciation Program has developed international and national partnerships in the categories of Shops, Services, Accommodations, Attractions, Recreation, Entertainment, Dining, Transportation and Travel. The Chamber is excited about this opportunity for our members as well as for the promotion of the area to thousands of Active Members, Reservists and Retired Members of the Canadian Forces. For information about the CFappreciation Program, contact the Chamber Office.
We Welcome Our Newest Members Kohler Innovation
Tom Kohler 55 R49, Portland, ON K0G 1V0 613-889-7766 Kohler.innovation@gmail.com www.energyrenovation.ca The real judge of our Quality Work is Your Opinion. With an extensive experience in Home Energy Audits, we are sure to find all the energy saving opportunities within your home or renovation project. We strive to find solutions that are creative and within your budgetary limits.
Backbeat Books and Music
Dan Chu 6 Wilson St. W, Perth, ON K7H 2M5 613-466-0663 info@backbeatperth.com www.backbeatperth.com We sell new & used books, CDs, vinyl (including some great vintage vinyl), DVDs, Turntables (Rega & Pro-Ject), music gear.
Tangled Garden Café
Frank Kotsovolos 7 Church Street, Westport, ON K0G 1X0 613-273-7733 tangledgardenwestport@gmail.com www.tangledgardencafe.com This lively restaurant offers delectable wholesome cuisine at reasonable prices. The house specialties are traditional pizzas but you’ll also want to try fresh pastas, big salads and delectable deserts. Fully licensed. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
YAK. Youth Services – Youth Action Kommittee of Perth & District
Tanis Cowan 1 Sherbrooke Street, Perth, ON K7H 1A1 613-264-8381 YAKyouthcentre@gmail.com www.YAKYOUTH.ca YAK is open Monday to Friday for youth 10 to 18 years
old and offers Summer Camps, Employment Readiness programs, meal programs, sports, art and healthy living themed activities, home work help, computer and internet access, relationship and family counselling and most importantly individualized mentoring and encouragement. YAK is open to all youth from all walks of life.
Wildfire BBQ and Smokehouse
Regan Lee 65 Craig St., Perth, ON 613-812-0155 Regan_lee@yahoo.ca After spending time this winter in Memphis and St. Louis cooking with the seven time world champion BBQ legend Mike Mills and being coached by owners of Pappy’s Smokehouse and Bogart’s Smokehouse, Erik Kafrissen and Regan Lee have embarked on the venture of opening their own Smokehouse in Perth. Wildfire BBQ and Smokehouse will be opening this July. Be sure to stop by and experience the menu.
THE EMC - P7 - Thursday, July 4, 2013
Member Profile of the Month
Victory Farm Alpacas & Store offer fine alpaca products and alpacas. We specialize in top quality products made in Canada (from Canadian fibre) and Peru - many of which are handmade. We carry a wide range of products from yarn and rovings, to apparel, to cuddly bears and alpaca figures for the kid in us all. Kids are welcome. 613-259-0228 brian@victoryfarm.ca www.victoryfarmalpacas.com