Youth entrepreneur helps animal rescue

What started as a school project has developed into some important life lessons and skills for young Paris student

Submitted content by Erika Van Stowski

Avery Van Stowski, a grade 6 student at Sacred Heart School in Paris was given an independent school project. She was able to choose any project that she would do and present it back to the class by the end of April. Avery is not one to do things in half measures and so many of her ideas although wonderful were either going to cost her parents thousands of dollars or weren’t something she would be proud to present in front of her classmates After being turned down by her parents to fostering an animal (at this time) in her life, Avery decided she could still help.

Avery has a very entrepreneurial spirit, so she decided to bake dog biscuits and sell them. The funds would go to a local rescue. Avery had been acquainted with 'Good Will Good Karma Rescue' (@goodwillgoodkarma) for over a year since her 4-H sewing club made cat nip toys and dog collars for the organization last spring. This rescue is run by a local Mt. Pleasant family including 14-year-old Will who started on this venture with his sister Jada seven years ago when he was just 7 years old Their motto is “Rescuing animals and inspiring kids and kindness”.

What started as a school project has since flourished into a full entrepreneurship experience for Grade 6 student Avery Van Stowski She is selling baked dog biscuits to raise money for a local rescue called ‘Good Will Good karma Rescue.’ You can support Avery’s business venture by purchasing a package of dog treats for sale at Van Laeken Farm’s fruit and vegetable stand in the Wincey Mills Market (while supplies last).

Avery recently met up with Will and a large litter of rescue kittens waiting to be adopted. She was given the task of cuddling them for social skill development. She also got to hear many stories of rescues and who were the partner organizations they work closely with.

Avery approached a family friend, Michelle Van Laeken, who has a veggie stand at the Wincey Mills Market to see if she might consider placing her pet treat pouches on display for the next month and a half. Continued on page 15

Thanks to (@vlfamilyfarm) Van Laeken Farms, who without hesitation are now carrying them in their stall at Wincey Mills. Over the next couple of months, during their hours from Wednesday to Sunday, the pouches will be for sale $10 a piece and the proceeds from each bag sold will be donated to the local pet rescue GWGK. The treats are healthy and delicious, your dog and maybe even other pets will enjoy these sweet potato and flax crackers.

Avery’s goal is to bake and sell 100 pouches or 10,000g of biscuits. Working at home and between activities Avery can bake a batch per day which is about four pouches Needless to say, she’s going to be busy to meet her goal That means over the next 25 days Avery will be working harder than ever But she says that this is a project she would be proud to present in front of her class.

Speaking of proud, her family is very proud of her efforts and commitment. In particular, she is gaining valuable math skills with measuring but also figuring out costs and percentages, and she is using Excel to create tracking tools. She is also learning hard lessons and realities about the animals she’s hoping to help rescue.

If you’d like to learn more about Avery’s journey, today (Saturday, March 30th) Avery will be at the Wincey Mills market to sell her pouches. The $10/pouch proceeds will go to rescue a dog or another animal in need. Stock will be available @vlfamilyfarm until the 100 pouches have sold.

Have you ever thought about becoming a Fair Judge at local fall fairs?

District 7 Judging School Press Release - The Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) District 7 is having four judging schools this year The intent is to encourage people who may not be involved in fairs but are interested in how various categories are judged and want to learn the steps they need to take in order to become a certified OAAS judge.

Our fairs across Ontario are in need of new judges, in all categories from quilts, needlework, crafts, baking, canning, woodworking to produce, eggs, honey and maple syrup.

The District 7 judging schools are taking place at various locations in the province. Each school covers different categories.

-Grains & Hay, hosted by Erin Agricultural Society on April 27th

-Antiques & Woodworking, hosted by Fergus Agricultural Society, May 11th

-Flowers & Arrangements, hosted by Arthur Agricultural Society, June 22nd

-Hobbycraft’s, TBAthis fall

Participants will learn how to judge each of the categories and what they should be looking for by using the judging standards book. This will ensure that judging across Ontario is consistent.

To become a certified OAAS judge you need to attend one judging school in a category that you are interested in and apprentice judge with three different certified OAAS judges at three different fairs.

To participate in these schools, there is a fee that can range from $20 to $30 each.

All are welcome to attend our judging schools. You never know what you might learn.

For more information, please contact

Laurie

Cadwell, District 7 Judging Contact by email: district7judgingcontact@gmail com

Brant Condominium Corporations' Association Aims to educate and advocate

If you’re confused about updating your condo governing documents, attend this free BCCA presentation next week

On Wednesday April 3rd, 2 p m , at the Sherwood Restaurant, 799 Colborne St E. Brantford, the BCCA will be sponsoring a FREE special presentation by Michelle Kelly, Condominium Management Lawyer and partner with Robson Carpenter LLP The topic will be on how to amend and change the condominium documents (Declaration and Bylaws)

Michelle states that these are concerns she receives quite often. Michelle will explain the processes to change each type of document and then discuss a few specific types of changes that she is seeing these days For example, overcrowding in units and what sorts of document changes you can make to address it Come prepared with your questions

This is your opportunity to receive some free advice from a wellknown and respected condominium lawyer. As always, there will also be a Q&A condo chat at the end of the presentation.

Who is the Brant Condominium Corporations’Association?

The BCCA acts on behalf of all Condominium Corporations in the City of Brantford and Brant County. One of their goals is to educate the condo community on ‘all things’ condo and so several times per year they have a guest speaker on a topic of interest to the condo community. There is no cost to attend their meetings Come, listen to the guest presenter and have your questions answered. Not only do they educate, but they also advocate. The BCCA is your voice on condo issues in the community to the city and county councils and your liaison to the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI).

They are also actively involved in helping condos navigate through difficult situations. If you are a Condo Board in trouble or require some outside help, contact BCCA and they will direct you accordingly. Their services are free. Membership fees help the BCCA to ensure that these objectives will continue. For more information, visit their website.