September, 2015

Your Business. Your Community.

Volume 6, No. 1, September 2015

Inside:

• Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce Pages 18 and 19

• Women In Business Pages 20-28

• Elgin Business Women’s Network Pages 26-28, inside Women In Business

Karen Johnson, Disbrowe: Dealer/Owner in a traditionally male field Cover story: Page 3

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Karen Johnson: Dealer owner at the forefront

by Terry Carroll

manager. This summer, their daughter, Taylor, is “He is my life and business partner,” Karen says.

The number of local women in business is working in reception and car detailing and their “And just like other members of our manageone more great reason for people in the Railway son, Bradley, will be encouraged to start helping ment team, he complements my skill set which City to join the #stthomakes our team that much masproud campaign. A stronger. On a personal note, select group of these womI am happy to report that we en – leaders in what have celebrated our 20th anniverbeen traditionally male sary in July.” In 2010, after two occupations – take this dealership renovations to ento the next level. Karen hance the customer experience Johnson, dealer owner at and branding of the dealership, Disbrowe Chevrolet Buick Disbrowe successfully brought GMC Cadillac Ltd. in St. the Chevrolet franchise back to Thomas is a woman at the St. Thomas. forefront of this emerging Karen and Paul treat all detrend. She’s one of only partments of the dealership a handful of female GM like independent business dealer operators in Canaunits. They practise open book da. management so that managOn her journey, Karen ers know and understand how worked in just about eveach department is doing fiery area of the dealership nancially to appreciate the big while earning her business picture for the organization. degree, and worked for Managers handle their departGM corporately learning ments like they are their own from some of the best GM and ensure that all employees dealers in the country. understand the goals of the It was a tremendous exbusiness so they can feel part of (Left) Bradley Johnson, Taylor Johnson, Paul Johnson, Karen Johnson, Chantal Martin, Phil perience which helped a team and will go the extra mile Karen develop a mission, Fordham, Gail Lowes and Gary Tebbutt, from the team at Disbrowe Chevrolet Buick GMC when needed.

Cadillac Ltd. vision and core values that The Disbrowe name has been focuses on customer serout around the dealership later this year. Among synonymous with quality since 1923. The dealervice. The mission is to offer one-stop shopping for many other things, “I’m a working mom,” Karen ship is committed to offering customers the conautomotive needs, with a vision of offering an exvenience of “one stop shopping for all of their ausays with a smile. ceptional ownership experience that is worthy of Her father, Carl Ansingh has had three GM tomotive needs.” Disbrowe offers customers sales a customer’s loyalty and recommendation to othdealerships, first Carriage Pontiac Buick GMC of new and certified pre-owned cars, trucks, vans ers. The core values that are the central guiding in Aylmer (1981), and then Carriage Chevrolet and SUVs, onsite financing, leasing, insurance principles in all of Disbrowe’s operations include Oldsmobile Cadillac in St. Thomas (1987), and and protection, Certified Service and “all makes” trust, integrity, transparency, teamwork, dedicafinally Disbrowe Pontiac Buick GMC Cadil- Certified Express oil change (30 minute service tion to excellence and continuous improvement lac (1993). Karen joined her father’s business as with no appointments required), tires and accesand commitment to their customers, employees sales manager in 2002. In 2004, after successfully sories, “spa” vehicle detailing and an “all makes” and community. graduating from Dealer Academy and working as insurance recommended collision paint and body The goal at Disbrowe’s is to provide customers General Manager, Karen was approved as a Deal- repair centre. with a “completely satisfied experience,” and KarKaren believes that “our community is our busier Owner by General Motors. Karen handled en points out that the ultimate goal is “earning daily operations and was mentored by her father ness” and Disbrowe is proud to be an active supa recommendation from every customer, every Carl in all aspects of the business and in 2014 porter of the area for various charitable, sports, time.” The Disbrowe team aims to “treat customcompleted the dealership buyout to assume full arts, health and education organizations. ers like family by caring for the customer and goownership.

Continued on page 24 ing the extra mile.”

Her husband, Paul, joined the Disbrowe team Family is very much part of these values. Given in 2006. Both Karen and Paul had 13 years of Karen’s background, that comes as no surprise.

Cover and page 3 photos courtesy of management experience with GM in areas such Her husband, Paul Johnson, is Disbrowe’s general PhotosbyMG. as sales, marketing, production and logistics.

Elgin This Month Manager Linda Axelson Section Editor Business Beat – Bob Hammersley Freelance Editor Terry Carroll

Regional Sales Manager Nelson Parreira Graphic Design / Production Metroland Media Group Sales Representative Greg Minnema

Elgin This Month is a monthly magazine focusing on business and lifestyle issues and includes Business Beat, the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce newsletter.

The publication is available for pickup at no charge at news stands and other locations around Elgin County, as well as distribution to businesses and selected households.

Published monthly by Metroland Media Group Ltd., 15 St. Catharine Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P 2V7 519-633-1640 www.theweeklynews.ca/etm September, 2015

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3

INNES As I see It

The place of wounds (Part 2)

by Jim Innes Last month, I pointed out that wounds shape our lives. By wounded, I mean bruised and hurt by circumstances (often out of our control).

Many of our choices arise from the needs our wounds have created because every hurt leaves a scar, every hurt leaves a memory, and consequently, every hurt moulds our thoughts and attitudes and expectations.

Many have written comforting words about the place of wounds, I suppose because wounds are inevitable and largely unavoidable. Last month I shared Rumi’s thought that wounds are “the place the light shines in.”

These words of Rumi have an intuitive truthfulness that I personally connect to God’s grace, a grace that redeems wounds as compassion, and wisdom, and creative expression.

Aside the benefit of God’s redeeming graces, wounds can and do limit our potential. But with insight and courage, we can move beyond them to live more authentically.

To understand (and eventually heal) our wounds, we must first distinguish them from a) the act of wounding and b) the consequences of the wounds. For example, child abuse is the act of wounding. The wound itself is likely shame or fear or anxiety (or all the above). And the conse-

quences of those wounds might evolve as peoplepleasing behavior or some form of rebellion … either behaviour can be the result of compensating for, or expressing the pain from, the wounding caused by the abuse.

The effects of the above example might be an unhappy, anger-infused marriage void of emotion and passion, or a life full of burnt bridges and/or broken relationships … or an endless list of misshapen experiences.

Healing begins with focus on the wounds not the circumstance the wounds created. In my priestly work I am often asked to pray for people’s circumstances but less often about the wound that may have gotten them there. This shortsightedness is why some of our prayers go unanswered (or seem to). Over-focusing on the circumstances hides the real issue.

What does work is praying for insight into the wound that either provokes and maintains your stress or, as in many cases, created the circumstance you want changed. Without this focus, we simply recreate the same broken mess.

And it is important to note that we can only guess at what life has in store for us once the healing of our wounds begins. For example, someone who thinks he or she needs to leave a marriage may discover that once the inner healing begins,

the marriage is salvageable, with different parameters. This is another reason that focusing on the circumstances (and not the wound that got us into those circumstances) falls short of the real need.

Living beyond the wound means first acknowledging the legitimacy of our wounded experience, then naming the wound effectively, and then seeking insight as to how the wound plays itself out.

As a pastoral counsellor I must say that such insight is a gift. It is where the grace of God comes into play and toward which we might focus our prayers.

Insight comes through trial and error and it will reveal itself with time. It is often informed by trusted friends, partners and professionals. Patience and forgiveness are key virtues.

But that’s not the end of it. Insight is not healing. It’s just the beginning of the courageous journey.

I’ll explore this journey more in part 3 (next month).

LCA Systems is headquartered in London, and operates throughout Ontario and all over the globe, and recently joined the St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce.

for the St Thomas Caring Cupboard.

All of the folks at Gurr Auto are car people, so they have a blast. The entrance fee is a donation to the St Thomas Caring Cupboard, with the first 50 cars getting a commemorative dash plaque. Last year, Gurr Auto raised $217 and 221 lb. of food.

This year, the goal is 500 lb.

Jim Innes is a clinically trained therapist and a priest at St. Johns’ Anglican Church in St. Thomas. Learn more at jiminnes.ca.

Business This Month

LCA systems joins local Chamber LCA Systems provides next generation phone systems for small to large businesses across Ontario and the rest of Canada. The company enables its customers to integrate all forms of communication seamlessly into their business process, with a mission to help cut costs, improve customer service and eliminate reliability issues in the confusing and complex world of VOIP and Hosted Communications. As a proud Canadian business, LCA Systems is able to deliver the highest possible levels of customer satisfaction, speedy implementation, ease of management, reduced cost of ownership and excellent ongoing support.

Second annual Gurr Auto Palooza Gurr Auto is getting ready to hold its second annual Gurr Auto Palooza on Sept 13, 10am2pm. It is all about giving back to customers and community, as a “thank you” to all they do for the business, throughout the year. Watch for a car show with live music, BBQ, door prizes, face painting for kids, and hourly door prizes, all to have fun while raising money and food donations

If you are in business in St. Thomas or Elgin, and have something new to report for the Business This Month feature, email a 100-word news release to terry@carrollgroup.ca by mid-month for the next month’s issue.

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4

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY OUR COMMUNITY

Four ways to boost community events

by Serge Lavoie

Among several hot button issues that arose in St. Thomas over the past summer is the nature of the cooperative relationship between the city and the numerous community groups operating special events in our municipality.

The main controversy surrounded the Festival of Lights in Pinafore Park and an apparent series of miscommunications regarding rental fees, liability insurance, the city’s granting process and the capabilities of the group of volunteers who have been instrumental in operating it.

I’m not going to comment on that particular situation but it got me thinking about the important of special events to our community and whether the city is doing enough to support and foster them. Full disclosure here: as a member of the On Track St. Thomas board, and a proponent of the St. Thomas Elevated Park project, I have a particularly personal point of view on this issue.

I’ve always been amazed at the broad range of events which take place in St. Thomas (in fact, across all of Elgin) over the year and even more amazed that the vast majority of them are operated by community groups investing thousands and thousands of volunteer hours.

I think it sets us apart from other cities of our size across the province. Consider the Iron Horse Festival, our version of a fall fair. In other communities like London, Norfolk or, of course, Toronto, the fair board is controlled by the municipality and the event held on city-owned land.

With Iron Horse, the massive event is the product of a community group operating on a shoe string with thousands of volunteer hours.

Add to that events like Day Out With Thomas, St. Anne’s Festival, Nostalgia Night, Fire Muster, Rib Fest, etc. and you begin to understand just how much of the quality of life in this city is built through the efforts of volunteer groups.

I would argue that it’s an increasingly important part of our economic development, generating tourism dollars and very positive goodwill from residents and visitors alike. I would further argue that all that effort is on par with the achievements of our municipally owned Economic Development Corporation.

That being the case, shouldn’t the city invest as

much in community based economic development efforts as it does in commercial, retail and industrial development? I suspect that an economic analysis would show that our collection of community events and community owned assets (like the CASO Station and Elgin County Railway Museum) are critical factors in residential and industrial attraction and have been instrumental in the success of the “25 percent more” campaign.

Once the city accepts that supporting community based development is a good strategy, there are a number of relatively inexpensive measures which could be put in place.

To be fair, the city’s tourism coordinator has been very effective in supporting and promoting community events. The city also has a Special Events Committee to coordinate its involvement with community groups and publishes an exhaustive Festivals and Events Manual detailing all the permits, permissions and notifications which need be addressed. Oddly, it doesn’t contain information about the rental costs of municipal facilities nor does it mention the process for obtaining municipal grants to help offset those costs, two issues which were at the core of the controversy regarding Festival of Lights.

Here are four ideas which could put greater emphasis on the important of community-based events and projects to our city.

• Appoint at least one person whose sole responsibility is to act as liaison between community groups and the various city departments. This would serve as a single-window access to all municipal regulations and support services. It would put community events and projects on the same level as traditional economic development.

• Conduct an annual review of all municipal processes to make sure

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there is no duplication, that all departments are kept in the loop and Volunteers at events like the that the reguAylmer Cornfest contribute thoulatory requirements maintain sands of hours of time to events in St. Thomas / Elgin. safety but are not so onerous that they discourage volunteers from contributing to our community.

• Undertake a regular economic impact analysis of community events and the assets owned and operated by community groups in an effort to quantify the value of volunteer-based activity in our city.

• Invest more in grants to community groups, for both events and infrastructure support. Make sure that a significant portion of that community grants fund is reserved to allow for a continuous application process rather than tied to the existing annual budget cycle. This will improve flexibility and encourage innovation.

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AGRICULTURE On The Farm

Life lessons, from a 4-H calf

by Janine Lunn

Another summer has come and gone, along to pay off when the practicing inwith the passage of another round of 4-H proj- volves smoother walking, and less ects. We come from a long line of dairy people, so “chasing the calf around the barnit only seems natural to have our children show a yard.”

Dress for success. A moving target calf. However, the weeks and months in between selecting that perfect calf, and walking into the … the dress code for calf training show ring, don’t always come naturally! Here are is drastically different than show some tips and tricks – for new 4-H members and day! Despite pleas for crocs and flip for all of us – from one who has practice as a show flops, these parents insist on something a little sturdier. While one person and as a show person cheerleader.

Start early. No matter how early that first 4-H calf ’s hoof may not seem like much, once your big toe club meeting seems, show day is firmly wedged will always come more quickly ...showing up under the weight than we think. June is always once will not do of a stubborn full of field work, school trips animal, you will and celebrations, which means the trick... be grateful for fitting in time to get to know a those hot rubcalf can be a challenge.

Show up. Just like establishing any good habit, ber boots (or at the very least the the biggest part of the job in training a calf is to lowliest of shoes: the barn runner). be present. At first, this means baby steps like Show day is a whole new matter. feeding and brushing, because it takes a lot of As tradition would have it, white trust before she will be willing to let you wrangle is the favoured colour for showing. on a halter. Calf training begins before any real Parents have found that the longer and more expensive the search for walking takes place.

Repeat often. Showing up once will not do the “show whites” the faster they will trick. We’ve tried. Our kids have tried. These be covered in calf nose-prints, dirt and manure calves do not train themselves. Five minutes splatters.

Watch the judge. No amount of poise and prepseems like an hour when your calf is jumpy or stubborn, but all those sessions add up. It begins aration in the show ring can make up for missing the cue of the judge.

Eye contact conveys confidence, assertiveness, and a show-person who is ready to do what the judge needs to show a calf to her best advantage. While practising, parents have an annoying habit of playing “pretend judge.” Play along. The sooner you make the habit of keepWe can be your I.T. Department ing your eyes up, the or better.

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Sometimes the calmest calf will spook once she’s in the distracting environment of the fall fair, and other times the most bull-headed calf will surprise everyone and walk like a dream. Some show people just have the knack, and others struggle to keep it all together. It’s up to the judge to make the final call, and no matter which end of the line-up you find yourself in, a word of congratulations to your fellow show people is in order.

Have some perspective. Yes, it’s only one day.

But on the other hand, it also a lot more than one day. Getting a calf and a 4-Her to show day takes months of meetings, practice runs, mistakes and mess. The experiences and friends will last, and the laundry will be white again (more or less), and there’s always next year to try again.

Janine Lunn lives on the family farm near Belmont, Ontario.

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Dining & Entertainment FOOD & WINE

A greener wine world: Part 2

by Jamie Quai

After taking the time last month to define the terms used to ask smarter questions about environmentally friendly wines, we are going to devote this month to eight things wine producers can do to be better stewards of the environment. This is not a top eight list or, by any means comprehensive – it’s just a few suggestions savvy consumers can inquire about.

First off, look for greenery at the farm.

Grapes are only one part of a larger program for managing soil health in a vineyard. A winery that is constantly turning the soil to keep down weed competition and leaving bare ground is doing a lot of harm.

Permanent grasses, flowers, or legumes as a cover crop are great ways to be greener.

Second, spray smarter. We live in a continental climate, and because of the wild temperature, humidity, and precipitation ranges we get, pesticides (organic or not) are a must. But the farmer that understands the disease cycle will spray more effective materials, and generally less often.

Third, composts and manures as soil boosters.

Since the dawn of agriculture farmers have understood that having animals live, and deposit waste products, on their soils leads to overall better products by almost every metric. Being a greener producer means using waste products effectively to help create a healthier soil. It’s naive for a grape grower to think that there is a more efficient modern fertilizer that can target a deficiency and correct it, as good or better, long-term, than using a properly prepared and applied compost. It’s the next best thing to having animals grazing in between the vines.

Fourth item is biodiversity on the farm. Ask how much of the land is set aside for something other than the vineyards. This could be fallow land that is being left to replenish itself, or unmanaged forest, that can offer habitats to a wide range of living things. Most estimates I’ve ever come across say that 5-10% of the property must be left alone to offer balance.

Fifth item may seem a little unusual but it can be a tell-tale sign of how conscious a producer is about being green. Ask: does anyone live on the property? A producer who has a family, or coworkers residing in close proximity to where the plants grow will generally make more environmentally benign decisions. My experience is that the greatest risk of exposure to less ecologically September, 2015

they carted in from far away? With respect to outputs, how close is the winery to an LCBO distribution centre or its customer base? The fuel used in shipping materials is actually one of the biggest carbon footprints in a bottle of wine.

The last thing to talk about it a throwback to a few issues ago – water use. Wineries are generally not hooked up to municipal water systems. Wineries are thus responsible for procuring water and disposing of it properly themselves. There is a lot of oversight in this realm. Legislators are so concerned about the minimums that there is opportunity for wineries to be better. Greener producers will do things (not required for the majority of producers) like meter their water, keep records of usage, and invest in reduction techniques. More ambitious green producers will invest in rainwater collection, water reclamation technology, or build more complex waste treatment systems that allow the water to be naturally treated to a level sufficient for farm use. Reducing. Reusing. Recycling.

Jamie Quai is head winemaker at Quai du Vin Estate Winery in Elgin County friendly methods is on the farm, not in the bottle.

Sixth and seventh things are all about the buildings and location. In the winery design course I teach, we talk a lot about making smart choices in materials and layout to then minimize the amount of energy the winery consumes.

Building into slopes or hillsides helps reduce temperature fluctuations; using insulating materials like concrete and wood will also help. Using natural light as much as possible to minimize electricity and motion sensor lighting for all outdoor fixtures are greener choices. When it comes to location, ask about the proximity of the winery to its inputs and outputs. Where does the winery get its supplies or bottles, closures, cleaning supplies (and other items)? Are they local sources, or are

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Dining & Entertainment Tourism

Solitude Nature Reserve A reprieve from the digital age

by Katherine Thompson

Every year Canadians are spending more time indoors in front of screens and less time in the great outdoors. We spend an estimated 90% of our lives indoors and as a result we have disconnected from the natural environment. According to the Connecting Canadians With Nature study, done by the Canadian Parks Council, this disconnect has caused higher levels of depression, chronic anxiety and learning issues in adults and children across the country. This disconnect is what prompted Phil McNamee and his wife Mary Hanley to open Solitude Nature Reserve in Central Elgin.

McNamee has 10 years of experience leading wilderness backpacking adventures for adults to locations such as Gros Morne National Park, the Grand Canyon and Killarney Provincial Park.

This experience has made him keenly aware of the positive effects that nature can have on people.

“People slow down when they spend time in nature,” said McNamee. “They don’t worry about what is happening at the office, and they are more relaxed.”

Solitude Nature Reserve seeks to provide campers with a true backwoods, wilderness camping experience close to home. Visitors won’t need to

travel hundreds of kilometres to have authentic encounters with nature. Campsites are located far away from one another – the idea is to enjoy nature and not your neighbours. The use of electronic devices is not permitted except in the case of an emergency. McNamee wants Solitude Nature Reserve to be a reprieve from the stresses and distractions of the digital age. He wants families to reconnect with nature and with one another.

It took two years of searching before McNamee and Hanley found the perfect property. They chose 35 acres of natural bush and trails located at 45388 Dexter Line between Quaker and Yarmouth Centre Roads. McNamee increased the hiking trails and added 6 campsites each equipped with a 16’x16’ tent deck, a picnic table, an iron fire ring with a grill and a composting toilet. Fire wood is available on-site but campers are required to bring their own food and drinking water and a wagon will be available to help transport camping gear from the parking lot to the campsites.

Currently three of these sites are available to the public with three more scheduled to open by late August. Campsites will be free of charge on a first come first serve basis but interested campers will need to get a permit from McNamee to be on-

site. The campsites will only be available Friday and Saturday nights from July to September but the property is open for day-use from dawn until dusk 7 days a week, year-round.

Solitude Nature Reserve is conveniently located within close proximity to a number of Elgin County tourist attractions, giving campers the opportunity to explore the area when not on-site at Solitude Nature Reserve. The area is home to fantastic roads for cycling, wineries, quaint fishing villages and the scenic coast of Lake Erie.

For more information about Solitude Nature Reserve including trail maps and campsite bookings visit their website or like them on Facebook.

Katherine Thompson is Marketing & Communications Coordinator with The County of Elgin

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• September 2015 •

Black tie & pearls Committee members Rebecca Palmer (left), Ginette Minor and Joanne Beaton vamp it up for the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) “Black Tie & Pearls” fundraiser Nov. 21 at St. Anne’s Centre. The trio were part of the Chamber Business After 5 August 26 hosted by the STEGH Foundation in support of the Great Expansion fundraising campaign and other efforts at the hospital.

Date: Wednesday September 30

Host & Sponsor: Fanshawe College St. Thomas Elgin Regional Campus 120 Bill Martyn Parkway, St. Thomas Free admission to all personnel from any business or organization that is a Member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce.

Business Beat Table of Contents Uncorked................... Page 10 Avoid scams .............. Page 11 Insurance month ....... Page 12 Re-Accreditation ....... Page 13 Legal Business .......... Page 14 Prevent injuries ......... Page 15 New Members........... Page 16 September, 2015

Time to show & tell!

National Small Business Week is coming next month, and so is the Chamber’s annual Business Sample Show, in the afternoon and early evening of Wednesday October 21 at St. Anne’s Centre.

Exhibitor bookings are filling fast and being welcomed now at the Chamber office. Maximum 50 spaces available. It’s a unique and powerful opportunity to make Business-ToBusiness and Business-To-Consumer contact.

The 2015 Business Sample Show can bring your business closer than ever to over 500 potential clients, with new and innovative advertising and promotional opportunities supported by aggressive pre-event marketing and promotion by the Chamber. You can also maximize your exposure through our customized PASSPORT Destination package for this year's show.

Here’s what the Chamber provides to all Exhibitors: • The Business Sample Show is open, and free of charge to attendees, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., plus our Exhibitor Power Hour from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Direct contact with our target market of over 400 – 600 attendees from B2B and B2C markets.

• An 8 foot table (if required) in a 10’ x 10’ display space, either on the main floor of the hall or on the raised outer perimeter section of the building. Floor spaces $175. Upper perimeter $150.

• Hydro hook ups for interactive displays are free but outlets must be requested prior to the Show. There is a limited number available.

• Exhibitor booths may be designated as PASSPORT DESTINATION

STAMP LOCATIONS. Everyone attending will be given a passport which must be stamped at a minimum of 50% of the designated spaces. Completed passports will then be eligible in a $500 cash prize draw.

• Pre-event and post-event recognition in weekly "Green Mail" & in the October issue of "Business Beat” within Elgin This Month magazine.

Extensive exposure via the Chamber’s website & social media platforms via our website, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. • Vendor Awards – $250 prizes for each: Most Creative Display and Most Interactive Display.

• Exhibitor “Power Hour”. We feed and refresh all exhibitors with complimentary refreshments and pizza in the hour before the show opens to the public, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. It’s also our exhibitor’s chance to walk the floor and see the other displays.

• Food for attendees. The Chamber will place four food exhibitors in the show; one in each corner of the hall to stimulate floor traffic. Each food exhibit provides free sample-size portions while the show is open.

Here’s what we need from Exhibitors:

• Choose your space. $150 for perimeter or $175 for lower main floor.

First come, first served. Members can visit the Chamber office to pick, or we can send a floor plan by email.

• If you wish to be a PASSPORT location, let us know at time of booking. Add $25 to exhibitor fee.

• Samples. As the name of the show implies, this event is focused on luring attendees with samples. Each exhibitor must agree to provide a minimum of 300 samples of a product or a promo giveaway. For exhibitors that are not offering samples, a cash contribution or door prize draw item valued at a minimum of $150 is required. All cash contributions by exhibitors will be used by the Chamber to purchase door prize draw items.

• Confirm your sample item, or door prize contribution, no later than 3 weeks before the show to enable us to print lists and promote prizes in pre-show advertising.

For an exhibitor info package please call the Chamber office and speak with any of the staff at 519-631-1981 or reach us by email: mail@stthomaschamber.on.ca

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9

Chamber News Events and News of Interest to our Members

Chamber events – updates, changes & additions The Chamber’s busy calendar of events and activities over any year includes a lot of time and energy from our staff and volunteers, and 2015 is no exception. Added to it, the planning and prep already underway for things on our 2016 calendar.

Our activities always offer opportunities for participation and involvement to the people, businesses and organizations we count as Members.

Right now, we’re into a couple of events that we encourage all Members to consider attending, sponsoring, supporting and getting involved in.

First, see the previous page for details on our annual Business Sample Show. It’s part of National Small Business Week and happens Wednesday October 21.

The latest event added to our radar involves planning for our next St. Thomas Uncorked wine & art event. The previous three years have been complete sell-outs.

The date for 2016 is Saturday January 23, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and the location will again be the St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre. Organized by the Chamber’s

Member Services Committee, this event is designed and delivered each year with a team of Chamber volunteers, staff and suppliers. Chamber Staff liaison to the event is Member Services Representative Warren Allen. Quai du Vin’s Jamie Quai returns as our sommelier / presentation expert. We’re looking for sponsor support as well as volunteer help through planning & delivery. It’s an annual event proven to be fun and entertaining – and informative, thanks to us showcasing 16 wines from local, provincial, national and international sources.

Watch for ticket sales info to be posted on the Chamber website in late October once all details are confirmed. And don’t forget that Uncorked tickets make great Christmas gifts. Call Warren Allen for more at 519-631-1981 Extension 526 or email warren@stthomaschamber.on.ca Upcoming this fall we expect a new date/time/location announcement on hosting Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Leader Patrick.

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Chamber Network calls for assurance that partial sale of Hydro One will not impact electricity prices

Business Beat Published by Metroland Media Group Ltd., and delivered to businesses in St. Thomas and Elgin Country For complete information on the St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce, reach us at: 115-300 South Edgeware Rd., St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 4L1 Telephone: 519-631-1981 Fax: 519-631-0466 E-Mail: mail@stthomaschamber.on.ca Website: www.stthomaschamber.on.ca President & CEO Bob Hammersley Accounting Coordinator Susan Munday Member Services Warren Allen

For complete details, contact the Chamber

115 - 300 South Edgeware Road, St. Thomas Phone: 519-631-1981 Fax: 519-631-0466 Email: mail@stthomaschamber.on.ca www.stthomaschamber.on.ca

September, 2015

In early summer we announced plans for a sister event to our popular January wine taster called St. Thomas Uncorked. The new event is to feature craft beers and BBQ foods, and was to be held August 29. A variety of scheduling and alcohol licensing issues have delayed our plans. If all goes with our current plans, we’re aiming at St. Thomas Uncapped being held on the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend next year: Saturday June 18. We’re thankful for the patience and continued support of our host location for this event. It will be delivered in the 3,000 square-foot main showroom at the GCW Kitchens & Custom Cabinetry plant on South Edgeware Road in St. Thomas.

In a letter submitted to Premier Kathleen Wynne on August 20, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and a coalition of 36 Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade requested evidence that the sale of a portion of Hydro One will not directly impact electricity prices in the future. The full text of the letter can be viewed on the Chamber's website at stthomaschamber.on.ca While we are cautiously optimistic about the sale, there are details that have yet to be determined. The OCC and the Chamber Network are concerned that it could adversely affect the cost of doing business in the province, including adding to the rising price of electricity. As such, we are seeking clarity from government on how the sale will impact electricity prices.

The Ontario Chamber Network is committed to being an active participant in any discussions about the future of Ontario's electricity system. On July 8, the OCC released the most widely consulted report in the history of the organization and our membership, Empowering Ontario: Constraining Costs and Staying Competitive in the Electricity Market. That document, along with samples of media coverage it generated across Ontario, can be found on the main page of the Chamber's website at stthomaschamber.on.ca

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layed the event upon the call of the September 3 by-election in which Mr. Brown is seeking a seat at Queen’s Park.

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St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce 2015 Board of Directors Chair: Ross Fair Fanshawe College Vice-Chair: Dan Kelly, CPA, CGA Dowler-Karn Ltd. Treasurer: Mark Lassam, CPA, CA Lassam & Co. Past Chair: Laura Woermke St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre Director: Sean Dyke St. Thomas Economic Development Corp.

Director: Robert Furneaux Gorman-Rupp of Canada Ltd. Director: Brian Helmer Reith & Associates Insurance & Financial Director: Kevin Jackson Elgin Business Resource Centre Director: Jeff Kohler City of St. Thomas Director: Phil Mauer Phil Mauer & Associates Inc. Director: Ginette Minor Alexelle Slipcovers & Décor Director: Rob Mise myFM Radio 94.1

10

Chamber News Events and News of Interest to our Members

Don’t give it up!

It’s been said before that information is the key to success. Around the Chamber office, we also see it as the key to a lot of grief when info gets to the wrong people.

This summer, like all others, we have seen multiple examples of scams, stings and rip-offs hitting businesses and local residents. We’re taking this space to share three recent examples that are all old problems, but disguised with modern appearances.

The scam invoice shown here is a copy of one shared with us by a Chamber of Commerce Member in July. It has a fresh, contemporary appearance and came by mail from Quebec. Sending a cheque for the requested $850 to the listed P.O. Box in Montreal would likely earn the contributor a place in a listing or catalogue of other willing payers. Definitely not a list you want to be on. The origin of the mailing in Quebec also skirts the sender around Ontario law that says look-alike invoices that are really sales pitches should say so with wording like “This is a solicitation for services and not an invoice.” This one’s another great example of why the Chambers of Commerce across Canada are so interested in inter-provincial trade barriers, and sharing laws that might help to make a difference.

Next on our list of recycled scams is one that originates with what seems an innocent phone call. August 18, the Chamber office got one directly! The “innocent” phone call comes as a request masked as being from a known supplier, or sometimes as research into office technology. No one tries to sell anything in the call; it’s just a request to get the brand and model of copier in your office or other details of makes & models of other equipment like computers, printers and even phone systems. If you have the Caller ID feature in your office, odds are it appears as Un-

known or Anonymous. While the call may seem innocent, it’s all part of a set-up. If you give up information you will get another call a couple of days later from someone who can appear to speak from a credible position about your pending order for toner, paper, ink and such. You might also get asked for a credit card number. Bad, bad, bad.

One of the most disappointing and hurtful scams we learned of this summer hit a local household for a new furnace installation costing several thousand dollars. It all started with a door-to-door sales call that pressured a person into signing a contract to replace a furnace. In this case, the victim was an older individual suffering from a disability that leads to mental good days and bad days. The sales pitch hit on a bad day. The contract was signed but, on the following day – a good day – the result

“a new furnace installation cost several thousand dollars” of the action was clear, and the victim acted properly to use the provisions of Ontario Consumer Protection law to notify the vendor and cancel the contract.

Then the situation took a turn for the worse.

The victim’s spouse, who suffers from another disability, was home alone when a furnace installation crew arrived and proceeded to dismantle their old furnace and install the new one. It all took place before the letter cancelling the deal was delivered to the vendor.

The scenario above raises multiple issues and problems and is likely to be the subject of work for lawyers, over a period of time one can’t begin to imagine. Losing the argument means a lot of lost money.

The Chamber strongly urges all businesses and residents to do everything and anything possible to reduce scams that are criminal and deceptive. They wouldn’t exist if they didn’t work!

If you would not know how to act in any of the three scenarios detailed in this article, now is the time to raise your level of awareness. For information on your rights and obligations as a buyer of goods or services, spend some time online and search “Consumer Protection Ontario.” For anything you suspect is criminal, call the police. They can’t solve crimes they don’t know about. For purchases of products and services, BUY LOCAL. The businesses and organizations that are registered at Members of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce have all pledged to act legally and ethically and to treat customers fairly. The fact they are accepted and maintain a Chamber membership is a strong indicator they are reputable and act with genuine commitment to our community. Check our online business directory at stthomaschamber.on.ca before you buy.

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11

Pro Text Events and News of Interest to our Members

Life insurance awareness month

by Darren Reith

Far fewer Canadians are buying life insurance today than compared to three decades ago and, as a result, the industry is taking steps to simplify products and engage younger consumers. To successfully engage younger consumers, the industry must utilize new channels of interacting with clients, such as online chat tools and social media.

However, the industry must not ignore the traditional face-to-face distribution channel in pursuing younger clients.

Everybody believes the X and Y generations don't want face-to-face advice. In our studies, they're not much behind their parents in saying that they do want face-to-face advice for financial decisions. They still want advice, and they want help. With a greater likelihood that Canadians will live well past retirement age, the probability of outliving your retirement money is higher than dying prematurely. As a result, life insurance has fallen considerably lower on their list of financial priorities. Sadly, what is being missed is the reality that a properly designed retirement plan includes appropriate amounts of life insurance.

Purchasing life insurance can be the most important step you take to protect the future of your family and your business. Life insurance can do some pretty amazing things for people. It will pay for your end of life expenses and buy your family and business the time needed to grieve

and prepare for the future. It can keep families in their homes and pre-fund a child’s college education. It can keep a family business in the family and pay-off debts or mortgages. It can provide a stream of income for a family to live on for a perdetermined period of time. It can be used to fund the remaining spouse’s retirement income fund.

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, the perfect time to take stock of your life insurance and the needs and future expectations of your family and your business.

The 7 wonders of life insurance: 1. Buys time: Allows loved ones to grieve by helping to pay for funeral and other final expenses.

2. Provides a fresh start: Gives loved ones start with a clean slate by helping to pay off credit card bills, outstanding loans and even the mortgage.

3. Generates income: Proceeds from life insurance can be invested to replace lost income for years to come giving surviving family member’s financial stability.

4. Offers flexibility: Gives a surviving spouse the chance to take time away from work or to switch to a job that offers more flexibility to benefit the surviving family member’s needs.

5. Creates opportunities: Can provide funding to start a business, or pay for school.

6. Funds the future: Offers a way to fund longer range goals like a college education for the kids or a secure retirement for a surviving spouse.

7. Leaves a legacy: Grants parents the oppor-

tunity to leave future generations with the legacy of long-term financial security removing future financial uncertainty.

Life insurance is the largest unmanaged asset one has. That’s why it needs to be reviewed regularly. Good policy reviews consider both internal and external changes that can impact you and the lives of your family and the operations of your business.

Not only do our lives constantly change, but so do the markets, the products and the economy.

An annual review of your life insurance and companion investments is necessary to verify your level of risk and ensure your program remain suitable to your needs. If you have not had a review of your life insurance, or have never received a second opinion on your current policy consider your families future and contact an advisor you trust to be sure what you have is enough to give your family the peace of mind you have dreamed of.

This column appears regularly in Business Beat and has been submitted by Darren Reith, a principal of Reith & Associates Insurance and Financial Services Limited, 462 Talbot Street, St. Thomas.

Questions and comments on this column are welcomed by the writer at 519-631-3862 or via e-mail: info@reithandassociates.com

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Chamber News Events and News of Interest to our Members

Chamber seeks Re-Accreditation By the middle of this month, the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce will have submitted an application to renew the Accreditation of the Chamber.

The results of our work will, hopefully, be known by the end of the year.

Under the guidance and direction of the Chamber Accreditation Council of Canada, Chambers across the country are eligible to apply for and obtain certification as an Accredited Chamber.

The St. Thomas & District Chamber attained Accreditation for the first time when it achieved “Accreditation With Distinction 2013 – 2015” as the result of work completed through 2012.

Chambers can seek certification at two levels; basic Accreditation or, as we have, Accreditation With Distinction.

In a nutshell, what success means is assurance to our Members, our volunteers and staff, and everyone we serve, that every aspect of our operation meets nationally and internationally-recognized standards. For industry and services, it’s a parallel to ISO certification.

Success in the Accreditation process from our current application will mean we can display a seal and logo similar to the one we currently use.

It appears on everything from our website to office stationery, and appears as evidence of our success.

As you can see here, the creation of the Chamber’s application for Accreditation means, literally, assembling hundreds of pages of documents that prove and explain the services and functions of the Chamber.

Once our in-house work is complete, our binder and application for Accreditation are submitted for review by a panel of judges. Pictured here, Chamber Communications Clerk Kylie Lechner shows the details of our submission to Robert Furneaux. Robert is a Director on the Chamber’s Board in addition to his daily work as Managing Director of a St. Thomas-based manufacturer, Gorman-Rupp Business Plans • Management Consulting of Canada Ltd.

Commitment to Excellence

There are five Pillars or areas under which our function and operation are scrutinized and must be proven to meet set standards.

Pillar 1 is Policy & Advocacy. We are required to prove active participation in the public policy arena with work that involves local, federal, and provincial governments as “the Voice of Business” for our Members.

Pillar 2 focuses on Membership Programs & Services. It looks at our communication products, programs and services including such things as our monthly publication activity here in Elgin This Month magazine.

Pillar 3 is organization and administration. It explores and proves all aspects of the business of operating the Chamber and ensures compliance with legal obligations as an employer and as a notfor-profit corporation serving our Members.

Pillar 4 is Governance. It confirms our practices September, 2015

and policies for having the affairs of the Chamber governed by a Board of Directors representing our Members plus our registration and incorporation as a Chamber under the federal Boards of Trade Act. It also includes the structure and operation of Chamber committees.

Pillar 5 is Strategic Planning or, in other words, our focus on the future.

This pillar requires that we confirm the existence of our 5-year plan for the business, affairs and services to be provided by the Chamber.

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13

Legal Business Events and News of Interest to our Members

“Correcting” the law of owner’s liability

by Monty Fordham Under the Canadian legal system, there are, principally, two sources of law: statutory, and law which develops over time by way of judicial precedent. As you might imagine, laws which are Monty Fordham set out in the form of legislation passed by parliament or the legislatures are, essentially, “set in stone.” At least until the lawmakers repeal or amend. For the most part, these laws are clearly defined, and courts will not interfere unless some constitutional challenge is brought, or the court is called upon to interpret a statute. In other words, the court applies the statute law as it is written, or at least it should.

“it is permissible for the court to overrule its prior decisions…”

In the case of judicial precedent, a principle known as stare decisis, which basically means “to stand by previous decisions,” applies. This principle harkens back to the early days of English common law, and, as one might imagine, is not to be taken lightly. The principle lends consistency

and clarity to the laws of contract and civil liability. And so, it is rare indeed for an appeal court, whether the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal, to overrule itself. However, in the recent case of Fernandez v. Araujo, the Ontario Court of Appeal did just that.

The case concerned the issue of a vehicle owner’s liability for damages, where the vehicle is driven by someone else, in a manner expressly prohibited by the owner.

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sustained as a result of a highway accident when the person with possession of the vehicle violated the condition and drove the vehicle on a highway.

It’s not hard to see how strict application of this principle would leave many injured parties without any practical prospect of recovering damages.

The court in Fernandez held that its own decision in Newman was wrong and that the applicable law should change. The principle of stare decisis, it said, was “not absolute.” Citing a previous decision, the court stated, “it is permissible for the court to overrule its prior decisions if it is satisfied that the error should be corrected after considering ‘the advantages and disadvantages of correcting the error.” (Sounds a lot like common sense!) Accordingly the court found that owners (and their insurers) may be held liable for the acts of others to whom they lend their vehicles, even where the operation of the vehicle is contrary to the instructions of the owner.

It is important to note that the Court of Appeal has simply opened a legal door, which was previously closed upon itself. It will be up to future judges as to whether in any particular case, vicarious liability will be assessed totally, partially or not at all, against a vehicle owner, in particular circumstances. There will be cases where the consent to take the vehicle is not expressed, but only implied; and cases where the taking of the vehicle is tantamount to theft. As individual fact situations are presented to the courts, new rules will be developed.

But for now, “it stands decided”.

Lawyer Monty Fordham prepares this monthly column for the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce and our Members. Questions, comments and suggestions for future columns are welcomed by Monty at his office: Fordham & Brightling Associates – Lawyers, 4 Elgin Street, St. Thomas. Telephone 519-633-4000, FAX 519-633-1371 or e-mail: montyfordham@4elgin.ca 14

Viewpoint Events and News of Interest to our Members

5 steps to prevent safety-related downtime from eating into your profits When you think it only happens to “the other guy,” think how easily that might not be the case.

Media stories regularly prove that, despite best efforts, small businesses do see injuries at their workplace.

Lost time due to injury can add up fast in terms of both hours and dollars. Thanks to our colleagues and associates as WSPS (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services), the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to bring you tips on how to protect the value of your business and the people in it.

Industry estimates suggest that 5% of production capacity is lost each year to unplanned downtime.

“This figure is conservative,” says WSPS consultant Gord Leffley. While safety-related stoppages are just one type of unplanned event, even minor incidents can slow down or halt production.

“Take the example of a first aid case, traditionally considered a ‘no cost’ injury,” says Leffley. “When a person sustains an injury, how long does the person spend talking to other workers before seeking first aid treatment? How much time is spent finding the supervisor to report the injury, contacting a first aider, completing first aid and associated administration, cleaning up, and returning the first aider to his or her duties? How long is the injured person away from work getting, receiving and returning from first aid?”

Take all these considerations into account, says Leffley, and the productivity loss related to a single first aid occurrence could quickly amount to a half day. More serious injuries could cause slowdowns or shutdowns lasting days or weeks. Leffley knows this from personal experience. Early in his work life, he was re-assigned to a filling machine that had just amputated a worker’s thumb. “I had to clean the blood off before starting the machine up, so my focus was not exactly on productivity and quality.” The incident’s impact on productivity was immediate. One worker was down, and another had been pulled from his regular assignment to operate the machine. “We also dumped 200 cases of product looking for the thumb.”

Leffley’s example involves productivity and prod-

uct losses. If an incident includes equipment loss, Gord Leffley offer these five suggestions.

1. Know what potential hazards could be prescosts could skyrocket. Here’s a sampling of related ent in your workplace. Conduct an assessment losses: • maintenance/repair of damaged equipment or and prioritize the results.

2. Formulate a business case. Include machinery • an action plan based on the hierarchy of hazard • faster depreciation of the damaged equipment control: elimination, substitution, engineering, or machinery • removal/disposal of the damaged or redundant administration, and personal protective equipment for workers and supervisors. equipment/machinery • the cost of doing nothing. An average lost-time • equipment/machinery rental • purchase and installation of new equipment or injury claim in 2010 cost over $19,000. Associated costs could total up to 10 times that amount. machinery, and other workplace modifications.

3. Apply firm timelines. “I’ve had conversations Health and safety can protect the value of with employers who say, ‘I’ll deal with it when your business WSPS consultant Martin Berthelot recounts two something happens,’” says Berthelot. “But that’s safety-related value scenarios he’s encountered. The already too late, for the affected workers and for first involves a business owner he worked with be- the business.”

4. Inform everyone of specific hazards and fore joining WSPS. The owner was refusing to pay Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) precautions to take.

5. Integrate loss management elements, profines or paying the bare minimum. “When he eventually put his business up for sale, the buyer cesses, and disciplines throughout your operalearned of these WSIB obligations. As a result, the tion via training, coaching, and proven techniques seller had to reduce his price by $1 million.” Les- and tools.

For information on making a direct connection son learned: “If you don’t do the right thing now, you’ll have to do it later, and often at greater cost.” with WSPS, go to the Chamber’s on-line business The second scenario: suppliers who miss out directory for local personnel and contacts at stthoon contracts because of poor health and safety maschamber.on.ca, or visit wsps.ca. performance. “Purchasers are increasingly asking for information on their suppliers’ health and safety programs and performance,” says Berthelot. “If you don’t have Wh an effective program in be? o ca nIu ume s e r place, you’re at a signifise a a d l sar hou s efer cant competitive disadg n o ence l w o ?

H vantage. And the smaller What questions are typical in an your business, the more inter view? severe the consequences could be.”

Wh 5 steps to protect at g oes ngs? i t s in a o your workers and your p b cove o j d r l et business I fin ter? n a c e r e h Martin Berthelot and W

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15

Member News Events and News of Interest to our Members

New Members

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce proudly welcomes the following businesses and individuals as our newest Members. Those listed below were accepted as registered Members between July 16 to August 15, 2015. Once an organization registers with the Chamber, all personnel (owners/managers/staff) within the organization have full access to all Chamber programs, projects, events and services.

Advantage Farm Equipment Limited 6915 Colonel Talbot Road London, ON N6L 1J1 Phone: 519-652-1552 Email: mackennar@advantage-equip.com Web: www.advantage-equip.com Contact: Ms. Mackenna Roth, Marketing Coordinator Buyers Guide Categories: Agriculture – Supplies & Services, Construction Equipment & Supplies, Lawn & Garden Care, Lawn & Garden Equipment, Small Engine Repair, Weed Control Products & Services: Re-located earlier this year from Fingal, Advantage Farm Equipment has

grown to occupy their new and high-visibility location at 6915 Colonel Talbot Road, just south of the 401 and the Best Western Stoneridge Inn. Their business plan is to continue serving local farmers with superior service, and the friendly faces they’ve grown accustomed to seeing every day. Advantage Farm Equipment is proud to be an authorized dealer for ACGO products including Fendt, Massey Ferguson, White, Sunflower and Gleaner. Advantage Farm Equipment not only specializes in top quality agriculture supplies and services, they also have construction equipment & supplies, lawn & garden care products and equipment, weed control, and perform small engine repairs.

LCA Systems 127 Consortium Court London, ON N6E 2S8 Phone: 519-686-4343 Email: sales@lcasystems.com Website: www.lcasystems.com Contact: Mr. Craig Jamieson, Sales Executive Buyers Guide Categories: Telecommunication Services

St. Thomas Appliance Repair Limited 91 Ross Street St. Thomas, ON N5R 3X8 Phone: 519-633-5100 Email: st.thomasappliance@rogers.com Web: n/a Contact: Mr. Dan Rabaey, Owner/President Buyers Guide Category: Appliances – Sales & Services Products & Services: Since 1990, St. Thomas Appliance Repair has been providing the St. Thomas area with friendly, quality in-home service for all types of household major appliance repairs. They provide warranty repairs for most manufacturers.

World Financial Group 6146 Hindley Crescent Union, ON N0L 2L0 Phone: 519-857-6776 Email: kathy@noblecanada.ca Web: http://www.offroad-addiction. com/ www.worldfinancialgroup.com Contact: Kathy Cook, Financial Advisor Buyers Guide Categories: Investment Services, Retirement Planning, Financial Services, Insurance Services, Banks & Financial Services Products & Services: The World Financial Group mission is to help families from all walks of life build a solid financial future. Financial Advisor Kathy Cook will help you assess your situation with financial training to help you understand how money works. World Financial Group provides a full line of financial products including RRSP’s, RESP’s, Life Insurance, Mutual Funds, and many more.

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Mark Lassam, CPA, CA 115 Curtis St., St.Thomas, ON N5P 1J4 p: 519-631-1631 | f: 519-631-2929 mark@lassam.ca September, 2015

Products & Services: LCA Systems provides Business Cloud Phone systems which are feature rich, offer local and toll free numbers, extensions, Voicemail, and mobile integration. LCA Systems also provide Next generation VOIP systems for larger businesses which enables customers to integrate voice, video, fax, instant messaging and collaboration seamlessly into their business process. LCA Systems help their customers reduce cost, connect easily with their business and their customers, and communicate efficiently.

ELGIN THIS MONTH

Rob Blaxall: President

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Now offering voip business systems rmbcommunications.com

P.0. Box 20155, St. Thomas (519) 633.0080 • rblaxall@sympatico.ca

Residential • Commercial • Industrial 16

Decorating ABOVE the cabinet!

by Renée Carpenter

If you have never asked this question then you have certainly thought it ...

What do I do with the space above my kitchen cabinets?

Creative display areas exist above cabinets, windows, sinks, and sometimes even a bookcase, china hutch, etc. for showcasing collections, adding storage and bringing fresh appeal to your room. Take your decorating efforts to new heights.

But stop first and evaluate why exactly you want to do so before dragging out the stepladder.

As a general rule, if you have less than 18” to 24” of space above a kitchen cabinetry, very tall armoire or built-ins, you are not required to decorate the space. The eye can be distracted from the room’s main features if this space is not properly decorate. But, certain situations and circumstances demand upward decorating.

If you have high ceilings and your cabinets are short enough that the vertical space between them looks unbalanced then utilize that space to extend the height of the cabinet.

If you feel it is bare but less than the recommended space, here is a trick you may want to try: blend the colour of the cabinets, walls and ceilings so that you do not notice the space rather than calling attention to the gap with stuff that creates a distraction. The money spent in a nice kitchen is in the cabinets, countertop, etc. Do not redirect the focus to something cheap and cluttered. But, if you simply must, do not overload!

Décor items that blend with the wall are another

way to use shorter vertical storage space without it looking overdone. They won’t dominate the scene or make it seem top-heavy.

Plan according to scale. Something small and detailed that far up is not the answer. Any items placed in this high-up position need to be big and bulky. Larger, bolder objects should always be used if viewing them at a distance: large baskets, boxes, containers, large same-type vases or urns that are full and bulbous-looking in a mass or some other kind of large scaled simple object similar in type.

If you have a really amazing collection that you want to be seen, this above-the-cabinet space can become prime real estate for out-of-the-way touching and viewing. Use your imagination – everything from ginger jars and Ming vases to cookbooks, globes (both new and vintage) or

Homestyle Decorating

even clear glass, which isn’t visually heavy or distracting.

Stack and arrange to highlight the various styles of an impressive collection.

I’ve seen layering of silver and ceramics – two tabletop collections together – that looks twice as nice as one, especially if the space overhead is deep. A collection of white ceramic vessels in varying shapes and sizes can align a room's shelves to visually expand the space while keeping with a potentially neutral scheme.

Nothing can be as divine as lighting tucked into the most-difficult-to-deal-with spaces. Its glow ebbs out in a gentle upward way, backlighting whatever is being showcased.

Overhead refrigerator cabinets and their contents are difficult for most people to reach, becoming a black hole of storage where items go in but rarely come out. Instead of closed-door cabinets, install a fridge-spanning shelf or remove cabinet doors to fashion a niche for showing off one or two sizeable objects with scintillating silhouettes.

Renée Carpenter owns Jennings Furniture & Design & Stage It With Jennings in St. Thomas.

2015 Campaign LaunCh JOIN US fOr the 2015 UNIteD WAY KICK-Off!!

Port Stanley Wed, Sept. 9th Kettle Creek Golf and Country Club 320 Carlow road oad Port Stanley, on 11:30am-1:30pm

St. thomaS Wed, Sept. 16th royal Canadian legion Branch 41 24-26 John Street Str St. thomas, on 11:30am-1:30pm

aylmer Wed, Sept. 23rd the Central Family restaurant 62 talbot Street eet east aylmer, on 11:30am-1:30pm

Tickets $5/each, available at the door or by calling 519-631-3171 *Eat-in only September, 2015

ELGIN THIS MONTH

17

Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce

Maloney guest speaker at October AGM Tim Maloney, managing director of Newport Marketing Group Inc., is the featured guest speaker at the Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting Wednesday October 14 at the Saxonia Hall in Aylmer. The topic of his presentation is “Tomorrow Thinking – Shaping an

Effective Future.”

Tickets are $45pp including HST for Aylmer Chamber Members and $55pp for Non-Members.

Doors open at 5:30pm for cocktails and networking with dinner at 6pm, Business & Community Awards at 7:15pm and the speaker at 7:30pm Advance tickets only. RSVP to 519-773-5655 or email aylmerchamber@eastlink.ca by October 7.

Since 1990, under Tim’s leadership, his firm has designed and coordinated projects for the core leaders of over 850 privately held companies. He is a Canadian business writer, known for the book Fortune’s Impasse – Saving the Family’s Jewels. He also co-developed the Family Factor F3® business transition model for businesses, family farms and agri-businesses, along with the online F3® assessment app.

Prior to his focus on privately held business strategies, he designed entrepreneurial programs that assisted over 3,000 participants in launching viable businesses through partnerships with the federal and provincial governments in Canada along with major Canadian banks.

People enjoyed the great food at the Aylmer Cornfest.

We Work to help you protect What you can’t afford to lose

Now! Local community news every day.

Plus much more!

ray Jenken – agent

150 John St. N., Aylmer

(519) 773-5555

rjenken@westelgin.com

Wishing you a haPPy Labour Day! September, 2015

ELGIN THIS MONTH

www.theweeklynews.ca 18

Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce

Aylmer Cornfest a big August hit

by Mayim Irwin-Bishop

MainStreet Aylmer’s Sweet Cornfest was a hit among all who attended this year on August 15.

It couldn’t have happened on a better day: the sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, and there was plenty of shade. On such a hot day, it was great to have the splash pad and pool so close by. Kids had tons of fun games to play and Mickey Learning Park and huge inflatable slide to play on or toy push trains to ride, and the lineups even got lengthy at times.

The corn itself was great and fresh from Berry Hill Fruit Farm. Additionally, the live music with Derrick Drover band playing during the festivities added to the fantastic atmosphere. Downtown, merchants set up tables on the main street along with coupons in hand for additional savings. Live music could be heard coming from Showcase East Elgin Realty and Mennonite Community Store.

All in all, Cornfest this year was a thoroughly successful event. A special thanks to all who attended, and to those who shopped locally. Local shop owners greatly appreciate your business.

Organizers were pleased with the crowds during the 2015 Aylmer Cornfest in August.

Ryan’s

See our flyer for weekly specials and everyday low, low prices

The Derrick Drover band added to the fantastic Cornfest atmosphere.

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19

Women in Business

Don’t be mistaken for anyone else but you

by Cheryl Lester

Several years ago, my ‘kids’ bought me Carlos Santana’s ‘Supernatural’ album for Christmas. I was head over heels in love with the three-time Grammy award winning song ‘Smooth.’ Last Christmas my husband gave me ‘The Universal Tone: Bringing my Story to Light’—Santana’s very non-linear autobiography.

Although I’m only part way through the book at this point, there are some things that have stood out for me.

I’m intrigued by Santana’s passionate pursuit of authenticity and individuation within the context of his family, and his various ‘communities’ of friends and musicians.

I’ve also been impressed and challenged by his dedication to learning—learning about other, learning from others, learning how to play the guitar better, and learning about himself.

His stories inspire and challenge me.

In one of them, he tells about an art teacher, Mr. Paul Knudsen, who took him aside one day and challenged him about his marks and how “the world is getting too crowded—there is no room for fifty percent. You must be one hundred and fifty percent in whatever you do …”

That teacher’s words landed deeply with Santana.

Carlos stated that “no matter what I did, it would have to be the best I could do. I could not be an-

other Lightnin’ Hopkins or … Michael Bloomfield.

They were already in the world. They had their own sounds and integrity. I needed to get mine together.

I would have be Carlos Santana and do it so well that no one would mistake me for anyone else.”

As a leader—formally or informally—what would it look like if you were to discover, develop, and bring your ‘own sounds and integrity’ to your life, work, and relationships at a ‘one hundred and fifty percent’ level instead of just ‘fifty percent?’ Who would you be if you were being ‘you’ instead of trying to be someone else?

Spend some time asking yourself the following questions. Listen deeply to your responses. Listen for any quick or easy answers. Listen for excuses.

Listen for pain. Listen for joy. In particular, listen for the authentic voice of your Soul.

Who have I tried or pretended to be in order to gain approval from others? When have I been able to show up being more ‘myself ’ than someone else?

What do I know about my own unique and authentic ‘sounds and integrity,’ and what can I do to ‘get mine together?’

Whether or not you’re a fan of Santana, it’s clear that he has made a difference by discovering, developing and bringing his own ‘sounds and integrity’ to the stages of his life, work, and relationships because he did not want to be mistaken for anyone other than ‘one hundred and fifty percent’ himself.

HollisWealth is a trade name of Scotia Capital Inc. and HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd. HollisWealth is a division of the Scotia Capital Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. Brokerage services provided by HollisWealth are provided through Scotia Capital Inc. Insurance products provided through HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd. ™Trademark of the Bank of Nova Scotia, used under Licence. Action Financial Group is a personal trade name of Karin Barrie.

Ferguson DiMeo Lawyers Sandra DiMeo of Ferguson DiMeo Lawyers is dedicated to working for her clients and her community. She is Vice-President of the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital Foundation Board as well as serving on the Board of Directors for Family and Children’s Services.

In May, Sandra was awarded the 2015 Free Enterprise Award of Merit by the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce. The award is in recognition of her significant contribution toward the economic and social welfare of our community.

At her office in the historic CASO Station, Sandra practises personal injury law, civil litigation and employment law. For over fourteen years, Sandra has been helping people adjust to significant and unexpected changes in their lives whether it is after a job loss or a serious car accident.

Whether it’s personal injury or a serious motor vehicle accident, civil litigation or an employment dispute, contact Sandra DiMeo for experienced professional service in Elgin County.

Karin Barrie, MBA, CLU®, CFP®, R.F.P. 519-631-4724 Investment Advisor 130 Centre Street karin.barrie@holliswealth.com St. Thomas, ON N5R 2Z9 info@actionfinancialgroup.com www.actionfinancialgroup.com September, 2015

Cheryl Lester, Eagle Tree Leadership, is an international leadership coach known for her ability to help people improve their performance and effectiveness. Reach her at clester@eagletree.ca.

Sandra DiMeo of

Karin Barrie of Action Financial Group / HollisWealth Karin Barrie of Action Financial Group/HollisWealth has been a financial planner for 20 years. She has a Masters of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University. As an independent advisor, Karin has access to products from a wide range of mutual funds, stocks and bonds, GIC’s and insurance* providers. This gives her the opportunity to choose financial products from a variety of companies to provide financial plans with the best interests of her clients in mind. Karin is also committed to the next generation of Financial Planners by mentoring Associate Investment Advisors. Karin likes to be involved in the community through minor sports and was a part of the St. Thomas Library Revitalization. Under Action Financial Group/HollisWealth Karin sponsors/supports many local agencies such as Second Stage Housing, United Way, Violence Against Women, Services Elgin County and YWCA to mention a few. She wants to provide people with knowledge, confidence and peace of mind while achieving their short and long term goals.

If ‘one hundred and fifty percent’ sounds too unrealistic or too perfectionist, that’s okay. The main idea is to want to be ‘you’ so much that you’re willing to do what it takes. Even a one percent change that helps you bring more of your ‘sounds and integrity’ to your life, work, and relationships is a positive move.

Showing up as yourself takes courage. It also takes patience, discernment, and practice. When you’re frightened that you might be laughed at, shunned, or criticized, take a deep breath, connect with the best of yourself within and stand tall. As your confidence in bringing your unique ‘sounds and integrity’ increases, you’ll find that you will gain momentum.

When you become a fifty-one percenter, you’ll will have crossed an important barrier to being you— and not being mistaken for anyone else but you.

Take up the challenge. Be an original. You are one of a kind.

ELGIN THIS MONTH

Canada Southern Railway Station 750 Talbot Street, Suite 211 St. Thomas, Ontario t 519-633-8838 • f 519-633-9361 www.fergusondimeolaw.com 20

Women in Business

The perfect time to re-evaluate your goals

by Anouschka Van den Bosch

the cool days of fall and the busy days of the holiHello September! Here we are, wrapping up an- day season? other summer. No don’t tell me it went by too fast, This is a perfect time to re-evaluate your goals, that it was too hot, that winter will be here before time to update. It is like a re-fresh button, letting you know it and all that other clichéed stuff we go of all the things you did not get done before need to say when the kids go back to school and the summer and so giving yourself time and space fall is just around the corner. I like to see it as an to just delete it, adjust it or add some new fun opportunity to start fresh, to take a look at my list ones. of projects and goals for the remainder of the year This is also a perfect opportunity to look at your and see where I am at. personal schedule. Is there any way you can add What did I not get done some yoga classes, art classes, book yet? Does it still need to get clubs or whatever your interests are done? Sometimes, as other to your own schedule in addition to things happen throughout “thank you for letting having to drive the kids to hockey, the year, a goal or project ballet or swimming classes? If that me set my re-fresh that seemed important in is definitely NOT going to happen button” the beginning of the year (I saw you roll your eyes and silentmight now be irrelevant so ly whisper “you gotta be kidding I might as well get that off me”) then what about scheduling my list. If it still needs to be completed, I decide an hour per week for a coffee date with a friend or how important it is to do it by the end of the year. wait … just a coffee for you, yes, you alone someCan it be done within a few weeks or months where with a book or just sitting there drinking and then set my timelines accordingly so I can coffee? This may sound ridiculous. However many make sure it will get done by the deadline I set? of us pack our work schedules full all week, then Maybe it was less of a priority before and it can we are busy after work taking care of our families now come to the front of the list. What are some and often have no time left for ourselves. Not alfresh new goals I would like to play with over the ways a bad thing, I realize that. Many of you ennext four months? What is juicy and will keep me joy watching your kids play hockey etc. However, motivated as the seasons change and we go into taking time out for you is not being selfish or a

Anouschka Van den Bosch is a Human Resources Professional and Certified Life and Career Coach.

Allison Fish of

Cheryl Lester

Doug Tarry Homes

Eagle Tree Leadership As a leader you are either continuing to learn and grow, or you are losing ground. Our approach to leadership will help you do the inner work that will strengthen your effectiveness in life, work, and relationships.

As CEO of Self, Inc. strengthen your capacity to make a positive leadership difference.

Learn how to use your inner treasury of experience, potential, and skill — your FISC™ — to increase your Difference Making Quotient™.

Watch for our soon-to-be-published book, 12 Steps of Self-Leadership: The Difference Maker’s Guide to Living and Leading on Purpose www.eagletreeleadership.ca

My career with Doug Tarry Homes began just under two years ago. As a New Home Sales Consultant, I am honoured to be able to walk New Home Buyers through our award winning plans, find the most suitable design for them, and share the great features and benefits our Energy Star homes have to offer! Having a young family myself, I am honoured to watch families just like yours move into a safe home that offers outstanding quality and comfort for many years to come.

Please visit me at the Mapleridge Model home at 1 Bridle Path in Orchard Park, St Thomas to experience the Doug Tarry difference yourself! Regular model home hours are Wed-Fri: 11:00am-5:00pm and Sat–Sun: 12:00pm-4:00pm. Mon & Tues by appointment.

Cheryl Lester

Leadership & Performance Coach 519-688-7500 cheryl.lester@eagletree.ca September, 2015

cop-out.

I see taking time out for myself as a necessary part of my week. It could be as simple as reading a magazine with a cup of tea for half an hour or as big as taking an art class because it is something I have always wanted to do.

So yes, I say “hello” September! Thank you for letting me set my re-fresh button, for letting me put things in a new priority order and adding some fun new stuff to get done by the end of the year and feel good about it. Thank you for finally creating some “me” time because I deserve it and most of all thank you for an awesome summer.

ELGIN THIS MONTH

Allison Fish

519-637-0035 allison@dougtarryhomes.com www.dougtarryhomes.com 21

Women in Business

Plan now for Healthy Workplace Month

by Janet Baker

Whether you are working on being a healthy workplace or have just started to think about doing some activities in your workplace, now is a great time to get started. October is Healthy Workplace Month in Canada! If you start your planning now, you will be able to incorporate the ideas and suggestions provided at healthyworkplacemonth.ca. You can even enroll on their website and showcase your events.

Each week in October, the Healthy Workplace Month website provides tips to help make positive changes in your workplace. This year, there are four sections: Educate, Engage, Empower and Evaluate. These are all components of their program called Healthy Workplace® Essentials. Each

of these sections includes a toolkit to help plan heightened attention from researchers, employers, healthy workplace activities for your organization. unions and health & safety professionals. This Within the tool kits, you will find posters that can session will provide you with the appropriate rebe downloaded, a business case sponses to bullying behavior for healthy workplaces, many and how to use the R.A.C.E. activities that you can do with (recognize, assess, control, and “workplace bullying is evaluate) technique for hanyour employees and samples of wellness policies that can be cus- not a new phenomenon” dling potential cases of these tomized for your organization. behaviours.

On the home page there is also a R.A.C.E. Against Worklink to the Workplace Strategies for Mental Health place Bullying is being held at the Best Western website that provides excellent resources and tips Stoneridge Inn and Conference Centre on Thursto improve the psychological health and safety in day September 29. Watch for registration inforyour workplace. mation to come in early September. Eat, network, Mark your calendars! relax and learn with us.

With the release in Canada of the Psychological For more information…

Health and Safety in the Workplace Standard, we If you would like more information about have been providing education and resources not our resources, applying for a Healthy Workplace only about physical well-being but also mental Award or a Workplace Well-being Consultation just well-being related to work stress. telephone 519-631-9900, ext.1271 or toll free This fall, for the Elgin St. Thomas Public Health 1-800-922-0096 or send a quick e-mail: healthy“Healthy Huddle” workplace networking event, workplaces@elginhealth.on.ca. we are partnering with Middlesex London Health Unit and the Public Services Health and Safety AsJanet Baker is sociation to provide an informative and thoughtWorkplace Health provoking morning session about workplace bulCoordinator at Elgin lying as a contributing factor to work stress.

St. Thomas Public Workplace bullying is not a new phenomeHealth. non. It is an existing issue that continues to receive

Laura Sherret

of Contact North | Contact Nord Get your degree, diploma, certificate, or upgrade your skills Find out more about online learning from Laura Sherret, Contact North | Contact Nord’s Online Learning Recruitment Officer in St. Thomas since 2009. Laura, who is also actively involved in the Elgin Council for Adult Education, Training and Employment, has helped over 1,000 residents in and around the region to reach their education and training goals.

• Over 1,000 online programs and 18,000 online courses available from Ontario’s 24 colleges, 22 universities, and 250 literacy and basic skills and training providers.

• Get assistance with registration applications and financial assistance research.

• Study on your own time and at your own pace • Attend class without the travel time and costs.

• Balance class time with work or family duties.

• Exam invigilation services and technical support offered.

Becky Simons of Rooted Wings Holistic Treatment Spa With many years in the health/beauty industry, my own beliefs and insights of truly being able to find your inner peace and make a difference through metaphysical knowledge lead me to wanting to give others the complete abilities to feel amazing and self-connection again.

And the idea of Rooted Wings was born....

The services to which will allow this connection are Swedish, Hot Stone and Aromatherapy massage, Reiki for yourself and pets as well as an abundance of wonderful Metaphysical readings and healing natural products.

At Rooted Wings, you will receive one on one sole attention and each visit will address what your needs and desires are at that time. What will be at most importance when visiting Rooted Wings, is that when you leave, you will feel relaxed, confident, and soulfully strengthen to achieve whatever the world will/may throw at you. This will be done through human touch, time, knowledge and understanding with the ability to be mobile. Along with natural soothing treatment to take home and aid in becoming calm and strong at home.

“A sound mind lives in a sound body.......”

Laura Sherret

Online Learning Recruitment Officer Funded by the Government of Ontario

Facebook.com/ContactNorth

September, 2015

1-855-451-7516 e-mail stthomas@contactnorth.ca ELGIN THIS MONTH

Becky Simons Rooted Wings HTS 519-866-5662 rootedwingstreatmentspa.com Hours: Tues to Sat 9am – 4pm After hours by appointment only 22

Women in Business

Questions to ask before buying a cottage By: Karyn Silliker

Cottaging is arguably the favourite summer pastime of many Canadians, so it’s no surprise that at some point many Canadians consider purchasing a cottage of their own.

And while many think of their cottage as a solid real estate investment, purchasing a cottage without doing all your homework can lead to serious headaches.

Before rushing to buy, the Financial Service Experts at Meridian, Ontario’s largest credit union, suggest there are five key questions to ask yourself before diving in to cottage ownership.

1. How much use will the property realisti- running water and central heating systems. Type cally get? Summers are short and schedules are B cottages on the other hand are classified as more busy. How much will the cottage actually be used? rustic properties with minimal creature comforts Do you plan on renting it out to supplement your and are often not winterized. income?

“Financing for Type A properties is often treated 2. Have you considered all the costs? Similar like financing a second home with traditional to purchasing a home, there are costs associated mortgage options applicable to them,” says Karyn with the purchase of a cottage Silliker. “On the other hand, beyond the initial price tag. most Type B properties are Additional costs such as taxes, not eligible for traditional maintenance, and travel should and instead, per“buying a cottage may mortgages all be budgeted. sonal loans are often extendmean that most of your ed to finance the property.”

3. Have you shopped around? Popular cottage des- savings are in real estate” Meridian recommends that tinations can lead to overinterested cottage buyers do heated markets. Have you their research and work with done enough research and considered all the a trusted financial advisor and real estate agent to options? make sure their getting the best possible value in 4. Is it a good investment? Buying a cot- their cottage investment. tage may mean that most of your savings are For more information on buying a cottage visit in real estate, does this make sense for you meridiancu.ca, or come and visit us at Meridian’s financially? Will the property appreciate?

Aylmer branch located at 36 Talbot Street West.

5. What financing is available to you?

Cottages often fall into one of two categories, and not all cottages qualify for traditional Karyn Silliker is mortgages. Type A properties include cottagMeridian’s Aylmer es that can be utilized all year round and have Branch Manager. features similar to residential homes such as

Mayor Heather Jackson of the City of St. Thomas Mayor Heather Jackson has done wonderful things for the City of St. Thomas since her victory in 2010. As Mayor and the head of the City Council, Mayor Heather, acts as chief executive officer of the municipality and presides over council meetings so that its business can be carried out efficiently and effectively. She also provides leadership to the council and provides information and recommendations to the council with respect to the role of council and represents the municipality at official functions. Mayor Heather Jackson is also involved with many committees such as the St. Thomas-Elgin Art Gallery, Elgin St. Thomas Public Health and on the Board of Directors of the St. Thomas Seniors’ Centre. As mayor, Heather fosters activities that enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of the municipality and its residents.

Mayor Heather Jackson City of St. Thomas, P.O. Box 520, 545 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P 3V7 Email: mayor@stthomas.ca City Hall Tel: 519-631-1680 ext. 4131 September, 2015

ELGIN THIS MONTH

23

Women in Business

Karen Johnson Continued from page 3 Karen was a volunteer for several years as chair of the membership services committee for the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce as well as serving on the Chamber executive as Vice-President and President. Over the years, she has represented the Dealers working with General Motors on boards including the Regional Marketing Board for Buick GMC and Certified Service.

Karen comments that “GM is also committed to our local economy supporting many local auto parts suppliers like Formet and Presstran Industries, our largest GM Canadian parts warehouse in Woodstock and most notably GM’s award winning CAMI Assembly plant that builds the IIHS Top Safety pick Chevrolet Equi-

nox and GMC Terrain. To date, GM’s investment in CAMI has reached over $800 million.”

Karen believes in supporting and buying local and appreciates when customers also support local businesses.

About 35 percent of Disbrowe’s 51 employees are female. While Disbrowe hires the best available candidates, Karen recognizes that in many cases, “Women are the main purchaser or the number one influencer in at least 85 percent of vehicle purchases. So I think it’s important, since we have a lot of female customers, that we have female employees.” Recently, Disbrowe hired its first female service manager.

Karen is obviously proud of her entire team, male and female. “Our team is just incredible and I am proud to call them my Disbrowe family.”

Karen is enthused about how GM is focused on bringing award winning products to customers that lead in technology, safety and design.

She points out that in 2015, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac all rank in the top 10 among brands in the J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study which proves that GM is focused on building quality products that exceed customers’ expectations to position them as a global leader in the automotive industry.

Karen and Paul are happy to call St. Thomas home and describe the community as a great place to raise a family and do business. They appreciate the tremendous support of their customers, and the Disbrowe team is dedicated to supporting customers’ automotive needs in this area for years to come.

5 skills to advance your career

(NC) Today's continuously developing professional landscape has employees taking on increased responsibility and feeling more stressed than ever. Our everyday attention is focused on simply crossing tasks off of our seemingly neverending to-do list, leaving less time to focus on long-term projects, career advancement and de-

velopment.

You don't have to make a major time commitment to implement lasting changes that will positively impact your career. Dr. Lori LaCivita, director for the MS and PhD in Industrial and Organizational (I-O) Psychology programs at Walden University, explains that when it comes to career advancement, emotional intelligence (EI) should be your focus. EI is a measure of Ellen has been active in the Financial Services your ability to underIndustry since graduating from High School. stand emotions (both She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® your own and your colprofessional, Investment Advisor and Insurance leagues') as well as their effects. Understanding Agent. She provides wealth building solutions and implementing EI in for individuals by focusing on all aspects of your daily life will allow financial health including saving goals, taxes, you to more effectively estate planning and philanthropy. Ellen takes address and engage your a very personalized approach to working with colleagues while demonher clients, building long term relationships built on trust and a strating crucial qualities mutual understanding of her client’s goals. Ellen is very active in to your manager.

Focus on these five EI her community supporting such projects as the Elgin-St Thomas categories to set yourself Community Foundation, The Art Center, Talbot Teen Center and up for success: local hospitals. She serves on numerous Boards in the community.

1. Self-awareness: This Women today lead very busy life styles. Having someone they is the ability to recogtrust working on their financial goals allows them to get on with the nize an emotion as it is demands of family, business and taking care of self. occurring and manage your own feelings in real *HollisWealth is a trade name of Scotia Capital Inc. and HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd. HollisWealth time. Recognizing your is a division of Scotia Capital Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. Brokerage services provided by HollisWealth are provided own emotions will imthrough Scotia Capital Inc. Insurance products provided by HollisWealth are provided through HollisWealth prove your interactions, Insurance Agency Ltd. ™ Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under license. allowing you to better understand how your feelings affect others.

2. Self-regulation: Being able to manage your own emotions is crucial Ellen Luft, CFP® ellen.luft@holliswealth.com in the workforce. It can Investment Advisor 519-631-4088 help you handle conflict HollisWealth 130 Centre Street so you can work with (a division of Scotia Capital) St. Thomas, On N5R 2Z9 your peers and managers

Ellen Luft

September, 2015

ELGIN THIS MONTH

to not only achieve results but also to build trust.

This gives your leaders the confidence that you will do the right thing and bring people together rather than letting conflict divide them.

3. Motivation: Identify your career aspirations and build specific, detailed plans to take ownership of their completion. Think about where you see yourself in three to five years. What does success look like? What is the real challenge you must overcome to achieve a certain goal? Once you have identified your goals, share them with your manager to make sure you are on the same page.

4. Empathy: Having an understanding and intuition for the feelings of others is a very important skill when working in teams. By empathizing with others, you will become a natural leader because you will be able to show a true understanding of the issues others are facing and find positive ways of responding to these challenges.

5. Relationships: People skills are very important in a career environment. The ability to build high-quality connections can be a source of energy at work and lead to new opportunities and learning experiences. Build your network at the office by seeking mentors to guide you in your career development.

It's never too late to start developing emotional intelligence to pave your way to a thriving and successful career. Visit www.WaldenU.edu/EI for additional information. www.newscanada.com 24

Women in Business

Doing your job … Is that good performance?

by Laura Pavilonis and Nancy Annett

ganization but rather, that they likely stay with Have you ever worked with someone who seems an organization because they feel they need to or do his or her job well, but won’t share informa- ought to, rather than because they want to.

Here are two examples of what are called passive tion or try new things outside the regular job?

Have you ever wondered why some people seem withdraw behaviours.

One, an employee publicly supports a situation to work in silos, doing their own thing and not worrying much about how they connect to any- but privately hopes for something different. She one else? Are such people really performing well sits in a meeting and says ‘yes’ to whatever is bein their roles? It may seem as though they are per- ing discussed, but then secretly withholds her true forming their job tasks well, but what about adap- opinions and desires. This will most definitely be a form of sabotage, regardless of it being intentive performance or creative performance? tional or unintentional.

In actuality, this type of Two, an employee’s interest behaviour can be indirectly or effort in something declines linked to a number of counhe just doesn’t seem to be ter-productive behaviours “you need to be … able to and as motivated about a particusuch as wasting resources, inadapt and share lar project, goal or other team civility, and maybe even indior company initiatives. Somerect or unconscious sabotage. constructive ideas” times effort or interest is diWe believe that when emrected toward other unhelpful ployees are good corporate habits such as cyber loafing or citizens, they are courteous, helpful, and they share constructive suggestions longer breaks.

Sound like someone you know at work or mayfor change. So simply ‘doing your job’ is not enough if you want to consider yourself a good be even sound like you? Don’t ignore the situaperformer. This disconnected behaviour is con- tion. Becoming aware of it is the first step toward sidered a form of withdrawal, which increases as taking control of your situation and making betcommitment to an organization decreases. It’s not ter choices that will bring more happiness in your to say such people are not committed to the or- work. In our world of globalization, technology

and constant change, simply doing the assigned tasks with the minimum amount of effort does not constitute good performance.

You need to be creative, able to adapt and share constructive ideas to improve situations. If you are not feeling committed to your organization and your interest in your work is diminishing, ask yourself what you can do to change your circumstances. If you have an employee or co-worker who seems to be withdrawn, talk to him or her about it. If the individual is particularly resistant to change, contact a professional, consultant or coach to assist.

We spend much more time at work than at home, so even though change is hard, it’s worth the effort to explore opportunities to reignite passion at work.

Nancy Annett, MBA, CHRP and Laura Pavilonis, MBA CHRP own Flashpoint Training and Development.

Karyn Silliker of

Michele Milles of

Karyn is the Branch Manager at Meridian’s Aylmer branch and has been with Meridian for over 20 years. A resident of the area since 1993, Karyn is a proud supporter of the Aylmer community.

Karyn currently serves as President of the Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce and has passionately sponsored many initiatives and events over the years. Most recently Karyn has thrown her support behind the Enterprise Elgin Business Plan Competition, the Aylmer Performing Arts Council and the Aylmer and Area Chamber of Commerce “Community Spirit Award”.

Her role as Branch Manager enables her to promote Meridian and it’s initiatives in the community as well, through seminars, financial literacy articles and presentations to the local high school. Meridian is also a participant in the EESS student CO-OP Program.

Meridian is Ontario’s largest credit union, offering a full range of financial services to grow the lives of more than a quarter of a million Members and their communities.

Come meet Karyn and experience the Meridian difference today!

I am currently entering my 12th year working for Doug Tarry Homes.

When I began, I felt a lifetime in the service industry would be great preparation for listening and understanding the client’s needs.

Working with individuals to assist them in purchasing just the right home, whether that be a bungalow or 2 storey, is extremely gratifying.

Meridian

Doug Tarry Homes

I’m pleased to be working on DTL’s exciting new Condo Project! Located at the corner of Wellington St and Manor Road, it is very aptly named Wellington Manor. So along with being able to assist you with your new home needs in Lake Margaret Estates, Orchard Park and Bradley Park in Aylmer, you can call me for your condo needs as well. We are currently accepting Reservations, so please contact me at 519-6376819 X 30 for more information.

Karyn Silliker

Meridian Aylmer Branch 34-36 Talbot Street West Aylmer, Ont., N5H 1J7 (519) 765-1286 | www.meridiancu.ca September, 2015

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Michele Milles

519-637-6819 X 30 michele@dougtarryhomes.com www.dougtarryhomes.com 25

Women in Business

Elgin Business Women’s Network (EBWN)

Great women’s networking: Eat and have fun!

by Gail McNaughton, EBWN Chair

ideas for challenges.

We have a meal together, and that You’ve started a new business. Now you want can be in a restaurant where you orto network. You are female, any age. You find der off the menu or we have special the Elgin Business Women’s Network on line at ebwn.ca. You decide to check us out and register events where we cater-in. You registo come to a monthly dinner meeting. You show ter for all events on-line using our up at the door. You are greeted by a member of the registration system whereby you can Admin. Committee, you are faced with smiles pay for catered meals in advance usat the registration table, welcomed, told to drop ing a credit card.

Some members have been with the your business card in a bucket to possibly win a EBWN for many years and are like prize, you put on a name badge and off you go. comfortable chairs and anchors of Your heart is kind of racing partly with excitement this popular but partly because you just group. Some ...we enthusiastically networking want to fit in. people leave us and come Everyone who attends our commit to having a back.

Some are in transimeetings “automatically fits tion and don’t know what good time at each in.” We are a very friendly they want to do next. Some group of non-threatening, meeting... work in full-time positions non-competitive women. and have a small business We enjoy the potentialities on the side, one they are in a group that offers an opgrowing and evolving.

Some come from starting a portunity to support one another in our business brand new business.

Some bring a co-owner with ventures. We listen with open hearts. We encourthem.

Some are mother and daughter. We have age one another. We salute our successes. We give

Gail McNaughton of the Red Canoe

Janet Baker of Elgin St.Thomas Public Health

Gail is focused on writing and completed three books in a trilogy, The Red Canoe, which contains poetry, stories, doodle art, paintings from Paul Schleusner and Tom Spatafore, wildlife artists. She is available to give doodle art and punch needle/rug hooking seminars.

Gail is a member of the Patient Experience Team at the St. Thomas – Elgin General Hospital and the Chair for the EBWN. “Be the spark that ignites others”, is her motto.

Gail McNaughton Co-Owner of Dog & Pony Productions Inc., Author & Doodle Artist www.gailmcnaughton.com 519-637-3777 Facebook: The Healing Heart Network

Cindy Webber of Patient Navigation

Support Your Employees to Stop Smoking Many people find it hard to quit smoking because nicotine, a chemical found in cigarettes, is very addictive. Using nicotine replacement therapy doubles your chances of being successful. The most important part of quitting smoking is being prepared and having a plan. Research shows that a supportive workplace combined with getting help with quitting increases your chances of quitting successfully.

Contact Elgin St. Thomas Public Health for tips on being a supportive workplace and information about our Smoking Cessation Clinic at 519-631-9900 or e-mail: stopsmoking@elginhealth.on.ca

www.elginhealth.on.ca

Ainslee Tracey of Royal LePage Triland

As a Patient Navigator, I work to promote wellness by addressing the mind, body, and spirit. With over 30 years’ experience working throughout this region, I have become familiar with local and regional organizations and their available services.

Connecting Families to the….

Right Information ~ Right Resources ~ At the Right Time Cindy Webber CPN, SSW (519) 860-2175 cindywebber@patientnavigation.vpweb.ca www.patientnavigation.vpweb.ca

September, 2015

lots of mentors and everyone is happy to have you join and eager to meet you. “We thrive on one another”.

Yes, some of us do business with one another, but that is not the point of our network. Once you get to know people and what they do, there are opportunities to co-ordinate activities and endless potential for joint or group ventures.

From time to time we take group surveys to find out what our members want. This year so far we have offered the following: Continued on page 27

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I am a Real Estate professional who believes in being a part of my community. I know the area, people and facilities available. As a full time realtor, I pride myself in offering residential and commercial real estate transactions processed in an efficient and professional manner.

I live in St.Thomas, I know St.Thomas, I SELL St.Thomas Ainslee Tracey Royal LePage Triland Direct: 519-636-5717 Office: 519-633-0600 www.ISellStThomas.com @ISellStThomas facebook.com/ISellStThomasAinslee ISellStThomas.blogspot.ca

26

Women in Business

Elgin Business Women’s Network (EBWN) Continued from Page 27 Presentation On Networking, Panel Presentation On Putting Your Best Foot Forward, Mini Trade Show, Celebrating Success Featuring a Family Success Story, SBEC Presentation, Panel Presentations on Commerce, Bookkeeping and Branding, a Summer Social in Pinafore Park and Dinner at GT’s in. Upcoming we have a Motivational Speaker in September, participation in the Business Sample Show, Winter Trade Show and a Christmas Social.

Near and dear to all our hearts is the charity contributions we’ve made to a variety of organization in Elgin County, and we are proud to do this to support agencies and causes that affect and care for women.

At the present time the following members are part of the Admin. Committee: Gail McNaughton, Past & Present Chair & Event Co-Ordinator, assisted by Kathy Kewley, Herma Meppellen, Sharon Brassard and Judith Alkema; Petrusia Hontar, Secretary; Kim Davis, Website Co-Ordinator; Karen Huggett, Membership Co-Ordinator, assisted by Sharon Brassard on Registration; Justine Kelly, Treasurer; and Yvonne Brooks, West Elgin Representative.

Valuable reasons to participate on the Admin.

Team are to take a leadership role, work as a team member in a specific role or on projects, learn new skills, facilitate at meetings and represent the EBWN to the public. We welcome individuals who want to be a part of this team.

“Girls Just Want To Have Fun,” and we enthusiastically commit At the EBWN Success Meeting, April 15, 2014 at the Dutton Meadows Golf Club, to having a good each member and guest was honoured with a carnation. (Left) Kim Davis, Petrusia time at each meet- Hontar, Karen Vecchio, Kate Burns Gallagher, Tara McCauley, Carol Groves, Karen ing. We encourage Bebelaar and Gail McNaughton. (Photo by April Laroche) fellow members to “exclusive.” come out to each You’ve got nothing to lose so try us out for we and every event as you learn more about others and lots about yourself. Think of it as a great big are only too happy for you to join us for a couple gift to yourself to get to know others in a friendly of meetings and then take the plunge and become and relaxed setting. We are “inclusive” and not a member. You won’t look back.

Linda Hart of PropertyGuys.com

I purchased the PropertyGuys.com franchise and have the privilege to serve, Elgin County – St. Thomas. PropertyGuys.com is the leading edge real-estate marketing company. We are not agents or brokers. We contract a team of experienced, veteran professionals and create custom marketing programs to make it easy, worry-free & uncomplicated to sell your own home and avoid the high cost of the commissions demanded by traditional real estate companies.

Linda Hart Franchise Owner / PG Pro 519-639-7655 www.PropertyGuys.com lhart@PropertyGuys.com

Tara McCaulley of the Small Business Enterprise Centre

Sarah Groeneweg (Locke) of Locke Insurance Brokers As your personal Registered Insurance Broker, Sarah Groeneweg will work to meet all of your unique needs. Sarah follows a long lineage of brokers - the fourth generation to join Locke Insurance, since 1929. Representing Ontario’s most trusted companies, Sarah continues to build on the success of delivering reputable home, auto, business & farm insurance. For exceptional advice and service contact Sarah Groeneweg today.

Sarah Groeneweg (RIB ONT) Producer Est. 1929 Locke Insurance Brokers St. Thomas’ Oldest Family-Owned Insurance Brokerage 496 Talbot Street St. Thomas, ON N5P 1C2 Serving the Community for over 80 years St. Thomas’ Oldest Family-Owned Insurance Brokerage p: 519-631-2782 #223 Proud Supporter of Crime Stoppers

Locke Insurance Brokers

Nevir Hicks - Rev With Nev

As a business advisor at SBEC, Tara McCaulley is dedicated to helping small business owners succeed in today’s ever-changing economy. If you know any young entrepreneurs between 18-29, you can earn money for a successful referral to the Starter Company grant program.... ask Tara for details!

SBECinnovation.ca

Tara McCaulley Business Advisor

519.631.1680 x 4503 tmccaulley@sbecinnovation.ca September, 2015

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I am fully focused on Personal Training offering you personalized training sessions to fit your goals and your schedule.

My approach to training clients is to assist them to achieve their nutrition and fitness goals as effectively and efficiently as possible. Workout programs are tailored to suit each client’s ability and needs with maximum attention and exercise safety.

Rev With Nev

658 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P 1C3 nev@revwithnev.com www.revwithnev.com 27

Women in Business

Elgin Business Women’s Network (EBWN)

At the EBWN Christmas Social, December 10, 2014 at the CASO Station, we enjoyed “Minute To Win Games,” set up by Petrusia Hontar and Yvonne Ethier. We always enjoy getting together for camaraderie and sharing a pot luck meal. Donations of toiletries and hygiene products were given to the YWCA Residence.

Ross stReet Agency

Lisa Jibson, MPA Owner and Chief Factotum

Ross Street Agency is a virtual executive support service business based in St. Thomas, ON serving businesses and residents across Canada.

We offer a variety of services such as: executive virtual assistance, government relations, communications assistance, human resources, writing, research, policy, project management, event management, job search/ resume improvement and career assistance, booking agent and many more.

25 years of executive support experience

www.rossstreetagency.com

Debbie A. McClure is the guest speaker at the next Elgin Business Women’s Network dinner meeting September 16 at the Wayside Dining Lounge. Networking starts at 5:30 pm, followed by “pay your own” orders at the buffet or off the menu.

McClure says, “The subject of my talk is ‘Step Up and Step In to Your Life.’ During my talk, I focus on taking charge of your life, your choices, and your direction. Women entrepreneurs often struggle with finding a balance in life and business, and sometimes fail to look after themselves and their own needs.” To register for this event, RSVP on-line at ebwn.ca.

(226) 926-4969

April Jersey of Jersey Photography Over the 20 years I have been creating images for a variety of clients ranging from Fashion, Corporate, Commercial to Personal Portraits, Family Events and Weddings. As a photographer, I enjoy working with my clients and making their experience enjoyable. My objective is to put my clients at ease in order to bring out the best and capture the moment. We offer both contemporary and classic photography to create lasting memories.

April Jersey (519) 871-2017

Email: Jerseyphotography@yahoo.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JerseyPhotographyApril https://ca.linkedin.com/pub/april-jersey/2b/231/522 September, 2015

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Healthy Living EVERYDAY HEALTH

Treatment expectations can be unrealistic

by Dr. Greg Johnston B.H.K., B.Ed., D.C.

were only temporary” and presumably this meant “just happened” when in reality, as stated above, that they had to continue to return for chiroprac- it is something that has been building for a while.

I recently read an article about a woman who tic treatment. Massage was viewed as more favour- Considering this, it is understandable that treattakes her dog for regular masable, presumably because the ef- ment can take some time. In many cases, treatsage therapy sessions. The fects were more permanent, and ment may need to continue on a permanent basis dog had a chronic leg injury yet they continue to return once to help offset the damage that these regular microand responded well to this a month to keep the symptoms traumas cause. “they may have treatment allowing it to live When we start talking about ongoing treatfrom returning. Would this not been actually creating a healthy life without the also indicate, considering the ment, then we usually are talking about shifting need of suggested surgery. their injury over days, above parameters, that the ef- our focus from an acute care, fixing a problem, The article did not surprise weeks, months or even fects of the massage therapy are point of view to a preventative model. This is very me as many animals and pets different than talking about continuing to treat temporary as well? years” do benefit from many forms I’m playing devil’s advocate a problem that doesn’t seem to be getting better. of manual therapy including here to make a point. What we That is a completely different topic perhaps for a massage, chiropractic and are really discussing is treatment future article. acupuncture.

In reality, chiropractic, massage therapy, physioexpectations. This is often a very good topic of What did catch my attention was the comment discussion in my office. At times patients will ap- therapy and other forms of healing are tools just that the dog had also experienced relief from proach treatment with unrealistic expectations. It like proper diet, exercise and stress reduction to chiropractic treatment but that they had chosen is understandable that when we have an injury or help not only heal the body when injured but also to discontinue this treatment as the effects were are in pain that we want it to go away as soon as to help keep it healthy once an injury has healed. only temporary. The article then went on to ex- possible, but it is important to understand that Healing does take time and may take many treatplain that the dog had received regular massage the healing process takes time and is influenced ments with your chosen healthcare provider. If therapy at a frequency of every two weeks in the by many factors. that seems strange to some of you, think about acute stage but now, in the maintenance phase, Patients sometimes have difficulty understand- this: When was the last time your medical doctor the dog continues to go for regular treatments ing that, although their pain may have only just gave you a prescription for only one pill? once a month. started, in many cases they may have been actuAfter reading this I felt confused. They had dis- ally creating their injury over days, weeks, months Dr. Greg Johnston is a Chiropractor continued chiropractic treatment as the “effects or even years. Consider the example of a worker and partner in Family Health who performs the same repetitive task for several Options Treatment & Resources years until one day, finally, the body gives up and Centre in St.Thomas an injury occurs. It is very unrealistic to expect any healthcare provider to be able to fix the injury in one or two visits especially when many patients want to go right back to doing the very thing that caused the injury in the first place.

Many of our everyday activities cause repetitive Supplies upplies ffor Students is an annual initiative run by micro-trauma to the tisvolunteers eers of the Thames Valley Education Foundation. sues of our body. These The he goal is tto ensure every child in need starts the micro-traumas build up school yyear with a new backpack filled with school and have a cumulative supplies. New Backpack and School Supply Drop supplies effect which eventually off LLocation in St. Thomas is Family Video. leads to injury. Often If yyou know a child who could benefit from receiving a filled backpack from Supplies for Students, please contact the child’s school Principal.

it seems like the injury

JEFF YUREK, MPP

Thank you to everyone who supported Supplies for or Students in our rrecord breaking 2014 year.

Becaus aus ause of your generosity we were able to collect 3,891 backpacks tto help children have a better start to the school chool yyear.

ELGIN-MIDDLESEX-LONDON Here to Help You with:

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750 Talbot St., (CASO Station Suite 201) St. Thomas, ON N5P 1E2 519-631-0666 email: jeff.yurekco@pc.ola.org www.jeffyurekmpp.com

September, 2015

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45 Elgin Street, St. Thomas (519) 631-0850

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29

LIFESTYLE TIME ON MY HANDS

Living with Handiness Deficit Disorder Some guys just have what it takes. Not me.

by Duncan Watterworth

“If the women don’t find you handsome, they’d better find you handy.” Duct tape comedian Red Green’s joke is funny, I guess, but makes me feel insecure. I’m neither handsome nor handy, and my wife has had to settle for finding me clumsily endearing. And perhaps occasionally humorous. Not a lot to go on, I admit.

Although my daughter was doomed to be un-handy, I did what I could. When she was a child, our father/daughter activity, rather than trying to build or fix anything, was to take things apart – broken appliances or whatever – and just look at the pieces. Last spring, when Brooke

... a Knight in shining hardware...

I’m just not Mister-fix-it, not a born Do-It-Yourselfer. It’s not my fault; I didn’t get the gene. My father didn’t have it to give.

So, as Rodney Dangerfield might have said: In my workshop, I’m the tool. I have shingled one roof, and fallen off one roof. My toolbelt is size: small. The only tool I like is my Swiss army knife.

The one with the corkscrew. If I can dodge a DIY project, I will.

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headed out for a Smoky Mountains vacation with Joe-the-boyfriend, I presented her with her own Swiss army knife.

The one with the corkscrew.

My abiding challenge is my all-too rustic cottage – less a place of relaxation than a handyman’s all-you-can-eat buffet. I get by only with help from my friends, particularly Mark (his father was an engineer), and Scott, who owns the Lion’s Head Home Hardware. At the cottage, we buy more hardware than groceries. And Scott, bless his red shirt, will patiently explain how to fix anything. A Knight in shining hardware.

There have been some DIY victories at the cottage. Barb and I replaced the toilet – smooshed the wax donut – but only after Mark’s assurance, from afar, that the job would be easy.

More typical was the

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scenario of last May. Barb and I arrived on a Friday afternoon to open the cottage for the season. When I flipped the breaker for the water pump, a wave surged across the bathroom floor, and a hiss came from deep inside the wall. Although I had drained the pipes last fall, one had frozen and burst. I knew two things: I could get no repairman on the weekend, and women don’t like being without running water and a toilet for long. What I didn’t know was how to gently get inside the wall and fix the pipe.

But Mark and wife Ann soon arrived. Mark and I made a quick trip to Scott’s for copper pipe, solder, flux, and such. And we fixed it. My main contribution was to fashion a heat shield from beer cans and foil, so the torch wouldn’t ignite the wall.

The next day, Mark and I returned to Scott’s to ask – this was a long shot – if he knew where we could get just a small bit of insulation to replace the soaked stuff. Scott led us out the back door of his store and into his storage shed, pulled a handful of insulation right out of the wall, and handed it to us.

That’s the kind of back-up I need.

Meanwhile, when Brooke and Joe arrived in the Smokies, Joe attempted to open a celebratory bottle of wine with Brooke’s new Swiss army knife. He gashed his finger.

So Joe has the “clumsily endearing” thing going for him. Not that he even needs it. Since Brooke finds him handsome, he doesn’t even need to be too handy. The Red Green test? No problem for some guys.

Duncan Watterworth is a lifelong resident of Elgin County and a retired lawyer. He can be reached at duncanetm@gmail.com.

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Snippets of gold spun by riding bikes

by Elizabeth VanHooren

As my sons grow older, I have been pressured more to deliver a SUMMER to my children. You know a winning response to the annual question, “What did you do on your summer vacation?” In the last couple of years, I’ve stressed about providing them with at least one big event, an excursion

LIFESTYLE ThaT’s Life

that they will remember, that would define their the boys off with the garden hose. Mud caked on summer experience. their bikes, legs and Crocs, they ran screaming But what I have come to realise is that the big from the cold shots of water. “Let’s have a bath days – the days you plan for, you save for, the outside every night Mom!” days that involve long-line ups for a two-minute And that is SUMMER to my children. Popsicles thrill ride at the “it” attraction every afternoon, ice cream – rarely satisfy for the longafter supper on the porch. term. No, summer, at least Riding their bikes until sunthe summer that sustains us “the boys chuckled at their set. Playing in the sandbox, throughout the long, dreary, strawberries from the ever-abiding Super Hero picking slushy, sub-zero, black-icegarden. An impromptu corn mom” miserable winter is the sumeating contest at supper, with mer that we knit together everybody piling their eaten from ordinary days. cobs in front of them.

For us this summer, those snippets of gold were SUMMER is finding a praying mantis, and spun riding our bikes. Sometime this summer, we watching the wren build her nest, feed her babies became a training-wheel-free family, which meant and spot them in the yard as they take their first we could venture further than the confines of our flight. It’s water gun fights and sleepovers with laneway. Almost nightly, we tackled a local trail cousins. It’s building new hideouts in the grove system that meanders through a valley beside Cat- of pine trees and picnics and star gazing at night. fish Creek. More than once, my youngest, still less I know that twenty years from now, when I ask than agile on his John Deere two-wheeler, man- the boys what they remember about their sumaged to dump his bike, or most or all of himself, mers, they won’t reminisce about that day-trip we in the creek or a muddy rut near-by. On one par- took. Their summer vacation will be defined by ticular occasion, I plucked his feet from the mud the ordinary days we spent at home together. with one Croc on and one foot bare. The boys chuckled at their ever-abiding Super Hero mom Elizabeth VanHooren is who had to fish around in the muddy mess to reGeneral Manager trieve the missing footwear. Eventually, I pulled it of Kettle Creek up like a muddy trophy for all to see.

Conservation Authority Returning home that night, I literally sprayed

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Congratulations!

Les Wares, Investment Advisor with CIBC Wood Gundy, St. Thomas Branch, has recently been awarded the Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) designation through the Canadian Securities Institute.

The CIM designation specializes in advanced, high-level investment strategies that best serve affluent and institutional clients. The CIM offers credibility in the eyes of clients, peers, employers and regulators through the dedication to a higher professional standard.

As an advisor with the CIBC Group of Companies since 1998, Les can customize a plan that is tailored to your unique needs.

Services: • Customized investment strategies • Holistic financial planning for: retirement, tax reduction, estate or business transition, wealth preservation Our Solutions: • Stocks • Bonds • ETFs • Private Placements • Mutual Funds • Hedge Funds • Private Pools • Separately Managed Accounts • Life and Disabilty insurance To get a second opinion on your current financial plan, or to customize a new plan, call:

Les P. Wares, CFP, CIM, FMA, RRC, BA Econ Investment Advisor 519 631-2508 • les.wares@cibc.ca http://www.cibcwg.com/web/ia-les-wares CIBC Wood Gundy is a division of CIBC World Markets Inc., a subsidiary of CIBC and a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. Les Wares is an Investment Advisor in St. Thomas, Ontario. The views of Les Wares do not necessarily reflect those of CIBC World Markets Inc.

September, 2015

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