January 2013 Issue

Volume 3, No. 5 January 2013 FREE

• Jim Innes Astonishing recollections Page 4 • Peter Atkinson Seismic reading changes Page 7 • Elizabeth VanHooren Mom’s most dreaded question Page 29 Pages 24-30

Healthy Lifestyle

Incorporating St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce

Mark DeBoer on pushing the envelope at RPM Cover story: page 3

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Cover Story

They don’t print envelopes But at RPM, they manufacture in the millions

by Terry Carroll

The remarkable local success story that is RPM Envelopes Inc. began with a fascinating, if at first shaky, start. Early in 2000, a man named Rodney Boyce was acting as a broker for envelope printing.

He had the opportunity to quote on two million envelopes for a seed company. It occurred to Rodney that there was a manufacturing opportunity here. Rather than purchasing the envelopes for printing, he thought he could buy a machine, get a location, hire somebody, manufacture the two million envelopes, and recoup his costs plus make a little money outside the printing process. It looked like the start of a business.

Peter DeBoer said he was interested in investing in the new business as long as his brother Mark could be involved. Although the DeBoer brothers had never been in the envelope printing business before, Mark and Peter had a background in printing. In the 1970s, they had launched a free distribution newspaper for St. Thomas and area, and Mark had moved on to a printing business. There were similarities with envelope manufacturing.

And Mark was strong on bookkeeping and management consulting.

When Mark came on board, Rodney and Peter asked how long it would take to set up a company, and Mark told them he could do it in 24 hours.

“But we need a name,” he said. They took the first letters of each of their first names, and RPM Envelopes Inc. was born. They found unexpected assistance within the industry when the owner of an envelope company in Toronto said, “I’ll help you guys get started.”

Everything looked rosy until they got word that the parent company of the Canadian seed company, a U.S. firm, had gone bankrupt. RPM was a company with an idea and an order for two million pieces that had simply evaporated. Everything went on the back burner until word came a few months later that the U.S. company had restructured. A representative from the restructured company said, “We have your P.O. The work is yours if you want it.” By the end of 2000, they had one employee

Mark DeBoer, RPM Envelopes Inc. cover photo by Philip Bell, Shutter Studios

working in 600 sq. ft. of space in McConnell’s Nursery near Port Burwell, and that first big order in production.

Over 12 years, the business has grown in ways the owners could never have anticipated. Seven years ago, RPM purchased a 5,000 sq. ft. building on Spackman Boulevard in the industrial park area of St. Thomas and installed two envelope machines and one dye press. Today, the company operates seven machines and two dye presses, has five fulltime and two part-time employees, and manufactures millions of envelopes a year in the small to medium niche market. Envelope sizes range from 2” X 2” miniatures up to 6.5” X 9.5” envelopes.

When they moved into the Spackman location, Rodney and Peter and Mark didn’t know how they

Elgin This Month General Manager Terry Carroll Section Editor Business Beat – Bob Hammersley

were ever going to use 5,000 sq. ft. Now they are bursting at the seams. Three years ago, hoping it was the answer to additional space, they bought the building next door. But they quickly discovered that paper and glue do not transport well across a parking lot. That building was converted to rental income property. They currently store extra paper and machine parts in 50-foot trailers on the RPM site while they contemplate a building expansion.

RPM manufactures envelopes, whether plain or preprinted. Example of preprinted envelopes include bank deposit envelopes and the envelopes hotels use for the cards that serve as room keys.

Mark says that RPM has successfully found a niche below the manufacturers that produce huge volumes per hour on web presses. While RPM continues to manufacture envelopes for certain high volume customers, the owners and employees have developed expertise in the specialty market, typically orders of 5,000 to 100,000.

Over time, they have learned to build up inventory of plain envelopes in standard sizes, so they can turn around many orders overnight if needed.

A truck arrives at RPM at four in the morning and is on the road for the Toronto area by five.

Secrets of success? One is a good division of roles and responsibilities. Through his company Precision Envelopes Inc. in Woodstock, Rodney Boyce, and now his son, are responsible for sales and marketing. Peter DeBoer whose main business is MP General Contracting Limited, looks after the properties. And Mark DeBoer manages the operation with a foreman, and does the books, as well as operating his other businesses.

Another secret of success is that RPM has always been willing to network with related companies for the common good. For example, they do a lot of business with the second and third largest envelope manufacturing companies in Canada.

Marks also says, “It takes time and a lot of your own money to make it work. And don’t expect to get your money out too quickly.”

At RPM, they have always been committed to quality. “We produced the best possible product we could produce.”

And they are dedicated to treating employees with respect while compensating them as well as they can afford to, including benefits, profit sharing and programs to recognize the employees’ value to RPM. “Plus, there is an element where we want to make money,” Mark says. “As long as we stick to our values, we can make it work.”

Graphic Design / Production Jim McHarg Sales Representative Greg Minnema Office Manager Laura Bart

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 January, 2013

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INNES AS I SEE IT

Doris Brown: a hero in 1933 Astonishing recollections occur regularly

by Jim Innes

A

New Years tendency is to recall the past with an eye to the future. Yet recollections also occur regularly. Occasionally they astonish us by their significance and this can be surreal. They can take away our breath and amazingly relocate us to a time long past. These are often quiet moments; sometimes upsetting; sometimes splendid; and they are, by nature, ours alone. However, every once in a while others can share them with us. Such was the case, recently, for a local hero.

A few Sundays back, Doris Brown, age 93, always quiet and pleasant, was sitting alone at the front of my church; a place where she could hear well. That particular Sunday morning the service opened with Glenda McMillan sharing the story of how Girl Guiding began in St Thomas (at St. John’s) 90 years ago. To take the story in, I had left my usual place in the chancel and to sit near Doris.

In the presentation, we were being told of how in 1933 a 13 year old Girl Guide had received a Governor General’s Award for bravery. Apparently she had jumped into Pinafore Lake to save a drowning boy and she was not a strong swimmer.

I got a tap on the shoulder by Doris who timidly whispered, “That was me.”

“What was you?” I asked quietly over my shoulder.

“It was me that pulled that boy out of the water.”

Wow! It was an astonishing coincidence that this elderly, unassuming church lady would be present during the recollection of her 80-year-old experience. It was a marvelous surprise to me, and I announced it immediately following the Guiding presentation. People knew Doris, but very few knew that part of her story; not even the folks closest to her in the church. I hope she felt the parish’s pride and pleasure as we expressed ourselves in warm applause. Doris told me later how she had been told by her mom not to say much to anyone and to be humble

Recollections occur naturally and regularly; provoked by the smallest of smells or the softest of touches. They can astound us, create longings, provoke disruptions, and induce pleasure.

They can motivate us or stifle us. Sometimes those recollections are hazed by time. Sometimes they are skewed and distorted by the energy surrounding them at the time they occurred. Sometimes they are of a traumatic event and significantly affect us today.

Doris was not a good swimmer at the time of her heroic moment but went on to take extensive lessons.

Her experience gave her a depth well beyond a swimming certification. Yet, it goes without saying; events don’t always move us upwards and outwards. Nonetheless, they reveal the moments which chiseled our character. Their energy, be it expansive or constricting, is an essential and often unconscious factor in where our future takes us. As a friend once wrote, "We live on a moving line between past and future. This is our life line ------------------over and out.”

Jim Innes is a clinically trained therapist and a priest at St. John’s Anglican Church

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January , 2013

BUSINESS / COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

by Shayne Wyler

With the high cost of hiring and training it is vital to make sure you join with the right people to do the right things for the right reasons.

As always, let's use seven questions to explore the truth about hiring and get you the direction you need to move forward with clarity, purpose and meaning.

Question 1: Why do we hire?

We hire for two reasons.

1. We can't do it alone 2. We don't want to do it alone Question 2: What is your hiring process?

A resume takes care of experience and skills, but beyond that how do you determine who you hire?

I suggest your hiring process involve these three key elements: 1. Share your vision 2. Clarify the vision of those you interview 3. Assess if they fit together Share Your Vision If the person sitting across from you does not catch the heart of your vision then either you are not passionate, driven or clear in your vision, which needs to be addressed, or the other person is not, which needs to be assessed.

By sharing your vision, both you and those you interview will understand why you do what you do and therefore empower you to find who you need to fulfill on that vision.

Clarify the Other Person's Vision Most hiring processes focus on experience, skills and personality. To find the right people you need to go beyond that. You must understand their heart, why they are there and how their heart fits into the heart of your organization.

Question 5: How do you empower the right people?

Train them and allow yourself to be trained by them and their contributions. Also, give them the tools they need to fulfill on both the organization's vision and their own. Allowing others to contribute to the fulfillment of the vision brings purpose and meaning to the work you all do together.

Question 6: What if it’s not working out?

We need to recognize that we as employers are simply an opportunity for those that work with us. If you have valued that person and provided a place where he or she has been needed and wanted, he or she may just help you find the perfect replacement.

Question 7: How do you help those struggling to find their place? right people.

Follow questions 1 to 6 above.

Question 4: How do you keep the right peo- It is never too late to have this conversation. ple?

Three elements are needed here: 1. Live your vision 2. Embrace contributions 3. Value your people If you have assessed your employees' intentions correctly in the hiring process, trust that your people have a heart that aligns with your heart. In this, their insight is valuable as it will bring the missing pieces to the puzzle to support fulfilling your vision in all you do. If your hiring process does not uncover the intentions and heart Shayne Wyler, CEO of the people, both you and they will of Seven, clarifies your always be second guessing everyone’s direction by asking contributions. the right questions.

Hiring / finding the right people The truth in seven questions Assess the Fit Finally, assess if the two visions complement each other.

Question 3: How do you know you have the right people?

If the two visions complement each other, you have an opportunity to discuss how you can work together. This is an exciting process as many new and confirming insights emerge. This will reveal your future working dynamic.

In working with leaders, I have found that most do not take the time to have the heart-to-heart conversations needed to really assess the intentions of the all those being interviewed. It takes you, as a leader, to be open, honest and clear about the heart of your company and why it exists. In sharing this, you will find the

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BUSINESS / COMMUNITY MANAGING MONEY

Tax Free Savings Account or RRSP? Decisions are no longer quite as simple

by Ellen Luft

Saving for retirement used to be simple. If you wanted to save on taxes, your only choice was the Registered Retirement Savings Plan. In 2009, the decision got a lot more difficult. In 2009 the TFSA (Tax Free Savings Account) was introduced, and as of this year, TFSA contribution room has grown to $20,000 for Canadians over the age of 18. With these limits, TFSAs are becoming a significant savings tool. The challenge is picking the right savings tool to meet your investment goals.

TFSAs are more flexible than RRSPs, so they tend to be better for younger investors and for short-term savings to buy a home or a car. In some cases they can also be better for long term retirement savings as well.

The key to choosing the right investment option is to compare your current income to what you think your retirement income might be. TFSAs generally work best when you expect your income to be higher in the year that you withdraw the funds than in the year you put them in. The opposite is true for RRSPs. They work best if your income is higher when you contribute and lower when you make a withdrawal. Many advisors recommend TFSAs as a retirement vehicle for savers who have a lower marginal tax rate. Generally, if you are making less than $41,000 per year, you will likely come out ahead over the long run in a TFSA. The nice part is that when you take money out of a TFSA at retirement, it doesn’t come out as income so you don’t have to worry about claw back of government retirement benefits.

RRSP’s are the best long-term retirement savings plan for Canadians earning over $50,000 per year, especially as they reach their peak earning years. You do pay taxes on the withdrawals, but you generally come out ahead, thanks to the tax refunds you should be putting back into your RRSP. A Tax Free Savings Account is a fantastic solution for someone with low income, as well as for someone with extremely high income. For those people in between, it all depends on your circumstances.

And that’s where working with an investment advi-

sor can be a great help. Your personal financial situation will guide the decision as to which account is most beneficial for you. This RRSP season make sure you take the important step of contributing to your retirement wealth, but also maximize the benefit by choosing the right account for your circumstances.

This article was prepared by Ellen Luft who is an investment Advisor with DWM Securities Inc. a DundeeWealth Inc. Company. This is not an official publication of DWM Securities Inc. The views (including any recommendations) expressed in this article are those of the author alone, and they have not been approved by, and are not necessarily those of, DWM Securities Inc.

Ellen Luft is an Investment Advisor with DWM Securities Inc. in St. Thomas.

The views expressed are her own.

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BUSINESS & COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY

E-books Seismic change to the reading world

by Peter Atkinson

E-books are the biggest thing to hit reading since Johannes Gutenberg decided that the monks who had been the main purveyors of the written word needed more chanting time.

The physical book is not going away – that’s just media hyperbole. But the ground is shifting; the world’s biggest bookseller, Amazon, now sells more e-books than physical books. And, though the sales data aren’t out as I write this, it’s a pretty safe bet that many of you have a new device upon which you can read e-books, and will soon be part of their explosive growth. If you haven’t, you might soon. So I thought it would be interesting to review the seismic changes e-books are bringing to the reading world.

First, publishers love e-books because of the profit margins.

Instead of each copy of a book costing dollars to produce, ebooks cost around 10 cents per copy and can still sell for $14.99. This alone will push publishers to offer more and more of their catalogue in this format.

But publishers also hate e-books. They’re terrified of the piracy that they’ve seen in the music and movie industries, (though there are some studies that show overall sales increasing in those areas, albeit not for the big production companies).

Publishers are also terrified of Amazon. Not only has it been throwing its weight around to dictate sales terms, e-publishing doesn’t require all those big presses and giant rolls of paper that cost so much. So Amazon can go directly to A-list authors and offer them more generous deals to publish with them, and then sell the heck out of the resulting book by promoting it on their website.

They’re even terrified of little old libraries; six of the biggest publishers won’t let libraries lend their e-books, meaning that there isn’t a library in the world that can loan you the #1 bestseller if it’s published by Simon & Schuster or McMillan.

Despite this, libraries are doing a good job of making e-books available.

There are limitations; the true digital model of having unlimited copies of

a book is still price-prohibitive. But libraries are coming up with creative ways to offer extensive e-collections to their patrons: joining purchasing consortiums, (as St. Thomas and Elgin County have done), adding public domain books and in some cases working with smaller publishers and online vendors to develop their own e-collections. Many are lending e-reader devices themselves to let patrons sample the e-reading experience before buying, or to just enjoy the convenience without the expense.

The future of e-books is like the lamp department in Canadian Tire – there are a lot of options and they’re all bright.

My guess is that e-books will follow a path similar to movies on DVD. At first, all you got was the movie as it was in the theatre. Then you got enhanced versions with improved sound and pictures. Now you get the movie with added content, the director’s cut, cast interviews and more.

E-books can already include images, sound and video for pennies extra on the production costs. Textbooks and children’s books are leading the way here, and this can enhance both fiction and nonfiction e-books alike. But it’s not hard to imagine adding author’s comments and interviews, alternate endings, additional chapters and the editor’s handwritten notes on the original manuscript.

All of this extra content will add to the appreciation of the book. It also will keep prices up. And it will do one more thing.

Peter Atkinson is It will change the definition of a E-Services book. And that, like a cliffhanger Consultant at the in any good novel, is a good place St. Thomas to stop – until next month.

Public Library.

publishers are also terrified of Amazon

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BUSINESS & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

by Bryan Vine

It is a New Year, a new beginning, what are you going to do differently this year?

As a CEO, you need to elevate your mindset and obsess about getting more from your current resources and efforts. You must ask yourself and others better questions. You must start to ask yourself, “How can our business get greater results from every action we take, every expenditure we make, every effort we expend, every relationship we have?”

Avoid status quo like a deadly virus.

You must embrace fully the philosophies that, “good enough never is” and “we can always do better.”

Optimization (also known as leverage) is a mindset of maximizing your results while simultaneously minimizing the amount of time, effort, risk, money, and energy you expend.

It’s all about getting greater productivity, performance, profitability and payback from your ideas, assets, knowledge, systems, processes, practices, people and opportunities.

Overlook nothing; leverage opportunities are everywhere.

Optimization is all about using your mind and limited business resources in new and better ways. It’s about using your creative intelligence as an incredible force to increase your sales, customer satisfaction, profits, quality, etc. Optimization is about freeing yourself and your organization from limiting beliefs, the “we’ve always done it this way” attitudes, and established industry practices.

Optimization is searching for oppor-

A New

r a e Yginning a new

be

s quo u t a t s e h t Avoid he plague like t

tunities within and without your company where the application of focus or force will yield substantially multiplied results. For example, if you start using telephone calls to follow-up your direct mail campaigns, you may multiply your sales results by staggering amounts.

Just as a tire jack can lift the tremendous weight of a car for a tire change, so too can the strategy of optimization help you significantly lift your company’s revenues, improve operations, and lighten your daily load. A lever, fulcrum and slight

learn about leverage

force can lift significant weight if you know how to use these tools. Learn about leverage so you can begin to elevate and optimize your business results.

To master the art of optimization, you need to adopt an opportunity mindset. To leave the status quo behind, you need to ask continually the following types of questions: • What is the best and highest use of our time, talent, and treasures?

What resources are we underutilizing?

• How can we maximize our returns/output and minimize our input?

• How can we work smarter, not harder?

• Which strategies will give us super-sized results?

• What processes or departments within our business are under-performing?

• What past or current relationships could we more fully leverage (i.e. customers, employees, vendors, suppliers, advisers, etc.)?

• What other industries could provide us with some innovative best practices?

• Where are the hidden opportunities within our business, our employees, our suppliers/vendors, our business partners, our customer base, our competitors, and our business processes?

• How can we get a greater return/payoff using the least amount of money, time, risk, etc?

• How can we be more effective, more productive?

• How can we get better every day in every way?

• What suggestions from our customers should we pursue first?

Expand your mind and your leadership potential and your business and opportunities expand exponentially. The more you grow as a leader, the more your business grows as a market leader. Think optimization, not status quo.

Bryan Vine is co-owner of The Growth Coach in St. Thomas.

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Business Beat Table of Contents Slips and falls ..........page 10 Perrin Beatty dialogue ................................page 11 That mayor Ford!......page 12 Top ten barriers ........page 13 Businesses to be heard ................................page 14 Insurance fraud ........page 15 New Members..........page 16

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January, 2013

Survey says: Chamber Membership is effective business strategy A new survey of 2,000 adults reveals that being active in a local Chamber of Commerce is an effective business strategy because two-thirds of consumers believe that such companies use good business practices, are reputable, care about their customers, and are involved in the community.

The study, conducted by The Schapiro Group, an Atlantabased strategic consulting firm, found consumer perceptions of Chamber Members to be positive in many ways: • When consumers know that a small business is a Member of the Chamber of Commerce, they are 49% more likely to think favourably of it and 80% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.

• If a company shows that it is highly involved in its local Chamber (by having personnel active in the Chamber or being seen to host or sponsor community Chamber events), consumers are 10% more likely to think that its products stack up better against its competition.

• When consumers know that a national restaurant franchise is a Member of the Chamber of Commerce, they are 68% more likely to eat at the franchise • When consumers know that an insurance company is a Member of the Chamber of Commerce, they are 36% more likely to think favorably of the company.

Major impact on small businesses Small businesses represent the largest segment of most local Chamber membership rolls across the US and Canada, and the study indicates that Chamber member-

ship has consistent and powerful benefits for small business members, if consumers are aware that the small business is involved with its local Chamber.

For example, if respondents know that a small business is a Member of its local Chamber, the business enjoys a 49% increase in its consumer favorability rating, a 73% increase in consumer awareness, a 68% increase in its local reputation, and an 80% increase in the likelihood that consumers will patronize the business in the future.

Most people know fairly well what their local Chambers do; the study assessed the effect of this knowledge on perceptions of Chamber Members. The researchers said ”any belief about the Chamber of Commerce – whether that belief was true or not – could have a significant positive impact on how someone views a Member . . . he or she is more likely to think that the [Member] company’s products stack up well and have a favourable opinion toward the company.”

The key factor in developing and maintaining positive consumer perception of Chamber Members, the Schapiro Group said, was that “positive outcomes only occur when consumers know that a business is a Chamber Member (i.e., being involved in the Chamber is a known facet of the company's reputation).”

Accordingly, when consumers know that a large business is a Member of the Chamber, they are likely to patronize the company more often, to express favourable opinions about the company, to know more about the company, and to buy the company's products. The strength and nature of these effects differ by industry: The new study tracks similar data reported by The Schapiro Group in 2007. Copies of either or both studies are available from the St. Thomas & District Chamber on request.

Report on RRSP’s and Investing A special feature in the February edition of Elgin This Month To take advantage of excellent advertising opportunities like this, give me a call at 519-633-1640 (ext. 22) Greg Minnema, Advertising Sales

or email me at gregthismonth@theweeklynews.ca February Edition Advertising Deadline is January 15th

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BUSINESS BEAT

CHAMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members

MOL inspection blitz starts next month The Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL) will be conducting an inspection blitz on slips, trips and falls throughout February and March.

Specifically, they will target ladder safety and fall protection hazards in the industrial and construction sectors.

Do you have the right measures in place to protect your employees?

The Chamber has been informed of the blitz plans thanks to our connections with WSPS (Workplace Safety and Prevention Services).

The MOL’s proactive inspection blitzes are part of the province’s Safe at Work Ontario compliance strategy. They focus on sector-specific hazards and are designed to raise awareness and increase compliance with health and safety legislation. By law, Ontario workplaces must allow a Ministry of Labour inspector into their workplace. During a blitz, inspectors have been instructed to take a zero-tolerance approach – meaning

that if a workplace is found to be non-compliant, the MOL will prosecute in some way. All blitz results are tracked by the MOL to determine if the blitzes result in a longlasting increase in compliance and decrease in injuries.

Slips, trips and falls will be the focus the campaign launching February 1. There are two kinds of falls – same level or from height. Same level falls can be caused by slippery and uneven surfaces, debris and tripping hazards, dark and obstructed pathways, and unsuitable footwear.

Falling from heights can be caused by working where there is a chance of

falling off an unguarded raised surface, such as a ladder, raised floor, roof, racking or scaffold.

Each year there are about 17,000 lost-time injuries in Ontario due to falls in the workplace. 65% of all fallrelated injuries are from “same level.”

One in five lost-time injuries result from falls and, every year, about 20 people die in Ontario because of workplace falls. Eighty workers are injured every day because of a fall – that’s one every 20 minutes.

An average WSIB claim is $11,771; factor in other costs like lost productivity and staff replacement, and the cost can be as much as four times more or approximately $59,000 per injury. When a business operates with a profit margin of 5%, the sales required to cover the total cost of one injury equals about $1.2 million!

(Source: WSIB “Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls in the Workplace”) Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that employers take every reasonable precaution to protect workers, provide information and instruction, and ensure that workers properly use or wear the required equipment. Employers, supervisors and workers can be prosecuted for not complying with the law.

Industry-specific regulations should be referenced for details on legislative

Published by Metroland Media Group Ltd., and delivered to businesses in St. Thomas and Elgin County 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

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T H I S

Bob Hammersley

Accounting Coordinator

Susan Munday

Member Services

Linda Crawford

Member Services

Jeff Sheridan

M O N T H

compliance for your workplace. For assistance in accessing and understanding this information, contact your health and safety association.

To help prevent slips, trips and falls, have a company policy in place that clearly outlines the rules for housekeeping, lighting and inspections. Review your workplace and identify all risks that could cause a worker to slip, trip or fall and the measures needed for employees to work safely. Ensure that required personal protective equipment, and other equipment for working at heights, is in good repair and used properly. Assist supervisors in meeting their obligation to ensure the rules are followed. Provide proper training to workers on how to clean up spills, the proper use of fall protection equipment, the use of proper guard rails and covers over holes, etc.

Provide continuous follow-up to make sure that the rules are adequate and are being followed, and to identify what needs improvement, and investigate all incidents to determine how to eliminate the cause.

Workplace Safety and Prevention Services welcomes you to contact them to gain additional information and advice in preparation for the MOL blitz. You can visit them at www.healthandsafetyontario.ca or make contact by telephone at 1-877494-WSPS (9777).

Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) provides industryspecific health and safety products, training and consulting services to 154,000 businesses and 3.8 million employees in Ontario’s agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors.

As one of four health and safety associations operating under the Health & Safety Ontario banner, WSPS is a trusted advisor to businesses, large and small, seeking to boost productivity and profitability by reaching zero work-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities.

2012 Board of Directors Chair: Jason White Steelway Building Systems 1st. Vice-Chair: Paul Smith P.J. Smith & Associates 2nd. Vice-Chair: Laura Woermke St. Thomas Elgin Art Centre Treasurer: Mark Lassam, CA Kee, Perry & Lassam Chartered Accountants Past Chair: Linda Sawyer BMO Bank of Montreal Director: Beth Burns K & K Locksmiths Director: Renee Carpenter Jennings Furniture Director: Pete Charlton Charlton’s Quality Meats Director: Monty Fordham Monty Fordham Law Office Director: Jeff Kohler Presstran Industries Director: Rob Mise myFM 94.1 Director: Debra Mountenay Workforce Planning & Development Board Director: John Regan Elgin Business Resource Centre Director: Darren Reith Reith and Associates Insurance & Financial

January , 2013

BUSINESS BEAT

CHAMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members

Economic potential is an issue The latest economics/research project completed by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce says the time is now to realize the potential of the north. The report, entitled Developing the Economic Potential of Canada’s Territories, argues that the federal government has a critical decision to make regarding Canada’s territories if it is to leverage their full social and economic potential.

The new Chamber research report is based on discussions with more than 80 business people and government representatives across the territories.

Covering 40 per cent of Canada’s land mass with just over three per cent of our population, Canada’s territories punch above their weight economically. In 2011, Yukon and Nunavut had the highest and second highest gross domestic product increases in Canada—at 7.7 and 5.6 per cent respectively. However, some business people say the cost of doing business in the territories today is

five times higher and the effort of operating is 10 times greater than in the provinces. This has a direct effect on the territories’ competitiveness.

The federal government must take the lead in developing an integrated, long-term strategy and business case that creates the conditions for full economic participation by the territories and all of their peoples. In our report, we offer a series of recommendations for paving the way.

To view the full report, visit the Canadian Chamber website: www.chamber.ca

Become a Chamber Member!

Call Member Services @ 519-631-1981 ext. 526

It’s not what you earn...

It’s what you keep.

Kee, Perry & Lassam offers a full range of public accounting services. Our chartered accountants and staff have the experience, training and skills to deal with your business needs.

Conversations build our network Mid-December brought an opportunity to bring staff and volunteers from area Chambers together for dialogue with Hon. Perrin Beatty, President & CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

Pictured here, left to right, Gus Kotsiomitis – President of the London

Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Ann Campbell, General Manager of the Ingersoll & District Chamber, Perrin Beatty, London Chamber Chair-Elect Dave Craven, and Bob Hammersley, President & CEO of the St. Thomas & District Chamber.

diSTRICTLY Business returns!

rated to produce and deliver a large, regional business show and expo at Western Fair. We met and exceeded our goals in exhibitor participation and visitor attendance and our organizing team has started meeting to prepare a 2013 event that will be bigger and better.

Details on exhibitor registration and costs will be available soon, but it’s not too early to plan to be a part of it. Call Bob Hammersley at the Chamber office for additional preliminary information or to book a reservation for floor space.

Mark your calendars now. Thursday June 6, all Members of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce will again have the opportunity to attend, and/or participate in, a large regional Chamber event in London at Western Fair District.

Last year, the Chamber offices in London, Strathroy, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and St. Thomas collaboJanuary, 2013

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• • • •

Accounting Auditing Business Plans Tax Services

• • • •

Cash Flow Preparation Management Consulting Small Business Services Bookkeeping Services

At Kee, Perry & Lassam we ensure our clients recieve the service and expertise they need to succeed.

Please make a call to our office your first step on the road to success.

15 Barrie Boulevard St. Thomas, ON Canada N5P 4B9 519-631-6360 519-631-2198 fax

www.kpl-accountants.ca M O N T H

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LEGAL BUSINESS Legal News and Issues for Business

The blunt instrument

by Monty Fordham

I promise this will be the last article for a long time I will write about Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. One has to admit that the colourful mayor has spawned a couple of extremely fascinating court cases, both of which raise important and timely issues of law, particularly in the world of municipal politics.

The decision in the case of Magder v. Ford was issued on November 26, and, in that decision the Honourable Justice Hackland of the Ontario Superior Court made the bold, but controversial ruling which ousted Mayor Ford from office. Some brief history of the case may be helpful.

You will recall that the court action started after Mayor Ford participated in discussion and later voted on a motion before Toronto City Council, which would relieve him of the obligation to repay funds to various contributors to his youth sports charity. He had earlier been ordered by the municipal integrity commissioner to pay slightly more than

$3000 back to the contributors. Mr. Ford disagreed with that ruling and brought the issue to council, which voted to overturn the commissioner’s directive. The vote was not even close, and ironically, the mayor’s vote was not needed to get him off the hook.

A “concerned citizen,” Mr. Paul Magder brought an action against the mayor for allegedly contravening the Municipal Conflict of Interest

“

The judge found that the actions of Mayor Ford constituted a “technical breach” and “far from the most serious breach.”

Act (MCIA). Mr. Justice Hackland ordered Mayor Ford to vacate his seat as mayor believing (and rightly so) he was left with no other option under the sanctions provided for in the MCIA. Justice Hackland’s decision provides some badly needed guidance in the question of what constitutes “conflict of interest,” what is “pecuniary interest,” what is “mere inadvertence” and, finally, what is “an error in judgment.” The full

judgment may be found on line and is well worth the read.

Justice Hackland also made a number of comments concerning the existing MCIA which one hopes the legislators take to heart. He referred to the section of removal from office as “a very blunt instrument” which had already inspired the call for legislative reform. Justice Hackland referred to various recommendations which are contained the report of Commissioner Cunningham in the Mississauga Inquiry, including suspension of the member for up to 120 days, a form of probation, public reprimand, formal apology, and removal from committees.

The judge found that the actions of Mayor Ford constituted a “technical breach” and “far from the most serious breach.” So, why kick him out?

Because he felt he was compelled to wield the “blunt instrument” unless Mayor Ford could show his conduct resulted from “inadvertence” or “error in judgment.” The judge defined inadvertence as involving “oversight, inattention or carelessness,” and he could find none of these. As for “error in judgment,”

1.59 6.9 1.64 %

¢

such an error must occur “honestly and in good faith.” Once again, His Worship Ford was out of luck.

The case is under appeal, and Mayor Ford has been granted a “stay” of the judge’s decision pending the outcome of the appeal. The decision may be overturned or affirmed, but in any event, it will all take some time.

In the meantime, the case has inspired the legislators and municipal experts to review the MCIA, although there are many who would argue the legislation is fine in its present form. Curiously, legislation known as the Local Government Dis-

%

“

BUSINESS BEAT

closure of Interest Act was passed back in 1994. It provided, in the case of a contravention of the disclosure and conflict of interest sections of that act, the court shall suspend the member for up to 90 days, but may declare the seat vacant. In other words, the judge may use the blunt instrument in the most egregious of cases, but can lighten up significantly in the case of minor or technical breaches.

For some reason this piece of legislation was never proclaimed in force, and was repealed in 2003. Too bad for Rob Ford.

Lawyer Monty Fordham prepares this monthly column for the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce and our Members. Monty is also a volunteer serving on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. 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

Everyone’s Financial Plan is unique and fits like together like a puzzle.

Did you know…The average emergency fund should cover from 3 to 12 months of income protection?

We can help, Call Gail Dennis today.

Prosperity Coach for Your Business and You

www.accountingwithyou.com • gail@accountingwithyou.com 300 South Edgeware Rd., St. Thomas, ON N5P 4L1 519-633-7597 (Ext. 405) cell # 226-236-2321 12

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January , 2013

BUSINESS BEAT

MEMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members

2012 &2013

Top

country’s ability to compete internationally.

Throughout the past year, along with hundreds of Chamber offices across our network, we conducted several initiatives and undertook specific activities to start addressing the barriers that you identified as being the greatest impediment to the success of Canadian business: the growing skills crisis.

The Canadian Chamber held consultations throughout the year, provided us with eight different surveys for Member participation, conducted four webinars (which are still available on the national Chamber website: www.chamber.ca) and regularly reported on this issue as we moved through 2012.

Now as we move into 2013, we will launch our Top 10 for 2013 on February 12.

Our most important focus will be to continue the dialogue to help increase the awareness and influence of the Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness. We look forward to growing our Chambers’ participation in these advocacy efforts that are geared to bring competitive advantages to our greatest asset – you – our Chamber Members!

10

This year, with your input, we joined with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and launched our “Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness.” The aim of this initiative was to bring greater focus to our advocacy work, direct attention to the key impediments holding back Canada’s progress and urge the government to act more swiftly in increasing our

Yes, that’s us on TV Been watching any NFL games on TV? How about BNN, the Business News Network?

If you’ve seen the latest ads promoting the national Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Program, we’re happy to confirm that, yes, that’s the group program offered locally in St. Thomas & District.

Since 1974, the St. Thomas & District Chamber has endorsed and promoted the national Chambers

Thanks, Cam, hello, Jeff!

We’re sorry to report the retirement of a long-term community partner; one with a professionally unique name. St. Thomas Police Services Constable Cam Constable retired at December 31. As Crime Prevention & Media Relations Officer, Cam worked with us through our St. Thomas – Elgin Safe Communities Coalition, and on a variety of community projects. We will certainly miss his support and wish him

Chamber reps named to EDC Board The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to report that our four nominees to the Board of Directors of the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation have been confirmed for 2012 – 2013. They are: Gary Coutts, RBC Royal Bank, Business Banking Centre Sam Barraco, Magna International

group insurance program. Our local Members enrolled in the Plan are part of a pool of over 20,000 businesses across Canada and we’re happy to confirm that our Plan remains the #1 choice for small business, home-based companies and self-employed entrepreneurs. Brad Bedford of Bedford Financial is our local insurance professional and agent representing the Plan. He welcomes calls and questions at 519637-0181. Members can also get information, even a quote, on-line at: www.chambers.ca/info

Everyone’s Financial Plan is unique and fits like together like a puzzle.

Did you know…The average emergency fund should cover from 3 to 12 months of income protection?

We can help, Call Gail Dennis today.

a long and happy retirement. We also believe Cam’s retirement means Hamilton becomes the only Ontario community (possibly the only one in Canada) to have a police officer called Constable Constable. Cam’s son is attached to the Hamilton Police Service.

Const. Jeff De Leeuw has been named as St. Thomas Police Services’ new Crime Prevention/Media Officer. We’re looking forward to having Jeff join the Safe Communities steering committee and, as always, pledge the Chamber’s support on issues and projects of mutual interest.

Robert Furneaux, General Manager, Gorman-Rupp of Canada Ltd. Ginette Minor, Partner/Consultant, Genuine Stitches The Chamber’s appointees to the EDC Board attend meetings on behalf of the Chamber and our Members as part of our mandate to be “the voice of business”. The Chamber nominates two Members from the industrial community and two Members from the general business/commercial community to the EDC Board of Directors each year.

The new Drive Clean set reads your car’s computer history to see if your vehicle meets emissions standards.

The new test is 20 per cent more effective in reducing pollutants.

DO NOT Leave your Drive Clean test to the last minute.

Renew your license plate sticker before it expires! Book your Drive Clean appointment now!

We’ve made the promise of affordable quality since 1984, and we’ve delivered!

Prosperity Coach for Your Business and You

www.accountingwithyou.com • gail@accountingwithyou.com 300 South Edgeware Rd., St. Thomas, ON N5P 4L1 519-633-7597 (Ext. 405) cell # 226-236-2321 January, 2013

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13

BUSINESS BEAT

CHAMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members

The voice of 6.5 million businesses The largest national business organizations from the G20 countries recently launched the B20 Coalition in order to ensure the voice of business is heard. The Coalition calls on G20 to live up to its promise to tackle the crisis and is committed to support these efforts.

“The objective of the B20 Coalition is to advocate policies, at national, regional and international levels, that contribute to global growth and job creation,” said Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian group accredited to the B20.

“The B20 can use its vast membership base – representing more than 6.5 million businesses – to act as a global sounding board and an initia-

tor of new ideas and proposals for G20 economic policy coordination.”

Headquartered in Paris, the B20 Coalition met in Moscow, Russia, on December 12 under the chairmanship of Russia’s equivalent to the Chamber, the RSPP, to prepare for the St. Petersburg G20 Summit to be held on September 5 - 6, 2013.

“We share the G20 ambition of ensuring a balance between growth and stability. Private sector growth and global prosperity require a coordination of national economic policies to support growth, stable capital and commodity markets, compatible financial regulation, an effective International Monetary System, open trade, freedom and protection of investments. In today’s global economic environment, we need to restore business confidence and macroeconomic stability that enable growth and job creation in the private sector.” said Alexander Shokhin, President of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) representing the B20 Coalition in Russia.

About the B20 Coalition The B20 Coalition represents the interests of companies of all sizes and

nto Spring i l Seasona

JOB I,R FbrA 3 uary 5 201

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8am - 1n0ioarsm Centre

s Se St Thoma ut Street, 225 Chestn as St.Thom

BUSA, South Africa – BUSINESSEUROPE, Europe – Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Canada – CEOE, Spain – CII, India – CNI, Brazil – Confindustria, Italy – FKI, South Korea – MEDEF, France – RSPP, Russia – TÜSİAD, Turkey – UIA, Argentina – U.S. Chamber of Commerce, United States.

CRA enhancing on-line & business services The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is making progress to recognize the unique needs of small businesses and is introducing several services and tools, including several on-line services. .

The CRA has added and improved a number of features, such as new result screens, to the Payroll Deductions Online Calculator to serve businesses better. To see it, and other electronic services with the CRA, go to www.cra-arc.gc.ca/businessonline Other changes at a glance: • The new RC366 form tackles the red tape burden by letting businesses request direct deposit for GST/HST, Payroll and/or Corporation Income Tax to one or multiple bank accounts – all on one form.

• The CRA has increased the number of information returns a business can file, from 50 to 100, in a single submission using the CRA’s Web Forms application – fast, easy,

and secure.

• Every service in the on-line “My Business Account” feature now has sidebar links to the Message Centre, making the service even easier to navigate.

• Some businesses are now able to electronically submit certain documents, when requested by the CRA, to support their T2 return.

• My Business Account users are able to view their original online enquiries at any time, by using reference numbers.

• Most businesses can file their GST190, GST/HST New Housing Rebate Application for Houses Purchased from a Builder, electronically.

• Businesses can electronically elect to use the quick method of accounting for GST/HST filings.

To receive updates when new information is added to the CRA website, you can even follow it on Twitter – @CanRevAgency

Register your business today To register or for more information , contact the Job Develo per team: 519-631-547 0

E-Scam hit City – Check your January bills

www.jobselgin.ca This Employment Ontario Program is funded by the Ontario Government

14

sectors in the G20 process and ensures through this legitimacy the follow up of business recommendations in between G20 annual summits.

Follow the B20 Coalition’s initiatives on Twitter @B20Coalition.

About the B20 Coalition members AIG, Australia – BDI, Germany –

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No community or consumer is safe from scams, stings and rip-offs, as was demonstrated in a December 10 release from St. Thomas Police.

“St. Thomas Police are warning citizens to beware of a new identity theft scam that was reported by a St Thomas citizen this past weekend.

Police say the suspected scammer was situated in a vehicle just outside a retail store using a laptop computer to gain access via wireless radio frequency to debit transactions occurring at checkout counters within the store. The scammer then forwarded this personal information to a second

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person in the Montreal area. Police are reminding citizens to be extra cautious when using debit or credit cards.”

The busy pre-Christmas retail season always brings a peak in thefts and scams so we’re advising all businesses and consumers to pay special attention to your January billing statements for accuracy and or inconsistencies. Matter of fact, it’s a good idea to make sure you check every month year ‘round.

Report all suspicious activities to Police. They can’t solve problems that you don’t tell them about!

January , 2013

BUSINESS BEAT

PRO TEXT Business Management News & Issues

EBRC proudly announces ICE graduates

Top 5 auto insurance frauds We hear the complaint auto insurance premiums are too high. We hear the pundits defend by saying auto insurance fraud is a significant contributor to “high” auto insurance premiums in Ontario.

If we had less fraud we would have lower premiums. A recent study conducted by KPMG estimated that insurance fraud in Ontario could be as high as $1.6 billion annually. The cost of fraud in the GTA is up to $540 per insured vehicle.

Here’s a summary from inside the insurance business on what I see as the top 5 auto insurance fraud stories of 2012: 5. Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario warns of auto insurance scam, April 19.

RIBO warned consumers that three firms in Ontario were advertising and distributing flyers for cheap auto insurance, but the firms were not licensed to conduct auto insurance business.

4. More charges brought against GTA rehab clinics, May 25.

The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) brought charges against five medical clinics for issuing fraudulent invoices to insurers for alleged services provided to passengers injured in auto accidents.

3. Police arrest 46 in insurance fraud ring, August 9.

January, 2013

York Regional Police Major Fraud Unit arrested 46 suspects and laid 142 charges in a case involving nine alleged staged collisions that occurred in York Region along with suspected associated false medical billings from several medical rehabilitation and assessment centres located in Brampton, Toronto and Mississauga.

2. Scarborough man receives stiff sentence for staging collisions, May 24.

Three and a half years in a federal penitentiary and a free-standing restitution order for $375,000 was the sentence for the Ontario man involved in a staged collision ring.

1. 37 arrested in GTA raids for vehicle fraud, February 23.

Four rehabilitation clinics were charged with offences under Ontario’s Insurance Act. An investigation named Project Whiplash targeted numerous insurers and found estimated fraudulent payouts of $4 million.

Here is a bonus auto-related tip that could save you grief and money.

When considering the purchase of used car keep in mind the top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada: 10. 1999 Acura Integra2-door 9. 2004 Ford F350 SD 4WD PU 8. 2005 Ford F350 SD 4WD PU 7. 2002 Cadillac Escalade 4-door 4WD 6. 2006 Ford F350 SD 4WD PU 5. 2005 Cadillac Escalade 4-door AWD 4. 2007 Ford F350 SD 4WD PU 3. 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS 4door 4WD 2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door 1. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door

The Innovation Centre for Entrepreneurs (ICE) is a mixed-use business incubator co-located with the Elgin Business Resource Centre on South Edgeware Road. Since opening in June 2011, ICE has incubated 8 businesses which have seen the creation of 25 jobs.

The program offers incubation to business start-ups and facilitates entrepreneurs through the business development process up to a maximum term of three years.

Congratulations to the two most recent graduates: Elgin Maid is a locally owned and operated maid service company that prides itself in its quality of service. First offering residential cleaning services in the areas of St. Thomas, London, and Dutton, Elgin Maid has now expanded

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT AS PART OF THE DIVERSICARE FAMILY WE HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE

“ORDER OF EXCELLENCE” TROPHY FOR OUR EXCELLENCE IN QUALITY PROVIDED TO OUR RESIDENCES. The Canada Award for Excellence program is under the Vice-Regal patronage of the Governor General of Canada and this is the 3rd time that Diversicare has won this prestigious award.

“Allen Ebedes, President & CEO of Excellence Canada stated – “ It is extraordinary for any organization to receive a Canada Award for Excellence let alone a Gold Trophy. However, to achieve the Order of Excellence 3 times is nothing short of superlatively incredible. Only a handful of other organizations have been awarded the Order of Excellence to date.” This accomplishment connotes Diversicare as being considered a “World Class”organization.

This column appears regularly in Business Beat and has been submitted

by Dan Reith BA (Hons) CAIB, a principal of Reith and Associates Insurance and Financial Services, 462 Talbot Street, St. Thomas. Questions and comments on this column are welcomed by the writer at 519-631-3862 or via email: info@reithandassociates.com E L G I N

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to Woodstock and surrounding areas. Elgin Maid is a proud partner of Cleaning for a Reason, the nation’s first non-profit organization dedicated to providing free professional house cleaning services for women undergoing the treatment of cancer. www.elginmaid.com Fourword Thinking is a creative-based consulting firm whose focus is on the four key areas of marketing; branding, design, and event management.

Fourword Thinking has earned a reputation for providing clients with innovative products and solutions.

At Fourword Thinking, community engagement is a top priority. Current involvement includes charitable organizations such as Bethany’s Hope Foundation, Global Angel, and the Rotary Club of St Thomas. www.fourwordthinking.ca

Please call today to book your personal tour

519-631-9393

145 Metcalfe Street St. Thomas, Ontario

www.diversicare.ca M O N T H

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BUSINESS BEAT

NEW MEMBERS Welcome To The Chamber Network

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome the following businesses and individuals as our newest Members. The staff and management of the organizations shown below were accepted as registered Members from November 16 to December 15, 2012.

Callon Dietz Incorporated 43363 Sparta Line St. Thomas, ON N5P 3S8 Phone: 519-673-4721 Fax: 519-673-5052 Email: info@callondietz.com Website: www.callondietz.com Contact: Mr. Terry Dietz Buyer’s Guide Categories: Land Surveyors Products & Services Callon Dietz ‘s mission is to provide a full range of world-class surveying, mapping and land information services to meet the expectations of domestic and international customers. In business

since 1967, and newly-located in Elgin County, Callon Dietz is proud to be Ontario's first ISO 9000:2008-registered land surveying company.

Citslinc International Inc. 108 N. Ynez Ave., Suite 205 Monterey Park, CA 91754 Phone: 626-571-0616 Fax: 626-571-7916 Email: citslinc@aol.com Contact: Leo Liu Buyer’s Guide Categories: Travel Services Products & Services: Citslinc works exclusively with Chambers of Commerce across North America to provide their Members travel and business development services within China.

Midtown Tavern 701 Talbot Street St Thomas, ON N5P 1E1 Phone: 519-631-1377 Email: midtowntavern.andrew@gmail.com Contacts: Andrew Harvey, coowner/ Steve Barber –co-owner

Buyer’s Guide Categories: Bars, Lounges & Taverns; Entertainment; Products & Services: The Midtown Tavern is a historical landmark tavern in the centre of St Thomas. It offers live music on a weekly basis, coordinates group and corporate functions and is a destination spot for any and all sporting events with 10 flat screen televisions and a large selection of domestic and imported beers & cocktails.

OnWall Solutions Southwest 245 Edward Street Port Stanley, ON N5L 1A4 Phone: 519-636-0158 Email: alex@onwallsolutions.com Website: www.onwallsolutions.com Contacts: Mr. Alex Tichnovich Buyer’s Guide Categories: Design; Renovations/Additions Products & Services: OnWall Solutions has been a Canadian leader in interior and exterior organization for almost a decade. Design, service and install storage solutions for garage, overhead and wall storage cabinets. Additional services pro-

vided for junk removal and painting.

Strictly Addressing 4-1025 Hargrieve Road London, ON N6E 1P7 Phone: 519-433-4242 Email: info@strictlyaddressing.com Website: www.strictlyaddressing.com Contacts: Mr. Scott Tucker Buyer’s Guide Categories: Mail Services; Advertising & Promotion; Printing & Publishing; Products & Services: This firm provides full-service mailing, data cleansing and management, targeted marketing and printing solutions which save their customers time and money. Established in 1996, Strictly Addressing is a family-owned mailing house and letter shop offering over 40 years of combined experience and expertise in printing, mailing, and marketing.

They are a Canada Post Registered Partner.

St. Thomas Roadhouse Phone: 519-637-2220 Fax: 519-637-2281 Email: st.thomasroadhouse@hotmail.com Website: www.facebook.com/StThomasRoadhouse Contacts: Dan and Sam Aboumourad, co-owners Buyer’s Guide Categories: Restaurants; Bars, Lounges & Taverns; Banquet facilities Products & Services: The Roadhouse is a full-service, AGCO licensed restaurant with 2 large banquet rooms, catering to families and large groups. Their motto is to “offer great food at affordable prices.”

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY Save 3.5¢/litre Chamber members qualify for Esso’s Direct Billing Program; you pay 3.5¢ off the posted retail pump price whenever you fuel up.

You may also get a convenient, detailed monthly invoice and also qualify for Speedpass®. For an application, contact:

Lynhurst ESSO & Variety 16

Wellington Road at St. George St. 519-633-0002

CAR CLEANING

T IN & OU Only

26.55

$

• (larger vehicles extra).

• Vehicles with pet hair/extra dirty-additional charge.

+ HST

Other Services: Inside Shampooing, Leather Cleaning & Conditioning, Glass Treatment & Fabric Protection.

Rob Blaxall: President

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Voice / Voice Mail Data Communications CCTV Video Surveillance Security Sound/PA Systems Business Phone Systems

“Our customers are not just satisfied...they’re impressed!”

Now offering voip business systems

160 Burwell Rd., St.Thomas 519-631-5502 E L G I N

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rmbcommunications.com

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

Residential • Commercial • Industrial January , 2013

H E A LT H Y L I V I N G EVERYDAY HEALTH

Be prepared for a winter emergency Check lists for home, vehicle and business

by Ryan Huffman

Snow tires? Check. Candles?

Check? Bottled water? Check. You have purchased these items in triplicate so your car, home and office are essentially equipped. Now, do you feel prepared for a surprise emergency this winter?

You have taken care of the basics and picked the obvious supplies recommended to survive for 72 hours.

What would be sorely missed should you fail to plan now?

And failing to plan could leave you sitting in a dark room eating melting popsicles or stuck in a snow bank snacking on a ketchup pack found in your glove box. For good measure, here are some important items to help prepare for unexpected circumstances.

A good start is filling up your car with gas and assembling the general supplies for a ‘to-go’ bag. A helpful bag if you need to evacuate or find shelter in a hurry. The contents are simple and should start with a change of warm clothes, bottled water and flashlight. To be truly prepared, consider adding the fol-

lowing items along with reasons why: Cash: bank machines and credit cards may not work for a while after an emergency. Cash is king unless you have talents to barter.

Medication and back-up glasses: Secure a two-week supply of prescription medicine in a sealable plastic bag, clearly labeled. Prescription glasses are more reliable than contact lenses.

toilet paper, or soap is impossible.

Keys: Keep an extra set in your bag should the originals become lost.

Pet items: Remember food, medicine and water for your pet, too.

Radio: Manual or battery-operated with extra batteries will keep you abreast of news and alerts.

This is a business-oriented publication, so it seems logical to highlight some unique emergency preparedness tips for companies. In preparing

back up electronic records Baby stuff: Formula, diapers, and wipes Duct tape: It helps fasten bandages, hold large lacerations together.

Books have been written on this versatile ‘tool.’

Gauze, bandages and band-aids: Minor cuts and scrapes should still be dressed, have a range of sizes on hand.

Hand sanitizer: To maintain a relative standard of hygiene hand sanitizer with at least 60 per cent alcohol helps.

Personal hygiene items: In case getting to the store for a toothbrush,

your business for a disaster, consider the following recommendations to limit the risks associated with damaged property, equipment, or information.

• Update your emergency call out list and contact information for employees, clients, and suppliers.

• Secure critical or archival records such as insurance policies, banking information and tax records in waterproof / fireproof containers.

• Back up electronic records and ensure the back-up is safely stored at a remote location.

• Update your inventory of office

equipment including computer software / hardware, and furniture.

• Relocate expensive equipment to the most heavily constructed interior area of the building • Cover at-risk equipment with tarps or plastic to minimize damage in the event of water leaks or falling debris.

• Take photographs or video of your business and equipment, both inside and out, to help with insurance claims The type of disaster you are preparing for ultimately dictates your response. The above considerations are general enough to support your efforts to prepare for all hazards. For further information on emergency preparedness or for updates on extreme temperatures, boiled water advisories or additional tools to help you, your family or your business manage any stage of an emergency please visit www.elginhealth.on.ca or www.facebook.com/ESTPH.

Ryan Huffman is Manager of Strategic Initiatives for Elgin St. Thomas Public Health

JOE PRESTON, M.P.

ELGIN-MIDDLESEX-LONDON • Passports • Revenue Canada • Seniors’ Issues • • Citizenship & Immigration • • Employment Insurance • 24 First Ave., Unit 2, St. Thomas, ON N5R 4M5

519-637-2255 • 1-866-404-0406 www.joeprestonmp.ca

January, 2013

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17

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY WORKING IN ST.THOMAS & ELGIN

EmployerOne Survey to assess education and training needs

Small business drives the economy

by Martin Withenshaw

Starting in 2013, employers finally have a voice to share their workforce needs. For the past year, a group from workforce development, economic development and business have come together in order to create a collaborative, efficient way to get reliable local labour market information from employers. The EmployerOne Survey is designed to get this information while respecting the employer's confidentiality and limited time. It’s a local initiative, and the only one of its kind in Ontario.

Small business owner Beth Burns from K & K Locksmith says, “It is so important for small business to get on board and participate in the EmployerOne Survey. Quite often we are excluded from participation in such efforts even though we represent a large portion of active business in our communities. This survey takes little time commitment with a big return. Small business needs a valid voice to reach government, policy makers, and those responsible for the education and training of potential employees. The EmployerOne Survey encompasses all of that. Not only do we get 18

54 per cent have no employees a chance to express our needs and concerns for the future but we will also get feedback on what other members of the business community consider important. I would encourage all small business owners to complete the survey for the improvement of our companies and our communities.”

Small business does help drive the economy: 44 per cent of all registered businesses in the region have 1-99 employees while 54 per cent have no employees. Only 1 per cent of all registered businesses have more than 100 employees.

Information from the survey will assist Economic Development to ensure that the trained skilled workforce exists within your community.

Kate Burns, Business Development Coordinator for the County of Elgin, says, "The EmployerOne survey will provide accurate, up-to-date information and numbers on what Elgin County businesses are looking for in terms of workforce needs and will help us develop programming and services to meet those needs" E L G I N

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Business has spoken as stated by Bob Hammersley, President and CEO of the St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce, “Businesses have often told us they want to see a reduction in what they call the paper burden – the repeated requests to provide stats and data to any of dozens of agencies.” Hammersley goes on to say, “The Employer One Survey is definitely a project that deserves the support of the entire business community because it can save a lot of time and energy. It’s like onestop shopping. One small investment of time to plug-in and participate is all that’s needed, and the results will be better and more useful than anything we’ve ever seen.”

The EmployerOne Survey needs participation of employers throughout Elgin. The survey is available January 2 through to January 31. The average time to complete the survey is 10 to 15 minutes. If you are a business owner and would like to participate, visit ProgressivebyNature.ca.

Martin Withenshaw is Communications Manager, EMO Workforce Planning and Development Board January , 2013

D I N I N G & E N T E R TA I N M E N T WINE & FOOD

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he St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce is hosting an event later this month called Uncorked. I was approached about organizing the wines for the event and acting as the tasting guide for all the attendees.

Uncorked is going to feature a range of wines specially selected to engage the senses and typify some of the world’s most interesting wine styles.

In this month’s column I don’t want to talk about why you should already have your tickets, but rather, why an event like this is exciting for this wine lover.

I signed up to organize the wines for this event based on a fairly simple premise – the Chamber wanted to do a tasting that featured local, regional and national wines. The concept of a wine’s place of origin can be paradoxically simple and complex. All quality wines will state their country of origin; it can be that simple. Complexity compounds the concept of origin when wine lovers introduce the notion of “terroir” into the discussion.

Terroir is the belief that the way a wine expresses itself is a result of the soil it was grown on, the climate it developed in, the cellar it was aged in.

Terroir can then be loosely defined as the life energy that surrounds the wine. The exciting part of a tasting like this, for me, is the search for wines that express terroir. Not all wines will express their origins, not all expressions are pleasant. A hunt is on for the best examples available.

Local, regional and national wine selection is actually a fairly wide berth of choice. For this tasting, national wine means that the wines are sourced from one particular country, there are no multi-national blends. Regional wines mean that all of the wine in the bottle must be from one sub-section of a certain country. Regions are usually defined by the wine industry. A successful wine region is a brand in itself (think Napa Valley, or Niagara Peninsula). Local wines, in this tasting, don’t necessarily mean proximity to this event, but rather wines that are from a specifically defined plot within January, 2013

a region. Wines that are from single vineyards would be considered local. Each level has its own strengths and limitations. My rather exciting task is to find wines that will stand up to each other across the spectrum. I ask myself: Will the presence of wine A, overshadow wine B? Truth be told, there is no way to predict with absolute certainty how the tasting evolves until the night is upon us. True wine lovers crave the opportunity to discover and share.

Once the wines are selected, my focus shifts to the presentation of the wines. You may have noticed that I have been somewhat vague when talking about the wines I’m selecting for the event. I am not giving any hints about which wine regions will be represented or even which grapes will be in attendance. The wines will be presented to attendees in the form of mystery bottles. Each wine will be covered, with any producer identification removed from the neck, and numbered to prevent confusion. The only piece of information guests will receive is the wine colour. I have been to hundreds of mystery tastings over my career, and one thing remains constant: the less people know about what they are going to taste, the more adventurous they are. Knowledge allows prejudice or bias to creep in.

Statements like ‘I only drink French wine’ or ‘I only drink full bodied wines’ are rendered mute in a mystery tasting. One of my only stipulations for organizing the wine for Uncorked was that I was the only person who knew specifically which wines were to be featured. I love seeing people’s reactions when they truly discover something new that they love.

The wines will be revealed over the course of the night. There will be a few comments my selections and context for the choices. But if done right, the wines will speak for themselves.

The event will be an adventure for everyone there, and, I hope, everyone will discover a new favourite wine.

Jamie Quai is head winemaker at Quai du Vin Estate Winery in Elgin County.

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St.Thomas Uncorked A winemaker’s perspective

by Jamie Quai

Jeff Yurek, MPP Elgin-Middlesex-London Ontario Disability Support Program OHIP Cards Driver’s Licences Ontario Works Birth Certificates 750 Talbot St., (CASO Station Suite 201) St. Thomas, ON N5P 1E2 519-631-0666 email: jeff.yurekco@pc.ola.org M O N T H

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LIFESTYLES ELGIN ARTS TRAIL

Clayworks Studio

Catherine Craig from Clayworks Studio in Belmont

Mixed Media Magic

by Katherine Thompson

C

layworks Studio is located in the small, scenic village of Belmont in northwest Elgin County.

Inspired by the quiet and friendly village atmosphere, owner and artist Catherine Craig has filled her rustic working studio with original clay artwork, sketches and sculptures. Craig often dabbles in mixed-media combining painting, fibre and clay in her sculptures. She values community empowerment and storytelling, and these are the hallmarks of her work.

Catherine is a graduate of the University of Windsor’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program and is a professional visual artist with more than 40 years of experience.

She has offered private lessons to aspiring artists for more than 30 years and has conducted spinning and weaving workshops for guilds in Elgin County, Leamington and Frankenmuth Michigan. Currently Clayworks Studio offers a broad selection of pottery workshops including oneon-one instruction, mother and child groups, workshops with friends and couples working in clay.

Catherine’s work transcends craft and hobby; it is a lifetime commitment fueled by passion and dedication.

For more information on Clayworks Studio and the Elgin Arts Trail please visit: www.elginartstrail.ca

The Parade of Elephants is a travelling exhibition of one-of a-kind elephant sculptures created by artists on the Elgin Arts Trail in partnership with the St. ThomasElgin Public Art Centre. Every month the elephants will travel to a new location and at each location a new elephant will be added to the collection. The next exhibit will be on display at:

• Farm Drainage • Bulldozing • Brush Cutting

• Excavation of Basements • Watermains • Road Boring

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Call John, Brad or Jason at

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Village Crier Gallery 194 Currie Rd., Dutton Jan 2 – Jan 29, 2013

For a complete list of exhibit locations visit www.elginartstrail.ca/ paradeofelephants

The Elgin Arts Trail is a program with a goal to promote and enhance arts tourism in Elgin County and St. Thomas. The trail is a route through Elgin County that visits some of the best galleries, studios, and artisans in Elgin and St. Thomas.

For full trail information visit www.elginartstrail.ca or find us on Facebook.

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

vangorpdrainage@amtelecom.net 20

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January , 2013

LIFESTYLES THE NEW YEAR

Eating disorders know no bounds Girls and women from all walks of life may be affected

by Jean Gottlieb, Health Reporter

(NC)—There is a common misconception that eating disorders are experienced only by Caucasian teenage girls from middle or upper class families. However, research shows that girls and women from all walks of life experience eating disorders even though, by cultural norms black, Asian, and Hispanic individuals have been perceived as being protected from these potentially deadly conditions.

Merryl Bear, director of the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (www.nedic.ca) says that the increase in body dissatisfaction and eating disorders among women from cultures that traditionally admire full-bodied, curvy figures is not driven by vanity.

Media images of women of non-white heritage now ubiquitously conform to the thin, narrow standard of the body

ideal for white women. The same aspirations to 'fit in' by looking as close to this ideal as possible drives all girls and women who overvalue appearance, says Bear. Eating disorders, she says, are damaging, complex conditions that emerge from behaviours,

such as dieting and over-exercise, that are used by the individual in an attempt to manage challenges such as high anxiety, poor problem solving skills, a need to gain control over important aspects of their lives or perfectionism combined with low

self-esteem.

Historically, research on eating disorders has been done in colleges, universities, and treatment centres.

Because white middle-class girls have had more access to these institutions, and cultural attitudes within many ethnic and minority communities devalue mental health problems and treatment, the myth emerged that eating disorders do not affect women of colour.

The legacy of this myth is one of an even greater degree of shame, secrecy and poor identification by health practitioners than that found within the white majority population, says Sylvia Kerr, a Toronto-based psychotherapist and dietitian of Caribbean descent. “NEDIC's helpline is an important first stop for individuals of colour looking for affirmation, support and help,” she points out. The earlier an eating disorder is identified and treated, the better the chances for a full recovery. www.newscanada.com

How to find your one and only Soul mate may cross your path at any age (NC)—We all want to find the person we are meant to be with. That special someone we are totally enamoured by, connected to, and headover-heels in love with. Just in time for a fresh start this year, here are some pearls of wisdom that may help bring you and your beloved together: Believe in your soul mate and be patient Fate doesn't work on a schedule.

Your soul mate might cross your path when you're eight or 80 years old. If you can believe in love – even when life doesn't seem to be taking you in that direction – you're already halfway there.

Make yourself a better person Next, begin the process of self-improvement. Be the type of person people fall in love with. If you think you need a better job or education, go back to school. If you want to improve your health, go to the gym and get in shape. If you want to expand your horizons, then begin to volunteer or get involved with a non-profit organization like Christian Children's January, 2013

Fund of Canada (www.ccfcanada.ca) and see how improving the lives of people living in poverty can help bring new perspective into your own life.

Don't hate being single Honour the state of not yet having a mate. Enjoy your life, go out with friends, and pursue paths of self-improvement. Spend time fine-tuning skills, nurturing interests, and having adventures. Study, take courses, and do things that help you grow personally, spiritually, and professionally.

Live fully and stay open. Love may not be far behind.

How will I know when I do find my soul mate?

Your soul mate will be a person you will feel a very strong and passionate connection with, as well as an old connection. In other words, you will feel as if you have known the person for a long time, even though you may have just met him or her recently.

Even in moments of doubt and fear, open your arms to love. Know that every step you take in the direction of love will bring your true love closer to you. www.newscanada.com

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END THE FRUSTRATION AND START HAVING FUN

Learn how to use your new camera and get the most out of it with Shutter Studios’ workshops.

Digital SLR and Point and Shoot workshops available this Januar y and February

Check out www.shutter.ca for details or email info@shutter.ca or call 519-637-3006 M O N T H

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HOMESTYLE DECORATING

Boxing Day and after ’Twas now time to de-clutter

by Renée Carpenter

'Twas the day after Christmas and the house was a mess. Yet, New Year’s resolutions included less stress! The word ‘de-clutter’ was probably not included in your 2013 plans, but scientifically it has been proven that by de-cluttering your home, you declutter your mind. If the process has gotten out of hand and you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, then start with one room at a time. I always start in the kitchen when cleaning because it is the centre of the family hub and the first place to quickly collect the most junk. A few kitchen organization and storage tips will allow you to enjoy a much more stress-free environment.

Set aside only ONE drawer for junk! If you have more than one, you have too much junk. Yet, everyone needs one junk drawer. There are always doodads and stuff in every home that basically has no other place to land. This is NOT a place for things that actually do have a home elsewhere! Next rule for the junk drawer is if you haven’t used it in a year, get rid of it, which means you have to clean out the drawer at least once a year!

Store small appliances such as toasters, coffee grinder, mixers, etc. all inside a cabinet on a Lazy Susan. It is easy to find what you are looking for and get to with a quick turn without

having to dig everything out that is in front of it.

Upright storage is vital in a kitchen for cookie sheets, cutting boards, and pizza boards. A skinny cabinet is ideal or retrofit existing cabinetry with dividers to help items stand on end.

Pullout shelves in a kitchen are a must. They help turn every square inch of a deep cabinet in actual usable and acceptable storage. Super for pots, pans and lids that otherwise slide forever to the back of the cabinet and just out of reach.

Alphabetize spices by putting a tiered rack inside a drawer to keep them neatly contained. Organize the pantry by grouping like items to simplify prep time.

Try the one-month box test if your drawers are overflowing with cooking gadgets that you cannot bear to part with. Peter Walsh says to empty the contents of your kitchen utensil

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drawers into a cardboard box. For an entire month, only put the utensil back into the drawer if you take it out of the box and use it. At the end of the month, seriously consider discarding everything that’s still in the cardboard box.

In my opinion, corner turn-tables are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Get the most out of a corner cabinet by installing turntables. Lazy Susans exist without a center pole to maximize storage capabilities.

Presort your recyclables as you toss them. Partitioned, pullout garbage cans built into kitchen cabinets make quick work of dividing glass, plastic, paper and cans. If not inside a cabinet or pantry, place the bins in a prominent location clearly labeled to make it easy for young children to stick with the program. The larger

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they are, the more likely you are to use them.

Easily implement storage inside your cabinetry to eliminate the clutter ‘noise’ that unknowingly causes your blood pressure to rise. Numerous options exist to help you create a space that allows you to function more efficiently.

Renée Carpenter is the owner of Jennings Furniture and Design in St. Thomas.

January , 2013

A G R I C U LT U R E FARMING

A New Year in the stable

manger scent is not a universal favourite

Do you smell what I smell?

by Janine Lunn

The Christmas lights are still adorning our frozen bushes, and the traditional star lights up the silo at dark, but the main event has come and gone. It's amazing how much anticipation surrounds the Christmas countdown, and with the stroke of midnight on December 25, it's back to business as usual.

Anyone who works with livestock knows that it's always business as usual, because there's always something to take care of. Christmas Eve church services are bookmarked by feeding or milking and family dinners are negotiated between chore times. Ringing in the New Year is sometimes celebrated earlier in the night based on whose turn it is to get to the barn in the morning. Of course, if the thought of having to get up in the morning is too much to bear, there is always the option to eliminate sleep entirely, and move right from the festivities into the barn when morning comes.

Despite the hustle and bustle of holiday events, errands and socializing, the barn is a rather peaceful place this time of year. When many people visualize that first Christmas night in Bethlehem, they have an image of an old-time baby shower of sorts; a social gathering of onlookers, supporters, gifts, and a menagerie of animals. But it's not a complete picture until you can get an insider's experience. While we wait for the Wise men to make their appearance, we can extend the season by a few days, and linger a while at the manger.

Do you see what I see? Children's picture books paint a beautiful image of the scene, which makes it easy to see in the mind's eye. A variety of animals, muted light, a clear night for the brightest star, and a sprinkling of January, 2013

dust, to soften all the edges.

Do you hear what I hear? After being fed and watered for the night, we can imagine cattle, donkeys, horses, sheep and poultry settling in for a quiet night. The silence is only punctuated by the rhythm of breathing, the occasional bleat, and a newborn's cry.

Do you smell what I smell? No, manger-scent is not a universal favourite. But there would have been a comforting sweetness in the combined effect of hay, wooden beams and the tang of manure in the air.

Anyone who's been born on a farm knows that comforting smell of home.

Do you feel what I feel? Even on the coldest nights, livestock huddle together and warm up the space around them, their breath steaming in their air. I imagine the assembled animals would have provided protection from the elements as the new family settled in for the night.

Do you know what I know? The routine is done for another day. It's hard to say if the animals knew if anything special had happened or not. A new birth on the farm is not all that unusual, so space was made for the newcomers without much thought, but after all the excitement, a rest was in order for all. A time to regroup for the challenges of a new day on the horizon.

All is calm, all is bright. Peace.

Janine Lunn hosts the Belmont Corn Maze, and lives on a sheep farm with her family.

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H E A LT H Y L I F E S T Y L E SELF DISCOVERY

What’s your 2013 Big Hairy Goal?

Take yourself out of your comfort zone

by Sharon Lechner

In 2011, I received some business coaching from a London-based Women’s Coaching Association. In going through their process, I was asked to identify my Big Hairy Goal. A Big Hairy Goal is also known as a stretch goal: something you want to achieve in your personal life or business that takes you somewhat out of your comfort zone.

This type of goal is necessary for growth. If we only choose goals for ourselves that are very easy to achieve and that are very safe, we miss out incredible opportunities to learn new concepts, new skills and we remain complacent.

Just as the rewards for achieving any goal are good, the rewards for attaining a stretch goal are even bigger. For some, it might mean job promotions or additional training opportunities in the work life; for others, it might equate to more confidence and/or improved health having achieved an ambitious fitness level.

You might ask yourself if you have the endurance to achieve a stretch goal, or you may feel overwhelmed at the work that lies ahead of you that is required to achieve your goal. Remember the saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

Once you have established your stretch goal, break it down into smaller achievable goals. For instance, you might achieve a 50 lb. weight loss by breaking your total goal into five, ten lb. goals.

Remember to reward yourself along the way. If weight loss is your goal, obviously you will want to reward yourself with non-food items. Perhaps something like regular massages or buying a new wardrobe just for you might be wiser choices.

Why not create a visual representation of your goal some place like on a vision board? Be sure to keep it in a place where you can regularly look at it

and take some time each day to imagine how you will feel once you have achieved your goal.

As I write this column, I recall that one of my goals was to hire a virtual assistant in 2013. As it turns out, someone read this in my December column and contacted me two days after Elgin This Month came out. Outcomes can manifest very quickly when we own our goals and write them down. I write my goals in a journal and cross them off once they are achieved. I love looking back at the end of the year and seeing what I have accomplished.

When you are creating your 2013 goals, be sure to have goals in all areas of your life like family, career, health, relationships and finances. If your only goal is money, all the money in the world won’t make you happy if you don’t have balance in the other important areas of your life.

Finally, when setting your goals including your Big Hairy Goal, always allow that God or the Universe may have something even better in mind for you than something you might believe to be the best possible outcome yourself.

When thinking about what you want to achieve, always remember the phrase “this or something better.”

Good luck in achieving your 2013 goals. I would love to hear about your achievements at sharonlechner@rogers.com.

Happy New Year.

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Sharon Lechner is a certified master life coach and owner of Reach for the Stars Empowerment in St. Thomas.

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519-631-2829 E L G I N

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January , 2013

H E A LT H Y L I F E S T Y L E HEALTH TRENDS

Exercise for seniors A trend of the times

an overall, general sense of wellbeing

courtesy of VON Middlesex-Elgin

Living a balanced lifestyle with regular exercise incorporated into one’s daily routine is a recipe for healthy living. While the benefits of regular exercise are clear, a growing number of people are living increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Especially as people age, they become less active. Yet, Marion and her mother Lisa defy this trend, managing to maintain active lifestyles together. This mother-daughter duo attends VON SMART exercise classes together, and Marion is also an enthusiastic volunteer instructor.

Providing an incentive for seniors to stay active, VON’s SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together®) program involves comprehensive exercise routines. With different exercise options available for interested seniors, including low-mobility, highmobility, and in-home classes, SMART is focused on catering to different segments of the population with specific needs. Most importantly, SMART gets seniors moving.

Marion and her mother became involved in the SMART program when Marion had recently retired as a public health nurse in Winnipeg, and she, her husband, and mother, moved to St. Thomas in 2010 to be closer to family. Marion and her mother moved months before her husband joined them. Faced with a new and unfamiliar environment, and without her husband, Marion sought an opportunity to become involved in the community and make new connections.

There were other incentives for joining the SMART program. Winter was approaching, and maintaining an exercise routine throughout the cold months was important, especially because Lisa had recently broken her hip and needed to regain and maintain

her strength, balance, and mobility.

As a result, they began attending the low mobility class in Aylmer. Marion says, “We had a lovely drive out to Aylmer every Wednesday and we both really enjoyed it.”

The SMART program addressed important physical goals, including improved strength, posture, flexibility, and balance. It also served as a way for helping Marion and Lisa integrate into the community, opening up a window for social interaction and stimulation. Since starting the program, Marion has noticed an overall, general sense of wellbeing in every way — mentally, socially, and physically.

Marion decided to branch out and become an instructor for the VON classes. During the instructor training course, she connected with new friends and gained a wealth of information. Training sessions included interesting guest speakers presenting up-to-date research and information.

Even after the initial training, she participated in a variety of different classes and did a lot of observing.

Soon, she also began attending the high mobility classes on a regular basis.

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For information or to register, email: HBBA@rogers.com

As an instructor, Marion has witnessed the progress made by other participants. For instance, she has seen women begin with one pound weights and then transition to two or three pound weights. They reach a point where they can challenge themselves by modifying their regular routines.

Individuals often come up at the end of class and share with her the improvements they have noticed, whether it is a knee that no longer hurts or an arm that is noticeably

VON Exercise Leaders Needed!

The VON SMART (Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together)® Program is actively looking for volunteers to lead our classes. No previous fitness experience needed, training and support provided by VON at no cost.

Get fit for free and help those in your community reach their fitness goals.

Volunteering is a unique way of staying active and gives back to the community!

Other VON Volunteer opportunities include:

Saturday, February 9th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Timken Centre, Doug Tarr y Room St. Thomas, Ontario

• Meals on Wheels • Dementia Visiting • Volunteer Visiting • Dining Programs • Transportation Drivers • Hospice Visiting

For more information about Services or Volunteer Opportunities, please contact 519-637-6408 or 1-800-201-0909

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January, 2013

Healthy Living Is Staying Active!

stronger. “I really enjoy seeing people improve…it’s a lot of fun and so rewarding,” she says.

In the future, Marion hopes to see the SMART program expand even more. Doctors have recommended the program to participants, and Marion hopes that more doctors become aware of the benefits of the program and refer patients. Marion’s contribution to the SMART program continues to grow as she attends further training sessions with the goal of expanding her role as a volunteer.

She suggests that anyone who is interested in volunteering should attend the classes first — both low and high mobility — because the hands-on experience provides a more comprehensive understanding of how the program works.

The VON is looking for more energetic volunteers in Elgin who enjoy leading, exercising, and having fun as both group and in-home exercise leaders. To find out more, start where Marion began by calling VON at (519) 637-6408.

www.vonmiddlesexelgin.ca E L G I N

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H E A LT H Y L I F E S T Y L E S IN THE GARDEN Annette Weesjes, co-owner of Family Flowers in St. Thomas, has been growing poinsettias since 1994.

(Photo by Dorothy Gebert)

What to do with your poinsettia With care, it may ‘bloom’ again next year

by Dorothy Gebert

So you’ve bought or received a poinsettia in December as a Christmas accent for the house, but the holidays are over. What do you do with it now?

Some people say you should treat it like a seasonal decoration and get rid of it the same time you take down the Christmas tree. Or maybe you could wait a little longer and toss it into the green recycling bin when it doesn’t look good anymore, which I have

been known to do by overwatering or neglecting it.

But what if you want to keep it around as a houseplant or maybe harbour ambitions to see it develop its characteristic red leaves again?

I asked Annette Weesjes, co-owner of Family Flowers in St. Thomas, if this was possible. She has been growing poinsettias since 1994 and prothem to ‘bloom’ again.” duces over 15,000 plants a year.

The ‘blooming’ she mentions doesn’t “Poinsettias make fine houseplants,” refer to the flowers, which are small she says. “But it’s a bit tricky to get and unassuming, but to the red bracts

you can keep the red leaves on the plant until almost May

or leaves that surround the flowers.

“You can keep the coloured leaves on the plant until almost May,” Annette says. But to do that, she recommends you water it fairly lightly every five or six days and keep it out of drafts, especially around the fireplace, which can be very hard on a poinsettia. It likes a cool house temperature, around 68 degrees, but can be placed in bright light since its native habitat is in Mexico and Central America.

In May or June some of the leaves Continued on next page

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January , 2013

H E A LT H Y L I F E S T Y L E S IN THE GARDEN Continued from previous page

will fall off (hopefully not all) and this is the time to put the plant outside for the summer. Place it in medium light (not full sun or it could get scorched Annette says), and by the first of July, you can start pinching it back to avoid it getting leggy. This is also the time it starts actively growing, so you want to feed it with a fertilizer like Triple 20.

She doesn’t recommend trying to plant the poinsettia in the garden because its stems are delicate and could easily get broken with transplanting.

“Between September 1 and October 31 are the critical dates for poinsettias,” says Annette.

This is the time they need the light and dark cycle that tells the plants to change colour. They need 12 hours of bright daylight and 12 hours of true darkness to set red leaves. A way to get the right amount of dark hours is to place your plant in a closet or the basement during the night.

“If they don’t get the right amount of light and dark, they get a muddy colour and delay their ‘blooming,’” says Annette.

If everything works out, you should see the red bracts return by Halloween and be able to enjoy your poinsettia again through another Christmas.

But if you don’t want to work that hard, you may want to consider other holiday plants like Christmas cactus or amaryllis which are easier to keep throughout the year. “Poinsettias are the hardest seasonal plants to grow and keep,” Annette says, “because the amount of light we get in our climate.”

But if you’re willing to put in the work, the results can be very satisfying.

Dorothy Gebert is a writer and garden enthusiast in St. Thomas.

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H E A LT H Y L I F E S T Y L E EVERYDAY HEALTH importance placed on complying with treatment plans and following recommendations starts to diminish. It just doesn’t have the same priority, and yet it is that same lack of commitment to taking care of themselves that created the problem to start.

This year, make a commitment to making some health changes. Keep in mind that goals should be meaningful but attainable and measureable. Attainable means to start out slowly. Don’t try to make earth shattering changes as it is difficult to stick with them.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

One simple change from a nutritional point of view is to start having breakfast. Of all the nutritional diets and programs out there, one of the simplest things that people can do is to start the day with some nutrition. Obviously, what you eat is important but that is too big a topic to cover here. Strive for a balanced meal this will help stoke your metabolic furnace and give you the energy you need to start the day.

Another simple change that almost everyone can make is to start to take a good multivitamin. There is now convincing evidence that supplementing your diet can slow aging, decrease the risk of developing many degenerative conditions and boost the immune system.

Start an exercise program. If you aren’t sure where to start, usually walking is a good idea.

Book a check up with your family doctor. Consider including alternative healthcare practitioners in your healthcare team. Something as simple as scheduling regular registered massage therapy sessions can be a good way to help deal with stress.

Chiropractors can be excellent resources to help with specific concerns or to guide you through general beneficial health and lifestyle changes.

These are all simply suggestions. Start with writing that letter and then use it as a guide down a new path toward better health.

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

I went to a conference a few years ago where a man named Jim Fannin spoke. Jim is a professional life coach and has worked with people like Alex Rodriguez and other professional athletes and business leaders. He spoke about how champions think.

Specifically, he said that champions visualize the future and then illuminate a path from the future back to the present. In other words, they see themselves attaining the goal that they have set out and then create a path back to where they are presently located. Then all that is left to do is to follow that path. It sounds easy doesn’t it? Well, in theory it is, but actually doing it may be a little more challenging.

If you are interested in setting some goals for yourself for this year what I would suggest is to write yourself a letter outlining the accomplishments that you have achieved in 2013. Write it as though it is December 31, 2013 and you are looking back on all that you have accomplished over the year. This is an exercise that will force you to see yourself in the future having achieved what you have set out for yourself and then create a path back to the present.

The reason I mention this is that for many, setting health and fitness goals for the New Year are always among the most popular resolutions made.

After all, your health is your most important resource in your daily life. Yet we do seem to take it for granted and never really think about it until something happens to take our health away. In my personal practice, it is common to see people make huge adjustments and accommodations when they are experiencing back pain for example. They will more than willingly comply with a treatment plan even if it means making great changes in their schedules to do so. As things improve and they are feeling closer to back to normal, the

Dr. Greg Johnston is a chiropractor and partner in Family Health Options Treatment and Resources Centre in St. Thomas.

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H E A LT H Y L I F E S T Y L E S THAT’S LIFE

“What’s for supper?”

The most dreaded question in a mother’s day

by Elizabeth VanHooren

These words are on my mind every waking moment of the day, and on occasion haunt me even in the dead of night.

It’s not that I don’t like to cook. I have expanded my repertoire beyond my post-secondary menu of mushroom soup and rice. However, as a mother, I think there is overwhelming pressure to cook something that is healthy, fast and will please the entire family.

As a working mom I have conditioned my boys – husband included – to embrace the slow cooker and casseroles or “another one of mom’s creations” as they are known in our household.

I learned early on that it is sometimes too hard to peel and mash potatoes, brown and cook meat and cut and steam vegetables in those witching hours between 5 and 7 p.m. So much of family life is packed into those hours, especially on weekdays.

There are work and school stories to tell and listen to, a swimming lesson to get to and a two-year-old who just desperately wants his own time with mom and dad.

Most parenting experts will tell you to get organized, establish a routine or make a menu plan for the week.

But serving spaghetti every Tuesday night makes me feel like I’m running a cafeteria rather than a home.

I invested in a cookbook that helps you “plan leftovers.” As instructed, I cooked a big ham on Sunday. On Monday, we had pasta and ham, on Tuesday ham quiche and on Wednesday when my husband arrived home and asked, “What’s for supper?” I presented him with an Elizabeth Original Ham Creation.

I expected rave reviews and got a two year-old who refused to eat, a four-year-old who asked for more

ketchup and a thirty-six-year-old who pointed out that we were technically having “Left-overs of leftovers of left-overs,” officially declaring the meal a disaster.

I went on a short strike after that.

But even that tactic conspired against me. After three nights of grilled cheese, peanut butter sandwiches and Kraft Dinner, I think I was the one who declared a truce first.

I’m still fighting the good fight. I subscribe to a myriad of “quick, easy and healthy” recipe e-mail blasts. I sneak spinach into the spaghetti sauce and limit leftovers to one night a week.

To ease the pressure on me I’ve even started to ask my husband, “What’s for supper?”

His answer? “Doesn’t matter, whatever you want.”

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Elizabeth VanHooren is general manager of the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority.

January, 2013

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H E A LT H Y L I F E S T Y L E TIME ON MY HANDS

by Duncan Watterworth

Heading south on Interstate 75 this winter? Be prepared to find Jesus. Two years after His shocking destruction, Touchdown Jesus has risen again from His pond near Munroe, Ohio.

If you cruised Interstate 75 between 2005 and 2010, you couldn’t miss the “King of Kings,” a six-storey statue of Jesus’s head and shoulders rising out of a pond, arms held high. The supersized, flood lit statue was built at a cost of $250,000 beside the supersized Solid Rock Church, an evangelical mega-church, Every American immediately recognized the two uplifted arms as a football referee’s touchdown signal, and the nickname Touchdown Jesus was widely adopted. But some thought the statue appeared to be sinking, and called it Quicksand Jesus.

The colossus certainly glorified, if not Jesus, then at least the church. Although the oversized statue would

have looked more at home in Las Vegas than on the Ohio plains, it was a tourist attraction for the town of Munroe, along with the factory outlet mall and two large flea markets just off the interstate. And whether inspiration or abomination, King Of Kings or colossal kitsch, the sight of Touchdown Jesus was a delightful break from the tedious interstate scenery.

But then, out of the night sky on the15th of June 2010, a taste of Armageddon smote the Solid Rock Church. A lightning bolt hurled directly at Jesus, and He lit up like the

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Fourth of July. Although the statue looked rock solid, the Solid Rock statue was made of flammable styrofoam with a thin fiberglass skin. And it had no lightning protectors. The statue never had a chance. The blazing inferno, reflecting in the pond, was captured on iphones from the interstate, and makes dramatic viewing on YouTube.

In the wake of the inevitable headline – “Jesus Statue Destroyed By Act Of God” – people of all metaphysical persuasions were left trying to interpret this event. What did it mean?

Did the explanation involve hubris, pride and excess, or idolatry, or simply meteorological probability? Surely believers in the All Powerful would assume that such a high profile and symbolic act would require authorization from the highest levels. What soul-searching and theological debate should precede a decision to rebuild?

The good news for snowbirds is that Jesus has been resurrected. A new statue was erected beside the interstate last fall, with a new design and new materials. The new statue, called Lux

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Mundi (“light of the world”), is a full body design, with Jesus stepping forward and holding His arms out sideways as if ready to embrace. He has already been dubbed “Hug Me Jesus”. And this time He is made of fire resistant materials, and has lightning protection.

I’m looking forward to seeing the new Jesus. It makes the drive more tolerable, and might instigate a shopping stop in Munroe. I hope this statue avoids the fate of the last one.

But did the Solid Rock congregation sufficiently address the concerns of the All Judging? Was it simply a matter of design? Sure the new statue is protected from lightning, but how about earthquake, tidal wave, or some sort of plague?

Duncan Watterworth is recently a retiree and emptynester in St.Thomas.

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