April 2012 Issue

Volume 2, No. 8 April 2012 FREE

Your business:

Is it tinfoil hat time yet?

Your home:

How to buy kitchen cabinetry Your health:

Your child’s eating habits Special feature:

• It’s Golf Season!

Rob Mason St. Thomas Golf & Country Club has a new general manager Cover story: page 3

Incorporating St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce

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April, 2012

PUBLISHER’S LETTER Open for business and prepared to receive

by Terry Carroll ..............................page 4

BUSINESS/COMMUNITY Economics

Cover Story

IT’S GOLF SEASON The Game Why take up golf?

by Sarfaraz Khan ..........................page 18

The Body

In search of immigrant entrepreneurs

by Serge Lavoie ..............................page 5

Sales Get a greater wallet share

by Bryan Vine ................................page 6

Take the pain out of your game ....page 19

The Mind The mental game

by Wayne W. Hudler ....................page 20

Technology

HOMESTYLE Decorating

Is it tinfoil hat time yet?

by Peter Atkinson ..........................page 7

How to buy kitchen cabinetry

by Renée Carpenter ......................page 22

Managing Money

At Home In Elgin

What’s the buzz about corporate bonds?

by Stephanie Farrow ......................page 8

Up to code

by Brian Lippold ..........................page 23

Your Business Ready, set, go – Part 2

by John Regan ..............................page 21

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT Wine & Food

BUSINESS BEAT The Front Page

The aging process

by Jamie Quai ..............................page 24

It’s diSTRICTLY Business!! ............page 9

Viewpoint Students – they can be great customers! ............................page 10

Chamber News Golf season is here!!! ....................page 11

Legal Business The court of public nosiness

by Monty Fordham ......................page 12

Member News

Accommodation New bed and breakfast in Aylmer

by Rosemarie Johnson Clarke ......page 25

HEALTHY LIVING Everyday Health Play ball!

by Dr. Greg Johnston ....................page 26

Personal Health Trust me. Trust my tummy.

by Cathy Macpherson ..................page 27

Chamber Theatre & Dinner Night! ......................................................page 13

LIFESTYLES That’s Life

Positive Exposure

A barnful of experiences

by Elizabeth VanHooren ..............page 28

Writing is unobsoletable!

by Allan Weatherall ......................page 14

Pro Text Critical illness and your business

by Darren Reith ............................page 15

New Members Be seen, be heard, belong ............page 16

Self Development Subconscious ambitions

by Sharon Lechner ........................page 29

Time On My Hands Gittin’ bit by the Redneck Riviera

by Duncan Watterworth ..............page 30

One of the best jobs in the world Rob Mason is the new general manager of the St. Thomas Golf & Country Club

by Dorothy Gebert

Rob Mason’s love of golf goes back to when he was growing up in London and played the game with his dad. “That’s one of the cool things about the game,” he says. “Unlike most team sports, you can play golf with family. It’s all about fun and fellowship.”

But it was during a summer job at Fanshawe Golf & Country Club that Rob decided he want to make golf a career. “I thought the head pro there had one of the best jobs in the world,” he says. He went on to hold various positions at area courses, including director of golf at Pine Knot in London and general manager and PGA pro at Craigowen in Woodstock.

But when the position of general manager came up at the St. Thomas Golf & Country Club, Rob says he had to apply. “The St. Thomas course is well respected and highly regarded in the industry,” he says.

“It was a great opportunity I wanted to pursue.”

He joined the organization in January this year and is excited about managing the 18-hole facility. “The golf course here is second to none,” he says. “It’s the highest ranked course in Southwestern Ontario and one of the Top 100 in Canada.”

Rob has plans to grow the membership and the juniors program, as well as introduce a new driving range that’s 340 yards long. He’s also working with executive chef Dave Wyles to incorporate more local fare into the clubhouse menu.

But he says his main focus is on the members.

“That’s what separates a golf club from a golf course,” he says. “ A public golf course is great, but it’s the people who make up a golf club that provide the social part of the game.”

Cover photo by Philip Bell, Shutter Studios

Carroll Publishing President Terry Carroll Secretary-Treasurer Nancy Kelly Carroll

Elgin This Month Publisher Terry Carroll Editor Dorothy Gebert Section Editor Business Beat – Bob Hammersley

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 Carroll Publishing, 15 St. Catharine Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P 2V7 519-633-1640 www.theweeklynews.ca/etm April, 2012

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Open for business and prepared to receive People need a system to deal with wealth

by Terry Carroll

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I have friends and business associates who are rather deeply into the New Age movement. These friends and business associates combine elements of the words of Jesus Christ and other religious figures, self-help books and self-improvement tapes, motivational speakers, meditation and prayer into what are, at least to them, new ways of looking at old questions and problems.

One of the things these people talk about is the importance of being open to receive. Sometimes this is expressed as being open to receive from the abundance of the universe . . . the universe being a neutral, non-denominational substitute for what in other times we might have spoken of as God or the gods. Not being a theologian, I’m prepared to skip questions such as whether it is more blessed to give than to receive and move on to this business of receiving.

Or to put that another way, receiving in business.

“

Success can bring with it whole other challenges

To some extent, this is a positive vs. negative proposition. People with a positive outlook tend to exude more sunshine, and this attitude becomes a thriving little greenhouse in which sales and business transactions tend to germinate. Grumpy people, who

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always see the glass as half empty, have a tougher time trying to sell a product or grow a business.

But there’s another aspect to being open to receive that is equally important.

Most people who start a business, or go into sales as a profession, find the initial months or even years a lot tougher than they originally had thought. This can lead them to operate at a modest level, commensurate with their experience and a far cry from their ambitions when they started. A version of “What you see is what you get.” Or even a twist on “Misery loves company.” It’s tempting to revel in the struggle, to celebrate it and accept it for what it is, rather than strive for new ways out and be open to receive.

But let’s say you overcome that mindset and begin to succeed. Success can bring with it whole other challenges. A banker once told me that “when it comes, it often comes in bigger volumes than you ever ex-

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pected.” What are you going to do then?

T. Harv Eker in his Secrets of The Millionaire Mind talks about the feelings that prevent people from being open to receiving, and about the importance of learning to manage your money (no matter how little you may have) as a crucial step on the road to receiving. He recommends that people put a set percentage of their income each month into what he calls jars, which he labels with name like Basic Necessities, Financial Freedom, Giving, Education, Play and so on.

His point applies as much to business people as anyone else. Unless business owners have a plan for what they will do once they start receiving, the money can be gone in no time.

A business owner needs to set up his or her own version of Harv’s system and allocate a fixed percentage of net income each month, quarter or year to jars with names like Staff Salaries and Benefits, Repaying Owner’s Investment, Paying Down Debt, Investing in Future Growth and so on.

With a system like that, business owners should not only be prepared to receive; they should also not blow their wealth, once it starts to flow, whether they are New Age or Old.

Terry Carroll is the publisher of the St. Thomas /Elgin Weekly News and Elgin This Month.

April, 2012

BUSINESS / COMMUNITY ECONOMICS As communities in Southwestern Ontario grapple with economic renewal, three issues continually rise to the top of the list.

The region needs more skilled workers, despite the high unemployment rate. We need to retain youth once they’ve finished their post-secondary education. And we need to attract our fair share of skilled and entrepreneurial immigrants.

The recently released 2011 census data tells the story plainly. The province has an aging demographic, and it’s not attracting the same high levels of immigrants as previously.

More of them are being lured to economic opportunities in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The situation is even more acute in Southwestern Ontario, a region that historically has attracted fewer newcomers than the Greater Toronto Area or Ottawa-Carleton.

Most of our counties and cities are actively pursuing immigrant attraction strategies, including the St. Thomas-Elgin Local Immigration Partnership, which unveiled its settlement strategy late in March.

One regional strategy shows real potential because it attempts to link two important issues into a single, proactive solution. As advocated by the Ontario Immigrant Network (OIN), a small group operating out of London, there is an opportunity to attract entrepreneur-class immigrants while dealing with the growing problem of small business succession planning. (Full disclosure: the group I work with, the Southwest Economic Alliance, is a member of OIN’s advisory board).

With the aging of the population comes the need to transfer small and medium enterprises on to the next generation. The children of business owners don’t always want to take on the family business, or even remain

In search of immigrant entrepreneurs The Ontario Immigrant Network is helping new Canadians find businesses in Southwestern Ontario

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by Serge Lavoie

a new breed of rural-based, immigrant entrepreneurs

in the region (that youth retention problem again). Rodolfo Martinez, executive director at OIN and a man with a commercial banking background, landed on the idea that the two issues could be put together to mutual advantage.

Many immigrant groups have become recognized through the business ventures they have pursued – think Greek or Chinese restaurants, or Korean convenience stores. But those stories have become clichés.

Today’s newcomers pursue a wide range of business opportunities, and they tend to do that where the opportunities are the most obvious and plentiful and where they can find support.

The challenge for communities in Southwestern Ontario is how to attract immigrants to places such as West Elgin or Sarnia or rural Chatham-Kent. Most newcomers

concentrate in areas where there is already a cluster of their fellow countrymen. This gives them the crucial support system they need as they grapple with issues of language, culture, faith, food preferences and the unique Canadian approaches to business and government.

The OIN model proposes to support a new breed of rural-based, immigrant entrepreneurs by putting together a team approach to solving their problems. This includes all levels of government, settlement agencies, economic development organizations, commercial lenders and current small business owners themselves.

The plan begins with an online business matchmaking service that identifies all small and medium enterprises in the region that are available for purchase. The service doesn’t stop at simply putting buyers and

750 Talbot St., (CASO Station Suite 201) St. Thomas, ON N5P 1E2 519-631-0666 email: jeff.yurekco@pc.ola.org April, 2012

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Serge Lavoie is president of the Southwest Economic Alliance.

The views expressed are his own.

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sellers together, however. The support team is designed to help with the full range of issues relating to purchasing and operating a small business in rural Southwestern Ontario when the new owner has so many other personal challenges to tackle. The seller will be part of the solution as well, available to mentor the new owner over a period of one or two years on issues relating to production and marketing.

It’s a concept that is respectful to the immigrant entrepreneur. This is not a question of teaching an immigrant how to operate a business; it’s a process of teaching them how to run a business in rural Southwestern Ontario.

Sarnia-Lambton has agreed to pilot the development of this team-based approach. With the support and leadership of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, the area’s economic development agency, OIN will begin to put its ideas to the test.

A conference scheduled for late April in Sarnia will kick off the pilot. Results will serve as a model for other parts of the region.

None of these ideas is particularly new. What is unique in the OIN approach is to coordinate these various responses to a very specific target: immigrant entrepreneurs willing to take on existing businesses in rural Southwestern Ontario.

It could be an important factor in renewing the economic health of the region’s small municipalities.

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BUSINESS / COMMUNITY SALES

Get a greater wallet share Ideas to increase the size and frequency of your sales

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increase your profits and your customer’s satisfaction

by Bryan Vine

To be successful at getting your current customers to spend more with your organization and more often, you must increase the perceived value of what you offer. You must educate your customers so that they desire your products or services even more.

To make this happen, you must first increase the collective self-esteem of your organization. You and your employees must believe that you are different, better, special and highly valuable to your customers, even worth a premium price. You must fight the “we are a commodity” mindset with every fibre of your mind, body and soul. The day you believe you are in a commodity industry or business is the day you begin to die.

If you are similar to other businesses, you must break out from the pack. Be different and more valuable.

Here are some ideas to increase the average purchase size and frequency of your sales: Raise your prices, if you can. Educate your buyers on the superior ad-

vantages, benefits and results you provide them and explain the reasons why you need to raise prices – increasing manufacturing costs, customer service enhancements, better guarantees, better ingredients, etc.

Up-sell. If your client or customer can achieve better results and more satisfaction, educate them on buying a higher-end product or service. Do a better job of assessing and matching their needs to products and services that will give them the optimal buying experience. You will increase your profits and their satisfaction. Auto dealers are masters at getting customers to buy car models with the higher-end feature packages (i.e. leather interior, better stereos, etc.)

Cross-sell. If you have multiple product or service lines, communicate and educate your customers on the full spectrum of your solutions – services, products and expertise. Continually ascertain their challenges or problems and match them up with the other solutions you offer. CPA firms, for example, cross-sell their audit clients on tax and consulting

services. Banks cross-sell their chequing customers on investments, mortgages, lines of credit, credit cards, etc.

Bundle better. Consider packaging complementary products and services together. If a customer is going to buy a gas grill, for example, offer them a complete package of cooking utensils, mesquite wood chips, barbecue book, grill cover and apron. By saving them time and helping them to buy a more complete solution, you can probably charge a premium for this “barbecue in a box” offering. At the very least, they will have bought more than they otherwise would have – and you made buying easy.

Offer volume or frequent buyer discounts. If you can get your customers to buy more and buy more frequently, reward them with incentives, discounts or extra level of services.

Since you have maximized your cash flow, be willing to reward them with a few extra perks. Bookstores and airlines have frequent buyer programs.

And video stores and coffee stores give you a free serving when you buy a cer-

tain number of times.

Offer other products or services that will complement what you already sell. Ask the question, “Who else sells something that goes before, after or along with my customer’s purchase?” For example, if you sell computer products, consider selling technical needs analysis services on the front-end or installation and computer training services on the backend. Be sure it makes economic sense to add such services to your business.

Communicate with your customers often and give them buying ideas and solutions via mail, phone, email, newsletters and in-store displays. For example, if you are a hardware store, and as early fall approaches, use direct mail and instore displays to communicate to your customers the need to fill cracks and seal coat their driveways. Sell them on the benefits of taking such action.

Package all the supplies together (sealant, crack filler, broom, gloves, removal cleaner, “how to” booklet, etc.) and offer a single-solution price.

Conduct special events to educate your existing customers on your additional service/product offerings.

Do this in an informative manner and in a way that has their best interests at heart. Hold a sneak preview for your new products, services and models.

Hold exclusive events for your best customers. An upscale luxury auto dealer might hold a wine and cheese party with a musical quartet to unveil the newest car models.

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

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April, 2012

BUSINESS / COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY

Is it tinfoil hat time yet?

Facebook and Google are collecting our private information for their own purposes

by Peter Atkinson

to HR departments checking up on potential employees. Almost 80 percent of companies admit to using social media when considering a potential hire.

Governments are getting in on the act too. Police in Germany were recently caught using a virus to track online activities. And several countries, including Canada, are considering legislation that is ostensibly intended to stop piracy or protect citizens but that would also affect privacy.

It’s not tinfoil hat time just yet, but this information is far more personal than name and street address. I don’t think we need to boycott Google or Facebook, but assuming you’re not happy about this type of data collection, there are some simple and very effective steps that you can take.

First, use Firefox for browsing. Fire-

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Two recent announcements, Facebook’s massive IPO and Google’s consolidation of its privacy policies, are going to be affecting your personal privacy.

Both Google and Facebook have thrived by selling advertising. There’s a saying in advertising that if you can’t see what’s being sold, it’s you.

Facebook uses your status updates, photos, etc. to create a profile that it sells to advertisers. Google does the same with users of email, search, alerts, etc. They’re not collecting personally identifiable information such as your name and address (not on purpose anyway), but they are getting a pretty good idea of your interests and what’s going on in your life.

This isn’t all bad. Google is also using this information to streamline search results, which may mean you get more relevant results. But it also means that anyone with a limited view of the world only sees the information that reinforces it.

In the days before cable and satellite, advertising is what allowed TV and radio to be free. Nowadays, it also keeps down the price of things like newspaper subscriptions and hockey tickets.

But many people aren’t aware that this information is being collected for use by advertisers and, in the case of social sites like Facebook, everyone from divorce lawyers looking for dirt

fox is built by the not-for-profit Mozilla Foundation which doesn’t make it’s living selling advertising and is far more responsive with updates to the latest viruses and security issues. Then spend some time going through the ‘Options’ tab to tighten up your browser security.

One tip; turn off third-party cookies. Websites use cookies to track your path through a website, which might sound creepy but can be essential for a good web experience, especially when shopping online.

Third-party cookies are used to build a profile of you as you surf from one website to the next.

Because this information isn’t identifiable, the data is used to group people, meaning you can get lumped in to the wrong group. For example, if you are searching for a new guitar and credit card companies don’t like musicians, it could affect your ability to get a credit card through an online form.

Firefox also has lots of add-ons, which are small programs that add extra capability to your browser. The Electronic Freedom Foundation’s ‘https Everywhere’ add-on is excellent (and also stops Google tracking

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Governments are getting in on the act too

searches). You could also consider AnonymoX to really hide your tracks (and give you access to sites that are blocked to Canadians, including many U.S. based sites).

Try DuckDuckGo.com for searching. This site doesn’t track searches and it doesn’t pass information when users click on results. It also has a clean interface and a couple of nifty tools.

Someone much smarter than me characterized this as not a battle between privacy and security, but between freedom and control. The European Commission is considering a privacy proposal called the ‘Right to be Forgotten.’ Until we get something like that here, use some of the simple steps I suggest here to help you keep control of your private information.

Peter Atkinson is E-Services Consultant at the St. Thomas Public Library.

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April, 2012

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BUSINESS / COMMUNITY MANAGING MONEY

In the current economy, government bonds may not be the as attractive as they used to be

by Stephanie Farrow

Investing in a low-yield environment is a challenge for many investors. It is especially difficult on seniors, or those within a 5-10 year window to retirement, whose portfolio needs have shifted to require more fixed-income investments.

For years, with attractive guaranteed GIC rates and high bond yields, it was reliable conventional wisdom for retired fixed-income investors to put their money in traditional GICs, Canada Savings Bonds and government bond funds.

Then came increased government debt and a weak global economy, which created a challenge for investors – low yields. This economy turns traditional conservative investing on its head, with bond yields and GIC rates declining to historic lows.

Settling into a high guaranteed rate of return in retirement is no longer easy to achieve in our current lowyield environment. Boomers are being faced with fixed-income investment challenges at one of the most critical times in their investment timeline.

With such low GIC rates available, GIC investors are turning to nonguaranteed, low-risk options, some

of which include government bond funds (that purchase bonds from various government bodies such as countries, provinces, municipalities, etc.) and corporate bond funds (that purchase bonds from various businesses, such as Apple, Enbridge, Amazon, etc). When considering government bonds another question of security arises. With the general state of sovereign debt, are government bonds still the safe haven they used to be? There is a good argument to suggest that corporate bonds may be a reasonable alternative or addition. It seems corporate bonds may currently be a better investment on a risk-reward basis than government bonds. Why would this be?

Fundamentally, governments respond differently in times of crisis compared to corporations. During an economic slowdown, a government implements a monetary policy to encourage economic recovery.

This government response increases spending in stimulus programs with the intention of avoiding or lessening the effects of recession. The result is high government debt levels generated by money spent to stimulate the economy.

A corporation on the other hand has no direct obligation to stimulate

the economy, and during tough economic times a business’ first instinct is self-preservation. Normal behaviour for corporations during times of crisis would be to reduce spending, tighten up inefficiencies and fatten their balance sheet. They weather the storm in survival mode.

For example, there were two very different reactions to the global credit crisis of 2008. On the one hand, corporations saved money to survive, and governments spent money to stimulate the economy.

The result was that the corporations who survived the downturn were stronger than before the crisis. They weathered the storm and came out the other side with more solid balance sheets, holding the highest cash levels in years. According to Statistics Canada, corporate debt is now at a record low.

Governments are in a different position, and gross debt as a percent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) has risen significantly. For example, according to the IMF Fiscal Monitor in September 2011, in 2006, the United States had gross debt of 60% of their GDP, and in 2011 it was up to 100% of GDP. By comparison, in 2006, Canada had gross debt of 70%

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What’s the buzz about corporate bonds?

corporate bonds may be a reasonable alternative of GDP, and in 2011 it was up to 84% of GDP. The governments are working to stimulate the economy, but they come out of it worse for wear on the debt side.

Many retiring Canadians have slowly incorporated more non-guaranteed lower risk investments into their portfolios the last couple years.

Given the number of Canadians in, or heading into, retirement who need a solid portion of their investment portfolio to be in fixed income products, many are still looking to find other alternatives to GICs. For some investors, corporate bond funds, if suitable to the overall investor risk tolerance and investor needs, may be worth considering as a part of their full portfolio plan.

Stephanie Farrow, B.A., CFP, is a Certified Financial Planner and co-owner of Farrow Financial Services Inc. in Belmont.

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• MARCH 2012 • Business After 5 winner

Delia Reiche presents Richard Haddow with a $300 pot o’ gold as a door prize at the March 14 Business After 5 event at St. Anne’s Centre hosted by the Elgin Business Resource Centre.

Business Beat Table of Contents Students – they can be great customers! ..............page 10 Golf season is here!!! page 11 The court of public nosiness ..................page 12 Chamber Theatre & Dinner Night! ......................page 13 Writing is unobsoletable! ................................page 14 Critical illness and your business ..................page 15 New members ........page 16

Business After 5 Wednesday April 25, 2012 Disbrowe Motors 116 Edward Street St. Thomas Sponsored by Disbrowe Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Ltd. Doors open at 5pm.

Sponsor remarks and prize draws start at 6:15pm. Free admission for anyone from a business organization that is a Member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce.

It’s diSTRICTLY Business!!

Interested in regional business opportunities? Don’t miss our multi-Chamber event at Western Fair District on Thursday June 14. We have room for over 200 exhibitors!

It’s called “diSTRICTLY Business.” Six regional Chambers of Commerce – St. Thomas, London, Strathroy, Woodstock, Tillsonburg and Ingersoll – are pooling resources and energy to create an event that will be like a giant Business After 5 that’s part trade show and part networking opportunity. diSTRICTLY BUSINESS will be the largest regional Chamber Member showcase in history, and our goal is to make it an annual event. First come, first served on space bookings. Exhibitor costs for display space start at just $225 for a 10-foot by 10-foot space. 10 by 20 ($450) and 10 by 30 ($675) spaces are also options. The show will be open to the public on June 14 from 3pm to 8pm in

the Progress Building. All exhibitors will receive complimentary tickets to give to clients and prospects, and each of the participating Chamber offices will also have a supply for free distribution.

Electrical service and a small group of other options will be available to exhibitors at cost.

Registration is open now via a special website using the popular Survey Monkey software. Enter this link in your browser to make a space booking: surveymonkey.com/s/FFXLMYG and indicate your membership with the St. Thomas & District Chamber when prompted.

Questions before you book? Bob Hammersley at the St. Thomas & District Chamber welcomes calls, emails and questions on participation now. You can reach Bob directly at the Chamber office by telephone at 519-6311981, ext. 524 or email bob@stthomaschamber.on.ca

Save This Date – Thursday May 24 MP & MPP Luncheon Based on the popularity of our now annual State of the Municipalities Luncheon with all of our local Mayors, we’re launching a similar event for discussions and remarks from our federal MP and provincial MPP. Member of Parliament Joe Preston and Member of Provincial Parliament Jeff Yurek have both accepted our invitation to appear, and both are enthusiastic about this face-to-face opportunity for dialogue with the Chamber and our Members.

Tickets for the event are on sale now through the Chamber office: $25 per person (+ tax), with reserved seating on single orders of 4 tickets or more. Admission by advance sale only. Doors open at 11:30am, and our program will start at 12 noon with remarks by both speakers, followed by a question-and-answer session.

The Chamber will welcome questions from all Members via email in advance of the event or from the floor dur-

ing it. The event will conclude by 1:30pm. Lunch is included in the same “bistro” style format used for our event with the Mayors in February and will be available to everyone attending as soon as they arrive.

Information about online ordering for tickets will appear in our weekly Green Mail email broadcasts, along with links to order forms that can be faxed or brought to the Chamber. Orders can also be made by telephone to the Chamber office at 519-631-1981.

Spring is Here!

Let us help your Business Blossom! Take part in our Backyard and Garden Inspirations feature in the May edition Greg Minnema, Advertising Sales

To take advantage of excellent advertising opportunities give me a call at 519-633-1640 (ext. 22)

or email me at gregthismonth@theweeklynews.ca May Edition Advertising Deadline is April 16th

Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and your April, 2012

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BUSINESS BEAT

VIEWPOINT Events and News of Interest to our Members

Students - they can be great customers!

The development of Algoma University’s new satellite campus in St. Thomas is expected to welcome its first students this September. Up to 25 full-time students can be expected. On the south side of the city at St. Thomas’ Fanshawe College Campus, the expected introduction of the new Renewable Energy Technician program will boost the likely number of full-time students attending classes in St. Thomas to around 400 at the same time.

With around 425 new full-time students here, and a high percentage

likely non-residents, their arrival will mean more student customer traffic for local businesses and services than our area has seen since Alma College was functional.

To help understand opportunities and potentials in serving this ‘new’ St. Thomas market, the Chamber found a new study completed by a Toronto-based youth marketing and research firm, Studentawards Inc., filled with insight and useful spending projections. The study measured spending and brand affinity among 1,195 senior high school, college and

university students aged 16-24.

Thirty-five percent of the students interviewed were high school attendees and 65% post-secondary students. A results summary was published in the February 6 edition of Marketing magazine.

Here are some key results from the new study for the post-secondary crowd: • Annual spending on groceries during the school year: averages $1,811, the biggest single expenditure of all • Dining out: $880 • Coffee: $290 • Clothing: $654 • Bars & clubs: $434 • Entertainment (movies, concerts, sports): $376 • Alcohol (not including bars/restaurants): $334 Looking at favourite brands, St. Thomas hits a home run with foodservice businesses with Tim Hortons, Wendy’s, Boston Pizza and A&W ranking highly; however, 55% of respondents claim they don’t have a food favourite.

In consumer products, Apple,

Nike, American Eagle, Guess and Lululemon made the top 5. Apple has yet to win the overall crown for preferred tech: 59% of students choose a PC while 41% like the Mac. 48% of students say they pay their own cell phone bills, but parents pay 41% of the time. 8% don’t have a cellphone. 53% have a credit card but 47% do not.

In the last year, only 56% were able to get a job, either seasonally or on a part-time year ‘round basis. Of those who did land a job, 64% were paid in the $10-$15 per hour range. 74% say they currently have cash savings, but 26% say they have none. Of those who are saving, the biggest item on their want list is travel (39%). Cars and clothes come next at 23% and 22% respectively.

Looking ahead at expectations for income after graduation, the results vary. The biggest group, 30%, expect to earn $26,000 to $35,000 in their first year. 15% expect to earn less and 23% think they will get $36,000 to $45,000. Only 15% have expectations of topping $55,000 in the year after graduating.

We like these The Chamber’s “Buy Local” art has been placed on banners outside the Elgin Business Resource Centre, where the new Chamber office is located. We really appreciate the EBRC for adding this application to the list of uses seen for the graphic!

As the value of local shopping and spending continues to gain support, the Chamber encourages all Members to consider use of our art on almost anything. Ownership of the design remains with the Chamber and we welcome any Member to seek permission to use and reproduce it.

Published by Carroll Publishing Inc. 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 Accounting Coordinator Member Services

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Bob Hammersley Susan Munday Wes Bailey

2012 Board of Directors Chair: Jason White Past Chair: Linda Sawyer Treasurer: Mark Lassam, CA

Steelway Building Systems BMO Bank of Montreal Kee, Perry & Lassam Chartered Accountants 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: Debra Mountenay Workforce Planning & Development Board Director: John Regan Elgin Business Resource Centre Director: Darren Reith Reith and Associates Insurance & Financial Director: Paul Smith P.J. Smith and Associates Director: Allan Weatherall St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation Director: Laura Woermke St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre

April, 2012

BUSINESS BEAT

CHAMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members

Golf season is here!!!

It’s a Chamber tradition that we offer our Members opportunities to connect and enjoy together time on our local golf courses. This year, we offer five opportunities for your consideration.

38th Annual Members Golf Day Every year since 1974 we have offered all Members an exclusive chance to enjoy one of the finest golf experiences in Ontario at the St. Thomas Golf & Country Club. Our 38th annual Members Golf Day takes place on Thursday, May 31 this year.

This is a private opportunity for our Members and guests to enjoy a firstclass facility and premium food service with 18 holes of golf (cart included) in your choice of format; team scramble or individual medal play.

Our day begins with registration at 9:45am and a shot-gun start at 11am.

Prior to golf and during our round, golfers have full access to all club food and beverage services, plus the driving range and practice putting green before or after we play. The event ends with a delicious dinner, expertly prepared by the Club’s award-winning staff.

Early bird registration Book and pay for your play by May 1 for $140 per person or $550 per foursome (plus HST). Available space after May 1 will sell at $150 per person or $590 per foursome plus tax.

Chamber comfort guarantee Unlike so many tournaments that jam the course with as many players as possible, Members Golf Day is limited to a maximum of 120 golfers to minimize wait times and make the day flow smoothly for everyone.

Sponsor opportunities Members Golf Day presents multiple promotion and sponsorship opportunities for our Members.

• Event Title Sponsor: $2,000 (foursome included) • Cart Sponsor: $1,000 (2 golfers included) • Beverage Cart Sponsor: $500 • Halfway House Sponsor: $300 • Hole Sponsors: $125 each, except #1 & #10 adjacent to the Clubhouse at $200 each) For details and registration on any aspect of Members Golf Day, please call the Chamber office and speak with any staff member at 519-6311981. We’re open Monday to Friday,

8:30am to 4:30pm and messages are welcome 24/7.

Nine & Dine Our experiment to blend a short golf round with networking and food service proved very popular last summer and fall, so we’re launching a full Nine & Dine season this year with visits to all four of the local courses registered as Members with us.

Here’s how it works. Member-businesses are invited to purchase one or more registrations in our series of four golf events. It is not necessary that the same player participate in each event, and businesses may purchase more than one registration. But, please note, the foursomes they play in will change each time to maximize the networking and connecting aspect.

Registration is $200 per person and includes the four days listed for 9-hole rounds plus dinner. Payment for the season is required in advance at the time of booking. Each event runs 2pm to 5:30pm. In October, we will also host a wrap-up banquet for all players.

• Thursday, June 21 – The Bluffs of Port Stanley • Thursday, July 26 – St. Thomas Golf & Country Club • Thursday, August 30 – Pleasant Valley Golf & Country Club

Start Spring off right, let us treat you to lunch and a tour through our beautiful residence!

Monthly specials, choice of services and suites sizes.

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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.

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• Thursday, September 27 – Kettle Creek Golf & Country Club Dinner at each event follows golf.

We won’t be featuring heavy meals but, instead, a lighter and varied selection of fresh hot and cold entrees.

Beverages are not included.

Call the Chamber office now to be part of our 2012 Nine & Dine series.

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LEGAL BUSINESS Legal News and Issues for Business

The court of public nosiness: Vikileaks vs. Privacy

by Monty Fordham

I’ll bet most of you didn’t know that virtually all court proceedings are available to the public. Oh sure, in the case of high profile criminal proceedings, the press is always present and microphones are projected into the faces of the participants.

Even the proceedings of civil cases involving famous individuals often are the subject of intense media scrutiny. But what about Joe and Jane Average and their very personal divorce proceedings? You’d think it would be none of our bee’s wax.

Think again.

The recent disclosure on some Internet thing called Twitter by @vikileaks30 of the contents of Vic Toews’ divorce file must have startled more than the former Mr. and Mrs. Toews. Over the years, I have noticed it is not uncommon at all for separating and divorcing couples to fire more than a few ripe tomatoes at each other in court affidavits. And some of them can be really rotten.

Most people would not wish to share such accusations even with their

families or best friends, let alone the general public. But this is exactly what happened to federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.

The disclosure of the Toews divorce file’s contents was allegedly made by one Adam Carroll, a research staffer for the Liberals. This was apparently done in response to Mr. Toews’ remarks concerning the opposition to Bill C-30, in which he suggested that critics of the bill were siding with child pornographers. While Mr. Toews’ statement may have been hyperbolic, at least on the face of it all, it is difficult to connect the dots between it and the contents of his divorce file. Surely this childish, partisan retaliation from both sides of the House of Commons has to stop!

In any event, even though Mr. Carroll lost his job, and perhaps some dignity, it does not appear that he actually broke any laws. In Manitoba, as in Ontario, the court file is a public record. So, it seems, you can make it as public as you want. In an interesting twist, a judge on March 7, decided that Mr. Toews was entitled to

know who it was who snooped through his file. You see, ironically, the requisition form that is filled out in order to see a file is also a public record. Oddly enough, it was found that the only person who accessed Mr. Toews’ file was an NDP policy analyst named Thomas Linner who signed it out on his lunch break February 17. Who da heck is he? Did he do any tweeting? Is there such a thing as a tweetee?

The question, of course, in all of this is: Should we be entitled to some privacy, or at least anonymity, in court matters that have no apparent public relevance? And, what does this have to do with Eric and Lola (the Quebec billionaire and the model)? Well, in Quebec and British Columbia, the parties to divorce proceedings are entitled to use their initials, as did Eric and Lola. You will recall, the media saddled them with those colourful names.

Moreover, full access by the public to court documents has even greater significance than the potential embarrassment of the parties. Such documents contain financial information, social insurance numbers, birth dates, banking information, etc. The potential for identity theft is considerable, not to mention the risk of exposure to fraud and theft, in the event that these documents are accessed by nefarious indi-

viduals.

You would think there would be a movement away from such full disclosure, given all the foregoing.

Not so. On January 24 of this year, the Ontario Court of Appeal set aside a publication ban in the case of M.E.H. v. Williams. The court has set down prerequisites for obtaining such a ban that are stringent indeed.

The court held that “personal emotional distress and embarrassment” will not suffice. The party must demonstrate he or she will experience “serious debilitating physical or emotional harm that goes to the ability of a litigant to access the court.”

So, it seems, at least in Ontario and Manitoba, your life’s an open book; only, that is, if you dare to venture into court.

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 Law Office, 4 Elgin Street, St. Thomas. Telephone 519-633-4000, FAX 519-633-1371 or e-mail: montyfordham@4elgin.ca

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April, 2012

BUSINESS BEAT

MEMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our Members

OCC names new CEO See ‘Sexy Laundry,’ a play by Michelle Riml, at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre July 4 for a special Chamber performance.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointment of Allan O’Dette as the OCC’s new senior staff officer. Allan took on the responsibility of President & CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce on February 1 upon the retirement of Len Crispino.

Prior to joining the OCC, Allan served as Director of External Relations (On-

Chamber Theatre & Dinner Night!

Following last summer’s enthusiasm and almost instant ticket uptake, the Chamber is pleased to announce a special new feature on our activities calendar, in co-operation with Port Stanley Festival Theatre.

The entire theatre for the Wednesday, July 4 opening night performance of the play, “Sexy Laundry” by Michele Riml, has been booked for the Chamber and our Members to enjoy.

The production is a comedy, described in the theatre playbill this way: “Armed with a copy of “Sex For Dummies,” Henry and Alice check themselves into a sexy spa hotel with a mission… to jumpstart their 25-year marriage.”

Tickets for Chamber Theatre & Dinner Night are available now, exclusively from the Chamber office. Our evening includes dinner at 6pm at your choice of two great Port Stanley restaurants – ME & Suzie’s or The Wharf Restaurant.

Both are just steps away from the theatre. The show starts at 8pm, and our tickets include dinner with a choice of meals (beverages not included) and the show with reserved seating. Tickets are $100 plus tax per couple, or $50 single, and capacity is 151 people. Orders are welcome now at the Chamber office in-person, by phone at 519631-1981 or via email: events@stthomaschamber.on.ca Program advertising is another option we can offer with any ticket

April, 2012

purchase. Business card ads are $30 and will appear on a takeaway flyer that includes details of upcoming Chamber events, such as our monthly Business After 5s and annual Business Sample Show.

tario) and National Private Markets for GlaxoSmithKline Canada Inc. He is a past President and Chair of the Board of the Canadian Club of Toronto and has previous volunteer experience as a member of the Executive and Board of Directors of the Ontario Chamber. He is active on the boards of Life Sciences Ontario (LSO), the Ontario Medical Association Student Bursary Foundation Fundraising Committee, Theatre 20 and the Civic Action Steering Committee.

He is also a member of the advisory board for the Master of Biotechnology Program at the University of Toronto and is a member of the Mount Sinai Hospital Board of Governors. Allan is passionate about contributing in the community and assists in many other charity and volunteer activities.

With over 25 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry, he has served the industry association as a regional Vice-Chair and is currently the Chair of the National Private Payer Committee for Canada’s Researched Based Pharmaceutical Companies.

Allan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trent University and an M.B.A. from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto.

Allan O’Dette

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Presentations 5:00 5:20 5:50 6:15 6:30

Buick Verano Launch Putting Contest Chevrolet Volt Launch Everyone’s a Winner!

Grand Prize Get to Know Your Car Chamber/Disbrowe Welcome Tour Professional Nike Golf Bag Door Prizes

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116 Edward Street • St. Thomas 519-631-7960 • www.disbrowe.com

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BUSINESS BEAT

POSITIVE EXPOSURE Doing Public Relations Right

Writing is unobsoletable!

by Allan Weatherall

Each month when I put fingers to keyboard (instead of the way it used to be with pen to paper), there is always that element of doubt as to whether anyone wants to read what I write. However, it is interesting to receive feedback and I welcome it.

As Canadians, we all talk about the weather. This winter, we have been blessed by using numerous superlatives about the temperature, the lack of snow, and so forth. By the time you read this, flowers could very well be blooming! Many firms will also be into a new fiscal year after April 1 when their new monetary period commences. What will fiscal year 2012-2013 bring us? I will leave any financial prognostication to others who are substantially more qualified than me!

In this column, I am given wide pa-

rameters to write about communications. As we all know, it takes many forms. One-to-one (both oral and written), television, radio, mass media print, and over the last twenty years or so, the Internet.

I was reading about a conference on communications hosted by the IEEE (pronounced "Eye-triple-E") or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. While I will not be attending the conference, it did open my eyes as to what business communications leaders are looking for today. As a result, I randomly selected an ad for a Communications Specialist under the IEEE umbrella, which lists that the successful person “will be responsible for writing and maintaining a library of information to be used in marketing materials, and for internal sales training and documentation purposes.”

Key activities include (but are not limited to): • Transform business and technical product information into concise, easy to understand and well-written material that helps position and win business

Your Business Needs Video

• Responsible for continuously seeking more cost and time effective processes • Ensure that core written documentation adheres to corporate standards • Create written work which will be consistent in style, quality and voice • Collaborate with product marketing managers, development teams and service teams to support the introduction of new product features and capabilities for both RFP purposes and more broadly within the organization • Resource and subject matter expert to the marketing team when interfacing with marketing and communication agencies The ad states also that the person must have: • An ability to balance multiple tasks and set priorities and at times deliver on hard deadlines • Exceptional writing and communication skills • Practical experience in writing for sales and marketing needs in a technical environment • Management of writing and information gathering for large projects The common thread through this ad and most others in the area is the ability to write. It is unobsoletable!

Yes, that might even be a new word.

But you cannot stop change even at the level of the IEEE. If you want to make your career change-proof, you need to build a good and responsive set of change-

proof, unobsoletable skills. Writing is one of them. The skill of using words well and the ability to write is changeproof, even with the incredible advancement of the tools to create the words, such as the computer. No matter how much technology has changed, the basic principles of writing have remained constant. The ability to write well will never become obsolete.

Today, the written word still prevails, not only because information that shapes our lives is almost always written down, but because the habits that make us first-class writers are the same ones that allow us to prosper in the information world. If you worry about your writing ability, commit yourself to becoming a solid writer. If you are already a respectable writer, commit yourself to becoming even better. And if you’re one of the uncommon ones who write well, reach out to those surrounding you and share your talent, so that others may gain the knowledge.

Each month I always try to quote someone in my articles. This time, it’s Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) who said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the ones you did.

Explore! Dream! Discover!” The written word will help you on your journey.

This article has been prepared for the Chamber and our Members by Allan Weatherall, B.A., CFRE, APR – Executive Director of the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation.

He received accreditation (APR) from the Canadian Public Relations Society in 1993 and a CFRE (certified fundraising executive) in 2000.

He welcomes your comments via email to: aweather@stegh.on.ca or telephone 519-631-2030 extension 2247.

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April, 2012

BUSINESS BEAT

PRO TEXT Business Management News & Issues

Critical illness and your business

by Darren Reith

If you had a heart attack today and couldn’t work for six months or a year, would your business continue to thrive without you?

As a business owner, you may have thought about what would happen to your business if you or a key employee dies, but have you thought about the financial impact a critical illness would have? It is true that many business owners concentrate on putting most of their money into growing their company today, with the goal of using their business assets to fund retirement, but being diagnosed with a critical illness could have the potential to undo all that was diligently planned.

A critical question: Would you sell your business today at half its real value if you didn’t have to?

Take a look at Jack’s situation today.

Jack opened his own consulting firm three years ago. Business has been good and justified hiring one employee – an assistant, Steph, who has been with him for a year and a half and whose customer-relations skills

and administrative know-how are a tremendous asset to his company. Jack plans to hire at least one more fulltime employee within the next six months. He has taken out loans for equipment and furnishings. He also leases some of his equipment and rents his office space.

Tomorrow, the unexpected happens.

It’s a medical emergency in which Jack suffers a stroke. His doctor tells him to expect at least four months of rehabilitation. Three months after diagnosis, Jack is not recovering as quickly as he thought he would, and he is still not able to return to work, even on a part-time basis. His doctor tells him to be patient, that he’s making progress. After eight months, he makes it back to work.

Our scenario can have two potential outcomes.

A. Jack did not purchase critical illness insurance. He had to lay Steph off. Business is slow. Jack has exhausted his financial resources – his RSPs and other investments included – and creditors are waiting for their money. Jack has no choice but to sell the business quickly, at less than market value. So much for the retirement

your particular situation.

It is impossible to predict how much impact a critical illness could have on your business but, when purchasing critical illness insurance, some of the issues you may want to plan for can be addressed. These might include replacement of a key person while he or she recovers, protecting a business plan, funding a buy-sell agreement and reducing or eliminating debt.

While critical illness insurance is fairly new to the marketplace, more and more Canadians are discovering its value. It can protect your hard-earned financial resources if you are diaghe planned for.

B. Jack purchased critical illness in- nosed with a critical illness and allows surance. After three months, he de- you to focus on what’s most imporcides to use part of his benefit and hire tant – getting better. a consultant on a contract basis just in case his recovery takes much longer.

He’s back to work after eight months This column appears regularly in and business continues to pick up so Business Beat and has been submitted much so that he can hire his contract by Darren Reith, a principal of Reith consultant full-time. Everything is on & Associates Insurance and Financial target.

Services Limited, 462 Talbot Street, There are several financial markets St. Thomas. Darren is also a volunthat sell critical illness insurance; in teer serving on the Chamber’s Board Jack’s scenario, the best policy for him of Directors. Questions and comments was Lifecheque with Manulife Finan- on this column are welcomed by the cial. Your advisor will work with you writer and 519-631-3862 or via to choose a policy that works best for email: info@reithandassociates.com

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St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce

be seen be heard

belong!

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 February 16 to March 15, 2012.

Akita Sushi 85 - 1063 Talbot Street St. Thomas, ON N5P 1G4 Phone: 519-637-5888 Email: kikizhurongqing@hotmail.com Contacts: Vivian Zhu, Manager; Henry Chen, Chef Buyer's Guide Categories: Banquet Facilities, Catering, Restaurants

Products & Services: With over 100 items to choose from, Akita Sushi has an extensive menu full of Japanese cuisine favourites.

Combos are available (with a soup and green salad), as well as teppanyaki, teriyaki, udon and party trays. They also offer an all-you-can-eat option. Akita Sushi is AGCO licensed and offers a wide variety of red and white wines, as well as domestic, imported and Japanese beers. the art company 21 Oliver Street St. Thomas, ON N5R 3X3 Phone: 519-200-2521 Email: jena@artcompany.ca Website: www.artcompany.ca Contact: Jena DownenDempsey, Director

Buyer's Guide Category: Entertainment Products & Services: the art company is a destination that embraces creativity, community and culture. It is the mission of the art company to offer the ability to experience arts and trades by providing the tools and studio space that allow everyone an equal opportunity to create.

tional Products; Signs/Screen Printing; Sports Equipment & Clothing; Sports Team Uniforms Products & Services: BnB Screening does hot press applications, press screening, lettering and numbers, personal photos on tee shirts, mouse pads and much more.

Wolfe Worx Corp.

44583 Dexter Line BnB Screening Union, ON N0L 2L0 538 Talbot Street Phone: 519-782-1118 St. Thomas, ON N5P 1C4 Fax: 519-782-7143 Phone: 519-207-4323 Email: wolfeworx@rogers.com Fax: 519-207-4423 Website: www.wolfeworx.com Email: bnbscreening@rogers.com Contact: Terry Wolfe, Owner Contact: Bonnie Simpson, Buyer's Guide Categories: MoOwner torcycles - Sales & Service; Tool Buyer's Guide Categories: Ad& Die/Machine Shops vertising/Promotion; PromoProducts & Services: Wolfe Worx Corp. is a problem-solving shop that stands apart from other shops. Their motto: “Street, dirt or snow we've got you covered.” They offer not only replacement parts but options of welding, straightening or fabricating from scratch. Owner Terry Wolfe is a licensed motorcycle mechanic and tool and die maker. Terry has over 35 years of experience extensive knowledge, in motorcycle mechanics, machining, turning, fabrication and metallurgy.

Become a Chamber Member!

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

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

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

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36 Churchill Crescent, St. Thomas (In the Homedale Plaza)

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April, 2012

St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce

be seen be heard

Ray Coddington

Co-Owner, Farmgate Markets 19 Elgin Street St Thomas 519-637-0055 www.farmgatemarket.com

Farmgate Markets has been a registered Chamber Member for 7 years.

The Chamber really is our voice of business. If we didn’t have a healthy active Chamber, St. Thomas wouldn’t be the strong community that it is today.

“

We believe in the business community.

Donald M. Ferguson

Lawyer, Ferguson-Dimeo Lawyers Canada Southern Railway Station 750 Talbot Street, Suite 211 St. Thomas 519-633-8838 www.fergusondimeolaw.com Ferguson-Dimeo Lawyers have been registered Chamber Members for 1 year.

As a small business, our membership in the Chamber gives us the advantages of numbers…a collective voice, multiple information sources, community support and networking.

“

The Chamber enhances opportunities for our business and community.

Dan Burns

K&K Locksmiths Elgin Mall, 417 Wellington St. St. Thomas 519-631-4110 kklocksmiths@rogers.com

“ “ “

I like the Chamber because it’s about people.

Terry Carroll

Publisher, The Weekly News and Elgin This Month 15 St. Catharine St. St. Thomas 519-633-1640

www.theweeklynews.ca Carroll Publishing has been a registered Chamber Member for 7 years.

We purchase locally every time we have the opportunity, without question, and our Chamber membership makes this easy for us to find what we need.

Dealing locally and building relationships is a great benefit to us.

Dan Dale

Dealer Principal, Elgin Chrysler 275 Wellington St. St. Thomas 519-633-2200 www.elginchrysler.com

Elgin Chrysler has been a registered Chamber Member for 15 years.

The Chamber name is respected and trusted around the world. We know that being accepted as Members is a healthy reflection of the ethics we support in free and fair enterprise.

The Chamber gives us unmatched access to the entire business community.

Iris Brown

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The Chamber resources are a huge benefit.

The Chamber brings people together who share our desire to build business and improve our community.

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The talent and resources we have access to locally through the Chamber is like no other. With over 700 businesses and organizations included as Chamber Members, the pool of resources, ideas and energy is incredible.

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belong!

President, Yarmouth Mutual Fire Insurance Company 1229 Talbot St., St. Thomas 519-631-1572 www.yarmouth-ins.com Yarmouth Mutual Fire Insurance Company has been a registered Chamber Member for 14 years.

K&K Locksmiths has been a registered Chamber Member for 24 years.

Joining the chamber provides you one of the best opportunities to develop your business. You can take advantage of the great benefits we offer to help you not only grow your business but also to grow your network, increase your exposure, build your customer base and make a direct impact on the business community. You will be entitled to some of the best savings, but in addition to savings programs, monthly newsletter, and special offers, your membership will entitle you to enjoy many more learning and networking opportunities. Call Membership Coordinator Mike Vecchio at 519-631-1981 to talk about how you can join over 700 community business in growing business and community.

April, 2012

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IT’S GOLF SEASON THE GAME

Why take up golf?

by Sarfaraz Khan

Thousands of people play golf. It has often been seen as an upper class game, but opinions are now changing. Long gone are the days where you had to wear plus fours and check jumpers. It is more affordable than ever to play golf and is now a game for everyone! Here are some of the benefits.

Exercise Golf is one of the best exercises you can do. Many people who have had heart problems and who are not in the best of health take up golf. Because an average course is anywhere from 5,000 yards to 6,500 yards, you can make sure you’ll be getting lots of exercise. Golfing can keep your heart pumping at a good pace depending on the golf terrain. So if you have not walked much in the past, strolling the greens may be a good idea for you.

Challenge Many people who don’t play golf ask the same question over and over again, why would anybody want to chase a little golf ball around? In fact, many golfers ask themselves that question too. But the whole reason for playing golf is the challenge. It is a real adrenaline kick to see the ball

fly in the air to the green and see it land four feet from the flag. The player gets a feeling of success, and people love the challenge of coming back and trying to repeat the same shot.

Scenery Golf courses have some of the best scenery around. Obviously, it all depends on where you play, but many courses have trees that stretch out on both sides of the fairway, with water features dotting the landscape. Some even have tee boxes that are perched up on a hillside overlooking a valley or body of water.

Tranquility Golf is a very relaxing game, depending on how well your game is going. There is a lot of natural beauty, and it can be nice to play and just clear your head. Many courses take you far away from the clubhouse, and players find a lot of peace in the countryside.

Social Playing golf is a great way to meet people. Whether it’s at the clubhouse or playing in competitions, you will come into contact with lots of new faces. And many people don’t even go to the golf course to play, but meet at the clubhouse to eat and chat with friends.

Whatever your motivation, why not give golf a try. It’s a great game and is relatively cheap to start.

Play Days you’ll remember for years to come.

The preferred destination of duffers and pros alike.

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Five reasons to get out on the green

why would anybody want to chase a little golf ball around?

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April, 2012

Take the pain out of your game

(NC) There’s nothing like getting out on the green after a long winter, but when you consider how many times a swing is repeated during a single game of golf, it is not surprising that the season often ends early for players who aren’t properly prepared for the physical challenge.

If you've taken the winter off from exercise, it's easy to cause an injury when you get started again, so make sure you warm up and stretch before you hit the fairway, and don't try to do too much at once.

Each new activity puts stresses and strains on your body. Before jumping into any exercise routine, it's a good idea to consult a chiropractor or fitness professional about what's best for you and your body.

Stay in the game with these simple tips.

Get the right fit. Playing with clubs that don't fit can hinder your game and cause you pain. Consult a pro to ensure your clubs are the right height, are made of a material appropriate to your arm strength, and have a comfortable grip.

Take lessons. The right swing technique can do more than just improve your game, it can also spare you plenty of unnecessary pain. Working with a CPGA professional is a great way to learn the basics.

Warm up and warm down. Take a few minutes to stretch before and after your game. Start with a brisk walk, then do some light stretching.

Push, don't carry, your golf bag.

Pushing or pulling a bag on its wheels and taking turns riding in a cart can help you take a load off and prevent a back injury. If you prefer to carry your clubs, consider using a double strap carry bag that evenly distributes the weight.

Choose the right shoes. Wearing a golf shoe with good support and the proper fit can go a long way to prevent some knee, hip and lower back pain.

Drink lots of water. Dehydration can cause fatigue and increase your risk of injury. Water and juice are ideal refreshments. Drinking alcohol depletes the body's fluids and can lead to stiff muscles and soreness later on.

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Getting out on the golf course doesn’t have to hurt...

IT’S GOLF SEASON THE BODY

make sure you warm up and stretch before any activity

St.Thomas Golf & Country Club

“A Private Facility Which Offers More Than Just Great Golf” Ranked 19th in Ontario, St.Thomas Golf and Country Club has challenged many great players over its 100 year history including Norman, Knudson and Weir. Our Club provides quality golf and social events in a family environment for the enjoyment of our members.

Ready to take your game to the next level?

Join us and start enjoying one of Canada’s finest golf courses coupled with outstanding food service conveniently located just a short drive from St.Thomas.

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Contact General Manager Rob Mason CSCM, CPGA at rob@stthomasgolf.com or amanda@stthomasgolf.com. www.stthomasgolf.com 42325 Sparta Line, Union • 519.631.4800 • www.stthomasgolf.com April, 2012

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IT’S GOLF SEASON THE MIND

The mental game

by Wayne W. Hudler

Coping with golf’s emotional rollercoaster

Hank Haney, one of Golf Digest’s 50 Greatest Teachers, has said that a student with a bad attitude is what he hates the most. Students who are too hard on themselves comes in a close second.

He feels like they have forgotten how difficult the game of golf can be and that overcoming struggles is as much a part of the game as driving or putting. The key to improvement

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is a positive attitude and a healthy work ethic.

What about you? When it comes to golf, are you too hard on yourself?

Do you expect to play near perfect golf while carrying a 15 handicap?

Seems unrealistic to me. Do you get down on yourself for mistakes? Even Tiger makes mistakes.

If you judge yourself too harshly and begin to criticize yourself and your performance, this is destructive negative criticism. It ruins your attitude and creates shame needlessly.

You are mentally saying to yourself that you are not good enough to perform the way you expect.

But you can react differently and create a different outcome in the process. Try this mental toughness technique next time you’re on the course.

The technique is called constructive self-criticism. When you have just failed to please yourself, instead of speaking negatively, use more constructive language. By speaking positively, you reach down into your personal pride. Instead of saying,

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are you too hard on yourself?

“Gosh, I suck at this game,” try “I know I’m can play better than this. I have before, and there is no reason I can’t do it again now.”

You’ve seen great athletes do this for years. They are said to “reach down” or to be “playing with all heart.” They were able to do it because they fundamentally believed in themselves and refused to get on a negative train of thought about themselves or their ability.

You can do that too. Think positively. Speak positively. Play positively.

Whatever the final outcome, your performance will be better than if you have taken the negative approach. Emotions drive feelings and vice versa. Take charge of them by taking charge of your thinking, and you will be able to better cope with golf ’s emotional rollercoaster.

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Golfers are a strange bunch. We love the game, yet we are so frustrated by it. If a round has more frustration than joy, we grumble, growl and complain about our play and our score. On the other hand, if the round has more joy than frustration, we leave the course proud, laughing and wanting to get back soon.

You probably already realize that golf is an emotional rollercoaster.

From shot to shot, hole to hole, round to round and season to season we are constantly riding up and down with our emotions and performance.

Over the course of time we develop an attitude that reflects our emotional state at any given time based on what we think of ourselves or our performance. Our body language, facial expressions and speech tell others around us which attitude we are showing at the moment.

“Attitude makes all difference” is an old saying that applies to all aspects of life, and golf is no exception.

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BUSINESS COMMUNITY YOUR BUSINESS

Ready, set, go How technology trends can help small business Part 2

by John Regan

In Part 1 of this two-part article, I asked, “How can technology and technology tools help small business, and why does it matter?”

We previously covered the reasons why technology matters to a business, so let’s get ready, set, go and talk about a few samples of the technology and technology tools that can help small businesses compete.

Cisco predicts by 2016 there will be more mobile devices than people – more than 10 billion devices. Driving the mobile data traffic will be smartphones, laptops and other portable gadgets. In one study more than three-quarters of small business owners surveyed said that smartphones have had a very positive impact on their flexibility, productivity and, most importantly, on their ability to be more responsive to their customers.

Smartphones also let you take adH

vantage of the newest trend of engaging new customers with mobile marketing. Mobile marketing has one of the highest ROI (return on investment) for lead generation and engagement. Worldwide there are 1.8 billion Internet users and over 5 billion cell phone users, a market that is almost three times the size of the Internet. Fifty-one million use smartphones. And, according to Google, 90 percent of smart phone searches result in the user taking action, such as buying online or visiting a business in person.

Be ready Have a mobile friendly site. As people increasingly perform searches on smartphones and tablets, make sure your website displays well by optimizing for mobile devices. WordPress.org has many free plug-ins that will automatically optimize your website for viewing.

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Get set Stop marketing and start connecting. 2012 statistics show that Facebook has grown to more than 800 million active users, adding more than 200 million in a single year.

Twitter now has 100 million active users and LinkedIn has over 64 million users in North America alone.

Social media is here to stay and statistics show that small businesses are benefiting the most from engaging in social media. It’s changing the way we do business and the way we market our products and services. It also represents an unprecedented marketing opportunity – having two-way conversations with customers. It’s an entirely new way to connect and know your customers.

The number-one advantage of social media marketing is generating more business exposure. You can connect with more customers, have more visibility, and increase opportunities for self-promotion.

Small businesses are getting results without spending much money.

Zoomerang found that nearly 60 percent of all small business decision makers spend less than $100 on social media, and 74 percent do not employ anyone to manage their social media marketing.

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Now is the time to set up your social media toolkit using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs and YouTube. It can become your best marketing advantage.

Go free Today any small business is able to compete more cost effectively and efficiently using professional software programs. From websites, accounting, marketing, cloud computing and everything in between, you can find software programs on the web that offer free use of their basic service package. Check out a few that may work for your business by clicking the blog tab at www.elgincfdc.ca The rate of change in technology and technology tools, social media and online and mobile marketing is only accelerating! Be willing to continually learn and grow, it will certainly be an interesting adventure and your business will thank you!

John Regan Ec.D. (F) is the general manager of the Elgin Business Resource Centre.

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Creative building solutions for smaller projects. today’s continuously changing Our New Inworld, business owners and managers need an associate who will be there for unexpected repairs, needed Select Contract those renovations, alterations or additions.

Ltd. has launched its New Select Contract Division to make projects Division is HIRA like these a reality for businesses large and small. ready to serve HIRA Limited has built a strong reputation for quality construction and cost effective your small management since its incorporation in As a family owned company, HIRA project needs. 1971.

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“Doing whatever it takes to meet the needs of our Clients”

dence established through co-operation and consideration of the particular needs for each project.

The Select Contract Division specializes in Demolition, Renovations, Structural Repairs, Site Upgrades, Concrete Pits/Machine

Bases, Roof Repairs and Small Design/Build Projects. HIRA Ltd. proudly uses local contractors to keep the jobs in this Community.

Leading the Select Contract Division is John Millard. John has been employed with HIRA Ltd. for the past 12 years and brings with him over 30 years experience in the construction industry.

John is diverse in all areas of construction and possesses the drive to meet or exceed all deadlines.

The experienced staff members at HIRA Ltd. pride themselves on their ability to provide the desired finished product on time and on budget. HIRA’s quality expectation is second to none and is a contributing factor in why HIRA Ltd. has been so successful for the past forty-one years.

When considering your next project, contact HIRA Ltd. to ensure top-notch quality and satisfaction.

April, 2012

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HOMESTYLE DECORATING

How to buy kitchen cabinetry What you select can set the tone for the entire house

by Renée Carpenter

of standard sizes for easy install and quick delivery. Although stock cabinets may offer fewer styles and finish options, the most can be had with accessories to help maximize storage – dividers, tip-out drawers, wine racks, soft-door closures and much more. Upgrade the hardware, moldings and trim to create a high-end look that can last for years when the right combination of quality construction and material are included.

Semi-custom cabinets are a great middle of the road choice. Although still factory-built in standard sizes, they offer more flexibility than stock cabinets. With numerous door styles, material, finish options, trim and moldings available, as well as endless solutions for storage, design and style, semi-custom cabinetry provides a custom look without the pocketbook pinch. Semi-custom cabinets can vary a great deal in price

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Before buying kitchen or bathroom cabinets for your new home or remodel, you should ask a number of important questions. Those questions include budget, style, size, quality, construction, installation and finish.

First rule of thumb is to set the budget for a remodeling project. Realize up front that the kitchen or bathroom cabinets could account for as much as 40 percent of the total cost. They are also one of the greatest home investments you can make for resale value as well. The cabinets you select will set the tone for the entire house as you transform your space.

Leave it to a professional to measure your space and design a look that works. The ultimate option is to have the designer come to your home to capture your dream and intention in this renovation process. They will then be able to give you more precise estimates and ideas for your project and offer suggestions to improve function.

Pre-constructed stock cabinets provide economical pricing in a variety

one of the greatest home investments you can make depending on the materials and detail.

Custom cabinets generally are considered to be high quality in materials and construction, yet in many cases it actually means semi-custom with just more modification choices.

The true definition of ‘custom’ involves construction either on site or in a workroom setting according to a designer’s specifications. The sky is truly the limit in this scenario when it comes to style, finish, storage, wood or size – and price!

Choose between framed or frameless cabinets. Both price and functionality differentiates the two types.

Framed cabinets are a more traditional style with a rectangular-shaped

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frame on the front of the cabinet.

Cabinet hinges can either be mounted on the outside or inside of the cabinet, allowing the cabinets to hang independently of each other.

Frameless cabinets are a sleeker new style of cabinet, which allows for a bit more storage room – and generally a slightly higher cost.

Top quality construction can be found in any of the options above.

At the very minimum, cabinets should have solid frames, door and drawer fronts, reinforced corners and closed backs. They should operate smoothly and quietly, since they are opened and closed many times daily.

When choosing a style, consider the architecture of your home and the interior design of the other rooms. This style will also help dictate the finish of the cabinets – a natural wood finish, painted or stained.

By doing your homework, practical and attractive choices can be made within your budget. Any upgrade in the kitchen or bathroom will be an upgrade to your home’s value. Although the choices may seem endless, the right one will make the heart of the home a warm and welcoming showplace.

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

April, 2012

by Brian Lippold

The definition of “home” remains the same today as when Oxford published the first edition of the dictionary in the 1700s. However, a home, despite its definition, has kept pace with the evolution of the dictionary itself. In case you haven’t noticed, both a home and a dictionary are much sturdier than they were 50 years ago. BTW, Oxford has now recognized LOL as an official word!

OMG! Here is a little history of the Building Code. Prior to the enactment of the first provincial Building Code Act in 1974, individual municipalities were responsible for developing and regulating their own building codes. In 1992, a provincial Building Code addressed this problem by providing consistent construction stan-

labelled as Energy Star™ in 2011, is effect of adopting these building now the equivalent to the basic, practices early is that the other qualCode-built home in 2012. ity builders in the area have raised So what has changed? their standards to remain To name a few of the competitive. Now, continit is over 400 changes to the ual improvement is a culnow virtually ture within the group of Code: it is now virtually impossible to build impossible to builders that belong to the a house with 2’ x 4’ build a house St. Thomas and Elgin framing; insulation valHome Builders Association. with 2’ x 4’ ues have increased by Last fall, the Ontario framing R-10 in the attic and RHome Builders Association 6 in the walls; windows have higher and its members honoured Doug U-values; furnaces, air conditioning Tarry by electing him OHBA Presiand water heater minimum efficien- dent for the 2011-2012 year. We are cies have increased; fireplaces are all very proud of Doug for his comnow longer installed with pilot lights; mitment to and his support for our and, more prevalent, are air ex- community. changes.

BTW, in St. Thomas you can build The improvements to the home are one of the best homes found anyintended to ensure healthy indoor where in the world and build it environments and comfortable tem- within your budget. peratures and provide relief from ever-increasing utility bills.

St. Thomas and Elgin County Brian Lippold is builders and renovators have emManager of Builder braced the Code changes. In fact, Markets at Reliance many of them have led the way by Home Comfort™ voluntarily employing these methods and Vice-President and technologies well before they of the St.Thomas & were regulated. For example, the Elgin Homegroup at Doug Tarry Homes has builder’s made Energy Star™ homes their stanAssociation. dard for the past few years. The net

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dards across Ontario.

In 2006, there was a major change to the Code from previous editions.

The Building Code was no longer concerned with just the sticks, the bricks and the mortar. It moved to an objective-based format that rationalizes the technical provisions of the Code. The building standards became concerned with health and safety; barrier-free accessibility; energy, water conservation and environmental integrity; and conservation of buildings.

In Jan 1, 2012, a major shift occurred with the enforcement of the SB12 Code Supplemental. It pertains to the energy efficiency of a home. A home built this year (with a permit taken out after January 1) is significantly more energy-efficient than a Code-built home in 2011. In fact, the standards for a home to be

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April, 2012

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Up to code

How St. Thomas and Elgin County builders are responding to changes in the Building Code

HOMESTYLE AT HOME IN ELGIN

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

by Jamie Quai

Wine aging is a topic that in one respect is well documented, and in another respect is almost completely ignored. Most people who delve into wine aging have learned that you need a balance between the wine’s natural acidity, tannins and alcohol to have any possibility of success. When I refer to wine aging, I am talking about a decade or more, since a few years isn’t really a long time in a wine’s life.

Secondly, to call it a success, the wine actually has to improve. I will be focusing on the more macro concepts of deciding to age a bottle or two: the producers, the vintages, the rarities and the reasons.

There is an ocean of great wine available to consumers. But getting the most out of an aged wine means simply buying the best. And the best comes with a hefty price tag. This would include Bordeaux’s Premier Cru and the Grand Crus of Burgundy. They are the topic of wine books, they are the feature item at wine auctions, and, most importantly, they have a long history of wines that will successfully age. The reputations of these producers are tied to a vineyard of a specific size, on a specific site and will only make a relatively small volume of wine. Limited releases are an understatement and they will not grow in production.

Since every producer of age-worthy wine is intrinsically tied to the land, even great producers are subject to the vicissitudes of nature. There are good seasons and there are bad. When you decide to seriously age wine, it is extremely important to ensure that you are buying wines from an age-worthy

The aging process

Why you may want to keep a couple of bottles around for awhile

vintage. Generally, the better the vintage, the longer the wines can potentially age. I’ve run out of fingers counting the times people have told me stories of their big cellaring purchases that ended in failure because they simply did not do the proper re-

mythical. So when it comes to acquiring these showpiece bottles, it should almost go without saying that you have to actively seek the wines out.

The LCBO offers a terrific Futures Catalogue every year where you have the ability to pre-purchase vintages years before they’ve been released. But after that, it’s gala tastings and fine wine auctions.

The reasons for serious wine aging vary. Some people will age wines for investment (great wines do appreciate in value), some will age them for celebration (a career goal), and some simply do it for the pleasure that collecting brings. I honestly believe that doing it for the first two reasons is more likely to lead to disappointment.

The fine wine market has just as much volatility as the stock market. Buying fine wines for future sale is never a smart retirement plan. Aging for a future celebration is noble but is too fixed on an uncertain future event.

Fine wines should just be enjoyed when they are ready, not when you’re ready.

Collecting age-worthy wines is a great hobby. As someone who has collected and tasted wines older than myself, I can tell you there is something spectacular about a wine that has been well cellared and still tastes beautiful even decades after it was harvested. Cheers!

search and falsely assumed that every vintage had the same aging potential.

It certainly isn’t an exaggeration to say that the pinnacle of wines from the most sought after producers made in the most outstanding seasons are rare to the point of almost being

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

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April, 2012

D I N I N G & E N T E R TA I N M E N T ACCOMODATION

New bed and breakfast in Aylmer

Sweet Magnolia House welcomes guests in heritage building

by Rosemarie Johnson Clarke

Retired nurse Brenda Lawson has given Aylmer’s economy a welcome shot in the arm. Last June, she bought a 142-year-old heritage house in the town’s centre and has renovated, refurbished and restored its interiors. On March 3, she swung open the doors of the Greek revival-style structure to reveal an inviting bed and breakfast called Sweet Magnolia House.

Elgin County Economic Development General Manager Alan Smith says, “Sweet Magnolia House will encourage longer stays by offering visitors attractive and comfortable accommodations.” Ultimately, he points out, the longer visitors stay, the more money they spend and this will “generate significant economic benefits for Elgin County and St. Thomas.”

Although Brenda lived in Newmarket and worked in Richmond Hill for the past 38 years, her family is from Thamesford and Ingersoll, and when she began the B&B property hunt, she narrowed her search to Southwestern Ontario.

She found 236 Talbot Street East listed on bbcanada.com as a potential B&B. “I took one look and fell in love,” she says. “Then once I saw it — well, that was it. It was meant to be.”

Brenda learned the town of Aylmer was home to only one inn and discovered that merchants thought the area would benefit from a B&B. She did more research. Aylmer is home to the Ontario Police College and many antique stores — both draw out-oftowners. It’s also about mid-point on the Talbot Trail (runs from Windsor to Fort Erie), which is well travelled from May through September. “More bikers than cars come through here in the summertime,” she declares.

Rosemarie Johnson Clarke is a freelance writer in St. Thomas.

April, 2012

The 2,800-square foot house “is perfect” for a B&B because the guest suites, library, dining room and common area are all at the front; and there is ample room at the back for Brenda’s private residence.

Back in the 1860s when entrepreneur Roswell Mott purchased the 61 x 182 foot property, Aylmer was the marketing centre for a rich agricultural and timber-producing area. Roswell built the house in 1870 and sold it 24 years later. Lynwood Van Patter, who lived in the house as a boy in the 1940s, recalls in a newspaper article, that the house was turned 90 degrees during reconstruction in July 1946. Workmen used a World War II artillery gun tractor to tow the building. Afterward, it was gutted and rebuilt.

When Brenda took ownership, she re-

A blooming magnolia tree is the inspiration for the name of Aylmer’s newest Bed & Breakfast, Sweet Magnolia House.

(Photo courtesy of Brenda Lawson)

placed all the electrical and some of the plumbing. She added two ensuite bathrooms and new heat pumps to provide central air conditioning and heat. Her passion for interior design is apparent in details like the antique glass doorknobs and the warm, inviting colour palettes in the guest accomodations.

In the kitchen, where Brenda will prepare home-cooked breakfasts – or continental-style, if preferred – she has changed nothing. “The previous owner was a chef ” is her simple explanation.

She has plans for non-guests to enjoy her scrumptious breakfasts. Watch for “bedless breakfasts” in the future.

Brenda Lawson sits at the front door of the Aylmer heritage house she has renovated, refurbished and restored.

(Photo by Rosemarie Johnson Clarke)

RESOURCES Sweet Magnolia House B&B is located at 236 Talbot Street East/Hwy 3 in Aylmer. Rooms range from $90-$120 (double occupancy). For more information, call 519-765-3038 or visit www.sweetmagnoliahouse.com

Looking for the perfect place to host your next event?

Come to Malahide Township!

Malahide Community Place 12105 Whittaker Road in Springfield

• capacity: 250 • tastefully appointed event rooms allowing a variety of configurations with endless possibilities!

• barrier-free facility with ample parking • rectangular or round tables; lots of amenities!

• spectacular fully-equipped catering kitchen • an abundance of green space, play equipment, two lighted ball diamonds, and concession booth • new and modern! — we opened in May 2010 E L G I N

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• capacity: 60 – with lots of parking • fully-equipped catering kitchen • barrier-free facility with loads of charm • spacious play area just steps away • so new! — we opened in August 2010

Call Dianne Morgan, Community Services Coordinator 519-765-4755 www.malahide.ca 25

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

properly condition your body

Play ball!

Take the time in April to properly prepare your body for the upcoming baseball season

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

Each spring our office is besieged with an onslaught of Achilles tendon and shoulder injuries as the baseball season begins. Many people are more sedentary during the winter months and perhaps don’t do much exercise.

Baseball season starts and they jump right in with both feet. This is often compounded because, for some reason, many baseball leagues seem to think that it’s a great idea to start the season with a tournament. So, after being sedentary and perhaps not doing much over the winter season,

now all of a sudden people are playing four or more games in the period of two days. Sounds like a recipe for trouble to me.

Achilles tendon injuries The Achilles tendon is the large thick tendon that attaches to the back of the heel. The tendon actually originates up in the gastrocnemius or calf muscle. It is especially active when we push off with the toes to propel forward when walking and running. This tendon is commonly injured in the early part of the baseball season resulting in a tendonopathy (tendonitis).

The reason for this is that baseball shoes with the cleats on the bottom are designed to increase the athletes traction but, in so doing, also greatly

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increase the amount of force placed on the Achilles/calf complex with running. Injury usually results as this area has not been appropriately prepared for the increased stress and, as a result, becomes strained, resulting in pain along the heel and back of the lower leg.

One of the best ways to help avoid this problem is to properly condition your body and especially the Achilles tendon and calf area before the season starts. One of the things that I recommend around this time of year is to get your baseball shoes out as the weather improves and go down to the park. Start by simply putting your ball shoes on and walking around the park. Depending on your fitness level, start with a short walk of five to ten minutes and gradually increase it, eventually incorporating light jogging and running as your body adapts. If you feel any strain or discomfort in your calf or Achilles tendon, be sure to stop. Be sure to stretch the Achilles tendon and calf, as well as include potentially strengthening exercises for this area as well. If you are not sure what exercises to do, then you should consult with a chiropractor or physiotherapist to give you advice.

Shoulder injuries Similar to the Achilles tendon injuries, the same circumstances may also result in shoulder injuries. Typically, again, for many ball players, the last time they threw a ball was proba-

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bly the last game at the end of the previous season. They haven’t thrown all winter and jump right into the activity without any appropriate preparation.

The common injury in this case is usually a rotator cuff strain associated with throwing too hard too soon.

Early April is a great time to start throwing, gradually and gently, by playing catch or, if no partner is available, by throwing an appropriately weighted sponge or rubber ball against a wall to slowly work the muscles involved in throwing back into shape. Stretching and strengthening exercises are advised in this case as well and can be prescribed by a qualified healthcare practitioner.

The key factor is proper preparation.

Take the time in April to properly prepare your body for the upcoming baseball season. This preparation will smooth the transition into your summer activities and lessen the chance for injury.

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

April, 2012

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

by Cathy Macpherson

Do you have a child in your care who is a picky eater? Does this child love a food one day only to refuse it the next? Do you get frustrated at mealtime because your picky child will not eat what is being served?

Relax. What may seem like a problem may actually be very normal childhood behavior.

Feeding young children can be a worrisome and frustrating experience for childcare providers and parents, but most children are eating better than you think. Healthy eating is more than making sure a child eats his vegetables today. It’s about helping the child in your care to develop a healthy relationship with food for a lifetime.

Trust that children know how much to eat. You can help children learn to eat the right amounts of nutritious foods that will help them grow into a healthy adult. It’s the caregiver’s responsibility to provide structure, support and opportunities, and the child’s responsibility to choose how much and whether to eat from what the caregiver provides.

The caregiver decides: • What foods to offer • When to offer meals and snacks

Trust me. Trust my tummy.

Healthy eating habits start with a spoonful of trust and a slice of patience

• Where the child will eat Trust each child to decide: • Which foods to eat of the food offered • How much to eat Here are some tips to make meal and snack times less frustrating while helping to build healthy eating habits: • Provide a healthy meal or snack every 2 or 3 hours. Discourage eating or drinking (except water) between these set times.

• Make sure children are seated at the table for meals and snacks without TV, toys or other distractions.

• Offer small portions of food and allow children to say ‘more please’ or ‘no thank you.’ If a child is allowed to say no to food, it helps them to feel free to say ‘yes’ more often.

• Keep in mind that a missed meal every once in a while is not a concern.

• Let children serve and feed themselves. Children need time to explore, touch and taste their food and learn how to use utensils.

• Let children leave the table when they are full; 20 to 30 minutes is generally enough time for young children to eat.

• Keep mealtime free of pressure.

Don’t bribe or scold a child to eat certain foods. Don’t force a child to eat. If they don’t want to eat a food, be neutral about it and leave it to try again, without pressure, another day.

Children may need to try a new food up to 15 times before they will accept it. It may feel like a child is refusing many foods, but slowly, over time children will start to try and eat new foods.

• Eat together family-style. Children learn to by watching you and others eat and behave at the table, so be a good role model!

• Be patient while children learn to trust their tummies.

RESOURCES For more information on feeding babies and young children, visit www.elginhealth.on.ca.

To talk to a Dietitian for FREE, call 1-877-510-5102 Cathy Macpherson is a Registered Dietitian at Elgin St. Thomas Public Health

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LIFESTYLES THAT’S LIFE

by Elizabeth VanHooren

When I was 12 years old, the best place to be was the barn. Growing up on a small hobby farm, the barn was the perfect mix of chores and adventure.

Dad assigned me and my sisters certain tasks: throw some hay down from the loft, sweep the floor, collect the eggs. But it never seemed like work; most days we mixed those chores with things that entertained us.

A favourite pastime was scouring the barn rafters for bird nests. Sparrows would build feeble nests between the log beams, and we would find babies that had fallen out or were just taking their first flight. If we found an orphan, we would run to the garden to retrieve bugs and worms and be “mom” for the day.

If we got bored with sweeping the floor, one sister would push the other on the two-wheeled feed cart up and down the aisles of the barn. The passenger had to keep their arms well tucked in to their body to avoid getting their knuckles scraped along the barn’s cement walls and stalls.

We played house in the barn. One sister would set up a homestead in the loft strategically placing hay bales to form her kitchen, living room and bedroom. Another would set up her hair salon or grocery store in a spare pen. We would visit each other, purchase this and that, live out our afternoon in our own made-up world.

But we were not girly girls. We got our hands dirty in that barn. Dad raised pigs, and it was our job to catch the piglets so that he could clip their teeth and give them iron. We chased down each piglet in the litter, held them tight for Dad and then marked them on their backs with a big crayon – a sign that they were done.

When we had friends over, we were sure to bring them to the barn too.

We quickly discovered that most of our girlfriends had never experienced

A barnful of experiences The old grey barn was a part of growing up

farm life and actually thought it was “fun” to help clean out the chicken pens.

There is something about rural life that cannot be captured in any video game, Blu-ray or iPhone application.

It has to be experienced in this reality.

Today the barn is well over 100 years old. The barn boards are grey with age and weathered except for the one or two that have been replaced over the years. The ivy that mom planted at its base has now overtaken one whole side of the barn and has even grown through a crack in the cement foundation so that it is growing outside and inside the barn.

As tired as it looks, the barn is still active. It currently houses a cow, a calf, some chickens, a rabbit and the obligatory barn cat named “Mumma”

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and her kittens.

With each visit to my parents, the first stop is the barn. My eldest son runs through the barn door with the same delight that I remember having as a child, eager to see if the chicks have hatched and to feed bunny some carrots.

My youngest son is not as enthusiastic. He has to be coaxed and carried into the damp and dusty place. Unsure of the sights and sounds, he clings tight to my neck, big tears

rolling down his cheeks the minute the cow moos for more hay.

Perhaps in a year’s time when he is tall enough to see over the tops of the pens and isn’t face to face with the chickens, he will come to treasure that place as much as I do. Because the barn is alive with memories; some made and others yet to come.

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

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April, 2012

LIFESTYLES SELF DEVELOPMENT

Subconscious ambitions When it comes to pursuing your career passion, there is much you can do

by Sharon Lechner

Did you know that the subconscious mind accounts for 90 percent of our thinking? Therefore, the conscious part of our thinking is only 10 percent. Think of an iceberg with the conscious part being just the tip. The subconscious mind doesn’t have a filter to decide if what it is receiving is true or not. That can be a powerful piece of information once we know how to program our subconscious.

The fact is that many of us have our subconscious full of self-limiting beliefs that are the result of the opinions and beliefs of others, and much of this information has been entered from the time we were born. Our parents, culture and teachers have all influenced us with their opinions and beliefs.

Often, we have heard the word

“no” spoken to us. “Don’t touch the stove, you will burn yourself. Don’t wear white after Labour Day, and don’t go out in the dark.” I recently read a book by Tom Ferry where he talks about a trip he and his wife once took to New York City. His wife had a terrible fear of walking through Central Park in the dark, but he convinced her to do it anyway with him. Shortly after they entered the park, a man in a trench coat, with his hood pulled down, started to walk towards Tom and his wife.

But as the man drew closer, they realized that the man was, in fact, Andy Garcia, the actor.

Our pre-programming doesn’t always serve us well. The good news is that you can re-program your subconscious mind, and there are several ways to do this. An easy way is to create positive affirmations about

you. These can be very powerful if they are written in the present tense, so you could say things like “I am prospering,” “I am healthy,” “I am loved” or “I am happy.” You can also use hypnosis to re-program your subconscious, or you could repeat positive affirmations just before going to sleep at night and when you first wake up on the morning.

In last month’s article, I interviewed well-known British author, Nick Williams, about career joy and what holds people back from pursuing their career passions. In his new book, entirely about the topic of resistance, he says resistance appears in many forms, including fear and selflimiting beliefs, and often tries to prevent us from becoming our highest selves. For many of us, resistance will be a life-long battle, so it is important to recognize it when it appears and to continue to become our authentic selves in spite of it.

Last month, I watched part of Whitney Houston’s funeral. One of the speakers made the remark that there will never again be another person just like Whitney. The same is true for each of us. We all have our unique gifts and qualities, and no one has ever been nor will ever be exactly like us.

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We often think of the journey to pursuing our career passions as being a linear one, when, in fact, it is often a journey with many detours. We think it will be a difficult journey on a trail or up the proverbial mountain, when it could be a case of the mountain coming to you. The point is to be open about how you will reach your career destination. The only thing you have to do is to develop positive thoughts about what you want and to take action every day. It doesn’t matter if you take baby steps, as long as you are consistently taking action.

Remember, you deserve to have the career you want, one that is a true reflection of your authentic self. Make sure your thoughts are in alignment with your goals, know that you deserve what you want and do something about it every day.

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

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LIFESTYLES TIME ON MY HANDS

If you come home from vacation with tick bites, you might be a redneck. And if your vacation was on the Redneck Riviera and you impressed Big Bill in a biker bar, “well, its purdy much uh shur thang.”

The northwest panhandle of Florida – the Forgotten Coast – is the poorest and least visited part of the state. It’s far removed from, and 50 years behind, the Florida of Disney, oranges and golf. Think of it as the deep south of Georgia and Alabama but with beaches and great seafood.

It’s a wild place. Behind the beaches of Alligator Point lie large salt marshes and tidal wetlands. Behind that, stretches the Appalachia National Forest. But the beaches are lined with beach houses that the Americans use in the summer and rent to Canadians in the winter. Barb and I were in one a few weeks ago with our traveling friends, Ann and Mark.

Lots here could bite you besides ticks. We visited friends last year and, one morning, found bear paw prints on our car. During this trip, we kayaked the Wakulla River with the gators and manatees. But all that bit us were a few ticks. Good thing Mark brought his fancy, plastic tick pliers.

People here survive on commercial fishing, worm gruntin’, tourism and food stamps. The two closest towns, Panacea and Sopchoppy, are in overgrown dilapidation. Oyster shells are used for driveways. The grocery store in Sopchoppy advertises “We Do Deer Processing,” and the mayor says her long-term goal is to attract a laundromat. But people are friendly, with an old-fashioned “yes sir” and “yes ma’am” Southern courtesy.

Highway workers wave when we drive by.

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Gittin’ bit by the Redneck Riviera How to connect with the locals through country music

We were driving in the country one afternoon when the “Raw Oysters And Beer” sign drew us into Ouzts’, a small biker bar with low ceilings and a rattlesnake skin on the wall. At the far end were a couple “good ol’ boys,” with long, grey beards and hair to match. The friendly, pierced waitress called us “honey,” and we drank our beer straight from the bottle. We decided to return a couple days later for “pickin’ and grinnin’ night.”

The music was played outside on a low stage. Three picnic tables were more than enough to hold the audience. In front of us sat a heavy man with industrial-sized suspenders and a black tent of a tee shirt with a skull and cross bones on it, a fish in the skull’s mouth. Grey bristles covered his chin and throat. His name, we

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learned later, was Big Bill.

The guitarists did some quiet country tunes.

Then, a rough galoot in a ball cap ambled onto the stage. We were amazed when he started to sing. DJ had a polished, rich, country voice but could also sing the plaintive, hurtin’ songs with great vocal control and emotion. A true delight, and all for the cost of a few beers.

Eventually, DJ asked for requests, and I suggested “Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother.” He grinned, said he hadn’t played that one in 20 years, and then did it. Then, without stopping, he slid into “London Homesick Blues,” another old Jerry Jeff Walker hit. When the Canadians sang along to both songs, Big Bill was mighty impressed. “Whur yuh awl frum?” he said. “I thut I knew awl the songs, but not those.”

So maybe we are rednecks. I hope so. And yes, we got tick bit. But mostly, we were bit with a big affection for the place, ‘cause we sure have an itch to return next year.

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[Top] Observing a gator on the Wakulla River.

[Middle] Road signs on the Redneck Riviera.

“

by Duncan Watterworth

[Bottom] Barb Watterworth kayaking on the Wakulla River in Florida’s Forgotten Coast.

(Photos by Duncan Watterworth)

“

Good thing Mark brought his fancy, plastic tick pliers

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

April, 2012

Grand Opening OF THE

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Saturday April 14 12:00 - 4:00pm 102 Southgate Parkway o u t a b a ll o t l l i F for your chance to win a 47

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April, 2012

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Survey work has begun and site work will be starting soon.

Visit 8 Osprey Lane to reserve your lot in ‘Tanager Place’ located at the end of Hickory Lane in Lake Margaret Estates.

For more information on Tanager Place, contact Michelle Milles at 519-637-8266

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April, 2012