October 2013 by Elgin This Month

• Stephanie Farrow Financial Planning for busy people Page 7

• Bryan Vine Greater wallet share Page 17 • Special Feature Be ready for winter Pages 18-23 October, 2013

ELGIN THIS MONTH

Steve Peters chairs The Chair Affair Cover story: Page 3 1

St. thomaS Elgin gEnEral hoSpital Foundation prESEntS...

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Full display of Chairs and public Silent auction locations: Hospital Atrium: october 15-18

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For information, please contact the Foundation Office at 519-631-2030, ext. 2246 or visit www.steghfoundation.ca/sub-chair-affair October, 2013

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 2

Well known politician chairs The Chair Affair Proceeds to new STEGH Mental Health Care Program

by Terry Carroll

Steve Peters is known for many things in St. budgets, rescoping, whatever.” With that background, Steve understands not Thomas / Elgin – his provincial service as MPP, Cabinet Minister and Speaker of the Legislative only the closeness of the community to the hosAssembly; his years as alderman and mayor of St. pital but also its economic importance for St. Thomas; his love of history; his community ser- Thomas and Elgin. “I came to understand how vice; even his early days as “bag boy at the A&P” important it is to our community on a number of back in the day. What is less widely known is different fronts, and it was natural to get involved that after he left politics in 2011, he attended the to support the hospital,” he says. The fact that funds raised from the event go to World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason Mental Health only strengthened Steve’s resolve City, Iowa. to help. He understands the On October 26, he is putting long-term role that psychiatric his auctioneering skills together ...it’s always services have played in this comwith his community commitment munity. “We’ve long recognized (and maybe just a little politibeen part of this care that was very hospitalcal savvy) to auction off specially my life... based at one time. Good jobs decorated and painted chairs at a came into the community, you gala event called The Chair Affair. grew up with it ... At one time, It’s a major fundraiser for the St. there were 2,000 patients at the Thomas Elgin Hospital (STEGH) Foundation, and Steve has agreed to act as honou- Psychiatric Hospital.” While serving on the STEGH Board, Steve had rary chair as well as auctioneer. Specifically, funds from the event will be dedicated to the new Men- contact with, and awareness of, mental health staff and issues. When he was elected to provincial partal Health unit at the hospital. That 15-bed unit is opening in January, 2014. liament, he was regularly in contact with mental The hospital will be serving inpatients requiring health issues and funding, including the closing hospitalization for up to two weeks, and provid- of the Regional Mental Health Centre, the opening of the Forensics centre and the transition to ing space for outpatient programs and services. the STEGH Mental Health Care Pro“It’s a privilege to participate in this year’s gram. Chair Affair – a new signature event for “Mental health is part of the health the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital care system,” he says. Foundation,” Steve says. “I was born in Now, a clarification. The new this hospital. My sister and my brother STEGH Mental Health program is were born there. I can’t tell you how not connected with the new many times I was there as a kid Southwest Centre for Fobecause I was banged up or rensic Mental Health needed stitches. It’s alCare on Sunset. That ways been part of my Forensic centre is tied to life.” the Criminal Justice system. As mayor of the City In contrast, the new Mental of St. Thomas, Steve sat on the Health programs and services Hospital Board for over seven (and, in a sense, the beds) at years, where he participated on STEGH are community-based the governance side. When he and migrating to STEGH from was elected as MPP in 1999, he the former Regional Mental was actively “dealing with the Health Centre on Sunset. hospital, whether that was cuts to Elgin This Month General Manager Terry Carroll Section Editor Business Beat – Bob Hammersley Regional Sales Manager Nelson Parreira

This new Mental Health Care Program at STEGH “involves both assessment and crisis intervention as needed for adults 18 and over,” says STEGH People Resources Specialist Susan Gordon. It helps mentally ill people whether they need inpatient or Honorary Chair emergency psychiatric Steve Peters services, or can better be assisted through liaison with organizations such as Canadian Mental Health Association. This year’s Chair Affair will not only support patient care but will also celebrate the artistic expression of people from across the County who have donated their time and talents to help their community hospital. Proceeds from this year’s Chair Affair will go to providing ‘comfort’ items that will make someone’s experience, or stay, with the new Mental Health Care Program safe and dignified. Local businesses are event sponsors and/or have entered the myFM 94.1 Muskoka Chair Corporate Challenge. Individuals including area artists – many of whom represent organizations such as the Port Stanley Artists Guild, the St. Thomas Elgin Artists Guild, the Association of Port Stanley Artists, the Portside Gallery of Port Stanley, and the Art Emporium of Port Stanley – are donating their time and talents to create one-of-a-kind chairs. On Saturday, October 26, a public silent auction of both individual chairs and Muskoka chairs will be held at the CASO Station throughout the day. Steve Peters will be auctioning off up to ten chairs in the evening. “This is going to be a great event, and I hope you will join us,” Steve says. For additional information, please contact the Foundation Office at 519-631-2030, ext. 2727, or visit steghfoundation.ca. Cover photo: Steve Peters, photographed by Philip Bell, Shutter Studios.

Graphic Design / Production Metroland Media Group Sales Representative Greg Minnema Sales Representative Michelle Lucy

Elgin This Month is a monthly magazine focusing on business and lifestyle issues and includes Business Beat, the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce newsletter. The publication is available for pickup at no charge at news stands and other locations around Elgin County, as well as distribution to businesses and selected households.

Published monthly by Metroland Media Group Ltd., 15 St. Catharine Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P 2V7 519-633-1640 www.theweeklynews.ca/etm October, 2013

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 3

INNES AS I SEE IT

Suspicion and mistrust come easily Let’s balance healthy skepticism with basic trust by Jim Innes There is always someone, somewhere criti- ried by my own cynicism. I am becoming increascizing ‘power and money’ as disabling us ingly cynical of these conspiracy reports. I want, from getting our due. As often as these con- for example, to believe that a safe, non intrusive, tain some kernel of truth, just as often they natural cure for cancer would find its way into the wrongly place us on alert and breed mistrust market place. And as unpopular as this sounds, in our political leaders and economic power I opt to believe that we elect good people who brokers. This in turn increases our anxiety will protect our interests from any such abuses of and feeds our suspicions. The worst of these ‘power and money.’ I don’t underestimate the public impact of ‘powconspiracy stories provokes deep unrest and contempt for all authority. We find our- er and money.’ I don’t doubt lies have been told selves challenging rule and power at every and mistakes covered up. Unfortunately, there are far too many conspiracy stories. We come to mislevel, whether with valid excuse or not. Saying that … let me share an intriguing trust everyone’s intention (including our own). And with reckless doubt consciously choose to destory I recently heard. It was 1978 in Bracebridge Ontario. stroy the bonds that would otherwise sustain us. I grew up with innate blue collar skepticism. My Smoke billowed out of a heated 55 gallon drum behind the home of Rene Cassie. The father, a union leader, was no one’s fool. It’s good fire was started by the Canadian Ministry for us all to keep those with power and money of Health and Welfare. The burning pa- mindful of their choices. However, contempt pers were 40 years of clinical data collected can leech into any watchdog system with silent inaccuracy. Bitterness from ignorant by Cassie; records folk (with little to lose) can destroy on the many paa healthy coalition. Unbridled cynitients she cured of “unbridled cynicism is cism is dangerous. cancer using a non dangerous” Whether a big conspiracy exists or toxic herbal remedy not, we will most likely never really known as Essiac, a know with any certainty. What we successful medicine that the authorities wanted few to know can be certain about is the vulnerability and honesty we bring into our own small worlds. It is hard about. This story comes out of a book written work to turn doubt (of the other) into empathy, in 1988 by Dr Gary Glum called “Calling and fear (of the other) into openness. Yet as difof an Angel.” In an interview about that ficult as this is, we create the world we live in one self published book, Glum states that this relationship at a time. Be much more effective, Managing a healthy skepticism withhealthy a basic trust highly effective, natural, and non intrusive and happy in all aspects “cure” (Essiac) has been proven effective in the goodness of others is a balancing act. May side of gullibility. As I see it, when by laboratories in Canada and the United we error on theof your daily life. are shut counseling in self protection, and States. He argues that it didn’t gain shelf life our heartsSuccessful and therapy is we spin and anxious reservation, wefrom canthe invaribecause it was suppressed by the self serving prejudice a collaborative process that benefits very thing fear. needs of the “power and money” who ben- ably create activethe participation of we clients and therapist. efit from cancer being “the second largest You do have options revenue producing business in the world.” Jim Jim Innes is Innes a clinically The person who passed this story along to Counselling trained therapist and me lost a partner to cancer and the story A clinically trained and a priest at St. John’s fuels a bitter grief at the health system. experienced Individual Anglican Church I am not blind to deceit, but I am wea& Couples Therapist Offices in London and St. Thomas

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ELGIN THIS MONTH

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY Business Resources

Looking for business grants? It’s not exactly a slam dunk, but there is assistance

by Ronda Stewart, Small Business Enterprise Centre Manager at Elgin Business Resource Centre

When considering a new business venture, Business Enterprise Centres and Research Innomany entrepreneurs begin with a false impression vation Centres. These organizations are entrusted that there is a surplus of free government dollars with government resources and equipped with available to fund their initiative, if only they can the mandate to serve clients seeking current busijust find the hidden key. Unsure of where to turn, ness information and resources, planning and deentrepreneurs typically attempt online research velopment assistance, and in some cases guidance during the open pockets of time in their day. It through financing a business’s needs. is understandable, with all of the information to Additional good news is that, from time-tosift through on the internet, how this research of- time, government initiatives will create financten confirms an entrepreneur’s notion that there ing opportunities geared to help existing entreare business grants available. The preneurs expand business truth is there really are very few operations. Typically, these grants available to start up a forentrepreneurs have been in profit company. for at least three “there really are very business The good news is our Federal, years and have demonstrated few grants available Provincial and Municipal govfinancial statements. Finding ernments have supports in place to start up a for-profit these programs may be diffito assist entrepreneurs through cult but connecting with local company” business start-up, maintenance, economic and business deexpansion and succession. Many velopment organizations can of the start-up supports such as the Self Employ- provide valuable resources and dialogue in determent Benefits program, Summer Company pro- mining financing eligibility. From my experience, gram, and Industry Canada’s Access to Capital in entrepreneurs are overwhelmed at the process of rural Canada through the Community Futures sourcing available funding opportunities, deterprogram, can be accessed through experienced mining eligibility and then applying for a finanindustry and business professionals employed by cial assistance program. Here are some steps to local non-profit organizations such as Commu- take before applying for funding: nity Futures Development Corporations, Small

1) Connect with a Business Advisor for guidance. 2) Begin trusted online research at the Government of Canada website www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/ 3) Identify potential funding initiatives to explore. 4) Research the funding initiative’s mandate and ensure proposed project scope aligns. 5) Prepare in writing current business information- include details such as business name, contact information, business type, industry sector, years in business, number of employees. 6) Prepare in writing business goals and objectives for which new financing will achieve- include details such as anticipated project start date, total project costs, amount of funding requested, timeframe need for funding, scope of project, number of new employees, expected increase in productivity or revenues, other investors or funders collaborating, location and demographic of target markets, expected return on investment for all invested parties, etc. 7) Prepare all details in a written business plan with financial projections. 8) Re-connect with a Business Advisor and review the written concept together.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 5

Business & Community Business Resources

Satellite offices serve Elgin County residents Elgin Business Resource Centre partners with Elgin County

by Katherine Thompson

an additional three years and a second office was opened in Dutton in April 2013 to serve the western portion of Elgin County. The two EBRC satellite offices encourage entrepreneurship and economic growth through access to loans, business services and project support. These offices also host workshops and seminars, provide guidance in relation to business registration and regulations and provide the community with The Grand Opening of the EBRC satellite office in Dutton in valuable April 2013. networkJob Costing is a Vital Part of Your Business ing oppordertake programs and initiatives to support and With Our Job Costing template, we can: tunities. cultivate local business development and entreThere is a strong de- preneurship. By supporting the development of • Track costs involved with each job mand for the services these two EBRC satellite offices, the County en• Make sure all costs are invoiced to the customer that the EBRC provides sures that new and existing business in Elgin have • Produce reports showing details of cost and revenue by each job for Elgin County resi- greater access to support services to help them We can help you Target Success!! dents. It is of particu- grow and thrive. Call Gail Dennis today lar importance in these Since its opening in March of 2012, the Aylmer 226-236-2321 or 519-913-3288 challenging economic office of the EBRC has become a vital part of the times that the County of eastern Elgin County community. The office has Elgin continues to unfielded 501 inquiries, helped to start 25 businesses and has assisted in the creation of 70 new jobs in Elgin County. The Dutton office opened in April “there is a strong 2013 and has already had 266 inquiries, Prosperity coach for Your Business and You demand for the services” helped to start 5 businesses and created www.accountingwithyou.com • gdennis.awy2011@gmail.com 8 jobs. Those looking to open a new business, formulate a business plan, or expand an existing business can cona Dynamic and inspirational tact the Aylmer or Dutton offices toll free at 1-877Customer Experience Leader 450-2128 or visit in person at 516 John St. S in Aylmer and 99 Currie Rd. in Dutton. Both offices are open October 18th, 2013 Monday to Thursday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm and Fridays 10:00 am - 2:30 pm from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. For more information The Arts & Cookery Bank about the EBRC and their programs visit: 242 Graham Road, West Lorne elginbusinessresourcecentre.com.

In 2012, the County of Elgin partnered with the Elgin Business Resource Centre (EBRC) to open a satellite office of the EBRC within Elgin County. The office was initially opened as a oneyear pilot project, fully funded by the County of Elgin and located in the Elgin Innovation Centre in the Town of Aylmer. The goal of the project was to provide business support services to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the eastern portion of Elgin County resulting in the creation of jobs and new businesses. After a year in operation, the project was considered such a success that it was renewed for

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Business & Community Managing Money

Going on autopilot for a while isn’t a bad back up plan

by Stephanie Farrow

Recently I read an article in the Harvard Business Review titled “Stop complaining about how busy you are.” The article went on to discuss how we’re all busy and no one needs to hear about it. The discussion board received comments about people needing to be better time managed, efficient, or learn to take on fewer commitments, while others argued that if you weren’t busy you weren’t successful, almost lazy in fact. When I read something like this, I think about how indeed we are all so busy with our work, family, spouses, children, friends, volunteering, etc. and how our busy-ness is central to how we live our lives. It seems that many of us, especially those with growing kids, are in a similar boat. I get thinking about all of the things in our world that we are advised or feel pressured to do. Things we ‘should’ do to be a good business person, parent, friend, and to take care of our health, our finances, our homes, etc. It’s a bit overwhelming. The ‘to-do’ messages scream for our attention from every walk of life: you ‘should’ get exercise every day, you ‘should’ have your annual physical , you ‘should’ get your teeth cleaned at the dentist every 6 months, you ’should’ read with your kids for 20 minutes each night, you ‘should’ visit your relatives, you ’should’ volunteer in your community, you ‘should’ chaperone your child’s field trip, you ‘should’ throw fun birthday parties, you ‘should’ keep your house clean and tidy, you ‘should’ put in extra hours at work to build your business or climb the ladder, you ‘should’ participate in charitable events, you ‘should’ spend time to prepare and include fresh fruits and veggies rather than packaged food in your kids lunches, you ‘should’ keep your landscaping and lawn looking respectable, you ‘should’ coach your kids sports team … Are you exhausted yet? No wonder we talk about how busy we are! And yet another ... you should review your financial plan once a year. Right. I understand. I can’t tell you how many people we have seen over the years in the same situation who were literally swept away with the busy-ness of life as the years flew by. Their stories go something like this: “Well, we

were going to save before we had the kids but with something up with a long-term buy and hold plan in the new house we never got around to it. Then we mind, and let it accumulate while you focus on the hoped to set up an education plan but I guess we got rest of your life day to day. You’ll be in a better positoo busy. We meant to contribute to an RSP, but the tion when you get around to revisiting it. deadline came and went and we would vow to do it It’s amazing how fast these middle years actually the next year. Now here we are with teenagers think- go by, so as a back-up plan to a busy life, I would ing about university and we haven’t thought about rather be on autopilot for a while than still be at the retirement. I don’t know how we let it get this far.” starting line. If you are amidst the busy-ness of life right now reading this here is my advice to you. If you take Stephanie Farrow, B.A., C.F.P., is a some time right now (and I understand it might take Certified Financial Planner and a lot of juggling to get it into your schedule) and get co-owner of Farrow Financial a regular savings plan started, you build yourself the Services Inc., in Belmont ability to go a little bit on ‘auto-pilot’ in the event that you don’t get around to review as often as you like. It is better to set up a long term savings plan right out of your account and let it do the work for you until you can re-visit it. Here is another version of the same story: “Well, we started the $100/month RSP years ago when we were married, and then added $50/month into the kids RESP’s but we haven’t Looking to Update Your really done much since. I don’t know where the I.T. System, But the time went and I’m afraid Budget isn’t there? we’re going to be behind.” While not ideal, I can guarantee you these people are in a much betWe will assess your ter position than their Business needs, work with counterparts. Let me be you to ensure you meet clear – I don’t think it is your technological objectives ever good to neglect your and keep your business running successfully and up financial plan; however, to date while not impacting in reality I know that your cash flow. We provide people don’t get to it as financial services to assist in often as they would like; these objectives. therefore it is better to set

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 7

Lifestyles Elgin Arts Trail

St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre A hub for regional creativity

by Katherine Thompson

Located in historic downtown St. Thomas, the St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre (STEPAC) is the centerpiece of Elgin County’s visual arts community and a founding partner of the Elgin Arts Trail. Established in 1969, it is committed to promoting visual arts throughout the region and beyond by preserving an extensive permanent collection, providing leadership and direction for the local visual arts community, hosting 16 unique exhibitions annually and offering educational programs for both The Elgin Arts Trail is a program adults with a goal to promote and enhance and chilarts tourism in Elgin County and St. dren. Thomas. The trail is a route through The Art Elgin County that visits some of the Centre’s best galleries, studios and artisans in Ti m k e n Elgin and St. Thomas. For full trail Gallery information visit www.elginartstrail. houses ca or find us on Facebook selections

from its sizeable permanent collection, made up of approximately 1,100 artworks St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre executive director Laura Woermke from local, regional and international artists. The collecAuction in November provides tion is comprised of unique and art lovers with an opportunity dynamic pieces in a variety of to purchase original Canadian media including: oil paintings, artworks contributed by presti“it is committed to prints, sculpture and water cogious galleries and artists from lours. There is a particular focus promoting visual arts” across Southwestern Ontario. on contemporary and historical The Art Centre seeks to enrich Canadian art, and on artists asthe human creative spirit and sociated with St. Thomas and Elgin County. nurture and support the visual arts in Elgin and The historical component of the collection con- St. Thomas. Art lovers of all types will be captivatsists of approximately 400 works by local artists ed by this vibrant expression of the area’s cultural from the 19th and 20th century, with content and historical identity. that showcases the area’s rich history. Several maVisit www.stepac.ca or www.elginartstrail.ca to jor gifts of artwork have been made to the col- learn more about this inspiring location. lection, including works from celebrated local art legend Clark McDougall. Katherine Thompson is With its open concept, inviting atmosphere, Marketing & Communications and changing exhibitions, the Art Centre is Coordinator with the perfect venue for a variety of special events The County of Elgin throughout the year, including performances by talented local musicians. The annual Fall Art

Business Update

Partnership brings Growth Coach services to Synergy Golf Solutions clients The Growth Coach and Synergy Golf Solutions have partnered to provide business and sales coaching services to the golf course industry in Canada. Growth Coach of South-Western Ontario owner Bryan Vine (also an Elgin This Month columnist) and Synergy Golf Solutions owner Dave Cowan have both been in the golf business in leadership roles for more than 30 years. When Vine purchased his Growth Coach Franchise four years ago, the two saw a client service opportunity. “Back then, the timing wasn’t quite right, but we recently regrouped and agreed that this was

the perfect opportunity to grow both our businesses through this shared coaching service,” Bryan said. “This relationship will allow me to take The Growth Coach concept to Canada’s golf industry through Synergy’s client relationships and focused services.” The Growth Coach offers business and sales coaching focused on building business success while finding personal balance. Synergy Golf Solutions uses full service management, marketing and sales solutions to help golf courses utilize tools such as websites, digital applications and data collection among other solutions to be more profitable and successful.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 8

Visit our new location at 632 Talbot St. St. Thomas

• October 2013 •

Wednesday Oct. 23 4-7 p.m. St. Anne’s Centre Small Business Sample Show

When Reith & Associates Insurance and Financial Services decided to co-sponsor the Chamber’s first ‘mobile’ Business After 5 event on September 25, they added a first of their own. Dan Reith, left, is shown with his brother Darren and artist Laura Woermke displaying one of 200 prints depicting the new L&PS train station in St. Thomas. The copies of Laura’s original painting were reproduced, signed and numbered by her and presented as commemorative gifts to the Chamber’s guests on our unique railroad excursion with Port Stanley Terminal Rail.

October Business After 5 PLUS an open invitation to the entire community to attend

National Small Business Week October 20 – 26 Business Sample Show returns Wed. Oct. 23 The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is marking Small Business Week this year through two community events: Our annual Business Sample Show and myFM’s Spirit Awards (see Business Beat page 11 for Spirit Awards details). The Chamber's annual table-top business expo, our Business Sample Show, returns to St. Anne's Centre on Wednesday October 23 and does double-duty as our October Business After 5 with our usual invitation to all Members to attend PLUS an open invitation to the entire community.

Business Beat Table of Contents Boomers and your biz.Page 10 Chamber strength ..... Page 11 Legal Business .......... Page 12 Standards blitz .......... Page 13 Pro Text ..................... Page 14 Road map to H & S.... Page 15 New Members........... Page 16

October, 2013

The Business Sample Show is both a business-to-business event and a consumer-to-business function. Admission is free and open to everyone. As a new feature this year, everyone attending will be issued a passport. Getting it stamped in the 10 passport stations at various displays around the show earns the holder a chance at winning $500 cash. We’re also adding a bonus for all exhibitors with a "Best Exhibit" contest and awarding a $1,000 myFM radio advertising gift certificate to the winner! Judging will be completed by myFM 94.1 marketing & manage-

ment staff and based on overall exhibit appearance plus booth staff enthusiasm and interaction with attendees. Attending is easy! Just be there. Open-to-the-public show hours are 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. St. Anne’s Centre is at 20 Morrison Drive in the southeast section of St. Thomas, adjacent to St. Anne’s Church. For exhibitor information or other enquiries prior to the show, call Member Services Representative Jeff Sheridan at the Chamber office at 519-6311981 Extension 526 or email jeff@ stthomaschamber.on.ca

Take part in our November feature “Farm Business Report” To take advantage of excellent advertising opportunities give me a call at 519-633-1640 (ext. 22) Greg Minnema, Advertising Sales

or email me at gregthismonth@theweeklynews.ca November Edition Advertising Deadline is October 15th

ELGIN THIS MONTH

Viewpoint Events and News of Interest to our Members

Boomers and your business

How Canada’s aging population could hurt businesses – and help them We all know Canada’s population is aging. But Statistics Canada projects. Twenty years ago, nearhow will changing demographics affect your busi- ly two people entered the labour force for every ness? person nearing retirement. Today, the ratio is one First, the good news. Aging consumers have dif- to one, and it is expected to drop further. Data ferent buying habits, so that means opportunities collected by the St. Thomas & District Chamber if you’re creative. The bad news is that as baby of Commerce suggests that as soon next year – boomers retire, many businesses will face labour 2014 – the shift in the London/St. Thomas region shortages because not enough could become very visible. younger workers will be around Happily, Cléroux says, to take their place. entrepreneurs can take “the retired Either way, businesses that don’t steps to adapt—and even guys … adapt to the reality of the aging find opportunities by population could face severe chalreviewing how to adapt bring a lifetime lenges and are going to miss opproducts and services to of skill” portunities, says Pierre Cléroux, an older consumer’s needs. Chief Economist at the Business “Every sector of the Development Bank of Canada economy is going to be (BDC). impacted,” Cléroux says. The impacts are already being felt in some sec- To deal with the coming labour crunch, you can tors and regions where businesses are struggling to start by creating more accommodating workplacfind younger employees to replace retiring boom- es to entice aging employees to put off retirement, ers. “If we don’t manage our labour force accord- he suggests. Older workers often can’t or don’t ing to the new trends, it’s going to be difficult for want to work full-time. Flexible hours, part-time businesses to be successful,” Cléroux says. jobs and temporary work are ways to keep them Retain older employees on board. Some companies also deliberately reIn the next 20 years, the median age of Canadi- cruit seniors to fill labour gaps. ans is expected to rise to 45, up from 26 in 1991, “Older workers usually have a great work ethic and experience,” Cléroux says. Businesses will need to keep their people working for them longer. The perception is that at 65 people are done. That perception will have to change. Les MacIntyre is a firm believer in retaining older employees to make up for a shortage of younger workers at his company, Superport Marine Services. He has no mandatory retirement age and offers re-

tirees flexible, part-time and temporary jobs. He also pairs them with younger workers to pass on skills. “Those guys pick up a wealth of expertise. The retired guys have the patience to pass on that knowledge. They bring a lifetime of skill,” he says. MacIntyre also works hard to foster a positive workplace culture so retirees are eager to come back. “I try to instill a stimulating and satisfying workplace so they enjoy working here, and I have a high retention rate.” The Chamber suggests that another dimension and solution to the problem might evolve from employers looking at unemployed and underemployed youth. Many want full-time work but have limited success in landing even part-time employment. Skills sharing, on-job training and flexible practices in hiring are worth considering. Immigrants are key Another workplace solution is immigration, which has always been important in addressing labour shortages in Canada, Cléroux says. That role will grow: 20 years from now, 32% of the labour force will have been born outside Canada, versus 21% today. Canadian entrepreneurs will need to be more welcoming to foreign-born workers. “Businesses will have to be more flexible in accepting people trained, educated and born outside Canada.” Creative changes will be needed to remain competitive. We can no longer do the same things as in the past. The structure of the last 40 years is going to have to change. But if we do things correctly, we should be able to retain Canada’s competitive position.

This article has been assembled by the Chamber with input from the Business Development Bank of Canada as part of our work to celebrate and acknowledge National Small Business Week, October 20 – 26.

www.chambers.ca October, 2013

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 10

Chamber News Events and News of Interest to our Members

Showing = Boosting

Spirit awards return

inches (28 mm) square, these kits Consumer research completed are ideal for any business wishing last year by the Schapiro Group to post their hours of operation at for the American Chamber of entrances. The signs are cling vinyl Commerce Executives confirms with white lettering against a border the strength of the Chamber in of the Chamber’s trademark emerald aiding the success of the busigreen logo colour. nesses that are Members. ShowRegistered Member Window Deing your connection boosts your cal – these are 3-inch (8mm) circles made reputation and business opportunities. The latest findings amplify those found of cling vinyl and suitable for display on in a previous measurement in 2007. Both doors, windows and vehicles. The Chamber is pleased to join dozens of local organizaRegistered Member logo art – the artwork surveys confirm that businesses benefit in tions to co-sponsor delivery and presentation of the 2nd big ways when consumers, buyers and even used to create our window decals can be annual Spirit of St. Thomas “Fast 50 Awards,” organized prospective employees know that a busi- sized for use on printed materials such as by myFM 94.1 Radio and Coad Plumbing, Heating & Air. ness is registered with the Chamber. The business stationery or in ads. Also ideal The Awards are to be presented during National Small key results are that (1) 80% of consumers for on-line placement on your website, in Business Week on Friday October 25 at St. Anne’s Censee businesses in an extremely positive way email signatures, etc. tre. Admission is free and open to anyone 19 years or over. Member Plaque – 7” (15mm) x 5” when they know the business is connected 50 awards in fifty categories that are all about community to the Chamber; and (2) for retail and ser- (12mm), brushed aluminum. Great to spirit. Everything from the best in business to the best in vice businesses, knowing that a business has hang on your office wall, in a reception hair styles and community services. It’s an amazing showbeen accepted by the Chamber boosts the area, etc. case that, in total, casts a great reflection on the wide range To get any of the above items, please conchances of a customer that has never done of people, programs, services, businesses and activities in St. business with the company before by 68%. tact Member Services Representative Jeff Thomas & Elgin County. The survey data is the reason behind the Sheridan at the Chamber office by calling It’s the ultimate in “People’s Choice” awards with voting Chamber adding two new membership 519-631-1981 Extension 526 or email: open to anyone and choices to be made from hundreds of identification tools to our inventory so we jeff@stthomaschamber.on.ca nominations submitted by the public earlier in Septemcan offer all Member. Voting is open now to October 14 at this web site: bers multiple ways http://www.stthomastoday.ca/?pid=703905 to publicly display As the web site says, vote early and vote often! their connection to the Chamber. All Members have four options to choose from and all are offered by the Chamber at no charge, but on the condition that the items remain Kee, Perry & Lassam offers a the property of the Chamber and must full range of public accounting be returned in the services. Our chartered event the memberChamber Board of Directors Chair John Regan displays accountants and staff have the ship registration is two new marketing/identification products the Chamber experience, training and skills to terminated for any has created to assist Members – a brushed aluminum reason. membership identification plaque and a window decal. deal with your business needs. Business Hours Sign These two items are among four products the Chamber Kits - Measuring 11 now makes available to all Members. • Accounting • Cash Flow Preparation • Auditing • Management Consulting Don’t get weather • Business Plans • Small Business Services bound this winter. • Tax Services • Bookkeeping Services

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 11

Legal Business Events and News of Interest to our Members

Bridging the gap Lawyers who have practised in the field of real estate law for any significant period of time have come to know what the home buyer really wants from his/her real estate lawyer: the keys to their new house. Title problems, issues of zoning or building restrictions all take a back seat to the desire to move into the new home as soon as possible on the closing date. If all preliminary work has been done in the transaction, the mortgage advance is available and the down payment is in the hands of the lawyer, this usually is not a problem-as long as the buyer does not have to sell another house first. Three scenarios come to mind. The first is one in which the buyers simply want possession as early as possible in order to facilitate their move. Such buyers often make requests for “early possession.” If I (or any other real estate lawyer I know) am representing either the buyer or seller and such a request is made, the answer is the same: no. Experienced real estate agents take the same approach. Going into possession of a property before you have paid for it (and received title to it) spells trouble. The second scenario is a very common one. On busy closing days (usually the first or last day of the month), sometimes the purchase of a home will be part of a chain of transactions. In other words, A is buying from B, who is in turn buy-

DON FERGUSON Real Estate • Corporate Law • Commercial Law • Wills and Estates •

ing from C, who is buying from D, and so on. In order to complete the last transaction, it is necessary for all the previous ones to close. The reason for this is simple: each buyer requires the equity for the house they have sold to provide the down payment for their purchase. Any break in the chain can postpone possession of their new house, and even if all goes well, the last link in the chain may receive his/her keys very late in the day. The third scenario is a lawyer’s nightmare. This one involves the sale of the buyers’ old house in (pick a place somewhere out of the area) and the transfer of the down payment funds from the lawyer acting on their sale to their local lawyer. Electronic registration

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up in a variety of ways. If the closing date of the sale is considerably later than the purchase, the “a bridge loan bank may require a “collateral” mortgage to be registered against the sale from the bank is property. The funds are then used to the solution” provide the down payment for the new house. The mortgage is paid out and discharged when the sale of the old house is completed. However, the most common method for the bank to secure of documents along with repayment of a bridge loan is to simply have the direct deposit and eleccustomer sign a direction to the lawyer acting on tronic transfer of funds their sale to pay off the loan when the sale closes. through the banking sysSet up costs and interest rates vary with institutem have made this protions and the customer’s relationship with them. cess considerably more A bridge loan provides an optimum of flexibility predictable. However, to a buyer in obtaining possession of their new possession of the new home and normally is well worth the cost. Movhome can take place very ing day is stressful enough without the prospect of late in the day indeed, if spending the night in a one star motel with your it occurs the same day at furniture still loaded on the truck. all. A common problem runs through all three scenarios: the fact that Lawyer Monty Fordham prepares this the availability of the monthly column for the St. Thomas & District down payment for the Chamber of Commerce and our Members. purchase is dependent Monty is also a volunteer upon the successful (and serving on the Chamber’s timely) closing of anBoard of Directors. Quesother, totally unrelated, tions, comments and suggestransaction. The answer tions for future columns are to the problem is relawelcomed by Monty at his tively simple if the buyoffice: Fordham & Brighters address the problem ling Associates - Lawyers, early. In all three cases, 4 Elgin Street, St. Thomas. Monty Fordham a “bridge loan” from Telephone 519-633-4000, the bank is the solution. FAX 519-633-1371 or These loans may be set e-mail: montyfordham@4elgin.ca

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Member News Events and News of Interest to our Members

Labour inspection blitz targets retailers

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce has been advised that, now to the end of December, the Ontario Ministry of Labour will conduct a province-wide employment standards blitz focusing on retail services. Examples of businesses that will be included in the blitz are: • Gas stations • Convenience stores • Grocery stores • Outlet stores • Stores located in shopping malls and strip malls These inspections will focus on employment standards related to public holidays, vacation pay, hours of work, overtime, and the posting of the mandatory "What You Should Know About the Employment Standards Act, 2000," poster. The poster can be found and downloaded at no charge at this government website: http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/tools/esworkbook/esaposter.php Although these are the focus, violations of other employment standards will be addressed if identified. The goal of these inspections is to ensure compliance with the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and its regulations, and to educate employers about their obligations. The following is a summary of some of the key employment standards issues that officers will focus on during the blitz: • Public Holidays • Vacation Pay • Mandatory Display of the Employment Standards poster • Hours of Work • Overtime For more information about inspections, please view the video, What to Expect During an Employment Standards Inspection . The video is available in multiple languages and may be viewed on line at: http://www.labour.gov. on.ca/english/gallery/es/v_whattoexpect_es.php

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Chamber Member Services Rep Jeff Sheridan shows the mandatory Employment Standards Act poster displayed in the Chamber office. It’s a requirement in Ontario workplaces to post it – and to be sure you’re displaying the current version. To ensure you have the correct poster, use the web site link that appears in this article. Workplace parties with questions about their employment standards rights and responsibilities can call the ministry's toll-free number and receive service in 23 languages at 1-800-531-5551.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 13

Pro Text Events and News of Interest to our Members

Hand-holding … NO! by Crystal Underhill

Maybe Rihanna had it right in the song “Shut lowed. up and Drive.” Or maybe we can change the title Driving requires your FULL attention! Many to “JUST DRIVE.” Distracted driving continues drivers today tend to view driving, especially in to be one of the leading causes of accidents in familiar environments as a simple everyday task. Ontario and across the country. In fact, studies Driving is actually a very complex task. At any suggest that the likelihood that they’ll be involved given time, the very least you are doing includes; in an accident is equal to that of someone with operation a heavy piece of machinery at high a .08 per cent blood alcohol level; the point at speed, navigating across changing terrain, calwhich drivers are generally considered intoxicat- culating speeds and distance and responding to ed. The top offender? Mobile phones, including other drivers, and monitoring sign signals and obthose with hands-free and speech-to-text systems. stacles around you. That is the very best case sceAccording to recent studies, 81% of cellphone nario and does not take into account heavy trafowners admit they talk on fic or weather, among the phones while driving, yet other things. virtually all of them consider Next comes the fi“distracted driving continues nancial costs involved themselves safe drivers. Statistics suggest otherwise. driving using a handto creep up as a cause for Ontario’s ban on hand-held held device. Ontario road fatalities” devices while driving took efdrivers caught using a fect on October 26, 2009. The hand-held device will law makes it illegal for drivers be issued a ticket in the to talk, text, type, dial or email using hand held amount of $155. If a driver challenges the ticket cell phones and other hand held communications in court, a judge has the discretion to adjust the and entertainment devices. The law also prohibits find anywhere in the range of $60 to $500. Other drivers from viewing display screens unrelated to forms of distracted driving can result in a charge the driving task, such as laptops or DVD players, of Careless Driving with fines ranging from $400 while driving. The use of hands-free devices is still to $2,000, a possible license suspension of up to permitted, and drivers may use hand-held devices two years and/or a jail term of not more than six to call 9-1-1. months. And that’s just a start. Convictions and 'Hands-free' use means that, apart from activat- suspension like these can also result in large ining or deactivating the device, it is not held dur- creases to your auto insurance premiums. ing use and the driver is not physically interacting At the end of summer 2013, stats from the Onwith or manipulating it. Actions such as dialing tario Provincial Police show that 47 of the 177 or scrolling through contacts, or manually pro- deaths on Ontario highways involved drivers who gramming a GPS device, for example, are not al- were distracted. And though there are distracteddriving laws in place in all provinces and territories except Nunavut, policy and car safety advocates say Canadian drivers are not getting the message when it come to being alert and focused behind the wheel. Despite

An Invitation – New Chamber Governance Committee

Beginning in January, the Chamber will add a Governance Committee to our existing list of standing committees and task groups. To be chaired by the Immediate Past Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, the Governance Committee needs volunteers from within our membership. It will consist of 5 to 7 members. Experience in human resources, legal work and/or operations and management of not-for-profit corporations is an asset for committee members. The Committee will report to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Term of appointment to the committee will initially be one year, and renewable subject to mutual satisfaction. The initial committee agenda will include reviews and updates of the Chamber’s By-Laws and Constitution under the provisions of the federal Boards of Trade Act; and reviews and updates of internal governance practices and policies. The Chamber welcomes expressions of interest from Members to assist us in this new process. For further details, contact Chamber President & CEO Bob Hammersley at the Chamber office; 519-631-1981 Extension 524 or email bob@stthomaschamber.on.ca October, 2013

the law being passed in 2009, distracted driving continues to creep up as a cause for road fatalities, from 19 percent in 2010 to 26 percent so far this year. Drivers who text message are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash. Drivers who talk on their cell phones are 4 times more likely to crash. It is up to us as citizens to ensure that these behaviours change. Most people would not get into a vehicle with an impaired driver yet they are at as much risk in the presence of distracted drivers. Now is the time that we need to make sure that distracted driving is as socially unacceptable as impaired driving. This column appears regularly in Business Beat and has been submitted by Crystal Underhill, RIB (ON), CIP, Account Manager & Team Leader with Reith and Associates Insurance and Financial Services, 462 Talbot Street, St. Thomas. Questions and comments on this column are welcomed by the writer at 519-631-3862 or via e-mail: info@ reithandassociates.com

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Viewpoint Events and News of Interest to our Members

Getting Started: Your roadmap to a Health & Safety program Occupational health and safety issues are grow- you’re in compliance. Very likely, you’ll discover ers, supervisors and workers, encompassing coming concerns for each and every business – and that you’re already doing many of the right things; pliance, reporting hazards, training, and more. on the radar of regulation and law enforcement perhaps all you need to do to be compliant is Make sure everyone embraces and acts on their various responsibilities. (Note that the OHSA reagencies at all levels, especially Ontario’s Ministry write them down. Step 2: Develop your health and safety policy quires businesses with more than five staff to have of Labour. a Health and Safety Representative.) The Ministry seems to be taking both a proac- statement Finally, assemble all the elements of your health Developing a policy statement is easy. Think tive and reactive approach this year. September 18, the Labour Minister and the province’s Chief about why health and safety is important to your and safety program into one easily accessible document: online, in a binder, or whatever format Prevention Officer issued an ‘Action Call’ to em- business as you answer these three questions: best suits your business. What is my health and safety promise? ployers noting that, since June of this year, there For more information, look for simple, easy-toHow will we do it? have been 9 lives lost in workplaces due to falls. use resources that will walk you through all four Who will do it? They are reacting by steeping-up inspections and Step 3: Put your health and safety program in steps, provided at no cost by our trusted health blitzing high-risk sectors of the market. They cite and safety advisor, Workplace Safety & Prevenaction 3 projects underway right now: Put the “right stuff” in mo- tion Services (WSPS), at www.wsps.ca. Search • A falls hazards blitz in the conon “small business.” Look for “Closing the Loop” tion to ensure compliance. struction sector started last month is being conducted to the end of “the video has recorded Post mandatory items on resources under Downloads. You can also stay your health and safety bul- informed with timely information about occupaOctober. over 7,000 views” letin board: for example, tional health and safety by connecting with WSPS • September saw conclusion of your policy statement; Min- on Twitter at twitter.com/wsps_news. a 60-day, province-wide enforceOne final note, look for local “Closing the ment initiative targeting hazards of sloped roof- istry of Labour posters summarizing the health ing at low-rise residential construction sites. This and safety rights and responsibilities of workers, Loop” Lunch-and-Learn events to be announced supervisors and employers; a copy of the OHSA; for delivery by the Chamber and WSPS later this initiative began August 1. month. Details will be posted as confirmed in the • Also underway this month is an after-hours pi- and more. Meet the requirements for first aid supplies, fire events section of the Chamber website. lot inspection project at construction sites across Ontario. This three-month initiative started in protection equipment, and personal protective equipment. July. To identify all potenLocally, statistics the Chamber sees indicate an average of 70 preventable deaths in Elgin County tial hazards, inspect every job, task and piece each year. Taking action to improve people’s lives is ac- of equipment in your tually something we’re good at. But we can do workplace, and review more. At the St. Thomas and District Chamber of hazards common to your Commerce, we promote a healthy and safe work industry. Put policies environment for the same reason we do it with and practices in place our family members: to foster well-being, achieve- to protect your workment, and prosperity. Our Safe Communities Co- ers. Hazards common NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY! alition, launched by the Chamber and the Elgin to most workplaces in– St. Thomas Public Health Unit in 2004, had a clude musculoskeletal 30 MINUTES OR LESS! very successful release of a video production called disorders; slips, trips and “The Disappearing” 4 months ago. Its intent was falls; contact with equipServicing All Makes and Models to showcase the grim fact that, as we age, we will ment or tools; hazardous all lose friends and people around us for reasons materials/chemicals; and Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm that are often unnecessary and preventable. To motor vehicles. Saturday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm Inform and train workdate, the video has recorded over 7,000 views. If

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you haven’t seen it yet, just search “St. Thomas Elgin Safe Communities Coalition” on YouTube. Complying with your legal responsibilities as outlined under Ontario’s Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA) is critical, and involves not only acting in a healthy and safe manner, but formalizing your program in writing. Whether you’re a new business looking for a way to start, or just want to verify that your existing program would pass muster in a Ministry of Labour inspection, you’ll find these four steps to an effective program straightforward, manageable and possible to implement in just minutes a day. Step 1: Start with a self-assessment Complete a confidential 30-question self-assessment to determine your current status. Your answers will help you find out what your key responsibilities are, how well you’re doing, and where you need to focus your efforts to ensure October, 2013

ers on your workplace hazards and related safe practices, and what to do in the event of an incident or emergency. This is especially important for new workers. Step 4: Make sure everyone understands their different roles Under the OHSA, workers and employers must work together to identify health and safety problems and develop solutions. This concept of “internal responsibility” assigns specific roles to employ-

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 15

Member News Events and News of Interest to our Members New Members The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize and welcome the following businesses and individuals as our newest Members. Those named below are our latest additions, to September 15, 2013. Once a business or organization is registered as a Member, all personnel (management/owners/staff) within it have access to all Chamber programs, projects and services and are welcome to participate in all Chamber events. Devcor Developments Inc. Head Office: 2556 Meadowpine Blvd., Mississauga, ON L5N 6P9 Local: 877 Talbot Street St. Thomas, ON N5P 1E5 Phone: 905- 814-8030 Mobile: 416-985-4359 Email: lauras@obsidiangroupinc.com Web: www.devcordevelopments.com Contact: Laura Spizzirri, Leasing Manager

Buyers Guide Categories: Commercial Space; Developers Products & Services: Devcor Developments Inc. is a diversified real estate holdings and development company based in Mississauga with holdings in St. Thomas. Devcor has been actively involved in commercial property development across Southwestern Ontario for over 15 years. Distinguished by innovative thinking, Devcor strives to exceed market expectations while delivering the dream behind each building. Every building they have crafted is testimony to their dedication and commitment to excellence. Devcor invites expressions of interest on property at 877 Talbot Street in St. Thomas, or on any of multiple listings that can be seen on their website. Farmtown Canada's Funny Farm 46703 Mapleton Line Aylmer, ON N5H 2R6 Phone: 519-773-2292 Mobile: 519-870-2292 Email: info@farmtowncanada.ca Web: www.farmtowncanada.ca

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Contact: Kelly Franklin, Executive Director Buyers Guide Category: Agencies & Associations Products & Services: The Funny Farm was founded by the Franklin Family, responding to local community needs. They believe in providing quality Christian experiences for school aged children, who otherwise may not have had the chance to visit a farm or participate in extra-curricular life learning, and have adopted a motto that reads “Harvesting healthy kids, families and communities.” Creative rural experiences and interaction with animals empower children to explore, grow and learn. In 2005, with their Board of Directors help, the Farm became a registered children's charity with the Canada Revenue Agency. They haven't looked back since and continue to grow their programs. Farmtown and the Funny Farm encourage you to invest in children, animals and families by supporting their charity. Contact Kelly Franklin for more information regarding programs, services and charitable contributions. Dr. Marr Pain Relief Clinic 24 Hincks Street St. Thomas, ON N5R 3N6 Phone: 519- 637-8429 Email: dr.marr@live.ca Contact: Dr. Danielle Marr, Owner Buyers Guide Categories: Chiropractic Services, Acupuncture Clinics, Massage Therapy, Orthotics Products & Services: The Dr. Marr Pain Relief Clinic is currently working with athletes & sports teams to help patients through a wide range of acute and chronic sporting injuries. Although Dr. Marr has worked with athletes of all levels, she finds it equally, if not more rewarding, to help those who consistently experiencing chronic pain to make the simple activities of daily living that much more comfortable. Above all, her number one priority is to help each patient reach personal goals related to their health and will not hesitate to refer you to the right health care professional that can best accommodate your needs. continued on page 17..

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 16

Business & Community Leadership

Greater wallet share

by Brian Vine

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/customer can achieve better results and more satisfaction, educate them on buying a higher-end product/service. You will increase your profits and their fulfillment. • Cross-sell. If you have multiple product lines or service lines, communicate to your customers/clients the full spectrum of your services, products, and expertise. Banks, for example, cross-sell their chequing customers on investments, mortgages, lines of credit, credit cards, etc. • Bundle better. If a customer is going to buy a gas grill, for example, offer a complete package of cooking utensils, mesquite wood chips, barbecue book, grill cover and apron. P.S. You can probably charge a premium for this “barbecue in the box” offering. • Offer volume or frequent buyer discounts. If you can get your customers continued from page 16.. to buy more and buy more Current treatment options offered through the clinic are modern Chi- frequently, reward them ropractic, medical acupuncture, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitative exercise with incentives, discounts, programs and custom orthotics. extra level of services, etc. Born and raised in St. Thomas, Dr. Danielle Marr looks forward to bringing what she has learned from previous years of practice at executive and sports chiropractic clinics back to her hometown roots. 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. Educate them so they desire your products/ services even more. 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 fiber of your mind, body, and soul. If you are similar to the others, break out from the pack. For example, add more services to your offering, give greater performance and money-back guarantees, provide ongoing education seminars for your buyers or consider packaging/bundling other products or services with yours. 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 advantages, benefits and results

Professional Edge Equine Professional Edge Equine 6891 Westel Bourne London, ON N6P 1P3 Phone: 519- 652-2789 Email: info@professionaledgeequine.com Web: www.professionaledgeequine.com Contacts: Ron Jones & Lynne Bowen Buyers Guide Categories: Equestrian Supplies, Feed Dealers, Riding Apparel & Equipment Products & Services: Professional Edge Equine provides massage & equine products specifically designed to improve the health and well-being of your horse. As Certified Equine Massage Therapists (CEMT), Ron Jones & Lynne Bowen will work with your horse to increase flexibility, reduce swelling, decrease pain and to stimulate your horse's natural ability to heal itself. Many older horses that could no longer perform jumps, run in races, pull weight and handle riders have found their abilities restored because of equine massage. Professional Edge Equine is now serving Elgin County and beyond. Call Professional Edge or visit their website to learn more.

For example, video stores and coffee stores give you a free serving when you buy a certain number of times. • Offer other products/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 and computer training services on the back-end. • Communicate with your customers often and give them buying ideas/solutions via mail, phone, email, newsletters, in-store displays, etc. For example, if you are a hardware store, as early fall approaches, use direct mail and in-store displays to communicate to your customers the need to fill cracks and seal coat their driveways. Sell them on the benefits. Package all the supplies together and offer a single-solution price.

Bryan Vine is the owner of The Growth Coach in St. Thomas and Southwestern Ontario.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 17

Be Ready For Winter

“Fall” into a seasonal maintenance program With autumn's shorter days and cooler temper- 85.6 percent of Canadians indicated that vehicle atures drawing nearer, now is a good time to get maintenance is a priority to them; however, AIA's your car ready for seasonal changes. 2011 Demand Study found that 40 percent of all Over the summer months, your vehicle endures vehicle maintenance and repairs are postponed a lot of wear and tear from the heat and long road or abandoned altogether. The same study also trips. As temperatures begin to drop in the fall, showed that Canadians are under-spending by an these existing wear and tear issues can be exacer- average $225 on each of three yearly visits to their bated, making regular maintenance the best way automotive service provider, which puts them at to transition into autumn, according to repre- risk on the road. sentatives from the Automotive Industries Asso"Regular maintenance on your vehicle not only ciation (AIA) of Canada through its Be Car Care keeps you safe on the road, but things like checkAware program, and the Canadian Automobile ing your tire pressure can also increase your veAssociation (CAA). hicle's fuel efficiency and save "The changing of seasons can take you money," says Jeff Walker, a major toll on your vehicle," says “with a few small steps, Vice-President, Public Affairs, Marc Brazeau, President and CEO, National. you can ensure that your CAA AIA Canada. "With a few small To avoid costly repairs and vehicle is prepared” steps, you can ensure that your veensure your safety on the road, hicle is prepared to withstand seaget your vehicle ready for fall sonal transitions and that your family stays safe by performing the following checks: on the roads." Fix the brakes. You should never postpone In DesRosiers's 2013 Light Vehicle Survey, necessary brake repair. A well functioning brake system is crucial for your safety and procrastinatThe MICHELIN® X-ICE® Xi3™ tire ing may lead to rotor stops up to 10% shorter on damage and added repair ice and lasts up to two times longer than leading competitors. costs down the road. Replace the air filter. WINTER AFTER WINTER Engine air filters should

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 18

Be Ready For Winter Fall gardening checklist Courtesy of Landscape Ontario

Falling leaves signal the beginning of the fall garden clean up season. With the cooler fall weather upon us, it's time to get outside and prepare your garden for the onset of a Canadian winter. Maybe you haven't spent that much time in the garden in September, with kids going back to school, or you have managed to get away and spend some early autumn time off at the cottage, but there are a lot of little tasks that need to be completed to get your garden ready for winter. Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs, cut back perennials, remove annuals and get your lawn healthy for next spring. Remember to keep watering. Trees and shrubs that are deprived of water now will be easily stressed in the winter. Below is a handy guide to fall clean up tasks.

• Remove dead annuals from the garden, after a frost. • Cut back perennial foliage to discourage overwintering pests. Leave flowers with seeds for the birds. • Continue watering trees and shrubs until the ground freezes. • Sharpen lawn mower blade and pruners. • Trim tall grass away from trees and corners of your home to discourage small rodents from creating nests. • Dig up tender bulbs such as dahlia, canna and gladiola. Wrap them in moist material and store in a cool, dark space.

October • Transplant shrubs or young trees to new locations. • Cut diseased areas out of perennials. Do not compost. • Rake and compost any fallen leaves. • Clean up garden debris. Remove all vegetable plants and fallen fruit.

November • Fertilize your lawn • Divide spring and summer blooming perennial plants. • Turn oﬀ outside water connections. Drain garden hoses. •Buy bulbs to force for winter. • Continue watering trees and shrubs until the

ground freezes. • Wrap screening around fruit tree trunks to protect from small animals. • Mulch rose bushes. • Clean fallen leaves in downspouts and gutters. December • Start paperwhites and amaryllis for winter blooms. Further information at landscapeontario.com

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cling? This sustainable concept encourages consumers to convert potentially wasted material into new materials or products, extending the items' lifetimes. YouTube and Pinterest are swarming with fun and catchy ideas on how you can turn anything from drab to fab. Save your H2O There are loads of tips available to consumers on how to save water around the house. One area often focused on by energy specialists is water consumption in the shower. For example, a product by Delta Faucet called H2OKinetic gives you a brand new shower experience. Within each showerhead is an internal system that controls the speed, movement and droplet size of the water, creating the feeling of more water than a standard shower flowing at the same rate. Additional de-

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 20

Be Ready For Winter Give your rooms the instant soft glow of a hearth (NC)— As cool breezes blow in, families return their focus to nesting, so some quick décor changes can help stave off winter's chill while making the most of your indoor environment. Take a look at these ideas from Dimplex, a leader in innovative electric heating: Inviting lighting – It can soften even the harshest spaces. Swapping out unforgiving overhead lights for gentler dimmer-controlled options, low table lamps, and candles adds a soft glow while providing flattering illumination and controlled light intensity. Incorporate natural elements – The natural soft glow of a flame can instantly add warmth and comfort to a space. The addition of a hearth creates a calming atmosphere that brings the outside in. For example, the creative designers at Dimplex have now delivered electric mantels, wall mounts and media consoles with simple plug-andgo installation that makes it easy for anyone to add the glow of a realistic flame to any size space.

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Be Ready For Winter

In the Garden Preserving the harvest by Dorothy Gebert

If one of the main reasons for growing vegetables is to eat the results, then being able to “put up” the excess harvest is a very good skill to know. I remember my mother boiling jars and stuffing them with the abundant vegetables that my father grew in our backyard garden. But for some reason my mother always shooed my sister and I out of

Paul Whistlecraft and Ruby Allen (right) peel tomatoes while Courtney-Brooke Laurie puts them through a sieve to make stewed tomatoes during the Community Garden Canning Workshop September 16 at Fellowship Church in St. Thomas. (Dorothy Gebert photo)

the kitchen when she was involved in this activity; I have a feeling we were probably underfoot. At any rate, I have no direct experience of canning or preserving and never felt the need to know about it. But at a recent workshop about canning hosted by the St. Thomas Community Garden Group, I felt that I might have missed out on a very useful accomplishment. When I arrived at the Fellowship Church kitchen on Elm Street, eight gardeners (with another nine expected later in the afternoon) were huddled around the work island peeling peaches, crushing tomatoes, seeding peppers, and cutting herbs and onions and garlic. The plan was to can 72 jars of peach salsa, stewed tomatoes, Pace tomatoes, and Hungarian wax peppers, with the participants taking home what they preserved. “It’s kind of a dying art,” said gardener Paul Whistlecraft. But I could tell enthusiasm for preserving food was still alive and well here. Most of the produce on the counters came from the two gardens the St. Thomas Community Garden Group oversees: First Avenue and Kains Street. According to organizer Brigitte Cosens, the gardens were successful this year, despite the

The St. Thomas Community Gardens sign was painted and donated by local artist Heather Keating. (Dorothy Gebert photo) changeable weather. “It was a cool start, which probably affected some of the tomatoes and peppers,” she said. “But everything’s been quite good.” Local residents tended 52 individual plots and six communal plots and did so for a variety of reasons. Some homeowners had too much shade in their backyards to properly grow vegetables; some families wanted to provide their children with organically grown food; and several individuals were from community organizations such as the Mental Health Association, Community Living Elgin, and Ontario Works. continued on page 23

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Be Ready For Winter

In the Garden

Reviving the dying arts of canning continued from page 22 we can chew. We want to make sure we have enough people to maintain them.” She waved at the gardeners in the kitchen. “It’s about the people you see here. They’re all volunteers who are interested in seeing this kind of thing evolve in the community.” As for the canning session, one of several workshops the Community Garden Group sponsors throughout the season, Brigitte says the intention is to increase the gardeners’ knowledge and change their attitude, “so that it’s normal to pull out canned tomatoes instead of buying them from the store.”

▲ The water drum at the community garden on First Avenue helps to keep the garden plots lush and moist. (Dorothy Gebert photo)

Interested in participating next year? Call Brigitte Cosens at 519-870-8045 or email Courtney-Brooke Laurie at claurie@elginhealth.on.ca

▲

Doug Millar is an apartment dweller and wanted space to grow his own food. “I grew up on a farm and have always had potted tomato plants,” he said. This was his first year at the garden on First Avenue, and he said he viewed it as an experiment. “I grew almost every kind of tomato I could lay my hands on. I did the same thing with carrots,” he said, but admitted the tomatoes eventually took over his 10x10 plot. “My neighbours have been well taken care of,” he laughed. Doug said he likes the concept of the community garden and hopes that he can be a part of making it bigger. “We could start supplying churches, the food bank, that sort of thing,” he said. “There’s room for growth, and I would like to be in on it.” Brigitte said that after four years in operation, the St. Thomas Community Garden Group would like to expand and is looking at a site in the South Edgeware Road and Confederation Drive area. “But it’s a matter of having a core group of volunteers,” she said. “We don’t want to bite off more than

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

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Dining & Entertainment FOOD & WINE

Harvest ramps up And the winemaker loses sleep at night by Jamie Quai

It’s 3 a.m., and I am wide awake. Harvest is tober harvest. This usually involves discussion at ramping up, and my mind is swirling with a all levels of the wine business: growers, producplethora of details and trivia that I need to con- tion and marketing. These choices also lead to the sider as the fruit nears its harvest time. Someone next big decision – cooperage. The art of crafting once joked that there are 10,000 decisions that go a barrel is complicated and intricate. So it should into every bottle of wine. My gut tells me that it be no surprise that barrels aren’t generally just sitmay actually be a little more than that. The best ting around some warehouse ready to be ordered analogy I have about the intensity of a harvest de- and shipped on demand. Cooperage houses hold cision is that it is like the butterfly-in-the-stomach tastings (think: sample show) in early spring usfeeling one gets before that penultimate office ing wines from their barrels provided by winery meeting. The biggest difference customers to help guide the being that harvest lasts almost upcoming harvest decisions. three months. In this month’s Most reputable barrel coopers “it is actually possible require an order to be placed article I’m going to talk about a few of the decisions that go into four months before delivery. to over-sort fruit” any given harvest. Enjoy! The decision on when to No rational winemaker would harvest the grapes, deservedly, ever harvest fruit that they don’t think they can gets a large share of the credit on the final wine move. The choice of what styles and how much to quality. Grapes are not a fruit that ripen uniproduce is made months before the grapes would formly. Within a vine or even an individual clusbe harvested. As a rule, I’ve got my yield targets ter, there can be marked differences in ripeness. set out by the second week in June for an Oc- So the choice on when to harvest is made when winemakers feel that they have tasted and tested sufficient fruit that is at the desired ripeness level. Multiple passes through a vineyard to harvest are not practical and almost never done. So there is a greater pressure to make the call on harvest. This is also done with a keen eye to the weather forecasts, staff availability, and processing logistics. It is not unusual for large producers to book very specific ‘appointment windows’ for grapes to be delivered to their wineries to ensure efficiency. It should also come as little surprise that most winery and vineyard

teams are essentially on-call from mid September to mid December. When the grapes have arrived is when all the planning and preparedness pay dividends. One of the biggest advances in winemaking in the last 30 years is in the use of a sorting table for the grapes. Grapes are picked over and undesirable materials like leaves and raisin berries, in my world called MOG (material other than grapes), are removed. The decision more or less becomes where is the quality line that determines what fruit moves on. It is actually possible to over-sort fruit. This decision comes down to the winemaker’s judgement and experience. One of the big decisions that influences wine quality is skin contact. Regardless of wine colour, too much or too little skin contact with dramatically change the wine. Advantages of skin contact include deeper colour, more flavour and fuller structure. Disadvantages include increases in bitterness, astringency, and higher risk of potential spoilage. All of the choices about skin contact have to be made in the moment. Tasting and testing are critical. The style of press and the pressures the press exert are all huge factors in final wine quality. The gentler the press is on the fruit and less the fruit moves within the press the cleaner the juice is and the less handling it will need before harvest. However, this gentler approach will usually lead to a significant reduction in final volumes since pockets of juice may remain trapped in the press cake. A decision thus has to be made: potential quality against overall quantity. These decisions usually are affected by four factors: the quality of the fruit, the quality of the recovered juices, the house-style goals, and the final price point of the wine. And now it’s time for fermentation ... Jamie Quai is head winemaker at Quai du Vin Estate Winery in Elgin County

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HOMESTYLE DECORATING

Small spaces can FEEL big! (Part 2) by Renée Carpenter

Let’s continue turning small spaces love my accessories and stuff, but too many visually into larger spaces for those in a small room steals visual space. A handful small rooms, cottages, homes or con- of well-chosen and well-placed accessories is dos. Actual square footage isn’t always all it takes to give a layer of sophistication or possible or even necessary to making personality. To avoid a cluttered look, use only a room look and feel both cozy AND natural display areas, such as the coffee table, spacious. Read last month’s article if end tables, fireplace, etc. Keep the walls simple you missed out on Part 1 – and then and quiet to focus attention on the objects. If be sure to watch for next month’s Part you want to focus on shapes and textures of the accessories, keep their colours neutral or mono3! Too many colours can be chaotic chromatic. Small hallways and foyers used as a welcomwhen used together in a small space. Choose a few and stay with them. ing focal point for guests needs to be kept viRemember the age-old rule of three’s sually lightweight. Try a narrow console table because it works well in this option. to provide a surface for flowers, lamp, a place For instance in a living room, a cream to deposit mail, etc. It also creates an anchor background with cream furniture can to hang a mirror that will give the illusion of be accented with sky blue for a medi- added space, reflecting light and brightening up most dark hallways. um tone and then Anything that a rusty red for stops eye movement depth and weight. “ to avoid a cluttered look, around a room In this case, the colours add per- use only natural display areas” becomes a boundary, limiting space sonality without visual. By eliminattaking over the space. Subtle muted tones rather than ing obstacles, you enhance the sense of limfully pigmented hues soften the im- itlessness. Unified colour is one way of doing this, but glass is another. A glass top table in pact. When decorating a small room, let an eating area virtually disappears, opening up texture and colour be the guide for the space to feel bigger. The transparent surface fabric choices. Too many patterns in allows the base to shine without weighing down a tight spot create confusion. For in- the room. Open slat chairs further contribute stance in a bedroom, a bit of pattern to the open and airy feel. One oversized piece of art can create a strong on the bedding goes a long way if kept in small scale, yet still pop against a focal point that actually opens a small space as opposed to multiple pieces cluttering up a monochromatic background. Create a sense of movement and space. Keep the rest of the compact area neutral make a room feel larger by float- and subdued and give the art a chance to shine. To be continued next month! ing big furnishings away from the walls. Allowing elbow room between walls and seating items gives the impression of depth and space. This Renée Carpenter owns concept works well in living rooms Jennings Furniture & when floating a sofa or loveseat in the Design & Stage It With middle of the space. It's often used to create distinctive spaces as well when Jennings in St. Thomas. working with open concepts. Let your small room breathe! I

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Healthy Living Everyday Health

Addressing work stress increases employee health and productivity

by Janet Baker

A new manager at a large call centre in Australia reviewed the performance of one of the centre’s unit’s and found a high level of absenteeism, increasing customer complaints and low morale. A number of employees were interviewed and stated they were experiencing high levels of stress. The company decided to bring in a corporate health promotion group to do health checks and provide relaxation classes to address individual stress. The company then did an in-depth assessment of the situation and found that performance went down in the late afternoon while errors increased. The findings showed that many of the staff were mothers and were worrying about their children getting home from school safety. After taking suggestions from their employees, the company instituted a 10 minute break around 4 pm in order

11th Annual

that employees could call home and make sure These all affect a company’s productivity, bottomtheir children had arrived safely. Since introduc- line and most importantly their most valuable reing this strategy, the unit has experienced signifi- source – their employees. cant improvements. The CCOHNS lists 6 types or categories of The authors of this research found that indi- work stress. These are: the employee’s role in the vidual stress reduction techniques combined with organization, factors unique to the job, opporstrategies to address work stress in the organiza- tunities for career development, relationships at tion resulted in increased morale, decreased ab- work, the organizational structure and culture of senteeism, fewer errors and healthier, happier the workplace, and work-life balance. employees. Having a healthy work enWork stress is something that vironment where work stress will impact all of us at some does not decrease productivity “many of the staff point in our working lives. Every and stifle creativity is everyemployee, whether a front-line were mothers and were one’s responsibility. Employers worker, supervisor, manager or worrying about their can start to address work stress business owner, requires a basic by talking with their employchildren” understanding of work stress to ees about what it is and how recognize and decrease its effects. to identify it. Work stress is identified by various terms in To learn more about strategies to address work business circles. It may be called job stress, oc- stress in your workplace contact the Workplace cupational stress, work stress, workplace stress or Health Promoter at Elgin St. Thomas Public work-related stress. The Canadian Centre for Oc- Health – email: healthatwork4all@elginhealth. cupational Health and Safety (CCOHNS) uses on.ca or telephone 519-631-9900 or 1– 800the term “workplace stress” and gives the follow- 922-0096 ext. 1271. ing definition. References: “Workplace stress then is the harmful physical Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and and emotional responses that can happen when Safety – Workplace Stress-General there is a conflict between job demands on the Noble, A. & LaMontagne, A. – The Role of employee and the amount of control an employee Workplace Health Promotion in Addressing Job has over meeting these demands. In general, the Stress combination of high demands in a job and a low amount of control over the solution can lead to stress.” Janet Baker is Workplace Health Long-term exposure to situations that cause Promoter with Elgin St. Thomas stress can lead to decreased physical and emotionPublic Health. al health resulting in problems such as: heart disease, immune disorders, anxiety and depression.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 26

A second pair of eyes

HEALTHY LIVING SELF DISCOVERY

by Anouschka Van den Bosch

The pages in my bird book are being flipped a anymore; it was right there all along and was clarified by someone I know and trust. little faster than they were made to turn. For a stubborn Dutch girl, it took a baby I am sitting on the kitchen floor looking through my screen door at our fake tree that holds a variety red wing black bird to help me realize that of bird feeders. I have a well-used bird book on a second pair of eyes can help you turn to my lap, binoculars close by and two curious cats the right page. And it is okay to ask for sitting beside me watching the activity at the feed- help, from a girlfriend, a coach, or even the ers. I can be found sitting on the kitchen floor or love in your life. on my deck watching the birds for hours. Lately, though, I am focused on one particular bird. He is beautiful, black with white stripes around his Anouschka Van den eyes and on his wings; however, I can’t for the life Bosch is a Human of me identify him. I am flipping through the Resources Professional book again, looking through the binoculars and and Certified Life and of course he flies away. Fine, I will leave it for now, Career Coach. but trust me, I will figure out what kind of bird you are! I make my way to the living room and tidy up as my honey walks past me into the kitchen towards the screen door. He comments casually that the black bird is back at the feeder and I express my frustrations over not being St. Thomas able to identify him. Eastwood Fellowship Baptist Church Saturday, October 19 9:00 am to 2:00 pm 400 Wellington, Street “the answer … was St. Thomas Seniors’ Recreation right there all along” Centre Thursday, October 24 10:00 am to 4:00 pm 225 Chestnut Street Timken Community Centre Saturday, November 2 9:00 am to 2:00 pm “No problem, I will find him for 2 Third Avenue you” he says as he picks up the bird Grand Central Apartments book and starts flipping through the Tuesday, November 12 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm 300 Talbot Street well-worn pages. Not even two minutes later, a triumphant voice lets me know, “It’s a baby redwing black East Elgin bird.” Seriously! You walk out of your Bayham Community Centre office, pick up the book and find this Wednesday, October 30 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm 56169 Heritage Line, bird in two minutes. Straffordville “That is awesome! Thanks so much,” I answer excitedly back at him. East Elgin Community Complex Tuesday, November 19 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm Later that afternoon I sit on my 531 Talbot Street West, Aylmer deck, looking at my baby red wing blackbird. It is interesting to me that West Elgin my beau found the bird so quickly after I spent hours and days trying to Shedden Keystone Complex find him. How did I miss that? I guess Wednesday, November 6 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm 35921 Talbot Line, Shedden that sometimes you need a second pair of eyes when you have stared at something for too long. Other Community Clinics Open to the Public H-m-m, where else in my life am I staring at something that I have Central Community Health Centre Call (519) 633-7989 for more information about when the mobile unit will be in your community looked at way too long, something that could use a second pair of eyes? Dutton Medical Centre Call (519) 762-0943 for more information Where else have I flipped those pages and not found what I am looking for? West Elgin Community Health Call (519) 768-1715 for more information I call a long-time girlfriend and life Centre coach. She listens closely as she “flips through the pages” of my situation, Flu information and consent forms are available at www.elginhealth.on.ca. and very quickly comes back with a Flu shots are also available from your health care provider. suggestion that not only makes sense but is also exactly what I needed to hear. In asking for that second pair of eyes I feel a sense of relief. I don’t have to spend time looking for the answer

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Healthy Living Everyday Health

Non-musculoskeletal benefits of chiropractic treatment by Dr. Greg Johnston B.H.K., B.Ed., D.C.

Recently I had an interesting experience with a patient. In keeping with the utmost diligence regarding confidentiality, my patient kindly granted me permission to relay the story for this article. Here are the key facts. The patient is female and has been a regular patient of mine for some time. She is approximately 60 years old and over the time I have been treating her she has had various typical musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain, a sore knee, and some ankle and foot concerns. Generally, she has responded well to chiropractic treatment and experiences great relief from the procedures that we have used. The

one exception to this is that she has always had a very tight thoracic spine (upper back) that has been difficult to adjust. On this fateful visit approximately two months ago, I decided to try yet another adjusting technique to see if we could have greater success. Thankfully, that is exactly what happened. This particular technique worked extremely well, and we were finally able to unlock several restricted joints in an area that had previously been extremely resistant. The patient experienced great relief immediately and commented that the area felt better than it had in a very long while. I was extremely pleased that we finally experienced a greater degree of success with that particular area

and felt confident that my patient would feel better because of it. The truly interesting part was what happened when my patient returned one month later for her regular monthly appointment. She asked me if I remembered what had happened last time she was in. I responded that I certainly did. She then commented that for many years she had been experiencing ongoing and at times severe symptoms from gastric reflux. These symptoms included severe heart burn and indigestion, gas, bloating and general gastrointestinal discomfort. She then went on to say that, almost immediately after that wonderful adjustment she had the last time, she had experienced almost complete relief of those symptoms. She had been feeling better than she had in a long time and was extremely happy. Now I’m not going to profess that chiropractic can cure gastric reflux but it is very common for people to experience non-musculoskeletal benefits from chiropractic care. There have been documented benefits including improved breathing, and digestion as well as pelvic or visual cirMotor Vehicle Accidents culatory problems. This may seem strange but for chiropractors, neuSports Related Injuries rologists, osteopaths and others Work Related Injuries who understand the relationship Neck Pain between the spine, the central nervous system and the autonomic Back Pain nervous system it is not. Headaches An interesting study was done in Sciatica Sweden looking at this specific issue. In this study 1,504 patients Arthritis were surveyed with the following And More!! results: • 1 in 4 adults consulting chiropractors for musculoskeletal conditions also experienced positive non-musculoskeletal benefits after chiropractic adjustment. • The positive reactions broke down as: respiratory system 26%, digestive system 25%, circulation/ heart 14%, eyes/vision 14% • There was a correlation between the frequency of nonmusculoskeletal benefits and the number of areas treated in the spine. Specifically, when one area was treated, 15% experienced non-musculoskeletal benefits. When two areas were treated, the percentage increased to 22%, and when three areas were treated the benefit increased to 35%.

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Continued on Page 29...

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 28

Lifestyle That’s Life

How do I love thee? Let me count the pies

by Elizabeth VanHooren

My husband’s favourite dessert is apple pie. For his thirtieth birthday I presented him with a coupon for thirty homemade apple pies courtesy of my kitchen. Seven years on, he claims I have yet to live up to my obligation. Unfortunately, the coupon had no expiry date; something that I will not overlook in the future. Furthermore, I did not establish a clear tracking system. So whenever the limbs of the apple tree in our backyard begin to bend low, heavy with his favourite fruit, he appears in my kitchen lamenting how I promised him thirty apple pies. “You promised me thirty,” he moans. “And at most you’ve baked fourteen for me and I’ve had to share at least five of those with your father.” “As easy as pie” and “pie in the sky” are both 19th Century American phrases that seem to allude to the fact that pies are especially easy to make, that pie is somehow intrinsically pleasant. Continued from Page 28... It is important to note that in Ontario the scope of practice for chiropractors is limited to conditions including the nervous system, muscles, joints and the spine. Chiropractors do not treat specific conditions like gastric reflux, cardiovascular or visual problems directly. I want to be clear that I am not making claims to treat conditions

Pleasant wasn’t the word that came to mind this fall when my husband set a pail full of apples on my kitchen counter and proclaimed, “I’d like number fifteen for supper.” Rather than challenge the overture, I resigned myself to a morning in the kitchen. First the pie crust. Following my mother’s recipe by heart, I started blending six cups of flour into a package of TenderFlake. Once the dough was formed into balls and ready for rolling, I started washing the apples. The peeling, coring, and cutting are what take the most time. On numerous occasions, my husband has offered up his Rotato Express, a contraption from his university days, that supposedly is able to peel potatoes and apples in seconds. Still, I prefer holding each apple in my hand ... twisting it beneath my peeling knife and forming one perfect curl of peel. I never measure. By sight I know how much sugar, flour, and rolled oats to add to my crumb

topping. It’s something you feel. By noon I had one apple pie cooling on the counter, and numbers sixteen, seventeen and eighteen ready for the freezer. “It smells so good mom,” said my son, as he peered over the counter at the pie. “Dad said we could have pie for lunch.” The cinnamon mixed with sugar and warm apples is a hard aroma to resist. Topped with ice cream or cheddar cheese, there really is no better dessert for lunch or supper. But I have to say that “as easy as pie” is not in the making. The easiness of apple pie comes with the eating.

outside of the chiropractic scope of practice. It is important to note that the nervous system is the master system of the body and as such controls all of the functions going on at any given time. It is well documented that dysfunction in the spine may affect the nervous system’s ability to properly regulate these activities. It is understandable then that through treatment of the spine that these

other positive benefits may be experienced as was the case for my patient.

Elizabeth VanHooren is General Manager of Kettle Creek Conservation Authority

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

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 29

LIFESTYLE TIME ON MY HANDS

Adventures in parenthood This time, it’s my turn to stay home by Duncan Watterworth

My 22-year-old daughter Brooke is about to shoulder a backpack and set off around the world. Pride and fear – the constant emotions of parenthood – are ramping up predictably. But they must jostle with a kaleidoscope of memories for space in my head. I’ll say right now that I’m a fan of low-budget, backpack-toting travel for young adults, particularly to third world countries. I dropped out of university and roamed the globe for a year in 1972. It was the highlight of my life. And I say that to other people’s kids. But this time it’s my kid. I cherish the memories of my big adventure: hopping a fence and prowling Stonehenge alone in the dark, wandering the galleries and museums of Paris, visiting a hashish factory and gun market in the tribal region between Afghanistan and Pakistan, rowing a boat on the Ganges River past holy men and crackling funeral pyres, hiking in the Himalayas and sleeping in a hut with words of parenthood: “Be careful.” Instead, I alrats scuttling over me, crossing the Mekong River ways said: “Have fun.” from Thailand into Laos, being punched by an When Brooke was nineteen she spent a month elephant in Hong Kong. as a hospital volunteer in northern Cambodia. On The entire trip was a crash course in the breadth weekends, in the Angkor What? Bar and Grill, she of humanity and geography, all at the gritty street listened to the travel adventures of the volunteers level of smells, clamor, and eye-to-eye encounters. and other backpackers. And ever since, she has There were also lessons in resourcefulness, dealing been looking for her chance. with diverse peoples, and the gifts of serendipity. Extended travel requires breaking out of the patWhen I mention my youthful travels, people tern that Bob Dylan described as, “Twenty years sometimes say they wished they had done the of schoolin’ and they put you on the day shift. same. But no one has said Look out kid … ” Once you get they wish their children that first job, it’s too late. Brooke we heard a would. got lucky. When she was acceptcouple sobs, My wife Barb and I have ed to a professional school, she tried not to be over-protective sought, and got, a one-year deand the line as parents. And that took a ferral. She saw her window, and certain kind of courage – the went dead she jumped. kind we need again today. Brooke worked for a few On a car tour of Costa months and planned her adRica, when Brooke was a small child, we handed venture. First, she found a friend to go with her. her a few coins, pointed her at a store, and said, Thank you Andrea! I’ll be honest: There would “There’s candy in there.” She got the candy. As a have been some serious soul-searching about our teenager, when she headed out the door to meet daughter going solo. Plans are now in place, and friends, I learned to stifle the two most useless it looks like six weeks in Iceland, central and east-

ern Europe, followed by a flight to Bangkok and seven weeks in South East Asia. I’m sold on the rewards of this adventure; I just need to come to terms with the risks. I don’t think Barb and I are naïve. When Brooke was in Cambodia, we received an afternoon phone call (it was after midnight there). We heard a couple sobs, and the line went dead. We stared at the phone for an eternity – enough time to imagine almost everything – before it rang again. Two motorcycle-mounted thieves had grabbed her purse. So Barb and I must find that certain kind of courage once again. When we take Brooke to the airport, though my brain will be screaming, “Be careful,” I’ll put on my bravest face, and offer a cheery, “Have fun.” Because, Brooke, there’s candy out there.

Duncan Watterworth is a retired lawyer whose mind tends to wander.

JEFF YUREK, MPP

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Sodium in drinking water

HEALTHY LIVING EVERYDAY HEALTH

by Jim Reffle

When sodium is higher than 20 mg/L in a nutrition. Typically the consumption of sodium water supply, local physicians and other health from food is much higher than from drinking waprofessionals are advised of this to help those on ter. The human body requires sodium to mainsodium restricted diets to control their sodium tain blood pressure, control fluid levels and for intake. Those with congestive heart conditions, normal nerve and muscle function. Food prodhypertension and other medical conditions may ucts, not water, are the major dietary sources of require a sodium restricted diet. At these levels, sodium. Sodium is also found in drugs such as drinking 2 litres of water per day would contrib- antacids, laxatives, aspirin and cough medicines, ute 40 mg of sodium to a person’s diet. For most as well as table salt. People using a water softening consumers, this level of sodium in drinking water system in their home may have higher levels of does not pose a health risk; however, for people sodium in their drinking water as most softeners on a sodium restricted diet of 500 mg per day, use a calcium-sodium exchange system. One teathis would contribute about 8% of their daily so- spoon of table salt contains 2300 mg of sodium. dium allowance. Elgin St. Thomas Public Health has advised The sodium levels in the drinking water supply local physicians, other health professionals and serving the municipalities of the general public of this so that Southwold, parts of Central those on sodium restricted diets Elgin, Malahide and Baycan consider all potential sources “for individuals on ham, the Town of Aylmer, of sodium in their diet, including the City of St. Thomas have sodium restricted diets, drinking water. been reported recently to the sodium in the water For more information on sodirange between just below and um, including how much sodium may be significant” just above 20 mg/L. is in common foods and beverHealthy adults (14-50 years ages, check out these resources: old) should consume between 1500 and 2300 mg of sodium each day; however, for individuals on Health Canada - Canadian Nutrient File - www. sodium restricted diets, the amount of sodium in hc-sc.gc.ca the water may be significant. Dietitians of Canada - www.dietitians.ca, NuSodium is a naturally occurring mineral in food trition-Resources, A-Z Factsheets and water, and is a necessary element of human Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term

Care - www.mhp.gov.on.ca, Healthy Ontario Eating - salt Health Canada – Nutrient Value of Some Common Foods - www.hc-sc.gc.ca Jim Reffle is Manager of Health Protection, Elgin St. Thomas Public Health

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If you are unemployed, not in school full-time, and between the ages of 15 and 29, you may be eligible to be connected with employers for a job placement of four to six months.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 32