August 2017

Your Business. Your Community.

STEVE OGDEN

The frugal life Cover story: Page 3

Inside: • Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce Pages 18 & 19

• Port Stanley this summer Pages 20 and 21

• Running a successful small business Pages 22 - 25

Volume 7 No. 12, August 2017

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519-631-1680 www.StThomas.ca

August, 2017

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

Retiring early on little and living well

by Steve Ogden

My negative impressions of money began as a little boy, listening to my parents constantly fight over it. Songs like “Hey Big Spender” didn’t help, neither did my mother’s Harlequin romances, the ones I’d sometimes smuggle into my room. The main male characters were invariably handsome, arrogant and rich, implying that having lots of money was an important part of being attractive.

That just didn’t ‘feel right’.

Money seemed completely unimportant compared with things like food or water, so how much should it matter to me? I certainly didn’t want to be like my parents (who I thought cared too much about it); and my older sisters’ dating habits and the romance novels made it look like money was just something to use. I unconsciously realised, at the tender age of nine, that it was what you could do with money that got people excited. Money was the attraction, not the person who had it.

As a teen I started dreaming about finding a nice little plot in the woods somewhere and ‘living off the land’. When I shared that with my wife-to-be a few years later, she was all for it... until I started looking for undeveloped land in the wild. After we married I tucked the dream away, thinking I’d get back to it on retirement. Years later I discovered her dream for retirement was to cruise around the continent in an RV. Compromise is integral to a successful marriage, but trading my dream for hers wouldn’t be compromising, it would be ‘settling’, and that’s something I instinctively resist.

My crowning financial achievement was making $47,000 a year as a high school dropout. The position of Communications Coordinator in a factory with 2,400 employees was pressure-laden, non-gratifying, and dripping with office politics.

It ended in an emotional crisis, evidence of the fierce struggle between society’s values and my authentic self. I was sacrificing my emotional health for the sake of money, i.e., ‘settling’.

In 2001, drinking heavily and legally separated,

I left that job. Within a decade, I found myself occasionally relying on ‘welfare’ and the food bank. I was aging. Jobs were scarce and predominantly controlled by temp agencies.

Months passed between assignments that often Steve Ogden sorts books in his comfortable St. Thomas apartment. lasted only one or two weeks. We could be laid off without cause or no- but I need more exercise anyway now that my tice, and the ‘real’ employees working next to us body seems determined to betray me. I take long did exactly the same job for at least $6 an hour walks at least once a week, usually timed around more, plus benefits. I struggled through three or errands like buying groceries. Occasionally I’ll go four years of this, even losing my car because I out just for the fresh air. The rare time I have to couldn’t manage the payments. Then one day it be somewhere in bad weather I take the bus. struck me that I’d been ‘settling’ again. I didn’t During one unusual stretch when I’d worked have to live this way. over a month straight, I bought an eBike. I conI retired a year ago, at 60, and manage to live fess to appreciating the convenience for a couple comfortably on $900 a month without resorting of years, but then I started dating someone who to the Caring Cupboard or Ontario Works. A drove us everywhere. The bike seized up from sitsmall pension payment at mid-month is my ‘flex- ting unused for a year, and I scrapped it. ible’ money, and the CPP at month end covers One might wonder how dating is even possible the rent. without a car or a lot of ‘fun’ money. It helps that I live in an attractive one-bedroom apartment I’m introverted: I enjoy my own company, and I in a lovely area of town. It’s air conditioned, don’t get lonely. I also tend to attract domineerand includes utilities. The owners are caring and ing women, which seems like a really good reason sincere. My neighbours are friendly. My loving to avoid the dating scene. Even so, I’ve always daughter and doting grandchildren are a five- been an idealist, and I truly believe that when minute walk away. I have nice furniture, original we decide to get involved in a romantic relationartwork on the walls, all the toys (iPhone, fast ship (if we’re being honest), we are, at the core of PC, 42” Smart TV, laptop, digital SLR camera) our beings, looking for compatibility and comand I never go hungry. If I want something I can’t panionship. Should I ever find another attractive afford in the moment, I trade my services or some woman who’s that honest with herself, the relapossession I haven’t touched or even looked at in tionship will flow. years, for money (e.g. the 54 volume set of books You don’t need money to sit on a rock together I just sold for $200). My lifestyle is straightfor- night after night, laughing and getting to know ward, uncomplicated, and fulfilling. each other until the dawn breaks.

Some might say I’ve been lucky to arrive here, but I suspect I attracted all this through my attitude. From the earliest age I’ve stubbornly refused to accept the status quo ... which has not Cover and page 3 photos by Mike Maloney been easy. Being without a car can be a nuisance,

Elgin This Month Section Editor Business Beat – Bob Hammersley Freelance Editor Terry Carroll Sales Supervisor Geoff Rae

Advertising Consultant Greg Minnema Layout Janine Taylor Production Metroland Media Group

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 August, 2017

ELGIN THIS MONTH

3

INNES As I See It

Dark inspiration Dublin. By 1769, the brew began to tour the It does my head in when a pub fails to serve up world; first to England, Guinness draught. And there are far too many of and then by 1858, unthese desperate conditions. der leadership of ArSuch botched service is a disturbing ale-ment. thur’s grandson, was They just don’t get it. For over two and a half centu- being exported as far as ries, it has been one of the most successful brands of New Zealand. beoir in the world. And, as mentioned by more than Guinness astounded one person, “it changed the world”. an entire industry by When author Stephen Mansfield visited the brew- being the first brewer ery in Dublin, he noted, “I knew I had found it: to hire scientists; leadthat earthy, human, holy tale of a people honing a ing eventually to the craft over time and of a family seeking to do good in use of ‘nitrogenation’ the world as an offering to God.” to maintain the velvety In 1752, Arthur Guinness, a man of faith, raised head and smooth texin the Irish church, inherited £100 from his godfa- ture of the beer. This ther Archbishop Price and set up a small brewery being the reason bein Leixlip, County Kildare. Tales have it that our hind the little bobble Wesleyan-inspired brewmaster, who’s family motto we hear rattling around was spes mea in deo (my hope is in God), was re- in their beer cans, and sponding to a divine calling to “Make a drink that why a well-poured pint men will drink that will be good for them.” It was a is done in stages. grace-filled reaction to the liquor-induced drunkenGuinness has a strong history of giving back to ness that cluttered the streets near his home. the community. In their beginning, they paid wages The legacy of this dark, rich stout has been an 20% above average and were the first company in extraordinary journey of brew mastery and pub- Ireland to offer pensions. lic relations. In 1759, Arthur Guinness signed a In the following years, the company expanded 9,000-year lease for the St. James’s Gate Brewery in employee compensations by including (amongst other benefits) housing and 3 meals a day: a favour that was extended to the neighbourhood poor. investment • insurance • retirement and tax planning From the beginning, Guinness was a benevolent company.

According to Mansfield, “It was a venture propelled by faith … a kind of faith that inspires men to make their work in this world an offering to God.” In recent years, they have responded to innumerous community needs,

by Jim Innes

After-Tax Financial Planning www.farrowfinancial.ca

New features every month Visit our website features and blog for timely investment and financial planning topics. www.farrowfinancial.ca

T: 519.644.2641 • F: 519.644.2640 www.farrowfinancial.ca • admin@farrowfinancial.ca 14107 Belmont Rd., Belmont, Ontario N0L 1B0 August, 2017

including a project in Africa that is intentional about providing safe water to peoples all across the continent.

So, with all that goodwill swelling within the brew, if a pub doesn’t serve Guinness, it ought to take a good look at itself! Indeed it ought to be served as a primary staple. Because not only is it good, but ‘it’s good for you’. Reputable scientists report that a pint a day keeps the cholesterol at bay.

As I see it, to deny us such an altruistic bit of our history (not to mention such wonderful health benefits) is a fierce failure of epic proportions. If there be even a wee number of Irish or English in the community (or anyone who desires healthy blood flow), then it’s but ‘letting on’ to not provide opportunity to ‘down a black’. it’s a gift to humankind, and to God be the glory, Amen.

Jim Innes is a clinically trained therapist and, until a recent transfer, was a priest at St. John’s Anglican in St. Thomas. Learn more at jiminnes.ca.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 4

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY OUR COMMUNITY

St. Thomas and Elgin are in a partying mood

by Serge Lavoie

In about 100 A.D. a rather grumpy Roman writer named Juvenal complained that the “masses” no longer took their civic duties seriously and, instead, wanted nothing more than bread and circuses.

At that time, free bread was the equivalent of a guaranteed living wage and the circuses were the famed bloody affairs pitting gladiators against each other, wild animals and Christians.

I’m not sure how far I can carry this metaphor, but I got thinking about bread and circuses when contemplating just how many festivals and events are happening in our communities this year. My wife and I spent a few days in Quebec City in July, right in the middle of a massive 14-day music festival, spread over five major stages in the core of the city (which was mostly shut down to traffic).

In August they do it all over again with another two week festival celebrating New France, where everyone is in costume and parties like it was 1675.

Montreal and Toronto offer weekly festivals on all sorts of themes and closer to home, in London, music mania hits every weekend in Victoria Park

where the landscape is chewed up beyond recognition by the end of the summer.

Here at home, St. Thomas has caught the festival fever in a big way. To the usual annual events – Canada Day, Rosy Rhubarb, Nostalgia Night, Day Out with Thomas, Iron Horse and FreshFest, Fire Muster – we have added a circus tent with an actual circus as well as weekly performances by comedians and tribute acts.

St. Thomas and Elgin are clearly in a partying mood. Each and every weekend there are multiple offerings of events seeking to get my attention.

As a kid growing up in London, we looked forward to the Western Fair, the Christmas Parade, a church or company picnic and the occasional Shrine Circus visit. That was it. What has changed in one short lifetime that requires governments, corporations and not-for-profits to host and sponsor countless festivals, events and parades?

I’m not complaining, mind you. I love these events as much as the next person. They help create a sense of community, and they are a great antidote to the almost continuous, solitary Netflix bingeing of the fall and winter months.

Still, I wonder, are we naturally party animals looking to share experiences together at commu-

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nity events, or we trying to divert our attention from the gloom and anxiety of the civilization we have become?

More important, can we afford to continue at this pace, to provide the government and sponsorship dollars which keep these events coming back?

How much discretionary income can we find in a community of 38,000?

I don’t know the answer, and I don’t want to be like the grumpy old Juvenal. He made a good point, but he probably wasn’t much fun to be around.

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Business & Community Tourism

Common Ground Farm – fresh food for all four seasons

by Katherine Thompson

Have you ever been disappointed with the quality of produce available on supermarket shelves during winter months? Vegetables grown elsewhere and shipped long distances to Canada lose their freshness and lack flavour when compared with their locally grown counterparts. This winter, Common Ground Farm is making the dream of having fresh local produce available all year long a reality with the introduction of its winter CSA subscription.

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With ample cold storage and four hoop houses, the farm is now able to offer customers a variety of fresh locally grown vegetables even during the frigid Canadian winter. These hoop houses allow Common Ground Farm to start crops earlier in the spring and grow later into the fall. The recent addition of cold storage will allow the farm to store certain vegetables for much longer than in previous years.

Common Ground Farm is able to grow a little bit of a lot of different types of vegetables because it sells its products directly to customers through the CSA program and at local farmers’ markets.

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to Christmas is when the largest amount of vegetables is available with the addition of sweet potatoes, squash, and pumpkins. In addition to the wide variety of vegetables it produces, Common Ground Farm also raises pastured pork and has a flock of egg laying chickens. These products can be purchased by visiting the farm.

Owner Chris Devries wasn’t always a farmer. He grew up in the country but his family didn’t farm.

He had an established career in engineering but began to dabble in gardening on the side. He enjoyed this hobby so much that he decided to start his own farm. It was a gradual process of learning how to make his operation into a successful business, but now four years later he is working to create a meaningful connection between customers and the farm.

“When customers come to the farm to pick up their CSA boxes, they see the land where their food is grown, they see the people growing their food, and they see the practices we use. This creates a greater connection than if they were just picking something up off the shelf at the supermarket,” says Chris.

The 40 acre property is tucked away on a winding road in the Elgin County countryside, just south of St. Thomas. The fertile soils of southwestern Ontario and the moderating temperatures of nearby Lake Erie combine to make this location ideal for producing a variety of fresh local vegetables and herbs. Everything on the farm is grown organically. This means that no chemicals or pesticides are sprayed on produce and that no chemical fertilizers are used. Instead Common Ground Farm uses composted manure and covering cropping to control weeds and enrich the soil. Cover cropping is a process by which cover crops such as clover and grains are grown not for harvest but to break the cycle of weeds and pests. These crops are tilled back into the soil the following year providing it with much needed nutrients.

For more information about Common Ground Farm or to inquire about joining the CSA visit http://www.commongroundfarm.ca/.

Mon-Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm, Sat. 8:00am - Noon

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 6

Homestyle Decorating

Take your décor from basic to designer level

by Renée Carpenter

You have the colour, the furniture, the accessories but something is missing! Could it be texture? It’s the element that will take your décor from basic to designer level. Yes, every surface is made up of some form of texture but it’s the variety of texture that usually is missing and the way it is put together. Let’s discuss some areas as to where one might start.

One of the easiest ways to add texture to a room is with the textiles and fabric being used. Linen can be inviting and cozy, as are chunky wovens and velvets. Bring a mixture of textiles into a room by layering texture to provide even more interest.

Adding leather, which is sleek and smooth, provides a great contrast to the nubby fabric. Even multiple types of fabrics can do the trick.

Layering can also be done with two types of rugs such as a sisal or jute rug and a vintage killim. Jute or sisal can mimic the floor colour but provides organic woven interest.

Fur and hides – even the fluffy stuff – looks great on leather and takes a flat surface to a new level in a matter of seconds.

But texture also goes beyond just textiles. A coffee table can mix the quality of grained wood. Old barn board is being applied to walls, table tops and various other textured ways in herringbone patterns, horizontal or vertical depending on the need of the room. Mix wovens with wood finishes, clear acrylics with metals and ceramics.

Lacquered finishes mean its smooth to the touch.

Metals are another source of texture, whether antiqued, hammered, sleek or shiny. These can be in the form of tables, planters, ceiling and lamp fixtures or even accessories.

Many of you may still have wainscoting from years past in your home, which provides a great texturing opportunity. White walls get dimensional with the use of wainscoting and even bead board. Paint it all out the same colour but allow the texture to just be present.

Nature is a great way to textural source. Add a plant or simple arrangement and you have instant impact.

Small detail in a room like nailhead trim and accessories: woven baskets, books, afghan throws, and even water elements make a difference. A great way

to add texture is in the use of tufting – just one more reason to love the classic Chesterfield. I also like the classic use of pintucking on bedding and toss pillows which is small gathers that take a flat weave of fabric and make them magical.

Wallpaper is the latest trend in bringing texture to a room – and with the new Sure Strip, it is more simple than ever to not only apply but to remove when ready.

Choose a complex pattern or, for a more We can make low-key look go with a the music in grasscloth. your classic car Even with the use of variations in tones of sound just like tile on your backsplash your new car or tub area can make without vehicle the tiles textural. modifications.

It’s all about variety, playing up contrast and detail. Use it to your decorating advantage!

Renée Carpenter owns Jennings Furniture and Design in St. Thomas.

She can be reached at renee@jenningsfurniture.com.

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Business & Community Financial Planning

RRSPs and RRIFs: Plan your retirement early

by Stephanie Farrow

If you have contributed to an RRSP it is considered for tax purposes to be ‘registered’ ; as noted in the name; Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP), and the same goes for its retirement income counterpart; the Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) The registration on these particular products indicate they are funds which are sitting in a tax deferred status. In other words, it is money you have not yet paid income tax on. When you deposited the money, you received a tax break based on the tax bracket you were in at the time of deposit. Similarly, when you draw money out of your RRSP or RRIF, it is taxable at whatever tax bracket you are in at that point in time.

Planning for your registered assets It is important to understand what the savings and withdrawal of RRSPs and RRIFs means to your personal after-tax bottom line. Ideally you want a withdrawal strategy to spread out the tax liability over a number of years to get your best tax savings. Much of this planning needs to be done in the several years preceding retirement and into retirement. If we take a look at the RRIF rules, it’s easy to assume you should automatically convert an RRSP to a RRIF at age 71 and withdraw the minimums each year but this isn’t necessarily the case. These are merely minimum payment and maximum age parameters. You and your financial professional should determine

how to work within these parameters and tailor them in a way that works best for you.

When to convert to a RRIF There can be good reason to convert to a RRIF at a younger age or draw income above the minimum levels even if it isn’t needed for living expenses. This is where deregistration strategies come in, drawing registered funds from your RRSP or RRIF in a manner that is to your best benefit from a tax planning perspective. It involves preparation and thinking about how to best pay tax on these funds when you take them out as income (or de-register them). Strategically timing registered withdrawals is important.

Figuring out your RRIF income level If you draw too much money from your RRIF annually, you may risk putting yourself in a high tax bracket that negates some of the benefits of your tax deferral to a lower tax bracket. If you recall, with the RRSP, you want to write off the income in a high tax bracket and withdraw in a low tax bracket.

Also if you are drawing too much money from your RRIF annually, it could interfere with your Old Age Security (OAS) eligibility and put you in a clawback position, and subject to OAS recovery tax. This is where you need to pay attention to future projected RIF minimums in your planning.

RRIF tax considerations If the combination of your projected RRIF minimums in retirement plus your other pensions and income puts you over certain tax brackets or clawback levels, there is good reason to start to de-

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register these products earlier and pay the taxes in a lower tax bracket wherever possible one step at a time. This needs to be done over a number of calendar years in order to maximize the benefit. This is not to say you need to spend this income. Many strategies involve simply converting to another savings vehicle which carries less tax liability into retirement, i.e., Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) up to your available limit or non-registered investment if your TFSA is maxed.

RRIF estate considerations If you draw too little income from your RRIF, you risk leaving too much registered money in your possession, and possibly to your estate with taxes still owing. RRSP’s and RRIF’s can be a big tax liability upon death.

While registered funds can roll from one spouse to another upon death without tax implications, where there is no spouse, all registered money is considered to be income in the year of death. This usually means income tax is payable at the highest tax bracket which can significantly reduce the inheritance for beneficiaries.

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

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• AUGUST 2017 •

Brew master Railway City Brewing Company head brewer Aidan Norton hosted one of the demonstration stations at the July Business After 5 at the brewery. Among many other things, he said that the business continues to grow by 15 to 20 percent a year.

August Business After 5 Date:

Wednesday August 16

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Business Beat Table of Contents Page 10 ................. Traffic jam?

Page 11 .......... Business events Page 12 ..................Best places Page 13 ............ Legal Business Page 14 ................... Cyber risk Page 15 ................. MRS FANG Page 16 ............ New Members August, 2017

Meet The Makers – An invitation The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is excited to provide more details on an upcoming event announced at our July Business After 5. It’s an event that’s definitely #StThomasProud.

On Wednesday October 11, in the Railway City Big Top, we will proudly present Meet The Makers.

Our new event is a local showcase to display things that are made in St. Thomas & across Elgin County. Manufacturers will be with us, as will producers from the agricultural industries. The arts community will be represented, too, with displays showing production of art to ceramics and pottery.

Do you make something? Do you make it here in St. Thomas/Elgin? If so, you’re invited to be part of the show. All we ask is your active participation. Thanks to our sponsors, there is no charge for exhibitors!

We have 16,000 square-feet of space to work with under the Big Top and displays of almost any type, shape and size can be accepted. Extra-large components could even be displayed outside the tent.

Community pride and awareness is what Meet The Makers is all about.

As event organizer, the St. Thomas & District Chamber will devote considerable time and energy to promoting this event to 3 key audiences: - Students & teachers - Local businesses in all sectors - Local residents Meet The Makers will be open Wednesday October 11 from 12 noon to 7 p.m. The first hours (noon to approx. 2:30 p.m.) our focus will be students and teachers.

Invitations are being directed to all six St. Thomas/Elgin secondary schools plus Fanshawe College and Western University. We are working to give students and their instructors knowledge they might not otherwise acquire on what’s made here, and the processes, technology – and employment opportunities – today and into the future.

Knowing that people in all local businesses, as well as local residents, seldom – if ever – get a chance to see and learn about the employers behind over 9,000 jobs in our local economy, our tent will work to house the biggest ‘show-and-tell’ event in local history.

What’s involved in being an exhibitor? The Chamber

offers this showcase to all businesses in St. Thomas & Elgin that make things. There is no fee to register. For everyone’s safety and security, all we require is a Certificate of Insurance and a completed Exhibitor Agreement.

Exhibitors are asked to set-up and remove all displayed equipment, and to provide staff during the show to meet the people attending.

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce is the principal organizer of Meet The Makers, in co-operation with the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation as lessee of the Big Top tent.

Contact Christy Hunking or Bob Hammersley at the Chamber office for full details. The Chamber staff will co-ordinate all administration and planning and every aspect of producing this major new event. Reach us online by email at: mail@stthomaschamber.ca or call us at 519-631-1981. In-person visits are welcome at our office, too. We’re open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Step ahead – you’re a winner

Lee Rowden, left, of StepAhead claimed a set of 8 VIP Iron Horse Festival tickets valued at $100 from Matt Janes, Vice-President of Railway City Brewery at the July Business After 5 hosted by the brewery.

Take part in our September feature

Women in Business

To take advantage of these excellent advertising opportunities (ext. 222)

September Edition Advertising Deadline is August 18th

ELGIN THIS MONTH

9

Chamber News

Stuck in Traffic for 10,000 Years:

Canadian Problems that Infrastructure Investment Can Solve The latest major research effort by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is a 49-page report that examines the effects of various deficiencies in infrastructure, ranging from access to broadband internet to improving the Ontario-Québec trade corridor with the U.S., lack of new pipelines and the unexplored potential of Canada’s North.

As you head out on vacation, it is probable that you will be spending longer periods of time in your car. You will have more difficulty staying in touch via email as you access the internet in certain parts of the country. Or you may have to wait longer for that new mystery novel you just ordered online to read on the dock because of deficient infrastructure.

Maybe you might even fare as poorly as a gentleman in East Elgin we recently heard from who has to walk up his lane and onto the road to make a cell call.

As with the examples cited, lack of proper infrastructure is leading to lost opportunities and wasted time for our Members, your clients and our community.

Our new report touches multiple issues and we think at least one of these deficiencies in infrastructure affects you and our community.

The full list of infrastructure challenges included in this report: • Facilitating trade through the Asia-Pacific Gate-

way and Corridor • Improved digital access and investment across Canada • Maximizing the potential of Northern communities and businesses • Enhancing the Quebec-Ontario trade corridor • Getting oil and gas to global markets • Green electrification and transmission The issue of connecting in the digital world is a big concern for the Chamber, both locally and across the nation. Businesses and communities will never reach their full potential unless Canada addresses inefficiencies in its digital infrastructure.

“Coverage gaps in Canada’s rural and northern areas result in lost productivity and stifle innovation.

Other major economies are looking at advanced network technology and the business opportunities that lie therein. We can’t afford not to invest in a more inclusive and competitive digital economy,” said Perrin Beatty, CEO and President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.

One section of our new report, titled Positioning Canada to Excel in the Information Age examines the challenges facing Canadian companies in a rapidly changing digital economy and makes recommendations to improve access and advancements throughout the country.

St. Thomas & District Chamber President & CEO Bob Hammersley notes some local misinformation on a program called SWIFT (SouthWestern Integrated Fibre Technology).

Communities across Elgin and much of Southwestern Ontario and involved in this multi-million dollar government-led initiative. The SWIFT Network will bring high-speed connectivity to communities but We’ve got you covered. Guaranteed. what happens when it reaches the community As a small business owner, you’re trying to stretch every dollar.

Self-employed?

The last thing you want to deal with is unexpected health care costs.

is another matter.

The Chamber notes that SWIFT won’t touch the City of St. Thomas at all, because high-speed fibre is already here.

The problem locally is the infrastructure to distribute it once it hits the city limits. St. Thomas has been left behind many other communities in terms of local digital infrastructure and catch-up is needed.

“Government must prioritize infrastructure investments to keep businesses connected and make sure they’re at the forefront of innovation,” Mr. Beatty says. “As MPs tour Canada this summer making infrastructure announcements, we need to ask, are these investments being spent in the right places?” he concluded.

Positioning Canada to Excel in the Information Age is part of a larger report, Stuck in Traffic for 10,000 Years: Canadian Problems That Infrastructure Investment can Solve outlining several infrastructure challenges that government must target to place Canada on a more equal playing field. View or download the full report via our website in the News section on our main page at www.stthomaschamber.on.ca -About the Chambers The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the vital connection between business and the federal government. It helps shape public policy and decisionmaking to the benefit of businesses, communities and families across Canada with a network of over 450 chambers of commerce and boards of trade, representing 200,000 businesses of all sizes in all sectors of the economy and in all regions. News and information are available at Chamber.ca or follow us on Twitter @CdnChamberofCom. The St. Thomas & District Chamber is part of the national Chamber network and provides news and information to and for the business community via multiple channels including this magazine, the Chamber website, and social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

The Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan® has guaranteed benefits for firms as small as one or two lives.

Business Beat

No health questions. No medical exams. No waiting period.

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

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Don’t delay! Get a free quote at www.chamberplan.ca or contact your local Chambers Plan advisor.

450 Sunset Drive, Suite 237 St. Thomas 519-637-0181

August, 2017

ELGIN THIS MONTH

St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce 2017 Board of Directors Chair: Robert Furneaux Gorman-Rupp Canada 1st Vice-Chair: Ray Bosveld HollisWealth 2nd Vice-Chair: Brian Helmer Reith & Associates Insurance and Financial Treasurer: Mark Lassam, CPA, CA Lassam & Co. Past Chair: Dan Kelly, CPA, CGA Dowler-Karn Ltd. Director: Kathy Cook World Financial Group Director: Sean Dyke St. Thomas Economic Development Corp.

Fanshawe College Director: Ross Fair Director: Kevin Jackson Elgin Business Resource Centre Director: Tara McCaulley Small Business Enterprise Centre Director: Ginette Minor Alexelle Slipcovers & Décor Director: Chris Patriquin Simply Pure Water Director: Joe Preston Wendy’s Restaurant Director: Bob Ward The Auto Guys

10

Chamber News

Lots to look forward to In addition to our new Meet The Makers event announced on page 9, the Chamber is actively involved in several other local functions this fall.

National Small Business Week is always the 3rd week in October. This year it runs Sunday October 15 to Saturday October 21. The Chamber will host one major event that week on Wednesday October 18 with our Business & Community Showcase. It’s a mini trade show with 10’ x 10’ exhibit spaces for Members at St. Anne’s Centre. Exhibitors who participated last year get (or will now have) an advance invitation to return. This project is organized by our Member Services Committee. Christy Hunking at the Chamber office is our prime staff contact on the project. Christy can be reached at 519-6311981 Extension 526 or via email: christy@stthomaschamber.ca.

Agri-Net is a November event that returns on Thursday November 23. This one is a regional affair hosted by the London Chamber with participation by the surrounding Chambers in St. Thomas, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg at The Western Fair District Metroland Media Agriplex in London. The purpose of this one-of-a-kind event is to showcase the Agri-Business Connections in Southwestern Ontario and the major economic impact they provide.

Exhibitor participation is open to all now at the low price of $150. plus HST per space. Each exhibitor will be provided with a covered 8 foot table and the space around the table as well as power & Wi-Fi if needed. Each exhibitor will receive 10 complimentary event tickets to distribute as they wish. Value of $100. Exhibitor set up will take place from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., followed by an Exhibitor to Exhibitor Networking Hour from 3:00 - 4:00.

Doors will open to the public at 4:30 and the show will run until 7:00 p.m.

The event will draw representation from a wide array of businesses in both the Agricultural sector as well as those wishing to do business with the sector.

Last year’s event saw an attendance of over 600 people.

All booking and administrative details for Agri-Net are handled by staff at the London Chamber of Commerce. To register as an exhibitor, or for any additional details, contact Janie Rother at 519-432-7551 Extension 34 or email info@londonchamber.com.

Aoife Fraser (left) of St. Thomas’ myFM Radio with the Chamber’s Jeff Kelly claiming her $550 prize at July’s Business After 5. Aoife won a new Insinkerator/Hot water dispenser plus installation from Total Plumbing Solutions.

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11

Large ing 4 topp pizza

open at 11am everyday We Deliver all Day and Night www.dominos.ca The enthusiasm is obvious as Paul Jenkins, centre, of the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital Foundation is awarded 2 door prizes at July’s Business After 5 by Railway City Brewing Co. President John Peart, left, and Adam Beverley of Total Plumbing Solutions. Photo-bombing in the back of the pack is the Chamber’s event MC, Barry Fitzgerald. Paul’s prizes are a $50 gift card from Barnacles Beerhouse & Eatery in Port Stanley and a $160 stainless steel sink-top dryer from Total Plumbing. Paul also proudly purchased a new Railway City t-shirt at our event.

August, 2017

519-633-3123

omaS TreeT ST.Th 965 TalboT S

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

Chamber News New Members Meet & Eat For businesses and organizations that are our newest Members – those registered with us in the past 6 months – we host a special New Members Breakfast twice per year.

Thanks to sponsor support from Reith & Associates and ARC Financial, we work to bring people together to meet each other and to learn more about what the Chamber is doing in the community and for each Member. Everyone attending gets a chance to promote their organization and to hear from Chamber personnel and grab an info kit with gifts and treats. It’s a quick 90-minute program run from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

The event can also be of value to existing Members who welcome new personnel to our community. Details available anytime by calling the Chamber office.

Members enjoy lunch at Clement’s Catering Co. monthly through the Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce’s networking events. These events are a great way to get out of the office and meet other business members in the community. Building relationships with other businesses increases your referrals and visibility within the area.

Best places to live in Canada!

Free Services Job Search Support Employment Counselling Direct Links to Employers Youth Employment Programs Workshops

400 Talbot Street, St. Thomas (519) 631-5470 Text: (226) 376-0320

160 Main Street, West Lorne (519) 768-0020 Text: (226) 376-0393

www.employmentserviceselgin.ca August, 2017

We made this list again, and not once but twice! Each year in late Spring/ early Summer, MoneySense Magazine and Maclean’s (both owned by Rogers Media) publish results of an extensive ranking study that evaluates Canadian municipalities in terms of such things as unemployment, access to health care, housing costs and crime rates.

The 2017 list is out and two local next-door neighbours make the cut.

Of 3700 municipalities across the nation, 417 scored well enough to rate a “Best Place” listing. The Municipality of Central Elgin scored nicely as a first-time entry and ranked 38th in the country thanks to scoring well in measurements of low crime rate, access to health care, high incomes, and low unemployment. The City of St. Thomas returned to the list ranking 107th overall with metrics similar to Central Elgin with the exception of having high numbers of residents with above-average incomes. The City, however, gained points on affordable housing.

Top spot in the country? Ottawa rated #1 overall.

Business of the Week

If you’re a weekly visitor to the St. Thomas & District Chamber’s website at www.stthomaschamber.on.ca, you may have noticed a new feature on our main page. Among the entries in the pictures & graphics ‘slider’ that appears on the top of the page is a banner that changes each week and salutes one of our Members.

Our “Business of The Week” entry is chosen at random and is a small way the Chamber gives back and gives something extra to Members and our community. With our website projected to host over 500,000 viewers this year, our aim with the feature is an extension of our work to build and promote our market.

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 12

Legal Business

Guardian of the people

by Monty Fordham

Occasionally, we are confronted with the situation where elderly or infirm persons are living independently, but are exhibiting signs of mental or physical infirmity to a degree that we become concerned about their ability, and even their capacity, to care for themselves. Most often, we are able to communicate with children of the person involved, or, at the very least, with direct relatives.

However, even in these circumstances, there may be issues of distance or relationships which impede or preclude the involvement of these relatives.

Close friends and neighbors may be in a position to assist to some extent, but often are limited by their own health or age in the amount of help they can provide. Indeed, even where the friend or neighbour is ready, willing and able to assist, they may not have the resources or knowledge required for effective, proactive and ongoing involvement.

It is in this context that lawyers are often consulted and the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee contacted.

The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee is an Ontario government agency which operates under the Family Justice Services Division of the Ministry of the Attorney General. The agency has a staff of approximately 400 and has offices in six locations throughout the province. It utilizes the support of professionals in the fields of health care, social work, financial planning, law and accounting and is generally responsible for the care and management of persons who for one reason or another are unable to provide reasonable care for themselves.

When the agency receives a call from a concerned individual to the effect that a person may be incapable and at risk of suffering serious personal or financial harm, an inquiry is usually made as to the availability of alternatives, such as direct relatives.

Where no such alternatives are readily available, an investigation is conducted and an assessment of the capacity of the person made. Sometimes an application is made to court in order that decisions can be made on behalf of the person, at least on a temporary basis.

It is at this point the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee assumes the role of “guardian” of the property of the person. In this role the agency takes over the responsibility for all financial decision and transactions which the individuals would normally make for themselves. This will involve receiving and depositing income, making investments, maintaining and selling property, applying for benefits, filing tax returns and paying bills.

Sometimes, although rarely, the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee is appointed by the court to make decisions concerning the personal

care of an individual in order to protect them from physical risk. Along with this responsibility comes the power to make decisions about health care, residence, nutrition, hygiene and clothing.

This can extend to consent to medical treatments and admission to long term care facilities. It is not difficult in these rare, and very sad, situations for people to perceive that the government has “taken over”, and the individual has lost the ability to make personal decisions on their own.

It must be emphasized that the involvement of the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee may often be temporary, particularly if the medical condition of the individual involved is transitory or acute (as opposed to permanent and chronic).

As well, in many cases, alternatives which may not have been readily apparent at the beginning, may surface, resulting in a guardianship of the property and the person by a relative or even a close friend. In such cases the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee maintains its involvement to oversee the management of the person’s estate and their well-being.

An integral part of personal planning for everyone should be the preparation and maintenance of an up-to-date will, and, as well, the preparation of both a continuing power of attorney for personal care and a continuing power of attorney for property. These documents should be reviewed periodically so as to ensure that, in the event of the incapacity of the

“it is not difficult in these rare, and very sad, situations for people to perceive that the government has taken over”

August, 2017

individual and his/her spouse, an alternate person is appointed to act. Generally, the wishes of the individual will be respected and the involvement of the Public Guardian and Trustee eliminated or at least limited.

Readers are invited to visit the Ministry website at http://www. attorneygeneral.jus. gov.on.ca for further information.

Questions, comments and suggestions for future columns are welcomed by lawyer Monty Fordham at his office: Fordham & Brightling Associates – Lawyers, 4 Elgin Street, St. Thomas. Telephone 519633-4000, FAX 519-633-1371 or Monty Fordham e-mail: montyfordham@4elgin.ca

Join US For

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Pe eir s! ations For th na don r local artist l suPPort ou Please helP

For more information call the Parks and Recreation Department 519-633-7112

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

Pro Text

Cyber risk & liability – privacy and cyber security mal mischief (creating a virus with no negative impact) to damaging activity (stealing or alterIn my July Business Beat column, I focused ing a client’s information or even holding it for on recent news events that include businesses, ransom). even governments, subjected to online ‘cyber • Malicious code or ‘malware’. This is the attacks’. This month, we look at how and why term used to describe code in any part of a softany business needs to take steps to protect cus- ware system or script that is intended to cause tomer and business data. undesired effects, security breaches or damage With the enormous amount of sensitive in- to a system. formation stored digitally, companies need to o Viruses: This type of code requires that you take appropriate measures to ensure this data actually do something before it infects your sysis not compromised. It is the responsibility of tem, such as open an email attachment or go to business owners to protect their clients’ data. a particular Web page.

This can be done by buying appropriate insuro Worms: This type of code propagates systems ance cover or assuming responsibility on your without user interventions. They typically start own by understanding the risks involved with by exploiting a software flaw. Then, once the data security and investing in the appropriate victim’s computer is infected, the worm will attechnology, staff training and operating policy tempt to find and infect other computers. enforcement to prevent a privacy breach. o Trojan horses: Trojans hide in otherwise Know the risks harmless programs on a computer, and much The first step in protecting your business is to like the Greek story, release themselves to cause recognize the types of risk: damage. A popular type of Trojan is a program • Hackers, attackers and intruders. People that claims to speed up your computer system who seek to exploit weaknesses in software and but actually sends confidential information to a computer systems for their personal gain, their remote intruder. intentions are usually malicious and their acIT risk management practices tions are typically in violation of the intended To reduce your cyber risks, it is wise to deuse of the systems that they are exploiting. The velop an IT risk management plan at your orresults of this cyber risk can range from mini- ganization. Risk management solutions use industry standards and best practices to assess hazards from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification or destruction of your organization’s information systems. Consider the following when implementing risk management strategies at your organization: • Create a formal, documented risk management plan that addresses the scope, roles, responsibilities, First Data’s trademark is compliance criteria and methodology providing fast, safe and for performing cyber cost-efficient transactions. risk assessments. This plan should include Let us analyze your latest a characterization of statement and we will all systems used at the meet or beat your organization based on their function, their current rates. importance to the organization, and the data stored and processed.

• Review the cyber risk plan on an anFor more information, contact your First Data Business Consultant at 1-888-265-4117. nual basis and update it whenever there are © 2016 First Data Canada Ltd. is a registered ISO/MSP of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Canadian Branch, Toronto, ON, Canada. All trademarks, service marks and trade names used in this material are the significant changes to property of their respective owners. your information sys21958 2016

by Dan Reith

Merchant Services: Right for Your Business

August, 2017

tems or the facilities where systems are stored, or other conditions occur that may affect the impact of risk to the organization.

Due diligence when selecting an ISP Your organization should take precautionary measures when selecting an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to use for company business. An ISP provides its customers with Internet access and other Web services. In addition, the company usually maintains Web servers, and most ISPs offer Web hosting capabilities. With this luxury, many companies perform backups of emails and files, and may implement firewalls to block some incoming traffic.

To select an ISP that will reduce your cyber risks, consider the following: • Security – Is the ISP concerned with security? Does it use encryption and SSL to protect any information that you submit?

• Privacy – Does the ISP have a published privacy policy? Are you comfortable with who has access to your information, and how it is handled and used?

• Services – Does your ISP offer the services that you want and do they meet your organization’s needs? Is there adequate support for the services provided?

• Cost – Are the ISP’s costs affordable and are they reasonable for the number of services that you receive? Are you sacrificing quality and security to get a lower price?

• Reliability – Are the services provided by the ISP reliable, or are they frequently unavailable due to maintenance, security problems and a high volume of users? If the ISP knows that its services will be unavailable, does it adequately communicate that information to its customers?

• User supports – Are there any published methods for contacting customer service? Do you receive prompt and friendly service? Do their hours of availability accommodate your company’s needs?

• Speed – How fast is your ISP’s connection, and is it sufficient for accessing your email or navigating the Web? • Recommendations – What have you heard from industry peers about the ISP? Were they trusted sources? Does the ISP serve your geographic area?

Your clients, rightfully, expect you to take care of their sensitive information. If you’re in need of expert guidance, consult your ISP and your insurance broker.

This column appears regularly in Business Beat and has been submitted by Dan Reith, BA (Hons), CAIB, a partner and Principal Broker in Reith & Associates Insurance and Financial Services Limited, 462 Talbot Street, St. Thomas.

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

E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 14

Viewpoint

MRS FANG & PEACE

by Bob Hammersley

It wasn’t that long ago when some of us here at the Chamber needed to tackle a question on how to categorize the different types of businesses and organizations that exist within our local economy. We weren’t looking for anything as extensive as the North America Industry Classification System (NAICS) but we wanted something that was more than the simplistic Sellers/Producers/Services definition.

That’s when MRS FANG was born. The name is an acronym for seven words that can describe any commercial or service entity, and arranged in Scrabble-like form to make them memorable. Manufacturers, Retailers, Services, Finance, Agriculture, Not-forProfits and Government.

The same process used to invent MRS FANG came in handy as I read some words penned by a Chamber CEO in Texas, and from whom I borrow and quote in the words below.

The challenge, in this case, has been to quickly define the work and purpose of the Chamber and answer a question that anyone in the Chamber universe often hears from folks who don’t know us well.

“So, just what does a Chamber of Commerce do?”

Let’s begin by noting that not every Chamber is the same, nor are their mission statements, but I am speaking of what Chambers SHOULD be focused on, generally speaking.

Some people know Chambers for their activities - ribbon cuttings, hosting events with elected officials or the Chamber’s annual golf tournament. Locally we’re known for our online business directory, printing some fine local street maps, holding lots of meetings and even having some fun events like our monthly Business After 5 functions.

But what does the Chamber really do beyond those tactics and why is an annual investment in membership so important?

Reminiscing about MRS FANG we have agreed that the Chamber should offer its Members P.E.A.C.E of mind.

fight for the interests of our Members every day at the local, provincial and even federal levels and provide forums for you to voice your concerns and ideas to leaders at all levels of government. Sign up, join in and engage when we host these events. Same goes for our work on social media when we post Media Releases and news on issues that impact business. A “Like” or a “Share” or a “Retweet” goes a long way. Adding your voice makes every business in the community stronger.

C is for Connection – Whether it is networking events like Business After 5, thousands of referrals we provide through our online Business Directory, cost-saving programs in our Member Benefits Bundle, or business expos, special events or partnerships we can help build between businesses and community non-profits. We also connect well via social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

“PEACE of mind doesn’t come easy”

P is for Problem Solving – The Chamber is a resource for solving challenges and needs our Members may have, as well as being a hub for discussion on key issues affecting the business community.

E is for Economic Development – The Chamber is an engine for economic development through work in business retention and expansion, helping solve workforce issues and helping Members grow. We work closely with several local agencies who share in the work toward employment and economic growth.

A is for Advocacy – Simply put, Chambers August, 2017

E is for Education – Whether it is policy events, candidate forums, information-packed weekly Green Mail newsletters, or other events throughout the year, the Chamber gives Members the information you need to succeed. We also work closely with agencies like the LEPC (Local Employment Planning Council) to stay focused on matching workforce skills with employer needs. Our goal is to provide opportunities and products that make our Members more informed and more prepared to address the challenges of the day!

PEACE of mind doesn’t come easy; it takes a full team committed to core values to serving you.

It’s not just our staff.

The Chamber’s Board of Directors steer the ship. Our Chamber Board is the principal governing and policymaking body of the organization and made up of volunteers who are integral to the

Chamber’s success. The Board represents a variety of sectors within the economy and the community. They are equally committed to adding value to the business community through the Chamber’s programs & advocacy efforts.

Chamber volunteers outside of our Board are vital, too. Dozens of people volunteer each year on Chamber programs, projects and services.

So, to answer that earlier question of “What does the Chamber do?” Together, our staff, Board and volunteers help create PEACE of mind to the Members of the business community.

If you want your business to increase its activity in the Chamber or have a need, contact us.

We’re at the Chamber because we want to help you!

Bob Hammersley is the President & CEO of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce and can be reached daily at the Chamber offices at 300 South Edgeware Road by calling 519-631-1981 Extension 524 or email: bob@ Bob Hammersley stthomaschamber.ca.

Buying a home? rotection Mortgage p important an insurance is a home. ing part of own t your options . bou Let ’s talk a you for coverage Get a plan e ou – just lik y h it w y rr . ca r new home u o y to s y e the k

Michael L. Moore* Tel: 519-637-7747 michael.moore@sunlife.com www.sunlife.ca/michael.moore 9 Princess Avenue, Unit #3 St. Thomas, ON N5R 3V3

Life’s brighter under the sun *Mutual funds distributed by Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies. © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2017.

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

Member News

New Members

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce proudly welcomes the following businesses and individuals as our newest Members. Those listed below were accepted as registered Members to June 16 – July 15, 2017. Once an organization registers with the Chamber, all personnel (owners/managers/staff) within the organization have full access to all Chamber programs, projects, events and services.

C & J Memories 364 Warren Street Port Stanley, ON N5L 1B5 Phone: 1-877-462-5292 Website: www.candjmemories.webs.com Email: candjmemories@photographer.net Contacts: Dan Asselin, Owner Buyers Guide Categories: Photographers; Fundraising Products & Services: At C&J Memories, they create a lifetime of memories. They are not only in the business of creating great portraits that can be treasured for years to come, they also do custom matting. They are a low cost photographer keeping the working class in mind.

Specializing in individual, family and group portraits, C & J offers a unique service for special events and fundraisers as well as for personal or private functions. Ask about their photobooth services for your events.

Contacts: Daniel Pfingstgraef, Co-Founder/Developer; Jason Kerkvliet, Co-Founder/Developer Buyers Guide Categories: Healthcare Services, Computers-Custom Programming Products & Services: MMD Data’s vision is to build innovative features for healthcare professionals and their patients. They are Canada’s First and Only Certified OpenEMR Support Provider.

MMD Data also offers a range of additional services beyond installation and support. For medical professionals, they provide a direct provincial billing system that integrates with OpenEMR, and for other healthcare professionals, they can tailor billing modules and integrations to meet your clinic needs. Also, they offer an add-on suite for OpenEMR, known as Engage, which enables online patient booking and automatic reminders.

MMD Data Corporation 66 West Avenue St. Thomas, ON N5R 5H7 Phone: 1-877-462-5292 Website: www.mmddata.ca Email: inquire@mmddata.ca

Three Hundred Sixty One Inc. 4180 Northfield Drive West Waterloo, ON N2L 0C7 Phone: 888-495-9993 Website: www.team361.com Email: michael@team361.com

Contacts: Michael Coffill, Owner Buyers Guide Categories: Computers-Custom Programming, Graphic Design, Human Resource Services, Management Consulting, Marketing, Web Design Services Products & Services: Running your business takes time, lots and lots of time. 361 Inc. offers to not only save you time, but help you to be more productive and profitable, without the expense of more full time or part time staff. They have 30 years of business experience in marketing and sales support, website and mobile app development, graphic design and consulting. They can also help with human resources, payroll and other employer services. They offer one-source support for 360 Recruiters & Small Business.

Why Not Cookies Cafe 373 Talbot Street St. Thomas, ON N5P 1B7 Phone: 519-878-6249 Website: www.whynotcookies.ca Contacts: Brenda Burge, Owner Buyers Guide Categories: Bakers, Food Specialities Products & Services: Why Not Cookies Cafe offers a wide selection of homemade cookies and tarts, all made with natural ingredients. In addition to these sweet treats, enjoy a bite to eat from our Cafe. Menu items vary from soup, sandwiches and salads to muffins and bagels. From their Ice Cream Emporium counter, choose from soft serve or Shaw’s hard scooped ice cream in cones, bowls, sundaes, milkshakes and more. Why Not Cookies is a one-stop shop for all your favourite treats! Look for their concession trailer at a variety of community events.

Looking for info on Chamber membership?

It’s all on the Chamber website.

Go to www.stthomaschamber.on.ca and click on the ‘Member Center’ tab near the top of our main page. Member benefits, fees and our application form are all there or, for direct, personal service, just gives us a call at 519-631-1981.

All of our staff are eager to assist and always eager to welcome new businesses and organizations to the Chamber network.

Crystal Underhill EXT 234 or Janet Palmer at EXT. 226

Rob Blaxall: President

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

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT FOOD & WINE

Conversations in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley wine region

by Jamie Quai

Compounding the price difference is the fact that BC wine operations enjoy a domestic market that does genuinely support their businesses. The BC share of the overall BC market is huge, relative to Ontario’s share of our own market. A few of us hypothesized about the factors that lead to this disparity. Perhaps it’s that Ontario’s larger urban populations are relatively less connected to rural wine producers, and that the costs of getting imported products in are higher, logistically.

Finally, in Ontario, the value of a tonne of grapes is negotiated by lobbying bodies (including the Grape Growers of Ontario who gave me the Grape

My responsibilities as the Grape King recently took me to the Okanagan region in central British Columbia. This region extends over three hour’s drive from Lake County, just north of Kelowna, all the way south to Oosoyos, mere minutes from the Washington boarder. I’ve had the great fortune to visit the region almost a half dozen times, and every time I go I find new things to see, do and try. Rather than devote this months’ article to wine recommendations, I’m going to highlight some conversations I had with industry peers. Canada has been artificially siloed into wine markets.

But the more knowledge we share, the closer we become, and the more we “Ignite your passion come to celebrate what we do.

While the Ontario wine industry is for grilling” dominated by few large wineries, BC has a greater number of distinct wine operations. What makes this all the more fascinating is that by volume of grapes grown and wine produced, Ontario vastly out produces BC. There also tends to be a closer clustering of mid-size operations in BC. This distinct difference in the dynamics of the region makes most direct macro comparisons between Ontario and BC difficult. Your approach to growing, production and sales do change quite a bit based on your operation’s size.

There seems to be less room for significant acreage growth out west. Decades back, surveys had been done and land was generally classified into three available now at Country Pools! tiers of potential. Effectively, all of the top tier has been planted. Only the marginal spots remain in the Okanagan. One would quite literally have to move mountains to find more topgrade land. This land limit has created a premium on land. The cost of an acre for planting can easily run into the low six figures. Even the best spots in Ontario are unlikely to run that high in the near term.

Both provincial wine industries are seeing interest in new regions emerging as a result of the limiting acreage in the more established places. In Ontario, several pioneering individuals are endeavouring establish vineyards in Huron, Lambton, Grey, and Northumberland counties. BC is seeing development in the Frasier Valley, Similkameen, and on Vancouver Island.

The cost of living in BC is generally higher and that is reflected in the bottle cost. Several grower and winemaking colleagues thought I was joking when I told them the average cost of a bottle of Ontario wine. Domestic wine out west is (anecdotally) about 25% higher.

King title) and prices are generally set. In BC, it’s a free-for-all. Grapes in the same block can go to several different wineries for vastly different prices. In Ontario grapes have to be paid for within a month of the end of harvest, where payments are put in escrow, and growers get all their money at once. I talked to a BC grower who has been chasing payment for a sale from 2015.

Each of us walked away with a better understanding of how the other operates, but we saw mutual room for industry improvements, although each region seemed to think that the way their system works was the best for them – and that’s alright.

Jamie Quai is head winemaker at Quai du Vin Estate Winery in Elgin County, and 2016 Ontario Grape King.

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Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce Add a TFSA to your education savings plan • You can contribute up to $5,500 annually and your savings grow tax-free Although a Registered Education Savings • Funds can be withdrawn at any time for Plan (RESP) is the first option for many Ca- any purpose nadians saving for post-secondary education, a • If you withdraw money from your TFSA Add a(TFSA) TFSAcan toalso your savings plan back into Tax-Free Savings Account be education this year, you can put that amount part of an overall strategy to help you achieve your TFSA next year, in addition to the norAlthough a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is the first option for many Canadians saving for post-secondary your savings goals. education, a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) can mal contribution also beannual part of an overall strategy to help limits you achieve your savings goals.

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Summer student for the Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce & Main Street Aylmer, Meghan Roszell invites you to stop in to the Aylmer Tourism office to check out the many local treasures in Elgin County. The Tourism office is located downtown Aylmer on John Street North within the Community Living Elgin office. Office hours are Monday to Friday 10am2pm! Thanks for shopping locally this summer!

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Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown Aylmer in the summer … the place to be.

Members enjoy lunch at Clement’s Catering Co. monthly through the Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce’s networking events. These events are a great way to get out of the office and meet other business members in the community. Building relationships with other businesses increases your referrals and visibility within the area.

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t r o P Y E L STAN

Harbourfest in Port and much more

Compiled by Terry Carroll

Port Stanley boasts live theatre, art galleries and local artists, music, dining, cottages, other accommodation, upscale homes and shopping. And, of course, the biggest draws: beaches like Main Beach and Little Beach. The village is a perfect summer destination, noted for its fishing boats, sailing and pleasure crafts, and the joys the downtown, the harbour and the beach offer. It’s a complete change of pace from the hubbub that can overtake your everyday life.

The village’s Main Beach is the only beach on Lake Erie with a Blue Flag Beach designation, an exclusive eco-label it that meets 29 environmental, water quality, environmental management, servic-

es, and safety criteria.

The reconstructed pier has become a real draw for vacationers and day trippers, and in June of this year, Hofhuis Park was officially dedicated at the foot of the breakwater adjacent to Main Beach.

The park was named in honour of the Hofhuis family, in particular the late Sylvia Hofhuis, former mayor of Central Elgin, in recognition of her longstanding public service to the community.

According to a Weekly News story following the dedication, Central Elgin Mayor David Marr said that serious negotiations between the municipality and federal government to acquire the harbour began in earnest in 2005, with ownership finally being transferred over five years later.

“One of the things we thought of was if we do the dredging of the harbour, what do we do with that material?” said Marr. He added it was consultants working on the project who came up with the idea to fill the area and create a new five-acre space. “It was just a win-win for everybody.

By doing it here, it was cheaper and it creates a beautiful park.”

Harbourfest 2017 runs August 6 and 7, with other great Port Stanley events on Friday August 5. During

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Harbourfest, come for the kids’ area, vendors, boat parade, live music, street performers, pirates on the streets, fire juggling, walking tours, “Five Alarm” at Port Stanley Festival (details below) and so much more. Spectacular fireworks are in the works for Saturday August 5 at dusk off the Berm.

Antique train rides are offered Harbourfest weekend at Port Stanley Terminal Rail, an historic operating tourist railway that has been safely operating for over 30 years. PSTR is Elgin County’s longest running tourist attraction. For schedules and fares visit pstr.on.ca.

For outstanding theatre, check out Port Stanley Festival Theatre, showcasing the world premiere of “Five Alarm” by Kristen Da Silva to August 12. Ava Rose has tried (and failed) to win the Wayne Rose Memorial Chili Cook Off for 16 years, but this year it’s going to be different! With an iron will, an assistant who knows nothing, and a five-time champion as her bitter rival, Ava Rose strives for triumph in this zany comedy as sweet as it is spicy.

Who knew that chili could be this much fun?

The theatre follows this up with “Midnight Madness” by Dave Carley, August 16 to September 2, a blast from the past that captures the heart. Bloom’s Furniture is closing its doors for the last time, but first? Midnight Madness! A chance meeting between old high school friends triggers romance amongst the water beds. Will Wesley and Anna make a go of it? Will Blooms really close forever? See just what happens when all sales are final.

Complete summer theatre schedule is at portstanleytheatre.ca.

For the latest on everything Port Stanley, visit portstanley.net.

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

t r o P Y E L N STA

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 21

Running A Successful Small Business

More than anything, you need passion road maps, and improvised alternatives. Passion being replaced by financial bitter financial realiis what awakens an entrepreneurial character and ties. The few who prevail are the ones who remain Many think that business viability depends on motivates him or her to inject determination and true to their driving passions – the elite who are an abundance of resources. Others believe in ex- stamina into the business body to make it im- willing to accept every possible trade-off to purtensive learning and technical knowledge. Few re- mune to obstacles and challenges. It will fuel the sue their passion. alize the importance of passion as a driving force. eagerness to achieve and innovate. Passion will Passion is a very scarce capital and the most Resources are essential to materialize ideas and make it impossible to compromise on integrity, powerful resource that any business could ever plans. Technical knowledge is key to create a credibility and commitment. have. product and deliver a service. However, having It will attract resources, open channels and find Never underestimate or defeat your passion. more than 15 years of experience in business networks. Passion will seek and find knowledge Respect those who believe in it and avoid those development with leading international brands in the least favourable environments. who undermine it because it will take you far beand retail groups, and having worked in different If we examine all success icons across the busi- yond your dreams if you hold on tight to it no markets with multinational companies, I can say ness world and among different industries, we will matter how though the ride would be. that business success is, more than anything else, find that the majority had no access to resources about passion. and minimal technical knowledge as start-ups.

My passion was always for retail industry. It However, they all had a passion to accomplish Bilal Khalife started Recipes, Traditional Fish & took me places and made me see the world. Re- and achieve. A passion that they nurtured and Chips and 916 Galleria - Elgin Artisans and Crafters. cently, I started my own venture called 916 Retail were true to it. None of them was aiming at forAlliance. It’s about creating new concepts with tunes but rather at retalented people and partners from different back- alizing a vision or an grounds. The first concept was “Recipes” restau- idea. rant launched in September 2016, followed by What’s unfortunate “Traditional Fish & Chips” in February 2017 and for most small busipreneur, I was eligible to apply for a

by Adam Beverley the latest is “916 Galleria - Elgin Artisans and nesses is that the road grant program to assist with all my Crafters”. New projects are being conceived to to success is a rough Total Plumbing Solutions started start-up costs. The SBEC provided help more people contribute to the revival of El- bumpy ride. Many small in my home garage and it training, business planning and figin Mall and enjoy the realization of their dreams people do lose focus has since grown into a full-service nancial planning guidance as well as within our community. along the way, many plumbing company. When I made advice and support as I started my Passion is the driver that will shape and modu- passions do fade out the decision to venture off on my business. late the mindset of any successful business per- under pressure, and own, I was overwhelmed with the The EBRC helped with financson. A motivation that will formulate visions, lots of dreams end up resources that were available to ing the opening of our showroom small business owners in St. Thomas in downtown St. Thomas. Since we and Elgin County. These included had been in business for less than the Elgin/St. Thomas Small Busi- a year, I had a difficult time securness Enterprise Centre (SBEC), ing a bank loan at a reasonable inthe Elgin Business Resource Centre terest rate (no established credit or (EBRC), and Employment Services financial track record). Despite all Elgin (ESE). of that, ERBC approved my appliI realize now that without them, I cation for a low interest rate of 2% could not have built such a success- + prime. ful business on my own, especially Employment Services Elgin inSmall Business in such a short period of time. troduced us to the Canada-Ontario Specialists The SBEC helped me create a busi- Job Grant. I was given the opporness plan and connect me with one tunity to train two of my employWe Perry can help you set up a Kee, & DeVrieze offers of the greatest mentors I could ever ees in backflow prevention without full range of public accounting ask for – Barry Fitzgerald, Members jeopardizing cash flow. This service the Accounting system for Services for the St. Thomas & Dis- allows me to continue expanding services for your Small Business. your Small Business trict Chamber of Commerce. Since my knowledge of the plumbing I was still considered a young entreContinued on page 23 • Audits & Reviews • Tax Planning & Preparation Consulting & Business Evaluations • •Audits & Reviews • Consulting • Buying / Selling a Business • Tax Planning & Preparation • Bookkeeping • Buying /(monthly/quarterly/annually) Selling a Business We can help you set up the Accounting system for • Bookkeeping (monthly/quarterly/annually) CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT your Small Business

by Bilal Khalife

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 22

Running A Successful Small Business

Who wants to be audited? Understand your books that I always need to be ready to sell my business having three sets of eyes on your books. at a moment’s notice because you never know I’ve learned that there are a lot of entrepreneurs My name is Kaley and I own Dawdy Account- when you might meet someone. One of the who miss out on business deductions. One of ing. mottos that I like is ‘you are your best marketer’. the most common is vehicle expenses. Your A little background. I’m a graduate of Fan- You have to believe in yourself and the goods or business is your livelihood and any kind of deshawe College’s Business Accounting Diploma services you provide if you want your customers duction you have for your business you should program, and when I started searching for a to believe in it as well. be realized. Know all the deductions you are enjob, I wondered if opening up my own business In talking with other business owners I have titled to and make sure you are taking advantage would be a better step for me. learned that most don’t understand the value of them.

I met up with some amazing people at the a bookkeeper can bring to their business. I’ve Some 95% of small businesses fail within the Small Business Enterprise Centre who helped also learned that most businesses are unaware of first 5 years of opening a business. A scary statisme write a business plan and get the ball rolling what the most common bookkeeping mistakes tic for those looking to start one. With the right on my business. These people helped me create are or if their advertising is generating a profit tools, assistance, and a passion for what you do, contacts as well as ensure I stay on track with my for them. no one can stand in your way. business goals.

A lot of small businesses only communicate I’ve learned all business owners need to ask One of the most valuable things that I have with their bookkeeper at tax time. This could these three questions: learned is that other small businesses are eager potentially pose a problem for them as they’re 1 … Do I have access to my books? to learn about new ventures. The small business learning at the end of their fiscal year where they 2 … Can it be deducted under the business? community is very supportive which helps new could’ve been saving or making money all year.

3 … Is my advertising creating a profit? business owners feel at home.

Another lesson I’ve learned is that most bookNot knowing the answer to at least two of Being a small business owner has taught me keepers will not allow the business owner ac- these questions sets the business up to potencess to their books. tially be audited.

A business owner Your business is your dream and passion. You should be able to see need to know the basics of every aspect of your their books and know business. Things like: customer service, marketthe double entry sys- ing, and financial. Knowledge is power and if it’s the extra costs of the business. In Continued from page 22 tem in order to en- coupled with your passion and determination industry and provide an addition- addition, my family was willing to sure their financials you can live your dream. invest in my company until the lien al service to my customers. are being taken care One of my early challenges was was resolved. of properly. I personI used my struggles and mistakes maintaining a positive cash flow. It Kaley Dawdy owns Dawdy Accounting. ally like the system of became difficult to pay myself and to develop the necessary skills to my employees when other business- become a successful business owner. es and individuals were overdue on It was a lot of work to start up the their invoices or refused to pay for business, but it was totally worth it. the work that was rendered. In my I would not have done it any diffirst year of business, I had to put a ferently.

Today, Total Plumbing Solutions lien against a commercial property.

Although most liens are resolved, is a thriving business in the city of it can take months or even years St. Thomas. I am proud member of before one is settled. These situa- the St. Thomas Elgin Home Buildtions can put a damper on a new ers Association and the St. Thomas business. I needed to figure out a & District Chamber of Commerce. way to pay for all the material and I am also proud supporter of the labour even though the business Habitat for Humanity Heartland lacked the necessary cash flow at Ontario in my own community, as the time. Luckily, I have a support- well as the MS Society of Canada.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 23

Running A Successful Small Business

Technology in the DIY entrepreneurial age

by Amanda Devries

Does it feel like every other person is running their own business nowadays? Do you wonder how they afford it? One of the reasons you see more entrepreneurship than ever before is that audio and video (AV) equipment, business software and marketing tools have never been cheaper.

To introduce a new product to market in the past, you needed a prohibitively expensive radio or television commercial and a big agency to do the work. Now everyone has a video camera in their back pocket – their phone! And while the video might not look great on the latest HD television it will play well enough on Facebook, which is your main marketing stream anyway for small businesses. If you need to record audio for a podcast or kick-start your music career, a decent microphone and your trusty laptop is all you need. The St. Thomas Public Library also has AV editing equipment so you can trim and enhance your work.

Of course, the do-it-yourself (DIY) technique can be riddled with potholes; if you don’t know how to create engaging stories that matter, that’s a whole other problem. But if you spend time and effort telling potential customers why your product solves a problem in their lives, you won’t be calling on any large agency in the near future.

Twenty years ago, a writer or musician needed

a truly awesome hit that would stand out to a publishing house or recording company, shining bright above the huge pile of other people’s work. Nowadays, there’s a simple (but not effortless) way to get the attention of the masses: Put out free content on a regular basis (for a writer that might be a blog post each week; in music, free sample tracks), slowly gain a following (a social media presence is critical), and get your “tribe” singing your praises. Once you have a dedicated, large group of fans, then, and only then, is the time to start asking for money.

As a personal example, years ago I became a huge fan of the Smitten Kitchen cooking blog.

Every day she sent her newsletter subscribers a free recipe, one that she had personally tested and laboriously photographed. The author has wonderful voice, and I love her cheekiness and approach to cooking. Many years later, the minute she released an actual hardcover book, I was first in line to purchase it. I knew instantly I would love it because I already knew her style and approach. Now you might think, “Why would someone be giving away something for nothing, possibly for years?” Because if they didn’t, they would have to send that book to the publishing houses that still remain and hope one

day it will rise far enough in the pile …

Of course, nothing is ever free: the trade-off to this new business model is that it will require more of your time. Also effort, hard work, persistence. The willingness to learn something new, even if it’s scary. Writing a blog post on a regular schedule and giving it away for free might kill you a little bit on the inside, but it’s the only way to gain a loyal following, and once you do, they will be with you to the very end.

Amanda DeVries owns Amanda DeVries Brand + Design. Her website is amandadevries.com and you can find her on Twitter and Instagram as @aDeVries_gd.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 24

Elgin Business Resource Centre Celebrates 30 years!

2017 HealtHy Workplace aWards

2017 eBrc aWards

Gold

Helen leFrank scholarship award

Steelway Building Systems

sIlVer

Jeffery karp award Raw For Pets (Roxanne Esseltine)

Elgin St. Thomas Public Health

BroNZe

Abbey Taylor, East Elgin Secondary School

New Business of the year Grandma’s Oven Bakery & Cakes Inc. (Martha Zacharias)

small Business of the year

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Breakout Business of the year dmac automation ltd. (Dave Minor)

Innovation & community Impact award Elgin Innovation Centre (Jack Baribeau)

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 25

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT

What’s your company culture?

by Tricia Flatley Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board

It seems everywhere I turn these days, I hear businesses talking about their “company culture”.

So what exactly is a company culture and why is it so important? According to local employers, a company culture is the personality of your company. It helps define the environment your employees work in and can include something as simple as your company’s vision, mission, values, and goals. Defining your company culture can seem like a daunting task, but once it’s done, it can lead to a successful retention strategy for your business and increased productivity from your employees.

Research suggests that when you create a great company culture – one that engages your employees and makes them excited to be at work – they will be more productive and satisfied doing so. So how do you start?

Whether you have a staff of 5 or 500, here are just a few ideas on how to start: 1. Think about the WHY – A great company culture starts with you. Your company culture should come from you, as the owner of a small business, or the leadership team, if you have a larger organization. It needs to be an extension of your own ideas and beliefs and should go beyond a mission of making money.

There is nothing more personal than creating a meaning to one’s work, and life. A company culture can be a reflection of who you are as a per-

son and what you care about. What type of place would you want to work at? This is the best way to make sure your company culture is authentic and stays consistent. Keep in mind, as an employer, you’re not only building a company – you’re building a place to work.

2. Spread your vision – Whether you’re selling your product to customers or selling your company culture to your employees, you need to communicate it. There are many ways to communicate company culture, including visually on your company’s website or in workplaces. If you want to build a collaborative and innovative culture, for example, start making it a priority. Hire creative people, hold brainstorming sessions and create an open space in the office where collaboration can happen.

3. Think of your employees as investors – When you invest in your employee, they are also investing their time and energy into your company. If you treat your employees like human beings and not like cogs in a productivity machine, they feel cared about and will do their best work.

Research suggests that employees will also stay longer, work harder and produce more when they feel appreciated. This attitude can also trickle down into customer service, because when an employee is treated well, they will treat your customers well.

You don’t need a huge budget or fancy perks to create a great culture within your company. You just need to be authentic, communicate your vision, and care about your growing workforce. I can think of several St. Thomas businesses who have made their company culture a priority and tell me they’re already seeing improvements in staff morale and productivity. So if you haven’t already done so, start thinking about what type of company culture you want and start engaging your employees.

Tricia Flatley works in Communications with Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning and Development Board.

August, 2017

ELGIN THIS MONTH

26

Business & Community Your Team

The power of ‘down’ time

by Laura Pavilonis and Nancy Annett

With our cold winters here in Canada, people tend to switch into a different gear once the weather starts to get warmer and vacation time is closer. But it’s not just the warmer weather that motivates us to shift, but any plan for time off.

For the most part, people prefer to take some vacation time in the summer, which means decisions and meetings are put off until all stakeholders are available again. It means that offices are quieter and for some department and for some, significant percentages of the company are shut down. This creates a very different feel around the workplace … can we liken it to being in school after regular school hours? Or perhaps, being home for the weekend when everyone else is away or otherwise occupied? There is still a lot of activity but, it’s more relaxed and more social, with an energy that can feel less burdensome, less timeline driven and overall more freeing.

Employers might argue that this ‘down’ time is a less productive time in the workplace. In fact, research shows that it is a highly productive time.

The absence of so much noise – for example, stressful leadership or co-workers, high volume internal or external customer e-mails or calls, or time-consuming meetings – leaves time to get work done that has been long awaiting completion. When those projects are completed a weight is lifted, extra noise is absent, along with the nag-

ging feeling that you have to ‘get that project done’. It could be something as simple as organizing your files or notes or e-mails, or having time to think through a project or other goals that need to be planned for. At the end of the day, the completing of the project feels both rewarding and motivating.

Many of our clients tell us that they don’t get any work done within the regular work hours because they are so busy reacting to urgent matters.

They actually complete projects by coming in early or working late or from home. The long-term effects of this on the body and cognitive capacity are both cumulative and startling. A new study of 600,000 individuals in Australia, the United States, and Europe published in the Lancet, a United Kingdom-based medical journal, found that people who work 55 hours per week or more have a 33% greater risk of stroke and a 13% greater risk of coronary heart disease.

According to a new report published by a team of researchers from the University of Melbourne in Australia and Keio University in Japan, cognitive ability is also impacted by long work hours.

After the age of 40, working more than 30 hours a week becomes too much for people’s brains to handle. Participants who were over the age of 40 and worked more than 30 hours a week experienced a negative decline in cognitive ability.

After 30 hours, work left employees fatigued and

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This shows some of the benefits of having ‘down’ time as an essential component of working productively and improving employee wellness.

When employees are able to get projects accomplished during their normal work day due to summer slowdown rather than working 50 – 60 hours a week, it’s a win -win. It supports a healthier and more productive work environment that can only benefit the bottom line.

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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 27

Healthy Living Self Discovery

Did you hear?

by Anouschka Van den Bosch

It is the start of an innocent conversation. “Did you hear about so and so? Can’t believe it!” It is lunch room chatter, casual conversation in the copy room or a drive together in the company truck. It starts as a simple conversation between two people, maybe even some concern about the individuals they are speaking about. It doesn’t take long before this conversation becomes more than just an innocent, casual conversation.

Unknown pieces may have been added, a part of the story unintendedly changed. As the story makes the rounds, it becomes full-fledged rumour, and the people involved have no idea where it all came from or how to stop it. They are hurt and upset, they have been misunderstood, and it is as if they are walking in a nightmare that doesn’t seem to end. Now that may seem a bit dramatic; however I don’t think I am too far off.

Two kinds of stories can do serious harm in a work environment (as well as in relationships amongst families and friends).

There is gossip, usually a juicy piece of information about a love relationship or something personal never intended to be shared with others. It is often discussed behind the other’s back, and if it is just a fabrication of stories, it is a simply a lie.

Then you have the rumour, typically a piece of

information that may or may not be true, passed around the office or a circle of friends. It may seem to be an innocent piece of information but unless there are facts to go along with the information or story, it can have significant damaging effects on the organization or people involved.

Over the years, I have heard enough gossip and rumours to have establish some rules for myself when either comes my way.

First, I look for the facts. Tell me something that is a fact that I can follow up on, if I so choose. Don’t tell me something that you heard from someone who had heard it from the guy beside him on the bus.

Then, does the story seem to be hurtful towards another person, and would this person be upset if they knew they would be talked about in this manner? If the story is riddled with negativity I need to go deeper and find out why the person telling me the story is throwing all this negativity at me. What else is going on? Is there something they are afraid to bring up? Did something happen in the past to cause this stream of negative stuff? I find it fascinating that a rumour can become a total fact and no one seems to question it.

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If you can trace the story to its source then addressing the person who started the gossip or rumour is the best place to start. Find out why it was so important to gossip about the other person and again ask for the facts. Explain the consequences of spreading stories and how damaging it can be to the people involved. When they see the full spectrum of their behaviour, and the cleanup that needs to be done to fix relationships and establish a sense or trust again, gossiping may not seem so innocent.

I don’t think we will ever get rid of gossip and rumours; however, may this Spanish proverb be a gentle reminder: “Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you”.

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

Healthy Living Everyday Health

X-rays, etc. only part of the picture

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

MRIs, CT-scans and x-rays may often lead to a misdiagnosis.

This statement may seem surprising since many people assume that these studies provide more information than they really do. The thought process seems to be that because these studies appear to look inside us than we should surely be able to see what is causing the problem. It is important for people to realize, though, that as health professionals, we do not use these studies to diagnose a patient’s problem; rather we use them to confirm an anatomical (structural) problem that was identified or suspected during the taking of a thorough medical history and comprehensive physical examination.

These tests are useful and important but not as significant in coming up with a diagnosis as the history and exam.

When I say that these tests may actually lead to a misdiagnosis, it is because it is common for these tests to show findings that are mistakenly blamed for causing a patient’s symptoms when in fact they may not be related at all.

One common example of this is disc herniations.

As many as 25% of adults under the age of 60 may have a herniated disc and are completely pain and symptom free. Some of these people may develop back pain, because it is so prevalent in our society, later have an MRI that shows a herniated disc and that becomes the explanation for their back pain even though the disc may have herniated years before. As a result, the treatment plan is designed to treat a disc herniation which may not in fact be the cause of the current episode of back pain.

Let’s now consider the opposite scenario. A person is having a severe, debilitating episode of back pain and yet their x-ray findings and MRI study are completely normal. How can this be? The truth is that things like back and neck pain are usually caused by functional problems rather than structural. This means that the joints, muscles and connective tissue are not working properly due to restricted or poorly moving joints, muscular imbalances, inflammation and muscle spasm, none of which can be seen or measured with imaging studies.

X-rays and MRIs don’t measure function they

tory and comprehensive physical examination.

X-rays and other studies are important but overreliance on them can lead to inaccurate diagnoses based on the assumption that what we see structurally is the cause of symptoms. Don’t assume that these studies are the gold standard in diagnosing your problem.

simply give us an image of what things look like in a static, non-functional picture. To really understand the problem, we need to measure alignment, function, muscle tone and balance, stability, strength and range of motion. This is the information that truly leads to a more accurate diagnosis for musculoskeletal problems.

Dr. Greg Johnston is a Chiropractor Often people may be surprised when they go to and partner in Family Health the emergency room after a traumatic injury, and Options Treatment & Resources the emergency room physician does not order an Centre in St.Thomas x-ray. Again, it is important to realize that there are important clinical indications that dictate whether an x-ray or other study should be ordered. As with any other study, procedure or treatment it is not ethical to subject a patient to something unless there is a clear clinical indication to do so.

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

Lifestyle TIME ON MY HANDS

Do-it-yourself project casts sanity into doubt Measuring skills come up short

by Duncan Watterworth

“Measure twice, and cut once.” Get it right the first time. It’s the only carpentry rule I know.

Breaking it brought me to the edge of despair.

I’m a reluctant do-it-yourselfer. My confidence is shaky. Honestly, I’m more suited to reading books and pondering, or just daydreaming. And besides, no one has ever lost their fingers reading a book.

But some jobs can’t be avoided forever, so with some trepidation I recently took on the rehabilitation of the shed in our backyard. It became a Canada Day weekend project.

I’m not saying the shed is sesquicentennial years old, but it might be close. It’s about sixteen feet square, and sits on four timbers half buried

in the ground. Its frame is made of hairy, pioneer-sized 2X4s, held together with square iron nails. The walls are barn board, and the floor is dirt. The inside is black with age, and cobwebs cover the used lumber, leg-hold trap, and other stuff that was there long before we came along 37 years ago. We use the building to store garden tools, snow tires, firewood, and junk.

The shed needed structural reinforcement. It was leaning slightly, one wall was slumping, and a gopher had tunneled in. I feared that a heavy snowfall could collapse the roof.

The fun part of the job, the pondering part, was examining the original construction, and the extensive structural repairs done decades ago. Geometry, engineering, pioneer carpentry.

I peered into all the upper and lower corners with a flashlight to see if everything was holding

together, and figured how the walls had shifted, and what they might do next. From a lawn chair inside the shed I pondered the best ways to beef up the building.

My carpentry rule actually is, ”Ponder three times, measure twice, and cut once.”

Looking up from my lawn chair, I pondered the single crossbeam spanning sixteen feet to connect the tops of the opposite walls. Just one long, lonely 2X4. I guessed there should be at least two more. Otherwise, a heavy snow load could press down on the roof, and push the walls out.

With the pondering finally done, I was off to the lumberyard to buy two sixteen foot 2X4s for crossbeams, and some other lumber.

Then the real work began: I added some wall studs, installed diagonal bracing, reinforced the slumping wall, and drove long screws into some of the old joints. Then I carried in one of the sixteen footers, and swung it up to span the distance between the tops of the walls. It was too short. Nooooo!

How could I have mis-measured that? The only measurement in the project that really mattered. Exactly the mistake I swore to avoid. It was beyond stupid. I slumped in my lawn chair, disgusted with myself, my confidence demolished, my sanity in doubt.

Eventually, I attached some scrap 2X4 pieces onto the sixteen footers to extend their length, and installed them as crossbeams. They wouldn’t be as strong, they wouldn’t look right, but they would be good enough for the purpose.

And they would forever be a testament to my incompetence.

I slumped in my chair again, and stared up at the scabbed-together beams. Then I got up and measured them. Although I had ordered and paid for sixteen footers, the guy in the lumberyard had loaded fourteen footers into my car, and sent me on my way.

From now on it’s, “Ponder three times, measure twice, cut once, and double check your lumber order.”

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

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Binding the Generations Sponsored by

Ainslee Tracey & Jim Harris – Royal LePage Triland Everyone has a difFirst, can you tell us a bit about yourferent way of doing a selves and how each of you came to the job so use the strengths real estate profession? of experience and June Harris was first licensed in 1974 youthful anticipation. with Canada Trust and ran a very successEach client expects difful business. In 1996, Jim retired from Dana ferent results and thereCanada and joined June in the business as fore our team is able to a broker. During the early part of Jim’s secassess and provide the ond career, he concentrated on industrial professional service exand commercial real estate and helped out pected. Always have a with residential when required. In 2008, business plan and seek June retired as a result of arthritis. Since financial advice when a succession plan is paramount for any necessary to enhance business, we decided to ask Ainslee if she the plan. was interested in joining the “business”.

And what does each The short answer was “No” – however the generation bring to the longer answer is that she did acquire her license and recently completed the reAinslee Tracey and Jim Harris at the Royal LePage Triland Realty office. table? Does the mentoring work both ways? quired courses to become a broker. AinThe pre-baby boomer is able to share years of experience and adslee grew up spending a great deal of time with her grandparents, so she knew what the realtor life was like; this made the transition into real vice on how to successfully run this business as well as connections estate an easy one with very few surprises as to what life would be like. in the community (be involved – give back to your community) and What was involved with the decision to work together as a grand- the generation Xer brings understanding of the needs of today’s technological world. Ainslee has been very instrumental in establishing a father / granddaughter team with a gradual transfer to Ainslee?

Ainslee’s postsecondary studies were a natural fit for the “people very unique and powerful presence in the social media segment of our moving” business, and her knowledge and ability with social media business while Jim provides skills and experience in negotiations and was much needed in the fast changing real estate world. As a quick selling/buying homes.

Have either of you been inspired by other mentors or role models? study, Ainslee was the right person for the job (being our granddaughJim’s mentor was his grandfather, Arthur J. Gloin (St Thomas busiter was a bonus).

How do you make this work on a day-by-day and week-by-week ness entrepreneur), and also benefitted from role models in local community organizations. Ainslee’s main mentors and inspiration have basis?

We established a business/work plan and Ainslee was paid a been both of her grandparents. Other mentors for Ainslee include our monthly salary. This allowed for focus on the business and a learning office manager, community leaders, and other leading realtors. There is period where income was not the motivator. Currently Jim’s role is that a group of realtors she is connected with from conferences and online of “sage” advisor and assistance for time away. Making things work who are top producers/successful realtors. She enjoys following them, relies heavily on trust and open communication. Communication for us learning from them, and inspiring to build a strong business.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? comes in the way of a shared calendar, regular check-ins, or sessions Jim – Listen more than you talk (2 ears – 1 mouth) together.

Ainslee – ‘No’ is not a four letter word.

What are some important lessons you’ve learned?

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