Your Business. Your Community.
Ginny Trepanier
THE GRACE CAFÉ Cover story: Page 3
Inside: • Income Tax Pages 20 to 23
• SpellBound for wetlands Elizabeth VanHooren Page 25
• Hiking with the Oaxaca Hoofers
Duncan Watterworth Page 30
Volume 6, No. 7, March 2016
March, 2016
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 2
Head, heart and soul at
The Grace Café by Terry Carroll
After the interview The day after my interview with Ginny Trepanier, founder of The Grace Café, I heard Richard Stewart give a 10-minute speech at Incite Elgin, an evening of big, bold ideas, hosted by Elgin St. Thomas Community Foundation. Richard’s talk was called “Dancing on the razor’s edge: Navigating supports for poverty in our community.” The Grace Café figured prominently in his speech. It had its own slide in his presentation. Richard’s chose his talk because he and his wife had moved to St. Thomas only to find themselves without work and then without resources. To survive, they accessed services they had never expected to use. Through that experience, he came to understand things about poverty that middle class people will never understand, he said. The café and other organizations helped bring him back from the edge, and he urged middle class people to support them. It wasn’t the biggest idea of the evening, or the boldest. But it was unforgettable. At the end of the evening, I approached Richard and said that I’d interviewed Ginny at The Grace Café the day before. “She sure knows how to get things done,” I said. Richard’s wife said, “She has such a big heart.” During the interview Occasionally, the interview with Ginny was interrupted, giving me time to enjoy the soup, pizza, juice and cupcakes I’d been served. At 12:30, a man I shall call Alex approached Ginny and asked, “Is it okay if I bugger off now?” Ginny gave him a look and the hint of a smile. “Can you say it another way? Maybe … is it okay if I leave now?” ‘Alex’ almost smiled and said, “Is it okay if I leave now?” Ginny said it was. She told me the café had volunteers scheduled for the coming weeks. But there is always a need for new volunteers. Almost every day, a newbie is on coffee detail. Ginny pointed out that some guests are also volunteers, and a few of them are a little rough around the edges. That’s one rea-
son the café cannot accept children as volunteers. Ginny’s favourite word to describe the café is cozy. And it is. It’s become steadily cozier, since it welcomed its first guests in December, 2014. The café is officially open from 10:30 am until 2 pm Monday through Saturday for “anyone who’s lonely or anyone who needs to make their food dollar stretch a little further.” That’s the criteria for entry to the former laundromat at 10 Queen Street in St. Thomas where volunteers serve coffee, hot soup and goodies all free-of-charge. (Two not-so-secret secrets. Some guests arrive at 7:30 in the morning for coffee and companionship. And clothing items like mitts and hats and coats are available as well as the edible goodies). Until recently, storage has been a problem. After my lunch, Ginny took me for a tour of a rather labyrinthine basement area where The Grace Café has recently added much-needed clean, dry storage space. According to its brochure, The Grace Café is a “Christian, non-denominational, faith-based street mission located in downtown St. Thomas dedicated to serving the poor and needy of our city and St. Thomas.” In a front window, there’s a Biblical quote: Be warm and be fed, James 2:16. The books in the window are Bibles. Other than that, there’s not much in the way of Christian iconography. How this works Ginny Tepanier lives in St. Thomas. She worked for Teen Challenge for eight years as food services manager where she organized 400,000 meals. “But who’s counting?” she drily added. She could see the need in St. Thomas, but before opening, she did three things: She worked for a year at the London street mission soup kitchen, Ark Aid. She asked everybody who knew her what they thought of the idea. (The answers boiled down to: You have the heart and you have the experience). And she asked her husband who said, “What a
Ginny Trepanier and busy volunteers in the kitchen of The Grace Café. great idea. Let’s do it.” (He’s now the bookkeeper). Some churches had previously talked about the idea. One even reached the committee stage, but bogged down in the details. But one person with faith and vision and managerial skills can move hills if not mountains. Ginny and her five-person board of directors have a great capacity for direct action. For example, they applied for grants from two well-known funders and were rejected. They moved on and will not be applying to those funders again. They don’t ask for donations, although Ginny does post a current needs list once a month on Facebook. Donations, including money, flow in. Many churches are assisting. The Grace Café is a registered charity, and the organization issues tax receipts for financial donations, gift cards or groceries backed by receipts. “We are very thorough,” Ginny said. “The need is very big. And St. Thomas has a big heart.” At the time of the interview, the café had enough food and donations to cover about three weeks’ worth of meals at an average 350 to 400 meals for each six-day period. “Every day, I can’t believe this is my life,” Ginny said. Three days after the interview Three days later, I saw a quote from Archbishop Desmond Tutu that nicely summarizes how the heart and the head come together at the café. “Frequently people think compassion and love are merely sentimental. No! They are very demanding. If you are going to be compassionate, be prepared for action.”
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
Cover photo by Mark Spowart.
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 March, 2016
ELGIN THIS MONTH
3
INNES As I See It
An answer to the entitlement quandary by Jim Innes
“Contrary to belief, nobody owes you anything.” Too many, too often, fall into the subtle trap of believing that life inherently owes them because of who they are or what they have done. This sharp trap grabs them and holds them, screaming for fairness. Many of you read about the entitlement generation. Allegedly, an entire generation of young folk (born primarily in the 80s) believe they have rights to certain privileges without justification. There’s a lot written about these young folk. And true as it may be, in my mind they have become the projection of all who feel inherently deserving. To lay this shaming mind-trip solely on a single generation is narrow-minded. We all struggle, to some degree, with feeling entitled. For example, in contradiction to the ‘me-generation’ we often hear “you’re only entitled to what you work for.” It is an argument influenced by a work ethic. Which, unfortunately, is also corrupted by a sense of entitlement. This work ethic
upholds an expectation that hard work entitles us to a certain standard of living. Concepts such as ‘laziness’ take firm hold in all conversations about poverty and welfare. All of us have bought into this at some level. Every generation attempts to make the best of what gets passed down. And whether we are entrenched in a 20th century philosophy on the importance of hard work, or attempting to make sense of a 21st century world that has gone crazy with transition (one our young folks must manage), entitlement has intricately infused itself in our choices, and become deeply entangled in how we feel about life in general. Unfortunately our sense of entitlement has painted history blood red. It is the justification for many atrocities and is the root of much conflict … both personally and collectively. It creates anxiety and starts wars. It leads to emotional depression and ruins loving relationships. It turns neighbours into rivals and communities into factions. It can even be argued that our Christian churches have historically encouraged a sense of entitlement (a sense of deserving something). Not only politically (e.g., the Protestant work ethic) but also through its moral compass pointing promisingly to heaven (or hell). In my mind, a successful, postmodern church has but one option as it transitions into a new time in history. It must acknowledge, “By the
grace of God go I … and only by the grace of God go I.” Entitlement, in its many subtle guises, needs to give way to a dependency on grace, God’s grace. Which no one can predict or manipulate. And if we are going to work hard at something, let us work hard at not working hard to make things happen. When Jesus sent his disciples out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal, He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic.” And he taught them to unassumingly stay where they are welcomed and leave where they are unwanted. And though Jesus told them to shake off the dust from towns that refuse them (a mindfulness practice), he was basically removing any sense of entitlement … and instilling a reliance on grace alone. As I see it, when we lose track of God’s grace, we are like salt that has lost its essence. And everything we touch is not, as we might want, preserved. But instead, and often confusingly so, spoiled. Tainted by some egocentric expectation.
“We’ve been out of the real estate market for nearly 30 years and we’re starting to think about downsizing.”
Jim Innes is a clinically trained therapist and a priest at St. John’s Anglican Church in St. Thomas. Learn more at jiminnes.ca.
Book launched
Elgin This Month columnists Doug and Cheryl Lester launched their new book “12 Steps of Self-Leadership – the Difference Maker’s Guide to Living and Leading on Purpose” February 28 at the East Elgin Community Complex in Aylmer. The book is also available online. For more about the Lesters and 12 Steps of Self-Leadership, visit eagletreeleadership.ca.
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 4
Healthy Living OUR COMMUNITY
Huge repercussions when local papers close by Serge Lavoie
A few weeks ago something happened in southwestern Ontario that sent shock waves throughout media in Canada. The Guelph Mercury, the daily newspaper in that city of nearly 140,000, closed the doors on its print edition for good. The paper had been publishing continuously for 149 years, and was as old as our country. Although a twice-weekly community newspaper, the Guelph Tribune, continues to serve the Guelph area, The Mercury’s closing was a shock. The writing had been on the wall for years, if not for the local Guelph daily, then for countless other weeklies and dailies across the land. Canadians read fewer newspapers, listen to less radio and watch less local television than before. As circulation declines, subscription and ad revenues decline. As the trend plays itself out, media companies respond by rationalizing service: fewer employees, centralized printing and distribution services, a reduction in local news coverage. There is the hope that readers can be coaxed into paying for the news through online editions. So far, that hope hasn’t been realized, even with the largest urban dailies. So, what do we lose when our communities have less local media? After all, we get plenty of access to news through countless online sources. I would argue that losing local media makes it much harder to maintain and grow a community. A community needs broad-based conversations about its challenges and opportunities. It needs a centralized place to celebrate its achievements and honour those who make them happen. It needs a place to carp and complain – in an adult and respectful manner. My first career was as a reporter for the Sarnia Observer at a time when the newsroom was a hive of activity with a city editor, a county editor, a sports department, even a women’s editor. Sarnia also had a weekly, two radio stations and news and sales offices for both the London Free Press and the Windsor Star. In other words, there was no lack of information to help build the community’s awareness of itself. Years later in my career I found myself heading up the national association for weekly and com-
munity newspapers, at that time with over 800 member publications. Part of my function was to promote community newspapers as a powerful vehicle for national advertisers. National brands preferred the large urban dailies; local weeklies were written off as quaint and unsophisticated. In response, our association conducted a country-wide $1.5 million readership study that proved conclusively that local newspapers had the highest readership and the greatest reader engagement of any media outlet available in a given community. The clear message was that local matters. I began referring to local newspaper reporting as “fridge door journalism” because so out, no one is to blame yet everyone is to blame. much of local coverage relates to things important It’s the media equivalent of buying a car made in to us, our families and our communities. We clip Korea or a shirt made in Vietnam. We are develit and proudly display it on our home-based com- oping a society where making something locally munications centre (the fridge). is actually discouraged, including the making and So, local media is a powerful communications distributing our own stories. tool and it’s critical to our communities. Yet, in I don’t want to sound overly pessimistic, but we the face of the growth of online media and the need to realize that the continued existence of loneed for media corporations to consolidate even cal media outlets is no longer fully in our control. further, local coverage is the very first casualty. Just ask the folks in Guelph. Local economic development is also a casualty in this media shift. Even though our local media Serge Lavoie has a 35 year career outlets are no longer chock-a-block full of ads, managing associations. He is curthere is no shortage of advertising bombarding us rently president of On Track St. every day. Now, however, more and more of those Thomas and Secretary-Treasurer of ad dollars leave town in the form of Google Ads, the United Way of Elgin-St. Thomas. Facebook, Twitter, etc. He lives in St. Thomas. As a result, we’ve lost jobs. A newspaper like the St. Thomas Times Journal used to have a building full of people working in the newsroom, ad department and circulation department. It had presses and actually manufactured its product right here in town. No longer. Multiply that hundreds of times across Landscape Landscape the country and you Construction Landscape Design Maintenance begin to understand the Building outdoor projects Weekly, Bi-weekly, Vacation We meet with you, in the St. Thomas area for mowing and upkeep economic significance listen to your needs, • Manicured lawn service over 18 years. of losing a vibrant local discuss your options • Patios and decks • Full garden and media sector. then transfer them to a • Stonework pruning service As this story plays scaled landscape design
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Customer service and employee morale in synch guests in his home, he inquires about our vaca- magic recipe. Treat your employees with respect, tion (how he remembers that I don’t know), and treat them as you want to be treated. Say thank It is Valentine’s weekend and I am treating my we are happy to share how relaxing it was. We you, show appreciation and even in a business as husband to wings at our favourite local restau- chat a bit more and then he excuses himself to tough as hospitality, you can create positive staff help seat the next guests who have arrived at the morale and amazing customer service. It is easy rant. for staff to provide exceptional customer service We arrive at the back door lobby area and take door. As an HR person, I can’t help but observe when when they enjoy coming to work, are treated like in the cozy scene. A young lady is playing the piano at the front of the restaurant and families, I am in places like this. I watch servers take care a person and know they are working as a team to couples and friends are enjoying their meals and of each others’ guests. This includes gestures like give their customers the best dining experience ever. are engrossed in quiet conversation. One of the saying thank you when one I have seen this magic forservers comes up to us with a tray of drinks in of them has helped another mula in other businesses as her hand. She grabs two menus, shows us to our out with bringing in the food well. The key is to be consisbooth with a big smile and tells us our server will and letting her know she will “a formula that I have tent. be right with us and off she goes with drinks for get the drinks. I hear laughalways believed to be ter in the kitchen. I watch the Whether it is for a takeout her guests. soup and salad or dining in We get settled, and in a few short minutes, busboy not only cleaning up the magic recipe” with my parents, I have seen our server arrives taking our drink order. As she not only the leftovers from these servers, cooks and mancheerfully carries on to her next task, the gen- children on the table but also eral manager stops by our booth. Greeting us as the French fries that made it to the floor. It is a agers work together as a team every time I am busy evening and you there. can tell there is a bit It does not mean it is all warm and fuzziness all of pressure to get the the time. I can imagine there have been times the guests taken care off GM has had to have a stern conversation with quickly, and yet their one of his employees; however, you can tell that customer service never this would have been done with dignity and refalls behind. spect, allowing the employee to still feel part of So why do I feel the the team and learn from mistakes and thus feel need to write about good about the job they are doing. It translates this dinner with my into a wonderful dining experience for us guests. husband? Because so The wings, by the way, were the best ever! much gets written • Major & Minor Repairs about staff morale and Anouschka Van den Bosch is a how to keep staff en• Brakes & Mufflers Human Resources Professional and gaged, employee retenCertified Life and Career Coach. • Front-End Suspension tion, etc. Here, I see a • Air Conditioning formula that I have always believed to be the • Tires & Alignments
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 6
BUSINESS & COMMUNITY Leadership
If not now,
then when?
by Doug Lester
Asked how he went bankrupt a man once replied, “A little at a time and then all at once.” Time and opportunity have a way of slipping by. The daily-ness of life and decision-making keeps us so occupied that we fail to notice that the dreams for life and leadership are still just out of reach. Surveys regarding leadership and employee engagement consistently state that only about 30% of leaders and followers are really engaged in the missions of their workplaces. Before Christmas, opportunities to make changes in life or leadership slipped by as office parties, year-end accounting, family responsibilities, and community seasonal events meant that it was easier to just finish up the year with a plan to really focus as the New Year began. Then January came and went. Then February glided by. As you read this, March has begun and the first quarter of 2016 will end soon. Are you on track with your life and leadership goals? Is your heart and mind enlivened by possibilities for Self and others or are you plodding along? Time will continue to pass whether you are fully engaged, on track … or not. Life is brighter and a lot more fun when you are engaged in work
and activities that inspire and engage you. How can you get engaged? Engagement begins each morning with a decision to show up fully and see life as a quest, an adventure. If you have lost that morning zip, then begin in the evening with two habits that will shift your perspective. At the end of each day breathe deeply and find three things that you are grateful for. Then close your eyes and dream for five minutes. Dream of relaxation, of vacations, of relationships, of times with friends and family, of work accomplishments, of contributions to the community. Dream of a better tomorrow for you and those you interact with. Dream of waking up with curiosity and an intention to make a difference for Self and others. The famous dancer, Martha Graham, said, “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time,
this expression is unique.” The world needs you to show up now, engaged in making a positive difference through your unique gifts, abilities, experience, and energy. If not now, then when? Cheryl Lester and Doug Lester—individually and together—making a difference through leadership coaching and development, writing, and speaking. Co-authors of 12 Steps of Self-Leadership. eagletreeleadership.ca.
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 7
AGRICULTURE On The Farm
Myths and realities
s n e h c t i k m r a f f o
by Janine Lunn
What images come to mind when a farmhouse kitchen is mentioned? For many of us, the imagined farm kitchen is the hub of the home, featuring sunlight, lots of space to create nourishing, home-made recipes and an expansive table ready to serve family and friends. In a modern twist, the dream could feature custom cabinetry, a granite counter top and a few rustic decorative touches as a nod to the rural locale. Back here in the real world, kitchens (much less farm kitchens) are not always so dreamy. Our reality-based kitchen is indeed the hub of the home, which means that not only our family, but our “stuff” all flows through the room on a regular basis. At any given time, our kitchen contains completed (and yet-to-be-completed) homework from three different classrooms, crafts, Lego and treasures from the yard, cat-feeding station, compost bin, mail, bills, farm receipts, enormous fridge calendar, miscellaneous hardware, flies, fly spots, and often, dishes. I remind myself regularly that dishwashing is a reminder that we’ve prepared and eaten at home; something to be thankful for! I’ve certainly had my moments of kitchen envy, upon seeing a well-appointed farm house kitchen with cupboard and counter space to spare, modern touches and so on. Not to take anything away from those who have picture-perfect kitchens, of course. I admire your tidiness, gleaming appliances, and sense of order. I hope one of these days we’ll get our kitchen system flowing a bit better! I have been known to snap a picture of the island countertop when we finally sort-and-tidy it to the point that we can see the entire thing at once. I have to say though, that I’ve actually been the most inspired (and reassured) by the imperfect kitchens. I’ve visited people at meagre kitchen tables, in narrow rooms with well-worn floors, outdated appliances, generations-old plywood cupboards that would never make it to the cover
of a design magazine. How many farm wives were told over the years “once we get through this year, this harvest, this drought … we’ll touch up the kitchen” only to have the years pass, and the cupboards remain? I’ve also shared many meals with these same people at community suppers, and I can tell you that the best pies don’t necessarily come out of the prettiest kitchens! It is also a room where people learn to be the most resourceful; making a meal stretch to accommodate an extra worker, improvising on a recipe to avoid yet another trip into town, or doubling a favourite casserole for the harvest season or to help out a neighbour during a tough time. It wasn’t long ago that agricultural political officials on tour, or committee meetings were commonly hosted as a “kitchen table” style gathering. My sense is that now with many farm households balancing several jobs and activities, kitchens are not all as meeting-ready as they once were. Some things have changed, but I suspect for many, the farm house kitchen is still a hub for family and friends, a place to break bread together (no matter how it was made or sourced) and a more welcoming place than any city restaurant could offer. One very honest farm house I visited years ago had a framed poster which read: “A house should be clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy.” I
recorded those wise words right away, and have since added the following to our kitchen wall: “Excuse the mess; our children are busy making memories.” I hope our crew will one day be able to cut through the clutter of their childhood memories and remember lots of food, a few laughs, and watching the sun rise over the farm yard, no matter what state the kitchen was in! Janine Lunn lives on the family farm near Belmont, Ontario.
43rd Annual
Honours and Awards NOMINATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED
See us at the St. Thomas Home & Garden Show, April 1-3
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Pay tribute to the hardworking volunteers, athletes, artists, and heroes who bring pride and distinction to St.Thomas. Nomination forms and eligibility criteria are available on the City’s website: www.stthomas.ca or at the Parks and Recreation Department, 2 Third Avenue (Timken Centre), the City Clerk’s Office and Mayor’s Office at City Hall.
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 8
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Always giving
Event co-sponsor Lynn Walker, left, of TownePlace Suites by Marriott joins Chamber Member Services Committee Representative Warren Allen as door prize draws get underway at our February Business After 5 at Boston Pizza.
Date: Wednesday March 16, 2016 Time:
Doors Open at 5:00 p.m. Sponsor remarks and prize draws at 6:15 p.m.
Sponsors:
St. Thomas Soccer Club & St. Thomas Golf & Country Club
Site:
St. Thomas Golf & Country Club 42325 Sparta Line, Union Free Admission to all personnel from any organization that is a Member of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce.
It’s all about connecting
The Chamber’s annual State of the Municipalities Luncheon is focused on communication, an opportunity for our Members to connect with local leaders and exchange points on the progress, plans, and even problems, we all share. Our most recent event on February 17 brought together the 3 Mayors in the St. Thomas & District Chamber’s service area: Mayor Heather Jackson, City of St. Thomas; Mayor Dave Marr, Municipality of Central Elgin; and Southwold Township Mayor Grant Jones.
Nominations closing March 31 Do you know a deserving winner? The Free Enterprise Awards are the Chamber’s annual recognition of excellence in commerce and community service. Since the 1970’s, we have welcomed nominations of businesses, organizations and individuals who deserved to be recognized for their excellence in business and community service. There are three award categories, and nominations are open now through March 31. For details on the nomination
Spring is Coming!
Business Beat Table of Contents Page 10...................Too busy? Page 11.............. China & Golf Page 12................ Top barriers Page 13.....................Flooding Page 14............... Easier H & S Page 15..............Four zombies Page 16............New Members March, 2016
procedure (it’s very easy), just go to the Chamber’s website at the address below. The 2016 Free Enterprise Awards will be presented during the Free Enterprise Awards Reception at St. Anne’s Centre in St. Thomas. It happens each year on the 2nd Wednesday in May. For 2016, our date will be Wednesday May 11, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Ticket information and other details are on the Chamber website in our Events section at www.stthomaschamber.on.ca.
Take part in our Golf feature coming up in the April edition of Elgin This Month
To take advantage of excellent advertising opportunities like this, give me a call at 519-633-1640 (ext. 222) Greg Minnema, Advertising Sales
or email me at gregthismonth@theweeklynews.ca April Edition Advertising Deadline is March 24th
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 9
Viewpoint
Are you too busy for business? by Christina R. Green
Ever heard the saying, “If you need something done, give it to a busy person.”? While that may work for errands, many business owners are finding they’re too busy for business anymore. Small business has changed a lot over the past decade, and the demands on a business owner’s time have multiplied like rabbits. Businesses must now connect with buyers offline and on through: • Blogging, videos and creating and providing helpful content • Tying different forms of content aimed at conversion into the appropriate level of the sales funnel • Maintaining a fan page and/or multiple social media profiles • Publishing on thought leader and niche social sites like Medium, Quora, and LinkedIn publishing • Analyzing your analytics • Tweaking all of this knowledge and know-how each time a platform changes or rolls out a new feature, and keeping up with new technology Whew! And that doesn’t even include taking your marketing to the next level through drip campaigns, newsletters, and building your list. Hopefully you have someone who helps you with all this, a marketing person or partner, but many small business people don’t. These activities all increase your know, like, and trust factors with your customers or clients. People do business with people they’ve established a con-
nection with through these aspects. The list of tasks provided above contains essential marketing practices and to avoid them, or refuse to do them, is akin to ignoring your phone. But while you may feel too busy to do these things, you must ask yourself … Are you busy for business or too busy to do business? The difference between good busy and bad busy Good busy relates to customers. You have lots of people buying from you. You’re processing so many orders and credit cards you don’t have time to breathe. This is good busy. You spend all morning on social media but not posting or interacting, just scurrying down one rabbit hole after another. You’ve spent time on social media and have been occupied all morning, leaving less time for other business activities, but you’ve accomplished nothing. This is bad busy. The problem with being busy – good or bad – is that it’s exhausting. If it’s in service to your customers or clients, that’s beneficial to your business. If it’s helping you to establish “know, like, and trust,” the fatigue is worth it. But social media and digital marketing are not like a treadmill. You don’t get points for just getting on it and moving. You need it to go somewhere. Being busy doesn’t equal being productive and reaching your business goals. How to change a busy activity into business As a business owner you need to ensure your busy is productive. To do this, have concrete goals in mind. Goals need to be: realistic, measurable, time sensitive and specific. “Busy” should always accompany its friend “productive.” This means your goal needs to be tied into your business strategy. A goal is not to “get on” social media. Even if you tailor that goal to follow the rules above, it’s all busy work if it doesn’t tie into what you are trying to accomplish for your business. If regular social media posting is your goal, you need to understand not only the how but the why behind your actions. What are you trying to accomplish? More sales? More visitors to your site? Better quality employees? These are all different goals. Analyze your efforts often The best way to avoid unproductive busy-ness is by reviewing your efforts often. Tie your goals into your strategy and ensure you are accomplishing what you’d like by analyzing the results (at least quarterly). We all have the same 24-hour days, yet some business owners are able to accomplish a lot more of their revenue goals than others. Some of that is luck, and a sexy product or service, but in today’s digital marketing a lot of success depends upon building worthwhile relationships and getting off of that unproductive treadmill of doing the work but not going anywhere. It’s not performing the action that will get you there but streamlining your efforts, and continually pointing yourself in the direction of where you want to go. This article was prepared for the Chamber by Christina R. Green. Christina is a frequent contributor to the Chamber and teaches small businesses, chambers and associations how to connect through content. Her articles have appeared in the Midwest Society of Association Executives’ Magazine, NTEN.org, AssociationTech, and Socialfish. She is a regular blogger at Frankjkenny.com and the Event Manager Blog.
Business Beat Published by Metroland Media Group Ltd., and delivered to businesses in St. Thomas and Elgin Country For complete information on the St. Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce, reach us at: 115-300 South Edgeware Rd., St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 4L1 Telephone: 519-631-1981 Fax: 519-631-0466 E-Mail: mail@stthomaschamber.on.ca Website: www.stthomaschamber.on.ca President & CEO Bob Hammersley Accounting Coordinator Susan Munday Member Services Warren Allen
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St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce 2016 Board of Directors Chair: Dan Kelly, CPA, CGA Dowler-Karn Ltd. Vice-Chair: Robert Furneaux Gorman-Rupp of Canada Ltd. Treasurer: Mark Lassam, CPA, CA Lassam & Co. Past Chair: Ross Fair Fanshawe College Director: Ray Bosveld HollisWealth Director: Kathy Cook World Financial Group Director: Sean Dyke St. Thomas Economic Development Corp. Director: Brian Helmer Reith & Associates Insurance & Financial Director: Kevin Jackson Elgin Business Resource Centre Director: Phil Mauer Phil Mauer & Associates Inc. Director: Ginette Minor Alexelle Slipcovers & Décor Director: Joe Preston Wendy’s Restaurant Director: Bob Ward The Auto Guys
10
Chamber News
China tour update Registration for the Chamber’s fourth tour to China is our strongest ever! Following our first “info session” presentation February 2, our first block of sixty seats was approaching sell-out and we have made arrangements for more! Why so much interest? At a Member-price of $2499 CDN, price certainly is having impact but so are economic forces and general interest in the culture and economy of China. It’s is our second largest export market and the world’s largest market for cars, cell phones and seafood. It is the fastest growing market for luxury goods, air passengers and nuclear power. China has the most internet users and online game players, the longest high speed rail network and the busiest port. There are well over 100 cities in China with a population of more than one million and, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, the economy will grow at rates of 5 to 8 per cent per annum for the next decade. In China’s case, seeing is believing. As an exclusive benefit for Chamber Members, we are partnering with Citslinc International Inc. to provide
an 11-day, all-inclusive tour of Beijing, Suzhou, Xi’an and Shanghai for $2,499 per person. Citslinc is one of the largest providers of foreign tours to China and works exclusively with over 800 Chambers of Commerce in Canada and the US. This fully escorted trip is meant to be an introduction to the people, history, culture, commerce and daily life of this exciting country. The itinerary is packed with sights and activities that will give you a full and rewarding experience. The trip departs on Wednesday October 5, returning Saturday October 15.Your trip includes: • Roundtrip International airfare from Toronto to Beijing • Return air between Beijing – Shangai • Return air between Beijing – Xi’an • 4 and 5 Star Hotel Accommodations • Three meals per day • All tour fees • Deluxe in-country transportation and local airfare • Experienced English-speaking tour guides
Our 42nd annual Members Golf Day is May 26 It’s time to think about things that don’t involve snow! The Chamber’s 42nd annual Members Golf Day is set for Thursday May 26 with an 11:00 a.m. shotgun start at one of Ontario’s best courses – St. Thomas Golf & Country Club. Join us for the day, and you will experience 18 holes on one of southwestern Ontario’s premier golf courses. Special features this year include our “Golf Pro” Driving Clinic, BBQ grilled lunch, post-game social mixer, a 12-ounce Prime Rib dinner, amazing prizes, and much more. This event is both a tradition and an excellent experience, and we welcome Members to invite out-of-town guests, clients, colleagues and suppliers that may not have easy access to play our top-rated course. Our annual Members Golf Day has always enjoyed tremendous support by players and sponsors, and this year is no exception. Libro Credit Union returns as our main sponsor this year. OLG Slots at Western Fair Raceway will be our 2016 Golf Cart Sponsor. Callon Dietz Inc. is underwriting our BBQ lunch for everyone, and Legends Tavern will host and deliver our Charity Putt for CA$H. Special activities and sponsors appear on all 18-holes and, thanks to effort by our Member Services Committee volunteers, every offer made to 18 sponsors has been taken. Register before May 1 (and pay by May 15) and save. Single entry early bird price is $149 or a foursome for $575. Registration is open now! Details are posted in the Events column on the Chamber website or you’re invited to contact Member Services staff at the Chamber office. Call direct at 519631-1981 Extension 526. March, 2016
The Great Wall of China is 4,000 miles long and over 2,000 years old. We will visit its highest point, near Beijing.
• All taxes and airport fees Prices are based on two-person, shared accommodation; single occupancy is available for an additional charge of $500. Deadline for registration is Thursday June 16, 2016. Over 20,000 people travelled with Citslinc on Chamber tours last year alone. This trip is our fourth and Chamber staff have always been
impressed by their high level of professional service. This trip will completely change your understanding and awareness of China in terms of its culture & economy, its people and its future. For the complete trip itinerary and booking details, visit the Chamber’s website at www.stthomaschamber. on.ca and see the pictures and information posted on our main page.
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 11
Chamber News
Chamber names 2016 Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce has added its voice to Canada is vulnerable to cyber crime the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s in identifying the Top 10 Barriers Canada loses $3.12 billion to cybercrime per year, and nearly half of all to Competitiveness for 2016, a list of key impediments that are preventing small businesses have been the victim of a cyberattack because they are less Canadian businesses from reaching their full potential and, in turn, Canada equipped to handle attacks. The government has a role to in play in ensuring from improving its productivity and economic prosperity. small businesses get help with their digital literacy and cyber resilience. Business needs more than its own skills to win – it also needs a supportive Canada’s trade agenda – new agreements are just the start environment and public policies to encourage competitiveness. This annual Canada has been aggressive in pursuing new trade agreements over the past list of barriers points to economic hurdles of our own making, self-imposed few years, but its businesses continue to face substantial barriers expanding limits on the growth of Canadian businesses. abroad, and Canadian exporters are falling beThis year’s edition of the Top 10 Barriers to hind in key markets like China. Canada needs to only 1.4% of mid-sized Competitiveness covers several ongoing issues, help businesses scale up internationally. Canada from internal trade barriers between provinces also needs to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership Canadian firms become to the lack of clarity concerning consultations and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade big businesses with Aboriginal peoples and our inability to effiAgreement with the European Union, get new ciently get resources to world markets. There are deals done with China and India, and cooperate a number of new barriers as well, including Canadian businesses’ vulnerabil- on regulations with its trade partners. ity to cybercrime and Canada’s lack of preparedness for the effects of climate Canadian resources cannot get to world markets change. Canada’s trade and foreign investment flows depend on natural resources A brief summary to the list is below. You can read the full report of the and its future economic prosperity depends upon its ability to provide reliTop 10 Barriers to Competitiveness on the St. Thomas & District Chamber able infrastructure to allow Canadian energy resources to fuel Asian ecowebsite at www.stthomaschamber.on.ca nomic growth at world market prices. Yet Canadian energy products are exported nearly exclusively to the United States because Canada lacks the The 2016 Top 10 Barriers to Competitiveness infrastructure to get these products to markets abroad. Governments need to Public policies block small companies from becoming bigger support pipelines and other infrastructure that will allow Canadians to trade Canada has tax barriers and policies in place that keep its small businesses with the world. from growing into big businesses with more resources to hire, invest and inPoor literacy, numeracy and digital skills are limiting productivity in novate. Big firms are more productive, which is essential to the competitive- segments of Canada’s workforce ness of the Canadian economy. Yet, only 1.4% of mid-sized Canadian firms Robotics and artificial intelligence are changing the workplace and increasbecome big businesses. To grow Canada’s companies, the government needs ing the demand for high-skilled workers. Yet, half of Canadians do not have to change the corporate tax rates and breaks that penalize growth. the levels of literacy, numeracy and digital problem solving skills they need to compete in today’s economy. Canada needs a plan to make sure people have the skills for tomorrow’s jobs. Canada needs a more aggressive and effective innovation strategy Public and private sector R&D spending is vital for exports, jobs and wealth creation. Yet, federal R&D expenditures as a proportion of GDP have fallen by a quarter in just five years. Canada needs to reinvest in an innovation ecosystem that supports the capability of business to rapidly respond to change. Canada is not ready for climate change Credit Card Climate change affects all Canadian industries, from agriculture and natuProcessing to Help ral resources to tourism and defence. As nations advance policies and regulaDrive Business tions to combat greenhouse gas emissions, Canada must keep pace to mainSuccess tain its competitiveness as a location for investment and a source of products. Canada needs clear federal policy on carbon regulation and a climate adaptation strategy. Full Suite of Products Preferred Chamber Pricing Internal barriers to trade cost Canadians billions and restrict investment • Ecommerce The Canadian economy remains divided by artificial barriers to trade and • Wired & Wireless labour mobility that frustrate business investment and cost consumers bilTerminals lions of dollars every year. To get free trade within Canada, the federal gov• First Data Mobile should apply pressure on the provinces and expand the right of PayTM % ¢ % ernment private parties to seek redress. • Gift Cards Solutions Lack of clarity regarding businesses’ responsibilities to Aboriginal peoon Visa credit on Interac Direct on Mastercard credit • TeleCheck® Electronic receipts with Payment receipts with receipts with ples constrains investment electronic deposits electronic deposits electronic deposits Cheque Acceptanc In the cut and thrust of global competition, Canada can no longer afford The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and First Data, a leader in the for its governments, businesses and Aboriginal peoples to work at cross-purelectronic payment processing industry, have partnered to bring you poses. Canada needs meaningful reconciliation with its Aboriginal peoples; exclusive benefits to help grow your business.Together we are ready to help you with preferred pricing and products tailored to suit your needs. however, it is not clear to businesses what reconciliation means and what is required to do their part in achieving it. The federal government, as the primary interlocutor between Aboriginal peoples and other constituencies, needs to lead the way. Canada’s brand does not support business competitiveness The world sees Canada as a great place to live but not to do business, and Canada has not been doing a good job at changing those perceptions. A strong business brand would encourage foreign direct investment in Canada, For complete details, contact the Chamber increase awareness of Canadian export products and support Canada’s tourism industry. The government must increase its efforts to improve its business 115 - 300 South Edgeware Road, St. Thomas Phone: 519-631-1981 Fax: 519-631-0466 brand through tourism and investment promotion. Email: mail@stthomaschamber.on.ca www.stthomaschamber.on.ca
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 12
Chamber News Pro Text
Your home insurance in the spring: Flooding
by Crystal Underhill
With spring approaching, it’s a great time for homeowners to review their insurance policies and make sure that they are covered against the type of damage that comes with the change in weather. During the spring, floods and the resulting water damage can be caused by the combination of snow melt and heavy rains that come with this time of year. If you’re not prepared, water damage can do permanent structural damage to your home as well as wreak havoc on your belongings and the inside of your home. One of the most common areas of concern is water damage in your basement. Regular and continuous water entry into your home can result in long-term damage to the building and contents. It’s important to remember that not all of this damage is covered by home insurance. It has only been the in past year that insurance companies have started to offer coverage on these types of losses. And it still remains that only a select few of the insurance companies have launched this coverage.
Be prepared: The best defence against water is to prepare your home ahead of time. Not all water damage is preventable, but regular maintenance can protect you against many of the common causes of damage. Here are some ways you can protect your belongings from water damage during the spring thaw: • Make sure your roof is in good condition. • Don’t store valuable items in the basement. • Make sure that your floor drains are in good working order. • Check the grading around your home. • Consider installing a sump pump and/or sewer backflow valve. • Keep your window wells and eaves troughs clear of debris. • Check your foundation for cracks. Keeping your home protected against water damage is no different than keeping your car running smoothly. It needs regular maintenance and, occasionally, significant upgrades and renovations. One other key tip: Shovel and remove large
quantities of snow that may have built up around the perimeter close to your home Am I covered? As mentioned, there are some limitations on what your insurance policy covers in regards to water damage. Home insurance policies differ among companies, and there are varying types of insurance you can choose, so it’s important that you talk to your agent or broker to ensure that you know the details of your individual policy. Policies may vary considerably and it makes sense to know in advance what perils you’re protected against before they happen. The more knowledge you have, the better you can protect yourself and your home against the financial loss that comes with water damage. This column appears regularly in Business Beat and has been submitted by Crystal Underhill, RIB (Ont), CIP, & 2015 IBAO Young Broker of the Year. Crystal is an Advisor, New Business Development, with Crystal Underhill Reith & Associates Insurance and Financial Services Limited, 462 Talbot Street, St. Thomas. Questions and comments on this column are welcomed by the writer at 519-631-3862 or via e-mail: info@reithandassociates.com
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 13
Viewpoint
How to “do it”
Health & safety for small businesses: Let’s make this easier It’s a regular thing for the Chamber to hear from businesses of all types and sizes expressing concern and confusion over what seems never-ending changes in laws and requirements relating to the workplace. Health and safety issues seem most prominent and we also get a lot questions about firms that provide training. There are several companies competing for that type of business. Some are great; others not so much with excessive fees for programs that can often be sourced online at no charge from government or other public sector providers. Our best advice to review needs and obligations is a conversation with a public sector agency called WSPS – Workplace Safety & Prevention Services. WSPS operates across the province and is active locally, too. WSPS staff, for example, support and participate in the Chamber’s health & safety group, the St. Thomas Elgin Safe Communities Coalition. Their advice, and many of the services they offer, are free. Every business counts. Past experience proves some small business owners believe they’ll escape the notice of Ministry of Labour (MOL) inspectors who surely have bigger fish to fry. The truth is that the MOL inspectors can’t take their eyes off small businesses – and no wonder. You comprise 90 per cent of Ontario firms and one-third of its workforce. No matter how small your business is, you are
held accountable for keeping employees safe. And keeping them safe means empowering them to recognize risks and act in their best interests. How to “do it” is the second of six critical steps to an effective health and safety program, designed by the Chamber’s trusted health and safety provider and advisor, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS). What is the “it” you need to do? Identify and control your hazards, certainly – and we address hazard assessments in step four: “Watch for It” – but the prelude to hazard assessments is a deep commitment to training your staff. Your commitment to training needs to be deep for two reasons. One, health and safety training is a legal requirement. And two, doing it incorrectly or inefficiently is a colossal waste of time and money, something no business, large or small, can afford. What the law says Mandatory training under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) depends on your type of business, and includes: • Ministry of Labour Health and Safety Awareness Training for Workers and Supervisors (available at no cost at www.labour.gov.on.ca), which must include instruction on these elements, under the OHSA: ~ the duties and rights of workers and supervisors under the OHSA ~ common workplace hazards and occupational illnesses, and Monday to Friday of March Break how to identify, assess Time: 1pm to 3pm and manage them Cost: $5 + tax per pizza ~ the role of joint health and safety comto w o h Kids can learn mittees (JHSCs) and of r a nd we a za iz p health and safety repree k a m hat te ri u sentatives o v fa r u yo ~ the roles of the MOL, Workplace Safety There will be Prizes, and Insurance Board lots of Fun and much More! (WSIB), and Health and Safety Associations ~ information and open at 11am instruction requirements set out in the Workplace everyday Hazardous Materials Information System (WHr live We De MIS) Regulation all Day and Night ~ sources of information on occupational www.dominos.ca health and safety. • First Aid for a minimum of one worker per shift. • Use of required personal protective aS equipment. m o h T T. S T e Tre Under the law, or965 TalboT S
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ganizations with twenty or more employees must have an active Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC), and certify at least two members (one worker and one manager). Workplaces with six to nineteen staff must select a health and safety representative: an individual who is committed to improving prevention in the workplace, and is capable of fulfilling the same responsibilities and powers assigned to JHSCs in larger organizations. Certification requires the completion of Part One (basic training) and Part Two (workplacespecific hazard training) of Ontario’s certification training standard under the OHSA. You’ll find helpful links and downloads in the WSPS Roadmap for Small Business (look for it on www.wsps.ca/smallbusiness). How to “do it” Here are three strategies to keep your valuable, skilled employees doing profitable work safely in a tough competitive environment. Never assume: “There’s a perception that this task is common sense or that they should already know how to do it from previous jobs or training, and therefore I shouldn’t need to train on it,” says Paul Mansfield, Account Manager at WSPS. “Never assume that your life experience is remotely close to another person’s. Instead, assume this person has never done this before. Especially if you’re training a young and vulnerable worker.” Close all training gaps: Assess your workers’ knowledge and skills within the context of any newly assigned job responsibilities. Make sure they understand the hazards, and are trained on every task they are expected to perform (don’t neglect to document these activities). Put extra effort into training new and young workers, who are four times more likely to be injured in the first 28 days on the job: they are often eager to prove themselves, oblivious to risks, and convinced they are invincible. They may not know it, but they depend on you to keep them safe. Make your training sticky: Help employees remember what they’ve learned by explaining how the training will affect their well-being and success on the job. Connect the training to the organization’s health and safety goals. Be clear about expectations and conditions of employment. Banish distractions like cell phones from training venues. In the days and weeks after the training, ask workers to recall and demonstrate what they learned. Let’s make this easier You deserve to be on the simplest, fastest path to a healthy, safe and productive workforce. Check out all six steps to an effective health and safety program in the “Roadmap,” “How-To Guide,” and other resources offered on WSPS Small Business Safety Made Easy, and find out how to get it, do it, write it down, watch for it, report it, and find it. Get more tips by attending the Partners in Prevention Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show, April 26-27, The International Centre, Mississauga.
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 14
Legal Business Events and News of Interest to our Members
The four zombies of home buying
by Monty Fordham
It seems that most movies, T.V. programs and books (remember them?) these days have at least a few zombies in them. Although I’m not that familiar with zombies in general, the ones I have seen, on screen at least, seem exceptionally good looking, all things considered. However, although we can tolerate the presence of a few zombies in our entertainment, the same certainly cannot be said about our homes. Much like the Hollywood variety, house zombies pretty much remain interred, at least until someone looks more carefully. Then, out they come, lurching and shuffling toward their ultimate goal: the complete destruction of your house deal. No, these are not real zombies; the real ones would be a lot less expensive to get rid of. As a seller or a buyer, you should know where to look for them, how to identify them, and what to do if you find them. To find the first of these critters, you have to go up into the attic of the home. There, you may find various kinds of insulation: cellulose, fibreglass or that creepy, granular, VERMICULITE! And to make it even more difficult, the vermiculite may be hiding under the other types of insulation. Now, vermiculite looks quite harmless (looks like cat litter), and, in fact, the vast majority of it is. It seems only vermiculite produced from a certain mine in Montana contained asbestos, and was, therefore, considered harmful. Problem is, there is no way of telling where the vermiculite came from, unless it is tested professionally. Removal by certified removal companies can be quite expensive, and according to most experts, unnecessary, as long as the material remains undisturbed. To find the next zombie, go to the basement. If the home is older, you may find pipes, ducts and other infrastructure wrapped in ASBESTOS! Once again, left undisturbed, the material is quite harmless. However, should it flake off or become damp, the air-borne particulate is considered quite harmful. The good news is that removal is not overly expensive, and it is usually much easier to access.
These two zombies, even taken together, should not be considered deal-killers. In fact, in the standard real estate form of agreement of purchase and sale, you won’t find them mentioned at all. There is no hard legal requirement for the seller to disclose the presence of either, but the real estate agent must disclose, if he/she becomes aware. A costs of removal of UFFI can be substantial. thorough home inspection, by a qualified home The last, most fearsome zombie is called GROWinspector, should reveal any presence of asbestos or OP! And he’s a big, mean, deal demolishing monvermiculite. Most mortgage lenders and insurers ster. He’s so big, elusive and dangerous, he requires are not frightened off by either, but consideration a separate column just to contain him. So, next should be given to having both removed to facili- month, tune in to see that terrifying group of real tate resale. estate zombies known as STIGMA! See you then. The next zombie should have been put out of his misery years ago. His name is UFFI! Back in Lawyer Monty Fordham the mid-70s, the federal government was paying prepares this monthly column homeowners to put this stuff in their homes, and, for the St. Thomas & District by the mid-80s, it was paying them to take it out. Chamber of Commerce and It has been outlawed for over 30 years. UFFI or our Members. Questions, Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation was an incomments and suggestions for jected form of insulation (looked like shaving future columns are welcomed Monty Fordham by Monty at his office: Fordham cream) and its presence can be detected by plugs, either on the exterior or interior of the walls. & Brightling Associates – Lawyers, 4 Elgin Street, St. After all this time, any remaining UFFI is dry, Thomas. Telephone 519-633-4000, FAX 519-633-1371 powdery, (looks like Styrofoam) and, at least acor e-mail: montyfordham@4elgin.ca cording to most experts, is completely harmless. However, the standard real estate form still contains a representation and warranty to the effect that the house does not contain UFFI. Once again, a thorough home inspection by a qualified inspector should reveal the presence of UFFI. Sellers should be very wary of giving a false representation and warranty, as they can be liable in damages if the house is TFSAs* •• Long Longterm termcare careinsurance insurace • • RRSPs RRSPs TFSAs* later found to contain UFFI. Moreover, the
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 15
Member News Events and News of Interest to our Members
New Members Character Curtain Calls St. Thomas, ON Email: charactercurtaincalls@gmail.com Website: www.charactercurtaincalls@gmail.com Contact: Scott Shakir, Secretary Treasurer Buyers Guide Categories: Theatre, Entertainment Products & Services: Elgin County’s new children’s theatre group, Character Curtain Calls is now in operation! Their mission is to provide a fun and encouraging arts environment for children and youth to explore and develop drama activities and/or events. Character Curtain Calls sessions include acting games, improvisation, musical theatre, and characterization. All activities are completed with a year-end public performance. Chen’s Lucky Kitchen 515 - 517 Talbot Street St. Thomas, ON N5P 1C3 Phone: 519-933-3899 Email: N/A Website: www.luckykitchenchen.ca Contact: Shally Yeung, Manager Buyers Guide Categories: Restaurants, Catering, Banquet/Event/Meeting Spaces/Halls Products & Services: Chen’s Lucky Kitchen is authen-
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 February 15, 2016. 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.
tic Chinese food for dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering. With takeout orders, you receive FREE crispy fried wanton or sweet & sour chicken. Chen’s Lucky Kitchen features a full selection of authentic Chinese menu items including combos for one, family combos for two up to six people, and special order party trays. Spice level can be moderated by request. NAPA Auto Parts Gallagher Auto Parts Inc. 52 Moore Street St. Thomas, ON N5R 3W3 Phone: 519-631-8400 Email: rgallagher@napacanada .com Web: www.napacanada.comhttp://www.offroad-addiction.com/ Contacts: Ray Gallagher, Owner / Sean Gallagher, Manager Buyers Guide Categories: Auto Parts Products & Services: With over 350,000 quality parts for all types of automotive applications plus quality tools and accessories for all types of needs, Gallagher Auto Parts Inc, featuring NAPA Auto Parts, offers a wide range of replacement parts, accessories, supplies, tools, equipment and quality products to repair shops,
Plan B Furnishings 166 Norma Place Port Stanley, ON N5L 1G2 Phone: 226-658-3920 Email: info@planbfurnishings.com Web: www.planbfurnishings.com Contacts: Steve Pickersgill / Sandy Pickersgill, Owners Buyers Guide Category: Furniture - Antique, Furniture - Retail, Outdoor Furniture, Restorations, Flea Markets, Giftware Products & Services: Plan B Furnishings is a homebased business operated by Steve and Sandy Pickersgill. They search out antique, vintage, and retro furniture and decor items, and breathe new life into them. Plan B Furnishings sells their items online and at their home and antique booth. All items for Plan B Furnishings are purchased at auctions, thrift shops and estate sales. TownePlace Suites by Marriott 800 Exeter Road London, ON N6E 1L5 Phone: 519-681-1200 Ext 402 Email: lynn@towneplacelondon.com Web: www.towneplacelondon.com Contact: Lynn Walker, Director of Sales Buyers Guide Category: Accommodations, Banquet/Event/Meeting Spaces/Halls Products & Services: The TownePlace Suites by Marriott in London is an extended-stay retreat, designed for you to work and live with the comfort, flexibility and affordability you need. Relax and feel at home with a fully equipped kitchen, high-speed Internet access and a state-of-the-art Fitness Centre. Enjoy a complimentary hot breakfast each morning in the spacious breakfast lounge at TownePlace Suites by Marriott. Ideally located off Highway 401 and 402. From Highway 401, Exit 186 North, Wellington Road. The TownePlace Suites by Marriott in London is surrounded by great shopping, dining and entertainment options. All suites are stylish and functional, offering neighborhood-style living. On-site parking is complimentary.
Jennifer Boone EXT 225 or Crystal Underhill EXT 234
Rob Blaxall: President
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Residential • Commercial • Industrial March, 2016
commercial fleet operators, professional mechanics, doit-yourselfers, and automobile owners. All of NAPA’s products, from the best-known brand names to private brands such as NAPA, UltraPro, UltraCraft and BodyPro, have become synonymous with “reliability” and “affordability.” Gallagher Auto Parts Inc. offers courteous, fast, and efficient service, as well as advice from qualified professionals, all in a practical store layout.
Full range of Public Accounting Services including: Auditing, Accounting and Taxation Services
Mark Lassam, CPA, CA 115 Curtis St., St.Thomas, ON N5P 1J4 p: 519-631-1631 | f: 519-631-2929 mark@lassam.ca
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 16
LIFESTYLE Healthy Living
Who is the boss in bed?
by Ronda Degaust
Time and time again you read about the importance of not letting your pets sleep in your bed with you. Pet lovers, like myself, like having my cats sleep at the foot part of my mattress. These hairy children are part of my family. If you feel the same way and would like to have your dog or cat sleep with you without them interrupting you … read on. According to Dr. John Shepard, Medical Director of the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center, 22% of their sleeping disorder patients had pets sleeping on the bed with them disrupting their sleep. Since this is a common problem, I am going to share with you some tips on how I trained my two kittens to leave me alone all night long and not wake me up in the morning. Setting the ground rules The first thing you have to establish is who is the boss in bed, you or your pet? Many people think you cannot train a cat, but I trained my old cat after she was 4 years old not to go into the kitchen. You may be wondering why I didn’t train her sooner, but I was like most people and didn’t know I could until I had training in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). After taking my first course to become a coach using the processes in NLP, I started to realize how I could apply what I learned to train my pet not to get up on my kitchen counter. People were always amazed how she would only come to the end of the kitchen’s hardwood floor and not cross over onto the tile. When setting your ground rules, it is important to determine what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. Pets are like children Pets are very much like children; they need to know who the boss is and what the rules are. If you don’t take It’s time for you to on the role of boss … they will. After you establish your rules, it’s time to implement your action plan. The carrot and the stick motivation People and pets alike are motivated by either the carrot (the reward) or the stick (the punishment). I’m not talking about hitting your pet, so don’t get your knickers in a twist. Acceptable punishment like time out works golf courses in the country. with pets, too. Pets love to be with you so taking away what they want will start to condition them into knowing that if they are to do X behaviour, the punishment will follow. It is very common to reward your pet with a treat after they do something you like … this is the carrot. The same applies if you punish the pet for something they did wrong … this is the stick. What works well with cats and dogs After you set your standards of what is acceptable and what is not, then you need to determine what will work St Thomas Golf and as a punishment for your pet. Remember to always reward your pet when they do acceptable behaviour. Pets, Country Club Union, Ontario like people, love to be praised when they please their One of the country’s finest golf courses is in Union, Ontario. owner. Top course conditions, great food, renovated locker rooms, Applying this to the bedroom practice facilities and fun member events and leagues. Pets are smart; they will associate their behaviour with the punishment very quickly. Apply the punishment you chose to deter them from interrupting your sleep. • Principal - $3073 • Juniors - 18 yrs.and under - $350-$530 About a year after my old cat passed on, I decided to • Women’s Promotion – first year • Students - full time post-secondary get another pet. This time, I got two orphaned kittens. principal membership - $895 $530 Within two months of taking them home, they were lining up at the kitchen door at the edge of the tile and • Ranked 36th in Canada by Scoregolf • Young Adult - 19-30 yrs. - $1172 sleeping at the foot part of the mattress, allowing me to • Fabulous food selections from • Initiation - $1,500 sleep without interruptions. Whether it’s 6:30 a.m. or Chef Terrance Tew team Robert Rose andand team. • Intermediate - 31-36 yrs. - $1999 10:00 a.m., they know who is the boss in the bed.
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Ronda Degaust is the author of How To Heal from Years of Criticism, Insults, Abuse & Rejection. She is a Break-thru Coach & International NLP Trainer. Find out more at lifepotential.ca or email her at breakthru@lifepotential.ca. March, 2016
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Visit www.stthomasgolf.com - 519-631-4800 ext. 21 or email Vicki Asher at vicki@stthomasgolf.com or GM Rob Mason at rob@stthomasgolf.com Certain restrictions may apply. Contact the Club for details.
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 17
Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce
Local mayors address Feb. breakfast meeting On pages 18 and 19, Elgin This Month and the Aylmer and Area Chamber of Commerce present speeches to the annual Chamber breakfast meeting by the mayors of Aylmer, Malahide and Bayham, edited for length.
Mayors Paul Ens (left), Dave Mennill and Greg Currie during the Aylmer Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Meeting in February.
Mayor Greg Currie, Town of Aylmer Aylmer’s Works Department is diligently working toward a much-needed new building. We hope to break ground for the new structure within this calendar year. The cost of the project will have zero effect on the tax base. At the East Elgin Community Complex, we have in place a new governance model, and this council is working with our partners in Malahide. I would like to welcome James Allen as the new manager and look forward to working with him as we move forward to realize the potential of the Complex. Aylmer Fire Service has purchased a good quality, previously owned fire truck. However, we bought it in the United States, and we have fallen victim to the falling loonie. It really is discouraging to be a Canadian Fire Service when purchasing a commodity in the USA. Suffice it to say that when the fire truck is delivered in a couple of months, it will have saved the Town over $400,000 compared to the price of a new truck. Planet Shrimp in Aylmer is a good news story. Aylmer and Malahide are working as advocates for the new plant’s operation. We look forward to its
Aylmer Chamber Chat & Chew, Wed. Mar. 16, 12:15 – 1:15 p.m., Central Family Restaurant. $12 for buffet lunch. RSVP by Mar. 11 aylmerchamber@eastlink.ca or 519 773 5655.
completion as it will bring some much needed jobs to our community. Over the last year, there have been major construction projects on Caverly Road and John Street. These have progressed nicely. The Town’s Works Department is to be congratulated for this major accomplishment. The Town of Aylmer’s tax levy dropped 3.3% last year for residential properties and decreased in commercial and industrial amounts. Council will continue to examine the various town budgets and seek opportunities to keep taxes in check, and to lower these where possible. The Innovation Centre (in the old Imperial Tobacco plant) is now in its second year of operation. Interest from community members is growing fast, and success stories include assisting new business ventures, helping in a renovation project, and helping with a new ownership transition business. Aylmer Town Council is investigating options to either buy or lease a space within the BIA of Aylmer for the library. However, a library expansion project cannot cost the ratepayers of Aylmer a significant amount of money affecting the tax rate. The library does need to increase its footprint within the town, but we have to be able to afford it. If we cannot, although it is tight today in its current structure, we still have full services.
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18
Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce Mayor Paul Ens, Municipality of Bayham
Mayor Dave Mennill, Township of Malahide
There are four specific items I would like to speak on. 1) What has been accomplished to date from your election platform? a) Support for our local service clubs and organizations. Our Municipality has decided to contribute financially along with some in-kind services to major festivals such as Edison Fest, Watermelon Fest and Beach Fest. We are also offering, at this time anyways, various other organizations hall rentals at reduced rates. b) Water and waste water systems. We have made application for funding assistance of the Upgrade of the Richmond Water Distribution system. We completed an audit of the storm water systems in both Vienna and Port Burwell, and are investigating how to move forward. c) Public safety and fiscal responsibility. An engineering firm completed audits on seven municipal buildings. Council has gone through the reports, had discussions on usages, and, as a result, some facilities are being repaired and others being addressed in other manners. d) Listening to, and potentially taking action on, our residents’ concerns. The Straffordville Community Center building was closed due to safety issues. After engineering studies and public consultation, it appeared the building would be sold. At the 11th hour, residents came forward with a proposal to renovate the centre. As a result, it looks like Bayham will get a renovated hall. 2) What is your municipality doing to attract new businesses/agribusiness? The Municipality has refined development application approval processes, turning around applications promptly. We are an active participant of SCOR. It focuses on the agriculture and producer sector for the region and has a recent large win in the form of Trillium funding for a Food Hub project, to bring the amazing agricultural products produced in the region to local distributors. The Municipality also remains committed to the Elgin County Economic Development Group. 3) What marketing are you doing for your municipality to bring residents / tourists / businesses? The Municipality recently launched a new website, including a new image, community and tourism options and historical documents dating back to the 1850s (minutes, by-laws). We continue to produce event brochures and attend area tradeshows and partner with the County on the same. 4) Overview The Municipality has also engaged in a process to develop a Community Energy Plan to focus on Bayham’s roots of alternative energy and energy efficiency. In 2016, Bayham will see a rejuvenated Straffordville Community Centre, a new Corinth Pavilion, a Storm Sewer EA, consolidation of facility footprint between Water / Wastewater and Public Works and significant ditching and brushing and road improvement programs. The Municipality passed early capital and operating budgets. With a combined 7.667 levy increase or around a 2.81% residential tax rate change on a property without any assessment changes.
We began the year developing a strategic plan for the Township that focuses on maintaining and improving our road system. We envision converting most of our gravel roads to tar and chip; in the long run, it is cheaper to maintain a hard surface road than a gravel road. I was pleased to see so much activity at Port Bruce this past summer and the Port Bruce residents are to be commended for their dedication to their community. Moving into 2016, we are looking forward to making some significant improvements in Wonnacott Park and around the pier in Port Bruce with the financial assistance of a Canada 150 grant. We hope to develop a Community Improvement and Beautification Plan for Springfield this year. I’m looking forward to seeing construction of the new Dexter Line, as well as moving the waterline to the new road allowance. The tender has been granted and it can’t come soon enough. I am waiting for permission from the province to begin the construction of the new Terrace Lodge. Everything is ready to go, and we just need final financial commitment from the province. As you can see there are many projects that we are planning that require financing. A large part of financing is reserves. Councils both past and present have always held a ‘pay as you go’ philosophy for capital purchases and construction, avoiding long-term debt. The best way for council to meet the ‘pay as you go’ mandate is to save a little each year until there are sufficient funds for the project. Those funds are termed ‘reserves’. The amount of reserves fluctuate from year to year. When there are higher balances in the reserve, the staff invest those funds temporarily to obtain the higher interest rates. This prevents extreme spikes in taxation and leaves Malahide in a sound financial position. As I travel around Malahide Township, I am amazed at the entrepreneurialism and ingenuity of our residents in business and the dedication so many of you demonstrate in volunteering and helping the people around you. Such creativity and faithfulness make this Township a great place to live and do business. I am so proud to be a part of it!
to the u o Y Thank Area Aylmer ndation
u o F y t i n u Comm awarding us with the
d r a w A e t Corpora for
ing o continual t d r a w r fo c We look ppor t through loams. u r s g pro our ring and e e t n lu o v
We Work to help you protect What you can’t afford to lose
ray Jenken – agent
150 John St. N., Aylmer
(519) 773-5555
rjenken@westelgin.com
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19
income tax
Taxes 101: Students earn “extra credits” this term!
from the CRA website
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has tax credits, deductions, and benefits to help students. Make sure you claim those you are eligible for when you file your income tax and benefit return. Even if you have little or no income, you should still file your income tax return to claim eligible credits and benefits. Want to learn more about the benefits of filing a tax return? Check out our two videos designed
We share your viewpoint on tax: pay as little as you can. But most business decisions have tax implications, and tax legislation is complex, you need good advice. The Graham Scott Enns LLP approach is integrated, forward looking and tailored to you.
to help you put cash back in your pocket this filing season: Filing your Tax Return and Filing by Yourself. Important facts Here are the top savings for students at tax time: Eligible tuition fees – You can claim the tuition fees paid to attend your post-secondary educational institution for the tax year in question. You may be able to transfer the unused amount to a parent, grandparent, or to the parent or grandparent of your spouse or common-law partner. Education amount – As a full-time student (or a part-time student who has a certified mental or physical impairment), you can claim $400 for each month you were enrolled in a qualified educational program in a designated educational institution. As a part-time student, you can claim $120 for each month you were enrolled. You may be able to transfer the unused amount to a parent, grandparent, or to the parent or grandparent of your spouse or common-law partner. Textbook amount – Claim this amount only if you are entitled to claim the education amount. You can claim: $65 for each month you qualify for the full-time education amount $20 for each month you qualify for the part-time education amount You may be able to transfer the unused amount to a parent, grandparent, or to the parent or grandparent of your spouse or common-law partner. Interest paid on your student loans – You may be able to claim an amount for the interest paid in 2015 on your
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student loan for post-secondary education after your education is completed. You can also claim interest paid over the last five years if you haven’t already claimed it. But it has to be interest paid on a loan received under the Canada Student Loans Act, the Canada Student Financial Assistance Act, the Canada Apprentice Loans Act, or a similar provincial or territorial government law. Public transit amount – You can claim the cost of monthly public transit passes or passes of longer duration such as an annual pass for travel within Canada on public transit for 2015. Keep your transit passes for local buses, streetcars, subways, commuter trains or buses, and local ferries in case we ask to see them at a later date. Eligible moving expenses – If you moved for your post-secondary studies and are a full-time student, you may be able to claim moving expenses. You can deduct these expenses only from the part of your scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, certain prizes, and research grants that has to be included in your income. If you moved to work, including for a summer job, or to run a business, you can also claim your moving expenses. However, you can deduct these expenses only from the income you earned at the new work location. To qualify, your new place of residence must be at least 40 kilometres closer to your new school or work location. Goods and services/Harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit – If you are turning 19 before April 1, 2017, you may be eligible for the GST/ HST credit. The CRA will determine your eligibility when you file your 2015 income tax and benefit return and will send you a notice of determination if you are eligible for the credit. Child care expenses – If you pay someone to look after your child while you go to school, you may be able to deduct child care expenses. If you had a summer job or worked during the school year, your employer is required to provide you with a T4 slip. Make sure to collect all your T4 slips before filing to avoid any adjustment or delay to your benefit and credit payments. For information on carrying forward or transferring amounts, and to check out the CRA’s videos for students, go to www.cra.gc.ca/youth.
• Small Business, Corporate and Personal Tax Services • Bookkeeping, Sales Tax, WSIB and Payroll • Estate and Tax Planning www.markawales.ca 190 Centre St, St. Thomas
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 20
income tax Ten questions to help your financial advisor
by Ellen Luft
Your relationship with your financial advisor should be based on absolute trust. Your financial future, your estate preservation and your legacy depend upon it. If your advisor has your best interests at heart, they will base all recommendations on the services you need to meet your goals. 1. What are you trying to achieve with your savings? By knowing what your life goals are, your advisor will build a portfolio that works to meet them. 2. What is your investment experience? Are you a relatively new investor or a savvy veteran? Be prepared to give an honest answer, not one that creates a false image. Share your experiences positive and negative. It helps your advisor understand your investing goals. 3. Are you investing elsewhere, or in a business? Diversification is a primary goal of a wealth manager. 4. What other assets do you own? Your home, vacation property, rare collections, art work all can have a significant impact on how your advisor allocates your portfolio. 5. How much income do you need from your portfolio, now and in the future? The need for income can make a big difference to your portfolio allocation. Lower income requirements can mean a longer investment time horizon.
6. How did you feel during the 2008 downturn? Understanding how you dealt with the worst recession in 80 years will tell your advisor how much risk you really can handle. 7. If you own a business, what is your exit strategy? Depending on how you exit your business will impact investment strategies to save tax and provide income for the future. 8. What have you done to protect your personal and business assets from creditors? This is a critical question in some circumstances and will help your advisor provide protection where it is needed. 9. What is your personal and business tax situation? Tax minimization is an important goal for all investors. If you are currently using some tax strategies your advisor needs to know, and if you are not, you will want to start implementing those that work for your financial situation. 10. What are you doing to split income? All income splitting strategies need to be explored to help minimize tax. Be prepared to share answers to these questions with your financial advisor and understand how your current investment portfolio helps to meet the goals outlined above. If you do not understand the strategy surrounding your investment portfolio, do not hesitate to ask your advisor. After all you need to trust and understand that your advisor is focused on helping you meet your personal financial goals.
It’s not what you earn... It’s what you keep.
This article was prepared solely by Ellen Luft who is a registered representative of HollisWealth® (a division of Scotia Capital Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada). The views and opinions, including any recommendations, expressed in this article are those of Ellen Luft alone and not those of HollisWealth. ® Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. HollisWealth is a trade name of HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd. Insurance products provided through HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.
After-Tax Financial Planning investment • insurance • retirement and tax planning
www.farrowfinancial.ca
At Kee, Perry & DeVrieze, we take a proactive vs. reactive approach to tax services. By keeping current on new tax laws and legislation, we are in a position to identify key tax planning opportunities that minimize both your current and future tax liabilities. Appropriate tax planning can contribute to your overall financial fitness and put more after-tax dollars in your pocket. We can help in many different areas: • Tax return preparation for Individuals and Corporations • Tax effective retirement and estate planning • Tax considerations in matrimonial settlements • Tax effects of buying/selling a business • Provincial and federal commodity tax planning and compliance
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519-631-6360 • www.kpdcpa.ca March, 2016
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 21
income tax Do you have to file a return?
from the CRA website
You must file a return for 2015 if any of the following situations apply: You have to pay tax for 2015. CRA sent you a request to file a return. You and your spouse or common-law partner elected to split pension income for 2015. See lines 115, 116, 129, and 210 of your return. You received working income tax benefit (WITB) advance payments in 2015. You disposed of capital property in 2015 (for example, if you sold real estate or shares) or you realized a taxable capital gain (for example, if a mutual fund or trust attributed income to you, or you are reporting a capital gains reserve you claimed on your 2014 return). You have to repay any of your old age security or employment insurance benefits. See line 235. You have not repaid all amounts withdrawn from your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) under the Home Buyers’ Plan or the Lifelong Learning Plan. For more information, go to Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) or see Guide RC4112, Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP). You have to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). This can apply if for 2015 the total of your net self-employment income and pensionable employment income is more than $3,500.
See line 222. You are paying employment insurance premiums on self-employment and other eligible earnings. See lines 317 and 430. Even if none of these requirements apply, you can file a return if any of the following situations apply: You want to claim a refund. You want to claim the WITB for 2015. You want the GST/HST credit (including any related provincial credits). For example, you may be eligible if you turn 19 before April 2017. You or your spouse or common-law partner want to begin or continue receiving Canada child tax benefit payments, including related provincial or territorial benefit payments. You or your spouse or common law partner want to claim the family tax cut. See line 423. You have incurred a non-capital loss (see line 236) in 2015 that you want to be able to apply in other years. You want to carry forward or transfer the unused part of your
tuition, education, and textbook amounts. See line 323. You want to report income for which you could contribute to an RRSP and/or a pooled registered pension plan (PRPP) to keep your RRSP/PRPP deduction limit for future years current. You want to carry forward the unused investment tax credit on expenditures you incurred during the current year See line 412. You receive the guaranteed income supplement or allowance benefits under the old age security program. You can usually renew your benefit by filing your return by April 30. If you choose not to file a return, you will have to complete a renewal form. This form is available from Service Canada.
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March, 2016
Want to check the status of your tax return? Or maybe you’d like to register for direct deposit? Or perhaps you need proof of income so you can sponsor a family member to come to Canada? With My Account, the Canada Revenue Agency’s secure online portal, you can complete all these tasks easily online. My Account can also help you file your tax return — new this tax filing season, you can use your My Account user ID and password to access the CRA’s new Auto-fill my return service when you file online. Auto-fill my return automatically fills in certain parts of your return. Within My Account, you can also do other things, such as check your RRSP and TFSA contribution limits and register to receive your mail online. When you register, the CRA will no longer print and mail eligible correspondence to you. Instead, you will receive an email when there is mail to view in My Account. To register for My Account, go to cra.gc.ca/myaccount and follow the steps listed. You will need your social insurance number, as well as your last two tax returns. Make sure the CRA has your current address before you register. The same day you register, you will have immediate access to some of your tax information, such as a condensed version of your notice of assessment. You will then be sent a security code by mail. When your code arrives, enter it right away to complete your registration and access the full suite of My Account services. You’ll have all your tax information at your fingertips. You can view your detailed notice of assessment, view your benefit payments, and even make changes to your tax return. More information about My Account is available online at cra.gc.ca/myaccount.
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 22
income tax
Top questions at the Canada Revenue Agency
From the CRA website
How do I change my address? You can do it online if you have registered for My Account or by calling us at 1-800-959-8281. You can also mail or fax a completed Form RC325, Address Change Request, or a signed letter to your tax centre. Your signed letter must include your social insurance number, your new address, and your moving date. How do I change my marital status? You can change your marital status online by using the option “Change my marital status” through My Account, by calling us at 1-800-387-1193 or by sending a completed Form RC65, Marital Status Change to your tax centre. What is my balance owing or where is my refund? You can find the amount of your balance owing online by logging into My Account or the MyCRA mobile app. If you have a refund, you can find the refund details online in My Account or using the MyCRA mobile app, which includes the refund method (direct deposit or mailed cheque), the date it was sent and the amount. You can also call the Tax Information Phone Service (TIPS) at 1-800-2676999 to ask about your refund. TIPS is available from mid-February to December 2016. How can I get a copy of my notice of assessment or reassessment? You can get a copy quickly and easily through My Account. If you are registered for My Account you will be able to view and print detailed information on an assessment or reassessment of your income tax and benefit return for the current year and the 11 previous years. You can choose to receive your tax correspondence online through My Account’s online mail service. Register through My Account by selecting “Manage online mail” or by entering your email address on your tax return. When you register for the service, you will receive an email when your notice of assessment or reassessment, and other CRA correspondence, is available to view online. Go to www.cra. gc.ca/onlinemail to find out more. How do I register for direct deposit? You can register for direct deposit online through My Account, by calling us at 1-800-959-8281 or by mail by filling out the Direct Deposit Enrolment Form and mailing it to the address indicated on the form. For March, 2016
more information, go to www.cra.gc.ca/ directdeposit. The CRA’s online services make filing and managing your taxes easier The CRA’s online services are fast, easy, and secure. You can use them to help file your income tax and benefit return, make a payment, track the status of your return, register for online mail, apply for child benefits, and more. Access the CRA’s full suite of self-service options—register for My Account at www.cra.gc.ca/myaccount today, and start managing your tax matters online!
Tax Planning is the Key to Saving Tax Dollars We keep up to date on current tax legislation to identify key tax planning opportunities that minimize both current and future tax liabilities.
• Business Tax Planning & Returns (including Proprietorships and Partnerships) • Personal Tax Planning & Returns • Estate and Trust Returns • Business Succession Planning
Mark Lassam, CPA, CA 115 Curtis Street, St. Thomas 519-631-1631 mark@lassam.ca
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 23
Business & Community Technology
SCAMMED! for the very last time
Mark McIntosh owns markIT Technology Solutions Group in St. Thomas.
by Mark McIntosh
The virtual world with little face or identity has given rise to an increase in online scams and identity theft. Unfortunately, the onus for protection is on you. Now, this leaves the question, “How do I protect myself or my business?” The answer is simple: awareness. Although we have computer security software and firewalls to help protect our computers, these do not protect from lack of awareness. This is a cyber predator’s biggest weapon. But what does awareness really mean? It simply means you need to know when you’re being scammed, and stop it before it’s completed. It’s hard to always know what is a scam and what isn’t. Here are a few tips to watch for: Fake emails asking for banking information or telling you they require you to enter your information to confirm your account or something will happen to it. The email may look exactly like one from your bank with logos and even a few legitimate links like a privacy policy. It may ask you to click on a link that takes you to a fake web page that looks exactly like the sign-in page of your bank. It will have the box for your client card and password. When you enter this information into this fake web site, you are actually giving the criminal full access to your bank account. Next thing you know your money is GONE! ! Protection Tip: Banks DO NOT EVER request information like this from their customers
… not even over the phone. If you receive one of these E-mails DELETE IT right away. It is NOT from your bank. Fake virus alerts and support pop ups: This has become quite common lately. You’re working away on your computer and all of a sudden you receive this pop-up message telling you that your computer is infected or telling you it is Microsoft and asking you to call a number for support. Both are scams. What happens here is you call the number and they ask for your credit card and say they will fix your computer remotely for a fee (which ranges anywhere from $150 to $500 or more). Another version is you receive a phone call claiming to be Microsoft saying they have detected problems on your computer ! Protection Tip: IGNORE the pop-ups and DO NOT call the number. Call someone who can help you remove the malware or web page reference that caused the pop-up … That’s all you have to do. For calls claiming to be from Microsoft … hang up! Microsoft will never call claiming to detect issues on a person’s computer. The best defence in stopping these scams and the criminals behind them is YOU! If you ignore them they can’t scam you. Unfortunately, they will move on to another, but it won’t be you. If you think someone has obtained your personal or banking information report it to the police and your bank or other related government agency if it involves identity theft. Don’t be their victim … Be their nemesis.
Bring Back the Local Songbirds! You can help on Saturday, April 23rd ...by participating in an Adult Team Spelling Bee for wetlands and environmental projects consistent with the Environmental Trust SpellBound 2016 St. Anne’s Centre, St. Thomas Team Spelling | Music Trivia | Silent & Live Auction | Cash Bar
Sat. April 23rd | Doors Open 6:30 pm | Spelling Bee 7:30 pm For more information visit: http://kettlecreektrust.com/spellbound/
$300 per team max 6 people per team ($50/person Income Tax Receipt) Yes! We want a team for SpellBound 2016
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Name: _______________ Phone or Email: _____________________ For a Registration Form, fax this ad to 519-631-5026 Or email info@kettlecreektrust.com
March, 2016
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 24
LIFESTYLE That’s Life
Correct spelling … music to our ears
by Elizabeth VanHooren
My grade six teacher employed a unique performance incentive program in the classroom. Every time you did something related to good performance – handed in an assignment on time, scored a perfect math quiz, or aced your spelling test – you received a thumb size piece of masking tape on the top right side of your desk. Of course the opposite was true as well, meaning you could lose a piece of tape if you acted out in class. At the end of the month you could buy a prize from the prize table using your tape. The items on the prize table were a tacky assortment of garage sale finds – like salt and pepper shakers for five tapes. I’m sure most of those trophies of excellence ended up back on the garage sale circuit at some point, but it was the pursuit of a prize that made learning fun. This by the way is the same teacher who insisted that antique was spelled j-u-n-k. He thought this was both funny and the real answer; it showed up often on his spelling tests. You received bonus points for spelling it in his preferred manner. Spelling is challenging, boring and confusing. Who doesn’t remember with horror the rules like, “I before E except after C.” You are led to believe that it’s a rule, but then your teacher deceives you and your neighbour by introducing exceptions that can really get the blood boiling in your veins. Then there are the rules you didn’t know existed. For instance, “The letter K is substituted for C if K is followed by an E, I or Y.” As in kin, make, sketch, flaky or poker. Of course you have to know if the I sound in the word is actually an I or Y for this rule to do you any favours. To her credit, my son’s grade two teacher is employing a variety of different learning methods to teach the next generation of spellers. No memorization or
grueling spelling tests anymore. Instead, she sends home a different combination of ten letters every week. My son spends the week coming up with words from those ten letters. Yes, spelling is challenging, boring and confusing but it can also be fun! (Okay, spelling can be fun with the right performance incentives.) A case in point is the Kettle Creek Environmental Trust’s SpellBound fundraiser for environmental works in the Kettle Creek watershed. At SpellBound you work with your team of six to spell words correctly – no public humiliation, just bragging rights and a chance to win the coveted Smarty Pants award and a Cash Prize. Last year the event raised over $11,000 for wetland creation and restoration. This year, for the non-spellers the event organizers have added music trivia to each round of play – a further incentive to get people excited about spelling. And this is where I challenge the elite group of writers that heroically pen articles for this publication every month to consider formulating a team. Team registrations are being accepted now for the April 23, 2016 event being held at the St. Anne’s Centre in St. Thomas. For more information visit www.kettlecreektrust.com. If you found a spelling mistake in this column, you should definitely register a team! Elizabeth VanHooren is General Manager of Kettle Creek Conservation Authority
Supplies upplies ffor Students is an annual initiative run by volunteers eers of the Thames Valley Education Foundation. The he goal is tto ensure every child in need starts the school yyear with a new backpack filled with school supplies. New Backpack and School Supply Drop supplies off LLocation in St. Thomas is Family Video. If yyou know a child who could benefit from receiving a filled backpack from Supplies for Students, please contact the child’s school Principal. Thank you to everyone who supported Supplies for or Students in our rrecord breaking 2014 year. Becaus aus ause of your generosity we were able to collect 3,891 backpacks tto help children have a better start to the school chool yyear.
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 25
HOMESTYLE Decorating
Headboards – and why
by Renée Carpenter
You have a functional bedroom full of furniture – just no headboard. So, does that matter? Well, yes, I think it does - and here’s why. Your bed is the focal point of the room. After all it is a BED-room. Add a headboard and you’ve just added style, colour, drama, pattern, structure and possibly even storage, whether at the head in the form of a bookcase or beneath the bed with organized under-bed storage. The right headboard can complete your entire bedroom design, setting the stage for the style and flow of the room. But before you just add a headboard, be sure you know the proper style and scale to fit the room and whatever else is going on. To have no headboard is better than to have the wrong headboard! Once you are confident you know what the room needs, below are a few ideas to help you think outside the box. - Monochromatically blend your headboard into its surroundings with a subtle colour shift. Paint the wall behind your headboard a shade or two light than the headboard. A barely-there difference will give your headboard the presence of a whisper rather than a shout. - For the opposite effect in a pallet of neutrals,
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a jolt of colour gives a room personality. Choose a bold colour that can become an accent colour throughout the room to carry the balance throughout. - Add drama to a large room by creating a freestanding headboard that is complete on both sides and float the bed in the room. If the room is large enough, it can even be divided into zones with a free-standing headboard wall. - Floating shelves provide modern storage for photos, small treasures, still leaving the wall somewhat open. - Architectural detail creates a functional headboard. Strips of molding add interest to the space. - A deep bookcase adds top display ledge and even potentially cubbies or side cubbies ideal for books or bedside essentials. Padded headboards still remain a huge trend and are in great demand – and for many reasons. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and you can choose the fabric as well as embellishments to set the tone for the rest of the room. It also helps break up so much wood in an otherwise small and almost all wood space. A padded headboard will softand Service en the room. For extra texture, go for one with deep tufts. Headboards with thicker padding allow for deeper tufts and a more luxurious look. Nail head trim offers a classic tailored finish. If working with a bold or patterned fabric, choose a nail head that is large enough to stand out so the elegant trim isn’t lost. Also consider the size of the nail head from a distance.
Relax and enjoy.
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Add structure to a padded headboard with a solid wood frame. This is the best of both worlds, tying the woods together while softening the room with the fabric backing. Bridged headboards curving high above a bed piled high with luscious linens and plush pillows make a sensational style statement – whether wood or padded. Make a standard 8’ ceiling appear higher with a tall headboard, drawing the eye up and giving the illusion of more vertical space. A fourposter bed can have a similar affect if the room can support it. Complete beds (includes footboard and side rails) with storage is another growing trend – and why not when there is so much wasted space beneath a bed? Some storage beds hydraulically lift from the foot, exposing the entire underside for storage. Others have drawers either on the side or at the foot that pull out to allow about 1/3 of the underbed space to be utilized. Wood beds vary so much in style, height, types of wood, finishes and from complete beds to just headboards. Let’s talk about what the room needs, the result you are going for, and then narrow down the options. It really is quite simple when working with people who know style, balance AND bedrooms!
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 26
Business & Community Your Team
Group think and female wage parity be summarized by three traits: flawed logic (it’s al- choices and actions. And organizations can make it ways been this way; it’s just the way it is), silencing safe for women to negotiate or seek support from With the recent 30-year anniversary of the space of opposition (she’s seems too aggressive; there’s others who offer a neutral view or challenge the shuttle Challenger disaster, we’ve been doing something about her I don’t like) and external current thinking. some research on one of the causes of that disas- pressure (if we pay her too much, then I may not It’s difficult to change stereotypes that have been ter – group think. It’s where get my increase). All three of programmed in us since early childhood, but we a group or team of people these are at play in wage par- need to be aware of them so women can make think or make decisions in a ity challenges. Because it’s choices to change their behaviour. way that discourages creativi“women have a negative always been this way, even if ty or individual responsibility. intuitive ‘gut’ feeling about a woman wants to negotiate, Nancy Annett, MBA, CHRP This practice can help a group she may stay quiet because and Laura Pavilonis, MBA reach a certain pre-defined negotiating for higher pay” the social cost to her is unacCHRP own Flashpoint target, whether it be a deadceptable. Training and Development. line or simply getting along or being cohesive. But What can be done? Owners, managers and emthere are drawbacks. ployees can start by becoming more aware of how In preparation for International Women’s Day stereotypes are created, and how these impact March 8, we’ve also been reviewing research related to this year’s theme, Pledge for Parity. Specifically, we’ve been looking at income disparity between men and women. According to Statistics Canada 2011, full-time presents... working women receive 74% of the wage levels of full-time working men. There appears to be a link between group think and this income disparity between women and men. While there can be systemic disFive Distinct Communities that Share a Single Vision crimination in promotion, hiring and compensation practices, it appears to be the case that women often don’t ask St. Thomas for higher salaries. Why? St. Thomas Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever, authors of Women Don’t Ask: Negotiation and the Gender Divide, studied Orchard Park is a It’s like having a this phenomenon. It turns out that diverse community piece of Muskoka women’s wage expectations are about offering something right in your own 30% lower than men in the same role. The Edenbrook 2170sqft, The Mapleridge 1700sqft, for everyone. back yard. “Men expect to earn 13 percent more Starting at $263,150 Starting at $218,650 than women during their first year of full-time work and 32 percent more at their career peaks.” Aylmer Strathroy It seems women have been conditioned to be grateful to be offered any job. And they tend to accept what Take the short If it’s the charm of they’re offered without feeling the drive to the small town Ontario need to negotiate salaries. Babcock growing community you seek, come to and Laschever also state that women Strathroy and see often don’t know the market value of The Morningdale 1442sqft, Bradley Park in The Rosewood 1440sqft, all it has to offer. Starting at $211,300 Starting at $214,950 their work. Aylmer So, why don’t women value themselves the same as men? According to Talk to one of our Ingersol the Harvard Business Review’s “Why sales staff for your personal tour Women Don’t Negotiate Their Job Offers,” in repeated studies, it’s a matMichele Milles Allison Fish ter of socially acceptable behaviour. 519-637-8266 519-637-0035 Celebrate the The “social cost of negotiating for Amanda Joiner higher pay has been found to be greatseasons in Ingersoll, 519-266-4561 er for women than it is for men.” It the heartland The Aspen 1460sqft, Quick Possession Homes seems that women have a negative inStarting at $203,800 of Ontario Available from 15 – 150 day closing tuitive ‘gut’ feeling about negotiating for higher pay – and they’re right! Research shows that if they self-advocate for higher pay, this presents a socially difficult situation for them — more so than for men. Group think in action. *The ENERGY STAR® mark is administered and promoted in Canada by The symptoms of group think can Natural Resources Canada and used with permission.
by Laura Pavilonis and Nancy Annett
www.dougtarryhomes.com
March, 2016
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 27
HEALTHY LIVING Everyday Health
Chiropractic and healthcare (pt. 2) loskeletal conditions is being felt within the publicly funded health care system. The chiroLast month, I discussed how blending appropri- practic profession can relieve ate private healthcare elements into our current some of this burden and can acpublicly funded healthcare system may actually tually save the system money in help to improve the efficiency of the system for doing so. Several years ago, the everyone. This month, we will be discussing how Conservative provincial governincreasing the role of chiropractic in the system ment of the time commissioned can also help to decrease wait times and improve a study on the profession of the overall efficiency of the system. chiropractic to examine its costSome 85% of Ontarians will experience an epi- effectiveness as it related to the sode of lower back pain at some point in their healthcare system of Ontario. lives. This means that four out of five will ex- They retained a well-known experience a problem for which chiropractors are pert in the field of epidemiology from the Unispecifically trained and best equipped to deal versity of Ottawa named Dr. Pran Magna who iswith. And 15% of Ontario physician (family sued the Magna report. This report led to a series doctor) visits are related to musculoskeletal con- of research studies examining the effectiveness cerns (back pain, neck pain, sprain/strains). This and cost effectiveness of chiropractic treatment equates to a million and a for lower back pain. half of Ontarians seeking Among the many findcare for these problems at the ings and recommendations physician’s office every year. “a reinstatement of OHIP that were provided by this Many times these problems research was the conclusion funding for chiropractic could be better dealt with that, “Expenditure to imservices” at a chiropractic office, to prove access to chiropractic relieve pain and suffering as services, and the changed well as the strain on our already overtaxed health utilization patterns it produces, will lead to very care system. substantial net savings in direct and indirect More than ever before, the burden of muscu- costs. Direct savings to Ontario’s health care system may be as much as $770 million, will very likely be $548 million, and will be at least $380 million. The corresponding savings in indirect costs – made up of the short and long term costs of disability – are $3.775 billion, $1.849 billion and $1.255 billion.” At that time, approximately $200 million dollars was budgeted for chiropractic in the system. It is easy to see that there would be a
by Dr. Greg Johnston B.H.K., B.Ed., D.C.
very good return for the investment. Imagine if 15% of the people in the waiting room at your family doctor’s office or in the emergency department of your local hospital weren’t there. How much easier and faster would it be for those individuals who truly needed a medical doctor to access care. Research by Dr. Jason Busse of McMaster University indicates that 75% of Ontario family physicians are referring patients to chiropractors, and 86% believe that chiropractors provide effective therapy for musculoskeletal conditions. Unfortunately, research continues to indicate that chiropractic is still tremendously underutilized by the Ontario population. Attitudes toward chiropractic are changing. More and more medical doctors are starting to refer patients to chiropractors. We must find ways for people to have better access to chiropractic services including more emphasis on extended health care as well as a reinstatement of OHIP funding for chiropractic services. Most importantly, the Ministry of Health must start to integrate chiropractic into our first line of attack specifically for musculoskeletal conditions. Doing so would greatly improve the outcomes for many patients as well as improve the overall efficiency of the entire health care system. Dr. Greg Johnston is a Chiropractor and partner in Family Health Options Treatment & Resources Centre in St.Thomas
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 28
Dining & Entertainment Food & Wine
Preparing tasty grapes for your glass (Part 2)
by Jamie Quai
Last month we talked about some of the timelines involved in growing and harvesting grapes. This month is all about some of the timelines that are involved in getting those delicious grapes into a bottle, then into your glass. We left the grapes to macerate last month. Now we press. Pressing grapes is the physical act of separating juice from its skins, and seeds. Here the timelines for action become important in three distinct ways: juice recovery, pressure, and logistics. Most presses operate on a batch cycle (not unlike most household appliances) and the key to getting great juice is to choose a protocol that will get your juice out as simply as possible. If the pressures ramp up too quickly, juice gets trapped in the skin cake. If it’s too slow, there is a risk that the juice being pressed can spoil once it’s been collected in the press pan. The timeline, and ultimately the pressures, are thus dictated by the distinct varieties themselves. The last concern with the pressing timeline is purely logistical. If the cycle is one hour, it can take up to an hour to clean the press out sufficiently to refill it. At some point, you have to call the cycle and get ready to go again. The longer grape juice sits prior to fermentation the greater the chance that indigenous spoilage microbes can take hold and add some off odours to the wine. So once the pressing is finished, most wineries are on a tight timeline to get their yeast off and fermenting. The fermentation itself is another distinct timeline in a wine’s life. With most wines, the goal
of fermentation is to have Fining often needs several weeks in contact with a steady rate of sugar con- the wine to interact and settle. The wines are then sumption. Winemakers use often subjected to near-freezing temperatures for temperature to speed up or several weeks. Doing this allows anything that is slow down that rate. Fermen- unstable (at the time) to precipitate out. tation can be as quick as ten days or as long as Wines are next warmed and bottled. Bottling four weeks. Red wine fermentations are done on itself is a quick process, but the wines often need their skins (prior to the press) and so timelines several weeks after being in bottle to taste like they become important because fermented wines sit- did prior to bottling. This is referred to as bottle ting on their skins, past the end of fermentation, shock (think of it like a jet lag). Most wines are are likely to produce bigger, and sometimes more released within a month or two of bottling. aggressive, tannins. Pressing while the wines are at We could go on, but at the above point, the their peak is key. wine is finished being made. The next phase of When the grapes are finished their transforma- the wine’s life is all about maturation and that’s a tion into wine, the wines’ timelines begin. Many whole different series of issues and timelines. wines spend almost their entire cellar life in barrels. Wines that are going into barrel usually have Jamie Quai is head winemaker at to spend anywhere from 6 to 24 months in the Quai du Vin Estate Winery in Elgin barrel before they are bottled. We put wine into County barrel to soften the wine’s structure, make the wines more approachable, and add some flavour complexity. The more refinement the wines need, the longer the wine will sit in cooperage. White wines generally are turned around quicker, with 5 – 18 months being pretty standard. In those timelines, the wines are often left to naturally settle until about Call for your Free Consultation with three months prior to Brandi Pisek, DD or Mike V. Pisek, DD! bottling. At that point, Walk in patients and new patients final adjustments are made and the wines are are always welcome. often treated with a few All insurance plans are accepted fining agents (as need(financing available). ed) to ensure the wines Come visit us today and let’s get started are stable for bottling.
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E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 29
Lifestyle Time On My Hands
Wintering in the Mexican mountains? Hoofers have already charted the trail and then headed out for a two-hour hike A road sign asks, “Where will you spend eterni- down dirt roads and ty?” I’d rather ponder: Where will I spend winter? farm lanes. We passed Whichever, I prefer it quite warm, a little chal- fields of flowers, corn, lenging, a little rough around the edges. cabbages and onions. Many retirees, snowbirds, and permanent expats Horse-drawn carts have by-passed Florida and Arizona, crossed the passed us. We chatted Rio Grande, and chosen the mountain cities of along the way, and southern Mexico. They’re an open-minded bunch took photos. who seek a little novelty and adventure. Last fall, On the edge of the Barb and I spent time with some of them, espe- next village was our cially the Oaxaca Hoofers. The Hoofers are an en- main destination – thusiastic hiking club in that mountain city. Our the cemetery, bustling first hike was to a very lively graveyard. at mid-day, smothBy the way, Oaxaca is pronounced: wah-HAW- ered in marigolds caw. It’s easier to say than to look at. and other flowers. We The graveyard was a destination because Barb squeezed between the and I had timed our trip to include Dia de Muer- elaborately decorated tos – the Day of the Dead – Mexico’s largest and graves as the villagers most exuberant multi-day festival. Skulls, skel- shared a meal with the dead and a brass band enetons, parades and bands are everywhere. It’s like tertained. Cemetery Decoration Day, Christmas and HalThen we wandered through the market and into loween in a blender – peculiar but glorious meld- town. Barb and I had lunch and a beer, toured a ing of the Catholic All Saints Day with Pre-His- small art gallery, and caught the Hoofer bus back panic cults of veneration of ancestors. to the city. From the English-Speaking Library, we took a The English-Speaking Library has served as a fomini-bus with the Hoofers to a small, quiet village cal point and resource for gringos for fifty years. under a clear blue sky. We poked around a while, One can study Spanish, or volunteer to teach English. The bulletin board is a kaleidoscopic window to the city. A week later we joined the Hoofers again to The Most Affordable Detailing visit a major tourist attraction, the “frozen & Best Quality Car Wash waterfall.” In a ruggedly scenic rural area, spring We Can Make water flows over a Your Vehicle Look broad cliff, and has left it thickly coated with a and Feel Brand white precipitate, like New Again!! icing on a giant cake. We met a Swiss couple who work as travel guides in the summer, 160 Burwell Road, St. Thomas an American chiropractor living permanently 519-631-5502
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March, 2016
in Oaxaca, and an American college teacher on sabbatical. We spent the second half of our Mexican trip in the mountain city of San Cristobal, just a twelvehour bus ride from Oaxaca. We stayed at a B and B run by a Californian woman for over twenty years. She invited us for dinner, and we exchanged gifts when we left. Living in a small apartment at the B and B was another American woman, thin and energetic, perhaps seventy years old. She had moved to San Cristobal three years ago after retiring as a nurse in the U.S.A., and was running her own projects to bring basic health care and libraries to some villages outside of the city. While we were there, she flew to the States to visit her children, “Because they are afraid to come here”, she said. “But I hope my grandchildren will.” I recently encountered a Mary Oliver poem that asks, “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Isn’t that the question? Duncan Watterworth is a life-long resident of Elgin County and a retired lawyer. He can be reached at duncanetm@gmail.com.
E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 30
Business & Community Tourism
The Springwater Maple Syrup Festival –
as Canadian as maple syrup
by Katherine Thompson
“As Canadian as maple syrup” is a wonderful way to describe a trip to the sugar bush, a quintessentially Canadian activity that heralds the beginning of spring in our country. It is also appropriate that the stately maple, the very symbol of Canada, gives us one of our country’s classic culinary delights. Pure maple syrup is a natural sweetener that is 100% free of artificial flavours and additives. It can be used as a sugar substitute, as a glaze on meats or vegetables, in desserts, and of course, as a topping for a stack of fluffy pancakes. Maple syrup season runs approximately 20 days in length between the end of February and midMarch when weather conditions are ideal. Tree sap flows best when the nights still dip below freezing but the days are slightly warmer. Warmer days allow the tree sap to flow bringing with it sugars that have been stored in the roots of the tree. This is when maple syrup producers tap the tree trunk and collect its sap. If the weather is too cold, the sap won’t flow, but if the weather is
too warm, sap rises too quickly to the tree’s buds causing it to take on a slightly bitter flavour. Once the sap has been collected, it is boiled causing water to evaporate and the sap’s consistency to become sweeter and denser until it becomes maple syrup. Further boiling creates other maple products such as maple butter, maple candy, and maple sugar. The Springwater Maple Syrup Festival gives visitors the opportunity to learn about several different historical methods of producing maple syrup, to tour the old-fashioned sugar shanty, and, to taste sweet, delicious syrup samples. Visitors can also take a horse-drawn wagon ride through Springwater Forest, purchase Canadian maple syrup products, or dine at the pancake house, run by local service clubs. The festival runs on Saturdays and Sundays from February 27 through to the end of March and daily during March Break. For more information about the Springwater Maple Syrup Festival visit the Catfish Creek Conservation Authority website at catfishcreek.ca/public-calendar-event?id=41
Katherine Thompson is Marketing & Communications Coordinator with The County of Elgin
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