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12 | 15 | 2012 VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 53

PICKING JUST THE RIGHT TREE A CHRISTMAS MUST VENTURE PAGE 27

COMMENT PAGE 14

STUCK ON PROJECTS CONTRARY TO PUBLIC INTEREST

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

Residents call on council to reverse Jigs Hollow pit Plenty of condemnation heaped on Woolwich officials over decision to settle rather than fight project STEVE KANNON

Wellesley Mayor Ross Kelterborn and councillors Herb Neher, Jim Olender and Paul Hergott got together Thursday afternoon to decorate a float for the Christmas Tyme in Wellesley Parade on Dec. 14. [ELENA MAYSTRUK / THE OBSERVER]

S D R A GIFTABCLE

AVAIL

Woolwich councillors want some legal advice before considering residents’ impassioned plea to reverse their decision to support a gravel pit in the Winterbourne Valley.

Making a Hail Mary bid to overturn both Woolwich’s settlement agreement and an OMB decision, residents turned out at Tuesday night’s council meeting to condemn officials for failing to protect the public interest.

Last month, the township signed off on a deal with Kuntz Topsoil, Sand and Gravel to permit an aggregate extraction operation near Winterbourne and Conestogo. Less than two weeks later, the Ontario Municipal Board gave the go-ahead to the Jigs Hollow pit.

Kuntz, in partnership with Preston Sand and Gravel, expects to extract

up to 150,000 tonnes of gravel each year from an 89-acre site at 125 Peel St. The company may also import up to 30,000 tonnes of asphalt and concrete for recycling, as well as topsoil for screening and resale.

The inclusion of recycling at the site especially enraged residents, as the deal overturned a council decision in June that specifically prohibited that practice.

“You have treated us, the citizens, like fools. Your concern all along has been for Mr. Kuntz,” said Winterbourne resident Isabel Price, calling the process “a total sham.”

Rather than defend the interests of residents, she said, council acted in secret against the public good.

“You hid behind closed doors and tell the public nothing. There was no defence of the residents – JIGS HOLLOW | 5

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2 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

AWAY IN A MANGER IN ST. JACOBS

CLOSED: FRIDAY DECEMER 21ST OPEN: DECEMBER 31ST NO DECEMBER 29TH ISSUE

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

Residents of St. Jacobs gathered at the annual Christmas manger in the village on Dec. 2 to celebrate the coming of the holidays. Tony Hergott dressed up as Joseph while Jennifer Cronin held baby Riki at the centre of the nativity scene.

[ELENA MAYSTRUK / THE OBSERVER]

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NEWS | 3

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Woolwich to hike water rates 5.88%, wastewater 6.3% Big increases continue trend of shift to fully-funded user-pay system for water and sewers STEVE KANNON Woolwich residents will be reaching deeper into their pockets next year when they want water from their taps. They’ll be digging deeper still to flush it away.

The township plans a

5.88 per cent increase to its water rates and a 6.30 per cent hike on the wastewater side.

The increases approved this week by councillors bring the cost of water to $1.61 per cubic metre, up from the current $1.52, while wastewater charges

which provides the water and treats the sewage, director of finance Richard Petherick told councillors.

The region plans to hike water rates, which account for 60 per cent of Woolwich’s costs, by 6.9 per cent. For wastewater, the planned increase is 7.9 per

go to $2.02 per cubic metre from $1.90.

Users will be paying $16 to $22 a year more for water and $22 to $29 more for wastewater, based on typical usage.

Most of the increase is due to higher rates from the Region of Waterloo,

cent on costs that amount to 68 per cent of Woolwich’s budget.

While the township has tried to temper those aspects of the budget it controls, the bulk of the expenses simply get passed through, said Petherick.

Huge increases have

Taking Christmas to heart The festive season is a really big thing for Wellesley's Marilyn Hartung, as visitors will attest WILL SLOAN If the houses in Christmas catalogues existed in reality, even they could hardly rival Marilyn Hartung’s Wellesley bungalow.

Every year on November 1, Hartung begins a onemonth process of covering every spare portion of her house with as many Christmas trees, gingerbread houses and Santa dolls as space will allow.

“It’s just a magical time of year,” said Hartung. “My sisters, they don’t decorate like I do, so they’re always handing me boxes and saying, ‘Oh here, add this to your collection.’”

The decorations continue outside, with a Candy Cane Lane driveway and all manner of decorated gazebo and inflatable Santa Claus. “At night, of course, it’s magical, because all the lights are on, the candles, and the outside the gazebos are all lit up,” she said.

Hartung’s love of the season began in childhood, when her mother put on lavish holiday celebrations for her and her sisters.

“We were four girls, and we always got a doll, and she made all our clothes for us – all the dolls clothes and our clothes were handmade. We’d string popcorn and we’d string cranberries, and help her make chocolates out of mashed potatoes.”

This season, Hartung

Wellesley resident Marilyn Hartung’s Christmas table is modeled to resemble a 1914 banquet. has been providing tours for select visitors to collect donations for the Woolwich Community Services’ food bank.

HOW TO REACH US

EE RY FR IVE L DE

[WILL SLOAN / THE OBSERVER]

wish is to help other people at Christmas.

“Last year we collected two shopping carts full, and money as well.”

“We feel so lucky to have as much as we have. There are so many unfortunate people that don’t have anything at Christmas. My

Lucky visitors will also be in store for some seasonal showmanship. Hartung’s dining room is decorated in the style of a 1914 Christmas banquet, with artfully-arranged turtle soup, pineapples and pudding with surprise ingredients (“If you got a thimble you would be a spinster, if you got a ring you would be married”).

Meanwhile, the living room is designed to replicate Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion, and is covered in Elvis Christmas memorabilia. The King’s Christmas perennials, especially “Blue Christmas,” play on endless loop. Elvis impersonators have even been known to drop by for private performances.

And, in the kitchen, Hartung keeps a glass of milk and plate of cookies on the counter, should the Jolly Old Elf ever be tempted to visit early.

Mercifully, she changes the milk regularly.

For now, Hartung prefers to keep her Christmas house tours by appointment only.

Still, requests for visits come at an ever-increasing rate. “People hear about it – you know, word-ofmouth – and people say, ‘can I come?’”

been the norm in recent years, as the region implements the user-pay, fullcost-recovery model for its water and wastewater systems, as mandated by the province.

For Coun. Bonnie BryWATER | 10

Province sees 2015 as start date for Highway 7 project ELENA MAYSTRUK Talked about for the past four decades, a new Highway 7 connecting Kitchener and Guelph could become a reality in 2015, the timeframe for construction recently confirmed by the province.

The news was welcomed with open arms by the region’s business community, said Ian McLean, president and CEO Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, who thinks it’s about time for a move forward.

“We’re very pleased. It's significant progress … it’s moved into the 10-year capital budget for the Ministry of Transportation. In fact, it’s in the front three years, which means, from a budgeting perspective it’s more likely to happen than not,” he said.

Ontario approved the highway in 2007 and now the provincial government has moved the highway into its five-year construction plan that was released last month.

The Cambridge, Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo chambers have been advocating the change for a number of years through HWY 7 | 10

PHONE 519.669.5790 | TOLL FREE 1.888.966.5942 | FAX 519.669.5753 | ONLINE WWW.OBSERVERXTRA.COM

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4 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

SeasonsGreetings Seasons

and Best Wishes for the New Year!

Scott Mills, Broker and Residential Sales Manager, is pleased to welcome Gayle Draper Having served the K-W area as a REALTOR® for the past seven years, Gayle is excited to announce that she has just joined the team at Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty, Brokerage. Maintaining her philosophy of “Modern Thinking with Traditional Values”, Gayle’s small town charm and pleasant demeanor will be a definite asset to the dynamic team of professionals at Peter Benninger Realty, Brokerage.

Gayle is a resident of St. Clements and for the past seven years has built up and served a clientele that is a complimentary mix of residents from the tri-cities as well as the surrounding townships. Always striving to serve her clients better, Gayle, over the past year, has successfully completed the protocols to become an Accredited Senior Agent (ASA), enabling her to better serve the senior demographics.

Gayle Draper

Sales Representative (519) 500-6004 draper@coldwellbankerpbr.com

Gayle is married with two children and can often be found volunteering her time at the local rink as well as numerous other activities that involve her family and clients.

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Paradise & District Lions Club Would like to thank the following businesses and individuals who generously contributed $50.00 or more to our 5th Annual Tree of Light campaign which was another great success.

Special thanks to Exotic Wings & Pet Things, Foodland and Norris Home Bakery for their continuing support.

TREE TOP DONORS (Over $50.00) Auto Fleet Services Inc. BJD Water Systems Ltd. Douglas F. Bender Developments Barb Grogan Hank's Auto Wreckers Koebel Concrete Construction Inc.

George/Lynda Lorentz McArthur Mechanical Ltd. Murray and Marlene Miles St. Clements Heart & Home Steed & Evans Ltd. Stemmler's

$50.00 STRAND DONORS Anne, Patty & Janet (Lienhardt) Pat Beaupre & Family Belmont Appliance Service Diane Bender CMT Engineering Inc. C T Tooling Inc. Campside Contracting Creative Hair Works Lisa & Brad Culbert Exotic Wings & Pet Things Firm Foundations, Jane Warner W. Forwell Electric Limited Mary E. & Bill Haffner Doris Hartman Heidelberg Restaurant & Motel Ted & Diane Hennebry Herrgott Industries Ltd. Jones Feed Mills Ltd.

K & K Liquidation & Auction Ltd. Jackie Kuhn & Jeffrey Kuhn Jim Kuhn MacDermott/Bender/Curry/Linseman Families John Pfaffinger Richmond Heating & Air Carl Smit Steed & Evans Ltd. Dolores Straus John/Kathy Strong Brian Verspagen Dr. Erin Walker The Harold Walser Family Way-Mar Inc. Winterwood Farms James Witmer

When grief is fresh, the celebration of any holiday is difficult.

This is a special invitation to you and your family to share with others who sorrow.

Together we put this loss into the context of the Christmas season.

A SERVICE OF HEALING

Friday, December 21, 2012 7:30 p.m. held at The Junction (Zion Mennonite Church) 47 Arthur St. S., Elmira Sponsored by the Elmira District Ministerial Association.

Ad Sponsored by the Dreisinger Funeral Home Ltd.

NEWS | 5

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Pedestrian killed on Lobsinger Line

and alcohol are not considered to be factors in the collision.

Waterloo Regional Police continue to investigate the accident. They ask potential witnesses or anyone with information to contact the Traffic Services Branch at (519) 650-8500, ext. 8856.

A pedestrian was killed at the intersection of Lobsinger Line and Bell Street after being struck by a car on December 12, at approximately 5:23 p.m.

Francis Reitzel, 75, of St. Clements was pronounced dead on the scene.

A 38-year-old St. Clements man was driving eastbound on Lobsinger Line towards Bell Street when his vehicle, a 1991 Honda, struck Reitzel as he was attempting to cross the street.

The driver was not injured and speed

Woolwich to protect ditches from filling If you’ve filled in the roadside ditch that runs in front of your property in Woolwich, you may find it dug out

POLICE BLOTTER

Police service looking to boost the ranks of its auxiliary corps of officers The Waterloo Region Police Service Auxiliary Unit is looking for a few good men and women to fill several positions in their auxiliary unit, launching a proactive recruitment campaign to mark a busy year.

2012 saw 75 current auxiliary officers contribute more than 15,000 volunteer hours by participating in various events, parades and public education initiatives, a record for the police

service.

Currently auxiliary officers are involved in the Lock It or Lose It crime prevention program and the Stuff a Cruiser toy drive.

New recruits accepted into the program will receive two weeks of training and must wear a WRPS auxiliary uniform while on duty. The deadline for interested applicants is December 30. Instructions are available on the WRPS website.

DECEMBER 6

was charged with a turn not in safety. There were no students on the school bus at the time.

8:00 AM | A 60-year-old Elmira man driving a school bus was making a left turn onto Three Bridges Road when the front of the bus came in contact with a 2003 Mini Cooper driven by an 18-year-old St. Clements woman. The Mini sustained moderate damage, the school bus minor scrapes. The bus driver

again when the township gets around to repairs or upgrades to the roadway.

Council this week adopted a municipal ditch alteration policy that lays out that intent.

Director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley said the township does not intend to seek out those who’ve already filled in ditches without authorization – and there are many – but wants to prevent more of that going forward. In cases of road works, any ditches found to be filled in will be restored, as a drainage system is a crucial component to maximizing the life cycle of a road.

Woolwich divvies up surplus

DECEMBER 7

The driver of the pickup told police he had issues with steering. No charges were laid.

11:00 PM | A Snyder Avenue, Elmira resident came home to find the garage door of the home open.

Six nail guns, a circular saw and an electric level, valued at $4,000, were missing. Police say the thieves left a small switchblade on the floor of the garage. The investigation is ongoing.

DECEMBER 8

2:10 PM | A 61-year-old Cambridge man driving a 2004 Ford pickup was travelling on Northfield Drive, where he was about to make a left turn onto Line 86 but changed his mind and continued straight, colliding with a 44-year-old Kitchener woman driving a 2011 Honda van. There was moderate damage to both vehicles. No charges were laid.

DECEMBER 10

3:12 PM | A construction area on Norwich Drive in Breslau was broken into. The thieves entered an unlocked garage and stole a gas heater, a Skil saw and a light. The investigation continues.

12:30 PM | A 47-year-old Cambridge man driving a 2001 GMC pickup lost control of his vehicle and collided with a 2009 Chevy parked on the side of Ebycrest Road near Breslau. There was minor damage to both vehicles.

A $411,000 surplus leftover from Woolwich’s 2011 budget, largely the result of money earmarked for capital projects that didn’t go ahead, will be channeled into reserve funds, council decided.

Some $184,000 will go to the capital budget contingency reserve, while the remaining $227,000 is earmarked for the infrastructure reserve fund.

A $124,000 surplus in the water operating program will find its way to the water reserve fund.

Meanwhile, a deficit of $227,000 in the

4:44 PM | Thieves broke into a house on Bridge Street by kicking in the front door. They went through the house and took an iPod Nano, various bottles of liquor and pieces of jewelry. They also took a faded green pillowcase from the house likely to carry the items, police say. The investigation is ongoing.

5:00 PM | A silver scooter was found on the front lawn of a Herbert Street home in Elmira.

The rightful owner can claim the scooter at the Elmira detachment.

10:38 PM | The driver of a Dodge CXT stopped on a red light at the intersection of Oriole Pkwy and Arthur Street in Elmira and proceeded to turn south onto Arthur Street when he was struck by a northbound tractor driven by a 71-year-old West Montrose man.

There was moderate damage to the pickup and minor damages to the tractor. No charges were laid.

operating budget will be covered with a withdrawal from operating contingency reserve. And $190,000 deficit in the wastewater program draws on the wastewater reserve fund.

As well, councillors dealt with $447,300 in unexpected revenue from its ownership stake in Waterloo North Hydro, allocating half to the operating contingency reserve and half to the infrastructure reserve fund.

Shingle program will continue Regional council voted last week to

continue to support the shingle diversion pilot program with an increase of $183,390 for an additional 3,000 tonnes of shingles projected to be received and diverted from the landfill to the end of the TRY Recycling contract in February 2013.

The pilot diversion program began in March 2012, with more than 7,200 tonnes of shingles being diverted from the landfill at the end of October 2012.

Current estimates predict approximately 8,500 tonnes of shingles will be diverted by the end of February 2013. The program is used by homeowners and roofing companies of all sizes.

Woolwich user fees get boosted for the new year STEVE KANNON Doing business with the township, from hitting the ice at an arena to building a new home, will cost you more next year.

Most fees and charges are slated to go up by 1.5 per cent, in keeping with the general tax rate increase set last month by Woolwich council. A few remain unchanged, while those related to the fire department will rise by 2 per cent and cemetery fees will increase by 5 per cent, reflecting a study of fees in surrounding municipalities.

Meeting Tuesday night, councillors passed the new charges with little debate.

Rate hikes for ice rent-

als have proved the most contentious is recent years, but there was no discussion of the topic, nor were any of the user groups on hand to discuss the changes.

Having this year shifted the schedule for primetime ice rentals, a de facto price increase, and imposed rate hikes well above inflation in previous years, 1.5 per cent represents the smallest change in some time.

The new arena fees, which will go into effect as of next August, see primetime ice rentals at the Woolwich Township and Jim McLeod arenas rise to $199.41 from $196.46 and to $204.79 from $201.76 at the Dan Snyder Arena. The rate for affiliate USER FEES | 10

JIGS HOLLOW: Woolwich to seek legal advice about the possibility of reversing its decision money in the OMB legal process, refusing to spend in the public interest but having no problem paying $50,000 to pave the road leading into the gravel pit despite standing to receive only a pittance in royalties.

She, too, noted that most of the decisions were made away from the public, including the reversal of the prohibition on crushing cement and asphalt to be trucked to the site.

FROM | COVER

you gave us nothing.”

Conestogo resident Della Stroobosscher dismissed council’s claim it was acting in the best interest of the township in capitulating to the gravel pit applicant. The public, she said, made its position clear in voting out a “pro-aggregate council” in 2010.

Instead, the township wanted only to save some

Since 1929

Calling into question the OMB process, which marginalizes the public in favour of industry, she said the blame for allowing the recycling lies solely with the township, as such operations fall outside the provincial Aggregate Resources Act. “Do the right thing and fix what you have broken before this becomes an even more costly mistake.”

By refusing to protect the

citizens from the dangers of silica dust – a known carcinogen that will accompany the recycling operation in particular – the township leaves itself liable to any lawsuits that may come down the line, argued Conestogo resident Gordon Haywood.

Citing a 2008 Supreme Court decision to allow class action lawsuits by residents against such operations, in that case a cement

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ferral in order to get some legal advice on what would happen if they reversed their decision.

Director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley said he would look into the matter, reporting back with some information at next week’s council meeting, the last before the Christmas break.

“I’m not sure that it’s even possible,” he said of a reversal.

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manufacturer, he said it’s council’s responsibility to prohibit and regulate such threats.

“I believe you’ve made a grave error.”

Only Coun. Bonnie Bryant, the lone voice of dissent in council’s vote on the settlement agreement, seemed prepared to support a vote of reconsideration. Her motion to that effect was set aside when councillors asked for a de-

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6 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

CPAC continues to have qualms about cleanup deadline Chemtura says it can meet 2028 target; company looks to improve communication with neighbours STEVE KANNON Concerned about Chemtura’s ability to clean Elmira’s contaminated groundwater by the 2028 deadline, an environmental watchdog group wants the company to act more aggressively. The Chemtura Public Advisory Committee also wants the chemical producer to pay more to help it monitor the process, saying even the province isn’t doing enough.

In a presentation to Woolwich council December 11, CPAC chair Dan Holt said it could be decades before the aquifer under Elmira provides drinkable water again.

“There are only 15 years left until the deadline for complete remediation of the aquifer, and all signs indicate that the goal of clean water will not be met.

At the earliest, we can hope for clean water from the aquifer in another 35 to 40 years,” he said, arguing the company must remove that contaminants at source rather than relying on a pump-and-treat protocol to remove contaminants from the water.

“These contaminants can and do last for hundreds of years, and if they are left in the

ground and aquifer, why would anyone believe that they will suddenly stop making our drinking water toxic?”

Chemtura has been using a pump-and-treat process to remove a pair of toxins – NDMA (nitrosodimethylamine) and chlorobenzene – from the former drinking water aquifers underneath Elmira. Discovery in 1989 of the carcinogenic NDMA precipitated the water crisis in Elmira, leading to the construction of a pipeline from Waterloo, which supplies the town with water to this day.

An MOE control order sets out the company’s responsibility for dealing with the contaminants in the municipal aquifers, with a deadline of 2028.

Although acknowledging the company must make changes to its processes in order to meet the deadline, Chemtura officials say the goal is achievable. They attended Tuesday’s council meeting, but did not make a presentation. In a later interview, plant manager Josef Olejarz said an aggressive schedule will be put into place “Our intention is to meet the deadline. We have no reason to believe we won’t meet the deadline.”

A report completed by

CLOSED: FRIDAY DECEMER 21ST OPEN: DECEMBER 31ST NO DECEMBER 29TH ISSUE

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

Chemtura consultant Conestoga-Rovers & Associates and tabled at last month’s CPAC meeting indicates current pump-and-treat rates should be increased by as much as 300 per cent, new wells should be drilled and the company should look at the injection of additional chemicals to neutralize contaminants at their source, among other proposals.

For Holt, the report raises a host of questions, including the impact of

pumping much larger volumes of water out of the aquifer, that must be answered before the company goes ahead with any of the recommendations.

Outside of treating the aquifer, some of Holt’s other comments regarding Chemtura rankled officials.

His claim that the company had failed to receive a Responsible Care designation following a December 4 onsite visit, for instance, was countered by Dwight Este, regional environ-

ment, health, safety and security manager, who said a decision has not yet been made.

He also pointed to comments about the public relations firm hired by Chemtura, Sussex, as being part of the Responsible Care direction to increase the company’s engagement with its neighbours, not an effort to help Chemtura with its image, as Holt said in his presentation.

The company is trying to regain a Responsible

Care designation from the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, which didn’t renew in the previous review in part due to the way the company communicates with the public.

“As a company, we are committed to the principles of Responsible Care,” said Este.

Chemtura expects to present its some of its revised roadmap for getting to the 2028 deadline at the next CPAC meeting in January.

Woolwich approves plan to convert Breslau property into three lots STEVE KANNON A large residential lot in Breslau will become three, as Woolwich council this week approved a zone change application for a property at 116 Woolwich St. The decision clears the way for the eventual severance of the rear portion of the property to create two new building lots.

Meeting Tuesday night, councillors approved Linda Pletsch’s application to rezone the property to R-4A from R-1 to permit greater density. Now the property may be converted into three lots, with the existing home remaining on the largest portion, fronting on Woolwich Street. Two new, smaller lots would front on

Joseph Street.

The smaller lots, with 50-foot frontage, would tap into water and sewer lines from the neighbouring Riverland subdivision, putting them on full municipal services. The current home will continue on private services, with a well and septic system.

Addressing concerns raised by a neighbour during last spring’s public meeting when the zone change was first proposed, director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley said grading changes to the new lots won’t have a negative impact on the property at 21 Berlin St., which backs onto Pletsch’s land.

While a considerable amount of fill will be need-

ed to bring the lots up to the level of Joseph Street, a drainage plan will ensure water runs away from Snyder-McKee’s property, and existing vegetation should be enough to maintain privacy.

“The amount of privacy that will continue to exist will be acceptable,” he said.

Questioned by SnyderMcKee’s son, Darren Snyder, Kennaley said a home built on the closest lot would likely be set back about three metres (10 feet) from the property line, admitting a two-storey house could have windows that offer a view of the neighbouring yard.

It would be “unreasonable,” however, to limit construction to a one-sto-

rey building, he added In response to a question from Coun. Julie-Anne Herteis, Kennaley noted it would be possible to ask the developer to limit the number of windows looking out over the property at lower elevation.

The new lots will be subject to conditions demanded by the Region of Waterloo due to their proximity to the airport. The owner must agree to the inclusion of a warning clause to future owners/tenants with respect to airport noise and federal airport regulations.

As well, homes built on the lots must be fitted with forced-air heating system with ducts sufficient to all for the installation of an air-conditioning unit.

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NEWS | 7

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

KIDS ENJOY BREAKFAST WITH THE CLAUSES

Jaiden Radler, 4, sits on Mrs. Claus’ lap at Optimist Club’s Breakfast with Santa event held Dec. 8 at the Woolwich Community Centre.

[ELENA MAYSTRUK / THE OBSERVER]

GETTING FESTIVE AT BRESLAU PS

Students at Breslau Public School enjoyed the spirit of the season during Wednesday morning’s Christmas pageant. Left, Keira Caverley and Emma Lawley sing a song for a crowd of parents. Right, Mariah Zervos sings while using a cup as a percussion. [ELENA MAYSTRUK / THE OBSERVER]

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Thank You Thank you to everyone who supported the fundraising breakfast held November 10 in honour of Woolwich Fire�ighter Paul Bowman.

Paul’s family, Marilyn, Nicole, Trevor and Darcey will bene�it from your support. The generosity of many businesses and individuals in the community made the event an overwhelming success. Thank you to all members of the Fire Service that supported the bene�it breakfast. We are blessed to be part of such a caring community.

Woolwich Fire Department Floradale Station

The Region of Waterloo will help fund projects that benefit the community by protecting and enhancing our natural environment.

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Promote environmentally sustainable actions and behaviours; or Research environmental issues important to the Region.

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8 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

On-farm business north of Elmira proposes to expand STEVE KANNON Business is growing at D.M. Horst & Sons, and so are the farm implements they deal with. Looking for more space, they want to build a new workshop and increase the size of the onfarm operation to cover 2.5 acres of the 72-acre farm, up from three-quarters of an acre today.

To get there, the company needs a zone change from Woolwich Township.

Its application was the subject of a public meeting Tuesday night in Woolwich council chambers.

Located at 4921 Arthur St. N. on a farm owned by Vernon Horst, D. M. Horst & Sons is a farm implement repair and sales operation.

Started in 1979 by their parents, today it’s run

by Vernon Horst and his brother James. The business has been operating from a workshop on the property since 1982, said

Bob Black of RBA Planning Consultants.

A 1,500-square-foot workshop in part of the drive shed currently houses the repair shop.

Given that the size of farm machinery continues to grow, the existing space is too small, said Black.

The owners plan to tear down a rundown barn on the property and replace it with a 10,000-sq.-ft. repair shop/office/storage building. The current workshop would be returned to use as a drive shed.

The bulk of the property would continue to be used for crops and a livestock operation, he added.

The applicant’s representative was the only person to speak to the proposed zone change.

No decisions were made, as councillors will discuss the matter at a later date when planning staff has reviewed all input and completed a report.

Bringing a little warmth into the lives of those in need WILL SLOAN With the temperature plummeting as the holidays approach, the area’s needy could use a little help keeping the elements at bay. At St. David Catholic School, Grade 11 student Cody Petrosino continues to spread some muchneeded warmth.

Petrosino began his Winter Warmth clothing drive when he was a Grade 5 at St. Boniface Catholic School in Maryhill, and has continued ever since.

He estimates that this year’s drive has collected two vans’ worth of coats, scarves, hats, gloves and boots so far, with plenty more to come as partner schools collect

Find

Cody Petrosino and staff advisor Lisa Denomme with clothing donations from St. David Catholic School.

[WILL SLOAN / THE OBSERVER] donations.

“We realize that as St. David, we are really the heart of the community, that we must help those less fortunate in our community,” said Petrosino. “So that

is really our target: helping those in the community that are in great need. So every year, by making the program larger, we help more people.”

At St. Boniface, Petrosino WINTER WARMTH | 10

in your home.

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Seniors 65 years and older and their live-in family members are eligible for a tax credit of up to $1,500 on home modifications that improve safety and accessibility – regardless of income. Eligible improvements include things like support bars, ramps or walk-in bathtubs. To claim your credit, keep your receipts for when you file your taxes.

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NEWS | 9

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Park Manor students work together in charitable Coats for Kids project

Santa to make appearance in Alma before heading out on Christmas Eve journey

WILL SLOAN

WILL SLOAN

For the second year running, Grade 7 students from Elmira’s Park Manor Public School are collecting coats and donations for Woolwich’s needy.

These students are now in the final days of their second Coats for Kids drive, collecting gentlyused winter coats to be donated to Woolwich Community Services. These coats will be distributed to families who cannot afford to purchase their own “There are kids less fortunate than us, and we have the ability to help them,” said Riley, one of the young fundraisers.

“We’re grasping that opportunity, and we want to make a difference.”

Park Manor’s Coats for Kids initiative was conceived last year by Jacob and Saxon, two Grade 6 students who pitched the idea to the school’s principal.

“They had put together a slideshow or business plan, I had no idea” said Helen Searles, Jacob’s mother.

“They’ve done exceptional work with it.”

Beginning in October and lasting until December 7, the students solicited donations from classmates, parents and community members. Stephanie Zimmermann, a student teacher working at Park Manor for the semester, agreed to be their adult supervisor.

It’s a hectic time to be Santa Claus. From the pressure of finalizing the naughty-and-nice list and the reindeer’s tiring training regimen to the demands of Mrs. Claus and the elves, these final weeks leading to Christmas always put a strain on his famed jolliness.

Though it comes just 24 hours in advance of his big

Grade 7 students from Park Manor PS bring the warmth with teacher Stephanie Zimmermann.

“A lot of the teachers and parents were very eager to volunteer,” said Zimmermann. “The students needed a little more persuading, so I volunteered that if we raised 100 coats, I’d dye my hair blue, and the top-raising class would get to do my makeup.”

They eventually collected 92 coats – not quite the goal, but still 13 more than last year, and enough for Zimmermann to make good on the face-painting pledge. “I had a unibrow, a beard … just wonderful.

And I walked around the whole day like that.

“They wanted me to sleep outside or shave my head,” she added. “I was like, ‘Hmm, let’s try some

other one…’”

For the second year, the students have gained a key corporate partner.

On December 15, they will sell cotton candy at the Walmart store in St. Jacobs, using equipment and ingredients supplied by the store. The group will use the money raised from the cotton candy sale, as well as the more than $200 raised from school, to buy specially-discounted coats.

If the students are unable to meet last year’s tally of $600, the store will donate the difference. Saxton said the store has been “Amazing. They’ve supported us all the way.”

With the fundraiser not quite over, the students are

day, the 29th annual Alma Santa Claus Parade will find St. Nick in fine form.

But doesn’t Santa have a bag to pack and toys to wrap?

“Alma’s a very special village, and Santa knows that the little kids find it hard to be good for a long, long time,” said volunteer Sharon Grose. “So he always puts us on his schedule PARADE | 11

[WILL SLOAN / THE OBSERVER]

already setting their sights to next year. “We’re definitely going to look at our mistakes for this year, and try to fix those things,” said Hannah, a Grade 7 student.

“Making more announcements, and giving people a lot more notice before we start it.” Other plans include sending letters to all the school bus lines to encourage donations throughout Waterloo Region.

Still, the students have been gratified by the community’s generosity. “With any fundraiser, it’s always hard to get everybody involved,” said Riley, another student. “But the people who you know care, they’ll definitely try, and they’ll make an impact.”

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10 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

WATER: Rates will continue to rise as province

mandates cost-recovery user-pay billing system FROM | 3

Service Changes Holiday Schedule Effective December 24, 2012 to January 6, 2013 Routes 3,9,11,13,17,25 & 29 ‡ 6HUYLFH IUHTXHQF\ LV UHGXFHG 0RQGD\ WR )ULGD\ GXULQJ PRUQLQJ D P D P DQG DIWHUQRRQ S P S P UXVK KRXUV

ant, the trend is reason to worry about increases with no end in sight. “Can we expect this kind of increase every year? It’s getting fairly large,� she said of the rates imposed on residents who use municipal water and sanitary sewers.

Mayor Todd Cowan, township’s representative on regional council, said the increases represent costs due to over-zealous

regulations and expensive capital projects that have to be paid for by users. As well, the region’s efforts to reduce water usage have been so successful that revenues are down considerably, ironically requiring residents to pay more for using less.

The goal, however, is to put off yet more capital projects, including a longdiscussed pipeline to the Great Lakes.

Pointing to a much smaller expense in the 2013

water budget, Coun. Allan Poffenroth questioned the need to spend $60,000 on consultants to tell the township how much it should be hiking fees. “We can’t figure that out ourselves?�

The consultants are needed, said Petherick, to determine the state of the current infrastructure, what improvements need to made, how much it will cost and how much higher rates should be to cover those costs.

HWY 7: More than four decades in the planning,

Routes 7,9,10,12 & 200 L;SUHVV ‡ 5HPRYDO RI DOO XQLYHUVLW\ DQG FROOHJH H[WUD WULSV Route 12 ‡ 6HUYLFH IUHTXHQF\ LV UHGXFHG 0RQGD\ WR )ULGD\ GXULQJ PRUQLQJ D P D P DQG DIWHUQRRQ S P S P EHWZHHQ &RQHVWRJD 0DOO DQG 8QLYHUVLW\ .LQJ Routes 110,111,116 and School Specials are not in service December 25: Christmas Day Routes 1, 3, 8, 11, 20 & 25 ‡ 6XQGD\ VHUYLFH VFKHGXOH Route 7 ‡ 5HGXFHG VHUYLFH VFKHGXOH Routes 51, 52, 55,56, 58, 59, 60, 65 & 71 ‡ 6XQGD\ VHUYLFH VFKHGXOH EHWZHHQ D P DQG S P December 26: Boxing Day 5HJXODU 6XQGD\ VHUYLFH VFKHGXOH ZLWK WKH H[FHSWLRQ RI 5RXWH L;SUHVV ZKLFK UXQV RQ D 6DWXUGD\ VFKHGXOH December 31: New Year’s Eve ([WHQGHG ODWH HYHQLQJ VHUYLFH RQ YDULRXV URXWHV )UHH ULGHV DIWHU S P January 1: New Year’s Day 6XQGD\ VHUYLFH VFKHGXOH

project may actually get started in three years FROM | 3

the provincial Chamber, and McLean finds the move forward to be refreshing after decades of stagnation.

Another encouraging note, he said, is the unanimous call for action on this project from Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic parties during the Kitchener-Waterloo byelection in September.

The new route would take some pressure off of Ontario Highway 401, and would increase local trade between the tri-cities and the city of Guelph, McLean said.

“Locally I think it will have some positive effects, more broadly across the province I think it does connect the GTA with southwestern Ontario.�

The current two-lane Highway 7 is one of the busiest of its kind in Ontario and the new project is expected to significantly ease drivers’ commutes.

According to the Ministry of Transportation’s West Region representative Liane Fisher, the new highway will do what the existing route cannot: “Meet the requirements of long-term growth in the Region of Waterloo.�

So far, 17 of the 134 properties needed for the project have been purchased. “It’s the most important step right now,� Fisher said.

The initial design for a new four-lane divided highway is expected to be complete in early 2013, according to the ministry, which will then release an initial design report for public comment.

Though pleased with the forward movement, McLean isn’t counting his chickens just yet. “I’m a little hesitant to pop the champagne corks until we see a shovel in the ground,� he said.

USER FEES: Hikes will see township residents

paying 1.5% more for most services next year

Winter Service Changes Effective January 7, 2013 Route 7 ‡ $GGHG WULSV GHSDUWLQJ &KDUOHV 6W 7HUPLQDO WR &RQHVWRJD 0DOO DW S P S P RQ )ULGD\ ‡ $GGHG WULSV GHSDUWLQJ &RQHVWRJD 0DOO WR GRZQWRZQ DW S P S P S P RQ )ULGD\ Route 9 ‡ $GMXVWHG VFKHGXOH WLPHV VOLJKWO\ RQ VRPH WULSV GXULQJ PRUQLQJ DQG PLGGD\ WLPH SHULRGV ‡ $GGHG WULS GHSDUWLQJ 8: 'DYLV &HQWUH WR 0F&RUPLFN DW S P ‡ 6KLIWHG WULS GHSDUWLQJ 8: 'DYLV &HQWUH WR 0F&RUPLFN IURP S P WR S P ‡ $GGHG WULS GHSDUWLQJ +D]HO DW $OEHUW WR 8: 'DYLV &HQWUH DW S P ‡ 5HPRYHG WULS GHSDUWLQJ +D]HO DW 8QLYHUVLW\ WR 0F&RUPLFN DW S P ‡ $GGHG WULSV GHSDUWLQJ 8: 'DYLV &HQWUH WR 0F&RUPLFN DW S P S P S P S P 0RQGD\ WR 7KXUVGD\ Route 12 ‡ $GGHG WULSV GHSDUWLQJ :HVWPRXQW DW +LJKODQG WR 8QLYHUVLW\ DW .LQJ DW D P D P Route 110 ‡ 5HPRYHG VHUYLFH IURP 3LRQHHU 3OD]D VWRS DW D P DQG D P RQ WULSV WR )DLUYLHZ 3DUN 0DOO 200 iXpress ‡ $GGHG WULS GHSDUWLQJ &KDUOHV 6W 7HUPLQDO WR 8: 'DYLV &HQWUH DW D P Specials ‡ $GMXVWHG VFKHGXOH RQ YDULRXV VSHFLDOV VHUYLQJ XQLYHUVLWLHV

Happy Holidays!

519-585-7555 TTY: 519-575-4608 www.grt.ca

FROM | 5

youth organizations goes to $132.76 from $130.80.

For non-prime times, the prices increase to $112.28 from $110.62 at the Woolwich Township, McLeod and Snyder arenas, while the youth rate rises to $74.55 from $73.37.

Included in the long list of fees are two new charges in the council and information services department.

A bird-deterrent machine, previously available

to residents free of charge, will cost $25, with a $50 deposit. The machine was acquired about 12 years ago when residents of Elmira’s Birdland subdivision began complaining about large flocks of starlings and grackles nesting in the trees. The machine proved effective and the problem has diminished, but the township still receives requests for use of the device.

The new fee will fund new batteries and maintenance

of the machine.

The second new charge is a municipal drainage works administration fee, implemented in response to a growing demand for new municipal drainage works and maintenance on existing municipal drains.

The fee will be 10 per cent of the total project cost.

Wellesley Township has a similar fee, set at 8 per cent, noted director of finance Richard Petherick in his report to council.

WINTER WARMTH: Helping even more people FROM | 8

drew inspiration from his teacher, Susan O’Toole, whose charitable activities helped support dozens of people in Waterloo Region. “One year, she came up to me and said she didn’t have enough clothing,� said Petrosino. “So I said, ‘You know what? I’ll try to help you out.’ I went to school and proposed it to my principal, and he said he really liked the idea to help people in the community.�

After graduating from St. Boniface, Petrosino brought

Winter Warmth to St. David.

Now, other Catholic Schools in Waterloo Region are joining the initiative, including St. Teresa in Elmira.

Now that St. David’s student council has added the program to its mission statement, Winter Warmth will continue to the region for years to come. For Petrosino, memories of the first drive continue to motivate him. “There was one little girl who came in, and she got her first pair of boots,� said Petrosino. “She was 8 years old, so it was the first time

she got to play in the snow.

When she put her boots on, she ran outside, jumped right in the snow. That was the first time she ever had a chance to do something like that, which is kind of amazing that people in our community are in such need. “Every time we expand the program, every time we have more come in, I can feel that we’re helping more little girls,� he continued. “Instead of just that one little girl, now we’re helping 10 little girls, and that’s really what keeps me moving forward with the program.�

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and 11 a.m. Following the Locally Owned & Operated parade, festivities will confrom Len’s Mill Stores!

Locally Owned & Operated Len’s has what you need for your Christmas tinue with the Alma United Values in effect tillshopping, closing Sunday, Values December effect till 23rd, 2012 Sunday, December 23rd, 2012 baking, in knitting, & closing decorating Church’s Celtic Christmas Values in effect till Closing Sat. 22, 2012 CAN’T-GO-WRONG GIFT IDEA CAN’T-GO-WRONG GIFT IDEA Kantata at 3 p.m.

ENTIRE STOCK STORE WIDE Dec. GIRLS/TEENS MENS/TEENS Despite his extraordinary ENTIRE STOCK WIDE fame, Grose said the big man remains accessible to the community all year FAMOUS CHRISTMAS SUPPLIES BETTY BOOP/ long.

• 1000’s of items to choose from M C GREGOR JUSTIN “He’s fairly busy, but & DECORATIONS • Excludes Christmas fabric SOCKS BIEBER PJ SETS it’s 30% off, cars & princess he’s always listening, so if• Huge I selection of sport • CozyLow flannelPrices or knit 1000’s of items to choose from Len’s Already candy •canes & casual jersey have any questions I don’t • Excludes Christmas fabric • Super Quality • Official licensed product it’s 30% off CAN’T-GO-WRONG GIFT IDEAS CAN’T-GO-WRONG GIFT IDEAS hesitate to contact him.” • Singles or multi-packs MENS/TEENS GIRLS/TEENS The parade will begin at % FAMOUS McGREGOR SOCKS BETTY BOOP/JUSTIN BIEBER 2 p.m. set w

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included carol singers from three churches, palomino ponies and a troupe of unicyclists.

A trip from the North Pole to Alma is not a simple matter of hopping on a Greyhound. “That’s why he’s coming for the whole day this year,” said Grose.

Alma residents will have a chance to socialize with St. Nick at the Alma Community Hall’s Breakfast with Santa between 8 a.m.

w

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for the last Sunday before Christmas.”

“Santa in most parades always rides on a standard sleigh, but in our parade, you never know just how Santa’s going to arrive.

He has come by combine, fire truck, Husky manure spreader. He’s been pulled by eight John Deere tractors: they were all labeled ‘Dasher,’ ‘Dancer,’ ‘Prancer,’ ‘Vixen,’ the whole she-

bang. So, Santa actually shows up on the day of the parade, and his special chariot, or whatever he’s going to be riding that day, is there, and he climbs on and he does the parade.”

Most of the community’s businesses and the Alma Public School will be participating in what the Optimist Club of Alma claims is the only Santa Claus Parade as long as the town. Last year’s festivities

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Len’s has what you need for Christmas shopping, christmas knitting, Christmas Baking, Christmas decorating NEWS |

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

12 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

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NEWS | 13

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

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14 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

JOE MERLIHAN PUBLISHER STEVE KANNON EDITOR

COMMENT

DONNA RUDY SALES MANAGER

WILL SLOAN REPORTER

ELENA MAYSTRUK

PAT MERLIHAN PRODUCTION MANAGER

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OUR VIEW / EDITORIAL

THE VIEW FROM HERE

Pride goes before the fall in backing the wrong project READING THE NEWS, COMMENTARY and public opinion pages can’t be much fun these days for proponents of Waterloo Region’s light rail transit system.

There’s a direct hit in reports of Calgary’s new LRT line that opened this week came in massively over budget, to the tune of more than double. Initially planned at $700 million, the work cost almost $1.5 billion.

According to a study by the Frontier Centre for public policy, daily ridership is projected to be 35,000. Most of these riders will be existing transit users, however. The total cost of $42,857 per rider would have made it cheaper to buy each rider a new mid-range automobile. According to the report, the $195 million per kilometre ($313.5 million per mile) is likely the most expensive LRT line ever constructed in North America.

The upward creep in estimated costs is not unlike what we’re seeing here. Only once it’s completed, however, will we find out just how far off the mark forecasts were – and the final price tag will be higher.

In discussion of property taxes, it’s clear citizens are becoming tax weary. Years of runaway expenditures and tax increases that have outstripped both inflation and real growth in the productive private sector have created an unsustainable system. Only now are some politicians starting to understand the compounding effects of their irresponsible decisions, especially as it applies to wages and benefits paid to an ever-growing number of public sector employees, many with jobs of little or no value to the people who pay the bills.

In the midst of budget talks, region officials are at least paying lip service to restraint, but fail to address the white elephant in the room: light rail transit. Instead, they’re determined to press on, despite no evidence the system will serve anyone except those who stand to profit by its construction. And certainly with no assurances those who supported it will be penalized for its failure.

Proponents would be well advised to see the lessons in the F-35 fiasco, playing out in headlines this week. There are parallels in the federal Conservatives’ dogged determination to press ahead with the purchase of 65 stealth fighters despite growing concerns about cost and the suitability of the technology. Only years later has the government grudgingly backed away from the single-source purchase to open the process to other options. It does, however, still continue to fudge the numbers, as it has from the very start despite being found in contempt of Parliament and called out on the carpet by both the Auditor General and Parliamentary Budget Officer.

There appears to be the same pigheadedness at play with the region’s refusal to back away from a project that looks shakier as scrutiny increases.

We’ve already seen the region back away from ridership numbers and pipedreams about taking drivers out of their cars, now extolling the ability of the LRT to reshape land use. Even that is suspect, however, given the experience elsewhere, including Calgary, which holds more warning signs than just the latest over-expenditure.

When their plans go awry, failing to deliver the promised benefits – and likely going massively over budget, more than 40 per cent higher is the average for LRT projects – we all pay the price. Well, except for those who pushed for the project. From them, we get excuses: didn’t spend enough, didn’t market it properly, not enough public education … anything but an admission they made a mistake.

Ebenezer Scrooge isn't the only one in need of redemption at this point, as Woolwich voters of Christmas Yet to Come certainly know.

WORLD VIEW / GWYNNE DYER

Israel's commitment to "peace process" is a fraud WORLD AFFAIRS It’s as if the world’s leaders were earnestly warning us that global warming will cause the extinction of the dinosaurs. They’ve actually been dead for a long time already. So has the Middle East “peace process.”

As soon as Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will build 3,000 homes on “East One” (E-1), the last piece of land connecting East Jerusalem with the West Bank that is not already covered with Jewish settlements, the ritual condemnations started to flow. Even U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that “these activities set back the cause of a negotiated peace,” and others went a lot further.

The British minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt, warned that “the settlements plan ... has the potential to alter the situation on the ground on a scale that threatens the viability of a two-state solution.”

France called in the Israeli ambassador and told him

that “settlements are illegal under international law ... and constitute an obstacle to a fair peace based on a two-state solution.”

Even the Australian government summoned the Israeli ambassador and told him that Israeli plans to build on the land in question “threaten the viability of a two-state solution.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said that the plan would be “an almost fatal blow” to the two-state solution, as if it were still alive.

And Netanyahu, secure in the knowledge that they wouldn’t actually do anything, just stone-walled and smiled.

In almost all the media coverage, the Israeli announcement is explained as an angry response for the United Nations General Assembly’s vote last month to grant the Palestinian Authority permanent observer status at the UN, which is tantamount to recognising Palestine as an independent state. As if Netanyahu were an impulsive man who had just lost his temper, not a wily strategist who thinks long-term.

Building in the “E-1” area, which covers most

of the space between the Jewish settlements that ring East Jerusalem and the huge Jewish settlement of Maale Adumim in the Palestinian West Bank, is definitely a game-changer.

It effectively separates the West Bank from East Jerusalem, the city that the Palestinians see as the capital of their future state.

It also almost cuts the West Bank in two. But it’s not a new idea.

The Israeli government declared its intention to build on this land 14 years ago, when Netanyahu was prime minister for the first time. The plan was frozen in response to outraged protests from practically all of Israel’s allies, who had invested a great deal of political capital in the twostate solution. But it was never abandoned.

Successive U.S. presidents were assured by various Israeli governments that construction would not proceed there, but most of those governments went on preparing for the day when a pretext to break the freeze would present itself. The land is still deserted today, but there are street lights, electric cables

and water mains.

Now a pretext has arisen, even if the UN General Assembly’s recognition of a Palestinian state makes little practical difference.

Netanyahu has seized the opportunity, as he undoubtedly always planned to. And you can’t kill the “two-state solution.” To Netanyahu’s considerable satisfaction, it is already dead.

Creating two independent states, Israeli and Palestinian, separated by the “green line” that was Israel’s border until it conquered the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 war, was the goal of the 1993 Oslo Accords.

That’s what the “peace process” was all about, but it was really doomed when Yitzhak Rabin, the prime minister signed the Oslo deal, was assassinated by a right-wing Jewish fanatic in 1995.

Netanyahu was elected prime minister after Rabin’s death, and spent the next three years stalling on the transfers of land and political authority to the Palestinian AuthorDYER | 17

COMMENT | 15

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

THEIR VIEW / QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Should the government maintain a hard line with the teachers?

»»Gordon Bauman

»»Elinor Rau

»»Junet Brown

»»Nathaniel Paipa

»»Lorraine Ottmen

No, I don’t think so.

I see both sides of the fence.

Yes!

I think yes – it is, however, not always black and white.

I tend to agree, yes, they should at this point.

"Your first priority is to seek to do the will of the people who gave you our trust to do just that. " Sarah Holmes | page 17 HIS VIEW / STEVE KANNON

PBO's report quantifies the divide between public sector and those who pay EDITOR'S NOTES There’s nothing like reports of inflated public sector wages to get the blood boiling. In releasing a new study this week, Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page did Stephen Harper a favour, drawing attention away from the prime minister’s mismanagement of the F-35 deal, the Nexen sale to a Chinese state-owned enterprise and his bungling in support of Israel, among others.

While it does provide some cover for Harper, it also gives lie to the idea of the Tories as good fiscal managers and advocates of smaller government.

Bureaucratic bloat has been a hallmark of the Harper government since it was first elected in 2006, with the federal public sector growing to its largest size ever under his tenure.

@

Even with planned cuts, already underway, the public service will be 11,000 employees larger than when the Conservatives took office.

In 2011-12, Canada’s federal personnel expenses were $43.8 billion, an average of $114,100 per employee in total compensation, including salary, benefits and pensions.

Over the last 22 years, Page notes, there have been significant swings in employment figures. Personnel expenses rose consistently between 1999-00 and 2011-12, reversing an earlier period of restraint between 1990-91 and 199899 under the Chretien governments. Additionally, federal compensation growth outpaced not only inflation as tracked in the consumer price index, but also the Canadian business sector and other levels of government – an average of 5.1 per cent annually in a period where inflation averaged 2.1 per cent.

For the last fiscal year, Canada’s total program expenses were $240.4 billion.

Of this amount, DPE (direct program expenditures) accounted for $115.2 billion, and within that spending envelope, personnel expenses were $43.8 billion.

In effect, personnel expenses accounted for 18.2 per cent of total program expenses and 38.1 per cent of DPE, representing a significant share of Canada’s total spending, and 2.55 per cent of GDP. That encompasses some 375,000 employees.

Although Page’s report covers only the federal government, the same trend can be seen at the provincial and local government levels.

In Ontario, Premier Dalton McGuinty’s tenure has seen program spending increase by an average of 6.1 per cent annually – nearly twice the combined rate of inflation and population growth (3.1 per cent) and well over Ontario’s annual

nominal economic growth rate (3.6 per cent).

Ironically, McGuinty’s attempts to rein in such profligate spending has those who pocketed much of the taxpayers’ money – read teachers – railing against the restraint needed to bring spending in check.

The strike action is a bitter pill to swallow for many in the private sector given that, according to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, average real wages in Canada have gone up only 0.76 per cent annually since 1997.

With figures like that, the restraint advocated by both the federal and provincial governments finds a receptive audience: most of us have no problem seeing government workers as overpaid and underworked. Fair or not, that’s the perception.

Layoffs and wage freezes (if not outright cuts) are an easy sell to the public. Public service compensation now outstrips the private

see needed frontline workers let go, but that’s an unlikely scenario. There are ways of judiciously reducing the size of the civil service with minimal impacts.

Lowering wages would free up money to tackle deficits and to funnel money where it’s needed.

At the municipal level, as local politicians have noted, wage freezes aren’t in the cards unless the province makes it mandatory, which isn’t going to happen. McGuinty has called for voluntary restraint for the last three years, to no avail.

That’s not to say the goal isn’t worthwhile: wages typically make up 50 to 60 per cent of the tax dollars spent by governments, so that’s where the cuts have to be made to get spending back under control. That’s especially true if the goal is to maintain programs and avoid large tax increases, in which case something’s gotta give. That something is civil service salaries.

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sector by some 30 per cent when wages, benefits and pensions are factored in, and it’s now time to begin reversing that trend.

Public sector unions, seeing the writing on the wall, are quick to argue that private sector compensations should rise rather than rolling back what’s paid to government workers. A nice idea, but one detached from current economic reality, and an issue government has no direct control over, unlike their own budgets.

To be fair, governments do have to stop corporate tax cuts, increasing rates by a few percentage points.

There’s no point in cutting wages only to pass the money on to large corporations that have been hording revenue rather than using it productively in the economy.

The other union tactic, painting a dire picture of service cuts, also has little credence. Indiscriminate layoffs could theoretically

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16 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Here Comes

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COMMENT | 17

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

THE MONITOR

VERBATIM

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

The Sixth Good Government Report Card on the Federal Accountability Act, marking the sixth anniversary of the legislation, gives the Conservatives an overall “F” grade because they have only partially increased accountability in the federal government while taking many key steps backwards

" Clearly, federal employees and the politicians who decide how much to pay them are divorced from reality."

Police were seeking two men who feld a suspicious house fire in Wellesley Village December 9. The two males emerged from the duplex on Molesworth Street when fire broke out, both with flames coming from their clothing. They then fled the scene. Damage was pegged at $200,000.

»»Democracy Watch

»»The Canadian Taxpayers Federation reacts to the Parliamentary Budget Officer's

»»From the the Dec. 13, 2008 edition of the Observer.

report on the rising cost of the federal civil service.

DYER: Israel's allies continue

NATIONAL VIEW

to go along with the fraud CONTINUED FROM | 14

ity that were required under the Oslo Accords.

Meanwhile, he supported a vastly expanded program of Jewish settlement in the West Bank, although it was obvious that this would ultimately make a Palestinian state impossible.

After a two-year interval when the Labour Party under Ehud Barak formed a government and seriously pursued a final peace settlement with the Palestinians, the Israeli right recovered power in 2001 and has relentlessly pursued a project of settling Jews on Palestinian territory ever since.

The number of Jews living in the West Bank has doubled in the past 12 years, and they now ac-

YOUR VIEW / LETTER

Township needs good fiscal managers To the Editor, Coun. Bonnie Bryant deserves the thanks of the property taxpayers of Woolwich for her stance on taxes. Thank you also to the others who stood with her on our behalf.

We did not vote any of them in to office to raise taxes or to give us unwanted gravel pits that will destroy the peace and tranquility and environment of

count for one-fifth of the population there. Jewish settlements, roads reserved for Jewish settlers, and Israeli military bases and reservations now cover 40 per cent of the West Bank’s territory. But to retain U.S. support, Netanyahu still has to pretend that he is really interested in a twostate solution.

That’s why he had to wait for the right excuse before building on “E-1” and sealing East Jerusalem off from the West Bank. But he always intended to kill off the “peace process,” and in practice he succeeded long ago.

Why do his Western allies in the United States and elsewhere put up with this fraud? Because they cannot think of anything else to do. this area – are you listening, Mr. Mayor? Your first priority is to seek to do the will of the people who gave you our trust to do just that.

Sadly, I think we may have bought ‘a pig in a poke.’

This area desperately needs people who are wise and good fiscal managers to run for office. After reading the report in the December 1 edition of the Observer and the letters to the editor, I am confident that there are many who would be excellent mayoral candidates, such as Bonnie Bryant and Peter Durksen, to name only two.

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18 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

SPORTS HOCKEY/ JUNIOR B HOCKEY / PROVINCIAL WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE

Taking her game to the next level There’s no hockey at school, but EDSS student Kaitlin Doering getting her fix with the PWHL ELENA MAYSTRUK Students have been speaking out for their love of sports in recent days as schools cancel their extracurriculars due to the strike action by teachers, but there are those like Kaitlin Doering who are getting their sports fixes elsewhere and excelling nonetheless.

A senior at Elmira District Secondary School, Doering has loved sports since she first stepped on the ice as a tot playing for a Waterloo Novice team. She’s come a long way since those beginnings, continuing to play in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) for the Mississauga Junior Chiefs, who are first in their division at this point in the season.

“I think it’s unfortunate that the sports have to be cancelled right now. It’s a huge thing that a lot of people look forward to coming to schools, and it’s unfortunate that I can’t complete hockey in my final year here,” she said at school on Wednesday.

Commuting to Mississauga, doing her homework on her lap on the way, Doering has a chance to continue her passion for the sport.

“I don’t know what I’d do without hockey – it’s a huge part of my life. It’s kind of an escape, being so busy with the drive to Mississauga this year. You step on the ice and that’s my time off, it’s what I love.”

Last spring Doering tried out for the Team Canada

U18 squad, making it through the May commission camp and going into the August selection camp with the top 40 players in Canada but got cut before a United States series.

Though she did not make it to the nationals this year, Doering has a renewed sense of purpose: “It pushes me to work harder and achieve my goals.”

This hockey season she is balancing her last year in school while driving a total of two hours to and from her two-hour practices in Mississauga.

Whatever the situation in high school, Doering has big dreams as a student and athlete at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, where she hopes to be playing for the Ivy League’s hockey team, the Cornell Big Reds, next year.

There is much to be excited about for Doering, who’s a centre. This season the Mississauga Junior Chiefs have lost only one out of 17 games and are at the head of the pack.

In November the girls were Team Ontario Blue playing versus Team Ontario Red at the nationals, coming out on top. Now Doering and her teammates are striving for more.

“One of our goals is to make it to the final four. The league, you got through provincials and out of that comes the top 14 and those top 14 [teams] play for the provincial championships. That’s our goal: to make it to that this year,” she said as the team continues towards the sea-

son’s halfway mark with 21 games left.

This weekend Doering is taking a load off from a busy few weeks before getting back on the ice on Tuesday.

Kings gain the edge in pair of victories On the road, Elmira needs shootout to solve Cullitons, then rely on lastminute goal to best Winter Hawks ELENA MAYSTRUK They were both onegoal games, but the Sugar Kings will take the four points, thank you very much. Elmira earned the first W of the weekend in a 3-2 shootout in Stratford December 7 before returning home Sunday to exact some revenge on Cambridge with a 4-3 victory.

The wins extended the Kings’ streak to three.

On the road facing the Cullitons, Elmira got off to a slow start, spotting the home team the first two goals.

Stratford got the only goal of the opening frame at 6:13 despite being outshot 13-11. In the second, the Cullitons went up 2-0 at 3:06 Despite the early setback, Kings head coach Dean DeSilva said key players came through to move things along for the struggling team, with netminder Hayden Neuman keeping his team in the game, allowing Jake Weidner and Brady Campbell breaking to get the offense going.

EDSS student Kaitlin Doering looks forward to continuing her passion for hockey while playing for the Mississauga Junior Chiefs, who are at the top of their league so far this season.

[ELENA MAYSTRUK / THE OBSERVER]

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KINGS | 21

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SPORTS | 19

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

NOT SO GREAT OUTDOORSMAN / STEVE GALEA

Plenty of reasons for getting squirrelly as the hunting season winds down OPEN COUNTRY As I write this, there are two more days left in the squirrel season where I live. I consider this a merciful thing.

That’s because this year, I have challenged myself to use my long bow to hunt for squirrels. The score so far is Steve one; squirrels several broken arrows, the incitement of countless, colourful curses and one bow almost wrapped around a tree. And you don’t even want to hear

what a bad day is like.

Actually, I’m having a lot of fun.

That, to me, has always been the draw of squirrel hunting. It’s a whole lot of fun, with plenty of opportunities and you don’t get too upset if they win a few times. More than that, you get to spend time roaming the woods and being outside with your favourite bow or squirrel rifle and, though a lot of people have a hard time believing this, squirrels taste pretty good too.

Also, the mere mention that you hunt squirrel causes some people to start talking slower and louder

to you.

Normally, I use a .22 and that can be hard enough.

But shooting a long bow instinctively has taken the difficulty factor to a whole other level. They’re small moving targets and I believe they have deflector shields around them too.

It was easier in the beginning of the season.

That’s when my local squirrel population was caught off guard and didn’t consider me much of a threat. These days, however, they are on to me.

A typical hunt used to go like this. Hunter sees squirrel on the ground.

Hunter very cautiously

sneaks up within arrow range, roughly around 20 yards. Squirrel poses demurely for the shot.

Hunter looses an arrow.

Arrow skewers finger sized sapling in front of squirrel.

Squirrel continues doing squirrel-like things while hunter fumbles to nock another arrow.

Here’s how a hunt goes now. Hunter sees squirrel.

Squirrel sees hunter. Hunter squints like Clint Eastwood in any Dirty Harry movie. Squirrel, I swear to God, sticks his tongue out at hunter.

Hunter readies arrow.

Squirrel grabs his tail in the fashion of a matador

holding his cape. Hunter looses arrow. Squirrel deftly side steps it while pulling his tail out of the way at the last moment and uttering, “chhh, chhh, chhh” which, in Squirrelese, probably means “Ole!” If I’m lucky, I get that chance.

Most times now, however, I’ll see a squirrel for a brief second or two as it runs off or climbs the trunk of a tree. If it’s in the tree, it invariably climbs to the far side of the trunk. I then circle round while it does the same thing simultaneously. Then, we basically repeat this until I get dizzy.

It happens so often, I’m

sure if anyone was passing by they might think that I was enacting some strange Druidic tree worshipping ritual, as I look up at the crown and circle the tree, especially when I get so dizzy that I have to hug the tree to keep myself from falling.

Then, there is a point where the squirrel breaks from one tree to the next by making spectacular leaps across the tree tops.

And I, in a move that’s not nearly as poetic, trip.

All this is why I’m not so upset to see the season come to an end.

Squirrels, after all, have a way of driving you nuts.

ring in the new year.

Helping Our Clients Achieve Their Business Objectives.

McCarter Grespan Beynon Weir l.l.p. barristers & solicitors

Conestogo | 519-664-2237 Mount Forest | 519-323-1880 Tavistock | 519-655-3777

675 Riverbend Drive, Kitchener | 519.571.8800

BERESPONSIBLE DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE BE RESPONSIBLE AND ARRIVE ALIVE.

1-800-265-8858 519-669-5143 www.wfs.ca

FeedAssure

IMPAIRED DRIVING LAWS

• Carpet • Tile • Vinyl • Hardwood • Sico Paint

There are both federal and provincial/territorial laws against impaired driving.

www.letusflooryou.ca HACCP

1011 Industrial Cres. Unit #2 • 519-699-5411

49 Industrial Dr., Elmira • 519-669-1631

DUB-L-E SANYO CANADIAN MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED

33 Industrial Dr. • 519-669-1591

• GAS • DIESEL • PROPANE • TOUCH-FREE CAR WASH

Sulphur Products Supply chain solutions: Chemicals. Ingredients. Plastics.

www.ccc-group.com

60 First St. E., Elmira l 519.669.1332

390 ARTHUR ST. S., ELMIRA (Hwy 86 & Road 21)

519-669-2015

Bonnie’s Chick Hatchery Ltd. Serving you for over 100 Years

Toll Free (In Canada 1-888-569-8843) • Fax: 1-519-669-5982 Web: www.martinmills.com

Day-old Egg Layers Day-old Meat Varieties Turkeys - Ducks - Geese Ready-to-lay-pullets

PO Box 130, Elmira • 519-669-5171

18 Arthur St. N. • 519-669-2561

“Proud to be part of the community.”

1145 Printery Rd., St. Jacobs | TEL: 519.664.2263

The federal Criminal Code sets out impaired driving offences, enforcement procedures and penalties.

These laws are based on the .08% BAC legal limit. Conviction under federal laws can result in fines, driving prohibitions and jail time. While the Criminal Code offences are established federally, enforcement, apprehension, prosecution and application of penalties fall within provincial and territorial authority.

The provinces and territories also have constitutional authority over highways and licensing of drivers within their jurisdictions, which gives them the ability to enact additional laws and sanctions.

Most provinces and territories, for example, have licence suspensions at the .05% BAC level, .00% BAC requirements for young and novice drivers, alcohol ignition programs, vehicle impoundment measures and other programs.

20 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

THE SCORE WOOLWICH WILDCATS

Novice: LL #1 Dec. 8 vs. Plattsville Woolwich: 7 Plattsville: 0 Goals: Mitchell Brubacher x2, Finnegan Matthews x3, Mason Spark, Evan Gruhl Assists: Nathan Lipp x2, Coleson Sellars x2, James McCormick x1, Michael Macdonald x1, Evan Lucier x1 Shutout: Nathan Whittom

Novice: LL #2 Dec. 8 vs. Twin Centre Woolwich: 10

Twin Centre: 1 Goals: Nolan Karger x5, Parker Alles, Evan Catton, Adrian Kocan, Cale Waechter, Thomas Hill-Ring Assists: Ryan Brubacher x2, Tristan Kraemer, Daniel Kelly, Tanis Uhrig, Jonathan Staken, Riley Snider Dec. 9 vs. LL#4 LL2: 13 LL4: 2 Goals: Riley Snider, Parker Alles x4, Nolan Karger x5, Ryan Brubacher x3 Assists: Evan Catton x2, Jonathan Staken x2, Adrian Kocan, Riley Snider, Tristen Kraemer, Daniel Kelly, Tanis Uhrig, Cale Waechter

Novice: LL #3 Dec. 8 vs. Beverly Woolwich: 2 Beverly: 5 Goals: Coleton Benham x2 Assists: David Taylor, Ryan Buehler

Novice: LL #4 Dec. 8 vs. Ayr Woolwich: 2 Ayr: 4 Goals: Will McDougall, Ryan Curtis Assists: Teagan Cadeau, Tucker Armstrong Dec. 10 vs. LL #2 LL4: 2

LL2: 13 Goals: Haiden Idzik, Ryan Curtis Assists: Joshua Moore

Novice: AE Dec. 7 vs. Dundas Woowich: 5 Dundas: 1 Goals: Logan Beard x2, Lucas Carson, Mitchell Hartman, Sam Siopiolosz Assists: Mitchell Hartman x2, Zach McMurray, Oscar Fitch, Shelby Rempel, Adam Pauls,

Aiden Von Kannen, Carter Cousineau Dec. 8 vs. New Hamburg Woolwich: 5 New Hamburg: 1 Goals: Carter Cousineau x2, Lucas Radler, Sam Siopiolosz, Lucas Carson Assists: Mitchell Hartman x3, Lucas Carson x2, Adam Pauls, Lucas Radler, Sam Siopiolosz Dec. 9 vs. Centre Wellington Woolwich: 1 Centre Wellington: 6 Goals: Lucas Carson Assists: Jocelyn Pickard, Owen Brown

Atom: LL #1 Dec. 6 vs. New Hamburg Woolwich: 8 New Hamburg: 2 Goals: Matthew Brubacher, Braxten Breen, Ben Fretz, Jacob Stanley, James Reichard, Kieren Oberholzer, Mac Benham Assists: Braxten Breen x3, Connor Kroetsch, Jacob Stanley, Ian McGregor, Ben Fretz Dec. 8 vs. St. George Woolwich: 6 St. George: 1 Goals: Braxten Breen x2, Matthew Brubacher, Ben Fretz, Mac Benham, Liam Moyer Assists: Matthew Brubacher, Matthew Deyell, Cody Kroetsch, Matthew Brubacher) Dec. 10 vs. Paris Woolwich: 9 Paris: 0 Goals: Connor Kroetsch, William Carter, Ben Fretz x2, Matthew Brubacher, Braxten Breen, MAc Benham, Ian McGregor x2 Assists: Kieren Oberholzer, Caden Sellars, Braxten Breen x2, Matthew Brubacher x3, Cody Kroetsch, Liam Moyer, William Carter, Jake Stanley, James Reichard, Kody Lewis, Matthew Brubacher Shutout: Kody Lewis

Atom: LL #2 Dec. 8 vs. Ayr Woolwich: 4 Ayr: 3 Goals: Matthew Yorke x 2, Dante DeCul, Jonathon Dingelstad Assists: Simon Shantz, Lucas Weber, Tyson Kraemer, Ryerson Chamney

Dec. 8 vs. New Hamburg Woolwich: 3 New Hamburg: 0

Merry Christmas Happy

&

!

New Year

Dec. 1 vs. Mount Forest Woolwich: 0

Mount Forest: 1 Dec. 5 vs. Woodstock Woolwich: 1 Woodstock: 1 Goals: Sarah Church Assists: Cora Kieswetter, Lindsey Bauman Dec. 9 vs. Brantford Brantford: 2 Woolwich: 1 Goals: Cora Kieswetter Assists: Lindsey Bauman

Atom: AE Dec. 7 vs. New Hamburg Woolwich: 3 New Hamburg: 0 Goals: Grayson McGirr, Andrew Keiswetter, Andrew Weber Assists: Tanner Mann, Nathan Snyder, Hunter Weigel Shutout: Nick Lee Dec. 10 vs. New Hamburg Woolwich: 4 New Hamburg: 0 Goals: Andrew Kieswetter x2, Eric Martin, Nate Snyder Assists: Conner Waters, Andrew Kieswetter, Matt Thaler Shutout: James Ormson

Atom: MINOR AA Dec. 3 vs. Ancaster Woolwich: 2 Ancaster: 4 Goals: Kyler Austin, Alex Hutton Assists: Gavin Roemer, Owen Lee, Cameron Leonard Dec. 9 vs. Oakville Woolwich: 3 Oakville: 5 Goals: Kyler Austin x2, Gavin Roemer Assists: Tyler Martin x2, Kolin Weigel x2, Colton Schmitt, Kyler Austin Dec. 5 vs. Stoney Creek Woolwich: 4 Stoney Creek: 2 Goals: Conner Bradley x3, Jesse Martin Assists: Brett Allen x2, Isiah Katsube x2, Ben Witmer, Matt Fleischmann

Atom: MAJOR AA Dec. 7 vs. Guelph Woolwich: 4 Guelph: 1 Goals: Nathan Taylor x2, Matt Fleischmann, Isiah Katsube Assists: Blake Roemer x3, Lucas Huber, Ryan Elliott Dec. 8 vs. Georgetown Woolwich: 3 Georgetown: 1 Goals: Isiah Katsube, Brett Allen, Ryan Elliott Assists: Conner Bradley, Brett Allen, Nathan Taylor, Jesse Martin

Dec. 8 vs. Oakville Woolwich: 1 Oakville: 1

From all of us at...

Goals: Jenna Duimering Assists: Meagan Langer, Dezarae Kirkey

Midget: B

Goals: Cameron Martin x2, Nate Curtis Assists: Keith Mikel Shutout: Ryan Martin

PeeWee: MINOR A Atom: LL #3

TWIN CENTRE ATOMS WIN WINGHAM SILVER STICK

TWIN CENTRE STARS The Twin Centre Atop Rep team emerged victorious at the Wingham Regional Silver Stick Tournament last weekend. Front row: Michael Novice: LL #1 Hayes, Nathan Brideau, Peter Holmes, Blair Bender, Colby Switzer, Liam Robertson, Easton Gowing, William Weber, Kyle Kraemer. Back row: Dec. 8 vs. Ayr Brock Krulicki, coach Ken Holmes, Daniel Rudy, Devon Lee, Curtis Butler, Dylan Burton, Alex Kaufman, Dylan Hehn, Cameron Hoy, coach Kevin Twin Centre: 4

Kraemer, coach Jensen Rudy.

[SUBMITTED] Ayr: 3 Goals: Andrew Rouble x2, Woolwich: 1 Goals: Zac Pickard Assists: Nick Campagnolo Lalonde, Jordan Shantz, Cole Hayden Foster, Cameron Butler Clarington: 7 Conlin Dec. 10 vs. Georgetown Dec. 10 vs. Twin Centre Goals: Pacy Camm Assists: Rylan Edwards, Jaden Assists: Scott Martin x2, Ryley Woolwich: 3 Woolwich: 8 Gerber x2,Colton Egli, Andrew Cribbin x2, Nicholas Pavanel, Georgetown: 1 Assists: Joey Martin, Austin Twin Centre: 2 Rouble and Carlie Birrell Jordan Shantz) Schnarr Goals: Seth Morrison, Mac Goals: Ryan Diemert x3, Joe Shoutout: Rylan Edwards Willms, CJ Sider Game 3 vs. Brampton Hanley x2, Noah Rawlinson, Nick Woolwich: 2 Assists: Kieffer Beard, Jackson Campagnolo, Jordan Luis HOCKEY Hale, Tyler Horst, Zac Pickard TOURNAMENTS Brampton: 7 Assists: Noah Rawlinson x3, Atom: LL #1 Goals: Dustin Good x2 Jordan Luis x2, Mason Buehler, Dec. 7 vs. Tavistock PeeWee: MAJOR A Atom: MAJOR AA Nathan Horst, Alex Berry, Joe Assists: Sam Hacock x 2, Eric Newmarket Tournament Twin Centre: 7

Dec. 8 vs. Burlington Hanley, Luke Decorte, William Hutton, Denver Martin Tavistock: 2 Woolwich: 4 Mewhiney, Ryan Diemert, Keean Newmarket, ON |Nov. 30-Dec. 1 Goals: Jaden Palermo x2, Game 1 vs. Newmarket Burlington: 5 Dowdall, Max Bender WOOLWICH Dawson Stevenson x2, Isaiah Wildcats: 4 Goals: Riley Runstedler, Jordan WILD Siewert, Connall Gillett, Reid Newmarket: 5 Lee, Cole Altman, Austin Henderson Bantam: LL #2 Novice: LL #2 Flaherty Goals: Ryan Elliott x2, Brett Assists: Jack Wolf x3, Reid Dec. 8 vs.

Plattsville Dec. 8 vs.

Waterloo Allen, Isiah Katsube Assists: Cole Altman, Brad Hale, Henderson, Connall Gillett, Josh Woolwich: 1

Nick Ravelle x2, Daniel Carr x2, Assists: Isiah Katsube x2, Keaton Woolwich: 0 Carere Waterloo: 2 Riley Runstedler, Austin Flaherty Plattsville: 2 McLaughlin x2, Jesse Martin, Goals: Matthew Greene Nathan Taylor, Blake Roemer, HOCKEY Conner Bradley Dec. 7 vs. St. George TOURNAMENTS PeeWee: AA Novice: C Game 2 vs. Seaway Valley Woolwich: 4 Dec. 5 vs. Guelph Dec. 1 vs. Wilmot Atom: REP St. George: 3 Wildcats: 1 Woolwich: 3 Woolwich: 1 Wingham Regional Silver Seaway Valley: 2 Goals: Earl Schwartz, Nick Stick Guelph: 0 Wilmot: 8 Kieswetter, Alex Metzger, Jacob Goals: Isiah Katsube Wingham , ON |Dec. 02-09 Goals: Eli Baldin, Jake Code x2 Goals: Haylee Clemmer Dubue Assists: Conner Bradley, Brett Game 1 vs. Mount Forest Assists: Austin Cousineau x2, Assists: Teesha Weber, Amy Allen

Twin Centre: 1 Bart Sherrer, Nolan Hislop Dueck Game 3 vs. Toronto Penguins Mount Forest: 1 Bantam: MAJOR A Dec. 2 vs. Wilmot Shutout: Cyrus Martin Woolwich: 5 Game 2 vs. Goderich Dec. 7 vs. Guelph Woolwich: 2 Toronto: 2 Twin Centre: 11

Woolwich: 3 Wilmot: 5 Goals: Blake Roemer x2, Conner Goderich: 2 Guelph: 3 Goals: Payton Ravelle, Haylee Bradley, Brett Allen, Ryan Eliiott PeeWee: LL #2 Game 3 vs. Kincardine Goals: Mathieu Fife x2, Tyler Clemmer Assists: Trevor Ferretti, Lucas Dec. 9 vs. New Hamburg Townsend Twin Centre: 5

Huber, Jake Clemmer, Keaton Woolwich: 2 Atom: B Kincardine: 2 Assists: Aaron Weigle, Luke McLaughlin, Ben Witmer, Matt New Hamburg: 5 Dec. 8 vs. Kitchener Game 4 vs. Mitchell Merritt, Ryley Cribbin Fleischmann, Jesse Martin Goals: Hanna Petrosino, Noah Woolwich: 1 Twin Centre: 1

Bauman Kitchener: 0 Mitchell: 0 Midget: MINOR A Assists: Matthew MacDonald Game 5 vs. Mount Forest Goals: Julia Dec. 5 vs. Caledon Tyke: SELECT Dec. 8 vs. Paris Twin Centre: 2

Assists: Mya Woolwich: 5 Bob Giroux Memorial TournaWoolwich: 3 Mount Forest: 1 Dec. 9 vs. Ancaster ment Caledon: 1 Paris: 1 Woolwich: 6 Brampton, ON |Dec. 7-8 Goals: Ryan Belanger x2, Blake Goals: Alex Uttley, Josh TWIN CITY Ancaster: 1 Game 1 vs.

Leaside Kueneman, Nicholas Pavanel, Richardson HERICANES Goals: Maddy, Alana x2, Mya, Matthew Leger, Daniel Kauth Woolwich: 2 Assists: Sullivan Keen x2 Ella, Delaney Leaside: 0 Peewee: LL Assists: Alex Uttley x2, Eddie Assists: Alana, Delaney, Maddy Huber, Jason Dunbar, Troy Dec. 8 vs. Kitchener Goals: Dustin Good, Sam Hacock Bantam: LL #1 x3, Sydney, Ali, Cassidy, Mya) Nechanicky, Daniel Kauth Twin City: 1 Dec. 8 vs. Paris Assists: Jordan Chang, Austin Dec. 8 vs. Dundas Kitchener: 1 Schnarr Woolwich: 1 PeeWee: LL Woolwich: 5 Goals: Janessa Pretorius Paris: 1 Shoutout: Ian Darroch, Parker Dec. 10 vs. Grand River Dundas: 2 Collingwood Assists: Kira Schneider Goals: Jordan Luis Woolwich: 1 Goals: Alex Uttley x2, Matthew Game 2 vs. Clarington Grand River: 5

from

ELMIRA SERVICE CENTRE

16 Church St. E., ELMIRA

519-669-8502

75 Rankin St. Waterloo 519-746-6000 www.dunnheating.com

SYD SNIDER

OWNER/MANAGER

100 Bonnie Crescent, Elmira | 519.669.1949

SPORTS | 21

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

KINGS: Busy stretch to end the week as Elmira

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

plays 3 games in 4 nights; host Listowel Sunday

Elmira’s Jake Weidner closes in on the Cambridge net during the Kings’ 4-3 victory on Sunday at the WMC. FROM | 18

Campbell was the first King to make it on the scoreboard when in the second frame Weidner fed him the puck for a goal at 4:44.

Still behind 2-1 in the third period, the Kings got a lucky break courtesy of Weidner, who got one past the Cullitons to tie the game with just 59 seconds to go. Overtime solved nothing, so the teams went to a shootout, with Elmira emerging victorious.

Despite the 3-2 win, DeSilva said the boys getting out with two points was pure luck.

“I don’t know what it was. I don’t know if it was just guys being nervous but I didn’t think we skated as well as we could.”

Back on home ice at the Dan Snyder Arena on Sunday, the Sugar Kings healed a wound with a victory over the Cambridge Winter Hawks.

“Last time we played them they beat us 9-2. We wanted to answer back after having a tough game

against them last time.

We’re going into Cambridge on Saturday so it will be tough there as well,” DeSilva said, happy with how his boys played against some tough competition.

“If you look at the stats we are as even as two teams can be for goals against, goals for, power play, penalty kill – and it’s a war. The boys worked hard and I can’t knock anything.”

Starting off, the first goal went straight to the visiting team with Tyler Snyder shooting off a lightning fast goal past tender Mackenzie Blackwood at just 0:33. Elmira did not hesitate, striking back quickly to even things up at 1:44 off the stick of Campbell, who would earn a hat trick by the end of the night.

From that early start, a duel developed, with both teams thrusting and parrying in an effort to break the 1-1 tie. It was the Hawks that emerged with one more before the buzzer sounded, potting one at

Weidner battles for the puck as the Winter Hawks attempt to take the play back up the ice.

[ELENA MAYSTRUK / THE OBSERVER]

9:31 as the Kings outshot the visitors 14-11 (and 39-33 on the night).

Back on the ice after the intermission, the Kings had a better time of it in the second frame, working as a team to repeatedly attack the net. Elmira was rewarded with consecutive goals when Campbell got another quality assist from Weidner at 2:35, followed

by Mitch Wright, who got a hand up from Campbell and Craig Johnson at 11:48.

The Kings didn’t have long to enjoy their 3-2 lead, as Cambridge got past Blackwood again just over a minute later at 13:20.

The third frame was a hard slog for both teams and for a while it looked like the Kings were headed for another overtime game.

Campbell came through and managed to save the game when he scored at 14:39, assisted by Johnson and Weidner. The last five minutes were a scramble for the Hawks who tried to mount an attack on Blackwood’s net to no avail, letting the Kings finish of the weekend on a high note.

That the teams were evenly matched and eager to come out on top was clear in the long list of penalties handed out, amounting to a cool 103 minutes. The Kings racked up just under half, with exactly 50 minutes in the bin, with repeat offences for Steven Jakeila and Cash Seraphim.

On the road in Guelph Thursday night and facing the Winter Hawks Saturday, the Kings return home Sunday night to take on Listowel. The puck drops at 7 p.m. at the WMC.

[ELENA MAYSTRUK / THE OBSERVER]

As the days until Christmas dash by, we’d like to take time out to thank all of you for stopping by our way this year.

Happy Holidays!

From Doug & Mary Lou, and staff at Elmira Foodland Open 24Hrs. 7 Days a Week!

Closed Christmas Day.| Boxing Day 10am-5pm

315 Arthur St. S. Elmira | 519-669-5403

L Y O S D I A H !

Y P P A H

CHRISTM24AS H25OUR26S CLOSED

CLOSED MON. Cosmic Bowling

27

11 - 5 PM & 7 - 9 PM THURS.

Cosmic Bowling

28

CA !

ATIONS RESERV

TUES.

WED.

29

30

11 - 5 PM & 11 - 5 PM & 7 - 9 PM 7 - 9 PM SAT. FRI.

1 - 6 PM

SUN.

1

31

NEW VE E A YE RLL’SFOR

Cosmic Bowling

CLOSED

CLOSED

MON.

TUES.

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE !

(Great Stocking Stuffers!)

15 FIRST STREET E., ELMIRA • 519-669-2833 • elmirabowl@rogers.com

22 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

The son is born! “‘For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”

- Luke 2:11 ECRA/ESA Lic # 7000404 INDUSTRIAL | COMMERCIAL | RESIDENTIAL | ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING | MAINTENANCE

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will towards men.” — Luke 2:14

We wish to thank each and every one of our customers for their support this year. May you have a Wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Elo, Florence, Darrell, Dianne, Walter, Jason & Josh.

4790 Herrgott Rd., Wallenstein,

Call to Order

64 HOWARD AVE., ELMIRA | 519.669.1461

519-669-2192

Government Inspected

519-698-9930 • 519-698-2213

Merry Christmas

www.efsaudersales.ca

“Serving your lawn & garden needs since 1975”

Christmas Blessings!

Rejoice as we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.

Wishing the happiest of holidays to all our friends and neighbours.

Happy Holidays!

We’re counting our blessings this holiday season, and your kind friendship is among them.

With thanks and best wishes from our family to yours for a very merry Christmas and a healthy, prosperous new year.

South West Ontario Veterinary Service

1010 Industrial Crs., St. Clements Phone: 519.699.0600

to you and your family.

2080 Northfield Dr. E, RR2

519.669.1616

100 Union St., Elmira

Woolwich Rentals

519.669.0524

Reist Industries

519.669.1501

www.woolwichrentals.ca www.reistindustries.com

SPORTS | 23

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Sun. December 16‘12

HOLIDAY HOURS Closed December 25th & 26th Closed January 1st

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Safe New Year!

vs.

Listowel Cyclones Game Sponsor: Scrubbles

Dan Snyder Memorial Arena Puck drops at 7:00pm

kings.on.ca

www.

Make your Christmas Shopping easy this year.

Follow Us on Twitter @SugarKings

UPCOMING GAMES | ROSTER | GAME UPDATES & MORE

General : Xmas - New Year General : Xmas - New Year General : Xmas - New Year

Trademarked accessories such as t-shirts, hats, mugs, key chains and much more!

4 1/2”W x 5”H 4 1/2”W x 5”H 4 1/2”W x 5”H

Warmest wishes

Perfect Stocking Stuffers!

Gift Certificiates for car cleanups and oil changes make a great gift.

Warmest wishes

Greetings for aSeasons wonderful holiday.

Warmest wishes andfor best wishes for the holiday.

New Year. a wonderful for a wonderful holiday.

for asights, wonderful holiday.

Cheeriest sounds, merriest holiday joys, brightest delights...

I would like to thank you for your business over the past year and We would like to wish everyone a safebrightest and happy may they be yours this Cheeriest sounds, holiday joys, wish you season. and yourmerriest family a sights, safe and happy holiday.

Cheeriest sounds, merriest sights, holiday joys, brightest delights... delights... may be this season. holiday thank of our clients for their business. may they they and be yours yours this all season.

Largest 100% Canadian multi-product insurer.

Largest 100% Canadian multi-product insurer.

Largest 100% multi-product Home Auto Canadian Life Investments Group Business Farm Travel Largest 100% Canadian multi-product insurer. insurer.

361 Arthur Street South, Elmira | 519-669-2831

Home Auto Life Investments Group Business Farm Travel Home Auto Life Investments Group Business Farm Travel

Home Auto Life Investments Group Business Farm Your Agency Name Travel

www.voisinchrysler.ca

Agent Name, 123 Street Address, City/Town Your Agency Name Your Agency Name Agent Name, 123 Street (000) Address, City/Town 456-7890 Agent Name, 123 Street Address, City/Town

Allen & Suzanne Morrison, Your Agency Name (000) 456-7890 (000) 456-7890 Agent Name, Street Address, City/Town Karen, 123 Linda, Allison, Steve & Richard (000) 456-7890

Photo Here

25 Industrial Dr., Elmira | Tel: 519-669-2632 allen_morrison_insurance@cooperators.ca

Photo Photo Here Photo Here Here

24 | GIFT IDEAS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

GIFT IDEAS | 25

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

GIFTIDEAS

THE HOLIDAYS ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER! BE SURE TO GET THE PERFECT PRESENT FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR HOLIDAY LIST AT THESE LOCAL STORES.

Season’s Greetings

COMPUTERS | LAPTOPS | SAME DAY SERVICE

Wrap up a this Christmas!

Tower

$299

GIFT BOXES

• Intel Core 2 duo 2.0 • 2 GB Ram • 160 GB Hard drive • DVD burner • Windows XP Professional

Including Vic Gibbons print “Early Snow” - Gift Packages to suit all tastes and prices

• Intel Core 2 duo 2.6 • 4 GB Ram • 160 GB Hard drive • DVD burner • Windows 7

*In-stock printers only.

$199

A GREAT SELECTION OF GIFT BASKETS, WICKER TRAYS AND OUR “BIG BOX OF NUTS”

Assorted HP Wireless Printers* 50% OFF ELMIRA LOCATION 112 Bonnie Crescent Elmira | 519-669-5551

FERGUS LOCATION 920 St. David St. N., (Hwy 6) Fergus | 519-787-0006

Gifts e u q i n U s rnament Holders - Games O s a m t s i r h C els & ines - Garden d n a C s e m Windchi Ornaments - Figur Glass

ST. JACOBS - Corner of Sawmill Rd. & HWY. #86

519-664-2400

Happy Holidays From

WATCH FOR POSTED SAFETY SIGNS! 519-669-1561 SALES & SERVICE

Stocked with Everything You Need for the Christmas Season!

Toys • Clothing • Gloves • Collectables • Hats • Coats

Located on the Corner of Line 86 and the Floradale Road Fruit Baskets • Meat Platters • Cheese Trays • Vegetable Trays

And so much more!

We Deliver!

315 Arthur St. S. • 519-669-5403

©2010 CNH America LLC. All rights reserved. Case IH is a registered trademark of CNH America LLC.

1-800-665-1561

6805 Line 86W Elmira, Ontario

26 | VENTURE

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

“Jesus is our hope for peace on earth, for peace of heart.

May Christ be newborn in our world and in your heart this Christmas”

RIVERDALE POULTRY EXPRESS

Thank you for your patronage.

from

We look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Baking | Fabric | China | Giftware | Clothing | Groceries

Elmira Ontario

HILLCREST Home Baking

2192 Floradale Rd.

519-669-1381

Linwood | 519-698-2000

HAPPY HOLIDAYS | HAPPY HOLIDAYS | HAPPY HOLIDAYS | HAPPY HOLIDAYS | HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Prince of Peace At this time of year, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas — the miracle of a babe, born in a manager. May his love ring out to the world. Peace on Earth, good will towards men.

519-669-0264 56 Howard Ave. Elmira, ON

35 Howard Avenue, Elmira

519-669-3232

To all of our clients and friends, we wish a happy holiday and the very best for the new year!

650 Riverbend Road Suite D, Kitchener

519-884-4445

www.rlb.ca

MERRY CHRISTMAS | HAPPY NEW YEAR | MERRY CHRISTMAS | HAPPY NEW YEAR | MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wishing you a Beautiful Holiday and a New Year of Peace and Happiness

Dr. Carole Wilkinson & Dr. Chad Chhatwal O P T O M E T R I S T

Our wish may be old-fashioned, but it still holds true.

Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, too!

Wish to announce the following Holiday Hours: CLOSED

Dec. 24th, 25th, 26th & Jan. 1st.

Making the cars of the world more comfortable

Warmest Season’s Greetings!

1205 KING ST. N., ST. JACOBS

519.664-2226

SEASON’S GREETINGS | SEASON’S GREETINGS | SEASON’S GREETINGS | SEASON’S GREETINGS

JoyTo TheWorld! ...And many thanks to our good friends, everywhere.

Happy Holidays!

31 David St., Wellesley | 519.656.2909

18 Arthur St. N., Elmira | 519-669-2561

Chateau Gardens Elmira Assisted Living Centre

8 Snyder Avenue North Elmira, ON

Call 519-669-4111

www.chartwellreit.ca

Rejoice!

VENTURE | 27

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

VENTURE FOOD FOR THOUGHT/ OWEN ROBERTS

SEASONAL / GOING FOR GREEN

Meeting the demand for just the right tree at Christmastime Perhaps the most visible and personalized of yuletide symbols, the Christmas tree provides plenty of business at this time of the year, from loads of natural choices to the no-fuss artificial option

Drought adds gasoline to food banks’ fire

ELENA MAYSTRUK The holidays can mean different things for different people but an almost universal sign of the season is the evergreen tree that becomes a centerpiece in many living rooms.

Whether you love the fresh scent of a real tree or plan to forego the prickly mess for an artificial tree, options abound. From Elmira’s Scouts to Belgian Nursery in Breslau, those who sell them are coming into the last days of a busy selling spree.

“It’s a tradition that people have had with their families since they’ve been young,” said manager Patrick Doyle as the annual visits to the Benjamin Tree Farm located on Benjamin Road in Woolwich Township come into full swing.

“It’s a tradition that we’ve built and that’s what we are trying to sell – it’s the experience,” he said of the customers that take the time to come out as a family to chop down their own Christmas tree.

There are a number of trees best suited to be grown in local soil, Doyle explained. Visitors can get the traditional holiday experience by toppling a white spruce, balsam fir or Colorado blue spruce, which has a smoky-blue tint.

FIELD NOTES

Manager Patrick Doyle and employee Sam Austett hold up some potted Christmas trees at Benjamin Tree Farm in St. Jacobs.

Not all Christmas trees are alike, however, and those who know a thing or two about evergreens can take their pick of precut trees shipped in from

other locations around Canada.

“There is a large majority of people that pick our pre-cut trees. They are specialty trees: they just

grow better in the soil that we don’t have here,” he said.

Those trees are ordered from as far as Nova Scotia and British Columbia, as

[ELENA MAYSTRUK / THE OBSERVER]

well as Penetanguishene and Langton, Ontario, where soils are better suited for what Doyle calls “premium Christmas

Canadians are fixated on holiday festivities at this time of year, but at the same time we recognize our good fortune, and commit time and resources to the many charitable causes we support.

One cause that’s grown in prominence over the years is food banks … perhaps because they’ve also significantly grown in use.

In fact, food bank use has hit a record high. In its annual Hunger Report released earlier this month, the Ontario Association of Food Banks, which represents 120 food banks and more than 1,100 food relief programs in the province, reported food bank use is up 4.5 per cent, at almost 413,000 people a month.

That’s an incredible figure. It underlines that economic recovery in this province is far from over.

But it’s even worse in rural areas. There, food bank use climbed nearly 14 per cent. And almost 20 per cent of rural food banks said they were unable to serve their clients.

Overall, the association attributes the jump to continuous cuts to social programs, as well as ever-rising food costs, which increased

TREES | 30

ROBERTS | 28

CALENDARS | GIFTS | APPAREL | LABELS

Wishing You All The Best In 2013.

WAYNE G. MARTIN Promotional Consultant for over Forty Years

Elmira, ON | 519-669-8550 | www.talbot-promo.com

THANKS FOR A GREAT 2012!

From David & Karen Martin & Family and all the staff at

www.stirtonconstruction.ca 8012 8th Line., RR #2 Drayton | 519-638-5462

Our sincere thanks for your valued business. We appreciate having you as our customer and look forward to serving you in the New Year.

519.669.8362 www.elmiravacuumelectrical.ca

28 | VENTURE

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

ROBERTS: Despite their own difficulties, farmers continue to provide what they can to food banks FROM | 27

more than two per cent in 2012, and are still forecasted by such experts as University of Guelph economists to be heading up.

Utilities and housing took more than their fair share, too.

“The past 12 months of instability have left an astonishingly high number of people living their everyday lives in a state of hunger,” the report says.

And the trend is worsening – in 2012, almost 18,000 families accessed food banks for the first time.

But for rural Ontario in particular, what really hurt was what the association calls “unforeseen natural disasters” – namely, the 2012 drought.

“The drought that followed spring’s warm weather, coupled with a harsh, dry summer, left many rural communities and farmers’ fields empty or filled with ruined crops,” it says. “Consequently, access to healthy, sustainable food has become incredibly limited.” How ironic the same dry weather that resulted in such a superb grape harvest

for wine production, as reported here last week, also contributed to others being hungry.

Bearing witness to the problem is JoAnne Sytsma from Operation Harvest Sharing, the Brockville and area food bank. Eastern Ontario was especially hard hit, and the drought had an “immediate and significant” impact on Operation Harvest Sharing’s ability to provide clients with fresh produce, she says.

Normally, small food banks like hers rely heavily on the donations of local

market gardens and gardeners to provide them with fresh vegetables and fruit during the growing season.

But this year Sytsma said she received 80 per cent less produce than normal.

Peas, beans, tomatoes, carrots, beets and potatoes were in short supply, she says, while corn was nonexistent.

All the while, client use at her Brockville food bank was spiking. It swelled to 3,405 for July-September, an increase of almost 25 per cent.

“As prices rise, so do our

client numbers,” she says.

“We expect the trend to continue through this year and into next.”

Corporate sponsors, including Farm Credit Canada through its Drive Away Hunger program, commodity groups such as Ontario Pork and individual producers are responding with initiatives of their own.

For example, through its annual donate-a-hog program, Ontario Pork channeled $3,000 to the provincial food banks association this year. Keith Robbins, director of communications

and consumer marketing for Guelph-based Ontario Pork, says that sum is down from as much as $10,000 in other years. But, he adds, it reflects the fact producers are putting their donations to work locally rather than provincially.

“A lot of our producers recognize the situation at home and are donating to food banks in their region,” he says.

Can you help? Check out the food banks association at www.oafb.ca. There’s no seasonal limit to the help that’s needed.

Season’s Greetings

Happy Holidays!

to you and yours W o o d s, Clemens & Fletcher

Wishing You & Your Loved Ones All The Trimmings Of A Spectacular Season.

Law Office

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year! ™

Toll Free (In Canada 1-888-569-8843) • Fax: 1-519-669-5982 Web: www.martinmills.com E-mail: info@marbro.com

PO Box 130, Elmira | 519-669-5171

Our wish may be old-fashioned, but its sentiment still holds true.

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, too.

P.O. Box 66 Elmira 519-669-3390

3031 Lobsinger Line, Heidelberg 519-699-4590 Mon.-Wed. 8-6; Thurs.-Fri. 8-8; Saturday 7:30-5 visit us online at www.stemmlermeats.ca

9 Memorial Ave.

26 Wellington St. S.

Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6 Drayton, Ontario N0G 1P0 Telephone: 519-669-5101 Telephone: 519-638-5767

h you t i W e B e c a e May P days. li o H e h t g n i dur

A SINCERE THANK YOU During this Christmas season our thoughts turn to those who have helped make this another prosperous year. We couldn’t have done this without a great customer base.

The staff wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

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Office: 519-888-7110 Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated 180 Weber St. S., Waterloo

VENTURE | 29

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Dr. Lawrence Mohan, Family Dentist, & his staff wish their patients & friends a...

Merry Christmas & Happy Healthy New Year

From the St aff

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2 Park Ave. E. Elmira 519.669.2961

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Is anything more special at Christmas time than the love and warmth we get from spending time with friends and family?

And this year more than ever we are humbled by the support we feel from our family of customers. We just want to say thank you, and from the Forbes family to your family, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS... MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Fairest in Sales… Finest in Service Since 1948

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We’re proud to join you and your family in sharing the miracle of Christmas.

1657 Cox Creek Road West Montrose Tel: 519-884-7070

30 | VENTURE

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Wishing all of our clients and friends a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! from Dayna, Jenny, Janessa, Michelle, Kayla & Heather

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519-669-2786 It’s one of the last busy weeks for the employees at Benjamin Tree Farm as Craig Eby prepares a Christmas tree for sale, Gerard Demaiter (bottom left) throws odds and ends away and Courtney Rizzo demonstrates how trees are planted during a presentation for students.

[ELENA MAYSTRUK / THE OBSERVER]

TREES: Whether it’s the fresh scent or the bright,

pre-strung lights, we love to bring trees indoors

FROM | 27

Our heartfelt thanks to all our friends, whether far or near... ...we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year!

61 Arthur St. S., Elmira 519-669-5419

trees.”

It’s not just axe-wielding adults who love to get their hands on the conical evergreens: after all, the tree is a sure sign Saint Nick is on his way. Christmas tree nursery tours are held daily during this season at the tree farm, where young students can see firsthand how the operation works and how trees are grown, cut and trussed up to place in the car.

In Elmira, the 1st Elmira Scouts have been busy selling their trees. With more than a third of the stock already adoring people’s living rooms, the Scouts, parents and volunteers continue to raise money for future activities through the annual venture.

Every year in September the Scouts place an order for close to 350 Christmas trees from Somerville Nurseries to be sold in Elmira’s Gore Park, said the group’s commissioner, Brian Soehner.

The kids contribute a lot of time and effort into the holiday project by partici-

pating in the process from beginning to end.

Scouts erect their own tree inside the bandstand in the park, with younger members coming out to help decorate and wind the lights around branches. Later, various members take shifts selling the trees to locals.

“They have to help build the tree lot, the fence. The children 5 to 7, they help decorate the tree and everybody helps out – they take a different shift,” he said of Scout activities this time of year.

For those who would rather stay inside and not brave the piney allergens, there are trees for you as well. A variety of artificial alternatives are available through stores like Breslau’s Belgian Nursery, where they sell only artificial trees. The business has seen the demand for fake trees increase over the years, said co-owner Rosie Lombaert.

“The clientele are developing allergies and that’s why they need fake treesm, because they can’t put a real one in. That’s a

group that we’re finding every year we’re getting a few more,” she said.

With artificial trees there is no dealing with a tangled mess, as many can be found with lights already wound in the branches with frosted tips to emulate fresh snow, Lombaert said.

Live trees also require constant watering and have too short of a shelf life to accommodate the early birds who like to bring out their decorations in November, Lombaert explained. And not everyone can be happy with just one tree.

“It’s just easier to have a little tree decorated that’s artificial. And they can have them in different rooms then.”

She has seen customers who love to decorate for the holidays buy one large tree in addition to a few smaller ones to place throughout their house.

Lombart remembers one such customer fondly: “The days get so short and it gets darker and darker so at least she’s got colour in her house.”

VENTURE | 31

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

MERRY CHRISTMAS | HAPPY NEW YEAR | MERRY CHRISTMAS | HAPPY NEW YEAR | MERRY CHRISTMAS

Yuletide Wishes

for a season filled with caring and sharing with those near and dear to your heart.

Over 25 Years Experience

519.669.8511

toll free 1.888.669.8511 www.freysflowers.com

CJ

No matter where you live or spend the holidays, we hope our best wishes find you.

We’re proud to serve this community and are grateful for your trust and goodwill.

With warm regards from all of us for a very merry holiday season.

DUB-L-E ESSO

Brubacher Ltd. 519.669.3362

19 First Street East, Elmira

ELMIRA

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FERGUS

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ERIN

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SEASON’S GREETINGS | SEASON’S GREETINGS | SEASON’S GREETINGS | SEASON’S GREETINGS

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For peace in our hearts, peace in our homes and peace throughout each and every land.

From all of us at:

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RYAN WEBER | 519.669.2198 Unit 2, 84 Howard Ave., Elmira www.rytechmachine.ca

519-699-1118

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1-2633 Hergott Rd. | St Clements HIGH EFFICIENCY HEATING | NATURAL GAS PIPING | SEE US FOR GOVERNMENT REBATES ON FURNACE & AIR CONDITIONERS

32 | THE ARTS

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

THE ARTS ON STAGE / SEASONAL CONCERT

Presenting the sounds of the season Koinonia Christian Fellowship gets audiences in the yuletide spirit with its popular Christmas in Concert show ELENA MAYSTRUK With its annual Christmas in Concert performance, Koinonia Christian Fellowship captivated audiences for two nights of holiday performances last weekend.

For many years Koinonia was known for putting on elaborate musical theatre productions, but in recent years organizers have changed things up with more concerts. This is the fourth year for Christmas in Concert, which sees dancers, singers and a slew of volunteers bringing holiday favourites to the stage with a choir and select acts.

“It’s very exciting to see it all come together,” producer Kathryn Hofer said of the show.

Starting with some upbeat tunes and continuing to more somber renditions like the ‘Huron Carol,’ acts were chosen to fit a wide range of holiday tastes, Hofer explained. Every year organizers strive to offer a good mix of light

Koinonia Christian Fellowship in Bloomingdale presented its Christmas in Concert show last weekend. Among the performers were Jason and Charmaine Brown (left) and Tim Fleming. entertainment interwoven with more serious themes and Christmas traditions like a carol sing with the audience.

“We’ve never actually repeated any music, from any of our four years.

We’ve done all new music.”

Among favorites that are engineered to sound fresh and interesting, Hofer says, are holiday originals like ‘The Heart of Christmas’ by Matthew West which was performed near the end of the night.

This year the free two-

day production continued to put bodies in seats with Sunday’s show operating at full capacity and the whole weekend earning a standing ovation from more than 2,900 people, an increase from last year’s turnout of 2,500 au-

dience members.

Planning for shows starts in January and the long audition process commences in September when staff chooses from a large number of willing performers.

“I wish I had my sur-

[ELENA MAYSTRUK / THE OBSERVER]

vey cards in front of me,” Hofer said of the feedback she has received.

“People just love that it puts them in the Christmas spirit, that’s probably the biggest thing you get when people are leaving [at the end].”

Rejoice!

May the true meaning of the season touch hearts everywhere and shine brightly on every corner of the world. from all of us at:

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K&K LIQUIDATION Kathy, Kevin and Staff would like to thank you for your patronage throughout the year.

& AUCTION LTD.

With each passing cold winter’s night, may your spirts be warmed by the company of good friends Holiday Hours:

December 22..8am-midnight December 23..8am-midnight December 24..... 8am-10pm December 25..........Closed December 26... 10am-6pm December 31....8am-10pm January 1................Closed

WINTER HOURS | FRIDAYS 10AM-6PM | SATURDAYS 9AM-4PM

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519.699.6084

[From South of Lobsinger Ln. onto Hergott Rd., then onto Industrial Cres.]

11 ARTHUR ST. N. ELMIRA | 519.669.1653

Open 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week

THE ARTS | 33

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

MERRY CHRISTMAS | HAPPY NEW YEAR | MERRY CHRISTMAS | HAPPY NEW YEAR | MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

From all of us at 速

17A Industrial Dr., ELMIRA 519.669.3933

REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

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Dr. Linda Franchetto | 519.846.8400 Next to the Grand River Raceway

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS | HAPPY HOLIDAYS | HAPPY HOLIDAYS | HAPPY HOLIDAYS | HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Give

May the holidays bring plenty of friends and family to your fireside and happiness and joy to your heart.

This Christmas we hope that all of your prayers are answered and your days are filled with the gifts of the season.

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All the Best in the New Year.

To God

STOP BY FOR A COMPLIMENTARY 2013 WALL CALENDAR. TWO LOCATIONS to serve YOU better.

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Blessings from afar

Glory 1011 Industrial Cres., Unit #2. St. Clements Waterloo Sales Centre, Industrial Cres.

(Enter at Factory Direct Kitchens)

230 Regina St. N. Waterloo, ON.

(tel) 519-699-5411 (fax) 519-699-5412

34 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

CLASSIFIED HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

FOR SALE

SHARING THE JOY OF READING

DRYER - VIKING electric, heavy duty, Energuide. Model ED316W. Excellent working order. $60.00. Call Les 519-669-3974.

LCV DriVers in CambriDge, On

AZ & DZ DRIVERS NEEDED FOR LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE LIVESTOCK Competitive wages & benefits.

Please contact: Gary@thurtransport.com or Call 519-577-2072 (cell) 519-669-3991 (office)

TRANSFREIGHT OFFERS: • Consistent Work Schedule • Competitive Wage & Excellent Benefits • No touch freight • Paid Training REQUIREMENTS: • Verifiable 5 Year Tractor-Trailer Experience • Clean MVR for last 3 years TO aPPLY: Call 855-WOrK4TF (967-5483) send resume to work4tf@transfreight.com Visit www.transfreight.com

WOOLWICH

YOUTH SOCCER OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

WHITE SNOWBLOWER, 10 yrs old, 13 hp, 33 in., 6F, 2R, steerable. $350. 519-669-7679.

AUCTIONS

HELP WANTED

Taylor’s Bridal requires a part-time Book Keeper/ Office Manager (approx. 15-20 hrs per week) Experience with Quickbooks an asset.

Drop your resumé at Taylor’s Bridal or email to linda@taylorsbridal.com HELP WANTED

WORK WANTED

MECHANICAL/PLUMBER/PIPE FITTER. BASELINE ConstrucEXPERIENCED BOOKKEEPER Woolwich Youth Soccer is hiring an tors Inc., a General ContracIS looking for a few extra tor located in Waterloo, hours per week. Skilled in Office Administrator.

ON, is currently involved in QuickBooks and Simply Interested parties should submit municipal water and sewage Accounting or open to learning your system; structured infrastructure projects and a resumes by Dec. 15. Please submit to to work from my home or variety of ICI projects. Baseavailable to travel to your line Constructors currently P.O. Box 301, Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z7. place of work. If interested, has positions available for Hours may vary according to time of year. please contact me via email Mechanical personnel with a at takethepressureoff@ minimum of 3 years of relesympatico.ca vant experience. Must have a GARAGE SALE HELP valid driver’s license as travel WANTED is required. Please forward CHILD CARE MOVING SALE A CAREER IS WAITING FOR Thisresume Faxdesigned to: 519-880rne _________________ Ph: __________________________________________________ Ad hasbybeen for the exclusive REQUIRED 9864 Email: jwilson@ 179 Brookmead use of or the customer advertising in the YOU IN THE FARM EQUIPMENT Tribune, Hamilton Mtn News 3.063 x 4 __________________ Ad Size: ______________________________________________ ATTENTION LADIES AGES 15 baselineconstructors.ca St., Elmira. listed. Use of this ad outside of INDUSTRY. We are looking publication 60.

I need help with my kids 11/26 the listed publication is prohibited. __________________ ThisPublication Fri. &Date(s): Sat._____________________________________ for a few good people that on Tuesdays and WednesST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH, want to make a difference after 10 a.m. days. Kids attend John Conestogo, is looking for to help feed the world. The Furniture, table Mahood Public. Please call an office assistant and a products we sell and service tennis, bicycles, Jen at 519-669-9630 or email bookkeeper. Both posiare world class which help jenjodney@hotmail.com lawn mower, tions average approxiour farmers grow the very mately 1/2 day per week. garden tools, best food in the most effiPlease email resume to FOR SALE patio furniture, cient ways. We have job stmconestogo@rogers.com Cabinet Grand openings for a parts person, CLOSING SALE - ending Piano, tools & lots salesperson and a Service December 15, 2012. EveryTRAINING & more! thing must go. Lots of great Administrator. Please drop LESSONS deals. Dis N Dat Treasures, 15 Everything off your resume at Stoltz Thisgo!

Ad has been designed for intheListowel, exclusive use of the customer advertising Dunke St. N. Elmira. Thurs. 11 Sales & Service must GIVE THE GIFT of Music this 4:30, Fri. 10 - 6, Sat. 10 4. in Job News.

Useor of this adYououtside ofChristmas!

Job News is prohibited.

Elmira Mildmay. can Guitar & Bass also send your resume to Lessons, musical instruments MILKING COW(S) SUIT& accessories. Gift Certificates 100% LOCAL keith@stoltzsales.com ABLE for hand milking. Ph available. Call 519 -669-5885.

519-664-1937.

HOW TO REACH US

NEW ITEMS ADDED DAILY! Visit our 2nd floor clearance centre for mega deals on hand tools, small appliances, artwork, home-decor, lighting, paint sundries, and so much more.

All at least 35-50% off retail prices. Elmira Home Hardware. OPEN Mon Fri 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. & Sun noon - 5 p.m.

ANTIQUE AUCTION SALE of Furniture, Pequegnat & other clocks, oil lamps, glass, china, and other interesting items, to be held at The K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd., 2 miles south of Wellesley or 2 miles north of Philipsburg, For Mary and the Late Jim Seeds, on Saturday, January 5th @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451.

AUCTION SALE OF Household effects, antiques and miscellaneous items, to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley or 2 miles north of Phillipsburg on Thursday, December 20th at 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451

FARM EQUIPMENT MANURE SPREADER, GEHL M5175 bushel spreader, poly floor, top beater, single axle, heavy chain $4,200.00; JD 4020 tractor, cab $13,500.00; JD 30 thrower, pump assembly manual $850.00. Dan Seifried, Harriston 519-338-2688.

FIREWOOD FIREWOOD FOR SALE. $65.00/ face cord. 4-ft Wallenstein wood splitter for rent. Isaac Martin, 851 Sandyhills Dr. 519-669-9332.

RENTALS CHEAP SPACIOUS ROOM for rent in a condo. $350/month.

Shared bathroom and kitchen.

Call 519-807-9076 after 4 p.m. or adreenaw@hotmail.com Available Jan.7, 2013.

ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT for rent. No pets, no smoking.

References required. $700/ month. 519-669-5751.

Players from the Elmira Sugar Kings were at the Elmira Branch Library last week to read to the kids.

From top: Elijah Brubacher with Sugar Kings Zac Coulter and Jake Weidner. Autumn Brubacher, 4, and Evan Passmore, 6, reading with Patrick McKelvie and Brodie Whitehead. Emily Bauman, 4, and Owen Tettman, 6, hear a hockey story from Rob Kohli and Matt Harding. [ELENA MAYSTRUK / THE OBSERVER]

PHONE 519.669.5790 | TOLL FREE 1.888.966.5942 | FAX 519.669.5753 | ONLINE WWW.OBSERVERXTRA.COM

ADDRESS 20-B ARTHUR ST. N., ELMIRA, ON N3B 1Z9

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PLACING A CLASSIFIED WORD AD In person, email, phone or fax submissions are accepted during regular business hours. Deadline for Saturday publication is Wednesday by 5 p.m. All Classified ads are prepaid by cash, debit, Visa or MasterCard. Ask about Observer policies in regard to Display, Service Directory and Family Album advertising.

CLASSIFIED | 35

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

NOTICE OF COMPLETE APPLICATION AND PUBLIC MEETING

Please Note: APPEALS:

Tuesday January 8, 2013 7:00 p.m.

Township Council Chambers 24 Church Street West, Elmira

Zoning Amendments If a person or public body that files a notice of appeal of a decision of the Council of the Township of Woolwich in respect of the proposed zoning by-laws does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Council of the Township of Woolwich before the proposed zoning by-law amendments are passed:

Take Notice that in accordance with the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, as amended, the Township of Woolwich has received complete applications for the proposed Zoning By-law Amendments as detailed below. Please be advised that Notice of a Complete Application does not indicate whether the municipality is in support of, or in opposition to the proposals. That determination will be made at a later date.

a) the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of the Township of Woolwich to the Ontario Municipal Board; and b) the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Ontario Municipal Board unless, in the opinion of the Board, there are reasonable grounds to add the person or public body as a party.

The Township of Woolwich will hold a Public Meeting, under Section 34 of the Planning Act, to consider the following Zone Change applications. No decisions will be made at this meeting; its purpose is to provide NOTIFICATION: If you wish to be notified of additional Township public meetings, Township staff reports or additional information to the public and agencies and to receive comments and information from them. the decision of the Township of Woolwich regarding these applications you must make a written request to Engineering and Planning Services at the Township of Woolwich at the address shown at the top of this page.

Zone Change Application 13/2012 – Anton Lesar If you cannot attend the meeting, you can express your concerns/comments about the proposed change in The Township has received a Zone Change application from writing to the Township of Woolwich. Any comments received on or before January 1, 2013 (Note that this date Anton Lesar for a 0.87 hectare property located at 6259 Line is before the public meeting) will be included in a report prepared by Engineering and Planning Services and 86 in the Township of Woolwich (see Map 1). The property is presented at the Public Meeting. Any comments received after the Public Meeting, but prior to Council making designated Rural Land Use in the Township’s Official Plan and a decision on the applications, will also be considered. is zoned Agricultural (A) with site-specific regulations permitting a farm generator sales, service and repair operation. The The personal information accompanying your submission is being collected under the authority of the Planning purpose of the rezoning application is to amend the site speAct and may form part of the public record which may be released to the public. Questions about this colleccific provisions to allow a woodworking operation (fabrication, tion should be directed to the Records and Freedom of Information Officer at 519-669-6005 or 519-664-2613 assembly and finishing of stairs and railing systems) which ext. 6005. will replace the current site specific use noted above.

MORE INFORMATION: The public may view planning documents and background material relating to this apZone Change Application 14/2012 – Memorial Gardens Limplication at the Township of Woolwich, Engineering and Planning Services Department between 9:00 a.m. and ited 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or on the Township website at www.woolwich.ca.

The Township has received a Zone Change application from Memorial Gardens Limited for a 29.9 hectare property located at 2723 Victoria Street North in the Township of Woolwich (see Map 2). The property is designated Rural Land Use and Restricted Land Use Area in the Township’s Official Plan and is zoned Agricultural (A) with site-specific regulations permitting a cemetery. The purpose of the rezoning application is to amend the site specific provisions to allow a funeral home as a permitted accessory use to the cemetery. At this time the funeral home is intended to be part of the reception centre.

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Questions or written submissions may be directed to: Township of Woolwich Engineering and Planning Services Department Box 158, 24 Church Street West Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6 Telephone: 519-669-1647 / 519-664-2613 Dated at the Township of Woolwich this 15th day of December, 2012

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36 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

Our Team will meet your Needs and fulfill your Dreams Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage

D D L L O O S S

Independently Owned and Operated

$269,900

$379,000

3 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-5426

WELCOME HOME!

Elmira - This 3 bedroom, 4 bathroom open concept home is waiting for you! Great eat-in kitchen with many cupboards overlooking office and large living room with wood fireplace. French door walk-out to attractive deck. Master bedroom complete with walk-in closet and ensuite with Whirlpool bath.

Large rec room with gas fireplace. Roof 2005, Furnace 2003, central air 2003, Carpet free main floor. MLS 1247064 Call Alli or Paul Direct.

$500.00 DONATION will be made to WCS Family Violence Prevention Program with every home bought or sold by Paul, Alli or Bill in Woolwich.

Elmira - This meticulously kept 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom semi is complete with second floor laundry, Large master bedroom with ensuite bath, Finished basement featuring a gas fireplace, patio door walkout from the kitchen to back deck leading to a fully fenced backyard, complete with shed. MLS 1247049.

Call Alli or Paul direct.

D L O S

$345,000

$354,900 CHARMING AND UNIQUE!

Elmira - Century home boasting original woodwork and hardwood throughout, 9ft ceilings, and pocket doors. spacious main bath and bedrooms with bonus room off master. Fully finished attic with skylights and gas fireplace. Within walking distance to all amenities. Detached workshop. MLS 1241191 Call Alli or Paul direct.

Paul Martin

FAMILY READY!

IN BY CHRISTMAS

Elmira - Fantastic Layout in this bright home!

Modern colours & décor throughout. Hardwood floors in the lg open living room & master bedrm.

Eat-in kitchen w/slider to deck overlooking green space. Convenient upper floor laundry w/lg window.

Finished basement w/slider walkout to back yard.

Large 1.75 garage (18x20ft). MLS 1241698. Call Alli or Paul direct.

$218,500

VERY AFFORDABLE!

Elmira - This semi is only steps to downtown!

Fantastic hardwood floors, high ceilings, original built in cupboards and trim provide charm and character.

Bright spacious kitchen with walkout to sun porch.

Featuring; large front porch, carpet free, 3 bedrooms, living room, family room and lots of parking. MLS 1237444. Call Alli or Paul direct.

$495,900

VERDONE MODEL HOME!

Elmira - Attractive upgrades and finishing touches through-out this 4 bedroom home. Convenience at its best with main floor laundry/mudroom, walk-in pantry and completely finished basement with gas fireplace. 9ft ceilings thoughout main floor. Bright eat-in kitchen with granite counter tops, cupboards to the ceiling and island.

Large living room with wood floors, gas fireplace and French door walk-out to yard. MLS 1241535. Call Alli or Paul direct

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

CALL CALL DIRECT DIRECT

519-503-9533 www.homeswithpaul.ca

$249,000

$219,900 SPACIOUS TWO STOREY

Floradale - 1866 sq.ft. home in Floradale with

a large lot backing onto green belt. This century home is one of Floradale's originals.

This home is priced right for a young family and has great potential . Close to Floradale School and the park. 20 min to K-W. MLS 1241726. Call Alli or Bill direct.

FIRST TIME BUYERS! LARGE WORKSHOP/GARAGE

Elmira - A perfect family home located on a mature

treed lot complete with shed and detached garage.

This 2 storey, 3 bedroom home features a finished rec room, separate dining room, and main floor family room with sliders to large wrap around deck. New main floor and rec room windows excluding living room. All appliances included with the exception of freezer. MLS 1237778. Call Alli or Paul direct.

$359,900 PRIME LOCATION!

Elmira - Backing onto farmland! Open welcoming front entrance to this, like new, open concept home. The main floor is bright and airy featuring: large breakfast bar, powder room, main floor laundry and is carpet free. The second floor is carpet free, master bedroom complete with walk in closet and spa like ensuite. Appliances are included. MLS 1241487. Call Alli or Paul direct.

Alli Bauman SALES REPRESENTATIVE

CALL CALL DIRECT DIRECT

519-577-6248

www.elmiraandareahomes.com

OUTSTANDING AGENTS. OUTSTANDING RESULTS.

Bill Norris SALES REPRESENTATIVE

CALL CALL DIRECT DIRECT

519-588-1348

www.elmiraandareahomes.com

D L O S

$234,900

GREAT STARTER!!

Elmira - Bright Home Backing onto farmland and directly across the road from Ann Street Park. Carpet free with Hardwood and ceramic through out main floor. Family room with cozy wood stove, large windows and walk out to fenced yard. This home is complete with mudroom and very large dining room. 24 x 20ft double garage. MLS 1244010. Call Alli or Paul direct.

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CLASSIFIED | 37

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

Bert Martin

R.W. THUR REAL ESTATE LTD.

BROKER

BROKERAGE

Remax Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated

45 Arthur St. S., Elmira Office:

519-669-2772

DIRECT: 519-572-2669 OFFICE: 519-669-5426 BRAD MARTIN Broker of Record, MVA Residential

Res:

519.669.1068

JULIE HECKENDORN Broker

Res:

519.669.8629

TRACEY WILLIAMS Sales Rep.

Cell : 519.505.0627

For your business and your friendship we are deeply grateful and wish you all a very Merry Christmas season!

NEW PRICE! $379,900

ST.

NEW PRICE! $249,900

IMPRESSIVE cathedral ceiling & lots of windows in the addition.

Oversized dining area w/hrdwd. floor..

Main flr. laundry, bathrm & master bdrm. Huge rec. rm. w/high ceiling.

Gas heatstove. Newer doors, windows, furnace & deck. Short walk to downtown. Long Driveway. MLS REDUCED

JACOBS - Lovely updated bungalow on a large lot (85‘x170’).

Oak kitchen w/island. Main flr. family rm. (could be a master suite w/ensuite). Main floor laundry.

Hardwood & ceramic floors. Fin. rec. room & 4th bdrm in lower level.

Updated bathrms, windows, and furnace. MLS FURTHER REDUCED

- One owner bungalow with walkout basement.

200’ deep lot. Overlooks GRCA and walking trails. Elevated deck. Gas furnace (2004). Steel roof. Fireplace in rec. room. Oversized garage. MLS REDUCED

NEW PRICE! $314,900

FLORADALE

$679,900

SOUTH PARKWOOD - Spacious custom built home backing to farmland.

4+ bdrms, 3 baths. Hardwood & ceramics thorughout. Lots of kitch. cupboards - open to dining area & fam. room. High ceilings & oversized windows. Gas fireplace. Finished basmt. with lots of living space & seperate entry.

MLS

$899,000

LINWOOD - Expect to be impressed

with this custom built home on 12 acres

overlooking the countryside & pond.

Loaded w/extras. Gourmet kitchen.

Open concept makes it great for entertaining! Private master suite w/fireplace. Huge fin. walkout bsmt. w/seperate enterance. TRIPLE garage.

Prof. landscaped. MLS

COUNTRY LOT .5 ACRE | $73,500 Don’t miss this chance to enjoy sunrises and sunsets.

Within 40 minutes of KW or Guelph. High speed internet is available with fibre optic.

MLS

BUILD TO SUIT

PERFECT STARTER IN QUAINT VILLAGE! | $349,000

D L SO

NEW LISTING!

COMMERCIAL/ RESIDENTIAL!

For Sale or Lease. Retail space in down town Elmira offers great exposure for displaying goods. Recent renovations and upgrades on main floor and finished basement. Residential 2 bedroom apartment on second floor.

MLS. $319,900 Call Bert to view.

WAREHOUSE/LIGHT MANUFACTURING!

Lease Space - 22,700 s/f on 3 acres 20 minutes to Waterloo offers 20’ height, loading docks, drive in door, lots of office space. Space is easily divisable.

MLS. Call Bert.

COMMERCIAL LEASE SPACE

Commercial space for lease in busy plaza only 15 minutes to K-W. Office space from 144 s/f to 2400 s/f. Zoning allows numerous uses. Lots of parking.

MLS.

FIND YOUR PERFECT HOME !

Your referrals are appreciated!

Sunlight Homes Elmira Real Estate Services Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage

When you buy or sell your home with us, part of our commission supports women’s shelters & violence prevention programs.

90 Earl Martin Dr., Unit 1, Elmira N3B 3L4

519-669-3192

Elmira@royallepage.ca www.royallepage.ca/elmira

When you list your home with Shanna Rozema, receive a Staging Package to showcase your home!! Call for details.

Bonnie Brubacher *Shanna Rozema Jason Shantz Broker

Broker

$419,000.

.5 acre mature landscaped lot with oversized entertaining patio and central pond.

Full walkout basement offers newer bedroom/kitchenette suite. Mainfloor sunken living room with wood burning fireplace, formal dining and eat-in kitchen. Newer upper loft as a 3 bedroom or retreat. 3 season sunroom. Minutes to Kitchener-Waterloo.

MLS

ELMIRA GRAND CONTEMPORARY $649,900.

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

“To all my loyal clients and friends, thanks for your support.

You are appreciated.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.”

4 bedroom home with a big eat in kitchen, new windows, some new floors, new detached garage, on an oversized lot, in a small town 15 minutes from Waterloo. The perfect spot for your family. MLS

NEW PRICE! CONESTOGO BUNGALOW

WITH REAL INVESTMENT YOU WILL SEE A REAL RETURN. MAKE THIS SPACE YOUR NEW HOME. ADVERTISE WITH US TODAY.

FREE Market Evaluation

4 BEDROOM HOME! | $280,000

Broker of Record

FOR RENT.

EMAIL: bert@remaxsolidgold.biz

This 1 ½ story, 5 bedroom home is situated on a 1 acre lot backing onto greenbelt and flowing creek complete with apple trees and a 38’x50’ hobby barn just minutes from Elmira. MLS

LET OUR 50+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU!

www.thurrealestate.com

3 Arthur St. S. Elmira

www.remaxsolidgold.biz

Nestled on a large mature country-like lot minutes to the golf course. Captivating front entry boosts a solid oak open staircase, gracious sun-lite tongue and groove vaulted living/dining rooms with floor-to-ceiling cultured concrete stone 3 way gas fireplace. Gleaming hardwood and trim throughout this 3 bedroom 3100 sq ft family home.

4 car garage with front and back access. Triple+ interlock driveway. NEW MLS

Drayton Heights OPEN HOUSE EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 1-5PM Come take a look you won't be disappointed!

The last home in the Sunlight Heritage Homes Phase 1!!

Beautiful 1400 sq ft home, features 3 beds, 3 baths, master with ensuite and walk in closet.

Open concept main floor, with custom kitchen and island. Buy today and celebrate the holidays in your brand new home! Quick Possession available!

15 Green St., Drayton only

$256,700

Employee Pricing!

Ask Alyssa for details

Don't forget to check us out in 2014 when Sunlight Heritage Homes begins its second Phase!!

Learn More About Sunlight Heritage Homes and Our fine communities by Visiting us Today!

Alyssa Henry Broker Re/Max Real Estate Centre Inc.

www.sunlighthomes.ca

519.787.0203

Have a question? Email us at: info@sunlighthomes.ca

ELMIRA CENTURY HOME $359,900.

Charm and character are evident in this yellow brick home. Inviting wrap-around-porch with upper balcony. Natural woodwork including solid pocket doors and bannister. Welcoming updated cherry kitchen/breakfast bar including appliances. 2 bedrooms + 3 bedroom walk-up attic, 2+ baths. Amazing yard with 2 sheds and detached 21’ x 12’ heated workshop with 60 amp service. NEW MLS

MAKE THIS SPACE YOUR NEW HOME.

38 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

FAMILY ALBUM MEMORIAM

BIRTHDAY

MARRIAGE

DEATH NOTICES

John D. Klein -

Sage is 1!

Happy Birthday Sue Doll

Dr. Bryan Lawrence & Marcy LemonLawrence along with Mr. Fritz Richter and Monique Richter are thrilled to announce the upcoming wedding of their children Lindsay Lawrence and Bruno Richter. The wedding will be held at the beautiful Cambridge Mill, in Cambridge Ontario on Saturday, December 22, 2012. Brothers Ryan Lawrence, Paul Richter (Colleen, Lauren, Luke) along with their friends and family wish them many years of health and happiness. Lindsay and Bruno are teachers with the Waterloo Region District School Board.

RASLOVETZKY, ANNA | Peacefully at Chateau Gardens, Elmira on Wednesday, December 12, 2012, in her 88th year.

October 29, 1954 – December 5, 2009

Donald A. Klein –

October 28, 1931 – December 15, 2011 Again we wonder why we had to say goodbye. Now we know “where those guys are” and pray they are together. From Everyone who loves you and Doris of course.

OBITUARY

Love Mommy, Daddy & Cruz

Webb, George Henry Peacefully passed away on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at Leisureworld in Elmira at the age of 87. Sadly missed by his children Pam (Jurgen), Bev (Doron), Richard (Sandy) and Nancy. Also his grandchildren Todd (Elyse), Amy (Jason), Noa, Miya and Nava. Fondly remembered by his sister Sue Davis (Brian), his niece Barb Andrews and their families. At George’s request cremation has taken place. There will be no funeral home visitation or service. As expressions of sympathy, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. A special thank you to all the staff at Leisureworld (Pheasant Run) for their care and concern.

RILEY, EDWARD H. “TED”|Passed away on Sunday, December 9, 2012, in his 75th year at Cambridge Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Local relative is his sister Joyce Smith of Elmira.

REMEMBER LOVED ONES

BIRTHDAY

THANK YOU

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT

Still FOXY at 50!

Happy Birthday Christine

Card Of Thanks

Makayla Kelley LeBlanc October 22, 2012

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to our special community for all your love and support shown to us in our time of bereavement.

Your presence, cards, flowers, prayers and hugs carried us through a sad time.

Special thanks to Heritage House Nursing Home, Dreisinger’s Funeral Home and Bethel Mennonite Church for their compassion and assistance during this time.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

SHARE IT ALL!

Robert Martin Family

Love your friends and family

Proud parents Nick & Krystal LeBlanc, Stoughton, MA, are pleased to announce the arrival of their beautiful, healthy baby girl, Makayla Kelley LeBlanc born on Oct. 22, 2012 at 3:45pm weighing 6lbs. 4.2oz.

Makayla is welcomed by her grandparents Jack & Pat LeBlanc, Elmira ON and John & Nancy Kelley, Raynham MA.

May

Merry Christmas!

J y

Christmas

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to

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Pass the Nicest People in the World!

At this holiday season there is no more appropirate time to say “Thank You” and express to you and yours every happiness for this beautiful season and throughout the coming year.

Surround You

Our Best Wishes to you and your family.

Thank You for placing your trust in us.

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Bonnie Brubacher Shanna Rozema Broker of Record

Broker

Jason Shantz Marilyn Curry Broker

Admin.

ELMIRA REAL ESTATE SERVICES, BROKERAGE

519-669-3192 | 90 EARL MARTIN DR., UNIT 1, ELMIRA, N3B 3L4

62 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519.669.2207

CLASSIFIED | 39

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

TIRE

WHERE TIRES

Complete Collision Service

SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE. 101 Bonnie Crescent, Elmira, ON N3B 3G2

519.669.8330

Farm • Auto • Truck Industrial On-The-Farm Service

FAX: 519.669.3210

35 Howard Ave., Elmira

AFTER HOURS

519-669-3232

THOMPSON’S

Auto Tech Inc.

ARE A

Providing the latest technology to repair your vehicle with accuracy and confidence.

RUDOW’S CARSTAR COLLISION CENTRE

AUTO CLINIC 21 Industrial Dr. Elmira

24 Hour Accident Assistance Accredited Test & Repair Facility

519-669-4400 30 ORIOLE PKWY. E., ELMIRA www.thompsonsauto.ca

519.669.8917

Quality Collision Service

1-800-CARSTAR 519-669-3373

519-669-7652

33 First Street, East Elmira, ON

BODY MAINTENANCE AT:

RUDOW’S CARSTAR COLLISION CENTRE

Call Us At (519)669-3373 33 First Street, East Elmira, ON

GENERAL SERVICES

World’s Largest & Most Trusted Carpet, Upholstery and Fine Rug Cleaners For Over 30 yrs

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While you wait!

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ROB McNALL 519-669-7607 LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-866-669-7607

ST. JACOBS

22 Church St. W., Elmira

669-3332

• 14 ton BoomTruck • 40 ton Mobile Crane

519-664-9999

5th pair FREE.

Chem-Dry Acclaim® 61 Arthur St., N. Elmira

www.completecarpetcare.ca

ORTLIEB CRANE & Equipment Ltd.

Tel: 519-669-5537

STORE HOURS: M-F: 8-8, SAT 8-6, SUN 12-5

24 Hour Service (Emergencies only) 7 Days A Week

GENERAL SERVICES

CUSTOM MACHINING CNC LATHES • CNC MILLS CNC BRAKE • PLASMA & LASER CUTTING

MUSIC-LOVER GIFT ALERT! COUNTR Y

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We do small jobs with fast turnaround

Your favourite albums get a whole new life on CD after we clean up the clicks, pops and surface noise.

Martin Machining

MORE INFO | 519.669.0541

Linwood, Ontario

(519) 698-2283

EMAIL: vinylp2cd@gmail.com

Various sizes & rates

CLEAN • DRY • SECURE Call

CUSTOM TARPS, COVERS & REPAIRS (519) 698-2754

4445 Posey Line Wallenstein ON.

BAUMAN PIANO

SERVICES TUNING & REPAIRS

Sew Special Custom Sewing for Your Home

Custom Drapery Custom Blinds Free Estimates In Home Consultations

JAMES BAUMAN Craftsman Member O.G.P.T. Inc NEW PHONE NUMBER

519-880-9165

Over 20 Years Experience

Lois Weber 519-669-3985 Elmira

Reimer Hyperbarics of Canada Established 2000

Steve Co.

Plumbing and Maintenance Inc.

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

For all your Plumbing Needs.

24 HOUR SERVICE Steve Jacobi

ELMIRA

519-669-3652

Softener Salt & Pool Salt

FREE BAG In troductor Offer y

> Superior Salt Products > Fast, Friendly Service > Convenient Delivery Times > Discounts for Seniors

Taking Salt to Peoples’ Basements Since 1988

519-747-2708

Waterloo www.riepersalt.com

RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING EFFORT!

F. David Reimer

Safe, effective and proven for 13 + UHMS (Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society) Approved indications:

519.669.5313

Mon.-Tues. 3pm-6pm | Wed.-Fri. Noon-6pm Saturday 9-5 | Sunday Noon-3pm

6376 Perth Rd. 121 Poole, ON

100% SUPERIOR QUALITY CUSTOM WOODWORKING

UNDER PRESSURE TO HEAL

The Sharp Shop | 112-D Bonnie Cres., Elmira

519.595.4830

100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

GENERAL SERVICES

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

General Repairs

HOME IMPROVEMENTS SERVICES

GRAIN/ FORAGE BOX • TRUCK • TRAILER • BOAT AWNINGS • STORAGE COVERS AND MORE!

ivan@aaronmartin.com

•Ratches, Hooks, Straps, Webbing etc.

•Canvas, Vinyl, Polyester, Acrylic Fabrics

519-669-4964

GENERAL SERVICES

MAR-TARP

Boat Covers | Air Conditioner Covers | Small Tarps Storage Covers | BBQ Covers | Awnings & Canopies Replacement Gazebo Tops | Golf Cart Enclosures & Covers

Crush Injury Enhancement in Healing of Wounds Necrotyzing Soft Tissue Infections Intracranial Abscess Clostridal Myosistis and Myonecrosis Crush Injury. Compartment Syndrome Skin Grafts and Flaps

● Air or Gas Embolism ● Thermal Burns ● Acute Traumatc Ischemias ● Exceptional Blood Loss ● Decompression Sickness ● Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ● Delayed Radiation Injury + Many More

www.reimerhbot.com For more information call:

519-669-0220

56 Howard Ave. Unit 2, Elmira, ON, N3B 2E1

TROPHIES | CUPS | PLAQUES | MEDALLIONS RIBBONS | NAME TAGS | NAME PLATES DOOR PLATES | CUSTOM ENGRAVING

QUICK LOCAL SERVICE | 245 Labrador Dr., Waterloo

www.UniTwin.com | 519.886.2102

KENJI ORITA • Custom Kitchens • Custom Furniture • Libraries • Exotic Woods

TEL: +1 (519) 574-6734 oritakenji@gmail.com 20B ARTHUR ST. N., ELMIRA

WE’RE AT YOUR SERVICE. We specialize in getting the word out. Advertise your business services here.

Get weekly exposure with fantastic results. Call us at 519.669.5790.

40 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

AMOS

Custom Window Coverings

www.budgetblinds.ca

RESIDENTIAL & AGRICULTURAL

Each Franchise Independently Owned and Operated

Driveways • Sidewalks • Curbs • Barn Renovations Finished Floors • Retaining Walls • Short Walls Decorative/Stamped and coloured concrete www.facebook.com/marwilconcrete

519-638-2699

R O O F I N G

INC

(519)746-3498

Ltd.

Shutters • Draperies Wood Blinds Honeycomb Shades Roller Shades Woven Wood and More!

Expert-Fit Measuring and Installation Included.

One stop shop for all your needs.

PLUMBING, FURNACE REPAIRS, SERVICE & INSTALLATION, GAS FITTING

• Specializing in residential re-roofs • Repairs • Churches

66 Rankin St. Unit 4 | Waterloo

519.501.2405 | 519.698.2114

A Family owned and operated business serving KW, Elmira and surrounding area for over 35 years.

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2 9 ' ( ' 5 6 3 , $ ) / <

$ 1 7 7 ( < 3 0 2 $ & & ( 5 $ 8 0 1 ( * $ 1 7 $ ( : 1 1

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LIVING HERE | 41

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

LIVING HERE CHEF’S TABLE/ DIERRE ACHESON

SEASON OF GIVING / YULETIDE CHEER FOR ALL

Merry Christmas, Rover & Fluffy Increasing numbers of people like to include their pets while out shopping for the holidays ELENA MAYSTRUK For many households, Christmas is nothing if not an inclusive holiday: a little something under the tree for everyone, whether they go about on two legs or four. More than half of the dog owners and more than a third of cat owners will be lovingly wrapping presents for their pets, according American Pet Products Association (APPA).

This year’s national pet owners survey found 53 per cent of dogs and 38 per cent of cats receive gifts at Christmas.

The trend is certainly in evidence locally, as an Elmira retailer has seen many customers picking up gifts for their pooches and kitties. Beyond being inclusive, the pet presents often help make the kids happy, while keeping overly-curious pets occupied during the gift-giving on Christmas morning.

“I know at my house I give them something to keep them occupied. My dog loves to get into the wrapping paper, and I’m sure other people have found it that way,” said Elmira’s Village Pet Food Shoppe manager Kristy Franklin of her own experiences at Christmas.

She adds that the extra efforts and money spent are for the sake of the kids. Children don’t want toys just for themselves at Christmas, they want them for the cats and dogs too, as a way to include them in the festivities and

Enjoy the food, but remember the holidays are about friends and family RECIPE NOTES

Future guide dog Laser will be spending his holidays with Michelle Barnard of the Breslau Lions Club. the holiday experience.

“They’re out buying presents and they are like, ‘what about my dog?’” she explained, adding that Christmas is the shop’s busiest time of year.

As Christmas Eve nears,

Franklin is already beginning to see an influx of customers willing to dish out a little dough for family members of the furrier variety. People can be seen buying everything from squeaky and plush

[ELENA MAYSTRUK / THE OBSERVER]

toys to special treats and collars and spend anywhere from $10-$30 to bring that little sparkle into their pet’s eye on Christmas morning.

Pet retailers are often the leaders in sales during

the holidays, according to a recent report from the APPA. Even during the more worrisome years of the recession people continued to buy for their pets, with numbers re-

Let the entertaining begin! Our team has been catering our hearts out – the festive spirit is contagious we are thrilled to be a part of the celebration.

This time of year we get a lot of requests for ways to impress or please the discerning guest or “picky” eater.

During the holiday season we can get lost in making the perfect Christmas, creating stress and anxiety unnecessarily. If that describes your state of mind, slow down take a deep breath, ask for help if you need it. Your family and friends will remember your company before the food or your centerpiece.

Plan ahead and make your list, spreading the preparation over a period of time.

While preparing your menu choose some items that you can make ahead of time to avoid stress the day of the event. Prepare raw vegetables, portion meats or choose appetizers that don’t mind being stored until you are ready.

Stock your fridge with cheeses and preserves for

PETS | 45

Auto Care Tip of the Week On a snowy day, you can use 1-2 liters of windshield washer fluid, so be sure to keep an extra container in your vehicle.

Remember, choosing a washer fluid with anti-freeze is crucial in our Canadian winter weather!

- NATHAN WOMBWELL

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NEW LOCATION!

CHEF’S TABLE | 43

42 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

“A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME”

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COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

West Montrose, ON

T. 519.669.2033

COLLEEN

Cell: 519.581.7868

Truck & Trailer Maintenance

COMMERCIAL 24 CARDLOCK FUEL DEPOT HOUR MATERIAL HANDLING & PROCESSING SYSTEMS • Design • Installation • Custom Fabrication

MILLWRIGHTS LTD.

519.669.5105 P.O. BOX 247, ROUTE 1, ELMIRA

E-MAIL: ads@woolwichobserver.com

DECEMBER 14

DECEMBER 18

H.U.G.S. PROGRAM – 9:15-11:15 a.m. Meet with other parents to discuss parenting and child health issues.

Topic: Visit with Santa and Christmas crafts. No registration required. Held at Woolwich Community Health Centre, 10 Parkside Dr., St. Jacobs. Call Heidi at 519-664-3794, ext. 237 for more information.

BINGO AT THE ST. Clements Community Centre sponsored by the Paradise & District Lion Club. 7 p.m. For more information contact Joe Brick, 519699-4022.

TUESDAY LUNCHEON, GALE PRESBYTERIAN Church, 10 Barnswallow Dr. Elmira. 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Carved turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, peas and turnip, cranberry salad, mince tart with ice cream, $10.

DECEMBER 15

Cardlock Fuel Management

KIN KORNER

www.freybc.com

THE RENAISSANCE SINGERS PRESENT “Noel!...with thanks” at 8 p.m. in the Rotunda of Kitchener City Hall, 200 King St. W., Kitchener. We invite you to a free Christmas concert, our way of saying thanks to the community for supporting us for 40 years! The evening will feature Nancy Telfer’s Christmas cantata “Noel” for harp and flute, and seasonal favourites for the audience to hear and sing. See you there!

DECEMBER 17 MAKING BABY FOOD – Join Robin Hicken R.D. and learn how to make your own baby food. You will learn about what foods are good for your baby’s age and stage, how to choose, make and store baby food, as well as ways to avoid “picky eating” and nurture “good eating” Held at Woolwich Community Health Centre, 10 Parkside Dr., St. Jacobs 1-3 p.m. Call 519664-3794 for more information.

SENIORS LUNCH CLUB – at noon (doors open at 11:30 a.m.) Join us for a light lunch and fellowship.

Woolwich Memorial Centre, 24 Snyder Ave. S., Elmira (community room). Cost $6. Call Community Care Concepts at 519-664-1900 for more information.

ELMIRA LIONS CLUB WEEKLY Bingo 7 p.m. at Elmira Lions Hall, 40 South St., Elmira. All proceeds go to support the many projects of the Lions Club of Elmira.

For more information call 519-500-1434.

woolwichkin.com

WCS YOUTH CENTRE IS celebrating winter! First, we will make holiday cards. If nature permits, we are building snowmen too. At 7 p.m. it’s winter party time, so bring a snack to share at our party table. It’s going to be a jolly good time. For more information contact Catherine or Anna at (519) 669-3539.

IT’S A FUN DAY at WCS Youth Centre. We are expanding our minds by working on crosswords and sudoku puzzles. We are also testing our knowledge with YC Jeopardy. At 7 p.m. we are going to the EDSS gym to play indoor ball hockey. For more information contact Catherine or Anna at (519) 669-3539.

WCS YOUTH CENTRE IS playing lots of board games today. Junior round table starts at 7 p.m. For more information contact Catherine or Anna at (519) 6693539.

DECEMBER 19

JANUARY 9

SENIORS COMMUNITY DINING – at noon (doors open at 11:30 a.m.). Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for a hot noon day meal, fellowship and entertainment. Linwood Community Centre, Ament Line Linwood. Cost $11. Call 519-664-1900 for more information.

FOSTER CARE WATERLOO REGION is hosting a Foster Parent Information Night at 7 p.m. at The Family Centre. This is a terrific opportunity to learn about becoming a foster parent. For more information call 519-576-0540 or view www.fosteringkids.ca.

WCS YOUTH CENTRE IS going ice skating with Brynna!

Bring your skates, helmet (mandatory if you’re 16 or younger) and $2 to join the fun. At 6:30 p.m. it’s make a snack with Anna, you get to help make and eat it. For more information contact Catherine or Anna at (519) 669-3539.

NEW HORIZONS IS A group for zoomers, boomers and seniors. Jan. 10 – Rosemary, Chaplain for Grand Valley Women’s Institution will discuss women in Federal Prison and Bill C10. Get informed, socilaize and have fun! Admission is $2 per person. Meetings are 10-11:30 a.m. At Maryhill fire station, 17 Charles St. E., Maryhill. For further information contact Joan Haid at 519-648-2742 or by email at jehaid@explornet.ca.

DECEMBER 20

Check Us Out Online!

DECEMBER 21

21 INDUSTRIAL DR. ELMIRA

519-669-2884

JANUARY 10 CORPORATE WEAR PROMOTIONAL APPAREL WORK & SAFETY WEAR | BAGS T-SHIRTS | JACKETS | HATS

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519.886.2102 www.UniTwin.com

SUBMIT AN EVENT The Events Calendar is reserved for Non-profit local community events that are offered free to the

public. Placement is not guaranteed. Registrations, corporate events, open houses and the like do not qualify in this section.

24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

NANCY KOEBEL

Bus: 519.744.5433 Home: 519.747.4388

Individual life insurance, mortgage insurance, business insurance, employee benefits programs, critical illness insurance, disability coverage,

TOTAL HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS

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VERMONT Castings

11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS

33 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.1591

SHARON GINGRICH 519.291.6763

519.664.2008

psgingrich@hotmail.ca

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

PLACES OF FAITH | A DIRECTORY OF LOCAL HOUSES OF WORSHIP

St. Teresa Catholic Church No God, No Hope; Know God, Know Hope!

Celebrate Eucharist with us Mass times are:

Sat. 5pm & Sun. 9am & 11:15am

Christmas Eve Family Service 5:00 & 7:00 PM

19 Flamingo Dr., Elmira • 519-669-3387

Trinity United Church, Elmira “Our mission is to love, learn & live by Christ’s teachings”

Sunday am Sunday Worship: Worship: 10:30 10:30 am Sunday School during during Worship Worship Sunday School Minister: Rev.Dave DaveJagger Jagger Minister: Rev.

rm A Wlcaome We all! to

21 Arthur St. N., Elmira • 519-669-5560 www.wondercafe.ca

Sundays in December

-The JunctionSunday School 9:30am Worship Service 10:45am

SUNDAY SCHOOL

HEARING ASSISTED

THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS THAT CAN’T BE ANSWERED BY GOOGLE. KEEP FAITH ALIVE, ADVERTISE HERE.

Finding The Way Together 47 Arthur St., S. Elmira • 519-669-3153 www.thejunctionelmira.com

Sunday School at 9:30am

Service at 10:30am Rev. Paul Snow REACH WITH LOVE. TEACH THE TRUTH. SEND IN POWER. 290 Arthur St. South, Elmira • 519-669-3973 www.ElmiraAssembly.com (Across from Tim Horton’s)

11:00am Discovering God Together

Speaker: Ron Seabrooke Baptism and Child Dedication

4522 Herrgott Rd., Wallenstein • 519-669-2319 www.wbconline.ca

850 Sawmill Road, Bloomingdale 519-744-7447 | www.kcf.org

Zion Mennonite Fellowship

NURSERY PROVIDED

Sun. Dec. 16, 2012

8:30 & 11:00 AM

Koinonia Christian Fellowship

SANYO CANADIAN

MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship Service Pastor: Richard A. Frey

Sunday, Dec. 16th, 2012 9:15 & 11:00 AM

What Gift Will I Bring To Jesus?

“The King Who Had It All” SUNDAYS @ 10:30AM Services at Park Manor School

Sharing the Message of Christ and His Love 27 Mill St., Elmira • 519-669-2593 www.stpaulselmira.ca

December 16th

200 Barnswallow Dr., Elmira • 519-669-1296 www.woodsidechurch.ca

18 Mockingbird Dr., Elmira • 519-669-1459 www.elmiracommunity.org

LIVING HERE | 43

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

CHEF’S TABLE: Good items to have on hand for celebrations FROM | 41

the unexpected company that may pop over for a visit.

As a child, I remember fondly the visits my mom and her friends would create. Their love for entertaining was inspiring. Sharon, a wonderful baker, and Sue, an adventurous chef, were always trying new recipes.

My mom always made a beautiful dinner and knew exactly how to create a lively, tasteful party.

But what I remember most was the celebration of friendship and the joy of showing people how much you appreciate them. Here are some recipes to inspire your next celebration. Merry cooking everyone.

Coconut & Ginger Pancakes

once golden on the with Sesame batter; edges flip over.

Mango Mango Pulled Sesame Chicken Chicken (For your gluten sensitive guest)

1/3 diced mango

1- 3/4 cups coconut milk

1/4 diced red pepper

1 egg, beaten

1/4 julienne of cucumber

1 tbsp grated palm sugar

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tsp grated fresh ginger

1 tsp chopped ginger

Salt and pepper to taste

3 tbsp chili sauce

Cilantro leaves

1 tbsp rice vinegar

Vegetable oil

1/2 tbsp sesame oil

Clarified butter 1 jar of antipasto

PLEIN DISPOSAL INC.

Merry Christmas and sincere thanks to our customers and friends this holiday season.

25 Earl Martin Dr., Elmira, N3B 3L4 519-669-5136

Pull chicken into shreds, combine all other ingredients into bowl and marinate; Once ready, roll into pancake with the cilantro leaves facing out. Place on platter and serve.

|

WE HAVE WHAT YOU NEED... RIGHT HERE IN ELMIRA!

COMPUTER RUNNING SLOW? Only PC/Laptop $39 Tune-Up

Goat cheese

3 leaves chopped mint

Sift rice flour into bowl, make a well in the center, stir in egg, coconut milk, palm sugar and fresh ginger. Whisk into a smooth batter; Let rest at room temperature; In hot crepe pan add oil, cilantro leaves (be careful it will sputter and spat) pour in pancake

Goat Cheese and Antipasto in Phyllo 2 sheets of phyllo

2 cooked chicken breasts

1 cup rice flour

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Brush phyllo with clarified butter add another sheet; Line ramekin with phyllo, partially bake the phyllo in oven, place goat cheese inside and bake for another 5 minutes; Top with antipasto, serve with crusty bread.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Never Enough Thyme Catering Inc. was created with one thought in mind … to create more thyme!

Enjoy our food shop, specialty cakes and catering. 83 A Arthur Street, South, Elmira. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

10 Church St. W., 519-669-0755 [DOWNSTAIRS BESIDE FLOW CAFE]

happy holidays from We wish all our customers all the best for 2010 BIRDLAND PLAZA

|

112 Oriole Parkway, Elmira

519.669.5200 | 519.669.5244

nukkah a H y p p a H , a a z n a w K Krazy Christmas y z o C , n a d a m a R y d n a R us!

And a Frolicking Feinstd ivthe “One” who Matters.

Have a...

24 Hour Accident Assistance

1-800-CARSTAR

But Above All, Keep In

M

It’s the happiest time of the year, and it’s customers like you who make our work worthwhile.

From all of us at:

Thanks so much for your support.

Rudow’s Carstar Collision Centre A Division of Rudows Autobody Limited

Car Rentals at Rudows 519.669.4981

33 First St. E., Elmira | 519.669.3373

“A Good Job Done Every Time”

Colleen | t. 519-669-2033 | c. 519-581-7868 RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • PERSONALIZED SERVICE • FREE ESTIMATES

Warm wishes to all of you for a joyous holiday season.

Many thanks for your continued patronage.

We feel very blessed to have you as our customers and proud to call you friends!

Thinking of you and wishing you a season of heavenly peace.

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• RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL Call for your FREE estimate

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SEA

44 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

STRANGE BUT TRUE / BILL & RICH SONES PH.D.

Which is smarter, a pig or a dog? Such labelling is distinctively human

Q. Who says dogs are smarter than pigs?

A.

Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it just like us humans to want to rank everybody and everything in terms of speed, size, beauty, intelligence, you name it, ponders Mr. Know-It-All of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wiredâ&#x20AC;? magazine.

The trivially true answer to the dogs- pigs question is that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re equally smart, as both are equally well adjusted to their niche in life, even though they took dramatically differ-

dogs have obviously been far more successful at convincing human beings not to eat them.

Says Mr. Know-It-All, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gotta count for something, right?â&#x20AC;?

Q. Thinking anachro-

nistically, can you say what might prompt a â&#x20AC;&#x153;thank-you-maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;amâ&#x20AC;? on the drive home from the theatre?

A.

Hitting a pothole along the way, since the colourful old phrase applies to the bumps or depressions that jar a vehicleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s occupants, says Anu Garg in â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Dord, the Diglot and an Avocado or Two.â&#x20AC;?

The â&#x20AC;&#x153;thank-you-maâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;amâ&#x20AC;? phrase might have come

SOLUTION: on page 36

THE CHALLENGE

so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.

Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. We have got you started with a few numbers already placed in the boxes.

Q. In the category of â&#x20AC;&#x153;technology run amok,â&#x20AC;? consider perhaps the article titled â&#x20AC;&#x153;The droneliness of the long- distance runner.â&#x20AC;? Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that all about?

A. The research duo of Floyd Mueller and Eberhard Grather at Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology envision a â&#x20AC;&#x153;joggobot,â&#x20AC;? or small robot companion to joggers in the form of a quad-rotor helicopter drone, says Paul Marks in â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Scientistâ&#x20AC;? magazine.

Programmed to react to a bright blue and orange pattern painted on a runnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s T-shirt, the craft hovers ahead about a metre off the ground at just the right pace and distance to help encourage a steady gait. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Should the robot be more like a coach or more like a pet?â&#x20AC;? Mueller wonders. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One might make the exercise more effective, but the other might make it more fun. Which one is better? And is there a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;betterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;?â&#x20AC;?

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Bill is a journalist, Rich holds a doctorate in physics. Together the brothers bring you â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strange But True.â&#x20AC;? Send your questions to strangetrue@compuserve.com.

OBSERVER CROSSWORD PUZZLER

SUDOKU

HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid

to bring back this colourful phrase, surpassing as it does todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more prosaic â&#x20AC;&#x153;speed bumpsâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;speedbreakers.â&#x20AC;?

from the nod of the head brought on by passing over a hole in the road, as if ironically acknowledging a favour. A more charming idea involves a man and woman in an old Victorian coach being briefly jostled together and his appreciative response to her. Or as Mrs. Hopkins puts it in Oliver Wendell Holmesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1868 novel, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Guardian Angelâ&#x20AC;?: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all have our troubles. It isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t everybody that can ride to heaven in a C-spring shay, as my poor husband used to say; and lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a road thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got a good many thank-youmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ams to go bumpinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; over, says he.â&#x20AC;?

Whatever its origin, muses Garg, it may be time

SOLUTIONS: 1. GUITAR CORD 2. SHADOWS 3. KEYBOARD NAME 4. SYMBOL 5. ELFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HAIR 6. SANTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HAT 7. ELFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BELL ON HAT

CAPTION

David & Marianne Walser are seen here standing in front of the Swiss Alps, in Switzerland with the Observer, while enjoying their vacation away from Canada.

OPEN 24 HOURS | 7 DAYS A WEEK

Switzerland

LOCATION

OBSERVER TRAVELS

J

OBSERVER SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

DELIV SER ERY AVAILVICE Call fo ABLE rD

etails

315 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-5403

ACROSS

1. ___ lab 4. (anatomy) a disk of cartilage 11. Deadly 16. Long, long time 17. Tough guy 18. â&#x20AC;&#x153;La Bohème,â&#x20AC;? e.g.

19. Heavily armoured warship 21. The event of being born 22. He and she 23. Adaptable truck, for short 24. Master 25. A movement between the states 31. Summer quencher 34. ___ grass 35. 40 winks 36. Bank offering, for short 37. Bubkes

38. Chew noisily 41. Relish 44. Even if, briefly 45. Merlin, e.g.

46. Brute 48. Fancy 52. Affirmative vote 53. Not yet finished 54. Egg 57. Animal house 58. Remnant 60. Gabriel, for one 61. ___ bread 62. Not many 63. Boston suburb DOWN

1. Balance sheet item 2. Wyle of â&#x20AC;&#x153;ERâ&#x20AC;?

3. A chip, maybe 4. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Coolâ&#x20AC;? amount 5. â&#x20AC;&#x153;... ___ he drove out

of sightâ&#x20AC;?

6. Discouraging words 7. Bury 8. Cuff 9. Escapade 10. ___ and outs 11. Mall watch pocket 12. Beelike 13. Ends 14. A skilled worker 15. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, ___-di-dah!â&#x20AC;?

20. Dittography, e.g.

24. Barely enough 26. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ and the King of Siamâ&#x20AC;?

27. Catch 28. Go off script 29. Chit 30. Automobile sticker fig.

31. Romeoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;two blushing pilgrimsâ&#x20AC;?

32. Ashtabulaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lake

33. Defensive spray 38. The Kennedys, e.g.

39. A kind of computer architecture 40. Bay 42. Jam 43. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fantasy Islandâ&#x20AC;? prop 47. In the direction of 49. Objective male pronoun 50. The branch of engineering 51. Objective form of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;?

54. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ___ ...â&#x20AC;?

55. Compose verses 56. Like leftovers 59. Chew on with the teeth 61. Amigo

SOLUTION: on page 36

WEIRD NOTES

ent evolutionary paths to domestication -- one a hunter, the other a forager, says David Washburn of the Georgia State University Language Research Center.

So it makes sense that their mental gifts would differ. Pigs seem to enjoy playing videogames, for example, while dogs intuitively understand addition and subtraction of small numbers.

But such a standoff is hardly likely to satisfy our competitive species, meaning weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got to lean on facts like the following: When body sizes are considered, canines have slightly larger brains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;a trait that does seem to matter.â&#x20AC;? More to the point,

LIVING HERE | 45

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

PETS: Many make their furry friends part of the Christmas fun FROM | 41

maining steady from 2009 to 2012.

An American survey of U. S. retail leaders conducted by management consulting firm Hay Group heralds a rejuvenated shopping season, with 75 per cent of those surveyed predicting higher sales than seen in 2011. The APPA believes that retailers catering to the tastes of the furry customers and their owners will be

getting a big slice of the Christmas shopping pie.

“We’ve already seen that pet owners reward their pets and purchase holiday gifts for them in even the toughest of economic times. With retailers and researchers expecting the 2012 holiday shopping season to be even better than last year, we have positive expectations for the pet industry,” APPA president Bob Vetere stated in a recent release.

The trend has even

Conestogo Wind Power Partnership (CWPP)

gone as far as debuting specialty pet products and new lines just in time for the 2012 holidays. Such items have already made the rounds at trade shows across the United States.

Things are not much different on the local front. For Franklin the cold weather signals that it’s time to order more of the “gift” items pet owners will likely be looking for. In the past week the shop has padded its stock with more pet favourites

for customers to choose from, knowing that visitors will soon be combing the shelves for that lastminute holiday purchase.

With the pet present trend going strong, Franklin has no doubt that she’ll be moving many more products before Christmas arrives.

“Selling toys, we can do big time – it’s crazy what we sell in the next two or three weeks. I’ve even noticed it picking up already,” she said.

95 Southfield Dr., Elmira | 519-669-1842

Renewable Energy Approval Notice of Public Meeting s. 15(1)(a)(b) Ontario Regulation 359/09 Notice of Draft REA Public Release

FIRST NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING #2

by Conestogo Wind Power Partnership to Engage in a Renewable Energy Project NOTICE OF DRAFT REA PUBLIC RELEASE Project Name: Conestogo Wind Energy Centre Project Location: Municipality of North Perth, Township of Perth East, Perth County and Township of Wellesley, Regional Municipality of Waterloo Dated at: The County of Perth, December 12, 2012 Project Description: Pursuant to the Act and Regulation, the facility, in respect of which this project is to be engaged in, is a wind energy project and is rated as a Class 4 Wind Facility. The proposed wind farm project would be located in the Townships of North Perth and Perth East.

An approximate 25 km collector line would run east of the wind farm in the Township of Wellesley to the Project substation to connect to the Provincial grid. The proponent has been awarded a 69 MW contract for the sale of electricity from wind power with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) through the Province’s Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program (enabled by the Green Energy and Green Economy Act). The distribution of this notice of public meeting and public review of draft REA documents, as well as the project itself, are subject to the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act (Act) Part V.0.1 and Ontario Regulation 359/09 (Regulation).

The REA process replaces approvals formerly required under the Environmental Assessment Act, Planning Act, and Environmental Protection Act. This notice is being distributed in accordance with section 15 of the Regulation prior to an application being submitted and assessed for completeness by the Ministry of the Environment.

Meeting Information: In order to provide information to and consult with community members, stakeholder groups, First Nations and Métis communities and government agencies, Conestogo Wind Power Partnership and Dillon Consulting Limited are hosting a series of public information sessions to present information regarding the project and findings of the Renewable Energy Approval studies that have been undertaken. At these information sessions you will be able to view information on the project, ask questions and provide comments directly to the proponent. The PICs will start at 6:00 pm with a 30 minutes walk through and follow with a formal question and answer session from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

DATE: TIME: PLACE:

Township of Wellesley Public Information Centre (PIC) Tuesday, February 26, 2013 6 pm – 8 pm St. Clements Community Centre 1 Green Street, St. Clements

DATE: TIME: PLACE:

Perth East Township PIC Wednesday, February 27, 2013 6 pm – 8 pm Perth East Recreation Complex 40 Temperance Street, Milverton

DATE: TIME: PLACE:

North Perth Township PIC Thursday, February 28, 2013 6 pm – 8 pm Royal Canadian Legion 565 Elizabeth Street E, Listowel

irits be May your sp uty of ea b e lifted by th season. s u ro d n this wo stmas and Merry Chri Year!

Happy New

Your total home improvement contractor!

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3585 Ament Line. RR #3 Wallenstein | 519.699.4236 Web: www.waymar.on.ca | Email: admin@waymar.on.ca

Documents for Public Inspection: Further to this Notice the Draft REA documents (with the exception of the Consultation Report, in accordance with O.Reg 359/09) are available for public review as of December 21, 2012 on the Project website (http://www.invenergyllc.com/conestogo) and at the following locations: Municipality of North Perth Municipal Office: 330 Wallace Ave N, Listowel Township of Perth East Municipal Office: 25 Mill St. East, Milverton Township of Wellesley Municipal Office: 4639 Lobsinger Line, RR#1 St. Clements Atwood Public Library: 218A Main St, Atwood Monkton Public Library: 216 Winstanley St., Monkton Listowel Public Library: 260 Main Street, Listowel Comment forms and comment form drop boxes will be located at each of the above locations. Alternatively, you can send comments to the contact below.

Project Contacts and Information: Please email conestogo@dillon.ca or phone Don McKinnon, REA Project Manager at 416-229-4646 to comment on the project or for further information. Please visit the Project website at: http://www.invenergyllc.com/conestogo.

As per O.Reg 359/09 the public will have 60 days to comment on the draft REA documents. The 60 day period starts on December 21, 2012 and ends on February 19, 2013. The public will have another opportunity to comment on the Project at the PICs outlined above.

From all of us: Wil Lichty, Mark King, Lee Clemens, Kerry Mullen, Brittany Hahn, Lori Moser

Elmira Insurance Brokers

Limited

45 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519.669.5484 WWW.OBSERVERXTRA.COM

46 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

MERRY CHRISTMAS | HAPPY NEW YEAR | MERRY CHRISTMAS | HAPPY NEW YEAR | MERRY CHRISTMAS

Independently Owned and Operated

“You dream...We’ll work.”

17 17 Church Church St. St. W., W., Elmira Elmira wendy.taylor1@rogers.blackberry.net marylou@mmrealestate.ca

Merry Christmas!

from

Waters & Hastings Have A Great Holiday!

21 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519.669.1641 chastings@waters-hastings.on.ca

May your home be filled with laughter and fun this holiday season.

Thank You for your patronage over this past year. ~ Two professionals working with you!!!

Wendy Taylor BROKER MANAGER

24hrs 519-669-1544 24hrs

Mary Lou Murray SALES REPRESENTATIVE

One KM south of Winterbourne

265 Katherine St. S.

519-664-3701

www.peakrealestate.com

SEASON’S GREETINGS | SEASON’S GREETINGS | SEASON’S GREETINGS | SEASON’S GREETINGS

Thank You for your patronage.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at:

From our family to yours. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

TOTAL HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS

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1070 Industrial Cres., St. Clements TEL: 519.699-9496

11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS

519-664-2008 or 1-800-410-1141

LIVING HERE | 47

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Babies of the

!

R A Y35E 2012 $

.00 +hst

Last Na First Name, me

Birth Da te Parents | Town Names

Full colour photo of your little one in the January 5, 2013 edition.

Deadline for submission January 2nd, 2013

BOOK EARLY. EMAIL PHOTOS & CAPTION INFORMATION TO: ADS@WOOLWICHOBSERVER.COM

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

Our gift to you this season!

Visit us on-line to design and enter to win your own piece of diamond jewellery.

Shop in-mall and you could score shopping rewards and gift cards from our holiday fairies.

On-line contest & reward details @ conestogamall.com Open late tonight to 9:00pm!

APPLE

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THE BAY

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H&M

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BATH & BODY WORKS

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WINNERS

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More Time to Shop! Mon - Thu: 9:30 am - 9:30pm I Moonlight Madness Fri: 9:30am - 11pm I Sat: 9:30 am - 9 pm I Sun: 11 am - 6 pm

48 | BACK PAGE

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2012

Friends, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a tremendous new year.

Enjoy your time with family and friends, and share the joy of the season.

Please take some time to remember the less fortunate in our society, and ask how you can be part of the solution. The act Spirit.

Blessings,

Member of Parliament, Kitchener-Conestoga 153 Country Hill Drive, Unit 2A Kitchener, ON N2E 2G7 519.578.3777 | www.HaroldAlbrechtMP.ca

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