December 12, 2019 by Woolwich Observer

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Above and beyond in decorating for Christmas People. Places. Pictures. Profiles. Perspectives.

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CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITIES.

The first Christmas story was played out for all to see as the Elmira Pentecostal Assembly hosted a live nativity show last weekend.

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VOLUME 24 | ISSUE

DECEMBER 12, 2019

[VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER]

Efforts to clear snow from roads sees fines rise Woolwich approves new snow event to policy that extends on-street parking bans for 24 hours and deputize works crews to ticket BY STEVE KANNON

skannon@woolwichobserver.com

Already out ticketing cars parked on streets between 4 and 9 a.m., Woolwich will ban parking on roads for 24 hours following the declaration of a snow event. That too will come with a

fine once the fees are approved by the province. The fee schedule approved this week by township council sees most of the fines in the $35 to $50 range, though clearing snow from your driveway onto the road could see you hit with a $105 penalty.

The addition of a snowevent designation was part of the amendments to the traffic and parking bylaw OK’d at Tuesday night’s council meeting. The changes extend the toolkit available to township staff in keeping the roads clear when plow trucks are out

moving snow. Woolwich currently enforces a ban of on-street parking during posted hours between December 1 and March 31. But with heavier snowfalls, the long prohibition makes snow-clearing easier and safer, explained township

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Architect Films along with the cast and crew of Home to Win for the Holidays would like to thank the town of Elmira for welcoming us into your community. We would like to acknowledge all the businesses in the area and offer special thanks to Sip and Bite and Crossroads for hosting our lunches. To the residents of Park Ave. West, especially Klaus and Matt, we are very grateful to you for accommodating all of our needs. Thank you to Marty Trapp and Trapp Construction for hosting our finale. This has been an extraordinary experience for us and we are so grateful we got to share it with you!

We invite you to tune into our season finale on HGTV Canada, this Sunday, Dec 15 at 10pm to see who wins this beautiful home.

O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | 03

FROM THE ARCHIVES

PIPING IT IN Creating community connections starts and ends with our readers. News tips are always welcome.

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Planning for future growth in Breslau, Woolwich council this week approved a cost-sharing agreement with the Region of Waterloo and the City of Cambridge for the extension and oversizing of a sanitary sewer from Cambridge to the Woolwich boundary. The city is currently installing sanitary services in what are known as the Cambridge East Side Lands, allowing the township to tap in. The 50-50 cost-sharing deal is expected to cost some $700,000, to be paid for by development charges.

Facing the closure this month of the Elmira waste transfer station, Woolwich will have another five months to bring on a private operator as the region appears ready to extend a lifeline one last time. Regional council’s planning and works committee voted this week to keep operating the facility until the end of May. There will be no more reprieves, Mayor Sandy Shantz reported to her Woolwich colleagues meeting this week. From the Dec. 10, 2015 edition of The Observer

Woolwich council moves to develop a vision for downtown Elmira BY STEVE KANNON

skannon@woolwichobserver.com

Intending to develop a planning framework that will encourage businesses to invest in the Elmira core, Woolwich will spend $40,000 to $50,000 to have a consultant come up with a new concept for the downtown.

The process will look at the likes of land uses, expanding the core area, zoning changes to foster certain types of businesses and the ideal mix of offerings – retail, office and residential – to make the location more attractive to investors. The review was prompted by a few of land-acqui-

sition proposals and the recent adoption by the Elmira BIA of a community improvement plan, director of planning services Mark Pomponi explained at a council meeting Tuesday night. Councillors welcomed the idea, quickly passing a resolution to issue a request for proposal for firms

interested in carrying out the review. “It’s about looking at opportunities,” said Pomponi of the process in an earlier interview. The consultant’s report would create a vision for the downtown that could provide council with some direction, he added. Ideally, he noted, the

core would see a good mix of uses, including a revitalized retail component and the likes of restaurants and other entertainment options to counter a problem many downtown areas face: “5 o’clock flight” that sees the core empty when the workday is done. One key way of avoiding that is having more people

living in or near the area. “Residential is a great use that is supportive of core services, commercial uses,” he said. Krista McBay, the owner of Elmira Home Hardware, would certainly concur, as she has a longstanding proposal to develop an apartment building DOWNTOWN ELMIRA | 07

The spirit of giving in full force 'TIS THE SEASON

WCS Christmas Goodwill program sees some 225 volunteers prepare 147 gift-and-food packages to bring cheer to local families BY STEVE KANNON

skannon@woolwichobserver.com

That Christmas is the season of giving was on ample display this week at Lions Hall in Elmira, where volunteers were busy sorting, wrapping and packing up hampers for needy families. Woolwich Community Services’ Christmas Goodwill program this year prepared 147 hampers, containing donated food, clothing and toys, for distribution today (Thursday). The hampers support 204 adults and 217 children. It was the work of some 225 volunteers who put in more than 1,140 hours over five days, notes Tina Reed, WCS’s coordinator of community support. “We have many volunteers from service clubs, churches, businesses, schools, as well as individuals and families,” she said Tuesday in the midst of a hall lined with tables of donated goods where waves of helpers filled boxes to meet individualized needs. Duties included wrapping each present, because it’s not Christmas without

packages to open, said Reed. It’s a labour of love for the volunteers, many of whom come out annually. “With the wrapping, for example, many of them come year after year. We’ve had people call in September for wrapping at Christmastime,” she said. Among those putting things under wraps were volunteers such as Carol Knarr and her daughters Sherri Dowdall and Tracy Girling of Elmira. They’ve been volunteering to wrap presents for at least five years now. “Sherri started it, then she brought the rest of the family in,” said Knarr. “We practice at home, and then come here so we get it perfect,” she laughed. Each of the presents sees donated and purchased items matched to the wish lists supplied by the children, Reed explained. Each hamper also contains food – including a frozen turkey or ham – and other items from the seasonal food drives such as the one organized by the Kiwanis Club of Elmira. There’s also a gift card for an Elmira grocery store.

Lions Hall in Elmira was a hive of activity this week as volunteers prepared hampers for the WCS Christmas Goodwill program. The effort was overseen by coordinator of community support Tina Reed (left), and included the gift-wrapping skills of volunteers Sherri Dowdall and her mother Carol Knarr. [STEVE KANNON]

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“They can purchase what they want, make it their own Christmas dinner,” said Reed. When the hampers are

all packed up, any leftovers certainly don’t go to waste. Toys, for instance, go into the WCS birthday cupboard – families in need of a

birthday present for a child can peruse what’s available. Likewise, if a child is invited to a birthday party, he or she can draw

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A Listowel man was injured Monday evening in a two-car collision at Arthur Street and Sandy Hills Drive north of Elmira. A Waterloo man was charged with careless driving for disobeying a stop sign. [JOE MERLIHAN / THE OBSERVER]

Province boosts funding to police to increase RIDE programs The Ontario government this week announced it will provide $2.4 million in funding through its Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) grant to help police services across the province detect impaired drivers. A total of 172 police services will receive the funding they need to carry out checks all year long. The grant is intended to cover officers’ overtime and paid duty RIDE activities “Sadly, impaired driving continues to be the

DECEMBER 4 ■ 4:55 PM | Wellington County OPP received a 911 call involving a possible impaired driver that was operating a black pickup truck on Main Street in Drayton. Police located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. In speaking with the driver, the officer determined that his ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired by alcohol and placed him under arrest. The driver was transported to a local OPP operation centre for further testing. As a result, a 43-year-old Wellington North Township man was charged with ‘impaired operation’ and ‘impaired operation – 80-plus (mgs of alcohol in 100ml of blood).’ A 90-day licence suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment were initiated as per statute. The accused will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice – Guelph on January 7 to speak to the charges.

DECEMBER 5 ■ 3:10 PM | A 29-year-old Kitchener man was driving a black Mazda southbound on Victoria Street in Breslau when traffic in the lane came

leading criminal cause of death and injury in Canada,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones in a release. “The funding our local police services receive will help them conduct regular roadside spot-checks and education campaigns needed to detect impaired drivers and keep our roads safe throughout the year.” In the last decade in Ontario, more than 1,700 lives have been lost and over 25,000 people injured in collisions involving

an impaired driver. With the legalization of recreational cannabis last year, roadside spot-checks have proven even more crucial, she said. “Impaired drivers, whether by drugs or alcohol, can be found on the road every single day – not just around the holidays,” said Jones. “It’s simple: don’t get behind the wheel if you’re impaired. Make alternative arrangements to get home. This single decision can save your life and

the lives of others.” As Ontarians prepare for the holiday season, they are reminded to make plans to get home safely whether by arranging for a designated driver, ordering a taxi or rideshare or taking public transit. They should also take immediate action if they see someone who may be impaired by arranging a ride for them, suggesting alternate arrangements, or even calling 911 if someone is a risk to themselves and others.

to a stop, prompting the driver to swerve into the northbound lane to avoid a collision, but he struck head-on a grey GMC being driven by a 55-year-old Kitchener woman. The two passengers in the GMC and both drivers were treated for minor injuries and both vehicles were towed from the scene. The driver of the Mazda was charged with ‘careless driving.’

420 cc with tracks, orange in colour and bearing serial # 5378 and an Ariens model 926065 Pro 28, 420 cc, orange in colour and bearing serial # 10271. The total value of the theft is in excess of $5,500. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at http://hc-cs. ca where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Contact Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122 if you know anything about this crime. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip on-line at www.csgw.tips. You may be eligible for a reward from Crime Stoppers of up to $2,000.

■ 3:48 PM | An 18-year-old Kitchener man was driving a silver Honda southbound on Fountain Street in Breslau when he observed another vehicle stopped in his lane. The driver swerved to avoid the vehicle, left the roadway and entered the ditch. He was transported to hospital by ambulance with minor injuries, and his vehicle had to be towed away. The other vehicle did not remain at the scene.

DECEMBER 9 ■ 1:25 AM | A white Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck pulled into the parking lot of a business located on Perth Line 72, Millbank. Once there, the suspects stole two brandnew snowblowers, an Ariens model 926078 Hydro Pro 28,

■ 9:15 AM | Wellington County OPP responded to a report of mischief that occurred sometime overnight at the dog park located on in Fergus. The investigation revealed that sometime overnight a motor vehicle entered onto the property and caused damage to the park and agility equipment while performing “donuts” on the grass. There is potentially more than $5,000 worth of damage to property and equipment at the park, and police are asking the residents in the area with video surveillance to review their recordings and report any suspicious activity that may have been captured.

■ 5:58 PM | Emergency services responded to the intersection of Sandy Hills Drive and Arthur Street North in Woolwich Township for a collision involving two vehicles. A 53-year-old Waterloo man was operating a green Ford travelling west on Sandy Hills Road when he disobeyed the stop sign and failed to yield to a silver Chevy, operated by a 45-year-old Listowel man travelling south on Arthur Street North. The driver of the silver Chevy suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The other driver did not sustain any injuries. Members of the Waterloo Regional Police Traffic Services Unit attended and investigated the collision. As a result, the Waterloo man was charged with ‘careless driving cause bodily harm.’

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Happy Holidays! The Observer office will be closed Friday, December 20 at noon and will re-open Monday, December 30th. The Observer will publish December 26 and website activity will be lightly monitored throughout the holiday as staff enjoy time off with friends and family.

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Woolwich looks to widen scope of on-farm business operations Relaxed provincial policies have township pursuing changes to its own rules, with some hurdles emerging at public meeting BY STEVE KANNON

skannon@woolwichobserver.com

Relaxed on-farm business policies adopted by the province have Woolwich looking to change its official plan and zoning bylaws to bring them into conformity. The review of the agricultural policies also seeks to bring into the fold a significant number of illegal and non-conforming business being operated in the township. The shift will give farmers some additional flexibility in operating secondary businesses on their properties to support the farm income, and will “widen the scope of uses,” planning manager Jeremy Vink told councillors meeting December 10. That said, on-farm businesses must remain as an accessory use, which is part of the issue with some current operations that aren’t compliant. To qualify, any proposed business would have to take place on a farm that is being actively used for agricultural purposes, with the scale of the operation being limited to a secondary role. In order to minimize the impact on agricultural land, the on-farm business can’t exceed two per cent of the farm parcel up to a maximum of 2.5 acres.

The process would see what are now on-farm business policies re-labelled as “on-farm diversified uses” to reflect the wider spectrum of income-generating options. Those addressing the changes at a public meeting Tuesday night were generally supportive of the direction, though concerns were raised about a proposed two-employee limit at on-farm businesses, as well as the limitations on small farms under 25 acres in size. The latter is an issue raised most often by members of the Mennonite community. Vink noted that farms under 25 acres in size aren’t eligible for the on-farm diversified use category. Instead, they’re looked at akin to a home-based business, with the new process including a designation called “home business – tradesperson,” which envisions those involved in the trades – carpenters, electricians, plumbers and the like – being able to operate from a small shop on the farm. Larger manufacturing shops, a common fixture in some rural circles, would not be permitted. That was an issue for a number of those who addressed council, including resident Isaac Weber, who posited it was better to

have a business operating on a small property that remains a farm rather than turning it into an estate lot, for example. A small farm could let the owner have some eggs or produce for sale, but the business such as a shop would have to be the main source of income, he argued. “Is Woolwich staff and council supportive to agriculture?” Vink, however, noted the township has to draw a line somewhere, with larger operations on small farms no longer secondary to agricultural uses. Still, landowners in that situation could make an application for an exemption, to be judged on a case-by-case basis. Another member of the community, Ronald Martin, said a 10-acre parcel, for instance, isn’t big enough to provide a sufficient income through farming, with the owner having to run a business large enough to make a living. In such cases, Vink countered, the farm isn’t viable and, while the business might be, it wouldn’t be secondary to farming anymore. “The secondary business can’t become a very dominant part of the operation,” he said, noting the business should support

the farm operation, not the other way around. “The main function should be the farm operation.” Drawing on the township’s experience with non-compliance farm businesses, Coun. Patrick Merlihan questioned whether the bylaw changes would prevent cases where the owner leases out most of the land to a neighbouring farmer and perhaps rents out the house but still runs a shop. Vink said there are controls around occupancy and who uses the land to

determine who’s eligible to run a business on the property. The township also plans to step up monitoring and enforcement to ensure no one is skirting the law. One change might include making the certificate of occupancy required to operate a business an annual renewal, with operators having to verify conformity each year, he suggested. “We’ll be looking at active enforcement to bring everything into compliance.” Vink noted there are many small farm proper-

ties in the township, with on-farm business present. Speaking to the restrictions in the new proposal, Coun. Scott McMillan pushed for a system that errs on the side of supporting farm operations. “We want to make farming more viable so we can keep farming profitable and keep people on farms,” he said. Woolwich is in the early phase of the process in amending its official plan and zoning bylaws, with more public consultation likely in the mix as new policies are drafted.

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DOWNTOWN ELMIRA: Proposed study would help create a vision for the core to guide council decisions FROM 03

on land adjacent to her store at Church and Maple streets. Hers is one of the land-swap proposals still outstanding, as she owns property behind the township hall, and the municipality uses parking on land behind her store. McBay is still waiting for action from the township, however, with the process on hold now pending the consultant’s report. “I just want this to happen,” she said in an interview, noting she sees the potential of more business for the downtown core courtesy of increased residential development. A good mix of retail and services such as healthcare would make the downtown more desirable, especially for older residents who’s like to live in or near the core. She notes she has a waiting list of some 35 people who’ve expressed interest in her proposal for an apartment building. “We could see more of a walking community, with

something that brings people here,” she said of the downtown. That’s a vision shared by Jon Clay, chair of the Elmira Business Improvement Area (BIA). The group was the impetus behind a new community improvement plan (CIP) that aims to improve the appearance of the downtown through programs such as façade improvements and streetscaping initiatives. Having a CIP allows the group to seek grants in support of those goals, with the BIA last week approaching the township for $10,000 to help jumpstart to façade program. “Hopefully the township’s on board with support of that,” he said. “The only way to do this right was to have a CIP,” he said of the process, noting the group is eager to work with the township to create “a united front” in improving the downtown. The BIA will be part of the public consultation process, with Clay noting

planning issues such as the mix of retail versus office space as something that needs professional guidance. The group will be supportive of all efforts to make the core more attractive to those who might look to set up shop there. “We’ve got to look at the overall picture downtown. Obviously it would be great to have more retail downtown ... and more foot traffic,” said Clay. With council approval this week, the township will move on the tendering process to hire a consultant, with Pomponi suggesting a report would come back three or four months after the winning bid is chosen. Coun. Patrick Merlihan stressed that the consultation of stakeholders should include the wider community that uses services downtown, with his Ward 1 colleague Coun. Scott McMillan welcoming the proposal, pointing to the need for a “well-thoughtout plan.”

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Wellesley Lions honour late member Family and friends gather to honour Susan Reid for her work in the community with a bench-dedication service at the pond a bulb on the tree, and $25 will light up a string. The bulbs can be dedicated to the memory of someone, the appreciation for something, or worthwhile causes. The 2019 campaign is off to a strong start, with over $3,000 from donations made in Reid’s memory last winter. “We’ll be posting the people who made donations on the club’s Facebook page,” added Schade. “There’s going to be an-

BY VERONICA REINER

vreiner@woolwichobserver.com

Members of the Wellesley & District Lions Club gathered Sunday to honour one of their own, dedicating a bench at the Wellesley pond in memory of Susan Reid. Friends, family members and Lions Club members gathered at the location beside the Wellesley pond to remember Reid, who succumbed to cancer in February at the age of 68. “I would say that Susan’s true passion for Lion-ism was evident at our meetings when she was involved in the decisions related to how our club would donate funds within the Wellesley community,” said Lions Club member Blair Cressman. “Susan was great at reminding all of us that if we were able, we should find a way to give when there was an ask, even if it was a small donation.” Reid was a 24-year Lions member, and very active in the community, volunteering for the Apple Butter and Cheese Festival, Christmas Tyme parade,

other tree up at the [local CIBC] bank, that’s going to recognize the people who have donated.” The star at the top of the tree will light up in Reid’s memory. The official lighting ceremony will take place on December 13 following the Christmas Tyme parade. The Lions offer cookies, carols, and hot apple cider. The club continues to accept donations to the campaign until December 31.

Family, friends and Wellesley & District Lions Club members met at the village pond Sunday for a bench-dedication ceremony in memory of Susan Reid. Among the participants were Bob Reid, Eunice Schade, Peter van der Maas and Blair Cressman. [VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER]

and similar events. She moved through different executive positions of the club, most recently acting as club president from 2016 to 2018. She was a member of First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where she also served as choir director. Reid, an avid singer, was a member of the Chord Spinners Barbershop Chorus for more than 30 years. The location for the bench was chosen in recognition of her work with the

Tree of Light campaign. “She used to take charge of the Tree of Light program,” said club member Eunice Schade. “This was kind of her focus that she helped out so much with, she helped out with so many things ... so that’s why wanted to place it close to the Tree of Light. “We’re hoping for the community to get behind the campaign ... that’s why we’re trying to get it out there a bit more because not everybody understands

what it’s all about. All of the donations we raise, 100 per cent of them go back into the community.” The money is used to support two local charities each year; this time around, it’s Meals on Wheels, which provides nutritious, delicious, and affordable meals to members of the community who are unable to prepare their own food, and to the Wellesley Family Resource fund. A $5 donation lights up

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Brooklyn Schaefer, Ella Gessner, Rachel Chinnick, Pam Frey, Trinity Henry and Amanda Groothuis all helped to sell cupcakes outside the EDSS cafeteria Dec. 6, with proceeds going to support the campaign to end violence against women and girls. [VERONICA REINER]

SNOW EVENTS: Township gets more aggressive about keeping roads clear FROM 01

differs from the year-round prohibition on parking on regional roads between 2:30 and 6:30 a.m. She noted that the ban is not weather-dependent – even if there’s no snow on the ground or in the forecast, there’s never any leniency. Ticketing those in violation regularly makes the process fair and helps to educate the public, she said. The declaration of a snow event will see enforcement step up a notch. “Parking is prohibited on

any township road or street at any time (day or night) during a declared snow event. Vehicles parked on the road or street during a declared snow event can be ticketed and possibly towed. Ticketing by enforcement services staff, with assistance from designated operations staff, can commence from the time that the snow event is declared and will continue until it is over or cancelled,” reads a report introducing the new control measure. The prohibition extends

to those who park their cars on the road while they clear their driveways, a prospect that raised a red flag for Coun. Larry Shantz. Director of infrastructure services Jared Puppe, who’ll be making the call on snow events, said there won’t be an issue if the road has already been cleared, with snowplow operators likely giving people a chance to move their cars rather than going right to ticketing. “We’re trying to take a reasonable approach,” he

said, noting the process is “not vexatious.” Likewise, the fines are not punishment, but rather a way to ensure crews are able to get the job done, he added. While the township now has the power to declare snow events, the issuing of tickets will have to wait until the fines are formally approved by the provincial Attorney General, Hummel explained. The township is also in the process of deputizing snowplow operators to issue tickets.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | THE O BSE RVE R

C O M MUN IT Y N E WS | 11

LIONS LIGHT IT UP IN ST. CLEMENTS The Paradise & District Lions raised a total of $11,000 to support St. Mary's General Hospital through their Tree of Light campaign. The tree was lit up during a ceremony Saturday evening in St. Clem[VERONICA REINER] ents.

Local agencies makes plans for increased flooding risk associated with climate change BY STEVE KANNON

skannon@woolwichobserver.com

With the record-breaking flooding Ontario saw last spring likely to become more common, local agencies are working to reduce the impact and help residents prepare for emergencies. The Grand River Conservation Authority’s focus is on mitigating flood events, while emergency responders plan for all contingencies. The latest push for improvements stem from a report issued by a special advisor appointed by the Ford government following record-setting flooding earlier this year in the province. Doug McNeil found much of the flooding was weather-related, caused by a combination of weather conditions: colder-than-average winter and spring, higher-than-average snowpack, lack of significant winter thaw, rapid snow melt and significant rain events in the spring. With forecasts predicting more severe

weather due to climate change, his report laid out a number of steps to help the province become more flood resilient. In this area, the first line of defence is the GRCA, with operates dams that help control water flows for the express purpose of avoiding floods, along with maintaining river levels during the dry months of summer. Or, what has traditionally been a dry time but has now changed, as witness by the late-June flooding incident in Woolwich and neighbouring communities back in 2017. “Flooding is happening year-round,” said GRCA spokesperson Cam Linwood, noting such events are reserved to the springthaw period any longer. “We’ve had flooding in February; we’ve had flooding in June.” Flood control and mitigation remains the top priority of the GRCA, he added. In response to shifts in flooding events, the agency has been stepping up its use of technology to monitor the watershed, collect-

ing more detailed imaging and mapping data to help predict where problems may occur. It recently completed bathymetric LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) across large portions of the watershed. The technology creates a very detailed picture of the bed of local rivers and streams. When that information is combined with surface LiDAR data collected by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, it becomes an important tool in developing floodplain mapping in the watershed, the GRCA notes. “We tend to rely on data. We are certainly seeing some additional climate volatility,” said Linwood, pointing to more frequent mid-winter melts. The GRCA was part of McNeil’s review, providing feedback on flooding challenges and opportunities. “Flood management remains a top priority for the GRCA with a focus on helping protect the lives and property of close to

one million watershed residents,” said GRCA chief administrative officer Samantha Lawson in a statement. “We are grateful to have had the opportunity to provide input to Mr. McNeil, and we welcome his report shared by the Province. The recommendations reinforce the importance of a focused, collaborative approach in flood preparedness and responsiveness.” A key part of the response to changing conditions are the community emergency management coordinators (CEMCs) from each of the municipalities in the region, along with the warning network known as AlertWR. Woolwich CEMC Avril Tanner says the township has been busy preparing for flooding incidents ever since the June 2017 floods, which appeared to catch everyone off guard. Heavy rainfall in the early morning hours in the north part of the Grand River watershed caused flooding downstream, including in the north end of Elmira. Significant flood-

ing was seen in Floradale and points north, including Drayton and other parts of Mapleton Township. The rainfall to the north had the largest impact on the Grand and Conestogo rivers, with water volumes reminiscent of 1974, which saw significant flooding occur. “We’ve been very busy since then,” said Tanner, noting area CEMCs are coordinating on planning and responses to future flooding events. That includes being prepared for the worst, she noted. “We’re planning for the worst-case scenarios, covering all of our bases.” One such exercise involves the collapse of the Conestogo Lake dam northwest of Elmira. While the chances of that are low, the impact would be very big, she said. To help prepare, emergency coordinators are making use of new data from the GRCA to shape their plans. The new mapping information, for instance, has identified more potential problem areas.

“That’s very helpful. We get to know the impacts of flooding before it happens,” said Tanner. The township and other municipalities are also using technology to keep residents better informed about preparing for emergencies, tracking potential problematic weather and dealing with an emergency if flooding occurs. Education is key, she said, encouraging residents to be more aware and to have an emergency kit ready to go in advance of any problems. “We look at ways of keeping residents informed ... which includes knowing your risk,” she said, adding that some people are not even aware they’re at risk. On the communication front, Linwood notes the GRCA is working with the municipalities to keep them better informed of developing concerns, an issue in the 2017 event. “We continue to work closely with those municipal partners,” he said. “We’re looking to expand our means of notification.”

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O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | 12

THE MONITOR

VERBATIM Keep the conversation alive on topics of relevance to the community; write a letter to the Editor. Deadline: Tuesdays 4pm Online: ads.observerxtra.com/letters

“NAFTA has been a train-wreck of a trade deal for 25 years, causing great harm to Canada's manufacturing industries and the rights of workers. The new CUSMA, while far from perfect, provides a road map to implement necessary changes in trade policy to benefit workers. The improvements announced today are a helpful boost in achieving those objectives.” Unifor president Jerry Dias on the new NAFTA agreement – CUSMA – between Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

The median wait time for medically necessary treatment in Canada this year was 20.9 weeks. Among the provinces, Ontario has the shortest median wait time this year at 16 weeks, and Prince Edward Island recorded the longest wait time (49.3 weeks). Nationally, wait times were longest for orthopedic surgery (39.1 weeks) and plastic surgery (28.7 weeks) and the shortest for medical oncology (4.4 weeks). Fraser Institute

O U R V I E W | E D I TO R I A L

Elmira core revitalization awaits private investment buildings more attractive. Likewise, better streetscaping and other aesthetic measures will require money, both private and public. Will such investments take place? That’s the great unknown, but critical if any expenditures on planning are going to pay off. While the retail component in downtown Elmira has suffered over the years, the core’s prospects have improved with additional apartment-style housing in the area. The subdivisions on the west side also increase the number of people within easy reach of the downtown. That’s where a proposal such as an apartment close to the township hall also makes sense. What’s missing is the kind of retail/commercial development that makes the core more

oolwich’s plan for a review of downtown Elmira has its merits, but only if leads to actual changes. Ideas such as looking at zoning to encourage more retail or mixed uses, as opposed to office space, for instance, make sense, but don’t require a consultant. In spending upwards of $50,000, the township needs to see some actual movement on any changes that might come out of the process. That’s something of a tall order, as many past studies of the core have recommended ways to improve the situation there, but to little avail. The BIAs plan to improve the appearance of the core, particularly through façade upgrades, is a good one, but will rely on property owners being willing to spend money to make their G LO B A L O U T LO O K

The Not-So-Great Game is afoot

vibrant, something unique that makes the place a draw. The changing nature of shopping, both the online and big-box kind, means the downtowns of every community face new challenges, ones that can’t be met head-to-head. Creating a mixed-use core – residential, work spaces and unique retail, for instance – is an established goal, but one that isn’t always easy to achieve. The overall goal is admirable. Compact, mixed-use communities modelled on the best of European examples would be ideal outcomes, countering the North American suburban expanse that’s been the norm for several decades. There’s a big if, however, as that remains something of a long shot. And it will involve investment that hasn’t

been forthcoming. There has been much talk about the need in Elmira for alternatives to single-family suburban homes, particularly for housing catering to an older population looking to get out of those big homes but remain in the community. A medium-density project that offered ground-floor retail, for example, fits the bill on many fronts. Also key is walkability, ideally with the likes of medical services, restaurants and groceries within easy access. The mix has its advantages. It’s easy to imagine a range of retail and services that would cater to those living in the building, making the location even more convenient and user-friendly. It would also harken back to an era when commercial buildings that lined

the main street pretty much always included living space above – just take a look at the buildings along Arthur Street, for instance. Of course, there are other steps to take in helping to preserve the downtown. A core review done a few years back looked at the requirements. Attractive, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, including trees, green spaces, flowers, benches and trails and amenities such as restaurants are what residents want from their downtowns To be sure, Elmira’s downtown is in much better shape than most in the area, but there is a need to be proactive. Having more people living downtown would set off a chain reaction, one certain to be welcomed by retailers and service providers.

T H E V I E W F R O M H E R E | S C OT T A R N O L D

ne of the lesser unsolved mysteries of our time is why countries whose names end in ‘u’ prefer the Republic of China (ROC – Taiwan) to the People’s Republic of China (PRC – Beijing). Of the fifteen countries in the world that still recognize Taiwan as the real and legitimate China, three have ‘u’ at the end of their names: Nauru, Palau and Tuvalu. They are all South Pacific islands, so the ‘u’ suffix probably just means ‘island’ in the local languages. (I haven’t checked.) But the score is now ten pro-Beijing island countries in the South Pacific to four pro-Taipei ones – and three of those four end in ‘u.’ There’s

GWYNNE DYER GLOBAL AFFAIRS

something suspicious going on here, and I think we should be told. And here comes another one, though without a ‘u’ at the end. Bougainville held a referendum last week on independence from Papua New Guinea (PNG). The result won’t be declared until next week, but it’s clearly going to be pro-independence. And when, after further negotiations with PNG, the newly independent DYER | 14

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Letters to the Editor: editor@woolwichobserver.com | ads.observerxtra.com/letters The Observer is the independent community newspaper serving the communities within Woolwich and Wellesley Townships in Waterloo Region. The Observer is published every Thursday. The Observer is located in Elmira and was founded in 1996.

Getting started on the Christmas break is made easier by avoiding any reference to the decidedly unseemly antics going on to the south. 20-B ARTHUR ST. N., ELMIRA, ON N3B 1Z9 Phone: 519-669-5790 Toll Free: 1-888-966-5942 Fax: 519-669-5753 Online: observerxtra.com Social Media: /observerxtra @woolwichnews /observerxtra

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | THE O BSE RVE R

C O M M E NT & O P IN IO N | 13

LO C A L V I E W P O I N T

Young buyers need Christmas miracle to afford own home

t’s a safe bet Santa will be receiving plenty of requests for a new home among his stacks of mail: the largesse of St. Nick is the only way younger Canadians can expect to have a house of their own. Skyrocketing prices have placed home ownership out of the reach of millennials – those between the ages of 23 and 38 – already caught in a financial squeeze that includes soaring personal debt levels, much of it related to student loans. A new survey by the accounting firm KPMG found that 72 per cent of millennials would like their own home, but half of them say that’s nothing but a pipedream. Of those who’ve been able to buy a home, 46 per cent received financial aid from their parents to do so, an indicator of what a stretch ownership is. Rising costs have put housing out of the reach of even those with good jobs, the study finds. Soaring house prices and rising personal debt are making it impossible for many millennials, even those with good paying jobs, to ever afford a home, finds a new poll commissioned by KPMG in Canada. “The combination of rising house prices, high levels of personal debt and annual incomes that are just a fraction of the cost of buying a home compared with their parents’ generation, is pushing the dream of home ownership out of reach for many millennials,” says KPMG partner Martin Joyce of the poll’s findings. “This is particularly challenging in the markets of Vancouver and Toronto.” Millennials have incurred high levels of student debt and those who have been able to enter the housing market have taken on larger mortgages relative to their incomes than those who came before them, according to Statistics Canada. While millennials have higher incomes than previous cohorts, in part because of the education they’ve pursued, they are not necessarily better

off, the poll indicates. Household debt has been on an upward trend for the past 30 years and recently reached record highs, making home ownership even more unaffordable, especially in tight markets. Whereas the average debt-to-disposable income ratio in Canada was almost 87 per cent in 1990, it was more than 175 per cent at the end of 2018 – a trend that has caused the Bank of Canada to raise alarms about the country’s economic vulnerability. Debt-to-income ratio is a key financial indicator and, for young millennials, that now stands at 216 per cent, far exceeding the 125 per cent for Gen-Xers and 80 per cent for baby boomers at the same age – primarily because of mortgage debt. Wage growth has also been slower than expected, the Bank of Canada has warned. Low interest rates were a big

island nation of Bougainville (pop. 250,000) emerges, it will immediately have to choose between Beijing and Taipei. Why should Bougainvilleans care? Well, they don’t, really, but there’s money on the table. Both Chinas operate a ‘One China Policy’ that will not permit any country to have diplomatic ties with its adversary, and both will offer significant sums in foreign aid (often including large bribes to key politicians) to get small Pacific

EDITOR'S MUSINGS

factor in both rising prices – easy money artificially inflated prices – and in Canadians taking on more debt, as today’s lower rates meant we could afford a mortgage twice the size of what would have been offered 20 years ago. In essence, we could borrow more, so we did. That in turn drove up housing prices to meet – and exceed – our buying capacity. Although typically cast by the industry as a bad thing, reforms are needed to bring housing back into the realm of affordability. Better to cool down housing market than wait for the bubble to

L E F C O U RT L A N D | JAC K L E F C O U R T

DYER: China busily interferring in and bribing South Pacific nations FROM 12

STEVE KANNON

burst, though we’ve been waiting for that pop for a long time now. The wider industry, including financial sector, developer and builders, would prefer the government keep pumping the real estate market that’s driven a good chunk of the economy while putting Canadians even deeper into debt, all the while excluding growing numbers of people with artificially high prices. The arguments are clearly self-serving. The bigger picture must be taken into account, particularly the on-again, off-again bursting of the housing bubble. Whatever one’s take on that situation, the new survey shows there’s a big impact on younger would-be homeowners. Millennials now take an average of 13 years to save for a 20 per cent down payment, while it took their parents just about five years in 1976, according to a Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp. report.

Island countries on their side. In fact both the Solomon Islands and Kiribati switched their diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to the People’s Republic just last September. The game has gone on so long that it is now entrenched in the domestic politics of most of these little countries. The opposition party generally supports diplomatic relations with whichever China is currently not recognized by the governing party, or at least expresses some inDYER | 14

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“That’s eight fewer years that millennials might have for saving more for their retirement,” says Joyce. “If they do manage to save up and buy a house now and delay retirement savings, our poll finds 65 per cent of millennials fear they won’t have enough saved for retirement.” Those fears have spurred calls for action from the government, a concern shared across generations. The KPMG polls found a majority of Canadians want Ottawa to take action to make housing more affordable, make it easier to use RRSPs for down payments, raise TFSA limits, and implement a new registered savings system, like RESPs for education savings, to make housing more affordable. “It seems pretty clear that millennials are in a unique situation in terms of their ability to purchase a home – which has historically been a foundation for retirement stability – and most Canadians agree that the government has a role to play in making it a more achievable dream for many of them,” says Joyce. Price decreases could help those looking to get into the market down the road, but that upside could be offset by the fact credit is harder to come by. Lenders are hanging on to their money, and tightening requirements when they do part with it. If there is a take-away lesson to be learned when it comes to real estate, it’s don’t take any undue risks. And gambling, which is how we’ve been viewing the housing market, is risky to the core. If we keep betting on ever-increasing prices – with equity loans to match – and allowing too many people to over-leverage themselves, there’s going to be a great deal of pain if the market sees a correction or if interest rates start rising to historical levels. Don’t wager the farm on the boom times to last forever, something younger would-be buyers may be banking on.

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

14 | C O M M E NT & OP INION

Notice of a Proposed Change to an Approved Renewable Energy Project and Public Meeting Project Name: Woolwich Bio-En Inc. Biogas Facility Renewable Energy Approval Number: 6428-8LGLBH IESO Reference Number: F-000682-BIG-130-203 Project Location: 50 Martin’s Lane, Lot 18 and 89, Part 9, Ref. Plan 58R-14363, Elmira, Woolwich Township, Regional Municipality of Waterloo Dated at Elmira, Ontario, this the 10th of December, 2019 Woolwich Bio-En Inc. was issued a Renewable Energy Approval on 26 March 2012 in respect of the Woolwich Bio-En Inc. Biogas Facility. Information with respect to the decision on this project can be viewed on the Environmental Registry by searching #011-3923. Woolwich Bio-En Inc. is proposing to make a change to the project and the project itself is subject to the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act (Act) Part V.0.1 and Ontario Regulation 359/09 (Regulation). This notice must be distributed in accordance with section 32.2 of the Regulation. This notice is being distributed to make the public aware of a proposed change to the project and that a public meeting about the change is to be held. Meeting Location: Date: 29 January 2020 Time: 7:30 pm Place: Lion’s Hall, 40 South Street West, Elmira Project Description and Proposed Change: Pursuant to the Act and Regulation, the project in respect of which the Renewable Energy Approval was issued, is a Class 3 Anaerobic Digestion Facility. An application has been made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to change the project and alter the terms and conditions of the existing Renewable Energy Approval. The proposed changes consist of: • Increasing the maximum allowable amount of biomass which may be processed from 70,000 to 110,000 tonnes per year. Please note that this will not require any construction of new storage or processing capacity, nor will the footprint of the building be changed. This is just administrative recognition of our processing ability with current plant infrastructure • Increasing total allowable truck movements from 80 to 160 per day, to correct an earlier administrative error • Allowing operational flexibility with regard to biomass types which may be processed at the facility • Add the ability to operate as a transfer station to receive, process and ship biomass to other appropriately-licensed facilities • Increase the current ability to produce Renewable Natural Gas to 1000 cubic metres per hour • Recognize changes made to odour control for the biogas domes If approved with this change, this facility would have a total maximum name plate capacity of 2.85 MW (not a change from the existing capacity). The project location, taking the proposed change into account, is described in the map below.

DYER: Money is the key ingredient as disinterested island nations go back and forth between China, Taiwan FROM 13

terest in switching sides. This produces a satisfactory flow of financial support from the ‘out’ China for the opposition, while the party in government can use that threat to extract a similar but perhaps even larger flow from the ‘in’ China. The case of Kiribati (pop. 117,000) illustrates how the game works. Kiribati established diplomatic relations with the PRC (Beijing) in 1980, soon after it got its independence from Britain. It stayed that way until 2003, when a new president of Chinese descent, Anote Tong, switched diplomatic recognition to the ROC (Taiwan), and won the next two elections with strong ROC support. In 2016, however, Tong was defeated by a new and well-funded opposition coalition led by Taneti Maamau. It would have been unseemly to change the country’s diplomatic ties again right away, but when the Solomon Islands switched to Beijing last September President Maamau took the opportunity to do the same. “I do believe that there

is much to learn and gain from the People’s Republic of China and the re-establishment of our diplomatic relations is just the beginning,” Maamau said with great sincerity. Nauru (pop. 11,000) did it in reverse: diplomatic relations with the ROC (Taiwan) in 1980, switch to the PRC in 2002 in return for financial aid of $100 million (that’s $10,000 per person), switch back to the ROC in 2005 in return for unstated favours. Or maybe it was all done as a matter of high principle, but probably not: those were the years when the phosphate-mining industry, Nauru’s main source of income, was collapsing. The Pacific islanders don’t have a dog in this fight, and there’s nothing shameful in their exploiting a quarrel among the Chinese to further their own interests. It has a certain corrupting effect on their own domestic politics, but then so did the original Great Game, waged in 1830-1895 by the British empire in India and the Russian empire in Central Asia. That was a competition for the loyalty of various

emirates, khanates and tribes in what is now Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, involving ‘political agents,’ diplomats, spies and the occasional war. None of those areas was of any real value to either empire, but each was determined to thwart the other. The original Great Game is retrospectively bathed in romanticism, largely because of Rudyard Kipling’s great novel ‘Kim,’ but in reality it was a vicious and pointless competition studded with ambushes, betrayals and beheadings. The mini-great game now underway in the South Pacific is a great deal tamer. It’s even more pointless than the original, because the southwestern Pacific is arguably the least ‘strategic’ region in the world, and certainly the least important economically. The conflict is purely symbolic, and why shouldn’t the Pacific islanders make a bit of money out of it? It would be a lot more fun visually, however, if the Chinese wore pith helmets and the islanders wore Afghan headgear.

Documents for Inspection: Woolwich Bio-En Inc. has been required to update the supporting documents that are required to form part of the application or which must otherwise be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks available to the public. Written copies of the draft supporting documents will be made available for public inspection on December 10th, 2019, and until the public meeting on January 29th, 2020 at Bio-En Power Inc., 35 Earl Martin Drive, Elmira, (9 am to 4 pm); and at Township of Woolwich Municipal Office, Development Services (Planning) Department, 24 Church Street West, Elmira (9 am to 4 pm). Project Contacts and Information: To learn more about the project proposal, the public meeting, or to communicate concerns please contact: Woolwich Bio-En Inc. Attn: Paul Taylor 35 Earl Martin Drive, Box 130 Elmira, Ontario N3B 3A2 (519) 669-3777 Project Location:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | 15

TITANS HIT THE COURT

EDSS HOCKEY The EDSS girls’ hockey team continued its winning ways, defeating Kitchener Collegiate 3-1 on Monday. Goals were scored by Abby Burkhodder, Shae-Lynn Martin and Haylee Clemmer. Last week, the boys were also winners, posting a 5-1 decision over Waterloo-Oxford.

We're keeping score about local kids in sport in our communities. Submit your team results and photos online. Online: ads.observerxtra.com/scores

The K-W Titans basketball team opens its fourth season Dec. 28, taking on the Sudbury Five at the Kitchener Aud. The team plays in the NBL Canada, founded in 2011. The 40-game regular season schedule includes 20 home games per team and up to three rounds of playoffs.

Deadline: Tuesdays by 4pm

TA K I N G I T TO T H E L I M I T

The trek south was long and gruelling, but they’ll do it again

Mastering the fine art of slipping

Elmira’s Clay Williams helped run a 4,300km relay marathon that tracked the path of monarch butterflies BY VERONICA REINER vreiner@woolwichobserver.com

STEVE GALEA NOT-SO-GREAT-OUTDOORSMAN

Elmira's Clay Williams helped to map the route for the Monarch Ultra, a 4,300-kilometre relay run that stretches across three countries. While there were some bumps in the road along this epic journey, organizers are already planning another for 2021. [SUBMITTED]

participants through hundreds of municipalities, including Toronto. Runners then crossed the border into Fort Wayne, Cape Girardeau, Little Rock, Texarkana, Dallas, San Antonio, then to Mexico’s Reynosa, Monterrey, San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, Queretaro, and Macheros. They finally wrapped up their journey at the Cerro

Pelon Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary on November 4, arriving at around the same time that the butterflies migrate south for winter. “I think it was interesting the range of people we made contact with on the way down. … From experienced long time environmental activists that are doing all the right things, all the way to people who

are running and thinking about how they can start to be a little more environmentally friendly about their daily activities,” said Williams, who acted as race director and mapping expert. “We were successful in that we were able to educate people who are just starting to look at how we affect the environment.

Participants joined in from all across North America, including Canada, the United States and Mexico. Because the roster list fell just a little short of runners to cover the legs, Williams himself completed nearly 400 kilometres of the trek, while James finished almost 500 km. Williams said he

ow that winter is here and there is a layer of malevolent ice under the snow in almost every place I decide to walk upon, I think it is time we review some of the nuances of slipping in a outdoors setting. Before we begin this discussion, we need to acknowledge that if you are an outdoor enthusiast, you are going to slip in front of witnesses this year. They might even be the worst kind of witnesses – people you know. Oh, sure, some of you will tell yourselves this won’t happen. However, if the last 40 years are any indication, trust me, it will. This is one of the great things that we outdoorsy folks in northern climates have in common – fall-related misery. This is primarily because we are nowhere near as smart as bears. Instead, we decide to “make the most” of winter. The good news is most slips in the outdoors are easily avoidable by taking a few simple precautions, which include: staying inside for the entire winter, employing the little-used technique of total im-

MONARCH | 17

GALEA | 17

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It was a long haul complete with many hurdles, but having completed the 4,300-kilometre ultra-marathon last month, organizers are already planning for the next one. Elmira’s Clay Williams, along with some 46 runners, completed the Monarch Ultra run that spanned three countries and shadowed the migration path of the monarch butterfly. The first-of-its-kind international relay aimed to raise awareness for the plight of monarch butterflies and other pollinators, whose populations are in steep decline. “This multi-day running adventure is part of an ongoing effort to raise awareness of the threatened status of pollinators, while showing the world that a new way is possible in uniting communities for the conservation and protection of our beautiful Mother Earth,” said Carlotta James, project director and cofounder. Each runner completed either 50- or 100-km segments through diverse landscapes including mountain paths, forests, meadows, deserts, and cities, before handing off the baton to the next runner. The Monarch Ultra kicked off in Peterborough mid-September, and took

Jam es St

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | THE O BSE RVE R

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MONARCH: Following the migratory path of the butterflies takes runners from Canada down to Mexico FROM 15

watched firsthand how the environmental message behind the relay inspired its participants. “There was one runner who joined because she was running with a friend and didn’t really seem too engaged with the whole environmental protection of aspect of the Monarch Ultra,” recalled Williams. “We had someone local join us, came out and met us and brought some monarch butterflies that she had raised. The runner had the opportunity to take a butterfly out of this jar, release it and watch it fly away as it started migrating south. I think that had a really big impact on her.” They took along an RV motorhome to take runners to each planned segment. While the journey was successful in its mission, Williams said that there were several unforeseen challenges along the way. “The very first day we ran into a construction zone ... we couldn’t drive through, and how do you plan for that? So we got a couple people on bicycles to ride through the construction zone. I think that was an indication of things to come.” The RV that they used was some 30-years-old, and ran into electrical issues and engine trouble along the way. When the group crossed the border into Mexico, they decided to leave the motorhome behind and rent a van so that they did not get stranded. There was another issue

Though the trek is gruelling, the event is not without some distracting fun during the course of 4,300 kilometres. [SUBMITTED]

that they ran into while in the United States, while participants were completing their segments on service roads next to the interstate highways. “When I set the route up, the initial intention was to find the shortest distance point to point. Especially in the U.S., interstate highways are the shortest distance intentionally,” explained Williams. “We had four or five days running straight, just running down the service road right beside the interstate. The amount of traffic and truck traffic was almost deafening. “In 2021, we’re planning to do it again, and we’re definitely going to change up the route away from such crazy busy highways.” The second Monarch Ultra planned for 2021 will be “bigger and better,” especially now that the group has gained support from conservation groups, government agencies, schools,

and running groups. Williams said that the date is set for 2021 rather than next year, to give organizers more time to properly plan and prepare for an event of this scale. A documentary telling the story of the monarch butterfly, the relay run, and local conservation efforts is underway, depending on how much funding and which partnerships the project can secure in the next year or two. “It’s been over two weeks since the Monarch Ultra team came back from Mexico. It was so cool to be part of such an amazing project. I miss the team already and all the great people I met along the route,” said Rodney Fuentes, director and cinematographer. For more information, visit www. themonarchultra.com.

GALEA: If you can't avoid going outside in the winter, it's important to have a long list of excuses ready to go FROM 15

mobility when outside, wearing cleats and using walking sticks and meticulously planning every step using algorithms and computer modelling, crawling painstakingly slowly over the snow and ice, being towed around in a sled by a reliable manservant, using a flamethrower to melt all ice in your path, and leaving for tropical destinations in early September and returning in June. Without simultaneously utilizing at least four of these precautions, you will certainly slip at least once this winter. Quite possibly more. The trick is to do it with dignity and panache. One of the best ways to maintain your dignity and panache is to not draw undue attention to yourself during the slip. That’s why it is best to learn to whimper quietly, rather than

to produce high-pitched screams. Admittedly, this can be difficult, especially if the fall is of longer duration than two Mississippis. But, with practice it can be achieved. Once mastered, the hardest part is keeping the thud at low volume. Snowbanks help. There are many ways to quickly mitigate the evidence that suggests that you were once again bested by winter. My personal favourite is to quickly burrow in the snowbank until all witnesses are well out of sight. Another is to immediately transition into snow-angel mode. Make sure you are right side up, however. Otherwise people suspect. It’s also advisable to immediately roll down your balaclava and pretend you are from out of town, when people come to ask if you are all right and tell

you which social media platform you will be showcased on. If you are recognized by someone after a display of clumsiness, you might be able to talk your way out of further embarrassment with one of the following handy phrases: “I am working out my Cirque de Soleil routine.” “I was trying to see why ostriches do that.” “I wanted to confirm gravity works like they told us in school.” Or, as you point to the cliff, you just slid off of, “That’s the last time I buy a parachute off the Internet.” Any of these will soothe your ego and provide you with enough self assurance so that you can walk up to your witness, look them straight in the eyes, and ask if they know of any good manservants looking for seasonal work.

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TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

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Kings take two of three in a busy weekend schedule Victorious in overtime facing Listowel, Elmira drops a close one to Waterloo before rolling past Brantford BY VERONICA REINER vreiner@woolwichobserver.com

It was a mixed bag for the Sugar Kings, who won two out of their three games during a busy weekend that saw the team maintain their lead atop the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL) Midwestern Conference standings. The Kings opened the weekend December 6 in Listowel with a 4-3 overtime win before dropping a 3-2 decision to Waterloo the following night. The weekend ended Sunday with a 5-0 blanking of Brantford at the WMC. “You can’t complain about first place. Our group needs to understand that in being first place, everyone is going to get excited to play you. Everyone’s going to want to knock off the ‘top dogs,’ so the discipline of being focused and prepared of every game ... that’s what allows teams to stay at the top. I’m hoping we can do that,” said head coach Rob Collins. The Sugar Kings (22-5-04) are leading the Kitchener Dutchmen (19-6-2-2) by six points, while the Cambridge Redhawks (18-7-1-2) are in third. “Obviously you want to win every game, but four out of six points … we wanted more, of course we did, but we’re happy with where we sit,” said Collins. Last Friday’s game in Listowel against the Cyclones started off relatively quiet, with no scoring by either

Elmira Sugar Kings captain Mason McMahon attempts to keep control of the puck during game action on Saturday. The Kings fell 3-2 to the Waterloo Siskins, but won two other matches over the weekend. [VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER]

side in the first. “It was a good competitive game: two teams that had a bit of a history going at each other,” said Collins. “We are able to pull it off in overtime.” It was the Cyclones who finally broke the deadlock 49 seconds into the second stanza. Listowel followed that up with a shorthanded marker at 4:02 before Elmira finally found their footing. Brody Waters took advantage of a power play at 5:04, with Mason McMahon and Hunter Dubecki picking up the assists to make it 2-1. Play got chippier, but that was it for the scoring in the middle frame. When play resumed in the third, Jacob Black (Niki

Molson, Brody Leblanc) scored at 4:51, capitalizing on another power play. Waters kept up the momentum at 12:34. Assists went to Dubecki and Greg Brassard. With the Sugar Kings now in the lead, Listowel made a last-ditch effort to save the game by pulling their goalie for an extra attacker. This strategy paid off, and the Cyclones scored just four seconds afterwards at 18:39. That brought the game into a nail-biting overtime. Listowel got hit with a tripping penalty just 47 seconds in, which gave the Sugar Kings an advantage. They did not disappoint, with Jeremey Goodwin (Harrison Toms, Dubecki) scoring the game-winning

goal at 1:06. Elmira took it 4-3, but the Kings were outshot 31-27. The following day saw a change in fortune, with the Sugar Kings falling narrowly to the Waterloo Siskins on home ice. “I’m not sure what happened there … whether it was focus-related or if the gas tanks all of a sudden ran empty for us, or whatever it was, but it was kind of a one-off,” said Collins. “It wasn’t our most efficient effort and Waterloo took advantage.” Things started strong, with Cooper Way (Carter Lennon) drawing first blood at 8:54. There was no more scoring until the second. Luke Eurig kept up the

momentum at 15:07; assists went to Lennon and Way. Waterloo finally got the chance to retaliate, a shorthanded marker at 18:08. They managed to keep up the heat well into the third, taking advantage of a power play at 13:07 and evening up the score in the process. The final deciding goal came at 15:28, as Waterloo scored on yet another power play. When all the dust had settled, the Siskins won it 3-2, edging the Kings on the shot-counter as well, 19-18. The Kings were back on track Sunday night, perhaps taking out their frustrations on the Brantford Bandits in a 5-0 win. “That’s the nice thing about hockey: the next day

you have an opportunity to redeem yourself,” said Collins. “The guys took advantage of that and took control of the Brantford game from the start, led by our captain Mason McMahon who was the best player on the ice that night for us.” It was McMahon (Toms, J. Goodwin) who put the Sugar Kings on the board at 16:14. He kept things going into the second stanza, where he potted another goal at 4:19. Lennon and Dubecki picked up the assists. “Mason was terrific Sunday; he wasn’t going to allow us to lose. That’s what it kind of looked like from an outsider perspective.” The second stanza was notable for its roughhousing, with nine penalties assessed between the two teams. Dubecki kept the Kings rolling, scoring while shorthanded at 7:54, with an assist going to Way. Waters (McMahon, Toms) capitalized on a power play at 16:40, making for a comfortable 4-0 lead going into the final frame. McMahon managed to achieve a hat trick and the final goal at 9:03, with Kurtis Goodwin and Lennon grabbing assists on route to a 5-0 final. Shots were closer, 31-25 in Elmira’s favour. This weekend, the Kings are in Listowel Friday night for a rematch, then back at home Sunday afternoon to welcome the Kitchener Dutchmen. The puck drops at 2 p.m.

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TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

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THE SCORE WOOLWICH WILDCATS

ASSISTS: Patrick McCarthy,

Wes Aitken

LENDING A HAND AT CHRISTMAS

Atom: Major Atom A

Dec 05 vs Guelph Gryphons HOME: 5 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Nolan Martin (2), Reese Martin, Grant Rintoul, Colton Sinclair ASSISTS: William Krubally

Shutouts: Cohen Hamburger Atom: Major Atom A

Dec 08 vs Guelph Gryphons HOME: 0 VISITOR: 0 Shutouts: Cohen Patterson Atom: LL3

Dec 07 vs Centre Wellington 4 HOME: 7 VISITOR: 4 GOALS: Tyler Bauman (2), Bryden Schaefer, Nicholas Shardlow (3), Drew Diebolt ASSISTS: Bryden Schaefer

(4), Nicholas Shardlow (2), Tyler Bauman (2)

Bantam: Minor Bantam A

Nov 29 vs Glancaster HOME: 4 VISITOR: 4 GOALS: Thomas Ferguson, Graydon Martin, Brooks Lehtonen, Owen Weppler

ASSISTS: Beckett Wadel,

Mathew Ramage, Jamie Ferretti, Eric Kane, Tyson Roth

Midget: Minor Midget A

Nov 29 vs Woolwich HOME: 4 VISITOR: 4 GOALS: Elliott MacCarrey (2), Reid Burkholder, Mitchell Hartman

Midget: Minor Midget A

Dec 08 vs Milton HOME: 1 VISITOR: 5 GOALS: Owen Weppler

PeeWee: LL

Midget: Midget BB

Dec 07 vs Kitchener Lady Rangers Blue HOME: 1 VISITOR: 6 GOALS: Maggie Ropp ASSISTS: Rinoa Ippersiel

Dec 09 vs Guelph HOME: 6 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Haylee Clemmer (2), Delaney Douglas, Maddy Goss (2), Leah Lecourtois

PeeWee: PeeWee B

ASSISTS: Avery Bender,

Dec 03 vs Wilmot Wolverines HOME: 3 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Taylor Weber, Emily Martin, Ella Hicks ASSISTS: Taylor Weber

Alana Bauman, Delaney Keen

Dec 06 vs Grand River HOME: 7 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Delaney Keen (2), Shae-Lynn Martin, Blythe Bender (2), Alana Bauman, Avery Bender

Nov 29 vs Woolwich HOME: 5 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Cohen McIssac ASSISTS: Elliott McCarrey, Lynden Blanchet

Midget: Minor Midget A

Nov 30 vs Woolwich HOME: 3 VISITOR: 4 GOALS: Curtis Bisch, Elliott MacCarrey (3) ASSISTS: Curtis Bisch (2), Cohen McIssac (4), Elliott MacCarrey, Aiden Von Kannen

Alana Bauman, Maddy Goss, Blythe Bender, Claire Higgins Shutouts: n/a

Midget: Midget BB

(2), Coleton Benham, Reid Burkholder, Carter Cousineau (2), Aiden Von Kannen, Cohen McIssac

Nov 30 vs Windsor HOME: 2 VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Aiden Von Kannen, Cohen McIssac ASSISTS: Reid Burkholder, Carter Rollins

PeeWee: Peewee AE

ASSISTS: Shae-Lynn Martin,

ASSISTS: Curtis Bisch

Owen Weppler, Haiden Wagner PeeWee: Peewee AE

HOME: 2 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Evie Klaehn (2) ASSISTS: Haylee Turcott

Shutouts: Tyler Fisher

ASSISTS: Wes Aitken (2),

Dec 05 vs Glancaster HOME: 3 VISITOR: 3 GOALS: Connor Goebel (2), Brooks Lehtonen ASSISTS: Thomas Ferguson (2), Brooks Lehtonen, Wes Aitken, Austin Roth, Haiden Wagner

Clemmer, Shae-Lynn Martin

Shutouts: Maddy Burkholder

Dec 09 vs Oakville HOME: 6 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Josh Uhrig (3), Jackson Bowman (2), Owen Weber

Midget: Minor Midget A PeeWee: Peewee AE

Roadrunners #2

Shutouts: Raegan Cressman PeeWee: PeeWee B

Dec 06 vs Huron Heat HOME: 4 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Taylor Weber, Emily Martin, Kayleigh Futher, Sarah Montgomery ASSISTS: Carrie Schwindt

(2) Grace Gow, Peyton Gaudet, Ella Hicks

ASSISTS: Maddy Goss (2),

PeeWee: PeeWee B

Alana Bauman (2), Delaney Douglas, Haylee Clemmer, Cassidy Moser, Leah Lecourtois, Blythe Bender

Dec 07 vs Mitchell Meteors HOME: 3 (SO) VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Peyton Gaudet, Sarah Montgomery, Callie Gruhl (SO) Grace Gow (SO)

Shutouts: n/a

ASSISTS: Julia Adams,

The Woolwich Wild Novice B girls' hockey team volunteered at Woolwich Community Services for the Christmas Goodwill program on Dec. 8 at Lions Hall in Elmira. The team sorted the hats and mitts donated at the Sugar King game and enjoyed giving back to their community. From front: Alanna Pickett, Ava Weber, Bronwyn Rozema, Presley McFadden, Lauryn Kidd, Emma Forwell, Hailey Frede, Julia Hallman, Brinley Fitzgerald, McKenzie Rank, Maggie McAdam, Kynlee Nelson, Audrey English, Sage Balog. [SUBMITTED] Midget: Minor Midget A

Dec 01 vs Woolwich HOME: 0 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Cohen McIssac ASSISTS: Curtis Bisch, Aiden Von Kannen Shutouts: Connor

Midget: Midget BB

Addie Fitzgerald

Dec 07 vs Wilmot HOME: 2 VISITOR: 0 GOALS: Leah Lecourtois, Blythe Bender ASSISTS: Delaney Douglas, Claire Higgins, Haylee Clemmer

Dec 07 vs Lucan Irish HOME: 3 VISITOR: 2 GOALS: Kayleigh Futher (2) Sarah Montgomery ASSISTS: Ella Hicks (2)

PeeWee: PeeWee B

Shutouts: Krista Bentley

Dingelstad

HOME: 1 VISITOR: 1 GOALS: Sara Forwell ASSISTS: Brie Brezynskie

WOOLWICH WILD

Shutouts: Connor Kroetsch

Novice: Woolwich Wild PeeWee A

Atom: LL

Dec 07 vs Hespler

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Your support has been much appreciated throughout these months.

May God bless you at this wondrous time and always.

Wishing you all the best in the New Year, from our home to yours.

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TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

22 | LO C AL S P ORTS

Wellesley Applejacks win lone game of the weekend BY VERONICA REINER vreiner@woolwichobserver.com

The Wellesley Applejacks got back on track with a win over the Mounties in Paris on Saturday night, making up for a pair of losses the previous weekend. The light schedule meant there was no gaining ground, however, as the Jacks remain in second

place in the Provincial Junior Hockey League’s South Doherty Division standings. The Applejacks (15-4-1-4) are three points behind the first-place Tavistock Braves (18-3-1-1), and just ahead of the Ayr Centennials (15-7-0-1). The 4-1 win in Paris on December 7 was all about special teams, as the Jacks scored twice on the power play, once shorthanded

and ended with an empty-netter. The Mounties’ lone goal came while they had a man advantage. Zachary Lyons got things going while Wellesley was killing a penalty, burying one at the seven-minute mark, with Zach Ribeiro picking up an assist. James Ranson (Danny Ranson, Ribeiro) followed up on a power play at 9:39 to make it 2-0 after the first period.

The only scoring in the middle frame was done by the home team, a power-play goal at 6:22. The period was more notable as the busiest for the officials, as play got a little testy at times. But at 2-1, that was as close as things would get. It was all Wellesley after that, with D. Ranson taking advantage of a power play at 2:18. Assists went

to Daniel McCutcheon and Ribeiro. Despite being down by two, Paris was not ready to concede anything, pushing the play and outshooting the visitors 11-8 through the final 20 minutes, with the overall tally 28-26 in Wellesley’s favour. In the dying minutes of the frame, the Mounties pulled their goalie, Justin Herrgott, for an extra attacker. This strategy back-

fired, making the empty net easy pickings for team captain Shaun Pickering (Justin McCombs) at 18:11. That rounded off a 4-1 victory for the Applejacks. There’s another low-key weekend ahead for the Jacks, who play just one match, welcoming the Burford Bulldogs (4-19-1-1) to the Wellesley barn on Saturday night. Game time is 8 p.m.

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Competitors from GCI, FHCI, SJAM and KCI took to the pool Dec. 5 at the WMC in Elmira.

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LADIES CURLING CHAMPS

Christmas Greetings Christmas is here, and we hope the season delivers much happiness and good fortune to you and yours! We appreciate the year-round support of good friends like you, and we wish you all the best at Christmastime and throughout the new year.

A team from Elmira claimed the Ladies Intercity Curling League title this year, with play drawing to a close Dec. 6 with a luncheon banquet hosted by Elora Curling Club. The winning team was made up of Susan Martin (skip), Nancy Holland (vice), Wendy Anderson (second), Cam MacKinnon (lead) and Debbie Stranz, spare. The league features 20 teams from eight communities, including Acton, Guelph, North Halton, Fergus, Milton, Chingacousy, Elora and Elmira. The Elmira & District Curling Club’s two other teams in the league finished fourth and sixth. [SUBMITTED]

LANCERS SKATE TO VICTORY

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The EDSS boys’ hockey team took down Waterloo Oxford 5-1 at the WMC on Dec. 5. Goals were scored by Cam Leonard(2), Isiaih Katsube, Owen Lee and Spencer Young. [VERONICA REINER]

Happy Holidays! —from the team at RLB Kitchener • Guelph • Fergus • Orangeville • rlb.ca

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TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

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O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | 27

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Canadian housing starts number 219,047 units in November, compared to 218,253 units in October, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The seasonally adjusted number for all areas in Canada was 201,318 units in November, a slight increase of 0.3% from 200,674 units in October. Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 12,759 units.

LABOUR PEACE The Council of Trustees’ Associations, the provincial government and the Education Workers Alliance of Ontario (EWAO) reached a tentative collective agreement this week. The deal is another step in keeping the doors open at Catholic schools throughout Ontario.

Talking sports, and then some YO U N G E N T R E P R E N E U R S

Group of teens parlay their love of professional sports into a podcast, complete with merchandizing opportunities BY VERONICA REINER

vreiner@woolwichobserver.com

If you’re looking for an in-depth analysis of major sports leagues, the On the Rise podcast has got you covered. Since its beginnings back in mid-August, the audio show has quickly picked up traction, and drawn the attention of a local digital radio station, Midtown Radio, to be featured every Saturday at 10 a.m. “It’s so great to see youth leaders of today going out and building something they love and being so successful in it,” said David Harmes, producer of Midtown Radio. On the Rise was formed by St. Jacobs and Waterloo-based group of longtime friends: co-hosts Sam Donsig and Evan Brown, head of production Jake Durrer, head of public relations Hudson Trask, and head of IT Liam Jewer. Just 16 and 17 years of age, they’re all students at St. David Catholic Secondary School in Waterloo. Most plan to pursue a sports-related degree in

Students Hudson Trask, Jake Durrer and Liam Jewer are part of the On the Rise podcast team. The group also runs a merchandising company based out of St. Jacobs. [SUBMITTED]

the future, including sports media, sports medicine, and sports management. “Evan and I were always talking on the bus about sports after school,” explained Donsig of the inspiration behind the podcast. “We thought

that maybe, instead of just talking on the bus, we could put it on an online platform.” “I got a message on my phone one day that said ‘We’re making a podcast and you’re helping,’” said Trask with a laugh.

The group developed a professional recording studio at Donsig’s house, complete with a soundproof room. The group also has access to the Heffner Studio, a state-of-the-art audio and digital media lab at the Kitchener Public Library.

They cover the most upto-date news on National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Hockey League (NHL), and National Basketball Association (NBA). Co-hosts may offer a prediction, analysis, and the

occasional event preview. “Our main goal is to develop our skills in business and media broadcasting. That’s what it’s all about as young entrepreneurs,” said Trask. The audio is then mixed using Adobe software by Durrer. This helps the students grow their skills in a variety of fields, including on-air broadcast performance, editing in Adobe Audition, coding for the website, photography, and the like. The group also runs a merchandising company from St. Jacobs. Black hoodies with a large white logo, gray shirts with a small white logo, and logoimprinted mugs are all on offer. They are aiming to add hats, track pants, blue shirts, and polo shirts in the future. Trask said that the group is currently focused on short-term targets, such as increasing their following, before shifting their attention to more long-term goals. Those long-term goals might include expanding PODCAST | 28

Free trade deal isn't quite a Christmas miracle for farmers

ot to take anything away from the original Christmas miracle, but the one that happened earlier this week in Mexico City when Canada, Mexico and the U.S. signed off on details of the new free trade deal, is truly a wonder.

In our current political era – when agreement on anything is harder than ever, made even more difficult by the impeachment proceedings against U.S. President Donald Trump – who would have thought this trade deal would emerge as a beacon of col-

OWEN ROBERTS FOOD FOR THOUGHT

laboration? Now, that may be too starry-eyed of an interpretation. It may be simply a matter of Trump trying to divert attention from his troubled domestic situation, to convince the public that despite what is being said or even proven about

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season

him, he can still get the job done. And he will certainly position the free trade agreement renegotiation, which was part of his campaign in 2016, as a tribute to his administration, even though the true heroes are the negotiating team members

– particularly, from Canada, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. But regardless of the intent, for many farmers, it’s welcome news with the holiday season upon us and the end of a very difficult year in sight. Finally, ROBERTS | 28

Wishing You & Your Family A Safe & Happy Holiday Season.

from all of us at

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TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

28 | BUS I N E S S V E NT URE S

Sending our Best Wishes to our good friends (large and Small) everywhere.

For unto us a child was born The Messiah who saves the world. May your Christmas be great as ever in the light of the Savior’s love!

6455 Reid Woods Dr., RR#4 Elmira 519-669-9488 | www.tubeline.ca

PODCAST: Looking to build careers in sports-related industries FROM 27

to covering soccer or National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college football, but the group is in the early stages of looking at expanding their repertoire. “I think the plan is to grow our following. Right now, we’re mostly based in Waterloo but if we can get outside to Elmira, Kitchener, or even Cambridge in regards to getting out there and selling merchandise, that would be ideal,” said Trask. Episodes average about half an hour in length and can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anchor and a video podcast on YouTube. For more information, visit www.ontherisepodcast.ca.

Sam Donsig and Evan Brown are the other two members of On the Rise. [SUBMITTED]

ROBERTS: Revised NAFTA trade deal isn't a panacea, but it does take one worry off the table for farmers, who have plenty to keep them occupied FROM 27

those who grow export-dependent commodities in particular, can exhale about this aspect of trade. Agriculture is not a centrepiece in the renegotiated deal. However, the thought of farm products no longer changing hands in North America as they have done traditionally put even more stress on farmers’ plates. Trade has been a mess globally since Trump started instituting his protectionist policies. This deal may be a slight reprieve overall. Still, huge issues must be considered. For example, dairy. At the start of the deal, more than two years ago, U.S. negotiators were

clear that they wanted Canada to open its borders and accept more American dairy products. The U.S., like many countries that don’t manage their dairy supply like we do, overproduces milk and sees Canada as a handy place to sell it. For decades, Canada has resisted open borders. The dairy lobby convinced Ottawa that relaxed regulations would decimate the dairy sector here and not be in Canadians’ best interests. Nonetheless, Canada has conceded – and not just to U.S. demands for more access, but to similar demands from Europe as well and as a result of the Comprehensive Economic and

35 Years

of VISIONEERING

Trade Agreement (CETA). There are also concerns from the Pacific Rim courtesy of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Through it all, Canadian dairy was in the bull’s-eye. To help the sector, in August, federal agriculture and agri-food minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced a whopping $1.75 billion compensation fund would be set up to help dairy farmers. “This will allow everyone to make the best decisions based on new market realities and their respective situations,”she said. It’s an eight-year program and amounts to about $28,000 in the first year for the average dairy

farmer with an 80-cow herd. Now it’s decision time. Recent research shows that marketing is farmers’ number one concern – not just dairy farmers, but all farmers. And no wonder, given the culture we’re in. How much of that compensation money will dairy farmers need just to respond to what the minister called “new market realities” and convince consumers here to buy Canadian, and retailers to sell it? So while some farmers are applauding the new trade deal with the U.S. and Mexico, for others, it raises more questions than it answers. Overall though, I suspect it will be seen as a relief.

Wishing You Health and Happiness in 2019

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | THE O BSE RVE R

BU S IN E S S V E NT URE S | 29

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As people are becoming more interested in knowing where their food comes from, the trend of raising backyard chickens is growing. Raising backyard chickens can be a rewarding experience and a great way to learn about nature, agriculture and the responsibility of caring for animals. However, many people who want to learn how to properly care for backyard chickens don’t know where to begin, or moreover, what supplies they need. With over 50 years of hobby flock expertise Pullets Plus Inc. has supplied the hobby farmer, rural egg producer and chicken enthusiast with a wide variety of quality pullets, and are the best place to shop in the region. Pullets Plus Inc. sell both White and Red ready-to-lay hens and pullets that offer excellent laying performance, and are known for exceptional egg-laying productivity. These birds are hardy, friendly and good layers. Raisers say they are docile, friendly, and easy to keep. Pullets Plus Inc. offers a wide selection of top-quality poultry farming equipment to make your chicken operation run more smoothly, whether you are a backyard chicken hobbyist or a professional breeder. From feeders and nests, to transport crates they stock all the necessary chicken raising supplies you need at competitive prices. Pullets Plus Inc. sell incubators, drinkers, chicken feed, leg bands, feed scooper, heat lamps, and complete hen accessories. They offer equipment and housing for hobby farmers and back-yard flocks in city settings. Stop by their retail store for egg supplies: cartons, flats, crates, candler and scale, new & used feeders, drinkers, cages and nests. At Pullets Plus no order is too small. They offer delivery both local and long distance transport. Call for details. Visit them today, or surf their website www.pulletsplus. com to view their products online. They are open Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm, Saturday 8:00am-3:00pm and closed Sunday and statutory holidays.

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Collision repair is a complicated process requiring specialized skills and equipment, but your decision on where to have your vehicle repaired shouldn’t be. You can be confident that your vehicle will be repaired correctly the first time and workmanship is fully guaranteed when you choose Savage Auto Body Inc. Larry Partridge established Savage Auto Body Inc. in January 1980, as a collision repair facility. His wife Janice became the secretary. She still is and currently runs the office along with their son Colin who is the Estimator. They recognize the importance of customer service, responsiveness and vehicle turnaround time. Their impressive business handles repairs to vehicles of all shapes and sizes. From small bumps to major collisions they will bring your vehicle back to its pre-accident condition and better. Skilled trained technicians use the latest industry procedures, high-tech measuring and diagnostic systems equipment, plus environmentally friendly waterborne paint, with expert computerized colour matching and blending. Savage Auto Body Inc. is the local Krown® dealer providing “North America’s #1 Rust Protection” that penetrates into the tightest seams and spot welds to deliver a much more effective and comprehensive rust protection application. You have spent thousands of dollars purchasing your vehicle. Saving motorists money by protecting their vehicle investment, and making them last longer and look better; while developing environmentally-friendly products --that is the promise of Krown®. Krown® offers a corporately backed national warranty, plus Locked-in Pricing once you start your annual application program. The APA and CAA endorse Krown®. Call Savage Auto Body Inc. to arrange your appointment, visit the Krown® website www.krown.com to view their advanced process video, check out products, or to learn more. Make the right choice for your vehicle by contacting Savage Auto Body Inc., for your free estimate. Like them on Facebook.

At PDJ Shaw Floors they understand that investing in a floor project represents a big commitment for their customers. They are very much aware of the challenges you might be facing when starting a project whether it be residential or commercial. PDJ Shaw Floors is ready to solve these problems, as well as answer every question you might have. Adding a new floor to your home or commercial building is an important step. You want to make sure you make the right choice — with the floor and with your flooring contractor. PDJ Shaw Floors is a family owned business serving the region faithfully for over 30 years. Local owner Peter Hamm and the staff at PDJ Shaw Floors will help you understand the wear rating systems, warranties, the advantages of each flooring style, and its maintenance requirements. Let them provide you with custom in-home measuring and free estimates, plus quality flooring and carpeting at the Best Possible Price. In addition to beautiful carpeting made from premium stain and crush resistant fibres, the store features resilient LVT Luxury vinyl flooring including waterproof luxury vinyl tiles, featuring Armourbead wear layer for enhanced performance, and laminate flooring where high traffic areas call for a cost-effective, low maintenance finish. Gorgeous ceramic, porcelain and natural looking stone are the choice for many new buildings and upgrades. Numerous customers have chosen the natural warmth and warm rich glow of engineered hardwoods, plus many environmentally friendly options. They also have a good selection of beautiful area rugs that you can view on line. PDJ Shaw Floors feature quality products by Shaw, and Anderson Tuftex®. Create custom area rugs or stair runners with their professional carpet binding services. They offer binding in various colors and finishes to suit any style of carpet. Qualified installation crews from PDJ Shaw Floors take pride in their workmanship for exceptional fit and finish second to none. Visit their showroom or shop at home. Free sample truck visits. Also, visit their website www. pdjflooring.com Like them on Facebook.

ESSENTIAL AUTO SERVICE “A Clientele Built on Trust and Integrity Since 1999” 80 Baffin Place, Waterloo

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Essential Auto Service is the alternative repair shop to dealerships. Investing time in new and up coming technologies helps this shop to be educated also in newer vehicles. Their company has a great team with years of combined experience, and has the desire and ambition to work on any vehicle. The team works together to help service you and your vehicle’s needs. Local owner, Rich Gregg knows that if they treat the customer with respect, fairness and honesty, they will have loyal customers who will gladly refer friends and family. Essential Auto Service offers full-service preventive maintenance and automotive repair, for both domestic and imports. They perform high quality repairs and guaranteed service you can trust at a fair price. They provide troubleshooting, advanced computer diagnostics, tune-ups, brakes, fluid flushing, wheel alignments, air conditioning & heating, exhaust repairs, muffler replacement, tire, sales, service, repair, and storage, pre-purchase inspections, or Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection, steering and suspension, fleet maintenance work, new vehicle scheduled maintenance, and All Work is New Car Warranty Approved. They also provide free courtesy inspection with all appointments. Essential Auto Service is a full digital shop where they can send you an estimate or other information regarding your repairs, directly to your mobile device. Essential Auto Service is a member of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, and has a great reputation for customer service. Call for your appointment today, or visit their website www.essentialauto.ca to read customer reviews, and learn more about this exceptional automotive repair company. Like them on Facebook. Follow on Twitter. Hours are: Monday to Friday 8:00am-5:30pm.

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If your vehicle is experiencing slow cranking symptoms when you start it or needs frequent boosts, its time for a new battery. Research indicates that your vehicle battery should be replaced on average every 4-6 years. The product consultants at Stand Alone Battery and Charger Services can help guide your choice of replacement batteries in the size, voltage, cold cranking amps rating, and warranty protection that is right for your needs. Established in 2015, local owner Daniel Tanguay has more than 20 years of experience in the battery industry. Stand Alone Battery and Charger Services has motive power industry experience since the year 2000. Stand Alone Battery and Charger Services feature products by Magnacharge, Odyssey, Trojan Deep Cycle, and Trolling Thunder Marine Dual Purpose Batteries, along with new automotive batteries for all makes and models of cars, trucks, new heavy duty batteries for farm machinery, lawn and garden tractor batteries, recreational batteries for motorcycle /ATV /scooter /watersport /snowmobile, golf cart, medical & mobility batteries & service, SLA batteries - emergency lighting / UPS backup, large construction equipment and large highway trucks, Deep Cycle Batteries, industrial batteries for commercial use in forklifts, plus battery and charger on site repair services. They also sell booster packs including the impressive NOCO Genius Boost Pro Jump Starter, portable Lithium battery jump starter complete with accessories. What a perfect gift this Holiday Season. Stand Alone Battery and Charger Services specializes in helping the Mennonite community by providing battery back up systems for generators and batteries to keep your lights visible on your buggy while driving at night. Don’t take a chance with a dead battery this winter contact Stand Alone Battery and Charger Services. They are open Monday to Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm, with emergency appointments available. Like them on Facebook.

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If you’re ready to undertake a renovation project of any size, you have a vision of precisely what you’re looking for, the people at RMW Exteriors Inc. can make that renovation hassle-free and a cost-effective reality. Established in 1986 by Elmira craftsman Robert Weber and rebranded in 2011 as RMW Exteriors, this company is proud to be a family business, currently owned by Robert’s son Jeremy Weber. Effective planning is crucial to the successful completion of any project. Before starting the project, their team of experts will first assess your goals. Then RMW Exteriors Inc. provides you with an estimate and time-line for completion. From beginning to end you will be involved every step of the way. RMW Exteriors Inc. handles new construction or remodeling covering all applications whether residential, commercial, institutional, workshops, and agricultural. With years of experience and a focus on customer satisfaction for vinyl siding, soffit, fascia, eavestroughing, Leafguard brand gutters, architectural mouldings, replacement windows & doors, railings, and columns, you can rely on RMW Exteriors Inc. to get your project going. Installations are carried out by their fully trained staff and completed to the highest professional standards. RMW Exteriors Inc. installs well-tested quality materials including siding by Gentek, Royal Building Products, James Hardie, Maibec, and Kaycan, which are manufacturers known for outstanding products. RMW Exteriors Inc. specializes in low–maintenance pre-finished wood siding, that is guaranteed for 30 years. RMW Exteriors Inc. refuse to make a compromise on the quality and deliver as per your expectations. You can take it for granted that their entire team, be it the sales staff or installation crew everyone is dedicated to letting you have the most satisfying experience with their top-notch services. Call the experts at RMW Exteriors Inc. our choice for total customer satisfaction. Also visit their website www. rmwexteriors.com to learn more about this company, or view their gallery of projects completed online. Like them on Facebook and Instagram.

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

30 | BUSI N E S S V E NT URE S

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O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | 31

DRAYTON BOOT CAMP Drayton Entertainment this week announced the launch of a new auditioned training program during March Break – March Break Broadway Boot Camp! The new training program will be divided into two sessions running March 16-20 at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge. Each group will work with professional musical theatre artists to learn five production numbers in five days from hit Broadway shows tailored to their age group.

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ACTING OUT The characters from Frozen come to the stage next week at the Registry Theatre as actOUT! presents Disney’s Frozen Jr., the modern classic based on the Broadway musical bringing Elsa, Anna and the magical land of Arendelle to life. Show times are Dec. 19 (6:30 p.m.), Dec. 20 (6:30 p.m.) and Dec. 21 (1:30 and 6:30 p.m.). www.actoutkw.com

www.draytonentertainment.com O N STAG E / L I V E T H E AT R E

Buddy’s trek from the North Pole brings him to the stage in Cambridge Drayton Entertainment’s Elf: The Musical extends its run at the Hamilton Family Theatre BY VERONICA REINER vreiner@woolwichobserver.com

They’ll be no rest for Santa after his big day December 25, as he’ll be on stage into the new year due to another extension of Drayton Entertainment’s Elf: The Musical, based on the hit 2003 comedy film. Seven performances of the production has been added to the schedule during the first week of January. “We are thrilled that audiences are so excited to see the live stage version of ELF: The Musical,” says Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment. “We know that families are always looking for special things to do with loved ones over the holiday break. By extending the run, more people will be able to create lasting memories and enjoy this fun-filled production.” The fish-out-of-water story follows Buddy (Tim Porter), an infant discovered at Santa’s (Neil Aitchison) workshop. He is raised to adulthood by the elves, believing that he himself is an elf, but his enormous human size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to stand out. Once he overhears that he is in fact human, Buddy travels to New York City (with Santa’s blessing) to find his birth father and discover his real identity. To Buddy’s horror, he discovers that his father is on

May His Peace & Love shine on you & your family this Christmas and in the New Year

Neil Aitchison is Santa in the Drayton Entertainment production of Elf: The Musical, now on stage at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge. [SUBMITTED]

the naughty list, and his half brother doesn’t believe in Santa’s existence. He is determined to win over his new family and help them remember the true meaning of Christmas. Former radio personality Aitchison (Santa) will open and close the show, as well as make five different appearances during the performance. He has taken on the role of Old Saint Nick in the past: he was the CTV Romper Room Santa for 14 seasons. “It’s an easy role to return to, only now my hair is white instead of red. So

I fit into the role even better,” said Aitchison with a laugh. “I’m the real one! There are a bunch of fake department store Santas, like there is in the movie. We did school matinees on Wednesdays – it’s really something when the kids are down there with their teachers. I heard one little girl speak right out to her teacher and say ‘He’s the real one!’” Aitchison said he did not look to the New Line Cinema film version to portray Santa Claus, as his version is more cheerful. Instead, he took direction

from the show’s choreographer and director, Michael Lichtefeld. “[Lichtefeld] is brilliant; he has all the right little touches,” said Aitchison. “He said ‘I don’t want this to be a caricature of the movie; I want it to be a happy, feel-good stage production.’” Katie Kerr will take on the role of Jovie, who plays an unenthusiastic worker at Gimbel’s and Buddy’s love interest, Brad Rudy is children’s book publisher and Buddy’s father Walter Hobbs, Robin Hutton is Buddy’s stepmother Emily Hobbs, and Thomas

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Winiker portrays Buddy’s younger half brother Michael Hobbs. Annie Chen, Vanessa Cobham, Ryan Gifford, Ray Hogg, Gabrielle Jones, George Joyce, Anthony MacPherson, Luke Opdahl, Gregory Pember, Ainsley Allyssa Roy, Joel Taylor, Jennifer Thiessen and Margaret Thompson round out the cast. “We’ve got an incredibly professional company of singers and dancers. We’ve got Stratford [Festival Theatre], Mirvish [Productions] and Broadway experience on that stage, and it shows,” said Aitchi-

son. “The quality of the performers is really quite something.” Audiences can expect plenty of well-known song and dance numbers, including “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” “Jingle Bells,” Santa Baby,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” “We have a five-piece band, a group of incredible musicians and they play multi-instruments. It’s really quite a happy show,” said Aitchison. “When the snow falls, everybody’s happy, and Christmas has been saved. It’s really a nice moment.” Elf: The Musical performances started in late November and will run until January 5 at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge. “People are flocking to it. The day they extended the second time, I think they sold somewhere around 600 tickets,” said Aitchison. “It’s tremendous to see that they sold so well, and that helps the bottom line at the end of the year for Drayton Entertainment. And the actors are thrilled because they’re getting two extra weeks work – they’d normally be off not doing anything.” Tickets are $48 for adults, $29 for youth under 20 years of age, available at the theatre, online at www. draytonentertainment.com, or by calling the box office at (519) 621-8000 or toll-free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).

H ! O O ! ! H O H

32 | C RE ATIV E A RTS

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •

• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS •

Wishing you and your family a happy, safe holiday season!

• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS •

Thanks for the Opportunity to Serve You.

FRI. DEC. 20 & SAT. DEC. 21st th

May His Blessings Bring You Joy this Season & in 2020

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21 Arthur • St.HAPPY S., ElmiraHOLIDAYS | 519-669-1641• | whglaw.ca HOLIDAYS

• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS •

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | THE O BSE RVE R

C RE ATIV E ARTS | 33

Christmas is definitely a spectacle in this show This year’s edition of the symphony’s Yuletide Spectacular includes the gospel sounds of the Waterloo Region Mass Choir

Warmest wishes

for a wonderful holiday.

We would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and thank all of our clients for their business.

The Waterloo Region Mass Choir, led by Darren Hamilton (front, middle), is a new addition to the community, and to the symphony's annual Yuletide Spectacular, on this weekend at the Centre In The Square. [SUBMITTED]

BY STEVE KANNON skannon@woolwichobserver.com

Requiring the efforts of several performing groups and a host of singers, dancers and musicians, the Yuletide Spectacular Christmas show offers up everything short of the kitchen sink – and there just might be one of those somewhere – to fuel the Christmas spirit. It’s on stage this weekend at the Centre In The Square. Part of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony’s Pops Series, the show includes performances by Grand Philharmonic Choir and Grand Philharmonic Children’s Choir and the Contemporary School of Dance. Led by Canadian conductor Tania Miller, the show also includes a performance of the story of The Nutcracker with narrator/actors and KWS audience favourites Mike Nadajewski and Glynis Ranney. Accompanying the story together with the orchestra are projected images by Canadian illustrator Rajka Kupesic. New to the mix this year is the Waterloo Region Mass Choir, who’ll be performing holiday gospel favourites. The group itself is in fact new, having been formed just over a year ago by artistic director Darren Hamilton. When he and his wife moved to Kitchener from the GTA two years ago, they noticed there was no gospel choir in the area. “There was a lack of presence of gospel music,” he said. Given that he was new to the area, he considered it something of a “leap of

faith” when he decided he’d attempt to fill the void. He didn’t know what to expect, but found there was a strong response to the idea. “We put out some audition calls, and people came,” he said of the process that led to the Waterloo Region Mass Choir’s launch in October of 2018. “We heard from people that they’d been praying and hoping for something like this for a while.” Today, the multicultural and multigenerational group has some 25 members, mostly singers, with a small rhythm section. “It’s always a joy to bring together people from different paths,” said Hamilton, noting members are united by the music. Many came to the choir with experience from their own churches. “There aren’t a lot of church choirs in the region,” he said, noting many churches have opted for small vocal ensembles. “For me, there’s a need to resurrect the church choirs. There are so many benefits of getting involved that way,” said Hamilton, a high school music teacher who is currently working on a PhD in music education at the University of Toronto. For this weekend’s Yuletide Spectacular, the Waterloo Region Mass Choir will be presenting some classic gospel Christmas songs such as ‘Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child’ and ‘The Night that Jesus was Born,’ along with a “some surprises.” It marks the group’s first collaboration with KWS. “The symphony was looking to get a gospel

choir involved in their show this year. We were referred to them, and they reached out to us,” said Hamilton. “We’ve been preparing for a number of months, and the choir is very excited.” The audience can expect the full gospel choir experience, complete with hand-clapping, foot-stomping and, of course, harmonious voices raised in song. Along with the gospel performance, the large ensemble of performers for the Yuletide Spectacular will offer up plenty of familiar Christmas tunes and stories, even for those venturing out for the first time to see a symphony show. The audience, too, will join in during the sing-along portion of the evening. The whole show will roll out under the baton of Tania Miller, who appeared as a guest conductor in Canada, the United States and Europe. “This is a special concert for the whole family, bringing together some of the best choirs, dancers, and soloists of the community to join with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony,” said Miller. “It’s an entertaining and warm-hearted musical tour de force that celebrates the spirit of Christmas through the beauty of music.” The Yuletide Spectacular runs December 13 at 8 p.m., December 14 at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., and December 15 at 2:30 p.m. at the Centre In The Square in Kitchener. Tickets can be purchased online at kwsymphony.ca or by calling 519-745-4711 or 888-745-4717.

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O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | 34

Help Wanted, Auctions, Real Estate, Public Notices, Obituaries and Family Album Announcements - Please call for a quote.

Classified Ad - Text Ads

Placing Classified Advertising

Residential: $9.00 per 20 words (extra words: 20¢ per word) Order Online:

Office: Phone: Fax: Email:

ads.observerxtra.com/classified-residential

Classified advertising will be accepted in person, email, phone or fax during regular office hours. All classified advertising are prepaid. Ask about the Service Directory, Real Estate and Family Album advertising.

20B Arthur St. N., Elmira 519-669-5790 Ext. 104 519-669-5753 ads@woolwichobserver.com

Deadline: Wednesdays by 10am HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

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ads.observerxtra.com/classified-commercial

“PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAS T; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.”

Community Information Page THE TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH, is accepting applications for the position of:

Nieuwland Feeds Elora

Part-Time Facility Laborer

Full Time Truck Driver

For a detailed job description and instructions for applying please refer to the Township of Woolwich website at www.woolwich.ca.

has an opening for a

We require a valid DZ license. We offer competitive wages, benefits and Monday to Friday schedule. Email your resume to:

HELP WANTED

info@nieuwlandfeeds.com

General Labourer (Packager) We have a 4-month temporary full-time position available in Elmira for an individual who is punctual, hardworking, attentive to details, a team player and self-motivated. Position may lead to permanent full-time. Hours of work are Mon-Thurs (7am-4pm). Duties would be packaging product from 25 gm to 25kg and skid loading. Requires standing for long periods of time and repetitive work. First Aid and Forklift Certification is considered an asset but not mandatory. Resumes may be faxed to 519-669-5982 attention George or emailed: resumes@marcampet.com by Dec 23rd. HELP WANTED

or apply in person to Cliff at:

7460 County Road 21, Elora HELP WANTED

Senior and Junior Maintenance Technicians We are currently recruiting both a senior and junior Maintenance Technician to work at our Linwood, Ontario location. Experience in facility and equipment maintenance preferred. Interested applicants please reply to: matt@jfm.ca Telephone 519-698-2082 ext. 251 Also, please visit our web site for more details at www.jfm.ca AUCTION Municipal, Police, Fleets & Others

VEHICLE AUCTION to be held at

Looking for motivated, knowledgeable and experienced licensed 310T Truck & Coach Technician for a LEAD HAND role with proven mentorship and leadership of multiple techs. Must be a self-starter and strong troubleshooter. Shifts consist of DAYS. Extremely competitive wages based on knowledge and skill set. We provide comprehensive benefits, uniforms, and an annual tool and work boot allowance. Techs use leading edge shop technology. Come visit us to see the opportunities and build your career with us! Please call 519-885-9166 and ask to speak to Kyle, or email us at kyle@apextruckandtrailer.ca

HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING AT SCHNURR'S GROCERY Store in Linwood. Full time or part time position available. Call 519-897-2600.

WE ARE A 40 COW TIESTALL FAMILY dairy farm near Millbank ON and are wanting someone to milk the night shift from 9:00 to 11:00 on Wednesday

Downtown Elmira Business Improvement Area (BIA) Annual General Meeting Thursday, January 30, 2020 Networking – 6:00P.M. Meeting – 7:00P.M. Township Council Chambers, 24 Church Street West, Elmira Downtown Elmira Business Improvement Area Members are invited to the BIA’s upcoming Annual General Meeting. Come out for networking and light After refreshments from 6:00 p.m. until the meeting Phone: 519-669-1647 or 877-969-0094 Fax: 519-669-1820 Hours Emergency: 519-575-4400 www.woolwich.ca begins at 7:00 p.m. Join the board in celebrating the BIA’s 2019 accomplishments and give your feedback on proposed 2020 projects. The board will be announcing the Façade Improvement Grant, the first program to be initiated from the Elmira BIA’s Community Improvement Plan. The Façade Improvement Grant is an initiative to support the rehabilitation, restoration, and improvement of buildings within the downtown core. Come out to learn more about the program and how to apply! The meeting will consist of the following: • Networking – 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. • Call Annual General Meeting to Order • Introduction of the Board of Management, Staff & Guests • 2019 Year in Review • 2020 Focus Areas &Future Plans • Treasurer’s Report • Discussion & Approval of 2020 Budget • Questions and Comments • Meeting Adjournment For more information or to register, please contact the Downtown Elmira BIA. The full agenda package will be available on the Township’s website, www.woolwich.ca on Friday, January 24, 2020. Downtown Elmira BIA 24 Church Street West, Elmira ON N3B 2Z6 elmirabia@gmail.com • 519-669-6004 Registration required by Friday, January 24, 2020.

BRESLAU AIRPORT ROAD AUCTION COMPLEX 5100 FOUNTAIN ST, North, BRESLAU (Kitchener)

Sat Dec 14th 9:30am

3- 13/15 Taurus Interceptors 2014 Ford Edge SEL AWD 2- 10/12 Gr Caravan’s 2012 Honda Odyssey 2012 Charger Police 3- 09/11 Caliber SXT s 2011 KIA Forte 2011 Crown Victoria Propane 2008 BMW Z4 Conv 2006 V W Jetta TDI 2002 Honda Odyssey

2014 Dodge RAM Crew 4x4 2014 Explorer Interceptor 2-10/14 Sprinter 2500 C/Vs 2011 Sprinter 3500 Amb 2011 Chev 2500 C/Van 2011 Journey Express 3 - 08/10 Ford E150 Cargo Vans 2007 Ford E350 15 Pass Wgn 2005 Gr Cherokee Laredo 98 GMC Sonoma SLS P/U 2- 87 /91 IHC-Ford Bucket Trucks

2010 ·Gr Caravan Liberty Handi-Van 2008 Lincoln Navigator Stretch Limo Coats 5060EX,Rim ClampTire Changer 84+ 235/55 R17 Tires Set of New Safety Inspection Tools NEW Crown Victoria Repair Parts Check Website for Updates

Babies of the

YEAR!19 20

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BOOK EARLY!

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Last Name, First Name

Birth Date | Tow n Parents Names

Full colour photo of your little one published in the January 9, 2020 edition.

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS HELP WANTED

P.O. Box 158

24 Church St. W. Elmira, Ontario N3B 2Z6

and Thursday nights and every other weekend Saturday and Sunday nights. This is a part time position, excellent opportunity for students or stay at home parents to make a little extra money. If you are able to work

independently and have your own reliable transportation we would be willing to train you to milk our cows!! Please contact Dean at 519-577-4765. CLASSIFIEDS CONTINUE PG 35

Deadline for submission & payment

Monday, January 6, 2020

Email photos & caption information to: ads@woolwichobserver.com 20-B Arthur St. N., Elmira | 519-669-5790 | www.ObserverXtra.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | THE O BSE RVE R

C L AS S IF IE D N OTIC E S | 35

R E A L E STAT E S E RV I C E S

Independently Owned and Operated

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage

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

BROKERAGE

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519.747.0231 (Office)

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$2,250,000 | 3rd Concession (Lebanon)

Office:

519-669-2772 45 Arthur St. S., Elmira www.thurrealestate.com

BRAD MARTIN Broker of Record, MVA Residential Res: 519.669.1068

JULIE HECKENDORN Broker

Cell: 519.588.7562

Farm 3rd Concession. Quality land only 15 months from organic certification. Farm is fully fenced. 2 Weather All outbuildings. 17 acres bush. Beautiful custom built home (ICF) construction, open concept. finished basement, 3+1 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, Numerous features. MLS Call Dale Direct

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$789,900

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Len Frey

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Sales Representative Call or text

Unique opportunity to run your business from this totally renovated and architecturally pleasing building. Sitting areas w/gas fireplace & water feature. Full kitchen w/built in oven, range & dishwasher. Upper loft areas. Outdoor storage w/additional washroom. Numerous perennial gardens & creek offer a peaceful outdoor setting. MLS

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Home Holidays

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5158 A & B Ament Line, Linwood $8.50 per sq. ft MLS # 30775472 The building has a great store front with street parking. A wide variety of uses in the core of downtown Linwood. Great open area with office overhead if needed or convert to retail. Currently occupied call for daytime viewing.

E IC PR W NE IC

$649,900. MLS # 30774953 Lovely lot with mature trees in Colonial /Lexington area. Lot has been severed but has minor conditions to be fulfilled. The severance is approved with minor conditions to be met. Very desirable area. Contact for more info.

PR W NE

LOT FOR SALE

568 Wissler Rd., Waterloo

BUSINESS FOR SALE

$99,900

#7-112 Oriole Parkway, Elmira Scrubbles Laundromat including everything. Washers and dryers are in great condition. The laundromat is kept very clean. Has several heavy duty fresh co machines to clean hockey gear. The dog grooming at rear leaves enough space to install take out dry cleaning. contact for more info.

Before You Sell or Buy, Call Frey.

Call or email today.

CONTINUED FROM PG 34 FOR SALE

5500LB LIFTRITE PUMP CARTS. 27 X 48, 2 years old, good condition. $175 + hst. Call George 519-574-4141. COMPLETE 16 PLACE SETTING DINNER SET. Rose Garden Ironstone Ware by MYOTT. Includes serving bowls, platters, tea pot etc. Good condition. $225.00. 519-669-2393.

FOR LEASE 19 Weber Street East, Kitchener $15.00 per sq. ft. MLS # 30756996 Hydro extra heat is included in this unit across from the court house. Lawyers, Paralegals, ticket defenders, small book keeping or computer services. Newly painted. Unit is vacant and can be shown anytime. Call for more info.

100% LOCAL

S IFIED LASS ITH C W R E UTT DECL

And you can be rid of it with a little word ad.

FREE MARKET EVALUATION

FOR SALE

ONE WELL KEPT 2 BEDROOM/DEN, SITTING area, laundry, kitchen, living room, dining room, bathroom, utility & storage room in seniors building at The Duke Centre. 519-635-7039.

FARM SERVICES

KILN DRIED CORN & CORN SCREENING Delivered by Einwechter. Minimum 15 ton lots. Call George Haffner Trucking 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045. RENTALS

FARM SERVICES

BAGGED PINE SHAVINGS AGRICULTURAL Spray Lime, 22.5kg. bag; feed grade lime, 25kg. Delivered. Call George Haffner Trucking, or ELECTRIC STOVE, 519-574-4141 519-669-2045. WHITE, WITH COIL burners $120. Dishwasher, under cupboard Kitchen FERTILIZER AND SEED Aid $80. Call 519-698-0440. GRAIN - AT COMPETITIVE pricing. Call George Haffner LEATHER ROCKER Trucking, 519-574-4141. RECLINER. SWIVEL base. Burgundy. In excel- ICE SALT & ICE MELT lent plus condition. $500. - ICE SALT COMES IN Please call 519-669-1427 20 & 40kg's, Ice melt comes in 20kg bags. Call MATTRESS AND BOX George Haffner TruckSPRING, NEW, NEVER ing, 519-574-4141 or used, still in sealed bag. Sac- 519-669-2045. rifice $195. Delivery available $35. 519-635-8737.

CONDO FOR RENT AT TERRACE ON THE Pond in Wellesley. 1400 sq ft, 2-bedroom, laundry, basement storage & elevator. Pet and smoke free facility. Available January 1, 2020. Call or message 519-505-4103 FOR RENT BACHELOR A PA R T M E N T / C O M mercial office space. Available Feb. 1st 2020. Non-smoker unit. Call Hugh @ 519-669-5533 after 6pm. PROFESSIONAL OFFICE SPACE FOR rent, downtown Elmira. 11.5 x 12.5 + common areas. $400/month, utilities included. 519-210-3030.

EVERY WEEK, YOUR NEWS SOURCE

IN THE REGION

RENTALS

SEMI FOR RENT 3 BEDROOM, 1 BATHROOM, recently renovated, large fenced in yard. All appliances included. Close to downtown Elmira. $1,600/month plus utilities. Available Feb 1, 2020 Call 519-574-6060 TRADES & SERVICES

RON'S DRYWALL AND RENOVATIONS. OVER 35 years experience. Please call 519-496-7539 or email ron.spncr@gmail.com COMING EVENTS

KARATE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL! SCHWEITZER'S MARTIAL ARTS 8 weeks plus uniform only $99+tax! Start now or use as a Christmas gift. Group classes for ages 4 to adult. Classes taught by Renshi Becky Schweitzer, 4th Degree Black Belt and World Karate Champion Location at Heidelberg Community Centre 2915 Lobsinger Line, Heidelberg Call 519-580-1418 or e-mail becky_schweitzer@ hotmail.com s.hibid.com 519 656 3555

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

36 | C LAS S IF IE D NOTIC E S

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

THOMPSON’S

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

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

GENERAL SERVICES

CALL TO BOOK! TODAY.

TIRE

WHERE TIRES

Various sizes & rates

VAN, MINIBUS & WHEELCHAIR LIFT BUS TRANSPORTATION “Specializing in small group charters”

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HOME IMPROVEMENT Since 1998

•Final grading •Lawn repair & complete seeding well equipped for large stoney areas •Spike Aerator/Overseeding •Natural & Interlocking Stone •Retaining Walls, Walks & Patios •Help for Top Water & Drainage issue

Murray & Daniel Shantz

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ECRA/ESA Licence # 7000605

Maynard Martin

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2512 Kressler Road RR1 St. Clements, ON N0B 2M0

18 Kingfisher Dr., Elmira | 519.669.1462

Tel. 519-699-0507

SKATE SHARPENING

$ 99 FREE!

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PER PAIR Stay Sharp This Winter!

22 Church St. W., Elmira

519-669-5537 STORE HOURS: M-F 8-8, SAT 8-6, SUN 10-5

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

ST. JACOBS

GLASS SYSTEMS INC. 1553 King St. N., St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0

Driveways • Sidewalks • Curbs Patios • Finished Floors • Retaining Walls • Steps • Decorative/Stamped and Coloured Concrete

• Store Fronts • Thermopanes • Mirrors • Screen Repair • Replacement Windows • Shower Enclosures • Sash Repair TEL:

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519-577-0370

519-664-1202 / 519-778-6104 FAX: 519 664-2759 • 24 Hour Emergency Service

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

AMOS INC

R O O F I N G

- Design and build -

AGRICULTURAL | RESIDENTIAL FRAMING • ROOFING RENOVATIONS • EAVESTROUGHS

Wayne Martin | 519-504-2016 darwayconstruction@icloud.com | Alma, ON

• Specializing in residential re-roofs • Repairs • Churches A Family owned and operated business serving KW, Elmira and surrounding area for over 35 years.

DESIGN CENTRE

John Schaefer Painting FREE ESTIMATES

KITCHEN, BATH & WINDOW FASHIONS

Blinds, shades, drapery & more • Custom cabinetry made in Canada Free In-home consultations • Our experienced designer will help you work within your personal taste and budget

Interior/exterior Painting, Wallpapering & Plaster | drywall Repairs

Call someone you can trust - your local Home Hardware Popular Brands Available

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519-503-6033 (CELL)

22 Church St. W., Elmira

519.501.2405 | 519.698.2114

519-669-2251

Tel: 519-669-5537 or 1-844-866-5537 STORE HOURS: M-F: 8-8, SAT 8-6, SUN 10-5

In Business since 1973 • Fully Insured

36 Hampton St., Elmira

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES “25 years in Business”

Visit our website

www.biobobs.com or call today! 519-648-3004

800-232-6396

CONSTRUCTION INC. (519) 569-0772 • Commercial & Industrial General Contracting • Specializing in Concrete Work & Excavation • Retaining Walls

info@trappconstruction.ca www.trappconstruction.ca

• • • •

Stamped Coloured Concrete Demolition Bin Service Machine Bases

Concrete Breaking & Removal

Steve Co.

Plumbing and Maintenance Inc.

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

For all your Plumbing Needs. 24 HOUR SERVICE Steve Jacobi

ELMIRA

519-669-3652

The Right Window Treatment Can

Save you

Blinds by Elite or Mera

In home consultations Wide selection of styles & fabrics 1011 Industrial Crescent St. Clements | 519-699-5411 www.LetUsFloorYou.ca

FREE

INSTALLATION When you buy 3 or more

Hours: M-F 8:30 - 5:30 Sat 9:00 - 3:00

Evenings By Appointment

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | THE O BSE RVE R

C L AS S IF IE D N OTIC E S | 37

F A M I LY A L B U M OBITUARY

THANK YOU

DEATH NOTICES

HART, CECIL BRUCE - Passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Lisaard House, Cambridge.

To our dear friends, family & community, Thank you for the support we have received since Jarettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cancer diagnosis.

Florence Josephine Craig Florence Josephine Craig Coblentz died in Oakville, Ontario, Canada on December 1, 2019 having lived 97 years. She was born on December 2, 1922 in Marion, North Carolina to Charles Roscoe and Florence Hunter Craig. She met and married her first husband, Lendon Flaming, a glider pilot who was killed in WWll. Her second husband was John Newell. She was the loving wife to Harry Stagg Coblentz, a city planner and later Professor and Director of Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo while residing in Elmira, Canada. She missed him greatly after his death in 2003. She was fiercely loyal to her family and friends. During her life she lived in Marion, Laurinburg, Franklinton and Chapel Hill, NC; Port Credit, Ontario; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Elmira and Oakville, Ontario. She and Harry travelled all over the world. They loved exploring new cultures and cuisines and making new friends along the way. She had a vibrant personality, a palpable vitality and a love of life. She graduated with a music degree from Flora MacDonald College, N.C. and was a dedicated music teacher and had a great love of and appreciation for all forms of art. She was an artist. She had empathy and love for all others. She had a quick wit and a mischievous humor; in her younger days a friend called her â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jokerphineâ&#x20AC;?. Another friend described her with an old German saying - she was â&#x20AC;&#x153;a person you could steal horses withâ&#x20AC;?. She believed in shaping her own story. She had a classic style and was beautiful to the end. She was preceded in death by her sister, Anna Kate Craig Lawrence. She is survived by children Linda Flaming Coblentz Beck (Bernard), Jenny Newell Coblentz Uhlig, Craig Llewellyn Coblentz (Bonnie Cameron), and Eliza Julia Josephine Coblentz (Mike Kendrick) Grandchildren include: Bianca Beck; Amy Uhlig Stephens (Warren); Andrew and Aaron Uhlig; Ailish, Maggie and Hunter Coblentz; Parkes and Rennie Kendrick; Great grandchildren: Cannon and Ryder Stephens; Sajen Uhlig The family will have a celebration of her life in the Spring of 2020. Any donations may be given to Alzheimer Society of Canada https://alzheimer.ca/en/Home or to the Region of Waterloo Library Elmira Branch https://rwlibrary.ca/en/your-library/locations-and-hours.aspx#

line

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The Bloomingdale Community Centre played host to a Grow with Woolwich Christmas event Saturday afternoon, where the family band Mr. Chris and Gassy the Bubbles enter[VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER] tained children in attendance.

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38 | C L AS S IF IE D NOTIC E S

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

JOLLY OL' SAINT NICK ROLLS INTO ELMIRA

The Elmira Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade saw people line Arthur Street Saturday morning to take in an assortment of floats, marching bands and merrymakers, capped off by the main event, the jolly ol' elf himself. [COLIN MERLIHAN]

O BS E RV E R X TR A. C O M | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | 39

SENIORS' PROGRAMS Be involved in community activities, events & support local initiatives. Tell us about what's happening and about the people in your neighbourhood. Online: ads.observerxtra.com/tips

Schneider Haus National Historic Site and the Region of Waterloo Library have been awarded a $5,000 grant in from the Seniors Community Grant Program through the Ontario Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility. The program, in partnership with the Region of Waterloo Library, started in October and will continue until March 2020. Current research clearly indicates that socially isolated seniors are more at risk for negative health, loneliness and other ill effects to their psychological and cognitive health.

NEED REMAINS The holidays can be a challenging time for Canadian Blood Services, which is looking for at least 100 donors at a clinic scheduled for Dec. 27 (2:30-7:30 p.m.) at Lions Hall in Elmira. The agency is asking residents to get on the nice list by donating blood. www.blood.ca

T H E H O L I DAY S P I R I T

Embracing the trappings of the season, writ large Marilyn Hartung spends more than a month transforming her Wellesley home into a Christmas cottage BY VERONICA REINER vreiner@woolwichobserver.com

A local decorator has transformed her Wellesley property into a winter wonderland, carrying on a decade-long tradition for a good cause. The final product is truly a festive sight, featuring just about every Christmas-themed item you can think of inside and outside of her Weimar Line home. There are appearances from Santa and Mrs. Claus, themed rooms, carollers, and an assortment of treats, all available for just a few weeks around the holidays. It takes Marilyn Hartung about a month to set up her Christmas cottage, employing more than a thousand decorations, but she says the time and effort is well worth it. “It makes my heart happy to do this,” said Hartung. The inspiration comes from her mother, who always decorated their home to the nines. Hartung is carrying on the childhood tradition and hopes to continue to do so for many years to come. While the display is not entirely open to the public, select groups – including friends (and friends of friends) and family of the Hartungs, local line dancers, and those part of her singing group are welcome to come check out the space. While she never looks to be compensated for her work, Hartung is accepting donations to the Toy Mountain Toy Drive, as she did during her 2018 Christmas cottage tour. All

Marilyn Hartung is opening up her extensively decorated Bamberg Christmas Cottage to select groups until Dec. 20.

donated items go directly benefit less fortunate children in Waterloo Region. Previous charities benefitted include the local food bank and the Knights of Columbus. “Each year I try to do something different, and toys are on the list for this year,” said Hartung. “I like giving and I want to give to the children that are less fortunate than we are. It warms my heart.”

“Last year, there were over 100 packed in the box we had extra boxes to take. It really makes you feel that people are so generous. Some would bring two gifts, not just one – one for a boy and a girl. They were so generous last year.” There are about 20 collected items right now, including teddy bears, stuffed animals, and dolls. Hartung expects to add to that collection as she

[VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER]

hosts more and more local groups – her tours will continue until December 20. Those participating in the tour can expect to see a fully decorated Elvis-themed room, animated toys, family-themed photographs, a Victorian-themed dining room, several Christmas trees, a cozy hot chocolate room, and a display of Christmas carollers and Santa Claus on a projector. Weather

permitting, a winter fire may be burning outside. Hartung said she likes to switch up the decorations each year, and there is no particular pattern that she goes by when she begins the decorating process – she plays it by ear. “I always purge a lot of my decorations and give it to the MCC or Value Village. Because I get tired of the same thing, and then I get new things, or people

give me things,” she explained. She added that no matter what the year, people can always expect a fantastic display. Every single detail is thought out in this expertly decorated property. “When you enter the cottage you will smell cinnamon, cookies, and maybe a chicken roasting or turkey, for that little extra Christmas feel.” MORE PHOTOS PG. 44

Holiday Hours Open December 24th & 31st (7:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.) Open December 27th & 30th (7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.) Closed December 25th, 26th & January 1st Day shift back to normal January 2nd. Night Shift Closed December 23rd - January 5th

Two locations in Elmira to serve you better

20 Oriole Parkway E. | 47 Industrial Drive

Tel: (519) 669-1082

www.leroysautocare.net

H ! O O ! ! H O H

40 | L I VI NG HE RE

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •

We’re wishing you and Santa’s Little Helpers a Happy Holidays! from the staff of

Serving Elmira & Area for 56 years

150 Church St. W., Elmira

519-669-5672

Woolwich Physiotherapy

www.cribit.com

8 - 25 Industrial Dr., Elmira, Ontario | 519.669.2578

519-664-3701

Serving Elmira and the Surrounding Communities Since 1993

w w w.woolwichphy sio.c a

Serving your lawn & garden needs 4790 Herrgott Rd., Wallenstein ON N0B 2S0 519.669.2192 sales@efsaudersales.ca

Have a Blessed Christmas!

Thank-You from all the Staff

Linda Dreveny

Michelle Dreveny

Sales Representative Sales Representative Darrell & Dianne, Elo & Florence, 519-669-8511 519.669.3362 linda@soldbylinda.ca michelle@soldbylinda.ca • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S toll free: 1-888-669-8511 www.cjbrubacher.comGREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • Walter, Jordan, Jeremy and Russell www.freysflowers.com www.soldbylinda.ca Office: 519-888-7110

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage

First Street East, Elmira • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS •19 HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS •

Independently Owned and Operated 180 Weber St. S., Waterloo

• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS •

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | THE O BSE RVE R O N T H E TA B L E

Some colour helps make this warming soup festive indeed

he holidays and the cold weather are bearing down on us, so we need something warm and healthy – in a nice festive colour – to get us through. Green foods always get too much press so we’re going with the other seasonal favourite colour: this recipe boasts two red fruits that are high in essential antioxidants. You thought I was going to say acacia and goji berries didn’t you? Pumpkins (squash) and red peppers are not only actually fruits but also very high in nutrients including Vitamin C and the aforementioned antioxidants. They’re also part of any great fall menu and despite what it looks outside we actually still have two weeks before winter. This soup is quick and easy to make, especially if using the canned versions of the pumpkins and beans. The most important skill here is the roasting of the peppers which can be done indoors directly over a gas stove flame or roasted in a hot 400 F oven until the skin turns black and blisters. Then place them in a bowl and cover them while still warm and they will steam open. They will then practically peel themselves! They will then take on a sweet smoky flavour as well as be easier on your digestion.

L IV IN G H E RE | 41

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

“A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME”

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 EVERGREEN FOR SENIORS AT WOODSIDE CHURCH, Elmira, 10:30 a.m. "Still the Greatest Story Ever Told" - Stiff Family Bluegrass Band. Devotional: Darcy Dueck. Carol dinging: Fred Gingrich/Beryl Martin; $7 donation includes hot lunch at noon.

Kleensweep CHEF DUFF

Carpet Care

•Mattress Cleaning •Residential •Commercial •Personalized Service •Free Estimates

CHEF'S TABLE

1 red pepper roasted 1 Tbsp. cornstarch 8 oz spinach 1 (15-oz) cans solid-pack pumpkin 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained 2L chicken or vegetable broth Salt, pepper to taste 1. Cook onions, garlic and ginger in olive oil in a heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes 2. Add curry powder and cook until it is fragrant (approximately 20-30 seconds). 3. Stir in water, broth, and pumpkin simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. 4. Add black beans at the last 5 minutes of cooking time to heat through. Partially purée soup using a hand blender. 5. Correct the seasonings, and serve with a dollop of Greekstyle yogurt or sour cream.

Rugs and Upholstery

SENIORS' LUNCH CLUB. COMMUNITY CARE Concepts invites you to join us noon at Breslau Community Centre, for a light lunch and fellowship; $7. Call 519-6641900.

West Montrose, ON

T. 519.669.2033

COLLEEN

Cell: 519.581.7868

Truck & Trailer Maintenance Cardlock Fuel Management

COMMERCIAL 24 CARDLOCK FUEL DEPOT HOUR M&G MILLWRIGHTS LTD. • Design • Installation • Custom Fabrication

MATERIAL HANDLING & PROCESSING SYSTEMS

519.669.5105 1540 FLORADALE ROAD P.O. BOX 247, ELMIRA

www.mgmill.com

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

RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, LIFs and Annuities. 652 Waterbury Lane, Waterloo 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

TOTAL HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

YOUR OIL, PROPANE, NATURAL GAS AND AIR CONDITIONING EXPERTS

May you be blessed with all the love, joy, and peace this Holiday Season may bring.

VERMONT Castings

11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS

519.664.2008

Wishing the very best to you and your family.

PARADISE & DISTRICT LIONS CLUB CHRISTMAS Bingo upstairs at the St. Clements Community Centre, 7 p.m. Door prizes. Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 "THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER!" AT ST. Jacobs Mennonite Church at 2:30 p.m. A hilarious one-hour comedy (by Barbara Robinson) for the whole family, including grandparents! General admission seating tickets: $10 adult $5 child/youth. Contact SJMC: administrator@sjmc.on.ca or 519-664-2268. Proceeds: Woolwich Community Services. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22 "THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER!" A HILARIOUS one-hour comedy (by Barbara Robinson) for the whole family, including grandparents! Join us at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church at 2:30 p.m. General admission tickets: $10 adult; $5 child/youth. Contact SJMC: administrator@ sjmc.on.ca or 519-664-2268. Proceeds: Woolwich Community Services.

PHONE 519-884-2082 FAX 519-884-0509

All Makes & Models

9 Church St. E., Elmira

519-669-8362

elmiravacuum@gmail.com

Monday - Friday, 9am-5:30pm

•

Saturday, 9am-3pm

Quality & Service you can trust.

21 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.2884 | martinselmira.com

Education and Treatment

Your First Step to Better Hearing

519-669-9919 charlene@bauerhearing.com 25 Industrial Drive, Elmira

SANYO CANADIAN

MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED

33 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.1591

Woolwich Township Ward 1 Councillor

The Community Events Calendar is reserved for non-profit local events that are offered free to the public. Placement is not guaranteed. Registrations, corporate events, open houses and similar events do not qualify for free advertising. See complete policy online. All submissions are to be made online at ads.observerxtra.com/event-listing/.

New to the Community? Do you have a new Baby?

Merry Christmas from

Service

SENIORS' COMMUNITY DINING. COMMUNITY CARE Concepts invites you to join us at noon at the Linwood Community Centre for lunch, fellowship and entertainment; $12. Call 519-664-1900 by noon Dec. 16 to sign up.

Home: 519.747.4388

Chef Bruce Duff is the operator of “Chef Duff at RiverSong” Banquet hall, Café and Culinary Centre just outside of St. Jacobs, which hosts private events, banquets, team building and cooking classes and also run breakfast and lunch in the café from Wed. – Sat; info@chefduff.ca.

Repairs

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 CHRISTMAS TUESDAY LUNCHEON AT GALE Presbyterian, Elmira. Two seating times available at 11:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance, $15/person. Menu: carved turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, roll, gravy, hot vegetable, cranberry salad, dessert, beverage.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 YOUNG AT HEART CHRISTMAS COFFEE. BRING A friend and come for coffee, treats and friendship. Join us at St. Clements Community Centre, 1 p.m.

Bus: 519.744.5433

1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 Tbsp. olive oil 2 large garlic cloves, minced 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger 1 chili pepper 1 Tbsp. curry powder 1 Tbsp. maple syrup

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 ST. JACOBS OPTIMIST CLUB ANNUAL BREAKFAST with Santa. Lots of fun for the whole family at Calvary United Church, St. Jacobs at 9 a.m. Caroling, face painting, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a full breakfast. Cost is by donation only. Donations go toward youth activity in the community. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15 MESSIAH SING-A-LONG. MENNO SINGERS IS sponsoring its annual Messiah Sing-a-Long with orchestra and university student soloists and conductors Brandon Leis and Mark Diller Harder. Bring your score and join your voice part, or come and listen to your favourite choruses. At St. Jacobs Mennonite Church, 3 p.m.

NANCY KOEBEL

Curried Pumpkin & Black Bean Soup

NEW HORIZON'S GUEST SPEAKER WILL BE EDWARD Denyer, coffee enthusiast from Eco Cafe in St Jacobs. His topic: Nothing makes sense before coffee. Join us at 10 a.m. at the Maryhill Community Centre. Admission $2. All zoomers, boomers and seniors are welcome. For more info contact jehaid@netflash.net.

Vacuum Sales,

It’s time to call your Welcome Wagon Hostess. Elmira & Surrounding Area

SHARON GINGRICH 519.291.6763 | psgingrich@hotmail.ca

How can I help you? 519.514.6051

pmerlihan@woolwich.ca

www.merlihan.com

Woolwich

Healthy Communities healthywoolwich.org

The place to get involved. • Volunteer Opportunities • Projects & News • Sub-Committee updates

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

42 | L I VI NG HE RE

HOW IT ALL GOT STARTED

Elmira Pentecostal Assembly was the scene last weekend of a live outdoor nativity performance, which the church has hosted for the past four years now. The telling of the first Christmas and the events that followed included period dress and live animals. [VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER]

As We Give Thanks

Wishing You & Your Family

We think of the many blessings bestowed on us this year. Your support has been much appreciated throughout these months. May God bless you at this wondrous time and always.

100 Union St., Elmira

Woolwich Rentals

519.669.0524

Reist Industries

519.669.1501

www.woolwichrentals.ca www.reistindustries.com

519-669-1653 • 11 Arthur St. N., Elmira OPEN 8AM TO 10PM 7 DAYS A WEEK • CLOSED DEC 25 + JAN 1 • OPEN BOXING DAY 10AM-6PM

Mount Forest | 519-323-1880 Tavistock | 519-655-3777

H ! O O ! ! H O H

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | THE O BSE RVE R

L IV IN G H E RE | 43

• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •

Here Comes

Christmas! Wherever you go this holiday season, our fond wishes are with you. All the best to our many friends throughout the area!

As we deck the halls & trim the tree we want to share with you our appreciation for you business.

It’s been a pleasure to serve you. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

This has been a great year for us, thanks to your generous support.

840 King St. N., Waterloo

519-669-1445

rmwexteriors.com

519.747.2280 | brian.blshantz@golden.net • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •

• HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • www.rolaninc.ca

Season’s Greetings! We wish you and your family all the best this holiday season! ELECTRICAL WHOLESALE | AUTOMATION & CONTROL ELECTRIC MOTOR SALES & SERVICE

• SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS • SEASON’S GREETINGS •

63 Union St. Elmira, ON, N3B 2Y3 Ph: 519.669.1842

Email: sales@rolaninc.ca • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS • HAPPY HOLIDAYS •

• MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS • HAPPY NEW YEAR • MERRY CHRISTMAS •

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

44 | LI VI NG HE RE

DECKING MORE THAN THE HALLS

Marily Hartung requires a month to put on display more than a thousand decorations that go into the final product. Each room in her home has a different theme, including Elvis, Victorian, and the 1914 era. OBSERVER SUDOKU

T R AV E L A B R OA D W I T H T H E O B S E R V E R

[VERONICA REINER]

Submitted by: Jason Waechter Location: Lake Placid, USA

Reason for travel: The Woolwich Minor Peewee A hockey team have successfully taken home the gold after winning the Lake Placid Can/Am hockey tournament on December 8, 2019. Interesting Facts: Lake Placid is a village in the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 2,521. Lake Placid was founded in the early 19th century to develop an iron ore mining operation. By 1840, the population of "North Elba" (four miles southeast of the present village, near where the road to the Adirondak Loj crosses the Ausable River) was six families. In 1845, Gerrit Smith arrived in North Elba and not only bought a great deal of land around the village but granted large tracts to former slaves. He reformed the land law and demonstrated his support of Abolitionism. (Wikipedia)

HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid 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. Numbers are preplaced to get you started.

WRAP UP LOCAL NEWS. Share your community with friends ONLY and family wherever they are. + tax

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20-B Arthur St. N., Elmira | 519-669-5790 | www.ObserverXtra.com

@woolwichnews

ObserverXtra

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | THE O BSE RVE R

L IV IN G H E RE | 45

May your HOME be filled with good friends, a loving family, and laughter during this Christmas season!

Wishing everyone

Peace & Joy

merry christmas and happy new year!

this Christmas Season.

Shanna Rozema

BROKER

519-572-2528

Monique

Thank you for your patronage.

Bonnie

Roes

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SALES REPRESENTATIVE

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519-747-2040

519-669-3192

ELMIRA TRUCK SERVICE

HELPING YOU IS WHAT WE DO … Elmira Office

A portion of each sale commission is donated to The Woolwich Community Services.

90 Earl Martin Dr., Unit 4, Elmira

COMMERCIAL 24 CARDLOCK FUEL DEPOT HOUR

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25 Earl Martin Drive, Elmira | 519-669-5377

Sort your holiday waste Use 2 blue boxes to sort:

Use the green bin:

Containers Only blue box (do not bag containers) • Plastic food and beverage containers • Cartons (milk, juice, egg nog), juice boxes • Glass bottles, jars (separate lids) • Cans, pop cans, foil trays (empty and rinse) • Aerosol cans (empty) • Paper coffee cups (separate lid) • Hard, clear packaging from toys or electronics (remove paper, put in the paper blue box) • No Styrofoam!

All food waste • Cookies, fruit cake, snack foods • Fruits, vegetables, peels, pits • Spreads, cheese, dips, crackers • Meats, bones, fish, shellfish • Nuts, shells

Paper and Plastic Bags blue box • Boxboard (cereal boxes, gift boxes) • Cards, envelopes, flyers, junk mail • Plastic bags and outer wrap (tie all bags into one bag) • Paper gift wrap, gift bags, tissue paper (remove tape, bows, no foil paper)

Pet waste (wrap in newspaper) • Kitty litter, cage bedding • Dog, reindeer droppings

Soiled paper products and other items • Paper plates, napkins, towels • Poinsettias, indoor natural greenery

What goes into the garbage: • Bows, ribbon, tape, foil or plastic gift wrap • Broken bulbs, light strings (wrap sharp items in paper then put in garbage) • Broken toys • Broken dishware and cookware • Candles • Chip bags, snack wrappers • Furnace filters • Hangers (plastic, wood, metal) • Plastic food wrap, stand-up pouches, bubble wrap, squeeze pouches (baby food) • Plastic cutlery • Styrofoam • Wooden orange crates

Space provided through a partnership between industry and municipalities to support waste reduction programs.

Questions? Visit www.regionofwaterloo.ca/waste

Call 519-575-4400 Deaf or Hard of Hearing (TTY) 519-575-4608

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

46 | L I VI NG HE RE BRAIN FOOD

Putting the snurfer to work in order to measure snowfall Q. What do the following scientific achievements have in common: 1. Creation of the first computer language compiler, translating English language instructions into machine code; 2. Study of the links between cholesterol and heart disease and the effects of cigarette smoking on the lungs; 3. Cloning HIV and genetically mapping the entire virus; 4. Discovery of â&#x20AC;&#x153;mobile genetic elements,â&#x20AC;? the capacity of genes to change position on a chromosome? A. These were all achievements by women scientists, says Susan Dominus in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smithsonianâ&#x20AC;? magazine. 1. Grace Murray Hopper, mathematician, computer scientist and

rear admiral in the U.S. Navy, led a team in the 1950s that created the first computer language compiler. 2. Marie Maynard Daly became the first African-American woman in the U.S. awarded a PhD in chemistry from Columbia University in 1947. 3. Flossie Wong-Staal, virologist and molecular biologist, emigrated from China to study at UCLA. 4. Cytogeneticist Barbara McClintock was the first woman to receive an unshared Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1983. Science historian Margaret Rossiter championed these and other women astronomers, botanists, entomologists, chemists and physicists and â&#x20AC;&#x153;almost single-handedlyâ&#x20AC;? made the history

of women in science relevant. Reflecting more than a decade of toil in the archives, her study â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women Scientists in America: Struggles and Strategies to 1940â&#x20AC;? (1982) brought hundreds of buried and forgotten contributions to light.

BILL&RICH SONES STRANGE BUT TRUE

Q. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Generating Light from Darknessâ&#x20AC;? is the title of a recent article in the journal â&#x20AC;&#x153;Joule.â&#x20AC;? Too good to be true?

lute-zero of outer space, it employs an off-the-shelf thermoelectric generator designed to absorb heat from ambient air and radiate it into the sky.

A. Engineering professor Aaswath Raman (UCLA) and his colleagues constructed a device which, when aimed at the night sky, generates enough electricity to power a small light-emitting diode (LED). Powered from the temperature difference between the surface of Earth and the near-abso-

The prototype generates only 0.0025 Watts per square metre (W/m2) of radiative surface area, but the authors think improved designs could reach 0.5 W/m2. They write: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A large fraction of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population still lacks access to electricity, particularly at night when photovoltaic

systems no longer operate. The ability to generate electricity at night could be a fundamentally enabling capability for a wide range of applications, including lighting and low-power sensors.â&#x20AC;? Q. How does the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) measure snowfall, and where does a â&#x20AC;&#x153;snurferâ&#x20AC;? fit into the calculation? A. In 1890, the U.S. Congress formed the Coop, one of whose goals is â&#x20AC;&#x153;to provide observational meteorological data, usually consisting of daily maximum and minimum temperatures, snowfall, and 24-hour precipitation totals,â&#x20AC;? reports Dan Lewis on his â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now I Knowâ&#x20AC;? website. Currently, the NWS relies on a massive, na-

tional volunteer network of rain and snow watchers, over 8,700 cooperative observers whose collective work become the official weather site. To measure snow, volunteers use a â&#x20AC;&#x153;snowboard,â&#x20AC;? originally called a â&#x20AC;&#x153;snurfer,â&#x20AC;? a portmanteau of â&#x20AC;&#x153;snowâ&#x20AC;? + â&#x20AC;&#x153;surfer.â&#x20AC;? The snowboard, a piece of plywood 16 x 16 inches, is placed on the ground and used as a base for the measurements. This is critical, Lewis says, since it gives a hard, flat surface from which to get accurate snow measurements. (All NWS Coop volunteers go through a training program to get this right.) Bill is a journalist, Rich holds a doctorate in physics. Together the brothers bring you â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strange But True.â&#x20AC;? Send questions to sbtcolumn@gmail.com

O B S E R V E R C R O S S WO R D

The Observer Crossword looks to challenge you and get your brain firing on all synapses. This crossword is only published in The Observer handcrafted exclusively for our audience. Happy word-smithing!

ACROSS 1. Creative, often sexual, yearning 5. Dirty cop capture 11. Accumulate 16. Spanish girl 17. Where Kubla Khan his stately pleasure dome did decree 18. Prepare for winter takeoff 19. Measure from celestial equator 21. Posture problem 22. Messy bed 23. Quick barber job 25. Highest singing for a man 26. Volcano spit 27. City, ironically straddling it's own state border 29. I maintain a 1:1 one of the Earth. Perhaps you've seen it. 32. Love it or hate it, it's our train 33. Maori war dance 34. RNA's cousin to thymine 37. Life without it is not worth living 40. Old timey Fin bucks 44. Lean and delicate 47. Subatomic particle

48. Holy water basin 49. Monkey seeing, monkey doing 50. Easy mark 51. Set down 52. Country club condition 54. To engender 57. Stag companion 58. Starchy, and full of cyanide 59. Believe in this, and the world makes sense 61. ___, ___ Rasputin, lover of the Russian Queen 62. Gentile 63. Narrative threads 68. Wood sorrel cousin 71. Tiny sodas! 72. Detective, at times 73. Basically noxious 77. Seed coverings 79. Double-refracting calcite 81. Small and elegant, for a business 82. Medieval silk 83. Make, as money 84. Devil child 85. We've got one, and he WANTS PICTURES OF SPIDERMAN! 86. Quaker's "you"

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

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to the nefarious 38. Horny firefighter 39. Tin miner 41. Soldier's satchel 42. Serbian province 43. Be that as it may 45. Untrue 30's gangster 46. Computer graphics 50. I ate this with honey, kept it on my knife 53. Double-master 55. Pretty brickwork menace 56. Quality of a brogue 60. Be a go-between 63. Line crossers 64. Black-winged sap sucker 65. Spooky board 66. Rechargeable 67. Fragrant resin 69. Police force division 70. Job-seekers bonus 73. 70 year old headliner, doing little good, but to be fair, little harm 74. Brightly colored deep-water fish 75. Night horse 76. Coastal raptor 78. Ra, by another name 80. Drunk, high, awesome

SUNDAY SCHOOL

HEARING ASSISTED

Sunday, Oct 6th

10:00 am: Worship

10:45 am In Christ: Secure in His Sovereignty

Pastor: Hans J.W. Borch

60 Arthur St. S., Elmira 519-669-5591

Elmira Mennonite Church

DOWN 1. Aims 2. Cambodian currency 3. Fairy tale beginning 4. Colonial ocean organisms 5. From nothing 6. Indian bread 7. Invent this, get guilt, start peace-prizing 8. Curry saviour 9. Trim, as in a tree 10. Spank, scold, ground 11. Ain't no Observer without 'em 12. Hand bones 13. Garlicky mayonnaise 14. Dying to see the south pole 15. ___ Rebellion of 1857-59 20. "___ alive!" 24. Respectful term for a woman, but normally causing offence 27. How the caveman made a knife 28. Jamacian dance hall tunes 29. Breakfast cereal 30. Inverse of the tangent 31. Talk of the town? 35. Back hit 36. Shoulder companion

Discovering God Together

Speaker: Richard Haverkamp

4522 Herrgott Rd., Wallenstein www.wbconline.ca â&#x20AC;˘ 519-669-2319

THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS THAT CANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T BE ANSWERED

BY GOOGLE.

Worship: 9:30am

Advent 3

Are we there yet? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Joy Jonathan Brubacher preaching

58 Church St. W., Elmira â&#x20AC;˘ 519-669-5123

Service at 10:30am Rev. Paul Snow REACH WITH LOVE. TEACH THE TRUTH. SEND IN POWER. 290 Arthur St. South, Elmira â&#x20AC;˘ 519-669-3973 www.ElmiraAssembly.com (Across from Tim Hortonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s)

Keep faith alive, advertise here.

[ sundays 10:30am ] www.ecelmira.com | 519.669.5030 2 First St W, Elmira

Looking for a faith community that's close to home? Start here. If you want to see your church listed here and want to reach over 12,000 homes every week call Donna at 519-669-5790 ext104.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | THE O BSE RVE R

L IV IN G H E RE | 47

It’s a wrap!

‘T

is the week before Christmas & all through the office Not a cuppa is sipped from, not even the coffees;

The stories are written for the next issue with care, In the hopes that the paper will safely get there;

The reporters will be nestled, all snug in their beds, With visions of good leads jot down in their heads; ‘Cause Editor Steve has called out, “It’s a wrap!” So we’re all taking off, for a well-deserved nap.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From all of us: Joe, Pat, Donna, Steve, Veronica, Cassandra & nik

HOLIDAY HOURS: OPEN Mon-Fri Dec 16-20 | CLOSED Dec 23-27 | OPEN Mon-Tues Dec 30-31 | CLOSED Wed Jan 1

TH E O BS E RV E R | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019

48 | TH E BAC K PAGE

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