December 27, 2018

Christmas 45%

3585 Lobsinger Line St. Clements ON 519 218 2188 Tues-Fri 10:00 - 6:00 Sat 10:00 - 5:00 New Year’s Eve 10:00 - 2:00

HAPPY

NEW YEAR

Until Saturday January 5th @ 2:00PM

off the regular price

all ornaments & Christmas Decor

OPEN UNTIL 2:00PM DECEMBER 31st!

Gifts + Cards + Candles + Gourmet + Artisan’s Creations + Seasonal Home+Garden Decor & More

12 | 27 | 2018 VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 50

STUDENTS GET ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY LIVING HERE PAGE 19

COMMENT PAGE 6

HERITAGE VALUE PART OF DECISION ON OLD BRIDGES

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

Closed for good?

Engineering reports recommend permanent closure of Middlebrook and Peel bridges, with Glasgow structure under review An engineering report recommends the permanent closure of the Peel Street bridge in Winterbourne. The fate of three old steel spans in the township will be decided by Woolwich council following the review period.

STEVE KANNON TWO DOWN, ONE TO go.

On the heels of a recommendation to tear down an old steel bridge on Middlebrook Road, Woolwich is now eyeing the closure of a similar structure on Peel Street in Winterbourne. The fate of the 130-year-old Glasgow Street bridge in Conestogo is also up in the air pending a review

expected early next year.

Both the Middlebrook and Peel bridges are currently closed. The Glasgow bridge has been closed for repairs at numerous times in recent years but is currently open to traffic.

The review process for the Middlebrook bridge, on a boundary road with neighbouring Centre Wellington Township, has been the least contentious. There’s

been more feedback on the Peel Street bridge, the subject of a December 11 public information session.

“We’ve had quite a lot of pushback,” said Ryan Tucker, an engineering project supervisor with the township, of the recommendation to close the Peel Street structure.

Cost is the biggest factor, as a report commissioned by the

[STEVE KANNON / THE OBSERVER]

township estimates it would cost $1.6 million to rehabilitate the steel truss bridge, built in 1913, for vehicular traffic. Maintaining it simply for pedestrian use would cost $1.1 million. In both cases, another $1.1 million in today’s dollars would have to be spent in 2040, followed by $700,000 to demolish the bridge when it comes to the end of its lifespan in 2050.

Replacing the bridge with a new one comes with a projected cost of $5.5 million.

“The main driver is economic,” said Tucker, noting that kind of money would blow a year’s capital budget on one project.

Traffic volumes don’t warrant keeping the bridge open – commuter traffic was estimated at 125 BRIDGE CLOSURES | 4

SALE EXTENDED THROUGH BOXING WEEK!

ONLY $399 QUEEN PANEL BED

SPECIAL! SAVE 15% OFF ADDITIONAL

(NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER PROMOTIONS. RESTRICTIONS APPLY.)

ALL IN-STOCK ACCESSORIES

5-50%

OPEN 7 DAYS · 30 Benjamin Rd., Waterloo · 519-746-0060 · Do Not Pay For 90 Days · No Interest · www.furniturehouse.ca

2 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

BRESLAU PS GETS MERRY FOR CHRISTMAS

5 Day Sale * Some exclusions apply.

Thursday, Dec. 26 to Monday, Dec. 31

SALE HOURS Wednesday.................................9-4 Thursday-Friday .........................9-7 Saturday .....................................9-5 Mon-New Years Eve Day...........9-3

W. C . B R O W N A N D S O N S MEN ’S CL O T HIER | 18 - 24 A R T HUR S T RE E T S., EL MIR A | 519 - 6 69 -1152

All the best for a happy, healthy new year for you and your family.

Happy New Year

PRE-INVENTORY

SPECIALS PICK UP YOUR COMPLIMENTARY WALL CALENDAR FOR 2019

FREE

FREE

Carpet pad or area rug binding with all IN STOCK Carpet Purchases

Laminate pad With All IN STOCK Laminates

SALE ENDS ON JANUARY 31, 2019

SELECTED STOCK

HARDWOODS

1⁄2 PRICE

NO HST

from $2.29 / sq. ft.

ON ALL IN-STOCK

VANITIES (over 20 to choose from)

SALE runs until noon on December 31, 2018 Tel: 519-699-5411 www.LetUsFloorYou.ca

1011 Industrial Crescent St. Clements, ON

Hundreds of friends and family members showed up for the Breslau Public School Christmas pageant on Dec. 12.

[VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER]

FCC supports 4-H Club to the tune of $115K VERONICA REINER FARM CREDIT CANADA’S LATEST round of grants for the 4-H Club saw $114,250 spread out to affiliated clubs across the country.

Each of 4-H’s members is eligible to apply for up to $500 under the progam.

“It’s a great help,” said Jay Poulton, director of marketing and communications at 4-H Canada.

“Partnering with Farm Credit Canada is essential to getting these clubs up and running. These clubs don’t have money at times, so they can’t really run workshops or field trips. So this money is essential to clubs across Canada.”

There were 233 recipients of funds in this second wave of FCC grants. Typically, these funds are used towards purchasing club supplies, skill-building workshops, field trips, achievement days and pub-

lic speaking competitions.

When these funds arrive is currently unknown and depends on the location of the club due to backlogs at Canada Post.

“Some apply for what they need and decide not to go for the full $500 if it’s not part of their plan, part of their budget,” said Poulton. “Each of the clubs has their own president, vicepresident, treasurer, so they go through the yearly programming and those kids decide what they need. They come up with a plan, fill out an application, and we release the funds based on that.”

FCC and 4-H are on the same page when it comes to supporting youth development in farm communities.

“The 4-H movement in Canada continues to thrive through the generosity of visionary partners like FCC, who share the same values and commitment

to engaging young leaders at the grassroots level in communities across Canada,” said 4-H Canada CEO Shannon Benner in a release.

FCC is Canada’s largest agricultural term lender, providing financial services to farming operations.

The executive vice-president and chief marketing officer at FCC, Tom Klink, said the funds would help instill values in young people hoping to contribute to the farming industry.

“By supporting 4-H clubs across Canada, the FCC 4-H Club Fund is helping plant the seeds for the next generation of successful farmers, agri-food and agribusiness entrepreneurs,” said Klink.

The next application period for this fund will open August 2019. To learn more about the fund, visit www.4-h-canada.ca/clubfunds.

NEWS | 3

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

Old Order group seeks zone change for church on farm north of Elmira STEVE KANNON AFTER A CHURCH OF their own, a group of Old Order Mennonites is looking to relocate from an Elmira meeting place to an on-farm location north of town.

To that end, Eli and Ellen Martin have filed a zone-change application to permit the construction of a church and cemetery on a 2.8-acre portion of their 96-

acre property at 1775 Arthur St. N. The request was the subject of a public meeting during a Woolwich council session December 11.

Representing the applicants, Bob Black of RBA Planning Consultants notes the goal is to provide a new location away from the core of Elmira.

The congregation currently alternates use of the space at 68 Church St. W.

with the Markham Mennonite Conference, so the proposed new site would not only allow weekly meetings but would also be safer for horse-drawn buggies, he told councillors.

Traffic concerns on Church Street have only got worse since a median was installed by the region when the road was recently reconstructed, Black argued, noting the proposed

new site, fronting on Tilman Road, would be a better fit for buggy traffic.

“It would be accessible by buggy trails ... avoiding main roads.”

The new site is adjacent to the existing parochial school at 1560 Tilman Rd. Along with dedicating a porting of the agricultural property for the church and cemetery, the zone change would also use a

less-restrictive designation for determining the minimum distance separation (MDS) between the institutional use and the adjacent livestock operation, explained director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley.

Pointing to the township’s longstanding concerns about property taxes applied to such church locations, Coun. Patrick Mer-

lihan noted there would be tax implications.

While churches and cemeteries are typically exempt from taxation, many of the Old Order churches created on farms, as is the case with this application, continue to be subjected to taxes. The township can’t change that unilaterally, and has raised the issue at the regional and provincial levels, to no avail thus far.

IN GOOD VOICE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

COUNCIL / WELLESLEY

Wellesley considers second units as a way to boost affordable housing Council open to taking a discussion about basement apartments, in-law suites to the public FAISAL ALI AFFORDABLE HOUSING, NAMELY THE lack of it in the township, was perhaps one of the biggest concerns to emerge from this year’s municipal election in Wellesley. Particularly for young families looking to start life in the township on limited incomes and seniors hoping to find smaller and more affordable quarters in their home communities, the options were seen as limited.

To that end, the township is considering allowing the creation of second units on lots as a possible solution.

Better known as basement apartments, in-law suites, coach houses and granny flats, a second unit is defined as a self-contained dwelling created within, or adjacent to, an existing home. The units would by necessity require their own amenities, such as a bedroom, kitchen and full washroom, and may

be rented out as distinct homes.

Wellesley councillors last week gave the go ahead for public consultations to begin into instituting second units in the township.

“Second units can increase the stock of affordable and smaller scale rental units in municipalities, and can be used by homeowners as a tool to offset the rising costs of home ownership,” noted director of planning Geoff VanderBaaren in a report to council.

Second units are by no means a new phenomenon, but their introduction to the Wellesley Township would be require a significant amount of legwork.

Under provincial legislature, the township would be required to draft a policy framework for second units, along with a set of bylaws that would regulate how these units operate.

HOW TO REACH US

HOUSING | 4

The songs of the season were given voice by students at Elmira’s Riverside Public School on Dec. 19, as hundreds of friends and family members packed into the gym for the annual holiday pageant. [VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER]

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

Ring in the New Year in Wellesley ... your host Township of Wellesley December 31, 2018 from 1-4pm Skating / Facepainting / Live Entertainment / Hot Dogs / Apples Apple Chips / Popcorn / Apple Cider / Milk / Coffee / Fun times!

Wellesley Arena

St. Clements Arena

1004 Catherine St., Wellesley 1:00 pm: Erick Traplin 3:45 pm: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1 Green St., St. Clements 2:30 pm: Erick Traplin 3:45 pm: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

4 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

LINWOOD STUDENTS SPREAD SOME CHRISTMAS CHEER

Audience members were invited to participate in the Christmas pageant at Linwood Public School on Dec. 19, as students put on a show to demonstrate their holiday spirit.

[VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER]

BRIDGE CLOSURES: The future of Woolwich’s historic bridges remains up in the air FROM | COVER

vehicles per day prior to the structure’s closing.

Simply closing the bridge and leaving it in place would cost $475,000, with another $150,000 by 2040 and the demolition costs in 2050. Keeping the bridge maintains its heritage qualities and leaves future administrations with options down the line.

For now, engineering staff are awaiting the review of the Glasgow Street bridge before bringing a final report to Woolwich council, where the decisions will be made.

Ward 3 councillors Murray Martin and Larry Shantz say they’ve receive some comments about the Peel Street situation, with Martin this week circulating comment sheets to the Mennonite community that relies on horse-drawn buggies, many of whom previously used the bridge.

For Winterbourne resident Sonya Sommerville, the impact on the Mennonite community is one of the big factors that needs to be taken into account before closing the bridge – “It’s got to be no small inconvenience to them.”

Likewise, there’s the issue of limited recreational options in the village and the bridge’s use by pedestrians, cyclists and snowmobilers.

Peel Street and the bridge offers an alternative from a busy regional road, Katherine Street, she said.

“I don’t know that they’ve looked at the full scope of the implications on the wider community,” she said in an interview.

“We don’t have a lot of options to work with.”

The sole river crossing between Conestogo and Line 86, the bridge is also a factor in emergency services access, Sommerville added.

“Sometime that bridge is the quickest route from point A to point B.” Some of her neighbours share similar concerns. She encourages residents to make their opinions known before it’s too late.

“Sometimes it just comes down to money. Sometimes you have to look beyond the money and look longerterm.”

Jared Puppe, the township’s acting manager of engineering, is aware that the people living nearest the old steel bridges want to see the structures remain open – “People like the structures, and want them around.”

But money is likely to be the deciding factor, with the costs being weighed against the amount of use the bridges get.

The Glasgow Street bridge is likely to be the

Long closed, the old steel truss bridge on the Woolwich-Pilkington Townline, a boundary road with Centre-Wellington Township, has been earmarked for permanent closure and demolition in an engineering report that will be considered by council.

[STEVE KANNON / THE OBSERVER] trickiest decision, as it sees the most traffic of the three, some 1,500 cars a day. But even that’s fairly small in comparison to the replacement cost of $5 million to $7 million, not to mention the drawn-out process for building a new bridge today.

“They’re quite tricky to deal with,” said Puppe.

Complicating matters still further is the heritage value of all three bridges, each of which has signifi-

cant historical value. Peel and Middlebrook represent half of the remaining camelback truss bridges in the Region of Waterloo.

Glasgow’s pratt truss is unique. The steel spans and single-lanes harken back to an earlier time in the region’s history, adding to the heritage landscape in their respective locations. Replacing them removes that value from the get-go, as does demolition.

But the engineering reports

suggest removal is almost inevitable as time eventually takes its toll.

In the case of the Peel Street span, keeping the bridge open to some kind of use costs money today and tomorrow, with eventual demolition most likely, said Tucker.

“In 20 years, you’re looking at another major rehabilitation ... and 30 years until removal in most scenarios.”

But keeping the bridge

in place for now does leave future decision-makers with options, he added.

“The engineer included that $700,000 (in 2050) as a placeholder for removal. It might not happen.”

A public information session related to the Glasgow Street bridge is set for January 29. Following that review, staff expects to come to council with a recommendation report on all three bridges by latewinter or spring.

HOUSING: Wellesley council to start process of creating more affordable housing options FROM | 3

Currently, township bylaws exist for a similar type of housing – officially referred to as a “converted dwelling.” A converted dwelling is a semi-detached house that is converted or partitioned into multiple livings spaces.

The challenge, however, is

that there are limited rules for how these dwellings are made, as well as the requirements that need to be met.

Introducing clear bylaws for second units in the township would allow housing developers to construct their own second units – such as basement apartments – right into

their new buildings.

The bylaws would also set out the requirements for amenities such as washrooms and kitchens, and municipal services such as water and hydro services.

A second dwelling would most likely also be required to have its own separate entrance from the main dwelling on the property,

and might also be required to offer parking, suggested township staff.

Further regulations might also require all second units to be licensed with the township, and could be subject to periodic inspections to ensure they’re following building codes. However, township staff noted that a registry

could discourage property owners from creating their own second units, defeating some of the purpose of the changes.

At the moment, the rules being proposed for second units are only demonstrative. Much about how the final set of bylaws will look will depend on the upcoming public engagement

process.

As part of the provincial legislature, a statutory public meeting would be held on the rules and regulations for second units in the township, while multiple stakeholders in the community, including the regional government, would need to be consulted.

NEWS | 5

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

FOOD FOR THOUGHT / OWEN ROBERTS

Given societal changes, farmers can’t take their foot off the pedal FIELD NOTES FARMERS WANT THE PUBLIC to make informed, research-based decisions.

They don’t want consumers swayed by zealous activists whose positions are founded on emotion and scaremongering, rather than facts and reality.

For example, farmers want everyone to understand that genetically modifying food has never been proven to cause ill health.

They want people to know increased automation is being used on the farm not because farmers are eager to turn their operations into factories, but

rather, because the labour pool is empty. Members of the workforce are not interested in farm work.

Farmers want those concerned about the rising cost of food – and that is indeed an imperative for the public – to know that they’ve long made efforts to keep their costs as low as possible, and that in many cases they use technology to help.

Farmers want people to know animal welfare is of the utmost concern. Farming is an occupation that must be profitable. For purely economic reasons, abused animals are not profitable. And that doesn’t even consider the emotional attachment farmers have to their livestock.

And while they don’t like to talk about it much,

farmers need people to understand that all the pressure they’re getting from activists – and from a society that has been turned against farmers by activists and inertia – is taking its toll.

Research by Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton and her team at the University of Guelph shows mental health issues are huge among Canadian farmers. One of the biggest pressures they feel is negative public perception.

Finally, here’s another research-based reality related to farming: farmers are losing in the court of public opinion, and efforts to stem that tide are not working.

Results this fall from the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity showed only

36 per cent of consumers believe the country’s food system is headed in the right direction. The percentage of Canadians who hold a positive to very positive view of farming fell to 55 per cent, down from 61 per cent in just two years.

And Canadians who felt they didn’t know enough to hold an opinion about food and agriculture’s direction rose to 12 per cent, up from a scant two per cent in 2016, the last time the survey was conducted.

No one can accuse the agri-food sector of sugarcoating these findings.

And no one is trying to put a happy face on it. This problem is not only centred on farmers, but rather the entire system, including processors and manufac-

turers. But to most people, it’s farmers, not corporate executives, who come to mind when the topic is food production.

As usual, the conversation now centres around the question “Now what?”

– the answer to which is elusive.

So far, responses I’ve seen include a greater emphasis on transparency.

That’s good. Farmers need to counter the hidden cameras of activists with their own video accounts of what goes on.

And superb examples exist, including in our own area dairy farmer Tim May, and a bit further away, sheep producer Sandi Brock. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

People want to hear from

farmers like May and Brock.

They’re super busy farming, but communication is a modern need that they’ve found time for.

What else? Communications efforts by all the commodity groups are important. Some critics will dismiss such efforts as advocacy and biased. But people in the middle – those making up their minds about agriculture and food – need a place to go to learn.

That points to education. Perhaps the Canadian Agricultural Trust Steering Committee, struck two years ago to after ag groups decided public trust and social licence needed more attention, will get behind public education efforts in 2019.

The figures all point to the fact that it’s time.

Competitive bidding on construction work restored Changes to the Labour Relations Act would reverse region’s construction-employer designation VERONICA REINER THE PROVINCE’S PROPOSED CHANGES to its Labour Relations Act could address a longstanding sore spot in Waterloo Region, which was deemed a “construction employer,” hampering its ability to seek tenders for public infrastructure work.

Last week, Minister of Economic Development Todd Smith announced plans to amend the law such that municipalities could no longer be deemed construction employers.

In the region, that would undo a 2012 incident in

which two of its employees opted to join the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, forcing the municipality to contract only with companies register with that union.

Under Bill 66, municipalities, school boards, universities and similar public entities would be classified as “non-construction employers.” That would allow non-unionized contractors to bid on projects tendered by those organizations.

“It’s a fairness issue of taxpayers’, making sure local taxpayers’ dollars go further,” said Ian McLean, CEO of Greater KW Cham-

ber of Commerce, which has been lobbying for the changes. “Local companies shouldn’t be excluded from bidding on local projects.

We have members that are unionized and non-unionized, and we just want a level playing field for everybody.”

Along with praise from Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris, the proposed legislation won kudos from regional chair Karen Redman and former MPP Michael Harris, now a regional councillor, who had fought to reverse the construction employer designation while in opposition.

SUPPORTING THE CANCER CENTRE

Breslau residents Victoria Cunningham, Alissa Bingeman and Elizabeth Siddorn came together for a collection drive for the Grand River Hospital Foundation. With the support of residents and businesses in the area, the trio created caddy bags filled with supplies, including candies and beauty supplies for cancer patients supported by the foundation. [FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

The changes would be a boon to the construction industry, said McLean.

“If you’re a contractor and you can do the work, you should just be allowed to bid on it,” said McLean.

“The best price, the best quality, the best ability to do the job should be the determining factors – not whether you have a specific agreement with one union.

It also gives the choice to municipalities and school boards to pick the contractor that best fits them whether it’s a union shop or a non-union shop.”

The number of bids on a particular infrastructure project would increase significantly, should this bill be passed, supporters maintain. However, the amendments have been met with some mixed reactions, particularly from construction and union groups. Ontario Federation of Labour president Chris Buckley was vocal about his opposition.

“Unionized construction trades are leaders in health and safety,” said Buckley in a released statement. “By opening public construction projects to non-union shops, Ford is putting worker safety at greater risk and trampling collective bargaining agreements. By reducing safety standards to satisfy big business, the government is playing with the lives of Ontarians.”

The main argument among opposing groups is that the proposed legislation could pose a risk to

worker health and safety.

“This bill is going to do nothing but replace red tape with yellow caution tape,” said Buckley. “The OFL is not opposed to reducing administrative regulations. But many of the regulations currently on the books are there to serve a useful purpose, from ensuring workers know their rights to safeguarding their health at work.”

The new legislation is just one of 32 proposed amendments to the Restor-

ing Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, which aims to stimulate business investment, create decent jobs, and make Ontario more competitive by cutting unnecessary regulations, according to the Progressive Conservative government.

While the bill is not yet law, the Chamber of Commerce is asking the Ford government to place it high on the legislative priority list to be ready for the 2019 spring and summer construction season.

WEEKLY SPECIALS Specials from January 2nd - January 5th Store Made Fresh 4 oz.

Breaded Pork Schnitzel

1.25

$

REG. PRICE

$1.50 ea.

Fresh Lean

Ground Beef

3.99

$

REG. PRICE

$4.49 /lb

Fresh Siced

Deli Sliced

Beef Rouladen

Tuscan Ham

7.99

$

REG. PRICE

$8.99 /lb

Store Made Award Winning Double Smoked

Side Bacon

6.99

$

REG. PRICE

$7.99 /lb

7.99

$

REG. PRICE

$8.99 /lb.

Store Made Mild or Spicy

Pickled Sausages

6.99

$

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

REG. PRICE

$7.99 ea.

6 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

JOE MERLIHAN PUBLISHER STEVE KANNON EDITOR

COMMENT

DONNA RUDY

PATRICK MERLIHAN

SALES MANAGER

PRODUCTION MANAGER

REPORTER

GRAPHIC DESIGN

REPORTER

GRAPHIC DESIGN

FAISAL ALI

VERONICA REINER

NIK HARRON

CASSANDRA MERLIHAN

PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NUMBER 1004840 | ISSN 12039578

OUR VIEW / EDITORIAL

THE VIEW FROM HERE

Heritage value at play in a decision about old bridges IT’S ALMOST A NEW year, but early on Woolwich council will be grappling with things decidedly old, namely three steel truss bridges showing the ravages of time.

As a story in this week’s issue notes, an engineering report has already recommended the permanent closure and demolition of a bridge on Middlebrook Road. Likewise, a century-old span on Peel Street in Winterbourne has been earmarked for mothballs. The oldest of the three, the Glasgow Street bridge in Conestogo, is currently under review, its fate to be determined.

There’s no doubt that the three structures are in bad shape, showing signs of deterioration that have forced their closure due to safety concerns. Only the Glasgow bridge is open, though it has been shut down numerous times for repairs.

In the case of the two completed assessments, the recommendation for permanent closure hinges principally on economics: maintaining them for vehicular traffic or even pedestrian use would be costly, an expense hard to justify given low usage. Moreover, millions spent today and over the next couple of decades might not extend the lifespans of the structures to anything like the amount of time they’ve already been in place.

In order to get another century out such crossings, the existing bridges would have to be replaced. That’s even more cost-prohibitive; so much so that the option is barely worth mentioning. Moreover, such moves would undo perhaps the number-one reason for preserving the existing spans: the historical value.

All three bridges harken back to an earlier time in the township, with steel and wood instead of the ubiquitous concrete and asphalt. Their single lanes are more in line with a small population and buggy travel. Longtime fixtures in their respective locations, they are in essence pieces of the landscape and the local heritage.

There are undoubtedly those who would keep the bridges in operation for the sake of history alone, noting you can’t put a price on pieces of the past. The township will have to be much more pragmatic, however, as the costs are significant. In spending millions, councillors have to look at how many people benefit and for how long. Such spending typically requires a long-term return, and the two reports to date suggest the Middlebrook and Peel bridges will have come to the end of their lifespans by 2050; that may not be long enough for a payback. And even in the parlance of this area’s relatively short history, 30 years doesn’t amount to much.

While many people may appreciate the history and the aesthetics, most of us wouldn’t be happy to see large tax increases to pay for privilege. In fact, most of us already take issue with the value proposition that is taxation today.

Everyone is well aware – or should be – that there’s an infrastructure deficit in the township, along with every other municipality, province and, indeed, the country itself. There’s nowhere near enough money to meet today’s requirements, let alone tomorrow’s, as the existing infrastructure continues to age and deteriorate.

Still, the heritage considerations can’t be dismissed out of hand. The region has a very poor track record of protecting historical structures, many of which were left to crumble while others were torn down in favour of ugly, badly designed and poorly built replacements.

There’s more than economics to be considered when council makes a decision.

Maybe this will be the year the region keeps its New Year’s resolution to get the train running ... though the baton could always be passed to 2020.

WORLD VIEW / GWYNNE DYER

Some climate-change progress made in Poland WORLD AFFAIRS GLOBAL WARMING IS PHYSICS and chemistry, and you can’t negotiate with science for more time to solve the problem: more emissions mean a hotter planet. Dealing with the problem, however, requires an international negotiation involving almost 200 countries. In big gatherings of that sort, the convoy always moves at the speed of the slowest ships.

That’s why the reporting on the UN Climate Change Conference in Poland that ended on December 15 two days later than planned, has been so downbeat. It didn’t produce bold new commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions. It saw the usual attempts by the biggest fossil fuel producers, the United States, Russia and Saudi Arabia, to stall the process. And in the end it just produced a ‘rulebook.’

But that’s all it was supposed to do, and it’s not ‘just’ a rulebook. The great breakthrough at the confer-

ence in Paris three years ago saw every country finally agree to adopt a plan for emission reductions, but the Paris accord was a mere sketch, only 27 pages long.

Fleshing it out – what the plans should cover, how often they should be updated, how countries should measure and report their emissions, how much leeway should be given to poor countries with bad data – was left until later.

Later is now, and in the end they did come up with a 256-page rulebook that fills in most of those blanks.

“We have a system of transparency, we have a system of reporting, we have rules to measure our emissions, we have a system to measure the impacts of our policies compared to what science recommends,” said the European Union’s Climate Commissioner, Miguel Arias Canete. It was an excruciating process, and it still leaves a few things out, but it settled a thousand details about how the Paris deal will really work.

Oh, and one big thing.

China abandoned its claim that as a ‘developing coun-

try’ it should not be bound by the same rules as rich countries like the United States. There will only be one set of rules for both rich and poor countries, although the really poor ones will get a lot of financial and technical help in meeting their commitments.

This year’s conference dealt with the details at ministerial level. Next year UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will host a summit of the biggest emitters to lay the groundwork for the key 2020 meeting.

That’s when countries will report if they have kept their 2015 promises on emissions cuts, and hopefully promise much bigger cuts for the next five years.

The rise of populist nationalists like Donald Trump and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro, both climate change deniers, will make future negotiations even harder. It’s all moving far too slowly, but the human factor keeps getting in the way. For example, Bolsonaro wants Brazil to get extra carbon credits for protecting the Amazonian rainforest, even as he plans to carve the forest up with big new roads and cut a lot

of it down.

The Paris deal is important, but it has come far too late to stop the average global temperature from rising to the never-exceed target of +2 degrees Celsius that was adopted many years ago, let alone the lower target of +1.5 C that scientists now believe is necessary.

We are already at +1 C, and current promises of emission cuts will take us up past +3 C. At the moment emissions are still going up (by 3% this year).

Even if countries make further major commitments to cut emissions in 2020, it’s hard to believe that we can avoid devastating heat waves, droughts, floods and sea-level rise, and a sharp fall in global food production.

So while we are cutting emissions, we also need to be working on ways to remove some of the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases we have already put into the atmosphere. Various ideas for doing that are being worked on, but they will probably become available DYER | 7

COMMENT | 7

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

THEIR VIEW / QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are your plans for New Year’s Eve?

» Maggie Ropp

» Ally Crane

» Robert Holmes

» Harper and Leigh Somerville

» Sutton Meier

“More hockey, and skating in the backyard.”

“Seeing the Christmas lights.”

“Get together with friends.”

“Getting her to sleep.”

“I’m going to my friend’s house for a party.”

“It’s all moving far too slowly, but the human factor keeps getting in the way. ” Gwynne Dyer | 6 DYER: Humans

NATIONAL VIEW

routinely fail to act in a timely manner

FROM | 6

on a large scale too late to keep the temperature rise below +2 C. So geo-engineering – direct intervention in the atmosphere to hold the temperature down while we work on getting emissions down – will probably be needed as well. Nobody really wants to do ‘solar radiation management’, but cutting the amount of sunlight reaching the planet’s surface by just a small amount is technically feasible.

It could temporarily halt the warming and give us the extra time we are probably going to need.

We are getting into very deep water here, but we may have no other options. If we had started cutting our emissions 20 years ago (when we already knew where they would eventually take us), such drastic measures would not be necessary. But that’s not the human way, and so we’ll have to take the risks or pay the price.

All the best in 2019!

Get engaged in local issues. Write a letter.

HOW TO REACH US

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

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

Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Observer. Include name, address and daytime phone number. Unsigned letters must contact Editor for publishing consideration. Keep letters under 350 words. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. This newspaper declines announcements, poetry and thank-you letters.

EDITORIAL

ADVERTISING

PRODUCTION

PUBLISHER

519.669.5790 EXT 103

519.669.5790 EXT 104

519.669.5790 EXT 105

519.669.5790 EXT 107

editor@woolwichobserver.com

ads@woolwichobserver.com

production@woolwichobserver.com

publisher@woolwichobserver.com

COPYRIGHT The entire contents of The Observer and online edition are protected by copyright. No portion thereof is to be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the specific permission of the publisher.

Reproduction rights can be obtained from ACCESS COPYRIGHT located at 1 Young St., 1900, Toronto, ON M5E 1E5 | 416.868.1621

PRESS COMPLAINTS & ASSOCIATIONS The Observer is a member of the Ontario Press Council which considers complaints against member newspapers. For more information contact www.ontpress.com. The Observer is a member of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association [CCNA], Canadian Community Newspaper Association and The Greater KW Chamber of Commerce.

8 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

SPORTS NOT SO GREAT OUTDOORSMAN / STEVE GALEA

RINGETTE / GOING INTERNATIONAL

Ringette honours for Wellesley’s Tara Burke

When the bough breaks ... and it will

Hall of Fame induction recognizes her contribution to Team Canada’s 2017 win at the Worlds VERONICA REINER HER YEARS OF HARD work have paid off, as Wellesley’s Tara Burke’s athletic ability is now recognized at an international level.

Burke was inducted into Ringette Canada Hall of Fame for her success in the 2017 junior national team, alongside teammate Sydney Nosal of St. Clements.

Nosal also expressed her excitement with receiving the honour.

“It was such an incredible experience being able to represent my country a long side some of the top female athletes in the world,” said Nosal. “Winning the gold medal in our home country with thousands of friends and families to cheer us on is an indescribable feeling.

To then be inducted into the ringette hall of fame was an honour that we all are so proud of.”

Burke said the honour came as a complete surprise to her.

“This came in the mail with a letter saying ‘congratulations!’ from Ringette Canada,” said Burke.

“And I thought ‘oh, what are they saying congratulations for?’ And it said they put us in the Hall of Fame.”

Around this time last year, Burke and her 21 teammates of the junior squad emerged victori-

OPEN COUNTRY

Wellesley’s Tara Burke was pleasantly surprised to discover that she had been inducted into the Ringette Canada Hall of Fame. ous from a game against Finland, securing the gold medal at the 2017 World Ringette Championship.

Among the moments that stood out to her,

Burke said the jump from a small-town arena to the big-city Paramount Fine Food Centre sports complex in Mississauga, formerly known as the

onto the ice, they had fog machines, lights, and everything, and it was insane,” said Burke. “I was

WHEN MOST PEOPLE LOOK at a beautiful photo or postcard that depicts a snowy woods in beautiful light, they see a scenic and inviting winter wonderland. They see vast blankets of untouched whiteness, beautiful, blue-shadowed drifts and evergreen boughs bent and heavy with snow.

I see all that too. But mostly I see the reason why the turtleneck sweater and the scarf were invented.

Call me odd, but there are few things I like less than having a bough full of snow dumped down the back of my collar. Yet, that is the most constant and predictable gift the winter woods give to me.

I also believe it is the reason why the chickadees seem so happy to see me step into the forest.

They know this is going to be good for a laugh or two.

You can hardly blame them. Just think about how much joy you get when you see snow collapse from an overhanging bough and funnel down the back of the neck of the person breaking trail ahead of you.

RINGETTE | 9

GALEA | 9

[VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER]

Hershey’s Centre, was exhilarating.

“Typically when we play ringette, we play in these little arenas, so it’s not huge. So when I stepped

HOLIDAY HOURS:

OFFICE CLOSED December 21st (noon)

RE-OPENS December 31st From all of us at the Observer Joe Merlihan, Donna Rudy, Steve Kannon, Veronica Reiner, Faisal Ali, Pat Merlihan, Cassandra Merlihan and nik harron

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU IN

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

2019!

@woolwichnews |

/ObserverXtra

SPORTS | 9

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

RINGETTE: International success and subsequent honours are reasons to celebrate

Tara Burke and her 21 teammates of the junior squad managed to defeat the Finnish team 9-6, which earned them the gold medal of the 2017 World Ringette Championship. The team was inducted into the Ringette Canada Hall of Fame for their performance on the international stage.

[SUBMITTED] FROM | 8 Keep working until you play consistently – that’s every team member is on terloo Wildfire, followed Horne. “She’s level-headactually make it.” what really separates the the same page. by the National Ringette ed, she does her work, she sitting there for O Canada, Before getting scouted good from the great.”

“I spend a lot of time is so very well-spoken, she League, where she was and it was like, ‘how am I for Team Canada, Burke Burke is still playing teaching them what it is scouted for Team Canada. creates a great sense of supposed to play in front practiced ringette for to gain physical advantage on a ringette tournament “I worked so much rapport with all those that of all these people?’” about an hour a day. Once team out of Elora/Fergus and have a presence on since I was in Grade 5 all she interacts with. She, Despite the initial nershe was introduced to the but is shifting her focus to the ice and set the pace,” the way up until now. It just like the rest of the vousness, Burke went on big leagues, the requireher University of Waterloo said Horne. “Simple is was basically hard work athletes in the group, is a to crush it in the tournaments became stricter health studies program. best and less is more throughout my entire top-shelf kid.” ment. Head coach Lorrie – including workout rouShe plans to continue sometimes – when you’re life and never giving up,” Her passion for ringette Horne was impressed with tines and on-ice plans. playing in the future and looking at a short-term said Burke. “Obviously if goes back over a decade. the young player both off Horne noted the macompetition environment, hopes to become a speechI got cut from a team I’d Beginning when she was and on the ice. turity of the team as a language pathologist everybody needs to be on just seven years old, Burke go back and try out again “She’s that type of whole and highlighted the when she finishes her the same page.

So the exenext year.

I’d keep workplayed for the Kitchener young woman that I’d importance of ensuring studies. cution of the basic system ing on ice and off-ice.

Wildcats, then the AA Walike my kids to be,” said

GALEA: Myriad ways to have fun in the snow FROM | 8

It’s hilarious.

I think we can all agree it’s not nearly as funny when frigid snow makes its way down the back of your neck, however.

It would be, if it ended there. But we all know it never does. No, that snow melts and travels like a receding glacier and eventually creates a deep lake in a place where water was never meant to pool, which is doubly embarrassing if you stop to get groceries on the way home.

Rest assured, when my grade-school teachers explained the hydrological cycle, they never once mentioned this.

Yet it is truly the way of the winter woods.

The interesting thing about snow that falls from boughs is that it never falls ahead of you. Instead, it waits patiently, biding its time until some unsuspecting rube approaches.

Then, once the bare skin at the back of that person’s neck is beneath, it strikes with unerring accuracy – and, generally, with six times the amount of snow that any bough or avalanche should reasonably hold.

WOOLWICH COMMUNITY FUND

Helping good people do great things December 14, 2018

As 2018 draws to a close, I wanted to take a few minutes on behalf of the Committee supporting The Woolwich Community Fund, to thank everyone who made a donation in the past year. We are also reaching out to you to participate in our annual fundraising drive.

Jim Schwindt – Chair 519-669-5012

Ted Brough

519-669-2217

Inga Rinne

519-742-8750

It’s just my theory but I believe this is the primary reason people started carrying axes and cutting down trees. I suspect they also liked the irony of burning trees to warm up again.

I mean, if you think about it, primitive man dressed in poorly tailored animal furs was no match for a stand of evergreens in January. And, let’s be honest, things are no different today. You enter woods like this at your own peril.

Modern man, of course, is smarter, has more technology and is more prepared for these incidents.

That’s why, in most cases, we let someone walk

ahead of us. Also, our parkas fit a little tighter at the neck if we zip them and use the drawstrings.

This, as everyone knows, is the surest way to prevent snow from overhanging boughs making its way down the back of your neck.

Instead, all that snow will land in your hood and then go down the back of your neck the minute you decide you need to pull it up to warm your ears.

This will make the chickadees and your trailmates laugh and perhaps even incite a round of applause.

Then, the polite thing to do is smile and take a bough.

Grace Sudden 519-648-2893

The Woolwich Community Fund enables individuals and companies to make a lasting difference in enhancing the quality of life in Woolwich Township. Our Fund continues to grow and I’m sure with the continued generosity in our community it will allow us to make a larger financial impact in coming years.

We focus our granting on assisting children and youth in Woolwich Township.

This year we granted approximately $12,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, The SHORE Centre, Strong Start, and Riverside Public School. On the attached page we have shared testimonials and images of the impact our grants have made.

In 2018 we also took the time to launch a new website. You can learn more about The Woolwich Community Fund by visiting www.woolwichfund.ca.

You can donate to the Fund directly through the website, or contact any member of the Committee and we would be happy to connect with you and accept a donation, or mail it to the address below.

As an endowment fund, The Woolwich Community Fund will continue to grow and your financial support through gifts of cash and securities will speed the process. Please help us support the youth of Woolwich and accept our wishes for a happy and prosperous 2019.

Sincerely

Jim Schwindt

Chair

Donations may be sent to The Woolwich Community Fund at the address below:

The Woolwich Community Fund –

c/o The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation 260 King St. W., Unit 206, Kitchener, Ontario N2G 1B6 Phone 519-742-8750 | Charitable Registration # 13217 0994 RR0001

10 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

Brown, Jack Rozema Shutouts: Evan Sauve

THE SCORE WOOLWICH WILDCATS

Novice: LL#1 Dec 08 vs Hespeler Shamrocks Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Goals: Kolton Brubracher (2) Assists: Ethan Level, Charlie Broderick, Owen Dally

Novice: LL#1 Dec 09 vs Hespler Shamrocks Home: 4 Visitor: 4 Goals: Ronan Doherty, Kolton Brubracher, Ethan Leveck (2) Assists: Kolton Brubacher, Charlie Broderick, Nolan Beatty

Novice: AE Dec 15 vs CW Fusion Home: 5 Visitor: 1 Goals: Nolan Cruickshank (2), Liam MacGregor, James Eckensweiler, Luca Abate Assists: Grayson Kelly (2), Luca Abate, Jerome Taylor, Boston Esbaugh, Grayson Schimus, Drew Snyder

Novice: AE Dec 16 vs Guelph Gryphons Home: 1 Visitor: 3 Goals: Liam MacGregor Assists: Grayson Schimus

Atom: AE

Novice: MAJOR A Dec 14 vs Ancaster Avalanche Home: 3 Visitor: 1 Goals: Bryce McFadden, Cody Paquet, Nathan Seller Assists: Kitson Bakker, Sullivan Shantz

Dec 12 vs Oakville Rangers Home: 3 Visitor: 3 Goals: Cam Dawson, William Krubally, Josh Thompson Assists: Sammy Krushchat, Brody Habermehl

Atom: AE

Novice: MAJOR A Dec 16 vs Ancaster Avalanche Home: 5 Visitor: 0 Goals: Owen Porter (3), Jackson Gillies, Carter Crane Assists: Cody Paquet (3), Bryce McFadden (2), Jack Wood, Nathan Seller, Carter Crane Shutouts: Mason Gruhl

Novice: LL2 Dec 15 vs Plattsville Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Bentley Wideman, Braun Draper Assists: Nicholas Shardlow, Aiden Basler

Novice: AE Dec 13 vs Guelph Gryphons Home: 3 Visitor: 3 Goals: Nolan Cruickshank, Liam MacGregor (2) Assists: Grayson Kelly, Luca Abate, Hudson Lehtonen, Boston Esbaugh (2), Wyatt Garan

Dec 15 vs Orangeville Flyers Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Brody Habermehl

Atom: LL#3 Dec 15 vs Twin Centre Home: 7 Visitor: 1 Goals: Cohen Clemmer (2), Wade Holland (2), Sebastian Abate, Tyler Bauman, Finn Smith Assists: Sebastian Abate (2), Tyler Bauman (2), Max Stains (2)

Atom: LL#3 Dec 16 vs Ayr Flames #2 Home: 4 Visitor: 3 Goals: Cohen Clemmer (2), Sebastian Abate, Jackson Kellough Assists: Jackson Kellough, Wade Holland, Ezekiel Schwartz

Atom: MAJOR A Dec 11 vs Guelph Gryphons Home: 6 Visitor: 2 Goals: Spencer Hume (2),

PeeWee: MAJOR AE

Goals: Cruz Balog, Colton Sinclair Shutouts: Colin Bray Assists: Rhys Taylor, Matthew Bantam: MINOR A Kochut Dec 15 vs New Hamburg PeeWee: MAJOR AE Home: 4 Visitor: 1 Dec 10 vs Ancaster Avalanche Goals: Ryan Brubacher, Teagan Atom: MAJOR A Cadeau (2), Joey Martin Home: 4 Visitor: 3 Dec 12 vs Milton Winterhawks Goals: Preston Hackert (2), Assists: Emmett Weissenboeck Home: 3 Visitor: 2 Keegan Martin, Owen Tettman (4), Ethan Martin, Joey Martin (2) Goals: Alex Veitch, Caleb Paquet, Assists: Tyson Bauman (2), Bantam: MINOR A Bryce Brubacher Owen Tettman, Josh Uhrig Dec 16 vs Hesepler Assists: Avery Collingwood, PeeWee: MAJOR AE Home: 7 Visitor: 0 Luke Wood Dec 13 vs Ancaster Avalanche Goals: Will Lavigne (2), Ryan Atom: MAJOR A Brubacher (3), Jordan Chang, Home: 2 Visitor: 1 Dec 14 vs Hespeler Shamrocks Goals: Hunter Brown, Josh Uhrig Teagan Cadeau Home: 6 Visitor: 1 Assists: Ryan Brubacher (2), Assists: Jack Rozema, Preston Goals: Mitchell Krasovec (3), Jordan Chang (4), Joey Martin, Hackert, Hunter Brown Spencer Hume, Bryce Brubacher, Emmett Weissenboeck, Ethan PeeWee: MAJOR AE Luke Wood Martin, Drew Birmingham, Will Lavigne Assists: Spencer Hume (2), Dec 16 vs Milton Winterhawks Sutton Meier (2), Alec Veitch (2), Blue Shutouts: Evan Catton MacIvor Zettel, Carter Weir Home: 4 Visitor: 6 Bantam: LL1 Goals: Josh Uhrig (2), Matthew Atom: MINOR A Dec 15 vs New Hamburg Ramage, Jake Patterson Dec 11 vs Brampton 45s Home: 3 Visitor: 2 Assists: Tyson Bauman, Ethan Home: 1 Visitor: 0 Goals: Carter Rollins, Oscar Adams, Jamie Ferretti Goals: Nolan Martin Fitch (2) PeeWee: MINOR Assists: Colton Sinclair, Zach Assists: Ashton Weber Wiseman Dec 12 vs Ancaster Avalanche Midget: LL#1 Shutouts: Cohen Patterson Home: 5 Visitor: 1 Dec 07 vs Twin Centre Goals: Josh Carson, Carson Atom: MINOR A Staken, Riley Dettweiler, Hunter Home: 4 Visitor: 2 Dec 12 vs Guelph Gyrons Goals: Nathan Taylor, Mack Bender, Evan Woods Willms, Eli Baldin, Cody Kroetch Home: 5 Visitor: 3 Assists: Karsten Smith, Danny Goals: Mason Gear (3), Thomas Schaefer, Carter Snider, Josh Assists: Tyson Mifflin, Tyler McCarthy, Colton Sinclair Brubacher, Connor Bentley, Matt Carson, Connor Goebel, Haiden Fleischmann, Andrew Weber Assists: Nolan Martin (3), Colton Wagner Sinclair (2), Mason Gear, Rhys Midget: LL#1 PeeWee: MINOR A Taylor, Levi Adams Dec 09 vs New Hamburg Dec 15 vs Centre Wellington Atom: MINOR A Fusion Home: 1 Visitor: 3 Dec 16 vs Hespeler Shamrocks Home: 0 Visitor: 3 Goals: Nathan Taylor Tournaments Home: 2 Visitor: 1 Bantam: LL2 Goals: Matthew Kochut, Nolan PeeWee: MAJOR AE Dec 15 vs Embro Edge 1 Martin Dec 07 vs Pittsburgh Predators Home: 5 Visitor: 0 Assists: Colton Sinclair, Nolan Home: 5 Visitor: 0 Goals: Seb Garrett, Lucas Martin, Zach Carter Radler (2), Tristan Kraemer, Will Goals: Josh Uhrig, Tyson Atom: MINOR A McDougall Bauman, Matthew Ramage, Assists: Owen Hackert (2), Adam Hunter Brown, Preston Hackert Dec 17 vs Ancaster Avalanche Pauls (2), Lucas Radler Assists: Ethan Adams, Josh Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Uhrig, Preston Hackert, Hunter Mitchell Krasovec (2), Caleb Paquet, Sutton Meier Assists: Adam Bloch, Declan Martin, Carter Weir, Luke Wood, Caleb Paquet, Mitchell Krasovec

Dec 08 vs Allegheny Badgers Home: 7 Visitor: 1 Goals: Josh Uhrig (3), Jack Rozema, Hunter Brown, Preston Hackert, Matthew Ramage Assists: Jake Patterson (2), Josh Uhrig, Owen Tettman, Carter Harrow, Jamie Ferretti

PeeWee: MAJOR AE Dec 08 vs Peterborough Petes Home: 3 Visitor: 2 Goals: Tyson Bauman, Hunter Brown, Ethan Adams Assists: Ethan Adams, Josh Uhrig

PeeWee: MAJOR AE Dec 09 vs Stoney Creek Warriors Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Goals: Tanner Armstrong, Matthew Ramage Assists: Carter Harrow, Jamie Ferretti, Josh Uhrig

WOOLWICH WILD

Novice: B Dec 15 vs Kitchener Lady Rangers Home: 2 Visitor: 0 Goals: Elle Schwindt, Isla McCoubrey Assists: Sage Balog, Isla McCoubrey Shutouts: Elle English

Novice: LL#2 NOVICE Dec 15 vs Kitchener Rangers Red Home: 4 Visitor: 4 Goals: Maria Martin (2), Cam Holland, Tatianna Kocan Assists: Brook Wilson, Tatianna Kocan, Cam Holland (2)

Atom: LL Dec 06 vs Wilmot Wolverines #2 Home: 4 Visitor: 1 Goals: Addison Bettke (3), Mia Medeiros Assists: Lexi Weber, Alie Moyer, Macey Robbins, Addison Searth

Atom: LL Dec 08 vs Guelph Jr. Gryphons - Black Home: 1 Visitor: 3 Goals: Cayleigh McQuinn Assists: Michaela Blanchet, Alie Moyer

Atom: LL Dec 15 vs Wilmot Wolverines #1 Home: 3 Visitor: 1 Goals: Addison Bettke (2), Cayleigh McQuinn Assists: Emma Huber (3), Alie Moyer, Addison Bettke, Mia Medeiros

Atom: A Dec 14 vs Saugeen Maitland Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Lexie De Jeu

Atom: A

Dec 16 vs Ilderton Home: 2 Visitor: 1 Novice: B Goals: Brooke Kroetsch (2) Dec 16 vs Twin Centre Hericanes Assists: Peyton Gaudet (2), Julia Home: 8 Visitor: 0 Adams, Emma McCoubrey Goals: Megan Nixon (2), Isla PeeWee: BB McCounrey (3), Elle Schwindt, Dec 15 vs Stratford Lauryn Kidd, Sage Balog Home: 2 Visitor: 0 Assists: Emily Brubacher (2), Audrey English, Addison Gunn, Goals: Olivia Straus (2) Kara Grant, Lauryn Kidd (2), Isla Assists: Sara Forwell, Sophia McCoubrey (2), Elle Scwindt, Payne Ellie Clemmer, Megan Nixon, Shutouts: Makenna Kroetsch Elle English Tournaments Shutouts: Elle English

Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Goals: Addison Fitzgerald, Mia Medeiros Assists: Addison Searth

Atom: A Dec 07 vs London Home: 1 Visitor: 1 Goals: Peyton Gaudet Assists: Lexie DeJeu

Atom: A Dec 07 vs Oakville Home: 6 Visitor: 2 Goals: Emma McCoubrey (3), Julia Adams, Peyton Gaudet, Emily Metzger, Assists: Lexie De Jeu (2), Emma Braun, Olivia Weiss, Katelyn Snider, Julia Adams, Sophia Metzger

Atom: A Dec 08 vs Saugeen Maitland Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Maya Slot (2) Assists: Emily Metzger (2), Peyton Gaudet

Atom: A Dec 08 vs Aurora Home: 3 Visitor: 0 Goals: Katelyn Snider, Emma McCoubrey, Peyton Gaudet Assists: Julia Adams (2), Emma McCoubrey, Kylie Rayfield

WATERLOO WOLVES

Atom: MINOR AA Dec 08 vs London Knights Green Home: 3 Visitor: 2 Goals: Emre Alves (2), Colten Taylor Assists: Matthew Pudifin

Atom: MINOR AA Dec 09 vs Brantford 99ers Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Preston Murray, Colten Taylor Assists: Joshua Hicknell, Liam Careberry

Atom: LL

Dec 02 vs London Devillettes

ARRIVE ALIVE! DON'T RISK THE LIVES OF OTHERS SHARING THE ROAD. BEFORE YOU DRINK HAVE A PLAN TO GET HOME SAFE. Impaired Driving Laws Driving impaired or with more than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood (.08) is an offence under the Criminal Code. Even if your blood alcohol concentration is less than .08, you can still be charged with impaired driving under the Criminal Code.

You will receive an immediate 90-day administrative driver’s licence suspension if your blood-alcohol concentration is more than .08, or if you fail or refuse to provide a breath or bodily fluid sample, perform a physical co-ordination test or submit to an evaluation. You will also be subject to an immediate sevenday vehicle impoundment.

If you register a BAC from .05 to .08 (known as the “warn range”), you will receive an immediate driver’s licence suspension. For a first occurrence, you will be suspended for three days. For a second occurrence in a five-year period, you will be immediately suspended for seven days and you must undergo a remedial alcohol-education program. For a third or subsequent time in a five year period, you will be immediately suspended for 30 days and you must undergo a remedial alcohol-treatment program and have an ignition interlock condition placed on your licence for six months.

DUB-L-E • GAS • DIESEL • PROPANE • TOUCH-FREE CAR WASH

SANYO CANADIAN MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED

33 Industrial Dr. • 519-669-1591

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

519-669-2015

Bonnie’s Chick Hatchery Ltd. Day-old Egg Layers Day-old Meat Varieties Turkeys - Ducks Ready-to-lay-pullets

18 Arthur St. N. • 519-669-2561

TOWN COUNTRY FENCING

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

GENERAL DELIVERY, ARISS ONTARIO N0B 1B0 GUELPH: (519) 822-8929 CAMBRIDGE: (519) 654-7068 FAX: (519) 822-7481

PROFESSIONAL WORK • AFFORDABLE PRICES

SPORTS | 11

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

TWIN CENTRE PEEWEE DONATION

DOING THEIR PART FOR THE SEASON

The girls of the Woolwich Wild Novice B hockey team recently filled up stockings to contribute to the local program “stuffin stockings” campaign that provides stockings to various local charities. Team members: Ellle English, Elle Schwindt, Audrey English, Mackenzie Rank, Kara Grant, Ellie Clemmer, Stella Grundy, Isla McCoubrey, Lauryn Kidd, Chloe Futher, Emily Brubacher, Megan Nixon, Sage Balog, Brinley Fitzgerald, Addison Gunn, Rachel Heckendorn.

[SUBMITTED]

PEEWEES TAKE SILVER MEDAL

After a team practice Dec. 16, the Twin Centre PeeWee Rep hockey team hit the streets of Wellesley to collect food for the local food bank. They were greeted with warm welcomes and many generous donations. Back row: Josiah Eggert, Ezra Krulicki, Caden Pitsch, Wesley Graham, Jackson Bowman, Jack Lichty, Elijah Mitani, Andrew Shantz, Orrin Schieck and Kai Mitani. Front: Ben MacGibbon. Absent: Jacob Pfohl.

[SUBMITTED]

The Woolwich Wildcats Major PeeWee AE picked up the silver medal at the Pittsburgh Winter Classic championship game on Dec. 9.

[SUBMITTED]

YOU DO YOUR BEST TO SAVE MONEY.

Holiday Hours December 24

Closing at 6 p.m.

Boxing Day December 26, 9-5pm Re-opening December 27 at 7am

December 31

The Home Assistance Program (HAP) is here to help you and improve your home comfort.

Appliances, lights, and other household items that are old and out of date can make your electricity costs more expensive. The Home Assistance Program (HAP) offers FREE energy efficient upgrades and an in-home visit with an energy expert to help save you money and make your home more comfortable.

Closing at 6 p.m.

Re-opening January 2 at 7am

TM

POWER WHAT’S NEXT

We Deliver!

315 Arthur St. S. PHONE: 519-669-5403

Call 1-855-591-0877 or visit SaveOnEnergy.ca/HAP to see if you qualify.

If you participate in the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) you automatically qualify for HAP. Subject to additional terms and conditions found at SaveOnEnergy.ca.

TM Trademark of the Independent Electricity System Operator. Used under license.

12 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

Your Local Health and Safety Training Centre Joint Health and Safety Committee Part 1 & 2 Working at Heights Initial and Refresher

Confined Space Entry & Rescue And Many More!

Call or Visit us today 730 Bridge Street West - Unit 3, Waterloo, Ontario, N2V 2J4 Phone: (519) 747-5075, Fax: (519) 747-4608 e-mail: info@acuteservices.com web: www.acuteservices.com

A+

RURAL CONNECTIONS | 13

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

RURAL CONNECTIONS Stronger pesticide regulations likely needed to protect all bee species, say studies

RESEARCH / THE SWINE ARE FINE

Ottawa provides $1.5 million for pork industry research

A new federal grant will help pork producers adopt a virus detection system to improve the health of their animals. There are some 8,000 hog farms in the country.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS investing up to $1.5 million in the Canadian Pork Council (CPC) to adopt a virus detection system to support animal health.

Funded under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriAssurance Program, the virus detection system will enable the CPC to provide consistent information

on the health status of the hog population across the country, track early disease warning signs, and rapidly identify new and emerging diseases in the sector before they spread.

“Canadian pork producers welcome this investment in research and development from the Government of Canada in the area of swine health.

SPECIALIZING IN:

• FERTILIZER (Agricultural & Commercial) • SEED GRAINS & GRASS SEED • SOYBEANS • BAGGED PINE SHAVINGS • SOIL TESTING • LOCAL FREIGHT

Cell: 519-574-4141 | Office: 519-669-2045 | Fax: 519-669-3845

This project will provide a comprehensive tests to laboratories and will help veterinarians and producers manage the Canadian hog herd. Furthermore, using the data obtained through this project to inform disease surveillance activities will greatly benefit the industry and help prepare for disease mitigation,” said CPC chair Rick Bergmann in

[SUBMITTED]

a release following last week’s announcement.

The Canada Pork Council is a not-for-profit national industry organization with a membership that includes nine provincial associations representing 7,000 hog producers Canada’s hog sector, which includes more than 8,000 hog farms, accounted for $4.5 billion

in farm receipts and $4 billion in pork exports in 2017.

Canada is the seventh largest pork producer in the world, representing approximately two per cent of global production.

The funding from Ottawa is part of its effort to help the sector meet the goal to grow Canada’s agriculture and food exports to $75 billion by 2025.

PESTICIDE REGULATIONS DESIGNED TO protect honeybees fail to account for potential health threats posed by agrochemicals to the full diversity of bee species that are even more important pollinators of food crops and other plants, say three new international papers co-authored by University of Guelph biologists.

As the global human population grows, and as pollinators continue to suffer declines caused by everything from habitat loss to pathogens, regulators need to widen pesticide risk assessments to protect not just honeybees but other species from bumblebees to solitary bees, said environmental sciences professor Nigel Raine, holder of the Rebanks Family Chair in Pollinator Conservation, in a release last week.

“There is evidence that our dependency on insectpollinated crops is increasing and will continue to do so as the global population rises,” said Raine, coauthor of all three papers recently published in the journal Environmental EnBEES | 14

• Quality Drainage Systems • Backhoe Service A family tradition since 1921

Arthur, ON • 519-848-3113 • 877-669-1440 www.martindrainage.com

Tel. 519-664-2291 Fax 519-664-3491

80 Northside Drive, St. Jacobs, Ontario N0B 2N0

www.freyshatchery.com

14 | RURAL CONNECTIONS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

BEES: Given the importance to food production, more protections are needed, say researchers

We’re increasingly dependent on insects such as bumblebees to pollinate our crops, especially as our population continues to increase, according to the new studies.[SUBMITTED] FROM | 13

potential risks of pesticide exposure to insect pollinators.

But Raine said wild bees are probably more important for pollination of food crops than managed honeybees. Many of those wild species live in soil, but scientists lack information about exposure of adult or larval bees to pesticides through food or soil residues.

The papers call on regulators to look for additional

tomology.

With growing demands for crop pollination outstripping increases in honeybee stocks, he said, “Protecting wild pollinators is more important now than ever before. Honeybees alone simply cannot deliver the crop pollination services we need.”

Government regulators worldwide currently use honeybees as the sole model species for assessing

models among solitary bees and bumblebees to better gauge health risks and improve protection for these species.

“Everybody is focused on honeybees,” said Angela Gradish, a research associate in the School of Environmental Sciences and lead author of one paper, whose co-authors include Raine and SES Prof. Cynthia Scott-Dupree.

“What about these other bees? There are a lot of

unknowns about how bumblebees are exposed to pesticides in agricultural environments.”

She said bumblebee queens have different life cycles than honeybee counterparts that may increase their contact with pesticides or residues while collecting food and establishing colonies. “That’s a critical difference because the loss of a single bumblebee queen translates into the loss of the colony that

she would have produced.

It’s one queen, but it’s a whole colony at risk.”

Like honeybees, bumblebees forage on a wide variety of flowering plants. But because bumblebees are larger, they can carry more pollen from plant to plant.

They also forage under lower light conditions and in cloudier, cooler weather that deter honeybees.

Those characteristics make bumblebees especially vital for southern Ontario’s greenhouse growers. “Greenhouse tomato producers rely on commercial bumblebee colonies as the only source of pollination for their crops,” said Gradish.

The new studies stem from workshops held in

early 2017 involving 40 bee researchers from universities and representatives of agrochemical industries and regulatory agencies in Canada, the United States and Europe, including Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

“I hope we can address shortfalls in the pesticide regulatory process,” said Raine, who attended the international meeting held in Washington, D.C. “Given the great variability that we see in the behaviour, ecology and life history of over 20,000 species of bees in the world, there are some routes of pesticide exposure that are not adequately considered in risk assessments focusing only on honeybees.”

 Custom Machining & Repairs  Spline Cutting  Large Turning  Keying (Internal & External) CNC Turning & Milling

MACHINE & REPAIR INC.

RYAN WEBER 519.669.2198 63 Union St., Elmira www.rytechmachine.ca

Stop by Our Retail Store & Browse Through Our Selection of: New & used equipment: feeders, drinkers, cages, nests 6880 Line 86, RR#4 Elmira, ON N3B 2Z3

Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8-5, Sat.8-3, Closed Sun. & Statutory Holidays

Egg supplies: cartons, flats, crates, candler, scale

519-669-2225

WHERE TIRES ARE

A SPECIALTY

NOT A SIDELINE! We Stock Farm, Industrial, Truck, Passenger, and Even ATV and Lawn & Garden Tires.

Call Us for Tires!

FARM • TRUCK • INDUSTRIAL • ON THE FARM SERVICE 35 Howard Ave. Elmira, ON Monday - Friday Saturdays

8am - 5pm 8am - 12 noon

519-669-3232 www.oktireelmira.com

519-664-3701

www.cribit.com

CLASSIFIED | 15

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

CLASSIFIED HELP WANTED

CLASSIFIED DEADLINE:

WEDNESDAYS BY 10AM AUCTION

AUCTION

ANTIQUE AUCTION SALE

DAVID CARSON FARMS & AUCTION SERVICES LTD.

Of Primitives, textiles, pottery, furniture, china & glass, etc. to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley, for Ed and Sue Herringer, Paradise Lake, and additions, on

SAT. DECEMBER 29TH – 11:00 A.M. – Beef

Cow & Calf Sale. Offering cows, breeder bulls, and cow/calf pairs. Cull cows at 11A.M. followed by Stocker sale. Consignments Accepted! This is the last Beef sale of 2018.

Transport-Customer Care Coordinator Wallenstein Feed & Supply Ltd. is growing and we have added a new position to our logistics team.

WED. JANUARY 9TH – 11:30 A.M. – Dairy Sale. Offering registered and grade, fresh and springing young Holstein cows and heifers. Open & Bred heifers will start at 11:30 A.M. prior to the Dairy Sale. Consignments Welcome!

We are accepting applications for a permanent, full time Transport-Customer Care Coordinator. This position, which balances duties between logistics and customer service, will be responsible for developing and implementing new processes and procedures that make use of real time data to optimize our feeding programs. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication, analytical and problem solving skills. A full job description is available by request.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5TH @ 10:00 A.M.

TO CONSIST OF: Pine 12 light, 2 door flat

wall cupboard, 3 lap drawers. 2 dr. flay wall cupboard with nice carving. 7ft. tall, 1 piece wooden cupboard (pie safe). Oak china cabinet (bowed front and sides). 50’s chest of drawers. White mirrored cabinet. Red tin cupboard. Ice cream parlour type table & 2 chairs. Tea wagon. Custom made cherry floor lamp. Kuntz beer trays, coasters and blotter. Blue Top blotter. Huether & Kuntz wooden stenciled boxes. Piel’s beer tray.

Kuntz bottles. Small child’s chair with woven seat. Wooden stool. Early child’s wooden pull cart. Selection of redware pottery plus other crocks & jugs. 10 pieces of Brantford Pottery. Rockingham. Indian beads. Ironstone.

Chalkware sconces. Majolica plates. Wooden carved ducks. Beaver jars. Old windows, shutters & garden ornaments. Metal lighting.

2 traffic lights. Tiffany style hanging lamp – good. Cast iron doorstop. Sad irons & trivets. Victorian candle lantern. Stenciled boxes. Tinware. Dolls & wooden cradles.

Lithographed tin train with track. Vintage space shuttle post cards. Wooden log cabin building set. Team and carved wagon (2).

1930’s teddy bears. Early egg carton machine.

Egg scales. Egg candling light. Wooden egg crates. Railway & other lanterns. CNR tin cup. Christmas ornaments. Milk bottles. 30 plus yardsticks (local merchants). Hay fork.

Cant hook. Wooden golf clubs. Marbles.

Sewing basket on legs, pin cushions, etc..

Quilts. Quilt blocks/tops. Hooked rugs, tablecloths, handmade lace, etc. Sealskin boots. Kitchen collectibles. Miniature coloured oil lamps. Local calendars. A. Hertel, Berlin walk-in cooler hardware. Assorted baskets.

Emma Kaufman “Paradise Lake”painted on tin. Prints. Inuit soapstone carvings.

Beatles memorabilia. Books (3 - 19th century Mennonite song books – 1 Berlin CW 1857, etc.). Fountain pens. China & glass (Staffordshire dogs, Bunnykins, flo blue, Royal Crown Derby, mixing bowls, depression glass goblets, Charlotte Read pitcher, Shelley cups/saucers, pressed glass compote, carnival glass, etc.). Household including foosball table, single bunk beds, bar fridge, etc.

SAT. JANUARY 12TH – 11:00 A.M. – Beef Cow & Calf Sale. Offering cows, breeder bulls, and cow/calf pairs. Cull cows at 11A.M. followed by Stocker sale. Consignments Accepted!

If you are interested in an exciting position with competitive compensation and benefits, please submit your resume via email to recruiting@wfs.ca by December 31, 2018.

Carson’s Auction Service R.R.#3 Listowel, ON N4W 3G8

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, and thank all applicants in advance. Accommodations are available during all stages of the recruitment process.

Tel: 519-291-2049 | Fax: 519-291-5065 Website: www.davidcarson.on.ca | Email: info@davidcarson.on.ca

HELP WANTED

We are looking for a

Stair Designer/Engineer In this position you would be assisting our lead designer in creating drawings & 3D rendering’s and as well as preparing any other documents for the production process. You will be coordinating with our production and install members on a regular basis, relaying job details and specifications.

Job Description Woodland Horizon Ltd is a manufacturer of high end custom cabinetry and solid wood stairs located in the town of Drayton ON. At Woodland, we strive to build relationships with our employees & customers through mutual respect, kindness & integrity. We deeply care about providing our customers with a positive experience, so the successful candidate will need to be customer focused and work well with in the existing team of designers. Woodland Horizon is committed to see it’s employees thrive personally and professionally through our mission of continuous improvement, quality of service & being altruistic! If this sounds like an environment that you would be interested in being a part of, please contact us.

Required skills • Previous Design Software or CAD experience, will be an asset.

• Verbal & written communication skills.

• Familiarity of Microsoft products such as; excel, word and or other programs.

• Able to work independently but also in a team environment.

• Previous wood working experience will be an asset.

• Dependable, friendly, motivated & adaptability are some of the qualities we are looking for.

• Ability to read drawing blueprints.

• Analytical & numeracy skills.

• No post secondary education is required.

This position is full time, with benefits after probationary period.

If you are interested in joining a vibrant and growing company, with opportunities for personal growth/advancement please send in your resume.

Email laverne@woodlandhorizon.com or call 519-638-5961.

Only those receiving an interview will be contacted.

HOW TO REACH US

Kitchen help AND Part time waitress needed.

Apply in person with resume to: 3685 NAFZIGER RD. WELLESLEY or email: rgerber.schmidtsville@gmail.com TRADES & SERVICES

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS

FOR SALE

RON’S DRYWALL AND Renovations. Over 35 years experience. Please call 519-496-7539 or email ron.spncr@gmail.com

MATTRESS AND BOX Spring, new, never used, still in sealed bag. Sacrifice $195.

Delivery available $35.

519-635-8737.

HELP WANTED

Mar-span-Drayton Looking for full time AZ- DRIVER Growing and progressive lumber yard looking for AZ driver for hauling building materials and to operate the hitchhiker throughout southwestern Ontario. Clean abstract and experience necessary. Great hours and professional environment.

Competitive Wages and Benefit Package.

Email or fax resume to Arnold@marspan.com 519-638-3505

AUCTIONS ANTIQUE AUCTION SALE Of Primitives, textiles, pottery, furniture, china & glass, etc. to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley, for Ed and Sue Herringer, Paradise Lake, and additions, on Saturday, January 5th @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451 or 698-0138 TOY AUCTION OF Farm tractors, machinery, pedal tractors, local tractor trailers, coin banks, memorabilia, literature and other interesting items, to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley, for Richard Stein, Woodstock, & additions, on Saturday, January 12th @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451 or 698-0138

NOTE – An early season highlight! See www.gerberauctions.net for photos. Terms – Cash, debit or cheque with I.D. 10% buyer’s premium.

AUCTIONEERS:

Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451 or 698-0138

2827 Hutchison Rd., RR#1 Millbank (Crosshill)

WORD ADS WORK Small ads, big results.

CONTINUED ON PG. 16

Generate big business, in small ways.

Call Donna at 519.669.5790 Ext 104.

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

ADDRESS 20-B ARTHUR ST. N., ELMIRA, ON N3B 1Z9 PLACING A CLASSIFIED WORD AD

CLASSIFIED ADS

DISPLAY ADS

519.669.5790 EXT 0

519.669.5790 EXT 104

ads@woolwichobserver.com

sales@woolwichobserver.com

RESIDENTIAL COST $9.00 /20 WORDS EXTRA WORDS 20¢ PER WORD

COMMERCIAL COST $15.00 /20 WORDS EXTRA WORDS 30¢ PER WORD

In person, email, phone or fax submissions are accepted during regular business hours. Deadline for Thursday publication is Wednesday by 10 a.m. All Classified ads are prepaid by cash, debit, Visa or MasterCard. Ask about Observer policies in regard to Display, Service Directory and Family Album advertising.

16 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

REAL ESTATE

Wishing You A Happy 2019!

Sue From

Alli Bauman

226-750-9332

519-577-6248

SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT

SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT

suefrom17@gmail.com

CONTINUED FROM PG. 24

FARM SERVICES

$899,900

BAGGED PINE SHAVINGS Agricultural Spray Lime, 22.5kg. bag; feed grade lime, 25kg. Delivered. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-5744141 or 519-669-2045.

allibauman17@gmail.com

ipsum Drayton - A rare opportunity to own a custom built bungalow in a picturesque country setting only 30 minutes to KW. This meticulously maintained home has an open concept feel and is finished from top to bottom. With the sprawling island, formal living room, family room and main floor laundry, this home has been well thought out. Entertaining is a breeze in this huge rec room, two bedrooms and an office in the basement. In addition to the single garage, the 24X24 ft detached workshop will impress. Call today to visit this property!

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage

FERTILIZER AND SEED GRAIN - at competitive pricing. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141.

ICE SALT & ICE MELT - Ice salt comes in 20 & 40kg’s, Ice melt comes in 20kg bags. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

KILN DRIED CORN & CORN SCREENING Delivered by Einwechter. Minimum 15 ton lots.

Call George Haffner Trucking 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

ORGANIC FERTILIZER FOR sale. Sulfur 90 and Sulfate Potash. Call George Haffner Trucking at 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

Independently Owned and Operated

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

IT SOUNDS LIKE CHRISTMAS

SELLING? CALL US FOR A FREE MARKET EVALUATION.

Shanna Rozema

BROKER

Bonnie

Brubacher

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

BROKER

3.59 ACRE COUNTRY PROPERTY - DRAYTON AREA

HELPING YOU IS WHAT WE DO…

NEW LISTING! HAWKESVILLE - WORK FROM HOME OPPORTUNITY

$549,000 OPPORTUNITY awaits to make this your dream country home, Spacious 2 Storey, with walk-outs on both levels, 3 + bedrooms, gas fireplace, gas appliances. Double Garage + detached workshop/garage, small barn with hydro and water and a storage/shelter building. Picturesque views both Westerly and Easterly directions. NEW MLS.

$719,000 How convenient to have the

opportunity to purchase this 6800 sq ft shop right across the street on its own 1/2 acre lot. 25' and 8' ceiling height, 2nd floor office, fireplace, board & batten exterior and cedar shake roof.

800 sq ft mezzanine, overhead crane and Picture perfect private setting. 4 level backsplit with an abundance of windows, walkouts and inground pool. MLS more. MLS

$749,000 Inviting cottage feeling home with fieldstone

PARADIGM ELMIRA HOMES

$409,000 ELMIRA Bungalow on a fantastic 61' x 135' lot. Very well

maintained with many updates already completed. Walking distance to schools, recreation and downtown. Amazing price for a detached home in Elmira. It may be worth your visit. MLS

ONLY ONE UNIT REMAINING IN THE FIRST PHASE OF TOWN HOMES! Base Price includes finished basement $492,000. 2+1 bedroom, 3 full bathrooms, central air conditioning, gas fireplace, hardwood & ceramic flrs, custom kitchen with island, master ensuite, main floor laundry, walkout + more! EXCLUSIVE

WANT TO SELL? CALL US TODAY TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUR PROPERTY IS WORTH! ELMIRA OFFICE: 519-669-3192 | www.YourFamilyTeam.ca | 90 Earl Martin Dr., Unit 4

Babies of the

BOOK EARLY!

!

R A E Y 2018

The musical talents of the students were on display Dec. 14 as St. Teresa of Avila Public School in Elmira held its Christmas pageant.

[VERONICA REINER / THE OBSERVER]

$4hs0 t +

Full colour photo of your little one published in the January 10, 2019 edition.

Deadline for submission & payment Monday, January 7, 2019

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

Last Na m First Na e, me

Birth Da te Parents | Town Names

CLASSIFIED | 17

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

THOMPSON’S

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

Accredited Test & Repair Facility

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

TIRE

WHERE TIRES ARE A

SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE.

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

 Drywall & Taping  Painting  Flooring Installation

 Trim & Moulding  Tiling  Appliance Installation & much more

FREE ESTIMATES ON ANY SIZE JOB

Over 30 Years Experience

RESIDENTIAL & AGRICULTURAL

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

CALL US TODAY! 226-220-1196

35 Howard Ave., Elmira

519-669-3232

www.marwilconcrete.ca

519-577-0370

info@martinandmousso.ca | www.martinandmousso.ca

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

“25 years in Business”

ST. JACOBS

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

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

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

CONSTRUCTION INC.

• Residential • Commercial • Industrial

info@trappconstruction.ca www.trappconstruction.ca

(519) 569-0772

Randy Weber

• Commercial & Industrial General Contracting • Specializing in Concrete Work & Excavation • Retaining Walls

ECRA/ESA Licence # 7000605

www.rwelectricltd.com 18 Kingfisher Dr., Elmira | 519.669.1462

• • • •

Stamped Coloured Concrete Demolition Bin Service Machine Bases

Concrete Breaking & Removal

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

DESIGN CENTRE

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

Call someone you can trust - your local Home Hardware

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

Popular Brands Available

WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED

BLANCO, MAAX, MIROLAN, STEEL QUEEN

CALL JAYME FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE.

22 Church St. W., Elmira

519.501.2405 | 519.698.2114

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

John Schaefer Painting FREE ESTIMATES Interior/exterior Painting, Wallpapering & Plaster | drywall Repairs

519-503-6033 (CELL) 519-669-2251

36 Hampton St., Elmira

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

Steve Co.

Plumbing and Maintenance Inc.

Visit our website

www.biobobs.com or call today!

519-648-3004

or

800-232-6396

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

For all your Plumbing Needs.

Save you

by Elite or Mera

In home consultations Wide selection of styles & fabrics

24 HOUR SERVICE Steve Jacobi

Blinds

The Right Window Treatment Can

1011 Industrial Crescent St. Clements | 519-699-5411 www.LetUsFloorYou.ca

ELMIRA

519-669-3652

E

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

Evenings By Appointment

GENERAL SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

HOME COMFOR LMIRA T

FREE

INSTALLATION When you buy 3 or more

YOUR BUSINESS RIGHT HERE. OUTDOOR SERVICES Since 1998

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

(519) 669-4600

APPLIANCES – FURNACES – FIREPLACES AIR CONDITIONERS – WATER HEATERS SPRING SPECIAL ON AIR CONDITIONING TUNE UP $99, INSTALLED FROM $1999 FURNACES INSTALLED FROM $2499 FRIDGES $499, STOVES $399, WASHERS $399, DRYERS $369, FREEZERS $199 Come visit our show room FREE QUOTES 1 Union Street, Elmira

ehc@hotmail.ca (519)-669-4600

Humidity or Heating Issues in Your Home?

Give us a call or visit us online.

CALL 519-206-0336

BOOK APPOINTMENTS ONLINE

www.koebelhcm.com

Various sizes & rates

CLEAN • DRY • SECURE Call

519-669-4964

100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

•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

ALMA, ONTARIO | PHONE: 519.846.5427

18 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

PUBLIC NOTICE

FAMILY ALBUM “PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAS T; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.�

Community Information Page

P.O. Box 158

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

BIRTHDAY

BIRTHDAY

Friends, relatives, neighbours and former customers

Happy 21st Birthday Cassandra!

Elmira BIA Annual General Meeting Wednesday, January 30, 2018 Township Administration Office – Council Chambers Phone: 519-669-1647 or 877-969-0094 Fax: 519-669-1820 After Hours Emergency: 519-575-4400 Event Start: 6:30 P.M., Meeting Start Time: 7:00 P.M.www.woolwich.ca Members of the Downtown Elmira BIA are invited to the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, in the second floor Council Chambers of the Township Administrative Office at 24 Church Street West, Elmira. Come out for networking and light refreshments from 6:30 p.m. until the meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. Join the board in celebrating the BIA’s 2018 accomplishments and give your feedback on proposed 2019 projects.

Please come and help me celebrate Romie’s 95th birthday at an open house on Sunday Dec. 30 at the Maryhill Community Centre, 58 St. Charles St. E., Maryhill from 2-4 Mary Voisin

$

SMALL ADS, BIG IMPACT. THE OBSERVER CLASSIFIED ADS

ZETTEL, JOHN C. - On December 18, 2018 John C. Zettel passed away peacefully at the age of 89 following a brave battle with cancer.

6

(

/

'

,

$

7

*

6

,

/

/

6 2 8

0 2 1

6

7

(

/

.

6 7

7

( :

,

8 5 1 1

(

$

7

( * $

,

'

)

1

( * 5 2

6 0 7

$

%

$ * ( 8 '

,

6

$

.

(

6

& 5

(

6

7

&

1

7

6

(

3

5 2 * (

7

,

)

$

$

(

'

5

: $

* 1 8

( * 5 0 (

$

8

/

(

(

&

' 5 2 3 2 1

9

,

<

$ 0

$

(

,

&

(

,

+

PRINTING SERVICES

,

1

7

6

8

$

3

6

(

,

6

9

,

,

2 1 7

5

5

(

(

5

7

,

5

7

7

5

%

5

(

$

.

8

3

& 2 6

6

(

7

6

%

$

$

,

,

+ $

5

2 0 $

5

,

7

(

7

3

(

5

2

1 2

0 2 1 $

7 ,

6

1 2 '

3

,

8

7

.

1

,

7

9 2

(

$

,

7 6

7

$

1 '

&

.

,

=

'

$

<

(

5

6

(

5 2 1 ,

9

(

6

(

$

(

5 5

CROSSWORD PUZZLER

DEATH NOTICES

6

& 2 2

STRONG, LOUISE - At Listowel Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, Mrs. Grace Louise (Browne) Strong of Listowel, in her 79th year. Local relatives are daughter Carolyn and Scott Cornwall of Heidelberg.

SUDOKU CHALLENGE

Networking â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 6:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Introduction of Board of Management, Staff and Guests Board Member Appointments 2018 Year in Review 2019 Focus Areas & Future Plans Treasurerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Report Discussion & Approval of 2019 Budget Questions and Comments For more information, please contact the Downtown Elmira BIA: 519-669-6004 | elmirabia@gmail.com www.facebook.com/downtownelmirabia

OBITUARY

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

Agenda Topics: â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘ â&#x20AC;˘

Love Dad, Mom, Nicole, Colin & Jordan

Freeman, Cleason 1924-2018 Passed away peacefully at St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital, Kitchener, to be with his Lord, on Thursday, December 20, 2018, in his 95th year. Cleason Freeman, of Parkwood Suites in Waterloo, was the loved husband of the late Irene (Bauman) Freeman (Jan. 2018). Loving father of Shirley (Gerald) Shoemaker of Elora, Helen (Ken) Eby of Baden, Willis (Eileen) Freeman of Elmira, Gwen (Eric) Poot of Gowanstown, and Duane (Amy) Freeman of Kitchener. Proud grandfather of Elizabeth, Steven, Brent (Amanda), Kathryn, Blair (Brett), Julia (Nathan), Angie (CornĂŠ), Trevor (Anita), Karissa (Brandon), and Evan.

Great-grandfather of Wyatt, Zaida, Emily and Ella. Survived by siblings Emerson, Leonard, and Alice Martin, and sisters-in-law Lydia Freeman, Doris (Peter) Frey, and Ada Bauman. Also lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Addison and Selina (Bauman) Freeman, step-mother Lovina (Weber) Freeman, brothers Lloyd (Adline), Gordon, Seleda (Howard) Martin, Edna (Peter) Bowman, brother-in-law Henry Martin, and sisters-in-law Mary Freeman and Susannah Freeman.

Cleason farmed in Peel Township for 35 years, and served on the Peel Township School Board for many years. He was an active volunteer with Woolwich Community Services Food Bank, and was a long time member of Floradale Mennonite Church. Cleasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family received relatives and friends from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira. The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 24, 2018, at Floradale Mennonite Church, 22 Florapine Road, Floradale, with a family interment in the adjoining cemetery prior to the service. A reception followed in the church fellowship hall. As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

LIVING HERE | 19

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

LIVING HERE CHEF’S TABLE/ VOLUNTEERISM / MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Their actions show there’s definitely a WE in Wellesley Group of school kids in the village put community first as part of the WE Team at Wellesley PS

The Wellesley Public School WE Team organized school-wide food and clothing drives for the winter season. The team is composed entirely of volunteers from Grades 6 to 8.

FAISAL ALI IT IS AN OFTEN-HEARD lament that the youth of today, living in a world of smartphones and social media, are drifting away from their local communities and one another. And there may be some truth to that. But proving sentiment wrong were the kids on the Wellesley Public School’s WE Team, who led

a community-wide food and clothing drive just in time for the winter holidays.

The Wellesley contingent was just one of many WE Teams operating in schools across the township, with an eye to local and global community activism.

“We just wanted to raise stuff for people who don’t have everything that they

needed,” explained Wesley, a member of the school’s WE Team. “So winter attire and food.”

The WE Team, a volunteer group of students Grades 6 to 8, led the organizing effort for the fundraiser, which brought in boxes-worth of food supplies and warm clothing from the wider school and community.

“We made announce-

[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

ments to raise awareness, and we also made posters,” added fellow student Jack.

“And the posters talk about how you need all that stuff, and we made boxes to carry all of it.”

All the food collected will be going towards the Wilmot Family Resource Centre, which provides both emergency food support, as well as a regular lunch program for school-

As we look forward to the new year of 2019 what are your goals? Will you choose to see this year as a new opportunity to grow relationships, build your personal confidence and lend a helping hand? No matter your circumstance or age be encouraged that this year is a fresh start!

– Mackenzie

aged children in the community. The centre also runs a seasonal Christmas program, making the WE Team’s donations especially crucial at this time of year.

The centre provides services to the entirety of Wilmot and the southern half of Wellesley Township, meaning those dona-

A different take on the leftover turkey sandwich

ONE OF THE BEST parts of a large turkey dinner is the leftovers. In the days following the big Christmas meal – aka the recovery period – this sandwich gives leftovers a new lease on life with some serious crunch factor. Use the turkey mixture to make an equally delicious salad.

Add a splash of rice vinegar and enjoy.

This recipe is great for using up turkey leftovers.

Or, simply cook an extra boneless skinless turkey breast for dinner and save the leftovers. You can also sub in leftover cooked chicken. Switch up the lettuce colour palette with baby kale, shredded cabbage or shredded beets.

Given its simplicity, this recipe is ideal for getting the kids involved if the “I’m bored” complaints have already set in – they can stir the ingredients together and stuff the filling into the pita pockets. Prep time is just 10 minutes.

WELLESLEY | 23

CHEF’S TABLE | 23

Two locations in Elmira to serve you better

20 Oriole Parkway E. | 47 Industrial Drive

Tel: (519) 669-1082

www.leroysautocare.net

Accredited Test & Repair Facility

20 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

Vacuum Sales,

“A GOOD JOB DONE EVERY TIME”

Kleensweep Carpet Care

Repairs

Rugs and Upholstery

All Makes & Models

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

Everything Vacuum

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

West Montrose, ON

E-MAIL: ads@woolwichobserver.com

Cell: 519.581.7868

Truck & Trailer Maintenance

JANUARY 10

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE CUP RINGETTE Championship.

Bring the family out to watch at the Woolwich Memorial Centre December 27 to 31. Full schedule available at www.canadianuniversityringette.ca. Free admission.

SENIORS ‘LUNCH CLUB AT Breslau Community Centre at noon. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for a light lunch and fellowship, $7. Please call 519664-1900 by noon January 7 to sign up.

DECEMBER 31

COMMERCIAL 24 CARDLOCK FUEL DEPOT HOUR • Design • Installation • Custom Fabrication

MATERIAL HANDLING & PROCESSING SYSTEMS

JANUARY 16 SENIORS’ LUNCH CLUB AT Wellesley Community Centre at noon. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for a light lunch and fellowship, $7. Please call 519-664-1900 by noon January 14 to sign up.

JANUARY 2

JANUARY 21

YOUNG AT HEART CLUB. Join us for cards and games at St. Clements Community Centre, upstairs 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wheelchair friendly. Free snacks and drinks.

SENIORS’ LUNCH CLUB AT Woolwich Memorial Centre, Elmira at noon. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for a light lunch and fellowship, $7. Please call 519-664-1900 by noon January 17 to sign up.

JANUARY 9

M&G MILLWRIGHTS LTD.

www.elmiravacuumelectrical.ca

DECEMBER 27

NEW YEAR DANCE AT the Elmira Legion. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., $20/person. Late lunch provided. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Cardlock Fuel Management

JANUARY 23

WOOLWICH SENIORS ASSOCIATION MONTHLY Book Club. Join us at the Woolwich Memorial Centre at 10 a.m. This month’s book is “Barney’s Version”

by Canadian author Mordecai Richler. For more information call 519-669-2643. Come on out and join the conversation.

SENIORS’ COMMUNITY DINING AT Linwood Community Centre at noon. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for lunch, fellowship and entertainment, $12. Please call 519-664-1900 by noon January 21 to sign up.

SENIORS’ COMMUNITY DINING AT Calvary United Church, St. Jacobs at noon. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for lunch, fellowship and entertainment, $12. Please Call 519-664-1900 by noon January 7 to sign up.

SPAGHETTI DINNER & SALAD Bar at The Elmira Legion.

2 sittings - 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Legion 519-669-2932. Adults $10; Children 5 -10 yrs. $4. Under 5 yrs. $2.

519.669.5105

JANUARY 26

GET THE WORD OUT Send us your upcoming community and non-profit events for inclusion in the calender!

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

1 Year Anniversary & Christmas Open House Fri, Dec 7 & Sat, Dec 8

519-669-9919

1540 FLORDALE ROAD

charlene@bauerhearing.com 25 Industrial Drive, Elmira

P.O. BOX 247, ELMIRA

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

www.mgmill.com

9 Church St. E., Elmira

519-669-8362

T. 519.669.2033

COLLEEN

Service Se

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

24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

TOTAL

NANCY KOEBEL

HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS

Bus: 519.744.5433

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

Home: 519.747.4388

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

YOUR OIL, PROPANE, NATURAL GAS AND AIR CONDITIONING EXPERTS

RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, LIFs and Annuities.

healthywoolwich.org New to the Community?

Do you have a new Baby?

It’s time to call your Welcome Wagon Hostess.

Elmira & Surrounding Area

9OU RE )NVITED 4HIS 3UNDAY 35.$!9 3%26)#%3

! ! \

519.664.2008

psgingrich@hotmail.ca

10:00 am: Worship

St. James Pastor: Hans J.W. Borch Lutheran Proclaiming Christ through Church Love and Service 60 Arthur St. S., Elmira 519-669-5591

Worship: 9:30am

Elmira Mennonite Church

Celebrating Christmas Fred Lichti preaching

58 Church St. W., Elmira • 519-669-5123

Sunday, Dec 30th 10:45 am

I Have Come Discovering God Together

Speaker: Adam Hockley

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

Service at 10:30am Rev. Paul Snow

Healthy Communities WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

33 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.1591

NURSERY PROVIDED

Spread the word, advertise your service here every week.

REACH WITH LOVE. TEACH THE TRUTH. SEND IN POWER.

Zion Mennonite Fellowship 9:30 am Sunday School 10: 45 am Worship Service 47 Arthur St., S. Elmira • 519-669-3153 zionmenno.com

KEEP FAITH ALIVE, ADVERTISE HERE.

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

SUNDAY SCHOOL

HEARING ASSISTED

REACH OUT

290 Arthur St. South, Elmira • 519-669-3973 www.ElmiraAssembly.com (Across from Tim Horton’s)

REACH OUT. www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

• Sub-Committee updates

SHARON GINGRICH 519.291.6763

PLACES OF FAITH | A DIRECTORY OF LOCAL HOUSES OF WORSHIP

7//$3)$%

MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED

• Projects & News

Woolwich

11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS

9OU !RE )NVITED

SANYO CANADIAN

• Volunteer Opportunities

VERMONT Castings

652 Waterbury Lane, Waterloo

The place to get involved.

To place an ad, or learn more, call Donna Rudy

519-669-5790 ext. 104

LIVING HERE | 21

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

Babies of the

!

R A E Y 18 $4hs0 t +

20

Full colour photo of your little one published in the January 10, 2019 edition.

BOOK EARLY!

Last Na me, First Na me

Birth Da te | Tow n Parents Names

Deadline for submission & payment Monday, January 7, 2019 Email photos & caption information to: ads@woolwichobserver.com

Call: 519-669-5790 or Visit: www.observerxtra.com

THE OBSERVER SPECIALIZES IN GETTING THE WORD OUT IN WOOLWICH & WELLESLEY!

PLACE AN AD IN YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER TODAY!

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

LINWOOD BLOOD DONOR CLINIC Grandpa: Emergency blood transfusion. Sunday 11:00am

Give Blood ... to save lives.

The Next Linwood Clinic:

Friday, Jan 4th, 2019 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at Linwood Community Centre 5279 Ament Line, Linwood, ON N0B 2A0

South West Ontario Veterinary Service Proud to support the community effort to donate blood.

Linwood | Heidelberg | Wroxeter

3860 Manser Rd., Linwood â&#x20AC;¢ 519-698-2610 linwoodvet@linwoodvet.ca

519-698-2082 | 1-800-265-8735 | www.jfm.ca

1010 Industrial Crs., St. Clements

519.699.0600

CALL 1-888-2DONATE or VISIT www.blood.ca for more information or to book an appointment.

22 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

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

This group of seven mammals has a distinction that sets them apart WEIRD NOTES

Q. Are you familiar with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Baby Tooth Surveyâ&#x20AC;? and the role it played in banning above-ground nuclear weapons testing?

A. In the late 1950s, medical doctor Louise Reiss believed that nuclear weapons testing in the United States was harmful to those in nearby areas, says Dan Lewis on his â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now I Knowâ&#x20AC;? website.

Since the tests produced radioactive strontium-90 (Sr-90), chemically similar to calcium, Reiss wanted to determine whether people were absorbing Sr-90 in their bones. Her â&#x20AC;&#x153;outside-the-box ideaâ&#x20AC;? was to test baby teeth,

the most available bone out there.

Thus began the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Baby Tooth Survey,â&#x20AC;? where for over a dozen years, Reiss and others collected nearly 300,000 baby teeth from St. Louis area children, who each received a button with the words, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Gave My Tooth to Science.â&#x20AC;? The findings: Sr-90 was being absorbed into the bodies of those exposed, so that â&#x20AC;&#x153;children born after 1963 had 50 times more Sr-90 than those born before nuclear testing began.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 1963, with the knowledge of the first Baby Tooth Survey now available, the United States agreed to and ratified the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty,â&#x20AC;? joining other signatories in declaring an end to nuclear weapons testing above ground.

Q. Are you a fan of the

game of Hangman? What do you think is the hardest word to guess in the game?

And how many of these challenging ones do you know, three of which date back to 1275 or earlier: â&#x20AC;&#x153;gyve,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;ilka,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;yclept,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;jinxâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;klutzâ&#x20AC;??

A. Based on the 15 million rounds of Hangman one computer played, the hardest word to guess is â&#x20AC;&#x153;jazz,â&#x20AC;? says Anu Garg on his â&#x20AC;&#x153;A.Word.A.Dayâ&#x20AC;? website. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The English language has more than a thousand fourletter words that have the letter A in second place,â&#x20AC;? but after that easy vowel guess, â&#x20AC;&#x153;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all downhill.â&#x20AC;?

Now to the list: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gyveâ&#x20AC;? (jyv) means â&#x20AC;&#x153;a shackleâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;to restrain,â&#x20AC;? with its earliest documented use 1275. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ilka,â&#x20AC;? from Old English â&#x20AC;&#x153;yicâ&#x20AC;? + â&#x20AC;&#x153;a,â&#x20AC;? gives us â&#x20AC;&#x153;eachâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;every.â&#x20AC;?

zine. Biologist Jennifer Smith and her colleagues found that the females possessed at least one of the following traits: they are physically stronger than males, are long-lived or spend most of their life in one area, and form strong social bonds with other females.

A few examples: Though African lions are hailed as â&#x20AC;&#x153;kings of the jungle,â&#x20AC;? they actually form female-led prides. Not only do lionesses stay their whole lives where they were born but they also â&#x20AC;&#x153;cooperate on hunts, defend their territory from other prides, and defend cubs against adult males.â&#x20AC;? And female spotted hyenas are physically larger than males, take command during conflicts and, adds Smith, are â&#x20AC;&#x153;on the front lines in battles.â&#x20AC;?

And dating back to 950 is â&#x20AC;&#x153;ycleptâ&#x20AC;? (i-KLEPT), defined as â&#x20AC;&#x153;calledâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;named.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Jinxâ&#x20AC;? (1911) refers to â&#x20AC;&#x153;one believed to bring bad luck,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;klutzâ&#x20AC;? (1968) from Yiddish â&#x20AC;&#x153;klotsâ&#x20AC;? (wooden block) suggests â&#x20AC;&#x153;a clumsy or stupid person.â&#x20AC;?

BTW, Garg says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;these words may also come in handy in another popular word game.â&#x20AC;?

Q. What distinction do these mammal species have in common: African lions, spotted hyenas, African elephants, orcas, lemurs (2 species) and bonobos?

A. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Of the 76 non-human animal species that exhibit leadership, only seven have females that take charge during conflict, foraging or travel,â&#x20AC;? says Chelsea Whyte in â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Scientistâ&#x20AC;? maga-

Both ring-tailed and blackand-white ruffed female lemurs keep peace within the colony and take the lead in interventions with other colonies. Though adult females are comparable in size to males, they generally win in a one-on-one confrontation.

Finally, the ocean-dwelling female orcas live well into their 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, remaining in their birth place, â&#x20AC;&#x153;so the pod matriarch has valuable knowledge of the location of salmon-filled waters.â&#x20AC;?

As the study of animal behavior continues, a few other mammals may join this select group, Whyte says.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Bill is a journalist, Rich holds a doctorate in physics. Together the brothers bring you â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strange But True.â&#x20AC;? Send your questions to strangetrue@compuserve.com.

OBSERVER CROSSWORD PUZZLER ACROSS 1. Biblical beast 4. In Arabic, superlative or comparative 11. Wombs 16. Dovely talk 17. Newfangled picture taker 18. Turn quickly!

19. From water, plants 21. Brings in 22. Goal for type of life 23. African antelope 24. Bing, bang or boom 25. A Southern racist, e.g.

31. Sickly coordinated 34. Streaming over the top 35. ___ Appia 36. Former French coin 37. Churchillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;so fewâ&#x20AC;?: Abbr.

38. Arrest 41. Mountainous Balkan nation 44. Time span 45. Bias 46. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gotchaâ&#x20AC;?

48. 15-ball cluster

52. An end to sex?

55. Demanualize 58. DJ spinner 62. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ the season ...â&#x20AC;?

63. Calendar square 64. Charlotte-to-Raleigh direction 65. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Act your ___!â&#x20AC;?

66. Names 68. Allowing latitude, no preference in creed 72. Arabic valley 73. Affirmative action 74. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pumping ___â&#x20AC;?

78. Simulacra 79. Expressing an attribute 83. Bird crown 84. Split 85. Monster, inland, Irish 86. Coppers 87. Pampers 88. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To ___ is human ...â&#x20AC;?

DOWN 1. Old age ill, often unexplained 2. ___ bean 3. Lays down the lawn

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Tokyo, once Back talk â&#x20AC;&#x153;Give it ___!â&#x20AC;?

Tainted with Cake topper Nature abhorring more than one 10. First responders 11. Puller of weeds 12. Link 13. Avoiding the truth 14. Lassos steers 15. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ alive!â&#x20AC;?

20. Medical advice, often 24. Saltpetre 26. Ireland 27. F.B.I. operative 28. Allude 29. Tee, e.g.

30. Bit 31. Doctrines 32. ___, listen and learn 33. Crescent 38. Bicker 39. Keats, for one 40. ___ 2 ____. (80â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TV) 42. Identical sibling

43. Good shot 47. Chopper blade 49. To help is the person 50. Anti-drug lord 51. Custodianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection 53. Advocate central state control 54. Sorcerer 56. Peewee 57. ___ Minor 58. ___ el Amarna, Egypt 59. Napping, so to speak 60. Conquered again 61. Fourposter, e.g.

66. Spicy curry powder 67. Jersey, e.g.

69. That is, in Latin 70. Foreword, for short 71. Jottings 75. Acclivity 76. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Your turnâ&#x20AC;?

77. Warm, so to speak 78. TV monitor?

79. â&#x20AC;&#x153;20/20â&#x20AC;? network 80. Little Isaac 81. Except 82. Bull markets

SUDOKU CHALLENGE

ATTENTION:

WORLD TRAVELLERS Bring your Observer, snap a pic with it when on vacation, send to the Observer and get published in a future edition.

SUBMIT PHOTOS ONLINE: www.ObserverXtra.com/travel/submit-observer-abroad

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. We have got you started with a few numbers already placed in the boxes.

LIVING HERE | 23

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

WELLESLEY: WE is a collective effort FROM | 19

tions will go to support low-income people living right in region.

The clothing, meanwhile, will be on standby for students at Forest Heights Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, to use during recess over the winter months.

The WE Team model typically alternates in its focus between local and global initiatives, and the recent food and clothing drive was the second project the Team had taken on this year. Just before this was the Safe Haven project, while in previous years the team has taken on projects like the WE organization’s Rafikis campaign (Rafikis being the Swahili word for friend) to support the work of Kenyan artists overseas.

“Safe Haven is like a

youth service for kids who are homeless or there’s something troubling going on at home,” explained Cadence.

“So we did a fundraiser for toiletries and water bottles and lunch pails to help out kids in our grade. And it’s from 12 to 18, so we just wanted to help out kids that don’t go to our school, that don’t have a home to go home to.”

“I think it was two years ago we did a milk bag project where everybody in the school brought in milk bags,” added Leah. “And we figured out a way to weave them into mats for people in countries who don’t have anywhere to sleep. So we did that, and it took about, I think like 400 milk bags to make a mat.”

The team is now on hiatus until the new year,

THE NUTRACKER AT ST. JACOBS PS

when they’ll be looking for a new project to take on.

Though one hasn’t been selected yet, the kids are encouraging more of their fellow students to join the effort.

“We as the WE Team, you feel good about yourself, and you help other people,” noted Emily.

“It’s just, it’s very satisfying to see all the stuff we raised, and know that it only takes like 20 people to make that big of a difference,” said Cadence. “And that’s definitely going to people who really need it.”

“We have such an amazing community,” added teacher Joe Donofrio, who assists the team in their efforts along with fellow teacher Laura Bauer.

“And anytime we take on a charitable project, they respond in spades.”

CHEF’S TABLE: Another outlet for leftovers

FROM | 19

Turkey and Veggie Stuffed Pita 1/3 cup 0% fat plain Greek yogurt 2 Tbsp. light mayonnaise 1 tsp. Dijon or yellow mustard

1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper 1-1/2 cups chopped cooked turkey breast meat (about 227 g /8 oz) 1/2 cup diced red or green bell pepper 1/4 cup grated carrot 2 whole grain pita pockets 4 leaves Boston lettuce Quarter of an English cucumber, thinly sliced

In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard and pepper. Stir in turkey, red pepper and carrot until coated well.

Cut pitas in half and open pockets. Tuck lettuce and cucumber slices into each half and spoon in turkey mixture.

Makes 4 servings.

The St. Jacobs Public School tots put on a festive production of the Nutcracker Dec. 12 for friends and family in attendance.

[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

Boxing Week Sale DECEMBER 26 - JANUARY 5

FURNITURE & DESIGN

19 Arthur Street S, Elmira

15% OFF ALL FLOOR MODELS 10% off all custom orders

CHERVINFURNITURE.CA

24 | BACK PAGE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018

B OX I N G WE E K S A L E

NSTOREWIDE! O TAX! S T A R T S T O D A Y

S O U R C E F L O O R I N G .COM

SALE HOURS

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

DECEMBER 27 DECEMBER 28 DECEMBER 29 DECEMBER 30

9AM 9AM 9AM 10AM

9PM 9PM 6PM 5PM

1362 VICTORIA ST N. KITCHENER 519.742.9188