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06 | 22 | 2017 VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 25

HENS A HIT WITH RESIDENTS AT RETIRMENT HOME LIVING HERE PAGE 24

COMMENT PAGE 6

HOUSING AFFORDABILITY A GROWING CONCERN

Development potential the top priority in remapping Woolwich communities

Wellesley revamps fire department to help ensure better coverage

GETTING A TASTE FOR FUN

The boundary rationalization plan now under review would move parcels of land in and out of the settlement borders

ALI WILSON

STEVE KANNON MAKING NEW EMPLOYMENT LANDS available remains the priority for Woolwich planners as they look at redrawing the map of Elmira.

In St. Jacobs, the changes involve providing more room to expand the headquarters of Home Hardware.

The township is edging closer to reorganizing the settlement boundaries in both Elmira and St. Jacobs, juggling some parcels of land in and out of town based on development potential. The so-called boundary rationalization is underway in all the settlement areas, a one-time shift made possible under Waterloo Region’s new official plan, its overarching planning strategy.

The process has been underway at least in part since 2012, with Tuesday night’s council session being the latest in a series of public meetings. As before, a number of landowners made a BOUNDARIES | 5

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

Beyond sampling local foods, the 11th annual Taste of Woolwich provided some hands-on activities for the littlest visitors. Held for the first time on a Saturday, the event was hosted at the Elmira Farmers’ Market on June 17. [FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

PROMPTED BY DIFFICULTIES FILLING vacancies on its fire department, Wellesley Township this week restructured the organization.

Rather than always assigning firefighters to each of the three stations – Linwood, St. Clements and Wellesley – the department will look at the township as a whole to help ensure there are always enough firefighters available for calls, especially during the day.

Addressing council Tuesday night, chief Paul Redman said the department hasn’t had enough qualified volunteers to meet existing demand.

That, in turn, worsens the already difficult situation of having enough firefighters on hand to respond to daytime emergencies.

The most recent recruit-

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ment efforts by the department to fill a large number of openings received a less than adequate response, he noted. A total of three applicants from Linwood and five applicants in St. Clements were hired to fill vacant positions, leaving the departments seven short.

Revamping the organizational chart should help somewhat, Redman suggested.

“Without the numbers required to fill each stations vacancies, the township department cannot maintain its operational posture and readiness to respond to emergencies during critical periods such as weekdays and holiday/ vacation seasons,” he said in a report presented to council.

Wellesley is not alone in seeing this trend, he noted. Higher standards

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2 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

More variable weather ahead as we roll into summer

Environment Canada’s David Phillips predicts an up-and-down season, a little something for every taste

FAISAL ALI SUMMER MADE ITS OFFICIAL arrival this week in the midst of a mixed bag where the weather is concerned, and it appears we can expect more of that throughout the season.

Depending on your preferences, the weather has

been in turns too hot, too cold, too wet and too dry.

Well, maybe not the latter.

We certainly had more than the average amount of rainfall this spring, and the immediate forecast sees a good chance of yet more.

Expect the unexpected this summer, suggests weather guru David Phillips,

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a senior climatologist with Environment Canada. A warm, yet turbulent, summer is the likely outcome this year.

“What we’ve seen in southern Ontario in your area is no different than what we’ve seen from Windsor to Ottawa,” said Phillips.

“We’ve been well watered.

It’s been a spring that has been certainly a little cooler than what we normally have seen, but truly wetter.”

There might have been a bit too much rain so far, and not enough sunshine for crops in the area, said Phillips, but we’re not in deep

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NEWS | 3

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

Woolwich, developer split costs on planned road upgrades to Old Scout Place in St. Jacobs STEVE KANNON ADD ST. JACOBS’ OLD Scout Place to the list of road construction projects in Woolwich Township this summer.

The road is being upgraded in conjunction with the nearby Valley View Heights subdivision.

Meeting this week, councillors agreed to spend more than $1 million on the project, with much of the funding supplied by the developer.

Ersman Construction Inc. will carry out the construction work at a cost of $962,000, having submitted the lowest of four bids. Additionally, Meritech Engineering will be paid $140,000 to design and oversee the project.

The work is expected to get underway on July 24 and finish up by the end of September.

Currently a gravel road, Old Scout Place will be upgraded to urban standards – including sidewalks, curbs and gutters – along its stretch between Printery Road and a cul-de-sac near Arthur Street/Hwy. 85.

The work is needed as part of the next phase of the Valley View development, some 137 units known as Jacobs Trail Phase 2, at the south end of Water Street and north of Old Scout Place.

Under an agreement with Valley View, the developer is responsible for 100 per cent of costs for watermain, sanitary and related road works, and 20 per cent of the total cost for curb, storm sewer, boulevard and sidewalks on the urbanized section of Old Scout Place between Printery Road and the intersection of the future Water Street road allowance. In addition, the developer is also responsible for 20 per cent of the cost for the works on the rural paved section of Old Scout Place.

The township is responsible for the remainder of the costs associated with the upgrades to the road. Much of the work will be funded by development charges, extra costs levied on the buyers of new homes to help pay for township costs related to growth.

HOW TO REACH US

Woolwich employees and community members visited the Canadian Blood Services blood typing clinic on Monday at the township administrative office where Kerstin Dupius, event coordinator for the organization, informed visitors of their blood type ahead of the June 30 blood donor clinic in Elmira.

[ALI WILSON / THE OBSERVER]

Woolwich mayor, councillors encouraging blood donations ahead of long weekend

This week’s blood-typing event was a chance to promote adoption of clinic to be held in Elmira on June 30, with councillors issuing a challenge to residents to get involved ALI WILSON WOOLWICH MAYOR SANDY SHANTZ and members of council partnered with Canadian Blood Services for a blood type testing clinic on Monday, an event they hope will raise awareness ahead of the Elmira blood donor clinic on June 30.

The pre-clinic at the township’s administrative office focused on informing people what blood type they are, while sharing information on CBS and what is involved when donating blood.

CBS manages the national supply of blood, blood products and stem cells, and related services for all provinces and territories, excluding Quebec. The organization approached the township about holding the clinic.

“We generally try to run events twice a week. Whether

that is in high schools or local business or local government institutions like this, we generally do them geared towards our upcoming clinics like the one coming up in Elmira,” explained Kerstin Dupuis, event coordinator for the Canadian Blood Services.

Dupius has been a donor since she was 17, joining on as event coordinator just over a year and a half ago. She says that pre clinic events like this are so important because there are currently few ways to find out what blood type you are.

“Most people generally don’t know their blood type because it is not something that you’re told even on your birth certificate,” she said, noting that if you are curious to know your blood type there is a cost to have the test done through your family doctor.

“So most people don’t know their blood type unless they

have been in a medical situation where they find out their type.”

The township and the agency are hoping that their partnership ahead of the upcoming event will shine a light on the steady need for blood donors. The not-forprofit charitable organization says they need 100,000 new donors every year to meet current demand in Canada.

Shantz will be attending the donor clinic at the end of June, saying she encourages people to step forward and donate blood after seeing firsthand the impact CBS has had.

“I have had a number of family members who have had cancer. My dad has had a number of transfusions over his lifetime through cancer,” she said. “It is just a way to give back to the community and help people out because you never know.”

There is an especially high demand for donors leading into long weekends, with CBS noting that it can take up to 50 units of blood to save someone who has been in a car crash.

“We hope there aren’t accidents, but the reality is that it happens,” she commented.

The mayor along with members of council have pledged to recruit new donors to fill appointments with the goal of collect a total of 115 blood donations at the clinic at month’s end.

Currently only four per cent of Canadians donate, yet according to the agency half of the entire population will either need blood or know someone who will need blood at some point in their lives.

The donor clinic will be taking place on the Friday before the long weekend, June 30 at Lions Hall in Elmira from 2-8 p.m.

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4 | NEWS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

The Linwood Public School’s parent council has been fundraising for a new play structure since the current one was deemed unsafe for children 5 and under prior to the 2016-2017 school year.

[ALI WILSON / THE OBSERVER]

Linwood PS still has a way to go in fundraising drive for new playground equipment ALI WILSON

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IT LOOKS LIKE KINDERGARTENER students at Linwood Public School will have to wait another year to enjoy a new playground, despite vigorous efforts of various community and school council members.

Prior to the 2016-2017 school year starting, Linwood PS principal Shawn Thompson received a report from Parks Unlimited, the outside organization hired by the Waterloo Region District School Board to check for safety on playgrounds, that two of the structures were deemed unsafe for children five and under.

That demographic of children covers the junior and senior kindergarten classes, for a total of 62 restricted students at Linwood.

According to the report, the playground had certain drops that were said to be too high for the younger students to play on.

Prior to the report, the 12-year-old structures had been inspected by the group just about once a year, Thompson said, noting that this year brought new height restrictions.

“So our kindergarten classes, when they come to school they cannot go on the playground,” said

A concept for the replacement playground equipment.

Thompson. “That means that when they go outside, we have to come up with a lot of different ideas to play. Normally, we could just have them go on the playground and have a great time, but we can’t do that anymore.”

Over the last year, Linwood PS teachers set up various outdoor activities to keep children active, including water stations, providing toys for sand boxes on site, and the board installed two outdoor chalkboards to use.

“It is not as good as a playground, but it fills the need right now,” he said.

As the board doesn’t cover the cost of playgrounds, it’s up to the individual schools, typically the parent councils, to raise the money.

In this case, the school council has stepped forward. The group decided

to look into building an accessible playground that would be an all-inclusive space in the schoolyard.

After being presented with playground ideas from three different companies, the Linwood council decided on a $27,000 design that best fit the school’s goals and needs.

“Every playground had to be accessible – that is the most important thing – and our goal was to have that, obviously, and then a design geared more for younger kids,” Thompson explained, noting the new grounds will have more climbing obstacles rather than slides.

Fundraising initiatives to cover the full cost of the playground began last fall with a BBQ raising just over $1,000. Since then donations from community groups, local businesses and current students have

come directly to the group through various fundraisers.

They are currently sitting at just over $6,500 raised.

“People on our school council started knocking on doors here and also in Hawkesville asking for some of these business to donate money, and they have,” he said. “That is what we have done so far, it is just taking a long time.”

Initiatives have halted for now with the summer break, but will start early next year running a chocolate bar fundraiser – their largest for the year.

“We normally do it in the winter, but we are going to do it in the fall simply because we would like to get this playground in as soon as we can,” he said.

“Normally we get around $6,000-$7,000 in fundraising money from that.”

The goal is to have raised enough money through the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year to have the new playground in by the end of next year.

“We are hoping to have it in by the end of next year, whether that is realistic or not I don’t know,” he said.

Until then, the onus to provide kindergarten students with activities outside will fall on the creativity of teachers.

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waters just yet.

“My gosh, we have a lot of time to correct that situation. In fact, I think farmers may benefit from precipitation, they’re well ahead of the game.”

It will be a warm summer, but it’s also unlikely we’ll be getting that same consistent level of heat as in 2016, and we’re bound to see more of the up-and-down type

weather that we have been getting in the last month.

“Last year, I don’t think people really appreciated how summer-like it was,” he said. “I think what’s different about this year so far, you get the one day above 30 but you can’t sustain it.”

So cooler days are ahead, and you can expect more of the same at least until July.

“I don’ think we’re going to see a repeat of last year, so

it may be that we see a warm July, but a so-so August or vice-versa. so I don’t think it’ll be consistently that way, but I don’t think we’ll be disappointed.”

Phillips thinks this summer, “there may be something for everybody.”

“My sense is, ‘don’t leave home without the weather word,’ enjoy the summer. I think there’ll be moments where it’ll be gorgeous and

very likable, but if we get a little bit more variety, which we didn’t have last year. I think in the long run it’s the best for the most.”

We’ll be able to enjoy most of our summer days, so long as we keep an eye on the sky.

“We’re in an area where there is some active weather.

I mean, it’s just very much a part of the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,” said Phillips.

NEWS | 5

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

Region reaches deal with CUPE Committing taxpayers to multi-year raises, the Region of Waterloo reached a new deal with unionized outside workers in CUPE Local 1656.

The 60-month contract, retroactive to January 1, offers up pay increases of 1.5 per cent this year and next, 1.6 per in 2019, 1.75 per cent in 2020 and 2 per cent in 2021.

Local 1656 represents 212 full- and part-time employees working in the areas of transportation, waste management, water services, fleet services and facilities management.

Canada Day comes early Getting a jump on the festivities, Wellesley will be celebrating Canada’s Historic 150th birthday a week early.

The township is hosting an event Friday evening (June 30), starting with a dinner a featuring complimentary hamburgers, sausages, hotdogs and fries. They’ll also be serving up refreshments and cake.

Kricket (the clown) N’ Krew, Erick Traplin, and Crackerjack Palace will be on site for entertainment. For the kids there will be face painting, balloon master, and Touch-A-Truck, while adults

can enjoy a cash bar.

The party gets going at 5 p.m. at Located at 4639 Lobsinger Linel.

Cost overruns at Breslau fire hall The township will have to dig a little deeper – literally and figuratively – to build a new fire hall/ambulance station in Breslau.

Currently home to a temporary one-bay fire substation, the soil at 51 Beacon Point Ct. isn’t suitable for the new structure planned for the site, resulting in an extra $383,000 for fill and grading.

Work on the site is expected to get

underway this summer, Woolwich council this week having awarded the construction contract to Reid & Deleye Contractors, the lowest of five bidders at $2,659,000. The Region of Waterloo is picking up 30 per cent of the project cost to cover a new EMS station within the 9,000-square-foot building.

Construction is expected to be completed next year.

$273K for new plough truck As summer rolled in, Woolwich councillors had winter on their minds ... at least briefly.

Meeting this week, they awarded

a tender for $273,000 for a new snowplough-equipped truck. Team Truck Centres will supply a 2018 tandem Freightliner complete with snow-clearing equipment.

Wellesley awards drain works Work on Wellesley Township’s Kuepfer/Jantzi drain will be carried out by Marquardt Farm Drainage Ltd., awarded the contract by councillors meeting Tuesday night.

The company’s bid of $28,833 was the lowest of five tenders received, four of which came in under the estimated cost of $37,200.

Lighting it up One area of Bloomingdale will have streetlights installed in their neighbourhood next year, with two others opting to take a pass.

In doing a survey of residents to gauge interest, Woolwich divided the village into three sections. Only area three (McAllister Drive, James Wilson Street, River Street) responded favourably, with 63.2 per cent in favour. Opinion was split in area one Greenwood Road, Saranac Avenue, Seaton Crescent), with 45.5 per cent in favour of the idea. In area two (Salisbury Crescent), just 42.9 per cent of respondents liked the idea.

POLICE BLOTTER

Trucks involved in significant number of road accidents Transport truckrelated collisions continue to take a significant toll on human life on provincial roads, with one in five road crashes investigated by the OPP involving large commercial vehicles.

Among the 1,342 fatal motor vehicle collisions on OPP-patrolled roads between 2012 and 2016, 266 involved transport trucks.

During the same five-year period, 330 people died – the majority of victims were occupants of other involved vehicles. According to OPP data, 44 of the crash victims were drivers of the transport trucks, compared to 286 victims who were in cars and other smaller vehicles.

More recent data reveals that over the past three years, a significant number of collisions were caused by transport trucks in poor operating condition. Between July 2014 and June

HELPING HANDS ARRIVE IN SHORT ORDER

2017, 344 collisions involved defective transport trucks, six of which were fatal and 37 of which resulted in injuries.

Damaged axles, blown tires or detached wheels, faulty brakes, defective hitches and unsecured loads are just some of the many factors in truck-related crashes. At times, unsecured loads or truck equipment flying into the path of other vehicles produced tragic consequences.

JUNE 15

4:57 PM | Damage was minor as two vehicles collided in the eastern intersection of the roundabout at Arthur Street and Sawmill Road near St. Jacobs.

There were no injuries.

JUNE 18

8:57 AM | Police were called to Kressler Road in Wellesley Township when a car struck a deer. No one was injured.

Emergency responders attend to a woman June 19 in Elmira following a single-vehicle collision involving a scooter.

JUNE 19

5:15 PM | Emergency workers responded to the Elora Gorge to rescue a man who’d fallen to the bottom. Four young people hiking in the gorge had attempted to climb out. The men were able to climb approximately 50-60 feet above the riverbed to the top of the gorge. Re-

alizing they were on residential property, they decided to climb back down. Almost immediately after starting their descent, a 20-year-old man slipped and fell. Emergency services responded and numerous Centre Wellington Fire Department personnel were able to extricate the man using ropes and a stretcher. He

[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

was transported by air ambulance to St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto with life-threatening injuries. The Wellington County OPP is asking anyone that may have witnessed this incident to please call 1-888-310-1122.

7:30 PM | An on-farm accident claimed the life of a 12-year-old

boy on a property near Milverton.

Emergency crews responded to the scene, where the boy had been working in a barn. The child was transported to an area hospital and later pronounced deceased. The Perth County OPP and the Office of the Coroner continue to investigate this incident.

BOUNDARIES: Plenty of landowners making a pitch to the township ahead of final decision FROM | COVER

pitch to have their properties included in the revamped settlement maps, a change that would allow them to exploit the development potential on hold for those on the outside looking in.

Under the regional official plan, the township can only shift lines, as for every acre brought into the fold, another has to be dropped somewhere. The whole exercise requires no net increases in the total size of settlement areas – hamlets, villages and towns – in the township.

With more requests for inclusion than space available given the limitations, not everyone will come away happy, noted director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley.

Eyeing a solution to the longstanding need for a by-

pass route around Elmira, planning staff’s latest draft includes allocating space along the town’s east side, land that could eventually see a new road take shape as industrial development comes on stream. To that end, the township proposes to shift some land out of the northwest and down to the southeast part of town. The township will also draw on space from St. Jacobs to ensure there’s no net gain.

Similarly, planners want to expand the countryside line – the line in the sand between urban and rural areas – to clear the way for future growth of the settlement areas of Elmira (the east side) and St. Jacobs (adjacent to Home Hardware).

That expansion is especially important for a potential bypass route in

Elmira, said Kennaley.

“Not all of the land in Elmira will fit under the settlement boundary expansion, but it can be designated for the countryside line.”

Responding to a question from Coun. Patrick Merlihan, Kennaley noted the bypass route is a longterm project.

“It’s going to be some time before we achieve the whole bypass. Certainly not overnight,” he said, noting simply getting another round of changes to the regional official plan wouldn’t happen until early in the next decade.

Still, the changes are necessary to help open up new industrial development.

“We’re critically short of employment lands in Elmira,” he stressed.

Having identified their

priorities, planners face some challenges getting there, however.

Notably, there’s a long list of people jockeying for a chance to have their own projects move higher up the list.

In St. Jacobs, for instance, Mike Gillis wants to see part of his holdings adjacent to 118 Northside Dr. added to the settlement, pointing out the potential for a shared project with nearby Calvary United Church, which has talked about developing seniors’ housing.

Without bringing more of the land there into the settlement, such projects are unlikely to happen, he noted.

In Elmira, Stantec Consulting planner Jennifer Mondell pressed for an expansion of the countryside

line, at a minimum, to encompass more of her client Ron Stroh’s property. Much of the eastside land – and potential bypass – already involves the 131-acre Stroh farmland.

Both the potential industrial land use and the bypass route were cited

by MHBC planner Pierre Chauvin’s pitch to include at least some portion of his client’s land at 460 and 461 Arthur St. S. The latest round of proposals is yet more food for thought for planners, who are aiming to bring a recommendation back to council in the fall.

With the rationalization process, Woolwich is looking to bring its planning documents into conformity with the new regional official plan. It’s the region that’s decreed no net gains

as the township revises community boundaries in three classes: rural (the small centres such as Conestogo, Floradale and Maryhill), township urban (Elmira and St. Jacobs) and urban, the new designation for Breslau, where much of the growth, particularly industrial, is expected. The designation also applies to the stockyards area south of St. Jacobs on the Waterloo border.

Looking to make better use of developable land, Woolwich proposes to rationalize the boundaries of settlement areas. The official plan amendment discussed at council Tuesday night essentially proposes to remove some land from the settlements, replacing it with other properties with great development potential.

6 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

JOE MERLIHAN PUBLISHER STEVE KANNON EDITOR

COMMENT

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OUR VIEW / EDITORIAL

THE VIEW FROM HERE

Habitat builds take aim at affordability issue THE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY build now underway in Wellesley is a first for the township, an expansion of the not-for-profit group’s efforts to make housing more affordable, one family at a time.

The local build is also part of a nationwide initiative to put 150 families into new homes to mark Canada’s 150th birthday.

While each is a small-scale project, it does help tackle the affordability issue, which worsens with each year.

Each project is also an economic boon to the community, with a study into Habitat for Humanity Canada’s social impact calculating that for every $1 invested in Habitat, there are $4 worth of benefits to the community – last year, that amounted to some $48 million.

Anyone watching housing prices knows home ownership is increasingly out of reach. Rising costs also make their way into the rental market, both diminishing supply and driving up the cost of rent in new and existing stock.

A new Habitat survey finds a majority of Canadians feel we’re not paying enough attention to affordable housing needs and solutions given the current climate. Some eight out of 10 Canadians agree that having affordable, stable housing contributes to public health (87 per cent), community safety (90 per cent), economic growth (92 per cent) and children’s education (91 per cent).

The survey discovered home ownership remains a top achievement for most people: 91 per cent say that owning a home is one of their greatest achievements in life.

Among renters, a majority of Canadians (77 per cent) cite owning a home as one of their top goals.

While homeownership has become much more challenging for Canadians, it remains completely out of reach for many low-income families, who are without access to safe, secure and affordable housing. Habitat’s model bridges a gap for people, providing working families on low incomes with the opportunity to purchase their own Habitat home, such as those under construction in Wellesley.

Survey respondents identified high cost as the largest barrier to homeownership (91 per cent), followed closely by difficulties obtaining a mortgage (75 per cent). Most do not expect the situation to get much better: a majority of Canadian respondents (84 per cent) believe housing costs will go up in the next five years.

According to the survey, most Canadians have struggled with housing costs at some point in their lives, and more than 40 per cent currently struggle to pay housing costs.

In order to pay those housing costs, many have had to cut back in other important areas such as food (40 per cent), dental care (30 per cent) or education (12 per cent).

Average home prices remain far out of reach of many residents, which doesn’t seem sustainable.

It’s in this environment that Habitat does its thing.

Using volunteer labour and donations of money and materials, Habitat constructs homes for qualified families.

Often, this is the only route for partner families to gain home ownership. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving fund, which is used to build more houses.

The townships not being known for its abundance of affordable housing, Habitat builds here are welcome additions.

As history has proven with our water bills, no good deed goes unpunished as conservation efforts equal higher bills to cover utility expenses.

WORLD VIEW / GWYNNE DYER

The times are changing quick, as seen in Ireland and Serbia WORLD AFFAIRS For most Irish people the most striking thing about their new prime minister, Leo Varadkar, is that he is very young. (At 38, he is the country’s youngest leader ever.) It’s mainly the foreign press that goes on about the fact that he is a) half-Indian, and b) gay.

Varadkar himself, the son of a doctor from India and a nurse from Ireland who met while working in a hospital in southern England, is definitely not keen on being seen as a symbol of changing public attitudes: “I’m not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician, for that matter.

It’s just part of who I am. It doesn’t define me.”

No, it doesn’t, but it is still worth focusing on for a moment to think about what it tells us not just about Ireland but about the West as a whole, and even about the world.

Homosexuality was legalized in England in 1967, and it was decriminalized

in Canada the following year (when Pierre Trudeau, then the justice minister, told the CBC that “there’s no place for the state in the bedrooms of the nation”).

It only became legal in Ireland a quarter-century later, in 1993. But two years ago same-sex marriage was made legal in Ireland by a referendum in which 62 per cent of the voters said yes.

Well, we already knew that Ireland had changed.

It has lots of immigrants now – one in every eight people is foreign-born – and the political power of the Catholic Church has collapsed. So it’s no longer a surprise that an IndoIrish gay man can become prime minister. But what about Serbia?

The only “immigrants” in Serbia are ethnic Serbs who were stranded in other parts of former Yugoslavia after the break-up. The Serbian Orthodox Church is still strong, and it has no truck with degenerate Western ideas about human rights. As one Orthodox monk wrote: “Homosexuality is not a problem in Serbia. There are hardly any gay people, and society

wouldn’t permit them to organize or (publicly advocate) their abominations.”

Two-thirds of Serbians think that homosexuality is an illness, and almost four-fifths believe that gay people should stay in the closet. But Ana Brnabic is an out and proud lesbian, and she has just been appointed prime minister of Serbia. She is also of Croatian descent. How has this happened?

Brnabic was appointed

by Alexandar Vucic, who was prime minister himself until he ascended to the presidency in last month’s election. The prime minister is constitutionally the most powerful person in the government, but Brnabic is a technocrat, not really a politician. It is widely expected that she will concentrate on making the trains run on time, so to speak, and leave the sensitive political decisions to Vucic.

The general assumption in Serbian political circles is that Brnabic’s appointment is window-dressing.

Serbia wants to join the European Union, and the government would quite like to divert the EU’s at-

tention from a few little image problems: its close ties with Russia, its hostility to refugees and rampant corruption.

So what could be better than a woman prime minister (a Serbian first) who is openly gay (another Serbian first) and even has foreign antecedents (her father was born in Croatia)?

Why, the Serbs are even more enlightened than the Irish! We should make them full members of the EU as soon as possible!

That may well be the plan – and if it is, so what?

The European Union knows that there was a considerable amount of calculation behind Brnabic’s appointment, but it will not condemn Vucic for trying to make Serbia look like a suitable candidate for EU membership.

Lots of ordinary Serbs will be shocked by this assault on “Serbian values,” but many of them will understand that it serves the national interest. And little by little, just because Brnabic is the prime minister, they will grow less uncomfortable with the notion DYER | 8

COMMENT | 7

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

THEIR VIEW / QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What is your favourite thing about summer?

»»Margaret Burke

»»Bill Cassel

»»Charlette Halstead

»»Laura Thomson

»»Seala Seidler

“We meet more tourists from all over the world... that’s what St Jacobs is all about.”

“Cottages. Absolutely.”

“Watching my kids and grandkids play ball.”

“Ice cream.”

“The weather. When it’s like this...”

“Gay rights, feminism, human rights in general are not really ‘Western’ values ...” Gwynne Dyer | 6 HIS VIEW / STEVE KANNON

Fresh water isn’t as abundant nor as pristine as we’d like to think it is EDITOR'S NOTES Wading through the mountains of documents related to water quality in Elmira, you’d be hard pressed to say there’s a shortage of data. Critics, however, would argue there’s a real dearth of the relevant kind, especially straightforward information about the health of both the aquifers and the Canagagigue Creek.

This subsection of the Grand River watershed has been well studied – the relative inaction on the file is another matter – unlike much of the freshwater sources in the country, however.

Canada is home to some 20 per cent of the planet’s freshwater, but we know relatively little of the growing perils to the resources, according to a new study by the World Wildlife Federation.

The study found significant disturbances from hydropower dams, agricultural runoff, pulp

and paper processing, fragmentation, urbanization, pipeline incidents, oil and gas development and other activities. At the same time, a shortage of data relevant to health indicators limits our understanding of the impact of these human activities on watersheds.

Having spent four years looking into the issue, WWF-Canada found there’s a deficient amount of information for about two-thirds of the country’s watersheds and their respective sub-watersheds.

In this area – the north Lake Erie watershed, including the Grand River system – the available information and overall condition is fair, but the risks are fairly high, notes Liz Hendriks, WWF-Canada’s vice-president of freshwater conservation.

“The stressors are very high in that watershed.

Habitat loss is high. Pollution.”

That’s true of pretty much all of southwestern Ontario given the population and its impacts on the environment.

“What we do on land impacts the water in our

HOW TO REACH US

ful of it. The higher cost is supposed to encourage us to conserve, the best way to make the most of our dwindling water supply. I say dwindling, but that’s not really the case. The planet is home to plenty of water, we’re just using it far more quickly than nature can replenish it in the quantities and locations we need.

A glance at photos of the Earth taken from space makes the idea of a water shortage seem absurd.

The globe is mostly water.

However, 97 per cent of that is salt water. Of the remaining three per cent that is fresh water – the kind we need to drink and to grow food – more than two-thirds is contained in glaciers and icecaps. About 30 per cent is groundwater – the kind we depend on here in Waterloo Region – and only 0.3 per cent is available as surface water (lakes and rivers, for instance).

In many of the areas currently experiencing water shortages – much of Africa comes to mind – the problem is access to freshwater supplies, which at times has more to do with politics

and/or economics than it does Mother Nature.

Still, with a growing number of people drawing on freshwater supplies, it’s no surprise we’re running into trouble. That goes double when, as is the case in much of the developing world, the bulk of the growth comes in regions already experiencing shortages. Population shifts on this continent – growth in water-starved California and the U.S. southwest – also contribute to the problem.

Closer to home, growth edges us ever-nearer to a Great Lakes pipeline in the not-too-distant future, as our groundwater supplies are almost maxed out.

Fact is, we do take drinking water for granted. We are lucky in this area, as we have options for mitigating some of the negative impacts of growth. And we’re also less prone to the extremes in weather – floods, droughts, unusual snowfalls – currently on display around the globe.

While we’re still a long way from the worst-case scenarios, we’ll have to move now to mitigate the

impacts, or bear the full and much larger costs later when we’re in an emergency situation.

That means taking steps to combat climate change, and precautions in those places likely to be hardest hit – rising water levels, droughts and floods will wreak havoc where they occur.

More information is needed to assess the health of the country’s freshwater and the ongoing threats, the WWF report notes. Specifically, we need to know more about the human activities that are disturbing sub-watersheds and the impact those stressors are having on freshwater health. The list includes pollution, habitat loss, fragmentation, water use, invasive species, alterations to water flow and climate change.

“With these health and threat assessments, we were able to learn that across the country we are putting significant stress on our watersheds – whether through pollution, lowered water flows, overuse, KANNON | 8

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immediate area and what goes on downstream,” she says, noting our perception of water resources is often at odds with reality. “We have this myth of abundance, and of pristine lakes and rivers.”

In fact, freshwater shortages and water quality are already at issue in the region. While the overabundance of rainfall this spring has tempered calls for increased conservation, one brief drought will bring the warnings to the fore.

Even away from Elmira’s contaminated groundwater, there are concerns about the water coming out of our taps, largely due to taste and mineral content.

Officials stress the water is safe, eschewing bottled water, but what comes out of the tap isn’t prime drinking material.

Despite a looming global crisis, however, chances are few of us think of shortages as we take showers, flush toilets and run washing machines. Water is plentiful: we just turn on the taps, and out it comes.

Of course, given the ever-escalating cost of that water, we are more mind-

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8 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

THE MONITOR

VERBATIM

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

Since 2011, Canada has lost another 6% of its farms and close to 8% of farm operators. There was a 3% increase in the number of farmers under the age of 35, with the majority being between 25 and 29. This is the first time there has been an increase in this age category since 1991. More than half of these farmers are renting land, as the price of land and buildings has increased by 39% since 2011, reducing accessibility.

“[T]he Liberals lack the moral authority to govern Ontario.

Economic stability and confidence in government are little more than dreams now. Wynne once said she wants Ontarians to be able to ‘live out their dreams.’ Most of us dream of an Ontario without Kathleen Wynne.”

Parents who dreaded the words “snow day” this year in Waterloo Region can likely breathe a sigh of relief now that the public and Catholic school boards have adjusted their school closure policy.

WRDSB institutions will now remain open despite bus cancellations, unless more than 80% of their students rely on bus transportation.

The Catholic board has decided to close only those schools with more than 90% of their population riding the bus.

» The 2016 Agricultural Census

» Dr. Michael Bonner, a Toronto-based political adviser, on the “the great flaming

» From the June 21, 2008 edition of The Observer

mass of Ontario Liberal incompetence”

DYER: Everyone in the West is

NATIONAL VIEW

heading in the same direction

FROM | 6

of gays – and indeed just women in general – having a legitimate role in public life.

This is how change really happens: not sudden enlightenment, but a gradual acceptance of new rules and values. And the most encouraging take-away from this little story is that even a man like Vucic, once an ally of the murderous demagogue Slobodan Milosevic, understands the new political and social rules of the West.

They are not yet the new rules everywhere. Eastern Europe is way behind Western Europe, North America

and Latin America, largely because it spent between forty and seventy years isolated from the rest of the world under Communist rule. The struggle is still intense in parts of Asia, and it has scarcely begun in most of Africa and the Muslim world.

Gay rights, feminism, human rights in general are not really “Western” values: a hundred years ago the West was just as intolerant of difference as everybody else. The change has come to the West earlier mainly because it is richer, but we are all travelling on the same train, and the other end will pull into the station just a little bit later.

KANNON: We’re not backing up

what we say about the resource FROM | 7

habitat loss or fragmentation, invasive species or climate change. But because the corresponding data on health metrics isn’t being collected for a majority of watersheds, no one can conclusively say to what extent these disturbances are harming the health of this crucial resource. That’s a shocking oversight that we can’t afford to ignore,” says Hendriks of the report’s findings, which she’d like to see serve as something of a wakeup call to the public and politicians.

Canadians routinely say water is our most valuable

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resource, but we don’t walk the talk when it comes to taking steps such as conservation and being mindful of what we send down our sinks, for instance.

On an individual basis, how each of us behaves isn’t the issue, but taken as a whole, well, that’s where things starting going downhill, she notes.

“Cumulatively, we’ve built up activities that have a detrimental impact on our ecosystem,” says Hendriks, noting that changing course could take some time.

“We do move slowly because we haven’t been paying attention to our freshwater resources.”

SPORTS | 9

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

SPORTS BALL HOCKEY / A GROWING TOURNAMENT

It’s hockey with no ice required Participants in Road Hockey Challenge at Crosshill Mennonite Church will rub elbows with the pros FAISAL ALI THE NHL SEASON IS over and it’s much too warm for ice, but there’ll be a touch of professional hockey in Crosshill next weekend.

Young ball hockey players will be joined by Winnipeg Jets center Bryan Little, and the team’s first-round draft pick Logan Stanley of the OHL Windsor Spitfires for the Road Hockey Challenge at Crosshill Mennonite Church.

The visiting players will be stopping by at the day-long tournament on Saturday, where they will be taking questions, handing out prizes and talking about what it takes to go pro.

“The kids just love the stories. You can hear a pin drop when these guys talk,” said Marty Schwende, who helped launch the tournament a few years ago. In the past, he says, they have been able to attract other big stars like

Drayton native and NHL player Nick Spaling, and the kids have always enjoyed it.

This year, he says, the kids are already getting excited in anticipation.

“These guys are good guys to come over. Not everyone would do that, but these guys are stepping up and we really appreciate.”

The tournament is run to benefit the local com-

munity, says Schwende, with all the proceeds from this outing going to the Habitat for Humanity home being built in Wellesley.

“It’s just a good outreach for the community. Everybody comes in, has a good time. It’s very low-key – it’s competitive, but lowkey. The idea is to have fun and camaraderie, and enjoy the day,” he said.

Seventeen teams are participating in the tournament, a new record, he noted. Each team has four to five members from novice to bantam brackets (or about 9-14 years old), and the

event is organized so that each team will get to play four games on tournament day.

With the number of participants the highest it’s been, Schwende said he is hopeful for an even greater turnout next year, and he’s encouraging more kids to join in.

In the meantime, he is inviting everyone out on June 24 to watch some great ball hockey, enjoy some lunch and rub elbows with some NHL talent.

Crosshill Mennonite Church is located at 2537 Hutchison Rd.

THE OBSERVER PRESENTS

THIS WEEKEND IS OPENING day for bass in this neck of the woods. Bass are much loved by most anglers because they are an aggressive fish that is relatively easy to catch.

Even so, I see many new anglers making the same mistakes over and over again when it comes to these wonderful, sporty fish. This happens typically when estimating the size of the catch.

The difference between a rookie and a seasoned angler lies in the degree of accuracy.

I think newcomers to the sport often fail in this regard because they get a little too excited – to try their new state of the art scale and measuring tape.

As a result, the memory of a 12-inch bass almost invariably remains the same size, sometimes throughout the entire season.

You won’t catch an experienced bass angler making this mistake, however.

That’s because we know that, with the right scale, or, better yet, none at all, a 12-inch, 14 ounce bass, can quickly balloon to trophy proportions.

Personally, I consider myself a purist. That means I choose to estimate

Chrosshill Mennonite Church is holding its Road Hockey Challenge again, this year on June 24.

GALEA | 11

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10 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

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ELMIRA LIONS CLUB 15th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Was held on May 29th at the Elmira Golf Club

Elmira’s St. Teresa three-pitch team brings it in after the game for high-fives on Monday at RIM Park.

[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

A good day on the diamond for local Catholic school teams FAISAL ALI STUDENTS FROM THE REGION’S Catholic elementary schools were out on the diamonds at Waterloo’s RIM Park Monday.

The three-pitch tournament was held for juniors (Grades 4, 5 and 6s), bringing out seven girls’ teams and ten boys’ teams to play ball.

The girls played a series of round robin games, while the boys were placed in two divisions to compete.

St. Clement school had a particularly good day, with their girls’ team coming in

first, and their boys’ tying for first in the first division.

The boys played an extra inning before they ran out of time and had to settle with a tie. In the second boys’ division, Elmira’s St. Teresa took first place outright.

Dan Ingoldsby, principal of St. Clements, says the girls were happy to have won.

“We have very few experienced ball players, so for a lot of girls it was their first time playing, and some of them were even hesitant to come out and play. So they were quite pleasantly surprised.”

The St. Clement boys, meanwhile, were actually split into two teams, one made up of just St. Clement students, and other a mix of St. Clement and St. Agatha, who were shy a few members.

Both teams at St. Clement had been practicing for about three weeks in the run-up to the tournament, but in the end the games were all about having fun.

St. Teresa coach and teacher Nick Rintche said the kids, far from exhausted from the day’s activities, wanted to keep playing even after the tournament had ended.

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We would like to thank our Hole Sponsors Kennedy’s Catering French’s Drywall Shelf Shop Craig Frede Design Premier Equipment Elmira Truck Service Pioneer North Landscaping M&G Millwrights Newt’s Mechanical Paradigm Homes Ball Construction Inc. Melloul Blamey Construction Ltd.

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We would also like to thank our Prize Sponsors R.W. Thur Real Estate Ltd. Home Hardware Corporate Office Elmira Golf Club Tri City Ready Mix Ball Construction Martin’s Apple Block 3 Brewery Murphy’s Law

Elmira Home Hardware Elmira Meat Market M & G Millwrights Form & Build Supply Inc. Elmira Bowl Rockway Building Supplies Canadian Tire Elmira

Thanks for another successful tournament and we look forward to seeing you next year!

MennoHomes held its annual Out-Spok’N bike-a-thon this Saturday to raise money for its affordable housing project in Elmira. The total amount raised from the event has yet to be tallied, but organizer Dan Driedger says they’re aiming for something similar to previous years, or about $40,000 to $45,000.

[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

…

SPORTS | 11

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

GALEA: Fishing shouldn’t be an exact science, as the ruins all the great stories told by anglers FROM | 9

the weight of a fish utilizing no basis of reality.

Yes, this is an art, but one that can be mastered by most creative people in a season or two. Even those of us who are only mildly talented in this important aspect of fishing can easily add at least three pounds to any fish and six to one that is over four ounces.

If you really work at it, you

might one day be able to tell everyone about the world record bass you caught and released. Releasing is important, which is why I never fail to splash the water hard when doing so.

Needless to say, there is a trick to this. Personally, I won’t even try to estimate the size of a bass unless I have three critical conditions in my favour: a camera with dead batteries,

no witnesses and a lack of conscience. Otherwise too many things can go wrong.

Having said that, I understand that some people need help to properly exaggerate fish size. My best advice to those folks is buy the worst scale you can afford. I look for one with weak or non-existent springs. As for tape measure, make sure you get one where the first 11 inches

have been removed.

If you have those tools in your boat, the odds are good that you might one day be telling your fishing buddies about a seven pound perch.

By the way, a good fishing buddy is equally as important. For this reason, you should rule out fishing with highly religious people, priests, popes, cardinals or members of

the judicial system – or wives, who are always underestimating things. My potential for success immediately comes to mind.

If at all possible, fish with politicians, lawyers, seasoned anglers or people who owe you large sums of money. Although I have never fished with the latter, in my experience, these types of people tend to nod their heads when you first

utter outrageous weights.

If you must take photos, use a long arm and wide angle lens – or learn to be proficient with Photoshop.

Again, I am old school, so I happen to prefer an artist’s rendition.

The point here is that the 12-inch bass you catch on Saturday need not remain that way. Angling is a lifelong journey and there is always room for growth.

Hydration stations showing up across the townships Old-school drinking fountains long gone, new equipment looks to encourage people to make water their first choice ALI WILSON VISITORS TO THE ST. Clements Arena and Hawkesville Community Centre can now enjoy state of the art hydration stations.

The addition of the hydration stations are part of theme-two of the Healthy Kids Community Challenge (HKCC), ‘Water Does Wonders.’

The Waterloo Region is one of the 45 communities across Ontario taking part in the HKCC. The goal of the movement is to unite communities with the common goal of promoting children and their families health through physical activity and healthy eating.

The theme, ‘Water Does Wonders’, encourages children and families to choose water when reaching for a drink rather than sugar-sweetened beverages.

There are several initiatives across the region as part of the challenge to promote water as the beverage of choice including the implementation of the noted hydration stations and highlighting non-profit agency Blue W. Blue W, a communitybased program, helps people identify where they can easily find clean, free and public water sources to fill

reusable bottles through their online mapping tool and smartphone application.

The stations provide water for bottles and to be used as a drinking fountain.

“It records and shows how many water bottles are not going to the landfill,” said Brad Voisin, director of recreation for Wellesley Township. “They also promote water to drink rather than sugary drinks.”

Wellesley Township received six hydration stations that will be strategically placed throughout township facilities.

Woolwich Township received funding for four new hydration stations, to be found at the Breslau Community Centre, Lions Park, St. Jacobs arena and beside the walking track at the Woolwich Memorial Centre.

“We wanted to make sure that they can be found in high profile areas where children are most prevalent,” said Ann McArthur, Woolwich’s director of recreation and facilities services.

The initiative is meant to increase access to free, appealing sources of water where children live, learn and play. The plan goes on to note that this theme was

chosen because water is natural, healthy and a costfree beverage choice containing no sugar, calories or added preservatives.

The first theme, launched in September of 2015, was ‘Run. Jump. Play.

Every Day.’, encouraging physical activity through a mix of play, sport, active transportation and structured activity.

While ‘Water Does Wonders’ was launched last

year, because of the seasonal setbacks the hydration stations are being implemented just in time for the third theme, ‘Choose to Boost Veggies and Fruit,’ which, as the name suggests, is all about encouraging kids and families to eat healthier by making vegetables and fruits part of their everyday lives.

“The whole challenge has been really important, and it includes things that

The little Trail Ambassadors of St Jacobs Public School took one last hike last week before the start of summer holidays. Throughout the year, students of kindergarten teacher Janet Scheuring and Grade 4-5 teacher Karen Holan, along with ECEs Kiri-Ann Wilson and Emily Schumacher, led their students on weekly treks through Woolwich’s vast trail system. For keeping an eye out for fallen debris and helping keep the walkways safe, the Woolwich Trails Group awarded each student a water bottle.

[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

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In the Waterloo Region, with only seven per cent of children and youth accumulating 60-minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity at least six days a week there are one quarter of senior kindergarten students are at risk for being overweight or obese, increasing risk of chronic disease and premature death in adulthood.

OUT ON THE TRAIL ONE LAST TIME BEFORE SUMMER BREAK

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we couldn’t have done as a township alone without funding, such as the hydration stations. They are expensive units and they are expensive to install, but they are such a benefit to have access to water instead of unhealthy sugary drinks. It also is reducing the plastic that we are putting into our garbage every day,” said McArthur. “We are really fortunate to be able to benefit from that

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12 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

CONESTOGO PS STUDENTS PUT THEIR HEART INTO IT

Conestogo Public School elementary students brought in just over $5,000 at their Jump Rope for Heart event on June 9. The students are just a jump and a skip away from reaching a total of $100,000 in donations for the Heart and Stroke Foundation over the school’s career with the event.

[SUBMITTED]

A WHOLE LOT OF KIDS GIVE IT A TRI AT THE WMC

The Woolwich Memorial Centre was bustling last Saturday as more than 850 kids ran, swam and biked at this year’s TriGator triathlon. The young athletes, ages 3 to 14, took part in the non-competitive races for fun, exercise, the glory of winning and, perhaps most importantly, the obligatory medal and freezie awarded to each participant at the end of the race. [FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER] ELMIRA BLOOD DONOR CLINIC

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RURAL CONNECTIONS | 13

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

RURAL CONNECTIONS TECHNOLOGY / DOWN TO EARTH

To the moon and back

New unmanned robotic platform has applications in agriculture AN ONTARIO COMPANY THAT developed lunar rovers for the Canadian Space Agency has adapted the technology for use on Earth. The resulting vehicle – called Argo J5 XTR (Xtreme Terrain Robot) – has applications across a variety of industries, including agriculture.

Ontario Drive & Gear Limited (ODG) is wellknown to many consumers as the maker of Argo, popular all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) that can travel on rough terrain through land and water. The Argo J5 XTR is an unmanned robotic platform that travels on rough terrain in a variety of conditions ranging from war zones to underground mines – without putting an individual operator at risk.

“We’ve been working on space projects since 2008, but most years we only got to build two vehicles at a time – a primary and a back-up,” says Peter Visscher, chief technology officer for ODG. “We had an offer from a defence contractor to commercialize the vehicles, so we built a version for use on earth – and being Argo, we also made them amphibious.”

Jason Scheib, robotics & defense sales manager at Argo, says this latest generation of robotic platforms are designed for the harshest terrain conditions on earth, and there’s plenty

Robotic technology sends lets the J5 XTR go where it’s unsafe to send humans. of mobility for agricultural applications In agriculture, the Argo J5 XTR is being used on the Caribbean island of Martinique. Visscher says his team was challenged to address common health and safety risks to workers who were using ATVs to spray banana plantations on steep land for black mould.

The workers were exposed to fungicide, hazardous terrain and health problems due to climate.

“We came up with a robot that we can mount a small sprayer to,” says Visscher. “It can drive up and down the fields with a remote control, and the operator can stay at the edge of the field without being exposed to the chemical,

and without risking tipping over on an ATV while spraying.”

Closer to home, an Argo J5 XTR is also in use by researchers at the University of Guelph for soil sampling in precision agriculture applications. Visscher says he sees potential in the ongoing use of J5s to speed up the soil sampling process.

“In winter, fields are rough and surveyors have to take hundreds of samples,” says Visscher. “If we can automate that process, a soil sampling operator could run three or four of these robots and cover four times the distance from the comfort of his pickup truck.”

How else might Ontario farmers use the J5? Bring

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ODG a problem, Visscher says. He notes one of the company’s core competencies is its strong engineering group.

“We provide the service of designing and fabricating solutions to just about any problem our customers need solved,” he says.

“With Argo being a company that has its roots in extreme terrain, farmers like the vehicle because they can get around in mud and water, and clean-up is easy.

The available applications for this vehicle are almost unlimited.”

By Lisa McLean for AgInnovation Ontario, a project of the Agri-Technology Commercialization Centre (ATCC).

Making traceability work on the farm FARMING IS A COMPLEX business, and keeping track of everything can sometimes be troublesome, if not a bit overwhelming.

With this in mind, Kingston-based software company Dragonfly IT developed Croptracker – a multi-faceted, cloud-based monitoring system designed to give fruit and vegetable growers real-time updates on their businesses.

“Croptracker offers an easy-to-use software package that monitors growing practices throughout the season,” said Matthew Deir, company founder. “Growers sign up for our system and can access all of their daily inputs from one central hub. It helps both traceability and cost saving.”

Croptracker highlights three key areas relevant to growers’ economic, environmental and social sustainability, with food traceability taking the top spot, followed by operational costs and yield analysis.

The software itself is a consolidation of similar systems previously developed by Deir’s company, including Fruit Tracker, Apple Tracker and Nursery Tracker. By combining these and several other systems, he says, Dragonfly IT has tried to make the software useful for all growers of all kinds.

He also emphasized that Croptracker is “literally grow-

er-built,” being the result of “thousands of hours meeting with growers and learning what their needs were.”

The Croptracker cloud system allows growers to map how their crop is produced – what time it was planted, what inputs went into it, and so on – as well as where it came from. According to Deir, the software can literally trace each basket of product back to the field from which it was harvested, and potentially, even the person who harvested it.

Croptracker can also be used as a human resources interface, helping keep track of employee time and activity. There’s even a “punch clock” feature that can show growers who is doing what, for how long and when. By being able to see how long it takes to perform different tasks, Deir said farmers can pinpoint where their costs are coming from and, if necessary, investigate why.

At the end of the growing season, the Croptracker system can also help monitor how good – or how bad – the harvest was at different times and from different parts of the farm.

Giving an opportunity for contrast and comparison, Deir said, means growers can further distil the potential sources of any yield SOFTWARE | 14

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“I never thought about [the software] working for that kind of crop, but the farmer definitely thought otherwise,” Deir said.

With the ever-expanding capability of the Croptracker system, Deir said the company vision is to create a global food safety network allowing for the free, traceable movement of products through the entire supply chain, making food production safer, more efficient, and more profitable.

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VENTURE | 15

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

VENTURE FOOD FOR THOUGHT/ OWEN ROBERTS

ON THE MENU / GOING LOCAL

Mapping out local food options Promoting the area’s agricultural industry, Foodlink Waterloo Region releases its latest Buy Local!

Buy Fresh! map in conjunction with the Taste of Woolwich event held last Saturday in Elmira FAISAL ALI WITH SUCH A RICH and thriving agricultural community spread all around the Waterloo Region, there is no shortage of locally sourced, home-grown produce and other food items available to consumers.

From asparagus to zucchinis, to free-range eggs and grass-fed beef, area residents have access to a range of freshly produced foods in their backyards – if they know where to look.

Pointing them in the right direction is the goal of Foodlink Waterloo Region, a non-profit organization that promotes local food and farms. One of the key ways it does so is through its popular Buy Local! Buy Fresh! map, the latest version of which was launched last Saturday at the Taste of Woolwich event in Elmira.

The goals is to help people find exactly what they are looking for in the region.

For the average consumer interested in buying more local food it might not be as easy as running to your local grocery store.

Knowing what’s out there is part of the challenge, something Foodlink addresses with their map of local farms and farm stores.

“We’re all about raising the profile of our local harvest here, and we work with all levels of the food chain,” explained Anna Contini, project coordinator at Foodlink.“That includes farmers, food processors, food retailers,

restaurants and, of course, the consumers.”

The map lists more than 60 farms and food markets in the region, with tons of information on each one to help people narrow down their search. There is details on, of course, what they sell and when they sell it. But more than that are details on how the food was produced, what the livestock was fed, whether they sell organic or GMO-free – and all the fun activities they have.

“A lot of farms will have – in addition to selling local food – some of them have special activities going on or, you know, ‘pick your own.’ In the fall there’s several that have fun stuff for the kids like corn mazes and pumpkin launches.”

“But even the ‘pick your own’ is a nice way for people to come out and get connected to the food – or simply just driving through the countryside, map in hand, stopping at local farms to buy food is a really fun way to spend a day, that’s for sure.”

Contini says it’s important for people to buy local when they can, especially to support their local economy and farmers. There are environmental benefits to getting your food from much nearer, and health benefits in having your food ripen naturally rather than being picked early to avoid getting overripe in transit, often across thousands of kilometres. But less obvious is the connection that people can create

It’s a wonderful season for healthy food FIELD NOTES

Anna Contini, project coordinator at Foodlink, with the latest Buy Local! Buy Fresh! map to the Waterloo’s region’s local food producers.

[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

with their food producers when they go right to the source or deal directly with farmers at the market.

“And I would personally argue it’s a much more fun way to shop, to go to

the local markets,” though Contini adds it certainly won’t always be feasible to shop at local markets – like if you wanted to pick up some bananas.

This year’s maps can be

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SOME PEOPLE SAY THEIR fruit and vegetable consumption is muted because their kitchen skills are lacking. They buy something, get it home, then don’t know what to do with it. So into the garbage it goes.

Others say the problem is price. They think fruit and vegetables are more expensive than junk.

Whatever the case, Canadians continue to eat fewer fruits and vegetables than they should. And it’s to our detriment, because there’s no question we are missing an opportunity to improve our health. It’s an old saw, but diet and exercise (and not smoking, of course) are still a key to unlocking the door to better health.

How are retailers helping? Well, they know local is where it’s at these days, and it seems like we’re seeing more local fruits and vegetables being promoted in season.

To consumers, local means fresh. For the most part, it also means healthy.

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YEARS/160,000 KM ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ▲

* TRUCK NATION $10,500 Total Value: Limited time only. Offer available to qualified retail customers in Canada for vehicles delivered from June 1 to June 30, 2017. $10,500 Total Value is a combined total credit for cash purchases on select 2017 trucks. Credit consists of: Eligible 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Double Cab Custom Edition: $4,080 manufacturer-to-dealer cash credit (tax exclusive), $1,000 GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card (GM Card) or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive) and $5,420 manufacturer-to-dealer delivery credit (tax exclusive) towards the retail cash purchase, finance or lease for an eligible new 2017 Silverado Double Cab at participating dealers. Eligible 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Double Cab 1LT True North: $4,080 manufacturer-to-dealer cash credit (tax exclusive), $820 manufacturer-to-dealer Option Package Discount Credit on the 1LT trim (tax exclusive), $1,000 GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card (GM Card) or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive) and $4,600 manufacturer-to-dealer delivery credit (tax exclusive) towards the retail cash purchase, finance or lease for an eligible new 2017 Silverado Double Cab at participating dealers. On all offers: Void where prohibited. See dealer for details. Discounts vary by model. Limited time offer which may not be combined with certain other offers. General Motors of Canada Company may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. Offers may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Eligible 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 1LT Double Cab True North: Lease based on a purchase price of $48,110 for a 2017 Silverado 1500 1LT Double Cab True North, includes $1,000 GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank GM Visa Card (GM Card) or current GM Card cardholders) (tax inclusive), $500 Lease Cash (tax exclusive) and $4,600 manufacturer-to-dealer delivery credit (tax exclusive).

Bi-weekly payment is $189 for 48 months at 1.5% lease rate on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. Annual kilometer limit of 20,000 km, $0.16 per excess kilometer. $2,995 down payment required. Payment may vary depending on down payment trade. Total obligation is $22,694 plus applicable taxes. Option to purchase at lease end is $21,233. Price and total obligation exclude license, insurance, PPSA, registration, taxes, dealer fees and optional equipment. Other lease options are available. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time offer which may not be combined with other offers. See your dealer for conditions and details. General Motors of Canada Company reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. On all lease offers: Consumer may be required to pay Dealer Fees. Price and total obligation exclude license, insurance, PPSA, registration, taxes and optional equipment. Excess wear and tear charges not included. Other lease options are available. Dealers are free to set individual prices. See your dealer for conditions and details. As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Company to verify eligibility. Limited-time offer, which may not be redeemed for cash or combined with certain other offers. General Motors of Canada Company reserves the right to amend, modify or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Annual kilometre limit of 20,000 km, $0.16 per excess kilometre. Security deposit may be required. Payment may vary depending on down payment/trade. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. ◊GM Card Application Bonus: Offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Card (GM Card) or current Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Cardholders. Credit valid towards the retail purchase or lease of one eligible 2017 model year Chevrolet/Buick/GMC delivered in Canada between June 1 and June 30, 2017. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive) and credit value depends on model purchased: $500 credit available on: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox; $750 credit available on: Chevrolet Express, Colorado (except 2SA); $1,000 credit available on: Chevrolet Camaro (excluding ZL1), Sonic, Cruze, Malibu (excluding 1VL), Volt, Trax, Suburban, Tahoe, Silverado, Silverado HD; $1,500 credit available on: Chevrolet Corvette, Impala, Equinox (2017 model year only), Traverse. Offer is transferable to a family member living within the same household (proof of address required). As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Company (GM Canada) to verify eligibility. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Certain limitations or conditions apply. Void where prohibited. See your GM Canada dealer for details. GM Canada reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice. Discontinued Models GM Card Application Bonus: Offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Card (GM Card) or current Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Cardholders and who are eligible current owners or lessees of any Pontiac/Saturn/SAAB/Hummer/Oldsmobile model year 1999 or newer car or Chevrolet Cavalier, Cobalt, HHR, Avalanche, Aveo, Epica, Orlando, Optra, Tracker, Uplander, Venture, Astro, Blazer, Jimmy, Trailblazer or GMC Envoy, Safari or Buick Rendezvous, Terraza that has been registered and insured in Canada in the customer’s name for the previous consecutive six (6) months. Credit valid towards the retail purchase or lease of one eligible 2017 model year Chevrolet delivered in Canada between June 1 and June 30, 2017. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive) and credit value depends on model purchased: $1,000 credit available on: Chevrolet Sonic, Cruze, Malibu (excluding 1VL), Volt, Camaro (excluding ZL1), Equinox (2018 model year), and Trax; $1,500 credit available on: Chevrolet Corvette, Impala, Equinox (2017 model year), Express, Traverse, Colorado (excluding 2SA), Silverado, Silverado HD, Tahoe, Suburban. Offer is transferable to a family member living within the same household (proof of address required). As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Company (GM Canada) to verify eligibility. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Certain limitations or conditions apply. Void where prohibited. See your GM Canada dealer for details. GM Canada reserves the right to amend or terminate offers for any reason in whole or in part at any time without prior notice. 1 If you cancel your credit card, your credit privileges are revoked or your account is closed, your GM Earnings must be redeemed within 90 days or they will be forfeited. If your account is not in good standing, GM Earnings are not eligible for redemption. Please refer to the GM Card Earnings Program Terms and Conditions at GMCard.ca for details. 2 MyLink functionality varies by model. Full functionality requires compatible Bluetooth and smartphone, and USB connectivity for some devices. Visit chevrolettotalconnect.ca for more details. 3 Visit onstar.ca for coverage maps, details and system limitations. Service plan required. Available 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot requires WPA2 compatible mobile device and data plan. Data plans provided by AT&T. Services vary by model, service plan, conditions as well as geographical and technical restrictions. OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity is available on select vehicle models and in select markets. Vehicle must be started or in accessory mode to access Wi-Fi. **The 2-Year Scheduled Lube-Oil-Filter Maintenance Program provides eligible customers in Canada, who have purchased or leased a new eligible 2016 or 2017 MY Chevrolet (excluding Spark EV), with an ACDelco® oil and filter change, in accordance with the oil life monitoring system and the Owner’s Manual, for 2 years or 48,000 km, whichever occurs first, with a limit of four (4) Lube-Oil-Filter services in total, performed at participating GM dealers. Fluid top offs, inspections, tire rotations, wheel alignments and balancing, etc. are not covered. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives available on GM vehicles. General Motors of Canada Company reserves the right to amend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without prior notice. Additional conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for details. ▲Whichever comes first. See dealer for details.

VENTURE | 17

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

ROBERTS: Growers and grocers both benefit from increasing consumption of fruits and veggies FROM | 15

the EU. Brexit devalued the pound sterling, and prices typically rose, including the price of imported produce.

But in May, Tesco, Britain’s biggest supermarket, decided to take a radically different approach.

In what it calls its “Little Helps to Healthier Living” campaign, it actually dropped prices on more than 200 products it calls healthy, including a number of fruit and vegetables:

carrots, pineapples and tomatoes among them.

Very healthy choices, requiring very little preparation. And more economical than ever.

This is working out well for Tesco. In a sector where gains are measured incrementally and by shades of a percentage, its sales of its healthy products have actually increased 2.4 per cent. That’s huge in the face of a tough domestic economy.

It made me wonder if a

similar approach would work here, with a goal of increasing consumption and improving sales for growers. We market on fresh and local. Usually, the two are intertwined; I think consumers see them as complementary. If it’s local, it’s fresh.

But if it’s fresh, it’s not too much of a stretch to position it as healthy, as well, particularly if we’re talking about fruit and vegetables.

Would retailers expect growers to help a little with

price? I expect so. Can they?

That’s a big question. Could volume be increased enough to make up the difference?

And are you really getting ahead if you sell more but make the same profit?

Likely not in the short run. But something needs to catalyze a change in culture if, overall, consumption is going to increase.

On producers’ end, higher profitability may be realized with less labour and more automation. We know the many challenges faced

by labour and the creative approaches besides automation that have been pursued, to try to compensate for the fact that many Canadians are not interested in working on fruit and vegetable operations.

We also know some approaches that might boost labour availability are not being well received, such as minimum wage hikes, which agriculture thinks will do more harm than good.

This spring I interviewed

a fruit grower who is bent on competing with imports with superior local products. His produce is all handpicked. And while that drives up his cost of production, he thinks a well-heeled segment of the market will pay accordingly for fresh, local and healthy.

We’ll see. Meanwhile, let’s enjoy the abundance of fresh, local and healthy food on our doorstep. This is a wonderful season to live in Ontario.

A NEW TAKE ON THINGS AT THIS YEAR’S TASTE OF WOOLWICH EVENT

Local food producers, vendors and the public came together June 17 for the 11th Taste of Woolwich, held at the Elmira Farmers’ Market. The event shifted to a Saturday this year to widen the audience. “It’s been mostly older people and not so much families that came to Taste of Woolwich in previous years,” said Allan Martin, one of the organizers. “What we’re trying to do is educate the young generation what local food is.” Martin said they will likely try hosting the event again next year on a Saturday.

[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

DISCUSSING THE FUTURE OF WATERLOO NORTH HYDRO Ontario’s electricity distribution sector has changed in recent years.

WATERLOO

We’re at a pivotal moment to decide how our local hydro utility can

Tues. June 20, 2017

deliver the best value and service for community members in the City of Waterloo, Township of Woolwich and Township of Wellesley.

We have a comprehensive review process – and by hearing from you

2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

RIM Park Manulife Financial Sportsplex and Healthy Living Centre, Room 207/208, 2001 University Ave. E., Waterloo WOOLWICH

WELLESLEY

Wed. June 28, 2017

Thurs. June 29, 2017

customers, employees and shareholders. Join the discussion by

2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

visiting TalkHydro.ca or attend a Public Information Centre.

Township of Woolwich,

St. Clements Community Centre,

Council Chambers,

1 Green St., St. Clements

– we’ll determine the best path forward for Waterloo North Hydro

24 Church St. W., Elmira

To learn more about Our Options or to Have Your Say visit TalkHydro.ca. Let’s Talk Hydro!

18 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

CLASSIFIED

CLASSIFIED DEADLINE:

WEDNESDAYS BY 10AM HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

MAR-SPAN TRUSS INC. NOW HIRING FULL TIME ROOF TRUSS ASSEMBLERS

Grain Roasting Facility Assistant Operator PART TIME

Wintermar Farms / Cribit Seeds is seeking a candidate to assist in our Grain roasting facility.

Afternoon-early eve shift. Responsibilities include assisting with plant monitoring, product packaging, shipping/receiving and facility cleanup. Grain/feed processing experience and or forklift experience would be an asset however we are willing to train the right candidate. Candidates must be able to handle the physical requirements of climbing stairs and lifting 25kg packages. Candidates should have an understanding of equipment operation and mechanical aptitude. Candidates must be able to adapt to changing production schedules and work with other staff members.

For a more detailed job description feel free to contact craig@cribit.com or by phone 519-664-3701 ext. 25 HELP WANTED WE HAVE A Screen Technician Job open at Simpson’s Screen & Lithography. The job comprises of preparing, checking, and touching up screens before the screens go to press. Other duties include general upkeep of the screen department and helping other workers in the screen department when necessary. Job Requirements: Must have good attention to visual detail, ability to stand for long periods, working in a fast paced environment, able to lift heavy objects.

Safety shoes required.

Benefits are available after 3 months of work. No experience required, full training offered. Email joe.versage@simpson-print.com GERBER MEATS IS Growing!

(Again). We are currently looking to hire several men and women for our company. Full time. We require: Ham Bone and Counter Staff. Ward Skinner 519-709-3954.

Must be team oriented, ambitious & responsible No experience required Competitive wages and Production bonuses Call Marv @ 519-638-3086 ex 301 Or email resume to marv@marspan.com HELP WANTED

Administrative Assistant Stoltz Sales & Service requires a full time Administrative Assistant for our Elmira location.

We provide a family first work environment that offers a comprehensive company benefit plan.

Do you excel in customer service, strong attention to detail and ability to work on multiple projects at once? If you answered yes to these questions, we would like to talk to you about a career with us.

Email: careers@stoltzsales.com In Person: 6805 Line 86, Elmira, ON N3B 2Z6

HEALTH CARE BOWEN THERAPY YOUR choice for effective treatment of specific health conditions or wellness maintenance.

KEVIN BARTLEY, Professional Bowenwork Practitioner, Clock Tower Wellness Centre, 69 Arthur St. S., Elmira.

519-669-0112. Every Body is Better with Bowen!

FOR SALE LAWN FERTILIZER AND LAWN SEED - Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

HOW TO REACH US

AUCTIONS

AUCTION SALE

AUCTION SALE

To be held at 59 Adelaide Street in Linwood for June Pass on:

To be held at the St. Jacob’s Community Centre in St. Jacob’s for an area estate with additions on:

MONDAY JUNE 26 AT 3:00 PM HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS: Inglis front load

WEDNESDAY JUNE 28 AT 10:00 AM

washer and dryer – almost new; Kenmore 24” stove; Kenmore fridge; Frigidaire upright freezer; queen bed with matching chevelle mirror; teak credenza; oak queen bed; maple chest of drawers; sewing machine in cabinet; couch and chairs; oak pedestal kitchen table and chairs; parlour table; rocker; couch and loveseat; oak coffee table and end tables; oak pedestal table; wing back and arm chairs; sectional couch; pine coffee and end tables; 2 swivel bar chairs; Panasonic microwave; old steamer trunks; meccanno set; Tonka tin fire truck; older games and toys; side table; ping pong table; bookshelf; record cabinet; drop leaf table; file cabinets; chest of drawers; dresser; knitting supplies; costume jewelry; soap stone; towels; bedding; linens; quantity of good glass and china; cookware; kitchenware; etc.

HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS AND ANTIQUES:

high end quality name brand furniture including: 4ft x 4ft pub table and 6 chairs with one leaf; modern table and 6 chairs; modern sofa and loveseat; curio cabinet; glass top table and end tables; cane seat chair; rocker; hall trees; marble top table; Featherlite sewing machine; sewing box and accessories; Ikea shelving; wicker bassinette; old crokinole boards; waterfall 4 piece bedroom suite (double bed; dresser; chest of drawers; vanity); maple desk; Sovereign Broil King BBQ; 5 pc bedroom suite (queen bed, dresser, chest of drawers, 2 end tables); Ikea desk; Roger Bros. silverware; matching chairs; 2 arm chairs; 3pc bedroom suite (double bed with bookcase headboard; dresser, chest of drawers); rattan couch, loveseat and tables; small curio cabinet; modern dining room suite (china cabinet, tables, chairs, server); childs pressback rocker; floor and table lamps; hockey cards; oil lamps; new Hamilton Beech roaster; dehumidifier; crocks; luggage; steam cleaner; rug shampooer; artwork; mirrors; pottery jugs; washboard; quantity of good glass and china including: depression; pinwheel crystal; dinner sets; cups and saucers; bedding; linens; quilts; kitchenware; and many other items.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: MTD Gold 17hp riding lawnmower; Husqvarna 24” snowblower; Ariens 6.5hp self propelled lawn mower; wheel barrow; shop vac; pressure washer; aluminum extension ladder; child’s wagon; old bike; Christmas decoration; variety of woodworking tools; sanders; old planes; square; Delta table saw; quantity of lawn and garden tools

AUCTIONEER:

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: Troybilt 28” snowblower like new; McCullock chain saw; Husky large tool chest on wheels; air compressor; Ryobi 31cc front tine tiller; Yardmaster electric snowblower; B&D hedge trimmer; Stihl leaf blower; B&D power claw; dolly carts; ladders; folding table; patio bench; patio table and chairs; fertilizer spreader; winch; bikes; bar clamps; skill saw; step stool grease gun; vise grips; mitre saw; nut and bolt bins; Mastercraft woodworking tools; vise; socket sets; wrench sets; tackle box and tackle; golf clubs; quantity of hand, power, and lawn and garden tools.

Jantzi Auctions Ltd. Wellesley | 519-656-3555 www.JantziAuctions.com

HELP WANTED YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER. Due to changes in policy at the Woolwich Youth Centre regarding Special Needs Youth, I am required to supply a one-on-one qualified support person for my daughter to attend.

Hours and wages to be discussed. Please contact Melissa at 519-503-2692 or email mpieper34@gmail. com Transportation would be an asset.

AUCTIONS

AUCTIONS

FOR SALE

AUCTIONS

END OF SEASON Plant Sale at Sunset Greenhouse, Mervin and Louisa Gingrich. 7279 Fourth line, Mapleton, RR2, Wallenstein. Vegetable and bedding plants, hanging baskets and planters. Sale days June 26 to 29. Hours 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., No Sunday Sales. 519-669-2043.

MATTRESS AND BOX Spring, new, never used, still in sealed bag. Sacrifice $195. Delivery available. 519-635-8737.

AUCTIONS FRI. JUNE 23 at 7:00 PM Property auction of a 2 storey brick home with a possible in law suite; very spacious; lots of character; etc to be held at 50 Moore Ave in Kitchener for the estate of the late Nelda Schafer. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.jantziauctions.com

AT. JUNE 24 at 10:00 AM Clearing auction sale of woodworking equipment; woodworking tools; lawn and garden equipment; household effects; antiques; and miscellaneous items to be held at 26 Sherwood Ave in Kitchener for the estate of the late Walter Wertzlaff. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.jantziauctions.com MON JUNE 26 at 3:00 PM Clearing auction sale of household effects; furniture; tools; and miscellaneous items to be held at 59 Adelaide St. in Linwood for June Pass. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.jantziauctions.com

MON JUNE 26 at 3:00 PM Clearing auction sale of household effects; furniture; tools; and miscellaneous items to be held at 59 Adelaide St. in Linwood for June Pass. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.jantziauctions.com WED. JUNE 28 at 10:00 AM Clearing auction sale of furniture; tools; antiques; collectables; household effects and miscellaneous items to be held at the St. Jacob’s Community Centre in St. Jacob’s for area estates with additions. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.jantziauctions.com

AUCTIONS WED. JUNE 28 at 10:00 AM Clearing auction sale of furniture; tools; antiques; collectables; household effects and miscellaneous items to be held at the St. Jacob’s Community Centre in St. Jacob’s for area estates

with additions. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.jantziauctions.com

FARM SERVICES BAGGED PINE SHAVINGS Agricultural Spray Lime, 22.5kg. bag; feed grade lime, 25kg. Delivered. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519-574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

NOTE: incredible clean auction full of quality name brand furniture and quality tools.

Double ring auction. 10% buyers premium, cash, cheque, Visa, Mastercard and debit.

AUCTIONEER:

Jantzi Auctions Ltd.

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

FIREWOOD GERBER’S FIREWOOD SERVING you for over 10 years. Your #1 source of quality slabwood and bodywood. Delivery available.

519-656-2057.

Wellesley | 519-656-3555 www.JantziAuctions.com

HORSES SERVICE IS AVAILABLE from a Morgan stallion standing 16 hands. Black, sire is 16 hands, dam is 15.2 hands, semen is available. Contact Creekside Morgans 519-5958838 and leave a message.

WATERLOO COUNTY HORSE Sale to be held at OLEX, Sat. June 24 at 10 a.m. To consign or for more info call 519-595-3307.

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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

CLASSIFIED ADS

DISPLAY ADS

519.669.5790 EXT 0

519.669.5790 EXT 104

ads@woolwichobserver.com

sales@woolwichobserver.com

RESIDENTIAL COST $7.50 /20 WORDS EXTRA WORDS 20¢ PER WORD

COMMERCIAL COST $12.00 /20 WORDS EXTRA WORDS 30¢ PER WORD

PLACING A CLASSIFIED WORD AD 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.

CLASSIFIED | 19

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

CLASSIFIED ADS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

A reputable family owned farming operation

AZ / DZ DRIVERS WANTED Full Time and Part Time Day & Afternoon Shifts Available

2005 Manser Rd. Millbank, Ontario N0K 1L0 519-656-2478

Professional Sprayer Applicator Full Time Position Company benefits/competitive wages

A basic knowledge of agricultural practices, mechanical skills, fertilizer and pesticides are required. The individual is responsible for handling chemicals and ensuring the applications are accurate. Other duties may include maintenance on equipment and in shop.

All agricultural required certificates and licenses are assets, but can be acquired upon employment.

Farming or agricultural background is a definite asset.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please submit your resume to: gerberacres@gmail.com or Fax: 519-656-3313

KITCHEN CABINET DESIGNER The successful candidate will have extensive experience in using Cabinet Vision software, have strong attention to detail and be enthusiastic about their work.

The position: • Prepare presentation drawings • Create 3D models and generate all associated detail drawings • Provide material take off and cnc cut lists • Generate quotes using Cabinet Vision software • Assist with cabinet construction and/or on-site installation, heavy lifting required • Learn Cadsoft Envisioneer software The requirements: • 2 - 5 years experience with Cabinet Vision • Excellent communication skills • Versatile and adaptable to changes in scope of project • Self starter, team player • Residential construction & cabinet shop experience an asset This is a full-time position. Wage $22 - $28 per hour, dependent upon experience.

Please send cover letter and resume to carolynbisch@gmail.com

WFS is looking for Full Time (AZ) and Part Time (AZ or DZ) Drivers to join our team for both day and afternoon shifts. Deliveries are throughout Ontario and you return home daily. Applicants must have a clean abstract, a strong customer service attitude and a willingness to load and deliver feed accurately and safely. The successful candidate will have 2 years driving experience.

Attention to detail and good record keeping is important.

WFS provides an attractive compensation package including Group Benefits and RRSP. To apply, drop off your resume indicating desired shift, along with a copy of your driver’s abstract at our Wallenstein office or email it to recruiting@wfs.ca We are committed to diversity and inclusion, and thank all applicants in advance.

Accommodations are available during all stages of the recruitment process.

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

PUBLIC NOTICE

“PROUDLY REMEMBERING OUR PAST; CONFIDENTLY EMBRACING OUR FUTURE.”

Community Information Page DISCUSSING THE FUTURE OF WATERLOO NORTH HYDRO

Ontario’s electricity sector is changing! As we look at options for the future, it’s time to Talk Hydro. Join the discussion by taking the Talk Hydro Survey at talkhydro.ca or attending a Public Information Session: • Township of Woolwich: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) at Township of Woolwich, Council Chambers, 24 Church Street West, Elmira.

• Township of Wellesley: Thursday, June 29, 2017 (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) at St. Clements Community Centre, 1 Green Street, St. Clements.

Provide your input on the three options: grow Waterloo North Hydro by acquiring another utility; merge with one or more other hydro utilities in the southwestern Ontario region; and continue to operate as a stand-alone entity with ongoing municipal shareholder ownership.

Have your say!

COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT NOTICE OF HEARING

Pursuant to the Planning Act and Ontario Regulations 197/96 and 200/96 On July 10, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. the Committee will meet to consider the following applications. All persons interested in the applications may attend and may contact Nancy Thompson regarding meeting details or visit the Township Webpage – News and Events – Current Public Notices.

The Committee will also consider submissions for or against the applications if submitted to the Township of Woolwich no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 4, 2017 (Note that this date is before the meeting).

Submissions can be forwarded to Jeremy Vink at the address noted at the top of this page, by email jvink@woolwich.ca or by fax 519669-4669. Any submissions received will be included in a comment package and presented at the meeting. This information is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public at the Committee of Adjustment hearing. Please

note that while the Committee may redact some personal information such as email addresses and phone numbers, your submissions will otherwise be made public in their entirety.

MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION A 8/2017 – Jaz Innovation Inc. 2236 Victoria Street North The applicant is requesting permission to expand the legal non-conforming use of a manufacturing and warehouse operation on the property to permit the construction of a 464.5 square metre temporary storage building. The property currently contains a 1,093 square metre manufacturing operation with an associated 64 square metre office area and a 175 square metre storage building. The 0.6 ha property is zoned Agricultural (A) and a contains a metal fabricating manufacturing operation.

MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION A 9/2017 – St. Jacobs Mennonite Church,1308 King Street North, St. Jacobs The applicant is requesting permission for the existing dwelling on the property to be used for residential purposes as an accessory use to the church. The majority of the 0.5 ha property is zoned Institutional (P) with the rear grassed area zoned Residential Medium Density (R-3) with site specific provisions. The property contains a church and a former residential building which has been converted into Sunday school rooms and offices associated with the church.

MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION A 10/2017 – Lunor Group Inc., Various lots within Phase 3 of the Riverbend Draft Plan, 30T-07702, Elmira The applicant is requesting relief from Section 11A.3.3 a) of the Residential Mixed Medium Density with Design Guidelines (R-4A) zone and from Section 11B.3.3 a) of the Residential Mixed High Density with Design Guidelines (R-5A) zone to reduce the required minimum lot frontage being 12 metres and 9 metres respectively, to approximately 8 metres for proposed lots 28, 29, 30, 31, 75, 77, 78, 105, 106, 107 and 108 of draft plan 30T07702 (Phase 3) to permit the construction of single detached dwellings. The lots affected are located off the future extension of Snyder Avenue North, Miranda Path and Isaac Street, within the Lunor Development, Elmira.

CONSENT APPLICATION B 8/2017 – Michael and Allison Bauman, 308 Arthur Street South, Elmira The applicant is requesting permission to sever a parcel of land measuring approximately 30 by 78 metres from the north side of 308 Arthur Street South for the purpose of creating a new vacant residen-

P.O. Box 158

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

Phone:

519-669-1647 or 877-969-0094 Fax: 519-669-1820

After Hours Emergency:

519-575-4400 www.woolwich.ca

tial lot on full municipal services. The retained lands will measure approximately 23 by 78 metres and contain the existing dwelling.

Both the proposed retained and severed lands are zoned Residential One Unit Low Density (R-2). The property currently contains a single detached dwelling.

CONSENT APPLICATIONS B 9/2017, B10/2017 and B 11/2017 – St. Jacobs Countryside Inc. / The Mutual Life Assurance, 39 Benjamin Road The applicant is requesting permission to sever the lands at 39 Benjamin Road by means of the following applications: • B9/2017 – to sever a parcel of land being approximately 2.8 ha in area with approximately 182 metres frontage on Benjamin Road to create a new vacant industrial /commercial lot; • B10/2017 – to sever a parcel of land being approximately 0.76 ha in area with approximately 45 metres frontage on Benjamin Road and convey it as a lot addition to the adjacent property at 45 Benjamin Road. The property at 45 Benjamin Road contains a hotel.

• B11/2017 - to grant a vehicular easement measuring approximately 15 metres wide by 260 metres in depth, identified as Part 5 on Plan 58R7836, in favour of the adjacent lands (woodlot) located at 31 Benjamin Road.

The proposed retained lands will be approximately 2.8 ha in area.

The property at 39 Benjamin Road is zoned Stockyards Industrial / Commercial Area (C-8) with site specific provisions and contains a stormwater pond.

NOTICE OF THE DECISION: Within 10 days of the meeting, a copy of each decision will be sent to owners, agents, those who submit written comments, and people who sign the register at the meeting. If you wish to be notified of the decision of the Committee of Adjustment in respect to an application, you must submit a written request (to the Secretary-Treasurer – Nancy Thompson ext. 6040) or sign the register at the meeting. This will also entitle you to be advised of a possible Ontario Municipal Board Hearing.

APPEAL OF MINOR VARIANCE AND CONSENT APPLICATIONS: Anyone in opposition to a decision may appeal the decision to the Ontario Municipal Board. The Board may dismiss an appeal without holding a hearing if the appellant did not make oral or written submissions to the Committee of Adjustment before a decision was given, or does not provide a reasonable explanation for having failed to make a submission to the Committee.

20 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

FAMILY ALBUM

CLASSIFIED

ANNIVERSARY

OBITUARY

OBITUARY

The children of Tom and Karen Dietrich invite you to share in the celebration of their parent’s th

Freeman, Walter

Wiebe, Pamela Bonnie

Peacefully passed away on Sunday, June 18, 2017, at his residence in Elmira, at the age of 89 years. Beloved husband of Alice (Shoemaker) Freeman for 57 years. Dear father of Grace of Elmira, Carol and Gerald Bauman of RR 3, Arthur, Joy Ann and the late Gerald Bauman (2011) of RR 2, Drayton, Ruth of Elmira, Luke and Brenda of RR 2, West Montrose, Wilma and David Reibel of RR 3, Clifford. Lovingly remembered by his 25 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Predeceased by his parents Henry and Sarah (Eby) Freeman, infant sons Murray (1960) and James (1968), and brother Melvin (2008). The family received their relatives and friends on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 from 6–8:30 p.m. and Wednesday, June 21, 2017, from 1:30–5 p.m. at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira. A family service will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 9 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, then to Montrose Mennonite Meeting House, 6101 Middlebrook Rd., West Montrose, for burial and public service.

Peacefully passed away on Tuesday June 13th at Barnswallow Place in Elmira, after a lengthy battle with a brain disease. Beloved wife of Ritch Wiebe for 12 years. Extremely missed by her children Brendan and Tyler Wiebe. Missed dearly by father John Strauss of Elora and in-laws Henry and Clarice Wiebe of Connell Lake , Brother Chris (Lisa) Strauss, sister Angela (Ryan) Tovey, brothers-in-law Marty (Annette) Wiebe and Ed Wiebe. Loving aunt of Matthew Wiebe, Alexa and Max Tovey, Charles and Karl Strauss as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. Predeceased by her mother Bonnie Strauss. A special thanks to the staff and nurses at Robins Grove in Barnswallow Place for making Pam’s last few years happy for her, Especially Nancy and Jill. Visitation was held at The Waterloo Funeral Home, 617 King Street North, Waterloo, on Monday June 19th from 2-4 and 7-9pm. The funeral was held in the funeral home chapel on Tuesday June 20th at 11am Followed by the burial at St. Clements Cemetery.

It would be appreciated by the family that donations be directed towards The London Health Science Foundation for research on her Brain disease (details will be available at the funeral home).

50 Wedding Anniversary

July 1 from 2-4 p.m. at the St. Clements Community Centre.

Best wishes only. A family dinner will follow.

Celebrations will continue for Tom and Karen as they attend their nephew’s wedding in Greece, followed by a cruise of the Greek Islands.

GRADUATION

Brunkard, Alyssa Kaitlyn BScN On June 8th, 2017 Alyssa Kaitlyn Brunkard was honoured to be the recipient of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Nipissing University.

Very proud parents, Scott and Pauline Brunkard, together with her family, are thrilled with her achievement wishing her a life full of happiness and a wonderful career. Alyssa’s caring, nonjudgmental and empathetic nature has prepared her to be a great registered nurse!

Congratulations and love always!

The Brunkard Bunch

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

RENTALS

519-888-7700 CLASSIFIED ADS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 WANTED

WANTED

HORSES

WE NEED - Primitives, benches, crates, boxes, crocks, cast iron, cupboards, old farm tools, hand tools, cast iron & old metal, stands, vinyl-jazz/ rock/blues, picture frames, paintings. Not charity store stuff. Iron Bucket 519-787-8287 leave message. St. Andrew St. W., Fergus.

CASH FOR OLD watches, jewellery, all gold and silver, coins, military, toys, records.

Call Terry 519-242-6900or 519-210-0551. gallamore@ golden.net 40 years experience, fair honest prices. Will travel.

WILL BUY OLD and used horses and ponies to go direct to plant in Quebec.

Will buy all types, drug form required but will buy either way. TOP PRICES PAID. Contact Calvin Kuepfer for prices at Horizon Trail Equine at 519-272-3290.

RENTALS ELMIRA SEMI AVAILABLE Immediately $1600.00 monthly plus utilities. 3 Bedroom and finished basement. Completely refurbished and with 5 new appliances.

Gas forced air heat and central air conditioning. Lots of room in the back yard. To view call Mildred Frey @ 519-741-6970.

ELMIRA - CENTRE Street, 3 Bdr house. Available Aug/ Sept 1. $1,600 + utilities.

519-574-8660.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE RETAIL/CONTRACTOR/COMMERCIAL SPACE AVAILABLE in Linwood. Two- Units up to 1000 sq. ft. each. Phone Don 519-698-1018.

COMM/ INDUSTRIAL FOR RENT 8’X20’ STORAGE TRAILER $150; 800 sq. ft. $675/ monthly. M2 zone. Business/ hobby/storage/contractor/ catering service. Roger Roedding Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage. 519-744-2211, roger.roedding@gmail.com

TRADES & SERVICES A CHRISTIAN LADY offering reliable cleaning, pet and house-sitting services for private homes in Waterloo Region. Please call 519-4045751. References available.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY NOW available in Elmira.

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday.

Call Annie 519-635-1033.

STONE, BRICK, CONCRETE Masonry Restorations And Repairs. 12 Years In Service.

Call Jeff The Mortar Mender For Your Free Estimate. 226338-6243.

CLASSIFIED CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENTS SERVICES

AMOS

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

WINDOW FASHIONS

ST. JACOBS

GLASS SYSTEMS INC.

R O O F I N G

INC

1553 King St. N., St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0

Free in-home Consultations.

Call someone you can trust.

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

WORKMANSHIP GUARANTEED

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

A Brand You Can Trust

CALL JAYME FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE.

519.501.2405 | 519.698.2114

22 Church St. W., Elmira

TEL:

Tel: 519-669-5537

In Business since 1973 • Fully Insured

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

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

The Right Window Treatment Can

Save you

Blinds

by Elite or Mera

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

FREE

INSTALLATION When you buy 3 or more

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

Evenings By Appointment

“25 years in Business”

John Schaefer Painting

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

info@trappconstruction.ca www.trappconstruction.ca

• • • •

Stamped Coloured Concrete Demolition Bin Service Machine Bases

Concrete Breaking & Removal

FREE ESTIMATES Interior/exterior Painting, Wallpapering & Plaster | drywall Repairs NOW ACCEPTING VISA OR MASTERCARD

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

36 Hampton St., Elmira

RESIDENTIAL & AGRICULTURAL

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

519-577-0370

CLASSIFIED | 21

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY HOME IMPROVEMENT

RA HOME COMF ELMI (519) 669-4600 ORT

Steve Co.

Plumbing and Maintenance Inc.

TIRE

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

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

For all your Plumbing Needs.

24 HOUR SERVICE Steve Jacobi

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

ELMIRA

1 Union Street, Elmira

519-669-3652

WHERE TIRES ARE A

SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE.

Farm • Auto • Truck Industrial On-The-Farm Service 35 Howard Ave., Elmira

THOMPSON’S

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

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

519-669-3232

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

Accredited Test & Repair Facility

GENERAL SERVICES

OUTDOOR SERVICES

BIKE SALES & REPAIRS PROFESSIONAL BIKE MECHANIC ON STAFF

Visit our website

www.biobobs.com or call today!

519-648-3004

or

SEE US FOR

Window & Screen

REPAIRS 22 Church St. W., Elmira

800-232-6396

519-669-5537

Various sizes & rates

CLEAN • DRY • SECURE Call

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

519-669-4964

100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

CONCRETE FLOOR/PAD BREAKING & REMOVAL SKID STEER SERVICES • ALL ATTACHMENTS AVAILABLE

CALL ABOUT OUR 28FT FLAT BED SERVICE

CALL DUSTIN AT

226-750-4532

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

OUTDOOR SERVICES

•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

ROLL OFF INDUSTRIAL BIN RENTALS CALL FOR AVAILABLE SIZES CALL DUSTIN AT

226-750-4532

- Design and build -

AGRICULTURAL | RESIDENTIAL FRAMING • ROOFING RENOVATIONS • EAVESTROUGHS

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

PRINTING SERVICES

SPACE FOR RENT

Since 1998

• Residential • Commercial • Industrial Randy Weber

ECRA/ESA Licence # 7000605

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

22 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

Canada – A Home For All Nations ELMIRA – Make this your family home! This house has a separate dining room as well as a dinette beside the kitchen, a walk out to the back deck and lovely yard, original hard wood floors and a beautiful sitting room in the front to watch the world go by.

Park out of the sun in the car port, as well as parking for 2 more. Close to downtown Elmira, the rec centre, library, parks, and schools, this is the perfect spot for a growing family.

OPEN HOUSE SAT, JUN 24 1-3pm 76 Arthur St. S., Elmira

$399,900

SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT

SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT

SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT

519-577-6248 519-503-9533 226-750-9332 allibauman@rogers.com

Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., Brokerage

paul@remaxsolidgold.biz suewidemanhomes@gmail.com

ELMIRA – Transform this 2150 sq foot former duplex back into 2 units quite easily. Great for an investor, or someone looking for a mortgage helper. With a mix of original character and new finishes. The large kitchen boasts new cabinets, granite counter and glass tile back splash. New flooring and paint throughout. The second floor is equipped with 3 bedrooms with large closets and a balcony as well as a full laundry room (converted kitchen). The house continues into a fully finished attic with a huge walk in closet which could be a master bedroom, or additional rec room.

The basement has a finished 25x13 rec room and powder room with loads of space for your family to spread out.

$465,000

Call today Thinking About Selling? and book a FREE HOME EVALUATION

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

Alli Bauman Paul Martin Sue Wideman

Happy 1150th!

Independently Owned and Operated

R.W. THUR REAL ESTATE LTD.

®

45 Arthur St. S., Elmira Office:

BROKERAGE

BRAD MARTIN

LET OUR 50+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU!

JULIE HECKENDORN

LUKE SHANTZ

Broker of Record, Broker Sales Rep. MVA Residential Res: 519.669.1068 Cell: 519.588.7562 Cell: 519.584.4400

519-669-2772 www.thurrealestate.com

REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

519.500.1865 (Direct)

Dale R. Keller

519.747.0231 (Office)

Sales Representative

410 Conestogo Road, Unit 210, Waterloo, ON N2L 4E2

OPEN HOUSE OPEN HOUSE | | | | th Sat, Jun 1324 CENTRE 2-4pm ST.,13ELMIRA Centre St., Elmira

$324,900

NEW LISTING

Sun, Jun 19 FALCON 25th 3-5pm DR., 19ELMIRA Falcon Dr., Elmira

NEW LISTING

www.KellerSellsRealEstate.com | dale@kellersellsrealestate.com

15 PINTAIL DR., ELMIRA

NEW PRICE

New Listing | Near Hespeler | $1,200,000

$549,900

$344,900

New Listing | Harriston | $460,000 Investors. This 5 plex residential rental and 1 commercial office space is showing good return. New roof, windows, eaves troughs, soffits and fascia. parking, good exposure. MLS Call Dale.

QUIET, mature area, close to downtown. Remodelled kitchen cupboards, countertop & backsplash. New flooring, trim & baseboards on the main level. Large master bdrm. Rec. room.

Updated windows, furnace, front door & shed. NEW MLS.

WELL MAINTAINED 3 bdrm. semi with a fenced yard (backing to the west). W/O from dinette to patio. Engineered laminate flooring throughout. MLS Reduced to $344,900.

Rec. room & 4pc. bath. Long driveway. Shed. MLS REDUCED.

LOCATION! LOCATION! Lovely yard siding & backing to greenspace. Unique custom built home w/spacious dining area and living room w/numerous windows & fireplace.

Large master w/fireplace & cheater ensuite. Rec. room 4th bdrm. & 3 pc. bath. Parking for 4 cars! NEW MLS.

66 RIVERSIDE DR. W., ELMIRA

39 RIVERSIDE DR. W., ELMIRA

131 ORIOLE PKWY., ELMIRA

RARE 5 ACRE gentleman's hobby farm. Ever flowing trout stream , 5+ stall split level barn, 1 acre paddock, 1875 log cabin/cottage, bush, 3 bedroom brick bungalow with a walk out basement, lower level garage, detached 2 car garage/shop, 4 season sun room, custom “antique” dining room. Great for family or retirement. MLS Call Dale.

Tina Torok

Sales Representative

519-885-0200 Cell: 519-500-0940 Email: tinatorok@rogers.com

$339,900

$399,900 BRICK BUNGALOW. Lots of windows! Hdwd floors (main flr.) Mudroom. Rec. rm. bdrm. office area & 3 pc. in lower level. Lots of extra parking. Quiet street. MLS.

BACKS TO GREENSPACE. Large L.R. Laminate on the main level (2015). 3 bdrms. Updated windows, garage door, furnace, ele. panel & softener. Bsmt. walkup. MLS.

9 ERB ST., ELMIRA

70 MUSCOVEY DR. ELMIRA

WELLINGTON RD. 12, ALMA

LOVELY older home renovated from top to bottom! Natural woodwork & staircase. Hdwd. flrs. Main flr. laundry.Two updated bathrooms. Well insulated. Rec. room & office.

Peaceful back yard. Garage. MLS.

CUSTOM BUILT and backing to farmland w/great sunsets!

Open concept from spacious kitchen w/island to great room.

Oversized rec. room/games area and 2pc. bath w/staircase t the dble. garage. Large mster w/walkin closet & ensuite. MLS.

COMMERCIAL SPACE FOR LEASE (DOWNTOWN). 868 sq.ft. of office space. $850./MONTH + COMMON EXPENSES. MLS

$375,000

SOLD

$549,900

PARKER – Retail/residential. Good exposure. Rental income from the apartment. MLS

DEVELOPMENT LAND - 1.6 ACRES, zoned commercial. Good exposure – corner of Church St. W. & Barnswallow Dr. MLS $790,000.

CALL US NOW FOR YOUR FREE MARKET EVALUATION

Advertise your business services in our directory.

Weekly exposure with fantastic results!

UPDATED DETACHED BUNGALOW on a 40x120 lot with newer kitchen and 2 full baths. All new flooring, carpet free, finished basement with huge recroom and a spare room. Updated panel, roof 2015, move in ready. Short closing possible. MLS #30582018.

9 Aspen Crescent, Elmira

$499,900

Service Pros

Independently Owned and Operated

OPEN HOUSE | SUNDAY 2-4pm

$369,900

GOOD VALUE! Lovely fenced yard. Main flr. kitchen, D.R. L.R. and fam. room (could be a master bdrm). as well as two bdrms. upstairs. Renovated bath. Newer windows.

Some hdwd floors. MLS REDUCED.

$499,900

Twin City Realty Inc., Brokerage

2017 Rates and complete Media Kit available online at:

www.observerxtra.com/media-kit

Great Options

Starting at:

$

25

/week + tax

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

Some conditions apply. Contact us for details.

@woolwichnews |

/ObserverXtra

CLASSIFIED | 23

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS CONTINUED FROM 22

FAMILY ALBUM OBITUARY

Bert Be Martin Re/max Solid Gold Realty (II) Ltd., R

Foster, Neil Cragg

BROKER

Brokerage

OFFICE: 519-669-5426

www.remaxsolidgold.biz

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

EMAIL: bert@remaxsolidgold.biz

FREE Market Evaluation

NEW LISTING

$299,900

ELMIRA Semi offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, garage, garden shed and family room addition. Backs to green space.

MLS. Call Bert to view.

Townhouse – Retire to the friendly $319,900 2townstorey of Milverton – Let Conestoga Carpenters

$339,900 ELMIRA Single

build you a beautiful two bedroom, two bathroom 1,400 sq ft townhouse with no steps from the curb to the kitchen sink, located only 35 minutes from Waterloo or 20 minutes from Stratford. Pick your colours and finishes and enjoy this new chapter in your life.

Family with beautifully landscaped property offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, formal dining room, walkout basement, large deck to enjoy the view. MLS. Call Bert to view.

$239,000 BUSINESS FOR SALE in 2,000 s/f building. Building is owned by business seller and is available for lease.

Business consists of HVAC sales and service, duct systems installations, commercial and residential boilers sales and service. Price includes sheet metal fabricating equipment, special hand tools and inventory. MLS. Call Bert for information.

living in this brand new semi-de$315,000 Accessible tached bungalow with no steps from the garage or

front entrance. There is still time to choose from some optional layouts including a second bedroom or separate dining room. With an office, main floor laundry and walk-in closet in the master bedroom, this will be a beautiful home to enjoy. Located in Milverton only 35 minutes to KW.

Serving the community for 25 years!

Your referrals are appreciated!

More NEW HOME plans + lots available!

ADDRESS: 3 Arthur St. S., ELMIRA DIRECT: 519-503-2753 EMAIL: leonmartin@remax.net

Bonnie

Brubacher

BROKER

WOLLE REALTY , BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

We donate a portion of our commission from every house sale to the Woolwich Community Services

“HELPING YOU IS WHAT WE DO.� 519-669-3192

OPEN HOUSE | SAT, JUN 24 | 10AM-12PM | 22 William Street, Elmira 1914 STATELY RED BRICK HOME $599,000 Pride of ownership! Highly

D L O S

MILLION DOLLAR VIEW $1,394,000 HAWKESVILLE 25

acre property!

Backs onto the Conestogo River for year round activities and fun! Stunning executive chalet style home with gorgeous crown moulding, brazilian cherry hardwood floors, walkouts. MLS.

NEW LISTING!

LARGER THAN IT APPEARS! $449,900 ELMIRA

Almost 1600 sq.ft plus open unfinished basement space ideal for future recreation room!

Extremely well maintained 4 level backsplit, bright main floor layout offers a spacious dining area overlooking the large family room with gas fireplace & walkout to deck and fenced yard.

SOLD

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOUR HOME IS WORTH IN TODAYS MARKET? CALL TODAY FOR YOU FREE MARKET ANALYSIS!

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

CLASSIFIED FROM PG 20 COMING EVENTS BOB WILHELM’S GUITAR Studio Presents: Guitarama 2017 “The Workout Recital� at Pinacle health and Fitness. 1:00 - 3:00, Saturday June 24, 2017. Proceeds to Sunrays Hockey Team. For info call 519-669-5371.

GARAGE SALES DOWNSIZING GARAGE SALE, Saturday, June 24, 8 Alten Way in Heidelberg. Mountain bike, lawn mower, golf clubs, file cabinet, gardening tools, computer monitors, dishes, lamps, canning jars and much, much more.

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS & $ 6 7 5 2

8 6 8 5 ( 5

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SUDOKU CHALLENGE

$449,900 Welcoming bungalow in quiet mature area of town.

Private backyard oasis complete with in ground pool, lush gardens, patio, pond & shed. Lovely well maintained home, updated eat-in kitchen, mudroom with garage access, cozy main floor living room w/hardwood flrs, 3 main floor bdrms, patio doors off the master, finished basement offers recreation room with gas fireplace, den & office. NEW MLS.

NEW LISTING!

desired location only steps to downtown, park and Saturday's Farmers Market.

Over 2000 sq ft, 4 Bedrooms, finished attic & basement. Stunning characteristic features include natural woodwork, hardwood flooring, amazing front porch.

Fantastic deck overlooking the private mature gardens. NEW MLS.

Passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 18, 2017 at his home in Linwood, at the age of 82 years. Beloved husband of Doris (Smith) Foster for 58 years. Dear father of Robert and Susan Foster of Beamsville, Stephen and Cindy Foster of St. Agatha, Elizabeth and Dan Pilon of Edson, Alberta.

Lovingly remembered by 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Predeceased by his brother Brock Foster, and sister Jean McKay. Neil was a farmer and livestock trucker in the Linwood area where he was also a member of the Linwood Fire Department, serving as chief for 12 years. Cremation has taken place. The family will receive relatives and friends for a memorial visitation on Thursday, June 22, 2017 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Linwood Community Centre, 5279 Ament Line, Linwood. Private family service to take place at a later date.

In Neilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memory, donations to Grand River Regional Cancer Centre would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.

Arrangements entrusted to the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira.

CROSSWORD PUZZLER

Lovely semi detached home in a family friendly neighbourhood.

1600 sq.ft 3 bedroom, 4 bathroom home, completely finished top to bottom!

Move in and enjoy. Open concept main floor layout, walkout to deck and fenced yard, Central air, 6 appliances. NEW MLS.

Rozema

BROKER

www.YourFamilyTeam.ca 90 Earl Martin Dr., Unit 4, Elmira N3B 3L4

$399,900

Shanna

THE FAMILY ALBUM DEADLIN IS WEDNESDAYS BY 10AM

DIRECT: 519-572-2669 3 Arthur St. S. Elmira DIREC

WE SPECIALIZE IN GETTING THE WORD OUT. SHARE YOUR FAMILY NEWS WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS & BEYOND.

Independently Owned and Operated

KEEP UP WITH THE HOTTEST LISTINGS IN THE MARKET: THE OBSERVER

24 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

LIVING HERE THERAPEUTIC / CHICKENS FOR RENT

Now living in town, for many it’s a reminder of life on the farm Four hens now onsite provide a fun outlet for residents at Chartwell Elmira retirement facility

CHEF’S TABLE/ DONNA GINGRICH

Strawberries and kiwi make a salad summery indeed RECIPE NOTES

Pat Maxine holding one of the four hens Chartwell Elmira Retirement Residence is taking care of as part of the program ‘Rent The Chicken’, which allows for the small-scale care of laying hens. [ALI WILSON / THE OBSERVER]

ALI WILSON THERE ARE FOUR NEW feathery guests at the Chartwell Elmira Retirement Residence.

For the first time ever the retirement residence is participating in the ‘Rent The Chicken’ program.

‘Rent The Chicken’ is a program that provides laying hens to families with the hope of bringing a simple food source closer to their tables.

The group provides all of the supplies needed to care for the chickens, including a portable chicken coop on wheels, all of the feed and, in this case, four laying hens. In addition to supplies they also provide an orientation on hen delivery and the tools to help even first time ‘farmers’ with basic knowledge to care for the animals.

Running from May to October, the group also provides delivery and pick up.

Vicky Rau, recreation manager for Chartwell Elmira, first heard about ‘Rent The Chicken’ through an activity directors’ group email. After discussing the idea with staff and the residents, she found it would be a fantastic fit.

“I talked to the residents and got really excited because so many of them had chickens, they had hundreds and thousands of them, and had great stories about them,” she said.

“This company is amazing. They bring the laying hens, the chicken coop, all of your feed – everything you would need. And they are always just a phone call away.”

Financially supported by the Chartwell auxiliary, the program comes in at just under $700 for the MayOctober season.

Given the facility’s location in town, Chartwell had to get approval from the township before moving

forward with the project.

After doing a thorough check of the grounds, officials gave the green light to four hens, but no rooster.

While many on staff had never had any experience with chickens, more than a few of the residents had.

“The residents are the ones who have taught us how to care for them, which is such a great learning experience for us,” she said,

THIS MORNING I BRAVED the mud in the garden in my bare feet to check the strawberries. I found a dozen or so ripe ones, with more on the way.

When I was a child, Mom always said as we were picking strawberries, (in Duetsch, of course) “Pick only the very red ones.”

And we picked and picked in a row that seemed to stretch from one end of Yatton to the other. This supply would be packed into our freezers and we had red strawberries all winter long.

Here is a recipe for Strawberry Kiwi Lettuce Salad that I think you will like to accompany summer meals. It makes a Tupperware Fix N’ Mix bowl full, so it will feed a crowd. If you want less, simply do half the recipe. It is delicious and looks beautiful.

HENS | 27

CHEF’S TABLE | 27

Did you know we offer evening service?

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LIVING HERE | 25

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

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Cell: 519.581.7868

Truck & Trailer Maintenance Cardlock Fuel Management

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

MATERIAL HANDLING & PROCESSING SYSTEMS

JUNE 22 CHATEAU GARDENS AUXILIARY ANNUAL Strawberry Social, 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Entertainment by Dianne & Elayne. Tea room, bake sale, white elephant table and quilt tickets. Join us at 11 Herbert St., Elmira.

JUNE 24 FAMILY HIKE AT RIVERLAND Trail, Breslau 10:30 a.m. to noon , 2 groups: Tortoise and Hare group. Contact Lisa at 519-648-0675 or robnlisa@rogers.com to confirm time and locations. Visit healthywoolwich.org.

JUNE 25 LYNN RUSSWURM’S SUNDAY NIGHT Concert Series featuring Rhyme’N Reason. Bring a lawn chair to Gore Park, Elmira, 7-9 p.m.

JUNE 26

E-MAIL: ads@woolwichobserver.com

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WOOLWICH YOUTH CENTRE OPEN House BBQ., 5 p.m. at the Woolwich Memorial Centre. Are you just finishing Grade 5 or older? Bring your friends and family and come check out our space. Grab a hotdog and a drink, meet our staff and play some games.

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JULY 23 LYNN RUSSWURM’S SUNDAY NIGHT Concert Series featuring Rescue Junction. Bring a lawn chair to Gore Park, Elmira, 7-9 p.m.

JULY 2

JULY 30

LYNN RUSSWURM’S SUNDAY NIGHT Concert Series featuring Naomi Bristow & Steve Piticco. Bring a lawn chair to Gore Park, Elmira, 7-9 p.m.

LYNN RUSSWURM’S SUNDAY NIGHT Concert Series featuring Lance Russwurm. Bring a lawn chair to Gore Park, Elmira, 7-9 p.m.AUGUST 6

JULY 8

LYNN RUSSWURM’S SUNDAY NIGHT Concert Series featuring Doug Dietrich & Sunrise. Bring a lawn chair to Gore Park, Elmira, 7-9 p.m.

ELMIRA & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL Society Garden Tour in and around Elmira. Starting at 32 Hampton St., Elmira at 9 a.m. There are six beautiful properties on a self-guided tour from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 available at Brian’s Photo or by contacting Barb at 519-580-7584 or barbs@rogers.com.

LYNN RUSSWURM’S SUNDAY NIGHT Concert Series featuring The Stompin’ Flyers. Bring a lawn chair to Gore Park, Elmira, 7-9 p.m.

JUNE 28

JULY 16

COMMUNITY CARE CONCEPTS INVITES you to join us for a hot noon meal, fellowship and entertainment at the Linwood Community Centre. Cost is $11. Call 519664-1900 by noon on June 26 to sign up.

LYNN RUSSWURM’S SUNDAY NIGHT Concert Series featuring Aaron, Sandy & Friends. Bring a lawn chair to Gore Park, Elmira, 7-9 p.m.

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AUGUST 13 LYNN RUSSWURM’S SUNDAY NIGHT Concert Series featuring Riding High. Bring a lawn chair to Gore Park, Elmira, 7-9 p.m.

JULY 9

COMMUNITY CARE CONCEPTS INVITES you to join us for a light lunch and fellowship at the Woolwich Memorial Centre. Cost is $6. Call 519-664-1900 by noon on June 22 to sign up.

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AUGUST 20 LYNN RUSSWURM’S SUNDAY NIGHT Concert Series featuring Earl Fries & the Chaparrels. Bring a lawn chair to Gore Park, Elmira, 7-9 p.m.

AUGUST 27 LYNN RUSSWURM’S SUNDAY NIGHT Concert Series featuring Southbound. Bring a lawn chair to Gore Park, Elmira, 7-9 p.m.

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St. James Pastor: Hans J.W. Borch Lutheran Proclaiming Christ through Church Love and Service

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

Zion Mennonite Fellowship 9:30am Sunday School

10:45am Worship Service Finding The Way Together 47 Arthur St., S. Elmira • 519-669-3153 zionmenno.com

Emmanuel EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH

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26 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

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

Bicycles are among the biggest challenges of self-driving robotic cars WEIRD NOTES

Q. This musical mae-

stro of the insect world uses its various body parts to create unique sounds. Can you name this tunemaker?

A. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the tiny masked birch caterpillar (Drepana arcuata) that shakes its body, drums and scrapes its mouthparts, and drags specialized anal â&#x20AC;&#x153;oarsâ&#x20AC;? against the leaf surface to create bizarre signals, says biologist Jayne Yack, as reported in â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Scientistâ&#x20AC;? magazine. It may be that these signals serve to invite other caterpillars to food-rich areas for group

shelter-building (Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology). After more than 30 years of studying insect sounds, Yack declares, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never seen one insect species produce such a diversity of signal types.â&#x20AC;?

Q. The technology behind self-driving â&#x20AC;&#x153;roboticâ&#x20AC;? vehicles is getting better and better at detecting other cars, trucks and vans, and now even pedestrians, squirrels and birds. But it still faces a daunting challenge from the lightest and quietest vehicles. Got a guess?

A. Add the swerviest vehicles and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll likely know that bicycles are the answer. Enclosed vehicles are big and easy to see and their pathways are easy to

predict, says Peter Fairley in â&#x20AC;&#x153;IEEE Spectrumâ&#x20AC;? magazine. Bicycles, on the other hand, are small, fast and heterogeneous.

As visual computing expert Nuno Vasconcelos explains, â&#x20AC;&#x153;A car is basically a big block of stuff.

A bicycle has much less massâ&#x20AC;Ś There are more shapes and colors, and people hang stuff on them.â&#x20AC;?

The detection rate for cars has continually outstripped that for bicycles because improved techniques allow systems to train themselves by studying thousands of images where known objects are labeled. Not true with spotting and orienting bikes that make sudden turns or jump out of no-

where. That helps explain why performance plummets on bicycle detection. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Deep 3D Box is among the best, yet it spots only 74% of bikes in the benchmark tests. And although it can orient over 88% of cars, it scores just 59% for bikes.â&#x20AC;?

As U.S. regulators put it, â&#x20AC;&#x153;that means cyclists will be living a while longer with the human error that contributes to 94% of traffic crashes.â&#x20AC;?

Q. Take a venomous snake, a mouse and a heroic biologist, and what good may come of it?

oping antivenomous substances that are used to create an antidote for humans, says Sean Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill in â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Scientistâ&#x20AC;? magazine.

However, a problem with this traditional method is that the numerous animal proteins in the antivenom can induce severe allergic reactions in people.

Enter U.K. research fellow Nick Casewell and colleagues, who are working to identify the 20 or so key toxins that cause life-threatening bleeding and will then immunize mice with them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The resulting antibodies should combat the lethal effects of any venom from half of all snakebites.â&#x20AC;? Beyond this, plans are to clone the miceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s antibody-making cells to produce an end-

A. You begin with a biologist willing to milk a poisonous snake of its venom, after which a nonlethal dose is injected into a horse or sheep for devel-

less supply of all-round antivenomâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;meaning animals would no longer be needed to produce it and the allergy issue would mostly be solved.

Reflecting on the risk involved in working so intimately with such lethal animals, Casewell concludes: â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I see first-hand the patients who are suffering, the destitution and poverty that these people live in and the effect that snakebite has on not only them but their families, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a powerful motivator.â&#x20AC;?

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

OBSERVER CROSSWORD PUZZLER ACROSS 1. Select 5. Thus 11. Intimate 16. ___ Minor 17. Ancient parlor 18. Czech Republicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vaclav 19. Substitute 21. Blue hue 22. Judge 23. N.Y. neighbor 24. Emphatic, in a way 25. Back out 27. Motor nerve 29. Operating room 30. Fuddy-duddy 33. Dolts 34. Proposition 37. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ rang?â&#x20AC;?

38. Fine wool 40. Surfing need 41. All there 45. Juju and mojo 47. Atomic number 75 50. Coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tune

51. Repeat 53. Prettifies 54. Flipper 55. Study of UFOs 57. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hotline Blingâ&#x20AC;? singer 61. Beethoven work in E flat 63. Associate in Nursing 65. Vocal range 67. Operational 71. Familiar with 72. Missile acronym 75. Related maternally 76. Trattoria offering 77. Petrified 79. Big 80. Foot part 81. Loamy fertilizer 82. Kills, as a dragon 83. Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stand 84. European language DOWN 1. Cubaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fidel 2. Certain shark 3. Allowed

4. Corset tightener 5. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If only ___ listened ...â&#x20AC;?

6. Tax collector, e.g.

7. Ashcroftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s predecessor 8. Biblical plot 9. Borneo sultanate 10. Starchy tuber 11. French castle 12. Lepers 13. Small eggs 14. Crystalline amino acid 15. Chooses 20. Before, of yore 24. Word before only 26. Happening 28. Aeronaut 31. Patch up 32. Collision 34. â&#x20AC;&#x153;How ___!â&#x20AC;?

35. Sword handle 36. Needle point?

38. Wacko 39. Australian runner 41. Make out, to a Brit 42. Breezy

43. Sister 44. Dash lengths 46. Taste, e.g.

48. Puts a stop to 49. Tokyo, once 52. Frequently, in poetry 54. Rankles 56. Bodies of work 57. Stone fruit 58. Flip 59. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To doâ&#x20AC;? list 60. Urinary organ 62. Fine fur 63. Changes 64. Bug 66. __ and fro 68. Moray, e.g.

69. Cartoon art 70. Marketplace 73. Acad.

74. Nerve plexus 77. ___-Atlantic 78. Appropriate

SUDOKU CHALLENGE

PACKED & READY Take us wherever your adventure takes you.

Send us a photo of you and your Observer and a short recap of your vacation!

QUICK, EASY ONLINE SUBMISSION 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 | 27

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

HENS: Some adventure

rounding up the eggs each day

FROM | 24

Residents enjoying watching Eeny, Meeny, Miny and Mo eat their early morning breakfast. Later on, Vicky Rau collects eggs alongside Vera Winfield at the Chartwell Elmira Retirement Residence in Elmira.

[ALI WILSON / THE OBSERVER]

noting that many residents grew up with chickens or had their own farms. The program clicks in part due to their shared knowledge, past experience and general expertise.

One of the residents, Rita Brubacher, shared stories of the chickens she cared for after being married in 1965.

“We didn’t have chickens by the thousands, just had them for their eggs to eat and sell,” she said.

“We used to sell them for 75 cents a dozen – that was expensive.”

“The chickens are so much fun they are comical, just great to watch.”

Eeny, Meeny, Miny and Mo, the four hens, are of the Striped-Barred Plymouth Rock, Black Star and Red Star breeds.

They have been a wonderful addition to the Chartwell Community beyond the production of eggs, which they have consistently each laid about one a day thus far.

“They are very thera-

peutic when they do their clucking, and they are very humorous. They are all have their own character,” she said. “The residents just love holding them. It also encourages residents to go outside and enjoy the backyard, so it has just been excellent.”

In addition to the resident interaction, the chickens have also provided a fun activity for visiting children.

“Their grandchildren and great grandchildren come and it is so much fun because they say ‘come, come and see the chickens,’” said Rau. “Coming here is sometimes hard for children – they aren’t sure.

It’s great, they come and they love the chickens – we show them where the eggs are, and sometimes they can gather the eggs for us.”

The four happy hens live in a coop located in the back courtyard beside raised gardens that house various herbs and vegetables grown especially for them.

CHEF’S TABLE: Mixing up

something fresh and easy to go along with any summer meal

FROM | 24

Strawberry Kiwi Lettuce Salad 1 cup slivered almonds 1/4 cup white sugar 2 tsp. water 1 large romaine lettuce, chopped 1 box spinach Sliced strawberries, as many as you want 3 kiwi, chopped Dressing: 1/4 cup vinegar 1 Tbsp. minced onion 1 cup white sugar 2 tsp. poppy seeds 1/3 cup oil 1 1/2 cups sour cream 1 tsp. salt

Put almonds, 1/4 cup white sugar and water into a saucepan.

Cook and stir over medium heat until almonds are browned.

Remove from heat and cool completely.

Prepare salad ingredients in a large bowl.

In another bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients.

Just before serving, toss lettuce mixture, almonds and dressing; using only as much dressing as is needed for the amount of lettuce you have.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Donna is the author of A Taste of Nostalgia Cookbook, which is available by calling 519-638-5791 or email donna.atasteofnostalgia@ gmail.com.

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28 | BACK PAGE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017

A NEW WAY TO LET THERE BE LIGHT

OUR HOURS

MONDAY 9AM 9PM TUESDAY 9AM 9PM WEDNESDAY 9AM 9PM

SALE HOURS

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY Workers replace the old streetlights along Arthur Street in Elmira with LED units as part of a region-wide conversion project to energyefficient lighting. The work began in Woolwich on May 18, and all 1,618 streetlights are expected to be upgraded by June 30.

9AM 9AM 9AM 11AM

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[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

RESTRUCTURING: Having enough manpower FROM | COVER

for recruits and growing demands on people’s time – an issue for all kinds of volunteer organizations and service clubs – means a dwindling number of qualified candidates for the paid-on-call duties.

“We have to reach the same benchmarks as our full-time counterparts. It’s not like 20 years ago with the acceptability of just doing what you could – we have so many legalities and things that we have to follow,” he said. “There is only so much time in the day. People have families, people have jobs. We have to be able to have something on paper that we can show that we are providing the township with properly trained firefighters, that everyone’s coming home at the end of the calls and we are doing things as safely as possible.

“We were expecting more, but its not just us – that’s the way the industry is going,” he added of the latest recruitment drive.

His report stated the recruitment challenge does not reflect the abilities of one station in particular, but speaks to the current issues surrounding the difficulties paid-on-call departments have finding

suitable candidates.

He noted that postings for a full-time position can elicit hundreds of applications, whereas work and family commitments conflict with the amount of time and dedication that is required to be a paid-oncall/volunteer firefighter.

“When you get out of a situation where you’re offering full-time career firefighters a position, with 2,000 firefighters applying for two positions, you’re getting into the paid-oncall, where you really need to be cognitive of that. We are bedroom communities.

Our communities clear out during the day, so we almost have to double our numbers to roll the dice that we are going to get full trucks out for calls.”

Currently, the organizational structure places 16 firefighters below each of the four captains in Linwood, St. Clements and Wellesley. The new plan keeps four captains at each of the three stations, but goes with 48 firefighters to be distributed based on where they’re needed.

“There are operational needs that we need to meet. In the middle of the day at 2 o’clock, if we have a structure fire I need to know that there are a cer-

tain number of firefighters.

At that point it doesn’t matter what station they are coming from,” he explained, noting that firefighters responding directly to where the firefighters are housed isn’t as important as having enough to cover times during the day, on holidays, and over the summer when manpower is in short supply.

“We are just going to make sure we are operationally meeting our standards and that the township is safe and covered.”

The chief said that this organizational shift would still leave one open position in the event an ideal candidate moves into one of the coverage areas of either Linwood or St. Clements before they conduct their next recruitment drive.

His proposal met with unanimous approval from councillors.

The department plans to closely monitor future trends of firefighters leaving and candidates being available to fill vacancies over the next couple of years in case there is a need for permanent revisions to the staffing structure.

The newest recruits will join the fire department as of July 1.

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[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

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