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11 | 23 | 2017 VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 47

PARK MANOR TAKES TOUCH FOOTBALL TITLE SPORTS PAGE 9

COMMENT PAGE 6

SNOW BRINGS MORE THAN UNHAPPY DRIVERS

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

Collision leads to fire near Elmira

There were only minor injuries in a two-vehicle collision Tuesday evening at South Field Drive and New Jerusalem Road near Elmira, but both cars caught on fire. Occupants had already exited the vehicles when Conestogo firefighters responded to the scene.

Wellesley defers council pay increases until after next election Consultant found township councillors earning less than similar municipalities

FAISAL ALI HIGHER PAY FOR WELLESLEY councillors will have to wait until the next term, with the incumbents opting out of a recommendation that increases be phased in starting in January.

A consultant looking into council remuneration found the township pays significantly less than comparable municipalities, suggesting increases be phased

in over three years in a report tabled Tuesday night.

Councillors instead opted to begin that process in 2019, after next year’s election.

Similarly, a decision on adjusting council pay to compensate for the loss of the one-third tax-free provision will also come into effect effective Jan. 1, 2019, when the federal government has decreed the practice must end.

Looking at pay scales, Barcon Consulting Inc.

conducted a salary survey of 12 comparable municipalities. The results suggested Wellesley councillors were paid only 77 per cent of what other councillors received on average, while the mayor gets only 72 per cent of the average salary in similar communities.

Amongst the municipalities surveyed were the townships of Woolwich, Wilmot, West Perth, Norwich and the towns of Erin and Gravenhurst.

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Councillors took issue with the 2018 option, however, noting they would effectively be giving themselves a pay raise if they began next year.

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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

Floradale’s Earlidale Meats seeking expansion to deal with demand, provincial regulations STEVE KANNON A GROWING DEMAND FOR local food and provincial regulations governing meat processing are driving a Floradale business’ bid for expansion.

Earlidale Meats is seeking a zone change to build a new processing plant on a 3.2-acre property at 2065 Floradale Rd. A new 600-square-metre facility would join the existing 180-sq.-m. building, which would be converted to dry storage under a plan aired in a public meeting at Woolwich council Tuesday night.

The property is zoned for agricultural use, with site-specific provision for a custom meat processing operation with accessory retail sales. The application would see an expansion of that site-specific use, said director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley.

Representing owner Andrew Martin, Bob Black of RBA Planning Consultants said the proposal represents a “minor expansion” of the current agriculturalrelated industrial use on the property.

Earlidale Meats has been operating for some 20 years as a processor of various meats – beef,

chicken, pork, turkey – that are brought in to the site, which does not house an abattoir, said Black.

The operation is subject to regular inspections, typically weekly, by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). The proposed expansion will allow the business enough space to conform to new provincial directives about a work flow that avoids the possibility of cross-contamination of products, with the design of the building subject to OMAFRA approval, he explained.

The existing building would then be converted to storage for packaging materials and the spices used in processing the meats.

“It puts to use a perfectly sound building,” Black added.

In response to a question from Coun. Mark Bauman, he noted most of the business is wholesale, but Earlidale does have a retail component, as customers do like to stop by, particularly on the weekends.

Under the new plan, the site would house more parking, helping to avoid the current situation whereby people park on EXPANSION | 4

The countdown is on as WCS Christmas Goodwill program shifts into high gear Tina Reed, coordinator of community support with WCS, with some of the gifts in front of the Christmas Wish Tree located at 5 Memorial Ave. The tree is part of the Christmas Goodwill program. [ALI WILSON / THE OBSERVER]

ALI WILSON BASED ON THE IDEA that every family should be able to enjoy all that the holiday season has to offer, Woolwich Community Services turns to the public for support of the Christmas Goodwill program Back again this year, the program provides non-perishable food, new clothing and toys, a turkey or ham and grocery gift cards to families in need in Woolwich Township and northern part of Wellesley to help make the holiday season a little bit easier for those in need.

“Everybody wants their kids to have a good Christmas, so we can help do that,” said Tina Reed, coordinator of community support with WCS. That program is made

possible entirely through the efforts of volunteers and donations from community members, Reed notes, adding there are a few different options for people to support it, whether it be through gift purchasing, sponsoring a family or volunteering their time.

“They can call our office and volunteer. We have volunteer slots during our Christmas Goodwill week so they can call in and ask about that. They can donate money. There is the option to sponsor a family or do the wish tree or just donate a gift,” she said.

Volunteers are needed to assist in wrapping gifts, shopping and putting together the food hampers. It really takes a community effort to make the program work but the holiday spirit

to make this a great Christmas for everyone, Reed noted.

Christmas wish trees are located at Home Hardware stores in Elmira, Linwood and St. Jacobs – on the trees you will find a wish gift tag, remove the tag from the tree, purchase that item and return it to any of the Home Hardware stores.

Another option within the Christmas Goodwill program is to sponsor a local family. Participants will be sent information about the family, including the number of people, their ages, clothing size and holiday wish list.

“Everyone is very appreciative and they are happy to have the extra help during Christmas,” she said.

“Being able to give their kids gifts at Christmas time

when it can be quite the struggle to keep up with all of the things that your kids want.”

The deadline to drop off goods is December 8, with donations coming to the WCS office at 5 Memorial Ave. in Elmira. Although everything helps, WCS asks that only new toys and books be dropped off. Donations of non-perishable food, new clothing and new toys are all used to fill the hampers. However, the majority of food was collected during the Kiwanis food drive last Saturday, which has in the past been enough to cover the hampers.

Residents looking for support are asked to register by calling the WCS office. Proof of residency, income and family members is all that is required to confirm eligibility.

St. James concert Sunday is a fundraiser for Haitian victims of Hurricane Irma ALI WILSON AN AFTERNOON OF GOOD company to the tunes of an international musician awaits you at St. James Lutheran in Elmira this Sunday, and all for a great cause.

The St. James Celebration of Music presents Swedish guitarist Celia Linde, who will be performing in a benefit concert to raise money for Hurricane Irma victims in Haiti.

Linde’s music reflects a number of influences, Latin American, classical and folk.

Performing her own compositions in the mix, she has toured throughout Europe, the United States, Scandinavia, Turkey and Canada.

“We were really fortunate to be able to fit into a time space while she is on tour,” said Linda Snyder, coordinator of the concert support team at St. James.

Linde’s stop in Elmira is the ending to her 2017 Ca-

HOW TO REACH US

nadian tour, which will see her performing in Hamilton, Waterloo and Oakville throughout the week of November 19 leading up to her sixth and final show at St. James.

In the past, St. James has organized concerts with the proceeds going towards refugee programs and to address problems of drought and famine – this cause is in the same vein for the organization.

“We have had concerts

with donations to help refugees who are still in camps and also to address problems of drought and possible famine in Africa.

This one, when we booked the concert and talked about purpose, the results of Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean were very disturbing ,” she explained.

“We found that the Lutheran World Federation has been involved in Haiti for quite a number of years, so with its relationships in

place it is a very good organization to funnel some funds to help victims of that particular hurricane.”

The category 5 hurricane in the late summer was recorded as the strongest Atlantic basin hurricane ever, outside the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. It forced the evacuation of more than a million people, and resulted in the deaths of 27 across the region. There remain 17,000 people displaced by the

flooding and devastation still in need of immediate shelter. While the performance will ultimately be in benefit of those affected by the hurricane in Haiti, funds will be given through the Canadian Lutheran World Relief.

The concert is also an opportunity for the congregation to encourage attendance at the welcoming building.

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THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

CONCERT:

A FAIR DAY FOR SOME FALL FAVOURITES

A good way to raise funds FROM | 3

Arthur Therriault and Vicky Rau at Chartwell’s Fall Fair Day, where residents crafts and creations were on display, along with a special harvest tasting of seasonal offerings.

[ALI WILSON / THE OBSERVER]

Black Friday begets Cyber Monday begets Giving Tuesday FAISAL ALI A CORNUCOPIA OF COMMERCIALISM is around the bend with Black Friday and Cyber Monday next weekend, but in Waterloo Region, it’s the day afterwards that the big deal.

On November 28, after the weekend shopping bonanza is Giving Tuesday, where taking takes a back seat to giving, and the region comes together to support their local communities.

The Giving Tuesday campaign is meant to raise awareness for local charities, explains organizer Scott Williams, and encourage people to give.

Whether that’s in monetary donations, deliveries to the food bank, a trip to the blood bank, or some volunteer work, it’s a day meant to reflect our generosity.

“This is the third year we’ve been doing it here,” said Williams about the campaign. The original idea for Giving Tuesday began in New York, he explains, in 2012 as a way to “kick off the giving season.” From there, the campaign spread globally, in-

cluding all across Canada.

Encouraged by its success, Williams worked with local partners to bring the campaign into the region.

“So here in Waterloo Region we use it to help to promote the various nonprofits and charities that we have, which there are many, and try to give people an idea of what they do in the community and how they can be supported.”

The campaign has already had significant success in the region, notes Williams.

According to information provided to him from participating charities, last year there were $200,000 worth of donations on Giving Tuesday. Moreover, 500 volunteer hours were clocked, 70 blood donations recorded, 45 organ donors registered and 25,000 lbs of food donated to participating food banks, all just in the Waterloo Region.

Awareness amongst charities has also gone up, with 190 organizations involved in this year’s Giving Tuesday, over last year’s 135. However, while the word is getting out there, Williams points out that

the number of donors in the region has been declining in recent years.

According to data from Statistics Canada, the number of donors as a percentage of the number of tax filers in the region has declined almost each year between 1997 and 2015. In 1997, the earliest year available in the data set, 31 per cent of tax filers were donors; in 2015, it’s dropped to 23 per cent. The median value of donations, meanwhile, has risen, and faster than people’s incomes, suggesting fewer people are donating more of their incomes to charity.

Some of the reasons for this trend may be the recession that hit in 2000’s, suggests Williams. Others may be that people are not aware of the local charities in the area.

“It could be an awareness thing, people just aren’t aware these organizations exist, or where they get their funding. Possibly people are under the misapprehension that it’s all government funded,” he said, giving his workplace, KW Counselling Services, as an example.

“At KW Counselling Services, only about 35 per cent of our annual budget is from government sources. The rest comes from grants, fundraising, [the] community,” he notes.

The point is mirrored by Greg Bechard, executive director of Elmira District Community Living (EDCL), one of the not-for-profits being promoted under the Giving Tuesday banner.

The organization, which supports people with intellectual disabilities, receives some government assistance, but much of their services wouldn’t be possible without the community’s largess, he explained.

“The community of Elmira, of Woolwich Township has some pretty amazing volunteers and volunteer groups that are worthy of your support,” said Bechard.

“And the things that you enjoy in this community as an individual, many of them happen because of those groups and those volunteers, whether it be the maple syrup festival, or hockey, or soccer ...

They all need money to

operate and provide those supports. So somewhere, you’ve been touched by an organization that would benefit from your donation and your support.”

Part of Giving Tuesday’s mission is to raise awareness of all these organizations and the work that they do. To that end, information on all participating organizations has been aggregated conveniently to a single website, www. givingtuesdaywr.ca.

“I would say take five or 10 minutes and visit the website,” said Williams.

“Look under the “Give” tab, and just take a look and explore the different organizations that are there, because one of them is bound to connect with you. There are so many doing really important work in the community and they really rely on community members to help them do that work.”

Giving Tuesday is on November 28, following the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Information on the not-for-profits themselves and how to donate can all be located at www.givingtuesdaywr.ca.

“St. James Lutheran Church in Elmira for about the past year and a half has been working on opening a building to the community at large and particularly to welcome the community in to enjoy music in our beautiful sanctuary that has fantastic acoustics,” she said. “We have found that we can use the concerts as a fundraising activity for the social purposes of churches or for our church to be special.”

The concert is this Sunday (November 26) at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and seniors, but free for children and students, there will be refreshments at the intermission with chocolate sales by the St. James youth group.

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FROM | 3

Floradale Road when they come to shop, said Black.

Martin’s Earlidale bid was supported by written comments from neighbours and customers. The only comment from the public at this week’s meeting was also in support.

“He has a good business there. He should be allowed to expand,” said Joe Martin of the Elmira Meat Market.

The November 21 meeting was for information purposes, with no decisions made. Planning staff will be assessing the proposal, along with public comments, before coming back with a recommendation at a later date.

PAY: Councillors unwilling to give themselves raises, putting off increases until the next term FROM | COVER

with the years,” said Coun.

Carl Smit. “I’d rather we wait until the new council comes in, whoever it is, and start with that.”

Mayor Joe Nowak and Coun. Peter Van der Maas concurred, with councillors Shelley Wagner and Herb Neher not present for the discussion.

“I think when we took on this job three years ago, I think we knew, or we had a pretty good indication of what the pay was going to be,” said Nowak. “And I feel we almost made a contract with the residents ... a verbal contract.”

He said residents likely expected elected officials not to give themselves pay raises after the fact. The councillors agreed to begin pay increase in 2019 instead, and phase them over 2020 and 2021.

Of the municipalities surveyed by Barcon, the average base compensation for mayors was $28,900 versus Wellesley’s $20,800.

Councillors, meanwhile, on average received $15,700, compared with Wellesley’s $12,100.

The discrepancy in pay is even greater, however, when ancillary compensations are taken into

account. Other municipalities, for example, compensated their members of council an additional $144.53 per day for attending compulsory day-long meetings; half-day meetings were compensated at $91.86.

Moreover, other members of council were reimbursed for mileage at an average rate of $0.51 per km, paid on top of their salaries.

Wellesley councillors, by contrast, were reimbursed only for travel outside the region at $0.49 per km.

Travel inside the township is already figured into the annual pay, and is given

as a flat stipend of $2,220 per year for the mayor, and $800 for each councillor “So there is no question that compensation for the Township of Wellesley [council members] is significantly below the comparisons,” said Connie Van Andel of Barcon Consulting at Tuesday’s meeting The consultants recommended the mayor’s salary be increased by $2,700 a year for three years for a total increase of $8,100.

Councillors’ salaries will see a yearly top-up of $1,900 over three years, or a total $4,800 for all four councillors. By 2021,

the total additional cost to the township would be $22,400.

These wage increases, approved by councillors, would be added on top of the standard cost of living adjustment (COLA). Currently, members of council receive COLA to their salary at the same rate as other township employees.

The pay increases approved by Wellesley council may be followed by a second adjustment, as they changes to the tax-free provision will otherwise reduce councillors’ takehome pay.

The amount of the in-

crease, and the resultant cost to the township budget, will depend on which tax bracket is used as a baseline. Assuming a modest bump in tax brackets would cost less than going with the highest tax bracket and compensating councillors accordingly, for instance.

A separate report produced by Wellesley found that if the current councillors were to increase the pay to cancel out the wages lost to the tax changes, then, based on their current tax brackets, the cost to the township would be an additional $8,900.

NEWS | 5

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

CMP supports Breslau park Conestoga Meat Packers have pledged $20,000 annually for the next five years in support of improvements to Breslau Memorial Park.

The first instalment is set to be donated Monday at the Breslau Community Centre.

“Conestoga Meats is pleased to be able to contribute to this wonderful facility in our home community of Breslau. We hope that it brings a lot of

enjoyment to the village’s children,” said company president Arnold Drung in a release.

Monday afternoon’s event will also see Woolwich Township unveil a new tot playground that has been recently installed to replace the unsafe equipment removed earlier this year.

Regional work slated for 2018 Though the Sawmill Road construction in Conestogo is mostly completed, three

other stretches of the regional road are slated for work next year.

In a presentation to Woolwich council this week, the region said it plans to reconstruct Sawmill Road between River Street and Snyders Flats Road in Bloomingdale at a cost of $2,535,000.

In St. Jacobs, where two years of King Street reconstruction just ended, the region will shift to the reconstructing Sawmill /Hawkesville roads at a cost of $1.6 million.

Sawmill will also be resurfaced between Arthur and King streets. That

project has a budget of $410,000.

Also on tap for 2018 is the reconstruction of Listowel Road in Elmira. The project covers a 750-metre portion heading west from Arthur Street. The cost is estimated at $300,000.

Among next year’s plans is examining the integrity of the West Montrose Covered Bridge, with an eye to carry out improvements later in 2018 or early in 2019.

On the radar, but with no set dates, are roundabouts for the intersections of Line 86 and Floradale Road near

Elmira, Sawmill and Ebycrest roads near Bloomingdale, and Shantz Station and Kossuth roads, Breslau.

Woolwich ice rental fees to rise Woolwich ice rental rates will go up two per cent next year under a plan approved this week by township council.

The change also won the endorsement of the biggest user groups, including the Woolwich Minor Hockey Association (WMHA).

The increases follow a year where rates were frozen. The township will maintain its current subsidy rate for youth sports, 33.5 per cent.

Director of recreation and facilities Ann McArthur said the 2018 increases will add about $6,500 to the rental fees paid

by WMHA and $2,100 to the Woolwich Wild Hockey Association.

“We do feel two per cent is a good balance,” WMHA president Rob Moyer told councillors Tuesday night, noting the organization tries to keep costs down to keep hockey accessible.

POLICE BLOTTER

Police issue warning about phishing scam THE ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE want the public to be aware of current fraudulent scam making the rounds.

Currently, scammers are sending out fake emails (phishing) from “Canada Post” stating that the recipient has missed a home delivery and need to click on some links to complete paperwork and pick up your package within 48 hours, OPP note in a release.

Canada Post will never contact you via email unless you have pre-arranged this. Canada post will normally leave you a notice on your door with information regarding a delivery, say police.

Another common scam that is affecting residents is a type of emergency

scam. This is where a fraudster will call and tell you they are either a lawyer or police officer and request that money be sent because a family member has been arrested.

This is a scam in which the “lawyer” or “police officer” will tell you to transfer money via a money transfer service, pre-paid credit cards, or iTunes gift cards.

One of the main themes of frauds/scams is that they are unsolicited. You need to check before you act. This simple step will ensure you do not become a victim of fraud, police advise.

All types of frauds should be reported to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center at 1-888-495-8501 or by going online to www. antifraudcentre.ca.

NOVEMBER 15

12 and County Road 7, Township of Mapleton. A fuel truck travelling eastbound on County 7 was hit by a stake truck that had been travelling southbound on County

8:45 AM | Wellington County OPP and Mapleton Fire and Rescue responded to a twovehicle collision at County Road

A TASTE OF THE WINTER DRIVING CONDITIONS AHEAD?

Icy road conditions were responsible for some early-morning collisions in Woolwich on Wednesday. A concrete pumping truck was overturned on Arthur Street north and Side Road 5, near North Woolwich.

Close by was a three-vehicle collision involving a car and two pickup trucks.

Damage to the trucks was extensive. No major injuries were reported.

[JOE MERLIHAN / THE OBSERVER]

12, with the fuel truck ending up on its side. The driver of the fuel truck was transported by GuelphWellington Paramedic Services to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. County Road 7 was closed between Alma and Rothsay for much of the day. A minor fuel leak occurred to the fuel truck which was quickly fixed, with the fuel pumped to another vehicle.

Police expect to lay charges.

6:22 PM | An 89-year-old Kitchener man was driving a grey Chevrolet Cobalt southbound on Katherine Street North in Woolwich Township when he lost control of his vehicle. The driver failed to negotiate a curve in the road, left the roadway, striking a culvert and knocking down a

few fence posts before coming to rest in a field. The driver was not injured, but was charged with ‘careless driving.’

NOVEMBER 20

10:45 PM | A Waterloo Regional Police officer was conducting speed enforcement on Arthur Street South in Woolwich Township when they observed

a Chevrolet pickup being driven at a high rate of speed. The officer conducted a traffic stop and learned that the driver, a 55-year-old Kitchener man, had a suspended driver’s licence. As a result, the driver was charged with ‘driving under suspension’ and ‘speeding.’ The driver was then responsible for removing his vehicle from the scene.

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6 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

JOE MERLIHAN PUBLISHER STEVE KANNON EDITOR

COMMENT

DONNA RUDY

PATRICK MERLIHAN

SALES MANAGER

PRODUCTION MANAGER

ALI WILSON

JAKE STALLARD

REPORTER

GRAPHIC DESIGN

FAISAL ALI REPORTER

PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT NUMBER 1004840 | ISSN 12039578

OUR VIEW / EDITORIAL

THE VIEW FROM HERE

A snowy winter makes sidewalk issues a bigger deal AFTER A NICE START to the fall, the latter part has been a mixed bag, with more than a dusting of snow to remind us what’s in store.

The forecast is for a more traditional winter, meaning cold and snowy at times. That’s in keeping with the up and down winters we’ve seen. If that’s the case, the first order of business is dealing with the large number of driving mishaps, as many of us are suddenly forced to remember that it’s no longer July out there on the roads.

The second is actually removing the stuff from streets, sidewalks and driveways, almost nobody’s favourite part of winter.

Many of us, of course, will grumble about shoveling out the driveway – the less there is to do, the better. But, as always, it’s the sidewalks that will prove the most contentious, particularly in Elmira, where the township has a contractor clear the walkways. And the kind of arrangement that Wellesley is contemplating just now.

You might think that service would be more widely welcomed than it is, as someone else is doing the work.

Though we made it through the early stuff relatively unscathed, forecasts for a harsh winter might have us on edge before too long. People will complain about how long it takes crews to arrive, about the thoroughness and about the inevitable ripping up of lawn edges. Some will simply clear the sidewalks in front of their homes, rather than wait, a job that everyone else in the township is required to do – they don’t have a service, only a bylaw compelling them to do the work.

That the new contractor has been a big improvement will undoubtedly help, as was the case last winter.

In Elmira, complaints about the condition of the sidewalks surfaced almost immediately following the implementation of the township’s sidewalk-clearing measures. From the initial smaller-scale contract, council subsequently approved a plan to clear all walkways in Elmira, expanding the coverage area and enhancing the equipment used to do the job in an attempt to reduce the number of complaints about the service. A good idea in principle, but one that did not succeed in practice – some people are never going to be happy with the level of service offered by the township.

Prior to the new contract, there was another road of council discussions about the options, including putting the onus on individual property owners, a policy in play in neighbouring municipalities where bylaws make it each resident’s job to clear the stretch of sidewalk in front of his or her home. Failure to do so could result in fines, and a bill for costs if a public works crew comes out to do the job.

The advantage is that it removes the municipality from direct action – and the subsequent costs – but does require some form of enforcement. But people using the sidewalks are still subject to each household’s definition of an acceptable job: some clear right down to the concrete, while others are content to brush off the loose snow, allowing a thick layer of snow and ice to pack on the surface. Human nature dictates that we’re likely to be more tolerant of a “shoddy” job by our neighbours than by the municipality, where our tax dollars are in use: if we’re paying for it, no matter how little, we want a perfect job.

Given such high expectations, the township will never be able to live up to a level of service some demand. And a protracted winter will not help out collective mood.

A forecast calling for a snowy winter doesn’t meet with the same reaction from all quarters.

WORLD VIEW / GWYNNE DYER

Good luck, Grace, but Zimbabwe still doomed WORLD AFFAIRS “SOMEONE, ANYONE, WITH CLOSE links, please make sure Uncle Bob reads the correct speech ... Old man reads the 2013 inauguration speech and we’re in kak for another 5 years,” tweeted Mubaiwa Bandambira just before Zimbabwe’s beleaguered president, Robert Mugabe, went on television with what was supposed to be his resignation speech. After all, Mugabe is 93 years old, and he has read the wrong speech before.

He did it again, but it was not a mistake. With the generals who intervened last week to remove him from power ranged in chairs behind him, Mugabe stumbled and bumbled through a 20-minute speech in which he made no mention of resignation.

No doubt his resignation was a key part of the speech they had agreed he would make, but he skipped those pages.

The Old Man is clearly delusional. He vowed to

preside over next month’s congress of the ruling Zanu-PF party, although it has just fired him after 42 years as its leader. Until Tuesday, he ignored its threat to begin impeachment proceedings if he did not resign the presidency within 24 hours. And his wife Grace, who was being positioned to succeed him as president but has now been expelled from ZanuPF, is just as out of touch with reality.

It was Grace who persuaded Robert Mugabe to sack two vice-presidents in a row in order to take the job herself. This is what triggered the army’s intervention, because her second victim, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is an extremely powerful politician with close connections to the military. He had expected to succeed Mugabe when the old man finally died, and he took his dismissal personally.

Mnangagwa went into exile in Mozambique for a week, but then the army intervened on his behalf and the current crisis erupted.

The generals hoped that they could get Mugabe to resign voluntarily, because

they could then pretend that their action was not a military coup.

That was important, because the African Union no longer tolerates military coups in its member states and might even intervene against the generals. But Mugabe has tricked them, using his live television speech to declare that he plans to stay in power – and the soldiers are bound to conclude that it was Grace who put him up to it.

She probably did.

A couple of weeks ago, not knowing what was to come, I wrote a piece about Grace Mugabe and her ambition to take the presidency when Robert Mugabe finally dies. But she is hated in the party and deeply unpopular with Zimbabweans in general because of her greed and arrogance, and I ended the article by saying: “Once he dies, she will be lucky to get out alive.”

For a moment there, when the army intervened last week, I thought she might escape that fate.

Uncle Bob would be offered a dignified exit from power, she would be excluded from the succession, and

they would both go off to a comfortable retirement in Singapore or some other city where they already own very comfortable homes.

Well, that’s not going to happen. She has encouraged the old man to deceive the generals and cling to power, which wrecks their plans for a semiconstitutional transfer of power that doesn’t look like a coup. He will still be ejected from power, but no longer with dignity. They won’t kill him, because he is a hero from the time of the liberation struggle, but she is in mortal danger.

Emmerson Mnangagwa is now back in Zimbabwe, and will shortly be the president. He is known as “the crocodile,” and he has no reason to protect Grace Mugabe. Her best hope is exile, but she had better take the exit soon. And what Zimbabwe will get is not an end of the dictatorship, but just a new dictator.

What is happening in Zimbabwe is not a popular revolution but a power struggle inside the ruling DYER | 8

COMMENT | 7

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

THEIR VIEW / QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Is it too early to go Christmas shopping?

» Aaron Price

» Bill Pickering

“No. I can tell you, my wife: tree’s up, she has “No, it’s never too early to go Christmas gifts under the tree already.” shopping.”

» Kate Metzger

» Judy McKnight

» Meghan McKnight

“Oh no, never.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“And what Zimbabwe will get is not an end of the dictatorship, but just a new dictator.” Gwynne Dyer | 6 HIS VIEW / STEVE KANNON

Drug-resistant diseases make it more likely it’ll be the little things that’ll kill us EDITOR'S NOTES ONCE UPON A TIME, common diseases and even simple infections were likely to kill you. That time may be returning, however, with invisible little germs potentially posing an existential threat to our merry bunch of homo sapiens.

While we’ve enjoyed the respite known as the age of antibiotics, we’re now solidly embarking on the age of antimicrobial resistance where long-uncommon infections such as pneumonia and tuberculosis are returning, this time immune to the drugs we throw at them. Health officials attribute this to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, the wonder drugs that came into widespread use with the mass production of penicillin during the Second World War and eventually migrated into many facets of our lives, including the food chain.

Now, antimicrobialresistant infections are becoming more frequent and

increasingly difficult to treat. While antimicrobial resistance (AMR) can occur naturally, the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in health care, animal health, food production, and sanitation increases the emergence and spread of resistance, officials note.

That’s the reason we now have something called World Antibiotic Awareness Week, which just wrapped up – as I’m sure everyone took note.

The problem even got its own political boost last year when the globe’s heads of state signed on to a United Nations declaration. Nations committed themselves to a coordinated effort to counter the root causes of AMR, principally the overuse of antibiotics, while looking for new solutions to resistant strains of diseases.

This all sounds rather inconsequential – well, until you develop a resistant strain of, say, strep throat – accept for the fact that effective antibiotics are essential to much of modern medicine. Without effective antimicrobials for prevention and treat-

HOW TO REACH US

eases are on the rise, fostering en environment where now some 480,000 people each year develop multidrug resistant tuberculosis, for instance.

While antibiotic use is at the forefront of concerns, resistance is also growing to antifungals, antivirals, antimalarials and anthelmintics (used in the treatment of parasites).

That situation not only portends more deaths, but the cost of health care for patients with resistant infections is higher than care for patients with non-resistant infections due to longer duration of illness, additional tests and use of more expensive drugs. Estimates for future health care costs come in at billions of dollars, and increase exponentially if you factor in future lost productivity and other economic spinoffs.

Because there’s a huge connection to our food, the issue is a pressing one today.

Typically, antibiotics see much more frequent use in agriculture than in the human population – in the U.S., some 70 per cent are

for animal use. Widespread use has been abated – burger chains, for instance, have committed to antibiotic-free meat – but past and present practices have come at a price.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that the germs that contaminate food can become resistant because of the use of antibiotics in people and in food animals. For some germs, like the bacteria salmonella and campylobacter, it is primarily the use of antibiotics in food animals that increases resistance. Because of the link between antibiotic use in food-producing animals and the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant infections in humans, the agency recommends more restricted farm use of antibiotics that are medically important to treating infections in humans. Furthermore, antibiotics should only be used to manage and treat infectious disease, not to promote growth, which has been a practice since the 1940s.

The CDS estimates more than two million illnesses each year due to antimicro-

bial resistance, with some 23,000 deaths in the U.S. Here, Health Canada has recently put restrictions on antibiotic use in agriculture. Only drugs the agency determines do not pose a risk to human health or food safety may be imported by livestock owners, and only in limited quantities.

A new program that will allow access to low-risk veterinary health products, such as vitamin and mineral supplements, for companion and foodproducing animals has also been put in place to allow manufacturers to import and sell these products.

Veterinary health products that pose a low risk to human health when used in food-producing animals and can be used to keep animals healthy may, in turn, reduce the need for antimicrobials, the agency hopes.

The health of animals takes on even more significance when you factor in the increasing risks that come with our encroachment on wildlife habitats.

In Pandemic: Tracking KANNON | 8

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ment of infections, medical procedures such as organ transplantation, cancer chemotherapy, diabetes management and major surgery (for example, caesarean sections or hip replacements) become very high risk, notes the World Health Organization (WHO).

In the absence of effective antibiotics, it becomes much too risky to carry out what we now consider basic medical procedures, essentially returning us to a (deadly) time before the drugs were identified – that bit of modern medicine tied to Alexander Fleming’s 1928 discovery of penicillin.

A 2014 study in the UK, the Review on Antimicrobial Resistance, predicted antimicrobial resistance could lead to 10 million deaths globally each year by 2050, mostly in Africa and Asia, as you might expect, at about four million for each region. The report’s somewhat alarmist tone has met with some resistance of its own.

Nonetheless, the World Health Organization finds that resistant strains of dis-

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8 | COMMENT

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

THE MONITOR

VERBATIM

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the 2017 recipient of the Code of Silence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Government Secrecy in the category of law enforcement agencies.

The award goes to government departments, agencies or public bodies that put extra effort into keeping information from reaching public attention.

“Two years ago, the premier promised that Hydro One would lower hydro rates after it became a private corporation. But the privatized Hydro One refuses to lower rates, even after the premier gave it a $2.6 billion tax break. In fact, Hydro One is taking the Ontario Energy Board to court so it can keep 100 per cent of this tax break, and leave nothing for ratepayers.”

A fatal collision on the weekend is prompting calls for safety improvements at a “dangerous intersection.” This week, Wellesley council requested the region review safety measures at the Herrgott Road and Ament Line crossing, where a five-year-old St. Clements girl Nov. 19.

» Canadian Association of Journalists

» Ontario NDP Energy critic Peter Tabuns takes the Wynne government to task for

» From the Nov. 26, 2005 edition of The Observer

failing to protect consumers and its disinformation campaign regarding the self-serving plans to sell out Ontarians and their public utility

DYER: Grave conditions unlikely

NATIONAL VIEW

to improve in Zimbabwe

FROM | 6

Zanu-PF party, and Mnangagwa is no democrat. He is a brutal political operator who directed the massacre of at least 20,000 people in the early 1980s, when the Ndebele people of southwestern Zimbabwe resisted the takeover of the whole country by Mugabe’s party.

Mnangagwa was also in charge of the military intervention in the 2008 election, in which so many civilians were assaulted, imprisoned or killed that the opposition leader withdrew his candidacy to

save lives even though he had beaten Mugabe in the first round. Zimbabwe has always held elections, but there has never been any doubt about the result.

The Zimbabweans are celebrating Mugabe’s impending departure in the streets now, but there is no cause to believe that things will now get better for them. The same elite that has looted the country and run its economy into the ground will still be in power, led by a man more ruthless and violent than Mugabe.

Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.

KANNON: It’s the little things

that kill, as we may discover FROM | 7

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Contagions from Cholera to Ebola and Beyond, author Sonia Shah estimates some 60 per cent of new pathogens come from the bodies of animals.

She also cites the influence of international travel, especially the rapid movement of air travel, as an important factor in possible future epidemics.

For the dystopically inclined – I count myself among them – the prospect of a pandemic killing of

large swathes of humanity gets even more likely as pharmaceuticals lose their efficacy. Even a large outbreak of influenza, such as we saw in 1918, could kill 50 to 100 million people, largely in the developing world.

Those are the kinds of numbers that might have you going out for the flu shot, and perhaps toughing it out through new next minor ailment that might have had you running for (ineffective) antibiotics.

St. James Lutheran, Elmira CELEBRATION OF MUSIC Presents:

BENEFIT CONCERT for HURRICANE VICTIMS in HAITI SUNDAY, November 26th, 2:00 pm Featuring

Celia Linde, Swedish Guitarist St. James Lutheran Church Arthur and Wyatt Streets, Elmira

Tickets: $15 Adults & Seniors l Free: Children & Students eventbrite.ca, The Window Box, St. James Office (mornings)

Receipts for charitable donations ($10+) beyond ticket payment Refreshments at Intermission with Chocolate Sales by St. James Youth

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: https://observerxtra.com/write-a-letter/

SPORTS | 9

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

SPORTS TOUCH FOOTBALL / PUBLIC SCHOOL

Playing all the way to the top Elmira’s Park Manor Panthers work as a team to claim first touch football title in 22 years ALI WILSON THE PARK MANOR SENIOR Public School varsity touch football team took home the championship for the first time since 1995 after an extremely successful season of teamwork and effort by the young athletes.

After a lackluster season last year, the Park Manor students pulled off an overtime win in the championship game against Lester B. Pearson to secure the title.

“It is just a great group of athletes this year,” said coach Ken Lubert.

Lubert has been coaching the touch football team for more than 20 years now, but this year came in extra special for the seasoned coach, having only won the championship once 22 years ago.

Among the team roster were Grade 8 students Gage Bott, a rookie, and veteran Lucas Carson.

Each of these young athletes can now call themselves football champs, however neither of the boys plays football out of school, or ever before, in Bott’s case.

So why did he try out?

Well a push from the coach.

“Probably one of the biggest differences was Gage as a rusher – he is so fast, they couldn’t get away from him,” he said of the athlete.

Making it a little easier to scope out young talent as the resident physical education teacher, Lubert saw that he would be a great asset to the team – and that

NOT SO GREAT OUTDOORSMAN / STEVE GALEA

Taking cold comfort in a classic winter OPEN COUNTRY

Park Manor Sr Public School took home the touch football championship mid-October after defeating Lester B. Pearson 27-24 in overtime. Front row: Maverick Horst, Cade Beacom, Eric Hutton, Brody Martin, Mitch Young, Drew Birmingham, Tucker Armstrong. Middle row: Nolan Bridge, Ian Spieran, Harry Edwards, Jamie Crawford, Gage Bott, Reid Burkholder, Brett Moser, Andrew Gear. Back row: Tyler Brezynskie, Liam Eveleigh, Lucas Carson, Griffin Mussleman, Jack O’Donnell, Griffin Boerner. [ALI WILSON / THE OBSERVER] proved true throughout the season.

“I felt like my teammates would need me. I would need them as well, so if I tried out – maybe I could make it and play a key roll,” said Bott of his initial thinking in joining the team.

And that happened to ring true. Although it’s a team sport, Bott as a new rusher on the roster helped the team to post a 3-2 regular season record.

Lubert explained because it was touch football

– having fast kids come out to play really made a difference both defensively and offensively.

Among those was the success the young quarterback Carson had at not only making passes but also being a key leader on the team.

“Lucas was a really good leader this year and that’s so important on offence.

He calmed everyone down, if someone dropped the ball he would go right back to them to get their confidence back up,” said

Lubert. “But also Lucas did a great job as quarterback at finding people – you have to be able to find people that are open on offence, and he did a great job at that. Then any guys that weren’t blindingly fast they were able to make the catch so we were moving the ball.”

The teamwork on the field helped them get to the championship game after a bit of a slow start, but even after a few early season adjustments offensively – letting down the struc-

tured plays that once used to work, to allow for a bit more flexibility on the field – claiming the title was no easy feat.

“It was crazy. It was back and forth the whole game,” explained Lubert of the championship game.

The team battled back conversion after conversion to tie the game at 21-21 before taking four of the five converts to win it all.

Winning in overtime was a fitting end for a hard working group of Panthers, he suggested.

THIS WEEK THE WEATHER Network announced that we are in for a classic Canadian winter. That got me thinking, what exactly is a classic Canadian winter?

Well, I think it is the kind of winter that makes a person who just bought a snowblower very happy.

Other people enjoy classic winters too. For instance, if you own a ski hill, a snowploughing company or snowmobile, a classic Canadian winter is something you dream of.

Well, that’s fine. But my classic winter involves ice fishing – which, I predict will one day be considered a certified mental disorder, especially, if you do it without the benefit of a hut, as I do. After all, ice fishing is a sport that basically involves sitting in the middle of nowhere, shivering, and looking down a hole.

This seems like a harsh assessment until you break it down into its main components.

First there is the walking or driving on ice part.

I don’t think I need to tell you that most sane people GALEA | 11

Kings bounce back to take two out of three games Home cooking just the thing, as Elmira posts WMC wins over Waterloo and Kitchener after loss in Brantford FAISAL ALI THE KINGS BOUNCED BACK from a 6-3 loss November 16 in Brantford to play stingy host to Waterloo and Kitchener over the weekend, posting wins of 3-1 and 2-1 respectively.

In Brantford, the 99ers scored early and never relinquished the lead en route to the win. Two goals

in the span of 78 seconds, the only scoring of the first period, set the tone for the match.

“Thursday, we just didn’t look right,” said head coach Trent Brown about the take away. “We didn’t look right from the drop of the puck, and I think our captain said it best after the game that we seem to take two steps forward and

one step back when we play Brantford every time.”

Up 2-0 within the first six minutes of play, the 99ers get up the pace, unabated by the intermission. Five minutes into the second, Brantford scored their third of the match, placing them almost out of reach. The Kings finally got on the board when Matt MacKay scored at 11:55, as-

sisted by Spencer Comelli.

Any hope for a comeback was extinguished when Brantford made it 4-1 on a shorthanded goal with 1:16 to go in the period.

The Kings entered the third frame facing heavy odds, and the gap only got wider when Brantford potted their fifth at 13:11.

Ethan Skinner (Ryan Takamatsu, Mason McMahon)

pushed back at 16:46 with Elmira’s second goal. The trio then scored again at 18:20, with Takamatsu burying it this time.

With 90 seconds on the clock and down by two, Elmira pulled netminder Tyler Mazzocato for an extra attacker. In keeping with the rest of the game, it was the 99ers who capitalized, putting one into the

empty net to round out the scoring at 6-3.

The Kings have had a curious history with 99ers this season. Despite being in last place in the Midwestern Conference, Brantford has beaten the fourth-place Kings in two out of three games.

“I don’t know what it is,” KINGS | 10

10 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

ELMIRA BLOOD DONOR CLINIC

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Elmira’s Keenan Stewart at Sunday’s match against the Kitchener Dutchmen. The Kings came out on top 2-1, their second victory of the weekend. [FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

KINGS: Consistency is the key to the team being

successful through the rest of the season: coach FROM | 9

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said Brown. “We’re working on becoming an allthe-time team. Currently we’re still just a sometimes team and, really, we’ve got to straighten that out before it gets too late here.”

The weekend brought play that was more to the coach’s liking.

On Saturday, the Kings welcomed the Waterloo Siskins to the WMC. The two teams were evenly matched for most of the opening frame, each racking up plenty of chances – shots were 16-13 for the visitors – but it wasn’t until the final minute that there was any scoring. With the Kings up two skaters due to Waterloo penalties, Zack Cameron scored, with Skinner and goalie Rhett Kimmel getting assists.

Special teams were the difference again in the second, as the period’s lone goal came off the stick of Takamatsu (Tyler McBay) on a power play at 2:24.

The Kings ran into penalty trouble of their own, but Waterloo was unable to capitalize. Jeremey Goodwin got into some trouble soon after with a head contact penalty and an abuse of officials. Then at 7:45, he was charged with his second misconduct of the match. The Kings still held their own and gave no quarter for the remainder of the period.

Entering into the final 20 minutes of play down 2-0, the Siskins were able to mount a limited comeback with a goal at 6:15, but that was it. Elmira’s Keanan Stewart (Niki Molson, McBay) restored the twogoal lead three minutes later, and that was that.

The Kings capitalizing on two of their six power

plays and killing all seven penalties against them proved to be the difference.

“That game was excellent for us special teamswise. Whenever you win the special teams battle you give yourself a great chance to win a game. It’s not everything, but it certainly helps,” noted Brown.

Sunday’s game against the Kitchener Dutchmen was the closest of the Kings’ three battles. Widely outshot over the course of the game – 32-17 – the Kings took advantage of their chances while riding Kimmel’s stellar goaltending to the 2-1 win.

“That might be the first game of the year where our goalie stole the game for us. I’m not saying that we haven’t got good goaltending all year, but that individual position actually won us two points. I think that might be the first time that happened this year,” said Brown.

Kimmel, however, was modest about it.

“Well, luck definitely helped out a bit there,” he said after the game.

“I think confidence is really key for my game, so when I’m feeling confident, I think that’s when everything comes into play. And like I said the boys helped me out – the PK was great, and I think that’s where we won our game. So all in all, everything was turning into a great game for us,” said Kimmel.

Elmira drew first blood when Skinner (Goodwin, McBay) scored just past the midway point of the period, which ended with the home team up 1-0 despite being outshot 13-7.

The teams exchanged goals in the second, with

the visitors again putting up more shots, 12-7. Biles scored on an Elmira power play at 9:42 to make it 2-0 before scored what would be the last of the match some five minutes later.

The 2-1 score would hold up, but not before a final showdown in the third.

The Kings were holding onto a narrow lead, and a single slip up could cost them the game. Tempers were flared, with a fight breaking out seven minutes in, and Elmira taking a penalty for head contact a minute later.

Both teams in tight, scoring chances did not abound – shots were 7-5 for Kitchener – and not even the visitors’ goalie sitting on the bench changed things.

“Yeah, the last minute, it was a bit scrambly,” admitted Biles. “But we played well, we played well defensively. Rhett [Kimmel] stood on his head the last second there; the guy had a wide open shot and he made the save, so he was amazing.”

With the Kings posting back-to-back wins over the weekend, fans are going to want to hope the team can keep that forward momentum going throughout the upcoming set of games. It will be a tough week as the Kings are returning this evening (Thursday) to the Brantford arena for another go at the 99ers. Then Sunday night, the Kings will be back on home ice to face off against the top dogs of the division, the Listowel Cyclones (19-4).

“We’re definitely going to be looking to get a little bit of revenge on Brantford,” said Kimmel.

“They’re a tough team, they’re definitely competing now.”

SPORTS | 11

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

GALEA: There’s a certain craziness to those who enjoy outdoor activities in the winter do their best to avoid ice when walking or driving.

This is why people make a good living throwing sand all over it. Honestly, there is only one acceptable way to cross ice – and that is on skates, either with a hockey stick in hand or alternately wearing a

skin tight figure skating outfit. Ice anglers don’t do the former and though you might see ice anglers in tight and colourful snowmobile suits, the only time you will ever see an ice angler do a triple Lutz is when their power auger gets suddenly jammed mid-drill.

This brings us to the second important component

of ice fishing – drilling random holes through a surface you do not want to fall through. Most structural engineers would tell you that you do not want to weaken a brittle structure you are standing on by drilling big holes through it or beating it with a spud.

Especially when you are standing directly over the

part you are weakening.

Yet, this simple act is central to ice fishing. Think about that.

This brings us to the most ridiculous part of ice fishing – the ladling.

Honestly, the ladling wouldn’t be so bad if we ice anglers didn’t insist on having holes in our ladles. But we do, and the reason is so

Jacks split a pair of games on home ice over the weekend Dropping a 5-1 decision to the Paris Mounties on Friday, Wellesley recovers the following day to post 4-2 win over the second-place Ayr Centennials FAISAL ALI IT WAS A WEEKEND of stunning highs and disappointing lows for the Applejacks as they played back-to-back games on home ice this weekend. Up against the fourth-place Paris Mounties, the Jacks fell in a disappointing 5-1 defeat, but came roaring back the next night to take down the second-place Ayr Centennials by a score of 4-2.

“It was definitely exciting,” said forward Shaun Pickering immediately after Saturday’s win.

“People think, ‘oh, well, it’s Ayr.’ Yeah, but we’re Wellesley too: there’s no taking that away from us.

Teams are excited when they beat us. There’s no more, ‘oh, we can beat them.’ It’s, ‘we should beat them,’ and they are lucky to beat us now.”

It was a lame start to the weekend, however, as the Applejacks first faced up against the visiting Mounties Friday. Despite matching Paris almost shot for shot, and having more than double the power plays to work with, Wellesley was never really in this game.

The Mounties managed the only goal of the opening frame. Any pretense of a close game came to a halt in the second when the visitors scored two more to take a 3-0 lead.

The hurt kept on coming in the third, as two more goals, one of them shorthanded, made it 5-0 just past the eight-minute mark.

Alex Uttley finally got the Jacks on the board at 8:18, with Nick Mercier and Liam Hartman picking up assists, but by then the game was clearly over. The clock ran down to zero with 5-1 frozen disappointingly on the board.

In all, the Jacks had 11 power plays at their disposal yet capitalized on none; Paris in turn, had

we can remove ice from the holes but leave the water behind – because you don’t want to transport it to the top of the ice where it might freeze and make the ice thicker and be returned to the lake in spring.

Lastly, there is the ice hut itself – the thing that takes an outdoors sport back indoors. Basically, the ice hut has a lot in common with an outhouse – not the least of which is the smell whenever angling buddies gather. Also, both are small shacks with benches and a hole or two in the floor.

Despite the similarities,

however, when you have to answer nature’s call, you typically have to spring 200 yards to shore.

All things considered, ice fishing is a lot of fun, though. When the fish are biting and the weather is nice, there is no better way to spend a classic Canadian winter day. And, if I am to be fair, I’d tell you almost any outdoors pastime would seem crazy if you broke it down to its basic components. And the truth is you have to consider all the components of ice fishing together to understand the hole thing.

Ch To risti ur an s

FROM | 9

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Diane Cook TPITICOTravel # 1576226 Wellesley’s Trent Dundas in action at Sunday’s game against the Ayr Centennials. The Jacks were 4-2 victors. five, but also failed to take advantage.

The game wasn’t as close as the two teams are in the standings, with Paris just ahead of the fifth-place Jacks in the South Doherty Division.

Still, despite the poor showing Friday, the Jacks came raging back Saturday night to knock the Centennials off their much higher perch. Perhaps a good night’s sleep was all that was needed to improve the weekend.

Up against the secondplace team, the Jacks knew from recent experience that they could skate with their rivals. The last meeting saw Wellesley go up 4-0 before things went a little sideways and they lost 5-4 in overtime.

So all the right ingredients were there; what was needed was some consistent play – and the Jacks found that in spades.

“Tonight’s the first night we had a 60-minute effort and the [games are] finally going our way,” said Pickering immediately after the match Saturday.

Wellesley took an early lead in the game when Pickering (Uttley) potted the first and only goal of the frame. Netminder Ryan Hergott weathered the Ayr attack turning aside all 13 shots in the period.

The home side went up 2-0 less than four minutes into the second frame courtesy of a goal by Uttley, with Pickering and Spencer Brick assisting.

Ayr wasn’t going to roll over, however, storming back with a pair of their own before the period ended to tie things up. Ayr’s Zachary Masterson potted their first unassisted at 11:37. Then, just over two minutes later, the Centennials pressed forward for another goal, this time on the power play.

The two teams went to the room deadlocked at 2-2.

Things got a little heated in the third, and the game would be decided by special teams – the Jacks made good on two power play attempts, while denying the Centennial when they were up a skater.

Pickering broke the tie

[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

12:27, with assists going to Uttley and Trent Dundas. with less than two minutes to go, Kyle Soper (Pickering) netted the team’s fourth, restoring the Jacks’ twogoal lead. And that was how the game ended, with a 4-2 victory.

If the game proved anything, it’s that the Jacks are a formidable opponent when they’re in their element.

“We have the team to do it. Like you look at our team on paper, like we have the deepest, most skilled team in the league,” said Pickering.

The Applejacks are going to need that momentum going into this weekend, as the team will be visiting the Norwich Merchants Friday.

Even though they’re behind in sixth place, the Merchants (9-11-1-0) have beat the Jacks on both previous occasions, home and away.

Then on Saturday, they will be in Paris to have another go at the Mounties. Facing two teams they’ve had a tough time with, the Jacks have an opportunity for some payback.

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12 | SPORTS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

THE SCORE

WOOLWICH WILDCATS

Novice: LL #1 Nov 18 vs Hespler Shamrocks 2 Home: 6 Visitor: 14 Goals: Tyler Bauman, Oliver Horn, William Krubally, Nicolas Shantz-Schlegel, Josh Wraight (2) Assists: Nolan Beatty, Owen Dally, William Krubally, Ethan Leveck, Zeke Schwartz, Josh Wraight

Novice: MD Nov 19 vs Flamborough Sabres Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Owen Porter (1) Assists: Jack Wood (1), Kitson Bakker (1)

Novice: MAJOR Nov 16 vs Centre Wellington Home: 1 Visitor: 0 Goals: Nolan Martin Assists: Zack Forwell, Cruz Balog Shutouts: Cohen Patterson/ Cohen Hamburger

Atom: MAJOR Nov 18 vs Brampton 45s Home: 4 Visitor: 0 Goals: Jakob Noot, Connor Goebel, Karsten Smith (2) Assists: Keaten Kidd, Danny Schaefer, Jakob Noot Shutouts: Mitch Roemer

Atom: MAJOR Nov 19 vs Halton Hills Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Goals: Evan Woods, Danny Schaefer Assists: Karsten Smith, Evan Woods

Atom: LL#3 Nov 17 vs Hespeler Shamrocks 2 Home: 6 Visitor: 2 Goals: Ben Hibbard (3), Cruz Renon (2), Jonah Schmidt Assists: Lucas Moore (2), Matthew Hutchison (2), Cruz Renon

Atom: MAJOR AE Nov 18 vs Ancaster Home: 13 Visitor: 3 Goals: Patrick McCarthy (3), Carter Snider (2), Thomas Ferguson, Gavin Sager, Hayden Weber, Bryson Rozema, Austin Roth, Wesley Aitken, Nate Dyck, Graydon Martin Assists: Gavin Sager (2), Nate Dyck (2), Graydon Martin, Carter Snider, Hayden Weber, Bryson Rozema, Thomas Ferguson

Atom: MAJOR AE

Bantam: MAJOR A

Nov 19 vs Halton Hills Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Goals: Tyler Gingrich, Patrick McCarthy Assists: Hayden Weber, Austin Roth, Blake Dueck

Nov 15 vs Burlington Eagles Home: 3 Visitor: 4 Goals: A. J. Mitchell, Owen Lee (2) Assists: Michael Hayes, Cameron Leonard (2), Tyler Martin

Goals: Mason Gear (2), Colton Brito, Liam Straus, Lucas Frey Assists: Zach Wiseman, Rhys Taylor, Evan Hall, Cameron Fisher (2) Shutouts: Cohen Hamburger/Cohen Patterson

Bantam: MAJOR A

Novice: MAJOR

Atom: MAJOR A Nov 21 vs Guelph Grtphons Home: 7 Visitor: 5 Goals: Ethan Burkholder (2), Carson Staken, Evan Woods (3), Josh Carson Assists: Josh Carson (2), Evan Woods, Danny Schaefer, Ethan Burkholder, Connor Goebel, Karsten Smith

PeeWee: LL#1 Nov 19 vs Hespeler Shamrocks 1 Home: 4 Visitor: 6 Goals: Daniel Grant (2), Matthew Ramage, Jack Rozema Assists: Hayden George (2), Nathan Whittom, Daniel Grant, Brandon Girling, Preston Hackert, Evan Yorke

PeeWee: MINOR A Nov 14 vs Ancaster Home: 4 Visitor: 0 Goals: Nathan Martin(3), Mitchell Walker Assists: Evan Passmore, Mitchell Walker, Cale Waetcher, Michael Gear Shutouts: Tyler Fisher

PeeWee: MINOR A Nov 19 vs Halton Hills Home: 8 Visitor: 3 Goals: Liam Wood, Mitchell Walker, Ian Leech, Michael Gear, Eric Kane, Kane Kruschat (2), Cale Waetcher Assists: Owen Weber (2), Ian Leech, Kane Kruschat, Cale Waetcher (2), Mitchell Walker (3), Eric Kane, Elijah Weiss, Nathan Martin, Seth Shantz, Evan Passmore, Michael Gear, Justin Strohoff

PeeWee: MINOR A Nov 20 vs Oakville Red Home: 2 Visitor: 1 Goals: Eric Kane, Cale Waetcher Assists: Seth Shantz, Michael Gear, Kane Kruschat

PeeWee: LL#2 Nov 19 vs Hespeler Home: 4 Visitor: 3 Goals: Jackson Smith, Tucker Armstrong (2), Jakob Geimer Assists: Maddi Maguire, Daniel Kochut, Tanner Armstrong, Brody Downs, Tucker Armstrong

Nov 19 vs Owen Sound Attach Home: 1 Visitor: 1 Goals: Carter Servais Assists: Alex Hutton

Nov 19 vs Erie North Shore Home: 9 Visitor: 0 Goals: Zack Forwell (2), Evan Hall (2), Reese Martin, Rhys Taylor, Mason Gear, Colton Brito (2) Assists: Nolan Martin, Lucas Frey (2), Colton Brito, Mason Gear, Rhys Taylor, Max Krasovec, Evan Hall Shutouts: Cohen Hamburger/Cohen Patterson

Midget: MIDGET LL #1 Nov 19 vs Plattsville Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Ben Weigel Assists: Zack Downs

Midget: LL #2 Nov 19 vs New Hamburg LL #3 Home: 3 Visitor: 6 Goals: Nathan Taylor, Matthew Brubacher, Andy Kieswetter Assists: Turner Willoughby, James Wang

Novice: MAJOR

Midget: LL #2

Nov 18 vs Hespler Home: 6 Visitor: 0 Goals: Cole Altman (2), Nolan McLaughlin, Austin Cousineau (2), Lukas Shantz, Assists: Austin Cousineau 2, Riley Runstedler, Evan Gowing 3, Griffen Rollins 2, Bart Sherrer, Cole Altman, Griffin Hergott, Brad Hale Shutouts: Bryce Detweiller Nov 19 vs Centre Wellington Home: 2 Visitor: 2 Goals: Nolan Hislop, Austin Cousineau Assists: Cole Altman, Griffen Rollins, Kurtis Hoover, Lukas Shantz

Nov 20 vs Hespeler LL #1 Home: 3 Visitor: 7 Goals: Emmett Bartley, Hunter Weigel, Kyle Gingrich Assists: Tim Brunkard (2), Tanner Mann (2), Tyson Kraemer, Emmett Bartley TOURNAMENT

Novice: MAJOR Nov 17 vs Cambridge Home: 5 Visitor: 1 Goals: Nolan Martin, Zack Forwell, Colton Brito, Zach Wiseman (2) Assists: Cameron Fisher (2), Max Krasovec, Mason Gear, Lucas Frey

Novice: MAJOR Nov 17 vs Clarington Home: 5 Visitor: 0 Goals: Liam Straus (2), Evan Hall, Zack Forwell (2) Assists: Cruz Balog (2), Nolan Martin, Colton Brito, Lucas Frey, Evan Hall (2), Zack Forwell Shutouts: Cohen Patterson/ Cohen Hamburger

Novice: MAJOR Nov 18 vs Amherstburg Home: 4 Visitor: 2 Goals: Zack Forwell (2), Colton Brito, Lucas Frey Assists: Evan Hall, Liam Straus, Zack Forwell

Novice: MAJOR Nov 18 vs Erie North Shore Home: 5 Visitor: 0

Nov 19 vs Amherstburg Home: 3 Visitor: 5 Goals: Zack Forwell (3) Assists: Nolan Martin, Cruz Balog, Liam Straus

Jr Sugar Kings

WILD SWEEP TO VICTORY IN BARRIE

Midget: BB Nov 19 vs West Northumberland Home: 4 Visitor: 0 Goals: Tegan Schaus (3), Alana Bauman Assists: Jenna Duimering (2), Blythe Bender, Rebecca Martin

Midget: BB Nov 19 vs Barrie Home: 4 Visitor: 1 Goals: Jenna Duimering (2), Jenna Munro, Alana Bauman Assists: Tegan Schaus (2), Abby Burkholder (2), Abby Hanley

The Woolwich Wild Midget BB team won gold in the Barrie Tournament Nov. 17-19, going undefeated in all six games and outscoring their opponents 19-6. Team members: Alana Bauman, Blythe Bender, Hannah Bettke, Olivia Bolender, Abby Burkholder, Courtney Den Hoed, Jenna Duimering, Abby Hanley, Ali Harnock, Maddy Jantzi, Rebecca Martin, ShaeLynn Martin, Jenna Munro, Hannah Petrosino, Tegan Schaus, Emma Walker, Kiera Witten. Coaches: Steve Hanley, Larry MacPherson, Rod Bauman, Joan Munro. [SUBMITTED] Assists: Chloe Futher, Hailey Frede, Lexi Weber, Cassidy Bauman

Atom: ATOM B 7102 Nov 21 vs Wilmot Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Ella Hicks Assists: Brookelynn Kroetsch, Brooklyn Pope

Atom: 7102 Nov 18 vs West Northumberland Home: 1 Visitor: 5 Goals: Alexa Grundy Assists: Kayleigh Futher, Addison Fitzgerald

Atom: 7102

Nov 18 vs Orangeville Tigers Home: 1 Visitor: 3 Goals: Emma McCoubrey

Nov 17 vs North Simcoe Capitals Home: 2 Visitor: 3 Goals: Ella Hicks, Peyton Gaudet Assists: Brooklyn Pope, Autumn Sabila

Novice: B

Atom: 7102

Nov 18 vs Stratford Aces Home: 2 Visitor: 5 Goals: Cayleigh McQuinn, Emma McCoubrey Assists: Emma McCoubrey, Leah Thompson

Nov 18 vs Orillia Hawks Home: 2 Visitor: 1 Goals: Brooklyn Pope, Kayleigh Futher Assists: Autumn Sabila, Ella Hicks

Novice: B

Atom: BB

Nov 18 vs Guelph Jr. Gryphons Home: 0 Visitor: 0 Shutouts: Elle English

Nov 19 vs Brampton Cannadettes Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Maya Slot Assists: Isla McCoubrey

Novice: LL#1

Novice: B

Nov 17 vs Barrie Home: 6 Visitor: 1 Goals: Sarah Forwell (2), Taylor Weber, Brie Brezynskie, Emily Martin, Claire Catton Assists: Kayla Sargent (2), Taylor Weber, Sarah Forwell (2), Claire Catton, Olivia Strauss (2)

WOOLWICH WILD

Novice: LL#2

TOURNAMENT

Novice: B

Nov 18 vs Grand River Mustangs Home: 4 Visitor: 0 Goals: Arabelle Weisee (4) Assists: Aurora Dobson, Cassidy Bauman

Nov 19 vs Stratford Aces Home: 1 Visitor: 0 Goals: Emma McCoubrey Assists: Katelyn Snider, Emily Hibbard Shutouts: Hailey Thom

Novice: LL#1

Novice: B

Nov 19 vs Waterloo Ravens #1 Home: 7 Visitor: 1 Goals: Arabelle Weiss (3), Chloe Futher (3) Lauren Kidd

Bender, Hannah Petrosino

Nov 19 vs Orangeville Tigers Home: 1 Visitor: 3 Goals: Addison Bettke Assists: Emily Hibbard, Katelyn Snider

Atom: BB Nov 19 vs Brock Home: 5 Visitor: 1 Goals: Olivia Strauss, Sarah Forwell (3), Claire Catton Assists: Kayla Sargent (2), Olivia Weiss, Claire Catton, Brie Brezynskie (3)

Atom: BB Nov 18 vs Sudbury Lady

Wolves Home: 6 Visitor: 0 Goals: Emily Martin, Olivia Strauss, Sarah Forwell (3), Brie Brezynskie Assists: Kara MacPherson (2), Olivia Weiss, Kayla Sargent, Charlotte McMillan, Brie Brezynskie, Sarah Forwell Shutouts: Riley Nelson

Atom: BB Nov 17 vs Brock Home: 6 Visitor: 0 Goals: Kayla Sargent, Brie Brezynskie, Kara MacPherson (2), Claire Catton, Taylor Weber Assists: Olivia Strauss (3), Emily Martin (2), Sarah Forwell Shutouts: Riley Nelson

Atom: BB

PeeWee: B Nov 18 vs Clearview Home: 5 Visitor: 1 Goals: Alison Martin, Kyla Bloch, Emily Sargent (2), Tia Zettel Assists: Avery Grundy, Alison Martin, Emma Wiseman

PeeWee: B

Atom: MAJOR Nov 19 vs Hamilton Hiskies Home: 1 Visitor: 5 Goals: Peyton Ahrens

TWIN CENTRE HERICANES

Bantam: REP B Nov 19 vs Lambeth Lancers Home: 3 Visitor: 2 Goals: Paige Tucker, Mackenna Krulicki, Marlee Fraser Assists: Marlee Fraser, Brooklyn Reid

Nov 18 vs Clearview Home: 1 Visitor: 2 Goals: Avery Grundy Assists: Kyla Bloch

Bantam: REP B

Midget: BB

Bantam: REP B

Nov 17 vs Ancaster Home: 3 Visitor: 1 Goals: Tegan Schaus, Blythe Bender (2) Assists: Ali Harnock, Alana Bauman, Jenna Munro

Nov 19 vs Barrie Home: 4 Visitor: 3 Goals: Taylor Weber, Olivia Strauss, Brie Brezynskie, Sarah Forwell Assists: Kayla Sargent (2), Charlotte McMillan, Olivia Weiss, Claire Catton (2), Sarah Forwell

Midget: BB

PeeWee: B

Midget: BB

Nov 18 vs North Halton Home: 3 Visitor: 1 Goals: Kyla Bloch, Tia Zettel, Nora Beatty Assists: Emma Wiseman

Nov 18 vs Barrie Home: 1 Visitor: 1 Goals: Tegan Schaus Assists: Jenna Duimering

PeeWee: B

Nov 18 vs Brantford Home: 4 Visitor: 1 Goals: Shae-Lynn Martin (2), Jenna Duimering, Alana Bauman Assists: Abby Burkholder, Alana Bauman, Blythe

Nov 18 vs Barrie Home: 1 Visitor: 1 Goals: Avery Grundy Assists: Alison Martin, Kyla Bloch

WATERLOO WOLVES

Nov 18 vs West Northumberland Home: 3 Visitor: 2 Goals: Tegan Schaus (2), Maddy Jantzi Assists: Jenna Duimering (2), Abby Hanley, Olivia Bolender, Emma Walker

Midget: BB

Nov 17 vs Belmont Blazers Home: 0 Visitor: 0 Shutouts: Katie Lee Nov 18 vs Guelph Jr. Gryphons Home: 2 Visitor: 0 Goals: Macoda Pitsch, Brooklyn Reid Assists: Mackenna Krulicki (2), Bella Kuchma, Lauren Skanes Shutouts: Katie Lee

Bantam: REP B Nov 18 vs Belmont Blazers Home: 3 Visitor: 3 Goals: Marlee Frazer, Sydney Petzke (2) Assists: Claire Higgins, Bella Davidson, Marlee Fraser, Katya Yusim, Brooklyn Reid, Avery Haid

Bantam: B REP Nov 19 vs Goulbourn Rockets Home: 4 Visitor: 1 Goals: Brooklyn Reid (2), Marlee Fraser, Paige Tucker Assists: Mackenna Krulicki (2), Marlee Fraser, Sydney Petzke, Hannah Kieswetter, Paige Tucker

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SPORTS | 13

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

MINOR PEEWEE’S EARN REGIONAL SILVER STICK

The Kiwanis Club of Elmira Presents: The 25th Annual

Santa Claus Parade The Woolwich Minor Peewee A team won the Owen Sound Silver Stick Regional Tournament, overcoming a 2-0 deficit and winning 3-2 in overtime against their hosts. Goalies: Strohoff, Fisher. Players: Lopers, Chumley, Waechter, Passmore, Shantz, Kane, Weber, Weiss, Kruschat, Leech, Martin, Gear, Walker, Wood, Gibson. Coaches: Nick, Jordan, Logan, Dalton, Dave.

[SUBMITTED]

EDSS ICES CURLING TEAMS TO START SEASON

Saturday December 2nd, 2017 Downtown Elmira Starts at 10am

Lots of Floats, Bands, Giveaways & Much More Major Parade Sponsor:

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Pauline Ditner and Julia Baxter sweep their rock to skip Veronica Bernard during EDSS’s first regular season curling match against Preston High School at Westmount Tuesday afternoon. This is the first time in recent years that EDSS has had both a girls’ and boys’ team.

Entry forms available at www.elmirakiwanisclub.com

[ALI WILSON / THE OBSERVER]

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

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

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

A SERVICE OF HEALING Sunday, December 3, 2017 7:00 p.m. held at Elmira Mennonite Church 58 Church St. W., Elmira Sponsored by the Elmira District Ministerial Association and Dreisinger Funeral Home Ltd.

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14 | VENTURE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

VENTURE FOOD FOR THOUGHT/ OWEN ROBERTS

NEW DIGS / MORE SPACE

New pharmacy space is just the right prescription in Elmira Woolwich Total Health Pharmacy holds grand-reopening ceremony to mark revamped location FAISAL ALI THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A pharmacist and his customers can be quite a personal one, in the same way the doctor is often a confidant to his patients.

Those kind of relationships can inspire plenty of loyalty and goodwill.

That spirit was on full display last Saturday as the Woolwich Total Health Pharmacy held its grand reopening.

Township Mayor Sandy Shantz was there to participate in the ceremonial ribbon-cutting to commemorate the business’ new home. The pharmacy hasn’t moved all that far, however. In fact, it’s still in the same building where it’s always been at 10 Church St. W. but it now occupies the front of the building.

“It’s wider, brighter, more welcoming,” said owner Samer Mikhail.

In attendance on Saturday were Mikhail’s family: his wife Valera Shehata and two children 11-yearold Marcus and 10-year-old Marley.

“They were of course excited about the grand reopening,” said Mikhail.

“They were very excited and they want to have a role in that.” To that end, Marcus and Marley got to hold the ribbon for the cutting.

But what really made the opening a success was the large crowd of people, the

appreciative customer base that came to lend their support, check out the new space and partake of some social time.

For Mikhail, it’s proof positive of the quality of service he’s able to provide the community.

“I have seen their appreciation very clearly in the eyes of the people, by the shaking of hands, the happiness on the face,” he says. And smiling faces there certainly were at the reopening on Saturday.

“They were gathering they were talking, they were happy that they were in this place,” he says proudly.

Mikhail explains that he strives to slow down, to take the time to speak with his patients, to answer their questions, listen to their concerns and even advocate on behalf of them with their doctor.

“They feel more supported. And I feel more proud of my profession, doing it this way. Not because I’m a businessman and my main draw is just to sell medication. Of course, as a business you need grow; but I need to grow as a health professional pharmacist in the community that people will [trust].

“That there’s a pharmacist in the community called Sam that they can depend on.”

Mikhail is the third person to take ownership of the pharmacy, which has been active in the com-

Getting down in the dirt with soil FIELD NOTES

Samer Mikhail, owner of the Woolwich Total Health Pharmacy, at the grand re-opening Saturday. munity for about 15 years, he says. Mikhail purchased the business from the previous owners in 2007.

“I felt at that time it’s the time to operate and manage a store on my own,” he said.

After working for the

business for several years as a pharmacist, as well as a number of other pharmacies in Ontario, he says he felt he was ready. So when they offered to sell the business to him, Mikhail jumped at the opportunity.

The decision to move to

[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

the front of building came when the landlord began to renovate the building.

The new store space was offered to Mikhail, and he again seized the opportunity. The result is a phar-

IF FARMERS DON’T MANAGE and conserve soil properly, we have a couple of big problems.

First, there’s erosion, the disappearance of soil into the air and water. That’s bad enough, given there is such a thin, thin layer of soil on which the earth depends.

But further, there’s soil health. The ground may not always be giving way beneath us or turning into dust and blowing away before us. But is the ground alive with the kind of microorganisms needed to help plants proliferate?

Or is so tightly compacted from being driven over for decades that even water can hardly penetrate it?

These are huge questions. The answers add to the critical mass of knowledge we expect farmers to have, knowledge that is never acknowledged in the price we pay for groceries, or any consumables.

We want agriculture to be sustainable. But seldom do we truly pay for it, or even recognize what sustainable means.

Fortunately, when it comes to soil health and conservation, the provincial government gets it. Those who have their minds made up about the

PHARMACY | 16

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VENTURE | 15

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

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*Offer valid for a limited time only. Customers can receive up to $1500 in total Black Friday incentives with the application of a GM Card. Total incentives consist of manufacturer-to-dealer credits (tax-exclusive) and the GM Card Application Bonus (tax-inclusive). GM Card Application Bonus applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Card or current Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Cardholders. Credit value depends on model purchased. This offer may not be redeemed for cash and may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. Conditions and limitations apply. Void where prohibited. See Dealer for full program 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. <GMC Black Friday> total value valid toward the retail purchase or lease of one eligible new 2017 or 2018 model year <GMC> delivered in Canada between November 1 – 30, 2017. Total Value consists of $500 manufacturer-to-dealer Black Friday Bonus (tax exclusive) delivery credit and manufacturer-to-consumer GM Card Application Bonus (offer applies to individuals who apply for a Scotiabank® GM® Visa* Card [GM Card] or current GM Card cardholders) (tax sive). GM Card Application Bonus credit value depends on model purchased: $500 GM Card Bonus on new 2018 Terrain, $750 GM Card Bonus on new 2017 Terrain, Canyon (excl 2SA), Acadia, Savana, $1000 GM Card Bonus on new 2017 & 2018 Yukon, Yukon XL, Sierra LD & HD. As part of the transaction, dealer may request documentation and contact General Motors of Canada Company (GM Canada) to verify eligibility. $500 Black Friday Bonus is applied against eligible 2017 & 2018 MY vehicles purchased during the program period. 2017 & 2018MY vehicles not eligible for this offer are: exclusions outlined under GM Card Bonuses above, Spark, BOLT EV, all Cadillac models. 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. Void where prohibited. See dealer for details. GM Card Legal: Regular 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 or 2018 model year (“MY”) GMC delivered in Canada between November 1st and 30th, 2017. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive) and credit value depends on model purchased: $500 credit available on: 2018 MY Terrain; $750 credit available on: GMC Acadia, Canyon (excluding 2SA model), 2017 MY Terrain; $1,000 credit available on: GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon and Yukon XL. 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 eligible current owners or lessees of any Pontiac/Saturn/SAAB/Hummer/Oldsmobile or Chevrolet Cavalier, Cobalt, HHR, Avalanche, Aveo, Epica, Orlando, Optra, Tracker, Uplander, Venture, Astro, Blazer, Jimmy, Trailblazer, Monte Carlo or GMC Envoy, Safari or Buick Rendezvous, Terraza, Rainier 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 or 2018 model year (“MY) GMC delivered in Canada between November 1st and 30th, 2017. Credit is a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive) and credit value depends on model purchased: $1,000 credit available on: GMC 2018 MY Terrain; $1,500 credit available on: GMC 2017 MY Terrain, Acadia, Canyon (except 2SA), Savana, Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon and Yukon XL. 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. (Finance) Eligible 2017 GMC Sierra Double Cab Kodiak Edition Offer available to qualified retail customers in Canada for vehicles financed and from between November 1 to November 30, 2017. Financing provided, on approved credit, by TD Auto Finance Services, Scotiabank® or RBC Royal Bank. Participating lenders are subject to change. Rates from other lenders will vary. Representative finance example based on a new 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab Kodiak Edition. Suggested retail price is $35,270. $3,500 down payment or equivalent trade-in required. $35,270 financed at 0% nominal rate equals $378 per month for 84 months. Total Value consists of $7,350 manufacturer-to-dealer (tax exclusive) delivery credit, $500 OPD Credit, $500 manufacturer-to-dealer Black Friday Bonus (tax exclusive) and $1000 manufacturer-to-consumer 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) Cost of borrowing is $0 for a total obligation of $37,946. Taxes, $1,700 freight and PDI, $100 air conditioning charge (where applicable), PPSA, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies and duties (all of which may vary by region and dealer) are extra. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Limited time financing offer which may not be combined with certain other offers. GM Canada may modify, extend or terminate offers in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply.

See dealer for details. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. (Finance) Eligible 2017 Canyon: Lease based on suggested retail price of $25,135, includes $750 manufacturer-to-consumer 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 a manufacturer-to-dealer $500 Black Friday Bonus (tax exclusive) towards the retail cash purchase, finance or lease for an eligible new 2017 GMC Canyon at participating dealers 0% interest rate purchase financing for up to 84 months on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. $0 down payment is required. Total obligation is $18,654, plus applicable taxes. Taxes, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies, duties and, except in Quebec, dealer fees (all of which may vary by dealer and region) are extra. Option to purchase at lease end is $17,381. See dealer for details. Discounts vary by model. Dealer may sell for less. 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. Offers may not be redeemed for cash and may not combined with certain other consumer incentives. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia (Lease) Eligible 2017 GMC Acadia SLE-1 AWD: Lease based on suggested retail price of $39,695, includes $750 manufacturer-to-consumer 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 a manufacturer-to-dealer $500 Black Friday Bonus (tax exclusive) towards the retail cash purchase, finance or lease for an eligible new 2017 GMC Acadia SLE-1 AWD at participating dealers. Bi-weekly payment is $189 for 48 months at 0.5% interest rate on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. $300 down payment is required. Total obligation is $19,949, plus applicable taxes. Taxes, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies, duties and, except in Quebec, dealer fees (all of which may vary by dealer and region) are extra. Option to purchase at lease end is $17,112. See dealer for details. Discounts vary by model. Dealer may sell for less. 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. Offers may not be redeemed for cash and may not combined with certain other consumer incentives. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia.(Lease) Eligible 2017 GMC CANYON DENALI SHOWN 2018 GMC Terrain SLE FWD: Lease based on suggested retail price of $32,040, includes $500 manufacturer-to-consumer 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 a manufacturer-to-dealer $500 Black Friday Bonus (tax exclusive) towards the retail cash purchase, finance or lease for an eligible new 2018 GMC Terrain SLE FWD at participating dealers. Bi-weekly payment is $159 for 48 months at 0.9% interest rate on approved credit to qualified retail customers by GM Financial. $1,500 down payment is required. Total obligation is $18,076, plus applicable taxes. Taxes, license, insurance, registration and applicable fees, levies, duties and, except in Quebec, dealer fees (all of which may vary by dealer and region) are extra. Option to purchase at lease end is $13,799. See dealer for details. Discounts vary by model. Dealer may sell for less. 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. Offers may not be redeemed for cash and may not combined with certain other consumer incentives. ®Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia. 1 Sierra 5-star Overall Vehicle Score applies to 1500 series vehicles.

U.S. Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.SaferCar.gov). 2 Visit onstar.ca for vehicle availability. Services and connectivity vary by model, conditions as well as geographical and technical restrictions. Requires active OnStar service and data plan.

Data plans provided by AT&T or its local service provider. 3 The OnStar Basic Plan is available on eligible new and pre-owned vehicles equipped with OnStar 4G LTE hardware for 5 years or the remaining term. The Basic Plan is transferable to subsequent owners for the remaining term. It includes the monthly Diagnostics Report emails (capabilities vary by model), Dealer Maintenance Notification, access to select vehicle mobile app features and more. Your vehicle must have been compatible with the vehicle’s mobile app prior to the OnStar 4G LTE hardware upgrade, if applicable. This plan does not include emergency, security or navigation services. These and other services require a paid or Add-On Plan. Visit onstar.ca for vehicle availability, coverage maps, details and system limitations. Available 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot requires WPA2-compatible mobile device and data plan. Data plans are provided by AT&T or its local service provider. 4 Full functionality requires compatible Bluetooth and smartphone, and USB connectivity for some devices. Data plan rates apply. 5 Not compatible with all devices. 6 Comparison based on wardsauto.com 2017 Small Pickup segment and latest competitive information available at time of printing. Excludes other GM vehicles. 7 The 2-Year Scheduled LOF Maintenance Program provides eligible customers in Canada who have purchased, leased or financed a new eligible 2017 MY Chevrolet, Buick or GMC vehicle (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 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 Limited 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. 8 Whichever comes first, fully transferable. Conditions and limitations apply. See dealer for complete details. 9 Services vary by model, conditions as well as geographical and technical restrictions. Unlock feature requires automatic locks. Remote start requires factory-installed and enabled remote start system.

16 | VENTURE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

ROBERTS: Healthy soil is at the very root of good farming practices, as new campaign notes FROM | 14

provincial government don’t want to hear this, but it’s on the verge of creating an excellent soil conservation and health strategy.

In fact, open houses started this week in rural Ontario to introduce the current strategy document, called New Horizons: Ontario’s Draft Agricultural Soil and Health Conservation Strategy, to producers and other stakeholders,

and seek further input.

The five open houses – in St. Isadore, Woodstock, Dover Centre, Codrington and Flesherton – will be held between now and December 15. Those unable to attend can join a webinar on December 11 from 1-3 p.m.

Comments on the strategy are also being sought through a variety of other channels, including email and surface mail.

The colourful 55-page draft strategy proposes

ways that farmers, government, conservation organizations, researchers and others can join forces to “foster a fundamental shift in the way we take care of our soil,” says the province’s agriculture, food and rural affairs minister, Jeff Leal.

“In a rapidly changing climate, we must work together to protect our soil while both growing and sustaining Ontario’s capacity to produce food and generate

benefits that extend beyond the farm gate, including better water quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions,” he says.

The strategy began in 2015, the International Year of Soils, with the announcement by the province that it was creating a soil health strategy. That was followed last year with the discussion document Sustaining Ontario’s Agricultural Soils: Towards a Shared Vision.

PHARMACY: The one business that stayed through renovations FROM | 14

macy that’s able to continue servicing the much larger community that has grown since he first took over.

While the grand reopening was held Saturday, the pharmacy itself moved into its new home in the summer, over the course of a weekend.

Because of the fast transition, Mikhail and his crew were able to move the entire store without missing a beat.

Woolwich Total Health Pharmacy was the only business in the building that remained open when the renovations were announced in 2016 by the real estate company, Kain Group.

While the community came out to congratulate Mikhail and his family, he, in turn, expressed his gratitude to back to residents for accepting him, making him feel very much a part of the community.

principles to improve soil health are diversify crops, minimize soil disturbance, keep soil covered, keep plants growing throughout the year (i.e. plant some perennial crops) and build soil organic matter. As an action, producers are urged to start their soil health management plan with a farm-level risk assessment, and an analysis of the appropriate BMPs to address site-specific issues.

“We all know that healthy soil is the basis for a strong, sustainable agrifood system,” says Leal.

“Wise management can ensure that soil is fertile and full of the living organisms that are essential to grow food and other agricultural products.”

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The latest draft, developed in collaboration with the agricultural sector, reflects feedback from farmers, Indigenous participants and other interested groups and individuals.

The draft covers four overarching themes: soil management, soil mapping and data, soil evaluating and monitoring, and soil knowledge and innovation.

And it’s not all pretty pictures. The draft strategy is chock full of dozens of actions areas and best management practices (BMPs) within the themes, as well as feedback from producers in subsections called “what we heard,” and key principles.

For example, under soil management, key

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RURAL CONNECTIONS | 17

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

RURAL CONNECTIONS RESEARCH / PUTTING SCIENCE TO WORK

DNA doesn’t lie New technology authenticates food ingredients

NOW THAT SCIENTISTS CAN barcode and catalogue the unique DNA sequence of any living being, they’re putting the technology to the test to authenticate food products.

University of Guelph professor Steven Newmaster is helping food manufacturers verify the products they use don’t contain any adulterated ingredients.

University of Guelph scientists invented DNA barcoding in 2003, starting with animals and plants and identifying more than 60,000 plant species to date. Newmaster, the director of the Natural Health Products (NHP) Research Alliance at Guelph, wondered how the catalogued information could be used by the food and NHP industry.

He began by using the previous barcoding work to create new libraries of DNA information for commercial plant species used in agriculture and food.

Now, he’s successfully created a new tool to deal with food fraud – the practice of using lower cost substitute ingredients in the food industry – that will soon be installed by food manufacturers for on-site testing.

“With a shrinking food supply and a population headed to nine billion, there is tremendous pressure on the supply chain, and contamination or substitution of ingredients may become more tempting for some companies,” says Newmaster.

Together with Rob

Hanner (chief technology officer), Newmaster started TRU-ID, a Guelphbased biotech company, to commercialize the university’s DNA barcoding technology. TRU-ID offers a certification program for food companies including health food and nutraceutical industries to verify the authenticity of their products.

“We can test any ingredient from halibut to broccoli to Echinacea in order to authenticate it for a food manufacturer,” says Newmaster, chief science officer of TRU-ID. “The technology and technique we use is applicable to any plant or animal based product.”

Companies are using TRU-ID to ensure their supply chain is high quality, testing along the production process from raw ingredients and finished products. Customers like vitamin/supplement giants Jamieson and Nature’s Way include the TRU-ID Certification Mark on every package to certify the ingredients are authentic.

“One of the big benefits of this technology is true sustainability and biodiversity,” says Newmaster.

“We can make sure we are using commercial ingredients and not depleting uncommon, wild species of fish or rare medicinal plant species.”

It currently takes TRUID about 10-14 days to test products, which includes

Technology developed by University of Guelph professor Steven Newmaster helps producers deal with food fraud.

[SUBMITTED]

DNA | 18

The Growcer brings yearround food production to hard-to-feed places IF YOU’VE VISITED OR lived in a remote community in Canada, chances are you weren’t there for the salad.

In many regions that are far from traditional food production systems, fresh vegetables are inconsistent and costly due to the distance and effort required to get them there.

Now, an Ottawa-based company with a focus on food access is helping remote communities grow fresh vegetables 365 days a year, thanks to Containerized Growing Systems.

Corey Ellis, chief executive officer and co-founder of The Growcer, says the company offers plug-andplay hydroponic systems that allow local entrepreneurs to grow vegetables commercially, even when outside temperatures are minus-50 degrees Celsius.

“We knew that any food production system we developed for the arctic and remote regions would need to be easily dropped in communities that lack road access, and it would have to be ready to use, without relying on skilled tradespeople,” says Ellis.

Thanks to a partnership with U.S.-based Vertical Harvest Hydroponics, The Growcer provides shipping containers set up with vertical hydroponics growing systems.

THE GROWCER | 18

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18 | RURAL CONNECTIONS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

THE GROWCER: A business model in bringing

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FROM | 17

Each system has the capacity to produce approximately 12,000 pounds of fresh produce – that’s enough for five servings of vegetables for 100 people per day. And the systems are designed to be modular: operators can grow their business incrementally, reinvesting profits as demand is generated.

“As a social enterprise, The Growcer team has a strong interest in bringing value to the communities we serve,” says Ellis. “We write a business plan with them, we do a full market assessment to help them understand what people are eating, and we work with them to determine

what they might grow at different price points.”

The Growcer team members also travel to communities to provide training.

To date, the company has established projects in a variety of regions, from Churchill, Manitoba, to Iqaluit, Nunavut.

“The people who are making decisions about what they should be growing are in the community, and that allows for a quicker and better response to each community’s food issues,” Ellis says.

He notes The Growcer continues to measure and make decisions based on social and community development. The company was founded while

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As businesses continue to grow, he sees opportunities for individual communities to expand operations, and provide more value-added products and local employment opportunities through food processing, all led by local entrepreneurs.

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DNA: Identifying food right at the DNA level

to deal with growing cases of fraudulent claims FROM | 17

extracting a DNA sample and comparing it to an extensive database to certify authenticity. The next innovation – expected sometime in 2018 – will take TRU-ID’s process right into food manufacturers where ingredients are tested on site and verified against the DNA database in about

an hour. Faster results will help companies make quicker, more effective and efficient decisions.

From there, Newmaster sees the technology eventually moving right into a consumer’s palm.

“We’re working on microfluidic devices that put the lab on a microchip in a phone or tablet. So

someday, consumers could scan a food sample for fast and accurate comparison against a DNA library to find out if food is authentic,” he says.

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THE ARTS | 19

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

THE ARTS ON STAGE / MUSICAL THEATRE

Capturing the essence of Christmas St. Jacobs Mennonite Church stages novel retelling of the biblical tale that underpins the season, with shows Dec. 1 -2 FAISAL ALI IT’S CLASSIC CHRISTMAS FARE: the three wise men directed under the light of a shining star to the birth of a miracle child.

But next weekend, the St. Jacobs Mennonite Church is putting on an imaginative retelling of the ancient tale, in the 1951 Englishlanguage opera: Amahl and the Night Visitors.

It’s a variation of the biblical story written by Gian Carlo Menotti. The story unfolds from the perspective of a family of simple means, a widowed mother and her crippled son Amahl, who are visited upon by the three giftbearing magi in the middle of the night. Playing the title character Amahl in the one-hour play is 12-yearold Adrienne Enns.

“This is my first opera,” she explains. “So it’s different for me and I think it’s going well.”

A novice Enns may be to opera, but audience members will likely not notice as the young actor displays an extraordinary dynamic range in her singing abilities. She’s been on the stage since she was about fiveyears-old, she says, beginning with the Community Players of New Hamburg production of Music Man, and has performed with

the Stratford Festival, playing a younger version of Tommy in the eponymous play.

“We are so fortunate that she was able to do this.

She’s the only person in the solo cast who’s not actually from our church,” said director Stephanie Kramer, who had heard of Enns, a New Hamburg resident, from her previous theatre performances.

“She’s a very accomplished young lady, but her singing and her acting is just superb. And she really captures the essence of the character beautifully.”

“You have to kind of engage the character. You have to think like them, talk like them and engage their personality,” said Enns. For Amahl, that means putting herself in disadvantaged yet earnest shoes her character.

“He’s always positive.

He’s very poor first of all, and he’s crippled, so that even brings more of it down. But he always tries to stay positive and try and help the mother to also stay up and keep going.”

Alongside the piano arrangement, Enns effortlessly blends her singing with co-star Pamela Derksen, who plays Amahl’s worrying mother.

“It’s very dear to my heart this show, as a moth-

er now being able to connect with what she’s going through,” said Derksen, whose husband and children are also featured in the play. The mother worries about her son’s future, especially with his reliance on a crutch.

“Trying to raise a child with no money, no resources whatsoever ... it tugs at my heart, for sure.”

In the story, Amahl has a habit of telling tall tales, so it’s hardly surprising that his mother is unconvinced when he claims to witness a star “as big as a window” above the house.

She’s even less impressed when the child reports the night visitors rapping at their humble door are, in fact, a party of kings in resplendent dress, carrying elaborate gifts and seeking respite.

The three kings, Kaspar,

Adrienne Enns as the titular character confronts the Page, played by Kevin Derksen, in a climactic scene from Amahl and the Night Visitors. Inset, Pamela Derksen plays Amahl’s long-suffering mother. [FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER] Melchior and Balthazar, played respectively by Daryl Roth, Laverne Brubacher and Mark Diller Harder, are imbued with their own quirky character traits as well.

“Well the kings are really interesting because you have Kaspar, who is deaf, and kind of a little bit of a

comic relief in the opera,” said Kramer. Her husband, Daryl Roth, plays the role of Kaspar.

“Malchior, he is sort of the gentle character ... he seems to be a bit of a leader amongst the kings.

He takes charge a lot of the time but always in a gentle and kindly way.” The third

king, Balthazar, played by pastor Mark Diller Harder, meanwhile connects with Amahl, and is willing to answer all of his questions.

For Kramer, a voice instructor at Conrad Grebel College, Amahl and the Night Visitors has a fairly AMAHL | 24

Cheryl Lescom bringing the blues to Maryhill One of the biggest voices around and a favourite of the blues community, she’s on stage Sunday at the Commercial STEVE KANNON BELTING OUT TUNES FOR more than 40 years, Cheryl Lescom is still having fun.

And she takes care to make sure it stays that way, doing what she loves on her own terms.

For the bluesy chanteuse, that includes playing the shows she wants to play, such as Sunday afternoon’s appearance with the Tucson Choir Boys at Maryhill’s Commercial Tavern.

Label-mates on Busted Flat Records, Lescom and the Boys have recorded a pair of albums together.

Sunday’s show will draw on their collaborative efforts, especially the most recent recording, 1953, she said.

“We’ll be doing all of our favourite songs.”

An acoustic act, they’ll be a good fit for a Sunday afternoon at the historic venue, one of the enduring bastions of live music.

Having seen many changes in the music in-

dustry over the course of her career, Lescom is very much aware that there aren’t the number of venues that there used to be.

That’s more than a little ironic at a time when the well-documented decline in the recording industry, a victim of digital downloads, forces musicians to rely more on live performances.

A number of factors, from operating costs and regulations to changing demographics have made

it difficult for bars and other music spots to keep at it. The scene is much different from when she was young and then starting out in the business.

In just the Kitchener area and southwestern Ontario, there were plenty of venues and opportunities for performers.

“Live music, that was our everything,” she said, noting that is no longer the case for today’s young LESCOM | 27

Cheryl Lescom with be joined by the Tucson Choir Boys for Sunday’s show.

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20 | THE ARTS

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

Thank You to our Sponsors and Volunteers The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival thanks all of our sponsors and the 2,000 volunteers for their generous support of the 2017 Festival.

GOLD SPONSOR

ORANGE SPONSOR

BLUE SPONSOR

GREEN SPONSOR

Avis Car Rental BMO Bank of Montreal Bridgeland Terminals Ltd. BrokerLink At the Crossroads Family Restaurant Ltd. Curious Tourist Guide Elmira Pet Products Elmira Vacuum & Electrical

ESM Farm Equipment Frey Building Contractors Grand Ridge Carriers Green Valley Health and Herbs Harold Albrecht, MP Martin Mills McDonalds MRC Wireless The Central Tavern (Elmira)

SNAP Snyder Metal Fabricating Ltd. SOS Physiotherapy Elmira St. Jacobs Printery Stoltz Sales and Services Ltd. The Grand VHF Construction Ltd. Zimmerman's Flooring

The Festival donated $55,000 to 32 local community agencies and organizations in 2017 1st Elmira Scout Group Child Witness Centre Community Care Concepts Conestogo Public School Elmira Community Nursery School Elmira District Community Living Elmira Theatre Company Friends of Guiding Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region John Mahood Public School Parent Council KidsAbility Centre for Child Development

Kiwanis Transit Linwood Public School Maple Syrup Museum Menno Homes Inc. Park Manor Public School Pride Stables - CODRP Region of Waterloo Library Robin in the Hood SkateABLE St. Teresa School Council Strong Start Charitable Organization

Transition Guelph - Urban Sugaring Project Waterloo Regional Crime Stoppers Woman's Crisis Services Waterloo Region Woolwich Community Services Woolwich Counselling Services Woolwich Sledge Hockey Woolwich Sun Ray Special Hockey Club Woolwich Wave Swim Team Youth Outdoors Day YWCA of KW

Join the fun and be a sponsor or volunteer for next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Festival on

April 7, 2018

The Elmira Maple Syrup Festival Committee, a not-for-profit organization Contact us as at info@elmiramaplesyrup.com or visit our website at elmiramaplesyrup.com

CLASSIFIED | 21

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

CLASSIFIED HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

MILL CLEANER

Part Time Day Shift Position Wallenstein Feed & Supply Ltd. is accepting applications for a part time cleaning opportunity. Shifts are flexible and will be 2-3 days per week and approximately 4 hours per shift. This position is responsible for cleaning in and around the mills, and requires a hard-working individual with excellent attention to detail, and the ability to lift objects. This is a great opportunity for a mature individual who is looking for part time work.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, and thank all applicants in advance.

Accommodations are available during all stages of the recruitment process.

Floradale Feed Mill Limited is an independent, family owned and operated feed company serving livestock and poultry producers in Ontario.

HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING DRIVERS Full Time Posi�on Available

We are currently seeking a Hardworking, Energe�c and Professional AZ Company driver to join our team. The individual will run operate a Tractor trailer with flatbed or van trailer doing LTL from the Local area to mul�ple points within Southwestern Ontario.

All applicants must possess a clean CVOR & driver abstract and live in the Dundalk or surrounding area.

At Enviro-eze our Drivers are home every night, we have compe��ve wages and Company paid benefits.

Please apply in person at 7201 Line 86, Wallenstein,ON. Online at www.enviro-eze.com or send your resume and drivers abstract to recrui�ng@enviro-eze.com

WEDNESDAYS BY 10AM WORK WANTED

HELP WANTED

Floradale Feed Mill Limited is an independent, family owned and operated feed company serving livestock and poultry producers in Ontario.

We currently have an opening for:

We currently have an opening for:

Night Loader / Production Worker

Truck Driver (DZ) - Part Time

This fulltime position will involve shift work week days (Monday to Friday) with an occasional Saturday shift. Responsibilities will include night loading , warehouse duties and possible pelleting/batching.

The successful applicant will have

If you are interested in a rewarding work life please submit your resume via email to recruiting@wfs.ca by December 8, 2017.

CLASSIFIED DEADLINE:

This part time position will involve safe operation of a bag unit or bulk hopper bottom unit on Saturdays and holidays.

HEALTH CARE

The successful applicant will have: • A valid commercial driver’s license

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Ability to develop effective work relationships with co-workers, and

• Ability to develop effective work relationships with co-workers, and

• Ability to represent the Company positively with customers.

• Ability to represent the Company positively with customers.

At Floradale Feed Mill Limited we take pride in providing the finest in quality feeds and service to our customers in the livestock and poultry industries. Therefore, a background in agriculture is considered an asset.

At Floradale Feed Mill Limited we take pride in providing the finest in quality feeds and service to our customers in the livestock and poultry industries. Therefore, a background in agriculture is considered an asset.

To apply, forward your resume to:

To apply, forward your resume to:

Brian Chamberlain, Operations Manager Floradale Feed Mill Limited 2131 Floradale Road, Floradale, ON N0B 1V0 Or e-mail: brianc@ffmltd.com

Brian Chamberlain, Operations Manager Floradale Feed Mill Limited 2131 Floradale Road, Floradale, ON N0B 1V0 Or e-mail: brianc@ffmltd.com

We appreciate all who apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

We appreciate all who apply but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

NOW HIRING

Part-time Driver & Deli Clerk For the Meats & Cheese store.

Must be available to work Saturdays.

Apply with resume by e-mail hr@stjacobs.com

JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER Tri-Mech Inc. is a mechanical company specializing in Gas Fitting, Hydronic Heating, Geothermal, Furnaces, Air Conditioning, Sheet Metal, Plumbing, and High Pressure Cleaning Systems. We service agricultural, light commercial and residential systems.

We are currently seeking a Journeyman Plumber or 3rd year apprentice who is a team player and able to work with minimal supervision. Qualifications in Refrigeration, Gas Fitting, or Sheet Metal would be an asset but not a requirement.

Tri-Mech offers competitive wages and health benefits.

Applicants are invited to submit a letter of application or resume by fax to 519-638-3342, or by email to jobs@trimech.ca

HOW TO REACH US

HELP WANTED PRECISE CASTINGS INC. – ELMIRA – is accepting applications for full-time and part-time positions in our manufacturing operations. Competitive wages, steady hours, and benefit package.

Send resumes to Scott Pinkney by fax (519-669-1566), e-mail (spinkney@precisecastings.ca), or drop off at 124 Bonnie Cres., Elmira, Ont. N3B 3J8

BOOKKEEPING & BUSINESS Consulting - New to Elmira! Recently settled and looking to establish meaningful and long lasting business relationships. With almost 40 years experience, I offer reliable and professional bookkeeping and consulting services. My rates are reasonable, my hours flexible, your office or mine.

Please call 807-627-0321 or email louisebackman56@ hotmail.com

NOW HIRING

Millbank Enterprises Inc. has a full time position available for a

Truck Driver with G Class license.

Job requires some heavy lifting & providing good customer service. Benefit package included.

Apply with resume at: Millbank Family Furniture Ltd. 4082 Waterloo St., Millbank, ON N0K 1L0 Fax: 519-595-7107 Email: mffurn@cyg.net

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 2013 TOYOTA COROLLA. Blue, 5-speed manual, keyless entry, bluetooth, AC. Spacious and fuel efficient. Well maintained, dealer serviced. Highway driven 202,000kms. Certified & e-tested $7500 o.b.o.

Call 519-504-1176.

HILLCREST HOME BAKING Christmas Sale - Dec. 1 to 23, 2017. Customer Appreciation Days - Dec. 13 & 14. Come in for free coffee and donuts. 5% off all bulk foods, cheese, ice cream and snack foods. 10% off all candy. From 10% to 50% off all fabrics. 10% off sewing notions, tablecloth, quilt batts, hosiery, underwear, mitts, hats, sweaters pants and shirts (excluding homemade.) 10% off toys, books, giftware, glassware, touchlamps, clocks, cannister sets, book ends and more. Your one stop Christmas shop!

Only suitable candidates will be interviewed.

HELP WANTED FULL TIME OR Part Time help wanted at The Corner Store in Linwood. Job includes kitchen and retail duties.

Call 519-698-2600.

WORK WANTED MAN, TRUCK AND Trailer - clean ups, odd jobs, firewood delivery, yard work - can help. Call David 226-868-0245.

CLASSIFIED LISTINGS CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

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

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

CLASSIFIED ADS

DISPLAY ADS

519.669.5790 EXT 0

519.669.5790 EXT 104

ads@woolwichobserver.com

sales@woolwichobserver.com

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

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

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

22 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

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

Community Information Page COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT NOTICE OF HEARING Pursuant to the Planning Act and Ontario Regulations 197/96 and 200/96 On December 11, 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 – Township Services – Mayor and Council – Agendas and Minutes and select the applicable meeting date.

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 December 5, 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 519-6694669. Any submissions received will be included in a comment package and presented at the meeting. 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 24/2017 – Woodlawn Holdings (Guelph) Corporation, 10 -14 Benjamin Road ZONE / USE: Stockyards Industrial Commercial Area (C-8) with site specific provisions The applicant is requesting relief from Section 6.12.4 Off-Street Loading and Section 6.13 Off Street Parking requirements as follows, in order to permit the development of a second 6 storey hotel on the property: • to reduce the required loading spaces from 2 to 1; and • to reduce the required off-street parking spaces from 175 to 156.

The property, located at the corner of Benjamin Road, Farmer’s Market Road and backing onto Weber Street North, is developed with one hotel and a vacant building.

MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATIONS A 25/2017, A26/2017 and A 27/2017 and CONSENT APPLICATIONS B15/2017, B16/2017, B 17/2017, B18/2017 and B19/2017 The above noted Minor Variance and Consent applications relate to three adjacent properties located on Golf Course Road, Conestogo. Each of the three applicants are proposing to create a vacant residential lot on full municipal services which would front onto River Run Place. The following applications facilitate this proposal: 1. MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION A 25/2017 and CONSENT APPLICATION B15/2017 – Wilfred and Lilla Moyer, 77 Golf Course Road, Conestogo ZONE / USE: Settlement Residential (R-1) / singe family dwelling A 25/2017 - to request a reduction to the required lot width in Section 8.3.2 from 30 metres to approximately 10.2 metres; and - to request a reduction to the required lot frontage in Section 8.3.3 a) from 18 metres to approximately 11.1 metres, for the proposed severed lands (B15/2017) at the rear of 77 Golf Course Road; B 15/2017 - to sever a parcel of land measuring approximately 45.4 by 60 metres, and being approximately 2,709 square metres in area, from the rear of 77 Golf Course Road to create a vacant residential lot fronting onto River Run Place.

2. MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION A 26/2017 and CONSENT APPLICATIONS B16/2017, B 17/2017 AND B18/2017 – Philip and Shannon Kuchma, 87 Golf Course Road, Conestogo ZONE / USE: Settlement Residential (R-1) / singe family dwelling A 26/2017 - to request a reduction to the required lot width in Section 8.3.2 from 30 metres to approximately 16.2 metres; and - to request a reduction to the required lot frontage in Section 8.3.3 a) from 18 metres to approximately 11.1 metres, for the proposed severed lands (B16/2017) at the rear of 87 Golf Course Road;

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

B16/2017 - to sever a parcel of land measuring approximately 29 by 60 metres, and being approximately 1,745 square metres in area, from the rear of 87 Golf Course Road to create a vacant residential lot fronting onto River Run Place.

B17/2017 - to sever a triangular shaped parcel of land being approximately 57 square metres in area, from the proposed severed lot at the rear of 87 Golf Course Road (B16/2017) and convey it as a lot addition to the proposed severed lot at the rear of 77 Golf Course Road (B15/2017) in order to provide frontage for the new lot on River Run Place.

B 18/2017 - to sever a triangular shaped parcel of land being approximately 120 square metres in area, from the proposed severed lot at the rear of 87 Golf Course Road (B16/2017) and convey it as a lot addition to the proposed severed lot at the rear of 93 Golf Course Road (B19/2017) in order to provide frontage onto River Run Place.

3. MINOR VARIANCE APPLICATION A 27/2017 and CONSENT APPLICATION B19/2017 – Krista Foisy, 93 Golf Course Road, Conestogo ZONE / USE: Settlement Residential (R-1) / single family dwelling A 27/2017 - to request a reduction to the required lot width in Section 8.3.2 from 30 metres to approximately 9.7 metres; and - to request a reduction to the required lot frontage in Section 8.3.3 a) from18 metres to approximately 11.1 metres, for the proposed severed lands (B19/2017) at the rear of 93 Golf Course Road; B 19/2017 - to sever a parcel of land measuring approximately 29.2 by 60 metres, and being approximately 1,753 square metres in area, from the rear of 93 Golf Course Road to create a vacant residential lot fronting onto River Run Place.

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.

Public Notice WINTER OVERNIGHT PARKING BAN This is a reminder the Winter Overnight Parking Ban for snow plowing is approaching. Please note the dates and times as follow: December 1st to March 31st between 4:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.

No overnight parking is permitted on Township roads during this time to facilitate municipal snow plowing from the streets.

THIS BAN APPLIES REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER. Any vehicles in violation of this parking ban may be ticketed.

Please note that the Region of Waterloo has a year round overnight parking ban on all Regional roads between the hours of 2:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

For further information please contact the Township of Woolwich at 519-669-6009.

CLASSIFIED | 23

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

CLASSIFIED ADS CONTINUED FROM PG. 21 FOR SALE MATTRESS AND BOX Spring, new, never used, still in sealed bag. Sacrifice $195.

Delivery available. Newly refurbished digital dehumidifiers, 90 day warranty, $95. 519-635-8737.

SALE AT QUILT Essentials 1340 King St. N. in St. Jacobs 519-664-2060. All fabrics and sewing notions 20% OFF. Effective until November 30.

VINYL FARM HOUSE replacement windows. Energy Star rated and certified.

No extra charge for custom sizes. Installation available.

519-698-2059.

100%

LOCAL

AUCTIONS AUCTION SALE OF Antiques, collectibles, guns, Christmas dĂŠcor, household goods, toy army tank collection, and miscellaneous items, To be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley, on Saturday, November 25th @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions 519-699-4451.

WED. NOV 29 at 10:00 AM - Clearing auction sale of quality furniture; antiques; primitives; collectables; lawn and garden equipment; hand and power tools and miscellaneous items to be held at the St. Jacobs Community Centre in St Jacobs for an area estate with additions. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.jantziauctions.com

AUCTIONS

HUGE INDOOR

AUCTION for the Estate of Reita Cherry of Drayton and Additions of Antiques, Primitives, Appliances, Furniture etc.

Sale to be held at #7213 Line 86 Wallenstein approx. 6 km west of Elmira

SATURDAY DEC. 2 10:00 A.M.

Gerald Bowman Auctions & Appraisal Ltd. RR2, Drayton, ON N0G 1P0 Office: 519-638-5708 For full listing & photos visit our website: www.bowmanauctions.ca

SAT. DEC 9 at 10:00 AM - Clearing auction sale of furniture; antiques; collectables; household effects; and miscellaneous items to be held at 269 Thorncrest Drive in Waterloo for the estate of the late J. Vrablic. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.jantziauctions.com

AUCTION SALE OF Household goods, antiques, tools and miscellaneous items, to be held at the K.W. Khaki Club, 2939 Nafziger Rd. 2 miles south of Wellesley, on Friday, December 15th @ 10:00 a.m. Gerber Auctions Ltd. 519-699-4451 or 698-0138.

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

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

FARM SERVICES

HORSES

ICE SALT & ICE MELT - Ice salt comes in 20 & 40kgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Ice melt comes in 20kg bags. Call George Haffner Trucking, 519574-4141 or 519-669-2045.

WATERLOO COUNTY HORSE Auction to be held at OLEX Saturday, November 25, 10 a.m. Selling several horse drawn potato diggers and plows. To Consign or more info call 519-595-3307.

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

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

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.

FIREWOOD GERBERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FIREWOOD SERVING you for over 10 years. Your #1 source of quality slabwood and bodywood. Delivery available.

519-656-2057.

FIND IT IN THE OBSERVER

AUCTIONS AUCTIONS

AUCTION SALE To be held at the St. Jacobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Centre in St. Jacobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for an area estate with additions on:

WEDNESDAY NOV. 29 AT 10:00 AM

PARTIAL LIST; settee and 2 chairs;

china cabinet with tear drops; step stool; sideboard; barristers section; old wood; cheese box; insulators; high chairs; Canada Dry box; old tools; clothes rock; metal box; dressing table; blanket box; iron bed; childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s table; table; Ann Geddes wash tub kids, Gold Jewelry; Silver Jewelry, More Jewelry, Vintage Car Advertising many different antique and collectables including Made in England Dinky cars and various others. Ertl Farm Express, Collector Porcelain Bells, Royal Albert and other Great Names, Vintage Squirrel Vintage Guitar Amplifier, Acoustic Guitar; Wooden Vintage Advertising, Antique saw and many other Rare Antique Tools, Gadgets and items, including various antique planes for wood work, Wooden Snow Shoes, Wooden Washboard, Metal Guinness Beer Sign, Fisher Price, Eisenhower Book, Collector Tins Horneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Tetley, Royal Family Jubilee, Hardy Boys, Die Cast models, Dale Earnhardt Jr, JM Schneiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Dinky Supertoys Tractor and more, antique childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rocker, very good steamer trunk ,antique dresser with mirror, Antique glass marbles, view-master, stereoscope, antique camera, vintage radio, Berlin Ontario Souvenir Books, 1967 Toronto Maple Leaf ESSO Hockey Records, tin Volkswagen Peddle Car, LP Records, Vintage Christmas ornaments,1953 Foster Hewitt Tabletop Hockey Game with box, Aluminum Christmas tree, Hanover Dairy Bottle, two Pequegnat mantle clocks, antique cast iron banks, tabletop pinball games, cast iron sausage stuffer, Tonka toys; easy bake oven; air compressor; childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books; granite and enamelware; oil lamps; Bridle Rose dinner set, 3 piece bookcases; Teak cabinet; 2 blue tub chairs; Teak corner cabinet; leather recliner; couch and chair ottoman; bookshelf; maple lamp; maple table and 2 chairs; sewing machine; bottle opener collection; wooden office chair.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: JDJ super

dumper hydraulic 6ft x 10ft tandem dump trailer; lawn mower; gas powered weed eater, dehumidifier; lawn and garden tools; roof skylights; roof flashing; roof jacks; cordless power tools; nails; air nailers; safety harnesses; ropes; roofing nails; scrap metal; air fittings; air hoses; eaves troughing nails; nail magnet; snow tires and rims; ladder scaffolding; 6ft extension ladder; 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 40t ladder; 36ft ladder; step ladder; approx. 4 sets of snow tires on rims;

VEHICLE: 2007 F150 XLT 2wd; 300,000 kms; cap and roof rack

AUCTIONEER:

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

HELP WANTED

AUCTION SALE

To be held at 291 Conservation Drive in Waterloo for the estate of Scott Wishart on:

SATURDAY DEC. 2 AT 10:00 AM CONSISTING OF: Ryobi 10â&#x20AC;? compound saw; Rockwell Beaver jointer; Toolex 10â&#x20AC;? table saw; Mastercraft tool chest on wheels; Craftex metal lathe; grinder; Delta band saw; Delta belt sander; vise; mitre saw; tool kits; hardware kits; Ridgid reciprocating saw; Ridgid skill saw; cordless drills; router and shaper; skill saw; Ridgid multi tool; orbital sander; fox tail saw and sander; Mastercraft tap and dye set; torque wrenches; gear pullers; leaf blower; shop vac; ramps; karcher pressure washer; construction ladder; flood lights; King dust collector; saw horses; 2 ton jacks; bar clamps; welding vise grips; vise; battery cable; ladder; Rockwell Beaver; King wood lathe; King 12â&#x20AC;? planer; extension ladder; bottle jack; Delta router shaper; Hoover steam vac; quantity of hand tools including sockets; wrenches; impact sockets; wood planes; chisels; carving tools; screw drivers; many tool kits; and many more items found in a well equipped wood working shop.

NOTE: An exceptional, clean, woodworking tool auction. Cash, cheque, or debit.

AUCTIONEER:

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

AUCTIONS

Property SOLD

AUCTION

NOW HIRING! SYSTEMATIX in North Waterloo is now hiring for the following positions: â&#x20AC;˘ Machine Tool Builder (Tool & Die, Millwright, MTBI) â&#x20AC;˘ General Machinist â&#x20AC;˘ Apprentices (General Machinist, Welder) A Rewarding Experience You will receive a competitive salary, health benefits, pension plan, profit sharing and service awards. Join life at SYSTEMATIX and enjoy many social and wellness activities.

If you are hardworking, reliable and looking for an excellent career, apply now at www.systematix-inc.com, by mail or in person!

SYSTEMATIX Inc. 50 Frobisher Dr., Waterloo ON N2V 2B9

WANTED

RENTALS

BUYING ROLEX, OMEGA, Zenith etc, pocket watches, vintage clocks, all gold & sliver, coins, scrap costume jewellery, musical instruments, rock & roll; jazz records, military items, toys, sports. Email gallamore@ golden.net or 519-242-6900, fair honest prices.

LARGE FARMHOUSE IN Conestoga area. Natural gas heat, $1000/mth plus utilities. Available Dec. 1.

519-570-6887.

PROFESSIONAL COUPLE LOOKING to rent farm house within 30 mins of Elmira.

References available. Call Paul @ 519-500-9640.

WANTED - OLD Fashioned Calendars, used greeting cards and magazines for scrapbooking. Call 519-664-3537.

TRADES & SERVICES RONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DRYWALL AND Renovations. Over 35 years experience. Please call 519-496-7539 or email ron. spncr@gmail.com

RENTALS 1 BEDROOM APARTMENT available January 1 downtown Elmira, upstairs. $700 + heat & hydro. Shared laundry, secure access.

References required. Email: aptelmira@gmail.com 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT in Elmira. Quiet building, newly renovated, close to downtown. Call 519-669-5798.

CONTINUED ON PG. 24

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

FOR

QueenstoTavern, Ayr be held at 99 Stanley St, Ayr

Sat Nov 25th 10 am DJ Sound System * Tables/Chairs Bar Equip * Draught Beer System Barberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chair * Buffalo Head Metal/Neon Beer Signs * Ice Maker Vinatge - School Desk, Poster & Signs ATM * Art * Pool Tables * Piano Dishes/Glassware * Garland Gas Range Clawfoot Tub * Pots & Pans * Fridges Triple SS Sink * SS Hood * Memorabilia CORONA Beer Chest * Etc

PARTIAL LIST ONLY!!!!!!

No Buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premium ! ! !

VIEWING: Saturday Nov 25th, 2017, 9am to sale time TERMS: CASH & CARRY or as announced

M.R. Jutzi & Co

DIVISION OF 658347 ONTARIO INC., PROFESSIONALS IN THE ORDERLY LIQUIDATION AND APPRAISALS OF COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, CONSTRUCTION, MUNICIPAL EQUIPMENT & VEHICLES 5100 FOUNTAIN ST. NORTH, BRESLAU, ONTARIO, N0B 1M0

www.mrjutzi.ca

519-648-2111

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SUDOKU CHALLENGE

Notes: A very large interesting century home estate auction. Lots of unlisted items selling w 2 auction rings. Over 20 tables of glassware and collectibles.

SAT. DEC 2 at 10:00 AM - Clearing auction sale of woodworking equipment; tools; and much more to be held at 291 Conservation Drive in Waterloo for the estate of Scott Wishart. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519 656 3555 www.jantziauctions.com

AUCTIONS

CROSSWORD PUZZLER

Golf Cart and 4 Wheeler: EZ-Go gas powered golf cart (nice), Polaris 250 4 wheeler.

Misc and Tools: 2 nylon horse harness sets, stainless meat band saw, propane BBQ, wheelbarrow, 2-electric pressure washers, large (new) gas space heater, truck front tow bar, bench top drill press, 220v heaters, galvanized water trough, new T 8 347 V flourescent lights, live trap, air compressors, front tine roto tiller, gas push mower, 2 wheel garden trailer, fire extinguishers and much more.

Appliances: 2-30â&#x20AC;? gas stoves, electric dryer, 2- white fridges, 30â&#x20AC;? electric stove, power juice extractor, microwave.

Furniture: Blue electric lift chair, brown leather recliner, brown electric recliner, 2 door panty cabinets, 2 door wardrobe, 3 door oak china cabinet w pie shelf, 4 door maple china cabinet, 4 pc double size maple bedroom set, 4 pc light coloured waterfall bookcase double sized bedroom set, sewing cabinet w elevator, 4 drawer file cabinets, double pedestal oak desk, oak hall tree, double pedestal oak dining table w 6 chairs (nice), 3 pc cherry coffee table set, provincial blanket box, double bed complete, glider rocker, brown sofa w pullout bed, brown leather chair w ottoman, and much more.

Primitives and Antiques: Singer treadle sewing machine (nice), platform scale, spinning wheel, wash stands, oil lamps, parlour tables, kids rocker, 3/4 bed complete, dolls, clocks, hanging light fixtures, wooden bread bowls, various chairs, butter press, wood crates, wire egg baskets, swing mirror dressers, framed art and pictures, old games in original box, metal trains, bells, crocks, Beaver jars and other coloured glass jars, metal air plane, suitcases, cast kettles, boots, hand tools, wash boards, Gingerbread clocks, book jack, hay knife, gas boy electric gas pump, to name a few, the list is endless.

New Hardware: Electrical boxes, wire staples, door knobs, eavestrough covers, switch covers, boxes of caulking, light bulbs, wood stain, 4â&#x20AC;&#x2122; flourescent light bulbs, T bar ceiling frames, electrical box connectors, Christmas light bulbs, spray foam, wooden doors, kitchen sink taps to name a few, 2 farm wagon loads far too much to list.

AUCTIONS

24 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

CLASSIFIED ADS CONTINUED FROM PG. 23 AUCTIONS

Auction Sale FOR KEVIN DOLDERMAN

DATE: Saturday Dec. 2, 2017 @ 10:00am LOCATION: 7197 Wellington county Road 30

From Guelph, take Hwy 86 N, approx. 2Km then go East on Wellington Road 30, 1 Km on right

Consisting of Household items, Shop Tools, Construction materials, Lawn Tractor etc.

Partial List Only

Lawn Tractor, tools and misc. items

Household & misc. items

Antique exterior doors//Wooden toboggans//Seat clamps//fence stretchers//fence posts// Various wall-stone // 2 sewing machines(one is antique) // Old woodstove//Vent piping//Mini bar fridge//Bar stools//wooden storage boxes//Antique glass bottles//large stockpot//Metal window wells//Hot water furnace//Oil furnace c/w air conditioning unit and oil tank//Air hockey table(large)//Antique heating grates//SS chimney liner//Wooden wine rack(L)//Hydraulic hoses, valves, motor//12V electric coolers//Oak dresser w/mirror// Boat fuel tank//

NOTE

THIS WILL BE A FULL SALE WITH LOTS NOT MENTIONED AS KEVIN IS CLEARING OUT ITEMS HE NO LONGER NEEDS. CHECK WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.

Terms

Cash and/or Debit. We also accept cheque with proper ID.

No buyer's premium. Any announcements day of sale take precedence over ads Auctioneer, Auction company or proprietors not responsible for accidents, injury, damage or loss of property on sale day.

Kurtz Auctons Inc. / Auctioneer: Brian S Kurtz (519)836-0342 Email: brian@kurtzauctionsinc.com Web Site: www.kurtzauctionsinc.ca

FOR THURSDAY PUBLICATION

[FAISAL ALI / THE OBSERVER]

AMAHL: An inspiring tale for the whole family FROM | 19

GFI 1800 Kubota lawn tractor c/w snowblower, snowplow blade, mower deck//tool box// Various power-hand-shop tools//pressure washer 3000psi//pressure washer hose reel//electric heater//3 Chain Hoists//truck bed tool box//small mig welder//Dewalt tools//6 high bay lights, 400W/120V//trailer jacks//trailer hitch//Industrial heavy duty turnbuckles//4 wheeler snow plow//large outdoor lighting w/posts//wooden wheeled axle and frame//Old horse trailer, tandem axle(needs work) // Old boat w/motor and trailer(needs work)//30,000 litre storage tank, non-potable water or holding tank, comes with lids/risers to grade//500 gallon water tank//

CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAYS BY 10AM

Derksen and Enns expertly blend their operatic singing in rehearsal for the shows next weekend.

personal meaning. She’s in the director’s chair now, but has played the part of the mother on four separate occasions over the years, including at the last production of the play at the church 22 years ago.

“I think the story is really a charming story. And it connects with people really well. It’s a story of people living in poverty finding hope and thinking about being generous, and finding that through the story,” she explained.

“It has a religious significance, but it also has a current significance in terms of discerning, really, what’s the important thing in life. I just love the story. And then the music is just phenomenal too.”

Accompanying the kings and carrying their loads is the ever watchful Page, played by Pamela Derksen’s husband Kevin. He maintains a careful vigil over the frankincense, myrrh and, especially, the precious gold, that the three wise kings have brought with them – a plot point that becomes crucial later on.

Providing the chorus are the neighbouring shepherds, amongst them two of the Derksen’s three children Charlie and Lucy, ages 7 and 6, who come to greet the kings.

It’s a light and heartwarming tale, with themes of compassion and forgiveness perfectly in line with the spirit of the season.

“It’s a touching story, and a story of healing and transformation,” said Kevin Derksen, who is also a pastor at the church.

“In the context of the Christmas season, that’s often full of sorts of glitz and glamour and commercial stuff ... it’s a sweet sto-

PRINTING SERVICES

ry of beauty and of connections and relationship, and a nice counterpoint to much of what we otherwise get at Christmas.”

Despite being an opera, Amahl is a fairly short show, and certain to appeal to a wide viewership of all ages, say the cast. “[The] first thing I tell them is that it’s short,” said Pamela Derksen. “A lot of people have the idea that operas are very long and boring. This one is nice and short, just under an hour. It’s also a family-friendly show and it’s a nice festive show as well, so it’s a nice thing to bring family out to at Christmastime.”

Enns agrees, pointing out the common misconception of operas being long and long-winded affairs. For the young talent, the experience is bound to help her along in her ambition to become a professional actress, and broaden her horizons.

“I think that it’s new and different. I really like it because it’s something that I’ve never done before and it’s good to change things; it’s good mix them up,” she said.

Amahl and the Night Visitors will be playing for two nights on December 1 and 2 at the St Jacobs Mennonite Church, 1310 Kings St. N. The play starts at 7 p.m. both nights. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students, and $5 for children 12 and under, available through the church office by calling 519-664-2268 or by emailing church@ sjmc.on.ca.

The proceeds from the event are going to support renovations to the former church parish house, which is being leased to not-for-profit MennoHomes to use as affordable housing for a newly arrived Syrian family.

CLASSIFIED | 25

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

TIRE

WHERE TIRES ARE A

SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE.

GENERAL SERVICES

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

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THOMPSON’S

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www.biobobs.com 519-648-3004

GENERAL SERVICES

We are geared to meet your timing and volume requirements

SEE US FOR

Window & Screen

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BLENDED TO MEET YOUR NEEDS!

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519-669-5537

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HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

AMOS INC

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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

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

Concrete Breaking & Removal

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

The Right Window Treatment Can

Save you

Blinds

Steve Co.

Plumbing and Maintenance Inc.

by Elite or Mera

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

• Residential • Commercial • Industrial

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

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INSTALLATION When you buy 3 or more

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

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For all your Plumbing Needs.

Randy Weber

ECRA/ESA Licence # 7000605

24 HOUR SERVICE Steve Jacobi

Wayne Martin | 519-504-2016

519-669-3652

darwayconstruction@icloud.com | Alma, ON

www.rwelectricltd.com

ELMIRA

18 Kingfisher Dr., Elmira | 519.669.1462

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

WINDOW FASHIONS

Free in-home Consultations.

Call someone you can trust.

Brands You Can Trust 22 Church St. W., Elmira

Tel: 519-669-5537 or 1-844-866-5537 STORE HOURS: M-F: 8-8, SAT 8-6, SUN 12-5

SPACE FOR RENT

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

ST. JACOBS

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

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

Your Business Here!

Advertise your business services in our service directory. Weekly exposure with fantastic results!

Call Donna at 519.669.5790 Ext 104.

TEL:

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

homewindowfashions.ca

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RESIDENTIAL & AGRICULTURAL

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

519-577-0370

OUTDOOR SERVICES Since 1998

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

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

CALL ABOUT OUR 28FT FLAT BED SERVICE

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•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

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26 | CLASSIFIED

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

REAL ESTATE

Results That Move You ...

NEW PRICE

Alli Bauman Paul Martin Sue Wideman SALES REPRESENTATIVE SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT

CALL DIRECT

SALES REPRESENTATIVE CALL DIRECT

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

paul@remaxsolidgold.biz suewidemanhomes@gmail.com

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

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

$645,000

$615,000

Elmira - The Tristan II features an amazing Barzotti kitchen complete with Granite counter top, 9’ main floor ceilings, Hardwood and ceramic throughout the main floor. This 4 bedroom 3 bathroom is equipped with two sinks in the ensuite as well as the main bathroom. Currently being built and at the drywall stage it is available for viewings in daylight only. With a January 26 closing date and a neighborhood park behind, you will want to come and see this beautiful Verdone built home.

Elmira - Stunning 2014 Claysam home boasting 2089 sq ft with 4 generous size bedrooms and ample flex space throughout. Fully fenced, oversize upgraded lot with no rear neighbors. Open concept main floor is carpet free w/lots of natural light. Main floor laundry, formal dining, appliances included. Don’t miss out! MLS.

T H A N K YO U FO R C HO O S I N G R E / M A X !

LET OUR 50+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU!

Shanna

BROKERAGE

45 Arthur St. S., Elmira www.thurrealestate.com

BRAD MARTIN

JULIE

LUKE

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

OPEN HOUSE

th

THIS LOVELY 4 BDRM. (2+2) home offers an open concept main floor. Great room w/wall fireplace & vaulted ceiling is open to the kitchen w/island and spacious dining area. Garden doors lead to a covered porch! Master bdrm w/lge. walkin closet & 3pc. ensuite. Fin. rec. room/games area w/large window, 2 bdrms & 4pc bath. (2nd entrance from the garage). Fenced yard. MLS.

3 ROBIN DR., ELMIRA

$499,900

LOVELY 70’ X 140’ LOT W/MATURE TREES. 3(+1) bdrm. bungalow w/newer maple kitchen & w/o to HUGE deck.

Hdwd flr. & gas fireplace in L.R. w/lge window.

Large rec. room, 4th bdrm. & newer 3 pc. bath in lower level. DBLE. garage & lots of parking!

Close to schools. MLS.

15 GROSBEAK RD., ELMIRA COMPLETELY REMODELED BACKSPLIT SEMI on a 150’ fenced lot w/ mature trees. Brand new kitchen w/backsplash & appliances incl. Open concept main floor w/new laminate floor . Updated bathroom and windows.

New siding & soffits. Walkup bsmt. MLS.

SOLD $374,900

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

BROKER

Sunday Nov 26 | 2-3:30pm 214 Brookmead St., Elmira 214 BROOKMEAD ST., ELMIRA

$599,900

BROKER

Brubacher

Office:

519-669-2772

Rozema

Bonnie

R.W. THUR REAL ESTATE LTD.

CALL FOR YOUR FREE MARKET EVALUATION

HELPING YOU IS WHAT WE DO …

OPEN HOUSE | SAT • 10AMNOON • 31 SOUTH PARKWOOD BLVD, ELMIRA OPEN HOUSE | SAT NOV 25TH • 13PM • 35 MUIR CRES, ALMA

$714,000 Looking for a 3+ bedroom Bungalow on an awesome wooded lot? This home features a setting that’s not easily found, 1800+ sq feet open concept kitchen great room w/walkout to deck and patio. Large rec room/games in the lower level. MLS.

$714,900 Quality Homes built 2200+

sq ft. Beautiful mainfloor of gleaming hardwood flooring and ceramics, french doors, coiffured ceilings, stunning kitchen, walkout to back yard and deck. Fully finished lower level with walkdown from garage. 24 x 50 Heated workshop all this on 3/4 acre lot dead end cul-de-sac. MLS.

NEW PRICE!

LOVELY HOME $429,900 ELMIRA

ATTRACTIVE BUNGALOW $639,900 DRAYTON Move in and

Well maintained 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom (including ensuite) 2 storey, attractive curb appeal with double exposed aggregate driveway. Carpet free main floor w/walkout off the dinette to large covered stamped concrete patio, fenced yard and shed. NEW MLS.

enjoy all the executive feature in this brick bungalow with triple car garage!

Floor to ceiling stone fireplace is the center of attention, 9' & 11' ceilings, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, entertainers kitchen complete with quartz counters, garden door to oversized covered composite deck. Walk-up basement. NEW MLS.

NEW LISTING!

NEW LISTING!

Fall market is here! ARE YOU READY TO SELL? NOW IS THE TIME! CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE CURRENT MARKET ANALYSIS. ELMIRA OFFICE: 519-669-3192 | www.YourFamilyTeam.ca | 90 Earl Martin Dr., Unit 4 83 Erb St. W., Waterloo, ON N2L 6C2 suzanne.denomme@rogers.com

Twin City Realty Inc., Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated

Office: 519-885-0200

Suzanne Denomme

Sales Representative

Direct: 519-574-2996

BUNGALOFT With WALK OUT Basement OPEN HOUSE | Sun. Nov. 26th 2-4pm | 15 Riverside Dr. E., Elmira $419,900 Semi-detached BUNGALOFT with lovely green view and no backyard neighbours! 2 bedrooms plus loft, 3 full bathrooms, hardwood floors, finished walk out basement with in-law potential, large deck, amazing backyard view, above ground pool. Must see! MLS 30614616

www.homeswithsue.com

BUYING? SELLING? OR JUST LOOKING?

Call Suzanne for info: (519) 574-2996

WE HAVE THE FRESHEST LISTINGS IN THE MARKET.

ELMIRA $739000.

CLASSIFIED | 27

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

LESCOM: After 40 years in the business, she’s happy to be doing things on her own terms FROM | 19

people.

It’s a tough slog for young musicians today, however, she notes.

“You have to be willing to be as versatile as possible to make it today,” she said.

“With live music, you’ve got to be able to be an entertainer.”

It’s a different world from when Lescom started

out in 1976, inspired by a conversation with Ann Wilson of Heart in which she was encouraged to make a go of her musical dreams. She did just that, fronting several of her own bands before becoming a backup singer for Ronnie Hawkins and touring with Long John Baldry.

It’s a career that seen her tour and perform with the likes of Jeff Healey,

Matt Minglewood, Dutch Mason, Downchild, Jack de Keyzer, Del Shannon, David Wilcox, Mel Brown, Paul James, and The Detroit Women.

Starting out with straightup blues, Lescom gradually developed more of a rockin’ blues sound. For more than a decade, she’s adopted a soulful, bluesy style.

“It’s a lot more organic now – it’s not forced,” she

said.

The blues was a natural entry point into music for Lescom.

“When I first started to listen to music in the ‘60s, Motown had the bluesy edge to it. Even all the rock ‘n’ roll bands drew on the blues.”

She doesn’t consider herself a blues purist, however.

“But the music that I write does lean that way.”

Despite all the ups and downs of the business, Lescom says she’s still happy to be part of the industry, taking the bad along with the more plentiful good.

“It’s a good trade-off – I’ll take it. I enjoy what I’m doing,” she said, adding she’s got no real regrets. “I don’t feel that way. I enjoy my job more than I ever have.”

And it’s all about the mu-

sic when she takes to the stage, as she’ll do Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are available at the venue, 1303 Maryhill Rd., or by calling 519-6483644. For more information, visit www.commercialtavern.ca.

Her appearance will follow a Saturday night performance at the Busted Flat Records anniversary show at the Rhapsody Barrel Bar in Kitchener.

FAMILY ALBUM

®

IN MEMORIAM

Irene Gabel

REALTY LTD., BROKERAGE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

519.500.1865 (Direct) 519.747.0231 (Office)

Dale R. Keller Sales Representative

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

www.KellerSellsRealEstate.com | dale@kellersellsrealestate.com

Palmerston | $273,000 Quick Closing. This move in ready 2 bedroom home on a large 0.42 acre lot offers a park like setting backing onto the school yard. New roof and furnace.

Large front porch and generous side deck. A beautiful spacious and bright home. MLS Call Dale.

Bruce Peninsula | $36,000 Really want to get away? 6.2 acre bush lot on paved Dyers Bay Road on the beautiful Bruce Peninsula, 45 minutes north of Wiarton. Build your dream retreat. MLS Call Dale.

CAR BUFFS | Near Harriston | $369,000 Don't miss the great value here. Bungalow with 4 CAR DREAM garage. New stone work, new windows, new roof, 2016. 2 + 1 bedrooms, large 0.46 of an acre. MLS Call Dale.

Feb 29, 1928 – Nov 29, 1992

Mom (Grandma), you are missed so very much.

I often sit and think about the years that have passed by.

And of the happiness and joy, that was shared by you and I. I think of all the laughter, the smiles and all the fun.

And before I even knew it, my tears have once again begun.

For, although it brings me comfort to walk down memory lane, it reminds me how without you, life has never been the same.

Much Loved & Missed Jolene, Harold, Garrett & Jaeden Shoemaker

Numerous possibilities | Just off 401 | $890,000 IN MEMORIAM

This 5 acre property could have a potential in law suite with separate entrance at back. The land is zoned such as to permit dog kennel facilities. The barn currently set up for horses could also be used for many other purposes. What dreams would you have for a property like this. MLS Call Dale.

2 FARMS FOR SALE

BY TENDER For the Executors of the Estate of Reita Cherry Parcel #1 - 8103 Concession 12, Mapleton 102 Acres +/-, corner farm with buildings Parcel #2 - Part Lot 16, Concession 12, Mapleton 104 Acres +/-, vacant land PROPERTY VIEWING DATES Saturday November 25, 2017 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. NOON Friday December 1, 2017 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.

A RARE FIND!!

These 2 productive farms are both systematically tiled and are located in a prime agricultural area minutes from Drayton in Mapleton Township Directions: From Drayton take County Road 11 N/E 3 kms to Concession 12, turn left and proceed 1.5 kms to both properties.

Tender Closing Date: December 14, 2017 2:00 P.M.

For Complete Details: JAMES COFFEY, Sales Representative ROYAL LEPAGE RCR REALTY BROKERAGE ARTHUR OFFICE 519-848-2819

www.soldbycoffey.com

GO AHEAD, MAKE THEIR DAY. PLACE A FAMILY ALBUM NOTICE! Call: 519-669-5790 or Visit: www.observerxtra.com

OBITUARY Martin, Wilfred Peacefully passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at his home, Parkview Manors, Floradale, in his 91st year. Beloved husband of Vera (Clemmer) Martin for 66 years. Dear father of Glen and Aleda of RR 2, Alma, Dennis and Verna of RR 2, Tara, and Colleen and Durrell Frey of Floradale. Will be missed by ten grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

Step-brother of Sarah (Mrs. Nelson) Brubacher of RR 1, Holstein. Also survived by sisters-in-law Mary (Mrs. Vernon) Clemmer, Ermina (Mrs. Earl) Frey, and Elsie (Mrs. Abner) Clemmer. Predeceased by his parents Addison and Hannah Martin, brother Laverne (Elvina), two greatgrandchildren, five step-sisters, and five step-brothers-in-law. Also predeceased

by Vera’s siblings Vernon, Cleason (Susannah), Viola (Norman) Bauman, Earl Frey, Lloyd (Minerva), Abner, and Lorene (Glen) Schreiber. The family received their relatives and friends, Tuesday, November 21, 2017, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Dreisinger Funeral Home, 62 Arthur St. S., Elmira. Family service was held on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 9 a.m. in the funeral home chapel, then to Goshen Mennonite Meeting House for burial and public service. A special thank you to the team at CCAC for the excellent care given to Wilfred.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

Vera (Bossence) Friedmann Feb 26, 1936 - Nov 23, 2015 Those we love don’t go away They walk beside us every day.

Unseen, unheard, But always near.

Still Loved, Still Missed And Very Dear.

Always in our Memories, Ed, Dave & Donna, Vic & Rod, Beth & John, Sandi & Brian, Julie & Jeff, Lori & Steve And your 15 Grand Children and 6 Great-Grand Children (and counting)

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OBITUARY Martin, Samuel B. Passed away peacefully at his residence on Sunday, November 19, 2017, at the age of 88 years. Beloved husband of Lucinda (Brubacher) Martin.

Dear father of Ivan Martin, Nancy Martin, Isaac and Miriam Martin, all of RR 1, Waterloo, and Mary and Mark Martin of RR 1, Elmira. Also survived by 11 grandchildren and a sister-in-law Salome (Mrs. Isaac) Martin of Alma.

Predeceased by his parents Ira and Angeline (Bowman) Martin, two brothers Isaiah (Lizzie) Martin and Isaac Martin, and two sisters Elvina (Onias) Gingrich and Lucinda Martin. Visitation was held at the family home, 2269 Sawmill Rd., RR 1, Waterloo, on Monday, November 20 from 6-8 p.m. and on Tuesday, November 21 from 1-6 p.m.

A family service was held at the home on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 9 a.m. then to Conestoga Mennonite Meeting House for burial and public service. Arrangements entrusted to the Dreisinger Funeral Home, Elmira.

www.dreisingerfuneralhome.com

28 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

LIVING HERE VOLUNTEERISM / GIVING OF YOURSELF

His ideal retirement present is a gift that benefits others

CHEF’S TABLE/ DONNA GINGRICH

Shortbread tarts one of those go-to recipes

Giving his 100th blood donation, EDSS principal Paul Morgan encourages first-timers to join him RECIPE NOTES

ALI WILSON IN HONOR OF HIS 100th donation and his upcoming retirement, Elmira District Secondary School principal Paul Morgan has partnered with Canadian Blood Services to help recruit new donors and fill appointments for the November 30 blood donor clinic in Elmira.

Donating blood has been very near and dear to his heart – he’s been a routine donor for more than 20 years – but this time is even more special.

“I have been 33 years on the [school] board and the whole works, and my thinking is I don’t really need a gift for retiring, but if you think that you wanted to give me a gift, this is your gift to me: just donate. It is a much bigger, better gift. It’s not about me, it’s about lots of people then,” he said.

Morgan was approached in late summer about rallying up people to help improve the declining donation numbers in Elmira.

“Out of the blue at the end of August, before I had approached them about doing anything for this, I got an email sent to me [as] the principal of the school saying,‘We have been having troubles in Elmira. We are not hitting our targets, is there anything that you think as a school you might be able to do?’”

While the target dona-

EDSS principal Paul Morgan will be giving his 100th blood donation at the Elmira Blood Donor Clinic on November 30 at Lions Hall in Elmira. tions in Elmira has been 115 slots each month, the clinic has come up short averaging on a good month between 85-100 – while bad months have brought in just over half of the required donations.

“He was so excited about doing something to celebrate his 100th donation as well as his retirement and then getting students on board to hopefully get in some new donors, as well, to help us with that in the

future,” said Tara Gutscher, territory manager with Canadian Blood Services, noting that every year they lose a large number of donors.

“Every year we need 40 per cent new people to come in and donate blood.

So it is so important that people do start when they are younger and make it a part of their everyday routines so that it is just something that they do on a regular basis.”

While all donations head to Brampton to be tested before being used, Gutscher explained that when blood is donated locally it tends to return to that local area.

“It is really helping somebody that could be your neighbour. People don’t realize how many people around them have needed blood,” she said, noting that around 52 per cent of Canadians say that they or a family member have

needed blood in their lifetime. “If you think about that, every other person you see in a day knows somebody or has personally needed blood – it really brings it home who you are helping when you come in and donate.”

While Morgan says the idea of giving blood can be a little off-putting to some people, in this case the reward really outweighs the

I LOVE THE RECIPES I stored away on my cookbook shelf or in the back of my mind that I can pull out once in a long while, and I know they will work! This recipe for Shortbread Tarts with Cheese and Fruit is one of those.

The first time I made them was in 1993 (it was so long ago, I can’t remember who they were for) and then again last year for a ladies’ afternoon tea. So when I was planning a Christmas lunch for my good friends Irene and Rosemary, I finally settled on these tarts because they are light and impressive.

I make these tarts in a mini muffin pan, but you could use a regular sized muffin pan if you want.

The dough is quite easy to work with: you just pat it into the pan. I tried using one of those wooden gadget things used for making tart shells, but I have no patience with gadgets so I used my fingers. Also you can top them with any kind of fruit – today I used fresh raspberries, blueberries, kiwi and clementines.

Think colour when you plan your toppings. When fresh mint is in season I use that for garnish, but today I dusted them with white chocolate, using a fine grater.

DONATION | 31

CHEF’S TABLE | 31

[ALI WILSON / THE OBSERVER]

LIVING HERE | 29

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

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COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

West Montrose, ON

T. 519.669.2033

COLLEEN

Cell: 519.581.7868

Truck & Trailer Maintenance Cardlock Fuel Management

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

E-MAIL: ads@woolwichobserver.com

NOVEMBER 27

DECEMBER 6

SENIORS COMMUNITY DINING AT Woolwich Memorial Centre, Elmira at noon. Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for a light lunch and fellowship, $6. Call 519-664-1900 by noon Nov. 23 to sign up.

YOUNG AT HEART CHRISTMAS Lunch at the St. Clements Community Centre. Join us for a festive lunch and entertainment. Meet and greet at noon with lunch served at 1 p.m. Reserve your spot by calling 519-664-1900 by December 1.

DECEMBER 1 ST. TERESA OF AVILA Christmas Dinner at the church hall. The meal begins at 6 p.m. Tickets can be ordered through the parish office by calling 519-669-3387.

Adults $16, 6-12 yrs $8, 5 and under are free. Take out orders can be picked up at 5:30 p.m. All tickets must be purchased by November 29. All welcome.

DECEMBER 2 BREAKFAST WITH ST. NICK at Elmira Trinity United Church.

Annual pancake and Sausage breakfast from 8-9:30 a.m., $6 per person, 5 and under free. Great breakfast and then step outside for the best parade viewing spot.

Contact Cheryl Fisher at 519-998-2290 for more info.

TREE OF LIGHT. THE Paradise and District Lions Club are holding the 10th annual Celebration at 6 p.m. beside St. Clements Library. Warm drinks, cookies, Sanada & Mrs. Claus and entertainment. Purchase a bulb for $5.

MATERIAL HANDLING & PROCESSING SYSTEMS

DECEMBER 10

P.O. BOX 247, ELMIRA

DECEMBER 13

DECEMBER 20 COMMUNITY CARE CONCEPTS INVITES you to join Seniors Community Dining at Calvary Linwood Community Centre for lunch, fellowship and entertainment, $11.

Please call 519-664-1900 by noon, Dec. 18.

DECEMBER 14 WOODSIDE EVERGREEN - 10:30 am, Woodside Bible Fellowship 200 Barnswallow Dr Elmira. Christmas Music: Singing, yodeling, Swiss Alpine Bells - Deb Meisner Jones. Devotional speaker: Randy Hoffman.

For information call 519-669-8752.

HOME ENERGY SYSTEMS

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

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Advertise here for great weekly exposure in Woolwich & Wellesley townships.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO EASILY SUBMIT YOUR EVENT:

CALL Donna to book this space today!

observerxtra.com/events-calendar/submit-calendar-in-print/

519-669-5790 ext. 104

TOTAL

Home: 519.747.4388

•

SPACE FOR RENT

HOW CAN I HELP?

24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

Bus: 519.744.5433

Tuesday - Friday, 9am-5:30pm

DECEMBER 15

www.mgmill.com

NANCY KOEBEL

519-669-8362

www.elmiravacuumelectrical.ca

LISTOWEL MENNONITE CHURCH INVITES you to take a journey back to the time when Christ was born and the celebration of his birth. An indoor guided walking tour. December 15 & 16 from 7-9 p.m., December 17 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Donations accepted.

COMMUNITY CARE CONCEPTS INVITES you to join Seniors Community Dining at Calvary United Church for lunch, fellowship and entertainment, $11. Please call 519-664-1900 by noon, Dec. 11.

is reserved for non-profit local community events that are offered free to the public. Placement is not guaranteed. Registrations, corporate events, open houses and the like do not qualify in this section.

1540 FLORDALE ROAD

COMMUNITY CARE CONCEPTS INVITES you to join Seniors Community Dining at Calvary United Church for a light lunch and fellowship, $6. Please call 519664-1900 by noon, Dec. 11.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: GLORIA IN Excelsis at 3 p.m., St. Jacobs Mennonite Church. $10 adult, $5 children (ages 5 - 18).

SUBMIT AN EVENT The Events Calendar

519.669.5105

NEW HORIZONS A GROUP for boomers, zoomers and seniors. Join us at 10 a.m. at the Maryhill Community Centre. Greg Gerber, farmer and auctioneer. Topic Going, Going, Gone!

9 Church St. E., Elmira

YOUR OIL, PROPANE, NATURAL GAS AND AIR CONDITIONING EXPERTS

RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, LIFs and Annuities.

652 Waterbury Lane, Waterloo

New to the Community?

Do you have a new Baby?

Elmira & Surrounding Area

519.664.2008

226-266-2432 pmerlihan@woolwich.ca @PatMerlihan www.merlihan.com

SHARON GINGRICH 519.291.6763 psgingrich@hotmail.ca

WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

PLACES OF FAITH | A DIRECTORY OF LOCAL HOUSES OF WORSHIP

9:00 am: Christian Education

St. James Lutheran Church 60 Arthur St. S., Elmira 519-669-5591

MACHINE WORKS INCORPORATED

COUNCILLOR | WARD 1 WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP

VERMONT Castings

11 HENRY ST. - UNIT 9, ST. JACOBS

SANYO CANADIAN

PATRICK MERLIHAN

It’s time to call your Welcome Wagon Hostess.

NURSERY PROVIDED

SUNDAY SCHOOL

HEARING ASSISTED

Sunday, Nov. 26th

10:15 am: Worship

10:45 am

Pastor: Hans J.W. Borch Proclaiming Christ through Love and Service

33 Industrial Dr., Elmira 519.669.1591

God Unboxed Speaker: Matt Robinson

Discovering God Together

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

Speaker: Ron Seabrooke

Service at 10:30am Rev. Paul Snow

Sunday Services

9:15 | 11:00 AM

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

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

Elmira Mennonite Church

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

Zion Mennonite Fellowship 9:30am Sunday School

Worship: 9:30am

Sheep & Goats

10:45am Worship Service

Sherri Grosz preaching

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

REACH OUT. KEEP FAITH ALIVE, ADVERTISE HERE.

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

Emmanuel EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH

Worship Service

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

Sundays 10:30am

ecelmira.com

519.669.5030

REACH OUT Spread the word, advertise your service here every week.

30 | LIVING HERE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

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

Christmas dinner staple gets its name from the country in roundabout way WEIRD NOTES

Q. When it comes to

food sizing, when might more be less than it seems?

A. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harder to evaluate increases in the size of food servings than to judge decreases,â&#x20AC;? reports University of California Berkeley â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wellness Letter.â&#x20AC;? According to several studies in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Journal of Experimental Psychology,â&#x20AC;? subjects who took part in a downsizing test were fairly accurate but when supersizing was involved, they â&#x20AC;&#x153;greatly underestimatedâ&#x20AC;? the numbers. Even profes-

sional chefs and servers who should have had a sense of food quantities were equally error prone.

Researchers hypothesize that â&#x20AC;&#x153;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easier to gauge a decrease in portion sizes because there is a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;natural lower boundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? of zero, below which nothing goes, whereas when portions increase, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no upper bound to help determine how big something has become. Overall, â&#x20AC;&#x153;this may be why people are likely to notice when their favorite brands reduce the size of their packages, while being less aware when quantities increase.â&#x20AC;? Yet itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just a matter of feeling cheated or preferring to avoid losses but, the research suggests, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a matter of perception.

Q. Accidentally mistype

your credit card number into a website and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re likely to get an immediate notification of the error, before any communication with your bank.

Why? Are you ready for this one?

A. Not all 16-digit numbers are valid candidates for credit card numbers. According to Richard Webb in â&#x20AC;&#x153;New Scientistâ&#x20AC;? magazine, there is a simple arithmetic procedure which checks validity, patented in 1954 by Hans Peter Luhn of IBM. Suppose you type in 0123456789012345 as your credit card number.

The Luhn algorithm goes like this: (1) Reverse the sequence of the digits, giving 5432109876543210.

(2) Add up the first, third,

screening out most typos: it will flag any single-digit error and almost all transpositions of two adjacent digits.

Q. If the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving dinner is turkey, you might take a moment to ponder how the bird ended up with the same name as the country Turkey. So, how did it?

and fifth digits, and so on, to get 5+3+1+9+7+5+3+1 = 34.

(3) Double each of the second, fourth, and sixth digits, and so on, giving 8, 4, 0, 16, 12, 8, 4, 0. If any of these numbers have two digits (like 16 and 12), replace them with the onedigit number obtained by adding the two digits together (16 becomes 7, 12 becomes 3). Then add up all eight numbers to get 8+4+0+7+3+8+4+0 = 34.

(4) Add together the results of steps (2) and (3), giving 34+34 = 68. Only if this number ends in 0 is the entered credit card number a valid candidate.

Since 8 is not 0, the entered number 0123456789012345 is not valid.

The Luhn test is a quick and convenient way of

A. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Turkeys are indigenous to the U.S. and Mexico; in fact, Europeans only first came into contact with turkeys roughly 500 years ago,â&#x20AC;? likely during Cortesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1519 expedition to Mexico, says Dan Lewis in his book â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now I Know.â&#x20AC;?

Five years later, the birds had reached England from the eastern Mediterranean Sea aboard merchant ships

manned by so-called Turkey merchants, since much of the area then was part of the Turkish Empire. Back in England, buyers called the fowl â&#x20AC;&#x153;Turkey birdsâ&#x20AC;? or just â&#x20AC;&#x153;turkeys.â&#x20AC;?

Within 10 years, they had been domesticated, and by the turn of the century the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;turkeyâ&#x20AC;? had been in the English language long enough that Shakespeare used it in his play â&#x20AC;&#x153;Twelfth Nightâ&#x20AC;? (1601).

As Lewis says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;To this day, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re simply carrying on the mistake of a few confused English-speaking Europeans.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. Soft mineral 5. Top 11. Bitter 16. Litigant 17. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hooray!â&#x20AC;?

18. Nary a soul 19. Tall story?

21. Fragrant oil 22. Persian Gulf emirate 23. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Semiramideâ&#x20AC;? composer 25. Elevator man 27. Stallion, once 28. Pakistani coin 30. Somewhat 32. Day ___ 35. Bridge site 37. Canine cry 38. Asian wild sheep 41. Floral ring 43. Spurs on 47. Burrowing marine animal 49. Inventive 51. Coronet 52. â&#x20AC;&#x153;M*A*S*Hâ&#x20AC;? setting

53. Weighed, for shipping purposes 54. Rule of evidence 56. Pouring 58. More bass 59. Morse bit 61. Excite 62. Viva-voce 64. Flightless birds 66. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Send help!â&#x20AC;?

67. Gallup, e.g.

71. Extract 74. Wrinkly fruit 75. Give off, as light 77. Sparkle 81. ___ apso (dog) 83. Egg producer 85. Anklebones 86. Squares 87. Katmandu native 89. Acquire 90. #1 song 91. Lit 92. Gull-like bird

DOWN 1. Ivan the Terrible, e.g.

2. Not manual 3. â&#x20AC;&#x153;___ go!â&#x20AC;?

4. To the point 5. Near 6. Be a go-between 7. Choose 8. ___ no good 9. Reservations 10. Spookily 11. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go on...â&#x20AC;?

12. Tube addict 13. Automaton 14. As a whole 15. Pan, e.g.

20. Cloak-and-dagger org.

24. Nothing 26. Circumvent 29. In sum 31. Bad winner 32. Put (away) 33. Commendation 34. Paternal relative 36. Yours truly 39. Citadels

40. Jumpers 42. Skating gig 44. Binary star 45. Be that as it may 46. Marsh plants 48. Barely make, with â&#x20AC;&#x153;outâ&#x20AC;?

50. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Go team!â&#x20AC;?

55. Chatter 57. Artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stand 60. Morning, for short 63. Duds 65. Like some socks 67. Withdraws 68. Runic character 69. Andean animal 70. Fix firmly 72. Be in session 73. Autocrats 76. Bind 78. Arduous journey 79. Biblical twin 80. Asian palm 82. Blond shade 84. Crude 88. Ego counterpart

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 | 31

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

DONATION: Blood donor clinic set for Nov. 30 FROM | 28

risk.

“People are squeamish, don’t think they want to do it until somebody in their family needs it. It’s so easy, you know, for the one hour that it takes out of our life every two months,” he said.

“None of us expect that we are going to be in that position, none of us ever want to be in that position, and one medical issue, one accident, that’s all it takes.”

Although they do not do a blood drive at the high school, the organization will be opening up the drive early on November 30 to accommodate the students’ schedule and help to bring

up participation and donation numbers.

His hope is that this drive will encourage more people to come out and to continue to be donors.

“It is kind of a passion of mine. The more I did it, the more I wanted to do it – it’s just really easy,” he said.

“What I would really love to have happen is to have some students, staff, others colleagues who would be willing to do it for the first time who then make it a habit.”

Ending his career at EDSS, a school known for being community centered, has really made this experience come full circle for the

retiring principal.

“It is a terrific school.

This school is unlike any other school I have been at.

It is a community school first and foremost, it is kind of like a hub of the community – it has been like that for decades,” he said. “We have incredible staff. We have incredible students.

The parental support is just amazing. As a community, it is just so different and we get supported by the community in all we want to do.”

Morgan will be giving his 100th blood donation on November 30. The clinic will be open from 2-8 p.m. at Lions Hall in Elmira.

CHEF’S TABLE: Using fruit to tart things up FROM | 28

With the Christmas season fast approaching, this would be a welcome addition to any buffet table.

Shortbread Tarts with Cheese and Fruit 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup icing sugar 1-1/2 cups flour 1 Tbsp. cornstarch

Mix ingredients with a mixer just until combined.

Pat dough into mini muffin pans, not too thick and not too thin. If they are too thin, they will break when you try to remove them from the pan.

Prick bottoms with a fork.

Bake about 20 minutes at 300º. Halfway through baking time, prick bottoms again with a fork so they don’t puff up too much.

Bake until barely starting to brown on the outside. If you are using a dark pan, watch them carefully.

Let them cool slightly, then carefully remove them from the pan. I used a very thin paring knife to lift them from the pan.

Cool them completely, then store them in an airtight container until you are ready to fill them.

Filling: 4 oz. (125gr.) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup icing sugar.

1/2 tsp. white vanilla 1 cup whipping cream

Whip whipping cream until soft peaks form.

In another bowl, whip

Look!

UPCOMING SATURDAY EVENTS IN MONKTON!

Nov. 25 4-7pm

Favourite Dinners Roast Beef, Ham & Turkey

Dec. 2 12-7pm Buffet Special Dec. 9 4-7pm Entrees Dec. 16 12-7pm Christmas Dinner TO RESERVE CALL:

519-347-9999 • 82 Maddison St., W. Monkton, ON

cream cheese, icing sugar and white vanilla until light.

Carefully fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture.

Fill tarts with whipped cream mixture. I used a pastry bag, but you could use a spoon.

Top with fresh fruit in attractive colour combinations or make them all the same.

Garnish as desired.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Makes about 3 dozen mini tarts.

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

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

The Sounds of Christmas sound like support for KidsAbility Holiday concert started five years ago as a way for musician Nicole Guse to repay organization for the help they provided her son ALI WILSON ORGANIZERS OF THE SOUNDS of Christmas are celebrating a landmark year with their fifth annual production in support of KidsAbility.

Conceived and directed by Nicole Guse, The Sounds of Christmas is a multi-generational musical journey that takes audience members through the many styles of Christmas music, from traditional to country to gospel.

There are six shows scheduled this weekend and next, all held at the Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church.

The production came to fruition in 2013 as a platform to provide the community with a musical show while helping to raise awareness of the importance of KidsAbility.

Near and dear to Guse, KidsAbility has a special connection for her through her son Joshua who attended the charity for both speech and occupational therapy when he was young.

“I put the show together as a way to give back to KidsAbility on a grander scale because my son attended there from the time he was 18 months old until he was the age of 5 and so I wanted to do something to give back to them more than just a small donation,” Guse explained. “And so I thought, ‘ah, my background is in music.’ I have

been in the entertainment business for more than 30 years, so this was a way that I could give my time and talent and create something for the community that could give back to them.”

KidsAbility Centre for Child Development serves children and youth from birth to school exit with special needs, providing therapy and support. Although partially funded through the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, donations raised annually allow for KidsAbility to help serve more children. Still, there are currently more than 900 children waiting for services through the organization.

The event has raised some $85,000 in its past four years. This year, she says, the concert should push them over the $100,000 mark raised for the children’s charity.

The show consists of many different styles of Christmas music, as Guse explains there is something for everyone – it is a show for all ages.

Featuring traditional favourites like Jingle Bells and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, this year will also feature new tunes such as “Let’s Hear it for Mrs. Claus” and “Christmas Wish”.

“The show changes every year, [but] it is always a Christmas show. It is a show for all ages – it is a show for the whole family,” said Guse

Opening Night Friday, Dec. 1 - 8:00pm ($10/ticket) Purchase your ticket to have a confirmed seat at christmasinconcert.com.

Free Performances Saturday, Dec. 2 - 3:30 & 7:00pm Sunday, Dec. 3 - 3:30 & 7:00pm

of this year’s production. “It is musical – it has signing, it has traditional songs that everyone will know, and it has some new songs that we hope will become new favourites.”

To make it a multi-generational musical Christmas show, the cast is laced with eight professional singers, a four-piece professional band and 17 young performers ages 8-18 that make up the youth chorus.

Among those young performers are Marilena Mohan from Conestogo and Rebecca Perry from St. Jacobs.

“Both of those girls have been in the show for all five years of The Sounds of Christmas – they are alumni coming back and they return every year,” she explained of the two. “They both are singers in the show. Marilena is also a step dancer and a fiddler in the show. Rebecca is one of my lead singers and she is a square dancer and dancer and choreographer.”

A six-show series, The Sounds of Christmas runs Friday (November 24) at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and the following Friday (December 1) again at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and the final show December 2 at 2 p.m. at the Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church, 245 Lexington Rd., Waterloo.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $20 for those under the age 18. Find more information at www.guseproductions.com.

32 | BACK PAGE

THE OBSERVER | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2017

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1362 VICTORIA ST N. KITCHENER 519.742.9188 | BLACK FRIDAY 9AM-12MIDNIGHT