Inside Wellington 120409

SECOND SECTION TO THE WELLINGTON ADVERTISER

DECEMBER 4, 2009

Inside

Wellington

Beth Coleman -No animal is expendable Events | Arts & Entertainment | County Page Rockwood Christmas Parade Pages THE SECOND SECTION OF THE WELLINGTON ADVERTISER - FREE PRESS ~ NEWS WEEKLY

PAGE TWO Inside Wellington - Second Section of The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, December 4, 2009

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Family & Children's Services of Guelph & Wellington needs Volunteer Drivers in the city and in the county to provide transportation services to and from appointments for our children and families. Mileage reimbursed/orientation and training provided.

Especially needed are drivers available before school and again immediately after school for court-mandated or medical appointments. For more information about this and other volunteer opportunities, please contact Eva Marmurek at either 519-824-2410, ext. 509.

DECEMBER 4

A float from the 2008 Rockwood Parade of Lights.

Turn to page 6 for more information on this years parade. photo by Helen Michel

Uplifting Seasonal Concert by local group MATHIESON Talented organist and sopranos Beautiful solos & duets of classical and traditional music.

December 12, 7:30pm Melville United Church, Fergus Freewill Offering Call 519-846-1496

A UNIQUE gift for the person who has everything... ... a MEMBERSHIP in the

GUELPH HIKING TRAIL CLUB Contact Kathy at 519-836-9147 email: ksomers@uoguelph.ca

Optimist Club of Puslinch, Community Euchre. 7:30pm. At the Puslinch Community Centre. $3 per person. Refreshments provided. 50/50 draw. All Welcome. *** Evangelistic and healing service. Everyone welcome. Paisley Memorial Church, 40 Margaret St. Guelph, 7pm. Brought to you

by Freedom House Church & Healing Centre. *** Drop-in Holiday Party at the Aboyne Branch of the Library, 6:30–7:30pm. Songs, crafts, snacks and a visit from Santa! Bring your own camera. *** Not So Grand Players presents An Evening of Christmas Cheer.

7pm. Second show December 5, 7pm. Tickets $10 adults, $8 (613yrs), free- (under 5). Fergus Grand Theatre. Donations to CW Food Bank welcome. For tickets call 519-787-1981.

DECEMBER 5 Arthur & District Horticulture Christmas Design Workshop at Arthur United Church, 9am till approx. noon. Refreshments served. Watch our flyers for more information. *** The Artisan Belles are hosting Unique Art & Craft Sales in Belwood, 12- 4pm. Alpaca items, photo art, quilting & more. See the Alpacas too. 011405 E-W Garafraxa TL (old 8th line). Call 519-843-1663 for more info. *** Twin City Harmonizers Presents “ A Musical Winter Wonderland” –Calvary United Church, 48 Hawksville Rd., St. Jacobs. 2pm and 7:30pm. Tickets $12.50 each (children 12 and under are free) and can be purchased in advance (519-885-5012) or at the door. *** "Sparkles in the Willows" Three Willows United Church, 577 Willow Rd., Guelph. 11am- 2pm. Luncheon & Bazaar with Bake Table, Crafts, Jewellery, White Elephant table. Lunch $6, Children under 6 free. *** Christmas Cookie Walk, 10am-12pm at The Church of St. David and St. Patrick, 520 Speedvale Ave. Guelph. All the homemade cookies you can fit in a large box, $10 or small box, $5. *** Christmas Cookie Walk. 10am - Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church Fergus/Elora - 290 Belsyde Ave. E. Fergus 519-843-5030.

Add some variety to your Christmas goodies! *** Traditional Bazaar and Bake Sale St. John's Anglican Church Henderson and Smith Sts. Elora. 9am-12noon. *** St. John Catholic Women's League Christmas Bazaar & Tea, 13:30pm at St. John Parish Centre, Arthur. Baking, penny table, country crafts, & many prizes to be won. *** Knox Ospringe Church annual Christmas Bazaar 9 - 3pm. Corner of Highway 124 and 125. Hot lunch available. All kinds of crafts plus gently used. Tables $10 donation call Nora 519-856-4453. *** Churchill Community Church annual English Christmas Tea 1-4 pm. Scones, Devonshire Cream, jam, sandwiches, sweets, tea and coffee. $8/person. Churchill Church is located at the corner of the Erin Third line and the Erin-Halton Townline. *** Breakfast with Santa. 8-11am. Redwood Restaurant, Clifford.

Free breakfast, Toys, pictures with Santa, balloons, etc. All proceeds to Children's’ Wish Foundation. *** Bake Sale & Grandma’s Attic. Elora United Church 9am-1pm.

Crafts, soup & sandwich lunch. *** Adult / Senior Skating 8-9:50pm. Exhibition Park Arena, Guelph.

Cost $7. Join us for fun, exercise, music and friendship! Call 519836-1015 for more information. *** Christmas “Cookie Walk” Sale at St. Joseph’s Parish Centre 460 St. George St. W. Fergus. 12 noon – 2pm. Proceeds to St. Joseph’s Building Fund. *** Buffet Lunch and Bake Sale at St. George’s Anglican Church Harriston. 11am-1pm. $10. Door Prizes. Everyone Welcome. *** Video Dance Party at Centre 2000, Erin. 7-10pm. Ages 7-14. Two

huge screens, an amazing light show, contests, prizes and much more. Music and video is content edited and dances are completely chaperoned. Tickets are $10 each and are available at the door. *** The Independent Authors & Illustrators of Canada (IAIC) book fair at the Old Quebec Street Mall in downtown Guelph. 11am4pm. In support of needy libraries in Nunavut, IAIC members are donating copies of their books, and invite the public to contribute new and gently used books to this worthy cause. *** Gingerbread Ornament (ages 6 and up) Arthur Library. Make ‘take in time for the holidays. 10-11am. Please register. For this free event call 519-848-3999 for more information. *** Michael House Pregnancy Care Centre presents a dramatic reading of: A Carol Christmas by Charles Dickens. Tickets $15 at the door. 7:30pm at Royal City Church, 50 Quebec Street, Guelph.

DECEMBER 6 Enjoy a concert of Christmas music at St. John’s United Church, Belwood at 7pm. Featuring the St. John’s choir, the Beltones Quartet and the Hilltop Singers and Journeymen Quartet. Free will offering. *** A Christmas Carol – A dramatic reading hosted by The Mount Forest United Church in partnership with CBC Radio 7pm featuring Dinah Christie and friends. Proceeds to the Mount Forest Christmas Bureau and Place of Hope, Botswana. Tickets are $10/adult, $5/child 12 & younger, $25/family available at the church office. *** Open Jamboree and Dance at Mount Forest Legion. 1:30-5pm.

Roast Beef Dinner. Everyone Welcome!

DECEMBER 8 Puslinch Seniors' Euchre Club 1:30pm. Present and former Puslinch Township residents are invited to join us for an afternoon of friendly euchre games at the Puslinch Community Centre on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. *** Royal City Quilters Guild, 7pm. Christmas decorations and bake sale. Three Willows United Church, 577 Willow Rd. Guelph. *** Wintersingers Tree Treasure Hunt 10am. 5837 Third LineHillsburgh. Come & enjoy a Christmas tree farm. Fresh air, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, hayrides and a candy cane treasure hunt. Cost $2 each. All ages. Register with Jane or Anastasia by calling 519-856-2113. *** Guelph Arts Council Festive Arts Schmoozefest - 5 -7pm. Come schmooze with local artists and arts supporters at River Run Centre. Book a 2-minute spotlight in advance. 519-836-3280.

DECEMBER 9 The Scott Woods Old Time Christmas. 7pm, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Fergus. Tickets available at the office or call 519-843-3565. *** The Alzheimer Society of Guelph-Wellington annual Christmas Carols by Candlelight. St. George’s Anglican Church, 99 Woolwich St., Guelph. 7:30pm. Tickets are available at the Alzheimer Society, 111 Macdonell St., Guelph. Adults $15, Seniors/Students $10, Children 12 and under $5. Call 519-8367672 for more info. *** Grand Quilt guild Christmas meeting will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion, Fergus. 6:30 - 9:30pm with a Pot Luck dinner, Fat quarter gift exchange and book sale. Everyone welcome.

DECEMBER 10 Arthur Agricultural Society, directors meeting, 8:15pm. Lower Hall of the Arthur Community Centre. All Welcome. *** Stone United Church is sponsoring a Chili Supper (hot dogs too) before the Parade of Lights at Rockmosa Community Centre 5-7 pm. *** Habitat House Dedication. 211 Isabella St. Arthur. Open House 48pm. Dedication 6pm.

DECEMBER 11 Listowel Legion Branch 259 Turkey Meat Draw. Regular Draws plus Turkeys. $10 per stick (32 chances) 5:30pm start. Music by Lee. *** Karaoke - 8pm. Red Chevron Club Guelph, 34 Elizabeth St., Guelph. 519-824-1381. *** The annual Marsville Community Christmas Concert at the East Garafraxa/Marsville Hall in Marsville. 7:30pm. Two nights!

Adults $7, Children $5. This show sells out every year! Please Continued on page 11

Inside Wellington - Second Section of The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, December 4, 2009 PAGE THREE

No animal is expendable: Beth Coleman

by Mike Robinson

BETH COLEMAN AND FRIENDS MINTO - Helping animals is more than a part-time obsession for Beth Coleman - it’s a labour of love.

The Minto resident became interested in animal rescues through someone at her workplace who was involved in a rescue operation. The two had hit it off and at the time, there were six puppies classed as pit bulls that had been part of the rescue.

Coleman explained a farmer had tried to shoot the stray mother and her pups. She said the dog had held up in the barn and outsmarted the farmer, who finally called the dog rescue group.

A young lady and her group that ran furkidsrescue.ca in Wiarton went and got the animals.

The woman had the dog and pups at her home in Wiarton, where the family built a shed especially for them.

Coleman’s co-worker asked if she wanted to foster a puppy.

She was at first hesitant since she already had three dogs of her own.

“We drove up to Wiarton, and I agreed to foster one of them ... and I’ve been doing it ever since,” said Coleman.

She has now been involved in rescues for the past three years. Coleman has not fostered any animals in the past year because of a complaint lodged by a neighbour. But she

is still involved with all organizations involved in dog rescues.

“It’s a huge, huge partnership involving people all over Canada,” she said.

It is weblike and spreads out forever, she said describing the contacts of the volunteers and organizations.

“They’re a dedicated group who put in a lot of time and effort, sometimes taking time from their families, in order to save the lives of dogs and other animals in need.”

Coleman is still involved in dog transports from Mount Forest to a “no kill” shelter in Owen Sound. She said the shelter is run by a lovely woman, Renee Robins, and her family.

She and Todd Robins have had the shelter since 1999.

Coleman continues to help pets without owners find homes on a daily basis.

“I’m involved with all sorts of shelters ... right now I’m working to find places for three dogs in foster or forever homes. But they still arrive on a steady basis. I have a special place in my heart for German shepherds. I acquired my first German shepherd about 15 years ago.”

While that beloved pet passed away about two years ago, “I’ll never be without another, because there’s no more loyal and loving dog than a shepherd.”

Currently she has two of them, plus a shepherd-husky cross and a miniature poodle.

“I do anything and everything that is asked of me,” she said.

Coleman noted she recently became involved in the case of a German shepherd being held at a shelter in Keswick, which was desperately trying to find a home for it.

“Shepherds don’t do well in small spaces or behind fences.

think sometimes, they appreciate it. They know what these people are doing for them, and they give back a hundredfold.”

Coleman said, “The only problem is, right now, the fosters, the shelters and the rescuers, are bursting at the seems with dogs, which are given up for many reasons.”

Due to the current economic climate right now, “We’re seeing more and more families who have to give up their

“To see a dog happy, content, almost smiling when they know they’ve found their people is overjoyous.

I get goosebumps ... I have them right now just talking about it.”

To find a forever home for a dog is the most wonderful feeling in the world,” she said.

“To see a dog happy, content, almost smiling when they know they’ve found their people, is overjoyous. I get goosebumps ... I have them right now just talking about it.”

She said everybody benefits from a rescue.

“The owners are happy, the dog is happy ... and somehow a dog has an instinct, I think, when they are rescued and find their forever homes. I almost

beloved pets due to economic circumstances. That is probably the saddest things I’ve seen in my life ... is to see a family have to let go of their family pet. It’s heart rending.”

She said if a person has the ability to save a pet, it does not have to be a dog or cat. It could be a gerbil, a horse and she even cited the example of finding a home for a pot-bellied pig.

“If you have it in your power to save an animal or give to a shelter or rescue agency or

to provide transport [then do it],” she pleaded.

Foster homes and transports are two areas groups have found there is never enough people to help. Even for those who do not want a pet full time, there are opportunities to foster for a few days or a few months.

“Most rescues will provide food, vet care, transportation if needed, toys ... whatever you need for the dog.”

She stressed a good rescue will provide the resources needed “to get the dog to its forever home. We’re always looking for good fosters.”

At the same time, she said, “Sometimes I think it’s sometimes harder to adopt an animal than adopt a child. There are applications that must be filled out, home checks to be done, and telephone conversations.”

Coleman is also involved in doing home checks, where she is sent the information provided by the applicant.

“I go out to see if everything is as they say, and that it’s a good home,” she said. She added adopting an animal is not an overnight process; there is a lot of checking and work involved.

For those wanting more information she suggested contacting her at bcoleman69@sympatico.ca “I can send them in the right direction.” She has had hundreds of contacts for people involved in different rescues.

“It’s just mind boggling. If you come to a point where you must give your animal up to a shelter,” Coleman asked people to consider using a humane, no -kill shelter like the one in Owen Sound. She added there are other places that take dogs, and hold them for three days.

“After that time, if the dogs are not adopted or picked up by their owners, the dogs are euthanized. That’s not a very long time when someone is looking for their pet,” she said.

The three-day rule is pretty standard in a lot of shelters, Coleman added. She advocated spaying and neutering pets. She also has concerns with breed specific legislation in Ontario.

The legislation, she said, considers certain breeds and

looks directly at pit bulls and anything resembling pit bulls.

“It could be full blown labrador, mastiffs, bulldogs, all these big dogs that, in the hands of some, are used for their own selfish reasons.”

She said that law originated from dog attacks in cities.

However, she said statistics indicate the dogs most likely to be vicious are small dogs.

“With breed specific laws there are hundreds, maybe thousands of dogs being put down in Ontario just because someone says ‘that dog looks like a pit bull,’ ” she lamented.

There are advocates seeking to change the law to the Dog Owners Liability Act, so that it is not the breed that is held responsible for its actions - but dog owners.

“If you train your dog to be a killer, it will be a killer ... any dog ... no matter what breed,” Coleman said.

“If you love your dog and make it part of your family, you include it in your life, you give it no reason to be vicious, you train it, your dog will be a dog.”

She said breed specific dogs have a bad reputation because of the actions of certain people.

“For their own selfish, inhumane reasons, they train these dogs to be killers,” she said.

“And then, it is the breed of dog that pays for the sins, not the owners.”

Dogs are misidentified and put down every day, she added.

Coleman believes if owners are responsible for the condition and temperament of their dogs, that might go a long way to curbing the puppy mills in the province, where irresponsible breeders sell dogs that are often mistreated and genetically disposed towards violent behaviour. The conditions of those operations are often deplorable.

“If they were responsible, they would provide decent conditions for these dogs,” Coleman said.

For those wanting pets, she said, “You must be able to follow through with the commitment. You can’t just dump them somewhere. They’re not expendable.”

HOROSCOPES - For the first week of December ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, there's no option other than honesty when a friend seeks your advice. Although your words may hurt a little bit, they have to be said.

LIBRA - Sept 23/Oct 23 We can't all be rock stars, Libra, some of us have to be content working behind the scenes. This applies to your role at work. Don't expect to always be in the spotlight.

TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, stick to your guns when others try to sway your opinion. Standing resolute will prove that you are an individual of strong beliefs. Romantic endeavors are put on hold.

SCORPIO - Oct 24/Nov 22 It takes a while to reverse a perception of yourself, Scorpio.

Others are fixated on that other persona that you have worked hard to change. Be patient; they'll come around.

GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 There's so much to do but the hours in the day seem shorter than ever, Gemini. The only way to clean off your plate is to delegate some of the work to others.

SAGITTARIUS - Nov 23/Dec 21 Marching to the beat of your own drum can often be inspirational But sometimes it's not helpful for others to constantly see you going against the grain.

CANCER - Jun 22/Jul 22 Inspiration comes from the strangest sources this week, Cancer. As such, don't underestimate that anything in your path can't spark a creative moment.

CAPRICORN - Dec 22/Jan 20 Bout after bout of feeling under the weather should be telling you something, Capricorn. It is time to take your health a bit more seriously and proactively.

LEO - Jul 23/Aug 23 There are plenty of ups and downs to sort through, Leo, but it's the status quo that leaves you feeling a bit bored.

Maybe a new friend can provide different perspective.

AQUARIUS - Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, you have to rest as much as you can because you'll be called upon for a lot of trying tasks in the next few days. You may need to recuperate for a while.

VIRGO - Aug 24/Sept 22 Start living like there's no tomorrow, Virgo, and you'll start to appreciate the little things that you may have glossed over before. New tasks leave you quite busy.

PISCES - Feb 19/Mar 20 Cabin fever has set in, Pisces, so find projects around the house that can keep you busy and your mind off of boredom.

Here’s How it Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! Find the answer on page 11

PAGE FOUR Inside Wellington - Second Section of The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, December 4, 2009

Gordon & Gartshore GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRINT SOLUTIONS

Tel: (519) 843-5410 x530 Fax: (519) 843-7607 Box 189 | 905 Gartshore Street Fergus, ON | N1M 2W8

Milestones Maxine Rybla, of Drayton, has launched a new on-line business “Catholic Gifts Canada.” For more information call 519-638-5046 or visit www.CatholicGiftsCanada.com.

New owners - Merv and Noreen Winter are the new owners of Kringle’s Cafe, 140 Metcalfe Street, Elora. For information call 519-8460553 New business or location?

Please email us the details to Minding Our Business: mob@wellingtonadvertiser.com

Centre Wellington Chamber events Centre Wellington Mayor’s Breakfast is on Jan. 27.

More details to follow or phone the chamber office 519-843-5140 or email chamber@cwchamber.ca.

Budget bill puts in place welcome tax reform CENTRE WELLINGTON TWP. The Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce are pleased to see legislation introduced last week in the pro vincial legislature to put into place the tax reform measures announced in the 2009 Ontario budget.

“The changes introduced in the Ontario Tax Plan for More Jobs and Growth Act will help make businesses in Ontario more competitive and create much needed jobs for people in Centre Wellington, while fueling a much stronger economic recovery in the province,” said chamber president Michael Weinstein.

The tax reform package includes personal, small business and corporate income tax rate reductions, sales tax harmonization and a sales tax rebate for the most vulnerable in society.

A recent study by Jack Mintz, of the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, calculated the impact of the tax reform package as $47-billion in investment and almost 600,000 jobs - that largely as a result of reducing the marginal effective tax rate (METR) on new investment by half.

“The reduction in the METR rate by half makes this one of the most ambitious tax reforms in Canadian history,” said alliance member Len Crispino, president and chief executive officer of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. “Call it the ‘smart METR’ for Ontario - it’s intelligent tax reform that will make companies more competitive by reducing layers upon layers of taxation, stimulating a more robust economy that benefits all Ontarians.”

The Centre Wellington and the Ontario Chamber have been advocating since 2004 for a tax reform package that includes sales tax harmonization and more competitive corporate and personal income tax rates.

BUSINESS Bruce Whitestone CANADA’S BUSINESS Headlines now proclaim that more women work than men, and also that females make up 70 per cent of parttime workers (that data is from Statistics Canada).

The percentage of males in our workforce has been declining for years. For instance, it was 52.7 per cent last year and 54.3 per cent two years ago. The same trend persists in the United States, but to a lesser extent, as 49.8 per cent of men are in the labour market.

The primary reason for that change is the rise in the service sector and the concomitant decline of manufacturing and mining. Women are better able to participate as employees in services, compared to other categories.

Furthermore, women increasingly are entering the workforce as they are getting better educated. Witness the fact that women currently outnumber men at many universities and postgraduate schools.

To say that this is long overdue is an understatement. While Moses in the Five Books Of Moses valued women at 60 per cent of the going rate

Nardo Kuitert ON THE WEB You have decided to completely overhaul your existing website.

Well done. I applaud your courage and dedication, as revamping your main online marketing tool isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

And there are certainly risks involved, of taking one step forward and then two steps back. Like all major undertakings, you need a plan and a timeline. Some steps to include in your website redevelopment plans are: 1. Evaluate your current website, and try to establish its strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Do not forget to look into your site’s statistics to see what traffic is telling you. Learning all about your top visited pages, keywords used to find your site, and visitor navigation paths are just a few of the information nuggets that can really help push things forward.

2. With all of this information, you can determine what to do with all of your assets: your text, images, videos and other web components - without sacrificing anything already established. Think about your website’s preferred structure (information architecture) and adding, deleting and editing of existing website assets, technical consequences like new file names (URLs), a new programming language or new features like a blog

Division of labour for men, author Charlotte Perkins Gilman in Women And Economics wrote that “Despite the rise of samesex marriages, the deepest forces of nature have tended to evolve pure, lasting monogamous marriage in the human race. But our peculiar arrangement of feeding one sex by the other has tended to produce a very different thing. In no other animal species is the female economically dependent on the male ... of seeking goods at a man’s hands.”

Heretofore, we have had half of the population as non-productive consumers of goods. That makes no sense and, fortunately, the situation is evolving, belatedly.

It is difficult to realize that women in Canada had only obtained the right to vote less than 100 years ago. The number of women in government, the professions and business, has soared.

Certainly, no twist of reasoning could maintain permanently a condition of society so contrary to logic and the welfare of the community. The original necessity of women being involved in child rearing and sustain-

ing a household clearly is diminishing now, so women at last, long overdue, are able and willing to participate in every aspect of community life.

Women’s movements were instrumental in that development, one that originally was triggered by the two world wars, when men served in the armed forces and women were needed to fill the vacuum that created.

This vital and radical change in our society is far advanced in Canada and the United States, but regrettably in other parts of the globe women have made little progress toward equality.

That treatment of women there is the gravest form of injustice and harms every aspect of the community and, of course, the economy.

Women here frequently and logically are choosing those professions consistent with motherhood, but they are branching out to all careers. As we have made this transition, the implications are for accelerated economic growth and a more equitable culture.

All but the most chauvinistic males should and will be pleased.

Some tips to help make a website redesign work or forum (did you visit the Chamber forum already? Visit forum.cwchamber.ca today).

3. This is the time to dot Is and cross Ts. Were there additions to your old site that were not exactly elegant solutions? Do you have a custom 404 error page? Is there a nice thank-you page for your contact forms? And if you do have one (well done), then make sure that all of that continues to work on your new site. If there ever was a time to fix what is broken on your website, then this is it.

4. Send moving notices - virtual ones. Submitting a new Google sitemap is a good start. But most website renovations will lead to the renaming of at least a few file names (URLs) - usually many of them. In this case, incoming links to the old page URL will become dead links.

And you don’t want that.

This problem is easy enough to solve for incoming pay-per-click links from providers like Google AdWords (you just change the destination URL for your ad; don’t forget), but for other incoming links (from Google’s main search index, for instance) you will have to do something a little more involved: The 301 permanent redirects.

Those will tell browsers and search engines that your page has moved, and includes an implicit

request to update the link from the old to the new address. If you do that, you will see Google indexing the new URLs soon and abandoning the old ones. Other websites and directories will likely not be so proactive, so you should review your visitor traffic logs for 404 error messages (page cannot be found), so you can inform specific other websites of an outdated link on their website.

A quick email explaining the situation will often lead to the other website adjusting your URL, preventing the 404 error page from being triggered again. And after a while, most of your 404 error messages will have vanished from your log files.

Make sure to ask your webmaster to add 301 redirects to the pages that did not make it to your new site.

Google does not like dead links, and will reward you for your corrective measures.

As with any transition, you should expect some setbacks. By implementing the advice given in this column you will reduce your risks by a significant factor. It will help you making a smooth transition from the old to the new - and I am not just talking about trading good old 2009 in for 2010.

For more information: contact Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce Director Nardo Kuitert at nardo@ferguswebsites.com.

Open House Following extensive renovations of a heritage stone building at 390 Tower St. S., Fergus, Dr. Michael Woo and Dr. Nan Park hosted an open house.

From left are: Dr. Woo, staff members Sarah McConnell and Barb Slater, and Dr. Park. photo by Sherry Clarke

www. wellingtonadvertiser .com

Self employment benefit program on hold until April

by Linda Reader One of the most successful provincial programs to support entrepreneurs and new business owners, the self employment benefit (SEB) program, has been discontinued until further notice.

The program, managed by the Ministry of Colleges, Training and Universities, offered mentoring and financial support similar to unemployment insurance payments to unemployed persons wanting to start their own businesses.

This is a shame. In my experience, the combination of mentoring and workshops with business advisors plus the financial support helps budding entrepreneurs be more successful than if they were to start without the help.

Jane Phillips, manager of the Business Enterprise Centre in Owen Sound, told me the information she received from Sheree Mahood, of Employment Ontario, was that the unexplained halt with no new applications being considered “was not a cancellation - just a pause until April.”

Let’s hope so.

This information was unwelcome news to the 32 aspiring entrepreneurs newly enrolled in the first phase of the Owen Sound program. They cannot continue.

In Wellington County, the Guelph Wellington Enterprise Centre had a continuous intake model funded by SEB. It, too, is in a hiatus and cannot accept new applicants. However, Judi Riddolls, executive director of the centre, has a program of paid mentoring. Candidates can pay a small fee for ongoing support with their new businesses.

Riddolls and Phillips agree self employment and new business start ups have increased during the recession. It is not a surprising trend when people cannot find work. Similarly, applications for the Second Career program that supports further training at universities and colleges overwhelmed the Ministry with 20,000 applications in September. It has not been cancelled.

“This is all good,” said Phillips.

“But we always worked within our intake limits and our budget. The ‘pause’ is unfortunate because SEB trains people to be employers, whereas Second Career trains people to be employees first. And in this economy we need employers too.”

Judy Riddolls’ opinion is that small business start up is the way a lot of unemployed persons see getting through the crisis. “In a way, they are reluctant entrepreneurs who cannot find a job and have to do something with their skills to make a living.”

In economic development circles, encouraging entrepreneurship is the way to build sustainable economies in rural Ontario. In Owen Sound, 400 businesses have been through the program. If each company only employs just one person, 400 people are employed - the equivalent of a car plant.

The province’s timing is way off.

Let’s hope that this pause is just that only a pause and the SEB program to support business start ups in Ontario again in the spring.

Linda Reader can be reached at www.lindareader.com.

Inside Wellington - Second Section of The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, December 4, 2009 PAGE FIVE

Official Opening The Old Quarry Commons is now officially open. The complex is jointly owned by James Keating Construction Limited and the principals of Mallot Creek Group Ltd., Bruce Cowper and Tito Guglielmi. Old Quarry Commons, a commercial condo complex, is home to the expanding Mallot Creek Group, with an additional 25 units available for lease or ownership. Several of the units will be occupied in the very near future. The 40,000 square-foot, two storey complex features three large parking areas with a path leading to the Elora Cataract Trail. The impressive, open-concept entry features massive local landscape photos. photo by Sherry Clarke

TD business expert: cash flow, selling proposition among keys for small business owners TORONTO - Thinking of starting a small business?

Join the club. Forty-one per cent of the Canadian workforce is employed by small businesses, making that group an influential force on the Canadian economy. Although the recession had a negative impact on 61% of small businesses, according to the 2009 TD Canada Trust small business survey, the extremely high level of optimism experienced by small business owners (57%) suggests that 2010 might be a good year to start a new company.

To help ensure success in a new, or continuing, business venture, follow these top five strategies from small business expert Christine Morris, vicepresident of sales and service, business banking at TD Canada Trust: 1. Watch your cash flow.

What keeps small business owners up at night? After the

impact of the recession (31%), cash flow tops the list of biggest concerns (28%). Small business owners say they continually worry about covering payroll and being able to pay suppliers.

“Cash flow management is the single most important aspect of running a small business - arguably more important than ensuring a good profit margin,” said Morris. “With good cash flow, anything is possible - hiring good talent, expansion, access to credit, and, yes, producing a profit.

Without it, it’s almost impossible to succeed.”

2. Find a good advisor.

“The expression ‘it’s lonely at the top’ can be very true for small business owners. It can be tough when you are the one running the company and there is no one in the office you can turn to for counsel - or even an occasional shoulder to cry on,”

said Morris. “Find an advisor you can trust - someone who will listen to your unique issues and provide solid advice on how to solve problems.”

As an example, small business owner Marc Nicols, chief executive officer of Equestrian Factory Outlet Inc., turned to his bank branch in Alliston, when he was looking to expand his equestrian apparel business.

“My branch’s small business advisor, Eric Tuninga, gave me the ongoing counsel and the TD resources I needed to grow and leverage my business over the last three years from one store to a national franchise business with soon to be 16 locations across Canada.

I needed someone who could give me advice to help me save time and money - that’s translated into profitability for my business and my franchisees,” said Nicols.

3. Develop a unique sell-

ing proposition.

According to Morris, understanding how a business stands apart from the competition can be key to successful business planning, effective marketing and sales. This begins with the development of a unique selling proposition, or USP, that defines a company’s key focus.

Nicols agreed that knowing the USP is critical. “Our company is Canada’s largest equestrian apparel retailer that deals with end-of-season European goods and up to 70% off MSRP. That’s our USP.” The top three USPs cited by TD Canada Trust small business survey respondents are “to provide the highest level of service in our industry” (33%), followed by “to provide the best products/results in our industry” (25%) and “to provide the best expertise in our industry” (19%).

4. Formula for success?

Stick to what you do best.

“One of the top strategies for maximizing success is to stick with what you do best and outsource the rest,” said Morris. “This means that if your business makes riding boots, focus your efforts on making the best boots possible and hire experts to help you with other areas of the business you are less experienced in, such as information technology support, human resources practices and investing strategies.”

5. Run the business as if you are selling it tomorrow.

The survey showed that the majority of small business owners feel they should start thinking about transitioning their business two years in advance (62%) with only 16% planning more than five years out. Less than one-quarter (23%) of businesses currently have a succession plan in place, down from 27% in 2008.

“Although transitioning your business - for example, for sale or to a family member - might be many years away, it is sound business practice to operate your business every day as if you are preparing to sell,” advised Morris. “This means always following generally accepted accounting principles, staying on schedule for supplier payments, minimizing debt and reducing costs wherever possible.”

The survey polled small business owners from across the country to understand the impact of the recession on small businesses.

It was conducted by Angus Reid Strategies from Sept. 8 to 14, with English and French speaking small business owners (defined as business owners with fewer than 20 employees) across Canada. The sample size included 1,002 men and women.

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PAGE SIX Inside Wellington - Second Section of The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, December 4, 2009

Rockwood Farmers Parade of Lights December 10th 7:00pm Happy Holidays & Best Wishes to all!

Proud Supporter of the Rockwood Parade of Lights

Congratulations Parade of Lights Volunteers

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Inside Wellington - Second Section of The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, December 4, 2009 PAGE SEVEN

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COME IN FOR OUR MOONLIGHT SPECIALS DECEMBER 1 Shopping local strengthens the entire community 200 George St., Arthur

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Colouring Contest during the Christmas season

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Arthur Chamber of Commerce 146 George Street, Arthur Call 519-848-2665 to purchase your

Chamber Christmas Dollars for that hard to buy for person www.arthurchamber.ca

Just in time... the ideal Christmas present “MEMORIES OF ARTHUR & AREA VOLUME 2”

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Advanced deadline notice for our Christmas publications Please note the early deadline for the Dec. 25th and January 1st editions of The Wellington Advertiser will be Friday, December 18th at noon

PAGE EIGHT Inside Wellington - Second Section of The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, December 4, 2009

AND

ENTERTAINMENT

The leg lamp and BB gun - Susie Burnett, Adam Bartley, Jamie Williams and Terry Hart star in the Theatre Orangeville production of A Christmas Story, which plays until Dec. 20. Bartley plays 9-year-old Ralphie Parker, who wants nothing more for Christmas than the Red Ryder BB gun made famous by comic and commercial cowboys like the one played by Hart. submitted photos

Review: Theatre Orangeville’s A Christmas Story a fun, festive tale despite problems

by Chris Daponte ORANGEVILLE - When the Theatre Orangeville Youth Singers take to the stage - and the aisles - to open A Christmas Story, it’s hard not to get into the holiday spirit.

The Christmas carols sung by the loveable group of kids was a great addition to the lat-

est presentation at Theatre Orangeville. But despite the unique start and memorable performances throughout, in the end audiences may leave the Opera House on Broadway less thrilled than usual.

As was the case with last year’s production of A Christ-

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and much, much more!

Wanted: Volunteers, Sporting Groups, Organizations & Individuals to participate in this historic event

FOR MORE INFORMATION The Township of Wellington North

519-848-3620 www.wellington-north.com

mas Carol, the youth singers, while energetic and entertaining, were a tad too quiet during certain moments. That is understandable, given the age of some of the members, but it can still be frustrating for those at the back of the theatre struggling to make out the words.

A Christmas Story is adapted by Philip Grecian from the movie of the same name, as well as from the book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash.

Directed by Theatre Orangeville’s own David Nairn, it relays the story of Ralphie Parker, a 9-year-old boy growing up in the 1940s, who dreams of owning an authentic Red Ryder BB gun.

Consumed by the idea the gun is the perfect gift, Ralphie launches an all-out campaign to convince everyone of his theory, but he becomes frustrated by unforeseen opposition from his parents, his teacher and even Santa Claus.

Adam Bartley is great as Ralphie. The 6th grader, who boasts a sense of timing and an ability to play off other actors far beyond his years, will be a hit with audiences from the beginning.

The other child actors in the play, including Christopher Dubois (as Ralphie’s brother, Randy), Samuel Grant (Scut Farkas), Alexander Newall (Flick), Jayde Lavoie (Esther Jane), Jacqueline Vandervaart (Helen) and Daniel Reale (Schwartz) are all competent players.

Lavoie, in particular, is a fine talent at the tender age of 11. She is adorable in her portrayal of Esther Jane, whose persistent pursuit of an oblivious Ralphie is one of the play’s finer side plots.

Susie Burnett returns to Theatre Orangeville after outELORA LEGION BR. 229

Coming Events 519-846-9611

Hall Rental Available

Fri. Eve. Karaoke with Nancy

Saturday 3pm MEAT DRAWS ENTERTAINMENT “GREYTONES” WEEKLY EVENTS Mon. & Thurs. Eve - Snooker League Tues. Eve. - 8-Ball League

email:info@eloralegion.ca www.eloralegion.ca GUESTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

standing performances in Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun and I’ll Be Back before Midnight.

Her talents are again on full display in A Christmas Story, where she plays Ralphie’s mom and illustrates her range and ability; this time in a more supportive role.

Jamie Williams is a real treat as the father, whose adventurous spirit, penny-pinching ways, obsession with tacky furniture and propensity for colourful language will likely remind many in the audience of their own “old man.”

What makes Williams particularly impressive in this production is his hilarious array of body language and impassioned physicality, which manages to jumpstart recurring dialogue and jokes that otherwise could grow stale.

Terry Hart, who also had a magnificent performance in last season’s I’ll Be Back Before Midnight, narrates the play as the adult Ralph. This role seems to be made for Hart, who excels at playing the blue collar, everyday man, but his performance at the preview show on Nov. 27 left a little to be desired.

He delivers an enormous amount of material and perhaps he just had an off night, but Hart repeatedly stumbled over his lines and struggled to recover on a few occasions (Cathy Elliot, who plays Miss Shields, also messed up a few lines, despite her limited dialogue). For those who have seen his other performances, that is totally uncharacteristic of Hart, but that also makes it all the more distracting.

But even a stellar performance from Hart likely couldn’t reconcile some of the play’s inherent flaws.

While narration is a vital component of the play (and the movie), there is too much of it here; a fact that’s amplified by the lack of action to coincide with many of the longer narrative components.

There are several laughout-loud moments - the majority of which are provided by Willi ams or occur during Ralphie’s day dreaming scenes - but many of the ongoing jokes grow a little tired by the play’s end.

Vaughn Davis does a fine job with the set design, Steve Lucas’ work with the lighting is great and generally, the actors seem to have received great direction - but there are several things in the play that could be improved.

For example, while it was likely not the intention, younger brother Randy’s mannerisms more resemble a mentally challenged boy than a quirky, adventurous one. And there has to be a better way to portray the scene in which the family’s turkey is taken.

Despite its weaknesses, A Christmas Story is a funny, lighthearted tale that will get audience members in a festive mood. And as long as they’re not expecting the theatrical equivalent of last season’s A Christmas Carol, that should be enough.

A Christmas Story plays up to six shows a week until Dec. 20. For tickets call 519-9423423 or 1-800-424-1295 or visit theatreorangeville.ca.

Cox Creek Cellars Estate Winery

Highway 6 North at Wellington Cty. Rd. 22 519-767-3253

11th Annual OPEN HOUSE Saturday, December 12th 11- 6 pm Sunday, December 13th 1- 4 pm We welcome you to join us at the Winery: • Wine Tasting • Winery Tours • Cheese, Crackers, Refreshments • Unique Christmas Gift Ideas PLUS Specials throughout the store!

Discover Fine Local Wine at Wellington County’s First Estate Winery

Inside Wellington - Second Section of The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, December 4, 2009 PAGE NINE

AND

ENTERTAINMENT Not So Grand Players ready for another show of Christmas Cheer FERGUS - The Not So Grand Players will soon be hitting the Fergus Grand Theatre stage with their presentation of An Evening of Christmas Cheer.

The family-oriented variety show will include guests Paul Hock, students from Performance Studios, pupils from John Black School, and the man in red himself, Santa Claus.

The Not So Grand Players have been entertaining the locals for over 25 years and have contributed thousands of dollars to community organizations. The Centre Wellington Food Bank will be the main recipient of the profits of this

show,and theatregoers are encouraged to bring along a nonperishable food item to donate at the door.

Original cast members Connie Dickinson, Bruce and Florence Arkell, Guy Haskell, and Terry Wilson will be joined by newer members of the troupe to provide an evening of song, laughter, and fun for all.

Show dates are Dec. 4 and 5. Show time is 7pm.

Tickets are $10 for adult , $8 for children 6 to12 and 5 and under are free.

Tickets are available online at www.fergusgrandtheatre.ca or at the box office 519-7871981.

Murder mystery dinner theatre set for restaurant ERIN – The Erin Community Theatre presents its third annual dinner theatre at David’s Restaurant here.

This year’s mysterious comedy, The Piper of Grimmgilliedhu, runs Dec 4, 10, 11, and 18 at 7pm. Tickets are $39.95 plus tax. Call 519-8335085 to reserve or 519-8332224 for information.

The show is written by Hillsburgh’s Susanna Lamy.

This is her third play for dinner theatre and also the third year ECT has partnered with David’s Restaurant. Erin’s Kathryn DeLory is in the director’s chair once again.

Perched on a windswept precipice above the sea, solitary Grimmgilliedhu Castle, in the Scottish Hebrides, is opening its weathered doors to tourists. The first group has arrived

Big bad wolf - Lionel, the Chief Forester (Des Baxter) looks on, as the Big Bad Wolf in disguise (Nick Holmes) threatens Granny Girdle (Dale Jones), in Red Riding Hood, a traditional English pantomime playing at Century Church Theatre in Hillsburgh until Dec. 6. Tickets are at Erin and Hillsburgh libraries, from the box office 519-855-4586, or at the door.

from Canada with Eager Beaver Tours to celebrate Christmas and Hogmany in the Highlands. But as guests settle in, past grudges are resurrected and an ancient mystery calls out to be resolved.

Audience members will be called upon to help solve another crime. Guess the guilty character for a chance to win a pair of tickets to ECT’s spring 2010 production.

David’s Restaurant is located at 20 Shamrock Road in Erin. Arrive at 7pm for cocktails and seating. To reserve call 519-833-5085. For information, visit www.erinlivetheatre.com or call 519-8332224.

The troop advises to make reservations. It added extra shows this year because the event is known to sell out.

Fergus branch library has many activities The Fergus branch of the Wellington County library system has a number of activities coming.

Drop-in seasonal crafts are on Dec. 5, 12, and 19.

Visit Children’s Services any time during open hours each Saturday before Christmas and create a beautiful Christmas tree decoration.

There is no cost, and the event is suitable for all ages, but adult supervision required.

Century Church Theatre seeks talent for showcase HILLSBURGH - The Century Church Theatre here is presenting a showcase of local performers and specialty acts and is looking for performers All acts must audition for a place in the showcase. Ten will be chosen from those who audition and they will perform on the Saturday night showcase.

Successful acts will be notified on Dec. 11 and a dress rehearsal will be held Dec. 12 at 1pm.

All ages and talents are welcome to audition.

Acts with performers from ages 13 and under audition from 6pm to 8pm Acts with performers ages 14 to adult will audition 8 to 10m.

Each act must supply its own music on CD or accompaniment.

Audition performances should last 2 to 3 minutes and consist of one number or performance

ELORA LEGION BR. 229

ENTERTAINMENT

Coming Events 519-846-9611

Hall Rental Available

Sun. Dec. 13 9am-Noon

Saturday 3pm

BREAKFAST

ENTERTAINMENT “GREYTONES” WEEKLY EVENTS Mon. & Thurs. Eve - Snooker League Tues. Eve. - 8-Ball Leauge

email:info@eloralegion.ca www.eloralegion.ca GUESTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

New CD Stories & Songs Requested favorites from the

519-833-2114 ext 31

NOW PLAYING

Scott Woods Show

“2012”

Songs & Stories - Stories like Teddy Bear, Deck of Cards, Touch of the Master’s Hand.

Classic country songs like Crazy Arms, Hey Good Lookin’, Folsum Prison Blues and some fun songs too!

519-833-2114 ext #31

An Excellent Christmas Gift $20 (not available in stores)

(14A) Call for dates & times erincinema.ca Tickets: Children $4.25, Adults $9 Call for Birthday Packages!

Gift Certificates!

“Crippled Ducks”

Fri. Eve. Karaoke with Nancy

MEAT DRAWS

Christmas story time is on Dec. 18, from 10:30 to 11 am.

It features refreshments, activities, stories, songs and a special guest visitor. It is free and open to all ages.

There is an open house on Dec. 18 from 10am to 5pm.

Celebrate with cider, treats, and holiday cheer.

Saturday Dec. 5 3-6pm

McLeod Music Productions 519-843-3173

WEEKLY EVENTS

Mon. - Euchre - 7:30pm Tues. - Crib & Darts - 7:30pm Thurs. - Bingo - 7:00pm

FERGUS LEGION Br.275

519-843-2345

www.ferguslegion.ca Hall Rental & Catering Available

Performers chosen for the showcase must be prepared to present between 10 to 15 minutes of entertainment.

Auditions Dec. 9 and 10 run 6 to 10pm and will be held at Hillsburgh Century Theatre, Trafalgar Road.

The show runs Dec. 12 at 7pm, and general admission is $10.

Proceeds will go to the Century Church Theatre bursary for deserving high school students entering the performing arts.

Monday December 21st - 5:00 pm Tuesday December 22nd - 5:00 and 7:30 pm St. John’s Anglican Church 36 Henderson Street, Elora Tickets: $35 ea.

PAGE TEN Inside Wellington - Second Section of The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, December 4, 2009

Faces of Farming calendar unveiled; two county residents are featured GUELPH – Farmers from across Ontario recently unveiled the fifth annual Faces of Farming calendar.

The calendar, produced by the Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC) and sponsored by many Ontario agribusinesses and commodity groups, celebrates the hard work, dedication and values of Ontario’s farming community.

This year’s calendar features a record number of Ontario farmers and farm families – 45 in all. The unveiling was

held in conjunction with the Ontario Harvest gala event.

The 2010 Faces of Farming calendar shows the diverse nature of Ontario agriculture. This year’s farmers represent all sectors of agriculture – from traditional products like dairy, beef, chicken, pork, turkey, goats, soybeans, and corn to unique items like bison, cauliflower, azuki beans, peas, sunflowers and more. Participants also come from all corners of Ontario.

This year’s cover photo fea-

tures all 30 members of the Barkey family, dairy farmers from Oshawa. That was the largest group ever photographed for the calendar.

OFAC’s vice-chairman David Murray said the Barkey family epitomizes everything that the calendar stands for.

“Like countless other farm families in Ontario and all of the others in this calendar, the Barkeys are great farmers and environmentalists. They’re also avid volunteers in many different organizations. It is families

like these that make up the heart of our rural communities.”

Participating in the calendar initiative was a rewarding opportunity, said Glenn Barkey. “Our family was surprised but excited to be asked to be involved in the calendar,” said Barkey.

He added, “We have had our family and farming intertwined for over 200 years in this province.”

Janet Smaglinski is another of the calendar’s participants

and a crop farmer from the Ottawa Valley. “I think that people will be surprised when they look through the calendar and see what the modern farmer looks like,” said Smaglinski.

“Participating in this calendar was an exciting opportunity to show the consumers how proud I am of the crops we grow on our farm.”

There were two farmers chosen from Wellington County.

The October illustration features Nicole, a mother of

five young children. She and her husband raise dairy goats and many other types of livestock on their farm.

The January 2011 illustration features Lisa, who was raised on a beef cattle farm in the Ottawa Valley. She now lives on a cash crop farm near Guelph with her husband and three boys.

The OFAC is the voice for animal agriculture, representing 40,000 livestock and poultry farmers, associations and businesses in Ontario.

Calendar farmers - Two women from Wellington County were among those chosen for the fifth annual Faces of Farming calendar that is now on sale across Ontario to promote agriculture and farming. Left is the January picture and the other is for October.

Report on environment: Credit watershed provided $371-million in services Development costs are shifted to residents, taxpayers; other lost assets are irreplaceable MISSISSAUGA - A report released last week by the Pembina Institute and Credit Valley Conservation found that the Credit River watershed provides services worth more than $371-million to area residents each year.

"One of the key aspects of valuing ecological services is the idea that Mother Nature does for free what we would otherwise have to pay millions to do through technology and infrastructure," said Jeff Wilson, of Credit Valley Conservation, the agency responsible for management of the watershed.

The watershed's natural capital - the stock of natural assets, such as water, forests, wetlands, and wildlife provide the ecological services, including water filtration, removal of carbon from the atmosphere, and air purification.

Looking at water and wastewater treatment alone, it would cost more than $237million every year to replace

the natural filtering power of land and wetlands in the Credit River watershed with manmade water treatment systems.

The report, Natural Credit: Estimating the Value of Natural Capital in the Credit River Watershed, is intended to help people better understand the value of preserving and investing in natural spaces. In turn, it is important the value of natural capital is accounted for when natural space is developed.

Currently, when development happens, many of those costs are shifted to residents and taxpayers. Other lost value, such as the loss of pollinators, simply cannot be replaced.

“Because the value of natural capital doesn't show up on anyone's balance sheet, we end up using ecological resources in very inefficient ways,” said Mike Kennedy, Senior Resource Economist with the Pembina Institute. “We are highlighting the importance of

Ad deadline is Monday at 3pm advertising@wellingtonadvertiser.com

considering all social costs and benefits of land use policy decisions, especially when regions start to become highly populated.”

While the report considers specifically the Credit River watershed in the western Greater Toronto Area (and including Erin in Wellington County), the benefits of ecological services are similar for communities across Canada.

The report’s authors consider it a call to all levels of government to give greater consideration to natural capital when making land-use decisions.

“There is increasing evidence that the benefits of conservation are beginning to outweigh the benefits of business-as-usual development,” said Wilson.

Fergus woman wins $50,000

photo submitted

Local participation in Elmira Shiai 2009

Look for your copy of the

winter

community

delivered with The Wellington Advertiser DECEMBER 4TH ISSUE If you do not receive your copy of the WinterCommunity Guide, please pick up a copy at the Fergus or Elora Recreation Offices

Registration for programs starts December 7th, 2009

Back Row: Sensei Bill Stimpson, Ethan Aguirre, Philippe Campbell, Susan Stimpson, Sensei Dave Lyons, Middle Row: Blair Bauman, Michael Corbett, Francesca Van Esch, Alex Rock, Front Row: Annie Farquhar, Molly Farquhar, Natalia Van Esch Absent from Photo: Mackenzie Nelson, Andrew Gardner, Ret Giles, Nathan Beer and Tiffany Morris.

PATRICIA BARKER TORONTO - Patricia Barker of Fergus won $50,000 playing Instant Bingo recently.

"I was shocked,” said Barker. “It took a while to get it” at the Toronto prize centre.

The 44 year-old plans to share her windfall with family.

The winning ticket was purchased at Mac's, located on St. Andrew Street East in Fergus.

ELMIRA - On Sunday Nov. 15, students from Gorge Karate Dojo travelled to an event hosted by the Elmira Karate Dojo.

This event, or Shiai in Japanese, is a tournament where students test their skills in three different areas: Kata, Kumite (sparring) and Kobudo (weapons).

Winners from Elora are: Natalia Van Esch - 1st Kata PeeWee Kids (6 & under) Yellow Belt; Molly Farquhar 1st Kumite Junior Kids (7-9 yrs) Yellow Belt; Annie

Farquhar - 1st Kata Senior Kids (10-12 yrs) Yellow Belt; Mackenzie Nelson - 1st Kumite Junior Kids Orange Belt; Blair Bauman – 3rd Kumite Junior Kids Orange Belt; Andrew Gardner - 3rd Kumite Senior Kids Orange Belt; Francesca Van Esch – 1st Kata and 3rd Kobudo Junior Kids Green Belt; Alex Rock – 2nd Kumite Senior Kids Green Belt; Michael Corbett – 3rd Kumite Senior Kids Green Belt; Susan Stimpson – 1st Kumite Women (adults 16+)

Green Belt; Ethan Aguirre – 2nd Kata Senior Kids Brown Belt; Philippe Campbell – 1st Kata Teens (13-15 yrs) Brown Belt; Ret Giles – 1st Kumite, 1st Kobudo and 2nd Kata Teens Brown Belt; Nathan Beer - 3rd Kata, 3rd Kumite and 3rd Kobudo Teens Brown Belt; Tiffany Morris – 1st Kumite Women Brown Belt.

For more information on Gorge Karate Dojo and Canadian Naha-te Goju Karate please visit www.cngk.ca.

Inside Wellington - Second Section of The Wellington Advertiser, Friday, December 4, 2009 PAGE ELEVEN

Mercer Masonic Lodge installation held recently DECEMBER 11 reserve tickets in advance by calling Earl Lennox at 519-9283457.

DECEMBER 12 The annual Marsville Community Christmas Concert at the East Garafraxa/Marsville Hall in Marsville. 7:30pm. Adults $7, Children $5. Please reserve tickets in advance by calling Earl Lennox at 519-928-3457. *** Christmas Celebration Concert with the Liberation Choir, Sunday 7:30pm at the Drayton Reformed Church, 74 Wellington St. Drayton. Freewill Offering for the Palmerston Hospital Foundation. *** Adult / Senior Skating 8- 9:50 Exhibition Park Arena, Guelph.

Cost $7. Join us for fun, exercise, music and friendship! Call 519836-1015 for more information. *** Christmas in Concert- Performances are free; no ticket necessary 3:30 & 7:30pm & Sunday 3:30pm. Koinonia Christian Fellowship (850 Sawmill Road, Bloomingdale). 519-744-7447. www.kcf.org. *** Uplifting Seasonal Concert, by local group “Mathieson” 7:30pm, Melville United Church, Fergus. Freewill. Call Dan 519-8461496. ***

Until December 14 - I Heard the Bells. 7pm (Doors open at 6:30pm) Central Pentecostal Church, 7674 Colborne St. Elora.

Free admission, child care available.

DECEMBER 13 Cats Anonymous Rescue & Adoption - Christmas Open House: from 10am-3pm in Marsville (east of Fergus). Call 519-855-6850. *** Handel's perennial favourite returns to the Village of Elora. 267 years after its premier, Messiah remains not only a Christmas standard but, a Singers tradition. This concert always sells out quickly so, be sure to order your tickets early. 3pm. Knox Presbyterian Church, Elora $40. 1-888-747-7550. *** "Hanging of the Greens" celebration and potluck. Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 290 Belsyde Ave. E. Fergus. 10am.

All are welcome. *** "A Christmas Carol In Bethlehem", a cantata by the joint choirs of Knox-Elora and St. Andrew's, Alma, 7:30pm. at Knox Presbyterian Church, Elora. Freewill offering. Refreshments & fellowship following.

DECEMBER 14 Annual Christmas Carols by Candlelight St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Arthur. 7:30pm. Please come out and join us.

DECEMBER 17 Family Christmas Evening (all ages) Arthur Library. Drop-in. 7– 8 pm for family fun of: stories, crafts, songs & more. No registration required but Christmas colours encouraged! For this free event call 519-848-3999 for more information. *** Jamboree St. John Parish Centre 160 Georgina St. Arthur, Ontario.

(Next to St. John Church) 7pm. For cancellation info. due to weather call 519-848-6723.

DECEMBER 18 Victoria Park Seniors Drama Group's Christmas Performance: "Ebenezer Scrooge" 2pm. all welcome! *** Brighton Chapter No 201 Order of the Eastern Star in Fergus is holding a euchre at Fergus Masonic Hall, 310 St. Andrew St. W. at 7:30pm. Light lunch provided. All are welcome. Cost is $5.

Contact Muriel Brown 519-787-0554 for further information. *** Shepherd's Play! 7pm & December 19, 2pm. Enjoy a magical performance of the nativity in a barn above the cows, by the Trillium Waldorf School community. Admission is by donation; pay what you can. Don't forget warm clothing and blankets! Venue: Fourfold Farm Barn, #7682 4th Line Nichol Rd., Elora.

DECEMBER 19 Adult / Senior Skating 8 - 9:50 Exhibition Park Arena, Guelph.

Cost $7. Join us for fun, exercise, music and friendship! Call 519836-1015 for more information. Fergus Brass Band playing center ice. *** Guelph Chamber Choir – Handel’s Messiah - 8 pm, River Run Centre Guelph. Tickets: 1-877-520-2408 - Adults $30 / $25, 4 tickets for $100, Students $10.

DECEMBER 20 Listowel Legion Branch 259. Sunday Brunch at Parkview Gardens, 10am - 2pm. $5 per plate. ***

Annual Christmas Cantata performed by area choirs. St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Mount Forest 2:30pm and St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, Arthur, December 21, 2009 at 7:30pm.

Admission - Free will offering and food bank items. *** Children and Youth Present the “Christmas Story." Join us at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 290 Belsyde Ave. E. Fergus. 10am service. All are welcome.

DECEMBER 21 Victoria Park Seniors Centre: Christmas Social with the VP Ensemble (hot apple cider & Christmas goodies!) 1:30pm. No charge!

Michael Pearse has just been installed as Master of Mercer Masonic Lodge of Fergus. Installing Master was his father Raymond Pearse, assisted by many members from Lodges in Guelph, Erin, Georgetown, Drayton, Harriston and Elora.

Special guests were Earl Schneider, District Deputy Grand Master of Wellington District of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, and Chrisa Brown, a present Grand Lodge Steward and many Past Grand Lodge members.

Other Mercer Officers invested were Immediate Past Master Morgan Ramage, Senior Warden Robert Meiklejohn, Junior Deacon Raymond Pearse, Director of Ceremonies Roy Knapton, Senior Steward Jeff McClennon, Junior Steward Neil Wilson , Organist Adrian de Vries, Inner Guard Frank Barkhouse, Tyler Robert Wilson, Historian John Carter.

Mercer Lodge was instituted in 1876 and meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Fergus Masonic Centre, 310 St. Andrew Street East, Fergus.

DECEMBER 24 Ballinafad United Church invites you to Christmas Eve in the Stable. 6:30pm. 4917 Eighth Line, Erin. Just north of Halton/Erin Townline. Come celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. A portion of the proceeds will go to local food banks. Dress warmly. For info. Contact 905-877-4743. *** Knox Church Elora, Christmas Eve Service, 11pm. Guest speaker Kees Vandermey. Everyone welcome.

DECEMBER 30 We will be holding our regular La Leche League meetings the last Wed. of every month at 7:30pm at 60 Woodlawn Rd. In the town hall room. We also offer daytime meetings at the same location the second Friday of every month at 1pm. Children always welcome. Call Nicole for more info. 519-836-0800.

DECEMBER 31 Elora Legion Branch 229- Dance. Featuring “Country Versatiles”.

110 Metcalfe St. Elora. *** Listowel Legion Branch 259. New Year's Eve Dance - Parkview Gardens. Dance to ZAMM. 9pm - 1am. $10 per person. Pot Luck. *** New Year’s Eve Dance 8 pm Everyone Welcome. The Royal Canadian Legion Colonel John McCrae Memorial Br. 234, 919 York Rd., Guelph. Inquiries 519-822-1565.

Harriston society held year end awards meeting A pot luck dinner and awards evening finished the year for the Harriston and District Horticultural Society.

The evening started with the singing of the national anthem.

Doug Gray gave the blessing of the food. Special guests were Mayor David Anderson and Deputy-mayor Judy Dirksen.

Gray reported the society had good numbers of entries in the flower and vegetable shows this year.

The Mildred Newman memorial award for the best design in the August flower show went to Irene Fudger.

She also won the golden trowel award for the most points in all flower shows.

Mary Cuculich received the Rhoda Cameron memorial award for best design in the spring show.

Gray presented Faye Binkley with a framed certificate of meritorious service.

A thank you letter was read from Jenna Haelzla, who won the society’s bursary.

JANUARY 8 Optimist Club of Puslinch, Community Euchre. 7:30pm. At the Puslinch Community Centre. $3 per person. Refreshments provided. 50/50 draw. All Welcome.

JANUARY 13 Rockwood & District Lioness Euchre & Bridge Night. Rockmosa Community Centre, Rockwood at 7pm. $5 a person. Lunch & prizes to follow.

JANUARY 19 The Schizophrenia Society, Guelph and area monthly meeting.

7:30pm at the Evergreen Centre, 683 Woolwich Street. Anyone touched by or interested in schizophrenia is welcome. Info. 519822-8781.

JANUARY 31 Open Jamboree and Dance at Mount Forest Legion. 1:30-5pm.

Roast Beef Dinner. Everyone Welcome!

New to your Community?

FEBRUARY 5

be sure to call

Optimist Club of Puslinch, Community Euchre. 7:30pm. At the Puslinch Community Centre. $3 per person. Refreshments provided. 50/50 draw. All Welcome.

FEBRUARY 10 Rockwood & District Lioness Euchre & Bridge Night. Rockmosa Community Centre, Rockwood at 7pm. $5 a person. Lunch & prizes to follow.

Patti Klein 519-843-7055 Our hostess will bring gifts and greetings, along with helpful community information.

FEBRUARY 13 EWCS and Erin and District Lions Club are hosting the Mayor’s Valentine’s Dinner and Dance –$75 each, catered by David’s Restaurant, and dancing, with music provided by the Itchy and Scratchy Band. Door prizes, silent and live auctions, opportunity to meet with the mayors from both the Town of Erin and the Township of Guelph Eramosa. For ticket information please call Sue at 519-833-9696 x 226.

www.welcomewagon.ca

Satellite High-Speed Internet Service

FEBRUARY 16 The Schizophrenia Society, Guelph and area monthly meeting.

7:30pm at the Evergreen Centre, 683 Woolwich Street. Anyone touched by or interested in schizophrenia is welcome. Info. 519822-8781.

SEND YOUR NON-PROFIT/CHARITABLE EVENT INFO TO

events@wellingtonadvertiser.com 20-25 words, 4 weeks prior to event date.

Satellite Systems $69.99 Programming from $20 per month StarChoice remotes from $29.99

Installed from

LCD TV’s Highland Sight & Sound 125 St. Andrew St. W, Fergus 519-843-2050 Open Tues.-Sat.

PAGE TWELVE Inside Wellington - Second Section of the Wellington Advertiser - Friday, December 4, 2009

The

County of Wellington “Connecting Citizens with County News”

COUNCILLOR BOB WILSON HONOURED On November 25, County Councillor Bob Wilson was honoured by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for his 25 years of service in municipal government.

During a special banquet at the Ontario Southwest Municipal Conference in London, the County Ward 6 Councillor received his 25 years of service pin. Councillor Wilson’s family, members of County Council and staff were on hand to support him.

Congratulations

REMEMBRANCE DAY AT WELLINGTON TERRACE

NOVEMBER COUNTY COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS • On November 9th, The County, along with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and the Government of Canada, officially launched the Immigrant Settlement and Adaptation Program.

• On November 25th, Councillor Bob Wilson was honoured by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for 25 years of service in Municipal Government.

• Mike Elrick and Vanier Correctional Centre for Women were honoured with the 2009 Green Legacy Awards of Excellence.

Wellington Terrace honored the WW2 veterans on Remembrance Day with the support of local legions.

Dr. John Ewen, Medical Director, escorts resident Donald Lewis to lay a wreath.

• Members of Council each spoke and reflected on the year.

Christmas

at the Museum & Archives Christmas Festival

Sunday, December 13, 12 - 4 pm An afternoon of seasonal treats & treasures! $2.00 per person

ROCKWOOD’S FARMING COMMUNITY PRESENTS:

Craft Camp for Kids Monday, December 21, 9 am - 4 pm Join us for a day of crafts, games and activities celebrating the traditions of preparing for a 19th century Canadian Christmas. $25.00 ($20 for Museum members) Suitable for ages 7-12, space limited, advance registration is required, (519) 846-0916, ext. 221

Drop-In Afternoons Tuesday, December 22 Wednesday, December 23 Spend an enjoyable afternoon with a variety of Christmas crafts, baking and activities for families!

Drop-in between 1 - 4 pm, admission by donation.

0536 Wellington County Rd. 18 R.R.1 Fergus, Ontario, N1M 2W3 (between Fergus and Elora) T (519) 846-0916 info@wcm.on.ca

www.wcm.on.ca

County of Wellington Administration Centre 74 Woolwich St. Guelph, ON N1H 3T9

17th Annual Farmer’s Santa Claus Parade of Lights THURSDAY DECEMBER 10, 7:00 P.M. Through the streets of Rockwood | www.rockwoodfarmersparade.org

ROADS WINTER MAINTENANCE 2009/10 Winter is here! On November 7, the County of Wellington began its winter road maintenance programme. County plow trucks are ready and on stand-by for the accumulation of snow.

For winter road conditions on Wellington County Roads, please contact Central Garage 24/7 at: (519) 821-2090 or 1-866-799-4166. This number is available until April 10, 2010.

Watch for the flashing blue lights of county plow trucks. When approaching them from behind, slow down, stay back and be patient DO NOT PASS around them.

QUESTIONS? Contact the Engineering Services, Road Division at: (519) 837-2601* or roadsinfo@wellington.ca

www.wellington.ca

FEEDBACK - How are we doing?

Do you have an idea for an upcoming issue?

Andrea Ravensdale, Communications Officer (519) 837-2600, ext. 2320* or andrear@wellington.ca *ALL CALLS CAN BE MADE TOLL FREE TO 1-800-663-0750.