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MORE THAN SYMBOLISM IN EARTH HOUR ACTIVITIESCOMMENTPAGE 8

SPORTSPAGE 16

03 | 31 | 2012VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 13

KINGS BOW OUT OF THEIR QUEST FOR THE CUP

STEVE KANNON

In approving a biogas plant for Elmira, the province is “spit-ting in the face” of residents, says the head of the citizens’ group fighting the project.

This week’s decision came as a shock to Dr. Dan Holt of Elmira

Woolwich ponders appeal of biogas plant approval

World awareBreslau Public School held a World Awareness Day on Mar. 23 encouraging students to learn and become tolerant of other cultures. Nii Addico (left) taught students about African drumming while other students learned how to dance hip hop. [COLIN DEWAR / THE OBSERVER]

Council, Elmira citizens’ group disappointed with province’s decision to give project the green light

Bio Fuel Citizens’ Committee, who felt the government had heard the public’s message and was pre-pared to see the plant moved to a site elsewhere in the township.

Instead, Bio-En Power Inc. has been cleared to build the facility on Martin’s Lane, just north of downtown Elmira.

“It flies in the face of everything that’s been done – we made a case against the location and found a better place, where they actually want it (the plant),” he said of the provincial decision. “It’s kind of like spitting in the face of every-body who lives here.”

Notified that the project had

been cleared to go ahead – receiv-ing what’s known as a Renewable Energy Approval – Woolwich offi-cials are now looking at the town-ship’s legal options to appeal the decision.

Addressing the issue in council session Tuesday night, Mayor Todd Cowan said he was “ex-

tremely disappointed” with the outcome, calling for quick action on the appeal front.

“We’re not giving up. We’re going to continue the fight,” he said in an interview Wednesday, expressing frustration that the

BIOGAS | 3

2 | NEWS THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

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The Jump Rope for Heart skipping team from St Teresa school was at EDSS on Monday morning to teach some Grade 10 students different skills and techniques with the skipping rope. The team will be travelling to other schools throughout the region this spring to give other performances and instructional demonstrations. [JAMES JACKSON / THE OBSERVER]

NEWS | 3THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

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province didn’t follow through on its assurances that a solution could be found.

Cowan said he has spo-ken to officials, including the minister of the environ-ment and minister of en-ergy, on several occasions about finding another spot for the plant. He was left

with the idea alternatives would be in the works. Monday’s announcement came out of the blue, with-out so much as a heads-up warning in advance.

Council is looking for some legal advice before launching an appeal. Any-one opposed to the deci-sion has 15 days from Mar. 26 to submit a formal ap-peal to the Environmental

Review Tribunal.For Woolwich Bio-En,

the approval comes with a long list of conditions to be reviewed before the next move can be considered, even in the absence of an appeal process.

Away on vacation this week, company president Chuck Martin was reached by email:

“Significant changes to

the original application have been discussed with the MOE. I am anxious to review the approval as is-sued. I need to review both the approval and the recent amendments to the FIT pro-gram to better understand the project status and pos-sible timelines,” he said.

“ If there are no major hurdles in the approval or the FIT program changes,

then construction in 2013 and operating in early 2014 may still be possible.”

The technology proposed for the Bio-En facility uses an anaerobic digester to convert organic material into biogas and fertilizer. It will be fed by waste mate-rial, including livestock manure, food waste, used cooking oils and other fats and the like. A diesel gen-

erator converted to work with methane will generate electricity to be sold back into the grid, while steam heat produced could be sold to neighbours such as the pet food mill.

The $12-million facility would generate 2.8 mega-watts of renewable elec-tricity – enough to power 2,200 homes – and 3.4 mW of heat.

BIOGAS: Township looking at its legal options in advance of launching into appeal processFROM | COVER

Liquid Receiving

Solids Receiving

Contrary Bin Storage

Pretreatment Tanks

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Future Feed StockStorage Tank

Feed StockStorage Tanks

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[OBSERVER FILE ARTWORK]

On Tuesday, Ontario got its first glimpse of the province’s economic future from Finance Min-ister Dwight Duncan’s 2012 budget, but it’s a vision that the Conservative Party and Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris cannot support.

“My first reaction was that I was obviously disap-

Harris says he can’t support Ontario budgetKitchener-Conestoga MPP isn’t overly eager to head back to the polls, either

JAMES JACKSON pointed with this budget,” said Harris on Wednesday afternoon over the phone from his office at the Leg-islature, indicating that the province continues to struggle to get its economic house in order and help get 600,000 unemployed On-tarians back to work.

“(There is) no real plan to address the massive deficit that we’re faced with to reduce the overall size and

cost to government, and the jobs crisis.”

Ontario’s total spending is pegged at $127 billion this year (with an extra $1 billion in reserves), an in-crease of 2.5 per cent over last year, with the promise of eliminating the deficit in the next five years without sacrificing education or healthcare.

In the budget delivered on Tuesday afternoon, the

Liberal government fore-cast a deficit of $15.3 billion for the coming year, which is about $1 billion less than was forecast a year ago, but still too high for Harris and the Tories to stomach.

“Families have to live within their means and consider family budgets when making big deci-sions, and so should this government as well,” he said, pointing out the fact

that 14 of 24 ministries will see a budget increase year-

over-year, representing 82 per cent of the overall budget.

“That’s not austerity. That’s not reducing the size and cost of government. That’s making it bigger.”

The Liberals have also “cherry picked” from the Drummond Report re-leased last month, Harris said, picking and choosing

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BUDGET | 5

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On Mar. 22 the Ontario Legislature unanimously passed a motion to review the Aggregate Resources Act, a move that Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Michael Harris believes is a step in the right direction.

“Although specific questions on the review’s timeline and expected im-pacted on existing quarry applications are still pend-ing, the unanimous ap-proval in the Legislature is an important first step.”

The motion came just days before the minister of natural resources was required to respond to a formal request made by Harris on Dec. 6 in which he asked for specific details on the promised review. In that request, Harris asked for a detailed timeline for completion of the review, an indication of the areas of the Act to be examined, and details of the review’s

Province to review Aggregate Resources ActLocal MPP happy with move, but details are still scarce in issue of tremendous importance in the riding

impact on existing quarry applications currently in front of local councils or the Ontario Municipal Board.

The motion passed last week provides few details, other than explaining that the standing committee on general government would review the Aggregate Re-sources Act and report to the House its observations and recommendations with respect to strengthen-ing the act.

In developing those recommendations, the committee’s focus shall include, but not be limited to, “the Act’s consultation process; how siting, opera-tions, and rehabilitation are addressed in the Act, best practices and new de-velopments in the industry, fees/royalties, and aggre-gate resource development and protection, including conservation/ recycling.”

While the minister of the environment will still be

required to respond to Har-ris’ request before Apr. 3, the MPP suspects that re-sponse will make reference to this unanimous passing of the review as proof that the government is moving forward.

He said he hopes their response will have a more defined timeline for the review than was supplied in the motion, and wants to see all stakeholders involved – including op-ponents such as the Bridge-Keepers and the Conesto-ga-Winterbourne Residents Association as well as proponents such as gravel companies – will be con-sulted by the government throughout the review.

“(Those groups) could possibly think about get-ting a submission or a pre-

sentation together to pres-ent to the committee,” said Harris. “We’re still review-ing whether this would be a travelling committee so that it could come out to our community. I think that’s something that our community would wel-come.”

Two weeks before last fall’s election, former Lib-eral MPP Leeanna Pend-ergast announced that her government intended to review the Aggregate Re-sources Act and to “put pits in their place” by finding a more sustainable balance between the needs of rural citizens with the demands of the aggregate industry.

The announcement followed through on a promise made two months earlier that the govern-

ment would review the act, though up until now there have been few moves towards actually complet-ing that review, prompting Harris’ request for more details on Dec. 6.

Currently, Woolwich has five gravel applications on the books, three of them larger projects within the vicinity of Conestogo, Winterbourne and West Montrose.

Two of those projects – the proposed Jigs Hollow gravel pit, and an applica-tion by Hunder Develop-ments at 128 Katherine St. S. and 1081 Hunsberger Rd. – are subject to OMB talks next month, while a third bid to extract ag-gregate from 115 acres near West Montrose and its historic covered bridge

by Guelph-based Capital Paving is on hold pending the township’s decision to designate the bridge and its surroundings as a cultural heritage landscape.

Harris has no direct in-volvement in the sub-com-mittee that is conducting the review, though he said he has been in talks with colleagues to swap into it. The Liberals also hold a majority position within that committee, meaning the timing of the review is ultimately in their hands.

He also reminds those involved that this is merely a review of the act, with no revisions guaranteed.

“It’s a very large scope,” he said. “A very significant scope, but lets see how much detail actually comes out of it.”

Woolwich council-lors collected a total of $76,866 in pay and filed expense claims of $6,635 in 2011, according to a report tabled this week. That com-pares to $71,073 and $2,248 the previous year.

In a housekeeping mea-sure mandated by the province, finance director Richard Petherick filed a statement of payments and expenses that was accepted by council at Tuesday night’s meeting. The On-

Councils report 2011 remuneration levelsSTEVE KANNON

JAMES JACKSON

tario Municipal Act gives municipalities until Mar. 31 to make the details public.

Mayor Todd Cowan received $24,782, with ex-penses of $2,527. Each of the four ward councillors got $13,021, filing various expenses for such thing as conference fees: Mark Bau-man, $533; Bonnie Bryant, $1,911; Julie-Anne Herteis, $433; Allan Poffenroth, $1,231.

Petherick’s report also noted the township paid five members of its Com-mittee of Adjustment re-

muneration totaling $1,960 and expenses that amount-ed to $1,058.

In Wellesley, a similar report tabled this week shows councillors received a total of $59,795.89 and filed expenses of $14,255.59 in 2011. For the previous year, the corresponding numbers were $52,180.28 and $14,922.51.

Mayor Ross Kelterborn was paid $16,857.17, draw-ing a mileage allowance of $2,199.96 and expenses of $455.57. As is his cus-tom, he donated $6,000

back to the township to keep his pay close to $10,000.

Each of the councillors received $10,734.648, and mileage allowances of $800.04. Herb Neher filed expenses of $2,699.42; Paul Hergott, $4,177.75; Jim Olender, $3,724.76; and Shelley Wagner, $3,208.09.

Four committee of adjustment members re-ceived $1,190, and received mileage costs of $380.97. Five members of the recre-ation committee received a total of $340.

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NEWS | 5THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

POLICE BLOTTER MINI-VAN VS. BUS

M A R C H 2 2

6:35 AM | A 47-year-old Elmira man driving a 2000 Dodge pickup truck was heading east on Sawmill Road near Conestogo when he swerved off the road to avoid a black dog that crossed in front of his vehicle. The dog was taken to its owner’s house. No in-juries were reported by the driver. Damage to the vehicle was minor.

1:10 PM | An 18-year-old Listowel man operating a front-end loader in a posted construction zone hit a 2009 Hyundai driven by a 18-year-old Heidelberg woman. The car suffered minor damage. No charges were laid.

5:50 PM | Police were contacted by a 20-year-old Elmira man when his car was hit

A 79-year-old Port Elgin woman died at the scene following a two-vehicle collision just before 11 p.m. on Sunday night at the intersection of Welling-ton Road 12 and Wellington Road 8 near Drayton. Marie Dillon was a passenger in a 2005 Cadillac driven by Charles Dillon, 78.

Their car was struck broadside by a 1995 Chev-rolet Cavalier driven by Travis Peter Wiebe, 23, of St. Clements. Another St. Clements man, Cody B.

Port Elgin woman killed in collision south of Drayton

Foster, 23, was a passenger in the vehicle, which had been travelling south-bound on Road 12.

All three survivors were taken to Groves Memorial Hospital in Fergus with serious injuries. Wiebe was later airlifted to St. Mi-chaels Hospital in Toronto, while both Foster and Dillon were transferred to Hamilton General Hospital.

The intersection was closed until about 6 a.m. the following morning. Po-lice are still investigating.

by a transport truck, knocking off the bumper at the roundabout on Arthur Street and Sawmill Road near St. Jacobs. The truck, oper-ated by a 67-year-old Maryhill man, proceeded towards Elmira and was stopped by police on Line 86 near Listowel Road. No charges were laid. A female passenger in the car sustained minor injuries.

M A R C H 2 3

4:40 PM | Police charged a 45-year-old Cambridge man with being over the legal limit of alcohol after he struck a 2005 Acura driven by a 24-year-old Kitchener man with his 1997 Jeep on Fountain Street near Breslau.

M A R C H 2 4

10:40 AM | A resident on Lobsinger Line reported a raccoon acting aggressively on their

property. Police managed to lead the animal into a field, where they dispatched it. The raccoon had symptoms consistent with distemper.

11:00 PM | A black mountain bike was stolen from outside the Central Tavern in Elmira. Police ask anyone with information about the bike contact the Elmira detach-ment.

11:00 PM | A child’s purple and yellow bike was found at the Central Tavern. The bike can be picked up by its rightful owner at the Elmira station.

M A R C H 2 5

7:00 PM | A 58-year-old Auburn woman operating a 2009 Honda CRV hit a utility pole when she was backing up her vehicle on Oriole Parkway in Elmira. No inju-ries were reported. Waterloo North Hydro was notified of the damaged pole. No charges were laid.

M A R C H 2 6

8:55 AM | A resident on Wittick Road near Tillman Road northeast of Elmira contacted police after he noticed a cream-coloured four-door car stealing gas from his farm pump. The vehicle was being driven by a woman, with a male

passenger. When police arrived the farmer told them 120 litres of gas was missing from the tank. Police assume the suspects had stolen gas from the property before.

1:00 PM | A silver Norco mountain bike was stolen from the EDSS bike rack. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Elmira detachment.

M A R C H 2 7

7:05 AM | A 40-year-old Wellesley man operating a 2009 Toyota struck and killed a deer on Weimar Line near Kressler Road in Wellesley Township. No injuries

were reported by the driver. Dam-age to the vehicle was minor.

8:20 AM | Police charged a 32-year-old Elmira woman was charged with ‘failure to yield right of way’ after she hit a school bus with 24 kindergarten-age children on board with her 2001 Pontiac van. No injuries were reported by the school children or the 37-year-old bus driver. The driver of the van sustained minor injuries.

M A R C H 2 8

12:15 PM | A purple Deorex LX Raleigh mountain bike was found behind the old Elmira pool. The rightful owner can retrieve their bike at the Elmira detachment.

12:30 PM | Police were conducting safety inspections on commercial motor vehicles along Arthur Street in Elmira. Part of the inspections was a training session for officers from the Elmira detach-ment when dealing with transport trucks and other commercial vehicles.

CORRECTION | In an incident on Mar. 17 at 5 p.m., a 71-year-old Winterbourne woman driving a tan 1995 Mercury was hit by a 37-year-old Waterloo man operating a 2010 black GMC pickup at the intersection on Crowsfoot and Sawmill roads. Moderate damage was sustained by the GMC, while damage to the Mercury was sever. No injuries were reported. No charges were laid. Incorrect information appeared last week.

The driver of this Pontiac van was charged with ‘failure to yield’ after colliding with this bus at the intersection of Barnswallow Drive and Kingfisher Drive in Elmira just before 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning. None of the 24 kindergarten students aboard the bus, nor the bus driver, were injured. The driver of the van sustained minor injuries. [JAMES JACKSON / THE OBSERVER]

A summer of inconvenience for Nightingale residents

Look for the reconstruction of Elmira’s Nightingale Crescent to get underway in a month’s time, as Woolwich council this week awarded a $1-million contract to carry out the work.

Steed and Evans Ltd. will pocket the cash to rebuild the road and infra-structure between Whippoorwill and Mockingbird drives.

The project will including new pavement, curbs and gutters and the widening of the existing sidewalk on

the west side of the road, as well us a new watermain and repairs to existing sanitary and storm sewers. In keeping with an earlier decision, there will be no sidewalk on the east site of Nightingale.

A temporary watermain will be installed on or about Apr. 30, with construction targeted to being May 7 and completed by Aug. 31.

In addition to $1,025,191 for Steed and Evans, the township will pay Meritech Engineering $71,000 to supervise the work.

More public workers walking on sunshine

There’s been some modicum of

restraint, if it can be called that, in the Ontario public service according to “sunshine list” figures released last week by the ministry of finance. For 2011, the average salary over $100,000 across the OPS decreased by $1,211 (one per cent) from $128,850 to $127,639, and by $86 across the broader public service, from $127,735 to $127,649.

That was not in evidence locally, as those on the list in both Woolwich and Wellesley saw increases last year.

In Woolwich, chief administrative officer David Brenneman made $137,701.46, up from $135,728.83 in 2010. In the case of five department directors, their pay increased to $106,377.05 from $104,000. That list

includes Christine Broughton (council & information services), Larry Devitt (recreation and facilities, now retired), Dan Kennaley (engineering and planning), Rick Pederson (protective services/fire chief) and Richard Petherick (finance).

In Wellesley, CAO Susan Duke was again the sole name on the list. She made $111,392.32 in 2011, up from $108,675.32 the previous year.

At the Region of Waterloo, some 150 employees raked in more than $100,000, including Chair Ken Seiling at $153,527, plus a taxable benefit of $3,768.08. Another 304 members of the Waterloo Region Police Service are on the list, from constables right up to

which suggestions to adopt and which ones to ignore.

In total, the province has outright rejected nine of the 362 suggestions, in-cluding recommendations to scrap all-day kindergar-ten and to cut Ontario’s 10 per cent price break on electricity bills for those using less than 3,000 kwh per month.

Duncan said that he didn’t agree that all of for-

mer TD bank chief econo-mist Don Drummond’s recommendations needed to be followed in order to balance the provincial books by 2017-2018 – an assessment that Harris dis-agrees with.

“We paid an astronomi-cal amount of money to have him put this big re-port together and the gov-ernment ignores it,” Harris said.

“If you’re going to pull off and backtrack on these rec-

ommendations, you need to put something back on the table that would make up for that cost.”

Trying to work within a minority government, there are hints of the Liber-als trying to appease both parties in this budget – for example a public-sector wage freeze for the Tories, and a refusal to drop the corporate tax rate to 10 per cent from its current rate of 11.5 per cent until the bud-get is balanced for the NDP

– but the Conservatives say that they simply cannot accept the current budget as it stands today.

The government plan calls for per capita spend-ing in 2011-2012 to be $8,560, the lowest among the provinces, and the government says that $17.7 billion in savings and cost containment will be real-ized over the next three years.

Yet with money-wasting boondoggles like eHealth

and ORNGE still fresh in Ontarians’ minds, Harris said that most people will find it hard to make sac-rifices in their own lives when the government is unwilling to do the same.

With the Conservatives refusal to pass the budget, should the NDP also re-fuse to pass it – a decision they’ll likely come to in the next week or so – On-tarians could be headed back to the polls, some-thing that is undesirable

but may be necessary, Har-ris said.

“We don’t want an elec-tion – that’s the last thing Ontarians want and the last thing the people in my riding want, and I don’t want an election – but they also don’t want a $30-billion deficit,” said Harris.

“Enough is enough. The only way we can stop this bleeding and stop this gov-ernment from spending is by getting rid of them.”

BUDGET: More suggestions from Drummond report should have been includedFROM | 3

chief Matt Torigian’s $241,357.Across the province, the number of

employees who earned more than $100,000 jumped 10 per cent in 2011 to 78,914.

When first introduced in 1996, the list contained 4,319 names. Inflation is responsible for much of the increase: adjusted for inflation, $100,000 15 years ago is now the equivalent of $139,000 today.

Woolwich continues to use Kitchener fire dispatch

Woolwich firefighters will continue

to be called out through the City of Kitchener dispatch system, as council this week agreed to a $38,000 contract for 2012. The deal extends an arrange-ment that’s been in place for 33 years.

The price draws on an estimate using last year’s call volume of 514 at a rate of $9.81 per call. This new fee structure replaces the previous model of a three-per-cent increase each year. Instead, if the call volume is lower, so too will the overall cost.

The $37,882 estimated bill include a $2,000 fee for alerting the township emergency control group and remotely activating Elmira’s sirens in the event of a chemical spill or similar event in the town.

6 | NEWS THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

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If there’s one thing that’s associated with Eas-ter it’s the egg, particularly the chocolate kind. And nothing conjures up the childhood experience like an Easter egg hunt. For seven years now, the Opti-mist Club of St. Jacobs has been making the holiday more memorable with its annual Easter Egg Hunt.

This year, the seventh outing, the event is set for Apr. 7 at Riverside Mead-ows Park on Water Street in St. Jacobs.

“This is a fun event for young children that the organization holds every year,” said Bob Wilbur, a member of the club’s board of directors.

Members of the Optimist Club will hide hundreds of eggs throughout the park waiting for the children to find them.

“We plan to have the kids go in groups accord-ing to age, starting with the younger ones. It works

COLIN DEWAR

St. Jacobs Optimists prep for annual Easter Egg Hunt

out better that way and gives the really young kids a chance to find some eggs without competing with bigger, older kids,” said Wil-bur. “Some will be sitting on the grass, other behind trees; it will be very easy for the kids to find them.”

Most of the eggs hidden in the park will be plastic with a small toy or candy hidden inside but there will be a few classic choco-late eggs among the plastic ones, assured Wilbur.

Families with children from one to 11 years of age can enjoy balloons, prizes, the egg hunt and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

The egg hunt starts at 10 a.m. sharp and usually lasts an hour. The children are kept back from the eggs until they are motioned to start the hunt – the ensu-ing scramble lasts only minutes.

“It doesn’t take long for kids to find all the eggs when they know candy is involved. We have had a great turnout over the last few years and I expect this year will be no different.”

There is no charge for the children to participate in the hunt.

“It is just a fun day and gathering for kids to enjoy,” he explained.

Children run to find Easter eggs hidden through out Riverside Meadows Park in St. Jacobs last year. The event has been sponsored by the Optimist Club for the last seven years. [OBSERVER FILE PHOTO]

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Grade 8 students at Wellesley Public School have finished as runners-up in a national compe-tition aimed at raising awareness about Canada’s first prime minister.

The first annual Sir John A Day – named after Sir John A. Macdonald – was held on Jan. 12 at the school and the 53 students dressed in traditional gowns and suits worn dur-ing the mid-19th century, transformed the classroom into a ballroom, and stu-dents played live music and danced the minuet for the last two periods of the day.

They had another teach-er, John Settle, come in and portray Sir John A to the class, served apple cider in plastic wine cups, and the class also enjoyed Sir John A’s favourite treat – home-made shortbread.

The 197th birthday cel-ebration was organized by the Historica Dominion In-stitute, a non-profit group aimed at increasing public knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Cana-dian history.

“Initially, it’s Grade 8 and they think they should be first in everything,” said history teacher Joanne Aitken of the students’ re-sponse to finishing second. “They were a little disap-pointed, but when they saw the prize they received and understood the extent of this and how many schools entered, they knew they did very well.”

More than 200 schools across Canada were en-tered in the contest, and the winner – a Catholic elementary school in Richmond Hill – received an iPad for the classroom. The runners-up, however,

Wellesley PS second in national contest Grade 8 class takes second place in Sir John A. Macdonald competition sponsored by Historica Dominion Institute

JAMES JACKSON

received a two-volume his-tory of Canada’s first prime minister written by Rich-ard Gwyn, as well as a com-memorative button and a certificate.

“We received a great prize, whereas the win-ner just got an iPad for the classroom,” laughed Ait-ken. “So we thought we did pretty well.”

Prizes aside, Aitken also said that the contest did a fantastic job of achieving what it set out to do, and that was to teach the public more about the life and times of Sir John A, and Wellesley students were immersed in the 19th cen-tury throughout the day, which provided a big boost to their understanding of the time period in which he lived.

“We created that atmo-sphere and that era,” she said. “Instead of just mem-orizing it for a test, they were there. And they’ll never forget that Jan. 11 was his birthday.”

The project also drew on students’ talents and pas-sions that Aitken may not

have otherwise gotten a chance to see; one student drew a sketch of Sir John A that was posted in the classroom, another built a wooden bar to serve the apple cider from, while a third played background music on the piano.

“It really engaged them,” Aitken said.

John Alexander Macdon-ald was born in Scotland on Jan. 11, 1815 and im-migrated with his family to Kingston, Ontario at the age of five. He mastered Latin and French by the age of 12 and by 1836 he was a licensed lawyer.

On July 1, 1867 the Brit-ish North America Act came into effect, giving birth to the country of Canada.

That same day he was knighted by Queen Victoria in recognition of his efforts and on Aug. 7 he became the nation’s first prime minister.

For more information on the Historica Dominion Institute or Sir John A Day, visit www.sirjohnaday.ca or www.historica-dominion.ca.

For their efforts, the class received a two-volume history of Sir John, written by Canadian author and award-winning biographer Richard Gwyn, a commemorative button, and a certificate. [SUBMITTED]

The 53 Grade 8 students at Wellesley Public School were the runners-up in a national competition known as Sir John A Day that aimed to raise awareness of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. MacDonald. [JAMES JACKSON / THE OBSERVER]

John Settle, a teacher at Wellesley PS and part-time actor, portrayed the man of the hour during their celebration held on Jan. 12, one day after the actual birthday of Sir John A. MacDonald. [SUBMITTED]

8 | COMMENT THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

COMMENTJOE MERLIHAN PUBLISHERSTEVE KANNON EDITOR

DONNA RUDYSALES MANAGERJAMES JACKSONREPORTERCOLIN DEWARREPORTER

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THE VIEW FROM HERE

WORLD VIEW / GWYNNE DYER

WORLDAFFAIRS

OUR VIEW / EDITORIAL

LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE ON the planet, you’ll be asked to turn off the lights for an hour tonight (Saturday) at 8:30 p.m. The ac-tion is purely symbolic, but the goal is to send a message to world leaders: we’re serious about conservation and the steps needed to tackle climate change.

Organized by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when two million people switched off their lights. In 2008, more than 50 million people around the globe participated. Last year, participation swelled to 1.8 billion people as 5,200 cities in 135 countries partici-pated.

The move is purely symbolic, clearly. That said, even turning off one light in recognition of the event helps spread awareness.

No matter what your take on climate change, there’s no denying there are benefits to conserving energy and shift-ing to alternative means of generating it, though as this week’s provincial budget reminds us, the government has come under constant criticism for its energy policies.

Ontario has promised to phase-out the use of coal, but such plants remain in use, churning out pollutants that harm the environment and contribute to the greenhouse gas problem.

A gas-fired generating station produces less than half the greenhouse gas emissions of a coal plant, a fraction of the smog builders like sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, and no harmful mercury and lead, the OCAA argues, add-ing that energy from renewable sources is far cleaner still.

Such sources include the Woolwich Bio-En Inc. plan for a $12-million biogas facility in Elmira. The province’s ap-proval of that project has council and some residents up in arms, though the township no longer has any direct say over the development, thanks to the Green Energy Act, which streamlines the process. The idea is to bring more renewable energy projects online quickly.

Neighbours are understandably concerned, largely about the potential for odours and noise coming from the plant, which will convert organic waste such as manure into bio-gas, subsequently producing electricity and steam heat.

As Ontario pushes ahead with more alternative energy sources – wind, solar and biomass, to name a few – we can expect more small-scale projects like the one proposed for Elmira, and more gatherings of concerned neighbours.

Whether it’s the noise of turbines, the aesthetics of solar farms or the odours of biodigesters, there are going to be conflicts if we hope to move away from megaprojects to small, community-based solutions to meet our demand for electricity.

The Bio-En project has neighbours worried. This is largely the fear of the unknown: No matter how many reas-surances are offered by the company, residents really have no idea what to expect.

Of course, the cheapest, cleanest and most hassle-free way to deal with our energy needs is to reduce consump-tion. Ontarians spend more than $7 billion a year on elec-tricity to power their homes and small businesses. Just a 10 per cent conservation saving would leave an additional $700 million in our pockets.

That’s the kind of pragmatic thinking we should be doing as we sit in the dark, perhaps enjoying a little extra peace and quiet, while observing Earth Hour at 8:30 Saturday night.

Earth Hour a symbol of the changes ahead

After Mohamed Merah died in a hail of French po-lice bullets Mar. 22, people who had known him talked about “a polite and courte-ous boy” who liked “cars, bikes, sports and girls.” His friends had trouble believ-ing that he had murdered seven people, including three children, in a10-day killing spree in the city of Toulouse, and none of them believed his claim to be a member of al-Qaeda. “Three weeks ago he was in a nightclub,” one said.

The following day, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales was charged with murdering 17 Afghans, including nine children, in a lone night-time attack on sleeping civilians in two villages near Kandahar three weeks ago. “I can’t believe it was him,” said Kasie Holland, his next-door neighbour in Lake Tapps, Washington. “There were no signs. It’s really sad. I don’t want to believe that he did it.”

There's symmetry in two tales of random slaughterThere are startling

parallels in these cases, right down to the fact that Mohamed Merah held a little girl by the hair as he shot her in the head, and that Robert Bales alleg-edly pulled little girls from their beds by their hair to shoot them. And there is, of course, the underlying symmetry of the motives: both men were responding, in confused ways, to the “war on terror” that former U.S. president George W. Bush launched after the 9/11 attacks.

In Bales’s case, the trigger may have been a fourth de-ployment to a combat zone after three one-year deploy-ments in Iraq since 2003, during which he suffered concussion and lost part of a foot. He also had money problems, but it was Af-ghans he shot, not bankers. In his mind it was Afghans, Muslims, whatever, who were causing his problems.

Both men had had run-ins with the law: Bales for assault in 2002, Merah for stealing a woman’s hand-bag in 2007. But Merah spent two years in prison for the mugging, and while there, as is often the case with teenage Muslim

thugs, he was converted to the extremist Islamic ideol-ogy called Salafism.

Mohamed Merah vid-eotaped his attacks, so we know that just before he shot his first victim, an un-armed French paratrooper, Merah told him: “You kill my brothers, I kill you.” He was an unemployed small-time criminal with delusions of grandeur, and he wanted to “bring the French state to its knees” in retaliation for French par-ticipation in America’s war in Afghanistan. His claim to belong to al-Qaeda, how-ever, was probably just a private fantasy.

Predictably, Marina Le Pen, leader of the extreme right National Front, called on French voters to “fight ... against these politico-religious funda-mentalists who are killing our Christian children, our Christian young men.” (She is running in next month’s presidential elec-tion, after all.) The incum-bent right-wing president, Nicolas Sarkozy, says much the same thing, but less bluntly.

Yet two of the three French paratroopers Merah killed were Muslims. The

other dead soldier, a Chris-tian of West Indian origin, just had the bad luck to be in the street with two Mus-lim comrades when Merah found them. (He was de-liberately targeting French Muslim soldiers as traitors to his cause.)

Merah was hunting another Muslim soldier when he found himself outside a Jewish school and seized the chance to murder a young rabbi, his 5- and 3-year-old sons, and 8-year-old Myriam Monso-nego. It was a monstrous act, but in his disordered mind he believed that he was taking revenge for the Muslims who had been killed in the wars in Af-ghanistan and Iraq.

It’s no excuse, but it is an explanation. And the more relevant fact is that only one out of perhaps two mil-lion young Muslim French males has committed such an atrocity. What hap-pened is appalling, but it is statistically insignificant. It should also be politi-cally insignificant, but that may be too much to ask in the midst of a presidential election campaign.

DYER | 11

Given the sunshine list and wasteful spending, the public is fully onside with restraint and cutbacks in the wages for provincial and municipal workers.

COMMENT | 9THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

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HIS VIEW / STEVE KANNON

EDITOR'SNOTES

THEIR VIEW / QUESTION OF THE WEEK

More than cuts, we need government with it's priorities in the right order

Cuts, make that squeezes, to Ontario’s health care spending were an inevitable part to this week’s provincial budget – it’s the single-largest cost center. Don Drummond’s report called for it. Cabinet ministers hinted at it, espe-cially in reference to wage restraint.

The outcry, particularly from public sector unions, was equally predictable.

There are no cuts, how-ever, only a reduction in the pace of spending in-creases. Last year, health care costs were up 6.5 per cent. This year, the goal is 2.1 per cent. Spending will still go up, to $48.7 billion in 2012-2013.

Exactly how the reduc-tions will be made is still up in the air. Physicians will certainly be asked for wage freezes, at the very least. The budget contains some of the usual vague language about efficiencies and new funding models, but few details. However

the savings – if savings they can be called given that costs are still going up – come about, they’re long overdue. Health care spending has been out-stripping inflation and eco-nomic growth for years, an unsustainable situation.

Whatever Premier Dalton McGuinty’s government comes up with, however, will only be tinkering at the margins. He, like all other politicians, has no stomach for the conversa-tion that’s really needed, namely the huge amounts of money spent on what could be deemed marginal cases: extending end-of-life dates of the seriously ill by weeks or months, often with the elderly and those with terminal diseases. Also on that list, with some crossover, are expensive drug therapies that provide little extra benefit and the payment structure for doc-tors that tends to reward interventions, no matter how useful, over preventa-tive medicine.

Some of those points eas-ily lead to the death panel hysteria seen with Obam-acare debates in the U.S.

Even without that kind

of hyperbole, some will argue that the system shouldn’t be rationing ser-vices like that, perhaps de-ciding who lives and who dies. Fact is, however, that we already do that. There are waiting lists, it can take ages to see specialists and patients are prioritized based on their conditions.

Then there’s the issue of prevention versus emer-gency care, somewhat touched on in the budget. Advocates of reform have argued for years that we’re better off spending money upfront to prevent illness – promoting healthier life-styles, smoking-cessation, obesity-avoidance – than to essentially bail people out of the poor health choices they’ve made all along by pumping much more cash into acute care at the end of their lives.

Unable to make basic cuts, or even compensate for the billions wasted on the likes of eHealth and ORNGE, the government is certainly not going to consider, let alone make the tough decisions. Much easier to keep on spending, putting off the issue until the crunch comes ... ideally

long after someone else is in office. But just like pen-sion reform, changes must be made now to avoid cri-ses later.

And the fewer crises the better, as they are invariably used by anti-government organizations, typically on the right-wing, as an excuse for changes that benefit the few at the expense of the rest of us. Every boondoggle and every mismanaged situa-tion serves to undermine the legitimacy of govern-ment, in turn opening it up to the threat of would-be reformers. Ontarians suf-fering from tax fatigue and becoming fed up with the exorbitant cost of public sector wages, benefits and pensions, could easily reach the breaking point, becoming willing to cut off their noses to spite their faces.

With that in mind, pub-lic sector unions already moaning and complaining about the budget would be

wise to shut their mouths, duck their heads and prepare to give back after years of overly-generous contracts from the Mc-Guinty government. Many of the jobs could see wages cut in half and still have a long line of people waiting to take them: remember, inclusion on the sunshine list puts someone in the top five per cent of wage earners, and represents more than twice the aver-age income.

Given that wages make up more than half of gov-ernment costs, serious roll-backs would be an enticing way to deal with deficits. The public appears poised to go along with that line of thinking.

And the sentiment isn’t contained just to the prov-ince. The federal govern-ment plans employment cuts to its civil service, with no public outcry. Munici-palities, too, are ripe for an overhaul. As a recent piece in the Waterloo Region Re-

cord notes, spending driven by wage increases has fueled huge property tax increases locally even as real-world incomes have declined in the last few years.

Local politicians inter-viewed trot out the old chestnut about everybody wants services to continue not face cuts. Costs in-creases because they don’t contain them. They also have no appetite for mak-ing tough decisions: it’s much easier to say yes. In reality, there are supporters for every program where money is spent, no matter how few people are served – see the extension of bus service to Woolwich, for instance.

Politicians must learn to say no, learn to sell the benefits of not spreading resources so thin such that many things are done but done poorly. The current cast of characters at all lev-els can learn to do that, or be prepared to make room for those who can.

Do you think the province is on the right track with the budget?

We do need to change our ways but I don’t feel the province is heading in the right direction.

» Christine Gilbert

Yes, I feel the province is heading in the right direction.

» Kevin Beattie

No.

» Robyn Cameron

No I don’t think we are on the right track.

» Chris Watson

I agree with the governments ideals to reduce the deficit but I feel they did not address that in the budget.

» Denis Bacon

"... it is a reminder that 10 years occupying a foreign country will make any army hated from without and rotten within." Gwynne Dyer | Page 8

WHERE WORD-OF-MOUTH GETS IT'S START.

10 | COMMENT THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

THE MONITOR

NATIONAL VIEW

VERBATIM THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

DYER: Situation will only get worse the longer troops stayCONTINUED FROM | 8

» From the Mar. 30, 2002 edition of the Observer.

The United States is also heading for a presidential election this year, but the only role that the war in Afghanistan has in the cam-paign is ritual accusations by Republican candidates that President Obama is “soft on terror.” (On the contrary, he has become the willing prisoner of the Washington foreign policy consensus that still defends the profoundly miscon-ceived Afghan adventure.)

As for the Bales atrocity, it is already being written off by the American media and public as a meaning-less aberration that tells us nothing about U.S. foreign policy or national charac-ter. Not so. It tells us that

the character of American soldiers is no better or stronger than anybody else’s, and it is a reminder that 10 years occupying a foreign country will make any army hated from with-out and rotten within.

The army will become even more demoralized and undisciplined if it is a professional force that rotates the same soldiers through repeated combat tours with no visible suc-cess on the horizon. Recent instances of American soldiers urinating on dead Taliban fighters and burn-ing Qurans are symptoms of the same malaise that finally drove Bales around the bend. Obama should not wait until 2014. It’s time to go home.

Beer and liquor stores and agencies sold $20.3 billion worth of alcoholic beverages during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011, up 2.0% from the previous year. Beer remained the alcoholic drink of choice for Canadians. In litres of absolute alcohol, the volume of sales of alcoholic beverages decreased 0.5% to 228.4 million litres.

» Statistics Canada » MP Marc Garneau, the Liberal vice-chair of the procedure and House affairs committee, wants Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand to be a little less tight-lipped about his investigations

The Elmira Sugar Kings defended their Cherrey Cup championship by defeating the Stratford Cullitons 5-4 on Mar. 27, 2002.

"I obviously want to know the extent of the investigations, how many possibly valid complaints have been sent in, how many ridings are being investigated, whether its just robo-calls or it's beyond that, to just try to get a sense of what Elections Canada or the elections commissioner is actually investigating."

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ELMIRA’S BANDSTAND | 11THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

COLIN DEWAR

WHEN THE MUSIC RE-TURNS to Elmira’s Gore Park for the popular sum-mer concert series, the bandstand there will be continuing a role that has made it a fixture in the downtown core for 120 years.

decided to erect a new one from a design prepared by members of the Elmira Musical Society, call-ing for tenders from local carpen-ters. Abraham Martin Bowman submitted a bid of $33, half of what his competitors were ask-ing, and council accepted it.

Bowman, a son of a carpenter, had established a contracting business in Elmira in 1911 and was well prepared to “show the community he was up to the challenge of building the struc-ture that would display the qual-ity of work he could do.”

“It stood for 76 years: he did a good job building that band-stand, he took care of his craft,” said Elmira resident Ruth Jo-sephs, Bowman’s great-grand-niece.

There are indications that Bow-man used parts of the existing bandstand built by Zilliax, said Josephs.

And the band played on

First built in 1892, the structure that’s been a mainstay of Elmira’s core is in need of restoration work

The original bandstand is thought to have been located behind a hotel on the northwest corner of Church and Arthur Street and erected by the hotel owner, Henry Zilliax, in 1892. The hotel, the Anglo-American House, was destroyed in a fire in 1898, along with the Union Hotel, but the bandstand survived and was transported to Gore Park when the block was rebuilt.

“We think it is the same band-stand sitting in Gore Park. We have no paper trail but old photos show it looking exactly like the

one at the hotel,” said Bertha Thompson, a local historian. “It was originally built as a way to gather people and (Zilliax) sold beer and liquor to increase business, but when the hotel was rebuilt they needed more space and it is be-lieved that the band-stand then moved to Gore Park.”

By 1912, the band-stand was starting to look tired and Elmira’s council

A few hundred spectators came out to see Lynn Russwurm perform during a summer concert in the bandstand at Gore Park last year. The bandstand has been at the heart of the musical series for decades.

The original bandstand did not have a roof which was added by Bowman as he transformed the rectangular cross bracing of the structure into squares. By doing this he increased the number of cross-braces around the perim-eter providing more rigidity for the posts that supported the new roof.

“Bowman redesigned the cross members to be tighter to allow the weight of the roof of the bandstand to be equally distrib-uted,” said Thompson.

The roof was originally shin-gled with asbestos slate tiles that served to protect the eight seams of the octagonal roof.

The bandstand did not just provide a stage for music, it also created a sense of community, as weekly concerts were held that

Music has always been an important part of Elmira. This was the Elmira Band in the

late-19th century. – Waterloo Historical Foundation BANDSTAND | 12

12 | ELMIRA’S BANDSTAND THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

drew large crowds. For decades the downtown core would be busy on either a Thursday or Saturday night as people from all over would make their way down to the bandstand to listen to the weekly concert performed by the Elmira Band.

“When we moved here in 1956 I remember hearing music through out the town as the band would practice at the bandstand for the weekly shows,” said Thompson. “It was a very im-portant part of the social life in Elmira.”

The bandstand was used for regular band concerts and social events. When men went off to the wars, they were bid goodbye from the bandstand with concerts and speeches. It was also used as a platform for politicians to speak to members of the community, said Thompson.

“This was a time before televi-

sion, a time when people got to-gether not to just listen to music but to be social and meet neigh-bours,” added Josephs. “Numer-ous politicians have used or visited the site of the bandstand, including prime ministers John Diefenbaker and William Lyon Mackenzie King.”

A social gathering place, the bandstand held many commu-nity events and churches would use it for their meetings.

“For a long time it was the heart of Elmira,” said Thompson.

“Every week people would come down to the bandstand to listen to music and talk with their neighbours and find out all the local gossip,” said Josephs.

In the 1920s, Mary Hambly of Elmira saw these weekly gath-erings with an entrepreneur’s eye. With the bandstand located across the street from her home she began to sell food and ice cream to those in attendance.

“She would set up a stand by

they found that Bowman had erected columns on top of the original bandstand’s supporting posts and not on footings in the ground, which had caused the structure to tilt over the years.

“The first restoration they found there were a lot of things to repair and fix that they did not expect,” said Thompson.

The restoration of the band-stand was originally planned to have coincided with the centen-nial celebrations of the town in 1986, but it would not be com-pleted until June 1988.

Dan Waters of New Day Con-tracting in Wallenstein won the bid for the restoration work. When making repairs the com-pany faced many problems, including the rotten roof rafters and cornice, but managed to complete the work in the summer of 1988 when it was designated a heritage structure.

The bandstand is once again in need of a major restoration

and the township has launched a community fundraising drive, with residents encouraged to contribute to the effort.

Much of the wood is again rot-ting and needs to be replaced. The same goes for the existing asbestos shingles on the roof. Council has earmarked $80,000 to deal with the basic structural deficiencies.

The bandstand has a historic value for the entertainment it provided throughout the years but is also historically significant as it is one of the last of its type in the country.

“As far as I know, the band-stand in Elmira and one located in Halifax are the only two band-stands of their type to still be standing,” said Thompson. “They are open all the way around al-lowing visitors to sit anywhere to listen to the music; most band shells today are closed off in the back as that allows the music to travel out to the audience.”

BANDSTAND: Township has established community fund to help with restoration efforts

ELMIRA BANDSTAND / TIMELINE

another new life for the ol’ bandstand

her porch and sold ice cream, which was a specialty because there were no freezers or re-frigerators in the houses,” said Josephs. “She capitalized on all these people coming to the week-ly concert and started making a living because of it.”

Eventually she would outgrow the porch and move her busi-ness down the street, opening up Hambly Grocery, which became a fixture in Elmira for many years.

By the 1980s, the bandstand looked more like the leaning tower of Pisa.

Bowman had given the old bandstand new life by reusing the old base and building a roof on to it but over the years the wood had begun to rot and the bandstand was in need of a res-toration.

When Woolwich Township decided to have the bandstand designated as a heritage struc-ture and renovate it for Elmira’s centennial celebrations in 1986

FROM | 11

The bandstand was originally built in 1892, with an addition added in 1912. It underwent a renovation in the 1980s and is now in need of a full restoration including replacing the rotten wood, the asbestos shingles on the roof and a new paint job. [COLIN DEWAR / THE OBSERVER]

The bandstand was originally built at the corner of Arthur and Church streets by Henry Zilliax outside his hotel, the Anglo-American House

1892

Lightning hits a stable located between the Anglo-American House and the Union Hotel, destroying both buildings in a fire. The bandstand survives and is moved to Gore Park during the rebuild

1898 Arthur Bowman of Elmira wins the contract to restore the bandstand and builds the octagonal roof.

19121986

Elmira celebrates its centennial year and plans to have the bandstand renovated to mark the event.

The bandstand is fully renovated and designated a heritage structure

1988

The bandstand is once again in need of a full restoration and Woolwich Township earmarks $80,000 to deal with the basic structural deficiencies and launches a community fundraiser to encourage residents to contribute to the effort.

2012p p p p p p

The 2012 farm show will be held on Wednesday, April 4th and Thursday, April 5th

at the PMD Arena Complex in Drayton, Ontario.

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One dollar of every admission is designated to Cystic Fibrosis research as well as other projects throughout the year.

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This year’s tractor is a 1/16 scale John Deere 730 wide front end tractor with blade. It is a customized fenderless tractor from Ertl's prestige collection. It is highly detailed with a 3 point hitch, air breather, hand painting, custom decals and show box. Order yours now while supplies last.

John Deere 730 (1958-1961)

Manufactured in Waterloo, Iowa, USA, Argentina and Mexico. The original price was $3,700. 59 PTO hp. A total of 24,495 of these tractors were built. They had 2 cylinder

engines with the options of gasoline, all-fuel, LP gas, and diesel. Along with the 720, it held a 27 year fuel economy record for most efficient diesel tractor. Notable options were the

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DRAYTON KINSMEN FARM SHOW | 13THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 201214 | DRAYTON KINSMEN FARM SHOW

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The 2012 farm show will be held onWednesday, April 4th and Thursday, April 5th

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DRAYTON KINSMEN FARM SHOW | 15THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

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16 | SPORTS THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

SPORTS16 | SPORTS

SPORTSELMIRA/ SUGAR KINGS

No repeat as Kings fall to Stratford

COLIN DEWAR

KINGS | 22

Major Atom AA squad capture OMHA titleWoolwich team repeats victory after stepping up from Minor A last season

JAMES JACKSON

OMHA CHAMPS | 20

OMHA/ CHAMPIONS

Elmira’s Erin Zach helps lead RIT to national championshipJAMES JACKSON

Elmira resident Erin Zach helped make NCAA history on Mar. 17 when her Rochester Institute of Tech-nology teammates captured the school’s first Division III women’s ice hockey na-tional championship.

“It’s an indescribable feel-ing. It was amazing,” said an elated Zach from her parent’s home in Elmira, where she is recovering

The Woolwich Major Atom AA hockey team laid claim to their second consecutive Ontario Minor Hockey Association cham-pionship thanks to a three-game sweep of Whitby on Mar. 23.

The team is virtually the same lineup as the Minor Atom A team that took home the OMHA title last season, one of four Wool-wich teams to make it to the finals.

“It’s nice to put a bit of a stamp on this year where we were maybe a bit of an underdog,” said head coach Tony Code. The team made the jump to the AA level of play this sea-son, and Code said many teams may have over-looked Woolwich with the assumption that they were in over their heads.

The team responded to the higher level of compe-tition by wrapping up the OMHA title in just three games.

“We were able to prove people wrong and that’s a testament to what kind of commitment and the hard work that these guys put

It was an emotional night at the Dan Snyder Memorial Arena last Sunday as the defending Sutherland Cup all-Ontario Jr. B hockey champions, the Elmira Sug-ar Kings, lost to the visiting Stratford Cullitons in Game Six of their second round series, eliminating them from the playoffs.

The Cullitons managed to erase a two-goal deficit in the third period to clinch the series with a 4-3 win

An emotional Elmira goaltender Nick Horrigan speaks to four young fans after losing to the Stratford Cullitons 4-3 in Game Six of their second-round series, a loss that eliminated the Kings from the playoffs. [COLIN DEWAR/OBSERVER]

from an illness.The RIT Tigers scored

three third-period goals in front of a home crowd of nearly 1,200 fans to snap a 1-1 tie and defeat the de-fending national champion-ship team from Norwich University. Zach also said the presence of her parents, who make the three-and-a-half hour drive to Rochester for almost all of her games, was a big boost.

“The fans were amaz-

ing and it was great being at home and not having to travel and everyone was cheering so loudly when we won,” she said, adding it was nice to get revenge on the Norwich team that had beaten RIT in last year’s championship game.

Although she was kept off the scoreboard in the final game, the title caps off a strong season for Zach in her second year of play for the Tigers.The forward

finished with six goals and eight assists in 27 games this year, helping RIT set a Division III record for wins with 28.

In the finals Zach said the coaches and players stressed keeping the game simple and just continue to play their own style of game.

“We just talked about how we should play our game and not take any dumb penalties,” she said. “Just

keep up the good work that we had done all year, and go out and do what we can do.”

“This is a team that played hard thoughout the season. Going into the third period tonight at 1-1, we knew we weren’t losing,” said RIT head coach Scott McDonald. “We wanted it more, blocked shots, got in lanes, did all the little things that allowed us to win.”

The Tigers are now 54-3-3

over the past two seasons and shortly after the cham-pionship win announced they would be moving up to Division I play starting next season. Normally a two-year process, the team was admitted due to Niagara University dropping its women’s hockey program, a move announced last week.

Zach said that her coaches and teammates are

ZACH | 17

over the Kings.“It was a huge game. We

were down 3-1 going into the third period and any time you are playing the champs you have to knock them out,” said Cullitons head coach Phil Westman after the game. “I think El-mira is the strongest team in the league – the puck just bounced our way tonight.”

The Kings were on a high after defeating Stratford at the Allman Arena two nights before in a nail-biter that saw the Elmira squad ahead by three midway

through the second pe-riod only to be forced into overtime as the Cullitons managed to claw their way back with three unanswered goals of their own in regula-tion time.

The Kings did not waste any time in the forced frame, as Brett Priestap sealed the deal with a clutch goal 36 seconds into the pe-riod. The win kept Elmira’s hopes alive heading back to home ice.

“Brett Priestap is just a heart and soul player, and he did everything that he

possibly could out on the ice and then some. I would love to have a team of Brett Priestaps,” said Dean DeSil-va Kings head coach.

Back home, the Kings were in complete control of Sunday’s game until the third period when emotions began to run high, over-whelming the team.

“As coaches we can talk to them all we want about controlling their emotions, but once that game starts it is up to the players to figure it out. For 45 minutes of the game they did, but Stratford

needs the credit: they never gave up, they kept battling and put pucks on net and they got a few bounces here and there in their favour,” said DeSilva.

The hits started to get harder and the Cullitons began to provoke Elmira players after the whistle, leading to unnecessary pen-alties to forwards Michael Hasson and Brad Kraus. That led to a momentum swing that Stratford easily took command of, eventu-

THE SCORE

THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012 SPORTS | 17

SWEEP GIVES TC ATOMS THE OMHA CHAMPIONSHIP

The Twin Centre Atom AE team won the OMHA championship with a 3-game sweep over Centre Hastings. The team went undefeated in all 15 OMHA playoff games, sweeping all 5 of their series’, to become champions. Back row: Jeff Kaufman, David Zyta, Steve Krulicki, Dan Koebel. Middle row: Dylan Hehn, Caleb Wellman, Ben Hayden, Alex Kaufman, Curtis Butler, Blair Bender, Tyler Zyta, Devon Lee, Brock Krulicki, Josh Hubert. Front row: Blair Gowing, Jack Koebel, Cameron Hoy, William Weber, Peter Holmes, Liam Robertson. [SUBMITTED]

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taking a realistic ap-proach to the move to the more competi-tive level of hockey. They’ve just won the national champion-ships but are hard at work training for

next season, she said.

“It’s definitely going to be differ-ent,” she said. “We’re hoping to be at least in the middle of the pack. It’s going to be hard but we’re in spring training right

now and doing some hard lifting to hope-fully bulk up a little bit and play on the big stage.”

Now in her second year of studying me-dia arts and technol-ogy, the sophomore was accepted to RIT

on financial assis-tance after starring for the Cambridge Fury and the EDSS Lancers, and was named the Central Western Ontario Secondary School Association MVP in 2010.

ZACH: NCAA Division III title was a first for women’s hockey team that had a strong 2011-2012 season FROM | 16

WOOLWICH WILDCATS

Novice: LL #1New Hamburg Novice LL

TournamentMar 24 vs New HamburgWoolwich: 2 New Hamburg: 1Goals: Ben Fretz x2Assists: Logan BeardMar 24 vs New HamburgWoolwich: 2 New Hamburg: 1Goals: Ben Fretz x2Mar 24 vs Twin CentreWoolwich: 3 Twin Centre: 2Goals: Ben Fretz x2, James McCormickAssists: Corbin Schmidt, Logan Beard

Novice: LL #4Mar 19 vs AyrWoolwich: 4 Ayr: 3Goals: Simon Shantz x2, Dustin Good x2Assists: James Berti, Sam Siopiolosz, Nolan KargerMar 24 vs New HamburgWoolwich: 6 New Hamburg: 5 (OT)Goals: Simon Shantz x3, Dustin Good x2, Jackson DumartAssists: Nolan Karger, James BertiMar 24 vs New HamburgNew Hamburg: 7 Woolwich: 1Goals: Simon ShantzMar 24 vs New Hamburg

Woolwich: 4 New Hamburg: 3 (shootout)Goals: Simon Shantz x3, Dustin Good Assists: Simon ShantzMar 26 vs AyrWoolwich: 5 Ayr: 3Goals: Simon Shantz x4, Dustin GoodAssists: Nolan Karger x2, Thomas Hill-Ring, Lucas Radler, Dustin Good, Jackson DumartLeague D Division winners

Atom: MAJOR AAMar 23 vs WhitbyWoolwich: 5 Whitby: 1Goals: Jake Code x2, Joshua Martin, Lukas Shantz, Griffen RollinsAssists: Brody Waters, Jake Code, Eli Baldin, Kayden Zacharczuk, Owen Harnock

Peewee: AEMar 19 vs WaterlooWaterloo: 4 Woolwich: 3Goals: Daniel Gallant, Earl Schwartz, Cade SchausAssists: Benton Weber x2, Aaron Logan, Cade Schaus

Bantam: MINOR AMar 24 vs Centre WellingtonWoolwich: 3 Centre Wellington: 2Goals: Greg Huber x2, Colby Bond

Assists: Greg Huber, Connor RunstedlerMar 26 vs Centre WellingtonCentre Wellington: 2 Woolwich: 1 (OT)Goals: Ryley Cribbin

Midget: MAJOR AMar 19 vs GeorgetownGeorgetown: 4 Woolwich: 3Goals: Logan White, Adam Cook, Eric HanleyAssists: Wes Martin, Jordon Moore, Dalton Taylor, Evan YanthaMar 23 vs GeorgetownGeorgetown: 4 Woolwich: 3Goals: Matthew Schieck, Matthew Townsend, Wes MartinAssists: Ryan Ament, McKinley Ceaser, Mathew SchieckMar 25 vs GeorgetownWoolwich: 4 Georgetown: 2Goals: Matthew Townsend. Ryan Ament, Sebastein Huber, Evan YanthaAssists: Sebastein Huber, Matthew Schieck, Jordon Moore, McKinley Ceaser, Eric Hanley, Justin NeebMar 27 vs GeorgetownGeorgetown: 4 Woolwich: 1Goals: Matthew Schieck

WOOLWICH WILD

Atom: LLMar 10 vs WilmotWoolwich: 0 Wilmot: 0Shutout: Brianna FlemingMar 19 vs CambridgeCambridge: 3 Woolwich: 0Mar 24 vs KitchenerKitchener: 7 Woolwich: 1

Goals: Abby Leibold

TWIN CENTRE STARS

Atom: AEMar 23 vs Centre HastingsTwin Centre: 5 Centre Hastings: 0Goals: Jack Koebel x2, Ben Hayden, Will Weber, Brock KrulickiAssists: Brock Krulicki, Josh Hubert, Blair Bender, Curtis Butler, Tyler Zyta

Shutout: Blair Gowing

Peewee: REPMar 24 vs TavistockTwin Centre: 2 Tavistock: 0Goals: Troy Hemmerich, Evan GowingAssists: Will Martin, Brett Hartin, Jessica McLachlanShutout: Nathan BelcourtMar 27 vs TavistockTwin Centre: 2

Tavistock: 2Goals: Cole Bender, Joel HeiseAssists: Mitch Esbaugh x2, Cole Bender

TWIN CENTRE HERICANES

Novice: LL #1Mar 26 vs WoolwichTwin Centre: 5 Woolwich: 3Goals: Katie Lee, Kara Dietrich, Lindsay Miller, Halle Murray,

Marlee FraserAssists: Brooklyn Reid x3, Avery Bender, Marlee Fraser

Atom: LL # 7547Mar 25 vs Grand RiverTwin Centre: 2 Grand River: 0Goals: Tyana Bruns x2Assists: Marissa LeboldShutout: Kylee Zacharczuk

Peewee: BMar 23 vs WoodstockTwin Centre: 1 Woodstock: 0Goals: Laura WeberShutout: Tiffany TownsMar 24 vs WoodstockTwin Centre: 2 Woodstock: 1Goals: Leah Sebben, Lauren QuehlAssists: Lauren Quehl, Leah Sebben, Delanie Kidnie

Midget: #1Mar 26 vs StratfordTwin Centre: 1 Stratford: 0Goals: Shannon LorentzShutout: Lindsay Dietrich

Elmira’s Erin Zach helped the RIT Tigers claim the Division III NCAA national championship earlier this month. Zach, a former EDSS star, contributed six goals and eight assists this year and the team is preparing to make the move to Division I play next season. [SUBMITTED]

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR SCORES ONLINE:

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR WEEKLY SPORTS SCORES USING THE ONLINE SUBMISSION FORM AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE, OBSERVERXTRA.COM. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS WEDNESDAY AT 5:00 P.M. TO SUBMIT TEAM PHOTOS, PLEASE EMAIL: jjackson@woolwichobserver.com.

18 | SPORTS THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

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Great run this year. Thanks Jacks.

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Congratulations Jacks on a great season!Congratulations Jacks on a great season!

The Wellesley Applejacks are preparing for an offseason of rebuilding as their roster is set for a major shakeup following a five-game round one defeat to Ayr. Players from this year’s squad include: Josh Heer, Derek Lebold, James Mildon, Mark Detzler, Bobby Gray, Justin Lebold, Kevin Howorth, Shawn Fitzpatrick, Mitch Metzger, Reid Denstedt, Rob Hinschberger, Jake Steenson, Josh Herd, Geoff Parr, Mark Hamilton, Connor McLeod, Corey Way, Blair Witmer, Spencer Geoffrey, Brett Vickers, Chris Bauman, Matt Sovereign, Tyler Eckert, Jordan Bauman, Trevor Olender. Head coach Kevin Fitzpatrick, assistant coach Jim Olender, manager Terry Brick, trainer Al Jones, assistant trainer Dan Hartung, volunteer Verna Metcalfe.. [heidi m. faul/images photography|

james jackson

Jacks undergoing a major rebuild for next season

When Andrew Rich-ard of the Ayr Centenni-als beat goaltender Josh Heer of the Wellesley Applejacks at 18:01 of the first overtime period back on Mar. 1, the Game 5 vic-tory sealed the fate of the Jacks for another year, as they were ousted from the

Sothern Ontario Junior Hockey League playoffs.

The finish was a frus-trating one for players and management alike, as they had hoped to not only avoid a repeat of last year’s opening-round five-game defeat (also at the hand of the Centennials), but advance to the second round for the first time in more than four years.

It was not to be, howev-er, which has forced man-agement back to the draw-ing board for the 2012-2013 season a little earlier than they had hoped.

“We’ve talked to a lot of players for next year, and there are a few that we’re really interested in,” said Jacks head coach and general manager Kevin Fitzpatrick earlier this

week. He said that the re-cruitment process was an ongoing on, and that they had targeted a handful of players that they are pur-suing for next season.

In the Junior hockey ranks, the process of plan-ning for “next season” is a perennial one, with the uncertainty surrounding call-ups to more competi-tive leagues, players leav-

SPORTS | 19THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

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Congratulations Jacks on a great season!Congratulations Jacks on a great season!

The Wellesley Applejacks are preparing for an offseason of rebuilding as their roster is set for a major shakeup following a five-game round one defeat to Ayr. Players from this year’s squad include: Josh Heer, Derek Lebold, James Mildon, Mark Detzler, Bobby Gray, Justin Lebold, Kevin Howorth, Shawn Fitzpatrick, Mitch Metzger, Reid Denstedt, Rob Hinschberger, Jake Steenson, Josh Herd, Geoff Parr, Mark Hamilton, Connor McLeod, Corey Way, Blair Witmer, Spencer Geoffrey, Brett Vickers, Chris Bauman, Matt Sovereign, Tyler Eckert, Jordan Bauman, Trevor Olender. Head coach Kevin Fitzpatrick, assistant coach Jim Olender, manager Terry Brick, trainer Al Jones, assistant trainer Dan Hartung, volunteer Verna Metcalfe.. [heidi m. faul/images photography|

Jacks undergoing a major rebuild for next seasoning for school or work, and the ever-present reality of age.

With 19 players on the current roster 20 years of age or older in 2012, next year’s team will have a much different look than the squad that left the ice a month ago.

Each team is only permitted four over-age players, and while they

carried two this past year, Fitzpatrick said they will certainly fill all four posi-tions for the upcoming season – though he gave no indication of who those players might be.

Another source of un-certainty is the proposed merger of the Junior D and Junior C leagues, and Fitzpatrick is on that merger committee. He

said they plan to meet a couple of times in April, and that there are about 25 points that need to be worked out, with league alignment being the big-gest issue, but the list also includes league rivalries and potential rivalries, transportation costs, and the scheduling of home games.

“There are still a lot of

variables,” Fitzpatrick said.

The timing for training camp for next season still has to be finalized, as it hinges on the outcome of the merger discussions, but as always, Fitzpatrick said the Jacks will ice a competitive team that can hopefully build on some of their success earlier this season.

20 | SPORTS THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

NOT SO GREAT OUTDOORSMAN / STEVE GALEA

OPENCOUNTRY

Out having a hoot: so, who’s the turkey now?

The other day I was out shooting my bow in the yard at noon when I heard the familiar call that says “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you?”

Since my mother wasn’t around, I knew it had to be a barred owl.

Suddenly, it occurred to me that this was highly unusual. I mean for a grown man who has been out on his own for more than 30

years to still think that his mother cooks for him? Wow.

Also, barred owls typi-cally announce their pres-ence at night – not in broad daylight. Which is why my quick and nimble mind ar-rived at two conclusions: either that was a hunter practicing with a barred owl call or this bird was what the owl community refers to as a day owl.

Frankly, the calling was far too good to come from your run of the mill hunter. But let’s examine that possi-bility anyway shall we?

First, let me explain that sometimes turkey hunters

use barred owl calls to lo-cate turkeys that are sitting on the roost for the night. There’s something about that call that unnerves tur-keys and causes them to sound off in loud response. Perhaps it might have to do with the fact that owls some-times lop the heads off of turkeys as they try to rest.

In any case, because of this, we hunters have learned to imitate barred owls in hopes of locating nervous birds on the roost – and also because it’s fun to do at social events.

In a way, this is our ver-sion of a turkey IQ test. You

see, I figure only the truly stupid birds respond. The smart ones, I’m guessing, just remain absolutely silent and allow the owls to key in on that one bird among them who just can’t shut up – isn’t it funny that no matter the species, there’s always one like this in the gang?

What could a turkey like that be thinking?

Let’s face it; you’d have to be a fairly dumb human to yell in response to maniacal laughter and the revving of a chainsaw outside your tent. Sure, it’s a noble act of defiance, but it’s not exactly

prudent to let a psychotic predator know exactly where you are.

But some turkeys can’t help themselves, I suppose. It’s just not in their nature to be quiet.

As I said earlier, however, this was far too realistic a call to be a hunter. Besides it’s still way too early to roost birds. And you don’t do this at noon in any case.

No, it had to be a day owl or at least one who is work-ing overtime. Believe me, that’s weird, even as owls go.

Either way, this incident worries me a bit. You see, the local flock was not on

the roost, but you’d think there would have been at least one dumb bird to take the bait and respond to that call. Yet there wasn’t.

This has got me thinking that I might be dealing with some very cagey birds this turkey season. And that nev-er bodes well for a hunter of my abilities.

But, you know, when that barred owl sounded off for the second time, and I responded with my best gobbler imitation, I thought, there’s got to be at least one not-so-smart animal in the woods who can’t shut up.

Let’s hope so.

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OMHA CHAMPS: With title under their belts, the players now get ready for OHF competition

The Woolwich Major Atom AA team won their second consecutive OMHA title by sweeping their 3-game series against Whitby. They advance to the OHF championships in Kitchener from April 13-15. Back row: John Robertson (coach), Tony Code (coach), Rob Cousineau (coach), Tim Rollins (coach). Second row: Kurtis Hoover, Owen Harnock, Josh Martin, Brody Waters, Austin Cousineau, Justin Taylor, Eli Baldin. Third row: Kayden Zacharczuk, Lukas Shantz, Jake Code, Griffen Rollins, Mackenzie (Bubba) Willms, Sam Davidson. Front: goalies Cyrus Martin and Riley Demers. [JAMES JACKSON/OBSERVER]

together every day,” said Code.

The coach said the two teams were actually quite evenly matched, and that is reflected in the score of the opening two games played in Elmira. In Game 1 on Mar. 17 Woolwich managed a 2-0 win with both goals coming in the second period courtesy of Lukas Shantz and Justin Taylor. Goaltender Cyrus Martin had the shutout.

Not to be outdone, Mar-tin’s goaltending partner Riley Demers had his own shutout in Game 2 the next day in a 1-0 win over Whitby, and the lone goal came off the stick of Brody Waters.

In Game 3, with the teams tied 1-1 after the first period, Woolwich respond-ed with two goals in the second and two more in the third to seal the 5-1 win and the 3-0 series sweep.

FROM | 16

Goals came courtesy of Josh Martin, Lukas Shantz,

Griffen Rollins, and a pair from Jake Code.

For the head coach, sealing the deal in Game

3 was important, because in the semi-finals against

Oakville the Woolwich team managed to erase a 2-0 series deficit by win-ning the next three to ad-vance to the finals.

“From a coaching stand-point it allowed me to talk to that and say ‘you can’t take your foot off the gas against this team because we were down and some-body allowed us to get back into it,’” said Code.

Remarkably the team’s season still isn’t finished. They are now preparing to compete in the Ontario Hockey Federation finals that will see them faceoff against the best teams in the rest of the province from Apr. 13-15 in Kitch-ener. The OHF is the larg-est of three Hockey Can-ada branches that govern hockey in Ontario.

“We’re still going. It was a big deal to win the OMHA’s but hopefully we can get re-focused and continue on.”

SPORTS | 21THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

The annual Senior Games are headed for El-mira this summer, though they will be played under a slightly different format this year.

Previously associated with District 26 of the Senior Games Association of On-tario for nearly 30 years, the two have severed their part-nership this year, meaning the games will take on a new moniker as the Woolwich 55+ Invitational Games.

“The format is the same. The rules and everything are all the same, it’s just that we’re on our own,” said chairperson George Read.

The games are open to all seniors 55 years of age and older living within the seven areas of the Golden Triangle of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, New Hamburg, Fergus, Elmira and Guelph, and participants do not need to be a part of any se-niors group or association to participate.

Read said that registra-tion forms, along with a full schedule of events and information on how to register, will be distributed

Elmira contingent gearing up to host Senior GamesJAMES JACKSON

A group of more than 50 seniors gathered at the seniors centre in the Woolwich Memorial Centre on Mar. 24 to play Solo, one of the card games that will be featured at the Woolwich 55+ Invitational Games from June 4-12 in Elmira. Some 700 athletes from across the Golden Triangle are expected to compete. [JAMES JACKSON/OBSERVER]

to seniors’ activity centres throughout those seven cit-ies soon, and the deadline for registration is May 16.

The games include 21 events, ranging from golf and horseshoes to darts and swimming, and they will almost all be played right here in Elmira, save for 10-pin bowling, which will be played in Guelph.

When asked what the most popular games were at the event, there was no hesi-tation in his answer.

“Card games. Euchre, bid

euchre and bridge,” he said. Bridge in particular has re-ally picked up in popularity since the last time Woolwich hosted the games back in 2005, nearly tripling in numbers since then.

“I haven’t a clue how to play it, but I watch some-times,” Read said with a laugh.

Despite being in prepara-tion mode for more than six months, Read said the group has had dif-ficulty in fundraising for the event. He said in 2005

it cost $16,000 to operate the games, and he expects the same this time around. Many of those fees are to cover the rental of the ice pad and the swimming pool at the Woolwich Memorial Centre, as well as other fa-cilities.

“Fundraising isn’t as easy as it used to be. Everything is tight, so we’ve had to work

a little harder on that.”He said the games are not

only a great way for seniors to get involved in their com-munity and to meet new people, they will also pro-vide a boost to local busi-nesses. He said they had about 700 athletes come to town in 2005, along with their families.

He also said that despite the age of the participants, the competitive juices are still flowing.

“They take it seriously. Especially cards,” he said. “If you make a mistake, they’ll let you know.”

The Woolwich 55+ Invi-tational Games are set for June 4-12. Registration is $8 for the first event entered and $3 for any additional event. Return completed registration forms and cheques (payable to 55+ Invitational Games) to; 55+ Invitational Games, 24 Sny-der Ave. S., Elmira, N3B 1Y9.

ARTHUR BANTAMS ARE TRI-COUNTY CHAMPS

The Arthur Bantam Vipers celebrate their 2011/2012 Tri-County championship following a 3-0 series win against the Dundas Blues. The team included local players Kordic Weigel and Chace McCallum, who extend their gratitude to the coaching staff for a great season. Back row: John Benham, Jeff McKee, Zack Benham, Jacob Benham, Tristan Binkly, Kyle Stewart, Josh McKee, Marshall Green, Jason Nauta, Richard Nauta, Matt Coffey. Middle row: Jacob Brownson, Dennis Coffey, Josh Ellis, Josh Bowen. Front row: Kordic Weigel, Logan Gilder, Chace McCallum. [SUBMITTED]

ELMIRA HOSTS REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Waterloo Synchro Club hosted the Western Ontario Regional Championships on Mar. 24-25 in Elmira, where the club took home 27 podium finishes in 15 events, including 11 gold medals. Gold medalists included Amy Knechtel in the 15U solo event (left) and Jasmine Myers and Maggie Steinbach (above) in the 12U duet event. See page 30 for more photos. [SUBMITTED]

NOVICE LL#3 UNDEFEATED IN MOUNT FOREST

The Woolwich Novice LL #3 went undefeated in the Mount Forest Novice Top Hat Tournament Mar 25. Players: Matt Yorke, Keith Mikel, Aiden Von Kannen, Ryan Curtis, Brady Gingrich, Logan Frey, Jordan Chang, Mitchell Brubacher, Finn Matthews, Cole Seabrook, Will McDougall, Simon Bauman, Jon Horst. Goalie: Dominic Roth. Coaches: Kirby Gingrich, Craig Curtis, Matt Roth. [SUBMITTED]

22 | SPORTS THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

ally scoring the equalizer on a power play.

“We had to come out play-ing with all we had in the third period. By no means did Elmira sit back and try and play defence, they tried to bring their game, but it is natural to sit back and the pressure was on them to seal it. When we scored to bring the game to 3-2 it ignited our bench and it sinks their bench. In Junior hockey there are so many momentum swings, and it just ran our way in this game,” said Westman.

With the score tied at three apiece, the Cullitons forced Kings goalie Nick Horrigan to work between the pipes, creating confu-sion in front of the net that allowed Steve Dol to tip the game- and series-winner past Horrigan with just un-der five minutes left to play.

The Kings would never recover.

“The guys feel horrible but we let our emotions con-trol us – that is part of the sport and life and growing up and learning. That is the life skill they can take out of this game,” said DeSilva. “I couldn’t have asked more from these guys. We were hoping to come into the room afterwards and it was going to be blood, sweat and cheers but unfortunately it was blood, sweat and tears.”

As the final whistle blew the Kings took to centre ice and raised their sticks salut-ing more than 1,400 fans who packed the arena to see their team play. Slowly the Kings left the ice after receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

“It is real tough for teams to repeat and real tough

KINGS: Defending Sutherland Cup champs let Game Six slip away from them in emotional contestFROM | 16

NOVICE LL#4 WINS NEW HAMBURG TOURNEY

The Woolwich Novice LL#4 team won the B Division in the New Hamburg tournament, going undefeated in three games and beating Twin Centre 3-2 in the finals on Mar. 24. [SUBMITTED]

THEY’RE D DIVISION CHAMPS

On Mar. 26, the Woolwich Novice LL #4 won the Grand River Local League D Division championship in St. Jacobs. Players include James Berti, Tanis Uhrig, Sam Siopiolosz, Daniel Kelly, Nolan Karger, Owen Hackert, Thomas Hill-Ring, Simon Shantz, Oscar Fitch, Lucas Radler, Jordan Wang, Jackson Dumart, Dustin Good, John Siopiolosz (coach), Dan Ring (trainer), Andrew Karger (manager), Brad Hackert (assistant coach), Chris Kelly (assistant coach). [SUBMITTED]

when you have an older team like we do because their emotions go up and down and a couple of years from now they are going to look back and think what did we do and what didn’t we do but I feel they gave everything they possibly had. I pushed them hard

all year and they gave me everything they had; I could not ask anymore from them,” said DeSilva.

The Kings will lose eight players to graduation this year. A few players are off to the CIS and NCAA, includ-ing leading scorer Andrew Smith, who racked up 44

goals in the season, and netminder Horrigan, who compiled 51 wins against 23 loses and a career 0.912 save percentage.

“We will be in full rebuild-ing mode next year,” said DeSilva.

After the arena emptied, a visibly emotional Horrigan

slipped out of the change room heading to the rink to look at the ice he called home for the last three sea-sons.

Standing at rink level he was greeted by four young fans who each in turn gave their hero a hug and told him he had done all he

could. Horrigan spoke to the young boys for a few min-utes as they told him they would all love to play as a King one day. He told them to work hard and never give up on their dreams before turning to the glass to look at the rink one last time as a King.

The Kings raise their sticks to salute the 1,400 fans at the Dan Snyder Memorial Arena after losing to Stratford and ending their playoff run. [COLIN DEWAR/OBSERVER]

VENTURE | 23THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

VENTUREFOOD FOR THOUGHT/ OWEN ROBERTS

FIELDNOTES

NEW BUSINESS / HEALTHY OUTCOMES

Trying to find just the right balance

Everyone wants the best for their kids, which has traditionally meant trying to steer them to-wards reliable jobs that keep them upwardly mo-bile or at least stable, and able to live within their means.

I’m lucky my three kids have all, in some way, made agriculture and food their profession, either by choice, luck or marriage. I think they’ve made wise choices, and everywhere I look their decisions to be part of the industry are confirmed, particularly as the world wakes up to the need for a new emphasis on agriculture and food.

It hit me again this week when I looked at conclusions from a group of scientific leaders from 13 countries (not Canada, sadly), called the Com-mission on Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change. They called for an “enabling environment” globally for all stakehold-ers in the agri-food sector – from small farmers to national governments – to invest in the economic and environmental re-siliency of their land re-sources.

A key part of the com-mission’s position is its inclusion of government reform. Too often, the emphasis is all put on farmers to make produc-tion changes that will help them address current and future hunger. But that won’t happen unless governments help create a working environment and culture that supports agri-food development.

The commission cited seven action points. These included integrating food security and sustainable agriculture into global

Got kids? Steer them towards agri-food

FOOD FOR THOUGHT/ OWEN ROBERTS

ROBERTS | 24

Pair of registered massage therapists establish a clinic in Breslau with launch of Achieve Balance

COLIN DEWAR

MASSAGE THERAPY | 24

VENTUREPROFILE

BUSINESS: Achieve Balance

LOCATION: 10 Dolman St., Unit 2, Breslau

PHONE: 519-213-0185

OWNERS: Shari Koudijs and Darlene Rahn

Entering Achieve Bal-ance a massage therapy clinic located in the plaza on Dolman Street in Bre-slau, one is greeted with warm and calming earth tones setting the mood for a relaxing massage.

Owners Shari Koudijs and Darlene Rahn, both registered massage thera-pists, began their new ven-ture earlier this month and are glad to call the village home.

“This is a growing com-munity and we wanted to be apart of it and offer the services to the people of the area,” said Koudijs. “Breslau has the small-town feel and there is a convenience for the people here as they can walk to their appointments. Ev-eryone has commented on how nice it is that they can walk here.”

The two friends said they saw an opportunity in being the first massage therapists in the area, as Breslau continues to grow and more businesses come into the neighbourhood.

“Instead of living in Kitchener and working there, more and more peo-ple are opting to move to Breslau to raise their kids,” said Rahn, adding the pro-posed GO station will be giving the community a boost.

“Breslau is the new bedroom community. It is perfectly centered for people who work in Elmira, Guelph or Cambridge there are a lot of opportunities here and we are taking ad-vantage of that.”

Both massage therapists have focused on differ-ent areas of the industry, with Rahn specializing in lymphedema patients and treating runners. Being a runner herself, she knows how to deal with such in-juries.

Koudijs specializes in breast cancer patients. She has also worked with many

pro athletes over the years, including members of the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Hamilton Tiger Cats, giving her an expertise in dealing with athletic inju-ries.

Achieve Balance also offers deep tissue massage, relaxation massages, sport massage, prenatal massage and infant massage, and the manual lymph drain-age that requires clients to come in every day for two or three weeks.

“Massage therapy can treat many conditions such as tendonitis, sprains, and we can focus on releasing chronic tension and lower-ing blood pressure, which helps improve our client’s sense of well being,” said Koudijs.

The store offers two mas-sage rooms, an ultra sound room and rehab area for cancer patients who do not have a large range of mo-tion and the therapist teach them how to use weights, exercise mats and rollers to increase their range.

Koudijs started in the profession in 1999 while working with amputees and was impressed with the quick results she was seeing with the scar tissue, allowing her clients to put their prosthetics on much faster than if they just let it heal on their own.

“It was seeing those re-sults that brought me to the profession, being able to help someone and make a difference was what I was seeking professionally.”

For Rahn it was being a marathon runner that led her to massage therapy.

Darlene Rahn (left) and Shari Koudijs are the owners of Achieve Balance, a massage therapy clinic in Breslau. The two therapists specialize in a range of different massage techniques for their clients. Below, one of two massage rooms at the clinic that offer a warm and soothing atmosphere for clients looking to relax. [COLIN DEWAR / THE OBSERVER]

24 | VENTURE THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

and national policies, significantly raising the level of global investment in sustainable agriculture and food systems in the next decade, and creating comprehensive, shared, integrated information systems that encompass human and ecological di-mensions.

The latter point is where new careers in agricultural communications exist, particularly in a field called knowledge mobi-

lization, or knowledge translation and transfer. If no one can understand how to feed the world with new or existing technol-ogy on their own farms, these developments will sit dormant on shelves or be buried in computers. Social media gives new opportunities to farmers and other professionals to mobilize that knowledge quickly and effectively about research, approach-es and techniques that can enhance production.

Good reasons exist to invest in the agri-food sector. A new state of the union report from TD Canada Trust says food processing was the only manufacturing sector to grow in Ontario in the re-cession. This is due in part to that fact Canada is rich in agricultural resources, says the bank. As well, we’re fortunate that our province and country is stacked with smart farm-ers – University of Guelph graduates, among them –

who know how to work ex-port markets on one hand, and local food markets on the other. They know people all want the same thing – abroad, they want Canadian food because it’s safe, wholesome and nu-tritious. Locally, they also like these features, plus its home-grown appeal.

The Ontario govern-ment has long been a huge supporter of the agri-food sector. It understands, as the global commission urged, the need to meld

policy and production, to create a flexible working environment for farmers and give them research-driven tools to be the best they can be.

For its part, Ottawa issued an overview of Canada’s agri-food sector earlier this week, noting how it encompasses sev-eral industries including the farm input and ser-vice supplier industries, primary agriculture, food and beverage processing, food distribution, retail,

wholesale and food ser-vice industries. The sec-tor continues to play an important role in federal and provincial economies, says Ottawa, directly pro-viding one in eight jobs, employing two million people and accounting for more than eight per cent of total GDP.

This is a vital, growing sector in which to invest and work. Jobs are plen-tiful and new ideas are needed. Got kids? Suggest they try agri-food.

ROBERTS: Plenty of good career opportunities in the broader agri-food industryFROM | 23

FROM | 23

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“I would go in to see the therapist, unable to bend over and touch my toes, and when I would come out I could touch my toes. I thought that this was satisfaction and being able to help somebody that quickly, it just drew me in,” she explained.

Both therapists tout the benefits of massage, saying it boosts the circulation and the immune system. They emphasize many re-laxation techniques to their clients, most of whom work

at desks and develop bad posture.

“We alleviate the effects of stress and train them on developing a better pos-ture at work or home,” said Rahn. “The world piles on the stress and when you come here we take it all away.”

Only open for a month the business already has quite a diverse clientele, and the two women have received some very positive feedback from the com-munity.

“It has been great, every-one who comes here has

been really optimistic and they enjoy the fact that we are in the community and are able to just walk on over,” said Koudijs.

Both therapists are also working in other areas of the region they are cur-rently only seeing clients by appointment only with online booking available at www.achievebalance.ca. The therapists can also be reached at (519) 213-0185

MASSAGE THERAPY: With choice of location, owners seek to be part of the Breslau community

Achieve Balance opened on Mar. 3 and has had a lot of positive feed back from the community. [COLIN DEWAR / THE OBSERVER]

CLASSIFIED | 25THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012 CLASSIFIED | 25

CLASSIFIEDTHE MOSTNEWSPAPERS,IN MAILBOXESTHAN ANYONE.

PERIOD.

ADDRESS20-B ARTHUR ST. N., ELMIRA, ON N3B 1Z9

CLASSIFIED ADS519.669.5790 EXT 0

ads@woolwichobserver.com

DISPLAY ADS519.669.5790 EXT 104

sales@woolwichobserver.com

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

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

PLACING A CLASSIFIED WORD AD In person, email, phone or fax submissions are accepted during regular business hours. Deadline for Saturday publication is Wednesday by 5 p.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.

HELP WANTED AUCTIONS

HELP WANTED

#1 IN THE REGION100% LOCAL

TRACTORS: #253 M.F. 2WD Dsl, 4734 Hrs. 14.9x28 Rear, 6.0-16 Front, 3PH & Single Remote; 7110 Case I.H. 4WD Tractor, Dsl,Cab, 20.8x38 Rear,16.9x28 Front, 7987 Hrs.,2 Remotes, 12 Front

Weights w/Snap On Duals; D.B. 1200 Dsl. Tractor, 7419 Hrs.,16.9x34 Rear, Duals,

Not Running.

EQUIPMENT: 25’ Case I.H. 4300 Cult. w/Levelling Harrows; Kneverland BB115 High Clearance Adj. 6 Furrow Plough, As New;Vicon 3PH Fert. Spreader; 7200 J.D. 4 Row Corn Planter; 450 J.D. 21 Run Grain Drill w/Fert, Grass & Press Wheels; Bushog 20’ Wheel Disc; 4 Row McKee Corn Scuffler; 8’ Wheel Disc; Vicon Sprayer, 300 Gal. Tank, 42’ Booms; 3 Section 28’ Drum Roller; 12’ Rubber Tire Roller; 7’ Stone Fork; N.H. 654 Round Baler; Case I.H. 741 Forage Harvester; Pickup Head, 2 Row Corn Pickup Head; 9’ N.H. 492 Haybine; N.H.315 Hayliner Square Baler w/Thrower; (3) 300 Bu. Grain Wagons; Little Giant 36’ Bale Elevator on Wheels; (2) Dion Forage Boxes & Wagons; 400 Bu. R.J. Grain Wagon on Horst 205 Wagon; 20’ Wooden Bale Thrower Rack; Case I.H. 1580 Tandem 2 Beater Manure Spreader,End Gate; Belle City Built Threshing Machine, Galvanized; 3 Furrow Plough; 2&3 Furrow Trail Ploughs. (2) 5,000 Bu. Grain Bins. Plus Misc. See the Web www.grayauct.ca for complete list.

TERMS: Cash or Cheque with proper I.D. day of sale. Owners or auctioneers not responsible for accidents day of sale. Any verbal announcements day of sale take precedence over written ads.

OF 3 TRACTORS & FARM EQUIPMENT FOR DONALD ROSS,

8880 WELLINGTON RD.,TOWN OF MINTO, 1 MI. E. TEVIOTDALE ON HWY. 109,

N. 2 MI. ON WELLINGTON RD. TO FARM

THURSDAY, APRIL 5 AT 10:30 A.M.

To View: Call Robin (519)338-5948.

AUCTIONEERS: GRAY’S AUCTION SERVICE INC.,HARRISTON BARRY | (519) 338-3722

CLEARINGAUCTION SALE

STEWART SMITHCONSTRUCTION LTD.

ALMACall (519) 846-5312 or FAX (519) 846-9004

Concrete contractor doing mainly agricul-tural projects in Wellington County

Experienced in setting forms, flat work or concrete finishing an asset. Wage based on

experience. Paid benefit package and overtime

REQUIRES FULL TIME WORKERS

Looking to hire an experienced heavy truck mechanic, concrete pump operators, a dispatcher, and salesperson. Experienced operators preferred but will train qualified applicant. Must have DZ license. Competitive wages & benefits.

Please fax your resume to

519-648-3528

SCHWING

SUMMER STUDENT POSITIONS

EGS Electrical Group Canada Ltd.99 Union StreetElmira, Ontario, N3B 3L7Attn: Human ResourcesEmail: mary.houle@emerson.com

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

EGS Electrical Group Canada Ltd., a leading manufacturer of industrial electrical equipment is seeking two summer students. Prospective applicants must be registered in a post secondary program.

ASSEMBLY Must have the ability to use the following equipment: air gun, air screw driver, silicone machine, various hand tools, electric drill, high pot tester, packing machine, other testing devices, hand truck.Physical requirements: standing, walking, lifting up to 30 pounds, proficient hand dexterity skills.

WAREHOUSE Duties include: preparation of various products for shipping, miscellaneous warehouse duties, receiving in-coming supplies or customer returns, completion of documentation. Physical requirements: standing, walking, climbing stairs & ladders, lifting up to 30 pounds.

Please forward your resume in confidence to:

HELP WANTED

WORK WANTED

DRYWALLER, TAPER, 30 years experience, sprayed ceilings California. Call 519-669-5866.

EXPERIENCED MENNONITE CLEANING lady. In Elmira area only. Call Darlene at 519-669-2285, evenings.

HEALTH CARE

PAIN IN THE Neck, arms and shoulders? Backaches? Pain going down legs? Trouble sleeping? Winter blues? Call today: 519-577-3251. Grant’s Hands On Therapy. Elmira office or house calls.

FOR SALE

LG REFRIGERATOR STAIN-LESS Steel, 17 months old, French door with ice maker and water, bottom freezer $1499 (new $2100 + tx). Dana Douglas WALKER, basket, seat, wheels, adjustable height, folds for travel $149. Call 519-669-8694.

MATTRESS AND BOX Spring, new, never used, still in sealed bag. Sacrifice $195. Delivery available. Temper-pedic Memory Foam Mat-tress, new, never used, in sealed bag. Like sleeping on a cloud. No pressure points. Bankruptcy sale $595, box spring $200 extra. Delivery available. 519-635-8737.

MOVING SALE - 2 bedroom sets, blue sofa, La-Z-Boy sofa and loveseat, 60 gallon aquarium, stand and fish, corner desk and hutch, Roxton dining table with six chairs, outside tools. Call 519-669-1875 to see.

PERENNIAL SALE STARTING Friday March 30 and continu-ing through April and May. Open Monday to Saturday. 48 Duke St., Elmira.

AUCTIONS

SAT. MARCH 31 - Prop-erty auction of a 2 possible 3 bedroom home (condo) located in a retirement village (cottages of Living-stone Circle) in a great area of Kitchener to be held at 5-50 Midland Drive in Kitchener for Theresa Swartzenburg. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555 www.Jantziauctions.com

WED. APRIL 4 at 10:00 AM - Clearing auction sale of household effects; furniture; antiques; tools; and miscella-neous items to be held at the St. Jacob’s Community Centre in St. Jacob’s for a Waterloo estate with additions. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555 www.Jantziauctions.com

SAT. APRIL 7 at 10:00 AM - Clearing auction sale of a one and a half acre hobby farm or country property including a 4 bedroom brick house with barn; riding lawnmower; lawn and garden; household effects; antiques; tools; and miscellaneous items to be held at 4631 Perth Line 55 in Milverton for Henry and Mary Kuepfer. Jantzi Auctions Ltd. 519-656-3555 www.Jantzi-auctions.com

AUCTIONS

SAT. APRIL 14 at 10:00 AM - Property auction of a one acre country property including a one and a half story 4 bedroom house with finished in law suite. Situ-ated on a gorgeous property with a pond; mature trees; garden shed; etc. To be held at 3766 Lobsinger Line on the western edge of St. Clements for Reinhard and Patricia Wege.

SAT. APRIL 14 at noon - Clearing auction sale of household effects; antiques; collectables; Jadite glassware collection; lawn and garden tools; and miscellaneous items to be held at 97 Park Ave west in Elmira (near old race track) for Jackie and Stuart Lawrence. Jantzi Auctions 519-656-3555 www.jantziauctions.com

FARM SERVICES

KILN HEAT TREATMENT Service. 519-664-3688. Certi-fied to heat treat to ISPM#15 standards. Willow Brae Pallets.

PETS

MEGAMUTTS DOG TRAIN-ING, Spring Classes - group session or private, starting April 3, 6 weeks - $140.00. www.megamutts.com. or 519-669-8167.

PAWSITIVE CANINE CONNEC-TION Spring Classes have started, next Puppy Class April 23 (8 hours of training), Street Safety Class April 18 (24 hours of training). $20 Introductory Class April 14. All training is done outside without the use of treats. Dogs must have a martingale collar and a 6 foot leash. 519-500-3594 www.pawsitive-canineconnection.com

RENTALS

DRAYTON, PRIVATE, 2 bedroom, separate entrance, shared kitchen only. Avail-able immediately. $600/mth inclusive. Call 519-638-5020 or 519-504-6959.

ELMIRA 1 BEDROOM available Apr. 1. Downtown location above store, no pets. $510.00 plus utilities. For all inquiries please call 519-669-5431.

RENTALS

ELMIRA 2 - 1 bedroom apartments available. Units & building clean, modern and managed. No pets, non smoker please. $560 or $650 + utilities. Call 519-669-2212.

HOUSE TO SHARE. Person looking to share clean, quiet, three bedroom house in Wellesley. $500/mth utilities included. 519-327-8530.

MATURE COUPLE LOOKING to rent 2 - 3 bedroom home in Elmira area. Non smokers. 519-669-9343.

MOOREFIELD - ONE bedroom apartment furnished, laundry facilities, parking, electric heat, cable TV, no pets, adult building. Refer-ences. $695.00 inclusive. First & last. 519-638-3013.

GARAGE SALES

ANNUAL SPRING MOM2MOM Event now accepting vendors. Event date Sunday April 29th from 9 - noon at the Elora Community Centre. Call or email Kathleen for more information at 519-846-1239 or eloramom2mom@hotmail.com

INDOOR GARAGE SALE Woolwich Memorial Centre - Elmira. Sat. April 14, 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Some vendor space available. 519-669-6026.

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

FOR RENT.WITH REAL INVESTMENT YOU WILL SEE A REAL RETURN. MAKE THIS SPACE YOUR NEW HOME. ADVERTISE WITH US TODAY.

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE WITH AN AD IN THE OBSERVER.

$7.50 FOR 20 WORDS!

SPRINGCLEANING.

HOW TO REACH US PHONE 519.669.5790 | TOLL FREE 1.888.966.5942 | FAX 519.669.5753 | ONLINE WWW.OBSERVERXTRA.COM

26 | CLASSIFIED THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

519-669-4964100 SOUTH FIELD DRIVE, ELMIRA

CLEAN • DRY • SECURECall

Various sizes & rates

ReimerHyperbarics of Canada

F. David Reimer

Safe, effective and proven for 13 + UHMS (Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society) Approved indications:

● Crush Injury● Enhancement in Healing of Wounds● Necrotyzing Soft Tissue Infections● Intracranial Abscess● Clostridal Myosistis and Myonecrosis● Crush Injury. Compartment Syndrome● Skin Grafts and Flaps

UNDER PRESSURE TO HEAL

For more information call:

519-669-0220

www.reimerhbot.com

56 Howard Ave. Unit 2, Elmira, ON, N3B 2E1

● Air or Gas Embolism● Thermal Burns● Acute Traumatc Ischemias● Exceptional Blood Loss● Decompression Sickness● Carbon Monoxide Poisoning● Delayed Radiation Injury+ Many More

Established 2000

•Ratches, Hooks, Straps, Webbing etc.•Canvas, Vinyl, Polyester, Acrylic Fabrics

519.595.48306376 Perth Rd. 121

Poole, ON

GeneralRepairs

Boat Covers | Air Conditioner Covers | Small TarpsStorage Covers | BBQ Covers | Awnings & Canopies

Replacement Gazebo Tops | Golf Cart Enclosures & Covers

6376 Perth Rd. 121Poole, ON

22 Church St. W., Elmira

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

BICYCLE SALES & REPAIRSPROFESSIONAL BIKE MECHANIC ON STAFF

Buy your bike from us and get a FREE annual inspection!

$20PARTS EXTRA

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES GENERAL

...& SMALL BUSINESS ACCOUNTING

SHELLY & SCOTT TAYLOR

28 Pintail Drive, Elmira, ON, N3B 3G9

519-669-0003 taylortax@rogers.com

TIRE

35 Howard Ave., Elmira

519-669-3232

WHERE TIRES ARE A

SPECIALTY, NOT A SIDE LINE.

Farm • Auto • TruckIndustrial

On-The-Farm Service FAX: 519.669.3210

519.669.8917AFTER HOURS

101 Bonnie Crescent,Elmira, ON N3B 3G2

Complete Collision Service

519.669.8330 Call Us At(519)669-3373

33 First Street, EastElmira, ON

BODY MAINTENANCE AT:

RUDOW’S CARSTARCOLLISION CENTRE

THOMPSON’SAuto Tech Inc.Providing the latest technology

to repair your vehicle with accuracy and confidence. Accredited Test

& Repair Facility

519-669-440031 ORIOLE PKWY. E., ELMIRA

www.thompsonsauto.ca33 First Street, East

Elmira, ON

RUDOW’S CARSTARCOLLISION CENTRE

1-800-CARSTAR519-669-3373

24 Hour Accident Assistance

Quality Collision Service

21 Industrial Dr.Elmira

519-669-7652

AUTO CLINIC

FINANCIAL SERVICES

www.UniTwin.com | 519.886.2102QUICK LOCAL SERVICE | 245 Labrador Dr., Waterloo

TROPHIES | CUPS | PLAQUES | MEDALLIONS

RIBBONS | NAME TAGS | NAME PLATES

DOOR PLATES | CUSTOM ENGRAVING

RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING EFFORT!

World’s Largest & Most Trusted Carpet, Upholstery and Fine Rug

Cleaners For Over 30 yrs

Learn More Online At...budurl.com/SAVE139

669-3332

Chem-Dry Acclaim®

61 Arthur St., N. Elmira

NOW ACCEPTINGNEW CLIENTS$139 FREE Gift Offer

ORTLIEBCRANE

• 14 ton BoomTruck

• 40 ton Mobile Crane

& Equipment Ltd.

519-664-9999ST. JACOBS

24 Hour Service(Emergencies only)

7 Days A Week

Taking Salt to Peoples’ Basements Since 1988

519-747-2708

SoftenerSalt &

Pool Salt

Waterloowww.riepersalt.com

> Superior Salt Products> Fast, Friendly Service> Convenient Delivery Times> Discounts for Seniors

FREE BAGIntroductoryOffer

FREE BAGIntroductoryOffer

FOR THE MUSIC-LOVER IN

YOUR LIFE We’ll transfer music

from LPs, 45s, 78s and cassettes to CDs.

More Info & pricing vinylp2cd@gmail.com519-669-0541

ELMIRA, ON

We’ll take your favourite albums, clean up clicks, pops and surface noise and enhance the overall sound of the recording.

GENERAL SERVICES

• Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning on Location • Area Rug Cleaning Drop-off and Pick up Service • Bleached out Carpet Spot Repair • Janitorial • Grout Cleaning • Carpet Repair & Re-Installation • Pet deodorization • Floor Stripping

ROB McNALL 519-669-7607

Call for Details

LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-866-669-7607

Have You Paid EnoughTaxes? Call Us For Our

PAY NOTAXESSPRING CLEAN UP!

www.completecarpetcare.ca

HEALTH SERVICES

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY

GENERAL SERVICES

-Service both residential and commercial driveways and parking lots.-"Your driveway/parking lot is the �rst thing guests see -keep it looking its best."-Sealing Asphalt will help protect against �uid & oil spills, preserves it so it will last longer, and improve curb appeal.-

ABSOLUTEDRIVEWAY SEALING

SAVE THE HST WHEN YOU TELL US YOU SAW THE AD IN THE "OBSERVER”

BRAD GERBER519.656.3245 e: bg-absolutesealer@live.ca

SERVICE BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DRIVEWAYS AND PARKING LOTS.

"YOUR DRIVEWAY/PARKING LOT IS THE FIRST THING GUESTS SEE - KEEP IT LOOKING ITS BEST."

SEALING ASPHALT WILL HELP PROTECT AGAINST FLUID & OIL SPILLS, PRESERVES IT SO IT WILL LAST LONGER, AND IMPROVE CURB APPEAL.

FRIENDLY LOCAL SERVICE | CALL FOR A FREE QUOTE

WE’RE AT YOUR SERVICE.We specialize in getting the word out. Advertise your businesses services here. Get weekly exposure with fantastic results. Call us at 519.669.5790.

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY.SEE AN IMAGE IN THE OBSERVER THAT YOU LIKE? DON’T

WORRY, WE DO PHOTO RE-PRINTS! VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR

SIZES, PRICING AND ORDER FORMS.

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

CLASSIFIED | 27THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

Specializing in Paint & Wall coverings

27 ARTHUR ST. S., ELMIRA519.669.3658

FOR ALL YOUR HOME DECORATING NEEDS.

DECORATINGSINCE 1961

READ’S

36 Hampton St., Elmira

20 years experience

interior/exteriorpainting,

wallpapering & Plaster|Drywall

repairs

free estimates

519-669-2251

• Residential• Commercial• Industrial

ECRA/ESA Licence # 7000605

Randy Weber

519.669.1462519.669.9970

Tel:

Fax:

18 Kingfisher Dr., Elmira

ROOFING SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES

AGRICULTURAL • COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL• High Quality Installation of Steel & Aluminum Eavestrough

• Rugged Steel Eavestrough for Today’s Metal Roofing Systems

JEREMY MARTINPH 519-502-4679 | Fax 519-291-6624

xcountryeaves@live.ca

8632 Concession 3, RR#3 Listowel, ON, N4W 3G8

Ltd.

RESIDENTIAL & AGRICULTURAL

Driveways • Sidewalks • Curbs • Barn RenovationsFinished Floors • Retaining Walls • Short Walls

Decorative/Stamped and coloured concrete

519-638-2699www.facebook.com/marwilconcrete

ST. JACOBS GLASS SYSTEMS INC.

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

FREE ESTIMATES

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

1600 King St. N., Bldg A17St. Jacobs, Ontario N0B 2N0

• Store Fronts • Thermopanes

• Mirrors • Screen Repair

• Replacement Windows • Shower Enclosures

• Sash Repair

Wood, Pellet or Gas? Insert or Free Standing? Traditional or Contemporary Styling? Practical, Cost Effective, Top Performer?

1871 Sawmill Rd., Conestogo | 519-664-3800 or 877-664-3802

www.fergusfireplace.com

180 St. Andrew St. W., Fergus 519-843-4845 or 888-871-4592

Celebrating Our 17th Year At

Floor Model Sale On Now!Let Us Help You Get Cozy

Sew Special

Lois Weber519-669-3985

Elmira

Over 20 Years Experience

Custom Sewing for Your Home

Custom Drapery

Custom Blinds

Free Estimates

In Home Consultations

WINDOWS & DOORS | ROOFING SIDING | SOFFIT & FACIA | DRYWALL

ADDITIONS & RENOVATIONS

MURRAY MARTIN | 519.669.93081722 Floradale Rd., Elmira, ON, N3B 2Z1

HomeImprovements

OUTDOOR SERVICES

COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL SERVICES

Call Jeff Basler, Owner/Operator, today 519.669.9081 mobile: 519.505.0985fax: 519.669.9819 | ever-green@sympatico.ca

YOUR SOURCE FOR YEAR-ROUND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

YOUR SOURCE FOR YEAR-ROUND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

- Trail Maintenance and Development - Wooded Lot Thinning - Pasture Reclaimation - Orchard Maintenance- Industrial Lots - Real Estate Lots

OFFERING A QUICK AND EASY WAY TO RECLAIM

UNUSED LANDBrush Mowing/Long Grass | Capable of

mowing up to 3 inch diameter brush Tracked Skid Steer equipped with Brush Mower

All other tracked skid

steer services are available

• Lawn Mowing Packages • Lawn Maintenance &

Landscaping• Top Dressing/Overseeding

• Mulch Delivery & Installation• Commercial & Residential Full

Flower Bed Maintenance

•Tree Trimming & Removal• Aerial Bucket Trucks• Stump Grinding• Arborist Evaluations• Fully Insured & Certified• Certified to Work Near Power Lines

FREEESTIMATES

PLUMBING SERVICES

RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL

For all yourPlumbing Needs.

24 HOUR SERVICE

Steve Jacobi ELMIRA

519-669-3652

SteveCo.SteveCo. Plumbing

andMaintenanceInc.

66 Rankin St. Unit 4 | Waterloo

519-885-282866 Rankin St. Unit 4 | Waterloo

519-885-2828

PLUMBING, FURNACE REPAIRS, SERVICE & INSTALLATION,

GAS FITTING

One stop shop for all your needs.

519-669-3362

YOURPLUMBING& HEATING

SPECIALISTS!

C.J.BRUBACHER LTD.

19 First St. E., Elmira

FREE QUOTES

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

APPLIANCES – FURNACES – FIREPLACESAIR CONDITIONERS – WATER HEATERS

Come visit our show room1 Union Street, Elmira

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

ELMIRA HOME COMFORT(519) 669-4600

OBSERVER SERVICE DIRECTORY

BOOK YOUR SPRING GRADINGBEFORE APRIL 15 AND RECEIVE A

10% DISCOUNT

FARMING SERVICES

Lawn Maintenance Programs | Spring Clean-up Flower Bed Maintenance Programs

Leaf Clean-up and Removal | Soil & Mulch Delivery & Installation | Snow Clearing & Removal | Ice Control

27 Brookemead, St, Elmira P: 519-669-1188 | F: 519-669-9369

kdetweiler@rogers.com

KEVIN DETWEILER OWNER-OPERATOR

Outdoor Services

> Commercial & Residential > Fully Insured > WSIB Clearance > Senior Discount

AMOS R O O F I N G IN

C

CALL JAYME FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE.BOOK NOW FOR SPRING INSTALLATION.

519.501.2405In Business since 1971 • Fully Insured

• Specializing in residential re-roofs • Repairs • Churches

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

HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES OUTDOOR SERVICES

PLUMBING SERVICES

BOWEN THERAPY

Call Now!

Kevin Bartley, B.A. Hons.,Professional Bowenwork Practitioner

60 Memorial Avenue, Elmira (519) 669-0112

Every Body is Better with Bowen!

...is the solution for your PAIN! Benefits may be evident as early as the first session. Treatments are safe for everyone from infants to the elderly.

HEALTH SERVICES

www.groprolawncare.com519-669-1278

WE’RE AT YOUR SERVICE.We specialize in getting the word out. Advertise your businesses services here. Get weekly exposure with fantastic results. Call us at 519.669.5790.

28 | CLASSIFIED THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

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

Bill NorrisSALES REPRESENTATIVE

CALL DIRECT

519-588-1348CALL DIRECT

519-588-1348www.elmiraandareahomes.com

Paul MartinSALES REPRESENTATIVE

CALL DIRECT

519-503-9533CALL DIRECT

519-503-9533www.homeswithpaul.ca

$500.00 donation will be made with every home bought

or sold by Paul in Woolwich.

Visit us at our NEW LOCATION! 3 Arthur St. S., Elmira | 519-669-5426

Elmira - Perfect for empty nesters! Don’t miss out on this semi detached raised bungalow. Complete with main floor laundry, 4 piece ensuite and open concept eat-in kitchen and living room. All the conveniences on one floor. The small yard will be easy to care for! The large garage is 17.5ft x 20ft, perfect for storage and still have room for a vehicle. Located close to downtown, walking distance to library, restaurants and banks. MLS Call Paul direct.

Elmira - Don't miss this brand new, open concept semi. All the conveniences on 1 floor, main flr laundry, master w/ensuite, 2nd bedroom, eat in kit & sizeable living room w/garden dr. Fin'd basement w/3rd bedroom, 3pc bath & bright rec room. The small yard will be easy to care for! Large garage is 17.5ft x 20ft, perfect for storage & still have room for a vehicle. Located close to downtown, walking distance to library, restaurants & banks. MLS Call Paul direct.

FINISHED BASEMENT!

RAISED BUNGALOW

$314,000$314,000 $299,900$299,900

Port Elgin - is the location of this lake-view property. Relax on the front deck and enjoy the sunsets, Chantry Island and the peacefulness of Lake Huron. This year round home/cottage is situated on a 70 foot by 230.79 foot lot with pelnty of potential. The location is a short distance to Port Elgin’s sand beach or Southampton and if you like to walk, run or cycle there is a paved trail across nearby. MLS Call Bill direct.

Alli BaumanSALES REPRESENTATIVE

CALL DIRECT

519-577-6248CALL DIRECT

519-577-6248www.elmiraandareahomes.com

A donation of $300.00 will be made

with any home bought or sold through Alli or Bill.

$749,900$749,900$675,000$675,000

BUNGALOW W/20,000 SQ. FT. 2 STOREY BARN

CUSTOM BUILT BUNGALOW

Elmira - no backyard neighbours. This beautiful back split home with sunroom overlooking natural green space. Move in condition! Carpet free main floor with new hardwood and ceramic. Kitchen updates include granite countertops and new backsplash. Concrete driveway and over sized garage (1.5). Unspoiled 4th level perfect for games/playroom waiting for your finishing touches. MLS Call Paul direct.

HOBBY FARM

Woolwich - Loc’d on 20 acres. Spacious 2400 sqft bungalow equip’d w/MF lndry, sep dr, huge fin’d bsmnt & walk up to garage. Open kit & FM w/wood fp. Master w/huge walk in closet & attractive slider to 3 tiered composite deck w/hot tub. 25x36 ft insulated, heated shop, 100amp w/bathrm & phone. 20,000 sqft 2 storey barn equipped for chickens or turkeys, currently empty. 17 acres of bush w/trail, mostly hardwood & poplar. MLS Call Paul direct.

Elmira - 79.5ft x 274ft Lot. Call and design this home to fit your needs and wants. Spacious bungalow on large treed lot. Stairway from garage to basement. Custom designed kitchen. Huron Homes will entertain other plans for houses on this lot. Call 519-503-9533 to have a look at the blueprints. MLS Call Paul direct.

$369,000$369,000DESIRABLE QUIET

CRESCENT LOCATION!!Elmira - Outstanding value for this 1800sqft custom built 1 owner raised bungalow. Fin’d basement incl: Rec rm w/wd burning fp, 3pc bath, bdrm, den/office or 5th bdrm possibility & lr workshop. Open living rm w/hardwd flr. Convenient main flr laundry. Separate dining rm w/walk out to yard. Fabulous big backyard complete w/interlock patio, hot tub & cute shed great for your family or entertaining! MLS Call Paul direct.

$229,900$229,900WHAT A DEAL!

Elmira - Don’t miss this convenient home full of personality. Close to downtown and bus route. Many updates including: mudroom at side entrance, kitchen updates, unique ceramic tile throughout and finished basement. Single garage equipped with separate workshop room. Back slider to fenced yard with large deck and shed. MLS Call Paul direct.

Drayton - Luxurious, custom built home loc’d in quiet area. 3100sqft + huge fin’d bsmnt. Spacious kit designed w/cooking & entertaining in mind! Unique & exceptional home, spacious but still makes you feel right at home. Beautiful sun rm w/hot tub overlooking fabulous private yrd w/gazebo, pond & waterfall, beautifully gardens. Stamped concrete drive & lg patio w/retractable awning. MLS Call Alli or Paul direct.

$539,000$539,000GREEN SPACE ONE OF A KIND!!

$329,000$329,000

$319,000$319,000

NEW LISTINGNEW LISTING

NEW LISTINGNEW LISTINGOPEN HOUSE SUN. 2-4 P.M. | 3 Raising Mill Gate, Elmira

SOLD

WHETHER YOU’RE STARTING OUT OR EMPTYING THE NEST. START YOUR PROPERTY SEARCH HERE.

FOR RENT.WITH REAL INVESTMENT YOU WILL SEE A REAL RETURN. MAKE THIS SPACE

YOUR NEW HOME. ADVERTISE WITH US TODAY.

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

CLASSIFIED | 29THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

BERT MARTIN, BROKER

Call Bert For Your FREE Market Evaluation

EMAIL: bert@remaxsolidgold.biz

3 Arthur St. S. Elmira • www.remaxsolidgold.bizOFFICE: 519-669-5426DIRECT: 519-572-2669

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

Your referrals are appreciated!

COMMERCIAL OFFICE SPACE

Two adjoining offices in Multi-Tenant Plaza. Also 920 s/f unit consisting of two offices, reception area, kitchenette and bathroom. Located in busy plaza 10 minutes from Waterloo. MLS. Call Bert to view.

BUNGALOW!Great location central to schools, parks, Rec Centre and 10 minute walk to down town. Three bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, great room with addition, finished basement, triple wide paved drive, great for camper or motor home. MLS $329,900. Call Bert to View.

Learn More About Sunlight Heritage Homes and Our fine communities by Visiting us Today!

Sunlight Homes

Have a question? Email us at: info@sunlighthomes.ca

Many models to choose from

www.sunlighthomes.ca

519.787.0203Alyssa HenryBrokerRe/Max Real EstateCentre Inc.

Drayton Heights MODEL HOME OPEN EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 1-5PM

Choose from one of our plans or let us custom build your home fully

detached.Homes starting

from

$254,790

The Edge Semi-detached homes from $199,990

BONNIE BRUBACHERBroker of Record

SHANNA ROZEMABroker.

LAURIE LANGDONSales Representative

MONIQUE ROESSales RepresentativeElmira@royallepage.ca | www.royallepage.ca/elmira

90 Earl Martin Dr., Unit 1, Elmira N3B 3L4519-669-3192

Independently Owned & Operated, BrokerageELMIRA REAL ESTATE SERVICES

When you buy or sell your home with us, part of our commission supports women’s shelters & violence prevention programs.

$999,000. Shop 60 x 32. Lovely bungalow with triple garage and fully finished walkout basement. 12 acres mature bush and trails, approx. 8 acres workable. Unsurpassed setting awaits you! MLS

FLORADALE – 20 ACRES

$775,000 ELMIRA. Ideal location on the edge of town, 4+ bedroom family home with many updates. 38 x 24 heated shop, ample parking/storage. Fantastic yard for many outside activities. MLS

3.74 ACRES - POOL

$299,000 ROTHSAY NEW PRICE. An awesome opportunity to live in the country! This 1,775 square foot home built on a .6 acre lot features a very large kitchen, charming open dining and eating area, walk-out basement, wrap around deck and an almost new furnace. Basement includes 2 finished bedrooms, 4 piece bath and a partially finished rec room and second kitchen. MLS

COUNTRY LIVING

$1,900,000 BAMBERG.. Private, peaceful and perfect. Landscaped grounds including picturesque pond surround the 4 bedroom ranch bungalow with triple garage. Additional 4000 sq ft shop with heated lower area. Agriculture cropped land. MLS

60 ROLLING ACRES

$379,900. Pride in ownership is obvious, beautiful home built in 2005, lovely kitchen with island, walkout to interlock patio, pergola, shed and fenced yard. Nicely decorated throughout, spacious 2nd floor great room with gas fireplace, 2nd floor laundry, master bedroom offers a 5 piece ensuite, central air, central vac ++++ MLS

$299,900. Unbelievable… Single detached home completely finished and ready for occupancy! Backs onto a small green space with creek and walking path. This solid home offers a 1.5 car garage, double driveway, open concept main floor, oak kitchen, living room w/gas fireplace, walkout to deck and fenced yard, new upper floor carpeting and ceramic, finished basement 2011. MLS

IMPRESSIVE ELMIRA 2 STOREY!

$219,900 ELMIRA. Ample opportunities here!!! Zoned C2, onsite parking, main floor set up for a business, separate entrance to the updated one bedroom apartment on the upper level, corner lot with great exposure and conveniently located one street over from the main street. MLS

COMMERCIAL/INVESTMENTOPEN HOUSE SUN. 1-3 pm 101 PORCHLIGHT DRIVE, ELMIRA

$362,000. Paradigm (Elmira) Homes New Model now available. 1780sq ft 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath. New design with welcoming entrance, spacious kitchen with built-in custom island and generous dinette. Additional features included plus 4 LG Appliances. EXCL.

FIRST TIME OFFEREDOPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1 -3 pm

22 Knapp Road Elmira

OBSERVER PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

CROSSWORD PUZZLER THE BIG EASY THE CHALLENGE

OPEN HOUSE: Sunday April 1st from 2-4pmPrivate Sale - 22 Falcon Dr. ELMIRA

NEW PRICE $238,000 - Large 4 Level semi back split - Newly renovated 3 Bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large fenced yard, no back yard neighbors, utility shed, steel roof, central air, hardwood ,ceramic and linoleum flooring. Great family home!More information 519-210-0405.

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

CELEBRATEGOOD TIMES.COME ON! WE KNOW YOU HAVE GREAT FAMILY PHOTOS, WHY NOT SHOW THEM OFF IN THE OBSERVER.

LOOK HERE EVERY SATURDAY FOR YOUR OPEN HOUSE LISTINGS

30 | CLASSIFIED THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

CONESTOGO NEEDS AN AFTERNOON CROSSING GUARD IN SEPTEMBER

A Crossing Guard is needed in Conestogo to cover the afternoon duty time of 3:20 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. starting September 4, 2012. The ideal candidate is excellent with youth, is responsible, de-pendable, and lives near or has transportation to the school cross-ing. The rate of pay is $10.24 per 30-minute shift. All train-ing and equipment is provided but mileage is not compensated. Please submit a resume and cover letter as soon as possible by email or in person to:

A. Levean, Human ResourcesTownship of Woolwich

P.O. Box 158, 24 Church Street WestElmira, ON N3B 2Z6

Fax (519) 669-9348 / Inquiries: (519) 669-6015E-mail alevean@woolwich.ca

Website: www.woolwich.ca

PROPERTY STANDARDS BY-LAW

The Council of the Township of Woolwich passed a new Property Standards By-law 24-2012 at the council meeting held on Tues-day, March 27, 2012. To view the By-law please visit http://www.woolwich.ca/en/council/council_bylaws.asp.

WOOLWICH MEMORIAL CENTRE CLOSURE NOTICES

The pool and fitness centre only will be closed on Saturday, March 31, 2012 for the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. The building will remain open. The Woolwich Memorial Centre will be closed on Friday, April 6, 2012 for Good Friday.

FRONT YARD PARKING BY-LAW The Council of the Township of Woolwich will be considering a Front Yard Parking By-law at the Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. the meeting is scheduled to take place in the Council Chambers at the Administration Office at 24 Church Street W., Elmira, 2nd floor. For more information please contact Julie Forth at 519-669-6009.

MUNICIPAL | REGIONAL PUBLIC NOTICES

PLAYING HOST, ELMIRA HAS NO PROBLEM SCOOPING UP MEDALS FROM THE VISITORS

The Waterloo Synchro Club brought home 11 gold medals and 27 podium finishes at the Western Ontario Regional Championships held in Elmira March 24-25. [SUBMITTED]

Among the gold medal finishers were the 15U Purple Team (top), and the Combo Team (above, left and middle), while Hannah Atkins (right) took home the silver in the 16O Solo routine. [SUBMITTED]

CLASSIFIED | 31THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

OBITUARY

FAMILY ALBUM

Joe’s turning 50Let’s not let him forget!

Come join the party and celebrate!March 31, 2012 @ Elmira Legion Upstairs8 p.m. - 1 a.m.

BIRTHDAY

IN MEMORIAM OBITS

Happy 1st BirthdayAvery Elle

Love: Mommy, Daddy & Cohen

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SPRING

DEAL ENDS APRIL 30TH

(519) 669-5790

Peacefully after a brief illness on Thurs., March 22, 2012 at Palmerston & District Hospital, at the age of 94. Survived by daughter, Marilyn (Terry) Coupal of Elmira, son, John (Pat) Crispin on Minto Township, daughter, Jean (Nick) Kuipers of Kingsville, daughter, Linda Crispin of Kitchener & daughther-in-law, Jackie Crispin of Minto Township. Predeceased by husband, Fred Crispin & son, Harvey Crispin.

CRISPIN, Annie EleanorFive years since the passing

of Sharon D’HondtFebruary 22, 1972 - March 29, 2007

We all miss and love you very

much.

You will continue to live in the

hearts of many family and

friends.

Her memories will always be

cherished.

Love the D’Hondt family

Nick & Marlene Kuepfer

Are pleased to announce the healthy and safe arrival of Norah Tenley Kuepfer. Norah arrived at 7:35 p.m. on Feb. 11, 2012 weighing 6lbs 12 oz and 19 inches long. Proud 1st time grandparents Ross & Bev Kuepfer of Linwood and Lambert & Patricia Koster of Minto Twp. Thank you to Dr. Raby and the staff at Grand River Hospital and Gabby & Katie of St. Jacobs Midwives.

Thank-you for your love and support, we are truly blessed

BIRTH NOTICE

Holy double-digitsBatman!

Happy Birthday to the Best ten year old kid... Ever!

(Sorry to all other ten year old kids - better luck next year.)

Love Mom, Dad, Finn & Billy

BIRTHDAY

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

CELEBRATEGOOD TIMES.COME ON! WE KNOW YOU HAVE GREAT FAMILY PHOTOS, WHY NOT SHOW THEM OFF IN THE OBSERVER.

ALBRECHT, SAMUEL | Passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Knollcrest Lodge, Milverton. Sam resided in Millbank and was born 80 years ago in Wellesley Township.

FREY, LAVERNE | 1940 - 2012 aka “Big Daddy” Passed away peacefully at Campbell River Hospital, B.C., Sunday, March 4, 2012 at the age of 71 years. Local relatives are his daughter Pamela Martin and her husband Leon of Elmira.

PICCHIOTTI, BARBARA ANNE (NEE STUART) | 1927 - 2012 At Columbia Forest Long Term Care Centre, Waterloo on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the age of 84. Local relatives are her son John Courtney (Janice) of St. Jacobs.

32 | LIVING HERE THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

LIVING HEREHEALTHY LIVING / IN THE GARDEN

The communal gardener

For a special treat on Easter this year, splurge on some good-quality chocolate and make the following dessert. Bread Pudding is one of those true, great ‘comfort food’ desserts. Like all comfort food, it combines a little of what you already have on hand (stale bread that needs to be used up) with some fresh new ingredients to turn it into something special. In this case it’s the chocolate, and the warm chocolate sauce too.

For bread choices, it’s a good idea to stick to some-thing with a bit of structure to it – so avoid super soft French loaves. A sour-dough works well, a sturdy baguette, or even stale hot-cross buns. The bread has a lot of flavour to soak up.

For chocolate we tend to use Lindt brand. You can find this in the form of large bars at the grocery store, at the Lindt outlet store in Cambridge and at Vincenzo’s. You could even sacrifice a Lindt chocolate bunny pre-Easter to make this dessert

Triple Chocolate Bread Pudding is just the treat for Easter

CHEF’S TABLE/ KIRSTIE HERBSTREIT & JODI O’MALLEY

RECIPENOTES

RECIPE | 35

COLIN DEWAR

GARDEN | 35

Gardening provides benefits that go well beyond the fresh food that can be produced. Growing and tending a garden has been known to lower blood pressure and reduce stress while improving both the physical and mental health of gardeners. It is also a creative outlet, as it involves planning and de-signing.

It’s become a popular pastime, as recent statistics from the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute show that 48 per cent of adults enjoy being physically active through gardening.

For those who’d like to enjoy the benefits but with-out access to a plot of land, Keith Milne of Wellesley is looking to build a commu-nity garden in the village. He hopes it will help with neighbourhood improve-ment and build a sense of community and connec-tion to the environment.

“A natural location for such a garden would be the downtown core, where as many people as pos-sible would have access to it. A community garden in Wellesley would offer a number of benefits includ-ing fresh vegetables and a connection with neigh-bours,” said Milne.

The key to any neigh-bourhood garden succeed-ing is support from the community.

Community gardens can come in many differ-ent shapes and sizes. They don’t even have to be com-munal – where everyone

Wellesley man looking for support in bid to set up a community garden in the village

shares the work and the harvest – as gardeners can have their own individual plot within the garden and can also join with others to grow some crops com-munally.

Milne is a regional peer health worker who tries

to help people in the rural areas of the region get in-volved in the community by getting them out of their homes and away from iso-lation by developing proj-ects such as community gardens.

He tried to build the gar-

den last year but was un-able to find a piece of land that everyone could use.

“I just want people to know that I am trying to set up a community garden for Wellesley and we are still looking for a place to have it,” said Milne. “As of right

now I have not been able to find a sizable area and the trouble I am having is that the people who are interested in operating the garden do not have good transportation, so I need it to be centrally located. I

NEW LOCATION!

Auto Care Tip of the WeekNeed a new engine air filter? Installing aftermarket high performance filters is not always the most ideal solution. Although those filters will allow higher airflow rates (subsequently giving you better efficiency and power) they may also have less filtering capability, allowing more dust and dirt to enter your engine.

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Keith Milne of Wellesley is looking to build a community garden in the village. He is currently looking for a piece of land and any donations the community may have to help him complete the project. [COLIN DEWAR / THE OBSERVER]

LIVING HERE | 33THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

KleensweepRugs and UpholsteryCarpet Care

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21 INDUSTRIAL DR. ELMIRA519-669-2884

Individual life insurance, mortgage insurance, business insurance, employee benefits programs,

critical illness insurance, disability coverage,

RRSPs, RESPs, RRIFs, LIFs and Annuities.

Suite 102, 40 Weber St. E., Kitchener

NANCY KOEBELBus: 519.744.5433Home: 519.747.4388

Truck &Trailer

Maintenance

CardlockFuel

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CORPORATE WEARPROMOTIONAL APPAREL

WORK & SAFETY WEAR | BAGST-SHIRTS | JACKETS | HATS

woolwichkin.com

July 21stRegister Your Team Today!

KIN KORNER

psgingrich@hotmail.ca

It’s time to call your Welcome Wagon Hostess.

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

Elmira & Surrounding Area

SHARON GINGRICH 519.291.6763

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR E-MAIL: ads@woolwichobserver.com

SUBMIT AN EVENT The Events Calendar is reserved for Non-profit local community events that are offered free to the pub-lic. Placement is not guaranteed. Registrations, corporate events, open houses and the like do not qualify in this section.

PLACES OF FAITH | A DIRECTORY OF LOCAL HOUSES OF WORSHIP WHEELCHAIRACCESSIBLE

NURSERYPROVIDED

SUNDAYSCHOOL

HEARINGASSISTED

BE IN THE KNOW.Everyone wants to know what’s going on in the community, and everyone wants to be in the know.

Advertise here.

19 Flamingo Dr., Elmira • 519-669-3387

S. T C CNo God, No Hope; Know God, Know Hope!

Celebrate Eucharist with usMass times are:

Sat. 5pm, Sun. 9am and 11:15am

21 Arthur St. N., Elmira • 519-669-5560www.wondercafe.ca

Trinity United Church, Elmira“Our mission is to love, learn & live by Christ’s teachings”

Sunday Worship: 10:30 amSunday School during WorshipMinister: Rev. Dave Jagger

A Warm

Welcometo all!

Sunday Worship: 10:30 am

Sunday School during Worship

Minister: Rev. Dave Jagger

www.elmiracommunity.org

Services at John Mahood Public School

5 First St., Elmira • 519-669-1459

SUNDAYS @ 10:30AM

SUNDAY APRIL 1ST

Preventing SpiritualHeart Disease

47 Arthur St., S. Elmira • 519-669-3153www.thejunctionelmira.com

Finding The Way Together

- The Junction -Zion Mennonite Fellowship

Worship Service - 10:30am

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

Sunday Schoolat 9:30am

Service at 10:30am

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

www.woodsidechurch.ca200 Barnswallow Dr., Elmira • 519-669-1296

9:15 & 11:00 AM

Series: Thinking Through Today’s Issues

#7 - “

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

Evil & Suffering”

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

Discovering God Together

The Gospel in the OT

The Lamb of God

Jeff Martin

27 Mill St., Elmira • 519-669-2593

St. Paul’sLutheranChurch

10:30am Worship Service

Pastor: Richard A. Frey

www.stpaulselmira.ca

9:15am Sunday School

MARCH 30

WEEKEND GETAWAY FOR MARRIED Couples, Makes a good marriage better, hope for marriages in stress. Fri. Mar. 30 to Sun. Apr. 1 at Jericho House, Wainfleet, near Port Colburne: www.marriageencounterc.com or phone 519-669-8667. Marriage Encounter is endorsed by the Mennonite and Brethren Churches.

HAM & SCALLOP POTATO Dinner with baked beans. $7. Royal Canadian Legion, 11 First St., Elmira; 6 p.m.

MARCH 31

VISIT THE WTHHS HISTORICAL Room at the Old School, 1137 Henry St., Wellesley between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and enjoy displays of interesting historical facts about Wellesley Township. In 2012, we will be open every last Saturday of each month, except December. Free admission.

APRIL 1

THE SCHNEIDER MALE CHORUS hosted by Elmira Mennonite Church,(58 Church St. W., Elmira), 7 p.m. Free will offering (proceeds will support the Elmira Mennonite Church Youth Mission Trip to Ukraine in August 2012). Wheelchair accessible. For more information call 519-669-5123.

APRIL 2

COMPUTER LESSONS AT WOOLWICH Seniors Centre. Daytime, Mondays 9-11 a.m. starting April 2 (4 weeks). Evenings – Thurs. 7-9 p.m. (4 weeks) starts April 12. Members $20; non members $30. For more information call 519-669-5044.

APRIL 3

MOVIE AFTERNOON FOR ADULTS – 1-2:30 p.m. at Elmira Branch Library. Movie showing will be Love Actually. Tickets are $1 each and every person attending must have a ticket. Admission includes light refreshments. The event will take place at the library, 65 Arthur St. S., Elmira. For more information call the Elmira Branch Library at 519-669-5477.

PYJAMA STORYTIME – 6:45-7:30 p.m. at St. Clements Branch Library. Tuesday evenings from April 3 to May 22. Recommended for parents/caregivers and children 3-7 years old (older and younger siblings welcome). Presented by Stephanie Lee, a Library Technician student. Drop in – it’s free! For more information call the St. Clements Branch Library 519-699-4341.

APRIL 4

STORYTIME FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 to 5 – at Bloomingdale Branch of the Region of Waterloo Library. A storytime program for children 3 to 5 years old. Join us for stories and other fun activities on Wednesdays 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. from Apr. 4 to May 23 OR Thursdays 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. from Apr. 5 to May 24. Call or visit the library for more information at 519-745-3151 or email bloomlib@regionofwaterloo.ca.

STORYTIME FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 to 5 – at St. Clements Branch of the Region of Waterloo Library. A storytime program for children 3 to 5 years old. Join us for stories and fun activities on Wednesdays 1:45-2:30 p.m. from Apr. 4 to May 23 or Thursdays 9:15-10 a.m. from Apr. 5 to May 24. Call or visit the library for more information at 519-699-4341 or email stclemlib@regionofwaterloo.ca.

TODDLER TALES IS FOR children 24 to 36 months and is held on Wednesdays 9:30-10:15 a.m. from Apr. 4 to May 23 at Wellesley Branch of the Region of Waterloo Library; 519-656-2001.

STORYTIME IS FOR CHILDREN ages 3 to 5 years old and is held Wednesdays 10:45-11:30 a.m. from Apr. 4 to May 23 OR Thursdays 2 to 2:45 p.m. from Apr. 5 to May 24. at Wellesley Branch of the Region of Waterloo Library; 519-656-2001.

APRIL 5

WEEKLY BINGO 7 P.M. at Elmira Lions Hall, 40 South St., Elmira. All proceeds go to support the many projects of the Lions Club of Elmira. For more information call 519-500-1434.

STORYTIME FOR CHILDREN AGES 3 to 5 – at Linwood Branch of the Region of Waterloo Library. A storytime program for children 3 to 5 years old. Join us for stories and fun activities on Thursday afternoons, Apr. 5 to May 24 from 2-2:45 p.m. Call or visit the library for more information at 519-698-2700 or email linwdlib@regionofwaterloo.ca.

APRIL 7

ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT, hosted by the Optimist Club of St. Jacobs. Riverside Meadows Park on Water St. in St. Jacobs. Hunt starts at 10 a.m. sharp. This is fun event for young children and there is no charge for participation. Also included: balloons, prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS THAT CAN’T BE ANSWEREDBY GOOGLE.

Keep faith alive, advertise here.

34 | LIVING HERE THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

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

WEIRDNOTES

OBSERVER CROSSWORD PUZZLESUDOKU THE BIG EASY THE CHALLENGE OBSERVER CROSSWORD PUZZLESUDOKU THE BIG EASY THE CHALLENGE

WEIRDNOTES

Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we diet ... or maybe not.

Q. Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we diet. Or maybe not. What are a few more un-orthodox ways to stay slim, bearing in mind that the weight of evi-dence on these may still be rather slim? A. While extreme stress tends to bring down weight, the everyday kind can prompt cravings for high-calorie foods in some people, says the United Kingdom’s Emma Young in “New Scientist” magazine, citing Rajita Sinha of the

Yale Stress Center. Con-sider de-stressing via medi-tative relaxation techniques and health awareness. Ac-cording to Fiona Johnson of University College Lon-don, as homes have gotten warmer in recent decades, people living in the warm-est of them burn less en-ergy and are more likely to become obese (“The In-ternational Journal of Obe-sity”). So for at least some small effect, turn down the thermostat, Johnson sug-gests. One food fad with substance may be high-protein diets, adds Young. Studies suggest we have a strong appetite for protein and unconsciously strive to reach our body’s target, consuming more calories

when protein deprived. One finding showed that people on a high-protein, low-glycemic diet could eat until they were full without gaining weight (“New Eng-land Journal of Medicine”). Finally, says Simone Bo of the University of Turin, Italy, too little sleep can make us fat. During her six-year study, the adults who became obese slept an average of 6.3 hours a night compared to 7.2 hours for their healthier mates. Sleep deprivation may be hormonally disruptive and appetite-inducing. An ex-tra hour in bed sure beats going to the gym, concludes Young. Q. Why does a strong magnet cling to and pull

on skin containing a tat-too with black or blue-black lines? A. These lines are usually produced by injecting a pig-ment of iron oxide (magne-tite), which is ferromagnetic, says Jearl Walker in “The Flying Circus of Physics.” Thus, a strong magnet can cling to the tattoo site. Curi-ously, it can also cause some of the magnetite to migrate through the dermis and col-lect between the dermis and epidermis, a tendency made use of in tattoo removal. A laser that emits light pulses in the near infrared (just out of the visible range) is first used on the tattoo to disrupt and disperse the ink pig-ments and to open up the epidermis. “Then a small

but very strong magnet is taped over the tattoo to at-tract some of the pigments to the surface for removal.” Q. If you fired off a bas-ketball shot every five seconds day and night for two months straight, what might you learn? A. North Carolina State University mechanical engi-neer Larry Silverberg simu-lated this feat on a computer that fired off a million shots, reports Katharine Gammon in “Wired” magazine. He found that when shooting from many angles within 12 feet of the basket, the bank shot can be 20% more ef-fective than the attempted swish shot because the backboard substantially in-creases your odds of hitting

the target, at least from close range. So if you want to best your brother at one-on-one, follow this sure-fire strategy: #1 To help find the optimal spot to aim for, imagine a V with its point in the top-center area of the backboard square. #2 Aim. Imagine a vertical line floating 3.3 inches behind the center of the backboard. Where it crosses the V is the best spot to bank. #3 Fire. The right amount of backspin for your bank is three revolutions per second. Practice by putting a dot on the ball.

SOLUTION: on page 29

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Bill a journalist, Rich holds a doc-torate in physics. Together the brothers bring you “Strange But True.” Send your questions to strangetrue@compuserve.com

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ACROSS

1. ___-Wan Kenobi

4. Alexander, e.g.

8. Downplaying

13. “48___”

14. Exude

15. Clickable image

16. A noun that does not form plurals

18. An entrance equipped with a hatch

21. Used a broom

22. To edit photographic imagery

24. “The Three Faces of ___”

25. Anger

26. “Concentration” pronoun

27. The “p” in m.p.g.

28. Blueprint

30. Australian runner

32. Arch

34. Bond, for one

36. Professed

41. Thin layers of rock

42. An emotion

43. Small-time dictator

44. British ___

45. Confined, with “up”

47. Fed. construction overseer

48. ___ roll

50. Bow

52. Like “The X-Files”

53. Large gathering of people

54. “Comprende?”

55. “Beetle Bailey” dog

56. “7-__”

57. Oolong, for one

59. Honoree’s spot

61. Christiania, now

62. ___ list

DOWN

1. ___ law

2. (British) colourful

3. Japanese immigrant

4. Look down on with disdain

5. Animal house

6. Blue hue

7. Extend, in a way

8. Japanese soup

9. Absorb

10. Sweet; pleasant

11. Hold spellbound

12. Instrument for trans-mitting the information back to the observer

17. Bender

19. Fade away

20. School mos.

23. 10 kilogauss

29. “General Hospital,” e.g.

31. Grammar topic

33. Colony member

35. Apple variety

37. Climbing garden plant

38. Article of faith

39. “___ alive!”

40. No angel

41. Communicate silently

46. “Iliad” city

49. “Do not pass ___”

51. Male pronoun

55. Best

58. Had a bug

60. In the way indicated

SOLU

TION

S: 1.

SMAL

L BIR

DS FO

OT 2

. LAR

GE B

RANC

H 3.

LARG

E BIR

DS FE

ATHE

RS 4

. LEA

VES

5. LA

RGE

BIRD

S BE

AK 6

. SMA

LL B

IRDS

BEL

LY 7.

LARG

E BI

RDS

EYES

8. L

ARGE

BIR

DS W

ING

OBSERVER TRAVELS

OBSERVER SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Manzanillo Beach, Mexico

While on vacation this past March Break, Kieran & Solenne Brown seized the opportunity to get themselves into the Observer! Seen here on Manzanillo Beach, Mexico. They take a break from the fun in the sun to include the Observer in a photo.

LOCATION

CAPTION

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.

SOLUTION: on page 29

LIVING HERE | 35THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

Driver Search is on Now!

519.884.5650519.884.5650www.erbsvillekartway.com 675 Conservation Drive, Waterloo

YOUTH•TEEN•ADULTROOK

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Summer Race League • Summer Kart CampTraining, F1K Race Kart and Equipment Included

RACERS WANTEDRACERS WANTED

GARDEN: Creating a community resource

FROM | 32

am looking for a garden to be built in the village that people can walk to and ac-cess.”

Milne hopes the garden will be used by senior citi-zens, people who rent and do not have their own back-yard space, or low-income families that may not have transportation that would like to have a little garden.

Milne is seeking dona-tions, including the land, plowing of the land and seeds for the gardeners to grow their vegetables. The goal is to keep costs low for those who’ll use the garden.

“I am open to anything that is good clean land that we could subdivide into plots and share with the community,” he said. “I have tools that I am willing to let people use for the gar-den to keep as much of the costs down as I can.”

He plans to have a booth at the Wellesley Home

Show this May, encourag-ing people to help with his plan for the community garden.

“I will have information there for people who want to join and that way I will be able to find out how many plots we might need and the see the interest from the community at large,” he said.

He plans to approach the township looking for a piece of land if one isn’t made available.

“The warm weather is coming fast and I just thought this would be a great way to get people out and at the same time we could have our own home grown fresh vegetables at a very low cost.”

Milne plans to bring families together with the communal garden saying it would be fun for families to participate in and watch the garden grow over the summer.

“There is an obvious health aspect to this as well. If you can grow your own vegetables not using any pesticides you know how healthy that food is. Anything that you can pick from the ground and just eat is obviously healthier for you than something coming by truck from miles away.”

Anyone interested in helping with the garden or donating to the cause is asked to contact Keith Milne at (519) 662-2731.

Preheat oven to 350°F.; Generously butter an oven-proof 9x 13 sized baking dish and fill with cubed bread. Set aside; Whisk together eggs, cream, sugar cinnamon, vanilla and nut-meg; Sprinkle chocolates over bread cubes, and then pour custard mixture over the entire dish, patting the custard into the bread; Cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 15 more minutes, until golden brown. Let stand 10- 15 minutes before cutting into squares. Serve with chocolate sauce. For chocolate sauce: 1 cup of milk chocolate, chopped 1/2 cup 35% cream, 2 tbsp butter

IngredientsButter, as needed 4 L cubed bread (see op-tions, above) 6 whole eggs750 ml 10% cream1 cup sugar1/2 tsp ground cinnamon1 tsp vanillaPinch nutmeg1 cup dark chocolate, chopped 1/2 cup white chocolate, chopped

Triple Chocolate Bread Pudding

CHEF’S TABLE: It’s all about the chocolatePlace chocolate, cream and butter in a stainless steel or glass bowl and place over a double boiler. Water should be barely simmering; Heat until chocolate is fully melted, stirring occasion-ally.

Note: This sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for any chocolate sauce emergen-cies; just re-heat in the mi-crowave.

FROM | 32

ABOUT THE AUTHORS Chefs Kirstie Herbstreit and Jody O’Malley are both Red Seal certified chefs. Together they run The Culinary Studio, which offers classes, demonstrations and private dinners. To contact the chefs, visit their website www.theculinarystudio.ca

INDIAN RIVER DIRECT

$25.00$25.00PER BOX

20lb Box of Florida Seedless Navel Oranges OR Ruby Red Grapefruit

CITRUS TRUCKLOAD SALE

ELMIRAMON. APRIL 2, 10:00am - noon

New Apostolic Church (First & Arthur Streets)

ST. JACOBSTHURS. APRIL 5, 10:00am - noon

St. Jacobs Antiques Market (Beside Mark’s)

ASPHALT PAVINGAsk about Street Print Pavement Texturing

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DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY.SEE AN IMAGE IN THE OBSERVER THAT YOU LIKE? DON’T

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SIZES, PRICING AND ORDER FORMS.

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

Milne hopes the garden will be used by seniors, renters and low-income families looking to grow their own vegetables over the summer. [COLIN DEWAR / THE OBSERVER]

DON’T FORGET TO TAKE US.INCLUDE US IN YOUR TRAVEL PLANS.

SNAP A PIC WITH YOU, THE OBSERVER

AND A LANDMARK & SEND IT IN.

www.OBSERVERXTRA.com

36 | BACK PAGE THE OBSERVER | SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

EVERY BUNNY’SFAVOURITE CHOCOLATE

1429 King St. N. St. Jacobs(P) 519-664-1440

www.brittles-n-more.com

1429 King St. N. St. Jacobs(P) 519-664-1440

www.brittles-n-more.com

EVERY BUNNY’SFAVOURITE CHOCOLATE

Mention this ad before purchase and

(before taxes)No minimum purchase required

Valid until April 8, 2012

SAVE

10%OFF

ENTIREPURCHASE

ENTER TO WINour 2 foot chocolate Bunny. $200 value,

no purchase necessary.

ENTER TO WINour 2 foot chocolate Bunny. $200 value,

no purchase necessary.

Hwy 7, Breslau | 519. 648.2608 | www.belgian-nursery.com

$1.29

$15.99

Box of 4 plants

$12.00Tray of 12 boxes

Reg. $19.99

Reg. $15.48

Explore...

EASTER FLOWERS

BELGIAN PERENNIAL CENTRE

• Hydrangeas • Calla Lilies • Caladium• Pot Mums • Easter Lilies and More!

• Starting to fill up with perennials, vines and shrubs - more arriving weekly!

BELGIAN PERENNIAL CARD 2012For perennials, hostas, day lilies, vines, shrubs and more

NOW ONLY $10.00 Reg $20.00

SEE DETAILS ON WEBSITE OR AT NURSERY

PANSIES • Plant now - can tolerate frost!

CUT FLOWERS

SALE ON POTHOS

SALE 50% OFF!

• Great Selection!

HANGING BASKET

The tropical greenhouse - 1000’s of house plantsThe Cactus House | The Pot Shop

HOURS: MON - SAT 8-6, SUN 10-5GARDEN SEEDS ARE HERE!

Rieger Begoniaseach or$11.99

SALE2 for $20

315 Arthur St. S. • 519-669-5403

Open 24Hrs. 7 Days a Week!

Hop On Overfor all of your Easter Goodies!

Flowers,Chocolate,Candies& Gifts

232 Arthur St. S., ElmiraSun. 9-6, Mon.-Fri. 8-9, Sat. 8-7

Paul & Adèle’s

VISIT THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES FOR ALL OF YOUR EASTER NEEDS.EASTER

Happy Happy