November 2012 Issue

Incorporating St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce

• Dr. Greg JohnstonDr. Greg Johnston Back killing you?Back killing you? • Jim Innes Jim Innes Endure, evolve, expandEndure, evolve, expand • Renee Carpenter Renee Carpenter Paint like a proPaint like a pro

• Dr. Greg Johnston Back killing you? • Jim Innes Endure, evolve, expand • Renee Carpenter Paint like a pro

Bestselling author Bestselling author Kelley ArmstrongKelley ArmstrongCover story: page 3Cover story: page 3

Bestselling author Kelley ArmstrongCover story: page 3

Volume 3, No. 3 November 2012 FREEVolume 3, No. 3 November 2012 FREE

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2 E L G I N T H I S M O N T H November, 2012

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November, 2012 E L G I N T H I S M O N T H 3

Carroll Publishing Inc.President

Terry CarrollSecretary-TreasurerNancy Kelly Carroll

Elgin This MonthPublisher & EditorTerry CarrollSection EditorBusiness Beat – Bob Hammersley

Graphic Design / ProductionJim McHargSales RepresentativeGreg MinnemaOffice ManagerLaura Bart

Published monthly by Carroll Publishing Inc., 15 St. Catharine Street, St. Thomas, ON N5P 2V7 519-633-1640 www.theweeklynews.ca/etm

Elgin This Month is a monthly magazine focusing on business andlifestyle issues and includes BusinessBeat, the St. Thomas & DistrictChamber of Commerce newsletter.The publication is available forpickup at no charge at news standsand other locations around ElginCounty, as well as distribution tobusinesses and selected households.

C o m i n g i n D e c e m b e r :

The phenomenalsuccess of a local writerTwo million copies in the female werewolf series alone

Kelley Armstrong’s rise from relative obscurity to bestselling author in-volves a tale of overcoming adversity worthy of one of her many femaleprotagonists. Along the way, she’s become a prolific author and a savvybusiness woman who understands her target audience and has parlayedthat understanding into remarkable sales.

Her female werewolf series alone has surpassed two million copies world-wide.

And she’s done it while living in Malahide Township with her family,where she quietly writes her fiction But meeting fans and making appear-ances all contribute to her success, and she has become professional at theseactivities as well.

Kelley came from a family where the arts were not a career option. “If Ihad told my mother that I wanted to grow up to be a writer, she wouldhave said, ‘Fine. Now what will you do to make a living?’” she says with achuckle.

She finished her BA in psychology at Western and was about to enterthe Master’s program when it occurred to her that she would be working50 to 60 hours a week, with no time for writing. So she switched to com-puter programming at Fanshawe College, following that up with a job atthe TD Bank, with a regular work schedule and time to write in the off-hours.

When her first female werewolf novel “Bitten” was sold in 1999, her old-est daughter was six and Kelley was six months pregnant. Books have theirown gestation period, and by the time “Bitten” actually hit the shelves, shehad two children under theage of two and an eight-year-old daughter. With herday job, family responsibili-ties and burgeoning novelsuccess, something had togive. She took the plungeinto full-time writing.

The results? Multi-millionsales for the female werewolfseries, which has beenpicked up for Space TV in2013. Two mystery novelspublished. And two trilogiesin her Young Adult series,timed perfectly to ride theTwilight series wave.

Not too shabby. Not tooshabby at all.

Cover Story

by Terry Carroll

Cover photo by Philip Bell,Shutter Studios

6,400 Businesses, Select Homes andNewsstands in Elgin County...you’re never far from the inside

story on local business andcommunity news.

Delivered to

Send holiday wishesto family, friends and customers... call Greg Minnematoday to place yourgreeting:519-633-1640Extension 22Ad Deadline:Monday, November 22


I N N E S

A botany experiment, unlike anyother, took place in 1875 at AmherstCollege, Massachusetts. It began inJuly of that year and entailed, firstoff, the planting of a chili squashseed. This was to be the first knownscientific investigation of the enor-mous force of plant growth. As theplant grew to about the size of a per-son’s head, it was framed and har-nessed by boards and iron bands. Thegirdled squash would continue grow-ing by expanding against the pressureof the restraints. It was forced to lifta nine-foot chestnut beam that wasincreasingly weighted down.

Scientists estimated it might pressabout 500 lb. However, within twomonths the pressure had increased to1500 lb. Then, at 2000 lb., the bandswere reinforced. By November 7,under 5000 lb. of pressure, the rindsfinally split (a little) and the con-stricted squash was painstakinglychiseled free of the metal bands. Itweighed nearly 50 lb. and had atough rind three inches thick. It hadsent out over 80,000 feet of rootsmeasured to about 2000 feet inlength.

This was an inspiring display of de-velopment under stress, and wit-nesses marveled at how relentlesslythe squash silently grew: “No greatgroans or crunching sounds signaledits progress.” It is a testimony to theinnate potentiality in all of creation.

For me, this subtly provokesthoughts about human resiliency and

the innate drive of all living things toendure, evolve and expand. The ex-periment clearly depicts an innateenergy that pushes out despite anylimiting constraints. The imbeddedscars of the freed chili squash (nowkept in a plaster cast form) mirrorback the craggy marks of a well-wornlife and remind me of the earthy,wizened, resilience in those who haveendured the years. This hardy tough-ness is in us all.

An interesting side note to thesquash experiment came when theyeventually split it open. It was full ofinedible coarse fibers that grew topush back against its restraints. Forme, this begs the question as to howmany of us are overly knotted andexcessively corrugated by life’s cir-cumstance.

As a priest and counselor, I findsuch questions evoke ideas of healing– especially the need for some of usto work at softening our well chiseledreactive instincts, the instincts thathelped us to push back during thosemoments when such exertion was re-quired but now work to our detri-ment because they make us fibrousand hard to be with.

We are who we are. We becomewhat may. It is what makes us uniqueand interesting. We are a testamentto life’s potential.

Achieve Your True Potential in Business and in Life

Bryan Vine

[email protected]

Gordon Hall

[email protected]

Our Coaching ProcessProven. Powerful. Guaranteed.

Lunch and Learn ProgramsNovember 14– Managing Change in Your BusinessDecember 5– Marketing 101CASO Station 750 Talbot St., St.Thomas, 1130am to 1pm$20 each, coffee and treats providedR.S.V.P. to either Bryan or Gordon

Exciting new programs starting in

January of 2013

Programs for Owners, Managers

and Management Trainees. Also a

Certificate Program in Sales Mastery,

the first in Canada! Dates, Times,

Location and more information

coming soon.

Contact Gordon or

Bryan for more details.www.thegrowthcoach.com/bvineEach office is independently owned and operated

by Jim Innes

AS I SEE IT

Jim Innes is a clinically trained therapist and apriest at St. John’sAnglican Church

Nothing can stop us


How to give a great work-shop experience

Together, in the last column, we ex-plored how to have a great work-shop experience. Today we aregoing to look at how to giveone. Using the same basic questionsas we worked with last time, let'snow answer them from the perspec-tive of giving a great workshop ex-perience.As always, we will use seven ques-tions to uncover the truth and bringyou the direction you need to beclear on how to give a great work-shop experience.Let's beginQuestion 1:What do you need to accomplish?Every workshop exists because thereis a need in those you serve. Yourworkshop must answer that needand empower those who attend. Ifyou are simply doing a workshop tosell your product or service, youneed to re-focus your intention. Wecan all smell a sales pitch a mileaway.Question 2:Where do you need some direction tobe able to give this workshop?Take some time to figure out whatyou are unclear about. This can bein terms of the topic or the processon how to give a workshop.Question 3:How valuable is it for you to havethat direction?To be clear and head in the right di-rection saves time, money and othervaluable resources along the way. Inputting together your workshop,you will be using your resources todevelop it. Be sure you are ready tomake the commitment required. Toknow the value of heading in theright direction will encourage you

as you move forward to develop theright workshop for those you serve.Question 4:How will having that clear directionhelp you accomplish this?Your answer here will help youbegin to develop the right strategyand workshop for those you arereaching out to that have the needyou are intending to answer.Question 5:Why is a workshop the right tool touse?Now that you have clarified whyyou are doing a workshop, whatyou need to know to be able to doit, how valuable this tool is and howit can help both you and those whoattend, you can answer questionfive with confidence.Question 6:What is your budget?To know your budget is to knowhow big you can go. Do a fullbudget analysis to know just howmany resources you have avail-able. Start with the fully realized

goal and work backwards. This iswill help you to develop your strat-egy further. For example, if the goalis to deliver this workshop to 500people, 12 times a year, in 12 majorcities across the nation, what re-sources do you have right now tostart to make that a reality? Youmay only have $500. How can you

begin to realize that goal? This iswhere your projected and actualbudgets can help build your strat-egy.Question 7:What workshop do you need to give?If you have done all the work to an-swer the first six questions, and areclear on the need that the workshopis intending to answer in those youserve, you will now be able to seewhat workshop to give, why to giveit, where to offer it and to whom.Most of us start at question sevenand hope that the workshop is ahit. Start at question one, do thework, and you can be assured thatyou will find your audience whowill thank you for the differenceyou have made in their lives.

B U S I N E S S / C O M M U N I T Y

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Shayne Wyler, CEO of Seven, works withpeople and organizations thatneed clarity. "We clarify your directionby asking the rightquestions."

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The truth about workshops - part two


B U S I N E S S / C O M M U N I T Y

MANAGING MONEY

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Thinking of changing financialadvisors? Found yourself in an in-vestment that is underperforming?Missing the big picture that shouldbe the core of your financial plan?Don’t understand your advisor’s rec-ommendations and are afraid toask?

Protecting yourself against bad in-vestment and planning advice iscritical in an era of increased aware-ness of investment fraud. Canadi-ans need to be more vigilant indetermining their overall planninggoals. There are great myths andmisconceptions in the financialplanning and investment universe.

Knowing where to turn and whatto do if you are getting bad adviceis important. There is a lack of un-derstanding among consumersabout the role of financial plannersand advisers and what to expectfrom them.

Choosing the right relationshipwith a reliable adviser who meetsyour needs up front is critical. Youmay have to look at several advisorsbefore determining the right fit.Choose someone who gives advicerather than just sells financial prod-ucts. You need to put financial plansin place before you jump to invest-ment decisions.

Look at your situation from aglobal perspective, your mortgage,your credit card debt, should youhave an Education Savings Plan?Figure out your short, medium andlong term goals and realize thatyour needs will change over time.

You may be getting reasonable in-vestment advice but it may be to-tally inappropriate in light of thebigger financial picture. There arelots of situations that arise wherepeople get lousy advice and they arein the wrong investments.

If you think your relationship

with your financial advisor isn’tworking, get a second opinion, anda third if necessary. Don’t be shyabout sharing your goals and befrank about your financial situation.Another advisor should gladly re-view your plan and portfolio andoffer an honest opinion of the situ-ation you are in.

Many investors who got into trou-ble with the likes of Bernie Madoffput their trust in someone who saidthey would make them rich andthey lost sight of reality. The oldadage holds true: “If it looks toogood to be true, it probably is.”

Everybody should have a financialadvisor who cares about their per-sonal situation. Trust plays a hugerole in the relationship so if you arefeeling uncomfortable or unsureabout your present relationship,take action, seek another opinionand do take positive steps to makesure your goals are foremost in theplanning process.

This article was prepared by EllenLuft who is an investment Advisorwith DWM Securities Inc. a Dun-deeWealth Inc. Company. This is notan official publication of DWM Se-curities Inc. The views (including anyrecommendations) expressed in thisarticle are those of the author alone,and they have not been approved by,and are not necessarily those of,DWM Securities Inc.

Ellen Luft is an Investment Advisor withDWM SecuritiesInc. in St. Thomas.The views expressedare her own.

by Ellen Luft

VigilanceKeep an eye on your money

be frank about your financial situation““


B U S I N E S S & C O M M U N I T Y

TECHNOLOGY

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Further dreams for business development in Elgin County

Where were we? Or yes, I was dreaming about our region becoming a modelfor the world, developing a ‘technology muscle’ that naturally flexes to findways that technology can solve problems and make things better.

If you’ve got a problem, there’s likely a technology solution to consider. Web2.0 shifted value from tech owners to users, and the rise of open source soft-ware and the freemium business model means that costs have plummeted.

So I dream of more of our tourism and culture groups taking advantage ofonline tools to tell their story and engage supporters. Elgin Heritage Treesmashed up Google Maps and Flickr to deliver what they’re about to theworld: the trees that they love.

The Elgin Heritage Trees people understood that digital media is about ac-cess and preservation as much as the information itself. So I wish there wasa project to record our seniors and preserve their stories. I’ve learned thateveryone has at least one remarkable story to tell, and I’d hate to lose themforever. All it takes is a microphone, (built-in with most laptops), free softwarelike Audacity or even Windows’s built-in Movie Maker and a communal placeto store them like Sugar Sync. Maybe one of our heritage organizations couldmap out the process.

Got a business on the go? Pay Pal’s Here, Intuit’s GoPayment and NetSecureall let you accept credit card payments with nothing more than an iPhoneand a dongle that plugs into the headphone jack. The Safepay and Payfirmaapps don’t even require the dongle.

Imagine using this at art shows, fund raisers and charity events. The mer-chants at our excellent local farmers’ markets would have a competitive ad-vantage if they accepted credit cards for payment. No more choosing betweenlocal fruits, vegetables and arts & crafts; you can have it all!

Speaking of crafts, I wish someone smarter than me would get a 3-D printer.

Or at least build something from the incredible materials available at Hack-erThings or Inventables. I don’t know what to do with transparent concrete,magnetic fluid or conductive elastic fabric. But someone out there does.

Collaborative consumption lets people save money by sharing items they’renot using but aren’t ready to part with. TradePal lets users rent or share thingsthey’re not using to people who just need them for a day or two. Like ourlawnmower. Or that power drill I gave my wife for Christmas.

Everyone loves movies. I’d like our whole community to be listed with theShoot Local app, (shootlocalapp.com), popular with photographers andvideographers. We have beaches, Hawk’s Cliff, towns, farms and historicbuildings that are just waiting for their close-up. I’m especially thinking ofthat abandoned house way out on Highway 3.

Local musician Deni Gauthier is using RocketHub to seek funding for hisnext album, with a music industry heavyweight confirmed to produce. Siteslike this, along with Kickstarter, IndieGoGo and Quirky, can help our localcreative people – artists, musicians, designers, fabricators – access globalsources of support and build their customer base at the same time.

We’re slowly building a local community of people who can help. In addi-tion to Deni’s experience building his audience online, we’ve got the team atEBRC, a growing selection of talented web design teams, and Jenn Nelson isback from her work with national organizations in Scotland and has openedSocial Studio to help businesses develop social media strategies.

I believe that Elgin County cancompete artistically, culturally andcommercially with anyone, any-where. We have the talent, ideasand skills here already. Let’s startlooking for intelligent ways to usetechnology to share them with theworld.

Get your organizationtech-ready, part twoGet your organizationtech-ready, part two

Peter Atkinson isE-Services Consultant at theSt. Thomas Public Library.


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WORKING IN ST.THOMAS & ELGIN

Job developers havevalue for employers

The job developers at EmploymentServices Elgin (ESE) are one of thebest kept secrets in Elgin County.These job developers work not onlywith employers in this area but alsowith clients of Employment ServicesElgin who are looking for work.

Here’s one job seeker’s story. WhenBrian was searching for employment,he approached ESE. He worked withan employment counsellor, kept hisskills up to date and prepared a greatresume. The result? Brian was offeredan interview with Fusion Homes inLondon. Because Brian had limitedexperience, ESE job developers wereable to offer a wage subsidy as part ofthe discussion about his resume andpossible employment. In the end,Brian was offered a position with Fu-sion Homes. He indicates he ishappy with his new position and islooking forward to building his skills.

Sometimes, there is a myth that thepeople that access Employment Serv-ices Elgin are not employable. “Thatisn’t true,” says job developer GordonHall. “Many of the clients we workwith come from all walks of life.”

Job developer Jan Maguire adds,“Many of them have good skills, butthere just aren’t the opportunitiesavailable.”

In their professional lives, job de-velopers combine the skills of amatchmaker, facilitator, and jobcarver. They review resumes employ-ment counsellors send along to mar-ket their clients. They facilitaterelationships between employers andclients looking for work through thejob test option. As “job carvers,” theywork with employers and carve outnew positions that can supportclients who may have some learning

challenges or require some accom-modations in order to be successful.They market clients and identify howbusinesses can benefit by bringing onthe marketed client.

One of the difficult parts for jobdevelopers is to be able to demon-strate the value of using EmploymentServices Elgin by “trying to get in thedoor.” Many employers are skepticalabout using ESE services. They ques-tion whether Employment ServicesElgin is a placement or temp agency.The answer is no. All services offeredto ESE employers and clients arefree.

Job developers look to build long-term relationship with employers,similar to the relationships ESE haswith Erie Flooring and Wood Prod-ucts in West Lorne. Sheila Ficca saysjob developers have played an inte-gral role in the success of the hiring

activities of Erie Flooring and WoodProducts. They have streamlined therecruiting process by optimizing re-sources and finding top calibrecandidates. Through screening can-didates, assisting with the comple-tion of paperwork, liaising withcandidates, and facilitating meetings,job developers have laid the ground-work for a successful business rela-tionship.

Sheila indicates that by workingwith job developers, the companyhas gained more flexibility and free-dom to concentrate on other areas ofthe business rather than spendingtime with the recruitment process.The valuable knowledge gained fromthe programs and services offered byjob developers will have long lastingbenefits, a complement to the trust,integrity and service the business re-lationship is built on, she says.

Job developers say the best part ofthe job is connecting clients withemployers and helping employersfind the right people for their busi-nesses.

The services offered by ESE job de-velopers need be a secret no longer.Employers looking for employees togrow their businesses should contactan ESE job developer today, and“hire us first.” Employment ServicesElgin has three locations in WestLorne, St. Thomas and Aylmer, andjob developers work out of each site.Call 519-631-5470 today.

by Megan Bartlett

Megan Bartlett is the marketing andjob developer assistant with Employment Services Elgin.

Hire us first


• KEY CONTROL SYSTEMS • SAFES• ACCESS CONTROL • LOCK HARDWARE

Prompt, Professional, Mobile & Instore Service• Residential • Commercial • Industrial

Rob Burns - Owner

519-631-4110 ELGIN MALL

Business Beat Table of ContentsBusiness Sample Show ................................page 10

Regional Economic Leadership ................................page 11

Assessing assessments ................................page 12

Snowbirds are coming ................................page 13

Reducing red tape ................................page 14

How to budget ........page 15New Members ........page 16

Send Holiday wishes to your Businessfriends in our annual Holiday edition

To take advantage of excellent advertising opportunities

give me a call at 519-633-1640 (ext. 22)

or email me at [email protected] Edition Advertising Deadline is November 12th

Greg Minnema,Advertising Sales

Wednesday November 14

Jennings Furniture432 Talbot Street

Doors open at 5:00 p.m.Please note: This event will

feature only “furniturefriendly” refreshments in-cluding white wine, cham-pagne and beer. Sorry, nocolas, red wines or dark

beer admitted!

• NOVEMBER 2012 •

The Chamber is proud to support the Weekly News “Yes We Can” promotion. See the Chamber website for details.

Business After 5

The perfect gift!We all know someone

who is hard to buy for; agift-getter who already haseverything! That’s, in part,

why we’re pleased to suggest a new idea as the gift-giving season approaches: tickets to a new event in St.Thomas in January called St. Thomas Uncorked.They’re just $25 plus HST, and a perfect start to whatpromises to be a memorable, informative and funevent.

It takes place on Saturday, January 26 at the St.Thomas – Elgin Public Art Centre and is being or-ganized by the Chamber’s Member Services Commit-tee. St. Thomas Uncorked is a wine and artappreciation night. With the latest sales stats fromthe LCBO reporting annual wine sales up over 6%this year for Ontario products and over 10% for pre-mium listings, there’s no better time to taste, try andlearn.

Tickets can be ordered now via the Chamber’s web-site at www.stthomaschamber.on.ca Only 160 areavailable and advance purchase is a must. The fullevening program and agenda is posted on our websiteor available via email on request to the Chamber of-fice.

Date: Saturday January 26, 2013Time: 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.Site: STEPAC, 301 Talbot Street

Volunteer with us?Have you ever considered working with the Cham-

ber on programs, projects and community activities?If so, let’s talk.

Our volunteer ‘year’ is the calendar year. In the caseof our Board of Directors, terms are limited and upto 4 Directors retire each year. There are also oppor-tunities for work on our standing committees such asthe Member Services Committee or our Public SectorLiaison Committee with links to government andpublic services such as health and education.

Participation as a Chamber volunteer is open toanyone from any business or organization that is aMember of the St. Thomas & District Chamber. Formore info, please call Chamber President & CEOBob Hammersley at 519-631-1981 Extension 524 oremail him at: [email protected]

Linda Axelson from The Weekly News was excited to win a door prize fromQuantum RBS at the Chamber’s 12th annual Business Sample Show. Atten-dance climbed by over 20% this year when the event was held October 17.The Chamber organizes the event each year as part of local activities to markNational Small Business Week.

Business Sample Show winner

CHAMBER NEWS Events and News of Interest to our MembersBUSINESS BEAT

President & CEO Bob Hammersley

Accounting Coordinator Susan Munday

Member Services Linda Crawford

Chair: Jason White Steelway Building Systems1st. Vice-Chair: Paul Smith P.J. Smith & Associates2nd. Vice-Chair: Laura Woermke St. Thomas Elgin Art CentreTreasurer: Mark Lassam, CA Kee, Perry & Lassam Chartered AccountantsPast Chair: Linda Sawyer BMO Bank of MontrealDirector: Beth Burns K & K LocksmithsDirector: Renee Carpenter Jennings FurnitureDirector: Pete Charlton Charlton’s Quality MeatsDirector: Monty Fordham Monty Fordham Law OfficeDirector: Jeff Kohler Presstran IndustriesDirector: Rob Mise myFM 94.1Director: Debra Mountenay Workforce Planning & Development BoardDirector: John Regan Elgin Business Resource CentreDirector: Darren Reith Reith and Associates Insurance & Financial

Published by Carroll Publishing Inc. and delivered to businesses in St. Thomas and Elgin County

For complete information on the St.Thomas and District Chamber of Commerce, reach us at:115-300 South Edgeware Rd., St. Thomas, Ontario N5P 4L1Telephone: 519-631-1981 Fax: 519-631-0466E-Mail: [email protected]: www.stthomaschamber.on.ca

2012 Board of Directors


1.59% 1.64%6.9¢

A sold-out hall with 54 exhibitorsand displays brought businesses andconsumers together for the Cham-ber’s 12th annual Business SampleShow at St. Anne’s Centre in St.Thomas. Food samples, door prizedraws, exhibits and plenty of sam-ples and offers attracted a crowd ofover 500 people this year. Held eachyear during National Small BusinessWeek, the Sample Show took placeon October 17. The Chamberthanks everyone who attended, allof our exhibitors, and our eventsponsors – The Weekly News andthe Elgin Business Resource Centre.

Anothersuccessfulshow



“Emerging stronger”Regional Economic Leadership Series

Chamber delegations from Windsor, Sarnia, Chatham-Kent, Strathroy, St.Thomas, Woodstock, Tillsonburg, Ingersoll, and London took part in a half-day, Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) sponsored regional roundtablediscussion hosted by the London Chamber at its facilities on Pall Mall Streeton October 9.

The delegations were made up of business, academic, and non-governmentorganizations as well as a few elected officials from across the region. The re-gional roundtables are part of a Regional Economic Leadership Series to dis-cuss the state of our regional economy and the plans that are being developedto revitalize it. The London event was the last in a series held across Ontario,in preparation for the Ontario Economic Summit (OES) to be held in Ni-agara-on-the-Lake November 6 – 9.

The issues facing the region are not unique to SW Ontario but the consen-sus view of the group was that solutions are going to have to come fromwithin and we cannot be reliant on government alone to steer us in the rightdirection.

The SW Ontario region in particular was hardest hit by the 2008 economicdownturn and, sadly, it may be the last to fully recover from it.

The participation of this “corridor” group of chambers and their respectivecommunity leaders will give them the opportunity to connect into a networkwithin the Ontario Chamber that provides a learning environment to explorewhat other regions are doing to revitalize and strengthen their economies.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce founded the OES in 2004 and theNovember event this year is the 9th annual, bringing together business lead-ers, entrepreneurs, government officials, university and college presidents,and labour, to discuss and develop an action agenda to address the issues fac-ing Ontario's economy.

This year, the OES will be better prepared to hear from and deal with thevarious challenges and solution from across the province as a result of theseregional economic leadership series.

The partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the OntarioEconomic Summit provides us with additional resources to a build an effec-tive economic action agenda in SW Ontario.

Ontario Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Allan O’Dette stressedthat, with input from its network of chambers across the province, theOCC/OES have developed an economic vision for Ontario called “EmergingStronger” that focuses on five priorities:

1. Fostering a culture of innovation in order to become a productivity leader

2. A 21st century workforce through training, newcomer’s skills and ap-prenticeship reform

3. Restoring fiscal balance by improving how government works4. Taking advantage of new opportunities in the global economy, and5. Identifying and championing Ontario's competitive advantages. The Regional Economic Leadership Series examined ways in which regional

economies can help influence and affect these five priorities to build astronger Ontario.

Many of the new ideas and solutions that came forward out of the Londonroundtable will in fact support the five priorities contained in the “EmergingStronger” document. The original document has already been cited by thePremier and his Cabinet as a great road map for the province to follow inorder to return Ontario to its rightful place as Canada’s economic engine.

New to the roundtable list of ideas and solutions was the recognition thatwe all have to do a much better job of interacting with Ontario’s agriculturesector given the significant contribution it makes to Ontario’s economy inparticular in this very region of SW Ontario. All Chambers will be challengedto take a lead role on this initiative.

The complete “Emerging Stronger” document is available for download onthe Chamber website at www.stthomaschamber.on.ca on our main page.The 28-page document is the result of extensive research and collaborationby the OCC, Leger Marketing and the Mowat School of Public Policy &Governance at the University of Toronto.

45 Metcalcalfe Street, St. Thomhomas 5s 519.631.9393 3 Fax: 5x: 519.631.256345 Metcalfe Street, St. Thomas 519.631.9393 Fax: 519.631.2563

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Toward the middle of November,property owners in Ontario can ex-pect to receive their Notices of As-sessment for municipal property taxpurposes for the upcoming fouryears. You may recall that the noticessent in 2008 included a phasing in ofincreases of assessed values over thefour year period. Assessment noticesfor residential properties will be sentout by MPAC (Municipal PropertyAssessment Corporation) on No-vember 16 and for commercial prop-erties on November 19.

I spoke to Nick Enns of P.J. Smith

and Associates, Property Tax Con-sultants, who provided some generaladvice to ratepayers upon receivingthe Notices. Of course, first, youshould carefully read the notice, and,if possible compare the assessed valueof your property to the values as-signed back in 2008. The goal of theassessment is to approximate thevalue of the property as at January2012.

The Divisional Court of Ontario,in a seminal decision concerningmunicipal taxation, stated “Histori-cally, there are three main methodsof valuing property: the sale compar-ison approach, the cost approach,

and the income or direct capitaliza-tion approach.” The objective alwaysis to determine the “current value” ofthe property in question. The mech-anisms for these assessments arefound in the Assessment Act and theOntario Municipal Act.

Under s. 14 of the Assessment Act,the Municipal Property AssessmentCorporation shall prepare an assess-ment roll for each municipality inOntario. But how does MPAC cometo a determination of the currentvalue of your property? One thingNick says is rarely done: an actual in-spection of the individual property,due to a lack of available MPAC per-sonnel. However there are circum-stances where a closer look may betaken at the actual property.

Once you have reviewed your As-sessment Notice, compared it to theprevious Notice, looked at real estatelistings for similar properties in yourneighbourhood, maybe talked toNick and the folks at P.J. Smith andAssociates, checked out your prop-erty history (more about that in aminute), and you are not satisfiedthat the value assigned is the truevalue of your property, you may pre-pare and forward to MPAC a “re-quest for reconsideration of theassessment”.

The form of the request for consid-eration may be found on the MPACWebsite: mpac.on.ca . Any requestfor reconsideration must be filed on

or before March 31, 2013. Nick sug-gests this be forwarded by hard copyby fax and/or mail to avoid the pos-sibility of it being lost in cyberspace,or otherwise. This process is free tothe taxpayer. This will set in motiona process which will eventually resultin a “letter of decision” from MPAC,usually within 4 to 6 months.

Once you receive your letter of de-cision, you have 90 days from thedate of issuance of the decision to ap-peal the decision to the AssessmentReview Board. This is where theprocess gets more complicated, andNick’s people and/or lawyers usuallyget involved. Obviously, this stage isusually not free to the taxpayer.

The good news, if there is any intaxation matters, is that, according toNick, the valuation process utilizedby MPAC involves assessors lookingat actual sales figures in the relevantarea. In the case of the current assess-ment notices the time period whichis scrutinized will be the last sixmonths of 2011 and the first sixmonths of 2012, more or less. Nicksays property tax consultants canusually tell immediately if the valua-tion is way off.

MPAC’s website is particularlyhelpful. You can actually log intoyour individual property history.Once again, it is mpac.on.ca.

Lawyer Monty Fordham prepares thismonthly column for the St. Thomas &District Chamber of Commerce andour Members. Monty is also a volun-teer serving on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Questions, comments andsuggestions for future columns are welcomed by Monty at his office: Fordham & Brightling Associates –Lawyers, 4 Elgin Street, St. Thomas.Telephone 519-633-4000, FAX 519-633-1371 or e-mail: [email protected]

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17 th Annual “Tour of Homes”Christmas In St.Thomas

“Candlelight Preview”Friday, November 9th, 6pm-9pm

Saturday & SundayNovember 10th & November 11th

10:00 am - 4:00 pmTickets: $17.00 advance, $20.00 at the door

www.rotarystthomas.org

For tickets or information call 519-633-0838

Participate in Auction, Draws,& More all weekend.Thanks for all our sponsors & donors

Tour “5” lovely different homes offering the utmost in beautiful

Christmas decor.....

‘Birds are back!’Congratulations to everyone involved on confirming the internationally-

acclaimed RCAF Snowbirds will headline the 2013 Great Lakes internationalAir Show (GLIAS) in St. Thomas.

The GLIAS is held every two years and will take place again at St. ThomasMunicipal Airport next summer, June 28 to 30. Over 20,000 attendees areagain expected.

The 2011 show produced over $75,000 in donations to local charities andcontributed $4.5 million to the regional economy.

Ticket and event details are being updated regularly on-line at www.great-lakesinternationalairshow.ca Chamber Members will also get exclusive in-formation and updates when the GLIAS organizers co-sponsor the Chamber’sBusiness After 5 event in February.

Sponsorship and participation opportunities can be explored by sending anemail note to Corporate Sponsorship Director Heather Broadhead at: [email protected] or Hugh Shields, Executive Director, at: [email protected]

Street maps?Here’s a reminder to all Members that copies of the Chamber’s city/district

street maps are available on request for free distribution. Just call the Chamberoffice to arrange pick-up or delivery.

Our popular street map product is the only locally-produced map availableand includes adjacent communities plus photos and descriptive informationuseful in promoting and showcasing our area.

The Chamber produces and distributes approximately 30,000 copies of themap each year and produces a new edition every two years.

Welcome to town!The Chamber wants to formally say “Welcome” to two individuals with

new positions in our community.Ross Fair has joined the Fanshawe College team as Chair of the St.

Thomas/Elgin Campus, and we’re very pleased to see him already engagedin projects and activities with the Chamber.

Matthew (Matt) Smit has relocated from Scotiabank’s Aylmer locationto be Branch Manager of Scotiabank’s St. Thomas and Belmont opera-tions.

Notice to MembersIn compliance with the Chamber’s legal obligations under the Boards of

Trade Act, notice is hereby given to all Members that the 143rd AnnualGeneral Meeting of the St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commercewill take place Wednesday November 21, 2012 for the purposes of receiv-ing the annual Auditor’s Report and reporting, confirming the activitiesof the organization, and Members’ business.

Time: 5:30 p.m.Site: Main Boardroom, Elgin Business Resource Centre, 300 South Edgeware Road, St. Thomas.Attendance is open to any designated voting representative of any busi-

ness or organization which is a Member of the St. Thomas & DistrictChamber


VIEWPOINTBUSINESS BEAT

Chamber research has consistentlyshown that “red tape” reductions area concern to local employers. That’swhy the St. Thomas & DistrictChamber is pleased to be part of anew initiative that hits that targetand, at the same time, produces ben-eficial results while reducing de-mands on employers.

The EmployerOne Survey is aproject of the Workforce Planningand Development Board and is

funded by the Ministry of Training,Colleges and Universities. Its pur-pose is to gather and analyze data onworkforce and market needs whilereducing collection and sampling re-search done by a variety of govern-ment and private sector agencies.

Simply said, we’re on a path to beless intrusive to employers and busi-

nesses while working smarter to pro-vide new levels of information thatwill help everyone face the changingchallenges in our market.

Today’s market requires that wethink differently about productivityand growth because:

1. Globalization is expanding morethan ever creating a highly compet-itive market

2. Incredible movements in tech-nology are ushering a new techno-logical age

3. There is a demographic shift ina population that is aging rapidly

For the past year a collaborationof workforce, economic and busi-ness groups have brought together anumber of partners in order to de-velop a collaborative, efficient way toreceive reliable local labour marketinformation from employers. TheEmployerOne Survey is designed toget this information while respectingthe employer's confidentiality andlimited time. The EmployerOnesurvey allows employers, once a year,a chance to communicate theirworkforce needs directly to stake-holders who provide solutions.

Direct benefits to employers andbusiness operators include data thatwill be a timely and dependable re-flection of workforce needs to assistin human resource decisions. Andprovision of the information at nodirect cost.

The survey, once a year in January,should only be about 15 minutes toone hour depending on the size ofyour organization! The survey can betaken anytime within the month ofJanuary and can be done progres-sively by saving the answers.

The EmployerOne Survey was cre-ated with consultation of key indi-viduals and organizations in boththe public and private sectors to en-sure the survey meets itspurpose. The survey will start with a

three-year plan that has been devel-oped to give the survey the time itneeds to establish itself. The follow-ing items have been put in place toensure its success:

1. A Memorandum of Under-standing to ensure all partners willwork, to the best of their abilities,towards the success of the survey

2. A sophisticated survey softwareprogram is being used to collect allresponses and break down data

3. All the collected data and thelabour market intelligence thatcomes of it will be shared with thepartners who will in turn use it inways that ultimately serves the needsof the region's labour market

At the middle of October, work tosecure participation had just begunand several local employers andagencies pledged support and partic-ipation. Among them, in the St.Thomas/Elgin area:1.Elgin-Middlesex-Oxford Work-force Planning and DevelopmentBoard2. London St. Thomas Associationof Realtors 3. Employment Services Elgin 4. South Central Ontario Region5. South West Economic Alliance 6. YWCA St.Thomas - Elgin 7. County of Elgin 8. St. Thomas & District Chamberof Commerce

The EmployerOne Survey needsparticipation of employers in theElgin, Middlesex and Oxford re-gion. For more information, contactthe Workforce Planning & Develop-ment Board at 519-672-3499 or seetheir Website: www.workforcede-velopment.ca

The potential benefits that comewith the EmployerOne Survey morethan outweigh its cost and will pro-vide much needed data to producequality information on workforceneeds of our regions employers.

Gail Dennis

www.accountingwithyou.com • [email protected] South Edgeware Rd., St. Thomas, ON N5P 4L1

519-633-7597 (Ext. 405)

Prosperity Coach for Your Business and You

Are your Monthly and Year-to-date Revenuesand Expenses on track with your Budget?

We can work with you in preparing a budget thatwill identify the money leaks.

Call Gail Dennis today.

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Why wouldyou ever wantto budget?

There are a lot of opinions onbudgeting. You might be like mostpeople ñ you are great at spendingmoney, but have trouble saving it.You might have started a budget buthad trouble sticking to it; or perhapsyou just donít see the value in it.Many people are afraid to knowwhat their finances really look like.This attitude can often lead to finan-cial and unnecessary stress.

A personal budget is a plan for ex-pense and earnings. The goal of asuccessful budget is to ensure thatyour income sufficiently meets andexceeds your expenses. If done rightit can ensure that you have enoughmoney set aside for emergencies, re-tirement, debt reduction, or anymajor purchases.

Whether you use a budget or not,you are still going to need to knowwhat is coming in each month andwhat is going out. If not, you aregoing to have problems. Ignoringthis makes it easy to spend morethan what you make. Many peoplewho have debt bring it back in checkjust by putting it on paper. Budgetshelp you out of debt and reinforcewhy debt isnít a good idea.

Your budget will allow you to keepyour savings goals on track. Itís eas-ier to resist the spending temptationwhen you are constantly being re-minded of what you are saving for.Through a budget you can actuallyhave more money to spend. Mostpeople believe that budgeting meansno trips to the mall ñ this is not true.You actually have more money be-cause you are spending wisely. Sim-ply include in the budget money forshopping sprees. This way, you willfeel less guilt.

One thing to keep in mind is thatyour budget should be realistic.Non-recurring items, such as a repair

bill for the washerbreaking and kidísactivities, need to goin. This realisticbudget will make youaware of if the purchaseis necessary. If youhave to estimateyour income andexpenses, keep in-come on the lowside and expenseson the high side.

The following are the fundamen-tal steps to creating a budget:

The first step is to gather yourbank statements, credit cardstatements, and household billswhich include mortgage andloan statements and insurancepremiums. Now analyze the pre-vious monthís figures to determinewhat you earned and what you havespent. A recommendation is to placeexpenses into three columns/cate-gories ñ fixed, discretionary and largepurchases. Fixed expenses aremonthly recurring amounts, such ashydro, gas and phone payments; aswell as groceries. Discretionary ex-penses are lifestyle choices like din-ing out. Large purchases areappliances, furniture and a computerñ these are included because one ofthese purchases usually appears everyyear.

A recommendation is to use a com-puter spreadsheet. By itemizing youexpenses into these categories youcan then express the totals as a per-centage of income ñ a very eye open-ing result.

The second step is to analyze yourfindings. If the expenses are higherthan your income than look at whichcategory is the largest percentage ofincome. Fixed expenses are challeng-ing to lower whereas discretionarycan be cut out completely (stop eat-ing out; make your own coffee in themorning). Once all expenses havebeen reduced and you are still in anegative situation than you have tolook at increasing income.

Other information to notice fromyou budget is:

1) Are you reducing debt/credit

cards? Once you write down allthose credit card debts, you will seewhy you need to get rid of them. Goahead, add up all the amounts andsee how long minimum paymentswill take to bring it to zero.

2) Are you saving forretirement/kids college fund? In acouple of years, if you invest wisely,$5 dollars per week could be thou-sands.

3) Are you saving for that annualvacation? If not, how will it befunded?

Third step is to live your newbudget. For the next couple ofmonths, track every dollar that youspend. This includes buying coffeein the morning, a pack of gum andany other frivolous purchase. This isan important benefit of a budget.The more time you spend thinkingabout your money, the more focusedyou are on building wealth. Onceyou start thinking about money, youwill often find more ways to save andnot waste it.

The final step is to repeat steps 1through four. By doing this processfor a couple of months, and beingbrutally honest about every dollarspent, you will see a significant dropin your discretionary expenses. You

will notice a change in lifestyle be-haviors that will result in debt reduc-tion and an increase in savings.

Lifestyle is about balance. Havinga budget is a vital element of yourpersonal financial health. By using arealistic and manageable plan, youwill be well on you way to achievingyour financial goals.

No matter what insurance or finan-cial services firm you are now doingbusiness with, have a look at your sit-uation, along with the service youhave been getting to ensure the bestresults. If you might be interested ina second opinion, after a review withyour current investment advisor, ourteam would be pleased to assist withproviding you with insights into cre-ating and maintaining a lifestyle thatwill enhance your future.

by Patrick Erb

PRO TEXT Business Management News & IssuesBUSINESS BEAT

This column appears monthly inBusiness Beat and has been submittedby Patrick Erb, Controller at Reith &Associates Insurance and FinancialServices Limited. Questions and com-ments are welcomed by the writer at519-631-3862 or Email:[email protected]

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Welcome new MembersThe St. Thomas & District Chamberof Commerce is pleased to wel-comes the following businessesand individuals as our newestMembers. The staff and manage-ment of the organizations shownbelow were accepted as registeredMembers to October 15, 2012.

Bookkeeping PrinciplePhone: 519-670-8101Fax: 519-204-8152Email: [email protected]:www.bookkeepingprinciple.comContact: Ms. Andrea Ruth,Owner/OperatorBuyer’s Guide Categories: Account-ing Services; Business AdvisoryServices; Business Information Serv-ices; Tax Services;Products & Services: Andrea L.Ruth is a certified bookkeeper with26 years’ experience providing set-up and monthly maintenance serv-ices to businesses.

Claris TechSt. Thomas, ON Phone: 519-860-1573Email: [email protected]: www.claristech.comContact: Mr. Tyler Logtenberg,OwnerBuyer’s Guide Categories: Web De-sign Services; Internet Services; Products & Services: ClarisTech of-fers complete and extensive inter-net marketing and presencesolutions for businesses of any size.They build solutions tailored to yourbusiness and back-up their workwith a guarantee to bring results.Dragon Ebikes St. Thomas198 Balaclava StreetSt. Thomas, ON N5P 3E3 Phone: 519-280-6850Email:[email protected]: www.dragonebikes.comContacts: Mr. Arthur Cooper,C.E.O.Buyer’s Guide Categories: BicycleDealers – Sales & ServiceProducts & Services: DragonEbikesSt. Thomas is a local dealer for abroad range of electric bicyclestyles including their very popular

3-Wheel bikes, Mobility Scooter, 2-Wheel Scooter Style, Mountain andFolding Ebikes, all with very attrac-tive pricing, plus trailers, helmetsand accessories.Lise LaLonde, Bowen Practitioner304 – 39 Wellington StreetSt. Thomas, ON N5R 2P6Phone: 226-926-1806Email: [email protected] Contacts: Ms. Lise LaLondeBuyer’s Guide Categories: HealthCare Services, MassageProducts & Services: Bowen is ahealth care technique that ad-dresses every system in the bodythrough the nervous system. Ms.LaLonde is a certified Bowen Practi-tioner offering alternative healthcare.St. Thomas Business & Professional Centre10 Mondamin StreetSt. Thomas, ON N5R 3T3Phone: 519-851-0325Email: [email protected]: Mr. Ross Rains, PresidentBuyer’s Guide Categories: Com-mercial Space; Real Estate – Com-mercial;Products & Services: This newly-

renovated commercial property isdirectly adjacent to St. Thomas’ CityHall and offers multi-purpose officespace for professionals in a widerange of sizes. Site visits can bearranged by appointment at anytime.Talbot Trail ToastmastersElgin Mall417 Wellington StreetSt. Thomas, ON N5R 5J5Phone: n/aEmail: contact@ talbotrail.caWebsite: www.talbottrail.caContacts: Mr. Wes Bailey, Vice-President of Public Relations; Ms.Paula De La Penotiere-Smith, Presi-dent; Ms. Julie Hayes, Vice-Presi-dent of Education;Buyer’s Guide Categories: Agen-cies & AssociationsProducts & Services: Up to 75% ofadults have some form of speechanxiety. Beat the statistics and gainvaluable public speaking skills byjoining Talbot Trail Toastmasters.The Toastmasters organization helpsyou develop public speaking andpresentation skills. Learn at yourown pace and gain valuable com-munications skills. The group meetsevery Thursday from 7:00 p.m. until8:30 p.m in the Community Roominside Elgin Mall. Dues are just $60every six months, with guests al-ways welcome for a complimentaryvisit.Talbot-PromoPhone: 519-773-3095Fax: 800-268-0326Email: [email protected]: www.talbot-promo.comContact: Ms. Dawn Pettit, AccountRepresentativeBuyer’s Guide Categories: Promo-tional Products; Advertising/Promo-tion; Displays; Printing &Publishing; Signs/Screen Printing;Products & Services: Talbot-Promois a 125 year-old promotional prod-uct distributor serving clients acrossand within Canada, and now ex-panding to serve the St. Thomasdistrict. The company maintains acatalog and inventory of over400,000 promotional products tohelp leverage your brand and mes-sage to the world.


When we started out on this adven-ture of Agritourism, taking over thereins of the Belmont Corn Maze,Brad and I had a lot of assumptionsabout how things would work. Weimagined sunny days and starlitnights, entertaining the masses withour farm attraction, smoothly edu-cating the public about the realitiesof farming, while they wanderedthrough the twists and turns of themaze.

While there have been a lot ofsunny days, and many starlit nights,we’ve endured more than a few daysand weeks of grim looking weather,uncooperative wind, and enoughrain to dampen many a pair of shoes.And we hope some visitors havelearned from their visits, but I knowwe’ve learned a lot more about per-ceptions others hold about farmingthrough their questions.

“Can we eat the corn”? The firstanswer is ‘No’ . . . although techni-cally, field corn does end up in a lotof the products we use, from carpetto air bags, and a lot of foods we eat,from corn flakes to table syrup. Butwe prefer customers not eat the cornwhile visiting. It’s hard, dry, andchewy, and we like to save it for har-vest. And despite popular belief, allcorn fields are not created equal. Thiscorn does not turn into popcornwhen heated, and will not create asteaming plate of sweet corn. Andpeople wonder why one of ourposted rules is ‘Don’t throw the corn’. . . this is because it’s happened. Andtrust me when I say, flying corn cobshurt!

“Do you rent parkas?” We haven’tgotten into the clothing rental busi-ness, yet. However, after our first fewwet weekends four years ago, we didenter the rubber boot rental business.We’ve collected dozens of sizes andstyles for those visitors caught off-

guard by our sidewalk-free environ-ment. And we do keep a small stashof socks and gloves for sale on thosereally cold nights. But for now, weallow visitors to experience the ele-ments in the clothes they arrive in.

“Can we camp overnight?” I sup-pose we should never say ‘never’, butwe’ve never had anyone stay over atthe maze (voluntarily or otherwise!).Usually a count of the cars at the endof the night serves as a final check torule out anyone staying over at thefarm.

“Can’t you cover the maze with atarp to keep it dry?” Sure, we could.But we haven’t done this yet. Withthe maze measuring over 12 acres, weestimate it would take over 11 foot-ball fields’ worth of tarp to cover thecorn. I’m not saying it would neverhappen, but we haven’t drawn up

plans for the corn-dome yet.“Aren’t there any lights?” While it

is mostly a matter of principle andcost, that we keep the maze ‘off thegrid’, the simplest way to keep thesoil producing healthy crops is to ro-tate the corn field each year, whichmeans moving the maze ‘yard’ aswell. So permanent power and elec-tricity aren’t in the cards for this farmfield. Apart from some solar lights,and what we can run in the yard witha generator, the best light we have isup. Way up. The moon and the starsprovide a great backdrop for themaze at night, and even eyes accus-tomed to 24-7 streetlights seem toadjust.

There are a lot of questions to an-swer, but for this year, our favouritehas been from our own little visitors:“Mom, dad, can we help?”

Janine Lunn hoststhe Belmont CornMaze, and liveson a sheep farmwith her family.

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Growing ForwardAgreementInnovation, market development and long-term growth in Canadianagriculture

In September, federal, provincialand territorial (FPT) Ministers ofAgriculture reached agreement onthe content of the Growing Forward2 policy framework for the agricul-ture, agri-food and agri-products sec-tor. The new five-year agreementincludes investments in strategic ini-tiatives of over $3 billion for innova-tion, competitiveness and marketdevelopment, including a 50 per centincrease in governments' cost-sharedinitiatives. In addition, governmentswill continue to deliver a completeand effective suite of Business RiskManagement (BRM) programs toensure farmers are protected againstsevere market volatility and disasters.

"Just as farmers continuously im-

prove their business practices, so toohave governments made adjustmentsto help Canada remain a worldleader in agricultural innovation andtrade," said Federal Agriculture Min-ister Gerry Ritz. "Growing Forward2 will help drive economic growthand long-term prosperity throughagricultural innovation and marketdevelopment, while also ensuringgovernments continue to share therisk of severe market volatility anddisasters."

Key highlights of Growing Forward2 include:

• 50% increase in cost-shared in-vestments in strategic initiatives(non-BRM) to stimulate innovation,competitiveness, and market devel-opment.

• Complete and effective suite ofBRM programs to protect against se-vere market volatility and disasters.

• Greater flexibility for provincesand territories to tailor programs tolocal needs.

• Increased opportunity forprovinces and territories to invest inenvironmental initiatives and on-farm water infrastructure.

• Ongoing support for farmers witha full suite of risk management pro-grams, including:

• Improved negative mar-gin coverage in AgriStability;

• Lower program fees forAgriStability; and

• Substantially increasingfarmers' ability to contribute greaterfunds into their AgriInvest accountsto better manage risk.

In collaboration with the sector,governments will also encourage thedevelopment of private sector riskmanagement tools and will continueto monitor and review BRM pro-gramming over the term of theframework.

Following consultations with in-dustry, governments have committedto increase their focus on innovation,competitiveness and market develop-ment. As the global population risesand demand for consistency in sup-ply of high quality food increases,Canadian farmers, producers andprocessors must be positioned tocapitalize on emerging market op-portunities. Research and develop-ment hold the promise of growth inboth productivity and profitabilityfor the sector.

Innovation will lead to more effi-cient, sustainable farming and pro-cessing operations and help positionCanada as a world leader in agricul-ture.

"The new Growing Forward agree-ment pays particular attention tostrategic investments that supportsector sustainability and adaptabilityto ensure all government programscontribute to the sector's future eco-nomic growth," said meeting co-

chair Brad Cathers, Yukon Ministerof Energy, Mines and Resources."Growing Forward 2 is important forYukon with its emphasis on invest-ment in innovation and market de-velopment. We are pleased to haveworked collaboratively to reach thisimportant stage in support of oursector's transformation."

Modifications to AgriStability andAgriInvest will ensure that Canadianproducers continue to have access toa strong and effective suite of BRMprograms. AgriInsurance (crop insur-ance), AgriRecovery, and the Ad-vanced Payment Program willcontinue to help farmers manageproduction risks and provide cashflow assistance. Governments willboost coverage for those with nega-tive margins as well as substantiallyincrease farmers' ability to contributegreater funds into their AgriInvestaccount. BRM program reform is inline with government and industryagreement that programs should notmask market signals and should cre-ate space for the development of pri-vate risk management tools.

The agreement sets the stage forFPT governments to complete bilat-eral agreements so programs will bein place by April 1, 2013, when thecurrent framework expires.

Note: In the absence of a QuebecMinister responsible for agriculture,Quebec has not taken a position onthese issues.

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How to prepare youroutdoor green spacesfor winter

My husband and I always give ourgarage a thorough clean out in thefall, sweeping out cobwebs andleaves, stowing away the barbeque,and switching out the summer rakesand brooms for the winter shovelsand scrapers.

But what about the garden? It’s tempting to leave everything as

it is in a sort of tribute to unrulychaos. But to save you from extrawork in the spring and to maintaina good-looking garden throughoutthe winter months, here are somesuggestions from Diane Vaughan,master gardener and former presi-dent of the St. Thomas & DistrictHorticultural Society. She took meon a tour of her backyard garden andshowed me some of the things thatshe does to prepare for winter.

“I cut down anything soft thatflops on the ground, because it canrot and attract insects,” Diane says.“But I leave anything rigid standing,especially if it’s got seeds. They pro-vide food for the birds and look greatpoking through the snow.”

She’s especially adamant about notcutting down ornamental grasses.“Fall and winter is the time forgrasses,” she says, walking me arounda central bed filled with Giant Mis-canthus, Dwarf Maiden Grass andTrailblazer Switchgrass. “They pro-vide movement in the garden andlook wonderful when the sun shinesthrough them.”

Diane also keeps plants with hol-low stems standing, like hollyhocks.“They make great homes for insects,

which is not always a bad thing,” shesays. “Most people think of them aspests, but 99 per cent of them arebeneficial, and you want to keepthose around.”

Leaving flowers on some plants canalso be very decorative in the winter.She showed me a climbing hy-drangea against the house, which,when the snow falls on top of thedried blooms, makes it look likehands are cradling snow.

I remembered that my mother usedto place yew boughs on cleared hostabeds, and I asked Diane whether shecovers her beds with anything.“Mulch. I always put mulch on

empty beds.” She makes her own bychopping fallen leaves finely with thelawnmower. “It keeps the groundcool. Since we don’t get good snowcover in this area, mulch helps keepthe cold in during those warm spellswe often get in February.”

She doesn’t wrap any of her plantsin burlap, since she says it’s only ef-fective for helping shrubs like topiarykeep their shape – and she doesn’thave many of those. But if plants areclose to where salt is strewn or icecould fall, she says it’s probably agood idea.

Diane pulls away some treebranches to show me one of themany birdhouses she has around theperimeter of the yard. “Birds deco-rate your garden more than any-thing, especially in the winter,” shesays. She usually puts out a feedingstation in the middle of the gardento attract cardinals, blue jays andjuncos.

“It seems like a lot to do,” she says,“but it’s not really. The more you doin the fall, the less fuss there is in thespring.”

Here are a few more tips for fallclean up:

• Dig up summer bulbs and storein a cool place, like a garage

• Bring in houseplants two weeksbefore the last frost

• Hill up the soil around rosebushes to prevent heaving duringwarm spells

• Clean out the pond and stopfeeding the fish

• Clean your tools and drain thewater hoses

by Dorothy Gebert

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Swallowing itwhole forcow health

A new electronic capsule for detect-ing disease in livestock is a high-tech,non-invasive, way for producers toincrease their bottom lines and de-crease their vet bills.

Disease detection in livestock maysoon be encapsulated in what’s calleda telemetric bolus, which gives farm-ers a computerized, non-invasivelook at what’s going on inside theiranimals.

The bolus is a 120-gram cylindricalplastic monitoring device thatrecords temperature readings insidean animal. It transmits a signal usingits own unique frequency to a fieldreceptor, which then transfers thedata onto the farmer’s personal com-puter.

Researchers at the University ofGuelph developed this tool, whichcan detect common illnesses evenbefore clinical symptoms appear.They believe its use on farms couldtransform the way producers moni-

tor their cattle’s health.“We’ve worked with veterinarians,

engineers and mathematicians to de-velop the telemetric bolus as a reli-able tool for farmers,” says animalscience professor Brian McBride,who developed the device with post-doctoral researcher Ousama Alzahal.“It could soon be possible for pro-ducers to use their laptops to moni-tor their cattle’s health or to receiveupdates on individual animals frominformation sent to their cellphones.”

One disease they could monitor issub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA).It’s a costly digestive disorder com-mon in high-producing dairy cattleand was the original research focus.McBride and Alzahal used the bolusto measure the rumen’s acidity and

temperature and found a correlationbetween the two.

The bolus could be given to cattleorally, and the weighted devicewould sink to the bottom of thecow’s rumen (and stay there), unno-ticed by the cow. From there, thebolus could transmit a constant

stream of information throughoutthe animal’s life.

The traditional method of detect-ing SARA is a minor surgery calledrumenocentesis, in which a veteri-narian punctures the rumen with along needle to extract a sample offluid. Stomach tubing is also used,but both processes can be expensiveas well as invasive and stressful forthe animal.

The researchers plan to conductmore trials to determine various ru-minal temperature ranges and howdifferent fluctuations could be signif-icant to cattle health. By linkingthese measurements with differentillnesses or bodily processes,McBride and Alzahal hope to de-velop guidelines and recommenda-tions to accompany the technology.

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High demand for farmlandDouble digit assessmentincreases possible

When farmers receive their Prop-erty Assessment Notice in the mailthis fall, they may not like whatthey see. We expect the higherprices paid for farmland will resultin double digit increases in farmproperty assessments.

The latest report from FarmCredit Canada reveals that farm-land in many parts of the provinceremains in high demand. FCC’sFarmland Values Report notes thatfarmland values in Ontario in-creased 7.2% in the second half of2011 alone, following gains of6.6% and 2.4% in the previoustwo reporting periods.

"We encourage farmers to readtheir assessment notices carefully,"

says Fons Vandenbroek, Elgin Fed-eration of Agriculture president."If assessments are out of line, wewant farmers to know that theymay be able to apply for a requestfor reconsideration throught theMunicipal Property AssessmentCorporation."

The sale prices of farmland, pur-chased by farmers, are used by theMunicipal Property Assessment(MPAC) to establish the assess-ment value of farmland, which willbe reassessed based on the January1, 2012 value. The higher pricespaid by farmers means assessmentfarmland values could see a signifi-cant four-year increase. Next year’sproperty tax bills will be calculatedusing the January 1, 2012 reassess-ment base and next year’s propertytax rates that will be set by munic-ipal governments. Increases in as-sessed value from January 2008 toJanuary 2012 will be phased ingradually in equal annual incre-ments over four years.

by Mark Wales, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Board member, Elgin Federation of Agriculture


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Seconds pleaseEvery autumn the LCBO has a promotion called ‘Go Local.’ The campaign

is designed to enhance consumers’ awareness of the bounty of terrific winesgrown right here in Ontario. LCBO’s ‘Go Local’ almost always features a fullglossy flyer with all the featured wines and this year was no exception. As Iperused this year’s edition one thing really jumped out at me – a lot of thewines were second labels.

As the name suggests, a second label is a wine, or line ofwines, produced by the same winery, but for one or severalreasons was not used in the primary wine (first label) thatthe winery bases its brand on. The second label will oftenmake little to no reference to the first label producer. Thesewines are well made and often retail for a fraction of the costof the first label. They can also be characterized as lifestyle,or gimmick brands. They put less emphasis on the land, theclimate, and more on just having a ‘good time.’ There is aconstant struggle for Ontario wine producers to get recog-nition, and while it seems counter intuitive to create a sepa-rate line that doesn’t necessarily acknowledge the core brand,there are several reasons why second labels are on the rise.

There is a long tradition of second labels, going back hun-dreds of years. In good years, the top Bordeaux producers would make rela-tively small blends of their top wines (in an effort to keep demand and qualityhigh), then bottle the remaining volumes as second label blends to clear in-ventory and generate a little cash flow. In bad years, to maintain a standardof quality, some producers will choose not to release a first label, and simplyuse their second to move the wine. Nowadays, most iconic chateaux’s havethree labels and the prices differ by orders of magnitude.

Even with a varietal wine (say Chardonnay), quality producers will ferment

them in a range of styles to enhance the complexity of the final wine. Somemay see oak, some may see extended yeast contact. When it comes time tobottle the first label wine, winemakers will select the best lots to match theirgoals. More often than not, the best wines do not include every lot and wine-makers are left with extras. Those extras are then assembled and bottled, la-belled, and sold separately.

The recent surge in second labels in Ontario is, in my opinion, being drivenlargely by three factors: price points, surplus, and creating choice. Relativeto other parts of the wine world there aren’t as many wineries in Ontario. Abig driver for second labels here is about creating more choice in the Ontariosection of your favourite store. Most of us don’t realize that most of thelifestyle or gimmicky brands in the Ontario section are merely second labels.

The next two reasons are pretty much based on supply and de-mand. The start of the recession coincided with new large vineplantings in the province. This created an excess of supply, andwineries simply were not moving enough volume with their firstlabel. Another successful label on the shelves will only aid theirmarket share. The final driver is price point. Ontario VQA wineswere generally more expensive to purchase relative to the alterna-tives when the recession hit. Rather than reduce the price of thefirst label, and potentially hurt brand image, wineries created sec-ond labels, at affordable prices, to move the volumes until themarkets stabilize.

There are some truly spectacular second labels out there. My rec-ommendation is to do alittle research. Figure out

where your favourite second labelscome from. Odds are good, with thesame team behind the wine, you mayfind a whole new array of wines youlike when you match the second labelto its producer.

by Jamie Quai

Jamie Quai is head winemaker at Quai du Vin Estate Winery in ElginCounty.

they can also be

characterizedas lifestyle, or gimmick

brands

“ “



There’s no place like home, or thefarmhouse – and often it feels there’sno place safer. However, for seniors,the home is where many in injuriesoccur, and most of these are falls.

In Elgin-St. Thomas in 2009, 835seniors were seen in emergency dueto injuries sustained from a fall. ForOntarians aged 65 years and older,falls are the leading cause of injury-related emergency department visits,hospitalizations, and in-hospitaldeaths. The most serious falls occurin and around the home, especially in

the bathroom, the stairs and in thekitchen.

The good news is that many injuriesdue to falls can be prevented. The firststep to avoiding falls is to understandwhat causes them. For example, poorbalance, decreased muscle and bone

strength, reduced vision or hearing,and unsafe conditions in and aroundyour home can increase your chanceof falling. Staying safe and on yourfeet is a matter of taking some stepsto protect yourself.

Here are some steps you can take tostay safe:

• Talk to your doctor or health careprovider about falls prevention. Haveregular vision and hearing tests.

• Take prescription and over-the-counter medications correctly. Keepa medication record and review it reg-ularly with your doctor. Tell yourdoctor if your medication makes youdizzy or lightheaded.

• Install proper lighting throughoutyour home. Pay special attention tostairs (with a light switch at bothends) and bathrooms. Use nightlightsin the hallways.

• Keep your floor and stairs free ofclutter. Avoid the use of scatter rugs.

Be sure to have at least one handrail(preferably two) on all stairways andsteps in your home. Ensure handrailsare securely attached and in good re-pair.

• Check that stairs are in good re-pair and are slip resistant. Add a stripalong the edge of each step in a con-trasting colour to make it easier to seeor use reflective anti-skid treads.

• Take the same precautions for out-door steps. In addition, arrange tohave leaves, snow and ice removed ona regular basis. Use salt or sandthroughout the winter months.

• Wear proper footwear. Shoes,boots and slippers should providegood support and have non-slip soles.

• Install grab bars by the toilet andin the bathtub or shower. Ensure theyare installed correctly. If you needextra support, consider a bath seat or

bench so you can have a shower sit-ting down.

• Use a rubber mat along the fulllength in your tub, and a non-skidbath mat beside the tub.

• Don’t try to do tasks that are toostrenuous or potentially dangerous.Find a volunteer – a friend, neighbor,a relative, building maintenance staff– to help you with heavy work.

• Take care not to trip on your pet(or your grandchild’s toys).

Take off your reading glasses whenyou’re not reading.

• Don’t rush to the telephone; if youhave an answering service, yourcallers will leave a message; if not,they will call back.

• If you notice any hazards or unsafeconditions, let the proper authoritiesknow (municipality, apartmentowner, seniors’ center, store staff). Re-porting unsafe conditions benefitsyou and the entire community.

• Check out Canada Mortgage andHousing Corporation (CMHC) forvaluable information on home safety,adaptations and accessibility by call-ing 1-800-668-2642 or by visitingwww.cmhc.ca

It is never too late to prevent falls bymaking the needed adjustments toyour home and by making sure youeat well and stay fit. Your independ-ence and well being are at stake.

For more information on falls pre-vention resources, contact Elgin StThomas Public Health at 519-631-9900 (ext. 1254) or 1-800-922-0096.

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R U R A L E L G I NSpecial FeatureSpecial Feature

The ElginArts TrailAn inspiring journey

Elgin County is located along 120km of Lake Erie’s spectacular northshore. The Area is known for its rurallandscapes, attractive beaches andrailway heritage. Visitors to the areaare often surprised to discover thatElgin is home to such a vibrant andthriving arts community. Some saythat Elgin County is a work of art it-self with its sprawling countryside,charming villages and tranquil wa-ters. Numerous artists have been in-spired by this natural beauty andhave decided to make the area theirhome.

In September 2012, Elgin-St.Thomas Tourism celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Elgin ArtsTrail. The Trail invites visitors andresidents alike to celebrate the finestvisual arts attractions that ElginCounty has to offer. The Trail seeksto build local awareness of the artistsin Elgin and St. Thomas, evoking asense of pride and having a positiveimpact on the community.

The Elgin Arts Trail takes visitorson a journey to 14 studios and gal-leries across Elgin County and St.Thomas, featuring original paintings,sculptures, photography, pottery,and other hand crafted items. Com-prehensive resources including aguide book, map and website areavailable to steer visitors in the right

direction. The 14 locations on thetrail were carefully selected based ona set of criteria designed to ensure su-perior quality and a memorable ex-perience.

Originally built on the wealth ofthe railways of yesteryear, the city ofSt. Thomas is currently undergoinga gradual transformation into a cre-ative hub, with several galleries nowcalling the downtown core home.

Numerous other galleries and stu-dios can be found in the towns andvillages that dot the Elgin country-side and shoreline. Visit Canada’soldest continuously operating pot-tery studio nestled in a 54-acre pineforest, take an art class or workshopat a fully functional studio, or pur-chase a piece of art from one ofElgin’s several charming folk artists.

Additional studios and galleries canbe found in the seldom explored, yetruggedly beautiful western portionof the County where artists have aninnate ability to capture the essenceand history of rural life.

The trail also features several tal-ented artisans and crafters. Visitorscan experience the sweet scents ofhand poured candles in the historic

Quaker village of Sparta, visit a spa-cious 1842 home selling and display-ing fibre and yarn art in St. Thomas’sWest Village neighbourhood or pur-chase a beautifully hand-crafted con-crete garden statue in Central Elgin.

The Elgin Arts Trail marries coun-try charm with fine art and providesopportunities for both those who ap-preciate art from afar and amateurartists wishing to actively participatein courses and workshops.

Visit www.elginartstrail.ca to be in-spired by the Elgin Arts Trail.

by Katherine Thompson

The Elgin Arts Trail is a program witha goal to promote and enhance arts

tourism in Elgin County and St. Thomas. The trail is a route

through Elgin County that visits someof the best galleries, studios, and

artisans in Elgin and St. Thomas. For full trail information visit

www.elginartstrail.ca or find us onFacebook.

Katherine Thompson is Marketing & CommunicationsCoordinator withThe County of Elgin

Mark A WalesCHARTERED ACCOUNTANT

HELPING YOU IN MANAGINGYOUR FARM BUSINESS

Mark A. Wales, CAJENNIFER WHALLS TAMMY SLOTA

www.markawales.ca190 Centre St., St. Thomas 519-637-0700


“Hey Doc, I think I have sciatica.”This is a very commonly heard

comment in our office yet few peoplereally understand exactly what itmeans. Most people assume that ifthey are experiencing any hip or legpain that seems to be associated withback pain that they must be experi-encing “sciatica”. This may or maynot be true.

The problem is that the term sciat-ica is treated like a diagnosis when inactuality it really isn’t a diagnosis buta description of symptoms. Sciatica isa condition in which the sciaticnerve, one of the main large nerves ofthe lower limb, is being irritated re-sulting in leg pain. True classic sciat-ica results in severe pain down theback of the leg all the way to the foot.It is commonly described as an “elec-tric shock” like pain and most unfor-tunate suffers usually express that it isthe worst pain that they have ever ex-perienced. Keep in mind that this isthe classic textbook description andmany variations are possible.

Now that we are clear about whatsciatica really is, let’s discuss where theconfusion lies. As stated, the term sci-atica really is a description rather thana true diagnosis. For it to become atrue diagnosis, one must uncover thecause of the sciatica. Sciatica isthought to be commonly caused by a

disc injury such as a herniation butsciatica can also be caused due to in-flammation of the joints in the lowerback, advancing spondylosis (the

term to describe arthritis in thespine), nerve root adhesions or evena tumour. There are even conditionsreferred to as pseudo-sciatica whichappear like regular sciatica but arecaused by compression of the sciaticnerve by tight muscles.

The challenge for the heath carepractitioner is to determine the exactcause of the sciatica because until thatcan be determined there is no way toknow what the best course of treat-ment will be. This is where a thor-ough history and physicalexamination come in. Studies indi-cate that 80 per cent of a diagnosiscan come from a good thorough his-tory. The physical examination andother tests are then used to confirmthe diagnosis and rule out the differ-ential diagnoses.

Again, in a classic textbook case, thepatient will present in moderate to se-vere pain. The pain typically involvesthe lower back and one leg. Manytimes the leg pain is described asbeing much more severe than theback pain. The patient will stand andwalk slightly stooped forward andperhaps leaning slightly to one side.The affected leg may also be slightlybent at the knee and the patient mayhave difficulty putting weight on theleg. The patient may relay a historyindicating a specific precipitatingevent such as lifting or perhaps an oc-cupation that requires long hours ofsitting.

The physical examination shouldinclude several important orthopedicand neurological tests. Typically rangeof motion will be limited with flexingforward being the most painful. A

test called the straight leg raise will beperformed and is usually painful in-dicating nerve root tension. Reflexes,motor strength testing and testing forsensory changes should be per-formed. They may be normal how-ever changes in these tests mayindicate a more serious condition.

Most importantly when sciaticsymptoms that seem consistent witha disc herniation are present, the pa-tient must be educated to help themunderstand their condition. It is im-portant for the patient to understandthat, if they experience problems withbowel or bladder control, they shouldbe advised to go to the emergencyroom as this might indicate a neuro-logical emergency called caudaequina syndrome.

Finally, many treatment optionsexist depending on the cause of thesciatica. It is important to seek outthe advice and help of a qualifiedhealth practitioner such as a chiro-practor or physiotherapist as thesepeople specialize in the treatment ofthese types of conditions.

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Keith A. Hunt 519-765-2666C.E.T., P.Q.S. President 20 Harvey St., Aylmer, ON

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H O M E S T Y L E

DECORATING

Before diving into your paint project, ensure a smooth painting process thatlooks clean and professional.

Spend more for quality paint. Good quality paints cost more due to theircovering ability. They go on smoother, splatter less, and resist fading. The ac-crued costs of frequent repainting cancel the ‘savings’ you enjoy by buyingthe cheap stuff.

Consider luster/finish. Generally, the higher the gloss, the better the finishwill stand up to stains, abrasions, and cleaning. Flat paint is widely used forceilings but is not a good choice for walls in high traffic areas. Eggshell workswell in bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways where frequent cleaning is notneeded. Easier-to-wash satin or semi-gloss paints are good choices for bath-rooms and kitchens. Use high-gloss paints for trim, cabinetry and doors thatare in perfect condition.

Correct colour choice is crucial! Light colours tend to open up a room,making it seem lighter and more spacious. Dark hues can add depth and

warmth. Paint an accent wall using a dark colour, creating visual interest with-out making the room feel smaller. Before painting a room white, pay

special attention to how surrounding elements will reflect light andalter the colour. It’s worth the time to do the prep work. Paint will cover more uni-

formly and adhere better to clean, dry, non-glossy surfaces. Scrape offany flaking paint, fill holes with spackling compound, and sand walls.Wipe off sanding dust, and wash dirty walls with a TSP solution. Re-move switch-plates and other hardware. Help conceal stains and ensure

uniform colour and absorption by first applying a primer.Using the right equipment is essential. Choose brushes with long and

dense bristles – nylon or latex (water-base) paint and natural for oil-basepaint. A 2-inch angled sash brush, a 3-inch trim brush, and rollers are

enough for most jobs. For rough or textured surfaces, use a roller with a3/8-inch or thicker nap; for smooth surfaces, use a roller with a nap of ¼ to3/8 inch.

Choose the right roller cover. For a smooth surface, choose a short nap orpile. Rough surfaces require a longer nap. The higher the gloss level of thepaint, the shorter the nap of the roller cover should be.

Use painter’s tape. Apply no more than 8-10 inches of painter’s tape at atime to be guaranteed a straight edge. Smooth the edges with a putty knife.

Lastly, paint the walls.Wait until the paint is dry to the touch, and remove the tape slowly at a

45-degree angle. If the tape beginsto tear, run a crafts knife along theseam to preserve the finish.

A fresh coat of paint not onlysmells fresh but feels fresh, as well,changing the feel of an interior spacefaster than anything else. But only ifit is well done! A sloppy job is worsethan no job at all. The devil is in thedetail and delivery.

Renée Carpenter is the owner of Jennings Furnitureand Design in St. Thomas.

Paint likea proby Renée Carpenter


by Sharon Lechner

L I F E S T Y L E S

SELF DISCOVERY

SCHOOL OF PHOTOGRAPHYSeminars-Workshops-Classes

www.shutter.ca 519-637-3006 [email protected]

INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS

Learn all about your digital SLR camera, starting at the basics of its operation to using it

effectively and with confidence in any kind ofshooting situation.

ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHYAn intensive workshop for the photographer who

wishes to take their skill to the next level. All sessions are held on location at various

Elgin county locations for hands-on, practical instruction.

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTSThis introductory workshop will help you learn

how to adjust colour, improve contrast, increase sharpness of your images, create custom images

and how to effectively work with labs and custom printers.

Over the last few weeks, I have seena number of posts on Facebook thatshow a banner stating what peopleshould have been, e.g., Joe Smithshould have been a police officer orMary Brown should have been apolitician. These posts related to acertain app where you would providesome information about yourself andin turn you would discover the careeryou should have pursued. My imme-diate thought was how sad it wouldbe if all of these people were beingtold that they should have beensomething other than what they ac-tually are. I would hate to think thatpeople have been working in careersfor 20-30 years for which they areunsuited and more importantly un-happy.

The good news is that it’s never toolate to pursue something that you re-ally want to do. I think career hap-piness is dependent on two things:

1. Pursuing a career that marriesyour passion with your strengths

2. Being of service to others.Your ability to achieve items one

and two above closely relates to yourcareer happiness and ultimately yourcareer success. If you want to pursuea career that you really love, spendsome time in honest reflection think-ing about what you love to do andwhat you are good at. It is notenough to just pick what you aregood at. I myself know several thingsthat I am good at, but I also knowthose same things would not bringme happiness; in fact, they wouldmost likely bring me a lot of stressand fatigue. Just about every job al-lows you to be of service, whetheryou are a cashier at Walmart or self-employed providing a service such asaccounting.

Many people in our communityhave been affected by downsizing

and are now getting into a positionof deciding what to do next. If youare one of those people, start to thinkof what you really like to do. If allwork paid the same, what would youdo? What hobbies or personal inter-ests do you have that could poten-tially become your next career?Recently, one of my coaching clientstold me that she was exploring thingsthat “tickled her spirit”. I love thatexpression. I am continually doingthings that tickle my spirit and I en-courage you to do the same.

Although January is the monthwhen many people make change, thefall is also a great time with manyseasonal activities commencingthroughout the season.

Once you have one or more thingsthat tickle your spirit, spend some

time thinking about how this couldbecome your next career (if you arelooking for one). Before taking theplunge and delving into somethingfull force, you could ask to jobshadow someone who is doing whatyou would like to do or whose workwould complement what you wouldlike to do. This can provide clarityabout what you really want to do andwill let you feel whether or not, thispotential career feels like a good fitfor you.

Once you have a career in mindthat marries your passion with yourstrengths, don’t let anyone deter youfrom pursuing your dream. My owndaughter wants to be a professionaldancer. She applied to a very special-ized program and two universities forwhich auditions were required. Un-

fortunately, she didn’t get in this year,but she has doubled her efforts intraining until she may apply again,and no one will stop her from pursu-ing her dream.

You don’t need a Facebook app totell you what you should have beenor what you should be in the future;you just need to listen to your heart.

Sharon Lechner isa certified masterlife coachand owner ofReach for the StarsEmpowerment in St. Thomas.

Whatshould

you havebeen?she was

exploring things that tickled her spirit“

“


241 Ross St.,St.Thomas

519-633-0101Cell: 519-870-6775

[email protected]

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Planning afun and festiveholiday party

(NC)—Whether you're hosting aparty for 30 or 300 people this holi-day season, it's important to planand prepare leading up to the bigday. Selecting the menu, creating theholiday décor, and ensuring the spaceis spotless before guests arrive, isparamount. Having planned hun-dreds of celebrations and parties,here are some of my tips and tricksfor hosting the perfect holiday partythat both you and your guests willenjoy.

• Start with a colour theme: red andgold or white and silver are both per-fect for a holiday party. Incorporatethese colours into everything fromyour invitations to your decorations.

• Create vignettes throughout yourhome by grouping candles, orna-

ments, and flowers in the most visi-ble spaces.

• Save yourself the mess and use anartificial tree. Artificial trees look justas good as the real ones so yourguests won't be able to tell the differ-ence. Consider using a product likeFebreze Air Effects in Cranberry andFrost to add a touch of holiday scent.

• Good lighting is a must. Uselights on dimmers or consider adjust-ing the lighting with candles. There'sno such thing as too many candles –don't be shy about using votives, pil-lars, and tapers everywhere. To createa unified scent around the house, tryusing Febreze Candles to add ambi-ence or as part of a festive center-piece.

• Sit down dinners can be intimi-dating so set up a variety of food sta-tions instead. Your food stations canstill include the holiday classics: setup a turkey carving station and letpeople help themselves to sides andstuffing.

www.newscanada.com

(NC)—Does the phrase “officeChristmas party” fill your head withimages of drunken coworkers wholaunched wholeheartedly into poten-tially career-damaging behaviour?Did they stagger out mumblingsomething about needing a cab?

Businesses hosting on-site holidayparties, or any celebratory events atall, are becoming increasingly awareof the risks associated with serving al-cohol.

Organizations want to be able tocelebrate without the worry, andsome are turning to non-alcoholicbeverages that capture the spirit ofthe season without the spirits them-selves.

For example, the business-to-business division of Staples is nowcarrying MADD Virgin Drinks – an

alcohol-free line of beverages licensedby Mothers Against Drunk Driving.Staples Advantage carries three vari-eties from the alcohol-free line – Vir-gin Blanc, Rouge, and Brut.

Margaret Blake, director of mer-chandising at Staples AdvantageCanada, says, "The MADD VirginDrinks are a sophisticated step upfrom the ordinary soft drinks orpunch. They help our corporate cus-tomers offer beverages that fit theparty mood, but don't cause themany concern.”Office party planning tips

If you're the one charged withplanning your office party this year,Blake and her colleagues offer theseother tips:

• Get the invitations out early, or atleast tell people the date and time of

the party well in advance. If youdon't get on the employees' socialseason calendar first, you'll quicklyplace second or third to the neigh-bours and in-laws. Be clear on the in-vitation about whether or notemployees may bring guests, andmention the kind of attire that's ex-

pected.• Give away prizes. The most cov-

eted tech gadgets work well for doorprizes. It's also nice to make sureeveryone leaves with a small gift. Becreative, but practical.

www.newscanada.com

Office supplier now includes alcohol-free party beverages

Mocktails are a fun and tasty

alternative.

Mocktails are a fun and tasty

alternative.

““

C O M P A N Y C H R I S T M A S P A R T I E SSpecial FeatureSpecial Feature


L I F E S T Y L E S

THAT’S LIFE

On the day when Ineeded to be halfan hour ahead

I needed my keys, and they werenot in the basket by the back door. Abasket has been strategically placedthere to accommodate keys; andmine on a morning when I neededto be at least half an hour ahead ofschedule were not there.

In my panic I emptied out the en-tire contents of my purse the onlyother logical place where my keysmight be. I found a wallet, pull-updiaper, Zip-Lock bag filled with babywipes, Zip-Lock bag filled withcraisins, a pen, four receipts, a toyfrom a Happy-Meal, lipstick, a HotWheel red Corvette, a pack of gum,a handful of loose Gold Fish crack-ers, a Zip-Lock bag filled with GoldFish crackers, a pair of toddler’ssocks, my sun glasses, my son’s sun-glasses, our Telephone bill, somebusiness cards, my phone, a couponand my grocery list. All that and nokeys.

I recruited everyone in the house-hold to hunt for mom’s keys while Iretraced my steps, racked my tiredbrain for where I could have set mykeys. In the midst of my fury, Ipaused and wondered what my pub-lic relations professor from universitywould think of me now. She hadonce lectured that she could tell themental state of a woman by lookingin her purse. “A cluttered purse is acluttered mind, a cluttered life. You

need only your wallet, lipstick and apen in your purse.” She frowned oneven a loose candy or gum wrapper.

My professor was right on onething a women’s purse is an extensionof her life. But my cluttered pursedoes not reflect a cluttered mind – itreflects the reality of a mom.

As a mom, my mind is constantlyadrift with lists and “what-if ’s,” andmy purse accommodates both. As amom you need a grocery list not be-cause you are trying a new recipe andwant to remember the ingredients.No, a mom needs a grocery list in herpurse – one, to remember to get gro-ceries and, two, because when you fi-nally make it to the store its quitepossible to forget that you need milkover the cries of your two-year-oldwho has had quite enough of viewinglife from the grocery cart. And that’swhen I reach into my purse and pullout the Zip-Block back full ofcraisins or Gold Fish. The HappyMeal toy is a reminder of the lunchhe was rewarded with for havingmade it through another groceryrun.

A telephone bill can be paid atlunch. Business cards remind me ofmy “need to call” list for work. Andcoupons are on my list of “ways tosave” around the house.

Baby wipes are every mother’s sav-iour – I never leave home withoutthem. Baby wipes not only clean upunexpected sticky hands, but theyalso prevent stains from setting in onsuit jackets and easily rid your highheels of dirt. The toddler socks arethere if one boy steps in a puddle andwill double as emergency mittensshould another forget their own.

Yes my purse – my brain – my lifeis cluttered. But I like to think of itas an organized mess in which I tryto stay one step ahead of every sce-nario.

Still whatever you have packed intoyour purse as arsenal for “those days”and “those accidents,” sometimesyour keys are just not there. Andnow, ten minutes behind scheduleand still with no keys, I decided totake the valet key and leave my hus-band to lock up the house. An hourlater he called to report he had foundmy keys in the shoe box by the backdoor.

A woman with a neat purse mayhave questioned the logic of findingkeys in a box full of shoes. But thismom simply sighed, rolled her eyes,and moved on to the next task in theday.

ElizabethVanHooren is general manager of the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority.

by Elizabeth VanHooren

Lost keys

I founda wallet, pull-up diaper, Zip-Lockbag filled withbaby wipes...“ “

JenningsFurniture & Design

Designer Tree Walk

Explore Three Floors of

DESIGNER CHRISTMAS TREES

NOVEMBER 6th - 26thPlace a Silent Bid on the Tree of Your Choice

and Help Aid Women with Breast Cancer

The FULLY DECORATED tree will be delivered to you in time for the holidays!


L I F E S T Y L E S

REMEMBRANCE

ON NOVEMBER 11thPlease remember those who

gave their lives and those whocontinue to serve our Country.

Jeff Yurek, MPPElgin-Middlesex-London

750 Talbot St., (CASO Station Suite 201)St. Thomas, ON N5P 1E2 519-631-0666

email: [email protected]

REMEMBEROn November 11th

LEST WE FORGETRoyal Canadian Legion, Branch 41

24 John St. St.Thomas

519-631-9840

We honour thosewho have given

their lives to defendour freedom.

REMEMBEROn November 11th

LEST WE FORGETRoyal Canadian Legion, Branch 41

24 John St. St.Thomas

519-631-9840


their lives to defendour freedom.

(NC)—When you think ofCanada's multicultural society andall the freedoms and opportunitiesthat we experience on a daily basis,devoting a few minutes of silence onRemembrance Day to think of ourtroops is an important and meaning-ful gesture. Our soldiers and veteranssacrificed their time, personal com-

forts, and in many cases their lives sowe could enjoy ours. Here are someother ways that you can show grati-tude:

Wear a poppy. From the last Fridayin October to November 11, pin apoppy on the left lapel of your gar-ment or as close to the heart as pos-sible. This will publicly remind you

of our soldiers' sacrifices and will en-courage others to do the same.

Write to soldiers. Send a letter orcard to express your appreciation.Mailing addresses are listed on theDepartment of National Defencewebsite. You can also post a messageto troops on the site's message board.

Donate in honour of a soldier. Justas the Canadian Forces aim to bringpeace and security to countries inneed, consider doing your part tohelp those around the world who are

suffering. Organizations like Chris-tian Children's Fund of Canada offera gift catalogue where you can pur-chase items such as fruit trees or in-secticide treated bed nets in honourof one of Canada's heroes. You canalso personalize a card and mail yourthanks to a Canadian Forces mem-ber. More information is available atwww.ccfcanada.ca/GiftCatalogue.

www.newscanada.com

AYLMER75 Talbot Street East

T: 519-773-8471

ST.THOMAS991 Talbot StreetT: 519-637-1230

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Rememberingto say thanks


L I F E S T Y L E S

It’s a glistening afternoon in Kan-dahar, Afghanistan in 1972. I’m on apark bench with another backpackernamed Joe, mowing through a bag ofcookies from a bakery nearby. We fi-nally realize we are getting nastystares from passersby, and evensnarls. What? We finally clue in. It’sRamadan – the Muslim holy month– when everyone fasts from sunriseto sundown. Our public gluttony ison a par with mistaking a baptismalfont for a urinal. Oops. But theydon’t cut off our heads; they cut ussome slack.

Islam was not even on my radar asI was growing up in rural SouthernOntario. So I am still learning aboutChristianity’s great sister religionthrough my encounters with Mus-lims, and my reading.

Over my lifetime, I have spent al-

most three months travelling in sixMuslim countries. I traveled close tothe ground – no guides or resorts. Ihave had no difficulties from thepeople, but many acts of kindness. Ithink of the man I sat beside on a busin Morocco, wordlessly sharing hisbag of cookies with me as we rum-bled up the coastal desert.

At the recent Doors Open weekendin London, I spent a couple of hourstouring the Muslim Mosque. Smil-ing greeters and guides were every-where. In the gym was a fashiondemonstration of hijab head cover-ings. Two women were selling home-made baked goods. I bought somecookies, and a young boy insisted onfinding me the package with themost chocolate ones. At a table, abearded man wrote my name for mein curving Arabic script. I reclinedon cushions and enjoyed dates andcoffee. I told the coffee server my Ra-madan-cookie story. His eyebrowsshot up.

In the large, unfurnished prayerroom, I left my shoes at the door andchatted for half an hour with a soft-

spoken gentleman in a grey sweater– a retired professor. We each have aspiritual side and a material side, hesaid, and too often the material sideprevails. The fighting in Syria is morepolitics than religion. Those with atrue understanding of Islam knowthat the Qur’an absolutely forbidsthe killing of innocent people. If cap-tured in war, they must be fed andreleased, or ransomed. But people arepeople, and may act in anger. Hementioned the American drone at-tacks, which are killing innocentpeople along with combatants.

When the afternoon prayer wasabout to start, men were droppingtheir shoes and streaming in. Mostsaid hello to me as they passed, orgave a friendly nod. Then they qui-etly greeted each other, sometimeswith a handshake or pat on theshoulder. The goodwill and fellow-ship were palpable. I know this feel-ing, I thought. It is just like church.

Downstairs was a row of tables,each manned by a friendly face, usu-ally bearded. Here were the educa-tional posters, pamphlets and

booklets explaining Islam. Peace,love, tolerance. It sounded likeChristianity on a good day.

These people were trying hard tomake a good impression on thewider London community. They area long way from the Islamists in theinternational news.

The worldwide community ofMuslims is deeply fractured, saysReza Aslan in his insightful book onIslamic history: No God But God.Being played out now on the worldstage is not a conflict between Islamand the West. Rather, it is an internalstruggle between the Muslims whowish to adapt to modernity, andthose who wish to revert – some-times fanatically – to fundamental-ism. Christianity had its bloodyreformation: now it is Islam’s turn.

Duncan Watterworth is recently a retireeand emptynester in St.Thomas.

LET’S HELPMAKE DEATHWAIT.PLEASE VOLUNTEER.Please join our team of volunteersthis February to canvass your neighbourhood to collect life-givingdonations, and help the Heart andStroke Foundation fund critical heartdisease and stroke research.

Register today at heartandstroke.ca/helpor by calling the London Area Office at 519 679-0641

Call Today!

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TIME ON MY HANDS

by Duncan Watterworth

All smiles at the mosqueGetting a handleon Christianity’ssister religion


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2012 Jeep CompassNorth Package

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2012 Dodge Charger

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2012 RAM Quad CabSXT 4x4

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Payments are prior to $1500 freight, $100 air tax, $199 Security Pkg, $247 Admin Fee, HST and License.

Documents

November 2012 Issue