means we’ll finally be able to entertain (Note to By-Law officials: just what is the maximum allowable decibel level within town limits?). My MUGSHOTS band mates are especially happy at the prospect of being able to play loud without waking someone up (I’ve already checked

into soundproofing for the girls’ rooms!). We hope to be moving sometime in late Winter or early Spring. It’s been a tremendously busy year in real estate in Wasaga Beach with many people taking advantage of nice low interest rates to move into more ideal homes or to finally purchase that little vacation or investment property.

In fact, things got so hectic that I had to keep the Window on Wasaga closed until now. My apologies to its faithful readers who may have thought they were removed from my list—fear not! And finally, from our family to yours: warmest wishes for your health and happiness during the holiday season and for 2004. May all your dreams take root and your blessings bloom. We love to hear from you so please keep in touch!

HISTORY OF

BOXING DAY In the Middle Ages it

was customary for the

aristocracy of England

to ‘box-up’ their

leftovers, and ‘tattered

riches’ for the poor and

present gifts to their

servants and those that

performed services for

them during the year

(i.e.: gardener, butcher

and lamplighter).

It’s also considered

that this was the day the

churches would open

the alms boxes and

distribute their contents

to the poor and needy.

The tradition followed

into the English

colonies, and is marked

on calendars in Canada,

Australia and New

Zealand.

Compiled for happy clients by:

Bruce Johnson, ABR Sales Representative

Mary Johnson Assistant

RE/MAX of Wasaga Beach Inc.

1263 Mosley St., Box 490 Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0

email: brucejohnson@remax.net

www.thehomehunt.com Tel: 705-429-4500 Fax: 705-429-4019

A Lively Source of Real Estate & Community News December 2003

O ur most exciting news is the safe arrival of Jocelyn

Rio (Jocelyn meaning “Joyful/Happy” and Rio meaning “River”) Johnson, born beautifully on November 11th weighing 7 lbs., 12 oz.

Joss makes her presence felt by letting us hear those little lungs bleat for milk, milk and more milk. Otherwise she is sweet and easygoing like her Mom. Mary is thrilled to have a partially-paid year off from her position at Base Borden. We feel so lucky to live in family-friendly Canada. We’re also blessed with lots of support of family and friends—and are deeply grateful. And big sister Holly, nearing her third birthday, couldn’t be prouder. She’s already very protective of Joss and lets us know what’s she’s doing with minute-by-minute updates: “Look Dad, her eyes are open!” or “Mom, your baby’s crying!” So welcome to our family, little Joss. We are so glad you're finally here. In other news, I now have even more empathy for home sellers. Mary and I recently sold our beloved “Riverstone” on Knox Road East. The process was fairly painless (we had a good realtor!) but the whole “gotta keep the house clean” thing got old really fast. We are building a home in Wasaga Sands so Holly and Joss will have more room to spread their wings. It’s on a quiet cul-de-sac and our south-facing backyard overlooks a hobby farm. The increased square footage

...Johnson Clan Grows by One

Beach Population Increases

Happy

Holidays

~Bruce~

Jocelyn Rio Johnson

Best Wishes from the site of our new home

Published by Bruce Johnson, Sales Representative, RE/MAX of Wasaga Beach Inc. Not intended to solicit properties currently listed.

MLS Statistics for the Georgian Triangle

November 2003 November 2002

Listings Sales Average Sale Listings Sales Average Sale

Area Month YTD Month YTD Month Year Month YTD Month YTD Month Year

Clearview 16 289 17 153 $222,224 $227,978 32 275 7 152 $185,000 $191,746

Collingwood 26 387 8 219 $230,563 $191,936 33 393 18 252 $198,250 $160,841

Town of the Blue Mountains

26 303 14 128 $277,679 $299,075 14 258 9 131 $297,624 $271,118

Tiny 5 66 0 24 —— $196,695 4 61 0 29 —— $136,307

Wasaga 26 693 28 417 $167,764 $174,268 48 687 31 442 $176,864 $160,698

RE/MAX of Wasaga Beach Inc. Independently Owned and Operated

Bruce Johnson, ABR Sales Representative 1263 Mosley Street, Box 490

Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0 email: brucejohnson@remax.net www.thehomehunt.com 705-429-4500

Some Christmas Smiles...

What's Tarzan's favourite Christmas song? Jungle bells. What kind of money do elves use? Jingle bills! What do you get when you cross a bell with a skunk? Jingle smells! Where do mistletoe go to become famous? "Holly" wood! Why are Christmas trees like bad knitters? They both drop their needles! Why do Mummies like Christmas so much? Because of all the wrapping! What's Scrooge's favourite Christmas game? Mean-opoly.

What do they call a wild elf in Wyoming? Gnome on the range! What does Father Christmas suffer from if he gets stuck in a chimney?

Santa Claustrophobia! Who is never hungry at Christmas?

The turkey - he's always stuffed! What happens if you eat the Christmas decorations? You get tinsel-itus! What do vampires put on their turkey at Christmas? Grave-y! What do you get if you cross an apple with a

Christmas tree? A pineapple! If athletes get athlete's foot, what do elves get?

Mistle-toes!

Friends or family moving soon?

Have them give Bruce a call at

(705) 429-4500.