Huron Expositor, 2016-12-14, Page 9Local Tim Hortons
owners donate
$7,140 to student
nutrition programs
Contributed Photos
Clinton Public School received $1000 of the funds raised and
are pictured here with a poster of thanks they made. Students
in the photo are Kaitlyn Cook and Tanner Taylor with Tim
Hortons Manager Jess Xu.
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Liz and Larry Zaleski, owners of Tim Hortons in Clinton and Seaforth, recently donated $7,140 towards eight student nutrition
programs in the area through funds raised during their Smile Cookie Campaign. They are pictured here with Manager Jess Xu
between the two owners.
Mitchell Hawks
50th Anniversary Season
Special Events
International Hockey
Friday, Dec. 30 - 7:30 p.m.
EHC Dubendorf, Switzerland
vs. Mitchell Hawks PJHL
Tickets - $12
ALUMNI EXTRAVAGANZA
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 - 7 p.m.
Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni
vs. Mitchell Hawks Alumni
Tickets - $20
Mitchell & District Arena
Tickets available at The Stickhandler, Floral Treasures,
Wighty's or from any Hawks' executive member
Driving Holiday Wishes
Your Way
May Peace, Joy, Hope and Happiness
be yours this Christmas season
519-233-5071
Striving to meet your automotive needs
Wednesday, December 14, 2016 • Huron Expositor 9
Women in Business of Huron East
Gerrie's last name is difficult to pronounce, but she's proud of her German
ancestry. Her great-grandfather came to Canada when he was 18 years old.
He and his 20 year old brother were given a land grant in Bruce County. Along
with the land, they were given a few essential tools for survival — a shovel,
rubber boots, and little else. Two young men who immigrated with little more
than the clothes on their backs were able to persevere and to settle in this
great province. One of the things that helped them was the community spirit
— teams of people worked together, going from property to property, raising
barns, helping each other out. From this heritage, Gerrie learned the value of
teamwork and community support.
Gerrie's mom was an activist who tirelessly worked to improve the lot of
women in the 60's. As a nurse who cared for and nurtured many people, she
was concerned that women weren't paid an equal wage to men. Gerrie grew
up drawing picket signs and walking the picket line with her mom, which
taught her to care about what you believe in, and to work hard to achieve
your goals.
Gerrie had high marks in Science and Art, and even achieved 97.5% in
Physics, which was purported to be the hardest course in high school. She
was leaning towards going into medicine, but one day she met a designer in a
Jewelry store in Walkerton, and her interest was piqued. She was blown away
by the idea that you could talk to a designer about a ring you envisioned, and
he'd create it for you!
Gerrie enrolled in the Fashion Design Jewelry Arts course at George
Brown College. After graduating, she worked in downtown Toronto at high
end jewelry stores, doing repairs and custom designing. It was a perfect
environment with many engravers, stone dealers, gemologists, and specialty
diamond setters. One of those diamond setters recognized Gerrie's talent,
and helped her set up her first business, Gerri's Jewelry. Gerrie worked from
home in her spare time, bringing in as much money as she did in her full
time job.
Life took a turn, and Gerrie followed her husband to Hanover, and had a
successful jewelry business for 15 years while raising her children. She then
scaled it back to just custom jewelry design and a few extra pieces of art
jewelry while they had various family businesses, such as a pizza franchise,
a resort, cottages, and a restaurant. Gerrie said she learned how hard you can
work for very little pay.
Her husband was never supportive of her dream. They eventually separated
after 30 years of marriage, and Gerrie moved to Brantford for a change of
pace, joining an Art Group. She had new goals, and wanted a new life, and
decided to move to New Brunswick in 2010. She bought a bar, intending to
turn it into a music centre — somewhere people could gather for good times
and great music. It turned out to be a disaster. She said, "Something had to
happen to kick me back to the path I was supposed to be following."
In 2013, Gerrie was back in Ontario, dreaming about pieces of jewelry that
would celebrate life. When her brother told her about the 2015 Win This
Space contest, she applied. That year there were over 20 contestants, and
the training was great. It was an incredible success! Gerrie was disappointed
she didn't win, so when Jan Hawley called her up to ask if she wanted to try
again, she entered the 2016 Win This Space contest.
Gerrie believes that everyone should be a lifelong learner, so she was eager
to take the business courses offered by Alison Lobb. She found all of the
contestants this year were happy to encourage and help each other meet
their goals, and she values the lasting relationships forged during the contest.
She was beyond excited when she was named the winner!
Gerrie says that she felt like an eagle, soaring, looking for a landing spot, so
when she won, she finally felt she could settle down and make her dream
come true.
Avelina Jewelry is located in Vanastra.There is a small showroom as you enter
the store, and a production space beyond that. Gerrie's goal is to wholesale
her stunning designs to jewelry stores across Southwestern Ontario. All of her
pieces are a celebration of life. Her motto is, "If every Memory was a bead we
could all wear a One of a Kind Work of Art." One of the things she loves to do
it to turn a child's artwork into a piece of jewelry to treasure.
The store will be open most days from 11 am — 5 pm. Call for an appointment:
519-606-7756
Avelina Jewelry • Gerrie Huenemoerder • 519-606-7756 • 38E First Ave,
Vanastra
Gerrie.d@gmail.com • www.avelinajewelry.com
What does it take to be an entrepreneur? Are there obstacles to
overcome, especially if you're a woman going into business for yourself?
Janet Billson is writing a series of articles about business women of
Huron East, focusing on sole proprietors and entrepreneurs. If you are
a woman entrepreneur/business owner in Huron East, be sure to give
Janet a call! Janet is the owner of a small business, Add Some Flair, and
is passionate about using non-toxic, Canadian -made paint to transform
ordinary objects in the home into extraordinary treasures that you love.
She has furniture for sale in her store, and offers workshops that are
fun and informative!
www.addsomeflair.ca • 519-527-2682 • 43057 Winthrop Rd, Seaforth
info@addsomeflair.ca