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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2013-11-27, Page 3NEWS TIP? 519-527-0240, THANK YOU We at Wong's Grill would like to thank our customers for their loyalty over the past thirty years. It has been a pleasure to serve you. With our arrangement with the new management, we will continue to serve you and hope your loyalty will also extend to them. Anyone with gift certificates from Wong's Grill prior to November 11, 2013 will be honoured up to January 31, 2014 before they expire. Gift certificates will still be offered by the new management. Anna &Yee Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • Huron Expositor 3 Christmas bureau makes changes to food donations Gerard Creces Clinton News -Record Aging volunteers and lack of space are bringing about some changes at the Huron County Christmas Bureau food collection this year. The bureau has decided not to collect food this Christmas, opting instead for pre -paid grocery cards - a significant change from years past, where community food drives stocked the shelves at the host churches. "It's just so labour intensive," said bureau volunteer Barb Hogan. "With the number and age of volunteers we get at the church, it's just so hard to do." When the bureau first started collecting food, there were no food NEWS BRIEFS Huron County hit with funding cuts A hot topic during council's meeting on Nov. 19 was the release of the Ontario Municipal Partnership Funding numbers for the coming year. Huron County municipalities will once again face large funding cuts. For the second year in a row, Huron East will see the biggest cut at 331 -thousand 100 dollars. According to Mayor Bernie MacLellan, it would take a 13.5 per cent increase to rates residents pay just to cover the loss, but says he is not looking at increasing costs to programs. banks available, Hogan explained. Now, the harsh reality is there are food banks everywhere. "As much as we would like it not to be that way, it is," she said. "They are the experts in that field' The move away from food is a bonus for smaller churches, and as churches close and quarters become more cramped, the move to cards frees up much-needed space on the bureau shelves. The cards are based on the value of the food given to families each year, reflecting the cost of what would normally be donated. Doing so ensures there are no towns that do with less based on the amount of local donations. "It's really hard to make our bureaus equal in all the towns," Hogan explained. "This equalizes it all across the county" The bureau began ordering the food cards in October, all from local grocery stores. Keeping the money donated inside Huron County is one of their highest priorities. "We've been asked a few times, why not get something from Hollister or Chapters, but all of our money is raised in Huron County and we want it to stay in Huron County," she said. Just two days in to the Christmas bureau opening up their phone lines, they already received 125 calls. By the week's end, that number more than doubled. They generally register between 470-500 families each year. Donations of new clothing and recreational gifts for children 0-18 years of age are welcome. The best way to buy for a child or teen, Hogan said, is to bring one shopping with you. Financial donations go toward gifts, gift cards and food cards. In Clinton, the bureau is located at the Royal Canadian Legion and sponsored by St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church. Bethel Bible Church is hosting the Seaforth Bureau at the Agriplex and in Goderich, Trinity Reform Church is the host organization. "We encourage people to phone in if they have a need and donate if they want to fill the need," Hogan said. "If people want to make Christmas merrier for their children, phone in." The number to call is 519-524- 7356. Hogan said the Huron County Christmas Bureau is grateful for every donation that comes in. "It just means so much to us and our families," she said. "I don't know what we would do without this." Despite snowfall, local snowmobilers need to be patient Club president says trails don't usually open until January Dave Flaherty Goderich Signal -Star With a decent amount of snow on the ground, local snowmobilers are likely itching to get out and ride, ride, ride. "Be patient," said North Huron Snow- mobile Club president Adrian Salverda. "We need a minimum of eight inches - that gives us a nice base," Salverda said. Salverda said the local club was one of many that benefitted from a pre -Nov. 1 offer run by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs where permits were offered for $180 (regularly $210). "In our area, there were 264 sold before Nov. 1. Last year, we sold 267 before Dec. 1," he said. Salverda said the club is still going strong with membership in the 350 to 400 range. Last year, the trails opened in January, which he said is becom- ing the norm. "It's probably been about six years since we've opened the trails before Christmas," Sal- verda said. Salverda said while he under- stands that snowmobilers want to get onto the trails as soon as possible, the club doesn't want to risk upsetting landowners. He added that they are always looking for volunteers to help with trail maintenance. Those interested can call Salverda at 519-482-9113 or call the club office at 519-523-9624. Permits are available for pur- chase at Edward's Fuels in Goderich and Clinton, Brad King's in Clinton, Middegaal Pools and Delta Power Equip- ment in Seaforth, Radford Farm Equiptment in Londesborough, Stickers in Auburn and Howson and Howson and Blyth Corner Cafe in Blyth For more information, visit the club's website at http:// northhurontrailgroomers.com/ content/welcome-north-huron- snowmobile-club-website Seaforth Main Street Welcomes You! Our Shelves Are 0 we have the spirit for your Holiday Shopping