The Citizen, 2008-04-03, Page 17A Brussels original, Huron
Feeding Systems celebrated its 30th
year in the business this month, with
Huron East’s mayor, Joe Seili at the
helm.
Despite having the odds stacked
against him in the beginning, Seili
persisted and now celebrates three
decades of service today.
Huron Feeding Systems hosted an
open house last Thursday with
snacks and refreshments as well as
product booths and representatives
from its suppliers on hand all
afternoon.
It wasn’t always a celebration for
Huron Feeding Systems. Seili says
that the first five years were
particularly difficult.
“I had worked seasonally for seven
years and I got tired of it. I decided
to go out on my own, but back then,
there wasn’t help like there is today
to get businesses started,” he said.
“We started in our car garage at
home, then in 1986 we built a shop
and that has been expanded twice
now. Then two years ago we built
another addition.”
When thinking back to the first
few years, Seili says it makes him
feel old, but that the risk has paid the
bills over the years.
“It was a big risk. When we started
the business, my wife was working
at home, at the time we had a baby
on the way, it was the fall of the year,
we started with everything pretty
well against us,” he said.
Things were a lot more modest in
the early days, working out of Seili’s
garage, but he says he always tried to
carry as much inventory as he could.
“We’ve always carried a high
inventory, probably higher than we
should, but we like to have things
here when people want them,” he
said.
While the meaning of high
inventory may have changed over
the last 30 years, in going from a
garage to a twice-expanded shop,
Seili tries to stock the shelves as full
as he can all year long.
“It’s impossible to keep every
make and model in stock, but I try to
do my best so we can help to keep
the farmers going,” he said.
Seili jokes that when he looks
around the shop, he sees “A lot of
dollars tied up.” but he is proud of
his inventory and the selection he
can provide to local farmers.
While he has no immediate plans
to expand, Seili says that constant
expansion is part of the business, and
that another one probably isn’t far
off.
“You can never sit still,” he said.
“You’ve always got to be expanding.
You always have to be taking on new
lines and you have to keep getting
more efficient.”
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2008. PAGE 17. The Ethel euchre was held onMonday, March 24 with eight tables
in play.
Winners were: high, Verna
Crawford, Jim Minielly; lone
hands, Linda Minielly, Neil
Hatt; low, Isabelle Craig, Murray
Hoover; tallies, Dorothy Martin,
Adrian Verstoep, Viola Adams,
Allan Edgar, Joan Jacobs,Raymond Kinsley, Myrna Burnett,
Lloyd Smith, Leona McDonald,
Judy Hahn, Leanne Minielly,
Florence Holmes; share the
wealth, Verna Crawford, Lloyd
Smith.
The next card party will be on
Monday, April 7 at 8 p.m.
8 tables in playat Ethel party
Huron Feeding Systems
in business for 30 years
Celebration
These days 30 years is no short while to be in business, but Huron Feeding Systems of
Brussels has not only survived, it has thrived in those years. To celebrate 30 years in the
business, a small celebration was held last Thursday with food and drinks and product
showcases for the afternoon. From left: Huron Feeding Systems owner Joe Seili, Jim Burns
and Larry Burns of Seaforth. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Looking for local heroes
There are so many people out there who do
so much to improve their community.
Now you have a chance to say thanks.
Nominate that special person for the 23rd
Annual Citizen Citizenship Awards.
Each year a committee chooses an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area
and Brussels and area communities to receive an award for contribution to the
community. If you know someone you think should be honoured, please fill in the ballot
and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee
should win, if you like. If you have nominated someone before and he or she didn't win,
please feel free to try again.
I nominate
as Citizen of the year for
I feel she/he deserves this award because
Nomination Deadline April 30, 2008.
Name and phone number of nominator
❑❑Blyth
& area ❑❑Brussels
& area
GREAT NEWS FROM
1/2 PRICE FARES
for Transportation to
the Belmore Maple Syrup Festival
Trips are currently scheduled for 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on
April 10th and April 12th for the low price of
$13.00 return per person.
Transportation is available to all those
55+ and we are disability friendly
Call the office to book your ride 519-357-4074
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Challenge: Eating Well
Solution:No special diet is required! Eating well means…
• following Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating
• enjoying a variety of different foods
• emphasizing whole grain cereal, bread and other grain products, vegetables
and fruit.
• choosing lower fat dairy products, leaner meats, and foods prepared with little
or no fat.
• limiting intake of salt, alcohol and caffeine.