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Village Squire, 1978-08, Page 20Ted Schinbein has made his shop a headquarters for those wanting to spruce up their vans or cars. All the talents he has now were self taught in the business, Ted says. Some of the lessons were also in terms of economics, of getting by. For the first year and a half the gas pumps of the old garage were at the ready for customers to help pay the bills. Oil changes were done in the shop's pit and there was a lunch counter in one corner that did a thriving business filling the empty stomachs of students from the nearby high school. Later Ted learned that the petroleum company was willing to sell the garage and he bought it. It provided living quarters at one end and shop room at the other. Soon the gas pumps and the lunch counter were gone and the pit was covered over and the shop was turned into an automotive specialty shop, not only customizing vans, but selling the materials necessary for customizing for those who'd like to do the work themselves. Four years later, Ted says, he's only earning an average income, but he feels he's doing something constructive and he's independent. That love of independence is something that goes back to his days on the road as a musician where independence was always part of the lifestyle. Later when he went north again independence won out over money. In the early days of starting up the co-operative to help the Eskimos market their furs and carvings and return the most money possible to their own community, he had been a one man show, though not drawing a salary. Once the co-op got on its feet he PG. 18. VILLAGE SQUIRE/AUGUST 1978. began taking a salary of $300 a month. By the time he left after three years. the co-operative was doing three-quarters of a million dollars a year in business. So independence was a vital thing for him as he looked for a new career, Ted says and he became a little panicky when the time came to get out of music. Vanscaping allowed him to continue his independent way of life and still settle down. Vanscaping began making a name for itself in 1976 when Ted took on Black Jack, a show van with a plush and startling interior. The owner, from Stratford, was a friend of Ted's and helped with the work. Ted cut his own time charge in half. Still, the interior cost $7000. But when the van went to a show in London in March 1976 for the London Auto Modifiers Association it came away with the three top prizes and Vanscaping got a big boost. Despite the fact it was a proud moment, Ted says he felt a little badly at taking all the top prizes when there were many other vans on which just as much work had been done. He'd have been as happy to have won the best overall prize and let someone else get the other two prizes, he says. It took the edge off winning. But Vanscaping's name was certainly boosted by the coup and customers began coming from a wide area. Today people come from as far as Toronto and Ottawa, London and Owen Sound to have Vanscaping customize their vans. Basical- ly, Ted says, if a customer can afford to be The Singer Electronics... TOMORROW'S SEWING MACHINES TODAY 04, 'Exclusive horizontal thread deliv- ery; 'Solid state pattern indicat- ors; 'Automatic built-in pattern start; 'Plus colour-coded settings so you can tune in correct stitch length and width, built-in two-step button holer; And it's convertible TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE FEATURES DROP IN TO Gen's Singer Sewing Centre [Formerly Pratt's Sewing Centre[ GODERICH 73 HAMILTON ST. 524-8431 A CHRISTMAS COUNTRY FAIR DISPLAY AND SALE OF LOCAL ARTS, CRAFTS & COUNTRY BAKING Wednesday, October 18 and Saturday. October 21. 1978. Saltford Valley Hall Va mile N. of Goderich in Colborne Township Special Features: Glenda Byrd. Milverton & her father, Frank Mcllwain, Goderich, jewellery of handcut semiprecious stones, Roy & Myrtle [Pfrimmer] Simpson, Windsor, "Pebble Art", Jim & Joanne Durst, Goderich, stained glass, Tom Miller, Mitchell, barnboard woodcraft.