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Home My WebLink AboutLearning In North Huron, 1992-10-07, Page 5OCTOBER 1992. PAGE 5. x®ird: Wingham Rec. program keeps people busy by Bonnie Gropp Every town and many villages these days have their own recre ation programs, but few are as ambitious as the town of Wing ham's. On a perpetual basis the Wing ham Recreation Department offers courses and programs in everything from self-improvement and fitness to business and crafts. Rachelle Gerrie, who has been on Continued from page 4 2179, Beg. $20, Tykes $50, Nov. $60. Public Skating (natural ice), Belgrave Recreation Dept., Belgrave, Jan.-Feb. (Sat. and Sun), 357-2179, $1.00/person. Euchre Tournament, Belgrave Recreation Dept., Belgrave, third Friday of month in winter, 357- 2179, $5.00/person. “Houseleague” or “Rep” Minor Hockey, Belmore, Liz Louttit, 335-3607; Brussels, Chris Making a business work Chris Dickson, owner of ’Goodies by Two Shoes' has built her small business into a sizable wholesale market in just three years. Locally her specialty foods retail at Pine River Cheese Factory, From our Heart in Lucknow and Remember When in Blyth to name only a few. In addition she retails custom gift baskets like the two pictured here. Entrepreneur offers advice CRAFTSMANSHIP IN THE COUNTRY TRADITION by Bonnie Gropp "When it comes to starting your own business, first, you have to be willing to take the chance and then after a minimum of five years eval uate where you are." And who better to give such advice then Chris Dickson, owner of Goodies By Two Shoes, a busi ness dealing in specialty food man ufacturing and gift baskets. In the three years since Chris began her small business it has grown in size beyond even her expectations. What began in 1989 on a small scale with nuts'n'bolts, peanut brit tle, maple popcorn and fruit cake for Christmas customers, has bur geoned to a yearly operation which wholesales a large variety of home made products such as jams, pick les, chili sauce, bakery mixes for tea biscuits, pancakes or beer breads, and antipasto. From Aug 1, the job as recreation secretary for four years, says the programs were set up many years ago by the recre ation directors. Now she and present recreation director John Mayer put their heads together for new and popular ideas to educate and stimulate individuals of varying interests and ages, then line up instructors. "It's a team effort," she says. This year, she says the focus has been primarily on the young chil Cooper, 887-6033; Howick, Wayne Connor, 335-3492; Wing ham, Jon Bateson, 357-3096; Wingham Minor Hockey Assoc., John Leitch, 357-1975. Junior & Intermediate Men's Softball, Belmore Steelhawks, Owen Wright, 357-3238; Wroxeter Juniors & Royals, Randall Hamilton, 335-3830. Minor Softball, Belgrave (Mite, Bantam), Lloyd Michie, 887-6472; Belgrave (Pee Wee), Glen Walker, 357-3729; Belgrave (Midget), Bob Dickert, 357-1097; 1991 to July 1992 Goodies by Two Shoes sold 5400 jars of pickles, 3,000 jars of antipasto, 1700 jars of jam and 1500 bags of bakery mixes. Last year, the business expanded once again into retail gift baskets. Growing up in Kincardine, the daughter of hotelier/restauranteurs, Chris said it was natural when she decided to embark on a business venture of her own to pick the food industry. "I had quit my job as a legal secretary to be home with my children (she has three, Andrew, now five, Karla, three and Jamie 1 1/2). I knew, however, that I want ed to do something more. I had always given homemade food as gifts so in deciding what that some thing would be, the food business seemed in part a natural choice," she said. When Chris realized she'd like to dren, teens and seniors with such diverse offerings as ballet and karate. However, they also try to meet demands and needs. For example a server intervention pro gram on law and liability and pre venting intoxication is being offered this year in anticipation of new legislation regarding people hired to serve liquor. Another example are the P.D. day activities for youngsters enjoy- Belmore, Wayne Ballagh, 392-6384; Bluevale (squirt girls), Tim Thompson, 357-1139; Brussels (midget girls), Gary Pipe, 887-6291; Brussels (pee wee boys) Gary Dauphin, 887-9718; Brussels (bantam boys), John Lowe, 887-6681; Brussels (midget boys), Stu Steiss, 887-6670; Fordwich (bantam boys), Trevor Roth, 335-3931; Wingham (midget), Dave Bourne, 357-2365; Wroxeter (pee wee boys), Jim Dickison, 335-3398. expand her inventory and thus the business a commercial sized kitchen was built in the basement of the spacious country home where she and her husband Paul and their family reside. She also became not only self- employed, but an employer as staff was hired to meet demand. Taking the risk in a time when business has indeed been risky, did n't worry Chris overmuch. "I was fairly certain of the market, but was not counting on the local market as the product is upscale and as such, pricier," she said, adding, however, that they do have local buyers. Located as she is in the 'boonies', just south-east of the hamlet of Bel more, Chris first took her product to arts shows to advertise, then approached local merchants to see if they would be interested in Continued on page 6 ing a day from school while the teachers attend workshops. "Chil dren, come here for games and activities which makes it easier for parents who would have to find someone to look after their school age child," says Ms Gerrie. Many courses are geared to spe cial seasons such as Hallowe'en and Christmas craft courses. This year, for the first time, the department is sponsoring a Christmas frolic com plete with sleigh rides, carolling and hot chocolate. Most of the courses are offered in the fall, winter and spring while summer is dedicated to swimming and the playground, which is tend ed to by a staff of high school and college students. What is unique about the recre ation program is the ambitiousness of it. Besides being an almost full- time job for Ms Gerrie, it encom passes almost every facility in the town. Courses are held in the arena and armouries, while sports events are held at the pool, ball diamonds and the park. Another unique facet is the arrangement with the schools — a barter agreement. While the education facilities in the town will donate certain areas for specific events, the recreation department in return provides free usage of its facilities for students. "I don't know where that originated; it was in R.R. #1 Ethel Custom Made Clothes and Costumes for Children Men's Coveralls Porcelain Doll Classes Beginners or Experienced Greenware & Firing Available • Custom Made Doll Clothes Craft Classes Register now for basketry classes beginning in the new year. Furniture Restoration & Cabinetry • original designs • repairing • refinishing • upholstering Basket Craft - Caning - Rush & Wicker • original works from wood splints to sweet grass • traditional cane and wicker chairs and artifacts repaired Craft Showroom & Sales • featuring a selection of craft items from local artisans TRIPLE J FURNITURE RESTORATIONS Kathy and Gary Leeman ST HELENS just north of the village centre 528-2492 place when I came here; but it works very well," said Ms Gerrie. Costs for courses vary, primarily being the instructor’s fee. Some events like the adult volleyball and basketball are free. In times when people are tighten ing the purse strings the Wingham Recreation program is obviously working well, because it's still working. Ms Gerrie says the key to begin ning a successful program like the one in Wingham is to first find someone to co-ordinate it, who in turn will find people willing to teach. "Then once you have the available times from them, you co ordinate a facility," says Ms Gerrie. "Once you’ve organized one year it runs smoothly," she says. LESSOR Learn to play the piano with a qualified teacher Madeline Steiss arct 887-6670 RR 2 BRUSSELS Jennifer Cochrane 887-9675