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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-03-01, Page 30PAGE 30. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2000. A new venture Nancy Brewer and partner Tina Ward (not pictured) have been busy over the last few weeks preparing for the grand opening of their Brussels Country Consignment shop on Brussels main street. Women open new business on main street smallTALK marks 1st year of service for Huron-Perth By Janice Becker Citizen staff Surrounded by toys, clothes, rock­ ing horses, decorative ptates, CDs, books, video games, gift bags and numerous other items, Nancy Brewer and Tina Ward prepare for the opening of Brussels’ newest business, Brussels Country Consignment. Nestled in a shop on the west side of main street, Country Consignment grew from an idea hatched by two friends as they sat and talked about what ihey would like to be doing. With themselves or relatives being involved in many hobbies such as knitting or woodworking, the pair began to plan for the consignment shop just a few weeks ago, a place where those crafts and good quality pieces from other people could be sold. Having a considerable background in running a variety of businesses, Brewer says the store will also be stocked with some of the many antique objects collected by both families. A lot of families have items which are too good to throw away or give away and they don’t want a yard sale, says Ward, so the pair wanted to provide a venue for the sale of the goods. All property brought to Country Consignment will be labeled for identification and priced by the owner. Brewer says they add their com­ mission to the price sought. The pair have also come up with some unique ideas. Pre-packaged gift bags will be available for birth­ days, anniversaries. Mother’s Day or several other occasions. The prices are reasonable with a collection of goodies for the recipient. A Mother’s Day bag may include such items as bubble bath, soap and a soft wash cloth while for a child’s birthday, there may be a couple of small toys, stickers and a lollipop or two. For those with items too large to bring to the shop, Country Consignment will have a photo album where pictures can be dis­ played. For a flat fee of $5, the goods can be advertised. As a grand opening special, that fee will be waived for the first 30 days. The pair also hopes to be the col­ lection point for many charities and organizations. Their plan is to have locked donations boxes where funds from items sold on consignment can be placed if the owner of the piece has made the request. Keys will be available only to those representing the receiving organization. Preferring non-profit groups, the pair would like those seeking dona­ tions to visit Country Consignment so arrangements can be made. Brussels Country Consignment will be open today (Wednesday) with a grand opening celebration planned for Saturday. The hours will be Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday by appointment only. The women will be available for Sunday drop-offs or pickups by calling 887- 6307, 887-8177 or 887-9272 after 5 p.m. January marked the first year of service for the Huron-Perth program, smallTALK, which is part of a province-wide initiative designed to improve preschool speech and lan­ guage services. For its first anniversary, smallTALK can boast some impor­ tant milestones. In January 1999, the program launched a Huron-Perth preschool speech and language phone line. Parents can call this line with questions or concerns- about how their preschool child is talking. The line also allows parents and those who provide services to chil­ dren, such as doctors and early child­ hood educators, to refer a child for a speech and language assessment. Since the launch, 418 new referrals for assessment have been made. “We had more referrals in 1999 compared to previous years,” says Mary Louise LaBerge, speech lan­ guage patnologist working with smallTALK. “It’s also wonderful to see that children are being referred for assessment at younger ages.” In celebration, smallTALK pro­ duced a children’s growth chart highlighting speech and language milestones from 12 months to four years of age. Doctors will give par­ ents the chart at their child’s 12 month checkup. A smallTALK stick­ er will also be given at 18 month checkups. “Doctors know the importance of early identification of speech and language problems,” says LaBerge. “At routine checkups, they can talk with parents about development, and how to identify problems.” One in 10 preschool children have speech and language problems. Yet it’s hard for parents to know if their child has a problem. “They should trust their instincts and call smallTALK if they think their child is not learning to talk well,” says Heather Kane, Public Health Nurse also working with smallTALK. “Left untreated, these children are at high THE WAR AMPS Child amputees say REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE PITCH-IN risk of lifelong problems such as poor achievement in school and increased drop-out rates.” smallTALK focuses on preven­ tion, finding children with problems early, making sure they get treatment quickly and broadening the methods of treatment provided by speech lan­ guage pathologists. “Early identification and early treatment can make all the differ­ ence,” explains Kane. “Even young children - under two years old - can be helped with speech and language development.” Huron and Perth community agen­ STOREWIDE SALE %OFF All silk like arrangements, artificial plants, wall arrangements, plush animals, all giftware, candles, wicker baskets, prints, dark wood desks & makeup tables. SAVE ON CHRISTMAS STOCK Garlands Trees Wall Swags' nrr Ribbon Arrangements Sale ends March 15th CARLSON WAGONLIT ELLISON TRAVEL EXETER (519) 235-2000 or 1-800-265-7022 SEE: www.ettravel.com/hot deals BOOK NOW AM SAVE! o o z E 36 Main St., Seaforth 527-1110 •7 days aboard selected ships and selected dates in April 20(X). Price is per person, category 4 in CDN $. Port charges, taxes, gratuities not included. Price valid at time of printing. Price may vary and is sub­ ject to change. May not be combined with any other offer, ship’s registries: Liberia and Panama. Reg. #2392471 CHEAT VALUE FOR YOUR WINTER HOLIDAY. CRUISES TO THE CARIBBEAN AND THE MEXICAN RIVIERA. Go where the jun is and experience a great holiday value aboard Carnival floating resorts. Fabulous meals, Las Vegas-style entertainment, exciting casino, spacious sun decks and much more. ONE WEEK CRUISE FROM H Carnival fourK/nd cies and parents, together with a •partnership between the Stratford General Hospital, Perth District Health Unit and Community Care Access Centre Perth County, pro­ vides direction to the development, support and delivery of this program with funding from the provincial government. smallTALK is free and available to all preschool children living in Huron and Perth Counties. For more information or to refer a child to a speech language pathologist, call 273-2222 or 1-800-269-3683 and ask for smallTALK.