The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-12-18, Page 5Gardeners on your flst As the gardening population continues to grow In this coun- try 1 find it very Interesting (and comforting) that they are get- ting younger. It is not Just that 'gardening is good for you' and therefore gardeners age more slowly than, say, mountain climbers or skydivers [ask your insurance agent if you don't believe me] but the average age is conning down due to an influx of young people. Like knitting, if you want advice on how to start gardening, you might be smart to turn to one of the young converts in your circle of friends. As you contemplate what you p e going to buy for the garden- on your list l ask you to ask ;ourself the more pertinent question, "What IS a gardener." The answer is not the person in baggy overalls, dirty knee patches, leaning on a shovel with a home grown chicken under ner arm, Well, maybe the part about the chicken fits the modern day image of a gardener. To truly understand what a gardener is in the year 2013 [almost '14), read on. A gardener is best defined by their ancillary interests. A gar- dener is, for example: A WALKER AND A HIKER Gardeners enjoy the activity of gardening: bending, stretch- ing, observing, and, of course, walking. By extension, they also love to hike and walk elsewhere, especially in parks and other public green spaces. Buy them a pair of walking sticks, quality binoculars for looking at birds and trees at a distance, warts 'wicking' socks [that pull mois- ture away from the foot), flexible gloves, a small pocket -sized dig- ital camera, a hat, sunscreen [stocking stuffed), and speaking of consumables you can't go ,1.9ng with bug spray. WA BIRDER Maybe your gardener does not leave the house. Maybe they are one of the aforemen- tioned hikers and walkers. Regardless, they are ALL bird- ers, Not all birders are garden- ers though. Gardeners not only LOVE birds, they go out of their way to attract them. They plant flowers and shrubs for birds that feed on their nectar, nest in thelr branches, and munch on their fruit. Buy the birders on your list quality bird food [without cracked corn and millet In it that most birds push out of the feeder anyway), a seed feeder, hummingbird feeder, blue bird house (which will attract song Column Mark Cullen www.markcullen.com sparrows and swallows almost for certain), a bag of bird pea- nuts [which are distinctly differ- ent from human peanuts as they are salt free -never feed birds salt], binoculars [another pair - you can't have too many], a folding stool for sitting in the garden to observe birds, bird books/videos/magazines, or a bird calendar. Go to a good hardware store, a birding retailer or full service garden centre for [almost] end- less ideas. AN EATER You might think that this is a stupid thing to say. Let me be more specific then: gardeners have a refined pallet. They appreciate, more than the aver- age non -gardener, the tart sweetness of a fresh, tree -picked apple, the earthy flavour of a carrot, pulled from the ground and cleaned on your Jeans [1 prefer them wiped on the grass], leeks pulled from the earth after several late season frosts, the first tomato of the season. All of this Is to say that seeds, soil, hand tools like a quality trowel, cultivator or dibbler [Google itj are always appreci- ated. Hand pruners, gloves, a buck saw for pruning thick branches, a hone or sharpening file, a clay pot and twine to hang in the tool shed, a new pocket knife with holster for the belt, a metal garden planting 'meter stick', or plant markers all work. And never mind if they 'already have one of those' every gar- dener can use more of the afore- mentioned gear. There is no such thing as too much. Of course you could always buy them a gift card to their favourite retailer. Mark Cullen appears on Can- ada AM every Wednesday morn- ing at 8:40. He is spokesperson for Home Hardware Lawn and Garden. Sign up for his free monthly newsletter at www. markcullen.com. Wednesday, Dedinber 10, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance "5 How to manage stress Let's talk stress, in particular, 1 loliday Stress! Every- one has it and everyone hates it. As you prepare for Santa to come tumbling down your chimney here are some tips and advice to keep the stress from tumbling down on you! PRESENTS: With large families buying gifts can become costly. Suggest different ways you can exchange so you're not left buying for everyone. Buy presents for only the children Secret Santa or Kris Kringle (draw names out of hat and only buy for that one person) Set a limit for the rust of presents I Iornemade presents snake a great gift with a per- sonal touch CHRISTMAS SHOPPING: This is arguably the most stressful part of the season. Long lines, lack of parking spaces, crowed anaiis; just thinking about it can elevate your heart rate. 'I here's no wily around it, shopping can be hectic! Make a list to prevent aimlessly walking around Gross off people as you buy to avoid duplication Buy extras for forgotten or unexpected company. Chocolates, Gift Certificates and Wine are good choices as they don't expire If possible, get shopping done early. Lots of people start in November or early December. Also, if you can start your shopping early in the day (when the stores first open) you may beat the crowds Shopping online is a solution if you can't make it to a store or are looking for something specific. Lots of com- pany's offer gift wrapping and free shipping as an added bonus! DINNER OR LUNCH: This is a big undertaking, prep- aration is key. If cooking at home delegate tasks - you don't need to (10 everything yourself Keep is simple - have a buffet style where each guest brings a dish Buy non-perishable items in advance. Supermarkets are extremely busy the closer Christmas gets and ingre- dients you need may be sold out. Write out it timeline!. For example, Turkey in oven (u 1 I :30am. You may need to order particular food items (such as turkeys) by a certain date. Check with the retailer to avoid disappointment. If eating at a restaurant, book well in advance. Some restaurants start hooking months prior. RELATIONSHIPS: The holiday season can put a swain on the of hest relationships. Just remember it's the season. Studies have shown that families who partake in group activities after eating are less likely to argue. Try planning a family walk, playing a hoard game, building a snow 111111, t'tc. Don't expect miracles. If there is a strain between certain individuals you can expect there to be tension over the holidays. Avoid triggers as much as possible. If politics or reli- gion are touchy subjects keep there out of conversations Ike relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditating to reduce stress and tension TRAVELING: Near or far, you will most likely he traveling somewhere. Leave early to give yourself lots of time. Weather and traffic are unpredictable an(1 can be extremely frustrat- ing and stressful when you're 011 a timeline. Fuel up before Christmas Day to avoid being stranded as many places close on Christmas and Boxing Day. Make traveling fun for kids. I lave pre -planned games and snacks ready for long car riles. (remember to always travel with an emergency car kit. ADDI'I'IONAI. STRATEGIES: Make time for exercise! Physical activity is one of the best ways to release stress. Ensure you are getting enough sleep at night (8 hours is ((seal) Save a percentage of your disposable income throughout the year to provide 0 nest egg for your holi- day expenses. Opening a separate hank account could he a great way to save. Start writing your Christmas cards in November or early I )ecetnber to ensure they arrive 011 time. When stress is at its highest think outside the box. A great way to reduce stress is helping others. Random acts of kindness make others and yourself feel better! Kindness can lw shown in miuly ways, by holding open a door for a stranger, dropping food off at a local food bank or even buying a coffee for the person next in line. Try it; you may be surprised how gond you feel after! Stress will be 0 part of your holiday season, there's just 110 way around that, but if you remember the rea- son for the season, with any luck you'll slake 1t through just fine! If you have any fitness or wellness questions please feel free to write in! 1.(1141(4 Hideout Personal Trainer and Nutrition and Wellness Consultant I-rideouto totivai!c(un letter to the editor Grand Bend ROTARY turns $3300 community donation into $19,800 for Polio lb the Editor, The recent appeal for funding the eradication of Polio worldwide is paying off for The Rotary Club of Grand Bend who recently announce(( a matching pro- gram for community donations that multiplies every dollar from the community six times. In partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, tax deductible donations to end Polio are matched by the local Rotary Club and then double matched by the Gates Foundation to turn $1 into $6. Rotarian Urian Ilan, in charge of the fundraising put it this way "even though we have not had Polio in North America since 1994, we must totally wipe it out worldwide. It is the only way to protect our children forever. 'There are only 3 countries left where Polio has never been stopped. 1 Ielp us raise the money needed to rid the world of this scourge... forever': In 1985 there were 1000 cases of ('olio a day so fur this yearthere have been only 355 cases worldwide. In the local fundraising drive over $3300 has already come in from the community.'Ihe (rub has offered to match tip to $5000 in local donations till the end of the year. Please help us meet the challenge of stopping ('olio forever. "We are this close to ending Polio" Community donation cheques should be made out to The Rotary Foundation (Canada) and sent to The Rotary Club of Grand Bend Box 12(i1 Grand Bend NOM 1'1'0 or may be (cropped off to Brian I hill at Waypoint Financial Group Inc. 45 Ontario St. N. (rand Bend.'lux receipts will be issued. Ron Hunt for tho Rotary Club