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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1987-11-25, Page 5Briefly At one time or another I'm sure we have all cursed the per- son who invented those fitted sheets where the corners al- ways seem to coming loose. A Lucan area farmer, Gerald Lynn, didn't stop at com- plaining when he had the same problem. He solved it by in- venting the "Lynn Sheet Holder". His wife Irene told me Ge- rald worked for about a year perfecting his invention and now there is quite a good chance it will be distributed in some of the country's major stores. Harmony Home Fash- ions and another company are both interested in marketing the product which is available in two models: one for ordi- nary fitted sheets and the other for water bed sheets. Mrs. Lynn said over 200 friends purchased the invention immediately, which gave Ge- rald the incentive to get serious about turning his design into a money-maker. The product which has patents pending in both Canada and the U.S. is available locally at Mac - Leans and carries this guaran- tee on the package, "No Matter How Much You Play, The Sheets Will Stay." * * ** Diane and Reid Hack - well of Sherwood Cr. are part of a growing number of local hockey fans who are pulling for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Their nephew, Dave Mcll- wain of Seaforth was success- fulinhisbidtomaketheteam this year. Diane and Reid were in Pittsburgh last weekend to see the 20 -year-old play. He plays center and wing and so far has two goals and an assist. Reid has been spotted around town wearing a Pittsburgh sweater with McIlwain and number 20 on the back. Dave McIlwain was one of the guests at last year's annual Li- ons Club Sportsmen's Dinner. * * * * A reminder that the Exeter Minor Hockey Association will have their annual Skate- A-Thon Friday from 6:50 to 7:50 p.m. This gives the young skaters a chance to raise much-needed money for Minor Hockey and it also gives them an extra hour of skating time. * * * * Leaving Exeter at 5:15 for a hockey tournament in Sarnia starting at 7:00 doesn't sound that unusual unless you place an a.m. after the times. The Exeter Molting Hawks were do- ing fairly well in a recent tour- nament until a small contin- gent of players led by Pete McFalls broke training and attended the annual Firemen's Dance at the rec centre. Getting home at 3:30 a.m. and leaving at 5:15 a.m. sug- gests the coach may want to. enforce stricter curfew rules next year. * * * * The best things in life arc al- ways free, including the park- ing in any of the communities in our coverage area. Bea Car- penter was picking up some items for her optical shop in town at a wholesalers in Lon- don and took advantage of a "handy" parking lot. The cost was 56.00 for a two-hour stay. By Jim Beckett Friday, May 29 is a date the Rolph family in Exeter will never forget. It was the day Tom Rolph, the 16 -year-old son of Jim and Sue Rolph of Carling St. narrowly escaped death in an accident at the farm of Gerald McBride just south of town. It was probably the most dramatic accident report this. year in the T -A and we're pleased to be able to follow-up the story with the news that Tom is now in very good con- dition and will not have any lasting damage from the mis- hap. Tom, a student at SHDHS, keeps busy coaching a tyke hockey team and believe it or not... his recovery was so good he even made the senior volley- ball team at the school. * * * * By the time you read this the smallest new building in town may be already completed. Lo- cated on Main Street, just north of the Devon building, the new structure is available for either retail or professional use'ac- cording to the sign. The build- ing is constructed by Micra De- velopments of London. * * * * Pauline Lingard, a volun- teer co-ordinator for the Huron County Christmas Bureau, called recently to say they sure could use the help of people who have a talent for knitting. Anyone who is willing to knit mitts can pick up wool at no charge at Stcdmans or Barb's Country Crafts and return the mitts to the same place. * * * * My neighbours on Sherwood Crescent may find this difficult to belive but I am actually on the mailing list of the famous Toro Snowthrowcr Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Perhaps they've heard about the absolute fear I have of sho- velling and how I'll go to any length to avoid it. The litera- ture they sent didn't do any- thing to change my fears. Did you know that every timc you clear out a 50 foot, double -car driveway after a four -inch wet snowfall you'll have to remove four tons (8,000 pounds) of snow? Included in their safety tips for shovelling was the advice to "use the shovel proportion- ate of your lifting ability. Use both your arms and legs to do the work". The instructions also gave me this advice: Avoid twisting or jerking... the leading cause of back injuries. I was reminded to dress in several light layers so I can shed clothing as my body tem- perature increases. Toro's last piece of advice cautioned me to be careful as shovelling requires six to 15 times the energy needed during rest periods. This is compara- ble to running' at nine miles per hour. I don't need a stopwatch to find out it is impossible for me to attain a speed of nine miles per hour so I'll stick to my usu:-1 two tried and proven ways of clearing the driveway. Let my wife handle the light loads and call Jim Snow and his giant backhoe for the blow- outs. Open 24 hours Buvs Hasty Market While many people may now be familiar with the Hasty Market at the south end of Exeter, few may re- alize it is one of only two located in small towns, and one of four with its own gas bar. Partners in the franchise, Don Brown and wife Joyce, have just •moved to Exeter and hope that the store, which features 24-hour ser- vice, fresh fruits and vegetables, a deli counter, video rentals, and breads baked on the premises, will prove popular with customers. The Exeter location has been open since September 15, but a promo - A. E. Priamo, Region Manager - Investors Group Lon- don Office and T E McInerney, Division Manager, are pleased to announce the Appointment of Mr. Rod Chapman as Investors representative In your area." It Is his job to help you create and follow a per- sonal financial plan. He can help with: • Investment Funds • Guaranteed Investment Certificates • Registered Retirement Savings Plans • Registered Retirement Income Funds • Estate Planning • Life and Disability Insurance • Annuities ROD CHAP N Phone (Coll t) (519) 668-2 60 lllvcsto " Ste. 200-401 Gump Clarence St. ~fir mom ot,tArzArlbma London, Ont. N6A 3M6 Times -Advocate, November 25, 1987 Page 5 Ice King freezes competition by Yvonne Reynolds Harry Mathers has accomplished what most of us only dream of - making a lasting mark on the calen- dar -of humanity. The Ice King scraper he perfected is now used in curling rinks and at curling champi- onships all over the world. The class A mechanic is a self- , admitted "tinkerer", always interest- ed in how things work and how they can be made to work even bet- ter. As an ardent curler for three dec- ades, Mathcrs had been aware of the vital importance of an even ice sur- face for curling, and the difficulty in keeping the ice as smooth as silk under changing conditions. Increased heat from various sourc- es causes frost to build up on the ice surface. (Ice maker Marcel De Witte, well-known in curling cir- cles, averages an audience's individ- ual weight at 160 pounds, each pro- ducing 374 to 400 BTUs, in calculating the amount of heat pro- duced by spectators at a game.) Mathers built his first scraper, a one -of -a -kind machine for the Exet- er Curling Club, in the early 70s while still managing his long- established car dealership, Mathers Motors Chrysler Plymouth. Once he sold the business in 1972, he concentrated his ingenuity and me- chanical skills on refining his de- sign. A second one -of -a -kind pow- er scraper was sold to the Seaforth club. Word of the machine began to spread, and that fall Mather built seven more scrapers. These were sold to clubs in Ilderton, Kitchener - Waterloo, Oakville, Stratford, Dun- das London and Ripley. The Ice King had begun its reign. Mathcrs built 27 more Ice Kings, and began to advertise, both in print and by paying personal visits to curling nnks. There were other ice scrapers on the market, but the qual- ity was poor. Many ice makers were prejudiced against using me- chanical scrapers, claiming they did right time", Mathers remarked, ex- plaining that by a happy coinci- dence Wintario grants were easily obtainabie at the time, and paid two-thirds of the cost of recreational equipment. "This made sales very easy" he added. Another reason for the Ice King's success is the precision -ground 'ICE. KING' INVENTOR - Harry ripk scraper, holds up the company's latest brochure. Mathers, who perfected a curling more harm than good by putting runs in the ice. Once Mathersover- came this obstacle, the machine spoke for itself. Testimonials from satisfied Ice King customers soon brought in more otders. "I was also lucky. I started at the 81811111111181811111110/.114.18011111018811101MW .,44.W V fat blade guaranteed true within 0.0015 of an inch within four and one-half feet., which eliminates the possibil- ity of runs. The Ice King blades also angles 15 degrees to the left and to the right from the line of travel, and have a patented feature that eliminates side draft. Ice king was also the only scraper company offering an exchange blade service, and blades are now returned usually once a year, to be reground. Mathers' machines have been used at all Canadian Brier and Silver Broom competitions for the past 10 years. One was flown to Berne, Switzerland, in 1979. Another shipped to Vancouver for the Silver Broom competition in Vancouver last year was damaged in transit. Mathers spotted the damage, called home, had another part sent out by Air Cargo and the machine was re- paired within 24 hours. Other Ice King machines are in use in Japan, Alaska , Germany and Norway as well as in Canada and the US. Although Mathers enjoyed being a car dealer, his second career has given him even more satisfaction. "It's my own thing", he ex- plained. Mathers sold his business to Lobo township residents Larry - Mayo and Fred Veale this August, and Ice King is now based in Ko- moka. He is still employed as a consultant. "I knew it had to happen. I had to quit sometime", Mathers said philo- sophically, pointing out that he will be 68 this year, and worsening arthritis has restricted his ability to do some of the heavy work involved in the manufacture and blade main- tenance of the Ice King machines. "I didn't want the business to die with me", Mathers added. Mathers' Ice King scrapers have made an indelible mark on the curling world, changed the way of making ice and improved the game of curling. Unique clothing, gifts at Expressions For someone looking for that unique item of clothing or for that exotic gift, Pearl and Maurice Fer- nandes' new boutique in Grand Bend, Expressions, may be the right place to find it. While Expressions offers a selec- tion of gifts and clothing, both im- ported and Canadian, there is no de- nying that they are far from Pearl holds out one of the fur jackets made by Toronto designer Paula Lishman. These jackets are knitted together with cotton or silk from natural or dyed fur from bea- ver, mink or muskrat. They cost from S1,000 to S3,000. However, Fernandes docs not want her customers to think that all the store's items are as exotically It's ordinary. The Fernandes take spe- cial care in selecting their wares from suppliers who offer items from Europe, Mexico, the Philip- pines, the USA, and Canada. "We've tried to bring in a fair number of Canadian designers," says Pearl of their selection of fash- ions. She believes in supporting domestic artisans whenever possi- bd�laturally, items this exclusive are priced accordingly. priccd; she notes that several hand- made sweaters are well under 5100. Fernandes used to manufacture la- dies' garments herself and thus con- siders herself very quality - conscious. She hopes this is evi- dent in every item in the store, from the handwoven sweaters, to the sun - catchers carved from slices of agate. Fernandes will change suppliers and stock only a select few of each item to preserve each article's scarci- ty in the area and to continuously Free trade deal disappoints OFA "The proposed Canada -United States trade agreement could be the most profound force for change the agriculture industry has felt for dec- ades" claimed Brigid Pyke, president of the Ontario Federation of Agri - franchise tional celebration for the official opening will be held from Novem- ber 30 to December 5. More than 125 Hasty Markcts are now operating in Ontario, but this one is not only in a small town, it is also the only 24 hour gas bar be- tween London and Clinton. Brown expects this to capture the business of many late-night Highway 4 trav- ellers in the summer months. Brown hopes to expand the busi- ness to include more services for his customers next year, but is reluctant to promise too much at this time. "We're planning to develop the property and.a car wash is one of the possibilities," he said. McMaster Siemon INSURANCE BROKERS INC. AUTO • BUSINESS FARM HOME OWNERS (Example) 70,000 Home Owner. Includes. *Replacement Cost Content. of 833,000 *Additional Living Expenses $14,000 •Out Buildings 87,000 *Liability 8200,000 •$60.00 Deductible UNDER 26 YR. OLD HOME (Annual) In Town 8197.00; V County 8209.00 OVER 25 YR. 01D HOME (Annual) In Town 8181.00; In Country 8227.00 For more Information call BUS.: 318.9160 or RES.: 316.2060 Out Of Town Call Collect 88 Ontario Road, Mitchell culture. She questioned "is free trade and tax rcform the Federal govern- ment's one-two knock -out combina- tion for farmers staggering in the face of low commodity prices and high debts?" Expressing disappointment that too little timc and information had been provided to allow meaningful discussion of thc proposed deal, Pyke also took critical aim at those who ..."characterize food producers as timid, backward and lacking in confidence if they raisc questions about the wisdom of this deal. Ca- nadian farmers wrestled with world markets and took their licks before other industries looked beyond the border." "Security of market access was the agri-food sector's main objective in the bilateral discussion" Pykc emphasized. But the OFA "... is not optimistic the dispute settlement mechanism will diminish the enthu- siasm of U.S. business for using trade remedy law to harass Canadian exporters." Another way to enhance security for Canadians in the U.S. market would be better rules on what's a controversial subsidy and what's not. OFA is "disappointed with the Failure to negotiate any improve- ment in the rules" and "frustrated by the inability of the discussions to bring any clarity to the subsidy is- sue." The OFA's brief reviews the im- pact of the dcal on various commod- ities. Reaction ranged from favoura- ble for rcd meats to potentially devastating for grape growers. For many commodities including sup- ply management, the impact is still an open question and may depend on further government initiative. Trade is vital to Ontario producers and processors... some relevant sta- tistics... but Pyke.and her organiza- tion need further convincing. refresh the store's appearance. The antique furniture on consignment will also be updated as stock is de- leted. "We had no intentions of opening a business," says Fernandes of their move to Grand Bend after her hus- band's retirement, but because The property and the opportunity arose to create their own boutique. Once committed, the Fernandes acted quickly and the store was bought and stocked within five weeks for its opening on October 9. Fernandes is pleased with re- sponse to the store so far even thought it is afar cry from the tradi- tional businesses on Grand Bend's Main street. "I think that the local community can support it," she pre- dicts. She has high hopes for next sum- mer's season and anticipates expand- ing the store into a back room to bring even more interesting items and fashions to Grand Bend. GRAND BEND BOUTIQUE - Pearl Fernandes stands with one of the more unusual items items in her store, a giraffe sculpture imported from thc Philippines. Expressions stocks a variety of giftware and fashions, both imported and Canadian. . lief'_CcmumiEecMEditestes resieECI4oti�tetettecse[testesefaEng 4LYffifld tea:ingMeg MU 1 I1 the tDcated .t 1 MITCHELL 1 Rnt+.cldale on Highway 83, R.R. 1 (.CUlitly 1 mile west or 1ai T= : g - :. at• e a . r�I,;, SpiGt{t i,„.,. ;r.- Studio 1 IIT PRE•CHRISTMAS 1 1 y .Arnao 1 11 SALE fEAr011TN 1 1 '� rraY[aTo11 ' �I MENSAII s•„•"� ry • mTCNEII I 1 1 j NwT q ,rULL $TON r11 11 0 /OaAMO RU3EELD+Ir 1 .END 0110 N1rT 1. 1 OFF rAltrf 1Ili i our entire - a�u'1Ao To alOcaaoLL .itockl! TO lo/1o0/1 , • Jim Oce fpm ursfiststiestcsresfesfapmsecmMspatfMetsums flatismass!IS M IBM fMet fir el • OPEN 7 DAYS PER WEEK 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. or by appointment Ph. 2294311 DOOEIMCN • et YTN CLINTON U LI$TOWEL TO KITCHENER ..a