Times-Advocate, 1987-12-02, Page 16Page 14
Times -Advocate, December 2, 1987
Dollar coin
by Adrian Harte
Since the new one dollar coin first
appeared in Canadian currency in
July, stories about its popularity or
unpopularity have abounded in the
media.
The United States effort at intro-
ducing a small dollar coin in the
early 1980s, the Susan B. Anthony
dollar, failed miserably, perhaps be-
cause Americans have always asso-
ciated their dollar with the colour
green. Will the Canadian coin, af-
fectionately dubbed the "loon", suf-
fer the same fate?
The "loon" was originally expect-
ed to completely replace the dollar
bill by 1989, but speculation has
arisen that this may occur sooner to
spur use of the coin. It appears that
while millions of the coins are in
I 1111.411". E
4--
RUTH GINGERtCH "People
aren't using them because they
don't have to."
circulation, they are seldom used by
the public.
While a "loon" is more expensive
to mint than a dollar bill, its life
expectancy is several years. The av-
erage dollar bill wears out within a
few months.
Although Zurich, Ontario is not a
centre for international finance like
its European namesake, it seemed
appropriate to take the question of
the "loon's" future there to ask the
public's opinion.
"I like them," said Helen McAd-
ams, secretary of Zurich Hydro.
However, she says very few of them
come through her office, "1 don't
know whether people are keeping
them or get rid of them."
Shirley Bedard, manager of
Shaw's, estimates an average of
only one or two "loons" are spent
in her store a day, but has seen as
many as 10 or 12 appear from time
to time.
"We give them out as fast as we
get them," says Bedard.
Ruth Gingerich, teller at the Bank
of Montreal, says the novelty of the
new coins has worn off and custom-
ers no longer ask for them. Most
given out are for souvenirs or gifts.
"Not very many people are using
them," says Gingerich and agrees
that will only change once the dol-
lar bills are gone,."People don't use
them because they don't have to."
The Tasty -Nu Bakery had four
"loons" in the cash register when
asked, but Ann Steinbach said she
has had more than that at times. "I
think as we get used to them we'll
receives mixed reviews
use them more," said Steinbach.
"There are very few people who
give them back to us," said Brian
Steckle at the Sunoco garage. He
explains that he gives them out in
change whenever he can. "Some
people are happy when you give
BRIAN STECKLE - "I don't mind
them, but I don't like carrying
them."
them to them," he said.
Grade six Zurich Public School
student Joel Siebert finds he doesn't
have room in his wallet for the
golden coins, and he prefers the feel
of paper money anyway.
"They're good for the blind peo-
ple, but I don't like them," said Sie-
bert. His friend Michael Thiel wor-
ries about unnecessary inflation
caused by the convenient coin.
"I'm not really fond of them be-
cause when you go to a pop ma-
chine now it's going to be a dollar,"
said Thiel, and he thinks the weight
of the coin makes it less convenient
than the dollar bill.
Pearl Gingerich at Blessings Un-
limited has not seen very many
"loons" come her way.
"I think since they've come out
we've maybe had not even half a
dozen come in," said Gingerich.
She does not personally use the
coins, finding the bill easier to
handle..
Deb Bedour at the Tender Spot
finds her customers sometimes ob-
ject to the new coin.
"People try to get rid of them
here," says Bedour and adds that
some customers will go so far as to
refuse them in change, "People
don't like them."
Although where people spend the
dollar coins they do receive seems
to vary, many Zurich retailers agree
the coins enjoy a lukewarm recep-
tion and it may take some years be-
fore they are taken for granted.
The pound coin has finally gained
acceptance in Britain, but not until
all the pound notes were removed
from the market. A second, large -
'denomination coin has since been
added this past year: the two -pound
coin, almost the equivalent of a
five -dollar bill in a single coin.
France has had its ten -franc coin
(about two dollars) in general circu-
lation for several years and other re-
placements of paper money with
large coins exist worldwide.
Christmas concert tonight
Don't forget about the Christmas
concert tonight Wednesday, Decem-
ber 2 at St. Boniface School at 8:10
p.m. and presented by the choir.
Admission is SI per person and $3
a family. Everyone is welcome!
Santa's capers
Moms and dads here arc some spe-
cial dates to mark on your calendars:
Santa will soon be coming to see
the kids.
This Saturday, December 5 is the
annual Santa Claus parade in Exeter
at 1 p.m.
On Saturday, December 12 he will
be in Zurich at the Co-op store in
the morning. The children can even
get their picture taken with Santa.
On Saturday December 19 the an-
nual Santa Claus day is at the Com-
munity Centre for all the children
and is sponsored by the Lions Club.
There will be movies, Afreshments
and treats from St. Nick.
Also, he usually makes a visit to
the Tender Spot and Pro -hardware
sometime this month. So kids,
make sure your lists are ready.
Figure skating
The Zurich and area figure skating
club held their draw last Saturday
for the "Alf' doll plus $100. The
lucky winner was Scott Stewart
from Hamilton.
Bingo
The winner of last week's $750
jack pot at the bingo was Dorie
Blake of Clinton.. The next bingo
on December 10 will be exciting for
all the fans as the bonanza is nearly
up to $2,000. It will also be the
Christmas turkey bingo with hams
to be given away as well.
Francis and Cindy Dcnomme and
their three children spend the week
end in London visiting with her
parents.
Joy Hogg returned home on Tues-
day from a nice three-week vacation
visiting with her mother in Winni-
Bob and June Fisher returned
home last Wednesday after a de-
lightful two-week holiday in Flori-
da. They also called on Gerald and
Ursula Regier while there.
Earl and Martha Heywood of
Wingham spent Friday visiting
with her sisters, Gertie Fleischauer
and Verlyn Fisher and attended the
funeral of Gordon Heywood in Ex-
eter.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery
is extended to George Grenicr who
is a patient in University Hospital,
London.
Welcome to town - Clare (Sliver)
and Gladys Bedard from Windsor
who have recently moved into the
Meidinger Apartments on Frederick
St. /-
The Bluewater Rest Home staff
members and -their spouses along
with the Board of Directors enjoyed
their Christmas dinner and party at
the arena last Tuesday evening with
a delicious meal prepared by Jerry
Rader. Once again the staff at Hes-
senland enjoyed a lovely Christmas
party Thursday November 26. They
had a big freshly -cut Christmas tree
up and decorated for the occasion.
On Saturday November 28 about
10 senior citizens enjoyed another
outing with Doug and went on a
shopping trip to London for the day
at White Oak's Mall. This will
probably be the last one now until
TEN YEARS SERVICE - Three staff members of the Blue Water Rest
Home received pen sets at the Christmas banquet to recognize their ten
years of service at the home. Josef Risi (left) congratulates Ann Klungel
R.N., Susan Wildfong, housekeeping, and Cathy Shantz, adjuvant.
�DD
610tient /1np3ei
It looks as though we arc going
to get another taste of snow, but we
were pleased to escape anything
more than a light rain on Sunday,
for the residents' family Christmas
dinner. Each year the number of
guests seems to increase, which
gives us almost wall to wall people
when residents, staff and volunteer
helpers aM counted in.
We extend our sincere apprecia-
tion to the Auxiliary members who
make this event possible, and our
thanks to our entertainment groups.
Miss Carolyn Love played organ
solos, Miss ]della Gable played pia
no solos also accompanied Carolyn
in organ and piano ducts. Mr.
George Mathonia played the accordi-
on and accompanied Mr. Mozart Ge-
linas who played the guitar. Most
residents are seeking out peace and
quietness after such a busy week end
today.
Last Monday evening the movie
that was show was High Rise Don-
key.
The Zurich Brownie pack visited
the home on Tuesday evening and
provided a program for the resi-
dents.
The sympathy of residents and
staff is extended to the families of
Mr. Stephen Molnar and Mrs. Pearl
Gale.
Now that December has arrived
and many people are looking for-
ward to Christmas, we will wel-
come any groups wishing to pro-
vide entertainment for the residents.
A call to the office will confirm a
time suitable to all parties con-
cerned
Bingo was played on Friday even-
ing followed by refreshments. The .
Sunday evening chapel service was
cancelled due to the family dinner.
winter is over.
Gordon and Jeanne Hog spent
Sunday with their daughter Vicky
and Gerard Ducharme and grandchil-
dren Sara and Jeffrey in Wyoming.
All enjoyed a delicious supper out
in Sarnia in honour of Jeanne's
birthday. They later toured around
Centennial Park .by the lake and
saw all the Christmas lights and
decorations.
Frank and Debbie Bergin from To-
ronto spent the week end with
friends, Phil and Laurie Erb and
family.
Paul, Heather and Timmy Klopp
spent Saturday and Sunday in Kitch-
ener and attended a surprise birthday
party for his friend, Steve Fisher.
They visited with her sister Carrie
and Dan Eybergen and girls in Wa-
terloo.
it
M'r's. Carmol Sw.eney
Ph ne: 236-4702
The dollar coin is likely here to
stay, despite its mixed reviews, but
perhaps we can at least be thankful
it has an attractive nickname. Per-
haps some of the old cliches can
now be rewritten: look after .the
pennies and the loons will take care
of themselves.
MICHAEL THIEL AND JOEL SIEBERT - Worried about vending ma-
chine price increases.
WRAP UP
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ANSTETT
JEWELLERS
GEM SOCIETY
Dave & Carol Steckle. and Family R.R. 2 Zurich, Ont. (519)565-2122
of
URON RIDGE ACRES
11/2 mites west, then Th mites north of Zurich
OR
East of Hwy No. 21 South of Bayfteld at Stanley Sideroad 15, then take first right
Cordially Invite You And Your Family
To Their
Christmas
Open House
Friday - Saturday - Sunday
December 4th - 5th - 6th
Bring your family, friends & camera
and see
5,X000
Poinsettias
in vivid colour:z, red, white and pink
and enjoy a . up of our hot apple cider.
OPEN HOUSE HOURS: December 4th & 5th 9 AM - 5 PM, December 6th 1:30 - 5:00
URON RIDGE ACRES