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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1999-12-01, Page 20• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • P+ • • • :� SHAVE A STORYBOOK • • • • • • • The Price on the Book is the Price you Pay! • • CHRISTMAS with our N O TAX DECEMBER • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •*. • •; • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • s • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Playhouse optimistic despite financial loss By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF GRAND BEND — While the Huron Country Playhouse experienced a loss of $70,000 for 1999, its president is optimistic about the coming season. The announcement comes from the play- house's recent annual general meeting. The summer theatre already had a debt of $400,000 before last year's losses. President of the play- house's board of directors Joan Cookson said while the board hadn't budget- ed for the loss, It became apparent as the season progressed there would be a loss at the end of•the year._ She said the main rea- son for the loss was that the theatre's first play last season got off to a late start, resulting in reduced ticket sales. Ticket sales improved as the season went on, Cookson said, adding that the final play of the year, 'Singin' in the Rain,' sold 99.3 per cent of its tickets. The playhouse experi- enced a decrease in capi- tal donations of $16,000 last year, although overall the box office was up $44,000 over 1998 fig- ures. To combat last year's losses, Cookson said the playhouse will have more drives for memberships and fund-raisers. A fund- raiser for the playhouse in October exceeded expectations and individ- ual subscription sales, are already up by 1,000 over this time last year. The playhouse is now starting to work on its group sales and bus trip packages and its school matinees are almost sold out. Cookson said the play- house will also attempt to cut costs without affecting the on-stage product. Artistically, Cookson is pleased with the 1999 season. She said theatre- goers are lucky to have the playhouse, describing it as one of the better the- atres around. Cookson, who recently started her one-year term as president, was vice- president last year and said the playhouse is much more optimistic about the coming year than it was last year. The playhouse begins its season on June 13 with 'The King and I'. Rounding up the lineup for the 2000 season are 'Double Double', 'On Golden Pond,' 'No Sex Please, We're British,' 'Crazy for You' and 'Forever Plaid.' Catholic Board ready forY2K By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVO- CATE HURON/PERTH — The Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board received a measure of comfort at its meeting Nov.. 22, as staff and trustees addressed the board's readiness for the Y2K computer glitch. "Unless we don't get power — and that's a major concern -- then I don't see. any reason why there should be a major problem, if you're pre- parpd,". reported Ian Fisher, a guest presenter representing Lawson Killer Insurance Agency in Stratford. After the presentation, trustees voted to renew the board's annual insur- ance policy with the company. Fisher noted everyone will face major problems in the unlikely event the Y2K problem causes a shutdown at Ontario Hydro. But, he said the biggest concern at schools will probably be the loss of heat, while other institutions, like hospitals and public utili- ties, would be much harder hit. Still, he added, insur- ance policies were not designed to protect against something like Y2K, where effects can be mitigated or eliminated through preventative measures. He stressed the school board must be prepared. Director of education Gaetan Blanchette responded that the Huron -Perth board is prepared. "We have checked the entire system for Y2K problems — computers, the various heating plants, etc. — every - POLICE BRIEFS ATV stolen from Thckersmith shed TUCKERSMITH TWP. — An ATV was reported stolen from a Tuckersmith Conc. 2 farm on Nov. 24 in the early evening hours. Huron OPP Const. Don Shropshall said ill( ATV's owner told them the ATV was stolen sometime 1st & 2nd Mott MONEY AVAILABLE at 6.5% Interest or less Personal Loans Totally Unsecured it you quali- ty, monthly payments as low as Amt. • + . Mthly Payt. $27.68 ssio,000 $54.16 115,000 Your MON 1000)387-19U AstrFlmclIng between Nov. 22-24. Thai thief entered the unlocked drive shed and stole the red '92 ATV which had the keys in the ignition. The ATV's identification number . is GH3TED725NM5. Anyone coming across this ATV is asked to call the Huron OPP at (519) 524-8314 or Crime Stoppers at 1=800-222- 8477 (TIPS). B7.ST G.LC. RATE 5 yr. - 6.30%' '' t•b• tipdsted d with 25 * est° • to better NM Yoe tht•a �t.#� GigGeiser Kneale Exeter Grand Bend 235-2420 2384484 thing." Blanchette also noted the resumption of classes was postponed this year until January 10, in accordance with almost all other school boards in Ontario, giving the board an extra week to take action in the event of problems. He also said school cus- todians have been instructed to keep a close eye on thingsaround New Years and will drain the water pipes if power is lost. Business Directory AUCTIONEER Filson & Robson FULLY LICENSED BONDED,,CALL OR FAX (519) 666-0833 Pickup a d sales ot complete or partial •>N & Specialling in Fans. Mud Estate, and a Saks. Saving the cominenfar and sea for over 40 ysars. REPAIRS Sewing Machine Repairs to all makes Free estimates 90 Day Warranty Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., ' Strat c -rd Phone 271.9660 Wednesday, December 1, 1999 HAVE YOU SEEN OUR CHRISTMAS BOOK FLYER? CHILDRENS BOOKS Pokemon CL. ISPY Thomas the Tank Arthur €L, Franklin ILL Pooh cLe Hockey Herriott Munsch Fisher Price Mighty Machines ARDENING & BIRD GUIDES New Perennials Hostas Water Gardens , Birdhouses National Audobon Stokes Guide HISTORY & TRAVEL cL, Rusty Rails Canada cz, Ontario Rockies � Alaska Stratford Haunted Ontario Donneliys Ice Storm Shipwrecks ca Huron COOKBOOKS & HEALTH Mrs. Fields Crazy Plates . Choice Menus ca Dr. Atkins cze Garlic Fare for Friends etc. SPECIAL INTEREST Chicken Soup Friendship Book 2000 c:, Don't Sweat Animal Photo Albums US Little Ptople Far Side, Life Desk Calendars SPORTS NHL Official Guide Complete Idiots Sports Total Gretzky &I Desk Calendars Golf Diaries Golf Desk Calendars Boat Log PAPERBACK NOVELS BY Stephen King ILL, Binchey ILL Steel Frank McCourt ILL Anne Rice t Tami Hoag tL Bernhard Schlink etc. ALSO AVAILAB E • Art Pencils & Sketch Pads • 2000 Date Books • Personalized Address Labels • Christmas computer paper TIMES -ADVOCATE 424 MAIN ST. EXETER 2354331 • FAX /35-0766 • EMAIL: ta@eed scorn • • • 111 • • • • • 0 • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • 0 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 • • •, • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •