HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-08-10, Page 66
Exeter Times -Advocate
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Opinion Forum News
Seniors' perspective
Continued from page 5
issues of Seniors' Perspective.
Health Section:
fructose sweetener spurs obesity
It may affect metabolism while boosting calories,
experts say. Another study finds that high consumption
of soft drinks and other sweetened beverages con-
tributes to obesity. But this study, conducted in mice,
suggests that one form of natural sweetener—fructose—
may be especially likely to encourage weight gain.
In the study, researchers at the University of Cincinnati
allowed mice to freely consume either plain water or
fructose -sweetened water and soft drinks.
The mice that drank the fructose -sweetened water
and soft drinks gained weight, even though they took in
fewer calories from solid food. By the end of the study,
the mice that consumed fructose -sweetened beverages
had 90 percent more body fat than the mice that con-
sumed water only.
The findings suggest that the total amount of calories
consumed when someone includes fructose in their diets
may not be the only cause of weight gain. Consuming
fructose may actually affect metabolism in a way that
leads to more fat storage, at least in mice, the
researchers said.
"Our study shows how fat mass increases as a direct
consequence of soft drink consumption," study author
Dr. Matthias Tschop, associate professor in the
University of Cincinnati's psychiatry department and a
member of the Obesity Research Center at the universi-
ty's Genome Research Institute, said in a prepared state-
ment.
"We were surprised to see that mice actually ate less
when exposed to fructose -sweetened beverages, and
therefore didn't consume more overall calories.
Nevertheless, they gained significantly more body fat
within a few weeks," Tschop said. The study appears in
the July issue of the journal, Obesity Research.
A middle name
Mr. Schwartz was the oldest of seven children, so he
had to quit school and work to help support his younger
brothers and sisters.
He never learned to write, so when he married and
started a checking account, he signed his checks simply
'XX'. Eventually he started his own business, which
immediately prospered and he became rich.
One day he got a call from his bank. "I need to ask you
about this check. We weren't sure you had signed it. All
these years you've been signing 'XX', but we just got one
signed with three XXXs."
Mr Schwartz answered, "No problem. It's just that
since I've become wealthy, my wife thought I ought to
have a middle name."
Friendship
Two very elderly ladies were enjoying the sunshine on
a park bench in Miami. They had been meeting at that
park every sunny day for over 12 years, chatting, and
enjoying each other's friendship.
One day the younger of the two turns to the other and
says, "Please don't be angry with me dear, but I am
embarrassed, after all these years. What is your name? I
am trying to remember, but I can't."
The older friend stares at her, looking very distressed,
says nothing for two full minutes, and finally says, "How
soon do you need to know?"
Great truths that children have learned
No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her
brush your hair.
If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They
always catch the second person.
Never ask your three-year-old brother to hold a
tomato.
You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
How much are we paying?
Dear Editor:
I have been reviewing the new municipal building bylaw and was stunned
by the fees that are being extracted from homeowners and builders. I have
done some comparisons for a typical 5'x10' bathroom installation in a resi-
dential basement. Project cost would be $4000 to $8000 depending on fixture
and finish quality. Here are my calculations of the fees that would payable
prior to the start of the project. All fees are based on information found on
each city's website. In the case of the Municipality of South Huron, informa-
tion was taken from the new building bylaw and the health units standard
permit. The Health Unit handles plumbing inspections on behalf of the
Municipality of South Huron.
City of Toronto
Min. fee $ 84.00
Plumbing $ 47.25
Interior finishes $ 17.00
Total $148.25
City of Stratford
Min. fee $ 60.00
Plumbing $ 30.00
Interior finishes $ 12.50
Total $102.50
City of London
Min. fee
Plumbing
Interior finishes
Total
$ 90.00
$ 60.00
$ 9.50
$159.50
Municipality of South Huron
Min. fee $300.00
Plumbing $178.25
Plumbing
Performance bond $150.00
Total $628.25
Congratulations folks on another well thought and executed project.
How much did you pay for the study on this one?
Yours truly
DEAN DUCHARME,
Huron Contractors Inc., Registered Home Builder
Writers go `squirrely' in Exeter
Dear Editor
Re: last week's letter
Personally, I thought the idea of combining a long-term Exeter resi-
dent, the white squirrel, with a supposed recent visitor, a gator, (or a
croc or whatever), on a T-shirt was a rather clever promotional coup. (If
the idea had been mine, I would have said it was brilliant.)
Too bad that Andy has no sense of humour when someone aims a jest at his
white squirrels, and is offended to learn that not everybody worships those
#%&/! white critters as much as he does.
Good Samaritans in Exeter
Dear Editor:
On the Monday of the August long -weekend, our son (Bryan) was overcome by a
severe toothache that had him in tears while we were golfing at the Exeter Golf
Club.
Being visitors from out-of-town, we didn't know what to do. From the golf course,
Janet Mason called her family dentist to see what could be done. Dr. William (Bill)
McGregor, in turn, was kind enough to open his practice on a holiday to deal with
the emergency. As it turns out, Bryan had an infection in his tooth and Dr.
McGregor was able to prescribe medication to help his cause. It is so nice to know
that there are good Samaritans out there that are willing to help those in need.
We'd like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. McGregor from Exeter Dental Care
and Janet Mason, co-owner of the Exeter Golf Club. Your generosity in helping
Bryan was and still is greatly appreciated. He is doing much better now; however,
he's not looking forward to the root canal he still has to face.
Bin I AND CAROLE O'NEIL, Bolton
Fond memories of rally
On behalf of the Ontario Twin Seas Caravan Club who held a rally with 42 recre-
ational vehicles in attendance from July 29 to Aug. 3 at the Bluewater Community
Centre in Bayfield, Ontario, I would like to extend a heartfelt special thanks to: Jim
Bedard, Northlander Industries, Exeter, Ontario; John Feeney, Hensall District Co -
Op, Hensall, Ontario; and the Folmar Windmill, Bayfield, Ontario for the excellent
tours they provided through their facilities for our group.
Also, I would like to thank the following for their assistance in making this rally
the great success that it was: The Bluewater Community Centre, Bayfield, Ontario
and Rusty Brandon; the Mayor of Bluewater, Mr. Bill Dowson; Janisse Zimmerman,
Clerk -Administrator for Bluewater; Monica of the Huron Manufacturing Association;
Murphy Bus Lines, Clinton, Ontario; Sandra Turner, Varna, Ontario, Caterer; the
Carry -On Cloggers who provided us with the great enter-
tainment and the Serenaders who provided us with
excellent music for our dancing pleasure.
% Each and everyone of the above mentioned
/ Lette did an exemplary job in seeing that our
Letters Caravan Club had a wonderful time and a
to the most memorable experience while in the
Bayfield/Exeter/Hensall area.
Edi for The Caravan Club had members attend-
ing from all over Ontario and for most of
them, it was their first visit to our com-
munity. I'm sure they will take home
many, many fond memories from this rally.
Thanks again to everyone who helped in any
le way.
Yours,
ROBERT DRUMMOND
Dear Editor:
Re: "Save the Gator" T-shirts
Dear Squirrel's Friend,
Upon reading your "Letter to the Editor" in the Aug. 3 issue of the Times -
Advocate, I simply looked about three inches above your letter, and in big
bold letters it said, "Need A Laugh". That is the intention of the T-shirts... to
have a laugh! You couldn't really think someone would take the time to trap
a live white squirrel, and then feed it to an 18 -inch alligator that no one has
really seen? For those that have not seen the t -shirts in question, they are
displayed in our store window (we are located at 358 Main St. in Exeter,
phone 519-235-1314, Mon.-Thurs. 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
and Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). On the front of the T-shirt it has a picture of an alli-
gator and says, "Save the Gator," and on the back of the T-shirt it says,
"Feed 'Em A White Squirrel" (they are available in either white or grey in
sizes medium to extra -large). These T-shirts are to be taken in the most
lighthearted manner possible, it's a joke! I would like to "Thank" Mr. DeBoer
for the free publicity, the t -shirts have become very popular since your letter!
Having Fun At Work,
SCOTT BOGART
RSD Sport Den Authentics
Sincerely, MARJORIE BENNEWIES,
Exeter, Ontario
Fun at the Playground
EXETER — The fun just keeps rolling at the South Huron
Playground.
Last week we got a peek at many of the children's talents at
our Talent Show. Everyone did a fantastic job with their
singing, skateboarding, joke telling and more. Good work!
This week (Aug. 8-12) is sure to be a blast. We are going on
an overnight camping trip Thursday and Friday. There are
still spots available for the trip, so be sure to come out for a
good time.
The week of Aug. 15-19 is our "Sports Crave" week. It is a
perfect mix of sports, games and fun. Don't forget, Tuesday is
Wacky Hair Day, so wear a funky style. Also on Thursday we
will be going to Fleetway bowling and the Boys and Girls Club
in London, so call us at 235-2361 if you have questions or if
you would like to sign up.
The upcoming weeks are going to be packed with activities so we hope to see
new and familiar faces coming out.
MAGGIE
MILLER
EXETER
PLAYGROUND
LEADER