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The Times Advocate, 2007-09-05, Page 44 Times—Advocate Wednesday, September 5, 2007 zkocna =CNA Editorial Opinion TIMES ADVOCATE PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. Canada Jim Beckett — Publisher Deb Lord — Production Manager Scott Nixon — Editor .F CNA 2007 BLUE RIBBON Si ft The Times -Advocate is owned by Metroland Media Group Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Media Group Ltd. Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 Doug Rowe -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division EDITORIAL Another promise The latest promise from the vote -hungry Liberals sounds like a good one, although as usual the timing is suspicious. If Ontarians re-elect the Liberals Oct. 10, the Liberals have promised they'll give us a new statutory holiday, "Family Day," which will hap- pen on the third Monday of February. In typical Ontario fashion, the name "Family Day" isn't very exciting, but that isn't important — all Ontarians will care about is getting another day off. Not many people are going to complain about being given an extra holiday, although the Conservatives are questioning why the Liberals are just coming up with the concept now. The idea of holding a holiday in February is not a new one — Ontarians have long wanted a break in the middle of our cold, brutal winters. The stretch between New Year's and Easter can seem endless and unforgiving. A long weekend in the middle of February will be a welcome break. But critics are rightly wondering if the Liberal promise of a new holiday is simply another ploy to get more votes. The timing of the announce- ment, mere weeks before an election, is ques- tionable at best, and as election promises go, this is a strange one. We usually hear promises of tax cuts or improved health care; it's not often we're tempted with the offer of a day off. It seems a bit of a stretch to suggest that Ontarians will change their vote simply to get another day off, but who knows? Maybe the Conservatives can steal the idea from the Liberals and also promise Ontarians a day off in February if they are elected. With the election only five weeks away, it's likely we'll hear more promises and more rhetoric, but as promises go, another day off isn't such a bad one. We just wish the Liberals thought of it three years ago. An ode to my Opa He was the strongest man I had ever known. I told him that once, and his eyes lit up. He asked me, "Really?" and I replied, "Yes, really Opa." It's been nearly three years since his death, a death that came as almost a relief after his two years of suffer- ing. I remember this like it was yesterday. I was in college when I received a phone call from my mother one Sunday night. She told me she'd talked to her mother, who explained my Opa wasn't doing well and didn't have a lot of time. He was in Holland in a hospital on his death bed. The nurses had asked him if he'd had any last wishes. He told them, "I want to see my granddaughter who lives in Canada." Wow, he was talking about me! Knowing that you are someone's last wish before they pass gives you the strangest of feel- ings. I was happy, overwhelmed and stressed out. What if I wasn't what he'd hoped for? I was on the plane in two days, arriving in Holland the following Tuesday. I stayed for a week, making him comfortable, putting the odd smile on his face and helping him open the odd beer. Yes, they gave him beer. Why not? It made him happy. One day after I said my final goodbye to him, he died. Everyone tells me he was waiting for me to leave. I still remember the last time I saw him. He was frail, nothing compared to his usual physique. My Opa was never a small man, in fact he was actually a boxer back in the day, among other things. It was a tough visit, but a visit I cherish to this day. Most memories I have of my Opa are not of his final days, but rather him making me laugh with stories from around the world. He was a coin dealer, travelling the globe. My mom always told him, "Write your stories down," but he always insisted, "They're up here," pointing to his head. Did I mention he was also one of the most stubborn people I've ever met? He also used to give me advice, and presents from Holland, which I loved growing up (ha-ha) and lots of love. NINA VAN LIESHOUT KICK THIS AROUND Today is his birthday. It's a day where my family and I remember my Opa with a drink or two. We miss him dearly, but will always remember the time spent with him, and know he's always around us. Unfortunately, my Oma, my dad's mother, is not doing well. She has Alzheimer's, a difficult disease for the family to see. She still remembers me, but I know the day she forgets my name will be upsetting, as she's already forgetting others around her. On Sept. 18, the Alzheimer's Society of Huron County is coming to Exeter with their coffee cart, for the Annual Coffee Break fundraiser. Businesses along Main Street will be approached. National Coffee Break Day is actually Sept. 20. Another event coming up is Grandparents Day at Exeter Villa Sept. 9, featuring Stephen Bucciarelli's Live Free -Flying Raptor Show at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Let's take the time to appreciate our grandparents or mothers or fathers. Let's not have regrets, let's live for today. In fact, I think I'll go visit my Oma. About the Times -Advocate Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales ....519-235-1331 24-hour automated attendant 519-235-1336 Fax number for all departments 519-235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $42+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $75+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada:$160+GST Call 519-235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $12 for 20 words, 20c for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15 + GST for up to 50 words, All ads must be pre -paid. The classified ad deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. Display Advertising To place a display ad, 519-235-1331 weekdays 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. or evenings 519-235-1336 (leave message) or toll-free at 1-888-270-1602. Deadline: Fri. 2 p.m. E-mail Us Web site: www.southhuron.com TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @southhuron.com. For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@southhuron.com> Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Jennifer Skonieczny ext. 102 PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord Nikki Cyr .ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 MargPertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111 ext 103/114 WARNING LABELS -444..T4* ye- ftftir POISON Q I DANGER r 4\NA FLA.MMMB � ',, 14\14't'i) c��N.__ ',J ' - -444-ito- dAiw, ir7 An ode to my Opa He was the strongest man I had ever known. I told him that once, and his eyes lit up. He asked me, "Really?" and I replied, "Yes, really Opa." It's been nearly three years since his death, a death that came as almost a relief after his two years of suffer- ing. I remember this like it was yesterday. I was in college when I received a phone call from my mother one Sunday night. She told me she'd talked to her mother, who explained my Opa wasn't doing well and didn't have a lot of time. He was in Holland in a hospital on his death bed. The nurses had asked him if he'd had any last wishes. He told them, "I want to see my granddaughter who lives in Canada." Wow, he was talking about me! Knowing that you are someone's last wish before they pass gives you the strangest of feel- ings. I was happy, overwhelmed and stressed out. What if I wasn't what he'd hoped for? I was on the plane in two days, arriving in Holland the following Tuesday. I stayed for a week, making him comfortable, putting the odd smile on his face and helping him open the odd beer. Yes, they gave him beer. Why not? It made him happy. One day after I said my final goodbye to him, he died. Everyone tells me he was waiting for me to leave. I still remember the last time I saw him. He was frail, nothing compared to his usual physique. My Opa was never a small man, in fact he was actually a boxer back in the day, among other things. It was a tough visit, but a visit I cherish to this day. Most memories I have of my Opa are not of his final days, but rather him making me laugh with stories from around the world. He was a coin dealer, travelling the globe. My mom always told him, "Write your stories down," but he always insisted, "They're up here," pointing to his head. Did I mention he was also one of the most stubborn people I've ever met? He also used to give me advice, and presents from Holland, which I loved growing up (ha-ha) and lots of love. NINA VAN LIESHOUT KICK THIS AROUND Today is his birthday. It's a day where my family and I remember my Opa with a drink or two. We miss him dearly, but will always remember the time spent with him, and know he's always around us. Unfortunately, my Oma, my dad's mother, is not doing well. She has Alzheimer's, a difficult disease for the family to see. She still remembers me, but I know the day she forgets my name will be upsetting, as she's already forgetting others around her. On Sept. 18, the Alzheimer's Society of Huron County is coming to Exeter with their coffee cart, for the Annual Coffee Break fundraiser. Businesses along Main Street will be approached. National Coffee Break Day is actually Sept. 20. Another event coming up is Grandparents Day at Exeter Villa Sept. 9, featuring Stephen Bucciarelli's Live Free -Flying Raptor Show at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Let's take the time to appreciate our grandparents or mothers or fathers. Let's not have regrets, let's live for today. In fact, I think I'll go visit my Oma. About the Times -Advocate Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales ....519-235-1331 24-hour automated attendant 519-235-1336 Fax number for all departments 519-235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $42+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $75+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada:$160+GST Call 519-235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $12 for 20 words, 20c for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15 + GST for up to 50 words, All ads must be pre -paid. The classified ad deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. Display Advertising To place a display ad, 519-235-1331 weekdays 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. or evenings 519-235-1336 (leave message) or toll-free at 1-888-270-1602. Deadline: Fri. 2 p.m. E-mail Us Web site: www.southhuron.com TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @southhuron.com. For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@southhuron.com> Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Jennifer Skonieczny ext. 102 PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord Nikki Cyr .ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 MargPertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111 ext 103/114