The Times Advocate, 2007-09-05, Page 2020
TIMES—ADVOCATE
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Announcements/Community
Geigers see from Canadian field to Japanese table
By Pat Bolen
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
ZURICH — A Zurich
couple recently had the
chance to see where the
soybeans they grow end
up when they took a
trip to the other side of
the Pacific Ocean.
When Karen Geiger
got a call recently from
her husband Ben about
where she wanted to
take a vacation in
Japan, Karen said it
wasn't on the top of her
list of places to go.
But when Ben told
her the Geigers would
be taking the trip cour-
tesy of Thompson
Elevator of Hensall, the
Geigers were on the
way to Japan.
The Geigers farm 500
acres on Parr Line, with
120 acres of soybeans
including 93 acres of
crown soybeans.
The Geigers were
selected for the trip by
Thompson as part of a
regular series of trips to
Japan by producers
sponsored by Thompson
in order for the growers
to see what the market
in Japan is like.
The Geigers left
Canada July 28 and
returned Aug. 3 after
seeing many sides of
Japan,
including
temples,
farms and
shrines.
"It's the
busiest,
cleanest
most orga-
nized coun-
try I've ever
seen," said
Ben.
Language was no
problem, said the
Geigers, who were
escorted everywhere.
Also, the Japanese were
eager to try their
English, which they are
proud of and good at.
The Japanese are also
very polite, said the
Geigers, adding the
Canadian flag was flown
at locations they visit-
ed.
The trip was busy for
the Geigers, with 12 to
14 hour days starting
early and going late and
every detail planned
down literally to the last
minute by their hosts.
After a 14 -hour flight
to Japan, and adjusting
to the 13 -hour time dif-
ference, the Geigers
spent the first two days
sightseeing and getting
used to the country.
Ben said he assumed
the country of almost
130 million people,
which includes 12 mil-
lion in Tokyo, would be
crowded and chaotic
but it was the opposite
with the country so
organized it never
seemed crowded.
The Geigers saw
every part of the
process of how soy-
beans imported from
Canada are made into
the finished product,
which in Japan is Miso
soup and contains fish
and clams as a base.
After fermenting from
three months to two
years, Miso is served at
every meal.
The Geigers said vir-
tually everything eaten
in Japan is served
uncooked and they did-
n't eat anything cooked
for the first few days
they were there includ-
ing fish.
Food safety
is a priority
in Japan
and Ben
said
there
were
several
hours of
discus-
sions on
t h e
issue.
The Geigers also visit-
ed farms in Japan
which are an average
size of one and a quar-
ter acres with one
farmer having 70 cows,
which is considered to
be large in Japan.
With the small size of
the country making
Japan dependent on
food imports, nothing in
the country goes to
waste said Ben.
"What we waste, they
use," and there are a
few strips of corn on
even narrow strips of
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A memorable trip — Karen and Ben Geiger of
Zurich recently had the chance to visit Japan courtesy
ofThompsons Elevators to see how Canadian soy-
beans are used in the country. (photo/submitted)
land.
Ben said the Japanese
are also big on bringing
consumers into food
processing plants.
The Geigers visited a
soybean processing
plant which was
extremely strict on
cleanliness. Before
anyone was allowed to
enter they were met
with special suits,
scrubdowns, blowers,
lint brushes and sticky
mats.
"It took more time
getting ready to go in
than it did in the plant,"
said Karen.
The Geigers also took
a ride on one of the
slower Japanese bullet
trains that only went
about 120 kilometres an
hour, with faster trains
capable of going 250
kilometres an hour.
"We thought the train
was fast," said Karen.
"But they thought it was
slow. However fast
paced we think we are,
they're faster."
Another example of
the lack of space in
Japan the Geigers saw
were homeless people
After school group to start
EXETER — A small group ministry of Exeter United Church is sponsoring a new
program called "SHREC" — S (snack), H (homework), R (reading), E (educational)
and C (club).
The club is non -denominational and is free. It is available to students in Grades 1-
8 from Precious Blood, Usborne and Exeter public schools.
Volunteers will provide snack and a quiet environment for the participants to do
homework, read one-on-one and play quiet games. The adults will supervise but
not tutor students with their homework.
During the first week of school, information sheets will be given to students and
registration forms will be available at these three schools.
SHREC will start Sept. 10 and will operate Monday to Thursday each week from
3:15 to 5 p.m. at Exeter United Church. Parents may choose the day or days they
wish their children to attend.
For more information, call Susanne Strang (235-1466) or Glenda Wagner (235-
2755).
living in tents who the
Geigers were told have
good jobs but can't
afford to pay for a home
in the extremely high
priced Japanese mar-
ket.
While in Tokyo, the
Geigers saw how old
and new traditions mix
in Japan, with a visit to
Disneyland as well see-
ing from the outside
where the Imperial
Palace, which is 2,000
acres of green space in
the middle of Tokyo, is
located.
The Geigers were also
impressed with the
amount of knowledge
the Japanese have of
Canada.
Despite the differ-
ences in culture, Ben
said "once you lighten
up and let it be what it
is, it's great."
Karen added the
Japanese are "are super
nice and polite," and
both are hoping to be
able to return.
"There is so much we
didn't see."
Queensway
Retirement Home
100 Queen St., Hensall
a �
ir
ii
•
ATTENTION ALL SENIORS
Queensway Retirement is
pleased to have police officer
Shawn McFalls presenting an
information session on
Crime Stoppers
Thursday, September 13, 2007
at 2 p.m.
As space is limited please call for
reservations today. 519-262-2830 ext #2
REGISTRATION • REGISTRATION
. SCOUTS CANAW • VENTURERS
Girl Guides
of Canada
Guides
du Canada
• SCOUTS • CUBS • BEAVERS
• SPARKS • BROWNIES • GUIDES
THURS., SEPT. 6 « 6:30 - 8 p.m.
LIONS YOUTH CENTRE, EXETER
NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS OR LEADERS WELCOME
QUESTIONS SCOUTS 235-1339; GUIDES 235-0403