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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2007-11-28, Page 44 Times–Advocate Wednesday, November 28, 2007 OC =CNA T. TIMES ADVOCATE Editorial Opinion 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 €NA 2007 BLUE RIBBON /\ it 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 Simpson Day Tim Long did last week what most people only dream of doing — he got to return to his high school triumphantly. Long, who has been a writer and producer with the massively successful cartoon sitcom "The Simpsons" for nearly 10 years, spoke at South Huron District High School last week, jok- ing that he wanted to keep the students out of class as long as he could. The students no doubt would have taken Long up on that offer — the day was declared "Simpsons Day," and students and staff dressed up as various Simpsons char- acters, while the school band played the show's theme song. That Long was greeted with a hero's welcome should be no surprise given the show's popularity. Long's accomplishments are impressive — in addition to his work with "The Simpsons," he has written for both David Letterman and Bill Maher and counts among his trophies two Emmy awards. While most Exeterites know Long hails from here, it isn't celebrated enough. Not every small town can claim a Hollywood writer. Many peo- ple in Exeter are gung-ho about the white squirrel, but how about doing more to celebrate the fact that one of "The Simpsons" writers comes from here? Why not hold a "Simpsons Day" every year, or have a sign proclaiming Exeter as "Springfield North?" Small towns are always looking for ways to brag about their uniqueness. It seems obvious that the fact a successful Hollywood writer came from here is unique and impressive and something we should be proud of. A fine example Every year at about this time, the Times - Advocate is filled with positive examples of the true giving spirit of Christmas, whether it be collecting food for food banks or collecting toys or clothes for families in need. Hensall's Travis McLeod is an example of a youngster who truly knows how to get into the Christmas spirit. The nine-year-old Hensall Public School student is once again raising cash and Canadian Tire money so he can buy toys for children fighting cancer. It's a noble cause and one for which he should be congratulated. He isn't doing it for the recog- nition, but he deserves it. ,..11111010111.1. r ia'"r 11 I,I ilti0.t q 44b e „ That secret ingredient... It was that secret ingredient, I'm telling you. That secret ingredient that put us, the T -A in first place at the second annual Community Living South Huron Chili Cook -off. And along with some creative preparation, our team, "Here's the Scoop," was ready. The event last Saturday was hosted by the ARC Advocates. It began with picking just the right team- mates, so by looking out my office window one day, I knew I saw three girls who would be great to partner up with. Deb Lord, Kelly Gackstetter and Nikki Cyr all said they were up for the challenge. But something was missing, we needed a dash of something else, something with a little spice. I knew exactly who to call, and it wasn't the Ghostbusters. Our girl, who also happens to work for South Huron Community Living — Katie Nixon. So our team was formed, our name was created and a head chef was chosen — me. How did that happen? It's a long story, and I'm pretty sure I had everything to do with it. But seriously, me, who can't cook, doesn't do kitchens and has almost burnt the house down about three times — twice stemming from the kitchen! Anyway, I was on a hunt, a hunt for the perfect recipe. Which is also amusing, since I wouldn't know what the perfect recipe looked like if it hit me in the head with a brick of cheese. So I turned to my best friend and head chef him- self, Marcus, who gave me his recipe, Marcus' Chili of Love. He even shared his secret ingredient. The girls and I cooked our recipe Friday night at Community Living in Dashwood. It was a lot of fun! When Saturday rolled around, we were ready. Our signs, our display table, our cute black and white outfits and of course our chili, topped with tostitos, sour cream and cheese. "Here's the Scoop" was a newspaper themed team, with everything either deco- rated in newspaper or in black and white. It was an amazing fundraiser to be a part of, a whole lot of fun and a great way to challenge yourself. a blast, and winning the event really put the sour cream on top of the chili, if you know what I'm saying. So, next year I encourage more teams to get involved. It's an inexpensive journey that I'm still smiling about. And if someone with absolutely no experience in the kitchen can do it, anyone can. So back to that secret ingredient. Any ideas? Bet you're pretty curious? What could be so great, that it would actually win a chili cook -off? Well, it's too bad it's called just that — a secret ingredient. NINA VAN LIESHOUT KICK THIS AROUND 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. I had Classified Rates Word ads: $12 for 20 words, 20t 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 ext. 103/114 Nikki Cyr ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Marg Pertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111