Loading...
The Times Advocate, 2008-02-13, Page 44 Times—Advocate Wednesday, February 13, 2008 OC =CNA T. 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 €NA 2007 BLUE RIBBON t 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 Ride on Good news came to the area last week with confirmation that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride will come to Exeter in September. There were no doubt a few nervous people in town when confirmation came a couple of days later than expected, but the RCMP confirmed with local steering committee member George Finch last Wednesday that the world famous Musical Ride will arrive in Exeter Sept. 10 and stay until Sept. 12, performing two shows Sept. 11. This is positive news for the area and will be a good showcase for Exeter and all of South Huron as the two performances, which will attract crowds in the thousands, will no doubt pull in many people from outside the area. As organizers are trying to get as many youths and service clubs involved as possible, this is a good opportunity for the whole area to get behind the event and show some community spirit. And, quite frankly, Exeter needs an event such as this. The Musical Ride will be in September, the same month as the Exeter Fall Fair used to be held, before it was decided a couple of years ago to cancel it. And with recent bad news such as the announcement last month that CanGro will either be sold or closed by the end of March, it'll be nice for South Huron residents to have some- thing to cheer for. In addition to the two shows the RCMP will put on Sept. 11, visitors to the Rec Centre will have the chance to meet the Mounties and their hors- es, and organizers intend on having the Mounties visit local schools, a treat for students in this neck of the woods who don't usually get to see Mounties in person in their famous uni- forms. There's a lot of organizing left to do, but things are well on their way to bringing a great event to the area. Canada's military mission in Afghanistan is to , and our troops will be until In addition, our plan is to , and while also In conclusion, we will , while working towards I HOPE TgThis ANSWERS ANY QUEI$TIOtIS,,.J Distributed by Canadian Artists Syndicate • The biggest reward ever It's been just over a week since we received two little bundles of joy from the Animal Rescue Foundation of Ontario (A.R.F.), and I can honestly say fostering these two little puppies is one of the most, if not the most rewarding thing our family has ever done. It was love at first sight, hands down. Seeing our fos- ter puppies for the first time gave me the warmest feeling inside, along with mixed emo- tions. They were just eight weeks old when we brought them to our home, how could anyone abandon two innocent and beautiful puppies? They were found malnourished at two weeks old. And it was my family's responsibili- ty to care for these pups for about a month, until they are adopted. This made me a little nervous initially. I just hoped I'd live up to their expectations. Our pups, brother and sister, whom we named Chip and Lexie, were rescued from Walpole Island. We're unsure exactly their mixed breed. Somewhere between a lab/point- er/hound dog, but it doesn't matter — they're perfect. It was a bit of an adjustment at first for the family, consisting of two other dogs and four cats, along with daily visits from the neighbourhood cat, but it's gone smoothly. And now Chip, a black and brown chipper pup and Lexie, a light coloured slightly more docile pup are exploring and fitting in quite well. They've really added that extra light to our lives. Both of the pups have their own personalities, and watching them grow everyday is really something. Chip is more adventurous, while Lexie is more relaxed taking things in stride. Chip loves human con- tact and cuddling, while Lexie is way more independent Chip and Lexie already know their names, how to sit and are learning to shake a paw. Chip is really grasping the word "no," something we've definitely had to say a few times. After all they're just pups! Both Chip and Lexie are completely different and both have so much to offer. It's amazing watching the drastic change between when they came into our home just over a week ago and now. Originally they were scared, timid and showed obvious signs of abuse. Now they are getting healthier, stronger and have a real curiosity for life. Volunteering for A.R.F. is absolutely one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I personally always enjoy hands-on volunteer- ing, and fostering is definitely something that allows you to see the difference you're making daily. And the best part, I believe, is that our family actually chooses the adoptive family. We have the right to say if we feel the family is a good candidate for either Chip or Lexie. So, fostering can be tough. It keeps you busy and you absolutely must have the time to properly care for the little ones, or if you just want one pup, that's ok too. But, it's so rewarding, I feel like I'm a better person. If you want more information on fostering or volun- teering visit www.arfontario.com 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 519-235-0766 Fax number for accounting dept. 519-235-2449 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: $13 for 20 words, 200 for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $16 + 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. Web site: www.southhuron.com E-mail Us TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @southhuron.com. For example, Deb Lord's e-mail address is dlord@southhuron.com Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher Jim Beckett ext. 109 COMPOSITION Manager Deb Lord ext. 103 Nikki Cyr ext. 101 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 101 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 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Marg Pertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111