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Times Advocate, 1999-12-22, Page 19Wednesday, December 22. 1999 Exeter Times -Advocate 19 Dove's Nest doing God's work over the holidays Thrifty. Elizabeth Davis shows off one of the multi- tude of used items for sale at her Dove's Nest thrift store. Profits from the store go towards each of Exeter's eight churches. (photo/Craig Bradford) By Craig Bradford TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — In the spirit of Christmas, here's a giv- ing success story. The Dove's Nest thrift store opened its doors in June 1998 and since that time it has established itself as a leader in help- ing the less fortunate. A not for profit, regis- tered charity organiza- tion, Dove's Nest is locat- ed in the former Exeter Police building at 20 Sanders St. E. It's run by Elizabeth `Liz' Davis and her "Geriatric Brigade" of nine volunteers that include some non -senior citizens as well. Dove's Nest sells donat- ed used clothes, house- hold items, furniture and toys at less than discount prices. Davis said cus- tomers range from the needy to bargain hunters: The items in store are geared towards those two main groups, Davis said: basic clothes are priced to sell for a couple of bucks while party dresses, luxu- rious coats and expensive business suits are more expensive since the less fortunate wouldn't be in the market for such items. Customers also include "good Samaritans" that give what they buy to needy people they know, grandparents wanting something for their grandchildren when they visit, sewers who might buy a sweater just for its buttons and those looking for costumes for theatre companies or school plays. Proceeds from sales goes to operating expens- es such as rent (paid to the town) with what's left over going to Exeter's eight churches. Davis said she urges churches to give the money Dove's Nest donates to them to their benevolent fund or mission work. Davis has the back- ground to be a success at the thrift store business: she grew up helping in the stores her father managed, she ran Noah's Ark (another Exeter thrift store) for four years and helped get Exeter's .Samaritan thrift store off the ground. "I needed to do both of, those to do this," she said. "I look at that as educa- tion." Davis sensed the need for Dove's Nest before she even started work on set- ting up the store in March 1998 -- she ran a sort of thrift store out of her home's basement between the time she left Samaritan and started Dove's Nest. Davis said business was slow last week due to the Christmas Bureau but anticipates it to get busier after the new year. Davis obviously loves what she does. "I really enjoy it," she said. "I wouldn't put in the effort and the hours if I didn't enjoy it." She noted everyone involved with Dove's Nest does so as a volunteer. "This is all done for the Lord," she said. The creation of the store seems to have had some divine intervention. The day Davis took a look at the vacant former police station was the same day she received the charita- ble registered number for the business. There was even a bird's nest above the main entrance to the building. "The pieces of the puz- zle just came together," Davis said. Dove's Nest is open Tuesday -Friday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The store is also open' Friday 7 p.m. -9 p.m. Right now there is a half price sale on winter coats. Donations are accepted at the door and bags of items can be left at the door after hours. Dove's Nest 'accepts almost everything except appli- ances and books. Call 235-2411 for more infor- mation. As mentioned above, there are two other thrift stores in Exeter. ETM (Emmanuel Television Ministries) operates the Samaritan store at 41 Main St. S. that's open Tuesday -Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. It sells used clothing, household items, appliances, furniture, books and other items. Samaritan accepts donations at its drop off depot behind the building. Money generated through used item sales goes towards ETM's evangelical goals which includes rallies, church services and its television shows that can be seen on local cable channel 12 every first and third weekend of the month. Air time is Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. For more information, call 235-3344. Noah's Ark thrift store and food bank is located at 293-A Main St. It's open Monday -Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday 10 it.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. It sells used clothing, household items, small appliances and almost everything except furniture. A branch of Exeter` Pentecostal Church, money generated by Noah's Ark goes toward the food bank. Donations can be dropped off at the depot beside the store or at the zone title winners crowned By Ron Dann ZURICH - Moles - worth's Lindsey Matheson and Meaford's Dave Brown won the Bluewater 5 Pin Bowlers' Association ladies and men's Zone title Sunday in the 20 game qualifying round of the Ontario Five Pin Bowlers' Association (O.F.P.B.A.) Provincial Open rolloffs completed at Owen Sound and Meaford. Forty-six bowlers from across the Zone vied for the title. Matheson won her first title ever with a 4,936 pin - fall and will be joined by Seaforth's Gayle Schellenberger at 4.815 and Molesworth's Leslie Groot with 4,768 in the ladies Open singles cham- pionships. All three will also combine with fourth, fifth and sixth place finish- ers, Port Elgin's Dianne Trask (4,723) and Ruth Poulsen (4,636) along with Molesworth's Kim Cupsky (4,492) to form the Bluewater ladies team. Bluewater's men's sin- gles will include Brown at 5,278, Listowel's Chad Ward (5,137) and Mount Forest's . Claus Rave (5,119). They will also compete in the men's team category along with Port Elgin's Dave Hamather (4,800), Molesworth's Cor Groot (4,768) and Owen Sound's Brad MacArthur. Bluewater's mixed team will include Owen Sound's Rob McArthur (4,574) and Jason Cranny •(4,553), Inwitttmtplimsmwmtvistwon WS GREE1111 and many thanks to the valued customers of for your patronage over the past year tti392 Main St. Exeter •. Lucknow's Eric Taylor (4,542), Molesworth's Rob Anderson (4,540) and Doris Matheson (4,022), Port Elgin's Candy Westlake (4,231) and Owen Sound's Nina Costain (4,199). The Bluewater singles, men's, ladies and mixed teams now advance to the Provincial Open April 19- 22 at Hamilton. They will be assisted by national certified level two Bluewater coaches Betty Jones, Port Elgin for the men's team, Goderich's Marj Moore and Bluewater President Howie Baker, Listowel, ladies and mixed teams respectively in an effort to win the Sidney L. Morris Awards at the Open. depot at Seip's valu-mart. For more information, call 235-3744. NiPetffM '.Holiday Greetings Wishing you a house full of happiness this holiday season. Thank you for your • • patronage and we look forward to serving you in 2000 rnle e Co. Children's wear, toys and books 3.55 Main St. Exeter.. '. .• EXETER CLEANING CENTRE • Dry Cleaning • Coin Laundry • Laundry Service Exeter's only complete cleaning centre is now an agent for SUEDEMASTER LEATHER CLEANERS Services include; • suede and leathers • purses, gloves, shoes/boots/hats • sheepskin rugs , • furs and fur storage •.repairs qn suede and leather • ultrasonic blind cleaning • pillow cleaning • rug cleaning • smoke odor removal Call For Free Estimate 23 5-4101 344 MAIN ST.. EXETER Holiday Cheer Our holiday best to you and yours. R.J.B. Plumbing and Heating Ron, Pam, Kyle & Emily Merry Christmas and Warmest Wishes for happiness now and in the coming year Thank you for your patronage Gall Baker • PROFESSIONAL ESTHETICS 282Andrew St. Exeter 235.0835