WELCOME HOME JUSTIN WRIGHT! - The Bulletin Magazine

www.TheBulletinMagazine.com 

THE 

Bulletin 

EAST GWILLIMBURY’S COMMUNITY MAGAZINE 

WELCOME HOME 

JUSTIN WRIGHT! 

February 2011

elizabeth cowie, rmt 

PROFESSIONAL HANDS YOU CAN TRUST 

By Appointment • 905-473-7060 

CALLING ALL SPORTS 

Do you know a special athlete, group, or team? 

Are you a snowboard racer, cross-country skier or rugby 

player? TELL US ABOUT IT! 

WANTED! FEATURES FOR EG ATHLETES MONTHLY HIGHLIGHT 

If you have a story or picture for E.G. Athletes (of any age) – please forward to: 

Christine: info@thebulletinmagazine.com or Owen: osmith@dundeesecurities.com 

WONDERING WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH RENOVATIONS AT THE SPORTS 

COMPLEX IN SHARON? UPDATES ARE PROVIDED AT www.eastgwillimbury.ca 

CLICK TOWN HALL, see Sports Complex Renovations (we will provide updates in the 

next issue) 

2 The Bulletin | 13TH YEAR www.TheBulletinMagazine.com

CONTENTS 

IN EACH ISSUE... 

6 WHAT’S ON 

10 ON THE COVER 

29 HORT HAPPENINGS 

Circles 

8 “a small act” 

Vicki Pinkerton 

In the Kitchen 

12 with Moira Sanders 

Simple Rosemary Focaccia 

EG Athletes 

14 Compiled by Owen M. Smith 

Decorating 

16 SPRING MARKET... 

ARE YOU READY? 

Susan Crema-Martin 

Wellness 

22 WHY SHOULD I BE 

HEALTHY? 

Brandi McCarthy 

Tax Tips 

30 NEW FOR THE 2010 

TAX YEAR 

Ian Hawkins 

Many of our contributors live or work 

within East Gwillimbury. 

They volunteer their time to provide 

these articles. Let them know you 

enjoyed their piece. 

around 

the 

house 

Featured on pages 16-20 

18 HOW TO DESIGN A 

MAN CAVE 

Tips on designing the ultimate sanctuary 

21 HOW TO PREPARE 

FOR PLANNING: 

KITCHEN ZONES & LAYOUTS 

MacWilliam Farms 

22645 Leslie Street, South of Ravenshoe Road 

TOMATOES 

MAPLE SYRUP, FRESH BROWN 

EGGS, JAMS, PRESERVES, 

PORK SAUSAGES, BACON, CHICKEN 

& MUCH MORE 

Everything we sell is grown on 

our farms in Ontario. 

Call for Hours 

905-836-9656 

www.macwilliamfarms.ca 

FIREWOOD AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND 

BUSH CORD $275 

www.TheBulletinMagazine.com FEBRUARY 2011 | The Bulletin 3

Editors’ Note 

Here we are in the dead of winter 

2011, a new year and new decade. 

We begin our 13th year serving 

East Gwillimbury and we hope 

you like what we’re doing! This year we will provide 

some fresh new ideas as well as keep your favourites. 

Thanks for checking out our website too! Providing us 

with events through our online form helps us to keep 

everything in order. We’ve now put the ongoing events 

on the site too! 

The first few months of most years I feel tired and in 

need of some sprucing up. Although I could personally 

use sprucing up, it’s usually my surroundings – the 

house! Check out “Around the House” in this issue, 

there’s lots of local business people to help you with 

around the house projects. I always seem to find a room 

that needs a fresh coat of paint – somehow it makes 

winter seem more cheerful! 

Not all of us can spend the cold days of winter in a 

tropical place, but thanks to Georgie Kennedy, a Lake 

Simcoe South Master Gardener, we can all dream of 

these places in your colourful article on page 24 of 

Tropical Garden Explorations. 

However you decide to get through winter, find a way 

that makes those cold days seem less harsh. 

Take care, 

Christine 

905-478-4022 

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 

16,000 sq.ft. OF QUALITY ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES 

CUSTOMER APPRECIATION 

5-50% OFF 

MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2011 • Some Conditions Apply 

20091 Woodbine Ave., Queensville, Ont. L0G 1R0 

E-mail: contact@queensvilleantiquemall.com 

www.queensvilleantiquemall.com 

Bulletin 


Editor: CHRISTINE BENNS 

Advertising Sales: JULIE SMITH 

Design & Layout: CHRISTINE BENNS 

Imaging: ROSS BENNS 

Published by: CREATIVE GRAPHICS 

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS 

Editorial correspondence should be addressed to: 

4819 Holborn Road, Mount Albert, Ont. L0G 1M0 

Editorial email: 

info@thebulletinmagazine.com 

Ph. 905.473.9742 

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES 

Advertising: 905.473.9788 - JULIE SMITH 

or 905.473.9742 - CHRISTINE BENNS 

The Bulletin is owned by Creative Graphics. 

Contents copyright 2010. All rights reserved. 

The publisher has the right to restrict all advertisements and to edit or 

reject any editorial copy. Views expressed by contributors are not 

necessarily those of the editor, 

publisher or staff. The Bulletin and Creative Graphics do not take the 

responsibility for unsolicited materials. 

No part of this publication can be reproduced in any form without prior 

written consent from the publisher. We strive for accuracy and safety in 

presenting articles and photos. The publisher will not be responsible for 

advertising errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. 

4 The Bulletin | 13TH YEAR www.TheBulletinMagazine.com 

THE 

2007 

1140 Stellar Drive 

Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 7B7 

Omega Realty (1988) Ltd., Brokerage 

Independently Owned & Operated 

Guy Stramaglia 

& 

Bruce Trim, Brokers 

HALL 

of 

FAME 

1990 

Toronto Line: (416) 798-7365 (905) 898-1211

FYI special 

event 

NEW WEBSITE 

We are pleased to introduce our new website. 

The site will grow 

into the new year 

with the addition 

of events in our 

calendar, 

additional fact 

sheets about plants and cultivation, and links 

to other valuable sites. The public can also 

access our gardening helpline directly 

through the site. www.lss.mgoi.ca 

Master Gardeners provide free gardening 

advice to home gardeners anytime. 

Email: lssmastergardeners@gmail.com 

The Friends of the East Gwillimbury Library, in 

co-operation with the Town of East Gwillimbury & 

East Gwillimbury Public Library presents 

NINO RICCI 

Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 7:30 pm 

Nino Ricci’s first novel was the internationally acclaimed 

Lives of Saints. It spent 75 weeks on the Globe and Mail‘s 

bestseller list and was the winner of the F.G. Bressani Prize, 

the Books in Canada First Novel Award, and the Governor 

General’s Award for Fiction. 

Published in seventeen countries, Lives of the Saints was 

the first volume of a trilogy that continued with In a Glass 

House, hailed as a “genuine achievement” by The New 

York Times, and Where She Has Gone, nominated for the 

Giller Prize. The Lives of the Saints trilogy was adapted 

for a television mini-series starring Sophia Loren and 

Kris Kristofferson. 

Ricci’s most recent novel is the national bestseller The 

Origin of Species, which earned him the Canadian Authors 

Association Fiction Award as well as his second Governor 

General’s Award for Fiction. Set in Montreal in 1980s, the 

novel casts a Darwinian eye on the life of Alex Fratarcangeli, 

who is torn between his baser impulses and his pursuit of 

the Good. 

The Town of East Gwillimbury Civic Centre, 

19000 Leslie Street, Sharon – Council Chambers 

Reception with refreshments will follow. 

Admission $10, $8 FOL members 

Tickets available at the Holland Landing and Mount Albert 

Libraries and by chance at the door 

Questions: egfriends@sympatico.ca 

This event is sponsored by Southlake Cinemania 


WHAT’S ON 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11 

Mount Albert United Church Women's Annual 

Hot Roast Beef Dinner 

Lions Hall (5057 Mount Albert Rd). Continuous serve 

4:30 - 7:00 pm. Take-out available Tickets: Adults 

$15.00, Children $6.00 (12 yrs & under) 

For more info please call Betty 905-473-2247. 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12 

Greenbank Folk Music Society Concert 

For Valentine's Day, we will be partying once again 

with authentic Cajun music from Toronto's favourite 

Louisiana-style dance band, Swamperella! 

Tickets $ 25. Phone 905-985-8351 for info & to 

reserve. Greenbank Centennial Hall, Hwy. 12, 

Greenbank. 

Check our web site & watch for future concerts at: 

http://www.globalserve.net/~ynot/grnbnk.htm and on 

Facebook and Myspace. 


EG TRAILS WALK 

Vivian Creek Trail. 9:00 a.m. 

Meet at the parking lot, Vivian Creek Park on the east 

side of Centre Street in Mount Albert. 

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 

A Taste of Summer with cookbook author 

Moira Sanders at Mount Albert Community Centre, 

53 Main Street, Mount Albert, hosted by Mount Albert 

Garden and Horticultural Society. Moira will 

demonstrate recipes from the Harrow Fair Cookbook. 

7:30 pm, reservations needed. Free to Mt. Albert 

Garden & Hort members, guests $3. Tickets available 

online at epower@nexusisp.com or by calling 

905-473-1322. 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16 

Protecting your Nest Egg 

6:30 - 7:30 pm. Are you concerned that you may 

outlive your money? You are not alone! Join us and 

learn about some strategies that will see your money 

safe to the end. East Gwillimbury Public Library, 

Holland Landing branch, 19513 Yonge St., Holland 

Landing. Call to register. 905-836-6492 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18 & MARCH 4 

21 Day Sugar Detox Challenge 

presented by Body Design 

"Stop struggling with fad diets and New Year's 

Resolutions year after year! Take the 21 Day Sugar 

Detox Challenge and discover the real key to 

lasting fat loss, for life. This 2 night, 2 hour 

interactive seminar taught by Registered Holistic 

Nutritionist Brandi McCarthy will give you the 

education you need to be successful. You will 

learn the basic science of how your body stores 

and burns fat, what foods trigger fat storage and 

what food keeps the metabolic fires burning. 

Location: MSVA Board Room, 72 Main Street, 

Mount Albert. For more information or to register 

contact Body Design, 905-473-3888, 

info@bodydesign.ca, www.bodydesign.ca 


Chef Dinner hosted by the HL Lions 

Holland Landing Community Center. Tickets 

$20.00/pp or a table of 8 for $140.00. There will 

be a silent auction, 50/50 draw, entertainment. 

Proceeds from the dinner will be going to Lions 

Clubs Camp Kirk, a summer camp for children 

with learning disabilities. Contact Paul Taylor at 

905-836-1423 or Ken Blyth at 905-836-6315 for 

tickets. 


50's Dance & Silent Auction 

Holland Landing Community Ctr., at 8pm 

Cost $15. Tickets contact Joan Bellar 905-836- 

7360 or e-mail belfos@sympatico.ca 

Buffet, cash bar. Proceeds - Christ Church Holland 

Landing local outreach ministries. 


Celebrate Heritage Day 

12 noon to 4pm. Invite your family and friends to 

enjoy activities including military re-enactors, 


weavers and spinners, First Nations drummers, 

interactive activities, wagon rides and much more! 

Location: St. John Chrysostom Parish Hall, 432 

Ontario St., Newmarket. For more information, call: 

(905) 953-5314, email: elmanmuseum@rogers.com. 

Visit us at www.newmarket.ca . Free admission. 

Presented by Heritage Newmarket, the Newmarket 

Historical Society and the Elman W. Campbell 

Museum. 

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20 

Daytona 500 Charity Event 

The Newmarket Legion Branch 426 are hosting a 

Daytona 500 Charity Event. Door prizes, raffles, 

auctions, food, cash bar. Proceeds to Legion, Hospice 

Newmarket and the Cancer Unit at Sunnybrook 

Hospital.Tickets are only $10.00. Doors open at 11am, 

Race starts at 1pm 

Newmarket Legion, 707 Srigley Street 

email: alsan@rogers.com 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21 

TOYLAND AT THE MUSEUM 

Elman W. Campbell Museum. Try our old-fashioned 

wooden toys, walk on stilts and go on a museum 

scavenger hunt. See our model train, nursery rhyme 

displays and make a simple toy to take home. 10 

a.m. to 3 p.m. $2 per participant with donation of 

non-perishable food item for the Newmarket Food 

Pantry. For more information, please call 905-953- 

5314. The Museum is located at 134 Main St., South, 

Newmarket. 

WHAT’S ON – MARCH 

SATURDAY, MARCH 5 

CABIN FEVER RELIEVER 

Mount Albert Community Centre, 53 Main Street. 

7 pm to 1 am 

It features a celebrity server competition, silent 

auction and appetizers throughout the evening served 

by local celebrities! 

Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased in advance 

WHAT’S ON 

at The Family Place or at the door on the evening 

of the event. Donations are always welcome and 

sponsorship opportunities are available. Call 905 

473 5929 or email thefamilyplace@hotmail.com 

for further details. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 8 

Annual Pancake Supper 

The Anglican Church Women of St. James the 

Apostle, Sharon, are hosting their annual Pancake 

Supper in the Parish Hall at 18794 Leslie Street, 

Sharon from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $6 for 

adults and $3 for children under 10. Tickets are 

available at the door. 

March 15-19 

March Break’n It 

The Elman W. Campbell Museum will present a 

variety of activities during March Break. Drop in 

10a.m. to 3p.m. March 15 Creative Crafts, $5.50 

per person. March 16 Mad Hatter Day, $5.50 per 

person. March 17-19 Museum Mayhem, Free. 

Children under 12 must be accompanied by a 

caregiver 18 years of age or over. Parents please 

note: this is not a day camp and there are no 

lunchroom facilities. The Museum is located at 

134 Main Street South, Newmarket. For more 

information, please call 905-953-5314, email 

elmanmuseum@rogers.com or visit 

www.newmarket.ca. 


circles: SMALL ACTS by Vicki Pinkerton 

In the movie “Pay it Forward” (2000), a young boy decides to make the world a better place in response to a 

challenge by his teacher. His project was to commit an act of kindness, or to pay it forward, for 3 people and have 

each of them do the same for three more. By the end of the movie, the concept had swept North America. 

Everyone was paying it forward. It was an audience favorite, but could it happen in real life? Do we have time 

or energy in our busy lives to commit random acts of kindness for no other reason than to give life to kindness 

in our communities? I think we all have the heart for it; it’s just that we forget. We get busy and we stomp through 

life sometimes too overwhelmed to look left or right. 

Let’s not do that anymore. Speaking to people about this 

I realize that there is an active kindness culture here. 

Anne told me that she was in the library ready to check 

out a pile of books when the librarian told her that she 

had to clear her card of over-due fines first. She rifled her 

purse looking for change and came up empty handed. Oh 

sigh. She would have to go home, get change and come 

back before she could take them out. Then a hand slipped 

across the counter with money in it. A gentleman had 

witnessed the incident and pulled the change out of his 

pocket. “Just pay it forward,” he grinned. 

Lorraine has found her driveway plowed out after every 

snow or blow this winter. She doesn't know who is doing 

it but her gratitude is immeasurable. It means that she and 

her boys aren't out there shoveling the considerable load 

of snow that has accumulated lately. She has tried 

unsuccessfully to find out who is doing it, but she feels 

good knowing that she has a 'snow' angel out there. 

Cathy told me that working in retail, especially before 

Christmas can be a thankless job. People are rushed, 

tempers are frayed and the hours are long. One day just 

as she started work, she found a woman frustrated 

because she could not find an item that would complete 

her Christmas list. She had searched everywhere and 

Cathy's store was her last chance. The clerk who was helping her didn't understand the request. Cathy stepped in, 

found the item and that was that, or so she thought. Later in the day, the woman arrived back in the store bearing 

homemade cookies. She expressed her gratitude and thanked Cathy for being so patient with her. I could tell by 

the look on her face that Cathy still remembered the moment fondly as she told me about it. “It changed the day 

that I was about to have. I was filled with Christmas spirit.” 

Most acts of kindness are small ones. They don't intend to change the world but often put smiles on faces and 

help people feel good about themselves. I try to practice kindness in small ways too. I love to write letters of 

thanks to stores praising clerks who have gone over and above. It reminds bosses how important their employees 


are. I love to tell people when they are doing an exceptional job; I know the usual is to tell them when they've 

screwed up. Often, smiling and saying, I love your work, causes them to step back and stare for a moment. Then 

they smile. I love to feel appreciated and I’m sure that any day can be better if you know that you are valued, 

no matter what you do. 

That being said, some acts seem small but when viewed in retrospect, the ripples change the world. Because of 

my feelings about acts of kindness, I was thrilled to hear a program on CBC radio about strangers and what 

can happen when you let them into your life. Because strangers have played such an active role in helping me 

see the country during my travels, my ears perked up. There were the usual stories of meetings between two 

previously unknown people, a couple of weddings, some pay it forward stories and then there was one that 

stood out. It was the story of Hilde Back and the events set in motion when she slipped a cheque into an 

envelope with hopes of helping one African child get an education. That donation so profoundly changed Chris 

Mburu's life that he vowed to pay it forward and he did. The radio host interviewed Chris and Hilde, and talked 

about the resulting documentary, “a small act.” To date the documentary has won awards at almost all of the 

major film festivals in the world and it has been called one of the 10 best documentaries of 2010 by 

Roger Ebert. 

So, what happens when you put a story like that in front of a person who is motivated by community and small 

acts of kindness? It was explosive. Even with my bad memory I remembered to go to CBC's website. I got the 

number and called them for information about Hilde, Chris and the film. Then I called the distributor and asked 

for permission to screen the movie. I had to laugh when they asked me what theatre chain I represented. I 

arranged to have one showing of 'a small act' in East Gwillimbury. You would think the story would stop there, 

but paying it forward never does. When looking for a place to show it, the Mount Albert United Church offered 

me their gym. It doesn't have a screen, but someone found one. The Home Hardware store offered their pop 

corn maker and people have said they would help with the details. Southlake Cinemania put an announcement 

on their website. So did York Region Transition Towns. 

It just goes on and on. And isn't that always the case, one act of kindness is followed by another. It is like a 

chemical reaction or a wheel in motion. That is why it is important not only to commit random acts of kindness 

but to notice them, to see them when they happen, pull them close to your heart and smile. It is this kind of 

energy that will make a community hum and change strangers into friends. 

Please join me on February 6, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. for the East Gwillimbury premiere of the award winning 

film, “a small act” and a discussion to follow. Admission is by donation. Any profits will be split between 

the Hilde Back Education Foundation and the Mount Albert United Church. Remember that 

construction in the area means that the parking will be on the street and so wear suitable footwear. 

Elevator now available. For info or to reserve tickets email or phone 905-473-1284. 

Vicki Pinkerton lives on a small farm just outside of Mount Albert when she is not 

driving the roads of Canada. She is a practicing life coach, a writer and adventurer who 

wonders about many things. www.questacrosscanada.com or lifelinescoaching.org 


ON THE COVER: 

Welcome Home 

December 6, 2010 marked a special day for East Gwillimbury, and Queensville resident Justin Wright. His 

flight arrived in the early morning and family, friends, students and staff at two E.G. schools, Our Lady of Good 

Counsel in Sharon and Queensville P.S. (pictured below), eagerly awaited his arrival. The staff and community 

members including York Regional Police and EG Fire Department staff lined the stairs at the Civic Centre on 

Leslie Street. As Justin approached the crowd, applause and Canadian flags were waived with pride, and tears 

of happiness filled eyes of many. It was an honour to be part of this occasion, welcoming one of our own home, 

safe and sound for the holidays. 

Justin will be home until mid-February 

when he will return to serve our country. 

photos: Christine Benns 

Above: Justin arrived at the Town of East 

Gwillimbury Civic Centre 

Right: Happy to see his grandparents 

Above: Students & staff from Queensville 

P.S. line the street waiting for Justin to 

arrive. 


Fitness Stat (www.myfit.ca) 

More than 60% of adults don’t get the 

recommended amount of regular physical activity. 

Worse yet, 25% of all adults are not active at all! Nearly 50% of young people aged 12-21 are not 

vigorously active on a regular basis. Only 19% of all high school students are physically active for 

20 min. or more in phys.ed. classes every day during the school week. 

MOUNT 

ALBERT 

VETERINARY 

HOSPITAL 

Dr. “Bob” Prendergast 

Full Service Animal Hospital 

Mon, Wed, Thurs & Fri 8am-6pm 

Tues 8am-7pm 

Grooming by Denise 

905-473-2400 

19144 Highway 48, Mount Albert 

(Across from Home Hardware 

Building Centre) 


IN THE KITCHEN 

with Moira Sanders 

I was recently driving along Mount Albert side road, just west of Mount Albert, when I saw the most beautiful 

sight. A few horses were in a paddock together and they were playing and being very frisky. I drew my 

daughter’s attention to the horses and all of a sudden one of them kicked his back legs high up into the air. It 

was truly an amazing display of “horsing around” and we felt so happy to have witnessed it. It is the same sort 

of feeling I get whenever I make this focaccia bread. The focaccia comes out of the oven smelling of rosemary, 

the insides full of steamy goodness and the crust containing the occasional crunch of coarse sea salt. This 

dough is simple to make and you can bake off as many as four loaves all at the same time or save the dough 

and bake them off one at a time over the course of the next 12 days. This recipe calls for the use of a 

pizza/bread stone. 

Simple Rosemary Focaccia 

Makes four 1-pound loaves. 

1 ½ Tbsp. active dry yeast 

1 ½ Tbsp. Kosher salt 

1 Tbsp. granulated sugar 

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil + extra for 

baking the loaves 

2 ¾ cups lukewarm water 

6 ½ cups all-purpose flour 

Fresh rosemary 

Coarse sea salt 

Mix the yeast, salt, sugar, and olive oil with the water in 

a large bowl. Mix in the flour using a large spoon or 

spatula. Scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured 

surface and knead a few times until it is smooth. Return the dough to the bowl and cover with a lid or plastic 

wrap (not airtight). Allow to rest at room temperature until the dough rises to at least double the amount, 

approximately 2 hours. Keep covered and refrigerate until needed. 

On baking day, dust the surface of the refrigerated dough with flour and cut off a 1-pound piece per focaccia. 

Dust the surface of the piece of dough with flour and quickly shape it into a ball by stretching the surface of 

the dough around to the bottom. Flatten each ball using your hands or a rolling pin to a thickness of about 1 

inch (2.5 cm). Let the dough rest for 20 minutes or more, until the dough has become lighter and puffier. Store 

any remaining dough in the fridge for up to 12 days. 

If you have a bread stone, place it on the middle rack before preheating the oven to 450 F. Generously brush 

the dough with olive oil. Poke little holes in the dough and place little tufts of rosemary in each hole. Sprinkle 

the dough with coarse sea salt. Let rise for an extra 10 minutes. Slide the dough, still on the 

parchment paper, onto the baking stone and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden. Remove 

from the oven and discard the paper. Slice into wedges and eat warm. 

Moira Sanders has made a career of food which gives her inspiration for her recipe blog www.moirasanders.com 

and for cooking for her busy family. Moira and her sister, Lori Elstone, have written “The Harrow Fair 

Cookbook”, which is now available and is published by Whitecap Books. 

Moira can be reached at moira@theharrowfaircookbook.com. 


Valentine’s Day 

TRIVIA 

An average person spends two weeks of his 

or her life kissing. 

Two out of every three couples turn their 

heads to the right when they kiss. 

One-third of all Valentine cards are 

accompanied by gifts. 

15% of US women send themselves flowers 

on Valentine’s Day. 

Over $1billion USD worth of chocolate is 

purchased for Valentine’s Day. 

Hallmark has over 1330 different cards 

specifically for Valentine’s Day. 

110 million roses, the majority colour red, will 

be sold and delivered within a three-day time 

period. 

The most fantastic gift of love is the Taj Mahal 

in India. It was built by Mughal Emperor 

Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife. 

About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine’s 

Day gifts to their pets. (Probably not 

chocolate) 

64% of men do not make plans in advance fro 

a romantic Valentine’s Day with their 

sweethearts. 

In Victorian times it was considered bad luck 

to sign a Valentine’s Day card. 

905-898-4228 

email: osmith@dundeesecurities.com 

Wayne N. Dargus 

Financial Advisor 

19101 Leslie Street 

Vince’s Country Market Plaza 

Sharon, ON L0G 1V0 

Office: 905-478-8963 

Fax: 905-478-1842 

wayne.dargus@edwardjones.com 

www.edwardjones.com 

Life Insurance Agent for Edward Jones Insurance Agency 

Successful investing begins 

with good advice 

RRSP, RRIF, RESP, Financial & Estate Planning 

Tax Reduction Strategies 

Owen M. Smith, HBA, B.Sc., Investment Advisor 

17705 Leslie Street, Suite 101, Newmarket 

Ontario L3Y 3E3 

MOUNT ALBERT TAX COMPANY 

“The low cost provider of professional tax services” 

Ian Hawkins 

ACCOUNTING 

& INCOME TAX 

905.473.6522 

www.t42.ca 

19185 Centre Street, Unit 2, Mount Albert 

NOW OPEN! Gristmill Plaza, Holland Landing 

1.866.355.5759 • f. 289.803.0041• c. 416.528.9639 


e.g. athletes 

Peewee AE Eagles Bring Home The Gold Medal 

from the Strathroy & District Minor Hockey Olympics Tournament. The Eagles 3 and 1 tournament record 

put them in first place, securing them a berth in the Gold Medal Game. In the final against the Hespler 

Shamrock’s and the Eagles battled hard and we were down 1-0, when, with 13 seconds remaining in the 3rd 

period Dane Madley scored to tie the game, and put us into overtime. With 5 seconds left in the first 

overtime Ricky Mitchell, with a shot from the hash marks, put it in the top corner to win the game. The 

whole weekend was an all around great team effort. 

SYNCHRO SKATING NEWS 

Right: EG Synchro Skating teams had great results at competitions in Michigan and Newmarket 

last month. Mid-Ice Crisis team captured a silver medal in Michigan and just missed the podium 

in Newmarket, while Shiver earned a silver medal at the Mid-American Championships and 

bronze at the Newmarket Capers. Zambunnies who, in their first competition of the year, moved 

up 2 positions from their previous best at the Newmarket Capers. Although the podium 

unexplainably eluded our Hot Flashes once again – their colourful and eclectic performance in 

Michigan placed them in a league of their own – unrivaled forever by any peer! 


Above: Hot Flashes Synchro team in action on January 16 at the Mid-American Synchro-Skating 

Championships in Michigan. 

Below: Zambunnies pictured in the foreground compete in North Bay along with Shiver 

February 12, at the Ontario Regional Competition... SKATE GIRLS SKATE! 


decorating 

Spring Market 

will you be ready? by Susan Crema-Martin 

The winter has set in and it is cold out there. If you are thinking of tapping into the spring market, then now is 

the time to make preparations! Often I walk into properties that require a lengthy consultation only to hear that 

they have to be on the market in the next few days. I feel that the better prepared you are the higher your return 

on your investment will be and alleviate the stress later. 

Often I hear clients getting frustrated because they don’t see the same “to do list” as I do, as a professional stager. 

The best way I describe this is to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes – would they want to buy your “to do list” 

when they buy your property? Likely they already finished one of their own. 

Last summer I completed a consultation for clients that were aiming for this spring market. They did not know 

how to proceed with the preparations to sell their property. They did however realize that they wanted to be 

proactive and give themselves lots of time to prepare. I armed them with paint colours, lighting details and a list 

of furniture to be removed from their property. Just recently I did a follow-up with them and they said that they 

have been plugging away at their “to do list”. Some of the painting and lighting have been completed and most 

of the furniture has been given away or posted on ‘Kijiji’ and sold. These clients have been diligently working 

on their “winter project” and have their “eye on the prize” at the end of this. 

Continued on page 18 

19124 Centre Street, Mount Albert 905-473-6588 

BRING THIS COUPON FOR YOUR 

FREE BRUSH 

with the purchase of any 

2 GALLONS OF PAINT 

value: $9.99 expires: 02/28/11 

Photo top: before staging 

Bottom: after staging 


around 

the 

house 

TIME TO RENOVATE? 

Washroom or kitchen need updating? 

Turn your basement into a comfortable 

and enjoyable living space. 

Book your spring additions or improvements 

Call Larry Wilson for a FREE Estimate 

905-954-5923 or 905-836-7600 


WORRIED ABOUT POOR WATER QUALITY? 

BRING US A WATER SAMPLE FOR A FREE TEST 

BUILDING THIS YEAR? 

DON’T FORGET RADIANT FLOOR HEATING! 

OVER 50 YEARS in BUSINESS 

DECORATING CONTINUED... 

Local property: 1 day on the market, $15,000 over 

asking price. 

If you are a seller thinking of tapping into the 

spring market… now is the time to make those 

changes. Here are a few tips to get you started: 

1) How are the floors – dated, stained or worn? 

2) Check the walls - is the paint fresh and clean? 

3) Open draperies and blinds – does your house feel 

dark and gloomy? 

4) Clutter - are the countertops free and clear? 

With so many decorating shows and internet 

articles out there, buyers are so much more savvy 

than years ago. It is so important to have a property 

that is “move in ready” than ever before – 

remember that preparing your home for sale and 

showcasing it will be less than your first price 

reduction. 

Visit Martin Designs at the Newmarket Home 

Show, April 1-3, 2011 

Susan Crema-Martin is a Certified Elite 

Canadian Staging Professional – CCSP 

Mentor, and President, York Region - 

Real Estate Staging Assoc. - RESA. If 

you have a question for Susan? 

Send your questions to 

info@thebulletinmagazine.com 

Clark Home Inspections 

Ed Clark 

Certified Home Inspector 

Fast Eddie 

faster_fast_eddie@yahoo.ca 

Cell: 905-967-2074 

Home: 905-473-9994 


How to Design 

a MAN CAVE 

Source: eHow.com 

Since ancient times, men have needed a sanctuary to be by themselves. They 

need a place where they can devolve to their primal state and enjoy the rougher 

things in life. Whether you're designing a new man cave for yourself with a low 

budget or have millions, follow these easy steps to design the ultimate 

man cave. 

Instructions: Man Cave 

1. Focus on your taste. This is your space that no one can take away from you. If you like it dark and dank, 

that's your prerogative. Whether your man cave is the basement or above the garage, it's important that your 

own unique tastes are magnified in the décor. If you're a football fan, run with that and create the ultimate space 

for you and your buddies to hang out and watch the games on Sunday. If you're a cinema buff, decorate with 

movie posters. You get the idea. Once you have a theme in mind for your man cave, it's time to start filling it 

up with cool stuff. 

2. Outfitting the joint. The television is the cornerstone of every man cave. Whether it's a 60 inch flat screen 

with surround sound or a seven inch black and white without cable, you'll definitely need it. If you can afford 

to plop down a few thousand on an entertainment system, do it! If not, pawn shops are great places to pick up 

FAST EDDIE’S 

PAINTING & 

PAPERING 

Ed Clark & Son 905-473-9994 


MAN CAVE CONTNUED... 

decent media equipment at a fraction of the sticker price. Buyer 

beware: Pawn shops aren't exactly known for their honesty. You 

won't be able to return what you buy, but it is a potential, albeit 

risky, shot at getting a larger television for your man cave. Of 

course, you'll need cable or a satellite dish to access every channel 

and a DVD player including booming base speakers that turn up 

loud enough to drown out airplanes passing overhead. 

3. Buy furniture: Now that you have something to watch, you'll need 

something to sit on, preferably a huge couch or recliner. If you intend 

to keep this man cave to yourself and eschew all visitors, go with the 

recliner. However, if you're the social type, get a nice big couch that can 

accommodate all of your friends. Nothing is worse than returning from 

the bathroom only to discover someone has stolen your seat. 

around 

the 

house 

4. Snaz up the place. You'll want to do something with the flooring and walls. Remember, once you spill beer 

on carpeting, that bar smell is there for good. If going on the cheap is your objective, leave what's there and 

spend your money elsewhere. You'll have to cover those nasty walls with something and nothing is more 

impressive than a Fathead. Fathead.com has fan-favorite wall graphics of sports and entertainment stars that 

stick to your wall and transform your man cave into a suite at the stadium. Posters.com also has a wide selection 

of posters to fulfill your man cave needs. 

5. Decorate: To be truly comfortable in your man cave, you need to feel like you're in your element. One easy 

way to do that is to get all of your sporting equipment out of the attic and bring it to the man cave. That way 

you and your friends can play a little indoor pickup game during commercials. Any sports memorabilia works. 

6. Lock the door. The ultimate man cave is self-contained. You should keep a fridge full of two cases of beer 

within reaching distance. A bathroom isn't a bad idea either. To truly make your man cave your own, it's never 

a bad idea to put a lock on the door. You don't need the kids barging in while you and the boys are doing keg 

stands during half time. 

More than anything, the man cave is a sanctuary to let men return to their roots and let it all hang out without 

fear of reprisal. Whether you're a millionaire or just moved into an apartment, the man cave principle is the 

same. You can spend thousands on a man cave or a few hundred dollars, but the knowledge of knowing this is 

your territory is priceless.• 


How to Prepare for Planning: 

Kitchen Zones and Layouts 

With the help of a few basic principles, you can design a 

kitchen that saves you time and effort. 

The work triangle – creating an ideal work flow 

The main work functions in a kitchen are carried out 

between the cooktop/oven, the sink and the refrigerator. 

These three points are called the "work triangle." 

The trick is to position these three points so that they are not 

too far from each other (making for lots of walking 

backwards and forwards) and not too close to each other 

(making for cramped working conditions). 

Ideally, the line between these three points should not 

exceed 6 feet in total. The ideal distance between the 

different working points is 35''. 

Thinking you don't have room for a triangular kitchen? 

Don't worry: the working triangle can be achieved in many 

different layouts, according to preference and room shape. 

Common kitchen layouts 

In most cases, the shape and size of your room dictates what 

kitchen layout you ultimately will choose. However, some 

kitchen layouts may suit your needs better than others. Here 

are five common layouts and their main characteristics. 

Single-line kitchen 

Where space is scarce, a single-line kitchen in which the 

working triangle is reduced to a straight line, can be the 

most practical solution. 

Single-line with island 

This single-line kitchen includes an island. An island 

provides plenty of storage as well as extra work surfaces, but 

it requires at least 50'' of free space around to work well. 

L-shaped kitchen 

The L-shaped kitchen is ideal when you want to add a small 

dining table or kitchen island. It also makes the most out of 

a corner, as well as integrating the kitchen into a dining area. 

U-shaped kitchen 

If you have a large room the U-shaped layout gives you 

maximum space and plenty of storage options. If the room 

is very large, it's important that the points of the working 

triangle are not too far from one another. 

Parallel/galley kitchen 

This layout is geared towards food preparation and provides 

two great work and storage areas on opposite sides. In fact, 

it's a favorite of many professional chefs! 

Work zones – simplifying everyday life 

When deciding where to put cabinets and appliances in 

relation to each other, think in terms of work zones. 

Focusing on function rather than objects to fit in, means 

you'll end up with an everyday-friendly and efficient 

kitchen. 

The three main zones are: storage (fridge/freezer and dry 

storage), washing (sink, dishwasher) and cooking (cooktop, 

oven, microwave). Placement is crucial to creating a natural 

workflow and putting everything within reach. 

Here are some basic guidelines to consider when planning 

your work zones: 

Cooking zone 

Place your oven and cooktop/oven near the sink and 

countertops to avoid crossing the kitchen with hot pots and 

pans. 

Washing zone 

Your sink is an important area. Plan to have your fridge 

close at hand for easy food prep. And close proximity to 

your cooktop makes it easier to drain your pasta and 

vegetables. 

Storage zone 

Make sure you have enough storage for all the food - both 

for dry goods and in the fridge. A worktop near your wall 

cabinets, pantry and fridge makes it easier to unpack 

shopping bags. 


WELLNESS 

WHY SHOULD I BE 

HEALTHY? by BRANDI MCCARTHY, RHN 

I have been in the health and fitness industry for over 11 years now and it still never ceases to amaze me how 

much confusion there is about what contributes to our health, and what diminishes it, what brings us closer to 

our goals and what pushes us further away. Of course everyone has their opinion, their anecdotes, their 

agenda’s, but what it really comes down to is cold hard facts - knowledge. Knowledge is power......and anyone 

who has ever seen a Spiderman movie knows that with great power comes great responsibility! Super hero 

references aside, it holds true, we all have a responsibility to ourselves, our families and our communities to 

be the healthiest we can be, to thrive and grow and be free from dis-ease (no, not a typo). 

What does my health have to do with my community?? 

In a recent press release from the Canadian Diabetes Association they announced that if we don’t make some 

pretty drastic changes, by the year 2020 type 2 diabetes could cost the province a whopping seven billion 

dollars annually! Even Dr. Evil would be astounded by such a staggering number. Those seven billion dollars 

are tax payer dollars. Your dollars and my dollars. By those estimates the association believes that by 2020 one 

in four people will be affected by either type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. The associations’ president, Michael 

Cloutier said in a news release, “The economic burden of diabetes in Ontario is staggering and threatens the 

sustainability of our health-care system and the provincial economy.” 

The provincial economy. One disease, one preventable disease is threatening the entire provinces economy! 

This is exactly what I mean when I say that we have a responsibility to our community to be as healthy as we 

can be. The cost of poor health is more than a trip to the doc’s, a monthly prescription and a larger pair of pants; 

it threatens to cripple our provinces health-care system. And it’s not just type 2 diabetes. There are hundreds of 

diet related diseases that are 100% preventable. We are just not taking enough interest in preventing them 

because we don’t feel that it will affect anyone except ourselves. 

I know this all sounds incredibly harsh, but unfortunately it’s also incredibly true. We all need to understand 

the implication of poor health beyond our own front door. 

And what about behind our own front door? 

Fortunately this story is not all doom and gloom! There is so much you can do right now to positively impact 

your own health! Making simple changes one step at a time can go a long way to improved health and 

longevity! Get outside and go for a walk in the evenings, this one simple step can help lower your risk of 

diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and countless other preventable ailments. Need something a little 

more fun? Join a fitness class or a gym! I promise, they are not nearly as intimidating as you may think – you’ll 

get a great workout and interact with other members in your community too. 

And of course I can’t forget the food! Start small and just keep moving forward. Try to double the number of 

fruit and vegetables you eat over the next month, if you are still buying white breads and pastas switch to whole 

wheat, if you already eat whole wheat, try sprouted grains. There is always a way to improve what you are 

currently doing. When you hit a roadblock or have no idea where to start, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you 

aren’t sure where the heck to start, hire a nutritionist, we really can help! If you would prefer a group setting, 


check out www.sugar-detox.com for the next 21 Day Sugar Detox Challenge running in your area and get 

involved with your community! 

Make one small change. When it is no longer a change and it’s just what you do, make another change. Before 

you know it you’ll have reduced your risk of preventable disease, feel pretty darn good about yourself and 

maybe even be down a couple of sizes. When you take responsibility for your own health and well being the 

possibilities are endless. 

By Brandi McCarthy, RHN. Brandi is a Registered Nutritionist and certified Personal Trainer at 

Body Design. Body Design offers personal training, nutrition and lifestyle coaching to assist 

individuals achieve their fitness and weight loss goals. www.bodydesign.ca 

we’ve moved: 

"Kid's And Mom's 

Playgroup" 

(KAMP) has a new home at the 

Queensville United Church (20453 Leslie St, 

East). We are a not-for-profit co-operative 

playgroup looking for some more parents & 

children to join us in the fun. We are running 

every Wednesday and most Fridays from 

9:30 am - 11:30 am from now until mid- 

June. A typical morning includes free-play, 

puzzles, play-dough, dress-up, crafts, snack 

time, gross motor activities, followed by 

circle time with stories, puppets and songs. 

Please visit our website at 

www.KAMP.bravehost.com or call Angela 

(905) 715-7651 or email KAMP@live.ca to 

arrange a visit. 

NEXT ISSUE: MARCH 2011 

Advertising Deadline is 

Tuesday, FEBRUARY 15, 2011 with 

delivery beginning first week 

of March. 

Delivery by Canada Post to: 

Holland Landing, River 

Drive Park, Sharon, 

Queensville, Mount 

Albert, Cedar Valley 

and Zephyr. 

VALENTINE’S DAY CARD TRIVIA 

EAST GWILLIMBURY 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES 

www.eastgwillimbury.ca/library 

Teachers will receive the most Valentine’s Day cards, 

followed by children, mothers, wives, and then, 

sweethearts. Children ages 6 to 10 exchange more 

than 650 million Valentine’s cards with teachers, 

classmates, and family members. 

more trivia page 13 


in the garden 

Tropical Garden Explorations 

Part 2: Exotic Flowers of the Caribbean 

by Georgie Kennedy, Lake Simcoe South Master Gardener 

The sun’s rays peeping through the louvered windows confuse me for just a second. Overhead, a fan rotates 

lazily; I hear birds chirping and waves lapping. Then I realize....I’m in the tropics, on a beautiful island, maybe 

Jamaica or Barbados. The sky is bright, not overcast, and greenery, not snow, is everywhere. This is the 

morning of our first long-awaited tropical garden tour. 

“Welcome,” says Tyrone, our guide, in his melodious lilt. “Today, we’ll have plenty of time to learn about the 

flowers on this estate.... Golden Chalice Vine, Shrimp Plant, Ixora, Desert Rose, Ginger Lily, Parrot’s Beak, 

Coffee Rose, and more.” The exotic names capture my curiosity immediately. He promises to explain the 

flowers’ ideal growing conditions for anyone interested. To a fanatic gardener, this is heaven. 

He begins with the tropical climate. “The island never experiences freezing temperatures. Many of the plants 

we‘ll see today could not survive in your country, unless brought indoors or otherwise protected, because they’re 

not adapted to go into winter dormancy.” I’m interested to learn there are distinct growing seasons here. The 

best planting times are April and May, October and November, the periods of heavy rain. Tourists commonly 

visit in the cooler months from December to March when there is absolutely no risk of hurricanes. However, 

the hot, dry summer months have their own appeal; many plants, notably Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) and 

Oleander (Nerium oleander), produce more blooms in drought-like conditions. I have already noticed walls and 

fences covered with colourful bougainvillea bracts; I can imagine their greater glory in July and August. 

Graceful oleanders along the roadways will wave with even more pink, yellow and white flowers. 

continued on page 26 

Left to Right: Coral Bougainvillea (B. spectabilis ‘Kenyan Sunset’), yellow Oleander, red Frilly Hibiscus, purple Allamanda, 

orange Cape Honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis), red Hibiscus, red and yellow Parrot’s Beak Heliconia, white Coffee Rose 

(partially hidden), yellow Shrimp plant, yellow Golden Chalice, pink Ginger Lily, mauve Bougainvillea, red Ixora, white 

Bougainvillea, pink Hibiscus, red Fringed Hibiscus (H. schizopetalus) 


Motorcycle, AtV & Sled 

SAleS & SerVice 

25426 Highway 48, Sutton, oN 

Phone: 905.722.7200 

toll-Free: 1.877.722.7205 

Of course there is no formula for 

success except perhaps, an 

unconditional acceptance of life and 

what it brings. 

- Arthur Rubinstein 


TROPICAL GARDEN EXPLORATIONS CONTINUED... 

The area around the great house, which was built of imported cut limestone in the 18th century, is manicured 

and carefully tended. Our guide patiently leads us on a path through the gardens. Desert Rose (Adenium 

obesum), Golden Chalice Vine (Solandra maxima), Golden Shrimp Plant (Pachystachys lutea), Purple 

Allamanda (Allamanda blanchetii) and Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) have been planted in open sunny 

areas. I’m fascinated by the colours and varieties of hibiscus because I grow hardy ones at home. Most 

hibiscus hybrids, especially doubles and triples, need more watering and attention than the hardier diseaseresistant 

indigenous hibiscus with its pretty variegated leaf and simple red flower. 

Tyrone gives botanical names, describes medicinal and herbal uses and tells traditional stories about the plants. 

As we climb a hilly trail beside a stream to the less cultivated part of the property, we’re madly taking pictures 

and writing notes. It may be relatively cool for the Caribbean, but I’m feeling warm. Tyrone points out flowers 

thriving in the dappled shade of overhanging branches. A large Ixora (Ixora coccinea) shrub is covered in 

clusters of bright red flowers. The dark shiny leaves of the Coffee Rose shrub (Tabernaemontana divaricata) 

make its white flowers pop like rich camellias in a bride’s bouquet. Clumps of breathtaking pink ginger lilies 

(Alpinia Purpurata), Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia spp.) and Parrot’s Beak Heliconia (Heliconia pendula) cause 

us to stop and click furiously. These arresting flowers do well in shady, moist areas of the forest and wellcomposted 

home gardens. 

The air becomes more humid. Around the final bend, we hear the welcome sound of falling water. We grab 

hold of vines to swing out into the cool pond for an unforgettable swim in the flower forest. All refreshed for 

the return trip downhill, I ask permission to gather a few favourites. Back at the villa, I arrange them on a large 

leaf and take pictures to share with my fellow garden enthusiasts. Perhaps these images will entice them to 

join me in future tropical garden explorations... but first I’ll mail one off to Tyrone as a gesture of thanks. 

The Pet Nanny 

Need pet sitting services? 

Contact Lynda Annall 

t: 905-473-6708 

c: 905-830-2487 

e-mail: lannall@xplornet.com 

Lake Simcoe South Master Gardeners provide free gardening advice. Send 

your questions to our gardening hotline at lssmastergardeners@gmail.com 

MURRAY J. FERGUSON 

Sales Representative 

CANADA: 877-543-5550 USA: 877-857-8847 

mainstreetrealty@bell.net 

Appreciation wins over Self Promotion... every time! 

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under contract. 

New Year’s Day is the most celebrated holiday around the world. 


Harrogate Hills Riding School 

New 

this year! 

Lunch Included 

at summer 

camp 

Celebrating 

our 26th 

Year 

18786 McCowan Road, Mount Albert 

905-473-3847 

www.harrogatehills.com 

Start Your Riding 

Experience Now! 

Group • Private • Semi-Private 

Year Round Lessons 

Call for a FREE Assessment Today 

SUMMER CAMP 2011 

REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN! 

Check out what’s new this year at 

www.harrogatehills.com 

ONGOING EVENT UPDATE: 

3rd TUESDAY OF THE MONTH 

Newmarket Horticultural Society 

8:00 pm – January to November 

Please Note New Location: Newmarket Legion, 

707 Srigley Street. 

Call 905-898-6381 or visit 

www.gardenewmarket.ca 

Interesting and knowledgeable guest speakers, 

raffle draws and refreshments. Annual 

Membership fees: $15/Single $20/Couple 

$25/Family - $2/Guests. We are a friendly group 

of experienced and beginner gardeners. New 

members and guests are always welcome! 

For all ongoing events visit: 


under the WHAT’S ON tab 

think fitness 

REGISTER NOW! 


MOST ANTICIPATED AT ANY PARADE 

The Mount Albert & District Lions as they do every year held the Santa Claus Parade the first 

Saturday in December. It takes many sponsors for the parade and Santa, the most anticipated guest 

of all, to arrive in Mount Albert. Thanks goes to: Al Dorman Insurance, Smalley’s Produce, Mount 

Albert Children’s Academy, Taylor Brothers Truck Sales, James Campbell Insurance, Skwarchuk 

Funeral Homes, Mount Albert Girl Guides, JF Kitching & Son Ltd., Mount Albert Boy Scouts, Mount 

Albert Foodland, Wayne Dargus (Edward Jones), Skelton Truck Lines Ltd., Ontario Sawdust Supplies, 

The Bulletin Magazine, Mount Albert Family Place, Mount Albert Public School, Mount Albert Home 

Hardware Building Centre and those who participated in the parade. Thanks too for food donations 

and to any other helpers in any way. A special thanks goes to our Santa who came a long way from 

home, as well as Cindy-Lou Jardine and Ken 

McKennon for marshalling the parade. 

AWARDS PRESENTED TO: 

Holt Free Methodist Church 

Best Float 

Mount Albert Cubs 

Best Community Float 

Mount Albert Bible Fellowship 

Best Youth Entry 

Hillside Church 

Best Walking Entry 

Thanks to our judges, who as usual had a 

difficult time deciding on the winners. 

Below: Mount Albert Girl Guides 


Had Enough of Winter? 

By Anne Hill 

hort happenings 

Have you had enough of winter? Snow getting you down? 

Mount Albert Garden and Horticultural Society invites 

you to enjoy a Taste of Summer with Moira Sanders, 

co-author of The Harrow Fair Cookbook, as she 

demonstrates recipes from one of Canada’s favourite 

country fairs at Mount Albert Community Centre, 53 

Main Street, on Tuesday. February 15 at 7:30 pm. 

Moira will be preparing recipes including Cream of 

Mushroom and Tarragon Soup, Skillet-Sizzled 

Cornbread and Frozen Custard. Members of the MAGHS 

will be preparing other delicious treats from Moira’s book 

for your tasting pleasure. You will be able to sample 

Rhubarb Punch, Cheddar Loonies, Three-Onion-Dip, 

Raspberry Squares and other delights. 

Please join us and bring a friend or two. Don’t be 

disappointed: get your tickets early. For Mount Albert 

Hort members, this event is included in your membership 

fee. Guests are $3. Reservations must be made in 

advance; tickets can be purchased online from 

Ellen Power at epower@nexusisp.com or by phone at 

905-473-1322. No tickets at the door. The Harrow Fair 

Cookbook will be available for sale at $25. 

Then on Saturday, February 19 you can again escape 

winter at Get the Jump on Spring at the Toronto 

Botanical Garden, 77 Lawrence Avenue East, from 

10:00am to 4:00pm. There will be presentations and 

demonstrations by garden experts, garden advice, a 

marketplace full of creative garden gifts, and many 

horticultural organizations will have friendly people 

available to talk with you. Admission is free but a $2 

donation gives you hourly chances to win great prizes. 

More information at www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca 

That same weekend, February 18th – 21st, the Great 

Backyard Bird Count will be taking place all across 

North America. Anyone can participate; you can even do 

it without leaving home! All the information you need is 

at www.BirdCount.org 

This is the time of year to revel in garden books, 

absorbing ideas and making plans. What worked really 

well last year? What would you like to add or change this 

year? Will you grow vegetables? The seed catalogues are 

available and it’s a great time to dream. It’s also a good 

time to get your garden tools sharpened. 

Our Junior Gardeners program starts up again on 

Tuesday March 15th at 7:00 pm. For more information 

about our youth and adult programs, call 905-478-8450 

or visit our website at 

http://www.gardenontario.org/site.php/mountalbert 

We are an enthusiastic and friendly group of gardeners, 

from beginners to experienced, who welcome guests and 

new members from all over East Gwillimbury and 

beyond. 


Tax Tips 

NEW FOR THE 2010 TAX YEAR 

by Ian Hawkins 

Ontario has created the Children’s Activity Tax Credit. Under this program, parents and guardians can claim up to 

$500 of eligible expenses per child. They will receive a refundable tax credit worth up to $50 per child under 16 

years of age or up to $100 for a child with a disability under age 18. As a refundable tax credit this program benefits 

low-income parents who pay little or no income tax. A truly made-in-Ontario solution, using the income tax system 

to further the socialist agenda. 

Parents are able to claim the tax credit beginning with the 2010 tax year – eligible expenses incurred on or after 

January 1, 2010 will qualify for the credit; but only if you cannot afford to enrol your child in the programme in 

the first place. A somewhat cynical programme aimed at bolstering re-election chances. Will you remember come 

next October? 

The Ontario credit covers both fitness and non-fitness activities. For fitness, the same rules apply as for the federal 

Children’s Fitness Tax Credit (re-capped below). Non-fitness activities include music, drama, language instruction 

and activities with a substantial focus on wilderness and the natural environment. 

To qualify a program must: 

• Be ongoing (either a minimum of 8 weeks duration or in camps 5 consecutive days) 

• Be supervised 

• Be suitable for children 

For more information on non-fitness programs, Google – Ontario childrens activity tax credit. 

New for 2009 but still good in 2010 - First-Time Home Buyers’ Tax Credit (HBTC) 

If you bought a home in Canada during 2010 you will qualify for the HBTC if: 

• You or your spouse or common-law partner acquired a “qualifying home” and 

• You did not live in another home owned by you or your spouse or common-law partner in the year 

of acquisition or in any of the four preceding years. 

A qualifying home is just about anything you buy except a share of a unit that only provides you with a right to 

tenancy instead of an equity interest. 

Then there is still the Ontario first-time-homebuyer programme that refunds part of your Land Transfer Tax. 

How much is the refund? 

The maximum amount of the refund is $2,000. If the refund is claimed at time of registration, it may offset the land 

transfer tax ordinarily payable. If not claimed at registration, the refund may be claimed directly from the Ministry 

of Revenue. No interest is paid on this refund. 


TAX TIPS CONTINUED... 

Who qualifies? 

To claim a refund, you: 

• must be at least 18 years of age; 

• must occupy the home as your principal residence within 9 months of after the date of transfer; and 

• cannot have owned a home, or an interest in a home, anywhere in the world. 

In addition: 

• your spouse cannot have owned a home, or an interest in a home, anywhere in the world while 

being your spouse; and 

• in the case of a newly constructed home, you must be entitled to a Tarion New Home Warranty. 

Purchasers of New Homes in 2010 should also have received a HST rebate. HST is not charged on re-sales 

of housing. 

As tax rules become ever more complex it only makes sense to have a professional prepare your income taxes 

to make sure that you get every credit that you are entitled to. 

Ian and Dorothy Hawkins own and operate Mount Albert Tax Company next door to the post 

office and Holland Landing Tax Company in the Gristmill Plaza, Holland Landing 

NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY! 

OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE IN EXQUISITE CENTURY HOME 

(approx. 1,600 square feet on the first floor for immediate occupancy) 

Sharon House Commercial Centre 

19027 Leslie Street, Sharon 

(Mt. Albert Rd. and Leslie St. across from E.G. Town Offices) 

Original and superb craftsmanship throughout, including: elegant trim, 

crown moldings and archways, oversized baseboards, 9 ½ foot ceilings, 

original doors and pine floors. 

Updates include: high efficiency gas furnace, central air conditioning, gas 

fireplace, large windows that replicate the originals, eave lighting, outdoor 

lanterns, plumbing, electrical, and improved insulation. 

Ample parking and signage. 

Phone David or Cindy Bates (905) 478-8440. No agents please. 

To achieve anything, you must be prepared to dabble on 

the boundary of disaster. – Sterling Moss 


check out YORKSCENE.COM 

a source for arts, culture & 

Entertainment in york region

WELCOME HOME JUSTIN WRIGHT! - The Bulletin Magazine

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