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Environment B Palmer Arts and Ideas By Seniors Religion Entertainment Partners at work and home The Herald They work together live together and sleep together hours a day everyday Youd think after years of marriage Al and Janet owners of and Al Red Brand Meats in Acton would be tired of each other But they arent In fact they are the most compatible loving and contented couple Ive ever had the privilege to meet Mien I took on this assignment of interviewing local couples who live together and work together for a special Valentines Day feature I planned on writing a short amusing story on the trials and tribulations of togetherness without really getting involved Then I met the and I realized I couldnt do their relationship justice without giving a personal account of what its like to see these two together When I entered their bright and airy Acton butcher shop was straightening items on the already neat counter and Janet was clearing boxes in the back Al greeted me with a warm laugh something he would do often through our hourlong interview and Janet entered with a welcoming smile As I settled down on some crates the two bandied jokes back and for th about not getting along but it was obvious the goodnatured remarks were more to put me at ease than true As I started to ask them questions they seemed to draw together not physically but men tally as they began talking about their lives They finished each others sentences and relished fond memories of the past I learned the two met at George Brown College in Toronto where Al was studying retail meat cutting and she and a friend had apparently been eyeing Janet as redblooded males oft to do until finally the friend dared Al to ask her out Theyd been peeking at her through a classroom window at the time and Janet happened to look up and see crooking a finger at her Hey she said to her classmate I think those two guys are looking at you No said her classmate theyre looking at you Surprised but intrigued she left the classroom and immediately ac cepted invitation Theyve been together ever since Two years later on Aug 27 1977 they were married Soon while maintaining fulltime jobs they started their first business venture togethera flea market cheese house called and Als Cheese House A couple of years later they sold it and purchased Al and Als Red Brand Meats on Mill SI in Acton Their friends told them that even though they had a great marriage theyd be heading for divorce court if they decided to work together But and Janet knew it wouldnt happen and six years later theyre still proving their friends wrong So how do they do it How is it that they can withstand even relish the constant com panionship and Janet believe theres a number of reasons the most of important of which is that they have the same goals ana in terests We both want to provide well for our family and were willing to work hard to do that says Janet Another reason their relationship is so successful is because they work hard to separate work from home When were at the shop were business partners and when were at home were a couple says Janet If Im upset with him over something at work Ill drop il as soon as I leave the shop and wont bring it up again until we open the shop the next morning Theres no lack of communication between this couple We talk about everything ad- One thing they both love to talk about is each other Sure I asked them to tell me why they love each other and why their relationship is so successful but they didnt need a lot of prodding Both are honestly proud of one another and cant say enough good things about each other loved to comment on his wifes kindness sincerity and good looks and Janet remarked on her husbands humor Ill warn everybody now beware the mongoose spontaneity and roman ticism He spoke with admiration about how she relates to customers in the shop and she proudly revealed how her husband had saved money for 10 years to buy her something shes always fur coat This couple doesnt need a special occasion like Valentines Day to ex press their love they show if everyday allday at work home and play Both have a strong work ethic believing hard work will get them the things they want in life and so far it has They have a small but successful business and a loving family with their two daughters 10yearold Amanda and sevenyearold Amber Lee Thanks Janet and for a giving me a good story and have a happy Working together with love Aland Janet Cunneyworth By LISA The Herald Thirtysix years ago Doug and Smith met while working at the same company However it took them 32 years of marriage before they worked together again The Smiths own and operate Of fice Magic at St and Sin clair Ave in Georgetown and have Doug and Arlene Smith been chosen as the Heralds feature Valentine couple from Georgetown This year the Herald is in terviewing married couples who work together and still have hearts full of Valentines Day romance And boy did we find a good couple The Smiths will celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary this Valentines Day and have a wealth of remembrances about their marriage The two met while working for the Ontario Northland company in a town near Kirkland Lake was a longdistance telephone operator and he repaired communications equipment It just so happened one day that the switchboard worked on broke down and handymm Doug was called in to fix it The work took a couple of days and as the hours wore on Arlene and Doug became friends They both admit it wasnt love first sight but it formed the basis of a warm friendship thats lasted throughout the years Two years later on Feb 1958 the two married in a ceremony which reflected the spirit or the day The bridesmaids wore red dresses and was resplendent with her bouquet of red roses and imitation hearts They continued working for the same company in their separate duties for nine years before Doug left work for a mining company and she left in a psychiatric hospital When the hospital closed Arlene opened a decorating store in the area and over the next 10 years gained the experience that would allow her to make Office Magic such a success By then it was 1986 and the two decided to move to Georgetown where Doug landed a job at instrumentation Arlene began working at Color Your World but earned to have her own business again In 1988 the a purchased St Stationary And so it was the two became business partners as well as marriage partners Both it was the best thing ever did Before we were both working so hard at our different jobs we never saw each other said At least now were together Doug says its worked out well because there is no conflict of power He and decided since Arlene had the business experience she would be the boss It also works because theyre compatible said Doug We get along because we like each other We have very few conflicts because we have a mutual respect for each others opinions and directions Loving each other has a lot to do with the respect they have for each other says Arlene She loves and respects Doug because hes kind loving thoughtful and has a really good sense of humor And hes romantic For their 25th wedding an niversary Doug got a florist in town to make a replica of the wed ding bouquet Arlene had at her wedding The little things he does are so nice said He makes me feel loved and special This Valentines Day theyre planning on going out to dinner and may invite his mother or their three children Lorraine Henry and Allan to share the day with them Its nothing wild and romantic but as Doug and say its the little things in life that make them happyits pretty obvious this at titude has worked for them A loving tradition By Linda The Herald With the day of love fast approaching some people do not know why February was set aside as a day for lovers Valentines Day did not start off as a holiday in which roses are given or valentines cards are exchanged In AD February 14 marked the day St Valentine the patron saint of love ended his life St Valentine a young Roman became a martyr after refusing to give up Christianity and was jailed for his religious beliefs According to The Book of Festival Holidays written by Marguerite in Roman times February was a day set aside for love lotteries and to finefeathered friendships But it was St Valentine who had befriended the jailers daughter while in confinement who made the holiday what it is today Legend has it on this day he sent the first valentine a farewell note to his friend signed from your Valentine Different traditions followed some remaining from Roman times The red heart like the rose symbolizes love emotion and eternity Ribbons and frills entered into the Valentines Day celebration in the days of knighthood when a knight would ride off to battle with a scarf or ribbon from his lady love There also may be more to sending roses to lovers on Valentines Day Ms author of The Book of Festivals stated by rearranging the let ters in the rose a second meaning can arise