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THE NEW TANNERTHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2007 11THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 200710 JEFF LEHMAN 519-880-1982 1-877-919-9959 sales @ harvest-heat.ca www.harvest-heat.ca Our futures most cost effective and abundant source of heat is now open! We carry a wide selection of home decor products. SWANK Interiors ?????????????????????????? ??????????????????????????? 108 Division St. Unit 6, Rockwood (1 block North of the lights) 519-856-2943 The Rockwood MILLER The federally funded Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) program is scheduled to close March 2008, in its 14th year, with no word yet whether the Harper government will commit more funding. The EFP is delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), with John Benham as Wellington Countys representative. He says all applications, approved projects and final inspections in the county must be completed by the end of November, with the exception of those granted an extension. The program is completely voluntary and is intended to improve the environment and water quality on farmland. Farmers first attend a workshop where they learn to rate their farm on 23 points of environmental concern, such as manure storage or pesticide management. Next, they develop an action plan to improve identified areas. Then, the plan is peer-reviewed anonymously by three farmers living in the county. They determine if it is practical and economical. They may give feedback to the applicant and ask for more details. Once the plan is deemed appropriate, funds are committed, up to $50,000 for each farm. The work is done according to plan and the farmer pays the bills. When it is complete, a final inspection is done and receipts are submitted. The farmer is then reimbursed for the agreed amount. The EFP works in conjunction with Green Cover Canada, Canada-Ontario Water Sup- ply Expansion Program, Wellington Rural Water Quality Program and Greenbelt pro- grams, which may result in 100% of costs reimbursed. According to Benham, the EFP has been a phenomenal success, with farmers, the envi- ronment and the community benefiting from improved manure management, surface and ground water protection, woodlots, wildlife habitat, and soil quality. There have been a lot of improvements as weve gone along, and they build on one another, he says. Over the course of the EFP, the federal government has funded a total of $50,860,594 for 11,326 pre-approved projects throughout Ontario. In Wellington County, a total of $2,349,247 funded 429 projects. Of that, about $1,400,000 went to manure storage improvements, $180,000 went to control barnyard run-off, and $60,000 went to up- grade or properly decommission wells. Other improvements include proper fuel storage, proper pesticide use and storage, nutrient management and equipment designed to reduce tillage for soil health and energy ef- ficiency. As the inspector, Benham sees the value of these projects first hand. This program has been so successful, he says, It would be hard to understand if the government doesnt renew it. For more information, visit www. ontariosoilcrop.org or call 1-800-265-9751. The 26th season of the Rockwood Mens Three Pitch Leaue saw the crown- ing of a new champ as the year came to an end this past weekend at their Annual awards Dance. After two frustrating years of losing to the Dozers in the final game, the Guzzlers made sure in grand fash- ion that there would be no threepeat as they crushed the Dozers 24-3. Over the last seven years the Guzzlers and the Dozers have shared top prize three times each. The Bulldogs are the only team to break that monopoly with their victory in 2004. It was all Guzzlers as they came flying out of the start- ing gates scoring early and often. In fact, by the third inning, it was already 12- 0. The usually hard hitting Dozers bats were silenced either on their own or by solid defensive work by their determined opponent. The Guzzlers were full marks team wise for the victory as everyone contributed with their bats and gloves. The other big winner was the Lonneytoons as they fol- lowed their first place regular season finish with a victory in the consolation champi- onship. It was not easy as a determined Highwaymen squad fought through sev- eral key injuries to storm back from a 10-0 deficit in the second inning to make a game of it. In the end it was the Looneytoons who prevailed 13-11. The Looneytoons were also chosen as the Leagues Most Sportsmanlike team by the umpires and received the Dave Reid Memorial trophy for their efforts. Each team in the league also recognized the following individuals as their MVPs Guzzlers break Dozer streak in Rockwood 3-Pitch League Continued on page 12 Farm plan nears end ROCKWOOD Ring Around with Rebecca Ring Book & bake sales Animals Homeward Bound is holding a book and bake sale on Saturday, November 17, from 10 AM to 4 PM at St. Johns Angli- can Church Hall. To donate, call Diane Lea at (519) 856-9154. All proceeds go to Animals Homeward Bound, a non-profit registered charity that aids orphaned or injured wildlife and pets, including rescue, veterinary care, rehabilitation, release or placement. Another book sale in Eden Mills takes place on Sunday, November 4, from 11 AM to 4 PM at the Eden Mills Community Centre. Proceeds go to help Eden Mills be- come carbon neutral. CDs, DVDs, tapes and electronics will also be available. To donate, call Brian Skerrett at (519) 856-0128 or Kit Bresnahan at (519) 856-1188. For more information on the Carbon Neutral Project, visit www.goingcarbonneutral.ca. Lions Club youth dance The Rockwood and District Lions Club is hosting a youth dance on Friday, November 16 from 7 to 10 PM at Rockmosa Com- munity Centre. Proceeds from Lions events go to community projects, such as eye test- ing at elementary schools. On November 6 and 7, Lions Club representatives will be at Eramosa and Rockwood Centennial Public Schools to test the vision of young school children. Sometimes children are not aware of having impaired vision, which can affect socialization, learning and confidence. This program has already improved the lives of several children. Remembrance Ceremony Guelph/Eramosa will once again honour all those who fought for freedom in an early Remembrance Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 3, at 10:30 AM in Rockwood. Veterans and participants will gather on Guelph St., near the post office and proceed to the Cenotaph on Main St. S. After the service, the parade will march north on Main St. to the Guelph/Eramosa Fire Department, where all are welcome for refreshments. Rockwood ceremonies are usually a week before Remembrance Day to accommodate participation of the local Royal Canadian Le- gions based in neighbouring municipalities. New Farmers Market Starting this Saturday, from 8 AM to 2 PM, Rockwood will have its own Farmers Market, where local produce, arts and crafts will be available. Dwayne Hitchcock began the market because he frequents the Guelph and St. Jacobs farmers markets and thought that Rockwood could use one too. He owns an empty commercial building and decided to put it to good use, located on Main St. S., near Guelph St. (formerly Four Ds Pet Store). Hopefully we get a lot of vendors and shoppers and it all comes together, says Hitchcock. If all goes well, he plans to open the market every Saturday, possibly adding Fridays, and even more days near Christmas. Call (519) 856-9149 for more information. Ratatouille at the library The Rockwood Branch of the Wellington County Library will host dinner and movie night on Friday, November 9 at 6 PM. Bring your dinner and the library will provide the movie Pixars Ratatouille. Join the Ratatouille Gourmet No-Cook Challenge on Friday, November 16 at 1 PM, and learn to make candy sushi and candy kabobs. The film, Ratatouille, will be shown right afterwards. Gallery features Bill Urban The Paul Morin Gallery on Main St. is featuring the work of painter Bill Urban. The abstract creations of this artist will be displayed until November 4. BAD ACCIDENT: Two cars and a truck blocked Highway 7, near Rockwood, for a good portion of the day after an accident around lunchtime Wednesday. Ambulance and fire crews arrived quickly and tended to the scene which saw people injured and taken for medical treatment. - Ted Tyler photo