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S I D E R O A D S of Halton Hills editor's note It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want- oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so! -Mark Twain This edition of Sideroads of Halton Hills marks the seven-year anniversary of the launch of our quarterly publication. Back in spring 2005, when the idea for Sideroads was launched, we didn't know quite what we were striving for, just that we wanted a different product for Halton Hills residents. We knew it should have a strong rural, outdoorsy feel and highlight local people, businesses and activities. In the ensuing years Sideroads has won numerous awards from various newspaper associations and we've featured a wide variety of artists and entrepreneurs, looked into our past and highlighted some hidden gems to be found in and near Halton Hills. Since spring is the season of newness and new life, we've opted, with this edition, to give Sideroads a bit of tweak and fresh face. You'll notice immediately the magazine is printed on a higher grade of paper. The layout has changed as well with Janine Taylor lending her talents to give the magazine a cleaner, easier-to-read look. But, we didn't want to tinker with what has made Spring 2012 Volume 8 Issue 1 Sideroads is published 4 times a year by: The Independent & Free Press A Division of Metroland Media Group The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 29 Georgetown, Ontario, L7G 4B1 Telephone: 905-873-0301 Fax: 905-873-0398 Publisher Ken Nugent General Manager Steve Foreman Editor John McGhie Editorial contributors Clare Hanman Sarah Visheau Belinda Gallagher Ted Brown Cynthia Gamble Caroline Harris Patti Post Michael Burton Phil Gravelle Andrew Hind Advertising Design/Production Mary Lou Foreman, Shelli Harrison, Kevin Powell, Dolores Black Photography Ted Brown Jon Borgstrom Cover photo: Ted Brown Retail Advertising Manager Cindi Campbell Sales Representatives Jenn Spencer, Sue Spizziri, Amy Sykes, Natasha Vuksic, Felicia Fasulo The contents are protected by copyright and may be used only for personal non-commercial purposes. All other rights are reserved and commercial use is prohibited. To make any use of this material you must first obtain the permission of the owner of the copyright. For further information contact the Independent & Free Press at 905-873-0301. The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in advertising beyond the a m o u n t p a i d f o r t h e s p a c e a c t u a l l y occupied by that portion o f t h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t i n w h i c h t h e e r r o r o c c u r r e d , w h e t h e r such error is due to the negligence of its servants or otherwise, and beyond the amount paid for such advertisment. GENERAL NOTICE: Copyright in letters and other material submited to the Publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the Publisher and its licenses may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. Sideroads a hit with our readers- interesting articles. In this edition new contributor Phil Gravelle goes behind the scenes at Terra Cotta Cookies, a Georgetown business success story and also profiles area resident Tim Dolman- a carpenter by trade but artist at heart. Patti Post pays a visit to local bookstores while Andrew Hind gives us a fascinating look at how Canada's favourite creature- the beaver- plays a vital role in the ecosystem. Michael Burton also profiles Halton Hills' `Mr. History' Mark Rowe. Those stories, and much more, can be found inside the new-look Sideroads. As always, I welcome your thoughts and comments. You can email me at jmcghie@theifp.ca. John McGhie, editor contributors Phil Gravelle is a freelance writer, photographer and graphic designer. He lives in Erin with his wife Jean and son Tom, and writes a weekly column for the Erin Advocate (republished at www.erininsight. blogspot.com). A McMaster University graduate he has worked as a reporter and editor at several newspapers, including the Owen Sound Sun Times, The Brampton Guardian and The Etobicoke Guardian. Andrew Hind is a freelance writer who contributes to many Metroland publications. A York University graduate, he has been writing for several years and has co-authored six books with Maria DaSilva. Patti Post has an honours postgraduate journalism diploma from Humber College. She also interned at The Independent & Free Press, CBC, and Canadian LIving magazine. She works for a variety of publications, but particularly enjoys finding community stories and writing about social issues. Phil Gravelle Patti Post Michael Burton is a graduate of Sheridan College's Print Journalism program and has been living in Georgetown for 18 years. He is the former editor of Travis Magazine and writes for various magazines including Chill Magazine and Sideroads. Andrew Hind Cynthia Gamble is the news editor at The Independent & Free Press and has been a staff member for 27 years.. Michael Burton Ted Brown has been a staff photographer/writer at The Independent & Free Press for the past 28 years and has won numerous newspaper awards. He is a Georgetown native. Cynthia Gamble 4 Ted Brown S I D E R O A D S O F HALTON HILLS SPRING · 2012