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6 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, JANUARY 03, 2013 BOYS' TOYS: No matter the age, going fast on new toys was fun last Thursday for Acton's Daelin Andrews (left photo) who checked out the ski-doo he got for Christmas at the Wallace Street Park. Acton's Aaron French bought himself a 600-cc ski-doo for Christmas, and got to go on his first ride, with his dog Quinn, on the Third Line south. ­ Frances Learment photo Branch no. 197 Legion news By Sharon Graham P.R.O. Happy New Year everyone! I hope that everyone had a great Christmas. We did get some snow but it fell the day after Christmas. You can see the kids with their sleds going down the hills; they are really making up for the loss of snow last year. The Branch offers our sympathy to the family of Jim Wheeler, a member of the branch who passed away Friday, December 21. A Branch tribute was held on Sunday evening. Over Christmas the Branch was busy with entertainment in the games room Everyone enjoyed Monty Greig. Our Levee day was a success with lots of members coming out to meet and greet with the president and executive. We did have entertainment with Jesse and Troy. Everyone enjoys them when they come to the Branch to entertain the members. Our next entertainment will be on January 12h in the games room with Willie O'Hagan. Everyone is most welcome to come out and enjoy the music. On behalf of President Wagg and the executive, we wish all a prosperous 2013. `More shoppers spending more' at many Acton businesses It was a good Christmas season for all of the Acton merchants questioned in a random survey ­ all had a year as good as last year, and several found that pre-Christmas sales were better than last year. At the Needle Gnome, owner Renatta Georgeff said sales were "much better" than last year. "We sold a lot of needle work kits and craft supplies prior to Christmas. Knitting is very popular as well ­ people came in and bought a lot of yarns and a lot of people brought in their personal items framed," Georgeff said on Monday, adding people are still "cacooning as they do when the economy is poor." Gift certificates and personal products topped the list of gifts purchased at Blue Springs Spa where a staffer said they had a steady and very busy preChristmas season, and were busy getting their hair, nails and makeup done right up to closing on New Year's Eve with women getting ready for ring in 2013. At Cash Inn, manager Bobbi Lockhurst said they had an increase of people sending money to loved ones via Western Union prior to the holidays, and from people "needing a little more before Christmas." "I really can't compare to last year because we didn't get the Western Union until April, but we've been busy," Lockhurst said, adding one lucky customer, identified only as Hilda, had won a go-cart in a Christmas Eve draw. Business has been "phenomenal" at Halton Hills Furniture, according to owner Ron Kuiken who suggested things were so good because "people like to support (shopping) local." "It's been a great, great year and hopefully 2013 keeps up," Kuiken said, adding he doesn't rely on Christmas sales, but year-round sales. Linda Ann Hush said she would not be sure what kind of a year she had at Dollar Stretcher Daze until she "ran the (cash register) tape," but many of the shelves were very picked over, indicating brisk sales. "Everything seemed to do well this year ­ I think a lot of people shopped locally ­ I think they tried harder to shop in Acton," Hush said, adding with the new stores in Acton, there is more for shoppers to choose from. A lot of people were buying treats for their pets, or the pets of friends, at Global Pets this year where owner Jen Everson said there wasn't the wild last-minute rush of shoppers like last year, but sales were steady. "I think that people prepared earlier this year," said Global Pets manager Angie Williams, adding sales were "healthy." Anything with "One Direction" ­ the latest boy band craze ­ sold fast at Giant Tiger where owner/ manager Alec Boyd said sales were "pretty good." "There's the same amount of people coming through the registers, but they're spending more, which was surprising," Boyd said, adding sales were a "little bit" better than last year. At Home Hardware, store supervisor Jeff Hilliard joked that the snow at Christmas meant he sold out of the shovels that didn't sell last year when there was no snow. "I did very well with Christmas lights this year ­ I've got hardly any to carry over," Hilliard said, adding home items advertised on TV, like wine decanters, sold well. With more shoppers spending more, it was a very good year at Shoppers Drug Mart where front of store manager Jennifer Warren said sales were up over last year. "The recession didn't hit us ­ I'm not sure why," she said adding chocolates sold very well, and they were very busy on Monday as the store was closed on Tuesday for New Year's Day. New 10 week Ladies BeLLy daNce sessioN Starts Friday Jan. 11th Level 1 ~ 7-8 pm Level 2 ~ 8-9 pm Cost $140 (includes HST) A fun and high energy workout! Classes taught by Stephanie Hunter Sharing Our Love of Dance Since 1998 17 Mill Street East, Acton 519-853-8628 www.totaldanceinnovations.com email: info@totaldanceinnovations.com $ PER TIRE NEW VALVES & BALANCING INCLUDED * MOST CARS * Mon. to Fri. only 10 BEAT THE SNOW! SNOW TIRE CHANGE OVER 853-8530 · 1km South of Acton on Hwy 25 · www.besttiredeals.ca 1,000's OF NEW AND USED SNOW TIRES IN STOCK!