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the HERALD Wednesday February Community As the Editor of Maclean magazines People section Mar had the high life Then the made a dramatic change tag the only editor In Macleans history to leave a choice position to become a shepherd on a farm in Township Marsha has continued to write for many national publications while she actively farms In 1989 her Letter From made its debut on Later the Same Day and il was on instant hit with dwell rs which should come no surprise because nostalgia for the try plays a powerful role in psychology of modern society Scratch almost any Canadian you will find a farmer under the skin Dear Aunt Jean her letters begin and with that the Herald welcomes a new voice to our pages Dear Aunt Jean As I grabbed my pick axe and handsaw and went out into a to do my chores I realized that maybe farming in winter does mean I am a few pickles short of a jar While city folks battle brown grey slush in the downtown streets I often find that just get ting to the bam means leaping through thigh high snow drifts Ice rain is the worst It makes the drifts turn to crisp blockades that seem to carry weight for a few steps before you crunch through jagged edges and have to claw your way out One energetic albeit mature Scottish shepherd friend has set up a kind of winter hazard fence line to guide him to and from his bam in blinding snow He spaces the poles at in Farming in winter no easy chore Maclean s mm generally freezes At this point I streets and the road salt had fair and ten ils and one is decorated with orange reflecting tape If he takes three steps without seeing a pole he knows he off track The man is positively canny I try not to tread off the beaten track myself when snow is swirl ing I have heard too many tales about pioneer days and even more recent times when a simple amble up an icy snowed in lane way led to disaster There are some chores that simply can not wait for the weather to break feeding and watering livestock for example Unfortunately ley rain freezes the edges of the big round bales of hay that are intended to allow the sheep to feed freely and provide some convenience for me This leaves me in the inconve position of having to bash the frozen bale with my pick axe and away the outer core of hay with my trusty hack saw Sometimes it gets pretty frustrating As soon as I have ax and sawed a bale open the eager sheep and making a quick exit comes close to scaling a of snow and wool Just when I manage to get everyone fed the water pump generally freezes At this point I have been known to pull my snow covered toque over my face in the hope that what is obviously a bad dream will be over soon but it never is This year the annual water freeze up came after the chores and after supper I discovered it as I prepared for a long hot soak of tired muscles before bed Oops no water I have learned to keep a few gallons of water in the basemtnt for just such occasions While they boil on the stove I clamber into my damp snowsuit and assemble assorted flashlights for the dreaded trip lo the pump house lW long yards a snow drifted wilderness The pump is six feet down in a styrofoam lined hole Every winter I promise to install a stair case but every spring I forget about it An old crate is my only step into the pump hole After years of experience I know that the trouble generally lies in a little rubber hose called the ventun tube which must be massaged with hot water It usually takes a few jugs before the pump clicks In by which time a damp snowsuit can start to seize up making getting out of the pump hole an almost arthritic ex erase Then there is a mad dash back to the house to make sure that the water is flowing Air gets trapped in the line and it takes a few spurts and burps for it to work its way through to the taps After one particularly gruelling pump house war a girlfriend from the big city called me as I was thawing out in my trusty long by the fire She had en dured a dreadful day in the city New farm movement A new coop movement has begun Directors members customers and employees of agricultural cooperatives in An caster Ayr Beamsville Cam bndge Cayuga Em Milton Norwich Woodstock and Waterloo County are meeting to reshape their cooperatives They are investigating ways to increase their co operatives viability For a number of years many of these agricultural operatives have felt the same pressures as their over members many who are fanners Co operatives like any business must be profitable but cooperatives have a unique ty and responsibility to give those profits back to the members and rural communities they serve says Clarence who is chairing the area CRO steer ing committee The group known as Croup CRO Steering Committee issued a letter to Coop members and customers this week inviting their feedback and input into their co operatives direction he is expected to have a business plan early this year Legion Donation Members of the Canadian Legion Branch Georgetown donated to the Love In Christ Food Bank Monday morning Pictured above From left to right 1st Vice President Paul Yates President Bob McNellly Director of the Love in Christ Food Bank Laura Ellison 2nd Vice President Dave and Public Relations Of ficerMarlTuttv Herald Photo streets and the road salt had fair ruined a fine new pair of suede botts I had to call you because I just know that you are out there in the country having a great time with your feet up by the fire and those darling dogs curled at your feet she said I wish I could be there Absolutely nght I told her There is no life like it Then one of the big furry dogs shook wet snow all over me If you qualify you can get a cheque for 85 of the first 300 of your tax refund and of the rest Plus your tax return will be prepared at no extra charge So why wait for the refund cheque to arrive by mail Ask about Cash Back at Block and get your refund fast 7 James St Georgetown 416 DONT BE FOOLED BY RATE BONUSES Dont be fooled by rate bonuses Compare our rates with those of the other banks and trust companies Youll find that our regular rates are always among the highest rates in town even after their bonus Open your by phone We prefer to serve all of our customers in person however if it is more convenient for you to open your RSP by mail phone us today You may call your local branch who will send you an application or use our convenient TeleTrust line at 18004616864 available front Rale shorn above based on a year investment is Interest compounded Rates are subject to municipal trust Member Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation branches across Ontario Over billion In assets GEORGETOWN 28 Main St S 8734077