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•T he I FP • H al to n H ill s •T hu rs da y, S ep te m be r 2 6, 2 01 3 8 GEORGETOWN 211 Guelph Street, Suite 1 (M&M Plaza, across from Winners) Fortunately, the hearing instruments of today bear no resemblance to those produced even 5 years ago. Research to improve the quality and naturalness of sound has resulted in digital instruments that perform up to patient expectations. If you haven't listened to a hearing aid in the last 3 years, come in for a TEST DRIVE* and prepare to be amazed! "The Agil has a 97% overall patient satisfaction rating!" • *No obligation TEST DRIVE (wear hearing aids for 2 weeks without paying for them to experience the benefit in your daily life) • Government grants available, WSIB, VAC, ADP and private insurance plans. If you've forgotten what fair, professional service feels like, call us and prepare to be amazed! Satisfaction guaranteed! HEARING SCIENCES Audiology and Hearing Aid Centre TEST DRIVE A HEARING AID! Call (905) 877-0099 to book your complimentary hearing test ($60 value, Age 55+) AZ & DZ Licenses, Insurance Accredited Courses 1-800-753-2284 • www.otta.ca Air Brake Courses Ontario Truck Training Academy offers a Ministry-Approved Air Brake Endorsement Course. OSHAWA LOCATION: 199Wentworth St. East Saturday Oct 19th & Sunday Oct. 20th BRAMPTON LOCATION: 76 Sun Pac Blvd. Saturday Oct. 12th & Sunday Oct. 13th GEORGETOWN SOCCER CLUB Soccer Tryouts Tryouts for 2014 Rep and Developmental teams will be held on September 28 and 29 at the Trafalgar Sports Park. Participants turning 7 or older in 2014 are eligible to try out! Please see our website www.georgetownsoccerclub.com for times!! Last Thursday I spent the day checking out farms and food in Halton. In essence, I was a 'foodie' for a day. As a member of the Halton Agricultural Advisory Committee, (HAAC) I took in the annual HAAC Farm and Food Tour, a bus trip organized to educate municipal politi- cians and staff, about the world of agricul- ture, and how it affects and impacts local businesses. HAAC's duty is to advise the Region to develop and maintain a viable agricultural industry as an important component of Halton's economic base. Numerous members from various fields sit on the committee, giving it an eclectic array of viewpoints and experience, from livestock and crop farming, to market gar- dening and landscaping. The bus trip is not new, but this year, it took on a different approach, as the rela- tionship between Halton's food and farms was explored. First stop was the Red Ca- noe Bistro in Burlington, a high-end establishment owned by Chef Tobias Pohl-Weary. As the group enjoyed smoked perch, Tobias explained his passion for sourcing local food. His menu features about 90 per cent local food. "I haven't been able to find a local supplier of chocolate, pepper or coffee," joked Tobi- as, "So until I do, I can't quite make it 100 per cent." The second stop was Sprin- gridge Farm, at 7256 Bell School Line, Milton. Owners Laura and John Hughes welcomed their visitors, and had an added bonus as Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne joined the tour to see how the operation runs, as well as enjoy some of the various treats, pies and jams and baked goodies that have put Springridge on the map. Next stop found the group sampling some divine smoked bacon and other deli- cious hors d'oeuvres at Mohawk Inn and Chop House, located on the Guelph Line at Campbellville. Director of Operations Trevor Jones told how the restaurant is part of a group of four restaurants in the Wellington area-- Fergus, Grand Valley, Drayton and Wellesey-- all featuring locally sourced food whenever possible. Trevor explained how his two chefs at Mohawk are responsible for their own gro- cery shopping to ensure the food quality is up to their satisfaction. On to the northern limits of the First Line of Nassagaweya (Milton), we met Ryan Marshall, of Marshall's Real Farm- ers Market and Store. Marshall is a suc- cessful cash cropper with his father, and also grows numerous garden crops at the Nassagaweya site, where the market is located. He has been successfully growing his crops with limited tillage and no-till techniques, to preserve the land for future generations. He was proud of the quality of his produce, all grown with minimum tillage. The final stop brought us to DG's Greenhouses, on the Eighth Line of Halton Hills, just south of Five Sideroad. We were welcomed by own- er Nick DiGirolamo, as he ex- plained the history of the fam- ily-run operation, and various growing pains they endured, trying beef cattle and other ventures, until they found their niche with pick-you-own vegetables, herbs, potted plants, annual and perennial plants, bulbs and garden supplies. The culmination of the tour found us seated at a linen-draped table at DG's Greenhouses, enjoying a spectacular buf- fet serving 100 per cent Halton food, ca- tered by Silver Thyme Catering. Well-known chef Jamie Kennedy was the guest speaker, sharing his philosophy about eating and purchasing local food, and how he tends his own garden to sup- ply his restaurant. Throughout the day, I enjoyed beef, pork, lamb, ostrich, chicken, and even bi- son, with local vegetables as well. We were spoiled with wonderful des- serts and soups, all created from locally sourced food. As I drove home at 8 p.m., I felt proud of the multi-faceted food production opera- tions we have in Halton. And on top of that, I was stuffed. A Ted Bit Great being a 'foodie' for a day TED BROWN --Ted Brown can be reached at tbrown@theifp.ca Ontario Premier and Minister of Agricul- ture, Kathleen Wynne (left) was welcomed by Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr and Sringridge Farm owers Laura and John Hughes as she dropped by for the second stop of the 2013 Halton Agricultural Advi- sory Committee bus tour. September 19. Photo by Ted Brown