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Wreaths sample 4 gaa i The key to a happy life, according to Hinke Hofstee is to stay busy every waking minute of every day. And Mrs. Hofstee, who lives in Mariposa Estates near Seagrave certainly lives her life precisely that way. Hinke, who came to Canada from her native Holland about 35 years ago, is to put it mildly, a bundle of energy. She readily admits "I can't sit still for a minute. I never get bored. I can't understand people who say they get bored or have nothing to 0." After raising four daughters, all the while working full time as a housekeeper, one might think that Hinke would be ready to take things a little easy these days, put her feet up in front of the fireplace and just plain relax. On the contrary. While she still works six hours a day at housekeep- ing, she's found a new hobby that's taking up a lot of her time and fast turning into a cottage industry in the basement of her spotless chalet- style home. Last year, she began making decorative Christmas wreaths, the kind that can be hung on the front door or over the fireplace. Mainly, the wreaths, which come in different sizes, are constructed from pine cones, with small decorative nuts flowers and sprigs of holly to add variety and colour. Well, she became so good at mak- ing the wreaths, that by word of mouth, she's literally swamped with orders for this Christmas. And the orders are not only for wreaths. She makes decorative table pieces, and "logs" for the mantel or shelf. "I spent a lot of time this summer outside collecting the cones," she says with a laugh. "I enjoyed it, but my husband John wondered where I would put them all." Indeed, the basement soon filled up with boxes and bags of pine cones of all sizes and sorts, not to mention the other things she uses to decorate the wreaths, like walnuts, chestnuts, artificial holly, small flowers, candles and glass domes. Hinke has been working hard to keep up with the requests, but she says it's strictly a labour of love. "I'm so. happy creating things. I just love to do things with my hands." The pine cones have to be wash- ed and bleached, then dried before they are glued over a base. The small flowers, nuts and even elec- tric lights are added to the wreaths, then a spray of lacquer is applied to give the wreath a shiny look and preserve it. The final result is an attractive and unique decorative wreath, all handmade. Hinke says that while a lot of people like them for the Christmas season, others hang them year round on the front door. She just came up with the idea a year ago after seeing the decorative wreaths on sale in shops. All her life Hinke has taken pride of great talent in her artistic and creative abilities. She quilts, knits, crochets and paints. And she still leaves her house early each morning to work six hours cleaning homes for other people. Then she heads to her "workshop" (a table and chair) in her basement where she often works late into the evening creating the beautiful decorative wreaths for her friends and neighbours and family members. "I sometimes work at it (the wreaths) til my back aches, but I never get tired of it,' she says. It's no wonder. This talented, creative lady just doesn't have time to get tired. Hinke Hofstee of Seagrave displays some of the decorative pine cone wreaths she makes in the basement of her home. The hobby keeps her very busy, but she says that's the way she likes it. "I can't sit still for a minute," she told the Star last week. (See story for details). Real or Artificial A Purchase or Rental Weddings, showers, All Special Occasions Our Wedding Gallery is Open by Appt. BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY 5 AFFORDABLY PRICED THERESIA"S DECORATING -- FOR ALL OCCASIONS -- BLACKSTock 986-5509 community. 00 oan Some forms of agricultural sophisticated than others. vke, for example, the Royal Banks new agricultural centres. Each of them is designed solely to serve the needs of the farming It's with that in mind that each centre is staffed So by account managers who cay m0 Specialize in agricultural % o are alittle more Ja | i Your Royal Bank Agricultural Centre manager is: Tom Mullen 210 Queen St., Port Perry 985-7316 =H ROYAL BANK Appointed Official Bank of the XV Olympic Wintér Games banking. They, in turn, are sup- ported by an agrologist who is on site or within easy reach. As a result, we can respond quickly and efficiently to your requirements, even to the point of coming out to your farm. So why not give us a call, or just drop in and say hello. [5d