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Play it safe: slow down Rain, ice and snow are all factors in one of winter's leading ac- cident causers--skid- ding. Provinical safety councils suggest that there are some com- mon-sense pre-cautions drivers can take to prevent skidding before it happens. Speed means trouble Too much speed on slippery roads is the mistake that breeds the most trouble. Technically speaking, we are speeding when we exceed the posted speed limit. Even maintaining the posted limit can be hazardous at times; those speeds are intended for ideal conditions--dry -- pave- ment, good visibility, normal traffic flow. From a practical safety stand-point, we must adjust our vehicle's speed continually to meet road and weather conditions. We must also be prepared to adjust mentally: trips on icy roads with the likelihood of reduced visibility are going to take longer than trips in good weather. It's a fact of winter driving. Don't hurry! Even if you're a little bit late, it's better to get to your destination in one piece. Resist simple temp- tations, such as passing slower vehicles. Allow more space between you and the vehicle ahead. It takes a distance three to nine limes greater to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement. Also, be aware of wet ice. As the temperature rises the ice becomes more slippery; speed must come down as the sun comes up. Be secure enough to stay out of the pack and leave room for emergencies. Tires important Since skidding is caused by a lack of friction or traction between the car and the road, good tires are important. Badly worn treads increase the danger. Snow tires provide half again as much pulling power as do regular tires. In mountain areas tire chains area necessity. Reducing tire pressure to increase traction is not ad- visable. Tests have proven that it doesn't do any good. Properly inflated tires get a better bite. Also, ex- cessive heat buildup from underinflation can damage tires. If a motorist thinks adding weight on the drive wheels of a vehicle is a good idea, he or she must also know that it will take a greater distance to stop. If you have a rear wheel drive vehicle and add weight to the rear wheels, you will reduce cornering and steering capability. Skids most often occur at corners, so be alert. When _ ap- proaching a curve or a turn, reduce your speed well in advance. This will eliminate the need for sudden braking which could cause -loss of traction. When en- tering the curve, the vehicle should' be steered slowly -and steadily to ease it around without losing control. These tips are to help lessen the chance of skidding accidents. But no matter how skilled a driver you are, fall and winter driving risks still remain. For example, a driver might have to swerve on a slippery road to avoid an even bigger danger, such as an oncoming car or a pedestrian. Driver reaction If your vehicle should enter into a_ skid, remember two rules: ye Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. 2. Avoid using your brakes. Steering the vehicle in the direction you want to go will bring the, car, back, ato travelling straight. Braking will lock the wheels, preventing them from regaining traction. When control is regained, select the appropriate braking procedure as dictated by the driving situation. Whereas at one time the advice was to pump the brakes, there are now serveral recommended methods from which to choose. For instance, on slippery roads you might choose pumping. or cadence braking in; order to maintain steering control. Threshold or lock-up might be selected for dry roads or high speed. With winter almost upon us, drivers must be prepared to adjust their driving habits to. compensate for special. hazards like skidding. Page 2, Wednesday, February 6, 1985 Roses are red, violets are blue... Florist ready for Valentine's 85 Day PAUL SANDERSON Depsite the multitude of loving couples who will exchange flowers on Valentines Day Thursday, Feb. 14, Mother's Day continues to hold the record for sales volume at Perrin's Flower Shop in Midland Town Centre. Although more flowers are probably sold for Christmas, explains Perrin's Ernie Cowden, sales are spread out over the entire month of December. But for a single day, he says, Mother's Day is traditionally about 25 percent busier than St. Valentine's around a florist's shop. Cowden's staff is currently poised for the avalanche of orders that usually begins about Feb. 10. A single boxed red rose is over- whelmingly the most popular choice for a Valentine's Day gift. (Carnations remain number one with gift givers on Mother's Day.) Cowden has ordered over 1,000 long stemmed red roses just: to meet this Valentine's Day demand. * The flowers come from Southern Ontario, where they are grown in huge glass greenhouses in places like St. Catharines and Leamington. "Trying to produce a rose at this time of year for Valentine's Day, is one of the biggest challenges in our business," he exclaims. Midland Library News Parents, there is a bumper crop of goodies available for young readers here at the library. Bring your pre-schooler in to enjoy such well-loved favourites as Curious George, Paddington Bear, Dr. Seuss and Peter Rabbit. For Berenstain Bear fans, we have just received two new titles in their series, The Berenstain Bears and the Neighborly Skunk, and The Berenstain Bears and the Dinosaurs: Two on-going programs for children at the library are Storytime (Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.) and Friday Film Night (Friday at 7:15 p.m.). The following is a list of new books available at the Midland Public Library as of Beb. 8. Fiction includes Lemonade Springs by Denise Anne Jefferies, Solstice by Joyce Carol Oates, Wanting by Angela Huth, Fireprint by Geoffrey Jenkins, The Stranglers by Loren D. Estleman, The Bomb Vessel by Richard Woodman. Non-fiction includes Winners And Losers Gamblers All: Memories Of Historic British Columbia by Rosemary Neering, Katharine Hepburn by Sheridan Morley, Stallone by Marsha Daly, Safari: The Last Adventure by Peter Hathaway Capstick, Insuring Your Home: How To Choose The Right Policy by Stephen Mink, James A. Michener: A Biography by John P. Hayes. The film scheduled for Feb. 8 is Dear Lovey Hart, I Am Desperate. The film begins at 7:15 p.m. in the children's library. Admission is free. His business runs on metric metric revolution. Mir. Grocer poised for metric revolution by PAUL SANDERSON ; Canada's Progressive Conservative Government may have relaxed metric laws last week, but the Mr. Grocer foodstore in Midland Town Centre remains poised for the coming promoting the metric system as he circulates around the shopping area. Maurice has spoken with many concerned customers and he expects the government's new stance on weights and measure will make things easier for those who have trouble Although equivalent imperial adapting. measures are available, 99 percent of their products are either weighed or But the complete transition to packaged in metric. Store owner Conrad Maurice claims that his entire business, including inventories, weighing, and shipping, "runs on metric." Maurice believes in the efficiency of grams and metres, and is often found metric in Canada is inevitable, he says, because it is one of the very few countries left to change over. He has noticed that, while most Canadians still think in imperial the next generation is already working in metric. Psst! Wanna sit on Midland PUC? Midland Town Council is seeking a new commissioner for Utilities Commission. Canadian citizens or British sub- jects, 18 years-of-age or older, who are residents, property owners, tenants or married to a resident, property owner, or tenant within the municipality, may qualify for the position. The position on Midland PUC became open when former com- missioner Don Sherk resigned to run its Public for a seat on Midland council. Sherk was picked from nearly a dozen candidates and will complete the term of former alderman Robert McLaughlin who himself was picked late last year to complete the unex- pired term of former Ward 2 alder- man Miles Blackhurst who resigned for personal reasons. Those interested in the post have until Feb. 7 to get their letter into town hall. Why wait for Soring? There's a waiting list now Despite the arctic weather and _ near record snowfall, con- struction continues at a steady pace on the new residents' complex for the Villa Community Care Centre on Yonge Street in Midland. Administrator David Jarlette reports, 66 apartments, providing single, semi-private, or deluxe accomodation, will be ready for oc- cupancy by the end of March 1985. There is already a Wind whips up snow Winds at times gusting up to 50 km/h late Sunday night and early Monday morning were enough to make Safety was the subject Midland Police Department's Const. Dan Gilbert and Mike Brady spent a total of 369 hours on safety related programs in the town. Much of their at- tention centred around working in locals school Supervising and training safety patrollers. THE INN IS THE PLACE RITA FOURNIER Appearing Thurs.-Sat., 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. SUNDAY BRUNCH 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Bacon, eggs, pancakes, roast beef, 10 salads, smoked ham & salmon, homemade pastries, daily fresh baked bread & rolls fresh rolls & bread (Special children's price) ALL YOU CAN EAT SUNDAY BUFFET 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Prime, rib, steamed lobster, salads, smoked ham & salmon, homemade pastries, i ee (Special children's price) $695 per person Join us daily for our soup and sandwich special *2.50) INN AT BAY MOORINGS 213 Fox St., Penetanguishene 549-3163 driving a bit tricky in and around North Simcoe. Midland OPP and their counterparts from Elmvale, report none of the area highways though had to be closed due to drifting snow. Meanwhile, the long- range forecast calls for mainly cloudy weather with a dose of flurries. waiting list. Residents of the new minimal nursing care facility, to be called Villa Retirement Lodge, will have full use of the services and facilities of the Community Care Centre building to which it is connected. The pace of work has increased since the roof was finished and the windows installed, offering workers protection from the elements, about three weeks ago. In addition, says Jarlette, some of the men are working overtime hours to en- sure a March opening for the project. We're glad you asked! | locating important papers and documents. A doing a real service to your family if you follow 8 Jim Lynn Funeral Director WHAT DOCUMENTS WILL MY FAMILY NEED | AT THE TIME OF MY DEATH? One of the most frustrating responsibilities of a spouse or family at the time of death can be that of current and updated listing of these papers can be of benefit to survivors. This is a difficult activity for anyone to do because no one really wants to anticipate death or even prepare for it. On the other hand, you would be through on this. Make a list of your documents, indicating where each is. The type of such papers and documents, along with locations, might include: (1) your will; (2) Canada Pension Plan papers; (3) cemetery deed; (4) insurance policy; (5) such certificates as birth, marriage, organization and/or union mem- bership, educational, military; (6) bank accounts and safety deposit boxes; (7) financial papers such as mortgages, contracts, promisory notes, negotiable papers, stocks, bonds, trust funds; and (8) all recent tax returns. Sometimes this turns up information about assets, either forgotten or not known by the survivors. JL Games H. Lynn A Funeral Homes 526-6551 Midland Elmvale 322-2732 ¢ Reese