February Fox Talk Digest VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 1999 Deadline for Submissions: 1st of each month Editors: Maurice & Ruth Dean 147 Foxboro Drive

More facts and fables surround St. Valentine's Day than any other holiday. One of the most fascinating is the story of St. Valentine himself.

Although research has turned up a number of saints named Valentine, one is most likely the namesake of the familiar holiday.

He is credited with helping Christians during their persecution by Claudius II, the Roman emperor, in the third century. The Romans at that time made it a crime to provide aid and comfort to Christians.

According to history, Valentinus (the Latin form) was thrown into a dungeon. His jailer, Asterius, was not overly harsh, but the priest had only the barest necessities of life.

His one comfort while in prison was his friendship with Asterius' blind daughter. She befriended the kindly priest by bringing him food and delivering messages.

After a year in jail, Valentinus was summoned to appear before Claudius II. The emperor was so impressed by the young priest's dignity that Claudius attempted to convert him to worshipping Roman gods to save him from execution.

Valentinus, however, refused to renounce Christianity and attempted to convert the emperor to Christianity.

Claudius became furious and ordered that St. Valentine be beaten with clubs, stoned and executed.

In the last days of his life Valentinus, through his faith, restored the sight of the jailer's daughter. He also converted Asterius and the girl to Christianity, an act which eventually resulted in their execution by Claudius.

On the eve of his execution the priest wrote a farewell message to the girl and signed it "From Your Valentine". His execution was carried out on Feb. 14th, 269 A.D., outside the Flaminian Gate in Rome. According to legend, a pink almond tree, a symbol of abiding love, blossomed near his grave.

The valentine has become the universal symbol of friendship and affection shared each anniversary of the priest's execution.

Happy Valentine's Day

Bird Notes

Winter brings some surprises, aside from the snowdrifts-Robins have been seen by many residents and in significant numbers! Normally these birds move South to where they can find berries, insects and worms. However, the very heavy berry crop in Ontario this year has encouraged our red-breasted beauties to stay where the pickings are good. In past years I have seen winter robins even in Montreal. By the way, robins do not often visit seed feeders, but if you have an open platform table feeder and offer fruit you may attract them.

Another surprise was a Hen Pheasant strutting on the snow bank beside the road at the end of the spruce (actually white pine) grove on Golf Links Drive. Marg and I were driving by, stopped the car four feet away and watched the bird on the bank at eye level. It was totally unconcerned; birds do not associate cars with humans!

I received a report of a grosbeak sheltering in a feeder. From the description it was most likely a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak. Our own seed feeders bring the Mourning Doves, American Goldfinches and House Finches. A pair of Downy Woodpeckers are dining every day on the suet we provide in holes in a hanging log. Tree Sparrows, with the dot in the middle of their buffy breasts, have been seen at other feeders where trees are nearby. Trees will also bring Cardinals and Black-Capped Chickadees which we rarely see at our more isolated feeder.

Members of the Computer Interest Group met Tuesday January 14th to hear Ruth Dean who gave an excellent presentation on Fox Talk. She focused on layout and the use of fonts, italics and other techniques available in word processing that make a publication attractive and easy to read. She showed us how boxes and borders can direct the eyes to important information so the readers' eyes will go first to the essentials.

Graham Macdonald and Gord Gardner followed up with information about available software that makes tax preparation easy.

Also at the meeting the new entrance code to the computer room and access name for the internet were circulated. Those returning from Florida should contact Marg Macdonald except from Feb 7-27. Marg will be in Costa Rica and Gord Gardner will have the information.

Our list is going to be upgraded for the police. If your name is not on it and you want to be registered (no charge), call Bob Price at 634-5243.

A cat dies and goes to Heaven. God meets him at the gate and says: "You have been a good cat all these years. Anything you desire, all you have to do is ask." The cat says, "Well, I lived all my life with a poor family on a farm and had to sleep on hardwood floors." God says, "Say no more." and instantly a fluffy pillow appears.

A few days later, 6 mice are killed in a tragic accident and they go to Heaven. God meets them at the gate with the same offer He made to the cat. The mice say, "All our lives we've had to run. We've been chased by cats, dogs, and even women with brooms. If we could only have some roller skates, we wouldn't have to run any more." God says, "Say no more", and instantly, each mouse is fitted with a beautiful pair of tiny roller skates.

About a week later, God decides to check to see how the cat is doing. The cat is sound asleep on his new pillow. God gently nudges him awake and asks, "How are you doing? Are you happy here?" The cat yawns and stretches and says, "Oh, I've never been happier in my life. And those Meals on Wheels You've been sending over are the Best!"

The sympathy of the entire community goes out to Marcel Latreille, and family and friends of Diane Kadwell, who passed away Saturday, January 23rd after a very brief, tragic illness.

Diane and Marcel have been residents of Foxboro Green since January 1997. She was keenly interested in gardening and landscape design and more than one garden here bears her imprint..

She will be sorely missed by those whose lives she touched all too briefly.

To My Love

by P. Hattersley

Due to the heavy snow storms it is of the utmost importance to be certain your high efficiency furnace vents are free from snow build-up. This relates to the two black plastic pipes from your furnace to the exterior and also the outside air intake to your furnace.

Be a good Samaritan and have the snow removed from your neighbours' vents, if they have gone south.

Ken Smith, Graham Macdonald & Vince Aquilina were on the winning team of The Senior Men's Curling Bonspiel at the Guelph Curling Club, January 13th. The team was skipped by Ed Nowak of the Rockway Senior Curlers.

Curling Outing

A curling outing was held on Jan. 24th, by the residents of Foxboro Green. This was what inspired May to write the poem above.

The event was attended by 31 people (curlers) and there were no casualties, just some sore muscles.

It was undetermined who was the overall winner and it really didn't matter. Everyone enjoyed the day and in curling this is all that counts.

Get Well cards were given to Louis Hill, Paul Stigter, Brian Allison.

A card was given to Nell Hanemayer on the loss of her brother in Holland.

Cards and flowers were sent to Janet & Gord Gardner and to Don & Gail Weber on the passing of Gord's and Don's fathers.

Cards were given to Marcel Latreille on the tragic loss of Diane and a donation was made to the Sunshine Foundation of Canada, in her memory.

Get away from the winter blahs and come to crafts and make an Easter Bunny wallhanging.

Pipe cleaners (4)
Large Styrofoam ball
Pom-poms 2 large white
2 small white
1 medium black
Ribbon for bow
Glue gun

See sample in Craft Room.

Over 20 people attended. Hats off to Jack Brown for his usual well done job and also thanks to the ladies for the munchies and finger food.

Eleven men attended and all seemed to enjoy themselves.

A "tip of the hat" to Jack Brown for all his work in purchasing the poker chips, also a big thank you to Augi Sherbam.

The Tournament is "winding down" and the final game will be played the first week of March. Check the bulletin board for date and time.

It has been noticed that some of our residents, who have been last to leave The Centre at night, have failed to turn the lights off.

Leaving the lights on all night costs us money, so please check to make sure that all are off.

What fun we had at our second annual New Year's Eve Gala. Seventy of us danced to the music of Dave Crawford. Dave spent many hours selecting dance numbers from his extensive collection arranging the music to provide variety in types and pace of music to suit us all. No New Year's diets could be started at this party for it was a feast with delicious snacks: seafood open-faced sandwiches, veggies, delicious dips and plates of sweets. Again Frances & Adrian Schipper provided us with a seafood tray with shrimp, lobster & lox and another whole tray of cold meats - we thank you for your generosity. So with feasting and dancing we brought in 1999 in style.

Following The New Year we got the "big dump" (snow, that is) causing delay in our "Decoration Down" party. On a brilliant sunny Tuesday we gathered. Would that cameras were at the ready as Heather Keith and Ada Jenkinson leaped through hip deep snow to reach the Reception Centre to take down garland and bows. What a shot that would have been!- or Marg Macdonald flat on her face trying to reach the wreaths on the front pillars. Joan Roberts and her kitchen volunteers had hot chocolate and New Year's goodies out for all the snowy volunteers who proceeded to demonstrate that exercise leads to great appetites. A special thank you to Doreen & Dick Dean, Don & Rita Hill who co-ordinate the decorating of our community for the Christmas season. Well done!

We even managed to fit a Happy Hour into our January. With enthusiasm the troops arrived full of vim and chatter. Many loonies were tossed into the 50/50 and the big winner - Ada Jenkinson, $27!

Our next event is the Valentine Dance. Bring your sweetheart and dance to music provided by Bob Price and Dave Beveridge. Our chief cupids are Pat Tibbles and Beryl Boughey, the co-ordinators of Valentines, 1999.

St Patrick's planning is underway. Tom Nairn and his quartet will sing up a storm. The date will be either March 13 or 20 so watch for further news and mark your calendars.

We are looking for volunteers to help with these events. We have such fun decorating and arranging the goodies! There is a sign-up on the bulletin board for monthly kitchen duties. Please get your name down and join in the fun!

See the bulletin board for a thank you letter received from the Wilmot Family Resource Centre for the Christmas hampers given to them..

This was originally published in the March 1997 issue of Fox Talk. Now, due to popular demand, we are republishing this list. Many thanks to Mary and Jim.

There are many outlets in this area and a book is available at book stores and most supermarkets which list all of them.

Caution: Be careful, as many outlets are not genuine and their prices are high.

Bargains

Home Hardware - New Hamburg

Has a basement department where returned goods are sent from all the Home Hardware stores. They also get slightly marked merchandise and items the Manufacturer repairs and sells with a guarantee.

K-W Surplus Clearinghouse - 666 Victoria N., Kitchener

Has thousands of different items at attractive prices.

Bakery

Norris Bakery - 460 Frederick St., Kitchener

The number one choice in our books. Try their coffee cake and meat pies.

Car Wash

Nu Look Car Wash - 592 Belmont W., Kitchener.

Cheese

Millbank Cheese - Millbank

When you go to Anna Mae's in Millbank, go left and you will find it at the end of the street.

Citrus Fruit and Pecans

Watch for an ad by the Orange Barn in Millbank, which appears in the Record,

Custom Shoes

Brubacker Custom Shoes - 4 King St., Elmira.

Dining Out (at reasonable prices)

Anna Mae's - Millbank

They have family style dinners at reasonable prices.

Charcoal Steak House - 2980 King E., Kitchener

They are noted for spare ribs and steak, but rather pricey.

Golf's Steak House & Seafood - 598 Lancaster W., Kitchener

Have a good Sunday brunch and delicious prime rib.

Harmony Lunch, 90 King N. - Waterloo

This is now operated by the 3rd generation. They serve a completely different kind of hamburger. You can watch them cook it and see the mounds of fried onions.

Harry Ten Schillings - Shakespeare

Nice lunches and afternoon teas.

Homestyle Diner - 462 Albert St., Waterloo

Is a good family style restaurant. They serve mini meals - just the right size for us.

Old Country Restaurant - 105 Peel St., New Hamburg

Has excellent liver and onions, also good steaks and prime rib at very attractive prices.

Oriental Taste Restaurant - 500 Fairway S., Kitchener

Has good food.

Pioneer Bar B Q - 22 Sportsworld Drive, Kitchener

For over 50 years, we have enjoyed their excellent pork and beef BBQ. Their home made pies and cakes are "to die for".

Rita's Eatery (formerly Bloopers Bar & Grill) - 375 Weber E., Kitchener

Was started by Rita who had managed the Charcoal Steak House for many years. She serves the same items but her prices are more reasonable. Best to make reservations.

The Great British Emporium - 169 Front St., New Dundee

Have great lunches and afternoon teas. All food is home-made including the bread.

Honey

On your next visit to New Hamburg, watch for the Honey sign after the "S" turn. Go in for a visit. They will show you large vats of different kinds and give you a sample before you purchase.

Legal

If you don't need the high cost of a lawyer call Barbara at Lending Legal Hands Inc., 741-9705. She does the paperwork for about 15 lawyers and can help you.

Mennonite General Stores

One of the stores at Wallenstein on Hwy. 86 is an interesting place to visit. When you leave this one go west about 2 miles to Yatton, for another.

Summer Sausage

N. S. Martin in Hawksville has a building with several hundred sausages hanging from the ceiling.

Dining Out (at reasonable prices) continued..