Holidays are fast approaching.

 

The weather is erratic.

 

While some businesses gear down for a slow time, TNT is gearing up for a busy time.

 

It is this time of year when it is good to reflect upon 'years gone by'. I personally remember Holidays when I was young, when times were tough. Living in a snow region and on a farm meant you planned for the inevitable: being snowed in. We stocked up on groceries. Coming from a European background meant celebrating 2 Christmases, once on December 25 and a second time January 7. But for our family Christmas meant the basics: we gave and received what was 'needed', such as socks and of course underwear! Santa and Father Christmas came to our house as well, but not with elaborate gifts, instead gifts of family: family games mostly. The anticipation was there and on Boxing day we were always learning a new game around the dinner table.  This year marks the 10th anniversary of my father's passing; it has brought fond memories of our holiday traditions:  making traditional foods such as borscht, cabbage rolls, perogies, and poppy seed rolls. I have tried over the years to continue to remember the holidays as it was, teaching our children it is worthwhile to give as well as receive, play a game over the holidays and to spend a lot of quality time together. A current favourite pastime for the holidays is a puzzle: we choose a difficult puzzle for the family, at least 1000 pieces. The rules are simple: 5 pieces must be put into the puzzle before watching TV, going on a game system, or accessing the internet (As a child I had Atari and very few TV channels accessible with our rabbit ears or antenna). 5 pieces sometimes turns into 10, but with us having 5 children it usually meant a competition on who could place the most pieces in one day. Once the puzzle was complete, we mounted it, framed it and gave it away to a family member or close friend.

 

Not a Christmas gift ... but ... a gift from Christmas.

 

This year, our family would like to extend our Holiday Wishes to Each and Everyone.

 

Please remember the basics: Time is Precious, Inexpensive but full of Benefits!

Take the Low-Salt Challenge

 

Winter - a Canadian tradition of snow and ice. Safety is important but using large amounts of salt isn't the answer. Salt doesn't work in all temperatures and it can damage our clothes, cars and the environment. When snow melts, excessive salt can be absorbed in to the ground - and into our drinking water.

 

Be smart about salt™!

• Wear proper outdoor footwear and make use of snow tires
• Shovel snow as soon as possible after a snowfall
• Use salt sparingly and only at the proper temperature
• Redirect downspouts away from walkways and driveways
• Use a certified Smart about Salt Contractor

Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/smartaboutsalt.

To learn more visit www.smartaboutsalt.com.

 

Last year Joseph Schneider Haus underwent construction with the addition of the Wash House.

 

During the construction process, visitors were redirected to enter through the gate on Queen St. and walk along a path made on the grass to access the building. JSH is an environmentally sensitive historical site and they have been using Landscaper's Choice Ice Melter on their flagstone paths for a few years now.

 

Last year they had to use the Ice Melter on the grass pathway for safety.

 

This spring, a surprise awaited the museum: healthy, green grass.

 

A little goes a long way.

 

For more information on JSH Holiday events visit:   http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/discoveringtheregion/josephschneiderhaus.asp  

 

Did you know that Landscaper's Choice is made by Kissner Salt, a local Cambridge Company?