Wednesday, December 27, 2006 · Page 6 Essex North to South The purpose of this column is to provide a month-end summary of local news from all parts of the greater municipality of Essex. This month's edition focuses on Harrow and Colchester South. Good Samaritan Program A Good Samaritan program has been established to provide assistance and information to those in need in the Harrow area. "It is not to be in competition with existing services, but to fill in the blanks and enhance what is already there," said local resident Derek Davis, who helped establish the local church and community driven program. For information about the Good Samaritan program, please call 519-738-6495. New Winery Opens Family owned and operated, Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery, located just west of Colchester Village at the end of County Road 41, opened their doors in time for the holiday season. "This area will rival Niagara for producing great wines," said Gord Mitchell, who is credited by the rest of the Mitchell family for the inspiration that led to creating the winery. The winery is currently producing a Chardonnay, Meritage, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Cabernet Duo. Harrow Fair Awards Over 300 people attended the Harrow Fair 2006 Awards Banquet hosted by the Colchester South & Harrow Agricultural Society, Dec. 1. Ed Gibbs, past-president of the Harrow Fair Board, was honoured with the prestigious 2006 Agricultural Service Diploma, which was presented by President Morley McLean. Awards were also presented to numerous winning competitors and 4-H members who held presentations at the 2006 Harrow Fair, including everything from artwork to farm animals. Rural Homelessness "Homelessness is not always visible in rural settings," said Michelle Weglarz, acting-director of the local Youth and Family Resource Network of Essex County, speaking at a Homelessness and Housing Research Forum in Windsor, Nov. 28. At the forum, Weglarz discussed the THRIVE Program, which addresses needs and provides support for youth and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in Essex County. Information on housing issues is also available through Essex Community Services. Harrow Food Bank Students from Harrow's four community schools Harrow Junior, Harrow Senior, Harrow High and St. Anthony collected over 12,000 food items for the local St. Vincent de Paul food bank in food drives conducted this fall. The Harrow food bank provided about 70 Christmas food baskets for those in need, a program supported in part by the Essex-Harrow Goodfellows campaign. Colio invests in Harrow Colio Estate Wines opened their newly renovated hospitality centre, an investment of almost $500,000, during a Christmas Open House, Dec. 8. "This facility went from being a little Ontario winery to being one of the major players in the province," said Colio's President Jim Clark, speaking at the revamped retail boutique. Fighting in Afghanistan A Colchester South resident, Corporal Bruce Moncur, spoke to the Rotary Club of Harrow about his experience fighting in Afghanistan, at a November meeting. Attached to the 1st Canadian Regiment, Cpl. Moncur was seriously wounded by friendly fire during a September offensive against a Taliban stronghold. "All said and done, my goal is to get back to Afghanistan," said Cpl. Moncur, who is expected to make a full recovery from a head wound. Harrow Chamber elections The Harrow and Colchester South Chamber of Commerce elected their new officers and directors for 2007, at their annual general meeting, Dec. 6. Chamber officers and directors for 2007 are: President, Scott Waters; Vice President, Ken Schwab; Treasurer, Judy Butler; Secretary, Abbie Ferber; Past President, Suzanne Hendershot; Directors: Ginger Cooke, Debbie Scholey, David Sellick, Suzanne Hendershot, Roger Brazier, Alan Burke, Jason Whiston, Sally Harris, and Dave Watsa. Essex Salvation Army brightens the holidays SANTA'S HELPER Essex firefighter Ken Broughton joined other community volunteers loading sacks full of toys during the Essex Salvation Army's Christmas campaign, Dec. 22. Essex Power rates reset Toronto/CNW Essex Powerlines customers in Amherstburg, LaSalle, Leamington ad Tecumseh will see an increase of about 2.9 percent on their monthly bills as a result of a decision issued by the Ontario Energy Board Dec. 21. The OEB issued a decision on a motion from Essex Powerlines Corporation (Essex) in relation to the board's April 12, 2006 decision regarding Essex's application for 2006 electricity distribution rates. Essex appealed the board's original decision on the issue of how a long-term promissory note was treated. After a series of reviews, Rx C ROSSING RIZZO'S C Italian Eatery Happy Holidays from the Rizzo Family & Staff. Thank you for making it a great year and having Rizzo's as your #1 Choice. in which Essex demonstrated the unique circumstances of the situation, the board accepted Essex's request that the promissory note be treated as common equity for rate-setting purposes. The Board will vary its original decision and reset Essex's rates effective January 1, 2007. As a result of the decision, an Essex customer using 1,000 kWh per month will see an increase of about $3 or 2.9 percent on his or her monthly bill. The Ontario Energy Board regulates the province's electricity and natural gas sectors in the public interest. New Year's Eve! 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