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stux weekender february 8 1997 p 11 humor is the best remedy to combat the winter blues ruth leblanc the tribunes classified ad sales person who once a week emerges from a phone booth in a columnists cape has a chart beside her desk ifs the official count down to spring update and she takes great glee in nixing one by one the numbers of the days remain ing until the advent of that most hallowed of seasons like many of us she has attempted to meet winter at its own terms but suffered one too many wipeouts on the toboggan run with the resulting aches and pains that take longer to disappear the closer you get to the middle years consequently she was among those who tuned in anxiously last sunday morning to confirm that ground hog emeritus wiar- ton willie had failed to see his shadow signalling an early spring however even the roving ram bler of the rural route under stands it takes more than the marking of a giant x each day or the folklore associated with a hibernating woodchuck to suc cessfully circumnavigate winter in these parts when it comes to surviving this sorry time of year when the sun is so far south as to render its sporadic rays void from where i live bruce stapley in terms of essential vitamin d humor is often our only hope of deliverance without it ruth implies by her behavior we might as well spend december through march in a state of ice bound limbo consequently ruth will always give you the benefit of the doubt when you labor through one of those jokes that sound hilarious when told by someone else but somehow fall flat due to a lack of timing and a butchered punch line when attempted by you this makes her a good person to practice your latest material on while a woeful groaner will always elicit a sympathetic chuckle followed by an ego- boosting okay thats good a bona fide belly buster brings on a fromtheheelsofherboots roar that can be heard as far away as the side roads that inspire her weekly column make the switch to freshness markham fresh snow white mushrooms product of ontario lb pampers jumbo disposable diapers fresh boneless chicken breast wonder sliced bread white 1 00 whole wheat if it matters to you it matters to us d i a l i 8 0 0 9 long o s we would like to hear from you conveniently located at 3085 hwy 7 at woodbine ave kelloggs corn flakes cereal 675j llx dips spreads 227q tub per wiik i395 1 safe easy weight loss guaranteed results based on a full program excludes product weight loss wellness of canada 477-6999- markham 8364011 newmarket 7641901 thornhill i didnt know this could be so much fun mm store hours monday friday 8 am 9 pm saturday 8 am 7 pm sunday 9 am 6 pm prices effective monday feb 3rd to- sunday feb i6th 1 997 mhmmuainwf- fresh extra lean ground beef schneiders lifestyle cheeses mild colby marble mozzarella fresh red flame seedless grapes product of chile primo assorted pasta v free trial- lesson ive lost 2 in my hips and thighs 1 from my waist im toning and firming the muscles in my arms and legs im dealing with stress better i have confi dence ive never had before and im having a great time oh and im learning to defend myself martial arts canadas families growing strong together callmarkham 9052010988 freshness ft value beyond compare youre invited to visit somerset academy iir i 1 r r a i n o nr 1 pm 2 pm here is your opportunity to observe and compare somerset academys commitment to excellence in education a coeducational nondenominational day school for kindergarten through grade 8 students somerset has been committed to excellence in education since 1974 based on ministry of education guidelines somersets supportive environment includes full day kindergarten specialists for all grade levels in instrumental vocal music dedicated teaching staff small classes with personalized programming enrichment program a full range of extra cunicular activities visual arts french physical education 9059408990 7700 brimley road at 14th ave markham in fact when ruth airs it out ifs a little like being beside a volcano thafs about to blow first theres a low rumbling from deep within followed by that short pause which sudden ly gives way to a full force erup tion a few aftershocks later she simmers down a little wipes her eyes then points her finger at you as she shakes her head and blurts out thats really funny it takes her the better part of a half hour to fully regain her composure so its best not to string together too many of your best surefire funnies at one time unless the works all been done for the day to her credit ruth is not just a fair weather humor monger she was able to maintain her inherent sense of humor recently after being laid low by that most insidious of viruses that has claimed so many victims this winter still some what wonky from her afflic tion she rushed to the word processor upon her return to work in an effort to meet her deadline but alas she just couldnt come up with a punchy conclud ing line and threw out the kind of sos known only by desperate columnists suggestions flew at her from all directions until eventually the committee approach bore fruit and she was able to divine a closing sentence with a witty twist she even found it within her to laugh between her fretful peti tions for help all along the way so even now as the days gradually lengthen and the prospect of life after winter inspires distant hope within us summer types rural route ruth is patrolling her beat with a glint in her eye and an ear for a good guffaw for after all there are only 40 more days til spring