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I r-ou 57umiAM rmII'dC Mariha McPhoe operates Maranatha Flowers. APPROCHIN YOU RI RE EN DSINATON The winter season means shorter days, poorer visibility due te blowing snow and increased braking distances for drivers. If your usual exercise routine includes an invigorating evening walk or jog, make sure you are visible in the dark. Drivers must be able te see and recognize you before it's te& late. Tête a lit flashligbt along on your route or wear reflective tags and rings (like headbands, wristbands, a belt and ankle bands). R.A. (Randy) Clouden USA, crp Certlfled Fînanclal PlannerLe 1275 North Service Road W. OakvlIlle, Ontario L6M 3G4 (905) 847-m77 ext. 371 1-800-567-2276 By LISA CARTWRIGHT The Champion People cornte frorn aIl over southern Ontario and the United States to purchase the floral creations of Campbellville's Martha McPhee. Ms McPhee ix tise owner of Maranalisa Log House, Flowers and Seasonal Decorating. Located on Guelphs Line, her workroom and sbop are situated F There are many routes you can take 10 reach mreement. 1 cao belp guide you toward your retirement goals. ý0 up 1n 0çr G p Fîxu iitl Sexii'x.s Ix. Wo Muke House Calis inside her 1850 log home, a bistorical building belonging 10 John Camegey, one of the fOrst members of parliament. Her shop consisîs of unique cards, antiques, sorne of her floral creations and fresh flow- ers. Ms McPhee doesn't carry mums or carnations, but only bigh-quality flowers that are different from the everyday. Even her roses are different from thse ones people gel else- where. "People corne frorn aIl over for my roses," Ms McPhee said. "1 see il as il ix better to have one beautiful rose, then a dozen roses that Is overnight." Returning to nature The ornell of dried flowers, and the frtendly bark of Dexter, a 14-year-old Englixh cocker spaniel, greets you as you enter the shop. Ms McPhee's work- sbop ix located off the shop overlooking the backyard. The spacious workshop has large windows that look out over the 240-acre woodlot. Deer and coyotes can often be seen frorn the home. Most people are looking 10 return 10 nature, said Ms McPhee, who works with mIne- rior designers 10 create floral window trealments and wal sculptures. People "want tu let the out- doors in. They want 10 gel back 10 nature and feel part of the eaith." The mother of four grown daughters creates spectacular flower arrangements frorn tiny bouquets t0 large wreaths that have several consultations with the couple in order t0 discover what they like. She will also Çtnd out the height and size of the people in the wedding party, colours and styles of the dresses and the couple's flower preferences. Home for ail seasons In addition 10 people coming from across the continent tu buy her arrangements, ber home, which haa been called a home for ail seasons, and hier work have been featured in magazines and captured on film. She also does the styling for magazine photo sessions. Ms McPhee has spent 35 years in the industry and taught floral design for 15 years. She had s shop in Burlington, before moving 10 Campbellville. People who seek out her work do so because they are looking for something differ- ent, she said. "Each thing I do is like a work of art. It ix unique onto itself." And the talented artist doesn't know what she ix going 10 create until ahe begins. "I am not sure what I am going 10 do until I arn doing il. It ix a God-given gift that 1 cao look at someone's bouse and say they sbould do that and this." Prayer part of work Ms McPhee said prayer goes mbt her work as well. "Befote 1 do anything, I pray for il. 1 think God ix a real hang on thse wall, tu wall seulp- important part of my work, and tures using roots and vines 10 a very big part of my life." window trealments tisaI allow Ms McPbee works with a tise daylight 10 corne in. variety of natural materials European look including artificial, dry and real flowera, greenery, roots, bernies Her floral art is based on and fruit. country English garden and For Ms McPhee, il ix a love European looks. - f the job tisat keeps her creat- When Ms McPbee does mine- -0- rior design work, sise will go to îng new pieces of art. tise client's bouse 10 gel a feel "I love my work. I can of their style. express myself. I have had an 'l try 10 gel tisaI peraon' s per- illness, and witisout rny work 1 sonality mbt what 1 arn doing. I don't tbink I would be able 10 arn not one of tisose designers cope witb il." who try 10 push my personali- Marantha Log House, ty.',Flowers and Seasonal Ms McPhee also does the Decorating ix located aI 125 flowers for weddings. She wîll Main st. S. în Campbellvîlle. McPhee gives bae,-.k Martha McPhee of Marantha Log House, Flowers and Seasonal Decorating uses her ast for charity work. At Christmas, she decorates one or two houses for the Burlington and Hamilton Junior League's House Tour. shte has also decorated homes for Appleby College and last year decorated three homes in Milton in support of the United Way. She also gives gift certificates 10 charities and ix involved wîtls the cbureb. THINKING 0F BORROWING FOR YOUR RRSP Bob Reid, CFP There are a number of considerations in deciding to borrow for your 1999 RRSP contribution. The most important is how long will it take to pay the boan back. It generally makes sense to borrow if the loan will be entirely paid off within a few months or at most within a year. THIS IS NOT ABOUT RRSP'S If you have already made (or plan to make) a contribution BUT stili have roomn to contribute more, an effective strategy is to borrow and have the tax refund pay out the loan completely? It depends on a number of factors, but we can prepare an accurate estimate in just a few minutes. IT'S ABOUT YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN! Did you know that my office is equipped to provide you with an RSP joan, usually with instant appmoval? Great advice, great service and now, great convenience too. DONALSON,- Bob Reid, CF FI NAN CIAL CROUP Suite 10 1-3 10 Main Street East Milton, Ontario L9T 1 P4 Voice 905-875-3366 fax 905-875-3574 e-mail reidb@jfgusm THE INVESTMENT CENTE and w J 9r linm Floral creations McPhee's business