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(Continued from page 1) *"small town living."‘ Hoping to attract as many as 300 people to its new head office, company officials struggled to convince half that numberâ€"that despite sales pitches by Mayor Marjorie Carroll and the added incentive of having the company foot the bill for moving expenses. Those that did come were from the managerial field. The clerical staff, comprised mainly of secondâ€"income women, stayed behind to seek a place in the company‘s other Toronto divisions or look elsewhere. "It‘s a huge transition from a large city to a small town. Some of the people just didn‘t want to come here, period," said Keith Beverage, viceâ€"president of human resources. ‘"On the flip side many saw new opportunities arise from the relocation process." â€" That was the case for Manufacturers employees Sandra and Peter Noble. Married for just over a year when informed of the Waterloo relocation through an office bulletin in the fall of 1984, the young couple decided in less than a week to give the new opportunity a go. The big attraction was the opportunity to live a lifestyle that would be difficult to achieve in Toronto. So in July of 1985 they said goodbye to their rented townhouse in Cabbagetown and moved to a Holly Reid and husband Bruce Raiment wanted to be able to spend more time with their son Simon and thus opted for Kitchenerâ€"Waterioo‘s way of life. With another child on the way in March, the couple are convinced this is the ideal place for a family. Mark Bryson photos â€"1 CHRISTMAS GIVING NEEDS The Manufacturers move Christine Scott has no regrets about moving from Toronto to Waterioo with Manuftacturers Life. it was a good career move, she says. For Personalized Fitness Programs and Appraisals Gift Certificates Available CENTR s ecccecsecccecs se HOUSE OF FINE PERSIAN and ORIENTAL RUGS BA LUCBH ORIENTAL RUCGLS 746â€"8020 Eh s luxury home in Waterloo‘s Beechwood West subdiviâ€" sion. Peter Noble, 32, is the company‘s director of group marketing. Sandra, 36, a former U.S. division employee, landed the position of pension income compliance officer in Waterloo. *‘*But many singles agonized until the last minute and a lot (who came) are still agonizing. I sure wouldn‘t have moved here (if I was single)." Although in no apparent rush, the Nobles do plan to have a family and consider Waterloo an ideal location to raise children. ‘"‘The decision to come was a lot easier for married couples because of what Waterloo offered in the way of family living," said Peter Noble. The stability of the area was also what attracted Holly Reid and husband Bruce Raiment to make the move. Nestled in a comfortable Glasgow Street home in Kitchener since August, 1985, the couple claim the major reason behind the decision was their now 21â€"monthâ€"oldâ€" son Simon. ‘‘Simon was certainly a contributing factor. It was l1 hours from the time we left hom« in the. _ ning until we arrived home at night. It was such a ru. .1," said Reid, who is expecting her second child in late March. Like Scott, the couple was spending at least 15 hours a week commuting to and from downtown Toronto to their Mississauga home. Raiment, 31, has since taken a job as management services consultant with the Mutual Life Assurance Co. Reid, 30, is Manufacturers manager of money products marketing. â€" â€" o â€" â€" s Stability and quality of life aside, each one of the former big city dwellers admits going through the odd fit of withdrawal. They are in agreement, with the notable exception of Scott, that Waterloo region does not offer a lot for the entertainment dollar. ‘"‘There is certainly nothing glamorous and exciting about Waterloo," said Sandra Noble. When asked about things they have found enjoyable in Waterloo, the Nobles listed the Stratford Festival, Centre in the Square and the farmer‘s marketâ€"only the market is actually in Waterloo. ‘"‘When you think about it," said Peter Noble, "there :von the most serious competiâ€" or. CHRISTMAS SPECIALS: Competition Dart Boards "39.9 Nickel/tungsten Darts *"10.9 Pineâ€"Framed Score Boards ‘"10.9 plus other gift and novelity items! BREWSKI‘S DART DEN THE FASTEST GROWING SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA! The One Stop Brewing Shop WATERLO® TOWN SQUARE LOWER MALL 885â€"40608 DARTS: *59.95 *39.95 *19.95 *10.95 â€" _ "WattrhOoOO chinomictP ~WebdnNtsoaÂ¥ btttmier 18 08e â€" PR6GE s Your Companion Is Missing But Will Soon Be Back To Enjoy This Recliner Loveseat. Each Seat Reclines Independently For Individual Comfort. Recline Together. Stay Together. _ 886â€"2040 Free Parking Front and Rear Raiment‘s biggest source of frustration to date is the way people in Waterloo region drive. Other than that he *claims to fit right in. What is Wrong With This Picture? really isn‘t much to do in this city. I tend to think you could make a killing opening a ‘Spotted Dick‘ (pub) here." *‘*When something does happen in Waterloo it‘s usually going on at the universities," he added. * Peter Noble is a graduate of the University of Waterloo, but says he never really became familiar with the area while attending school. For Reid the major stumbling block in the area is finding a good place to shop. All the family‘s shoppingâ€"â€"except foodâ€"â€"is still done in Toronto, she says. Both couples feel Waterloo would be a dreadful place to live for a single, a sentiment they say is shared by many of the singles who did come. Even Scott admits she is an exception to the rule. ‘‘I‘m still trying to find a good clothing store and a hairdresser, but other than that there is plenty to do," she said. In less than a year, Scott has taken a bartending course at Conestoga College, joined a softball team, attended auctions, flea markets and craft shows, and has had the opportunity to play in a band. In the spring she plans to take a course in cabinet making. ‘‘Most other singles are calling for Toronto, but the only thing I can honestly say I miss is the lake.If Toronto was another hour away I‘d say yes, I miss it. But it‘s close and just a short drive," said Scott, a north Waterloo resident. There are also the odd trips to the ballet and Blue Jay games, she admits. The 170 employees face another moveâ€"â€"although to a much lesser extentâ€"â€"in 1988 when the company moves from its Westmount Road facility to a huge complex in the Willowells area of Waterloo. Economical Mutual Insurance Co. of Kitchener will then move into the Westmount Road building. The Willowells move will be the final stage of the Manufacturers longâ€"range goal of establishing a distinct identity for its Canadian branch. The new building will accommodate all the present 1,000 employees scattered throughout various offices in Waterloo today. ALAN RIGBY‘S Laâ€"Zâ€"Boy Gallery 46 King St. N., Waterloo Serving You For 27 Years