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economist sunsimrtribune singles in local groups taking it slow bymikeadler staff writer good news for men in midlife entering york regions singles scene there are mpre women than men at local singles events but men trying to pick up women they just met will likely be disappointed the women say they are more interested in meet ing other women maureen quinn a credit con sultant in her late 40s who joined a club called single horizons enjoys the groups many activities but says theyre not geared toward finding members a date or mate instead she says the club is a good way for meriand women to meet other single people members say romantic involve ment if it happens will develop over time or through the intro ductions of other members you might meet a friend of theirs a brother of theirs tonight im going to a dance class with a bunch of people from the club says ms quinn a thornhill resk dent who agreed to go on a dinner date with another member after the man pledged 225 last week end at a bachelor and bache- loretie auction for charity most single horizons mem bers are open to dating someone from the club says elaine cooper 47 a customer service representa tive who also attends single events in the jewish community activi ties of her oneparent family group in richmond hill dances for single professionals and ses sions of a brunch club she started i think most people are mature enough to realize it takes time she says some people after being sepa rated widowed or divorced go through the crazy time doing things but of character out of their personality other people they may be withdrawn she said then people find what they most want is companionship ms copper says iri women tend to join singles activities with friends but men dont not lookin single horizons members elvio pazienza of woodbridge and maureen quinn of thornhill say the club is a good social outlet that v provides a chance to form relations staff photomike adlfr ms copper recognizes it is frightening for men to join on their own but says club members try to put them at ease elvio pazienza 41 and divorced three years ago found if difficult to go to his first single horizons event im not a very social person says the wpodbridge man a pur chaser for an automotive compa ny who tried online dating but rarely received a response from women he contacted it didnt make sense to me mr pazienza says he made a new years resolution last year to just get out and do stuff arid has enjoyed himself a lot more since i just got fed up with being home club president leeann jensen of markham says men are less willing to try new things or plan in advance for group activities which at single horizons range from comedy nights to something called llama trekking in which the large mammals are led by par ticipants but not ridden men are a little lazy adds ms jensen 41 who met her fiance at a club event three months after she started single horizons in february 2001 women will go yep im going to try a canoe speed dating that pastime of urban twentysomethings is avail able here in the suburbs for a sur prisingly mature clientele threequarters of people who turn up for speeddates in which they can experience 10 see expecting page 18 christina spericemaharajh kitchen grafts n more i oday i walked into a lavender specialty shop and one whiff of that delicious odour reminded me why its still the most popu lar aromatherapy scent it really does calm your nerves and promote a sense of relaxation plus it just smells great todays easy project is excellent to spray on yoin bed linens or to use as a calniing room spray lavender room arid linen spray i cup distilled water 2 tablespoons vodka 1 14 teaspoon pure lavender essential oil 23 drops rosemary or peppermint essential oil optional v combine distilled water vodka and essential oils using just the pure laven der oil is wonderful- but for a more com- plex scent add a few drbpspf either peppermint or rosemary essential oil pour mtp a clean spray bottle and label dont use bottles that contained other chemicals shake well before use use as a room arid linen spray or you can even spray a gentle mist on to clean clothes before you iron theni to infuse them with the natural scent of lavender i its nice to spray a bit of this soothing mixture on pillows arid sheets before bed to encourage a natural restful sleep this makes a beautiful gift or an ideal addition to a homemade gift bas ket add a lightly scented bath powder and a couple of luxury soaps and you have an inexpensive and wonderful bath basket christina spencemaharajh is a freelance writer who specializes in crafts and creations she can be reached at newsroomerabannercom or to the era- banner 580 steven crt newmarket on l3y4x1 ft holiday season classic fa h 7 always populof with maikharn theatre audiences the nutcracker a i returns o the stage wiih beautiful chorejbgijiphy exhilarating costumes and sets i t1 fenliiy vill delimit and hnk audiences of all ages canada own ballet orgcn 7 y has 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