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With $565 obtained through community dona- tions for our Main Street signboard, I went looking for an official in public rela- tions. On reaching the cor- rect area, I was greeted by director Lisa Joyce, whose welcoming smile pervaded her office. its pR dim“)? 3“ A'Plus- Iim Thomas isaStoujfizille 0" t0 the TOW" 0f resilient who has written for WhitchurCh emporium 0“ area newspapers for more Sandiford Drive. than 50 years. While the source of my funds was important, Lisa appeared equally interested in all the hospital had done for me. 1 give the facility and its PR director an A-plus. For a single day last week, I experienced all that's right with the business world. And I think it right to share my story. My first stop was the Ashgrove Medical Centre at Hwy. 7 and Ninth Line in Markham. It was my annu- al blood check. Being the chicken I am when it comes to needles, I requested a bed rather than flop unconscious on the floor. This was provid- ed without complaint, along with a cold glass of water. I survived. Next call was Markham Stouffville Hospital. conversation? I have and it’s irritating. Ever call a, business and listen to a recording that goes: “Sorry, I’m presently away from my desk. If this is an emergency, please dial 0 for other options?” I have. It’s aggravating. Ever phone a company, only to have your'call autoâ€" matically placed on hold while music, not to your lik- ing, beats in your eardrums? I have. And it’s annoying. Ever keep a scheduled appointment, only to have the receptionist coldly respond: “There must be some mistake. The party you wish to see is on vacation?" I have. It’s frustrating. Ever line up at a seven- item cashier counter only to observe the customer in front is pushing a cart conâ€" taining sufficient groceries to feed an entire family? I have. And its infuriating. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. You've already concluded this is a negative summary of all that's amiss in today’s business world. Wrong. Quite the oppo- site. Where public relations isn’t given lip service Little wonder at recent satisfaction survey completed by DPR Canada gave five town departments honours standing. communication ver walk into a store and patiently wait for the clerk to con- clude a seemingly endless telephone So that's my story. Eight hours, eight contacts. eight positive replies. This is ser- vice with a capital S. The same afternoon, I received a letter by mail. It read in part: “I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for a job well done this past school year as our crossing guard. Have a safe and enjoyable summer ~ Paul Whitehouse, director of public works. His assis- tant, Lori Boyd, added her personal thanks. Little wonder a recent sur vey completed by DPR Can ada gave five town depart ments honours standing. All earned. “The former Bridon site's been sold," he said, “but nothing specific's proposed for the property until some- time next year. The present signboard should be OK until well into 2009." There I was met by not one, not two, but three stafl employees, each anxious to obtain answers. The result? The very next day, Tom Parry. director of planning called our home. What a relief. Like a stay of execution. On the Mickey Hunt sign, Cindy said the project had been turned over to facilities manager Rob Raycroft. Lo and behold, two hours later, when I returned to the park site, the project had been completed. But Cindy didn't stop there. The community signboard was her next assignment. “Follow me," she said, striking a path towards the planning department. For this information, I was directed by a welcoming receptionist to Cindy Elder in leisure services. “We're acting quickly on this," she said. “We appreci- ate its importance." My thanks to all involved. The reason? I went seek- ing information on a prom- ised sign for Rupert Park, designating the area’s tobog- gan slide as Hunt’s Hill in honour of long-time town resident Mickey Hunt. I also wanted to learn the future of the signboard at the former Bridon Motors site. Roaming Around with ]im Thomas SKUޤKEéfiA§ withatctiyakiglmâ€"reaflygood. Itriedtogetthcmtodohalibutand chips for this Friday, but it will need to be next week â€"- so watch for it! These are a large size green grape from California. Not only are they really large, they are also really sweet. AT THE DELI m. We'll_bc making lots and lots of out vegetable medley salad this week. It's made with a whole assortment of fresh veggies -â€"- moody, if not all, from Ontario, â€"â€" dressed with a beauty We'll have a presentation of Frankie's Neanderthal Ribs, which are prime rib bones slow-cooked CWHAT'S 0 com; AT THE DELI Thcscarcathriflfromthcgrfll.Thcy are made with nicely-seasoned coarse ground pork and lots of grated old cheddat.Youmaywmttoletthcmoool justatoudxbcforcdigginginbccamcl finddntthcchoddarrctaimmorc'hcat than mi think. Igzficiousfhtn E We‘ve got some nice fresh local 'lopes for this week. They are. size 9’s, which are big enough to cut and serve a small family. Product of Ontario. - BEAUTY - CALIFORNIA RAPES week, but with a twist. Not only will this replace the Friday prime rib sandwich as the 'hot’ sandwich, it will beavailablein the deli for slicing ~andwarminth¢ afternoonfordinnet. It'stheeenn'eâ€"cutonlyofamiploin, trimmed nicely, and then seasoned with Montreal steak spice. Reg. 5399/1005 We'll have deli roast bccfon sale this LOCAL â€" Aâ€"NTALOUPES STRIP LOIN. a you nugnt 1k. Delicious! ;. $4.50 lb. 3:}; WEEK P1336178! Wild blues are now in, a little pricey still, but things will get better as we go along. Com is just beginning, not asgoodasitwillbesoon. Local 'lopes are good, and we'll have a feature on them. Local raspberries are really nice â€"â€" and .peaches start next Thursday â€"- Garnet Beauty is the variety. In our big kitchen we’ve been making copious amounts of our beautiful beef stroganoff. This to me is big-time comfort food. It’s great with mashed potatoes, egg noodles or spaetzle, or with rice â€" all youneedtodoisthawitand warm it. All the work’s done! Serves 3 - 4 OFF THIS Reg. $17.95 WEEK CHICICEN --â€"-- BitEASTs Wemkeoutchiekenbreasuinanumbaofmafinadmthemostpopuln ofwhidimwwmtedynkiandnuple-mWWhatmakesthese logoodis(a)weuseonlyair-chilledchickenbrwts,whichwetrimdean, (b) we buy larger chickens so that the breasts are substantial: anal-size to be sure, (c) we make all ofoux marinades ourselves -â€"- nothing pre-made from a bottle, and (d) we don’t ‘tumble’ the chicken to moisture-enhance it. With us, all you get is the . % ‘ real thing. . - ‘ OFF Reg. $10.95 cwamfl ...°' INDEPENDENI’ GROCER HOMIOIOWN ONTARIO SPECIALS IN EFFECT UNTIL CLOSING SUNDAY JULY 27‘“ Hours: Mon. 11:00-7z00 ~ Tues.-Thurs. 9:00-7:00 ~ Fri. 9:00-8:00 'hconu‘w. MARINATED ‘ -â€"â€"- CHICKEN -â€"-â€" THIS WEEK Sat. 9:00â€"6:00 ~ Sun. 10:00â€"5:00 548 Carlton Road, Unionville www.mevillagcgrocenjxom We've got limes happening this week, and we'll be making mmrms- Wemakeagrahamcrustand then make the beauty filling with freshly squeezed juice and all. I don't know if these are better than you will get in the Keys, but they're betterthan anywhere else in Florida that I've been .............. ..................... Reg $2.29 ea. 1m SUGAR 000K138 - These are large sugar cookies painted by hand in the image of the venerable lime ................................ Reg $2.99 ea. LIME M00883 CAKE - Made with layers of white cake and lime mousse. These are refreshing and so good. ..................... One size only $22.95 While Supplics last. flufl’y white cupcakes with shredded coconut baked in. We ice them with lots of lime frosting and garnish them with crunchy toasted coconut. . LIME CURB mm - Made with our flaky pastry shells filled with tart lime curd and garnished with whipped cream and a flesh lime ............................................... Reg. $12.95 ea. 940â€"1770 CENGLISH HEDDAR WITH CARAMELIZED â€" ONION - ' What we have here is longâ€"line-caught striped bass which has been filleted. What makes 'em really good is that they eat crab, pay fish and elf lobsters, something that would make anyone delectable, I think. It will be arriving Friday and we should have enough for both Friday and Saturday, all going well. 95 We'll. have recipes. I LB From Maine. THIS WEEK WILD STRIPED ASS Stoulfvillc Sun-THbune I Thursday, My 24. 2008 We'll be featuring this delicious little cheese for the week. As I'm sitting nibbling on it and writing this ad, I'm thinking that it's not so much a cheese to go with wine, but with beer. It's got a nice, long flavour. Reg. $5.49/100g 3:1; 0.00.0 0.0.. 25 % OFF THIS WEEK ch $2.49 ea.