“ANNEE BISSEXTILE”, “FROLICHES NEVES JAAR”, “HAPPY NEW YEAR”.

We trust that by the time you read this all the big heads have come back to their normal size and things are back to fairly well normal or as normal as things get around your place.

If post-holiday letdown greets you today, fight back simply. Here are some tips for beating the after-it’s-over doldrums.

* Think back to a favorite gift, sentimental card or loving interaction with a family member or friend this year, and savor that memory
* Begin planning a fun activity for January or February.
* Start a holiday savings account for next year to counteract what’s bound to be a pit-of-your stomach reaction to this year’s bills
* Buy a colorful flowering plant or silk floral arrangement to replace the holiday decoration you may have already packed away.
* Think seriously about how to make next year's holiday season meaningful and fun. Write yourself a note and tuck it away with holiday decorations so you’ll find it next year.

GRANDMOTHER’ S DRIVING

My grandmother always says,
She doesn't care how folks talk.
If her driving bothers them
They should keep off of the sidewalk!

The honeymoon is the interval between the man’s “I do” and the wife’s “You’d better!”

After man came woman, and she’s been coming after him ever since.

An elderly widow and widower were dating for about five years. The man finally decided to ask her to marry. She immediately said “Yes.”

The next morning when he awoke, he couldn’t remember what her answer was. After about an hour of trying to remember to no avail, he got on the telephone and gave her a call. Embarrassed, he admitted that he didn’t remember her answer to the marriage proposal.
“Oh, she said, “I ‘m so glad you called. I remember saying ‘yes’ to someone, but I couldn’t remember who it was.”

Doctor: I wouldn’t worry about your habit of talking to yourself.

Patient: But Doc, I’m such a bore!

If My Body Was A Car

If my body was a car this is the time I’d be thinking about trading it in for a newer model. I’ve got bumps and dents and scratches on my finish, and my paint job is getting a little dull... but that’s not the worst of it.
My headlights are out of focus and it’s especially hard to see things up close.
My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I slip and slide and skid and bump into things even in the best of weather.
My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins. It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed… and my fuel rate burns inefficiently. But here’s the worst of it... Almost every time I sneeze, cough or sputter... either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires!

During the summer of 2007 your Local Co-op had the privilege of sponsoring two local young ladies to the YES camp.  The Rainbow Youth Excellence Society (RYES) is a charitable, non-partisan organization that provides exceptional training to youth in leadership, communication and co-operation.

For 30 years, The YES (formerly know as Camp Rainbow) has provided a unique learning experience for over 8,000 young people across BC.
The YES is delivered through a partnership between RYES and the BC Co-operative Association.
The two young ladies sponsored by your local Co-op were Miss Nicole Friesen and Miss Tiffany Quaw.

“Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.”

-Demosthenes

Real everyday value

Vanderhoof & Districts Co-op offers you a broad selection of food, hardware, agro, lumber and automotive products at competitive prices. For exceptional value on a wide variety of popular items, watch for the Value-Priced Every Day logo when you shop at Co-op.

SERVICE
Whatever the weather, when you fill up at a Co-op Gas Bar, the friendly staff will pump your fuel, clean your windows and ask to check your oil - while you stay comfortable in your vehicle. It’s just part of Co-op’s commitment to providing High-Performance Service all year round.

My son, who works an early morning shift at a commercial air line, always leaves before the rest of the household arises. Recently, on the occasion of his 24th birthday, his mother found the following note-on her breakfast plate:
“Dear Mom: Twenty-four years ago I had lunch on you. Will you meet me downtown this noon and permit me to return the compliment? Love, Jack”

Meteorologist: A man who can look into a girl’s eyes and tell whether.
Intuition: The strange instinct that tells a women she is right, whether she is or not.
Throw rug: A small rug that usually throws anyone who steps on it.
Etiquette: Learning to yawn with your mouth closed.
Diplomat: A man who can convince his wife a woman looks stout in a fur coat.

Every week, Vanderhoof & District Co-op grocery flyers advertise a selection of products at special promotional prices, so you can SAVE every time you shop. Watch for the Home Centre promotions for savings on hardware, lumber and housewares several times a year. The Agro Center has "Rural Routes" sales for farmers and acreage owners in your area.

Remember... everything you buy - at our regular value prices or on sale - will increase your equity and the amount you will receive in CASH back!

“Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead - that is where your future lies” -Ann Landers-

HOW CAN I HELP PREVENT A STROKE?

* Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
* Don’t smoke.
* Learn the warning signs of a stroke and get emergency medical attention immediately if they occur.
* Follow a healthy lifestyle:
- eat a high fiber, low fat diet
- maintain a healthy weight
- keep physically active
- take time to relax
- avoid tobacco smoke.

THEY COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

The five main warning signs of a stroke:

1. Sudden weakness, numbness or tingling in the face, arm or leg.

2. Sudden temporary loss of speech or trouble understanding speech.

3. Sudden loss of vision, particularly in one eye, or double vision.

4. Sudden severe and unusual headache.

5. Sudden loss of balance, especially with any of the above signs;

If you or anyone else you know ever experiences any of these problems, get medical attention immediately. Your quick action could help avoid a stroke!!

 “Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.” -Franklin P. Jones

Men, be a prince to your princess -Dave Branon-

Be not weary in your serving.
Do your best for those in need;
Kindness will be rewarded
By the Lord who prompts the deed.

The Rev. Oscar Johnson, jovial St. Louis pastor, tells this on himself: Once, after change of churches, he met a woman of his former flock and asked, “How do you like your new pastor”
“Just fine,” she beamed “But somehow or other, he just doesn’t seem to hold me like you did!”
A chipper young lieutenant with an eye to the future approached a notoriously grouchy brigadier general at his club in London one day, “Good morning, General,” he saluted ingratiatingly.
“Grumpff,"  responded the general
“Lovely day, isn’t it?”
“Grumph.”
“General, I trust you will pardon me for speaking of such a personal matter, but I read in the papers that you buried your wife yesterday and I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy “
The general adjusted his monocle and stared at the young man for a moment.
“Oh yes-yes,” he replied. “I buried my wife… Had to-dead y’know.”

On the surface you know, the Co-op looks very much like any other local business. However, unlike other business, any savings generated by the Co-op are returned to the member-owners who patronize the business, in proportion to the amount they purchased from the Co-op during the year. This allocation is usually made by adding the calculated amount to each member’s share account thus increasing that member’s equity of investment in the Co-op. At the discretion of the Co-op’s Board of Directors, a percentage of the allocated amount may be returned to the member as a patronage refund In either case, the money stays in your community to be used and reinvested in community enterprises.
By this time you have no doubt heard that come the new year the size of the local Co-op will have changed yet again by taking under it’s wing another B.C. Co-op that being the North Cariboo Growers Co-operative Association.
The amalgamated name of the new entity will remain that of VANDERHOOF AND DISTRICTS CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, and the registered office of the association will be Box 560, Vanderhoof, B.C. V0J 3A0.
Upon amalgamation, the shares of the amalgamating associations which are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the amalgamation shall be converted into shares of the Amalgamated Association as follows:
a) The shares of the North Cariboo Growers Co-operative Association shall be converted, share for share, into an equal number of shares of the Amalgamated Association
b) The shares of the Vanderhoof Co-operative Association shall be converted, share for share, into an equal number of shares of the Amalgamated Association
Any resulting fractionals shall be held to the credit of the member toward the purchase or acquisition of additional shares in the capital stock in the Amalgamated Association

 “Christians stand strong when they stand together “

Two fleas were leaving the park and one said to the other, “Should we walk or take the dog?”

A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, “Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today.”
The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool even though she was worried what the child may have been told. “That’s interesting,” she said “How do you make babies?”
“It’s simple,” replied the girl. “You just change ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’.”

And with that lesson in spelling I’ll be running along until our paths cross in the near future.

And from new Board of Directors, Cliff and his crew and from my house to each and everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR and a GUNG HAY FAT CHOY, May your cup be full and running over for the year 2008.

Doug Smith, Member at Large