Who Gets SAD?

An estimated 25 percent of the population suffers

from mild winter SAD and about five percent suffer

from a more severe form of the disorder. Young

people and women are at the highest risk for the

disorder, but it can affect anyone.

What Causes SAD?

As the days get shorter and darker, the brain produces more Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone

that can cause symptoms of depression and has

been linked to SAD. So when the days are shorter

and darker, the production of this hormone

increases.

Is Treatment Available?

Yes—move immediately to Mexico (just kidding).

People don't need to wait for the spring months to

overcome SAD. For mild symptoms, arranging

homes and workplaces to receive more sunlight

may be helpful. And if you build a home, put in plenty of windows. Also, regular exercise—

particularly if done outdoors—can relieve

depression. One study found that an hour's walk in

winter sunlight was as effective as two and a half

hours under bright artificial light.

For more severe symptoms, a light

treatment called phototherapy might

help. Phototherapy suppresses the

brain's secretion of melatonin.

Although research hasn't proven that

this treatment has an antidepressant effect, it has helped many people.

The device most often used today is

a light box that emits very bright light

through a filter. SAD patients sit in front of the

light box for a few minutes everyday while they

work or do other activities.

If phototherapy doesn't work, an antidepressant

drug may help reduce or eliminate SAD symptoms,

but there may be unwanted side effects to consider.

In all cases, people who think they may have

SAD should discuss their symptoms with a doctor

or mental health professional. But if you do choose to move to Mexico, leave us a forwarding

address—we may be coming for a visit.

Did you know?

Christmas was once a

moveable feast celebrated

at many different times during the year. The

choice of December 25

was made by Pope Julius I

in the 4th century A.D. because it coincided with

the pagan rituals of

Winter Solstice, or Return of the Sun.

From Our House

to Yours:

My sincerest wish to all of

you is that this holiday

season finds you in good

health, surrounded by those you love. May

peace, happiness and lots

of chocolate be yours in the New Year ahead! –Bruce

Compiled for happy clients by:

Bruce Johnson Sales Representative

Mary Johnson Assistant

RE/MAX of Wasaga Beach Inc.

1263 Mosley St., Box 490 Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0

email: brucejohnson@remax.net

www.thehomehunt.com Tel: 705-429-4500 Fax: 705-429-4019

Nothing To Be SAD About

The Winter Blues:

A Lively Source of Real Estate & Community News December 2001

W inter arrives December 21st, and with it

comes the least amount of sunlight we

receive annually. Myself, I’m a sunlight

kind of guy. That’s why I live in Wasaga BEACH.

However, as the days get shorter, many people experience a form of depression called Seasonal

Affective Disorder, or SAD—an extreme case of

the "winter blues" that is relieved during the spring

and summer months.

Although SAD isn't totally understood, it is a real

illness with sometimes severe symptoms. As

seasons change, there is a shift in our "biological

internal clocks" or circadian rhythms, partly in

response to the changes in sunlight patterns.

This can cause our biological clocks to fall out of

step with our daily schedules. SAD sufferers have a

tough time adjusting to the shortage of sunlight in the winter months, especially in January and

February.

Part of the problem has been the homes we live

in. Builders were under great pressure some years

back to construct airtight homes with an eye toward

saving energy. With this came a loss of window

space—the conventional wisdom was fewer

windows equaled less heat loss. But today, with

window technology evolving rapidly, it is possible

to be energy efficient even while bathing in

daylight inside your home.

What Are the Symptoms of SAD?

Symptoms of depression occur regularly during the fall or winter months (changes in sleeping and eating habits; persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood; loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed) and subside in the spring and summer months.

Symptoms have occurred in the past two years.

Seasonal episodes substantially outnumber non-seasonal depression episodes.

Cravings for sugary or starchy foods (mmm...Snickers). ~Bruce

Frequently Called Numbers

Ambulance Office: (705) 429-4655

Arena: 429-3321

By-Law Department: 429-2511 Chamber of Commerce: 429-2247

Fire Department Office: 429-5281

Hydro Office: 429-2517 Library: 429-5481

Municipal Office: 429-3844

O.P.P. (Police): 911 (emergency only) Provincial Park Office: 429-2516

Public Works Department: 429-2540

MLS Statistics for Georgian Triangle for: October 2001

2001 2000

Listings Sales Average Sale Price Listings Sales Average Sale Price

Area Month YTD Month YTD Month 12

Month Month YTD Month YTD Month

12 Month

Clearview 35 281 16 162 $180,013 $182,092 28 283 14 138 $159,321 $151,894

Collingwood 44 429 13 218 $151,808 $154,801 28 386 24 229 $153,177 $155,617

Town of the Blue Mtns

17 224 6 84 $252,000 $222,751 17 224 10 109 $373,540 $237,783

Tiny Township

1 45 2 23 $99,250 $119,746 5 62 5 24 $84,900 $107,939

Wasaga Beach

48 571 22 293 $155,227 $151,980 48 549 23 321 $145,923 $135,639

THE “WOW” TRIVIA CONTEST

Win A Wednesday Night Dinner For Two at:

“How many Wasaga Beach MLS sales

were there in October 2000?”

Call Bruce at 705-429-4500 to win!

Congratulations to last month’s winner:

Lorna and Bill Bluett

Goodies Cafe

Please NOTE: November’s front page article on building permits,

while wildly informative and exceptionally fun to

read, drew “light” criticism from the building and

planning department. Seems they’d like you to

contact them regardless of what you are planning

to build, including decks and sheds. So please direct

your questions to (705) 429-3847 if you’re thinking

of adding that solarium you saw at the Home Show! ~Bruce

Bruce and Holly

bringing

home a

tree...

Dr. Kelly Volmers, D.V.M.

91 RIVER RD. WEST, WASAGA BEACH ON L0L 2P0 (705) 322-3459

Medical, Surgical & Dental Facilities For Your Pet

33 Ste. Marie St. 1263 Mosley St. P.O. Box 490 Riverbend Plaza Collingwood, ON Wasaga Beach, ON L9Y 4B2 L0L 2P0 (705) 445-9300 (705) 429-5199

Fax: (705) 445-2269

BRIAN GREASLEY, B.Sc., LL.B. Barrister and Solicitor

MOVING, MAINTENANCE & PROPERTY CARE

We do it all for You! Moving & Storage

Yard Maintenance

Home & Trailer Washing

Snow Removal

Loads of topsoil/gravel

DAN BROWN: (705) 429-4323 Toll-Free Pager: (416) 550-2960

Your Family’s Full Service Lawyer

of Wasaga Beach Inc.

Bruce Johnson, Sales Representative

930 River Road West, Suite 5 Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0

Ph. (705) 429-5073 Fax: (705) 429-8168

Nottawasaga Chiropractic

TIMLOCK CONSTRUCTION

Al Timlock Box 186

Wasaga Beach, ON Tel: (705) 429-6870

“Building Fine Homes in Wasaga Beach Since 1964”

The advertisers herein are owned and operated independently. The Publisher cannot and does not guarantee or assume any liability for the services advertised.

Call Michelle or Steve 65 Cedar Pointe Dr., Suite 105

Barrie, ON L4N 9R3

1-800-396-POST -Certified Inspectors -Full E & O insurance -Reports given on site

Ceramic Wall & Floor Tile Installations

Slate Tumbled Stone & Tile By Design

Mike Chapman

Tel: (705) 429-7237 Mobile: (705)725-2294

Dr. Mardi Charlton B. Sc., D.C., Dip. Acu.

Chiropractor, Acupuncturist

INSTALLATIONS True North

W.D. Redick & Associates Inc.

John Redick Sales Representative

47 Ste. Marie St.

Collingwood, ON L9Y 3J9 Bus: (705) 445-0301 Fax: (705) 445-1400

587 River Road West

Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0 Bus: (705) 429-7600 Fax: (705) 429-7610

Published by Bruce Johnson, Sales Representative, RE/MAX of Wasaga Beach Inc. Not intended to solicit properties currently listed.

RE/MAX of Wasaga Beach Inc. Independently Owned and Operated

Bruce Johnson, Sales Representative 1263 Mosley Street, Box 490 (705) 429-4500

Wasaga Beach, ON L0L 2P0 “A Moving Experience”

E-mail: brucejohnson@remax.net www.thehomehunt.com

Reasons Why The English Language Is So Hard To Learn

The bandage was wound around the wound. The farm was used to produce produce.

The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

We must polish the Polish furniture.

He could lead if he would get the lead out. The soldier decided to desert his

dessert in the desert.

Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to

present the present.

A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

When shot at, the dove dove into

the bushes.

I did not object to the object.

The insurance was invalid for the invalid. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

They were too close to the door to close it.

The buck does funny things when the does are present.

A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line. To help with planting, the farmer taught his

sow to sow.

The wind was too strong to wind the sail. After a number of injections my jaw got

number.

Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

How can I intimate this to my most intimate

friend?

YEAR-ROUND NEAR BEACH Cute home or cottage very close to sandy beach. 650 sq.ft. on main floor and nearly 500 sq.ft. in fully finished basement. Master bdrm and family room both have new gas fireplaces. Also, 2 bathrooms & frontage on 2 streets. Offered at $89,900.

TRULY A REMARKABLE HOME!2,000 sq.ft. of main floor beauty & a 1,562 sq.ft. in-law suite downstairs. Countless upgrades: 2 fireplaces, 40 oz. carpeting, 9’ ceilings, c/air & an inside entry to a dbl-car garage with a finished family room above. Perfect for a family living with elderly relatives. Offered at $229,900.

BEACHFRONT LOT! Waterfront lot in Wasaga’s west end. Stone breakwall in place and water/ sewer/ gas at the lot line. There are mature trees, shrubs and perennial flowers and you are close to both Collingwood & Wasaga. This is your chance to own Wasaga beachfront property. Offered at $149,900.

GEORGIAN GLEN MODULAR 950 sq.ft. modular home in Georgian Glen Estates. Features include a large living room with a gas f/p, 2 spacious bedrooms, single-car garage, 2 sheds, screened porch & a private parkette next door. $383 monthly land lease includes taxes, water & sewer. Offered at $54,900.

HOME NORTH OF MOSLEY The soft powdered sands of Wasaga Beach are just down the street from this 722 sq.ft. home or cottage on much-desired 27th St. North. Water & sewer are in & paid for and gas is on the street. Three bedrooms, a garage and this fantastic location. Offered at $89,900.

NEWER HOME ON ACORN Very well kept 1,005 sq.ft. home (1,700 sq.ft. finished) on Acorn Crescent. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, breakfast nook, central a/c and air cleaner, huge shed and a lovely lot in a newer area of fine homes. Offered at $154,900.

ALL-BRICK HOME NEAR BEACH 2-storey home near the Beaches in Sunward Estates has 1,360 sq.ft. finished on each level. Ideal for 2 families—2 kitchens, 2 wood-burning fireplaces, huge 114’ x 185’ landscaped lot, circular driveway and a huge covered concrete balcony. Offered at $179,900.

NEW HOME ON SMALLMAN This 1,163 sq.ft. new home features a dbl-car garage, gas f/p, eat-in kitchen & municipal services—all on a beautiful pie-shaped cul-de-sac lot. Fully insured with ONHWP & GST included with rebate assigned to builder. All measurements approximate. Offered at $159,900.