One look at the boots and you get the feeling that this is a superior line of footwear. Then you notice the name and you KNOW that this is a superior line of footwear!

Harley-Davidson is all you need to say when you are talking about quality motorcycles. And now that they have become associated with the likes of Hush-Puppy and Wolverine, their footwear has climbed to the top of the ladder as well.

"They look hot!" exclaimed Laurna-Lynn Mills, Manager of the Sole Mates Family Footwear store at the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre. "These boots have a nice rugged outsole and are a very high quality with a much thicker leather than most boots. The winterized Harleys have winter treads, are oil resistant and insulated. They also pay attention to detail with their buckles made out of metal and leather instead of plastic."

The Harley-Davidson Footwear line is complete with sandals, shoes, riding boots and C.S.A approved safety boots. And what customers are finding is that the all-season footwear is definitely not just for bike riders. 

Sole Mates Family Footwear has taken great steps to ensure that their prices are the lowest you will find anywhere in the Greater Sudbury Area. For example, the boots that Laurna is holding normally retail for $195.99 but they can be purchased from Sole Mates for only $156.98.

The response from the public has been fantastic. The stock is turning over rapidly as Laurna continues to re-order to keep up with the demand.

When it comes to people who are new to the community, there are two business owners who tend to meet them all. Of course we are referring to Mike Lemieux, who along with his brother, Mag Lemieux, own Hanmer Home Hardware, and Ken Desjardins, owner of Desjardins' Food Basics.

"Everyone moving in to a new home or apartment has a need for cleaning and repair supplies as well as start-up groceries," explained Mike Lemieux. "So Ken and I decided that we would put together a basket of 'goodies' to give as a gift to all newcomers to Valley East as our way of saying 'Thank You for choosing our town' and to give them a hand with settling in."

Ken Desjardins owns and operates one of the busiest grocery stores in the entire City of Greater Sudbury, so he has definitely noticed the impact of new home owners in the community. "When it comes to stocking up the shelves after moving into a new home, we know it is expensive. We also know that those first few days are days when you are constantly discovering additional items for your shopping list. The Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre is a great place to come to pick up just about everything you need to make your move complete, so we wanted to say thank you for your support."

Anyone who has moved into a new home; purchased an older home; or moved into an apartment in the Towns of Valley East or Capreol since July 1, 2006, is encouraged to drop in to see Mike Lemieux at Hanmer Home Hardware in the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre. He will answer any questions you may have about the community and make sure you receive your gift basket.

  After spending more than 30 years working in the flooring business on everything from installing to sales and management, Ron Pedneault decided it was about time for him to open up his own business.  

So, on October 1, 2005, Ron and his wife, Bernie, started a new chapter in their lives with the opening of FANTASTIC FLOORS, conveniently located in Val Caron at the Valley Bingo Plaza . 

Ron, with his vast experience in flooring, and Bernie, a professional teacher, plan on combining their personal strengths to help everyone from homeowners to homebuilders in the selection of the kind of flooring that is suited to both their needs and their lifestyle.

FANTASTIC FLOORS will contain everything you would ever want in terms of flooring options. Ron is happy to assist his customers in selecting the best flooring for their needs and will also provide professional installation. What’s more, Ron will be available to go that extra step in providing you with free consulting, free estimates and free local delivery if you are one of the many people who would rather have an expert do the job. 

One thing Ron and Bernie want to make perfectly clear to everyone is that they intend to be in this business for a long, long time. “I am not going to sell you something that you will not be happy with in a few years,” Ron reiterated. “I would rather lose a sale than sell you flooring that is not suited to your lifestyle or your needs. I’ve come across too many unhappy people in my life simply because they were allowed to select the wrong type or quality of flooring. When you speak about FANTASTIC FLOORS some time in the future, we want you to speak positively about both the service and product you received.”

Ron and Bernie are confident that Valley East and Capreol are on the verge of a major economic boom that will see a tremendous increase in both new housing construction as well as existing home renovations. “There are thousands of products on the market today and we realize that most people want to know exactly what they are buying. The type of flooring that a person selects is critical to the image and atmosphere created in a house. That is why it is so important for us to get to know as much as possible about our customers and their lifestyle. This allows us to suggest the best choice from all available options while still remaining within your personal budget goals.”

Ron intends to introduce some innovative new products to local residents, including the four-sided bevel laminate flooring from Domco that he and Bernie are examining in the photo. The laminate material looks and feels like hardwood and simply clicks into place without adhesive, making it easy for the do-it-yourselfer.

If you are thinking about new flooring, make sure you drop in and look at the options available at FANTASTIC FLOORS. Even if you decide to buy from someone else, Ron and Bernie want to make sure that you know what you should be looking for, so that your new floor is something you will be proud of for many years.

   FANTASTIC FLOORS, is open Monday to Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ; open late until 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and; open until 5 p.m. on Saturdays. 
 
   We also invite you to visit our new web site which can be found at www.fantasticfloors.ca to take a virtual look at FANTASTIC FLOORS.

   When VoIP (Voice over Internet Technology) was first introduced to Sudbury , Edgar saw this as the future of communication and immediately jumped on board; studying everything there is to know about the technology. As a result, he formed another division of his company, called VCCNet.ca Internet Solutions, which deals with long-distance discount calling and the use of the internet for communication purposes.

   Edgar has joined forces with another locally owned firm, Infocom Canada Business Consultants Inc. which operates Valley East Today, a marketing & public relations company which publishes a community web site and weekly online news magazine.

    “The cost of long distance calling has always been a detriment to people living in the north,” Edgar explained when asked why he feels so strongly about the communication services he now provides to the community. “I know so many of my friends and acquaintances who have children or parents living in other parts of Ontario . They would love the chance to talk to them more often by phone, but long distance charges really cut into the budget; especially for seniors who would love to talk to grandchildren, or parents who have children away at university or college.”

   “Once people find out how easy it is to switch over to my plan, and they realize that there is absolutely no risk or long-term commitment – that all they get is the freedom to talk on the phone to anyone in Ontario for as long as they want for one low price of $15.95 a month, they are sold,” Edgar went on.

   Edgar also repairs and programs individual computers for both commercial and residential use. You can drop in and see him at his office in the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre, or he will come directly to your home or office.

   Whatever you are looking for, give Edgar a call at 670-4039 or you can go to his web site at www.vccnet.ca and see how he can meet your needs.