Discovery Guide
www.elginartstrail.ca
Index Index 1 About Us 2 Studios Clayworks Studio 3 Concreations 4 Medlyn Stained Glass & Jewellery Studio 5 Peter Robson Studios and Gallery 6 Pinecroft Ceramic Art Studio 7 Rubyeyes Kraftwerks 8 Galleries Art Emporium Gallery Clovermead Gallery Minerva Art Gallery & Custom Framing Portside Gallery St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre The Arts & Cookery Bank Village Crier Gallery
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Crafters Anything Used & Sparta Country Candles Little Red Mitten
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At a Glance 18 Workshops 19 Events 20 Map 21 1
About Us The County of Elgin, in partnership with the Elgin Business Resource Centre, St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation, and St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre, invites tourists and the local community to experience the finest visual arts attractions the region has to offer on the Elgin Arts Trail. The Trail provides comprehensive resources to explore 15 studios and galleries exhibiting diverse collections of artwork. Prepare yourself for an imaginative and unforgettable journey of original paintings, pottery, stained glass, fibre art, candles and more. Some say that Elgin County-St. Thomas is a work of art itself, with its sprawling countryside, historic city, and towns and villages that charm thousands of tourists annually. The County’s natural beauty and traditional character make it easy to understand how such a vibrant creative arts community developed over the years. Artistic inspiration is all around. Start planning your trip today. Discover your inner artist, explore the Elgin Arts Trail. www.elginartstrail.ca 1-877-GO ELGIN, x168 www.twitter.com/elginartstrail www.facebook.com/elginartstrail
Elgin Arts Trail Program Developed in partnership with:
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Studio
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Clayworks studio In Elgin County’s northeast is the small, scenic town of Belmont, home to Catherine Craig’s rustic working studio filled with her original clay artwork, sketches and sculptures. A professional visual artist with more than 40 years experience, she values community empowerment and storytelling—the hallmarks of her work. Catherine is a partner in the Art Gallery of Lambeth and has exhibited in many galleries across Southern Ontario in both group and solo exhibitions. A graduate of the University of Windsor’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program, she has also offered private lessons to aspiring artists for more than 30 years. Catherine’s work transcends craft and hobby—it is a lifetime commitment fueled by passion and dedication. Mediums: pottery, sculptures, sketches, spinning, weaving, paintings
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Monday, Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 1pm - 5pm Please phone for appointment, or visit by chance 128 Dyer Street, Belmont, ON, N0L 1B0 Blog: http://catherinecraigart.blogspot.com/ (519) 644-0893
Home to hidden garden treasures, Concreations, is a concrete statuary, located just outside of St. Thomas. The new rustic barn store features unique, handmade outdoor ornaments, with statues varying from functional to fun. Andy DeVries, a self-taught craftsperson, is the creative mind behind each artistic piece, making everything himself. See for yourself in Andy’s working studio how he casts garden ornaments in concrete and finishes each statue with stains and varnish to achieve an antique, weathered look. The delightful garden ornaments include animals, stepping stones, and masks that are sure to make your garden or patio come alive with creativity.
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concreations March to December Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm Sunday by appointment or by chance 7579 Yarmouth Centre Rd, St. Thomas, ON, N5P 3S9 www.concreations.ca (519) 631-8192
Medium: sculptures
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Studio
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Medlyn STAINED GLASS & JEWELLERY STUDIO Established in 1996, Medlyn Stained Glass & Jewellery Studio’s friendly staff are ready to sketch a concept and help bring your ideas to life. Located in downtown St. Thomas, Medlyn’s takes pride in their quality craftsmanship, one-of-a-kind finishing touches and customer satisfaction. Each piece created is hand drawn and uniquely crafted to meet their customer’s individual needs. From beautiful lamps and sun catchers to mosaic items, visit the studio and see Medlyn’s artists at work, providing services including restoration to lead pieces, sandblasting, and a variety of supplies. Be amazed by the fine jewellery created by their gold and silver smith who has over 40 years experience. Explore the studio, full of inspiring pieces for sale, or take one of their stained glass classes to create your own artistic piece . Mediums: jewellery, sculptures, metalwork, pottery, ceramics, glass art, stained glass Studio open to the public Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 1pm Open evenings by appointment 643 Talbot Street, St.Thomas, ON, N5P 1C9 (519) 633-3773
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Located in the quaint, historic hamlet of Sparta, Ontario, Peter Robson Studios has drawn the attention of art lovers from across the region for more than 30 years. Passion for the studio and original art is a family affair that includes Peter’s wife Eleanor and son Steven, who proudly display Peter’s paintings, limited edition prints and sculptures at the gallery. Well known and highly respected, Peter Robson Studios has the capacity to customize an art program of any size for charities or businesses with existing prints or by special commission. A complete state-of-the-art custom framing centre is located on the premises.
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Peter Robson Studios and Gallery Weekdays 10am - 4:30pm Saturday 11am - 5pm Sunday 12pm - 5pm or by appointment 46340 Main Street, Sparta, ON, N0L 2H0 www.peterrobsonstudios.com (519) 775-2522
Mediums: paintings, sketches, sculptures, prints, custom framing
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Studio
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Pinecroft Ceramic Art Studio Opened in 1948 by Jimmie Clennell and Selma Caverly, Pinecroft is considered to be Canada’s oldest continuously operating pottery studio. Tucked away in a 54 acre pine forest, this thriving family-run establishment has produced fine quality earthenware and stoneware pottery for 65 years. Second generation studio potter Brenda (Caverly) Smith offers a wide range of functional pieces including complete dinner sets. High fired reduction ware is wheel thrown with some slab work. Classes and hands-on workshops are offered year round in the teaching studio. Pinecroft also features the work of Tony Clennell (MFA, RCA), who recently joined the studio as an associate potter. Tony is an adjunct professor at Sheridan College and has taught workshops in Canada, USA, Japan, China and Italy. For the full Pinecroft experience, visit the Green Frog Tea Room for lunch, relax at the massage hut and stay the night at Selma’s Cabin B&B. Mediums: pottery, ceramics, paintings, prints Visit www.pinecroft.ca for our exciting 2013 pottery workshops as part of our 65th Anniversary Studio generally open daily 9am - 4pm Check our website for hours of operation 8122 Rogers Road South, Aylmer West, ON, N5H 2R4 www.pinecroft.ca (519) 773-3435
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Cheryl Garrett-Jenkins is an award winning glass artist, who creates unique glass art. Windows, panels, and decorative 3-D pieces to personalized glassware and jewellery, nothing is too unusual or different to create in her Port Stanley studio. Some of Cheryl’s more popular works include pet portraits, personalized pieces, dishware, Celtic designs, specialty boxes, and favourite photos produced in glass. Each art piece is made from unique patterns, creating one-of-a-kind glass artworks. Passionate about her art, she loves unearthing the secrets held in a piece of glass and bringing those to life in amazing light pictures and objects. She uses a variety of skills, including painting, fusing, leading and casting, developed over the past three decades. Visit Cheryl’s studio and delight in her masterpieces or take one of her classes to be inspired.
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RUBYEYES KRAFTWERKS Open to the public year round Thursday - Sunday 12pm - 5pm Monday 12pm - 5pm May 15 - Labour Day or by appointment 235 Colborne Street, Port Stanley, ON, N5L 1B9 www.rubyeyes.com (519) 782-7443
Mediums: paintings, jewellery, glass art, photography, metalwork, fibre arts, pottery, sculptures
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gallery
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ART EMPORIUM GALLERY A popular destination for art enthusiasts, Port Stanley is home to the Art Emporium, Boathouse Gallery and Gift Boutique. Discover the talents of local and regional artists in the large, open, and welllit gallery featuring the eclectic pieces of over 30 regional artists working in many media spanning from paintings to sculptures, photography, pottery, textiles, and more. The artists of the Art Emporium demonstrate their passion for art and the desire to share it with others. While at the Art Gallery explore the Gift Boutique, offering a wide assortment of handcrafted items, made by artisans in the community. The handcrafted goods are a treasure trove of wood turning, hand painted silks, one-of-a-kind aprons, jewellery and artist cards to name but a few. Visitors and art enthusiasts alike are sure to find a unique memento or special gift. Mediums: paintings, jewellery, candles, photography, sketches, woodcraft, sculptures, prints, metalwork, pottery, ceramics, glass art, textiles, mosaic, stained glass Summer hours: April to December Thursday - Monday 11am - 5pm Winter hours: January to March Friday - Monday 11am - 4pm 177 Main Street, Port Stanley, ON, N5L 1H6 www.artemporium.ca (226) 658-1888
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Henry Hiemstra has always loved exploring and learning about plants, insects and animals. He started working as a Zoology Technician at the University of Western Ontario and later moved to the National Museum of Natural Sciences in Ottawa. In 1975, he and Ann established Clovermead Apiaries. Besides his interests in taxidermy and in learning news skills by reading and experimenting, Henry has an artistic bent. In 2012 he graduated from Fanshawe’s Creative Arts Program. His appreciation of history and delight in God’s creation, can be seen in his artwork displayed in the Clovermead Gallery. The gallery is themed after an old Ontario Village—wander the historic Brownsville train station and 1852 log cabin, take in a movie in the BeeTown Hotel, or have a seat in an old outhouse beside a glass wall of bees.
Summer hours: June to October Monday - Saturday 9am - 5:30pm Sunday Closed Open on holidays
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GALLERY
CLOVERMEAD GALLERY
11302 Imperial Road, Aylmer, ON, N5H 2R3 www.clovermead.com (519) 773-5503
Mediums: paintings, sketches
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gallery
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Minerva Art Gallery & Custom Framing Travelling to Egypt at age 17 was life-changing for Kevin Morrell, owner of Minerva Art Gallery. It is the place where he got his first taste of classic art and developed a passion for gods and goddesses of ancient times, like the namesake of his gallery. An avid traveler, Kevin features works from international, Canadian and local artists, highlighting those from Elgin County. He tours the globe to meet artists, investigate their style and quality, and personally select each piece for the gallery. Minerva Art Gallery is also a one-stop shop for personal and corporate custom framing. Offering a comprehensive selection of frames and art, and the assistance of a dedicated design consultant, it can accommodate any style, budget or timeline. Mediums: paintings, prints, custom framing Open year round Thursday - Saturday 10am - 5pm Evenings by appointment 11078 Springwater Road North, Aylmer, ON, N5H 2R6 www.minerva-art.com (519) 765-1616
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Nestled in the heart of Port Stanley, one of Elgin County’s most scenic and exciting destinations, Portside Gallery is home to the works of 16 talented regional artists. For 17 years, this artist-managed cooperative has produced high-quality art ranging from realism to abstraction, using a variety of mediums including oil, watercolour, acrylic, ink, pastels and mixed media. Visitors and locals delight in the diverse and vibrant pieces that range from miniature to large in size. Open year-round, anytime is a great time to browse the Gallery and purchase a special treasure to take home.
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portside gallery
Mediums: paintings, jewellery, sketches, photography, prints, sculptures, fibre arts, glass art Spring, summer and fall hours Monday - Sunday 11am - 5pm with some reduced days in January and March 187 ½ Main Street, Port Stanley, ON, N5L 1H6 portside.cuttingpromotions.com (519) 782-7066
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gallery
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St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art CentRE In the centre of Elgin County lies the centerpiece of its visual arts community—The St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre (STEPAC). Established in 1969, it is committed to promoting visual arts throughout the region and beyond by preserving an extensive permanent collection and hosting 16 exhibitions annually featuring local, regional and international artists. Also an education-focused organization, STEPAC facilitates educational programs and endorses emerging artists. Among its many events, the annual Fall Art Auction in November provides art lovers with an opportunity to purchase unique souvenirs while supporting STEPAC’s programs and the vibrant St. Thomas-Elgin arts community. Mediums: paintings, jewellery, pottery, ceramics, glass art, sketches, photography, woodcraft, sculptures, prints, metalwork
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Tuesday - Wednesday 10am - 4pm Thursday - Friday 10pm - 9pm Saturday 12pm - 4pm Sunday 12pm - 3pm 301 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON, N5P 1B5 www.stepac.ca (519) 631-4040
The Arts & Cookery Bank, a regional cultural destination, is a story of courage and commitment—a venue worth visiting. The Bank uses photography as a historical visual record. Images from Dutton-Dunwich, Newbury, Southwest Middlesex and West Elgin, which span more than 200 years, are digitally displayed on multi-touch media kiosks. Hundreds of old and current photos tell a rapidly-changing story of rural southwestern Ontario.
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The Arts & Cookery Bank
Visit this stunning venue—a restored 1914 Bank of Montreal and an 1883 timber frame barn—for a nostalgic, gripping, inspirational and authentic rural experience. Medium: photography Tuesday - Friday 11am - 5pm Monday Closed Call for events on Saturdays and Sundays 242 Graham Road, West Lorne, ON, N0L 2P0 www.theartsandcookerybank.com (519)768-9986
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gallery
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Village Crier Gallery Jenny Phillips, owner of Village Crier Gallery, is best known as an artist who delights in recording the vanishing rural landscape of southwestern Ontario while capturing the essence and history of rural life. Her paintings are vibrant, dynamic, and illustrate a widerange of country scenes from nature to architecture. Each piece at the Village Crier Gallery is part of a larger story that Jenny is happy to share with visitors. In addition to selling original art, the gallery also offers custom framing services, publishes fine art and books, and is a dealer of custom tin ceilings. Mediums: paintings, prints, sketches, custom framing, photography Monday - Saturday 9am - 5:30pm or anytime by appointment Bus tours and out of town guests please call ahead 194 Currie Road, Dutton, ON, N0L 1J0 www.jennyphillipsdutton.ca villagecrierdutton.ca (519) 762-2862
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One of Elgin County’s best kept - and best smelling - secrets lies in an old general store built in 1838 in the historic village of Sparta. Since 1995, the Muscat family has been filling homes with their high-quality scented candles, and creating a loyal customer base that keeps coming back for more. Sparta Country Candles contain as much as three times more scent than average, and are sold in many different sizes at unbeatable prices. Doors are open daily so stop by, pick up some candles and try a piece of homemade fudge. It only makes scents!
Monday - Sunday 10am - 5pm Closed Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
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Anything used and Sparta Country Candles
46361 Sparta Line, Sparta, ON, N0L 2H0 www.spartacandles.com (519) 775-0054
Medium: candle and candle product manufacturing
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crafter
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Little Red Mitten For Joan Janes, opening Little Red Mitten in her hometown of St. Thomas brought to fruition a lifetime love of fibre arts. As a teenager, she worked at the local Parkspin mill, an opportunity that ignited her passion for the peacefulness of spinning at a wheel. Situated in one of St. Thomas’ most historic neighbourhoods, the spacious, 1842 building houses yarns from around the world. A variety of fibres are available at Little Red Mitten including: cottons, wools, alpaca, and silk. Fibre artists from beginner to enthusiast can take advantage of the best selection of knitting tools around. Take classes, join a knitting group, or try a new knitting pattern created by the owner herself. Look, touch, and be enticed. Little Red Mitten is a woolly inspiring place! Medium: fibre arts
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Monday - Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday - Friday 10am - 8pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday Closed 86 Talbot Street, St. Thomas, ON, N5P 1A5 www.littleredmitten.ca (519) 207-2880
Concreations
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Medlyn Stained Glass & Jewellery Studio Pinecroft Ceramic Art Studio Rubyeyes Kraftwerks Art Emporium Gallery Clovermead Gallery Minerva Art Gallery & Custom Framing Portside Gallery St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre The Arts & Cookery Bank
Little Red Mitten
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Woodcraft
Textiles
Sketches
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Scultpures
Prints
Pottery
Photography
Paintings
Metalwork
Glass Art
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Village Crier Gallery Anything Used & Sparta Country Candles
Jewellery
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Clayworks Studio
Peter Robson Studios and Gallery
Fibre Arts
Custom Framing
Ceramics
Candles
At a glance
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WORKSHOPS Workshops at Elgin Arts Trail locations are great creative outlets. From photography to pottery, the studios, galleries and crafters offer numerous opportunities to discover your inner artist. For a complete list of our members workshops and events visit www.elginartstrail.ca.
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Workshop
Description
Date/Time
Location
Individual Knitting Instruction
Enjoy a variety of scheduled knitting classes from beginner to advanced. Call the shop (519-207-2880) or check our website, www.littleredmitten.ca – for the current schedule.
Anytime, by appointment
Little Red Mitten
Pottery/ Sculpture/ and more
Classes and workshops in pottery, sculpture, drawing, painting, weaving and spinning offered. Workshops can be arranged for up to 6 students.
Anytime, by appointment
Clayworks Studio
Pottery
Brenda Smith offers classes in pottery focusing on the wheel. Classes are held in the pottery studio on site and both evening and daytime sessions are offered. Visit www.pinecroft.ca for exciting pottery workshops as part of their 65th Anniversary celebration.
Classes and hands-on workshops are offered year round
Pinecroft Ceramic Art Studio
Adult Workshops & Classes
We offer a variety of programs for adults interested in enriching their lives as artists. We offer classes for all abilities, from beginners to working professional artists. The Art Centre is your retreat from the outside world; a space where you can enrich your life through the study of art.
Registration information and course dates are available online at www.stepac.ca
St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre
Smart Art Classes for Children
Discover the world of art making through exploration and experimentation with a variety of materials and organized activities. Basic skills in drawing, painting, and sculpture will be considered. Imagination, self-confidence and individual style are encouraged.
Registration information and course dates are available online at www.stepac.ca
St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre
Digital Photo Classes
Take digital photo classes in a state-of-the-art digital photo lab and interactive photo classroom. Classes will be for all ages, so kids, tweens, teens, seniors and families are welcome.
Registration information and class schedules are available online at www.theartsandcookerybank.com
The Arts & Cookery Bank
Stained Glass
Cheryl Garrett-Jenkins offers classes in glass art, stained glass, fusing, sandblasting and acid etching, and more.
Registration information and class details are available online at www.rubyeyes.com
Rubyeyes Kraftwerks
EVENTS Artastic Elgin Discover your inner creativity as the artists of the Elgin Arts Trail invite you to take part in 2 days of interactive events, providing you with an experiential adventure along the Elgin Arts Trail throughout Elgin County. Workshops with participating Elgin Arts Trail artists in their studios, gallery events, speakers, and more will be offered. Artistic inspiration is all around on the Elgin Arts Trail. Visit www.elginartstrail.ca in August for more details. September 28 & 29, 2013 Parade of Elephants The Parade of Elephants is a travelling, evolving exhibit of one-of-a-kind papier mâché elephants. Each elephant will be decorated by participating artists and artisans featured on the Elgin Arts Trail. A new elephant is added at each location and joins the existing elephants on parade. Every elephant is a unique creation, reflecting the artists and location where it was produced. Presented in partnership with the St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre. Download the parade schedule & map at www.elginartstrail.ca/paradeofelephants October 2, 2012 - September 28, 2013 ElginLicious Join Savour Elgin members every May and October for Elginlicious! This is an opportunity to take advantage of the area’s restaurants, wineries, specialty food shops and agritourism destinations at three great price points. Special promotions are offered at $10, $15 and $25 at all participating businesses. Elginlicious is unique to all other “licious” events, in that it is not exclusive to just restaurants offering three course menus. This is an opportunity for you and your friends and family to get out and explore all that Elgin County has to offer. Check www.savourelgin.ca for dates and promotions. 20
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Crafters Anything Used & Sparta Country Candles Little Red Mitten
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Galleries Art Emporium Gallery Clovermead Gallery Minerva Art Gallery & Custom Framing Portside Gallery St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre The Arts & Cookery Bank Village Crier Gallery
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Studios Clayworks Studio Concreations Medlyn Stained Glass Studio Peter Robson Studios and Gallery Pinecroft Ceramic Art Studio Rubyeyes Kraftwerks
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Wallacetown
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Wineries & Breweries Quai Du Vin Railway City Brewing Company Rush Creek Wines
Lyons Springfield
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Straffordville Vienna
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Port Bruce Suggested Travel Route
Port Burwell
Restaurants & Sweets Green Frog Tea Room at Pinecroft Harbourtown Fudge Kettle Creek Inn Killer Desserts & Café Mad Hatters Tea Room Ruby’s Cookhouse Tasty Sweets Café & Bakery Windjammer Inn Markets Berry Hill Fruit Farm Empire Valley Farm Market Farmgate Markets Horton Farmers’ Market Howe Family Farm Market Agri-tourism Arts & Cookery Bank Clovermead Bees & Honey Great Lakes Farms Heritage Line Herbs Lavender Sense Steed and Company Lavender
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