For the first time in its 172-year history, the Wellesley Fall Fair is transitioning from a mid-week event to a weekend event.
With the fair set for Friday, Aug. 22 and Saturday, Aug. 23 under a theme of “New roots, kick up your boots” this year, members of the Wellesley North Easthope Agricultural Society, the organization that plans the fair each year, voted earlier this year to change the long-held tradition to adapt to changing times.
The provincial government has pledged over $4 million to connect more people to primary care in the Waterloo Region, including rural areas.
The investment is part of the government’s Primary Care Action Plan that it said will help connect 300,000 people to primary care this year.
“Connecting every person in our community to a primary care provider will improve health outcomes and quality of life,” said Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris. “This investment of $4.1
million will expand the incredible work of local health teams, including Community Healthcaring KW, New Vision Family Health Team, Waterloo Region Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic and the Woolwich Community Health Centre (CHC), and connect thousands of residents across
“There was a lot of consideration; I want to stress that, actually. This was not something on a whim where the board said, ‘Let’s throw the hat in after 171 years,’ ” agricultural society vice president Susan Prange said of the decision to change when the fall fair is held each year from midweek to the fourth Friday and Saturday of August.
“One of the main factors is that the schools are not letting the kids out of school anymore. That was a tradition for eons and, in addition to that, the community has
Hamburg, Tavistock, Baden, Wellesley, New Dundee, St. Agatha, Shakespeare, Petersburg, Hickson, Punkeydoodle’s Corner and area
Kitchener-Conestoga MPP Mike Harris and Jess Dixon, MPP for Kitchener South
Hespeler
primary care funding announcement in Kitchener.
Wellesley Fall Fair kicks off new era with weekend format
changed significantly. This was a farming community, which meant families being able to leave the farm for an afternoon and go to the fair was absolutely okay. Now, we are much more than just that, so there were a lot of our adults who also couldn’t take the time away from work in order to attend during the day.”
In years past, businesses in Wellesley Township would close for the day during the fair in addition to local schools closing to allow students to attend.
“Wellesley Township was basically closed for the day and everyone came to the fair,” added agricultural society president Joanne Stewart. “Hawksville, Linwood, St. Clements, all of those people came to the fair. It was a very, very active community and the fairs were a great place to get some education on agricultural things that were happening, and also to showcase their wares, whether it was livestock or their crafts or canning, and that was for young and old.”
In addition to this year’s big change, the fair also saw a change in its traditional venue last year, moving from the old Wellesley arena and community centre in the Village of Wellesley to the brand-new
Bill Gies Recreation Centre after it officially opened in June 2024.
“We had a lot of positive responses from the community (about the new venue),” Stewart said. “They said it just elevates the calibre of the fair. So, we’ve had two very exciting changes over the past two years. … We’re being very innovative.”
“One of the words that was heard a lot in the feedback was how bright the new rec
centre is and because we were in a combination of the old arena and community centre before, the windows at the new rec centre are just so much more than what was ever available at the other two locations,” Prange added. “Everything was just brighter and fresher as a result.”
While the days and location for the fall fair have changed, the two-day event still features all of the fun, excitement and tradition of fall fairs of the past.
The fair opens at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 22 with inflatables, face painting, Henna tattoos, the silent auction and food trucks, as well as live music starting at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m., attendees will want to gather for opening ceremonies, the fair’s junior and senior ambassador competitions, and the live auction.
Festivities get off to an early start on Aug. 23 with gates opening at 10 a.m. in conjunction with the opening of the inflatables and the educational AgriVenture Tent. Saturday will see a variety of shows, events and attractions including the horse, cattle, pet (real and stuffy) and baby shows, kids’ car races, a juggler and magician, a brief dressage demonstration, line dancing, and, of course, fireworks to close out the fair.
Of particular note on Saturday will be
the annual fall fair parade at 1:30 p.m., the Wellesley Idol semifinals and Citizen of the Year presentations at 3:30 p.m., and, new this year, zucchini races at 11 a.m.
“We actually heard of other fairs doing (zucchini races) and we thought it sounds like a lot of fun,” Prange said. “Because we have the skatepark at the new Bill Gies Recreation Centre, people are going to come with their zucchinis – not cut up – they’re going to stick some wheels on them and we hope they decorate them ahead of time, but if they don’t, that’s fine. There will be different categories based on age and, essentially, we’re just going to let them go down the ramp and it will be which zucchini finishes first. I believe best-dressed zucchini is also a category they can win in.”
“We have a few wheels, but not enough for everyone,” Stewart added. “It reminds me of Cub Car Races but it’s using a zucchini instead of a piece of wood.”
As always, locals and people from across the province will have a chance to compete in exhibitions across a wide variety of categories, age groups and classes, including in the annual scarecrow competition. Open to everyone in the township at no entry fee, the scarecrow competition encourages locals to create scarecrows and display then outside their homes or businesses leading up to the fair in hopes of winning in one of several prize categories including best traditional, best creative, best fair theme related and best reflection of a business.
To enter, email wellesleyfairscarecrows@gmail.com by Aug. 8 (act fast!).
Another new addition to this year’s fall fair is the cost of entry. While kids five and under are free, everyone aged six and older will be able to purchase a wristband at a cost of $10. The wristband is good for both days of the fair and provides access to everything except food, facepainting and Henna tattoos. Wristbands can be purchased with either cash or credit card.
For more information and to register entries for exhibitions and competitions, visit wellesleynehfallfair.ca.
Exhibition entries on display inside the Bill Gies Recreation Centre during the 2024 Wellesley Fall Fair.
A float in last year’s Wellesley Fall Fair parade.
(PHOTOS COURTESY OF WELLESLEY NORTH EASTHOPE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY)
Province invests $4.1M to expand primary care across Waterloo Region
Waterloo Region to the care they deserve. I’m proud to see our region leading the way in building a more connected and accessible health-care system.”
Ben Hesch is the chief executive officer at the Woolwich CHC and said their portion of the funding will allow two new physicians to set up shop in Wellesley.
“Woolwich Community Health Centre is grateful for the government’s investment to bring over 2,600 residents of Woolwich, Wellesley, Wilmot and surrounding areas into the care of our integrated primary care team,” he said. “We look forward to working alongside our KW4 OHT partners to continue bringing excellent health care to our communities.”
Hesch explained his organization is in the enviable position of having frontline practitioners knocking at their door.
“We’ve got physicians who want to work for us, nurse practitioners, and I have no concern about recruiting. The concern is making sure the minister of health understands we have the folks ready to work. Minister Harris has done a good job in helping to bring that voice.”
He added the organization is looking to expand into Wilmot Township when it comes to bricks and mortar, and the funding is a step in that direction.
“It has a special place in my heart growing up in the community and I know how underserviced it is there. We’ve been working with Mayor (Natasha) Salonen to look at opportunities to bring a health home there to serve the folks of Wilmot and the surrounding area.”
Hesch explained they have a few potential sites in mind and some community partners are ready to work with them.
The organizations earned the funding through a recent call for proposals identified by postal code with the highest number of residents not connected to primary care, including those on the Health Care Connect waitlist. Each successful team has established a plan to attach a high
proportion of unattached people in their postal codes and demonstrated readiness to achieve significant progress within a year.
“We know there are so many more people out there without access,” said Hesch.
“There are over 8,000 folks without a primary care provider in the N0B postal code. We’re looking forward to future investment to bring them in to.”
Harris explained his government is committed to improving health-care options in rural areas of his riding.
“When you look at the new community health centre opening in beautiful Wellesley Township, when you look at all the other programming in any of our four townships, it’s a renewed investment that we haven’t seen in quite some time. We are very keen on making sure rural Ontario is looked after.”
He added other provincial investments are also making a difference in the lives of Ontarians living in rural areas, particularly seniors and farmers.
“It’s not just about physical health care. It’s about the other pieces that go with it when we are talking about programming around seniors. We have an older demographic living in the more rural areas and we’ve seen a lot of great investment into our senior’s centres. Investments have also been made by the Ministry of Agriculture into farmer’s mental health. The goal is to help people where and when they need it so they won’t have to go into the city.”
“I would like to thank the Ontario Government for providing critical funding to support Woolwich Community Health Centre’s expansion of health-care services and thank Minister Harris for his advocacy,” said Wellesley Township Mayor Joe Nowak. “This is a positive step forward, connecting more residents of Wellesley Township with a primary care provider. As our community grows, I look forward to subsequent rounds of funding to continue towards the goal of providing access to primary health care for all our residents.”
TV show Collar of Duty Kids visits Transitions Encompassing Wellness
Episode tells the story of connection between children and animals
LEE GRIFFI
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
“It’s all about the powerful pairings between kids and animals, as well as the life adventures they experience together, in this inclusive, fun and touching documentary series. It’s about the magic that can happen between them.”
Those are the words of Laura Lille, the producer of Callar of Duty Kids, a series that takes viewers into the lives of children and their service animals. The show’s last episode of the season featured the story of 12-yearold Woodstock resident Sierra Meidel and therapy horse Thunder. Thunder is part of the herd at Transitions Encompassing Wellness, a tourism and wellness farm near Tavistock operated by Alisha Wilson. The hope was for Sierra’s anxiety to improve through a relationship with an animal.
Sierra’s mother, Brittany Meidel, said horses have been a part of their family’s life for years and her brother is a top standardbred driver. She added her daughter rode when she was younger, but the pandemic put an end to that.
“She had to take a break from it and, after COVID when she was struggling with anxiety, we were trying to find different things for her to take part in but she didn’t find anything she was interested in. I brought up the idea of going back into riding.”
Brittany Meidel is a self-employed aesthetician and Wilson is one of her clients. The two talked and the rest, as they say, is now documented history.
“When I went to the farm for the first time, I looked at Thunder and we just clicked,” said Sierra. “I was nervous but when I started going on her, I knew she was the horse I could trust with my life. She was just different from the other horses.”
Brittany Meidel explained her daughter’s relationship
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with Wilson and Thunder has resulted in a marked improvement in Sierra’s mental health.
“When she went back to school after the pandemic, she was having separation anxiety and she was having a hard time being away from us and getting back into a routine. She was also having major general anxiety and would ask for permission to do any little thing, but she has gained more confidence and leadership skills by working with such a big animal. It is an immense change and it has carried over into her homelife and school.”
Sierra said it is her hope the show will reach other children struggling with anxiety and other health issues.
“I would love that for them. When I was at camp on Monday (at Transitions), they put it on for the kids and I
hope they got the meaning of it. I wasn’t nervous doing the show because they make you feel like you are a part of a family. It was a really fun experience.”
Lille echoed those remarks and said filming in Oxford County was something she and her crew won’t soon forget.
“This was our last shoot of the season and I think we were all feeling the bittersweetness of it on that particular day. Alisha made us feel right at home and the horses on the farm seemed to welcome us as well.”
Despite the fact Sierra has found an animal which has made a huge impact on her life, Lille said at the same time, so many children aren’t as fortunate.
“What would be going on with Sierra if she didn’t find Thunder as she enters her tween to teen years? What does that look like for so many kids in our country and around the world who don’t find that thing? What happens next?”
Transitions Encompassing Wellness offers a wide variety of experiences from horse therapy, reiki with horses to fun group activities with playful names including Cowgirl Kickback and Horse Play date nights. Wilson said she’s grateful to Summerhill Media for the opportunity to showcase her business.
“It was an honour to be featured, and we’re especially proud of the young lady they chose to interview. She represents the heart of what we do. We’re beyond excited to see our farm and programs come to life on Collar of Duty Kids and can’t wait to share this special feature with our community.”
Lille said the episode also features visits to the Woodstock Veterinary Hospital.
“We got to meet Dr. Rob and Marley, a senior rescue dog from Happy’s Place senior dog rescue. We can’t wait to share this incredible episode and hope to be back to film again soon in Oxford County.”
The episode aired live on Monday, Aug. 4 on Accessible Media Inc (AMI+) and is available on its streaming service at www.amiplus.ca. The episode will also air on TVOkids in December.
The story of Woodstock resident Sierra Meidel and therapy horse Thunder is featured on an episode of Collar of Duty, a show featuring the incredible relationships between humans and animals.
(CONTRIBUTED SCREENSHOT)
Highway 59 opening soon but a portion of it will close next week
LEE GRIFFI
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Oxford County has provided an update on construction projects taking place along Oxford Road 59 in East Zorra-Tavistock and Woodstock.
What was closed will be open, but not for long.
The culvert replacement on Oxford Road 59 between Oxford Road 17 in Woodstock and Oxford Road 8 at Hickson in East Zorra-Tavistock will finish this week, with the road expected to reopen Aug. 8. However, 59 between Braemar Sideroad and Oxford Road 8 (Hickson) will again close Aug. 11 for about four weeks for Enbridge Inc. to carry out planned maintenance work on a natural gas transmission pipeline.
For our readers who utilize 59 to come to Woodstock, Vansittart Avenue at Devonshire Avenue in Woodstock will reopen this month, restoring twoway traffic over the bridge. Devonshire Avenue east of Vansittart Avenue to Victoria Street remains closed as part of a multi-year project to improve Devonshire Avenue.
For Oxford County construction updates, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/ construction.
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Culvert replacement work on County Road 59 between Hickson and Woodstock is scheduled
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(LEE GRIFFI PHOTO)
The Plattsville and District Heritage Society continues to celebrate all things history, local and beyond
Heritage society museum a hidden gem for people of all ages
GALEN SIMMONS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Anyone who has ever driven through the tiny little hamlet of Chesterfield, just beyond the outskirts of Plattsville in Blandford, may have noticed a sign in front of what was once a United Church that hints at the fact there is much more to the roadside church than one may initially think.
The former Chesterfield United Church is the home of the Plattsville and District Heritage Society, a group that, among other things, operates a remarkable community museum featuring one exhibition set up in the church’s main hall each year aimed at celebrating treasures from the past on loan from community members and offering a greater understanding of how life was lived in decades gone by.
“This is our 11th year of doing them,” said volunteer museum researcher and curator Marg Schiedel. “We do a different theme every year, so you’re not going to walk in two years and ever see the same thing again. We’ve done everything from quilts to Christmas to wedding gowns to the ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s, the ‘50s and ‘60s, and now the ‘70s and ‘80s.”
The museum’s current exhibit, dubbed Retro Rewind, offers visitors the chance to step back in time to either remember or gain a better understanding of what life was like in ‘70s and ‘80s. Several of the exhibits are set up as though they were pulled from someone’s home, with both a boy’s and girl’s bedroom, and a living
room decorated with furniture, appliances, toys, posters, magazines and other household items that had previously been stored in local basements, closets and attics or purchased from antique stores and garage sales by museum volunteers and community members.
Other parts of the Retro Rewind exhibition offer context as to what was happening in the wider world in the ‘70s and ‘80s, a chance to take a selfie with Disco dancers, the opportunity to play video games
from the ‘80s, and cabinet after cabinet of other donated items on display, all of which are accompanied by blurbs written by Schiedel to help explain the item and its context.
There’s also so much more to discover from a scavenger hunt in the boy’s room, a tea party with dolls from the time, jigsaw puzzles and games, period fashion, snacks to sample and music from the ‘70s and ‘80s curated by another heritage society member for visitors to listen to.
“It doesn’t matter if you come from Wilmot or Stratford or Toronto; wherever you come from, it’s not just about the local area,” said heritage society president Denise Tew.
While many of the items are donated by locals and there are a few exhibits each year dedicated to local history like one this year depicting a “then and now” comparison of local life in honour of BandfordBlenheim Township’s 50th anniversary, the society’s exhibitions on the whole offer slices of life anyone from the time periods on display might recognize, at least in this part of the world.
“Next year, it’s the 175th birthday of Plattsville and (the heritage society is) also 25 years old since incorporation in 2001, so we’ve got a lot of local history to celebrate,” said society treasurer Carol Combs.
“The biggest comment (we get about our exhibitions) is, ‘This brings back memories,’ ‘I remember when,’ ‘I remember grandma had … ,’ ” Schiedel said. “In the ‘50s/‘60s exhibition, we had a wringer washer here and the stories that came out of that; people like to talk to us and a lot of us will walk around with people. They’ll tell you the stories of what they remember.”
The heritage society preserves each of its annual exhibitions in photo books available for purchase, at cost, at the museum, giving those who have donated items to each year’s exhibitions a chance to see their treasures from the past on display any
Plattsville and District Heritage Society president Denise Tew, treasurer Carol Combs and museum researcher and curator Marg Schiedel pose for a photo at the Disco selfie station, part of the Plattsville and District Heritage Society Museum’s 2025 exhibition, Retro Rewind.
(GALEN SIMMONS PHOTOS)
time they like.
In addition to the annual exhibition, the Plattsville and District Heritage Society members also organize several local initiatives including an annual Poppy Project where community members knit or crochet poppies for Remembrance displays in Plattsville, Bright, Drumbo and Princeton; a Remembrance Banners project that has seen 76 banners featuring area veterans and those who are related to local residents displayed on lampposts in Plattsville and Bright; and the Forgotten Communities project, which aims to install “Welcome To” signs at the entrances to smaller hamlets and villages in the township that no longer have them in recognition of their
histories.
The society also keeps an archive of significant events, announcements, anniversaries and other interesting happenings inside the church office, which is available to anyone looking to research the history of the area and its residents.
The Plattsville and District Heritage Society Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays or by appointment. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. over the next three Saturdays, it will also play host to barbecue-lunch events held in celebration of the Township of Blandford-Blenheim’s 50th anniversary. All are welcome!
For more information about the Plattsville and District Heritage Society, visit www. plattsvilledistrictheritagesociety.com.
A typical girl’s bedroom from the 1970s and 1980s on display at the Plattsville and District Heritage Society Museum.
A preteen boy’s bedroom from the ‘70s and ‘80s on display at the Plattsville and District Heritage Society Museum.
A living room decorated in the style of the ‘70s and ‘80s on display at the Plattsville and District Heritage Society Museum.
Discover a happy place at Transitions with equine assisted learning
DIANE DANEN Gazette Correspondent
Just outside of Tavistock on the Maplewood Sideroad, there’s a quiet and welcoming farm where people of all ages come to grow, heal and connect, all with the help of horses.
It’s called Transitions Encompassing Wellness, and it’s run by Alisha Wilson. With the support and encouragement of her husband, Kevin, and their teenage son and daughter, Wilson’s vision has grown into a dream come true. Wilson’s 16-yearold daughter, Lindsey, shares her passion and often helps out with camps and organizing events.
Wilson is a certified equine assisted learning specialist, equine coach, reiki master and sound healing practitioner. Her goal is to create meaningful learning experiences that help build trust, confidence and self-awareness, all while working with horses in a safe, peaceful setting.
In July, Transitions hosted a community event called Thunderfest in support of the Oxford HART Hub (HART-Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment). Over 250 people attended the event, which featured live music, line dancing, food, a photo booth and over 30 local vendors. The event was a great success and received praise from Oxford MP Arpan Khanna who referred to it as “an annual do.” Thanks to Wilson’s dedication to her community, Thunderfest is scheduled to return on July 11, 2026.
Transitions Encompassing Wellness offers programs for all ages and groups. Adults can take part in relaxing evening events like Cowgirl Kickback, a ladies-only night that includes fun horse challenges and sunset chats around the campfire. Cowgirl Kickback has recently been recognized as an official Ontario Southwest
Signature Experience.
Couples can also enjoy HorsePlay, a unique date-night experience that includes interacting with the horses, sharing a charcuterie box from The Cheesy Cow and gazing at the stars while relaxing by a fire. Families, businesses and corporate teams can participate in programs that focus on building trust, improving communication and learning how to work together.
Youth programs are a big part of Transitions. Each summer, Transitions runs equine-assisted camps designed to help kids build self-confidence and leadership skills . A favourite activity for campers is called “Blind Man’s Adventure,” where one camper leads a horse through an obstacle course while blindfolded,
relying on their partner’s instructions. It’s a fun way to learn about communication and trust.
Campers at Transitions shared some of their favourite things about their camp experience. Eight-year-old Athena from Stratford said her favourite thing is “playing with the horses and saying hi to them.”
Nine-year-old Mila from Lakeside loved spending time with friends and getting to know the animals. Annika, also eight and from Lakeside, enjoyed the crafts, especially painting the birdhouses.
Camps are being offered throughout August with a few spots still available for each week. Families can email alisha@ transitionseq.ca for more information or check the Transitions
website.
Transitions is also a space for cultural learning and spiritual connection. It hosts a youth program called Two Row learning, open to children ages six to 12, which teaches the Seven Sacred Teachings: Respect, truth, courage, humility, honesty, wisdom and love. The program is led by facilitator Rebecca Neepin, who brings her passion for Indigenous education and advocacy to every gathering.
This spring, Wilson and her team planted an Indigenous Medicine Garden. Completed in May, the garden is now used for monthly smudging ceremonies. The next gathering is Aug. 8 from 6-8:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Wilson’s hard work has not gone unnoticed. She was recently named Young Entreprenueur of the Year 2025 and has also been nominated for a Woodstock Chamber of Commerce Award. Her work is also being recognized on an even bigger stage. Transitions was featured on Animal Planet’s Collar of Duty Kids, which aired on Aug. 4.
Before leaving the farm, many visitors stop by the TEAL Clubhouse gift shop. TEAL offers many local handcrafted items including earrings created by indigenous artists Eric G. Martin and Wendy Martin. Wilson has created her own all-natural hair and skin care line called ENVY by Transitions. She has also created an effective, all-natural fly spray to keep horses happy and fly free all summer long. Whether visitors come to Transitions to heal, to learn, or just to enjoy a day with horses, Wilson wants everyone to feel welcome.
“This is my happy place,” she says, adding she hopes she has created a place where everyone who visits will share the same feeling.
Victoria (top left) from Willows and Wildflowers in St. Marys works along with campers as they work on their horse mandala meditative activity.
(DIANE DANEN PHOTOS)
Some of the team at Transitions Encompassing Wellness. Pictured from left to right are Alisha Wilson, owner, Sierra Meidel, volunteer, and Briar and Chloe Boschart, fulltime summer camp employees.
Nine-year-old Mila Vanderpol from Lakeside proudly shows off her colourful horse mandala. Mila enjoyed making new friends and bonding with the animals during her time at camp.
LEGO Mike in the Burg: Freezing New Hamburg in time
In a Stonecroft basement, past the worktable and the shelves holding some of the most beautiful vintage stereo pieces, Mike Horner is quietly rebuilding New Hamburg.
Not with permits or blueprints, but with LEGO. His business cards read “LEGO MIKE in the Burg.” He is quickly becoming one of the town’s unofficial archivists of architecture. His tools include LEGO pieces, special software, a digital measuring eye and storytelling through the recreation of these beautiful old buildings.
“I was never planning to do this,” he said. “It just happened.”
It began during the COVID lockdown. After finishing more than 20 jigsaw puzzles, he spotted a LEGO Harley-Davidson kit.
“I own a Harley, so it intrigued me,” he said. “The quality of the LEGO version blew me away. I was hooked.”
That single kit lit the spark. What followed was a multi-year effort to combine his interests in puzzles, design and New Hamburg’s heritage.
“It brings together everything I enjoy and it connects me to this place.”
To date, Horner has designed or built over 30 structures, including Castle Kilbride, Cook’s Pharmacy, the Imperial and the New Hamburg Felt Factory. His recreation of Peel Street’s east side alone used more than 12,000 individual pieces.
“You walk by these buildings every day,” he said, “but when you see them in LEGO, they suddenly stand still. It’s like preserving a moment in time.”
His process begins when something catches his eye. He photographs the building, checks online maps and studies historical references.
“A standard front door is about four LEGO studs wide. Once I know that, I can scale everything else.”
He designs each build in LEGO’s own BrickLink Studio, which produces a complete parts list. Then he sources the bricks, mostly from second-hand Canadian sellers
through the BrickLink marketplace.
“I try to keep my orders local to avoid duty and cut down on shipping costs.”
The Peel streetscape parts cost came in around $4,000 over three years, but much of that is offset by his own inventory. He’s bought entire collections off Kijiji and received donations of pieces from friends and neighbours.
“My wife, Bonnie, and I have spent days in the garage sorting bricks by colour and size – sometimes knee-deep in used bricks. Bonnie has been an ardent supporter both in encouragement and in helping out with the daily operation of what I can only call a true labour of love.”
He recreates not only the structure but the details that make each building recognizable – unique rooflines, painted trim, even boarded-up windows.
“The Felt Factory had a broken window
covered with green plywood. So, I used a green brick. People notice that stuff. That’s how they connect.”
And they do. Neighbours stop by, then return with their grandkids. Some recognize their childhood homes. All are fascinated by the precision and care taken in his work.
His Peel Street project is built using two design methods, depending on what side of the street we are talking about. The east side, home to the Old Country Restaurant is recreated in full 3D scale. The west side or the Short Stop Side was done as what Mike calls a “skinny build,” just the facades mostly. “The fronts of the stores are what people recognize,” he says. “And skinny builds are easier to store and move. I can unfold an entire block and hang it on a wall like a world map.”
This opens up the possibility for public display locations and getting this project displayed is Horner’s ultimate hope.
Many of the buildings he’s recreated are changing or will eventually change. Murray’s is up for sale. The Felt Factory has been sold and will be repurposed. His LEGO builds freeze them in their current state.
“What I’m building is how things look right now.”
Groups like LYNC, working on the B-W Feed Mill project, have supported his work by providing drone photos and early
designs.
“They’ve kept me in the loop. That means a lot.”
Three years ago, during my wife, Lillianne’s campaign run for Wilmot council, we visited Mike and Bonnie Horner’s home. At the time, he had just begun work on Castle Kilbride. Peel Street hadn’t even been started.
A few weeks ago, he invited us back. The transformation was astonishing. Lillianne immediately contacted the township about finding a permanent public display for his work. We also featured a photo on the local Facebook group “Show Us Your Wilmot,” which I co-admin with Lou Divita (he does all the work). A shot of Josselin Insurance and the Short Stop drew over 200 reactions, the most I’ve seen in that group, even when the Schout Wetlands opened and shots were coming in every day.
Horner’s list of future builds keeps growing. Huron Street. The Mill Block. The Puddicombe House. Maybe even the arena.
“Each new project comes with a big decision. Do I build it full or skinny? That affects everything – cost, design, space.”
In the Burg, he’s LEGO Mike, but what he’s building goes far beyond bricks.
It’s memory, it’s meaning and it’s something New Hamburg won’t forget.
After three years, thousands of parts and over $4,000, Mike Horner proudly stands with his LEGO tribute to downtown New Hamburg.
SCOTT DUNSTALL Gazette Correspondent
(SCOTT DUNSTALL PHOTO)
Tractor Night in Plattsville Park raises funds and community spirit
On the final evening of July, Plattsville Park was buzzing with activity.
For the first time, the organizing committee of Plattsville Summer Nights and Good Vibes has been hosting Thursday
evening events throughout the summer, complete with live music and barbecues in the park beside the arena. Each week, a different local group takes the lead at the grill, raising funds for their cause while the community enjoys free entertainment. Groups supported through this initiative include the local lacrosse team, Lions Club,
Plattsville Home and School Association, Plattsville Heritage Society, Plattsville Missionary Church, Plattsville Minor Hockey, Plattsville Skating Club, the town’s fire department and the Plattsville Curling Club. Peace United Church will be handling the barbecue for the final night of the series, Thursday, Aug. 28.
Last Thursday’s barbecue proceeds supported the Plattsville Men’s Hockey Club, with music provided by the Julie Simpson Band.
Themed Tractor Night in Plattsville Park, the evening featured 21 tractors on display brought in by local farmers and members of the North Easthope Antique Tractor Club (NEAT). All makes and models were welcomed, offering a nostalgic walk down memory lane for attendees.
Events run Thursdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and organizers are already looking forward to the classic car and truck show planned for Aug. 28 in the arena parking lot starting at 5:30 p.m.
Awards for Tractor Night included:
• Oldest tractor: a 1945 Oliver
• Youngest driver: Chase Cressman
• Oldest driver: Bill Murray of
Tavistock
“It’s been a busy summer so far with lots of hard work, but it’s been heart-filled to watch the community – both individuals and groups – work together and see all the bonds that small communities enjoy,” said event co-chair Darlene Koebel.
In front from left are Frank Gollinger, Keith Bell, Jim McGregor (with his 550 Oliver tractor), co-chairs Tina Young and Darlene Koebel, and young tractor enthusiast Audrey. In the back row from left are Kevin Winhold, John Schyff and Wayne Gerber.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
A lineup of local tractors, including many from the North Easthope Antique Tractor Club (NEAT), rolled into the park to support Tractor Night in Plattsville.
Models on display included an International BN and a Cockshutt 60 row crop tractor, heading home at 8 p.m. after the show.
NEAT members treated to breakfast at Elgin Missionary Church
GARY WEST
Gazette Correspondent
Dozens of antique tractors lined up last week in Ellice Township on the outskirts of Stratford as members of the North Easthope Antique Tractor (NEAT) Club rolled in for their annual visit to Elgin Missionary Church.
The club, made up of tractor enthusiasts from across the region, includes members from Baden, New Hamburg, Wellesley, New Dundee, Amulree, Gadshill and many points in between. They arrived early in the morning aboard polished, working tractors dating back to the 1940s, ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.
With its large parking lot at the corner of Perth Line 36 and Quinlan Road, the church had plenty of space for visitors to enjoy the colourful display. Inside, a full breakfast awaited the NEAT crew, prepared and served by members of the congregation.
Each year, the breakfast helps raise funds for kitchen and building upgrades at the church’s community hall. The meal features local ingredients, including eggs, bacon, potatoes, toast and homemade biscuits and jams made from popular local varieties.
Pictured in the back are NEAT vice-president Murray Gingerich (beside his Ford 8N), Dorothy Schultz, Faye Docking, Pastor Rick Brunsma and Wayne Gerber (beside his D-17 Allis Chalmers). In the middle row are Christine Lindner and Karen Berry. In front kneeling are Guy Coneybeare and Wayne Berry. Missing from photo are Dave and Marilyn Mills.
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
Trinity Anglican Church
August 10, 2025 2:00 p.m.
Rector: Rev'd K. Loynd
Everyone Welcome! Hwy 59 between Hickson and Tavistock
5. Who starred in “The Naked Gun?” (1988)
6. How far is a Marathon?
7. A sommelier is known to do what?
8. Which country has won the most FIFA World Cups?
9. How many legs does a lobster have?
10. In The Simpsons, what is the name of the bartender?
Answers found on the classified page
The family of the late Robert Beverly Trachsel, “Bob”, wish to express sincere thanks and appreciation to relatives, friends and neighbors for the many cards, floral arrangements and memorial donations in memory of a wonderful dear husband, loving father and grandfather. Special thanks to the staff at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), Stratford General Hospital, the compassionate care provided by Care Partners Home Care Staff and the ladies from Tavistock Trinity Lutheran Church for the luncheon served at the “Celebration of Life” held at Tavistock Legion on July 12, 2025. Bob enjoyed the many phone calls and visitors who helped brighten his final days. A true sign of friendship and respect. Thank you to the Glendinning Funeral Home and their staff for their assistance and kindness from Winnie, Tim, Tina, Tanner, Tyler, Tayler and Fiance Taylor, Tarra, Darrell, Aaron and Rowan.
PICK UP YOUR COPY OF
Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette
New Hamburg
Thrift Centre, Short Stop, Sobeys, Office Pro, No Frills, Mario's Chicken, Library, McDonalds, Tim Hortons, Nith Valley Butcher, The Whining Tree, Town Square Pharmasave, Heart'n Home Creations, Cook's Pharmacy, Great Canadian Dollar, Wilmot Recreation Centre, Pizza Arca, Old Country Restaurant, Cloverleaf Leaf Farms Tavistock
Double D's Restaurant, D&D Homestyle Cuisine, Tim Hortons, Hasty Market, Sam's Independent Quehl's Restaurant, IDA Pharmacy, Shell Gas, Library, Tavistock Arena, Scotia Bank
Baden
Tim Hortons, Circle K, Subway, Mars Variety, Baden Coffee Company, Pharmacy in Baden Plaza
New Dundee
New Dundee Village Market
Wellesley
Pym's, Schmidt's Bulk Pantry, Cook's Pharmacy Schmidtsville Restaurant, Wellesley Service
Food Basics, Sobeys, No Frills, Klomps Home & Garden
The Old Gazettes
By Sydney Grant
Slowly but surely, I’m reading through the past pages of the Tavistock Gazette (est. 1895). Within this weekly column I’d like to share with you some of my findings.
August 5-12, 2020, Edition (5 years ago)
The congregation at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Tavistock, has been meeting at 11:15 a.m. With the lifting of restrictions, church members have been able to gather once again, but at reduced capacity. Board chairman Jerry Klages said, “We have always been a small congregation, so it has been easy to continue.” The regular Sunday morning services are being officiated by Rev. Orlowski with attendance of about 15-20 members. “We are following the guidelines and social distancing,” Mr. Klages noted. Other churches in the community have also been meeting, although in different ways. Pastor Wanda Roth Amstutz of Cassel Mennonite Church said their congregation met in person for an outdoor, physically distanced service in July and plan to meet a couple more times in August for outdoor services.
The Zehr Insurance Social Distancing Car Cruise was a roaring success! Tavistock’s second annual car show for the Tavistock Assistance Program was modified this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Organizer Kurtis Waymouth and company president John Zehr held a cruise night around the village. “We did some deducing and it appears that about 170 cars were a part of the cruise,” Waymouth stated. Donations totalled on Wednesday morning, including those made at the event plus online and a $500 donation from Zehr Insurance, brought the total raised to $2,529! It was quite a parade of vehicles through the village beginning at 6 p.m. leaving from the Tavistock Mennonite Church parking lot and weaving its way down nearly every street. Residents gathered on street corners and in front of their homes to watch the line of cars and trucks pass by, waving and greeting each other as they passed.
The Tavistock Men’s Club usually doesn’t get together during the summer, but due to the pandemic that shut down their meetings in March, cancelling Rural/Urban night, they took the opportunity to meet on July 16. It was scheduled as an emergency meeting to discuss plans for the annual Roast Pork and Sauerkraut Supper which is always held the second Wednesday in November. Twenty-three members were present with president Walter Kropf in the chair. The meal was a turkey dinner from Quehl’s Restaurant. Other executive members present were treasurer Roger Bender and secretary Pe -
ter Pickett.
It started out overcast, but a brisk breeze quickly transformed Sunday into a beautiful day and perfect weather for volunteers to supply a noon meal for about 300 hungry patrons. The sausageon-a-bun drive-through fundraiser for the Tavistock Assistance Program was a “huge success” said program coordinator Deb Wagler. Dozens of volunteers stepped up to cook the sausage, prepare the takeout containers and deliver the meals to the hungry patrons who pulled up to the Queen’s Park pavilion in their cars and even on scooters.
August 4-11, 2010, Edition (15 years ago)
The first novel by Tavistock resident Carolyn R. Parsons was released Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010. In a delicately woven tapestry of the mystic and the earthy, Carolyn R. Parsons brings you into the lives of Christianna Cormack and Joe Indigo. Spanning two decades, it follows the couple from their first meeting until they are ripped apart by his misguided choices. The Secrets of Rare Moon Tickle is the second published work by this author. Her first, a poetry book called Wind Rhymes: Poetry from the Breeze, was released on Dec. 23, 2009. When the popular children’s Christian cartoon creator VeggieTales comes up with a new animated feature show, or Disney releases their latest blockbuster children’s movie, the Tavistock Missionary Church is sure to have it on the screen for their Family Movie Night. Organized by youth volunteer Sara Ropp, the program has been operating the last Friday of every month since April of 2009 when they first featured VeggieTales’ Abe and the Amazing Promise. An average of between 30 and 50 people attend each event when the youngsters can enjoy the big screen along with free popcorn and refreshments together in a family atmosphere.
August 9-16, 1995, Edition (30 years ago)
Early in July, Canada Farm Arabians of Tavistock received some international visitors who came to view the farm’s locally bred Arabian horses. Mme. Dani El Barbari of Cairo, Egypt, who is a respected world Arabian judge, made a brief visit at the local stable on Hope Street West in the village. She owns a farm in the shadow of the great pyramids of Egypt and is a granddaughter of the late King Farouk. She was accompanied by Mme. Minoune Le Page of Clarion Products of Paris, France, and Eric and Arlene Lehmann of Cherry Hill Arabians of Stouffville, Ont., breeders of straight Arabian horses.
TOWNSHIP OF EAST ZORRA-TAVISTOCK
GRACE UNITED CHURCH
116 Woodstock St. S., Tavistock Phone: 519-655-2151
All are welcome
Service led by Rev. Marilyn Arthur Music by Marilyne Nystrome
TRINITY LUTHERAN (ELCIC)
Sebastopol - Tavistock 2210 Perth Line 29
Pastor Steve Hoffard Worship In Person or on Zoom Sundays at 10:00 AM (519) 655-2372 trinitylcoffice@gmail.com www.trinitytavistock.com
TAVISTOCK MENNONITE
Pastor Julie Ellison White
131 Wettlaufer St., Tavistock 655-2581
Sunday Worship services begin at 9:45am, with coffee and fellowship to follow at 11am.
All ages Junior Sunday School will follow after the service.
All are Welcome Stream services online at www.tavistockmennonitechurch.ca
TAVISTOCK BIBLE CHAPEL
32 Oxford Street, Tavistock, Ontario Questions or Need Help? Text or Call: (519) 655-2413 tavistockbc.org
677044 16th Line Road, East Zorra Pastors Ray Martin & Mike Williamson www.ezmennonite.ca
Service audio recordings available at: https://ezmennonite.ca/worship/
WILMOT TOWNSHIP
ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH Corner of Waterloo St and Byron St, New Hamburg Weekly Sunday services at 10:15 am. All are welcome. https://www.stgeorgesnewhamburg.com
St James Chapel of Ease 4339 Huron Rd Wilmot Township All are welcome. Rev Margaret Walker; Office: 519-662-3450 sgacnewhamburg@gmail.com
St Agatha Mennonite Church 1967 Erb's Road St Agatha 519-634-8212
Pastor Jim Brown
Worship service 10am followed by coffee hour and sermon discussion. All are welcome
Saputo donates $10,000 to Tavistock Community Health Inc.
GARY WEST
The largest employer in the Tavistock area — and one of Canada’s largest cheese manufacturers — is once again stepping up for the community it calls home.
Last week, Saputo presented a generous $10,000 donation to Tavistock Community Health Inc. (TCHI) in support of the organization’s ongoing fundraising campaign. The funds will go toward modernizing examination rooms and updating medical equipment at the Tavistock Medical Centre on Maria Street.
Saputo’s Tavistock plant, located on the western edge of the village, has long been a proud and progressive part of the community. The site has produced cheese for more than 145 years and was officially purchased by Saputo in 2001.
TCHI board chair Russell Huber thanked Saputo for its continued support.
“We’re very grateful for the generosity shown by Saputo,” Huber
said. “Their contribution helps strengthen access to local health care and demonstrates their ongoing commitment to Tavistock.”
Founded in Montreal in 1954 with only $500 in equipment and a bicycle for deliveries, the Saputo family started their business with a vision of making high-quality cheese while supporting local dairy producers. That modest beginning has since grown into a global dairy company with operations around the world.
The Tavistock facility — originally a family-run cheese plant operated by the Quehl family and a group of area farmers — has since expanded into a state-of-the-art production site with more than 520 employees. Many of those employees have worked at the facility for more than 30 years, helping carry forward a tradition of excellence in Canadian cheesemaking.
In addition to producing Armstrong Cheese, the plant provides an essential local market for dairy farmers delivering Grade A milk in southwestern Ontario.
From left, TCHI board members Marlene Wivell, Frank Meconi and Dennis Kuepfer accept a $10,000 cheque from representatives at Tavistock’s Saputo plant. Presenting the cheque are Sandeep Polel, Karthika Sougoumar, Lauren Thompson, Kate Antoine, Maria Collier, Tyson Aitcheson, Raj Chaudhary (plant manager) and Don Clodd (vice president of operations).
Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
Another 50/50 winner in Baden draw
for the brigade but it has also brought people together.
Nothing puts a smile on someone’s face quite like receiving unexpected cash.
Cindy Orr of New Hamburg was all smiles last week when she was presented with a cheque for $292.50 as the latest winner in the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigade’s monthly 50/50 draw.
Residents from across the area have been supporting the fire brigade by investing a few dollars each month toward the preservation, restoration and maintenance of antique fire trucks and firefighting equipment housed in Baden.
Committee chair Peter Gingerich says the draw has not only raised valuable funds
“Almost all of our winners have been local,” Gingerich said, “although we’ve had a few supporters from outside the area who simply want to help.”
He also extended an open invitation for the public to visit the collection.
“We welcome private tours, school and church groups, and even business appreciation events for staff.”
The monthly raffle is open to all Ontario residents aged 18 and older. Now in its fourth year with an online raffle provider, tickets can be purchased at wilmotfiremuseum.com or by contacting any member of the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigade.
ROCKY
Rocky is an extra-large, long-haired sweetheart with a heart as big as his paws. A little shy at first, especially around new people but this gentle giant quickly warms up with patience and kindness, becoming your loyal, cuddly shadow. He’s still learning his basic manners so he’ll thrive in a home ready to guide him with love and consistency. Rocky was recently shaved, but his beautiful fluffy coat will return with time and proper care (no more shaving, please!). If you’re looking for a devoted companion who just wants to be by your side, Rocky is ready to meet you! Visit kwsphumane.ca to learn more about Rocky!
BY:
Sponsored by:
Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigade secretary-treasurer Blain Bechtold presents an ecstatic Cindy Orr with her 50/50 cheque for $292.50 last week, surrounded by Heritage Fire Brigade memorabilia in Baden.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(PETER GINGERICH PHOTO)
Shakespeare U7 Falcons wrap up ball season
There’s always excitement in the summer months as young ball players take to the field in Shakespeare, and this year was no exception for the U7 Falcons.
The fun only grows when visiting teams arrive at Shakespeare ball park, bringing with them the energy and sportsmanship of neighbouring communities.
On Sunday, July 27, both of Shakespeare’s U7 teams hit the road for their year-end wrap-up tournament in
Milverton, facing off against their northern rivals in a final day of fun, competition and celebration.
The Shakespeare Community Athletic Association (SCAA) congratulated all players for their growth and improvement throughout the season. The association also extends its thanks to the dedicated coaches, parents and supporters who made the year such a success — helping local kids learn the game, build their skills and grow as young athletes.
U15 Black Wilmot Thunder push winning streak to five games
KALE CRISP Gazette Sports Correspondent
The U15 Boys Black Wilmot Thunder had a massive week, with wins on backto-back nights.
On July 22, the Thunder beat Wingham 19-9, with both Peter G. and Andrew G. having home runs in the victory. Head coach Denise Lines credited the team’s performance at the plate.
“Our boys played a great game, the pitching was on point and our offence
was great,” Lines told the Gazette. “It was a great way to celebrate coach Andrew Hill’s birthday.”
The Thunder had a quick turnaround and had to play again on July 23, which ended up being a nail-biter at home against Londesborough. The Thunder emerged victorious 12-11. Scott S. hit a beautiful leftfield home run, which was pivotal to the Thunder getting the second win in as many days.
“The season started very slow with several losses in a row,” Lines said. “But, as
a team, we never gave up, and between a positive attitude, working together, practicing batting and fielding we found our groove.”
The Thunder’s five-game win streak came to an end on July 30 against Shakespeare. Even though they lost, Lines mentioned there were a lot of positive takeaways from the game.
“We were confident going into the Shakespeare game,” said Lines. “We felt we could beat anybody.”
It was a tough test; Shakespeare is at the
top of the standings, and the Thunder is in the middle of the pack. The Thunder was not intimidated and put up a fight against the top team.
Stanley T. pitched three innings and racked up the strikeouts with a deadly changeup. Evan S. also pitched three innings and started his first inning with three strikeouts. After his appearance on the mound, he made a stellar running catch at shortstop.
Shakespeare U7 Falcons Team 1. In front from left are Sloane Bender, Grayson Fuhr, Savaya Hobson and Heidi Scheepstra. In the back from left are Bryce Bokkers, Finley McCabe, Lennox Graham, Nora Moloney and Emma Eby. Missing from the photo are George Wintemute and coaches Jeff and Melissa Fuhr.
Shakespeare U7 Falcons Team 2. In front from left are Vinny Harper and Avery Laidman. In the back from left are Shyanne Kuepfer, Sawyer Van Nes, Brooklyn Harper, Lucas Bell, Brinkley Laidman and Maverick Gruber. Not pictured are coaches Brianne Crawford and Brianne and Jeff Lange.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
Finally, William Street in Tavistock gets paved
Helicopters flying low to protect corn crops
occur if heavy equipment drove through the fields.
Anyone with their windows open on Tuesday afternoon along William Street in Tavistock may have heard what sounded like songs of celebration coming from front porches.
After months of construction, pipe replacement and muddy detours, residents were finally rewarded with fresh pavement. The long-awaited roadwork included
upgrades to water and storm mains and culminated this week with the street being fully paved and reopened to traffic.
Homeowners were relieved to see the end of the mess and inconvenience, especially during rainy days when mud was the only thing moving. Now, with smooth asphalt underfoot, they’re hoping drivers will respect the posted 50 km/hr speed limit and avoid turning their newly paved street into a raceway.
For anyone who has noticed helicopters flying low and swooping over cornfields in recent days, there’s no need for alarm – they’re simply applying insecticide to help protect this year’s rapidly maturing corn crop.
In counties such as Perth, Oxford and Waterloo, licensed and trained aerial applicators are being hired by local farmers to spray fields from the sky. This method not only saves time but also prevents damage to corn stalks that would otherwise
These low-flying helicopters have become a common sight over the past couple of weeks as farmers take advantage of calm, sunny weather to ensure healthy, high-yielding crops.
Most producers in the region are optimistic with many reporting the 2025 growing season is shaping up to be an excellent one thanks to abundant heat through July. Still, many say a timely rainfall in the coming week would help finish the crop strong.
This photo was taken just south of New Hamburg where a helicopter was applying insecticide to a large cornfield planted in early May.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
Rhonda Saunders and her 13-year-old granddaughter, Lily Saunders, were among the first pedestrians to stroll along the newly paved William Street on Tuesday afternoon. Lily, who is entering Grade 8 at Tavistock Public School this fall, said she enjoys visiting her grandparents and great-grandmother, Doris Winhold, who also lives independently in Tavistock.
GARY WEST
Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
Mixed-grain stooks still seen near Crosshill and Linwood
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
If farmers from an earlier generation can look at this picture and not feel a twinge of fatigue, then perhaps it’s easy to forget just how much work it once took to harvest a single bushel of grain or a forkful of straw long before the modern combine changed everything.
In decades past, fields across Ontario looked much like those still found today around Crosshill and Linwood in the Region of Waterloo where mixed grain is cut with a binder, formed into sheaves and
stacked into stooks to dry.
Before combines, harvest was a community affair. Threshing machines powered by 30- to 40-horsepower tractors or stationary motors would move from farm to farm with custom operators helping neighbours bring in their crops. In some cases, threshing was delayed until winter when the grain could be separated from straw in the barn, often using a long drive belt running up the hill to the barn’s pulley system.
One machine might serve six or seven farms in a season and threshing crews were often remembered for both their hard
work and the hearty meals served by farm families during long days in the fields.
These traditional harvest methods may
now be rare, but they remain a living reminder of the hard work and ingenuity that built Ontario’s farming legacy.
Albert Herlick threshes sheaves of grain at Lot 30, Concession 2 in South Easthope Township in the early 1950s. Today, the Herlick dairy farm is operated by Glen and Sandra Herlick and their sons, Dan and Adam.
A field of mixed grain near Mitchell is shown after being cut with a binder and formed into sheaves, which are kicked out in singles and stooked in groups of five or six to dry. After a few days, the sheaves are loaded by pitchfork onto wagons and hauled to the barn for threshing. The grain is separated while the straw is shredded and blown into a nearby shed.
(PHOTO FROM THE HISTORY OF SOUTH EASTHOPE)
(DIANNE MOSES PHOTO)
Healthy routine meets sudden life changes
FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
By Galen Simmons
While I may not be as physically fit as I would like, my intentions for living a long, happy and healthy life have always been good.
I can’t count how many times I’ve started going to gym, or committed to jogging in the mornings, or developed a home workout routine, or started seeing a therapist and working on my mental health, or started eating a clean and healthy diet. I’ve started trying to live a healthier life over and over again, but without fail, something happens in my life that always seems to blow that new
From deaths in the family and changes in jobs to moving to a new home and, at the same time, suddenly having to take care of my fiancé, Julia, after she broke her leg on moving day, major life changes consistently get in the way of reaching my health and fitness goals.
Or at least, those are the excuses I give myself when I inevitably stop.
According to experts, it takes between two and five months to solidify a routine and make it a habit. I have maintained new rou-
tines for longer than five months before, but those times in my life were always relatively stable.
As soon as the stress of the unfamiliar begins to take hold, I turn to my old comforts – fast food, television and my intoxicant of choice (I’ll let you guess which one). While I do feel a sense of guilt for abandoning each of these routines that had, up until these points, made me feel so good about myself, the siren songs of my comforts are too appealing to ignore.
So here I am, writing this column as I set out on yet another healthy routine.
As Julia is once again walking without assistance, the two of us have formed an accountability group with one of our friends through which we are exercising for 15-20 minutes twice a day.
While Julia works on her strengthening exercises, as prescribed by her physiotherapist to help build the muscle back up in her leg, I have chosen yoga. While I’m still new to yoga and
the stretches and balancing exercises can be quite challenging, any fitness routine that encourages you to lay flat on your back and close your eyes at the end is a good one in my books.
On top of the exercise, we have also taken to making smoothies packed with all sorts of fruit, yogurt, kale from our garden and other goodies that both regulate our digestive systems and actually help to curb our appetites. Not only has this smoothie replaced my coffee in the morning, but it also keeps me full longer and, when I do get hungry, the ravenous, shaky cravings I once experienced have reduced to a dull hankering.
I’m not questioning it; I’m just accepting it as the miracle it is.
As I always am when I start a new health and fitness routine, I’m full of hope and positivity.
“This time feels different,” I say to myself, knowing I’ve said those words before.
One glimmer of hope this time around is the fact Julia and I re-
cently undertook another relatively major life change just days after we started our new routine –we bought a puppy. Piper the two-month-old beagle is incredibly cute and incredibly active, making lying down on the floor to do yoga more of an exercise in avoiding being bitten than one of peace and tranquility. However, Julia and I remain committed to our routine and we have decided that when it comes time for our exercise, Piper spends some time in the crate – a decision I believe is good for all three of us.
So, while I realize this new routine has all the same potential for fizzling out, if I can intentionally carve out the time I know I need regardless of what comes my way, maybe this time will be different. And if not, I’m not going to beat myself up about it. That shame only makes the call of my comforts stronger, and I don’t need that in my life anymore.
routine out the window.
50 lifechanging hacks to improve your mind, body and spirit
• Get together with friends.
OF HEALTHY TIPS
By Mercedes Kay Gold HEAPS
People ask me a wide variety of health questions every day, depending on which cap I am sporting.
From holistic nutritionist to certified personal trainer, athlete, mom, or grandma, I love helping others live their best life. Here’s my list of ways to improve the mind, body and spirit for overall wellbeing, ultimately leading to longevity.
There’s no particular order, just 50 life-changing healthy hacks. How many do you already follow?
• Drink hot water with lemon first thing in the morning.
• Walk every day, no matter how slow or short the distance.
• Sleep at least seven hours per night.
• Walk barefoot in the grass.
• Put your feet up on a small stool to poop.
• Wash clothes in natural alternatives such as baking soda, vinegar, Borax and
Castile soap.
• Stop spraying perfume on your skin. It’s an endocrine disruptor.
• Stop using air fresheners. Go natural with a few drops of essential oils in a diffuser.
• Forget farmed fish and always choose wild caught.
• Reduce blue light exposure.
• Take vitamin D3 with K2.
• Eat enough protein.
• Lift weights.
• Eat the whole egg. Choline content is crazy while cholesterol is a myth.
• Stretch daily.
The motivation myth
INTERFAITH COUNSELLING CENTRE
By John Dinner, RP
“I’ll do it when I feel like it.”
I’ve said it. We’ve all said it. If not aloud, then in the back of our minds. Whether it’s starting that long-postponed project, cleaning out the garage, going to the gym, or initiating a tough conversation, we tell ourselves we’ll act when the mood strikes. I still say it!
The problem? That mood rarely comes so the task sits untouched. Days pass; then
• Read.
• Floss your teeth.
• Drink green tea.
• Eat tons of fresh garden goodness.
• Lower the thermostat to 65 degrees Fahrenheit at bedtime.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Be your own best friend. Talk nicely to yourself.
• Buy yourself flowers.
• Sit on a stability ball instead of a chair.
• Eat 100 per cent pure peanut butter to avoid trans fats.
• Eat unpasteurized local honey.
• Keep a gratitude journal.
• Dry brush.
• Stop dieting.
• Watch less television.
• Do crossword puzzles daily.
• Declutter living and work space.
• Volunteer.
• Stop eating at least two hours before bed.
• Step out of your comfort zone with everything. Just go for it.
• Eat until you’re 80 per cent full.
• Stop using Teflon pans. Bring back cast iron.
• Use aluminum-free deodorant.
• Meditate daily.
• Sleep with white noise.
• Practice acceptance of
weeks. We guilt-trip ourselves (or others do). Eventually, we may feel like it and do “the thing,” but by then, the habit of delay is well-practiced and becomes hardwired in our minds. We get away with it; the cycle repeats.
The idea that motivation must come first before action is not just flawed, it’s backward. In truth, motivation follows action.
Think about the last time you did something hard. Did you start with excitement?
If you’re like me at all, probably not. More likely, you procrastinated or began reluctantly, maybe even dreading it. But once in motion, something shifted. You found your rhythm and you felt more willing. This is because action creates momentum and momentum breeds motivation.
This is known as “behavioral activation.” When we act, especially in small, achievable ways, our brains catch up. We start producing the motivation we thought
yourself and others.
• Leave your phone on silent. Every day, we make countless choices that affect our mental, physical and emotional health. The smallest change can bring about the biggest improvement. Exercise and adequate vitamin D for example can have a profound effect on our mental health while exercise quickly improves physical health. Many of these tips may be just a friendly reminder while some are
we needed beforehand. Progress, no matter how small, creates a rewarding feedback loop. A little success fuels more effort and the motivation to be proactive in tackling that task later on.
This isn’t just feel-good theory; it’s real-world practice. Athletes train even when they’re tired. Writers write even when uninspired. Students go to school when they’d rather do anything but. We all have to show up daily, even without the motivation we wish we had. Like these examples, waiting to feel like it rarely shows up when motivation is missing. The first step is taking that first step and the feeling of motivation then follows.
Of course, adopting this mindset takes effort. It’s easier to sit and wait than to start. But the next time you catch yourself saying, “I’m not in the mood,” treat that thought as a red flag. Instead, take one small step or action: write a single sen-
eye-opening, easy ways to love yourself inside and out. Healthy hacks are huge hugs to oneself. Have a question or story idea? Please find me on social @mercedeskaygoldfitness or send me an email at mercedeskaygoldfitness@gmail. com
Remember to consult your physician before making any changes to your fitness, health and wellness routine.
tence, walk for five minutes, make one phone call. You don’t need to do everything. You just need to begin.
The beauty of this approach is that it builds over time. Each time you act without waiting for motivation, you strengthen that needed discipline to do so. You become less reliant on fleeting emotions and more confident in your ability to begin.
So, try flipping the script we typically follow. Stop waiting to feel ready and say instead, “I’ll feel like it once I start.” Action first. Motivation second. You don’t have to want to do the thing; you just need to start it.
John Dinner is a registered psychotherapist who works as a counsellor at Interfaith Counselling Centre in New Hamburg. When lack of motivation for one task occurs, he’ll often start another for which he has more energy to tackle. The motivation for the first task usually follows.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF MERCEDES KEY GOLD)
What’s in a name? Ask the folks at Glenora Distillery
OH, THE PLACES WE'LL GO
By Paul Knowles
Let me be clear; I am the last one to say anything negative about Scottish whisky. In fact, there is an unofficial but quite active group here in my community that gathers – often in our living room – to explore the world of single malts. The exploration has gone well so far.
So, count me in as a lover of Scotch and, also, Irish single malt whiskey.
But at the same time, you must love a story where an underdog defeats the big guys, and in this instance, the big guys were the Scotch Whisky Association.
The underdog? Glenora, an absolutely wonderful whisky distillery on Cape Breton Island. If you are a whisky lover, this is a must-stop during any trip to Cape Breton or journey around the Cabot Trail.
The fight? It’s all in a name. Glenora’s single malts are named “Glen Breton.” The Scotch Whisky Association felt this was misleading, that it sounded like a Scotch – and the Scotch distillers are notoriously protective of their brand. That’s understandable; they’ve been making Scotch in Scotland for well over 500 years. No one outside Scotland is allowed, by law, to call their product Scotch. The same restrictions apply to champagne and cognac, by the way.
A side note: generally, if whisky is made in a country without an “e” in its name, it’s “whisky.” If the country – Ireland or the United States, for example – has an “e,” it’s “whiskey.” Thus, Scotland and
Canada produce whisky. But Canada cannot produce Scotch; that’s against international branding laws.
Though unable to call their product Scotch, Glenora opted to sound very Gaelic – obviously appropriate on Cape Breton, part of Nova Scotia, or New Scotland.
The distillery was opened in 1990 as the first single malt distillery in Canada. And when they finally released their first batch of single malt almost a decade later, they branded their whisky Glen Breton.
“Not so fast,” said the Scotch Whisky Association.
That sounded too Scottish and they took their legal fight all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. But the Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling allowing the name. The Scots were not impressed. They issued a statement pointing out that “the mark has caused confusion because of its use of a ‘Glen’ prefix and Glenora has marketed its product as Scotch in all but name.”
They might have a point. The label on the two-thirds-empty bottle of Glen Breton single malt whisky sitting beside me as I write this reads, “Aged 10 years in the highlands of Cape Breton.”
The back label adds, “The legacy of deep-rooted Scottish wisdom and culture give it its classic character. Our Scottish descendants passionately keep the dearest aspects of colourful Gaelic culture alive.”
That’s a lot of nods to all things
Scottish. On the other hand, the label carries the red maple leaf, and declares itself, “North America’s first single malt whisky.”
And there is no question that the folks at Glenora relish in their victory to the point where one of their whiskies is named “Glen Breton Battle of the Glen,” a reference not to any military action but to the legal battle they won against the Scots, allowing them to keep their treasured brand.
You’ll hear all about this when you visit Glenora and apart from very fine-tasting whisky, there are plenty of other reasons to visit the distillery. You will certainly want to take the distillery tour to learn all you might want to know about making great single malt whisky and also to hear the story of Glenora, including the fact that the water used to make the whisky comes from the stream that you cross on the property. Or, as described on the label, “The crystal clear water that flows from the Mabou Highlands.”
You will get the opportunity to taste the 10-year-old Glen Breton but only look at (or purchase) the bottles of the longer-aged liquid gold.
The stills at Glenora come from – you guessed it – Scotland. The whisky is aged for at least 10 years in bourbon barrels from Kentucky.
There is a poignancy to the story of Glenora – it was founded by Bruce Jardine, who watched his dream become a reality almost to the point when Glen Breton whisky went from cask to bottle. But Jardine passed away just before the launch of the brand. Today, Glenora’s whiskies include a Bruce Jardine Special Reserve 25 Year Old.
I mentioned there are other good reasons to visit Glenora. Chief among them is the restaurant, serving great food and superb entertainment – typical “ceilidh” style music featuring Cape Breton fiddlers, guitarists and pianists.
You can also stay at Glenora. We checked into a comfortable, motel-style suite, but there are also cabins with wonderful views of the Cape Breton countryside.
And then there are the gardens. Glenora has a dedicated and creative gardener and there are beautiful beds and plantings wherever you look, including along the stream and beside the restaurant’s lovely outdoor patio.
Glenora is open to visitors from the first of June to the end of October. Drop in for a dram or two.
Paul Knowles is an author and travel writer, and past-president of the Travel Media Association of Canada. To contact Paul about travel, his books, or speaking engagements, email pknowles@ golden.net.
(PAUL KNOWLES PHOTOS)
The stills at Glenora come from Scotland.
Casks of well-aged whisky, in the gift shop at Glenora.
Live music in the restaurant – all the fun of a kitchen party.
The Cape Breton Highlands.
Glenora Distillery, maker of Glen Breton single malt whisky.
VINTAGE VIEWS Bunting and a boat float
By Tim Mosher Tavistock and District Historical Society
Armistice Day ending first world war was on Nov. 11, 1918, and this photo was taken the following summer in front of the bunting-decorated Zimmerman home in Tavistock.
The village wanted to celebrate the end of four years of war, of sending local young men and women overseas to support the effort, after mourning the loss of some. Local people were encouraged to build a float for a main street parade to commemorate the end of the bloody conflagration. It’s more than ironic that many families of the district sent their young people to fight against Germany, the country of their ancestors.
Floats are so named because originally, they were barges pulled with ropes from the shore, decorated for celebrations and floated along a river for the local dignitaries and people to admire. The name stuck after motorized vehicles adopted the idea and they appear to be floating along as they slowly pass the crowds with the vehicle hidden underneath. Two tires are barely visible in this photo giving away the horseless carriage beneath. What’s impressive is Zimmerman’s time, enthusiasm and imagination that went into the design of this float for the parade. It’s not recorded why they chose a boat design in landlocked Tavistock, with no apparent direct connection to WWI, their German-born family or Canada.
Multiple generations of Zimmermans were prominent in the economic development of the district as they were entrepreneurs with varied commercial interests for over a century. Pre-confederation, they manufactured staves (the curved vertical parts of barrels) in New Hamburg and Plattsville. Then they moved to Tavistock occupying a large property immediately south of their home at 113 Woodstock St. N. In 1868, John Zimmerman had seven employees fabricating staves and heads (barrel tops). Cooperage (barrel manufacturing) was all pencil and paper-based in those days and complex because of the many curves involved in the construction of these watertight wooden containers. Their business flourished. They had kilns to dry wood, a cooperage shop, a saw mill, plus their expanded stave and head manufactory. They shipped their products all over Ontario and to Montreal by rail, of course, with the Tavistock station located very conveniently at the southern edge of their large property.
Wages at their enterprises, by today’s standards, are hard to believe but in 1966, Howard Zimmerman wrote a detailed account that was published in the Fact and Fantasy book by retired Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School teacher Carl Seltzer. Howard noted that the workday was ten hours in 1873 and the men were paid from 62.50 cents to $1 for the day!
“Transient coopers on piece work got sixand-a-half to seven cents per barrel. The barrels sold for 25 cents. Some ... men had a weekly cheque of $75, but since they were real drinkers, Monday morning produced hangovers and (a) total depletion of wages, even with whisky at 35 cents per gallon (3.78 litres).”
The Oxford, Commercial, Arlington and Sebastopol hotel keeps were happy barmen!
Around 1900, the Zimmermans opened The Palace Shoe Store in what is today Quehl’s Restaurant at 33 Woodstock St. S. Additionally, they had a lumber business in Nottawa, Ont., to provide all the soft- and hardwoods required in Tavistock. By 1906, they acquired the Kalbfleish box and planing mill in Tavistock where they then started to make shooks (box parts ready to assemble), coves (crown molding), sashes (frames to hold window glass) and doors.
Full-size housebuilding was a natural development for the Zimmermans but then came the first world war and they had to pivot the business towards war-related products. They were well established by the start of the war in 1914 and had contracts to manufacture boxes and shooks.
By the war’s end in 1919, this made up 75 per cent of Zimmerman’s business sales to buyers from the Canadian government, as well as to butter, soft drink and cannedgoods companies. By this time, they employed 90 hands, manufacturing 10,000 boxes a day needing 40,000 feet (12,200 meters) of spruce or pine lumber, reported Howard in his Fact and Fantasy history.
After the first world war, the Zimmermans started an all-new enterprise for Tavistock; raising foxes for fur. The Tavistock Gazette of Nov. 29, 1923, reported that they started with three foxes. By 1930, close to 200 pelts a year were being sent to market, plus they won the contract to build the new Tavistock Arena in Queen’s Park. This large Quonset hut-style structure allowed the village’s hockey teams to shine.
Many decades later, this hollow shell was where my boyhood chums and I amused ourselves with echo competitions.
During World War II, 1939-1945, Zimmerman Brothers Manufacturing was designated a “war industry” when they produced large quantities of boxes to hold TNT, Howitzer cannon shells and anti-aircraft ammunition boxes. They had 130 employees, 25 of whom were women, working 55-60 hours per week.
Demand for fox pelts waned in the late 1950s and mink became the fur in demand, so the Zimmermans hired an expert in the field, Percy Bleay. He increased the size of the herd and the business did well but then tragedy struck in 1956 when fire totally destroyed the box factory next door.
Instead of rebuilding, they decided that fur farming was their future and expanded the mink business, producing 8,000 pelts a year by the mid-1960s. It was one of the largest mink-fur producing farms in Canada. This country’s oldest retailer, the former Hudson Bay Company (founded in 1670), was originally based on the fur trade and purchased pelts from the Zimmerman-Bleay fur farm. I remember the farm as a lad; the long, low pens of row upon row of cages suspended off the ground. There were no mink by this time, so I explored this mysterious former mink ranch when Howard Zimmerman was retired and looking the other way, still living in the old home with his wife, Gladys. They always tipped me well at Christmas when I was delivering their copy of the long defunct Toronto Telegram newspaper to the side porch of their big old home.
Today, the box and planing factory and fox and mink ranch are long gone but the many decades of economic gain to the community is clear. The grand Zimmerman house is all
that remains, a silent, red-brick sentinel of days gone by.
Last week’s History Mystery: The photo was of the 1912 Liebler-Quehl wedding reception group. The question was, “What’s an odd thing about how some people in the wedding party are dressed?” No one forwarded the correct answer but a number of readers noted their screens or paper copies were not sharp enough to see the details. It didn’t matter because the answer is not in the photo; it’s in the text. In paragraph four, I wrote, “The male wedding party’s boutonnieres are all pinned to their lapels with their stems up,” so the single flowers were upside-down. Usually, they’re pinned with their stems down whether a century ago or today.
This week there are two History Mysteries: The first is for readers under the age of 16: What is the meaning of “Pinta” on the side of the float? The second mystery is open to all ages: What’s the connection between popular American folk singer Bob Dylan and this story? Send answers with your full name, the name of your community or rural route number and your age if you’re answering the first mystery to tim_ mosher@hotmail.com. Whoever gets the correct answer first will have this published in the next edition. The deadline to submit answers is Tuesday, 9 a.m.
CORRECTION:
A misspelling was printed in the story, “Celebrating 90 years of faith, family and farming: Glen Zehr honoured in Tavistock,” on page 22 of the July 31 edition of the Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette.
Glenn Zehr’s first name was spelled with one “n” instead of two. We regret any confusion this error may have caused and we would like to wish Glenn Zehr a very happy 90th birthday.
The Zimmermans pose on the front steps of their residence ready to celebrate the end of WWI with their homemade boat float. Young Howard Zimmerman is the boy on the upper deck of the boat.
(JOHN LEMP; LEMP STUDIO COLLECTIONS SCAN #1304 )
Gerber Family marks 100 years on South Easthope farm
GARY WEST
Gazette Correspondent
A century of farming and family tradition was celebrated in style recently as the Gerber family of South Easthope Township gathered for the 100th anniversary of the Gerber Family Farm — a true gem in Perth County.
The reunion, held at Lot 19, Concession 3, brought together generations of relatives whose roots trace back to Aaron Gerber, the family patriarch. The event took place in the newly renovated second storey of the original bank barn, first built in the mid-1800s, which now stands as both a
monument to the past and a welcoming venue for future gatherings.
The current owners, Kerry and Aldena Gerber, hosted the celebration with the help of extended family, many of whom have remained closely connected through the years.
Myrna Gerber, matriarch of the family and mother to Kerry, Sherry and Jeff, was joined by children, grandchildren and in-laws in marking the milestone. The reunion was filled with stories, laughter and the warmth of shared history — a testament to the enduring strength of rural family ties in Perth County.
The South Easthope Gerber homestead, as photographed in 1972 by the Walter and Myrna Gerber family.
The closely knit family of Walter Gerber during the recent 100-year reunion in the renovated second storey of the family barn at Lot 19, Concession 3, South Easthope. Pictured in front is family matriarch Myrna Gerber (mother of Kerry, Sherry, and Jeff). In the back from left are Kerry, Julie (Jeff’s wife), Jackson and Katherine (children of Jeff and Julie), Jeff, Aldena, Nicole (daughter of Kerry and Aldena), and Sherry.
(PHOTOS COURTESY OF KERRY GERBER)
Young North Easthope mechanic brings 1949 John Deere back to life
Every once in a while, you meet someone and think, “Wow, what a talent for his age!”
That was exactly my reaction when I met 14-year-old David Campbell last week — a self-taught young mechanic with more mechanical skill and enthusiasm than many licensed professionals.
Campbell lives with his large farming family in North Easthope Township, and his natural talent for fixing what’s broken — and making it work like new — is nothing short of impressive. Alongside his brothers and sister, Campbell has grown up immersed in farm life and he’s found his calling in the workshop.
An avid YouTuber and fan of vintage tractors, Campbell had his sights set on a John Deere — his favourite brand. One day, he spotted an old 1949 John Deere Model “M” for sale near Cambridge. It hadn’t run in years and was tucked away in the back corner of the owner’s drive shed. But that didn’t scare Campbell.
He and his father, Scott Campbell, made the trip to see the tractor and ended up buying it for a reasonable price. Back home, they brought it into the farm’s wellequipped shop and got to work.
David Campbell quickly discovered the engine was seized and the tractor was in rough shape overall. First, he and his dad tried towing it around the yard to free the
engine — but no luck. So, David Campbell took things into his own hands.
He began carefully dismantling the engine — removing the head, pistons and
connecting rods. The rods in particular gave him a tough time. With the help of his father and neighbour, Roger Cook, they managed to free them up and begin the
long process of cleaning and rebuilding. They ordered new connecting rods, piston rings and bearings, spending about $300 on parts. David Campbell then honed the cylinders himself and began reassembling the engine. After several months of dedicated work, in April of this year, he finally got the tractor running.
He said hearing the distinctive two-cylinder “putt-putt” of the John Deere engine was “the best sound in the world.”
The project isn’t finished yet — David Campbell still has plans to restore the gauges, fine-tune the engine and repaint the body — but he’s proud of how far he’s come.
“It’s been so rewarding and educational, taking this tractor apart and putting it back together,” he said. “I think I’ve come pretty far and I’m pretty happy with the results.”
His parents, Scott and Jesse Campbell, along with grandparents Jim and Pat Campbell, couldn’t be prouder. Scott Campbell says they encourage all their children to take on projects, offering help when needed but also pushing them to find their own solutions — often using YouTube and online resources.
“We want them to be problem-solvers,” Scott Campbell said.
While most people talk about education in terms of the classroom, David Campbell proves that some of the most valuable lessons come from rolling up your sleeves and learning by doing.
David Campbell shows off his restored 1949 John Deere Model “M” tractor — a project he began at just 12 years old. Over two years, he rebuilt the engine and got it running again.
David Campbell and his father, Scott Campbell, stand proudly next to the completed project on their North Easthope broiler chicken farm.
David Campbell with his tractor totally stripped down to the frame when he started painting his John Deere from the bottom up.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTOS*)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
Optimist Club of Tavistock Friday Night Fries 4 - 8 pm
Optimist Food Trailer Tavistock Optimist Park
Wellesley Lions Don Green Memorial SloPitch Tournament 5:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. & Saturday, Aug. 9 11 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
See ad on page 15 for full details. Petersburg Park 1338 Notre Dame Dr., Petersburg
MONDAY, AUGUST 11
Food Trucks at Grace United Church
4:30-7:30 p.m.
Pablas Street of India, Serial Griller, S.W.A.T Donations to Tavistock Medical Clinic 116 Woodstock St S, Tavistock
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12
Perth East council meeting
7 p.m.
Council chambers
25 Mill Street East, Milverton
MONDAY, AUGUST 18
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20 CON’T
Wednesday Walk in Wilmot’s Wonderful Woods with Louis ~ Schneider Woods
7:00 -8:30 pm Stroll along forest trails to a 30 yr old Tallgrass Prairie in bloom. Details and register at letstreewilmot.ca/events/
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
The Wellesley Township Fall Fair committee, is having a pre-opening of this year’s Fair, with an event called “Sip and Savour Senior Tea”
2:30-4 p.m.
Entertainment by Eric Traplin. The deadline for ordering tickets is August 8. Call Joanne Stewart at 519-214-0305 or email wellesleyfallfair@gmail.com
Bill Gies Rec Centre 1401 Queens Bush Rd, Wellesley
MONDAY, AUGUST 25
Food Trucks at Grace United Church
4:30-7:30 p.m.
Berlin 95, Born2Eat, Los Rolling Tacos, Beavertails
Donations to Grace United Church 116 Woodstock St S, Tavistock
Wilmot Council meeting
7-11 p.m.
Council chambers 60 Snyder’s Road W., Baden
TUESDAY, AUGUST 26
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 CON’T
Wednesday Walk in Wilmot’s Wonderful Woods with Louis ~ Baden Hills
7:00 -8:30 pm
Stroll along old agri experimental rows of walnut, new prairie meadow, pine plantation and hardwood forest. Details and register at letstreewilmot.ca/events/
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Wellesley & District Lions Club Duck Race 2 p.m.
All proceeds go towards Lions community projects.
For tickets email: wellesleylions@gmail.com Firella Creek, Wellesley
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for lunch and fellowship.
12 noon
Please register and buy your tickets by Sept. 5 by calling 519-664-1900 or Toll Free: 1-855-664-1900.
Wellesley Recreation Complex, 1401 Queen’s Bush Rd.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Terry Fox Run Registration: 8:30 a.m. Kick off at 9 a.m.
For more information, to register and to donate, visit: https://run.terryfox.ca/92735 Wilmot Rec Centre 1291 Nafziger Rd, Baden
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for lunch and fellowship.
12 noon
Please register and buy your tickets by Sept. 19 by calling 519-664-1900 or Toll Free: 1-855-664-1900.
Linwood Community Centre, 5279 Ament Line, Linwood FREE SENIORS ACTIVITIES
Tavistock Seniors Activities
Pickleball Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon, 12-4. Contact: Don Junker 519-535-7052
Cards Monday , Wednesday afternoon 1-4, euchre, crib (bring board), etc. Just drop in to play, good to bring someone . Contact: Bob Routly 519-301-2118
Shuffleboard @ arena, Wednesday 12:30-4 and Thursday 10-4. Contact: Don Junker 519-535-7052.
VON Smart Seniors Exercise, Tuesday and Thursday morning 9 - 10; Village Manor 10:25 - 11:25. Contact: 519-539-1231 x 6285 Tavistock Memorial Hall
1 Adam St. Tavistock ON STAMP CLUB
Oxford Philatelic Society Meetings: 2nd Tuesday (2-4pm) and 4th Tuesday (7-9pm)
September to May
If you have never belonged to a stamp club, now’s the time. Meet new friends, grow your
Tuesday prior at
thewtgazette@gmail.com
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