Oxford County is installing eight new Community Safety Zones (CSZ) this year.
The locations for the zones were decided through an eligibility and evaluation process in consultation with area municipalities and implemented in five municipalities across the county, including a pair in Tavistock. The first is Oxford Road 24 (Hope Street West) from Woodstock Street to the 50 km/ hr limit west, and Hope Street East from Woodstock Street to the 50 km/hr limit east.
The number of safety zones has exponentially increased over the last few years, coinciding with increased traffic on many county roads. Frank Gross, the county’s manager of transportation, explained there aren’t many areas left where they could be implemented.
Though still in early stages of predevelopment work, representatives of developer Tridon Group Ltd. recently shared details with Perth East council of a proposed residential development in Shakespeare.
At the May 6 Perth East council meeting, Tridon Group Ltd. owner Don de Jong and
Montana Wilson of GRIT Engineering Inc. presented an early concept drawing and vision for the proposed residential development at 2148 and 2160 Perth Line 34 in Shakespeare.
According to a letter sent to Perth East CAO Mike Givens, the developer has entered into an agreement of purchase and sale with the current property owners,
Linda Raye Knechtel and Gerald Knechtel, and Daniel Knechtel, John Knechtel, Brian Knechtel and Nancy Oldroyd with the intention of expanding the existing residential community in Shakespeare to help accommodate projected growth for Perth County.
“We come to you with Linda and Gerry
“I would say as far as county roads go, I would say … we have addressed the areas where there are parks and schools, but some other areas may still be warranted based on pedestrian volumes.”
Gross added the county has specific criteria for implementing a CSZ and they aren’t driven by the province.
Jennie Burns shared this recent shot of an adorable little Leafs fan at the Mike Schout Wetlands to the Show Us Your Wilmot Facebook Page.
(PHOTO COURTESY OF SHOW US YOUR WILMOT) LEE GRIFFI
GALEN SIMMONS
Developer shares vision for proposed Shakespeare subdivision amid council questions and concerns
Knechtel’s property to the east side of Shakespeare as a development vision that we’re quite excited by, provided we can work … through the process,” de Jong said. “ … We’ve done quite a bit of work and … we have substantiation from a number of team members and experts in (minimum distance separation), Geotech, traffic, engineering, supporting absorption economics and we’ve had quite a fair bit of consultation with our friends at the (Ontario Ministry of Transportation).
point, there is a commercial vision there, and we’re wanting to introduce this … and answer questions you may have.”
Currently designated under the County of Perth Official Plan as agriculture, natural resources/environment and adjacent land, the property is nearly 38 hectares in size with frontage on Perth Line 34 and Lindner Court. Nearly 8.4 hectares of the property’s western half is being proposed for the first phase of residential development with an early conceptual plan that includes 82 single-detached dwellings,
development supports the overall growth anticipated in Shakespeare, including existing undeveloped lands within the settlement area,” said Baker Planning Group principal planner Caroline Baker in the letter to Given. “There is mutually beneficial coordination of municipal servicing across the settlement area, as well as continued coordination with the Ministry of Transportation.
“The proposed development is anticipated to be phased over time, demonstrating demand and need for a range of residential-housing types in Shakespeare. With the full vision for the development, the applicant envisions the potential for commercial uses to support 15-minute neighbourhoods, older adult-oriented housing and affordable housing. The first phase of proposed development will provide for the extension of municipal roads and the joint upgrades to municipal servicing for both existing development lands and the proposed development.”
Though they acknowledged the developer likely doesn’t have answers to their questions at this point, councillors Andrew MacAlpine and Bob McMillan sought clarification around what affordable housing would actually look like and how the concept of a 15-minute neighbourhood –urban areas designed to allow residents to access most of their daily needs within a 15-minute walk or bike ride – could apply to the proposed Shakespeare development.
MacAlpine also expressed his excitement for the possibility of commercial development along Perth Line 34 toward the
east side of the property, to which de Jong said he hopes that aspect of the development could begin as soon as the necessary sanitary sewer infrastructure is in place.
McMillan, meanwhile, pointed out what he saw as a major flaw in the development’s concept design.
“I see this as a commuter subdivision. No one is going to be living in Shakespeare and working (in Shakespeare),” he said. “ … In the sketch – and I realize it’s just a sketch – none of this subdivision makes any sense to me. … The only way this sketch works for me is if there’s access to Line 34. You guys think you’re going to have 114 residences (accessed) through an existing, poorly designed subdivision that has poor access onto (Perth) Road 107? It doesn’t make any sense. … Unless there’s an access on Line 34, … this sketch is garbage.”
Councillors also asked how the proposed development would directly benefit the people of Shakespeare, what the proposed parkland would look like, how a subdivision with only single-detached homes and street townhouses would diversify housing in the village, and what future phases of development would look like.
“I would have a hard time supporting development – and I understand people need houses and things like that – to have farmland turned into housing when we already have land in Shakespeare that’s not developed yet,” deputy mayor Hugh McDermid added. “That’s a big hill for me to climb.”
The cost of Woodingford Lodge: Local taxpayers add nearly $13 million on top of provincial contributions
Journalism Initiative Reporter
Residents of East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) might be surprised to know just how much money the three Woodingford Lodge sites are costing them.
The three homes are operated by Oxford County, a 160-bed home in Woodstock and two 34-bed satellites in Ingersoll and Tillsonburg. The bottom line is the county billed residents about $12.8 million over and above what the province supplied them for the 2025 budget year.
There is a huge difference between for-profit long-term care (LTC) and municipal homes. Private homes operate on what the Ontario government gives them.
Caressant Care owns and operates several Oxford County homes and has a bed count similar to Woodingford. While the for-profit company has no obligation to release its funding numbers, it cannot get additional funding to provide care and pay for other expenses other than from within.
Oxford County CAO Ben Addley explained all municipalities in the province are required by law to provide long-term care beds, though the statute is generic when it comes to how many beds.
“Historically, the reason we are in the three urban centres is a little bit of equalization of service rather than just operating one home. … Private operators would experience the same thing; the larger the home, the greater the efficiencies.”
2024
are to operate. On a per-bed cost, the Ingersoll home this year shows a cost of just under $67,500 while Tillsonburg comes in at just over $64,000. That compares to a little over $52,000 per bed at the much larger Woodstock site.
EZT Mayor Phil Schaefer said he is well aware of how much taxpayers spend on long-term care in Oxford and pointed his finger at the province.
“We are required to operate a long-term care home, but it would be nice if the province would fund more of the cost. Woodingford Lodge provides a high level of care and responds responsibly to the ever-increasing demands of the ministry. It is deservedly high on the list of preferred homes for many families when choosing a home for their loved ones.”
He admitted the care provided is expensive, but the county is diligent in ensuring it continues while enabling strategies for efficient use of tax dollars.
2025
(CONTRIBUTED IMAGE)
The cost breakdown from 2023, 2024 and 2025 for each of the Woodingford Lodge long-term-care homes in Woodstock, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg and how much is levied from local taxpayers for each site beyond provincial funding.
These days, the smallest new home being built across the province is 128 beds. In the for-profit world, that is the least number of beds a home could have to make it profitable. Addley said the county’s municipal homes offer a superior product compared to the for-profit sector.
“I assume our private partners are meeting the regulations and requirements, but I stand behind the fact our
municipal long-term care is second to none. They provide great service, we have great staff, we maintain our employment numbers. Everyone is always looking for employees, but we aren’t in critical stages a lot of times, like in other areas.”
He added Woodingford provides a gold standard when it comes to care.
The financial breakdown the county provided the Gazette shows just how expensive the 34-bed satellites
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The county last year looked into building a new, much-larger home in Ingersoll to absorb the current facility, but council decided the burden on taxpayers was too great once a 20 per-cent tax hike was on the table.
“Staff are looking at how we can run them more efficiently. How can we maintain the level of beds we are currently providing? Like you said, the amount of subsidy the province was willing to contribute to the capital side really made it cost prohibitive, and it would have probably doubled the levy cost as you said.”
Addley added every long-term-care home is required by the province to have a director on site, something that adds to the budget and something he is pushing against for the smaller satellite sites along with other expenses required for smaller homes.
“We are trying to negotiate, push back and advocate to say you have to scale this back for smaller operators for us to be more efficient. We will continue to do that and as we make progress, it will continue to help us out.”
Anyone outside of Oxford County can add their name to the long-term-care bed waitlist at Woodingford as per provincial rules. In essence, that means people living in the county looking for a long-term-care bed when their time comes are not guaranteed a spot.
“You’re right and we do have this conversation, and I’ll be honest, even council struggles with it when they are making their decisions,” said Addley.
The Gazette asked Addley if the county would consider selling the long-term-care beds located at satellite locations to a for-profit home like peopleCare, which has asked the province to build a home in Ingersoll.
“Anything we can do to support or maintain long-termcare beds, we would probably take to council to look at. If we were going to get out of those locations, we would look at what the best opportunities are for them to make sure we maintain that level (of beds) in the county.”
LEE GRIFFI
Local
EZT councillor attends OSUM conference
LEE GRIFFI Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) Coun.
Scott Rudy attended the Ontario Small Municipalities Conference in Collingwood from April 29 to May 1, and according to the longtime EZT politician, the economic outlook for the country doesn’t look good.
He explained a presentation by Tony Stillo, director of Canada economics at Oxford Economics, painted a bleak picture of the Canadian economy for the foreseeable future. Oxford Economics bills itself as a leading global economic advisory firm providing data-driven insights and forecasts to help clients navigate complex economic landscapes.
“The presentations were good and of interest to our community. The economic guy from Oxford Economics said we should expect a recession to start in the second quarter and last about a year. Expect a couple hundred-thousand job losses in the province and unemployment up to eight per cent. Expect inflation to be three per cent by year-end.”
Rudy added one of the positives was that interest rates should hold steady for the remainder of 2025.
Another education session was a presentation on homelessness by Alicia
Neufeld from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
“Right now, there are 80,000 homeless people in Ontario and that number is expected to be 300,000 in 10 years,” Rudy said. “How we as a province or government or municipality deal with that will be an issue.”
Another popular topic at the conference was Strong Mayor Powers, recently doled out to 169 more municipalities, including EZT Mayor Phil Schaefer.
“A number of (them) have rescinded that by sending a letter to the province saying they’re not interested. In another one, the mayor turned the authority over to the CEO to take it away from his ability. I don’t think they believe sending it back would do anything, it was still there, but it was more of a message.”
Former Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson was also a part of the agenda as he talked about the cyber attack that affected that city in 2019. He is a special advisor on cybersecurity and municipal engagement at Toronto Metropolitan University.
The City of Stratford agreed to pay an attacker more than $75,000 worth of Bitcoin in exchange for decryption keys to unlock its information systems following an April cyber attack.
According to the city, it paid the attacker 10 Bitcoin, which was then valued at $7,509.13 each. The attack occurred on April 14 when an attacker installed malware on six physical and two virtual servers. It took over two weeks for Stratford to return to normal operations.
“He had a pretty interesting presentation on what municipalities should be doing and thinking about. He said it’s not a matter of if you are attacked, it’s only a matter of when. If you think it’s going to cost you six figures, it’s going to cost you seven.”
Rudy added Mathieson provided a detailed checklist to help municipalities prepare for a potential attack.
“There were pretty good comments from people who had done that assignment. We think we have an IT group at the county, and if we ask them if they are ready, they are going to say yes. Until you go and actually test yourself, come in one morning and there’s no computers and you don’t have a mayor anymore. What do you do? What’s the process?”
He added the presentations from OSUM were made available following its completion, and he offered to make them available to the rest of council and staff.
May 04 Adrian Baldwin, Woodstock
May 05 Jackie Quipp, Stratford
May 06 Scott & Jessie Nyenhuis, Durham
May 07 Bowen Koert, St Pauls $50
May 08 Marg Illman, Stratford $50
May 09 Anne Van Niekerk, New Hamburg $50 00
May 10 Tracey & Jared Hope, St Davids $200
May 11 D Sweete, St Marys $50
May 12 Melisa Clark, St Marys $50 00
May 13 Mary Ash c/o Paula Taylor, St Pauls $50 00
May 14 Mike & Janet Whaling, St Pauls $50 00
May 15 Amber Lavkka, St Marys $50 00
May 16 Judy & Cory Phillips, Stratford $50 00
May 17 Pauline Linton, Mitchell $200 00
Monday night food truck fundraisers return for another season
It all started with a conversation between friends. Rev. Mary Boland was inspired by her friend Sonja van de Hoef and a similar event at St. Paul’s United Church in Milverton.
Boland and her husband, Brian, brought the idea of a summer food-truck fundraiser to the Grace United Church board in Tavistock. With van de Hoef’s guidance, Brian’s support and the church’s backing, Food Truck Mondays was launched. It’s now a popular weekly event in Tavistock.
Sandor Dosman, manager of OMG Food Trucks, plays a big role in making the event a success. He organizes the summer schedule, bringing in a rotating lineup of food trucks serving up everything from Asian and European dishes to bold and flavourful Indian cuisine. With names like The Serial Griller, Frying Dutchman, S.W.A.T. (Sandwiches With A Twist) and Tastes Moreish To Me (ice cream), it’s hard to resist dropping by to see what’s on the menu. Every visit is a chance to enjoy great food, connect with neighbours and give back to the community.
Each week, a portion of the proceeds goes toward supporting a different local charity or community organization.
“It’s really about bringing people
together and helping good causes,” said Boland. “We’re happy to offer something like this in our community.”
Groups that benefit include the Tavistock Assistance Program (TAP), Camp Bimini, the Medical Clinic, the Home and School Association (raising money for playground equipment), The Maples Retirement Home Family Council, the Tavistock Agricultural Society and Grace United Church.
Volunteers from the church and the featured organization assist with setting up signs and tables, helping the evening run smoothly. Last year, the event raised over $5,000 over 11 nights.
Grace United Church is proud to continue this outreach initiative and is deeply appreciative of the strong community partnerships that make it possible. From committed volunteers and food-truck teams to the many community members who drop
by for a delicious meal in support of a great cause, this initiative is a success because of the people who come together to make it happen.
So, grab your picnic blanket and lawn chairs and join in supporting Food Truck Mondays running from May 5 to Aug. 25, every Monday from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Grace United Church (116 Woodstock St. S, Tavistock). Parking is available behind the church.
Stephanie Witter with her two-year-old son, Bentley, five-year-old daughter, Macy, and “Gran” Nancy MacKinnon place their order with Becky at The Serial Griller food truck.
DIANE DANEN Gazette Correspondent
(DIANE DANEN PHOTOS)
Church volunteer Tricia Wettlaufer chats with food truck owner, operator and event organizer Sandor Dosman.
Sisters Brooklyn, five, and Madelyn Sippel, seven, love Food Truck Mondays.
Wellesley Fair Ambassadors tour Mountainoak Cheese to learn about dairy and cheesemaking
Local youth gain insight into food production and agriculture in Waterloo Region
As part of their ongoing efforts to connect with the local farming community, the Wellesley Fair Ambassadors recently visited Mountainoak Cheese, a family-run dairy and cheesemaking operation located just south of New Hamburg near Haysville.
Senior Fair Ambassador Katie Musselman and Junior Fair Ambassador Manni Hayer were welcomed to the farm and given a firsthand look at how Mountainoak produces its award-winning artisan cheeses.
The ambassadors sampled a variety of cheeses and toured the facility’s robotic-milking system, learning how the operation is powered by a registered Holstein herd. The visit provided valuable insight into both dairy farming and local food production.
“The Wellesley Fair Board is committed to giving our ambassadors meaningful educational experiences in agriculture,” said Wendy Richardson, a director with the Wellesley-North Easthope
Agricultural Society. “These visits help them better understand and promote the importance of farming in our community.”
Richardson also shared the board is now actively recruiting contestants for the 2025 Fair Ambassador competitions. Senior ambassadors must be between the ages of 17 and 23 as of mid-August, while junior ambassadors should be between 13 and 16.
For more information, contact Richardson at 519-656-2961 or reach out to Musselman at 226-5815285 for junior ambassador details.
In addition to the Mountainoak tour, Musselman and Hayer have been visiting local schools and communities to promote agriculture.
Accompanied by three fair board members, the ambassadors recently spoke at student assemblies at St. Clement Catholic School, Linwood Public School and North Easthope Public School.
They also took part in a fun photo challenge across Wellesley Township as part of an online contest to guess “Where in Wellesley?” based on their images.
Wellesley Junior Fair Ambassador Manni Hayer and Senior Fair Ambassador Katie Musselman admire a wheel of cheese at Mountainoak Cheese near Haysville.
GARY WEST
Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
Katie Musselman shares a moment with Mountainoak’s Hannie Van Bergeijk alongside junior ambassador Manni Hayer during their recent tour.
With the Holstein herd looking on, 12-year-old Ian Van Bergeijk leads the Wellesley Fair ambassadors on a tour of the robotic-milking operation at Mountainoak Cheese.
Braemar Women’s Institute members learn about cancer-care bags
Braemar Women’s Institute (W.I.) members learned about an amazing local community initiative at their May 7 meeting. It was in January 2022 that founder Holly Bucholtz of the Hickson area decided to pursue her passion for helping others and following her heart in making cancer-care bags for those battling cancer.
Bucholtz and her team named their organization Home & Heart Community: Cancer Care Bags. Their goal is to provide comfort and support while “spreading kindness one bag at a time.” All the bags are unique and come free of charge as all of the items in the bags, including the bag itself, are donated or purchased with monetary donations. Many of the items in the bags are handmade by people in the communities of Oxford and Brant counties.
The large cloth bags, which are packed full to brim, are made for men, women or children with comforting items to help
them with their cancer-treatment journey. Besides providing the cancer-care bags, the team has a list of volunteer delivery drivers who deliver to homes in Brant and Oxford counties as well as the cities of Brantford and Woodstock. To date, Bucholtz reported 63 bags were delivered in 2022, 84 bags in 2023 and 77 bags last year.
To request a Cancer Care Bag for someone who is going through cancer treatments or to make a donation or help with the care-bag items, contact Bucholtz at 226-922-9429 or hollybucholtz@live.com. All information is confidential and only one bag is allotted per client.
The public is welcome to join in on the sewing bee hosted by the Braemar Women’s Institute at the Christ Church in Huntingford on Nov. 5 beginning at noon with a brown bag lunch. We are tackling jar grippers and prayer squares (materials provided). We will also deliver to Bucholtz knitted/crochet slippers and hats. For more information about this event, email lauracgreen77@gmail.com.
Holly Bucholtz, guest speaker from Home & Heart Community: Cancer Care Bags, empties one example of Cancer Care Bags for a woman at the May meeting of the Braemar Women’s Institute. All the items are either handmade or purchased with monetary donations and will bring comfort to the clients – men, women or children undergoing cancer treatments.
LAURA GREEN
Gazette Contributor
( LAURA GREEN PHOTO)
Shakespeare Optimists learn about brain-injury awareness and support
Guest speaker Nicole Ferreira outlines causes, symptoms and local services
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
Members of the Shakespeare Optimist Club were recently given a compelling and informative presentation by guest speaker Nicole Ferreira, a speech-language pathologist who specializes in brain-injury awareness and treatment.
Ferreira, who is registered with the College of Audiologists and SpeechLanguage Pathologists of Ontario, spoke about the growing prevalence of brain injuries due to strokes, motor-vehicle accidents, intimate partner violence, sports concussions, substance use and homelessness. She emphasized how brain injuries can affect anyone, at any age, and are often invisible but lifechanging.
Currently working in community-based cognitive, communication and speech assessment and treatment, Ferreira has spent over a decade supporting clients with brain injuries, learning disabilities and mental-health disorders. She also volunteers as the facilitator of the Perth County Brain Injury Support Group and serves on the board of directors for the Brain Injury Association of London and
Region (BIALR).
During her talk, Ferreira shared staggering statistics:
• Brain injuries occur every three to five minutes in Canada
• Over 500,000 Ontarians live with a brain injury
• 18,000 new cases occur in Ontario annually
• Brain injuries are 15 times more common than spinal-cord injuries, 30 times more common than breast cancer and 400 times more common than HIV/ AIDS
She noted that while brain injuries are frequently misunderstood or overlooked, their effects can be devastating for both survivors and their families.
“The Brain Injury Association of London and Region is here to help not only those who have experienced a brain injury, but also their caregivers and loved ones,” she said.
Locally, the Perth County Brain Injury Support Group meets on the last Tuesday of every month at the Local Community Food Centre, 612 Erie St. in Stratford, from 7-9 p.m.
For more information or support, email wellcomspeech@gmail.com.
Nicole Ferreira, speech-language pathologist and guest speaker, is thanked by Shakespeare Optimist Club president Mike McNeil for her informative presentation on brain injuries, including concussions and their symptoms.
(GARY WEST PHOTO)
Miss Priestap rings the bell one last time: Gloria Hutchinson retires from Brocksden Country School Museum
DIANE DANEN Gazette Correspondent
After 20 year stepping back in time as the “schoolmarm” at Brocksden Country School Museum, Gloria Hutchinson, known to many as Ms. Priestap, is retiring from the role she’s held close to her heart.
Hutchinson first visited Brocksden in 1989 with her Grade 4 class from Shakespeare Public School in Stratford. She returned to the school many times after with her students. Captivated by the program and the historical charm of the school, she thought to herself this was something she might like to do one day. That day came in 2004. Hutchinson had retired from a 33-year teaching career with the Perth County Board of Education. Soon after, she took on the role of Ms. Priestap,
OBITUARY
Brocksden’s very own “schoolmarm.”
For two decades, Hutchinson has brought history to life for visiting students. Her day began with the ceremonial turn of the large, original school key, opening the doors to a world from 1910. Children would step into the past, learning to write on slate boards, reciting their spelling words, reading aloud and tackling arithmetic the old-fashioned way. At recess, they would play on the swings and see-saw in the school yard until the ring of the old school bell called them back inside.
Hutchinson thought of Brocksden as “her little schoolhouse.” While she’ll miss teaching there, what she says she’ll miss most are the children.
“I’ve always loved teaching and I’ve always loved the children,” she said – the
DUNCAN, Doris Ilene (Witmer)
Passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Sunnyside Home, Kitchener. Doris was born 95 years ago on September 21, 1929, in Kitchener, Ontario, a daughter of the late Edward and Elmina Witmer.
Cherished and loving mother of Dwight Duncan, Deborah and husband Paul Stack. Devoted grandmother of Taylor Duncan (Brendan Gingerich) and Timothy Stack, and great-grandmother of True Duncan and Owen Stack. Doris will be missed by her sisters Karen Farrow (Bob) and Mildred Ferguson (Bill), and by her many nieces and nephews.
Doris is predeceased and now reunited with her beloved husband Donald Francis Duncan (2005), by daughter-in-law Charlene Duncan, by her sister Elizabeth Brodrecht (Ronald), brother Douglas Witmer (Patricia), by her husbands’ adoptive siblings Velma Hastings (Paul), Ross Duncan (Kaye), by her husbands’ biological parents Duncan & Gladys Brewer, by his adoptive parents Francis and Gladys Duncan, and by her husbands’ biological siblings Jack Brewer, Melvin Jermyn, Dorothy Schade, Verna Penner, Elizabeth Gower.
Cremation has taken place at Doris’ request. Memorial visitation was held at Wilmot Mennonite Church, 2995 Bleams Rd, New Hamburg, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 1:00 until the time of the Memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Susan Allison Jones to officiate. A private interment will be held in Memory Gardens, Breslau at a later date.
As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to Wilmot Mennonite Church, Sunnyside Home, or the Canadian Cancer Society, and can be done through the funeral home.
Personal condolences and donation information can be found at www.markjutzifuneralhomes.ca
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home, New Hamburg.
makings of a good teacher, whether it’s 1910 or present day.
Hutchinson was celebrated with an afternoon tea hosted by the museum’s board of directors on May 10 to mark her retirement from Brocksden Country School Museum. Surrounded by friends and fellow history lovers, she shared fond memories from her time as school marm. As a token of appreciation, she was presented with a “school desk” brooch, a fitting tribute to her years of dedication.
Though she’s retiring from her role as teacher, Hutchinson isn’t going far. She remains an active member of the Easthope Historical Group and continues to serve on the board of directors, where she’ll share her passion for history and for Brocksden with future generations.
OBITUARY
WEICKER: Dale Elizabeth
Dale Elizabeth, 70, of Stratford passed away at Stratford General Hospital on Thursday May 8, 2025 after a brief illness. She was born at Stratford on December 12th, daughter to Robert and Marjorie Irvine.
Dale married George Weicker at Shakespeare on June 19, 1976. They have three sons, Nathan Weicker, Adam Weicker, Matt and wife Sarah Weicker. She will be missed by her grandchildren Jorja, Shirley-Mae, and Kamren Weicker. She is also survived by brother and sister, Heather and Preston Gurd, and Robert J. “Rob“ and AnneMarie Irvine, and many nieces and nephews and close friends.
Dale, along with her husband George, had owned and operated Pro-Lift Services Inc. of Stratford from 1983 to 2003. Dale cherished her time spent at “the camp”. It was her and George’s special place. She always looked forward to enjoying her summers there and continued the tradition after George’s passing. It was a special place to be with family and friends.
Dale loved to knit, and her many creations were gifted and donated in her community, and seen at the Tavistock Fair. Dale was a proud member of the Shakespeare Presbyterian Church. She was always musical and played piano, organ, and bagpipes, and was proudly part of the Clinton Pipe Band. She will be greatly missed.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service for Dale at the Shakespeare Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 2:00pm. Interment in St. Andrew’s Cemetery, North Easthope, Shakespeare. A reception to celebrate the life and times of Dale will be held at a later date with details to follow.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, or Canadian Blood Services would be appreciated by the family. Personal condolences can be posted at www. gffh.ca
How far is a klick in military terms?
The region of Transylvania is located in what country? 3. How many popes have there been?
What is a male swan called?
5. The sport of two people engaging in combat with swords is?
6. Vitamin B12 helps your body to form what?
7. Cryogenics is the study of what?
8. Jack Daniel’s whisky is produced in what U.S state?
Who was the first winner on The Masked Singer?
What is the only mammal capable of true flight?
With a final ring of the old school bell, Gloria Hutchinson brings her time as Brocksden’s beloved schoolmarm to a close, marking the end of an era.
(DIANE DANEN PHOTO)
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.
May 13-20, 2020, Edition (5 years ago)
Sprucedale Public School, Shakespeare, staff were led by Principal Don Rauser in a caravan around the village on Thursday afternoon, May 7, 2020. Many Sprucedale families watched from the ends of their driveways as the cars, honking noisily, passed by, followed by the township fire truck driven by Fire Chief Greg Ankenmann. Sixteen staff members in cars joined the parade which began at the school and wound its way through the back streets. “The families had huge smiles on their faces and many of the children were holding signs reading, ‘We Love Our Teachers - We Miss You Sprucedale Staff,’ ” said one of the teacher organizers, Kimberley Boon.
Staff from The Maples Home for Seniors were pleased to receive the new gowns sewn by community member Peg Habsch. The Maples purchased and supplied the kits to her. Habsch spent approximately 20 hours sewing these gowns for the home. Special thanks as well is extended to Elizabeth Halliday for her donation of gowns as well. The Maples staff are also sporting their new caps and headbands graciously donated by volunteers from Grace United Church.
May 12-19, 2010, Edition (15 years ago)
Optimist Club of Tavistock president Jim Bender and incoming president Rick Lange presented a cheque for $10,000 to Lisa Miettinen, chief librarian for the Oxford County Library in support of the new Tavistock Public Library fundraising campaign. In early March, Bender approached library staff to discuss ways in which the Club could support the library project, in keeping with the club’s mission statement, “By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids.” Many of the club’s programs are geared to youth, so supporting a youth
area in the new library was a natural fit. The Optimists have now committed $10,000 to the library fundraising campaign with $5,000 now and the balance by the closing of the Tavistock Fall Fair or sooner.
The generosity of Tavistock, Hickson and area is apparent again as the 2010 Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Carnation campaign sold more flowers than ever before. Street sales were strong in spite of the weather, but the big difference this year was at the school. “A lot of piggy banks were robbed to pay for Mom’s flowers … with pennies, nickels and dimes and quarters,” said Tavistock coordinator Jane McGrath. “If your student surprises you with flowers and the piggy banks at your house are lighter than usual, you can appreciate the extra love and sacrifice they represent,” she said.
Separated by 30 years and thousands of kilometres, Jon Ross and his biological brother, Sean Washburn, have come together and will share an experience that will cement the fraternal bond and benefit worthy causes at the same time. The pair has planned a five-year bicycle ride together across Canada for charity and each year they will raise money for a different cause. The first year’s donations will go to the Sunshine Foundation of Canada, a national charitable organization that makes dreams come true for children with severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses.
May 10-17, 1995, Edition (30 years ago)
The Hickson/Tavistock Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society surpassed their goal of $3,000 on the weekend, realizing $3,250 in their sale of carnations. Linda Killing, coordinator, reported that sales between Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday until 3 p.m. totalled 550 mini bouquets and 500 single blooms. An excellent response was received from Hickson Central School with $561 in sales and Tavistock Public School with $410 earned. “It is through the cooperation of schools and the many volunteers that the campaign is a success,” Killing said.
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 EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
SEBASTOPOL-TAVISTOCK
Pastor Steve Hoffard
Church Office 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
EAST ZORRA MENNONITE 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
The Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette
Standardbred racers make a pit stop in Tavistock en route to Western Fair
Tavistock had a brush with the fastpaced world of harness racing last week as three standardbred racehorses made a brief roadside stop on Woodstock Street North en route to the Western Fair Raceway in London.
Trainer and transporter Cassidy Schneider, 23, paused for a coffee break
at Tim Hortons while her horses relaxed in their custom trailer. Schneider, who hails from Owen Sound, was more than happy to chat about her family’s lifelong passion for horseracing before heading to the track for the Friday night card.
Schneider currently trains 40 standardbred horses at Schneider Stables, and says she knows each of them by name and could recite their pedigrees from memory
if asked.
Her father, Colonel Schneider, has raised and trained horses all his life, and Cassidy Schneider is proudly following in his footsteps.
“Harness racing is in my blood,” she said. “I love the lifestyle these animals allow me to live. They give us so much and we give them everything we can in return.”
While racing at Western Fair is winding
down for the season, the Schneiders will continue competing at tracks across southern Ontario, including Hanover, Sarnia, Leamington, Grand River, Mohawk, Flamboro Downs and Georgian Downs, to name a few.
It’s a busy schedule in the spring, summer and fall, but Cassidy Schneider’s care and compassion for the horses was evident during her short visit to Tavistock.
Three standardbred horses peek out from their trailer during a pit stop in Tavistock. From left are Better Than Awesome, Big Girl Dream and Seel the Dark held by trainer Cassidy Schneider. All three raced later that evening at Western Fair Raceway in London.
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
Spring in the Fraser Valley: A visit to family and fields
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
While farmers back home in Perth, Oxford and Waterloo counties were racing against the rain to get crops in the ground, I found myself in a completely different rhythm of the growing season – 3,000 kilometres west in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley.
I recently returned from a visit to see family in Chilliwack and Abbotsford, an area about an hour east of Vancouver, nestled between snow-capped mountains and fertile farmland. It’s a region where agriculture thrives year-round and, unlike back in Ontario, spring means harvest
– not planting.
In early May, I watched dairy farmers already cutting hay and haylage to be packed into bunk silos. Fields were full of tall, lush grass – not alfalfa or clover like we see in southwestern Ontario. The cool, wet West Coast climate just doesn’t support those legumes, so grasses dominate here.
The Fraser Valley is densely populated with dairy cattle, broiler chickens and laying hens, but you’ll find very little in the way of pork production. The region is also famous as the berry capital of Canada, and as I drove through the countryside, I passed acres of raspberry and blueberry
fields getting ready to bud and bloom.
One of the most striking things about the area was just how picturesque everything looked in the spring. The trees and flowers were in full bloom, and the surrounding mountains added a breathtaking backdrop to even the simplest farm scenes.
Of course, one of the highlights of the trip was catching up with my daughter, Amy, who grew up near Shakespeare, along with her husband, Dan MacLeod, and their young son, Bennett. Standing
with them among the blooming tulips and spring blossoms, framed by the towering mountains, reminded me of just how vast and varied Canadian agriculture really is. It’s always grounding to see how different regions approach farming, shaped by their unique climates and landscapes. While Ontario farmers are just getting their planters rolling, their West Coast counterparts are already filling silos, and that contrast – season after season – never fails to impress me.
In early May, dairy farmers near Chilliwack, B.C., begin harvesting haylage for bunk silos well ahead of planting season back home in Ontario. Mostly grasses are grown there due to climate limitations.
(GARY WEST PHOTOS)
Amy West, originally from near Shakespeare, with husband Dan MacLeod and son Bennett, enjoy the vibrant spring colours in Chilliwack, surrounded by the mountains of the Fraser Valley.
Ontario dairy farmers support Kenyan producers through training and collaboration
GARY WEST Gazette Correspondent
A group of dairy farmers from Waterloo and Perth counties recently returned from Cherangany, Kenya, where they worked directly with local producers to help improve milk production and farm sustainability.
The volunteer delegation included Marie and Ken McNabb and Steve and Karen Dolson, along with Marie’s brother, Jim Harley. All three families operate productive dairy farms near New Dundee and Listowel, and they travelled to Kenya as part of an initiative supported by the Gay Lea Dairy Co-operative in partnership with the Kenyan Kids Foundation.
Describing the visit as “eye-opening and humbling,” the farmers said the experience gave them deep insight into the challenges and resilience of Kenyan dairy producers –most of whom own just one or two cows.
“Our goal was to support these farmers by listening first, understanding their needs and then training on topics they found most relevant,” said Marie McNabb.
Through 12 training sessions, 32 farm visits and a regional dairy workshop, the Ontario team focused on low-cost, practical improvements in areas such as artificial insemination (AI), feed consistency and calf rearing.
rural areas with limited electricity.
Karen Galbraith, a director of the Kenyan Kids Foundation and chair of its agricultural committee, was instrumental in organizing the trip. She said empowering local farmers through knowledge-sharing can lead to sustainable change if done with respect for cultural differences and existing practices.
“These farmers are about three generations behind Canadian dairy producers in terms of infrastructure,” Galbraith said. “They may have access to technology, but the challenge is having the resources to implement it.”
Marie McNabb added that land ownership and inheritance customs also present barriers.
“Farms are steadily getting smaller as land is divided equally among children. It’s hard to grow enough feed for yearround use if you only have one or two acres.”
Currently, milk is often carried in plastic containers, but the project is helping
The workshops emphasized the importance of making the best use of what farmers already have, including yearround feed-storage planning, milk-quality improvement and changes in how milk is transported.
transition to stainless steel cans, which are safer and more sanitary. Part of the initiative includes installing can-washing stations and developing a milk-quality lab with an eye toward UHT (ultra-high temperature) milk production, which doesn’t require refrigeration – a key benefit in
Despite these obstacles, the Ontario farmers remain hopeful their guidance will have a lasting impact. They praised the dedication and enthusiasm shown by the Kenyan farmers and said they plan to stay in touch and continue supporting future efforts.
“It’s all about small changes that can lead to lasting improvement,” said Steve Dolson. “And that’s true whether you’re farming in Listowel or Cherangany.”
A
Kenyan dairy farmers proudly receive certificates following training sessions with Ontario farmers Karen and Steve Dolson, Ken and Marie McNabb, and Jim Harley (pictured centre and right).
(MARIE MCNAB PHOTOS)
A
A Hub for creatives: Focus Computers expands into music and podcasting gear
In the heart of downtown New Hamburg, a new kind of sound is emerging from an unlikely place – Focus Computers.
Known primarily for tech repairs and electronics, the shop is now making waves with its expansion into music accessories and podcasting gear, providing local creatives with a one-stop destination they previously had to travel for.
For owner Caleb Jukes and his family-run business, the move isn’t just about selling gear, it’s about filling a local void.
“We’ve tossed around a lot of ideas over the years, but this one just made sense,” Jukes said. “My dad already had supplier relationships in place and we had a big section of wall space we weren’t using. Plus, there’s nothing like this in New Hamburg or nearby towns. Even larger stores like Long & McQuade don’t specialize in podcasting gear the way we’re starting to.”
Rather than jumping into full-fledged music retail, Focus Computers took a measured approach. They chose not to stock full instruments like guitars and keyboards, opting instead for consumable accessories like guitar strings, drumsticks, cleaning kits and vocal mics. It’s a strategy that encourages repeat visits while staying true to their roots.
“This isn’t about becoming a music store,” Jukes said. “It’s about complementing what we already offer. A lot of podcasting gear like audio interfaces connect directly to computers. That fits with what we already do.”
And it’s working. Local musicians have started trickling in. Some are young bands looking to lay down their first recordings. Others are streamers and podcasters hoping to upgrade their setup without driving to Kitchener or Stratford.
“There’s a shift happening,” Jukes said. “In the early 2000s, everyone wanted to be in a band. Now, everyone wants to be a podcaster, but whether you’re playing guitar or hitting ‘record’ on a mic, you need the right gear, and we’ve got it.”
For the Focus Computers team, expanding into music and podcasting accessories wasn’t just a market opportunity, it was personal.
“There’s a history here,” Jukes said. “My dad has always been connected to the industry. I grew up playing piano and guitar, so I understand the gear, even if I’m not an active musician anymore. It’s exciting to bring something new to town that reflects our passions.”
He’s particularly enthusiastic about the simplicity and accessibility of today’s podcasting equipment.
“Twenty years ago, the idea of connecting
Focus Computers owner Caleb Jukes is excited to share the expansion of the store’s lines to include music accessories and podcasting/livestreaming products and equipment.
a professional mic to your computer was a dream – and expensive. Now you can get a two-channel audio interface for under $200. It’s never been easier to start creating.”
Jukes and his marketing team are already brainstorming ways to build community awareness. From live performances during cruise nights to collaborations with local influencers and music schools, there’s energy brewing behind the scenes.
“We’ve never had live music at Cruise Night, but I think it’s time we try,” Jukes said. “We’re also thinking about Canada Day events, or a pop-up booth through the board of trade. It’s about getting in front of the community and showing what’s new.”
Social media is also playing a role. A few posts highlighting the new gear generated the store’s highest reach to date, especially after being shared across local community groups.
The team is also looking at outreach to local music schools, community choirs and indie recording artists to build relationships and spread the word further. Targeted email campaigns and in-store promotions may follow.
While Focus Computers remains committed to its core business – repairs, parts and electronics – the music and podcasting section is now a permanent fixture.
“It’s still early, but we’re excited,” Jukes said. “We’re giving people in New Hamburg an alternative. You don’t need to leave town for your strings, mics, or mixers anymore, and for people just getting started, we’re happy to talk through what you need. It’s not about selling; it’s about helping.”
So, whether a basement band is looking to record their first EP, a future podcaster is setting up their mic, or a musician broke a guitar string an hour before rehearsal, there’s a new place to stop in town and it’s full of surprises.
Gazette Puzzles
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SCOTT DUNSTALL Gazette Correspondent
(PHOTO COURTESY OF FOCUS COMPUTERS)
Astounding arugula!
HEAPS OF HEALTHY TIPS
By Mercedes Kay Gold
It’s May mealtime magic with fresh garden goodness. Salads should be a staple, front and centre, for optimal health. Fresh produce is nutrient-dense. It’s as simple as that.
Go for greens, but a word to the wise, iceberg lettuce is overrated and a total waste of money. Drink a glass of water instead. When it comes to greens, romaine, radicchio, red and green leafy greens, Boston, Escarole, kale and stupendous spinach top the list, but this holistic nutritionist is all about arugula. It’s officially in season, so jump aboard the arugula express for a simple salad stocked with huge flavor.
Arugula, also known as rocket
or rucola, is famous for its oneof-a-kind flavor; peppery, slightly bitter, fresh and tart, yet so unique it’s hard to describe. Arugula is a member of the cruciferous family, yes, it’s related to broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and cauliflower. Arugula is native to the Mediterranean region, found in the wild and grown as an edible and popular herb in home gardens alongside basil. Arugula has been a favourite in Italy since Roman times. All-star arugula had a reputation as an aphrodisiac and monasteries forbade eating the gorgeous greenery. Luckily, this former naughty leaf is readily available today.
Veggies are a powerhouse
and, while plants in general are high in fiber, low in calories and fat, arugula is crazy low in carbohydrates. Arugula contains a variety of vital nutrients including calcium, the bone builder and blood-clotting aid, and potassium, a key electrolyte helping regulate blood pressure, as well as fabulous folate. Arugula is an awesome antioxidant, containing A and C, two key immune-supporting vitamins plus K, a vitamin helping to heal injuries thanks to its bloodclotting capabilities.
Arugula is not your average greenery. The shape is sensational and eye-catching topped with diced grilled chicken, olives and cherry tomatoes, or go plant-based with nuts, seeds and a bounty of berries. Arugula, fresh pears, roasted beets and goat cheese is a salad to impress guests. Arugula’s phenomenal taste makes it a standalone green needing just a drizzle of avocado oil, fresh ground pepper and a sprinkle of sea salt. Arugula adds pizzazz to pizza and pitas and pesto. Combine with handfuls of humdrum greens for an eating extravaganza.
Arugula is a bougie green compared to iceberg, but even beginner gardeners can grow this groovy green goodness indoors. Choose a sunny spot, ideally facing south since arugula thrives with at least six hours of sunlight daily. Choose a container with good drainage. Plant organic seeds ¼ inch deep. Keep the soil moist and grow in a room with the temperature set between 1521 degrees Celsius. Harvest the leaves as they are mature as they will keep growing. Plant a few pots and enjoy its belly-boosting effects for dreamy digestion daily. Happy holistic green goodness with astounding arugula!
By Scott Dunstall
Well, I said I would be reporting on what is happening with the Hudon’s Bay company as it rides off into the great trading post in the sky.
After 355 years of trading furs, selling flannel and anchoring nearly every mall from coast to coast, Hudson’s Bay filed for creditor protection in March 2025 and is now liquidating every last store. What went wrong?
Let’s call it the perfect retail storm: post-pandemic downtowns still half-empty, inflation squeezing wallets and online shopping
eating brick-and-mortar alive. Hudson’s Bay couldn’t keep up. They owed nearly a billion dollars to landlords, suppliers and banks. Even their last-ditch effort to keep six flagship stores open – including the iconic Queen Street location in Toronto – fell apart in April when the court ruled there was little chance of finding a buyer to keep them afloat.
The liquidation sales: Deals or duds?
If you’re hoping to score a deal on a Bay blanket or a new blender, you might want to temper your
expectations. Liquidation sales began on April 25 with markdowns reportedly reaching up to 70 per cent. But as any seasoned shopper knows, liquidation discounts often start modestly and increase over time.
Early reports suggest while some items are seeing significant discounts, others remain close to their original prices. I haven’t seen anything that turns my crank after several store visits and online is a ghost town unless of course you need a size 17 slipper with a happy face on it. Shoppers have noted the best deals might come closer to the final closure date, but by then, the selection could be sparse.
Canadian Tire: The rumored white knight?
Now, about those investor rumors. As of early May, Hudson’s Bay had received 17 bids for various assets, including 12 qualified bids for 39 store leases. While the company hasn’t disclosed the bidders’ identities, speculation is
rife that Canadian Tire might be among them, eyeing prime retail spaces to expand its footprint.
Canadian Tire has a history of strategic acquisitions and could see value in repurposing some of Hudson’s Bay’s locations. However, no official statements have been made, and the outcome remains uncertain.
What’s next for the buildings?
Some of these Bay buildings are architectural gems. The Vancouver flagship with its Edwardian columns and Montreal’s neo-Romanesque Bay Building are landmarks. Their future is uncertain, but potential exists for redevelopment into mixed-use spaces, preserving their historical significance while adapting to modern needs.
The end of an era
It’s hard to imagine Canadian malls without The Bay. For generations, it was more than a store, it was a cultural touchstone. The loss signifies not just the end of a retailer but a shift in the Canadian
retail landscape.
So, if you find yourself near a Hudson’s Bay store in its final days, take a moment. Whether you snag a deal or just reminisce, you’re witnessing the closing chapter of a Canadian institution. Scott Dunstall has been on a stylistic journey for over 10 years. His belief is that every guy has a style of their own. When it’s discovered, it empowers and builds confidence. Scott has appeared several times on Rogers TV Kitchener as a guest on DAYTIME. His writing has been republished by LinkedIn Top Influencer and INC. Magazine contributing editor, Jeff Haden. He has also written several pieces for the Baden Outlook. You can follow Scott on Instagram @everydaystylebyscott or on LinkedIn @scottdunstall or Life & Style Wilmot on Facebook. Feel free to ask questions or propose collaborations: everydaystylebyscott1@ gmail.com
(VECTEEZY PHOTO)
Peppery, punchy, and packed with nutrients — fresh arugula salad takes center stage this May, proving that garden greens can be anything but boring.
Torremolinos: a perfect home base on the Costa del Sol
OH, THE PLACES WE'LL GO
By Paul Knowles
You probably read about the massive power outage in southern Europe a few weeks ago. Most of Spain and Portugal, and parts of southern France, lost all electrical power for almost 24 hours.
Now, for folks in eastern Ontario who lost power for days – some even more than a week – during the recent ice storm, that probably doesn’t sound like much, I grant that.
The reason I took note was we had just spent a lovely three weeks in southern Spain. We flew to Lisbon, Portugal, then to Malaga and finally took a coach to Torremolinos, our home away from home for three weeks. All of those cities were affected by the blackout.
It left me thinking about what our vacation would have been like in those circumstances. Airports were shut down, the hotels would have had no power (we were on the eighth floor of a seaside hotel), and food services would have been non-existent.
So, we were lucky. No such disasters struck and we were able to enjoy our first-ever experience of Spain, specifically, of the Costa del Sol.
I have already written a couple of articles arising from day trips we took to other Spanish cities and the British enclave of Gibraltar during our time there. This week, I am focusing only on our homebase, Torremolinos.
And I will admit, Torremolinos is a good spot to use as a homebase as long as you have trips to other destinations planned as part of your stay because there are few outstanding attractions in Torremolinos. It is kind of a tourist bedroom community.
That may sound boring, but when you actually stay there, you quickly start to appreciate all the good stuff about the admittedly touristy town. And Torremolinos is indeed a place that welcomes tourists and knows how to treat them.
The Mediterranean seaside is lined with hotels. Well, that’s not quite true. There are lots of waterfront hotels, but between them and the sea is a many kilometre, tile-paved walking path
with boutiques and restaurants, and an unending supply of public beaches. That walkway itself is a source of unending entertainment.
A stroll from our hotel – Ocean House Costa del Sol – to the centre of Torremolinos offered ample opportunities for shopping, people-watching and drinking and dining along the waterfront. There are unique features here, too – flocks of beautiful (but sadly invasive) Monk Parakeets and a colony of well-cared-for feral cats which live in the nocks and crannies of cliffs, and which are cared for by officially appointed volunteers.
We enjoyed this walkway dozens of times and never tired of the experience. I mean, Canadians in March, strolling beside the Mediterranean? What can be wrong about that?
Our hotel happened to be located right on the border of Torremolinos and the next town to the west, Benalmadena. Following the path westward immediately took us to a beautiful marina, more shops, more dining, more beaches, more everything a visitor might want in a warm-weather getaway.
We did discover one intriguing destination in the heart of Torremolinos, the Parque Urbano ‘La Bateria.’ It’s important to note here that, like all the Costa del Sol seaside towns and cities, the landscape shoots upward from the seaside. I mentioned cliffs and I wasn’t kidding.
So, this armed battery – armed with ancient guns – and guard tower, the “Torre Mirador,” rises high above the street. However,
clever powers-that-be have built a dramatic, glass-sided elevator that carries visitors up to base of the tower and to all the gorgeous gardens and water features that are also part of the “Parque.”
Downtown Torremolinos –or maybe uptown considering its location on the top of the cliffs – offers many more shops, restaurants and pubs. We stopped to enjoy street musicians (there are plenty of buskers about) and then made our way down shoplined staircases to the beachfront walkway.
Speaking of musicians, one of the great things about staying in a Torremolinos hotel is the nightly entertainment. That is the case with many of the hotels and you don’t have to be a guest to wander in and enjoy the show. We enjoyed all of the shows and we took one in almost every evening. Highlights include an Il Divo style show by a superb trio called The Bohemians and a Flamenco dancing show that was both beautiful and astonishingly energetic.
The food scene in Torremolinos is highly cosmopolitan. Even in the hotel restaurant – which seats hundreds and serves via buffets – you could fine superb choices including freshly prepared fish (I, unlike normal humans, love squid) and every day, a new take on paella. We also had the chance to take a class in making paella (I continue my search for round rice here in southwestern Ontario), as well as a very jolly session on creating sangria!
As I said, Torremolinos is a terrific homebase for adventures around southern Spain, but not just a place to leave from. Our 23 days included 12 without an excursion, and Torremolinos also proved to be a lovely place to enjoy in its own right.
Paul Knowles is an author and travel writer, and president of the Travel Media Association of Canada. To contact Paul about travel, his books, or speaking engagements, email pknowles@ golden.net.
Torremolinos and the Mediterranean Sea with the elevator and walkway in the foreground, viewed from the Torre Mirador.
(PAUL KNOWLES PHOTOS)
Salvador Dali and friends, portrayed along the seaside walkway.
Spectacular paella – the chef included the most expensive ingredients he could source!
Flamenco!
The Torre Mirador, high above the Torremolinos seafront.
How one quote changed my perspective
THE ART OF LISTENING
By Amanda Modaragamage
Years ago, I came across a quote by public speaker and optimist Simon Sinek.
“Listening is not the act of hearing the words that are spoken; it is the art of understanding the meaning behind those words.”
At the time, I was working as a nurse. I always believed I connected well with my patients, but this one quote transformed how I showed up for them and, ultimately, how I approach my work as a reporter now.
I consider myself a good listener; I love hearing stories and learning from others. The more people I speak with across different ages, backgrounds, religions and perspectives, the more I learn and connect
with people I might never have known otherwise.
Sinek’s words came at a time when the world was rapidly changing and opposing views in my family and friendships began to surface. I’ve always considered myself a passionate believer in acceptance, and that conviction remains unshaken. But listening – truly listening – became the bridge that kept me connected to people I could have easily distanced myself from over conflicting beliefs.
Inspired by Sinek’s TED Talks and books, I began to understand that creating an environment where others feel genuinely heard is a skill that can be developed over time. I set out to do just that.
In my nursing practice, this meant listening to my patients’ perspectives; how they saw the world, how they showed up in it and what mattered to them. It made me a better nurse, a more empathetic person and, I believe, someone people wanted to be around.
Sinek argues that listening is a learnable and practicable skill – one that improves
LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
with time and attention. Over two years, I cared for more than 300 patients and the experience solidified this belief. I replaced judgment with curiosity and made an effort to understand why someone held a different viewpoint. Even when I disagreed or had knowledge that could challenge their perspective, I prioritized listening not just to respond, but to understand.
Studies show that when we hear something we disagree with, our instinct is often to defend, litigate, or interrupt. We want to point out flaws in logic, but that reaction only builds walls. It’s the opposite of what we want from meaningful conversation.
Sinek suggests leading with an open mind and truly understanding someone’s thoughts and feelings can transform interactions. He advises using three simple phrases: “Go on,” “Tell me more,” and “What else?” These prompts encourage deeper exploration and signal genuine interest.
He also emphasizes that effective conversations don’t require both parties to be open-minded, just one person willing to
The Emperor’s New Clothes in Wilmot
Dear Editor,
I present to you the emperor’s new clothes, Wilmot style.
There once was a kingdom of wide fields and rich soil, where the people lived in harmony with the land. Among them rose a powerful emperor, who ruled from a far-off marble tower. This emperor spoke often of “prosperity” and “progress,” his voice echoing across the hills. He promised a future so grand that none would dare question it.
One day, news came to the kingdom; a magnificent new project was to be built — a sprawling industrial palace, said to bring thousands of jobs and riches beyond imagining. The emperor declared it would lift the entire kingdom into a golden age.
At the emperor’s side stood a group of master weavers — developers skilled not in cloth, but in spinning visions. They whispered tales of shining factories, thriving neighborhoods and rivers of wealth flowing through the fields. They spoke
so sweetly and so often that their visions seemed to shimmer in the air.
“But where is the cloth?” some of the villagers asked.
“Where are the workers? Where is the factory?”
The weavers smiled knowingly. “Only the wise can see it,” they said. “Only those who believe in the greatness of the emperor’s plan can see the future we are weaving.”
No one wanted to appear foolish or disloyal. The local lords and ministers bowed low and praised the unseen project. They passed resolutions, held ceremonies and posted proud declarations. Though none had seen a single brick laid or a single worker hired, they clapped and cheered and demanded the people believe.
Meanwhile, the villagers watched as the finest farmland — land that had fed generations — was marked for destruction. Once it was converted to industry, it could never be restored. For a year the villagers
watched and waited but no industry arrived and nothing was built. Some villagers raised their voices, questioning whether the grand promises were real or just clever illusions. They pointed out that no great manufacturer had committed to building anything. That even the once-promising electric chariots the emperor spoke of were no longer in high demand. That the few factories which did exist ran mostly with machines, not with people.
But the emperor would not hear them.
The weavers tightened their grip.
The local lords looked away.
And so the parade of progress marched on, invisible clothes and all.
It was a child — a small voice from the back of the crowd — who finally cried out:
“There’s nothing there! There is no river of riches, and the fields are gone!”
The people grew quiet. They looked again. They blinked against the blinding words they had been taught to admire.
And they began to see.
create space for real dialogue. That person can be you.
Listening is the foundation of trust. It’s how we find common ground amid opposition. As a reporter, I’ve realized this is the ultimate goal. Whether covering smalltown news, global events, or interviewing celebrities, the mission is the same; listen with an open mind, understand without judgment and the person you’re speaking with will walk away feeling truly heard and understood.
Hearing someone out doesn’t mean you agree with them. It simply means you value their perspective enough to understand it. And sometimes, even if you don’t change their mind – or your own – you’ve built a bridge instead of a wall. Maintaining relationships despite differing views isn’t always easy, but I’ve found the power of listening has allowed me to hold onto connections that might have otherwise been lost.
“Listening is one of the most remarkable skills anyone can learn; the power to truly listen.” -
Simon Sinek
The emperor, hearing the child’s voice, faltered for only a moment.
Then he lifted his chin, smiled broadly and marched on — naked but proud, as the kingdom’s future was paved behind him. We can’t let this become our community’s future. Please be sure to contact Wilmot and regional officials to reinforce that we are not a willing host to the proposed land assembly and that we don’t want to see our rural communities destroyed by urban sprawl and mega-industrial sites. We already had the visionary, sustainable official plan we needed for the future that would continue our success and ensure we thrived. Speak up for the future you want to see.
Anne Loeffler, New Hamburg
Strong Backs Pulled the Flax
VINTAGE VIEWS
By Tim Mosher Tavistock and District Historical Society
Of the almost 4,000 negatives in the Lemp Studio Collection housed at the Tavistock and District Historical Society, this photo is one of the very rare records of Indigenous people in Tavistock and the district.
Unfortunately, there’s no specific information recorded about this image.
There is, however, a good reference in the first substantial publication on the history of Tavistock: the late Carl Seltzer’s Fact & Fantasy, The History of Tavistock & District book (page 172) produced as a centennial project by the Tavistock Rotary Club in 1967.
Here, Seltzer recounts how there was a flax mill constructed in 1866 on the southeast corner of Woodstock and William streets and a vigorous local industry producing flax products. Flax production was labour intensive and often involved almost anyone seeking employment, but it required a strong back. Often children, teens and Indigenous people largely from the reserve near Brantford were employed in the harvest, commonly called “the pulling.”
Flax plants were pulled instead of cut be
cause it preserved the roots for the future and took full advantage of the longest fibers, which produced the best quality linen. Seltzer noted that sometimes the youngsters would place a thistle on the bottom of their bundle so the next person to pick it up would loudly protest and the foremen didn’t hesitate to wield “ ... a wicked handful of flax over the stretched seat of your pants ...” to discourage such pranks or even to speed up the slowest young workers.
Bill Gladding’s Crossroads in TimeA Pictorial History of Tavistock (18901920) book has two excellent photos (pages 56 and 57) illustrating the Tavistock flax mill and a group of 56 people in a field, with two horsedrawn wagons stacked high with bundles of flax. Twenty of the workers appear to be under the age of 14.
The Indigenous people were part of the Iroquois Confederacy comprising six nations (Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca and Tuscarora groups) who have lived here for tens of thousands of years. Fact & Fantasy notes that a local business man, Valentine Stock, would sponsor groups of Indigenous people from Brantford to come to the flax fields, sometimes live in huts and other times in their own camps as in this photo, and then move to the next farm as each field was cleared. They were paid $5 to pull flax by the acre, instead of by the day. Non-Indigenous minors were paid 25 cents a day, while the best adult pullers earned $1 for the same amount of time. The flax gangs worked
from dawn to dusk, taken to and from the fields on horsedrawn wagons. Fresh citrus fruit in the region was a rarity at the time, so Mr. Stock would sometimes treat the field workers with an orange that came from his well-stocked general store in Tavistock.
Some of the Indigenous women earned extra money by weaving baskets. Note in the photo how the father is sitting on a basket that’s clearly strong enough to support his weight without collapsing. Everyone is clothed in contemporary fashions and their humble accommodations are behind.
Flax has a wide variety of uses. The book, Country Roads, the Story of South Easthope, 1827-2000, edited by Jim Hagarty lists 31 products made from flax! To quote (page 595), “Cereal, ropes, furniture stuffing, parachutes, linseed oil, glue, linseed soap, printing inks, paints, brake linings, stains, varnishes, concrete preservatives, fine stationery, swedish oil [sic], cigarette paper, caulking, tablecloths, patent leather, linoleum, tea towels, art gun [sic] erasers, hard board, clothing, thread, putty, feed bags, furniture, twine, bedding and hair gel.” In ancient Egypt, linen made from flax was the common material to wrap mummies with.
A secondary product of flax production was tow. This is the roughest fibers of the plant, often used to make rope. The name
“tow head” is akin to “flaxen-haired” referring to white- or blond-haired people because their hair resembles the colour of tow.
The answer to last week’s History Mystery: The question was, “What’s the clue that tells you the day of the week that the (bird’s eye view of eastern Tavistock, c. 1910) picture was taken?” Linda Humpfrey of Tavistock was the first of a dozen people to respond with the correct answer; Monday because the laundry lines were full. This is largely a western Christian tradition that was popular before washing machines became widespread because doing laundry was a time-consuming, laborious job that housewives typically began on Mondays and finished on Tuesdays. Then came the starching and ironing. By getting an early start, it helped to make sure that the family had clean clothes set aside for the following Sunday, the day of rest.
This week’s History Mystery: What caused the collapse of the flax industry in Tavistock and the district post World War II? This question is open to readers under the age of 19. Send your answer with your first and last name, the name of your community or rural route number and your age to tim_mosher@hotmail.com. Whoever sends the first correct answer will have this information published in the next edition.
An indigenous family set up camp in a local field where the men pulled flax and the women wove baskets.
(PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN, LEMP STUDIO COLLECTION #0061)
Waterloo regional police reconfirms commitment to Wellesley township and other rural communities in the region
GALEN SIMMONS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A new rural patrol sergeant for the Township of Wellesley has been announced as part of an overall effort by the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) to refocus enforcement and community engagement activities on rural areas in the Region of Waterloo.
At the May 13 Township of Wellesley council meeting, WRPS Chief Mark Crowell shared last year’s local and regional crime statistics before pledging the police service’s commitment to prioritizing the issues that have the largest impact on the region’s rural residents and communities.
“In 2025, we’re focusing on a rural community (policing) strategy that is really seeking to be responsive and active in engagement,” Crowell said. “The priorities that we lay before you are a commitment to community engagement; that is joining you in celebration and in building strategies and problem solving, and trying to build our relationships in times of peace rather than times of crisis or times of concern.
“We’re also looking at crime suppression, recognizing that across this region, there’s a number of activities that continue to evolve in terms of victimization, property and security issues … and also road safety. We know that road safety is a top community concern in every municipality, and certainly Wellesley is no different.”
Crowell said one part of the WRPS’ rural township policing strategy is the introduction of new rural community patrol Sgt. Jay Hiuser.
“Many of you will know Jay and, if you don’t, his mission is to get to know you,” Crowell said. “He is meant to be a single point of contact for this council and this community, and his role is to be a bridge between citizens, leadership and community representatives, and our leadership team, to ensure we’re responsive and active in meeting local needs. Jay’s mandate is really getting underway now, but he’s very proud to be in this role and he is a resident of Wellesley. … We’re very proud that he represents many of our members in that coordinated capacity.”
Similar to the WRPS satellite office established more
than a year ago at the new Bill Gies Recreation Centre in Wellesley as well as the satellite office in North Dumfries, Crowell said the police service is looking to replicate those community spaces in Wilmot and Woolwich.
Crowell told council the WRPS has adopted a first-in-Canada stratified policing and crime suppression model aimed at reducing crime and improving accountability. Crowell explained it is an evidence-based model that focuses on addressing high-crime areas, repeat offenders and serious crimes with tailored solutions.
“So, we have decentralized some of our teams to ensure we have a localized approach to our crime-suppression efforts,” Crowell said. “We’re looking at prolific offenders, prolific offences and it’s often well-known within law enforcement and policing that a small number of people are responsible for a high number of (criminal) activity. Sometimes, 80 per cent of crime is related to a small number of individuals in our organized crime groups.
“ … The biggest takeaway that I want to reinforce tonight is as much as our activity is concentrated at times in our urban centres, it does not mean that we’re taking any step away from our commitment to our rural communities, and Wellesley is included in that. Victimization and crime can occur and does occur in any corner of this region, so when it comes to break-and-enters, vehicle thefts, we know there are issues here we can improve upon and that will take a coordinated effort of all our neighbours, small and large communities to make that concerted effort.”
2024 WRPS crime statistics for Wellesley and Waterloo region
• Total calls for service in Waterloo region: 346,014
• Calls for service in Wellesley township: 2,362 (down 3.6 per cent from 2023)
• Of those calls in Wellesley:
◦ Well over half were related to road safety
◦ 34 per cent resulted in vehicle stops
◦ 11 per cent resulted in a selective traffic-enforcement program
◦ Eight per cent resulted in proactive initiatives
◦ Six per cent were for multi-vehicle collisions
◦ Four per cent involved a driving complaint
◦ 668 speeding charges were laid (an increase
by 56 per cent over 2023)
◦ 174 other Highway Traffic Act charges were laid
◦ Three impaired-driving charges were laid
◦ Three seatbelt charges were laid
◦ Two dangerous-driving charges were laid
◦ One distracted-driving charge was laid
• Across the region, WRPS responded to:
◦ 22 shootings (an increase by 22 per cent from 2023)
◦ 97 violent firearm offences (a 17 per-cent decrease)
◦ 20 car jackings (100 per-cent increase)
◦ Five homicides (no change)
◦ 1,193 stolen vehicles
◦ 163 organized crime vehicle thefts
◦ 53 attempted organized crime vehicle thefts
◦ 156 robberies of a person
◦ Nine jewelry store robberies
◦ Six pharmacy robberies
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
Shakespeare
Shakespeare Brewery, Shakespeare Variety
St. Agatha
Pfennings Store, Hasty Market
Petersburg
Petro Canada Gas Bar
Stratford
Food Basics, Sobeys, No Frills, Klomps Home & Garden
THURSDAY, MAY 15
7:00-9:00 p.m. EDT
“Why Hope Matters: The Practice of Evidence-Based Hope in a World of Climate Doom” For more information check out the upcoming events page at https://nvecoboosters.com/ or contact nvecoboosters @gmail.com
MONDAY, MAY 19
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Nith Valley EcoBoosters will be hosting a free webinar
SUNDAY, MAY 25
Wilmot Lions / Lioness Club - Pet Valu “Walk for Dog Guides” Fundraising event 1:30 - to 4:00 pm
Registration at 1:00 pm - Walk in the woods starts at 1:30
Food trucks at Grace United Church Crystals Fries, Fo’ Cheezy and Ish n chips. Proceeds supporting Grace United Grace United Church in Tavistock
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21
TOPS - Taking off Pounds Sensibly Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
TOPS is a non-judgmental weight loss support group. Need help on your weight loss journey. For info call Cathie 519-662-9273.
St James Church, Baden
Community Dining for Seniors in Wilmot and Wellesley Townships
12:00 p.m.
Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for lunch and fellowship. Please register by May 16 by calling 519-664-1900 or Toll Free: 1-855-664-1900. Wilmot Rec Complex 1291 Nafziger Rd, Baden East Zorra-Tavistock Council meeting 7 p.m.
Council Chambers 89 Loveys Street East, Hickson
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4
Tavistock Mens Club Fish Fry
4:00-7:00 pm
Pickerel Dine in or take out. Portion of profits to Tavistock Community Health fundraiser. Visit http://www. tavistockmensclub.ca for more info and tickets or call (519) 655-3573
Tavistock Men’s Club Hall
78 Woodstock St. N., Tavistock
TUESDAY, JUNE 10
Council chambers
60 Snyder’s Road West Baden
Food trucks at Grace United Church
Berlin 95, Serial Griller, Los Rolling Tacos, and Beavertails. Proceeds supporting TAPTavistock Assistance Program
Grace United Church in Tavistock
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28
Community Dining for Seniors in Wilmot and Wellesley Townships
12:00 p.m.
Community Care Concepts invites you to join us for lunch and fellowship. Please register byMay 23 by calling 519-664-1900 or toll Free: 1-855-664-1900.
Linwood Community Centre, 5279 Ament Line, Linwood
SUNDAY, JUNE 1
“Y” Knot Quilt Show and Sale
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Many beautiful new and antique quilts will be for sale with all proceeds going to help support the Stratford Family Y and Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth.
Chicken BBQ and Pie Auction Fundraiser
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp is hosting its 58th Annual Chicken BBQ and Pie Auction. Enjoy a delicious meal and bid on one of 60 pies. All proceeds support our summer camp programs. Visit www. hiddenacres.ca for more information and tickets.
Wellesley Council meeting 6:45 p.m.
Council chambers
4805 William Hastings Line, Crosshill
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
Scotiabank and Tavistock Community Health Inc. is hosting a charity barbeque 11:00 a.m.
Burgers, hotdogs, chips and drink. In support of the medical clinic Alley between the Scotiabank and the IDA pharmacy in Tavistock
SATURDAY, JUNE 14
Wilmot-Heritage Fire Brigade Open
THURSDAY, JUNE 19
Fundraising Golf Tournament
Tavistock Community Health Inc. is hosting a fundraising golf tournament. All the money goes to the renovations at the Tavistock medical health building in Tavistock. Information is available at: info@ tchi.ca
River Valley golf club
4725 1 Line, St. Marys
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
CLASSIFIED ADS —
EMPLOYMENT WANTED
Looking for Employment in Stratford or surrounding area. Hard working, reliable, with full G driver’s license. Randy 519-271-8137.
FOR SALE
Chrome Jag Rims 245/50 ZR17 99W
LG Washer & Gas Dryer good condition $350.00 Call 519-393-5576 leave message
FOR SALE
Hundreds of shade trees, fruit trees, apples, pears, peaches, plums, sweet and sour cherries, apricots, nectarines, blueberries, haskapp grapes, raspberries, elderberries etc. Lots of spruce, pine, cedars for windbreak and privacy hedges. Sizes 1-8 ft. in containers ready to go. Flowering shrubs and much more. MonSat 7:00am to 6:00pm Martin’s Nursery, 42661 Orangehill Rd Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0 (1 Conc. North of Wroexter on Belmore Line)
PRAYER TO ST. JUDE
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Oh Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us; St. Jude worker of miracles, pray for us; St. Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer nine times a day, by the eighth day this prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. S.F.
WANTED
Local elderly Tavistock couple in search of someone to drive them to new Hamburg at least twice a month and sometimes to Kitchener. Willing to pay a reasonable amount. Please contact Janice at 519-412-0461
WANTED
$ Cash Paid $ for your RECORDS and LPs. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Folk, Soundtracks, and more. Selectively buying CDs, Cassettes, Turntables, and Stereo Equipment. For more information: DIAMOND DOGS MUSIC 114 Ontario St. Stratford/ 226-972-5750
WANTED
I will pay cash for antiques and collectibles. Coca Cola, Pepsi, any pop company, Brewery items Kuntz, Huether Labatts, etc. Old radios and gramophones, Wristwatches and pocket watches, Old fruit jars, Beaver Star Bee Hive etc. Any old oil cans and signs Red Indian Supertest etc Any small furniture. If you are moving or cleaning out stuff please contact me - 519-570-6920.
GARAGE Sales
STONECROFT
Saturday May 31/25
Time: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Rain or Shine
Stonecroft Community, New Hamburg
BREAKFAST ON THE FARM
Date: June 14, 2025
Location: Hoenhorst Dairy Farm, Innerkip (parking is off-site and free shuttles will take guests to the farm)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Tickets: $5 for adults, children free
Get up close with farm animals, see extensive tractor and farm equipment displays, explore interactive games and exhibits about where your food comes from and meet with local farmers and food producers. Full details and tickets at FarmFoodCareON.org
