Lifestyle Sept:Oct 2025 digital

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Fresh Starts

O“September is the other January.”

GRETCHEN RUBIN

ne of the benefits of publishing Lifestyle six times a year is more accurately keeping in tune with the seasons. Every school child knows the four seasons — winter, spring, summer and fall (or autumn, if you prefer). But each of these yearly quadrants waxes and wanes, and for me, September and November are fundamentally different times of the year, physically and emotionally. I’m glad we don’t have to lump them together.

My school days, and even those of my children, are long past, but I still love the sense of anticipation that September brings. It’s a fresh start in many ways. Our annual “Fall Home Resource Guide” is well timed if you’re feeling that itch for something new in your home. There’s a wealth of ideas there, and the professionals to help you realize them. Our preview of the London Home Builders’ Association’s “Parade of Renovations,” held on October 5, offers even more inspiration. Our intrepid Janis Wallace provides an excellent scouting report.

I first heard the term “shoulder season” from folks in the tourism industry. They mean those months that frame summer. For them that generally means fewer visitors with children through the week, and more retired folks enjoying the amenities with some quiet and a more qualityfocused experience. There’s plenty in this issue to support that approach to September and October. Our “Road Trip” story explores Middlesex

County, truly the backyard for most of our readers, but you may be surprised by some of the lesser-known gems that the adventurous Lois Quail visited. I’ll be following her footsteps! And as usual, in-the-know epicure Bryan Lavery has some similarly revelatory recommendations in the “Eatdrink Buzz.”

I think that “sweater season” describes an aspect that I also love about September, when you just need a little something more to feel cozy. Our fashion pages reflect that in this issue, but with an astonishing amount of style and flair. Gorgeous sweaters, yes, but so much more. Perhaps you’ll see just the right outfit to wear to one of the events highlighted in our regular “Culture Calling” roundup by Kathy Navackas. This is a busy time for the arts, and there is plenty to see and experience.

As publisher, I’d like to think that we successfully lead you to read Lifestyle cover to cover. But if you’re like me, you might just jump to our last page first. In a column we dub “Hearth and Home,” Sue SutherlandWood demonstrates her talent for describing relatable situations with great humour without ignoring the ambiguous yin-yang nature of life. Her “Back to School Daze” contribution closes this September/October issue while succinctly evoking much of what I aspire Lifestyle to be: a magazine that helps readers find their way.

Chris McDonell

PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Chris McDonell

COPY EDITOR

Kym Wolfe

MANAGING EDITOR

Sue Gordon

WRITERS

Lisa Brandt

Jill Ellis-Worthington

Bruce Fyfe

Bryan Lavery

Kathy Navackas

Lois Quail

Kathy Rumleski

Sue Sutherland-Wood

Janis Wallace

ACCOUNT MANAGERS

Jane Antoniak

519-719-9366 janeantoniak@gmail.com

Annette Gent 519-200-0283 annettegent537@gmail.com

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Jan McGrath 519-243-2932 jm@lambtonshores.com

ART DIRECTION,

EDITORIAL & AD DESIGN

Wendy Reid

PRODUCTION

Wendy Reid

PHOTOGRAPHY

BAIN IMAGES

Richard Bain

Jesse Bellringer

WEBSITE City Media citymedia.ca

Lifestyle is published six times a year. Copies are distributed through magazine stands and local businesses in London and surrounding area.

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ON THE COVER

See page 30, LHBA PARADE OF RENOVATIONS: 895 Talisman Crescent by Riverside Construction

• Lasers

• Injectables

• Facials

• Skincare

• Non-Surgical Body Contouring

• Women’s Intimate Health

• Plastic Surgery

BEAUTY & WELLNESS 44 REST WELL

Rejuvenating Power of Sleep

50 FALL FASHION Cozy & Comfortable

TO SCHOOL DAZE

BUSINESS PROFILES 40 Copp’s Buildall 48 Skin One Eighty

Boutique Firenze 73 Crunican Orchards

GUIDE

Lifestyle HOME RESOURCE

NEW CONSTRUCTION | RENOVATIONS | DESIGN | DECOR

“There’s no place like home.” That sentiment is not always truthful. Our living spaces should serve and protect us — heart, body and soul — but what happens when they don’t? Do we move? Do we gut everything and start over? Do we tackle the kitchen, the basement, a bedroom or bathroom? The following pages will help you clarify your questions … and provide solutions. It should always be good to be home. 

Simplifying the Smart Home

Alarmtech: Better Together

Turning your home into a smart home isn’t as complicated as it may seem. Alarmtech makes it accessible and easy to manage, by bringing separate systems together to work as one unit.

You might already be partway to a smart home with a doorbell camera or thermostat paired with its own phone app. The First Alert ProSeries system installed by Alarmtech connects everything to one hub so you’re not juggling apps and having to handle an alarm, locks, lights, thermostat and cameras separately. Z-Wave technology facilitates automation of these systems to turn on or off and adjust. An integrated system can also be connected to Amazon’s Alexa for the ease of voice control.

Imagine coming home at night and disarming your alarm system. With the

push of one button selected lights also turn on, heating or cooling changes to your liking and, if you want, music plays as you enter. It’s the same when you leave, in reverse. Lights go off, the HVAC goes into energy-saving mode and your home is protected.

Homeowners enjoy peace of mind as they are able to monitor and control their smart home even while traveling. First

Homeowners enjoy peace of mind as they are able to monitor and control their smart home even while traveling.

Alert VX cameras have smart motion detection, meaning they’ll concentrate on the important areas you choose and ignore activity like swaying tree branches. Sometimes Alarmtech can integrate existing cameras, resulting in further savings. If safety, security and saving money via better energy management are important to you, visit alarmtech.ca/bettertogether to find out more. •

Every Home Tells a Story

Amber Light Custom Cabinetry Helps You Tell Yours

Owner and Principal Designer Yvonne McLeod is more than an award-winning designer with 25 years of experience. Her company, Amber Light Custom Cabinetry, was inspired by a deeper motivation.

“After my parents divorced, my mother had to work multiple jobs,” recalls Yvonne. “That often kept us from sharing family dinners together — a cherished aspect of my early years. Children would rush home from the playgrounds as streetlights illuminated the evening, eager to gather around the dinner table. As a child in a single parent home I often found solace in my imagination, waiting for friends to finish their meals so we could sneak in a few more games of hide and seek. I would stroll down the street, captivated by the warm amber light emanating from homes, which sparked my curiosity about the lives within.

“These moments deepened my longing for family gatherings around the dining table — experiences I treasured during visits to my grandparents’ home, filled with laughter and connection.

“This desire to reconnect with the warmth of those amber lights inspired me to establish my own cabinetry company. My goal is to help people create spaces that foster a sense of belonging. The kitchen is truly the heart of the home, nurturing

connection and togetherness. This vision is the foundation of Amber Light.”

To bring warmth and expert design to your home, choose Amber Light Custom Cabinetry. Yvonne enages in a collaborative process with her clients during interior design and renovation projects. Visit AmberLightCabinetry.com •

Now, after years of product development, Coni-marble is proud to introduce the new Naturals Collection.

Introducing the Naturals Collection at Coni-marble

Low Profile Shower Bases Also Join Product Line

Responsiveness to customer needs is one of the key reasons that Coni-marble has been successful for more than 55 years. Since 1969, Coni-marble has been manufacturing synthetic marble shower bases, wall panels, accessories, vanity tops and tubs in a variety of solid, swirl, and granite colours.

As people prepare to age in place or update older homes, they often focus on bathroom upgrades such as converting a bathtub area to a walk-in shower. And when customers said they wanted the look of natural stone, Coni-marble got to work.

Now, after years of product development, Coni-marble is proud to introduce the new Naturals Collection. Available in Taupe or Platinum Grey vein, this classic stone look is an exciting addition to the Conimarble product line. Perfect for shower walls and ceilings as well as tub surrounds and tub skirts. As with all Coni-marble products they are non-porous, easy to clean and grout-free.

Another consumer request has been for low profi le, easy access shower bases. Coni-marble has expanded its standard shower base line to include a new selection of low-profi le bases with a threshold height of 1.5”. The low-profi le bases are available in 36” x 48”and 32” x 60” tub replacer sizes, and 36” x 60”. Like all Coni-marble shower bases, the low-profi le bases slope to the drain, have a textured fi nish and are available in all standard colours.

Visit the Coni-marble showroom in Thorndale to see the Naturals and shower bases for yourself. ConiMarble.ca •

ABOVE The Coni-marble showroom in Thorndale offers close-up looks at all of the company’s product lines, including the new Naturals Collection, an easy-to-clean and groutless material with the look of real stone. BELOW This Coni-marble Naturals shower features a solid white corner seat and double-recessed niche for practicality and visual interest. INSET Coni-marble low-profile shower bases, available in a range of colours, are textured and slope to the drain.

Country Living with City Comforts

Legacy Homes’ Timberwalk: Inspired by You, Built by Them

Living in a country setting with city conveniences close at hand — that’s Timberwalk, in the heart of Ilderton.

Timberwalk offers the best of both worlds, pairing big city style and small town living in an exclusive master-planned community with large lots. It’s perfect for growing families. Community markets and fairs are just steps from your door. Big city shopping with everything you need is just ten minutes away in North London.

Timberwalk features plenty of room to play and grow while you enjoy fresh country air and quieter surroundings. Explore a selection of 50- to 55-foot premium walkout lots backing onto protected forest area. Standard 50-foot plus interior and corner lots are also available.

Riverbend Towns in Warbler Woods

High Quality, Low Maintenance, Ideal Location

The Riverbend Towns are modern luxury two-storey townhomes located in the highly desirable neighbourhood of Warbler Woods in beautiful West London. With natural surroundings, entertainment and top amenities nearby, Riverbend Towns are just minutes from top-rated schools, parks and trails. Restaurants and shopping are nearby and there’s easy access to the highway.

This exclusive community is a limited collection of 19 two-storey townhomes, each designed with style, functionality and comfort in mind.

Every townhome features a 1620-squarefoot layout, and an open-concept main floor featuring nine-foot ceilings and eight–foot doors. Gorgeous kitchens feature custom cabinetry and large quartz island seating, separate dining and living rooms, engineered oak hardwood flooring and large windows.

Upstairs, there are three large bedrooms, including a luxurious primary suite with

Choose from semi-custom plans or fully customize your ideal home with generous floor plans that suit the way you live. You’ll appreciate the beauty and light of a great room, the practicality of a mudroom, and perhaps an optional covered deck that overlooks a peaceful back yard.

Take a stroll with the family to your neighbourhood park. Access to local amenities is growing while still maintain-

ing a family-friendly way of life.

Trust Legacy Homes to understand your needs and exceed your expectations for your next home. Legacy is a family business in its second generation of awardwinning custom home-building, featuring a high standard of quality with a strong focus on attention to detail. Explore Timberwalk and the neighbourhood at legacyhomesoflondon.com/timberwalk. •

a walk-in closet and elegant ensuite. In all, there are two full bathrooms, and one half-bath. There’s also a conveniently located laundry room on the upper floor.

The Riverbend Towns provide exceptional value. Basements can be finished with three available options, providing the opportunity for an in-law suite or rental income. Stylish exteriors feature brick and the superior durability of James Hardie board. Covered front and rear porches and a single car garage add to the thoughtfully designed home, perfectly positioned for young, growing families. A low monthly fee covers snow removal and lawn maintenance.

Legacy Homes’ deep roots in custom home building and real estate show in this beautiful community. Visit legacyhomesoflondon.com/riverbendtowns to learn more. •

info@legacyhomesoflondon.com

Narrowing a Wide Range of Window Coverings

Trust the Experts at Covers Designers’ Edge

Is there anything more intimidating than viewing a showroom full of options and having no idea where to begin?

Covers Designers’ Edge solves that problem by collaborating with you to choose quality crafted, Canadian made window covering for your needs. Each showroom — two in London plus Sarnia and Burlington — has experts in house who have the depth of knowledge to narrow down seemingly endless choices. And window coverings is all they do.

“We ask questions in order to successfully help clients navigate the options,” explains owner Kevin Fellner. “Sometimes we work in phases instead of all

at once. We can start with functionality and add colour and softness with drapery later. You can place higher end coverings in the most important rooms and go from there.”

“Are they flipping a house or planning to live there for the rest of their lives?” adds London North designer Lisa Leslie. “We have a lot of different price points. If someone says, ‘I love this idea but it’s too expensive,’ we can go to another brand.”

Covers Designers’ Edge features most top brands as well as their own locally made Covers Signature and Prestige brands. They work with designers and directly with homeowners at all stages, from starter homes to large estates. There is no “one size fits all” solution when it comes to custom window coverings. Make an appointment with Covers Designers’ Edge to find your perfect fit. •

Award-winning Design

The LKS team includes six award-winning designers who turn vision and inspiration into your home’s reality, collaborating with you and an experienced team of tradespeople every step of the way. Kitchens • Bathrooms • Closets • Laundry Rooms • Outdoor Areas

Bask Outdoor Leisure

Expanding the Beachcomber Experience

Beachcomber London has been helping people relax with its premium hot tubs for close to 30 years. During that time, the company has expanded to offer customers everything needed to create a backyard oasis and enjoy special moments with family and friends.

“We aren’t just in the hot tub business anymore, we are in the backyard transformation business,” says owner Jeff McColl. Reflecting on the changing business landscape, McColl has rebranded his company as Bask Outdoor Leisure. “This name truly reflects everything we offer, whether it’s a cozy evening in a sauna, a lively barbecue with friends or sitting in your gazebo under the stars. This transformation represents our commitment to providing more ways to elevate your outdoor life-

style year round, no matter where you are in your journey.”

McColl says Beachcomber hot tubs will continue to be his main product, but he’s added the Strong Spas line, cold-plunge tubs, and offers a large line of in-

“We aren’t just in the hot tub business anymore, we are in the backyard transformation business.”

door and outdoor saunas. Along with servicing your pool and hot tub, Bask provides free water testing.

McColl is proud that the majority of his products are Canadian made, right down to the pool chemicals. “We’re thrilled to embark on this new venture with our customers.  It’s your backyard and we want you to Bask in it.”•

ABOVE Owners, Jeff McColl and Jeremy Slemko

A great renovation is the result of a great experience

At R i ve r side C o nst r u c ti o n , we kn ow t h at the q u a li t y o f yo u r ren ovat i o n ex p erien c e is j us t as im p o r t a nt a s t h e end result Th at ’ s w hy we prioriti ze cle a r c om m uni c ation , c us t ome r s e r v i c e a n d a s t r e s s - f r e e ex p e r i e n c e f r o m

p r o j e c t pl a nnin g t h ro u g h t o c o m p l e ti o n .

T he re is a d i f fe ren c e Put o u r d e d i c at e d , awa rd - winnin g t e a m t o wor k fo r yo u

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Compass Point from Domus Developments

Luxury on the Lake

Aresidence on a cliff, overlooking a beautiful body of water where great sunsets close out the day, would be an inspiring place to call home. Domus Developments has taken that vision and created a lakeside luxury apartment building in Port Stanley, ready for occupancy this summer.

The six-storey building with open concept one-bedroom and two-bedroom rental suites is located at 16 Compass Trail. Suites range from 660 to 1,250 square feet and offer ceramic tiles, vinyl plank flooring, a large island with a breakfast bar, custom blinds for the large windows, private balconies and many more amenities, says Domus designer Pat Kadlecik.

Domus, a family-run company established in 1999, uses local products and trades wherever possible, Kadlecik says. The Compass Point custom cabinetry is supplied by a St. Thomas company and the quartz countertops are made in London.

The concrete building is contemporary in style and has a West Coast vibe, she says. Residents will also enjoy a gathering room, workout space and a garden area. The Port Stanley strip and Little Beach are great

Neighbourhood is beautiful all times of year, but especially in Spring when the magnolia trees

areas to explore and Compass Point is walking distance to both. The 4,000-square-foot, furnished rooftop patio will become a favourite spot to relax and enjoy the vista and sunsets in style, Kadlecik says. “Everything inside and out is set up for relaxation and ease.” •

The Compass Point custom cabinetry is supplied by a St. Thomas company and the quartz countertops are made in London.

The Landings

Where Style Meets Serenity

Welcome to Lakeside Luxury Living. Discover The Landings, a premium freehold condominium community in the picturesque town of Port Stanley, just steps from Lake Erie. Developed by Domus Developments, this exclusive bungalow-style complex offers the perfect blend of comfort, style, and location — all ready for occupancy later this year. Where modern design meets coastal charm, located at 62 Compass Trail, “The Landings” condominiums feature openconcept two-bedroom floor plans ranging from 1250 to 1,325 sq ft. Complete with vaulted ceilings, hardwood flooring and ceramic tile finishes, large kitchen islands with breakfast bars, private decks with an optional fenced in yard, expansive windows and optional finished basements for added living space. Durable architec-

tural stone and Hardie exteriors offer a quality, modern aesthetic.

Crafted with local quality, founded in 1999, Domus Developments is a trusted, family-run builder committed to using local materials and trades: Custom cabinetry from St. Thomas and elegant quartz countertops made in London, Ontario are two of

the local suppliers showcased in this project. Steps from sand and sunsets situated within walking distance of the Port Stanley village and Little Beach, residents enjoy easy access to boutique shops, local dining, and some of the region’s most beautiful lakeside living. •

•

Where modern design meets coastal charm

London Shelf Company

Experience the Gliding Advantage

Anyone who’s found themself kneeling on the kitchen floor to crawl into a lower cupboard to retrieve a seldom-used pot or pan can appreciate a shelf that glides out of the cupboard, putting the contents within easy reach. It’s the concept that draws clients to London Shelf Company.

While customers extol the ease and organizational benefits, there’s another advantage that Stephen Millward, owner of the London Shelf Company, is increas ingly hearing from clients. That’s safety. More convenient for everyone, members of an aging demographic are telling him that the shelving’s potential to prevent falls allows them to age-in-place longer. This is an important consideration.

“I find it fulfilling to offer that help,” Mill ward says. “People often don’t fully realize how much it can change their lifestyle in terms of safety, as well as functionality.”

The full extension pull-out shelves are versatile, custom-built to fit existing cabinets and able to be cut around pipes for

use under sinks. Solutions for pantries and corner cabinets are popular.

Also popular are closet conversions, such as transforming a linen closet into a pantry. The shelves can hold up to 100 lbs of weight, are available in baltic birch or melamine, are maintenance-free, and are Made-in-Ontario.

Candela

Where Modern Living Meets Inspired Design in London’s Brightest Neighbourhood

If you’ve ever dreamed of a lifestyle that blends sophistication with sustainability, Sifton Properties’ newest project, Candela, may just be your perfect match. Tucked in the heart of London’s trailblazing West 5 community, Candela is not just another rental building, it’s a living experience built for those who crave connection, convenience, and elevated comfort.

From stylish young professionals to savvy empty nesters, Candela offers an ideal home base for anyone seeking to simplify their lifestyle without compromising on quality. It’s modern living, reimagined. Candela is thoughtful in design, rich in amenities, and grounded in a vibrant, walkable neighbourhood where everything you need is just steps away.

Thoughtful Design with a Touch of Luxe

Step into any of Candela’s 84 contemporary rental suites and you’ll immediately feel the difference. Clean lines, calming palettes, and premium finishes come together to create elegant yet functional spaces. Each suite features luxury vinyl plank flooring, sleek two-tone cabinetry, quartz countertops with breakfast bars, and Energy Star ® stainless steel appliances.

In the bathrooms, expect spa-inspired details like polished porcelain tile, modern glass showers, and coordinated Moen fixtures. Add to that spacious balconies with sweeping views of West 5, keyless entry with smartphone access, and in-suite laundry, and it’s clear Candela was built with modern lives— and modern expectations—in mind.

Comfort Meets Efficiency

At Candela, it’s not just about how your space looks, it’s how it works for you. Suites are equipped with energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, individual fresh air ventilation, and a unique “all off” switch that powers down your suite with the touch of a button.

The building itself reflects a strong commitment to sustainability. Solar panels generate power from the sun, while energy-conscious lighting and highefficiency insulation reduce both your environmental footprint and your utility costs. For those embracing the electric vehicle lifestyle, future-ready EV charging stations are planned for your convenience.

Amenities That Make Life Shine

Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying a solo night in, the building’s amenities are designed to elevate your day-to-day.

Unwind in the Aura Lounge , a flexible shared space with cozy seating, a fireplace, large screen TV, and access to a landscaped outdoor patio. Stay active in the Nova fitness room, or take your four-legged friend for a quick rinse in the indoor pet wash area. On-site indoor parking, ample bike storage, and available storage lockers add convenience to every routine.

The West 5 Advantage

What truly sets Candela apart is its location within West 5. Designed to be walkable and people-focused, West 5 integrates nature, technology, and design into every corner. Enjoy access to scenic trails, a central park, boutique shops, cafes, and professional services—all just steps from your front door.

This thriving, solar-powered neighbourhood is as dynamic as it is peaceful, offering an unparalleled balance between urban energy and natural serenity.

This thriving, solar-powered neighbourhood is as dynamic as it is peaceful, offering an unparalleled balance between urban energy and natural serenity.

Right-Sized for Every Lifestyle

Candela’s wide range of floor plans from stylish one-bedroom suites to spacious two-bedroom spaces makes it easy to find the perfect fit. Whether you’re a careerminded professional looking for an easy commute and vibrant community, or an empty nester downsizing with style, there’s a home here to match your needs.

With flexible layouts, exceptional finishes, and service backed by Sifton’s longstanding reputation for excellence, Candela offers true value for discerning renters.

Model Suites Now Open –Move In Starting This Fall

Now’s the time to take the next step toward brighter living — Candela’s beautifully designed model suites are officially open for viewing, offering prospective residents a firsthand look at what sets this building apart. And with move-ins beginning this fall, you won’t have to wait long to call Candela home.

Visit the website to explore floorplans, browse gallery images, and book your private tour today. Whether you’re starting fresh or scaling back, one thing’s for certain: life shines a little brighter at Candela. •

OPPOSITE PAGE • Candela exterior • The Aura Lounge THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Spacious one bedroom plus den design • Modern kitchen finishes

kitchen

Building What You Want, Where You Want

Estate Homes by Melchers Construction

You know Melchers Construction for their gorgeous new subdivision developments across Southwestern Ontario. They will bring the same expertise, care and attention to detail to design and build a home that’s uniquely yours, at your chosen location. From the ground up, Melchers Estate Homes meet the distinct needs of each of their clients.

You supply the land and the vision, and they’ll do the rest. Melchers has built Estate Homes at lakeside retreats, on rural land and on city infill lots.

“We had clients come to us with two adjacent properties in a small town subdivision,” says Elaine Melchers. “[They] tore both houses down and we built their desired dwelling.”

There are myriad reasons for choosing to build an Estate Home. Perhaps you’ve outgrown your current house or it no longer suits your lifestyle. Renovation isn’t always possible or practical and it’s better to start from scratch. Some homeowners prefer a new house but still desire to stay in a neighbourhood they love on their large mature lot.

Creating a design with fewer stairs and another separate living space is a priority for many who plan to age in place. Maybe you long for more harmony with nature, and easier access to the outdoors including better views of surrounding trees and gardens.

Whatever the reasons and no matter what’s on your wish list, Melchers’ in-house draftsman/designer is ready to collaborate with you on your custom built Estate Home. Visit and learn more at melchersconstruction.com •

Modern Master Builders

V+V Homes Deliver

The V+V Homes ownership tandem, Vandenbosch + Versolatto, boast more than 25 combined years of construction experience. Recent projects have ranged from custombuilt luxury homes to renovations of healthcare spaces. Bringing their combined experience and certified training in carpentry, building science and project management, they offer a bottom-up, start-tofinish approach to every project.

This condo kitchen is an excellent case in point. The goal for this project was to achieve a sleek and refined style yet also deliver a highly practical workspace that would leave the kitchen clean and clear at the end of each meal. “Our clients

downsized into this condo,” says Luke Vandenbosch. “We were able to maintain much of the functionality they were accustomed to within a much larger kitchen, while providing them the neat and tidy feeling of ‘a place for everything’ in this new layout.”

Attention to detail included several elegant touches. “The crown jewel of this kitchen is hidden in the back wall of cabinetry,” says Vandenbosch. “We hid an ‘invisible’ induction cooktop beneath the porcelain stone top.” Design meets function, at the highest level.

Contact V+V Homes to discuss your next project. •

THE ISLAND THE PANTRY

THE COOKTOP

THE BEVERAGE STATION

ON TREND: open concept; large island; built-ins flank the fireplace for storage and display

LHBA Parade of Renovations

BY JANIS WALLACE

If you watch home reno shows, flip avidly through décor magazines, scroll through Instagram and Pinterest posts on who’s doing what to their personal spaces — all in hopes of transforming your place into your palace — mark October 5 on your calendar. That’s the date of the London Home Builders’ Association 35th Parade of Renovations, the annual showcase of local excellence by RenoMark Renovators. Tour 10 indoor and outdoor spaces. Talk to the builders and designers. Return home with ideas and information.

You will see examples of the latest trends:

• sustainable and eco-friendly designs

• smart home tech

• open plans

• multi-functional spaces

• natural elements

• merging functionality and aesthetics

After a sneak preview and chat with the builders and some homeowners, Lifestyle offers this game plan to make the most of your day.

1 • 406 WORTLEY ROAD – new home from old house • CCR Build + Remodel

A family of five needed more room than the 1950s one-storey house offered. But they loved the location and the setting. Peder Madsen and his team helped them raise the roof to meet their needs. Now a two-storey entry welcomes visitors into an open-concept main floor and panelling leads up the stairway to the bedroom level. Full-height windows across the back bring in the outdoors.

The attention to detail shows in connections between the ceiling and stairs, repeated patterns such as the X design on the living room ceiling and end of the kitchen island, and teal accents against a neutral palette. Window tops align for

NOTABLE: integration into the neighbourhood with clean lines, crisp white trim and gables

a clean look. Dynamic ceiling heights define areas. A bump-out in the kitchen helps reduce noise.

Stewart Lebert, project navigator, says the open layout reflects blending spaces, now on many wish lists. “We still need defined space, such as offices and play areas.”

“We took this house and made it their home,” says Madsen. “People don’t real-

ize they can do this. I’d like people to see how much customization they can have in neighbourhoods.”

Challenge: more space for a family Unique: level of detail and customization Notable: integration into the neighbourhood with clean lines, crisp white trim and gables

ON TREND: improved function; plenty of storage; large island in a chef’s kitchen

When it comes to dollars, if you spend more time upfront on design it pays off. Getting it right was most important.” “

PEDER MADSEN, CCR BUILD + REMODEL

On trend: open concept; large island; built-ins flank the fireplace for storage and display; two-tone cabinetry; separate pantry; coffee bar; mixed metals; increased storage; better access to the outdoors

Owner’s favourite: “The whole thing. The whole feel. It’s the way we live. We never envisioned something like this.”

2 • 104 ASKIN STREET – historic charm and modern living • CCR Build + Remodel

Another house opened for 21st-century living was a 1914 Old South heritage home. The owner wanted to stay in Wortley

copper-clad round pergola; three types of garden lighting: flexible rod lights that move in the wind, bollard-style and spotlights all on remote-control

Tour 10 indoor and outdoor spaces. Talk to the builders and designers. Return home with ideas and information.

Village but needed to improve the flow of the space and how it functioned. A rear extension provided room for a more efficient, larger kitchen. A dark, narrow hallway was eliminated and a stairway added. A closet and bath and a mudroom were also added.

Original details include leaded glass and pocket doors that can separate the playroom.

Comfort was increased with new insulation. Lighting was updated. Upstairs, the primary ensuite and walk-in closet add to ease of living.

“When it comes to dollars, if you spend more time upfront on design” it pays off, says Madsen. “Getting it right was most important.”

Challenge: make an old house work better for today’s lifestyle

Unique: blend of old and new

Notable: flow from front to back; backsplash; pendant lights above island

On trend: improved function; plenty of storage; large island in a chef’s kitchen

Owner’s favourite: “I like the flow so much. It’s more useable. I like the design and how they tried to keep the classic look. I like the interesting quirks of the old and new.”

UNIQUE:

12-foot ceilings allow display on top of cabinetry; glass-fronted upper doors with black paint

The star is the pool house. A wall of sliding glass doors opens to the pool, while a custom sliding screen keeps the bugs at bay.

3

• 173 GREEN HEDGE COURT – private retreat

• CLAY Design Construction & Cabinetry

“There was nothing but the pool, a utility shed and fence,” says CLAY design director Chris Haindl. Now it’s an ideal ‘staycay’ space with a new pool house and several options for outdoor gathering, cooking and dining.

The pool was reshaped and gardens updated. The star is the pool house. A wall of sliding glass doors opens to the pool, while a custom sliding screen keeps the bugs at bay. Inside, a seating area with big-screen television, kitchenette with peninsula for more seating, a Murphy bed and three-piece bath offer a great place to hang out.

The style is “minimal and earthy” says Haindl. Porcelain floor tiles and infrared heaters provide function, whether entering after a swim, watching the big game or staying for a weekend.

Challenge: Make the backyard more comfortable and inviting for more of the year

Unique: Shinnoki (veneer panels with a melamine layer) cabinets in matte green

Notable: copper-clad round pergola; three types of garden lighting: flexible rod lights that move in the wind, bollard-style and spotlights all on remote-control On trend: eco-friendly, thermally modified ash siding from New Brunswick Owner’s favourite: pool house — it’s become a hub for pool parties, sports viewing and guests.

4 • 960 MAITLAND STREET – timeless design and effortless entertaining

• CLAY Design Construction & Cabinetry

A house from the 1930s was at odds with today’s needs with its dark, small and inefficient kitchen. But the owners wanted to keep the original charm. By adding eight feet to the back of the house, they gained a larger, brighter kitchen, a mudroom and a two-piece bath. “It’s a small addition with big impact,” says CLAY designer Mark Vaandering. A new furnace, electrical and plumbing add comfort. Large windows over the sink bring in a view of the yard.

One way old and new were married was by recycling doors from a former built-in china cabinet for the new pantry. Existing trim was kept and narrow-plank oak floors mirror the historical style. A farmhouse sink and vintage-style bathroom fixtures also add to the look. Challenge: create more space, a larger, more efficient kitchen Unique: combination of old and new

SPECIALIZING IN

• Luxury Homes

• Estate Sale Management

• First Time Buyers

• Matrimonial Relocation • Commercial / Land Development

James (Jim) Hudson Smith Senior Sales Representative Sutton Group Select Realty Inc.

Direct: 519-868-2095 Office: 519-433-4331

Email: jsmith@sutton.com

ON TREND:

large kitchen island; open concept; mixed metals; solid quartz backsplash; quartz waterfall countertops; beverage bar

NOTABLE:

flipped the layout from front to back; custom plumbing; second floor teenage daughter’s bath

JOHN RELOUW, DUO BUILDING “

Notable: hand-crafted cabinetry and granite countertops

On trend: kitchen with plenty of storage and large island; beverage bar

5 • 1648 JUBILEE DRIVE – lightfilled layout • CLAY Design Construction & Cabinetry

As in popular TV shows, the owners were faced with a love it or list it dilemma. The family needed more space and a more modern interior to match their lifestyle and opted to stay. By relocating the kitchen, updating the powder room and flooring, pushing out the rear wall and adding a 12-by-9-foot bifold door to the deck, they gained a light-filled, functional space.

Distinctive features, such as barnboard accents, including down the centre of the vaulted ceiling, personalize the reno. An added mudroom and an office space that does double duty as a guest room meet today’s needs.

Like many owners, the family of six wanted open areas, but with some separation. Mark Vaandering says, “If it’s too open, it’s too noisy. You want a quiet

It’s not a huge space but well laid-out. It’s functional for entertaining and relaxing and works great for every day.”

room, a retreat.” CLAY designer Leah Turner agrees: “People want options.”

Challenge: Create more space and improve function

Unique: barnboard walls and mantel reflects family background; raised island to suit their height

Notable: custom millwork; terrazzo floor and bright wallpaper in powder room

On trend: open, multi-purpose space; large island

6 • 909 CUTROSS AVENUE –focus on function • DUO Building Limited

Transforming a basic builder’s kitchen into a customized space for daily living or entertaining is no easy feat when it’s a long, narrow and awkward layout. The homeowner’s goal sounds simple: “Make it more liveable for me. I called DUO — I’d followed them.”

DUO partner John Relouw says, “It’s not a huge space but well laid-out. It’s functional for entertaining and relaxing and works great for every day.”

Style was amped up with dramatic

black accents, display shelves for collectibles, and brushed nickel and soft gold hardware and fixtures. Organization was increased with purpose-built cabinetry. “I love the drawers,” says the owner. “I know where everything is.”

Challenge: Make the space more functional without changing the centre stairwell

Unique: 12-foot ceilings allow display on top of cabinetry; glass-fronted upper doors with black paint

Notable: cabinetry colour and profile give a modern look; rift-cut white oak flooring and cabinetry

On trend: large kitchen island; open concept; mixed metals; solid quartz backsplash; quartz waterfall countertops; beverage bar

Owner’s favourite: “The kitchen. I love it. It’s exactly what I wanted.”

7 • 32 WIDDICOMB CRESCENT –tailored to new life in a new country

• McCarty Squared Inc.

How do you reshape a first home to suit a family new to Canada? “We listened to their needs and carried out the design,”

NOTABLE:

warm walnut in kitchen and dining room; premium finishes throughout

says McCarty Squared project manager Garnet McCarty.

“They wanted heated floors in areas not usually done because they go barefoot all year. We made conscious material decisions, placement of tile and hardware, minimal use of carpet for their lifestyle. We used gold-leaf wallpaper for its reflective quality.”

Gold is a theme throughout the house, in keeping with the owners’ culture. It was a challenge to find a consistent tone. “Nobody makes the same gold,” says McCarty.

The main floor layout was completely changed. A wall was removed to allow for a kitchen island. A bathroom was added off the foyer for guests. The basement was redone as a playroom.

“We tailor to suit customers. We want them to be happy — and they’re more than happy.”

Challenge: remodel a main floor to match traditions from home country

Unique: extensive heated floors; custom bookshelves to fit collection; gold

materials throughout

Notable: flipped the layout from front to back; custom plumbing; second floor

teenage daughter’s bath

On trend: locally sourced materials; large island

8 • 895 TALISMAN CRESCENT –everyday luxury

• Riverside Construction

Deliberate decisions to brighten the main living space and make it more functional were the owner’s goals. It started with wanting to improve the kitchen. “It morphed into doing the laundry, flooring, adding an ensuite and new stair railing,” says Riverside’s president Greg Hassall.

“We built the home around entertaining. You can hang out, eat, serve at the island. There’s a formal dining room for big meals and special occasions. Dining spaces are coming back.”

To create the cohesive open living area, a wall was removed and the fireplace relocated. New cabinetry provides more accessible storage in the kitchen.

“The square-footage is similar, but there is more storage and space,” says Hassall.

Challenge: create one cohesive space

Unique: a wine wall adds interest and function in the dining room

Notable: warm walnut in kitchen and dining room; premium finishes throughout On trend: open living space; large kitchen island with seating for five; plenty of storage; quartz countertops; different colour for island cabinetry; wide-plank flooring Owner’s favourite: “The kitchen – the overall look with display cabinets at the top and space to spread out while cooking.”

9 • 152 RICHMOND STREET – Net-zero meets mid-modern • V+V Homes

Definitely worth the drive to see this mid-century modern rebuild. Luke Vandenbosch, V+V Homes owner and builder, says they knocked a “small, tired war-time bungalow down to the foundation and reframed the whole thing.”

His goals were lofty: from clerestory windows to high-performance, comfortable home that showcased his work, especially net-zero options.

Exposed framing highlights the clerestory windows and steeply pitched ceiling. “It defines the space,” says Vandenbosch. “It makes a small space feel bigger.” To blend into the rural streetscape, the clerestory isn’t visible from the road.

The kitchen features a large island and a butler’s pantry for extra storage. Small details with big impact include double or hidden drawer levels, closet lights triggered by the door, integrated lighting on the stairs, curbless shower, laundry off the front entry for country living needs, and a separate dog entry.

The mid-century modern vibe came from furniture they already owned.

Starting from the foundation made for many decisions, Vandenbosch says. “Everything is intentional. Everything has a purpose. We want to build well; we want to build to last.”

Challenge: create an energy-efficient house and modern home

Unique: Net-zero construction (no greenhouse gas emissions)

Notable: clerestory and transom windows

On trend: created more functional space; induction cooktop

Owner’s favourite: windows and the light and views they create

10 • 42 GREENFIELD DRIVE – charming ADU

• Vantage Built Construction

Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or secondary housing is a timely topic. Whether looking for a granny flat, mother-in-law suite or garden cottage, it’s an attractive option.

Vantage Built Construction owner operator Derick Vandereist built a new unit with full basement for the owner. “It’s easily accessible, aesthetically pleasing and built to last.” He says attention to detail is important. But high-end finishes aren’t needed. “It’s doable at a better price point.”

A welcoming porch leads through double French doors into an open living area. Luxury vinyl floor- 

Luke

ing looks like tile and is laid in a grey and white checker pattern. The custom kitchen features “walnut-inspired” finished cabinets and a large island with seating. Arched doorways add character. Plenty of built-ins provide storage. Walk through the large closet to a rear deck with a hot tub overlooking a firepit.

Forced-air heating, dry-wall registers and a continuous insulation layer improve the “tightness of the envelope” and add comfort. Tunnel lights bring in light. The basement is painted black for a moody theatre room with a projection screen and snack bar tucked under the stairs.

Outdoors, retaining walls and landscaping create an inviting cottage garden setting.

“There is a lot of need for it,” says Vandereist of the ADU concept.

Challenge: more liveable, functional space

Unique: cottage in the backyard surrounded by gardens and a hot tub on the deck

PARADE REVEAL

Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU)

The Parade of Renovations is made possible through the renovators, their satis ed customers and the sponsorship of:

• Great Floors

• Verbeek Kitchens & Bath

• Preferred Insurance Group

• Nieman Market Design

• Moffatt & Powell RONA

• Progressive Countertop

• Brouwer Plumbing & Heating

IF YOU GO WHAT:

LHBA 35th Parade of Renovations 2025

WHEN:

October 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

TICKETS:

ADVANCE, $10 plus HST at lhba.on.ca/en/ renovating/parade-of-renovations

EVENT DAY online at sites, $15

Notable: affordable secondary housing with infrastructure run off existing house. On trend: blend of function and aesthetics; flow of the layout

JANIS WALLACE has written for newspapers, magazines, scripts and social media on topics from music to dog food, fashion to décor, agriculture to gardens. She wrote a book about a theatre, a place she loves to be — in the audience or on stage.

PARADE OF RENOVATIONS

Worry-free renovations with an experienced team

Bring your wish list to Copp’s design showroom

One visit to the downtown design centre at Copp’s Buildall can take the stress out of a home renovation. “You only have to come to one place and we can take you through every step in the process,” says designer Laura Joynt, whose 30 years of experience ensures clients have the perfect kitchen renovation for their needs. “You don’t have to go anywhere else. Here you can pick out everything from flooring to faucets. It’s more convenient and much less stressful. We are also with you from the design stage to completion.”

There are four design team members, who work within clients’ budgets, wish lists and time frames to help them choose the best products. Copp’s sources cabinets from the Canadian companies Urban Effects Cabinetry and Cabinetsmith. Once products are chosen, measurements are taken, 3-D renderings produced, a quote is drawn up and orders placed. Joynt says Copp’s — which also does large-scale flooring for apartment buildings and townhouse complexes — employs contractors based on the requirements of the renovation.

Joynt, who studied interior design at Fanshawe College, says many people are looking for traditional styles with modern accents in their kitchens. Recently Joynt looked at design centre photos from 20 years ago and she says what was popular then is making a comeback. Quartz countertops, backsplash tiles and hardwood flooring remain timeless and can all be supplied

“

Here you can pick out everything from flooring to faucets.”

by Copp’s. While white continues to be the colour of choice in the kitchen, Joynt says blonde woods and earthy tones provide some variation. Accents of black, grey and blue match well and are easily coordinated.

The team also has lots of experience designing bathrooms, laundry rooms and offices. “Copp’s (established in 1877) is well respected in the city and clients have confidence in our expertise. We often have repeat customers who appreciate the work we do. Word of mouth is important,” Joynt says.

“I love working on jobs where people have saved for their kitchen renovation for years. They are appreciative of everything you do for them and you know that you’ve made a difference.”•

an

variety of

for your

• The Copp’s design team guide customers through every stage of the process, from the design stage through to completion. • See, feel and compare samples for flooring, tile and more. • Copp’s sources Canadian cabinetry designs and timeless countertop and backsplash options.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP The Copp’s Buildall showroom in downtown London features

inspiring

products

renovation project, from flooring to fixtures.

1 Handmade “Golden Birch” marble coaster by Cedar Mountain in Salt Spring Island, BC. Curiosities Gift Shop

2 An autumn paint colour palette by Benjamin Moore: Burlap 216350 (Creamy Pinky); Townsend Harbor Brown HC-64 (Deep Burgundy Brown); and Maryville Brown HC-75 (Burnt Orange/ Brown). Clancy’s Rainbow

3 Canadian-made Palliser Q31

Quantum Power Recliner, available in leather and a variety of colours and fabrics. London Fine Furniture

4 Fall Wreath available in a variety of colours and made with premium indoor/outdoor poly burlap.

Creations by Karen (upstairs at The Market at Western Fair)

5 Canadian-made Decor-Rest rolled arm three-cushion sofa, available in a variety of leathers and fabrics, with matching pieces.

London Fine Furniture

6 Festive Fall Table Arrangement.

Creations by Karen (upstairs at The Market at Western Fair)

7 Provenance woven wood Roman blinds by Hunter Douglas. Light filtering, room darkening, manual or motorized, available in a variety of colours. Covers Designer’s Edge

8 Square platter/plaque by potter Yvonne Jeavons, in natural colours with Queen Anne’s Lace flower imprints. Curiosities Gift Shop

9 Canadian-made Decor-Rest loose back sofa and zippered pillows, available in a variety of leathers and fabrics, with matching pieces. London Fine Furniture

10 London-made Wax Melts — wickless wax blocks to be warmed to release fragrance. Available in a variety of fall-themed and other scents. Red Door Candle Studio (upstairs at The Market at Western Fair)

11 Yala Cream Lantern with timer and chain. Battery-operated LED light for indoors or in a protected outdoor setting. Duck & DoDo (upstairs at The Market at Western Fair)

12 Canadian-made Palliser Ollie small scale tub chair with wooden swivel base. Available in leather and a variety of colours and fabrics. London Fine Furniture

13 Full colour map of London poster print by I Like Maps.

Spruce Moose (upstairs at The Market at Western Fair)

14 Eclectic assemblage of vintage, antique and collectible items from a variety of vendors.

Memory Lane Antiques

15 “Autumn Road“ by Martin Podt, canvas print wall art. London Fine Furniture

16 Oval platter/plaque by potter Yvonne Jeavons, in natural colours with Queen Anne’s Lace flower imprints. Curiosities Gift Shop

17 Unique handmade mug by London’s Yurzen Pottery Old North Sconery

Rest Well The rejuvenating power of sleep

BY JILL ELLIS-WORTHINGTON

Knowing firsthand what a disrupted sleep schedule feels like, longtime radio personality Erin Davis created an app to help others who struggle with it. While co-hosting CHFI’s popular morning show for 30 years, Davis slept in two shifts. Her alarm went off around 3:30 a.m. so she could be at the station early each day, then she’d catch a nap in the afternoon.

Her app, Drift, uses her famously soothing voice to read classics like Gulliver’s Travels to quiet bedtime brain chatter. And really, who doesn’t love a bedtime story? With over 375,000 downloads, Drift is one of many tools used by the 25 per cent of Canadians who, according to a 2022 Statistics Canada report, have difficulty falling or staying asleep.

That’s not the only eye-opening statistic. The same study found that 10 to 15 per cent of Canadians experience insomnia with daytime consequences and six to 10 per cent meet the criteria for clinical insomnia. A 2023 StatsCan follow-up report noted that more than one-third of Canadians aged 5–79 get less than the recommended amount of sleep and onequarter of adults report chronic trouble staying asleep.

The impact of this sleep shortfall ripples into nearly every aspect of life: reduced productivity and more mistakes at work; increased tension at home; fewer social connections; drowsy-driving risks; and a heavier burden on our healthcare system.

Dr. Saverio Stranges, MD, PhD, FAA and chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, believes sleep should be treated as a key health indicator. “Sleep is a behaviour like diet and exercise, and it’s a major determinant of overall health,” he explains. “We tend to take a reactive approach to sleep issues. People only talk to their doctor when it’s reached the point of in-

somnia or sleep apnea and often, they’re handed a prescription. But during routine physicals, doctors should be asking about sleep patterns: quality, duration, consistency. We’re supposed to spend one-third of our lives sleeping. If that third is poor quality, it affects the other two-thirds significantly.”

So why aren’t we sleeping?

The usual suspects — stress, poor diet, lack of movement, hormone shifts, blue light from screens, chronic illness and shift work — are certainly to blame. But there’s more to the story. Socioeconomic status can play a role too. People facing financial stress, crowded housing or multiple jobs often don’t have the luxury of consistent, restful sleep, adds Dr. Stranges.

Many people only seek help after they’ve struggled for a while. Dr. Brian Rotenberg, a sleep specialist and ENT surgeon, often sees patients after they’ve tried every trick in the book. “By the time they see me, they’re exhausted. They’re restless, tossing and turning and often snoring loudly. Their partner’s not sleeping either.”

Dr. Rotenberg offers surgical solutions for sleep apnea but emphasizes that not all snorers have sleep apnea (though everyone with sleep apnea does snore).

CPAP machines and custom dental appliances can also be effective.

But before treatment comes diagnosis, and that starts with a proper sleep study. “Your Apple Watch can’t diagnose a medical condition,” Rotenberg notes. “To qualify for coverage through OHIP or private benefits, you need a formal diagnosis.”

The good news? A sleep study no longer means a night in a clinic hooked up to machines. Many now use at-home studies that are simpler and, in some cases, more accurate. “People often sleep poorly in a lab, which skews the results,” he says.

The Beauty of a Good Night’s Sleep

“Beauty sleep” isn’t just a fairy tale. Charlene Jones, co-owner of Artistic Esthetic Med Spa, says sleep is the body’s prime time for healing and repair. “It helps decrease inflammation, balance hormones and encourage cell turnover. Lack of sleep can lead to dehydration, hormone imbalance and dull skin, brittle hair and those dreaded dark circles.”

She recommends sleeping on your back and using a silk pillowcase to reduce facial creasing and hair breakage overnight.

Maria Bikas, owner of Maria Bikas

“The usual suspects — stress, poor diet, lack of movement, hormone shifts, blue light from screens, chronic illness and shift work — are certainly to blame. But there’s more to the story.”

Salon, agrees. “Lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep can absolutely impact your hair,” she says. “Cortisol spikes from stress affect hair follicles, which are highly sensitive to hormonal changes. Good sleep supports the anagen growth phase of hair.”

Her top tip? “Don’t go to bed with wet hair. You need it aired out and dry. Moisture in your hair overnight can cause a build-up of bacteria and oil pockets on the scalp, which lead to scalp issues.” It can also be harder to sleep with wet hair and a damp pillow.

What Can We Do?

There’s no one-size-fits-all fix, but there are plenty of options — some time-tested, others tech-driven.

Sleep apps first appeared in 2010 but really took off during the pandemic. Alongside Drift, apps like Sleep Cycle and Insight Timer have become part of nightly routines for many.

Sandi Conrad, 57, uses Sleep Cycle (one of the most used in Canada) and upgraded to the paid version to better understand her patterns. “It tells me how long I slept, how restful it was, tracks noise and disruptions, even exercise and alcohol consumption,” she says. It’s helped her analyse and adjust behaviours for better rest. Plus, she travels frequently for work and the app works wherever she goes.

After a traumatic event, Kim McDougall, 60, turned to meditation apps. She began with iSleep, then added Insight Timer to help with middle-of-the-night wakeups. “I didn’t care for Calm or Headspace, but Insight Timer has shorter guided meditations that help me get back to sleep.”

An emerging tool for those who can’t tolerate CPAP machines is iNAP, a device that uses negative pressure instead of the usual forced air. Invented in Taiwan and approved by the FDA, it’s not yet available in Canada. Dr. Rotenberg cautions, “Some of the supporting research is either outdated or of questionable quality, so it needs further review.”

What About Medications and Natural Options?

While prescription sleep meds are available, many prefer not to go that route. The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine reported a 31 per cent drop in sleep med prescriptions from 2013/14 to 2017/18, from 4.6 per cent to 3.3 per cent of U.S. adults. At the same time, interest in natural and plant-based products has grown.

Melatonin, often used as a natural alternative, doesn’t work for everyone. Kim Goodhue, owner of Purely Wicked in St. Thomas, experienced what she calls a “melatonin hangover.” She now uses a magnesium oil spray, her own formulation, to relax muscles and ease into sleep. “It helps calm the nervous system, reduces cortisol and is great for people who don’t absorb magnesium well orally.”

Goodhue, 47, also swears by ashwagandha, an adaptogen

GrandOpening SKIN

“

Sleep is a behaviour like diet and exercise, and it’s a major determinant of overall health. We tend to take a reactive approach to sleep issues. But during routine physicals, doctors should be asking about sleep patterns: quality, duration, consistency. We’re supposed to spend one-third of our lives sleeping. If that third is poor quality, it affects the other two-thirds significantly.”

~ DR. SAVERIO STRANGES

(a plant-based stress reliever) for managing the hormonal ups and downs of perimenopause, which has added to her sleep issues. She uses it both internally and topically in her magnesium sprays.

Cannabis has also helped some. “When I have really bad insomnia for two or three nights in a row, a gummy knocks me right out,” says Conrad.

The Sleep Divorce

When one partner snores, talks in their sleep or thrashes around, it can affect both people. Some couples choose a “sleep divorce” (separate sleeping arrangements) to protect their rest. While it might sound unromantic, good sleep supports better moods, sharper thinking and stronger relationships. Communication is key.

The Usual Suspects

Screens before bed are a widely recognized culprit, but this can be mitigated by using red light bulbs in the bedroom or bathroom nightlight, which support the body’s melatonin production better than the blue light emitted from phones and TVs.

And let’s not forget diet and exercise. Heavy meals, alcohol and extra abdominal weight can all contribute to snoring and sleep apnea. “People with more weight around their midsection often have to work harder to pull in air,” says Dr. Rotenberg.

Exercise is one of the best natural remedies; it improves mood, reduces stress and helps regulate your internal clock. It’s low-cost, effective and comes with benefits that extend far beyond bedtime.

“Sleep … it’s not just rest, it’s recovery, renewal and radiance,” says Bikas. “Good sleep clears your mind, clears your immune system and literally makes you more beautiful from the inside out.” •

Combining her love of words and water, Jill Ellis-Worthington writes about health and wellness topics. She’s dedicated to helping others in their pursuit of better health through aquatic fitness and aquatic personal training. She can be reached at jill@wateronpro.com.

“

I was suffering from severe snoring and met up with Dr. Rotenberg for a solution since I did not want to live the rest of my life with a CPAP machine. He suggested removing my tonsils and uvula. The surgery was flawless and I now sleep better than I have for over 8 years. I thank Dr. Rotenberg for everything he’s done and would absolutely recommend him he’s very professional and an absolutely amazing surgeon.”

Dr. Brian Rotenberg MD MPH FRCSC

From Breakouts to Breakthroughs

Skin One Eighty Transforms Your Skin

For more than a decade Erica Giorgini suffered with cystic acne. Now she has turned that pain into her passion by helping others learn how to treat their skin conditions. Giorgini opened her Skin One Eighty clinic on Wortley Road about five months ago, and there she guides clients step by step through her holistic approach to skincare. “Acne can affect so many aspects of your life and I can empathize with people,” she says. With a diploma in Esthetics and Spa Management from Humber College in Toronto, and more than seven years experience in the industry, Giorgini says she provides a multi-faceted approach to skincare. She also did a term at the Brescia School of Food and Nutritional Sciences and notes diet and lifestyle changes can help manage acne. “There is no cure for acne but I do a deep dive with clients so they have all the information they need to feel fully supported.”

“

Skin conditions can impact your life and we put individual plans in place to help.”

Giorgini offers a comprehensive 75-minute consultation, which includes education about the body and the skin. She provides ongoing acne coaching and useful tools to ensure clients have all the support they need to help their skin heal. “There are so many things that can impact our skin. We look at lifestyle, diet, gut health, blood sugar and more,” she says. “As the skin is an organ, if we’re not healthy on the inside, there will be signs on the outside. We need to address the root cause.”

Giorgini says all of her treatments are clinical, medical grade and results oriented. Skin One Eighty provides light therapy, anti-aging techniques, facials and

chemical peels, and treats a variety of other skin concerns such as acne scars, hyperpigmentation, aging, rosacea and more. “Skin conditions can impact your life and we put individual plans in place to help.” Giorgini cautions that the esthetics industry is not regulated so she advises people to check someone’s credentials before seeking any treatment. “You need to do your research and make sure you are getting help from someone who is qualified.”

Sharing Tales of Unique Gifts

Boutique Firenze boosts “Made in Canada”

London’s Boutique Firenze sells beautiful handcrafted items, and many have a story behind them, says shop owner Bettina Weber. The tale of one product was even adapted for a film.

When the Hadhad family’s chocolate factory in Syria was destroyed by bombs, the family spent three years as refugees before arriving in Nova Scotia. Through hard work and perseverance, they rebuilt their business and named it Peace by Chocolate. The movie of the same name has garnered international awards, and the chocolate is equally prized. “As soon as we started selling these bars, dozens of people purchased them,” Weber says. “Some would buy 15 at a time.” The bar wrappers celebrate different occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries and some wrappers promote the trend of buy ing Canadian, with “Go Canada Go” and “Elbows Up.”

While Boutique Firenze is known for its fine Italian gloves and scarves, Weber also takes pride in offering Canadianmade gifts and accessories, many created close to home. The shop’s products include designs by First Nations artists such as Norval Morrisseau, Daphne Odjig and Stratford’s Maxine Noel, a Member of the Order of Canada. Other unique items are jewelry by Joanna of London. “Her pieces are great to wear to work or take travelling and they’re all under $40,” Weber says. Eco-friendly beeswax candles from The Wicked Bee Candle Company are also popular. “These are imported all the way from Woodstock,” she jokes.

Weber has recently started selling decorative spoons by Toronto wood carver Jamie Maxwell and handiwork from Quebec’s Doro Marcello. “Doro does charming paintings of birds, animals and plants and makes them into garlands you can hang in your window.”

There are gifts for children as well, such as the wooden cars nicknamed Zoomers. They are made by Len Elliott Sr., a local great-grandfather, who is also Weber’s father-in-law. “They always come in sets of three because Len says you need three to have a good race.”

Weber says people love to take these gifts to other parts of the world. “It’s really gratifying to see that customers are enthusiastically choosing Canadian products to share.” •

with an umbrella featuring an image from Sioux painter Maxine Noel. • Enjoy the work of First Nations artist Norval Morrisseau with a porcelain “Floral on Yellow” mug. • Long necklaces with organic shapes inspired by nature are locally made by Joanna of London. • Peace by Chocolate makes Canada bars including this “Elbows Up” milk chocolate with maple cream option.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Boutique Firenze owner Bettina Weber

cozy

comfortable

fall

Fall fashion is all about comfy sweaters and layering for the vagaries of autumn weather. Keep it simple by pairing a great knit with on-trend denim or lean in to the soft textures with just the right jacket, hat, scarf and gloves. Keep it casual with soft-soled shoes or kick it up with a great pair of boots. Whatever your style, our local retailers look forward to helping you craft your look for a fall with flair.

1 Faux fur reversible hooded coat with button-front closure, front pockets and above-the-knee length. Bijou Boutique

2 Faux fur leopard print pull-through scarf. Bijou Boutique

3 Turn-up knit beanie with rhinestones. Bijou Boutique

4 Animal print coat by Joseph Ribkoff with luxe faux fur trim at the collar and cuffs. Magnolia Boutique

5 Jogger pant with denim print. Hangar9

6 Marc Cain knitted striped sweater. Hangar9

7 Santoni Fortune ankle boots. Hangar9

8 Veronica Beard suede lasso bag. Hangar9

9 Veronica Beard cropped knit tank. Hangar9

10 Fingerless gloves, in angora/acrylic knit, by Mitchie’s Matchings. Curiosities

11 Clarks Certina pure slip-on shoe, in genuine leather with side zipper and removable insole. White Balmer Shoes

12 Joseph Ribkoff silky knit fit and flare wrap dress. Bijou Boutique

13 Comfy knit two-tone cardigan by Charlie B. Violets of Strathroy

14 Large tricolour scarf in cashmere/wool blend from Kemailù Knitwear of Tuscany Boutique Firenze 

15 Dream Weaver Kimono of bamboo viscose by Maker of Stars. Plumage Studio

16 Burberry Trench Coat in 100% wool. Style 360

17 White Stuff mixed pattern cardigan, made from 100% organic cotton. Style 360

18 Luxe leisure by Frank Lyman. Violets of Strathroy

19 Colourful vegan fabric gloves, from Bottega del Guanto of Naples. Boutique Firenze

20 Dooney & Bourke “Dawson” leather shoulder bag, 100% genuine leather. Style 360

21 Cable knit scarves in a cashmere/wool blend from Kemailù Knitwear of Tuscany. Boutique Firenze

22 Joseph Ribkoff pleated scuba crepe boxy top, in cream. Violets of Strathroy

23 Aiden crewneck sweater with white floral appliqués and embroidery. Leslie’s Clothing



GRAND REOPENING CELEBRATION

IN THE HEART OF BYRON

We’re back—with a beautiful new look and fresh fall arrivals! Celebrate with us in style, and a fresh new chapter at BIJOU BOUTIQUE!

October 2, 3 & 4, 2025 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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1289 Commissioners Rd W, London • 519.472-0123 bijouboutiquelondon@gmail.com

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PARKING AVAILABLE IN THE BACK LOT

24 Flapper hat by Mucros Weavers in 100% wool tweed. Plumage Studio

25 Lambskin gloves from Omega and Pennino Gloves of Naples. Boutique Firenze

26 Mondo Colore 100% silk stole from Massimo Ravinale of Florence. Boutique Firenze

27 Comfortable pull-on straight leg denim with tonal embellishments by FDJ. Violets of Strathroy

28 Soft knit sweater with subtle accent colours on edges, by Zaket and Plover. Curiosities

fashions

peekaboosboutique.ca @peekaboos_boutique

33 Men’s green Trinity cap by Mucros Weavers in 100% wool tweed. Plumage Studio

34 Magill Summit fedora, 100% Australian wool, packable/ crushable and water-repellant. Collins Clothiers

35 Rieker slip-on sneaker, cushioned insole, durable outsole. White Balmer Shoes

36 Florsheim Social laced sneaker in cognac with smooth leather upper and breathable mesh lining. Collins Clothiers

37 Cropped fall jacket by Alison Sheri. Studio Style

Girls embossed gold brocade dress by Sweet Kids. Boys fine linen suit by Jules and Jess

BIJOU BOUTIQUE

1289 Commissioners Road W 519-472-0123 mybijouboutique.com

BOUTIQUE FIRENZE

189 Adelaide Street S #3 519-649-4122 boutiquefirenze.ca

COLLINS CLOTHIERS

LONDON

297 Adelaide Street S 519-680-2986 collinsclothiers.com

CURIOSITIES GIFT SHOP

174 1/2 Wortley Road 519-432-0434 curiositiesgiftshop.com

HANGAR9

620 Richmond Street 519-672-0073 • hangar9.ca

LESLIE'S CLOTHING

15 Main St N, Bayfield 519-565-2303 fb.com/LesliesClothing

MAGNOLIA BOUTIQUE

Located in Parkway Garden Centre 1473 Gainsborough Road, London • 226-333-2019 parkwaygardens.ca/pages/ magnolia-boutique

PEEKABOO’ S CHILDREN’ S BOUTIQUE

2nd floor, 100 Kellogg Lane 519-318-4809 peekaboosboutique.ca

PLUMAGE STUDIO

Upper West Aisle of the Artisan’s Loft Western Fair Farmer’s Market plumagestudio.ca

STUDIO STYLE

215 Main Street, Port Stanley 519-782-7467 studiostyle.ca

STYLE 360 360 Springbank Drive 519-657-9119 style360.ca

UNGER ’ S MARKET

1010 Gainsborough Road, Hyde Park 519-472-8126 • ungers.ca

VIOLET’S OF STRATHROY

61 Front Street W, Strathroy • 519-630-9927 violetsofstrathroy.com

WHITE BALMER SHOES 123 Ontario Street, Stratford • 519-271-6661 whitebalmershoes.com

Children̓s Wear

38 Girl’s two-piece outfit, made in Turkey by Roya Kids. Peekaboos Children’s Boutique

39 Boy’s track suit, made in Turkey by Survivor Life. Peekaboos Children’s Boutique

Culture Calling

September always signals change. Not just hints that the seasons are changing (don’t fret, there’s still plenty of warm weather left!) but it’s back to school, a return to schedules and routines. There’s still lots to see and do before the leaves turn and cooler nights take over.

On the Boards

Theatre in Southwestern Ontario is going strong. You still have time to see some great summer theatre before these shows disappear. Steve Ross’ goldfish continues its run at the Port Stanley Theatre Festival until the middle of September. Originally a one-act play presented by Here For Now Theatre in Stratford, goldfish is a heartwarming story of two neighbours, generations apart, that find friendship through laughter, understanding and kindness. psft.ca

Blyth Festival has extended the run of Emma Donoghue’s The Wind Coming Over The Sea, through to October 5. Audiences are loving this show about the struggles of immigrants facing uncertainty in a new country. The tale is told using the letters exchanged between a husband and wife, and is filled with plenty of traditional ballads and Irish folk songs. blythfestival.com

Victoria Playhouse Petrolia concludes its season with a tribute show, All About ABBA , from September 16 to

October 3. A celebration of the songs and the stories that made ABBA a true international phenomenon. thevpp.ca September also brings the new season to London’s Grand Theatre. The High School Project is in its 27th year and opens on September 17 with Newsies. The annual show is always a highlight featuring extremely talented high school students on stage and behind the scenes. The students are all from the London area and are mentored by professional artists and coaches from all departments at The Grand: performance, stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, orchestra, tech and marketing. The regular season opens officially on October 14 with The Show That Goes Wrong, a comedic tour de force. grandtheatre.com

Broadway in London presents hot touring shows from Broadway at Canada Life Place (formerly Budweiser Gardens). There are six shows included in the overall package, but you can purchase individual tickets. No reason to travel to New York — professional touring companies bring the show to you! The 2025-26 season starts November 18 with How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. Other shows in the series include the Tony-winning Hadestown, Stomp 30, Clue, Kinky Boots and the season-ending hit show BEETLEJUICE, which will open September 1, 2026. Based on Tim Burton’s hit film, BEETLEJUICE tells the story of an

Notes from the Local Arts Scene

BY KATHY NAVACKAS

unusual teenager whose life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with “a thing” for stripes. broadwayinlondon.com

The Benz Gallery

When Jens Thielsen wanted to retire from operating his namesake gallery, Greg Benz saw an opportunity that he says “just made sense.” What he didn’t count on at the time was a pandemic shutting down everything as soon as he took over the Gallery in 2020.

Benz is a graduate of London’s BealART Program, where so many of our local artists have developed their skills. He maintains a connection with Beal and supports emerging artists whenever he can, often being the first gallery to exhibit their works. A multi-talented artist himself, Benz has been a DJ and recorded his own music and has designed many t-shirts (and still dabbles if it’s the right project). Besides operating his gallery, he is a working artist, creating contemporary landscapes in resin and mixed media. His works are featured in galleries in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, and of course at The Benz Gallery.

Benz clearly remembers his Gallery’s first customer: Tessa Virtue, the Olympic and World Championship ice dancer. Because of the pandemic, it was a private viewing of the gallery and, yes, she bought a painting.

ABOVE FROM LEFT Stratford’s Matilda Gallery & Art Bar is featuring works by Stratford Festival artists • AlvegoRoot Theatre is presenting Sleigh Without Bells: A Donnelly Story by London’s James Reaney Sr. • London poet Penn Kemp has been awarded The League of Canadian Poets inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025 • OPPOSITE PAGE The Benz Gallery owner Greg Benz and some of his art.

Continuing the legacy of the Thielsen Gallery, Benz emphasizes representation of Canadian artists, particularly from Southwestern Ontario.

Upon entering the Gallery on Adelaide Street you are immersed in exciting contemporary art works, sculptures and ceramics.

Currently featuring over 50 different artists with recognizable names to Londoners — Bryan Jesney, Laura Woermke, Dan Tamborro, Shane Norrie, and Duama Stirbyte — and many others. Benz loves to answer any questions you may have about any artist in the Gallery. He knows the artists he represents, some have been long time friends, so he knows their history, techniques and fun little facts that personalize your experience.

The Benz Gallery just announced an exciting collaboration with The London Club that will feature artists’ works throughout the Club on Queens Avenue on a rotating basis. “It’s a win-win,” says Benz. “The London Club has new works displayed throughout the building, and artists are displayed outside of the gallery in a more casual setting.”

Greg Benz is celebrating the fifth year of his ownership of his eponymous Gallery in September. While details are still in the works, he promises that there will be a great arty-party with guest artists. Watch the website for dates and details. thebenzgallery.com

Matilda Gallery & Art Bar

Matilda Gallery & Art Bar is mere steps away from the Avon Theatre in Stratford. It’s always worth a visit whenever you see a play at the Stratford Festival (and congrats to the Festival on their season and show extensions!). This gallery is chock full of paintings in a variety of styles ranging from whimsical, folk or abstract, to traditional. Every inch of the space is filled with art, sculptures and fabric art. It’s also a fantastic wine and cocktail bar. The space has lovely seating to enjoy a beverage and let your eyes wander and enjoy the artworks.

The September show, As You Art It, will feature the talented artists from the Stratford Festival itself. This will be a truly eclectic show where the possibilities are endless. The gallery is considered a multifunctional space so expect some performances and music along with artworks from the creative minds at the Festival. matildagalleryartbar.com

A second location in Collingwood, The Matilda Swanson Gallery, is also strongly recommended if you are ever in that area. matildaswansongallery.com

Arty-Facts

The Donnelly tragedy has captured the imagination of many playwrights and authors over the years, including James Reaney Sr., who was a recognized poet, author, and playwright and professor of English at Western University. He wrote The Donnelly’s: A Trilogy that was brilliantly staged in Blyth in 2023. This October, AlvegoRoot Theatre is presenting Reaney’s Sleigh Without Bells: A Donnelly Story Reaney’s play focuses on a young man who finds himself at the

Donnelly farmstead and realizes that his own life is in grave danger. This is an opportunity to see a play that is rarely performed. alvegoroottheatre.com

The weekend of September 12–14 will be a busy one in downtown London. Comic Con will be held at RBC Place, with celebrities, voice actors and other artists. From comics to cosplay, anime to gaming, this is where thousands of fans meet up and celebrate their fandom. londoncomiccon.ca

The Lucky Lion Night Market will be taking over Victoria Park that same weekend. There are craft stalls, vendors, food, music and lots to do. The highlight is the illuminated Chinese Dragons as they move through the crowds and around the park at dark. It’s a magical experience and it’s free. luckylionnightmarket.ca/london

London’s Forest City Film Festival is celebrating its 10th year. From October 24 to November 2 the FCFF will shine a spotlight on cinema through a regional lens. FCFF includes Q & As, workshops, parties and more. They generally release the film screening lineup early September so visit their website for announcements. fcff.ca

Lastly, we want to extend congratulations to local poet Penn Kemp. Kemp has long been a keen participant/activist in Canada’s cultural life with more than thirty books of poetry, prose and drama, seven plays, and 10 CDs and award winning video poems. The League of Canadian Poets has honoured her with the Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025. Quite the honour and recognition for an extensive body of work. pennkemp.weebly.com •

KATHY NAVACKAS is a passionate and lifelong arts supporter. Having little artistic talent of her own (she maintains), she loves to use her skills and enthusiasm to support and promote the artists she deeply admires.

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Toyota’s latest all-electric SUV brings more range, faster charging and a refreshed design that’s as sleek as it is functional. “This is going to be a big year for Toyota’s electric lineup,” says Kevin Laurie at North London Toyota. “The 2026 bZ is just the start of some exciting changes.”

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2025 ACURA ADX

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Paul Jennery, General Manager at Acura West, puts it best: “The ADX is our first-ever subcompact luxury SUV, and it’s all about making high-end features and performance more accessible. You get standard all-wheel drive with Intelligent Control, and a design that’s as practical as it is striking.” In other words, it’s built for real life—with a touch of luxury.

From the outside, the ADX is sleek and sporty, with bold lines that strike the perfect balance between performance and refinement. Inside, it’s all about comfort and convenience. The panoramic moonroof comes standard, filling the cabin with natural light, and the available 15-speaker

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But it’s not just about practicality.

The RZ 550e F SPORT version, with its 402 horsepower and Lexus-first M Mode paddle shifters, delivers a driving experience that’s as thrilling as it is refined. Chris Pinelli at Lexus of London puts it best: “Having had the

opportunity to experience the RZ in realworld conditions, I can assure you that the combination of the Lexus Driving Signature and all-electric power provides an absolutely exhilarating driving experience.”

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relax, whether you’re heading out for a weekend escape or just running errands around town. And with the Dynamic Sky™ Panorama Glass Roof overhead, you can quickly choose between shade or sunshine with the tap of a button. It’s all about creating a driving experience that feels as good as it looks.

The 2026 Lexus RZ isn’t just a car, it’s a lifestyle. One that’s bold, beautiful, and electric. •

Backyard Adventures

exploring Middlesex County

BY LOIS QUAIL

After living in Middlesex County for 25 years, I’ll admit I had grown a bit complacent. Familiarity had bred routine. What could be all that exciting in my back yard? When headquarters suggested I explore the region with fresh eyes, I didn’t expect the days ahead to be so full of truly interesting discoveries.

Middlesex County is much larger than I realized — 3,300 square kilometres of farmland, small towns and conservation areas wrapping around the City of London to the west, north and east. With agriculture as its backbone, the county offers many unique opportunities to connect to the land in meaningful ways. With many families seeking wholesome farm-raised food and experiential learning, an increasing number of farms offer pick-your-own produce, on-site markets and hands-on visits.

For our Middlesex County adventure, we zipped through winding backroads and village main streets in a sporty hybrid from Lexus of London. The 2025 Lexus UX 300h is compact yet confident, a stylish crossover offering great visibility, ease in handling and a surprisingly roomy interior. We found it easy to navigate both rural roads and small-town parking. Its excellent fuel efficiency meant we could cover a huge swath of Middlesex County without constantly watching the gauge.

We spent two relaxing nights at the historic, charming (and perhaps haunted?) Clock Tower Inn in the heart of Strathroy. Built in 1889 as the Federal Postal Office and Inland Revenue Offices, the majestic building was designed by Thomas Fuller, chief architect for the iconic center block and library of Canada’s federal parliament buildings. In our luxurious Queen Victoria suite, we felt the bridging of two worlds: stately Victorian elegance meets modern comfort, including

With agriculture as its backbone, the county offers many unique opportunities to connect to the land in meaningful ways.

a tiled spa shower cleverly constructed inside the century-old walk-in safe.

Agritourism

Texas Longhorn Ranch is a treasure hidden among towering trees by the Sydenham River. Owners Gail and Fred Cahill have created a uniquely restorative experience on the 220-acre property that was once a designated conservation area and later hosted youth camps. In 2010, the property became an adult-only guest

ranch, where visitors can put busy lives on hold and allow nature’s rhythms to take over, earning recognition as Southwestern Ontario’s Innovative Business of the Year in 2019. The accommodations are six rustically charming covered wagons that offer the full comforts of glamping. Guests are encouraged to unplug and embrace “ranch time,” relaxing in a cabana by the Texas-sized azure pool, enjoying a BBQ dinner with fellow guests, or sharing stories around a campfire as the sun sets.

We piled into the farm pick-up truck for a ranch tour, down farm laneways and across open fields to see lounging longhorn cattle (their horns can exceed two metres!), horses being roped and a herd of contented black Angus cattle that are part of Cahill-Shore Livestock Co., owned by Frank and Gail’s son, Coulter. He believes in “raising cattle the oldfashioned way” — 100% grass-fed and raised naturally, without shortcuts — a philosophy that shows in the quiet health and calmness of the animals.

A zippy drive past ripening cornfields brought us to Kustermans Adventure Farm. Since 2010, the Kusterman family has transformed their 100-acre berry farm into a family-friendly destination that combines pick-your-own produce with hands-on activities. Their September/October Fall Festival offers wagon rides out to a 10-acre pumpkin patch, a corn maze and corn cannons — seasonal highlights among a growing list of outdoor activities. The wagon ride to pick sunflowers and pumpkins was a perfect way to soak in the harvest spirit. The petting zoo invites children to meet gentle goats and rabbits, while food stalls serve fresh apple cider and warm kettle corn. The market’s shelves overflow with homemade fudge, preserves, local honey and fall-themed décor — ideal for taking a taste of the season home.

shapes everything from the pastures to the hands-on tours. Visitors can walk an alpaca, picnic in a pasture of alpacas and browse the quaint studio filled with handmade knitted items. A small Airbnb offers a cozy retreat beside the main pasture. Our time with the alpacas was deeply soothing, a quality that members of the herd bring to St. Joe’s palliative care ward visits, bringing joy and comfort with their simple presence.

extensive activity area we could almost hear the laughter of children racing through cornfields, bouncing on giant pillows, rolling inside newly built “hamster wheels,” or climbing to the top of a massive sandhill to become the king/ queen of the castle. Inside the stationthemed shop, we found Canadian products, such as unique preserves, pies, and their famous fresh apple fritters.

Farm Stores

Just a few country concessions away is the peaceful world of S.A.M.Y’s Alpaca Farm and Fibre Studio. Owners Yvonne and Steve Houle welcomed us with containers of molasses grain — exciting news for Henry, a very friendly jet-black alpaca, who snuggled up to me for a snack. Over 60 alpacas live on the farm, many of them rescued, along with a few llamas and goats. They are treated with deep respect, and their wellbeing

On the other side of London near Dorchester, Apple Land Station has welcomed guests since 1985. In the fall, apple lovers come from as far away as Toronto to pick 14 varieties straight from the trees. A train to the orchards adds to the fun, making it a wonderful family outing. We spoke with Dan Muzylowski, whose family had the vision to plant the orchards and create an inclusive atmosphere that celebrates togetherness, adventure and nature’s abundance. As we walked across the

Drawn by stories of creamy gelato and deep agricultural roots, we were eager to meet Janan McNaughton at Proof Line Farm. The McNaughton family has farmed this land since the 1850s, and today the farm embraces regenerative practices that prioritize soil health and carbon sequestration. What began as a roadside stand selling fresh eggs has grown into Middlesex County’s first on-farm dairy, inspired by a life-changing trip to Australia, where Janan and her

PREVIOUS PAGE The Clock Tower Inn, Strathroy • THIS PAGE CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Owner Yvonne Houle and a friend at S.A.M.Y.’s Alpaca Farm and Fibre Studio, Kerwood • An irresistible nuzzle with an alpaca • Kustermans Adventure Farm, Mount Brydges • Texas Longhorn Ranch, Strathroy • A relaxing porch for enjoying the serenity

husband Steve McNaughton worked at a micro-dairy and returned with a vision. In December 2023, they opened a creamery and farm market offering fresh non-homogenized milk, pasture-raised beef, and locally sourced products and crafts. Proof Line has earned a glowing reputation for its gelato, made in the store from the farm’s own milk. We sampled strawberry/basil and key lime flavours — creamy, luscious, and unforgettable!

Crunican Orchards, near Elginfield, is celebrating their store’s 75th anniversary this year. With the fifth generation of the Crunican family now involved (orchards were first planted in 1887), upholding tradition is clearly important, but so is constant innovation and community engagement. You’ll find an impressive variety of apples and Crunican’s own Generations hard cider, as well as an impressive array of produce and food products from other local producers and area entrepreneurs.

Although Van Osch Farm has been operating since 1954, the farm store just opened in May, enabling the family to offer their sustainably and ethically

raised beef directly to the public. We were impressed with the well thought out and easy-to-navigate design of the store. Customers can pop in to purchase BBQ pleasers — burgers to wagyu — or order bundles of beef for the freezer. The store also carries quality products from other local vendors including beverages, smoker pellets, seasonings and tasty snacks.

Middlesex Eats and Treats

The Still Bar and Tasting Room opened in 2022, bringing a polished mix of craft spirits and elevated bar bites to Mount Brydges. The space is equal parts refined and relaxed, blending sleek industrial design with warm woods and Edison bulbs, and has a breezy outdoor patio. Our lunch: NE1 Berry Bramble and Hibiscus Lemonade, gin cocktails crafted right in Mt. Brydges (wonderfully refreshing, fruit forward with just a hint of sweetness), followed by pulled pork quesadilla, loaded with smoky shredded pork, melted cheese and roasted peppers all tucked into a crisp tortilla. The Still is quickly becoming a favourite for locals and Londoners alike.

What began as a weekend hobby for Emily Sleegers found shape in 2021 as The Cookie Nook in Dorchester. Inside the cozy pastel-hued shop, rows of glass jars are filled with fresh cookies, handmade with local butter and quality ingredients. We were impressed by the variety — from chocolate chip to lemon-zest shortbread — and couldn’t resist creating a custom sampler box to enjoy with coffees on the patio picnic tables.

Nearby, Fat Olive is full of warmth, flavour and family history. Inspired by Dino’s Italian roots, owners Dino and Carla Dassie trained at Goodfella’s Pizza School in Staten Island and opened the bistro in 2023. The menu features traditional Italian comfort food made with local ingredients like Metzger Meats pork and Howe Farms produce, with pasta made fresh in-house. We enjoyed crisp house salad, Pesto Bowtie — a tangy, creamy, and zesty dish with pine nuts and fresh mushrooms that hit all the right notes — and an equally satisfying Chicken Parmesan. This is food that feels both familiar and elevated.

We popped into Art’es Bakery in

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Apple Land Station, Thorndale • Owner Janan McNaughton at Proof Line Farm, Ilderton • A bin of honey crisp apples at Crunican Orchards, Elginfield

• The Cookie Nook, Dorchester • The “Big Mac Flat” at The Still Bar and Tasting Room, Mount Brydges

Sustainable beef and more at Van Osch Farm, Ailsa Craig

Strathroy for an early morning pick-meup and found it humming with regulars. Our coffees were rich and dark, and the decadent natas (Portuguese custard tarts) — reputedly the best in the region — were creamy and flakey. All baked goods are made in house, and many early risers came in for warm loaves of specialty breads. We loved our perch by the window, watching the busy world pass by while we savoured a feeling of old-world contentedness.

Komoka’s Little Beaver was buzzing with diners when we arrived. A local favourite for more than 40 years, the restaurant serves all-day breakfast, hearty daily specials, and familiar favourites. We enjoyed the three-egg veggie omelet — loaded with peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes — but there is something for everyone.

After fleeing Ukraine with her family in 2022, Alla Shevchuk began selling handmade pierogies from a small shelf in an ice cream shop. Within a year, demand and community support helped her open Alla’s Ukrainian Pierogies & More in downtown Strathroy. We visited the cheerful café and enjoyed tender potato and cheese pierogies, classic cabbage rolls, and a steaming bowl of borscht. Alla serves authentic Ukrainian comfort food, made from scratch with fresh ingredients and no

additives, staying true to the recipes she grew up with. It’s food that tells a story — and invites everyone to the table.

Dining at the Clock Tower Inn in Strathroy was a highlight of our trip — a testament to the vision and care of owners Mark and Cathy Graham, who have transformed this historic building into a warm and welcoming “Celebration Destination.” Their dream of owning a restaurant and inn in a vintage space has become a reality, offering both farm-to-table dining and catering for larger events. The inn is an ideal hub for a weekend escape or special occasion, with an atmosphere that blends elegance and comfort. The menu is seasonal and thoughtful, built around locally sourced, ethically and organically raised ingredients, reflecting their belief that “good food makes the world a better place.”

Our memorable meal began with crab cakes that were crispy on the outside and packed with savoury crab and bright zesty flavour, and signature duck crepes, filled with smoked duck and caramelized onions, tender and fresh, finished with delicate pea shoots. For mains, the steak, rich and perfectly cooked, rested on a bed of roasted cauliflower risotto with vibrant seasonal vegetables. Across the table, the creamy risotto was the epitome of elevated comfort food: simple, satisfy-

ing and beautifully executed. We ended with a slice of almond rhubarb coffee cake, equal parts decadent and delicate. The meal delighted us from start to finish — not just its quality, but the way it redefined small-town dining.

Specialty Shops

Willow & Lace Home in Mount Brydges fulfills Luiza Whelan’s 20-year dream: a boutique dedicated to timeless beauty, craftsmanship and intentional living. Opened in 2021, the store reflects Luiza’s commitment to curating artisan-made goods that tell a story. Nothing is massproduced; every item is selected for its authenticity and heritage, including hand-dipped Danish candles made by a family-run maker with a 100-year legacy, Moroccan glassware sourced from the last remaining factory where glass is still crushed by hand, French pottery and Turkish carpets. The space itself feels spacious, warm, and deeply personal, with Luiza’s calm presence adding to the experience. Also in Mt. Brydges, Bookmarks the Spot has been a cornerstone of the community since 2006. Owners Kristen and Travis Adams hold a steadfast belief in the power of faceto-face conversations about books; they don’t sell online, preferring the warmth

Continued on page 70

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT A zesty green salad at Fat Olive, Dorchester • Alla’s Ukrainian Pierogies & More, Strathroy • Portuguese custard tarts from Art’es Bakery, Strathroy • Smoked duck crepes with caramelized onions and pea shoots, Clock Tower Inn, Strathroy • Welcoming Bookmarks the Spot owner Kristin Adams, Mount Brydges • A display at Willow & Lace, Mount Brydges • The Queen Victoria Suite at Clock Tower Inn, Strathroy

Strathroy

of in-person browsing and discussion. The shop feels like a well-loved reading nook: wooden shelves stocked with new titles for all ages, local-interest picks, and beloved favourites that get passed along to new readers. We delighted in browsing titles, asking for recommendations, and chatting about recent reads with Kristen, who is keeping reading alive and well in her community.

Delaware is home to Antler River Archery, founded 10 years ago by James Vanos. The fully equipped indoor range with five 20-yard lanes offers private lessons, group sessions, or team-building events, all led by knowledgeable instructors and including all necessary gear. Youth classes, family experiences, and birthday parties are also available, making archery accessible and fun for all skill levels. The on-site pro shop provides expert tuning, repairs, and custom gear support and the store contains a wide and fascinating collection of bows and related gear.

Family-owned and operated, Hoskin Feed & Country Store in Komoka retains the warm rustic ambiance of an old-time feed shop, with wide aisles and wooden shelves. Stocked with thoughtfully chosen

goods, from a barrel-full of Ontario Mennonite-made corn brooms, premium pet food and toys, to an impressive variety of bird feed and feeders, local honey, maple syrup, farm tools, and seasonal supplies, Hoskin’s is a trusted spot for both everyday needs and country-living specialty items.

Melissa Tiller founded Blue Hens Market (“The Church”) in 2024. Housed in a beautifully repurposed church in Bryanston, this market of emerging

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vendors is open most weekends from spring through December, with a special Fall Fest that draws visitors from across the region. A rotating selection of over 30 vendors offers vintage décor, shabby chic, handmade goods and even local preserves. The warm, community atmosphere makes it more than a shopping trip; it’s a social outing where you’re likely to meet the makers and take home something truly one of a kind.

As we turned our trusty Lexus toward home, I felt a quiet gratitude — for the people we met, the meals we shared, and the surprising richness of the places we’d long taken for granted. What began as a familiar route became a rediscovery of Middlesex County’s depth and character. This region is rooted in tradition yet full of fresh ideas, where community and craftsmanship still matter. From farm fields to small-town storefronts, we found stories worth telling and reasons to return. I may have started out as a local, but I came back with a new appreciation for the place I call home. •

LOIS QUAIL is an avid cyclist and adventurous traveller. She has an appreciation of life’s finer things and simple pleasures, including time with her sons, chickens and grand pianos.

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LEFT You will find both country necessities and specialty items at Hoskins Feed & Country Store, Komoka

• RIGHT Shop for vintage treasures and more at Blue Hens Market (aka The Church), Bryanston BELOW James Vanos offers an indoor archery range, lessons and equipment at Antler River Archery, Delaware

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Celebrating Family Past, Present & Future

Building relationships is key to success at Crunican Orchards

Five generations have had a hand in managing Crunican Orchards, which has successfully evolved with the times and has reached another milestone. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the retail store on site. Owner Phillip Crunican says it was his grandmother Bernadette’s suggestion to open a store. “It was with her encouragement that my father and uncle started the shop in 1950. It’s hard to believe this anniversary is here. It’s wonderful we can keep it going.”

Philip operates the Elginfield-area orchard, established in 1877, with his brothers Peter and Alf, and now their children produce items for purchase on site. Phillip’s son and daughter, Gregory and Colleen, make the popular Generations Cider and have recently introduced a new flavour of apple cherry. Alf’s son Andre produces garlic for the store and Alf’s wife Deb writes children’s books, including Each Season Matters about the resilience of a little apple tree. Her books can be purchased on site. “It’s very satisfying the kids want to see it continue. It makes us want to keep investing in the business,” Phillip says.

He says what’s also gratifying is the

many relationships the family has built with suppliers. “We’ve been supporting local entrepreneurs and their products for 75 years.” The connection with some companies — such as Wellesley Brand Apple Products (providing cider and butter) and Robinson’s Maple Products — has continued for decades. “The longstanding relationships are exciting to think about,” he says, including partnerships with charities. “We give them gift cards for silent auctions and donate apples to food banks. We try to do this on a regular basis.”

Preparations are underway for autumn now. Crunican’s pumpkins, squash and gourds are popular for baking and decoration. “We grow some white ones and warty ones and different shapes and sizes to make everyone happy,” says Philip. Of course apples remain the No. 1 item sold. A fairly new variety is Crimson Crisp, which will be ready in October. “Many varieties are harvested in September and we wanted one a little later.”

Crunican Orchards has a progressive mentality and that’s key to success, Phillip says. “We’re always trying to look ahead.” •

• Diversifying and constant improvement are driving forces while apples remain the heart of the Crunican Orchards success.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP The Crunican Orchards shop has stocked a variety of products from local producers for decades. • The Cruinican family are immensely proud to celebrate their store’s 75 years in business. Left to right, Peter, Phillip and Alf Crunican. • Locally harvested and bottled maple syrup. • Crunican’s own Generations Cider comes in a variety of fresh crisp flavours.

The Buzz Culinary Community Notes

Ann McColl Lindsay

London, Ontario has a storied history of exceptional restaurateurs, chefs and culinary retailers. Among the latter are the late Ann McColl Lindsay — her — and her husband, David Lindsay, the former proprietors of the legendary Ann McColl’s Kitchen Shop, one of Canada’s finest cookware stores.

Ann and David met, married and taught school in Windsor, Ontario from 1961 to 1968. They resigned their positions, sold their red brick bungalow, and embarked on a year-long food pilgrimage across Europe while camping in a Volkswagen van. Travelling in the van with a gas burner allowed them to experience the local terroir authentically.

The first six months of their trip, which ended at the French border, are described in Ann’s memoir Hungry Hearts — A Food Odyssey across Britain and Spain. The second volume, Hearts Forever Young, includes their travels in France,

Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark. During this time they started to collect

the one-of-a-kind utensils that would comprise a valuable and saleable batteries de cuisine. Of a foray to British food writer Elizabeth David’s Kitchen Shop, Ann says, “This innocent morning’s shopping expedition turned into a lifetime obsession.”

Upon their return to Canada they opened Ann McColl’s Kitchen Shop and Victoriana in rented premises on Dundas Street, where they lived above the shop. They specialized in culinary utensils, antiquarian books, furniture and Victorian paraphernalia.

About this time the Lindsays befriended restaurateurs Ginette Bisaillon and Robin Askew, who opened the seventable Auberge du Petit Prince and later Cafe du Midi. Chef Chris Squire purchased the Auberge in 1976. Squire would operate the landmark business for 21 years. Another stalwart friend of the Lindsays’ is Hilary Alderson Moon, who opened the legendary Say Cheese

Ann McColl Lindsay and David Lindsay, proprietors of Ann McColl’s Kitchen Shop (1969–2000)

The new store was one of the most professionally stocked and artistically merchandised cookware shops anywhere.” “

restaurant in 1969. Say Cheese was the first and only specialty cheese boutique and restaurant in London at the time, a status it enjoys to this day despite its closure in 1994.

After several years on Dundas Street, the Lindsays moved to new premises with beautiful storefront windows, on Richmond at Hyman Street. Ann started to write cookbooks. David, a talented artist and photographer, illustrated the books.

In 1977 Ann authored  shop Cookbook readers in the use and care of kitchen utensils and equipment. “We had always been traditionalists in the matter of kitchen equipment, shunning all electrical contrivances and putting our faith in good knives, sieves, mortar and pestles. The autumn of 1975 saw a change in all that. The Cuisinart Food Processor arrived in Canada and automatically half the stock in our store became obsolete,” wrote Ann. The business prospered anyway, and outgrew that location.

In the 1980s they relocated the shop to 350 Talbot Street. Built in 1890, the building was initially a showroom and repair shop for Massey-Harris Company. 

To this day the landmark building provides a potent reminder of the late nineteenth-century commercial activity in downtown London.

The new store was one of the most professionally stocked and artistically merchandised cookware shops anywhere. The shop offered bakeware, pots and pans, woks, scales, utensils, gadgets, drain boards, glassware, bowls and many specialty cooking utensils. There was even a step-down kitchen in the renovated tractor repair shed with an AGA stove for cooking classes and demonstrations.

Already outspoken heritage activists, having four of their buildings designated, the Lindsays campaigned for the preservation of the streetscape on the Talbot Block, culminating in a “Hands Around the Block” demonstration. Ann’s commentaries on culinary matters, urban issues and heritage preservation have appeared in countless newspaper articles, magazines and letters to the editor over the years.

Fresh Food

The Lindsays’ announcement in 2002 that they were retiring and closing their store on King Street presented the opportunity for Jill Wilcox to expand Jill’s Table into that location. The space was four times larger than Jill’s original market space. Jill’s Table was able to fill part of the vacuum that Ann McColl’s was leaving in the community. Wilcox has gone on to tremendous success running one of London’s favourite culinary and specialty food destinations.

During the 33 years they ran their kitchenware business, the Lindsays were avid gardeners at their home in Woodfield and in community gardens. To this day they are remembered fondly as the benchmark example of how to blend art, culture and commerce. They continued to be intrepid market enthusiasts, artists, heritage preservationists and community boosters.

Incidentally, in 2006, the Auberge building was acquired by Alain and Donna Arroyas, who operate the successful Archie’s Fish and Chips. Their daughter, Nicole Arroyas, spent several years in culinary schools in France under the tutelage of star chefs, then relaunched the Auberge du Petit Prince, serving Londoners for several years with a focus on classic French dishes. (Nicole Arroyas now operates The Coop Supply Co. Restaurant and Catering. The Coop is known for its outstanding chicken, fried or rotisserie, with sides, fried chicken sandwiches and fish and chips. thecoopsupply.co

Since 2017 the Arroyas family has rented the former Auberge premises to Growing Chefs! Ontario, a children’s cooking and nutrition program that is unique in Canada. Based on the idea that education can alter behaviour, Growing Chefs! and its many volunteers have made tremendous

A variety of Ethiopian dishes at T.G.’s Addis Ababa Restaurant

strides in changing the way many children perceive food and encouraging them to become excited about nutritious and healthy food choices. Growing Chefs! also operates the wildly successful Londonlicious festival t wice a year.

Londonlicious relaunched in 2023 to assist in the recovery of the restaurant industry, which was rebuilding after the dire effects of the global pandemic. The goal of Londonlicious — excellent restaurants showcasing the best locally grown products and spotlighting what is unique and delicious in London — is to support local restaurants, growers, farmers and suppliers, and strengthen relationships between local agri-food businesses.

Bryan’s Tasting Notes

London has many outstanding immigrant-owned restaurants serving excellent global cuisine. T.G. Haile of TG’s Addis Ababa Restaurant (one of my favourites), remains a skilful chef at the top of her game. Her signature dishes from the repertoire of Ethiopian cookery comprise permutations of sweet, bitter, sour, salty, hot and fragrant. Refined flavour contrasts are the hallmark of T.G.’s cooking.

Bhan Mudliar’s The New Delhi Deli at Covent Garden Market is another favourite. I am especially fond of her oxtail and goat dishes. Other excellent stand-out hot spots include Rosa’s Pupuseria (Latin American), Ivanopoblano (100 percent organic Mexican with plenty of flavour and pizazz), Udipi Krishna (Indian thali platters combining traditional vegetarian options) and Basha Lebanese Restobar (embodying the cuisine, luxury and hospitality of high-end Lebanese culture in Hyde Park). Esto Es Columbia Restaurant & Bar, located in Vice Supper Club on King Street,

lambtonmuseums.ca/fall-colour

Butter Chicken Panini at Organique Cafe & Eatery

has recently opened and is serving authentic Colombian cuisine.

Sulav and Chhavi Sharma’s comfortable Organique Cafe & Eatery in downtown London serves fresh juices, smoothies and smoothie bowls, as well as house-made baked goods with gluten-free options. Using ethically harvested ingredients, nonGMO and organic, it offers teas, premium coffee-based beverages, and seriously good panini sandwiches. Try the sumptuous butter chicken or the chicken parm, both with sensational flavour profiles. The espresso machine, a hefty investment, may not be a Mercedes, but it is a BMW, says Chhavi. organiquecafe.com

The exceptional Turkish cuisine and hospitality at Omer Tuna and Melike Ozturk’s Kebab-Tu have made me a repeat customer, often returning with friends and family — from the sizzling perfection of Chef Melike’s succulent charred kebabs to the authentic flavours of lahmacun, a Middle Eastern thin flatbread topped with minced lamb and crushed tomatoes, baked crispy but flexible enough to roll for eating. The sensational iskender kebab consists of sliced doner kebab meat slathered with hot savoury tomato sauce over pieces of housemade pita, accompanied by melted sheep’s milk butter and creamy yogurt. The pita soaks up the sauce and becomes puddinglike underneath the meat. The casual restaurant is unlicensed. kebab-tu.ca

My Culinary Journey

In my fledgling years, I was fortunate to have several dedicated mentors with an interest in gastronomy, and to have the opportunity to work with talented chefs, sommeliers and restaurateurs, all with strong work ethics and skill sets that helped me develop a traditional culinary backbone. My real education and passion for the culinary arts began while working at a series of French restaurants in Toronto

by Sheri Cowan

LEFT TO RIGHT A selection of Turkish cuisine from Kebab-Tu • A Blackfriars Londonlicious special: Seared pork medallions with Niagara peaches • Bryan Lavery in his first restaurant La Cucina on King (circa 1989)

OPPOSITE PAGE Bryan Lavery and Emanuela Frongia at Blackfriars Bistro & Catering

that were bastions of haute cuisine. The way I saw it, French seemed to be the only serious way to dine. Initially I was an ardent student of regional French cuisine, but after trips to Italy I had to acknowledge that I was drawn to regional Italian cooking. Eventually I moved beyond France as my primary focus of interest, only to return to the traditional French classics over the past five years.

As far as I can remember, travels in Europe and my introduction to food writers MFK Fisher, Elizabeth David and some snarky British restaurant reviewers was how my passion for food writing developed. In any case, it was Italy where I first encountered giant turtles fated for soup pots, wild game, a variety of unusual, feathered birds and truffle-hunting dogs. I enjoyed scouting the open-air food markets in Pisa and Florence and the Rialto market on Venice’s Canal Grande. The Italian market was my nirvana, with its abundant varieties of fresh and saltwater fish and shellfish, the night markets piled high with seasonal produce, fresh fungi and obscure and illegal local cheeses.

Twenty-five years ago I was invited to partake in a hands-on cook’s tour with other Canadian chefs in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. This eye-opening culinary journey was my first introduction to Slow Food. This worldwide movement aims to safeguard traditional regional specialties, time-honoured techniques, and a farm-to-table ethos. It was on this enlightening educational trip that I had an epiphany about regional culinary authenticity. I soon became a dedicated proponent of Ontario’s local food movement and homegrown terroir.

In retrospect, I have had a rewarding career in many aspects of the culinary arts, as a chef, restaurateur, caterer and democratic food writer. I remain gratified by loyal and generous patrons and industry friendships, and to be associated with establishing, owning, or being in partnership with many great restaurants that became a way of life, but more importantly, an ideology. My return to Blackfriars Bistro five years ago, a restaurant I co-founded with Betty Heydon 30 years ago, has given me a platform to lead and champion essential initiatives in the community during and post-COVID, and now when we are facing transformational times. I intend to retire within the next six months, and we are now actively looking for someone to take over our successful operations in Blackfriars. In the meantime, it’s business as usual. •

culinary entrepreneur, writer, and chef, BRYAN LAVERY operates Blackfriars Bistro & Catering, Blackfriars Emporio and Forest City Culinary Experiences. ethicalgourmet@yahoo.com

Back-to-School Daze

BY SUE SUTHERLAND-WOOD

Most of us have heard (or sang along with Elton!) about ‘The Circle of Life’. For me, the autumn months always present a complicated hybrid of endings and new starts. The garden that was vibrant with flowers only a few weeks ago is now starting to die back to crisp brown foliage, yet the trees will soon present leaves of buttery gold and red before they too drift down. No matter how long those mild September evenings persist, we all know what is coming.

And perhaps this is why — especially for Canadians accustomed to bracing themselves for the winter months ahead — the fall can help to nudge that changethe-record energy. After the dozy tranquility of a hot dry summer, we might be more ready to tackle a cooking class, re-decorate the spare room or investigate classes online. It’s all part of a cycle that I have watched myself dip in and out of via many different versions of myself that have evolved over time.

September of course is chiefly noted as back-to-school time and most mothers will remember that first bittersweet day dropping their child off. I recall my son and I walking together slowly, his too-big backpack bobbing up and down, our shadows exaggerated versions of little and large. We paused now and then to examine empty snail shells (“Someone might be home one day,” my son pronounced earnestly) and for a while we both forgot that today would forever mark the end of a golden time that was just the two of us.

As the red brick school came into view, I could feel the same cold syrup of anxiety unfurling in my stomach that I’d felt on my own first day many years previous, transporting me back to that small thin girl standing in the schoolyard, gripping the tweed of my mother’s skirt till my knuckles showed white. When the dreaded departure was upon us, she knelt down and slipped a locket on a chain

It’s all part of a cycle that I have watched myself dip in and out of via many different versions of myself that have evolved over time.

around my neck which opened to reveal two oval chambers with my parents’ photos inside. If the homesickness got really bad, she explained, I could just snap it open and have a little look inside. The day would pass quickly and soon, I’d be home again.

But my son was definitely not me.

True, his eyebrows began to slant in a way that pulled at my heart but anyone could see that he was more excited than anything.

At the first jarring notes of the school bell, he pressed forward till he was absorbed into the crowd, a plastic dinosaur in one hand, the other hand waving. He did not look back.

I was left in a cloud of flying pea stones, blinking at the ghostly white my shoes had become. The coffee I’d been smugly anticipating drinking hot now seemed

unappealing as I walked slowly back home. Fast-forward past many more September mornings. Another variant of myself is not only looking forward to another coffee but to other things as well. This time I do not feel sentimental. I will not miss packing school lunches or being hurt that the artful sandwich that I cut into the shape of a duck is still in the bag, with a toothy semi-circle out of the middle. I will also not wax nostalgic about prying my (then high school) boys out of bed or the gravel crunching driveway exits on a Sunday evening when it was casually mentioned that sky blue bristle board was needed for a project due Monday. (Having to cobble together a medieval knight’s outfit only using articles from the recycle box — just as we were leaving for school — remains a firm favourite in our family stories). Thank goodness for egg cartons … and wine! Nowadays, my Septembers are certainly not frenetic. I like the peace it offers, swishing through the leaves as I walk, my mind free to drift. September no longer feels like a giant white board (dated reference alert!) with nothing of my own on the schedule.

I’m much more in touch with less pressing matters. Some might find this boring. I do not. I enjoy the changing seasons more than ever and the notion that there’s always something go be curious about: What kind of native bees are in the garden? Which planet is twinkling pink in the Eastern sky? Is this the year that I will finally make my own fruit vinegars? (I mean, probably not, but maybe that’s part of the process!)

Every September brings a different version of itself — just like me. •

As well as a lengthy career in public library systems in Canada and the UK, SUE SUTHERLAND-WOOD has written for numerous publications. Her short essays have won national awards. Read more from Sue at her Substack, Everyone Else is Taken (EveryoneElseisTaken.substack.com).

Plan your adventure today

Plan your adventure today

Discover the natural charm of Sarnia-Lambton—where wide-open spaces, fresh air, and authentic rural experiences await. Nestled along the shores of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River, our region offers endless outdoor adventures, from cycling scenic waterfront trails and paddling quiet inland waterways to lounging on Blue Flag-certified beaches. Explore a vibrant agri-tourism scene with family-run farms, u-pick orchards, local markets, and award-winning wineries and cideries. Whether you’re craving a weekend escape or a slower pace of life, Sarnia-Lambton is your invitation to reconnect with nature, food, and community.

Discover the natural charm of Sarnia-Lambton—where wide-open spaces, fresh air, and authentic rural experiences await. Nestled along the shores of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River, our region offers endless outdoor adventures, from cycling scenic waterfront trails and paddling quiet inland waterways to lounging on Blue Flag-certified beaches. Explore a vibrant agri-tourism scene with family-run farms, u-pick orchards, local markets, and award-winning wineries and cideries. Whether you’re craving a weekend escape or a slower pace of life, Sarnia-Lambton is your invitation to reconnect with nature, food, and community. ontbluecoast.com

ontbluecoast.com