{cherish} SPRING 2020
living small in a big way top-notch Attractions, Art, entertainment, FOOD, DRINK, history and Outdoor Adventures. It is Just down the Road AND around the bend in Beautiful Southwestern Ontario
Live it for a day... Live it for a lifetime!
Your FREE Guide to Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Brantford, Oxford, The villages of Hamilton + FINDING MEANING / GETTING HITCHED / contagious kindness / SAVING OUR STORIES / RURAL ROOTS & Delicious Dishes GALORE + A mag Chock-a-block full of local lovelies!
COLLEGE OR AND STAY LOCAL Think Think you you know know Fanshawe? Fanshawe? Think again. Think again.
Small, welcoming classes • State-of-the-art facilities • Student support resources Small, welcoming classes • State-of-the-art facilities • Student support resources Adventure Expeditions & Adventure InterpretiveExpeditions Leadership & Interpretive Leadership Diploma Diploma Agri-Business Management Agri-Business Management Graduate Certificate Graduate Certificate Developmental Services Developmental Services Worker Worker Diploma (1-Year Accelerated) Diploma (1-Year Accelerated) Starts every 6 weeks Starts every 6 weeks Early Childhood Education Early Childhood Education Diploma (1-Year Accelerated) Diploma (1-Year Accelerated) Starts every 6 weeks Starts every 6 weeks
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FREE Academic Upgrading, including GED, ACE and College preparation FREE Academic Upgrading, including GED, ACE and College preparation
634 Ireland Road, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4K8 | 519-426-8260 634 Ireland Road, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4K8 | 519-426-8260 simcoe@fanshawec.ca | fanshawec.ca/simcoe simcoe@fanshawec.ca | fanshawec.ca/simcoe @fanshawesimcoe @fanshawesimcoe 2 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
van Osch & Co. Building and Design Inc.
TIMBER FRAME A TIMELESS CRAFT
With over 20 years experience, we build modern and traditional timber frames and custom homes across Ontario. We also proudly supply Passive House-certified OPTIWIN windows to Ontario and eastern Canada. Located in the beautiful Haldimand County community of Cayuga, we take pride in building quality homes that will withstand the test of time for generations to come.
2694 River Road, Cayuga 905.515.1670 ian@vanoschbuilding.com
vanoschandcompany.com
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. WINTER 2019-2020 3
BATH & BODY WORKS // CALL IT SPRING // JUSTICE // TBOOTH WIRELESS // WINNERS BATH & BODY WORKS // CALL IT SPRING // JUSTICE // TBOOTH WIRELESS // WINNERS
BATH & BODY WORKS // CALL IT SPRING // JUSTICE // TBOOTH WIRELESS // WINNERS
SWEET SWEET SWEET SPRING SWEET SPRING enjoy all that's in bloo m SPRING enjoy all that's in bloom SPRING enjoy all that's in bloom
enjoy all that's in bloom 84 Lynden Road, BRantfoRd 519-753-8484 4 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
l yndenparkmall.com
What’s inside Live Small Town / SPRING 2020
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Let’s Get Social There is never a shortage of praise for Live Small Town magazine with so many local- loving folks reaching out via social media. Here are just a few of our faves!
Small Town Changemakers Meet some of the people, places and businesses making a difference in your community and learn how you can help.
Finding Meaning It can be easy to run through the maze of life without pausing to think if your life has purpose. Here are a few folks who may inspire you.
Small Town Sunday Jay Perry’s Ultimate Insider’s Guide highlights what to eat, buy, explore and indulge in around Ontario Southwest.
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Team Magic Every dream begins with a plan, and our current magazine would like to introduce you to the team of talented folks who helped to make Live Small Town possible.
photo BY Nancy Domsic Kings - olliandella.com
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Food for Thought Whether you’ve got a sweet tooth, a rich palette, or simply enjoy a night out on the town or quiet afternoon to relax, we’ve got the place for you.
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Deep Roots We help bring local history back to life and tell you where to look for heritage, knowledge and wonderment in your community. Let’s get out and explore!
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Arts & Culture From world-class artists and live theatre to intimate concerts, get introduced to local talent and discover the best places to soak up and enjoy the culture.
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Nature Calls When the weather is nice and your agenda is open, there’s nothing like exploring the great outdoors and we want to get you pointed in the right direction.
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Our Town Yet again, another inspired small town fella tells an up-close and personal story of how he followed his dreams and accomplished goals through the love and support of a small town. Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. WINTER 2019-2020 5
WINTER VOL. 4 NO. 1 PhotographERS
Shannon Bunton, Tara Carpenter, Digital Direction, Nancy Domsic Kings, Marc Douglas, Spicy Jan, Raina Kirn, Heather MacEachern, Sandy Marincic, Logan Middleton, Jay Perry, Nathan Smees, Mark Staplehurst, Ryan Stone, Erika Strada, Nicole VanQuaethem, Nicole Vilaca Writers
Tara Carpenter, Hannah Dolson, Donna Ferrawey, Sarah Gurney, Nancy Howden-Cowell, Spicy Jan, Sandy Marincic, Adrianna Michell, Emmalee Nother, Jay Perry, Tara Shannon, Kate Sharrow, Erika Strada, Jules Torti, Nicole VanQuaethem, Sara Moody Veldhuis, Jennifer Villamere, David Wierzbicki, Tim Zwart
Come see our homes in person
PROOFREADER
Jennifer Villamere
Model hoMe open every Saturday and Sunday froM 1pM - 4pM 12 Winterberry lane, Waterford (yin’S SubdiviSion) SOCIAL MEDIA
Nancy Howden-Cowell, Donna Ferrawey, Sarah Gurney, Kerri Kelly-Parkinson, Tara Shannon, Kate Sharrow, Erika Strada Small town Gal/Owner/ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Kerri Kelly-Parkinson kerri@livesmalltownmag.ca SALES TEAM
Sarah Gurney sarah@livesmalltownmag.ca Rhonda Arnott rhonda@livesmalltownmag.ca Amy DeVos amy@livesmalltownmag.ca Kelly Lahosky kelly@livesmalltownmag.ca
There are only five condos still available in this award-winning condo development located in Waterford’s Yin Subdivision. Our 1,475 sq. ft. bungalow designs offer spacious layouts while enjoying the perks of condo living yet still the luxuries found in a single-family home.
Construction has begun on Newport Lane, but there are still 22 lots available to begin in 2020/2021. Newport Lanes Estates can be found in the Somerset Subdivision - one of the most desired areas of Port Dover. Many of these lots back onto the wooded area of the Black Creek Conservation.
Our Harvest Glen development has continued in this Simcoe Subdivision behind Holy Trinity High School. Prominent has only five lots left of the most opportune locations. Contact us today to design your custom home to be built in 2020 or 2021.
prominenthomesont.Com 519-426-9186 6 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Small town Gal/Owner/ Art Director/Editor/ PUBLISHER
Kate Sharrow kate@livesmalltownmag.ca
Live Small Town Magazine is printed four times a year and distributed throughout Southern Ontario via various tourist associations, related services, retail locations and limited home distribution. Copyright 2020 Live Small Town magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Opinions and comments reflect those of the writers and are not necessarily those of the editorial and staff. At the time of publication, we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible. Please feel free to contact us with any concerns or corrections you may have.
HOME SWEET HOME
Your biggest investment deserves more than a “quick online quote.� Our goal is to deliver the best personal home insurance experience that treats you like a neighbour, not a number. Contact us for a quote.
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. WINTER 2019-2020 7
Team Magic
Authentic people, engaging stories and a sense of community fellowship are what make small towns what they are, so it should come as no surprise that these are the pillars upon which the Live Small Town concept is built. We’ve started our own “town” within these very pages, and we’d love to introduce ourselves and invite you inside! 8 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Emmalee Nother
KERRI KELLY-PARKINSON
livesmalltownmag.ca Spring 2020! A time for awakening and rejuvenation. My wish for all of you is that you take the time to smell the flowers, sit in the sun and allow the rays of warmth to wash away your worries, know your worth, plant a seed for change, enjoy all that life has to offer and of course, delight in our newest Live Small Town magazine! I am looking forward to getting out and visiting all of our advertising partners and trying all the wonderful new places we have featured in the mag! Happy Spring to all and thank you to our amazing readers and supporters.
Jules Torti
Jules Torti is the author of Free to a Good Home: With Room For Improvement (Caitlin Press). She is the editor-in-chief of Harrowsmith magazine and writes about the best things in life (birds, burgers, beaches, beer: in no particular order) for Cottage Life, FASHION, realtor.ca’s Living Room and Grand magazine. Torti has been published in The Vancouver Sun, The Globe and Mail, Massage Therapy Canada and Coast Mountain Culture magazine. In other lives she has made breakfast for 26 chimpanzees in the Congo and illustrated colouring books for the Jane Goodall Institute and the Dian Fossey Foundation. Her next book is under construction and will retrace Torti’s experience walking the Camino de Santiago from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port, France to Finisterre (“The End of the World”), Spain.
KATE SHARROW
livesmalltownmag.ca I am counting the days until the first sign of spring when I can turn off the furnace, castaway my socks and set up my office on the front veranda overlooking the lake. Needless to say, this winter will not be missed as I stare impatiently at my flower bed and hasten the worms to show themselves. Oh I know, I just released a mag four months ago that gushed about how fabulous winter’s bounty was but I have had enough of this grey smorgasburg. There is just so many new and exciting changes taking place and I can’t wait to dust myself off and start exploring again.
Brent Perniac brentperniac.com Brent Perniac is a professional photographer who has become one of Canada’s most popular celebrity-event photographers over the past 20 years. He has photographed a wide array of entertainment, sports, political, corporate and royal icons and frequently finds his work published in high-profile publications such as People, UsWeekly, OK!, InTouch, Hello! and the late, great Hamilton Magazine. While he often photographs celebrities – Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Bruce Springsteen – he remains passionate about capturing the essence of people, places and events in and around Southern Ontario.
I’m a local lady with a love for all things country, hockey and small town. Born and raised in beautiful Haldimand County, my passion for where I grew up runs deep. My adventures have taken me from coast to coast in the entertainment biz but I always return home to my rescue dog, Duke, and my cats on the farm.
NANCY HOWDEN-COWELL
I live in a beautiful small village on the shores of Lake Erie and am surrounded by family, friends, art, local beauty, goodness and of my two sweet dogs Bella and Mia. I will explore all the hidden gems that our lovely wee towns offer and share those experiences with you on social media and in the pages of Live Small Town magazine.
J.C. VILLAMERE
villamere.com I live in Hamilton where there’s a guy who has fashioned a dog sled out of a shopping cart and he mushes his team through the GO Station parking lot after dark. This magazine helps people like me get out of Hamilton to encounter nature in a more rural setting. Buy my national best-seller, Is Canada Even Real?
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 9
Spicy Jan
tastyroadtrips.com Spicy Jan is an advocate of supporting local and brings her love of building community into her business built around experiential food tourism. Jan grew up in the big city and was sure she would return to the hustle and bustle of shopping malls and subway connections yet moving into Brant she fell in love with country living and never looked back. Spicy Jan’s successful side-hustle in the gourmet food space for over twelve years created a passion for culinary experiences close to home and travelling abroad. On each food travel experience, she would connect with the beautiful people behind the scenes of every dish, sip and farm. Jan loves living life local in the County of Brant and creating a food space, where guests from near and far have a sense that they belong. NANCY DOMSIC KINGS
olliandella.com I was born with a wild imagination. My mother was naturally very creative, so I grew up painting, planting, sewing, baking and creating so many creative things. The second I picked up my first camera I became obsessed with capturing all the small wonders around me. To date, my permanent creative status allows me to be an art director by trade, photographer by fate and remain imaginative by nature. I spend most days in the middle of a creative mess or treading lightly while adventuring with my husband, two funny kids and our little Westie pup at our side. Erika Strada
Writing and photography has been a hobby that I have enjoyed for many years. It is a tool that I use to understand the past, connect with my community and explore my creative curiosities. Unlike my hunky name sake, I do not live a star studded life, riding around on a hog in tight pants as a crime fighting, super cop. I am a small town gal, living a simple life and stopping often to eat chips. 10 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
MARC DOUGLAS
marcdouglas.ca I am Marc Douglas a Wedding/Lifestyle photographer. I wouldn’t change a thing about growing up in the small town of Paris where I discovered a love for photography. Photography has always been a labour of love for me. My ultimate goal has always been to show the beauty, strength and enthusiasm in my subjects. As a father of two amazing children, I am a proud supporter of all things involving childhood cancer. I believe in enjoying all the little moments, because you never know what tomorrow brings.
Sarah Gurney
I was born and raised big city, but am now a selfmade small townee. I live for weekends wandering shops, parks, and pretty places with my funny husband and son duo. When I have a spare moment not chasing my four-year-old, you can find me picking at my guitar, baking something yummy, or tackling a messy reno project around the house! I am also one of the sales teammates at Live Small Town magazine! If you are in the Brantford/Paris area and have an interest in becoming one of our beloved and valued advertising partners, please give me a call at 226-220-7340 or email me at sarah@livesmalltownmag.ca
Nicole VanQuaethem
simplynicnutrition.com As a registered holistic nutritionist, culinary nutrition expert and owner of Simply Nic Nutrition, I focus on empowering people to make healthy choices. I have my masters of science in rural planning and development where I focused most of my research on local food systems, agri tourism, culinary tourism and food access. Combining my passion for nutrition and local food, I teach people to eat within the seasons and to become connected to food. In my free time, when not in the kitchen testing recipes, I love getting outside, and cuddling and exploring with my little dog Chloe. Amy DeVos
Born and raised in London Ontario, I became a ‘small town gal’ when I moved to Tillsonburg eight years ago with my husband, who grew up on a tobacco farm near Langton, and our one year old. Most weekends we are either at the hockey arena in winter—our son, now nine, plays and my husband coaches, or out on our boat in the summer, relaxing and catching fish. In my downtime, I love cooking or curling up with a good book and a glass of wine. If you are in Oxford County and want to become Live Small Town magazine advertising partner, please give me a call at 519-4100804, email me at amy@livesmalltownmag.ca, or find me on Instagram @smalltownmag_gal.
Jay Perry
jayperry.ca Over the last eight years, besides working as a photographer, I have been spending my Sundays travelling to small pockets of Ontario and documenting my day trips online. Whether it be stories of unique individuals, delicious food, or historic landmarks, I’ve been detailing every event through photo, video and words. Look for this regular feature in Live Small Town mag but also please like us on our Facebookpage and my adventures on Instagram. I have some exciting ideas coming up and I can’t wait to show everyone the beauty that resides in our small towns. I also started a charity called Friends With Heart, that has raised $182,255.87 and provided 2500+ children with positive memories in an attempt to restore the magic of Christmas to them and their families. Kerstein Mallon
Growing up, in the magical land of fairies and leprechauns, twixt twilight and morning dew, I learned there’s more to life than meets the eye. Exploring ancient ruins offered an understanding of the past, present and future and how they intertwine. Now living in Ontario’s Garden enables me to meet wonderful people and visit truly remarkable places. It’s my absolute pleasure to be able to share these unique stories with you.
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brantfordgolfandcountryclub.com Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 11
Sara Moody Veldhuis
Long Point Region ConseRvation authoRity
UniversalArtsManagement.com I’m a classically-trained trombonist and singer, a photographer, and in my daily life, I teach music to teenagers-and love it! I’ve been a JUNOS judge, floated an orchestra on a barge, and have secrets about Celine Dion that I will take to my grave. From a young age I’ve lived life on “max”: at 12 I went solo to Japan, toured Europe with a band in high school, and met my husband in an orchestra when we were 17. Together we’ve made a great life with our two kids and a bunch of kitties (want one!?), on our little patch of paradise: a farm in Haldimand County. Rhonda Arnott
CamP • swim • PaddLe • Fish • hike • LeaRn
Born and raised in Hamilton, I often visited my grandparents in Selkirk. Who knew that Jarvis would one day be my ‘home sweet home’? I live here with my handsome and lovable husband and our sweet dog Kobe. For 20 years, I worked in executive sales and always had an entrepreneurial heart so five years ago I took a leap and opened Ty-Kobee Tea & Coffee Co in Port Dover. I am part of the sales team of Live Small Town magazine. Being in business myself, I know how important the right advertising is. You never want to be a ‘hidden gem’! Message me at rhonda@livesmalltownmag.ca. Can’t wait to help you shine!! Donna Ferrawey
There’s adventure around every corner at Long Point Region Conservation Authority’s five campgrounds. Whether it’s paddling the reservoir at Deer Creek Conservation Area, fishing the ponds at Waterford North Conservation Area, cycling the Lake Erie shoreline at Haldimand Conservation Area, watching for migratory birds at Norfolk Conservation Area or seeing history come to life at Backus Heritage Conservation Area, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. There’s no better place to embrace nature and catch a breath of fresh air – plan a day trip or book a site for an overnight stay today. Visit www.lprca.on.ca to learn more.
lprca.on.ca
12 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
I’m an excursionist! Since I was young, I loved to explore all of the areas around me. My husband Jim and I go for “Drive Abouts.” That means jumping in the car, set to wander aimlessly. We find some of the most interesting places when we don’t know our destination, sometimes getting lost. Small towns, big towns, country lanes, and everything in between is where we wander. It’s fun finding new and interesting places to share with you. At home on the shore of Lake Erie, I love spending time with my husband, my armload of kids, grandchildren, my cat Lewis, and my BFFs.
Adrianna Michell
The summers spent on my grandparents’ farm taught me about the importance of maintaining rural economies and supporting local farmers, businesses, and creators. Now as a university student living in a city, I still am connected to these values through my art, scholarship, veganism, and environmentalism. I know that as I grow, I should always remember where I was planted.
Love Where You Live!
Sandy Marincic
sandy@ubenefit.ca I’m an avid motorcyclist, world traveller, cook, artist, woodworker and thinker, and I am slowly learning that all opinions needn’t be shared. The way we humans mesh with one another (or not), and how we mess with nature (or not) is a fascinating jigsaw puzzle. I am on the floor looking for the missing pieces – they must be somewhere, no? I also own Benefact Benefit Consultants, where I encourage my employer/ employee clients to work as a team; when people enjoy shared goals and work towards them together, success follows. All of the above is based on the ability to care. Kari Raymer Bishop
A born nurturer, I love to help make anything grow and am happiest when I am investing in the growth of my child, garden, students or community. I am a teacher, beekeeper, writer, activist, and general nuisance. After traveling all over the world, I have found my home in Paris, where I live with a kind professor, a wild child and a sweet dog.
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Tim Zwart
timjzwart.com I embrace being a round peg in a square hole. A walking contradiction, I am a single dad of two small children, an American void of ignorance, I love poutine but not maple syrup, and love sports but not hockey. I am a publishing veteran, magazine editor and author. My first book, Reload: Changing the Way We View Guns in America, is available on Amazon.
519-717-5478 Phone or text
homesinbrant.com
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 13
Tara Shannon
Covering what’s important to you.
I moved from Burlington to small-town life several years ago. When I say small town, I actually mean rural Hagersville. It was a bit of an adjustment. My closest neighbours are cows and buffalo. No longer could I pop out my front door and find all of the latest conveniences at my finger tips. But, you know what!? I love it now. There are so many wonderful businesses out here offering everything I could want. I’m a cook by trade and I love to write too, and out here where the buffalo do in fact roam, I have inspiration galore: from rolling farm landscapes, to Lake Erie, the Grand River, and hiking trails, plus the fresh produce, cheese, honey, grass fed and organic meats. Not to mention the locally produced wine, beer, and cider. Everything is within minutes of my home. I am in heaven. Kelly Lahosky
For almost 160 years, Ontario mutual insurance companies have been - and still are - about people coming together to protect themselves in a common need. While many of our member companies began as farm mutuals, today we offer a full range of home, auto, commercial and farm insurance tailored to protect your family. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Excluding Statutory Holidays.
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InspIre Create MotIvate NEW LOCATION NOW OPEN
Kids & adult Classes Birthday parties Day camps & art supplies
33 Norfolk St. N. Simcoe
226-567-5500 14 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
I was born and raised in Kitchener but I moved to Brantford to follow my dream of owning my own business and I became known as the Party Girl when I opened Party Particulars. When my daughter was asked what her mother did for work she would tell them that she was a Pink Gorilla or a Chicken! I loved to surprise people on their birthdays or anniversaries with a singing telegram and that’s how Pinky the Gorilla was born! I live for the weekends spent with my husband and our Abigail family down at Turkey Point. I wander around discovering hidden gems with the help of Live Small Town magazine but now I am lucky enough to be one of the newest member of the sales team! Feel free to call at 519-755-1690 or email me at kelly@livesmalltownmag.ca. I can’t wait to meet you!
If you have ideas for the mag or would like to join our team of creative writers, photographers, or want to become an advertising partner, please feel free to reach out kate@livesmalltownmag.ca.
Grand River, Dunnville
Discover a long line you actually like. Where the waters of the Grand River meet Lake Erie.
TourismHaldimand.ca Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 15
MORE THAN A MAG!
There’s no sibling rivalry between Live’s printed & social media pages. They both bask in all the attention each gets! It is easy to get excited about the arrival of the latest and greatest Live Small Town magazine! The paper is shiny, the photography is beautiful and the anticipation of who we shone a light on is thrilling! Many folks tell us they have kept every copy since we started the mag just over three years ago. The content is evergreen and is a 100 per-
cent local smorgasburg of community building! Our team of advertising partners and creative folks are proud of this and we look forward just as much as you do to discovering all that is uniquely fabulous in Ontario’s Southwest! Some readers have questioned if we are afraid of running out of content. Not even possible!
There are so many people doing amazing things here! The biggest problem we find is that most local lovelies are modest and don’t blow their own horns. Good Lord, blow away! People are chomping at the bit to support you, including us at Live Small Town magazine. Additionally, our magazine may be popular but our social media communities are constantly buzzing with readers who just can’t seem to get enough of us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Here are just a few posts we thought we would share!
Quite a transformation! The former bank in the bay side town of Port Rowan is now The Port Rowan Inn. It’s a stylish and comfortable place to stay close to Long Point and all the area has to offer. More then just an inn, they provide a place to have your special event, a celebration or a quiet retreat. Enjoy a beautiful view of the bay and a variety of shops, activities and restaurants nearby. There really is a lot to see and do in all four seasons of Norfolk County. 23,005 People Reached, 11,404 Engagements, 265, 51 Comments, 135 Shares 16 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
PRINN Photos by Jay Perry jayperry.ca
Let’s get social too!
LET’S GET SOCIAL! With over 6,220+ followers on twitter, 4,860+ on Facebook, AND 1,950+ On Instagram, there was no shortage of praise for our LAST issue of Live Small Town Magazine. Here are just a few of our Faves!
We’re so lucky to have so many wonderful gems sprinkled throughout our neighbourhoods. Places like The Paris Wincey Mills Co., nestled in Paris. It houses some of the loveliest local artisans who make everything from scrumptious gourmet popcorn to handmade home décor and unique, natural body care. winceymills.ca 5,262 People Reached, 1,245 Engagements, 58, 6 Comments, 24 Shares
Donn raise $31,500 and had huge lineups! I tried to get in with no luck!
On February 8th local potter Donn Zver is hosting a fundraiser to help the Animals of Australia where it has been reported that over 800,000,000 animals have perished so far. He started off committing to selling 400 bowls at $20 each but quickly decided to make 900 bowls when the neighbouring communities and fellow artists started supporting his idea. Besides Donn’s bowls, there will be beautiful items from other potters and artists to buy to support the animals. So be sure to visit! All funds raised will be donated to NSW Wildlife Information and Rescue Service in Australia. 13,995 People Reached, 3,350 Engagements, 104, 11 Comments, 191 Shares
Luxe & Company recently launched a new business in Jarvis and hosted an incredible open house. It was packed! Curious to see what the inside looks like? UHHH... mind blowing! Tricia Nolan Luxe and Company (and her hubby) put their heart and soul into this project and it has totally paid off. Haldimand County is so lucky to have such a forward-thinking entrepreneur in their midst. Inside you will find a cafe serving specialty coffees, cocktails and light food, a tattoo artist, laser therapist, a medical aesthetics, hair styling, yoga, a beauty bar and so much more exiting businesses sharing the space. 6,607 People Reached, 1,451 Engagements, 56, 6 Comments, 41 Shares
@enraptboutique+spa My clients get so excited when there is a new issue in the spa! I love to see the excitement they have when they find a new hidden gem that they didn’t know about. Keep up the great work! @beanermunkychocolate-dundas Can’t wait to see this edition!!! @elaineotterman Such a great magazine. Look forward to new issue!!! @doerksencountrystore Excited to see the latest issue, and happy to be part of your magazine! @jimw.drury Focusing on the local... What could be better than that? @tarashannon Such a wonderfully warm and inviting issue! Can’t wait to have my very own copy in my hands. @jaypollmann waahhoo can’t wait to see this one!! @bobbiesuelord-risi Thank you so much for the amazing write up on our Pizzeria!! Marias Original Pizza. Gino and I are honoured to be mentioned. @wandamckenzieraymond This magazine promotes small towns and people in my old stomping grounds. I love the articles. @kellylahosky Live Small Town magazine supports local businesses, restaurants, artisans, musicians and events and showcases all of this magazine! From the beautifully photographed pages you will find your new favourite place to shop, stay, day trip and explore! @margemitchell LOVE LOVE LOVE! @tastyroadtrips Loved every delicious moment of this rural connection to Norfolk County’s sips & eats!!!! #beer #grilledcheese #local @jaimejagt Ohhhhhhhhhhhh thanks for the feature on Amama Skincare products available at The Shop at Sweetwater. @stuffed Our Customers were so excited to pick up a copy of your magazine at our pierogi dinner tonight! Thanks for dropping some off in time for Christmas! @dovercheeseshop Thank you so much for visiting @livesmalltownmag! You hit some of our favourites but we also recommend @13reasons13 @ivoryfernfoods @matzfruitbarn @blueberryhillca @friskybeaverwines @pleasantportfish @urbanparisian.
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 17
Kindness and caring are contagious! They are the bug we should all hope to catch. I am a huge believer in paying it forward, hence my desire to showcase all of these “earth angels” and shine a light on the meaningful ways they help the people in our small-town communities. Talk about it, get excited about it and most of all - act on it! I will be showcasing acts of kindness in each issue of Live Small Town magazine. If you have a special story, person or place that you would like me to showcase, please reach out. Wishing you all smiles, happiness and love.
Paris-Brant Kiwanis parisbrantkiwanis.org Every year, the Paris-Brant Kiwanis host the Kiwanis Teddy Bear Clinics. It is a free event aimed to take the fear out of medical appointments and help children learn what happens when they visit a doctor, dentist, or go for their first eye exam. Children bring their favorite stuffed friend to be examined by the professionals. It helps the children feel more empowered and in control of their own situation. It also helps educate families about health and wellness.
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Change Makers Having an Impact in a Community Near You! Sometimes it’s the little day-to-day things that go unrecognized in our lives which end up having the biggest impact BY Donna Ferrawey
The amazing youth in our communities The young people in our small towns and villages really are awesome! We should all be proud. Every generation has different challenges, but the youth continue to show us how powerful they are to make a difference in the lives of others. Every year they raise funds and awareness through school initiatives for charities like Hoops for Heart hoopsforheart.ca and Jump Rope for Heart jumpropeforheart.ca so let’s support them and their teachers right back! 18 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Therapeutic Paws of Canada Brantford and Haldimand County Team tpoc.ca Therapeutic Paws of Canada is a non-profit organization helping to spread smiles and to aid people of all ages, physically, educationally, and emotionally. Trained and lovable dogs with their companions visit nursing homes, hospitals, schools and libraries, helping where they are needed. One program that is growing quickly in many areas helps children who are having difficulty learning to read. Each child chooses a book they think the therapeutic dog (in PEI it’s a cat named Rhubarb) would enjoy hearing. These special furry friends have learned to pay close attention to each story, helping to boost the child’s confidence and self esteem. Their special reading buddies never judge and are excellent listeners so the child’s reading skills begin to improve rapidly!
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 19
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Home Grown
Behind every good person, there has usually been some good food. At Live Small Town, we’d like to celebrate both by highlighting the best local foods and recipes around, while introducing you to the creative and talented people who make them possible. From innovative techniques and ingredients to updated twists on some of our old favorites, this is your one-stop shop for everything food, family and fellowship related. After all, every food journey starts with a single bite!
Simply Delicious Dishes Healthy living isn’t as hard as you may think.The region has so much to offer to support healthy living and eating.
Photography by Nicole VanQuaethem
BY Nicole VanQuaethem After recently launching my Random Wellness podcast, it got me thinking about health and wellness in a new light. I wanted to inspire individuals to create community, up-level their health and find happiness in their everyday lives. As a holistic nutritionist, I take a whole lifestyle approach that includes nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle recommendations such as sleep, movement and stress. But truthfully, it is more than getting your eight hours of sleep, going to the gym and eating vegetables. Everything you do in life, including the people you surround yourself with, the space you live in and the amount of time you spend scrolling through your phone really impacts your total wellbeing. So, I challenge you to take inventory of your day-
to-day and think about how you can venture away from some of the same old things. I am not telling you to go bungee jumping, unless you truly feel called to do that, but to make simple tweaks in your everyday life. Ask yourself • Am I eating the same food everyday? • Do I often surround myself with negative people? • How many hours am I on my cell phone or TV? • Do I do the same thing at the gym everyday? • Do I do the same thing every weekend? • How often do I go outside besides walking to my car? Depending on how you answered the questions, perhaps you can spice it up and try the following: • Cook more colourful and healthy recipes.
• Find a community of like-minded individuals at a local gym, yoga studio, art studio, or volunteer position. • Put down your cellphone for face-to-face interaction and meet up for coffee date. • Movement should be fun. Try a group fitness class, yoga class, walk or run outside, biking or swimming. • We are all creatures of habit but maybe it’s time to break away from the same brunch spot every Saturday and venture to other parts of your community. • Nature is some of the best medicine! Although the Canadian winters can make us want to stay curled up in bed, spring is here and it’s time to embrace the fresh air. Get outside, go for a nice walk and maybe listen to an inspiring podcast. Again, the goal of the podcast is to create a community of like minded individuals. Community can be so powerful. Especially when you are going through a period of change, which is generally pretty isolating. Perhaps you are scared to make change and that is completely normal. Meeting new people, eating new foods, trying new hobbies, and focusing on your health can seem like a lonely place at times but I encourage you to start with finding a community that speaks to you, whether it’s in person or online.
Rosemary Beet Hummus Before you get scared because the word “beet” is in the title, I promise you that the beet taste is so mild, you can hardly taste it! Although I do love a classic hummus, sometimes it is nice to change things up. Adding beets to hummus is a great way to get in extra nutrients without the strong, bitter flavour of beets on their own. They contain high amounts of folate, manganese and other trace minerals and are known to be an antioxidant-rich food. Give this recipe a try to change up your regular hummus and to try beets in a new way. Ingredients 2 beets, peeled and diced 1 tbsp olive oil 1 cup cooked chickpeas 1/2 tsp rosemary 1 clove garlic, minced sea salt to taste Optional: 1 tbsp tahini Directions Preheat oven to 350F. On a baking sheet combine olive oil, beets and rosemary. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until tender. Remove from oven and add to food processor with chickpeas, garlic and salt. Blend until smooth. Add small amounts of water or olive oil if needed for blending. Serve with veggies and crackers. Enjoy! xo nic
Nicole VanQuaethem is a registered holistic nutritionist, culinary nutrition expert and owner of Simply Nic Nutrition, where she focuses on educating and empowering people to make healthy choices for themselves. She also has her masters of science in rural planning and development where she focused most of her research on local food systems, agri tourism, culinary tourism and food access. Nicole grew up on a farm, which inspired her studies and work in rural development in southern Ontario. Combining her passion for nutrition and local food, she teaches people to eat within the seasons and to become connected to the food they eat. In her free time, she likes to spend time in the kitchen testing recipes, getting outside, and cuddling with her little dog Chloe. simplynicnutrition.com Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 21
Jan’s Tasty Road Trips
Our ever-growing food scene just keeps expanding. This has foodies in larger cities pretty envious, making this their choice dining destination. BY Spicy Jan Spring has sprung and locally-inspired destinations are on the road trip menu for this spicy gal as an any-day-of-the-week experience, while continuing to explore the “support
local” movement. Local experiences from pop-up shops to food creators, from farm breweries to fine dining, are all on-trend with an extra-special connection to the passionate people
behind the scenes. These are our neighbours, our farmers, who are building a community as they continue to share their vision of farm-to-table and locally-inspired while making a difference in the Southwestern Ontario culinary landscape of experiences. Whether riding on two, three or four wheels, get ready for these unpretentiously approachable destinations I can’t wait for you to discover through the senses. You are going to sip, sample, savour and be inspired with what’s in store so close to home. Vamos, let’s go.
Jan loves curating tour experiences to tempt the senses with local food and beverages. Email info@ tastyroadtrips.com or visit tastyroadtrips.com.
A TASTE DESTINATION Spicy Jan did the gut-busting work for you and distilled
Charlotteville Brewing Company Simcoe charlottevillebrewingcompany.ca Norfolk County is home to this award-winning farm destination. First you see a simple barn, but quickly learn that Charlotteville Brewing is nothing short of sophisticated. Their promise is to create a sustainable business which protects and celebrates the land. A limited menu of artisanal items are offered for perfect pairings with their craft beer. A must is the grilled cheese ‘Don’t Go Bacon My Heart’ sandwich with hummus and babaganoush. And I loved the vibe, as a flight of Shrub arrived confirming that everyone is welcome at CBC.
sixthirtynine Woodstock sixthirtynine.com Tucked away on Peel Street in Woodstock is the approachable fine dining of sixthirtynine. It has the comforts of home yet precision talent in the kitchen led by Chef Eric. Behind the scenes awaits four seats at the Chef’s Table, offering an ‘in the kitchen’ connection of a menu-to-plating experience. Nine thoughtfully prepared tastings were served with a farm-to-table commitment. Savoury herbs, farm-fresh cheeses, local pours, artistic plating and the seamless dance of the culinary team make this one-of-a-kind evening and an extraordinary dining experience.
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Camp 31 Bbq Paris camp31.com Calling all ribbers! Camp 31 is the hidden gem of Paris with a vintage tow-truck as their welcome. This southern smokehouse has fall-offthe-bone ribs, chicken and pork slow smoked seven days a week. As award winning ribbers, they pump out 60 summer events in 18 weekends, yet year-round you can feast at their locally-operated diner. Check out the trio of deep-fried chicken tacos brimming with fresh fixings, smothered in a spicy aoli and a side of mac n’ cheese. It was so good! Camp 31 have gluten-free and vegetarian choices so everyone can have a finger licking good visit.
Willibald Farm Distillery & Restaurant Ayr drinkwillibald.com East of Ayr is a big yellow sign directing drivers to Willibald Farm Distillery and it only takes a moment until you catch a glimpse of the expansive farm property ahead. Inside the silo-style entrance is a spacious openconcept restaurant, bar and shop featuring Willibald spirits and craft beer. After a look over the menu, a fresh baked 10” bianca pizza with white sauce, mozzarella cheese and arugula pesto arrived accompanied by a tricolore salad which was earthy and fresh, bite after bite. Plan a Willibald road trip, make a reservation and ask about the distillery tour.
Jan’s Tasty Road Trips Photography by Nicole Vilaca
it down to four absolute must-eats locations this issue!
Brantford Bites! From teas to treats and everywhere in between, this event has something for everyone. BY Adrianna Michell Brantford Bites Wine, Beer & Spirits Expo is back for another year of celebrating cuisine for a good cause. This year the expo will be held on April 24 at the banquet hall in the Hellenic community centre, where 325 tickets are available for visitors to sample local eats. The expo evolved out of a desire to bring business and philanthropy together. The Brant Business Builders began with a charity golf tournament to raise funds for community organizations, which later became the food and drink expo. Since the expo’s inception it has been an important showcase for local vendors and a widely popular event within the community. This year, visitors can expect over 40 vendors with familiar faces like Steve’s Tea, Sweet Bakery, Mercasa, Juniper Dining Co., and The Olive Oil Company. Throughout the day there will be
entertainment to accompany the tasty treats with local band Sometime’s Acoustic taking the stage and a local DJ to keep spirits high. Brantford Bites operates under the philosophy of supporting local businesses and beyond. Not only do community business benefit, but the expo is an investment in the well-being of Brantford, according to Sherri Barna, a member of the Brant Business Builders marketing committee. Barna said the expo’s creators knew this would be a hit because of the great cuisine in the area. “There is such an amazing diversity of food and drink… We loved the idea of showcasing Brantford’s cuisine and talent” said Barna. The community-driven mission of the expo has invigorated the local economy. Not only can visitors support their neighbours while trying new and exciting fares,
but they can do so knowing it’s for a good cause. In the past five years, Brant Business Builders has donated $64,847 to Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services through their various fundraisers, $11,618 of which impressively came from the 2019 Brantford Bites Expo. “We are community driven, so anything that helps the community and local economy means a lot to us. Plus, we get to donate to a local charity” said Barna. Whether you’re there for the food or drinks, be sure to check out all that Brantford has to offer at a festival that is anything but bite-sized. Brantford Bites brings the best food and wine home to Brant County in 2020. Try something new or visit an old favourite this spring in support of charitable endeavors and local entreprenuers. Tickets are $50 and can be reserved online.
Steel Town Cider Co. Dundas drinksteeltowncider.com Steel Town Cider Co. is the new micro-brewery on the block, bringing a bit of sweetness to the city’s smallbatch scene. Located in the heart of the Dundas Valley, the brewery uses the best of Ontario’s apples to craft unique flavours with a local focus. Steeltown Cider has outgrown the DIY attitude of the home-brew craze, instead expanding their distribution to Ontario restaurants and bars like Merit Brewing Company, Brickworks Ciderhouse, Archive Wine Bar and Ardo Restaurant. Whether on tap or straight from the bottle, these barrel-brewed ciders are made with passion. Their flagship cider “Session” is fermented with saison and wild yeasts for 12 months for a crisp, refreshing flavour. Steel Town Cider’s “Oscura BR,” on the other hand, blends local apples with the surprise of sour cherries, which becomes a dry-hopped sour that is sure to be an unexpected classic. Nights out, get-togethers, and barbecues are all made better with unfiltered, gluten-free ciders made close to home. The ciders look as good as they taste with art work by local creators like Hamilton artist Jamie Lawson. The company’s commitment to working with all things local is apparent in and on the bottle. With cidermaker Alex Hamilton at the helm, Steel Town Cider Co. is working hard to meet the demand of the fledgling company’s supportive fans. Years in the making, this cidery’s success is assured with a supportive community and great flavours behind them. Start the spring with a carefully-crafted local cider that is sure to bring flavour and fun. AM
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 23
Please let us share our restaurant with its unique coastal cuisine and tropical trend in one of Ontario’s best small towns, Port Dover. 2 Walker St. Port Dover 519-583-0880
24 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Chop Suey Nation
Remenissing about the authentically unauthentic Chinese culinary experience of childhood memory. BY Jules Torti According to my childhood hard drive, our family went to Brantford’s Nanking Chinese Restaurant every Sunday for a serious download of wontons with day-glo orange sauce. My mom always ordered the sophisticated almond soo guy while my dad was consistent with his open-face hot roast beef sandwich. My siblings and I opted for all things deep-fried: egg rolls, breaded shrimp and those glorious pineapple chicken balls. The greater thrill for us was pre-dinner, when we’d leave my parents to small talk and jockey for seats at the in-house two-player Ms. Pac-Man machine near the bar. We fed grubby quarters into the machine as quick as we filled our maws with stale chow mein noodles. Dunked in pools of sickly-sweet plum sauce, the chow mein noodles sharpened our focus in chasing Ms. Pac-Man’s ghosts until my dad summoned us back to the dining room proper. Between greasy bites, we studied the paper placemats illustrating the Chinese zodiac animals. At our table alone, we had two tigers, a rooster, a snake and a goat. Sometimes the placemats had pictures of classic cocktail recipes, and we picked our cocktails too, unaware of the age requirement on such things. We marvelled at all the exotica of Nanking and the tiny bowls filled with hot water and lemon wedges. We cleansed our germy Ms. Pac-Man hands, enjoying the spa treatment before licking our sauced fingers like popsicles. Nanking’s ambience was obsolete but standard: red brocade wallpaper, fire-breathing dragons and a few token waving gold cats. The restaurant was bright enough to perform open-heart surgery in. But, this place was an education. We were introduced to bean sprouts, water chestnuts and our Chinese spirit animals. We learned a lot from Confucius the philosopher thanks to broken fortune cookies that tasted exactly like oddly-folded ice cream cones. I liked how they packed up
on my back molars, making my teeth seem taller. We pocketed those fortunes with our lucky numbers and took them to heart, though, early comprehension was dubious (ie. Fear is interest paid on a debt you may not owe.) When I see a random packet of Wing’s plum sauce I’m instantly transported back to the China of my youth: chow mein noodles and Ms. Pac-Man. Sigh. I miss Confucius and his cookies. Celebrate Year of the Rat by reading Chop Suey Nation (Douglas & McIntyre) by Ann Hui. Her totally edible memoir explores the history and indisputable charm of small-town Chinese restos from Victoria, BC to Fogo Island, NL, as experienced on an 18-day, 9,000 km journey in a Fiat 500. Once your cravings are fully ramped up, visit one of these local establishments for the joy that only an egg roll can bring.
Chinese HOTSPOTS 1 Nanking Restaurant, Brantford brantfordnanking.com 2 Yin’s Restaurant, Waterford yinsrestaurant.com 3 Hyatt Restaurant, Dunnville hyattrestaurant.ca 4 Jade’s Paris Restaurant, Paris jadesofparis.com 5 Taste of China, Woodstock 523tasteofchina.com 6 Chan’s Chinese Restaurant, Dundas chans-restaurant.com 7 Dragon Island Chinese Restaurant, Waterdown dragonisland.ca
Jules Torti is the author of Free to a Good Home: With Room For Improvement (Caitlin Press). She is the editor-inchief of Harrowsmith magazine and writes about the best things in life (birds, burgers, beaches, beer: in no particular order) for Cottage Life, FASHION, realtor.ca’s Living Room and Grand magazine. Torti has been published in The Vancouver Sun, The Globe and Mail, Massage Therapy Canada and Coast Mountain Culture magazine. In other lives she has made breakfast for 26 chimpanzees in the Congo and illustrated colouring books for the Jane Goodall Institute and the Dian Fossey Foundation. Her next book is under construction and will retrace Torti’s experience walking the Camino de Santiago from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port, France to Finisterre (“The End of the World”), Spain. Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 25
59 grand river st n, paris 519-302-3001 midtownparis.com
Casual Italian Riverside Dining
59 grand river st n, paris 519-302-3001 trattoriaparis.com
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Four uniquely unForgettable dining experiences in downtown paris!
61 grand river st n, paris 519-302-3000 stillwatersplateandpour.ca
Casual Dining the way it was meant to be!
Burger Mondays • Kids Eat Free Tuesdays • Wing Night Wednesdays Mill St. Thirsty Thursdays • Fisherman Fridays • Rib Fest Saturdays 10 Perch For 7 Sundays • Half Prices Apps Every Night After 9 pm
111 grand river st n, paris 519-442-1820 cobblestonepub.ca Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 27
On the Map
Local-licious
Join the movement away from big-box retailers and manufacturers to those who innovate in our very own backyard. BY NANCY HOWDEN-COWELL The Olive Oil Co. Brantford /Paris theoliveoilcompany.ca Imagine dunking a chunk of fresh, crunchy bread into a bowl of good olive oil or drizzling a rich balsamic reduction over that flavourful bruschetta you just made. From sweet to savoury, with over 50 flavours from around the world, you might want to book a guided tasting tour so you can come home with just the perfect balsamic vinegar and olive oil to excite your taste buds. It is a great way to spend the day awakening your creative culinary spirit.
Early Bird Coffee Woodstock earlybirdcoffee.ca Canadians love their coffee but it can be more than pulling up to the drive-through and gulping down the same mundane brew every day. Elio and Kate at Early Bird Coffee in Woodstock have brought our favourite indulgence to new heights where you can watch the roasting process, pick from a wide range of sipping options and enjoy a locally baked treat in their cozy cafe.
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Brantford
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The Udder Way Artisan Cheese Company Hannon Like most cheese shop owners, Tor Kruegar has a self-professed passion for cheese but he has taken it a giant step further and become a master cheese maker with his own factory. Udder Way Cheese, with its indulgent creamy texture, is crafted in French style pyramids from Ontario goat milk. This is a go-to destination for cheese-lovers looking for a unique experience.
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Nuts To You Nut Butter Paris In 1989, Sam Abrams, a self-proclaimed hippie, and wife Kathleen said, “nuts to you” and left city life for the calm country setting of Paris, Ontario. Their 100% Canadian family-owned business sources pesticide-free, good-quality nuts and seeds from all over the planet. From almonds to cashew to peanuts, their all-natural butters are certified organic and dry roasted with no added sugars, salts or tropical fats.
Brew’ed Biscuits Norfolk County twospentgrains.ca Now your pooch can enjoy a beer as much as you do. Heather and Barb have taken recycling to a new level by repurposing the spent grains from the brew process at the Blue Elephant Craft Brew House. What used to end up in the landfill now ends up in the tummy of your best bud but of course without the lingering effects of your libation. These high protein, fibre-rich dog treats are just what your furry friend needs at the end of a hard day.
Matchbox Garden & Seed Co. Caledonia matchboxgarden.ca Hanna Jacobs cares about our world, the insects and the environment. To this end, the seeds she produces are certified organic and allow us to grow and enjoy foods that are not only healthy and delicious but contribute to a sustainable future. A world where we are stewards of the land, protecting the insects that make our life here on earth possible.
Experience
SOMETHING DIFFERENT!
Artfully Designed Cheese and Charcuterie for Large & Small Events
519.718.1201
INFO@DOVERCHEESE.COM VISIT US @ 307 MAIN ST., PORT DOVER
DOVERCHEESE.COM
We welcome you, from near and far, to explore the beautiful sights and fun activities of Haldimand and Norfolk Counties. You will find gracious hosts, personal service, comfortable rooms and a great breakfast at each of our 14 distinctive, licensed B&B’s.
THE PERFECT GETAWAY Is CLosER THAN You THINk! southcoastbnb.ca The Grand Corbel B&B 54 Dunrobin Dr., Caledonia 905-531-6794 stay@thegrandcorbel.ca
Carrousel B&B 51 Winnett St., Cayuga 905-772-5348 carrouselbb@rogers.com
Normandale Century Inn 2326 Front Rd., Normandale 519-426-8345 normandalecenturyinn@gmail.com
Dunnville Inn B&B 809 George St., Dunnville 289-738-2501 dunnvilleinnbb@gmail.com
Lalor Estate Inn 241 Broad St. W., Dunnville 905-774-5438 lalorestateinn@gmail.com
The Reeve B&B 431 Queen St., Dunnville 905-931-2941 reevebedandbreakfast@gmail.com
Almost Home B&B Five Blocks North B&B Hickey’s Haven 58 Queensway E., Simcoe 208 McNab St. W., Port Dover 904 Main St., Port Dover 519-428-5654 905-541-1479 519-420-7110 stay@fiveblocksnorth.com hickeyshaven904mainst@gmail.com marycooper50@outlook.com
Walnut Grove B&B 1193 Northshore Dr., Dunnville 905-774-5445 kelljong@295.ca
Culverdene House Cedar Cottage 812 Norfolk St. S., Simcoe 146 St James St. S., Waterford 519-428-3315 519-443-5743 bandb@culverdenehouse.ca steveestar@gmail.com
Tranquil Moments B&B 108 Charlton St., Lynedoch 519-582-0915 wilhelmusg42@gmail.com The Butter Barn B&B 98 St. James St. S., Waterford 905-515-2528 or 905-912-1160 thebutterbarnbandb@gmail.com
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 29
Rural Roooots!
Rural recreation is the cure-all you’re craving and roots are so cool and underground, they’re like the most indie thing in the planet. Put those two things together and you’ve got (yell it!) Rural Rooooots: Your indispensable, unconventional guide to bucolic wonder and countryside cravings. BY J.C. Villamere Museums are great and all but do you know where you can really learn about local history? Magazines. Live Small Town magazine is a record of our present. Folks in the future will reference it to learn about our collective past. Now we’re going to look into the past through the magic of magazines to examine the rural roots of Y U Ranch. A 2017 issue of Live Small Town magazine featured the story of Y U Ranch, a Norfolk County tobacco farm that was transformed into an award-winning, solar-powered, ecologically-sustainable ranch for Texas longhorn cattle. They are a hardy, disease-resistant breed that thrive locally. Remember how we told you that their award-winning beef was served in fine restaurants and is available for sale on their website? That’s still the case. So hit up Yuranch.com. Now let’s 23 skidoo back to 1929. “As dreary and uncompromising a spot as could be imagined, these thousands of acres comprised a blowsand area which was at once the 30 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
ruination and despair of many a farmer who tried unsuccessfully to grow his crops thereon” is how Maclean’s magazine described Norfolk County’s landscape prior to 1929. That’s when the government created what was at the time the world’s largest reforestation nursery here. Maclean’s reported that the 2,000 acres of miniature forests constituted “one of the most picturesque scenic attractions in Ontario.” Surely, it was the coveted Instagram backdrop of its time. This 1929 issue of Maclean’s also commemorated the 100th birthday of Dalhousie University. A GE ad enthused that it had set a world record for electric cooking speed by boiling a kettle on a stovetop. The ad promised that the appliance would “add to the comfort of modern women,” which would get them in hot water today. Let’s skip through to 1939, to a Maclean’s article called “Mister, I’m Singing! Millions rolling in, towns growing up, civic debt going down — Why wouldn’t the Tobacco Belt sing?” In 1938, Norfolk County’s annual tobacco crop was worth
Photos by Marc Douglas marcdouglas.ca
a whopping $10 million (about $184 million in today’s dollars). In 1938, 70 million pounds of tobacco were grown on 61,000 acres in a tobacco belt that stretched across Norfolk County and into Elgin. The success was even more incredible given the fact that 15 years prior, before the reforestation project, the tobacco crop was nonexistent here. Almost all of that acreage was “the despised, worthless, barren blowsand of 1923,” Maclean’s reminds us. It’s a boom town, Maclean’s declared, “But it’s lacking the unhappy attributes of some other boom towns in that it is obvious that Delhi’s boom will be permanent so long as people go on smoking cigarettes, which would seem to make it permanently permanent.” And people did go on smoking cigarettes permanently — just far fewer people and far fewer cigarettes. In fact, in 1983 Canadians smoked three billion fewer cigarettes than in 1982 as activists and health advocates called for more stringent marketing regulations to warn consumers that tobacco is highly addictive and causes cancer. In a July 1984 issue, Maclean’s ran a report called “Trouble on tobacco road” opposite a VCR ad that promised that the future is beta. By then, the $5 billion Canadian tobacco industry ($12.7 billion in today’s dollars) had suffered through blue mould crop damage in 1979, torrential rains in 1980 and heavy frost in 1982. But these hurdles were nothing compared to tumbling consumer demand for tobacco products. An estimated 500 of Canada’s 2,800 tobacco growers declared bankruptcy. “I have been around for 25 years and I have never seen so many people in trouble,” George Demay-
ere, the chairman of the tobacco growers’ marketing board, told Maclean’s in 1984. And he’s the marketing board chairman. Maclean’s added, “A growing number of farmers are beginning to fear that the trouble may be permanent.” Let’s leave that eulogy for tobacco-born prosperity behind. Let’s go to 2009 when a newly-elected Obama decided to visit Canada for his first foreign trip and there was a feeling of hope on the horizon. The Walrus magazine certainly thought the future had begun. That’s why they ran a feature about Y U Ranch called “The Future Has Begun: Vertical farms will take eating local to the next level — but are they safe?” “Bryan Gilvesy is a 51-year-old farmer in southwestern Ontario who has worked the land since he was nineteen and has, quite possibly, seen the future,” the article began. Gilvesy is the founder of the futuristic Y U Ranch. The Walrus described his sustainable farm, which encompassed at that time a stream for trout from which a solar pump delivered water for the cattle, 30 bluebird houses for feathered friends to eat the flies off his cattle’s backs and a place for native bees. “We believe we’ve made the environment better, we’ve produced a healthier food supply, and we’re getting more rewards from the marketplace. There are a lot of wins in farming this way,” Gilvesy told the Walrus. Norfolk County’s fortunes have risen and fallen and risen again as a testament to the ingenuity of this place’s people. The farmers in Norfolk County are unbreakable. They’re adaptable. And some, like the gang at Y U Ranch, might even be clairvoyant. We’re glad they’re here to look forward. We’ll help you look back. Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 31
Local flavour, sip & savour Come with us, again and again, as we explore the wonder of being a tourist in our own backyard! BY Sandy Marincic
My friend Dave says, “Every living thing sits in a big circle and survives only by eating something else in the circle.” Hmmm... unfriendly, but true. We’re all in this together and can’t avoid stepping on toes, fins or roots. My previous assignment was way out of my comfort zone - a spa. Cooking is the opposite: bring on the apron (black please), sharp knife and cutting board. Food - must eat! I cook and want to learn more. That’s how I wound up at the 1909 Culinary Academy in Ayr, with Chef Murry Zehr. This professional chef school has evening classes for all skill levels and a sparkling five-station commercial kitchen. YES! For our Thai-themed evening I teamed up with Christine from Buzztourco and Liz from Black Tie Affair: an all-extroverted, fun trio. So serious at the start,
we were soon cackling and rolling up a storm – spring roll rolling that is. Chef Murray doesn’t believe in recipes, isn’t that crazy? Oh, there were rules where proportions mattered, but mostly he encouraged us to taste ingredient combos to arrive at deliciousness. Isn’t that what eating, cooking’s destination, is all about? His approach helped us tailor our flavours – more garlic, less cilantro, hold the...and so on. There’s a magic that happens when people work together and the couples, mother-daughter teams, and friend groups all had that momentum. The towering piles of spring rolls were too tempting - the room filled with smiling “size matters” comments. We men remained silent. Oh stop it! The main course was a Thai curry, so again knives out and pans on fire. I’ve made Thai curries before - with complex from-scratch recipes, with “cheater” commercial Thai paste, and now with Chef Murray’s collection of fresh ingredients. I am a fan – simple and fresh is the hands down winner. As we chopped and created, Chef Murray passionately told us about his aquaponic (not hydroponic) farming operation. In a 10-by-15 meter building, he produces enough food to feed a small army – veggies, mussels and shrimp! Hold that thought because I’m going back to do an in-depth article on this topic. Who could resist? The last dish of the evening was grilled pineapple with toasted coconut. It was great watching the pineapple char, even as I lost swaths of arm hair in the process. And how useful is arm hair, really? We finished the evening sated, warmed from human interaction, and inoculated with Chef Murray’s free-form methods of coaxing flavour and magic out of real ingredients. Chef Murray - another soul demonstrating how great life is when we stick our necks out.
EXPERIENTIAL TRAVEL REVISITED 1 Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese - Affinage 101, Woodstock gunnshillcheese.ca 2 Grand River Dinner Cruises, Caledonia grandrivercruises.ca 3 Red Apple Rides - Foodie Tours+, Port Dover redapplerides.com 4 Chocolatea - Truffle Making Camp, Ingersoll chocolatea.ca 5 Ride the Bine - Wine and Beer Tours ridethebine.com 6 Tasty Road Trips Food Tours, Brant, Oxford+ tastyroadtrips.com 7 Six Nations Tourism - Educational Tours, Ohsweken sixnationstourism.ca 8 Le Chocolat du Savoie - Tasting Excursions, Brantford lechocolatdusavoie.com 32 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
BRANTFORD
Brantford Farmers’ Market Mercasa Little Italy Eatery & Catering
Wayne Gretzky Sports Centre
Le Chocolat du Savoie Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant
Whether you want cultural experiences, outdoor adventure, fantastic family fun, sporting events, or culinary delights, you’ll find it all in Brantford - the big city with a small town feel. Visit us in person or online to plan your trip.
discoverbrantford.com BRANTFORD VISITOR & TOURISM CENTRE • 399 WAYNE GRETZKY PARKWAY • BRANTFORD 1-800-265-6299 Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 33
GET ExciTED ABOuT cOOkiNG AGAiN
The Olive Oil Co. offers 60+ flavours of premium extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar. Come in and “try before you buy” at this inspiring locally owned family business. Find delicious gift giving ideas! Gourmet delights include artisanal pasta from Italy, sweet and savoury jellies, tapenades, olives, along with beautiful locally made charcuterie boards and pottery.
Culinary Arts HALDIMAND COUNTY CALEDONIA Argyle St. Grill
345 Argyle St S, theargylestreetgrill.com Upscale eatery at family-friendly prices. Mainly fresh and local products make the Argyle a must-try. Oasis Drive-In
22 Argyle St S, Opened in 1927, Oasis is Canada’s oldest drive-in restaurant. Pop in for their tasty foot-long hot dogs, golden fresh cut fries or a big scoop ice cream cone. While there, visit the Haldimand House. Wally Parr Sausage
BRANTFORD STORE 358 King George Rd, Brantford 519-304-6600 WiNcEy MillS MARkET, PARiS 31 Mechanic St, Paris 519-304-6600 Be sure to check each of our locations hours on our website before visiting.
theoliveoilcompany.ca
791 Hwy 6, wallyparrsausage.com For the last 30 years or so, Wally Parr Sausage has been something of a local institution, especially for those who can appreciate the work that goes into making a delicious sausage. Be sure to make it out to their meat-tastic retail emporium on Highway 6 in Caledonia. It boasts more than 300 items, including their famous sausages. Cayuga Shelly’s Family Dining Restaurant
1192 Kohler Rd, shellyscatering.wixsite.com/ shellysrestaurant This unique restaurant is set in a remodelled old church and quite often has live music serenading its patrons. The home-style fare is also heavenly. Twisted Lemon
cinq á sept Monday to Friday 5-7pM 1/2 price raw oysters, buy one get get one 1/2 price starters & small plates + $5 house wine.
Inspired by French Bistros and Lyonnaise Bouchon cuisine, Juniper Dining Co. is a modern fine dining restaurant with a comfortable and casual environment, located in Paris, Ontario. We marry quality local and seasonal ingredients with inventive cocktails, local beers and carefully chosen wines to create memorable experiences, time and time again.
3 Elm St, PariS 519-302-2200
juniperdiningco.ca
34 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
3 Norton St W, twistedlemon.ca Featuring fresh, uncomplicated food. Always expect a fine dining experience but make a reservation because this place is a hot spot for flavour junkies. Be prepared for gourmet surprises. DUNNVILLE Julia’s Bistro
217 Niagara St, juliasbistroandcatering.com Julia satisfies anyone’s craving for homemade Italian cooking while adding her unique style!
NE IG
The Minga
146 Queen St, They offer coffees, salads and sweets, many of their ingredients are organic, and sourced locally. You can’t beat their organic, fair-trade coffee for $1.80.
OURHOO D HB
FISHERVILLE Fisherville Hotel & Tavern
2 Erie Ave S, thetav.ca Built as a hotel for travelling salesmen in 1853, the Fisherville Hotel & Tavern remains the destination for tourists and travellers alike. Explore an amazing local craft beer selection and honest food, or stay overnight to experience history and a small-town pace on your country getaway. HAGERSVILLE Main 88 Pizza Pub
88 Main St S, This place offers the best pizza around with lots of flavourful toppings on a thin crust. The bar is well-stocked with beer and spirits. With large flat screens, it is the perfect place to watch the game.
Field To Table Country Dining Stop by to watch the game, grab a pint, hunker down and prepare to never want to leave until you’ve eaten your way through our menu. Whether it’s our sinful pizza, our stop-your-heart sandwiches, or our lick-your-figures-clean wings, we take pride in everything we make.
88 Main St S, HaGERSViLLE 905-768-4040
JARVIS Devine’s Country Restaurant
116 Talbot St E, devinesrestaurant.ca Famous for their all-day breakfast, savoury lunches and homemade desserts that are nothing short of divine. Concession Road Brewing Company
17 Talbot Street E concessionroadbrew.com Haldimand’s County’s first and only craft brewery that is focusing on small batch hand crafted ales and is located in an old fire hall! NORFOLK COUNTY Normandale The Normandale Century Inn and Restaurant
2326 Front Rd, normandaleinn.com Stay for a few nights or a single meal and enjoy their licensed outdoor patio. Langton Andy’s Drive-in Restaurant
3710 Hwy 59, andysdrivein.com Norfolks only 50’s inspired drive-in diner that is famous for their footlongs, sundaes and Piggyback Burger, all using only quality ingredients.
SaturdayS in May Join us for mammoth meals, deals and experiences along the Oxford County Cheese Trail.
OxfordCountyCheeseTrail.ca 1-866-801-7368 x3355 tourism@oxfordcounty.ca WOOdsTOCk, TillsOnburg, ingersOll, nOrWiCh, TavisTOCk, drumbO, embrO
1-866-801-7368 x3355 tourism@oxfordcounty.ca
OxfordCountyCheeseTrail.ca
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 35
PORT DOVER The Beach House
JOIN US AT THE JOIN US AT
WINCEY MILLS MILLS MARKET MARKET WINCEY Located Located in in Downtown Downtown Paris Paris
2 Walker St, Great food, great staff, great prices and a stunning view right on Lake Erie. Sunday brunch eggs benny is a must. David’s Restaurant
168 New Lake Shore Rd, davidsportdover.com This refined Canadian restaurant with a lake view offers an upstairs lounge with live music on weekends. Erie Beach Hotel
19 Walker St, eriebeachhotel.com Established in 1946, this family-run hotel and restaurant is located just a block from Lake Erie. Enjoy a relaxed pub-style grill or a refined restaurant with linen-covered tables. Lago Trattoria
301 Main St, lagoportdover.ca A menu that features freshly-made Italian fare with seasonal twists. Come and enjoy their fresh pasta, sauce, gelato and so much more.
LOCATED AT 31 MECHANIC STREET IN PARIS
The Dover Cheese Shop
winceymills.ca
Thursday - Saturday 9-5
WM-Live-Mag-Ad-Fall-2017.indd 2
2017-09-08
307 Main St dovercheese.com The Dover Cheese Shop is a food lover’s paradise. It offers a 100 specialty arti11:47 AM san cheeses sourced from cheesemakers in Canada and around the world, gourmet spreads and preserves, kitchen accessories, a premium olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting bar, and a wide selection of handmade chocolates. Knechtel’s
15 Walker St, knechtelfoods.ca A Port Dover signature beachront destination for over 50 years, serving Lake Erie perch and pickerel, burgers, foot-long hot dogs and ice cream cones. SAINT WILLIAMS Burning Kiln Winery
THINK LOCAL. THINK FRESH!
PRemium eSPReSSo, Single SouRced coffee, dAilY BAked TReATS, lunch & locAllY SouRced ingRedienTS!
Satisfy your cravings for local passion at Kristi’s Market Kitchen! Seasonal fruits and veggies, baked goods and much more! Enjoy a fresh coffee or lunch on the run!
joyofnorfolk.ca 126 Robinson St. Simcoe 519-420-9999 226 Middle Townline Rd. Harley Brant County 519-732-9843
36 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
1709 Front Rd, burningkilnwinery.ca An amazing winery that honours local agri-heritage and the culinary bounty. SIMCOE Barrel Restaurant
131 Queensway W, barrelrestaurant.ca A warm, inviting atmosphere with fresh homemade Italian food, gourmet pizza, chicken, veal, seafood and gluten-free items. A casual Italian restaurant at its best. Celebrating 30
years of great food. Dine-in, patio, takeout and delivery available. The Combine
352 Norfolk St S, thecombine.ca Fun, honest food built on local bounty. A fabulous handmade brick oven, garden patio and wine menu. Joy Bakery Café
126 Robinson St, joyofnorfolk.ca What an excellent place to visit with friends to drink good coffee, eat fabulous baked goods and simply relax! Locally-sourced deliciousness at its best. TURKEY POINT The Jetty Bar & Grill
236 Ordnance Dr, thejetty.ca The Jetty is a casual eatery with a picturesque view of Lake Erie and a 150seat patio. The restaurant is open yearround with a great weekend breakfast that residents and cottagers love!
Since opening in downtown Woodstock in 2005, sixthirtynine has become a destination restaurant for the region and beyond. Offering ever-changing, locally-sourced seasonal menus, Chef and Owner Eric Boyar, along side his wife and co-owner, Jennifer Boyar, continue to offer dishes that are both beautiful on the palate and plate. An elegant contemporary dining room with 30 seats welcomes guests with its soothing tones and luxurious decor elements. Additional seating is available for up to four guests at the Chef’s Table and a lovely patio offering a garden view is available seasonally.
WATERFORD Ritzy Cakes & Eatery
20 Alice St, robinsritzycakes.com A spectacular small-town bakery also serving coffees, teas, paninis, soups, Belgian waffles, breakfast and so much more. Did I mention their treats?
639 Peel Street Woodstock 519-536-9602
www.sixthirtynine.com
BRANT COUNTY Harley Kristi’s Market Kitchen
226 Middle Townline Rd, Satisfy your cravings for local passion at Kristi’s Market Kitchen. Fruits, veggies, delicious baked goods, gift baskets and so much more. Enjoy a fresh coffee or an amazing lunch on the run. Mount Pleasant Devlin’s Country Bistro & Catering
704 Mt. Pleasant Rd. devlinscountrybistro.com This former combined general store, post office and residence has been an enduring fixture in the community for over 125 years, adding Devlin’s Country Bistro in 1990. Offering contemporary Italian cuisine with a unique and delicious Californian flair.
@burningkilnwine burningkilnwinery.ca
St George Abigail’s Tea House
2 Main St, abigailsteahouse.com Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 37
Located in an old bank in a picturesque village, they offer an exquisite dining experience in a calm and beautifully antique-inspired environment. Reservations are always recommended. La Cantinella Ristorante Italiano
Whether it’s a local farmers market, festival or special event, we cater to all your event needs. Since the 1940’s, our iconic diner “Andy’s Drive-In” has been serving great food and a unique experience to Norfolk County. We have now expanded our reach and are bringing that same great taste to you all around Norfolk County in our mobile food truck! We insist on quality from our classic burgers & hot dogs to the handmade milkshakes, and so much more!
andysdrivein.com
3710 Norfolk County Hwy 59, Langton 519-875-2631
need Help? Brant, Haldimand & norfolk Community information dataBase
info-bhn.ca
search for information on • Children & Youth Services • Counselling • Disability Support Programs • Financial & Social Assistance • Food Banks • Government Programs • Health Services • Housing & Home Care • Libraries & Educational Services • Mental Health Services • Newcomer Services • Parenting & Family Programs • Recreation • Service Clubs • Seniors’ Services • Transportation Services and so much more!
PARIS The Paris Wincey Mills Co
31 Mechanic St, winceymills.ca A hub for culture, cuisine and community, this is a one-stop tourist destination. Open year-round (ThursSat) it boasts local vendors and multiple dining options. Juniper Dining Co.
3 Elm St, juniperdiningco.ca Inspired by French bistros and Lyonnaise bouchon cuisine, this modern restaurant marries quality local and seasonal ingredients with inventive cocktails, local beers and carefully chosen wines to create memorable experiences, time and time again. Midtown Kitchen & Coffee Co.
Don’t Delay. start your summer wine toDay! Let us help you create your own special wine for you, your family and guests to enjoy. We carry over 60 premium, award winning, 100% juice wine varieties (with no added sulphites) from around the world.
1A-164 Colborne St W, Brantford 519-753-0001
vintnerscellarbrantford.ca 38 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
16 Main St, S lacantinellastgeorge.com If you could scoop up a cup of passion and place it in a bowl you wouldhave captured the very essence of this amazing restaurant. Each dish prepared in this inviting restaurant nestled in the heart of Brant County is slowly simmered with heaping helpings of tradition.
59 Grand River St N, midtownparis.com An artisanal New York deli and coffee house with fresh ingredients, chefinspired soups, sandwiches, pizzas and desserts. Stillwaters Plate & Pour
61 Grand River St N, stillwatersplateandpour.ca A globally-inspired menu created by Chef William Thompson of Food Network’s Top Chef Canada, coupled with a breathtaking rooftop patio leaves nothing to be desired. The Cobblestone Pub
111 Grand River St N, cobblestonepub.ca This laid-back, old-time watering hole features a menu of gourmet versions of pub favourites, and is a mainstay for neighbours and visitors alike.
Trattoria at Midtown
59 Grand River St N, trattoriaparis.com Set in a cellar-like atmosphere, Trattoria at Midtown is opened at 4pm, 7 days a week and focuses on casual Italian fare and wines. SIX NATIONS of the grand river TERRITORY Ohsweken Burger Barn
3000 4th Line, burgerbarn.ca They’re known for their amazing gourmet burgers that are always served with a surprising twist. Their southern style comfort food is sure to satisfy any appetite. They offer daily specials and all day breakfast. If you bring the whole family there will be something for all! Village Cafe 1875 Fourth Line, If you are near Oshweken be sure to go to the Village Cafe. The food is reasonably priced, delicious and the atmosphere is relaxing and welcoming. If you are looking for something traditional, the corn soup is a must! BRANTFORD Myra’s Bar & Grill
19HolidayDr, myrasbarandgrill.com Located at the Best Western Brantford Hotel & Conference Centre, hotel guests and locals enjoy chic ambiance, friendly staff and award-winning food.
CR EATI N G
The perfecT pairing of STyle, relaxaTion, local flavour & aTTainabiliTy in porT Dover!
B EA U TI F U L Be sure to visit David’s on Tour at The links at Dover coast during the golf season + Dover cab will bring it right to your port Dover doorstep! Check out our website for more details.
mE m oR I Es
davidsportdover.com golfatdovercoast.ca elementsdayspa.ca
TASTY ROAD TRIPS TOURS
T oGETHER
unforgettable food+Drink experiences
The Olive Oil Co
358 King George Rd, Brantford 31 Mechanic St, Paris Offering over 50 + flavours of premium olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar (with a tasting bar) they stock an array of other gourmet delights and gift-giving ideas, including gluten-free goodies, pastas, and more. Cafe Andreou
104 West St Fine dining in an 1865 home with Italian and continental cuisine. Enjoy exquisite food with hospitality at its finest. Elements Casino Brantford
40 Icomm Dr, elementscasinobrantford.com Table games, slots, a poker room and great shows draw people to this venue and the great breakfast, lunch and
Escape for the weekend, enjoy an afternoon with friends, celebrate a special occasion while exploring a local, behind the scenes experience in food, drink, farms, art, boutique shops & community with Southwestern Ontario’s leading food tour company!
19 Holiday Drive, Brantford 519-753-8651
bestwesternbrantford.com
tastyroadtrips.com Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 39
dinner menu keeps them coming back! Sociable Kitchen & Tavern
45 King George Rd, sociabletavern.ca A hip hangout with globally-inspired pub fare including brunch and craft beers and cocktails in a funky and fun environment.
236 OrdNaNCE drIVE turKEy POINt 519-428-2121 INsIdE thE macdONaLd marINa
thejetty.ca
thursday 2 FOr 1 WINGs
Oxford County ingersoll The Olde Bakery Cafe
rEGuLar PrICE $16 PEr LB.
FrIday haddOCK & ChIPs
1 PIECE $11 | 2 PIECE $16 | $8 tOP shELF shaKErs
saturday & suNday BaBy BaCK rIBs haLF raCK $17 | FuLL raCK $24
Last saturday OF thE mONth
PrImE rIB dINNEr $25 & LIVE musIC WIth IaN mcaLLIstEr
saturday & suNday BrEaKFast FrOm 9am-1Pm
ChECK Out Our WEBsItE & FaCEBOOK FOr NEW hOurs & daILy sPECIaLs as OF may 1.
thursday 4 Pm - 9 Pm FrIday 11 am - 11 Pm saturday 9 am - 11 Pm suNdayday 9 am - 8 Pm
120 Thames St S, theoldebakerycafe.com Offering healthy breakfast and lunch options with an array of tasty, not-sohealthy pastries — just like grandma used to make! Tillsonburg d’Lish Kitchen Cafe
518 Broadway #1 dlishkitchencafe.ca A hearty diner creating tasty food for health-concious bodies. From chickpeas to kombucha, your belly will thank you. Woodstock sixthirtynine
639 Peel St, sixthirtynine.com Offering an amazing, ever-changing, locally-sourced seasonal menu, a lovely patio and an elegant dining experience. sixthirtynine has become a destination restaurant for the region and beyond.
Simply Nic Nutrition is dedicated to helping empower people to make healthy choices for themselves and create long-term and sustainable goals and changes.
Tandoori Knight
For information on coaching, workshops, or menu plans please visit simplynicnutrition.com or email info@simplynicnutrition.com
the freshest food with the friendliest service 131 Queensway W, Simcoe
519-426-0068
511 Dundas St, tandooriknight.ca If you love Indian food this is a muststop place to eat. Everything is flavourful and fresh and the portions are always generous. Ancaster Ancaster Mill
548 Old Dundas Rd, ancastermill.com Situated beside a creek with a large dining room built out overlooking the falls and boasting menus that highlight the best of the season’s local and organic products. Don’t miss their Champagne Sun brunch. Rousseau House Restaurant & Lounge
Patio • Dine-In • Delivery • Catering • Take-Out
www.barrelrestaurant.ca 40 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
375 Wilson St E, rousseauhouse.ca This upscale restaurant excels at romancing your taste buds. Enjoy lunch, dinner or Sunday brunch in their elegant dining room or choose the more casual main floor lounge for tapas.
Be sure to check out their live music Friday evenings, an amazing summer patio and extensive wine listing. Southcote 53 Tap & Grill
534 Garner Rd E southcote53.ca A pub menu with flair best describes the food selection at Southcote 53 and it won’t take you long to see what this means. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with walk-ins always welcome. Dundas Detour Roaster’s Cafe
41 King St W, detourcoffee.com Gourmet roasts from around the world prepared as a pour-over, as well as coffees of the day, espressos, a range of teas and a light, delectable bistro menu. India Village
Dundas: 100 King St. W. Ancaster: Wilson St. E. fineindiancuisine.ca If you love Indian food, you’ll be spoiled for choice as India Village has two locations. Try the korma shahi, with its rich and creamy coconut-drenched vegetables and the butter naan is out of this world. A variety of gluten-free and vegan meals are also available.
a t r e Elb s m r Fa
t e k r a ntry M
Cou
ity mmun uce o C r u gO rod Servin h Ontario P y l d u s o re Pr Farm F Local
353 Governors Rd East, Paris 519-752-2047 elbertafarms.ca
Thirsty Cactus Cantina & Grill
2 King St E, thirstycactus.ca Whet your whistle with one of their amazing 24 beer taps, enjoy an inspired Southwest menu, and of course a super friendly and fun atmosphere!
Country Bistro & catering
Quatrefoil Restaurant
6 Sydenham St quatrefoilrestaurant.com Named among the Top 10 Best New Restaurants in Canada by enRoute Magazine, and the Top 10 Best New Restaurants by Toronto Life, Quatrefoil Restaurant has been offering one of the finest dining experience since opening their doors in May of 2010.
Celebrate the Everyday
Surf & Turf Special $29 every Monday, TueSday & WedneSday 10% off your food bill when you present this Coupon
10% off food only. For a max of two people. Continental cuisine in an upscale-casual dining room and martini lounge. Situated in a historic home.
WATERDOWN The Royal Coachman
1 Main St N, This quaint British pub/restaurant is located in a landmark Victorian building built in 1868. They offer traditional pub food, an extensive draft tap, spacious dining room and small event area and in the summer they have a great patio for relaxing with friends!
Lunch: Friday 11 am - 2 pm Dinner: Monday - Saturday 5 pm - 10 pm 704 Mount pleasant road, Mount pleasant, 519-484-2258 devlins@devlinscountrybistro.com
local • seasonal • comfortable • creative
devlinscountrybistro.com
352 Norfolk St S, Simcoe 226-440-3369
29
thecombine.ca
Years of
Delicious! Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 41
CONSIDER YOURSELF Spoiled
Pulling off an unforgettable wedding that lavishes you with local goods is as easy as taking a day trip down a country road and wandering around a few of your favourite small towns. Whether you’re looking for something old, new, borrowed or blue, you never know what treasures you’ll find down the back roads.
Shannon Bunton Photography Cayuga shannonbunton.com I create bold and vibrant images that capture the essence of who you are, both as individuals and as a couple, through the eyes of the loved ones surrounding you. I capture how you feel on your wedding day, as well as how those around you experience it. You’ll experience joy and laughter as you relive the funny, quirky moments of your day, and feel deeply loved when you see the sweet, quieter ones. I want you to swoon when you see your wedding photos... swoon, laugh, gasp and maybe even cry!
SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP. Whatever your unique taste, style or budget, our
small town communities offer a wide array of unique items for your wedding. 1 Heirlooms Bridal Shoppe, Dundas heirloomsbridal.com 2 The Proper Topper, (retiring end of April - lots of sales) Caledonia thepropertopper.com 3 The Bird and Bee Gift Shoppe, (Inside Paris Wincey Mills) Paris birdandbeevintage.com 4 Angie’s Bridal Boutique, Waterdown angiesbridal.ca 5 Carter’s Men’s & Ladies Wear, Simcoe cartersmenswear.ca 6 Bridal Boutique, Brantford bridal-boutique.ca 7 Ancaster Jewellers, Ancaster ancasterjewellers.com 8 Veil & Tie Wedding Expo - October 14, Simcoe veilandtieweddingexpo.com 9 Sew Stylish Wedding Works, Ingersoll 42 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Ruthven Park – National Historic Site wedding photo by Shannon Bunton Photography shannonbunton.com
Ania and Lee Ball’s October 12, 2019 wedding day at Ruthven Park – National Historic Site
Wedding Venues Galore.
Burning Kiln Winery Photo by Sherry Smith Photography sherrysmithphotography.ca, RGB Photo Courtesy Tourism Hamilton tourismhamilton.com, Cranberry Creek Gardens PHOTO by Logan Middleton of Boundless Media Productions boundlessmedia.ca
Burning Kiln Winery
The Rope Factory Brantford theropefactory.com Located in the Artisans’ Village, this 5,000-sq.-ft. renovated historic factory was at one time the largest manufacturer of twine in the British Empire. Now it offers a rustic and industrial backdrop for you to create a unique wedding. You can also rent tables and chairs from them so it is one less thing for you to worry about as you are planning your special day.
Royal Botanical Gardens Hamilton/Burlington rbg.ca RBG provides six ceremony spaces that are magnificent and surrounded by nature. They cater to receptions, ceremonies, luxurious meals and boundless opportunities for superb photos. Large or small, traditional or casual, Canada’s largest botanical garden is focused on making your special day one to remember while accommodating receptions of up to 300 guests.
Cranberry Creek Gardens Delhi cranberrycreekgardens.com Surrounded by beautifully groomed gardens, this 1881 gothic wooden Baptist church serves as a picture-perfect backdrop for a outdoor dream wedding. The church was picked up and moved from St. Williams to Lynedoch many years ago but now sits amidst these tranquil gardens and has been host to over 450 weddings and concerts thus far.
The Lavender Farm Ayr thelavenderfarm.ca From June to September, Lavender Farm’s lavender field serves as the ideal setting for your ceremony. Their 75-year-old heritage barn is rustic and charming with a simple elegance that make it perfect for a country-themed wedding. This quaint lavender farm offers a sunset view over their farming fields, a picnic shelter and opportunities galore for memorable photography.
So many to choose from! Here are just a few more. 1 Nithridge Estate Weddings & Events, Ayr nithridge.com 2 David’s Restaurant, Port Dover davidsportdover.com 3 Brantford Golf and Country Club, Brantford brantfordgolfandcountryclub.com 4 Burning Kiln Winery, St Williams burningkilnwinery.ca 5 Ruthven Park National Historic Site, Cayuga ruthvenpark.ca 6 Whistling Gardens, Wilsonville whistlinggardens.ca 7 Cottonwood Mansion, Selkirk cottonwoodmansion.ca 8 Knollwood Golf Club, Ancaster knollwoodgolfclub. com 9 Ancaster Old Town Hall, Ancaster hamilton.ca 10 La Cantinella, St George lacantinellastgeorge.com Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 43
Love & Marriage Turtledove Corral and Aviary Caledonia 905-574-3941 Doves symbolize peace, love, loyalty and eternity. Imagine a romantic scene from the movies where a flock of white doves is released in the sky above to celebrate the beginning of your life together. Turtledove Corral and Aviary specializes in the breeding, nurturing, training and care of white doves for just this very purpose. They will release from two to twenty-five doves into the air only to have the doves find their way home again.
Here are just a few examples of our local talent that can help make your wedding day something to remember. BY Erika Strada
H a m i lt o n
Brantford
H
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D COUN
TY
Gay Weddings Ontario gayweddingsontario.ca Gay Weddings Ontario is a wedding ceremony service for the gay and lesbian community. They conduct weddings in most communities across Ontario. So simply go to their website and type in your town or a few of the surrounding larger towns to find an officiant who serves your area. Whether you want a traditional or a contemporary ceremony, your wedding and vows will reflect the uniqueness of your relationship, and capture the essence of your love.
LAKE ERIE
The Peachy Rooster Mobile Bar Woodstock thepeachyrooster.com What could be more peachy than having a travelling bar at your wedding? The Peachy Rooster from Woodstock will create the perfect cocktails, mocktails and punches to suit your very own individual party plan. Make your wedding the talk of town for years to come when this unique re-purposed 1970 European Horse Trailer pulls up and the bar is open for business!
Sin City Games Brantford + sincitygames.ca Look no further: here is your go-to rental company for your stag and doe parties. They offer tonnes of cool games like crown & anchor, black jack, poker, mini golf, skeeball and so much more. They also offer free delivery and pickup with any five or more game rentals. Besides games, they also offer photo booths, Djs, lighting and array of other services to make your wedding day spectacular.
44 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Stacked: The Wedding Cake Shop Ayr stackedweddingcakes.com Chocolate, vanilla sour cream, lemon, carrot, red velvet, coconut and more. Oh my! Kate Malda discovered her love for cake decorating 15 years ago when she was planning her own wedding and she has since evolved into a highly-sought-after purveyor of sweet treats. Her attention to detail is amazing and her desserts taste just as good as they look.
Brushed Designs Waterford brusheddesigns.ca Are you looking to rent or restyle some unique furniture for an upcoming wedding? Well look no further. Brushed Designs is a unique boutique shop located in the picturesque town of Waterford. They specialize in breathing new life into vintage furniture. They offer an eclectic mix of home accents, paint and accessories, and a wide array of ideas to make your wedding day perfect.
From My Garden Waterford 226-567-5768 For the last ten years, Darlene Marshal has been offering farm-to-wedding, inexpensive flower alternatives to brides on a budget. She is an avid garden and florist who loves what she does and puts an incredible amount of effort into making your vision a reality. For the most part, her bouquets and arrangements reflect the seasonal flowers available from her garden at the moment but she will also buy them from suppliers depending on the couple’s wishes. The last threat of frost has not yet past and she is already starting to prepare some dahlias for a lucky June bride and groom.
Her Majesty’s Royal Chapel of The Mohawks Brantford mohawkchapel.ca If you’re a fan of history, then you know the opportunities to visit the oldest of anything are exceedingly rare and often come at a great cost and distance. To witness one of history’s landmarks is rare and to discover one in your own backyard even more so. Weddings are also celebrated year-round at Mohawk Chapel. From the beautiful historic building to the vastly-treed property, this is a perfect location for an elegant wedding. The chapel can also hold 120 people, it has both heating and air conditioning, it has a wheelchair ramp, elevator, a full kitchen and a reception area to greet guests.
marcdouglas.ca
Unwrap your senses as you step inside our little shop. Enjoy hand crafted natural soaps, bath and body care, local artisans wares, gift giving ideas, home & decor.
Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start by making positive changes to your style and the ideal time to start planning a memorable wedding. Blue Harvest is here to help! Our salon is perfectly located in rural Norfolk County. Surrounded by rolling country fields, you will quickly become nestled in a relaxing and elevated salon experience that promotes quality self-care. 5113 Hwy 3, Simcoe
blueharvestsalon.ca 359 Main St. Port Dover 519-583-3977
cottagenorthsoapworks.com Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 45
The Nature Conservancy of Canada is focusing on the restoration of several wetlands in Norfolk County, in the lower reaches of the Big Creek and Dedrick watersheds.
Finding
Meaning
Every single one of us has something wonderous to give to the world. Our souls are here to connect with others, bond with nature and inherently bring a greater good to the earth. This season, invigorate your life by giving back and get inspired by these beautiful beings putting positivity back into the communities we call home.
Written by Emmalee Nother
Photo Courtesy Southwest Ontario Tourism swotc.ca
Our small communities are filled with some bodaciously-big hearts who are making the world a better place little by little, every day. From the simple warmth of a smile to finding ways to live a more sustainable life, these next few folks and organizations are truly making a difference and helping us all to embrace a happier, meaningful and more compassionate way of living. 1. Caring for the earth The whispering willows begin to bud, the songbirds wake us up with their soft coos and flowers burst from the ground in the bright colours we have been craving for what feels like forever. Spring, a season of rebirth, renewal and rejuvenation is such a magnificent time of year for mother nature to show us the wonders she can do with the magic she creates through flora and fauna. It’s time to get outside! The importance of staying in tune with nature is one both our ancestors and present-day healers praise. If you’re feeling under the weather or the pressures of daily life are starting to get to you, a simple walk outdoors under the Carolinian canopies or a lakeside stroll can completely change your mood. Ground yourself by walking in fresh green grass or just take a few deep breaths of that clean country air and you can feel your stresses melt away. With all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, sometimes we forget to take a moment and literally smell the roses. Nature is important in our everyday lives and taking care of our green spaces for future generations is essential to ensure we all live a healthy, abundant life. The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) knows the importance of the great outdoors and they have recently identified Norfolk County as a critical area to conserve and replenish. For years, our indigenous peoples, farmers and rural landowners have taken sole responsibility for caring and tending to our vast and bountiful lands and waters, but as the population grows, so does infrastructure which, if done incorrectly, can damage our globally-rare coastal dunes and beaches alongside our dense forests. Mother Nature is strong and resilient, but it’s a gentle give and take, which is why the Nature Conservancy of Canada is investing more resources to help Norfolk County conserve the habitats we get to explore every day. Since the spring of 2018, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has been hard at work restoring around 314 acres of wetlands and surrounding habitat, improving the health of our local watersheds. This restoration also helps to mitigate floods, improve our drinking water and helps to remove harmful bacteria from our soil. Conserving nature gives us a higher quality of life and building a strong connection to nature al-
lows us to let go of stress and enjoy life to our fullest potential while soaking in the sun, letting the wind blow through our hair and dipping our toes into the beautiful clean rivers and lakes that flow through our small town backyards. Nature nurtures our soul. 2. Supporting businesses that gives back We all have the desire to live a more purposeful life. The feeling of giving back, helping others and growing our communities is a small town way of life. The extraordinary folks at the Raw Carrot in Brant County truly believe that everyone who can live with purpose should be given the opportunity to do so, providing meaningful employment for those who may not get the same opportunities elsewhere due to personal limitations. We’ve all been given gifts and abilities that are unique to us and we live in a place that welcomes diversity and enables us all to have equal opportunities in all facets of our lives, but there are still some who are living in the margins. People who might not have had access to the same education, grew up in less fortunate situations, have learning disabilities or physical limitations – these people often find it hard to find consistent and steady employment, which can lead to not being able to meet their basic needs like being able to get housing, transportation and even food. Identifying that this was a part of the population that needed support, the Raw Carrot was created. Knowing we all fundamentally have the same desire to make a difference and live our lives with a sense of purpose and meaning, they set out to create a program that hires individuals who are on the Ontario Disability Support Program to cook and package handcrafted, gourmet soup. It’s a delicious, healthy and inclusive way to support the local community and those who may not have the same employment options as others. Sold at farmers markets and in retail locations, sales of the soup directly fund the salaries of those working at the Raw Carrot and enable employees to have a strong sense of purpose and joy in their everyday lives They partner with churches and non-profits with a vision for reducing poverty and marginalization within their communities to initiate and embed a Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise within their current organization. The franchise is owned and Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 47
operated by the organization, with support from the Raw Carrot, to tackle poverty with sustainable, lasting change. The Raw Carrot is now dreaming bigger and better, hoping to extend the Raw Carrot kitchen to even more communities across Ontario. Currently, you can find their soups in Hamilton, Kitchener, Mount Forest, Woodstock and Brant County. They depend on the generosity of the communities they serve and would love to see a day where money isn’t the bottom line, but where people matter, and profit and purpose are equally valued, along with friendships and meaning. For those they help, a job is not just a job, it is a new outlook on life, a sense of belonging and for many, it’s a dream they never thought would come true. For more information on how you can volunteer or buy one of their delectably-delicious soups you can visit their website at therawcarrot. com. The Raw Carrot is proving that one bowl of soup is enough to change the world. 3. Give a helping hand to furry friends Life without our furry friends would be one less glorious. The unconditional love that animals give to us humans is something incredible, but not all of our furry friends and cute critters have the fortune of a nurturing home with endless treats. Many animals are strays, abandoned or worse, and they rely on the beautiful hearts of humans to care for them. Ladybird Animal Sanctuary is a group of compassionate humans who dedicate their lives to helping those who cannot speak for themselves. With their hearts very much on their sleeves, they save shelter animals in imminent threat of euthanasia. Together, through a network of volunteers, foster homes, animal lovers and generous people, they aim to elimin48 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
ate the unnecessary suffering of animals in local shelters. Ladybird rescues cats, dogs and small animals, with a focus on senior pets, those with costly health issues or those deemed “hard to adopt”. With the proper care, all animals can find their fur-ever home and Ladybird does everything in their power to save all animals they can. Since 2011, Ladybird has rescued over 1,000 animals from high-volume shelters in Ontario and Quebec. Although they do not currently have a physical sanctuary, they are working hard towards the dream of creating a safe haven for all critters. Until then, their volunteer foster homes takes care of those in need and they welcome anyone who is willing to help, learn, and celebrate the lives of these wonderful creatures. Funded strictly by donations from the community, Love on Four Paws is another group of kind-hearted individuals who give back to the cats and kittens in their area. The dedicated team at the Park Road Veterinary Clinic in Brantford help rehabilitate as many of the young strays as possible and find them new home. Not all of them can be saved, but the amazing folks at Love on Four Paws do everything they can to make sure every last moment is filled with lots of love so that these furbabies will know that they mattered to someone - even if just for a few moments. Sometimes, our farm friends need a helping hand too. Named after a little pot-bellied pig who lost his life far too soon, Ralphy’s Retreat in Norfolk County is a private sanctuary that dedicates its time to saving pot-bellied pigs. Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue in Hagersville saves and rehabilitates horses who are in need. Run completely on donations and a whole lotta love and dedication, they do outstanding work giving horses a second chance at life.
The Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise Photo by Mark Staplehurst janeandjury.com, Ladybird Animal Sanctuary Photo by Raina Kirn rainakirn.com
The amazing staff and volunteers of the Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise are peeling for change and making some of their delicious, handcrafted gourmet soup.
Ladybird Animal Sanctuary founders Janine Stoll, Melissa McClelland, and Lisa Winn ladybirdanimalsanctuary.com Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 49
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Families can feel free to stay up all hours of the night, relinquishing their sorrows to giggles, smiles and cuddles while watching a favourite movie in the family room, just like home. Hospices are safe spaces to grieve with a caring team of professionals there to guide you through a difficult time that is often hard to decipher by yourself, giving all in their care the empathy and guidance needed to get through. The Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice in Hamilton and the Stedman Community Hospice in Brantford also give families and friends the opportunity to spend as much time with the ones they love while receiving expert care in a home-like setting. Offering programs like pet therapy, horticultural therapy and bereavement services that help those who are dealing with recent loss or a terminal illness themselves, these places are filled with support and allow all to feel comfort in life’s last journeys. A sense of grace and kindness surround all of those in their care, many of which take part in their day programs offering those with advanced illnesses or limited abilities to receive elements of their independence back. They take great pride in celebrating life and quality of living, while providing compassionate care at no cost. This truly allows every last moment of life to be filled with meaning, tenderness and love.
Sakura House Residential Hospice photo by Digital Direction digitaldirection.ca, The Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise photo by Mark Staplehurst of Jane & Jury janeandjury.com
4. Compassionate end-of-life support During our most difficult times, our souls crave the compassion of others. We may feel at our most vulnerable, have overwhelming need to be embraced by love, calmed by comfort and surrounded by positive energies that help both ourselves and our loved ones live their last moments at ease. Hospices are compassionate living residences for those who are entering that last phase of their lives or for those who need extra care while living with disabilities or advanced illness. They offer a place of specialized and compassionate care with similar services as a hospital but without the often clinical and cold feeling that can leave those who are suffering feeling lonely or anxious. Friends and family can stay as long as they need so that they can experience those last special moments, with the expert medical care they may need. Sakura House in Oxford County is a place of comfort, compassion and kindness. Care is provided 24/7 by their remarkable staff that quickly become like extended family members as they ensure patients and their loved ones take the time to celebrate life and live their last days, months or years surrounded by love and light.
Sakura House residential hospice is an alternative care setting where skilled 24-hour end-of-life care is provided by a team of professionals with the assistance of professionally-trained volunteers at no cost to patients or their families.
were less than sustainable or nice to our environment. Knowing that everything is interconnected, by saving the earth and buying small and sustainable, the owner was giving her sons a much brighter future. By incorporating a few or many of their amazing products, you can also provide a better future for our children and for generations to come. Located in Simcoe, the cute and quirky shop Sloths & Molasses is focused on making zero-waste options accessible to everyone. With the motto “life is too short for boring gifts,” this little hub of fun and local artisans knows that life is too short to not care about Mother Earth and there’s no time like the present to stop buying single-use plastics. In store you will find a robust refill station with products like shampoo, lotion, dish soap and multi-purpose cleaner, just to name a few. All of these items are scent-free, but have the option of adding your own natural or perfume scents. The best part is you can bring in your own container to fill and reuse. In case you forget your container at home, Sloths & Molasses has you covered with a selection of empty bottles you can use and bring back to refill at your leisure. Along with their refill station, they have a wide variety of sustainable products to help you live full of intention. A can’tmiss product is their bamboo spork. It’s perfect for camping, feeding the little ones or just popping into your bag so you don’t have to use takeout cutlery. Their dryer balls are a huge hit replacing wasteful dryer sheets, and are locally made. Making a point to always support local makers, many of the products found in store are Canadian-made. Don’t forget to bring a reusable bag with you for all your goodies.
5. Live sustainably Living more mindfully of our planet can reverse the ever-increasing effects of global warming and climate change. A great way to make a difference and feel great about it is by supporting local and buying zero-waste products. Small changes in the items we use every day can make a positive impression on our planet and we get to feel all the good vibes because of it. Adding one product to your life that has a smaller carbon footprint often creates a larger ripple effect on our universe. Starting small by replacing your plastic toothbrush with a biodegradable bamboo brush is a great start. You may be asking where you could find such a thing? Look no further than The Living Eco Store in Paris. Located in The Gem building, this one-stop shop for all things earth-friendly is a wonderland of unique, everyday products that you can use to save the planet. From reusable sandwich wraps made with natural beeswax to reusable straws to an easy-sip lid you can add to any mason jar – if there’s something you’re interested in but can’t find, just ask. Coming after the birth of the owner’s two boys, the store was created on the realization that a lot of things that were labelled ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ were made by big companies that Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 51
Our totally insider, Town-by-town, hidden-gem-by-hidden-gem guide to what’s new, hot, and legendary in Norfolk County. All the stuff you absolutely must eat, do, buy and indulge in to make the most of your time off the sofa and loving our county! Written & Photographed by Jay Perry Axe throwing, zip lining, and boat tours in Long Point were among a few of the things I experienced on my last visit to Norfolk County a few years back and I was excited to return. On this visit, I invited my friend Kyle Andrews to join me again since we had such a great time when he joined me to explore Haldimand County a few issues ago. We had a full day of activities planned so we decided to drop off our bags at our inn and get settled in. We booked a night at the newly-renovated Port Rowan Inn, otherwise known as The PRINN. It was the former CIBC bank nestled right on the main strip of town. Upon entering, we were greeted with the smiling faces of owners Sara and Ian. Both of them couldn’t have been more proud and enthusiastic to tell us all about their boutique hotel. The old bank was fully renovated 52 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
and turned it into four rooms, a cozy lobby with a fireplace, a full kitchen, and they even kept the bank vault and turned it into a sitting area that felt like a classy cigar lounge. Kyle stayed in the Dockside Room, which features a queen-size bed, ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower and flat screen TV. Somehow I, was lucky enough to get the Anchor Suite which features a king-size Tempur-Pedic bed, en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower, flat screen TV, two chairs for lounging and a kitchenette. My room was massive and so cozy! They also have free Wi-Fi throughout. The PRINN is a mix of a traditional hotel and the best parts of a bed and breakfast. There’s nobody sitting at a front counter watching your every move but if you need something, they are only a phone call and one minute down the street away. The lobby, kitchen, and vault act as common spaces for the guests where you can sit and relax, maybe read a book by the fire, play some board games, or
even eat your dinner and unwind before retiring to your room. I felt like it was designed to feel like a home with a Muskoka cottage vibe. This oasis of comfort is one of the ideal places for tourists wanting to experience Norfolk County. Plus the rooms are incredibly affordable and you can even rent the entire venue for $800 a night which would be ideal for small weddings or work retreats. No words can truly capture the essence of this place. Visit their website theprinn.com and see for yourself. Our next stop was fifteen minutes down the road to Hounds of Erie Winery in Clear Creek. They specialize in premium wines and hard ciders. Although they were closed for the season, we called ahead to make an appointment and I am happy we did! Hounds of Erie started when Melissa and Mat Vaughan bought a 23-acre former tobacco farm back in 2012 and slowly turned it into what it is today. Now, admittedly, I am nowhere near
Port Rowan
a wine connoisseur. Heck, I think I’ve only ever had wine a few times in my life. I am definitely the wrong person to absorb and educate folks about the ins and outs of how they actually make it, but I did sample their ciders and they were awesome! We started with their Best in Show hard cider which is their estate orchard blend made up to 21 different kinds of heritage cider apples. The orchard contains an even blend of sweet, bitter, and acidic apples making Best in Show refreshing, and crisp with light a sweetness. Each year as the orchard matures, the blend will evolve to become more complex and show true cider finesse. No additives, no added sugar, just pure, excellent, fresh hard cider! Next was the Top Dog hard cider, then Dog House hard cider, followed by the Sassy Bitch (Raspberry) hard cider and they were all fantastic. If you are a cider fan, you would 100% love all of these. Their Top Dog cider even claimed first prize in the Ontario Craft Cider Competition and I am not surprised. It was that good! It took me a bit to clue in but House of Erie Winery was named in honour of their dogs. One of the dogs was named Rohan, but he passed away a few years ago and the other is named Kingston. He is a massive Great Dane who Kyle and I actually got to meet.
Needless to say, Hounds of Erie Winery is pet friendly. You do not have to leave your pup at home when you pop in for a wine tour. Check out their website for more information before you visit, houndsoferiewinery.com. Next we headed to Port Dover for a bit of shopping and came across Cottage North Soapworks, which was so much more than just soap! Walking through their wooden screen door, we were immediately hit with the scent of freshness. While browsing we realized that there was something for everybody. You could easily spend all day there and leave with a bit of
everything. From soaps to flowers to skin care, clothing, collectibles, and so much more. Soaps are their specialty and Trish, the resident soap maker has been making soap for over ten years. They are all hand crafted and made with natural ingredients including olive oils, shea butters and ultra moisturizing vegetable oils. Using only high quality essential oils and fragrance oils to enhance the senses. The soaps also do not contain any mineral oils, parabens, BHA, or petroleum. While walking back to our vehicle we spotted The Dover Cheese Shop. A boutique shop completely dedicated
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Hounds of Erie Winery
Cottage North Soapworks
Dover Cheese Shop 54 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
to cheese? Count me in! I have never been in the presence of that many variations of cheese. The selection they had was beyond impressive and after talking with store manager Nicole, I could tell why they say that they take their jobs as “cheese artists” very seriously. But just like Cottage North Soapworks, The Dover Cheese Shop sells more than just cheese. They have specialty mustards, blueberry chutney, pickled vegetables, a premium olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting bar, kitchen accessories, handmade charcuterie boards, chocolate, and much more. If you want to find a cheese you’ve never had before, I can almost bet that they carry it. The customer service we received was phenomenal and I love that they try and partner with as many local vendors as possible. All this cheese talk was making us hungry and it was time to eat! Kyle and I had heard that there was an Italian eatery in Simcoe that had been family-owned and operated for the last 33 years and was the place where local families get together to enjoy Italian comfort food. We heard that they even offer their very own organic, cold-pressed olive oil. Needless to say we decided to definitely check out The Barrel Restaurant! At the door, we were greeted by Bruce, who was the loveliest gentleman. While he escorted Kyle and I to our table we could barely contain our excitement because the aroma was making our mouths water. Kyle started with the Italian sausage and peppers for his appetizer and I ordered the arancini balls. Crispy, bite-size “poppers” of risotto, Italian fennel sausage and asiago cheese, with marinara dipping sauce. For our mains, Kyle ordered the lasagna: seasoned beef, pork, tomato sauce and three Italian cheeses in layers of wide noodles. I ordered the baked penne and sausage, which was penne tossed with marinara sauce, sausage, basil and garlic, baked under a blanket of mozzarella. I also ordered their new Peach Sangria which contained White Zinfandel, Absolut Apeach vodka, Sveva’s
Dover Cheese Shop
Barrel Restaurant
Orangella liqueur, cranberry juice, orange juice and Monin premium gourmet syrup. I can’t begin to explain how incredible this meal was. It was absolutely perfect, even down to the customer service given to us by our spectacular waitress, April. Besides all that, The Barrel also prides itself on being a strong supporter of the local hospital, schools, local organizations, and teams. It’s a huge part of the Norfolk community fabric. I strongly recommend that you get in your car and drive to 131 Queensway West in Simcoe ASAP. It was getting late so we decided to head back to The PRINN and wind
down for the evening. Kyle and I spent a couple hours just hanging out in the bank vault relaxing when we remembered about a recommendation that we received while getting gas in the area. Our gas attendant, Bav, told of a new pub that had just opened up called Chef Stan’s Saloon. We decided to head on over for a quick pint because it was only a few doors down from our hotel. They had a small band playing and much to our surprise, we ran into Ian from The PRINN and he bought us our first drink then about an hour later, that same gas attendant who told us about Chef Stan’s Saloon walked in and bought Kyle and I a second drink as well to make us feel
welcomed into their town. Although Chef Stan’s is also a restaurant, we only got to experience having a few drinks and it was the ideal spot in town to let loose before bed. Everyone in there seemed to know each other, which made for a very neighbourly environment. This is what I love so much about small towns and it truly speaks volumes about the kind of people that are specifically living in Norfolk County. We returned to The PRINN to call it a night and I was looking forward to plopping my 5’11” frame into the comfy king-sized bed while all 6’7” of Kyle slept in his queen bed. Somehow I lucked out here! I had the best sleep
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The Port Rowan Inn
The Jetty Bar and Grill
and awoke to find Kyle enjoying his morning coffee in the hotel lobby while having a conversation with a couple from Ohio who were spending a few days in the county. We packed up, said our goodbyes to Sara and Ian, (knowing well enough that we’ll be back) and headed out for breakfast. A friend of mine said that we should head into Turkey Point to have breakfast at a place called The Jetty. I’m a huge fan of everything Turkey Point so I was instantly sold on the idea. This restaurant sits right on the lake and has a massive patio for warmer weather but the giant windows provided a perfect view of the icy waters. Kyle ordered the Jetty Breakfast, which was three pieces of 56 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
sausage, two large eggs, fresh made home fries and toast and he also ordered a second breakfast, which was the eggs benedict special with roasted red pepper and grilled asparagus. I ordered the omelette special, which was the John Wayne cheesy western omelette, which was a two large egg omelette filled with green peppers, ham and onions, served with brown toast and fresh home fries. The meal was incredible and the perfect way to start our day. The owner, John, came over to us and asked how everything was and chatted with us for a bit and while I thought he might have been doing that because he knew we were with a magazine, that wasn’t the case at all. We watched him go from table to table to make sure his guests were well taken care of and the food was exactly what they wanted. Breakfast has always been my favourite meal of the day and I am so happy The Jetty was recommended to us. After breakfast, I made my way home but only to return a few days later. I could easily spend an eterni-
ty here, and there were a few more spots I wanted to include in this issue, namely the Waterford Antique Market. Antique markets always have really cool and eclectic items that come with some of the most interesting stories. This market opened in 1999 and is host to two floors with over 75 unique vendors. If you get hungry, Kerry’s St. James Street Eatery, is attached for a sit down meal or drink. It is also situated near picturesque walking trails and an array of really creative boutique shops and cafes. It’s truly the perfect spot for a great day out. After the market, I made my way into Port Dover to have lunch at The Beach House. Beach goers flock to their patio and palm tree studded, lake-view locale every summer and I thought I would see what keeps this place hopping all year long. The Beach House, owned by the long-standing Knechtel family, sits right on the Port Dover beach overlooking Lake Erie. They are widely famous for their perch but I was open
Waterford Antique Market
to explore so Chef Jay Loft gave me a sneak peak (taste) at an appetizer he plans to introduce this summer: wonton jalapeño poppers with a cucumber dipping sauce! They were amazing and needless to say I wanted more but instead I ate on! Because it was Wednesday, their daily special was “Wacky Wing Wednesday” so I ordered eight of their breaded jumbo chicken wings tossed in a mild sauce which came with carrots, celery, and blue cheese and a spectacular Caesar salad.
Call me skeptical, but I wondered if a place famous for their fish could do chicken wings well. Well, yes, yes they definitely can! They were fantastic! Their menu is expansive and includes calamari, burgers with a thousand twists, creative Sunday eggs benny specials, surf and turf, to die for flat breads, lobster grilled cheese, nachos, mussels and so much more. The atmosphere inside was really clean and inviting. My waitress, Crystal, was for sure one of the friendliest
waitres in Norfolk and it felt like I was vacationing on the Californian coast but really I was 45 minutes from home. If you are in the area, this has to be one of your stops! When I started planning my trip, I thought many of the shops, galleries, museums and restaurants would be boarded up for the chilly season but that was not the case at all. I often think of Port Dover and Turkey Point as merely beach towns, so it was nice to see the other side of things. Since many tourists are still hibernating, it actually felt more like an intimate experience with the locals. So this concludes my whirlwind Norfolk County adventure! I hope that I have motivated you to pop over and explore it all for yourself because I am pretty positive that I missed 90% of the action! If you enjoyed this piece and wish to see live videos while I’m adventuring into these small towns, then follow me on Instagram at @jayperry for behind the scenes look at what is going on. But more importantly, where should I head to next? The Beach House
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Deep Roots
Living History
Visitors to Grimsby Park 1920
With the fast pace of our lives seeming to accelerate at every turn, we should all take a moment to reflect on the numerous stories, places, memories and people that have truly made Southwestern Ontario one of the greatest places on Earth. Each of our communities, counties and towns have contributed their own unique piece to the tapestry that can collectively be called Canada and there is no better way to chart a course towards the future than by glancing back to honour the past.
SAVE OUR STORIES There is so much to learn from our historY but we need to strive to listen then preserve it.
First Right image: Royal Canadian Mint Silver Commemorative Coins from
BY Tara Shannon History is alive and well in our communities, we just might not know about it. We can see the century old architecture that lines our streets and we can visit local museums. But what about the history that isn’t tangible? What about the vanished buildings, businesses, people and stories once told? In Norfolk County, a grassroots organization has emerged with the goal to “Save Our Stories”. You can find them on Facebook at @SaveOurStories and their mission is to raise awareness of the value of culture and heritage to the
unique identity of Norfolk County. It’s a wonderful goal and example to follow. There’s still so much we can learn and be proud of in our small towns, why not save it? Here at Live Small Town magazine, we’d like to take a closer look at some of the historical treasures contained within our communities. History is something I’ve long enjoyed and I worked for many years at Dundurn Castle in Hamilton. When planning a trip, history is a driving factor in where I choose to go. Our communities are rich in diverse history just waiting to be
explored. Driving around Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Six Nations, Oxford and the Greater Hamilton Area, I’ve come across many places that I’ve wanted to learn more about. In some cases, it was easy. There are many museums to visit, like Ruthven Park and National Historic Site just outside Cayuga, Cottonwood Mansion in Selkirk, The Bell Homestead in Brantford, the Ingersoll Cheese & Agricultural Museum, Griffin House in Ancaster, and Chiefswood National Historic Site on Six Nations; just to name a few. But what about those places that aren’t designated historic sites? Maybe there is an old house, building or business you’ve passed a hundred times and you’ve found yourself wondering, what’s the story? I’ve often wondered about Spooky Hollow Road between Normandale and Fisher’s Glen in Norfolk County. Might I meet the headless horseman there on a dark night? I’d like to see if I could, if I weren’t so nervous that I
actually might! And what about our people? Our older generations are a treasure trove of information, all we need to do is listen. Lest we forget our veterans and thanks to organizations like The Great War Centenary Association (GWCA), a non-profit organization of volunteers who seek to educate the public about the contributions of the men and women of Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations of the Grand River during the Great War, we don’t have to. Join me and take a look, maybe for the first time, at the history of our small towns. There’s so much we can learn from our past and in keeping with the wonderful organization in Norfolk, let’s -- Save Our Stories. I’ll be keeping my ear to the ground but if you have a historic place, person or story that you would like us to look into, reach out and let us know. Then, stay tuned, you might just see it here on the pages of our next issue!
Pre-historic
1626
1849
1866
1834
Archaeologists believe the Grand River has been inhabited by indigenous peoples since pre-historic times — as far back as 10,000 years ago.
Travelling priest Laroche-Daillon and two French companions sailed across the pond and spent three month with the Neutrals First Nation at Norfolk in 1626.
In 1849, Haldimand County was created and named after the governor of Quebec, Sir Frederick Haldimand, who held that post from 1778 to 1785.
In 1866, a 7,300 pound block of cheese was paraded through the streets of Ingersoll before it travelled to New York, England and Europe.
In 1834, Priscilla and Enerals Griffin escaped slavery and fled to Ancaster where their descendents lived for 150 years in Griffin House: A National Historic Site.
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Port Dover 1905-1910
Aging Gracefully
Please feel free to reach out and let us know about other special folks, businesses, and organizations that are aging gracefully within your community!
History is all around us and sometimes it pops up in some of the most unlikely places. Have you ever been in your favourite local spot, looked around at the charming atmosphere surrounding you and thought to yourself: I wonder how long they’ve been here? As a writer and history buff, stumbling across a great story can be exhilarating. But sharing that story, conveying the emotions I felt and invoking them in others, is where the real excitement and sense of satisfaction lies. The following are three of my favourite examples for the latest instalment of Live Small Town magazine’s Aging Gracefully series. Port Dover
When teaching the history of territories in our schools, often we begin with European settlements. The first Viking to reach Canadian shores, first European to set up a church or town square, and the first government established are usually seen as adequate jumping off points for local history. But often, local history begins far earlier than
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that. Few know, for example, that some of the earliest known inhabitants in Norfolk County were the Algonquin nation, who called the land theirs for hundreds of years, starting around the year 1000. They were followed by the Attawandaron tribe, the Iroquois and the Mississaugas, all establishing a foundation of hard work and community that has continued to the present day. The town now known as Port Dover was officially founded by the late Daniel McQueen in the 1800s, and has seen its share of hardships and history over the years (notably starting with the village’s destruction via fire at the hands of Americans following the War of 1812). Never ones to give up, the 6000+ residents of Port Dover rebuilt everything from the ground up in 1814, and today, a thriving and vibrant community stands as a testament to their resilience. The town has established itself as a fun-loving fishing and tourism hub, and one of the go-to spots for Norfolk County fun in the sun. Get out and enjoy Ontario’s Garden this spring!
TOP LEFT PHOTO x2019.2.13. Courtesy of the Port Dover Harbour Museum, African Lion Safari Photo Courtesy Tourism Hamilton, Military photos courtesy of Great War Centenary Association
In this fast-paced age of instant gratification, it’s often easy to overlook and under-appreciate the value of a hard day’s work. Sometimes the best results come from patience, process and purpose. After all, good things come to those who wait. BY Tim Zwart
Great War Centenary Association
Brantford doingourbit.ca/artifacts Sometimes throughout history, events come along that forever change the world as we know it. The Big Bang, extinction of the dinosaurs and invention of the wheel may immediately come to mind. And while we have all positively benefited from each of these events in one way or another, there have also been some terrible tragedies that have had just as negative an impact on us all. No doubt one of those negative days came with the start of the Great War, more commonly referred to as World War I. During these bloody and horrendous four years, an estimated forty million souls from over a dozen countries were extinguished, leaving behind a stain that will never be cleansed from the fabric of humanity. They say that one of the best ways to avoid mistakes in the future is to learn from them in the past, and the efforts being made by the Great War Centenary Association certainly embody that. Their strategy is to keep alive the memories of the past, weaponizing education in a way that both memorializes and reminds us of some of our darker days. Digital collectors and presenters of WWI-era artifacts and antiques, GWCA works hard to honour the lives of those lost, using these pieces to help expand the local narrative regarding the Great War. Get involved now, and donate or volunteer today.
African Lion Safari
Hamilton lionsafari.com They say that if you can’t bring yourself to the mountain, the next best option is to try and find a way to bring the mountain to you. One of the greatest examples of this can be found in the concept of the wildlife park, where untold varieties of animals from around the world are at one central location to be viewed by the masses. But what if you could have the best of both worlds? Just such a thought occurred to Colonel G.D Dailley, and the African Lion Safari opened its gates to the public in August 1969 with forty lions in three reserves and today, the park houses over 1,000 exotic birds and animals! For those who have never been to African Lion Safari, let me personally vouch for both its amazing atmosphere and focus on conservation of wildlife. The Safari allows you to drive your own vehicle through seven Game Reserves, with the option to take an air-conditioned Safari tour bus too, giving you up-close view to some of the world’s most majestic creatures. Open May through September, African Lion Safari is truly something you don’t want to miss. Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 61
Documentary Lifestyle Photography
Heirlooms & Antiques
Documentary Lifestyle Photography
Looking to spend a day antique or vintage hunting? Need to find that perfect period piece to enhance your home or wardrobe? Looking for some retro tunes or previously enjoyed gems? Take a drive down our country roads, stopping at flea markets and local shops to search for treasures, then pop into one of our quaint eateries for some local fare... ANTIQUE SHOPS Antiques at the Sawmill
RR 1, Ayr Antique Chevrolet Parts
inspired by a wild imagination anddocumenting by a wild theinspired intricacies thatimagination define dailyand life;documenting celebratingthe inspired by a wild imagination and documenting the intricacies that define daily life; celebrating the the intricacies that define daily life; celebrating the in-betweens, knowing that every moment counts in-betweens, knowing that every moment counts in-betweens, knowing that every moment counts Limited availability for Documentary Lifestyle Photo Sessions in 2017.
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1221 Hwy 5 W, Dundas antiquechev.com Alfred Street Nostalgia
97 Alfred St, Brantford Anderson Auctions
7 Clonmel Ln, Port Dover jimandersonauctions.com Artiques Hagersville
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2019 71
23 Main St N, Hagersville
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Bird & Bee Vintage Rental Co. at Wincey MIlls
31 Mechanic St, Paris birdandbeevintage.com Caledonia Furniture Finds
127 Argyle St S, Unit #5 caledoniafurniturefinds.com Caresa Antiques
Lube + Oil + Filter + Fluid Levels + Tires Computer Scanning Engine Control System MTO Safety Inspections for Cars and Single Axel Pickup Trucks
Local & familyowned since 1997, we specialize in dog and cat nutrition, fish, reptiles, birds and small animals.
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1182 Windham Rd 9, Windham Centre Cattail Cove Interiors
1012 Bay St #4, Port Rowan Cheap Shabby Chic
148 Queen St, Dunnville Christie Antique and Vintage Show
1000 ON-5, Dundas christieshow.ca CJ’s Antiques & Refinishing
4080 Hwy. 24, Vanessa cjsantiques.ca
inspired by a wild imagination and documenting the intricacies that define daily life; celebrating the knowing that every moment counts 410 Fairviewin-betweens, Dr, Brantford 519-756-7710
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62 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Clappison Corners Antiques
845 Highway 6, Hamilton clappisonantiques.com Classic Vault Emporium
12 Main St S, St George Collectors Centre
46 Colborne St, Brantford collectors-centre.business.site
Colonel Mustard Antiques
7014 Hamilton Rd, Putnam Country Corner Antiques
3067 ON-3, Simcoe Courtland Treasures Antiques and Emporium
682 James St, Delhi Covey Coin & Supply Centre
92 Simcoe St, Tillsonburg Crossroads Antique Market
1146 Colborne St E, Brantford Deer Creek Antiques & Creations
1703 Norfolk County Rd 45, Langton Forch’s Record Store
59 Dalhousie St, Brantford
Comfort & StyLe. CLoSer thAn you CAn ImAGIne!
Franni’s Attic
1011 Bay St, Port Rowan Freelton Antique Market
248 Freelton Rd, Freelton Grand River Antiques
1540 East, Hwy 54, Caledonia grandriverantiques.com Grand River Antique Society
Cayuga grandriverantiquesociety. yolasite.com
Hearth & Home has spent the last 40-plus years specializing in gas fireplaces, heating, cooling, and water treatment products and services. Focusing on the growth of our expertise, we have become Brantford’s home comfort specialists! 24 hour SerVICe
Haldimand House Marketplace
22 Argyle St S, Caledonia haldimandhouse.com
224 Braneida Lane, Brantford 519-756-4374
myhearthandhome.ca
Henry Dobson Antiques Inc
955781 Gibson Ln, Drumbo Hilltop Furniture & Antiques
88 Dundas St E, Waterdown Judiths Antiques
18 Short Rd, Dundas The Kilted Moose
57 Talbot St, W, Aylmer
THVEN PARK DISCOVER RU
Lancome Antiques
1413 Brock Rd, Dundas lancomeantiques.ca Main Station Collectables & Pawn Shop
28 Alice St, Waterford Maus Park Antiques
289 Pinehurst Rd, Paris mausparkantiques.ca
, trails, mily fun, nature History, tours, fa
Miller & Miller Auctions
59 Webster St, New Hamburg millerandmillerauctions.com Mizener’s Antiques & More Market
367 ON-5, Dundas mizenersmarket.com
e rental + workshops, venu
so much more.
Modern Hipster Antiques 51 Grand River St., N. Paris 519-774-7435 Located inside The Gem
70 Thames St S, Ingersoll modernhipster.com Naturally Country Gift Shop & Tea Room
5020 Tyneside Rd, Mount Hope Needful Things Pawn shop
75 Broadway, Tillsonburg
243 Haldimand Hwy 54, Cayuga 905-772-0560 ruthvenparknationalhistoricsite.com Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 63
Nice Old Stuff
2037 Main St N, Jarvis niceoldstuff.ca Old Country Store
80 Alice St, Waterford Old Town Hall Auctions
13 Burwell St, Paris oldtownhallauctions.com One of a Kind Antiques & Collectibles
celebrating
26 years in business
The way a flooring store should be FIND YOUR STYLE. AND COMFORT LEVEL. WE MAKE IT EASY.
97 Wilson St, Woodstock oneofakindantiquemall.com Orange Cat Antiques
200 Brant Ave, Brantford Paris Road Antiques
548 Paris Rd, Paris parisroadantiques.blogspot.com Pickers Antiques Warehouse
Inside C- Squared Menswear 334 Main St, Port Dover & 1049 Bay St, Port Rowan (opening June 1st) + Crossroads Trading Post & Flea Market 1146 Colborne St E, Brantford Queensway Antiques
Park Road 41, Simcoe 519-426-2619
nufloors.ca/simcoe
88 Queensway W, Simcoe Rock Chapel Antique Market
167 5 Hwy, Hamilton rockchapel.ca Tattered and Torn
903 Haldibrook Rd, Caledonia etsy.com/ca/shop/TatteredanTorn Southworks Antiques
OUR MISSION. A network of dynamic, professional women empowered through support, inspiration and mentoring, to promote success of women in business and their professions.
73 Water St, N, Cambridge southworksantiques.com The Back Shed Antiques & Primitive Crafts
2388 Highway 3 E, Jarvis thebackshed.ca The Fox and Fawn Antiques
93 Broadway, Tillsonburg foxandfawnshoppe.com The Freelton Antique Mall
248 Freelton Rd, Freelton freeltonantiquemall.com The Henhouse Shoppe
163719 Brownsville Rd, Brownsville The Yellow Farmhouse
AN ARtisAN ColleCtive
Bringing the beauty of small batch to you with a focus in Norfolk County
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64 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Building Business Building self Building RelAtionships Building Community
ladieswholead.ca
697 Stoney Creek Rd, Caledonia Tillsonburg Antiques Plus
6 Old Vienna Rd, Tillsonburg Time Capsule Antiques & Retro Nostalgia
168 Queen St, Dunnville timecapsuleretro.blogspot.ca Towpath On The Grand Antiques & Collectibles
14 Talbot St W, Cayuga towpathonthegrand.com Toys ‘n Stock
676888 16 Line, Tavistock Typical Collector Antiques
2125 Amesbury Cres, Burlington Unique Boutique Gifts Antiques
Alice St, Waterford Waterford Antique Market
80 B Alice St, Waterford waterfordantiquemarket.com Webster R Antiques
1146 Colborne St, E, Brantford MUSEUMS (some of our many) Bell Homestead National Historic Site
94 Tutela Heights Rd, Brantford bellhomestead.ca Canadian Drilling Rig Museum
4858 Rainham, Selkirk canadiandrillingrigmuseum.com Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
9280 Airport Rd, Mount Hope warplane.com Chiefswood Museum
1037 Hwy 54 E, Brantford chiefswood.com Dundas Museum & Archives
139 Park St W, Dundas Westfield Heritage Village
1049 Kirkwall Rd, Rockton Eva Brook Donly Museum
109 Norfolk St S, Simcoe norfolklore.com Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum
64 Sulphur Springs Rd, Ancaster
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44 Harbour St, Port Dover portdovermuseum.ca
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Ruthven Park National Historic Site
243 Haldimand Hwy. #54, Cayuga ruthvenpark.ca Walpole Antique Farm Machinery Association
2041 ON-6, Jarvis wafma.ca Thames Valley Museum School
656 Main St N, Burgessville
2 cayuga St n, cayuga on 905-772-2005
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51 Grand River St. N. Paris 519-774-7435
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Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 65
Arts & CULTURE
Inspiring Minds Arts and culture are an important resource in our path to building stronger connections with the present and the past, serving to document and preserve stories and ensure that history is shared. They beautify public spaces, help forge relationships where there is diversity and become stewards of strength in community. At Live Small Town, we love to promote local participation and bonds. We believe one of the best ways to engage is through the arts.
Photo by Heather MacEachern hrmphotography.com
Lesley Andrew Long Point dreaminprogress.com Lesley Andrew calls Long Point, Ont. her “haven.” This professional singer, actor, stage director, motivational coach and speaker divides her time equally between Norfolk County, London and Windsor, where she teaches music and drama to students, ranging in age from four to 94. But it is in this small, beachside community that she comes to recharge and embrace all that Long Point has to offer. A community-driven advocate of nature, the arts and culture, Lesley provides private and group lessons and runs music and drama camps for students to help them “discover their voice and be heard,” which is also her business’ motto and teaching philosophy. “Music and the arts are so important to a person’s development, and it’s not just learning how to read music or sing or act,” she says. “It’s about allowing students to explore who they are and to help them express that to the world.” Lesley often encourages students to write pieces that then get incorporated into the final performance at the end of her week-long Glee Camps. “It is amazing to see the students grow and flourish after only a few days together!” she says. Lesley’s 30-plus year career has seen her perform at The Stratford Festival, with many professional symphony orchestras, and on tour internationally as a soloist and with her trio. She regularly welcomes new students into her studio and looks forward to helping you find your voice.
Noise Makers
ences. Sometimes the most special ones can be found right at home. In coming issues, I will continue to highlight how you can get involved personally with these artists and organizations. Music makes the world a better place...and I hope to see you out there, making music somewhere soon!
Music is a powerful art. It can be a healer, a stress reliever, a salve. It can entice people to rally for change in their world, and it can be provocative, making you think and see things in a new light. At its core, though, music can simply
be your best friend - there when you need it most, to help bring happiness to your world. I have always been interested in searching out local musicians and organizations who bring joy to their community members
through music. The featured artists and organizations in this issue are all are doing great things in and for their respective communities. I hope you are able to connect with them on a personal level. Perhaps you would like to take lessons or maybe you sing or play an instrument and want to join in. Maybe you would just like to attend one of the many concerts and productions these groups offer. One does not have to look very far, or even travel into a large city centre to enjoy wonderful musical experi-
Sinfonia Ancaster
Haldimand-Norfolk Concert Band
The Brantford Symphony Orchestra
The Woodstock Choralaires
Hagersville The musicians of the H-N Concert Band describe being in this close community group like “coming home to family,” as members return from far and wide to attend weekly rehearsals from September to June. Conductor Joanne Romanow programs 13 to 15 concerts a year and the group performs all over the region in feature performances and as guest artists. Anyone who can read music and play proficiently is welcome to join this group.
Brantford brantfordsymphony.ca The 70 professional musicians of the Brantford Symphony Orchestra (under the baton of Maestro Philip Sarabura) perform several Main Series concerts each year at the Sanderson Centre, as well as fundraising events. Their mandate: “to give people of all ages opportunities for musical appreciation and education”, sees the orchestra performing in schools across the region, as well as in-house Education Concerts.
Woodstock woodstockchoralaires.com For more than 50 years, The Woodstock Choralaires have serenaded Oxford County and beyond with concerts showcasing a large and varied choral repertoire. The 60-plus members travel internationally every few years and have completed nine tours across Europe and North America since their inception in 1966. Membership is open to anyone, with the only prerequisite being a commitment to, and a love for, singing.
They bring community together by weaving stories and emotions in the spirit of sharing and forging bonds. BY Sara Moody Veldhuis
Ancaster sinfoniaancaster.com Five years ago, Sinfonia Ancaster was born, becoming a welcome avenue for classically-trained community musicians to perform in the Ancaster area. The ensemble rehearses and presents three concerts annually from September to June, with repertoire drawn from all orchestral genres. If you are an aspiring orchestral musician of intermediate-to advanced-level, get in touch with Sinfonia Ancaster via their website to arrange a placement rehearsal.
Do you know someone who should be featured? Contact musician and concert producer Sara Moody Veldhuis at sara@universalartsmanagement.com
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 67
Portrait of an Artist
They help us negotiate connections between ourselves and the world. They make us think more deeply, strive more intently, feel joy more profoundly and bring meaning and purpose to humanity. These are the artists behind the art.
David Wierzbicki
Brantford whateveryouart.com I am an artist and illustrator living and creating in Brantford, Ontario. As a kid I was forever distracted – lost in daydreams and fantasy worlds. I remember being fascinated by mark-making of all kinds, a passion which was rarely celebrated by the adults responsible for my education. I drew on everything: my schoolwork, desk, hands, clothes and walls. Every piece of paper I was handed was quickly covered in doodles. One day my Grade 3 teacher finally reached her limit with my never-ending mess-making. However, instead of discouraging me or sending a letter home to my parents as previous teachers had done, she gave me a simple gift – a gift that would help me funnel this creative impulse into growth. During school my teacher called me up to her desk and handed me a homemade sketch book! When I saw the bundled blank pages and the endless possibilities I knew with certainty that art would forever be a part of my life. I urge you too to encourage the messy creativity in every heart around you. 68 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Photo by Ryan Stone at Glassworks Creative glassworkscreative.com
hannah dolson
Simcoe I was raised in a very musical family and started playing the piano when I was young. I learned other instruments throughout the years but the keys were always something I gravitated towards the most. Singing just seemed to come along with all of that. I first used to record little covers in my bedroom and post them on YouTube as a pre-teen, and eventually I gained the confidence to begin performing at little school events, local festivals. I also took an interest in musical theatre again, which I’d always loved as a child. I’ve always stuck to jazz and vintage vibes when performing, and I enjoy changing up songs that everyone knows and making them something different. Over the past few years, I began writing as I’d found the inspiration to. While most of my little creations are kept private, I plan to begin fine-tuning them and releasing them if my perfectionism holds out and I allow myself to be vulnerable with what I post. I’m learning that imperfection is art, and creativity must go hand-in-hand with authenticity. People will always love what you create if they can see your passion, and honesty, woven into it. Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 69
On the Map
Makers Market Our local art scene is bursting with talent. Here are just a few who are sharing resources to enhance community culture. BY NANCY HOWDEN-COWELL
Margot Designs Brantford margotdesigns.com Margot McTavish got her start over 25 years ago by designing props and special effects for films and television. She took her creative talents and moved into the decorating side of the industry. In 2003, she opened her business and began bringing her own special sense of function and beauty while still honouring her clients’ lifestyle and the vision they have for their home.
H a m i lt o n
Brantford
H
AL
DI
MAN
D COUN
TY
LAKE ERIE
Donn Zver Pottery Troy donnzver.com We all watched recently as the devastating wildfires in Australia took the lives and homes of so much wildlife. Don Zver got busy on his potter’s wheel and created a fundraiser selling over 900 bowls with 100% of the proceeds going to a wildlife rescue there. It’s not the first time he has been touched by others misfortune: Don has raised money for Fort McMurray and the victims in Haiti’s disaster.
70 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Haldimand Pride art show Dundas dvsa.ca There is power in art and when that power is used to celebrate pride, love and acceptance the world cannot help but be a better place. This year, Haldimand Pride is holding a contest open to all highschool students in Brant Haldimand and Norfolk to have the chance to highlight those qualities through their art and win cash prizes. View all their work at the Lions Park on May 30.
The Paris Wincey Mills Co Paris winceymills.ca An artist is not just someone who holds a brush to create. Art can be seen in a cupcake that looks almost too good to eat, the charcuterie board that is laid out in such a way as to please our eyes before our bellies or a piece of jewellery that calls to us. Wincey Mills is a unique shopping experience in downtown Paris that brings all the arts of many mediums together under one roof to enjoy.
Sally Hamilton Gable at Pagoda Vista Simcoe Sally has painted and sketched from a young age and has played a major part in the Norfolk County art scene throughout the years. While her love for the natural world inspires her in her creations, you will also find unexpected surprises in her unique and whimsical greeting cards. Working with pieces found in nature, as well as paints, her cards are like receiving a special gift.
Humming Bird paiting by Paul Cheney paulcheney.ca
Ingersoll Music Academy Ingersoll ingersollmusicacademy.ca Who looks at an old Ninja Turtle skateboard and sees a guitar? George McMaster not only sells and repairs musical instruments but he also creates one-of-a-kind guitars from old discarded skateboards. His passion has led him to create a personalized retail experience and his small-town store has become the hub for the musical community as well as a place for young musicians to learn.
Spring Into Eisings
annual open house april 25
For the love of plants + fashion offering outstanding quality and selection in all areas of our business brings us joy! Come visit us to be inspired to grow your very own beautiful gardens this spring. Check out our exciting tropical selection, direct from Florida aNd don’t forget our fabulous ladies fashion, whimsical garden décor, gorgeous pottery pieces and so much more. Visit our newly redesigned website and join us on instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all our workshops, events and specials. Come visit soon, so we can share our joy with you!
oPeN moNdaY – satuRdaY march 5 – april 30, 9am – 5pm may 1 – June 30, 8am – 7pm
519.428.4607 814 CoCkshutt Road simCoe
eising.ca
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 71
Brantford Landscaping & Sodding Inc.
Brantford Landscaping & Sodding Inc. is a family-owned and operated business that has been supplying high-quality sod to residents of the Brantford area since 1954. Our experienced team works around the clock to ensure that you get great products at the best prices. Moreover, we are happy to share our knowledge if you have any questions.
Number One Nursery Sod Cut fresh daily. Pick up or delivery.
Top Quality Grass Seed Fertilizer Triple Mix Topsoil Mulch
324 Governors Rd East, Paris Phone 519-753-2581 Email bls@silomail.com landscapingsodding.ca
OPEN HOUSE EVENTS VISIT. EXPLORE. APPLY!
MONDAY
MARCH 30 5 pm – 8 pm
Institute for Applied Health Sciences at McMaster
SATURDAY
APRIL 4
APRIL 9
Fennell Campus
Stoney Creek Campus for Skilled Trades
10 am – 1 pm
mohawkcollege.ca/openhouse
72 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
THURSDAY 5 pm – 8 pm
Canfield’s Black History Local filmmaker Graeme Bachiu is set to release a sixpart series on Canfield’s black history. BY Tara Shannon The Underground Railroad was a 2000-milelong “secret network of courageous people willing to hide, feed and assist African Americans fleeing slavery in the United States,” says Sylvia Weaver of Heritage Haldimand. Sylvia is nearly finished writing a book that tells Canfield, Ontario’s history as an unofficial stop on the Underground Railroad. Her book is the result of much research and communication with many descendants of the African Americans who lived there. Canfield, Ontario, was a safe haven away from busy waterways and cities. The first African Americans arrived in the 1840s, having walked a Native American footpath from Niag-
ara. By 1851, the census recorded 137 African Americans living in Canfield. Most notable was Carrie Barnes, a niece to Harriet Tubman. The African Americans of Canfield worked, went to school and worshiped alongside European settlers also living there. Today, not one descendant remains in Canfield. When American President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, abolishing slavery, many chose to return to the United States. Others moved to larger towns or cities, some nearby, in search of work. “It’s a fascinating history that we should be shouting from the rooftops,” says Graeme Bachiu of Windecker
Road Films in Cayuga, Ontario. A six-part series on Canfield’s black history, greenlit by Bell Fibe TV, will be produced by Graeme and aired this fall. It will be the first-ever broadcast series shot in Haldimand, about Haldimand and by a local filmmaker. Anyone interested in sponsoring this project is welcome to reach out to Graeme directly. “The story is known in the community but hasn’t traveled much outside,” says Bachiu. “This project will bring attention to an amazing untold story.”
What’s the Story with Boots on the Moon?
“What’s the story?” If you’re asked this in Ireland, the person wants to know how you are and what you’re doing. It’s the same in business, with one difference: stories are literally big business. A good one will leave a lasting impression. Enter Boots on the Moon, the brainchild of two local guys from Simcoe, Ontario. When Mike Chwastiak and Adam Liefl started out, they knew they wanted to help small business and non-profit owners tell their stories using social media video marketing. Attention spans are short and impression is everything. Being small business owners too, they understand. Mike and Adam also had to leave an imprint. Starting with their name. “One small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.” We’ve all heard these famous words by Neil Armstrong when taking his first steps on the moon. It was a defining moment that left a big imprint not soon forgotten. With that historic moment in mind, Boots on the Moon was born. Mike and Adam specialize in the creation, design and strategy of videos for social media. They want to help you leave your imprint. So, what’s your story? Visit bootsonthemoon.ca and start telling it today. TS
Live it for a day. Live it for a lifetime. SPRING 2020 73
Events & Activities THEATRE
As live theatre continues to grow in popularity, lovers of the performing arts across Canada have begun noticing an emerging trend: big cities aren’t the only places to find a good show. Small towns and local theatres are churning out quality performances and their well-known theatre companies and impressive resumes mean a trip to the theatre is even closer than you realize. Backstage Capitol Theatre
Gleeful! Acrylic on Canvas | 36” x 36”
Studio/Gallery Show - June 6 & 7 16 Charlotte St., PariS 519-442-7211 hollyo.ca
93 King St, Delhi backstagecapitol.com Open year-round, this unique and historic venue plays host to live performances of Celtic, folk, vintage rock & roll, and a host of other genres. Lighthouse Festival Theatre Corp
247 Main St, Port Dover lighthousetheatre.com The theatre is open all year long for a variety of events, including concerts, public meetings, community fundraisers, dance recitals, workshops, band rehearsals and classes. The Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts
88 Dalhousie St, Brantford sandersoncentre.ca A vintage vaudeville and silent movie theatre opened in 1919, this local gem showcases plays, classical music, dance and more. With seating for 1,125 guests, it is also the home to the Brantford Symphony Orchestra.
LIVING THE LIFE YOU ARE DESTINED TO LIVE
Rhonda Arnott
Simcoe Little Theatre
33 Talbot St N, Simcoe simcoelittletheatre.org Open for 71 years, this community theatre offers a grand selection of drama, comedy and classics.
EMPOWERMENT COACHING FOR LIFE & BUSINESS
Helping women identify their passion through my signature program called Ignite Your Soul. Turn your passion into online businesses. One-on-one coaching, group coaching, speaking engagements & workshops.
rhondaarnott.com 74 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Waterford Old Town Hall
308 Grand River St N, Paris • petvalu.com
76 Main St S, Waterford oldtownhall.org A restored historic building that boasts an 180-seat auditorium, the Waterford Old Town Hall provides us with cultural diversity as a music, artistic and theatrical production venue.
GALLERIES
Nothing boosts your own personal creativity more than visiting art galleries. Akin to osmosis, being around art and in the company of creative folks makes you feel more creative. Our small-town communities are rich in this talent and there is no better way to experience it than to pop into one of these local showcases.
If you can thInk It, we’ve moSt lIkely got It!
Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant
20 Ava Rd, Brantford glenhyrst.ca Located in Glenhyrst Gardens, a beautifully landscaped 16-acre park on the banks of the Grand River, the gallery offers contemporary fine art exhibitions, guided tours, classes, lectures, events, and art rentals.
Custom Restyled Vintage FuRnituRe & Home aCCents FoR Home & liFe.
Find Beauty in the Details Custom painting seRViCes aVailable.
Holly.O. Gallery
16 Charlotte St. Paris (one street north of the Arlington Hotel) hollyo.ca Paris artist Holly.O. welcomes visitors to her gallery and studio. View Holly’s collection of original artworks and take a behind-the-scenes look at her sunny studio space. Gallery is open by appointment throughout the year.
A little bit country, a little bit urban, we cater to the backyard farmer and the small town enthusiast. Hardware, bird & animal feeds, odds & ends and so much more!
Doerksen Country Store
1086 Bay St, Port Rowan 519-586-3901
brusheddesigns.ca Visit us on Instagram at brushed4u 30 Main St. S. Waterford 519-222-3505
doerksencountrystore.com
The Oak Gallery
313 Main St, Port Dover theoakgallery.com This new gallery offers the work of both local artists and those from afar, showcasing metal, wax, acrylic, glass, ceramic, wood, watercolour, oil and ink artistic creations. Two Turtles Iroquois Fine Art Gallery
ART
MUSIC
YOGA Grace & Lace Artizan Catherine Lillywhite Parsley & Sage Papillon Jacqueline Kent Ella & Ollie baby line Pinkstix purses
649 Colborne St, W, Brantford twoturtle.ca This modest gallery brings you the best of Iroquois culture and symbolism, celebrating nature in the form of original paintings, soapstone sculptures, limited-edition acrylic prints, giclée prints and lithographs.
GorGEoUS décor!!
Wildwood Art Gallery & Studio
24 Winnett St, N, Cayuga WildwoodCayuga.com This new gallery is home to artist Kerry Walford who specializes in oil paintings of rural Ontario. The gallery will also feature the work of local artists, offer art classes for children and adults, and host several art shows throughout the year.
Visit our website to learn about our art classes for kids & adults, art shows, live music and yoga! 24 Winnett St N, Cayuga 905.929.4902 info@wildwoodcayuga.com wildwoodcayuga.com
Spring is Coming! 1407 Hwy 59, Port rowan 519.586.3817
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Out & About
Seasons are ever-changing. The altering weather is a gentle reminder that all things end but can begin anew. Search out the treasure trove of things to see and activities to do in our communities. The sky’s the limit when it comes to natural beauty and outdoor adventure, so grab your fishing rod, pack your sunscreen and dust off your hiking boots - the great outdoors is calling!
Julie Gaia Photo by Nathan Smees nathansmeesphotography.com
NATURE CALLS
Listen & Learn “Plants are incredibly intelligent and excellent non-binary teachers. We just need remember how to listen” says Julie Gaia, owner of The Gaia Hive in Dundas, Ontario. Julie Gaia Feddes offers folk herbalism and Gaian mentorships beginning in March. Mentorships last 8 months and participants are asked to join in twice a month on a weekend or two weekdays until October for a total of sixteen days. Julie describes her mentorship program as remembering where you come from and reconnecting to your own ancestry. Julie has lived all her life on 75 acres of Carolinian Forest. For the last 15 years, she has practiced and honed her passion for herbalism. Folk herbalism and living with the land led her to create The Gaia Hive, a positive, non-binary, safe space where people can connect with the earth. Julie’s roots are Germanic and Scandinavian and she acknowledges that she lives on colonized land. It’s important to her that she honors her own roots and those of the people and plants native to the land on which she lives. “Meeting a plant is like meeting a new person”, Julie tells me. Each one is different and learning to communicate with them opens new dimensions. Through her mentorship program Julie will guide participants one plant at a time on how to nurture them, harvest them and best use them in tinctures, oils, salves and teas for the purpose of healing. To learn more about Julie, The Gaia Hive and her mentorship program, visit JulieGaia.ca. TS
Joy to the World! Norfolk County business offsets their carbon footprint by planting 1,096 Black and White Spruce trees. BY Tara Shannon The Joy Bakery Café has been a staple in Simcoe, Ontario, for the last three years. For every day it’s been open, owner Joy Allgood and her family have planted a tree. It’s a little something she likes to do to give back and to help offset her bakery’s carbon footprint. To date 1,096 Black and White Spruce trees have been planted, with the last 300 going in the ground this past September. So far, all plantings have been in Northern Ontario but
Joy hopes to make a connection with a local organization soon. Fall and early spring are best for planting or transplanting trees. Their roots are dormant at these times, meaning that less trauma will come to them, giving them a better chance at survival. Joy doesn’t just like to plant trees, she also likes to offer them as a unique gift giving opportunity. Gift certificates for 4 or 10 trees, are sold at the
café throughout the year. Recipients receive a code allowing them to track when and where their trees are planted. “We try to be as responsible and sustainable as we can” says Joy, who has sourced all biodegradable packaging for her bakery. She loves using and promoting local ingredients and products whenever possible – even going so far as to make soda pop for the café with fresh local strawberries! Yum.
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OF THE
PHOTO By Tara Carpenter
OUT ORDINARY
Connecting with nature offers a wealth of benefits, not to mention the sheer enjoyment of being surrounded by beauty. So go play outside! BY Tara Carpenter Here in the banana belt of Southern Ontario, we are truly blessed with not only the warmer weather and natural waterways, but the productive fertile soil. It’s the perfect combination for growing an abundance of fresh, local food. That is why our history here is rich in agriculture. Growing up on a Norfolk County farm has taught me the importance of sustainable food production. Sustainable farming and local food production can guarantee our region a future where every resident has access to high quality, nutritious,
locally grown food. The benefits can grow, nourish and inspire community by strengthening economic, social and recreational development. Let’s keep our future prosperous by nourishing our bodies and souls with the bounty our soil can provide. There is no greater pleasure to me than growing my own delectable produce that is full of scrumptious cooking inspiration. Taking a diminutive seed that has the potential to provide a wealth of food for you, your family and even your community is extremely empowering. To me there is
nothing more compelling than the power of a single humble seed. You won’t find me wearing gloves while gardening, I fancy the sensation of fondling the dirt. The deep spiritual connection it gives me to our Mother Earth fills my soul with nourishment. Just taking a drive around Southwestern Ontario will have you discovering the multitude of enticing community gardens, road side stands, community supported agriculture (CSA) programs, garden centers, farmers markets and organic farms. Whether you are getting your hands dirty by growing your own or getting to know your neighbor by buying from a local farmer, get out there and enjoy the abundance of our wholesome local bounty.
Tara Carpenter discovered her love for nature and the outdoors at an early age while growing up on a Norfolk farm. She has always been an avid enthusiast of nature and travel, and for 17 years she roamed all corners of the globe in search of adventure. From sailing Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to hitchhiking across Canada, Tara has made herself at home in nature’s embrace. Grounded by the unique challenges of motherhood, Tara now encourages other parents and their families to get outdoors and foster their own passion for environmental connectedness. For info on programs, connect with Terra Trails or GROWE Grandriverrafting.ca/grand-river-outdoor-wilderness-education 78 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Our Ontario southwest offers a copious quantity of wild edibles just waiting to be gobbled up by anyone who knows where and when to forage. Here are just a few of the delights to be had.
Eising Greenhouses And Garden Centre
Simcoe eising.ca Back in 1966, a little glass greenhouse started selling tomatoes from a roadside stand. Fast forward to today, this 2.5 acre greenhouse provides high-quality plants and exceptional service. It’s a one-stop shop for your gardening, landscaping and restoration needs. Eising sells pollinator plants, vegetable plants, native species, trees, shrubs and hanging baskets.
Our Sustenance
Ohsweken oursustenance.ca Located on the Six Nations Reserve, Our Sustenance was created in 2011 as a farmer’s market and has since grown significantly. Offers the community greater access to affordable local food through the gardens Café, bee apiary, poultry farm and greenhouse. They aim to provide increased education on gardening, food preserving, garden production and self-care.
Herb-Robert Geranium robertianum This therapeutic herb is one of the most outstanding plants we can use on a regular basis to enhance and strengthen our immune system. As part of the geranium family, it has the ability to make oxygen available to our cells which means our body can heal itself more quickly. To harness both its therapeutic and preventative values prepare into a tea, gargle or astringent.
Brantwood farms
Ostrich Fern Matteucia struthiopteris Harvest fiddleheads in the spring when the coiled fronds are still curled like the scroll of a violin. This delicacy can be harvested in the wild as well as found in the grocery store. Do not over harvest so as to not deplete the survival of a particular patch of ferns. It is advised to thoroughly cook by steaming before consuming.
Brantford brantwoodfarms.com The Brantwood family farms grows a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and carries seasonal home-grown local produce in their shop. Fresh from the oven you’ll find bread, cookies, pies, dumplings and pastries made with seasonal produce. Come pick your own strawberries, apples or pumpkin for an authentic farm experience at one of their many festivals or open houses. Ancaster Farmers Market
Ancaster shopancasterfarmersmarket.com This popular local farmers market is held in a community-central location in the Ancaster Village to provide farmers with an affordable local sales outlet and the community with access to fresh, local, naturally grown produce. Free children’s activities, live music, special events and a community tent makes this farmers market a day out you won’t want to miss.
Colts foot Tussliago farfaro The stem of this spring flower can be used as a salt substitute or eaten as a vegetable. The dried leaves are made into tea to relieve coughs, asthma and pneumonia. This plant contains antihistamines and has sedative and calming effects. Externally, it can be used as a poultice for sores, burns and inflammation. Do not consume when pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Getting out & about!
Winter, spring, summer and fall, we have no shortage of activities for outdoor enthusiasts who come to play in beautiful southwestern Ontario.
TRAILS Brant County
Brant and Brantford has a trail system that is envied the world over, and our network of trails and pathways is used by walkers, hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders alike. Check out some of the most popular trails below, as well as some of the lesser-known gems (our personal favourites). For more information, visit brant.ca • Apps Mill Trail (GRCA) • Burford Lion’s Way • Grand Valley Trail (GVTA) • Green Lane Park • Hamilton to Brantford Trail (GRCA) • LE & N Rail Trail • Mt.Pleasant Walking Tour • Mt.Pleasant Nature Park • Nith River Trail • Paris to Cambridge • S.C. Johnson Trail (GRCA) • TH & B Rail Trail BRANTFORD
• Apps Mill Trail (GRCA) • D’Aubigny Trail • Hamilton to Brantford Trail (GRCA) • Mohawk Park Haldimand County
TRIKE, BIKE OR WALK WITH US! Help raise $200,000 in support of McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation.
SATURDAY, JUNE 6 BAYFRONT PARK, HAMILTON Register and fundraise today! Visit mackids.ca/walkandwheel
80 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Haldimand is home to some of the most spectacular and scenic hiking trails around, many found along the Grand River and in our local parks and conservation areas. For more information, visit haldimandcounty.on.ca • Blue Heron Way • Chippewa Trail • Kinsmen Park Walkway • Patterson Walkway • Ramsay Walkway • Rotary Riverside Trail • Thistlemoor Park Pathway • Thompson Creek Restoration • Townsend Recreation Trail
Norfolk County
Norfolk has a stunning selection of trails that take you through an array of wetlands, grasslands, forests and farmers’ fields. Explore landscapes that you have never been to before while experiencing all the adventures this county has to offer! norfolktrails.ca • Andy and Helen Spriet Trail • Backus Woods • Big Creek National Wildlife Area • Brook Conservation Area • Delhi Rail Trail • Hay Creek Conservation Area • Lynn Valley Trail • Long Point Provincial Park • Port Rowan Wetlands • St Williams Conservation Reserve • Sutton Conservation Area • Turkey Point Provincial Park • Waterford Heritage Trail Hamilton
Known as the “City of Waterfalls”, more than 100 waterfalls have been identified in the Hamilton area along the internationally recognized Niagara Escarpment. So much beauty to discover here. conservationhamilton.ca • Bruce Trail • Christie Lake Conservation Area • Dundas Valley • Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area • Rockcliffe Waterdown Mountain
Cell: (519) 761-8810 Fax: (289) 203-1321 Lisa@TCGLendingCentres.com
A HeAling AlternAtive tHAt sootHes tHe soul tHrougH Hypnosis, reiki treAtments.
Bike Trail • Royal Botanical Gardens Loop Trail • Sherman Falls • Spencer Gorge Conservation Area • Spring Valley • Tiffany Falls Conservation Area • Valens Conservation Area
184 Caithness St. W. Caledonia 289-284-0114 willowglenclinic.com
OXFORD COUNTY
This small list of trails does not begin to introduce a fraction of the diverse trails in Oxford. Visit oxfordcountytrailscouncil.ca to find out more. • Beauty Creek Trail • Chesney Wilderness Area Trail • Lawson Nature Reserve • Oxford Thames River Trail • Pittock Conservation Area • Roth Park • Secord Trails Care Community
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OUR TOWN
Gratitude
Without missing a beat, my small family grew into a community filled with compassion, so we decided to share that with others. BY Sarah Gurney We were first-time parents expecting the arrival of our son to be the happiest time in our lives. Nothing could have prepared us for that walk out of the hospital on the night he was born without him in our arms. Instead, tired and in shock, we made a trip 45 minutes up the road to Hamilton to McMaster Children’s Hospital, where he had been taken by an emergency medical team in order to save his life. We became pros at being in the hospital 24/7. We watched nurses and doctors try to anticipate the next and best course of treatment while my husband and I asked a million questions, trying to make sense of what was going on. We would walk the halls when the nurses needed more room and fewer questions. Sometimes we would stand in elevators or hallways with parents and kids who were sobbing, tearful, and scared. Other hallways were filled with children’s laughter, games, movies, and fun. After the first week, we became used to the fact that it was okay to laugh and to cry here. McMaster was a safe place where families and children were trying to get healthy, where babies were born, and where children could rest in their sickest days. The day we walked out of McMaster with Hudson snuggled in his car seat, I remember thinking I would be back, I would be back to help these kids and their families with their fight. I wanted somehow to help them find some joy and some light to make sad, painful and heartbreaking days easier. We had spent the end of December into January at Mc82 LIVE SMALL TOWN livesmalltownmag.ca
Master so we knew our giving back would have to take place during the most magical time of year.: Christmas! We reached out to our family and friends the following autumn through social media and told our story, and you would not believe what happened. Our doorstep became a place where strangers, friends, coworkers, family and neighbours would drop bags of toys, pyjamas, games, movies and cards filled with money from the months of September to December. Each year our little idea continues to grow. A huge supporter of ours is Priority Mechanical Services, where my husband works. For the past two years, we have surpassed the $5,000 mark with huge help from the hardworking guys and gals who dish out their money every week during the holidays. We could not be more grateful for their gusto and support for something so dear to our family. Our community amazes each year as the collection continues to grow. In 2018, we collected over $5,000 in PJs so each child could feel comfortable and cozy through treatments or any medical crisis they were experiencing. We are beyond grateful to know so many giving people. Our biggest reward from doing this year after year is having, now healthy four year-old Hudson help us drop off the massive load of gifts each Christmas to the place where it all began. When we pull up to McMaster and watch him unload boxes of toys for other children, it is truly a full-circle moment for our family. This is the best way we feel we can give back and show our gratitude for the life-saving efforts in those early days. Hudson will never remember what we as a family struggled through at McMaster, for that, we are grateful. Our collection each Christmas allows us to teach him that everyone struggles at some point. When you find your way out, try your best to turn your struggle into something good. If you are interested in helping Sarah and her family with their collection or to learn more about the Patient Wish List at McMaster Children’s Hospital, send a message to gurneyhelpmackids@gmail.com
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