FREE Spring 2022
Hidden Gems of Huron County
417 Parsons Court, Goderich 519-612-1387 Open 12-4 Monday - Friday;10-4 Saturday
• Furniture • Appliances • New beds • Antiques • Collectibles • Electronics • Other household items facebook.com/parsonsusedfurniture ~ email: parsonsusedfurniture@gmail.com
The Name Says It All!
Sweets N’ Treats For a sample of best chocolate in the area, drop by Sweets N’ Treats. With a second location in Blyth The name truly says it all! • Homemade sponges and popcorns • Made to order gift baskets • Over 15 different barks
We do Birthday Parties!
• Huge hand rolled truffles • Wedding favours, toppers and extras • Over 4000 moulds for every occasion
14 B-Line Rd., Wingham, ON. N0G 2W0 413 Queen St., Blyth, ON. N0M 1H0 (p) 519-357-3663 Email: info@sweetsntreatschocolates.ca Website: sweetsntreatschocolates.ca
Farm To Cup! Shop online or stop in to see us 86252 Kintail Line, Goderich 519-671-4118 We hand roast in small batches, strictly fresh for order. Our goal is to discover incredible coffees, build trusted relationships with coffee producers and bring you an unparalleled Coastal Coffee experience.
Check out www.coastalcoffeecompany.ca for more info and hours.
WE’VE GOT NEWS FOR
YOU! Pick up your copy today
Available in Belgrave, Blyth, Brussels, Clinton, Goderich, Seaforth & Wingham
The Citizen
Huron County’s most trusted independent news source 405 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 www.huroncitizen.ca
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 5.
Stops Along The Way Spring, 2022 W
elcome to Huron County! Whether you are a firsttime visitor, seasonal resident or neighbour, we are working hard to help you find a safe way to enjoy our beautiful area. This issue contains what was known or expected when we went to print in late March, with many provincial regulations easing and capacity limits being largely eliminated. We advise you to call ahead to confirm. Everyone is doing the best they can to make sure our businesses, employees, guests, customers and families are safe. Please take responsibility for your actions while you are out and about. Observe physical distancing, wear a mask when distancing is difficult or unpredictable and stay home if you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is. Above all else, be kind. – Publisher Deb Sholdice
TABLE OF CONTENTS Tasting Trail ..........................6
Flavours of Huron ..............29
Maple Syrup ........................10
Seaforth ....................................31
Goderich ................................1 1
Brussels ....................................33
Hike in Huron........................15
Blyth ..........................................34
Bayfield ..................................17
Wingham ................................38
Grand Bend ........................20
Lucknow..................................40
Exeter ....................................25
Village-wide Yard Sales ..43
Clinton ....................................27
Postcards from Huron ....44
is published by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. P.O. Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 Tel.: 519-523-4792 www.stopsalongtheway.ca deb@northhuron.on.ca Editorial: Deb Sholdice Shawn Loughlin Nancy Fisher Denny Scott Sales: Brenda Nyveld Shelley Kroes
Tasting Trail
PAGE 6. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Maria’s Wok n’ Dine Seaforth
Huron’s international cuisine BY MARK NONKES MARIA’S WOK N’ DINE aria Rebuldela stirs a pot of coconut milk, lemongrass, basil and chicken. “Cooking is my passion,” she says, while making soup. “I just enjoy it. Sometimes you serve 150 or 100 people, sometimes it is just a few. It doesn’t matter.” The mother of three brings her passion to the plate five days a week, offering flavours from her travels and her homeland at Maria’s Wok n’ Dine at 23 Main Street in Seaforth. The restaurant, run by Maria and her husband John Staffen, opened in 2018 and reflects growing diversity within Huron County. Maria’s menu features Thai, Singaporean and Vietnamese dishes, along with food from her youth in the Philippines. Filipino food is a mix of sweet, salty and sour flavours, with dishes like kare-kare, which is beef or pork cooked with eggplant, string beans and a peanut sauce. Other Filipino staples, like adobo chicken or pork
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braised in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and peppercorn or tapsilog, a garlic fried rice with a mix of beef jerky and a fried egg, are also available. The restaurant’s tables are filled with folks from Seaforth and surrounding communities, along with a growing number of temporary farm workers from the Philippines working in Huron County. “Our lumpia, which are like spring rolls but bigger, are one of our most popular menu items. People enjoy tasting something different,” John says. Maria’s menu is one that reflects her own history, crossing borders, working in Hong Kong, visiting countries throughout Southeast Asia, living in Australia and China, before arriving in Canada in 2011. “My sister had already moved here and set up a restaurant in Clinton,” Maria explains. “I came to visit her and decided to stay.” John and Maria met in 2015 and married a year later. Although Maria’s sister’s restaurant has now closed, when a former bistro came up for sale in downtown
Seaforth, John and Maria stepped forward and started setting up their restaurant. Maria says that she has always been interested in cooking, an activity where she has bonded with people from other cultures. “On opening day, there was a lineup. People were excited,” John remembers. “They have kept coming back, even during COVID and with take-outs, we have been busy.” There is little wonder why. Maria’s food is freshly made, colourfully plated and offers vibrant, succulent flavours not routinely encountered. The portions are large and the prices reasonable. Maria’s Wok n’ Dine is open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday. More information can be found on Facebook at the page Maria’s Wok ‘n Dine or by calling 519-600-0142. 23 Main St. N., Seaforth. KHAWLA’S KITCHEN In Goderich, Khawla Alsajer too is showcasing the cuisine from her Continued on page 7
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 7.
Tasting Trail Khawla’s Kitchen Goderich
Sharing their homes with Huron Continued from page 6 kitchen that she offers as a catering service or as take-out meals. Khawla arrived in Canada as a refugee in 2016, after fleeing Syria and spending time in Lebanon. Khawla’s link to the food and service industry spans three countries. In Syria, prior to the war, Khawla operated a market stall selling groceries and preparing food for the public, as well as cooking for parties and weddings and other events. After fighting in her homeland forced her family to leave, Khawla opened a small store selling food and candies in Lebanon. In Canada, after learning English and finding work, Khawla turned her attention back to food. She has always enjoyed cooking and opened her business in the spring of 2021 to share a taste of her culture and journey with people in Goderich and nearby areas. “I wanted to open my business here because it is what I have always done. I love cooking food from my home. I
want to bring the feeling from that home to my new home in Canada, and I want to share that home with my new family here,” Khawla says. Khawla’s menu can be found at her business’s Facebook page: Khawla’s Kitchen: Authentic Syrian and Lebanese Cuisine. Food can be ordered by calling 519-955-3019 and can be picked up at 58 Anglesea Street. WINGHAM THAIVILLE Chef Singha’s wok sizzles as he stands stoveside, stirring freshly cut broccoli and carrots before tipping a container of thick noodles and then a bowl of shrimp into the pan. Singha gently shakes the wok over the stove’s flame, adding a medley of seasoning as steam billows. “We call it spicy noodles,” he says. “It’s one of our favourite things on the menu.” Singha and Jan Mekkluan are the owners of Wingham Thaiville, a restaurant on Wingham’s main street that opened in March of 2019. Their restaurant features popular Thai
dishes: mango salad, pad thai and sweet soy noodles, recipes that originate from their homeland. “I’ve been cooking since I was eight years old,” Singha says. “My parents used to go to the rice fields and leave me to take care of my younger brothers. I started making fried rice, and I grew from there.” By the time he was 12, Singha had a part-time job helping at an uncle and aunt’s noodle shop in Bangkok, a city of 9 million famous for its intricately constructed Buddhist temples, river canals and vibrant street food scene. After completing his education, Singha entered culinary school at age 18 and then worked in hotel kitchens as part of large kitchen teams. In 2008, he and his wife Jan moved to Canada where he was employed at Thai restaurants in Mississauga, Oakville, Brantford and Ancaster. “In Canada, I learned to be a oneman band. In Thailand, our kitchens were always a team. In Canada, I had to do cleaning, cooking, dishes, food Continued on page 8
PAGE 8. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Tasting Trail
Wingham Thaiville
Feeling at peace in Wingham Continued from page 7 prep work,” Singha says. “It trained me to open my own restaurant.” In 2018, Jan and Singha bought the previous Maitland Restaurant. While still working in another restaurant, on days off they drove to Wingham to upgrade the restaurant, installing a new kitchen and renovating the seating area before opening in 2019. “At Wingham, we feel at peace,” Singha says as he compares life in a small town to larger centres in which he’s lived. He says his restaurant has sparked curiosity from the community. “Many people have never tried Thai food before. For most people, it’s a new thing,” Singha says. “But people keep coming back. Word of mouth has made people
interested to try something new.” Throughout Singha and Jan’s menu, the flavours of Thailand emerge: an intricate balance of salty, sweet, sour and spicy. Additional menu items include coconut sticky rice, a Thai ginger stirfry, a variety of curries and fried rice dishes. Singha and Jan admit that COVID-19 shutdowns have been a challenge for their restaurant but that Friday and Saturday evenings continue to be busy. For now, they say, they remain a take-out-only restaurant. Wingham Thaiville is located at 194 Josephine Street in Wingham. More information about their menu can be found at https://thaiville.ca or by calling 1-519-781-7988.
BAYFIELD TANDOORI HOUSE The Bayfield Tandoori House, opened in 2021, brings the authentic taste of India to the picturesque village of Bayfield. The Ashwood Inn’s Hina and Mike Patel teamed up with Toronto-based chef Pradeep Singh to co-create a menu that featured delicacies from all the states of India. Bayfield Tandoori House captures the essence of Indian hospitality and the richness of Indian cuisine. Hina and Mike take immense pride featuring the tastes of their homeland. The couple moved to Canada in 2015 and purchased the Ashwood Inn in 2019, bringing with them 27 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Continued on page 9
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 9.
Wingham Thaiville
Continued from page 8 Despite the setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, in the summer of 2021, Hina and Mike launched Bayfield Tandoori House, the village’s first Indian kitchen serving authentic Indian grills and curries. In addition to signature Tandoori delicacies, the menu features some of the most loved snacks from different parts of India and a wide variety of vegan and popular Indian dishes. The Bayfield Tandoori House will reopen in May 2022. It can be found at 34777 Bayfield River Rd., with a menu available at https://www.theashwood. com/menu or at 519-565-4089. FOOD REFLECTS GROWING DIVERSITY IN HURON In the 2021 Census, Huron County recorded more than 61,000 people, a population increase of more than 2,000 from the 2016 Census. Like many other parts of Canada, Huron County is seeing increases in the number of immigrants and first-generation Canadians settling in its communities. “While we don’t have data from the 2021 Census yet of where people come from, we know from 2016 that there is a growing number of people from Asia, Africa and Latin America who are settling in Huron County,” said Kristin Crane. In 2016, Statistics Canada recorded that 4,200 people who live in Huron County were immigrants. Sinead Cox, a local historical nonfiction author and the Curator of Engagement and Dialogue at the Huron County Museum, points to generation upon generation of immigrants moving to Huron County, bringing with them diverse languages and traditions. “Immigrants always bring their culture with them and food is a great way to experience that culture,” Cox says.
Maria’s Wok n’ Dine
Tasting Trail
Immigration growing in Huron
PAGE 10. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022 Bayfield Maple is located at
Enjoy Pure Ontario Maple Syrup
Family Owned 34787 Pavillion Rd., Brian & Dianne Bayfield ON. N0M 1G0 Look for the red roof from Highway 21 Brandon and Thomas & Cathy Genoch
519-525-8884 or 519-525-2296 Syrup available year round at Brandon Hardware, Bayfield Foodland River Road Brewing and Hops, Shopbike Coffee , Farm Little , Bad Apple Brewing, online at Bayfield Farmers’ Market, Grand Bend Farmers’ Market and Eat Local Huron.
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1969
SCHILBE MAPLE SYRUP in Bayfield Ontario
77340 ORCHARD LINE ~ BAYFIELD, ON. N0M 1G0
519-719-3818
Blyth Creek Maple Farm
‘Straight From The Farm To You’
519-357-7558
519-335-6352 43269 Amberley Rd. on Hwy. 86 between Wingham & Listowel
Maple Candy Maple Butter Gift Baskets Maple Sugar
www.drudgesmaplesyrup.com
(Ivan & Gail)
CRANSTON FARM MAPLE SYRUP
85750 Lucknow Line, 3 miles south of Lucknow 3rd Generation of Maple Syrup Producers • Maple BBQ Sauce Visitors • Maple Butter welcome • Maple Sugar • Maple Syrup Available year-round
519-529-7360
icranston@hurontel.on.ca
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 11.
Goderich
Trivia on the Maitland
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e’ve all traveled a trail and found little things that make us think, “Hmm. I wonder what that is.” Or we’ve lucked upon a guided hike and come away with an appreciation for things that may have gone unnoticed without a local’s knowledge of the history, geography or ecology of the trail. The Maitland Trail Association has put together a unique guide to its trail system entitled Trail Trivia, Exploring the Trails In and Around Goderich. The eight-page printable guide features four pages of maps that highlight 43 numbered signs you will find on the main trail and four side trails in and around Goderich. The guide then has a piece of trivia for each of the signs, identifying buildings, giving the history of landmarks and pointing out areas of interest that may be lost on the casual walker. The Maitland Trail is a 52-
kilometre trail that roughly follows the Maitland River between Goderich and Auburn. In addition to the main trail, the Maitland Trail Association maintains numerous side trails and a number of other trails in the area, including the Maitland Woods Trail and the Millennium Trail. The guide can be downloaded from the website at www.maitlandtrail.com
Find Your
Style
Don’t miss our Lower Level featuring the area’s largest Selection of Swimwear, Lingerie and Sleepwear.
162 The Square, Goderich 519-524-7232 www.schaefersladieswear.ca
Goderich
PAGE 12. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
The ripple effect in Huron
BY NANCY FISHER here is always a lot going on at the Huron County Museum and the Huron Historic Gaol. Along with the very popular permanent displays, the current exhibits include “Ripple Effect”, which explores the lakes and waterways throughout Huron County with fun and educational activities for all ages. The exhibit runs until July 3. “Forgotten: People and Portraits of the County” explores unidentified images of people and places in Huron County, taken by local photographers. Many of these wonderful photos can be accessed through the museum website as well. Thursdays are multilingual movie nights with In Syria on April 14 and Bootlegger on May 12. Showtimes are at 6:30 p.m. but you are asked to pre-register for these events at www.huroncountymuseum.ca/event/ multilingual-movie-nights-2022-0210/2022-03-10/ or call the museum at 519-524-2686. The Huron Historic Gaol is one of Huron County’s most popular attractions, and it tells the story of crime, punishment and social welfare from its opening in 1841 until the last prisoner left in 1972. The site opens for the season in early May. There will be more exhibits, events and special activities at both the
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museum and Gaol all summer long, so make sure to check out the Facebook pages and website at www.huroncountymuseum.ca
Admittance to the museum and Gaol is always free if you present your Huron County Library card. 110 North St., Goderich.
Working in communities since 1833 to help meet the needs of community members
Food Bank
Soup Corner
Healthcare Resources
Family Resources
Self-serve, home visits, food for special dietary needs
Open six days a week to offer a hot meal to visitors
We offer various health care resources at no charge. See our website.
See the website for our list of resources to assist your family.
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store 441 MacEwan St., Goderich 519-524-1087 www.facebook.com/SVDPGoderich ssvp@hurontel.on.ca www.svdpgoderich.ca
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 13.
Goderich
Ready to launch in Goderich BY NANCY FISHER he Goderich BIA Farmers’ Market is set to have a great year in 2022. With a big schedule of events planned for the long weekend in May, “The Launch” will include live music, a charity bed race, circus performers and more, to accompany the usual market vendors. Billed as “a feast for the senses” there will be lots to see and do around the square. The market hours will be extended for this special weekend. Of course, the very popular assortment of vendors will also be spread around the square every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon from May to October. They will be bringing all the fruit, vegetables, local foods, delicious treats and wonderful crafts that people flock to the market to find. The organizers hope to continue live music after the markets through the summer, and to bring back the free Thursday evening concerts at the bandshell through June, July and August. Check the market’s Facebook page for up-to-date information.
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Local Artists - Original Art Buy or Browse, You’re always welcome! Exposure 2022 Community Exhibition Submissions received in May Exhibition in June Enter your art to get some “exposure”
Downstairs 54 Courthouse Square, Goderich www.gcgallery.ca
Goderich
PAGE 14. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
For the children
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he beloved Goderich Children’s Festival is returning to Lions Harbour Park on Saturday, June 25 after a two-year hiatus due to the global pandemic. The Town of Goderich has been hosting the annual celebration since 2001 and Lori Patterson has volunteered her time to co-ordinate the activities since 2006. The entire day is planned and run by a volunteer committee that she leads. “It is a day of learning, fun and inclusivity,” Patterson said. “All kids are equal that day, regardless of ability or financial status. We work very hard to ensure that everything is free. There are no vendors, absolutely no selling, which keeps everyone equal.”
The group does a lot of fundraising to ensure the day is packed full of fun. The theme this year is “Old Fashioned Picnic - Bring Your Lunch & Play in the Park”. With COVID-19 restrictions lifted recently, Patterson is striving to plan a day that is safe, but acknowledges that it will be a slightly different program than previous years. With the old-fashioned theme, the goal will be to keep things simple. Games like a scavenger hunt, hula hoops and a bean bag toss will likely make an appearance. Anything where the kids can interact while maintaining physical distancing will make up the fun and games for the day. The one section that she is bound to
bring back is the big inflatables. The kids love things like the inflatable obstacle course and the slide. Goodie bags have been a popular takeaway for the kids and this year will be no exception. What’s inside will remain a surprise. You’ll just have to come to the park to find out! While society is taking steps toward normal this summer, Patterson says that they will work with Huron Perth Public Health to ensure that all protocols are followed, in order for everyone to feel as safe as possible while at the Festival. Follow the festival on Facebook or online for more information at goderichchildrensfestival.ca. 166 West St., Goderich.
Goderich BIA is planning a fun summer including: * The Goderich BIA’s Farmers’ market, returning every Saturday from May 21st to October 8th from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm * Our well-known Thursday evening concert series * New this year: Saturday afternoon concert series after the Farmers’ Market * And....a few big events we have yet to announce! Follow us on Facebook downtowngoderich Instagram at Goderichbia or visit our website at www.goderichbia.ca For more information and announcements for summer 2022
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 15.
Hike in Huron
Spring wildlife in Huron
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ullett Provincial Wildlife Area - It’s true, we’re bringing you back to the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area (HPWA), as it is the best vantage point in the county for viewing wildlife, especially the waterfowl in spring. With over 5,000 acres, including 2,100 acres of wetlands, seven trails and the entire dyke system to explore, you are certain to find something new with every visit. Park in the lot at 41494 Bridge Road and enter the HPWA for a lovely spring walk on the dykes in this area. After you cross a bridge, you’ll find the dyke at the end of the road. If you turn right, there is only a short walkable path, but there is an abandoned apple orchard that blooms in late May. A left turn takes you out on the dyke with the Bluewing Pool on your right and an overflow waterway to your left. As you walk along, you will come to a corner where you can turn right and walk on a dyke that has the Bluewing Pool on the right and the Whistler Pool on the
left. Make sure that you visit the website and download the Birding Checklist. With more than 200 species visiting regularly, the checklist is a fun tool to see how many of them you can see in a season. For more information, visit http://www.hullettmarsh.com/ attractions Another favourite entry point is at the end of Conservation Road, using the parking lot at the very end of the road (40650 Conservation Road).
From here, it’s a short walk in and you have two hiking options: to the right is a dyke that passes by Woodie Pool, a favourite of nesting Canada Geese and out to a dyke that has a woodlot on one side and the Greenwing Pool, with frequent sightings of deer and muskrats, or you can go straight ahead and across the old iron bridge and up to the main dyke system that surrounds the Bluebill Pool. Either option will be loaded with opportunities to see wildlife.
Sunday Evening Buffet Reservations suggested
• Catering services available • Specializing in a beautifully displayed buffet meal
Hike in Huron
PAGE 16. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Preserving nature
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One of the most popular entry points to the 52-kilometrelong Maitland Trail that runs from Auburn to Goderich, is the Morris Tract Nature Preserve. The short side trail runs from Londesboro Road (County Rd 31) to meet up with the main trail. A right turn on to the Maitland Trail takes you through the Morris Tract, a 58 hectare property owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada that consists of a hardwood forest of towering maple, oak, beech and hickory trees. Spring is a wonderful time to visit the tract with an abundance of trilliums giving way to lush ferns, making this also a great place to observe the abundant bird and wildlife. In this section you will also see the lingering impact to the forest from two significant weather events. The area was heavily damaged during a meso-cylcone in 1995 and again in 2011 when an F3 tornado cut a wide path of destruction and intersected many points of the trail. Thanks to the efforts of volunteers the trail has been restored but you can see the number of trees lost. Sections of the Maitland Trail can range from moderate to difficult, so make sure that you have sturdy footwear, carry a cell
phone and hike with a friend. A great reference tool for this trail is The Maitland Trail Guide, a pocket book that contains maps,
descriptions and highlights. You can order it online or find a list of places that sell it at www.maitlandtrail.ca
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 17.
Bayfield
Sunday fun in Bayfield BY NANCY FISHER ayfield Sunday Market is going to be the place to be this summer. Beginning May 22 on the Victoria Day weekend and continuing every Sunday until Labour Day, a wide variety of vendors will be found at the Bayfield Fairgrounds at 5 Jane Street. Re-energized after a two-year wait due to the pandemic, the organizers and vendors are excited to offer customers a fun-filled experience under the sun. There will be a great selection of vendors with new and used items, fruits and vegetables, household goods and some cool things you just may have never seen before. Partnering with the Bayfield Agricultural Society, the focus will be on supporting local growers and makers who are the backbone of Huron County. To make it a fun experience for
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everyone, the organizers are planning for both musical entertainment and an opportunity for cultural and educational presentations on the open stage. With enough interest, there is the possibility of some sporting events as well. Everyone loves a good food truck or food vendor, so come prepared to
try something delicious to eat there or take home. There are lots of choices for the whole family and it’s a great way to spend a Sunday. Check out the Facebook page at Bayfield Sunday Market for frequent updates and information for vendors as new ones are being added all the time. 1 Fry St., Bayfield.
PAGE 18. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Discover Bayfield
A great little independent bookstore in beautiful Bayfield, Ontario! info@villagebookshop.ca 519-565-5600 24 Main Street North, Bayfield
35248 Bayfield River Rd., Bayfield
519-482-9256
theoldhomestead.on.ca
Cottage Rentals in Bayfield|Port Albert Point Clark|Tiverton Make Your Memories Happen 800-565-4790 Make Your Memories Happen jennifer@cottagestays.ca 800-565-4790 jennifer@cottagestays.ca
IT’S ALL ABOUT........COMMUNITY! EXCLUSIVE 55+ ADULT COMMUNITY Master planned community of 55 townhomes and Activity Centre in natural wooded setting, close to golf, sailing, fishing, hiking, canoeing and beaches. One‐floor townhomes. 2‐bedrooms. Attached garage. In‐floor heating and central air.
Please go to our website: www.bayfieldmews.ca to see current homes for sale Visit our website at www.bayfieldmews.ca. Add your name to our online wait‐list or call (519) 525‐3307 for information.
Bayfield Mews Lane, Bayfield
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 19.
Family fun around Bayfield Bayfield
legs and burn off some energy. Serving as the centrepiece of the village, the park features large, shady trees, a welcoming gazebo, a playground and a splash pad. Many celebrations and festivals take place here over the summer months. 6 The Square, Bayfield. The cenotaph is located in the centre of the park and the annual Remembrance Day service is held here. Just south of town at the end of Pavillion Road you’ll find Houston Heights beach. There is ample parking and a large picnic pavilion with washrooms. The familyfriendly space has playground equipment. The secluded beach is reached by an 85-step staircase, making it a great place for families looking to avoid the crowds of the beaches in the area’s towns. 33700 Pavillion Rd., Bayfield.
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ho better to purchase and re-open an idle mini putt course than a full-service landscape design firm? Putts Mini Golf at Gold Coast Landscaping Inc. shows off the design skills of the team with a meandering river that wanders through 18 holes, with a stone waterfall and wooden bridge. The pretty setting belies the challenge of the course. Many find the very first hole with its “bumps and grinds” the most difficult. Others enjoy the challenge of timing their putt to avoid the traditional swinging pole. Can you figure out the right trajectory to get through the tire on the fourth hole? All of the holes are sponsored by local businesses, making this a real community favourite. Bring out the whole family for a relaxing afternoon (depending on how competitive your family is!) 75526 Bluewater Hwy., (Hwy. 21 South) Bayfield. Clan Gregor Square is the perfect stop for the little ones to stretch their
Produce some great customers! Advertise in Stops Along The Way 519-523-4792
PAGE 20. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Music and drinks near Grand Bend
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hat could be more enticing than a cool beverage while listening to some local tunes with pink and white apple blossom petals wafting by on a gentle lake breeze? Bad Apple Brewing is the place to be on a late spring Saturday afternoon. Jason and Sarah Ingram, owners of Bad Apple Brewing Company, have an idyllic setting in a great highway location north of Grand Bend. The orchard, nestled in the shadow of a renovated, century barn, has become a hot venue for local musicians. Live music is featured on Saturdays (and the occasional Friday or Sunday) year round, moving into the taproom for the colder weather, but as soon as it’s warm enough, it moves back outdoors under the pavilion. The Ingrams envision their brewery as a community hub, featuring the patio, campfires and events like their Mother’s Day Market (May 7) with local vendors and food trucks. Their store carries local offerings from
Artisans of Huron
Country Quilting Piece a quilt you love, we can quilt it! ** Custom Machine Quilting ** For the quilting enthusiasts, we have everything you need. Cottons, flannels, fleece, wools, books, patterns 84849 Ethel Line, Brussels, ON
519-887-9456 www.countryquilting.ca
Fabrics, Quilts & Much More 519-392-6046 Over 2,000 bolts to choose from
murhilfarm@wightman.ca Check Facebook for store updates or visit our website sanityhill.ca
Unique Ironwork
Antiques & Home Decor Shop Clinton , ON www.antiquesrad.com antiques.rad@gmail.com
Benches, railings, gates, furniture and more One-of-a-kind functional art Visit our website at
www.workingiron.ca allan@workingiron.ca 36854 Dungannon Road, Dungannon
519-529-3434
Continued on page 21
Have an event that should be in Stops Along The Way? Let us know... call 519-523-4792 or email deb@northhuron.on.ca
Come and see a variety of paintings and prints from around Ontario by
Robert Johnson Offering paint nights in his airy historic building. 111 King Street, Hensall 289‐946‐1430
www.BeanstalkGallery.ca www.roberttheartist.com
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 21.
Grand Bend
A natural evolution Continued from page 20 vendors like Bayfield Maple Syrup and Bluewater Pepper Farm, among many others. Events have been a natural evolution for the company, especially with the addition of the pavilion. Musicians and vendors are looking for an audience, and the people visiting the brewery love to have more engagement with the area. It’s definitely a win-win situation for everyone. Their first Haunted Orchard last fall was a huge success and they are planning to work with a local photographer to offer family photo mini-sessions this spring. In addition to Bad Apple’s beer, the Ingrams have added some refreshing hard seltzers to their offering and, finally, cider. “Our dream is finally coming true,” says Sarah. The goal had always been to offer cider, but the rules around making and selling cider were much more stringent, but
with the government relaxing the rules, the Ingrams are delighted to finally add their own ciders to the store. To check out the full online store and the ever-evolving lineup of music and events, go to the company’s website at badapplebrewingco.com or follow the company on its social media channels, such as Facebook and Instagram. 73463 Bluewater Hwy.
43835 Hullett-McKillop Rd. Walton
519-527-0629
Check us out online www.stopsalongtheway.ca
Grand Bend
PAGE 22. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
A part of our heritage
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he latest addition to the Lambton Heritage Museum’s collection of historic buildings may just have the most mileage. The Canatara Cabin began life as a log cabin near Goderich around 1830 and spent its first 100 years as a humble building in Huron County. Some time in the 1930s, it was taken apart and floated down Lake Huron to a spot on Lakeshore Road in Sarnia and was the summer home of Maud Hanna, followed by her daughter and son-inlaw Margaret and Harry Spaulding for four decades. In 1970,Sarnia City Councillor Lorne Hay purchased the cabin. Unfortunately, severe erosion along the banks threatened the structure, and, in the early 1970s, Hay
donated it to the city. The Seaway Kiwanis Club provided some funding to have it moved to Canatara Park, where it was used for community events for years. Eventually the cabin was identified as a representation of a missing era at the Lambton Heritage Museum and was disassembled and moved to the museum site just outside of Grand Bend, on yet another journey, in December of 2020. The roof and floor were moved in single pieces, but all of the logs were taken apart, numbered and transported to the museum, where they are in storage waiting to be rebuilt. Now the county is working with a fundraising committee to raise about
$100,000 to reassemble and restore the building. The committee is spearheaded by local residents and descendants of families that called this little, well-traveled log cabin home. As of this writing, the group has raised more than a third of its goal. Once the cabin has been restored, it will be the oldest building at the museum and will be used to tell the story of the earliest European settlers in the area. Follow the progress of the restoration or help the little cabin get back together again with an online donation at the group’s website at www.lambtonmuseums.ca/canataracabin. 10035 Museum Rd., Grand Bend.
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 23.
Grand Bend
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Market evolution
rand Bend has a long history of farmers’ markets, but like everything else, it has evolved, changed and grown over the years. The market is vendor-managed and operates from May 25 to October on Wednesday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon in the parking lot of St. John’s Anglican Church just across from the Oakwood Resort. The rest of the year you can still get the same great local products by ordering online with bi-weekly pickup at the Oakwood Resort parking lot and delivery within 15 kilometres of Grand Bend. Joan Brady, Market Manager, describes the organization as a producer-based membership association. The group is part of a larger network known as the Huron County Farmers’ Market Network, which operates markets in Blyth on Thursdays and Bayfield on Fridays. Brady says that the group has been fortunate that she was already working on a virtual food hub, so when the pandemic hit in 2020 they
were able to quickly pivot sales to an online model and now can have the best of both worlds. Online ordering is available in the summer with pickup available at that market. The website takes orders from Friday to Monday to allow the vendors to pack orders on Tuesday to deliver on Wednesday, and offers guest checkout if you are only in the area for a vacation. A highlight of the Grand Bend Village Farmers’ Market is tracking
the season with the change in the fruits and vegetables, as spring strawberries gradually make way for the peaches and plums before the late summer and fall apples grace the tables. The market has been around since 2005 and some of the vendors have been stalwart members since the beginning. Follow the market on Facebook to see what the highlights will be each week.70642 Ontario St. N., Grand Bend
Come to our on-farm Brewery! 7143 Forest Rd. Plympton-Wyoming (4 km South of Forest) stonepickerbrewing.com
Grand Bend
PAGE 24. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Arts, eats and beats in Grand Bend
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he Grand Bend Studio Tour began 12 years ago through the vision of Glen and Janette Baillie. As the years have passed, the tour has grown to include the outlying area with stops as far as Parkhill, Hensall, St. Joseph’s and now adding Exeter and Bayfield. The Baillies are looking to a welldeserved retirement and are passing the reins to Winona Bailey, while also rebranding to recognize the success of the tour, which now includes artists, food and music from three counties. The Arts, Eats & Beats Studio Tour will run May 1415 and include stops across Lambton Shores, Middlesex and Huron Counties. Bailey got involved in 2019 when five one nine prints and frames, where she works as Creative Lead and Designer and sells her own paintings, photography and multimedia, had its grand opening as part of that year’s Studio Tour. The date was chosen to coincide with Paint Ontario to make it a true celebration of the arts in the area. There will be at least 10 studio stops and eight restaurants, with another 15 or more artists displaying at breweries and restaurants for the weekend. In total, Bailey expects there will be 30 or 40 different stops on the tour. The date will also serve to kick off the busy summer season and give a marketing head start for all of the individual artists.
The goal of the tour is to provide a co-operative marketing framework where the individual artists can gain more attention as part of a larger initiative and it has been successful over the years. “We are so grateful to Glen and Janette for their leadership vision and hard
work over the years,” says Bailey. The group is now working on a new website and some updated signs and print materials. To keep up to date as the tour develops, follow the tour on Facebook and Instagram and bookmark the website once it's launched.
BY NANCY FISHER he Huron Waves Festival is ready to hit the shores of Huron County and bring major Canadian and international musical talent to audiences not usually given the opportunity to see and hear these types of performances. Building on the success of the Bach Festival in Exeter, the Huron Waves Festival was originally scheduled to begin in 2020, but was delayed by the pandemic. While it could not host live events, the festival committee did create several curated videos with celebrated artists filmed in stunning locations. The scope and success of these videos is a hint for what may be seen in future events. The festival is designed to be a spring event to launch summer in Huron, however, this year it will be held on weekends in June as pandemic protective measures ease. There will be four or five events set in different locations across Huron, featuring a wide variety of musical styles, from jazz, big band and vocal, to classical and contemporary with specialized programming as the opportunities permit. Starting with a video release on June 3, this year's festival promises to bring waves of music from the waves along the shore to the waves of grain in the fields. Performers will be announced in April and May and tickets will be available in early May. For more information, follow Huron Waves Music Festival on Facebook or check the website at huronwavesmusicfestival.ca
Exeter
Bringing music to the shores of Huron County
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 25.
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Springtime in Huron
Exeter
PAGE 26. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Exeter coming together
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he Exeter Business Improvement Area (BIA) is hosting a monthly market in the parkette in the downtown for the third year. BIA Manager Laura Connolly explains that the market brings a vibrancy to the core of Exeter that the downtown businesses love to see. “Getting people moving around the downtown helps all the businesses,” she says. This year she is expecting 20-25 vendors, which means that they have outgrown the parkette and will be spilling around the corner on to John Street. The vendors range from food
and produce to baked goods to crochet artists, and even a beer vendor. The parkette is an inviting green space in the centre of town with murals heralding the railway heritage of Exeter, shaded nooks under pergolas and a gazebo making it a nice stop any day. Don’t miss the celebration of the iconic white squirrel, a carved tree trunk in the centre of the park. The market runs May 20, June 17, July 15, Aug. 19, Sept. 16 and Oct. 21 from 3-7 p.m. For more information visit Exeter’s
website online at www.experience exeter.ca. 406 Main St., Exeter.
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137 Garafraxa St. S. Durham ......519-369-5494 1 Rattenbury St., Clinton..............519-482-7200 47 Ontario St., Mitchell.................519-348-8600 4 Colborne St., Walkerton............519-881-3093 518 Main St. S., Exeter ................519-235-4235
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 27.
Clinton
Smashin’ and crashin’ in Clinton BY NANCY FISHER he Clinton Spring Fair is roaring back in 2022 with a theme of “Smashin’ and Crashin’ at the Fair”, running June 35 at the Clinton Raceway and at the Central Huron Community Complex. After two years of smaller fairs due to the pandemic, this year will look more like the event locals have loved for decades. As always, this will be a great way to really kick off summer in Central Huron. The whole town of Clinton will be celebrating, including downtown businesses joining in with decorated windows. Starting off with a fundraising dinner and the Junior and Senior Ambassador competition on Friday, May 27, the excitement builds from there. The Senior Ambassador will go on to represent the Clinton Spring Fair and all of Central Huron at the Canadian National Exhibition in August. The following weekend will kick off in a very loud way with the always popular demolition derby on Friday night, June 3. This event draws crowds from far and wide and is backed up by the popular midway open for rides, games and entertainment. The weekend of fun continues on Saturday, with the junior and adult homecraft competitions, livestock
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shows, displays and more midway fun. More events and competitions will be announced closer to the event. Activities continue Sunday. Check www.clintonspringfair.com for a full
list of activities, times and cost of admission, as well as all the details for entering the many competitions. Keep up to date as announcements are made on its Facebook page.
Smashin’ and Crashin’ at the
Clinton Spring Fair Friday, June 3, 4 & 5, 2022 Central Huron Community Complex & Clinton Community Park
* Baby Show * Demolition Derby * Midway * Homecraft Exhibits (including two new competitions for Maple Syrup and Honey) Online May 27th * Garden Tractor Pull Auction Dinner and * Poultry Show * Goat Show Check our website
Ambassador Competition
for details Follow us on Facebook and website for more info
Scavenger Car Tour Check our website for details
www.clintonspringfair.com For more information contact Janet at 519-482-7925
Clinton
PAGE 28. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
A bright spot in Clinton
W
hen Central Huron Community Improvement Co-ordinator Angela Smith first envisioned a light tunnel for Spooners Lane in the downtown core of Clinton, she did not realize how interactive the attraction could be. She first saw the concept in the Distillery District in Toronto and began the long process of bringing something similar to Clinton as a way of helping the community heal from a pair of disastrous fires that resulted in two vacant lots where heritage storefronts once stood. The first fire made way for a lovely park and greenspace to replace the vacancy on the west side of the main street. The second fire a few years later was a little more difficult when it came to recovery. The building lost was the south wall to the historic Spooners Lane beside the beautiful restored town hall. The first mention in records was a bid in 1885 to save the lane that allowed access to stables behind the main street so that shoppers could easily tie up their horse and carriage while they shopped and did their business in town. To rebuild on history, the lane had been revitalized in the 1980s with benches, planters and security lights. The light tunnel project took three years to complete from conception to installation, and with some of the timeframe being delayed due to the pandemic, the tunnel framework was
finally set up late last year with help from students from Central Huron Secondary School. The lights are now run by technology that wasn’t even available when Smith first proposed the project. Thanks to the latest technology, the light tunnel is now a computercontrolled, completely programmable attraction that is even interactive with changing colours and patterns. Smith is excited about the new technology and it has completely changed the vision she had from a static display to something much more dynamic and interesting for the visitors. Each post of the structure has a QR code that you can scan with your phone and control the lights, choosing from a library of preprogrammed colours and patterns. The default program will change based on the season, holiday or in support of local groups and events. In early March, the tunnel was lit blue and yellow in
support of the people of Ukraine. The tunnel is fast becoming a popular photo destination with its first marriage proposal happening within days of the tunnel’s completion and many calls about wedding photos. Stop in at the tunnel to see what’s new, at 23 Albert Street, Clinton just north of the lights.
Your hosts: Bob & Janice Clark 71 Kirk Street, Clinton 519-482-1163 Email: inquiries@kildonanhouse.com Website: www.kildonanhouse.com 5.0 Google rating
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Satellite TV, LED TVs in all our rooms, Wireless Internet, free local calling, A/C, fridges, microwaves Your host: Ann Anderson 77575 London Rd., Clinton ~ Municipality of Bluewater PHONE: 519-482-3469 Ext. 0 • FAX: 519-482-9545 www.parkerhousemotel.com • email: reservations@parkerhousemotel.com
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 29.
84548 St. Augustine Line, Auburn 519-529-7857
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PAGE 30. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Flavours of Huron Meadowview Farm & Apiary Clare and Gwen Gerber
PURE ONTARIO HONEY •Beeswax • Beeswax candles • Nucleus colonies Grass-fed Beef
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STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 31.
Seaforth
A historic landmark
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ike so many other groups, the volunteers that look after the Van Egmond House Foundation and manage the estate are hoping that 2022 brings a slow return to in-person events. The organization relies on several events that act as fundraisers and the pandemic has stalled the group’s efforts over the past two years. Each year, the foundation hosts three main fundraisers: two breakfasts and Ciderfest, which all take place on the grounds. It is beginning to plan this year’s events with optimism. On June 12 and July 24, Van Egmond House will be hosting its famous all-you-can-eat breakfasts, serving bacon, sausage, hash browns, eggs, pancakes and delicious homemade muffins. A highlight of the events is the live music, says Pat Saundercock, who has been volunteering with the foundation for over 20 years. Like most volunteers, she was brought to a meeting by a friend and has stayed because the heritage estate is such an important part of
the community and the group of people that she has met are so much fun. She encourages anyone who wants to get involved to contact the group, as they are always needing more help. The estate was built in the mid-19th century by the Van Egmond family, and while Colonel Van Egmond is the most famous of the family, it is matriarch Madame Susannah who still looks after the home, often making her presence known to the volunteers and visitors. in Bring for ts o your p nting la p m to cus
In addition to the breakfasts, the estate hosts a popular Ciderfest on the last Sunday in September each year, complete with vendors, food, live music and heritage displays. Hallowe’en is a wonderful time to experience the grounds in the height of autumn when the historical setting comes alive with ghosts and pumpkins. To keep up to date with the events this year, follow the foundation on Facebook. 80 Kippen Rd., Egmondville.
Opening for the Season on May 2nd • Annuals • Patio Pots • Hanging Baskets • Perennials • Flowering & Evergreen Shrubs • Trees • New Planter Pots Available • Bark Mulch PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPE DESIGNER
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Seaforth
PAGE 32. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Bringing people together in Seaforth BY NANCY FISHER very Thursday afternoon, many in and around the community of Seaforth gather to shop, visit and share the local bounty. Located in the Seaforth and District Community Centre, there can be up to 40 vendors at the weekly Seaforth Community Market offering a wide range of items, including seasonal fruits and vegetables, baking, local foods and crafts. There can also be community information and occasionally some entertainment at the market, depending on the schedule for the week. It’s that sense of community and the opportunity to meet up with friends and neighbours that has added to the success of this grassroots market. Customers look forward to favourite vendors
E
and they return weekly to stock up. The market is open from 3-6 p.m. through the winter months and will expand to 7 p.m. after Victoria Day weekend. Follow the market’s Facebook page for announcements about special vendors. 122 Duke St., Seaforth.
VAN EGMOND HOUSE - MUSEUM Proposed 2022 Event Dates Breakfasts Sunday June 12th.2022 Sunday July 24th.2022 Ciderfest Sunday Sept 25th.2022 Follow us on Facebook for updated info
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 33.
Brussels
All the best of Brussels
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he village of Brussels is a delightful find as you tour the County of Huron. A lovely river, beautiful houses and the heritage buildings along the main street. It's worth checking out on the last Friday of the month as the Brussels Farmers’ Market sets up in Richmond Square (across from the post office). Featuring all the usual elements of a great farmers’ market, including fresh fruits and vegetables, home baking, handmade items and take-home foods, it is the community atmosphere that people enjoy. With occasional live entertainment, it brings life to the streets of this sweet place to life. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 27, June 24, July 24, Aug. 26 and Sept. 30. On July 24, the market is planning to run an extended version until 4 p.m. as part of the Brussels
Homecoming, celebrating the town’s 150th anniversary. For more information and up-to-
date announcements, visit the market’s Facebook page on a regular basis. 589 Turnberry St., Brussels.
Art & Décor 519-386-5868 wildgoosestudiocanada@yahoo.com A studio space dedicated to releasing creativity and building community through art and workshops
Blyth
PAGE 34. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Vintage in the Village
B
lyth has a long tradition of used book sales, with the first taking place more than 40 years ago as a fundraiser for the Blyth Festival theatre. Over the years, the first weekend in June has become a mecca for bibliophiles to stock up on their favourite summer reads or to find a long-sought-after edition of a classic. Most recently, the Blyth Repository of History has picked up the torch to continue this village tradition. The Blyth Repository of History began as the collection of Brock and Janis Vodden, historians and genealogists who became the keepers of the unofficial archives and museum for the area. After Janis passed, Brock sought a group of likeminded community members to take over the collection and continue to make it available for research and study. A committee was struck and the collection moved to a wing of the local newspaper office. The Repository held a scaled-down and outdoor version of the sale in 2020 when the pandemic forced the closure of most indoor events. In 2021, with uncertainty continuing, the committee decided to postpone one
more year. Now, with restrictions easing the group is planning to come back bigger and better than ever. To make planning more flexible, the event will be held in a tent on the grounds of the Blyth Lions Park on June 2-5, and other vendors who specialize in vintage, antique and collectible items will be invited to set up. Vintage in the Village will feature other local businesses that also specialize in previously loved items. Pick A Posie, a local vintage clothing store and costume company, is the brainchild of designer Jennifer Triemstra-Johnston and will be hosting its grand reopening in its new space at 345 Queen Street, just across
197 Dinsley Street, Blyth, Ontario www.hotellux.ca 519-450-8589
the street from the book sale and vendor tents. Finds and Consigns is located at 428 Queen Street across from the Memorial Hall and is an eclectic shop where you’ll find a nostalgic mix of vintage, antique and new items. Pianovations has become renowned for its meticulous restoration of beautiful pianos, while also carrying the area’s best inventory of new musical instruments and accessories. It is newly relocated to Londesborough but will be returning to join Vintage in the Village for the weekend. For more information, follow the Blyth Repository of History on Facebook.
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 35.
Blyth & area
Greyhaven Gardens is growing BY NANCY FISHER he large addition to Greyhaven Gardens (39843 Londesborough Road, Londesborough) that grew up from the ground this winter is hard to miss. And you won’t have to wait much longer to see what the owners have planned. The first opening of the new space is set for mid-May, with a grand opening in June. This new building will give the garden centre an additional 5,000 square feet of retail space. The expansive double-height building will house non-plant items and allow Greyhaven to expand on the giftware and garden accessories lines it already carries. New products like garden statuary are expected to follow soon. The space will include ample room for pots, planters, seeds and giftware,
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including a mezzanine overlooking the floor below. A purpose-built workshop room, with peek-through windows, will allow it to continue the popular classes the business already hosts and expand to include even more. This will also be the home for the magical Christmas Wonderland it creates each fall, offering more possibilities for events and an expanded inventory. A small snack bar will offer baking from Wilhelmina Bakery, a new business located nearby, as well as hot and cold drinks. Additional greenhouses in the future will keep this family business with over 30 years of history growing far into the future. For more information follow on Facebook at Greyhaven Gardens or on its website at www.greyhavengardens.com
Sweets N’ Treats
For a sample of best chocolate in the area, drop by Sweets N’ Treats. With a second location in Blyth, the name truly says it all!
Sweets N' Treats 413 Queen St Blyth, ON. N0M 1H0 14 B-Line Rd Wingham, ON. N0G 2W0 (p) 519-357-3663 info@sweetsntreatschocolates.ca sweetsntreatschocolates.ca
Blyth
PAGE 36. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Back in business
The Blyth Festival is returning to full-scale productions in 2022 with a four-show season to be produced entirely on the company’s new outdoor Harvest Stage. Artistic Director Gil Garratt said the season will begin with an anniversary celebration of sorts with a remount of The Drawer Boy by Michael Healey, one of the most celebrated plays in Canadian history and a Blyth Festival commission that would premiere at Toronto’s Theatre Passe Muraille and spawn an awardwinning film just a few years ago. Healey’s fictional retelling of the creation of The Farm Show has received international renown and was on the Blyth Festival stage in 2000 and 2002 with Garratt playing the role of Miles, a young actor living on a Clinton-area farm conducting research for the play. Now, Cameron Laurie, a Huron County native with several Festival credits to his name, will fill the role of Miles. An interview with the Young Company alumnus is featured in the Festival’s newsletter, which was sent out to members last week. In addition, Garratt said there will be live music to score the production, courtesy of Anne
Lederman of the 2004 Festival production of Spirit of the Narrows and Graham Hargrove of 2019’s A Huron County Christmas Carol. The Drawer Boy will open the season, running from June 22 to July 16. The two-act show will feature a single intermission. The season’s second show is Cottagers and Indians by celebrated Indigenous playwright Drew Hayden Taylor, whose work was last featured at the Blyth Festival in 2017 with The Berlin Blues. Garratt says the comedy about a land claims conflict premiered in 2019 and was ready to be featured in theatres across the country before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the theatre world in its tracks.
Cottagers and Indians is one act without an intermission and it runs from July 21 to Aug. 6. The third show is The Waltz from Marie Beath Badian, who is no stranger to the Blyth Festival. The show is the sequel to her 2013 Festival production of Prairie Nurse and the second show in a trilogy surrounding those characters. Badian began writing the third and final show, The Cottage Guest, after Prairie Nurse, but became sidetracked and enamored with The Waltz and finished it before she was able to close out The Cottage Guest. Prairie Nurse was set in the 1960s, with The Waltz set to take place in the early 1990s. The Cottage Guest will be set in 2017. Badian says The Waltz is meant to be produced outdoors under the night sky, so it will be a perfect fit for the Festival’s Harvest Stage. The Waltz is a one-act show and it runs from Aug. 11-27. The final show of the year is Cheryl Foggo’s John Ware Reimagined, which features music by Miranda Martini and Kris Demeanor. Foggo’s work was last featured in Blyth in 2012 with The Devil We Know, co-written by Foggo and Clem Martini. The play will address the legend of John Ware, a Black Canadian cowboy living in Alberta in the 1880s, and the many stories of other Black cowboys in the country at that time. The play builds on Foggo’s 2020 National Film Board of Canada documentary, John Ware Reclaimed. John Ware Reimagined will close the Festival season with performances from Sept. 1-24. It is two acts with one intermission. For more information, visit the Festival website at blythfestival.com. 377 Gypsy Lane, Blyth
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STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 37.
Blyth
The ‘baga’s back in town
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he recently revived Rutabaga Festival is now running every five years in conjunction with the village’s homecoming celebrations. This year’s Rutabaga Festival and Homecoming are scheduled to happen on June 18, with a kick-off concert the evening before. The last Rutabaga Festival concert in 2019 had local musician Adam Cousins as the headliner. The singer was so popular that the Blyth Community Betterment Group is bringing him back this year as the headliner at the kickoff, being held at the Blyth and District Community Centre on June 17. On Saturday, things really heat up with both co-ed ball and ping-pong tournaments, bed races, vendors and food trucks. For the kids, there will be a “Kidzone” with lots of activities and, on the Harvest Stage, there will be three performances of Orbax and Pepper Do Science, as well as local talent performing. The cooking contest really celebrates the beloved rutabaga and shows the versatility of this humble root vegetable. Pineridge BBQ is catering a takeout chicken dinner, but tickets are only available in advance and must be purchased before June 1.
Camping is available all weekend at the Blyth Campground, located right at the Community Centre.
Details can be found by following Rutabaga Fest on Facebook ahead of the event this June.
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Wingham
PAGE 38. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Back on the stage
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he past two years have been tough on everyone, but perhaps few have felt it the same as those in the performing arts. With theatres and concert halls shuttered for most of the pandemic, artists and audiences alike are eager for stages to once again be active. Wingham has a long history of both live performances and broadcasts, as the town is known throughout the country as the home of CKNX and one of the smallest towns to ever boast both radio and television studios. Wingham’s Town Hall Theatre, recently renovated and refreshed, is taking tentative steps to welcome
back the public with the first shows booked in for April and May. The first band back in the hall is no stranger to the area. Often playing sold-out shows throughout the area, Mudmen are a Canadian Celtic rock band that plays high-energy shows across the country and have opened for ZZ Top and The Guess Who, and have even entertained the Queen. The music is big and so are the personalities behind the band, causing a line-up for autographs after every show. They are playing April 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale at ticketscene.ca but tend to sell out quickly, so don’t delay.
The next show is May 4 featuring the Washboard Union on their “Everbound for Your Town Tour” to promote their latest album. This Juno Award winners and seven-time Canadian Country Music Awardwinning trio brings “an irresistible blend of roof-raising anthems and poignant ballads” to the stage. This all-ages show is at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available through ticketmaster.ca or link through their website at www.thewashboardunion.ca Watch the website for new shows being added throughout the spring. www.winghamtownhalltheatre.ca 274 Josephine Street, Wingham.
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 39.
Shop Wingham • Vitamins & Supplements • Dairy, Wheat and Gluten-free foods • Bulk and organic foods • Body care and “green” products • Protein powders and bars 222 Josephine St., Wingham
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Food * Drink * Social 289 Josephine Street, Wingham ON
Martin’s Nursery
Hydrangea Shrubs & Trees
Honey
Shade & flowering trees, For Sale Large selection of Fruit trees (fruit bearing age) Spruce, pine, cedars, hedging & windbreaks, We sell a complete line of Bee Supplies; shrubs, grasses including Extracting Equipment, ORHBS Select & much more! jars, pails, Varroa mite treatments
BEE Supplies Etc.
Queens (weekly)
For a sample of best chocolate in the area, drop by Sweets N’ Treats. With a second location in Blyth, the name truly says it all!
and Bees, Nucs, Queens.
c/o EMANUEL E.M. MARTIN 42661 Orangehill Road RR #1 Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0 1 Concession North of Wroxeter on Belmore Line Mon. - Sat. 7 am - 6 pm
Sweets N' Treats 14 B-Line Rd Wingham, ON. N0G 2W0 413 Queen St Blyth, ON. N0M 1H0 (p) 519-357-3663 info@sweetsntreatschocolates.ca sweetsntreatschocolates.ca
256 Josephine St., Wingham 519-357-1840 2stepshoe@gmail.com
Lucknow
PAGE 40. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
Something sweet in Lucknow
T
he Morrison name has been synonymous with strawberries for nearly four decades. It all began shortly after Ralph and Sandra Morrison married in the spring of 1984. While Sandra was away at work one day, Ralph began planting strawberries, unbeknownst to her. From that day forward, the little patch grew until it was 24 acres at one point and became known simply as “the strawberry farm”. These days the farm is run by their children, Emily and her brother Michael, and they are forever grateful for the hard work and dedication that their mother put into keeping the farm going after losing their dad at an early age in an accident. The Morrisons are excited about the evolution of technology and what it has meant for the farm. They currently have about nine acres in strawberry fields, but thanks to the latest technology, that includes solar powered water metres, they are able to get the same yields as their father had with 24 acres. The strawberry harvest typically begins around the second week of
June and will run about eight weeks, thanks to the different varieties that they are growing. They will be experimenting with about 10 different varieties this spring, and will monitor the success of each and the popularity with customers until they ultimately decide on the five optimum varieties. Last year, Emily said, they brought back the pick-your-own model and they sell about a quarter of their harvest that way, with the rest sold in their market store and wholesale. “For every strawberry you eat in the field, you have to tell one person about us,” says Emily of
their pick-your-own policy. The market store is open Monday to Saturday during the harvest, usually mid-June to late July and in addition to the pick-your-own and readypicked berries, the shop offers frozen strawberries, pies and tarts. A popular addition to the store has been strawberry sauce for milkshakes, made from Emily’s own recipe. 37777 Amberley Road (Highway 86) between Lucknow and Wingham. www.morrisonberries.com. Updates on the berry season can also be found on the farm’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Armstrong’s Home Bakery Made Fresh Daily • Honey baked bread • Assorted rolls • Seasonal fresh fruit tarts • Cookies and squares • Soups and sandwiches • Pies • Cakes made-to-order • Gluten-free goods
Lucknow
Bulk Food Store • Baking supplies • Gluten-free products • Candy • Popcorn • Scooped ice cream Take home or eat here in our dining area
519-528-2211
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 41.
Lucknow
Opening their doors
T
he McQuail family has been hosting an annual open house and seedling sale on their farm, Meeting Place Organic Farm just outside of Lucknow, since the early 1990s. Fran and Tony McQuail bought the farm in 1973 and immediately began remediating the land and, by the late 1970s, were one of the first organic farms in the area. In fact, some of their products have been certified organic for close to 40 years. Eventually, Fran was growing more seedlings each spring than they could use in their market garden and began selling the seedlings. An open house grew out of the seedling sale as a chance to share what they were doing with the community. Now their daughter Katrina has taken over the farm as part of the succession plan so Tony and Fran can ease into retirement, and she is continuing the open house tradition on May 14-15. Since they don’t have a farmgate store or a regular public component to the site, it takes a lot of work to prepare a working farm for a busy weekend of visitors who might not be used to being on a farm. They spend about a week cleaning, storing
equipment and closing off some areas so it is easy and safe for people to come and look around. There will be signs directing visitors from the highway to the farm and once on site, team members, consisting of friends and family, will greet you with a map and information about the open house and the farm, and direct you to the parking area. A grazing plan is set up in advance so that the public can see the animals and Tony will give you a tour on a horse-drawn wagon ride. The whole farm becomes interactive with a kids’ area and opportunities to engage with the animals. The greenhouse will display the organic seedlings and they will be serving their own homemade sausage-on-a-bun. Katrina and her partner Ben and their children are excited to share a positive image of farming where they honour the animals and the land that sustains them. You can follow them on social media to see more about the farm at Meeting Place Organic Farm on Facebook and Instagram, or visit the website to shop year round at www.meetingplaceorganicfarm.ca/ 86016 Creek Line, Lucknow.
I Want That Bag Consignment Boutique Clothing, furniture & home décor
625 Campbell St., Lucknow
519-812-4982 (IWTB)
Open Thursday, Friday and Saturdays Check our Facebook page or website for our hours www.iwantthatbagconsignment.com
PAGE 42. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
fÑÜ|Çz It On
It’s time to beautify your backyard!
Opening Monday, May 2nd Beautiful selection of • annuals • perennials • hanging baskets • patio containers • vegetable plants • herbs • potting soil • custom-made planters and hanging baskets
Open year round, Guided tours plant paradise, through wholesale a must see! greenhouses
Curbside pickup also available Amy & Kris Wright 41351 Glenannon Road, Wingham, ON N0G 2W0 519-357-0833 Hours: 10 am to 5 pm, Mon. - Fri. 9 am to 5 pm, Sat. wrightbloomsgreenhouse@gmail.com
Guided tours through wholesale Come and see our bird s and bunnies greenhouses
10133 Lakeshore Rd., Grand Bend
519-238-1321
33849 Church Camp Rd., Goderich 519-524-6874 birchcreekacres@gmail.com Just 5 minutes north of Goderich
Hours: Open 7 days a week 8 am - 5 pm www.westlandgreenhouses.com or email: westlandgreen@hay.net
Books to get you growing! THE VEGGIE GARDENER’S ANSWER BOOK This handy guide provides answers to every gardening question you’ll ever ask, and solutions to every problem you’ll ever face. Information on seed starting, planting and pests and crop by crop information. $22.95 Drop in to our office and see our great selection!
519-523-4792 405 Queen St., Blyth Visit our online Marketplace at huroncitizen.ca
Good Plants by Good People.
“Direct from the grower to your garden” 74101 Bronson Line, Zurich 519-565-2122 Check out our website for our opening hours
www.huronridge.ca
STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022. PAGE 43.
W
ho doesn’t love a bargain? The saying that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure probably evolved out of society’s love of a good yard sale. In our throw-away society, it’s easy to forget that when we are done with something, someone else might just have the perfect spot in their home or that a broken appliance or piece of furniture might find a second life if the right person were to come across it. Finding an area where you can park
your car and walk for blocks through multiple yard sales or finding a large site with multiple families hosting a joint sale can feel like a festival. The development of the town-wide yard sale has been a decades-long tradition in Huron County. From the early spring ones, like Auburn, where everyone is still wearing a parka to the smart marketers in Blyth who tempt the campers from the annual reunion of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association, there
Village-wide Yard Sales 2022 May 7 . . . . . . . . .Auburn May 7 . . . . . . .Lucknow May 21 . . . . .Dashwood May 28 . . . . . . .Brussels May 28 . . . . . . .Hensall May 28 . . . . . .Wingham June 4 . . . . . . . .Bayfield June 4 . . . . . . . . .Gorrie
June 4 . . . . . . .Seaforth June 11 . . . . . .Fordwich June 11 . . . . . .Vanastra June 18 . . . . . . . .Exeter July 2 . . . . . . . . .Clinton August 13 . . . . . .Zurich September 10 . . . .Blyth
www.townwideyardsale.ca
Village-wide yard sales
Treasure hunting in Huron
are likely more sales than any one shopper can hit in a single season. The challenge is on - how many can you find this spring and summer? The list below is based on the traditional dates the towns have done in the past, and while we strived to confirm all, some information was pending at press time. As dates get posted, www.townwideyardsale.ca seems to have the most accurate information to follow as a central data source.
PAGE 44. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2022
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Spring Reads 110 NATURE HOT THAT FREEDOM 101 Things For SPOTS IN MIGHT SURVIVE Kids To Do ONTARIO STORIES OF HURON Outside Informative COUNTY DURING THE Let them go introduction to some SECOND WORLD WAR outside and play! of the province’s (Author David Yates) 101 Things For best-kept secrets. A From pacifism to war to Kids To Do Outside fresh look at peace and is ideal for parents, destinations that remembrance That teachers, and all have made Ontario Freedom Might Survive those working with famous. If you’re is a collection of youth. This book is looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway, this fascinating stories covering Huron County’s vital ideal for the children who like gaming, TV and movies. book will appeal to you. $29.95 contributions on land, air, sea and the homefront Even kids who believe "there's nothing to do outside" during the Second World War. $25.00 can learn and be encouraged to experience the joy of outdoor play. Perfect for rainy days, sunshiny days, THE MAITLAND even snowy days. $19.95 TRAIL GUIDE The third edition (2nd DANCE OF THE HAPPY printing) this guide SHADES includes associated This is the book that earned trails in the vicinity of Alice Munro a devoted Goderich, Ontario readership, revealing the including expanded countryside of natural and heritage THE BEAUTY AND BOUNTY OF HURON Southwestern Ontario and COUNTY highlights. $15.00 its many small sufferings Stunning photographs by 3 Huron County and unanticipated emotions. photographers, including Brussels’ David Bishop, $20.00 show Huron County as you’ve never seen it with aerial shots, wildlife, landscapes, nature. $40.00 A PADDLER’S GUIDE TO ONTARIO’S LOST CANOE ROUTES For canoe adventurers who want to explore less-known routes, this book offers 15 trips in northern and eastern Ontario. Lots of colour photos let you preview the trip. Includes 21 maps. $19.95
FROM IRELAND TO THE QUEEN’S BUSH Author Arnold Mathers’ Irish roots run deep in these stories which weave a pattern about the romantic pioneers that were his ancestors. His great-grandfathers came from Ireland and settled in Huron County. His mother’s family farm was called Queen’s Bush Valley Farm. $24.00
HAVE MERCEY My First Sixty Years Making Music An autobiography of the music career of Larry Mercey and the award-winning Canadian Country Music group, The Mercey Brothers. $25.00
See these and other great rural reads at...
The Citizen
405 Queen St., Blyth or call to order 519-523-4792
Rural Voice
The
April 2022
THE MAGAZINE OF AGRICULTURAL LIFE ... $2.50 PM 40037593
Keep up with the latest agri-businesses and the best of rural living!
UDDERLY RIDICULOUS Goat yoga and picnicking with animals are part of the experience at a goat dairy farm near Bright
FLYING FARMERS - THE PAPPLES Buying the Wingham Airport increases opportunities for a couple that loves to farm and fly
GARDINERS GROW A spacious new pack barn with covered manure storage appeals to third generation beef farmers
Pick up your copy at Fincher’s in Goderich or at our office in Blyth
www.ruralvoice.ca The Rural Voice 405 Queen St., P.O. Box 429 Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 519-523-4311
Coming Soon! Spring 2022 Check out our website or Facebook Page for opening hours. www.greyhavengardens.com hanging baskets, container gardens, annuals, perennials, bedding plants, vegetables, tropicals, trees and shrubs.
Our reloadable gift cards make a great gift for any occasion
RR#1 39843 LONDESBORO RD., LONDESBOROUGH PHONE/FAX 519-523-9781
LOCATED 500 YARDS WEST OF LONDESBOROUGH ON CTY. RD. 15
REEEE FFR FREE FR EE
Hidddd Hi eenn
Hidden Gems of Huron County
A Visitor’s Guide to Huron County Distributed FREE at tourist information booths, town halls, retail outlets, accommodations, and restaurants throughout the county and beyond
Shelley Kroes rvads@northhuron.on.ca
Geem ms of of Hu Huro ron Co Coun unty ty Summ Su er 20 er 2021 21
519-523-4792
FREE
Coouunnttyy on C Huurron mss ooff H 1 G Geem FFaallll 2200221 Hidddeen Hid
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Gem
s of H uron Coun Winte ty r 2021 /2022
www.stopsalongtheway.ca
Get your business or event in front of 10,000 readers! Deadlines Spring Issue (release March 31) ~ Deadline: March 11 Summer Issue (release June 16) ~ Deadline: May 27 Fall Issue (release September 22) ~ Deadline: September 2 Winter Issue (release December 8) ~ Deadline: November 18 Contact Brenda Nyveld ads@northhuron.on.ca
Deb Sholdice deb@northhuron.on.ca
Everything you may need from the preparation of your culinary delights to presentation
Cuisipro Le Creuset Staub Wellness Mats All Clad Royal Doulton Waterford Crystal Portmeirion
The Culinary Boutique in the heart of Downtown Goderich. 34 Courthouse Square, Goderich 519-612-1919