Stops Along the Way - Winter 2022/23

Hidden Gems of Huron County

What’s Happening in Huron County?

December 2022 until end of February 2023

Town of Bayfield ~ Clan Gregor Square, Bayfield Winter Wonderland Light Display

January 12, 2023

Huron County Museum & Gaol, Goderich Neerja (Hindi) 7 pm ~ Multilingual Movie Nights. Visit www.huroncountymuseum.ca

January 14, 2023

Pro Hockey Heroes ~ Goderich YMCA ~ Benefit for Huron Hospice

Former NHL All-Stars vs Goderich Firefighters Maitland Rec Centre ~ 1-888-777-9793

January 20-22, 2023

Goderich Little Theatre, The Livery, Goderich Ordinary Magic Theatre for Young Players Visit www.thelivery.ca for more info

February 3 - 5, 2023

Town of Goderich including various organizations ~ Watch exploregoderich.ca for details

Winterfest

February 9, 2023

Huron County Museum & Gaol, Goderich

Gaza Mon Amour (Arabic) 7 pm ~ Multilingual Movie Nights. Visit www.huroncountymuseum.ca

Various locations around town February 20, 2023

North Huron ~ Wescast Community Complex, Wingham Family Day Free Skate/Free Swim Visit www.northhuron.ca February 20, 2023

North Huron ~ Blyth Community Centre & Arena, Blyth Family Day Free Skate ~ Visit www.northhuron.ca

February 20, 2023

Family Day Winterfest Across South Huron ~ www.southhuron.ca

February 23 - March 5

Goderich Little Theatre ~ The Livery, Goderich Proof by David Auburn

March 9, 2023

Huron County Museum & Gaol, Goderich

Parallel Mothers (Spanish) 7 pm~ Multilingual Movie Nights. Visit www.huroncountymuseum.ca

Early March 2023

Lambton County Museum Tundra Swan Migration Watch the migration calendar at lambtonmuseum.ca for live updates on the return of the tundra swans ~ Thedford Bog/online status report

March 25, 2023

Kenny & Dolly Tribute Performance Wingham Town Hall Theatre, Wingham

waste and help the planet.

But the other great reason to consider second-hand is the cost savings. Let's face itwe all need to find ways to spend a little less these days. And there are bargains to be had if you look for them. Part of the great joy of thrifting is finding that treasure, but it takes time to build super thrifting skills.

It is a different type of shopping. You don’t find racks and racks of the same item in different sizes and colours, but that can also be part of the appeal: more unique items and the choice of a broader variety of styles all on the same rack. You do have to be willing to spend some time scanning what is on offer. You are not going to find the latest trends. Items are not put out exclusively for the current season. We have some top tips below on how to make your thrift shopping more efficient and successful.

There are a few categories of shops that sell previously-worn clothing and it helps to know what the pros and cons of each type can be.

The larger chain style stores are well known brands in the thrifting world. Locally we have Goodwill at 355 Bayfield Road, Goderich. These are well organized and well-stocked stores. They price by category and are busy enough that stock turns over quickly. They offer discount days (sign up for e-mails) and are an easy place to drop off your donations as well. They also carry non-clothing items and a limited amount of furniture.

Used clothing trail On the hunt

With so many people pinching their pennies to protect their pocket book and more folks making choices that consider the impact on the environment, it’s no surprise that thrift shopping is on the rise.

We thought we would do a roundup of different types of secondhand clothing shops in Huron. Primarily we are looking at shops that sell used, second-hand, or vintage clothing. Many of these shops also sell household

items too - but that's another story! Second-hand clothing just makes sense. Manufacturing, producing, packaging and distributing new clothing takes a lot of energy and water. In this age of increased consumerism, many people own two or three times more clothing than previous generations. And because we buy so much, it is estimated that people can throw out 60 to 80 pounds of textile waste each year. Donating and buying second-hand clothing instead of brand new, can reduce

Some other well-known names are charity-based. The Salvation Army (309 Suncoast Drive Goderich or 205 Josephine Street Wingham) is one of the oldest thrifting spots and has been helping people through difficult times for many, many years. The stores are well-stocked and have good pricing.

Also in Goderich is the IODE’s Opportunity & Consignment Shop, affectionately known as the “op” shop at 3 North Street, and St. Vincent de Paul at 441 Macewan Street. These smaller shops are run entirely by volunteers. Prices can

Used clothing trail

A lot of life left

Continued from page 7 vary and they may have less variety than some of the larger stores.

In Clinton, Of Rack and Room at 12 Albert Street is well-known and loved, especially for its amazing window displays. They change out stock based on seasons and also offer window items on a set day. This is a good one to follow on Facebook. They carry household items as well.

In other areas of the county are Noah’s Ark, housed in the Pentecostal Tabernacle at 670 Main Street, Exeter, Arc Angels at 140 Main Street, Dashwood, and Blessings at 45 Main Street, Zurich. These shops are very important locations in their respective communities and support people and charities that do great things. They may be smaller but they are mighty.

A couple of shops specialize in infant and children's clothing. The Little Shop at 355 Main Street, Exeter is a consignment shop and helps to support the South Huron Big Brothers and Big Sisters. It is well organized and friendly. The Red Door at 57 & 59 Hamilton Street, Goderich is also a children's consignment store (with some maternity clothes too). In

Of Rack and Room Clinton

A second life (and a third...)

Continued from page 8 addition, they carry new toys and gift items for children. This familyrun shop has a lot of choice and good pricing.

I Want That Bag at 625 Campbell St Lucknow, is a very popular spot and has fans from far and wide. It is a consignment shop that carries a lot of clothing and accessories and a few gift items as well. Consignment shops have different pricing to meet the

needs of the shop and consignors, but every piece is looked over by staff, so expect to pay a bit more, but also for the quality to be higher. Even though it is run as a business, this shop does a lot to support the community as well.

If you are looking for a more boutique experience, check out Pick a Posie Vintage at 345 Queen Street, Blyth. This shop carries a curated collection of unique and vintage

items and the prices will reflect that. Operated by a professional costume designer, this is where you are going to find that fabulous piece that sets off your wardrobe. Check out the jewellery selection for some great pieces!

Remember these shops rely on your donations or consignments of items as well. Be a thoughtful donor and only send clothing that is clean and in

How to thrift like a pro

Continued from page 9 relatively good repair. Some things are actually only good enough to be used as rags or thrown away. Don’t make it harder on the good folks who will be sorting through your cast-offs.

When something is good for the planet and good for your wallet, isn’t it a nobrainer?

Top Ten Thrift Shopping Tips

1. Know your sizes and have a visual idea of what they look like. Sizes can vary between brands and pre-worn clothes that have been washed can be smaller than new pieces. It never hurts to carry a tape measure to double check.

2. Know your best and favourite colours. When scanning down a rack of mixed items, it helps to eliminate some simply by colour. Many shops organise racks by colour as well as size.

3. This can work for fabrics too. If you are looking for all natural fibres, it helps to know what they look and feel like before you have to dig for a label. This is equally true if you don’t want items that require special care and washing.

4. Inspect your items carefully. It is not a savings if there is a large stain that can’t be removed. Check high wear points and the seams for rips.

5. That being said, it helps to be able to do minor repairs yourself. Is there a button missing? Check to see if there is still a replacement button on a selvedge, or if you can move a button from another spot on the garment. Many repairs can be done with a simple bit of hand sewing. Or, if you have good sewing skills, you can alter the style or size.

6. Know brands. Recognizing quality brands is the best way to get more value for your dollar. The savings may not be all that much if the item originally came from a discount retailer.

7. Shop off-season. Look for jackets

in the summer, sandals in the winter. People clear out wardrobes at the end of season, so plan ahead.

8. Make sure to check out the accessories. They can often be items someone was gifted and immediately donated, or it might have been an impulse purchase, or even an item used/worn only once. Their discard or mistake might be your treasure!

9. Kids’ clothes - Little ones grow so fast! There are great deals to be had and why pay top dollar for something your kids will wear for two months?

10. Sign up for e-mails from Goodwill so you know when they have discounts. Follow other shops on social media so you know when they change out stock or have sales.

A winter weekend in Goderich

While the Town of Goderich may be top of mind as a vacation destination in the summer because of the beautiful beaches and festivals, don’t be so quick to dismiss it as a great place to get away from the city in the middle of winter. With a range of accommodations, tons of natural features and an excellent downtown with shopping, restaurants and bars, Goderich should be on your staycation list this year!

We’ve designed a sample itinerary, perfect for anyone who wants to find a place to take in a long weekend without breaking the bank or finding their passport.

While cottage rentals and quirky Airbnb accommodations are the first thing most travelers think of when they go to book, there is much to be still said for traditional hotel and motel accommodations. Goderich has

a wide range of options, including a Comfort Inn & Suites (135 Gibbons St) that is close to downtown. With reasonably priced rooms that include a hot breakfast, access to a business centre and an indoor pool, it could be the perfect base for your winter weekend.

Arrive Friday afternoon and check in and unpack, leaving lots of time to freshen up before you head out for dinner and some entertainment. The locals know that the place to be on a Friday night is the aptly named Joe Friday’s, a pub and restaurant that is part of the Hotel Bedford complex (92 Courthouse Square). It features a great selection of platters and pints, along with a stand-up bar, up-beat music, a dance floor, and live music most Fridays.

On Saturday morning, head back up to The Square for a hearty breakfast sandwich and a latte at Cait’s Café

(168 Courthouse Square). “Shopping the Square” is an activity that is best handled well-fueled. The Square is actually an octagon, with a beautiful courthouse and park in the centre and eight blocks of shops and services on the outside and a one-way, three-lane street in between. There is literally something for everyone to be found

• 100s of Authors • 1,000s of Titles

New & Previously Read

• Everything from $1 Books to Signed/Collectible Editions.

• Local History/Authors

34 West St. • GODERICH (519) 524-5224

bkped@hurontel.on.ca

Trade in the books you’ve read for some you haven’t!

Goderich

Shopping and hiking

Continued from page 11 in these eight blocks from clothing to books to locally sourced groceries. There are banks, restaurants, bars, jewellery stores and a cannabis shop. For the adventurous, don’t miss the latest trends in bikes, paddleboards and yoga gear.

We’ve allocated a morning for shopping, but you are welcome to return at any point in your weekend to take in anything you missed.

We’re going to move you to the northwest edge of town for lunch with a view. River Run Restaurant, located at the Maitland Golf Course (25 North Harbour Rd E) is a great spot to dine with a menu featuring a European flair (think schnitzels!) and sweeping views of the Maitland River. (The restaurant does take January off to recuperate from the busy summer, fall and Christmas seasons, but is back in February and March!)

One of our favourite places to visit any time of the year is the Huron County Museum (110 North St.). Permanent exhibitions feature early settlement, agriculture and military galleries, including a full-sized steam locomotive central to the building. A variety of temporary exhibitions throughout the year investigate and explore topics of local significance. Don’t miss the History Hall. Here you will discover “Main Street Huron” in this

gallery featuring late 19th and early 20th century businesses and services of a community. Central to the exhibit is the full-sized 1913 steam locomotive engine.

At the end of Parsons Court and accessed from the parking lot at the Columbus Centre (390 Parsons Crt) at the southeast end of Goderich, lies

a hidden gem. The Maitland Woods Trail is one of the nicest urban trails you’ll find. It is a three-kilometre loop trail through a forest with diverse habitats. It is relatively flat, with wide trails and many boardwalks, making it an easy walk, even in winter and, at three

The sun sets in winter too

Continued from page 12 kilometres, you should be able to complete it in under an hour.

You may not be hungry yet, but trust us on this one. On your way back from your hike, stop at Culbert’s Bakery (49 West St.). Hopefully, the Saturday morning line-up has subsided and you can get right in to try their famous Culbert Cream Puff and a cup of locally-roasted coffee.

After a break back at the hotel to warm up and change, we suggest that you make a reservation at Part II Bistro to begin your Saturday evening. Chef and owner Peter Gusso has put together a fine dining experience that is relaxing and intimate. The menu specializes in locally-sourced items, and they do them extremely well.

You can’t do Goderich without raising a pint in the oldest building in town (and one of the oldest still standing in Canada). The Park House (168 West St.) was built around 1837 and boasts a view of the lake and the adjacent Harbour Park from the windows of the dining room. It’s a great place to spend the evening, especially if you happen to hit one of the many evenings when it offers live, local talent to entertain the crowd.

There’s only one thing better than a

relaxing Sunday morning with no alarm clock and that’s brunch at West Street Willy’s (42 West St.) . There may be a wait for a table, but it’s well worth it. If you’re having trouble deciding between the West Street Benny (mushrooms and spinach with eggs benedict) or the Morning After Poutine, why not order one of each and share? We’ll help you wear it off with a load of activities for the rest of the day.

We’re not sure why people stop going to the beach in winter. You may not need a bathing suit or a towel, but you will definitely need your camera. Mother Nature delights in throwing up incredible scenes and the ice sculptures she creates can be incredible. Take a drive down to St. Christopher’s Beach and enjoy Lake Huron’s shoreline with her winter coat on.

Winter can’t stop the avid golfer in Goderich. You can work on your swing from the comfort of the fullylicensed Fore on the Floor (390 Macewan St.). We recommend that you book your tee time in advance, to make sure you can squeeze in a round this weekend.

Just before you go to dinner, we advise you to swing down to the beach for one last look. Time your visit to when the sun is about to dip

below the horizon and witness another of Goderich’s famous sunsets. (Some of us think that the

The Goderich Little Theatre presents...

2022-2023 Season Sponsor

The Rotary Club of Goderich Mistletoes and Tales

Adapted for the stage and directed by Duncan McGregor Production Sponsor: IODE Goderich A wonderful celebration of the joy and magic of the festive season! December, 2022

New Initiative: Ordinary Magic Theatre for Young Players

Directors: Jacqui Knap, Heather Dawe & David Armour

Production Sponsor: Melissa Daer Real Estate Team January, 2023

Proof

Written by David Auburn - Directed by Annette Procunier

Production Sponsor: Murray’s RONA Goderich A smart, entertaining, and modern riddle for us to try to solve! February/March, 2023

The Addams Family - A New Musical

Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa

Based on Characters Created by Charles Addams

Directed by Phyllis Leighton

Production Sponsor: Fisher Glass & Mirror Ltd. May, 2023

Winter on the lake

Continued from page 13 winter sunset over the ice is actually prettier than the famous summer sunsets!)

For your final dinner, we are asking you to go along with us and think outside the box. The Goderich Harbour Restaurant (111 North Harbour Rd W), locally known as the Old Saltie, is open year-round for take-out. This is about the most honest fish and chip dinner you will find, fresh fish with perfectly seasoned batter and hand-cut fries. The selection of salt flavours they have is worth the visit alone.

Grab your fish and chips and if the evening is nice, either eat from your car admiring the moonlight on the icy lake, or head back to your hotel room to enjoy the meal.

Sunday night is a good time to unwind and perhaps sort through your shopping to get it ready to pack up.

Now that you’ve discovered all that Goderich can offer in every season, you will need to come back to take in everything you missed!

G2G Rail Trail

Sharpes Creek Line

Hike in Huron

Huron’s cool, crisp air

Naftel’s Creek Conservation Area

This property is maintained by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority and is located seven kilometres south of Goderich.

The trail system consists of two main loops with several side paths for a total of 3.2 kilometres of walking paths. Explore plantations, mixed deciduous forests and cedar lowlands along the trail. In winter, the site is used extensively for cross-country skiing.

The orange loop leads past a small pond where you may spot painted turtles sunning themselves on logs in spring. It continues on through a pretty birch stand and over a foot bridge into a mixed deciduous forest.

Take the blue loop and enjoy a long boardwalk over the wetlands. A small bridge crosses Naftel’s Creek, a remarkably clear stream. The loop continues around through a mature pine plantation along an open meadow. As it turns back there is a relatively new side trail and new

bridge that is a shorter route back to the parking lot, or you can continue back to the first bridge. If you take the long way home, be sure to keep an eye out for the remnants of an old cabin with a fireplace that is just visible in the bushes along the creek banks. 79154 Bluewater Highway, south of Goderich

G2G Trail - Sharpes Creek Line

One of our favourite sections of the Goderich-to-Guelph Rail Trail starts at Sharpes Creek Line near Benmiller. There is ample parking on the side of the road, so be sure to leave room for the farm lane and gravel pit entrances, which are wellmarked. On the trail, head west through a tree-lined section. This will soon open with gravel pits on either side of the trail. Then the hedgerows start to thicken with plenty of sumacs and dogwood adding a splash of colour. Soon you will encounter a substantial bridge built and maintained by the local snowmobile club that spans the picturesque Sharpes Creek. The creek was named

after a runaway slave who settled in the area.

Follow the trail along and you will encounter a pond on your left that is often ice- or snow-covered throughout the winter, with lots of tracks in the snow of the wildlife who take advantage of the thick cover as a shortcut.

The next road (Lucknow Line) indicates the end of the first block and is a good turnaround point to return to your car or a midway point if you want to continue. The next block is a short one, with the McGaw Line intersection. If you want to continue one more block, you will continue west to CP Line. A return trip from Sharpes Creek Line to CP Line and back is approximately 11 kilometres and a leisurely pace would be about two-and-a-half hours.

Remember that this is a shared use trail as it is part of the snowmobile trail. You may have to step off the trail to allow a snowmobile or two to pass, but the trade-off is a groomed

Hike in Huron

Views of winter in Huron

Continued from page 15 trail to make winter walking a little easier. 81722 Sharpes Creek Line, near Benmiller.

Menesetung Bridge

The twin attractions of the natural beauty of its setting and its sense of history has always made Goderich a popular tourism destination. For a new perspective on both, however, visitors should make a trip over the Menesetung Bridge and along the Tiger Dunlop Heritage Trail.

The bridge and the trail is spectacular in all seasons looking out over the Maitland River, the harbour and the town but winter gives the vista a wonderful elegance with layers of snow and ice covering the river and trees.

When you tread the sturdy boards of the Menesetung Bridge you’re walking where steam locomotives once hauled trains laden with grain down to the Goderich harbour for loading on lake freighters, or carried heavy loads of rock salt from the Sifto Salt Mine or road graders from Champion Road Machinery eastward to customers throughout North America and beyond.

Until 1988, the bridge served to carry CPR freight trains high

above the Maitland River. The last steam train crossed the bridge as part of an historical excursion in 1977.

After you cross the bridge, you can continue along the north bank of the river enjoying sweeping views of the river below and across to the town of Goderich with church spires marking the horizon.

The three-kilometre-long trail leads to the Tiger Dunlop Tomb and a

small park with commemorative plaques. From here you can head back to your car or head out on a longer hike as the Tiger Dunlop Heritage Trail connects to both the Maitland Trail (just before the tomb) and the Goderich-to-Auburn Rail Trail (cross over the highway on the pedestrian bridge). To get to the Menesetung Bridge take the North Harbour Road in Goderich from Highway 21.

NO WINTER MAINTENANCE Means No Snowplows

Menesetung Bridge Goderich

Serving up authenticity

By Mark Nonkes, Huron County Immigration Partnership

Bobby’s Tandoori House opened this summer in Bayfield by cousins Pravin and Bobby, who are new to Huron County. “It’s been great. A lot of local people are supporting us. Most of our guests are saying they haven’t had this kind of quality and taste of Indian food. People are coming from all over, from Grand Bend, Port Elgin, and London too,” Pravin says.

Bobby, who moved from Delhi to Bayfield, charismatically hosts at the

restaurant. An interior designer, Bobby brought Indian fabrics, dinnerware and objects from India to create an authentic atmosphere at the restaurant.

“We really want to help people understand Indian food. We make recommendations based on a person’s comfort level with spice and meat preferences,” Pravin says.

Pravin, who owns another restaurant in St. Louis, Missouri, says cooking has always inspired him. An engineer by trade, Pravin opened his first restaurant in 2020 to rave

reviews. He says the St. Louis restaurant provided diners with “something different where people could come and enjoy authentic Indian food and some fusion dishes.”

Bayfield

Pravin says a friend who lives in Goderich introduced him to the area and helped him identify the restaurant at the Ashwood Inn as a potential spot to set up a second restaurant.

Pravin says he convinced Bobby, who lived in Delhi with her family, to come to Toronto to investigate the opportunity with him. She flew to Toronto at the end of April, and the Bayfield restaurant was up and running by June. "It's by the lake; it's a beautiful area," Bobby says.

Two others support Bobby and Pravin in the restaurant: Pradeep, a chef, and Baljinder as a helper. Both are also originally from India. “We work as a team, as a family,” Pravin says.

Bobby’s Tandoori House will be open throughout the winter. Along with butter chicken, Bobby suggests food lovers try out menu items such as lamb roga josh, bhendin masala and yellow dal tadka.

“We really want to help people understand Indian food. We can make recommendations and help people with spice levels or meat preferences,” Pravin says.

Bobby’s Tandoori is located at 34777 Bayfield River Rd., Bayfield. More information is available at www.bobbytandoorihouse.ca

A room with a view

Generations of families have grown up at a cottage with Lake Huron as the backdrop for their memories, and Zac Turner and his sister Maddison have been blessed to be able to reminisce about their happy childhoods at the summer home of their maternal grandparents, Robert and Doris MacArthur.

The 3000-square-foot cottage steps from the beach in Bayfield was purchased by the MacArthurs around 1995 and quickly became “Camp Grandma”, as Robert and Doris loved to host the extended family for weddings, anniversaries and family reunions.

Zac and Maddison have many happy memories of family time spent playing board games, eating hamburgers on the patio, playing pool in the rec room and watching their cousin fishing along the Bayfield River and even trying his hand at ice fishing.

In fact, the happy times at the cottage were such an influence on their young lives that when their

grandparents passed away, it became Zac and Maddison’s mission to find a way to keep the home in the family so that it could be cherished and build new memories for years to come.

With the support of their family, Zac and Maddison have taken over the cottage and have created a “blended use property”. As their family is busy and the extended family have taken on summer homes of their own, there is a good deal of surplus time to share the beautiful beachfront home as a rental property. They are excited to keep the property in the family, and are sure that their grandparents would approve of the plan to spread the memories to even more families.

The home has been enlarged over the years with a modern deck and several extensions, and

sleeps eight adults and four children quite comfortably. Zac and Maddison are continuing to improve the beautiful property with the installation of a hot tub over the winter.

The property can be booked directly year-round from their website www.bayfieldonthelake.ca

Fresh, local, tasty

Founder Sue Larson opened Out of the Blue Seafood in 2008 as a wholesale dealer of fresh fish, and quickly added smoked fish. Since then, the business has continued to grow with the addition of a restaurant about five years ago.

Jamie Herron, co-owner for about the last three-and-a-half years, says the business will soon grow again. The company is quickly outgrowing the current space, and the owners have plans to eventually take over the entire plaza where it is currently located on Bluewater Highway.

The first phase is to expand to the small retail space next door, which will increase the original restaurant space. Eventually, the goal will be to take over the spacious end unit to create a processing and storage facility.

It offers fresh and smoked lake and ocean fish all year round. The kitchen hours of operation are currently limited to 2-7 p.m., allowing it to remain open seven days a week. Like with many other small businesses, it has been difficult to remain fully staffed, especially in a resort area when the students return to school. Watch its social media and website for increased hours as shortages ease.

As well as both fresh and frozen fish and seafood, the store boasts a complete assortment of accessories for cooking fish, including its own

line of sauces (including tartar), coleslaw and seafood chowder.

The company caters to a variety of diets and palates. In addition to a separate glutenfree fryer, the kitchen can accommodate vegan diets with vegan batters for the deep-fried pickles and mushrooms, and vegan fries.

Bayfield

The website has a real-time inventory of all fresh, smoked and prepared items, which you can then call to order. The smoked rainbow trout is the most popular item, so it is helpful to know that it is in stock before you call!

Herron says that his absolute favourite meal is the pickerel onepiece meal deal, which includes a quarter–pound piece of fish, fresh cut fries, lemon and tartar and can be ordered with regular or gluten-free batter. “I’d order that as my last meal, for sure,” he joked. The online ordering system is up and running for the take-out menu, making it easy to order ahead and just pop in and pick it up. 1 The Square (On Hwy. 21), Bayfield 519-565-4240. Visit outoftheblueseafood.ca online for more information.

Grand Bend

(Virtual) fairways and greens

Four friends - Trevor Gibb, Travis Koolen, Jeff Krpan and Tony Kiriakopoulos - had frequently traveled to play indoor virtual golf and eventually were kicking around the idea of opening a facility right in Grand Bend, close to home for all of them.

The ideal building became available and, in between all of their full-time jobs and family responsibilities, they found the time to research the equipment and technology to find the best system. The plan came together in February of 2022 when they opened Bunker in the Bend.

The facility features three golf bays, including one VIP room that can host a private party of between 12 and 14 people with two couches and a 70inch screen television. The VIP room screen is 21 feet wide, making it one of the largest, if not the largest, in Canada.

There is also a “dry” fire shooting range with laser guns that replicate the feel of real rifles and pistols and a 16-foot screen to play the arcade and accuracy games that have been developed with the same technology that is used for law enforcement training modules.

The technology on hand for the golf simulators is pretty impressive, and includes a moving swing plate under

the golfer’s feet that tilts to match the lay of the course. There is a video playback of you taking your shot to help you improve your game. The games were developed in South Korea and feature many of the world’s top golf courses, as well as driving ranges. While many people line up a round at St. Andrews or Pebble Beach, Gibb and Koolen are quick to note that those are some of the hardest holes in the world to play. A much more fun course to play on the simulator is “Life’s Best”. It is great for new players, or players who need a confidence boost!

You can bring your clubs or rent a set at the Bunker. It’s a great way to introduce kids to the game without a big investment before they know if they want to stick with it.

Bunker in the Bend is fully licensed and, although it has no kitchen, they encourage guests to bring in their own food and sit a while in the lounge and watch a game on the bigscreen TVs.

While walk-ins can sometimes be accommodated, it is best to make a plan and reserve a bay in advance. Booking is available online at its website. Bays are booked by the hour and it is recommended that if playing an 18-hole course you allow an hour per person playing in your group (maximum six people playing).

Want to book a children’s birthday party or an office tournament? Just call to discuss your idea with the incredibly helpful and knowledgeable staff! 99 Ontario St S, Grand Bend. www.bunkerinthebend.com

A good walk unspoiled

White Squirrel may be best known as a golf course in the warmer months, but when the temperatures drop, visitors are welcome to roam through the golf course before joining one of the walking trail loops that pass through the forest running along the creek.

Experience the property from a new perspective, as the grassy fairways disappear under a blanket of fresh snow. With four marked routes to choose from, it’s a choose-your-ownadventure of sorts when it comes to which path to follow.

The yellow and orange paths loop through the deciduous forest, following along the edge of the meandering creek. The red route, with its winding pathways through the coniferous forest, is quite spectacular, particularly once Mother Nature has added a glisten of fresh snow, before reconnecting to the yellow route. The yellow route is 3.8 kilometres, while the orange measures 2.9 kilometres.

With flat surfaces and places to rest, the walk is not terribly difficult, even in the height of winter. Strategically placed benches throughout provide quiet spots to sit and take in the views of the creek rushing by, across the open fields of the golf course or just even a quiet spot out of the wind.

For those who can’t choose just one loop, the rainbow trail takes in all four routes, even the blue trail extending along the creek for a gentle four-kilometre hike. Allow approximately one hour to complete the loop.

If a fresh layer of snow blankets the trails, consider bringing your snowshoes or cross-country skis. Visitors must check in at The Acorn prior to setting off on the trails to complete a waiver form. The trails will remain open until golf season kicks off.

New this year is a walking club that meets on Thursdays at 11 a.m. for people who don’t like to walk alone. There is no cost to join and new friends waiting to

keep you company on the trails.

The trails are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and are free to access. Why not plan an afternoon hike and then stay for dinner at their year-round restaurant?

White Squirrel Golf Course is located on Highway 21. Once you see the large white squirrel roadside attraction, you’ll know you’ve arrived. 72538 Highway 21, north of Grand Bend. Find more information at whitesquirrelgolfclub.com

Grand Bend

Torched in Grand Bend

While it may have a new name, Torched Brewing Company of Grand Bend has retained all of the history that connects it to the community, which is one of the province’s most visited tourist destinations.

In November, Brewster’s Mill Brewing Company became Torched Brewing Company. Co-owners Jason and Michelle said there was some confusion in the industry in light of social media and another similar name in Western Canada, so it only made sense. With Brewster’s Mill being the original name of Grand Bend, however, they wanted to retain that history, while also clarifying their brand to the world and Torched Brewing was born.

This dates back to the story of Benjamin Brewster and his friend Mr. Pettis. The pair erected a mill and a mill dam in what would become Brewster’s Mill, now known as Grand Bend. The mill was eventually burned down - torched, if you willand the community needed a new name and Grand Bend was born.

Jason and Michelle, joined by couples and friends Mark and Laura and Nick and Kaitlyn, bought the building in March of 2020, just before the declaration of the COVID19 pandemic. They have since done plenty of work on the old building, located at 36 Ontario Street North, and opened their doors to the world in July of 2021. Between work on the building and the challenges of operating through the pandemic, the sextet had their work cut out for them, but now, with a new name and another tourism season around the corner, the owners feel as though the best is yet to come.

Their taproom location has an upstairs and a downstairs, as well as patio spaces out front and in the back of the building. They have three mainstay beers: Sand In My Thong Honey Blonde Ale; Crooked Waters Cream Ale, and River Pigs IPA, with an additional three premium craft beers coming soon in a red ale, a hazy IPA and an Irish stout. In addition, they have a number of rotating smallbatch selections available at the

taproom. The group has since purchased its own canning machine and hopes to be canning those smallbatch beers in Grand Bend by the end of the year.

Saturdays at the brewery there is always live music and, during the summer months, there is live music there as many as three nights a week.

As for food, the owners of Torched Brewing have been creative with their offerings, partnering with local restaurants, chefs and even service clubs to host special days, offering food and beer at the taproom, as well as pop-up collaborations.

Torched Brewing beer is available at the taproom, on the brewery’s website and at several local restaurants and in nearby communities.

For more information, visit the taproom at 36 Ontario Street North in Grand Bend (open from Wednesdays to Sundays), its website at torchedbrewing.com (complete with beer recommendations from the owners) or its Facebook or Instagram pages.

The South Huron Trail represents a beautiful vista in the southern end of Huron County that provides hikers with options.

Many tree-lined, barrier-free nature trails surround the Morrison Reservoir. Morrison Lake is a humanmade reservoir created by the construction of Morrison Dam in 1959 to provide a consistent water supply to a former canning factory in the town of Exeter. The area is now a conservation area with exceptional recreational trails.

Explore Morrison Dam Conservation Area’s four kilometres of recreational trail, including two kilometres of wide, accessible trails with an optional excursion down an additional two kilometres of more rugged trails.

This a great place to try your hand (or feet) at snowshoeing. Families can rent snowshoes directly from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) Administrative Centre at 71108 Morrison Line, Exeter, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

Snowshoes are designed to increase the surface area of your weight distribution on top of the snow and have been used for thousands of years to help us travel on snow. The modern equipment available at ABCA is safe, reliable and easier to use than you think!

Here are the basics for your first time snowshoeing:

Get snowshoes that are right for your weight (ABCA has several types and sizes available).

Wear warm, waterproof boots and wool or synthetic socks that wick sweat are a must - carry an extra pair in case yours get soaked.

Dress in layers with clothing that can handle cold, wet conditions.

If you wish to use poles, you will need to bring your own, as ABCA does not have these available to rent.

The Conservation Authority has some helpful hints on how to put snowshoes on and how to walk in them, including how to get up after

falling down. To download these helpful hints, or for more information on the rentals and the trails available, visit abca.ca

One of our favourite stops is Maelstrom Winery between Seaforth and Clinton just off of Huron Road (Highway 8). The Landsborough family were pioneers in the burgeoning wine and beer industry in the area and started the first winery in Huron County. Armed with only a passion for wine and a difficult piece of land on their family farm, they took an idea many thought far-fetched and ran with it. Maelstrom is now a major player in the industry and a destination winery with a beautiful retail store and event space that overlooks eight acres of vineyards, making it an ideal venue for hosting local musicians and comedy tours.

Not resting on their laurels, the company has been expanding with new products and new brands. Brian Landsborough has been experimenting with ciders in recent years, and has developed a new brand, Dog Days Ciders, in which each cider is named after a beloved family pooch.

Brian says that creating ciders is different from wines in that there is more ability to experiment with different styles and flavours. With wine, once you’ve planted your grape varieties, there are only a few ways to change the taste, but with ciders, you can get more creative. Besides a wide range of apple varieties, Brian enjoys playing around with new flavours. His current favourite is also the most

popular with customers. Good Time Charlie was named after one of the family pets that Brian grew up with and is a salted caramel cider. He has another flavour in development: The Flying Aviator (this one is after Ava, another long-time four-legged companion).

Brian isn’t the only one working on side projects. Catherine, his mother and co-founder of the winery alongside his dad, has been working on a new brand that takes advantage of the by-products of the winemaking process. Vineyard Botanicals is a line of soaps, lotions and bath bombs created by Catherine using grapeseed oil left over after the wine is pressed. As the winery was ramping up production, she wanted to find a use for this oil that might be otherwise discarded. She also found that wine is an additive to lotions for moisturizing and as an antioxidant. There’s an amount of wine left in every cask that is left after bottling, and this is now collected for use in the botanical line.

Maelstrom Winery is now a onestop shop for all your pampering needs. 78925 Sanctuary Line, Clinton. For more information, visit maelstromwinery.ca

Buns in the oven

Eversprings Farms, a company in Seaforth that specializes in milling and processing sprouted grain flour, began as the brainchild of Dale and Marianne Donaldson in 1985. They began sprouting barley grass as a nutritional supplement for their own poultry. As the health food movement gained in popularity, including barley grass juice, the company began to supply health food stores with sprouted grain ingredients and the business has grown steadily ever since.

Sprouting and fermentation are ancient practices of preparing foods that increase digestibility and nutrient absorption.

The company has focused on supplying bulk and wholesale from their two organic, Kosher facilities, including a 75,000-square-foot facility

that is dedicated gluten-, dairy- and nut-free.

Now, the second generation of Donaldsons is taking the business to the next level. Daughter Michelle (Donaldson) Riley and her sister Dianne began Second Spring Foods as the retail arm to sell sprouted products, including flours, grains, lentils and baking mixes to consumers online.

The brand took off just as the pandemic hit, making both baking and online shopping a phenomenon and creating a loyal customer base.

Michelle says that as the popularity of their sprouted whole grain flours like wheat, spelt and rye increased, they were constantly getting inquiries about recipes. The flours can be used in traditional recipes but it can be tricky to adjust the flour quantity as the sprouting does affect the

sweetness and can affect the quantity of water needed and, occasionally, baking times.

Second Spring Foods added recipes to their website, with the help of baker Mary Kate.

As Mary Kate was working on new recipes, especially sourdough, and creating a ton of samples, Michelle, who as well as the Director of Retail Brands recognized the opportunity to sell the baked goods that they were developing to the public and Sprouted Mill & Bakery was born.

The bakery and retail outlet opened in the fall of 2022 and is currently open on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to share the delicious muffins, cookies, banana bread and brownies. You can also pick up your own flours and mixes to take home while you are there. 151 Main St S, Seaforth www.sproutedmillandbakery.com

Seaforth

Blyth

History and a pint

The corner of Queen St. (County Rd 4) and Dinsley Street in the village of Blyth has been the home of a hotel since before the village was established.

As early as 1852, John Drummond (whose brother Robert had part of his farm surveyed into lots for a town) was a shoemaker, and his location became known as a place where travellers could stop, as his place abutted the trail that ran through the densely wooded area at a time when the population of the village was around 30 and there was no commercial hotel.

In 1856, James and Mary Combs walked from Goderich with eight children in tow to take over and expand the property into a proper hotel.

The next owners had their hotel, known as Shane’s Hotel, designated as a mail stage hotel. It also hosted both Morris Township Council meetings and the Episcopal Church meetings. Eventually, the Morris Branch Agricultural Society held its meetings there and political forums were also hosted there. Early hotels almost served as community centres.

As the village grew and developed around the hotel, a main street was formed. In 1906, a three-storey building of blocks made locally with

an Eureka Cement Block machine was put up by then-owner Isaac Brown and that is the building that still graces the corner. Owners and managers came and went over the years, and competitor hotels sprung up and faded away. By 1891, the business was known as the Commercial Hotel and the name stuck until 1967 when the Wilds purchased the hotel and called it the Blyth Inn.

In 1983, Peter and Carol Irwin

purchased the hotel and operated a fine dining restaurant, hosting many family gatherings and merchants’ annual dinners. The couple renovated the upstairs living quarters and made many improvements to the operation.

The next owners renewed the property as a hotel and restaurant, with extensive renovations to the second and third floors as rental accommodations.

At some point in its history, the locals began referring to the Inn as “The Rubber Boot” and eventually just “The Boot”, in deference to the large number of farmers who would stop in after chores for a beer and some gossip. The moniker has stuck and has become the pride of both the locals and the company of actors and production staff that the Blyth Festival brings in each summer. In fact, the hotel was the star of the aptly named Wing Night at The Boot, a hit play at the Festival in 2018.

Today, in addition to the ever popular wing nights (which are held every Thursday), the Blyth Inn is busy year-round with playgoers in the summer and snowmobilers in the winter. Reservations are recommended for dinner before a play, or on Thursday nights. The Blyth Inn has a great menu of pub fare. (We recommend that you try the “Bootine”!) 422 Queen St, Blyth www.blythinn.ca

Special thanks to the Blyth Repository of History for collecting and sharing Blyth’s history!

Slowing time in Blyth

Finds & Consigns, open on Blyth’s main street since August of 2021, is a second business for owner Judy Lambers. Her main business is a consulting company called Organize Clear Declutter and was a way for her to combine her organization skills and passion for the environment with her desire to set her own hours when her son was young. As her son grew, the business also grew and she is now helping people declutter their lives.

Much of her business is now helping people deal with clearing estates, averaging 26 cash-and-carry estate sales a year across Huron County. At the end of a sale, there are often items left that, for whatever reason, didn't find the right buyer, but are quality items that will sell eventually. That is where the Finds & Consigns storefront comes into play.

All items go through the cash-andcarry sales first, with no pre-sales or holds, in order to preserve the reputation of her sales and attract a large range of customers.

Lambers also uses quality paints that she buys as mistints (again, waste not want not!) and “upcycles” vintage

furniture for a modern aesthetic.

The items in many of the estates of parents and grandparents are quality items that were built to last, from an era when very little was disposable and much more was manufactured right here in Ontario. She loves finding these local treasures, like the pretty FAB fabric trays that were once manufactured in Barrie.

Every item in the store not only has its own story, but they all evoke stories from the customers who are browsing. They’ll reminisce about a favourite set of dishes that their grandmother served every Christmas dinner on or a settee that reminds them of their mother’s living room. “I guess it’s my personal way of slowing down time,” Lambers says.

While the store has regular hours (Wed. - Sun., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) from March to December, in January, February and early March the hours are by chance or appointment. Follow her on Facebook at “Finds & Consigns” to see what’s new in the store, and “organize clear declutter” to find upcoming cash-and-carry events. 428 Queen St., Blyth (226) 979-5323

By Mark Nonkes, Huron County Immigration Partnership

At the Tim Horton’s table, the 31year-old men beam. They’re newer residents in Wingham, business owners at convenience stores in neighbouring towns.

“This is the table where we made the decision to take over the first

store,” Gurpreet Singh says. “It was April.” Harpreet Singh, his longtime friend, smiles at the memory. “We say we’re brothers sometimes. We have done everything together,” Gurpreet says. “Brothers from another mother,” Harpreet jokes.

“We met and have been friends since 2008. We went to the same high

school, the same college. We came to Canada on the same flight, we studied the same program at Conestoga College, we got our permanent residency on the same day,” says Gurpreet, who grew up in a rural part of India’s Punjab state.

“Where we came from in India, we are from small towns. My town only has 300 people,” Gurpreet highlights.

Before moving to Canada, Harpreet worked with his parents. “My parents are farmers,” Harpreet explains. “Before I came to Canada, I was helping them in the fields.”

Gurpreet was a math teacher with a new wife and one-year-old daughter. “I came to Canada for them, I came to give them a better future,” Gurpreet says.

The friends arrived in Canada to Kitchener in May 2015. They enrolled as international students in a computing program at Conestoga College. “We studied for a year and a half. We struggled to find a job after,” Gurpreet says.

“One of my first jobs was working in Palmerston, at a plant that makes car parts for Toyota," says Harpreet. "There was a bus from Kitchener to Palmerston; the agency provided a bus. We were doing afternoons or evenings. During the day, we were going to college. In the afternoon or the night, I would work a shift.”

Gurpreet, meanwhile, worked at a gas station. Later, the two men found jobs at Tim Horton’s. “If we had spare time, we did odd jobs too we found on Kijiji - cleaning, moving, gardening, painting,” Harpreet says.

Later, the men found a job together at Circle K in Harriston. There they were reminded that they love small towns. “In small towns, people are always connected, compared to big

Finding a community

Continued from page 30 cities. People in small towns care about each other,” Harpreet says. After living in Harriston, in 2019, the men saw an opportunity, took over Circle K in Lucknow, and bought a house in Wingham. “We bought a house in Wingham because we couldn’t find a place to rent,” Gurpreet explains.

“I still remember, when we moved here, the neighbour saw us raking the lawn and came over to introduce themselves. They gave us their number in case we needed any help. It showed us that they cared about us,” Gurpreet says.

In 2020, Gurpreet took over the Wingham branch of Circle K, while Harpreet continued in Lucknow. The men moved their families to Wingham from India in 2021. Gurpreet’s wife and two children arrived, along with Harpreet’s wife. “After I got my PR (permanent residency visa) in 2020, in January, I got married in India. I came back here, and then I got the documents to invite my wife. It took a year to get a visa. She came here last year in August,” Harpreet says.

“My wife and kids came last year. I saw my son for the first time in 2020. I never got a chance to go back and see him after visiting in 2017. He was three years old. It was kind of painful. He would stay away from me. He is close to me now that everyone is here,” Gurpreet says.

The men are determined to build their future in Wingham. “Since we came to this town, it feels like home. The people in this town - Winghamare really helpful. They’re really good,” Gupreet says. Gurpreet has joined the group Wingham Community Connectors, a group dedicated to welcoming new residents to the area.

“I always think we can grow more in this town. We want to be part of this community and give back to this community,” Gurpreet concludes.

Amalgamation Acres, featuring Legacy Maple Syrup, is the product of Annette and Brian MacKenzie, who joined forces in both marriage and farming in 2012. Since the home property had 60 acres of maple bush, one spring they decided to show the kids how maple syrup was produced, and ended up getting hooked on the production. That first year, it was just a couple of trees, then 50 the next year, then 100 and then 250. Then, since Annette’s dad had a long association with steam engines, they tried an experiment to see how steam power could help the process and suddenly they had their brand and vision. The legacy power system became the driving force behind Legacy Maple Syrup. They have stuck with it, as they love the combination of old and new - using the steam power with modern reverse osmosis to create real innovation.

They sell the Legacy Maple Syrup at their own on-farm store, The Farm Shoppe. In addition to the maple syrup, Annette also sells ungraded, straight-off-the-farm brown eggs and

meat by pre-order (humanelyraised chicken, beef and pork).

The store features local heritage handcrafts from local, provincial and Canadian producers, as well as carrying well-known brands such as Watkins Products and baking mixes from Orange Crate Food Company. The inventory is constantly growing and evolving, including kitchen items and giftware. Other than a short break in the first few weeks in January, the store is open year-round on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The best time to visit the farm is when the sap starts flowing. Mother Nature is the only one who can predict when that might be, so keep your eye on Facebook and Instagram for updates. Farm tours are available by appointment. 519528-5995. 85399 St. Helens Line, Lucknow. For more information, visit online at www.amalgamationacres.com

Huron County has a long history of snowmobiling and, thanks to groups like the Wingham and District Snowmobiling Association, Brussels and Walton Trailblazers Snowmobile Club and the North Huron Trail Groomers Inc., there are miles of groomed trails that link up to the larger network of trails monitored by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).

Travelling long distances in winter has been made even more fun with advances in technology. Now that everyone has a portable GPS system in their pockets, apps have been created that will enhance your trip. Before you head out, download the Go Snowmobiling Ontario app at the Google Play or iTunes stores and access all the OFSC trail information. It’s like having your own personal mobile trail guide along for the ride!

For the more traditional rider, or just to have a good overview of the trail system, the paper trail guides are available at all of the partners on the “where to stop” section of the website.

The OFSC is divided into districts that oversee the operations of the volunteer clubs that maintain the trails. Huron is part of District 9, which has put together a number of “Snow Tours” with suggested routes and stops for a fun day’s outing. The

Huron Gateway tour travels over 177 kilometres through the county, exploring open fields and forest tracks, with suggestions for stops for food, fuel and lodging.

Permits for the 2022-2023 season are still available online at a cost of $80, plus a processing fee. (Each year early bird discounts are available before Dec. 1.) Special “classic” permit prices are set for owners of antique snowmobiles (1999 or older) at a rate of $190, plus a processing fee. Multi-day permits are also available if you are only able to get out for a weekend, starting at $45 per day, with a two-consecutive-day minimum.

The permits are mandatory to access any of the OFSC trails. They are the property of the Ministry of Transportation, however, the money from the sale of permits goes to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC), not the ministry. The OFSC and member clubs take the funds from the sale of permits and use them for maintaining the morethan 40,000 kilometres of trails in Ontario.

Drivers from ages 12 to 16 can obtain a motorized snow vehicle licence by taking online classes that are available throughout the winter to help teach the skills and etiquette necessary on the trail. Visit the OFSC

website for more information at www.ofsc.on.ca

In addition to safety, trail etiquette is an important element to your ride. Snowmobiling is a community activity and, in addition to the hard-working volunteers who keep the trails in great condition, there are also innumerable relationships with landowners who generously allow the trails to cross their land. In order to keep these trails available, a few common sense items should be reviewed with all the drivers in your group before you head out.

Staying on the trails cannot be stressed enough. Venturing off the trail is not only dangerous for the snowmobiler, it is extremely tough on the land under it. You may be riding over just enough snow to disguise a crop of winter wheat or a newly sodded yard. In addition, soft banks of snow may hide rocks, fences or barbed wire. Please keep to the trail that the snowmobile clubs have negotiated for in good faith with landowners for your enjoyment.

Trail Map

for

Sledding in Huron & Bruce County

This information is provided as a guide to services available to snowmobile riders and is not intended to be a definitive map of the trail system. See www.ofsc.ca for official information on trails, permits and regulations.

Postcards from Huron