Stops Along the Way - Winter 2023/24

FREE Winter 2023/2024

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

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.

COFFEE BEAN STAND OPEN DAILY CAFE OPEN YEAR AROUND

www.coastalcoffeecompany.ca

The Name Says It All!

Sweets N’ Treats For the best chocolates, gelato and gift baskets, drop by Sweets N’ Treats.

With locations in Wingham and 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

Something for everyone!

THE OLD FARMER’S ALMANAC GARDENING CALENDAR 2024 The Old Farmer’s Almanac Gardening Calendar spreads gardening joy at every turn of the page. Each month of this 2024 edition features the stunning illustration of an edible or ornamental accompanied by mini-feature captions that include growing guidance and fun facts about the plant shown. $12.99

MEGA MACHINES ACTIVITY BOOK Get busy with more than 100 fun-filled puzzles and activities, including colouring, drawing, dot-to-dots, mazes, spot the differences, and more! $13.50

QUILT YOUR STORY Turn favourite t-shirts, uniforms and clothing into a memory quilt. You will find over 22 projects which include how to deconstruct and prepare your fabrics and what tools you’ll need to sew your new creation . $26.99

300 SENSATIONAL SOUPS A great soup nourishes the soul as well as the stomach. This book offers an incredible variety from traditional comfort food to exotic taste sensations. Recipes for everything from stock to meat, fish and vegetable soups. $27.95

The Citizen

405 Queen St., Blyth ~ 519-523-4792

BACKROADS OF ONTARIO 6TH EDITION From afternoon outings to weekend excursions, this latest edition features 33 backroad adventures, each illustrated with colour photos and accompanied by a map. $29.95

The Citizen

New Subscriber Special

$

35

incl. GST

Offer good until April 30, 2024

All the local news in Huron County Stay connected with • Council Coverage including: Huron County Ashfield-Wawanosh-Colborne Central Huron Morris-Turnberry North Huron Huron East

All for just $50/yr Not a Subscriber?

SIGN UP TODAY AND GET YOUR FIRST YEAR FOR $35!

Meadowview Farm & Apiary Clare and Gwen Gerber

PURE ONTARIO HONEY •Beeswax • Beeswax candles • Nucleus colonies

PURE MAPLE SYRUP

• Events • Festivals • Fairs • OPP Reports • Community Correspondents • Guest Columnists • Editorials Mail a cheque made payable to North Huron Publishing.

We also accept credit cards, debit and cash.

Or subscribe online at www.huroncitizen.ca 405 Queen Street, Blyth 519-523-4792

Enjoy Pure Canadian Maple Syrup

•Available in various bottle sizes Grass-fed Beef

Chicken

Available to order by the side or mixed quarter.

At the farm store: Assorted cuts & patties

Available to order fresh At the farm store: Frozen, Whole or in pieces (Drumsticks, wings, breasts)

RR 2, 91104 Holmes Line, Wingham

519-357-4347 or Cell 519-357-8339

84548 St. Augustine Line, Auburn 519-529-7857

• Certified Organic • Pure Maple Syrup • Maple Syrup Candy • Custom Gift Baskets

robinmap@hurontel.on.ca www.robinsonmaple.com

Available at; Zehr's Country Market Hwy 21- 3km South Bayfield

6th Generation Small Batch - Wood Fired 100% Pure Maple Syrup

Farm gate sales: 35703 Pavillion Rd Bayfield ON (4 km south) Text or email ahead at; 647-882-4299 info@westlakemaple.ca

STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023. PAGE 5.

Stops Along The Way Winter, 2023/2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS Goderich ................................6

Brussels ................................17

Bayfield ..................................8

Blyth ......................................18

Grand Bend ........................10

Wingham..............................19

Zurich......................................11

Wedding Season ..............22

Clinton....................................13

Lucknow ..............................24

Hike in Huron ......................15

Winter Workshops ..........27

Seaforth................................16

Postcards from Huron ....29

is published by Nor th Hu uron Publishing Company Inc. P.O. Box 429, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0 Tel.: 519-523-4792 www.stopsalongtheway.ca deb@nor thhuron.on.ca Editorial: Deb Sholdice Shawn Loughlin Scott Stephensson Chelsea Gam mble Sales:

Brenda Nyveld d Shelley Kroes

Goderich

PAGE 6. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023

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Witchy in winter

f you’re feeling witchy this winter, there’s a new shop in Goderich that can help you explore those feelings. If you’re feeling hungry for a gourmet peanut butter and banana sandwich, there’s a new shop in Goderich that can help you explore those feelings. And if you are feeling both witchy and hungry simultaneously, you’re in luck, because it’s the same store! The Mystical Willow in Goderich had its grand opening in October, offering up an eclectic selection of services and sundries that surely has something for everyone, from students of the arcane seeking cosmic truths to tea enthusiasts on their lunch break.

The store is filled with whimsical oddities, curious resources, magical objects, and remedies. Energy guiding tools like crystals, tarot cards and divination kits are available for those who are inclined to consider their place in the universe, and handcrafted jewelry and gifts to entice casual shoppers. Visitors seeking respite from the outside world can sit in the shop’s cafe and reflect over a cup of tea, or restore body and soul with a sandwich.

Owner Tracey Bedard also offers a variety of services and classes you

won’t find anywhere else. She creates custom tea blends for clients, tailoring herbal blends on the spot to address each person’s specific needs.

Bedard puts her faith in the healing properties of herbs and flowers, and hopes her teas will help bring that healing power into hearts and homes across Huron County.

There’s evidence that humans have used herbs for their healing abilities as far back as the Palaeolithic Era over 60,000 years ago! Civilization developed and evolved over the course of many years, and so did our methods for consuming medicinal herbs. Humanity discovered the benefits of drinking tea thousands of years ago, and the drink has held a prominent position in societies all over the world. In Ancient Egypt, the Pharaohs drank a hibiscus tea known as Karkade, and in Chinese tea culture, the humble act of drinking is part of spiritually significant rituals.

The Guarani people of South America considered Yerba mate tea to be a gift from the gods, and there were some North American Aboriginal tribes that brewed tea from whole blackberry plants to cure dysentery and cholera. For the last few hundred years, the act of drinking

tea just for pleasure has grown more and more popular. Whatever your reason for drinking it, The Mystical Willow has a tea for you. Chai has already proved to be quite popular, and a Yule inspired tea is currently being concocted - just in time for festival season!

Bedard also holds tarot and intuitive readings, reiki sessions, and classes that range from mystical education sessions to spiritual arts and crafts. It’s a shop with a whole lot going on - all of it born from the memory of a shared dream. For Bedard, everything in the store is exactly where it should be, including herself! When she saw the vacant store on Hamilton St, she knew right away that it was the right place to set up shop and make her vision into a reality. Her intuition turned out to be spot on - the store is a perfect vessel for all of Bedard’s energized objects, unusual concepts, and sandwiches.

So whether you fancy some personalized tea, are interested in a tarot reading, are hungry for a sandwich, or just want to check out Goderich’s funkiest one-stop shop for all things witchy and weird - The Mystical Willow is the place for you!

79 Hamilton St., Goderich.

00s of Authors • 1,000s , of Titlles New & Previously Read • Everything from $1 Books too Signed/Collectible Editions.

• Local History/Authors

344 West St. • GODERIICH (519) 524-5224 bk kped@hurontel.on.ca

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

STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023. PAGE 7. by local creators, from jam to soup.

She also needed to hire more bakers and staff to meet the ever-growing demand. Shortly after she opened, the assistance coming from the Summer busy entrepreneur expanded Company Program - a Huron County the bakery’s hours after initiative aimed at helping young receiving multiple requests entrepreneurs gain valuable from customers. Business was life skills. booming!

The initial positive response from The extra space on the public inspired Pollock to Hamilton was great, but soon experiment with flavours and it wasn’t enough - another techniques. Whether it be English move was in order. At the muffins or Jalapeño cheddar bagels, beginning of 2023, Blake people snapped them up. She started Street on Hamilton shut down attending more markets and holding for the month of January, pop-up events, all while giving back reopening in February to the community whenever she at 31 West Street, their current could, whether it be by using local location. The Blake Street Bakery on suppliers or selling muffins to support West St boasts a vast variety of baked the Goderich Kinsmen. What had goods as well as a well-curated started out as a hobby was turning collection of grocery items, frozen into a full time job! meat, and dry goods. Their creative By the spring of 2022, Pollock was coffee offerings are uniformly ready to take Blake Street to the next excellent - in cold weather, the Blake level by opening her first full service Street Latte hits the spot, and their bakery/cafe on Hamilton Street That peach ice tea is a perfect summer meant taking the Blake Street out of thirst quencher.

Blake Street Bakery, but she decided To check out Huron County’s latest to stick with the original name. and tastiest example of homegrown The Hamilton Street iteration of the success, head on over to Blake Street bakery offered Pollock enough room Bakery in Goderich. 31 West Street, to start serving coffee and tea. There Goderich was also space to sell products made

Moving on up

Goderich

I

f you’re in downtown Goderich searching for Blake Street Bakery, don’t worry, it’s not hard to find just as long as you don’t go looking for it on Blake St! When proprietor Sydney Pollock first got her business up and running 3 years ago, she was baking out of her home on Blake St. Her initial offerings included cookies, bagels, pies, cupcakes, pretzels, and donuts an impressive selection, but relatively modest compared to the wide variety of products available at her bakery today. Customers could find her treats at the Goderich Farmers Market, or place pick-up orders via phone or email. It was a perfect pandemic-era business model, and her fresh-baked goods were a hit with her rapidly expanding customer base.

Back then, baking was a relatively new interest of Pollock’s - she’d only really started to develop her skills during lockdown. It didn’t take long to see she had a real knack for it, and her grandparents began to encourage her to pursue this newfound passion.

And so Blake Street Bakery was born, with financial and educational

Working in comm munities sin nce 1833 to help meet the needs of comm munity members s

Goderich Little Theatre 2023 24 Season is dedicated in memory of long time volunteers, Greg Reynolds and Jim Mulhern

ELIZABETH REX

By Timothy Findley Directed by David Armour Sponsored by Catherine Armour, RMT, Massage Therapy

February 22 – 25 and February 29 – March 3, 2024

LEND ME A TENOR

By Ken Ludwig Directed by Deborah Vieira Sponsored by Fisher Glass & Mirror

May 2, 3, 4, 5, and May 9, 10, 11, 12, 2024

Food Bank

So oup Co orner

Healthcare Resources

Family Resources

Self-serve, home visits, food for special dietary needs

Open six days d a week to offer a hot meal to viisitors

We offer various health care resources at no charge. See our website.

See the website for oour list of resources to assist your family.

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Storre 441 MacEwan St., Goderich 519-524-1087 www.facebook.com/SVDPGoderrich ssvp@hurontel.on.ca www.svdpgo oderich.ca

2023-24 Season Sponsor

Goderich Little Theatre is grateful for support from The Town of Goderich

Goderich Little Theatre / The Livery 519-524-6262 35 South St., Goderich livery@thelivery.ca

www.thelivery.ca

Bayfield

PAGE 8. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023

Yurt season is here

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verybody knows that feeling that first whiff of warm weather after a long, chilly winter means only one thing - it’s time to start getting excited for patio season! But did you know that, in Bayfield, there’s another season in the world of outdoor dining to get excited about? At Olio, feeling that first brisk chill of wintery air after a long, hot, summer means only one thing - it’s time to get excited for… yurt season!

A yurt is essentially a tent with a wooden frame - they are remarkably sturdy when erected, but can be quickly disassembled, and are made of lightweight materials suitable for easy transport. Centuries ago,

nomadic farmers in Central Asia used yurts as comfortable temporary housing as they travelled from one pastureland to the next. So many years later, yurts have remained popular in Asia, especially in Mongolia. Mongolian tradition dictates that one must always enter the yurt right foot first, without stepping on the threshold or touching it with your foot.

As a restaurant situated smack dab in the middle of one of Huron County’s quaintest tourist destinations, Olio knows the importance of having an appealing patio for folks to enjoy during the busy summer season. On the other

hand, winter dining in Southwestern Ontario has traditionally been looked at as an exclusively indoor sport. A few years ago, Olio owners Joanne Oliver and Brent Hillier decided to change that perception. After being inspired by a Toronto pub that had erected a yurt as a solution to winter weather, they realized it was just what Bayfield needed. Olio’s yurt is constructed in the traditional Mongolian style, using yak hair. It can accommodate up to 18 people, making it the perfect place for a memorable special event.

Whether it’s patio season or yurt season, Olio is the restaurant of choice for diners looking for an evening of casually elegant food in a relaxed environment. Located on Bayfield’s historic Main St, Olio’s menu has roots in traditional Italian food, but it isn’t afraid to wander away from home. You’ll find classic Italian elements like risotto and fettuccine on the menu, but you’ll also find things like turmeric rice and black bean salsa. The name says it all - ‘Olio’ literally translates to “a miscellaneous collection of things.”

Dishes crafted with local ingredients and an attention to detail are a big hit with their clientele, and the menu is regularly refreshed to reflect the season and keep things interesting. The compact beverage menu is comprised of an approachable wine list, classic cocktails, and beers both local and domestic.

If you’re interested in experiencing all the glory that is yurt season, Olio’s in Bayfield is the place for you.

Making your reservations early is highly recommended - it’s a popular yurt, and space is limited! 19B Main St. N., Bayfield

STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023. PAGE 9.

Bayfield

world of fruit wine have been utilized some unusual and under-rated fruits, and it’s been yielding some tasty results, making a strong case for the idea that wine isn’t exclusively the domain of grapes. After centuries of popularity, fruit wines have fallen out of fashion over the past few decades, and Bayfield Berry Farm is betting that their time has come again.

Some of the fruits they’re using are familiar ones, like blueberries and blackberries.

These sweet berries make for perfect dessert wines that are also a great secret ingredient in sauces or marinades.

Less common choices like Saskatoon berries, currants, and gooseberries make for a less common wine. Using sour cherries results in sour cherry wine, but its the good kind of sour. Playing around with anti-oxidant rich Aronia berries led to a uniquely dry wine that made for a great digestif. Fruit wine also comes in a wide range of lovely and unusual colours, from orange to purple.

Whatever your preferred flavour profiles, Bayfield Berry Farm probably has a fruit wine that’s right for you. And once you start combining all these interesting berries, the options are practically limitless, which means the experiment can carry on indefinitely.

Their Saskatoon Berry and blueberry is blend is an already a real winner!

To join the fruit wine movement, grab a bottle that intrigues you at their farm store in Bayfield, or pick up one that looks interesting at their stand at the Goderich Farmers Market. You’ll be pleasantly surprised! 77697 Orchard Line, Bayfield

E

A tasty stop

ver since Bayfield Berry Farm started their business in 2001, they’ve been dedicated to unlocking the seemingly infinite possibilities contained within a single berry or humble piece of fruit. The farm produces mountains of berries every year, and every year, owner Marlene Beyerlein and her family invite people from all over to come and pick their own berries. If you’re not into DIY berry picking Beyond simply eating them, there are jams Ever since Bayfield Berry Farm started their business in 2001, they’ve been dedicated to unlocking the seemingly infinite possibilities contained within a single berry or humble piece of fruit. The farm produces mountains of berries every year, and every year, owner Marlene Beyerlein and her family invite people from all over to come and pick their own berries. They’ll also do the

picking for you, if you’re not into DIY berry collecting.

Beyond simply eating berries, there are jams to be made, juices to drink, and desserts to sample. In 2017, they elevated their explorations by adding an on-site processing facility to the farm, turning it into a fruit to finish operation.

Some of their recent forays into the

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Grand Bend

PAGE 10. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023

Off the beaten path

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t’s not uncommon for fun-seekers and sunset fans to choose Grand Bend as a destination - the lakeside town is trusted by locals and travellers alike to provide a reliably good time, no matter the season.

The neighbouring town of Thedford is a little less common of a destination, but that doesn’t mean it’s got nothing to offer. For one thing, it’s home to Grog’s Pub and Grill.

The quirky, casual eatery can be found right off of Lakeshore Rd, and has long been a favoured place for locals to gather, whether it be for a special occasion, or just because.

Grog’s has everything you’d hope to find on offer from your local bar and grill. They’ve got cold draft beer and Caesars on special. Their menu has no particular theme, other than being full of crowd pleasing lunch and dinner options like burgers, pizza, and pasta. Thursday night is Wing Night. There’s trivia. On an average Friday night, you’ll find the dining room populated by a wide variety of diners - couples on dates, families sharing meals, retirement parties kicking off and winding down.

The staff is friendly, the food is very good, and the music is never too loud.

Yes, Grog’s excels at providing all these typical trappings of hospitality.

But it also has a few not-so typical features that give the place a charming, off-kilter vibe. The most obvious bit of oddness is the Grog’s logo, which is excellent. It depicts an extreme close-up of a man’s face. His mouth is open wide - he’s perhaps hungry, perhaps shouting, perhaps both. Is this man Grog? Nobody knows. The Grog Man has adorned all manner of merchandise over the years, a rotating selection of which is often available for purchase at Grog’s.

Another great extra - the mussels!

Every year from October to June, Tuesdays are Mussel Night, Grog’s serves fresh PEI mussels in white wine or Thai sauce.

Seafood enthusiasts come from all around to enjoy the seasonal

Maritime treat while they can!

Grog’s also hosts special events for the community that you’re just not going to find elsewhere. Like their annual Chili Fest, which invites guests to gather by a roaring fire while enjoying their choice of chili dogs or chilli cheese fries. Or the always popular Seafood and Sound Sundays - a chance to take in some live music while enjoying freshshucked oysters.

One of the real joys of going to this place is its overall attitude - Grog’s never takes itself too seriously, it just does a seriously good job at being Grog’s. Consider checking out this gem the next time you’re going to Grand Bend - The Grog Man will be waiting! 8604 Lakeshore Rd, Thedford

Come to our on-farm Brewery!

7143 Forest Rd. Plympton-Wyoming (4 km South of Forest)

stonepickerbrewing.com

STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023. PAGE 11.

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That CedarVilla flavour markets all over Huron County.

Depending on the day of the week, you can find CedarVilla and their mobile freezers at markets in Goderich, Bayfield, Clinton, Grand Bend and more! Of course, social media apps like Instagram and Facebook are an instrumental part of keeping the public informed as to where they are at any given moment.

Timothy’s sister Heidi handles most of their media presence, and also works at their market booth. Social media is also a good way for the farm to promote the community activities they participate in, such as Zurich’s annual Bean Festival, or the Open Farm event they hosted in the fall - a day where visitors and local vendors were invited to spend time on the farm and see how it all works.

Educating people about the importance of family farms and traditional livestock-raising techniques is also key to their success. Back when the first generation of Klopps started farming, the primary way people bought meat

was from their local butcher, who typically sold the meat produced on nearby farms. Today, there are so many places for consumers to purchase their proteins, and much of what we eat travels a great distance before making it to your dinner table. With so many different options for shoppers, it can be hard to stand out in the crowd.

CedarVilla Angus uses its online presence to get the word out about their upcoming projects and events, and highlight the benefits of trusting the same farming techniques their family has practiced for over a century. This certainly draws in a lot of curious potential customers, but the one thing that keeps them all coming back again and again is the outstanding flavour of CedarVilla’s beef, pork, and chicken. Historically, Huron County farmers have always put taste over technology. Some things never change. 37550 Zurich Hensall Rd, Zurich.

Zurich

he Klopp family have been farmers for a long time father/son farming team Paul and Timothy are the fifth and six generation of their family to do so, and they already have a seventh generation in training. Their farm, CedarVilla Angus, nestled between Zurich and Lake Huron, specializes in producing beef, pork, and chicken using methods geared towards sustainability and happier, healthier animals and tastier meat. All of their livestock is steroid-free and hormonefree, and live in an uncrowded, lowstress environment. Calves are pasture-raised with their mothers, and their diet is augmented with hay and a custom mix of grains developed on the farm over the course of many years. They source local animals, and work with small local abattoirs to ensure quality and reduce travel.

The Klopps have a century of experience raising livestock - they are a family that knows their meat. Their respectful approach to raising animals may not have changed much over the last hundred years, but the world we live in most certainly has! The rise of the internet and social media means that there are a lot more ways to get meat to the people, and a lot more ways to promote your business.

CedarVilla Angus, like many of Huron County’s family farms, has evolved to incorporate an online presence into their business.

Their online store (www.cedarvilla.net/shop) serves to familiarize customers with their many products, from pounds of ground beef to whole pigs. Customers place their orders, and arrange pick-ups from the farm store in Zurich. The online store also helps keep track of orders and inventory levels. They are also partnered with Eat Local Huron, who offer a number of CedarVilla’s most popular items through their local food delivery subscription program.

Customers can add a side of CVA bacon to their order, or one of their frozen Scottish or Shepherds Pies.

Of course, the Klopp family still sells their bounty the old fashioned way - at the farmers market! In the warmer months, they travel to

PARR LINE Boutique Home décor • Fashion • Local Goods 77513 Parr Line (226) 222-0035 rtdekens@tcc.on.ca Open Thursday to Saturday 11am -2pm or by appointment

Zurich

PAGE 12. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023

A store by locals for locals

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he entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in Anneka Zehr-Bergen’s DNA. She and her mother, Ruth Zielman, opened Zielman’s Goods and Gifts in the heart of Zurich in December of 2019. Anneka has taken the full reins, as her mother had to step back after her father’s illness and eventual passing, but Ruth still provides support and advice, after running several successful businesses over the years.

Despite the challenges of opening just as a global pandemic hit, the store has persevered and its resiliency is emblematic of the vision of the business as a whole. Anneka’s business card states “locally made and sourced, sustainable and ecofriendly products” and she has set that in motion by creating relationships with more than 50 vendors who provide products in at least 25 different categories.

The range of products is incredible, with items ranging from local food to outdoor metal art, and everything in between. The inventory is constantly changing, as vendors are quick to react customers' habits and requests.

All of the vendors are small and home-based businesses that found a passion, but just needed a year-round place to sell their products, and were ecstatic to find Zielman’s where they can sell consistently, in one place, needing only to refill stock as required. The best part for them, is

that Anneka deals with the business and marketing, leaving the vendors to do what they are best at, creating and producing.

The store has grown through the local connections that it makes with the creative community in the region.

Once a vendor finds success, they are quick to recommend other makers to Anneka, ensuring that the customers have an extensive range of quality products to choose from. It really is “a store by locals for locals”, as Anneka likes to call it.

Anneka began by creating handmade aprons, skirts and bonnets from upcycled fabrics, promoting sustainability and reusability in all of her products, and that commitment has continued on in the lines of products that she carries in the store.

She also insists that all of the lines that she carries are of the highest quality, and is committed to carrying

Canadian items. One brand that represents this commitment to quality is the County Bounty Artisanal Soda Company, which she loves because of their focus on flavours and ingredients. The company uses Ontario produce to create unique flavour combinations (such as black currant lemonade), with no artificial ingredients, and are, for the most part, lower in sugar than national brands of soda. They are a premium product, which makes them a little pricier as well, but she has found that once customers taste it, they are willing to pay the higher price and keep coming back for more.

The store is currently planning a second anniversary party for January 13, with details to be announced on social media as they are confirmed.

Zielman’s Goods and Gifts can be found on Facebook and Instagram. 21 Goshen St., N., Zurich.

Sunday Evening Buffet Reservations suggested

79867 Parr Line Clinton

• Catering services available • Specializing in a beautifully displayed buffet meal

STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023. PAGE 13.

Clinton

Raw power

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he REACH Centre in Clinton is hosting a unique winter event on January 6 when the Stoneboat Pullers roll into town for an Indoor Tractor Pull.

The Stoneboat Pullers have become synonymous with tractor pulling in the area, as Cam Sweiger and his company have been growing the number of events to around 20 fairs and shows in southwestern Ontario.

Sweiger purchased the pull sled from a local family business back in 2016. He supplies the sled and advertising, and the local fairs handle the registration as a fundraiser for their local organization. In 2019, after a cancellation for the last show of the season, the Sweigers were looking for a way to celebrate the end of another successful pulling season when someone suggested an indoor pull.

They immediately jumped on the idea and started looking for the ideal venue, and when they hit on the REACH Centre in Clinton, a match made in tractor pull heaven was born.

The REACH Centre can accommodate a 225’ indoor track, with lots of space for fans in the stands. The event focuses on garden tractors, and typically attracts more than 50 entries from stock seven-

horsepower lawn tractors up to 250 horsepower modified tractors and everything in between. Sweiger ensures the criteria for the classes allows participants room to get creative with their machines, and makes it easier for local people to get involved in pulling.

For the Stoneboat Pullers, the kids come first! With mom, dad or grandpa walking alongside them, Sweiger loves the confidence that beams on the youngest competitors’ faces as they make a successful pull straight down the track.

The Stoneboat Pullers look forward to the 2024 season, kicking it off in January with the indoor pull and then spending the rest of the year going

from fair to fair, visiting the fair committees, competitors and fans that have become their second family.

The excitement will begin at noon on January 6, as each entry will line up on the track and “pull until the machine can’t pull no more!”. The event runs as long as it takes to get through all the classes, usually around 5 p.m.

If you’re interested in competing, but want more information to get you started please call Cam Sweiger at 519-357-0219 and he’ll walk you through everything you need to know. Or you can visit the website www.stoneboatpullers.com. 169 Beech Street, Clinton.

Your hosts: Bob & Janice Clark

Antiques & Home Decor Shop

71 Kirk Street, Clinton 519-482-1163

Clinton, ON www.antiquesrad.com antiques.rad@gmail.com

Email: inquiries@kildonanhouse.com Website: www.kildonanhouse.com 5.0 Google rating

PAGE 14. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023

Homegrown In Huron

G. L. HUBBARD LIMITED Growers And Packers Of Quality Rutabagas

The Hubbard Family Dinsley St., Blyth 519-523-4554

Grass Fed Beef

Pastured Pork

Roasting Chickens Whole, halved or pieced

DNAs Farm

High quality organic grass fed products - Its in our genes!

Farm events, stays & dinners Organic Flower bouquets

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• Grass fed Highland Cattle Beef • Free range chickens Free delivery on orders of $100 or more within 50 km radius

The McQuail Family - Lucknow www.meetingplaceorganicfarm.ca

DNA’s Farm

519.528.2493

dnasfarm.com

meetingplaceorganicfarm@gmail.com

Green’s Meat Market & Abattoir

Proudly serving farmers, families and our community since 1971 OPEN Thurs., Fri., Sat. 9-5 39006 Zurich-Hensall Rd., East of Zurich 519-236-4979

‘Let us fill your freezer’ Quality & Local Ingredients

www.fergusonapiaries.on.ca

Open Monday - Saturday Come in Thursday - Saturday for our market-style fresh counter!

237 Arthur St., Wingham (519) 357-2912 612 Campbell St., Lucknow (519) 528-2242

OVEN READY DISHES!

Hwy. 83, 37451 Dashwood Rd., Dashwood • 519-237-3561 • www.haytersfarm.com

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STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023. PAGE 15.

Hike in Huron

Greenway Trail Blyth

The great outdoors

F

ebruary’s full moon is known as the Snow Moon and while this year is known as a “micromoon” year, (the opposite of a “supermoon”), it doesn’t mean that a night walk is out of the question. Here are a couple of suggestions for a winter hike (day or night), where you can enjoy some beautiful sky views.

Blyth Greenway Trail When the Canadian Pacific Railway quietly abandoned its line through Blyth in 1988, 71 years after it arrived to great fanfare, the village could have been left with an ugly scar if not for the imagination of some local residents.

Today, the former railway lands are part of the Blyth Greenway Trail. The railway happened to run beside Blyth Brook as it passed through the village (in fact the river was actually relocated a few feet north back in 1907 to make room for the freight

yards) so it makes a pleasant place for a stroll or a quiet place to escape to contemplate nature.

There are also kiosks that explain the importance of Blyth Brook and the history of the railway.

The giant water tank with a photogenic patina and a backdrop of trees lining the creek banks is a great place to stop for a selfie.

Heading east from the water tank you’ll take a meandering path to the left of the old rail trail that leads to a beautiful stone arch over Blyth Brook. The arch is very photogenic with layers of winter snow surrounding it. 554 Queen St., Blyth Hullett Wildlife Area For the more intrepid hikers, the Hullett Wildlife Area offers a chance to experience the marsh in the quietest of seasons. Winter hiking in the conservation area is a little more difficult than the other seasons, but

just as rewarding. The White Trail entrance at 40972 Hydro Line Road offers a cleared parking area. The trail is fairly flat and often packed down (but you can never go wrong with snowshoes!). You will walk past two ponds and stroll along a forest before coming to a fork where you can choose to stay on the white trail through meadows and fields for a straight out and back hike. Another option is to take the green trail on your right through the woodland to create counterclockwise loop trail by using the blue and purple trails to return to the white trail and back to the parking lot. The map is available at www.hullettmarsh.com/hwpa_2 and you can download it before you head out.

The winter blanket makes it easy to see the wildlife activity through the abundance of tracks in the snow.

40972 Hydro Line Road, Clinton

Seaforth

PAGE 16. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023

History hanging in the balance

S

eaforth’s historic Main Street has undergone many changes over the years, but none have been as sudden or as shocking as the one that occurred on Oct 13, 2023, when a tractor pulling two trailers crashed into the building at 33 Main St with enough force to become imbedded in the structure. No one was hurt in the incident, but the building was deeply damaged, and the delicate process of removing the tractor shut down a portion of the street for weeks.

33 Main St is located at the corner of Main and John. Constructed in 1863, it was the first brick building on the street, and was built using yellow brick - a popular choice in Huron County at the time. The doorways are in the Canada West Classical Revival Style, and the upper part of the building is decorated with an ornate brickwork pattern. It’s part of a striking stretch of buildings that make up Seaforth’s downtown core, many of which were built in a 10 year period between 1868 and 1878, after a huge fire devastated the town.

In the years before the fire, Seaforth had experienced a rapid expansion in response to its booming economy.

Wooden buildings were constructed

in haste, rendering the existing firefighting equipment and water supply insufficient. A fire that broke out in a business operated by a woman named Mrs. Griffith, eventually destroyed 22 businesses, nine residences, and resulted in over $100,000 in damage, a significant amount for the time. The structure at 33 Main St survived the fire unscathed.

For its first six years, the building was used as the local post office, and has since gone on to house a vast array of local businesses. Doctors and dentists have had their offices there, and from 1908 to 1938 Charles Aberhart and his sons ran a pharmacy there. Many stores have set up shop there over the years, providing the people of Seaforth with dry goods, jewellry, groceries, shoes, and more.

At the time of the accident, 33 Main contained a RE/MAX realty office.

The impact of the tractor caused a deep crack in the side of the building, running all the way up to its top. The decorative brickwork was marred by the visible fissure, and the future of 33 Main St became uncertain.

Rushing to extract the tractor could have caused further damage, and

repairing the heritage building would prove tricky. The Municipality of East Huron hoped to save the building, and chose to take its time evaluating their options. In November, they declared that the tractor would likely be removed in early December, and that 33 Main St would be saved, much to the relief of residents. Currently, the painstaking repairs are still underway, so the building’s final appearance is not yet known. Whenever you’re next walking down Seaforth’s Main St, look up at the corner of the building at Main and John, and see what remains of the history-making crack heard by all of Huron County.

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STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023. PAGE 17.

Brussels

Home of the Walking Taco Pizza

S

ometimes you hear about how good something is so many times, from so many sources, that you just have to try it for yourself. Such is the case with the Walking Taco Pizza from Hometown Pizza in Brussels. Satisfied customers from Huron East and beyond are quick to recommend many of the take-out spot’s more quirky offerings whenever the subject of pizza comes up, but the enthusiasm surrounding their Walking Taco is undeniable.

Online reviews of this particular pizza pie corroborate the claims of deliciousness. All that chatter is enough to make a person curious enough about the Walking Taco to take the trip to Turnberry St in Brussels to see what it is that sets this pizza apart from the rest.

The Brussels location is actually the second Hometown Pizza - the first one is located in Teeswater. The lucky citizens of Bruce County have been enjoying Walking Taco pizzas

for many years now, while the Brussels branch only opened in early 2022, making it a relatively new landmark on the local pizza map.

Their sharp grey storefront on the town’s main drag is a classic take-out counter, a well-stocked pop fridge in the corner, a row of white cardboard boxes on top of the oven, awaiting pick-up.

The standard Walking Taco comes with ground beef, taco seasoning, tomato, green onion, jalapeños, mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce.

After it comes out of the oven, the specialty pie is drizzled with sour cream, and finished off with a light crumbling of Nacho Cheese Doritos before heading out into the world. If you don’t like spice, leave out the jalapeños - they pack a punch that builds as you munch! Not into ground beef? You can substitute chicken, or even leave off the meat all together for a Veggie Taco.

It’s no wonder this pizza comes so

highly recommended - it’s excellent.

You would think that a pizza with Doritos on it would have a junk food vibe, but consuming one is a surprisingly elegant experience. The Walking Taco is a portrait of refinement and restraint, pizza-wise.

Uniformly chopped toppings are perfectly balanced without being overloaded, and the thin crust is strong enough to hold its own against the combined weight of the toppings without being overly crispy. The cheese joins forces with the sour cream, creating a cohesion among the ingredients that keeps everything neatly on the slice. Each element contributes without being overwhelming. A few Dorito shards may shake loose as you eat, but such is the price of Walking while you Taco.

Hometown Pizza is located at 515 Turnberry St in Brussels. Orders can be made via phone (226 457 9988) or in person.

Blyth

PAGE 18. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023

Something tasty for the holidays

W

ileke Barton of Wilhelmina Bakery is proud of her Dutch heritage, and she has a tendency to show it through her desserts. Her pre-order only bakery is situated on her family farm in Londesborough, where it offers a wide selection of sweet and savoury treats, from custom wedding cakes to bake-at home croissants. Family favourites like Dutch Classic cake, Boterkoek and Speculaas cookies are available year round, but there’s one traditional Dutch treat the bakery only offers for 2 days a year Oliebollen! The deep-fried donuts (Oliebollen literally translates to “oil ball”) are eaten all across the Netherlands during the winter festival season.

It’s believed that the tradition has roots that can be traced all the way back to the pagan era - hundreds of years ago! Fried cakes of dough were eaten between December 26 and January 6, during the Yule festival. It was believed that the goddess Perchta would join forces with evil spirits, flying through the sky in the middle of winter. Food was offered to these spirits to appease them, typically some kind of fried dough. The legend goes that Perchta would try to cut open the bellies of all those she encountered with her sword. Only those who ate fried dough would be safe - the oil from the dough would

make Perchta’s sword slide off their bellies, leaving them unmarked.

Centuries later, that belief has evolved into an annual New Years tradition enjoyed all across The Netherlands. In the days leading up to the festival, vendors known as “oliebollenkraam”, pop up on the street corners of cities and towns nationwide - all of them exclusively selling the iconic fresh donuts to delighted customers.

This year, Wilhelmina Bakery is going to carry on with that beloved tradition, serving up fresh Oliebollen to the people of Huron County they’ve even constructed a special take-out window just for the occasion. Barton, her family and friends all grew up eating Oliebollen around New Years, and opening her own bakery seemed like a perfect opportunity to bring her favourite

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fried treat to a wider audience. People seem to be appreciating the effort the first year selling Oliebollen, they went through roughly 200 donuts last year the total was 2200!

Barton’s Oliebollen must be ordered in advance, before December 29, to be picked up at Wilhelmina Bakery on either December 30 or December 31. Pre-orders can be done via the website, (www.wilhelminabakery.ca) or over the phone (226-998-3659). Orders are by the dozen, with the option of plain or raisin-filled, and every order comes with a side of icing sugar.

Once you get your order in, all you have to do is wait until the end of December, head out to Londesborough’s best little bakery, and find out what all the fuss is about! 39372 Winthrop Rd, Londesborough. (pre-order only)

STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023. PAGE 19.

Wingham

A tasty trail in Wingham

T

here’s always been a lot of good reasons to talk a walk up Josephine St in Wingham. You could be looking for landmarks mentioned in the short stories of Nobel Prize Winner Alice Munro, or retracing the steps of W.T. Cruickshank on the day he made his very first radio transistor. You could be examining the architectural achievements of the town’s remaining heritage buildings, or reliving the musical heyday of CKNX Barn Dance. Yes, there’s always been a lot of reasons to take a tour of Josephine St, but here’s one you may not have thought of - pizza! A mere 10 minute stroll up the street will take you past not one, not four, but FIVE different pizzerias - that must be the Huron County record!

Any Wingham Pizza walking tour worth its salt begins at 115 Josephine St - the Pizza Pizza. This ubiquitous Ontario staple can be found sharing space with a Mr. Sub at the Pioneer

Gas Station. The first ever Pizza Pizza was opened by Michael Overs in Toronto in 1967.

We’ll have to cross the street for our next stop - 132 Josephine St.

Noah’s Pizza is a relative newcomer to town, having recently moved into the building that was previously occupied by Godfather’s Pizza. This Continued on page 20

PAGE 20. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023

Wingham

wafting bread-smell of a Subway. It’s well worth taking a second look New Orleans makes a tasty pie!

The last stop on our tour is a bit of an outlier in Wingham’s pizza landscape - the Pizza Hut at 355 Josephine St. This is the only pizzeria in town that isn’t Canadian - Pizza Hut was founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1958. While not Canadian by birth, Pizza Hut was long ago accepted as one of our own. It’s also a bit of a different kind of pizza - thicker than average, with a distinctive crust that’s never been replicated. A fitting end to a great tour.

Follow your taste Continued from page 19 locally owned establishment has a great selection of slices at studentfriendly prices, and an excellent chicken shawarma pizza. This is the second Noah’s Pizza - the first one is in Linwood, Ontario.

Moving right along, we come to 176 Josephine St - Cornerstone Pizza and Subs. This address was previously the home of beloved Wingham institution, Bell’s Pizza.

The town was sad to see its favourite

local pizza place shut down, but hope returned with the opening of Cornerstone Pizza and Subs - even more so when it was learned that they had retained all of the old Bell’s recipes!

A bit of a hike and a cross back to the other side of the street brings us to 317 Josephine St - New Orleans Pizza. It’s easy to miss Wingham’s branch of this Canadian pizza franchise - it’s tucked into a plaza dominated by the bright lights and

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STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023. PAGE 21. rock band, The Sheepdogs! Their catchy hooks and funky rhythms have landed them on the cover of Rolling Stone, and netted the band multiple Juno awards, including Rock Album of the Year. Their songs have been featured on the soundtrack of shows like Sons of Anarchy and Shameless. The band has also performed at flagship festivals like Coachella, Bonaroo, and Lucknow’s Music in the Fields. Their bold sound blends together a lot of different influences sometimes a bit Led Zeppelin, sometimes a little Grand Funk Academy of Country Music, the Railroad, but the end result is always Canadian Country Music Association, something that sounds unmistakably and the Gospel Music Association of like The Sheepdogs. Rock enthusiasts Canada. Most recently, their 2023 of all ages have fallen in album “Way Back” was nominated love with their energetic contributions for the Juno Country Music Award of to rock music - the band has a habit the Year. of making new fans everywhere they Beyond their superb musicianship, go - and they’ve toured all over the what makes High Valley really stand world, so that’s a lot of fans! out are their timeless, heartfelt It’s heartening to see high quality lyricism and forthright attitude, a far performers like High Valley and The cry from the kind of country music Sheepdogs being booked at you hear on the radio these days. the Town Hall so consistently.

Songs like “Grew Up on That,” and Wingham’s most venerable venue “Small Town Somethin’” are almost certainly has a bright future, showcases of the rural way of life, with a lot of stellar shows to come! hearkening back to a simpler time.

Tickets for both these shows are They are a perfect fit for the available from the Town Hall Town Hall Theatre!

Theatre’s website.

On March 15, Wingham will be (winghamtownhalltheatre.ca) 274 treated to a performance by Josephine St., Wingham Saskatoon, Saskatchewan’s favourite

The grand stage

F

or many years, Wingham was a rural cultural hot spot with a grand tradition of live and broadcast musical performances. The homegrown phenomenon of CKNX and its Barn Dance brought musicians from far and wide to the streets of Wingham. In the days when the little town was known as Nashville North, many great musicians performed at the Town Hall Theatre on Josephine St. Years passed, and the theatre gradually fell into a state of disrepair.

A group of dedicated townspeople came together to save their theatre, devoting time, skills and effort to the much needed restoration project. The hope was that the revitalized venue would bring the music back to town.

Even though that hope had to be put on hold during the pandemic, the theatre finally did reopen. Since then, acts like country music star George Fox and comedian Shaun Majumder have graced the stage in Wingham, performing each time to a packed house.

In 2024, two bands with prairie roots will be coming to the theatre an evening spent listening to either one of them is a a perfect way to celebrate the impending end of winter. The first band is High Valley, who will be bringing their “Small Town, Small Somethin’” tour to the Town Hall Theatre on Feb 28. High Valley is a country bluegrass band that hails from the small Mennonite community of Blumenort, Alberta.

From small town beginnings, the band has gone on to record hit songs like “Make You Mine” and great albums like “Country Line.” High Valley has received awards from the

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PAGE 24. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023

Rise, shine... stretch!

B

en and Bri Gingrich started their small batch coffee roastery in 2014, with the simple goal of bringing a great cup of coffee to the homes of Huron County.

Almost a decade later, Coastal Coffee can be found all over Southwestern Ontario and beyond. Moving with their three children and setting up shop in the old Presbyterian Church on Kintail Line outside of Goderich inspired a new goal - to restore the old church using sound environmental practices, and reopen it as a gathering place for the community. They opened a cafe in the space - a beautiful setting to catch up with a friend or to take a few minutes for quiet reflection.

Pandemic complications meant their plans for larger gatherings had to be delayed for a while, but in 2023 the old church has been able to welcome the community back full force for a number of different events. Their live music Saturdays entertained guests and offered local talent a venue to show off their skills.

There were also sing-a-longs and art

shows - there was even a proper Father’s Day celebration!

Another great use of the space was Rise and Shine Yoga - an early morning yoga class held every Saturday at Coastal. A converted church is a fitting setting for a yoga class - a tranquil and beautiful space designed with quiet contemplation in mind. Having a convenient spot to grab a coffee and a pastry after yoga is also a big plus! Rise and Shine Yoga class was a big hit, and Ben is hoping to bring it back in the new year.

This year was also the year Coastal Coffee hosted its first wedding in the church, and all three of their artisan Christmas Markets were great successes. Ben and Bri are encouraged by the response from locals, and are planning to ramp things up with more ticketed concerts, more markets, and more free events in 2024. The Gingrichs’ bet has paid off - they have opened their doors to the community, and the community has returned. 86252 Kintail Line, Goderich

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STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023. PAGE 25.

Lucknow

A chance to show off

D

ungannon’s first annual snowmobile show was held in Ron Brindley’s shed in 2014, as a way of Ron showing off his mammoth collection of sleds. His sister, Susan Brindley, estimates that he owned more than 200 machines, with more than 160 show-ready.

Eventually, the show outgrew the shed and moved to the Dungannon Fairgrounds and became the Dungannon Vintage Snowmobile Show and Swap Meet, held on the second Sunday of February each year.

Ron’s love for antique snowmobiles was legendary, and he and his favourite of the collection, a Bombardier Snowbug, became famous in the area. In peak years, if the snow was just right, the show would feature more than 250 snowmobiles, from vintage to new,

lined up in the fairground.

Sadly, Ron passed away in 2019, but his friends and family were determined to continue his legacy.

The show was on hold for three years due to COVID, but the team never lost their vision and the Ron Brindley Memorial Vintage Snowmobile Show returned in 2023, keeping the show just as Ronnie had it: an opportunity for fellow enthusiasts to talk to fellow collectors, buy and sell parts and, most importantly, show off their new and vintage rides.

The vintage collectors are a closeknit community, and Susan envisions that the event will gain momentum. If there is snow on the ground, many will snowmobile in, and in “off” (no snow) years there will be more trailered in.

The day-long event will run on

February 11 from 10 am to 4 pm, with a lunch booth powered by the Dungannon Agricultural Society. For more information, you can follow the event on Facebook. 36897 Dungannon Rd, Dungannon

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Doing it yourself

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intertime is the perfect time to learn that new skill or take that workshop that you just didn’t have time for during the hustle and bustle of the warmer months. There’s a natural slowing down that comes along with colder weather, and it allows us a bit of space mentally to reflect on the things we really want to do, and a bit of space schedule-wise to go out and actually do those things. Huron County is lucky to be full of so many talented artists, skilled crafters, and great teachers that don’t let the drop in temperature dissuade them from sharing their knowledge through a variety of classes, workshops, and kits - there’s never been a better time to pick up a new hobby or hone a rusty skill. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.

Last Minute Christmas Crafts The Huron County Library has a few more instalments in its Homemade Holidays series.

Christmas crafters can choose to head to Bayfield Dec 19 to make plaster ornaments, or to Goderich Dec 20 to craft Knotty Gnomes. Whichever you decide, it will give your Christmas tree the handmade touch that the holidays are all about. Pre-registering is required, and can be done through the library branch website or by phone.

Dec 19 Bayfield Branch Painted Plaster Ornaments bayfieldlibrary@huroncounty.ca 519-565-2886 *** Dec 20 Goderich Branch Knotty Gnome Ornament goderichlibrary@huroncounty.ca 519-524-9261

Witchy Winter Workshops Goderich’s most curious new shop, The Mystical Willow, is going to be several educational and crafty workshops over the winter that are a perfect way to set your intentions for the coming year. You can learn how to make dream catchers, or get your start read tarot cards. Your future is in your hands!

Dec 30 2023 Dream Catcher Workshop Learn about the significance of this Indigenous tradition, and embark on a captivating journey of creativity and culture. This workshop is $30, and spots must be reserved in advance. *** Jan 13 2024 Tarot Workshop If you’re seeking new insight and wisdom, your mystical journey through the ancient art of Tarot card reading can begin here! The workshop is $50, and spots must be reserved in advance.

All workshops are held at: The Mystical Willow 79 Hamilton St, Goderich hello@themysticalwillow.com Unlocking the Artist Within For artists of all skill levels who want to explore the fringes of visual representation, Blyth’s Wild Goose Studio is offering an introduction to abstract art that will be facilitated by artist Nancy MacNabb on Jan 27. The workshop is $150, and preregistration is required. All materials and tools will be provided, including a blank 24x24 canvas.

Jan 27 Completely Unplanned An Introduction to Abstract Art Facilitated by Artist Nancy MacNabb Wild Goose Studio Canada

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STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023. PAGE 27.

432 Queen St wildgoosestudiocanada@ yahoo.com 519-386-5868 On Jan 27, Cindy Pearce of Lucknow’s Conscious Creations Art will be holding a Valentine’s Day themed stained glass workshop at Victoria Park Gallery and Gift Shop. The class is suitable for all skill levels, and attendees will get to choose one of three designs to create. The workshop is $160 and includes all materials. A 50% deposit is required to hold your place.

Jan 27 Valentine’s Day Stained Glass With Cindy Pearce consciouscreations9@gmail.com 519-573-4082

Fun with Fabric The Quilt Kitchen in Exeter has a lot of ways to improve your quilting skills. They offer a number of quilting courses in-person, but early registration is recommended as class size is very limited. Luckily, they also have the option of learning through Zoom. The Quilt Kitchen has a two day quilting tutorial coming up on Feb 21 and Mar 6. Joan Robinson is the teacher, and the theme is “All Things Winter.” Every participant will be given the chance to quilt along to make their own wintery lap quilt. The course costs $80 plus materials - everything needed for the project is available in store. In class spots are limited and must be registered in advance, but Continued on page 28

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PAGE 28. STOPS ALONG THE WAY, WINTER 2023

Throw an Artsy Party If you’re looking to explore your creative side with a few of your closest friends, consider booking an evening with Mandy’s Creative Touch in Goderich or arrange an outing to Country Clay Cafe in Wingham. If painting is your interest, you can book a private paint party for between 6 and 15 people, at the cost of $30 per painter.

The party will provide all necessary supplies, including a canvas for each guest. If pottery is more your style, Country Clay Cafe offers a variety of clay-based workshops. Whether you want to make a unique piece by hand or learn to work with a pottery wheel, all you need to do is book your workshop online. Workshops are available for individuals or groups, and all materials are provided.

Book a Painting Party Mandy’s Creative Touch Studio Goderich mandyscreativetouch.com 519 955 3493 *** Book a Pottery Class Country Clay Cafe Wingham countryclaycafe.ca 778 874 3334 Learn From Home with Craft Kits If you’d rather stay at home to do your crafting on your own time, try a DIY craft kit! FACTS in Blyth carries a great series of rug hooking kits designed by Marjorie Duizer. Each kit comes with a link to an introductory online lesson recorder by Duizer that leads you through the project step-by-step. Looking for a

quick project with striking results?

Head to Elizabeth’s Art Gallery and pick up one of the simple craft kits they carry, like the charming Hook, Line, and Tinker Embroidery Kit series. They come in a variety of great patterns!

*** Craft Kits at Elizabeth’s Art Gallery 54 Courthouse Sq Goderich elizabethsartgallery.ca Hopefully at least one of these ideas can help keep your creative fire burning all winter long!

Marjorie Duizer Rug Hooking Kits At FACTS 166 Dinsley St, Blyth factsblyth.ca

On the Trail to a Great Deal!

With our constantly changing inventory, prices below retail and one-of-a-kind items, you’re sure to find something you can’t live without!

Visit the ReStore for 20% off, minimum of $10 purchase.

One coupon per visit.

Continued from page 27 Zoom participation is encouraged!

February 21 and March 6 “All Things Winter” Quilting Course At The Quilt Kitchen $80 + kit and necessary supplies thequiltkitchen.ca 226 735 3676

Winter Workshops

Getting creative this winter

Expires April 30, 2024. Not vaild with any other discounts.

If you miss a day, you just might miss a deal!

Goderich

Wingham

120 Huckins Street 519-612-1612 restore.goderich@habitathuroncounty.ca

680 Josephine Street 519-912-2882 restore.wingham@habitathuroncounty.ca

See us on

to see recent arrivals.

Proudly owned and operated by Habitat for Humanity Huron County and serving our work of bringing communities together to help families build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.

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Everything you may need from the preparation of your culinary delights to presentation

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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