Autumn In The Hills 2023

AWARD-WINNING APPLE PIE

CAN CALEDON GO IT ALONE ?

GREENBELT GEMS : SEVEN ICONIC SPECIES WEDDINGS IN NATURE

Meet Richard and Olivia Messam

We are the husband and wife founders of Ronam Capital Inc., as well as dedicated parents to two wonderful children, with a strong focus on family and a deep commitment to making a positive impact in the Bolton community by supporting families.

Ronam Capital – a Mortgage Brokerage that serves as a financial hub for residential and commercial financing – was birthed from a desire to offer accessible mortgage solutions to our community.

Our well­rounded team is versed in financial services and works hand-in-hand with strategic partners who share our passion for providing financing for businesses and real estate ventures.

Our primary goal at Ronam Capital is to deliver optimal solutions and to ensure

an exceptional customer experience for our valued clients, placing their satisfaction above all else.

Leveraging our extensive expertise in the mortgage sector, we adopt a friendly and consultative approach to empower our clients with robust financial decision-making. Our Mortgage Agents work collaboratively, employing their extensive knowledge and expertise, to design personalized solutions for each client served.

Our passion also extends beyond our professional pursuits to include serving individuals from diverse backgrounds and contributing to the betterment of our community.

One of our recent accomplishments was transitioning from a home­based operation

to an office space. Finding the perfect location to house our growing brokerage was of the utmost importance, so choosing to showcase our great service within the historic, vibrant and growing town of Bolton was a logical decision. The fun part is that as a team we can engage with our clients in person to provide assistance and service.

We want to make it clear that our success is not just a matter of natural talent and training, but also a result of our genuine passion. Our expert team is committed to serving you to the best of their abilities. We strive to offer customized solutions that cater to your unique mortgage needs.

We are always here for you and ready to offer our expertise whenever you need it. We are your source for funding!

FEATURES

26 IN RETROSPECT

On our 30th anniversary, we’re digging into the archives to review some of the themes that have shaped us

28 CAN CALEDON GO IT ALONE … AND STILL BE CALEDON

The dissolution of Peel Region and incursions into the Greenbelt by the Ford government pose existential threats to Caledon BY

NICOLA ROSS

35 CALEDON: THE EARLY DAYS

A memoir from inside the public works department BY

BERT MOORE

42 THE MAGNIFICENT 7

Seven of the many species that will suffer if the Greenbelt gives way to urban sprawl BY

DON SCALLEN

52 NUPTIALS IN NATURE Rustic and romantic country weddings are also increasingly earth-friendly BY

ALISON MCGILL

55 MAKING IT OFFICIAL

What to know about hiring a marriage officiant to preside over your wedding BY EMILY

DICKSON

64 IN PIE WE CRUST

It’s apple season – and we have the scoop on transforming nature’s bounty into irresistible pies BY EMILY

DICKSON

70 CARIBBEAN IN THE HILLS

Caribbean culture – from food to music and style – has made a home in Headwaters BY EMILY DICKSON

77 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

A new exhibition at the Museum of Dufferin honours the history of service by local veterans BY TONY

REYNOLDS

25

JANICE QUIRT

TRALEE PEARCE

83

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Signe Ball

DEPUTY EDITOR

Tralee Pearce

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Dyanne Rivers

ART DIRECTOR

Kim van Oosterom

Wallflower Design

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Magna Arnott

Erin Fitzgibbon

Rosemary Hasner

Lydia Ivy

Elaine Li

Robert McCaw

Pete Paterson

ILLUSTRATORS

Shelagh Armstrong

Ruth Ann Pearce

Jim Stewart

WRITERS

Johanna Bernhardt

Emily Dickson

Gail Grant

Bethany Lee

Alison McGill

Bert Moore

Dan Needles

Janice Quirt

Tony Reynolds

Nicola Ross

Don Scallen

Rebecca Weston

ON OUR COVER Apple pies baked, styled and photographed by Elaine Li

In The Hills is published quarterly by MonoLog Communications Inc. It is distributed through controlled circulation to households in the towns of Caledon, Erin, Orangeville, Shelburne, Creemore, and Dufferin County. Annual subscriptions outside the distribution area are $29.95 for 1 year and $53.95 for 2 years (including HST).

© 2023 MonoLog Communications Inc. All rights reserved. No reproduction by any means or in any form may be made without prior written consent by the publisher.

For information regarding editorial content or letters to the editor: 519-942-8401 or sball@inthehills.ca.

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REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS

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Erin Woodley

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Cindy Caines Dillman

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION

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Type & Images

EVENTS & COPY EDITOR

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DIGITAL EDITORS

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Janice Quirt

For advertising, contact one of our regional sales managers: Roberta Fracassi 519-943-6822, roberta@inthehills.ca (Orangeville, Shelburne, Creemore and areas N of Hwy 9) Erin Woodley 519-216-3795, erin@inthehills.ca (Caledon, Bolton, Erin and areas S of Hwy 9)

The ad booking deadline for the winter (November) issue is Friday, October 20, 2023.

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Choosing the Right Executor for your Estate

Please join us to learn what to consider when appointing your Executor, the Executor’s task list, and how a Corporate Executor works.

Date: Wednesday, September 27th, 2023

Location: Greystones Restaurant, Orangeville

Time: 6:00 p.m, Dinner will be served RSVP: dagmara.durda@nbpcd.com | 519-886-3939

I look forward to seeing you there!

Nadine Meek, CFP FMA FCSI Wealth Advisor, Financial Planner Tel: 519-942-0061 www.nadinemeek.com nadine.meek@nbpcd.com

IN A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR, the town of Caledon will be pushed from the nest and forced to fly solo in the face of some very strong headwinds and weighted by some very heavy baggage. As Nicola Ross reports in this issue, Premier Doug Ford’s sudden decision to dissolve the Region of Peel comes burdened with other legislative edicts that strike at the heart of the town’s financial, social and environmental viability.

Along with imposing aggressive growth mandates – Caledon has been directed to double its current population to 150,000 by 2041 – the province is jeopardizing the town’s ability to protect its countryside.

Ford has been chipping away at environmental protections for some time now, first under cover of Covid and now ostensibly to deal with the housing shortage by fast tracking the construction of 1.5 million new homes in Ontario by 2031. But after undermining the role of conservation authorities and undercutting the Endangered Species Act among other changes, the premier may at last have gone a bridge too far with his increasingly flagrant incursions into the Greenbelt.

After the backlash to a 2018 leaked video of Ford telling developers he would “open a big chunk” of the Greenbelt for housing, Ford famously insisted, “The people have spoken – we won’t touch the Greenbelt.” Now, with the brazen swap of 7,400 acres out of the Greenbelt, that stealth attack has become a full-frontal assault, with the premier even more famously calling the Greenbelt “a scam.”

The land swap resulted in an investigation by Ontario’s auditor general who issued a scathing report, concluding that the move was not needed to meet the government’s housing goals and that it specifically favoured certain developers.

The report not only buttressed charges that private development interests are influencing government policy, but also revealed just how gravely Ford has underestimated popular support for the Greenbelt. In Caledon, the stakes could hardly be higher. About 80 per cent of the town falls within the Greenbelt. And those lands – its forests, meadows, farms, wildlife, rivers and wetlands – not only define the character of the town but also provide a carbon sink, clean water and other environmental benefits for its urban neighbours to the south, never mind valuable proximity to nature for the residents of those cities.

At this writing, a coalition of Caledon citizens, including former councillors and town staff, is galvanizing to protect the Greenbelt and their town. In conjunction with province-wide protests, their first move is a rally in Bolton on October 14. But their longer-term goal is to make sure residents’ voices and concerns are heard loud and clear as a freshly independent Caledon embarks on choppy and uncharted waters. We wish them safe passage. ALL BY ITSELF

Don Scallen

In The Hills resident naturalist Don Scallen is passionate about nature in all its kaleidoscopic diversity. Don taught middle-school science for more than 20 years, allowing him to share his love of nature with children. In 2020 Don published his first book, Nature Where We Live: Activities to Engage Your Inner Scientist from Pond Dipping to Animal Tracking, with kids in mind. In this issue, Don explores seven species of birds, insects and other wildlife that would be affected by development on or near the Greenbelt. Between issues his “Notes from the Wild” blog at inthehills.ca highlights species he’s observing in season most recently carnivorous plants (!) and warblers. In addition to writing for In The Hills, Don provides presentations and workshops, including an upcoming Headwaters Nature talk on “Ontario Turtles,” Tuesday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Orangeville and District Seniors Centre.

Alison McGill

Alison is an award-winning editor, writer, brand strategist and podcast host. She is the former editorin-chief of Weddingbells and is a contributor to other print and digital publications, including The Kit. Alison hosts a wedding and lifestyle podcast, Aisle Seat, and is a frequent guest on TV’s CityLine, Breakfast Television and The Social. Although her media career has always been city-based, home is in the countryside of Halton Hills. For In The Hills, Alison has tapped that country life, contributing stories on rural tax incentives, country wells and composting. In this issue she returns to the land of tulle and love with “Nuptials in Nature,” examining the trend toward eco-conscious weddings in country settings. Alison found couples are increasingly looking for ways to shrink their environmental impact by choosing local flowers, decorating with secondhand finds, and considering the carbon footprint of everything from rental furniture to wedding dresses.

Rebecca Weston

First-time In The Hills writer Rebecca Weston grew up in Caledon, which she says fostered her deep love for nature. As Rebecca’s passion for environmental awareness grew, so did her need to inform others of both pressing issues and positive change. This passion and love for storytelling is what inspired Rebecca to study journalism at Carleton University. In 2022, Rebecca graduated with an honours bachelor of journalism degree with a minor in human rights and social justice. She is currently completing her master of journalism degree. Rebecca has worked for various news organizations, including The Globe and Mail and the Windsor Star. After living in Ottawa for the last five years, Rebecca is enjoying being home in Bolton. In this issue she meets Belfountain potter Wendy Mitchell-Burke to learn about the craft. Rebecca also visits Jeff Hamilton, who brought a firedamaged Victorian house back to life in Shelburne.

www.karry.ca

Buying or selling, let experience guide you

Looking for a home? We are always familiar with the current homes on the market, and we know how values fluctuate in your area as well, so we can help you determine which properties are fairly-priced and in good condition before you start your search.

Selling? We will work for you every step of the way! Our combination of skill, experience, and technology ensures that we can sell your home for the highest possible price and in the shortest period of time.

Clockwise from top left • Red 60" x 60" oil, acrylic, canvas • Is it a Richter Blur…maybe 40.5" x 47.5" oil, acrylic, canvas

Patterns 1/2 22" x 30" cyanotype, paper • Stretched (Yellow) 22" x 30" watercolour, paper • Blot (Yellowish-green/Green) 22" x 28" gouache, acrylic, birch

EMILY ESCOFFERY

Emily Escoffery’s abstract pieces hum with colour – saturated tomato red, deep teal, tart yellow. “I want the colours so bright my eyes water,” she says. “I’m sure neutrals would be fine, but what’s the point? If you can do a huge red painting, why not?” This exuberance is anchored by the Mono artist’s use of grid patterns behind each painting or cyanotype. In Red and Is it a Richter Blur...maybe, however, those grids disappear, warping into mysterious, amorphic shapes. Emily’s work winks at 1960s abstract and optical art by European and Canadian artists, including Gerhard Richter, Bridget Riley and Agnes Martin. She also dips into printmaking and even patchwork quilting for ideas. Watch for more from this energetic emerging artist as she pursues a master in fine arts at University of Ottawa. IG @emilyescoffery

AN AUTUMN FULL OF ART, OUTDOOR FUN AND HISTORY

BY JOHANNA BERNHARDT

IRON WILLED: WOMEN IN STEM

The Iron Willed exhibit at Peel Art Gallery, Museum & Archives celebrates the many notable (but often untold) contributions of women in STEM — science, technology, engineering and math. You’ll learn about women such as Irish astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell, who discovered the first pulsar signals from a neutron star, and Canadian Donna Strickland, whose work with lasers led to techniques used in eye surgeries and machining of glass. The exhibit will also address the cultural barriers that result in the underrepresentation of women in STEM. The exhibit runs until January 2024.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CALLS

Finding some gems while decluttering? Visit Habitat for Humanity’s pop-up station October 14 in Erin. Support local families in need of affordable housing by donating gently used household items, renovation materials, tools and home decor.

OLD-TIME COUNTRY MUSIC NEWS

Leisa Way’s live show, Early Morning Rain, is a celebration of the late, legendary folksinger Gordon Lightfoot backed by a five-piece band on November 17 at Rose Theatre in Brampton. At Theatre Orangeville, Whiskey Jack performs Stompin' Tom Connors’ greatest hits with a dose of backstage stories on September 15 to 17. And The Tradition plays three-chord, raw-grit country music from heroes like Johnny Cash and Hank Williams at Caledon’s GoodLot Farmstead Brewing Co. on September 29.

FALL FESTIVAL ALERT

CREEMORE AND CALEDON TURN UP THE ART THIS FALL

Creemore Festival of the Arts takes over the village at various sites from September 29 to October 1. Connect with your inner artist at interactive stations such as a “wool-towear exploration,” including spinning, knitting, crocheting and rug hooking at Creemore Log Cabin. Delve into the local art scene and attend ReconciliACTION, a performance by the Moose Cree First Nation and Ermineskin Cree Nation in partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund — it provides programing for intergenerational survivors of the residential school system.

Live music, interactive workshops, artisans and authors abound at the Caledon Creative Arts Festival. On September 23 head to Caledon East Park to draw, sculpt, write and paint the day away with area artists, including painters Pauline Gladstone, Sherry Park and “pour artist” Deborah Powell. Live music from Collingwood’s Matthew and Richard Jazz duo and others will fill the air.

CALLING ALL SCREENWRITERS

The new Dufferin Film Festival launches with a screenwriting competition for short films — the details will be announced on September 28. The films will debut at the festival’s opening event in August 2024.

All screenwriters of any age can enter short film screenplays of five minutes or less. Two winning films will be produced by the team at Orangeville’s Rose Digital Media Group — and the screenwriters will get to be on set. Watch for more details on the DFF website.

Fall Décor is Here

Fresh cut flowers, potted mums, grasses, potted kale, decorative urns, pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks and straw bales

Open all of Thanksg iving weekend.

Large selection of fresh baked pies and Ontar io g rown apples.

O N TA R I O H A R V E S T

Large variety of local apples, pears, concord grapes, peaches and cream cor n, field tomatoes, fall squash, eggplants, brussel sprouts, broccoli and tur nips R E A D Y T O G O H O M E M A D E M E A L S

Fresh lasagna, meatballs and tomato sauce, far m fresh eggs, baked goods, fresh baked pies, fresh baked bread, preserves, jams and maple syrup

Eat Local & Taste the Difference!

O P E N E V E R Y D AY ! April to Nov 8am to 7pm

Our family thanks you for all the support this season! Closing November 1 See everyone next spring!

Far mer Fresh Produce: from our table to yours

There is no better time

Dalerose Homes is a locally owned homebuilder focused on building innovative new homes, remodelling existing homes, and giving new life to beautiful century homes in Dufferin, Caledon and Wellington. We strive to deliver beauty and lasting value that will provide many years of comfort and enjoyment for your family. Call or email us today for more information about how Dalerose can help you create the home of your dreams.

Custom Design / Build / Remodel

Fall Fairs & Country Fare

Amaranth, usually a sleepy agricultural township, will be abuzz with visitors to the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo September 19 to 23. Get your country on at events ranging from old-school horse and mule plowing to a high-octane rodeo. Cheer on local plowing champion Daryl Hostrawser of East Garafraxa, who will be back in the fields with a new plow he and a friend recently designed and built. The expo also includes hundreds of vendors and agricultural exhibits, as well as live entertainment (local band Campfire Poets will be there). The RAM Rodeo event features Canada’s top talent competing in bareback riding, bronco riding, barrel racing and jaw-dropping bull riding.

Don’t miss the 173rd Erin Fall Fair, which welcomes over 30,000 people every Thanksgiving weekend in Erin Village. Take a stroll through the huge exhibit hall where you’ll find homecrafts, homemade jams and the fair staple, apple dumplings! There’s also a classic midway, vendor tents, a farmers’ market, demolition derby and tractor pull.

Bridget Ryan of Equine Erin says to expect an equine tent with heavy horses, miniature horses, jumper shows, a petting zoo, and a Breyer pony painting event for kids. On Saturday, a Heritage Hall of Fame Award will be presented to a special person (or horse) who has made a significant contribution to the equine community in Erin.

The Dufferin Farm Tour on September 30 showcases day-to-day farming operations, farm-fresh produce and a chance to learn about the stellar commitment of local farm families. This year will highlight cattle, horses and Nigerian dwarf goats. Visit their Facebook page for up-to-date info.

ORANGEVILLE HISTORY LESSON

With her new book, Once Upon a Forest: Celebrating Orangeville’s Early Years, Alton’s Nancy Early celebrates Orangeville’s history with a glimpse of pioneer life, ghost stories, local celebrities and the role of environmental stewardship — all colourfully illustrated in a realistic, upbeat style by Kasia Charko, also of Alton. “We can all do our part to learn the lessons that history teaches us,” says Nancy. A book launch will be held at Orangeville’s Town Hall on Saturday, October 21 at 11 a.m.

SHELBURNE GETS SPOOOOOKY

They don’t look a day over 39. Orangeville’s Achill Choral Society will celebrate their 40th season this year with two afternoon holiday concerts — November 25 at Westminster United Church in Orangeville and December 2 at Knox Presbyterian Church in Alliston — you might want to mark on your

calendar now. Artistic director Shawn Grenke will take audiences back to the choir’s first performance in 1982, with songs from John Williams’ “Home Alone Suite,“ Howard Blake’s “The Snowman” and seasonal favourites, including a sing-along — accompanied by pianist Nancy Dettbarn.

Shelburne’s Carola and Jeremy Little and their family are gearing up for the 30th anniversary of “scaring the heck out of people,” as Carola puts it. On October 27, 28 and 31, dozens of volunteers and local sponsors transform the pavilion at Fiddle Park into a free Halloween nightmare. Over 40 volunteers in full makeup and costume work the haunted house, featuring a doctor’s office, insane asylum, and a chicken-out run if things get too intense for you! There’s also a kidfriendly Mini-Boo event on Saturday during the day. Carola says the best part of Halloween is that “it’s an all-encompassing, equalizing holiday that everyone can enjoy.” Donations to the Shepherd’s Cupboard Food Bank are gratefully accepted.

A RAM Rodeo rider competes in the timed pole-bending event; competitive plowman Daryl Hostrawser with his tractor; family fun at the Dufferin Farm Tour.

‘ TRUE PASTRY GLOVES ’

BY DAN NEEDLES • ILLUSTRATION BY SHELAGH ARMSTRONG

THIS PAST SUMMER, AN OLD FRIEND OF mine asked me to serve as an honorary citizenship judge for the annual Canada Day “reaffirmation” ceremony he supervises in my hometown. It took place on the main street where a large crowd gathered to hear a bagpiper play “The Maple Leaf Forever,” then our poet laureate read a piece she composed for the day and we heard greetings from three levels of government. Then it was my turn to step up and say something intelligent before leading the crowd in reciting an oath of allegiance to Canada, including King Charles III, his heirs and successors.

As we walked over to the platform, I asked our poet laureate, who is Indigenous, if she would be comfortable swearing loyalty to King Charles and she indicated she most definitely would not be doing any such thing.

“I completely understand,” I said. “My family crossed the Atlantic 250 years ago, below the waterline, to get away from plummy guys on horseback who trampled over our fields anytime they pleased. My knee does not bend either.”

What I love about this country is there is no legal requirement for us to swear allegiance to anybody or anything unless we are applying for a job in government or the military. (I think lawyers still have to swear an oath in most provinces.) The rest of us are free to remain silent or even mutter something rebellious on state occasions if we choose, because that is our inalienable right. When it came time for me to speak to the crowd, I observed that Canadians are the only people who stumble over the words of their national anthem.

That day we weren’t sure if we should be singing “Our home on Native land.” I said, “Sing whatever you like, folks.” For years my own kids sang “True pastry gloves” because they had a vague sense they were supposed to be expressing reverence for something and the first thing that came to mind was their mother’s home dessert business. They still sing “True pastry gloves” if they don’t have a pamphlet in front of them.

When the flag is fluttering and the anthem is playing – even if it’s that other anthem nobody remembers, about a tree that only grows reliably in

“If you’re not sure, just mumble.” This is wonderfully Canadian advice and deserves a much wider application.

temperate forests with topsoil – it is still important to remember what is sacred to us. Canada’s flag has never been a symbol of individual freedom, in spite of the current fad of fixing it to monster trucks. To me, the maple leaf stands for a fresh start. Shake the dust of the old place from your feet. Shoulder your way into a human community and try to do good work. And above all, try not to start any of the crap that made it necessary for you to come here. That’s a wonderful narrative for a national symbol and it beats the pants off sulky lions and angry eagles.

There’s no real way of getting around King Charles.

He’s in the constitution and to change that you need the unanimous agreement of the provinces, the territories and Lord knows who else. You can rail about it as loud as you like, but it’s extremely difficult, if not impossible to change, which is a good thing. Fads and enthusiasms come and go, statues go up and down, but the thinking of the founders remains in place. We’re stuck with Charles and he with us. On a trip to Canada, his father once famously said, “We don’t come here for our health!”

Years ago, I got to know the minister for our little Anglican church who came to us after a long career as an emergency room nurse. She was far more interested in setting up a daycare or a coffee club for seniors than diving into theological rabbit holes. “I hadn’t thought about it either way,” she would say. “But if you’re coming Sunday, would you bring a hot dish?” Her advice to godparents struggling with the more difficult passages in the baptismal responses was, “If you’re not sure, just mumble.” This is wonderfully Canadian advice and deserves a much wider application.

There’s a lot happening when a Canadian mumbles. The seed of skepticism has been planted, which is the traditional cover crop the brain needs when it is changing its mind about a long-held belief. In that mumble there is doubt, there is humility and there is curiosity, the three essential traits a person needs to find the path to true enlightenment and good citizenship.

Playwright and humorist Dan Needles lives in Nottawa. His latest book, Finding Larkspur: A Return to Village Life, will be released by Douglas & McIntyre this fall.

In retrospect

This year In The Hills celebrates its 30th anniversary. To mark the occasion, in each issue of 2023, we’re digging into archives to take a look back at some of the themes that have populated our pages over the past three decades – stories that reflect how the pleasures and concerns of our special countryside community have evolved over a generation. The full articles featured on these pages can be found online at inthehills.ca

environment

Over the years, In The Hills has celebrated the rich natural bounty of the Headwaters region, but we have also documented the threats it faces – from the impact of global climate change to local issues such as water-taking and illegal dumping. However, the news isn’t all grim; we’ve also reported on the many initiatives by local governments, community groups and individuals who are responding in both big and small but important ways to protect our environment.

Buying a bottle of water seems like a little thing. In reality, though, it’s a very big thing. One that has spread throughout the world, and that some say threatens a basic tenet of society: water as a shared human resource. It’s a classic case of big business versus the little guy, and — no surprise, considering we call this region Headwaters — one corner of this international battle is playing out right here at home.

In the summer of 2006, 23 tornadoes struck Ontario during three separate storms. On August 2, the season’s second major storm triggered 14 tornadoes, including two F2 touchdowns — the highest number of tornadoes for a single event in the province and the number normally recorded for the entire year. It’s been more than two decades since the “big tornado” hit these hills in 1985, but in recent years the incidence of smaller tornadoes, high winds and violent storms has escalated.

Asked why she is striking, ... Nancy Urekar reiterates a reason familiar to two generations of climate activists: “Because otherwise someday my kids and grandkids will say, ‘You knew it was coming and you did nothing.’ ” Fair enough. But Greta [Thunberg], [Orangeville student] Olivia [Rowan] and their peers are those grandkids ... For them the future is not a “someday” abstraction. It is at hand, and they are raising their collective voice and declaring “J’accuse!” Or as a large banner hanging from a bridge in Berlin during one Friday strike succinctly put it: “Worst. Ancestors. Ever.”

Welcome to a humid, sunny, 33 ° C mid-July day in northwest Orangeville. On this day I’m embedded with a top-notch force committed to a battle all Headwaters residents can identify with. Armed with nothing more than a big honkin’ truck, a high-vis vest, and a firmly suppressed gag reflex, we’re frontline in the war on waste. Or to put it another way, getting rid of your stinking, rotten leftovers.

1994

arts

From visual arts to music, from theatre to books, coverage of the arts has been a priority in our pages. That’s because we believe that creative expression in all its guises reflects the vibrancy and health of our community. And based on the volume of activity we continually have to choose from, we can say the Headwaters region is very vibrant and healthy indeed.

Our first issue profiled the men who were the driving forces behind two exceptional new cultural institutions: Wayne Townsend, curator of Dufferin County Museum and Archives (as it was then known) and Jim Betts, artistic director of Theatre Orangeville. Like In The Hills, the theatre and the Museum of Dufferin are dedicated to telling and preserving the stories of our community. We’re proud to have celebrated our evolution and progress together with them ever since.

2010

“We’ve got to get a Handel on this,” says [Achill Choir director Dale Wood] as the choir struggles through a section. Groans and laughter break the tension. They sample various parts of the score as they reconnect with the music. The choir performed Messiah at two sold-out venues in 2003, so the majority are familiar with the work. But Dale will not let them rest on their laurels, he challenges them with a section they had not sung in their previous concert.

Our first roundup of new books by local authors and illustrators appeared in winter 1998. It featured nine books. Since then local authors have been very busy. These days the list, developed with the invaluable assistance of BookLore in Orangeville, now regularly tips in at well over 30. Tracey Fockler, who read and reviewed them all, retired last year, and the task is now divided among several of our writers.

The show was conceived by Judy Daley, assistant curator of the Peel Heritage Complex. Judy had been doing some research on the Canadian Heritage Information Network, an online catalogue of cultural resources, when she idly began keying in Peel place names. Names such as Palgrave, Alton and Meadowvale. The number of references that popped up astonished her. She tried a few more — Belfountain, Cheltenham, Terra Cotta. Not only was the list of references a long one, it included many of Canada’s most celebrated artists.

The late Mulmur artist Reed Cooper was the first to be featured on our Artist in Residence page in 2005. Since then, the page has put the spotlight on 75 local artists. Search “artist in residence” at inthehills.ca to see the impressive gallery. Throughout the years, the work of literally hundreds of other visual artists and craftspeople have also appeared in our columns and feature stories.

CAN CALEDON GO IT ALONE

... AND STILL BE CALEDON?

With the dissolution of Peel, Caledon faces severe financial uncertainty. But that’s not its only concern. The Ford government’s aggressive development agenda and highhanded moves to erode the Greenbelt also threaten the town’s ability to preserve its cherished countryside.

BY NICOLA ROSS • ILLUSTRATION BY RUTH ANN PEARCE

When planning expert Heather Konefat says the dissolution of Peel Region is “a disaster for Caledon on every front,” your ears should perk up.

Konefat headed Caledon’s planning department for seven years, then moved to York Region in 2006 where she was in charge of planning until she retired in 2013. But retirement wasn’t in Konefat’s cards; she was immediately snapped up by her hometown of Brampton where she spent several years as a special planning adviser with a front-row seat on the region’s inner workings. “Peel’s dissolution will only result in a lower quality of life and higher taxes,” she says. “It’s the end of a way of life.”

Under Bill 112, the Hazel McCallion Act, passed in May by the Doug Ford government, Caledon, Brampton and Mississauga will become independent, single-tier cites on January 1, 2025. The move was a triumph for Mississauga which had been lobbying for independence from Peel for two decades, first under the late, long-serving mayor for whom the bill is named and then under current mayor Bonnie Crombie. Although Caledon, with a small fraction of Peel’s population and only three seats on the region’s 25-member council, has chafed at times under its minority role, it has consistently resisted proposals to dissolve the union – and with good reason.

Even before the McCallion Act, Caledon had been facing a crisis resulting from Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. Passed in November last year, the act set housing targets for 29 municipalities – including 13,000 homes in Caledon – and dramatically altered how municipalities can plan and finance that residential development.

Positioned as a response to a nationwide crisis in affordable housing and record-breaking federal immigration targets set at nearly 500,000 newcomers a year, nearly half of whom will choose to live in Ontario, Bill 23 aims to smooth the way for the construction of 1.5 million new homes by 2031. The bill exempts residential developers from paying municipal development charges on “affordable” homes, those valued at 80 per cent of average market value or less. Among other developer-friendly measures, it also drastically weakens parkland requirements, public input, environmental reviews by conservation authorities, and protection of cultural and natural heritage.

Coupled with the provincial government’s unprecedented use of minister’s zoning orders (MZOs), which allow it to override municipal planning decisions, and its award of “strong mayor” powers to the leaders of 26 municipalities, allowing them to veto majority decisions of their

councils, Queen’s Park is diving deep into municipal waters.

Although willing to do its part to deal with Canada’s housing crisis, Caledon has expressed grave concerns about how the provincial government is proposing to go about it. A comprehensive report prepared by Caledon staff and presented to council last January offers a blunt assessment of the impact of Bill 23:

“These legislative changes will impact the environmental, social and economic health and wellbeing of the town. Caledon will require the support of all levels of government, residents, and stakeholders to achieve its vision of smart growth and not lose sight of what matters to Caledon.”

Caledon’s housing target of 13,000 new homes by 2031 is only 1,000 more than the town was already planning. But as Caledon planning director Antonietta Minichillo explains, the majority of the lots designated for development are greenfield (i.e., unserviced land), which is the most expensive to develop. That’s because, as the staff report notes, greenfield development “is contingent on essential infrastructure being in place – roads, transit, utilities and water and wastewater servicing.”

And herein lies Caledon’s conundrum: Under regional government, Caledon’s infrastructure needs would

Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion told me in an interview almost 25 years ago, “Growth is bad for [Caledon] down the road environmentally as well as financially – but mainly financially.” Prophetically, McCallion advised Carol Seglins, Caledon’s mayor at the time, to get off the urban-growth treadmill.

have been built and paid for almost entirely by Peel Region. With Peel’s dissolution, Caledon may be on the hook for financing this infrastructure, dramatically compounding the effect of lost development charges under Bill 23.

In March, Caledon mayor Annette Groves told the Mississauga News that this growth would be so costly she worries her son and grandchildren would inherit the debt.

A forced pledge

When the McCallion Act comes into effect in 2025, Caledon won’t have the lowest population of any singletier municipality in the province. Neighbouring Dufferin County, for instance, has fewer residents. But it will be the smallest single-tier municipality of the 29 that the province has required to sign a housing pledge to meet its aggressive growth targets.

And Ford is holding municipalities’ feet to the fire on the pledge by offering a pair of signing “incentives.” A municipality must sign the pledge to access the province’s still-unspecified financial support and to maintain the recently granted strong-mayor powers. While some mayors have declined the additional power, Groves has already used it twice – most recently to appoint Nathan Hyde as the town’s new chief administrative officer. Hyde was previously employed in a similar role in the town of Erin, where he oversaw development of a massive and highly controversial residential project.

The two bills pose a doublebarrelled problem for Caledon. And that problem has its roots in the widely cherished belief that growth is good, when often it isn’t.

Instead, as Mississauga mayor McCallion told me in an interview almost 25 years ago, “Growth is bad for [Caledon] down the road environmentally as well as

financially – but mainly financially.”

Prophetically, McCallion advised Carol Seglins, Caledon’s mayor at the time, to get off the urban-growth treadmill because “the infrastructure that’s going to be required to service the leapfrogging of development [into Caledon] is going to be astronomical.”

Andrew Sancton, professor emeritus at Western University where he focused on urban politics and local government, explains, “If you had development charges that reflected the average cost of new growth, and you had intense development – infill and highrises – then the new units probably would pay for themselves. If [a municipality] had relatively low development charges and a lot of greenfield, single-family housing, it certainly wouldn't pay for itself.”

Historically in Ontario the goal has been for growth to pay for growth. This required municipalities to sock away a portion of the development charges collected on new construction to pay for infrastructure needed for future growth. But with Caledon’s relatively slow increase in population to date and with Peel Region funding the bulk of the infrastructure the town requires, the municipality has little development-fund reserve of its own to finance the exorbitant costs of greenfield development.

The January staff report estimated that without financial help, residents could face a tax increase of at least 27 per cent, noting that once all factors are assessed, that number could be “exponentially higher.” Now that the McCallion Act has been added to the mix, Caledon isn’t even trying to estimate the additional impact on taxpayers. It’s waiting until next summer when the details of the dissolution have been worked out by the five-person, provincially appointed transition board.

Meanwhile, Brampton mayor Patrick Brown and Mississauga mayor Crombie are squabbling publicly

about who owes what to whom in the breakup. Caledon is rarely mentioned in their debate. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely those municipalities will get off without being assigned some financial contribution to Caledon.

All 12 MPPs in Peel Region are members of the Ford government, so it could be a delicate balancing act for the premier to keep all their constituents onside, more so because former Ontario Progressive Conservative Party leader Brown had vehemently opposed the dissolution and Crombie has announced her candidacy for the Liberal leadership.

Caledon’s only MPP, Sylvia Jones, occupies what is often called the safest seat in Ontario. As deputy premier and minister of health, she almost certainly has the close ear of the premier. However, if Jones is mindful of the threats facing Caledon, she has made no public comment on the matter.

Doubts about the “whole” thing

Since announcing the McCallion Act, Ford has repeatedly promised he will keep all three municipalities “whole.” It’s a term Minichillo interprets to mean financially whole, but how much and for how long is still a wide open question.

“Not yet knowing how we’re going to be made whole causes some significant concern for municipalities,” Minichillo says. “Given the changes in the current political environment and the higher use of MZOs, for example, we lose much of the ability to help shape the zoning and what that community could look like. So there could potentially be a lot at risk.” It’s not just the baseline infrastructure like roads and utilities that developer fees support, she says. “Development charges help pay for parks. They help pay for community centres, recreation facilities, fire halls. Without certainty around those pieces, we could be missing those critical

ingredients of even life and safety in our communities.”

In response to such concerns, on July 26 – eight months after passing Bill 23 – the province announced it had hired Ernst & Young to examine the finances of six municipalities to “provide a clear and shared understanding of the impacts of changes to developmentrelated fees and charges included in the More Homes Built Faster Act.” Tellingly perhaps, four of the six municipalities included in the study are Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Peel Region. (The others are Toronto and Newmarket.) The audit has been welcomed by both the development industry and the municipalities involved, but it does raise the question: Shouldn’t these impacts have been determined before Bill 23 and the McCallion Act came into law?

They will come, but will we build it?

And there’s another hitch. The municipality investing in infrastructure may have assurances from developers that they will build, but as Ontario is finding out, speculators haven’t been as eager or as able to put shovels in the ground as expected, despite Bill 23’s generous incentives. As Minichillo notes, the town can provide the serviceable lots, but it can’t make developers build.

In July, a CBC report found the 29 municipalities with mandated targets are well short of where they need to be to meet the Ford government’s goal of 1.5 million new homes over the next eight years. Many argue the goal is unattainable. Experts blame rising mortgage rates and a shortage of construction workers. (It’s estimated Ontario will require an additional 72,000 construction workers by 2027). Talk of a recession doesn’t help, nor does the already high cost of housing in the GTA. Furthermore, the required infrastructure, especially transit and

wastewater plants, can take years to plan and build.

“How do we pivot quickly to respond to the province when these projects are multi-year projects, multibillion dollar projects?” asks Minichillo. “I think there's a significant disconnect there that everybody is struggling with.”

According to its 2015 to 2035 Strategic Plan, Peel Region has invested billions, much of it borrowed money, to fund the infrastructure developers require. With an annual budget of $3.1 billion, 7,000 employees and a triple-A credit rating, the region has been resilient to economic swings, prompting Konefat to remark, “The region is a tremendous resource for providing shelter from a storm.” She then asks the obvious, “Who is going to take the risk of building infrastructure without Peel?”

Groves is well aware of Caledon’s dilemma. In an interview on TVO’s The Agenda , she told host Steve Paikin that Caledon can’t afford to go it alone. With a current population of 80,000 compared to about 1.5 million in Brampton and Mississauga combined, Caledon has had a good deal as the junior partner in the region. Chief among the advantages of having a wealthy caretaker is that, based on its population, Caledon currently pays only about 5 per cent of the costs of water, wastewater, regional roads, public health and myriad other services supplied by Peel. The rest is picked up by Brampton and Mississauga – which, of course, is why Mississauga is so desperate to get out.

In that long ago interview, McCallion predicted that significant growth in Caledon would compromise Mississauga because the massive investment in Caledon’s greenfield infrastructure would coincide with repairs to her city’s aging infrastructure and the reduction in development charges resulting from slowed growth as Mississauga ran out of space.

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The province has agreed to clarify its definition of affordable housing by this fall, but even if it does, as the Caledon staff report notes, Bill 23 “offers no strategies to ensure that any cost savings resulting from the proposed changes are passed on to homebuyers.”

Looking for a new dance partner

In 1975, when the County of Peel was transformed into the Region of Peel, one of several regional governments established in Ontario in the 1970s, the logic was that regional government would create economic efficiencies by consolidating certain functions and services for a group of lowertier municipalities. That trend to amalgamation continued into the 2000s under the Common Sense Revolution of Conservative premier Mike Harris. So Ford’s sudden announcement to dissolve Peel is both unprecedented and surprising. It’s unprecedented because breaking up a region has never been done by fiat in Canada. (Montreal and Headingley, Manitoba, for example, de-amalgamated but only after residents supported the move in referendums. Results have been mixed.) And it’s surprising because the dissolution was done with no public consultation despite a 2019 poll in which only 30 per cent of Peel residents supported it and a mere 20 per cent in Caledon were in favour. What’s more, the McCallion Act took away the possibility of Caledon amalgamating with a different partner, such as Dufferin County or York Region.

In the TVO interview, Groves said she met with the premier in advance of the McCallion Act and he was “open to the idea” of a new partner for Caledon. No explanation has been given for the government’s failure to heed Groves’ plea despite a pair of 2019 reports commissioned by Peel Region. Completed by Deloitte and Ernst & Young, they predicted dire results for Caledon. Deloitte concluded that because of its modest tax base, “Caledon would face significant financial challenges and is not viable on its own.”

TVO host Paikin picked up on

Groves’ description of Caledon as the child in the middle of a tense divorce between Mississauga and Brampton. But rather than a typical breakup in which the fight is over who gets custody, neither “parent” wants Caledon, given its burden of growth. Still, Groves said she had received the premier’s assurance that he would look after Caledon.

How that assurance plays out remains to be seen, but both Groves and Minichillo insist that the only viable, long-term solution for the town is for growth to continue to pay for growth. Hence the town’s request that greenfield development be given special dispensation because of its exponentially higher cost.

Like Caledon, other affected municipalities are also petitioning the province to rethink its development charge exemption, as well as it definition of affordable housing. They argue that the two things perversely create a significant disincentive for municipalities to pursue the higher-density, lower-cost housing and transitoriented infrastructure the province claims it wants. The ostensible goal of the exemption is to make homes more affordable by eliminating developers’ fees from the construction cost.

In Caledon the average house price is $1.6 million, so by the government’s definition of “affordable,” the exemption kicks in on homes valued at up to $1.3 million. This definition replaces the historical one that tied affordability to average income. The province has agreed to clarify its definition of affordable housing by this fall, but even if it does, as the Caledon staff report notes, Bill 23 “offers no strategies to ensure that any cost savings resulting from the proposed changes are passed on to homebuyers.”

It’s not just about money

But the challenges the two bills pose to Caledon go well beyond financial considerations. While concurring

that “Ontario needs to build more of the right kind of housing in the right locations and at the right price,” the staff report adds pointedly, “Housing alone does not create a community.”

Since amalgamation, Caledon has been cautious and strategic in its growth. Long before 2005 when the Liberal government of Dalton McGuinty introduced Places to Grow, a detailed provincial growth plan that specified population and density targets to a horizon of 2021, Caledon had adopted a tri-nodal approach to combat sprawl.

Caledon East, Bolton and Mayfield West were to take most of the new residential development with the idea they would develop into “complete communities” – ones with a mix of housing where residents can live-worklearn-play without climbing into a car. Minichillo acknowledges that goal remains largely unfulfilled, especially in Mayfield West where cars line the streets and fill the driveways of singlefamily houses, and there is no central core where residents can congregate and create a community.

When she came on board in March 2022, Minichillo says, “Caledon was not planning Caledon. Other people were planning Caledon.” Asked what she meant by “other people,” she said she meant developers. “The quality of housing we were seeing was the lowest common denominator.” But she doesn’t lay all the blame at the feet of the developers. Many developers will build what they can get away with, and the town was letting them do it. “Developers could submit anything,” Minichillo says, “and as long as it met bare minimum criteria, we would work with it.”

To remedy the situation, Minichillo says she and town staff worked hard to create new standards and terms of reference that must be addressed in a development application. As a result, she says, “We're getting better environmental reports. We're getting

better commercial reports, planning justification reports, urban design reports. We actually have some standards around those pieces and we hadn't had those before.”

Gunning for the Greenbelt

What Caledon has successfully achieved through the years is its 80–20 split between rural and urban land, keeping the countryside largely intact. It has helped that since 2005, most of the town has been protected within the embrace of the Greenbelt. The town’s hamlets and villages dot a unique landscape – one where the Niagara Escarpment butts up against the Oak Ridges Moraine, where the Credit and the Humber rivers course their way south, and all sweep toward the rich farmland of the Peel Plain.

The environment is a “huge lens” for the town, says Minichillo. “We have official plan policies that ask for the protection of the Greenbelt. Even in our housing pledge we were very clear that the Greenbelt is critical and should remain intact.”

But with the Ford government’s recent incursions into the Greenbelt, swapping out 7,400 acres for lands, most of them already protected, elsewhere, that might not be easy – a situation the staff report anticipated: “While no land is proposed to be removed from the Greenbelt in Caledon now, these changes are concerning as they may set a precedent that other environmentally protected lands can be opened for development.”

At this writing, Ford is vowing to stand by his Greenbelt boundary changes, in spite of a scathing report in August by Ontario’s auditor general, Bonnie Lysyk, and an RCMP probe into “irregularities” with the government’s process. According to Lysyk’s report, “Provincial government actions in 2022 to open parts of the Greenbelt for development failed to consider environmental,

agricultural and financial risks and impacts, proceeded with little input from experts or affected parties, and favoured certain developers/ landowners.”

Fuelling longstanding opposition claims of backroom deals between the Ford government and developers, the report added, “Further, we noted that opening the Greenbelt was not needed to meet the government’s goal of building 1.5 million homes over 10 years” and that the changes lined the pockets of certain developers with an estimated $8.3-billion increase in their property values.

But there may be signs the government is blinking. As the staff report anticipated, Ontario housing minister Steve Clark issued an MZO this summer to expand a planned residential development at the southwest corner of Old School Road and Highway 10 into the Greenbelt. In the wake of auditor general’s report and strong objections from Caledon, the province backed down and reversed its decision.

Nevertheless, threats to the Greenbelt are not the only thing that stands in the way of protecting Caledon’s countryside and securing the town’s green future. The Ford government has also dramatically limited the role of conservation authorities in development planning.

Unique to Ontario, the conservation authorities manage the province’s rivers across municipal boundaries on a watershed-wide basis. Created some 75 years ago after the catastrophic flooding of Hurricane Hazel, their role has evolved to protecting the overall health of the watersheds, a task exacerbated by rapid urbanization in the GTA.

With Caledon’s significant environmental features, says Minichillo, “We relied on conservation authorities to do all of our development review for applications and they did a wonderful job ... That development review

www.carters.ca

The bottom line, Minichillo says, is “We cannot grow in irresponsible ways that don’t look at environmental outcomes, social outcomes and financial outcomes for the town.”

function was now placed on the town. And the town had no environmental planners to do this work and no expertise with which to undertake it.”

In response, Caledon has hired Michael Hoy, the town’s first manager of parks and natural heritage, to take on some of the conservation authorities’ former responsibilities, with any overload going to consultants. Although the watershed-wide perspective has been lost, Hoy has been tasked with creating the town’s first natural heritage strategy. Among other things, Minichillo says, the strategy will introduce innovative stormwater management practices, enhanced tree protection, and wildlife corridors. “We are also creating green development standards,” she says. “There’s a lot on the green agenda, and it's frankly a passion of mine and very important to me personally and professionally.”

Caledon is also mindful of the commitments it made in a memorandum of understanding with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in October 2022 as part of the town’s reconciliation efforts. The First Nation officially opposes Bill 23 because it was passed without consultation, particularly on matters related to its impacts on treaty rights, land claims, the Ontario Heritage Act and environmental protections.

Mushrooming beyond 2031

The bottom line, Minichillo says, is “We cannot grow in irresponsible ways that don’t look at environmental outcomes, social outcomes and financial outcomes for the town. So we’ve created a growth management and phasing plan that's also paired with a fiscal impact assessment.” The growth plan will be released as part of the town’s official plan when that document is finalized.

And it’s not just the next eight years that are challenging the town’s vision of itself. The official plan looks to a horizon of 2041, by which time the province has mandated Caledon to nearly double its current population to 150,000 – and beyond that to mushroom again to 300,000 by 2051 –enough growth to add a city the size of Burlington within the town’s borders.

Inevitably, much of that growth will occur on south Caledon’s Peel Plain where prime agricultural land, woodlands and river valleys were left out of the Greenbelt in a swath commonly referred to as the Whitebelt. The environmental repercussions of paving the Peel Plain have already been well documented by a broad coalition of opponents to the proposed Highway 413 – which would also swoop through the Whitebelt (and tip into the Greenbelt). Although the controversial highway project is on hold while the federal government conducts an environmental assessment, in a manner that is becoming familiar under Premier Ford, the province has already erected huge road signs demarcating the route as though it were a done deal.

Ian Sinclair was a Caledon councillor for 10 years before he retired in 2022. A municipal policy wonk who has been called the town’s green champion, Sinclair says, “There’s no business case for breaking up Peel.” While congratulating the town’s planning and financial staff for doing an excellent job, he predicts Caledon residents will be hit hard by the combined impacts of Bill 23, the dissolution of Peel, unprecedented growth and Highway 413. “The combination of threats and challenges is staggering,” he says. “It’s like walking off a gangplank into thin air.”

Nicola Ross is a freelance writer who was born and bred in Caledon. She is the author of the Loops & Lattes series of hiking guides.

Caledon: The Early Days

A MEMOIR FROM INSIDE THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

BY BERT MOORE

In 1966, I started my career with the former Township of Chinguacousy as an engineering clerk for the public works department. My varied duties included purchasing and inventory control. After some time, I was promoted to supervisor of operations in charge of the maintenance of water, sewer and roads departments. I was also responsible for garbage collection and landfill operations.

In the early 1970s, the province of Ontario, under Premier Bill Davis, examined the structure of municipal governments and recommended a move from the county system to a regional system, deemed to be more in line with urban growth and development. As a result, the Regional Municipality of Peel Act was passed to abolish the County of Peel and replace it with a regional government, effective as of January 1, 1974. The new Region of Peel consisted of three large municipalities:

The Town of Mississauga (later changed to the City of Mississauga) encompassed the old Township of Toronto and the villages of Streetsville and Port Credit.

The Town of Brampton (later the City of Brampton) was made up of the existing Town of Brampton and

In 1975, Bert Moore was the first director of public works for the new Town of Caledon. His duties included coming up with names to replace the numerical system of the town’s lines and sideroads. He’s seen here this summer next to road signs bearing two of the names he chose.

the surrounding area known as the Township of Chinguacousy and part of the Township of Toronto Gore. The Town of Caledon was created from the former townships of Caledon, Albion, the northern part of Chinguacousy and the villages of Caledon East and Bolton. Under the Act, the new town was originally called Albion. Later the new council

held a vote to let residents decide the town’s name. There were three names to choose from: Cardwell, Caledon and Albion. The residents chose Caledon.

The three municipalities each had its own council and staff, including departments responsible for public works. For amalgamation to deliver the efficiencies it promised, the new municipalities had to thoroughly examine all operations, decide how and where to merge, and begin to craft new organizational schemes. Caledon, for example, covered 688 square kilometres and included four town halls, six volunteer fire departments and two public works yards.

The Township of Chinguacousy required me to check the “meets and bounds” (legal boundaries) of the new Town of Caledon. The southerly boundary was to be what is now Mayfield Road (with a jog around Snelgrove which would be included in the City of Brampton).

Allocating assets

Chinguacousy’s assets were to be transferred to Brampton on January 1, 1974. These assets included all buildings, funds and equipment, such as trucks and graders. This presented a significant challenge for the Town of Caledon, which was responsible for the new area – without the assets to carry out the required tasks.

The Regional Municipality of Peel Act guaranteed all former township employees a position with the new municipalities, although it did not guarantee the same position and pay. Accordingly, I applied for two posi-

tions: one with Brampton and one with Caledon. Both municipalities offered me positions; I accepted the job with Caledon.

The first major issue I had to deal with was winter maintenance north of the former Township of Chinguacousy. I discussed my challenges with Brampton and was granted my request for the use of the trucks, loaders and graders formerly in Chinguacousy. This also gave Caledon time to budget for the acquisition of new equipment. Caledon had to return the borrowed equipment to Brampton at the end of the winter season, so the council decided to go shopping for the required equipment rather than go through a lengthy tendering process. My concern was that the councillors would be unable to source the appropriate dump trucks which would require increased carrying capacity for plows and wings.

As of January 1, 1974, my administration staff and I were scheduled to move to the former Township of Albion office on Highway 50 – but were without any office equipment. To remedy the untenable situation, I loaded my pickup truck with all the necessary equipment from the Chinguacousy public works department before that date and quietly stored it all until our relocation.

While working for the Township of Chinguacousy, I found the outdoor staff members to be loyal and dedicated to their positions as truck drivers, grader operators and labourers, particularly during winter. This was extremely reassuring to me. To my relief, with amalgamation, I found my new team was just as dedicated as my original staff.

As seems to happen with change, some of the outdoor staff had not been happy with the process and felt they should not have to work in the areas of other townships. I reminded them their paycheques now said “Town of Caledon” and that those original townships no longer existed.

I divided the town into three maintenance areas, each with a road foreman and a road superintendent overall. My choice for road superintendent was a very knowledgeable individual from the former Township

An 1898 map of Peel County showing the former townships. The map was created by The Canadian Map Publishing Co. for the Brampton Conservator newspaper.

of Albion. I was also able to hire three excellent foremen from each of the three townships.

Roads by any other name

One of the significant challenges facing the town was the duplication of rural road names that resulted from amalgamation. As a result, many emergency responders found themselves travelling to incorrect locations. For example, Albion Township had a 4th Line; Chinguacousy and Caledon townships each had a 4th Line East and 4th Line West (numbering from either side of Hurontario Street, aka Highway 10). One councillor living on the 4th Line East Chinguacousy owned a small plane. Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed during an attempted landing at his private airstrip. An ambulance was dispatched, but it went to the wrong 4th Line, creating a potentially life-threatening situation. The various fire departments faced similar problems.

A rapid solution had to be found. So council formed a committee to study the issue and resolve the matter. The committee included the town engineer, fire chief and public works director. Concurrently, the fire chief and I were working on a system of assigning emergency property numbers for all rural farms and residential homes.

Initially, I thought we could renumber all rural roads and keep the ruralsounding names. From west to east, the town would have 24 north-south lines. The east-west sideroads would be numbered from 5 Sideroad to the 40 Sideroad. However, the committee felt this approach would be even more confusing to the residents. For example, the 4th Line of Albion would become the 16th Line, and so on. After much discussion they all agreed that renaming the roads was the best alternative.

I was assigned to come up with names for the committee to consider. For some guidance I used three books: Looking for Old Ontario, The Illustrated Historical Atlas of the County of Peel, Ontario (1877) and Place Names of Peel, Past and Present The three municipalities agreed to not duplicate any name in the region. This caused me some problems. Notably, Brampton had used many names of hamlets within Caledon. I

tried to avoid using any family names, but this proved to be impossible. Finally, the committee agreed with the name suggestions, and I presented a report to council, which stated the current name, the proposed name and the reason for it. Council did not adopt the report and requested that we hold public meetings regarding the proposed names.

Opposition from the public against road naming was fierce. Some residents went so far as to ask the province to investigate the town council. Each week, the local newspaper contained increasing numbers of negative comments from citizens who felt that there was no need to change and that educating new residents was the simple solution.

Some of the public meetings were heated. However, strong support for the system came from the fire department, police department, ambulance services and utility companies. We completed the series of public meetings and with some further input from the public and council members, a few further changes were made to the proposed names. Another bylaw was prepared, but again some councillors did not support it. During discussions, a motion was approved to rename only the roads in Ward Two (formerly Chinguacousy).

At one public meeting, a group of residents from 35 Sideroad (in former Albion Township) expressed vehement opposition to the proposed name of Coolihans Sideroad. I explained the reason behind the name: a small hamlet east of Mono Mills in northern Albion Township at this location in the 19th century had been known as Coolihans Corners, after Mr. Coolihan, who operated a hotel there. It was located on the northwest corner of Lot 36, Concession 3, on approximately five acres. The hotel’s hospitality was of high quality, so this modest place had become well known at the time. After the residents understood the background, they agreed on the name. Sadly, it wasn’t that way at all the public meetings. At another one, the name Kennedy for the 1st Line East of Highway 10 was proposed, and tempers ran high. One attendee was so furious I thought he would hit me. Seemingly, road naming isn’t for the faint of heart.

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Eventually, though, council passed a bylaw to name all the other rural roads. To implement the house numbering system, I temporarily hired two staff members and supplied them with a town pickup truck and a measuring wheel. Their job was to start measuring roads, sideroads and lines, and assign a number to a farm or residence at the location of their main driveway based on the reading from the measuring wheel.

Municipal numbers were assigned for every ten feet of frontage. In addition, a number was issued to the tenfoot section encompassing each main driveway.

Roads with a north-south orientation (lines), aligned with Highway 10, started with 12000 at Mayfield Road, the border with Brampton. They were issued incrementing numbers from 12001, with even numbers on the west side of the road and odd numbers on the east.

Roads with a west-east orientation (sideroads) aligned with Mayfield Road were issued even numbers on the north side of the road and odd numbers on the south side.

To maintain a consistent numbering grid on the rural roads that did not start at either the south or west boundaries, we had to use numbers that corresponded with the parallel original road allowances that began on the west or south boundaries of the town. This was due to the town’s topography, including curves and hills that sometimes necessitated adjustments.

Some property owners were unhappy with the numbers we assigned. Some minor adjustments were required because we had given a number for every ten feet. However, this numbering system has proven to be highly efficient and worked well for future property severances, as there is no need to change any existing numbers.

Funding the roads

Another major challenge facing council in 1974 was obtaining sufficient funds for the maintenance and reconstruction of roads. During the ’70s, the province provided road construction and maintenance subsidies. We were required to match

this funding for roads each year and contribute 80 per cent for bridges and culverts. There were nine councillors and one mayor as members of council. Understandably, each member was focused on dealing with the problems in their ward.

To alleviate this challenge I suggested council members take turns allocating funds for annual road reconstruction. This concept worked very well for many years, but eventually the province ended the conditional road subsidy program and replaced it with unconditional grants. This presented the town with yet another financial challenge. It was given a lump sum grant and then left to make the most efficient decisions on how and why to spend it.

Recycling revolution

In the early to mid-1980s, recycling programs began sporadically emerging in various isolated areas of the province. This was driven by a combination of factors – the increasing pressure from the public to reduce the amount of garbage going to landfills and the emergence of blue box recycling prototypes driven by the City of Kitchener. Caledon was one of the first 40 municipalities to get on board.

Council initially requested staff to investigate the logistics of soliciting public and private funding sources, finding markets, procuring rolling stock, planning promotional opportunities, and engaging a suitable and reliable contractor. I met with Sandhill Disposal, our existing contractor responsible for curbside garbage collection, and we discussed several ways to start a blue box program.

The next step for me was to assign a roads department administrator responsible for spearheading and rolling out the program. Three of us attended various seminars on municipal recycling programs, aiming to develop the best possible individualized program for the town. As a result, funding was obtained and markets were located for container glass, plastic soft drink containers, food and beverage containers, and newspapers. Because household garbage comprises approximately 30 per cent recyclable materials on average, capturing this waste stream and recycling it goes a long way to

lessening the volumes of residential material going to landfills.

Caledon was a significant frontrunner in innovative recycling concepts, and success ensued. We were proud the template we created was used in one form or another in many other municipalities.

Bypassing Bolton

The last project I was involved in was the Bolton bypass. Due to the heavy traffic going through Bolton on Highway 50, there was a need to find an alternative route. This caused some concern for the residents living on the roads we were considering. After several meetings, the residents convinced the province to bump the project to a full environmental assessment study.

I believed the traffic was regional, not local, and therefore should be Peel’s responsibility. I retired in 1999, and at that point the study was not yet completed. With the help of Emil Kolb, who had been on Caledon’s first council, served as mayor for two terms and then as chair of Peel Region, the study was taken on by the region and finally completed. It is fitting that one of the routes is named the Emil Kolb Parkway.

Throughout my long municipal career, I can honestly say I enjoyed my time with the Town of Caledon immensely. We are a large municipality in area and, when I started, small in population. The growth over the years has been exponential and continues to this day. We met the many challenges throughout the years with tenacity and persistence. To the best of our ability, we thought “outside the box” and I found the staff was hugely dedicated and the council receptive to new concepts.

Sometimes it was a fine line to walk, but I found an opportunity every day to bring my experience, dedication and genuine love of this community to the table. Mine was a long and varied career. I genuinely hope my involvement stands the test of time in this vibrant, ever-changing, beautiful municipality.

Bert Moore served as director of public works for the Town of Caledon from 1974 to 1999. He currently lives in Kingsville, Ontario.

SEVEN OF THE MANY SPECIES THAT WILL SUFFER IF THE GREENBELT GIVES WAY TO URBAN SPRAWL

BY DON SCALLEN

When I was a child, Brampton and Milton were small towns. Streetsville, likewise, was a small community and an entity unto itself. The Georgetown subdivision where I grew up was built on an orchard. Two apple trees survived on our property. I have fond memories of the delicious pies Mom made from their fruit. A meadow behind our house supported eastern meadowlarks, a species now designated as threatened. I loved their poignant, wistful calls. Between the meadow and my family’s yard was a small pond, alive with toad and frog song in the spring.

The meadow and the pond are long gone. Brampton and Milton are growing cities with hundreds of thousands of people. Streetsville has been subsumed by Mississauga. Progress, right? As inevitable as the rising of the sun or the turning of the autumn leaves.

In Headwaters, the beat goes on. Caledon will soon surge from about 80,000 souls to 300,000-plus by 2051. The population of other centres in Headwaters will continue to grow in the years ahead. With this impending growth, preserving the Greenbelt, for the sake of nature and agriculture, becomes ever more important.

The Ontario legislature passed the Greenbelt Act in 2005. It was a courageous and forward-looking achievement. Premier Dalton McGuinty and the Liberal government of the day acted in accordance with their better angels, giving the people of Ontario a precious gift. The Greenbelt meant that rampant sprawl would be limited, constrained, demarcated – that urban development, for the well-being of all, could not be allowed to persistently devour productive farmland and must not be allowed to continue to destroy natural ecosystems.

According to the website of the largely government-funded Greenbelt Foundation, the Greenbelt Act “permanently” protected “2 million acres of remarkably productive farmland and environmentally sensitive

areas.” This statement may need revision if the current premier gets his way and some other modifier replaces “permanently.”

The recent proposal by Doug Ford and the provincial Progressive Conservative Party to remove lands from the Greenbelt is deeply troubling. Ford’s comment that the creation of the Greenbelt “was just a big scam” suggests the struggle to save the Greenbelt has just begun.

Ford has repeated, incessantly, that the province needs more homes. And he’s right, because hundreds of thousands of people are expected to arrive in the GTA in the near future, due in part to the increased immigration targets set by the federal government. But according to the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance and other environmental groups, enough land – already slated for development – exists within existing urban boundaries to handle substantial population growth.

Ford’s gambit to remove land from the Greenbelt, whether successful or not, is a shot across the bow of Greenbelt protection. Pressure to develop the Greenbelt is not likely to subside in the foreseeable future. Ford, and future politicians, will almost certainly continue to use the housing crisis to justify removing lands from the Greenbelt. Franz Hartmann of the Greenbelt Alliance says, “Without organized public pressure, I think it’s a certainty that the provincial government would continue pushing sprawl-style development on lands in the Greenbelt and other natural areas and farmland across southern Ontario.”

We’ve already built on thousands of square kilometres of GTA land, land that once hosted thriving ecosystems populated by birds, wildflowers, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, mammals, fish and many other organisms.

I hope we have the wisdom to negotiate a future that includes thriving wildlife in the shadow of our sprawling cities. What follows are seven vignettes of Greenbelt plants and animals. These iconic species can be thought of as ambassadors for the thousands of life forms that find shelter in Greenbelt wildlands.

1Let’s at least be clear-eyed about some of what we will lose should the Greenbelt be compromised.

1 SNAPPING TURTLES

Snapping turtles evoke the dinosaurs I loved as a child. I remember the thrill of my first snapper, a tiny yearling I dug out of the mud of a local stream. Snappers are gnarly, spiky, stinky and foul-tempered, but to my reptile-besotted brain, supremely beautiful.

Given a modicum of opportunity by our rapacious species, they will gladly live in just about any permanent body of water. We’re told they serve a valuable ecosystem function in wetlands: they’re nature’s cleanup crew, scavenging carrion. True perhaps, but I’m always a little uneasy when we seek to justify a species’ value by citing what they do for us

One of the more popular justifications involves the pollinating services of monarch butterflies. This simply isn’t true. Monarch butterflies, according to those who study them, are not particularly good at pollination. What monarchs are good at, however, is

inspiring awe, firing imaginations and simply being downright gorgeous, just like snapping turtles. Snapping turtles are found across a wide swath of Ontario, but the Greenbelt offers them the best chance of continuing to thrive in the GTA. Eroding the Greenbelt and loosening wetland protections will diminish their numbers. This loss will likely be unsustainable because these turtles, and many other reptiles and amphibians, are already under assault from punishing road mortality, a problem that, tragically, will increase with more cars and more highways in our future.

2LUNA MOTHS

None of us has precisely the same concept of beauty or what defines it. But there is significant agreement when it comes to sunsets, waterfalls, cherry blossoms and, I would suggest, luna moths.

Luna moths are sublime creatures. Their undulating wings are a light, almost translucent green. Long “tails” on the lower wings appear extravagant to our eyes, but apparently serve to deflect the attention of predatory bats away from the moths’ vital heads and abdomens.

These moths, by virtue of their nocturnal habits and brief adulthood, are seldom seen, even where they’re still common. But millions of people in the GTA no longer have any chance to marvel at their beauty, because lunas have been eliminated from great swaths of their former territory.

Our illuminated world has led to the luna’s demise. As city lights have cancelled the stars, they have also inhibited luna moth reproduction. One theory is that lunas evolved to orient themselves in darkness by responding to moonlight. Though the moon still rises over our cities, constellations of artificial lights, many much brighter than the moon, vie for the luna’s attention. The moths are held in thrall by these false moons, failing to mate and eventually falling to the ground dead.

Within the forests of the Niagara Escarpment and the Oak Ridges Moraine, male and female luna moths continue to liaise under the cloak of darkness. Should we lose the Greenbelt to development, lunas will disappear. Streetlights and fast-food beacons will see them off.

3

JEFFERSON SALAMANDERS

The recipe for a salamander adventure in early spring is simple: a dark forest, a fishless pond and rain.

Flashlights and careful footfalls are also required. The salamanders emerge from underground lairs and walk the forest floor toward their breeding ponds. The most obvious species in Headwaters is the yellow-spotted salamander. Its brilliant yellow spots make it easy to see. More cryptic are the brown or grey Jefferson salamanders. It follows that the salamander adventurer should walk carefully and

scan the ground before each step.

Jefferson salamanders are endangered in Ontario but reach their greatest abundance in the Greenbelt along the Niagara Escarpment in Halton and Peel regions. Once they were certainly more widespread. Outposts exist in Mississauga and Richmond Hill, separated now by many kilometres of forbidding urban landscape.

The Greenbelt is a refuge for these amphibians. Forests and vernal pools – temporary ponds – are still found in abundance. Why temporary ponds? By drying up in the summer, these ponds deny residence to hungry fish that would otherwise feast on the salamander larvae.

If we have the wisdom to protect forests and vernal

pools, Jefferson salamanders should continue to find sanctuary in the Greenbelt. So too will a strange assortment of all-female salamanders associated with the Jefferson salamanders. These evolutionary oddities are multi-genetic creatures, sharing different combinations of the genes of the Jefferson salamander and a more common species called the blue-spotted salamander. Farther south, these unisexual salamanders combine the genes of three or even four salamander species!

These bizarre animals basically clone themselves when they interact with pure-blooded Jefferson males. Though the Jefferson males stimulate the reproduction of these unisexual females, their genes are typically not expressed in the offspring. The fascinating life history of these strange salamanders first came to light in studies of specimens collected in the Greenbelt by Jim Bogart and his research partners at the University of Guelph.

The functional ecosystems of the Greenbelt, so close to many of Canada’s premier post-secondary institutions, offer great opportunities for research, another reason to ensure the Greenbelt is protected.

4 BROOK TROUT

Like luna moths, brook trout are creatures of transcendent beauty. Their flanks are spangled with rich warm colours: orange and yellow spots but also points of red haloed with blue. Their bellies glow with the fire of the setting sun.

Nature writer David Carroll, who studied brook trout in his native New England, had this take on their beauty: “They are radiant and light-filled, as intensely spectral as the rainbows that sunlight throws off meltwater, as softly glowing as tinted ribbons pulsed into the night sky by the northern lights.”

Brook trout habitat is healthy habitat. At one time most of the GTA fit the bill. But now a brook trout released into the warm, silt-laden streams that flow through Toronto and other urban centres would soon be dead.

Cool, clean, crystalline water is necessary for brook trout to flourish, along with streambed upwellings of groundwater that bathe their eggs in constant temperatures over winter. Trees also play a role, cooling brook trout streams with their shade and holding soil with their roots, preventing it from sullying the waters when it rains.

For food, brook trout need a thriving community of benthic (bottom-dwelling) invertebrates in their streams – larval stoneflies, mayflies and caddisflies that cling to the undersides of rocks on the streambed. Trout feed on these larval invertebrates and respond with feeding frenzies when the larvae transform into flying adults, a phenomenon known to fly fishers as a “hatch.” Like brook trout, many of these invertebrate species also need clean, cool water.

“Native trout are representative of the wildlife that is the first to be edged out of existence as natural habitats are encroached upon, altered, fragmented, or obliterated altogether,” wrote Carroll.

That we still have brook trout in parts of Headwaters and in the Greenbelt is worthy of celebration. Their presence signals healthy water and healthy habitat. It will be a travesty if the current provincial government, or any government for that matter, permits existing Greenbelt streams to become versions of Toronto’s Don River, a waterway highly compromised by the polluted runoff of urban

stormwater and the spread of invasive plants and fish.

Brook trout and their pristine waters merit our care and stewardship. The recent approval of a sewage plant in Erin by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks will allow treated water to be released into the West Credit River, prime brook trout habitat. This decision has caused great concern among environmentalists because of the potential for this discharge to warm and pollute the stream. Credit Valley Conservation, an organization I respect, evaluated and signed off on the project. I truly hope they are right.

5 FLYING SQUIRRELS

Fiona Reid heard scuffling in her kitchen. Entering, she found a bundle of fur with soulful eyes staring up at her. It quickly scurried away and hid under her fridge. Fiona, author of the Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America , knew she was looking at a southern flying squirrel. Later that day, sunflower seeds lured the squirrel into a humane trap and Fiona set it free on her forested Niagara Escarpment property.

Two species of these gliding mammals – the northern and the southern flying squirrels – inhabit the Greenbelt. The northern is a little larger than the southern and is said to favour woodlands with plenty of conifers, where it dines on mushrooms, among other things. The southern flying squirrel is happiest in deciduous woods with plenty of nutbearing trees, such as oaks and hickories.

Regardless of the type of forest, the presence of old, cavity-pocked trees provides these squirrels with accommodation and safe shelter to raise their families. In winter the cavities serve as communal warming centres, where several squirrels will huddle together to beat the chill.

These beguiling little creatures with their large liquid eyes are seriously cute. Those big eyes are necessary for the flying squirrels’ nocturnal lifestyle. Black and red squirrels work the day shift, flying squirrels the night shift. Travel for flying squirrels must be a blast. They use kite-like membranes stretching from their wrists to their

ankles to glide 50 metres or more between trees.

A fascinating discovery was recently made by John Martin, a biologist at Northland College in Wisconsin. He shone a UV flashlight at a flying squirrel in the dark and found it fluoresced in bright pink.

It is now known that both southern and northern flying squirrels glow in ultraviolet light, though why remains a mystery. One suggestion is that it could help the squirrels communicate. Another is that the flying squirrels are mimicking the owls that hunt them. It turns out owls fluoresce in the same glowing pink! Perhaps the glowing squirrels trick the owls into thinking they’re looking at another owl, giving these mammals time to scuttle into a cavity.

The dependence of flying squirrels on forests with old trees means they are not common creatures in developed areas of the GTA. Any depletion of Greenbelt forests will harm these adorable gliders.

6

WARBLERS

I recently opened Cornell University’s Merlin Bird ID app in Caledon, where it registered the call of a Canada warbler. It took time to get a visual, but I finally spotted this small bird, flitting among the boughs of balsam fir and winterberry. I first recorded this uncommon warbler at the same location in the early 1980s during Ontario’s first Breeding Bird Atlas project, then 20 years later during the second atlas project. Then, halfway through the data collection phase of the third atlas, I found it again.

This is reassuring, because it shows that for at least 40 years this Caledon habitat has continued to offer the trees, shrubs and insects this species needs to survive. You don’t find Canada warblers nesting in Toronto or Mississauga or Brampton. They almost certainly did at one time, but Canada warblers and most of the other 20 or so warbler species in southern Ontario cannot abide development. Even leafy suburbs and well-treed urban parks are shunned by warblers.

DON’T MISS AN ISSUE

For now, warblers remain part of the Greenbelt’s avian fauna, where they find the deep forests, buggy wetlands and brushy fields they need to raise their families. These habitats are gifts, not only to the warblers but also to the thousands of birders who live in the GTA. A short drive northward or to the east or west allows the growing community of birding enthusiasts to find these avian gems.

In our increasingly urbanized world, the need for these nearby nature getaways will become ever more pressing. All of us, regardless of economic status, deserve the right to experience warblers and myriad other creatures without driving for hours. If we erode the Greenbelt, we not only destroy critical warbler habitat, but also deny to urbanites opportunities to explore nature and reap the health benefits that time in nature bestows.

7SHOWY LADY’S SLIPPER ORCHIDS

I remember my first showy lady’s slipper sighting in Headwaters. It was a sweltering June afternoon, and after several hours of birding I was sweaty and spent. Deer flies, out for blood, orbited my head. But then … nirvana, or something approaching it. Stumbling through tangles of white cedar, I emerged into a sunlit opening to find scores of showy lady’s slipper orchids in glorious bloom.

The showy lady’s slipper is another life form that has disappeared from developed sections of the GTA but persists in pockets of wetland habitat in the Greenbelt. It is long-lived, taking roughly as long as humans to reach reproductive age. To germinate, its dust-like seeds must fall on welcoming ground – soil where certain fungi dwell. The fungi infiltrate the seeds and deliver critical nutrients to enable growth, a relationship sustained throughout the life of the orchids. Remove lady’s slippers from their pristine habitat and they will likely die, deprived of their mycological partners.

Humans have a track record of draining the wetlands that lady’s slippers and so many other plants and animals need, but thankfully, for now, Greenbelt bogs, swamps and marshes enjoy protection.

The built landscape in the GTA now sprawls across vast tracts in Halton, Peel, York, Durham and, of course, Toronto. We need to ask whether our future is best served by expanding this urban footprint into the Greenbelt and, in so doing, paving over farmland and natural space. For those guided by the dictum “business as usual,” the prospect of opening Greenbelt lands to development must be enticing. For others though, the Greenbelt offers the opportunity to pursue a hopeful alternative future. With the Greenbelt Act, the McGuinty government anticipated the pressures the GTA would exert on farmland, forest and wetlands. Those of us who question the wisdom of perpetual growth, who value farmland and nearby nature, must ensure the Greenbelt is, indeed, “permanently” protected.

Don Scallen is the author of Nature Where We Live: Activities to Engage Your Inner Scientist from Pond Dipping to Animal Tracking. Read more of his observations on local flora and fauna in “Notes from the Wild” at www.inthehills.ca.

Nuptials

in Nature

NOT ONLY ARE COUNTRY

WEDDINGS

RUSTIC AND ROMANTIC, THEY ’ RE ALSO INCREASINGLY ECO-FRIENDLY WITH COUPLES CREATING STYLISH AND MEMORABLE PARTIES THAT DON ’ T COST THE EARTH

BY ALISON MCGILL

When Darcy Martin and Marcus Farmer tied the knot last October, they were lucky enough to hold the ceremony on a private country property that held deep meaning for them. The verdant open space, which belonged to their Caledon neighbour, sits by a picturesque natural pond edged with trees.

“We spent a lot of time by the pond having lazy afternoon picnics and talking about the future we wanted to build together,” Martin says. “When we became engaged and started planning our wedding, the pond was the first place that came to mind for our ceremony location. We were ecstatic when our neighbour allowed us to celebrate this incredible life moment there.”

It also set the tone for a wedding day marked by the couple’s thoughtfulness about their environmental impact. Martin and Farmer, who have since

moved to Rockwood, opted for an intimate celebration of 65 guests. The ceremony location needed little decoration, just a few floral touches, many of them foraged. And they used dye-free and repurposed mulch to create a walking path. “Our goal for our ceremony was to leave no trace,” Martin says. “We wanted to show the same respect to the land that had given us so many good memories over the years.”

Looking for ways to lower the carbon footprint on what can be an environmentally damaging, wastefilled day is becoming increasingly important to couples. Not everyone can tap a friendly neighbour or family member who owns green space, but in a largely rural area like Headwaters, more and more venues and likeminded vendors are emerging to fill the role – and bookings are brisk.

“The biggest environmental impacts of a standard wedding are the

Newlyweds Marcus Farmer and Darcy Martin after their ceremony on a country property in Caledon in October 2022.

distribution of waste and the amount of carbon produced,” says Torontobased event planner Holly Perrier, one of Canada’s leading eco-wedding experts. “When we talk about the concept of a sustainable wedding, it encompasses a thoughtful approach to creating a meaningful and memorable event that aligns with your values. A sustainable wedding can be just as impactful and beautiful, if not more so, than a traditional wedding.”

Although the pandemic was a stressful time for couples getting married because the scope of so many celebrations had to be recalibrated, Perrier says it was good for the planet because of the

surge in micro-weddings with low guest counts. The trend toward small can reduce the environmental impact of transportation, catering and waste generation, she reports. “Fewer attendees can also result in reduced resource consumption like energy and water usage. It’s been my experience that smaller weddings also encourage couples to source things like decorations, food, and flowers locally and sustainably.”

Florals go even greener

While wedding bouquets and arrangements are biodegradable, that’s not their whole footprint. Sourcing more local, seasonal blooms – sorry, you may have to give up on having peonies in October or sunflowers in April – and

eschewing dated tools such as floral foam is becoming more common.

Thanks to the aspirational role of social media in our lives, floral designers are reaching new heights of creativity to deliver Pinterestperfect installations, centrepieces and bouquets. Anything is possible, but florist Krystal Young, owner of Erin-based Snowberry Botanicals, says it’s important to fully realize the environmental cost of your wedding’s floral elements.

Young worked with Martin and Farmer to include as many local and seasonal materials as possible. “We were able to access a few goodies abundant in the local area via foraging. Autumn florals and grasses added a huge textural component to the designs for the day,” she says. “And

LEFT: Groomsmen for Megan and Jon Lemon’s wedding approach the rustic barn at Cambium Farms in Caledon. UPPER RIGHT: Dining tables at the Lemon wedding featured secondhand vases and minimal flowers. LOWER RIGHT : Many of the flowers at Darcy Martin’s wedding were locally sourced or foraged.

because Darcy and Marcus were so in love with a warm, seasonal and neutral look, we were able to incorporate flowers like wild asters and solidago [goldenrods] as interesting and beautiful dried elements.”

Blooms imported from regions such as Ecuador, Colombia and Holland often stay out of water for days, and travel very far on planes, trains and automobiles to get to us, Young says. “Local flowers can be comparable cost-wise to those you import, but in the long run they come at much less of an [environmental] price. Supporting our local growers – which we have so many in this area – means not only fresher, seasonal blooms, but they are procured easily and without multi-legs of environment-damaging travel. As a florist, I love that I can pick materials

Making It Official

What to know about getting a marriage officiant to preside over your country wedding nuptials.

BY EMILY DICKSON

Not everybody dreams about the pomp and circumstance of a traditional wedding at a place of worship. But getting married in a town hall or municipal office by a clerk or judge may not feel like the most romantic way to tie the knot either. This is where registered marriage officiants come in, to help you get married where and how you’d like.

But not just anybody can legally officiate. You might be inclined to ask a close friend or family member, but under the Marriage Act, for your marriage to be legally recognized, they’d need to be ordained by a church, religious group or humanist ministry registered with the province. There are also members of Indigenous communities in Ontario recognized by their bands, and the province, as entitled to perform marriages in their communities.

These officiants must ensure three basic steps are followed: The declaration of intent and vows; the confirmation that there’s no legal reason why the two people should not be married; and the pronouncement by the officiant that the two people are now officially married. This is followed by the signing of the marriage register by the officiant, the couple and witnesses.

Writing your vows

According to Sarah Sansom, a professional wedding planner and officiant who runs Day by Design in Orangeville, these legalities only take a few minutes, so couples have a lot of freedom to personalize the rest of their big day. Officiants are also a wealth of information on writing vows, planning a ceremony, and incorporating rituals that are meaningful for you and your partner. “Couples come to me and don’t realize that they have the power to choose literally whatever it is that they want for their marriage ceremony. What needs to legally be part of the wedding is very minimal; the rest is up to you.”

And couples do get creative. Caledon-based Mark Grice has been working as an officiant for five years. He has watched brides ride in on a tractor or horse, and has led a ceremony for a couple who stood in a snow-covered field holding hands under a fur muff. And he has seen dogs in bowties acting as ring bearers — including one that accidentally stepped on the bride’s veil and pulled it right off.

On one occasion, Grice dressed as a baseball umpire to marry a couple at a baseball diamond. “It was really something. The bridesmaids and groomsmen came running out from the dugouts, and the couple exchanged vows at the home plate!”

Grice performs up to 30 ceremonies a year (he is also a well-known local artist, horse trainer and author), and he has witnessed many wedding day hiccups, such as that errant veil. But he has learned to roll with the punches, throw in a pinch of humour, and make sure the ceremony gets back on track. “Weddings are stressful and on the big day there’s a lot of moving parts, so you need to have a smooth plan.”

Setting the tone

Before the wedding, an officiant will usually meet with the couple at least twice to run through the ceremony, ensure the couple has applied for the marriage licence, and go over the vows to check that they are personal, but not inappropriate or crude. “I get that it’s fun to incorporate a little humour, but sometimes people take it very casually,” says Grice. He offers a range of vow templates and examples couples can personalize. “I have to explain to them that the vows are not a joke — they’re a public promise about how you are going to conduct yourself.”

And even if you’re not getting hitched in a church, most officiants have the flexibility to incorporate religious aspects into your ceremony (but do check before you book; some religious institutions which ordain officiants may have firm guidelines). Cheryl McNeil of Precious Memories Officiant Services in Shelburne has, on occasion, been asked to read certain passages from the Bible for a ceremony. “I always give people options and help them create what they want,” says McNeil. She has married people in barns, backyards, legions, beaches and the charming, historic Corbetton Church on the grounds of the Museum of Dufferin. McNeil tied the knot herself earlier this year — congrats! — and for now appears on the provincial list of registered officiants under her former name, Cheryl Peterson.

If you’re engaged and starting to plan, it’s best to book your officiant well in advance (at least six months). The fee for officiants can range from $200 for a basic civil ceremony to $500 or more for a lengthier and more customized event. In the summertime some officiants find themselves booked every weekend, so if you have a very specific date in mind, act fast to ensure the wedding of your dreams.

Find a list of recognized officiants in your municipality at data.ontario.ca/dataset/ registered-marriage-officiants

TOP: Marcus and Darcy rented a bus to ferry guests from the ceremony in Caledon to the reception at Adamo Estate Winery in Mono. BOTTOM: The couple provided a selection of blankets and shawls to keep guests warm.

up fresh or have them delivered to me from the farm unpackaged in wasteful plastic, Styrofoam and cardboard.”

Martin and Farmer also minimized waste by using their flowers in multiple ways. For their reception at Mono’s Adamo Estate Winery, Young deconstructed and repurposed the floral arch created for their ceremony into table centerpieces.

Ecological event planning

Eco-savvy couples and planners are finding myriad ways to celebrate in nature and be mindful of it at the same time, from thrifting to setting high standards for wedding venues and vendors.

“When you are looking at rental items, you can work with companies who have eco-minded policies regarding packaging and transportation of goods,” Holly Perrier says. “You can choose vendors who reuse candles, use blankets as opposed to bubble wrap, and plastic reusable totes instead of cardboard boxes.”

Indeed, for Martin and Farmer’s Adamo Estate Winery reception, the operators also committed to no singleuse plastics. And the dinner menu featured food sourced from the farm at Adamo’s sister property, Hockley Valley Resort, and others within 100 kilometres, says Martin. Adamo serves its own locally produced wines, which eliminated – or significantly minimized – the transportation footprint.

Megan and Jon Lemon choose Caledon’s Cambium Farms for their nuptials this past June to bring 100 of their closest friends and family to a rustic location that showcased their local roots. The Orangeville-based couple aimed to make their day as sustainable as possible with few florals to reduce waste, as well as thrifted

decor items such as antique bud vases and glass jugs to hold the aisle floral arrangements at the outdoor ceremony.

“I tapped into a network of previous brides on Facebook as well as some bride-buy-and-sell groups looking to resell some items from their weddings,” Megan says. “In turn, I will be looking to pass along some of our items to others getting married. It’s a beautiful way to help others out and significantly reduce the amount of waste. We also rented a lot of things like the wooden arch we used for our wedding ceremony as well as our table

numbers and card box.”

It helps when your venue is committed to sustainable practices.

Julianne Williams, whose family owns and runs Cambium Farms, says they have invested in eliminating excessive waste and plastic. “Most venues rent chairs, tables and glassware, which means a lot of plastic wrap and packaging that is thrown out every event. We’ve upgraded our facility by purchasing our own equipment so outside items are minimally rented. We strive to ensure floral and decorating items are taken home by

guests and staff at the end of the night so they can be repurposed.”

The flagship space on the farm’s 50 acres is The Barn, which dates to 1873 and has been fully restored with a 250-guest capacity, but weddings often migrate around the property. Megan and Jon Lemon got ready in the farmhouse, used the carriage house for their “first look” and welcome drinks, had their ceremony on the lawn, cocktail hour in the barn, and reception in the restored Byre (originally used to house cattle, livestock and horses). Cambium

TOP: The vineyards at Adamo Estate Winery form a romantic backdrop for Marcus Farmer and Darcy Martin’s wedding photos. BOTTOM: Megan and Jon Lemon have their pre-ceremony “first look” in front of Cambium Farms’ carriage house.

Farms is already taking reservations for 2025 and is fielding inquiries for 2026, says Williams.

The historic Alton Mill Arts Centre is an iconic wedding destination that itself is a symbol of artful recycling. The 1881 mill has been completely restored and renovated using reclaimed materials and old-world techniques. And sustainability is a huge part of everyday operations, but particularly when it comes to weddings set within the refurbished stone walls of the Annex Courtyard or on the banks of the Millpond.

“We don’t allow confetti, rice, fireworks or loud music here on our grounds. We have an incredible property here that is beautiful, rustic and natural, and for us it’s critical to respect our environment and avoid excess waste,” says general manager Martin Kouprie. With bookings well into 2024 and 2025, it’s a strategy that fits the times. Kouprie reports he recently fielded over 30 wedding requests in one week from couples looking to get married in the next 18 months.

The allure of a country wedding has only grown since the pandemic with people wanting to get into nature for their celebrations, says Brooke Schmidt, director of sales and events at Mount Alverno Luxury Resorts in Caledon. The 100-acre property features rolling green spaces, a forest, a 7-kilometre hiking trail, and a tranquil pond which is the location of the resort’s newest wedding locale. Called the Pond Terrace, it is a dreamy, clearroofed structure with sweeping views of both the sky and the property.

Setting the tone

Holly Perrier says a commitment to sustainability can start as early as the invitation. If couples choose to go with a physical invitation, they can select a material such as seed paper

which is embedded with floral or herb seeds and can be planted after the event. Seed paper or hemp paper is a good choice for other wedding stationery essentials as well, such as signage, menus or place cards.

Another area to consider is the wedding wardrobe. Brides, wedding parties and guests can choose vintage or consignment pieces, or rent rather than buy wedding attire. Julie Kalinowski is co-owner of Fitzroy Rentals. The company began in 2016 as a Toronto brick-and-mortar dress rental boutique, and has now grown to be a booming online business which ships across Canada.

Kalinowski offers a clever virtual fitting service for every client, and approximately 70 styles of white dresses by luxury bridal wear designers, including Monique Lhuillier and Theia. Expect to pay $100 to $160 for a four-day rental. She reports bridesmaid dress rentals have become a cornerstone of the business too.

“The textile industry is one of the most wasteful on the planet.

Renting a wedding dress is not only being more mindful of sustainability for your wedding, but it’s also astronomically more affordable,” Kalinowski says. “We love that so many of our wedding pieces have gone to such special and beautiful experiences, and feel they really carry that magical energy with them.”

Looking ahead to the 2024 wedding season and beyond, it’s clear ecoconscious parties in rural settings are less a trend than a lifestyle choice – one that, in the end, is also just a really good time. As Alton Mill’s Kouprie puts it, “The mood when you come to the country for a wedding is relaxed, less stuffy, not too formal and feels like a beautiful day away from every day.”

Alison McGill is a writer, editor and podcaster who lives in Halton Hills.

LOCAL

COUNTRY WEDDING LOCALES

We are spoiled for choice in the Headwaters area when it comes to nature-filled country wedding venues. Here are eight to suit every style from relaxed and rustic to chic garden party.

ADAMO ESTATE WINERY AND HOCKLEY VALLEY RESORT

LOCATION: 793366 and 793522 3rd Line EHS, Mono

THE VIBE: Sophisticated indoor and outdoor spaces at Hockley Valley, and elevated vineyard elegance at sister property, Adamo, which lies south of the resort.

ICONIC PHOTO MOMENT : Among the vines. Both properties have working vineyards, with Adamo, of course, having a huge expanse of them. www.adamoestate.com www.hockley.com

ALTON MILL ARTS CENTRE

LOCATION: 1402 Queen St W, Alton

THE VIBE: Grand and historic. This restored

heritage stone mill offers the best of old-world architecture fused with modern industrial touches.

ICONIC PHOTO MOMENT : On the banks of the Millpond or against the majestic stone walls of the Annex Courtyard. www.altonmill.ca

CAMBIUM FARMS

LOCATION: 18333 Winston Churchill Blvd, Caledon

THE VIBE: Rustic country elegance with a beautifully restored 19th-century barn as the star of the show.

ICONIC PHOTO MOMENT : On Cambium’s long main entrance driveway and in the farm fields alongside hay bales if you’re in season. www.cambiumfarms.com

ERIN ESTATE

LOCATION: 6107 2nd Line, Erin

THE VIBE: Enchanting country estate with a cinematic forest ceremony space.

ICONIC PHOTO MOMENT : Deep in the woods – a mystical and unforgettable setting to get lost in. www.erinestate.ca

MILLCROFT INN & SPA

LOCATION: 55 John St, Alton

THE VIBE: Vintage oldworld country elegance thanks to the mill’s historic 19th-century architecture and picturesque Riverside Wedding Garden.

ICONIC PHOTO MOMENT : In front of Shaw’s Creek Falls, one of the most beautiful outdoor wonders of the area.

www.vintage-hotels.com

MOUNT ALVERNO LUXURY RESORTS

Location: 20706 Heart Lake Rd, Caledon

THE VIBE: Pure country luxury with outdoor and indoor wedding venues, plus a stunning glass conservatory scheduled to open soon.

ICONIC PHOTO MOMENT : Anywhere on the property’s lush, rambling grounds – with woodlands and wildflower gardens. www.mountalverno.com

MRS.

MITCHELL’S RESTAURANT

LOCATION: 887395 MonoMulmur Townline, in the village of Violet Hill

THE VIBE: A charming and cozy 19th-century former schoolhouse that feels like home – complete with a stunning Englishstyle perennial garden.

ICONIC PHOTO MOMENT : Under the trees on the flagstone pathway against the wrought-iron gates that lead to the back garden area – pure magic. www.mrsmitchells.com

LOCAL FLORISTS AND FLOWER FARMS

Brides and grooms have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to local florists and farmers to source from. Bonus tip from the two lavender farms: Stonewell Farm offers three-hour ceremony bookings (no sit-down receptions, no alcohol), and Hereward Farms is booking weddings of up to 100 people starting in 2024.

BROADSIDE FLOWERS

LOCATION: Terra Cotta www.broadsideflowers.com

CEDAR & STONE FLORAL STUDIO

LOCATION: Alton Mill Arts Centre www.cedarandstone.ca

HEREWARD FARMS

LOCATION: 141051 15 Siderd, East Garafraxa www.herewardfarm.com

ORANGEVILLE FLOWERS

LOCATION: 121 First St, Orangeville www.orangevilleflowers.ca

PETALS FLOWER CO.

LOCATION: Melancthon www.petalsflowerco.ca

SNOWBERRY BOTANICALS

LOCATION: 92 Main St, Erin www.snowberry botanicals.com

STONEWELL FARM

LOCATION: 9762 Wellington Road 42, Erin www.stonewellfarm.ca

SUZANNE GARDNER FLOWERS

LOCATION: 131 Broadway, Orangeville www.sgflowers.ca

MILLCROFT INN & SPA

ALTON MILL ARTS CENTRE MOUNT ALVERNO

MOCKTAILS, CHILI SAUCE AND NORTHERN INDIAN STREET FOOD FOR FALL

BY EMILY DICKSON

Spotlight: No-Buzz Bevvies

If you’re thinking of cutting back on booze, there’s never been a better time to enjoy nonalcoholic drinks. A recent national survey has shown that almost a third of Canadians have recently bought nonalcoholic beer, wine and spirits. And zeroalcohol alternatives are easier to find than ever.

“Nonalcoholic doesn’t have to be a compromise,” says Dave Hennig, who after almost a decade of working in the brewing industry started Headwaters Beverage Company in Orangeville in 2022. He describes his products as “small-batch, beer-adjacent, nonalcoholic beverages.”

The line of sparkling hop-based drinks includes Golden Goose, infused with white tea, lemongrass and golden berries; In a Beautiful Place in the Country with herbes de Provence and sea salt; and Burst, which comes in either Mosaic Tart Cherry or Citra Orange Mango.

Dave has partnered with local breweries like Mono Centre Brewing and Badlands Brewing, and several retail shops so designated drivers, nondrinkers and those just interested in a nonalcoholic alternative can indulge in something other than a sad soda water.

Not into hops? Not a problem!

The Tipsy Neighbour Beverages, based in Caledon, promises you’ll “unleash cocktail magic” with their carefully crafted spirit infusion kits. Each Mason jar is packed with dehydrated fruits, herbs, vegetables and spices including oranges, mint, cherries, blueberries, lemons, strawberries and citrus-infused sugar. You mix the infusion with juice or soda to make a smashing mocktail or add

the suggested alcohol pairing mentioned on the back of each jar and infuse for three days in the fridge. Ten flavors range from Blueberry Mojito to Cucumber Cilantro Delight. You can find Tipsy Neighbour’s concoctions at This Is Local in Bolton.

Caledon’s The Tipsy Neighbour Beverages packs Mason jars with dried fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices for infusing juices, soda or alcohol with flavour.

HARVEST HAUL

With summer harvests almost complete, expect to find lots of colourful preserves and fresh produce at the Erin Farmers’ Market, says Jennifer Edwards of Little Deer Drive Farm, who is also the market co-ordinator. Watch for leafy greens like cabbage, kale, Swiss chard and Brussels sprouts, plus corn, pumpkins, gourds, apples, pears, plums, garlic and more as they come into season.

MARK YOUR CULINARY CALENDAR

Wear your most stretchy pants to the Orangeville Comfort Food Fest on September 30 and October 1 to enjoy a feast of pierogies, poutine, butter tarts, twisted potatoes, cheesecake bites and more. On October 15 the Alton Legion hosts the 14th annual Empty Bowls Headwaters fundraising event, where you can enjoy a specialty soup in one of the 300 bowls made by local clay artist Ann Randeraad, and take the bowl home.

SMALL BITE: THE HYPERLOCAL STEAK SANDWICH

Caledon’s Heatherlea Farm Shoppe is a great spot to grab some steaks and sausages for the grill, or to stock up on locally raised eggs and produce. But don’t miss their on-site café offering freshly prepared farm-to-table meals from their country kitchen. Standouts include Farmer Gord’s Steak Sandwich made with their own Heatherlea Angus steak and caramelized onion, peppers and mushroom aioli, and the Heatherlea Reuben Sandwich with house-cured and smoked pastrami, sauerkraut and Gruyère on marble rye. The Heatherlea team prides itself on making everything from scratch, from the stock used in their seasonal soups to the vinaigrette they serve with their greens. “For our upcoming fall season, our weekly café specials change to reflect the local harvest,” says Melinda McArthur, who helps manage the Farm Shoppe. “And don’t miss our fall lattes!”

A TASTE OF NORTHERN INDIA

Punjabi Treats has become a staple at the Orangeville Farmers’ Market, where Ramandeep and Ravneet Varpal cook a variety of vegetarian dishes and street food from their hometown in northern India. Think samosas, pakoras and cauliflower bites washed down with a sweet mango lassi. Punjabi Treats can be found at the Winter Farmers’ Market inside the Orangeville town hall — a great way to feel a little heat on a cold day.

IIT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE

Andrew and Lisa Laidlaw — both teachers — are the husband-andwife team behind Class Clown Chilli Sauce in Orangeville. They grow more than 20 different peppers for their collection of sauces and pepper jellies. There’s the milder sugar rush stripey used in Tropical Storm, the medium pepper Thai dragon used in One Night in Bangkok, and the super-hot 7 pot primo pepper which goes into their Australian-inspired DidgeriDon’t. “But all our sauces are flavour first!” reassures Andrew. “We’re not out to hurt people.”

SUGAR & SPICE

For some flavours of fall, place your order with the Chocolate Rose Bake Shop in Caledon East, where the doughnuts are always baked, never fried. This autumn, baker Rose Tarantino is whipping up carrot and pumpkin doughnuts and pumpkin scones, all with hues of cinnamon and nutmeg to usher in the season.

Heatherlea Farm Shoppe’s Reuben sandwich.

An array of Class Clown hot sauces.

LA VIE EN ROSE

Since pink became this year’s hottest colour courtesy of a certain summer blockbuster (thanks, Barbie), we’ve noticed a bevy of new-to-us rosecoloured products. The Pink Beetroot Latte is adorned with petals at Greystones Cafe in Orangeville. Mono’s Adamo Estate Winery released a new frizzante rosé wine. A Strawberry Twister smoothie fits the bill at the recently renovated Euphoria Café in Orangeville. And at Erin’s Whistling Pines Farm, watch for jars of fuchsia-hued Chive Blossom Vinegar, Pickled Garlic Cloves or Strawberry Sundae Fruit Topping. GOBBLE

GOBBLE

Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away, so now’s the time to reserve a farm-fresh turkey from your favourite purveyor. Sola Gratia Farm in Melancthon, for one, offers free-range turkey fed with non-GMO corn.

The Pink Beetroot Latte from Greystones Cafe.

In Pie We Crust

ONE OF LIFE’S GREAT PLEASURES IS VISITING A LOCAL APPLE ORCHARD, PICKING ARMLOADS OF YOUR FAVOURITE VARIETY AND BAKING A CLASSIC APPLE PIE

BY EMILY DICKSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELAINE LI

After a summer of chasing luscious heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn and juicy peaches, lovers of local food turn to a somewhat humbler object of desire come September: the apple. While we’ve been gorging on more fleeting treats, these hardy gems have been soaking up and harnessing the summer sun, ripening just as the days get cooler in September and October – perfect timing for the two-part fall pleasure of visiting an orchard and heading home to bake with the spoils.

And if that’s too much for one day, not to worry. As an ingredient, the apple is kind to the procrastinator; unlike that basket of peaches which can go from just-ripe to mushy in a matter of days, your apples can wait well beyond a week or two for inspiration to strike.

As for the specific recipe you choose, apple pie aficionados say the homier, the better. Every year Scott Lunau, owner of Albion Orchards in Caledon, fields a flood of questions from visitors about what recipe to use. “I always tell them that the best recipe is their grandmother’s or mother’s traditional method,” explains Scott. “Many people have fond memories of smelling pies baking in the kitchen and sharing them with family, so they’re often dissatisfied with a slice of pie in a restaurant when it fails to taste the same. I always say that if Grandma knew best, why change what worked so well for her?”

Just ask Creemore pie maven Karen Scully. In 2012 Karen entered the annual Creemore Farmers’ Market Apple Pie Contest for the very first time with a Dutch apple pie recipe handed down by her great-grandmother and finally written down in a family cookbook by Karen’s mother, Janis Schut. Karen put her own

To make Karen Scully’s Dutch Apple Pie, peel apples, cut them into wedges and arrange in an unbaked pie shell before adding the creamy filling.

creative twist on the traditional recipe by painstakingly peeling her apples into rosettes to create a gorgeous, red-tinged apple bouquet pattern – a design that took her more than two hours to prepare and won her first place in the contest.

The win was the catalyst for Karen’s journey into the world of decorative pies. She got involved in organizing and promoting the contest with the Creemore BIA and the Farmers’ Market. (In late August the contest was expanded to include a pumpkin pie category.) Karen also started a Facebook group called the Pie Baking Group which now has 16,000 members who share their tips for decorative pies. “The group really is a wonderful community and helps their fellow bakers with any problems they run into,” explains Karen. “My mission is to bring the fun of baking pies to everyone and to test the limits of pie crust.”

If you don’t already have a favourite of your own, we’re sharing Karen’s great-grandmother’s basic recipe here (with tips on trying those rosettes if you’re keen), along with two others that may earn a spot in your family’s recipe archive. What apples to work with?

Most orchard owners – see our list of locations on page 68 –recommend using an apple that has a crisp texture or, even better, a mix of apples so your pie crust won’t get soggy during cooking. Gala, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Empire and Golden Delicious are popular choices usually available in September. You may have to wait until October for other stalwarts, including Northern Spy and Crispin/Mutsu.

According to Scott from Albion Orchards, Mother Nature “likes to keep farmers guessing,” so it’s best to check the orchards’ websites to see what’s in season – some will include descriptions of varieties to help you pick the level of tartness and sweetness you’re after. And for the pastry, use your favourite pastry recipe or (no shame) buy a premade crust or frozen dough.

Happy baking!

The Winner Bakes It All

At the Creemore Farmers’ Market Apple Pie Contest, the pies are judged based on five things: overall taste, flakiness of the crust, texture of the filling, appearance and the taste of the apples themselves. Getting these five factors right requires bakers to know how to bring all those things together in a beautiful and delicious masterpiece, says organizer Karen Scully. Photographer and recipe developer Elaine Li of Orangeville’s Crave and Capture took on the challenge of recreating Karen’s great-grandmother’s Dutch apple pie – plus Karen’s apple rosette technique – with beautiful results. The sauce sinks into the apples, creating a thick, almost pudding-like filling. (Unlike many Dutch apple pie recipes, this one does not have a crumb topping.)

Dutch Apple Pie

This is a single-crust pie that can be filled with apple wedges (as shown on this page) or apple rosettes (see photo on next page).

1 unbaked pie shell 5 to 6 small McIntosh or Spy apples peeled, cored and cut in eighths; or unpeeled and whole if making rosettes

To make rosettes, use a sharp paring knife or wide peeler to cut thin slices of an unpeeled apple, working in circles around the core from top to bottom.

Put the strips into a bowl with enough water to cover them and 1 tsp lemon juice to keep from browning. Place the strips peel edge up in an egg

cup to help form the rose shapes before adding them to the pie.

SAUCE

1 cup brown sugar

3 tbsp flour

1 tsp cinnamon

½ cup 35% cream

1 tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Arrange apple wedges or rosettes in a circular pattern in the unbaked pie shell.

Mix sugar, flour and cinnamon. Stir in cream. Spoon this mixture over the apples, trying to get some of the sauce on all the apples. Dot the top with butter.

Bake for 60 to 75 minutes. McIntosh will bake for 60 minutes and Spy apples need 75 minutes.

Karen Scully’s Pie Pastry

Pastry for one double-crust pie.

2 ¾ cups flour

1 tsp salt

½ cup cold butter, cubed

½ cup cold shortening or lard, cubed

1 egg

1 tbsp vinegar

Cold water

Combine flour and salt in a food processor. Add butter to the food processor, pressing the cubes a little into the flour. Repeat with the shortening. (The butter is cold and harder, so you want it to hit the food processor blades first.)

Pulse the mixture several times, just until the mixture resembles large breadcrumbs or

After the Dutch Apple Pie is

oatmeal flakes, with no cubes of butter or shortening

Beat the egg lightly in a measuring cup. Add the vinegar, and then add water to bring the liquid measure to a ½ cup in total.

Note: If the food processor bowl is 8 cups or less, transfer the flour mixture to a stand mixer or a large bowl before adding liquid.

Add the ½ cup of liquid to the flour mixture in the food processor, pulse several times, just until the dough clings together. If using a stand mixer or a bowl, add the liquid a little at a time, using the paddle attachment on the mixer, or hand-mixing lightly with a fork, until the dough clings together (you may not need to use all the liquid), making sure there is no unmixed flour at the bottom of the bowl. Do not over mix.

Gather the dough into a ball, press into a disk and cover with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Roll out and fit into an 8" or 9" pie plate.

You will have more than you need for a single-crust recipe, but Karen encourages you to use the excess to experiment with making decorative accents, such as photographer Elaine Li has shown on these pages. Or reserve the excess for another purpose.

Bakers Gotta Bake

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery sells thin-crust oven pizza, artisanal bread, baked goodies and more than a dozen types of cider –but when autumn rolls around, it’s all about the pies. The baking team at Spirit Tree makes a whopping 700 pies or more every year from September to October, of which 70 per cent are apple or apple crumble. For their apple pie recipe, which they’ve graciously recalculated for home cooking, they recommend using Cortland, Ida Red or Wealthy, all of which are varieties that grow at their orchard. A dash of nutmeg adds an extra kick on top of the usual cinnamon.

Spirit Tree Apple Pie

Pastry for one doublecrust pie

4 cups apples, peeled, cored and sliced

1 tsp lemon zest

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

¼ cup white sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

2 tsp cornstarch

½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Combine sliced apples with lemon zest and juice in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl combine sugars, cornstarch and spices. Add to apples and mix well. Pour apple mixture into prepared pie shell.

Cover top with pastry and crimp around the edges. Brush with egg wash if desired.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes until crust is golden and cake tester easily goes through apples.

Beyond Pie

Greg and Melissa Downey have their hands full every year tending not only to their apple orchards, but also the thousands of strawberry and raspberry canes growing at Downey’s Strawberry and Apple Farm, which has been in Greg’s family for many generations. Downey’s grows McIntosh, Cortland, Gala, Empire, Honeycrisp, Ambrosia, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Mutsu, Northern Spy and Red Fuji. Growing up with rural roots in Waterloo County, Melissa learned how to bake traditional Mennonite Dutch apple pies from her grandmother. But she’s also created her own modern apple recipes that are super easy and fast to make. If you don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen, try this fun and convenient recipe. Yes, you read it correctly: It includes a citrus-adjacent hit of Mountain Dew pop.

Apple Dumplings

2 10 oz cans of refrigerated prerolled dough (like Pillsbury)

2 large firm apples, peeled, cored and each cut into eight wedges

¾ cup butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

½ can of Mountain Dew

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.

Unroll the dough and separate into triangles. Roll each apple wedge in one triangle of dough. Place dumplings

Autumn apple picking

Caledon is our region’s hotspot for apple orchards for both u-pick and grab-and-go apples. Visit each site for operating hours and apple varieties.

Albion Orchards Apple Farm & Country Market 14800 Innis Lake Road www.albionorchards.com

Downey’s Strawberry and Apple Farm 13707 Heart Lake Road www.downeysupickfarm.ca

in a single layer, covering the bottom of the baking dish.

In a small saucepan, melt the butter and stir in the brown sugar. Stir until the mixture thickens, then stir in the cinnamon and vanilla.

Pour mixture over the dumplings. Pour the Mountain Dew around the edge of the pan.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the pastry is golden brown. These can be enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cold.

Dixie Orchards 14309 Dixie Road www.dixie orchards.com

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery 1137 Boston Mills Road www.spirittreecider.com

How to enter the Creemore Apple & Pumpkin Pie Contest

Think you’ve got what it takes? Enter your pie in the annual Creemore Farmers’ Market Apple & Pumpkin Pie Contest October 7 and let the judges decide! The organizers recently added a pumpkin pie category. For more info, visit their Facebook page: Creemore Farmers’ Market Apple & Pumpkin Pie Contests 2023.

You must register by email at CFM. ApplePieContest@ outlook.com. Then, bring your pie to the Creemore Farmers Market by 9 a.m. to be judged. There are two categories for each kind of pie – Junior Chef (aged 13 and under) and Skilled Chef – and prizes will be awarded in all.

Make sure you also walk in with your appetite because all the pies will be cut and served after the competition has been judged! Sounds like a win-win situation.

CA R I B B EAN IN THE HILLS

Caribbean culture – from food to music and style – has made a home in Headwaters for newcomers from the Islands, their families and longtime residents alike.

BY EMILY DICKSON

When May Denhart, better known as Mrs. D, moved to Canada in 1982 from Guyana, she brought with her all the tastes and traditions of her native cuisine, plus the skills she had learned in the kitchen from the age of six. Guyanese food, heavily influenced by the lush landscapes of South America and a long list of ethnicities, is a mélange of rich flavours, tropical ingredients and spices. After living in Dundalk, then Brampton, Mrs. D and her family moved to Mulmur in 2011. That’s when she decided to make food her career, opening Mrs. D Jerk, Roti and Pastry in Mono next to the Esso station on Highway 10, just north of Orangeville. It quickly became the place where people would stop to fill up their bellies with roti wraps when they filled up their cars with gas.

“Roti has always been my number one dish,” Mrs. D says as the smell of simmering curry wafts through the air and my stomach gurgles with hunger.

On the morning I visit her for a chat, her husband, Donald, is quietly watching a cricket match on television and she has just begun cooking her house specials. Other than roti she also offers peas and rice, jerk chicken and beef patties, all made from scratch, including the soft, silky roti skins. When I ask whether the restaurant was well received when it opened, she shrugs, “People just walk in the door.”

Right on cue, the door opens and an older gentleman with blue eyes and silver hair comes in. Without hesitating to look at the menu on the wall behind her, he asks, “Do you have goat roti today?” “Of course I have goat roti,” Mrs. D replies with a sweet smile, and disappears into the kitchen. I glance at my watch – it’s only 10:30 and customers are already descending.

LEFT TO RIGHT AND TOP TO BOTTOM: May Denhart of Mrs. D Jerk, Roti and Pastry; BLavish Hair owner Vennisha Balfour braids customer Josiane Adams’ hair while assistant Monique Robinson looks on; Althea Alli of the Dufferin County Multicultural Foundation; Fiona Riley of Fiona’s Cuisine; Art Of 8 owners Janeque and Martello Jones and their sons Mjöer-Micah, left, and Jai-Kristoeff; Soulyve’s Phil DeWar; Jody and Salisha Dindial of Fari Trini Tings; jerk chicken on the barbecue at Fiona’s Cuisine.

When Mrs. D started, hers was one of the few West Indian restaurants in the area. But a lot has changed in the last two decades as Headwaters has become home to people from an increasingly diverse variety of backgrounds.

Statistics Canada reports most Caribbean immigration locally and across the country comes from the nations of Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad, in that order. (In the 2021 census, about 4,330 residents of Caledon and Dufferin identified as Jamaican, Trinidadian or Guyanese, with more than half of them born in one of those countries.)

Still, you might also have a neighbour from Haiti, Barbados, Saint Lucia or Saint Vincent, to name just a few of the many islands and coastal countries surrounding the Caribbean Sea. The region is generally considered to be bordered on the north by the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Straits and the Northern Atlantic, and by Central and South America to the west and south – although nations outside that area, such as The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, are also considered Caribbean.

Now, in addition to restaurants like Mrs. D’s, other kinds of Caribbeanowned businesses are opening across Headwaters, whether it’s a driving school, food truck, beauty salon, café or restaurant. Shelburne alone has all these and more.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” says litigation lawyer and author Steve Anderson, who has Jamaican roots (he was the only one of his family’s eight kids to be born in Canada). Anderson served as Shelburne’s deputy mayor from 2018 to 2022 – the first Black person and the first person of Caribbean descent elected to office in Dufferin County. He points out that the 2016 census pegged Shelburne as the second-fastest growing town in Canada among municipalities with a population of 5,000 or more and outside a major metropolitan area.

“Anyone who comes to Shelburne will immediately notice the diversity of people, culture, shops and recreational activities. I’ve had people call me from Toronto or Mississauga thinking about

moving up here to new subdivisions. When they ask me if this is a good place to live, I tell them yes, it’s worth the drive to Shelburne!”

During his time as deputy mayor, Anderson attended many ribboncutting ceremonies for new spots owned by West Indian entrepreneurs. In the past few years, he has witnessed the arrival of businesses such as BLavish Hair and Majestic Kings and Queens Salon – and a wave of foodie businesses, including De Marco’s Caffè, Finiti Seafood Depot, the African Caribbean Grocery, Blitzfull Treats ice cream truck and Jamaica House Jerk.

The power of food

“Food is one of those universal intersections that connects people,” says Phil DeWar, the Jamaican-born chef behind Soulyve Catering & Events who has lived in Orangeville since 2001 and ran the popular Soulyve restaurant on Mill Street in Orangeville in two successive locations from 2009 to 2019. One of his most-requested items is his signature Reggae Wrap featuring jerk chicken wrapped in a roti.

Montserrat

Guadeloupe

The Caribbean region is home to many islands and coastal countries surrounding the Caribbean Sea. It is generally considered to be bordered on the north by the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Straits and the North Atlantic, and on the west and south by Central and South America.

“When I moved to Orangeville as a high school student some 20 years ago, there was nowhere to go to get Caribbean food locally. I love that culturally diverse food is now more accessible and easier to find, not only in Caribbean or other ethnic-based restaurants, but also prevalent on the menu at mainstream restaurants.”

While Jamaica’s national dish of ackee and saltfish (made with sautéed ackee fruit, salted cod, tomatoes, onions and seasoning) might still be a relatively new arrival to the local food scene, the Caribbean diaspora in Canada has a history dating back more than 200 years. West Indian communities (and their delicious food) can be found from Victoria to Halifax. And as with many cuisines, each dish or plate is the product of a country’s long and winding – and often in this case, colonial – history. Depending on the nation, you’ll find ingredients and cooking styles that can be traced to South America, Africa and India. You’ll also find repeat performances of seafood, tropical fruits and vegetables. A pan-Caribbean menu could include

dishes as varied as roti-wrapped curries, peppery jerk chicken, oxtail stew, crispy conch fritters, fish soups and fried plantain – each of which intersect with a cultural identity in ways no immigrant wants to lose.

Indeed, finding your native cuisine in your new hometown is a comfort. As a Trinidadian Canadian who moved to Orangeville in 2017, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I walked through the Orangeville Farmers’ Market for the first time and discovered Fari Trini Tings, where Salisha and Jody Dindial were selling alloo (potato) pie, roti and fresh doubles, a pastry pocket filled with curried vegetables. I walked right up to them, ordered three doubles with “slight pepper” (meaning a little splash of spicy pepper sauce), and as I enjoyed the breakfast of champions, I felt a bit more at home in my new neighbourhood.

In the six short years I’ve been here so many new places have set up shop, including Nella’s Jerk and Topville Jamaican Cuisine in Orangeville, and Caribbean goods are now easier to find in local supermarkets. Every

MEXICO

THE BAHAMAS

JAMAICA

BELIZE CUBA

HAITI DOMINICAN REPUBLIC SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

DOMINICA GRENADA

COLOMBIA VENEZUELA

GUYANA

BARBADOS

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES

SAINT LUCIA

PANAMA

COSTA RICA NICARAGUA

SALVADOR

CARIB BEAN SEA

NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

Martinique

Puerto Rico

Turks and Caicos Islands

Cayman Islands

Virgin Islands

Anguilla Florida

Aruba Curaçao

time my family goes to Shelburne, we pop into the African Caribbean Grocery for coconut water, mangoes and green seasoning (a bottled blend of green onions and herbs). The next spot on my list is Fiona’s Cuisine near Caledon Village, known for its jerk barbecue and a feast of shrimp served on half a pineapple.

And as these businesses develop and thrive, foods that are at once comforting reminders of home for some, and delectable ambassadors of Caribbean nations for others, continue to evolve, inspiring intriguing hyperlocal mashups. Think Caribbean-spiced perogies or jerk chicken fettucine alfredo – as two local cooks have.

Candy Henriques, creator of Candy’s Homemade Perogies, offers her Eastern European dumplings in jerk chicken and Trinidadian doubles varieties at Hillsburgh’s Jess For You Café and Baked Goods, where she works. “My husband, Kevin, is Jamaican, which inspired my love of Caribbean flavors, but I haven’t figured out how to make a rotiflavoured perogi yet!” she laughs.

In 2022 Anthony Patterson opened his Fusionz food truck in Erin with a menu that reflected his own cultural background – Canadian, Jamaican, Italian and French – with fusion dishes such as butter chicken poutine, jerk poutine and jerk chicken fettuccine alfredo. The former DJ noticed that Hillsburgh, where he has lived for about eight years, had a lot of newcomers from a variety of backgrounds who might enjoy what he wanted to serve.

“My two kids go to the local school, and I saw a lot of new families who had recently moved here, so I thought, what better time than now?” Patterson says. Perched right at the trailhead of the Elora Cataract Trailway on Erin’s Main Street, Fusionz attracts hikers and bikers in the summer, and hungry snowmobilers in the winter who make a pit stop to warm up with some spicy flavours. Patterson is now transitioning from the food truck to a small restaurant he’s upcycling himself from a shipping container, and he’s confident it will do well.

“It’s been amazing, and I’ve been blessed to be so well received by the community,” says Patterson.

“Watching that multiculturalism come to life in the small town that I live in, it was something beautiful to see.”

Beyond the table

In addition to imported and evolving food traditions, music is another important tool for celebrating Caribbean cultures and making new connections. At Shelburne’s 2022 Heritage Music Festival, Richie C and the Greatness Band was the first Jamaican reggae artist ever to take the stage. “Lots of people love reggae and the audience even called for an encore – you know when they call for an encore it’s a good sign,” says Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson, who at the time was the vicechair of Shelburne’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, which sponsored Richie C’s performance.

O’Hara-Stephenson, who is also president and founder of the Dufferin County Canadian Black Association, describes how as a Jamaican Canadian she felt proud to hear live reggae included at the event. “A few years ago, a reggae singer wouldn’t even have known about this festival or where Shelburne was on a map. Now Richie C is a staple in Shelburne. It’s a testament to how the power of music can unify people.”

More broadly, O’Hara-Stephenson says the health of the Caribbean community in our region is reflected in the sheer number of businesses with Caribbean DNA. An informal count of restaurants and food businesses easily surpasses a dozen. Other businesses are close behind. “Several years ago, when I moved here, I had to travel to Brampton or Toronto to get Caribbean things. I don’t have to do that anymore. I can shop local and keep the money in the local economy. That’s an immediate benefit.”

Keeping their culture alive through food and music is also crucial to Martello and Janeque Jones, the owners of Art Of 8 Martial Arts Academy in Orangeville, where they teach recreational and competitive Muay Thai and kickboxing. Originally from Hanover Parish on the northwestern tip of Jamaica, the Jones family has called Canada home since 2007. After living in big cities like Ottawa and Brampton, they moved

to a quiet country home in Amaranth six years ago, describing it as “The best decision we ever made.” For them music, food and language are all a key part of their family life. And they want their two Canadianborn children, 15-year-old Jai-Kristoeff and 8-year-old Mjöer-Micah, to also be proud of their Jamaican identity. At home the family speaks patois, in the car you can almost always find dancehall music playing, and home-cooked meals are authentically Jamaican, consisting of rice and peas, fried chicken, curried goat and oxtail. Their distinctly Caribbean charisma crosses over into their professional life too – in October 2022 when Art Of 8 hosted GENESIS, the very first kickboxing show to be held in Dufferin County, they made sure the DJ pumped up the crowds with highenergy reggae, dancehall and soca. It was perhaps fitting that Orangevillebased video production company The Art of Storytelling, run by my sister Miranda and her husband James O’Connor, who also moved here from Trinidad, were on hand to record the Orangeville Fairgrounds come alive with the contagious rhythms of the islands. “We put our heart and soul into it,” says Janeque. Still, Martello admits it wasn’t all smooth sailing for his family when Art Of 8 first opened its doors – and not just because they first had to survive the Covid pandemic which hit at the same time. Some people were reluctant to accept that a Black Jamaican man was the right person to teach Muay Thai. “Snide remarks were made, like ‘Don’t you think it’s strange that Black people are teaching martial arts?’,” says Jones with a smile. He first became a student of Muay Thai in 2010 while living in Ottawa. “Most martial arts originate in Asia. But this question is never asked of a Caucasian person regarding the martial art they’re teaching.”

Building the future

Overcoming those kinds of biases can take a lot of outreach, something Althea Alli has pursued for the past 10 years. When Althea, who has a multicultural Guyanese background, moved with her young family from Brampton to Shelburne in 2013, she wanted her kids to feel comfortable

in their new home and be part of the community.

Alli began by volunteering in their school, talking to the kids about cultural diversity and inclusiveness, and getting involved in the Shelburne Fall Fair and the Shelburne Fiddle Parade. Her experiences eventually led her to form the Dufferin County Multicultural Foundation, which holds events such as the annual Dufferin County Multicultural Festival at the Museum of Dufferin.

“It’s amazing to get a turnout of people from all over the world, including from the Caribbean, Asia, Europe and Africa, bringing their drums, steelpan, dances, crafts, art, food and more,” says Alli. “It’s been incredibly humbling to see the community come together like this to celebrate their unique cultures. We should all be proud of our heritage and be proud to share it with others.”

Over the decade that Alli has called Shelburne home, she has witnessed the changes not only in Shelburne, but across Headwaters. “Now there’s a cricket club in town, the libraries have more multicultural content, the Streams Hub has fantastic programing for kids, Theatre Orangeville has diverse stories… These are all signs of a community that is growing and thriving, and that welcomes newcomers.”

This is a sentiment echoed by Soulyve’s Phil DeWar, who says this increased diversity creates new opportunities for big and small businesses alike to work together to meet the needs of the community as it evolves. These days, the Soulyve GoodSpot food truck can be found at all kinds of events and popup locations. In August DeWar debuted a new cocktail and drinks event, In Good Spirits, as part of the Taste of

Orangeville. His demonstration? Chic, Caribbean-inspired cocktails highlighting ingredients such as rum, citrus and coconut. But his reach is extensive, whether it’s a trivia night at the Rural Commons in Erin, a St. Patrick’s Day party at The Taphouse in Orangeville or making steak pot pies for Am Braigh Farm in Mono. And if you stop at GoodLot in Caledon for a cold pint on a hot day, you’ll likely find Phil there, serving both modern Afro/ Carib fusion and a wide range of other menu items from the food truck.

“I’m proud to have been one of the firsts, but I’m prouder and more encouraged when I see ever-changing growth and new places open up to reflect that diversity,” Phil says. “I think it’s a great sign for the present, and the future.”

Emily Dickson is a writer and editor living in Orangeville.

CRAVING A TASTE OF THE ISLANDS?

There are enough restaurants, farmers’ market stalls, catering outfits and shops across Headwaters to keep you satisfied indefinitely.

CALEDON

Fiona’s Cuisine

16560 Hurontario Street Caledon Village www.fionascuisine.com

Island Flavours

Caribbean Catering Caledon East IG @islandflavours caribbeancaledon

ERIN

Fusionz 280 Main St IG @eatfusionz

MONO

Mrs. D Jerk, Roti and Pastry 247 Highway 10, #2 519-942-4926

HILLSBURGH

Candy’s Homemade Perogies

Jess for You Cafe

109 Trafalgar Rd, #107 (Also at Holtom’s Bakery in Erin, and More Than Just Baskets and Deja Vu Diner in Orangeville)

FB Candy’s Homemade Perogies

ORANGEVILLE

Nella’s Jerk

75 Alder St

IG @nellasjerk

Soulyve Catering & Events

76 Centennial Rd, Unit 3 www.chefphildewar.ca

Topville Jamaican Cuisine

312 Broadway

IG @topvillejamaicancuisine

Fari Trini Tings

Orangeville Farmers’ Market

FB Fari Trini Tings

SHELBURNE

African Caribbean Grocery

119 Owen Sound St

FB African Caribbean Grocery Store Shelburne

Blitzfull Treats Ice Cream

735 Industrial Rd

FB Blitzfull Treats Ice Cream

De Marco’s Caffè 115 Owen Sound St www.demarcoscaffe.com

Finiti Seafood Depot 112 Main St E www.finiti-seafooddepot.business.site

Jamaica House Jerk 303 Colonel Phillips Dr www.shelburne. jamaicahousejerk.ca

We Will Remember Them

BY TONY REYNOLDS

On the evening of June 10, 1944, a Halifax heavy bomber took off from England headed for France. Its bomb aimer was a bank teller from Shelburne, one of more than 6,000 Dufferin County veterans who will be honoured at the Museum of Dufferin this November.

The pulse of the bass drums on Remembrance Day and the first skirl of the bagpipes move many to tears. And when the bugler plays taps, the lingering notes carry echoes of battlefields around the globe. During these ceremonies we honour courage and sacrifice, and a new exhibition opening this fall at the Museum of Dufferin helps reinforce just what courage and sacrifice have meant to the people of our community. Photos, official records, personal letters and other artifacts bring to life the stories of the local men and women who served with the Canadian armed forces from 1854 to today.

The exhibition launches on Saturday, November 4, the beginning of Veterans’ Week. To mark the occasion, members of the Shelburne and Orangeville legions will accompany a colour party, march past the flag and into the museum, attended by pipers and a bugler. Theatre Orangeville Youth Singers will sing the national anthem

and Neil Orford will be the guest speaker. Now retired, Orford was a history teacher at Centre Dufferin District High School when he created the Digital Historian Project and travelled with his student researchers to the beaches of Normandy.

One of the stories the exhibition includes is that of Murray Irwin, the Shelburne bank teller in the Halifax bomber. His fate was similar to many thousands of airmen in the Second World War, but archival records bring compelling details to light. They include not only air force records, but also a letter from another airman in his crew and his mother’s diary, providing firsthand descriptions of just what happened and its aftermath.

The Halifax heavy bomber, LW674, was part of the No. 420 “Snowy Owl” Squadron, so called because the snowy owl hunts by night. The plane was nicknamed The Swoose Express and had flown at least 20 previous missions. As

capture and made it back to England, but Binnie did not know the fate of the rest of the crew.

Pilot Officer Irwin is shown here c.1942 in his RCAF flying jacket in front of barracks (left) and in his uniform leaning on the nose gun of a warplane. Among the documents now at the Museum of Dufferin are Irwin’s service book and a letter accompanying his operational wings sent to his mother following his death in the skies over France.

PREVIOUS PAGE: The war memorial at Alexandra Park in Orangeville.

bomb-aimer, Irwin’s position was in the Perspex dome below the cockpit. On the evening of June 10, the Halifax took off from the airbase at Tholthorpe, near York in northern England. It was just four days after D-Day, with the moon waning gibbous. The plane joined a flight of 432 bombers targeting the railyards near Versailles, aiming to disrupt the movement of German troops to Normandy.

Details of what happened over France were contained in a letter sent to Irwin’s mother, Mary Ann, from Sgt. Norman Binnie, a surviving crew member. Binnie describes Irwin doing his job: “Murray was a very cool type of chap and coming up over the target he spoke very clearly and evenly, giving the pilot directions as to what course he should fly as if we were flying on a peaceful crosscountry trip.”

The crew had made their bombing run and were returning to base, Binnie writes, when the aircraft was “attacked by an enemy night fighter… we received a burst of cannon shells in the bomb bays.” He recounts a second attack from below, another burst of cannon shells, a fire he couldn’t extinguish and confusion at the escape hatch where one airman had become lodged halfway out. Binnie was able to push the airman free and then jumped himself. Somehow the two men evaded

After the war, the mayor of Theuville, a village in the district of Chartres, described seeing a bomber explode that night. He and other villagers searched for remains the next day and buried them in the local cemetery. Pilot Officer Murray Irwin was among them.

Mary Ann’s grief is poignantly conveyed in three brief entries in her diary, now in the archives. The diary begins in 1945, but there are only sporadic entries at first, until this one: “June 8: Murray wrote his last letter to me a year ago today.” Followed by this: “June 11: A year ago today Murray went missing.” Then in August: “Received registered letter from Ottawa saying that Murray is now for official purposes presumed to have died on active service on June 11, 1944.”

To honour stories like Irwin’s, four members of the Shelburne Legion are helping to organize the museum ceremony. Dean Schroeder, John Flannery, Reverend Gordon Horsley and Walter Kolodziechuk are part of the Dufferin Veterans Association, which includes members from both the Shelburne and Orangeville legions.

Dean Schroeder, president of the Shelburne Legion, served two tours in Bosnia and Croatia with Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He also served with the 2nd Battalion, Irish

Regiment of Canada in Sudbury. One of his former duties with the legion was to place flags at veterans’ gravesites in Shelburne on November 11 where, he says, he was amazed by the number of veterans from such a small population.

John Flannery served in the Canadian forces with NATO in Germany and with the United Nations in the Sinai Peninsula and Cypress. Walter Kolodziechuk enlisted with the Royal Canadian Engineers before transferring to the military police, serving with the UN in Cypress and then with NATO at a Canadian base in West Germany.

Horsley was in the Canadian reserves and is pastor of Abiding Place Ministries in Shelburne.

Kolodziechuk recalls being overwhelmed by the warm welcome he received on visits to the Netherlands, which was liberated by Canadians from Nazi occupation in 1945. More than 7,600 Canadians died in the six-month campaign. In gratitude for their sacrifice, on November 11 each year, Dutch children still light candles and put flowers on Canadian graves. “We want to make sure our people here also remember what our veterans achieved,” says Kolodziechuk.

The Museum of Dufferin archives include the names and records of 6,228 local veterans, with more being added as the Canadian Forces continue to be called up around the world. Here are a few of their stories.

ROBERT “MURRAY” IRWIN

P-4727

HUGH LOWRIE

The earliest veteran on the museum’s roster is Hugh Lowrie. He served with the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) in the Crimean War (1853−1856), fighting at the Battle of Inkerman and the Siege of Sebastopol. The Scots Greys cavalry were part of the Heavy Brigade that participated in the Battle of Balaclava, but their initial victory was undone by the renowned and disastrous charge of the Light Brigade. Lowrie was born in Scotland, but he came to Canada in the 1870s and worked as a shoemaker in Hillsburgh, Erin, Caledon and Grand Valley. Late in his life, without family or support, he was a resident of the Dufferin County Gaol in Orangeville, though not as an inmate; the building also served as a house of refuge. He died there on August 18, 1918.

THOMAS CAMPBELL

When the Fenians raided British North America, they were hoping to put pressure on England to leave Ireland. Thomas Campbell (c.1836–1918) answered the call to defend our country against the insurgents. He was one of at least ten men from Dufferin County who enlisted at the time and were entitled to the grant of $100 awarded by the Dominion government to Fenian raid veterans. Campbell served with the 36th Peel Regiment in 1866, earning the Canada General Service medal. In civilian life, he was a leather tanner and currier at an Orangeville tannery. In his old age, with no family to care for him, he entered the Peel House of Refuge in Brampton where he died at age 82.

THOMAS “ALBERT” BOWERS

Among the many men who left Dufferin County to fight for England in the First World War was Thomas “Albert” Bowers (on the right), a farmhand who enlisted with the Shelburne Company of the 164th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Bowers lied on his attestation papers to enlist in Mansfield when he was just 15 years old, signing up with his two brothers, Leonard and Melbourne. Shipped overseas in 1917, Bowers survived the war, returning in 1918. He died at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital in 1971 and is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Our commitment is to provide an extraordinary real estate experience –while serving others in fulfilling their home ownership & investment dreams. We have the time, patience & expertise to understand our clients’ needs & enjoy helping them accomplish their goals.

HARRY ROSS CONLIN

WILLIAM AND SIDNEY COLE

Brothers William (left) and Sidney Cole also signed up with the 164th Battalion in the First World War. In 1911, when both were in their early teens, they arrived in Canada as British Home Children – two of the thousands of disadvantaged children Britain sent abroad to its dominions to work on farms on the premise the children’s opportunities would be improved. William was placed at the Gillespie farm in Amaranth where he was considered a capable and trustworthy worker. The brothers may have signed up thinking of going home to England. William was killed in action in France on August 8, 1918. Sidney survived the war and decided to return to Canada, where he lived on George Street in Toronto.

Born in 1892, Harry Ross Conlin grew up on a farm near Orton in East Garafraxa. After signing up with the 153rd (Wellington) Regiment at Fergus, he trained at St. Thomas, and in November 1916, he married Jessie May McQuarrie. Five months later he sailed for England, and in November 1917 he left England for France, transferred from the 153rd to the 18th Battalion. In the field, he was promoted to lance corporal, then corporal.

On November 16, 1918, five days after the Armistice, Conlin was hospitalized with Spanish flu. He died 13 days later. During the final four months of the war, 46,000 Canadian soldiers overseas contracted Spanish flu and 776 of them died. Conlin was posthumously awarded the Military Medal for bravery. He is buried at Tournai Cemetery in Belgium.

JACK MACADAM AIKEN

Jack MacAdam Aiken, nicknamed “Bun,” was a lieutenant in the Orangeville High School Cadet Corps in 1912 and enlisted three years later. When he left Orangeville, students marched him to the railway station, led by the Cadets’ bugle band. In a letter home from England he wrote, “... every day soldiers are rushed through to the front and about six Red Cross trains per day bring back the wounded... One bunch left here and some of them were back in less than 24 hours.”

Aikin served as a machine gunner with the 14th Battery before becoming a signaller. He served in some of the worst battles of the war, including Ypres, the Somme, Passchendaele and Vimy Ridge. He was taken ill with sciatica brought on by exposure, and spent five months in hospital before being posted to communications in Whitley Camp in England. Aiken personally conveyed news of the Armistice from London to the camp. Born in 1893, he died in 1987 at the age of 93.

DAVID SILK

David Silk joined the army signal corps in 1942 and served two years overseas. Before enlisting he had become widely known as the “invincible goaltender,” playing for the 1937/8 Orangeville Junior C OHA championship team. Every single player on that team voluntarily enlisted for service in the Second World War. Eleven of the 15 who signed up made it home. The fate of the other four is not known to the museum archives. When Silk returned from Europe in 1946, he moved to Walkerton where he continued to play hockey.

HILDA HUXTABLE

Hilda Huxtable (top row, centre) of Horning’s Mills enlisted with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps in 1943 and trained at Kitchener where she earned her corporal's stripes as a driving instructor. Wishing to take the course to become a telegraphist, she voluntarily relinquished her stripes and became a private in May 1944. She worked as a telegraphist for the rest of the war and was discharged in 1945 with the rank of lance corporal. On July 15, 1943, the Shelburne Free Press and Economist reported: “A convoy of the CWAC from Kitchener halted in Horning’s Mills for 20 minutes on their way to spend a weekend at Wasaga Beach. Among them was L.-Corp. Hilda Huxtable, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T.R. Huxtable. The people of the village treated them to pop, ice cream cones, homemade cookies and oranges. The girls were very much pleased and said it was the most welcome treat they had received on any of their convoys.”

WILLIAM AUSTIN CAUTHERS

Austin Cauthers was only 18 when he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a wireless air gunner. He trained in Alberta, Manitoba and Nova Scotia, and went overseas in June of 1943. His training continued in England and Ireland, and he was attached to the RCAF 407 Squadron, a general reconnaissance squadron protecting allied shipping from U-boats. Nicknamed the Demon Squadron, they flew Vickers Wellington bombers out of RAF Chivenor in north Devon, England.

On June 21, 1944, Cauthers took off on an operational flight over the Bay of Biscay. He never returned. The following day his family received belated word that Austin had been promoted from flight sergeant to pilot officer. His operational wings were sent to his parents some months later. At age 21, Cauthers was the first casualty of the Second World War from the Mansfield area.

MATTHEW MCCULLY

Thanks to the efforts of his family and many others, Corporal Matthew McCully’s story is well known in Dufferin County. Raised in Orangeville, he joined the Canadian Army Reserve in 2001 and transferred to the regular force as signals operator a year later. After signals training he joined A Troop, 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group HQ and Signals Squadron. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2003.

On his second tour there, McCully was a member of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team, helping to train members of the Afghan Army.

On May 25, 2007, at age 25, he was on foot patrol west of Kandahar when he stepped on an IED and was killed.

“He believed in the mission, and he was proud to be a soldier. He really felt that they could achieve peace and security there,” his mother, Valerie McGrady, told this magazine in 2008.

McCully’s funeral was held in Orangeville with full military honours. He is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Corporal McCully is the inspiration for Bravery Park which opened in Orangeville in 2021. The occasion was marked with a flyover by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in Missing Man formation.

Canadian men and women continue to serve in many far-flung places, including with NATO in Iceland and Kosovo, with the United Nations in Cypress, in Congo, Niger and Sudan, and they’re supplying arms and training troops in Ukraine, a conflict with echoes of the Crimean War more than 150 years on. So often at the end of wars, bitter enemies become allies and trading partners. Wartime allies become enemies. Meanwhile, it’s the veterans who carry the memories and scars, and their families who carry the grief. Our part is to honour them.

AUTUMN ONLINE

Our food writers have you covered – from the always-packed pizza joint to the best place for country lunch. And check out our online Dining Guide listings for a quick hit of local favourites. What to eat?

We’re all about the wonders of fungi. Don Scallen ponders the meaning of mushrooms, Tralee Pearce learns how to grow them, and Ruth Ann Pearce cooks her foraged finds. Fall for fungi

Cozy up to art season

Meet many of the talented local artists –painters, potters and sculptors – we’ve featured as our Artists in Residence and get inspired to visit a studio or gallery this season.

JESSICA

Tony Reynolds is a freelance writer who lives in Orangeville.

TAKING THE WHEEL

How Belfountain potter

Wendy Mitchell-Burke connects with her community and nature through clay.

JUST OFF BELFOUNTAIN’S MAIN ROAD, a secluded lane engulfed by trees leads to Wendy Mitchell-Burke’s home and pottery studio, a converted treehouse perched on a slope a few steps away from the house. The fanciful workspace and showroom is lined with past work and current projects – including earthy mugs, bowls and teapots decorated with nature motifs –accumulated over 27 years.

On my recent visit, classical music is playing in the background as Wendy begins creating a large white stoneware pitcher. She starts with a lump of clay (her favourites are three kinds of stoneware from Oakville’s Pottery Supply House – speckled, white and red), then using a good amount of pressure, she “wedges” or kneads it to create consistency and remove any bubbles. Once it’s ready, she takes it to her pottery wheel and pulls up a low stool. After centring the clay on the wheel, she begins to work it, adding water from a nearby bowl so the clay stays slippery and doesn’t stick to her hands.

“I often get lost in the process, where I’ve totally just allowed myself to be in that zone for a few hours,” Wendy says. When she has finished a piece, she likes to reflect on the creative process. “It’s not always there, so when you tap into it, it’s pretty exciting.”

With one hand inside the emerging vessel and one on the outside, Wendy steadily pulls the clay higher and higher until she’s pleased with the wall thickness. With each pull she “compresses” and tidies the top rim by gently smoothing it. Then she applies pressure to the outside to form the pitcher’s final profile. It will be set aside for a day, then flipped and set aside another day to partially dry to “leather hard,” then trimmed of rough edges and excess clay using a variety of handheld metal or wood tools. In the meantime, she will have made a handle and will attach it at this trimming stage. After it

Wendy Mitchell-Burke works on a large stoneware pitcher in her treehouse pottery studio. Above her is a new series of mugs she makes using colour liquid clay “slip” as paint.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

is completely dry, it will be ready to be “bisque fired” in her kiln at 1,940 F.

After the first firing, Wendy will decorate and glaze the pitcher, and “glaze fire” it again in the kiln at 2,240 F to vitrify it. Wendy has been experimenting with coloured liquid clays, or “slips.” Using the slips as paint, she draws designs on newsprint and firmly transfers them to pieces – as you would for a kid’s temporary tattoo. She removes the paper, leaving the slip image behind. Then she covers them with clear or white glaze. On a shelf above her pottery wheel sits a newer series of mugs made this way, featuring nature scenes in browns, greens and blues against creamy white backgrounds.

In 1996, while Wendy was studying ceramics at Sheridan College, she and her husband, Dave Burke, were house hunting (they’d sold their home in London, Ontario). As they toured the Belfountain property serendipity struck. They learned the existing treehouse had once been a pottery studio, though it hadn’t been used in years. After finishing her studies and fixing up the treehouse, Wendy started taking commissions, and selling at markets and shows, all while the couple raised their two children, now 19 and 22.

In the seclusion of the treehouse, Wendy has found she can “really focus and explore.” She now holds private lessons here and in Belfountain’s Stillwater Atelier. She also visits Caledon schools to teach children

from kindergarten to Grade 12. She describes teaching and encouraging others as “a big part of it” for her.

The surrounding natural habitat crept in (sometimes literally!) and is depicted in pieces such as mugs adorned with brook trout and salamanders. “I would lift pots off my deck and there would be a little salamander,” Wendy says. “That amazed me – I had never seen one before – and it inspired me at the same time to be aware of the uniqueness of this area.”

Wendy also works with the red-toned escarpment shale, aka Queenston shale, to make medallions she calls earth coins. (She makes a clay with shale dust “fines” left over from brick production at Brampton Brick.) Stamped with the map of Canada, the coins’ “value is that it’s from here,” she says. “The value of the escarpment basically and everything that grows off it that sustains us is connected to this shale.”

Wendy has shared the process with local students and organizations who want to customize the design. “I’ve always just wanted to connect with people, and make something that’s beautiful and that I can share in the community.”

Find Wendy on Instagram @treehouse_pottery

Weston is a freelance writer living in Bolton.

PETE PATERSON

Rebecca

Many of Wendy’s pieces feature flora and fauna, including local salamanders and brook trout.

TRAY CHIC

MOSAIC TRAYS, BUD VASES AND WEARABLE ART

BY JANICE QUIRT

Laura Jackson’s handmade mosaic trays serve a wide range of decor tastes – some rely on bold, bright splashes of colour and others feature subdued, calming hues.

The New Lowell artist, who sells her wares online and at Creemore Farmers’ Market, is a keen fan of upcycling. The trays are built from reclaimed or salvaged wood; an ongoing home reno provides many off-cuts perfect for the task. “I use ceramic tiles mostly salvaged from broken tile bins, but my favourites are the ones gifted from friends’ and family’s renovation project leftovers. Some of the colours are pretty wild! I keep even the smallest pieces because I may never have that particular colour again.” Flowers, mountains and geometric shapes abound. (14" x 20" tray, $220. 12" x 12" tray, $110, Laura Jackson)

WEARABLE ART

If you’ve run out of wall space for all the art you admire, may we suggest a new way to display it? Robin Bobechko transfers her dreamy acrylic paintings onto knit chiffon and has them made into dresses, accessories and kimonos that will transform even the most basic jeans into an artful outfit.

The financial adviser, born and raised in Orangeville, turned to painting during Covid and never looked back. She launched her clothing line, manufactured in Montreal, and website with a fashion show in June 2023. (Kimono, $159, Robin Bobechko Art & Fashion Online Boutique)

NATURAL BEAUTY

Curtis Martin of Waterford Wood started turning wood bowls from his home in the village of Erin two years ago, and now crafts everything from pinch bowls to bud vases. Many of his gorgeous pieces are made with spalted maple – those initial signs of wood decay produce wonderful dark contrasting lines and streaks.

Some of his creations employ the ancient Japanese method called Yakisugi, burning the wood to achieve a deep matte black surface. The charred wood is coated with a beeswax finish to make them food safe. Available at Rural Commons in Erin. (Pinch bowls and bud vases, from $20. Spalted maple bowls, from $40, Waterford Wood)

SOURCES

Creemore Farmers’ Market, Creemore.

Laura Jackson, New Lowell. IG @ljacksonartist

Robin Bobechko Art & Fashion Online Boutique, Orangeville. www.robinbobechko.com

Rural Commons, 92 Main St, Erin. 519-838-6564. www.ruralcommons.ca

Waterford Wood, Erin. IG @waterfordwood_

GOODNIGHT TREES, GOODNIGHT GARDEN

The latest thinking in garden and lawn cleanup is all about doing a little less – which in turn does a lot more for pollinators, birds and your soil.

BY TRALEE PEARCE • ILLUSTRATION BY RUTH ANN PEARCE

AS THE CRISP FALL AIR DESCENDS, the mind turns to all the yard work that needs doing before the snow flies. We tapped three local experts who shared some good news: Updated thinking involves a less-is-more approach. Where we once cut perennials back to the ground, for instance, we’re now being urged to leave them in place for ecological reasons. While your fall cleanup style remains a matter of personal taste, below are a few practices to consider as you pull on those work gloves.

Trees and shrubs

Resist the urge to over-prune, says Ryan Woodworth, garden care manager at Orangeville’s Tumber Landscape Design & Build. Most trees don’t need to be pruned until spring, except fruit trees and “bleeders,” such as maple or birch. (A spring prune will cause sap to run in all the wrong places.)

Limit your fall pruning to diseased, dead or overlapping, rubbing branches, and wait until the tree is dormant and has lost its leaves. Otherwise, Woodworth says, you’ll encourage new growth, which will be susceptible to disease and winterkill. Pick a sharp tool – hand pruners or secateurs, loppers or a hand saw – that can easily handle the width of the branch. “Ideally you’re never tearing or pulling away bark,” he says. If you’re pruning a diseased plant, disinfect tools between plants, advises horticulturalist Elizabeth Hitchens of Hill N’ Dale Landscaping in Mulmur.

Where to prune? Go back to the last “y” in the branch and cut at the intersection of the two arms, which is where trees heal best, says Woodworth. If you can’t reach a dangerous dead or dangling

branch, colloquially known as “widow makers,” call an insured arborist to remove it, advises Hitchens. “Trees and branches have a bad rap for not falling in the direction you expect.” And lest you think a professional will be looking for more trees to fell, Hitchens adds that tree specialists are increasingly preservationist, loath to cut down a tree that has life in it.

Garden rethink

Many traditionalists cut perennials right back to the ground, but Caledon garden designer Matthew Gove says, “I’m more interested in moving away from that to a more eco-sensitive approach.” If his clients are willing, Gove leaves plants to wilt and decay. This returns nutrients to the soil and the micro-organisms that keep it healthy – and the plant litter provides winter homes and food for pollinator insects, and seeds and insects for birds. Hitchens says finches love coneflower seeds, for instance. If you must cut back, consider cutting hollow-stemmed plants, such as dill and big bluestem grass, to no less than a foot above the ground. Certain bees and other insects like to overwinter in them.

A messier, fading garden can be an adjustment for the eye, says Gove, but, “There’s beauty in decaying seedheads and the changing colours of grasses.”

Early fall can also be a great time to tuck in more plants – “Leave no open space for weeds,” Gove says. He cites a recent New York Times article in which American landscape designer Claudia West asserts, “Plants are the mulch.” Some of Gove’s fall planting picks are prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) and late-blooming asters.

Be sure to water until the first freeze – even new evergreens, says Hitchens. “It’s considerably slowed down, but they’re still photosynthesizing. If the roots haven’t established, they can’t get moisture up to the needles and they’ll dry out.” And consider wrapping newbies in burlap until late winter. “It rather defeats the object of having an evergreen,” Hitchens admits, but she says it’s best for a year or two until the plant is established.

And don’t forget to plant early bulbs, she says. “There’s nothing nicer than seeing snowdrops and crocuses in the spring.”

Leaves v. lawn

Before you rake and bag all your leaves, consider keeping some on your lawn for the same reasons you left plants in the garden. While grey and pink snow mould can develop, keeping a single layer of leaves and chopping them with a lawn mower mitigates that risk, Woodworth says. Leaves you do remove can be used as mulch or added to compost.

The exception is any leaves marked by disease, such as black spot fungus found on Norway maples, apple trees and roses, says Hitchens. Remove them to break the cycle of infection, and keep them out of your gardens and compost. Hitchens takes them to the dump; others burn them.

What about that last lawn fertilizing? Woodworth advises against it, pointing to research out of the University of Guelph which says late fertilizer mostly runs off and what’s left encourages growth too late in the season. “Ideally, you’d also let your grass grow a bit taller. It’s healthy. It’s being weaned off its nutrients. It almost knows it’s time to go to bed.”

ERIN’S WOOLLEN MILL TRAIL

The Village of Erin has a rich industrial past, and the interpretive signage that lines this pretty trail both celebrates Erin’s natural heritage and brings its settlement history to life. Originally called Macmillan’s Mills, after settler Daniel McMillan who built the first house and several mills on the West Credit River, the name was changed first to Erinsville then shortened to Erin by 1880. Follow up your historic walk with a pleasant stroll along Main Street where you’ll find shops, a tea room, bakeries and more

CHURCHSTREETEAST

HIKING ETIQUETTE

Hike only on marked trails. Obey all signs. Carry out all litter, including dog poo. Keep dogs leashed. Don’t disturb people, animals, plants or trees. Have fun!

MAINSTREET

FORMERMILLPOND

EASTERN WHITE CEDAR

Historically, Vitamin C-rich Thuja occidentalis was used to wash wounds and treat fungal skin irritations.

Look for this charming trailside birdhouse.

Look through the trees and across the river beyond this bench for a view of McMillan Mill.

WOOLENMILLLANE

MILLSTREET/MILLWOODROAD

An easy 30-minute, 1km interpretive hike. Woollen Mill Trail Historic watercourse

Many of the shops on Erin’s charming Main Street occupy the original Victorian-era buildings.

NICOLA ROSS IS THE AUTHOR OF THE BESTSELLING LOOPS & LATTES HIKING GUIDE SERIES

DANIEL MCMILLAN’S GRIST MILL First built in 1849, the mill was rebuilt twice after fires, and is now being converted into a library.

Former woollen mill and flume c.1840.

WEST

CREDIT RIVER

McMillan’s Mill and flume.

SECONDHAND SUPERHERO

For Catherine Adair, Evolve Caledon’s tagline – Shift to Thrift – is a mission.

THE THRIFT STORE IS A treasure trove. You might go there on a mission and find exactly what you’re looking for, or you might find something you don’t know you need until you see it on the shelf. That unpredictability keeps Catherine Adair busy.

Catherine is manager of retail operations for Caledon Community Services, which encompasses Evolve Caledon, a cavernous store on Industrial Road in Bolton, as well as a nearby drop-off and sorting facility. Last fall, Evolve reorganized and

BY TONY REYNOLDS

consolidated its operations so its retail space now covers more than a third of an acre filled with clothing, books, small appliances, dishes, glasses, videotapes, record albums and more.

Catherine likes Mondays because the store is closed and there are fewer distractions, such as birds in the building, shoplifting or staff calling in sick. “Mondays are when I get a lot of work done that’s not customer- or staff-related and that I don’t have the opportu nity to do during the week,” she says. Still, she always gets an early start.

5 A.M. Catherine is up. “It’s nice and quiet. I take a look at what my day looks like, have my coffee and get out the door.” It takes a little more than 20 minutes to drive to work, so she arrives early and thrives on the morning routine.

7:30 A.M. She’s at her desk, and this day, she’s focused on her month-end financial reports. Because Evolve is a nonprofit organization, all its proceeds stay in the Caledon community. “It’s one of the biggest money makers for CCS, a consistent fundraiser for the organization, supporting the other programs,” she says. Another advantage of the close connection with CCS is that they often hear about people who need help.

“If a social worker identifies a client as needing assistance, we provide a gift certificate, so they can come in and purchase what they need. It’s not just about raising funds; it’s also having the ability to assist people when they’re in situations and need something physical.”

11 A.M. Catherine goes online for a regular Monday morning meeting

PETE PATERSON

As manager of retail operations for Caledon Community Services, Catherine Adair oversees the sale of donated clothing and household items. Proceeds help fund CCS.

with a staff member who used to be based in Caledon. Now she manages a Shopify account for Evolve – from Alberta. “We send her the photos and descriptors, and she does all the behind-the-scenes stuff to keep the online shop operating,” says Catherine. Planning for the Shopify presence began during the Covid pandemic, when the thrift store was shut down. Formally launched this past January, it has proven to be a great success.

“We’ve been doing quite well with online sales. It’s all pickup, so customers order and once the order is ready, they can come in anytime during regular business hours, usually within a day or two.”

Evolve’s regular live auctions were also shut down during the pandemic, but Catherine is getting ready to start them again, though they will not be held as regularly as in the past. Instead, shoppers will be invited to place their bids online. “I’m not yet entirely sure where we’re going with that, but we’re planning a couple of live auctions during the year, and we’re going to work on launching the online one for which our Shopify site has an app ready to go.”

12:30 P.M. Catherine brings a lunch and eats at her desk, but work continues. Right now, she’s planning the auction inventory and her office is crowded with a stack of guitars and other interesting items. “I want to be very mindful of the product to make sure we don’t run out of things that are enticing. That was my expertise when we were doing live auctions and the online component is very different from in-person.”

Fortunately, Evolve hasn’t experienced supply-chain challenges. Caledon is a very generous community and donations come in consistently, so consistently that it’s sometimes hard to keep up. “It’s a good problem to have,” says Catherine. “I think it’s because more people understand that it stays

local and we take proper care of things, not like just dumping stuff in a bin.”

Evolve cannot take some things –certain furniture, for instance, and large appliances – but donations pretty well cover all household needs. In fact, about the only thing in chronically short supply is men’s clothing.

Catherine explains that men tend to wear things until they wear out or fall off, so they are in no condition to sell.

Some donations do stand out. One was a piano that went into the auction. Though pianos are notoriously hard to get rid of – sometimes you can’t even give them away – one generous donor offered a piano with extras. “It had been in a flood and had been properly refurbished,” says Catherine. “The family who donated it also included a professional move, and proper tuning once the piano had settled into its new home.”

Other items stand out because they’re so much fun. “We had a lifesize Marilyn Monroe cutout that we put in the auction. One of my staff members – Mike – posed with her. We took pictures and put them on social media. People just loved it and she went well in the auction.”

Catherine finds social media is a good source of valuable information.

“There’s an ebb and flow to what people want, and we get a lot of good data from Shopify,” she says. “It tells us what people are searching for, so we can highlight more of what they want. If they’re looking for one of those one-off unusual things, that might be something to put in the auction.”

Social media also helps with pricing, which is always a challenge. Catherine checks other thrift stores too, to see what they’re charging – and she takes pride in getting Evolve’s prices just right. “We feel pretty good with what we’re doing, and we put a lot of thought into the pricing component.”

4:30 P.M. As Catherine gets ready to hit the road, she says, “It’s a long day, but it’s pretty terrific, very enjoyable.”

BY THE DAWN ’ S EARLY LIGHT

BY BETHANY LEE • ILLUSTRATION BY SHELAGH ARMSTRONG

THERE IS A PICK-PICK-PICKING AT THE screen as I come down the dark staircase into the kitchen. It’s our cat, Bowie, his razor claws making work of the metal mesh, rat-a-tat-tat! I make a low “Psst! Psst! ” to shoo him away, but he remains determined. Through the dim morning light, I walk over to see what he’s up to. There has been a skunk smelling up our front door area and I hope it’s not back. As I shut the window to fend off Mr. Skunk’s fumes, I see instead a tiny tree frog stuck to the outside of the screen. His little pads spread between the metal squares as he makes his way upward and away from the deadly snares coming at him from the shadows.

“Come with me, Handsome Jack,” I say to Bowie, using one of his nicknames, lifting his formidable 18 pounds over to the spot where he usually crunches his morning treats. As soon as I rattle the little kibbles, he forgets the nimble mystery creature stuck to the screen. The dogs are up now too. I hear them plop off the couches (perfectly sized dog beds for lengthy lurchers) in the TV room upstairs. Their long toes making stretchy, scratchy noises and they peer at me from the landing before they pad down the stairs, taking the last three steps in the first leap of the day.

Zoe is first to me, her long snout nuzzling my hands; she’s wiggly and excited for the day to begin. Her paws stretch out to touch my feet, and I hop a

little to avoid my toes being victim to her enthusiasm. Zoe is just about three now – a pandemic puppy. We are pretty much all she knows. She greets me and loves me up with all the excitement she had on day one. Blixy comes up behind, patient and next in line, her sweet almond-shaped eyes looking up for a scratch too. At over nine, our older girl’s muzzle and chest are getting whiter by the month. She moves more slowly now but can still put the chase on Zoe if she’s acting out too much. Over to the janky sliding door, and they’re off for their morning duties outside. Time for breakfast and a coffee. The house is still quiet and the lights are still off. I prefer it this way –no need to startle my eyes too quickly. I relish in the

Release your inner wild!

The Museum of Dufferin has started offering master classes covering various art formats, including a pair specifically for youth. On September 27 at 6 p.m., attendees ages 9 to 16 are invited to draw a wolf using a range of graphite pencils and working from a reference photograph. Focus will be on accuracy, shading effects and

textures, along with unique approaches to add personal designs, styles and symbols. Students will then share their work and engage in a discussion about the experience. Then on November 18 at 1 p.m., kids ages 6 to 12 can learn to create a watercolour seahorse. These classes will be taught by Ricky Schaede, an artist and instructor from Orangeville who

encourages imagination and inclusiveness in his teachings. www.dufferinmuseum.com www.rickyschaede.com

Merrily we roll along

A new podcast takes a thought-provoking approach to understanding and nurturing early childhood development. Hosted by Stephen Hurley and Michelle

Schurter, the Merrily Podcast features honest conversations aimed at providing parents, educators and others with unique perspectives on the practices, theory and policy of early years education. Hosted by Dufferin County and other municipalities, the podcast is available on Spotify, iTunes and voicEd Radio.

Back to school with Kidz Kidz in Caledon has launched a fundraising appeal to help ensure all Caledon kids are returning to school this fall with nourishing meals and essential school supplies. Just $50 provides a student in need with a week of healthy lunches, and $100 funds a back-toschool kit for one child. Run by Caledon Community Services,

sounds of the morning instead. As the espresso machine gets some fresh water, I can hear a few sputters from inside, telling me it’s waking up too. Ah, that first cup. My toast pops up briskly. I open the squeaky door of the fridge (must fix that) to grab some almond milk and give the container a shake. It’s a ritual for me, this routine of sounds here in the half-light. By the time my toast is ready, coffee topped to perfection, the dogs are back at the door, wagging in synch, Zoe making a little huff, huff to let me know she’s had a few laps. Blixy simply wags, sits down for her treat, and retreats to the soft couch upstairs.

The sounds of the house are getting stronger now. Zoe and Bowie are up, down, eating, exploring, and Blixy is woofing back into her dream state. My seedy toast and crunchy peanut butter are satisfyingly loud in my ears.

I’m reminded of mornings growing up – the sounds just as predictable as now, but with little differences. Then it was the whirr of the minutes changing on the electronic alarm clock instead of the dulcet tones of our devices vibrating on chargers. It was the percolator hissing on the stove instead of the beeps of a fancy coffee machine on the counter. My dad grew up drinking instant coffee, and when I was a kid, he still felt it was the best around. He’d stir the molten dark syrup rapidly in his favourite mug (Clink! Clink! Clink!), then go and sweep all the change off his dresser into his pockets (Ching! Ching! Ching!), grab his keys and head out the door. My mom would be up also, coming in from chores and stomping the mud, or early snow, from her boots before feeding some logs into the woodstove to warm up the house. “Have you had breakfast?” she’d ask.

These days my son, Adrian, is often up as early as I am, getting ready for work or college, just as I was with my mom after my dad left for work. Adrian isn’t surprised to find me sitting in the pale dawn light, listening to the morning ticks and tones, munching on my toast. It’s a nice routine that tells us all is right in the world – a mixture of comforting sounds you hope you can listen to forever. As the first rays of sunshine creep across the window sills, he gives me a smile and quietly greets the pets, rubbing their ears and offering them a second round of treats. “Have time for breakfast?” I ask.

Bethany Lee is a freelance writer who lives in Mono.

Adult (18-64) Senior (65+)

(7-17)

(6 & Under)

the Kidz in Caledon program helps more than 400 children pursue their education with a full tummy. To donate, go to www.ccs4u.org/donate.

Camp out!

There is still time for one more camp out – or to get a few nights in if you didn’t this summer. Albion Hills Campground is the perfect spot for a close-to-home adventure. It’s located on Highway 50 in the northeast hills of Caledon on the banks of the Humber River. Albion Hills offers a perfect combo of scenery, trails and activities for you and your littles. Book your camping adventure up until October 15. www.trca.ca

Super Tots (4-5yrs)

SuperKids (6-7 yrs)

Mighty Mites Ski (8-12yrs)

Teen All-Mtn (13-17yrs)

Adult (18+)

Super Riders (6-7 yrs)

Mighty Riders Snowboard (8-12yrs)

Teen Riders Snowboard (13-17yrs) *Above

THE DRESSING DILEMMA

BY GAIL GRANT

IS IT ONLY ME, OR IS GETTING DRESSED every morning becoming more and more of a struggle?

As I see it, this challenge has two parts. The first involves the physical complexities of getting clothes onto an aging body. Balance, flexibility, stretching are all required. Plus pulling, snapping and buttoning. This all takes a good deal more concentration, time and energy than it did when we were younger. All this with full awareness that the challenge will have to be reversed at the end of the day. A chair in the bedroom helps, but I’ve also found that leaning on a wall can do in a pinch.

Then there’s part two, the what-to-wear part. My tendency is just to get out of bed and grab. My go-to is easy pull-up pants and an easy pull-over top, at least to start the day. And Velcro is again becoming a friend. (Have I really gone full circle from my toddler days?)

I find it boring to spend time mulling over my wardrobe first thing in the morning, but I know if I choose badly, I can always update later in the day. So far, I seem to be getting away with it.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama spent next to no time deciding what to wear. In an interview with

Vanity Fair during his term in office, he said, “You’ll see I wear only gray or blue suits. I’m trying to pare down decisions. I don’t want to make decisions about what I’m eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make.” I like his thought process. My New Year’s Eve outfit last year required putting on pantyhose. Never again. That process turned into a 15-minute contortion-filled, gruelling, cursing epi-

sode steeped in frustration. Most definitely gone are the days when I slipped into them without a thought. That night I was late for my date. And grumpy.

And have you noticed how shopping for shoes comes full circle in a lifetime? First, to mitigate falls, parents buy their toddlers comfortable shoes with good grips. Next, it’s “as long as they’re quick to slip on and off” anything-will-do period. This is followed by the “for the look of them” stage. No matter how crippling they are to walk in, or what dreadful things they do to your foot structure, they gotta look good. After that comes the sensible stage – that’s when we know we are approaching the back nine of life. And finally, to mitigate falls, we look for comfortable shoes with good grips.

My neighbour, 85-year-old Marie Jay, a widow, arrived on my doorstep recently with the zipper in the back of her dress stuck in the fabric. A dilemma indeed. Thank goodness it wasn’t the middle of winter when she would have had to find boots (with good grips), hat, coat and gloves to venture outside for help.

And speaking of Marie, she also said, “I’m always cold. Which means I often change up to three times a day just to keep warm. But my biggest struggle

MEET A COMMUNITY ELDER: JEFFREY COTTAM

AT 76, JEFF COTTAM LOVES TO PERFORM wherever he finds an audience. As actor, director, costume designer and maker – even stage manager when needed – Jeff has done it all.

“I just love to perform. I’m a total ham,” he says. His wife, Lee Ann McKenna, an ordained minister, says that during her church services he reads – or rather, “performs” – gospel passages with the same enthusiasm and passion that mark his theatrical presentations.

But theatre is only his spare-time gig.

When Jeff arrived in Canada with a wife and three children in 1972, he settled in Windsor and quickly found a place as a corporate problem solver. But the corporate vibes weren’t right. After the death of his father and a divorce in 1990, he took stock. Concluding that his calling was to help people, he embarked on a 13-year stint with the Windsor

YMCA. There, he implemented programs to help people who were homeless, as well as those with mental and physical challenges, find housing and a place in the world.

During that time, he also took courses in acupuncture, reflexology, craniosacral therapy and myomassology, a holistic form of massage. In 1997, while still with the Y, he opened a clinic and school, practising and teaching his newly acquired skills in the evenings and on weekends. In 2000, he was named Myomassologist of the Year by the International Myomassethics Federation, becoming the only non-American to receive this award.

Chronic pain was an issue for many of Jeff’s

In addition to acting, Jeffrey Cottam practises myomassolgy, a holistic form of massage.

is getting into and out of support hose. While I know they’re useful for improving circulation and preventing blood clots, I often wonder if they’re more trouble than they’re worth.”

She told me about someone in her circle who had been taking off her leotards at the end of the day, and in the struggle, fell and broke both her wrists.

And the fact that our computers are now the equivalent of a 24-hour department store is both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because it makes shopping for anything downright easy, and bad because it makes shopping for anything downright easy. With delivery right to our door to boot. The result is that my closets are jammed, even though I did a massive purge in the early days of Covid.

And while we’re on the subject of closets, do you know any husband who isn’t miffed because his entire wardrobe is relegated to an eighth of the matrimonial closet space?

I know the day will come when I’m standing in front of a packed closet with nothing to wear … everything either hopelessly out of date, ill-fitting, the wrong colour, or simply too darn much trouble to wrestle with.

But I won’t think about that right now. I’m going out in an hour and I need to get changed. It’ll be a workout.

Gail Grant is a happily retired senior who lives in Palgrave.

clients, and ever the problem solver, he came up with his own way of dealing with it. Called “contraction release therapy,” his technique draws on Chinese philosophy to relieve muscular pain. He has written a treatment protocol for the technique, as well as a hand reflexology manual that is still in use today.

Healthy eating has always been a way of life for Jeff. He credits it with sustaining his enthusiasm for life and his ability to perform his one-man shows, notably his performance of A Christmas Carol, for which he must flawlessly memorize 6,500 words.

In 2015, Jeff and Lee Ann moved to their 10-acre Mono property and he started developing the strong community ties that are helping him ease into retirement. Though concerned that “many people make a living, rather than live a life,” he continues to exude a passion for his own life – and gratitude for how he’s able to live it.

BACK TO LIFE

Jeff Hamilton’s ambitious restoration of a 1904 Victorian house in Shelburne transformed a gutted heritage gem into a splendid three-apartment building.

PERCHED ON A RISE AT THE corner of Owen Sound Street and Second Avenue West in Shelburne is a magnificent three-storey, red brick Victorian house called the Buena Vista. Surrounding the northeast side of the house, a grand porch looks out over the two streets. Updated windows and a contemporary balcony trimmed in black add a crisp note to the classic

BY REBECCA WESTON • PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN FITZGIBBON

facade, while a refurbished octagonal tower stands as a reminder that this is very much a piece of local history.

Its owner, Jeff Hamilton, had admired the house ever since he was a teen growing up in Shelburne. In 2019, the Buena Vista was put up for sale and shortly thereafter a fire broke out on the top floor in one of the six or seven apartments in it at the time (no

one was injured). The entire interior was gutted, part of the roof was destroyed, and the building was fenced off. Still, the longtime admirer saw a chance to remedy the situation. Jeff had experience in home renovations on houses and cottages he’s owned – he credits his father-in-law with imparting both skills and passion –and was already retired from working

at Honda, so he had time to dedicate to a new project.

“It was my favourite house since I was a kid. It was always the most beautiful house in town,” says Jeff. “I wanted it to be as beautiful on the inside as it was on the outside.”

The house was built as a family home by banker Frederick H. Silk in 1904, but Jeff had only ever known it

The Buena Vista has graced the corner of Owen Sound Street and Second Avenue West in Shelburne since 1904. Owner Jeff Hamilton bought the house in 2020 and spent a year converting it into three apartments.

to have apartments. Before making an offer, he asked Owen Bennington from Shelburne’s Bennington Building Solutions to assess the fire damage. The interior would need to be completely rebuilt from the studs, but Owen “thought it could be saved, so that’s where we started and we went from there,” says Jeff, adding that Owen had helped fight the blaze as a

volunteer firefighter.

After he took possession in April 2020, Jeff got to work. He decided on one large two-bedroom apartment on each floor and for the next year he worked there every day for 12 hours to complete the job. Along the way, he enlisted a long roster of local experts, including painters Wendy Travis and

Lesa Peat, Latter’s Plumbing and the team at Home Hardware in Shelburne, AllPro Roofing and Bob Currie Masonry from Orangeville, Jamieson and Son Roofing from Horning’s Mills, and Christopher Coe Excavating from Melancthon.

The exterior of the building remains mostly intact, including the original limestone nameplate between the second and third floor windows which reads Buena Vista. You can still see the

scorch marks on the brick where the fire burned – Jeff left them because he considers them part of the building’s history. The newly energy-efficient house has been rewired and insulated, and all the windows have been replaced. Inside, the interiors are contemporary and bright, flooded with natural light. Each roughly 1,200- to 1,500-square-foot floor is named after one of Jeff’s granddaughters, who called it “the fire house” during the renovations. The main floor is named for his eldest granddaughter Cambelle, the second for Bristol, and the top, where Jeff now lives, for the youngest, Thea. (Cambelle and Bristol regularly ask when their granddad is going to take a turn living in “their” apartments.) The Cambelle and Bristol apartments boast original fireplaces,

now electric. Throughout the building, original floor grates cover heating and cooling vents. “It was important to me to try and keep what I could,” says Jeff.

In the lobby, the original oak staircase dominates the space, with a floral armchair Jeff found in the garage serving as a grace note. The stairs creak as you ascend to the second floor. Hanging from hooks in a window frame on the landing is a panel of original Victorian stained-glass windows, salvaged from the fire and repaired by Orangeville’s Glasscraft. During the renovations the house continually revealed its secrets. In the walls, Jeff found old window weights, long disconnected from their windows. At the back of the house, he discovered a hidden staircase the hired help would have used. And, he says, “We found

a King George quarter on the Bristol second floor that had fallen into a crack. I gave it to the granddaughter who found it.”

While uncovering the Buena Vista’s material past, Jeff has also learned – often from passersby on the street –how many people were connected to its history. “It’s funny because I was never in the building, but it was always

available if you got kicked out of your house or moved out early. There was always a room to rent,” says Jeff. “I have a lot of friends that now tell me, ‘I lived in there.’”

Jeff has two intriguing letters in his collection. They were written in the mid-1990s by Silk’s son, Eric, who was born in 1908 and died in 2004. In those letters, Jeff found out that Owen Bennington’s great-grandmother had worked for the original family as a cleaner. In addition to recounting

vivid details of the nine years he lived in Shelburne as a boy, Eric Silk also reminisced about the home’s various rooms.

Of the top floor, he wrote, the room in the tower and another room were used for storage and the “entire [floor] was shingled with red cedar shingles, just like a roof, except that, as they were inside, they remained fresh. The stairs emerged almost in the middle of the area with the slope of the roof occasioning sloping walls in some

places but providing ample room for a billiard table and plenty of space for rainy day play.”

Of the front and back parlours on the main floor, Eric wrote, “It was in this area that I displayed my groups of lead soldiers which I used to show to the volunteers of the 164th Battalion who used to come to the house to be sworn in by Dad. I suppose it was in his capacity as Justice of the Peace.”

Today, Jeff and his tenants are writing the next chapter of life at the Buena Vista. Jason Joseph has been living in the Cambelle apartment with his wife, Julia, since 2021 and says

the space feels soothing. “It’s so well designed and put together,” he says. “All the wood tones make a warm ambience and have a very healing effect. This space feels like a home.”

Jason says having Jeff as a landlord and neighbour is his favourite part about living here. “He takes such great care of the place and that’s because of how much he cares for the place. It influences you to share the same values.”

For his apartment at the top of the house, Jeff decided against rebuilding an attic space. The cathedral ceiling and exposed the ductwork creates the look of an industrial New York Citystyle loft – with a touch of British pub, thanks to the addition of an exposed

brick wall. He cut down two parlour doors that were too large for the apartments and hung them on their original track hardware, barn-doorstyle, to cover his washer and dryer. The tower room with its high, steeply pitched turret is now a spare bedroom Jeff uses as a workout space. Of his long labour of love, he says, “I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

From his windows, Jeff can look out in any direction to see the whole town and beyond – including all his favourite spots, from Shelburne’s old post office to the distant peak of Murphy’s Pinnacle Lookout on the Bruce Trail near Primrose. A buena vista indeed.

ABOVE: A photo taken of the fire damage on the third floor of the house before repairs began in 2020.

RIGHT : Two of Jeff’s granddaughters, Cambelle, left, and Bristol, review the plans in the early days of the renovation.

PHOTOS

Moffat Dunlap*, John Dunlap**, Murray Snider, Nik Bonellos, Elizabeth Campbell, Courtney Murgatroyd, Sean Wynn, Mark Campbell***, David Warren**** *Chair man, **Broker of Record, ***Sales Representative,****Broker

Ann Shanahan fall23_Layout

STEPHEN DIGNUM

EUGENE DIGNUM

Stephen Dignum

Hockley estate w/

bordering Grand River Rolling hills, pond, shed (30 x50 ) with insulated shop, greenhouse

$1,999,000 Wayne Baguley 519-941-5151

Guagliardi

A CALENDAR OF AUTUMN HAPPENINGS

COMPILED BY JANET KERR • ILLUSTRATIONS BY JIM STEWART

ARTS & LETTERS

SEP 10 : THE EDEN MILLS WRITERS’ FESTIVAL Showcase of 60+ established and emerging Canadian writers in all genres. Noon-6pm. Eden Mills. 519-341-4320; emwf.ca

SEP 10 : EXPLORATORY PRINTMAKING Make cyanotype sun prints and monoprints using gel printing plates. $15, ages 16+, register. 2-4pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

SEP 14 – OCT 2 : HEADWATERS ARTS

FALL FESTIVAL JURIED ART SHOW & SALE Sep 14: Opening Night Soiree: music by the Sidemen, light refreshments, cash bar. 6-10pm, $35. Sep 16: Artisan market, 11am-5pm, free entry. Sep 22: Campfire Poets, 7:30pm, $35. Sep 24: Authors Afternoon, 2pm, $35. Reserve. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. Headwaters Arts Gallery, 519-943-1149; headwatersarts.org

SEP 16 – OCT 1 (SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS) : ALTON MILL ARTS

CENTRE OPEN ARTISTS’ STUDIOS

Ask the artists about their work and inspiration. 10am-5pm. Free. 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519-941-9300; altonmill.ca

SEP 16, OCT 21 & NOV 18 : NOTTAWASAGA HANDWEAVERS & SPINNERS

GUILD MONTHLY MEETINGS Learn more about weaving, spinning and other fibre arts. Visitors welcome. 1-3pm. The Gibson Centre for Community, Arts and Culture, 63 Tupper St W, Alliston. 705-435-6991; nottguild.ca

SEP 17 : SCHOMBERG STREET

GALLERY An outdoor, juried exhibition and sale of quality fine art presented by Arts Society King. 10am-5pm. Free. Main Street, Schomberg. 905833-2331, artssocietyking.ca

SEP 23 : EN PLEIN AIR SKETCHING

TOUR WITH BAO & PAMA Tour

Yours to Discover: Sights/Sites of Peel Region, then sketch outside.

Rain or shine. 10:30am-12:30pm. Free. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

SEP 23 : CALEDON CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL Music, interactive workshops for all ages, authors, artisans and a visual art showcase. 10am-3pm. Free. Caledon East Park, 6101 Old Church Rd. Town of Caledon, 905-584-2272 x437; visitcaledon.ca

SEP 24 : HAMMER, LEAF & FLOWER PRINTS – ALL AGES Drop in and make a print using hammers, leaves and flowers. Children with an adult. 1-5pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

SEP 24 : AUTHORS’ AFTERNOON

Readings and discussion with Max Wallace (After the Miracle) and C.I. Matthews (Took You So Long). Light refreshments, wine bar and book signing/purchase. 2-5pm. $35. Part of Headwaters Arts Fall Festival. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St,

Alton. BookLore, Headwaters Arts, 519-943-1149; headwatersarts.org

SEP 27 – MAR 10 : PARADISE LOST: DILLON DOUGLAS & CHRIS LOUIS Painterly imagery of a healthy, verdant planet Earth turned wasteland. Sep 29: reception, 6-9pm, RSVP to PAMAeventRSVP@peelregion.ca by Sep 15. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

SEP 29 – OCT 1 : CREEMORE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS Visit artists in galleries, homes and on porches; interactive art stations; AI art demonstration by Steve McDonald. Sep: 29 Comedy Kick Off with Maratha Chavez. Sep 30: Special program for the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. 3 Caroline St W, Creemore. See full program on website. Purple Hills Arts & Heritage Society, 705-466-9906; phahs.ca

Get in on the Action!

Author s on Sta ge An Autumn Extrava ganza of Book Events

Presented by BookLore & Theatre Orangeville

Connecting Canadians

A D A M S H O A LT S

Canadian explorer, geographer, historian

A gripping account following the falcon's story on a 3400 km journey to the Arctic

A beloved Canadian performing artist

A look at his family's history and how we understand war and its aftermath .

SEP 29 – OCT 1 : AUTUMN LEAVES STUDIO TOUR Discover the talents of several artists in various media. See website for map. 10am-5pm. alst.ca

SEP 30 – OCT 1 : ORANGEVILLE ART GROUP SHOW & SALE – AUTUMN ARTISTRY Two- and three-dimensional works in various media. Artists in attendance. 10am-5pm. Free entry. Orangeville Town Hall, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. orangevilleartgroup.com

SEP 30 – FEB 20 : IN HER GARDEN: AMANDA McCAVOUR & JANNICK DESLAURIERS Humanity’s path from happy beginnings to eventual environmental devastation. Sep 29: reception, 6-9pm, RSVP by Sep 15. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

OCT 1 : TERRARIUM WORKSHOP WITH ALEXSCAPES Find beauty in imperfection, impermanence and change. 2-3:45pm. Ages 13+. $60, includes materials, register. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

ABBREVIATIONS

CCS

Caledon Community Services

CPCC

Caledon Parent-Child Centre

CVC

Credit Valley Conservation

DCAFS

Dufferin Child and Family Services

DCCRC

Dufferin County Community Resource Circle

DPSN

Dufferin Parent Support Network

EWCS

East Wellington Community Services

MOD Museum of Dufferin

NVCA

Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority

OAS

Orangeville Agricultural Society Event Centre

PAMA

Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives

SBEC

Orangeville & District Small Business Enterprise Centre

Canadian and bestselling author

A novel of love and loyalty across generations &

Canadian news anchor

First-person stories about the people and professions that make Canada work

OCT 3, NOV 7 & DEC 5 : WRITERS’ INK A nonjudgmental space to share creative writing and receive support from other writers. 6:30-8:30pm. Free. Caledon Library, 6500 Old Church Rd, Caledon East. 905-8571400 x228; caledon.library.on.ca

OCT 4 – NOV 5 : AS THE ARTIST SEES IT Member proposal show featuring 12 artists showcasing 30+ works in a variety of media. Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. Free. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. Headwaters Arts Gallery, 519-943-1149; headwatersarts.org

OCT 14 – FEB 25 : NADYA KWANDIBENS: THE RED CHAIR SESSIONS Open-call portraiture series on acknowledging and reclaiming Indigenous lands, and revitalizing Indigenous languages. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

OCT 21 : BOOK LAUNCH: ONCE UPON A FOREST – CELEBRATING ORANGEVILLE’S EARLY YEARS

Beautifully illustrated heritage book by local author Nancy Early and artist Kasia Charko. Speakers, and tree giveaways while supplies last. 11am. Orangeville Town Hall, 87 Broadway, Orangeville.

NOV 8 – JAN 7 : ARTFUL GIVING –ARTISAN GIFT & FINE ART SALE Original works in a variety of mediums from 30+ artists. Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. Free. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. Headwaters Arts Gallery, 519-943-1149; headwatersarts.org CONTINUED FROM

OCT 18 : COFFEE, CONVERSATION & BOOKS FEATURING PATRICK CLARK Porters is Clark’s debut novel of science fiction, mystery and time travel. 7:30-8pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St, Shelburne. 519-925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

NOV 2 : SILK-SCREENING WORKSHOP WITH BRAMPTON LIBRARY Using cyanotype kits, flowers and watercolour paper. Ages 13+. Free, register with Brampton Library at 905-793-4636. 6:30-8:45pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. pama.peelregion.ca

CONTINUED

NOV 10 & 11 : SEASONAL WRAPSODY Show and sale of handcrafted items by local artisans. Fri 4-8pm. Sat 10am-4pm. $2. The Gibson Centre, 63 Tupper St W, Alliston. Nottawasaga Handweavers and Spinners Guild, 705-435-6991; nottguild.ca

NOV 12 : LIBRARY LITERARY EVENT WITH DAN NEEDLES In The Hills’ columnist Dan Needles talks about his new book, Finding Larkspur: A Return to Village Life. 2-3pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519-925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

NOV 25 : EMBROIDERED BOTANY

Bowling Green – Dufferin County –

Between Laurel and Grand Valley

www.plowingmatch.org/ipm2023

WORKSHOP Explore textile art, hand stitching and water soluble stabilizer with Amanda McCavour. 10am-4pm. $85, includes $25 material fee, register. No experience necessary. 10am-4pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

NOV 25 : SHELBURNE LIBRARY’S SILENT AUCTION & BOOK SALE

Find the perfect treasure. Bidding ends at 3:45pm. 10am-4pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519-925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

COMMUNITY

FARMERS’ MARKETS

ORANGEVILLE: Saturdays, 8am-1pm, to Oct 21. Second St & Broadway. orangevillefarmersmarket.ca

CREEMORE: Saturdays, 8:30am12:30pm, to Oct 28. Station on the Green Parking Lot, 10 Caroline St E. creemorefarmersmarket.ca

ERIN: Thursdays, 3-6:30pm, to Sep 28. Erin Fairgrounds, 184 Main St. erinfarmersmarket.ca

BOLTON MAKERS’ MARKET: Saturdays, 9am-1pm, to Oct 7. The Royal Courtyards, 18 King St E. downtownbolton.ca

NOW – NOV 4 : SMALL HALLS FESTIVAL From concerts and dances, to breakfasts, dinners and a whisky-nosing evening, to craft markets, a staged reading, rug-hooking class, backroads rally and even a high-speed chicken race, there is something for everyone. Thoughout Clearview Township. See the website for full program. 705-4286230 x262; smallhallsfestival.ca

SEP 8 : BBQ STEAK DINNER & ENTERTAINMENT Tony Rosa’s Trio Kings. 6:30-10:30pm. $50, advance tickets only. Dine-in. 7 Rotarian Way Bolton 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

SEP 9 : DOORS OPEN – PAMA Behind-the-scenes tours of Peel County Jail, archives and more. Archive vault tours 10:30am, 1:30 and 3pm. Free, register at front desk. PAMA, 9 Wellington St, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

SEP 9, OCT 15 & NOV 11 : WHOLE VILLAGE ORIENTATION Tour the farm and eco-residence. 1-4:30pm. $10. 20725 Shaws Creek Rd, Caledon. 519-941-1099; wholevillage.org

SEP 12 : ASK THE EXPERT – BANKING Q & A session on a range of topics. 9am-10:30am. Free, register. Orangeville SBEC, 200 Lakeview Crt, Orangeville. 519-941-0440; orangevillebusiness.ca

SEP 12 : ARCHIVIST ON THE ROAD MoD Archivist Laura Camilleri answers research questions. 10am5pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St, Shelburne. 519925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

SEP 12, OCT 10 & NOV 14: ORANGEVILLE & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETINGS Sep 12: Gardening for the Birds. Oct 10: Easy Gardening: High Style, Low Maintenance. Nov 14: Retire Your Lawnmower. Guests welcome. Bring a mug. Flower show. 6:30-8:30pm. Free. Orangeville Seniors Centre, 26 Bythia St. orangevillehort.org

SEP 13, OCT 11 & NOV 8 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE SPECIAL LUNCHES Sep 13: Fish and chips. Oct 11: Octoberfest sausage. Nov 8: TBD. Pick-up 11:30am, dine-in at noon. Everyone welcome. Call to register by two days prior. $11; local delivery $2. 11:30am-1pm. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

SEP 14, OCT 12 & NOV 9 : PROBUS CLUB OF ORANGEVILLE MONTHLY MEETINGS Social club for those in their active retirement years. Sep 14: Sean Cisterna. Oct 12: Elaine Capes. Nov 9: Charlie Cooley. Visitors welcome. 10am. Free. The Salvation Army New Hope Community Church, 690 Riddell Rd. 519-938-8934; probusorangeville.club

Y o u n g g h o u l s a n d g o b l i n s a r e i n v i t e d t o j o i n u s f o r f a m i l y -

f r i e n d l y H a l l o w e e n a c t i v i t i e s !

T r y o u t a s p o o k t a c u l a r s o a pm a k i n g w o r k s h o p o r g o o n a

s c a v e n g e r h u n t C o s t u m e s a r e n o t r e q u i r e d , b u t e n c o u r a g e d !

O c t o b e r 2 8 t h

R e g i s t r a t i o n r e q u i r e d f o r s o a p - m a k i n g w o r k s h o p H A L L O W E E N F U N

J o i n u s f o r a p r e s e n t a t i o n h o n o u r i n g o u r l o c a l v e t e r a n s E x p l o r e t h e S i l o G a l l e r y e x h i b i t f e a t u r i n g a r c h i v a l p h o t o g r a p h s a n d s t o r i e s o f t h o s e w h o h a v e s e r v e d A d m i s s i o n b y d o n a t i o n

N o v e m b e r 4 t h a t 1 0 : 3 0 a m

SEP 15 : SHELBURNE BLOOD

DONOR CLINIC Same day and open spots available. Register online or at 1-888-2 DONATE. 3:30-6:30pm. Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex. Canadian Blood Services, blood.ca

SEP 16 : THE BRITISH HOME CHILDREN OF DUFFERIN MoD archivist Laura Camilleri shares their stories. 2-3pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

SEP 16 : MOTIONBALL MARATHON OF SPORT CALEDON Making sure those with intellectual disabilities are included, supported and celebrated. Edelweiss Park, 320 Glasgow Rd, Caledon. motionball.com

SEP 16 : THE GRAND PARADE –CALEDON Family-friendly fundraiser walk supporting Caledon Meals on Wheels. 10am-1pm. Start/finish at Palgrave Fire Station, 17177 Peel Regional Rd 50. Caledon Meals on Wheels, 905-857-7651; cmow.org

SEP 16 : WINE, CHEESE & JAZZ AT ISLAND LAKE Four wines paired with food (bites), live music by Ryan Grist, sommelier discussion. 3-5pm. $65, includes park admission. Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. CVC, 1-800-668-5557; cvc.ca

SEP 16 & 23 : HIGH COUNTRY RUMMAGE SALES Clean, gently used clothing and household linens at very reasonable prices. 9am-noon. Free. High Country United Church, 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. highcountryunited.weebly.com

SEP 19 : CHRIST CHURCH COMMUNITY SUPPER Everyone welcome. 5:30-7pm. Free. Christ Church Anglican, 22 Nancy St, Bolton. 905857-0433; christchurchbolton.ca

SEP 19 – 23 : INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH & RURAL EXPO

Plowing competitions, Ram Rodeo, agriculture education, near-constant live entertainment in multiple Match venues, hundreds of vendors and exhibitors (large and small equipment, lifestyle items and more), variety of food and an RV Park. 8:30am-5pm. Bowling Green between Grand Valley and Laurel. IPM 2023 Local Committee, plowingmatch.org

SEP 19 – 30 : COMMEMORATING THE NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION Tie an orange ribbon at designated spots at all CPL branches. Free. Caledon Library, 905857-1400 x228; caledon.library.on.ca

SEP 20 : HIRE CANADA JOB FAIR & TRAINING EXPO Network, submit resumes and have on-thespot interviews. Job seekers register online. Exhibitors email registration@ hirecanada.ca. 11am-3pm. Pearson Convention Centre, 2638 Steeles Ave E, Brampton. 416-907-8604; hirecanada.ca

SEP 20 : CREEMORE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETING & FLOWER/ VEGETABLE SHOW Heidi Sterrenburg speaks on The Trials and Tribulations of Running a Small Farming Operation. 7:30-9pm. Free. Station on the Green, 10 Caroline St E, Creemore. creemorehort.com

SEP 20 – OCT 23 : ERIN’S SCARECROW FESTIVAL A Town of Erin event celebrating our creativity. Town of Erin, 519-855-4407; erin.ca

SEP 22 : AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH SPIRIT Intimate group reading, snacks and beverages. No cancellations. Tickets are nonrefundable and nontransferable. 6-9pm. $60. 141051 15 Sdrd East Garafraxa. 226779-4973; herewardfarm.com

SEP 23 : BLACK ACRES GARAGE SALE IN A BARN FUNDRAISER Quality items including equestrian bargains. All proceeds to senior horses and ponies of Just in Time Equine. Also check out our Senior Horse Symposium. Cash only. 9am-3pm. 427183 25 Sdrd, Mono. 647-213-4495; blackacres.ca

SEP 23 : FEEDING CALEDON FAMILIES: THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE & OPEN HOUSE Get bags

during September at any Caledon library branch. Purchase food, bring to the Open House. Activities and prizes. 1-3pm. The Exchange, 55 Healey Rd, Unit #10, Bolton. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

SEP 23 – OCT 31 : DOWNEY’S PUMPKINFEST See the Great Corn Maze Adventure, wagon rides, slow ropes course, live entertainment and more. Sat Sun 9:30am-5pm. Downey’s Farm Market, 13682 Heart Lake Rd, Caledon. 905-838-2990; downeysfarm.com

SEP 24 : ORANGEVILLE & AREA AUTISM SPEAKS CANADA WALK Fun-filled event for all ages and abilities. 10am-12:30pm. Fendley Park, 11 Fendley Rd, Orangeville. 519806-0660; autismspeakscan.ca

SEP 24 : HEIDI’S WALK FOR HOPE

A 5k walk to support Family Transition Place’s emergency shelter counselling services and education programs. Dogs on leashes, strollers welcome. Rain or shine. $40; children 12 & under free. $20; virtual registrants receive a tax receipt. 10am-2pm. Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. 519942-4122 x243; heidiswalkftp.ca

SEP 25, OCT 30 & NOV 27 : STIR THE POT Prepare soup for our food bank and shelters. $60, buys ingredients and includes wine and dinner. 6:309pm. Lavender Blue Catering and Café, 125 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-9393663; lavenderbluecatering.com

SEP 30 : DUFFERIN FARM TOUR Selfguided tour of local farming operations. 9am-4pm. Admission is a nonperishable food donation or cash for the food bank. Register online. dufferinarmtour.com

SEP 30 : CALEDON HORSE TACK

SWAP – FALL 2023 Two buildings of new and used horse equipment. 10am-3pm. Free, vendor fees apply.

Caledon Village Fairgrounds, 18297 Hurontario St. Caledon Agricultural Society, 519-925-3461; caledonfair.ca

SEP 30 : CALEDON CARES ENVIRO CHALLENGE – REDUCING YOUR HOME ENERGY FOOTPRINT Learn from experts and neighbours with firsthand experience. 11am-1pm. Free. Albion Bolton Community Centre, Bolton. ecocaledon.org

SEP 30 : BELFOUNTAIN SALAMANDER FESTIVAL Family-friendly live music, food, vendors. “Small is beautiful.” 11am-4pm. Free. Belfountain Village Church, 17258 Old Main St. Belfountain Community Organization, 519-927-3204; belfountain.ca

SEP 30 & OCT 1: ORANGEVILLE COMFORT FOOD FESTIVAL Food trucks, live music, vendors, kids’ zone and prizes. Sat 11am-7pm. Sun 11am5pm. $5 cash only; children 12 & under free. Orangeville Fairgrounds 247090 5 Sdrd, Orangeville. KB Events Canada.

OCT 7 : CREEMORE FARMERS’ MARKET APPLE PIE CONTEST Bring your pie to the Creemore Farmers’ Market by 9am for judging. Pie served after judging with a donation to the Creemore Foodbank. Register by email: CFM.ApplePieContest@ outlook.com. 8am-noon. Station on the Green, 10 Caroline St E, Creemore.

OCT 7 : FLORAL PUMPKIN SALE Purchase a handcrafted decorative pumpkin suitable for your Thanksgiving centrepiece. 9am-noon. Village Green, Creemore. creemorecommunity foundation.ca, creemorehort.com

OCT 7 : DAY ON THE FARM Meet the cows, shop local, live music, crafts and more! 10am-3pm. Free. Sheldon Creek Dairy, 4316 5th Conc Adjala. 705-434-0404; sheldoncreekdairy.ca

at PAMA NEW FALL Exhibitions

In Her Garden:

Amanda McCavour and Jannick Deslauriers

Sept. 30, 2023

– Feb. 20, 2024

Paradise Lost:

Dillon Douglas and Chris Louis Sept. 27, 2023

− March 10, 2024

Nadya Kwandibens:

The Red Chair Sessions

Oct. 14, 2023

– Feb. 25, 2024

pama.peelregion.ca

www.pama.peelregion.ca

9 Wellington St. E., Brampton, ON L6W 1Y1 • 905-791-4055

www.altonmill.ca

OCT 7 : PUMPKINFEST Uniting our community for a day of games and fun. Proceeds to Shepherd’s Cupboard foodbank. Free pumpkins while they last. Free; games $1 each; food and cash donations accepted. Noon5pm. Natasha Paterson Memorial Park, Gordon St, Shelburne. 519-2784578; shelburnerotaryclub.com

OCT 13 : HARVEST EUCHRE TOURNAMENT A night of food, drinks, cash prizes and fun! $25, register at townofmono.com. 6:30-10pm. Mono Community Centre, Mono Centre. Town of Mono, 519-941-3599

OCT 14: HARVEST ONTARIO WALK IN MEMORY OF JENNI LE FORESTIER A walk to Stop Highway 413 and Protect the Greenbelt. Groups walk from Bolton fairgrounds or Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness to merge at Bolton Mill Park to learn about the founding of Bolton, then walk to the intersection of King and Queen streets for a rally. 10am to noon. danoreilly@ sympatico.ca, environmentaldefence.ca

OCT 14 : BREWS CRUISE 2023 Enjoy local beer, trivia and prizes. Starting point 10:30-11:30am for map, loot bag. Follow our map or choose your route. Rally ends 5pm at Mono Centre Brewing. Winners notified Oct 16. $25 per car; each car must have a designated driver with signed waiver. 10:30am-5pm. 065371 Cty Rd 3, East Garafraxa. 519941-8971; communitylivingdufferin.ca

OCT 14 : HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE POPUP Drop off gently used and new household items in good working order. 11am-3pm. Headwaters Home Improvement Centre, 4 Shamrock Rd, Erin. Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington, 519-767-9752; habitatgw.ca

OCT 14 & NOV 25 : LUNCH & BID

EUCHRE TOURNAMENTS Oct 14: Meatball sub. Nov 25: TBD. Check-in 11:15am, lunch at noon. Tournament 1pm. Prizes and more! 11:15am-4:30pm. $20, call to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

OCT 15 : EMPTY BOWLS HEADWATERS Buy your ticket, choose your handcrafted bowl (yours to keep). Enjoy a serving of local soup and bread. Proceeds to food programs in the Headwaters region. 11:30am-4pm. $50. Alton Legion, 1267 Queen St. Ann Randeraad, 519-938-2092; annranderaad.com

OCT 16 : LOCAL HISTORY SHOW & TELL Bring Albion Township or Town of Bolton memorabilia. Contact Nathan Hiller at nhillerphoto@bell.net. 7:309:30pm. $5. Albion Bolton Community Centre, Bolton. Albion Bolton Historical Society, 905-584-2801; boltonhistory.com

OCT 16 : INTRO TO CHAT GPT Use the AI chatbot to create marketing messages for your business. 9am-10:30am. Free, register. SBEC, 200 Lakeview Court (Upper Level), Orangeville. 519-9410440; orangevillebusiness.ca

OCT 18 : CREEMORE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETING Clement Kent speaks on Caring for the Planet. 7:30-9pm. Free. Station on the Green, 10 Caroline St E, Creemore. creemorehort.com

OCT 19 : ASK THE EXPERT – QUICKBOOKS Tracy Harding hosts a roundtable Q & A. 9am-10:30am. Free, register. Orangeville SBEC, 200 Lakeview Crt, Orangeville. 519941-0440; orangevillebusiness.ca

OCT 19 : HOW TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT MONEY Challenges and strategies to raise financially independent kids from Christine Whalen, CPA. 7-8pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St, Shelburne. 519-925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

OCT 19 & 21 : INTO THE SHADOWS –AGES 17+ This Halloween discover a darker side of our heritage. Oct 19: 7-8:30pm. Oct 21: 3-4:30pm. $10. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

OCT 21 : TEA & HISTORY Learning and Teaching in a One-Room Schoolhouse. Featuring Linda Hutsell-Manning with special guests and a driving tour of schoolhouses surrounding Creemore. 1:30-3pm. Free. Station on the Green, 10 Caroline St E, Creemore. Purple Hills Arts & Heritage Society, 705-466-9906; phahs.ca

OCT 26 : SPOOKY STORIES FROM DUFFERIN COUNTY – AGES 18+ Join MoD archivist Laura Camilleri –if you dare. 6-7pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

OCT 26 – DEC 24 (THURSDAYS TO SUNDAYS) : THE SISTERS TOUCH OF CHRISTMAS An exclusive fundraising

© Amanda McCavour

Christmas store featuring one-ofa-kind, hand-painted, personalized ornaments. Gourmet bakery, seasonal decor. Thu Fri 10am-7pm. Sat 10am6pm. Sun 11am-4pm (Dec 24: 11am-3pm) St. Kosmas Aitolos Greek Orthodox Monastery, 14155 Caledon King Town Ln S, Bolton. thesisterstoc.com

OCT 27, 28 & 31 : HAUNT IN THE PARK Full-scare evening events and kid-friendly daylight event with almost 45 live volunteers. Oct 27 & 28, 7-11pm. Oct 31, 6-10pm. Oct 28, 10am-2pm: Mini Boo (all ages). Free, food bank donations accepted. Fiddle Park, Dufferin Cty Rd 11, Shelburne. facebook.com/littlehauntedhouse

NOV 4 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE

CRAFT & BAKE SALE & MORE Peameal bacon on a bun, refreshments and tea room. 8am-1pm. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

NOV 4 : COMMUNITY CAR RALLY

& DINNER Tickets at the church and Butcher Furniture store in Hillsburgh. Call for info. 9am-9:30pm. 83 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. 519-855-6216

NOV 4 : SURGE GALA Performances, stories of self-discovery through the arts while enjoying a three-course meal. 6:3011:45pm. $190. Hockley Valley Resort, 793522 3rd Ln Mono. Streams Community Hub, 289-203-8202; streamshub.org

NOV 4 : HONOURING OUR VETERANS

Members of the Shelburne and Orangeville legions accompany a colour party with pipers and buglers. National anthem by Theatre Orangeville Youth Singers. Guest speaker Neil Orford. Explore archival photographs and stories of local veterans. Donation. 10:30am. MoD, Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur; 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

NOV 5 : REEL PADDLING FILM

OCT 27 & NOV 17 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE MONTHLY DINNERS Oct 27: Guinness stew. Nov 17: Stew and mashed potatoes. Pick-up 4:30pm, dine-in 5:30pm. Entertainment by the Swing Band. Everyone welcome. Call to register. $16-$20; local delivery $2. 4:30-7pm. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

OCT 28 : DAY ON THE FARM

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL Farm tours, meet the cows, shop local, magician, crafts and games. Wear your costume. 10am-3pm. Free. Sheldon Creek Dairy, 4300 Concession Rd 5, Loretto. 705434-0404; sheldoncreekdairy.ca

OCT 29 : HAUNTED HILL WALK/RUN 5k run/walk and kids’ 1k fun run. Wear costume. Race starts behind the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness. Includes lunch and giveaways. Net proceeds to local youth organizations. 9:30am-noon. Register. 14111 Hwy 50, Bolton. Rotary Club of Bolton, rotaryhauntedhill.com, boltonrotary.ca

FESTIVAL Best films in the paddlesport industry. MC Taylor Pace shares photos of expeditions in the North. 10:30am-3pm. $24; students $20. Theatre Orangeville, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-9416654; canoenorthadventures.com

NOV 5 : DIAMOND IN THE HILLS

Fundraising lunch and fashion show from Studio 49 in Georgetown, silent auction, prizes. 11:30am-5pm. $175. The Arlington Estate, 8934 Huntington Rd, Vaughan. Bethell Hospice Foundation, 905-8383534; foundation.bethellhospice.org

NOV 7 : THE MEDICINES OF DUFFERIN COUNTY MoD archivist Laura Camilleri talks about medicines and practitioners of Dufferin County . 2-3pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519-925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

NOV 8 : LESSONS & LEGACIES OF THE HOLOCAUST Workshop led by the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies. Ages 13+. 10-11:30am. Free. Caledon Library, 150 Queen St S, Bolton. 905-8571400 x228; caledon.library.on.ca

NOV 9 : CARTERS CHARITY & NOT-FOR-PROFIT LAW WEBINAR Brochure and online registration at carters.ca. 9am-12:50pm. $35, register 1-877-942-0001 x273; email seminars@ carters.ca or visit our website. 9am1pm. Carters Law Firm, carters.ca

NOV 11 : 3R’S CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

Gift ideas, decorations and more from 40+ vendors. Vendors, see the website. 10am-4pm. Free. Monora Park Pavilion, 500 Monora Park Dr, Mono. 519-941-3599; townofmono.com

NOV 11 : PAMA TALKS: THE HINDU JOURNEY IN CANADA & THE WORLD WARS Join the Hindu Heritage Foundation Canada for an afternoon celebrating the Hindu community. 1-4pm. Register. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

NOV 14 : ASK THE EXPERT –ACCOUNTING A roundtable Q & A session for your small business. 9am10:30am. Free, register. Orangeville SBEC, 200 Lakeview Crt, Orangeville. 519-941-0440; orangevillebusiness.ca

NOV 15 : CREEMORE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MAKE & TAKE WORKSHOP Make a holiday-themed craft. 7:30-9pm. $20 to $30; register at creemorehort@ gmail.com. Station on the Green, 10 Caroline St. creemorehort.com

NOV 16 – 18 : OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Pack shoeboxes with quality gifts for children in need. Drop off Thur 5:30-8:30pm. Fri noon-4pm. Sat 9am-1pm. Or pack online. Broadway Pentecostal Church, 556 Broadway, Orangeville. samaritanspurse.ca

NOV 17 : JOY & LIGHTS TREE LIGHTING Entertainment, visits with St. Nick, carolling and holiday shopping! 5:30-8:30pm. Downtown Orangeville. 519-942-0087; downtownorangeville.ca

NOV 18 : CHRIST CHURCH BOLTON CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Bake and craft sale, and so much more! 9am1pm. Free. Christ Church Anglican, 22 Nancy St, Bolton. 905-8570433; christchurchbolton.ca

NOV 18 : ORANGEVILLE SENIORS’ CENTRE FALL SALE Bake table, crafts, books, jewellery, odds and sods. Cash

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only. Bring a bag. Proceeds to centre activities. 9am-12:30pm. 26 Bythia St. orangevilleseniorscentre.com

NOV 18 : ORANGEVILLE SANTA

CLAUS PARADE See the jolly old elf and make some memories. 4-6pm. Downtown Orangeville. 519-9420087; downtownorangeville.ca

NOV 20 : ALBION BOLTON

HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING

Memories of Cy Wallace and his legacy. 7:30-9:30pm. $5. Albion Bolton Community Centre, Bolton. 905-584-2801; boltonhistory.com

NOV 25 : CHRISTMAS MARKETPLACE & BAKE SALE Shopping extravaganza and delicious baking. 10am-1pm. St Andrew’s Hillsburgh, 83 Trafalgar Rd. 519-855-6216

NOV 25 : TOWN OF GRAND VALLEY

SANTA CLAUS PARADE Visits to Mr. and Mrs. Claus 1-4pm. Family ice skate 3-5pm. Parade 7pm. 1-8:30pm. Free. Grand Valley Community Centre. 519-928-5652; townofgrandvalley.ca

FALL FAIRS 2023

Please see websites for more details.

SEP 1 – 3: ORANGEVILLE FALL FAIR

Orangeville Agricultural Centre, 247090 5 Sdrd, Mono. Orangeville Agricultural Society, 519-942-9597; oaseventcentre.ca

SEP 14 – 17: BRAMPTON FALL FAIR

Brampton Fairgrounds, 12942 Heart Lake Rd, Caledon. 905-843-0210; bramptonfair.com

SEP 15 & 16: SHELBURNE FALL FAIR

Shelburne & District Fairgrounds, 200 Fiddlepark Lane, Shelburne. shelburnefair.weebly.com

SEP 22 – 24: BOLTON FALL FAIR Albion & Bolton Fairgrounds, 150 Queen St S, Bolton. 905-880-0369; boltonfair.ca

SEP 23 & 24: GRAND VALLEY FALL FAIR Grand Valley Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, 60 Main St N, Grand Valley. 226-979-3724; grandvalleyfallfair.ca

OCT 5 – 9: ERIN FALL FAIR Erin Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, 190 Main St, Erin. erinfair.com

KIDS

SEP 2 – 30 (SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS) : DIY STUDIO TIME – AGES 5+ Drop in and discover the rich landscapes of Peel. All children with an adult. 1-4:30pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

SEP 17 : BRAMPTON FAIR CHILDREN’S TALENT CONTEST Stage is located in the community tent. 1st prize $200. 2nd prize $100. 3rd prize $50. Participation prize for all. 1-2:30pm. Brampton Fairgrounds, 12942 Heart Lake Rd, Caledon. bramptonfair.com

adult. 10:30am-12:30pm. Free. Caledon Library, 225 Dougall Ave, Caledon. 905857-1400 x228; caledon.library.on.ca

SEP 27 & NOV 18 : ART WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS Led by artist and instructor Ricky Schaede. Sep 27: Graphite wolf drawing (ages 9-16) 6-8pm, $15. Nov 18: Watercolour seahorse (ages 6-12) 1-3pm, $10. , MoD, Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

OCT 1 – NOV 26 (SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS) : DIY STUDIO TIME – AGES 5+ Drop in and create your own eerie work of art. All children with an adult. 1-4:30pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

OCT 21 : BOO ON BROADWAY Scavenger hunt, The Great Pumpkin Popup, kids’ entertainment, and trick or treating. 8am-1pm. Downtown Orangeville. Orangeville BIA, 519-9420087; downtownorangeville.ca

OCT 28 : HALLOWEEN AT THE BOO-SEUM – AGES 5-12 Drop in and create a haunted craft, join a familyfriendly spooky tour. All children with an adult. 10am-4:30pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

OCT 28 : HOGWARTS IN CALEDON! Quidditch, sorting, potions, wand making, letter writing, mandrake making, butterbeer, merchandise and more! 11am3pm. $25. 16379 The Gore Rd, Caledon. 647-526-7645; kingscollegeschool.ca

OCT 28 : HALLOWEEN FUN AT MOD Family-friendly activities. Costumes not required, but encouraged. Scavenger hunt: 11am-4pm, free. Soap-making workshop: 1-2:30pm, $15, register. 11am4pm. MoD, Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

SEP 20, OCT 4 & 18 : MOD TOTS –AGES 0-4 Crafts and activities for little hands and growing minds. Sep 20: Fall Harvest. Oct 4: Friends and Family. Oct 18: Pumpkin Patch. All children with an adult. $5, register. MoD, Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur.1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

SEP 20 : RABBIT & BEAR PAWS: THE WAY Interactive puppet show tells the story of Turtle Island. All ages with an

NOV 2 – 12 : THE WIZARD OF OZ PRESENTED BY BRAMPTON MUSIC THEATRE Colourful production full of magic and music. Thur, Fri 7:30. Sat 1 & 7:30. Sun 1pm. Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton on Stage, 905-874-2800; rosetheatre.ca

NOV 24 : PA DAY WORKSHOP: SOFT SCULPTURE – AGES 6-12 Explore the world of textile art with Amanda McCavour! Bring lunch and snacks. Drop off 9–10am, pick up 4pm. 9am-4pm. $73,

includes all supplies, register by Nov 22. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

NOV 24 – 26 : ELF THE MUSICAL Buddy the elf goes to New York City to discover his true identity and save Christmas. Fri Sat 7:30pm. Sun 2pm. $18. Grace Tipling Hall, 203 Main St E, Shelburne. 519-9399038; lpstageproductionsinc.com

NOV 17 : EARLY MORNING RAIN – THE LEGEND OF GORDON LIGHTFOOT Leisa Way’s critically acclaimed concert celebrates this remarkable life and career.

NOV 18 : CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE: THE BEATLES – SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND WITH THE ROSE ORCHESTRA From sitars and orchestra, to the guitars and kazoos, exactly the way you remember.

SEP 13 : ACHILL CHORAL SOCIETY WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS Join us to sing classical, contemporary and traditional works. Email info@ achill.ca to register. 7-9:30pm. Westminster United Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville. achill.ca

MUSIC

SEP – NOV: LIVE MUSIC AT ROSE THEATRE All performances at 8pm unless noted. Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. 905-874-2800; rosetheatre.ca

SEP 8 : MONSOON SOUND CURATED BY NOYZ The youthfulness of South Asian hip-hop. 7pm

SEP 14 : THIS IS BRAMPTON SHOWCASE Meet Brampton’s music and comedy makers.

SEP 23 : FLOW FEST The rhythm of drumming and syncopated sound. 7:30pm

SEP 23 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: REIMAGINED – A THEATRE CONCERT CURATED BY DARRYN DE SOUZA Broadway’s creativity, connec tion and musicality of stories on stage.

OCT 10 : STAGEDOOR STORIES: ASHLEY MACISAAC – FIDDLER EXTRAORDINAIRE Behind-the-scenes access to this ground-breaking artist.

OCT 21 : AUTUMN BRILLIANCE Music that evokes the colour and crisp fall air. 7:30pm

OCT 24 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: B-JAZZED CURATED BY CARMEN SPADA Classic Count Basie songs with world-class musicians.

OCT 28 : PAVLO Escape to Santorini with the music of Mediterranean guitar.

NOV 4 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: CRATE CLASH CURATED BY JOSEPH KHARGIE The ultimate DJ battle in a 70-yearold Jamaican tradition. 7pm

SEP 15 – 17 : WHISKEY JACK PRESENTS STORIES & SONGS OF STOMPIN’ TOM Tom’s greatest hits combined with backstage stories. Fri Sat 7:30pm. Sun 2pm. Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-942-3423; theatreorangeville.ca

SEP 16 : AN EVENING WITH JULIAN TAYLOR – AGES 19+ Folk, roots and Americana music. Cash bar. Snacks and handheld food to purchase. No ATM. 6:30-10pm. Creemore Station on the Green, 10 Caroline St E. 705428-6230 x262; smallhallsfestival.ca

SEP 22 : THE CAMPFIRE POETS –LIVE IN CONCERT Five decades of classics from several genres. Food and refreshments. 7:30-10pm. $35. Part of Headwaters Arts Festival. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519-943-1149; headwatersarts.org

SEP 28 – MAY 30 (THURSDAYS) : ORANGEVILLE COMMUNITY BAND –BEGINNER BAND – AGES 9-99 Learn to read music and play the instrument of your choice. $75; $50 for returning members, register online. 6:30-7pm. New Hope Community Church, 690 Riddell Rd, Orangeville. orangevillecommunityband.ca

SEP 29 : CLASSIC LIGHTFOOT LIVE PRESENTS: A TRIBUTE TO GORDON LIGHTFOOT John Stinson has been widely praised for his uncanny sonic resemblance to Gord. 7:30pm. 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-942-3423; theatreorangeville.ca

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FASHION & JEWELLERY

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FIREPLACE SALES & SERVICE

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Decor

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HOME IMPROVEMENT & REPAIR

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SEP 29 : THE TRADITION Old-time country music with Douglas Richard Sinclair. 4pm. GoodLot Farm, 18825 Shaws Creek Rd, Caledon. bandsintown.com

OCT 5 : MUSIC NIGHT FEATURING THE BRAMPTON FOLK CLUB Enjoy Songs of the Sea with Brown Ale and The Burtons. Donations welcome. Recommended for adults. 7-8:30pm. Free. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

OCT 15 : CALEDON CHAMBER

CONCERTS PRESENTS VC2 CELLO DUO Amahl Arulanandam and Bryan Holt (vc2celloduo.com) $40; 16 & under free, online or call 905-880-2445. 3:30-5pm. St. James Anglican Church, 6025 Old Church Rd, Caledon East. 905-8380888; caledonchamberconcerts.com

OCT 21 : THEY’RE BACK – THE NEW GENERAL STORE BAND Awardwinning bluegrass and gospel music. 2pm. $20; 12 & under $10, at Butcher Furniture, Hillsburgh. 519-855-4207; St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 83 Trafalgar Road, Hillsburgh

NOV 18 : CALEDON CHAMBER

CONCERTS PRESENTS THE ROBERT KORTGAARD TRIO A 7-foot Steinway baby grand piano, double bass and beautiful soprano. $40; 16 & under free, online or call 905-880-2445. 7:30-9pm. St. James Anglican Church, 6025 Old Church Rd, Caledon East. 905-8380888; caledonchamberconcerts.com

NOV 25 & DEC 2 : LET’S CELEBRATE 40! John Williams’ classics, seasonal favourites and a singalong sure to delight. 3-4:30pm. $30; $15 for youth 17 & under. Nov 25: Westminster United Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville. Dec 2: Knox Presbyterian Church, 160 King St S, Alliston. Achill Choral Society, achill.ca

OUTDOOR

SEP 9 : GOLFING 4 HEROES Prizes, raffles, BBQ lunch and sit-down dinner. Proceeds to youth programs and support in Dufferin and Peel Region, and Marion’s Place. 11am-7:30pm. Woodington Lakes Golf Course, 7110 4th Ln, Tottenham. The Joshua Project Foundation, 416-704-8963; golfing4heroes.ca

SEP 9 : ISLAND LAKE UPROOT

UPRISE: INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL

Wear long pants, socks and closed-toed shoes, bring reusable water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, hat. Rain or shine. Meet at parking lot 4. 9:30amnoon. Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. CVC, 1-800-668-5557; cvc.ca

SEP 11 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE

CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT Lunch, 18 holes, cart, prizes. Registration 11am, lunch noon, shotgun tee-off 1pm. $150; $575 per foursome, register online or by email caledonsenior@rogers.com. Proceeds to the centre and satellite programs. 11am-6:30pm. Glen Eagle Golf Club, 15731 Regional Rd 50, Caledon. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

SEP 19 : GOLF 4 BETHELL HOSPICE

18 holes with shared power cart, breakfast, BBQ, cash bar, prizes and silent auction. Register online at golf4bethellhospice.ca. 7:30am4pm. $250. Lionhead Golf Club, 8525 Mississauga Rd, Brampton. Bethell Hospice Foundation, 905-838-3534; foundation.bethellhospice.org

SEP 24 : ORANGEVILLE HEALING

CYCLE RIDE FOR BETHELL HOSPICE

To register for our team online. Meet at Hoffmann-LaRoche Ltd Parking Lot, 7070 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga. Virtual Option: Sep 1 to 30. See website. 8am-5pm. $40. thehealingcycle.ca

OCT 1 : TRAIL DONATION DAY AT ISLAND LAKE CONSERVATION

AREA Donations collected for the Vicki Barron Trail reroute project at the entrances off 4th Ave, Hockley Rd, Hurontario St N and the gatehouse. 9am-3pm. Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. CVC, 1-800-6685557; Friends of Island Lake, cvc.ca

OCT 1 : CALEDON HILLS BRUCE

TRAIL DAY 2023 Guided hikes and family activities. 9:30am-2:30pm. Free. Riverside Woods Nature Reserve, 713403 1st Ln Mono(west parking lot). Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club, caledonbrucetrail.org

NOV 1 : MONORA PUMPKIN TRAIL

Bring your carved, lit pumpkin to light the Monora trails! Drop-off 8am-5pm. Trail open 5:30-8:30pm. 8am-8:30pm. Free. Monora Park Pavilion, 500 Monora Park Dr, Mono. 519-941-3599; townofmono.com

THEATRE & FILM

SEP 10 – 24 : THE FARNDALE AVENUE HOUSING ESTATE TOWNSWOMEN’S GUILD DRAMATIC SOCIETY’S PRODUCTION OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL The guild ladies mount another hilarious production. Fri Sat 8pm. Sun 2:30pm. $20. 72 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. 519-855-4586; centurychurchtheatre.com

OCT 21 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: STAND-UP STITCHES CURATED BY KEESHA BROWNIE Where comedians, comedy lovers and entertainment seekers convene. 8pm. The Rose Studio II, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. 905-874-2800; rosetheatre.ca

OCT 26 : CASTING OFF Witty and poignant circus show is a refreshing conversation between three generations. Family-friendly. 8pm. Lester B. Pearson Theatre, 150 Central Park Dr, Brampton. Rose Theatre, 905-874-2800; rosetheatre.ca

SEP 29 : COMEDY KICK OFF, CREEMORE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

Laugh it up with award-winning comedian Martha Chavez, featuring Laurie Elliot, hosted by Zabrina Douglas. 8pm. $30, reserve. Creemore Legion. Purple Hills Arts & Heritage Society, 705-466-9906; phahs.ca

OCT 2, 16, NOV 6 & 20 : MONDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES Save the dates. Website updated as films confirmed. Showtimes: 4:30, 7 and 9:10pm. $10 cash, from BookLore or at the theatre on movie night. Galaxy Cinemas, 85 5th Ave, Orangeville. mondaynightmovies.ca

OCT 12 – 14, 18 : HAMLET – STARRING AHAD RAZA MIR A furious and fastpaced Hamlet for our times. Wed-Fri 8pm. Sat 2 & 8pm. The Shakespeare Company, Hit & Myth Productions, Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. 905-874-2800; rosetheatre.ca

OCT 12 – 29 : THE VIEW FROM HERE Mary and Michael are seeing the view in a different and hilarious way! ThuSat 7:30pm. Sun 2pm. Oct 14, 21 & 29: Talk Back events. Oct 26: 2pm, relaxed performance. Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-942-3423; theatreorangeville.ca

OCT 20 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: QUEERIAHCITY CURATED BY ANU RADHA VERMA A multidisciplinary, cabaret-style night for 2SLGBTQ+ communities and supporters. 8pm. The Rose Studio II, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. 905-874-2800; rosetheatre.ca

OCT 26 – 28 : THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES PRESENTED BY THE HIVE Celebrate women’s experiences, challenges, taboo topics, female empowerment and an end to violence against girls and women. Thu, Fri 8pm. Sat 2 & 8pm. Cyril Clark Theatre, 20 Loafers Lake Ln, Brampton. Rose Theatre, 905-874-2800; rosetheatre.ca

OCT 28 : MURDER AT THE MASQUERADE Determine which partygoer is guilty and save the party! Dance, cash bar and food to purchase. No ATM on site. 7-11pm. $40. Creemore Village Green, 181 Mill St, Creemore. Clearview Township Small Halls Festival, 705428-6230 x262; smallhallsfestival.ca

NOV 3 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: IMMIGRANTS WITH ATTITUDE CURATED BY SUNNY CHAHAL OF LAAL BUTTON Comics who have fully lived the immigrant experience in Canada. Featuring Vishal Ramesh and Sunny Deewana. 8pm. The Rose Studio II, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. 905-874-2800; rosetheatre.ca

NOV 9 – 11 : JAKE’S GIFT A Canadian WWII veteran’s reluctant return to Normandy, France. 7:30pm. The Rose Studio II, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. 905-874-2800; rosetheatre.ca

NOV 25 : THE JAY MARTIN COMEDY SERIES Stand-up, games, skits and crowd involvement. 8pm. Lester B. Pearson Theatre, 150 Central Park Dr, Brampton. Rose Theatre, 905874-2800; rosetheatre.ca

MARY BRETT, FARMERETTE

As World War II raged in the spring of 1943, the halls of Shelburne High School suddenly became, if not quite silent, much quieter. Fifty of the school’s 122 students had packed away pencils and books and, answering the call to support the war effort, gone to work on farms.

Mary Brett, pictured in the foreground, was one of the 50. At 17, she joined the Ontario Farm Service, which included the “farmerette” (yes, really!) program for young women.

Living in camps supervised by the YWCA, farmerettes worked on farms during those wartime summers – for 25 cents an hour, less $4.50 a week for room and board. Still, as a bonus, those in Grade 13 could be exempted from the dreaded senior matriculation exams.

And it wasn’t all work. Away from the strictures of home, friendships were formed, boyfriends were acquired, and loads of fun was had. By all accounts, many of the farmerettes counted those summers as their best ever.

But for Mary, with two older brothers in active service, worry must have cast an unwelcome shadow. And in 1944, that worry proved well-founded. Her brother Robert was lost – along with all hands – when his ship, HMCS Shawinigan, was torpedoed by a German submarine.

Perhaps inspired by the memory of her brother, Mary herself went on to a career as a nurse in the Canadian navy.

— DYANNE RIVERS

OpenTable Diner s’ Choice A ward for one of the Best Healthy Restaurants in the Peel Region.

THE VISTA BY CHEF DENIS

Discover the Magic of Patio Dining at The Vista Restaurant this season. Immerse yourself in a charming outdoor setting, where you can savour delectable dishes while enjoying the picturesque views of Caledon’s hills. 20706 Heartlake Road, Caledon ON L7K 2A2

Tel: 365.200.2031 | www.thevistarestaurant.ca