Autumn In The Hills

FALL INTO ART THIS SEASON DRONES : SEEING OUR WORLD AS THE BIRDS DO GET SAUCY WITH TOMATOES HEAD OUTSIDE WITH THE KIDS!

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Small and mighty

FEATURES

34 BIRD’S-EYE VIEW

For professionals and hobbyists alike, camera drones are revealing a whole new way of seeing and understanding our world BY ANTHONY JENKINS

45 SHE SAYS TOMATO

Inspired by her Mediterranean roots, chef and TV host Liz Fusato builds a hearty fall menu around a simple and tantalizing roasted tomato sauce paired with homemade pasta BY

EMILY DICKSON

57 A STROLL THROUGH INGLEWOOD

A roving illustrator meets a cowboy, a farmer, a pastry and a warm breeze BY

FISHER MONAHAN

60 THE ART OF MORE

The local art scene explodes this fall with a greater number of juried shows, country studio tours and buzzy events than we’ve seen in a long time BY

TRALEE PEARCE

62 9 WAYS TO GET OUTSIDE WITH KIDS THIS AUTUMN

From visiting a farm to painting en plein air, make this a fall season to remember with the young ones in your life BY

STEPHANIE CASINO ESGUERRA

DEPARTMENTS

21 LETTERS Our readers write

25 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE Mamdouh Al Hariri

27 FIELD NOTES

Fairs, theatre and drumming to perk up your autumn BY EMILY

DICKSON

31 FENCE POSTS

Things are getting better BY DAN NEEDLES

52 FOOD AND DRINK

Stock up on sourdough, slurp soup, visit a foodie exhibit and toast a local restaurateur BY EMILY DICKSON

69 MEET THE MAKER A colourful take on basket weaving BY JANICE QUIRT

Cozy candles, upcycled denim finds and precious dried flowers BY

JANICE QUIRT

73 COUNTRY LIVING 101

How to wind down your vegetable patch this autumn and prime it to provide plentiful produce next season BY ALISON M

c GILL

75 TAKE A HIKE Shelly Anderson’s Lolli-loop BY NICOLA

ROSS

78 HEADWATERS NEST

Making space for public places BY BETHANY LEE

80 OVER THE NEXT HILL

Change: the older we get, the faster it comes BY GAIL GRANT

82 AT HOME IN THE HILLS An Orangeville family reflects on their time living in one of Zina Street’s century homes BY JANICE QUIRT

98 FIND AN ADVERTISER

118 BACK STORY The fire “excape” at Shelburne’s old school on the hill BY DYANNE RIVERS 71 MADE IN THE HILLS

102 WHAT’S ON A calendar of autumn happenings

76 A DAY IN THE LIFE Brewer Mike Brooks BY TONY REYNOLDS

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EDITOR AND PUBLISHER

Tralee Pearce

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Dyanne Rivers

ART DIRECTOR

Kim van Oosterom

Wallflower Design

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Anthony Fenech

Erin Fitzgibbon

Rosemary Hasner

Elaine Li

Pete Paterson

ILLUSTRATORS

Shelagh Armstrong

Fisher Monahan

Ruth Ann Pearce

Jim Stewart

WRITERS

Emily Dickson

Stephanie Casino Esguerra

Gail Grant

Anthony Jenkins

Bethany Lee

Alison McGill

Dan Needles

Janice Quirt

Tony Reynolds

Nicola Ross

Roberta Fracassi

Erin Woodley

Cindy Caines Dillman

ADVERTISING

Marion Hodgson

Type & Images

Janet Kerr

DIGITAL EDITORS

Emily Dickson

Janice Quirt

FOUNDING PUBLISHER Signe Ball

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 $32.95 for 1 year and $58.95 for 2 years (including HST).

© 2024 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: tralee@inthehills.ca.

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The ad booking deadline for the winter (November) issue is Friday, October 18, 2024.

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I PASSING THE TORCH

t has been a long time in the planning, but as of this issue, I am very pleased to announce that Tralee Pearce is taking over as the new owner and publisher of In The Hills. I couldn’t be more delighted.

Tralee has deep roots in this community. She lives in Mono on the farm where she grew up – and where, full disclosure, I married her father, Doug Pearce. Tralee was in her 20s at that time and working in Ottawa, but we quickly formed a bond not only through our mutual devotion to her father but also through our work as journalists.

When Doug became ill in 2012, Tralee moved back to the country to be nearby, and not long afterward, in 2014, she became associate editor of In The Hills, bringing with her a wealth of experience. After her start at the Ottawa Sun, and a stint with Now Magazine, she spent 15 years at the Globe and Mail as a writer and editor of lifestyle, health and news stories. She also freelanced for publications such as Canadian Living and Modern Farmer.

In addition to her considerable writing and editing contributions to In The Hills, Tralee has also managed several special projects. These include the 2023 refresh of the magazine’s design, the upgrade and ongoing management of our website and social media, and our DEI initiative. She also co­ordinated “25 under 25,” our forward­looking 25th anniversary celebration of local young people. It was produced in print and onstage in partnership with our longtime friends at Theatre Orangeville and the Museum of Dufferin. (Most of those young people had not been born when In The Hills, the theatre and the museum launched in 1994!)

But as happy as I am that Tralee is keeping the magazine within our family, even more important, she is keeping it within the In The Hills family. Over the past decade, she has forged strong working relationships with all the people on our masthead – that hard­core team of remarkable editors, contributors, ad sales managers and operations staff who dedicate their talents to making In The Hills the voice of our community and countryside.

As for me, I retire with mixed feelings, of course, but the

dominant one is profound gratitude to that same exceptional team – some of whom have been with the magazine almost from the beginning and have become as much friends as colleagues. It has been an extraordinary privilege to work with people so passionately driven by common purpose. If I could, I would name you all in brilliant lights on this page. But there is one, I know you’ll all agree, who deserves a special shout out: our art director Kim van Oosterom. For more than 25 years, Kim has magically transformed the raw ingredients of our words and photos into the visual feast that is so essential to the character of the magazine.

I am also extremely grateful to our advertisers. Your willingness to trust us to deliver your message is what keeps us going. And of course, I am forever grateful to our loyal readers throughout Headwaters. You are what it is all about. Thank you for welcoming us into your homes four times a year, and for assuring us over and over again that you think of In The Hills as your magazine – the best compliment of all.

I leave in confidence that under Tralee’s stewardship, the magazine will continue to tell the diverse stories that reflect and honour the people and landscape of our beautiful and beloved hills.

Thank you again and to all. It has been the pleasure of a lifetime.

Addendum: I also leave on one particular note of pride. When I arrived in Caledon in 1974, it was a brand new town, though still very much tuned to the rhythms of agricultural life. As determined as we were to fit in, our new farmer neighbours, the Petch brothers, issued the dictum, not unkindly, that we would have to live here for at least 20 years before we could be considered “local.” The community has grown and changed enormously since then, but the Petches’ words have always stayed with me. The brothers may have underestimated the timing a bit, but as I lope off into the country sunset, I like to think that somewhere along the way I did finally make the grade.

PETE PATERSON

Signe Ball (left) and Tralee Pearce.

Back in the dark ages of the late 1990s, when I was an arts writer at the Ottawa Sun and Googling everything wasn’t yet a thing, I would often call my father at home in Mono – on a landline! – and ask him to consult one of his many reference books for a fact or detail relevant to my work.

One day, as I was trying to write a review of a dance performance at the National Arts Centre, I lazily dialled him for help describing the production’s backdrop. What the heck is that famous gold­leafed painting by Gustav Klimt called? Is there a “p” in Klimt?

When he picked up, my dad unusually – albeit gently – cut the call short and promised to call me back the next day. When he did, he told me he had met a woman he cared for, Signe. He explained that they had been together when I called about Klimt, and he hadn’t wanted to ignore her to shuffle off to his library. I was thrilled at the news. They married shortly thereafter.

What I’ve come to learn in the years since is that I wish he had passed the phone to Signe when I first called. She would have known the answer to my questions off the top of her head. After working with her closely for almost 10 years, and as I now step into her shoes, it’s hard not to be in awe of her encyclopedic knowledge of oh­so­many topics, but especially of the Headwaters region – its people, history, natural environment, and the issues that shape it. She is driven by a fierce curiosity about the world around her, a trait I consider embedded in the DNA of this magazine.

Signe’s curiosity, however, isn’t merely a tool to accumulate more facts and figures; it serves a greater drive, which is to reveal and build connections among readers, advertisers and the people we interview, including farmers, artists, chefs, nature experts, volunteers, athletes, municipal officials, business owners and others. The reality is they’re often one and the same – many are neighbours who haven’t yet met in person, but who meet in our pages. And whether through calls, letters to the editor, or now even texts, we learn about where those connections take people: in many cases, to places worthy of yet more fascinating stories in In The Hills.

So, as I look to the future as the new owner and publisher of this magazine, I'm grateful not only for what I’ve learned from Signe about the craft and hard work of magazine making, but also for the way she has encouraged our communities to care deeply about the stories they have to tell and to trust In The Hills to do those stories justice.

I aim to stay curious, to ask as many questions as I answer, and to honour the incredible legacy Signe has built over more than three decades. I hope you’ll join me in thanking her for her dedication to Headwaters and to all of us. Personally, I have so much more to thank her for. Now that neither of my parents is still living, Signe remains a guiding force in my life, even if she takes a step back from her work role.

On that note, Signe, if you don’t pick up that phone when I call seeking wisdom, I do know where you live!

AUTUMN ONLINE

Bake you happy

Fill your kitchen with heavenly scents this fall with these sweet recipes from top local bakers.

Stretch your legs

So long sweat and mosquitoes. Hello crisp, cool autumn days. Head outdoors for fall fun and reconnect with nature.

Tie the knot

Plan ahead for the perfect autumn wedding with our guide to country venues, along with officiants who can oversee your vows.

MEET THREE OF THIS ISSUE’S CREATIVE CONTRIBUTORS

Rosemary Hasner

Rosemary Hasner has been a contributor to In The Hills for over 25 years. A well-known and award-winning local photographer and digital artist, she has been the photographer for three books: Dufferin County, with fellow In The Hills contributor Nicola Ross, The Maple Syrup Book, and the best-selling Nature Hikes: Near-Toronto Trails and Adventures. Rosemary’s favourite assignments for In The Hills are almost always those that include beautiful gardens, and she says the best part of working for the magazine is the fascinating people she meets. Recently, her photos appeared in stories on Procyon Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, backyard ice rinks and roadside flowers. When she’s not in her studio or behind a camera, Rosemary can often be found on her mountain bike on the trails in Mansfield or hiking with her two rescue dogs, Jackson and Lily.

Stephanie Casino Esguerra

Stephanie is a busy creative living in Orangeville with her husband, two young daughters, and a dog named Tuna (yes, like the fish). By day she works as a marketing communications professional. After hours she is an illustrator, painter, jewelry designer, and freelance writer for various Canadian publications such as Quip Magazine and Sidewalk Hustle. Since moving to the area in 2021, she’s enjoyed learning about Dufferin County, and she is excited to be contributing to In The Hills for the first time with a piece about engaging children in outdoor exploration this autumn. In her spare time Stephanie pursues yoga, Pilates, reading (you may run into her at your local library – she is always searching for her next read), hiking, jogging, thrifting and discovering new eateries. The Museum of Dufferin opens an exhibit of Stephanie’s art – Anima(lis) – on September 14, 2024.

Emily Dickson

Emily joined the core In The Hills team in 2022 as the digital editor responsible for managing the website, but in addition to wrangling with WordPress she seizes any opportunity to write for the magazine. Hailing from the small Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago, and having lived all over the globe, the Orangeville resident applies her experience as a travel and tourism writer to researching and writing our “Food and Drink” column and “Field Notes,” a roundup of seasonal events and activities. Her recent deep-dive feature topics have included the growing demand for non-alcoholic beverages, the Caribbean community in Headwaters, and the pleasures of baking with fruit from local orchards. In this issue she meets local Orangeville foodie Elizabeth Fusato for an Italian autumn feast starring an easy roasted tomato sauce, handmade pasta and a grilled radicchio salad.

Still Iain

Thank you to writer Gail Grant and photographer Rosemary Hasner for the very moving and informative article on Iain and Jane Richmond and their journey with Alzheimer’s disease [“Still Iain” summer ’24]. When my wife and I moved to Orangeville in 1971 so I could begin my teaching career at Orangeville District Secondary School, Iain, as a drama and English teacher, became a mentor and good friend. He and Jane were exceptional hosts, and ensured that my wife, Trish, and I felt welcomed and included in the community.

During those years at ODSS, Iain and I collaborated on a couple of musical productions (You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and The Wizard of Oz). His leadership and patience with cast and crew were enviable. His natural ability to encourage and bring out the best in his students was evidenced by the affection students had for him.

Sometime in the late 1970s or ’80s, Iain and I played Oscar Madison and Felix Unger respectively in a Shelburne Little Theatre production of The Odd Couple. The reviews weren’t sensational, but the rehearsals and performances were.

Gail Grant’s description of Alzheimer’s disease, and Jane Richmond’s comments on the role of the caregiver, emphasize how much work needs to be done both for those suffering from the disease and those who care for them. Jane’s sentence, “[Iain] is still the easygoing, gentle soul he always was” is belied by the work she does to sustain that state.

I wish them both well. The photograph of Jane and Iain was wonderful – who would guess what they were experiencing? They are fortunate, as Jane says, to have family and community to support them.

— Rick Chambers, Waterloo

I read with much interest, and some sadness, Gail Grant’s article “Still Iain.”

Iain Richmond was my beloved English teacher at ODSS back in the 1970s. He taught with compassion, humour and insight. He directed me in the school musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. I remember, as a bussed student from Palgrave, that he and Jane would occasionally have me to their home for dinner. It made the hours from school dismissal to rehearsal time much more bearable. They were so very kind. As a result of Gail’s article, I contacted Jane and arranged a visit with them both. It was a delightful afternoon. Iain was in

fine form. Despite his diagnosis, he was charming, interested and full of fun.

The article further resonated with me as my own husband, Glenn, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2023, and we are currently navigating the same journey. Like Jane and Iain, we are taking it one day at a time. It is very hard watching a loved one’s world get smaller. Community support, as mentioned in the article, is important and necessary, especially for caregivers.

— Martha Wheelwright Griffin, Caledon

As a longtime reader of In the Hills, I was touched by the article “Still Iain” [summer ’24). I am so inspired when families share their stories, as vulnerable as this must feel. I appreciate the challenges Jane and Iain faced, yet the wonderful supports they were able to engage. It is a terrifying, stressful and exhausting time for everyone, including the patient.

In 2019, I joined the national board of the Women’s Brain Health Initiative after learning that, until 2012, there was no gender­specific research, meaning that any diagnosis for women was based on research conducted on male rodents.

Did you know?

• Approximately 70 per cent of Alzheimer’s sufferers are women?

• Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression, stress, and anxiety?

• Up to 40 per cent of all cases of dementia can be avoided or delayed if we make ongoing healthy lifestyle choices?

Check out wbhi.org, where you will find a wealth of resources, including our groundbreaking Brainable program, aimed at educating young minds about the importance of brain health, including the harmful effects of excess social media and tips on preserving mental wellness, upcoming events and our online magazine, MOM (Mind Over Matter), that can also be ordered in hard copy. There is so much to learn, and it starts with education and communication. After all, our brain matters.

— Brenda Dee, Singhampton (former proud chair of Family Transition Place and Mono resident for 27 years)

EDITOR’S NOTE

We received letters from readers who expressed disappointment the article did not deal with certain treatments advanced as having the potential to stop or reverse Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, particularly treatments related to genetic and diet­related factors. Notably mentioned were the Bredesen Protocol and research by scientists Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Mary Newport and Dr. Anthony Chaffee. However, it was outside the scope of the article to assess the merits of such treatments, particularly since they have not been proven by comprehensive clinical studies or, as in the case of the Bredesen Protocol, not endorsed by the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

Nevertheless, although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, some anecdotal

Iain and Jane Richmond.

WAYNE BAGULEY WAYNE BAGULEY

www.waynebaguley.com

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

evidence is encouraging, and the field of brain health is rapidly advancing with regard to genetic, dietary and lifestyle factors. The Mayo Clinic, for example, has reported connections between Alzheimer’s and a gene variant that causes insulin resistance, referred to as Type 3 diabetes. As Headwaters­based gerontologist Kiddy Klair advised in the article, it is important to keep up to date on brain health research published by reputable journals. The Alzheimer Society of Canada website includes a page offering tips for finding reliable dementia health information (alzheimer.ca).

Pity the poor spider

I read Anthony Jenkins’ article “Bugged!” [summer ’24] with interest. Just the right amount of information to not give me the creeps and well illustrated. I do have a question for him though. In the article, he says a common house spider is “most happy indoors where it remains warm and safe...” I’ve been taking them outdoors and releasing them, believing they would become trapped in the house and I was making them happy by putting them outside. Evidently I was wrong. Would Mr. Jenkins let me know what I should be doing instead of taking them outside? I have no desire to have them crawling over me, but don’t want to be mean to them either. All help appreciated. — Dorothy Pedersen, Orangeville

ANTHONY JENKINS RESPONDS

See this from the National Wildlife Federation website: “Common house spiders will live just about anywhere. They can be seen in gardens, backyards, basements, attics, barns, sheds and any other type of man­made structure.” Kim van Oosterom, who was interviewed in the article, had this to add: “House spiders also live near human dwellings, so putting them outside is fine. I’ve seen them out in our woods, so they can also live ‘rough.’ They might make their way back inside though! I’d be loath to put them out in the winter, as I wouldn’t want them to freeze.”

Life jackets?

I think the photo promoting the Island Lake Bass Fishing Derby is irresponsible [“Field Notes” summer ’24]. Three guys standing in a small aluminum boat and not a life jacket in sight. — Brent Binkley

EDITOR’S NOTE

The writer has a point. Caution might dictate that life jackets be worn at all times. However, provincial regulations require only that a life jacket for each passenger be available in the boat. We’re sure they are in this photo supplied by Credit Valley Conservation.

CORRECTION

In “Roadside Attractions” [summer ’24], a photo caption identified two plants as chicory and yellow hawksbeard. In fact, the plant with the yellow flowers is sow thistle.

We welcome your comments! For more reader commentary online, or to add your own thoughts on any of the stories appearing in this issue, visit inthehills.ca. You can also send your letters by email to tralee@inthehills.ca. Please include your name, address and contact information. In The Hills reserves the right to edit letters for publication.

ANTHONY JENKINS

MAMDOUH AL HARIRI

For Mamdouh Al Hariri, photography is both a means of expression and a life skill. This medium helped the young artist meet new people when, as a kid, he was adjusting to life in Orangeville after moving from war-torn Syria. “My past experiences inspired the ‘blurry’ photos in my collection,” he says of the approach he developed after sustaining an eye injury in Syria. “One of the permanent side effects was my drastically reduced eyesight, making everything seem blurry. The purpose of these photos is to show the viewer life through my eyes, my lens.” From street art to sports and fine art portraits, Mamdouh’s ability to capture vibrant energy in a still frame all but demands the viewer pause, drink in the moment, and look again. Find him at www.deadonimaging.com and on Instagram @scarlens.prod

Clockwise from top left • Nostalgia • Peter Pan • Street Sunset • Waves

FALL FAIRS, HALLOWEEN TREATS,

NEW THEATRE PROGRAMS AND A DRUMMING FESTIVAL TO PERK UP YOUR AUTUMN

BY EMILY DICKSON

trick or treat

Halloween has escaped the confines of October 31. Ghouls just want to have fun at Haunted Rosemont at Rosemont General Store on weekends October 18 to 20, October 25 to 27, and on Halloween.

In Orangeville, Boo on Broadway fills the street on October 19 and involves trick or treating, haunted shops and jack-o’-lanterns. Bring your costumed four-legged friends to Solomon’s Howl-o-ween Parade at the Orangeville Lions Club Sports Park on October 20 to raise funds for Autism Dog Services. This event is being spearheaded by 11-year-old Solomon Vahey, who was able to get a support dog named Major last December after a five-year wait. “Getting a service dog is a long process and families have an average wait time of three years,” says Solomon’s mother, Vivian Petho. “Training each dog takes more than $20,000 and Autism Dog Services relies entirely on donations.”

On October 26 grab a map for the free Storybook Scavenger Hunt at the Museum of Dufferin in Mulmur. The same day, kids can trick or treat at Grand Valley’s Masquerade on Main

Dress up for the Bolton Rotary Haunted Hill Run/Walk on October 27 with proceeds going to local youth programs. And although available throughout the year, consider joining one of the Haunted Orangeville Walking Tours, guided evening walks through the shadows of the downtown’s most haunted places.

(See page 66 for more Halloween fun.)

ON STAGE

Just before the curtain goes up on its fall season, Theatre Orangeville invites supporters to join them on September 15 for an Afternoon Affair fundraiser with wine and food at Adamo Estate Winery in support of the I Love My Theatre Orangeville campaign.

Then mark your calendar with the theatre’s fall offerings. In Vegas Nights, on from September 19 to 22, Derek Marshall channels the great Las Vegas crooners of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.

Head to a Newfoundland fishing village where aging pals, Gordon and Archie, aim to reclaim their vigour with a magical elixir extracted from the show’s titular Tip of the Iceberg, from October 17 to November 3.

FARMYARD FUN

The Dufferin Farm Tour offers visitors a chance to witness firsthand the daily rhythms of agricultural life with a selfguided tour around local farms. This year’s event is on September 28, and admission is a nonperishable food donation or cash for the local food banks.

PICK OF THE PATCH

Reap the rewards of the season with apple picking, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and towering sunflower fields. The annual Pumpkinfest at Downey’s Farm runs from September 21 to October 31 with wagon rides, a straw jump, duck races and a pedal cart track. Stock up on u-pick apples, pumpkins, gourds, squash and hazelnuts at Dixie Orchards. Pumpkins are available for picking at Albion Orchards – or grab a pie from their country store. Go apple picking any fall weekend at Spirit Tree Estate Cidery and stay to try their fresh cider. Catch the Rotary Club of Shelburne’s Pumpkinfest on October 12 at Natasha Peterson Memorial Park, with bouncy castles, train rides and face painting.

GATHER FOR THE GREENBELT

Start a bidding war at Gather, a fundraiser for the Greenbelt held at Hillsburgh’s Bela Farms on September 29, with fantastic food, a performance by Ken Whitely, a barn dance and a Greenbelt auction. “The 413 is very much a back door to development in the Greenbelt,” says promoter Sharon Sommerville. “These fundraisers help advocate to protect the land from attempted incursions.”

The Museum of Dufferin holds its Storybook Scavenger Hunt on October 26.

THE BEAT GOES ON

Brampton On Stage roars into the new season by presenting the third annual Flow Fest, Brampton’s International Drumming Festival, on September 21 at The Rose. Expect a “percussive party” packed with DJs, musical performances and the Flow Fest Percussion Ensemble. Also at The Rose, Moksha by Third Space toasts classical and semi-classical music from the Indian subcontinent on October 4. And in Re-Imagined: A Theatre Concert, curator Darryn de Souza shares new arrangements of Broadway hits in the The Rose Studio on October 18. And the Clearview Small Halls Festival brings music to the Creemore area with Roger Harvey on September 26 and Danny Michel on September 28. For the full roster and information on venues visit smallhallsfestival.ca.

Watch feats of strength at the Bolton Fall Fair from September 20 to 22 and livestock competitions at the Erin Fall Fair from October 11 to 14.

fair game

The fall fair season kicks off with the 157th Shelburne Fair from September 13 to 15 with ice cream giveaways, food vendors and livestock shows. The Grand Valley Fall Fair runs from September 20 to 22. Food Truck Friday starts the festivities, followed by a weekend of pet shows, a Gaming RV, an “Escape Trailer” and “Farmer Olympics.”

Don’t miss the Bolton Fall Fair ’s Truck and Tractor Pull event, plus pie-eating and potato-peeling contests, a rodeo and a demo derby from September 20 to 22. And Erin’s strong equine roots are on full display at the Erin Fall Fair from October 11 to 14, with horses and other livestock events, truck and tractor pulls, food vendors, carnival rides and live music. It’s not inconceivable to hit them all.

MORE MUSIC AND DANCE!

The fall festival calendar bursts with inspiration. Visitors to the Caledon Creative Arts Festival can enjoy acts that include The Rolling Coyotes, Irie Vibes and the Matthew & Richard Jazz Duo, on September 28 at the Caledon East Community Centre. And catch an African dance performance when Bolton’s Humber River Centre hosts Caledon CultureFest on October 5.

The Creemore Festival of the Arts takes place from October 4 to 6. Take a lesson in Punjabi folk dancing with well-known Yukonbased Bhangra booster Gurdeep Pandher on October 5 at the Creemore Legion. That evening, catch 2024 Juno songwriter of the year, Toronto-based Oji-Cree musician Aysanabee, in concert at St. John’s United Church in Creemore. (See more about the visual arts and studio tour components of these festivals on page 60.)

BOOKS ON THE GO

Shelburne’s Foodland now hosts a mobile Shelburne Public Library kiosk so shoppers can borrow a book without making an extra trip.

IN CONVERSATION

Sassy Canadian journalist and author Elizabeth Renzetti will read from her new book, What She Said: Conversations About Equality, at the Museum of Dufferin on October 30.

Flow Fest, Brampton’s International Drumming Festival, takes place on September 21.

THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER

BY DAN NEEDLES • ILLUSTRATED BY SHELAGH ARMSTRONG

THERE IS AN OLD JOKE FROM THE GREAT Depression: Two hobos are discussing the economy and one says he thinks things must be getting better because he just saw a rabbit and no one was chasing it. The other cautions him that it could just have been one of those rabbits people catch to milk and then let go again.

I had a similar feeling last week when my wife sent me off to a nearby town to buy a new rooster she had found on Facebook Marketplace.

“How much do they want?” I asked warily. During the pandemic the price of live chickens went through the roof and I exited the market. In fact, chickens suddenly got expensive even before Covid. Speculators were paying 50 bucks for a pair of Easter egg chickens at the Fur and Feather auctions. Guinea hens were even more. It was like the Dutch tulip mania of the 1600s. Sanity just flew out the window. I haven’t been able to afford a chicken for five years.

“She wants five bucks,” my wife said.

My goodness, I thought. The old price. Something has changed. I went off with my little poultry travelling cage and drove for an hour over the Canadian Shield into cottage country. Which gave me time to think. I originally trained as an economist and we studied a host of conventional indicators to figure out which way things were going – employment figures, the Consumer Price Index, consumer durables, factory orders, and that sort of thing. Stockbrokers had their own pet theories, based on trends such as the length of women’s skirts and the width of men’s ties. But these were unscientific and no more reliable than tea leaves. Even back then

I had a parallel existence far away from the chrome and glass office towers of the city, because I spent every weekend back on the farm. I noticed the signs for every major sea change in the economy were often visible first in grain and livestock markets.

Has the chicken bubble finally burst? I wondered. My friend Ron, at the loading dock of BJS Farm Supply, said he thought I was onto something. He says the backyard chicken people are still buying bags

Speculators were paying 50 bucks for a pair of Easter egg chickens at the Fur and Feather auctions. Guinea hens were even more. It was like the Dutch tulip mania of the 1600s.

of feed for laying hens, but no one is asking for feed for meat birds anymore. That’s because by the time you feed a meat chicken and pay to have it processed, the chicken is worth 25 dollars. You can buy them cooked in Loblaws for $12.99.

“I think the bloom is off the rose for backyard chickens,” said Ron. But even in agriculture the signs can be confusing. For example, every time there’s a divorce, I get more chickens dumped on me. Sometimes I get the chicken house too. But that’s probably a symptom of another sort and not a pure

macroeconomic signal. People have been dumping livestock off on me for 35 years now, through good times and bad.

I found the woman who had advertised the rooster on the main street of Orillia in front of the town hall. She was a single mother in an old minivan with two kids, and she called me “dear.” She had just dropped off her mother for a medical appointment. The rooster was a little barred rock variety that had just got his feathers and he sat quietly in her hand without trying to escape. I asked her why she was selling him so cheap.

“He’s a friendly little guy and I have too many. I just wanted him to go to a good home.”

She was clearly not a chicken speculator. I gave her ten. The retired guys on the park bench in front of the town hall smiled as I walked back to the truck with the rooster in my hands. I think they were more used to watching drug deals unfold in front of them and found the exchange charming.

So does this mean a cut in interest rates is coming? Will house prices come down? Only the chicken knows for sure, and he isn’t talking. As a species, we are not good at predicting anything. We are wrong on average ten times out of ten. But we are brilliant at adapting to what does happen. That’s why there are 8 billion of us on the planet.

In late­breaking news, my wife has just found guinea hens for four bucks. But they’re in Renfrew, which is a five­hour drive away.

Humorist and playwright Dan Needles lives on a small farm in Nottawa. His latest book is Finding Larkspur: A Return to Village Life (Douglas & McIntyre, 2023).

Septem ber 20 - October 13

Celebrate Caledon’s Cultural Vi brancy

Culture Days is a national celebration of arts, culture and heritage happening this fall

This free, month-long festival is a behind-the-scenes, immersive experience of Caledon's rich arts and culture scene. Meet local creatives and celebrate our heritage on Caledon's 50th anniversary year.

www.caledon.ca/culturedays

STUDIO TOUR

Sat & SuN, Septem ber 21-22

11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Embark on a self- guided road trip to 18 stops across the Town of Caledon. Meet and shop from over 25 ar tists and experience a behind-the -scenes look at their creative processes, tools and techniques. Join us for a Studio Tour opening reception at the Alton M ill on Saturday, September 21 at 11 a.m. for refreshments and enter tainment.

Explore a Month of Creative an d Cultural Activiti es

Join us for a variety of events and activities, including Art in the Park for kids, mural art workshops, pet-themed print-making, yoga in the park, Zentangle drawing, mermaid-led swim and sing, themed public skate, live music, heritage bus tours, lm screenings, and musical roller-skating. For a full list of programs, including locations, timings, and registration details, visit caledon.ca/culturedays.

Creative

Arts Festival

Saturday, Septem ber 28

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Immerse yourself in live music and per formances, get hands- on in workshops and browse a curated ar ts market in the fresh fall air From tex tile and ceramic ar tists to illustrators and authors, don' t miss out on this day of creativity, community and fun!

Caledon

A D ay o f Cre ativ i t y a n d Fun at C aledon’s A nn ua l A r ts C elebr ation! Exper i ence t h e W orld at C aledon’s

CultureFest

Saturday, October 5

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Indulge in international cuisine, enjoy dynamic dance per formances, and par ticipate in craf ts and ac tivities with IDEA Caledon's celebration of global cultures. Experience the inaugural CultureFEST this fall and explore our diverse heritage!

BIRD ’ S-EYE

For professionals and hobbyists alike, camera drones are revealing a whole new way of seeing and understanding our world.

BY ANTHONY JENKINS

“Bird’s­eye view” is a common phrase that, beyond the literal, has long represented a mere fanciful human hope.

No longer.

Now, within limits and laws, any one of us, without wings or airfare, can enjoy an intimate, bird’s­eye view of our Headwaters home. It just takes a drone. A camera drone.

In its simplest form, a drone is a battery­powered, rotorfan­driven flying device containing one or two small cameras that offer an entirely new, often breathtaking, perspective on our world. Piloted from the ground by a hand­held controller, these relatively affordable, highly manoeuvrable machines allow us to soar above the treetops, swoop low over fields or skim along a waterway.

Little birds take such views for granted.

With skill, practice and care, you could – which is not to say you should – find yourself piloting a small, humming drone on a low­level lap around your kitchen island, chasing the dog upstairs into the guest bedroom, then exiting through

CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

Aquatic ecologist Jon Clayton often flies his drone low over waterways to monitor, for example, beaver dams or spawning brook trout.

S-EYE VIEW

an open window and soaring up past startled back­garden goldfinches to 120 metres above your property.

Well, possibly. Fun and frivolous have their place, but drones for the hobbyist or the professional are now available in an impressive range of sophistication, cost and application, and are increasingly present in, and above, Headwaters.

Monitoring a watershed Seeking “seeps, springs and thermal plumes,” or merely examining the state of the shingles on a pal’s roof, Jon Clayton flies what he calls an “entrylevel” DJI Mavic Mini camera drone for both personal enjoyment and as part of his working life.

An aquatic ecologist with Credit Valley Conservation, Clayton is an avowed photography and nature lover and a fan of technology. In addition to operating several cameras, trail cams and an underwater GoPro, he has been flying camera drones for more than half a decade, blending personal passion and professional projects.

On Saturday mornings, he takes pleasure in piloting flights above the wetlands behind his home. But on weekdays, he may guide his drone –always within his sight – in careful patterns a couple of metres above his watery Credit River Valley workplace, seeking to confirm re­naturalizing after a pond restoration or to watch spawning brook trout in barely accessible streams. The drone sends images to the screen of a handheld controller or his cell phone.

Last winter he used the drone to find a pesky beaver’s dam on a

tributary of Shaw’s Creek. The dam was causing water levels to rise and drawing complaints from residents.

“We went out to take a look,” says Clayton. “Because of ice conditions, we couldn’t go out where the dam was. I used my drone to fly to places we felt the dam might be. That saved us some wallowing in the mud or wandering out onto ice that was unsafe. A drone provides me a very prompt and up­to­date perspective. It can get us into areas that are challenges to get to.” Though he adds firmly, “I’m very cautious about where I fly, when I fly and how I fly.”

Accessing some areas is challenging for the machine itself. “I’m not doing many very high shots,” Clayton says. “I’m flying the drone among the trees. For trout and chinook salmon videos, I’m relatively low over some fairly narrow streams. The danger of crashing goes up.” But he has tipped only one drone into the drink. His current drone cost “about $1,000” several years ago. Since then,

they have come down in price and up in quality. These days a basic model sells for less than $200 at Best Buy.

Following the rules

Drones can be insured, but they must be flown with circumspection and adhere to very specific rules. Transport Canada classes all but the smallest and simplest hobby drones as remotely piloted aircraft, or RPAs – and the rules are strict. Any machine weighing between 250 grams and 25 kilograms must be registered with Transport Canada and be clearly marked with its registration number.

A drone operator must possess an RPAS (remotely piloted aircraft systems) licence at all times while flying. The licence is obtained by writing an online exam. Small recreational drones below a quarter kilo may be flown unlicensed – and carefully.

Except in exceptional circumstances and by special licence, a drone must be flown within the operator’s or an

observer’s line of sight, no higher than 122 metres AGL (slightly more than 400 feet above ground level ) and no closer than 30 horizontal metres to any bystander, as well as at specified safe distances from airports, heliports, emergency operations, controlled airspaces and security perimeters. Many drones are preprogrammed not to exceed these regulations.

Fines for transgressions are $1,000 for recreational fliers, $5,000 for commercial operators – and considerably more, including jail time, for endangering people or aircraft.

Drones may not be operated by the impaired or intoxicated, from a vehicle, by those under 14 without supervision, or across international borders.

Remote­controlled drones must yield at all times to powered aircraft,

Real estate agents were quick to see the marketing potential of drones. This enrapturing photograph over a Caledon farm is from a current listing of broker Kaitlan Klein.

airships, gliders and balloons. And they must not be used to chase, pursue, harass, capture, injure or kill wildlife. Larger drones may not carry a payload that includes explosives, corrosives, biohazards or weapons.

Simple etiquette (and complicated trespass and voyeurism laws) demand the privacy of others be respected. Nosy bird’s­eye views over only your own or unrestricted public property are the accepted standard.

Serving and protecting Drones flown by the Ontario Provincial Police are much less restricted.

“With special permission, we can fly anywhere we need to fly,” says OPP officer and RPAS advanced licence holder Kyle Maki, one of 150 or so licensed officers on the force.

His is a specialized role requiring a significant commitment to crosstraining in the many applications of drone use in policing, including crowd control, disaster response, accident

reconstruction, lost­person searches and fugitive escapes.

Local OPP detachments do not have dedicated drone pilots. Officers like Maki are members of specialized units (search and rescue, forensic identification, etc.) and part of a broader aviation unit that includes police airplanes and helicopters. They can be called in anywhere in the province as necessary.

“Even though I’m an accident reconstructionist, I’m driving around with a drone in my vehicle. If we have a missing child or a fugitive search nearby, I can head to that,” Maki says.

The drone in his trunk is either a DJI Mavic 3T Pro or a DJI Mavic 2 Pro, both models regularly flown by the OPP. Each system costs about $12,000 and is “definitely not a Walmart drone.”

Drones are, he says, quite handy for “orthomosaic mapping”; that is, taking and digitally combining many small, incremental photographs from different angles and perspectives, and combining them into a large and

complete picture of a “fatal or lifealtering” road accident scene.

In the past, this role fell to a cop with a camera and tape measure.

Police drones equipped with thermal apps can fly missions at night and in inclement weather, seeking the heat signatures of lost people or pets. They can also be used to access dangerous or damaged structures, assessing their stability.

For Big Brother alarmists, Maki stresses, “Drones are never used for enforcement or covert operations – following someone around who is under active police investigation. There is a fear we will hover, watching for speeders or seatbelts (unfastened) or cellphone use (while behind the wheel). Emergency situations only is our role for them.”

Creating multimedia promotions

Avoiding an emergency, or indeed any situation not meticulously planned, is crucial to the eye­catching drone videos used in the marketing packages created by multidisciplinary Grand Valley artist Anthony Fenech of Fenech Designs.

To such traditional tools as pen, paintbrush, camera and chisel, he has added a drone, combining its highresolution still and video images with other art in multimedia presentations.

He has been flying his current drone for nearly five years, and though more recent models have even greater capabilities, he loves the range, manoeuvrability and flight safety features of his DJI Mavic 2 Pro. With a GPS co­ordination app, he can even have it auto­follow him like a dog.

“It is so versatile!” he says. “I’m so excited to go on these microadventures.” For Fenech, however,

nestle up with a bunch of birds! It was pretty cool creating that for the town of Grand Valley to use on their website.”

graduated to using cameras fixed to a radio­controlled model aircraft with a wingspan of more than a metre.

delightful adventures are secondary to professionalism.

“I plan. I scout. I research. I call people and let them know who I’m working for and what I’m doing. It may be only a short video, but I plan everything. I go up to 400 feet and do a 360. I look at hydro lines, where the bridges and railways are. The drone will give me warnings and prompts about anything that might be alarming.

“If I’m not comfortable, I’m not doing it. If it is a liability to anyone, I’m not doing it. After planning, I can sit back and not take any risks. In a controlled space, I can pan, I can do a yaw around an object, fly it four feet off the ground – the drone is so stable.”

Much may be carefully planned, but sometimes, as in art and many other endeavours, there are happy accidents.

“In Grand Valley, from the belfry of the old schoolhouse, these pigeons were doing figure eights all day. I could

Marketing country properties

When it comes to marketing, country real estate brokers were among the early adopters of drone technology.

“We have been early pioneers of technology. We’ve always used drones to capture the beautiful country landscapes that we have here in Headwaters,” says Century 21 Millennium broker Kaitlan Klein. She has been in the business for nearly 20 years and may have aerial visuals and real estate in her DNA. Her mother, Mary Klein, has 35 years’ experience selling real estate in Caledon and the surrounding area.

And her father, Roger, a retired radio broadcaster and commercial pilot, acted as Mary’s photographer for decades, first using an SLR camera to take still shots from inside, and under, his Cessna 170B. He eventually

“You’d have a transmitter to activate ailerons and the rudder, and push a button to activate the camera,” Roger remembers. “You’d fly over a target, bank the plane and take your pictures. There was no hovering like a drone. You would fly high, maybe 200 feet, and circle, going round and round.”

When thinking about creating any drone video, Kaitlan asks herself: “Does the video serve my purpose? Does it showcase a property in its best light?”

One video that certainly did was a recent tour of a stunning 96 ­acre property in Caledon. In the video, after a thorough look through the many fine rooms of the house and outbuildings, drone­captured views zoom, sweep, dodge and dive, showcasing woodlands, meadows, wildflower gardens and a watercourse. The viewer seems to fly through the open doors of a shadow­dappled barn and out the other side, then – accompanied by a

swelling score – rises to a breathtaking panorama of sunny and rolling Headwaters countryside. Along the way, the drone follows a cyclist through tranquil woods, moves among resident geese and cattle, and could finally nestle – you would not be surprised –at the heavenly gates.

“In­town properties wouldn’t necessarily lend themselves to a drone. Those properties tend to be closer together,” Kaitlan says, adding with a nod to the Kleins’ in­house drone pilot, “We always have to be mindful about photographing neighbours or invading privacy. We don’t want to create upset with drones.”

Supporting agriculture

Above the peaceful greens, blues and tans of rural Headwaters, drones are being put to beneficial agricultural uses: assessing soil management, monitoring for pests and weeds, and diagnosing irrigation, seed and fertilizer needs, to name a few.

for application by drone (vs. from an airplane or helicopter), I think we’ll see their use continue to expand.”

Taylor Holmes, a crop adviser with Holmes Agro, an agricultural retailer and agronomic consulting business in Amaranth, can name many more.

“We are monitoring plant health. Much of the monitoring is coming down to satellite imagery. Satellite imagery has improved, and we can get good imagery from a provider,” he says in a phone interview. “The reason we use drones is for that instant diagnostic. The clarity of pictures from a drone is far more detailed and provides more clarity for field diagnostics.”

And he predicts the use of drones in agriculture will continue to grow: “The agriculture industry is learning how to operate drones on a larger scale.”

“Chemicals and crop protection products have to be regulated by the government. As they are deemed safe

But, he adds, “A lot of drone use is very experimental. Payload is the limitation. We’re not at the stage of large­scale application yet.”

If this all sounds a bit like a futuristic Buck Rogers meets rustic Mr. Green Jeans, think again.

“Current farm sizes range from very small to thousands of acres. Drones will find uses on many sizes of farms,” says Holmes. “Growers are very quick to adopt technology if it proves itself well and there is a good return on investment.”

Among those adopters is the Brakke family of Grand Valley. They’ve been using a drone for a couple of years now to scout their 400 ­acre dairy farm, where they also grow feed for their cows and some cash crops. According to Leah Brakke, the drone gives them the overview they can’t get at ground level. She says it’s a boon for identifying areas of low yield and problems such as

The Brakke family uses a drone to monitor the fields at their 400-acre dairy farm in Grand Valley, allowing them to assess yields and quickly identify problems that would be harder to detect at ground level.

mould emerging on soybeans or broken drainage tiles that could risk flooding. Now they can investigate a field without driving a machine across it and damaging the crop or compacting the soil. And the drone also saves a lot of muddy boots in the springtime.

Furthering environmental research

To the west of Headwaters’ rolling farmlands, environmental research is being carried out at the University of Waterloo to the benefit of farmers –and all of us.

Derek Robinson is an associate professor in the department of geography and environmental management – and a drone pilot. Drones pilot. He has several topend­and­then­some drones paid for through equipment grants from the university and government. Drones such as a SkyRanger R60

(about $120,000, a price that included an entire system of add­ons and components) and a relatively bargain­

basement Harris Aerial H6 (a $60,000 system), a two­metre­wide, six­rotor hexacopter that he says “looks like something out of a Star Wars movie.”

Robinson uses drones for training students as environmental scientists – drone pilots who can interface with governments, industries such as construction, environmental consultancy and infrastructure inspection – as well as for research.

“Right now I’m focusing on how to quantify carbon in trees,” he says.

Robinson will fly a drone over a forest, sending down laser pulses of light photons (known as LiDAR, or light detection and ranging). These pulses hit leaves, limbs and the ground, and return at the speed of light. With the data received, he is able to create a three­dimensional, digital replica of each tree, enabling him to measure the tree’s volume, its biomass and how much carbon it contains.

Traditionally, this was done by “destructive sampling” – cutting down, weighing and calculating. When Robinson rates his drone “state of the art,” you don’t doubt it.

In partnership with conservation authorities, municipalities and developers, one research project, known as RISE (Residential Development Impact Scorecard for the Environment), is helping to assess residential development designs.

“The applications are spectacular in what we can measure,” Robinson says. “Drones and LiDAR give us the ability to monitor environmental change and restoration activities in ways we haven’t been able to before. We can use these data and our results to ensure policies are in place to monitor and ensure our environment is improving.”

Asked to relate any drone horror stories of crashes or snafus, he offers none. “Horror stories are usually associated with recreationists. They often fly without specific goals or objectives, which can lead to poor

decisions and silly problems.”

Should drones be available to casual flyers lacking any purpose other than curiosity and fun? Robinson pauses before answering: “I like the creativity and innovation generated by people who get inspired and are able to be a garage scientist. I wouldn’t want to stifle that.”

Whether for unstifled garage science or pursuits as diverse as art, policing, promotions, environmental research, or simply snooping above your own property, drones offer the joy of seeing your surroundings as the birds do. Just don’t use them, like the recently disgraced staff of the Canadian Olympic women’s soccer team, for spying on your competition.

Anthony Jenkins is a writer and artist with a long history of looking up.

This image of the Shelburne town hall is typical of the drone images Grand Valley artist Anthony Fenech has added to the arsenal of creative tools he uses to design multimedia marketing packages.

she says tomato

INSPIRED BY HER

MEDITERRANEAN ROOTS,

CHEF AND TV HOST LIZ FUSATO BUILDS A HEARTY FALL MENU AROUND A SIMPLE AND TANTALIZING ROASTED TOMATO SAUCE PAIRED WITH HOMEMADE PASTA

BY EMILY DICKSON • PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELAINE LI

At this time of year, bushel baskets, farm stands and produce displays are bursting with firm, oval Roma or San Marzano tomatoes – a sign that many home cooks are holing up in their kitchens, pressing and preserving these beloved, low­moisture varieties for use in the coming months as a base for sauces, stews and soups. No one is more attuned to this seasonal highlight than effervescent food personality Liz Fusato, known locally as the (volunteer) host of the cooking show Dish of the Day on Rogers tv Dufferin­ Caledon, which she presented for more than five years.

chio Maggiore in northern Italy, about an hour’s drive from Venice. The kids grew up on a farm in the Niagara region, and tomatoes were always central to their repertoire of dishes. Late summer was spent harvesting, cooking and preserving tomato­based sauces to enjoy throughout the winter. Once in Canada, says Liz, the family “grew everything, and everyone in my family cooked: my mother was a butcher, my father was a hunter and forager who collected wild greens and mushrooms, my sister later became a chef … it’s in our blood.”

The key, then as now, is to let the top­notch produce do the talking, she says. “My big philosophy is don’t mess with a great thing; let’s just enhance

Liz transfers the puréed

to a skillet to rewarm before adding the fresh pasta.

Roasting tomatoes and garlic in the oven sweetens and concentrates their flavours.

the flavour. If you start with a good product, there’s very little that needs to be done. That’s the importance of buying good quality produce. You don’t have to add a lot of other ingredients to mask a lack of flavour.”

Liz, who works by day in banking, recently invited In The Hills photographer Elaine Li into the kitchen of her Orangeville home, where she lives with her partner, Gord Purdy, and their dog, Aldo. (Her daughters, Madeline and Cassandra, are grown and no longer at home.) Elaine documented the steps as Liz prepared an easy take on tradition, her roasted tomato and garlic sugo (sauce), made with fresh Roma tomatoes from Rock Garden Farms in Caledon. (In fact,

Liz and her siblings are the children of Italian parents who had immigrated to Canada from the village of MontecCONTINUED ON PAGE 48

PREVIOUS PAGE: Roasted Roma tomatoes are the backbone of Liz Fusato’s simple, homemade pasta dish.

LEFT:

tomato sauce

RIGHT:

Roasted Tomato and Garlic Sugo

SERVES 4

Sugo – simply meaning “sauce” in Italian – is a traditional tomato sauce and a staple in every Italian home. Roasting the tomato and garlic in the oven brings out the sweet juices of the tomatoes and the rich, smoky flavour of the garlic.

INGREDIENTS

600 g / 1.3 lb Roma tomatoes

1 whole garlic bulb

1 medium onion

3 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper

chilli flakes fresh basil leaves butter (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Cut tomatoes into halves or quarters and remove as much seed as possible.

Peel and cut one onion into quarters.

Cut the top off the garlic bulb. Do not remove the skin or the garlic will burn and taste bitter.

Combine the tomatoes, onion and garlic with olive oil, salt, pepper and chilli flakes and spread in an even layer on a baking sheet.

Place in the preheated oven and roast approximately 45 minutes.

Once cool to touch, squeeze the garlic out of its skin and place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until creamy.

Add torn basil to the sugo while warming it to serve. Add a knob of butter for an additional flavour boost if desired.

Refrigerate leftover sauce in a jar.

says Liz, all the ingredients for the meal, apart from the flour, were from Rock Garden.)

Because it uses fresh tomatoes and doesn’t require preserves, this particular recipe works for a busy weeknight dinner. She rounds out the menu with a classic homemade pasta, which she makes on a table downstairs in her bar area because she needs the elbow room, and a grilled radicchio salad.

And true to her philosophy, Liz’s recipes, written by hand in a thick journal, are simple and succinct. The pasta needs only two ingredients; the sauce is primarily tomato, onion and garlic; and the salad includes only two vegetables, allowing herbs and the liquid­gold olive oil to speak for themselves.

“Really these dishes are so easy to make, especially the sauce. And grilled radicchio and pasta is something that we enjoy at home all the time,” Liz says. “My mom made fresh pasta every

While hosting more than 90 instalments of Dish of the Day, which you can still watch on YouTube, Liz CONTINUED FROM PAGE 46

Sunday; it was a ritual. We’d help turn it out, and I still use her old handturning machine. It’s still going strong, and it weighs a ton!”

But you don’t need a pasta machine, Liz notes, because the dough can simply be rolled out the old­fashioned way – with a rolling pin – and cut into any shape you like. Her choice that day was pappardelle, a flat, wide noodle.

often tried her hand at other cuisines, including Caribbean, Asian and Indian. “There’s a lot of diversity in the Dufferin area, so I didn’t only focus on Italian dishes,” she says. When she was growing up in an area with few Italian families, Italian cuisine was still something of an oddity and pizza was the only commonly known dish. Cured meats, antipasto, dandelion greens and risotto were unheard of and when her family spoke of them, she says, “It was like we had three heads! It’s so different now, everyone knows about so many different foods.”

Liz’s TV job included writing the scripts, creating the recipes, preparing the ingredients and cooking on­site in a studio that didn’t even have a kitchen (she used a hot plate). This challenge forced her to be flexible and roll with the punches. “I am who I am on that set. It’s shoot­to­air, there’s no editing,” she says with her trademark infectious laugh.

These may be skills she learned in

ABOVE: Liz transforms just two ingredients – flour and eggs – into pasta, using her mother’s pasta machine. BELOW: She records her recipes by hand in a treasured recipe book.

Simple Handmade Pasta

SERVES 4

Making her grandmother’s pasta recipe every Sunday with her mother is one of Liz’s fondest childhood memories, and with only two ingredients, this is as simple as it gets. The dough can be used for any shape of noodle. For this article, Liz cut her rolled dough into noodles called pappardelle, which are about 3 cm wide. This recipe can shrink or expand to fit the number of diners. Each serving requires 100 grams (about ¾ cup) of flour and one egg.

INGREDIENTS

400 g (about 3 cups) of Italian “00” flour 4 eggs (medium-sized, at room temperature, preferably organic)

INSTRUCTIONS

Create a mound of flour and create a well in the centre. Crack the eggs into the well. Whisk the eggs.

Slowly topple the flour into the whisked egg and whisk together. Knead until smooth.

Let the dough rest for 30 minutes, covered, at room temperature.

Roll through a pasta roller until pasta is semitranslucent, or use a well-floured rolling pin on a floured cutting board to roll the dough flat.

Cut into strips 2- to 3-cm wide for pappardelle, or into any shape you prefer.

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, drop noodles into the pot and cook for 2 minutes.

Strain, then transfer noodles into the roasted tomato sauce and gently stir before enjoying immediately.

Grilled Radicchio Salad

SERVES 4

Radicchio, sometimes known as Italian chicory, is a leafy vegetable with white-veined red leaves. It’s slightly bitter if eaten raw, but grilling brings out its natural sweetness. “But overgrilling is a detriment as radicchio is quite delicate and overcooking will create a burnt, bitter-tasting dish,” Liz advises. Use as many other salad greens as you prefer for this salad.

INSTRUCTIONS

1 radicchio olive oil salt and pepper fresh greens (such as frisée or curly endive) shaved Parmigiano Reggiano balsamic vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS

Cut the radicchio lengthwise into quarters. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Grill at medium-high heat for approximately 5 minutes, turning occasionally.

Dress fresh greens with olive oil and arrange on a plate.

Lay the grilled radicchio on top of the greens, add shaved Parmigiano Reggiano and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste.

childhood. Liz vividly remembers harvest time on the family farm. It was all hands on deck, with lots of family friends arriving to pitch in, sometimes even showing up with ingredients they would simply hand to her and ask her to cook. “When I was small, I had to step into the kitchen and learn how to prepare everything,” she recalls.

“When we had family gatherings, it was easily 30 people, so by the time I was 10 years old, I was making full meals for big groups!”

Asked what the must­haves are in every Italian kitchen, her answer comes quickly: high quality olive oil, butter, garlic, onions, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, dried hot pepper flakes, oregano, an authentic Italian herb mix

and fresh basil. “Every Italian home will have these items,” she says. In addition to buying heaps of tomatoes from Rock Garden Farms, Liz shops in Bolton at Mercato Fine Foods and at Garden Foods. The latter carries “Italian staples like great anchovies, bread, seasonings, produce, a huge cheese selection, Italian sausages and deli goods. It’s the real deal.”

As is Liz. We thank her for sharing recipes that she has known and loved since she was a child, food that connects the village of Montecchio Maggiore to her community in Orangeville. Buon appetito!

Emily Dickson is a writer and editor living in Orangeville.

Liz pairs a fresh and slightly bitter salad with her pappardelle and roasted tomato sauce.

STOCK UP ON SOURDOUGH, SLURP SOUP, VISIT A FOODIE EXHIBIT AND TOAST A LOCAL RESTAURATEUR

BY EMILY DICKSON

Sourdough startup

At 19, Stefano Galati is the youngest of the third generation behind Caledon produce haven Rock Garden Farms. And he’s the baker responsible for their sourdough bread, the latest addition to the shop’s array of homemade baked goods. This season’s sourdough hits include loaves studded with jalapeño cheese, sundried tomato pesto, caramelized onions and cheese, cranberry pecan or olives and herb.

“I experiment all the time and it’s cool how it all comes together from nothing and turns into something so good,” says Stefano. A must-try before Rock Garden Farms closes for the season.

A NORDIC NOVELTY

Not a fan of the ubiquitous pumpkin spice drinks this time of year? Savour a more subtle take on fall with a Nordic Spice Latte at the Tin Roof Café in Erin. It’s infused with fragrant cardamom, sweet honey and rich vanilla. “We’ve never been a fan of pumpkin spice over here, so we have lots of other options for those looking to branch out,” says owner Rachel Craven, who recommends pairing this drink with their soft and chunky pumpkin white chocolate cookie.

LEFT: Baker Stefano Galati’s jalapeño cheese sourdough bread at Rock Garden Farms.

RIGHT: Tin Roof Café’s Nordic Spice Latte is a warming treat.

MARK YOUR CULINARY CALENDAR

yDon your lederhosen and get your schnitzel on at Caledon Hills Brewing Company’s 4th annual Oktoberfest in Palgrave from September 13 to 15, with German-inspired cuisine, live bands, craft beers, and the classic Bavarian contest of (giant) stein holding, which is guaranteed to test your upper body strength.

Stock up on locally grown goodies at the annual Honey & Garlic Festival at Albion Hills Community Farm on September 14, complete with farm tours, food vendors, fields of blooming sunflowers and dahlias, and fresh produce.

The Feast or Famine exhibition at the Museum of Dufferin showcases snapshots from Dufferin County’s early days of food production, including images of a “Dufferin Old Boys” picnic in Orangeville in 1900, Walker’s Beverages, established in 1891, and one of Canada’s oldest beekeepers, who kept an apiary in Mono/ Amaranth for six decades. The show runs until November 2.

Mushrooms are the star in RustiK Local Bistro’s creamy paccheri dish.

A decade to celebrate

Not all dishes can stand the test of time, but RustiK Local Bistro’s house pâté – served with homemade mustard, fruit compôte, pickled vegetables and crostini – has been pleasing local palates for a decade now. It’s been on the menu since July 2014, when Brett Jaggard opened her doors at the corner of Broadway and First Street in Orangeville. “I can’t believe it’s been ten years,” laughs Brett, who adds that she has worked in the building even longer. Her first gig there was as a server at the locale’s predecessor restaurant, 199, in 2006. In addition to the pâté, mushrooms, duck and venison have always appeared on the menu in some variation – and the sticky toffee pudding has been another beloved nosh from day one. A more recent innovation? Rotating varieties of must-try pillowy spaetzle noodles. Cheers to a decade of RustiK, Brett.

IN DINING OUT NEWS

After a round of golf at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley near Alton, tuck into a smash burger made with two three-ounce chuck and brisket patties and served on a toasted brioche bun. It’s one of the hearty “Sandwedges” on the menu at Two Brothers, the club’s swank new restaurant and terrace bar. Wash it down with a Two Brothers Lager or a Two Brothers IPA.

And roti lovers, don’t despair. Mrs D. Jerk, Roti and Pastry has not gone for good; she has simply moved a little north to a new location at 634041 Highway 10, opposite the 10 & 10 Garden Centre.

GOBBLE THEM UP

Adorable turkey truffles with a rich ganache filling from Debora’s Chocolates in Erin are almost too cute to consume, but they are a clever Thanksgiving dessert bite. Other seasonal treats include pumpkin pie fudge, chocolate leaves and ornate chocolate cornucopias using the finest Belgian chocolate – all handmade here for over 30 years.

Irresistible turkey truffles from Debora’s Chocolates.

SOUP-ER YUM

Warm both body and soul with a bowl of sweet and creamy butternut squash soup, a seasonal speciality at Lost Bear Market in Inglewood. Chef Victoria Simon prepares each soup,

yTrivia nerds, rejoice! Many local eateries are serving a side of brainteasers with dinner and drinks. Gather your best know-it-all friends and put your heads together over sizzling garlic butter shrimp or mozzarella sticks before competing for The Holy Ale trophy at The Dufferin Public House in Shelburne, usually on Thursdays. Head underground for a burger and fries at Peter Cellars Pub’s monthly trivia nights in Mono Centre –previous themes have included Star Wars and The Office. Or grab a cold flight at Caledon’s GoodLot Farm & Farmstead Brewing Co. and Name That Tune while fuelling up on pizza from Alton’s Gather Cafe. Orangeville’s Main Street Station gets in on the action with Wednesday quiz nights, starting September 11. A smoky brisket sandwich with aged cheddar on sourdough will propel you and your team. Check restaurants’ websites and social media for details.

Stefano’s in-house, fresh baked sourdough bread available every weekend.

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

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

April to Nov 8am to 7pm, Holidays 8am to 6pm Open all Thanksgiving weekend.

Fresh cut flowers, potted mums, grasses, potted kale, decorative ur ns, pumpkins, gourds, cor n stalks and cor n bales

www.downtownorangeville.ca

MILLER

“FLOATING IN DEEP BLUE” FROM THE ICE PROJECT OIL ON WOOD PANEL 46"

AUDREY SMITH “TRUTH”

ACRYLIC & CHARCOAL ON CRADLED BIRCH PANEL 8" x 8"

the art of more

THE LOCAL ART SCENE EXPLODES THIS FALL WITH A GREATER NUMBER OF JURIED SHOWS, COUNTRY STUDIO TOURS AND BUZZY EVENTS THAN WE’VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME.

The Headwaters art scene surges back in full force this fall with shows and events packed with fresh visual arts, photography, woodworking and more. What appears on these pages is a mere snippet of what art lovers can experience in September and October. Many of these artists appear at multiple shows, so do visit their websites for more info.

The Headwaters Arts Fall Festival Juried Show & Sale kicks off the festivities at the Alton Mill Arts Centre on September 18. The show brims with works by more than 70 artists, including

BY TRALEE PEARCE

Bolton painter Iris Ranieri, wood turner Sam Meandro of Terra Cotta, and Caledon painters Wayne Hudson and Patty Maher (on our cover). The show runs until October 6.

The Caledon Studio Tour runs September 21 to 22 and is part of the town’s extensive monthlong celebration of Culture Days (a national non-profit arts booster). This self-directed tour takes visitors from the hub at the Alton Mill Arts Centre (where you can catch the Headwaters Arts show, above) to local studios dotting the

Caledon landscape, including those of stalwart local painter Paul Morin, figurative painter Audrey Smith (also in the Headwaters Arts show), folk artist Mary Scattergood, fine porcelain potter Debra Gibbs and floral painter Lorraine Roberts. Multimedia artist Diya Ratti shares her textured works in a group show at the Caledon Public Library in Inglewood. And catch In The Hills photographer Erin FitzGibbon’s latest works at the Caledon Public Library in Southfields Village. Also that weekend former Noodle Gallery

SUE

x 46"

SAM MEANDRO “WILDFIRES IN CANADA” WOOD 6.5" x 9" x 11"

DIYA RATTI

SCATTERGOOD

owner Monica Kerr-Coster hosts Crafted, a Noodle Gallery popup featuring artists she’s worked with for years. It takes place at GoodLot Farm & Farmstead Brewing Co. on September 21 (rain date September 22). Along with Monica, artists include oil painter Lisa Hickey, encaustic artist Angela Lane and foraged ink expert Melissa Mary Jenkins.

Mark your calendar for the art shows of the Creemore Festival of the Arts, taking place over the weekend of October 4 to 6. Expect

more than 50 artists. At Gallery Logom on Mill Street, painter Peter Adams shares blue-hued works inspired by a recent Arctic residency and journey around the Svalbard Archipelago. And artist Sue Miller’s equally icy, multi-sensory, immersive exhibition, The Ice Project, includes images of icebergs floating in the ocean – along with archival recorded sounds of icebergs – at the Station on the Green. At the same location, Jennifer Johne exhibits pieces she makes by mending and transforming ceramics, wood,

photography and textiles. And don’t miss the retrospective of birds and decoys by wood maestro Jim Harkness.

If you fancy a late-fall road trip, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg holds their popular annual Autumn Art Sale of 50 juried artists, including well-known Orangeville sumi-e artist Roslyn Levin. The show begins November 29 and runs until December 1.

For more art shows see What’s On, page 102.

“VAKRATUNDA MAHAKAYA” MIXED MEDIA 16" x 20"

PETER ADAMS “FUGLESONGEN / LOVE LETTER ISLAND” OIL ON CANVAS 18" X 24"

MARY

“LUNDI”

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS 16" x 20"

WAYNE HUDSON “A DAY AT THE BEACH” ACRYLIC ON CANVAS 36" x 36"

IRIS RANIERI “PASSAGE” ACRYLIC ON CANVAS 30" x 40"

JIM HARKNESS

“SNOWY OWL” BASSWOOD 9"

ON OUR COVER:

PATTY MAHER

“THE DWELLING PLACE” MIXED MEDIA ON CANVAS 30" x 30"

9WAYS TO GET OUTSIDE WITH KIDS THIS AUTUMN

From visiting a farm to painting en plein air, make this a fall season to remember with the young ones in your life.

BY STEPHANIE CASINO ESGUERRA

Fall’s crisp air and stunning colours make an energizing backdrop for outdoor adventures for kids lucky enough to live in or visit Headwaters. From farm outings and invigorating hikes to neighbourhood games and nature investigations, the options for staying outside all day – or at least until dinner – are endless. We’ve compiled a collection of nine free or low-cost ideas for all tastes and abilities. But don’t stop at the end of our list. Here’s hoping you – and the children you care for – will be inspired to keep up their outside interests all year long.

1

Off-road with the kids (safely, of course!)

Do you have a leaning tower of forlorn bicycles clogging the garage? Or maybe you’re tired of the same old neighbourhood trail. Plan a forest trail ride to get your wheels turning again.

For tips on biking with youngsters, we spoke to local mountain biking enthusiast Ryan De Groote of Orangeville’s Ride With Ryan. If you’re heading out on your own, Ryan’s favourite local kid-friendly trails include the Mono Tract Forest located off Hurontario Street, north of 20 Sideroad. It features trails designed for mountain biking. Clear signage helps newer riders stay on track.

When Ryan is leading a group, he often starts with a quick warmup and makes many stops at ponds, rivers, trees or other interesting

landmarks. Online trail-riding sites, such as trailforks.com (search "Mono Tract"), offer detailed maps of routes to explore.

Ryan reminds parents and caregivers to be patient with children as they’re learning. Always wear a helmet, and ensure your brakes and gears are in good working order every time you ride. ridewithryan.online

2

Find adventure on a local farm

Maple Grove Farm and Market on Airport Road in Mulmur is nestled in fields of green and primed for harvest season with pumpkins galore and a seven-acre corn maze, all part of their annual fall festival, which runs from September 21 until the end of October. Be sure to enjoy a wagon ride to witness the vibrant foliage and hilly views, and visit the Highland cattle or feed the goats. Their Halloween event, Boo Bash, adds a dash

of spookiness to the proceedings on October 26. Other farms, including Downey’s Farm and Spirit Tree Estate Cidery, both in Caledon, also offer family-friendly experiences. Check our Field Notes section on p 27 for more. maplegrovefarm.ca

3

Create a scavenger hunt

Take advantage of the provincial parks and stretches of the Bruce Trail in our area by creating a scavenger hunt challenge. Research the types of trees you’re likely to encounter and see how many fallen leaves the kids can collect. Draft a simple checklist by borrowing reference books from your local library, scanning photos of the leaves you’d like to hunt for, and printing them. Be sure to pack a large resealable bag or envelope to hold the findings. Add an incentive: The one who finds the most leaves gets to choose where to eat afterward. Here are a few locations to consider.

Forks of the Credit Provincial Park

The “Forks” is a popular spot west off McLaren Road between Charleston Sideroad and Forks of

Embrace fall with hay wagon rides, left, or indulge in some daytime Halloween fun at Maple Grove Farm and Market. Consider taking the kids off-road for a biking adventure.

Add purpose to a local hike by making it a scavenger hunt.

5

4

Spend an afternoon watching planes take flight

The Brampton Flight Centre, located off McLaughlin Road in south Caledon, offers a variety of inspiring and educational activities for aviation buffs of all ages, including a guided tour of the airport. Visitors can take in some history at the Great War Flying Museum – where they’ve got fighter planes from the First World War, such as a German Fokker triplane and a French Nieuport 28 biplane.

That said, the very best option may be simply to look up and watch small planes land or take flight. Follow with a BLT at the Flight Grille and Café. Visit bramptonflightcentre.com.

From October to December kids can catch a glimpse of the planets Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. A few of the constellations visible in Southern Ontario skies are the Big Dipper, Little Dipper and Cassiopeia. If you’re lucky, you can find the Andromeda Galaxy.

Here’s what to look for:

the Credit Road in Caledon. It features sections of the Bruce Trail and opportunities to watch the Credit River rush by. Once you’re there, keep your eyes peeled for red maple, dogwood and black ash, and catch a peek at Cataract Falls from the Dominion Trail. ontarioparks.ca/park/ forksofthecredit

Boyne Valley Provincial Park

An expansive park offering some of the best views of the area, Boyne Valley features the Bruce Trail’s Boyne Valley Side Trail. Combine it with a section of the main trail for an 8-kilometre loop. Boyne Valley is located on Prince of Wales Road in Mulmur, north of Highway 89. The spectacular 360-degree views of Dufferin County after taking the 70m side trail to see Murphy’s Pinnacle Lookout, a remnant of a glacial shelf of ages past, make it worth the climb. Watch for white oak, black maple and beech trees. ontarioparks.ca/ park/boynevalley

Elsewhere on the Bruce Trail (plus badges)

The Bruce Trail offers its own scavenger hunts, too. In Dufferin, visit dufferinbrucetrailclub.org/ scavenger-hike to register and map your route. The organization also encourages children to collect a range of badges, such as the Young Hiker Badge from the Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club, and the Nature Hunter Badge from the Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club (the latter was created by the students at Belfountain Public School). To learn more, search "badges" at brucetrail.org

Search for planets and constellations on a clear autumn night

For your dreamy fledging astronomer, stargazing never gets boring. Test your kids’ knowledge of popular constellations and planets by heading to your favourite dark park, setting up a comfortable viewing spot and gazing up. Snacks and telescopes are encouraged. What should you look for? The experts at the mobile Ontario Planetarium suggest a few shiny things visible in a clear Ontario night sky.

Big Dipper and Little Dipper: Start by finding the easily recognizable pot-shaped Big Dipper, part of the constellation known as Ursa Major (the Great Bear in Greek, or Mista Muskwa/The Spirit Bear in Cree and Ojibway). The two stars that form the front side of the pot of the Big Dipper point directly to Polaris, aka the North Star – and the closest bright star in that direction.

Polaris sits at the end of the Little Dipper’s handle, so follow the handle to see the pot in its entirety. The Little Dipper (Ursa Minor in Greek, also seen as a wolf in Plains Cree) is roughly half the size of the Big Dipper and much fainter.

Cassiopeia: This bright constellation of stars looks like a crown-shaped “W” or inverted “M”

to the right of the North Star. It’s useful for finding Andromeda.

Andromeda: This galaxy – which the planetarium explains is the “closest, easiest-to-see galaxy beyond our own Milky Way” – appears as a dim, fuzzy oval (actually 200 billion stars) below and to the right of Cassiopeia. Use the bottom of the more closed of Cassiopeia’s two angles as an arrow pointing down to the nearest bright star. Then locate the next easily visible star up to the right of the “line” you just drew from Cassiopeia. Continue in the same direction and locate the next brightly shining star on that path. You’ll see the galaxy to the right of that final star. Visit ontarioplanetarium.com/real/ basic-constellations.

6

Neighbourhood Capture the Flag

Have more than a few kiddos in your neighbourhood? Rally them at a nearby park for a throwback game of Capture the Flag. Set up a snack station and bring out a few sparklers if you plan to stay out until sunset.

Enlist the eldest of the bunch to referee and administer the basic rules:

1. Break the group into two teams. The game works best with 8 to 10 players.

2. Pick two items as “flags.” Use actual flags or two random objects, as long as they’re of similar size.

3. Choose a large area where there’s both an open space to run around and places to hide the flags. Parks with shrubs and trees work well, as they offer good hiding spots. Identify the jail – this is where players stay if they get tagged by an opponent. This could be a park bench or a specific tree.

from

Constellations

left: Big Dipper, Little Dipper and Cassiopeia. The Andromeda Galaxy (below) in relation to Cassiopeia.

4. Map the teams’ territories. Each team’s territory is where they will hide their own flag and where they are safe from being tagged by the other team.

5. Designate one player from each team as the flag hider. All players must turn away or cover their eyes as the hiders take turns hiding their flags.

6. The point of the game is to try to capture the opposing team’s flag. Children tag as many opponents entering their territory as they can, sidelining them by sending them to jail.

just like looking through an empty photo frame,” says Milly.

Kids can make their own tool by taking an 8.5" x 11" sheet of thin cardboard or Bristol board, preferably white (see below). Tell them to draw an “X” that touches the corners of the whole sheet. Centred on the point where the lines cross, they draw a rectangle measuring 1 by 1.25 inches, the longer sides corresponding with the long sides of the sheet. With a sharp craft knife (and the help of an adult), they cut out the small rectangle. Now they have a viewfinder to help them focus. They can hold it up for moments at a time or tape it to the top of their canvas or notebook.

7. If a teammate gets tagged and is in jail, kids can tag them to free them.

8. Whoever captures the opponent’s flag and takes it back to their own territory wins!

7

Paint the great outdoors

Plein air painting, the practice of painting or drawing a landscape on site, is a centuries-old technique, but it’s not just for grownups. Haul art supplies (and maybe a picnic) to an eyecatching park or your backyard and ask kids to notice how the light catches the changing leaves, or how the shadows dance on the tree trunks and rocks below. We spoke to Orangeville Art Group member Milly Tseng for more tips. She suggests using an artist’s viewfinder tool to help frame a section of landscape so budding Monets can focus. “This helps one to eliminate distractions and concentrate on the subject,

6

What type of paint? “Dollar store products are okay for children to learn and get used to the idea of painting outdoors,” Milly says. “Acrylic is easier to use, as watercolours can be more difficult to control.” As an artist myself, I would also try chalk pastels on paper as an introduction to drawing and painting outdoors.

Milly suggests Island Lake Conservation Area at the edge of Orangeville for plein air painting of the lake, although any public park – even a colourful playground set – would do.

For information on the Orangeville Art Group’s fall show see What’s On, page 102.

7

8

Celebrate Halloween in Shelburne

Now in its 31st year, Shelburne’s famous Haunt in the Park returns on October 25, 26 and 31 with a fresh new “haunted” maze inside the 6,000-square-foot pavilion in Fiddle Park. Hosted by the Little Family, and now managed by Carola Little, the event attracts visitors from all over Southern Ontario. The Haunt’s twisty maze is filled with ghouls, witches and mummies. Don’t miss the Witch’s Hut to get a free piece of candy.

On Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Haunt’s Mini Boo event lightens the scary load for its smallest fans. During Mini Boo hours a shuttle runs between Fiddle Park and downtown Shelburne, where the Rotary Club of Shelburne and retailers host more surprises. Bring cash or a non-perishable food item. All donations benefit the Shelburne Food Bank.

9

Listen to insects

For a lively – and loud! – evening nature walk, turn to the chapter on singing insects in naturalist Don Scallen’s book, Nature Where We Live: Activities to Engage Your Inner Scientist from Pond Dipping to Animal Tracking

Don, a regular contributor to this magazine, is especially fond of common true katydids, (Pterophylla camellifolia). “In late summer and early autumn darkness switches on the katydid

voices. (I use the term ‘voices’ loosely. It’s the rubbing of the forewings that generates the sound),” he writes.

Here’s how to search for katydids and other noisy insects:

Gear: Flashlight for nocturnal searches. (Optional: camera, headlamp.)

Recommended for older adults with hearing loss: a companionable search with a younger person with good ears. Some of the singers have faint, high-pitched voices.

When to look: Most singing insects don’t rosin up their bows, metaphorically speaking, until midsummer. Many then call until the first hard frosts of autumn.

Where to look: Crickets, katydids and other singing insects live in backyards and suburban parks, making them extremely accessible. The greatest diversity and numbers, though, are likely to be found in meadows and woodlands. Many call low to the ground on shrubs or

herbaceous plants. Others, like common true katydids, favour tree canopies, but can be found lower down, especially after strong winds. Most are camouflage experts. The various katydids are leaf mimics and finding the calling “leaf” among the profusion of real leaves can be a challenge.

Treading softly: To appreciate the beauty of these wonderful insects, and to photograph them, necessitates that they be temporarily disturbed. Be gentle when you handle them and please return them carefully to the plant you found them on. (Condensed from Nature Where We Live: Activities to Engage Your Inner Scientist from Pond Dipping to Animal Tracking.)

DON’T MISS AN

Weekender, former resident, regular visitor? Receive In The Hills wherever you live. Subscribe online at inthehills.ca/subscribe or by calling 519-216-9894.

Stephanie Casino Esguerra is a writer and artist living in Orangeville – and she’s always looking for fun with her two young daughters.

A COLOURFUL TAKE ON BASKET WEAVING

Artist Fabienne Good twists glossy magazine pages into sticks and weaves them into sturdy, modern containers.

BY JANICE QUIRT

TUCKED AWAY IN A DARK BLUE CABIN STUDIO in the Mono woods, accompanied by the sounds of the wind in the trees and birdsong, peripatetic artist Fabienne Good is making herself at home. For now. While her modern take on basket weaving is front of mind, Fabienne also draws, designs and makes textiles and quilts, creates cyanotypes and produces inks from foraged plants.

The multi­hyphenate creator, who is spending time with her parents in East Luther, says her wanderlust took her travelling over the course of about 15 years. She returned to Canada two years ago and came by the cabin studio after being introduced to local weaver and spinner Darlene Hostrawser at the International Plowing Match last fall.

Darlene offered to share the cabin on her property with Fabienne. In addition to creating her own art, Fabienne also teaches basket weaving in the tranquil space, and she and Darlene have held popular foraged ink workshops there.

Fabienne earned a bachelor of fine arts from OCAD University and a master’s degree in art and education in Switzerland, where for 10 years, she taught art and design to high school students. It was there that she came up with her technique for creating baskets woven not from traditional wicker, but from flexible “sticks” made from upcycled magazine pages.

“Because it was for teens, I knew the upcycled baskets had to be convincingly beautiful and functional,” says Fabienne. “Eventually, through trial and error, I came up with this process that allowed my students to make impressive baskets they were really happy with.”

She adds that the pragmatic, planning­based design training at OCAD University may have laid the groundwork for seeing the potential of paper. “For example, in one design class I had to make a pair of functional shoes completely from paper. I think that sort of problemsolving approach has informed my practice.”

Fabienne says her approach is somewhat like the Japanese technique of twisting paper to make baskets.

Fabienne Good weaves colourful baskets made from rolled-up magazine pages.

Solid Wood Fireplace Mantels & Cabinets

To make her sturdy weaving “sticks,” she wraps the inside pages of recycled catalogues or magazines, often library castoffs, around wooden skewers.

“Canadian Geographic magazines are one of my favourites,” she says. “The paper has a wonderful feel and rolls really nicely around the skewers, not to mention all the beautiful colours.”

(Fabienne reveals she has not yet used In The Hills for her baskets, but given permission, might construct one from this issue. Permission granted!)

Selecting a magazine page with a minimum of white space, she uses a craft knife to cut it in half vertically. This gives her the paper shape she needs to achieve the length and thickness she’s after.

Fabienne then places a wooden skewer in the corner of the halved sheet and rolls it on the diagonal, wrapping the paper around it as she goes. A dab of white glue in the final corner holds the paper in place. Then she removes the skewer. “One end is larger and the other is more tapered, which allows the sticks to slot into each other.”

The bases of her hexagonal and rectangular baskets are heavy cardboard recycled from boxes, and she often also covers these bases in magazine pages. She particularly enjoys working with hexagonal bases, which result in an interesting, curved edge that produces a spiral basket.

To create the spiral, she attaches the sticks to the hexagonal base and weaves them by bringing the longer of a pair over the other. When the sticks get too short, she connects new ones to the original “threads” and continues the pattern. The curve is produced because each corner is slightly offset, adding to the spiral shape with every round. When the basket reaches the

desired height, Fabienne finishes the weave by tucking in the ends and cutting off the excess.

Fabienne also makes round baskets solely from sticks, foregoing the cardboard bottom and starting with a base made by linking a few sticks. She weaves two sticks in an under­over pattern, forming a radiating wheel, and uses clothespins to temporarily secure the construction. When building the sides, she uses a salad spinner basket as a temporary frame.

“Honestly, it’s a bit of a tedious process but very meditative,” she says. “When I first started producing the curved­edge baskets in 2015, there wasn’t anything else like it that I could find online. Now there are more examples, but at the time I really had to develop my own method, which was both frustrating and rewarding.”

Fabienne has spent time in Australia, India and Asia, saying she has learned a lot from the often­jarring differences between locales. “I went from visiting the big city of Tokyo to living in a small town in Australia with a population of 12. I experienced the noise of Singapore in contrast to the peaceful idyll of my work and home surroundings in Dufferin. I think a lot about the juxtaposition of these extremes and believe my art expresses my experiences.”

Watch for her work at forthcoming holiday markets and shows, where they wow in person. “I’ve learned that my work is more appreciated, especially by art lovers, when it is seen and touched. That’s when people can see that creativity is truly all about connection.”

Find Fabienne online at fabiennegood.com. Janice Quirt is a writer living in Orangeville.

Fabienne rolls a rectangle of colourful magazine paper around a thin wooden skewer to create her weaving “sticks.”

COZY CANDLES, UPCYCLED DENIM FINDS AND PRECIOUS DRIED FLOWERS

BY JANICE QUIRT

BLOOMS ETERNAL

Natalie Pignetti and Shehan Wijeyeratne from Green & Bloom Farm, a delightfully tiny organic flower and veggie holding in Amaranth, transform naturally dried flowers into wreaths, arrangements (some in elegant glass cloches), and framed or carded pressed flowers. “My intention is to preserve the beauty of our short growing season so people can enjoy it for years to come,” says Natalie. “Flowers evoke such fond memories and I want to share that joy with others.” Order direct or watch for them at local holiday markets. (Wreaths $30 to $100, bouquets $15 to $75, Green & Bloom Farm)

THE SMELL OF FALL

Sophia Zamaria of Hockley Valley Crafting Co. knows the autumn season lays claim to some of the most divine scents around. Her fall lineup includes scents based on cinnamon and cider, fig and ginger, and cloves with sweet tobacco. These small-batch, hand-poured candles are made with wood wicks that crackle like a fire. Soy wax makes for a clean burn. You’ll want a candle for every room in the house. (4-ounce candle $15, 8-ounce candle $25, Hockley Valley Crafting Co.)

BLUE JEAN BABY

It’s true. Denim goes with everything. Also true: It is always time for a new belt bag, tote or backpack. Shelburne’s Helen Falls, aka The Jeans Crafter, upcycles jeans into clever accessories, using the detailing of the original pants to define the designs, original pockets included. She offers a variety of styles and washes for a spark of individuality. An added plus – denim ages exceptionally well, so your carry-all will be around whenever you need to switch things up. (Belt bags $60 to $70, backpacks $85 to $100, The Jeans Crafter)

SOURCES

Green & Bloom Farm, Amaranth. www.greenandbloomfarm.ca

Hockley Valley Crafting Co., Hockley Valley. www.hockleycrafting.com

The Jeans Crafter, Shelburne. etsy.com/ca/shop/JeansCrafter

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GETTING A JUMP ON YOUR SPRING GARDEN

How to wind down your vegetable patch this autumn and prime it to provide plentiful produce next season.

BY ALISON M c GILL • ILLUSTRATED BY RUTH ANN PEARCE

IF YOU’RE A VEGETABLE GARDENER, YOU’RE likely still reaping the rewards. Tomatoes, greens, root vegetables and some herbs are still going strong in early fall. But once your crops begin to peter out, don’t retire your garden tools. Planning for future growth starts now, says Mark Gorski, owner of Erinbased Gourmet Garden Organics, a company that, among an array of services, creates vegetable gardens for clients. “Preparing your beds in the fall means you don’t have to wait for the weather to co­operate to start planting when the soil warms up in spring.”

Fall is the prime time to get your soil in shape, dabble in seed collection, plant some of next year’s crops and map out a garden expansion.

The final harvest and seed collecting If you’ve planted carrots, beets, parsnips, turnips, kale and cabbages, you’ll know they can thrive into October and November. “The flavour of these vegetables can actually improve after a hard frost,” says Gorski. “But once temperatures consistently drop more than a few degrees below freezing, start pulling everything and empty your garden.”

One step to consider before yanking everything: collecting seeds or allowing some plants to self­seed. He says this practice can be as simple as letting dill plants flower and reseed themselves, or as complicated as hand­pollinating and tying squash flowers closed to ensure they don’t cross with another variety. “Pumpkins and squash have a propensity to crosspollinate among themselves, so there is a decent chance the seed you get will not be true to the parent fruit,” he says. “I saved seeds from a giant pumpkin. The next year they’d crossed with a French Cinderella. I had several 40 ­ to 70 ­pound Cinderella­type pumpkins.”

The seeds of some varieties of plants aren’t commercially available, he adds. “Saving and sharing seeds helps maintain a wide genetic diversity within plant types. If collecting is something you want to explore, find a local seed library that will have resources to get you started.”

Potatoes are more commonly grown by planting pieces of harvested tubers, but you can also collect seeds. “They actually will produce a fruit from seeds, but with those seeds, there is no guarantee of the next generation being true to the parent.”

Some other seeds and seed pods to stash for spring include cilantro pods, peppers, tomatoes, sunflowers and peas.

Expanding the garden

As you plan the next version of your garden, Gorski suggests making note of where everything was planted previously so you can rotate plant locations. This helps curtail diseases lurking in the soil and maintain steady nutrient levels.

And if you’re thinking of making your plot bigger, this is the time to do it. “I do the majority of garden construction in autumn because the ground is drier and easier to work with,” he says. “In most cases, you can complete the expansion of your garden footprint or build additional raised beds.” You’ve also just finished a growing season, so you have a more realistic idea of how much more garden you can maintain. If you don’t already grow garlic, it’s a crop you might consider including in a garden expansion –and September is garlic­planting season, says Gavin Dandy, executive director of Everdale, a teaching farm near Hillsburgh. Garlic bulbs are hardy enough to survive the cold and send up shoots in early spring.

Just drop individual cloves into your plot. Greens like spinach, mesclun mix and lettuces can also be planted. Expect to see these greens growing by April and ready to harvest by mid­May.

Enriching soil quality

Once your garden is cleared and cleaned of weeds and debris, or you’ve plotted out a new patch, turn your attention to giving your soil a boost. One way is to add a generous layer of compost or composted manure. Doing this in the fall allows the material time to break down and integrate into the soil. A second method involves planting grass cover crops, a step you can begin as soon as you’ve cleared larger sections of your garden.

“Having grass instead of bare soil in your garden over the winter helps protect microorganisms,” says Dandy. “Grass crops help shield against a wild swing in seasonal temperatures, and they slow bacteria growth. I like to describe it as dressing your soil in a light hoodie.”

He recommends planting oats or fall rye. Oats need to be seeded earlier – up until mid­September. The growth dies off in the winter, but still provides protection for your beds. Fall rye can be planted later, germinates well in the cold, and continues to flourish well into spring, when it can be turned under to serve as “green manure” to jumpstart next season’s garden.

“You can plant grass crops incrementally as the garden empties out or you can do it all at once when your patch is totally clear,” he says. “This is a smart, low­stress way to improve soil.”

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

ToAirportRoad>>>

SHELLY ANDERSON’S LOLLI-LOOP

For the full fall colour experience, hike hills that have a mix of hardwood trees, especially maples. This hilly lolli-loop (shaped like a lollipop) on the Bruce Trail has plenty. Many people know that sugar maples turn a brilliant red. Less well known are red maples. Don’t confuse these trees with the nonnative red Norway maples which have burgundy leaves, more common in subdivisions. Our native red maples have green leaves and are arguably even more spectacular than sugar maples in the fall.

The Anderson Tract is one of six properties that make up the municipally managed Mono Forest, 187 ha in total.

Sheldon (Shelly) Anderson (1909-2004) dedicated much of his later life to caring for eastern bluebirds. He monitored as many as 80 bluebird boxes. A smallish thrush, bluebirds hold a special place in our hearts, representing hope, happiness and love. They head to the southern U.S. when the cold winter winds blow.

HIKING ETIQUETTE

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

LOOKOUT

RED MAPLE (Acer rubrum)

Summer: green Autumn: red

BOX

RED NORWAY MAPLE (Acer platanoides sp.)

Summer: burgundy-green Autumn: yellow

NORWAY MAPLE (Acer platanoides)

Summer: green Autumn: yellow

SUGAR MAPLE (Acer saccharum)

Summer: green

Autumn: ranges from yellow to red

Hunting is banned throughout the Mono Forest.

A challenging 5.4km, 1.5-hour hike Hockley Heights Side Trail (blazed in blue)

Shelly’s Loop (blazed in red)

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

BREW LIFE STORY

With a keen eye for detail, Mike Brooks oversees the process of brewing the fine craft ales and lagers that are a hallmark of the GoodLot brand.

THE FOUNDATION FOR GOODLOT Farmstead Brewing Co. beer was laid in 2011, when Gail and Phil Winters planted the first crop of organic hops on their 28­acre farm on Shaws Creek Road near Alton. As their regenerative farm practices proved successful, they launched GoodLot in 2017. Today the Winters grow eight varieties of hops and produce 16 varieties of beer, as well as other beverages in an eco­renovated barn powered by a 20 ­kilowatt solar collector on the roof. Overseeing the process is brewer Mike Brooks. He doesn’t like being called “brewmaster” – too pretentious.

Mike has a degree in computer

BY TONY REYNOLDS

science, but decided he didn’t want to sit in a chair all day looking at code. He worked as a shift brewer before coming to GoodLot and now enjoys managing the process from end to end. Tall and easygoing, he has a ready smile and a sense of humour that finds many laughs in everyday life. He says his big boots make him look taller, but when I slipped on the wet floor on a recent visit, I realized why he wears them.

An epoxy­coated concrete floor slopes toward a drain trough that runs down the middle of the room to the double door at the end, and throughout the process, anything that pours onto the floor is quickly hosed down the drain.

The floor is about as clean as the tanks arrayed along the east wall, and as neat as the tables, pallets of grain bags and paraphernalia along the other. A small pile of stainless steel pipes, elbows, clamps and probes awaits various steps of the brewing process. The tanks on the east wall are fermenters, and the occasional burp in the buckets of water at the ends of the vent pipes announce the process is underway.

Bags of oats, malted barley and rice hulls sit on the platform that provides access to three stainless steel tanks: the water heater, the mash tun (a tall, cylindrical vessel) and the wort kettle.

This is where the brew ing process begins.

Today’s beer is an IPA – India pale ale. Mike explains there are many different recipes with varied tastes and strengths, but this one is light, hoppy and refreshing – very popular in warm weather. It takes about seven hours to get the brew going.

6:30 A.M. Mike gets up at his home in Guelph, feeds the cat, drinks two coffees and grabs a piece of toast. “It’s a 35­ to 40 ­minute drive,” he says, “mostly back roads, which is an opportunity to wake up, listen to some music.” Mike is also a musician,

GoodLot brewer Mike Brooks adds a bag of malt to the mash tun.

which explains the guitars hanging on the wall of his open­plan office space. Between steps in the brewing process, he sometimes grabs a little time to practise.

8 A.M. He starts a fan on the floor near the workbench and lays out the tools he’ll need: a refractometer to provide a rough measure of the sugar content, a pH meter, a hydrometer for a more accurate measure of the sugar, a bucket of cold water to chill samples before measuring and two buckets for adding the hops. There’s also a scale, brewer salts and food­grade acid for adjusting the pH. “Along with that is a clipboard with today’s brew sheet,” he says, “and the sheet for the last time I made today’s brew, so I can crossreference to make sure things are going according to the last batch or I can make pivots to change today’s batch.”

8:30 A.M. The process begins. Mike starts with the rice hulls, a filtering medium that settles to the false bottom of the mash tun. Over that layer, he adds hot water, oats and malt in turn, little by little, to make sure the grains are well blended and the temperature stays about 66 C.

9 A.M. He closes the lid of the mash tun and starts mixing to create the wort, the first liquid in the process. The mixing lasts 75 minutes. Meanwhile, he prepares the fermenter tank, where the wort will become beer, but he also keeps an eye on the mash process. “I cut the stirrers at times,” Mike explains. “I want it to sit and chill so the grains can relax into a flat surface for the liquid to pass through without it caving in or channelling.”

10:15 A.M. The wort is transferred to the kettle. Mike adds more heated water at the same time. “The recipe is way too strong at first,” he says. “So while running that off, you can rainfall fresh water on top to pass through the grains in the mash and extract leftover nutrients. It’s called sparging.” This will get the fullest flavour and sugar out of the grains. With all the wort in the kettle, Mike raises the temperature and cooks the

brew for an hour. Meanwhile, the chickens get their treat. Since early this morning, the chickens have been hanging around the brew house door, pecking at gravel, and when Mike empties the mash tun, they get first dibs on the spent grains. (The GoodLot logo incorporates a chicken and a hop flower.)

Interrupting the chickens, JeanFrançois Morin from neighbouring Chickadee Hill Farm picks up the bulk of the spent grain to feed his livestock. GoodLot works with a few of the neighbours. They need more hops than their own, so they buy hops from other farms, using all­ Ontario hops in every beer. They also collaborate with Everdale to supply their farm stand, and partner with Wastenot Farms, which collects GoodLot food waste and returns it as vermicompost for their soil.

1:30 P.M. As the boiling time ends, Mike whirlpools the wort to settle any leftover solids. They will pancake in the bulb at the base of the kettle and the liquid is taken from a tap on the side. “That way,” he says, “it’s a nice, bright, finished wort.”

As the wort is pumped into the fermenter, it goes through a heat exchanger and is quickly cooled to about 16 C. “This gives the ferment a super gentle kickoff because I’ll throw the yeast in at this point for a gentler end result. Once you’ve added all your yeast, you go away and let it do its work.” Fermentation will continue for three to four weeks before the beer is canned and ready for sale. During that time, Mike will add the hops.

But today Mike must prepare for a double batch tomorrow. So he cleans the mash tun and all the associated equipment and stacks the bags of malt, oats and rice hulls on the platform so he’ll be ready to go first thing. At 4:30, he sets out for home, where he’ll feed the cat again, then either relax for the evening or head out to rehearse for his next gig with the Guelph­based band The Flamingos or one of the other bands he sometimes plays with.

Tony Reynolds is a freelance writer who enjoys a good IPA on a hot summer day.

MAKING SPACE FOR PUBLIC PLACES

BY BETHANY LEE • ILLUSTRATION BY SHELAGH ARMSTRONG

AS SUMMER TEMPS START TO GO DOWN, and school schedules materialize, temptations rise to go for a few splashes in the pool to soothe our senses.

The Alder pool in Orangeville has recently reopened after a long renovation. Delays in the project had swimmers feeling sad. Frustrated residents voiced their concerns. When the muchexpanded pool complex finally reopened in June, squeals of delight and squeaky wet footwear could be heard echoing through the massive space as kids jumped in and lessons started. At last, new public swim lanes, waterslides and starting blocks for racers were all in place to welcome young and old alike. For youngsters in the hills, public spaces and the commitment to maintaining and expanding them have never been more important. As housing in our towns rapidly increases in both number and density, the need to create and protect places to play, explore,

climb, run, pedal and paddle is more challenging than ever.

It takes fortitude and foresight by town planners, developers, recreation programmers and citizens, usually along with a bit of fight, to protect and fund public spaces for our kids, our kids’ kids, and those after them. It’s much easier to build more housing, especially with the current demand so high, and the perpetual development of land lines the pocketbooks of many. Parkland, recreation centres, playing fields and trails don’t make anyone money. In fact, like the Alder pool, they require not only the upfront cost but also ongoing expenses to maintain them as community assets for decades to come. They’re not a “one and done.”

However, when we do make space for these public places, they become cherished and important parts of the community. Right now, I’m working in a town

in York Region, and we are currently building the community’s first­ever public pool. The centre will also be home to a library and include a maker space, walking track, indoor playground and customer service. This building will be surrounded by a massive park and trails, and include an “event street” out front, suitable for parties and festivals. While Orangeville’s other, older rec complex, Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre, is not as grand, it has certainly provided another important focus of activity for the community. I remember swimming the pool lanes there for exercise, and taking aquafit classes with my best friend when I was pregnant, happy for the buoyancy and friendship. After Adrian was born, I took him to public swims and skates for years. In fact, as an adult, I learned to skate a little bit better at Tony Rose. I’ve often told Adrian of the years when the town’s celebrated Northmen lacrosse

Need a place to party?

Need space for your child’s party? Want to host a maker workshop or gather to celebrate Auntie’s 80th?

Dufferin County has many spaces for rent for nominal fees. From small rooms to big ones that can hold 100-plus people, there is something for everyone. Locations are spread across Orangeville, Shelburne and Mono, including the fabulous Museum of Dufferin

and the Corbetton Church on the museum grounds. Can’t find what you need? Check out the offerings at dufferincounty.ca/ book-a-facility

Connecting in the early years

EarlyON Child and Family Centres are a lifesaver for many parents and caregivers of youngsters from newborn to age six. The centres offer support from professionals, connections to other families and lots of quality

activities for your little ones. There are more than 600 centres in Ontario, including those in Erin, Grand Valley, Orangeville, Shelburne and five locations in Caledon, along with many other connection points in libraries and community centres. To find your nearest centre, search EarlyON Centres at ontario.ca.

Want to make a splash?

Did you know that several public pools in Orangeville and Caledon

can be rented? Reach out to the friendly staff at either town to ensure you have all necessary permits for your event. Pool specs and availability can be found on the town websites.

Supporting families for 25 years

On its 25th anniversary of offering tremendous support for parents of school-aged children, the Dufferin Parent Support Network is changing its name to The Parent Support

Network. One of the reasons for the name change? The network, a collaborative of parents and community agencies, is expanding to serve families from Dufferin’s neighbouring communities “with open arms and a big, welcoming smile.” The network offers general parenting information, referrals to community resources, and frequent workshops for anyone in the parenting role, including caregivers, grandparents

team won the Minto Cup for three almost consecutive years, and how exciting that was for the town. We’ve also told him about the fun times and funny stories from our teens, when we and our friends attended Lobsterfest, the Rotary Club’s annual fundraiser that saw hundreds of lobster dinners served on long plastic­lined tables, followed by dancing and partying all night long … if you know, you know

This summer, on a visit to our friends Joe and Alice in New York City, I had the chance to reflect on the importance of urban community building and the protection of parkland. In Manhattan, much of the population is steps away from the world­famous Central Park.

Construction began on Central Park in 1858. It was a massive undertaking on close to 850 acres, much more than what we see in the towns and cities of today. The project saw 5 million cubic yards of stone, earth and topsoil moved and formed into the undulating paths and roads I visited on my trip. Construction of dozens of bridges, arches, overpasses and transverse roads made the snakes and ladders of the park walkable and workable. Former swampy but inhabited land (notably the site of Seneca Village, where the majority of residents were African American) was transformed. The park design was commissioned in 1858 and the first phase, The Lake, opened that year. However, completing the park took another 15 years and cost $14 million, nearly triple the project’s original $5 million budget.

Over the years, through shifting political and economic climates, the park experienced periods of decline. Park structures crumbled, gardens died and open spaces became overrun with weeds. During the Great Depression, people in search of shelter established a large shantytown on the grounds. Through the following decades intermittent restoration projects helped, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that the long­term investment to fully rehabilitate the park was undertaken in earnest, and in 1998 the Central Park Conservancy was established to maintain and preserve this green jewel for generations to come.

Back at my workplace, the large construction site, which felt like a bit of a dustbowl during summer, will soon be the centre of activity for the community. It will be preserved and protected for decades to come. With fortitude and foresight, through smart planning and budgeting, the town will now have its own “central park” to complement the trails and smaller parks that speckle the map.

Bethany Lee is a freelance writer who lives in Mono.

and teachers. Workshops cover topics ranging from anger management and communication skills to sibling rivalries and parenting from two homes. The network also offers many online resources through its website. parentsupportnetwork.ca

Remembering the ones we’ve lost

If you’ve wandered through Island Lake Conservation Area,

you’ve most likely noted the pretty paths, benches and thickening Memorial Forest. On the second Sunday of September every year, local business Dods & McNair Funeral Home commemorates the lives of loved ones through the dedication of trees to this living memorial. All are welcome to participate in remembering loved ones through plantings in the Memorial Forest. dodsandmcnair.com

CHANGE: THE OLDER WE GET, THE FASTER IT COMES

BY GAIL GRANT

THE NATURE OF LIFE IS FLUX. CHANGE –physical, emotional and mental – is an ongoing part of being human, and these changes accumulate as we use up our allotted time.

Now that I’ve hit my 80s, I’m wondering if I’ve reached, or even passed, my best­before date. Somehow I feel ambushed by old age. Even though I continue my efforts to fend it off, I’m starting to believe our bodies weren’t designed to live this long. Consider the changes humans undergo in the first dozen years of life. Beginning with total helplessness, through learning to laugh, speak, react, walk, develop and start to understand feelings, learning to interact with others. By the time we stroll into our teen years, we have a general grasp of the human condition. I contend that in our part of the world, and barring unusual circumstances, the same thing occurs at the other end of life. Once we hit our mid­70s, time speeds up, as do the changes. Physical, emotional and mental.

The most obvious are to our appearance – our colouring and body shape – and to our stamina and strength. Things we could once do with ease now require more time and determination – I’m thinking here about the physical contortions required simply to get out of bed and start moving in the morning. Our vision and hearing capabilities also change as we age, as do our senses of smell and taste. Some

of us develop tremors, or become wobbly on our feet. A good number in my circle complain of sleep disruptions and incontinence. These two are often related. And haven’t we all been complaining and worrying about our unsettling memory lapses for years now?

It’s not just change in our own bodies and capacities. The people we counted on for support over the years are also aging and retiring.

My optometrist, Dr. Jack DiBerardino, is among

them. He started his practice in Orangeville 38 years ago, intending to bring big city technology to our area. I won’t be the only one to miss him.

Dr. Jack, as his patients fondly call him, was one of the first optometrists in Canada to offer his patients the brand new GDx technology, replacing the hugely uncomfortable air pressure machine used to detect glaucoma. “It was a nightmare getting that machine across the border,” he recalls. “It took a full six months of phone conversations and form filling –but it was worth the wait.”

For the past 16 years, Dr. Jack has participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, the two­day, 250 ­kilometre, Toronto to Niagara biking fundraiser. “Every year I find the ride emotionally draining, and regularly tear up when I see the riders with flags (indicating they are cancer survivors). But I believe participating in the annual event resets my humanity,” he says. Jack lost his brother to leukemia many years ago.

Explaining his decision to retire, Jack says, “I do keep close tabs on my 95­year­old mother and my 90 ­year­old mother­in­law, but I need more time to spend with people I care about, including my new granddaughter.”

So who can begrudge him his retirement? But likewise in the recent past my general practitioner and my dentist have also retired. I miss them both,

MEET A COMMUNITY ELDER: BOB LONG

BOB LONG’S WIFE, ANGELA, WAS THE centre of his universe for their 50 years together. Bob lost Angela tragically nine years ago, and still thinks about her each day. “She was the wind beneath my wings,” he says.

Bob began his career first as a surveyor for a Brampton development company and then as a technician for an engineering firm in Orangeville, but felt he had more to offer. He suggested to Angela that perhaps he should pursue his engineering degree. “Yes, let’s do that,” he remembers her saying. So he studied at the University of Guelph while Angela tended to the needs of their growing family – Michael, Deborah and Tobi. Specializing in water resource management, he graduated as an environmental engineer in 1971, and opened his own firm, Long Environmental Consultants, in 1980.

By the mid ’90s, he had also become a registered professional planner.

Through the years, Bob has nurtured a number of longstanding personal relationships with young people following similar career paths.

After a road trip west with the family in 1979, he heeded an inner voice and jumped into the local race for Orangeville council. As a lifelong Conservative, Bob’s connections and political savvy gave him a solid victory. He served one year as a town councillor and three as deputy reeve and a Dufferin County councillor.

Former Orangeville deputy reeve Bob Long has operated his environmental consulting firm for 44 years. PETE

and I’m still adjusting to their replacements.

And there are others whom we once counted on to enrich our lives in different ways. Ken Weber, for one, who retired two years ago from writing for this magazine. His much­loved history and puzzle columns are still talked about with nostalgia among my circle of friends.

We see a multitude of changes in ourselves, in spouses, family members and friends. We see changes within our local communities, many for the better, but not always. We anxiously watch the devastating changes in our climate, in our increasingly divided political landscape, locally, nationally and internationally, and in the way we communicate (or not) in this sound­bite world of ours.

As important as it is to stay engaged with the wider world, how we deal with these changes has a large bearing on how peacefully we sleep at night, and how much happiness and/or contentment we will experience in our remaining years.

We might have to squint a bit to find the right path, but if we put our psychological well­being at risk by focusing on these mounting number of changes, we leave little room for the positive side of the equation.

While we know that one day time will win, in the meantime, as Charlie Brown observed, “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.” Right on, Charlie.

Much of his consulting work has been for the aggregate industry – which can be a touchy topic in Headwaters, but he says, “Aggregate extraction is a necessity in our world. In Ontario, 160 million tons of aggregate per year are needed to create the infrastructure, roads and buildings we need to live our lives as we know them.”

Bob was instrumental in implementing water protection systems for neighbourhoods affected by quarry developments, and in 2007 he championed a property value protection plan.

And his commitment to his community goes beyond his professional work. Bob served 11 years as chair of the Dufferin County Housing Authority and is currently chair of Orangeville Hydro. Now 83, he has been an active member of the Shelburne Golf Club for the past 20 ­plus years, and remains a keen supporter of the Friendship Gardens at Headwaters Health Care Centre.

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

LEAVING THEIR MARK

An Orangeville family reflects on their time living in one of the century homes that give Zina Street its heritage charm, and on their addition to another chapter in its history.

TAKE A DRIVE OR WALK ALONG

Orangeville’s Zina Street and you’ll find yourself slowing down to marvel at the number of century homes, many of them in distinctive Victorian and Edwardian styles, often characterized by dichromatic brickwork in red and buff, decorative woodwork, porches and balconies. But these well­preserved glimpses into local history aren’t stuck in the past. Their histories deepen and expand with every new resident.

BY JANICE QUIRT • PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN FITZGIBBON

Mariska and Greg Dickison’s time in their Italianate semi­detached home on the tree­lined street is no exception. They moved to Zina (rhymes with China) with their three kids, Flora, Walter and Elliott, in the fall of 2020 as part of a plan to downsize and simplify their hectic lives.

“People were surprised to learn we downsized when we moved to Zina Street,” Mariska says, referring to the area’s reputation for stately residences.

“But there are both fancy and modest homes, which I love. Some families have lived in the same houses since the early 1960s.”

Although substantial in its time with three bedrooms, the home’s one­anda­half bathrooms, tiny crawlspace basement and lack of garage made for a smaller footprint than the Dickisons were used to. Their previous place on Sunset Drive near Orangeville District Secondary School boasted

four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a sprawling floor plan. But Mariska was a Marie Kondo convert and had decluttered like a champ; in fact, she was ready to embrace her newly entrenched minimalism streak with a tiny house.

Greg pleaded for a compromise, and Zina was the answer, with its built­in shelving in the front room, high ceilings, deep windows, mudroom, backyard and tall trees. A key goal of the move was to

focus on career and family rather than home projects and upkeep. “It allowed us freedom both financially and with our leisure time,” says Mariska, who left teaching in January 2020 to study art therapy remotely with the Toronto Art Therapy Institute. What’s more, the couple was pining for the sense of history they had felt when they lived in a Victorian home in Tottenham, before moving to Orangeville. The shortened walk

to downtown Orangeville was also a huge draw. Until the spring of 2024, Mariska worked part­time as a judicial secretary at the Orangeville courthouse just a block away, and in the spring of 2023, Greg moved from a teaching job in Mississauga to teach woodworking at ODSS, also within easy walking distance.

Though the family has moved on after four years in the house, they enjoy sharing their memories of

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The fall sun throws both shadows and a warm glow against this charming Italianate Orangeville house.

life there. Passionate history lovers, Mariska and Greg learned that the building – or at least a dwelling on the foundations – originated in 1884, around the time that construction in Orangeville was first booming. They also discovered that the owners of Gillespie’s Dairy had lived in the house for decades starting in the 1950s.

It was a commitment to the historical integrity of the house that led to a small but pricey repair. Greg wanted to fix the brickwork around

the front window. He hired Barrie’s Chameleon Masonry Restoration, which had undertaken historically sensitive repairs to their Tottenham house years earlier.

Another upgrade transformed a cold back room with tiny windows into a cozier TV room. Greg did the work himself, adding larger windows and proper insulation. And with an assist from some of his woodworking students, he constructed a shed for bike storage, reworking the design when Mariska foraged a window from a nearby curbside. “Story of my life!”

he jokes. Walter and Elliott stained the shed green, and Elliott and his grandfather made its flower box – all touches the family hopes will last for years to come.

For a Mother’s Day gift in 2023, Greg, along with Walter and Elliot, now 14 and 11, spruced up the balcony off the primary bedroom, a common feature of many Zina Street homes. They laid wood over its tar surface and added a seating area for Mariska to enjoy.

When not on the balcony, Mariska’s favourite perch in the house was at her

TOP LEFT: A snug and minimalist kitchen makes the most of its small footprint.

desk in the bedroom, where she peered out at the canopy of sugar maples and pedestrians on the sidewalks. To decorate the room, Mariska drew on her own family’s history. Vintage suitcases, now storing fabric and wool, belonged to her aunt, who used them when Mariska’s father’s family emigrated from Holland in 1949. Daughter Flora, 16, has since taken to borrowing some of Mariska’s suitcases. For bedside tables, Greg repurposed a dressing table vanity, removing the mirror and halving the piece to produce two tables with drawers,

TOP RIGHT: A view to the dining area’s table, made by Erin artist John Leenders, and vintage Krug chairs.

FROM LOWER LEFT: Mariska and Greg Dickison with Ginny, their Airedale terrier, in the home’s living area. A peek at the bright entry. White walls throughout provide a clean backdrop for art.

Home sweet home

Helping you make the right move

TOP LEFT: To create the main bedroom’s side tables, Greg cut a former bedroom vanity in two.

TOP RIGHT: Mariska’s bedroom desk, adorned with vintage suitcases.

NEAR RIGHT: The upstairs bathroom features a deep window frame and exposed brick.

CENTRE RIGHT: A twotoned vintage dresser in the main bedroom.

FAR RIGHT: A hit of turquoise in daughter Flora’s room.

perfectly sized for the narrow space. That’s this Victorian house for you –lots of headroom, not so much width. With no closet in the primary bedroom, the couple made good use of huge built­in closets running the length of the upstairs hallway.

The second floor is also home to the main bathroom and two other bedrooms, one used as a bunkroom by Walter and Elliott, the other by Flora. “When we moved in, we found a secret passageway in the back of the

boys’ closet leading to an opening in Flora’s room,” Mariska recalls. “The kids had a good time using the trap door until Flora decided she didn’t want her brothers popping into her plant­filled sanctuary and moved her dresser to block the way.”

Just as a piano was often the focus of family parlours in the late 1800s, the Dickison family piano occupied a place of honour in their front room, also home to a chessboard and retro turntable and receiver. “It was important to us to have a room without a TV for quiet pursuits,” says Greg,

who also serves as the music director at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in town.

A colourful giclée floral by Nobleton artist Helen Lucas filled the space left for a TV. Art, such as a favourite landscape painting by local painter (and In The Hills autumn 2022 cover artist) Michael Compeau, had room to shine against white­painted walls. And that vintage receiver? “I salvaged it from one of the schools where I taught,” says Greg. “It’s amazing that people throw out beautifully crafted, functional pieces.”

More evidence of this ethos lies in

the dining set the family has assembled over the years. The seating seems custom­made for their table, a solid wood creation by Mariska’s cousin, John Leenders of Erin.

“I saved four vintage chairs by Krug, a furniture manufacturer based in Kitchener, from my friend,” says Mariska. “She had received them as cast­offs from Western University via her father, who worked there. Two of them were outside getting rained on, so I traded her some decorative hanging beads for all four and we had them restored. There were still traces

of purple, Western’s colours, that we managed to remove.” Another four matching chairs were sourced from Kijiji.

Greg’s parents live nearby and visited often for evenings spent lingering around the table. The kitchen houses a large walk­in pantry Mariska used to store vintage Mason jars passed down from her mother, along with other repurposed containers holding bulk supplies.

“The Zina Street house is a small house with big house features, like the walk­in pantry and large bathroom,”

Greg notes. “It’s amazing how that improves livability.”

Still, despite their love of this home, Greg and Mariska realized they may have overdone their simplification plan. Their boys needed their own rooms, Walter craved a driveway with space for a basketball net, and Greg and Mariska realized a garage would be helpful for times when minimalism gives way to rescuing treasures from the past. So they moved to a house nearby. Practical issues aside, this party of five will always have fond memories of their time as stewards of this Zina house, its past, and its mischievous secrets.

TOP: Elliot and Flora play chess in the home’s front room.

BOTTOM:

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As featured in film productions recently CBC s Anne with an E Belain Farm has been a working farm since the 19th Century, whose long-term protection has been secured under The Ontario Farmland Trust This 4 bdrm 3 5 bath w/ main floor in-law suite pot has breathtaking views over the rolling countryside & 2+ ac pond w/ weeping willow 10-stall barn, 5 paddocks w/ run-in shelters, sand ring, 3-car garage, lrg drive shed, a sep 1-bdrm apt, plus an unfinished studio About 40 acres are farmed & 35 acres in forest w/ majestic trails 45 mins to TO & Pearson Airport A storybook setting!

LINK DIRECTLY TO OUR ADVERTISERS AT INTHEHILLS.CA

FENCING

88 McGuire Fence

FINANCIAL SERVICES

51 BMO Nesbitt Burns Wealth Management, N. Meek

20 RBC Dominion Securities, S. Roud

FIREPLACE SALES & SERVICE

56 Caledon Fireplace FLOWERS

51 Orangeville Flowers

58 Suzanne Gardner Flowers

42 Village Green Florist

FOOD, DRINK & CATERING

44 Goodlot Farmstead Brewing Co.

44 Heatherlea Butcher Shoppe

55 The Craft Pizza Bar & Italian Eatery 30 The Globe Rosemont 55 The Goodhawk 42 The Tin Roof Cafe

44 Albion Hills Community Farm Honey Garlic Festival 33 Caledon Culture Fest 32 Caledon Studio Tour 33 Creative Arts Festival

Creemore Festival of the Arts

Dufferin Christmas Market

77 Farm & Food Care Ontario

113 Headwaters Arts 28th Annual Fall Festival Juried Art Show & Sale 111 McMichael Autumn Art Sale Fundraiser

FARM & GARDEN EQUIPMENT 13 A.S.E. Equipment 28 Larry’s Small Engines 9 Stewart’s Equipment

FARM RECREATION

43 Erin Hill Acres

FASHION & JEWELLERY

59 A.M. Korsten Jewellers

42 Amorettos

113 Gallery Gemma

42 Hannah’s

42 Naturally Rugged

20 Pear Home

59 Scented Drawer Fine Lingerie

59 Seconds Count Hospital Thrift Store

43 Holtom’s Bakery

44 In a Field

Rosemont General Store and Kitchen

Son of A Chef Bakery

Spirit Tree Estate Cidery

The Chocolate Shop

Wicked Shortbread

YF Patissier Chocolatier GENERATORS 8 Tanco Group GIFT BASKETS 59 More Than Just Baskets HEALTH & WELLNESS 81 Dr. Richard Pragnell 5 Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals HEATING & COOLING

Bryan’s Fuel

Headwaters Heating and Cooling

Orangeville Furniture

Sproule’s Emporium

ANS Designs Inc.

Cairns Roofing

Caledon Tile

CBG Homes

Celtic Carpet

Culp Restoration

Escarpment Contracting

French Glass Co.

Jesse James Roofing 8 Karry Home Solutions 40 Kinetico Home Water Systems

Kurtz Millworks 23 Local Tile Co. 89 Manax Plumbing

River Ridge 2 Roberts Roofing 119 Synergy Exteriors INTERIOR DECORATING & DESIGN

JDC Janssen Design LANDSCAPING & GARDENING

GB Stone

Headwaters Landscaping

Hill’N Dale Landscaping

Jay’s Custom Sheds

Leaves & Petals Garden Maintenance

Randy Tumber Consulting

River Ridge

Sinovi Masonry & Stonescapes

Tumber Landscape Design & Build

SPACE

Rural Commons

CONTROL

Environmental Pest Control

SUPPLIES & SERVICES 5 Omega Alpha Pharmaceuticals 67 Animals in Motion

Services 67 Erin Trailside Veterinary Services

Global Pet Foods

EUGENE DIGNUM

LePage RCR Realty

Doug & Chris Schild

LePage RCR Realty

Doug & Chris Schild

LePage RCR Realty Kelly McCague

LePage RCR Realty

RCR

Velvet Alcorn

93 Century 21 Millennium Inc.

Mary Klein, Kaitlan Klein

99 Chestnut Park Real Estate

Sue Collis, Sarah MacLean

90 Coldwell Banker, Ronan Realty

Britton Ronan, Marc Ronan, Sarah Lunn

84 Coldwell Banker Select Realty Brokerage

Verona Teskey

67 Cornerstone Realty Brokerage

Nancy Urekar

99 Exit Realty Hare (Peel), Brokerage

Stephen Dignum, Eugene Dignum

24 eXp Realty Brokerage

Gary Mackin

101 MazzeFlynn Real Estate Limited Brokerage

Jackie Mazze & Kristin Flynn

95 Moffat Dunlap Real Estate

Moffat Dunlap, John Dunlap, Nik Bonellos, Elizabeth Campbell, Courtney Murgatroyd, Sean Wynn, Mark Campbell

94 ReMax In The Hills

Chris Richie, Karen Caulfield, Carmela Gagliese-Scoles, Sean Anderson, Dale Poremba, Jennifer Unger

93 ReMax Real Estate Centre

Ann Shanahan, Brandie Kirk, Betty Hunziker

LePage RCR Realty

Victoria Phillips & Janna Imrie

Le Page RCR Realty

Wayne Baguley 100 Royal Le Page RCR Realty

Wayne Baguley

Sotheby’s International Realty Daena Allen-Noxon & Associates

Jim Wallace & Rebecca Wallace

Denise Dilbey

96

Royal LePage Meadowtowne Realty

Jeff Borg, Deanna Ball, George Webster

Your country hideaway awaits on this picturesque 2 71 acres on the scenic

A CALENDAR OF AUTUMN HAPPENINGS

COMPILED BY JANET KERR • ILLUSTRATIONS BY JIM STEWART

ARTS & LETTERS

NOW – SEP 15 : BEYOND THE FRAME Over 40 works without confines in various mediums. Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. Free. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. Headwaters Arts Gallery, 519-943-1149; headwatersarts.org

NOW – SEP 15 : ORANGEVILLE ART GROUP SHOW & SALE All two- or three-dimensional pieces created by local artists in attendance. Sep 15: reception, 10am-5pm. Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. Free. Pond Gallery, Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. orangevilleartgroup.com

SEP 7 & 8 : ABSTRACT ACRYLIC PAINTING WORKSHOP WITH LYDIA PANART From symbolic meaning to visual abstract representation. Previous experience needed. 9am-noon. $192-$240. McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg. mcmichael.com

SEP 8 : EDEN MILLS WRITERS’ FESTIVAL A diverse lineup of 45 Canadian authors will present readings, panel discussions, interviews and more. Children’s activities. Rain or

shine. 11:30am-6pm. $40; students (14+ with ID) $20; children 13 & under free. Eden Mills. 519-341-4320; emwf.ca

SEP 14 : JOURNEYS: FROM IRELAND TO CHINA WITH ANDREW SOOKRAH Teaching methods and building selfconfidence. Sookrah will also try to create a painting in just 39 brushstrokes. 1-3pm. McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg. mcmichael.com

SEP 14 : HENNA WORKSHOP WITH SOFIA MIAN The beauty and history of henna design and application. 1-3pm. Register. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

SEP 14 - JAN 18 : ANIMA(LIS)

Artwork on the subject of transformation by Orangeville artist Stephanie Casino Esguerra. Tues-Sat. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-9417787; dufferinmuseum.com

SEP 18 – OCT 6 : HEADWATERS ARTS

FALL FESTIVAL ART SHOW & SALE

A juried art show featuring more than 70 artists, open in the main Mill building

throughout the festival. Plus join us in the Annex for these events. Sep 19: Opening Soiree, 6-9pm, $35. Sep 22: Jurors’Walk, 2-4pm. Sep 29: Arts in the Annex Artists’ Market, 11am-5pm. Oct 6: Authors’ Afternoon, 2-5pm, $30. See website for tickets. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St W, Alton. 519-943-1149; headwatersarts.org

SEP 21 : HERITAGE BLOCK PRINTING –ALL AGES Learn how to block print with Wendy Mitchell. Children 13 and under with an adult. Free, register. Noon-3pm. Caledon Culture Days. Belfountain Community Hall. heritagewalkingtour.rsvpify.com. Town of Caledon, 905-584-2272 x376; caledon.ca

SEP 21 : INTO THE WILD OF NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY WITH DAVID T. CHAPMAN Create realistic photos with compositions, camera settings, for all levels. 3-4pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

SEP 21 : DROP-IN ACTIVITY: BETWEEN SPACES – VESSELS, IDENTITY & BELONGING Paint and decorate your own ceramic vessel. Noon-

4pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

SEP 21 & 22 : CALEDON STUDIO TOUR Self-guided tour with 18 stops and 25+ artists. Sep 21: reception, 11am, Alton Mill Arts Centre. 11am-6pm. Free. Caledon Culture Days. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. Town of Caledon, 905-584-2272 x4376; caledon.ca

SEP 21, OCT 19 & NOV 16 : NOTTAWASAGA HANDWEAVERS & SPINNERS GUILD MONTHLY MEETINGS Speakers, workshops, information and techniques for the fibre arts. 1-3pm. Gibson Centre, 63 Tupper St. W, Alliston. 705-435-6991; nottguild.ca

SEP 24, OCT 22 & NOV 26 : ROSE’S BOOK CLUB Discuss your current reads and hear about noteworthy books. No required reading. 2-3pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519-925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

SEP 24 – DEC 17 (TUESDAYS) : GET CRAFTY CLUB Bring your current project. 1-3:30pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

SEP 26 : DIANA BERESFORD-

KROEGER – AUTHORS ON STAGE World-recognized medical biochemist and botanist, author of Our Green Heart: The Soul and Science of Forests, speaks with Bernadette Hardaker. Tickets at BookLore and Theatre Orangeville. 7pm. Orangeville Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway. BookLore, 519-942-3830; booklore.ca

SEP 26 – OCT 31 (THURSDAYS) :

ACRYLIC PAINTING STUDIO WITH ANDREW CHEDDIE SOOKRAH

Beginner and intermediate artists will enjoy live demonstrations and hands-on exercises. 6-9pm. $270$324. McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg. mcmichael.com

SEP 28 : CALEDON CREATIVE ARTS

FESTIVAL Artisan market, live music, performances, authors, workshops and visual art showcase. Familyand pet-friendly. 11am-4pm. Free. Caledon Culture Days. Caledon East Community Complex. Town of Caledon, 905-584-2272 x4376; caledon.ca

SEP 28 – 29 : ALTON MILL FALL OPEN HOUSE See what the artists have to offer in this beautiful setting. 10am-5pm. 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519-941-9300; altonmill.ca

SEP 29 : HEADWATERS ARTS FALL FESTIVAL ARTIST MARKET

Handmade crafts and smaller original artworks by local artists. 11am-5pm. Free. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. Headwaters Arts Gallery, 519-943-1149; headwatersarts.org

OCT 5 & 6 : CREEMORE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS – ARTS EVENTS Artists on location throughout Creemore, including shows by Sue Miller, Jennifer Johne, Jim Harkness, Peter Adams, and interactive art activities. See website. Part of the Small Halls Festival. 10am-4pm. Downtown Creemore. Purple Hills Arts & Heritage Society, 705-466-9906; phahs.ca

OCT 6 : MARC GARNEAU & CAROL

OFF – AUTHORS ON STAGE

Marc Garneau, astronaut, member of Parliament, author of A Most Extraordinary Ride. Carol Off, former

ABBREVIATIONS

CCS

Caledon Community Services

CPCC

Caledon Parent-Child Centre

CVC

Credit Valley Conservation

CPL

Caledon Public Library

DCAFS

Dufferin Child and Family Services

DPSN

Dufferin Parent Support Network

EWCS East Wellington Community Services

MOD Museum of Dufferin

NVCA

Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority

PAMA Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives

SBEC

Orangeville & District Small Business Enterprise Centre

host of CBC’s As It Happens, author of At a Loss for Words, in conversation with Bernadette Hardaker. $35, at BookLore and Theatre Orangeville. 7-9:30pm. Orangeville Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway. BookLore, 519-942-3830; booklore.ca

OCT 9 – NOV 3 : PERFECTLY IMPERFECT – ART BY KAREN BROWN

Encaustics is an ancient beeswaxbased paint heated to create depth and luminosity. Oct 12: reception, 1-4pm. Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. karenbrownencaustics.com

OCT 9 – NOV 10 : MIGRATION –MOVING THROUGH A show of new and exploratory works from painter CJ Shelton and clay artist Ann Randeraad. Oct 12: reception, 1-4pm. Oct 26: artist talks 1pm. Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519-943-1149; headwatersarts.org

OCT 10 : TEA LEAF READING WORKSHOP WITH CATHY SKIDMORE Peer into the future with a reiki master, tarot and tea leaf reader. 6:308:30pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-7914055; pama.peelregion.ca

OCT 11 : MOD STUDIO WORKSHOP: MAKE YOUR OWN FALL CENTREPIECE

The perfect seasonal decoration for your home. Materials supplied. 1-2pm. $50. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

OCT 16 : COFFEE, CONVERSATION & BOOKS WITH MIKE BONIKOWSKY

Mike discusses The Shepherd of Princes, as well as his writing and publishing experiences. Location TBA. 7-8pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519-925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

OCT 19 & NOV 9 : MOD MASTERCLASSES: LINE DRAWING & INKS

Local artist Stephanie Casino Esquerra teaches sketching techniques for stilllife objects. No experience required. Oct 19: adults – Sketching and Inks. Nov 9: youth – Fighting Fishline Art. 10:30. $35. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

OCT 20 & FEB 2 : ART & NATURE WORKSHOPS A relaxing workshop blends in-gallery art viewing, artmaking and the Japanese tradition of forest bathing. Dress for the weather. Materials, and light snack included. 1:30pm. Register, includes gallery admission. McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg. mcmichael.com

OCT 30 : IN CONVERSATION WITH ELIZABETH RENZETTI AT MOD

Renowned journalist and author delves into her new book What She Said: Conversations About Equality. 7-9pm. $20. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

NOV 1 & 2 : SEASONAL WRAPSODY

Handcrafted items by local artisans. Nov 1: 4-8pm. Nov 2: 10am-4pm. $2. Gibson Centre, 63 Tupper St. W, Alliston. Nottawasaga Handweavers and Spinners Guild, 705-435-6991; nottguild.ca

NOV 2 & 9 : THE POPPY PROJECT AT MOD Crochet a poppy for a display to honour veterans past and present. Materials, instruction provided. Nov 2: 11am, 1:30 and 2:30pm. Nov 9: 11am and 1:30pm. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

NOV 6 : TANYA TALAGA – AUTHORS ON STAGE Globe and Mail columnist, acclaimed author of The Knowing, retells Canada’s history through an Indigenous lens, with Bernadette Hardaker. Tickets at BookLore and Theatre Orangeville. 7pm. Orangeville Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway. BookLore, 519-942-3830; booklore.ca

NOV 23 : SILENT AUCTION & BOOK SALE Find the perfect treasure just in time for the holidays. Donations of items accepted after Thanksgiving. 10am-4pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St, Shelburne. 519925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

NOV 29 – DEC 1 : MCMICHAEL AUTUMN ART SALE FUNDRAISER Original contemporary art and sculpture by 50 Canadian artists. Proceeds to artists and projects funded by the Volunteer Committee. Fri: opening gala, 6-10pm. Sat Sun 10am-5pm. Michael Canadian Art Collection. Kleinburg. mcmichael.com

COMMUNITY

FARMERS’ MARKETS

ORANGEVILLE : Saturdays, 8am-1pm, to Oct 19. Second St & Broadway. orangevillefarmersmarket.ca

CREEMORE : Saturdays, 9am-1pm, to Oct 26. Station on the Green Parking Lot, 10 Caroline St E. creemorefarmersmarket.ca

GRAND VALLEY: Wednesdays, Sep 25 & Oct 9. 3-7pm. Elizabeth Taylor Pavilion, 32 Water St. grandvalleyfarmersmarket@gmail.com

ERIN WEEKLY: Thursdays, 3-6:30pm, to Sep 26. Erin Fairgrounds, 184 Main St. erinfarmersmarket.ca

ERIN WEEKEND: Sep 22. Noon4pm. Erin Fairgrounds, 184 Main St. erinfarmersmarket.ca

SEP 1 – 30 : BON APPETIT FOR BETHELL HOSPICE FOUNDATION

Purchase the Bethell Special at 12 participating localrestaurants/ cafés. 905-838-3534; foundation. bethellhospice.org

SEP 8 : CARDINAL WOODS SOCIAL –END OF SUMMER PARTY Community family fun day with bouncy castles, pony rides, petting zoo, vendor market, entertainment, beer garden, food trucks. 11am-5pm. $10. Mono College Park, Hwy 10 & Hockley Rd, Mono. Facebook.com

SEP 10, OCT 8 & NOV 12 : ORANGEVILLE & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETINGS Sep 10: Irises Through the Seasons. Oct 8: Creating a Credible, Edible Landscape. Nov 12: Wildflowers of the Bruce Peninsula. Guests welcome, bring a mug. Flower show. 6:30-8:30pm. Orangeville Seniors’ Centre, 26 Bythia St. orangevillehort.com

SEP 11, OCT 9 & NOV 13 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE SPECIAL LUNCHES

Sep 11: hamburgers, hot dogs. Oct 9: peameal bacon on a bun. Nov 13: grilled cheese sandwiches. Pick-up 11:30am, dine-in served at noon. Everyone welcome. 11:30am-1pm. $11; local delivery $2, call to register two days prior by 3:30pm. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

SEP 12 : PEEL’S 50TH! TREASURES FROM THE VAULTS Rarely seen treasures shedding light on the county. Recommended for adults, but all welcome. 6:30-8:30pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

SEP 12, OCT 10 & NOV 14 : ORANGEVILLE & DISTRICT PROBUS MEETINGS

A club for socially engaged people, retired or semiretired. Guests welcome. Sep 12: Kevin Donovan – Sherman murders. Oct 10: AGM. Nov 14: Hugh Russel – sculptor, artist and writer. 10am-noon. Free. New Hope Community Church, 690 Riddell Rd, Orangeville. 519-938-8934; probusorangeville.club

SEP 13 : SHELBURNE BLOOD DONOR CLINIC Book your appointment online, on the GiveBlood app or by phone. 3-7pm. Centre Dufferin Recreation

Complex, Shelburne. Canadian Blood Services, 1-888-236-6283; blood.ca

SEP 14 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE LUNCH & BINGO TOURNAMENT Menu is quiche, kale salad and carrot cake. Check-in 9:30am, bingo 10am, lunch at noon. Three bingo cards, lunch and prizes. Bingo & lunch $22; bingo only $17; lunch only $15, call to register by Sep 12. 9:30am-1pm. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

SEP 14 : HONEY GARLIC FESTIVAL

Enjoy farm tours, vendors, food and more. 11am-3pm. Free. Albion Hills Community Farm, 16555 Humber Station Rd, Caledon. albionhillscommunityfarm.org

SEP 14 & OCT 5: FIELD TO FORK FARM TOUR & DINNER EXPERIENCE Handson harvesting, four-course meal by a local chef. Proceeds to Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance. Rain or shine. Dress for the weather and farm environment. 5pm. $130, online Lennox Farm, 518024 Cty Rd 124, Melancthon. hffa.ca

SEP 14, OCT 6 & NOV 9 : WHOLE

VILLAGE ORIENTATION Tour the farm and eco-residence. 1-4pm. $10. 20725 Shaws Creek Rd, Caledon. 519-941-1099; wholevillage.org

SEP 15 : AN AFTERNOON AFFAIR

Entertainment, great wine and food, and stories of the theatre’s impact. 12:30-4pm. $165, $50 tax receipt; tables: $1,500, 10 seats, $500 tax receipt, call to book. Adamo Estate Winery, 793366 3rd Ln, Mono. 519-9423423 x2803; theatreorangeville.ca

SEP 17, OCT 15 & NOV 19 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE MEN’S LUNCHES

Sep 17: Guinness stew. Oct 15: meatball subs. Nov 19: lasagne. $11, call to register. 11am-1pm. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

SEP 18 : AI SECRETS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS Step-by-step instruction with

Katharine Loucaidou. 9-10:30am. Free. Orangeville & Area SBEC, 200 Lakeview Crt. 519-941-0440; orangevillebusiness.ca

SEP 19 : ALZHEIMER OF PEEL –DEMENTIA DAY Free information and resources for those with dementia and anyone interested. 10am-2pm. Free. Caledon Specialist Clinic, 18 King St, Bolton. Caledon Community Services, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

SEP 19 : HEAR WELL BE WELL –FREE HEARING CLINIC Basic hearing test, hearing aid and ear wax checks, and cleaning. 10am-noon. Free, by appointment – 905-857-4327 to register. Caledon Specialist Clinic, 18 King St, Bolton. Caledon Community Services, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

SEP 21 : HIGH COUNTRY RUMMAGE SALE Clean, gently used clothing and household linens at reasonable prices. 9am-noon. Free. High Country United Church, 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. highcountryunited.weebly.com

SEP 21 : MUSEUM OF DUFFERIN SCANNING DAY The MoD Archives is collecting scans of community photographs for an exhibition on children and play. Keep your photo. 10am-2pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519-925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

SEP 21 : CRAFTED ARTISAN MARKET

Noodle Gallery popup market with handcrafted delights. Rain date Sep 22. Noon6pm. GoodLot Farm, 18825 Shaws Creek Rd, Caledon. 519-927-5881; goodlot.beer

SEP 21 – OCT 31 : DOWNEY’S PUMPKINFEST Over 30 activities including corn maze, wagon rides, low ropes course, entertainment. Partial proceeds from pumpkin donuts sold on opening weekend to Bethell Hospice Foundation. 9:30am5pm. Weekdays $17.99; weekends $24.99, kids under 2, free. Downey’s Farm Market, 13682 Heart Lake Rd, Caledon. 905-838-2990; downeysfarm.com

SEP 24, OCT 29 & NOV 26 : HEADWATERS NATURE CLUB MEETINGS Sep 24: Discovering Flies. Oct 29: The World of Bats. Nov 26: Wildlife Science – Local birds, Ecology and Conservation Efforts. Guests welcome. 7-9pm. Orangeville Seniors’ Centre, 26 Bythia St. 519-217-2645; onheadwatersnature.ca

SEP 24 & NOV 26 : ARCHIVIST ON THE ROAD MoD archivist Laura Camilleri answers your research questions. 10am-5pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

SEP 27 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE MONTHLY DINNER Menu is lasagna, Caesar salad, garlic bread and chocolate eclair dessert. Pickup 5:15pm, dine-in served at 5:30pm. $16; local delivery $2, call by Sep 25 at 3:30pm to register. 5:15pm-7pm. $16. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

SEP 28 : CULTURE DAYS: AFRICAN HISTORY MUSEUM & CULTURAL CENTRE AT PAMA African heritage through talks on language, history, and impacts of colonialism then and now. Free. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

SEP 28 : PRESERVING THE HARVEST SEMINAR Prolong the bounty you have grown this year. Part of Culture Days. Free, register. 2-4pm. Palgrave United Community Kitchen, 34 Pine Ave. Town of Caledon, 905-584-2272 x4376; caledon.ca

SEP 28 : CALEDON ROLLER SKATING NIGHT – AGES 6+ An evening of nostalgic tunes, vibrant lights and classic fun. No equipment needed! 5-10pm. Free. All children with an adult. Part of Culture Days. Albion Bolton Community Centre, Bolton. Town of Caledon, 905-584-2272 x4376; caledon.ca

SEP 28 : MOTIONBALL MARATHON OF SPORT CALEDON A day of sports and camaraderie between residents/businesses and Special Olympics athletes. Proceeds to Special Olympics Canada Foundation. 9am3pm. Edelweiss Park, 320 Glasgow Rd, Caledon. motionball.com

SEP 29 : GATHER FOR THE GREENBELT BARN DANCE Great food, live music, kid's activities, nature walks. Proceeds to protecting the Greenbelt. $55, children free. Noon-5pm. Bela Farm, 5750 Sixth Ln, Hillsburgh. Small Change Fund, eventbrite.ca

SEP 30, OCT 28 & NOV 25 : STIR

THE POT Prepare soup for our food bank and shelters. $60, imcludes ingredients, wine and dinner. 6:309pm. Lavender Blue Catering and Café, 125 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-9393663; lavenderbluecatering.com

OCT 1 – 6 : INTERNATIONAL

PLOWING MATCH & RURAL EXPO

Live entertainment, vendors, exhibitors, food, RV Park and more. Ages 16+ $25; youth 6-15 $5; children 5 & under free, online. 8:30am-5pm. Lindsay Exhibition, 354 Angeline St S, Lindsay. Ontario Plowmen’s Association, 519-767-2928;, plowingmatch.org

OCT 1 – 31 : AMARANTH BALE TRAIL CONTEST Tour the township and see unique bale displays in five categories. Map online. 519-941-1007; amaranth.ca

OCT 5 : SEPTIC SOCIAL WORKSHOP

Prevent septic system problems and protect groundwater quality. Dress for the weather and bring a chair. 9-11am. Free, register by noon, Oct 3. Alton, CVC, 1-800-668-5557; cvc.ca

OCT 5 : CALEDON CULTURE FEST

A day of food, dance, crafts and more! 10am-3pm. Free. Humber River Centre, 28 Ann St, Bolton. Town of Caledon, 905-584-2272 x4376; caledon.ca,

OCT 5 : DOORS OPEN BRAMPTON

Learn how the heritage buildings that make up PAMA now serve as community and cultural space. Free. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

OCT 5 : BOLTON OCTOBERFEST

Bavarian music, dancers, food and shopping. Part of Culture Days. 7-10pm. Free. Humber River Centre, 28 Ann St, Bolton. Town of Caledon, 905-584-2272 x4376; caledon.ca,

OCT 12 : CREEMORE HARVEST

FESTIVAL Music, circus performers, farmers’ market, apple pie and chili contests, fall-themed lawn games, and the Horse & Hound parade. 9am3pm. Free. Downtown Creemore. creemorecommunityfoundation.ca

OCT 12 : THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE FOR SHELBURNE FOOD BANK Bags will be dropped off at homes prior to Oct 12. Leave your food donation on your porch by 10am on Oct 12 for pickup. 10am-noon. Downtown Shelburne, Main & Owen Sound Sts. CDDHS Students, Rotary Club of Shelburne, 519-278-4578; shelburnerotary.com

OCT 12 : PUMPKINFEST Live performances, vendors, family activities include magic, carnival games, fun house maze and much more. Vendor spots $25. Noon-3pm. Free; $10 for unlimited games. Natasha Paterson Memorial Park, Gordon St, Shelburne. 519-2784578; shelburnerotaryclub.com

OCT 13 : THANKSGIVING GRATITUDE

YOGA – AGES 18+ Increase balance, strength and flexibility. Part of Culture Days. 9-10am. Free, register. Humber River Centre, 28 Ann St, Bolton. Town of Caledon, 905584-2272 x4376; caledon.ca

OCT 18 : DOWN EAST DINNER & ENTERTAINMENT An evening with Phil Hood & the Exclamations! Dinner served at 7pm, entertainment 8-10:30pm. $50, call to register. 6:3010:30pm. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

OCT 18 – 20, 25 – 27 & 31 : HAUNTED ROSEMONT Ghouls just want to have fun! Join us! Rosemont Hall, 9237 Highway 89, Rosemont. Rosemont General Store & Kitchen, 705-435-6575; rgstore.ca

OCT 19 : SEED-SAVING WORKSHOP

Tips for a successful garden and seed harvest. 10-11am. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St, Shelburne. 519-925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

OCT 19 : CALEDON HORSE TACK

SWAP Two buildings of new and used horse equipment for sale. Shoppers free, vendor fees apply. 10am-3pm. Caledon Village Fairgrounds, 18297 Hurontario St, Caledon Agricultural Society, 519-925-3461; caledonfair.ca

OCT 19 : LATIN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH WITH HISPANIC CANADIAN

ARTS & CULTURAL ASSOCIATION

Move to Latin rhythms, explore the culture with the Hands & Roots workshop. Included with general admission. Art workshop: register. See website for schedule. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

OCT 19 : ORANGEVILLE HIGHLANDS

ROTARY TASTE OF AUTUMN Premium gala dinner, live music and FUNdraiser. 5-11pm. $240. Mount Alverno Luxury Resorts, 20706 Heart Lake Rd, Caledon. Rotary Club of Orangeville Highlands, 519-942-1827; tasteofautumn.ca

OCT 19 : MOD AFTER DARK: TRIVIA NIGHT – AGES 19+ Tickets include exhibits, drink and popcorn. Alcohol, snacks and soft drinks available to buy. Age 19+. 7-9pm. $15-$25; group of 4, $60-$100. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

OCT 20 : EMPTY BOWLS HEADWATERS Choose a handcrafted bowl, a local gourmet soup, take the bowl home. Proceeds to local food programs. $50, online; some tickets at the door. 11:30am-4pm. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519-938-2092; annranderaad.com

OCT 20 : SOLOMON’S HOWLOWEEN DOG PARADE Proceeds to Autism Dog Services. Bring

your dog and wear your costumes. 1-3pm. Orangeville Lions Sports Park, 120 Diane Dr, Orangeville. Vivian Petho on facebook.com

OCT 20 : ONTARIO’S NATURAL SERENITY WITH DAVID T. CHAPMAN

A peaceful journey through what this vast province has to offer. 2-3pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519-925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

OCT 22 : INTRO TO CANVA Create a professional brand and social media graphic with this online design tool. Workshop is virtual or in person to use computers at the Shelburne Employment Resource Centre. 1-3pm. Free. Mel Lloyd Centre, 167 Centre St, Shelburne. Orangeville & Area SBEC, 519-941-0440; orangevillebusiness.ca

OCT 24 : ASK THE EXPERTS EXPO Personalized advice from knowledgeable business professionals. 8:30-11:30am. $10, includes continental breakfast. Monora Park Pavilion, 500 Monora Park Dr, Mono. Orangeville & Area SBEC, 519-941-0440; orangevillebusiness.ca

OCT 24 : GHOST STORIES AT MOD Spooky tales from Dufferin County with archivist Laura Camilleri. 6-7pm. Free. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St. 519-925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

OCT 24 – DEC 24 : THE SISTERS TOUCH OF CHRISTMAS An exclusive fundraising Christmas store featuring one-of-a-kind, hand-painted ornaments, gourmet bakery and seasonal décor. Thur Fri: 10am-7pm. Sat: 10am-6pm. Sun: 11am-4pm. Dec 24: 10am-3pm. St. Kosmas Aitolos Greek Orthodox Monastery, 14155 Caledon King Tnln S, Bolton. 905-859-8077; thesisterstoc.com

OCT 25, 26 & 31 : HAUNT IN THE PARK Experience 6,000 sq ft of thrills and chills. Oct 25 (Full Scare): 7-11pm. Oct 26 (Mini Boo): 10am-3pm, (Full Scare) 7-11pm. Oct 31 (Full Scare): 6-10pm. Free, nonperishable food or monetary donation for the Shelburne Foodbank welcome. Fiddle Park, 515677 Dufferin Cty Rd 11, Shelburne. The Little Family, facebook.com

www.bramptononstage.ca

OCT 26 : MASQUERADE ON MAIN

Dress up the family and join the fun! Free candy and crafts. 11am-1pm. Main St, Downtown Grand Valley. Grand Valley BIA, townofgrandvalley.ca

OCT 26 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE LUNCH & EUCHRE TOURNAMENT

Check-in 11:30am, lunch at noon, euchre tournament 1pm. Menu is quiche, kale salad, carrot cake. Lunch & tournament $20; lunch only $15; tournament only $15, call to register by Oct 24. 11:30am-4pm. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

OCT 26 : FUN FUNDRAISER FOR VICTORY HOUSE Fashion show and silent auction for this Christian safe home and resource hub for women. 2-6pm. Connect Hall, 12495 Hwy 50, Bolton. Victory House in Caledon, 416-456-3560; thevictoryhouse.ca

NOV 2 : CRAFT & BAKE SALE, SILENT

AUCTION & MORE Peameal bacon on a bun, BBQ, refreshments and tea room. Come out and support the seniors’ centre. 8am-1pm. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

NOV 3 : MONO MULMUR CITIZENS’ COALITION AGM WITH SPEAKER

NICOLA ROSS Nicola will share stories from her recently published Bruce Trail book. Annual Meeting 2pm. All welcome. 2-4pm. Free. Monora Park Pavilion, 500 Monora Park Dr, Mono. monomulmur.com

NOV 9 & 11 : PEEL REMEMBERS –STORIES OF HOME Drop-in show-andtell of archival records revealing life in Peel and abroad during both World Wars. Nov 9: 10am-4pm. Nov 11: noon-4pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

NOV 10 : DIAMOND IN THE HILLS

The ever-popular show and luncheon, in support of Bethell Hospice Foundation, is back. 11:30am-5pm. The Arlington Estate, 8934 Huntington Rd, Kleinburg. Bethell Hospice Foundation, 905-8383534; foundation.bethellhospice.org

NOV 13 : BUILDING YOUR BRAND

ONLINE Frank Myrland shares tips for attracting customers to your website to drive sales. 9am-10:30am.

Free. Orangeville & Area SBEC, 200 Lakeview Crt, Orangeville. 519-9410440; orangevillebusiness.ca

NOV 14 : CARTERS CHARITY & NOTFOR-PROFIT LAW WEBINAR Join us for this informative webinar. $39.55, register at 1-877-942-0001 x273, email or visit our website. 9am-1pm. Carters Law Firm, 519-942-0001; carters.ca

NOV 15 : JOY & LIGHTS HOLIDAY GIFT MARKET, TREE LIGHTING & STARLIGHT SHOPPING Handcrafted holiday gifts, entertainment for all, wonderful local shopping and magical festive atmosphere. 5-8:30pm. Second St at Broadway, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. Orangeville BIA, 519-9420087; downtownorangeville.ca

NOV 16 : CHRISTMAS & FALL BAZAAR, BAKE SALE Breakfast and lunch items to buy. Basement and bake sale, handcrafted knit and crochet items, painting/wood carving displays, silent auction. Cash only. 9am-1pm. Orangeville and District Seniors’ Centre, 26 Bythia St, Orangeville. orangevilleseniorscentre.com

NOV 16 : ORANGEVILLE SANTA CLAUS

PARADE BROADWAY FESTIVITIES

Preparade entertainment, colourful floats, joyful characters. Parade starts at 5pm at First St and Hansen Blvd. 4-7pm. Orangeville BIA, 519-9420087; downtownorangeville.ca

NOV 16 : NUTCRACKER GALA Cocktails at 6pm, entertainment, dinner, auction and activities. Proceeds to a food rescue van for the Shelburne Food Bank, other Rotary charities. $150 each; $1,100 for table of eight. Call 519-278-4578 or email bobbiRferguson@gmail.com. 6-11pm. Shelburne Golf & Country Club, Melancthon. shelburnerotaryclub.com

NOV 19, 20 & 22 : OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD DROPOFF DAYS Joy and the good news of Jesus delivered to children worldwide through gift-filled shoeboxes. See website for packing instructions. Call for your shoebox. Nov 19 & 20: 5:30-8:30. Nov 22: noon3pm. Broadway Pentecostal Church, Orangeville. Cindy Reale, 416-697-9999; clreale@yahoo.com, samaritanspurse.ca

NOV 22 – 23 : BETHELL HOSPICE HOLIDAY BAZAAR Homemade items, baking and jams, jewelry and gently used items available. All proceeds to Bethell Hospice Foundation. To donate or volunteer at the bazaar, contact Bonnie at bklaassen@bethellhospice. org. 9am-1:30pm. Inglewood Community Centre. 905-838-3534; foundation.bethellhospice.org

NOV 23 : ST. ANDREW’S HILLSBURGH

CHRISTMAS MARKETPLACE & BAKE SALE Bake sale, local vendors offering wreaths, jewelry, cards, embroidered items, plus Avon and Epicure. Call to reserve a vendor spot. 10am-1pm. 83 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. 519-855-6216; pccweb.ca/standrews-hillsburgh

NOV 23 : DUFFERIN CHRISTMAS MARKET Handmade with love. See 150 unique artisans, family activities, food trucks, cafe and festive spirits, live entertainment. 10am4pm. OAS Event Centre, 247090 5 Sdrd, Mono. dufferinevents.ca

NOV 23 : PROCYON WILDLIFE

FUNDRAISING GALA Hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auctions, four-course dinner, speeches, live music. Early bird: $185/pp (includes $50 tax receipt); $200/pp after Sept 30. 5:30-11:30pm. Caesar’s Banquet Centre, 8841 George Bolton Pkwy, Bolton. 905729-0033; procyonwildlife.com

FALL FAIRS

Please see websites for more details.

SEP 12 – 15: BRAMPTON FALL FAIR Brampton Fairgrounds, 12942 Heart Lake Rd, Caledon. 905843-0210; bramptonfair.com

SEP 13 – 15: SHELBURNE FALL FAIR Shelburne & District Fairgrounds, 200 Fiddlepark Lane, Shelburne. facebook.com/shelburnefallfair

SEP 20 – 22: BOLTON FALL FAIR & RODEO Albion & Bolton Fairgrounds, 150 Queen St S, Bolton. boltonfair.ca

SEP 20 – 22: GRAND VALLEY FALL FAIR Grand Valley Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, 60 Main St N, Grand Valley. 226-979-3724; grandvalleyfallfair.ca

OCT 11 – 14: ERIN FALL FAIR Erin Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, 190 Main St, Erin. erinfair.com

KIDS

SEP 18 : MOD TOTS: ALL ABOUT PIES Learn about yummy pies with your toddler through tot-friendly, pie-themed crafts and sensory play! 9-10am. $7. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

SEP 21 – ONGOING : SATURDAYS AT THE MCMICHAEL (SAM): CHILDREN’S ART CLASSES – AGES 5-12 An exploration of art mediums with professional art instructors. Age groups determined on registration. Fall: Sep 21-Nov 16. 10am-noon or 1-3pm. 8-week session: $320, register. McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg. mcmichael.com

OCT 11 : PA DAY AT PAMA – BOW WOW BOOTCAMP Guided family program sparked by the exhibition Oh My Dog! 10am-12:30pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

OCT 15 : STAGEDOOR STORIES: SHARON & RANDI – A SHARON, LOIS & BRAM SINGALONG Behindthe-scenes peeks and a great singalong for all. 8-10pm. The Rose Studio, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-874-2800; boxoffice@ brampton.ca, tickets.brampton.ca

OCT 16 : MOD TOTS: PUMPKIN PATCH Explore our pumpkin patch with your toddler, pumpkin-themed crafts and sensory play. 9-10am. $7. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

OCT 19 : BOO! ON BROADWAY Trick or treating, the Great Pumpkin Popup, farmers’ market, kids’ activities and scary photo ops. 9am-1pm. Second St at Broadway, Orangeville. 519-9420087; downtownorangeville.ca

OCT 19 : HOGWARTS IN CALEDON

Harry Potter magic, adopt an owl, butterbeer, honeydukes, quidditch, magical treats, merchandise and more. 11am-3pm. $35; children 3 & under free. 16379 The Gore Rd, Caledon East. 647-526-7645; kingscollegeschool.ca

OCT 26 : MOD HALLOWEEN EVENT: STORYBOOK SCAVENGER HUNT

Calling all little witches, monsters, pirates and more! 10am-3pm. Free. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

OCT 26 : BOO BASH Family-friendly Halloween festivities include a 7-acre corn maze at Maple Grove Farm. 936576 Airport Rd, Mulmur. 705435-5386; maplegrovefarm.ca

NOV 20, 22-24, 29, 30, DEC 1, 6 – 8 : A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS And they lived happily ever after...or did they? A Christmas musical fairy tale for the entire family. Wed Fri Sat 8:15pm. Sun 2:15pm. Black Horse Village Players, 17272 Mt Wolfe Rd & Hwy 9, Caledon. 905-880-5002; blackhorsetheatre.ca

NOV 23 : SANTA PHOTO DAY Smile with Santa. Snacks available for donations to the Agricultural Society, proceeds to the community centre. 10am-3pm. $2–$4. Caledon Village Place, 18313 Hurontario St. Caledon Village Association, 519-927-3557; caledonvillage.org

NOV 23, 24, 30, DEC 1, 6-8 : CINDERELLA – PANTOMIME – AGES 5+ A new take on the traditional tale with songs, laughter and audience participation. No infants please. Fri 7:30pm. Sat Sun 2pm. Nov 30: 2 & 7:30pm. $15. 72 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. Century Church Theatre Guild, 519-855-4586; centurychurchtheatre.com

Submit your event

To submit your community, arts or nonprofit event:

Select “What’s On” from the menu bar at inthehills.ca.

That will take you to the listings page. Select “Add Your Community Event” and complete the easy form.

Submit by Friday, October 18, 2024 for the winter (November) issue.

For up-to-date listings between issues, go to inthehills.ca/events.

We reserve the right to edit submissions for print and web. inthehills.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 12 : MONSOON SOUND Vibrant sounds and styles of South Asia hip hop.

SEP 21 : FLOW FEST The rhythm of drumming and syncopated sounds. 7:30pm

OCT 4 : MOKSHA BY THIRD SPACE

A celebration of classical and semiclassical music from the Indian subcontinent. 7:30pm

OCT 8 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: B-JAZZED

The greatest music of the 20th century and insightful conversation.

OCT 11 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: HYPE Brampton artists and vibrant creatives live on stage.

OCT 12 : THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE: BRAMPTON CONCERT BAND WITH SPECIAL GUESTS THE PIPES & DRUMS OF THE LORNE SCOTS A tribute to our military heroes’ contribution to Canada’s safety and freedom. 7:30pm

OCT 18 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: REIMAGINED – A THEATRE CONCERT A journey through Broadway’s greatest hits.

OCT 18 : CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE: CRIME OF THE CENTURY Truly a sonic masterpiece.

OCT 19 : THE ROSE ORCHESTRA: FALL FOR ROMANCE Timeless romantic music with pianist Andrew Fu. 7:30pm

OCT 24 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: RISING VIBES Dynamic hip-hop and R&B showcase highlighting local and Canadian talent.

OCT 28 : CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE: MEATLOAF’S BAT OUT OF HELL Expect mastery in vocals, killer musicianship and nuance.

NOV 5 : STAGEDOOR STORIES: VALDY Behind-the-scenes stories, live music and conversation.

NOV 5 : RIDGE FEATURING THE FUGITIVES Musical storytelling of the Canadian soldier experience during the Battle of Vimy. Cyril Clark Theatre, 20 Loafers Lake Ln, Brampton. 8pm.

NOV 14 : THE HYMNS TO FREEDOM PROJECT Interweaving classical music and Negro spirituals. 7:30pm

NOV 20 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: BLUEBIRD BRAMPTON Johnny Rivex curates an acoustic country music showcase

NOV 22 : GLASS TIGER From raucous rock anthems to ethereal pop.

NOV 23 : KIRK DIAMOND WITH AMMOYE Dynamic blend of reggae, soul and R&B.

SEP 26 – OCT 23: CLEARVIEW SMALL HALLS FESTIVAL Cash only. No ATM. 705-428-6230 x262; smallhallsfestival.ca

SEP 26 : ROGER HARVEY WITH SPENCER BURTON – AGES 19+ 6:30. Nottawa Memorial Community Centre.

SEP 27 : MY SON THE HURRICANE & MOONDOGGY – AGES 19+ 7pm. Duntroon Hall.

SEP 28 : AN EVENING WITH DANNY MICHEL – AGES 19+ 7pm. Creemore Station on the Green.

OCT 19 : SCOTTISH GAELIC DIASPORA – CAMRYN RUTHVEN – ALL AGES 1:30. Singhampton Community Centre

OCT 23 : SONGWRITERS THAT ROCK! ALL AGES 6:30. Nottawa Memorial Community Centre

OCT 4 – 6 : CREEMORE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS – MUSIC EVENTS Purple Hills Arts & Heritage Society, 705-466-9906; @phahs.ca

OCT 4 : TOM WILSON TEHAHÀHAKE TRIO 8pm. St. John’s United Church, 192 Mill St, Creemore.

OCT 5 : GURDEEP PANDHER Bhangra Dance Class, 11am & 2pm. Creemore Legion 27 Wellington St W, Creemore.

OCT 5 : AYSANABEE 8pm. St. John’s United Church, 192 Mill St, Creemore.

OCT 6 : CREEMORE COMMUNITY CHILDREN’S CHOIR 1pm. Creemore Village Green, 181 Mill St, Creemore.

SEP 11 – NOV 13 (WEDNESDAYS) : ACHILL CHORAL SOCIETY WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS Sing classical, contemporary and traditional works in a diverse and inclusive environment. First three rehearsals free. Email to register. 7-9:30pm. Westminster United Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville. achill.ca

SEP 19 – 22 : VEGAS KNIGHTS Derek Marshall salutes the greatest Las Vega crooners of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. Thu 7:30pm. Fri 2 & 7:30pm. Sat 7:30pm. Sun 2pm. Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-942-3423; theatreorangeville.ca

SEP 21 : THE WELLINGTON WANDERERS Sing the old country classics. Doors open 2pm, concert 3pm. All ages welcome. 2-5pm. $20, call or email to order, or from ticketscene. ca. High Country United Church, 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519-941-0972; highcountryunited@gmail.com

OCT 5 : FOUR HANDS...ONE PIANO FEATURING DMITRI LEVKOWICH AND AGNE RADZEVICIUTE An evening of incredible talent. 7:309:30pm. $40; 16 & under free. St. James Anglican Church, 6025 Old Church Rd, Caledon East. 905-838-0888; caledonchamberconcerts.com

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF

Meet the Montreal Artists Friday & Saturday, September 27 & 28 10am–5pm

SEPTEMBER 18 — OCTOBER 6,

Celebrating Fall and the Arts!

Headwaters Arts proudly presents the following events under the enchanting tented roof of the Annex and in the Gallery at the Alton Mill Arts Centre.

Opening Soirée

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 / 6–9pm

Featuring jazz by The Sidemen, refreshments, and silent auction Tickets: $35 pp at headwatersarts.org

Jurors Walk

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 / 2–4pm

Cost: Free

Arts in the Annex Artists Market

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 / 11am–5pm

Vendors and food truck, studio open house, artisanal shopping, and more Cost: Free

Authors Afternoon

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 / 1–4pm

Author readings and discussion moderated by Mairlyn Smith, followed by refreshments and book signings Tickets: $35 pp at headwatersarts.org and Eventbrite

Festival Juried Art Show & Sale

Until SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 at 5pm

TICKETS & SCHEDULE: HEADWATERSARTS.ORG Taking place at the Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St W, Alton, ON

OCT 19 : THE CROONER SHOW From Sinatra to Bublé and a lot in between with Rick Kish. 7:30-10pm. $35. 72 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. Century Church Theatre Guild, 519-855-4586; centurychurchtheatre.com

OCT 24 : A JOURNEY TO THE MIDDLE EAST – MUSICAL ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE Maple Arts with members of the Canadian Arabic Orchestra. 7:30-8:30pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

OCT 26 : THE ROUTES OF COUNTRY

The Muir family brings you the songs that have impacted country music. 2:304:30pm. $25. 72 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. 519-855-4586; centurychurchtheatre.com

NOV 2 : CALEDON CHAMBER CONCERTS – KODAK STRING QUARTET Featuring Edgar Donati, Martin Noh, Daniel Spink and Blake Kitayama. 7:30-9:30pm. $40; 16 & under free. St. James Anglican Church, 6025 Old Church Rd, Caledon East. 905-8380888; caledonchamberconcerts.com

NOV 17 : CHRIST CHURCH BOLTON PRESENTS CHRISTMAS VOICES An evening with the Bolton Community Choir and special guests. 7-9pm. $15; children 12 & under free, by phone, online or at the door. 22 Nancy St, Bolton. 905-857-0433; christchurchbolton.ca

NOV 21 : A TRIBUTE TO TAYLOR SWIFT An evening of her most-loved songs with Katy Ellis. 7:30-9:30pm. $92. The Gibson Centre for Community, Arts and Culture, 63 Tupper St W, Alliston. 705-435-2828; gibsoncentre.com

NOV 22 : NAOMI BRISTOW IN CONCERT An evening of wonderful music. 7-8:30pm. $20, call or email to register. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519-9410972; highcountryunited.weebly.com

OUTDOOR

SEP 7 : UPROOT UPRISE: ISLAND LAKE Remove invasive species impacting the survival of native plants and animals. 9:30am-noon. Free, register. Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. CVC, 1-800-668-5557; eventbrite.caARTS

SEP 8 : FOREST THERAPY WALK

– AGES 16+ Slow down and connect with the natural world with Emily Pleasance. Rain or shine, bring water. 10. $36-$45. McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg. mcmichael.com,

SEP 9 : JOHN ROGERS MEMORIAL

CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT Tee

up to support our seniors’ centre and satellite programs. Lunch, 18 holes, cart, prizes and more. Register 11am, or online/ email. Lunch noon. Tee-off shotgun train 1pm. 11am-6pm. $150; $575 for a foursome. Glen Eagle Golf Club, 15731 Hwy 50, Caledon. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

SEP 12 : FORE DCAFS – DUFFERIN CHILD & FAMILY FOUNDATION

GOLF CLASSIC Proceeds to supports not covered by conventional funding. 8am. $225; $800 for a foursome, tax receipts. Shelburne Golf and Country Club, Melancthon. dcafs.on.ca

SEP 17 : GOLF 4 BETHELL HOSPICE

Cart, 18 holes, breakfast, bbq lunch, prizes, silent auction. To register or sponsor see website, call Lisa Benedikt at 905-838-3534 x2227. 7:30am-3pm. Lionhead Golf Club & Conference Centre, 8525 Mississauga Rd, Brampton. 905838-3534; foundation.bethellhospice.org

SEP 20 & 21 : BOLTON FALL FAIR

RODEO Bull riding to steer wrestling and more! Fri 6:30pm. Sat 11am. Albion & Bolton Fairgrounds, 150 Queen St S, Bolton. Albion & Bolton Agricultural Society, 905-880-0369; boltonfair.ca

SEP 21 : SOULFUL YOGA IN THE PARK – AGES 18+ Increase balance, strength and flexibility outdoors. Free, register. 10-11am. Dick’s Dam Park, 250 Glasgow Rd, Bolton. Town of Caledon, 905-584-2272 x4376; caledon.ca

SEP 22 : HEALING CYCLE 4 BETHELL HOSPICE Join the Cycle 4 Bethell Hospice Team as they ride through Mississauga to raise money for hospice palliative care. Or donate online. 8am2pm. Hoffmann-La Roche Limited, 7070

Mississauga Rd, Mississauga. The Healing Cycle Foundation, thehealingcycle.ca

SEP 28 : DUFFERIN FARM TOUR Meet local farmers and learn about where your food comes from. Many animals to see, farm-related activities, commodity displays, and local produce to purchase. Free, donation to local food banks or bring a nonperishable item, register. 9am-4pm. dufferinfarmtour.com

OCT 5 & 6, 12-14, 19 & 20 : FALL

WAGON RIDES Interactive guided tour. Group reservation only, up to 20 people per reservation. Please no pets. $60 plus admission. Terra Cotta Conservation Area. CVC, 1-800-668-5557; cvc.ca

OCT 6 : CALEDON HILLS BRUCE

TRAIL CLUB CELEBRATION OF BRUCE TRAIL DAY Fun, interactive activities and hikes for all ages. See website. Water and snacks available. 9am-3pm. Free. Riverside Woods Nature Reserve, 713403 1st Ln (W parking lot), Mono. caledonbrucetrail.org

Saturday & Sunday, September 21 & 22, Noon–5pm Part of the Caledon Culture Days Studio Tour caledon.ca /culturedays

Looking forward to seeing you all again! 20451 Porterfield Road, Caledon 416-998-2008 maryscattergood.com

OCT 6 : BRUCE TRAIL DAY WITH DUFFERIN HI-LAND BRUCE TRAIL

CLUB Family event with local artists and naturalist activities. 10am-2pm. Free. Splitrock Narrows Reserve, 755437 2nd Ln EHS, Mono. dufferinbrucetrailclub.org

OCT 10 : HEADWATERS HIKE TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER Hike 1, 3 or 5km, proceeds to breast cancer care at Headwaters Health Care Centre. All ages, 4+ receive a T-shirt. $35, register by Sep 19. 4:30-8pm. Monora Park Pavilion, 500 Monora Park Dr, Mono. 519-941-2702 x2303; hhcfoundation.com

OCT 19 : CANI-CROSS: TAILS & TRAILS CLASSIC 5km fun run/walk with your dog. The 5km and 10km races for experienced runners and canicrossers, dog joined by a canicross belt, line and harness. 8am-3pm. $35-$65. Mansfield Outdoor Centre, 937365 Airport Rd, Mulmur. Canadian Canicross Sports, 647-385-3464; raceroster.com

TO PLACE AN AD IN THE WINTER ISSUE CONTACT 519-216-9894 OR INFO @ INTHEHILLS.CA BY OCTOBER 18, 2024

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 115

OCT 19 : DUFFERIN HI-LANDS BRUCE TRAIL CLUB 25KM CHALLENGE HIKE – AGES 13+ Hike the Boyne River Valley section. Nine-hour allotted loop hike that starts and finishes at the parking lot. Proceeds to the club. Open to the public. Social at the finish. $55, register at brucetrail.org. 8am-5pm. Bruce Trail Mulmur Hills Parking Lot, 716599 1st Ln E, Mulmur. dufferinbrucetrailclub.org

OCT 19 : HUNGRY HOLLOW COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING Plant native trees and shrubs in the Hungry Hollow Ravine. 9:30am-12pm. Free. Hungry Hollow at Craig Crescent, Halton Hills. CVC, eventbrite.ca

OCT 27 : BOLTON ROTARY HAUNTED HILL WALK/RUN 1km fun run, 5km run/walk. School Challenge: Teams of 8 compete against other teams. Scavenger hunt. Prizes, food. Wear your costume! Free, register by Oct 25. 9:30-11:30pm. Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness, Bolton. Rotary Club of Bolton, rotaryhauntedhill.com

THEATRE & FILM

SEP 7 : THEATRE ORANGEVILLE COMEDY SHOW (T.O.C.S.) An evening of side-splitting comedic genius. 7:30-11pm. Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-942-3423; theatreorangeville.ca

SEP 7, 8, 13 & 14 : THE BROTHERS GRIMM SPECTACULATHON Fairy tales turned on their heads. Fri 8:15pm. Sat 2:15 & 8:15pm. Sun 2:15pm. 18365 Hurontario St, Caledon Village. Caledon Townhall Players Theatre, 519-9275460; caledontownhallplayers.com

SEP 8, 14, 15, 20 – 22 : DRINKING HABITS Accusations, mistaken identities, and romances run wild in this laugh-out-loud farce. Fri Sat 7:30pm. Sun 2pm. $25. Century Church Theatre Guild, 72 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. 519855-4586; centurychurchtheatre.com

SEP 11, 13 – 15, 20 – 22, 27 – 29 : MARJORIE PRIME Marjorie, 85, is a jumble of fading memories. But her handsome new companion is programmed to feed her memories

back to her. Wed, Fri Sat 8:15pm. Sun 2:15pm. Black Horse Village Players, 17272 Mt Wolfe Rd & Hwy 9, Caledon. 905-880-5002; blackhorsetheatre.ca

SEP 25, OCT 23 & NOV 20 : GOODLAUGHS AT GOODLOT COMEDY SERIES – AGES 19+ Who doesn’t love a good belly laugh? 7:30-9:30pm. $25. GoodLot Farm & Farmstead Brewing Co, 18825 Shaws Creek Rd, Caledon. 519-927-5881; goodlot.beer

OCT 4 : SCOTT THOMPSON AS BUDDY COLE IN KING Join Scott Thompson from Kids in the Hall as he brings his most famous character, lounge lizard Buddy Cole, to Brampton. 8pm. Lester B. Pearson Theatre, 150 Central Park Dr, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

OCT 10 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: THE STORIES BESIDE US Join host The Wild Woman for an intimate performance and interview series. 8pm. The Rose Studio, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

OCT 17 – 20, 23 – 27, 30 – 31, NOV 1 – 3 : TIP OF THE ICEBERG The elixir to reclaim Archie’s vigour: Newfoundland glacial ice, told through folk music and laughter. Thu-Sat 7:30pm. Sun Wed 2pm. Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-942-3423; theatreorangeville.ca

OCT 19 : EVERY BRILLIANT THING: A STAGED READING – AGES 19+ A mother battles depression, a child creates a list that makes life worth living. Bar. Cash only, no ATM. Show only $30; (presale $20); preshow dinner prepared by local chef. Ticket includes dinner, drinks and show. Call for info. 5:30-10:30pm. Dunedin Village Hall, 8994 Cty Rd 9, Dunedin. Clearview Township Small Halls Festival, 705428-6230 x262; smallhallsfestival.ca

OCT 19 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: STAND-UP STITCHES Side-splitting performances by talented standup comics from here at home and around the globe. 8pm. The Rose Studio, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

OCT 25 : THIS IS BRAMPTON:

IMMIGRANTS WITH ATTITUDE

Featuring comics who have fully lived the immigrant experience in Canada. 8pm. The Rose Studio, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

NOV 1 – 3, 7 – 10 : BRAMPTON

MUSICAL THEATRE: WE WILL ROCK

YOU Featuring more than 20 hit Queen songs, two revolutionaries try to save rock ’n’ roll in a postapocalyptic world. Thu Fri 7:30pm. Sat 1 & 7:30pm. Sun 1pm. Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

NOV 2 : STITCHED GLASS – THE KNITTING PILGRIM

Kirk Dunn combines storytelling, images, and three huge knitted panels to explore the connection among Judaism, Christianity and Islam. #BYOK (bring your own knitting). Cash concession. 7-9pm. $40; students $20. Palgrave United Church, 34 Pine Ave. 905-880-0303; palgravekitchen.org

NOV 2 : THE JAY MARTIN COMEDY SERIES An evening of uproarious laughter, surprise guest artists and unforgettable moments. 8pm. Lester B. Pearson Theatre, 150 Central Park Dr, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

NOV 9, 10, 15 & 16 : A PARTY TO MURDER It’s Halloween. Six people have come in secret to play a murder-mystery game at a rustic island cottage. Fri 8:15pm. Sat 2:15 & 8:15pm. Sun 2:15pm. Caledon Townhall Players Theatre, 18365 Hurontario St, Caledon Village. 519-9275460; caledontownhallplayers.com

NOV 9 : THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS A touring masterclass, diving deep into the darkest subject with Dr. Rachel Toles. 8pm. Lester B. Pearson Theatre, 150 Central Park Dr, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

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THE FIRE “ EXCAPE

” AT SHELBURNE ’ S

OLD SCHOOL ON THE HILL

When the fire alarm sounded at Shelburne’s old public school, the kids in the second floor classrooms were thrilled. It meant a chance to launch themselves – one by one – down the school’s evacuation slide. “We called it the fire ‘excape,’” recalls Jennifer Lenz­Franklin, who was one of those kids in the 1970s. At the bottom, waiting to catch the kids, was a teacher and a pillowy mat.

The school, a striking Italianate building that once stood proudly on the hill on the north side of Second Avenue West, opened in 1900 – without fire escapes. To correct this safety deficit, two evacuation slides were installed. The photo, which dates to the mid­1950s, shows the slide on the east side of the building.

But when classes weren’t in session, the slides were an irresistible attraction for neighbourhood

scalawags. Starting at the bottom, kids would scooch their way up the inside of the dark, dirty and danksmelling tunnel and reward themselves with a hair­raising slide back down – unless Tom Hume, the school’s kindly caretaker, caught them at it. “He would pull us out at the top and take us home to our parents,” laughs Jennifer.

For the kids, the risk was worth it. “When you got up to the top, it was like being at Canada’s Wonderland,” she says. “You would just shoot down and fly out the bottom … Looking back at it now, it was like a water slide without the water.”

By the 1990s, the “old school on the hill” had outlived its usefulness as a school, and the slides were long gone. So when, in a sad twist of fate, the building was damaged by fire in 1994, it was torn down.

— DYANNE RIVERS