Summer In The Hills 2021

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VOLUME 28 NUMBER 2 2021

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2021 FARM FRESH PULL-OUT GUIDE P.57

Dusk to dawn Awake in the wee hours

Belfountain

A village under siege

Lavender and sunflowers Regenerative farming

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F E A T U R E S 30 FIELDS OF DREAMS

Local sunflower and lavender farms are bursting with some of nature’s showiest blooms — here’s how to enjoy them

by Johanna Bernhardt

73 IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SOIL

Regenerative agriculture puts local farmers on the front lines of the global mission to reduce climate change

by Cecily Ross

38 WILD NOC TURNE

Venture out for a hike after dark to greet the salamanders, frogs and singing insects that hide during the day

by Don Scallen 4 5 3 :1 5 A . M .

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From Shelburne to Belfountain, Hillsburgh to Hockley, we meet the people working while the rest of us sleep

by Anthony Jenkins 52 BELF OUN TA IN UNDER SEIGE

A longtime resident of the busy hamlet in northwest Caledon ponders the uncertain future of the community she loves

by Nicola Ross

78 S TONE & WOOD

Stone sculptor Joe Burchell and wood sculptor Jim Menken draw their inspiration from the natural materials nature offers up

by Gail Grant and Anthony Jenkins

I N S E R T 57 HE A DWAT ER S FA RM FRE SH

Our annual pull-out guide to really local food

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98 OVER THE (NE X T ) HILL

Our readers write

As our bodies age, do we have to choose between fashion and comfort?

by Gail Grant

23 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Sara Sniderhan 1 0 0 H E A D W A T E R S N E S T 25 FIELD NOTES

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What to explore, browse, see this summer

by Janice Quirt 29 FENCE POS TS

It’s the end of the world ... again

by Dan Needles

Bored games

by Bethany Lee 1 0 2 A T H O M E I N T H E H I L L S

90 FOOD + DRINK

Savouring summer

by Janice Quirt

An off-grid home as landscape art

by Janice Quirt 11 8 W H A T ’ S O N

A calendar of summer happenings 86 MADE IN THE HILLS

Melissa Jenkins

by Janice Quirt 89 LOCAL BUYS

Bright buoys, collages and ceramics

by Janice Quirt

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94 GOOD SPORT

Geocaching with kids outdoors

by Nicola Ross 96 HISTORIC HILLS

How automobiles grew from curiosity to commonplace in these hills

by Ken Weber

1 2 6 A P U Z Z L I N G C O N C L U S I O N

by Ken Weber

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VOL . 28 NO. 2 2021

publisher and editor Signe Ball art director Kim van Oosterom Wallflower Design writers Johanna Bernhardt Gail Grant Anthony Jenkins Bethany Lee Dan Needles Janice Quirt Cecily Ross Nicola Ross Don Scallen Ken Weber photographers Kristin Allington Allison Clark Sean Davis Erin Fitzgibbon Kerry Knudsen Robert McCaw Pete Paterson Fred Webster illustrators Shelagh Armstrong Jim Stewart

associate editors Tralee Pearce Dyanne Rivers operations manager Cindy Caines regional sales managers Roberta Fracassi Erin Woodley advertising production Marion Hodgson Type & Images events and copy editor Janet Dimond web manager inthehills.ca Valerie Jones Echohill Web Sites on our cover Amelia Roney of Bennington Hills Farm,

by Pete Paterson

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 and Creemore, and Dufferin County. Annual subscriptions outside the distribution area are $27.95 (including HST).

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

For advertising, contact one of our sales managers: Roberta Fracassi 519-943-6822 roberta@inthehills.ca (Orangeville, Shelburne, Creemore, areas N of Hwy 9) Erin Woodley 519-216-3795 erin@inthehills.ca (Caledon, Bolton, Erin and areas S of Hwy 9) © 2021 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.

www.therealestatemarket.com

Find us online at www.inthehills.ca Like us on facebook.com/InTheHills Follow us on twitter.com/inthehillsmag and on instagram.com/inthehillsmag The ad booking deadline for the autumn (September) issue is August 6, 2021.

Canada Post Agreement Number 40015856 We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada.

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E D I T O R ’ S

D E S K

Imagining the future

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How often I’ve heard it over the past year and a half (oh, it seems so much longer): “Who could have imagined we would ever have come to this?”

Of course, some people did – those epidemiologists, medical historians and genre of novelists who make it their life’s work to imagine a pandemic, focusing on future scenarios while the rest of us are preoccupied with our weekly shopping lists, getting the kids to piano lessons, or reviewing tomorrow’s meeting agenda.

Now we’re all imagining the future. And a lot of us are daring to hope that some things really will never be the same again – in a good way. Here in these hills, we hope the heightened sense of community, and the social and economic benefits that go with it, will continue to translate into support for local independent businesses, including local farmers, and that we will understand more than ever the intrinsic value of this green countryside where we are so privileged to live and which so many pandemic-weary others have recently discovered.

Much of this issue is devoted to these themes. It includes our annual Headwaters Farm Fresh guide to help you get to know our local food producers, as well as a story by Cecily Ross about how some of them are practising regenerative agriculture to help ensure the sustainability of not only their own acreage but also the planet itself.

On a less happy note, in “Belfountain Under Siege,” Nicola Ross issues a kind of cri de coeur about the future of her beloved home.

The scenic Caledon village is increasingly encroached on by the fallout from economic and population growth in the GTA. Not the least of the village’s challenges is overwhelming tourist traffic.

Belfountain has long dealt with weekend crowds, but the pandemic has exacerbated the problem exponentially – and other villages and parks in the hills are now experiencing similar inundations. We know we’re lucky here and, for the most part, we’re happy to share our blessings with others, but ideally not all at the same time and all in the same place (a phenomenon almost certainly due in part to social media), threatening to destroy the very village charm, natural open spaces and sense of tranquility most visitors are presumably seeking.

The solution will lie in part with what the tourism industry calls “destination management,” which includes the development of attractions that serve the local economy without sacrificing the essential soul of the community or the health and vitality of the natural environment. Writer Johanna Bernhardt describes just that kind of business in her tour of the dazzling new lavender and sunflower farms that have recently joined the local agricultural mix.

With luck, you’ll be entertaining visitors yourself this summer. We hope this issue will help you tell them where to go – in a good way!

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C O N T R I B U T O R S

Meet three of the hardworking folks – Cindy Caines, Gail Grant and Cecily Ross – behind this issue. cindy caines In The Hills’ indefatigable operations manager, Cindy Caines, has been with the magazine since January 2013, lending her talents to every department. If you’ve ordered a subscription, placed an ad — and of course, paid for an ad — she’s the one who’s kept track of the details and made it happen. Freelancer payments? Finance? Scheduling? Check, check and check.

Beyond keeping everyone on track, Cindy is a team player who weighs in on everything from business development to strategy. And she won’t hesitate to jump in and prevent a lead or file from falling through the cracks. “It’s not a job, it’s a passion.” Cindy, who grew up in Newfoundland, lives in Grey Highlands with her “partner and best friend, Ken.” They have three grown kids and one still in school. When she’s not at work, Cindy enjoys reading, theatre, glamping and walking her dog, Bella. “Post-pandemic I look forward to attending live theatre again and hugging people.”

gail grant Gail Grant came to writing later in life, and by accident. When she was in her late 60s, she and her daughter travelled to Africa, and on a dare the two of them summited Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro. She wrote about the experience and so enjoyed the process that she approached editor Signe Ball with an idea for a column highlighting life as a senior. Her column, “Over The (Next) Hill,” plus “Snapshot,” a profile of a local community elder, has been part of this magazine since 2015. “The aging process is both unique to the individual and of significance to the community,” says Gail. “This platform provides me with the opportunity to meet our seniors and give a voice to what they’re doing, and what’s on their minds.” Gail says writing keeps her own mind tracking forward. In this issue, Gail meets a nonagenarian stone sculptor, two women who started a swimwear line aimed at seniors, and a 65-year-old mail carrier.

cecily ross “Village life is in my soul,” says Cecily Ross. Cecily grew up near Belfountain, went to high school in Erin and then, after decades of city life, retired to Creemore, the little town with a big heart, 12 years ago. She has worked as a writer and editor for the Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, Harrowsmith and Chatelaine. Cecily has been writing for In The Hills for longer than she can remember. An awardwinning journalist, she has published a memoir (Love in the Time of Cholesterol, 2005), a novel (The Lost Diaries of Susanna Moodie, 2017), and is hard at work on another.

She and her husband, Basil, with their Covid puppy, Lulu, enjoy hiking, cooking, snowshoeing and reaping the generosity (especially during a pandemic) of small-town life. In this issue, Cecily talks to three area farmers who have embraced a revolutionary agricultural practice that holds out hope for the sustainable future of food production and the health of the planet.

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DON SCALLEN

L E T T E R S

Brook trout in a Caledon stream.

Erin wastewater plant opposition I believe the town of Erin needs a wastewater treatment plant, but not the one proposed by the town and its consultants [as mentioned in Nicola Ross’s “No Conservation, No Authority” spring ’21]. The Environmental Study Report scope was too narrow, despite biologists’ expressed concerns and as a result there was inadequate consideration of the expanded population growth of Erin and the toll it will take on the West Credit River’s downstream aquatic ecosystem and human communities.

This is NOT a “fish or people” issue.

This appears to be planning by wastewater treatment plant approach and not a proper planning process for reasonable community growth or its important and fragile environ­ ment. It needs a watershed approach as demonstrated by the provincial government as far back as the late 1980s with the develop­ ment of the watershed planning process.

Southern Ontario has lost more than 80 per cent of its resident brook trout populations over the last 70 years (according to reports by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry). And the brook trout and redside dace populations of the Credit are slim in general and only healthy in this small sub-watershed.

We should not be destroying the last remaining healthy sub-watershed for expediency. This small watershed and its human community deserve better.

It is essential an independent federal assessment of the Erin Wastewater Treat­ ment Plant be conducted to ensure the health of downstream communities and survival of the last healthy brook trout and redside dace populations left in the Credit River watershed.

Jack Imhof Aquatic ecologist/watershed scientist (retired)

Editor’s note: On May 26, 2021, the federal government announced its decision not to undertake a new assessment of the Erin Wastewater Treatment Plant.

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The town of Erin has ambitious plans to grow its population from 4,500 to 18,900. This growth will include numerous new housing developments with significant cumulative effects, and a wastewater treatment plant discharging 7.2 million litres of treated effluent daily into West Credit River brook trout habitat.

The town of Erin and provincial regulators all agreed that the most productive brook trout spawning areas and the best brook trout populations are located downstream of Erin Village, and that the longest contiguous brook trout habitat in the Credit River watershed is between Erin and Belfountain. In fact, the number of redds [spawning grounds or nests] within the proposed effluent mixing zone and within reach of dissolved oxygen sag [nearby waters with a reduced oxygen content] were evaluated in the Environmental Study Report, which reported that they were extremely abundant in the study reach.

Brook trout survival depends on their coldwater habitat, yet the approved ESR failed to require temperature limits and design objectives in this warming climate. Brook trout will also face a toxic plume of chloride, ammonia and reduced dissolved oxygen that could extend up to 700 metres downstream before fully mixing. As stream temperature increases, ammonia toxicity will increase and available oxygen will decrease.

The Coalition for the West Credit River conducted a thorough review of the ESR and found numerous areas lacking due diligence in addressing critical factors that, if left unchecked, will have deadly consequences for brook trout in the West Credit River.

Judy Mabee President, Belfountain Community Organization Chair, Coalition for the West Credit River

Great job by Nicola Ross in your spring issue. Ms. Ross quotes the mayor of Erin, “If you don’t grow, you die.” I agree with him, conversely, as what will die (in my opinion) with the proposed growth in Erin will be the temperature-sensitive brook trout in the West Credit River.

Also what will die is Erin’s small-town charm as we get paved over with subdivisions, strip malls and box stores. I have been in the area these past seven decades and have lived in Erin these past 42 years. I am an avid hiker, outdoorsman and fisherman.

How the Credit Valley Conservation Authority and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks approved this atrocity is beyond my realm of thinking. The proposed sewage treatment plant location would be a beautiful place for a baseball diamond, sports field and hiking and bicycle trails. That is the welcome mat that I would like to see as you drive into Erin, not this abomination.

Ken Cowling, Erin

Among other disasters waiting to happen, what will the effect be on water levels? This river was never intended to accept millions of litres of water 24/7. Will we experience flooding? To those living right on the river, I would be concerned.

To those of us living a little farther back, should we be concerned about flooding on Forks of the Credit Road?

Whose decision was it to pump from the sewage plant directly into the West Credit River? Who is allowing this huge development to be tacked onto Erin? Why is all this going on in the middle of a pandemic? I wonder what UNESCO would have to say since they declared this area a World Biosphere Reserve.

Marion Lucas, Caledon

DUFFERIN COUNT Y MUSEUM & ARCHIVES

Chris Robinson Conservation Programs Manager Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters

Vintage car enthusiasm I love the CCM Russell automobile advertisement from 1914, included in the article “Natural Enemies: Horse vs Automobile” by Ken Weber [autumn ’08]. The car as pictured is stored in my garage. It is actually the used car advertised in the bottom paragraph of the ad, the Russell Model R. Mine is 1910, but I paid much more than $900 to buy it used.

Sandra Hoffman, B.C.

Ken Weber replies: I found the ad in a local weekly newspaper while doing research for the piece, and really know nothing more about it. It appears you have a gem in your collection. My uncle had one (c. mid-1940s), but I have no idea what happened to it. My own first car at age 16 in 1956 was a 1938 Oldsmobile coupe. It had a truck transmission, the clutch slipped, and the frame was bent, so to steer it required both hands on one side of the steering wheel. That’s probably why it cost just $30!

Editor’s note: See Ken Weber’s “Historic Hills” column, page 96, for more on the history of the automobile in our hills.

THE UNEXPECTED $300K. WOW! TIME TO MOVE… This added infusion of a “windfall” for many is allowing homeowners to make life-changing decisions right now. Homes, particularly rural homes, have been selling at big prices in this Covid market. Many working from home permanently have the space around them to sit outside and enjoy the open, and children are happier in their own “park” setting right in their own backyard.

The last 12 month period has given the impression that a seller can “name their price”... and get it.

The proverbial $300,000 more than a seller expected has been very real in many jurisdictions.

The Headwaters region has been off the charts. Such a windfall has allowed many of my clients to make lifechanging decisions much earlier than they had planned.

One example that comes to mind is that of a young couple whom I represented as clients in the purchase of their first home a few years ago in Hamilton.

Although comfortable and content there, the quick and dramatic rise of prices in their neighbourhood over the last year was so large that they had a buying power now that they had thought was still several years away.

I was able to find them their new perfect home in a beautiful neighbourhood just a bit farther from their first home. They can now start their family, with the plan to raise their kids for the next 20+ years in their new home and neighbourhood should they choose to do so. Better still, the mortgage payments are lower for the larger home because of the favourably low interest rates and substantial downpayment. WIN–WIN for my clients, I would say.

Brooke Cooper – Toronto

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Ontario’s largest, nonprofit, fish and wildlife conservation-based organization, supported the request by the Coalition for the West Credit for a federal assessment of Erin’s proposed wastewater treatment plant.

The OFAH has multiple interests in the Credit River, including restoration of extirpated Atlantic salmon to the watershed, our members’ interest in brook trout, and our history in brook trout management across the province. The OFAH is not opposed to sustainable development, but we take seriously the impacts to fish habitat of such development, and we believe infrastructure proposals should be focused on minimizing their impacts on sensitive and flagship species and habitats.

Not enough consideration was given to the many consequences of increased water temperature on brook trout, and their vulnerability to extreme events. These extremes were not modelled during the planning process, and we live in a time of climate extremes.

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Community help goes online SUZANNE LAWRENCE

I just wanted to reach out with my thanks to writer Johanna Bernhardt (and the CPCC EarlyON team) for your very thorough, accurate and thoughtful article in the spring issue [“It Takes a Virtual Village” spring ’21]. We are very grateful for your support and wanted to send our thanks to the whole In The Hills team for all you do to share news and information with Caledon/Dufferin/ Headwaters residents.

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Town & Country Real Estate

Shelly Sargent, Manager, Community Relations & Volunteers, Caledon Parent-Child Centre

A spring blog fan –

and flash from the past!

A great “Notes from the Wild” blog by Don Scallen about the turning of the season, accompanied with fantastic images of spring! [“Life Renewed” April 12, 2021] It’s awesome seeing my Grade 6 science teacher continuing to share his love for nature through his blogs. You’ve got yourself an inspired old student here, Mr. Scallen.

Dhruv Patel, Brampton

More country advice

for city dwellers Thank you for the “Who You Gonna Call?” confessions from Dan Needles [spring ’21]. What Dan writes is true. We moved from downtown Toronto decades ago, from a postage stamp lot just off Avenue Road to 250 acres. Here are some additional things that city dwellers need to consider: — When a tree falls, it is yours.

— Lighting does strike numerous times, until it hits the well and blows the pump out.

— Water does freeze pipes in the middle of winter.

— Turkeys are everywhere, not just on the road.

— Things get returned eventually, including the old cast-iron well hand pump from the 1800s.

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Feeling the love I grew up in Georgetown and have relatives and friends in the Orangeville area, and I really enjoy your excellent articles and photography. It almost makes me want to move back to Ontario.

Oh, but then there’s winter…

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that you’ve got a fan here. Thanks!

Thank you to all the people who make such a fine, informa­tive, heartwarming, inspiring magazine possible.

And have for decades. Still improving despite problems of various kinds. Bravo! No wonder it’s so well loved and popular. It has become part of our lives.

Mary Lynn Machado, B.C.

Erika Hildebrand, Mulmur

We welcome your comments!

For more commentary from our readers, or to add your own thoughts on any of the stories in this issue, please visit www.inthehills.ca. You can also send your letters by email to sball@inthehills.ca. Please include your name, address and contact information. In The Hills reserves the right to edit letters for publication.

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A R T I S T

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Clockwise from top left • Algonquin Bride 60" x 48" oil on wood • All Here 28" x 32" oil on canvas Portrait of a Young Artist 16" and 20" oil on canvas • Jackson at 14 9" x 12" oil, gold leaf on wood • Life painting demo 8" x 10" oil on canvas

sara sniderhan The slick black of a deep lake or the smudgy blue of a shirtsleeve might be the first thing to catch your eye. But focus on a face in a work by Sara Sniderhan, and it’s hard not to linger there and obsess over who they are and what they’re thinking about.

“I’m consumed by portraying emotion and the human condition,” says the Mulmur figurative realist. Sara credits a physical move from Toronto (see At Home in the Hills, page 102) for moves she’s been making artistically. For one, being surrounded by nature has led to more of it on her canvases. And more of the people in front of those landscapes are there by commission; her portrait business is thriving. “If anything, it’s made me a better painter,” she says. Find Sara at @sara_sniderhan on Instagram

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BBRAMPTON CHRISTIAN HRISTIANSS CHOOL www.bramptoncs.org RAMPTON C CHOOL

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Academic Excellence Academic Excellence K-12K-12 Christian Values & Worldview Christian Values & Worldview Committed, Professional, Committed, Professional, Teachers Teachers Modern Facility on 65 Modern Facility onAcres 65 Acres in in Caledon, Ontario Caledon, Ontario www.

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F I E L D

N O T E S

what to explore, browse, see this summer

BY JANICE QUIRT

Bolton Buzz A town marks the past and plans for its future This year Caledon’s largest village celebrates the bicentennial of the 1821 purchase by British immigrant George Bolton (1799–1868) of 200 acres on the Humber River as a key milestone in Bolton’s history.

A Bolton Treasure: The Story of the 1854 Prosser Map

OLLECTION IC A L S O C IE T Y, MC FA L L C ALBION BOLTON HIS TOR

Queen Street in Bolton, looking south, c.1900.

In 2013, a demolition crew discovered pieces of an 1854 map by T.C. Prosser, a local land surveyor. Believed to be the only copy in existence, the map helped the historical society confirm that 15 buildings in Bolton’s core were built prior to 1854. The 16th would have been the c.1836 vertical plank home where the map was found. It belonged to founder George Bolton’s nephew, Charles Bolton.

Visit the map section of the historical society’s website to take a look.

Back to the future: Bolton’s plan to revitalize

The land had been acquired by the British Crown from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation through the Ajetance Purchase (Treaty 19) in October 1818. (The land had also been occupied by other First Nations, including the Anishnaabeg, the Wendat and the Haudenosaunee, according to the Albion Bolton Historical Society.)

In 1819, the area was surveyed by James Chewett, who was given 2,635 acres in the township as payment. On June 5, 1821, Chewett sold 200 of them to Bolton. By 1824 George and his brother, James Charles Bolton, had built the grist mill that sparked the next chapter in the village’s development.

For the past two years, the Albion Bolton Historical Society has been working on an interpretive plaque to commemorate the bicentennial. Although Covid has upended plans for a public unveiling, stay tuned for one in the future. While you wait, consider the online walking tours on the society’s site, boltonhistory.com. One addition: In May, a heritage plaque honouring Ann and Samuel Sterne was installed on the south side of the Humber River near the Bolton Heritage kiosk. The Sternes were behind ongoing growth of the village, notably the 1839 opening of Sterne’s Inn, a two-storey, mudbrick building in 1839.

In March 2021, Caledon adopted the Bolton Downtown Revitalization Plan which covers initiatives such as traffic calming, convincing owners to sell or rent vacant storefronts, and boosting recreational activities.

“Historic downtown Bolton has so much potential,” says area councillor Tony Rosa. “Through our public engagement process, the revitalization of this area will provide more opportunities for our existing dedicated small businesses and become a place for residents and visitors to shop, dine and gather.” The complete plan can be found online at caledon.ca/bdr. A related note: Check out the Bolton BIA’s magnificent flower displays along Queen Street this summer. And while you’re there, watch for new eateries opening soon: date-night shoe-in the Wine Spot and Portuguese churrasqueira Flame House Grill.

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FOREVER

TOMORROW

TODAY

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The Brampton and Caledon Community Foundation is the choice of individual donors, philanthropists and family estates • The Brampton and Caledon Community Foundation provides individual endowment funds in the name of the Donor • An endowment fund at the Brampton and Caledon Community Foundation will support the charity of your choice in perpetuity • The Brampton and Caledon Community Foundation currently holds over 100 endowment funds valued at approximately $10 million…and has granted/allocated over $7 million to worthy charities since inception • The experience of the past 18 months has made many people think deeply about family, friends and the health and well-being of the community. Support charities in our community Today…Tomorrow…Forever by creating your legacy and your permanent endowment fund at the Brampton and Caledon Community Foundation.

www.bramptoncaledoncf.ca Serving the Headwaters Community since 2002

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Call for your pool quote 519-942-8113 Retail store – Open 7 days a week 78 First Street Orangeville ddpools78@gmail.com Your authorized area dealer for Big Green Egg grills

F I E L D

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SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

As we’ve all learned so well, shopping local in a pandemic means some degree of shopping online. But as small businesses cited a lack of funds, time and technical knowledge affecting their ability to adapt quickly, local Business Improvement Areas and governments stepped in to help. The Town of Shelburne launched #supporttheburne, using social media and other platforms to promote local business. “We’re so appreciative of the community’s support,” says Carol Maitland, the town’s economic development co-ordinator. “Our main goal is to increase online resiliency to secure the future of our businesses.” A grant from Innovation Guelph funded a centralized e-commerce site for Shelburne, where customers can buy products, book appointments and discover restaurants. The target go-live date is June 2021 and registration is open to any business in Dufferin County.

S AV E T H E D A T E

Staging

a comeback If you’ve come to the end of your Netflix queue, never fear. Local artists are serving up fresh fodder.

Orangeville’s Summer Concert Series is back for a second year. In a case of quick pandemic thinking, the town created the drive-in concert event at the downtown Rotary Park

Orangeville BIA launched a similar service in summer 2020 on their website, Shop Downtown Orangeville. It features goods and services, including takeout and food delivery. Consider online shopping for jewelry and gifts from Sproule’s Emporium and Dragonfly Arts, or vintage finds from Blumen on Broadway. Let’s call it retail therapy. In Caledon, the municipal Love Local Caledon campaign began in 2020 and runs through 2021.

Interested in something Aimed at getting the word out about shopping local, the campaign mentioned also promotes a detailed online Eat Local Guide featuring local here? Find restaurants and farm shops. Check it out when you’re stocking up. links to social

last summer. The tunes will ring out – on FM radio dials – for six concerts from Friday, August 20 through Saturday, August 28. Genres include jazz with Laila Biali and Ryan Grist, blues with Larry Kurtz & The Lawbreakers, and Opry with Leisa Way. The series is a joint project of the Orangeville Blues & Jazz

media pages & websites at Field Notes on inthehills.ca.

Festival, Theatre Orangeville and the Orangeville Public Library.

B Social Enterprises provides concession services. Tickets are

Furniture: New and Revived

$25 per vehicle and include a $10

While many of us stuck at home have been eyeing a decor update — especially outside after a winter of being cooped up — gummed-up furniture supply chains could keep us waiting into fall. But local retailers such as Orangeville Furniture are coming to the rescue, with outdoor displays to wander through and loads of stock. Other nearby options for custom-made pieces include Decor Solutions in Erin and Boss Leather in Bolton. If vintage is more your style, refinished vintage pieces are popping up all over. Consider Orangeville’s clever Revival Furniture for crisp, freshly painted consoles and tables, and Shelburne’s Boyne River Trading Company for facelifted dressers and cabinets.

shopping and dining voucher for downtown Orangeville. Find the full lineup, including Wednesday’s

DANIELLE ARNOLD PHOTOGRAPHY

Family Fun night, and ticket info at orangeville.ca. Theatre Orangeville’s own summer plans are a mix of virtual and live productions. The Third Life of Eddie Mann runs online from July 30 to August 15. Chase the Ace is slated as an in-person show August 11 to 22, as is Josiah September 8 to 19 (venues TBA).

Carmela Rodrigues of Revival Furniture.

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RURAL & HOBBY | FARMHOUSE & BARN HOMES | FARM & EQUINE

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Tatyana McCallum, CIM Investment Associate 519-942-1657 tatyana.mccallum@rbc.com

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RBC Dominion Securities Inc. Insurance products are offered through RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc. (“RBC WMFS”), a subsidiary of RBC Dominion Securities Inc.* RBC WMFS is licensed as a financial services firm in the province of Quebec. RBC Dominion Securities Inc., RBC WMFS and Royal Bank of Canada are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. *Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund. RBC Dominion Securities Inc. and RBC WMFS are member companies of RBC Wealth Management, a business segment of Royal Bank of Canada. ® / TM Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. © RBC Wealth Management Financial Services Inc. © 2021 RBC Dominion Securities Inc. All rights reserved. 21_90533_FTE_001

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t ru e c on fe ssions from t h e n i n t h c once ssion

It’s the end of the world ... again

BY DAN NEEDLES

L

ast month, as my kids gathered at the dinner table using FaceTime to celebrate my youngest daughter’s 24th birthday, I heard them all agree there was no point trying to buy a house because the planet is going to shake off the human race like a bad cold over the next 40 years. They are unanimous in their view that our species is doomed.

This quiet acceptance of the end times coming from my own brood gave me a bit of a start. But then my wife observed that I have not had to sit through as many classes on disappearing species as they have.

They have been fed such a steady diet of melting ice caps, vanishing forests, rising carbon levels and general climate gloom that you really can’t blame them for taking the dark view.

As a young man, I recall being quite anxious about the collapse of humankind. I grew up with the atom bomb, acid rain and stagflation. My parents were also gloomy people but they probably did more to earn the right to be glum, having lived through the Great Depression and a world war. My mother’s father was the gloomiest of the lot. He graduated from Harvard medical school the year of the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1919 and then ruined every dinner party for the next 50 years with his lectures on the great pandemic to come.

Quite a few people in my school year went to extraordinary lengths to prepare for society’s collapse.

One of them stockpiled copper pennies in pails in his parents’ basement in the 1970s, believing that copper would eventually be worth as much as gold.

He collected nearly half a ton of pennies and watched copper rise from 50 cents a pound to a dollar. Then

ILLUS TR ATION BY SHEL AGH ARMS TRONG

it went back down to 62 cents, barely budging from that over the next 30 years. His wife finally made him get it out of the garage and sell it all to a scrap dealer about an hour before the price began a steady climb to four dollars, where it sits today. In the meantime, we passed through several panics but no collapse.

Humans have always been tempted to think their own generation has plumbed a new depth in human experience. Perhaps the prize for bleak thinking should be handed to the Europeans of the 1300s

There can only be one apocalypse, by definition, and our record of predicting that event has been very poor. Prediction is not the strong suit of our species. when the continent moved into the Little Ice Age. The famine of 1315–1322 killed millions and the survivors were convinced the world must be coming to an end. Doomsday images appeared on the walls of every church in the land. Then the Black Death struck. People were so ground down physically and mentally at that point they barely had the energy to fight back against a plague. By 1360, Europe had lost a third of its population.

But the world did not end. Astonishingly, agricultural output recovered completely within a decade and Europe began an economic rocket

ride that, in spite of several notable interruptions, continues to this day.

As a scribbler I have always walked down the sunny side of the concession roads. I found it was the side less travelled for my generation, so I had a lot less competition. Everybody else was writing dark stuff.

I have always tried to help people feel a little better about the world by reminding them of the vigour and humour of the residents of these hills. I learned to be entertained by the voices of those who have struggled through hard times and learned to watch for breaks in the clouds. There is an old saying among sailors that the weather is a great bluffer, and human society is a lot like that. The world has always seemed about to be engulfed by the storm … until suddenly it isn’t.

At the online birthday party, I reminded my children it is never a good idea to put all your money on one square of the roulette wheel. There can only be one apocalypse, by definition, and our record of predicting that event has been very poor. Prediction is not the strong suit of our species. We just end up with pails of pennies in the basement. Our real skill is coping with setbacks when they occur, which is why there are now nearly eight billion of us on the planet.

So I encouraged the children to take the long view, which may not offer the thrill of apocalyptic thinking, but may in the end be more useful. Times are indeed tough ... but will you be ready when they get better?

Author and playwright Dan Needles is the recipient of the Leacock Medal for Humour. He lives on a small farm in Nottawa.

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Local sunflower and lavender farms are bursting with some of nature’s showiest blooms.

Here’s how to enjoy them in person and via handmade products that capture the magic.

BY JOHANNA BERNHARDT

DAV IS FAMILY FARM © SE AN DAV IS

COURTESY EMMA COURTNEY

DRE DREAMS W

heat, hay and corn may dominate the rural landscape in Headwaters, but in recent summers it has become harder to miss the acres of tall yellow sunflower heads swaying in the breeze and the mounds of purple lavender plants unfolding in long, aromatic rows. This is especially obvious when they have been gleefully swarmed by Instagrammers. Just ask Sean Davis of Davis Family Farm, who estimates that millions of photos have been taken at his family’s Caledon sunflower field since it opened to visitors in 2016.

If Covid has taught us anything, it’s that this summer we’ll all be on the hunt for life-affirming – or at least boredom-busting – experiences. How does a relaxing stroll through more than 100 acres of golden sunflowers sound? What about practising meditation in a fragrant field of thousands of lavender plants?

These are just a few of the escapist public and bespoke experiences offered by some of the most popular flower farms in the hills. Every farm has its own specialty, and you can expect to find country snacks, smallbatch skincare products, cooking oils and even birdseed as souvenirs.

Some farms are open for shopping all summer, but the bloom season is short, so call ahead or check online to make sure you don’t miss out and you understand each location’s entry policies, fees and Covid protocols.

Lavender is in its prime from mid-June through July, and local sunflowers reach their peak during August.

At some farms you’re welcome to take as many photos as you like during opera­ting hours. However, commercial photography sessions must be booked in advance and generally happen in the evenings before sunset.

Farms that are not open to the public or take only private bookings often have products for sale online.

But beyond the immediate gratification of breathing in the scent of lavender or taking a great photo of your kids in a sunflower field, there is something deeper at play. These farmers are also stewarding the land for future generations. “Everyone wants to make and leave something beautiful behind. This is our something beautiful,” says Dawn Levine, whose Avalon Lavender Farm in Mono is a new kid on the block.

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above A visitor takes in the epic view at Purple Hill Lavender in Mulmur. below The sunflowers stretch into the distance at Davis Family Farm in Caledon East.

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www.annshanahan.com

905.713.7233

AnnShanahan.com

Ailsa Craig At the Village of Arbour Trails

Want to chat?

Call Wend 226-251-3 y 065 x 826

Come see why you’ll love our retirement community Enjoy your Independent Living rental apartment while easily engaging in the activities and amenities at The Village of Arbour Trails and Village by the Arboretum, one of Ontario’s most unique and innovative retirement communities for older adults.

www.schlegelvillages.com 115 Cherry Blossom Circle, Guelph schlegelvillages.com

03_Reader of the Hills_March.indd 1 32 I N T H E H I L L S S U M M E R

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COURTE S Y AVALON L AV ENDER FARM

At Avalon Lavender Farm in Mono, rows of young lavender plants thrive as weed-suppressing fabric keeps competitors at bay.

Dawn and others report that lavender and sunflower farmers are working collaboratively, sharing ideas and supporting one another to create a tourism pocket where everyone, including the land, can thrive. Sunflowers, for example, bloom for only about two weeks, so the Caledon sunflower farms stage their plantings so the season lasts five or six weeks, from the final week of July to about Labour Day. Visitors who are too late for the bloom at one farm might still catch sunflowers in all their glory at a nearby farm.

Here’s a guide to where and how to commune with the best blooms.

avalon lavender farm, mono In 2019, Dawn and Alexis Levine began their dream of operating a peace­ ful place of healing and responsible land stewardship. Dawn and her husband, a practising lawyer, packed up their three small children and moved from Toronto to a 55-acre farm in Mono.

This spring the farm became home to 27,000 lavender plants, including Folgate, Melissa, Phenomenal and Munstead varieties, making Avalon one of the larger lavender farms in Ontario. Their adventure is just beginning.

Focus: Dawn plans to offer nature-inspired micro retreats in the fields and around the property’s Celtic-style stone circle. Avalon is gearing up for seasonal vendor markets and workshops on topics such as wildflower arranging. Dawn believes “smells ring bells,” so she uses lavender in her small-batch products to evoke memories and boost moods. She produces distilled oils and hydrosols, which are the aromatic or floral water left over after a flower has been steam distilled, as well as fresh and dried lavender bouquets. All will be available online.

Best known for: Mood Honey botanical perfumes, such as Cake Break and Dream Weaver. Covid-inspired Mask Mist – also good as a pillow spray – and Tub Tea, a blend of salts, flowers, and herbs.

Hours: Avalon will have its grand opening in 2022, but stay tuned for 2021 events and local market appearances.

Find them: www.moodhoney.ca, @avalonlavender on Instagram

deerfields lavender farm, palgrave Vivian Roy and her husband, James Wilson, were touring the French countryside in 2015 when they came across stunning fields of lavender.

Vivian was enamoured of the flowers, and when they returned to their sprawling 220-acre horse farm in Palgrave, her businessman husband planted 10,000 Hidcote and Munstead lavender plants for her. “It’s such a feeling of serenity being in the fields,” she says.

Focus: This one-woman operation began merely for pleasure and as a feast for the eyes, but Vivian soon had other plans. She intended to debut a cut-your-own lavender experience in 2020 but was deterred by Covid.

Since then, she and James have sold 100 acres of their farm and now reside on the portion that contains the lavender operation. For now, Vivian has decided to keep the business closed to the public but hopes to see her dream up and running in 2022.

Best known for: Vivian assembles about 200 fragrant bouquets each summer, available for purchase at Rock Garden Farms on Airport Road north of Caledon East.

Hardest part of the job: Weather is the biggest challenge for Vivian – a May frost can do serious damage to the plants, for example. She once had to replant 1,000 lavender seedlings that didn’t survive a late spring freeze.

Find them: www.dflavender.com

hereward farms, east garafraxa In fall 2019, Julie Thurgood-Burnett looked around the 250-acre East Garafraxa family farm she shares with husband, Stephen, and wondered if they could grow something other than wheat and corn. Not expecting much from the heavy clay soil because lavender typically loves drier, more alkaline soil, she ordered 40 lavender plants as a trial. To her surprise the plants flourished and she experimented with making lavender products.

She launched Hereward Farms in honour of the 1867 East Garafraxa hamlet of Hereward, where five generations of Burnetts have lived. Today, Julie has planted about 3,000 Munstead, Phenomenal and Hidcote plants.

Focus: Julie extracts the essences of her lavender through a six-week cold infusion in sunflower, grapeseed and sweet almond oils. To date she has infused more than 800 ounces of oil, and sells small-batch, all-natural body-care products online. Though the farm is not open to the public, she encourages people to drive by and soak up the beauty. In the future she hopes to partner with local businesses to host private groups, events and workshops.

Best known for: Pucker Up vanilla and lavender lip balm, deeply moisturizing face and body oils, and Angry Dad nourishing beard oil.

Products are available online.

Hardest part of the job: “Managing it all!” says Julie, who is also co-owner of a local marketing agency called Green Monkey Creative.

“Hereward took off faster than I ever thought.”

Find them: www.herewardfarm.com, @herewardfarms on Instagram C O N T I N U E D O N N E X T PA G E

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STONEWELL FARM © ALLISON CL ARK

www.thelocalgardener.ca

www.leahwilkins.com Leah Wilkins | Sales Representative C:519.384.4879 | www.leahwilkins.com

“My connection with Chestnut Park allows me to deliver unparalleled real estate service that is customized to your unique needs.

Providing excellence in service and client dedication is what makes Chestnut Park the brand standard for luxury in Ontario’s finest rural and recreational markets.”

stonewell farm, erin Lee Anne Downey recalls the moment her future was decided. “I was in a gift shop and there was this book, Lavender Fields of America, and a lightbulb just went off!” After devouring the book and researching everything she could, she joined the Ontario Lavender Association where she is currently president, and she and her now-retired husband, Tom Hitchman, continued searching for their dream property. After buying a 93-acre farm in southeast Erin, she left the fashion and finance industries behind and now tends more than 4,000 lavender plants.

Focus: Stonewell produces six different cultivars, most of them English varieties. Lee Anne harvests the buds, distills the oils and creates smallbatch lavender products in her 1872 farmhouse. Her mission is to “share our piece of land on a very personal level” and connect people to nature through intimate transformative experiences.

Best known for: A stunning location, complete with a guest house rental (sorry, it’s already booked for this summer), as well as essential oils, teas, dried lavender and floral waters. She has also created a Health Canadaapproved lavender hand sanitizer. Products are available online and onsite during pre-booked visits.

Most magical moment: In July 2020, Lee Anne invited her yoga teacher to host her classes in the lavender fields. Lee Anne remembers many clients in tears, as it was the first time they’d gone anywhere in several months. “The honeybees were humming around the lavender, and we were doing our sun salutations as the sun was setting in this spectacular orange, and then a coyote started howling.”

Hardest part of the job: “The industry is really in its infancy,” says Lee Anne. “You have to do everything by hand and there’s no equipment for small-scale producers.” One of the many goals of the Ontario Lavender Association is to help members source affordable equipment.

Hours: Private tours can be booked online for $10 a person (children under two are free). Special events TBA. Find them: www.stonewellfarm.ca, @stonewell_farm on Instagram

purple hill lavender, creemore Emily Jean Photography

TRUST | INTEGRITY | KNOWLEDGE | DISCRETION Chestnut Park Real Estate Limited, Brokerage

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When sisters Emma Greasley and Jessica Ridding were busy with their corporate careers in Toronto, it became evident their happiness was deeply rooted in the rolling hills of their family farm near Creemore. “Coming home was always such a treat,” says Emma. The sisters soon discovered that growing organic lavender on the nearly 50-acre farm would be the

Lavender farmer Lee Anne Downey communes with the colourful crop on her picturesque farm in Erin.

perfect way to create a business. In 2016, they planted 3,000 organic lavender plants and haven’t looked back.

Focus: The pair grows seven varieties of lavender, including Royal Velvet, Purple Bouquet and Melissa, more than 9,000 plants in all. The lavender is distilled at the farm in a copper still imported from Portugal. The essential oils are used to craft small batches of lavender products. The farm is open to the public from mid-June to Labour Day. Visitors are encouraged to stop by local eateries, including Jessica’s husband’s Singhampton restaurant, Mylar and Loreta’s, and bring food back to the farm for a picnic.

Best known for: Being a winning day trip location, as well as lavender essential oils, hand-harvested fragrant dried bouquets, which last for up to a year, and room sprays, available onsite and online.

Most magical moment: When Covid restrictions began to lift in the summer of 2020, Emma recalls a visit from an elderly woman who came all dressed up to celebrate her 80th birthday with her family. Emma felt so honoured that of the many places the woman could have gone to celebrate, she chose Purple Hill Lavender.

Hardest part of the job: Emma echoes Lee Anne’s admission that lavender farming is very physically demanding and there isn’t much machinery available to maximize efficiency. She says, “It’s a big team effort. We have a large supporting cast.”

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday to Sunday from mid-June to Labour Day. Entry fee is $15 a person; children younger than 12 are free.

Find them: www.purplehilllavender.com, @purplehill_lavender on Instagram

campbell’s cross farm, caledon This 60-acre farm on King St. in Caledon is home to high school sweet­ hearts Michael and Josie Gallo and their two young children. Both Michael and Josie grew up in Caledon and had a strong desire to stay near their roots while creating a health and wellness destination. The Gallos, both teachers, purchased the former Bailey’s Farm in 2017 and have since planted about 30 acres of Talon sunflowers, some 700,000 plants.

Focus: The couple envisions the farm as a place where people can come for inspiration and relaxation. As a former chef, Michael is particularly excited about the farm-to-table dinners they hope to offer again this year. The farm will host yoga in the fields, forest bathing, meditation and wellness events.

“We want people to leave our farm and feel as if they’ve been in another world,” Michael says.

www.experiencecreemore.com

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Erin, where you feel naturally inspired and genuinely at home.

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get your groove back!

From Vintage Jewellery through to sterling and mineral jewellery, apothecary, candles, chiffon kimonos, custom bejewelled wood letters; I always strive to carry the highest quality at affordable prices.

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The La Rochère Bee Glass Collection... always refreshing, always classic.

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DAV IS FAMILY FARM © SE AN DAV IS

At Caledon’s Davis Family Farm, sunflowers grown for birdseed have become a popular Instagram backdrop for paying visitors.

Best known for: The watermelon sandwich! When Michael was growing up, his nonna would often serve a crisp slice of watermelon between two slices of Italian bread in summertime. Nonna’s original recipe is now served with feta cheese, fresh basil, a balsamic reduction and olive oil on traditional Italian bread. The farm shop also offers sunflower oil, as well as locally sourced honey, body care and wellness products.

Most magical moment: Michael recalls a visit from a 97-year-old woman in a wheelchair. When the woman saw the fields of blooming sunflowers, her eyes filled with tears and she told him they reminded her of her childhood.

Twist of fate: Josie’s first job as a teenager was working at Bailey’s Farm.

Bloom time: Flowers start blossoming during the first week of August.

Check the website for information about hours and entry fees.

Find: www.campbellscrossfarm.com, @campbellscrossfarms on Instagram

davis family farm, caledon east The Davis family has been farming their 112-acre property on Mountain­ view Road near Caledon East for four generations. Although Davis Feed and Farm Supply has been operating for more than 30 years, a serendipitous encounter led to the addition of agritourism. In 2015, Sean Davis saw – and photographed – a family of wild boars on a roadside near Caledon East, and television reporters arrived to do interviews. One reporter asked to come back the following summer to film the sunflowers in bloom. Sean says that when that segment aired in 2016, the secret was out, and they’ve been flooded with visitors ever since.

Focus: Davis Family Farm is all about the birds. Every year, the Davises grow more than 40 acres of Talon sunflowers, and about 90 per cent of the seeds are sold for birdseed, both on the farm and in independent stores. The rest are pressed into a rich oil for cooking and baking.

During bloom season, about 20,000 people visit the farm to take photos, paint pictures, stroll and shop at the special sunflower-season market that includes other local vendors.

Best known for: The ultimate Instagram-worthy backdrop, as well as birdseed, sunflower honey and sunflower oil.

Hardest part of the job: The look of disappointment on people’s faces when they arrive either before or long after the sunflowers have bloomed.

Sean gently reminds people that the sunflowers are in bloom for only about two weeks.

Bloom time: The sunflower season kicks off during the final week of July. For about the next two weeks, the farm is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily – and until about 9 p.m. for special events that must be booked ahead of time. Tickets are $13.50 a person (plus tax). Children younger than 12 are free.

Find: www.davisfamilyfarm.ca, @davisfamilyfarmcaledon on Instagram

dixie orchards, caledon For 15 years, Paul and Lynnette Gray have been steadily diversifying their 100-acre Caledon farm on Dixie Road just north of King St. Starting with a pick-your-own apple orchard, they expanded to include pumpkins, hazelnuts, and family-friendly fun. Then, in 2019, the Grays planted more than 10 acres of sunflowers. The addition of sunflowers is a way to attract visitors a few weeks before apple season begins and to provide another striking backdrop for beautiful family memories.

Focus: At Dixie Orchards, the sunflowers are strategically planted in stages so there is a rolling availability of blooming sunflowers over about a month.

The last flowers to bloom, usually around Labour Day, mark the grand finale of the Caledon sunflower season and the arrival of the Grays’ apple harvest. Visitors are invited to pick more than 18 varieties in the orchard.

The Grays also host a porch market, featuring delicious local food.

Best known for: Great snacks, including farm-fresh candy apples, 20 kinds of gelato courtesy of local producers, and jams (blackcurrant, plum, apple pie and O Canada, a mix of four berries).

Hardest part of the job: Covid has caused many uncertainties, but the Grays have found that offering an online reservation system has eased people’s anxiety and helped them feel safe during their visits.

Most magical moment: “The beauty of the golden hour,” says Lynnette, referring to the time just before the sun sets, when the fields are bathed in golden light. During that magical hour, the Grays have witnessed many families reuniting at a distance in the fields and were happy to offer them a safe outdoor space.

Bloom time: During sunflower season, the farm is open from 10 a.m. to sunset. Check the website for this year’s entry fee.

Find them: www.dixieorchards.com, @dixie_orchards on Instagram

Writer and dancer Johanna Bernhardt lives in Orangeville.

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ROBERT McCAW

WILD NOC

Clockwise from top left : Spotted salamander, spring peeper, spiny oak slug moth caterpillar and American woodcock.

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OCTURNE get ting to k now the cr e atu r es of the n ight STORY AND PHOTOS BY DON SCALLEN

A

t six years old, Eloise MacNeal is already a talented salamander hunter. I met Eloise and her family on a rainy night in April at an escarp­ ment pond pulsing with life.

The spring peepers were at their strident best, creating a throbbing wall of sound as I approached the pond. But the squeals of Eloise rivalled those of the peepers. She would release a delighted shriek with each salamander she found. Her 11-year-old brother, Desmond, was equally excited, though not quite as vocal.

I’ve known Dan MacNeal, Eloise and Desmond’s dad, for years. A rural resident who lives just south of Orton, he is a naturalist with a jealousy-inducing penchant for finding rare birds. As I watched his nature-besotted children at the pond, I reflected on the gift he’s giving his children. He’s planting the seeds of nature appreciation, a gift that may flower into a lifelong passion that will draw his children outdoors to a world of fresh air, exercise and, above all, wonder.

Of course, nurturing a passion for nature doesn’t happen only after dark, but the thrill of heading into the woods or to a wetland with flashlights in hand is hard to beat. Moreover, the night is populated with exciting creatures that usually can’t be seen or heard during the

day. Fiona Reid, a good friend who wrote and illustrated the latest edition of the Peterson Field Guide to Mammals of North America, touts the night as “a little-explored realm of nature, where it is easy to make new discoveries and witness things that very few people have seen.”

Much of the natural world operates on a schedule opposite to ours. We humans are diurnal animals, creatures of the day, and most of us hesitate to leave our well-lit abodes and venture into the woods after dark. We don’t feel comfortable when the night compromises our vision.

Our eyes lack the abundance of light-gathering rods that help Salamander hunter many animals, including owls Eloise MacNeal and raccoons, see very well in the dark. For much of our evolutionary history, we’ve been vulnerable to predators whose night vision is superior to ours. The big cats are an example of those. Turn off the lights, and our tension grows. Every cracking twig conjures thoughts of monsters.

This primal fear continues to shape our behaviour today, even though, here in Headwaters at least, walking through a forest at night is no more dangerous than it is during the day. If humans have a primal fear of the dark, we also have the ability to reason. And reason should tell us that we have little to fear by venturing out after the sun sets. A nature lover who overcomes this fear will be rewarded. Creatures that C O N T I N U E D O N N E X T PA G E

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A guide to nature after dark singing insects

caterpillar searches

July until frost.

Summer until frost.

frog calls

salamanders

Varies among species, so dates are approximate: wood frogs in April, spring peepers April through May, American toads April through June, leopard frogs April into May, grey tree frogs May and June, green frogs June and July.

moths

Spring until frost; for the lovely underwings midAugust through September.

owls

September and early October.

One of the best times to watch salamanders above ground is on warm, moist evenings in late summer and early fall.

Red-backed salamanders come out from under logs to seek mates, beautiful red efts, which are immature red-spotted newts, wander the forest floor, and spotted salamanders surface to hunt invertebrates.

salamander breeding

Late March through mid-April.

All year. If you use a recording woodcock displays Late March through May to “call” them, please do so sparingly in any one area so the at dusk. owls are not unduly bothered.

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fly, sing, crawl and flutter abound after dark. There are the salamanders of spring, the moths of summer and the singing insects of autumn. Owls call almost exclusively after dark, as do whip-poor-wills. Caterpillars of kaleidoscopic form and colour crawl from their hiding places, and frogs croak, snore and peep.

When it comes to frogs, night is the best time to see many of the 10 species that inhabit these hills. People who live on the outskirts of Headwaters towns or villages, or in the countryside proper, know the voices of spring peepers, though it’s likely few of us have actually seen one. On many sunny afternoons, I’ve stood among peepers and tried to spot even a single singer. And many times I haven’t seen any. But after dark my success rate soars. Perhaps the flashlight is key.

With my vision restricted to the very defined patch of light illuminated by its beam, extraneous distractions, plentiful during the day, are blacked out. Or perhaps it’s simpler than that. Maybe the peepers sneak out of their hiding places under the cover of darkness.

A visit to a spring peeper pond in the evening is a great adventure, if you can

Hologram moth

bear the ear-splitting cacophony of the chorus. A calling peeper will soon be found. You’ll marvel at the remarkable volume produced by an animal that could sit comfortably on a loonie.

Another wonderful frog, best sought after dark at its breeding ponds, is the grey treefrog. These lovely creatures can be their namesake grey colour, or brown or just about any shade of green.

Wannabe chameleons, they have a tool box of fascinating adaptations, including the ability to change colour.

In Headwaters, grey treefrogs are just as widespread as spring peepers, and their loud trills overlap with the piping of their smaller relatives in May, then continue into early summer. The males are easy to approach in the dark and, like star performers illuminated by spotlights on stage, they often continue to sing in flashlight beams.

Their adhesive toe pads allow them to cling firmly to branches overhanging the ponds, making for great photo ops.

The spotted salamanders that Eloise and her brother were agog over appear

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owls salamander breeding woodcock displays wood frog calls leopard frog calls spring peeper calls american toad calls grey tree frog calls green frog calls caterpillars moths underwings singing insects salamanders j

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Nighttime explorers Dan MacNeal and his son Desmond

only after dark, and their window of activity is brief, roughly from the last week of March through to midApril in this area. On moist nights or evenings after unseasonably warm days, they wend their way through the woods to reach ponds. Witnessing this annual migration is magical. Spotted salamanders are beautiful, and though

common in forests and fishless ponds, they are seldom seen.

Eloise and her family visited the pond at precisely the right time. Rain, and lots of it, had fallen earlier in the day and the ground was sodden – perfect travel conditions for soft-bodied salamanders that need to keep their skin moist.

My guess is that Eloise and Desmond will remember this salamander even­ ing with great fondness for many years. And who knows? Perhaps they will reprise this adventure with their own children years from now.

Most of my nocturnal nature adven­ tures are enjoyed with others. The camaraderie of a communal wildlife search has great appeal. Any nagging anxiety at being outdoors after dark evaporates in the company of friends.

And there is joy in shared discovery.

But don’t entirely dismiss the idea of going solo. This also has appeal. In April I ventured out on my own to find an American woodcock. This portly bird goes by a number of colourful aliases including the delightful “timberdoodle” and the decidedly less-flattering “bogsucker,” both monikers derived from its fondness for probing mud with its dagger-like beak in search of worms and other choice

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edibles. Woodcock males become animated at sunset, engaging in weird and wonderful courtship displays.

The evening was still and cool, and the sky clear as I made my way to the woodcock fields. Bare trees were silhouetted in the orange light of the setting sun. Song sparrows, newly arrived from the south, served up a melodic counterpoint to the yips and howls of a distant coyote family. A field sparrow chimed in. In the nearby woods, a screech owl began to trill.

High above, a crescent moon floated in the darkening sky. Between it and the beacon of Venus, a descending Orion, the hunter, blinked into view on its way to its summertime residence in southern skies.

At about 8:30 p.m. I found a male woodcock, intent on impressing resident females by chirping his characteristic “peent” as he strutted around on his grassy staging arena in the meadow. After uttering 20 or so “peents,” he launched himself upward in spiralling flight. Circling above me at perhaps 100 metres in the air, he then dropped sharply back toward his arena, releasing a series of discordant notes all the way down. Back on his stage, he repeated the process: “peents,” skyward flight and then a rapid tumble back to Earth.

Solo experiences like this, in the wonderful milieu of a darkening sky on a quiet evening, transport me briefly to a place removed from the cares of everyday life. Aloneness in nature is a reflective time, a chance to silently ponder the mystery and the awesome mechanism of the universe, expressed in the flight of woodcocks or the movement of constellations.

I’m reminded of another solo nighttime nature adventure I had 20 years ago. I started by visiting Doris Bourne, a naturalist friend, in Alton.

She was a wonderful woman, now departed and greatly missed. She had a kettle on the boil and fresh-baked cookies on the coffee table. As night descended, we sat and chatted about ravens and snakes. Doris was no stranger to going solo in nature. For years, even into her 80s, she would

Mothing with a bedsheet and mercury vapour light

camp alone in Algonquin Park and fall asleep to a nocturnal symphony of loons, barred owls and bullfrogs.

After catching up with Doris, I bade her goodnight, and lifting my bike from my car, rode off into the night. I biked until dawn on quiet rural roads in my Caledon territory for the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas project, listening for the calls of nocturnal birds. The early June night was redolent with the scent of lilac and chokecherry. Lest you think I was taking a foolish risk by riding through the night, know that I had lights on my bike, front and back.

As a further precaution, I would pull my bike to the side of the road every time an infrequent car came by.

On my midnight ride, I heard screech owls and added black-billed cuckoo to my bird list when I heard one in the wee hours of the morning.

The big payoff, though, came at about 3 a.m. when I heard an unfamiliar chatter coming from a wet field on Shaws Creek Road. The incessant voice suggested wren, and after considering my options, I knew I had a sedge wren, an uncommon bird in this area.

Now two decades later, with the third breeding bird atlas project underway, I’ll repeat my night ride.

But alas, this time I won’t be able to kick it off with coffee, cookies and conversation at Doris’s house.

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After the woodcocks and salaman­ ders of spring, the search for moths lures my friends and me into the darkness. There are roughly 10 times as many moths as there are diurnal butterflies, and contrary to popular belief, many are pretty – and some are spellbindingly beautiful.

Fiona Reid’s curiosity about the natural world extends well beyond the mammals that were the focus of her graduate studies. Over the past decade she has become a regional expert on moths, and on her property in north Milton she has to date tallied more than 600 species. Fiona notes, however, this number pales in comparison to the 1000-plus species tallied by the High Park Mothia, a group of moth zealots in Toronto.

Fiona happily shares the secrets of the art of mothing: “A moonless warm night in summer is ideal for moth activity, especially if there has been a light rain earlier and the air is still. A few days before, we will concoct a bait of brown sugar, beer, mashed bananas, perhaps some very ripe peaches, leaving this to hubble and bubble to perfection. Then we paint this tasty mixture on trees along a trail.”

After an hour or so, Fiona and her fellow moth-ers return to check each bait station and “try not to shout with joy should a lovely underwing moth be

encountered.” Some moths are startled by loud noises and flutter for cover.

Fiona recommends using headlamps instead of flashlights in the mothing quest. “Using a headlamp leaves one’s hands free, but it also illuminates exactly where you want the light to be and reflects the eyeshine of many species.”

Sugary bait isn’t the only way she attracts moths. She also exploits the well-known attraction moths have for light. “I throw an old white bedsheet over my clothesline,” she says, “and illuminate it with a small UV light or a mercury vapour light.”

The caterpillars that transform into those moths are also worth seeking after dark. “For all the caterpillars and other insects we may discover during the day,” says Sam Jaffe of the Caterpillar Lab in New Hampshire, “there are countless thousands that go unseen. In sunlight and under the watchful eyes of predatory birds, most caterpillars fully invest in their defences, disappearing into their background with fine-tuned bark and leaf camouflage or disappearing altogether into bark crevices or shallow soil. But after dark, when birds are no longer searching, the insect world comes alive and relaxes those visual defences.”

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The Caterpillar Lab is a nonprofit organization with a mission to convince people of the wonder and ecological value of caterpillars.

Inside their storefront in downtown Marlborough, hundreds of species of caterpillars are raised, and the lab’s popular outreach programs educate thousands of people every year.

Most of the caterpillars housed at the lab come from nocturnal caterpillar forays. Sam Jaffe is a huge booster of venturing into nature after dark: “The nocturnal world of insects is explored by far too few, considering the bounty it offers. Start with a stroll around your backyard, get hooked, and become a night-owl naturalist.”

My friends and I are hooked. The caterpillars we find at night are wildly diverse and often delightfully bizarre.

Hunting them in native trees such as oak, elm, basswood and black cherry is an activity best done communally.

The more eyes on the prize, the better.

Highly anticipated are the cries of “Found one!” Pulses race.

In recent years I’ve found another way to while away an hour or two after sunset. Singing insects such as crickets and katydids have captured my heart. Many of these species call during the day, but some are dedicated nocturnal performers.

Night prompts their music making.

I’m surprised I didn’t pay much attention to these night singers pre­ viously. They provide the soundtrack of sultry summer evenings. They can be plentiful, even in suburban settings, and they are far more than just your typical black crickets. Tree crickets, for example, are not at all like the crickets that sneak into our houses to chirp from nooks and crannies in our basements. They are a diverse group of mainly arboreal insects represented by about six species in Headwaters.

Unlike the heavy-bodied ground crickets, tree crickets are delicate, slender creatures. But that daintiness is deceiving. They are remarkably loud.

Tree crickets sing by raising dia­ phanous wings over their abdomens and rubbing them together. Nature offers infinite examples of beauty

but seeing these singers in action is breathtaking. This, however, takes patience. Tree crickets typically press mute as you draw near, but the irresistible urge to beckon prospective mates soon trumps caution, and they sing again.

Last fall I captured a few of these diminutive insects and set them up indoors, furnishing them with branches to climb on and plenty of food. Sliced apple was a hit. I misted their enclosures from time to time and then waited for dusk to cue their voices. This allowed me to sneak up quietly to view the singers, and it also helped me use their distinctive calls to identify the species. Beyond that, it was a delight to turn off my music and television, and be serenaded by the calming trills of the crickets. Please know that I kept each cricket no more than a few days. Then I returned him outdoors where he could continue to woo females.

I’ll leave the last ringing endorse­ ment of becoming a “night-owl naturalist” to Desmond MacNeal, brother of Eloise, the salamander hunter. “Going out at night gives me a thrill unlike exploring the world in daytime,” he says. “It reminds me that even when you’re asleep the world around you is not. Each time I go out to see and hear those creatures, I’m just as excited as the last time, and by the end of each expedition, I learn something new and have a lot more questions about the lives of nocturnal animals.

I will never forget these nights.”

Life abounds after dark, much of it glorious in form, sound and colour.

Adventure beckons, as Desmond knows. So why not put the online world on pause, muster a little nocturnal daring and see what you can find?

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

WH I LE WE ARE S LEEPING

3:15 A.M.

BY ANTHONY JENKINS

PHOTOGR APHY BY PE TE PATERSON

The sun has set, the skies have darkened. Stars softly twinkle, a silver moon shines. The cares that beset the day are now yesterday’s, and tomorrow has yet to come — though not really, as it is already the wee hours of tomorrow.

Connie McTavish-Rennick, 52

housek eep ing p or t er he a d wat er s he a lt h c a re c en t re , or a nge v il l e More patients, more beds, more rooms, more concern all mean more work for every frontline worker at Headwaters Heath Care Centre during this deadly pandemic. “A lot more work,” Connie McTavishRennick allows, as she gets set to begin her 11:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. night shift as a housekeeping porter, much of it in “Emerg,” the hospital’s emergency department. She’s on steady nights, 15 years on the job.

It’s 3:15 a.m. and all across Headwaters, souls are soundly sleeping. You and I, and most of our family, friends and neighbours, are safely tucked up in soft beds, oblivious, as we should be. But not quite all of us. From Shelburne to Belfountain, Hillsburgh to Hockley, some people are awake — and working. They’re on the graveyard shift, usually defined as midnight to 8 a.m. By day they sleep in shaded rooms where their brains battle natural circadian rhythms — those natural cycles tied to day and night, and present in all organisms, even plants.

That’s science. The five souls who speak to us here are humans who, by choice, by career or by command, work while we sleep — and vice versa.

Four of the five interviews that follow were conducted at worksites as people toiled while the rest of us slept. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, my chat with Connie McTavish-Rennick could not be conducted in person at Headwaters Health Care Centre. It took place by telephone.

Connie’s work is physical and must be done wearing a mask, gloves, goggles and sometimes, depending on the task and area, a hairnet, gown and overboots. “Yes, it’s hot. Your glasses and goggles fog. You’re breathing the same air your whole shift. It can be overwhelming. It gets almost claustrophobic.

“Every night is different. It can be extremely busy. Steady highvolume since Covid. There’s a challenge to multitask. How are you going to be in three places at once? You learn to prioritize – what you can do now, and what will have to wait. You do your best. You cope.”

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Though no two shifts are the same – “It could be crazy all night, unpredictably crazy” – Connie supposes that at 3:15 a.m. she might be in the hospital’s blood lab, a big room filled with expensive machines, any of which could cost several times her annual salary.

She’ll be cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces, emptying garbage, emptying – carefully emptying – dangerous bins of biohazards.

Working steadily and methodically, not missing anything. There is a pandemic. Lives hang in the balance. There is no such thing as “good enough.”

Whatever her task of the moment, Connie must be prepared for immediate calls to action elsewhere, especially to Emerg, where urgent response is required.

“They call me. ‘Connie, we need you here, now.’ You drop things and go. Maybe they need some extra linen, maybe they need some ice brought to them, a spill to be cleaned up. Maybe someone has tracked in mud (or worse) and it’s a hazard.” She might be directed to OR, an operating room, where cleanliness is taken beyond godliness, and her three-day specialty cleaning training is put to meticulous use. Spilled blood isn’t simply mopped up.

Unlike many of her colleagues at the hospital, Connie may not have an alphabet of acronyms and abbreviations after her name, but she is frontline, at-risk and proud to say, “I love my job.”

That’s easy to believe, and it’s easy to imagine that, in a time before masks, you would see her saying it with a smile.

computer control panel located on a tight platform at the side of the machine. He’s following instructions on a “traveller,” a detailed instruction sheet created by a Lauer client. The sheet is covered in geometric line images, with the many dimensions and tolerances highlighted in yellow or orange Sharpie dashes.

Inside the suburban-bathroom-sized CNC machine, a dullish yellow coolant comprising water and animal fat gushes over a shiny metallic rod, the length and girth of a beefy forearm. The rod spins at high speed while a heavy, computer-controlled drill carves away exquisitely delicate spirals of hot, gleaming metal that fly every­ where inside the chamber, decorating its dripping walls and floor.

Lorenzo is moving, as he says, “in time with the machine,” making parts for machines that make parts. It will take more than an hour to “take the cut” for sizing, to make each of tonight’s parts, a series of transit shafts. He sometimes knows what the

Lorenzo Bobechko, 24 gener a l m ac hinis t l auer m ac hine & m a nufac t ur ing , a m a r a n t h At 3 a.m. in drizzling rain, the dead end of a dirt road in Amaranth may not be where you’d want to find yourself. But that’s where Lauer Machine and Manufacturing’s 10,000-square-foot machine shop is located – and that’s where Lorenzo Bobechko works the night shift.

Lauer specializes in tight-tolerance machining, and on this night Lorenzo has already been here for the past 11 hours, intent at the working platform of a million-dollar computer numerical control, or CNC, milling machine. The excruciatingly precise holes he’s drilling in heavy metal shafts are sized and located to tolerances of a thousandth of an inch.

If he gets the numbers wrong, things can go badly awry, causing massive, pricey damage. He likens what can happen to crashing a very expensive sports car.

Though still young, Lorenzo has been doing this job – the parts he makes each night vary – for more than five years, four of those on the 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. night shift. He likes it. He has left behind his childhood aspirations of becoming a classical pianist.

The shop floor at Lauer is strewn with trolleys, pallets and gleaming heavy metal mosaics of massive manufactured parts, as well as angular steel slabs waiting to become so. Crane lines and chains hang from above, massive machines make a racket, workplace memos, warnings and instruction sheets are tacked to surfaces with little magnets, and the Guess Who’s “American Woman” is the soundtrack of the moment.

Lorenzo tolerates the music. He finds it, when he hears it, a distraction from his focus.

And focus he does.

At 3:15, standing at his CNC machine, dressed in black ball cap, jeans, T-shirt and big, begrimed work boots, his piano-smart fingers dance over the lights, buttons and dials of a complex

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parts will be used for, as well as their final destination, but often not. They could be shipped to Bolton or Shanghai. The parts he’s machining are critical components of other machines, from those that make single-use plastic pop bottles to those that make medical stents, tiny surgically implanted tubes that aid in the flow of vital bodily fluids. “Someone could be saved, perhaps. We’re part of the assembly line toward that.”

On his part of the all-night assembly line, Lorenzo likes busy best. “Time flies.” It is only on reaching his home in Mono that he feels the 12 hours. There he has learned that what most of us take for granted – sleeping at night – he must simulate when sleeping days: room dark, phone off, disturbances minimized. He’s aware his adrenaline levels have been elevated and it will take time for the peace of slumber to come.

He’s also aware that the transition to a weekend or to days off will never, ever, be easy. Awake in the sunshine, he will regularly feel jet-lagged. But he is content – and he’s proud. “We do good work here.”

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Cristina Roque, 50 b a k er a nd o w ner s on of a c hef b a k er y, or a nge v il l e Spending time overnight with Cristina Roque in the kitchen of her Orangeville bakery or checking in with her during her 16-hour Saturday workdays, when she also serves in the busy shop out front, will quickly confirm that the Portuguese-born baker is the ponytailed embodiment of the word “indefatigable.”

“Oh, I love it, I love it!” she says of her work, doubling up on expressions of delight, as she often does.

Since entering the bakery at 3 a.m., Cristina has been shuttle­ cocking around the shop’s tight, 10- by 30-foot kitchen, turning on ovens, organizing pots and pans, marshalling ingredients. At 3:15 on the street out front, it’s dark, empty and eerily quiet. In her brightly lit kitchen, Cristina is intently counting spoonfuls of yeast into a large metal bowl into which she will shortly crack 98 eggs.

This hasn’t been her life for very long. She bought the business last November, after the pandemic closed the factory where she worked. “This was in my mind for many years,” she says. She had worked at the factory for the past decade, making “the electric box you put in the driveway, under the ground, to melt the snow.

I made the box. I made the wiring.”

Now she’s making malassadas, delectable Portuguese dough­ nuts, a Saturday specialty. She’ll be making 300 tonight, before the bakery’s 8 a.m. opening. People will be waiting at the door.

For now, there is just Cristina and her assistant, Matilda, working steadily and methodically, with little chat. (Cristina’s husband, Fernando, will arrive at 4.) Croissants and cinnamon buns will follow.

“It is easier to work at night. A hundred per cent. It’s quiet.

It’s organized. You concentrate on what you’re doing. It goes well. The time flies. During the day it is going, going, non-stop: baking extra, more attention, more concentration, employee questions, customer questions. It is always busy. To have a business, you do it. Not tomorrow. Today.”

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Is all this night-and-day endeavour appreciated? “Oh yeah! Oh yeah!” she says without looking up or missing a beat cracking those eggs. “I like to do everything from scratch. Fresh. They love it!

Customers order ahead. They say they could eat them every day!”

Taking a brief pause for a sigh and contemplation, flour-dusted hand on black-aproned hip, Cristina says the one thing, the best thing, she has learned during staggering workdays and pandemic strictures is that there are “really very good people in the world.

People with good comments and good hearts.”

Cristina’s doughnuts are good – try eating only one! – and so is her heart. “It is good we have something to help other people.

People I know come with big families, people out of a job. I have leftovers at the end of the day. I call them to come and pick them up. I enjoy helping.”

On the seventh day, says the Bible, the Lord rested. Cristina doesn’t. The bakery is closed Sundays, so that’s when she shops, cleans house, does laundry. “I come from a big family. During a pandemic, we’re not allowed to see anybody, right? Family, friends.

So now, not seeing them doesn’t affect me too much. But with experience, I may have to change my plans. To have time for my family. To have time for me.”

drug and alcohol incidents increase. On full-moon nights, he firmly believes, even more so.

Late at night, when the streets are deserted and quiet, he says, “You’re more aware of your surroundings. You see that little bit of movement and I wouldn’t say you are necessarily suspicious, but you are drawn to that. There’s almost a sixth sense at night when you’re a cop.”

Jeff McLean, 34 opp c ons ta bl e duffer in de tac hmen t “I’m not really a morning person,” confesses Dufferin County OPP constable Jeff McLean.

The former Shelburne Police Service officer, who transferred to the OPP when Shelburne council voted to disband the local force, is happy working the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. night shift. Not that he has a choice. All OPP officers, regardless of seniority, must work shifts in a complicated rotation of days and nights, with at least a 24-hour interval in transition, followed by three days off. They also work back-to-back weekends every month, then have back-to-back weekends off.

You might be tempted to think Jeff’s affinity for the night shift would be sorely tested at 3:15 a.m., when he’s walking downtown Shelburne alone in a cold rain. Rattling under 40 pounds of vest, flashlight, gun and gear, he is methodically checking the doors of every business on Main and Owen Sound streets in his hometown.

His house, warm bed, and family lie a couple of kilometres away.

After more than five years on the job, Jeff’s shifts are fluid. Much of what he does is at his own discretion. He drives perhaps 200 kilometres every shift. He could be patrolling, attending domestics (domestic abuse complaints) or filling out arrest paperwork in the detachment office. Tonight he is pounding a wet beat in Shelburne.

Earlier in the shift, he was conducting RIDE checks, traffic stops and radar speed enforcement.

Does he feel guilty, hidden in the darkness, busting speeders doing 25 kilometres over the limit on empty roads a 3 a.m.? “Well, no,” he says. “Depending on circumstances, if someone is going 25 over in a 50 zone in town, I don’t feel guilty at all.” Be warned.

Policing is different on the graveyard shift. By day, a visible police presence is itself a crime deterrent. At night, Jeff has been surprised by the number of people out and about in the dark, both benign and up to no good. Cars and faces become familiar. People are more apt to flee with darkness for cover. Domestic, along with

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If one of the doors Jeff is rattling in the middle of the night should creak open, what is the procedure? He’ll radio in to report an incident, await a backup officer, rouse a keyholder, and check and clear the building. How many such break-in incidents would he see in a year? “Five or six.” And how many of those will prove to be false alarms, someone just forgetting to lock up for the night?

“About five or six.”

Varun Sharma, 27 s t ore sup er v is or ult r a m a r a nd e x p re s s m a r t, c a l ed on Out of the darkness of a starless night, air brakes hiss and a slowing big rig groans to a stop on the earthen verge of Highway 10, south of Caledon Mountain. There, the Ultramar station is a brightly lit gas and snack siren in the night, its pumps throwing long, deep shadows.

The truck driver climbs down stiffly, as if he’s put in many miles tonight. He works out the kinks while he ambles across the forecourt and into the well-stocked convenience store. There, at 3:15 a.m., an impersonal minute’s encounter occurs between two Covid-masked strangers, both working nights.

The trucker selects a big bottle of a lurid yellow energy drink from the cooler, puts it on the counter and asks for his brand of cigarettes. Behind black mask, Plexiglas Covid shield and a

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“For my future,” Varun replies without hesitation when asked why he came to Canada in 2018 from Kotkapura, Punjab, India.

With permanent residency status imminent, that future – Varun aspires to become a Peel police officer – may seem bright, but it can be no brighter than the harsh glare from ranks of fluorescent lights he sits under over nine-hour night shifts at this 24/7 gas bar and convenience store.

Working two day shifts and two night shifts a week, he has been at the Caledon station for two years, transferred from a gas station in Brampton, his first job in Canada. Days are busy, traffic on Highway 10 is constant, customers steady. Nights are slow, then they get slower – and more dangerous. There could be “drive-offs,” people who fill up and leave without paying. There is real fear of robbery. There is always some boredom.

That boredom doesn’t come early, but it comes inevitably. The early hours of Varun’s 11:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. shift are filled with customers and cleaning: dust everything, mop the floors, clean the pumps, clean the washroom, empty the trash, deal with the flow of customers in for gas, pop, chips, tobacco.

By 2 a.m., all is spick and span. Traffic headed home from work has ceased. Early-to-work traffic won’t start until sometime after 3. A handful of regulars, whose shifts are in synch with Varun’s own, might show up during the slow time – familiar faces without names in the middle of the night.

Time crawls. Tedium takes over. Sleep beckons. No one could reproach a clerk who leans back in his chair to watch Netflix’s The Witcher on his cell phone. Awaiting dawn.

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Anthony Jenkins is a writer and artist who lives in Mono.

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Belfountain Under Siege A dispatch from the battlefield STORY AND MAP BY NICOL A ROSS

PHOTOGR APHY BY FRED WEBSTER

I

t’s no exaggeration that my village of Belfountain in Caledon is under siege. At its annual general meeting in May, the Belfountain Community Organization updated residents about the latest developments in its traffic battle, the sewage-treatment-plant skirmish, the too-many-tourists conflict, the Manors-of-Belfountain-subdivision clash, and a pair of aggregate-mining struggles. Tucked in at the bottom of the night’s agenda, which also included the sticky issue of fundraising – it’s not going well – was “Christmas Potluck.” This lone community-building activity garnered a scant five minutes in the two-hour-plus meeting. It reminded me of a wartime bulletin broadcast by the venerable BBC at the height of the Blitz.

The experience also brought to mind a seasoned municipal politician who once told me he became a councillor because he wanted to do great things for his community. Once elected, however, he discovered he spent most of his time preventing his fellow politicians, bureaucrats and others from doing stupid things. He had little energy left over to accomplish all the good he’d expected to do.

And isn’t that how life feels sometimes?

Rather than kicking up our heels attending Christmas potlucks, we spend our time writing letters, posting signs and adding our names to petitions to stop a quarry or a super highway or a sewage plant or a housing development. And during these Covid-19 days, we talk of little else than the stupid things politicians are doing.

I can’t imagine the pressure government officials and regulatory agencies must be under at any time, much less during this pandemic.

So I try to give them the benefit of the doubt – much to the chagrin of my partner, Alex, who is less forgiving of stupidity than I am. But when it comes to the devastating acts and misguided deeds that are eroding life in my precious childhood home in Belfountain, generosity eludes me.

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But because it is situated in the Town of Caledon, Belfountain is included in the Region of Peel, along with the cities of Mississauga and Brampton. As a result, the town has access to resources and services that can make other local municipalities swoon. However, this setup also means Caledon is part of the Greater Toronto Area, making it subject to a unique, ill-fitting set of urban rules and polices that are undermining its rural nature and community spirit. Given a provincial mandate for Caledon to more than quadruple its population to 300,000 over the next three decades, the Belfountain Community Organization’s battles will only escalate.

When I was young, my dad worried

I sometimes reminisce with my sib­ lings about those carefree summer days of our youth, living a kilometre west of Belfountain’s pair of general stores. Good as Caledon was in the 1960s, much is better today. In places, our forests have matured. I’m more apt to see deer and foxes when I’m out walking on an expanded network of trails. And I love stopping in for a great coffee in our village café where I’ll likely run into friends and neighbours. In other words, Belfountain remains a vibrant community, though it’s increasingly under stress.

Most of the village’s 300 residents live in modest houses with private, often-unreliable wells and temperamental septic systems. With two cafés where villagers can meet for coffee, three stores, a trio of ice cream parlours, a church, a beautiful conservation area, one stop sign and no fire hydrants, Belfountain lies at the west end of the scenic Forks of the Credit Road. Fields and forests wrap around our village, making it charming to residents and visitors alike. Belfountain, you might say, has charisma.

Caledon would eventually be subsumed by the city. I grew up expecting that one day I’d flee Caledon, just as some of my neighbours are refugees from Meadowvale and other villages now completely engulfed by Mississauga or Brampton. With passage of the Niagara Escarpment Plan, designation of the Niagara Escarpment UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, opening of the Bruce Trail, public acquisition of an almost uninterrupted swath of protected land stretching from Belfountain to north of the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park, and creation of Ontario’s Greenbelt, I began to believe Belfountain might be spared the unkindlier effects of the urban itch to grow. After all, the village is buffered by layers of protective legislation and contained within a huge stretch of greenspace.

But I can no longer ignore my eyes, ears and heart. And it’s not just the effect of the pandemic, though Covid-19 has made the future arrive a bit sooner. Despite my hopes, Belfountain is being relentlessly squeezed by government policies that jam ever more people into the GTA, and demand that GTA municipalities provide the housing, water, sewage, aggregate, highways and other resources required by this increasingly dense

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No matter if it means must pay for living in a beautiful place.

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B E L F O U N TA I N C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 5 3

governments whose policies mean aggregate extraction trumps the environment and agriculture, and whose rules pit small communities against giants and call it fair game.

My film plot might sound overly dramatic, but Belfountain really is being battered from all sides. In the past, when I told people I lived there, their faces would light up. They would say, “You are so lucky. It’s so beautiful.”

Now a frown crowds out their smiles and they add, “But it’s awfully busy, isn’t it?”

Don’t get me wrong – I repeat, “Belfountain is a great place to live.”

But lately my neighbours and I find ourselves hoping it will be cold and rainy on the weekends. Otherwise the throngs will descend, taking over our coffee shops, crowding out the Belfountain Conservation Area, overwhelming our rural roads with rush-hour-like traffic jams, and filling our valleys with the lingering roar of motorcycles and racing cars.

When I was young, we only had heavy traffic in Belfountain once a year on Thanksgiving weekend.

It’s not that I begrudge anyone

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getting out to enjoy the countryside (I make my living writing hiking guides!). But surely the goal is to enjoy the sights and smells and peace of nature – all of which is lost when eager crowds turn our village into a midway and our rural roads into thoroughfares. Belfountain’s new reality means that despite as many as ten OPP officers patrolling the main street and surrounding roads, even setting up a satellite office in our community hall, car racing, littering, blocked driveways and illegal parking make village life – to put it mildly – challenging.

If an oversupply of visitors was Belfountain’s only concern or even its major woe, other busy towns might not feel much sympathy. But too many tourists is only one of the closing walls that our able, but overworked BCO is battling.

We also have to contend with the prospect of 7.2 million litres per day of Erin’s heated sewage effluent being dumped into the West Credit River upstream from our village and next to temperature-sensitive brook trout spawning beds. Then

there’s our limited access to and development of what was once our community’s treasured conservation area. Reservations are now needed if, for instance, we want to take our dogs there for an evening stroll.

There are two expanded gravel pits nearby and a new application for a large quarry that involves blasting below the water table. The renewed hunt for aggregate is fuelled, I’m told, by the resurrected plan to build Highway 413 that will cross south Caledon. And we will soon have to endure the flattening of Mississauga Road, which connects commuters to their jobs in Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto – as if we need another raceway.

Along with all that, there are plans for two car-dependent housing developments on our doorstep. One will help triple the population of our neighbouring village of Erin to almost 15,000, the majority of them commuters. The other, for 75 homes on the southern border of Belfountain, is the latest in a series of on and off development proposals that villagers have so far successfully opposed for 25 years. Bad projects, it seems, never

completely go away. It’s only a question of time before we expect to see a new application to mine the Rockfort Quarry – the original pit application on the site was quashed in 2011 after an exhausting 13-year battle.

Finally, there’s the issue of aesthetics and local governments. They seem to think faux-vintage streetlights, suburban rolled curbs and suburbanstyle entrance “installations” like those recently erected in nearby Alton, are what a “quaint” village should look like. I cringe when I imagine how this schlock appears to visitors from Europe or Britain. All this plus, I’ll say it again, the guttural roar of Harleys, the screaming whine of crotch-rocket motorbikes and the screeching acceleration of racing cars.

I grew up on a 90-acre farm at the corner of the Belfountain-toErin Road and the 6th Line, as we used to refer to Bush Street and Winston Churchill Boulevard. At the end of a long, potholed driveway, we lived in an old stone house, kept horses and a few chickens in the bank barn and went for daily summertime swims in the West Credit River where it

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flowed below our house. We hunted for salamanders and built forts in the hayloft. We walked to the Belfountain Public School, filled our car at Trimble’s Garage (now the wonderful Higher Ground Café) and bought many of our groceries from one or the other of two general stores. My parents tried hard, but the chaos of five unruly children, an ever-evolving pack of dogs, power outages and an unreliable supply of water meant our family life was more Dan Needles’ “Fence Posts” column in this magazine than TV’s old Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.

Just north of Belfountain, on the Fifth Line (Shaw’s Creek Road) beside the Elora-Cataract Trailway (formerly a Credit Valley rail line), there’s an elegant old stone house.

Not so long ago, it was a farm worked by the Pinkney family. I once bought an old galvanized-steel water trough from the Pinkneys. They charged me “two bits,” delivery included. Today, the house is boarded up, the barn has been torn down and no outbuildings have been left standing. There isn’t even any gravel, as the Pinkneys, who built the house in 1886 and lived there for generations, made a better living

farming a wayside gravel pit than hay.

Standing between this old farmstead and demolition by the aggregate company that now owns it as well as a massive expanse of aggregate-rich land all around it, is David Kendall, a local villager. Recognizing the historic value of the house, he successfully lobbied to save this piece of Caledon’s past.

Sadly, no one protected a handful of other heritage farms around Belfountain. They have been completely razed. There aren’t even any crumbling foundations or telltale lilacs to hint at the stories of those who once lived there. Their farms have been obliterated – flattened into gravel-pits-in-waiting, or to make way for yet another housing development.

I try not to imagine how it would feel if my childhood home were similarly violated and our past wiped clean.

At the BCO’s AGM, I learned that while Kendall won the first round in his battle to save the Pinkney house, his ability to win the war is far from assured. Cracks have opened in the house’s foundation, boards have been ripped from its windows and fissures have appeared in its beautiful

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Signs of the times at the Pinkney century farm and Belfountain Conservation Area, and a tranquil resting spot.

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fieldstone walls. Curious kids, mois­ ture and the absence of a family to call the place home are slowly eroding the historic building despite it now being protected under the Ontario Heritage Act, and Kendall’s ongoing negotiations with the aggregate company that still owns it.

In the dystopian version of

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my movie, the walls closing in on Belfountain do eventually stop. At first glance, the village that emerges bears little resemblance to the Pinkney house. Most residents have succumbed to generous offers from a numbered company. This corporation tarted up their homes into smart shops that sell “authentic” Ontario kitsch made in China. Delighted tourists from all over the GTA and beyond stroll under faux-vintage streetlights, side-stepping parked cars and gleaming motorcycles that have rolled over the rolled-over curbs, as they admire endless parades of antique cars. They remark to each other, “Belfountain is so quaint.”

But if you peek behind the façade, you’ll see that like the cold, empty rooms behind the boarded windows of the Pinkney house, the new Belfountain is also suffering from having no family.

The handful of people who still live there have never visited the Belfountain Conservation Area. The BCO has faded away. There are no battles being waged.

The Manors of Belfountain has swollen

from 75 suburban homes to three times that number. Gravel has been excavated to the brink of the river valley. And there is no talk, not even for five minutes, about a Christmas potluck.

Dystopian films are popular right now, but it’s my movie and I want a different, more inspiring future for Belfountain. Trouble is, 007 hasn’t given me a plausible way to win our cold war – why would he? That would put him out of a job. So how to triumph when Belfountain’s woe, the drive for economic growth, is so powerful and pervasive? Which brings me back to the Pinkney house.

What Belfountain needs is an imaginative village-wide version of Kendall’s win-win-win solution for the Pinkney house. He recognizes it’s both a losing battle and a distraction to pursue stop-gap measures with town staff and the aggregate company over cracking foundations and vandalized windows. Kendall says his ward is being “demolished by neglect.” Instead, he has proposed that in return for a charitable receipt, the aggregate company donate the house and an acre that surrounds it (on land almost entirely bereft of gravel) to the Headwaters Health Care Centre.

Kendall says he will finance, interestfree, the restoration of the house so its kitchen and halls can once again come alive with the laughter of people who call it home. He then explains that the hospital can sell the property,

pocketing a tidy profit.

This creative idea may yet save the fine old stone house. But while we can put a celebratory martini, shaken, not stirred, in Kendall’s hand, he’s not 007 and Belfountain’s plethora of battles won’t be solved by a single generous benefactor. It is being demolished by attrition – attrition resulting from having to fight so many individual battles on so many different fronts.

In the movie Goldfinger, 007 asks, “Do you expect me to talk?” To which Auric Goldfinger replies, “No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.”

No one, not even the overlords, wants this fate for Belfountain. They aren’t intentionally trying to quash the village’s heart and soul. But that’s what could happen unless we come up with a holistic solution that turns things around so it’s those soul-destroying battle plans that can be relegated to the last five minutes – or less – of a two-hour agenda. And wouldn’t that be a kick-up-your-heels, Christmas potluck kind of community-building good idea!

Nicola Ross is a local writer whose Loops & Lattes series of hiking guides encourage hikers to get to know Southern Ontario in this unique way.

202 1 HE ADWATERS

FARM FRESH YOUR GUIDE TO REALLY LOCAL FOOD headwatersfarmfresh.ca I N

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Eat local. Use the Farm Fresh guide to make new connections. Endorse the Food Charter and join our mailing list for local food news.

Our local food system is

strong. resilient. regenerative.

VISION

The Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance (HFFA) envisions a food system that is productive, sustainable, transparent, and fair; supports the health and wellbeing of our residents and food providers; and contributes to the prosperous and equitable economy.

E N V I R O N M E N TA L RESPONSIBILITY

C U LT U R E A N D C E L E B R AT I O N

H E A LT H A N D WELLBEING

We value a food system that reduces its environmental footprint through the responsible management of soil, water, air, energy, and waste.

We value food as a celebration of our agricultural heritage, cultural diversity and community connections.

We value the role of healthy food in promoting mental wellness, healthy growth and development and the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases.

We help build public awareness about farming practices, policies and household actions that can help mitigate and adapt to climate change.

We promote healthy, local and culturally relevant foods into markets and community events.

We advocate for food literacy education in school curriculum and at home. We provide hands-on opportunities for families to grow, cook and learn together.

FOOD ACCESS AND EQUIT Y

A G R I C U LT U R A L S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

ECONOMIC V I TA L I T Y

We value everyone’s basic right to afford and physically access healthy food.

We value a diverse and prosperous farming community.

We value the role of food and farming businesses in the Headwaters economy.

We work together to ensure that all residents have access to healthy, safe and culturally relevant food.

We advocate for regenerative agriculture practices and supportive policies for land-use and local food procurement that will help agricultural operations remain viable.

We work with local growers, producers, food businesses, municipalities and others to help grow a prosperous and equitable economy.

www.headwatersfoodandfarming.ca Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance headwatersfoodandfarming.ca HFFA is a Project of Headwaters Communities In Action, Making Life Better Together

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headwaterscommunities.org

KIDLETS PHOTOGRAPHY

A Work in Progress b y je a nne t t e french

WELCOME TO FRESH LOCAL FOOD

One year into a global pandemic and the uncertainty of tomorrow still looms.

For many of us, this carries a great deal of stress and anxiety. As a farmer, I keep reminding myself we can get through this – farmers are masters of coping with uncertainty as we are constantly at Mother Nature’s mercy. We must keep moving forward and do what we know for sure. Animals need to be fed, crops need to be harvested, machines need to be maintained – people need to eat.

Ensuring food safety and keeping our communities fed are what we focus on.

We hope this year’s Headwaters Farm Fresh guide will inspire you to get to know your local farmers, put fabulously fresh food on your table and, as a bonus, explore the beautiful countryside in our own backyard.

Throughout the pandemic, farmers and food purveyors have struggled with labour shortages which have significantly affected the food supply chain and food security. When the initial 2020 lockdown took place we were unable to sell our produce through traditional means, so we also had to quickly adapt and learn new ways of doing business while implementing new health and safety regulations.

The easy-to-use maps and listings are designed to help you find the very best vegetables, fruit, meats and craft beverages that farms in Caledon, Dufferin and Erin have to offer — whether it’s direct from their farms, through a CSA, or at a weekly farmers’ market or independent retailer.

Even five generations in, our farm remains a work in progress, continually evolving to improve our farming practices so we can grow healthier food and build stronger communities.

In agriculture, when a machine breaks down, an animal becomes ill or a crop is under stress, farmers need to react fast. They reach out to their neighbours and use their creative problem-solving skills. This past year we moved our businesses online, delivered food directly to our customers, shared information with the community through social media, and connected with our neighbours to collaborate and strengthen our businesses. Working together throughout the pandemic made us all a little stronger.

Support local farmers.

Enjoy local food.

Headwaters Farm Fresh is a joint project of Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance and In The Hills. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the following:

Today, with the support of our local community we keep moving forward. We feel a movement back to the simple things in life – family, health, community.

Consumers are committed to supporting local and making more educated food choices. Families are investing more time in preparing meals at home and reconnecting as they sit around the dinner table again. This movement has definitely strengthened our businesses. We are extremely grateful for the support of our local communities throughout this past year. The appreciation we have received for our efforts and commitment has provided us with the encouragement and motivation to work harder every day.

We can’t predict when the next rain will come or if an early frost will hit our crops, but we will continue to focus on what we can control and how we react to the unpredictable. We learn, collaborate and grow. With a cautious eye to the future, we look forward to celebrating – maybe even by fall harvest season – with friends, family, neighbours and customers. We’ll trade visible smiles about a booming local food system and the move toward simpler lives. We’ll pat each other on the back for innovating through another unprecedented season, and leave the masks in the rear view mirror. There is no looking back.

Jeannette French and her husband, Brian, a fifth generation farmer, operate Lennox Farm in Melancthon where they grow 20 crops year-round, specializing in rhubarb, peas and Brussels sprouts.

Above, the French family: Brian and Jeannette with their children Emmett (left), Charlie and Kayleigh. On our cover: Willow Hawkins at Maple Grove Farm Store by Kristin Allington, 2020.

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MEET YOUR LOCAL FARMERS Farms are listed alphabetically. Numbers correspond to location on map. for Dufferin

for Caledon & Erin

for farmers’ markets

NA Not shown on map. Online orders, off-farm retail or appointment only.

GLOSSARY

Measures related to Covid-19 have led many producers to change their ordering, pickup and delivery options – at least temporarily. Check producers’ websites or social media pages for updates as the situation unfolds. csa

farm gate

on-farm store

online

you pick

Community Supported Agriculture. Buy an annual farm share for fresh weekly pickup.

Farm-grown products at farm stall or farmhouse.

Full retail outlet with farm-grown and other products.

Produce can be ordered online.

Pick your own vegetables or fruit in season.

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Albion Hills Community Farm agri-entertainment, communit y kitchen, on-farm store, you pick Caledon 16555 Humber Station Rd Karen Hutchinson, manager 647-613-6281 albionhillscommunityfarm.org Seasonal vegetables, garlic and honey; allotment garden plots for rent; education programs related to chickens, bees, compost and soil health, worms and hedgerows Jun–Oct : Thu 4–7 or by appointment; online and phone ordering, delivery and farm-gate pickup available

Amaranth Springs Farm farm gate Amaranth 554090 Mono-Amaranth Townline Deb Walks, Chris Kowalchuk 519-942-4716 amaranthsprings.ca Select seasonal vegetables, pasture chicken, grass-fed beef, grass-fed goat Call ahead for farmgate order pickup

Austerfield Apiary Honey & Botanicals csa, off-farm retail, online order Melancthon 581099 County Rd 17 Rita and Matt Chantree 519-925-5010 austerfieldapiary.com Also at Shelburne Fresh Variety, Shelburne Foodland, Lennox Farms, Harmony Whole Foods Market Unpasteurized honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, propolis, honeycomb, beeswax bags, soap, lotion bars By appointment only, but hours are flexible; phone ordering available; check website

62 Albion Orchards agri-entertainment, on-farm store, you pick Caledon 14800 Innis Lake Rd Scott Lunau 905-584-0354 albionorchards.com Apples, pears, baked goods, Christmas trees, cider, honey, maple syrup, vegetables, sweet corn, pumpkins Aug–Oct : 10–6 daily; Nov–Dec : Mon–Fri 10–6, Sat–Sun 10–5

30 Am Braigh Farm on-farm store Mono 873393 5th Line EHS Jamie Richards 519-217-8549 ambraighfarm.com Also at Hockley General Store Year-round vegetables, eggs, sourdough bread, soups and entrées by local chefs using Am Braigh produce Open daily 8–8 year-round

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16 Bennington Hills Farm farm gate, online order Amaranth 253504 9th Line Jeff and Samantha Roney 519-215-9288 benningtonhillsfarm.ca Also at Orangeville Farmers’ Market and Fiddle Foot Farm (pre-order only) Regenerative farm offering grass-fed, pasture-raised, nonGMO beef, lamb; chicken, eggs, honey, small grains and legumes Order online, call or email to arrange farm-gate pickup

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FARMERS’ MARKETS A Creemore Farmers’ Market B Shelburne Farmers’ Market C Alliston RURBAN Market D Orangeville Farmers’ Market E Erin Farmers’ Market

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Kidd Farms Lennox Farm Peace Valley Ranch Not So Hollow Farm Ontario Honey Creations Austerfield Apiary Honey & Botanicals Skye Line Farms Fiddle Foot Farm Lions Share Farm Besley Country Market Connie’s Kitchen and Fresh Produce Maple Grove Farm Comolea Farms Grand River Gardens Landman Gardens and Bakery Bennington Hills Farm Grand Maple Farm Fresh and Tasty Mushrooms Jenala Farms Peaceful Valley Farm Seventh Heaven Apiary Breedon’s Maple Syrup Sheldon Creek Dairy Amaranth Springs Farm Islandview Farm Market Providence Meadows Reid’s Potatoes & Farm Market Am Braigh Farm Hummingbird Hill Farms Knollbrook Farms Berrys4U Calehill Farms Zócalo Organics Everdale Non-Profit Teaching Farm Farmstead Fresh Organic Microgreens 4th Line Cattle Co. Heartwood Farm & Cidery Heatherlea Farm Shoppe HoneyComb Cottage Bee Company Forks of the Credit Honey Pure Caledon Hills Honey Rock Garden Farms Albion Hills Community Farm Mount Wolfe Farm De Boers Market Riverdale Farm & Forest Horseshoe Hill Farm Davis Feed & Farm Supply Campbell’s Cross Farm Downey’s Farm Market Downey’s Strawberry and Apple Farm Dixie Orchards Sandhill Farms Flying Dutchman’s Apiary Albion Orchards Van Dyken Farm Humbervalley Honey Kooner Farms

CRAFT BEVERAGES 11 Escarpment Gardens 22 Windrush Estate Winery 28 Adamo Estate Winery 39 Heartwood Farm & Cidery 43 GoodLot Farmstead Brewing Co. 44 Sonnen Hill Brewing 48 Caledon Hills Brewing Company 51 Spirit Tree Estate Cidery 55 Badlands Brewing Company 57 Downey’s Farm Market I N

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Berrys4U farm gate, you pick East Garafraxa 064383 County Rd 3 Eric Henneberg 519-993-4437 berrys4u.wordpress.com Also at Orangeville Farmers’ Market Strawberries, raspberries: seasonal pick your own and picked Check website for hours

10 Besley Country Market farm gate Shelburne 716 Victoria St Evan Besley besleycountrymarket.ca Seasonal vegetables, tomatoes May–Nov : 8–7 daily

23 Breedon’s Maple Syrup on-farm store, online order Adjala 3662 Concession Rd 3 Dawn and Kent Breedon 705-435-5269 breedonsmaplesyrup.com Also at Hockley General Store Maple syrup, maple butter, maple sugar Feb–Apr : Mon–Sun 10–5; off-season call ahead; order through website or by phone to schedule on-farm pickup

34 Calehill Farms farm gate, online order Orton 9319 Erin–East Garafraxa Townline Brittney Livingston, Andrew Mazurka 519-820-1337 calehillfarms.ca

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Mount Wolfe Farm

ROSEMARY HASNER

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Also at Erin Farmers’ Market Whole chicken and chicken cuts, including breast, thigh, drumsticks, wings and sausage By appointment only; online ordering available

56 Campbell’s Cross Farm you pick Caledon 3634 King St Josie and Michael Gallo 416-294-7642 campbellscrossfarm.com Sunflowers, honey, watermelon sandwiches and gelato; wellness and art classes Seasonal : check website for farm-to-table events; Aug : sunflower festival and events; Sep–Oct : fall harvest only; phone or email for pre-order pickup

14 Comolea Farms on-farm store Grand Valley 115026 27–28 Siderd Kim Mournahan 519-939-0321 comoleafarms.com Scottish highland grass-fed, pasture-born and -raised beef By appointment only

12 Connie’s Kitchen and Fresh Produce farm gate, online order Mono 487207 30 Siderd Connie Arteaga 705-715-6396 shop.connieskitchen.ca Also at Alliston, Mulmur farmers’ markets

Seasonal vegetables, tomatoes by the bushel, preserves, free-range eggs, Italian baking, maple syrup, honey Call ahead or order through website for curbside pickup and delivery

54 Davis Feed & Farm Supply on-farm store Caledon 15770 Mountainview Rd John Davis, Sean Davis 905-584-2880 davisfeed.ca Eggs, pumpkins, squash, honey, sunflower seed, sunflower oil, flowers Check website for store hours; phone orders, delivery and farm-gate pickup available for all products

57 Downey’s Farm Market agri-entertainment, on-farm store, you pick Caledon 13682 Heart Lake Rd Nathan and Darlene Downey 905-838-2990 downeysfarm.com Baked goods, fruit wines, strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins, corn, farm animals, play area, events May 5–Oct 31 : 9–5 daily; Nov : Fri–Sun 10–5; Dec 1–24 : 10–5 daily

50 De Boers Market farm gate, online order Caledon 15570 Mount Hope Rd Kori de Boer, Casie Kuypers 416-795-7120 deboersmarket.ca Beef, chicken, lamb, pork, honey, maple syrup, seasonal vegetables Check website for store hours; phone and online ordering, delivery and farm-gate pickup available

59 Dixie Orchards agri-entertainment, on-farm store, you pick Caledon 14309 Dixie Rd Paul and Lynnette Gray 905-838-5888 dixieorchards.com Apples, sunflowers, pumpkins, hazelnuts; small market and bakery; wagon rides, corn maze, farm animals, straw jump Mid-Aug–Oct : 10–5 daily

Not So Hollow Farm

58 Downey’s Strawberry and Apple Farm farm gate, you pick Caledon 13707 Heart Lake Rd Greg and Melissa Downey 905-838-4777 downeysupickfarm.ca Pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries and apples Check website for seasonal hours

36 Everdale Non-Profit Teaching Farm csa Hillsburgh 5812 6th Line Karen Campbell-Dandy, youth director and founder 519-855-4859 everdale.org Certified Organic

Rock Garden sum21_Layout 1 21-06-04 8:35 AM Page 1

Summer is here!

Harvest shares year-round, home delivery, non-profit farm growing food for food banks, volunteering, farm school, farm camp, farmer training

rabbits, eggs; bee rescue in southwestern Ontario

Mon–Fri 9–5

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37 Farmstead Fresh Organic Microgreens off-farm retail Erin 5th Line Marcel Piper, Josh Scheerer 855-252-3877 farmsteadfresh.ca Also at Harmony Whole Foods Market, Heatherlea Farm Shoppe, Hillsburgh Foodland, Everdale Non-Profit Teaching Farm Sunflower microgreens, pea shoots, broccoli microgreens, radish microgreens By appointment only; call ahead or contact via website

8 Fiddle Foot Farm csa, online order Mulmur 796530 3rd Line EHS Graham Corbett, Amy Ouchterlony 519-925-3225 fiddlefootfarm.com Also at Orangeville Farmers’ Market Organically and biodynamically grown vegetables, weekly CSA shares By appointment only; check website for custom online orders

61 Flying Dutchman’s Apiary agri-entertainment, farm gate, online order Caledon 14681 Torbram Rd Robert van den Hoef, Shelley Baker 519-938-2457 rob.vdh@me.com Bee educational tours, honey, comb honey, garden plants,

Email or call ahead 9–6 Mon–Sat to set up convenient pickup time

Forks of the Credit Honey farm gate Caledon 1354 Forks of the Credit Rd Bob Darrell 519-927-3334 bobsbees77@gmail.com Unheated and unfiltered summer and autumn liquid honey, cut honeycomb honey, beeswax Aug–Nov : morning–evening (weather permitting)

EAT LOCAL

& taste the difference!

ONTARIO SEASON IS HERE! LET’S ENJOY ALL THE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES ONTARIO HAS TO OFFER Our own fresh picked strawberries and raspberries, blueberries, fresh peas, lettuce, tomatoes and much, much more.

DINNER IS READY! Ready to go homemade meals including roasted peppers, pasta sauces and lasagnas.

38 4th Line Cattle Co. farm gate, on-farm store, online order Hillsburgh 5682 4th Line Matt and Tamaran Mousseau 519-766-6079 4thlinecattleco.ca Also at Erin and Rockwood farmers’ markets Texas longhorn and Hereford steaks, roasts, extra lean ground beef, stewing beef, burgers, sausages, pasture-raised heritage pork, free-range eggs By appointment only; order online and schedule pickup via website

Farm fresh eggs, baked goods, fresh baked pies, fresh baked bread daily, preserves, jams, maple syrup.

OPEN EVERY DAY!

April to Nov 8am to 6pm

Farmer Fresh Produce: from our table to yours

18 Fresh and Tasty Mushrooms farm gate Amaranth 475226 County Rd 11 Sean Declerc, Shannon Coleclough 519-925-3215 freshandtastymushrooms.com Specialty and wild mushrooms; all-natural produce Farm pickup by appointment only; check website for market locations

www.rockgardenfarms.ca 16930 AIRPORT ROAD, 2.5 KM NORTH OF CALEDON EAST

905-584-9461 rockgardenfarms.ca

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Grand Maple Farm farm gate Amaranth 294392 8th Line Mark and Cynthia Tijssen 519-939-1889 grandmaplefarm.ca Maple syrup, honey Call ahead

Heatherlea Farm Shoppe café, on-farm store, online order Caledon 17049 Winston Churchill Blvd Pat and Gord McArthur 519-927-5902 heatherlea.ca Artisan dry-aged Angus beef, fresh meats, coffee, pies, cookies, tarts, cheese, produce, heat-and-serve meals, local foods Year-round Tue–Sun; check website for hours; online ordering available for delivery or in-store pickup

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Caledon Hills Brewing

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Grand River Gardens csa Grand Valley 322345 Concession Rd 6–7 Elaine O’Sullivan 289-990-7973 grandrivergardens.ca Also at Landman Gardens and Bakery Certified Naturally Grown Organically grown vegetables and herbs, CSA shares CSA share pickup on farm : Thu 4–7; delivery option available

39 Heartwood Farm & Cidery agri-entertainment, farm gate, on-farm store, online order Erin 5438 2nd Line 416-527-4352 Brent Klassen and Val Steinmann heartwoodfarm.ca Small-batch craft cider, grassfed beef, maple syrup, honey and other seasonal products; on-farm experiences Online order for pickup or delivery; check website for patio and tasting room bookings, on-farm learning and retreat experiences, and “farm glamping” overnight stays

The Heritage Bee Co. off-farm retail, online order Mulmur Debbie Gray 705-466-2337 heritagebee.com Also at Bank Café, Museum of Dufferin, Concession Road Mercantile, Suzanne Gardner Flowers and selected stockists across Ontario Certified B Corp, Certified Naturally Grown Apiary Premium 100% Ontario honeys: liquid, creamed and infused creamed; infused flavours include ginger, lemon, cinnamon, vanilla, dark chocolate; seed bombs, beeswax, gift sets Pickup available for online orders; delivery throughout Headwaters also available.

Phone, email or visit website for pickup and delivery details.

NA Hidden Meadows Farm off-farm retail Caledon Village Deborah Robillard, Andrew Sharko 519-927-9941 facebook.com/ hiddenmeadowsfarmcaledon Also at Orangeville (summer and winter) Farmers’ Market

Sheldon Creek Dairy

Garlic, tomatoes, peas, beets, beans, carrots, radishes, herbs, pickles, jams, preserves, perogies, pesto, granola Phone and email ordering; local delivery (Orangeville area) available with minimum $20 orders

41 HoneyComb Cottage Bee Company – Belfountain farm gate, on-farm store Caledon 17162 Olde Main St J.L. Marshall facebook.com/honeycomb cottagebeecompanybelfountain Also at Caledon Mountain Wildlife Supplies, Inglewood Antique Market Raw local honey, pure honeycomb, raw beeswax, creams and lip balms, candles, baskets, honeybee nucs and queens By appointment (contact via email or Facebook)

53 Horseshoe Hill Farm farm gate Caledon East 15691 Horseshoe Hill Rd Linda Gillstrom 519-927-1715 Sweet corn, squash, zucchini, garlic, cherry tomatoes, pie pumpkins, small–jumbo pumpkins, gourds, jalapeño peppers Aug–Oct : Sat, Sun 11–4

64 Humbervalley Honey farm gate Bolton 255 Glasgow Rd Larry Zembal 416-708-0276

Also at Bolton Farmers’ Market Raw honey Mon–Sat 9–6; call first to order and confirm pickup time

31 Hummingbird Hill Farms farm gate, on-farm store Adjala 10258 Hwy 9 Jon and Candace Auger 905-965-0077 hbhfarms.ca 100% grass-fed beef, seasonal pastured poultry, eggs, turkeys, garlic, pastured pork, seafood, baking Open daily : Mon–Sat 10–6, Sun 10–4; online and phone ordering available

26 Islandview Farm Market farm gate Mono 633520 Hwy 10 Charles and Susan Hughson 519-941-9098 islandviewfarmmarket@gmail.com Certified Organic Garlic, vegetables, pies, tarts, preserves, honey, crafts Jun–mid-Oct : weekends 9–6, watch for trailer

19 Jenala Farms on-farm store, you pick Amaranth 475080 County Rd 11 Ken and Faye Brett 519-938-0801 jenalafarms.com Pick-your-own and ready-picked strawberries. Growing the best strawberries for over 20 years.

Hours vary depending on availability; check website or Facebook page

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Located on Highway 89 Open Daily 705-435-6575

www.shop.rosemont.ca shop.rosemont.ca

Take out dinners available Friday and Saturday evening 508563 HIGHWAY 89 MULMUR ONTARIO L9V 0P7

/ROSEMONTGENERAL

Proudly made with 100% Ontario apples.

Locally Made, Naturally Refreshing.

www.ambraighfarm.com

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1 Kidd Farms farm gate Melancthon 438162 4th Line John, Nancy, Bruce Kidd 519-925-6453 kiddfarms@gmail.com Also at Shelburne Fresh Variety, Harmony Whole Foods Market Maple syrup Mon–Sat approx. 8–8; call ahead

32 Contact us for the design and drafting of your next project.

www.dutchmasters.on.ca

Gary van Bolderen www.dutchmasters.on.ca

Greg van Bolderen 705.737.3392

Knollbrook Farms farm gate East Garafraxa 142157 County Rd 5 James and Laura Masters, Wendy Masters 519-928-3354, 519-362-0306 knollbrookfarms.ca Beef, chicken, lamb Mon–Sat, by chance or appointment

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ALBION HILLS COMMUNITY FARM

GROWING FOOD, GARDENS, ECOLITERACY & COMMUNITY Learn more at albionhillscommunityfarm.org

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INTIMATE OUTDOOR WEDDINGS Presenting an exclusive venue near Orangeville, situated on lovely grounds. We take care of every detail – a menu customized to your taste and extras like vintage furniture, a bar trailer... whatever your heart desires.

Call Vanessa for a consult.

(519) 939-3663

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Kooner Farms on-farm store, online order, you pick Caledon 6824 Healey Rd Indy Kooner 416-858-4639 koonerfarms.com Raw honey, free-range eggs, seasonal vegetables, pick-your-own vegetables, sweet corn and more May–Dec : dawn to dusk; order online (website, Facebook, Instagram) for delivery or farm-gate pickup

15 Landman Gardens and Bakery on-farm store, online order Grand Valley 322345 Concession Rd 6–7 Rebecca Landman 519-938-6163 landmangardens.ca

Fresh and Tasty Mushrooms

Also at More Than Just Baskets, Fraberts Fresh Food, Lennox Farms, Birch Shoppe and Sheldon Creek Dairy Pork, chicken, eggs, turkey, beef, pickles, salsas, honey, granola, meat pies, fruit pies, baked goods, ready-made meals and other local products Check website for hours; online ordering available for curbside pickup; in-store pickup and local delivery available (Grand Valley and Orangeville)

2 Lennox Farm on-farm store, online order Melancthon 518024 County Rd 124 French family lennoxfarms@hotmail.com lennoxfarm.ca Homegrown fruit and vegetables, baking, preserves, ice cream and a variety of local meat, eggs and dairy Farm-gate pickup and online ordering available

9 Lions Share Farm farm gate, online order Mulmur 837023 4th Line E Hilchey family 519-925-2222 lionssharefarm@gmail.com Seasonal vegetables and fruit: spinach, leafy greens, radishes, carrots, beets and more Email to sign up for weekly flyer; pickup at farm gate

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Maple Grove Farm agri-entertainment, on-farm store, you pick Mulmur 936215 Airport Rd Chris and Robyn Wallace 705-435-5386 maplegrovefarm.ca Baked goods, prepared meals, fruit and vegetables (our own when in season); youpick strawberries, apples, pumpkins; corn maze in Sep; sunflower walking path Daily 8–7

Ontario Honey Creations off-farm retail, on-farm store, online order Mulmur 938343 Airport Rd Sarah Allinson-Chorabik 647-400-8507 ontariohoneycreations.com Also at Orangeville Farmers’ Market, Heatherlea Farm Shoppe, Spirit Tree Estate Cidery, Landman Gardens and Bakery Honey, honeycomb, honey vinegars, mead (honey wine), spicy hot honey, creamed honey: plain, cinnamon, cocoa, lemon, ginger, lavender, orange Online ordering available for farm-gate pickup or delivery

49 Mount Wolfe Farm csa, online order Caledon 10054 Old Church Rd Crandall/Haney/Showell sisters 647-335-8897 mountwolfefarm.ca Summer and winter vegetables, maple syrup, honey, garlic, eggs, bread, seasonal fruit, preserves, microgreens, home-care products, free-range chicken Weekly pickup in summer; biweekly in winter; online ordering with on-farm pickup or delivery service

4 Not So Hollow Farm agri-entertainment, farm gate, on-farm store, online order Mulmur 838369 4th Line E Viki Reynolds, Ian Payne 705-466-6290 notsohollowfarm.ca Native trees, shrubs and perennials; food forest, permaculture and pollinator plants; honey products and seasonal vegetables Check website for hours; online sales with farm-gate pickup

NA Owl Dream Farm csa, off-farm retail, online order Orangeville 46 Victoria St 647-621-5590 owldreamfarm.ca Also at Orangeville Farmers’ Market (summer) Microgreens: radish, broccoli, sunflower, pea shoots, mustard, arugula, alfalfa Mon–Sun 9–5; delivery available

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS WOOD

www.jayscustomsheds.com 519.217.7982 jayscustomsheds.com

20 Peaceful Valley Farm on-farm store, online order Mono 934409 Airport Rd 519-942-1804 Brenda Bot and Tom Peters peacefulvalleyfarm.ca Honey, maple syrup, black Angus beef, farm-fresh eggs, roaster chickens, preserves, baked goods Summer : open daily; porch pickup and drop-off; online order, phone order and delivery available

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Heatherlea Farm Shoppe

3 Peace Valley Ranch agri-entertainment, online order Mulmur 638135 Prince of Wales Rd Cosack family 519-925-6628 pvrbeef.ca Premium grass-finished black Angus freezer beef; sides and split sides available by special order delivered to your door in May, Aug, Oct; check website By appointment only

27 Providence Meadows farm gate Mono 347122 Mono Centre Rd Curry family 519-942-9505 providencemeadowsfarm@ gmail.com Year-round free-range eggs, seasonal heritage vegetables, pumpkins, maple syrup, beef, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb Self-serve or call ahead

45 Pure Caledon Hills Honey farm gate Caledon 17895 Heart Lake Rd Paul Reader 519-927-3376 purecaledonhillshoney.com Honey, bee pollen, beeswax, honeycomb Mon–Sat 8–6

Reid’s Potatoes & Farm Market on-farm store Mono 833153 4th Line Brooke Reid 519-940-4096 reidspotatoes.com Potatoes, vegetables, eggs, chicken, pork, beef, jam, honey, flowers, maple syrup, pies, quilts and more Open daily year-round

52 Riverdale Farm & Forest agri-entertainment, csa, farm gate, online order Inglewood 15707 McLaughlin Rd Owen Goltz 905-588-0085 riverdalefarmandforest.ca Vegetables, pears, freerange eggs, cut flowers, workshops, tours, farm stays, cowboy dining and coffee Jun–Oct : reservations; online ordering available

TOBIN STEWART

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Also at Erin Farmers’ Market

Naturally raised, hormonefree, grass-fed and -finished beef (available in 30–40 lb boxes), boxed lamb

Certified Organic

By appointment only; call anytime

Heartwood Farm & Cidery

Seasonal vegetables By appointment only; online ordering available for on-farm pickup

21 Seventh Heaven Apiary farm gate Mono 954335 7th Line EHS Mark van Trigt 519-941-4195 seventh.heaven@sympatico.ca Raw honey, comb honey, beeswax, cinnamon honey, beekeeping consultation Open daily year-round; self-serve or call ahead. During Covid, order by phone or email only to arrange farm-gate pickup.

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Rock Garden Farms on-farm store, you pick Caledon East 16930 Airport Rd Iuglio and Galati families 905-584-9461 rockgardenfarms.ca Fresh fruit, vegetables, freerange eggs, maple syrup, homemade preserves, sauces, home-baked pies Mar 31–Oct 31 : 8–6 daily

Sheldon Creek Dairy agri-entertainment, on-farm store, online order Adjala 4316 Concession Rd 5 den Haan family 705-434-0404 sheldoncreekdairy.ca Also at many local retailers – check map on website for locations Milk, yogurt, kefir, cheese, ice cream, flavoured milk, meat, pies, preserves, baked goods; seasonal dairy bar 10–6 daily; online ordering available (check website) for pickup and home delivery

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Sandhill Farms farm gate, online order Caledon 5381 King St Carmen and Marvee Cesario 416-574-0427 sandhillfarms.ca

Skye Line Farms online order Mulmur 556389 MulmurMelancthon Townline Darren Smith 705-434-8160

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facebook.com/skyelinespecs

NA Toad Hole Farm farm gate, online order Mulmur Niels Pearson and Rebekah Jamieson 519-766-9090 toadholefarm.ca Also at Mulmur and Orangeville farmers’ markets 100% grass-fed and grassfinished organic beef Call to arrange pickup or free home delivery

63 Van Dyken Farm you pick Caledon 14510 Gore Rd Van Dyken brothers 905-857-3561 Beans, cantaloupe, eggplant, onions, peas, peppers, rapini, tomatoes, zucchini Call for hours and availability

35 Zócalo Organics online order Hillsburgh 5881 3rd Line Bethany Klapwyk, Seb Ramirez 226-821-0572 zocaloorganics.ca Also at FanJoy Vegetable boxes, seedlings and occasional on-farm sales, including carrots, garlic, salad, spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, asparagus and more Jun–Oct : Check website, email list and social media for updates; online ordering when available

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a loc avore’s guide t o loc a l fa rms a nd specia lt y f oods in t he hill s A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

TRADITIONAL, PASTURE RAISED MEATS

Local, sustainable, grass fed beef and heritage pork you can trust from farm to fork.

www.4thlinecattleco.ca

4T HL INEC AT T L ECO.C A

FARM TO FORK 519-766-6079 HILLSBURGH

www.puremusicgarlic.com

www.calehillfarms.ca

HILLSBURGH … CALEHILLFARMS.CA … 519-820-1337 CHICKEN, FROM OUR FARM TO YOUR TABLE

HEADWATERS LOCAL FOOD CLUB Local Food Club is a family meal in a box with seasonal recipes and ingredients from local farms and food producers

www.davisfamilyfarm.ca

AVAI LABLE IN A VAR I ETY OF SIZES

www.heatherlea.ca

2021 DELIVERIES — TUESDAYS Jun 29 · Aug 31 · Sep 28 · Oct 26 · Nov 23 · Dec 14 ORDER YOURS TODAY! hffa.ca/farmtoschool/order-lfc

www.hffa.ca/farmtoschool/order-lfc FREE DELIVERY IN DUFFERIN AND CALEDON

Providing the community with healthy, fresh, local food since 1887

all Natural local goods 100% Grass FINISHED Meat Prepared foods Home goods health products

www.hbhfarms.ca

hbhfarms.ca

www.landmangardens.ca www.shoplandmans.ca

www.lennoxfarm.ca visit lennoxfarm.ca Melancthon, Ontario

M O R E O N PA G E 15

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CRAFT BEVERAGES 28 Adamo Estate Winery on-farm restaurant, on-farm store Mono 793366 3rd Line EHS Adamo family 519-942-3969 adamoestate.com Also at select restaurants Chardonnay, pinot noir, riesling, gamay noir, vidal, chardonnay musqué, Maréchal Foch, l’Acadie blanc Mon–Thu 10–4, Fri 9–9, Sat 9–6, Sun 9–4 (check website as hours change through the summer and to book event spaces)

55 Badlands Brewing Company on-farm store, online order Caledon 13926 Chinguacousy Rd Troy Baxter, Michael Nuttall, Grace Wilkinson badlandsbrewing.ca Fresh craft beer Sat 12–5; order online by 7 pm Fri for Sat pickup

48 Caledon Hills Brewing Company off-farm retail, on-farm restaurant, online order Palgrave 17219 Hwy 50 Riedelsheimer family 416-988-2003 caledonhillsbrewing.com Also at local pubs and restaurants, the Beer Store, liquor stores (check website) Bohemian Pilsner, Vienna Lager, Deadly Dark, Helles, Summer Solstice and more; beer and food available for takeout at brew pub Check website for hours; contact-free delivery available (check website)

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Davis Feed & Farm Supply

Check website for updated Covid operating hours : off-season Oct 16–May 18, curbside pickup Thu–Fri 4–6, Sat 2–6 : May long weekend–Thanksgiving weekend (includes beer garden and curbside hours) Thu–Fri 2–8, Sat 12–8, Sun and holiday Mon 12–6

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Downey’s Farm Market on-farm store Caledon 13682 Heart Lake Rd Nathan and Darlene Downey 905-838-2990 downeysfarm.com Fruit wines May 5–Oct 31 : 9–5 daily; Nov : Fri–Sun 10–5; Dec 1–24 : 10–5 daily

Heartwood Farm & Cidery agri-entertainment, farm gate, on-farm store, online order Erin 5438 2nd Line 416-527-4352 heartwoodfarm.ca Small-batch craft cider Order online for pickup or delivery; check website for tasting room hours, on-farm learning and retreat experiences, and farmers’ markets

11 Escarpment Gardens off-farm retail, online order Mono 487151 30th Siderd Joey Lemieux escarpmentgardens.ca Also at Market in the Mills, Top Hat Tea Room, Harmony Whole Foods Market, Birch Shoppe and Orangeville Farmers’ Market Certified Naturally Grown herbal teas By appointment only; order through website for farm-gate pickup

43 GoodLot Farmstead Brewing Co. agri-entertainment, onfarm store, online order Caledon 18825 Shaws Creek Rd Gail and Phil Winters 519-927-5881 goodlot.beer On tap at select local restaurants, bars; also available at select LCBOs across Ontario Craft beer products made with all-Ontario hops; seasonal beer garden with live music and food truck

51 Spirit Tree Estate Cidery on-farm store, online order, you pick Caledon 1137 Boston Mills Rd Thomas Wilson, Nicole Judge 905-838-2530 spirittreecider.com Also at many local stores Feast Ontario certified Sweet and hard cider, artisan breads, pastries, pies, local specialty foods takeout, pizza Wed–Thu 10–5, Fri–Sat 10–8, Sun 10–6; curbside pickup available

NA Pommies Cider Co. off-farm retail Caledon Lindsay and Nick Sutcliffe 905-857-5432 pommies.com At LCBO, bars, restaurants, Loblaws, Sobeys, other grocery stores Pommies Original Cider, Pommies Farmhouse Cider, Pommies Mimosa Cider Mon–Fri 9–5

44 Sonnen Hill Brewing on-farm store Caledon 20727 Heart Lake Rd Calum Hill 519-940-0200 sonnenhill.com Small batches of fresh beers such as lagers and pale ales, as well as blended, oak-aged saisons Wed–Sun 12–6

Austerfield Apiary

22 Windrush Estate Winery agri-entertainment, onfarm store, online order Adjala 3100 Concession Rd 3 J.C. Pennie, Marilyn Field 905-729-0060 windrushestatewinery.com Also at Beyond the Gate, Black Birch, Devil’s Pulpit, Elora Mill, Gourmandissimo, Greystones, Millcroft Inn, Mono Cliffs Inn, Mount Alverno, Mrs. Mitchell’s, Quince Bistro, Terra Cotta Inn, Taste of Freedom International award-winning VQA wines: VQA pinot noir, VQS cabernet franc, VQA dry riesling, VQA pinot grigio, VQA chardonnay Daily noon–4 or by appointment; online ordering, phone ordering, delivery, farm-gate pickup available

a loc avore’s guide t o loc a l fa rms a nd specia lt y f oods in t he hill s A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

FARMERS’ MARKETS Note: Shopping restrictions may evolve over the season.

Check websites.

C Alliston RURBAN Market Sat 8–2: May 22–Oct 30 Alliston Centre St & Victoria St E rurban.ca

A

9 3 6 215 A I R P O R T R O A D MAPLEGROVEFARM .CA

www.maplegrovefarm.ca

Your choice of farm fresh produce and quality, local foodstuffs.

Pickup or delivery.

www.mountwolfefarm.ca ore local!

You can’t get m

mountwolfefarm.ca

647 335-8897

Creemore Farmers’ Market Sat 8:30–12:30: May 22–Oct 9 Creemore 139 Mill St Creemore Springs Brewery parking lot creemorefarmersmarket.ca

E Erin Farmers’ Market Fri 3–7: Jun 25–Sep 24 Erin 109 Main St McMillan Park erinfarmersmarket.ca

D

Producers of local raw honey, honey vinegar, mead (honey wine) and other hive products made by our bees.

Visit 938343 Airport Road in Mulmur or shop online at ontariohoneycreations.com

www.ontariohoneycreations.com 647-400-8507

Orangeville Farmers’ Market Sat 8–1: May 8–Oct 23 Orangeville 90 Broadway parking lot orangevillefarmersmarket.ca

CULTIVATE YOUR MIND Keep up on local food and farming news.

B Shelburne Farmers’ Market Thu 3–8: Jun 10, 24, Jul 15, Aug 5 Thu 3–7: Aug 26, Sep 16 First Ave W & Owen Sound St shelburnefarmersmarket.ca

Join our mailing list!

.ca www.hffa.ca

www.spirittreecider.com

HEADWATERS FOOD AND FARMING ALLIANCE

M O R E O N PA G E 13

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www.larryssmallengines.ca © 2021 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. In the U.S.A., products are distributed by BRP US Inc. BRP reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, features, models or equipment without incurring obligation. CAN-AM OFF-ROAD VEHICLE: Some models depicted may include optional equipment. For side-by-side vehicles (SxS): Read the BRP side-by-side operator’s guide and watch the safety DVD before driving. Fasten lateral net and seat belt at all times. Operator must be at least 16 years old. Passenger must be at least 12 years old and able to hold handgrips and plant feet while seated against the backrest. SxS are for off-road use only; never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. For safety reasons, the operator and passenger must wear a helmet, eye protection and other protective clothing. Always remember that riding, alcohol and drugs don’t mix. Never engage in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speed and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Always ride responsibly and safely.

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It’s All About the Soil

Jason Roney, Samantha Campbell and daughter, Amelia, 6, in lush pasture at Bennington Hills Farm.

Regenerative agriculture puts local farmers on the front lines in reducing climate change.

BY C EC ILY RO S S

O

PHOTOGR APHY BY PE TE PATERSON

n a winter’s day in 2020, just weeks before the world went into pandemic lockdown, more than 100 foodies and farmers gathered at Monora Park Pavilion in Orangeville to hear how soil renewal can help reverse climate change. The daylong symposium, put on by Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance and organized by self-described “wannabe farmer” Marci Lipman, was headlined “Build Resilience into Your Soil.” Since that event, Marci, a longtime champion of the annual Dufferin Farm Tour, has become a vocal ambassador for what is known in farming circles as regenerative agriculture.

It all began when local farmer Jamie Richards lent Marci a book by David Montgomery, called Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life, and directed her to a TED Talk

by Simcoe County farmer Gillian Flies of The New Farm.

As a result, Marci says, “My eyes were opened to something I knew nothing about, and I wanted to get my farmers into a room to talk about it.” She realized the best way to spread the word would be through peer-to-peer learning. “We have to get farmers who are doing this to teach their neighbours.”

Speakers at the symposium, which Jamie helped organize, included environmentalists, conservation authority reps and, of course, farmers, all extolling the importance of healthy soil to the food we eat and to the planet as a whole.

So, what is regenerative agriculture? Well, imagine a system of producing food that is not only sustainable but promises to reduce carbon emissions. Many conventional farming methods, such as the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides, have long been bête noirs of conservationists and environmentalists.

What’s more, ploughing and tilling release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and tend to degrade the soil by destroying the diversity of microbes, fungi, mites, earthworms and bacteria that nourish plant growth and sequester carbon.

According to Kiss the Ground, a U.S.-based organization dedicated to helping farmers shift to regenerative practices, the U.S. is losing four tonnes of topsoil per acre per year.

Conventional farming, the organization says, destroys the soilbuilding process. Regenerative agriculture is all about rebuilding healthy soil, thereby increasing its ability to hold and filter C O N T I N U E D O N N E X T PA G E

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Jamie Richards plants Dutch white clover, buckwheat, oats, oilseed radish and forage peas to become “green manure” between his crop rows, assisted by visitor Marci Lipman.

A B O U T T H E S O I L C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 73

water, lowering the risk of flooding and decreasing evaporation. One of its central pillars is minimal or no tilling of the land.

Regenerative farming also relies on cover cropping, which fixes nitrogen in the soil, and crop rotation, which promotes microbial diversity in the soil. Perhaps the most surprising core element is the integration of livestock to fertilize the land. All these practices, in combination or individually, create conditions for plants to pull excess carbon out of the atmosphere and fix it into regenerated soil.

“It’s more of a systems approach depending on individual soils,” says Kari Dunfield, a soil microbiologist at the University of Guelph. In other words, farmers can adopt the practices that best suit their particular situations, making regenerative agri­ culture more flexible than organic certification’s strict standards. Addi­ tionally, methods like cover cropping and low tillage reduce farmers’ reliance on costly sprays, fertilizers and genetically modified seed.

Several farming operations in the Headwaters region have been ahead of

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the curve in embracing regenerative agriculture. Here are three whose environmental activism is inextricably wedded to their farming practices.

Am Braigh Farm Returning nutrients to the soil One of the most enthusiastic promoters of good soil health is Marci’s mentor Jamie Richards. At his Am Braigh Farm in Mono he grows vegetables on a one-acre plot. In addition to the 20 varieties of vegetables he sells to local restaurants and at his farmgate store, Jamie raises chickens for their eggs and meat and, crucially, for their role in fertilizing his garden.

Like every farmer, Jamie knows the importance of good soil, but until he read David Montgomery’s book, he was caught in the same cycle as many other market gardeners. Each year he would till the soil, plant the crops, harvest, till again, plant, harvest, and repeat until the season ended. “I realized,” he says, “I was tilling way too much.”

Now his aim is to disturb the soil as

little as possible. The whole principle is to build and maintain as much bio­ logical life in the soil as possible, to allow the natural fungi and soil bac­ teria to do the work that fertilizers do.

Instead of tilling, he covers the harvested area with large swaths of heavy, meshed tarp, and lets time and warmth work their magic. After a couple of weeks the soil underneath is a clear slate, rich with decomposed organic matter. Then Jamie plants cover crops: oats to put carbon into the soil, peas to fix nitrogen, and daikon radish in the fall to reach deep into the earth, doing the work a plough used to do.

Jamie’s 100 chickens are built into his crop rotation. Their foraging minimizes pests and weeds and fertilizes the soil. After a couple of years grazing an area, that area becomes a new garden bed. The old garden becomes the new grazing area so the chickens can work to improve its soil. Although Jamie has never used chemical fertilizers or insecticides, he notes, “The chickens produce considerable labour-saving by creating compost on site.”

Why is he doing this? “Philosoph­ ically, when I’m gone,” he says, “I

would like to leave the world a little better than when I arrived.” But he has another important motive.

“Economically, I am going to see a large return. The yields are pretty amazing,” he says.

Jamie says regenerative practices are gaining in popularity even among conventional farmers, who have been watching the regenerative movement with cautious interest. “Farming has thin margins and if something saves money, the news gets around.

“Healthy soil is so much more resistant to extreme weather events such as drought and heavy rain,” he says, explaining that a thriving and diverse biomass is like a giant sponge, able to absorb excessive rain and hold moisture during dry spells. Healthy soil also results in fewer pest problems.

Is the resulting food more nutritious?

No one knows for sure, but, says Jamie, “It sure tastes better.”

Every farm is different and each farmer will need to tailor their regenerative practices in an ongoing individual experiment. “Good farming,” says Jamie, “is good farming. And all farmers can agree that soil is important.”

Proud to serve and support our community Graham Corbett, Amy Ouchterlony and youngsters Maeve, 4, and Owen, 7, reap a spring harvest at Fiddle Foot Farm.

Bennington Hills Farm The importance of livestock After saving up for years, in 2014 Jeff Roney and Samantha Campbell purchased land in Amaranth to realize their dream of becoming farmers. By 2017, Jeff had left his former career and was farming full-time on their 100-acre Bennington Hills Farm.

While Samantha continues to work as a nurse practitioner at a medical centre in Grand Valley, she also works on the farm, where together they raise beef, lamb, pork and chickens.

As a youth Jeff spent a lot of time on his grandfather’s farm near Mitchell, but both he and Samantha were determined to bring a more holistic approach to their farming operation.

According to Samantha, “The cow is the cornerstone of our farm.” She counters the prevailing cautions about meat consumption. “If you came to our farm and saw the animals, the way they live, it’s a hundred per cent okay to eat grass-fed beef the way we raise them.”

Rotational grazing, using a system of moveable fences, is key to building healthy soil. The Bennington Hills

cattle are moved once or twice a day, mimicking the grazing patterns of wild herds of bison in pre-settlement North America, which stayed close together in small groups to protect against the predators that kept them moving across the landscape.

“Hooves on the ground,” says Jeff, “help incorporate uneaten plant matter and manure thereby fertilizing the soil, stimulating plant root growth and creating a nutritionally dense pasture.”

And the no-till cash crops they rotate on separate fields mean carbon is sequestered in the soil instead of being released into the atmosphere.

Carbon sequestration, Jeff explains, is a process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the air and brought back into the soil through plants. Carbon in the ground is good for soil and feeds soil life, improving the health and quality of plants and animals. Planting crops like oats, chickpeas, quinoa and flax, along with non-GMO corn and soy means the fields are never bare and ensures a diversity of fungi and microbes in the soil.

“As well, our farm has over 4,000 trees,” says Jeff, which absorb more C O N T I N U E D O N N E X T PA G E

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carbon, act as windbreaks and further reduce soil erosion.

This kind of holistic approach to food production means there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Every farm is different, says Jeff. “You really have to pay attention to your particular environment. You have to go out in the field every day and wait and observe what happens.”

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Fiddle Foot Farm The magic of healthy soil Amy Ouchterlony and Graham Corbett, owners of Fiddle Foot Farm in Mulmur, know that farmers who adopt regenerative methods must tailor their practices to the physical realities of their farms. The couple grows a cornucopia of vegetables on their 66 acres of rolling and partially wooded land. “Everything but sweet corn and sweet potatoes,” jokes Graham.

Their bestsellers, which they distri­ bute through Community Supported Agriculture shares and at Orangeville farmers’ market, are organic spinach, tomatoes, carrots and salad greens, but more exotic fare such as watermelon radish and kohlrabi are also popular with their customers. In the spring they also offer vegetable seedlings for sale to backyard gardeners.

Fiddle Foot has 5.5 acres under cultivation. The remaining land is too hilly or forested for planting crops. Instead, a small herd of eight cows grazes the steep-sided fields and gullies. Like the cattle at Bennington Hills, the cows are moved frequently, but unlike the Bennington animals, which live for 18 to 24 months before heading to the slaughterhouse, the oldest of Fiddle Foot’s cattle have been with Amy and Graham for most of the 14 years the pair has run the farm. The animals’ sole purpose is to generate the composted manure the couple uses to fertilize their vegetable gardens.

Rotation of grazing allows plant roots to remain strong, says Graham, and the cows leave behind manure, urine and saliva to feed the pasture without having time to destroy it.

The result over time is pasture that is healthy and nutritious. Although the couple still tills their vegetable beds, they long ago reduced use of a roto­ tiller in favour of a piece of equipment

known as a bedmaker, which disturbs the soil only an inch or two.

“It is magic to see the soil improv­ ing,” says Amy, who views farming as a form of environmental activism.

“We are doing something practical and productive.”

Standing on a hillside at the back of his property late last summer, the tall grasses jubilant with goldenrod and wild aster, Graham explains the importance of biodiversity in agriculture.

The couple views everything on their farm as interconnected. “Wild spaces are integral to all of this, hosting pollinators and beneficial insects,” he says. “We are lucky to be surrounded here by such natural abundance.”

W

ith an investment in marketing, U of G’s Kari Dunfield thinks “regenerative ag” could become the next big thing, “once companies figure out that consumers will pay a premium for regenerative products.” A 2020, multi-award-winning film called Kiss the Ground, narrated by Woody Harrelson and viewed, according to the film’s website, by nearly 10 million people, has gone a long way to popularize the concept outside the agricultural community. General Mills is already investing in efforts to achieve widespread adoption of healthy soil practices, partnering with organizations that help farmers who want to make the transition.

Like so many before them this new breed of farmers wants to keep farming.

They want their families to keep farm­ ing, and so building healthy soil just makes sense, says Marci Lipman. “I think there’s a big transition happening in farming and it’s driven by younger farmers. It’s also about climate change.”

That’s why she intends to hold more events like the Monora Park symposium. “It’s not only about educating the farmers, it’s about educating the public. They care about where their food comes from. They’re reading labels now and that’s really important. If they see a label that says ‘Regenerative Agriculture,’ they have to know what it means.”

Cecily Ross is a freelance writer and author who lives in Creemore.

Her most recent novel is The Lost Diaries of Susanna Moodie.

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Two local sculptors find their expression in the raw gifts nature offers up.

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KERRY KNUDSEN

Joe Burchell uses a dowsing rod to commune with the energy of the Earth.

rock of ages Stones are the inspiration for Joe Burchell’s monumental works of art

BY GAIL GRANT

PHOTOILLUS TR ATION BY K IM VAN OOS TEROM

R

ock has been the cornerstone of Joe Burchell’s world for most of his life.

“The bulk of my career was spent blasting through rock,” he says, “primarily to get it out of the way. But in my retirement years, my biggest joy has been time spent understanding their form and function, while creating monuments with, and to, them.”

The self-deprecating style of this amazing 90-year-old makes the duality of his relationship with rock seem normal.

In 1954, with a new degree in mining engineering from Queen’s University, Joe began his working life in the sales department of the explosives arm of C-I-L (Canadian Industries Limited), headquartered in Montreal. As his career

evolved, he became something of an explosives expert, initially travelling throughout the Americas and eventually around the world as he helped blow up rock in search of ore deposits or to tunnel through mountains to create highways.

Joe’s 24 years with C-I-L included moves to Sudbury, Elliot Lake and back to Montreal, as he continued to make his way up the corporate ladder, eventually into the office of vice-president. During that time, he was offered the position of CEO of the Atlas Powder Company, an American firm, and he and his wife, Trudy, moved to Dallas.

But the Burchells wanted to keep a connection with Canada, so they bought a weekend retreat in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, a haven they would treasure for

more than 14 years. When Joe retired in the early 1990s, the couple continued to spend their summers in the Townships while wintering in warmer climes.

With consulting work still available to him, Joe made a pact with himself that any money he earned would go back into the local arts community. Throughout their time in Quebec, he and Trudy managed to put together an impressive collection of local art.

Around that time, he met Eddie Heath, a transplanted American, former football player and sculptor who became Joe’s gateway into his own creative side.

Eddie worked primarily in marble but viewed all stones as things of beauty. With C O N T I N U E D O N N E X T PA G E

facing page A stone sculpture by Joe Burchell and a tree sculpture, “Coyotes,” by Jim Menken.

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a nod to Joe’s curious side, Eddie suggested that his friend learn the discipline of dowsing, best known to most of us for its association with using a dowsing rod to witch for water.

Courses in dowsing in both Vermont and at York University followed. Using a wood-handled length of spring wire with a knob on the end, Joe asks the apparently inert device an energyrelated question. The device appears to respond with a variety of motions that he then interprets. For Joe, the energy generated is a useful guide to the artistic expression of the stone.

“The essence of dowsing is in the connecting to the stone’s own energy,” says Joe. “Consider that both coal and uranium give off energy. A piece of quartz can power a radio signal that can reach out forever. Our presentday world is powered by silicon chips, so is it such a stretch to think ancient

A stone circle and some of the many other sculptures Joe Burchell carefully erected on his Caledon property. He transported many of the stones when he moved from the Eastern Townships in Quebec.

people hadn’t discovered that energy?”

This thinking is why he often calls his creations “Neolithic art,” to honour the Stone Age peoples who used the earth’s energy to guide their activities and travels.

Using a backhoe to dig out a stone, Joe then takes time to consider how it will fit in a stone structure. While serving his artistic apprenticeship in the Eastern Townships, he discovered

PHOTOS KERRY KNUDSEN

that the obvious look of a stone is not always the best. He learned to twirl massive boulders with a tine of his backhoe in order to visualize them from every angle before finally settling them in place.

But it was after his move to Caledon in 1999 that he came into his own, and his creativity was released.

The move itself was memorable.

Much to Trudy’s chagrin, when all Joe’s earth-moving equipment and each of the unique boulders he couldn’t bear to leave behind were finally packed up and ready to go, three dual axle gravel trucks, each pulling a flatbed trailer, were full to the brim and ready to make the in-tandem trip to the couple’s new home in Caledon.

“The toughest lessons I had to learn while creating one of my pieces,” Joe says, “is that the location of the structure has equal importance to what it is I do with each stone. If there

is sky behind the structure, then the final view will have impact.”

Some of his inspiration comes from stone monuments and structures he has seen in his travels; some comes simply from the shape of the stone itself. Many of his creations are studies in texture and form; others are suggestions of beings. And some are simply landscaping devices.

“It takes time to put a sculpture together, adding one piece at a time over the course of months until the final form reveals itself. These things evolve and can’t be rushed,” he says.

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postscr ipt Tragically, this past February, Covid-19 took the life of Trudy, Joe’s beloved wife of 68 years.

Joe also contracted the disease.

He is still recovering.

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PHOTOS PE TE PATERSON

tr ee of life Artist Jim Menken’s chainsaw allows fallen trees to rise again

BY ANTHONY JENKINS

T

he 10,000 hours of practice that writer Malcolm Gladwell ruled necessary to become an expert in anything are mani­ fest underfoot outside the studio of Mono sculptor Jim Menken.

A soft beach of sawdust spreads in all directions, its sweet smell on the wind that ruffles the surrounding cedars and poplars. On this prepandemic day in 2019, Jim’s next work, destined to join many of his others in Orangeville’s Art Walk of Tree Sculptures, still slumbers in the horizontal forest of grey logs bordering his beach.

Jim picks a log from among the pack like a sommelier picking a perfect

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vintage. He hauls it out and stands it upright with the help of a geriatric, once-orange tractor. Then, battered ball cap tilted back on his head, he circles the 10-foot-long trunk. He’s serious, searching the artistic possibility beneath the fluttering strips of bark and fist-like knots, seeking a start.

A week later the log is bereft of bark, mottled caramel in colour and shedding sprays of sawdust which gar­ nish a pipe-and-plank scaffolding and the sculptor who stands atop it. Jim wields a chainsaw surely and swiftly in the late summer sun, coaxing a cat, a larger-than-life-size descending cat, from within a roughly sketched Sharpie outline near the log’s top.

He carves off slab-sized blocks of not-cat, deftly flicking them away with the tip of the chainsaw’s blade. An amber arch emerges. A few minutes later, as he works with a smaller, nimbler saw, it becomes a tail.

“It’s all about confidence,” the carver says. “It’s about matching your cuts, making them meet. You don’t want to overcut and slice into a tail.”

Jim re-sketches the feline and carves further. The blocky form is becoming feline. Jim’s angular chops are becoming strokes, increasingly more fluid and sinuous. Later, after he considers a couple of protruding knots further down the log, a second cat’s outline is shifted slightly to avoid

Jim Menken at work on “The Cats,” a sculpture in tribute to the feline companions of Lynn and Dan Lubitz.

them, and the reclining form of a third cat emerges further below.

As he begins to employ an arsenal of ever-smaller Dremel saws, grind­ ers and wheels, his pace slows. Tools which whine, not roar, now smooth and caress. They comb furrows of fur from the wood. The carver’s head is cocked in thought with each refinement until, finally, it nods in approval. Done. It’s taken about seven working days.

“I hope it turns out,” Jim said earlier, during a blissful, chainsawdown silence. Does he have any doubts about that? “No,” he responds immediately with a laugh, shaking off a layer of sawdust.

If you call Sheila Duncan, commu­ nications manager for the town of Orangeville, “Mother of Sculptures,” she’ll laugh, too. But she agrees, “They are my babies. Each one has its story and I’ve been involved with them all.”

Alongside her other duties Sheila manages the town’s tree sculpture program – currently about 50 outdoor carvings gracing Orangeville’s neigh­ ourhoods and boulevards. She sees to replacing deteriorating ones (a couple a year, lifespan about 10 to 15 years), monitoring and maintaining existing ones, and commissioning new ones.

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Jim Menken has contributed more than 30 works to Orangeville’s Art Walk of Tree Sculptures, including from left, “The Musicians,” “Physician and Patient,” and “Pelicans.”

SUMMER CRITTERS IN OUR MIDST Our resident naturalist — and keen eye — Don Scallen shares his notes on how beetles’ shells hint at their toxicity, the myopia of beavers, the meaning of butterflies’ odd flight patterns, and hungry birds. You won’t look at the great outdoors the same way again.

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she says. Bus tours do come, and Orangeville’s Visitor Centre will provide people to do commentary, Sheila herself, on occasion.

In 2003, then-mayor Drew Brown saw historic tree sculptures in Truro, Nova Scotia and thought, “Why can’t Orangeville do that?” So they did.

Beginning in 2004, Jim Menken, an artist but a novice with a chainsaw – a fact he didn’t hide – was commissioned to carve the farmer that still stands outside McDonald’s on lower Broadway.

The town annually budgets $5,000 to ensure at least one new sculpture each year. Businesses or citizens can also sponsor a work. In fact, more than half the sculptures been privately sponsored. The town provides the concrete pedestal (which greatly increases longevity), the labour to erect and maintain each sculpture, and also promotes them with a digital tour on its website and social media.

Sheila vets a concept (historical figures, animals and birds are favoured), assesses the site for practicalities (will the carving impede snow clearance or disturb buried infrastructure?), and checks with neighbours (“We want it to be a positive experience. You’re going to be looking at this thing for a long time.”)

A concept is agreed upon and a budget confirmed ($2,000 to $4,000 per commission, depending on complexity, with a tax receipt for the donor). An artist is contacted, a sketch delivered, and delicious anticipations unleashed before any chainsaw is put to work in a sawdust-strewn studio such as Jim’s.

Lynn and Dan Lubitz have made their home on Zina Street in Orange­ ville for the past eight years. Across the street on a neighbour’s lawn stands a tree sculpture featuring two dogs, pets of the Staley family. The Lubitzes admired it, and regularly noticed

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passersby doing the same. “This was the kind of neighbourhood we wanted to move into,” Lynn says. “The sculpture contributed to that.”

A couple of years ago, a big maple on their lawn decided to grow sickly, town arbourists decided it should be felled, and the squat stump left helped the Lubitzes decide to replace it with a tree sculpture. Of playful cats. Their cats, Oliver and Sydney. When they learned the sculptor would be Jim Menken, the same carver who’d done the dogs, they were thrilled. “We’d heard about him from so many people. He’s so well respected in town,” says Lynn.

They sent Jim colour photos of their cats. (The carving would be stained rather than painted, because staining lasts longer.) Jim produced a sketch, and the Lubitzes “suggested, not insisted on” adding a third cat, their departed pet, Curtis.

On a chilly, wet day a few weeks later, the finished work arrived

Photo by Mary Armstrong

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unceremoniously at the Lubitzes’ home on the back of a municipal works truck. Jim and two town workers with a backhoe wrestled the sculpture onto its concrete pedestal.

Never mind the weather, though.

Seeing the finished carving in place was a sunny moment for the Lubitzes. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!” Dan says. Lynn, who has now viewed the sculpture from her office window for two years, says, “It brings a smile to my face at least twice a day.” She equally enjoys seeing so many others stop and admire it.

“Unlike just enjoying it yourself,” she says, “it’s for everybody to enjoy. It’s a community experience.”

You can find a map and digital tour of Orangeville’s Art Walk of Tree Sculptures under Walking Tours at www.orangeville.ca

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MEET THE MAKER

Melissa Jenkins Natural inks made from foraged plants gave this artist a way to heal her body and share her passion for the outdoors.

BY JANICE QUIRT

PHOTOS COURTESY MELISSA JENKINS

A

Melissa Jenkins paints using natural inks she makes out of foraged plants and flowers.

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rtist Melissa Jenkins remembers when she truly embraced the beauty of the natural world around her. It was March 2017, and she had been walking the field behind her home in rural Erin. This walk was, in itself, no mean feat. Back then there were days when Melissa could hardly move at all because she was coping with Lyme disease.

To help in her journey toward healing, not only from Lyme, but also from struggles with breast cancer and an ectopic pregnancy, Melissa turned to painting with acrylics and watercolours. “Painting was one thing I could do with shaky hands when at my weakest,” she says. But that day in the field helped influence her latest choice of medium – naturally derived inks.

Melissa began to dabble in making her own ink after a friend mentioned that avocado pits produce a pleasing maroon shade. Then she was given the book Make Ink: A Forager’s Guide to Natural Inkmaking, by Toronto artist Jason Logan. The book inspired her to take a fresh look at that field, as well as other natural areas, where she began to see an unlimited supply of exciting new art supplies. She collected alder catkins at her cottage on Baptiste Lake near Bancroft, where she grew up. And closer to home, she zeroed in on invasive species and other common roadside plants as a way to minimize her environmental impact. “I also became so much more mindful about noticing what was out there. Early tamarack flowers look like pink pineapples, for example,” she says.

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Architectural Design to encourage people to make their own – and she has recently begun creating digital art.

She taught high school until 2008 and retains a passion for educating, so when Covid restrictions are lifted, she plans to continue offering workshops through Caledon’s Joy Scout Learnshops and other groups, as well as hosting outdoor Airbnb Experiences at her home.

Melissa scours the orchards, forests, pond and fields around the stone farmhouse where she, her husband and their 13-year-old twin daughters have lived since 2016. (Melissa frequently paints with her daughters, whom she describes as being full of creativity.) She forages judiciously, taking only a small portion of the plants and wild fruit she finds and leaving the rest as nourishment for animals, birds and the soil itself. She checks in with Picture This, a plant identifier app, to determine whether a plant she has spotted is toxic or an at-risk species.

Her farmhouse kitchen is the site of much experimentation, as Melissa develops and refines her recipes for natural inks. Early in her adventures, she leaned on established botanical dyers’ online resources, including those of U.K. maker Rebecca Desnos. But now, as she builds her own ink archive, Melissa takes notes and records how her colours materialize in the pot and translate onto paper.

In the summer, she makes one of her dyes from the bright yellow flowers of birdsfoot trefoil, commonly known as butter and eggs and found in abundance in grassy areas and on roadsides. Other trademark earthy hues come from walnuts, acorns, marigolds, sunflower seeds and coltsfoot, as well as Concord grapes, which she obtains from Everdale Farm near Hillsburgh.

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top Melissa uses a mortar and pestle to bring colour out of some of her ingredients. bot tom A selection of Melissa’s handmade inks, each with a sample drop on its label.

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To make the ink, Melissa combines the botanicals and distilled water in old pots made from nonreactive materials, such as glass and stainless steel, and adds a modifier, such as soda ash, baking soda or alum, to bring out the vibrancy of the colour. She simmers the mixture on the stove until she achieves a shade she likes, then leaves the pot to rest overnight. The next morning she strains the mixture through cheesecloth, coffee filters or nylons (left over from her classroom days), and adds gum arabic as a preservative and thickener to help achieve the right consistency for painting and binding to the page.

To create her abstract nature-inspired paintings on watercolour paper, she says, “I add the ink and watch it take a journey.” She uses her fingers, an eyedropper, paintbrush or a palette knife to extend the ink’s natural path. “I look for what I think of as a creative happenstance – something new in the pattern – and then I might add to it with lines of thread, pastels or pen.”

Melissa’s creativity is influenced by wabi-sabi, a Japanese concept she describes as seeing beauty in the unravelling. “In my art it’s as much about what isn’t there, or the space in-between. Often the story is about what’s missing.”

Embracing that flow and following where it leads has been key to both Melissa’s soothing creations and overcoming her health challenges. “Noticing and accepting the impermanent and the imperfect in our surroundings inspires me on a daily basis.”

Janice Quirt is a freelance writer who lives in Orangeville.

local buys Welcome a new season with nautical inspirations, summery collages and fresh new ceramics

Broker

BY JANICE QUIRT

Beach buoys Elizabeth Jamieson and James Walsh of south Caledon started Jamieson Walsh Woodworking in the summer of 2020 while searching for a pandemic hobby. James has always been handy at woodworking, and Elizabeth was eager to try her hand at the decorative creations. James hails from Nova Scotia and Elizabeth’s family now lives there too — which explains the cheery maritime colour schemes. Look for nautical cedar buoys, paddle-inspired pine signs and cedar drink coasters, all in bright colours and crisp geometric patterns. Elizabeth designs and then paints the pieces after James has crafted them. Future plans include larger scale, traditional furniture suitable for any home, from rustic to modern. (Buoys, set of three, $30, Jamieson Walsh Woodworking)

Sunrise to sunset Mulmur’s Kathryn Allyn believes making art in a variety of formats, from one-of-a-kind pieces to greeting card reproductions, keeps her work accessible to all. For her clever collages she starts with reusable household and packing materials as paper bases and adds detail with pen, charcoal and pencil crayon. These textured layers allow for a compelling play of light and shadow, as in her “Sunrise” limited-run signed print. Her “Summer Sky” original piece evokes a late afternoon walk in midsummer solely in pencil crayon. “My surroundings and experiences are a continual source of inspiration,” says Kathryn. “Recent works, including ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Summer Sky,’ are my expression of listening to the world around me and experiencing the seasons change.”

(11" x 14" “Sunrise” limited-run signed print, $30, Kathryn Allyn)

Tactile charms Jacqui Liberty of Erin’s Soft Fire Ceramics took her first pottery workshop as a creative outlet more than a decade ago while doing her master’s in public health. Over the years she trained further in the craft and became a member of the Credit Valley Artisans pottery guild. “After having twins three years ago, I didn’t really have any time for me. When the first lockdown hit I returned to pottery with renewed focus as a way to help me come back to myself.” Now, working from home as a potter is her main gig. Jacqui creates quiet, minimalist mugs, bowls and vases in neutral hues. When she adds texture, glazing or the rare pop of colour, it’s with a keen sense of restraint. (Mugs, $40–$42. 6" bowls, $40, Soft Fire Ceramics)

Helping you make the right move

sigriddoherty.com www.sigriddoherty.com sigrid@sigriddoherty.com

direct 416-274-1592 office 905-584-2727

sources

Jamieson Walsh Woodworking, Caledon. JamiesonWalshWood on Etsy. @jw.wood.working on Instagram Kathryn Allyn Art, Mulmur. KathrynAllynArt on Etsy. www.kathrynallynart.com Soft Fire Ceramics, Erin. www.softfireceramics.com. @softfireceramics on Instagram I N

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savouring summer A new grocery to visit, fresh gourmet takeout to try and a bevy of food trucks to chase

BY JANICE QUIRT

PE TE PATERSON

Owner Baljit Powar and her brother Manjinder Sidhu at Orangeville’s new FiG Grocers.

N E W SHOP A L E RT

FiG Grocers Grocery shopping in Headwaters just got a whole lot more flavourful with the opening of Orangeville’s FiG Grocers on First St. The new shop (in the former Kitchen to Table storefront) already has happy fans clamouring for more South Asian foods, including marinated chicken and goat, ready-to-eat potato and spinach pakoras, and a variety of sweets.

Local raspberries

Owner Baljit Powar was born and raised in India, moving to Canada in the early 2000s. When she moved

The raspberry season is

to Grand Valley last year, she noticed there were no Indian grocers in the area and opened the first —

short, starting mid-July,

hence the name FiG, an acronym for First Indian Grocer.

While produce, meat and pantry staples line the shelves, Baljit is keen to act as culinary guide to the

cobbler, pie and compote

authentic recipes,” says Baljit. “We offer recipe boxes containing simple recipes with minimal steps, plus

recipes and head to East

killer butter chicken, the chickpea classic chana masala, the spicy vegetable stew pav bhaji,

For customers with dietary restrictions, Baljit is also happy to make variations to the recipe boxes. And she’ll order in special request items if you’re craving something specific.

Or, if it’s a no-cook kind of day, consider picking up a few prepared samosas paired with tart, creamy mango lassis for a low-key but transportive meal. Local delivery is also available.

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Interested in something mentioned here? Find links to social media pages & websites at Food+Drink on inthehills.ca.

and you-pick beauties.

For quick refills, visit their farm stand next to Orangeville’s Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Check their website for hours.

DEP OSI T PHOTOS 49495797

More recipe boxes are on the way, and Baljit recommends pre-ordering as they sell out fast.

Garafraxa’s Berrys 4 U to stock up on ready-picked

the grilled Indian cheese-based paneer tikka, and the traditional legume dish dal masala.

I N

so dig out your favourite

uninitiated, too. “I thought it would be a good idea to introduce the community to Indian cooking with all the major ingredients and spices required to make popular dishes at home.” She’ll set you up to make a

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The GoodHawk Opening a restaurant during a pandemic is brave. The GoodHawk in Hockley Village is being rewarded for their nerve by local foodies – and some farther afield – flocking to pre-book their weekend takeout dinners. Chef/ owners Sean MacMahon and Natasha Priest offer a limited run each week of five courses that change depending on seasonal and foraged ingredients, pantry inspiration, or simply, “What happens when you put sumac and (blank) together?” explains Sean. Recent plates have included smoked hock, roasted sunchoke soup, and foraged greens added to dumplings or as sides. “It feels like people are embracing the food lab we’re creating,” Sean says. When they’re not cooking, the couple is busy renovating the restaurant for indoor dining and prepping for outdoor dinners. “We’ll be lighting old candlesticks, knocking back obscure vintages, and playing vinyl records,” says Sean. Sign us up.

TA K E - O U T A N D C AT E R I N G T U E S DAY T O S AT U R DAY F R O M 3 : 0 0 T O 8 : 3 0

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Orangeville 519.942.3388 eatatforage.com

Join us on our Magnolia Patio or call for takeout this summer. Menus online at monocliffsinn.ca.

519-941-5109 for reservations and orders.

FINE COUNTRY DINING IN MONO CENTRE

199 Broadway • Orangeville

Patio Opening in May

Online In The Hills Visit our Dining Guide at inthehills.ca to find a map that pinpoints locations and provides details for each restaurant to help you explore, taste and enjoy all that local chefs have to offer.

The GoodHawk

Thursday–Monday · 12–close 519.940.3108 • Rustikrestaurant.ca

www.rustikrestaurant.ca

Homemade is still the local favourite!

Fresh burgers, awesome wings, great beers on tap, and our famous breakfasts.

The patio will open as soon as possible.

M 7am–3pm, T–F 7am–8pm, S–S 9am-8pm 9408 Wellington Rd 24, Erin 519-833-1022 M O R E O N PA G E 93

M O R E O N N E X T PA G E

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A boom in farm-to-freezer offerings New beer me Local beer lovers have an embarrassment of riches and can sample new brews almost right off the assembly line. Two of Taphouse Craft Beer & Kitchen’s new cans have caught the attention of their Orangeville neighbours: Rhymes with Orange(ville), a blood orange sour, and the Community Northmen Lacrosse Beer (50 cents from each can sold goes to the town’s Junior B Northmen Lacrosse).

Decades ago, direct-from-farm meat purchases required owning a freezer big enough to hold at least half a cow.

Some farms still offer that service Heatherlea Farm Shoppe — beef sides from Peace Valley Ranch in Mulmur, entire pigs from Landman Gardens and Bakery in Grand Valley, and whole lambs from Riverview Ranch Meat Co in Melancthon — but it’s now possible to find smaller customized boxes from these and other purveyors.

Heatherlea Farm Shoppe in Caledon curates “Butcher Boxes” for grilling and slow cooking their Angus beef and other items.

Hummingbird Hill in Palgrave offers BBQ beef and chicken boxes.

Toad Hole Farm in Mulmur organizes their grass-fed meat into “Beef Bundles.” And at 4th Line Cattle Co in Hillsburgh, it’s all about summer-worthy grilling boxes. The new Cheltenham-based Northern Raised Meat sources naturally raised meats from local farms and offers a monthly meat delivery with set collections or à la carte choices.

This is just a fraction of what’s available in our area. For more than 20 locations offering locally raised meat for sale, please visit our Headwaters Farm Fresh guide on page 57.

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Don’t eat meat?

This one’s for you.

Blake Speers’s new food delivery business, Orangeville Vegan Meals, solves your plant-based meal planning with hearty dishes such as green curry with rice noodles, dill pickle soup and tater tot Mexican casserole. When you’re figuring out what to order, don’t sleep on Blake’s healthy breakfast goodies. We’re eyeing you, chunky monkey smoothie.

I S T O C K 12 95 82 35 5 6

GoodLot Farmstead Brewing Co.’s Philsner the Pilsner is named for owner Phil Winters and their Fruition Sour packs a blackberry-flavoured pucker.

Hun IPA, one of Badlands Brewing Company’s newest, features wildflower honey from Bolton’s Humbervalley Honey.

And Caledon Hills Brewing Co.’s Summer Solstice pale ale and Sonnen Hill Brewing’s Whiff pale ale seem tailor-made for kicking back on a patio.

Food trucks on a roll The food truck business is gaining traction in Headwaters. Some stay put and others are ready to hit the road for private events as regulations lift. Rasmi AlHariri and Islam Salamah have moved Rasmi’s Falafel into a roomy new food truck — they’re serving their scrumptious falafel wrap sandwiches and other goodies from it at the farmers’ market on Saturdays in Orangeville. The food truck at Cole’s Country Market & Garden Centre in Grand Valley is stationary but legendary. On weekends try their apple fritters: apple slices coated in batter, served warm from the fryer and dusted in cinnamon and sugar.

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

www.mrsmitchells.com

Catering ● Takeout ● Food Shop Enjoy gourmet takeout dinners in the comfort of your own home!

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Rasmi’s Falafel

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Former Shelburne restaurant Healthy Holistic Cravings returns as a food bus, parked permanently at Airport Road and County Road 21 in Mulmur and offering homemade burgers (veggie, chicken and beef), fries and sauces. The Bevy Bus in Erin is a super-photogenic robin’s egg blue VW available for hire as a mobile drinks or coffee bar for private functions or photo shoots.

Bolton’s new Wine Spot bôite runs their sister business, the Wine Wagon Mobile Bar, out of a cuteas-a-button white custom trailer by Hamilton’s Nomad Customs.

Online In The Hills Visit our Dining Guide at inthehills.ca to find a map that pinpoints locations and provides details for each restaurant to help you explore, taste and enjoy all that local chefs have to offer.

New World Pub in the Heart of Mulmur Open Wednesday – Sunday Fully Licensed · Excellent Chef · Beautiful Patio terranovapub.ca Terra-Nova-Public-House

www.terranovapub.ca Call for Reservations 705-466-5992

M O R E O N PA G E 91

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Treasure Hunt Geocaching is a surefire way to get kids busy outdoors

BY NICOL A ROSS

O

ne of the great things about kids is that they remind adults of the pure joy of things such as seeing all the presents under the tree on Christmas morning or riding your bike down a really big hill – or a treasure hunt.

So when I read that geocaching is the “biggest treasure hunt in the world,” I decided to borrow some kids. I needed them to help me understand why more than 360,000 geocachers in nearly 200 countries have hidden upwards of three million geocaches. That’s gargantuan!

I googled “geocaching” and up popped geocaching.com. This great, child-friendly website had everything I needed to get started – everything, that is, except some kids! I read through the instructions and learned about the etiquette of geocaching.

A couple of really good, childfriendly videos helped a lot. Then I downloaded the free version of the geocache app to my phone.

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When I logged in, my location showed up as a moving blue dot, similar to what you see on Google Maps. It was awash in a sea of green circles marking geocaches. These dots didn’t move. In the area from Terra Cotta through to Highway 10 near Orangeville, dozens of these concealed treasures were waiting to be discovered by me and my kids, once I found some. I felt as though I were about to embark on a clandestine operation – first to find some kids, then to locate the treasure.

I clicked on a green dot close to my home and up came a description of a geocache named “Dancing on McClaren” [sic]. It was 2.8 kilometres away, the difficulty in finding it was 1.5 on a scale of 1 to 5, and the geocache would be some kind of waterproof container that would hold a scroll on which I could add my name to those of others who have also found the cache. The container might also contain small treasures

such as a figurine or a toy car. The etiquette of geocaching is that if you take a treasure, you must leave behind something as good as, or better than, what you found. Geocaching is about trading, not taking.

The app also explained the geocache had been placed by “dancer man” on 2016-07-10 and included a list of all the people who had ever found it. Finally, there was a hint to make it easier to locate. It read: “Hollow there … come and find me!”

Next up were some kids. Fortunate­ ly, my nephew, his partner and their three sons, aged 12, 9 and 6, were also intrigued by my description of the biggest treasure hunt in the world.

On a cold day in May, we convened at the corner of Forks of the Credit Road and McLaren Road, and I gave Leif, Waverly and Xavier a brief description of what geocaching is about. The boys focused on “treasure,” and the eldest, Leif, caught “hollow.”

“What’s a hollow?” he asked. “It’s likely a depression in the ground,” I suggested. “What will the cache look like?” Leif wanted to know. “Beats me,” I said. “Let’s find out.”

Following the blue dot on my phone, we came to where the green dot indicated the geocache was hidden. We were in dense cedar woods with some depressions on the forest floor. “It must be in that hollow,” I told Leif, pointing to one of the depressions. Before clambering down the bank (spoiler here), he glanced into a hollowed-out tree trunk. “There’s something blue in here,” he said casually.

And sure enough, tucked inside the hollow was a small plastic container.

Leif fished it out. It contained a few pieces of sodden paper and a small ziplock bag with something in it. “Take it out! Take it out!” Xavier screeched, stamping his feet with glee. Waverly stared, mouth open, as his big brother withdrew a small scroll. Unfurling

Booklore sum21_Layout 1 21-06-03 10:36 PM Page 1

Bugged by a year of Zoom & tablets?

Let’s recalibrate ...

Start your own geocaching fun Visit geocaching.com for more information. This excellent website is designed for children. It explains how geocaching works, includes blogs, events and videos, and sets out guidelines, such as respecting private property. It also introduces visitors to the international community of geocachers. It’s easy to see how some people, children and adults alike, could be delighted by the many facets of geocaching.

Encourage our kids to explore the outside world!

FRED WEBSTER

The geocaching app is available on mobile phones. The free version allows a limited number of geocaches. To gain access to all geocaches and other features, there is a pay option ($9.99 US for three months or $29.99 US for a year).

www.booklore.ca

121 First Street, Orangeville 519-942-3830 booklore.ca

opposite From left, brothers Leif, Waverly and Xavier discover a cache in a hollowed out tree trunk. above Waverly adds his name and the date to the cache’s log.

it, Leif announced it was a list of all the other people who had found this geocache.

Fortunately, the geocaching website had instructed me to take along a pen, so the boys added their names.

Buoyed by their find, they were keen to try again. We drove up to Charleston Sideroad and Willoughby Road, where the geocache app told me we’d find “Signs, signs. Everywhere signs.” This time it would be a micro geocache and the hint read, “Located around knee height.”

When I was the first to spy the marble-sized micro-cache, I had to stifle my Xavier-worthy screech lest I give away its location. Guess

Your Garden, Beautiful. the kid in me lives on. I let the boys explore for a bit, giving them hotand-cold directions. It was Leif who remembered it had to be near a sign, though it was Xavier who found the treasure. He let out another whoop.

We found two more geocaches, both in Caledon village. One had some treasures in it, including an Egyptian Lego helmet. Xavier, it turned out, is Lego-obsessed. Wide-eyed, he asked, “Can I take it?” I explained the rules of trading and wordlessly thanked geocache.com for recommending I take along some trinkets to trade.

Before saying goodbye, we agreed to create our own geocache and hide it nearer to where the boys live in Belfountain. The kids’ dad, Sam, suggested it would be great if it could be on a trail rather than by a road. I concurred. As they drove off, Leif returned my wave and Waverly nodded, but Xavier was totally engrossed in his new piece of Lego.

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DUFFERIN COUNT Y MUSEUM & ARCHIVES

S.H. Rutledge opened an early dealership on Owen Sound Street in Shelburne (shown c.1920), selling McLaughlin automobiles.

The Auto Takes Hold In less than two decades automobiles grew from curiosity to commonplace in these hills.

BY KEN WEBER

O

n a warm Sunday afternoon in the summer of 1903 an “auto” was spotted driving through Orangeville. It didn’t stop, but in the next issue of the Orangeville Sun the sighting was a lead item in the local news column. There were only 178 registered cars in the entire province that year, so to have one in town, even just passing through, qualified as real news. Not for long, though. Two years later, local news­ papers were reporting about residents who actually bought cars and were driving them. It even became a matter of community pride. In 1906, when J. W. Shields of Grand Valley became a buyer, the Star & Vidette appeared relieved to announce, “The village finally sports an automobile!”

garage” in the Beatty Block “to serve the increasing number of autoists in the area.” It was a controversial development, coming at the same time as merchants along Broadway were agitating for a bylaw to ban autos on Saturday night – because they fright­ ened the horses that shoppers tied to hitching posts outside their stores.

A momentum not to be stopped Although the bylaw failed, it was an indication that by 1912 there were already enough cars around to be considered a nuisance. Not that it made a difference for there were more and more of them all the time. In 1917, for example, when John Rayfield came

Suddenly too many?

For the next several years, lists of new car owners appeared regularly in the community press, although in a May issue in 1912 the Sun had even more auto news. In addition to noting the four new buyers in town (and one in Alton), the paper announced that F.H. Doherty was opening an “automobile 96

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The Ford Model T Coupe was popular among country doctors for, among other reasons, an enclosed cabin that would protect them from the elements when making house calls.

home from his war service in France, the welcome parade that cheered him from the Orangeville railroad station to his home in Camilla included no fewer than 40 cars.

Any remaining doubt that cars were here to stay was set aside by the Orangeville Banner’s account of the 1918 fall fair. According to the Banner, there were as many as 600 cars in town for the fair, parked two and three deep around the racetrack and blocking spectators’ views. Cars also lined both sides of Second Street from the fairgrounds to Fourth Avenue, making it almost impossible to get through. The “auto” was no longer a novelty here. In little over a decade, it was becoming thoroughly woven into the fabric of life.

Who was buying them?

By 1913 local newspapers had given up declaring their communities were “joining the 20th century” (a popular advertising phrase) by proudly listing the names of car buyers. Still, in Grand Valley that year, the Star & Vidette couldn’t resist telling readers that E.H. Glenn, principal of the village school, along with Alf Sanderson and Dr. Perkins had each bought fivepassenger McLaughlins within days of one another.

Over time this kind of reportage created the impression that car buyers tended to be “townies,” who bought one for convenience and possibly status. However, in 1917, Bolton’s Ford dealer, T.D. Elliott & Son (where horse and buggy rental was also available), ran a large and detailed advertisement in the Brampton Conservator that suggested otherwise.

Farmers were important customers The ad quoted data from a Ford Motor Co. survey of nearly 10,000 buyers of Ford cars, listing them under 57 occupational categories. Doctors, for example, represented 2.1 per cent of buyers, salesmen 2.7 per cent and building contractors 1.3 per cent.

The eye-opener was the agriculture category. More than half the Fords (52.2 per cent) in the survey were owned by farmers.

The preponderance of rural purchasers may be partly explained by the famous Model T. It was inexpensive, simple to operate and sturdy, and for a farmer there was particular appeal in its high riding chassis. The “tin lizzie” could be driven on rough rural roads, down rutted farm lanes and over ploughed fields with its underside undamaged.

Shelburne Free Press, originally one of the louder anti-auto voices, editorialized in 1917 that “The auto is rapidly winning its way into general use by agriculturalists,” confirming that when a horse and farmer met a car on the road, the driver was just as likely to be another farmer.

CALEDON, ERIN, MONO & SURROUNDING AREAS

Dick’s Trick At a key point in the parade of Chevrolets he organized in Bolton in 1918, local dealer T.A. Dick got out of the one he was driving while it was moving. The apparently driverless car kept going and went on to perform circles and figure eights. It then backed up to retrieve Dick who got back behind the wheel. The performance thoroughly impressed the crowd, but like any good magician, Dick kept his method secret.

A passing tension Even as farmers purchased more cars, though, the dangerous conflict between horse and auto persisted for a few more years. In both town and country, the issue was sharing the road – because horses were easily spooked by the looming, noisy beast on wheels.

In May 1914 (probably the worst year), Mulmur Township reported nearly a dozen serious runaways. There were fatalities in both East Luther and Melancthon townships that month, and everywhere in the hills stories abounded of horse and auto encounters that ended badly.

Nevertheless, just a few years later in 1918, the year so many cars flooded into the Orangeville fairgrounds, the press reported very few horse-and-auto confrontations, suggesting both sides were learning to adapt.

Town and country in it together Factored into the accelerating popu­ larity of cars was a degree of freedom and convenience both townspeople and farmers had never experienced before. Until the arrival of the auto, the only way to get from one place to another was by foot, train (a welcome addition but with defined schedules and routes) or, most often, horse. Of all these, the horse was probably most useful, but also most demanding, with its daily need for feeding, care and accommodation, never mind the required pre- and post-trip attentions.

Such considerations would surely have resonated with readers when, for example, the Orangeville Banner reported in 1919 that “The Tates of Caledon East motored to East Luther on Sunday for a visit with family.”

Sue 519.837.7764

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Likewise, when the Shelburne Free Press reported that “W. J. Loudon had moved family and effects to Barrie with an auto and trailer in only two hours,” many readers were probably similarly impressed, if not envious.

And wanting a car.

A natural part of life Just how thoroughly the auto had infiltrated these hills from that first Orangeville sighting in 1903 is illustrated by an event in Bolton on June 28, 1918, attended by “a monster crowd,” in the words of the Bolton Enterprise. The reason was neither civic, nor religious, nor patriotic.

The crowd was there solely to see the newest model of the Chevrolet in a show put on by Bolton dealer T.A. Dick. And it seems Mr. Dick came through. There was a band, a parade of new cars, a bit of “magic” (see sidebar), executives from Oshawa’s Chevrolet plant delivering speeches, plus a promise the show would repeat the following year, and show off a Chevrolet with an eight-cylinder motor and multiple new features.

That promise drew rapt attention.

It seems the thrill of anticipating next year’s models, a notion that would carry on for decades, had already settled into the local psyche. As the Orangeville Sun put it in an advertorial touting Maxwell cars: “We can no longer get along without motor cars than we can without the telegraph or telephone.”

Caledon writer Ken Weber is the author the internationally best-selling Five-Minute Mystery series. This is his 100th Historic Hills column in this magazine since his first one in 1996.

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Automobile College Although Grand Valley did not announce its first car owner until July 1906, it was one of the first communities off the mark in the service category. In February that year, Horace Tolton returned to the village after a month at Boston Automotive College prepared to offer his newly acquired skills – not maintenance and repair, but driving lessons.

Most new car owners in the early days had no idea how to drive.

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Fashion or Comfort?

Maybe you can have both.

BY GAIL GRANT

GARL AND HANEY

D

Velvet Haney (left) and Rachel Manley show off the swimwear they designed for women “who aren’t at Woodstock anymore.”

S N A P S H O T

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M E E T

A

o you ever get up in the morning, look in the mirror, and think, Is this for real?

Initially lockdowns allowed us freedom from the scrutiny of others.

Lazy attire was okay. With nowhere to go and only our nearest and dearest as witnesses, what was the point of fussing?

Perhaps a few pandemic pounds appeared, or there was some weight redistribution or, in the absence of the regular six-week root touch-up with the hairstylist, the uncoloured roots took over – until they simply couldn’t be called roots anymore.

I am gradually getting used to my new, natural hair colour, but as I went from summer gold to winter silver, the shades in my wardrobe were no longer compatible with my colouring, which means my closet needs a drastic makeover. And it’s not just the colours. Nothing seems to fit anymore.

Things hang where they should fit – and fit (snugly, mostly) where they should hang.

But of course, that shopping spree has been on hold.

By the time we reach our 60s, 70s and beyond, I think we’re all on a spectrum when it comes to personal body image.

C O M M U N I T Y

E L D E R

Connie Tersigni

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fter more than three decades serving her community as a rural mail carrier, Connie Tersigni decided to retire last December.

“Mostly, I loved my job, but the decision came down to one word — ice,” she says. Connie had tumbled in each of the past three years, and at 65, she didn’t want to chance another fall.

Her familiar face and cheerful wave were part of the tapestry of the community around Palgrave, where she could be counted on to go the extra mile.

If a parcel was too big for the mailbox, customers would find it on their doorstep. And her van was never without dog treats. She got to know most of the local mutts by name, and her supply of treats ensured that nearly all of them greeted her enthusiastically.

The eldest of three daughters, Connie grew

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up on a farm near Bervie in Bruce County. After studying food technology, she moved to Toronto to take a job at Humber Memorial Hospital and met her husband, Gino. The couple later moved to Orangeville to start their family.

In 1989, Connie successfully bid for a rural mail route, which offered independence and flexibility for a mom with young children. Most rural and suburban mail couriers, or RSMCs, were — and are — women. As independent contractors at the time, RSMCs were paid less than Canada Post employees and didn’t enjoy the same job rights and benefits.

“We had some really strong, independent women who felt that we deserved to be part of the union,” says Connie. Their struggle was long and hard, but they ultimately prevailed. In 2004, RSMCs became members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

Some days we assess our body strictly by its appearance; others we judge it by how well it performs everyday activities.

On days I lean to appearance anxieties, I confess if I were to slip in the shower, I’d be less worried about a few broken bones than about my rescuer seeing my naked torso. And on days when I’m preoccupied by performance, I obsessively focus on achieving my daily 10,000 step goal, rather than settling for the number of steps I accumulate by roaming around the house in the never-ending hunt for my glasses (usually on top of my head) and cell phone (always where I last left it).

But mostly, well aware of the futility of angst, I strive to be philosophical about my aging body and try to ignore the sags and creases. That’s easy enough in the winter, when I’m buried beneath my woollies, but it’s harder in the summertime.

As Covid restrictions relax over the course of the next few weeks, I’m looking forward to invitations to backyard pool parties or perhaps cottages. And that means revealing this melting body in something that allows for frolicking in or near water. What to do?

A few years ago, Caledon resident Velvet

Haney, 66, and her good friend and business partner, Rachel Manley, 73, were pondering this very dilemma over wine. Velvet, a writer, cartoonist and former fashion model, was doodling on a napkin as they chatted, laughed and lamented about the problems of fitting their aging bodies into skimpy bathing suits.

When the two took a closer look at the doodle, they realized they might be onto something. The napkin doodle became the basic design for what has become a line of swimwear for women who, as the tagline of their new company reads, “are not at Woodstock anymore.”

“We created the design for ourselves initially,” says Velvet. “But as our discus­ sions continued, it became clear that we could support every woman’s choice if we offered a flattering swim dress to the public.” And so Bathing Boomers (bathingboomers.com) was born.

Velvet freely acknowledges that neither she nor Rachel, a poet, pro­ fessor and author, had any idea how to start a business, but they gamely persevered, meeting each challenge, and then taking the next step forward.

“We tinkered with the basic design, chose fabric, colours, determined sizes, made sense of the financial side of things and just kept moving ahead,” she says.

Their bathing dresses are now shipped to all parts of Canada.

“Women don’t have to scramble for a cover-up when they wear one of our suits. The upper arms and a good part of the legs are covered, and the design minimizes the look of the midsection.

Our suit camouflages the primary ‘problem areas’ of the senior woman’s body,” she says.

Velvet and Rachel are currently in talks with a local manufacturer and have plans to offer smaller sizes and perhaps a complementary shirt design.

In the meantime, they are still having fun moving their project along and living up to their mission statement, which is “to help camouflage a life well lived.” For the two, it’s all about offering choices.

Sure, as we get older, comfort tends to trump fashion, but who says we can’t have both? It’s all very well to accept, even celebrate, our aging bodies for what they are, but being comfortable in our skin sometimes means keeping some of it under wraps.

After all, fashion has always been about giving a tweak here and there to improve or conceal what Mother Nature gave us.

Our toned, athletic bodies may be a thing of the past, but carefree fun at the beach doesn’t have to be.

www.pinemeadows.ca ABBEYFIELD CALEDON EAST

Friendly, affordable living for independent seniors Gail Grant is a happily retired senior who lives in Palgrave.

On her last day as a rural mail carrier, Connie Tersigni bade farewell to Beau, who would miss his treats.

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BERNIE ROCHON

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When Connie started her route, there were no street numbers in Caledon. Her route initially encompassed 525 “points of call,” in Canada Post parlance. Of those, more than 430 received their mail at the same postal address — RR#1, Palgrave. So Connie had to learn each customer’s location and the name of everyone in each household. Her route eventually topped 800 homes.

“I remember the head scratchers, such as an annual letter addressed to Aunt Gladie, RR#1, Palgrave,” she says. I eventu­ally figured out who that was, but it took me a while to sort out the three Jim Robinsons I had on my route, plus the names of each of their wives, and which bank statement went where.”

Though mail volume has dropped dramatically since the arrival of email, the Covid situation and the uptick in online shopping has bumped up the number of packages requiring distribution. “I’m off the job now, but I still have great respect for those responsible for getting packages to doorsteps in a timely fashion,” Connie says.

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Bored Games

BY BETHANY LEE

Storytime with Miss Shannon!

Join the online virtual storytime circle from the Orangeville Public Library – anytime!

Orangeville Public Library has shifted all kids’ programming online until further notice.

Not to miss a beat, the library is adding storytime via their YouTube channel with the lovely Miss Shannon, who presents upbeat, topical stories for kids. (Enjoy a few minutes to yourself while your little ones are engaged!) www.orangevillelibrary.ca

ILLUS TR ATION BY SHEL AGH ARMS TRONG

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ven as vaccines roll out and Covid case numbers drop, the longed-for “all clear” signal remains dauntingly elusive. So we continue to look for new ways to entertain our kids and keep life bearable. For some parents, the guilt of the kids’ screen-time creep is overwhelming, so we drag them out for walks around the neighbourhood or a nearby trail. Others have pulled out the old Wii to play some Mario Kart as a family. Or maybe it’s shooting some hoops, if you’re lucky enough to have the surface and the net – everything to do with the outdoors from sports equipment to wood for decks to hot tubs is nearly impossible to find, and when you do, the prices are exorbitant.

—

For the makers Yes, Caledon!

We love the recent announce­ ment by Caledon Library – their most southern branch is being re-envisioned.

The modernized Valleywood branch will house a maker space and recording studio, as well as spaces for working, learning and meeting. Imagine 3-D printers, crafting supplies, audio and video capture and editing tools! The library collection will have a focus on supporting these new services plus tech, making and creative arts. Watch for progress and opening dates to come. www.caledon.library.on.ca

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With everything old being new again, and as the weather warmed enough to allow for open windows, I recently felt a burst of nostalgia for board games.

Board games for the bored. My love of board games comes naturally. I was lucky enough to experience a bit of cottage life growing up, and the memories of those days washed over me as I sought out more family activities.

My dad’s side of the family had two little cottages side by side on the edge of Six Mile Lake. Many memories of the times we spent there are burned in my head and heart. The smells of Ontario’s nearnorth instantly take me back – pine and campfire and Canadian Shield filling my lungs as we drove through the last few kilometres to the lake. (“Follow the little arrow signs! Left! Right! Don’t forget the one missing a sign is the final left!”) Long days on the burning white-hot wooden dock, waiting to

see what the catch of the day would be, as the wood crackled and creaked in the sun. Paddle boating to the “island” across the way (really no more than a small outcrop, with a few trees to hide you from your parents, even if just for an hour). Dock spiders.

Slappy porch doors. Baby raccoons living under the steps, coming for treats with their tiny hands stretched out to take your offering.

My Gramma Kirwin ran the show. (She was Dad’s mom – and while he is a Lee, she remarried after the death of his father and took the new surname. Her given name was Elizabeth, but, a sign of the times, she went by Betty.) Gramma Kirwin told everyone what was for dinner, when it would be ready, which chores needed to be done and where you could sleep for the night. Her sweet nature didn’t mean she didn’t have full control. Upwards of 20 people might be crammed into the two cottages when you took into

Go on a Goose Chase account my dad’s sister, step-siblings, half brothers, spouses and kids. It was a lot to co-ordinate.

When all the work was done, it was time for after-dinner games. Now I imagine it was time for a few afterdinner drinks as well. While some of the older kids made their way outside to listen to music around the fire and drink beer from stubbies, the adults pulled up chairs to start the evening’s table games. Euchre was the card game of choice.

As the youngest at the table, I watched the euchre games, blinking and squinting at Gramma’s hand until my head swam in confusion over the convoluted rules. I perked up when she offered other games, though. Like poker – easy rules, friendly wagers. Rummy – easy to understand and getting a run was so gratifying. Rummoli – rummy plus poker – a Canadian tradition. And finally, Scrabble and Life – two classic board games.

The sunnier days of spring and waking up in Mono to the smell of the pine forest must have reminded me of those long-ago days, when we functioned without computers, social outings or much of any interaction with the outside world.

My family balked when I said I was placing an order: “What? Scrabble?

No thanks.” I went to search local stores, but sadly, the games section was cordoned off as nonessential during the latest lockdown. So I searched for Scrabble through the local online marketplace – gone before I could transfer my funds.

So I turned reluctantly to Amazon.

I pulled our new Scrabble out of its wrapper, opened the box and instantly tore the corner of the lid.

(You know the agony. Masking tape to the rescue. Sigh.) But we were off.

We’ve been playing at dinner ever since, running a tally and going into tie-breaker games. We’ve all had turns winning, allowing silly words, passing, and pulling excellent tripleword scores from the jumble of letters on our racks. Sometimes we’ve been forced to throw in the towel, but we’ve also battled it out to the final letter and an empty velvet letter bag.

Recently we’ve added Jenga and some easy games of Connect 4 to our repertoire. I’m searching the house for Monopoly – that’s next. We’ll fight over who gets the Scottie dog token, and who gets to be banker.

Bethany Lee is a freelance writer who lives in Mono.

Did you know Orangeville has designed two self-guided scavenger hunts, great for walking with kids and discovering the public art of the town? Two routes lead you through Orangeville, and you’ll work through the GooseChase app to solve clues about each piece. (Printable versions are available through the Orangeville website under “Things to do” if you’d rather go tech-free.)

Route 1: Downtown Orangeville, GooseChase app game code: VJVL5X Route 2: Downtown Orangeville, GooseChase app game code: 7D8P45 www.orangeville.ca

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

—

Submit a Stamp theme Do you have a budding artist, stamp collector or someone interested in Canadian history in your clan? Canada Post accepts stamp theme submissions, showcasing the best of Canada.

They encourage the following topics: heroes and personalities, heritage and traditions, and landmark events.

This could be a great Canada Day activity, and a chance for your little one to explore some national history.

Submissions require a brief description of the subject including its significance (your theme’s importance in the Canadian context) and timeliness (how your theme is related to anni­ versaries or coming events). For details, search “suggest a stamp theme” at www.canadapost.ca. Good luck!

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Virtual art classes with Ricky Orangeville’s Ricky Schaede is wellknown for his fantastical paintings of mystical animals and worlds that are warm, welcoming and dreamy all at once. Maggiolly Art Supplies offers three free online classes with Ricky – for kids to enjoy. Great summertime fun when you need to set up your kids with an afternoon activity. Pick “The Moonlight Lake,” “The Watercolour Bird,” or “The Snowy Owl” and use your own materials or order virtual class materials for pick up at the store (or delivered in Orangeville for $20). Don’t forget to tag @maggiollyart on Instagram when you share the finished creations with the local arts community. www.maggiollyart.com

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Landscape Art How artists Sara Sniderhan and Peter Mitchell rendered their vision for family living in Mulmur.

BY JANICE QUIRT

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s artists, Peter Mitchell and Sara Sniderhan are adept at bringing form to the visions roaming around their imaginations – a skill they relied on when they began to envision their new home. Like adding the first brushstrokes to an empty canvas, the couple laid the foundation for their house in 2013 – on what they hoped would become a working farm.

They had moved with their kids, Isobel and Jackson, now 12 and 14, from Leslieville in Toronto’s east end for what would become a gruelling – and rewarding – home build.

The story of how the couple created something both material and magical

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PHOTOGR APHY BY ERIN FITZGIBBON

had started a few years earlier when, plotting a move, they scoured the countryside within a 1.5-hour drive of Toronto. As they zeroed in on the 22-acre property near Creemore, they learned that Walker’s Creek, a sensitive tributary of the Mad River, crossed the front of the acreage. This made for long negotiations with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority. But the couple persevered, hiring professional engineers from Collingwood’s Tatham Engineering to devise a sustainable solution for protecting the tributary.

By mid-2013, they were able to install culverts and build a nearly half-mile lane to the property’s best building site.

After that, the family learned that building a dream home sometimes involves more than a bit of discomfort, as they lived for 11 months in a combin­ ation of a nearby apartment, a trailer and the mere shell of the house, the latter two without running water or electricity. Construction, much of it done by Peter himself, lasted through the winter of 2013-14, one of the coldest recorded in Mulmur area history.

The result was worth it – an off-grid home serviced by solar for electricity and propane for heat, with a generator maintaining solar battery life when necessary. Vaulted cedar ceilings – held in place with Douglas fir timber trusses

– soar 20 feet above the open main floor. The space is everyone’s favourite and the area that sees the most living.

There is almost no drywall in the house.

Instead, 12-inch pine shiplap, some of it whitewashed, covers most walls.

The home gets much of its character from cabinets and cupboards salvaged from the geology department of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.

Original to the museum, the oak pieces are more than 100 years old.

Some cabinets retain their more recent, but already quaintly vintage Letraset labels denoting Precambrian and Cambrian specimens.

“My first childhood memory is of a

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trip to the ROM when I was four years old, and I took my kids there all the time when we lived in Toronto,” says Sara. “So having this bit of history in my own home is incredibly meaningful to me.” That history was made all the more personal when Peter learned his grandfather, a cabinetmaker, had worked at the ROM during his career.

So there’s a chance his hands touched one or more of these pieces.

Sara loves cooking in her kitchen, with its expansive countertops and white subway tile backsplash which extends up to the edge of the vaulted ceiling. Three bedrooms round out the home, one on C O N T I N U E D O N N E X T PA G E

facing Sara Sniderhan and Peter Mitchell’s off-grid home looks over a lush 22-acre property near Creemore. The artists (and now farmers) built it after moving here in 2013. top Peter, Isobel, Sara and Jackson have raised heritage pigs and now grow strawberries and high-bush blueberries on the Mitchell Family Farm. above The home, which uses solar energy to power its electricity, is set back nearly a half mile from the road.

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top left The barn-style home centres on a main living area with 20-foot ceilings and filled with collectibles including salvaged specimen cabinets, at right, original to the Royal Ontario Museum. top right A clever vintage door conceals the bathroom. near right A red, moulded, mid-century modern chair adds a jolt of colour to the rustic space.

AT H O M E C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 10 3

the main floor and two in the basement walkout. Furniture tends to be secondhand or repurposed. Special pieces include a jam cabinet and dining table from the Lazy Farmer Trading Post, which was for many years a popular stop on Highway 11 north of Orillia.

With a main floor measuring 20 feet by 50 feet, the modern barn-style house is cozy. Plans had called for a bigger footprint, but that first intense winter of building led the couple to revise the concept to be more efficient and better

centre right Thanks to its spattered surface, a worktable strikes an artful note. far right Sara and Peter’s cozy bedroom is tucked into a loft space.

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suited to the land. “At first I thought I wanted a larger house, coming from our dense neighbourhood in Toronto and craving space,” said Sara. “But the acres of land around us satisfy that need.

Space is inherent in being here.”

Indeed, the best views from the house are expansive and to the west, toward the Niagara Escarpment. Wooded areas and fields provide ample opportunity to explore, and they remind Peter of his childhood. “I grew up just outside of Bracebridge on over 100 acres of land,” he says. “Having my kids experience

that type of childhood was just what we wanted.” It’s a different world from Sara’s upbringing in a large house in Hamilton with a small backyard, but she’s all in.

As part of their life at Mitchell Family Farm, Isobel and Jackson have also learned about raising livestock. The family started farm work together even before the house was finished.

Peter and Sara’s first goal was to raise heritage pigs to help restore barren pastures through regenerative farming.

The pigs transformed the exhausted

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fields before being sold direct to high-end restaurants in Toronto and Collingwood. Peter and Sara now focus on strawberries and high-bush blueberries. Although the blueberry bushes are still a year or two away from producing enough volume to sell, the farm has no trouble selling out their strawberries to community members who pre-order the luscious, fleeting crop every year.

Although the house and land hold their attention, the family also enjoys being part of the Creemore community.

Sara works on her figurative oil paintings at a studio in town and has participated in Purple Hills Arts & Heritage Society projects, as well as studio tours. (Sara is our summer “Artist in Residence,” page 23.) Peter created a fanciful nature mural on the Mill Street hoarding at the Creemore Village Green. Chez Michel is a favourite restaurant, and the entire family has logged a significant number of hours at the hockey arena. Isobel, Jackson and Peter all play. Beyond that, C O N T I N U E D O N N E X T PA G E

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above The kitchen area features a tall subway tile wall and handsome wood cabinets. top right Vintage kitchen accessories add to the room’s nonconformist vibe. right A view from the house over the property’s berry crops.

AT H O M E C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 10 5

Peter is especially fond of the area’s local trail systems and hidden natural treasures.

Peter and Sara say they are also grateful for the way the community has embraced them, whether to advise on livestock, connect them to restaurants or work on the construction of their home. They easily namedrop John Gordon of J.W. Gordon Custom Builders, Don Breary of Howie Welding & Repairs, Brent Preston and Gillian Flies from The New Farm, and Miriam

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Streiman from Mad Maple Farm (formerly Mad Maple Country Inn).

For the couple, many longtime area residents have been lifesavers. “I think they saw that we were working hard and took pity on us,” says Peter. “These amazing people are keen to help if you’re willing to do the work and ask for advice.” Case in point: Peter would have been stuck trying to uninstall an injection pump from a mid-’80s tractor without help from a community member and wisdom passed down through the generations. “We’ve

really enjoyed getting to know the community of elders here – people in their 80s and 90s,” Sara says. “They’ve surrounded us with warmth, advice and encouragement.”

This kind of support appears to help fuel the family’s energy for current and future projects. They have the strawberries and blueberries, Peter’s illustration and design, and Sara’s painting career, which includes a growing focus on commissioned portraits – and they’re not yet finished with the house. As the children get

www.mcneildesigngroup.com

older, Peter and Sara envision needing more room, with a principal bedroom above a garage and workshop for Peter (in Leslieville he converted a garage into a finished studio, but here he doesn’t have a separate space).

That construction will be slightly less onerous than the original. They’ve already designed the modular addition for when the time comes.

“We came to this area looking for a slower life and, although the kids are probably experiencing that, I would have to say that as adults we have very

full lives,” says Sara. “The difference is, though, that we all notice the beauty and details of the changing seasons more here than in the city.”

Building the house was a challenge this family of farmer artists will never forget, but they have shown that hard work pays off and that they can get by with a little help from their friends.

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MOFFAT DUNLAP

905-841-7430 moffatdunlap.com Moffat Dunlap*, John Dunlap**, Murray Snider, Nik Bonellos, Elizabeth Campbell, Courtney Murgatroyd, Sean Wynn, Mark Campbell***, David Warren****

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SHELDON CREEK FARM, HOCKLEY 100 acres. Across from majestic Mono Cliffs.

7-bedroom stone Century home. Pool, pond, 6-stall barn, workshop. $3,490,000

100-ACRE HORSE FARM, HOCKLEY An impressive country home with full guest wing plus 2nd house with private drive. Detached office building. Well-designed horse facilities.

5 minutes to Orangeville. $4,199,000

104 acres, recently built 3-bedroom home. Hockley Valley.

HORSESHOE HILL LAKE, CALEDON 106 acres of property with private lake and old growth forest. Two separate houses with 3000+ ft of frontage. Enjoy year round outdoor activities. Swimming, fishing and hiking. $4,590,000

THE SCOTCH ESTATE, HALTON Three residences. 185 acres of farmland.

Three possible severances. Several dwellings and farm buildings. Private access to the Scotch Block reservoir. $14,993,000

HIGHPOINT RETREAT, CALEDON Rare 100-acre property. Update current 80’s ranch bungalow or create a new residence.

Rolling hills, pond, pastures, hardwood forest. $3,899,000

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FAMILY COMPOUND, 160 ACRES, CALEDON Newly designed interiors. Exceptional country estate. Main residence with 10 bedrooms, indoor pool. Underground parking. Multiple guest houses. Trout pond, tennis, miles of trails.

Superb entertainment venue. $14,995,000

5TH LINE RETREAT

BRAECROFT, HALTON Family residence surrounded by gardens, within 150 acres of inspiring vistas along the shores of the Scotch Block reservoir. Ponds, farmland, barn, outbuildings. $5,500,000

BEECH GROVE HALL, CALEDON Custom-built bungalow + 4-bay garage with loft apartment. Privately sited country home on 46 acres. High-efficiency and high-calibre build. Exclusive

CALEDON LANDMARK An oasis from the city, under an hour drive from downtown Toronto. 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom, 3300 sq ft sun-filled residence. Tennis court, inground solar heated pool, cabana and separate studio. $2,498,000

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HILLVIEW, KING Fully restored Century home plus detached coach house with apartment. Century barn.

Views. 25 acres. Trails. $3,750,000

ROSEMONT RIDGE, MULMUR 3-bedroom main house and 2-bedroom guest house. Bucolic retreat with views of the nearby countryside. 27 acres, forests, hiking trails and a year-round creek. Asking $2,250,000

65 GLENVIEW HEIGHTS, KING Custom home with valley views. 10 private acres. 3 finished levels. 2 kitchens. Guest bunkie. Spa by Betz. Paris kitchen. Wow! $3,690,000

Showcase sum21 update_Layout 1 21-06-04 1:16 PM Page 1

renovated century home in mono

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DESTINATION FOR LOCALS AND TOURISTS Exciting opportunity to own this landmark property and profitable business close to the Mansfield Ski Club! Located at the corner of Airport Road and 10th Sideroad Mulmur, with entrance from both roads. Approximately 1/3 acre with lots of paved parking. Offers convenience items, LCBO & Beer Store Outlet and lottery ticket sales. MUST have an appointment for showings. $2,500,000

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PICTURE YOURSELF HERE Just north of Highway 89 and only 3km from the fast-growing Town of Shelburne. The property is level, with some mixed bush at the rear and south. The land also has a gentle slope from north to south. Zoning is rural residential and environmental protection. Buyer is responsible for their own due diligence regarding building permits and development fees. $599,900

RARE OPPORTUNITY – 81-ACRE PROPERTY Large land parcel w/ approx 43 acres of workable farmland. Beautiful rolling property w/ tree plantation approx 10,000 - 12,000 trees includes white pine, cedar, tamarack & spruce. Plus 5 spring-fed ponds constructed by Ducks Unlimited. Added benefit of partial land lease to energy producer, w/ annual income of $10,000 for 3 more years & then another 10-year term at $7,500/year. $1,249,000

LOADS OF POTENTIAL 3-level backsplit. Features front foyer with storage closet and eat-in style kitchen with walkout out to side entrance and yard. Spacious living and dining rooms with original oak hardwood floors and large front window. All 3 bedrooms also have hardwood floors. Basement has bright recreation room and access to large crawl space for storage. $449,900

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SHAWS CREEK RD, CALEDON $1,499,000 Dillon Holden

DAWNRIDGE TRAIL, BRAMPTON $1,499,000 Jim Wallace & Dillon Holden

FORKS OF THE CREDIT RD, BELFOUNTAIN $1,399,000 Jim Wallace

MCGREGOR DR, CALEDON $1,325,000 Jim Wallace

16 FRENCH DR, MONO 1.3 acres, fully serviced with building permit in hand. 11,000 sq ft approved with drawings and open storage permitted. $1,499,000 Jim Wallace

HAMILTON RD, GODERICH Turn-key restaurant and apartment. Live/work out of this stunning historic building. Fine dining with 68 indoor seats. Chef wanting to stay. $999,000 Jim Wallace

HWY 89, MONO 7 acres, stunning large home offering large principal rooms and unique architectural features. Well treed and very private. $1,399,000 Dillon Holden

MILL ST, CHELTENHAM Stunning lot backing onto the Credit River with 200+ ft frontage on Mill Street. House is in need of some repair and is a great project. $899,000 Dillon Holden

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Matt Lindsay sum21_layout 21-06-03 10:15 PM Page 1

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME IN MONO Come build your dream home on this gorgeous 49-acre property in the rolling hills of Mono. This property offers 7 acres of recreational land, 17 acres of great workable land and 25 acres of managed forest consisting of Black Walnut, White Ash, Red Oak, White Pine, Red Pine, Norway Spruce and Sugar Maples. Plus, your own 2050 feet of airstrip running east west. This property is very private and sheltered from the prevailing winds. Truly a one-of-a-kind property with numerous building locations to choose from throughout the property. $1,389,000

COUNTRY VIEWS IN MULMUR Welcome to 99 acres high in the hills of Mulmur. Build your country getaway dream home with incredible views of the sunrises and sunsets. This property offers 80 acres of great workable land with its own freshwater spring and waterfall surrounded by Sugar Maples. Total privacy – property backs onto 103 acres of escarpment biosphere conservancy. Charming century timber frame barn and a 1-1/2-story brick century home with approximately 1000 sq ft of living space. Desirable quiet location with the Bruce Trail nearby. $2,249,000

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Chris Richie sum21_layout 21-06-04 8:17 AM Page 1

Sean Anderson

Broker of Record seananderson@remaxinthehills.com

Dale Poremba

Sales Representative dale@remaxinthehills.com

905-584-0234 519-942-0234

1-888-667-8299 www.remaxinthehills.com

Jennifer Unger

It’s the MARKETING, the EXPOSURE, the RESULTS!

Our Award Winning agents have 86 years of combined experience at your service! Caledon, Mono, Adjala and surrounding areas.

Chris P. Richie

Broker chris@remaxinthehills.com

Sales Representative jenunger@remaxinthehills.com

PRESTIGIOUS PALGRAVE ESTATE COURT LOCATION! 3-bdrm, 3-bath bungalow built by this owner w/ craftsmanship & quality. Bungalow w/ finished w/o bsmt. Vaulted ceilings in living & dining w/ hrdwd flrs & brick fp. Kitchen connects to solarium for all your plants & herbs! Bsmt full of light w/ retro wet bar & room for guests! Storage building & woodfired oven surrounded by veggie grdns, flower beds & mature trees. One of the best primary schools, close to shopping in Bolton, just an amazing place to raise your family! Caledon $1,399,000

RENOVATED HOME WITH LEGAL APARTMENT Custom "move right in" home w/ brand new finishings, flooring, appliances, state-of-the-art spa baths in an established family subdivision. Legal 1-bedroom apartment in w/o basement. Over 3500 sq ft of living space in Purple Hill of Orangeville close to hospital, schools, parks & backing onto green space! Seller is actively renovating the home inside & out. Photos depicted are concept of finished product. Act now & you will have input on some of the finishing touches. Orangeville $1,299,000

COUNTRY PRIVACY ALL AROUND 1.63 acs just outside Caledon East. Parking for 10 cars for big gatherings, mature trees & grdns. Park your toys in storage barn w/ loft & lean to & enjoy screened sunroom. Inside, refinished hrdwd w/ oak trim & baseboards is enhanced w/ insert fp, baths have been updated, newer ceramics front foyer to kitchen & fresh quartz counters. Roof 2020, all interior doors & windows replaced & the bsmt could be totally finished too! Great for commuting, Bell high speed line of sight internet! Caledon $1,499,000

SOLD

ECO-EFFICIENCY AND SOLID CONSTRUCTION Stunning park-like property w/ award-winning design ahead of its time! Gated entry leads to contemporary home w/ 3-car grg & det heated shop. Multi-level open concept w/ lrg windows. Scenic beauty of gardens, nature at your fingertips! W/o’s lead to composite deck w/ covered area, gazebo, Zen pond, storage shed, fire pit & backing onto forest w/ westerly views! On prestigious street just outside of Caledon East w/ trails, shopping & only 30 mins to the airport! Caledon $1,749,000

RECENT SOLDS

GREAT INVESTMENT PROPERTY 4-bdrm, 4-level backsplit on huge lot w/ work shed & lrg single garage! Well maintained by original owner! Newer main bath w/ modern finishings! Upgraded hrdwd flrs in fam rm w/ w/o to back yard.

Combined living & dining! No carpet anywhere! Upgraded veranda has double door entry. Investors can easily convert the multiple lvls into sep living spaces! Close to bus route, Hwy 427, GO station, schools & parks! This is a great family area that has so much to offer. Mississauga $1,075,000

20 Colleen Crescent, Caledon East List Price $1,799,000

755658 2nd Line, Mono List Price $1,488,800

17810 Centreville Creek Road, Caledon List Price $1,599,000

953101 7th Line, Mono List Price $1,349,000

16719 Humber Station Road, Caledon List Price $1,599,000

874581 5th Line, Mono List Price $2,799,000

MIXED USE BUILDING, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL Exposure & visibility for your business, the best in all of Erin Village may be right here! History honoured building-3 comm units on main level & ability for 2 res units on upper level, approx 3400 sq ft interior not including side exterior storage area or bsmt. Frontage on Main St, onsite parking & siding onto main shopping plaza of Erin! Live & work here or add to your investment! Erin is a charming village with safe community lifestyle that just continues to grow! Erin List Price $1,099,000

Lot 26, Highpoint Sideroad, Caledon List Price $1,100,000

7 Brucedale Boulevard, Orangeville List Price $1,648,800

933482 Airport Road, Mono List Price $3,999,000

29 William Rex Crescent, Erin List Price $989,000

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428510 25th Sideroad, Mono List Price $2,200,000 Give THE CHRIS RICHIE GROUP a call today for your FREE EVALUATION. PUTTING SOLD SIGNS ON HOMES FOR 30+ YEARS! Real Estate is still OPEN for Business!

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Wayne Baguley sum21_layout 21-06-03 9:37 PM Page 1

Phillips Imrie sum21_layout 21-06-03 10:06 PM Page 1

Welcome to Headwaters Country HeadwatersCountry.com info@headwaterscountry.com 519-941-5151 Victoria Phillips and Janna Imrie

RCR Realty, Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated

COMING SOON

Sales Representatives

1.5 ACS W/ POND & WORKSHOP Open concept, 3-bdrm country home on mature lot backing onto Elora Cataract Trail.

Eat-in kit, cathedral ceiling in fam rm, w/o’s to deck. Upper level loft. Insulated, heated workshop w/ two 11’ doors, sep driveway. $1,299,000 Wayne Baguley 519-941-5151

NATURE LOVER’S PARADISE Charming 3-bdrm home on 11+ acres w/ trails to Grand River plus gorgeous ponds for swimming & skating. Home features eat-in kit, lrg liv rm, sep family rm, mstr w/ w/o to balcony. Drive shed/hobby barn & chicken coop. $1,699,000 Wayne Baguley 519-941-5151

SOLD

CALEDON BEAUTY Situated on 1 acre in the heart of Caledon sits this beautifully upgraded and maintained 4-level sidesplit. Over 2600 sq ft of living space with multiple walkouts to a gorgeous private backyard with large deck and hot tub. Large principal rooms, attached garage, paved driveway, generator and so much more.

GORGEOUS ROLLING HILLS This lovely rolling 60-acre property with a spring-fed pond and a tributary of the Humber River running through it generates over $70k income per year via a long-term tenant and a solar panel contract. Approximately 30 acres in hayfields, lots of trees, cut trails, 12-stall barn, paddocks and two homes. Great for investment or personal use. $2,500,000 WOW, WHAT A LOCATION! 4.5 acres close to town. 3-bdrm bungaloft with large deck & hot tub. Upper loft. Full bsmt in-law suite with w/o & sep entrances.

4-bay garage, workshop & oversized garden shed. Very private, forest & water view. $1,999,000 Wayne Baguley 519-941-5151

EQUESTRIAN FACILITY 25 acres next to Angelstone showgrounds.

18-stall barn, 80x190 indoor arena. 120x200 outdoor sand ring. Custom brick home with two living spaces separated by triple-garage.

Total of 5+3 bdrms, 4 baths, two kitchens. $3,199,000 Wayne Baguley 519-941-5151

REMARKABLE COUNTRY ESTATE Overlooking rolling hills leading to hrdwd bush & pond. 5+1 bdrms, 6 baths, gourmet kit w/ butler’s pantry, formal din rm. Exquisite detail in every rm. Bright w/o bsmt w/ nanny suite. 12.4 acres, hobby barn, paddocks. $3,499,000 Wayne Baguley 519-941-5151

CUSTOM BUILT ON 51 ACRES Enjoy coffee and views on the wrap-around porch. 3 bdrms, 4 baths, eat-in kitchen, finished basement with walk-up, inground pool. Approx 40 acres workable farmland, forest and trails leading to Irvine Creek. $1,975,000 Wayne Baguley 519-941-5151

SPECTACULAR 20,000 SQ FT OF FINISHED LIVING SPACE Unbelievable landscaping. 10+ acres, 3 ponds, waterfall, tennis court. Grand entry, 7 bedrooms, 13 baths, 2-storey library, home theatre, indoor firing range, indoor pool, solarium, 5-car garage with nanny suite above. Incredibly private. Caledon Wonderland. $6,799,000 Wayne Baguley 519-941-5151

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Ross Hughes sum21_layout 21-06-04 8:38 AM Page 1

RCR Realty, Brokerage Independently Owned & Operated

RossHughes.ca 519-938-2225

1-800-268-2455

HISTORIC STONE HOME! Circa 1840, this historically designated Georgian-style house constructed from local rubblestone and sitting on 0.61 of an acre is one of the only stone homes located in Orangeville! While there have been two additions to the home – one which connects it to the attached 3-car garage – original features remain throughout including high ceilings, decorative fireplace, wide plank pine floors and hand-hewn exposed beams. 3 bdrm, 2 bath. $1,199,900

5 UNITS ON BROADWAY Don't pass up this amazing opportunity to own a piece of history! This beautiful Queen Anne, historically designated property features four residential units, one commercial unit, and a detached 2-car garage. What better location for an income property than a corner lot right on Broadway, in the heart of downtown Orangeville! 5+1 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms. $1,399,900

Ronan Lunn sum21_layout 21-06-04 8:51 AM Page 1

Britton Ronan

Sales Representative o: 705.435.4336 britton@marcronan.com www.marcronan.com

Marc Ronan

Sales Representative/ Owner o: 905.936.4216 marc@marcronan.com www.marcronan.com

Sarah Lunn

Broker of Record o: 905.936.4216 sarah@sarahlunn.com www.sarahlunn.com Each Office is Independently Owned And Operated

REMARKABLE 10-ACRE PROPERTY NEAR ERIN Custom 2 storey situated on a private road with only 6 residences! Work from home in this private conservation enclave offering large principal rooms. Gorgeous master ensuite, upper-level office suite with balcony and ensuite (would make an excellent nanny suite). Huge finished walkout basement with wood-burning fireplace, large windows, walk-up to garage and separate workout room. Heated triple-car garage, massive composite deck with forest views. $2,455,000

PRIVATE MONO CENTRE EQUESTRIAN ESTATE Secluded estate on 6.93 acres next to Mono Cliffs Park. Custom bungalow with world-class renovations and decor with all of today's at home amenities. Secure 5-acre paddock area, small horse barn, heated tack room and loft area. Gated entry allows complete privacy yet walk to hiking and riding areas. Bruce Trail, Hockley Resort, Adamo Winery, and restaurants galore in a high-end country atmosphere. $2,500,000

PERFECTLY APPOINTED FAMILY HOME IN SCHOMBERG This 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom home shows pride of ownership. Finished top to bottom, inside and out. Stamped concrete walkway and large back patio. 2nd floor boasts master with beautiful ensuite and his and hers walk-in closets. Good sized secondary bedrooms and open area great for home office. Lower level with rec room and family room area and 2-piece bath. Perfectly set up family home. $1,298,000

SOLD

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL HORSE FARM IN SOUTH ADJALA 100-acre horse farm, sprawling century home with separate apartment. 50+ stalls, large indoor arena with viewing room, outdoor sand ring, training ring, many paddocks and a quarter mile track fully railed. Beautiful pond. Coverall. Minutes to Palgrave and 40 minutes to Woodbine Racetrack.

Perfect setup for large horse operation. $5,500,000

PARK-LIKE SETTING JUST NORTH OF CALEDON Almost 5 acres with rolling hills, trails, 2 driveways, inground heated pool. All brick bungalow with front garden courtyard and walkout lower level. Main floor boasts large principal rooms all with walkouts. Master bedroom with ensuite + walk-in closet. Finished basement with in-law suite offering huge kitchen, family room, laundry and office. Enjoy large deck, fiber internet, invisible fence, play house with zipline, laundry on both levels. $1,349,000

COUNTRY RETREAT IN HOCKLEY VALLEY This home offers all things to a buyer looking to enjoy nature. Manicured grounds with walking trails through trees and grassy meadows. Take a short walk to the Hockley Village General Store and grab a bite to eat, some artesian goods or a bottle of wine. 3-car garage, updated kitchen with solid surface countertops, breakfast bar and tile backsplash. Drilled well and ground source (geothermal) heating and cooling. $1,499,000

SOLD OVER LIST

SOLD OVER LIST

27-ACRE COUNTRY ESTATE NEAR SCHOMBERG Expansive family home with approx 7500 sq ft of finished living space. 4-car attached garage.

40 ft x 50 ft detached shop with in-floor heating, hoist and 12 ft x 12 ft door. 40 ft x 50 ft Quonset hut on concrete pad. 1500 ft runway and hanger for small aircraft. Pond, manicured grounds, and saltwater inground pool. All serviced by natural gas. 2 minutes to Hwy 9 and Hwy 27.

10 minutes to Hwy 400. $3,195,000

2+ ACRES IN THE ROLLING HILLS OF MULMUR Beautifully appointed walkout bungalow. Great curb appeal with the stone skirt and landscaped yard. Open concept kitchen/living with walkout to back deck. Mud room off 4-car garage with 3 oversized doors. Lower level with bedroom, wine room and wet bar has in-floor heating. Fire pit, landscaped into back hill, 2 frost point taps and shed with hydro. Close to Mansfield Ski Hill and biking trails. A little piece of country heaven! $1,199,000

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Find an Advertiser L I N K

FF

= Headwaters Farm Fresh Guide

a r t s + c ult ur e + t he at r e

D I R E C T L Y

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A D V E R T I S E R S

A T

I N T H E H I L L S . C A

c o mmuni t y s e r v i c e s

flowers

Caledon Community Services 81 Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance

Suzanne Gardner Flowers 50

13 . FF 2

Alton Mill Arts Centre 123 Dragonfly Arts on Broadway 121 Headwaters Arts 122 Mary Scattergood, Folk Artist 55 Peel Art Gallery, Museum & Archives 121 Theatre Orangeville 123

f o o d + d r ink + c at e r in g c y c l in g Lynx & Hare Cycles 21

dance Academy of Performing Arts 51

au t o Caledon Motors 21 Jaguar & Land Rover Brampton 3

d inin g Forage 91 Greystones Restaurant & Lounge 93 Judy’s Restaurant 91 Mono Cliffs Inn 91 Mrs. Mitchell’s Restaurant 93 . 128 Pia’s on Broadway 93

be au t y + f i t ne s s Bridlewood Soaps 80 Foxy Face Lash Forever 51 Go Yoga 51 Headwaters Racquet Club 85 Hereward Farms FF 11 Henning Salon 51 Riverdale Fitness Mill 101 Skin Appeal 50 Skin ’n Tonic 51

Rustik Local Bistro 91 Terra Nova Public House 93 The Busholme Gastro Pub 36

f a r m + f e e d s up p l ie s Budson Farm & Feed Company 36

books BookLore 95

f a r m + g a r d e n e q uip me n t

buil d e r s + a rc hi t e c t s + developers

f a s hi o n + je w e l l e r y

Larry’s Small Engines 13 . FF 2 . 77

A.M. Korsten Jewellers 50 Gallery Gemma 80 Hannah’s 36 Renaissance 36 Scented Drawer Fine Lingerie 50 Seconds Count Hospital Thrift Store 50

Classic Renovations 81 Dalerose Country 76 Devonleigh Homes 22 Dutch Masters Design & Construction FF 10 JDC Custom Homes 105 JDC Janssen Design 87 Pine Meadows 99 Post Farm Structures 28 Ruth Wheelwright, Permit Acquisition Specialist 49

Recovering Nicely 55 Rüme Design 103 Sproule’s Emporium 50 The Weathervane 36

f e n c in g

4th Line Cattle Co. FF 13 Albion Hills Community Farm FF 10 Am Braigh Farm FF 9 Calehill Farms FF 13 Davis Family Farm FF 13 Fromage 50 Garden Foods 75 Gourmandissimo Catering & Fine Food Shop 93 Headwaters Local Food Club FF 13 Heatherlea Farm Shoppe FF 13 Hummingbird Hill Farms FF 13 Landman Garden & Bakery FF 13 Lavender Blue Catering FF 10 Le Finis 50 Lennox Farm FF 13 Maple Grove Farm FF 15 Mount Wolf Forest Farm FF 15 Ontario Honey Creations FF 15 Orangeville Farmers’ Market 51 . FF 15 Pommies Cider FF 9 Pure Music Garlic Products FF 13 Rock Garden Farms FF 7 Rosemont General Store and Kitchen FF 9 Spirit Tree Estate Cidery FF 15 The Chocolate Shop 51 Wicked Shortbread 88

g e ne r at o r s Tanco Group 13

h o me imp ro v e me n t + r e pa ir All-Mont Garage Doors 47 AllPro Roofing 2 Bolton Electrical Supply 107 Cairns Roofing 6 Caledon Tile 4 CBG Homes 49 Celtic Carpet 103 Karry Home Solutions 15 Leathertown Lumber 42 Orangeville Building Supply 47 Orangeville Home Hardware 15 Permawood Solarium Additions 88 River Ridge 83 Roberts Roofing 13 Synergy Exteriors 127

in t e r i o r d e c o r at i o n + d e s i g n McNeil Design Group Interiors 107

l a nd s c a p in g + g a r d e nin g Aaron’s Gardens & Design 80 GB Stone 4 Headwaters Landscaping 77 Hill’n Dale Landscaping 41 Jay’s Custom Sheds FF 11 Leaves & Petals Garden Maintenance 95 River Ridge 83 The Local Gardener 34 Tucker’s Land Services 8 Tumber Landscape Design & Build 9

he a lt h + w e l l ne s s Avita Integrated Health 44 Dr. Richard Pragnell 40 Healing Moon 51

m o v in g s e r v i c e s

he at in g + c o o l in g

mu s i c

Arseneau Home Comfort 56 Bryan’s Fuel 14

Orangeville Summer Concert Series 121

Downsizing Diva Dufferin-Caledon 99

McGuire Fence 44

f in a n c i a l s e r v i c e s BMO Nesbitt Burns Wealth Management, N. Meek 43

c h a r i ta b l e o rg a ni z at i o n s Brampton Caledon Community Foundation 26

Purpose Investments 20 RBC Dominion Securities, S. Roud 28

c l e a nin g f ir e p l a c e s a l e s + s e r v i c e

Perfect Clean Professional Cleaning Services 97

Caledon Fireplace 101

pet portr aits h o me d é c o r + f ur ni s hin g s

Shelagh Armstrong, Illustrator 55

Caledon Lighting 107 Framed X Design 87 Granny Taught Us How 128 Heidi’s Room 128 Orangeville Furniture 5

p e t s up p l ie s + s e r v i c e s Global Pet Foods 10

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 116 114

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Mary Klein sum21_layout 21-06-04 8:24 AM Page 1

FANTASTIC FAMILY COMPOUND Tastefully restored 5-bedroom century home with log addition, 2-bedroom guest house in private location, and beautifully kept Century barn for parties. All on 30 acres with forest, trails, open play space, 2 ponds and the Pine River running through it. Truly a must-see in central Mulmur. $2,650,000

MODERN FARMHOUSE Huge contemporary windows to take in the wonderful views of rolling countryside from every room. This 3-bedroom home is newly updated with hardwood floors, updated bathroom with clawfoot tub and 3-season sunroom. On 42 acres with small barn, open fields and pond. $1,890,000 Basia Regan sum21_layout 21-06-03 9:28 PM Page 1

705-466-2115

basiaregan@royallepage.ca www.basiaregan.com

WASAGA BEACH CUSTOM RIVERFRONT HOME + INGROUND POOL Panoramic views of the Nottawasaga River from this 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home with finished walkout basement, heated pool and prime boating access to Georgian Bay. There’s hardwood throughout, an entertainer’s kitchen, master 5-pc, gas fireplace plus unique turret design with river views from all levels. Hi-speed internet, natural gas and town amenities on a quiet cul-de-sac on south side of the river in an evolving executive neighbourhood. Close to trails, skiing and beach. $1,798,900

SOLD

Suzanne Lawrence sum21_layout 21-06-03 9:40 PM Page 1

MONO UPDATED CENTURY HOME – 48 ACRES + 2 LARGE OUTBUILDINGS Great opportunity! Near Orangeville on a paved road is this beautiful brick 3-bdrm, 2.5-bath home with newer hardwood and ceramic flooring, a gorgeous kitchen with stainless appliances, large centre island, Corian counters and spacious living/dining rooms. Newer wrap-around exterior composite deck. Prime agricultural area with low taxes. Lrg outbuilding has 2-pc bath and radiant propane heat. Sep driveway to 2nd outbuilding with hydro and water! $2,600,000

Sales Representative

MULMUR WOODLANDS Nestled in the heart of the rolling hills of Mulmur on 12.82 private acres is this magnificent custom-built home with finely crafted details throughout. 4 ensuite bedrooms, eat-in "Downsview" kitchen with walkout to deck, separate dining room and great room with 1 of 3 wood-burning fireplaces. Relax and enjoy the bird songs from your screened-in porch.

Golf, skiing and Creemore mere minutes away. $2,999,999

MULMUR HAVEN Reno’d Century home. 4 bdrms 4 baths. Sep 2-bdrm apt w/ private deck & countryside views. Perfect for ext family, farm manager or income. Pool, barn w/ 20 horse stalls, heated tack room, paddocks, sand ring. $2,100,000

HIDING IN THE WOODS Fabulous 135-acre property between Creemore and Dunedin with wide maintained trails through a mixed forest and 2 pristine streams that are headwaters of the Noisy River. $949,000

CALEDON FARM — 52 ACRES WITH COUNTRYSIDE VIEWS Fabulous location on paved road and having tremendous potential for many uses with its A-1 zoning, this gently rolling parcel with 1000 ft frontage has a tree-lined private drive, some bush, a small stream at rear, an older bank barn, a 1.5-storey home and two paddocks.

Currently a horse and hobby farm with approximately 34 acres tenant farmed, which qualifies the property for lower taxes. Close to shopping amenities in Orangeville, and easy commuting via Highway 10. $2,800,000

TWO HOCKLEY VALLEY LOTS WITH RIVER FRONTAGE These two independently owned vacant parcels of land, situated side-by-side, each with 200 ft frontage plus Nottawasaga River South Branch flowing through both properties, must be sold together (approx 6.67 acres with 400 ft frontage combined). West lot is approx 3.13 acres and east lot is approx 3.54 acres. Properties continue far back over the river and are regulated by the NEC and NVCA. Owners have utilized for recreational activity only. On paved road near skiing, golfing, hiking. $424,000 each

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Irwin Bennett sum21_layout 21-06-03 10:18 PM Page 1

CaledonTownandCountry.com

Find an Advertiser

Roger Irwin, Broker Dawn Bennett, Sales Representative

905-857-0651

p o nd s AquaVac Pond Cleaning 40 Pond Perfections 44

pool s AquaVac Essentials 40 D&D Pools & Spas 26

p ro f e s s i o n a l s e r v i c e s Town of Caledon 40

r e a l e s tat e + h o me in s p e c t i o n s Bosley Real Estate 105 Velvet Alcorn Century 21Millennium Inc. 115 Mary Klein, Kaitlan Klein Chestnut Park Real Estate 34 Leah Wilkins Chestnut Park Real Estate 97 Sue Collis, Sarah MacLean Coldwell Banker, Ronan Realty 113 Britton Ronan, Marc Ronan, Sarah Lunn Coldwell Banker, Ronan Realty 117 Linda Pickering Coldwell Banker Select Realty 106 Verona Teskey Cornerstone Realty Brokerage 101 Nancy Urekar Moffat Dunlap Real Estate 108 Moffat Dunlap, John Dunlap, Murray Snider, Nik Bonellos, Elizabeth Campbell, Courtney Murgatroyd, Sean Wynn, Mark Campbell, David Warren ReMax In The Hills 111 Chris Richie, Sean Anderson, Dale Poremba, Jennifer Unger ReMax Real Estate Centre 116 Adrian Muscat, Charsanda Muscat ReMax Real Estate Centre 32 Ann Shanahan, Bonnie Sturgeon, Sarah Anthon ReMax Real Estate Centre 88 Radha Diaram ReMax Realty Specialists Inc. 89 . 117 Sigrid Doherty ReMax Realty Specialists Inc. 19 Maria Britto Royal LePage Credit Valley 95 Rita Lange Royal LePage Meadowtowne Realty 117 Paul Richardson

Royal Le Page RCR Realty 115 Basia Regan Royal LePage RCR Realty 12 . 109 Doug & Chris Schild Royal LePage RCR Realty 42 Jacqueline Guagliardi Royal LePage RCR Realty 110 Matt Lindsay Royal LePage RCR Realty 116 Roger Irwin, Dawn Bennett Royal Lepage RCR Realty 112 Ross Hughes Royal LePage RCR Realty 20 . 115 Suzanne Lawrence Royal LePage RCR Realty 112 Victoria Phillips & Janna Imrie Royal Le Page RCR Realty 16 . 112 Wayne Baguley Sutton-Headwaters Realty 110 Jim Wallace Sutton-Headwaters Realty 85 Sarah Aston

rv sales & service Under the Stars RV 76

SOLD

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 114

FABULOUS HOME AND LOT IN MONO This lovely home sits on a huge lot ~0.6 acre in a desirable family neighbourhood.

Walk to Island Lake Conservation Area and Island Lake Public School. Large addition in 2007, chef’s kitchen, fully finished lower level with walkout to swim spa and huge backyard. Main floor family room with fireplace, main floor laundry, 3+1 bedrooms, 4 baths – simply wonderful!

BEAUTIFUL ESTATE HOME NEAR PALGRAVE Beautifully maintained home on quiet street in desirable family neighbourhood. 2.09-acre lot in Palgrave School District. Fabulous four-season sunroom addition (2007) open to chef’s kitchen with butler’s pantry, raised breakfast bar, granite counters. Family room off kitchen w/ fireplace, separate dining room, sunken living room, main floor laundry, 4+1 bdrms/4 baths/4 fireplaces/ 3-car garage/inground pool/putting green/no neighbours behind – must see! $1,950,000 Adrian Muscat sum21_layout 21-06-03 9:25 PM Page 1

Move With the Muscats s c h o o l s + e d u c at i o n Brampton Christian School 24 The Sunflower School 122

The ultimate real estate experience.

Adrian Muscat

Charsanda Muscat

SALES REPRESENTATIVE

SALES REPRESENTATIVE 2019 RECIPIENT OF

519-278-5888

DUFFERINCOUNTYHOMES.COM

s e ni o r s ’ s e r v i c e s Abbeyfield Caledon East 99 Ailsa Craig at the Village of Arbour Trails 32 Avalon Retirement Lodge 6 Chartwell Montgomery Village Retirement Residence 17 Headwaters Home Care 97

t o ur i s m + t r av e l Central Counties Tourism 119 Experience Creemore 35 Orangeville BIA 50 . 51 Town of Erin 36

FLESHERTON 6 acres of picturesque landscape filled with features, amenities and nature abound. Dive into the good life with your very own spring-fed swimming pond. A private island awaits you.

toy s tores Marigold’s Toys 51

GRAND VALLEY – EXCLUSIVE Remarkable opportunity to renovate your own country home. Large bungalow on nearly two acres. New roof. Bring your designs!

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Sigrid Doherty sum21_layout 21-06-03 10:01 PM Page 1

Paul Richardson sum21_layout 21-06-03 10:13 PM Page 1

Paul Richardson SALES REPRESENTATIVE sigriddoherty.com sigrid@sigriddoherty.com

Broker direct 416-274-1592 office 905-584-2727

Royal LePage Meadowtowne 17228 Mississauga Rd, Caledon

RICHARDSONTOWNANDCOUNTRY.CA

866-865-8262

paul@richardsontownandcountry.ca

SPECTACULAR CALEDON ESTATE Privacy and unparalleled views from the top of the Escarpment to the Toronto skyline from this magnificent 150-acre Caledon estate. Georgian-style 4-bedroom main residence, 27-stall barn with indoor arena, 17-stall show barn with copper cupolas, loafing barn, 4-bedroom manager's home, 4-bedroom staff house, 1-bedroom apartment. Convenient to golf, skiing, airport; yet private. Magnificence in the very best location. $12,000,000 Exclusive

OUTSTANDING CUSTOM BUILT BUNGALOW 1 acre and no neighbors behind! This home features 9ft ceilings on the main and basement levels, hardwood floors throughout. The chef’s kitchen has built-in appliances and walks out to an awesome deck. The partly finished basement features 2 bedrooms with full bathroom and high ceilings. The remainder is open awaiting your imagination! The backyard is perfect for entertaining with pastoral views of the Caledon countryside. Make this your next move!

Please call Sigrid Doherty to view this fine home. $1,999,000 Linda Pickering sum21_layout 21-06-03 10:17 PM Page 1 NEW REPRODUCTION FARMHOUSE Tucked away on 5 private acres complete with your own pond for summer fishing and winter skating; surrounded by mature trees. This new home features high ceilings and large windows, principal bdrm with spa ensuite, enormous kitchen with centre island, quartz counters, custom window seat. Solid wood doors and trim, reclaimed extra wide hardwood floors, exterior finish of cut limestone and wood siding. Full lower level for added space. $1,999,999

BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY ESTATE Luxury rural getaway! A true modern gem set amongst 50+ acres with private trails, a pond, and the peace and quiet of the countryside.

SWEEPING VIEWS Nothing but expansive views from your own private vantage point with magnificent sunrises, sunsets, and room to entertain guests. Be close to nature in stunning detail!

BRIGHT OPEN LIVING SPACES Embrace the natural elements in a truly wonderful home where you and the family can safely relax, unwind, play, and create memories that last a lifetime. Call now to locate your rural retreat!

CUSTOM CAPE COD Much admired Ballinafad Village home on over 1-acre private lot. It really is a vacation in your own yard. Sit on the extra wide front porch or enjoy the sunroom, hot tub, outdoor shower, fire pit or playhouse for the kids. Separate 20x14 heated worked shop. Numerous upgrades inside include flooring, bathrooms, furnace. Great floorplan for entertaining inside or out. $1,499,000

ORANGEVILLE AFFORDABILITY/INVESTMENT Bright and renovated end unit townhome with no neighbour in front or back. Pride of ownership shows. Fenced backyard backing onto park. Updated a/c, gas furnace, flooring, baths and stainless steel appliances. Main floor walkout to patio. Three large bedrooms including principle bedroom with ensuite. Family room and office in lower level. Worry free exterior maintenance as grass cutting, roof and windows all included in condo fees. $599,000

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ILLUS TR ATIONS JIM S TEWART

What’s on in the Hills A

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As the pandemic evolves, many familiar events have moved online while others have instituted Covid-19 protocols. When planning to participate, please check the websites or social media platforms of your favourite performers and organizations for updates.

NOW – JUN 30 : DIY FASCINATORS

Step-by-step instructions for hat making. Inspired by Our Voices, Our Journey exhibition and congregation of North Peel Community Church.

Free, virtual event. PAMA, 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca NOW – JUL 4 : WE R THE NORTH

Mixed media works reflecting our great nation. Curbside pickup available.

Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519943-1149; headwatersarts.com JUL 6 : ADULT SUMMER READING CHALLENGE L AUNCH Use the

Beanstack App to track your reading. Free, register at frontdesk@ shelburnelibrary.ca. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St, Shelburne. 519925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca JUL 7 – AUG 8 : ART OF CADENCE

The internal rhythms, flow or sounds that drive creativity. Various media.

Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519943-1149; headwatersarts.com

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JUL 22 & AUG 26 : VIRTUAL STEP-BYSTEP PAINTING Join us on Zoom. Jul

22: Wildlife. Aug 26: Ocean. 11amnoon. $20 for equipment; $40 for equipment plus wine and snacks, call to register. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca JUL 22 & AUG 26 : STEP-BY-STEP PAINTING Learn how to paint on our

patio. Jul 22: Wildlife. Aug 26: Ocean.

6-7:30pm. $20 for equipment; $40 for equipment plus wine and snacks, call to register. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton.

905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca AUG 18 : DIY FLOWER POT WIND CHIME – 18+ Step-by-step

instructions on Zoom. 7pm. Free, register, supplies provided by the library, pickup instructions will be

ABBREVIATIONS

arts+letters

emailed. Caledon Library, 905-8571400 x228; caledon.library.on.ca SEP 15 – OC T 3 : HEADWATERS ARTS FESTIVAL SHOW Juried art show and

sale, entertainment, local food and a gala opening preview. 10am-5pm. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton.

519-943-1149; headwatersarts.com

community FARMERS’ MARKETS OR ANGEVILLE May 8, Saturdays, 8am-

1pm, to Oct 23. 90 Broadway parking lot. orangevillefarmersmarket.ca CREEMORE May 22, Saturdays, 8:30am-12:30pm, to Oct 9. Creemore Springs Brewery parking lot, 139 Mill St. creemorefarmersmarket.ca

CCS Caledon Community Services

DCAFS Dufferin Child

CPCC Caledon Parent-Child Centre

DPSN Dufferin Parent

CVC Credit Valley

EWCS East Wellington

Conservation

Community Services

and Family Services Support Network

ALLISTON May 22, Saturdays, 8am-2pm, to Oct 30. Centre St & Victoria St E. rurban.ca SHELBURNE June 10 & 24, July 15, Aug 5, 3-8pm. Aug 26 & Sept 16, 3-7pm. First Ave W & Owen Sound St. shelburnefarmersmarket.ca ERIN June 25, Fridays, 3-7pm, to

Sep 24. McMillan Park, 109 Main St, Erin. erinfarmersmarket.ca NOW – JUN 27 : SENIORS’ SUMMER SOLSTICE SCAVENGER HUNT Explore

Palgrave using satellite map. Prizes.

Free, register on website; map and questions emailed. 8am-5pm. Palgrave United Church, 34 Pine Ave, Palgrave.

Palgrave United Community Kitchen, 905-880-0303; palgravekitchen.org

MOD Museum of Dufferin – Regular admission: $5; seniors $4; children 5-14 $2; under 5 free; family $12 PAMA Peel Art Gallery, Museum and

Archives – Regular admission: $5; students, seniors $4; family (2 adults & 5 children) $12

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NVCA Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority OAS Orangeville Agricultural

Society Event Centre SBEC Orangeville & District Small Business Enterprise Centre

www.yorkdurhamheadwaters.ca COLOUR PALLETE

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NOW – JUN 30 : JUNE IS SENIORS’ MONTH Special virtual sessions and at-

home activities. 9am-9pm. Free. City of Brampton, 416-270-8065; brampton.ca NOW – JUN 30 : OUR VOICES, OUR JOURNEYS: BL ACK COMMUNITIES IN PEEL Virtual journeys of leaders

and mentors from the North Peel Community Church. PAMA, 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca NOW – JUN 30 : HEADWATERS 50/50 R AFFLE Purchase tickets online: 3 for

$5; 20 for $10; 80 for $20. Proceeds to new and replacement equipment at Headwaters Health Care Centre.

9am-11:30pm. Headwaters Health Care Foundation, 519-941-2702 ext.2303; hhcfoundation.com NOW – SEP 15 (WEDNESDAYS) : BINGO FOR FUN Play over the phone.

Free, call to register. 2-3pm. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton.

905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

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online. Orangeville Best Western, 7 Buena Vista Dr. Canadian Blood Services, 1-888-236-6283; blood.ca JUN 30, JUL 14 & AUG 11 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE SPECIAL LUNCHES

Jun 30: cold cuts. Jul 14: hamburgers/ hotdogs. Aug 11: sloppy Joes. Pick up 11:30am-1pm. $7, call two days ahead to order; local delivery $2. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton.

905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca JUL 1 : ORTON CANADA DAY DRIVETHRU CHICKEN BBQ Dinner includes

chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, bread roll and dessert. Rain or shine. Call ahead to order. Half chicken or double dark chicken $18. Pick up 5-6pm. St John’s Community Church, Orton. Orton Community Association, 519-855-4243.

JUL 4, SEP 12 & OC T 9 : WHOLE VILL AGE ORIENTATION Virtual

tour of the farm and eco-residence.

1-4:30pm. Free. 20725 Shaws Creek Rd, Caledon. wholevillage.org JUL 6 : THINK LOCAL MARKET Local

NOW – SEP 16 (TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS) : CHAIR EXERCISES

Low-intensity exercises offered through phone and Zoom. Free, call to register. 9-10am. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton.

905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

food, goods and services made by Dufferin businesses. 3-8pm. Shelburne Fiddle Park, Dufferin Cty Rd 11, Shelburne. Dufferin Board of Trade, 519-941-0490; dufferinbot.ca

NOW – SEP 17 (MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS) : STAYING STRONG EXERCISES Medium-

intensity exercises offered through phone and Zoom. Free, call to register. 9-10am. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton.

905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca NOW – SEP 30 : INSPIRING STORIES OF WOMEN IN THE VIRTUAL PAMA COLLEC TIONS Author (Lucy

Maud Montgomery), postal worker, entrepreneur or United Nations diplomat, each woman has shaped our community. PAMA, 905-7914055; pama.peelregion.ca JUN 25, JUL 30 & AUG 27 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE MONTHLY DINNERS

Jun 25: ham. Jul 30: chicken souvlaki.

Aug 27: pulled pork. Pick up 5-6pm. $14, call two days ahead to order; local delivery $2. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton.

905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

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JUL 21 : FROM CALEDON TO THE CANADIAN ARC TIC WITH CORY TRÉPANIER Intimate studio tour and

talk with Caledon artist, filmmaker and explorer. Free, virtual event. 6:30-8pm.

Palgrave United Community Kitchen, 905-880-0303; palgravekitchen.org JUL 21 : SCAVENGER HUNT WORD GAME Search the baseball park next to the centre. Rain date Jul 22. 11amnoon. Free, call to register. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton.

905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca JUL 22 : MAKING MEMORIES L AST – THE IMPORTANCE OF LEGACY WORK WITH BETHELL HOSPICE

Kaylen Leonienco provides practical ideas and activities for honouring the people you love. 7pm. Free, Zoom event. Caledon Library, 905-8571400 x228; caledon.library.on.ca VIRTUAL TRIVIA NIGHT Play

for bragging rights. 7pm.

Free, Zoom event. Caledon Library, 905-857-1400 x228; caledon.library.on.ca JUL 7 : YOUR HEALTH MAT TERS

AUG 5 : MOCK TAILS & K AR AOKE Enjoy

Connect with the local health information you need. 7pm. Free, Zoom event. Caledon Library, 905857-1400 x228; caledon.library.on.ca

mocktails and singing on the patio! $5; call to register. 6-8pm. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton.

905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

JUL 8 & AUG 12 (SECOND THURSDAY) : OR ANGEVILLE PROBUS MEETINGS

AUG 11 : IS IT NEWS OR NOT ? See through the blurred lines between news and entertainment. 7pm. Free, Zoom event. Caledon Library, 905857-1400 x228; caledon.library.on.ca

Jul 8: Gary Hall, The Bruce Trail. Aug 12: Tim Burrows, Electric Cars. 10amnoon. Orangeville and District Probus, 519-307-2887; probusorangeville.ca JUL 10, AUG 7, SEP 4 : RED TENT ONTARIO Women meet online to

support and celebrate each other.

10-11am. $10, register. 705-4152689; redtentontario.com Drive-thru for mouth-watering ribs from Gator BBQ and Billy’s BBQ. Jul 16 4-8pm.

Jul 17 noon-8pm. Headwaters Racquet

goes on. 2-7pm, book your time

Club, 205467 Cty Rd 109, Amaranth.

The Rotary Club of Orangeville, 519939-1298; orangevilleribfest.com

JUL 29 : THE OLYMPICS’

JUL 16 & 17 : ROTARY RIBFEST 2021 JUN 28 : OR ANGEVILLE BLOOD DONOR CLINIC The need for blood

H A P P E N I N G S

AUG 12 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE BUILDING EXPANSION UPDATE Join Nora Martin on Zoom. Free, call to register. 11am-noon. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton.

905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca AUG 20 & 21, 25 – 28 : SUMMER CONCERT SERIES – DRIVE-IN ST YLE!

Aug 20: Jazz – Ryan Grist, Laila Biali.

Aug 21: Blues – Jordan John, Larry

Kurtz and the Lawbreakers. Aug 25: 7pm. Family fun – Craig the Comedy Juggler, Team T & J. Aug 26: Leisa Way in Opry Gold with Wayward Wind Band. Aug 27: Campfire Poets. Aug 28: Country – Beresfords, Robb Watts Band.

8pm. $25/vehicle, includes shopping/ dining voucher. Rotary Park, 2nd Ave & 4th St, Orangeville.519-940-9092; orangeville.ca AUG 25 : POKER STROLL Collect

cards to create your hand. Prizes for best hand, goofiest hat and more. $5, maximum 2 people per team, call to register. 10-11:30am. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton.

905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca SEP 21 : GOLF 4 BETHELL HOSPICE

18 holes, power carts, 10-minute interval tee times, prepackaged breakfast, lunch served outdoors.

Early bird to July 15: $150; then $195.

Hockley Valley Resort, 793522 3rd Ln Mono. Bethell Hospice Foundation, 905-838-3534; bethellhospice.org SEP 26 : 2021 OR ANGEVILLE & AREA AUTISM SPEAKS CANADA WALK ON WHEELS CAR PAR ADE See route on

website. 10:15-10:45am: registration and check-in. 11am: parade begins.

Community Living Dufferin, 065371 Cty Rd 3, East Garafraxa. 1-888-3626227 ext 206; autismspeakscan.ca OC T 2 – 31 : COMPASS RUN FOR FOOD

Walk virtually or in person. 5K run/walk, 10.5K run and kids’ fun run. 8am-5pm.

Compass Community Church, 246289 Hockley Rd, Mono. compassrun.com FALL FAIRS 2021

These fairs plan to go ahead this year, but check their websites and those other local fairs for updates or virtual events.

SEP 24 – 26 : BOLTON FALL FAIR Albion & Bolton Fairgrounds, 150 Queen St S, Bolton. 905-880-0369; boltonfair.ca OC T 7 – 11 : ERIN FALL FAIR Erin

Agricultural Society Fairgrounds, 190 Main St, Erin. erinfair.com

kids JUL 3 : TD SUMMER READING CLUB L AUNCH – AGES UP TO 12 Crafts and

activities too! Free, register at frontdesk@ shelburnelibrary.ca. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St, Shelburne. 519925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 122

www.orangeville.ca/summerconcerts Sara Angelucci, July 31 (detail), 2020

Connect

online with

PAMA

Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives

Explore virtual exhibitions and programs

Connect with behind-the-scenes videos

Create PAMA@Home activities

www.pama.peelregion.ca Visit pama.peelregion.ca to learn more.

www.dragonflyarts.ca

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Upcoming Exhibitions We R the North Now – July 4

North of the 49th parallel and a place to stand. Artworks that reflect a sense of our great country.

Virtual Opening May 26, 2021

Art of Cadence July 7 – Aug 8 Visual interpretations and expressions of internal rhythms that drive creativity.

Headwaters Arts Festival Show September 15 – October 3 Raise the Roof Outdoor Arts Space Coming Soon!

Celebrating the arts outdoors, under our newly roofed, historic Annex structure at Alton Mill Arts Centre.

headwatersarts.com www.headwatersarts.com Follow us on FB and Instagram and visit our website for details.

A LTO N MIL L A RTS CENTRE 1 4 02 QUE E N ST W E ST, ALTON VI LLAGE

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 12 0

JUL 5 – 30 : ECO CAMP Learn about nature and the environment through fun activities. Before care from 8am.

After care ends at 5:30pm. Mon-Fri 8am-5:30pm. Kids’ camp $350/week; includes all meals and taxes. CIT/ Leadership program $325/week. Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville.

519-939-8330; ecocamp.ca JUL 5 – 30 : OR ANGEVILLE THEATRE SUMMER CAMP – GR ADES 2- 6 Build

on theatre skills through creative activities and interactive games.

Wed-Fri 9am-4pm. $190. Nancy & Doc Gillies Rehearsal Hall, 065371 Dufferin Cty Rd 3, Orangeville. 519942-3423; theatreorangeville.ca JUL 5 – AUG 27 : SUMMER HORSE CAMPS Half-day camps with riding,

horse care lessons and fun barn activities. Friday Horse Show. Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. Caledon Equestrian School, 13441 Airport Rd, Caledon. 905584-2022; caledonequestrian.com JUL 5 – SEP 3 : SUMMER CAMP AT TEEN R ANCH – AGES 5 -18 Junior

Day Camp or Ultimate Day Camp.

Sports, activities, campfires, shared from a biblical perspective. Mon-Fri. 8:30-8:50am: drop-off; 4:45-5pm: pick-up. Extended care to 6pm $75. Options available. Junior Day Camp (not a specialized camp) $495; Ultimate Day Camp $1,200.

20682 Hurontario St, Caledon.

519-941-4501; teenranch.com

New Program for September 2021

Maker Space Program

2.5 yrs to 5 yrs Monday to Friday 9:00 to 11:30

P U Z Z L I N G

To Register or to find out more information please call 519-938-5385 www.thesunflowerschool.ca rachel@thesunflowerschool.ca

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of activities and reading challenges.

Free, register at frontdesk@ shelburnelibrary.ca. Shelburne Library, 201 Owen Sound St, Shelburne. 519925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

Marking time Five minutes past six. From left to right, the clock hands point to numbers that when added, increase by 2 with each face, (1+2=3) (2+3=5) (1+6=7) …

music JUN – SEP: MUSIC AT ROSE THEATRE Visit the website for

updates on virtual performances.

905-874-2800; rosetheatre.ca NOW – OC T 27 (WEDNESDAYS) : COME & SING WITH US Fun, four-part

JUL 12 – 23 : MUSIC THEATRE INTENSIVE – GR ADES 7-12

Foundational musical theatre techniques through the trickiest moments. MonWed 9am-4pm. Nancy & Doc Gillies Rehearsal Hall, 065371 Dufferin Cty Rd 3, Orangeville. Register, 519942-3423; theatreorangeville.ca

barbershop harmonies. Rehearsals on Zoom. Sep 15: New Members Welcome Event. 7:30pm. Free.

Westminster United Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville. Orangeville Show Chorus – Sweet Adelines, orangevilleshowchorus.com

AUG 9 – 13 : DIRT2DELICIOUS CAMP 2021 – AGES 8 -13 Learn where your

JUN 25 : MUSIC IN THE HILLS Drive-

food comes from. Bring lunch, hat, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, mask and backpack. 9am-4pm. $250, register.

16555 Humber Station Rd, Caledon.

Palgrave United Community Kitchen, 905-880-0303; palgravekitchen.org AUG 27 – 29 : CLUE – THEATRE OR ANGEVILLE YOUNG COMPANY

Find the murderer in this madcap comedy based on the game. Venue TBA. Fri 7pm. Sat 2 & 7pm.

Sun 2pm. 519-9423423; theatre orangeville.ca

in concert featuring The Jim Cuddy Trio (Blue Rodeo), Sohayla Smith and Woody Woodburn. Proceeds to suicide prevention. 7:30-11:30pm. $100 per vehicle including 2 occupants; additional occupants $35 each, from the website or FB/IG page @musicinthehillsmulmur for the Eventbrite link. Mansfield Ski Club, 628213 15 Sdrd, Mansfield.

Suicide Awareness Council of Wellington-Dufferin, musicinthehills.ca JUL 29 : LIVE MUSIC ON ZOOM “Let

the Good Times Roll.” Call Bolton Mills Retirement Community at 289-2060775 to register. 7-8pm. Bolton Mills Retirement Community, Caledon Seniors’ Centre. caledonseniors.ca AUG 8 : RHINESTONE COWGIRL DRIVE-IN CONCERT Leisa Way and

the Wayward Wind Band in a tribute to Dolly Parton. All ages. Proceeds

S O L U T I O N S

A math journey with options If math is your thing: 39. Reverse is 93. Twice the product of the two digits, 2 x (3 x 9) is 54. Half of 54 is 27 which exceeds a third of 54, i.e., 18, by the sum of its digits (5 + 4 = 9).

If math makes you uneasy: 11.

Winnie lost three games to Bart so she had to win three to compensate and five more to be $5 ahead.

If math makes your brain shut down: Add five hours to 9 a.m.

Virtual Learning also available for this program

JUL 6 : TEEN SUMMER READING CHALLENGE L AUNCH A summer full

F R O M

P A G E

1 2 6

First you estimate Nine capital letters are vertically symmetrical: B C D E H I K O X Granny’s raisin solution

Nouns from the outer edge a: Plinth. A stele is an upright stone or pillar. b: Albumen. A chalaza holds the yolk in the centre. c: Flagon. A flagon is a bottle; a firkin is a small barrel. d: Lanyard. A halyard rope is used for hoisting. e: Augend. The 3 is the addend. f: A quire is c.25 sheets; a ream is 500. g: Gibe. A gibe is a mild insult; a jibe is a change of course. h: Bastion. A balustrade is part of a bannister. i: Mantel. A mantel is a shelf above a fireplace; a mantle is a cloak or sash. j: Tittle. Pips are the seeds in fruits like oranges.

correc tion : In the puzzle called “Riddling in Reddickville” [spring 2021], the word “today” in the final line should not have been there. Our apologies to those it confused.

SUBMIT YOUR EVENT

To submit your community, arts or nonprofit event: Go to inthehills.ca and select ‘what’s on’ from the menu bar.

That will take you to the listings page. Select ‘submit your event’ and complete the easy form.

For the autumn (September) issue, submit by August 6, 2021.

For up-to-date listings between issues, click ‘what’s on’ on the menu bar at inthehills.ca.

We reserve the right to edit submissions for print and web publication.

INTHEHILLS.CA

JUL 11 & 25, AUG 15 & 29 : HUNTER/ JUMPER HORSE SHOWS Professional

courses and divisions for all levels.

8:30am-7pm. Teen Ranch, 20682 Hurontario St, Caledon. 519941-4501; teenranch.com

Welcome Back!

JUL 15 – AUG 30 : TR AIL RIDE FOR BREAST CANCER Ride a horse, bike,

walk or hike a trail to support Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Foundation. 8am5pm. $40. Dufferin Cty Forest, 937513 Airport Rd, Mansfield. 416-407-6695; trailrideforbreastcancer.weebly.com JUL 31 : ANIMAL AWARE: HOW TO CAMP WITH WILDLIFE NEARBY

Prevent negative experiences. 2pm.

Free, virtual. Caledon Library, 905857-1400 x228; caledon.library.on.ca

Our studios and galleries are ready for you to enjoy a summer of creativity and connection. In person, online, or for private appointments.

AUG 5 : PARKS CANADA – LEARN TO CAMP Important safety considerations

to Shepherd’s Cupboard Food Bank, Breakfast Club, Shelburne Christmas Hampers and Feed it Forward Everyone (FIFE4Life). 3-5pm. $60 per carload, from shelburnerotaryclub. com. Shelburne Fiddle Park, Dufferin Cty Rd 11, Shelburne. 519-2784578; shelburnerotaryclub.com SEP 8 – NOV 24 (WEDNESDAYS) : ACHILL CHOR AL SOCIET Y WEL­ COMES NEW MEMBERS Classical,

contemporary and traditional works. Zoom rehearsals, no fees or auditions. 7-8:30pm. Orangeville Achill Choral Society, achill.ca

outdoor NOW – JUN 30 : ERIN SEED LIBR ARY

Please return new seeds in the fall.

Monetary donations accepted.

11am-5pm. Free. 519-833-4461; erinseedlendinglibrary.weebly.com NOW – OC T 27 (EVERY OTHER WED) : GOOD FOOD PROJEC T VOLUNTEER DAYS Plant, weed, harvest and

everything in-between! Bring hat, sunscreen, closed-toe shoes and water bottle. 1-4pm. 5812 Sixth Line, Hillsburgh. 519-855-4859; everdale.org JUN 26 : NATIONAL COME & TRY ROWING DAY Instruction and direction

from experienced rowers. 8am-1pm.

Free, register online. Island Lake Rowing Club, 673178 Hurontario St, Orangeville. islandlakerowing.com JUL 1 : TORONTO & NORTH YORK HUNTER PACE A timed ride in teams up

to four simulating a day field hunting. $100; 13 & under $50. 8:30am-3pm.

878445 5th Line E Mulmur. tnyh.horse

to remember. 4pm. Free, virtual.

Caledon Library, 905-857-1400 x228; caledon.library.on.ca AUG 5 : CYCLING CALEDON WITH WAYNE NOBLE Cycling

101, the Caledon Trailway, basic maintenance and more. 7pm. Free, virtual. Caledon Library, 905-8571400 x228; caledon.library.on.ca

SHOP IN A PEACEFUL, SPACIOUS ATMOSPHERE

www.altonmill.ca ARTISAN MARKETS | GALLERIES | CLASSES | WEARABLE ART | JEWELLERY

1402 Queen St. West, Alton Village, Caledon • Wed-Sun 10am-5pm

519.941.9300 • www.altonmill.ca

theatre+film JUL 30 – AUG 15 : THE THIRD LIFE OF EDDIE MANN Fired by his only

client, Eddie contemplates his new life. $25, virtual ticket; show runs anytime; link provided on purchase.

519-942-3423; theatreorangeville.ca AUG 11 – 22 : CHASE THE ACE A one-man comedy about the search for truth in these unprecedented times. In-person, outdoor event with strict Covid protocols. Venue TBA. Wed-Sat 7pm. Sun 2pm. 519942-3423; theatreorangeville.ca SEP 5 – 19 : JACK OF DIAMONDS

Retirees try to avoid financial ruin with hilarious pandemonium. Fri Sat 8pm. Sun 2:30pm. $20. Century Church Theatre, 72 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. 519-8554586; centurychurchtheatre.com SEP 8 – 19 : JOSIAH One-person show of 30 characters reveals Josiah Henson’s life from slavery to freedom. In-person, outdoor event with strict Covid protocols. Venue TBA. Wed-Sat 7pm. Sun 2pm. 519942-3423; theatreorangeville.ca

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mcarthurbessey@gmail.com

www.pvrbeef.ca

info@schoolofmiracles.ca

www.bachie.ca karena@goodison.com

www.broadwayge.com

www.centurywood.com

www.woolandsilkco.com

frank@homeenhancers.ca

www.typeandimages.ca echambers@enrichbuildings.com

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lindascraftique.com

pjw1211@aol.com

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a Puzzling Conclusion

BY KEN WEBER

Marking time at the Jolly Morphology Club The owners of this once popular pub near Mono Mills had to be creative to keep patrons loyal when Prohibition made the sale of beer and alcohol illegal, so they turned it into a social club (free admission) and entertained patrons with word games and puzzles. In the puzzle below, the middle beer keg is missing an hour hand. Patrons could win rewards in this keg by adding the missing hour hand to show a specific time signature. Time signatures on the other kegs provided the clues to do this correctly. What time should the middle keg show?

REWARDS INSIDE! A math journey with options

Granny’s raisin solution

First you estimate

•

Preparing her famous butter tarts on the morning of the Alton Fair was always a busy time for Granny and the “help” she got from her eager grandson was usually more than she wanted.

To keep him busy she outlined a 6 x 6 grid on the chequered oilcloth that covered the kitchen table and set a dish of 12 raisins beside it.

In the typefaces used to print In The Hills magazine, and in the most commonly used typefaces for printing the English language, the capital (upper case) letter H is roughly vertically symmetrical.

this one if math is your thing A two digit number beginning with a 3 differs from its reverse by twice the product of these two digits. (Hint: twice the product of these two digits is a number whose half exceeds the product’s third by the sum of its digits.)

What is the two digit number?

• this one if math makes you une asy Bart and Winnie spent the evening playing cribbage for $1 a game. Bart won three games. When they stopped playing Winnie was $5 ahead.

How many games did they play?

It can be folded at its midline horizontal axis and the top half will fit over the bottom half more or less evenly.

•

In these most commonly used typefaces how many capital letters are vertically symmetrical?

To earn a freshly baked butter tart (usually two), her grandson had to arrange the 12 raisins in the grid with two in each row, column and diagonal, and no more than one raisin per square.

this one if math makes your br ain shut down There’s a way to add five to nine and get two.

What is it?

(Before actually calculating the number, what is your best estimate: 8? 9? 10? 11?)

Would you have earned a butter tart or two?

Nouns from the outer edge a

b

The sculpture is finished.

Now do you mount it on a stele or a plinth?

The yellow part of an egg is the yolk; the white is the __________ ?

f

Paper sheets cost 10 cents a dozen. You have 25 cents. Will that buy you a ream or a quire?

g

Which is more likely to upset you, a jibe or a gibe?

c

Firkin or flagon: which one is easier to raise in a toast when it is filled with ale?

h

In the War of 1812, was a soldier safer behind a bastion or a balustrade?

d

The rope around your neck holding a whistle is a halyard or a lanyard?

i

You have bought the paint.

Now will you brush it on your mantle or your mantel?

e

[ 4 + 3 = 7 ] Is the number 4 the augend or the addend in this math statement?

j

Is the dot over the letter i a tittle or a pip?

O U R S O L U T I O N S O N PA G E 122

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