FREE
DECEMBER 2020 First Edition
MAGAZINE
FEATURING
Robert Iantorno
Community and Heritage Curator South Grey Museum, Flesherton Page 16
Supporting Local Businesses In Grey Highlands
www.hellocountry.ca
Supporting Local Businesses In Grey Highlands
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MASTHEAD EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS ALEX RUFF JENNY JELEN Member of Parliament for the Riding of Author, Journalist and Horse Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Trainer / Coach with a Writing Habit AAKASH P. DESAI JEFF COLTON Markdale Resident and Deputy Mayor Flesherton Resident and Owner of of the Municipality of Grey Highlands Colton’s Garage JEFF WILSON Priceville Resident and Accomplished Cartoonist, Blogtoonist & Illustrator
KATRINA WOOD Grey County Resident and Owner of Eco-Refillary in Flesherton
BRIAN GLASSEY Cast & Blast Expert; Outdoors Writer & Author of the Series: “Dear Mike”
KEVIN ARTHUR LAND Arts Educator and Owner of Speaking Volumes Books & Audio in Flesherton
JONATHAN NHAN MIKE WIXSON Pharmacist, Diabetes Coach, Hypnotist Producer of the Hello Country Podcast & Co-Founder of Curate and Upgrade & Owner of The Pod Plant HILIARY BREADNER REUBEN MCCALLUM Lifelong Rocklyn Resident and Owner Realtor and Grey Highlands Resident; of Hiliary Breadner Graphics Capturing Life in Grey County
Not Just the Hay Farm
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HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
Happiest of Holidays & all the best in the New Year! And if this Christmas you want a fresh festive feeling in a new home, we can help. from
Reuben McCallum Sales Representative
High Country Reality Inc., Brokerage and the rest of the
www.reubenmccallum.com
519.477.0418
TABLE OF CONTENTS DECEMBER 2020 PUBLISHER’S NOTE...p8 We Did It! Welcome to the First Edition of Hello Country Magazine!!! ALEX RUFF, MP...p10 Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP, Alex Ruff kicks off this edition with a Welcome Message. FOOD & DRINK...p13 Featuring Susan’s Delicatessen in Markdale. Meet Me At Susan’s! COVER STORY...p16 Robert Iantorno of the South Grey Museum in Flesherton makes history fun and cool. FAWCETT FAMILY TRADITION...p18 Read about the Fawcett family’s rich tradition of funeral service. STORIES FROM THE FIELD...p24 Have a seat in the blind next to Papa Country as he tells a tale of a guided waterfowl hunt. FLESHERTON CALLING...p28 Kevin Arthur Land’s first in a series of articles shining a light on our local Arts community. Published By
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE is the only free, monthly magazine of its kind focused on life in Grey Highlands. It’s mailed to houses and farms in Markdale & Flesherton by Canada Post. Additional copies are available at selected local businesses in Grey County. We capture life in Grey Highlands by highlighting the many positive contributions to our community by local business owners, elected officials, and residents. Hello Country is proudly published from a barn / pick-up truck / stable / home office just outside beautiful Flesherton, Ontario! No part of this publication in any of its forms may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to my wife and sons for their support in the production of this first edition, along with the very generous and trusting support of all those who advertised herein without first seeing a printed copy. Thank you for helping me get Hello Country off the ground! - Papa Country
FIAT LUX MEDIA
All Rights Reserved
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE WE DID IT! THANK YOU!!! Mama Country, suggested I launch a print version did I start to envision what you’re now reading.
Photo: Jenny Jelen
After meeting with local business owners in Grey Highlands to introduce myself and the concept for Hello Country, I was filled with encouragement and a sense of confidence that this print publication would, in deed, be well received. And here we are!
PAPA COUNTRY
Publisher, Hello Country Magazine
hellocountrymagazine@gmail.com Instagram: @hellocountrymagazine www.hellocountry.ca
The purpose of Hello Country is simple; to support local businesses in Grey Highlands. At a time when local businesses need us the most, I encourage everyone reading this to go out of their way to support those brave entrepreneurs who have put it all on the line to live their dreams and provide vital services and products that give our country community character and charm - the likes of which you don’t see very often.
I’m so pleased to publish the First Edition of Hello Country Magazine!
Join me every month as we celebrate the wonderful contributions of people in Grey Highlands who make this little corner of Grey County amazing!
When my family and I moved to Flesherton from Toronto last year at this time, I started a blog and then a digital magazine with a podcast to document our new life in the country. It wasn’t until my amazing wife,
Thank you very much for reading and don’t hesitate to let me know what you think of Hello Country, - Papa Country
PODCAST
PRODUCED BY
Designed in Flesherton | Produced in Dundalk
ORDER NOW ON INSTAGRAM @greycountyapparel
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HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
ALEX RUFF, MP WELCOME MESSAGE
ALEX RUFF, MSC, CD
MP, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound www.alexruffmp.ca alex.ruff@parl.gc.ca
We all know that this year has been unprecedented to say the least. It has certainly been an interesting first year to be serving as a Member of Parliament. Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, I continue to be impressed by the resilience and hard-work of the constituents of BruceGrey-Owen Sound. During my travels across the riding recently, I was happy to see a number of new businesses opened and, particularly, in South Grey. This includes seeing this inaugural edition of Hello Country along with their digital platform coming to fruition. Small businesses are the backbone of our rural economies and play an important role in our communities. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Eco-Refillary, SAVVY Industrial Salvage, The Closet, and many others on their business openings. I hope your businesses will do well in the community and I look forward to celebrating many business milestones with you! One of the issues I have been working on over the course of this year has been rural broadband connectivity. I have met with a number of local internet stakeholders; I’ve brought the need up in the House of Commons and have been requesting feedback from constituents in a number of different forums. This is an issue that has remained 10
top of mind for me. I recognize that it is of the utmost importance that rural broadband services are expanded and that connectivity is improved. Another issue that has been top of mind has been our incredible agriculture industry. Our farmers are more important than ever. Each and every day, farmers, producers and food processors are working hard to put food on our tables and keep our grocery store shelves well-stocked. Farmers are vital to maintaining our food supply and are facing a crisis of their own. I, along with my colleagues, have been fighting for support and real help for our agriculture and agrifood businesses struggling during the pandemic. I know this year has been incredibly difficult for so many. My office remains available to assist you with your federal government related needs. If you need assistance navigating the COVID-19 support programs for Canadians, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. If you have any questions about the services offered please visit my website www.alexruffmp.ca or email me at alex.ruff@parl.gc.ca. As always, it is an honour to serve you. Alex Ruff, MSC, CD MP, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
LOCAL POLITICS WHAT’S GOING UP? following six years. One can think of it as the six-year budget for the water and waste-water systems. Some members of Council are of the opinion that we should make the rate changes the study has recommended, while others believe that we should be more cautious and reconsider certain aspects of the study. A lively debate ensued with a follow-up meeting pending.
AAKASH P. DESAI
Deputy Mayor Municipality of Grey Highlands deputymayordesai@greyhighlands.ca DISCLAIMER: This article is not meant to act as a majority or dissenting opinion on matters discussed and decided at Council of the Municipality of Grey Highlands or the Council of the County of Grey. It is an honest effort to present facts, thoughts, rationales, and debates surrounding those items. And in some cases, it is just good news and celebrations. Grey Highlands is going through an exciting period of rapid growth right now. A total of 55 homes will be built in the short term between the two builders working at the Stonebrook subdivision in Markdale. Recently, Council attended two groundbreaking ceremonies for the builders. In related news, work has begun on the new water tower in Markdale, which will increase the water capacity for the town. They even have a crane working at the site for the tower. There is a crane in Markdale! We have gone from one traffic light to two traffic lights and a crane!
The end of the year is usually my favourite, not because winter is coming but because budget deliberations are coming. The annual budget is a key milestone in our roadmap for a vibrant and thriving Grey Highlands and Grey County. We take feedback from our conversations with you, the constituents, and use them to plot the co-ordinates in the roadmap. The schedule for Grey Highlands budget will kick off with the presentation of the draft budget to Council. This will be followed by a Virtual Public Open House. Council will then meet as Committee of the Whole to deliberate the details of the budget. The details break down to a rates versus services debate. These decisions will dictate how quickly your road gets ploughed, whether your road gets paved, and the cost of renting ice-time at the arena. You know, the important stuff. You can find more information online at greyhighlands.ca or follow the municipality on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to get regular updates. So that’s what’s going up – 55 homes, a water tower, and public interest in the budget (hopefully). Feel free to reach out to me with any questions. Aakash P. Desai Deputy Mayor Municipality of Grey Highlands deputymayordesai@greyhighlands.ca (519) 477-0732
On that wave, at a meeting scheduled for November 10, Grey Highlands Council discussed what our constituents will pay for water and wastewater for the next six years. Municipalities are required to do water and waste-water rate studies every six years, to inform what rates should be paid for the Supporting Local Businesses In Grey Highlands
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GREY COUNTY LIFE COMMUNITY SPIRIT
REUBEN MCCALLUM
Sales Representative RE/MAX High Country Realty Inc., Brokerage facebook.com/reubenmccallumrealtor www.reubenmccallum.com (519) 477-0418 Is community spirit on your shopping list?
didn’t know where to go for help.
Our offices are located in Flesherton and Markdale; two of the vibrant and beautiful rural communities that make up the Municipality of Grey Highlands.
Which reminds me…that is community spirit. If you look closer, you will find community spirit all over the place around here.
COVID-19 has impacted everyone, but there is something to be said about rural life and community when times are tough that just can’t be found anywhere else.
Community spirit is at the fall fair where you can still find the award-winning canned good, pie or home grown vegetable competing for first place using tricks and tips passed down for generations.
You may be a lifelong resident of the area or, perhaps, you’re new in town. The former may very well be possible given the recent increase in demand for country properties caused by the pandemic.
Community spirit can be found at a local shop where proud owners, artisans and producers bring those same locally-produced and award-winning products to market.
I’m proud to call Grey Highlands home. Our trails, forests, ski hills, lakes, rivers, retail shops and quiet country roads are all such amazing features of Grey County, but what about the Community Spirit?
Community spirit can be found in our local community service groups as they volunteer their time to the local hospital, recreation centre, that fundraiser for a good cause, or holiday food drive for those in need.
Where does that rank on your list of wants and needs for your country lifestyle?
If you are ever caught in need, there is a good chance that someone is going to be there, willing to lend a hand.
Growing up here, it’s easy to take for granted how powerful having a strong community really is. Luckily for me I bump into clients around town all the time who are more than excited to fill me in on how welcoming the neighbours have been or how someone helped them out of a tight spot when they 12
When you consider what country lifestyle means to you, whether you’ve lived here for years or merely months, think about community spirit and how it’s benefited you... then pass it on with a warm heart and a big smile.
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
FOOD & DRINK MEET ME AT SUSAN’S Have you been to Markdale’s meeting place, aka: Susan’s Deli? If not, take it from me, you gotta go! Pictured here are Suzzi & Catherine, co-owners of Susan’s Delicatessen as they embrace in celebration of their recent grand opening. Susan’s Deli has become a favourite hangout for me; as much as one can hang out at a place during a pandemic. Mama Country has become partial to their Portuguese Tarts and the boys have taken a liking to the Cinnamon Rolls. That is to say, I love the Portuguese Tarts and Cinnamon Rolls...oh, and the coffee, too :) You’ll find a great selection of treats and sandwiches, fresh ground organic coffee, gifts made by Grey County’s finest, and unique pantry items...perfect for Holiday gifts and stocking stuffers. Visit the Deli for a bit of nostalgia, good food and good vibes. Or better yet...tell a friend to meet me at Susan’s! Susan’s! By: Papa Country
SUSAN’S DELICATESSEN
15 Main Street West, Markdale (519) 270-1520 www.susansmarkdale.com Instagram: @susans.deli
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WELLNESS WHAT IS HYPNOSIS? pause and be replaced with these words.
JONATHAN NHAN
Co-Founder, Curate and Upgrade
How things change! Just over a month ago, Hello Country was online only and now we are in print! Really exciting to see this development and it’s a great example of how quickly things can move, shift and change. Oftentimes, when you think about personal development or growth, an initial reaction could be that change is difficult. It’s only natural that, as human beings, we like some predictability and fitting in. But now you are in the country, living a life that a large proportion of the population think that they could never do. Maybe if you are originally from the city, you can remember a time when you thought that living in the rural country parts of Ontario would be impossible. Something shifted to make that possible, and change often happens as quickly as that. I think the main thing that people don’t like is the lead up to the actual change - the pondering, considering, worrying, planning, thinking, etc. All these things that take up so much mental energy, and once the change is over and it happens, this energy can be freed up again and put to better use. You might even say that change is good! So how does this tie in with hypnosis? Well first, let’s talk briefly about what hypnosis is. Hypnosis is a natural state and process that we experience all the time, however, many people do not identify it as such. You may wonder what it feels like to experience a state of hypnosis or trance and it is very much like doing what you are doing now. As you read these words, your attention is focused on the words and for a moment, your internal conscious monologue may 14
Accessing this state allows you to begin a process of installing new positive beliefs and overriding the limiting ones. The important point here is that anything that occurs in hypnosis, any suggestions that stick, will only be ones that are positive and good for you because hypnosis isn’t something that is done to you, it is a state and process natural to you that you are learning to access. Your unconscious mind is something that is always present and working to make positive and protective things in your life. As you access your natural state of hypnosis, you can use it as a connection to your unconscious mind and generate changes that stick without you having to consciously think about it. So back to change and changing beliefs. All the negative self talk leading up to making a change - the worrying, the anxiety, the fear - could be a defence mechanism of sorts. In effect, you’re giving yourself some suggestions meant to be protective (i.e. from failure) but they end up hindering you at the same time. So now that you know a little more about hypnosis, you may have some questions. Why not ask your resident hypnotist? Send me any questions, comments, or anything that you might want to know and I will answer them in my next article right here in Hello Country. You can reach me at: jon@curateandupgrade.ca I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Jonathan Nhan Co-Founder, Curate and Upgrade Pharmacist, Certified Diabetes Coach, and Hypnotist Listen to the Curate and Upgrade Podcast www.curateandupgrade.ca
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
SUPPORTING LOCAL HILIARY BREADNER Hiliary Breadner Graphics is in the business of making people’s dreams come true. She has been creating unique designs for over 10 years now. Serving local businesses by producing everything from logo designs to websites, print material, signage, and just about everything in between. Hiliary is a seventh generation farmer, born and raised right here in Grey Highlands. Of course, she does have a soft spot for agriculture related projects and has helped many local farmers with their branding and product design. While the bulk of her business is supporting other local businesses, you can also work with her on one of a kind projects. She has a whole line of personalized gifts available and is always up for a challenge. You can check out Hiliary’s work online at hiliarybgraphics.com, or follow her on Instagram and Facebook. Or better yet, flip through this magazine. She designed just about all the ads and the cover! Thank you, Hiliary. YOU ROCK! By: Papa Country
HILIARY BREADNER
Owner, Hiliary Breadner Graphics (519) 374-9215 www.hiliarybgraphics.com Instagram: @hiliarybreadnergraphics
CIRCULAR ECONOMY ECO-REFILLARY What is a conscious consumer? A person who considers the social, environmental, ecological and political impact of buying and boycotting products. When we make the choice to consider where our products are made and how they are made, essentially we are saying we want more of this. Purchasing products manufactured overseas creates a large carbon footprint, can deplete resources unethically, are made very cheap to appeal to the frugal buyer and the majority of these items don’t last which creates an enormous amount of waste in landfills. Creating a change in where and how we spend our money can massively impact where it matters; your home! Some ways we can become more conscious consumers are by supporting your local businesses, researching where your products are produced, and understanding which of those products are made using materials that will break down quickly. Christmas 2020 will look a little differently this year and so will our shopping habits.
Most consumers will choose to shop online this holiday season and choosing to shop online with a local, small, independent business is essential. For a lot of us when we spend our money, very little thought is given to the impact those dollars actually have on our choice in the future. When we choose to shop at a local store that purchases local, sustainable products, we have the say to support a business that helps the local economy flourish. Reducing our consumption is an ideal way we can also make a change. One way we can reduce our impact is by creating a circular economy. A great example of this is buying second hand or using items you already have at home and giving them new life somewhere else. Bringing empty bottles to stores that offer refills are other great ways to reduce our footprint and consumption. Every dollar spent is a vote for what you believe in. Katrina Wood, Owner Eco-Refillary, 4 Toronto Road, Flesherton eco.refillary@gmail.com / (519) 839-5449 www.eco-refillary.ca
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COVER STORY APPRECIATING HISTORY WITH Imagine a time when irons were made from iron. A time when wives wrote the names of their children in the family bible. A time when tickets to the show cost two cents. History like this is what makes Robert “Museum Rob” Iantorno’s eyes sparkle. The Community and Heritage Curator at Flesherton’s South Grey Museum has been breathing life into the community’s vibrant history, making it relevant to both lifetime residents and newcomers like himself. “What comes out of history, I think, should be gratitude,” Museum Rob said. “It exists not so we remember things, but so we can learn and get better.” The only way to learn from history, however, is to have an awareness of it. “You can’t remember something you don’t understand,” he said. Tasked with making South Grey’s early existence relevant and interesting, Museum Rob has taken a very modern approach. “History and culture are (known to be) hoity-toity and know-it-all-y,” he said. Which is nothing like Museum Rob, or what he expects the museum to be like when it reopens following extensive renovations in 2021. Walking through downtown Flesherton, high school students and seniors alike stop to chat from a distance or offer a friendly hello to Museum Rob. He is keen to offer impromptu history lessons on local sites and sparks up engaging conversations with people passing by. He especially loves the opportunity to connect with people who know more than he does. “I’m full of optimism and ignorance,” he said. “You can read the book later. Talk to the old person now.” Thanks to his never-ending love of transforming “things” to “artifacts,” Museum Rob has a vision for the downtown venue, as well as its work in the community. His mission is to bring life to the people, the businesses and the bricks and mortar that shape the community. 16
From tinny old photographs to early era vacuum cleaners, Rob wants to “animate” what could easily be mistaken as old junk, giving it life and a story and a human connection. He’s convinced that’s part of the solution to making history not only fun, but productive. “If we didn’t keep such a variety of this old stuff we call artifacts, perhaps we would risk forgetting what the greater ‘we’ has already learned.” What’s next? While Museum Rob is committed to bringing South Grey’s heritage to life, he is optimistic both long-time residents and new community members alike will develop a greater appreciation for the place they call home, as well as the people around them. “It seems people are so humble, they discount how special they are,” he said. It’s easy to take for granted the nuances that make the community special and overlook the voices of the past with their unique knowledge and perspectives. “I’m trying to give pride of place,” he said. “I think (residents) should be proud this is their home.” After all, keeping an awareness of the past is the most productive way to move forward, especially during a time of flux. South Grey’s demographic is shifting, with more people from across the province appreciating what the region has to offer. “(South Grey) is a changing place and the change of pace is accelerating,” Rob said. “You can’t stop change, so I think it’s up to us as humans to figure that out.” What’s the best way to embrace change; for the existing community to integrate with the folks moving to town? According to Museum Rob, the answer is simple. A friendly hello. A “Hey, how are you doing?”
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
ROBERT “MUSEUM ROB” IANTORNO
By: Jenny Jelen
ROBERT “MUSEUM ROB” IANTORNO Community and Heritage Curator South Grey Museum, Flesherton
Photo: Jenny Jelen “(Newcomers could be) perceived as a threat,” he said. “But I don’t think it’s a threat.” Museum Rob said there is an entire demographic choosing Grey Highlands over any other place in the province. And that should be taken as a good sign. “I think they want to crunch some leaves, and smell some manure,” he said. “There’s a depth to existence here.” That depth comes from the rich existence that began when WK Flesh owned the local mill and acted as the town doctor. A time when WJ MacFarland kept a log book of what was sold in his general store in the ceiling of the shop, detailing each sale in ink and paper. And a time when wealth was determined by the intricacies of the brick work above one’s windows. Through his work with the South Grey Museum, Museum Rob is committed to ensuring everyone in the community knows just how special the region is. “It’s always there,” he said. “Maybe we’re just not looking for it.”
SIDEBAR This summer, a plaque signifying a Heritage Grey Highlands home was stolen off the Oscar Phillips House in Flesherton. Within 72 hours of the community vocalizing its upset over the missing sign, Museum Rob and the South Grey Museum crew had a replacement plaque made and hung next to the house’s noteworthy blue door. The hilltop house, located on Collingwood Street, once belonged to Oscar Phillips. In 1909, Phillips opened a harness-making and shoe repair shop across from his elaborate Second Empire style home. The beautiful home, built to demonstrate wealth, status and sophisticated taste, still boasts original glass in its “perfectly proportioned” windows and doorways, detailed brickwork and a second floor balcony. Heritage Grey Highlands is the heritage committee for the municipality, and operates as a subcommittee of the Museum and Heritage Advisory Committee. A full list of Heritage sites is available at greyhighlands.ca.
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FAWCETT FUNERAL HOME FAMILY. TRADITION. “The fear of death follows from the fear of life.” - Mark Twain No one wants to think about death. But death is just as much a part of life as life itself. When my family and I moved to Flesherton last November, I thought to myself: “We’re never moving again. We’re here to stay. This is our home. This is where I’ll die.” I know that may sound a little morbid, but it’s true. I have no plans to leave this place. It’s where we’ll grow roots, raise our kids, give to our community and, eventually, die. So it makes sense that when driving past the high school in Flesherton one day, I noticed the cemetery and realized that this may well be my final resting place. I looked across Highway 10 and saw a sign that read: Fawcett Funeral Home. Something inside me knew then that I’d one day be talking to those folks about planning for my own funeral (I know, still sounds morbid, right?!). Even the thought of being this organized in life recalls to the mind my high school’s motto: “Ad Omnia Paratus.” Latin for: Prepared For All Things. I did a bit of research and quickly discovered that the Fawcett family has been in the funeral service business for some time. Ever curious, I called up Robert Fawcett to find out more. Here’s what I learned... Funeral service runs in the family, that’s for certain. The Fawcetts have been in the business since 1914. Starting in Stoughton, Saskatchewan, Earl and Olive Fawcett owned a funeral home and a hardware store (a smart combination if you need a lot of wood and nails to, you know...build coffins; and shovels to, you know...ya, you get it). They raised eight children, two of whom went on to continue the family tradition of 18
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
By: Papa Country
FAWCETT FUNERAL HOME
Pictured Left to Right: Roberta Scully, Robert Fawcett, April Fawcett Myles and Ken Sprayson
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FAWCETT FUNERAL HOME CONT’D funeral service, eventually moving east to Rainey River, Ontario in 1940 where they operated a funeral home there until 1954. Earl’s son, Allison (Al), after serving in World War II returned to Thunder Bay and worked as a funeral director from 1948. He and his wife, Margaret, moved to Geraldton (about three hours northeast of Thunder Bay by today’s standards) where they started a funeral service and were there until 1958. At which time they purchased the funeral home, furniture store and ambulance service in Flesherton. They had 3 children of whom the eldest and the youngest went into the funeral business. Are you starting to see a trend here? Al’s younger brother, Earl Jr., went to work in 1955 at the Jenkins Funeral Home in Thunder Bay as a licensed funeral director and remained there until his death in 1988. Al’s daughter, Allyson, became a funeral director in 1973 and in 1978 purchased the McTavish Funeral Home in Durham. She remained there until her death in 2016. Al’s son, Robert, in 1984 purchased the Stoddart Funeral Home in Woodville and soon after purchased the Bryant Cameron Funeral Home in nearby Coboconk. He, his wife Liz and four daughters served there from 1984 to 1990. In 1990, Al Fawcett died and Robert took over the business and worked with his sister, Allison. In 2000, Robert established Georgian Bay Cremation Services Ltd., opening a crematorium at the back of the Flesherton Cemetery in partnership with the Municipality of Grey Highlands. It has operated continuously from that time, serving 2,500 families a year who are referred by 40 funeral homes in the central region of Ontario. In 2010, Robert’s daughter, April, purchased the family funeral home in Flesherton and was later joined by her younger sister, Bobbi, in 2018. How does a family remain in the funeral service business continuously in different 20
regions of the country from 1914 to present? “The focus of the funeral home is to provide meaningful services to the families we serve,” explains Robert Fawcett. “The funeral home has a very active funeral preplanning program,” he continues. “This has proven to be a very successful program for families planning estate matters and end of life arrangements.” End of life arrangements? Oh, boy. End of life arrangements. I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling the barrier between living life today and planning for death tomorrow. It’s just not an easy thing to ponder. I’ve choked back tears a couple of times so far writing this article thinking about my own eventual demise and how my wife and children will get on without me - God willing they’ll be grown and have families of their own...my kids, I mean. Not my wife. See, I can’t even think of death without making nervous jokes. Am I alone? I don’t think so. Maybe that’s why some people laugh at funerals. I’m not there yet, but perhaps a big step closer to seriously considering planning for my funeral (and my wife’s) - ok, now the tears are starting to flow. Having met with Robert Fawcett as well as his daughter, April and her husband, Justin Myles, to talk about Hello Country, I’m that much more confident in knowing that when my time comes, my funeral will be handled by a family with such a rich tradition in funeral service - a family that will make my family feel comforted. FAWCETT FUNERAL HOME www.fawcettfuneralhome.ca info@fawcettfuneralhome.ca 1 Highland Drive, Flesherton (519) 924-2810
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
COLTON’S GARAGE WINTER’S COMING!
JEFF COLTON
Owner, Colton’s Garage Now that all this unseasonably warm weather is behind us, let’s get down to business...you know, where the rubber meets the road; literally.
So how can you Get a Grip before winter gets its grip on us?
Did you know that snow tires are recommended even before the snow comes?
Pop by our shop in Flesherton (maybe call ahead) and we’ll happily swap out your current tires for your snows.
At what temperature do you think the roads get cold enough to warrant snow tires? 0 degrees? -5 degrees? -10 degrees? None of the above. The answer is: 7 degrees Celsius! That’s right, well above zero. Why, you ask? Because once the weather is consistently at or below 7 degrees, the rubber on your all-season tires progressively hardens to the point that it no longer sticks to the road like it should. Translation: No Grip!
Easy.
If you need new tires, no problem. We have great deals here for you. In fact, we won’t be beat on tires! Remember: play it smart. Get your snow tires put on before it gets too cold. It’s an easy thing to do to keep your family safe this winter. COLTON’S GARAGE YOUR GARAGE SINCE 1974 www.coltonsgarage.ca 57 Durham Street, Flesherton Instagram: @coltonsgarage (519) 924-2323
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GREAT GIFT IDEAS FREIBURGER WELDING Customers have the opportunity to see a digital proof before their designs are made and Freiburger Welding will ship your order right to your door upon completion or you’re welcome to pick it up at their shop if you need an excuse for a beautiful country drive. In an era where just about everything is made in China, why not support a small, family-run business and go with made in Ontario this Christmas? ORDER YOUR CUSTOM ONE-OF-A-KIND GIFT www.freiburgerwelding.ca krissy@freiburgerwelding.ca Instagram: @freiburgerwelding (519) 881-1932 By: Papa Country
Since we’re all spending more time at home this year, and quite possibly next, why not take this opportunity to beautify your abode with a touch of country charm? Pictured above is a custom-made, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind piece manufactured by Freiburger Welding. Based in Walkerton, Freiburger Welding was started in 1946 and is family-run to this day. With a focus on craftsmanship and customer service, Freiburger’s business (and products) have stood the test of time. We caught up with Krissy Freiburger, granddaughter of the company’s founder and daughter of its current owner, Ken, to talk about why her family’s business should become part of your family this Holiday season. “Our pieces are made to order and we can customize just about anything you’d like,” she explains. “From welcome signs and home decor items, to custom fire pit rings...if you can think it, we can make it.” 22
Designed in Flesherton | Produced in Dundalk
ORDER NOW ON INSTAGRAM @greycountyapparel
www.apparelco.ca
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
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Written by Rebekah Wilson
Beautifully Illustrated by her father and Priceville resident
Jeffrey Wilson
STORIES FROM THE FIELD DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE!
A Bucket-List Guided Hunting Experience in Grey County Courtesy of Grey Bruce Outfitters By: Papa Country 4:44 AM. Thanksgiving Sunday 2020. I wake up a minute before my alarm was set to go off. It’s two degrees above zero, and I couldn’t be happier to venture out into the dark. I’m going hunting! Filled with anticipation as I embark upon my first guided hunting experience, something I’ve had on my Bucket List ever since I started to hunt about 6 years ago, I sneak ever so quietly out of the house so as not to alarm either of our two dogs and wake up my wife or children. For if I did, this could be my last hunt. The pressure is on. I make it successfully to my truck with a togo cup of coffee and my Hatsan Magnum 12-gauge in hand - safely stored with a trigger lock in its case. While I wait for the windows to defog, I flick on the radio and Bon Jovi’s lyrics, “Shot Through The Heart” fill the cold air in the cab of my F-150. A good omen if ever there was one. With windows now sufficiently defogged, I set out down our driveway, open our gate taking every precaution not to rattle the chain and alarm the dogs (I’m still not out of the woods), and off I go...down West Back Line on my way to a farmer’s field somewhere just north of Holstein. The short but exhilarating drive took all but 23 minutes. Needless to say, I was early. Not long after I arrived, though, our guide 24
and owner of Grey Bruce Outfitters, Steve Todtz rolled up in his truck with trailer in tow. His words from the night before kept ringing in my ears: “Bring lots of shells!” Excited to meet Steve in person after having talked on the phone several times in preparation for today’s hunt, we greeted each other in the customary fashion; a smile and elbow bump. After a quick introduction to my hunting mates for the day, Steve got right to work setting out dozens of the highest quality goose and duck decoys in and around the pond over which we were about to hunt. Two blinds were subsequently set up to house us, complete with natural cover in the form of fresh-cut reeds and tall grasses. A turn-key set-up. All we had to do was pull up a comfy seat and wait for legal light. Two minutes before we were allowed to shoot, a flock of mallards came screaming by us on our right flank. Handcuffed (not literally), my blindmates and I watched as their green heads passed swiftly (and very closely) overhead. We were ready to rock! Minutes later, after some incredible calling by Steve and his right-hand-man, Chad (a fine lad from Newfoundland), flock after flock of geese poured out of the sky upon us. Steve wasn’t kidding when he told me to bring lots of shells. It wasn’t long that my ears were ringing from the volley of shot-
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GREY BRUCE OUTFITTERS DELIVERS BIG TIME. gun blasts ringing out in the morning sky as the sun slowly rose. Geese were dropping and they just kept coming. Everything seemed to happen so fast. Bang! Bang! Bang! Reload. Repeat. In the process, Liam, a young hunter from Kitchener-Waterloo, downed his first goose - geese to be exact. As did I. As I mentioned, I’m relatively new to hunting. I’ve shot at a few birds but never hit one. Until now. With my first goose down, I’m feeling the rush. Bang! Bang! Click! What! Click! NO!!! And then my gun breaks. Yep, no word of a lie. Geese and ducks are coming at us from all angles and I can’t do anything about it. My blindmates are downing birds right, left, and centre, literally. I’m stuck holding what is now just a 7 pound piece of metal. Dejected and rather embarrassed for having brought a spoon to a gunfight, I sit quietly at my end of the blind. Brad, an older fellow to my left notices me cursing my gun as I try fiddling with it in the hopes that I’ll somehow miraculously get it to work. Just then, Steve takes advantage of the lull in the action and walks over to me, hands me his Browning 12-gauge and says, “Here.
Try this.” As if he just lent me his gun. What kind of guide does that? Truthfully, I don’t know. I was just grateful to be back in the hunt. With an operable shotgun in hand, another influx of birds comes our way. Bang! Bang! Spash! Splash! Then I hear Steve yell, “Someone get that duck!” I look to my right and see a lone mallard flying away from us. I wield the much lighter loaned gun over my right shoulder and: Bang! Down it went. “Nice shot!” Yelled Steve from the opposite end of the blind. “Now, I’m gonna need that gun back. Don’t suppose you brought a camera?” He said smiling as he walked over with an outstretched hand. That marked the end of my hunt shooting birds and the beginning of my hunt shooting photos. Grateful to be a part of such a wonderful hunt, I happily snapped photos as more and more geese and ducks answered the call and swooped in to land in front of our blind. Snap! Snap! Snap! Splash!
Cont’d on next page 26
Relegated to shooting photos, Papa Country captures some exciting moments of the hunt as his blindmates do all the dirty work. Supporting Local Businesses In Grey Highlands
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STORIES FROM THE FIELD CONT’D
Steve Todtz, Owner of Grey Bruce Outfitters, gets a workout retrieving birds (lots and lots of them) from a pond near Holstein. It’s now roughly 10 AM and we’ve just about harvested our limit of geese. With Chad and Steve’s skilled calling, and Liam’s accurate shooting, we’re done downing geese for the day. The birds take a bit of a hiatus, allowing us to have a few laughs. I yell over to Steve: “Is it always like this?” I ask. To which he replied without hesitation: “Yep! This is my life.” Just then, another group of ducks raced towards us. I reached for my gun...oh, yeah. I grabbed my camera instead and started shooting. More bangs and more splashes. As Steve put his chest waders to the test collecting the downed birds from the pond, we decided to call it a day and pack it in. A successful hunt, indeed. We collected the decoys and packed away the blinds in the trailer, congratulated one another, and snapped a quick pic for posterity over the day’s harvest. I thanked Steve for the opportunity and hopped back in the truck with my share of birds to show for my absence on Thanksgiving Sunday morning. I flicked the radio back on and was happy to hear Guns ‘N Roses singing “Paradise City”. 26
Take me home... For a fella new to country life, I didn’t think this day could get any better. But what happened next truly amazed me and is what I think I’ll remember most about this hunt. I rolled into my driveway around 11:30 AM. The adrenaline was starting to wear off and I was feeling somewhat fatigued. My boys (8 and 2 years old), however, were very excited to see me and their reaction to what was lying in the bed of my truck got me pretty pumped up. Neither were scared, put off, or otherwise upset at the fact that there were dead geese and ducks on my tailgate. In fact, they both helped me clean the birds which made for a very proud moment as a father. Admittedly, there are still feathers up near our barn, but we also have 25 pounds of meat in our freezer. Thanks to Steve at Grey Bruce Outfitters for a memorable experience and another check off my Bucket List. But most of all, for the very unexpected opportunity to bond with my sons; something I’ll never forget. BOOK YOUR HUNT WITH GREY BRUCE OUTFITTERS www.greybruceoutfitters.com Instagram: @greybruceoutfitters (519) 889-1382
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Speaking Volumes Books and Audio
The Best Little Used Bookstore You've Never Been In 12 Toronto St. Flesherton, Ontario 905-719-8878 manager@speakingvolumesbooks.ca
@speakingvolumesflesherton
THE ARTS FLESHERTON CALLING Where are you now? What place do you find yourself? Is it one of your own choosing? I’ve been thinking recently about the notion of place, and what it means. For the better part of our lives, we don’t get to make a choice over the place we inhabit. It is dictated at birth by choices made by our parents, or at least our mothers. The necessity of remaining in that place throughout our infancy would be determined by the demands of employment for one or both parents. The selection of school you attend would most likely have been made based on proximity to where you reside. Your high school could take you a little further afield, but not by much. University options were probably governed by your grades, your financial status, the courses offered, distance, limits placed on the number of institutions you could reasonably apply to, and the even smaller number that might want you. All in all, it is safe to say that you will spend a great deal of time in your life in a place not of your own choosing, wondering about the sort of place you might choose if given the opportunity. That is, unless you were able to run away at an early age and join the circus. However, that makes it highly unlikely that you would be where you are, reading the inaugural edition of a publication that celebrates all things related to this place, the area within the confines of Grey and Bruce Counties. In my own case, I spent most of my life in Hamilton, a city I love, with four years in the Kitchener-Waterloo area earning a degree, and eight more in Victoria, B.C., leading to another degree, a long apprenticeship in writing and producing theatre, a passion for film, and many close friendships. I sold one of the plays I wrote to television at CHCH-TV in Hamilton, and I returned home in 1987 to co-produce it, became involved in the theatre scene there, met my wife, Mary-Jo, and began to raise a family together. In 2011, as the last of our children was well into her teens, we began the search for the place we would choose to live. After looking for a year, we chose a log home not far from Flesherton. It had everything we were looking for--- a springfed pond, arable land, and acres of forest. We found the community to be welcoming, 28
KEVIN ARTHUR LAND
Owner, Speaking Volumes Books and Audio 12 Toronto Road, Flesherton kevinarthurland@gmail.com www.kevinarthurland.ca
but I was disappointed at what I anticipated would prove to be a scarcity of cultural activity. I was sadly mistaken. In my first couple of months, I attended the annual Priceville fireworks and Dusk Dances Festival in Flesherton. I became part of a committee led to the formation of what is now the “Grey Highlands Cultural Channel”, toured various art galleries in the area and heard live music at the Bicycle Café. It became clear to me that this was an area punching above its weight in arts activity. I look forward to exploring the artistic life throughout Grey-Bruce every month, and hope you will accompany me on the journey. Kevin Arthur Land is a playwright, screenwriter, arts educator, and the owner of Speaking Volumes Books and Audio in Flesherton. kevinarthurland.ca
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