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MASTHEAD EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS AAKASH P. DASAI JENNY JELEN Markdale Resident and Deputy Mayor Author, Journalist and Horse of the Municipality of Grey Highlands Trainer / Coach with a Writing Habit JENNIFER THOMPSON Markdale Resident and Owner of L & W Bookkeeping Professionals
ALEX RUFF Member of Parliament for the Riding of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
JEFF WILSON Priceville Resident and Accomplished Cartoonist, Blogtoonist & Illustrator
LORRAINE IRWIN Rocklyn Resident and Owner of Pure Music Garlic Products
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 ROBERT IANTORNO Community and Heritage Curator, South Grey Museum in Flesherton
519.216.7287 agcojeff@gmail.com Mulmur, ON
BILL WALKER Member of Provincial Parliament for the Riding of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound.
Fencing Animal Feed & Bedding Custom Woodworking Equine Sales & Training
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Spring is right around the corner! With Spring coming soon, this becomes an ideal time to buy and sell in Grey County. I can help you start your journey into spring on a new path. If you have any questions, please let me know how I can help. from
Reuben McCallum Sales Representative
High Country Reality Inc., Brokerage and the rest of the
www.reubenmccallum.com
519.477.0418
ALEX RUFF WELCOME MESSAGE
ALEX RUFF
MP for the Riding of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound 2021 represents a new year, full of new opportunities and hope. 2020 certainly challenged all of us in unique ways, but there was still much to celebrate. One of the big milestones we saw in 2020 was that a record number of women now hold seats in the House of Commons. There are officially 100 women who represent ridings from across the country. This is notable as we approach the 100-year anniversary of an important milestone in women’s suffrage in Canada, the year when the majority of women could vote and run in federal elections.
organizations like electHer that aims to increase female representation in municipal politics here in Bruce-Grey by connecting aspiring women with some of the great women role models who are representing their constituents in municipal offices throughout Bruce and Grey Counties.1
It was in 1921 that the first woman, Agnes Macphail, was elected to the House of Commons and she served as an MP until 1940. Born in Grey County, and attending Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute, Agnes was first elected to federal politics to represent the riding of Grey Southeast and would later represent the Grey-Bruce riding. Although I’m sure that we wouldn’t have agreed on all issues, Agnes worked hard to represent farmers and rural interests in Ottawa. She knew what mattered to rural communities and she was instrumental in the establishment of old age pensions, a cause I know continues to resonate with many constituents.
As the father of a seven-year-old daughter, I am glad she has these incredible role models of women who came before her and whose stories can show her that she can achieve anything she puts her mind to.
As I reflect on all of Agnes’ accomplishments, I notice similar themes and challenges for politicians today as were faced by MP Macphail. She represented her constituents at a time of recovery for Canada; the Great War had ended 3 years prior, while the Spanish Flu had imposed further challenges for Bruce and Grey counties for at least a further year. She also championed youth and female political participation. Today her legacy and work continue, through
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Agnes’ campaign to Ottawa was not easy. Her party tried to remove her as a candidate and despite being known to have no problem trudging through the mud on farms to secure voters, one farmer was quoted in a newspaper as saying “What, are there no men left?”2
Agnes’ firsts did not end with being elected to Canadian Parliament. She was the first woman to represent Canada at the League of Nations and one of the first women to be elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1943. East York Mayor Michael Prue proclaimed March 24th Agnes Macphail Day in 1993. Agnes Macphail’s legacy makes me proud and privileged to represent a riding with rich ties to one of Canada’s trailblazing women. As always it is an honour to serve you,
Alex Ruff MSC, CD MP, ,Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound alex.ruff@parl.gc.ca 1 https://www.electhernow.ca/ 2https://www.cpac.ca/en/programs/tellingtimes/episodes/21254203/
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
TABLE OF CONTENTS MARCH 2021 PUBLISHER’S NOTE...p8 Celebrating 100 years since Agnes Macphail was elected as Canada’s first female MP. HISTORY...p11 Read what Robert “Museum Rob” Iantorno has to say about the tenacious Agnes Macphail.
GREY COUNTY LIFE...p12 Reuben McCallum says: “Spring is Near!” Is he right? We sure hope so! COVER STORY...p16 Barry Penhale pens this month’s cover story as we honour the Lady from Grey. HELLO COUNTRY KIDS...p18 Watch out! Big Brother is back with a feature about Flesherton’s famous Jolley’s Dairy Bar! FARM LIFE...p24
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE is the only free, monthly magazine of its kind focused on life in Grey Highlands. It’s delivered by Canada Post to homes and farms with Kimberley, Markdale, Flesherton, Heathcote & Priceville addresses. Copies are available for pick-up at selected local businesses in Grey County. We capture life in Grey Highlands by highlighting the many positive contributions to our community by local farmers, business owners, elected officials, and residents. Hello Country is proudly independent and published from a barn / pick-up truck / stable / home office just outside beautiful Flesherton, Ontario!
Lorraine Irwin continues her series with The Life Of A Garlic Farmer Part 2.
From our family to yours, we thank you very much for reading!
CARTOON...p30 Priceville’s Jeff Wilson contemplates what Agnes Macphail might think of today’s world.
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE HONOURING AGNES Thank you for reading our March edition!
Photo: Jenny Jelen
As we grow the publication to include more and more Farms and Homes across Grey Highlands, I’m happy to report that the feedback I’ve been receiving has been entirely positive. This, being our fourth edition, is my favourite so far. That’s because of how the whole thing came together. It all started with a conversation I had in Flesherton with Gary Ikona, owner of the lovely Artemesia Cheese & Fine Food.
PAPA COUNTRY
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Gary asked me if I had ever spoken to Jane Gibson and Barry Penhale. They’re local publishers and are very involved in the community, he told me. My answer was no. That evening, Gary sent an email introducing me to Jane and Barry. A phone conversation followed and the idea of featuring Agnes Macphail on our cover was birthed. Fast forward four months and here we are. The inspiring work of local designer/artist Holger Majorahn now graces this month’s cover. You may recognize Holger from his work at Arts on Ten in Flesherton. In conjunction with the Friends of the South Grey Museum, this month’s cover story tells the story of the work of art that was inspired by Agnes Macphail and celebrates the 100 years since she was elected as Canada’s first female Member of Parliament.
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Publishing this edition was, more than most, a team effort and I’d like to extend my sincerest thanks to Jane Gibson and to Barry Penhale for their help in making it a reality. True professionals, it was an honour to work with Jane and Barry and I’m pleased to be able to celebrate such a monumentally important figure in Canada’s history, as well as the history of Grey County. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy this edition of Hello Country,
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COMMUNITY A TRIBUTE TO MS. MACPHAIL As the Member of Provincial Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, it is my great pleasure to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ms. Agnes Macphail being first elected to the House of Commons. Ms. Macphail was a true pioneering trail blazer, becoming the first woman elected to the House of Commons in 1921. She served federally until 1940 and then was one of the first two women elected to the Ontario legislature in 1943. She served a total of nine years in the House of Commons and five years as a member of the Ontario legislature. Agnes Macphail was a strong and passionate advocate for her constituency and, in particular, the farming families of her community. She was a symbol of hope and equal rights for many across our local area, province and the country. While serving in the Ontario legislature, she helped enact Ontario’s first equal pay legislation in 1951.
Ms. Macphail had a storied career in and out of politics. Born in 1890 in Proton Township, she grew up on her family’s farm and became involved in the farming issues of the day. She was a founding member of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (which became the NDP) and later was Canada’s first female member of our country’s delegation to the League of Nations. She was a true inspiration and left an indelible mark on our local, provincial and national history. It is an honour to follow her example and serve the great people of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. The remarkable legacy of Agnes Macphail will live on forever and we should all be very proud that this remarkable leader came from our area. Thank you,
Bill Walker MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
BILL
WALKER
MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound
519-371-2421 ▪ 1-800-461-2664 100 - 920 1st Avenue West Owen Sound, ON N4K 4K5 bill.walkerco@pc.ola.org www.billwalkermpp.com 10
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HISTORY AGNES TOOK NO GUFF Agnes spoke her mind and called “BS” when others wouldn’t (or couldn’t). She wasn’t gentle or mild mannered in her speech as was expected of women at the time. Instead, she was direct and pointy. And she needed to be, otherwise her dismissers would have successfully dismissed her (She was often mocked in the papers, for instance, as a “schoolmarm” because she chose to wear the same blue dress). Agnes was elected in 1921, the first election in which women in Canada were eligible to vote. She campaigned around Grey County in her old car that would frequently break down, and she would continue on foot. Raised on a Grey County farm, she was a strong advocate for farmers, and earned the vote despite of the prejudices against women at the time. She had radical ideas -including the notion that party politics got in the way of the best people for the job. And she fought hard for underrepresented groups such as women, prisoners and farmers. She earned respect with her tenacity, honesty and wit. She believed that men and women must be treated equally. Agnes took no guff.
Studio portrait taken in Ottawa shortly after her election to Parliament in 1921 Photo supplied by The Grey Roots Archival Collection Robert Iantorno Community & Heritage Curator South Grey Museum (519) 924 - 2843
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GREY COUNTY LIFE SPRING IS NEAR! Inspired by the sun, longer days, and a homesteading and survivalist book we bought, my fiancee and I decided it was a great time to grow some veggies at home.
REUBEN MCCALLUM
I have done my own veg gardens off and on for a few years now. We navigated the learning curve of curbside pick-up from the hardware and co-op stores and got the supplies we needed to build 3 raised boxes - a great team-building exercise!
Sales Representative RE/MAX High Country Realty Inc., Brokerage facebook.com/reubenmccallumrealtor www.reubenmccallum.com (519) 477-0418 Spring is just around the corner and that is just…exciting! For me, this Winter feels like it is dragging on a bit, but I guess it always feels that way when we get to this point in the season. I remember last Spring we were all just getting used to the idea of lockdowns, closures, and cancellations. With all the uncertainty, there was a short period where our Real Estate market slowed (or as close to slow as you can imagine in this craziness) and I found myself with more time on my hands.
I always get satisfaction from picking and eating our own produce and the thrill never gets old. I can not say we were overly successful but we tried and we were able to have a few dinners supplemented with our own produce. It does taste different, it tastes better! Maybe I will post some pictures as we get working on our plan for Spring 2021. If you do not grow your own produce, you will have to visit some local farmer’s markets this year and buy some and do the taste test for yourself. Whatever you are looking forward to this Spring, I hope you are successful and if you a ready to make a spring move, I am ready to help!
www.apparelco.ca 12
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
FOOD & DRINK (& MORE) SUSAN’S DELI
Agnes Macphail would feel right at home at Susan’s Deli
If Agnes Macphail were alive today, she would most definitely feel right at home at Susan’s Delicatessen in Markdale.
You can! I’m not making this stuff up.
No?
Susan’s has morphed into what I like to call “The Markdale General” - a one-stopshop for all things local and artisan. From handmade pottery, personal hygiene products, and even apparel items imported from Dundalk; to fruits, vegetables and various delicacy items that I’m not allowed to talk about.
That’s because it’s not true. I just made it up.
But that’s not all.
But, if Agnes were around today, I’d like to think she’d be pleased to see so many female business owners across Grey County and right here in Grey Highlands her old stomping ground. She’d probably like the Tarts, too.
Susan’s also carries the coolest, most hipster-esque decor items like their Markdale pennants so you can show your love for local.
Here’s a little-known fact about Agnes... Did you know that she loved, more than anything, a good Portuguese Tart?
We’ve been featuring some of the fantastic food items available at Susan’s Deli in the last few editions, but did you know that you can buy more than frozen meals, baked goods, coffee, sandwiches, and charcuterie trays? No?
So the next time you head into Markdale, think Susan’s. And the next time you head into Susan’s, think food, drink...and more! By: Papa Country SUSAN’S DELICATESSEN 15 Main Street West, Markdale www.susansmarkdale.com Instagram: @susans.deli (519) 270-1520
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WELLNESS SELF REFLECTION & SELF LOVE How often have you had a negative feeling in the last year? With the current pandemic, it may be a regular occurrence. This can take the form of stress, anxiety, fear, sadness to name a few. These are general terms, and we sometimes express our feelings with these labels. With these big general terms, sometimes it can make things feel difficult to move beyond. Let’s talk about how self reflection can help move you forward and help point you towards solutions. With all that is going on, you may find that you can feel the big emotions - “frustrated”, “angry”, “stressed out”, etc. Now that you have identified an emotion, have you ever asked yourself “What specifically is the root cause of this feeling?”. Working down from a big idea, down to the specific root cause can help to pinpoint solutions or actions to change how you are feeling. An even better way of asking this question is “What is the positive intention behind this feeling?”. The answer that you get may not be the one you initially expected. Doing this successfully relies on 2 things: 1) Understanding that your unconscious mind will always answer and speak honestly, and 2) The intention of the unconscious mind is always to protect you and to do something positive for you. Understand that the negative feelings or emotions are signals from your body, or your unconscious mind, that is offering you some kind of protection. Even with the positive intention behind that feeling, the resulting action may not seem to be beneficial to you on the surface, but understanding this will bring awareness to the solution of your problem. If you think about it, you’ll realize that your body and mind are made to identify when things go “wrong” so you can address them, and can easily ignore when things are going right. Think about your heart beat: when things are calm and going well, you likely don’t notice your heart beating, but when you are startled by something, you can instantly feel your heart pounding. Of course, you’re always in control of this focus, either consciously or unconsciously. That’s exactly why you can begin to notice the feeling of your eyes blinking, now. 14
JONATHAN NHAN
Co-Founder, Curate and Upgrade
The lesson here is that negative feelings fear, anger, sadness, trauma, grief - these are all names we give to the signals our body produces for us to alert us of potential danger. It’s funny that when our body tries to alert us to something like this, a common reaction is to look away and ignore. In times where there is stress and uncertainty, being able to look at the feelings and look past them to the positive intentions will help you understand and accept them. The questions above are merely a starting point for self reflection and I continue to find these questions useful for myself and my clients. There are many different manifestations of self love, and in this specific case, I am thinking of self love for yourself to accept the parts of you sending these signals - really love them for the good they do for you, and also the act of taking time for yourself - to truly care for yourself.
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
Jonathan Nhan Co-Founder Curate and Upgrade www.curateandupgrade.ca
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L e t ’s Gitter Done
COVER STORY AGNES: THE LADY FROM GREY “A women’s place is anywhere she wants to be.” - Agnes Campbell Macphail The recent passing of the extraordinary stage and film actor Christopher Plummer has been deservedly well-documented. Many theatre critics have commented that we may never see his like again. The same can be said for another great Canadian, one Agnes Macphail, often referred to as the most important woman in public life that Canada produced in the 20th century. This is a particularly apt time in our history to be reminded that while Canadian women gained the right to vote in 1918, it is Grey County’s Agnes Macphail who ushered in a new era in Canadian politics in 1921. The first Canadian woman to be elected federally, she is also considered the first of two women elected to the Ontario Legislature in 1943. A teacher, journalist, orator, and lifelong champion of human rights, her successful trailblazing opened political doors for other women to follow. Agnes, a country girl from rural Grey County, entered this world on March 24, 1890, in what then was Proton Township. For her, the only woman among 11 candidates at the September 26, 1921 nomination meeting in Durham, Ontario, to emerge as the South-East Grey candidate for the United Farmers of Ontario/ Progressive Party was no small feat! It occurs to me that such a consummate professional as Plummer would have genuinely appreciated Agnes Macphail’s natural oratory and her witticism that enthralled audiences wherever she appeared during many years as a greatlyin-demand public lecturer. Widely touted as one of the great orators of her time, her speaking engagements were regularly booked by the same theatrical agency that handled Thornton Wilder, Thomas Mann, and Winston Churchill. While Plummer and Macphail may represent different times, as public figures both during their lifetimes had to endure media-perpetuated images not to their liking. In the noted actor’s case, it proved impossible to not be largely remembered as Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music. For Agnes it was a 16
lifetime of continually being identified as the staid, sharp-tongued, unmarried woman from rural Ontario — she of the practical coat and sensible shoes! The early media fuss over whether she would wear a hat when rising to speak in the House of Commons rather than giving attention to her groundbreaking role set the stage for ongoing heckling. Rightfully tired of being pictured as a spinster whom love had passed by, Macphail was to have the last laugh when she gave her papers to the National Archives, old love letters included, accompanied by instructions that they be read. It boggles the mind to imagine what the 31-year-old Agnes Macphail was up against, not only in her earliest years in politics but also during the many challenging years that followed. Not only had voters initially scoffed at her chances, other women included, but campaigning across such a wide-spread riding was exhausting and at times perilous, particularly when travelling by horse and cutter throughout the seemingly neverending Grey County winters. But Agnes, a tireless and powerful advocate for the United Farmers of Ontario, was made of good stuff and not one to shy away from adversity. A copy, now in my possession of “My Ain Folk” the brief unpublished family history written by Agnes c. 1950, emphasizes the importance of her Scottish roots and the benefits of being raised in an independent household. “My sisters and I were taught to control our feelings, and Mother seldom sympathized with childish hurts, or the troubles of older life either.” Asked once about her courage when confronted regularly with unflattering newspaper coverage for stands she had taken in the House of Commons, the place men had long considered their own, Macphail replied, “I have no consciousness of being brave, but if I am, I get it from my Mother. She was a Campbell.” Fortunately, Agnes was also favoured with the “gift of gab,” a characteristic amply possessed by her Ceylon, Ontario, farmer/auctioneer father Dougald. The talent would stand her in good stead when confronted by hecklers at heated political rallies, and it wasn’t long before she became a draw when on the stage with competing politicians —all
HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
By: Barry Penhale, Friends of the South Grey Museum
men. For 15 of the 19 years she served in Ottawa, Agnes was the only woman out of 244 members. Many an opponent wished they were somewhere else when Agnes spoke. Her often scathing retorts led to an entire arsenal of Macphail quotations that continue to delight to this day — a personal favourite of mine being: “I’m no lady, I’m an MP.” Through National Film Board documentaries and as the subject of numerous published biographies, Agnes Macphail’s exceptional life, comprised of countless accomplishments, is readily available to the public and warrants our attention in this the100th year since her election. If ever there was a time for true Canadian heroes it is now and there is no need to look further afield as our very own Agnes is “the real deal.” During the course of 2021 it is hoped that media and educators will be reintroducing Agnes to an entirely new generation just as Kamala Harris is being lauded for her recent “first” in the United States. One obvious resource is Curator Robert Iantorno of the South Grey Museum, along with several books for the Y/A readers written by Donna Mann and locally published by the Brucedale Press. The contributions to the betterment of Canadian society by Agnes Campbell
Designer/Artist Holger Majorahn, 2021 Macphail should not be relegated to forgotten past history. Her championing tirelessly for equal pay for equal work, striving for prison reform, co-founding of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Canada (which is still in existence today) along with her setting the stage for the introduction of old age pensions are but some of the notable accomplishments of the amazing “Lady from Grey.” So put on your Agnes T-shirt, grab your Agnes tote bag, and join with the Friends of the South Grey Museum as we celebrate our Agnes in this very special year, virtually and otherwise. And when conditions permit, get a breath of fresh air and enjoy the Macphail Commemorative Quilt, soon-to-be installed on the South Grey Museum exterior wall, the work of talented Flesherton-based artist/designer, Holger Majorahn of Arts on Ten, and made possible with support from the Municipality of Grey Highlands. In “My Ain Folk,” Agnes Macphail wrote about the close kinship she enjoyed with her father and the qualities she had inherited from both parents. It seems a fitting conclusion to this cover story to end with her own statement: “Perhaps if I owed him the ability to get into Parliament I owed her the ability to stand it when I got there.”
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HELLO COUNTRY KIDS I LOVE JOLLEY’S! Hi again, everybody! Thanks for reading my second installment of Hello Country Kids! I’d like to thank Rob from Jolley’s Dairy Bar & Video for sponsoring my article! In our house, when Daddy says the word “Jolley’s” my little brother and I yell: “ICE CREAM!!!” So, I guess you can say that Jolley’s = Ice Cream, right? Well, let me tell you, I went in there for the first time the other week (I always stayed in the truck when Daddy went in) and I was amazed at all the different things they have. I ran around the store and wanted everything. I’ve never seen so many movies before. When our internet slows down (it does this a lot), it would be nice to have some DVD’s to watch. Kids, you gotta check out Jolley’s. If not for the ice cream, go for all the other cool stuff they have.
Kids
W RD SEARCH For Word Search Answers please visit our website: www.hellocountry.ca
“Big Brother” showing some love for his pony, Cedar.
Speaking of ice cream (again), is it weird that I want to eat ice cream all year long? The winter can’t stop me! Ok, ok...enough about ice cream (for now). Check out this month’s word search below. It’s inspired by my new friend, Rob Jolley! By: Big Brother
Hey, Kids! What do you love about Grey Highlands? Write to me at hellocountrykids@gmail.com
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Find these words:
MOVIES SCOOPS MILK FOOD CHIPS CANDY ROB JOLLEY
Advertise in Hello Country Kids by emailing us at
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S ’ Y E L JOL DAIRY BAR 519.924.0230 & VIDEO The store with a little bit of everything!
We’re OPEN 9am-9pm, 364 days of the year! • For your last minute grocery needs • Competitive prices with local grocery chains • We scoop ice cream cones all year!
23 Collingwood St • Flesherton
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HELLO COUNTRY MAGAZINE
DEAR MIKE LETTER #3 Dear Mike, As usual, life has been crazy and busy, and it’s been over a month since I have had a chance to sit down and write this letter. As I mentioned last time, one of the guys at my new job, Tim, invited me to go to the gun range with him, and just like taking the Firearms Safety Course, it was an eyeopener! The range was located in a rural area northwest of the GTA. Tim had instructed me to call him when I arrived, and as I pulled up to the locked gate at the end of the driveway, I understood why. He came and let me in, and we drove past the security cameras and up to the clubhouse. We then went inside, and he had me sign in and record my (brand new!) gun license information in their logbook. Tim explained that they get periodically inspected by the Chief Firearms Officer. The Officer could show up unannounced at any time, and if anyone on the range at the time was not signed in, it could mean the end of his gun club. After the quick sign-in procedure, Tim gave me a tour of this impressive facility. The club had around 100 acres of land, with lots of different areas set up for different types of activities. There was an archery “action range”, where they had dozens of targets set up along a path through the forest, where shooters would go from station to station and try to make shots from different angles and distances at each station. They had a trap range – a traditional shotgun sport where the shooter tries to shoot clay targets fired from a throwing mechanism, and they had 30-meter and 100-meter rifle ranges, which is where Tim took me so we could try shooting his rifles. Before we got to shooting though, Tim had to go through the extensive rules and safety procedures for the range. The rifle range was set up with a firing line, benches in front of the firing line to shoot from, and a flag system for communication with the other shooters on the range. There was also a rule that there must be a designated Range Officer on duty at all times while the range was in use. This was not at all like you and I shooting bottles with my Uncle’s .22 at the cottage. The flag system was a
By: Brian Glassey
formalized way to ensure that all shooters were following the same procedure. When we got there, Tim asked the Range Officer to go to a red flag, thereby showing that the range was on a cease fire. The cease fire command meant that the range was closed temporarily for shooting, and the rule was that all shooters had to unload their firearms, open the actions on their guns, and were required to stay behind the shooting line. Handling of firearms on a red flag was strictly prohibited and would result in expulsion from the range if violated. Lastly, the Range Officer walked the line and made sure that everyone complied with the cease fire rules and confirmed that we were safe to go beyond the firing line and head down range to set up some targets. I was greatly relieved to know that someone was making sure that we were safe when we stepped in front of the firing line. Tim and I walked down range together. The range itself was essentially a valley, fully surrounded by 10 meter-high dirt berms. Just in front of the shooting benches, there were also “baffles” installed – these were plate metal barriers hung just above the level of the benches. The baffles, combined with the berms, ensured that no stray bullets could leave the range area. Tim also made sure to warn me not to shoot the baffles – if the Chief Firearms Officer inspected the range and found evidence that a baffle had been shot, the range would immediately be shut down, potentially for good. It was very clear that the club took safety extremely seriously, and Tim took great pride in telling me that shooting at a range in Canada was among the safest sporting activities available, with next to no injuries recorded. We set up our targets at 100 meters and walked back to the firing line. The Range Officer set the range to a green flag, meaning the range was “hot”, and it was legal to shoot again. Tim carefully pulled his .22 caliber rifle out of its case and made sure I knew that the ONLY direction that the gun was to ever be pointed in was down range. At no time did he, nor anyone else on the range point their guns at anything other than the targets that were set up, and the Range Officer kept a watchful eye on everyone to ensure these procedures
Supporting Local Farms & Businesses In Grey Highlands
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DEAR MIKE CONTINUED were being followed at all times. Tim had me set up behind his scoped rifle and try “dry firing” his gun so that I could get a feel for the trigger and make sure I was comfortable being behind the gun before actually shooting it. He then chambered one round. The .22lr caliber is a small bullet. Maybe 3cms long, and the .22 in the name means that it is .22 of an inch in diameter. Despite that diminutive size, at close range the .22 can be lethal. Tim is a big proponent of the .22lr round as a practice round, because it engrains all of the same skills and safety procedures as the larger centrefire rounds, but with less expense and recoil. He started me with a single round to make sure that I was following all of the best practices when it came to shooting. I am sad to say that I failed on that first round, because the first thing I did as I set up was to put my finger on the trigger. Tim gently corrected me, reminding me to keep my finger alongside the trigger guard until I was ready to actually take the shot. I really hadn’t realized just how much thought and attention was required to shoot safely! I was glad I had Tim as my mentor. I took my first shot through a scoped rifle – POP! Amazingly, I actually hit the target! In the middle! Well, middle-ish. Ha! Tim and I spent the next hour or so taking turns shooting the .22, with him showing me proper trigger technique, how to use my breathing to keep the scope stable while zoomed in, and just generally getting me comfortable behind the gun. By the end, I managed to get each of my groupings of ten rounds down to around 2 – 3 inches. Not bad, but Tim showed his expertise, easily cutting groups of less than an inch over and over again. Once Tim was comfortable with how I was handling the .22, he decided it was time to move up to something a little bigger. He put away the .22lr rifle and switched over to his .22-250. This is a caliber that has the same diameter of bullet, .22 of an inch, but packed into a MUCH larger casing with a LOT more gun powder, and it turned out to be an altogether different experience. (For reference, the .22lr rounds we were shooting were leaving the gun at around 1,200 feet per second, while the .22-250 round is moving at more 20
3,800 feet per second – faster than the speed of sound!) Tim set up behind the .22-250 and touched off the first round. BA-BOOM!!! The first round startled me with its violence and the visceral concussion of the round that I could feel in my chest from three meters away! Wow. I was shocked at how much of a difference there was between the two rounds. If the .22lr was a lady finger firecracker, the .22-250 was a commercial grade firework going off – one of those ones that is a small flash and gigantic boom. Tim expertly shot a sub one-inch 5-round group, and then it was my turn. I set up behind the rifle, more than a little trepidatious about what it was going to be like to shoot. Amazingly, even with my heart in my throat, I managed to again hit the target somewhere approaching centre on my first shot, and although the bang was incredibly loud, even with hearing protection on, there was surprisingly little recoil. We spent another half hour shooting the .22-250, and I found myself totally consumed in what I was doing – strangely, it was actually relaxing and almost a Zen-like experience because it required all of my attention, and I really enjoyed myself doing it. Find out what happens next in Dear Mike Letter #3 at www. hellocountry.ca
Since 2013
A Truly Ontario Grocery Store
Celebrating local Entrepreneurs & Products at:
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DB Trailblazers DESIGN . BUILD . MAINTAIN
Custom trail services bringing your vision to fruition. Whether you hike, bike, ATV, or ski we will create your perfect playground in your backyard.
SHOWCASE THE LAND YOU LOVE
TRAIL BUILDING & WILDSCAPING 519-447-4474 www.DBTrailblazers.ca
JENNIFER THOMPSON READY TO FILE? Or my personal favourite...the console in your car or truck? What if you could save all your receipts without actually physically hanging onto all that paper? Sounds like a dream, right? Welcome to the magic of Receipt Bank. My clients are set up with a dedicated repository for all of their business receipts. Call it an “online shoebox” if you will. All you do is take photos of your receipts and email them to a secure Receipt Bank address, and I do the rest. Simple, right?
JENNIFER THOMPSON
L & W Bookkeeping Professionals Congratulations!
You’ve just called your accountant with great news. Your 2020 taxes are ready to file. All the data is sitting in your new QuickBooks account and everything’s set to go. You’re so far ahead of schedule this year. Good for you!
This is just one of the tools I use to help keep my clients organized and save them time come tax season - which is now, by the way. Reading this, you might feel a sense of anxiety mixed with a dash of hope. Let’s focus on the hope you’re feeling.
You’re not ready to file your 2020 taxes?
There’s still time to work together to alleviate all the anxiety and frustration of preparing your books for tax time. Plus, I’ll help get you on the right track so that next year at this time you’ll be so much more organized and stress-free. More importantly, you’ll have a much clearer picture of your cashflow as well as the overall health of your business.
Well, I suppose you’re not alone.
Let’s talk and see how best I can help you.
Most people put off filing their taxes until the very last moment. And in a pandemic... it can be even later. I get it.
I’m just a phone call away.
What’s that?
Last year has to have been one of the toughest on record for a lot of folks financially. Although, some businesses have had their best year ever. Either way, preparing your books in advance of filing your taxes has never been more important.
L & W BOOKKEEPING PROFESSIONALS support@lwbookkeepingpro.com lwbookkeepingpro.com
That’s where I come in. Let’s talk about receipts for a second. Do you keep them? If so, where? Let me guess...an overflowing shoebox? Maybe a handful of overflowing envelopes? 22
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THE LIFE OF A GARLIC FARMER PART 2 Finding a cause. If you asked me what the future would be like when I was 8 years old, I probably would have told you we would all be travelling in space ships and living on the moon, there would be no diseases, no sick or hungry people, because we would all be helping each other out...a perfect world. I was a big dreamer but I do remember my mom used to say, “anyone can make a difference and everyone should try.” | wasn’t quite sure what she meant by that being so young, but now 45 years later I think I get it. I read somewhere that you can’t have a community without volunteers and Lord knows I come from a family of volunteers in some way or another. I only got to meet my Mom’s Great Grandfather once but there were plenty of stories and I learned that he actually volunteered to join the Canadian military in WW1 before he was conscripted and asked to be a “runner” on the front lines. If you don’t know what a runner was, they were military couriers responsible for carrying messages during the war and usually had one of the most dangerous jobs of delivering messages to their unit. I heard even though he was heavily decorated for his bravery, he felt he had a duty to his country. It was also just recently that I found out my Grandpa on my Dad’s side was a Dr. Barnardo boy. He was a poor young child in England and volunteered to come to Canada where he could work on farms and have a chance at a good life. I understood he was one of the lucky ones. I grew up knowing my Mom was a true volunteer and always lent a hand when in need. She was always asking me to stand outside of some bank or grocery store and hand out carnations or daffodils. She enrolled me in Girl Guides and I’m sure we sold more cookies than anyone else in the whole country only because she drove me everywhere. When she passed away, The Girl Guides of Canada even made her an honorary Girl Guide. She pushed me to volunteer as a candy striper and in one summer alone volunteered so many hours that I got a plaque and a personal letter from Pierre Elliot Trudeau himself. 24
PAUL & LORRAINE IRWIN Owners, Boars Rock Farm & Pure Music Garlic Products www.puremusicgarlic.com
Now with my own family growing up in Grey County, I hope I have instilled these values into our kids. Having gone through 4-H was one of the best things they could do for themselves. Not only did it teach them about their animal of choice but also about the heart of the community and what that means to people who can rely on a community. My favourite quote for volunteering is “if you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito”. Lorraine Irwin is a mother, a wife, a theatre buff and the owner of Pure Music Garlic Products. She makes all of her gourmet garlic products using Organic Garlic grown on their farm (Boars Rock Farm). Check out her ad on Page 7. PURE MUSIC GARLIC PRODUCTS puremusicgarlic@gmail.com puremusicgarlic.com @puremusicgarlic (519) 942-5410 BOARS ROCK FARM 136407 Grey Road 12, Grey Highlands boarsrockfarm.ca @boarsrockfarm
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Local Organic
Regenerative
GUIDED FARM TOURS • ORGANIC MEATS • FARM-TO -TABLE DINING
FARM STORE THURS 10 - 6, FRI 10 - 6 & SAT 10 - 2
www.goodfamilyfarms.ca @goodfamilyfarmstore
157366 7th Line, Meaford ON
TRACTOR TALK WITH TYSON RIER When looking to purchase a compact tractor, there are many options and things to consider. For starters, you should think about what you need the tractor for both now and in the future. Also, consider your land. Are there hills? Soft or slick areas? How about snowdrifts? Will you need implements like mower decks, loaders, and rear attachments such as rotary cutters, snowblowers, or box blades? All of these considerations will help us at Huron Tractor size the proper tractor for your needs. Other things to consider are some features that make projects go a little easier. Things like our quick park loader and drive-over auto connect mower deck make taking the loader or mower deck on or off a breeze. No other manufacturers have features that work as well. If you’ve ever tried it the “old” way, you’ll definitely appreciate the new “easy” way! Another point to consider is service. With Huron Tractor’s 11 locations, we have the parts and know-how to keep your tractor performing at its best.
TYSON RIER
Salesman Huron Tractor - Chatsworth 226.668.8757 And finally, the elephant in the room; the price! Owning a tractor is more affordable than you might think. Not only do John Deere tractors hold their value, they also offer great incentives and even 0% financing OAC. If this sounds exciting, don’t hesitate to drop in and see me (Tyson) at Huron Tractor in Chatsworth or call me at (226) 668-8757.
0% for 60 Months¹ 1 Series 23-25 HP 1023E and 1025R Sub-Compact Utility Tractors
THE 1 TO GE T THINGS DONE. CHATSWORTH | 802802 Grey Road 40 | (519) 794-2480
HuronTractor.com | The Right Choice 1)Offer available 02 February 2021 through 03 May 2021. 0% purchase financing for 60 months on new John Deere Compact Tractors. Down payment may be required. Representative Amount Financed (“RAF”): $30,000, at 0% APR/ACR, monthly payment is $500 for 60 months, total obligation is $30,000, credit charges/cost of borrowing based on RAF is $28. Monthly payments/cost of borrowing/credit charges will vary depending on amount borrowed/down payment. MSRP cash price based on highest priced product in the series as of January 1, 2021: $51,398 (includes estimated delivery, freight, set-up and a $50 documentation fee), plus taxes. Minimum finance amount may be required; representative amount does not guarantee offer applies. The charge for amounts past due is 24% per annum. Dealers free to set individual prices. Additional dealer fees may apply. Financing on approved John Deere Financial credit only and dealer participation. Contact your dealer for details. May not be combined with other offers. Discounts or other incentives may be available for cash purchases. By selecting the purchase financing offer, consumers may be foregoing such discounts and incentives which may result in a higher effective interest rate. Manufacturer’s estimate of power (ISO) per 97/68/EC
THE ARTS FLESHERTON CALLING Although you might know you are an artist, you may not know what kind of artist you are. The lines between disciplines have long been blurred. Actors are painters, directors are sculptors, pianists are singers, and everybody is a writer. When he was four or five, while he was living in the U.K., Michael Copeman saw Mary Martin perform Peter Pan at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool. It was then that he knew he wanted to be a dancer, to fly. Many years later, more than a decade after arriving in Canada on the Empress of Scotland, he got his first taste of life as a practising artist. As a teenager, he got a job with Youth Arts in Halifax for $40 a week. There he was given the opportunity to play in multiple disciplines---- dance, theatre, and music. The groundwork laid here would come in handy a few years later when he was living in Fort St. James B.C. There, he attended a performance by Nikolais Dance Theater from New York, which featured founder Alwin Nikolais’ electronic musical compositions, visual projections, and his telltale integration of sound, colour and shape. The next day he was attending a Master Class given by Nikolais himself, and Copeman realized as he studied the members of his troupe, he had the necessary skills. He just needed the training. Michael returned to Halifax to continue his apprenticeship in dance. He trained at the Halifax Dance Co-op and drove a cab to keep food on the table. In 1975, he attended the Annual Dance in Canada Conference in Halifax where he saw Danny Grossman’s “Higher” with Judy Hendon. This led him to move to Toronto to continue his studies at the Toronto Dance Theatre. Before long, he was invited to work with Marie Marchowsky, a former dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company in New York. This led to a tour with Danny Grossman’s touring company and various other Toronto choreographers. It also led to the chief pitfall of the professional dancer--- injury. Before long, Michael had expanded his artistic expression into theatre. He took jobs at Factory Theatre and Theatre Passe Muraille in all areas from performance to backstage to tech and front of house. As most people working in the theatre will tell you, it may be immensely satisfying, but it won’t make you rich. The film work he began to get helped to supplement his income.
accident. While working for Clarke Rogers at Theatre Passe Muraille, he drove a van full of musical instruments to the area, along with actors Gary Farmer and Graham Greene. They were being donated to Kimbercote, located somewhere between Kimberly and Heathcote. It was a school whose mandate was to provide exposure to the arts for individuals from a marginalized population. In 1991, Copeman bought a home in Euphrasia, where he still lives. Over his career, Michael has appeared in over 120 film and television productions, including a recent role in Hallmark’s “When Hope Calls”. Local audiences remember him from the annual “Dusk Dances” in Flesherton as well as his one man show, “Years Went By”, performed at the Bicycle Café. And he still uses the ballet bar he put up in his house, so he does not forget where he began. Kevin Arthur Land is a playwright, screenwriter, arts educator, and the owner of Speaking Volumes Books and Audio in Flesherton. www.kevinarthurland.ca
KEVIN ARTHER LAND Owner, Speaking Volumes Books & Audio 12 Toronto Street, Flesherton kevinarthurland@gmail.com
He fell in love with Grey Highlands quite by
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Apparel Company Celebrating Beaver Valley
SKI SERIES
HOODIES FOR SALE Exclusively at
Susan’s Delicatessen
15 Main St. West, Markdale www.susansmarkdale.com
Celebrating O n t a r i o ’s Ski Culture
