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MAGAZINE
Supporting Local Farmers & Businesses In Grey Highlands
www.hellocountry.ca
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018
est. 2
SHOWCASE THE LAND YOU LOVE
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MASTHEAD EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS MICHELLE PATEY JENNY JELEN Administrator at the Grey Highlands Author, Journalist and Horse Chamber of Commerce. Trainer / Coach with a Writing Habit ALEXIS BRENNER Grey County Resident & Co-Owner of DB Trailblazers
TYSON RIER Sales Representative for Huron Tractor in Chatsworth
JEFF WILSON Priceville Resident and Accomplished Cartoonist, Blogtoonist & Illustrator
LORRAINE IRWIN Rocklyn Resident and Owner of Pure Music Garlic Products
LOUELLA MARTIN KEVIN ARTHUR LAND Markdale resident and co-owner of Arts Educator and Owner of Speaking Azure Highlands Homestead 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 TALISA HASKINS ERIC ROBERTSON Lifelong Resident of Grey Highlands & Flesherton Resident & Registered Broker at Grey County Real Estate Inc. Psychotherapist ROBERT IANTORNO Curious fellow, Resident of Singhampton
JASON TODOROFF Barrister & Solicitor; and Resident of Holland Centre
Cover Photo Credit: Mary Harrison, Priceville Resident
519.216.7287 agcojeff@gmail.com Mulmur, ON
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home
a story of who we are, a collection of things we love.
I can help your story begin.
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Services: • Family Law • Criminal Law •Notary Public
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TABLE OF CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2021 THANK YOU!...p9
Papa Country offers his gratitude in celebration of Hello Country Magazine’s 1st Anniversary!
THE COUNTY LIFE: DESTINATIONS...p14 Featuring The Barrhead in Markdale. NOW OPEN!
FEATURE: JOE SCULLY...p16
A story about a guy from Flesherton. There’s more to it than that...
WELLNESS...p22
Flesherton Psychotherapist, Talisa Haskins talks about PTSD as we pause to remember.
ROBERT IANTORNO... p24
Grey County’s own Robert Iantorno takes us back to the old school with this month’s installment of The [re]CALL Project Podcast.
COVER STORY ...p26
Remembering Canada’s Heroes.
HOUSING UPDATE... p30
Grey County Real Estate Inc.’s Eric Robertson shares his insights into the housing market in Grey County.
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, Maxwell, Singhampton, and Priceville addresses, as well as every business in Grey Highlands. Copies are also available for pick-up at selected local businesses. 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 in beautiful Flesherton, Ontario! From our family to yours, we thank you very much for reading! No part of this publication in any of its forms may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE REMEMBRANCE DAY EDITION Hi, there and thank you for reading our Remembrance Day edition. I’d like to start by saying thank you to Mary Harrison of Priceville for allowing me to publish one of her amazing photos for our cover. It’s a perfect shot for this edition. Thank you, Mary! This month’s cover story is short and to the point. I hope you appreciate its sentiment. You can find it on page 26.
Photo: Jenny Jelen
Check out our feature on Flesherton’s Joe Scully - a cowboy, rodeo announcer, drone pilot and real estate photographer. It starts on page 16.
PAPA COUNTRY
Publisher, Hello Country Magazine hellocountrymagazine@gmail.com Instagram: @hellocountrymagazine www.hellocountry.ca
And a VERY BIG THANK YOU to all of our Readers and Ad Partners. This edition marks our 1 Year Anniversary. I wrote a special piece about it on page 9. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Roger “Papa Country” Tumminieri
(416) 788-0716
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THANK YOU! CELEBRATING OUR 1ST ANNIVERSARY FREE
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ocountry.ca
This issue marks a milestone.
To which she replied without hesitation: “Museum Rob.”
I published the first edition a year ago - one year after we moved to Flesherton from “Ah...that’s what I was thinkin’, too,” I replied. South Etobicoke. We sold our bungalow in Which was the truth. Long Branch and, literally, bought the farm near Ceylon. Leading up to the publication of the first edition of Hello Country Magazine, I’d say I hadn’t planned to start a second publication easily 80% of the people I spoke with to gain - the first being the Etobicoke Lakeshore some insight into Grey Highlands and Grey Press, a magazine like Hello Country, County on the whole recommended I reach designed to support small businesses in the out to Robert Iantorno, or as he was called at neighbourhoods of South Etobicoke, which the time; ‘Museum Rob’, because he was the is along the shores of Lake Ontario basically Community & Heritage Curator at the South between the Humber River and the Credit Grey Museum in Flesherton. But you probably River. We traded a quiet but fast-paced city already knew that ‘cause apparently, everyone life for a much quieter, much slower, much knows Robert Iantorno. more peaceful way of life in the country. Fast forward to today, Hello Country is Initially, I started a blog as a place to capture heading full steam into year number two and my daily observations and odd thoughts I’m good friends with Rob :) reflecting upon our new country life. I don’t post there anymore, but you can still read All of this wouldn’t be possible without you. our “First 90 Days” on our website. I’m sure I thank you for supporting this magazine you’ll get a kick or two out of it. Some of our a labour of love for me that’s turning into first-winter entries are amusing. Well, I wrote something much bigger. them - and my wife thinks I laugh harder at my own jokes than hers, so...ya. Thank you for reading our print and digital editions, listening to our podcast, and I’ll never forget how I selected the feature following our social. for our first cover. I said to Mama Country: “Love, who do you think would make a I’m so glad we moved here. Thank God for compelling person to feature on our first Grey County! cover?”
519-924-3331 1-800-747-9560 We can serve your HOME, FARM or BUSINESS!
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FAMILY MATTERS SACRIFICES OF MANY the trenches of Beaumont Hamel, where the Newfoundland Regiment suffered over 85% causalities on a single day. I also remember walking up to the memorial at Vimy Ridge, where the names of over 11,000 Canadians, whose bodies were never recovered, are engraved. None of these sites glorify death, or war. They are solemn and respectful. The feeling I had coming away from these sites was that of sorrow, but also of gratitude. The sacrifices made by those who answered the call to service in that conflict and the ones that followed are too often forgotten. Many Canadians today are unaware of these sacrifices. Ontario is only one of three provinces in the country that require students to complete at least one class in history before JASON TODOROFF graduating high school. Robert Heinlein said, “A generation which ignores history has no past By the time the guns fell silent on November and no future.” Lest we forget. 11, 1918 more than 66,000 Canadians had JASON TODOROFF been killed. The Great War transformed BARRISTER & SOLICITOR Canada from its supportive role in the 7A Main Street East, Markdale empire, to becoming a major actor on the jasontodoroff@gmail.com world stage. Several years ago I had an www.jtlawyer.ca opportunity to travel to France and visit some 519-986-4494 of those battlefields. I remember walking 10
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TRACTOR TALK WITH TYSON RIER With the holiday season approaching, Huron Tractor’s annual Christmas Sale is one of our most popular events. It’s happening November 22-27, and with 15% OFF John Deere Toys, Clothing and Merchandise, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring home a little John Deere green for under the tree. We’re stocked up with great clothing, winter hats, and mittens, plus John Deere has a few new games this year that encourage family fun for John Deere fans with Dominoes (LP76932), Checkers (LP76931), Matching Game (LP76929), and a Giant Floor Puzzle (LP76930). As well there are lots of brand new John Deere kids books this year! You can check them all out in the 2021 Green Christmas Toy Flyer which you can pick up in store or view on our website.
because we love having all the kids’ coloured pictures posted in our store. You can download the colouring contest picture from our website or pick up a copy in store. Then bring your child’s coloured picture back by Saturday, December 11th, and their name will be entered for a draw prize! And don’t forget about our 60th Anniversary draw for your chance to win a $500 gift card! Simply post a picture with your Huron Tractor equipment on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, using the hashtag #IRunWithHT and tag us. Draw to take place on December 17th. You’ll find all the details at HuronTractor.com. TYSON RIER Salesman Huron Tractor- Chatsworth 226.668.2063
In addition to our Christmas sale, we also have a Kids Colouring Contest, which is probably our favourite part of the season
CHRISTMAS SALE AT HURON TRACTOR
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% OFF
John Deere Clothing, Toys & Merchandise* *All Store Locations. Discount excludes Peg Perego Ride-on Toys.
NOVEMBER 22-27, 2021 Get Kid’s Colouring Contest Details Online
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Online shopping with direct shipping, curb side or instore pickup available.
HuronTractor.com *Sales event offer valid November 22 to 27, 2021 only at Huron Tractor. Some details specific by event date. See dealer for complete details on event/offers. Event details/offers subject to change without notice at any time. Additional taxes/fees may be required.
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BLAZING TRAILS FUR, FEATHERS & FEET
ALEXIS BRENNER Whether they have fur or feathers, are domesticated or wild, creatures of all sorts like trails, too. Often the deer are the first guests on a newly cleared trail line, leaving their footprints as a calling card while they travel through. Coyotes and wild turkeys, too, have left their marks the morning after a build showing just how quickly they find and use these new paths. In the densest of landscapes we will see a multitude of hoof tracks and paw prints from the local fauna going for a hike. We have built trails for dog walking and horseback riding, we have built trails for walks with adventurous cats and at one of our properties, the peacocks are big fans. The dogs are enthusiastic trail lovers. They know where to hop into the brush to roll in that special smell or nibble a clump of grass, or splash through the muddy puddle they love so much. A clear trail gives the pooches the top speed run they crave while the humans can enjoy a steamy beverage and leisurely stroll at the same time. Here at home our cat Ginger and gaggle of chickens follow with me along our trails on my morning wander in the woods. They bring me smiles every time. Who doesn’t love a ridiculous and waddling entourage? They deviate off into the bushes here and
12
there for good pickings, though the chickens come back to the trail corridor every time for a more enjoyable strut between choice scratching spots. Our human clients build the trails for their own enjoyment certainly, though for a number of these households, the animals they share their lives with are just as much the inspiration (and sometimes the truer heads of the homestead). It is always great to hear that a full spectrum of creatures are thoroughly enjoying getting out on the trails together. The point I am making this month is, regardless of your species, a nice trail is a nice trail. If you enjoy walking in the woods with friends hoofed, pawed, and footed then a well groomed trail is a great gift to all of you. DB Trailblazers can help create and maintain that space you dream to explore with your fine furred and feathered friends.
DB TRAILBLAZERS www.dbtrailblazers.ca info@dbtrailblazers.ca Instagram: @dbtrailblazerswildscaping (519) 447-4474
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DESTINATIONS: THE BARRHEAD, MARKDALE
The biggest question in Grey Highlands has been answered. The question: “When will the new Barrhead open?” The answer: “NOW!” Eat @ The Barrhead. Shop @ The Barrhead. Warm Up @ The Barrhead. Conveniently located where Grey Road 12 and West Back Line meet just west of downtown Markdale. It’s a stone’s throw from a parking lot frequented by snowmobilers and ATV’ers along the CP Rail Trail access point. The Barrhead is a snowmobialer’s dream. It’ll be a welcome refuge from the snowcovered trails and icy fingers. “Warm up at The Barrhead,” may well enter the Grey County snowmobile vernacular. No matter your motivation for visiting The Barrhead, you’ll be super pleased you did. Check out their gift shop and enjoy the relaxed country atmosphere. 14
The Barrhead, in case you haven’t already heard, changed hands recently. It was purchased by a family who transitioned from city living to country life. They sold their home in the GTA and now live above The Barrhead. New jobs, new schools, new life in the country for Jennifer, Chris, Myah, Graydon, and Moffatt. Grey Highlands is a fixture on the foodie scene and close enough to Toronto that it attracts a healthy day-trip following. Now we can add The Barrhead to the mix with a menu that’s varied, creative, and geared, at least in my opinion, to a comfy country vibe. If you like history, nerd out on what The Barrhead used to be. Check out Grey Highland’s newest in food and drink! THE BARRHEAD 735198 West Back Line, Markdale www.atthebarrhead.ca @thebarrhead 226.452.2452
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Demystifying the Sports
CA
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FEATURE JOE SCULLY, LOCAL COWBOY, RODEO ANNOUNCER, DRONE RACE PIONEER, AND REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHER FROM FLESHERTON. The date is October 16th, 2018. After arriving home after five days in Dallas, Texas from a US Championship event, the rodeo announcer switches luggage after a 12 hour visit and heads back to Lester B Pearson airport with Pelican cases of electronics to board an evening flight bound for Sydney, Australia. There won’t be any tough looking Bull Riders or Cowgirls in sequin-lined chaps to see on this trip, however, it will be active-duty men and women of the world’s armed forces competing in the International Military Drone Racing Tournament. Meet Joe Scully: Living the Dream, renown as the “John Madden of Drone Racing”, where it’s airport-to-airport, drone race to drone race, with an assortment of Rodeos, Tractor Pulls, Demoliton Derbies and Monster Truck Shows in between.
the atmosphere, and by using my vocal instrument and techniques, combined with all of the other technology at my finger tips, I focus on alternating the energy throughout the entire performance. Chill when it’s time to chill, and get amped up when the time is right... and repeat.”
It was actually at a rodeo he was announcing that he was discovered to announce 1/5 scale RC car races. “They’re as big as skateboards with like chainsaw motors on them... they’re loud, and exciting. I had no idea what any of this was about, but I gave it my all, and really enjoyed it,” he reflects. Soon, it was bigger and bigger RC car races supplementing his rodeo schedule. “I was announcing rodeos in Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania and all over New England, and then racing back for the Sunday RC Car Race. I was a Dirt Jockey of sorts, or Dirt Disc Jockey, I don’t know, it Since being downsized from a media was a lot of dust and a lot of excitement,” he sales position in 2015, Scully jumped laughs. into events as a full-time career. Growing up in the Sport of Rodeo, he competed Eventually a major RC Car Race he in Team Roping and Tiedown Roping announced, the Canadian Fifth Scale across the North-East and even on the Nationals, had a recap video that went viral... Michigan State High School Rodeo Team which became the biggest boost of his at the National High School Finals Rodeo. career. A First-Person View (drone) Goggle His first job, was that of Rodeo Clown, Manufacturer had stumbled across the video entertaining audiences and playing “island on Twitter and had a similar thought as the in the storm” in his bullfighting barrel, RC Car Track owner, “We...need...this guy to a career that continues to have roots in announce our next Drone Race!” his day-to-day. After attending college to be a Radio Broadcaster as it was the It was late 2014, Drone Racing wasn’t really career most akin to being a Rodeo Clown, a thing yet, and together they hosted the he eventually transitioned into being a first *timed* drone race, utilizing borrowed Rodeo Announcer, eventually winning the technology from the RC Car community. In Contract Act Showcase at the International regards to that turn of events, Scully says, Finals Rodeo in 2007, signified by the belt “Timing, no pun intended, is everything, and buckle he proudly wears on his belt. I’ve been riding the coat tails of that ever since. People were just discovering drone “I love announcing rodeos, it is one of races, and basically, I was the only drone race the most fun jobs you can get to do. announcer, and I was on every major drone Though we have an ‘idea’ of what is race video on YouTube. I was insta-famous, in going to happen, we never really know this small worldwide community, and I have what is going to transpire, and I’m front yet to look back.” Since, he has announced row for every second of the action!”, Drone Races in Australia five times, three Scully says. “I also run music and sound times in Korea, twice in China, has run races effects, simultaneously, so I control in France and Spain, plus every corner of 16
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JOE SCULLY the USA and across Canada. “Previous to Drone Racing, I had announced in about 15 different States and 3 provinces. Drone Racing then doubled those numbers,” he states. At a rodeo, Scully usually runs the Sound and commentates. At most drone races, as it’s more of a participant-based sport with limited budgets, he also serves as Race Director, Replay Official, Technical Advisor & Producer (setting up ground station receivers to capture the feed from the drones), Livestream Commentator, Race Administrator and rarely, but sometimes, Pilot. 2018 was a great year. 2019 saw even more events. And then came the great pivot of 2020. “Eeeee,..” he says, “...at the start of 2020, I had about 46 weekends booked with assorted events. In hindsight, I think I did about 6, 3 in person and 3 remotely/ virtually.” As the pandemic wreaked havoc on every single industry; sports, tourism, entertainment were really rocked; and it was suddenly not a good time to be a worldtravelling event emcee. Another
series
of
“fortunate
happened for Scully. First, while practicing roping, friends asked if he could use his racing drones for what he calls “livestock search and rescue”. “I tried it,” he says with a giggle, “but racing drones’ cameras are static, so while I was searching for cows in a cornfield, I had to divebomb them like WW1 plane fighters! It worked, I found 3 of the 12 cows that day, but the dogs found the rest.” He then talked his friends into purchasing a more appropriate drone for the task. “My friend said, ‘I’ll pay you to fly it’, and I replied, ‘I’ll teach you for free if you let me borrow it.”, Scully reflects. “I trained with the aircraft, mostly by taking pictures of my house, my father-in-law’s house, my dad’s ranch, etc., you can probably see where this is going...” Who better to take drone photos than a drone racer?
“It started with one aerial shoot for a local realtor, then I approached the next and they asked if I could do interior photography. ‘Sure’, I said, went out bought a camera and then studied interior photography on YouTube. Then I was asked if I could do Floorplans. ‘Sure’, I said, and surprisingly found a drone racer that was also a realtor, events” that had done a tutorial on YouTube for
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17
CONTINUED JOE SCULLY those, and talked me through it. And, I continue to peel the layers off the onion, I now basically do anything Real Estate Marketing and then some,” he proudly announces. Scully’s
Grey
County-based
company,
Show Your Listing, is a go-to for a number of services within the Real Estate sector. Aerial photography, walk through videos, virtual tours, floor plans, virtual staging and more are part of the menu. He speaks of his product offerings with as much passion as that of his world travelling. “I do unique things that set me far apart, like Aerial Mapping...for real estate. My competitors will take some photos and either they or the realtor take a ‘best guess’ of where the property lines are based on a 2015 aerial view on the county maps. I fly the drone autonomously 200400 feet above the property, and it takes 100-500 photos. Those are stitched together, and I then draw on property lines based on the GPS co-ordinates from the county maps. Then for all my ‘floating images’ from the sides, I have proper landmarks: the tree with red leaves, the two white rocks, the neighbour’s fence line... my property lines are super-accurate and far from a best-guess,” he explains. But aren’t photos inside a house standard, or simple? 18
“That’s what I thought. As much as I love drones and flying them, Interior Photos are a challenge that I freakin’ love to tackle. If you were to compare my images to a cell phone photo by a realtor on their iPhone 12XS or something, you can’t, I’m iPhone and the iPhone is the ol’ flip phone camera,” Scully jokes. “Every one of my interior photos is at least 2 images layered (i.e. a utility closet) to perhaps 10 images layered (i.e. an openconcept cathedral ceiling’d kitchen/ living room). First, I take a great flash shot, showing the true colours of everything in the room. Then, wherever there are hard shadows, I take another image while flashing those areas. Then if there’s another room in the view, like a bedroom, I take a shot with the flash in there, so it’s not a super-dark rectangle in the image. Next, my favourite, the windows! I focus / expose for the outside of the window and flash the window sill. And lastly, I take a nice photo without flashes so you can see the ambient light, where it comes through the window. In post-processing, these images are all layered, so you see a bright room, all the proper colours, you can see the
picturesque view out of all the windows, and you can see where the light reflects on the floor or off the cabinets, etc. It’s a lot of work on-site and on the computer, but the effort is so worth-while, my agents are bragging about immediate inquiries, fast sales and over-asking prices achieved. It’s a lot of work for these small details, but I
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take pride in each listing. I mean, I shot my parent’s home, a little weird to shoot my childhood bedroom, but from that experience, I totally appreciate showing the house in the best possible way, not only for the future buyer, but also for the nostalgia of the seller. Just flipping through the 2021 photos on the MLS listing gushed back a gazillion memories from the 80’s and 90’s... you’re not going to achieve that same affect by rushing it or cutting corners. So, ya, I love drones and they have done great things for me, but my passion is delivering great interiors.” Measuring his success so far, a spark of rodeo/drone announcer and sales representative shines through his statistics. “Everyone knows the real estate market here is going crazy. Timing is everything... August 2020 when I was just starting was when the market hit full gear last year. So, I had a bunch of shoots and learned a lot in a hurry. June 2021 was my biggest month so far, I did 31 shoots in 30 days. Maybe 40% of those were lots without buildings or structures, but man, I was slammed. 2-3 a day most days. July was my 2nd biggest month and May right before it was my 3rd. In my push to grow my business, I reached out to many realtors and brokerages and I learned that real estate photographers are like hair dressers, once you have one you like, you’re not about to change. So, while I work with a number of local realtors for some or all of their listings, my biggest client is in Tobermory, I’ve done 67 shoots for them over the past 12 months. Sure, it hurts to drive 90 minutes to my first one, but, I’m keen to go shoot and go learn, and I often do a handful of shoots while I’m ‘up there’, so it’s not the worst. I’ve learned a lot by shooting these lots handed down through the generations with no roads to them... how do you shoot them? That’s where aerial mapping kicked in, when there are no landmarks to designate property boundaries. Or, the pre-corona closed up cottage with no electricity... how do you shoot that with NO LIGHT? Well, that’s how I have really learned about reflecting lighting for diffusing, etc.”
as “the Drone Guy”. “I’ve had the great opportunity to shoot some non-real estate stuff as well. I’ve done a handful of videos for Flesherton Concrete, just to capture some of the ‘cool stuff’ they do. Due to the pandemic, one of the school boards decided to do video walk-throughs instead of in-person orientation, so I got to tour 10 schools and put together that project. I’m also doing a build-time lapse project for the new hospital. And, there’s always ‘Livestock Search and Rescue’, haha”. And as for the future? What interests will capture his interests? “I don’t know. I can’t believe I get to do what I do, whether it is fly across the World to an event, or shoot a 2-million dollar waterfront cottage, or map out a 200-acre farm, or chase cement trucks down a gravel road, or find loose cattle with a drone, hop on a horse and rope ‘em. Rodeo has been a great part of my life, and it has contributed to every bit of success I do today, from the technology, the drive, the perseverance, to just appreciating every moment as a lesson or a victory. As events slowly came back, it was rough, I was in Indiana for a drone race for 10 days, flew home, shot real estate for 3 days, went announced a rodeo for 2 days, shot real estate for 4 days, announced a rodeo for 3 days... what’s that, three weeks straight? It was a blur. But it was awesome. I even flew a drone on that last day at the rodeo...” Look for drone shots and “ground shots” from Scully over the course of the next few months in our magazine.
Locally, he is also becoming renown Independent Publisher of Print Magazines & Podcast
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THE LIFE OF A GARLIC FARMER PART 10 Who do you remember? Each year, we celebrate, keep, and observe the sacrifices of thousands of Canadians who have fallen in battle over the years. But I also give thanks to those who take risks to prevent war and find ways to repair its damage. This year marks a 100 years of the poppy to be worn respectively after Halloween and as long as you would like after November 11th. The history of wearing this beautiful symbol was conceived by Madame Anna Guérin of France, and she was inspired by John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields”. Remembrance Day is one of my favourite times of the year because it gives me a chance to witness just how many Canadians actually respect the 2 minutes of silence given to the brave and fallen. Growing up in Bracebridge my first memories of Remembrance Day were in elementary school for an annual Legion poster and poem contest. I never did get picked as the best but I always loved showing my mom and dad my work. When I was a Girl Guide, I felt honoured to participate with our Remembrance Day parade and I even got to carry the huge Canadian flag or the Ontario flag right to the Memorial park. I had always wanted to place a wreath with a veteran on the beautiful cenotaph in the middle of town, but maybe someday. And when the beautiful haunting sound of the bugle playing The Last Post to mark a moment of silence still gives me chills every year. When I moved to Toronto for College, I observed 1000’s of people downtown standing still and giving their own thanks and silence. That was truly a sight to see even if it was for a couple of minutes. Even years later when I worked in a nursing/retirement home, the managers would make sure all residents wore their poppy and PSWs would help a resident get dressed up in their very own uniform that they still had from their time of service. I have mentioned in one of my past stories about my Great Grandfather who volunteered to be a “runner” in WW2, and my Dad still will show me metals and pins from his dad when he was in the war. My Mother made sure I remembered every word of “In Flanders Field”. To this day I can 20
PAUL & LORRAINE IRWIN recite it from memory and that is a little strange considering I can’t remember what I had for breakfast. The year before Covid, Kassidy, myself and another family friend volunteered for a Meaford Community skit for Remembrance Day. It sure was great to be part of that amazing cast and crew. So, on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month give your moment of silence to mark the sacrifices of those who gave service to our country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still do. LORRAINE IRWIN 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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WELLNESS FROM WW1 TO CURRENT PANDEMIC November marks a national day of mourning as we celebrate Remembrance Day on November 11th. The past two years have been filled with moments of great strife. We’ve mourned the losses of many people through heinous violence, cultural assimilation, and a global pandemic. On November 11th, we will mourn the loss of life and acknowledge the great suffering of our ancestors, neighbours and friends who gave their lives to serve our nation. We will honour those still serving and acknowledge the individuals who continue to face challenges after returning home. PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a term that is commonly used in our society. It is often thrown out in casual conversation, without fully understanding its true depth and meaning. Everyone will experience some form of trauma in their lifetime, and there are varying degrees in which people can process that traumatic experience. Post-Traumatic Stress is often the normal, or natural response to a traumatic situation. It is the immediate moments and days (and sometimes longer) following a traumatic event in which a person may process and adapt to their experiences. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a clinically – diagnosed condition that affects one’s ability to complete daily functioning. PTSD is more severe, and long lasting.
TALISA HASKINS We have all experienced great trauma in the past 19 months. Living through a global pandemic, among many other indescribable difficulties comes with its challenges, fears, and traumas. If you, or someone you know is struggling to cope with the heaviness of the last year, or any other difficult situation, consider seeking support. Call a friend or family member that you can trust, reach out to a help line or victim services, or consider consulting with a therapist to help you process. Talisa Haskins Registered Psychotherapist www.talisahaskins.com 519.800.5602
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WELLNESS HOW DOES TRYING HOLD YOU BACK? Words have a funny power over us. Positive affirmations have a way of lifting us up and driving us forward, especially when said out loud and as if you truly believe them. I wonder if you’ve ever considered the implicit negative affirmations that you may use on a daily basis. One tiny, three letter word, can have a major effect in holding you back. I’m going to share with you why the word “try” can hold you back and how to use that realization to your advantage. Before we really get into this, “to try” means to make an attempt or effort to do something, and it is a good thing to strive to experience new things. I always encourage curiosity and a mindset aimed towards growth and exploration. The meaning for “try” shifts when you use it in the context of an action you are already capable of doing. In these situations, there is an implicit, unconscious way that your mind processes the word try - it presupposes failure. Consider these two statements: “I will exercise today” and “I will try to exercise today”. Say them out loud for better effect. How does each one feel when you say it? The first statement is clear, there will be action (exercise!). In the second statement, the action that you have stated you’ll do is to “try”. You’ve stated that you’ll make an attempt at exercise. What does making an attempt at exercise look like for you? For myself, it can range from sitting on the couch thinking about exercising, to getting all dressed and ready to go but becoming distracted by another task or chore.
JONATHAN NHAN responsibility of taking action. If the task or action you tried to do never happens, then you have still lived up to the implicit meaning of your statement. You never said you’ll actually DO the task, you just said you’ll try. Over the next week, begin to keep track of how often you use the word try. As you begin to notice this word in your vocabulary, you can ask yourself what is your true intention when you’re using this word. Will you actually follow through and take action? If you intend to take action, simply remove the word from your statement and say it again. You may find that you become more clear with your own intentions and start taking action towards the change that you want. Want more tools to de-stress, sleep better, and master your mindset? Visit thecuratorium.ca/ learnmore. Jonathan Nhan Co-Founder, Curate and Upgrade
Begin to notice how often the word ‘try’ appears in your daily dialogue or self talk. When someone asks you for help, or adds on an additional task for you at work, do you respond with “I’ll try”? When you are considering some aspect of change that you want to make in your life, like making healthier decisions or practicing more self care, how often do you tell yourself you will “try”? When you say you will try to do something, it frees you from the Independent Publisher of Print Magazines & Podcast
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THE [re]CALL PROJECT PODCAST ELIZABETH NORRINGTON Liz LOVES the outdoors and rural life. And it’s no wonder -she grew up on Rattlesnake Point in Milton, and built timber frame barns and log houses for years with her husband, John Simpson. She has also raised prized cattle, and loved her years in 4H. Her mom and dad met overseas in WW2 when her father was in the service, and in 1969, Liz decided to hitchhike through Europe. Hear why Liz thinks Wilcox Lake is so special. Hear about the lives of Seniors in Grey Highlands.
ROBERT IANTORN This month on The [re]CALL Project, we talk to Elizabeth Norrington, a Friend of the South Grey Museum, and an active member of the Grey Highlands Peace Committee. “Liz” is a veteran volunteer, with years of experience at rural museums and fairs in Ontario.
Real deal lives. You know, like when people lived outside of Instagram. On The [re]CALL Project. And don’t you forget it. Robert Iantorno Host - The [re]CALL Project Podcast
CHAMBER SUPPORT LOCAL The Grey Highlands Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be taking part in a Countywide Support Local campaign, the result of a collaboration between eight Chambers and Municipalities that will run through January. You might be hearing our radio ads now, will start seeing our posters in store windows this week, and will soon enjoy contests, promotions, and special offers from your local businesses and service providers encouraging you to support local when you make your purchase and service decisions. Stores, restaurants, and businesses have done their best to stay open through COVID, and be there for their community. They’re a big part of what makes this community a great place to live. Now, it’s time to take care of them. They’re run by our families, friends, and neighbours. When we support them, our entire community benefits in ripples – providing products, services, and supplies, 24
employment opportunities, support for school breakfast programs, and sponsorship of kids’ sports teams. The money you spend locally recirculates over and over in your community, amplifying the impact. The money you spend online or beyond your community buys you products, services, and supplies, and disappears into someone else’s pocket. We encourage you to support your local stores, restaurants, and businesses, to ensure they’re here for you tomorrow. MICHELLE PATEY GREY HIGHLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 13 Toronto St S, Markdale greyhighlandschamber@gmail.com www.greyhighlandschamber.com 519-986-4612
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COVER STORY PAUSE
By: Papa Country
Priceville War Monument, 100 Years Photo: Mary Harrison, Priceville Resident For me, Remembrance Day is a time to reflect upon how blessed we are as Canadians to live in a free country. Free, because of the many sacrifices made by countless men and women over the past hundred years or so who stood up and fought against tyranny. These people were tough. And the men and women who continue to stand up for Canada are tough. We should never forget their resolve - past or present. Recently, the War Memorial in Priceville celebrated its 100 year anniversary. The age of which brings to mind how far removed we are, at least chronologically, from war. Back then, young boys from across the country were signing up to fight in Europe. 26
They sought adventure. They found chaos. They were heroes. So, too, were the women who served at home and abroad to support the war effort. When I think of Remembrance Day, I admit, I think first of the soldiers who died fighting battles far from home to protect our way of life in WWI and WWII. I think of what their families had to go through - their parents, their siblings, their wives, their children. Then I think about modern day conflicts and the sacrifices made by the members of our Canadian Forces, male and female alike, and their families as they continue to fight for our freedoms. And then I pause.
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THE ARTS FLESHERTON CALLING It is hard to imagine a life without stories. They are heard, watched, read, assimilated and, in some instances, imagined daily. As anyone who has ever read a story to a child knows, new stories are eschewed over familiar favourites, which exist to be experienced again and again. Stories are the seeds sown during childhood which will yield a lifetime of curiosity. In many ways, they are the glue which holds our own personal stories together. Peter Whitehead has spent much of his life as a storyteller, although not in the manner one would normally expect. He began his professional life after attending high school in Barrie in a business which his father, and later his brothers, spent their lives in---- advertising. Although he was in an entrylevel position at Foster Advertising Limited, within a couple of years he was running the studio and was inhabiting the same office in which his father, now retired, worked. Stories in the advertising world are experienced in short bursts and must be memorable to be effective. The work there led to the founding of a new agency, where he worked with high profile clients such as The Keg and Molson Breweries. Eventually, a passion for telling bigger stories emerged and he began to make documentary films. He formed a company with a Director of Photography and they worked together producing docs. Along the way, a desire to tell stories more conventionally emerged, and Peter began to write screenplays. Some were produced, while others, as is the case of many writers, remain in a drawer in his office. A lifelong passion for all things Disney led him to visit the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline, MO in 2015. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject led to an interview for the new position of Creative Director, and his assessment of the marketing opportunities going begging, his extensive background in creative advertising, and his vision for what the museum could become, got him the job. Over the next six years, Peter reimagined and rebranded the museum, built a membership store, expanded the retail operation, instituted a membership and education program, and launched an annual fan event. The result was that the annual attendance has tripled, the revenues doubled, and the social media reach has increased over 700%. His fondest memory was the day he was invited to speak at D23, the fan club event held in Orange County every two years. His subject was the Museum he helped redefine.
KEVIN ARTHUR LAND dollar marketing” and he looks forward to creating a working museum “that tells a story that is our story” and one that appeals to children of all ages. He has a game plan going forward and he envisions a fully functioning post-Covid museum we can all be proud of. Feel free to drop in and witness the impending transformation. Who knows? Peter might even let you tinkle the ivories on Agnes Macphail’s piano.. Kevin Arthur Land is a playwright, screenwriter, arts educator, and the owner of Speaking Volumes Books and Audio in Flesherton.
SPEAKING VOLUMES BOOKS & AUDIO 12 Toronto Road, Flesherton kevinarthurland@gmail.com kevinarthurland.ca
Last month, Peter returned to his home in Flesherton armed with his considerable experience to assume his new role as the Community Heritage Curator at the South Grey Museum. He is a master of “zero-
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Although we are closed until the New Year, we will be taking some Sunday appointments until Christmas. Feel free to call Kevin to book one. 12 Toronto St., Flesherton, ON 905.719.8878 homeland@sympatico.ca
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home that offers both in-town amenities as well as easy access nature . For Sale: $589,000
HOUSING UPDATE BY GREY COUNTY REAL ESTATE INC. In the past, many rural communities saw their youth leave their hometown for larger cities seeking more employment opportunities. However, the trend is reversing because technology has made it possible for people to work from home and they are no longer required to live near their workplace. Thus, they are choosing to move away from major centres to areas where they and their families can enjoy a more relaxed and balanced lifestyle. So, while younger generations may be facing more challenges in home ownership, due to the lack of inventory and a fiercely competitive market, Grey County and surrounding areas have shown to be a preferred real estate choice for the full spectrum of the population. Though property price, size, style, and features are the top considerations for the home buyer, living in a peaceful community with plentiful options; access to outdoor activities, arts, and entertainment are increasingly important factors as well.
Taylor Dr,for Holland Centre it’s a837017 destination a new way of life! Beautiful home surrounded with
10 acres of forest.Real The home At Grey County Estate, we feel it’s features main floor living with an important to remember the privileges we open concept design. enjoy and that the opportunities for growth Sale:due $949,000 and prosperityForare to the sacrifice and efforts of the generations that came before 4th Concession B, Maxw us, who, when faced with great348085 adversity and The raised bungalow sits on a the dangers of war, rose to the challenge. This rolling 1.18 acre property with month we commemorate our veterans. Lest pond and long pastoral views we never forget their sacrifice, or the injustice of the forest. being faced by many in the world. Let us For Sale: $959,000 extend our gratitude and respect to all victims of war and let us wish and hope for peace to MAIN reign. STREET EAST ERIC ROBERTSON, BROKER MARKDALE
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MAIN GREY COUNTY REAL ESTATE INC. 39 Main St E, MarkdaleSTREET EAST www.greycountyrealestate.com MARKDALE Veterans -2552 Rd S, Berkeley 519 -986 519-986-2552 495377
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495377 Veterans Rd S, Berkeley This peaceful bungalow rests atop a hill, concealed by the forest for complete privacy! . Enjoy manicured trails while listening to the tranquil sounds of nature. For Sale: $895,000