Spring In The Hills

THE TURTLE PROTECTORS

HOW MAP APPS FAIL RURAL RESIDENTS

THE MOVEMENT TO REPAIR – NOT TOSS GROWING MORE THAN TOMATOES

36 WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR MAP APPS TO GET RURAL ADDRESSES RIGHT?

Much to the dismay of residents and lost delivery drivers, charting a course in the countryside isn’t always smooth sailing BY EMILY DICKSON

40 GROWING MORE THAN TOMATOES

How the family garden taught our kids about business, climate stewardship and financial literacy BY FRANCESCA DISCENZA

32 KIDS CAMPS IN THE HILLS A guide for parents and caregivers to the summer camp scene in Headwaters 50 THE TURTLE PROTECTORS

Habitat loss, traffic and growth are pushing Ontario’s turtles toward local extinction — but grassroots rescue efforts offer hope BY DON SCALLEN

FIXING WHAT’S BROKE

Reducing waste by giving new life to broken household items is the mantra of ecoCaledon’s popular Repair Cafés BY

ANTHONY JENKINS

DEPARTMENTS

20 CONTRIBUTORS

22 LETTERS

27 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Painter Brenda Loschiavo BY JANICE QUIRT

28 FIELD NOTES

Go on an adventure, yuk it up with Canadian comedians and get ready to jam at the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival BY EMILY DICKSON

31 FENCE POSTS

On a short leash BY DAN NEEDLES

68 FOOD AND DRINK

Forage for dinner, experience a seven-course meal blindfolded and sip maple-kissed cocktails BY EMILY DICKSON

73 MEET THE MAKER

Mono weaver Darlene Hostrawser draws inspiration from her rural surroundings to create her refined woven pieces BY

JANICE QUIRT

75 MADE IN THE HILLS

Hockey jersey upgrades, raku pottery and handmade candles BY EMILY

DICKSON

76 A DAY IN THE LIFE

Yoga instructor Jasmine DeLeon BY JANICE QUIRT

Building a Better Future Through Wealth and Security

Growing up in a household where life revolved around our family’s financial services business, First Capital Financial, I came to understand early on the importance of money in people’s lives. Not as an end in itself, but as a means to an end – financial security and the peace of mind that comes with that. I saw how my Dad helped his clients with their money, allowing them to return their focus to things that really mattered to them – like family, friends, faith, health and hobbies. So the financial world wasn’t really about money, but about people

This understanding was key to my decision to pursue a degree in Integrated Business and Humanities at McMaster University. The program combined my two passions, and taught me that capitalism contributes to social well-being through innovation, employment and wealth. So businesses exist to serve people, not the other way around. People first, in other words, and this begins with financial literacy for everyone.

First Capital Financial is a multi-disciplinary, multi-generational wealth and risk management firm that is deeply client-focused and dedicated to delivering an exceptional client experience. “Know Your Money” isn’t just a phrase we use every day – it’s a philosophy that guides every conversation and plan we create. We take pride in using innovative products and strategies that are foundational to building and preserving wealth, while ensuring every client feels informed, supported and confident in their financial decisions.

I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you – to understand your life’s plans, and to be part of your journey ahead.

79 COUNTRY LIVING 101

Country roads, take me home BY TONY REYNOLDS

80 HEADWATERS NEST A sudden and tragic loss BY BETHANY LEE

82 AT HOME IN THE HILLS All in the family BY ALISON MCGILL

100 WHAT’S ON A calendar of spring happenings

110 FIND AN ADVERTISER

114 BACK STORY

A Good Friday Donnybrook fair BY DYANNE

RIVERS

Jasmine Weiler B. Comm Wealth Advisor C: 226-979-9244

jasmine@fcfcorp.ca www.fcfcorp.ca

Worldsource

50 Coreslab Dr., Dundas, ON L9H 0B2

P: 519-829-1331 x19

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EDITOR AND PUBLISHER

Tralee Pearce

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Dyanne Rivers

Emily Dickson

ART DIRECTOR

Kim van Oosterom

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Erin Fitzgibbon

Rosemary Hasner

Pete Paterson

ILLUSTRATORS

Shelagh Armstrong

Ruth Ann Pearce

Jim Stewart

WRITERS

Francesca Discenza

Anthony Jenkins

Bethany Lee

Alison McGill

Dan Needles

Janice Quirt

Tony Reynolds

Don Scallen

Roberta Fracassi

Victoria Johansen

OPERATIONS

Cindy Dillman

ADVERTISING

Hodgson EVENTS

Janet Kerr

DIGITAL

Li Barbara Fletcher

DESIGN

Jaxon Wakeford VOLUME 33 NUMBER 1 SPRING 2026

FOUNDING PUBLISHER Signe Ball

In The Hills is published quarterly by MonoLog Communications Inc. It is distributed through controlled circulation to households in the towns of Caledon, Erin, Orangeville, Shelburne, Creemore and Dufferin County.

Annual subscriptions are $44.95 for 1 year and $74.95 for 2 years (including HST).

For advertising contact one of our regional sales managers:

Roberta Fracassi

519-943-6822, roberta@inthehills.ca (Orangeville, Shelburne, Creemore and areas N of Hwy 9)

Victoria Johansen 647-999-8599, victoria@inthehills.ca (Caledon, Bolton, Erin and areas S of Hwy 9)

© 2026 MonoLog Communications Inc. All rights reserved. No reproduction by any means or in any form may be made without prior written consent by the publisher.

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The ad booking deadline for the summer (June) issue is Friday, May 8, 2026.

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A SPOT OF GOOD NEWS

A couple of years ago, a handsome painted turtle was sunning itself on a log in our small pond when my teenage son – never one for coming up with flattering names – dubbed it “Arthritis.” We overruled Hadden and called the turtle Arthur for most of the summer.

Arthur was perhaps a relative of this issue’s cover model: a juvenile midland painted turtle photographed by longtime In The Hills contributor Don Scallen. For the accompanying cover story, Don spent considerable time learning about the efforts of Headwaters Turtle Protectors and other groups dedicated to the protection of midland painted turtles and other, more at­risk, species, including snapping turtles and Blanding’s turtles.

One effort Don refers to is a fencing project near Brantford. By diverting turtles to a culvert under a busy highway this fence has almost eliminated turtle road mortality on that stretch of road. Of the people and groups making a difference for turtles, Don writes: “These ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help these imperilled animals are a cause for optimism and celebration in these dark times for biodiversity and the environment.”

Don’s piece is exactly the kind of work In The Hills was recognized for by Ontario Nature, a charity dedicated to protecting wild species and spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. In December 2025, they presented the Ontario Nature Media and Conservation Award to In The Hills’ dedicated team of writers, photographers and editors for “over 30 years of deeply researched, locally focused environmental journalism and nature storytelling.”

In the case of In The Hills, this storytelling includes in­depth work full of detail and nuance. Don’s turtle feature explores the interconnected conditions of extinction and extirpation (local extinction) – and positions grassroots work as one antidote that just might be replicable.

An essay by New York Times contributor Margaret Renkl, published just before this issue was going to press, touches on similar themes. In “The Glorious Birds We Saved,” Renkl writes about visiting a North Alabama refuge to see whooping cranes, creatures that have made a modest, but thrilling comeback from a population of 20 in 1941 to more than 800 today, thanks to various programs. To Renkl, the species is not only a “rare and beautiful bird,” but also “a rare and beautiful bird that still exists because human beings decided a long time ago that it should exist.”

Much as Don sees reason for optimism in the work of turtle protectors, Renkl writes: “To see a whooping crane in the wild is to be reminded that we nearly killed something miraculous – and then, almost unbelievably, we didn’t. Against all evidence to the contrary, we are as much the healing species as the murdering one.”

Ontario Nature honoured In The Hills for our commitment to telling stories about nature, conservation and the environment. Highlighting solution­seekers and even small successes that can be shared – and potentially multiplied – across landscapes and communities is part of the commitment this magazine intends to keep.

MEET THREE WRITERS – TONY REYNOLDS, FRANCESCA DISCENZA AND ANTHONY JENKINS – WHO SHARE A DEEP CURIOSITY ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY

Tony Reynolds

Tony Reynolds has found that when you write for In The Hills, you meet a lot of interesting people and learn fascinating things. For over three decades now, Reynolds has written many articles for these pages, and has listened as many people describe their passions –for narrow-gauge trains, making beer, building sailboats, driving classic cars, flying antique biplanes, building bluebird houses, taking nature’s inventory, training service dogs, collecting vinyl records and much more. This Orangeville resident has also made good friends among the magazine’s family. The butterfly in his profile picture fluttered by when he and In The Hills photographer Pete Paterson were weeding Paterson’s garden. In this issue’s Country Living 101, Reynolds tackles the mysteries and historical vagaries of country roads, sideroads and wonky rural routes.

In this issue, Francesca Discenza writes about her children’s annual spring tomato plant sale. She reflects on the lessons that quietly took root in her family garden and grew into an education in business, climate stewardship, and financial literacy for her children. She has also written about illegal trucking yards across Caledon.

A writer and post-secondary educator, Discenza is drawn to how learning through experience cultivates confidence, curiosity and practical life skills.

Discenza lives in a cozy country home on the edge of the forest in Caledon with her husband and two children, where she’s acutely aware of how the seasons shape both daily life and her family’s deeper values. A longtime reader and admirer of In The Hills, she says she is grateful to contribute to a publication that celebrates community, nature and thoughtful living.

Anthony Jenkins is a cartoonist and writer formerly with the Globe and Mail. Previously a Mono resident, Jenkins now lives near Belleville, but returns often. His hobbies include playing hockey, alliteration and painting – painting people’s portraits in particular. He has also travelled widely, visiting 84 countries to date.

He has had his work published in In The Hills since, as he puts it, the hills were hummocks, writing on novice beekeeping, ice fishing, drones and the life of an isolated lake – along with many of his trademark cheeky illustrations.

He describes himself as adept at breaking things and inept at repairing them. For the spring issue Jenkins says he was delighted to meet with and write about charming people who are neither at a Repair Café event in Caledon.

In the literary spotlight

Just a short note to thank you for including my new books in your winter issue [“The Year in Books,” winter ’25]. It is very much appreciated. Have a great winter and a Merry Christmas.

— Lawrence Ayliffe, Caledon

I am really enjoying my read of the In The Hills winter issue and this one, as a writer, makes the sunrise coffee more robust. Thank you so much, particularly for arranging to have La Casa di Riposo and Stumblebum Waytes in “The Year in Books.”

I am not sure if Emily Dickson or Peter Yan reviewed my writing, but would you send them my thanks? The reviews were a gift of amplification and affirmation, for I never really know how my work is received. It made me laugh (and humbled) to be likened to W.B. Yeats as a poet, and to be called “the prolific Glenn Carley”… and I love how both tales were captured in a perfect nutshell in your reviews.

Aside from the “Yeats of Bolton” and my allegorical leadership of Stumblebum Waytes, I think you and your artistic staff do so much to cover art and artists of so many stripes in the hills. We note library budgets are under some financial “gun”; Nancy Frater of BookLore in Orangeville is among the last of the independent booksellers

(I was also fond of Forster’s Book Garden in my hometown of Bolton.)

Thank you for your creative­literate leadership, supporting “us” and supporting Stumblebum Yeats … guffaw here. It is so wonderful how many writers are in these hills, and I am particularly enjoying reading each book review!

— Glenn Carley, Bolton

Upon receiving my copy of In The Hills magazine I felt compelled to extend a hearty (if figurative) pat on the back to Peter Yan and to Emily Dickson for their terrific work on “The Year In Books.” The amount of time and effort required to complete such a task – and with such elegance – almost defies comprehension (mine, anyway), so kudos to you both.

I also wanted to express my gratitude for your generous treatment of my book, both with your mention of it in the introduction (I was absolutely floored and delighted to see that) and within the review itself.

Your comments are pure gold: “... An amusing must­read ... laced with witty dialogue and clever references ... will keep readers, Leaf fans or not, turning the pages.”

If nothing else, your article reveals how much creative talent exists in our “little” neck of the woods. It certainly

motivates me to get serious about my next project. Who knows, maybe it will be published in time for the winter 2027 issue of In The Hills? (I won’t pretend to be able to match Glenn Carley’s output – I mean, the guy’s a machine!)

Once again, thanks for the review and congrats on producing a wonderfully comprehensive and engaging article.

— Slavko Ray, Erin

EDITOR’S NOTE : A special thanks to associate editor Dyanne Rivers who handled and edited all of the reviews with her trademark care and attention to detail.

A tribute to “Mister Fix-It”

I laughed and choked up at Dan Needles’ tribute to Leland Powell [“The Appliance Guy,” winter ’25]. People like Mr. Powell are a breed apart and very rare!

I can identify as I have a similar wizard who has been servicing my old tractor for 32 years. I can text him about some strange sound or behaviour that the tractor is doing, and he arrives with the necessary parts and knows exactly how to fix it!

He’s quite a bit younger than Mr. Powell, so here’s hoping that he’s around a long time yet. I’d be lost without him.

— Joanne Ison, Amaranth

The heroes among us

When I saw the faces of the palliative care nurses [“Local Heroes 2025,” winter ’25], it brought a smile to my face. These wonderful, caring angels provided physical and emotional support to my husband, Mike Dennett, and our family during his final months of life as he struggled with brain cancer. Our primary care nurse, Mervia Scott, and all the other nurses were compassionate, caring and willing to take time to answer any questions we had. With their support and that of our sons, extended family, neighbours, friends and doctors, Mike was able to remain in our home. Thank you to Mathilde [Struck] for nominating them and sincere thanks to these wonderful health care workers. They are most certainly heroes.

— Carla Watson, Mono Centre

A note from a neighbour

I really like your publication! Although I live in Brampton, I have a subscription to Theatre Orangeville and enjoy lunch at one of the many fine restaurants before each play. I also love to walk the trails in Caledon.

— Billee

Sale, Brampton

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

Discover Erin

Discover the charm of Erin

Stroll past beau ti fully decora ted storefronts, admire blooming window di splays and vibrant spring colours a s you explore the downtown. Explore fresh finds, indulge in local trea ts and soak in the cheerful energy of the sea son. Come di scover the Town of Erin thi s spring!

Wha t’s on this Spring:

• April 24-26, 2026: Erin Home & G arden Show

184 Main St. Erin - Erin Fairgrounds

• May 23, 2026: Touch-a-Truck

Erin Town Hall - 5684 Tra falgar Rd. Hill sburgh

• June 18, 2026: Open day Erin Farmers’ Market

Every Thurs. - Agri-Dome, Erin Fairgrounds

• June 20, 2026: Erin Arts Festival Main Street, Erin

To discover more events, go to: discovererin.ca or scan the QR code

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BRENDA LOSCHIAVO

“It’s all about colour,” says East Garafraxa oil painter Brenda Loschiavo, who characterizes colour as an expression of light on a surface. Many of her canvases are the result of travel to famous plein air locales such as Georgia O’Keeffe’s New Mexico. Loschiavo cites her artist father as her first influence. “He loved the outdoors – canoeing and skiing – and most of our summers were spent in Muskoka. I still consider the Canadian north the most beautiful landscape.” Born in Toronto, Brenda attended the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD), and worked as an art director in Aurora. She moved to the area in 2008 to pursue painting and teaching full time, sharing her home with guitarist husband, Vito, and two cats. She teaches oil painting at Maggiolly Art Supplies in Orangeville. www.brendaloschiavofineart.com

GO ON AN ADVENTURE,

YUK IT UP WITH CANADIAN COMEDIANS AND GET READY TO JAM AT THE ORANGEVILLE BLUES AND JAZZ FESTIVAL

BY EMILY DICKSON

Take it outside

Storm Adventure Race returns to Albion Hills Conservation Park May 23 to 24, featuring paddling, mountain biking, trail running and orienteering. “Albion Hills is a really nice venue and they put such great work into their trail network,” says event director Bob Miller. With short, long and advanced categories, the event is open to all skill levels. On-site camping and canoe rentals are available. And while the route is only revealed on race day, participants can expect some portage along the Humber River. “But you never know where the trail is going to take you,” says Miller. “That’s part of the fun.”

In just seven years, the annual Hike for Bethell Hospice has raised over $1.3 million to help our area’s only hospice provide compassionate, no-cost care and programs. This year’s hike on May 3 starts at the Lloyd Wilson Centennial Arena in Inglewood and continues along the Caledon Trailway. You can also complete your own independent hike anytime during May. Their goal is to raise $255,000.

HAPPY CAMPERS

Eco Camp turns 30 this year and director Greg Sol, who along with his wife, Karen, has run the camp since 2014, says kids love coming back because of fun outdoor activities like pond studies, fishing, archery, canoeing, cookouts, and a new climbing wall. The camp is held annually at Island Lake Conservation Area in Orangeville. Read more about kids’ camps in the Headwaters area on page 32.

HERE ’ S TO YOUR 175TH, MULMUR

Mulmur Township hits the ripe age of 175 this year with many ways to celebrate. The Mulmur 175 End-to-End Challenge is a 41 km self-paced hike from Primrose to Lavender with 13 checkpoints, each containing a letter or number that forms a secret message you must decipher to earn a Mulmur 175 commemorative badge. Other events include Maple Madness at 4M Maple on April 11, and the annual artisan Spring Market on May 30 at Superburger. Also watch for stylish commemorative caps, hats and sweaters that celebrate hometown pride.

FUNNY BUSINESS

Big laughs are coming to the Honeywood Arena at Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Night on March 28 with comics Jeff Elliott from Prince Edward County, along with Cameron Phoenix and Anjelica Scannura, both from Toronto. “I do like performing in smaller towns; mostly the people are a bit more laid back. And maybe for a rural community it can be a big treat to have someone travel from afar to entertain you,” says Elliott, who has done stand-up all over Canada, including at major venues like Massey Hall in Toronto. But Elliott believes the star of the night will likely be Anjelica Scannura, who he describes as being “charming and disarming” with ”big eyed optimism and a razor-sharp wit.” As for Elliott’s own sense of humour? “I’m not nearly as optimistic as most people,” he laughs. “I prefer a bit of self deprecating.”

This event is hosted by North of 89 Alliance. Funds raised will be used to paint new lacrosse and pickleball lines on the arena floor.

COMIC TIMING

If you love comics, collectibles and all things related, don’t miss two upcoming comic conventions: Bolton Comicon on March 21 at the Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness, and Orangeville Comicon on May 17 at the Orangeville Curling Club. Vendors will offer all kinds of comic books, toys, video games, sports cards and jewelry.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR AND ON THE STAGE

Holy matrimony seems to be taking centre stage this spring, with three plays all about weddings.

Performers weave a story about the motherdaughter dynamic and the ups and downs of getting, and staying, married in Old Wives Tales at the Blackhorse Village Players Theatre in Caledon until March 22.

Then catch Kristen Thomson’s Dora-nominated play The Wedding Party, which the Globe and Mail described as “creating so many laugh-outloud moments” when it debuted in 2017. This tale of mistaken identity and inevitable family drama runs at Theatre Orangeville from April 16 to May 3.

In The Second to Last Chance Ladies League, four longtime chums join forces to run a wedding venue, but find themselves embroiled in “hilarious chaos.” The play runs May 24 to June 7 at Hillsburgh’s Century Church Theatre.

Keeping history alive

Heritage Caledon celebrates 50 years of promoting the preservation of the town’s cultural and architectural heritage this year. The volunteer committee has helped support 145 properties to achieve designation under the Ontario Heritage Act, including icons like the Belfountain and Cheltenham general stores, the Alton Mill, the Claude Church and the Old Caledon Township Hall. It also gained heritage designation for the Village of Bolton, and resources like steel truss bridges, stone railway culverts, early log cabins, one-room schoolhouses and an octagonal barn. “Caledon is under tremendous development pressure,” says committee chair Joanne Crease. “Raising awareness and appreciation of Caledon’s history, and sharing the stories behind our villages and rural landscapes, connects current residents with their roots and fosters an important sense of belonging.”

SHOP AND SWAP

The annual Caledon Horse Tack Swap on April 18 at the Caledon Fairgrounds is a goldmine for equestrians to buy, sell and trade new and used horse equipment. Part of the proceeds help support the Caledon Fair.

CREATIVE ESCAPES

If one of your 2026 resolutions was to try your hand at something new, there’s no shortage of artistic endeavours to explore.

Maggiolly Art in Orangeville offers two adult classes this spring: an introductory acrylic painting workshop with Deb Menken on March 28, and a six-week coloured pencil course led by Stephanie Schirm starting in April. Grab a needle and learn the unique art of bookbinding at the Museum of Dufferin on April 18, where you’ll learn how books are made and follow stepby-step instructions to make your own notebook.

Erin’s Over Here Community Arts Adventure is holding a workshop on the Japanese art of indigo shibori dyeing on May 2 at Elliott Tree Farm. “Shibori is all about folding, twisting, stitching and wrapping fabric to create intricate patterns,” explains workshop host Fabienne Good. “What I love most is its balance between intention and unpredictability. There’s room for some control, but also for surprise.”

At Shelburne’s Streams Community Hub, Plaster & Pigment: Floral Edition on May 23 teens and adults will create floral art using pigmented plaster and palette knives.

ON THE BIG SCREEN

Monday Night at the Movies is back with a new season of Canadian and international films and artists at Orangeville’s Galaxy Theatre. On April 13 don’t miss hockey drama Youngblood, a remake of the 1986 classic, which premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.

CORRECTION In our print magazine, we incorrectly reported that Monday Night at the Movies was screening the original 1986 version of Youngblood, rather than the 2025 version.

At Erin Centre 2000 Theatre, Ride Like a Girl was selected as the feature film for the town’s annual Horse Heritage Fundraiser/ Movie Night on April 1. The film is based on the true story of trailblazing female jockey Michelle Payne and her historic Melbourne Cup victory.

On May 23, Museum of Dufferin hosts two screenings of We Lend a Hand: The Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes, a documentary about 40,000 teenage girls who volunteered to aid food production in the Second World War.

And Purple Hills Arts & Heritage Society and The Creemore Village Green have teamed up to create the new Creemore Film Club, which will be showing select movies from the Toronto International Film Festival circuit throughout the year at the Station on the Green. Watch for details at phahs.ca.

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Beyond books at the library

Erin has a slick new library – the Erin Village Branch – located in the revitalized 1849 McMillan Grist Mill. The renovation maintained the mill’s original stonework and timber to preserve the original character while incorporating other modern elements.

At the Orangeville Public Library at both the Mill Street and Alder Street locations, the Birding Backpack program provides visitors with bird-watching backpacks, which contain binoculars, a field guide and tools to spot and share sightings of local birds. “The Headwaters area has some great opportunities to get into bird watching – but even walking around downtown Orangeville you can spot lots of birds, especially along Mill Creek,” explains Joshua Pickering, an Orangeville resident and member of Sustainable Orangeville, who spearheaded the initiative in 2025. Pickering recommends looking for bald eagles, downy woodpeckers and blue jays year-round, and migratory arrivals like American robins in spring and summer.

Orangeville Public Library’s Alder branch caters to STEM aficionados looking for new tools and technology with the recently opened Exploratorium makerspace. The trove includes 3D printers, textile and embroidery machines, a CO 2 laser engraver, smart-cutting tools, robotics and microcomputing kits and virtual reality headsets.

Heading to the city? Borrow a pass for the Royal Ontario Museum from the Caledon Public Library that gives admission for four people. There are also passes for Ontario Parks, conservation areas, and art galleries like the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and the Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives.

TURN UP THE VOLUME

June 6.

The Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival has released its 2026 lineup of performers playing gigs June 5 to 7, including vintage jazz and swing band Alex Pangman & Her Alleycats and blues singer Steve Marriner from Toronto, plus Quebec City jazz singer EmilieClaire Barlow. Festival director Larry Kurtz, who will be performing with his local band The Lawbreakers, recommends catching awardwinning blues icon Paul James on Friday night, blues/roots singer-songwriter Miss Emily on Saturday, and Canada South Blues Society Hall of Fame band Blackburn Brothers on Sunday, all visiting from Toronto. Local legends to look out for include The Campfire Poets, Stan Chang and The Travelling Wannabes.

Bird-watching backpacks are now available to sign out from the Orangeville Public Library.

PILATES INDOORS AND OUT

Work your core this June in some of Headwaters’ most gorgeous gardens with the Garden Pilates Series, run by Pilates instructor Hannah Sine of Towne Fitness. Each class is held in a different garden, with all proceeds going to the Headwaters Health Care Foundation. The series starts in June; contact the gym to sign up. For year-round classes, Purple Owl Pilates studio in Mono promotes flexibility and overall wellbeing through mindful, controlled movements, using reformer equipment to stretch and strengthen.

LOCAL ENVIRONMENTALISTS HONOURED FOR THEIR WORK

The Ontario Headwaters Institute recently announced its annual Watershed Guardian Awards, which, according to their website, “acknowledge and celebrate people and organizations making extraordinary efforts to protect watershed security in Ontario.” Recipients included former Caledon councillor and longtime community advocate Ian Sinclair, Democracy Caledon, Forks of the Credit Preservation Group, Tony Sevelka and the late Paul Newall.

ON A SHORT LEASH

BY DAN NEEDLES • ILLUSTRATION BY SHELAGH ARMSTRONG

LAST SUMMER, MY BIG FLUFFY WHITE sheepdog went for an expensive surgery to repair the ACL joint on her back leg, a procedure that came with a lengthy recovery process. She was confined to a crate for a month and put on a strict schedule of leash walks for four months after that.

It is not in Pearl’s nature to walk anywhere. She prefers to hurtle off the veranda and zip out to the barn like a telegram, dashing back to give me an alarming newsflash and dashing off again to check if anything she said was indeed true. A calmer dog might have coped with a bum ACL better, but it was clear even to her that something needed to be done. She submitted to rehab with surprising stoicism and had just completed her sentence when I was summoned to Sunnybrook Hospital for surgery to deal with a couple of problems that various doctors have been staring at for more than a decade. Quigg, my general practitioner of 25 years, spotted the aortic aneurysm while reading a chest X­ray way back in 2012. Cam, my cardiologist at Sunnybrook, added a leaky bicuspid valve to the to­do list.

By coincidence, I knew Cam from Allenby Public School in Toronto, where we spent six years together in the same class. Cam performed the lead role in my very first play about a wizard who casts spells that don’t come out quite right. He had great comic timing, and I told him that if he had just stayed with me, he could have spent the rest of his life looking for work. Cam had no memory of my play, but he did remember the same teacher taking us on a bus trip

to see a chicken slaughterhouse. We parted company in Grade 7; he later went into pre­med somewhere and I went off to the entertainment world.

I suggested to Cam that an aneurysm is a good thing because you don’t linger as a burden to your family. It’s just lights out and everybody says, “Gosh, I didn’t even know he was sick!”

Cam sighed and said, “No, Dan. We fix it.”

The surgery went reasonably well, except that I suffered a series of little strokes that affected my

It is not in Pearl’s nature to walk anywhere. She prefers to hurtle off the veranda and zip out to the barn like a telegram, dashing back to give me an alarming newsflash.

speech and vision, and extended my own rehab by several months. Fortunately, we already had a crate and Pearl was happy to give it up. Quigg is a bit of a medical historian and he tells me that splitting the breastbone is the traditional death blow in medieval warfare, and the brain has great difficulty accepting that there is any further need for its services after such an event. One of the surgical team also informed me that the heart does not like to be touched. It sulks. But there was no pain to speak of, and the eight days

I spent in the ICU and the cardiac ward turned out to be a rich experience. You don’t really need to travel anymore. Just spend a week in the hospital, put an umbrella in your drink, and people from every corner of the earth will come to your bedside.

We all like to moan about the awful state of healthcare, mostly because we dabble around the edges of it waiting for specialists and procedures. But if you do venture deep into the mechanics, you find that the system operates with the precision of a Swiss clock. In fact, the sign you are getting better comes when you are moved back out to the periphery and everything seems chaotic again.

Once home, the first piece of mail I received was a notice cancelling my driver’s licence and offering a labyrinthine process for getting it back.

Pearl and I are taking our walks together again, sometimes in the back field and occasionally at the Homestead Dog Park where Pearl is allowed to run free, but I am still on a leash. I can’t even take the tractor out because any motorized vehicle on a highway requires a licence, but I am in conversation with an Amish friend who has offered to lend me a spare horse and cart from his stable until the specialists get together and tell me I am roadworthy again.

No licence required and he assures me the horse has had its eyes tested.

Humorist and playwright Dan Needles lives on a small farm in Nottawa.

PRESENTS

KIDS SUMMER CAMPS 2026

Discover summer camps packed with movement, creativity, curiosity — and just the right amount of dirt.

Summer is just around the corner and Kids Camps in the Hills is here to help parents and caregivers navigate the registration season. From traditional full-day camps to camps that focus on sports, the arts, technology or horses, there’s something for everyone. Be sure to check out our Kids Camps in the Hills web page for updates and additions.

FUN IN THE SUN

From nature hikes to water fun, these camp activities almost guarantee that kids will be happily exhausted by pickup time. Eco Camp — celebrating their 30-year anniversary this summer — helps kids enjoy the great outdoors at Island Lake

BY EMILY DICKSON

Conservation Area at the edge of Orangeville. Also at Island Lake is one of three YMCA day camps — the other two are in Terra Cotta and at Cedar Glen outside Bolton. At Last Forest Schools does summer at Mono’s Monora Park. Kids Inc. in Hillsburgh has more than 30 acres to explore — along with swimming, archery and canoeing. At TRCA’s sprawling Albion Hills Field Centre in Caledon, Mansfield Outdoor Centre, Melancthon’s GO Adventure and Duntroon’s Highlands Nordic, children push their limits with activities such as rock climbing, swimming and wilderness survival. For classic indoor-outdoor day camps, check out Compass Camps in Mono, Town of Orangeville and Town of Caledon for options right for your child.

FOR CREATIVE KIDS

Orangeville is a hot spot for artsy kids. Budding performers hit the stage at Theatre Orangeville, or dance til they drop at Studio 3 Dance and the Academy of Performing Arts. Pint-sized sculptors are drawn to Pottery Parties Studios and Ricky Schaede Art Studio, where they will sculpt adorable axolotls. Drawing and painting skills are on deck at Maggiolly Art In Shelburne, the hub for all things music, art and craft is Streams Community Hub And at Ren Hen Artisinale baking camp near Flesherton, the art is edible. Hit That

Note Music Studio in Bolton gets kids painting, making music and dancing. Each week delivers unique artsy themes at The Raise-anArtist Project in Ballinafad.

LEVEL UP YOUR GAME

What’s a summer without sports? Swimming, paddle boarding and beach volleyball are the main events at C3’s Camp Quarry. Also in Caledon, Teen Ranch offers hockey, horseback riding and more. Kids lean in on lacrosse or broaden their horizons at a multi-sport camp at The Hill Academy in Caledon. Mono’s Athlete Institute is known for basketball, volleyball and other sports. Young gymnasts flip and tumble at Bolton

A SUMMER THEY’LL LOVE

Day Camp • From $505/week Swimming lessons included

Specialty camp options:

Mountain Biking

Leadership Skills

Gymnastics or Twisters Gymnastics in Orangeville. Headwaters Fitness & Racquet Club in Amaranth is a hotspot for tennis, pickleball and indoor golf. Storm Football Club in Orangeville and the Caledon Soccer Club hone ball skills. Kids practise their swing at Shelburne Golf & Country Club or Lynbrook Family Golf Centre in Amaranth. Junior rowers take to the water at Island Lake Rowing Club

SCIENCE AND TECH

TIME TO RIDE

When you live in horse country, summers are the perfect opportunity for young riders to saddle up and learn about caring for ponies and horses. Check out camps at Caledon Equestrian School, Cantercall Riding School in Mono and Greyden Equestrian in Erin. This year Palgrave’s Rusty Jade Ranch is running a Cowboy Camp for older kids who are ready for the next step — or make that the next canter.

Curious minds will love moving robotics, building games in Scratch and coding at Zebra Robotics in Orangeville. Also in Orangeville, Minecraft and Lego are favourites at STEM Camp while Mathnasium uses math-inspired crafts, puzzles and hands-on activities. Archaeology, crime scene investigation and mini mysteries are some of the themes at the Museum of Dufferin in Mulmur this summer.

FIND YOUR FAVOURITE CAMP

Visit our Kids Camps in the Hills page at inthehills.ca for lots more info about camps and other summertime activities in 2026.

AMARANTH

Headwaters Fitness & Racquet Club

Lynbrook Family Golf Centre

BALLINAFAD/ERIN/ HILLSBURGH

Greyden Equestrian Kids Inc.

The Raise-an-Artist Project

BRAMPTON

Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives

CALEDON

Albion Hills Field Centre (Toronto and Region Conservation Authority)

Bolton Gymnastics

C3 Camp Quarry

Caledon Academy of the Arts

Caledon Equestrian School

Caledon Tennis Club

Caledon Soccer Club

Field of Dreams

Baseball Camp

The Hill Academy

Hit That Note Music Studio

Palgrave Sports Academy

Rusty Jade Ranch

Teen Ranch

Town of Caledon Recreation

YMCA Cedar Glen

CREEMORE/DUNTROON

Highlands Nordic

MELANCTHON

GO Adventure

MONO

Athlete Institute

Black Acres

Cantercall Riding School

Compass Camps

Eco Camp

Fiddlehead Care Farm

Island Lake Rowing Club

MULMUR

Mansfield Outdoor Centre

Museum of Dufferin

ORANGEVILLE AND AREA

Academy of Performing Arts

At Last Forest Schools

Champion Cheer Academy

Citrus Dance

Maggiolly Art

Mathnasium

Pottery Parties Studio

Ricky Schaede Art Studio

STEM Camp

Storm Football Club

Studio 3

Theatre Orangeville

Town of Orangeville

Recreation

Twisters Gymnastics

Zebra Robotics

SHELBURNE/ FLESHERTON

Red Hen Artisinale

Shelburne Golf & Country Club

Streams Community Hub

Town of Shelburne

Recreation

WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR ONLINE MAPS TO GET RURAL ADDRESSES RIGHT?

Much to the dismay of residents and lost delivery drivers, charting a course in the countryside isn’t always smooth sailing.

BY EMILY DICKSON

At the end of a small dirt road just off Dufferin County Road 109, not far from where the Grand River peacefully winds through the countryside, there’s a spot where many packages go to die – or at least sit in purgatory until they’re found. Deliveries were being abandoned there so often that the property owner put up a big sign that read, “ARE YOU DELIVERING A PACKAGE?” The sign continued with an explanation that this particular sideroad was in fact in East Garafraxa, and not Amaranth or Erin. But how exactly does this happen to delivery drivers following map app directions? How do Google and Apple, which have mapped much of the planet and made this information available

on your smartphone, sometimes get it so wrong?

All the “Waze” to get lost

If you live on a country road, a county road, a sideroad, a numbered line or an address with EHS (meaning east of Hurontario Street, a quirk of Dufferin County) attached to it, you’ve likely encountered issues with map apps. Have you ever followed directions that don’t end at your intended destination? Or had packages delivered to a different address altogether? These situations are not only annoying but can also have serious consequences if you’re waiting for essential or timesensitive documents, valuable gifts or perishable foods.

A Mono community group on Facebook is full of frustrations about rural mapping mayhem: lost technicians who show up hours late, undelivered packages and misdirected friends who end up at a similar address, but in the wrong town. One Mono resident posted that if you look up their address on Hurontario Street near 25 Sideroad, the map app shows directions to Hurontario Street in Orangeville –and continues right into Island Lake.

Jim Lysick, an IT consultant and member of the Facebook group, says when he first retired to Mono Centre Road seven years ago, his deliveries were ending up “half a kilometre around the bend” from his home. He blames these wayward packages

on both map inaccuracies and “zero cell service” in the area. “Many concessions and sideroads in Mono don’t come up right on the maps apps, and depending on which app you’re using, it could be different,” Lysick says. He’s also noticed some roads have more than one name – Mono Centre Road is also Dufferin County Road 8 and Sideroad 20, for instance.

“You have arrived” … But where am I?

Poor mapping results also affect rural businesses. “There’s a real ripple effect,” explains Dina Barazza, owner of a wellness space and corporate event centre named Riverside Retreat. The centre is on the Melancthon­

‘Many concessions and sideroads in Mono don’t come up right on the maps apps, and depending on which app you’re using, it could be different.’

JIM LYSICK

Nottawasaga Townline – a dirt road just off Highway 124 north of Shelburne. “If people can’t find the address, I have to go look for them, and then the retreat can’t start on time.”

Most of Barazza’s clients arrive from the Greater Toronto Area and are unfamiliar with the quirks of navigating the countryside, such as poor signage and cell reception. “I’ve even gotten in my car to go rescue people at a bigger landmark like Lennox Farm,” she adds. “But it’s not their fault – the app just can’t get them there.”

Brandon Casey, owner of Orangeville­based delivery company I’ll Gofer It, says even longtime rural residents can get lost. Although his drivers are directed to the correct location “95 per

cent of the time,” he says, “there are definitely times where the road has suddenly ended, and we have definitely not reached our destination.”

This has especially been the case in Hockley, Mono and some parts of Caledon. When Casey’s drivers find themselves misdirected, they call him for navigation advice. He knows his way around; when he worked as a local pizza delivery driver in his youth, he developed his own “internal GPS” for problematic areas, and sometimes even drew his routes by hand.

Where the map data comes from Google Maps and Apple Maps are the most widely used map apps globally.

Google Maps offers the broadest coverage, along with features such as Street View and multi­stop routing. The Apple Maps app is limited to Apple devices, but you can access the website on any device. The navigation app Waze, owned by Google, uses crowdsourced traffic data for realtime navigation. Some of this information is shared with Google Maps. But where do tech companies source this data in the first place? According to Google Maps Platform, it’s a combination of high­resolution satellite and aerial imagery, street­level imagery (think Google’s Street View), and compilations of billions of photos and maps from trusted third­party data partners. Users can contribute to map accuracy by adding missing businesses, correcting addresses, leaving reviews and uploading photos. But user­submitted information isn’t always correct. So in 2023, Google Maps developed a machine­learning algorithm to combat misinformation. Government agencies and local municipalities can also share official data on roads, addresses and other geographic features, as well as public transportation schedules and routes, directly with Google via their Geo Data Upload tool. Because municipalities are responsible for compiling, maintaining and updating maps, they have the most accurate and up­to­date information – think closed bridges or new subdivisions. The trick, however, is getting the details reflected in the map apps.

Modernization is ongoing

For over two decades Eric Carr has worked as a geographic information systems technician for Dufferin County. The Orangeville resident develops digital mapping datasets, including interactive maps, address locators and real­time road conditions, which are available free on the municipality’s open data site. He believes map apps are sometimes inaccurate in more rural areas because

the mapping companies focus on “more built­up, urban areas.”

Carr explains that boundary roads are often the most problematic when it comes to rural maps. Different municipalities sometimes name their side of the same road differently. For example, the Erin Garafraxa Townline and the East Garafraxa Erin Townline are the same boundary road between Erin and East Garafraxa. And some streets can have two names, such as Dufferin County Road 7 (also known as Hockley Road), which intersects with Dufferin County Road 18 (also known as Airport Road).

“Addressing is very complex and

In this map, adapted from one supplied by Dufferin County’s Information Technology department, roads marked in green are those that had not yet been mapped by Google’s Street View, as of November 2025. East Garafraxa and Mulmur stand out as two areas that lack street view imagery.

it can be a little confusing,” Carr says. “And it’s a big issue, not only for getting around or getting packages. Correct locations and addresses are crucial for emergency services, too.”

Carr mentions a major national modernization project he’s working on, Next­generation 9­1­1, that will be able to locate people based on their cellphone locations, not the original 40 ­year­old system tied to landlines. And he’s working to ensure that idiosyncrasies of rural addresses, such as roads with two names, don’t stand in the way of accuracy.

Inaccurate mapping is not limited to the countryside. In 2022, Stanley Park

Horse­Drawn Tours in Vancouver saw a 20 per cent drop in business before realizing Google Maps was sending people to the wrong location. The company made repeated attempts to correct the problem, but Google only fixed it and apologized to the owner after a consumer advocacy group contacted Google on their behalf.

How not to take a wrong turn So what can people do to fix mapping inaccuracies? Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze did not respond to our requests for information. For now there are links in the apps and app help centres to report incorrect locations

‘Addressing is … a big issue, not only for getting around or getting packages. Correct locations and addresses are crucial for emergency services, too.’

ERIC CARR

or addresses and suggest edits. But this can take multiple attempts, and changes are subject to approval.

This was the case for Lysick. It was only after three months of trying to contact Google Maps and submitting photos of road signs that the company approved his address change. Others in the Facebook group say they’ve had success updating an address by pinning a home address as a business, but this is not an official method.

When it comes to using map apps while driving in rural areas, how can you avoid potential wrong turns?

Casey recommends reviewing the suggested route beforehand and confirming that it navigates not only to the correct address but also to the correct town. The map app help centres also recommend you enable Location Services on your smartphone, keep your mobile data and Wi­Fi on while driving, and update your operating system so you always have the latest version of the app.

One alternative app some people are finding useful is What3words, which has divided the world into 3­by­3metre squares, and each square has a unique three­word combination. The app can be more accurate than searching for an address because it relies solely on a GPS location. This has made What3words quite popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Unfortunately, at this time you cannot use the threeword combinations on other map apps to navigate to a location, which can be a limitation.

What’s next for map apps

Mapping technology is ever evolving, especially with recent advancements in artificial intelligence. In 2024,

Still, change comes slowly in the countryside. Carr shared a map of areas in Dufferin County that Google’s Street View has not yet mapped; the most significant gaps are in East Garafraxa and Mulmur.

According to Google’s blog, they “aim to update satellite imagery of the places that are changing the most.” So they may update big cities once a year, while medium­sized and smaller cities could take two to three years. Carr has found that maps for low­density rural areas are sometimes untouched for many years.

So when you find yourself lost in Melancthon and all you can see are fields, barns and laneways ending in green signs with six numbers … will your map app help?

Barazza isn’t taking any chances. Before every event she still emails clients detailed, step­by­step driving instructions that include landmarks such as wind turbines, churches, road signs and mailboxes. “I have to be proactive,” she says. “I just want them to get here safely. And hopefully on time.”

For more history on roadways in Headwaters, turn to “Country Roads, Take Me Home,” page 79.

Emily Dickson is a writer and editor living in Orangeville.

moreGrowingthan tomatoes

HOW OUR FAMILY GARDEN INSPIRED OUR HOUSEHOLD’S

ANNUAL KIDPRENEUR SPRING PROJECT

BY FRANCESCA DISCENZA • ILLUSTRATIONS BY RUTH ANN PEARCE

It’s mid­March, and the kitchen table disappears under pots of soil, one­inch seedling trays and tomato seeds in four varieties – cherry, Roma, beefsteak, and mini cherry. It’s time to germinate. Our family has obtained many seeds from local farmers and neighbours over ten years and some of our varieties are in their ninth generation. Our eleven­year­old son and nineyear­old daughter jump right into planting the delicate tomato seeds. We dry them on kitchen napkins and store them at the end of each season. The children carefully rip the napkins, separating the seeds and placing the tiny seed­infused napkin bits into one­

press of their finger and then they add a little more dirt – about a half inch to cover. As parents, we support the process by keeping their soil supply stocked and keeping more pots at the ready, while cleaning around them so they can enjoy themselves without trying to be neat. Well, I do throw a few reminders to try to be neat, but I quickly realize how futile that is. They don’t need as much instruction anymore; they’ve been involved since they were preschoolers. But for the past three years, however, they’ve taken a much more active interest – it’s now,

literally, their business. What began as a simple project to involve them in the family garden has become a burgeoning children­led seasonal community sale and fundraising operation entering its fourth year.

On the May long weekend, my kids set up a table groaning with tomato seedlings to sell to neighbours and passersby. The table sits halfway down the driveway, leaving enough room for a car to pull in. Handmade signs that say, “Tomato Plants for Sale! $3/each or 2 for $5” are placed on the side of the road across from

and in front of our house. We tie red balloons to the address pole with a red wagon displaying a dozen tall sturdy tomato plants.

The kids work hard to set up. They are ready to reap the benefits of their labour. I will admit, although they’ve done most of the work, it was my and my husband’s nudge that got the, er, seeds planted.

During the Christmas before our first plant sale three years ago, we encountered the familiar moment, like many parents among us, when our children’s materialistic wants outpaced their understanding of a hard­earned dollar. The winter holidays were barely a month in the past, and they were already bored with the abundance of gifts they received and asked for more. In a moment of quiet reckoning, my husband and I decided it was time to humble their expectations and teach them the value of earning a dollar. Little did we know that our efforts to help them grow a little more financial sense would lead to the whole family chipping in to grow hundreds of tomato plants.

Our children understood the basic idea that money buys things, or rather our money did. We explained we earn it at our jobs, save it in the bank, and use it to pay for essentials and occasional fun. We also discussed that we should not spend more than we make. These reminders did little to curb their constant requests for toys. We considered giving an allowance or paying them for chores, but neither felt right for us. We did not want to tie payment to the household responsibilities everyone shares, nor did we want to hand out money without ex plaining how to earn it. Supporting a kidpreneur venture, however, felt different. Through a small business of their own, our children could potentially learn meaningful financial habits, and gain skills that will support their future ideas and success.

If our kids wanted more, and could not wait for their birthdays and holidays, they would have to learn how to make and manage their own money.

Planting the seeds of sustainable entrepreneurship

During a family dinner brainstorming session on kid­friendly business ideas, the kids eagerly filled the room with suggestions. Our son immediately shouted, “Lemonade stand!” – the quintessential minibusiness venture. Our daughter proposed making bracelets or selling stuffies, but not her stuffies, of course. Generating ideas was easy. The hard part was explaining to them the business logistics and environmental impact of it all without crushing their creativity. Living on half an acre at the edge of a forest, our sense of stewardship

for the land has grown stronger each year. We realized we had an opportunity to teach the kids how to think like sustainable entrepreneurs, rooting their ideas in care for both the environment and their community. So we floated a few criteria. Could they offer a product or service that genuinely benefits people? Could they make it environmentally responsible? How about keeping it affordable for both the business and the customer? And lastly, could we build in a philanthropic element? It was a lot to ask.

On a cold day in mid­March three years ago, while sorting our seed collection and planning our spring garden, my husband wondered aloud about having a plant sale for the community. The idea fulfilled the four criteria, and the kids actually liked it. We were already in the habit of making donations

to reforestation as a family with the international non­profit One Tree Planted, so we decided a portion of all sales would be donated there.

We had a plan, the children agreed, and so we were on our way to learning and growing minds and plants.

Patience, responsibility and real-world learning

Despite a hint of uncertainty about how this might pan out, we knew our children would at least enjoy a meaningful gardening project to carry them from winter into spring. Fortunately, they were very motivated by earning their own money and eager to participate, so we carried on.

As March ends, the kitchen transforms into a little greenhouse. Our large bay window is full of trays cradling over 150 seedlings and half our seven­foot table absorbing the rest

Through a small business of their own, our children could potentially learn meaningful financial habits, and gain skills that will support their future ideas and success.

with just enough space left for the four of us to eat together among the plants. Patience sets in as the kids watch for the first green shoots to appear.

Over the next few weeks, they stay involved through each stage: watering daily, rotating after school, and eventually transplanting the threeinch seedlings into three­to­five­inch growing pots collected from family and friends. Customers now return their pots for reuse, helping us grow a small circular economy. When midApril arrives, it is time to acclimatize the growing plants to the outdoors, and the children have the added chore of bringing them out in the mornings before they leave for school and then back in again before the sun sets.

Sale weekend is always the May long weekend, the time most people begin to prepare their gardens and buy plants. As the seedlings get stronger, we begin to prepare and think about marketing.

Previously, we simply presented the business as a Tomato Plant Fundraiser Sale to our community. This year, the kids have decided to name their business The Little Plant Stand. I manage the social media advertising on Instagram and local Facebook groups, and the children help me create post ideas. We also discuss a sales pitch, building confidence to promote to their school community, and extended family and friends, a skill they have grown since that first year. They each create business cards that say, “Tomato Plants for Sale!

Heirloom, Organic Tomatoes! 2 plants for $5. Every Purchase Plants a Tree!”

This year they are excited about a new design that will display their new business name.

My daughter, focused on the practical side, notes that “You need a lot of advertisements, or people won’t see your business.”

While we presented the opportunity and supported the execution, they learned to be decisive and in control of every aspect of their business.

As that long weekend approaches, the children’s excitement begins to take shape, especially as they calculate the potential profit growth for this year, which reminds us of the true reason we began this project in the first place: money management.

Market days and managing high expectations

Foot traffic is rare on our country road outside Bolton and cars often fly past without noticing the signs. In the first season, the kids waited patiently, tweaking sign placement and cheering each other through slow stretches. Now, with growing confidence, evolving marketing ideas, and returning customers, their business sees more traffic.

When customers arrive, the kids manage every transaction by explaining plant varieties, calculating totals, making change and packaging purchases in recycled boxes or paper bags we gathered over the year. I do not hover; our community is patient and honest if a calculation goes sideways. By now, they are well practised in teaching customers how to transplant and care for their plants throughout the season. My son reminds them to plant in full sun, plant them deep even past the bottom leaves, top with mulch, water every day, and use stakes to support their tall growth.

Last year we added lavender and mint plants propagated from our own garden to the market table. Our yard turns into a hub of visitors walking across the yard to see where it all

grows and sometimes children flock toward the wooden swing and slide set beneath the apple and pear trees.

Since the first year, my son has initiated a business journal to track sales to determine which varieties are most popular – cherry and beefsteak always sell out first.

My daughter engages customers with a game, “Guess the mystery plant,” with just a small bud that’s tough to identify. A multiple­choice list is nearby to help the participants indulge her by making a random guess. Nasturtium, sunflower or pepper?

The hardest part is managing their expectations, watching them sit for long stretches, hopeful, then disappointed when hours pass without a single sale. But as my son has told me, this taught him about “perseverance and patience.” He says, “Not everyone is going to stop and buy something.”

Kids are also resilient creatures. Last year, a sudden rainstorm nearly tore our tent apart, sending all of us scrambling in the downpour to move everything into the garage and take down the tent. It was the kids who suggested posting an update on social media and offering online requests with pickup times on another day. Their ability to pivot turned a soggy setback into a successful day.

They have also formed their own criteria for what makes a successful venture. My son emphasizes that good customer service is key, and my daughter adds that it is important to “pay attention to your sales and what the customers say. For example, we need to grow more cherry tomatoes this year based on how quickly we sold out of them last year.”

Enthusiastic support of our community

The community’s response has been deeply encouraging. People light up at the sight of the children’s hearty,

The hardest part is managing their expectations, watching them sit for long stretches, hopeful, then disappointed when hours pass without a single sale.

And they practise one of the harder lessons anyone in business will tell you: it’s not all profit.

“You have to portion your money well because you will need to buy supplies for next year, and you want to save some and keep some for yourself,” says my son.

The kids establish the donations for reforestation, deduct the costs they will need for supplies next year, and split the modest profits – anywhere from $100 to $150 each. Any leftover plants are donated to their school garden, which is managed over the summer by family volunteers.

Money talk

organically grown plants and their genuine customer service. Over time, we have gained a loyal group of returning customers who now look forward to our tomatoes, swearing they are the best they have ever tasted. Watching our children absorb this praise is its own reward; their motivation grows not just from sales, but from seeing the joy their efforts bring to others.

Once the long weekend ends, the children tally up their sales and make notes in the business journals for next year on projections and sales goals.

At the start of this project, I often felt conflicted and worried we might encourage stingy or overly obsessive attitudes toward money. While many people were supportive, some gently suggested our children are “too young to worry about money.” Seeking reassurance, I was grateful to discover Toronto­based author Cinders McLeod, who gave our little endeavour a thumbs­up. McLeod’s Moneybunny series introduces early financial literacy with warmth and clarity.

Beautifully illustrated and written for ages three to eight, books like Earn It!, Spend It!, Save It!, and Give It! present money concepts in simple, hopeful and

How to start an eco‑friendly kids’ business

A simple guide for raising young entrepreneurs who care for the planet.

❶

Choose a sustainable product or service

Pick something that benefits people, the environment or reduces waste –seedlings, handmade upcycled crafts, gently used items, or even services like garden help, pet care or neighbourhood litter cleanups.

❷

Use what you already have

Before buying supplies, look around your home. Turning reclaimed materials into products teaches creativity, lowers environmental impact and reduces cost.

❸

Source locally and thoughtfully

If materials are needed, buy local and choose organic, plastic-free, or second-hand options whenever possible. For plants, consider saving seeds, trading with neighbours, or accessing your local seed library.

❹

Start small

Give the project time to grow and develop. Aiming for high profits can prevent key skill-building opportunities.

❺

Build with low-waste methods

Opt for natural packaging and reused containers to avoid single -use plastics. Encourage customers to return packaging for reuse.

❻

Price responsibly

Encourage kids to consider material costs and donations, giving only brief attention to time. Emphasizing wages too early can lead them to overprice their product or service, so the focus should stay on effort and learning rather than calculating compensation.

❼

Create a community-focused marketing plan

Spread the word through neighbours, schools, workplaces, local markets and social media. Highlight the business’ environmental values. Eco -minded customers love supporting kids who make a difference.

❽

Give back to the environment

Donate a portion of earnings to a cause like tree planting, pollinator gardens, wildlife centres or community cleanups. Even small contributions help kids understand the power of circular generosity.

age­appropriate ways.

I spoke with McLeod in January as she prepared to launch the newest Moneybunny book, How Do You Earn? She explained that the series began during the 2008 recession, when letters to the Globe and Mail, where she worked as a cartoonist, revealed widespread concern about children’s lack of financial literacy and resources for the subject. McLeod used her talents to create one of the first series of its kind – books designed not only for children, but to spark meaningful conversations with parents. During our interview, McLeod was happy to hear what my children were working toward and embracing the message in her Give It! book with their philanthropic efforts. McLeod reminds me of “the idea that money, at the end of the day, it’s energy and it goes around and around, and if you’re a scrooge about it, well, there’s not much payback.” I wholeheartedly agree and feel hopeful that my children are setting up a sort of business karma when they share their profits toward reforestation.

The

difference between needs and wants

In our first year, the “What are we going to do with the money we make?” conversations between brother and sister escalated quickly and unrealistically. We found ourselves explaining the true costs of their big wants: owning a dog or buying an ATV was not exactly achievable on the projected tomato­plant profits. We also noticed that having their own money made them feel they could buy anything whenever they wanted, much of it destined to become space­stealing clutter in our tiny countryside house. Clearly, it was time for a lesson in needs versus wants.

In Ron Lieber’s, The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are

We also noticed that having their own money made them feel they could buy anything whenever they wanted … Clearly, it was time for a lesson in needs versus wants.

Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money, making a distinction about needs and wants is important because “as early as age five, kids are ready to reckon with the framework that ought to govern a lot of their spending for the rest of their lives.” If we wanted our kids to be successful with their business, then we would have to share a framework for that success and hope they go for it.

Running a business meant covering costs first (product, supplies, advertising and donations) then reinvesting for next year. Only the remainder would be profit, split evenly between them. We could tell in their disappointed expressions that they were now visualizing their profits evaporating into the clouds. They were even less impressed when we further explained the save­spend­share model we would use to manage their profits.

This model means 50 per cent goes into a long­term savings account, 25 per cent into short­term savings jar, and 25 per cent for spending cash. Realizing they would get further together, they shifted to planning one shared purchase, pooling 25 per cent of their profits so they could own one of the items on their list – the newest Super Mario Nintendo Switch game. Watching that collaboration felt like seeing the first bud emerge as proof the roots had taken hold.

I had to suppress a self­satisfied grin when my son told me, “You buy things less because you realize it’s coming out of your pocket and then you think, Do I really need it?” and again when

my daughter suggested checking second­hand options first, and adding, “If you don’t want to spend money, you shouldn’t go shopping.”

They find their own way Since starting this project, the children’s sales have grown each year, helping plant 205 trees across Ontario. This season, they bring a stronger sense of how their small business can support both their community with locally grown organic food, and the environment through reforestation in Ontario. They look forward to meeting neighbours who value healthy food, local growing and kid­led projects that give back to the land.

This has never been about financial pressure or about great profit. Our children are not responsible for household stability, and they never go without necessities. Instead, it is a yearly lesson in how effort becomes income, how expenses shape profit and how saving creates opportunities.

The biggest change we have seen as parents is that now, when they want something, they ask if we can take them to buy it. They pause, think

it through, compare options, and sometimes decide against a purchase when it would drain their savings or is not truly something they need. It is no longer about having more, but about spending with intention and understanding the value behind each choice. And we no longer have to persuade them on purchases. What they choose to spend their 25 per cent on is entirely up to them. Another bonus: we get to enjoy the literal fruit of their labour.

As we plan our 2026 venture, we hope this experience provides them with the ability to actualize future business or career goals rooted in respect for their community and the environment around them. This year, my son and daughter are working to achieve their business goal of planting about 25 per cent more than last year.

My son’s advice to others considering a kid plant sale? “Don’t stop and keep going.”

You can track our progress and tree donations on Instagram @little_plantstand.

Francesca Discenza is a freelance writer who lives in Caledon.

RESOURCES

Cinders McLeod. Moneybunny Books series (Penguin Random House Canada). www.moneybunnies.com

Mark Cuban, Shaan Patel, and Ian McCue. Kid Start-Up: How You Can Be an Entrepreneur (Diversion Books Edition, 2018)

Melinda Wenner Moyer. Hello, Cruel World! Science-Based Strategies for Raising Terrific Kids in Terrifying Times (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Penguin Random House. 2025)

Ron Lieber. The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money (HarperCollins Publishers. 2015)

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The turtle protectors

HABITAT LOSS, TRAFFIC AND GROWTH ARE

PUSHING

ONTARIO’S

TURTLES

TOWARD LOCAL EXTINCTION – BUT GRASSROOTS RESCUE EFFORTS OFFER HOPE

BY DON SCALLEN

The antediluvian creature emerged from the Grand River and walked, resolutely, up a slope toward Dufferin Road 25 near Grand Valley in June 2025. The road hummed with morning traffic. Driving in that steady stream of vehicles was Alexis Wright who, every June, is primed to look for turtles. When her peripheral vision registered the lumbering snapping turtle, she edged her car to the shoulder, turned on her

hazard lights and, as a biblical torrent of rain fell, pondered her next move. Wright is the founder of Headwaters Turtle Protectors, a volunteer group dedicated to making the area’s increasingly urbanized world safer for turtles. The snapping turtle heading toward Dufferin Road 25 – and almost certain oblivion on that rainy morning – was lucky. Wright, experienced in handling turtles safely, picked it up, carried

it across the road and set it down in the direction it was heading. It was a female, with nesting on her mind. Then, as transport trucks thundered past and the rain continued to fall, Wright watched the turtle enter a soy field and begin to dig her nest. Wright names special turtles and called this one Maizey after she misidentified the soy sprouts as corn. Agriculture isn’t Wright’s forte. Turtles are.

Then the waiting began. Along with volunteers Michele Blanchard­Seidel and Mandy Park, Wright took turns watching Maizey from a respectful distance. The protectors didn’t want to spook her, but they did want to make sure she got safely back to the Grand River after nesting. At that point, her duties would be over. Turtle eggs and hatchlings must fend for themselves, with no parental care.

The protectors’ vigil lasted more than eight hours. At 7:30 p.m., Park was on watch when Maizey began trudging back to the river. Park texted Wright, who soon arrived to carry Maizey back across the road.

Maizey was safe, but what about her eggs? Later, the protectors searched the approximate location of the nest, but came up empty. The precise site was disguised by the saturated soil,

the uniformity of the soy sprouts and Maizey’s fine job of covering her eggs. The unsuccessful attempt to find the eggs probably led to a regrettable outcome. In late summer, as the hatchlings trundled across the road toward the river, they were likely run over.

As a mother of a young boy and with a job as an environmental and human rights reporter for The Pointer, an online media platform serving the regions of Peel and Niagara, Wright doesn’t have lots of free time. But she is usually able to work from home and, importantly, has an understanding mom who can take care of her son, Joey, when she is away on rescue missions.

For Wright, driving in the warm months is more than a way to get from one place to another. It is an opportunity to watch for turtles and, if necessary, carry them across roads

in the direction they were travelling. She emphasizes doing this safely. This is not an idle concern. In May 2024, two sisters were struck by a vehicle and killed as they attempted to help a turtle cross a road near Chatham.

“Now that I’m a mom, I’m especially wary,” says Wright.

Why is she so passionate about the welfare of turtles? “As an environmentalist, I feel I’m screaming into the void much of the time,” she says. “So it feels good to do something that has undeniable positive outcomes. I’d feel pretty bleak if I didn’t do anything.”

Turtles at risk

Of the eight species of native turtles found in Ontario, all except the painted turtles are considered at risk by the province’s Committee on the

Status of Species at Risk.

In Headwaters, midland painted turtles are the most common species. Though snapping turtles are also reasonably common, they are listed as a species of “special concern,” which means they may become “threatened” if adverse factors affecting their populations are not dealt with.

Blanding’s turtles, a third Headwaters species, are already considered “threatened.” This means they are likely to become “endangered” if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to their extirpation (local extinction) or extinction.

And sadly, Blanding’s turtles do appear to be on the verge of extirpation in these hills, though some of these beautiful animals, with banana­yellow throats and army­helmet­like shells, probably still inhabit the Luther Marsh.

But interestingly, a female Blanding’s turtle was found wandering in south Caledon a couple of years ago. The surprising presence of a female Blanding’s in south Caledon is undeniably positive. But her prospects for survival are fraught. This area of Caledon will soon experience explosive growth. This growth will take a heavy toll on the area’s already compromised natural environment. Buildings, highways, parking lots and agriculture have eliminated much of the turtle habitat in Headwaters and beyond – and habitat loss will, regrettably, continue apace. It is the overarching reason turtles are in crisis today. Humans have drained wetlands and largely

eliminated the natural corridors that connect the wetlands that remain.

This makes it imperative to protect surviving bits of nature – as refuges for turtles and myriad other life forms. “Swan Lake,” for example, a blue jewel in a landscape restored from a former quarry, is worth protecting. Located in Caledon north of the village of Cataract, this body of water has been reclaimed by swans, frogs and, yes, turtles.

Spearheaded by advocacy groups, local residents and environmental activists, the fight against a developer’s proposal to fill the lake with debris and excess soil from construction projects has been long and bitter. But last December, Caledon council voted unanimously to nix the idea.

For now, the proposal is dormant.

“Swan Lake” and its turtles are safe, though there is no guarantee that the proposal won’t be revived. My hope is that turtles can be granted this small, but important, wetland as recognition of human complicity in their decline and as a gift to their future. Growth, of course, is supported by more and bigger roads, and by ever­increasing traffic. For millions of years, turtles have moved, largely unencumbered, through expansive home ranges – females on egglaying missions and many others simply moving from one wetland to another. These overland journeys have always carried risk. In deep time, wandering turtles probably fell prey to velociraptors, and in pre­colonial times, to hungry wolves or cougars. But their epoch­spanning wanderlust

now puts them at much greater risk. Wright’s intervention last June near Grand Valley ensured a happy ending for the snapping turtle mother. But every year, in thousands of other instances across Ontario, the endings are tragic. Crossing busy roads is like playing Russian roulette with five of the gun’s six chambers loaded.

Victims of growth

In Headwaters, the tremendous growth planned for Caledon will add thousands of vehicles to the town’s roads. This is a given. And more cars will mean higher turtle mortality. Then, predictably, that mortality will decline – not because turtles have learned to avoid roads, but simply because they have been locally exterminated.

The gory reality of the toll that road mortality exacts on turtles was brought home to me on the first warm spring day of April 2008, when I found several Blanding’s turtles smashed on the pavement of Highway 24 south of Brantford. I pulled over to find three additional Blanding’s turtles about to cross the road from east to west. I carried them across to the extensive marshland they were seeking.

I pondered my options on that sad morning. I called Bob Johnson, who was, at the time, curator of amphibians and reptiles at the Toronto Zoo (since retired). He was concerned and suggested I contact the Ministry of Transportation in London, as the highway is under provincial jurisdiction. MTO and the Toronto Zoo acted quickly. That summer,

temporary fencing was erected on both sides of the highway, and in 2009, permanent chain­link fencing was installed.

A subsequent study by the Toronto Zoo discovered that the remaining Blanding’s turtles in that local population were using an existing culvert under the highway to get from one side to the other. Crucial habitat connectivity was documented.

Most important, however, was the almost complete cessation of Blanding’s turtle road mortality after the fencing was installed at this hot spot. This project has been a clear win for turtle conservation and is unambiguous proof that road barriers can work. It also demonstrates that collaborations between concerned citizens and government organizations to save turtles can be successful. But barriers cost money. So here’s the question: Do we humans value the lives of turtles enough to pay the price?

Hope for survival

In mid­August last year, I met Wright on the Caledon Trailway. It was an overcast morning, threatening rain.

Gathered around her was a group of fellow turtle lovers, cameras at the ready. She opened three plastic trays partially filled with water and revealed 90 very small, very active hatchling snapping turtles. The response of the humans was predictable: oohs and ahs and other expressions of delight. The little reptiles reached their improbably long necks upwards, eager for release, eager for freedom.

These baby turtles had emerged from their eggs five days earlier at Scales Nature Park, an educational facility that showcases native Ontario reptiles. In 2025, says Wright, 1,179 Headwaters turtles, incubated at the

“I love working somewhere that feels like family and supports the community we call home!”

SYDNEY

We

What to do if you find an injured turtle anywhere in Ontario

❶

Take note of the exact location of the turtle so it can be returned after rehabilitation.

❷

If you’ve found a snapping turtle, know that they require careful handling. This video shows how: vimeo.com/94872148.

❸

Kearsten Allen of the Dufferin Veterinary Hospital explains the next step: “Call the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre at 705-741-5000, located in Peterborough. They have a map of all first responder clinics within Ontario and can direct you to the closest clinic. The OTCC can also guide you on the safest ways to properly move or retrieve an injured turtle.” If you find an injured turtle, phone rather than send an e-mail as injured turtles require prompt attention. If you can’t drive the turtle to Peterborough, the OTCC will arrange a turtle taxi and may advise you to take the turtle to a clinic such as the DVH for initial treatment.

❹

If you are unable to get the turtle to a clinic immediately or you are waiting for a turtle taxi driver, place the turtle in a well-ventilated plastic container with a secure lid and no water. Do not offer the turtle any food or water, and do not treat it in any way. If you must keep the turtle overnight, keep it in the well-ventilated container at room temperature in a dark, quiet place away from pets (information via OTCC).

An injured Blanding’s turtle gets a second chance thanks to veterinarians at the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre.

What to do if you find an injured turtle in Headwaters

As above, start by calling the OTCC so that, if necessary, they can arrange a turtle taxi relay to Peterborough. ❷

Then call Dufferin Veterinary Hospital at 519-941-7690. If the clinic is open, you can deliver the turtle to 24 Armstrong Street in Orangeville. Alternatively, contact the National Wildlife Centre near Caledon East at 416-577-4372.

❸

If those facilities are closed, contact Alexis Wright of Headwaters Turtle Protectors at hturtlep@gmail.com or 519-598-0591. Use these HTP contacts only for injured turtle emergencies or if a turtle is nesting in a dangerous location, such as a roadside.

If you have a general query for Headwaters Turtle Protectors or have found a nesting turtle, connect with them via their Facebook page.

park, were released into their haunts in these hills.

Scales Nature Park also incubates thousands of turtle eggs from other areas of the province – 13,810 in 2025. These are recovered from nests in vulnerable locations such as roadsides and heavily used trails.

To ensure the eggs’ continued viability, it is important that they be handled carefully according to precise guidelines. Egg recovery can be carried out only by individuals who have taken part in training approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and who have the required permits.

A Scales’ “headstarting” program enables young turtles to grow larger in a safe environment and enhances their chances of survival when they

are released back into the wild. As required by the MNRF, that release will take place near where their mother was found.

Worryingly, however, Scales Nature Park has lost significant funding over the past few years and may not be able to continue its crucial egg incubation work this year. If this happens, turtle conservation in Ontario will suffer a major setback (see sidebar page 57).

At the trailway, Wright took the hatchlings to the edge of the nearby wetland and gently released each, dispersing them to improve their chances of evading predators.

Most of these tiny turtles will not survive the decade or more needed to achieve sexual maturity. Small turtles are consumed by herons, mink, racoons and large fish. But with every passing year, and every increment of growth, their vulnerability will decline and a small percentage will

TOP LEFT : A predator chewed off the left foreleg of this rare wood turtle.

TOP RIGHT : The remains of snapping turtle eggs that provided a snack for a hungry predator.

BOTTOM LEFT : A nest protector keeps turtle eggs safe.

BOTTOM RIGHT : These Blanding’s turtles were crushed by traffic as they tried to cross Highway 24 in Brant County.

live long enough to breed.

A few of the 90 ­plus released turtles could even be alive at the end of this century, after most of the human observers present on that August day have passed away. Some Ontario turtles, including snapping turtles, have the potential to live as long as humans.

Foiling predators

Along with collecting eggs from vulnerable nests, Headwaters Turtle Protectors and other turtle conservation organizations throughout Ontario protect nests from egg predators with wooden frames topped with hardware cloth. Small openings are cut into the bottom of the frames to allow baby turtles to leave the enclosures when they hatch.

Why protect nests? After all, turtles have survived on Earth for millions

of years, and throughout that time, their nests have always been predated. Consider, however, that humans have dramatically changed the calculus for turtle survival through road mortality and habitat loss. Adding to those massive threats is another, not often recognized: “subsidized predators.”

In our modern human­centric world “meso­predators” (mid­sized predators) such as foxes, skunks and raccoons are thriving. All of them enjoy eating turtle eggs.

A reason for this abundance is likely the absence of large predators, such as the wolves and cougars that once inhabited southern Ontario and preyed on meso­predators. There is also a phenomenon that biologists call “the ecology of fear”: the simple presence of big predators can change the behaviour of prey animals and their reproductive potential.

The absence of large predators means that meso­predators are no longer constrained by the ecology of fear. They can wander, eat and reproduce freely. Studies at Rondeau Provincial Park and elsewhere have found that the egg mortality of unprotected turtle nests approaches 100 per cent.

Meso­predators are a real problem. These mid­sized predators also maim turtles they encounter on land, gnawing on their legs and heads. Wood turtles, endangered in Ontario, are particularly vulnerable to these land­based assaults because they spend much of their time foraging in woodlands and meadows.

Helpers and care givers

Along with protecting nests and recovering vulnerable eggs, Headwaters Turtle Protectors take injured turtles to local animal care

facilities, including the Dufferin Veterinary Hospital in Orangeville and the National Wildlife Centre in Caledon. DVH staff assess the turtles’ needs, offer preliminary treatment and then, if necessary, send the turtles to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre in Peterborough, the premier hub for complex turtle care in the province (see sidebar page 54).

Kearsten Allen, a client service representative and animal care attendant at DVH says that last year, the practice took in more than 100 live and dead turtles. Most had been

hit by cars, but others – a small minority – were the victims of animal attacks, lawn mower incidents or ingested fishhooks. The hospital’s acceptance of dead turtles might surprise you, but if these turtles are females and carrying eggs, the eggs can be recovered and incubated.

“We serve as a triage centre for turtles,” says Allen, who credits Rachel Kulbacki, a registered veterinary technician at DVH, with teaching her the ins and outs of the crucial triage process. This process, says Allen, involves providing “pain management and temporary shell repair while they wait to be transferred to the OTCC for surgical

LEFT : Alexis Wright rescues vulnerable snapping turtle eggs from a Caledon roadside. These eggs were sent to be incubated at Scales Nature Park.

BELOW: Snapping turtle eggs are spherical and nearly the size of table tennis balls.

intervention and rehabilitation.”

When injured turtles admitted to the OTCC recover sufficiently from their injuries, they are released at or near where they were rescued. This is why, says Allen, “one of the most important parts of our job as first responders is getting as much information as possible regarding the rescue location from the transporter.”

Some of the injured turtles that arrive at the National Wildlife Centre are also triaged and sent on to the OTCC for intensive care.

But, says wildlife veterinarian Dr. Sherri Cox, the NWC’s co­founder and medical director, the centre also treats and rehabilitates many injured

turtles on­site. “Our team of five veterinarians is trained to perform surgery to repair shells, and we have a dedicated rehabilitation team that cares for the turtles while in care.”

Cox adds that the NWC hopes to begin incubating turtle eggs this year, but for now, this will be a small­scale initiative. The centre will care only for eggs recovered from deceased females.

The OTCC receives injured turtles from all over the province. Lisa Browning, the centre’s education co­ordinator, lauds the contributions of a cadre of dedicated “turtle taxi”

Turtle conservation organizations

ONTARIO TURTLE CONSERVATION CENTRE

2785 Television Rd, Peterborough, 705-741-5000 www.ontarioturtle.ca

The OTCC is the premier turtle rehabilitation centre in the province. Their website is a rich source of information about turtles and turtle conservation. More “turtle taxi” drivers are always needed. Volunteer by contacting ontarioturtle.ca/get-involved/volunteer or turtletaxi@ontarioturtle.ca. And if you’d like to donate to the OTCC, visit ontarioturtle.ca/donation-options.

HEADWATERS TURTLE PROTECTORS

Not surprisingly, as newcomers on the conservation scene, Headwaters Turtle Protectors needs volunteers, and stepping up to help doesn’t require a big commitment. “Offer what you can. Do what you can. Just let us know when you are available,” says founder Alexis Wright. Possible volunteering duties include patrolling your area of Headwaters in the busy turtle nesting season (primarily June), monitoring turtle moms as they nest and helping turtles cross roads — always keeping your safety uppermost in mind. Wright identifies the Palgrave area as especially needful of volunteers as it is one of the epicentres of turtle activity in Headwaters. To volunteer or make inquiries, contact Headwaters Turtle Protectors through their Facebook page. Donate to Headwaters Turtle Protectors at hturtlep@gmail.com. Donations will be directed to Scales Nature Park to support their egg incubation program.

The plastron (lower shell) of a hatchling snapping turtle.

SCALES NATURE PARK

82 Line 15 South, Oro-Medonte www.scalesnaturepark.ca

Scales Nature Park, a reptile conservation centre south of Orillia, is open to the public for much of the year. Visit their website to learn more about their multifaceted education and conservation programs. As mentioned, their egg incubation program is at risk due to lack of funding. To support this critical program, you can donate directly to Scales. But if you require a tax receipt, you can donate through Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Canada, a main partner with Scales in the Saving Turtles at Risk Today program. Go to the ARCC website (arcc-carc.ca/ donate) and earmark the donation for Scales Nature Park.

drivers. “We have an incredible network of 1,600 turtle taxi volunteers who can help transport them to our facility,” she says. “Long­distance trips often involve multiple drivers and ‘turtle relays,’ and in some cases, we’ve even had volunteer pilots fly injured turtles to us from northwestern Ontario!”

The OTCC’s work is truly impressive. In 2025, the centre admitted 2,260 injured and sick turtles and incubated more than 9,000 eggs collected from recovering patients, dead females and disturbed nests. And crucially, they returned more than 4,000 rehabilitated patients and hatchlings to the wild.

Browning explains that the OTCC does more than rehabilitate turtles. “Our veterinary team also holds Turtle Trauma workshops and helps to train other vets and rehabilitators from a variety of clinics and organizations across Ontario,” she says. “We currently have over 40 of these ‘first responders,’ who help provide initial treatment and pain medication to injured turtles.”

Turtle conservation in Ontario is becoming a very big deal. Headwaters Turtle Protectors is but one of a growing number of local turtle conservation organizations spanning the province. In Headwaters and the surrounding area alone, groups fighting for turtles include Halton Hills Turtle Guardians, Heart Lake Turtle Troopers and Wellington Turtle Guardians.

Collectively these organizations represent a remarkable grassroots conservation effort. These ordinary people doing extraordinary things to help these imperilled animals are a cause for optimism and celebration in these dark times for biodiversity and the environment.

The importance of turtles

If you Google the environmental value of turtles, you’ll find lots of references to their role as scavengers. Cleansing wetland waters by eating dead fish and recycling the nutrients contained in those fish, turtles are the maintenance crews of these ecologically important areas. But turtles’ ecological contri­

butions undoubtedly extend well beyond this role through their interactions with other organisms including insects, crustaceans, mollusks, fish, amphibians and plants.

Though more research is needed to better understand turtles’ contributions to wetland health, their value extends far beyond their utility in the environment. Beloved by people, they serve as ambassadors for the preservation of the wild. Saving turtles and their habitats will save myriad other life forms.

Turtles are ancient beings deserving of a future on our human­dominated planet. They have intrinsic value and they nourish human souls. Imagine wetlands once graced with basking painted turtles and massive cruising snappers, and then emptied of those wondrous beings. A tragedy for the turtles, but also for people who value biodiversity and discovery. Wetlands bereft of turtles would be lonely places.

The soy field near Grand Valley that Maizey, the snapping turtle Wright and her Headwaters Turtle Protector colleagues rescued last June, will soon be developed. The next time Maizey emerges from the Grand River to lay her eggs, she will need to navigate not only a busy road crossing, but likely a new landscape covered by houses. Her days are almost certainly numbered. The sombre beat goes on.

“This too shall pass” is a sentiment tattooed on Wright’s right forearm. One interpretation is that no matter how bad things are now, the situation will improve. I hope, sometimes with scant confidence, that things will get better for turtles. Humanity has hurt them grievously. But people can reflect on this hurt and become invested, as Wright and so many other concerned Ontarians have, in taking action to secure their future. Protecting turtles and other non­human beings is one of the highest orders of goodness: for them, for us, for our children and for generations not yet born.

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

Fixing what’s broke

ABY ANTHONY JENKINS • PHOTOGRAPHY BY PETE PATERSON

mong the synonyms for “broken” are faulty, defective, malfunctioning, inoperative, in disrepair, shot, snapped, smashed, torn, rent, kaput and the delightfully puzzling on the fritz

Just who Fritz is, or was, remains uncertain. What is certain was that the goofy, foot­tall doll my late mother knitted decades ago had seen better days.

On a crisp fall Saturday at the Caledon East Community Complex, “Tony” finds himself in the lap and under the studied gaze of Chris Millar, a “sewist”– the current term for sewer or someone who sews, I learned. She is one of a group of volunteer fixers occupying tables at a Repair Café organized by ecoCaledon, a non­profit group promoting environmental policies and REDUCING WASTE BY GIVING NEW LIFE TO BROKEN HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

acter, he sports lurid knitted shorts, sunglasses and a hat sprouting palm trees, and bears a knitted camera (with little birdy), a duck­headed brolly and a never­ending “V” of a smile sewn on in red wool. But time, inattention, kids and misadventure had seen the scarf of Tony the Traveller badly worn, his grip on his umbrella torn and his portmanteau in need of a darn.

A multicoloured “traveller” charCONTINUED

ABOVE: The Caledon East Community Complex buzzed with activity last fall as fixers, fixees, exhibitors and helpers gathered at ecoCaledon’s Repair Café.

NEAR RIGHT : A satisfied customer looks on as longtime volunteer fixer “Kaz” Osuchowski repairs her ailing blender.

CENTRE RIGHT : After sprucing up Tony the Traveller, sewist Chris Millar displays Anthony Jenkins’ goofy but precious rejuvenated keepsake.

FAR RIGHT : One of the busiest Repair Café fixers, Peter Gosciola works intently to grind a sharpened edge on a dull kitchen knife.

waste reduction. Lining the walls of a big, bright auditorium are a dozen or more tables, functioning as workspaces for the volunteers surrounded by fix­it paraphernalia and an aura of decades of knowledge of their craft. They await a steady stream of broken things to be fixed, free of charge, for whomever shows up. Those with newly repaired items go home happy and their erstwhile “junk” avoids becoming landfill. Fix. Win. Win. With the added win of pleasant encounters with neighbours, fixers, fixees and amiable gawkers wishing to learn.

An electronics whiz

By nature and by geography, Polishborn and ­raised Bolton resident

“Kaz” Osuchowski (he immigrated to Canada in 1990) is a fixer with a strong DIY philosophy. “I spent half my life in a socialist/communist system, and you had to fix things,” he says. “You fixed things with your hands and with your head. I was fixing my motorbike, my TV, many other things in Poland. Basic skills were required to help yourself.” Osuchowski moved well beyond the basics. Electronics became a vocation. Educated in industrial electronics and automation, and semi­retired at 76 after a long career, he says that the work remains a joy and has inspired him to volunteer his services at every Repair Café here since they began in 2021. His work of the moment is an old, broken blender that is now more of a paperweight. Osuchowski holds and manoeuvres the device with a knowing touch, quickly dismantling and eyeing it with

decades of much higher expertise and experience. The problem is analyzed –when he points it out, it is obvious even to the mechanically clueless, like me – and he quickly and expertly sets things right with a bit of wire, solder and a smile.

With a pleasant whir of confirmation, the blender has been fixed, the customer is happy, the landfill is denied and the real benefits of what ecoCaledon and others dub the circular economy are manifest. The term refers to a philosophy and practice whereby products are kept in circulation through repair, reuse and recycling, thereby reducing needless waste and consumption.

Like riding a bike

Inderpal Singh has a long beard, a shy daughter and a five­speed kid’s bicycle

that is acting funny. He is huddled in a conference with volunteer bicycle fixer David Elich, whose mother, Sandy, is his “repair crew.”

The bicycle rests upside down on a stand. It seems the gears keep derailing. Elich, concentrating, spins the wheels methodically seeking … a solution. The wheels spin and spin, quietly, almost hypnotically, while he shifts the gears. It may look like science but “it is 95 per cent feel,” he says. “Sometimes it’s an art. I go by eye, by sound. I feel it.”

In this case, the repair involves correcting innocent human error. Singh’s young daughter, Kirpa, has been shifting the gears of her first bicycle too quickly and “beyond the capacity of the bike,” says Elich. “It happens. We’re all kids.” He instructs dad and daughter about how to do things correctly so the small fist of

gears will remain co­operative in future.

Singh heard of the Repair Café through a Facebook group. An ITbased health­care consultant, he works mostly from home in Caledon East. He has some proven DIY skills, as he calls them, and claims “70 per cent success trying to drywall my basement.” But they don’t come naturally.

“This,” he smiles, waving at the upturned bike, “would take me a whole lot of research. I’d spend 10 minutes to find the right video person on YouTube who can explain it well, then there is the actual doing it. It would take me hours to do what David is going to do in five minutes.”

In a society in which people are increasingly working remotely, eschewing the interpersonal and hands­on of anything save a keyboard, might the face­to­face humanity of

repairs and repairpersons be a small and pleasant correcting force?

Singh believes so. “Personal skills are still important,” he says. “The fixers had great smiles on their faces as soon as we came in, answered my questions, were willing to help. And they are volunteers! As someone working from home, I crave these environments. I look forward to things like this. I may have to break more things just to get back!” Surprised to learn that all repairs at the event are free, he chose to make a donation to ecoCaledon.

The sharpest knife

Busiest fixer of all, over in a corner but far from overlooked, is Peter Gosciola, a Repair Café regular doing here voluntarily what he does for a living at his business, iSharp Knives, in Brampton.

What sets our service apart:

• GPS-tracked walks with detailed photo updates

• Fresh water, towel-dried paws, serene energy

• Attention to routine, environment, personality

Dressed as sombrely as Johnny Cash, all in black, Gosciola sits enveloped in the sound of his grinding wheels, engrossed in putting frighteningly sharp edges on a murderous collection of waiting knives, scissors, shears, clippers and cleavers. His are seemingly easy (they are not) and quick fixes. The rhythmic and sparking to and fro of blades on a grinding wheel are delicate and deliberate, and he takes the time needed.

He has many satisfied customers, Mary Gore, who lives near Caledon East, among them. She brought two big kitchen knives. “I use them all the time,” she says. “I have a hand sharpener, but the knives stay dull. Cut myself? Oh gosh, yes. This will make it worse! I’m loath to throw things out, disposable society and all, but it is difficult to find people who fix things.”

Gosciola, moving on to the next client’s knives behind a curtain of sparks, sharpens dull things. He does so here, through ecoCaledon, for the small, but greater, good of his community.

This most recent ecoCaledon Repair Café, held last fall, was the ninth, held bi­annually, since 2021. Originating in Amsterdam in 2009 and later practised by Roncy Reduces (a community waste­reduction initiative in Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighbourhood), the event was adopted locally as part of ecoCaledon’s mission to promote community climate change action and to change mindsets. An easy and fun way to change behaviour, the Repair Café is also much more.

It has a core of eight to 10 fixers, with others coming and going over the years. New volunteers are always sought and welcomed, with efforts being made to broaden the areas of repair to include shoes or jewel ry. With new fixers, knowledge is assumed and required, as is a willingness to collaborate – fixers seem to delight in getting heads together over a particularly tricky repair –and above all, an eagerness to try.

This said, there is only so much that can be done during the event, and some stuff presented proves to be

either unrepairable or outright junk. But towels aren’t thrown in easily.

“That is in the nature of fixers,” observes Betty de Groot, one of ecoCaledon’s organizers and a spokesperson for the event, as she strolls among diligent fixers and grateful fixees. “The fact that they volunteer shows they are ready to step outside their comfort zone. They have a good attitude. They are eager to take on a challenge. We don’t need very, very skilled people; we just need people with skills.”

Repairing things, be they electronic, fabric, gear­and­sprocket or other, is often a combination of formal training and hands­on learning. A good fix­it

‘You

fixed things with your hands and with your head. I was fixing my motorbike, my TV, many other things in Poland. Basic skills were required to help yourself.’

“KAZ” OSUCHOWSKI

bedside manner isn’t strictly necessary, but it helps with customer interaction and satisfaction. Service with a smile is a given among the Repair Café’s fixers. Some repairs can’t be taken on in the four­hour time allotted, and no guarantees are given. No welding is done, and nothing involving refrigeration, gasoline power or items operating on power of more than 120 volts or different currents is accepted. And anything someone can’t personally carry in won’t be looked at. Your old army­surplus flamethrower? Sorry.

My doll’s saviour Tony the Traveller is under the needle and that needle is wielded with tongue­between­teeth intent by a grey­haired grandmother in a

This is the Avalon Difference!

Seeing is Believing

Retirement living isn’t what many people expect, and Avalon is proof. Here, days unfold with a sense of ease. Conversations happen naturally.

Familiar routines feel lighter, more enjoyable. There’s a calm confidence that comes from feeling supported, understood, and genuinely at home.

Families notice it, too – in the laughter, the comfort, and the way their loved ones truly settle in.

We believe that some things are better experienced than explained; that’s why we invite you to see the Avalon Retirement Lodge difference for yourself.

Toronto Blue Jays’ shirt.

Chris Millar’s T­shirt looks new (at the time, the Jays’ 2025 World Series run was being thwarted), but her skills with a needle – and on the Janome serger sewing machine on the table before her – are lifelong. She has been happily sewing since she was a girl and has volunteered at every ecoCaledon Repair Café to date. As she turns Tony this way and that, pinning, threading needles and sewing up tears with an easy finesse, Millar sets me right about her –I’d supposed – dying, if otherwise charming, art.

“They taught sewing in home economics when I was in school,” she says. “A sewing machine can look intimidating. People come in, see you working, see your machine and ask what it can do. Sewing was a dying skill up until Covid. Then people were looking for something to do at home. It seemed to revitalize the craft.

“The joy comes with creating something with your own hands. Repair or new, it is all creating. I’m seeing a real trend. Teens are looking to be creative. I frequent second­hand stores. I’m seeing kids there grabbing secondhand outfits that might not suit, then taking them home and repurposing them with patches, appliqués, all sorts.

“Teaching young ones, even to sew on a button, why, they are so happy. Kids, they just go for it! Crooked, not sewn right, they don’t care. They are just thrilled that they are creating something. You put a little spark in there!”

At the Repair Café I attended, each of the 60 fixees had an average of three things repaired by 14 volunteer fixers. Some attendees learned about ecoCaledon’s objectives, sustainability and how to fix things themselves next time.

Up to 150 watched, dined on plantbased offerings and interacted with representatives of the environmentally minded organizations that were also present. These included Albion Hills Community Farm, St. John the Baptist School (students wove plastic milk bags into sleeping mats) and Friends of Caledon Public Library (volunteers

sold off old books before the remainder were donated to Value Village).

Tony is handed back to me, repaired and still smiling. The mending took about 25 minutes. He has perhaps another two decades in my care, maybe more if I lay off the saturated fats.

I’m an artist. My mother knitted Tony the Traveller for me a long time ago. I was more than a little embarrassed, a grown man, to be given this gift. At the time, I never viewed knitting as her “art” – and didn’t appreciate the love invested in every clack of her knitting needles.

‘The fixers had great smiles on their faces as soon as we came in, answered my questions, were willing to help. And they are volunteers!’

INDERPAL SINGH

Beyond pleased with what Millar did at the Repair Café, I was delighted and humbled to see mended what I once thought a silly thing. As I write this, Tony sits on a shelf above me, smiling down. He was never destined for landfill, just sidelined and consigned to “I’ll fix it myself, sometime, probably a little while before never.”

Never mind never. Right now, I have a dull­as­algebra pocketknife in need of a good sharpening, a stiff bicycle that takes Herculean efforts to pedal, and a pair of painter pants with sentimental value and more holes than a golf course. What do you have?

I’m no eco­warrior, but I know where I’m headed to get my stuff fixed.

The next ecoCaledon Repair Café will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Caledon Seniors Centre in Bolton.

Anthony Jenkins is a freelance writer and illustrator with much in need of repair.

• Is

FORAGE FOR DINNER, EXPERIENCE A SEVEN-COURSE MEAL BLINDFOLDED AND SIP MAPLE-KISSED COCKTAILS

BY EMILY DICKSON

In the spotlight: Edible treasures

When foraging guide Jordan Madley heads out into the forest to lead a workshop, she’s never apprehensive about whether or not they’ll find something that day. “I do not worry for one, single, second,” Madley laughs. “The truth is the outdoors is mostly food – if you know what to look for and how to use it.”

Madley leads a Guided Foraging Walk and Dish Tutorial on May 24 at Everdale Farm in Hillsburgh. Participants will forage in the local area and then prepare a wild greens pesto pasta, as well as a refreshing mocktail, all from whatever bounty they find that day.

So what do foragers try to find? Mushrooms are at the top of the list, and some of the more ubiquitous ones that Madley seeks in the spring include turkey tails, oysters, black trumpets and the giant pheasant backs. She also gets excited about morels, which Madley jokes “look like tiny little brains,” but are highly prized by chefs because of their rich flavour. Native plants including ramps (leeks), garlic, trout lily, watercress and mint are all wild greens Madley says are easy to find in southern Ontario.

One easily identifiable edible that grows everywhere – much to the chagrin of gardeners – is the dandelion, which Madley explains is “an incredible food source, one of the most nutrient dense, and one of the most versatile from a culinary perspective.” She also encourages people to start thinking of trees as a source, as the seeds, blossoms and even young maple leaves can be cooked and eaten. “Trees are food too!” she says.

This Toronto resident, who spent much of her childhood in the forests of Creemore, is always mindful about sustainable harvesting, being careful not to deplete the plant or damage the root or bulb. “Like with fiddleheads, you only take two or three from each plant,” she explains. “If you find something delicious that you love, you want to be able to go back year after year and make sure you can still harvest that same bounty.”

This workshop is being hosted by Over Here Community Arts Adventure. Check www.overhere.ca to sign up.

Foraging guide Jordan Madley, shown here with handfuls of morels, leads a workshop in May in which participants will gather wild greens and make a fresh pesto.

RAISE A GLASS TO MOM

Eggs Benedict with peameal bacon and a choice of smashed potatoes or salad is just one of the featured dishes at the Mother’s Day Brunch at the Rosemont General Store and Kitchen

Other options include avocado toast on freshly baked sourdough, and a vegetarian quiche. Dessert is a decadent chocolate ganache tart with strawberry, because moms deserve a sweet treat.

MARK YOUR CULINARY CALENDAR

yLearn to make four irresistible tapas – mojito shrimp, smoked salmon blinis with crème fraîche, classic pan con tomate, and addictive blistered pimientos de Padrón – at the Spring Tapas with Chef Gui cooking class, held at the Hillsburgh Library on March 28. All ingredients and equipment are provided, and recipes are yours to take home in a downloadable booklet.

Then, close your eyes and tune in to your taste buds at Notte Dei Sensi – the “night of the senses” – a blindfolded culinary journey at Adamo Estate Winery on April 25. Relying only on taste, scent and texture, you’ll explore a seven-course meal and enjoy wine pairings while a live violinist plays a nocturne. “Blindfolded, you’re not just tasting a dish,” says executive chef Sunil Nandal. “When flavours arrive without distraction, textures linger, the aromas unfold and each bite tells its story a little more honestly.”

Fans of sweet treats can also partake in Adamo’s popular Chocolate and Wine Tasting. You’ll savour riesling, chardonnay, rosé and pinot noir, each thoughtfully paired with a handcrafted chocolate infused with the essence of its wine.

THE TASTIEST TAKEAWAY

With a tomato sauce base, pesto, roasted tomatoes, grilled chicken, garlic, mozzarella and goat cheese, the Spirit Tree Pizza, at left, is one of Spirit Tree Estate Cidery ’s signature stoneoven pies at their Caledon space. Or try the wood-fired Veggie Delight from Gather Cafe in Alton, topped with house tomato sauce, Saputo mozzarella, caramelized onions, sundried tomatoes and cherry tomatoes, oregano, sea salt, and topped with arugula and a balsamic glaze. Call ahead to order for pickup and you may eschew the drive-thru for good.

Tap into maple magic

Maple season might be short, but the award-winning maple syrup from Elliott Tree Farm has been centuries in the making. The sap flows from what owner Derek Elliott fondly calls “the Gathering of the Giants,” a collection of native maples that are at least 200 years old. A tasting flight lets you sample the difference between the three syrup grades – golden, amber and dark – which have distinct flavours and colours. “We do nothing to make that happen other than boil it,” says Elliott. “The trees at the beginning of the season deliver a golden sap, and as the season goes on it just naturally gets darker. We change nothing. It’s just nature’s pure magic.”

The Maple Syrup Experience runs until April, followed by the Maple Sugarbush Experience Tour and Tasting until November. Both offer maple goodies like pure sap, maple taffy over snow, maple sugar and, of course, pancakes.

A smoked maple old-fashioned, a rum-maple hot toddy, gin-maple lemonade and a maple-cream hot chocolate are some of the cocktail and mocktail options at Lamplight: Maple Syrup After Dark, a 19+ tasting event at Terra Cotta Conservation Area on April 11. Your ticket includes a walk in the illuminated sugarbush, live music, tastings and a nighttime wagon ride through the forest. And if you need even more maple-themed beverages, stop and sip a Maple Cinnamon Latte at the Jelly Craft Bakery in downtown Shelburne, or grab a can of sparkling Sap Sucker, naturally sweetened with organic maple sap, available at the Rosemont General Store and others.

A SWEET SIP FOR SPRING

Made with freshly squeezed lemonade, Thai blue pea flower tea, which turns purple when it hits citrus, and lavender from nearby Purple Hill Lavender Farm, the oh-so-pretty Lavender Lemonade from The Bank Cafe in Creemore is an ideal drink to usher in warmer weather. Cafe owner Nancy Johnston recommends also trying their infamously decadent carrot cake while you’re at it.

KIDS EAT FREE OR CHEAP

Everyone loves a discount, especially when it comes to eating out as a family. On Mondays, kids eat half price at The Busholme in Erin and certain items are $1 at Cafetown in Orangeville. Kids also eat for free on Thursdays at the Higney Public House, now located at the Headwaters Fitness & Racquet Club. (Purchase of an adult meal required.)

NATURALLY SPARKLING

Pét-Nat, short for pétillant naturel, is a sparkling wine made using an ancient method where fermentation finishes in the bottle, trapping natural bubbles. “The result is a lovely, rustic, sparkling, fruity wine,” says Creemore Hills Winery co-owner Catherine Morrissey, who bottled the Pét-Nat in 2020. Their wines can be purchased online. Tastings at this boutique vineyard are by appointment only.

A SPIN ON COMMUNITY

Mono weaver Darlene Hostrawser draws inspiration from her rural surroundings to create her refined handwoven blankets and textiles.

BY JANICE QUIRT

THE DIGITAL WORLD VANISHES AT THE threshold of Darlene Hostrawser’s weaving studio, tucked into the lower level of the Mono home she shares with her partner, Steve Crocker. This is an analog zone, replete with soft yarns in a rainbow of natural colours, a library of pattern books and, of course, woven blankets, scarves, kitchen textiles and wall hangings.

“I try to limit my exposure to social media, as I don’t want to be influenced by popular trends or styles,” says Hostrawser.

The vibe is cozy, tactile and traditional. A spinning wheel is not simply decorative –Hostrawser often spins her own yarn and teaches spinning to others. Two Leclerc floor looms, one 45 inches wide and the other 60 inches, dominate the space. A warping board holds yarn ready to

be loaded onto a loom. Light spills in through the windows, with trees and fields filling the vista. Hostrawser finds this setting essential to her creative inspiration, especially at dawn, her favourite time to be outside.

Her process starts with yarn, usually purchased from nearby Camilla Valley Farm Weavers’ Supply, which stocks not only yarn, but also looms and loom parts.

Blankets, her most popular item, also provide her with the greatest creative satisfaction because the larger size opens a plethora of design possibilities. She also enjoys imagining a blanket’s end use, as it’s an item people will often enjoy for years or decades.

After deciding on a pattern, Hostrawser warps the loom, the first step in the weaving process.

The warp forms the lengthwise foundation of a woven piece, and she starts by rolling premeasured warp threads onto the cylindrical warp beam at the rear of the loom.

The ends of the warp threads are temporarily suspended in place, ready to be threaded, one at a time, through the heddles of each harness needed to create the chosen pattern. The number of harnesses – she may use as many as eight –depends on the pattern. Then each warp thread is passed through the reed, which keeps the threads aligned and evenly spaced.

The final step is crucial. She ties the threads to the apron attached to the front beam, which rolls to keep the piece snugly wrapped as it lengthens. The tension of the warp threads must be uniform, and Hostrawser’s experience helps

the rhythm of the piece, and then I might weave for weeks to complete it.”

her judge when the feel is just right.

Pressing on the treadles lifts specific harnesses to create the shed, the space for the shuttles containing bobbins of the coloured yarns that form the weft, the crosswise threads that are woven over and under the warp threads. Seated at the front of the loom, Hostrawser guides a shuttle through the shed and draws the beater bar forward to secure each row. This sequence repeats, back and forth, row upon row, until a piece is finished.

“Weaving may look meditative –and it is – but it is also a very physical and active process,” she says. “It can also be quite time­consuming. It often takes me a few days to get into

Hostrawser’s desire to create with textiles began as she was growing up on the family’s East Garafraxa farm, the same farm where, today, her brother, Daryl, who has represented Canada five times at the World Ploughing Championship, continues to hone his considerable ploughing skills. She was encouraged by her mother, aunts and neighbourhood women, who were skilled in knitting, crocheting and quilting, and who enthusiastically shared their knowledge.

After high school, Hostrawser majored in weaving at the Sheridan College School of Craft and Design, then completed an 18­month apprenticeship with Edna Blackburn, who helped revive interest in spinning and

weaving, at the Albion Hills Farm School in Caledon. Blackburn raised Corriedale sheep, a breed known for its exceptional wool, and Hostrawser learned about spinning and natural dyeing, in addition to helping teach students.

She also learned multi­harness weaving from Susan Jarmain, an internationally known weaver, and studied incorporating artful approaches while attending the Atlin Centre for the Arts in northern B.C. for two summers.

Decades later, Hostrawser continues to teach in the community, helps local weavers set up their looms and introduces kids at Westminster United Church to the wonders of wool.

Nature pops up often in Hostrawser’s weaving. For Headwaters Arts’ annual Tapestry of Art and Music

creating refined, colourful blankets, shawls and scarves.

BOTTOM LEFT : Hostrawser with samples of the yarns she uses and a few of her patterned creations.

BOTTOM RIGHT : A few tools of her trade, including shuttles which will contain bobbins of yarn when in use.

show last spring, for example, her entry included strips of woven birch bark. Her work also features regularly at the Museum of Dufferin’s annual juried Holiday Treasures Craft Market. Hostrawser’s clients purchase from shows like these or directly from the studio. She relies largely on word of mouth, as she is not a huge fan of digital promotion, though she does maintain a presence on Instagram at handwoven_cloth_culture.

Timelessness is a key theme of her work. Her favourite piece is the blanket she wove for her newborn son – an open double weave with mohair and merino in soft, vibrant pastels. “I still feel the joy of that little miracle whenever I have it wrapped around me.” Her son, daughter­in­law, and grandchildren live nearby, and she is grateful that family members can support one another and that she can watch the kids grow.

Hostrawser’s view of community extends to art. A retired social worker who worked for 30 years in Dufferin and Caledon, she understands the importance of community support and respect. “I think about those values a lot and integrate them into my artistic philosophy.”

She likens various yarns to the various characters and qualities encountered in life. “When I weave, I create an interwoven fabric, just like a community,” she says. “Yarns, and people, too, interact uniquely with one another. Everything responds to how we are treated, in weaving and in life.”

Janice Quirt is a freelance writer who lives in Orangeville.

BY EMILY DICKSON

FOR THE HOLISTIC HOME

A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

In her new Orangeville sewing studio, Maudlin, owner Chelsea Bullock has found a creative way to honour the blood, sweat and tears stitched into the hockey jerseys many families have stored away. Rather than letting them gather dust, she carefully stitches them together into custom handmade memory quilts. “Hockey jerseys are expensive and they hold a lot of meaning, but people don’t know what to do with them,” says Bullock. “I take those sentimental pieces and turn them into something new that people can enjoy, that doesn’t get stored away.” Bullock also converts pre-loved shirts, sweaters and other clothing into memory items like teddy bears and cushions, and teaches sewing classes at the studio. (Custom memory quilt, price ranges from $670 to $940 depending on size, shopmaudlin.ca)

When it comes to ingredients, less is definitely more according to Andrea Rideout, the creator of Grand Valley’s Lavish Earth products. Her small-batch, hand-poured soy candles come in scents including Canadian maple syrup, oak barrel apple cider, orange ginger, and coffee cake and spice. They feature wooden wicks that crackle softly as they burn. Rideout, who has a background in biological science and holistic health care, describes herself as an “ingredient nerd” who tests every product herself. Order online or find Lavish Earth at local retailers including Orangeville Flowers and More Than Just Baskets in Orangeville, Rusty Truck Trading in Mono, and the Village Green Florist in Erin. (10-ounce crackling wooden wick soy candle, $28, lavish-earth.ca)

PLAYING WITH FIRE

For her raku stoneware Mulmur potter Jackie Warmelink finds inspiration in a wide range of places, including hosta and rhubarb leaves, intricate lace patterns and tropical fish.

Warmelink adds a copper matte glaze during the raku process, where pottery is heated to 1,000 C in a gas kiln, and then moved to a chamber containing combustibles such as sawdust, leaves, pine needles and bark, which instantly catch fire. The result is an unpredictable array of coppers, purples, reds and blues to almost gold, while any unglazed part turns black – rendered in decorative bowls, platters and pieces mounted on driftwood. (Fiery fish raku on driftwood, $120, seagreen fish, $90, jackiewarmelinkpotter.com)

SOURCES

Maudlin, 234 Broadway, Orangeville. www.shopmaudlin.ca

Jackie Warmelink, Mulmur. 519-217-6718. www.jackiewarmelinkpotter.com

Lavish Earth, Grand Valley. www.lavish-earth.ca

Orangeville Flowers, 121 First St., Orangeville. 519-941-2592. www.orangevilleflowers.ca

More Than Just Baskets, 85 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-307-4438. www.morethanjustbaskets.ca

Rusty Truck Trading, 793247 3rd Line EHS, Mono. 519-941-8651. www.rustytrucktrading.com

The Village Green Florist, 120 Main St., Erin. 519-833-9991. www.villagegreenerin.com

SOFT, SLOW AND SOULFUL

Orangeville yoga instructor Jasmine DeLeon prepares to lead a class.

A change of career direction set yoga instructor Jasmine DeLeon on a path to a different version of herself.

AS JASMINE DELEON CROSSES the threshold to the loft yoga studio on a Sunday in early February, she looks out over the full classroom. She sees the family of four who attend together every weekend as their bonding ritual. In the corner, a yoga devotee of more than 30 years is on hand to tend to mind and body. Tucked in the back, a firsttime participant explores what yoga has to offer. DeLeon, a yoga teacher born and raised in Orangeville, feels called to serve the needs of everyone who finds their way to her class. Given her obvious fitness level and a one­time desire to go into policing, border security or law, one might expect DeLeon’s style to be bold or rigorous – but her approach to this

BY JANICE QUIRT

class at GoYoga Orangeville is soft, slow and soulful.

The vibe is in keeping with DeLeon’s history with the practice of yoga. “I had a health scare in university,” she says, adding that she graduated from the University of Guelph in criminal justice and public policy in 2021. “Yoga became an important part of how I managed chronic pain and anxiety. I was attending classes at Kala Yoga in Orangeville almost daily – and slowly rebuilt my relationship with my body,” she says. “After about a year of consistent practice, I signed up for their teacher training with my mom, which was so special to share together.”

She finished her teacher training at the end of 2022 and started teaching

at GoYoga in the summer of 2023. She also offers private classes, and as with many businesses today, part of this work involves wooing new customers by creating content for her social media platforms.

“I didn’t plan on working in wellness at all, but my experiences completely shifted my path. I grew into a different version of myself, and it became clear that this is the work I want to be doing.”

Here’s how DeLeon works at building her career as a yoga teacher on Sundays.

6 A.M. DeLeon keeps a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends. After waking, she spends 30 minutes in bed meditating, reading, praying or

doing gentle seated yoga. Some days, she’ll capture the first thoughts of the day in a journal entry.

6:30 A.M. DeLeon is training for a marathon, so she goes for a run at Island Lake.

7:30 A.M. It’s home for a shower and a breakfast centred on protein, such as eggs or a yogurt bowl. And lots of water. She packs what she needs for yoga class and the work that follows, including her mat, tripod for filming, spare clothes and a notebook.

8:30 A.M. DeLeon drives to GoYoga on Broadway in Orangeville. She’s the first to arrive for the day, so she

unlocks the door, sets up lighting and music, and aligns her mat and the props at the front of the studio. She flips open her notebook to review her planned sequence for the class.

9 A.M. DeLeon welcomes participants as they trickle in. Unlike the peace of the studio upstairs, the downstairs reception area is full of chatter.

9:30 A.M. DeLeon begins the one­hour class with an eight­minute meditation, then moves into a slow, full­body flow that focuses on healthy movement. She might then proceed to a sun salutation, a sequence of poses that includes the forward fold and downward dog. She ends the class with savasana, a resting full­body pose that encourages relaxation and meditation.

DeLeon’s day job as clinic manager of The Wellness Lab, an Orangeville medical centre where naturopathic medicine is the primary focus, has taught her all too well that sitting at a computer all day takes a toll on bodies. Her class seeks to restore balance and increase mobility for those attending.

10:30 A.M. DeLeon gently rouses people and ends the class. “Most people look like they’ve had a weight lifted. You can feel the shift in the room – it’s beautiful to witness.”

10:45 A.M. Before leaving, DeLeon takes advantage of some free time in the upper studio to create content for her social media platforms by setting up her phone on a tripod to capture a pose or meditation.

“One of the biggest adjustments after launching my online business, By DeLeon, in 2024 was realizing how much content was required –and how much of it was focused on me,” she says. “That didn’t come naturally at first. I had to get used to taking up space, but I’ve grown more comfortable sharing my voice authentically.” DeLeon posts to social media two or three times a week and sends a newsletter monthly.

11:45 A.M. DeLeon is keen to edit the content she just captured, so she heads to an Orangeville café for a bite to eat while she works. This is the time she also might meet with a small business

owner to plan a forthcoming event, such as yoga classes at Purple Owl Pilates or Valhaven Farm.

“I’m really excited for the walk/ run club with Plant.ed café to return in the spring,” she says. “It was such a special offering last year – free to join, and about 15 to 30 people would show up on Monday evenings to walk or jog on the trails at Island Lake. We had all ages, strollers, even dogs! It was one of my favourite projects; we just love getting people together for movement, conversation and genuine connection.”

Making the transition from growing up in Orangeville to launching her own business in town has been a big shift, says DeLeon. “It was scary at first, but putting myself out there and networking opened so many doors. The business community has been incredibly supportive. I realized that people really want to see you win.”

She adds that she’s inspired by the Black women who have created thoughtfully safe and welcoming environments for Black people in Toronto. She hopes to build that same sense of belonging in her own work.

2 P.M. DeLeon heads home and gets ready for the week ahead, prepping meals and doing laundry. She plans for upcoming weeknight yoga classes, including her seasonal yoga series at The Wellness Lab, and attends to business needs such as answering emails, preparing for upcoming events and drafting her newsletter. Some weeks she teaches a private yoga class.

6:30 P.M. It’s time for dinner, which DeLeon has prepared alongside her mother. DeLeon lives at home with her parents and 24 ­year­old brother. Her dad is Jamaican, and her mom has learned how to make his favourite chicken curry. It’s a special time for the close­knit family.

10 P.M. Bedtime. It has been a busy day. “It takes a lot of energy to hold space for others,” DeLeon says. “Prioritizing intentional self­care is non­negotiable. It allows me to show up for my students grounded and present. I don’t take for granted the trust people place in me, and I’m grateful for the work I get to do in this community.”

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Erin Hill Acres offers more than a destination, we offer an experience.

Meet our Highland cows — and our two new calves, Nellie and Nash!

Enjoy live concerts all summer long, and indulge in seasonally-inspired pizzas alongside our signature classics.

Looking to host a standout corporate event?

From team celebrations to client appreciation and concert sponsorship opportunities, Erin Hill Acres delivers atmosphere, connection and impact – all in one beautiful rural setting.

COUNTRY ROADS, TAKE ME HOME

A checkerboard of roads should make navigation straightforward, but in Headwaters, survey quirks, naming oddities and nature’s whims can challenge both drivers and GPS apps.

BY TONY REYNOLDS • ILLUSTRATION BY RUTH ANN PEARCE

A DRIVE ON THE COUNTRY ROADS OF Headwaters can be a great adventure – or an exercise in frustration. Still, finding your way around should be easy. Theoretically.

Head (more or less) north or south in most of Headwaters and you’re (probably) on a concession road or line; head (more or less) east or west and you’re (probably) on a sideroad. Check the line and sideroad number at the next intersection, and you can (probably) figure out exactly where you are. Sounds straightforward, right? But there are gaps –sometimes huge gaps – between theory and practice.

The reasons for these gaps are historical, geographical and, inevitably, political. The first surveys of Ontario started in the late 18th century, when the plan was to divide the province into a tidy grid of townships, each roughly six miles square. But by the time most of Headwaters was surveyed in 1819–20, this plan had fallen by the wayside.

One reason was the geography of Headwaters, which created challenges for surveyors. Swamps, steep hills, deep valleys and rivers often got in the way. Imagine coming upon the Niagara Escarpment while bushwhacking through virgin forest with an axe, a 66 ­foot chain and a compass. No wonder the work of one surveyor didn’t always line up with that of another. This explains the frequent jogs in country roads and why some roads end abruptly before continuing on the other side of a natural feature.

The curvature of the earth also affected surveyors’ measurements, so the grid needed to be reset every few miles. Then there’s timing. Ten years or more would often pass between the survey and settlement, making the surveyor’s markers hard to find – and road allowances sometimes a matter of guesswork.

Still, townships continued to be divided into tracts called “concessions” because the Crown would “concede” (grant or sell) lots within the concessions to settlers, who were required to clear the land, erect a dwelling, and build and maintain the roads.

And concessions were numbered, though the numbering system varied. Road allowances, called “concession roads” or “lines” usually established the eastern and western boundaries of each concession. In much of Headwaters, these lines run northnorthwestward (or south­southeastward, depending on your perspective), and the line that marks the eastern boundary of each concession takes the concession number. So, for example, drivers on a First Line of a township will usually know that they are on the east side of the First Concession.

Lots were also numbered, usually from south to north, and allowances for cross roads or sideroads that run (more or less) eastward–westward were established at specific intervals between lots. In much of Headwaters, the interval was every five lots. So in Erin, for example, 5 Sideroad runs between Lots 5 and 6, 10 Sideroad runs between Lots 10 and 11, and so on.

But the direction of the grids varied. Lines in Caledon and Erin, for example, are oriented more sharply northwestward–southeastward than those in most of Dufferin County. And even in Dufferin, there are variations. In East Garafraxa and most (but not all) of Melancthon, the alignment of lines is similar to that of Caledon and Erin.

For early surveyors, Hurontario Street (known south of Orangeville today as Highway 10) became the centre line for the grid of concessions in Chinguacousy, Caledon, Mono and Mulmur townships, though in Mulmur, it’s known as Centre Road. Envisioned

as an essential link between Port Credit on Lake Ontario and Collingwood on Lake Huron (hence the portmanteau name), this street never entirely lived up to the government’s original grand plan. Still, its slight changes of direction as it was pushed northward through the bush dictated the alignment of the concessions in the townships it passed through. Hurontario Street also influenced the numbering of the concessions in these townships. In Mulmur, for example, concession roads are named First Line E or First Line W to specify whether a line is east or west of Centre Road. In Mono, the initialisms EHS (East of Hurontario St.) and WHS (West of Hurontario St.) fulfill the same purpose.

Historically, EHS and WHS were also used in Chinguacousy and Caledon. But in 1974, when the provincial government folded the townships of Caledon, Albion and the northern part of Chinguacousy into the newly created Town of Caledon, residents were suddenly faced with, for example, five Fourth Lines: one in the former Albion Township, and two in each of the former Chinguacousy and Caledon townships, both of which included a Fourth Line EHS and WHS. Not only did this befuddle drivers, but it also created challenges for emergency services. The solution? Dispense with the former numbering systems and assign names such as Mountainview Road and Shaws Creek Road. And so a remnant of history was lost. Even for residents, the variation in the grids that make up Headwaters can be confusing. For visitors and the growing number of delivery drivers, it can be downright baffling.

Tony Reynolds is a freelance writer who lives happily above Broadway in Orangeville.

A SUDDEN AND TRAGIC LOSS

BY BETHANY LEE • ILLUSTRATION BY SHELAGH ARMSTRONG

I’M WASHING THE DISHES AT MY DAD’S condo and I turn to say something to him – a thought about going to California to visit our cousins this spring.

A blind spot is back in my left eye. I can’t quite see him. I rub my eye and shift my head, and cock it a bit down and to the right, to see if I can see him.

But I can’t.

He’s not there. He hasn’t been since November. Instead, there is a spot where he used to be. I’m sure if I just change the angle or direction I’m looking, I’ll see him. He’ll walk into the kitchen from his home office, with a pack of tiny triple A batteries he needs to put into the remote control, or he’ll have just been grabbing his gloves to take Zara, his greyhound, out for a walk.

I dry my hands and lean over the counter. I’m alone in the condo and I’m doing the work of slowly cleaning and shutting it down. I shake off the tears that now cloud my vision. I’m deep breathing to try to keep the sobs at bay. I’m successful, just some slow tears and a lump in my throat that makes my ears hurt.

My senses are askew over this sudden and tragic loss. My dad, Jim, was well, just shy of his 80th birthday. We came home from vacation and checked in to see if he wanted to have a coffee. “I think I’m getting a cold,” he said. “But give me a call tomorrow.” We did. The cold had settled in. “No coffee today, thanks,” he said, between coughs. By Sunday, he asked for cough medicine to be dropped off. By Monday, he felt lightheaded and took a cab to the hospital, the cough now relentless.

“We can’t believe he walked in,” the ER nurse said to me. “His oxygen is so low, and his heart rate is in

the heart attack zone.” Scary, but I thought, Okay, let’s infiltrate his body with medication and fight what we thought was pneumonia. I looked at his skin on his arms, elbows, ankles, expecting to see something outward. He looked normal. He couldn’t breathe, but he looked like his normal self.

The real cause of his desperate cough was determined quickly – he had Covid. This is a severe case, they said, admitting him to the ICU. In a day or so, the team knew that he needed more help. The BiPAP machine pushed oxygen in and out, but as

I’m deep breathing to try to keep the sobs at bay.

I’m successful, just some slow tears and a lump in my throat that makes my ears hurt.

soon as it was taken off his nose his levels dropped, and the machines made the sounds you expect when things are not normal.

He was transferred to Brampton’s William Osler ICU, the epicentre of Covid response. I learned about their expertise when I worked for Peel Region and supported the public health team in the Covid years. Jim’s transfer stretcher sat empty, under a framed Toronto Star article profiling the heroes of Covid – the nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists. I was made to wait outside while they blanketed him

with tests, lines, medications and pumps. Alarms continually bleeped, and they rushed to answer each one. The medical director came out to meet me. “He’s in the right place. If anyone can do anything for him, it’s here.” I felt a wave of relief; he pointed me to the article on the wall. “I remember,” I said.

The next morning, I came in and Jim was sitting up. He had black coffee and a bit of pudding. I was so relieved, my knees almost buckled as I waved from outside the air­locked unit, waiting to gown, mask and shield up. “Hi, Dad!” I whisper­shouted from outside. He gave his usual friendly wave.

I told him he looked better. He asked me if I had been taking care of tasks he had pointedly told me to do. Telling me where his bank info was, what to do with the dog, the floor needed cleaning, the fridge needed emptying out. I told him, “I’ve done everything I can, Dad, just rest and let’s talk about how we are going to get you out of here.” I felt a tiny bit hopeful and I went home, telling my son, Adrian, and my husband, Derrick, that he was definitely in the right place.

The next day, when I showed up, his lungs showed signs of small tears because of the pressure created by the BiPAP. He was in pain, listless, frustrated, feverish and not breathing on his own, still, no matter how much medication they pumped into him.

“I can’t believe it,” he said. And then, the only moment of real sadness and quiet desperation that came from him the entire time: “Can I qualify for a lung transplant? I’m ready to live my next ten years.” He wanted to live, but not like this. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done to not fight when he told me he was ready to be intubated. We waited until Adrian

could come down from work. We hung out, talked for a bit and watched him try to rest, but the doctors were called away to work on the arrival of several house fire victims. Dad said, it’s time for you to go. “Bye Grampa. Have a rest and then we’ll work on the cars again together, okay? We’ll see ya on the other side of this,” Adrian said, all his cells present and leaning in on my dad, trying to give him life and energy. I went and hid in his adjoining washroom, and gasped and swallowed and gasped and swallowed. His nurses, named Angel and Lourdes, told us it would be a while because of the fire victims. We decided to go home. My dad waved a small goodbye at me as I de­gowned and wiped my tears from outside his door.

The next morning, he was placed in a coma and intubated, and I thought, seeing him at rest, that it was reasonable to assume he’d get better. No underlying serious health conditions. Cognizant and sharp. He just needed time.

We gave him the time. And it did not work. He never recovered. We spoke to Angel, and he put in the orders for one day after Adrian’s birthday. We were present with my dad. We leaned in on him. I tried to give him a final gift of love by telling him, “We are good! We are with you! You are going to a place where the golf is good! You have the perfect morning tee time with your friends! You will shoot just under par.” I told him he would then get to, “drive fast, down the highway, with nobody in your way!” I told him, “It would be a perfect day, and we’d have dinner at the end of it.” I said these words over and over. He took his final breaths, the machines all quieted, their clicky­cycles complete. I leaned in, “You did a great job, Dad. Really good.”

Now, even though I was right there, I’m still expecting him to be right here, at home. How can that be? I shake my head to refocus. The blind spot where he should be appears throughout my days.

Bethany Lee is a freelance writer who lives in Mono.

And now to grieve

Grief is proof that you loved your person. CNN broadcaster Anderson Cooper’s podcast All There Is examines the importance of sharing and understanding grief and loss. On a recent episode, legendary rocker Patti Smith says, “Grief is going to last your whole lifetime; it’s going to come and go in waves.” Anderson responds, “The half-life of grief is endless,” referring to a conversation he recently had with Ken Burns, documentary filmmaker. This podcast helps with thinking about and processing grief in a modern and interesting way, from voices you know and love. www.cnn.com/allthereis

Inglewood’s Bethell Hospice, known widely for their hospice services, is a good resource if you have experienced loss of a loved one, offering free programs such as bereavement support groups and expressive art classes at various locations. www.bethellhospice.org/ bereavement-care

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Eyeing their next chapter, a couple turned to their designer daughter-in-law to create an elegant, bespoke Orangeville penthouse.

BY ALISON McGILL • PHOTOGRAPHY BY AYRES PRODUCTIONS

EVERY INTERIOR DESIGNER’S dream gig is landing an innovative project with clients who grant an unlimited amount of creative freedom. That’s exactly the gift Amanda Steddy, principal of Orangeville­based design firm Steddy Styles, was given by her realtor in­laws Rob and Sharon Mair when they tasked her with creating

their dream retirement residence –a 4,300 ­square­foot penthouse in downtown Orangeville.

The Mairs’ tony new pad, one of three apartments in a new building the family owns, The Beverly, is steps away from Broadway’s landmark local theatre, restaurants and shops. When the family first saw it, the property was

an overgrown, vacant parking lot, but on something of a whim, the family bought it and the Mairs decided to keep one unit for themselves.

The Beverly – named for Sharon’s mother – was completed last summer and Amanda says she’s proud there isn’t another like it in the area. “It’s a unique building in downtown

Orangeville with its distinctive limestone exterior, black wrought iron balconies and trim,” says Amanda, who opened her full­service design firm in 2022.

Amanda’s husband, Robbie, works alongside his parents in the family real estate business, so there was a lot of expertise in their planning

sessions. “Originally the plan was to construct something there and sell it, but Rob and Sharon thought it would be the perfect spot for their retirement home,” says Amanda. “We took charge of the project for them.”

What inspired the Mairs to build The Beverly? Rob says after a lifetime of living in country homes on large

properties, they felt the moment was right to consider a home requiring less maintenance. The couple is currently renting out the fully furnished space until they’re ready to move in.

“We have renovated and lived in so many old homes over the years, so we have a lot of experience in that world,” Rob says. “With this lot becoming

available to us, we thought instead of waiting, and settling for something that maybe wasn’t quite the right fit for us, we would build our own place. This guaranteed we would have something we wanted, when we needed it, that had everything we wanted in a home custom designed to our taste level.” Amanda worked with Brampton­

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

based architecture firm Khalsa Design Inc. to conceptualize the look and layout of the building – and Orangeville’s Land and Lake Custom Homes took on the construction. Amanda and her team designed the interiors of all three apartments.

Rob and Sharon’s home is spread over The Beverly’s third floor and rooftop. The main living spaces are on the third floor, and the fourth is the building’s rooftop. Though the snappy exterior of The Beverly has a contemporary feel, Amanda describes the interiors as more traditional, leaning on old­world opulence –an aesthetic Amanda and Sharon

were in sync about.

“A few years ago, I travelled to Paris, and I was so inspired by the history and architecture there,” Amanda says. “Sharon also loves a romantic, Parisian vibe and this became our whole mood. She has always loved traditional homes with lots of detail, so it just felt fitting to design something blending classic details with soft, poetic finishes.”

Amanda leaned into luxe statement details like bold patterned flooring, glittering antique chandeliers, statement wallpaper, a sculptural Persian marble living room mantel, rich wood finishes and brass trim to create impact.

The striking design story begins the moment you step off the third­floor elevator into the foyer of the penthouse

TOP: The exterior of The Beverly is clad in limestone and features wrought iron balconies and trim. The couple’s apartment takes up the top two floors. The first and second floors are separate units.

BOTTOM: The building’s moniker – a tribute to Sharon’s mother – appears on its quietly chic datestone.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

with its black­and­white checkered marble floor, framed with brass inlay and finished with hardwood wrapping the outer edge. “It creates a grand impression and sets the tone for the entire penthouse,” Amanda says.

The open­concept space is filled

with natural light – large windows were a must for Sharon – and Amanda chose to use bright white paint and barely­there neutrals throughout most of the penthouse for a sense of calm and airiness. This feeling is no more apparent than in the kitchen, crafted by Caledon’s Burly Kitchens and Millwork, and featuring a striking island with seating for four. For a

couple who loves to host friends and family gatherings, it was important that the areas flow seamlessly into each other, so the kitchen overlooks the living room.

The third floor is also home to the clean and contemporary dining room, the principal bedroom and a guest bedroom, along with two bathrooms. The couple’s bedroom gets a dose of

drama with a riotous black­and­white floral wallpaper. “I love the boldness of this wallpaper I found from a brand called Spoonflower,” Amanda says. “Because it’s so busy, we only used it on the upper portion of the walls.”

Another iteration of dark romance shows up in the guest bathroom, which features dark painted walls contrasted against white shower tiles, vanity and

TOP RIGHT AND BOTTOM

CENTRE: Designer Amanda Steddy says she aimed to blend “classic details with soft, poetic finishes” in her design for the penthouse.

ABOVE RIGHT : The detailed millwork in the kitchen was crafted by Caledon’s Burly Kitchens and Millwork.

white marble flooring.

“This bathroom has one of my favourite features, which is a handcrafted cobra wood and brass wall­mounted faucet which just shines in the space,” Amanda says. “We also included wainscotting in here to introduce

dimension and depth against the rich, moody­coloured walls. The element of lightness in this room keeps it feeling balanced and inviting.”

The penthouse’s fourth floor and rooftop is accessible by a wide open staircase or an elevator. Arriving at the top you are immediately struck by the vistas, but also by the sheer size of the rooftop living space. The outdoor

oasis comprises a chic lounge area, sauna, swim spa, outdoor kitchen, wet bar and fireplace – all with panoramic sightlines well beyond the town’s borders.

Fun fact: this floor was not originally in the build plan, but was added by Rob during construction.

“We applied and got a variance to put on the fourth floor because I

ABOVE LEFT AND TOP

RIGHT : For the principal bedroom, designer Amanda Steddy chose a dark floral wallpaper, which contrasts with crisp white wainscotting and a clean white ensuite.

ABOVE RIGHT : One of Amanda’s favourite details in the home is the cobra wood and brass wall-mounted faucet in the guest bathroom.

really wanted to have an outdoor component,” Rob says. “It wasn’t in the plans, but as we got into construction my thought was, Why stop now? We are building our dream home and just going for it with the details. We had toyed with the idea of including either

or swim spa. It ended up being the spa, which was craned up to the rooftop. The way this space turned out was way beyond what we had originally thought to build and came together nicely.”

Not surprisingly, Amanda says the Mairs’ penthouse is one of her most fulfilling design projects to date. She was given carte blanche, for one thing.

TOP LEFT AND RIGHT : The guest bathroom’s dark paint and dramatic black and white marble tiling picks up on the light and dark aesthetic in the guest bedroom.

LEFT : The family added a luxurious spa room to the fourth floor.

“I am all about lots of fine details. I loved having a client wanting that in their space, looking for somewhat of a more traditional feel. Recently, we are doing a lot of modern farmhouses, which I love, but sometimes can feel a little flat for me as a designer.”

Though Amanda has collaborated with Rob and Sharon on some other small projects in the past, this was

by far the biggest and most intimate they have worked on together. The process was a ton of fun and (mostly!) a seamless experience.

“Knowing Rob and Sharon now have such a beautiful space to retire in is incredibly rewarding for me,” Amanda says with a smile. “Having such a level of trust in me to create something so meaningful is truly what this work is all about. This is not just a home; it’s an investment where an entirely new chapter of their lives will unfold. The hardest part was Rob showing up on­site making changes and not telling me! But at the end of the day, it’s their investment and he was just so excited about it. We got through it.”

Truly a mission accomplished.

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

HADLEY-IRVINE

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COUNTRY CHARM

MODERN LUXURY – ALLISTON

Breathtaking Forest View Home, crafted by Georgio Lolos Designs with interiors curated by ABella Design Inc. This stunning property is built with an eye for elegance & functionality. A must-see property for those seeking a refined yet comfortable living experience. $2,499,000

5 ACRES – SCHOMBERG

Enjoy the tranquility of wide-open spaces, mature trees, and expansive views. Walkout bungalow is ideal for multigenerational living, 5+1 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Hip roof barn, and storage shed ideal for hobby farming.

$1,799,000

MILLION-DOLLAR VIEWS

Just minutes to Alliston, this expansive walkout bungalow is set on 40 acres and thoughtfully designed to accommodate multigenerational living. Features two spacious paddocks, a barn complete with hayloft, and a separate workshop. $2,250,000

118-ACRE BISON/BEEF FARM

Two custom homes located just minutes from Alliston. Currently operating as a bison and Texas Longhorn cattle farm. Large bank barn, shop, coverall, and six 32 ft x 360 ft grazing sheds. Approximately 80 acres workable. $4,890,000

EXECUTIVE 10 ACRES –NEW TECUMSETH

Stunning 6-bdrm, 6-bathrm bungalow north of King offers luxurious living with the convenience of nearby amenities. Features a barn with paddocks, spacious 35’x60’ shop, a 40’x60’ coverall, inground pool & hot tub. $2,999,000

100 ACRES

– SOUTH ADJALA

Exceptional farm surrounded by estate properties just minutes from Caledon. Approx 25% mature mixed forest and 2000 ft frontage with no severances. Updated farmhouse, cattle barn, and a concrete barnyard. Motivated sellers with short closing! $2,750,000

FULLY RENOVATED – ADJALA 25-acre retreat! Designer finished 4-level side split with 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. 25’x45’ barn, rolling treed landscapes, and ponds. Enchanting panoramic views of mostly blue spruce creates picturesque scenery all year round. $1,950,000

66 ACRES – ADJALA

Located between Loretto and Hockley Valley. Frontage on a paved road just off Highway 50. The land is primarily level pasture, offering excellent potential for a variety of uses. $1,250,000

WAIT NO MORE

Beautifully presented thruout, showcasing a spacious new kitchen with Barzotti cabinets, quartz counters, built-in pantry and huge centre island open to living/dining space. Separate family room and rear office with yard access. Primary bedroom boasts a private ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Great central location to shops and restaurants and lots of driveway parking space. $749,000

END UNIT TOWNHOUSE

Ready for your move – this location is tucked in off the street with mature trees surrounding. Consider your new home here at this 3-bedroom townhouse with refreshed décor thruout, easy-care laminate flooring on main level and brand new broadloom in bedrooms. The bright, eat-in kitchen comes with appliances included. Basement is partially finished to offer additional living space, laundry and storage area. $479,900

8.4-ACRE LOT

Start from scratch and make a reality of the home you have dreamed of. Check out this newly created 8.4-acre lot, approximately 3 km south of Shelburne. Entrance is in place to this beautiful rolling property which offers great views to the south and east. Land is open with mature trees at the roadside and perimeter. Lots of wide open space for family, four-legged friends and future legacy. $619,900

Impressive 3-bdrm home +

FORWARD THINKING

With two road frontages, it is located at the busy intersection of County Rd 109 & County Rd 3 (Belwood Rd). The land is level & open, located across the road from existing commercial & agricultural operations. Current zoning is residential.

IT STANDS ALONE

Stately century home, over 4000 sq ft of timeless beauty and a massive 164’x187’ lot in the heart of Orangeville! Must be seen to appreciate the classic features including spacious principal rms thruout & elevated ceiling height, original trim, flrs & staircases, multiple w/o’s to mature yard and quaint side porch. Upper level offers 3 bdrms, including the primary bdrm w/ its own ensuite bath, plus full 1-bdrm upper level in-law suite, complete w/ kitchen, living/dining room & full bathrm. $2,500,000

100-ACRE FARMSTEAD

Located just 5 km from Orangeville and fronting on paved road, this property offers full 100 acres with most being workable farmland, used for rotating crops, pasture and some mixed bush. This working farm offers steel-sided drive shed 40’x80’ cattle barn, 2nd barn with open housing and upper storage loft, water and hydro, new well 2023. There is also a 1-1/2 storey farmhouse, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. An exciting opportunity for farming and future investment. $2,999,900

COMMERCIAL LOT

Bring your future to a new address! Rare find for a 1-acre commercial lot located in Mansfield, west of the busy intersection at Airport Road and County Road 17. The lot fronts on paved road and is level and open. The lot has access to municipal water and offers a

THE CROSSROADS

of Hwy 9 & Tottenham Rd, this corner lot 150’x225’ features great visibility to area traffic flow. Spacious home offering 3 separate residential units; 1 bedroom; 2 bedroom and 4-bedroom unit; gas heat.

AND INVITING

Perfect blend of cultivated farmland and mixed forest bordering Moffat in the Town of Milton. Ideal as an executive estate, cash crop and agricultural uses or hold

COMMERCIAL 1.4-ACRE LOT

This auto-recycling and salvage yard is zoned Rural Commercial Clutter. 2840 sq ft & 2400 sq ft heated general-purpose buildings feature ceiling heights of 13 and 15 ft, multiple gradelevel overhead doors and 600-amp, 240-volt, 3-phase electrical service. MLS $1,649,000

and outdoor equipment. Coming soon to MLS.

ART, NATURE & QUIET LUXURY MEET

Romantic country estate on 22+ acres with 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, forested privacy and light-filled interiors with stained glass and fireplaces. Inground pool, pool house/bunkie, pizza oven, barn and workshop. Erin $3,399,000

MASTERPIECE INSIDE & OUT

Private paradise just outside Erin! Approx 8000 sq ft total living space. Executive bungalow offers a resort-style backyard with saltwater pool, hot tub and outdoor fireplace. Inside: pure luxury! 4+2 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms. Erin $3,899,000

SERENITY BEYOND COMPARE

C: 416.671.8797 jwallace@sutton.com

12

Rebecca

C: 416.418.4372 rebeccawallace@sutton.com Sarah

FLAHERTY LANE, ALTON

Situated on 10 acres bordering conservation, this 3-storey above grade home offers 6000+ sq ft of newly fin liv space as all 3 floors were gutted, remodeled & finished to the highest standard. This magnificent home also offers 3000+ sq ft of partially fin liv space above the grg & the lower lvl w/ walkout to a stone patio. The circular drive is very stately & is gated off a very private estate style development road only 5 mins to Hwy 10 and 45 mins to Toronto. Every room is massive w/ many offering infloor heat, geothermal heat throughout, heat pump on the 3rd flr & a central HVAC in the loft above the grg. You won't be disappointed with the contemporary elegance of the decor & the plank hrdwd floor throughout. Both the great rm/kit & fam room are showroom designed w/ 2 lrg propane fp’s. The home is topped off w/ an Enviroshake roof. $3,999,000 Call Jim Wallace, Broker

30 CEDAR DRIVE, CALEDON VILLAGE

Come see this Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home on one of Caledon's most prestigious estate style developments sitting on 5 very private acres with large fish pond. The home is impeccably appointed with 4 main floor bedrooms all ensuite, a professionally designed kitchen with Cambria quartz countertops and Wolf appliances. This metropolitan infused home incorporates the cache of the city connecting admirably with the countryside. From sunken living room to main floor conversation pit to loft style office for the kids to a full-blown private home office with separate, private entrance for clients to enter, this home has it all. The perfect live/work enclave just 45 minutes to Toronto. The 3-bay garage is equipped with EV chargers and is accessible from the lower level. $3,499,000 Call Jim Wallace, Broker of Record

16735 MISSISSAUGA ROAD, BELFOUNTAIN

Welcome to this stunning 10-acre property that has so much to offer. Enjoy a hike through your own bush, fill the paddocks and barn with your horses or other hobby farm animals, swim in the i/g cement pool and fish pond. The bungalow is move-in ready offering great westerly views and is well set back from the road.

$2,199,000 Call Jim Wallace, Broker of Record

63 BROOKHAVEN CRESCENT, EAST GARAFRAXA

Renovated 2600 sq ft bungalow on 2.5 acres.

Gourmet kitchen w/ built-in Wolf appliances & 3-bdrm ens + 1 bdrm in lwr lvl. 2200 sq ft lwr lvl w/ media rm, bar/kitchenette, exercise area. Rec rm w/ hot tub, coffee bar, kitchenette. Outdoor country kit w/ 10x16 covered porch is stunning. Back yard has a 1-bay det’d garage/pool house.

$2,099,000 Call Jim Wallace, Broker of Record

C: 519.217.4884 saston@sutton.com

C: 416.689.8734 dholden@sutton.com

4075 THE GRANGE SIDEROAD, CALEDON

Escape to a serene sanctuary on nearly 8 acres, where a meandering river and timeless beauty create the perfect retreat. This luxuriously restored 1846 3+1-bedroom home blends exposed logs, wide plank hardwood, and stone fireplaces with modern elegance. Gather in the great room flowing to the kitchen and dining area, or work in the inspiring office with fireplace and walkout to nature.

The primary suite is pure indulgence with spa-like ensuite, dressing room, and sweeping views. A finished basement adds gym, wine cellar, steam shower, and guest space. Outdoors, enjoy stylish entertaining, strolls to the river, and peaceful living just minutes from Devil’s Pulpit, amenities, and Pearson. $3,999,000 Call Sarah Aston sarahaston.ca

15415 CLAYHILL ROAD, HALTON HILLS

Grandview Estate: a luxurious 5+ ac retreat atop the Niagara Escarpment, mins from Georgetown. 6 bdrms, 4 baths. Breathtaking Toronto skyline & CN Tower views. Reno’d w/ gourmet kit, travertine flrs, 3 gas fp’s, i/g concrete pool, spa. Primary suite w/ lavish ens, priv balcony. Fin 3rd flr w/ fp, lower-level rec rm, geothermal, Generac generator. $2,995,000 Call Dillon Holden

5 CEDAR DRIVE, CALEDON VILLAGE

Welcome to Cedar Drive. One of Caledon's most prestigious estate style developments. This raised bungalow sits on 3+ incredibly private acres with walkout to the back yard from the upper and lower levels. Drop by and see it.

$1,950,000 Call Jim Wallace, Broker of Record

ROSENEATH, ONTARIO “Leachcroft,”a restored 1856 stone home on 38+ acres in Northumberland County. Blending heritage charm with modern comfort, 4-bdrm, 3-bath estate offers incredible panoramic views, lush gardens, private trails, & a full equestrian setup including a barn, arena, & paddocks. Ideal for hobbyists or horse lovers, 90 minutes from Toronto—an unparalleled rural retreat. $2,500,000 Call Sarah Aston sarahaston.ca

265 DOMINION STREET EAST, CALEDON

Charming Dominion St bungalow in historic Brimstone, first time on the market! On a double lot backing onto a mature forested yard, with an as-is accessory building & 2nd dwelling. Cozy layout with a primary bdrm featuring a luxurious ens. Steps from Forks of the Credit Park, Bruce Trail, near Caledon Ski Club, Pulpit Golf Club. $1,295,000 Call Dillon Holden

DUNTROON GETAWAY

Entertaining haven with a saltwater infinity pool, screened 3-season porch, panoramic views throughout. Just minutes from Blue Mountain and Collingwood, heated 3-car garage, high-speed internet, and private nature trails. $1,749,000

Creemore, offering elevated sunset views. A beautiful mix of open meadows, mixed bush, and planted trees, close to golf, ski clubs, and village amenities. $1,250,000

HORNING’S MILLS DEVELOPMENT

25.13 acres with dual frontage on Main St and Hwy 124, fully serviced with high-speed fibre. Development-zoned with an active 19-lot residential proposal – a rare opportunity. $5,495,000

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME

Elevated 46-acre parcel in south Mulmur with sweeping south and east views, an installed driveway with an opportunity to build. Open farmland setting with easy access, close to skiing, golf, and a convenient GTA commute. $1,250,000

VIEWS ON 3RD Artist inspired 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home set on 9.5 acres with southern views. 2-car garage with workshop and full height loft all within minutes to Creemore.

$1,650,000

COZY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

Charming 1-bedroom, 2-bathroom country home on a 1-acre treed lot with a vaulted primary suite and ensuite. Steel roof, workshop with carport, and peaceful rural living with easy access to major routes.

$724,000

PICTURESQUE MULMUR LOT

Spanning 48.5 acres, this property features a mix of open fields and mature forest, creating a perfect balance for privacy, recreation, or future development.

$1,029,000

HILLTOP RETREAT

An architecturally refined Nordic-inspired retreat on 20 private acres, 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom – just moments from ski clubs, hiking trails, and Mulmur’s four-season adventure. $999,000

NESTLED ON 15 ACRES IN THE ROLLING HILLS OF MONO 427223 25 SIDEROAD, MONO

Custom-built chalet inspired home with durable ICF foundation. Bright open-concept great room and kitchen with soaring ceilings. Central wood-burning fireplace and expansive windows with amazing views. Main level with 2 bedrooms, upper level features primary suite. Fully finished walkout lower level with 2 bedrooms, rec room and bathroom. Exceptional privacy, natural beauty, versatile living space. Scenic woodland with trails, fruit trees, natural clearings. Conveniently located minutes from Orangeville or Shelburne. $1,299,000

SET ON 50 GENTLY

MODERN & UNIQUE HOME IN GREAT LOCATION 21 BARTLEY DRIVE, CALEDON

Large 2-storey home with 5+1 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Ultra modern kitchen with pantry and massive center island. Granite countertops, 2 dishwashers, double ovens. Living room has vaulted ceiling, skylight and fireplace. Outstanding primary bedroom with his/her 8-piece ensuite. Finished lower level with kitchen, bedroom and 2 bathrooms. 4.09 acres, 4-car garage, 2nd driveway and landscaping. Private outdoor deck, patio and screened porch. $2,499,000

Moffat Dunlap*, John Dunlap**, Nik Bonellos, Elizabeth Campbell, Courtney Murgatroyd, Sean Wynn, Mark Campbell*** *Founder, **Broker of Record, ***Sales Representative

CALEDON TRAINING CENTRE

Experience the ultimate equestrian facility at this exceptional 46.5-acre horse farm, designed for both serious horse professionals and passionate equine enthusiasts. State-of-the-art equestrian complex complete with a 41-stall main barn, dedicated foaling barn, indoor arena, outdoor ring and a private training track. $12,000,000

CALEDON ESTATE LOT

Private 22-acre residential building lot. Perfect blend of seclusion and convenience. Minutes from local amenities and schools. Views to the Toronto Skyline. $1,450,000

125

PRIVATE RESIDENCE + AIRFIELD

FOXWOOD HILL

Grand 150-acre estate. Long gated drive. 3 residences + pool, tennis, pond and miles of groomed trails. Exceptional views. Stables, indoor arena and heated workshop. $14,900,000

retreat with restored settler’s cabin and bank barn. Don’t miss this one! Asking $999,999

Modernized century stone built 3000 sq ft farmhouse on 30 acres. Paddocks, farmland and hardwood forest. Large organic vegetable garden, barn, insulated workshop/barn both with lifetime metal roofing. $2,599,000

CALEDON 2+ ACS PLUS SHOP

Built in 2003, on a paved road, on 2+ acres backing to bush, is this approx 2400 sq ft, 3+1-bdrm stone bungalow. Finished basement in-law suite potential w/ 2nd kit and gas fp. 2-car garage plus det 4-car garage/workshop with hydro. Close to Hwys 9 & 10. 45 mins to TO.

MONO – VICTORIAN 4.37 ACS

This 4 bedroom with pool has views of the rolling countryside, a 70’x20’ drive shed with concrete floor + remnants of a barn foundation, trails, privacy, fruit trees. Near Hockley Valley Golf and Ski, Bruce Trail. 5 mins to Orangeville. Close to Highways 9 and 10. 90 mins to TO.

CALEDON BUNGALOW

Private, treed 2.89-ac lot featuring a pond, stream, bush, trails, this 3+2-bdrm, 3-bath raised bungalow has geothermal htg, a steel roof, a vertical platform lift (elevator) & a det approx 24’x30’ outbuilding. An ideal property for nature lovers, hobbyists, & extended family living!

CALEDON CUL-DE-SAC

Immaculate 3+1-bdrm bungalow on .86 of acre lot with hardwood flooring & crowns thru/o, a partly fin bsmt w/ sep entry & in-law potential. Fenced backyard. Hardwired generator, irrigation system. Beautiful country setting! Minutes to Orangeville & Highways 9 & 10.

EXQUISITE BUNGALOW

Immaculate 4 bdrm, 3.5 bath w/ hardwood & porcelain floors, vaulted ceilings & gourmet chef’s kit, saltwater pool backyard oasis w/ stone patios, pool house. 3-car grg, generator, irrigation. Det 25’x25’ workshop w/ loft. Fin bsmt w/ pot in-law & 2nd kit. 45 mins to TO.

ALTON – CENTURY

Overlooking the lower Mill Pond is this 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath stone residence circa 1881. Sides and backs to forest with privacy and wildlife. Near Millcroft Inn & Spa, the Alton Mill Arts Centre, golf at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. 10 mins to Orangeville. 1 hr to TO.

MONO

Private drive past pasture to a 3+1-bedroom bungalow with finished walkout basement & 2-bedroom in-law suite with separate entry overlooking a pond & mixed bush with trails on 48 acres. Fantastic location backing to Dufferin County Forest & near Mono Cliffs Inn & Pub.

H OCKLEY VALLEY – 4.37 ACS

A rare opportunity! Privacy on a dead-end road, backing & siding to conservation. Main house offers 3 bdrms, 3.5 baths + fin w/o bsmt w/ 1bdrm in-law suite & sep entry. Sep det 2-bdrm, 2-bath dwelling ideal for extended fam living. Det 2-car grg + workshop. 7 mins to Orangeville.

20 FLEMING AVE, BRAMPTON

At the end of a cul-de-sac with fantastic curb appeal and unique layout. Backs onto walking trails, previous railroad tracks no longer in use. $1,068,000

4308-55 COOPER ST, TORONTO

Iconic Sugar Wharf Condos. Functional layout, approx 518 sq ft + balcony. Quality finishes and unbeatable waterfront location. Steps from Union Station and the lakefront. Close to the Gardener and DVP. Virtually staged photos. For lease $2,300

Your opportunity to purchase one of the original homesteads in Mono Township. On 99 acs w/ a mixture of open fields & woods. Lrg farmhouse w/ many upgrades o/l a spring-fed pond & offering multiple outbuildings

222 ST GEORGE, MITCHELL

Modern elegance meets timeless craftsmanship. Discover unparalleled luxury in this new, custom-built home by Rockwood Homes. $749,999

310-1606

CHARLES ST, WHITBY

The Landing at Whitby Harbour is a high-rise development. Steps from GO & mins to the waterfront. Commuters; make use of Whitby's Durham Region Transit system. Features 1 bdrm, 1 bath w/ balcony & northern exposure. Virtually staged photos. For lease $2,000

SPECTACULAR CALEDON VIEWS

Breathtaking panoramic views of the Caledon landscape and Toronto skyline: this estate is the epitome of luxury living and grand entertaining. Featuring 9 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms, this magnificent home has been meticulously designed to offer the perfect balance of family comfort and sophisticated entertaining spaces. Privacy on 87 acres in a rarely available location; an opportunity not to be missed.

RESTORED VICTORIAN FARMHOUSE

This grand Victorian home is beautifully restored, blending timeless craftsmanship with modern comfort. 57 private acres; a country retreat with high ceilings, original stonework, hardwood and tile flooring, and countless preserved architectural details including limestone windowsills, gingerbread trim, and a dramatic spiral wood staircase. Beautifully restored bank barn for many uses and sweet stone workshop. A timeless treasure.

Custom-built

INVESTMENT Income property on 19 acres. 3-bedroom house with barn and sheds. Adjacent to existing settlement. For the wise investor.

A CALENDAR OF SPRING HAPPENINGS

COMPILED BY JANET KERR • ILLUSTRATIONS BY JIM STEWART

ARTS & LETTERS

NOW — JUN 23 (TUESDAYS) : KNITTING & PUZZLES SOCIAL

Informal time of puzzles, crafting and learning fibre arts. Bring own beverage and snacks. 10-11am. Free. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519941-0972; highcountryunited.ca

NOW — JUN 25 (THURSDAYS) : NOTTAWASAGA HANDWEAVERS & SPINNERS GUILD WEEKLY

GATHERINGS Members meet to spin, weave, mentor and socialize. 10am1pm. Gibson Centre, 63 Tupper St W, Alliston. 705-435-6991; nottguild.ca

NOW — ONGOING : TOKENS OF LOVE Based on real flowers gifted by loved ones. Tues-Sat 11am-5pm. Free. Women’s Art Association of Canada, 23 Prince Arthur Ave, Toronto. Contact Headwaters Arts member Piera Pugliese, 416-897-3010; pierapugliese.com

MAR 18 — APR 19 : COLOUR GONE

WILD Over 30 bold and colourful works by 25 members/local artists. Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. Free. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519-943-1149; headwatersarts.org

MAR 21 : YOGA FLOW & VERSE

Poetry reading, meditation and 45 minutes of yoga, gratitude and poetry

circle with tea. Bring short poem, yours or a favourite. 10:30am-12:30pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

MAR 21, APR 18 & MAY 16 : NOTTAWA

SAGA HANDWEAVERS & SPINNERS

GUILD MONTHLY MEETINGS Mar 21: Weave gamps on prewarped looms workshop (noon-4pm, fee, register). Apr 18: Pat Burns-Wendland on handwoven kimonos. May 16: TBD. 1-3pm. Gibson Centre, 63 Tupper St W, Alliston. 705-435-6991; nottguild.ca

MAR 24 : SPRING WOODEN DOOR HANGER Make it your own. Proceeds to Caledon Seniors’ Centre. Supplies,

tea, coffee and snacks included. Fee, in advance by phone or email fundraising@caledonseniors.ca. 1:30-3:30pm. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

MAR 29 : STILL LIFE, STILL LIVING: CLAY VESSEL WORKSHOP Use air-dry clay to explore memory, identity, place. 1-4pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

APR 11 : MOD STUDIO: UPCYCLE YOUR GLASSWARE — AGES 16+ Bring an old piece and decorate it. Supplies provided. Fee includes museum entry. 10-11am. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

APR 18 : INTRODUCTION TO BOOKBINDING Learn the basics of nonadhesive bindings, stitches and create your own notebook. 10am-noon. Fee. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-9417787; dufferinmuseum.com

APR 25 : SMALL TOWNS, BIG IDEAS: ANTONIO MICHAEL DOWNING Powerful stories from a creative voice. 2-4pm. Fee. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

MAY 2 : INDIGO SHIBORI DYEING WORKSHOP Create patterns, receive a guide. No experience needed. Wear clothes for dyeing. Bring water bottle. 1-4pm. Fee. Elliott Tree Farm, 9467 Erin East Garafraxa Tnln, Hillsburgh. Over Here Community Arts Adventure, 519-820-6005; overhere.ca

MAY 9 : MOD MASTERCLASS: LIFE DRAWING WITH STEPHANIE CASINO ESGUERRA Drawing charcoal figures. No experience required. 10:30am-noon. Fee. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

MAY 23 : PLASTER & PIGMENT: FLORAL EDITION Create floral art using pigmented plaster and palette knives. 11am-2pm. Fee. 305 Col. Phillips Dr, Shelburne. 289-203-8202; streamshub.org

JUN 6 : SIP & SWAP: SUMMER READS — AGES 16+ Bring a fun book to exchange (give one, take one). Maximum four books per person for exchange. Fee includes museum entry. 4-6pm. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

JUN 7 : TAPESTRY OF ART & MUSIC

Musically themed art show and sale. See a mosaic tapestry of 100+ curated 6" x 6" works created by Caledon and Ontario artists. Music by the Sonus Voices. 1-5pm. Free. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519943-1149; headwatersarts.org

COMMUNITY

FARMERS’ MARKETS Farmers’ Markets Opening Days 2026

ORANGEVILLE WINTER FARMERS’ MARKET

NOW — APR 18 : Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Orangeville Town Hall, 87 Broadway. orangevillefarmersmarket.ca

CREEMORE SPRING FARMERS’ AND CRAFT MARKET

MAR 21 & APR 11 : 9am1pm. Creemore Station on the Green, 10 Caroline St E. creemorefarmersmarket.ca

SUMMER FARMERS’ MARKETS

MAY 9: ORANGEVILLE Saturdays, 8am-1pm. Downtown Orangeville, 87 Broadway. orangevillefarmersmarket.ca

MAY 23: CREEMORE Saturdays, 9am-1pm. Creemore Station on the Green, 10 Caroline St E. creemorefarmersmarket.ca

MAY 30: MULMUR 175TH

ANNIVERSARY SPRING MARKET

9am-3pm. Superburger parking lot, Hwy 89 & 10. mulmur.ca

JUNE 18: ERIN Thursdays, 3-6:30pm. Erin Fairgrounds, 184 Main St. erinfarmersmarket.ca

NOW — APR 12 (SATURDAYS) : TEEN

RANCH PUBLIC SKATING — ALL

AGES Lace up your own skates and enjoy an affordable evening. 6:30-8pm. Fee. 20682 Hurontario St, Caledon. 519-941-4501; teenranch.com

NOW — JUN 16 (TUESDAYS) :

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATIONS

EXERCISE CLASS Video-led class to strengthen, keep us mobile. Bring a water bottle. Equipment provided. 11-11:30am. Free. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519-941-0972; highcountryunited.ca

NOW — JUN 22 (MONDAYS) :

SENIORS HELPING SENIORS — BINGO FRANK Socialize with older adults over shared interests. 1-3pm. Free. Caledon East Apartments, 20 Walker Rd, Caledon East. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

ABBREVIATIONS

CCS

Caledon Community Services

CVC

Credit Valley Conservation

DCAFS

Dufferin Child and Family Services

MOD Museum of Dufferin

PAMA

Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives

SBEC

Small Business Enterprise Centre

NOW — JUN 24 (WEDNESDAYS) : STRENGTH & STRETCH EXERCISE CLASS Video-led class helps build strength, balance, endurance and flexibility. Equipment provided. Bring a water bottle. 11am-1pm. Free. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519941-0972; highcountryunited.ca

NOW — JUN 24 (WEDNESDAYS) : SENIORS HELPING SENIORS — CARPET BOWLING A great way to stay young at heart and socialize. 10:30am-noon. Free. Riverview Terrace Apartments, 121 Glasgow Rd, Bolton. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

NOW — JUN 24 (WEDNESDAYS) : SENIORS HELPING SENIORS — COMPUTING4SENIORS Learn computer skills in a relaxed environment. 1-3pm. Free. Caledon Library, 150 Queen St S, Bolton. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

NOW — JUN 26 : SENIORS HEALTH & WELLNESS — AGES 55+ Exercise, education, therapeutic recreation and crafts. Free. Brampton: Mon 9:30-11:30am. Snelgrove Place, 12065 Hurontario St N. Caledon: Mon 1-3pm. Mayfield Senior Living, 12600 Kennedy Rd. Caledon East: Tues 9:30-11:30am. Caledon East Apartments, 20 Walker Rd. Alton: Tues 1-3pm. Pinnacle View Apartments, 9 McClellan Rd. Bolton: Wed 1-3pm. Stationview Apartments, 25 Stationview Pl. Thur: 10am-noon. Lunch

$5. The Exchange, 55 Healey Rd, Unit 10. Fri: 9:30-11:30am. Riverview Terrace Apartments, 121 Glasgow Rd. Fri: 1-3pm. Jane Street Apartments, 60 Jane St. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

NOW — JUN 26 (FRIDAYS) : VON SMART EXERCISE CLASS Video-led workout to build strength, balance, endurance and mobility. Bring a water bottle. Equipment provided. 11amnoon. Free. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519-941-0972; highcountryunited.ca

NOW — JUN 26 (FRIDAYS) : SENIORS HELPING SENIORS — UNO PACK, CARDS & MORE Socialize with older adults over shared interests. 1-3pm. Free. Caledon East Apartments, 20 Walker Rd, Caledon East. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

NOW — ONGOING (LAST THURS DAY) : CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Monthly peer-led support group for those journeying with cancer. 1pm. Free. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519941-0972; highcountryunited.ca

MAR 17 & APR 21 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE MEN’S LUNCH Mar 17: Corned beef. Apr 21: Meatball sub. 11am-1pm. Fee, call to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

MAR 17, APR 21, MAY 19 & JUN 16 : CHRIST CHURCH BOLTON COM MUNITY SUPPER Join us for a warm meal and good company. Everyone welcome! 5-7pm. Free. 22 Nancy St, Bolton. 905-8570433; christchurchbolton.ca

MAR 17, APR 21, MAY 19 & JUN 16 : LIVING INTO HOPE — GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Peer-led group is open to anyone journeying with grief. Bring your own refreshments. 2pm. Free. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519-941-0972; highcountryunited.ca

MAR 21 : BOLTON COMICON New and recent release items. Cosplay welcome! Nonperishable food donations appreciated, receive a free comic when you donate 5+ items. 10am-3pm. Fees. Caledon Centre for Recreation and Wellness, Bolton. eventbrite.ca

A T T H E M U S E U M S P R I N G 2 0 2 6

SMALL TOWNS, BIG IDEAS: ANTONIO MICHAEL DOWNING

Join us for a special event with author and performer Antonio Michael Downing as he shares his powerful stories and creative voice.

April 25th, 2026 2pm – 4pm

$20 + HST per person

WE LEND A HAND: DOCUMENTARY SCREENING

Explore the forgotten story of Ontario’s Farmerettes in the documentary We Lend a Hand. Discover how young women kept farms thriving during wartime.

May 23rd, 2026

2pm - 5pm & 7pm - 9pm $20 + HST per person

ARCHIVE ADVENTURES: INTRO TO BOOKBINDING

Learn about how books are made and work through your first bookbinding project — create your own notebook to take with you!

April 18th 2026 10am - 1pm $25 + HST per person

MOD MASTERCLASS: LIFE DRAWING WITH STEPHANIE CASINO ESGUERRA

This 90-minute life-drawing class introduces beginners to the fundamentals of drawing figures using charcoal. No prior drawing experience is required.

May 9th, 2026 10:30am - 12pm $35 + HST per person

MAR 25 : CREATE AN ONLINE STORE Insights and guidance on e-commerce platforms. 9-10:30am. Free. 200 Lakeview Crt, Orangeville. Orangeville SBEC, 519-941-0440; orangevillebusiness.ca

MAR 28 : SPRING TAPAS WITH CHEF

GUI Create four recipes and receive a recipe booklet. All ingredients and cooking equipment provided. Bring an apron, water bottle and small container. 1-3pm. Hillsburgh Library, 9 Station St, Hillsburgh. Over Here Community Arts Adventure, 519-820-6005; overhere.ca

MAR 27 — 29 : ORANGEVILLE LIONS HOME & GARDEN SHOW Meet

135 exhibitors showcasing products, expertise and services. Fri 5-9pm. Sat 9am-5pm. Sun 10am-4pm. Free admission and parking. OAS Event Centre, 247090 5 Sdrd Mono. Orangeville Lions Club, 519-943-2045; orangevillelions.org

MAR 27 & MAY 29 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE MONTHLY DINNER

Mar 27: Guinness stew. May 29: TBD. Pick-up 5:15pm, dine-in 5:30pm. Local delivery available. 5:15-7pm. Fee, call two days prior to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

MAR 30, APR 27, MAY 25 & JUN 22 : HIGH COUNTRY LUNCH SPEAKER SERIES Catered lunch follows. 11am1pm. Free (donations accepted), register by phone or email a week prior. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519941-0972; highcountryunited.ca

MAR 31, APR 28 & MAY 26 : HEADWATERS NATURE MONTHLY MEETINGS Mar 31: Nicola Ross — Hiking series. Apr 28: Josh Pickering TBD. May 26: Debra Spillar — Procyon. 7-9pm. Orangeville Seniors’ Centre, 26 Bythia St, Orangeville. 519-2172645; onheadwatersnature.ca

APR 2 & MAY 7 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE LUNCH & LEARN Apr 2: Marion Johnston — Benefits to Walking Along Trails. May 7: Dr. Kanica Nanda — Eye Health. 11am-1pm. Fee, call to register.7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

APR 9, MAY 14 & JUN 11 :

BOLTON & DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB MEETINGS Regular meeting of age 55+ Caledon residents and guests with an interesting speaker. 10am. Albion Bolton Community Centre, Bolton. 905-951-2871; probusbolton.ca

APR 11 : CALEDON SENIORS’

CENTRE INCOME TAX CLINIC Single income to $40,000, couple to $55,000 and three-person to $607,000. No bankruptcies, Uber income, childcare or personal business, drivers’ returns, interest income more than $1,000. 9:30am-3:30pm. Free, by appointment, call to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

APR 11 : HOP ON MAIN — EASTER

EGG HUNT Shop local and support our vibrant downtown. 11am-1pm. Free. Main St, Grand Valley. Grand Valley BIA, 519-928-5652; townofgrandvalley.ca

APR 11 : CALEDON SENIORS’

CENTRE LUNCH & BID EUCHRE

TOURNAMENT Beef on a bun. Check-in 11:30am, lunch noon, tournament 1pm. Prizes and much more! 11:30am-4pm. Fee, call to register by Apr 9. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

APR 14, MAY 12 & JUN 9 : ORANGE

VILLE & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MONTHLY MEETINGS

Apr 14: Identification and Control of Invasive Plants. May 12: Spring Perennials. Jun 9: Feed Your Soul, Fuel Your Family, Fight Climate Change. Flower show. Guests welcome, free parking, sharing table, bring a mug for refreshments. 6:30-8:30pm. Orangeville Seniors’ Centre, 26 Bythia St, Orangeville. orangevillehort.com

APR 15 : WORKPLACE SAFETY

ESSENTIALS Practices and tools to streamline your compliance efforts. 9am-10:30am. Free. 200 Lakeview Crt, Orangeville. Orangeville SBEC, 519-941-0440; orangevillebusiness.ca

APR 15 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE SPECIAL EASTER

LUNCH Ham. Pick-up 11:45am, dinein noon. Local delivery available. 11:45am-1pm. Fee, call to register by Apr 13. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

APR 18 : CALEDON HORSE TACK

SWAP Two buildings of new and used horse equipment for sale. 10am-3pm. Free entrance, vendor fees. Caledon Fairgrounds, 18297 Hurontario St, Caledon Village. Caledon Agricultural Society, 519925-3461; horsetackswap@gmail. com, @caledonhorsetackswap

APR 18 : ECOCALEDON REPAIR CAFÉ Typical repairs include bikes, small appliances, clothing mending, toys and electronics. 10am-2pm. Free. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; ecocaledon.org

APR 24 — MAY 9 : LEGENDS, ROOKIES & RELICS: SPORTS COLLECTIBLES SALE Special sale of used/new collectibles and

memorabilia. 9:30am-4:30pm. Evolve Clothing, 4 Industrial Rd, Bolton. Evolve Caledon, 905-584-2300; ccs4u.org

APR 25 : KNOX SPRING MARKET & BAKE SALE Visit our 15 fantastic vendors and famous bake sale! Wheelchair accessible. 9am-2pm. Free. Knox United Church Caledon Village, 2976 Charleston Sdrd. 519927-3320; knox-united-church.org

MAY 2 : HIGH TEA LUNCHEON & VENDOR MARKET Food donations appreciated. High Tea tickets in advance: Bonnie at 416-847-6149 or bonnie@duskteam.com. 10am-3pm. Free. Brampton Fairgrounds, 12942 Heart Lake Rd, Caledon. Region of Peel Agricultural Society, bramptonfair.com

MAY 13 : HOW TO GET FOUND ONLINE Tools and tactics to improve website rankings and connect with the right audience. 9-10:30am. Free. Orangeville SBEC, 200 Lakeview Crt, Orangeville. 519-941-0440; orangevillebusiness.ca

MAY 13 & JUN 10 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE SPECIAL LUNCH Menus TBD. Pick-up 11:45am, dinein noon. Local delivery available. 11:45am-1pm. Fee, call to register two days prior. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

MAY 14 : BOLTON & DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB 30TH ANNIVERSARY Celebrating the success of this group of age 55+ friendly members. 10am1pm. Albion Bolton Community Centre, Bolton. 905-857-0800; probusbolton.ca

MAY 16 : HILLSBURGH GARDEN CLUB PLANT SALE A wide range of plants to enhance your garden. Cash or e-transfer. Bring a container. 4-H bake sale. 8:30am-1:30pm. 9042 Wellington Rd 22, Hillsburgh. 519855-4390; @hillsburghgardenclub

MAY 17 : ORANGEVILLE COMICON Vendors selling pretty much anything geeky cool! Cosplay welcome! Nonperishable food donations appreciated, receive a free comic when you donate 5+ items. 10am-3pm. Fees. Orangeville Curling Club, 76 Fifth Ave, Orangeville. eventbrite.ca

shop.rosemont.ca

MAY 23 : GRAND VALLEY LIONS

DUCK RACE & PANCAKE BREAKFAST Breakfast 9-11am. Donations accepted. Ducks drop at 2pm sharp. Familyfriendly activities at the finish line. 9am-4pm. Hereward Park, 200 Main St S, Grand Valley. Grand Valley Lions Club, 519-943-5471; grandvalleylions.com

MAY 30 : MOD GARDEN TOUR:

STEP INTO SPRING — AGES 16+

History of the flowers in bloom and plants ready for harvest. Rain or shine. Fee includes museum entry. 11:30am12:30pm. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

MAY 30 : FRIENDSHIP GARDENS PERENNIAL PLANT SALE Many varieties of perennials and natives, and expert advice. Proceeds to equipment necessary to maintain the 20 gardens on the hospital property. 8:30-11am. Headwaters Health Care Centre, 140/150 Rolling Hills, Orangeville. Ontario Friendship Gardens Volunteers, 519-216-8240; friendshipgardens.ca

JUN 6 : BOOK/PUZZLE/TREASURES & LOCAL VENDOR MARKETPLACE

Pick up some fabulous books for summer reading or puzzles for the cottage. 10am-1pm. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 83 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. 519-855-6216; pccweb.ca

JUN 13 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE TRUNK FUNDRAISING SALE Books, odds ’n ends and more! On-site food. Order MacGregors Meat & Seafood or pick up Krispy Kreme Donuts! Book your rental space (two parking spaces, fee, call to register). 8am-1pm. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

JUN 16 : SUCCESSION PLANNING FOR SMALL BUSINESS Early steps to transition your business on your terms. 9-10:30am. Free. 200 Lakeview Crt, Orangeville. Orangeville SBEC, 519-941-0440; orangevillebusiness.ca

KIDS

Visit our Kids Camps in the Hills webpage for March Break camps and activities. inthehills.ca/ kids-camps-in-headwaters

NOW — ONGOING : DCAFS PROGRAMS & WORKSHOPS

Community resources for child and youth mental health, child welfare, developmental support services and behaviour solutions. 655 Riddell Rd, Orangeville. 519-941-1530; dcafs.on.ca

MAR 15 — 29 (SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS) — MARCH DIY STUDIO TIME — AGES 5+ Explore exhibitions and connect over selfguided art projects. All children with an adult. 1-4:30pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

APR 23 : DINO LIGHT! A GLOW IN THE DARK ADVENTURE

LIGHTWIRE THEATER Follow a friendly dinosaur in a cutting-edge fusion of puppetry, technology and dance. 7-9pm. Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

APR 24 & JUN 5 : PA/D DAY CAMPS AT MANSFIELD OUTDOOR CENTRE — GRADES SK TO 4 Join us for a fun-filled day of outdoor activities. Lunch and snacks included. 8:30am4:30pm. Fee, register online. 937365 Airport Rd, Mulmur. 705-435-4479; mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca

MUSIC

MAR — JUN: LIVE MUSIC AT ROSE THEATRE All performances at 8pm unless noted. Fee. Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. 905-8742800; tickets.brampton.ca

MAR 28 : CLASSICAL FOUNDATIONS: THE ROSE ORCHESTRA Canadian superstar Jonathan Crow plays Mendelssohn and Beethoven. 7:30pm

MAR 29 : RE-IMAGINED: JUKEBOX

DREAMS Darryn de Souza and performers from Juliet fuse power anthems with soulful ballads. 7pm

APR 2 : BORN TO BE BLUE FEATURING THE B-JAZZED ORCHESTRA

Composer David Braid conducts a live big band while narrating the film’s music and creation.

APR 24 : AFROBEATS: MOTION & VIBES CURATED BY BAFFOUR OBENG-ADJEI An electrifying fusion of music, dance and pure energy.

APR 25 : CRATE CLASH CURATED BY JOSEPH KHARGIE The youngest and hottest DJs rooted in Jamaica’s legendary Sound Clash tradition! 7pm

APR 25 : THE ROSE ORCHESTRA: SCHEHERAZADE’S SPELL Enter a world of magic and mystery with The Rose and Rosebud orchestras. 7:30pm

NOW — JUN 24 (WEDNESDAYS) : CALEDON CONCERT BAND

REHEARSAL Make music with a fun group of musicians of all ages and talents! 7-9pm. Caledon Hills Fellowship Baptist Church, 16595 Airport Rd, Caledon East. 905-951-7979; caledonconcertband.ca

MAR 21 : CALEDON CHAMBER CONCERTS PRESENTS JUSTIN GRAY & SYNTHESIS JUNO Award winner blends

Indian classical, jazz, R&B and electronic music, anchored by his unique bass veena. 7:30-9:30pm. Fee. St. James Anglican Church Caledon East, 6025 Old Church Rd. 905-838-0888; caledonchamberconcerts.com

APR 18 : CALEDON CHAMBER

CONCERTS PRESENTS SCHMALTZ & PEPPER Join us for a wonderful evening. 7:30-9:30pm. Fee. St. James Anglican Church Caledon East, 6025 Old Church Rd. 905-838-0888; caledonchamberconcerts.com

APR 26 : RETURN TO SPRING

Selections from Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, Songs of the Earth, and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass (Mass in Troubled Times).

3:30-5pm. Fee. Westminster United Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville. Achill Choral Society, achill.ca

APR 27 — 29, MAY 11 : ORANGEVILLE & DISTRICT MUSIC FESTIVAL

Performance opportunities for all levels and disciplines with adjudication in a noncompetitive forum. Gala Concert: May 11, 7pm. Register online. Westminster United Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-941-4334; odmf.ca

MAY 2 : ORANGEVILLE COMMUNITY BAND SPRING

CONCERT Uplifting music that celebrates the change of seasons. 3-5pm. Fee. New Hope Community Church, 690 Riddell Rd, Orangeville. orangevillecommunityband.ca

MAY 3 : CALEDON CONCERT

BAND’S BROADWAY SPECTACULAR

CONCERT Some of the most popular tunes from Broadway for a toetapping good time! 2-4pm. Caledon Hills Fellowship Baptist Church, 16595 Airport Rd, Caledon East. 905-9517979; caledonconcertband.ca

MAY 9 : WESTMINSTER’S

COFFEE HOUSE An evening of entertainment by local musicians with refreshments provided. 7-9pm. Fee, from the church office. 247 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-9410381; westminsterorangeville.ca

JUN 5 — 7 : ORANGEVILLE BLUES AND JAZZ FESTIVAL

Concerts and workshops, Blues & Bikes, Classic Cars Blues Cruise, Downtown Ramble and Street Market. Downtown Orangeville. 519-9419041; orangevillebluesandjazz.ca

OUTDOOR

NOW — ONGOING : MULMUR 175 END TO END CHALLENGE — ALL AGES This 41.1 km journey can be completed in sections or end-to-end, solo or group. Collect all markers at checkpoints and receive your Mulmur 175 badge. Dufferin Hi-Land Bruce Trail Club, dufferinbrucetrailclub.org

NOW — APR 5 (SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS), MAR 16, 20 & APR 3 : WEEKEND MAPLE SYRUP EXPERIENCE See how maple syrup is made, check sap buckets, visit the museum and enjoy pancake meal (reserve online only). Muddy conditions, dogs on a leash. 10am-3:30pm. 9467 Erin East Garafraxa Townline, Hillsburgh. 519-216-0699; elliotttreefarm.ca

NOW — JUN 28 (SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS) : TEEN RANCH TRAIL RIDES — AGES 10+ Walk and trot with experienced staff and welltrained horses. Weight limit: 250 lb (≈ 113 kg) per rider. Days/times vary. Sunday slots available. Saturdays if available. 10am-5pm. Fee, register and prepay. 20682 Hurontario St, Caledon. 519-941-4501; teenranch.com

MAR 19 — 22, 28 & 29 : MAPLE SYRUP IN THE PARK Wagon rides, interactive demonstrations, kids’ activities and pancake breakfast. 9:30am-5pm. Terra Cotta Conservation Area, Halton Hills. 1-800-668-5557; cvc.ca

APR 4, 5, 11 & 12 : SAP TO SYRUP: A MAPLE SYRUP MAKING EXPERIENCE — AGES 16+ Turn sap into sweet maple syrup in this hands-on workshop in the sugar shack! 10am-4pm. Fee, register. Terra Cotta Conservation Area, Halton Hills. CVC, 1-800-668-5557; cvc.ca

APR 11 : LAMPLIGHT: MAPLE SYRUP AFTER DARK — AGES 19+ Live music, maple-themed food, drinks, educational wagon ride through the sugarbush. 7:3010:30pm. Fee, register. Terra Cotta Conservation Area, Halton Hills. CVC, 1-800-668-5557; cvc.ca

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APR 11 : MAPLE MADNESS — A MULMUR 175 COMMUNITY EVENT

Maple syrup demonstrations, guided sugar bush tours, fresh pancakes, family-friendly, maple-themed activities. 10am-1pm. 4M Maple, 716092 1st Ln E, Mulmur. Township of Mulmur, 705-466-3341; mulmur.ca

APR 25 & MAY 23 : BIRDING

WORKSHOPS Apr 25: Spring Migration. May 23: Breeding Season. Guided 3 km flat trail walk. All experience levels. Dress for weather and/or bugs. Bring binoculars. Fee, includes day pass.

7:30-9:30am. 937365 Airport Rd, Mulmur. 705-435-4479; mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca

MAY 2 : OPEN HOUSE AT MONORA LAWN

BOWLING CLUB Try lawn bowling, meet our friendly instructors. Light refreshments. Bring

Free. 500 Monora Park Dr, Mono. monoralawnbowlingclub.com

MAY 3 : HIKE FOR BETHELL HOSPICE

Hike the Caledon Trailway or complete your own hike. Donations accepted until May 29. Register online: individual, hike captain or team member by Mar 25, possibly win $200 prize pack. 8am. Lloyd Wilson Centennial Arena, Inglewood. Bethell Hospice Foundation, 905-8383534 x2248; hikeforbethellhospice.ca

MAY 9 & 10 : DUFFERIN HI LAND

BRUCE TRAIL CLUB TWO DAY END TO ‑ END FUNDRAISER HIKE Complete the 53 km Dufferin Hi-Land section of the Bruce Trail to earn our Red Trillium badge. Details online. Fee. Whitfield Methodist Church, 676586 Centre Rd, Mulmur. dufferinbrucetrailclub.org

MAY 21 : BOLTON ROTARY CHARITY

GOLF CLASSIC Shotgun start noon following BBQ lunch. Fee includes 18 holes of golf, on-course food, games, lunch, prizes and buffet dinner. Proceeds to local, international charities and groups. See website.

10am-7pm. Caledon Woods Golf Club, 15608 Hwy 50, Bolton. 416804-2300; boltonrotarygolf.ca

MAY 23 : JACK RIDE 2026 Canada’s ride for youth mental health. Join us in-person or anytime, anywhere in May. Caledon East Community Complex, Caledon East. jack.org

MAY 23 : COME & TRY ROWING DAY OPEN HOUSE Join us for a one-hour orientation to rowing for youth and adults. 8am-1pm. Free, register online. 673178 Hurontario St, Mono. islandlakerowing.com

MAY 23 & 24 : STORM ADVENTURE RACE Multisport, beginner-friendly Short Course, intermediate Long Course and Advanced Course. Albion Hills Conservation Park, Caledon. stormrace.ca

MAY 24 : GUIDED FORAGING WALK & DISH TUTORIAL Create a light dish with Jordan Madley. Bring two mason jars, foraging container and foraging knife. * Class uses nuts. Contact in advance for dairy or gluten-free accommodations. 11am-2pm. Fee, plus $6 material fee on day. Everdale, 5812 Sixth Ln, Hillsburgh. Over Here Community Arts Adventure, 519-820-6005; overhere.ca

JUN 4 : SHELBURNE EDC/ROTARY GOLF TOURNAMENT Proceeds to equipment for the Fiddle Park Community Kitchen. Fee includes 18 holes of golf, power cart and gourmet dinner. Registration 10am. Shotgun start noon. 10am-10pm. Shelburne Golf & Country Club, 516423 Cty Rd 124, Melancthon. 519-2784578; shelburnerotaryclub.com

JUN 10 — 14 : RBC CANADIAN OPEN Canada’s National Men’s Open Golf Championship — an exceptional spectator experience. TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, 18821 Main St, Caledon. Golf Canada, 1-800-5716736; rbccanadianopen.com

JUN

around Island Lake’s scenic trails or virtually. Kids’ activities, BBQ. Proceeds to local food banks, at-risk school communities and essential food support programs. 8am-noon. Fee. Compass Community Church, 246289 Hockley Rd. compassrun.com

THEATRE & FILM

MAR 15, 18 — 22, 25 — 29 : MURDER AT ACKERTON MANOR BY STEVEN GALLAGHER Fun-loving spoof of Agatha Christie murder mysteries, with a dash of Mel Brooks-style mayhem. Sun Wed 2pm. Thurs-Sat 7:30pm. Mar 26: 11am & 7:30pm. Orangeville Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-938-7584; theatreorangeville.ca

MAR 15, 19 — 22 : OLD WIVES TALES BY KEVIN RIORDAN — AGES 16+ Fun, touching mother/daughter story of women’s profound wisdom, and men who bear witness to it. *Mature Content* Thur-Sat 8:15pm. Sun 2:15pm. 17272 Mt Wolfe Rd & Hwy 9, Caledon. 905-880-5002; blackhorsetheatre.ca

MAR 15, 20 — 22 : BLITHE SPIRIT BY NOEL COWARD Comedy offers wit, conflict and laughs as a cantankerous novelist finds himself haunted by his late first wife. Fri Sat 7:30pm. Sun 2pm. Fee. 72 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. 519855-4586; centurychurchtheatre.com

MAR 23 : WHAT YOU WON’T DO FOR LOVE Renowned environmentalists, David Suzuki and Tara Cullis, take the stage in this poetic, theatrical conversation about love, legacy and climate action. 8pm. Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-8742800; tickets.brampton.ca

MAR 23, APR 13 & 27 : MONDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES Best of Canadian and international films.

Mar 23: Silver Screamers. Apr 13: Youngblood. Apr 27: TBD. 4:30, 7 and 9:10pm. Fee, cash only, at BookLore and the cinema on movie nights. Galaxy Cinemas Orangeville, 85 5th Ave. mondaynightmovies.ca

MAR 28 : IMMIGRANTS WITH ATTITUDE CURATED BY SUNNY DEEWANA A night of comedy featuring some of Brampton’s rising stars, all of whom have lived the immigrant experience firsthand! 7:30pm Desi; 10pm English. 7:3011:30pm. The Rose Studio, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

MAR 28 : YUK YUK’S COMEDY NIGHT Help raise funds to paint new lacrosse and pickleball lines at the arena. Cash bar. 7-10:30pm. Fee, at Honeywood Arena or online. RR 21, Honeywood. 519-925-6616; facebook.com

MAR 28 & 29, APR 11, 12, 17 & 18 :

MONEY TO BURN BY PAT COOK Three flat-broke lady con artists willing to do anything to meet their rent. Fri Sat 8pm. Sun 2pm. Inglewood Community Centre, Inglewood. Inglewood Schoolhouse Performers, 905-838-2874; inglewoodperformers.com

APR 1 : ERIN FAIR HORSE HERITAGE MOVIE NIGHT Ride Like a Girl— based on the true story of the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Fee, at ticketscene.ca or at Sharpe’s in Erin, includes movie, beverage, hot popcorn and door prizes. 6-9:30pm. Centre 2000, 14 Boland Dr, Erin. Erin Agricultural Society, 519-833-2808; erinfair.com

APR 16 — 19 : BRAMPTON MUSIC

THEATRE: SISTER ACT When a disco diva witnesses a crime, she hides in the last place anyone would look — a convent. Thur Fri 7:30pm. Sat Sun 1 & 7:30pm. Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

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BookLore

BUILDERS, ARCHITECTS & DEVELOPERS

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Dufferin County

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DINING

71 Greystones Restaurant & Lounge

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71 Mono Cliffs Inn

26 Mrs. Mitchell’s Restaurant

71 Mrs. Mitchell’s Restaurant

71 Pia’s on Broadway

71 Peter Cellars Pub

71 Rustik Local Bistro 71 Spirit Tree Estate Cidery

The Busholme Gastro Pub 48 The Craft Pizza Bar & Italian Eatery

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Two Brothers at Osprey Valley

Two Brothers at Osprey Valley EQUINE SERVICES 30 Rivendell Equine Veterinary Services EVENTS

107 16th Annual Hike for Bethell Hospice 24 Erin Arts Festival

106 Headwaters Health Care Centre Friendship Gardens Perennial Plant Sale 105 Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival FARM RECREATION

78 Erin Hill Acres

FASHION & JEWELRY 49 A.M. Korsten Jewellers

Amorettos 18 Gallery Gemma

Hannah’s of Erin

Scented Drawer Fine Lingerie Boutique 49 Seconds Count Hospital Thrift Store FENCING

McGuire Fence

FINANCIAL SERVICES

BMO Nesbitt Burns Wealth Management, N. Meek

APR 16 — 19, 22 — 26, 29 & 30, MAY 1 — 3 : THE WEDDING PARTY BY KRISTEN THOMSON Two families, mistaken identities and love. Wear your wedding best as they hit the dance floor, indulge a little too much and try to get along. Sun Wed 2pm. Thurs-Sat 7:30pm. Apr 30: 11am & 7:30pm. Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-938-7584; theatreorangeville.ca

APR 23 : FLOWER CITY SLAM CURATED BY THE WILD WOMAN Talented poets battle for over $500 in prizes and a coveted featured spot on the slam stage. 8-10pm. The Rose Studio, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

MAY 2 & 3, 8 & 9 : GROUNDED BY JOHN SPURWAY Weather delays force stranded passengers to interact. Fri 8:15pm. Sat 2:15 and 8:15pm. Sun 2:15pm. Dinner matinées May 2 and 9: 6:30pm. 18365 Hurontario St, Caledon Village. 519927-5460; caledontownhallplayers.com

MAY 9 : I AM ENOUGH — A MUSICAL CABARET BY & WITH SHERRY

GARNER True story of living with extraordinary experiences told through music, tears and laughter. 7:30pm. Orangeville Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway. 519938-7584; theatreorangeville.ca

MAY 10 : THE JAY MARTIN MOTHER’S DAY COMEDY CLASH

This clean comedy show has become a beloved tradition in honour of all mothers, especially from Africa and the Caribbean. Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

MAY 23 : WE LEND A HAND: THE FORGOTTEN STORY OF ONTARIO FARMERETTES A documentary of 40,000 teenage girls who volunteered and helped win the Second World War. 2 & 7pm. Fee. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

MAY 24 : THE 70 MILE YARD SALE BY JUSTIN SHAW A madcap Maritime comedy about finding more than you bargained for. 2-4pm.

Visit us online

For up-to-date listings between issues, and for more details, go to inthehills.ca/events.

To submit your community, arts or nonprofit event:

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

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

Submit by Friday, May 8, 2026 for the summer (June) issue.

We reserve the right to edit submissions for print and web. inthehills.ca

Orangeville Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-9423423; theatreorangeville.ca

MAY 24, 30 & 31, JUN 5 7 : THE SECOND TO LAST CHANCE LADIES’ LEAGUE A Jones Hope Wooden comedy about four lifelong friends who reunite to run a wedding venue, leading to hilarious chaos. Fri Sat 7:30pm. Sun 2pm. 72 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. 519855-4586; centurychurchtheatre.com

JUN 5 — 7, 12 — 14, 18 — 21 : MR. TELEVISION BY JOHN PALLA The optimism of the youthful director of a community TV station in the good old summertime of 1977. Thur-Sat 8:15pm. Sun 2:15pm. 17272 Mt Wolfe Rd & Hwy 9, Caledon. 905-8805002; blackhorsetheatre.ca

SPRING ONLINE

Looking for local hiking ideas? Visit us first for routes and background information on the Bruce Trail, the Trans Canada Trail and other area trailways weaving through rolling countryside, conservation areas and provincial parks. Hit the trails

Our online News Desk keeps an eye on pressing issues that affect you and your community, including illegal truck yards, changing environmental regulations and improvements to healthcare.

Welcome to the world, little ones

Springtime is the season when nature awakes –salamanders hatching in vernal pools, litters of fox kits and skunks, and a flurry of feathers returning to our hills. Learn more at inthehills.ca

KIDS CAMPS IN THE HILLS

It’s that time of the year again. Summer is fast approaching and there are dozens of excellent local summer camps to choose from. Kids breathe fresh air while canoeing on a lake, build muscles hiking and biking in the forest, hone hockey skills or practise their dribbling on the field. They explore their creative side through painting, making a dance or putting on a show. There’s a camp for every kid!

VISIT OUR WEB PAGE

Scan for an up-todate guide to all the best summer camps in the Headwaters area.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 110

HOME IMPROVEMENT & REPAIR

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

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MARKETPLACE

A GOOD FRIDAY DONNYBROOK FAIR *

IN 1888, FEELINGS IN DUFFERIN WERE RUNNING HIGH. The Canada Temperance Act, aka the Scott Act, had been introduced a decade earlier, and Shelburne was dry. Theoretically. But “intoxicating liquors” were still readily accessible at illegal stills and “low groggeries.” One notorious groggery was the three-storey Mansion House hotel, pictured at the right front of the photo above.

Hotel proprietor George Thompson was well-known for flouting temperance laws.

This rankled Dufferin’s chief constable, Laurel resident Alfred Finbow, who gathered 20 special constables and, early on Good Friday morning headed to Shelburne to call Thompson to account.

Arriving in the village, the constables were joined by local temperance supporters, described acerbically by the Shelburne Free Press as “parties … who fancy they have a heaven born mission to fulfil in carrying out the Scott Act.”

Breaking down the hotel’s door, the constables arrested Thompson. But by then, Scott Act opponents

had also gathered. When things threatened to turn ugly, a magistrate read the Riot Act and ordered the crowd to disperse – to no effect.

So Finbow, ordering the crowd to stand back, tried to escort Thompson to a waiting sleigh. To clear the way, he struck one or two men with his leather-covered iron baton. And this, according to the Free Press, sparked a brawl “in Donnybrook fair style.” In the mayhem that followed, several men – on both sides of the issue – were “brutally beaten” by the constables.

Several other arrests were made before Thompson was finally transported to Laurel, where he paid a fine and was back in Shelburne by that evening.

The Mansion House remained a landmark on Shelburne’s Main Street until it was badly damaged in a 1991 fire. It was eventually torn down and replaced by the building that now houses Caravaggio IDA Drugs.

— DYANNE RIVERS