Winter In The Hills

ANDIE TRÉPANIER ’S CALEDON

OUR CELEBRATION OF LOCAL HEROES

WHAT IS THE ‘ SWAN LAKE ’ CONTROVERSY ? BOOKS TO WHILE AWAY WINTER

The care and comfort of knowing you,re not alone !

Is another winter alone

causing you

to worry and question your safety?

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FEATURES

31 ‘ SWAN LAKE ’

While activists and their allies fight to protect a body of water at a rehabilitated gravel pit, the Town of Caledon is considering new bylaws that could alter future land-use regulations BY EMILY DICKSON

35 CREEMORE CHRISTMAS

On the hypnotic qualities of a country village BY FISHER MONAHAN

37 LOCAL HEROES

Our annual celebration of the people whose kindness, service and spirit uplift others BY JEFF ROLLINGS, GAIL GRANT, JANICE QUIRT, TONY REYNOLDS AND EMILY DICKSON

46 DATING IN A SMALL TOWN

In the country, the pool of potential mates is shallow so looking for love can feel impossible – until, just maybe, you put down the phone and start finding community BY JAMES

GERUS

50 THE YEAR IN BOOKS

Our annual review of new books by local authors BY PETER YAN AND EMILY DICKSON

60 NORTHERN IMPRESSIONS

Caledon may be home for Bridget Cauthery, but the Far North has left an indelible impression on her heart BY BRIDGET CAUTHERY

DEPARTMENTS

18 CONTRIBUTORS

20 LETTERS Our readers write

25 ARTIST IN RESIDENCE Painter Andie Trépanier BY JANICE QUIRT

26 FIELD NOTES

Embrace winter, get groovy with live bands, and soak up the magic of the festive season BY EMILY DICKSON

69 MEET THE MAKER

In her Mulmur studio, jeweller Gillian Johnson designs earthy silver and bronze pieces inspired by the hills she calls home BY

JANICE QUIRT

77 COUNTRY LIVING 101

How to keep snow and ice from wreaking havoc on your roof and your nerves this winter BY ALISON McGILL

78 HEADWATERS NEST

Marking time through tradition and ceremony BY BETHANY LEE

80 AT HOME IN THE HILLS

Home for the holidays BY JANICE QUIRT

FIND AN ADVERTISER

WHAT’S ON A calendar of winter happenings

BACK STORY

When cattle were a traffic hazard BY DYANNE

RIVERS

We’re so grateful for loyal customers like the Sibley sisters and just as proud to support the many Canadian and local brands they love.

“We’ve been loyal to Global Pet Foods Orangeville for 20+ years—amazing sta , a great variety of healthy products, and the best service around!”

DIANE AND SUE SIBLEY

We

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

Fisher Monahan

Ruth Ann Pearce

Bridget Cauthery

James Gerus

Gail Grant

Bethany Lee

Alison McGill

Dan Needles

Janice Quirt

Tony Reynolds

Jeff Rollings

Peter Yan

Jim Stewart WRITERS

Fracassi

Johansen

Dillman

Hodgson

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 $32.95 for 1 year and $58.95 for 2 years (including HST).

© 2025 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.

For information regarding editorial content or letters to the editor: tralee@inthehills.ca.

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CONNECTING THE DOTS

As we were putting the final touches on this issue, the Ford government announced upcoming legislation that would merge the province’s 36 conservation authorities into seven regional bodies – all under an umbrella organization named the Ontario Provincial Conservation Agency. Calling the current system “too fragmented, inconsistent and outdated,” Todd McCarthy, minister of the environment, conservation and parks, said the move would cut duplication and boost front-line resources. Critics warn it will weaken environmental protections.

In The Hills’ coverage area is known as Headwaters and is home to four major watersheds these proposed changes would affect. Those watersheds are monitored by Credit Valley Conservation, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Grand River Conservation Authority and Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority. In addition to flood plans and other environmental safeguards, these groups also maintain beloved recreational areas, including Island Lake Conservation Area and Albion Hills Conservation Park.

Many Ontarians will eye this news with a healthy dose of skepticism due to the Ford government’s poor record on the Greenbelt. But the government’s tendency to make last-minute policy changes also means that public consultations around the proposed legislation can have an impact.

It’s worth noting not everyone in conservation circles criticized the move as a whole.

Jonathan Scott, chair of the NVCA, said in a statement that the province is right to push for “greater standardization and clear processes.” He also warned that the plan “risks eroding local control.”

This tension over how much local control residents can expect – not to mention the role of healthy wetlands in local ecosystems – is also at the heart of a story in this issue. Some Caledon residents are fighting a proposal to fill a healthy body of water on the site of a rehabilitated gravel pit with soil trucked in from construction sites. And one possible solution brings us back to the proposed legislation: Credit Valley Conservation might purchase the land. Would an overarching provincial authority take the same sort of interest?

In The Hills will continue to update that story online because our goal is to follow our curiosity, connect the dots and help our readers (and ourselves!) stay informed and engaged even when it doesn’t fit neatly into our print publication schedule.

That’s why we’ve launched News Desk, a page at inthehills.ca. If you’re signed up for our free newsletters, you may have noticed the Between Issues newsletter, which reminds you about new articles when they drop. I hope you’ll check it out.

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MEET DANCE SCHOLAR BRIDGET CAUTHERY, DIGITAL EDITOR ELAINE LI AND WRITER JEFF ROLLINGS WHO SHARE THEIR TALENTS THIS ISSUE

Bridget Cauthery

Born in Orangeville and raised in Caledon, Bridget Cauthery now lives in the village of Inglewood after more than two decades spent living and working in the arts and culture sector in Toronto. Cauthery completed her PhD in dance studies at the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom in 2007 and is now an associate professor in York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design.

In our winter issue, Cauthery shares an adapted excerpt from her first book, Choreographing the North: Settler Affinities in Contemporary Dancemaking, published this year as part of U.K. publisher Routledge’s Advanced Series on Theatre & Performance Studies. She is currently working on her second publication, an examination of an overlooked ballet from 1988, In the Land of the Spirits, in collaboration with five Indigenous artist-scholars from across Turtle Island.

Elaine Li

Orangeville food photographer and recipe developer Elaine Li has been contributing to In The Hills since 2022, snapping drool-worthy food photos of Headwaters’ growing culinary scene and, on other occasions, capturing lively portraits that tell community stories. She recently took on a digital editor role with the magazine to navigate the world of social media, including our new In The Hills Magazine page on LinkedIn – follow us there! More plans are in the works, so stay tuned.

When Li is not behind the camera or developing recipes at her home studio, she channels her creativity through Little Clay Bites, her whimsical miniature foodand pet-themed polymer clay art.

Find her creations at the upcoming Museum of Dufferin’s Holiday Treasures Craft Market from November 26 to December 7 (see “Made In The Hills” on page 72).

Jeff Rollings

As a longtime Caledon resident, Jeff Rollings has covered a wide variety of topics for In The Hills since his first story appeared in 2006. They include affordable housing, medical assistance in dying, water rights and waste management. Central to all of them are the people of Headwaters, their astonishing array of interests, and the issues that concern all of us.

Some of Rollings’ most impactful writing has been his work for the annual Local Heroes feature, for which he has now profiled more than 90 individuals and groups. In this issue, he turns his attention to Lynda McDougall and Sanjay Lekhi.

Asked what all those people have taught him over the years, Rollings says, “Young or old, rich or poor, famous, infamous or unknown, there’s something to be learned from every single one of us. We all have a story worth telling.”

Is democracy in danger?

Thank you for the reporting on the issues related to “Swan Lake” [“Explainer: Why Is Controversy Swirling Around Caledon’s ‘Swan Lake?’,” News Desk, inthehills.ca, October 10, ’25 and in this issue on page 31]. We all need to have this information to realize the danger that democracy is in, not only in Caledon, but throughout Ontario and, in fact, Canada. Too many absurd undemocratic decisions that benefit corporations are being made in our “virtual democracy.” Knowledge is power and more. We need power to the people! — Joe Grogan, Bolton

A dirty job –but someone’s gotta do it

Kudos to writer and naturalist Don Scallen

What a talent. I, like yourself and countless others, am fascinated by our insect and arachnid friends [“Singing Insects,” Notes from the Wild, inthehills.ca, September 8, ’20]. I truly enjoy, as you say, a purposeful walk with camera in hand. People in large part are oblivious to the small wonders that are not necessarily camouflaged, but sitting in plain sight. Keep up the great work.

— Scott Morrow, Toronto

I am very thankful for the article from Alison McGill about septic systems [“Your Country Septic System, Demystified,” autumn ’25]. I realized we haven’t emptied ours for quite a few years and it would be time to do it. I dug out the tank yesterday while the weather was still nice.

— Irmgard Jankowski, Palgrave

CORRECTION

In our story on Theatre Orangeville [“Taking the Stage,” autumn ’25] we misspelled executive director Sharyn Ayliffe’s first name as we introduced her. As we’ve known her for years, we really regret this error!

A poetic ode to these hills

EDITOR’S NOTE

Ryan Johnson was inspired by the changing colours of the landscape he encountered during a recent visit to the Museum of Dufferin in Mulmur and wrote a poem to capture the moment. Born and raised in Dufferin County, Johnson now lives in Clearview Township. He reached out to share the work with In The Hills readers.

The Hills of Mulmur

The sun pours light in rolling fields below, the cows in pastures graze and breezes blow, in Mulmur where tall grasses fade and bend, I sit above and watch the summer end.

An empty chapel sends a quiet prayer, piano chords drift out into the air, the birds take up the early autumn’s words, but by the merry crowd they are not heard. The summer green has faded from the fields, the story of the season now revealed: though dry and hot, the farmers’ faith commands, lest they forget “hard years shall teach good hands.”

As from signal fires smoky columns rise, reaching up to the blue September skies; but they are not smoke and there is no fire, just dusty clouds the autumn’s chores require.

We should not mourn what time has claimed must be, so here at last the dust has come for me; the letting go, it is a gentle spell, these are the days that let us say farewell.

by Ryan Johnson

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.

www.downtownorangeville.ca

from top left

The Pit (Study) 10.75" x 16" oil on panel

Uphill 39" x 26.5" acrylic, mixed media on canvas Trailer 10" x 8" acrylic on canvas

Portal 21" x 21" acrylic on canvas

ANDIE TRÉPANIER

For Caledon artist Andie Trépanier, home is a lifelong subject. Trépanier grew up immersed in the same hills, fields, and skies that called to their father, the late landscape painter Cory Trépanier. That legacy, and a deep connection to the land, continues to inspire their work today. Trépanier’s work, grounded in oil painting and often begun en plein air, draws energy from weather, light and serendipity. Their latest focus is “Swan Lake,” a rehabilitated gravel pit the owner intends to fill – to the dismay of critics. (See page 31.) The finished works blend contemporary impressionism with flashes of disruption, such as the red rings in Portal, above, capturing Caledon as both familiar and surprising. “I believe in painting what you know,” says Trépanier. “For me, that’s Caledon.” www.andietrepanierart.com

EMBRACE THE WINTRY WEATHER, GET GROOVY WITH LIVE BANDS, AND SOAK UP THE MAGIC OF THE FESTIVE SEASON

BY EMILY DICKSON

TJust go with the snow

There’s an old saw that goes something like this: “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy but still the same amount of snow.” So go get your snow pants, put on your boots and embrace winter!

Caledon’s Teen Ranch offers scenic trail rides throughout the winter on well-trod paths that criss-cross through their sprawling countryside property. The terrain is gentle, appropriate for both new and seasoned riders who can walk or trot, if comfortable. Available for ages ten and up, the trail rides last for one hour.

If you prefer to stay on the ground, snowshoes are available for rent at Island Lake Conservation Area and Terra Cotta Conservation Area – and according to the friendly folks at the equipment rental office the last time we visited, “Anyone can snowshoe.” If you own a pair, also consider taking a trek at other locales with even terrain: Ken Whillans Conservation Area, the Upper Credit Conservation Area, or the Elora Cataract Trailway

One to mark on your calendar: Explore a two-kilometre illuminated trail during Ignite the Night, a nocturnal winter wander through Terra Cotta Conservation Area while the forest is lit up with torches, installations and fire pits. The event takes place Saturday evenings from January 10 to February 28.

Mansfield Outdoor Centre offers a two-hour Guided Ladies’ Mountain Bike Ride on January 10, focused on enjoying the trails and making connections with others.

TURN UP THE TUNES

Is it us or is the local live music scene hitting its stride – especially in our favourite cozy gathering spots? Eagles tribute band Hotel California, who have been singing the band’s hits for three decades, takes to the stage at The Busholme in Erin on December 20.

It’s a more intimate affair at the Cellar Sessions in Peter Cellars Pub in Mono – musicians squeeze into the small space and perform every Friday and Saturday. Singer Branson Giles takes the mic on December 6 and duo Jay & Jane fill the room with song on December 19.

The Mark T Band performs classic rock hits of the Jerry Garcia Band on December 6 at GoodLot Farm and Farmstead Brewing Co.’s heated Oast Barn in Caledon.

At Mrs. Mitchell’s in Mulmur, take in a Friday Night Dinner Concert where award-winning pianist, singer and composer Tyler Yarema performs with Toronto jazz singer Janice Hagan on December 5 and bluesman Chuck Jackson on December 19.

AN ART SCENE BLOOMS IN ERIN

An Erin-based non-profit, the Over Here Community Arts Adventure, has pulled artists, local businesses and community members together to create and install a new outdoor public art exhibit, The Gallery at 185 Main, across from the Erin Agricultural Society. Visitors can take in 28 art panels by artists including Audrey Devonshire, Alex Jagoe, Kaitlyn Lister and Martha Van Hee.

Future plans from Over Here include a “Caboose Hop” sculpture honouring Hillsburgh’s railway heritage and a utility box art program. Over Here also offers workshops on painting, basket weaving and wood burning. According to co-founder Melissa Auchincloss, they’re a great way to “learn from passionate instructors” in the community.

Clever ways to boost community causes

There are so many ways to give and get a holiday lift this year. The Bethell Hospice Holiday Bazaar on November 22 offers gently used treasures, vintage items, handmade crafts and baked goods at Knox United Church in Caledon Village, with all proceeds going to Inglewood-based Bethell Hospice Foundation.

The third annual Procyon Wildlife Fundraising Gala on November 29 at Caesar’s Centre in Bolton features dinner, auctions, live music, and dancing to support care for orphaned and injured wildlife at the Beeton wildlife rescue centre.

Catch a festive performance of A Christmas Carol by Town Crier Andrew Welch at the Erin United Church on November 29. Proceeds help Erin Refugee Action sponsor a Syrian family currently in Lebanon.

Then meet local business leaders and build new connections at the Dufferin Board of Trade’s first ever Jingle and Mingle Networking Breakfast on December 2. Attendees should bring a donation of winter coats or hygiene items to support three local charities. Register online.

HOLIDAY CHEER AROUND EVERY CORNER

Whether it’s shopping for handmade treats or swaying to the music, the winter season starts strong.

Downtown Orangeville’s Joy + Lights Festival is now two back-toback weekends of festive cheer and family fun. The cherished tradition of lighting the Christmas tree kicks it off November 21, followed by the Santa Claus Parade on Broadway on November 22. Last year’s debut of the European-style outdoor Holiday Gift Market on Second Street was so popular that this year it’s over two weekends, November 21 to 23 and November 28 to 30. A new addition to this event is an outdoor synthetic rink on Mill Street – you can bring your own skates or rent.

The annual artisan-packed Holiday Treasures Craft Market fills the Museum of Dufferin from November 26 to December 7. (See just a few of this year’s treasures in Made in the Hills, page 72.) The Sisters Touch of Christmas, on until December 23, is known for the unique ornaments hand-painted by the nuns of Bolton’s St. Kosmas Aitolos Greek Orthodox Monastery.

And there’s more than just Christmas trees at Elliott Tree Farm in Hillsburgh: there’s great shopping at the Heritage Gift Barn, rides on the Santa Express and cozy bonfires. Tree customers also get a golden ticket to meet the big guy in Santa’s Cabin (weekends only). Open daily until December 23. At Erin Hill Acres, take a tractor wagon ride through snowy forests, meet furry Highland cows, romp at the kids’ play area, peruse the Holiday Shoppe, all on the same trip you choose your perfect Fraser fir. Open until December 21.

Holiday concerts are in full swing, starting with a Big Band Christmas at The Rose on November 27. The 16-piece B-Jazzed Orchestra performs timeless classics at The Rose Theatre in Brampton.

Consider a family outing to the new panto from Theatre Orangeville: RAPUNZEL: A Braid New World! It’s a zany take on a fairy tale that demands audience participation and runs November 27 to December 21.

Then catch The Caledon Concert Band’s Christmas Concert ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on December 14 with a special musical reading of a timeless tale at the Caledon Hills Fellowship Baptist Church in Caledon East.

Find more holiday fun in What’s On, starting on page 98.

www.visitcaledon.ca www.visitcaledon.ca

PLANNING AHEAD FOR THE NEW YEAR

The winter doldrums are no match for the Fire & Ice Festival January 31 and February 1. The Alton Mill Arts Centre hosts ice-carving events, ice skating and tobogganing, live music and open artist studios – all culminating with the highly anticipated Big Burn bonfire, which reveals the work of this year’s featured artist, Paul Morin.

While love and loss is a timeless theme in theatre, Theatre Orangeville artistic director Jennifer Stewart says the related theme of new beginnings is just as intriguing. That’s the underpinning of the upcoming play Common Ground “Because when you’ve gone through heartbreak, it cracks you open a bit and gives you the opportunity to ask yourself some difficult questions,” says Stewart. “The characters ask themselves, Who am I? What do I want? Do I even need to be in a relationship? Did I marry the wrong person? And you see them come out stronger on the other side.” Catch this romcom on stage from February 5 to 22.

Then on February 28, bundle up for Coldest Night of the Year events happening across Headwaters. In Orangeville, participants meet at the Orangeville Food Bank to walk either 2 km or 5 km to raise funds for local food banks –which has seen a 37 per cent increase in usage since 2023. In Caledon, support Caledon Community Services by meeting up at Caledon East Community Complex. And East Wellington Community Services hosts the Erin walk, which starts at the Centre 2000. Visit cnoy.org for details.

David Suzuki and Tara Cullis join forces on stage with What You Won’t Do For Love, delving into issues around love, legacy, and how deep personal connections can help us better care for the planet. The duo, who are not only the founders of the renowned Canadian environmental nonprofit David Suzuki Foundation but also life partners, will be at The Rose Brampton on March 23.

THE APPLIANCE GUY

BY DAN NEEDLES • ILLUSTRATION BY SHELAGH ARMSTRONG

WE LOST A VERY GOOD FRIEND AND TRUSTED appliance repair guy last winter. Leland Powell has been coming to this house for 35 years to fix anything that could be plugged in. Lea was never sick a day in his life until he turned 80. Then he went into the hospital last winter and didn’t really come out again.

Lea was raised on a small farm in Nova Scotia, in a family of seven children. He told me that until he was 12 years old he thought his name was “Get Wood.” He tried a career in banking, which brought him and his wife Myrt to this neighbourhood in 1971, but he soon switched to appliance repair after taking a course in electronics. His grey van became a sight as familiar as the mailman, and probably more welcome.

A man of very few words and a pocketful of dog treats, he was the only person who could walk into my house without making the dogs bark. His understanding of kitchen appliances was encyclopedic. Unfortunately, as the years went by, the quality of those machines dropped alarmingly. As each company failed, its parts inventory was transferred through a succession of larger companies and hedge funds until the only representative for my 30-year-old high-end convection oven was a scarylooking guy living in a house trailer somewhere in New Mexico.

Lea’s van looked like the set for the musical Cats But he knew where everything was. And if the part you were looking for wasn’t in the van, he knew the closest and cheapest place to get it. One time, I was trying to splice together the broken door support spring on my 1995 Miele dishwasher. A replacement

spring cost $200 and would be six weeks coming from Germany. No weld or clamp I invented would hold the old one together so I went around to Lea’s house to consult the oracle.

“Come in,” he said. “I think I have what you need right here.”

“What? You have that spring in your van?”

“No. I have the same dishwasher you do and it’s off to the dump at the end of the week. We’ll take the springs out of it.”

Lea was raised on a small farm in Nova Scotia, in a family of seven children. He told me that until he was 12 years old he thought his name was “Get Wood.”

At various times, I seriously considered giving up this writing profession and learning the appliance repair trade from him but Lea was doubtful. “It’s not a great living,” he confided. I’m sure it wasn’t given his willingness to be paid in books and theatre tickets. But I learned enough from him to build my own repair satchel with a multimeter, flashlight, kneepads and many of the same tools he carried. I became so adept at my own repairs that for the last five years or so, Lea just came to the house to collect eggs from my henhouse and chickens from my freezer.

A couple of weeks before he died, I found him in his hospital room looking at the back of his heart monitor machine, which apparently needed a fuse. At the same time, he had a phone in his ear and was coaching a woman through a washing machine repair. His memorial at the Legion was full of people like me, all wondering how we would function in a world without his talents. At the sandwich buffet following the service I heard snippets of conversations that alternated between the recall of Lea’s pithy observations about machines (“they’re all crap now!”) and the lament that we would not see his like again.

Just a few weeks ago my wife’s beloved 30-yearold Dacor cooktop conked out. Two appliance guys and a wholesale parts depot in the city pronounced the cooktop unrepairable. All my searches on the internet for a 240P infinite switch turned up the same reply: “no results found.” Not even in New Mexico. The new cooktops my wife found on her iPad were worth more than my truck. But after rooting around in the shed at the back of Lea’s garden, Myrt and I found that 240P switch and I managed to restore the cooktop to life.

It’s a great thing when you can get your wife to laugh at your jokes after 38 years. It’s an even greater achievement to have her come home and find a pot sizzling merrily on a loved appliance she thought was destined for the dump.

I think Lea would be proud of me.

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

WINTER 2025 AT

www.dufferinmuseum.com

THE MUSEUM

SIMMER POT WORKSHOP

Create two beautiful simmer pot starters using ingredients like whole cinnamon sticks and dried oranges. A perfect way to fill your home with the scent of holiday cheer.

November 28th

1:30pm – 2:30pm

$25 + HST per person

WREATH WORKSHOP

Using foliage from the local Dufferin County Forest and other festive materials, grab a friend or two and try out this wreath making workshop!

November 29th 10am - 11:30am or 2pm - 3:30pm

$50 + HST per person

REGULAR HOURS

TUESDAY TO SATURDAY 10AM - 4PM

HOLIDAY TREASURES HOURS

WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY 10AM - 4PM

POLYMER CLAY EARRINGS

Design your own holiday earrings in this festive, hands-on workshop! Participants will make two sets of fun holiday themed jewelry!

December 7th 1:30pm – 3:00pm $35 + HST per person

SOAP MAKING WORKSHOP

Customize your scents and additives while getting creative. Try this hand-made soap making workshop. A great class for beginners!

December 6th 10am - 11:30am or 2pm - 3:30pm $50 + HST per person

Flocks of trumpeter swans have been frequenting a pond on a rehabilitated Caledon gravel pit. In the background is nearby Belain Farm.

EXPLAINER

WHY IS CONTROVERSY SWIRLING AROUND CALEDON’S ‘SWAN LAKE’?

While activists and their allies fight to protect a body of water at a rehabilitated gravel pit, the Town of Caledon is considering new bylaws that could alter future land-use regulations.

BY EMILY DICKSON

Aproposal to fill a 44-acre body of water on a former gravel pit with soil trucked in from construction sites is the focus of a heated debate in Caledon.

A loose coalition of councillors, residents and activists opposes filling the pond. Since its rehabilitation in 2023, the pit has become known to neighbouring property owners as “Swan Lake,” named for the trumpeter swans that now call it home. Meanwhile, a new Town of Caledon bylaw proposal could alter how private land in Caledon, including pits, is regulated in the future, potentially setting the stage for more battles of this kind.

In Caledon there are more than 20 licensed active aggregate pits and quarries. Elsewhere in Headwaters, Concord-based Strada Aggregates recently applied for a

licence to quarry below the water table of their 360-acre sand and gravel pit in Melancthon. Residents and local activist groups there have drawn attention to the risk of damage to the water table, air quality and endangered species.

How did “Swan Lake” go from a pond on a gravel pit to a hot political issue? The body of water sits in the middle of a decommissioned gravel pit at the southeast corner of Shaws Creek Road and Charleston Sideroad. The pit was mined for aggregate until 2023 by Warren Paving & Materials Group Limited, a subsidiary of Calgary-based Lafarge Canada Inc., and then rehabilitated. Today, according to Town of Caledon documents, the lot is

80 per cent water, 15 per cent grassland and 5 per cent woodland.

At a Town of Caledon planning and development committee meeting on May 13, Mayor Annette Groves brought forward a motion on behalf of the current owner, an unnamed “prominent developer” – now known to be Calvalley Farms Ltd –about “rehabilitating an old aggregate pit located on the property with fill created from their development sites across Caledon and the Greater Toronto Area.” The proposal directs the town’s director of engineering to enter into a grading agreement to import fill to the lot.

What was the response in council? When it was brought to the May 20 council

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meeting, four councillors supported the motion, while four councillors opposed it, including Councillor Dave Sheen, who questioned the application and approval procedures. Groves broke the tie and the motion carried five to four. Sheen also asked why the mayor brought the motion forward rather than the landowner.

Seven delegates at the council meeting also raised concerns about a significant increase in truck traffic and environmental degradation.

Sheen also said staff are working in a “strong mayor power environ ment” where there is an “enormous pressure on staff to give the mayor what she wants.” On September 23, Caledon integrity commissioner, David Boghosian, found that Sheen’s comments breached the town’s code of conduct and suspended his pay for 15 days. The councillor was also ordered to publicly apologize to two other staff members who attended the May 20 meeting.

Who is fighting for “Swan Lake”?

Local advocacy group Democracy Caledon strongly opposes the infilling plan, arguing that the rehabilitated ecosystem now supports thriving wildlife, such as snapping turtles, painted turtles, ducks, geese and the trumpeter swans. The group also contends that the fill, which opponents refer to as construction waste, could contaminate the groundwater, and compromise drinking water quality and safety.

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“There probably is a right place for fill – but this project that they’ve embarked upon will put fill directly

Nearby property owners, including Jean-Francois Morin and Jennifer Casu-Morin of Chickadee Hill Farm, located directly on the southwest border of the lot; Anna de Langley of Belain Farm; and Gail and Phil Winters of GoodLot Farm & Farmstead Brewing Co., are also opposed, and have supported awareness efforts and events. An online petition started by de Langley, “Save Swan Lake,” had more than 3,500 signatures as of early October. Caledon residents continue to attend council meetings in significant numbers to voice opposition.

School Road in Caledon which they proposed to town council in January.

Are Caledon’s bylaws clear on the topic of fill and rehabilitation?

It’s complicated. The Town of Caledon’s current bylaw regulates the placing or dumping of fill, the storage and removal of topsoil, and the alteration of the grade of the land. In a social media post in July, Mayor Groves stated that the current bylaw does not apply to the lot because the current zoning regulations only apply to agricultural land. She also said that

This Ministry of Natural Resources photo shows the restored habitat of the Warren Pit, completed in accordance with Ontario’s Aggregate Resources Act regulations.

…THE PLACE TO BE IN 2026!

Plan

Your Family Celebration, Corporate Event, Collaboration, or Sponsorship

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Erin Hill Acres isn’t just a farm it’s a multi-season agritourism experience. From Family Day through to Christmas, Erin Hill Acres offers the perfect opportunity to create unforgettable experiences for your family, team, clients, or community. Visit our website to discover some of the events already planned for 2026.

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since no development application is required for this site, it is exempt from any approval under the provincial Planning Act.

On September 29, the Town of Caledon held an open house to discuss a new site alteration bylaw first proposed in 2020. It updates the current bylaw regarding issues such as delegation of authority, issuance of permits, prohibitions and exemptions and size-based thresholds. If passed, the updated bylaw would lift zoning restrictions and potentially make it easier for decommissioned pits, such as the Shaws Creek property, to be used for infill.

What conservation options exist to preserve “Swan Lake” as a natural area?

Credit Valley Conservation has stepped in with a possible solution. Its Pits to Parks Restoration Project works to restore the natural environment and create parks at former gravel pits.

CVC is preparing an offer to purchase the portion of the property that includes the pond. In an email interview, Jesse de Jager, the acting director of parks, lands and community engagement, says that the Town of Caledon and the Region of Peel support the purchase.

Other pits in Headwaters rehabilitated and adapted for recreational use include the James Dick Constructionowned Caledon Sand and Gravel Inc. on Highway 10, south of Caledon Village. The C3 Canadian Cross Training Club trains there, and members of the affiliated private beach club use the area for swimming, playing beach volleyball and paddleboarding.

What’s next and when will the Town of Caledon council make a final decision?

De Jager of the CVC says he can’t comment further and asked “for patience to allow the resolution to be carried out.”

Feedback on the proposed bylaw was open to the public until October 31.

The most recent examples of CVC purchasing decommissioned pits are the Pinchin Pit in 2013 and the Flaherty West Pit in 2020. The northern tip of the Pinchin Pit sits adjacent to the Shaws Creek property, which the CVC has determined to be a suitable target for strategic greenspace acquisition, according to de Jager. Belfountain, Ken Whillans and Terra Cotta conservation areas are all examples of similar sites containing former aggregate extraction areas that have been successfully restored by the CVC.

The next Town of Caledon council meeting is scheduled for November 25.

An earlier version of this article appeared on October 10 at www.inthehills.ca. We will continue to update the story there.

RESOURCES

Town of Caledon Council and Committee Meeting Information: www.caledon.ca/en/government/agendas-and-minutes.aspx

Town of Caledon Meeting Calendar: https://pub-caledon.escribemeetings.com

Whether planning a family reunion, birthday party, teambuilding retreat, or exclusive client appreciation experience, we provide the perfect blend of natural beauty, rustic charm and modern amenities, plus customizable experiences, spaces, photo-worthy backdrops, and full support from our events team.

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Put your brand front and centre at our high-traffic experiences and with our growing digital media presence. 50,000+ visitors in 2025. 40,000 followers on Instagram and many millions of online impressions means targeted opportunities for your business. Your sponsorship means connection, visibility, and goodwill among families and visitors from across the GTA.

Collaborations That Work

We proudly work with like-minded local businesses to support each other’s growth. From food partnerships to wellness events and curated markets if you have a great idea, we’d love to bring it to life here on the farm.

Let’s Get Planning

Contacting us now means you’ll have access to priority dates and custom programming options for your 2026 event, custom group experience, or sponsorship campaign.

Interested in hosting, collaborating or sponsoring with us? Let’s make magic together, contact: info@erinhillacres.farm

•

Local Heroes

BY JEFF ROLLINGS, GAIL GRANT, JANICE QUIRT, TONY REYNOLDS AND EMILY DICKSON

The world can feel dark these days, but as Leonard Cohen reminds us, “There is a crack ... in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” Fortunately, the world is full of people who keep the light shining by demonstrating what humanity, empathy, compassion and excellence are all about.

Such is the case with this year’s Local Heroes. Whether it’s building community through music, going above and beyond in health care, being a tenacious athlete, championing the environment or working to remember those who served in and those who supported Canada’s military, all bring something positive and worthwhile.

We are richer for their efforts, and we salute them.

LEST WE FORGET

Doug Kirkwood

When Doug Kirkwood was a schoolboy in Erin, World War II was a looming presence in everyday life. Convoys of soldiers from Camp Borden often came through the village, sometimes stopping for lunch.

“They’d set up on Daniel Street near the old public school,”

Kirkwood says, “and we’d go there. Troops weren’t allowed to leave, so they’d get us young guys to go to the store and get them chocolate bars and things.”

Schoolchildren also collected milkweed seed pods – for their silk, which was used to fill life preservers. “I still remember the smell of that stuff on my hands,” he says. In school, his teacher turned on the radio at 11:50 every morning so students could hear Gordon Sinclair’s daily broadcast.

When the war ended, Kirkwood recalls, an impromptu parade was staged on Erin’s Main Street. Official homecoming celebrations took place later, and he remembers people speaking solemnly and respectfully of those who did not return. These experiences stayed with him and helped spark his interest in volunteering.

In fact, volunteering has been important throughout his life. He exaggerated his age and joined the Lorne Scots, an infantry reserve regiment, and trained as a signaller, then worked as a signaller in the aftermath of Hurricane Hazel.

He also volunteered with both St. John Ambulance and the Red Cross for 40 years, taking assignments as nearby as the 1979 chlorine car derailment evacuation in Mississauga and as distant as the Slave Lake wildfire in 2011. Over the years, he and his wife, Aletha, a registered nurse, also volunteered with various organizations in Bangladesh and Central and South America.

Next year will mark Kirkwood’s 70th year of membership in the Erin branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. He now focuses on veterans and has researched and written We Will Remember Them: The Men and Women of Erin & District

The book tells the stories of people from in and around Erin who served in the military and those who supported the war effort at home. Kirkwood arranges layout and printing, and all proceeds from sales go directly to the Legion’s Poppy Fund, which supports veterans and their families.

As the Erin branch’s service officer, Kirkwood is heavily involved in arranging this support. “We’ve arranged for showers and grab bars, for instance, or maybe food is an issue, even housing or help with medical conditions such as PTSD,” he says. But his most visible contribution to remembrance may be his idea of placing veterans’ banners on streetlights in Erin and Hillsburgh. In fact, on the day we met, he had just picked up more banners to install.

His continuing book research has contributed to remembrance in other ways. He has found local veterans’ names to add to cenotaphs and discovered veterans’ gravesites in nearby cemeteries. He has also contributed more than 60 stories to the Ontario Legion’s annual Military Service Recognition Book.

Why is remembering important? For Kirkwood, it has to do with the next generations. “I want the younger people to know the sacrifices that were made overseas and at home … the effort and support that was given to the war effort.”

— TONY REYNOLDS

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES

Flora Dickison and Sarah Cianfarani

It’s not easy being green, but young sustainability champions Sarah Cianfarani and Flora Dickison are certainly trying.

Seven years apart in age, the two are graduates of Dufferin County’s Youth Climate Activation Circle, a program for 16- to 25-year-olds who volunteer to take part in a 10-month program to learn more about climate solutions and to engage the public via outreach and restoration activities.

In 2023–24 Cianfarani, 25, participated in the program’s inaugural year, playing a formative role in the initiative’s successful startup. Dickison, 18, kept the energy going in 2024–25.

Both made an overwhelmingly positive impression on Kylie-Anne Grube, Dufferin County’s climate engagement specialist, who organizes the YCAC. The two were strong leaders in their cohorts, Grube notes, and their work motivated peers and impressed county councillors.

Cianfarani, a 2021 Wilfrid Laurier University graduate in environmental studies, says, “My proudest YCAC achievement included a series of well-received workshops focused on climate-friendly landscaping.”

Topics included planting pollinator-friendly habitats, regenerative gardening at home and landscaping for energy efficiency.

Dickison’s legacy is a community planting day. Held in Orangeville this past June, the initiative focused on native plants. “I was in the gardens all day, encouraging passersby to participate by planting a native species,” she says. “I really enjoyed the public engagement aspect – I believe education is the root of solving a lot of environmental issues.” This September she enrolled in Trent University’s environmental science studies program.

Bookending their YCAC contributions was experience at Orangeville’s Village Refillery, now rebranded as The Sustainable Shop. In 2022, while still in high school, Dickison started to work there part-time and helped train Cianfarani, who has been manager since early 2023. Her job involves raising awareness of sustainable living via social media and conversations with customers. As the two worked together, Cianfarani shared her experiences with the YCAC and encouraged Dickison to both participate in the program and to study geography or environmental sciences at university. After investigating, Dickison chose environmental sciences. “I started in September,” she says, “and I’ve enjoyed serving as my college’s ‘minister of sustainability.’”

Fast friends, the two cite the power of community and their desire for action as key drivers behind their involvement not only in the YCAC, but also in providing input into the county’s planned Community Resilience Hub, to be located in Orangeville. The outdoor structure will be designed to meet the everyday needs of residents while also building capacity to respond to climate change impacts and emergencies.

Through the YCAC, Dickison provided feedback on the hub’s design, and Cianfarani sat on the hub’s community advisory committee. “I really enjoyed that volunteer role,” she says. “It cemented my interest in looking at climate change solutions through an urban planning lens. I have always wanted to see more happening at the community level, and to participate in the county’s climate change project with an emergency preparedness and resilience angle was amazing.”

As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, the enthusiastic activism of these two Gen-Z powerhouses – and others like them –inspire hope that sustainability will become the watchword of the future.

— JANICE QUIRT

Lynda McDougall, the energetic leader of the Orangeville Ukuladies and Ukuladdies, at one of the group’s weekly practices at the Orangeville Seniors Centre.

MAESTRO OF JOY

Lynda McDougall

It’s no surprise that Lynda McDougall, leader of the Orangeville Ukuladies and Ukuladdies ukulele band, loves what she does. She grew up surrounded by music.

Every summer Saturday night from 1965 to 1983, her family of nine –McDougall, her six siblings, their mother, Marjorie, and father, Fred –hosted McDougall’s Red Barn Dance at the family’s Caledon farm. A community staple, the event regularly drew between 200 and 300 people. Though the intent was to make money, McDougall says with a smile, “I’m not sure it really ever worked out that way.”

But she recalls those years fondly. “It was the best experience of my life,” she says. “It’s where I learned about all these legendary performers, like Hank Williams and Patsy Cline.” McDougall went on to perform for a few years with a band called Grand River – until the 1985 tornado destroyed their equipment.

Now retired, McDougall was a highly regarded Dufferin County elementary school teacher and vice-principal, and in 2016, she drew on her organizational skills to start the Ukuladies and Ukuladdies. The group currently boasts 47 members, 30 of them regulars. Over the years, the band has performed at community events, schools, seniors’ residences and fundraisers throughout Headwaters.

Weekly practices take place from 9 to 10 on Friday mornings at the Orangeville Seniors Centre and are open to all at a cost of $2. No ukulele experience is necessary, and McDougall usually has some extra instruments available. “Coming through the door is the hardest part,” she says. “We’ll have you playing in less than three minutes.”

Most, but not all, of the band members are retired, and participation is flexible, allowing for vacations and other absences. “Deciding to come and try something new, especially in retirement, is hard,” says McDougall. “But retirement is 20 or 30 years long. That’s almost the length of a career! There’s plenty of time to grow toward new experiences.”

Still, she adds, “These can be harsh, lonely times for so many.” But the camaraderie and friendship among group members rarely fails to lift spirits. As band member Horst Koschmider puts it, “My wife, Susan, likes when I go to play ukulele because when I come home, I’m happy.”

Audiences agree, says Trudy Rockel, another band member. “Going out into the community, we see how that joy spreads faster than a flu bug as feet begin tapping, bodies begin swaying, and voices ring out to join in. It’s the magic of music. There’s nothing like it.”

McDougall, whose background includes leadership roles in local, provincial and national teachers’ organizations, as well as two runs as a provincial election candidate, is quick to stress that the band is a collaborative effort. “The bringing of ideas, experiences and energy is shared leadership,” she says.

“I know in my heart that my best work happens when I’m part of a powerful circle with others. It has been that way since the nine of us sat around the kitchen table at our childhood home. A place where everyone brings something to share. Where we do things together. Where we use our voices to create important harmonies in other places.”

— JEFF ROLLINGS

CARING HEARTS

Sue Brissett, Mervia Scott, Amandeep Gidda-Atwal, Sydney Belcher and Anneka Rainford

Mathilde and Günter Struck had always been an active couple, travelling the world through their jobs with Air Canada and, later, enjoying retirement at their tree farm in Mono. But in his early 80s, Günter began to experience health issues that left them both struggling.

Then, in December 2024, he was hospitalized with Covid. The illness exacerbated his underlying health conditions and left him extremely weak. Suddenly, tending to Günter’s complex needs became even more challenging for Mathilde. She wanted to avoid placing him in a hospice, but she knew she needed help. “He was my lifelong partner, the love of my life,” she says. “We were together for 50 years, and I always said to him, ‘I will look after you, no matter what.’”

She also knew that keeping her word might be tough. “When you go into a situation like that, you’re overwhelmed. And you really need help,” she says. “You can’t do it alone.”

Fortunately, the couple’s doctor connected Mathilde with the help she needed: a dedicated team of palliative care nurses. Provided by Bayshore Home Care Solutions, a company contracted by the province to offer government-funded health services, team members looked after Günter’s medical needs, such as administering medications, controlling his pain and checking for bedsores.

Perhaps as important for Mathilde, however, was the team’s emotional support. Their readiness to answer her questions and let her know what to expect was both reassuring and comforting.

Managed by Elba Andrade, the team comprised Sue Brissett, Günter’s

primary caregiver, as well as Anneka Rainford, Sydney Belcher, Amandeep Gidda-Atwal and Mervia Scott. All five live in and around Dufferin, and one of them is on call for their patients 24/7. With more than 32 years’ experience in palliative care among them, all five spoke of how deeply moving it is to be present at the end of someone’s life.

The nurses build relationships not only with their patients, but also with the family during what is, for many people, the most difficult time of their life, says Rainford. “In a way, it’s like being in a temporary extended family,” she adds. “When it’s near the end, we see the patient every day. So when they pass away, you feel like you’ve lost them too.”

Andrade agrees, saying, “When someone dies, we all know the family goes through grief, but people don’t realize that the nurses do too.”

Günter died in his sleep, at home, on January 28 this year. Brissett was there to tell Mathilde the sad news.

Mathilde misses him dearly, but she is thankful that he was able to stay at home. Her circle of close friends helped with this by stepping up and providing her with much-needed respite opportunities.

“That’s what gives me peace now: that I had the privilege of looking after Günter at home,” she says. And this is what moved her to nominate his nursing team for recognition as Local Heroes. “There is absolutely no way I could have done palliative care at home for him without them,” she says. “They truly are heroes.”

— EMILY DICKSON

DRIVEN TO CHALLENGE HERSELF

Sarah Caylor

Caledon’s Sarah “Crash’” Caylor thrives on challenge, and last year the 24-hour, solo World Endurance Mountain Bike Organisation Championships provided plenty of that.

The WEMBO course – on Mount Stromlo near Canberra, Australia’s capital – was extremely demanding, with steep inclines and equally steep drops. But Caylor nailed it, emerging at the top of her age group (50 to 54) and adding to Headwaters’ reputation for producing top-notch mountain bikers.

Though plagued this year by a hand injury that required surgery, Caylor still tested herself by entering the Highland Trail 550. This 550mile bikepacking race through the Scottish Highlands requires riders to carry their own supplies and arrange their own overnight accommodations, which are often trailside bivouacs.

“My first-ever 24-hour race was in Albion Hills in 2001 with a local team called Tree Huggers, organized by Richard Ehrlich and his spouse, Barb Campbell,” says Caylor. “It was during this race that I earned my nickname – ‘Crash’ – by crashing face first into a sand pit. The name stuck.”

The adventure cyclist also competes in eight-hour races, 12-hour races, hundred milers and marathons, as well as short and fast 1.5- to three-hour races.

And she has twice ridden the Tour Divide, an annual 4,345-kilometre, bikepacking race that winds through the passes of the Continental Divide between Banff, Alberta, and Antelope Wells, New Mexico. The rugged course can take anywhere from 13 days to two months to complete. In 2014 Caylor finished in 22 days, a time that earned her second place among solo women competitors. An indication of the significance of this feat is the time of the third-place finisher, who took nearly five more days to cross the finish line.

In Caylor’s youth, her passion was equestrian eventing, but as an adult, she found that she preferred to test herself rather than a horse – and switched to running. She has participated in 12 marathons, including two Boston Marathons, and trained and raced in Ironman and Half Ironman triathlons (endurance races comprising swimming, cycling and running), as well as XTERRA world championship triathlons, placing ninth and 10th in her age category.

But injuries started to plague her. Nerve damage and two separated shoulders made the swimming phase of triathlon impossible. So she shifted her focus to the challenges of mountain biking.

“The mountain biking community is great,” she says. “There are many popular trails in the area, which accommodate all levels of riders. It’s an inclusive sport, with trails for hand cycles in the development stages at Albion Hills.”

Apart from five years spent in Austin, Texas, when in her 20s, Caylor has always happily called Caledon home. A qualified chef, she spends the winter months working in the food industry and summers as a maintenance gardener.

She belongs to the Caledon Cycling Club and is a regular at the Mansfield Outdoor Centre. This winter, she’s likely to be spotted flying along Headwaters’ snow-covered trails on her fat bike as she prepares to meet the next challenges she has set for herself.

— GAIL GRANT

COMMITMENT TO CARE

Sanjay Lekhi

“As a pharmacist in Shelburne, I’ve always believed that my role goes beyond filling prescriptions,” says Sanjay Lekhi. “I see myself as part of this community’s health journey. When I notice a gap, I try to step up and help.”

Along with his wife, Shalini, and toddler son, Shan, Lekhi emigrated from India to Canada in 2000. When he first arrived, he got a job on the night shift at Tim Hortons. “The night shift paid a little extra,” he recalls. His daughter, Aarya, was born in 2002. It took some time to come to grips with the English language and the rhythms of life in his new country, but a new job at Apotex, the Canadian pharmaceutical company, sparked Lekhi’s interest in becoming a pharmacist. So he enrolled in the University of Toronto’s pharmacy program while continuing to work full-time.

After graduating, Lekhi began his career as a pharmacist at the No Frills grocery store in Shelburne. After a few years there, he went on to do locums in several locations around the province, then became the associate-owner of a Shoppers Drug Mart in Fergus. But when the time came to establish his own pharmacy, he wanted to return to the town where he had started. Shelburne Town Pharmacy opened in 2013.

In 2014, Lekhi held the first of what has become an annual June fundraiser for the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. “It’s one of the leading pediatric hospitals in the world, and it serves families from all across Ontario,” he says. “Many people in Shelburne, when faced with serious pediatric health issues, turn to SickKids.”

During the fundraiser’s second year, Lekhi met Shelburne resident Brenda Haines, who promptly offered to pitch in – and has continued helping ever since. “I can’t imagine doing it without her,” Lekhi says. “She’s a pillar.” Many others also volunteer, and since the fundraiser began, it has raised more than $28,000.

Lekhi also worked on bringing another family doctor and walkin clinic to Shelburne. “We’re facing an acute shortage of physicians, and many families struggle to find timely care,” he says.

He found a family doctor who was interested in a Shelburne practice, if demand was high enough. So Lekhi got to work. He posted on Facebook and circulated a few flyers – and, just like that, 500 people had signed up, and more are still adding their names.

Kayesanmi Jijoho-Ogun, who goes by Dr. Kay, opened his Centennial Road practice – Shelburne Town Medical Clinic – on Nov. 12. The clinic now operates two days a week, but Lekhi hopes the practice will expand as need dictates. And Shelburne Town Pharmacy will soon move around the corner from its current Main Street location to share the building with the medical clinic.

“At the end of the day,” says Lekhi, “I just want to use whatever skills and resources I have to make life a little healthier and a little easier for the people around me. Whether that’s raising funds for SickKids or helping bring more doctors to Shelburne, it’s all about giving back to a community that has given me so much.”

— JEFF ROLLINGS

Stroll past beau ti fully decora ted storefronts, admire the sparkle of twinkling lights, and enjoy cozy beverages a s you explore the festive downtown. Di scover seasonal trea sures, indulge in local trea ts, and soak in the charm of the season. Come together to celebra te the joy of the holidays!

Dating in a Small Town

In the country, the pool of potential mates is shallow so looking for love can feel impossible – until, just maybe, you put down the phone and start finding community.

BY JAMES GERUS • ILLUSTRATION BY RUTH ANN PEARCE

Ilove Hallmark movies. I got to act in one last year with Jodie Sweetin: The Jane Mysteries: Too Much to Lose, part of a series in which the lead character runs a detective agency – while tending to a romantic subplot on the side.

Dozens of Hallmark films, many of them storybook holiday romances, are filmed around Ontario every year – Trading Up Christmas was filmed in Orangeville in 2024. In those, romance is unabashedly front and centre, making them prime guilty pleasure viewing as the snow starts to fly.

The warm and fuzzy – and infinitely repeatable – premise feels as cozy as a holiday sweater: a hard-working woman, tired of the city life, returns to the small town where she grew up, then falls in love with a hunk of a man, often a high school ex, who works in a small shop or runs an inn in town. The underlying thesis: It’s somehow easier to find love in a small town than it is in a bustling metropolis.

If only it were so simple.

I grew up in Mono and spent my university years in Toronto. Now in my 30s, I am back in Mono but regularly travel due to my work schedule. In May, I lived in Toronto for an acting gig.

The most popular way young singletons meet now, whether we like it or not, is via a dating app. During my time in Toronto, I decided to download the Bumble app in hopes of meeting new people and sparking a connection. Within seven minutes of

downloading the app, I got seven matches. How lucky was I?! I went out on a few dates, met a woman at a fancy ramen place, and rendezvoused with another at a hip boardgame café. One of the best things about dating is the variety in the places you can go and the people you can meet. I also went out dancing two to three nights a week at clubs with friends from my university days, old haunts such as The Dance Cave, TILT, Crews and Tangos, and the Madison – where I met and got to know more singles. Living in a multicultural hub like Toronto has its benefits: you can meet people from all around the world, from Korea to Brazil and everywhere in between.

Fast-forward to August, when I lived in Halifax for the rest of the summer while performing in a play. I downloaded Tinder and was able to set up a coffee and ice cream date the very next day. How convenient!

But when I come back home to Mono, it’s a different story. Whether I’m using Tinder, Bumble, or Hinge (The Big Three dating apps), I am lucky if I get as many as 10 matches in a whole month.

Why is this? Am I not handsome in my profile photos? Is my bio not clever or flirtatious enough? Do I over-text potential dates? Under-text? Well, if any of that is true, why does this problem not seem to happen in the cities but rather only here in Dufferin County?

Because it seems that the real pickle is this: while I’m in the country, I am usually

informed after about 15 swipes on an app that I have officially run out of any potential matches in my area.

While the country life can provide fresh air, scenic nature and peace of mind, it makes it hard to strike up new relationships, or even just a friendship.

A numbers and location game

In theory, I’m in a demographic sweet spot. The median age of the town I’m closest to, Orangeville, is about 38. Toronto’s is the same. But because of a population ratio of something like 90:1, there just aren’t that many 30-somethings to meet.

In addition to a smaller dating pool, even if you do make a match, there are a few extra curses to contend with. As 26-year-old Alice (whose name has been changed for privacy reasons) says, all too often when profiles pop up on the apps, she tends to already know the person. “Everyone knows everyone,” she says. “There’s no secrets around here.” Even if you don’t know someone directly, she notes, “You get introduced to people, but then you know someone that dated them or someone they dated.”

As Abby, a real estate agent in the area, puts it, “It’s not easy to meet people out here in the wild.”

Abby, who also asked to keep her full name private, agrees with Alice’s complaint about already knowing everyone in town, but has another level of cringe to add to the discussion: how about running into people

you know while sipping coffee across from a potential Mr. Right?

All too often, Abby has been on dates when a client or co-worker stops by her table. They assume she is with her husband or long-term partner – and she finds herself awkwardly explaining that she’s in the middle of a date. Ouch.

So Abby’s solution to these uncomfortable encounters is to extend her dating app radius. Now, she’s only willing to go on dates with people in other towns.

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Likewise, I’m at the period in my dating journey where I may need to consider widening my terrain. I usually set the distance to extend about 25 kilometres from my location in Mono. I could extend my range farther and get more matches immediately, but that would then mean I match with people who live as far away as Kitchener or Scarborough. And while living in Mono, I’m not stoked about driving that far for a first date. In Toronto, you can hop on a subway and meet within an hour. Around here you may need to get in your car and travel through winding backroads with poor cell service. If you don’t have a car? Good luck!

Not a very Hallmark sentiment, I know.

Is meeting someone in the wild even an option?

To be honest though, I’m not too glum. I’ve come to realize it’s not that dating in a small town is tough per se; maybe all that’s required is a fresh take.

While there may not be a critical mass of cafés, bars and other venues where young adults can mingle, as there is in a big city, there are plenty of annual events to immerse yourself in, such as the Orangeville Blues and Jazz Festival and the Dufferin Film Festival. Ironically, perhaps, I’ve also found some great ideas on another internet platform – Reddit. As one comment so bluntly puts it, “Hey, people of Orangeville, does anyone know where younger people can hang out?” And then there was the couple simply looking to socialize with others. “We’re both fairly introverted, but looking to make some local friends,” they posted.

The main suggestions seem to

be meeting people via a passion or hobby, such as game meet-ups (think Dungeons and Dragons or Magic: The Gathering) or book clubs to meet others with similar interests. Car enthusiasts have Orangeville’s Cruisin’ on First car show every summer. The Orangeville Public Library hosts a variety of workshops and classes. And local churches have ongoing social activities – a side effect, possibly, of news that Gen Z has been returning to church in increasing numbers.

In Toronto you can hop on a subway and meet within an hour.

Around here you may need to get in your car and travel through winding backroads with poor cell service.

If you don’t have a car? Good luck!

Through more digging, I was able to find a Facebook group called Making Friends in Orangeville, which, to my shock, had a whopping 647 people in it at the time, including some of my own Facebook friends. The group has ongoing discussions on possible gatherings – some I didn’t want to miss.

Everybody dance now

Jonathon Neville is the chief administrator of the Making Friends page, which he sees as a way to bring people together. His most recent endeavour is a revival of his Dance Orangeville classes at Westminster United Church. As someone who loves dancing while out and about in Toronto, there was no way I was passing this up.

“I would love to revive a culture where people go out dancing,” Neville says. “Way before TV, everyone went out dancing, including in rural communities.”

I attended a partnered dance class (alone) and met almost a dozen friendly faces. The crowd was mainly

baby boomers, many of them married couples, but I had a great time dancing and socializing even if my generation was largely absent.

Neville, a dance teacher, choreographer and actor who also works with the Dufferin Arts Council, comes across as an affable leader and something of a social butterfly. “I struggled upon arriving here from Toronto 10 years ago. In Toronto I’d be out dancing and instantly have new friends. Here, there was nowhere to go dancing.” He adds, “My stepson just moved to Montreal, and he’s having the time of his life meeting new friends at university. Every day another girl gives him her phone number (but he’s not going wild!)”

Neville is pondering ideas for more ways local community members can meet. “I have plans to run a speed dating event,” he reveals, “and a speed friending event.”

I’ll be there. But halfway through this class, a realization hits me. Many of the people here are married, yet it seems that while they came for exercise and the fun of spinning across a dance floor, they were also here to get out of the house and make new friends.

When we’re not in a committed relationship, we can imagine a partner will solve the problem of feeling alone. But what if even when you find the one, there remains a pull to keep existential loneliness at bay? What if getting out and doing something, anything, with other humans, rather than sitting at home rewatching Schitt’s Creek on Netflix, is just a smart thing to do?

It turns out taking a break from the apps, and just getting out and encountering the great people who live here is extremely refreshing.

For me, I’ve found even the simple act of going for a coffee downtown, followed by a quick stroll along Broadway can have its benefits. Maybe you meet someone you haven’t seen in a while or strike up a new conversation with a stranger in an unexpected way. I’ve been doing that more, and as a result, I’m now looking forward to a hiking date.

What I’m learning: there are great humans here in our community. Go out and say hi!

James Gerus is a novelist, screenwriter and actor who lives in Mono.

www.jdccustomhomes.ca

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.

Jasmine Weiler B. Comm

Wealth Advisor C: 226-979-9244

jasmine@fcfcorp.ca www.fcfcorp.ca

First Capital Financial Corporation

Worldsource Financial Management Inc.

50 Coreslab Dr., Dundas, ON L9H 0B2

P: 519-829-1331 x19

F: 833-869-8042

The year in books

OUR ANNUAL REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS BY LOCAL AUTHORS

Another year, another bonanza of books by Headwaters writers. Whether you’re looking for a book to thrill, amuse, comfort, inspire or inform, the perfect read awaits among this year’s genre-spanning offerings.

Sacred Rage, a collection of Steven Heighton’s finely crafted short stories, is sure to provoke thought, while Slavko Ray’s When Cheers Are Not Enough is an amusing must-read for any despairing Toronto Maple Leafs’ fan. And Scionwood Song, David E. Kendall’s fictional tale about a battle to stop

BY PETER YAN AND EMILY DICKSON

development of a gravel pit will resonate with local readers.

In Presumptuous, Andrew C. James draws on his own life story to encourage those seeking to transcend the limits, selfimposed or otherwise, that may be holding them back. And in The Distinctive Leader, Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson also draws on her own experience, as well as that of others, to provide empowering advice to those aspiring to hone their leadership skills. For kids, the year has produced a trove

FICTION

Sacred Rage

Selected Stories

BY STEVEN HEIGHTON

In Sacred Rage, editor John Metcalf has collected 15 previously published short stories by poet, singer-songwriter and novelist Steven Heighton (1961–2022). Exploring themes of alienation, the stories are a testament to Heighton’s skill at illuminating the essence of his characters in subtly poetic, and often bitingly ironic, prose. In “Professions of Love,” for example, a self-important cosmetic surgeon who operates on his wife after a stroke disfigures her face remains completely unaware that his ostensibly devoted act of love for his wife is really for himself. Like Heighton, a self-described “rootless writer,” many of the characters in Sacred Rage are searching for meaning in the face of the rootlessness of their own lives.

Heighton’s writing earned many honours, including a Governor General’s Literary Award for his book of poetry The Waking Comes Late. His parents lived in Caledon East. (Biblioasis, $24.95)

The Fulcrum

BY MICHAEL DECTER

of engagingly illustrated picture books. Anita Yasuda tells the inspiring tale of real-life mountaineer Junko Tabei in Up, Up, Ever Up! And This Plant Is Not Boring, Marie Hoy-Kenny’s zany story about a girl who asks for a dog but gets a plant instead, will put smiles on the faces of children and grownups alike. But there are many more books to choose among, so kick back and kick off your winter reading with a book by a Headwaters tale teller.

In this second book of Michael Decter’s planned trilogy, trouble continues to follow Matthew Rice, who has changed direction and is studying to earn a doctorate in climate science. First, a chance encounter embroils him and his girlfriend, Mary Louise, in fallout from the conflict that plagued Northern Ireland for decades in the late 20th century. Then, when a monster hurricane threatens Miami, Matthew, whose PhD research predicted the unprecedented storm, must collaborate with Mary Louise and others to try to save the low-lying coastal city’s inhabitants. Drawing on Decter’s own Irish roots, as well as his experiences as a Harvard student and in government service, this suspenseful novel offers science-based information on climate change in an engaging format.

A member of the Order of Canada and the recipient of a Queen’s Jubilee medal, Decter lives in Mono. He is also the author of nine other books, including Shadow Life, his first novel. (Girl Friday Productions, $25.95)

Scionwood Song

An Eco-Tale

BY DAVID E. KENDALL

In the opening chapters of David E. Kendall’s roman à clef, a towering black walnut tree reminds readers, in evocative and subtly poetic prose, of the cycle of life it supports. From that beginning, Song Creighton, ecowarrior, takes over a fast-paced narrative that focuses on her campaign to halt development of a gravel pit threatening the delicate ecosystems near her Belfountain home. Though Song and the particular pit she is fighting are fictional, readers will delight in the novel’s many local references (e.g., the Pinkney farmstead, the Higher Ground Café, Credit Valley Conservation). But the story will also resonate with a broader readership: Headwaters residents, and people everywhere, who are battling to protect the natural environment.

Lies I Told My Sister

BY LOUISE ELLS

At 4 a.m., Lily Reynolds gets the kind of call no one ever wishes for. It’s Rose, Lily’s estranged younger sister. Rose’s husband has been seriously injured in a car crash. Though alive, he needs surgery and a new kidney. So begins Louise Ells’ exploration of the intimate connection between lying and loving. Through flashbacks that stretch well into the past, Ells reveals the complex dynamics – the lies of omission and truths withheld – that have driven Lily and Rose apart. But can the truth mend their broken relationship?

Ells lives in Caledon. She also penned Notes Towards Recovery, a book of short stories. (Latitude 46 Publishing, $23.95)

Anarchists in Love

A Novel

BY ROBERT HOUGH

A former journalist, Kendall is an environmental activist who lives in Belfountain. He is also the author of Lázaro and Slag. All proceeds from the sale of Scionwood Song will be donated to eco-charities. (David E. Kendall, $15)

Carried Away

Surviving the Unimaginable

BY T.J. DERRY

Suffering a mid-life crisis at age 36, Cole takes a break from his New York City life to join three friends for a surfing holiday on Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands. Although natural dangers lurk amid the beauty and wonder of these islands, nothing prepares the group for the terrifying tsunami that hits while they are surfing. T.J. Derry’s filmmaking background shines through in this cinematic survival story that is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. To enhance the realism, the novel includes QR codes that point to the journals Cole kept on the trip.

Derry is originally from Orangeville. A portion of the proceeds from sales of Carried Away, his debut novel, will support Sungai Watch, an organization that works to reduce ocean pollution. (Lost Signal, $22)

Set in New York City during the Gilded Age, a period of fabulous wealth for the few and grinding poverty for the many, the opening chapters of Robert Hough’s historical novel introduce readers to real-life anarchists Emma Goldman and Alexander “Sasha” Berkman. Fired by the revolutionary ideas inspiring the anarchist movement in this time of extreme economic disparity and social unrest, the two become lovers and dedicate themselves to advancing the cause. But in doing so, they become the targets of those whose interests are threatened by the drive for a more equitable society. Can their love for each other survive the turmoil that lies ahead?

The author of seven previous novels, including The Marriage of Rose Camilleri, Hough is a frequent Erin visitor. (Douglas & McIntyre, $24.95)

Stumblebum Waytes

BY GLENN CARLEY

In Stumblebum Waytes, the prolific Glenn Carley has created an Alice-in-Wonderland world being navigated by retired pensioner Billy Hornpipe as he searches for a sense of purpose while suffering fever-induced delirium. Guided through this fantastical world by Turnip, a fox, Billy’s quest takes a turn when he starts a band called the Stumblebum Waytes. In this ambitious allegorical work, Carley explores the importance of living in the moment and finding contentment in everyday pleasures.

A Bolton resident, Carley describes Stumblebum Waytes as an “unintentional sequel” to Jimmy Crack Corn, one of his many other books. (Rock’s Mills Press, $20)

FICTION

Written in Stone

A.J. Cadell Mystery 1

BY DIANE BATOR

After publishing her second romance novel to a tepid response, 20-something A.J. (Alison Jane) Cadell receives a mysterious offer: an all-expenses-paid, monthlong gig as writer-in-residence at Thistlewood Manor, a bed and breakfast on Vancouver Island. She accepts, both to escape her day job and to find her father, who she thought had died when she was a child. But in Diane Bator’s deft combination of detective mystery and romance, things at the manor turn deadly – and A.J. struggles to unravel the clues.

’Sconset Serenade

A Tale of Nantucket

BY MARILYN BOYLE TAYLOR

In her second novel, Marilyn Boyle Taylor returns to Nantucket, this time to pen a suspenseful romance set during the Prohibition era. Elementary teacher Dot O’Gorman and a friend are enjoying a summer break on the island’s lush shores. But Nantucket is not always idyllic, and Dot almost drowns in its dangerous waters. And like the island, some of Dot’s romantic interests, such as the handsome Wilson Ainsworth, may harbour dark secrets beneath a charming surface. Incorporating historical photographs and popular songs of the time, such as “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “Blue Skies,” Boyle Taylor transports readers to another time and place. Also the author of Dream’s End: A Tale of Nantucket, Boyle Taylor lives in Caledon. (Pender Press, $24.95)

An Orangeville resident, Bator is the author of several series, including the Glitter Bay Mysteries and the Gilda Wright Mysteries. (Escape With a Writer Publishing, $19.95)

Past Life’s Revenge + Revenge Is Not Enough

BY ANGELA VAN BREEMEN

Past Life’s Revenge, the first of Angela van Breemen’s David Harris and Emma Jackson mystery series, begins as David absentmindedly steps in front of Emma’s car. Fortunately, she brakes in time, and romance ensues. But David suffers from paralyzing night terrors, and Emma, a web designer with psychic abilities, persuades him to see a hypnotherapist. The sessions reveal that he is the reincarnation of a man murdered 30 years earlier – and the murderer is still at large. As the two set out to catch the killer, Emma’s psychic gifts inject a supernatural twist into the events that unfold.

In Revenge Is Not Enough, David, Emma and Emma’s stepdad, a retired cop, have started a private detective agency specializing in cold cases – and Emma’s psychic skills have intensified. These abilities play a deepening role in the trio’s investigation of their first disturbing case.

A poet, singer and volunteer at Procyon Wildlife Centre, van Breemen lives in Loretto. (Iconic Scribes Press, $24.95)

When Cheers Are Not Enough

A Novel of Hockey, Music, and Magic

BY SLAVKO RAY

When four long-suffering fans of the Toronto Mighty Pines (read Toronto Maple Leafs) decide that only magic can end their team’s Clarence Cup (read Stanley Cup) drought, they come up with a plan. They use their garage band to invoke witchcraft that conjures up the ghosts of six legends from the Pines’ storied past – in hopes that the former greats will inspire the current team’s efforts. But when Covid derails the 2019–20 season, the four find that their wacky project has redefined their lives in unexpected ways. Laced with witty dialogue and clever references, Ray’s thinly disguised allegory will keep readers, Leaf fans or not, turning the pages.

A retired teacher, Ray lives in Erin. When Cheers Are Not Enough is his debut novel. (FriesenPress, $25)

Psycholo-Jest

Is Everyone Nuts?

BY NATHANIEL WATT

Sanctity of Freedom

An Inspector William Fox Series

BY PETER THOMAS PONTSA

When McGill University student Jean Blais lands a position as an assistant at Toronto’s Lakeside Mental Hospital in the 1960s, he realizes that he’s unsure of who is more insane, the doctors or the patients. This satire on outmoded psychological treatments will both amuse and disturb – and in a note that introduces the book, Nathaniel Watt is careful to point out that the treatments he describes do not represent approaches used today. Psycholo-Jest is Watt’s fifth book. The former psychologist lives in Mono. (Nathaniel Watt, $14.95)

When a body washes up on an island near Montreal, RCMP inspector William Fox interrupts his leisurely Sunday cruise along the St. Lawrence River to investigate. He finds that a note addressed to his former taekwondo mentor, Mr. Kim, was found on the brutally murdered victim. The discovery launches an investigation that swirls around a missing thumb drive, AI, microchip technology, arms dealers and corporate espionage played out against a backdrop of international political intrigue.

Pontsa lives in Loretto. Sanctity of Freedom is a follow-up to Outfoxed, the first book in the Inspector William Fox series. (Iconic Scribes Press, $24.95)

Next of Kin +

Henry’s Dream

BY A. E. LAWRENCE

Next of Kin, a sequel to A. E. Lawrence’s Ghosts of Angels, opens with the ritualistic murder of a young student – and leads Nicholas Palmer, a former cop with paranormal abilities, to set off on a global chase to catch the sadistic leader of the cult responsible for the killing.

In Henry’s Dream, a young Walmart employee, the “Henry” of the book’s title, finds himself constantly dreaming that he is a secret agent named Jonathan Hunt. But when the deadly missions of Henry’s dreams begin to feature on the daily news, he fears for his mind – and his life, as he seems to have become the target of malicious forces. The suspense builds as Henry’s fantasies collide with his reality. Or is it the other way around?

A.E. Lawrence is the pen name of Caledon resident Lawrence Ayliffe. (FriesenPress, $21.99)

Till the Swallows Awaken

Lord James Horn & Anthony Hillman Mystery Thriller

BY HUGH RUSSEL

Hugh Russel’s second book in the Lord James Horn & Anthony Hillman Mystery Thriller series transports readers back to the early days of the British military intelligence service. As World War I looms, James and Anthony, partners in a successful private detective agency, are persuaded to set aside their business and lead MI2 (present-day MI5), which is in charge of security at home. As the two are drawn ever deeper into the dangerous world of domestic espionage, they must try to foil a plot that threatens to destroy England’s entire population.

The author of several other books, including The Traitor’s Brand, Russel lives in Mulmur. (Hugh Russel, $21.95)

Spotted Salamanders and Their World

A Lifetime of Observations from a Pondside Naturalist

BY DON SCALLEN

Observing spotted salamanders takes patience and a deep understanding of their life cycle. Don Scallen has plenty of both. He spends early spring lurking in seasonal wetlands, waiting for these elusive amphibians to emerge from their underground slumber for a brief breeding period. In this book, Scallen shares not only his fascination with these creatures, but also the knowledge gained over his many years of studying them – and the other species that inhabit their world.

Chock full of colour photos, the book brims with information and includes an ode to “Calvin,” a very special spotted salamander whose distinctive appearance makes him easily recognizable. This feature may help scientists gain greater insight into the largely hidden life of Calvin and his kin.

A regular contributor to In The Hills, both in print and through his blog “Notes from the Wild,” Scallen is also the author of Nature Where We Live He lives in Georgetown. (Knotty Toad Press, $24.95)

The East Coast Trail

An Illustrated Field Journal BY

NICOLA ROSS

In her latest hiking guide, award-winning author and hiking guide savant Nicola Ross offers the perfect guide for Canadians staycationing north of the 49th parallel: Newfoundland’s East Coast Trail. National Geographic named the trail one of the world’s top 10 adventure destinations and also rated the Avalon Peninsula, site of the trail, as the world’s number 1 coastal destination. Doing double duty as writer and illustrator, Ross includes essentials, such as the distance of each section of the trail, the time required to hike it, the degree of difficulty, expected weather conditions and nearest accommodations. Where the guide shines is in the colourful, informative illustrations and the “journal” entries that make the sights and sounds of each section and locale come alive.

The Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region

BY RICK GRAY AND SHAUN BOOTH

Not unlike many children, insects are picky eaters, preferring a diet of native plants over nonnative species. Rick Gray and Shaun Booth have collaborated to produce this comprehensive guide for gardeners interested in creating a vibrant flower garden focused on native plants that restore and sustain the local ecosystem – and the wildlife that relies on them. Illustrated with vibrant, full-colour photos of native species, the guide is loaded with helpful information about, for example, a plant’s hardiness zone and bloom period, preferred soil conditions and light preference, as well as the pollinators – and pests – it attracts. The message? Helping the local ecosystem to thrive begins in our own backyard.

A resident of Alton, Ross is the author of the Loops & Lattes Hiking Guides and a frequent contributor to In The Hills. (Woodrising Consulting, $11.95)

Booth lives in East Garafraxa, while Gray is from Ridgetown. (Firefly Books, $45)

NON-FICTION

Against the Grain

Defiant Giants Who Changed the World

BY TERRY O’REILLY

Terry O’Reilly’s latest book shines the spotlight on mavericks everywhere who bucked tradition, endured ridicule and dared to challenge cherished beliefs and bureaucratic institutions –not to tear them down, but to make something even better. From pop star Taylor Swift, whose unorthodox approaches are transforming the music business, to Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame, and Katalin Karikó, whose years of painstaking research went largely unrecognized until the development of the mRNA vaccine against Covid, O’Reilly’s “defiant giants” include a fascinating list of extraordinary people who left an indelible mark on the world by refusing to be constrained by convention. Host of CBC Radio’s Under the Influence, O’Reilly is the author of three other non-fiction books, including The Age of Persuasion. He previously lived in Creemore. (HarperCollins Canada, $27.74)

Choreographing the North

Settler Affinities in Contemporary Dancemaking

BY BRIDGET CAUTHERY

As her book’s subtitle suggests, Bridget Cauthery explores how, when creating contemporary dance pieces that depict the North, various non-Indigenous and non-resident choreographers from countries around the world have represented – or misrepresented – Indigenous peoples, their cultures and the landscapes they inhabit. Rich in historical, biographical and cultural detail, the book argues that the works of these choreographers “are colonizing acts that either ignore or erase the land and people upon which they are based.”

But as a counterpoint, Cauthery’s final chapter introduces the works of Indigenous artists and suggests that Indigenous-led collaborations and creations can help deconstruct the persistent myths that inform southerners’ ideas of the North – and lead to greater understanding of life in the North today.

An associate professor in York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, Cauthery lives in Inglewood. (Routledge, hardcover $144 USD. See excerpt on page 60.)

A Remarkable Life

The Journey of Alice Porter Medical Missionary BY

JOSEPH D. DRISKILL

Growing up on a farm near Corbetton, Alice Porter, now 99, learned the value of hard work – and to take pride in a job well done. These lessons and her Christian faith grounded her as she pursued her goal of becoming a medical missionary in India. There, the nursing program she founded continues to graduate highly qualified nurses, and she was among the first to help the victims of the deadly 1984 Union Carbide gas leak in Bhopal.

Returning home, Porter helped organize pastoral care at the now closed Shelburne Hospital, the Shelburne Residence retirement home and the Dufferin Oaks long-term care home. And in 2009, her contributions, local and international, were recognized when she was named to the Order of Ontario. Hers is a life that is, indeed, remarkable.

An educator, clergyperson and author, Driskill was Porter’s colleague and friend. (Joseph D. Driskill, hardcover $25)

Presumptuous

Living Beyond Limits, Labels, & Logic

BY ANDREW C. JAMES

As a child, Andrew C. James watched in amazement as Michael Jackson performed his signature moonwalk on live TV. Suddenly, the impossible had become possible, a realization that eventually inspired James “to step boldly beyond the limits imposed by fear, doubt, and convention.”

His commitment to living a “presumptuous life” led him to, among other things, pursue modelling and singing, publish a music magazine and become a youth pastor. And now, after moving with his family to Shelburne, he is the co-founder and chair of Streams Community Hub, a registered charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages to connect with the arts. Written with grace and humour, this memoir also offers prompts to help guide readers toward living their own presumptuous lives.

James is also the author of Bird Words: Inspirational Thoughts for Everyday Life in 140 Characters or Less. (Summerhill Publishing, $24.99)

A Tapestry of Two Worlds

BY CYNTHIA YOUNG

Once again, Cynthia Young has drawn on her family history, her own imagination and historical research to produce a work of creative non-fiction. The inspiration this time is the life of her paternal great-grandfather, James Veevers (1837–1907), whose artistic temperament is often at odds with his father’s Quaker values. To forge his own path, James leaves England for Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, and later India, where he spends the rest of his life. Against the background of the changes taking place in India, Young’s story tracks James as he navigates the changes in his own life.

Young, who lives in Caledon, has written three other books based on her family’s history. (Cynthia Young, $20)

Erin Fall Fair ... since 1850

BY JUNE SWITZER

June Switzer’s updated history of the Erin Fall Fair reminds readers of how, for early settlers, country fairs were places where communities could gather to socialize and share agricultural practices, as well as arts and crafts. Having survived a fire, two world wars and the Covid pandemic, the Erin Fall Fair celebrated its 175th anniversary this past Thanksgiving weekend. Packed with archival photos and personal anecdotes – Switzer herself recalls taking breaks to nurse her newborn son while running events – this book is a heartfelt testament to Erin’s community spirit.

A former teacher and lifetime member of the Erin Agricultural Society, Switzer lives in Hillsburgh. (June Switzer, Erin Agricultural Society, $30)

The Distinctive Leader

Unlocking Leadership Excellence and Personal Growth

BY ALETHIA O’HARA-STEPHENSON

Drawing on her personal experiences, the insights of industry leaders and examples of corporate strategies, both successful (e.g., PepsiCo) and disastrous (e.g., Volkswagen), Alethia O’Hara-Stephenson has written the book that she herself needed when starting her career. From navigating workplace relationships and overcoming self-doubt to balancing the three Ms (motherhood, marriage and an MBA) and fostering team engagement, O’Hara-Stephenson’s wide-ranging, inspirational advice speaks not only to young Black or racialized women, but also to anyone who aspires to lead effectively by empowering others.

Founder of the Dufferin County Canadian Black Association, O’Hara-Stephenson lives in Shelburne. (Redchair Branding, $26.99)

Shining Through

Finding the Balance between Heartache and Hope while Raising a Child with Special Needs

BY LIANA CANCIAN

In elementary school, Liana Cancian had no idea that helping Little Elizabeth, a classmate with special needs, was foreshadowing her experience as a parent raising a child with special needs. Her second child, Olivia, was born with a genetic disorder that causes developmental delays and seizures. In Shining Through, Cancian relates how she and her husband, Mark, navigate the constant cycles of heartache and hope as they search for a cure while maintaining their marriage and raising their three other children. What shines through in this inspirational read is Cancian’s honesty, resilience and wisdom gained as she tackles each new challenge by drawing on her never-say-die motto: “Bring it on, baby!”

Cancian lives in Bolton. (Live Life Happy Publishing, $24.99)

For the Love of Food: Family Edition

A Celebration of Food Through Five Generations

BY BARBARA HEAGY

Tucking poems, photographs and family stories between simple and classic recipes, Barbara Heagy invites readers into her kitchen – and her family life. Heagy’s recipes spark loving memories, giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “comfort food.” Highlights of this combination cookbook and memoir include the secret ingredients that make a really good Hungarian goulash and how to roast a whole pig.

A longtime Hockley resident, Heagy now calls Guelph home. She is also the author of 10 – A Story of Love, Life, and Loss. (One Thousand Trees, $29.95)

Soulful Healing

A Guided Journey Through Trauma Recovery, Inner Work and Self Compassion

BY JENNIFER ABEL AND TYLER PINKNEY

Emerging from pain in their own pasts, Jennifer Abel and Tyler Pinkney have created this guide to recovering from trauma and regaining inner peace. Meant to complement, not replace, a therapist, this book comprises 12 weekly themes, each presented in four steps: an educational section based on the theme (e.g., boundaries); a body-based exercise for calming the nervous system (e.g., a mantra walk); spiritual reflection through meditation or prayer; and journal prompts to inspire self-exploration.

Abel and Pinkney live in Shelburne. (Jennifer Abel and Tyler Pinkney, $24.99)

Radical Revelry

A Bespoke Guide to Healing Trauma, Drama, and All That Sh*t from Your Mama

BY CARLEY JOHNSON

“What does it take to live a life of meaning, purpose, joy, and freedom?” asks Carley Johnson, healer, meditation teacher, life coach and, now, writer. Despite a life that checked all the boxes (married, two children, suburban house, job with paid vacation and benefits), pain subsumed Johnson’s life as she ignored the childhood trauma of her parents’ divorce and set aside her own needs. Her account of her journey toward understanding, loving and forgiving herself provides readers with a guide for embarking on their own search for healing.

Radical Revelry is Johnson’s first book. She lives in Orangeville. (Balboa Press, $16.99)

Fredbits

A Daily Dose of Wisdom, Wit and Wonder

BY FRED DYKE

The Prophetic Call to Love & Justice

Rediscovering the Old Testament

BY ARNOLD H. DE GRAAFF

As daily international headlines suggest an imminent apocalypse, Arnold H. De Graaff’s book about an alternative interpretation of the Bible is timely. Based on the Amsterdam way of interpreting scripture, De Graaff’s approach is grounded not in a fundamentalist, historical, literary, doctrinal or apologetic analysis, but in one that considers every verse in the context of the entire Bible, as well as present-day knowledge. Closer to the “good news” of the New Testament, this approach focuses on the concepts of love and restorative justice. A section of one chapter, for example, addresses the conflict between Israel and Palestine and envisions a resolution that involves reconciliation, caring for the land and solidarity with all people.

De Graaff, who lives in Mono, is also the author of The Gods in Whom They Trusted. (Resource Publications, $78)

In Fredbits, Fred Dyke distils a lifetime of experiences into 365 pages of daily “wisdom, wit and wonder.” The former bank manager and management consultant, whose sixth-degree black belt in judo reflects his lifelong passion for the sport, shares pastoral duties at Belfountain Village Church with his wife, Judee. Topics included in the book range from love, marriage and science to political correctness, politics, religion and even Elvis Presley. Designed to provoke thought, Dyke’s reflections are perfect for browsing by topic or starting from the beginning and reading a page a day.

A Mono resident, Dyke wrote about the lives of his parents in Skipper Ches: As Tough as It Gets. (Fred Dyke, hardcover $24.99)

New Age Healer

A Guide to Creating a Future-Focused Healing Business

BY DEBRA JONES

Imagine

Volume 1 and Volume 2

Reiki master, astrologer, life coach and holistic healer, Debra Jones provides a guide to creating a sustainable healing business that incorporates current technologies while remaining rooted in collaboration with community members and local businesses. She offers advice to healers of all kinds, from yoga teachers and holistic wellness coaches to practitioners of traditional medicine and psionics. For Jones, “Our healing and the planet’s healing are one and the same.”

Also the author of The Successful Healer: A Practical Guide for Holistic Health Practitioners, Jones lives in Melancthon. (Debra Jones, $28)

BY JUNE HUSTLER

In these two volumes, author June Hustler has assembled a charcuterie board of writings, past and present. Imagine: Volume 1 begins with an ode to her inspirational English teacher and Olympic gold medallist Doug Anakin and goes on to present a collection of short stories, plays, a sequel to her novel Kindred and excerpts from Downhome, a country music magazine that she owned and operated. Imagine: Volume 2, subtitled Recollections from Lives Well Lived, is a sequel to her eclectic mix of memoir and fiction.

An Orangeville resident, Hustler has written seven other books. (June Hustler, Imagine: Volume 1, $19.95; Imagine: Volume 2, $35.63)

La Casa di Riposo

The House of Rest

BY GLENN CARLEY

Evoking the style and images of classic poets, most notably John Milton and W.B. Yeats, Glenn Carley’s novella in verse and poetic prose was inspired by his father-in-law’s journey into dementia – and his family’s struggle to help and care for him. With an unflinching eye, Carley depicts how a family becomes emotionally wound up as they watch the life of their Italian-born “Old Contadino” wind down in a care home (la casa di riposo).

An odour of feces, assaults us:

A new Citizen arrives at the bar, Cries for family who will not come.

This perpetual indignity of Jordan: Where moaning peels slow, like a scab; Tears linen, pulls down curtains, tips tables

The Clatter, the jingle and spatter-spray Cuts open our hearts:

The author of many other books including The One about Stella: A Little Fish, Carley lives in Bolton. (Rock’s Mills Press, $20)

A Raven in the Snow

BY K.P. ALEXANDER

What is in a raven’s call?

A warning? A message? For you?

The raven screams, but is there anyone left to hear it?

Does anyone listen to this raven’s call?

So begins K.P. Alexander’s second poetry collection, told in three parts: “The Cold of a Singing Sleep,”

“The Path of Affection’s Favour” and “The Flight of Wisdom’s Name.” In an abstract style reminiscent of Sylvia Plath, Alexander – whose muse is the metaphorical raven – explores the real and ethereal worlds of life, love and death as she guides readers on her journey “between cradle and grave.”

K.P. Alexander is also the author of A Quill in the Ink: A Collection of Poetry. She lives in Orangeville. (K.P. Alexander, $16.95)

My Journey Up the Mountain

Selected Poems

BY VERN SHUTE

Inspired by a decades-long habit of jotting down his thoughts, Vern Shute’s My Journey Up the Mountain is an eclectic collection of poems on topics ranging from love, family and death to the poetry of Walt Whitman and Leonard Cohen, and even the games of bridge and curling. In the end, this haiku, one of several in the volume, may sum up what the journey means to Shute – and to all of us:

Monk, Iman, Priest or Shaman

Each climbs his mountain seeking truth

At the top, they all have the same view. Shute lives near Lisle. (Vern Shute, $14.95)

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FOR KIDS

Up, Up, Ever Up!

Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains

BY ANITA YASUDA

Few humans ever make it to the top of Mount Everest, the planet’s tallest peak, and until 1975, no woman had achieved this incredible feat. A Boston Globe–Horn Book non-fiction honour book, Up, Up, Ever Up! is the engagingly illustrated biography of Junko Tabei, a Japanese mountaineer who was determined to reach the roof of the world. Turned down by sponsors and discouraged by other mountaineers, Tabei joined an all-woman team. In the unforgiving Everest landscape, they faced avalanches, a lack of oxygen and exhaustion. But finally, inch by inch, step by step, Tabei stood on the spot where Earth meets sky – and went on to climb the highest peak on every continent and advocate for the protection of mountain landscapes everywhere.

Also the author of Diwali: A Festival of Lights, Yasuda lives in Orangeville. (Clarion Books, $24.99)

One Love. One Dog.

Marley’s Incredible Journey

BY STACEY TARRANT

With a title echoing Jamaican reggae star Bob Marley’s biggest hit, “One Love,” it isn’t surprising that Stacey Tarrant’s picture book highlights themes of community and connection. While on vacation in Jamaica, Tarrant’s family finds a pup, hungry and alone, on the beach – and the holiday instantly becomes a rescue mission. But it’s the help of many strangers that enables the family to successfully navigate the process of getting the pup, named Marley, to her new home in Canada. This uplifting true story will definitely inspire readers to “feel all right.”

Tarrant lives in Orangeville, where she operates Say it with Stacey. Part of the proceeds from sales of the book will support animal rescues in Jamaica. (Stacey Tarrant, $29.95)

Christopher’s Adventures in Time

BY CONSTANCE P. SCRAFIELD

A Summer Without Anna

BY KATE JENKS LANDRY

When Junie’s big sister, Anna, becomes ill and must stay in the hospital, Mum and Dad take Junie to her grandparents’ house in the country. There, for the first time, she will spend the summer without her sibling. Before her parents leave, they hand Junie a box containing Anna’s prized possession – her camera – and a note that says, “In case you find Edmund.” Trying her best to adapt, Junie explores the woods, fishes with Pop and searches for Edmund, the elusive, ancient turtle, until her family is reunited.

Landry, who grew up in Orangeville, is also the author of Beatrice and Barb. (Kids Can Press, $23.99)

Lily Goes to Kindergarten

BY SUZETTE DALEY

The first day of school is always a big moment in a child’s life, but Lily isn’t looking forward to starting kindergarten. The classroom won’t have her favourite toys, and she’s sure she’ll miss playing with her little brother.

But with her family’s help, Lily decides to be brave and embrace this new adventure.

Daley is a literacy advocate and founder of Shelburne’s Young Entrepreneurs Program. (Miniintel Publishing, $16.99)

Loaded with mythical creatures and mysterious characters, Constance P. Scrafield’s illustrated stories follow Christopher and his winged friend, Kazuri, as a grey Cloud transports them through time. The two encounter fire-breathing dragons, knights and their faithful steeds, giants whose voices boom like thunder, and even a legendary wizard who needs their help. Along the way, Christopher not only learns about the ways of those he meets, but also teaches them about modern times. Each short chapter in this book makes a perfect bedtime story.

A journalist, Scrafield lives in Orangeville. She is also the author of Katie and Her Dinosaur. (Xlibris, $19)

Alfreda the Freeloader

BY THERESA B. DAUBNEY

In the woods, Alfreda, the wild turkey, awakens and spots blue jays, cardinals and other birds enjoying the seeds scattered on a rickety wooden table. “Breakfast!” she cries as she struts toward the group, hungry for a meal. But being the biggest bird isn’t easy! Under Alfreda’s weight, the table collapses, scattering the seeds on the ground –and enabling all the other forest critters to join the feast.

An Inglewood resident, Daubney has included in her comic tale a colouring page and information about wild turkeys. Part of the proceeds from sales of the book will support the work of the Canadian charity Earth Rangers. (FriesenPress, $11.49)

Beyond the Chair

BY MARK RODGERS

Born with cerebral palsy, Mark Rodgers shares his personal story in this illustrated book about navigating a world not designed for children with mobility challenges. The eldest of six siblings, Rodgers describes his desire to be independent and his determination to find a place in the world. As he faces life’s challenges, he becomes his own advocate and draws on his inner strength, giving the advice to “never let someone else’s doubts become your reality.”

A Shelburne resident, Rodgers was inspired to publish his book through his participation in the town’s Young Entrepreneurs Program, founded by Suzette Daley. (Mark Rodgers, $20.45)

This Plant Is Not Boring

BY MARIE HOY-KENNY

Whimsically illustrated by Michael Deas, Marie Hoy-Kenny’s story deals with a question many parents dread: “Can we get a dog?” Mia’s mom buys her a plant instead. Of course, Mia finds plants boring, but not for long. The plant suddenly begins eating everything in sight, from her baloney sandwich to her shoes, roller skates and framed photos – until Mia figures out a solution. This engaging story for young children will help introduce kids to plants and gardening.

In addition, Hoy-Kenny’s short story “Incarnation” is included in an anthology titled Shadow Lab. Timely, intense and oddly sensual, Shadow Lab proves once again that science fiction is the genre of genres, the laboratory where all stories are reinvented for our time.

Hoy-Kenny is also the author of The Girls from Hush Cabin. She lives in Dundalk. (Orca Book Publishers, $21.95)

Have You Ever Seen a Grumple?

BY TRACEY MORRELL

If you are in a grumpy mood and can’t seem to get out of it, Tracey Morrell has a diagnosis: you probably have a Grumple! Having spent many years in a school setting, Morrell has first-hand experience of Grumples, including where they live (most likely in your belly button), what time they strike (typically in the morning) and how to get rid of them (with a good old-fashioned monster tickle!). Once you’ve found your Grumple, yank it out, give it a good stomping and get ready for a better day.

An educational assistant who works with students in special education, Morrell lives in Orangeville. (Alanna Rusnak Publishing, $15)

Clara’s Traveling Piano

BY ANN MAGEE

More than a hundred years ago, a little girl named Clara discovered her love for playing the piano. But as the decades passed, Clara grew old and moved into a nursing home. So Piano was sent on a perilous 2,500-mile journey to the home of Clara’s son, James. But James didn’t know how to play the piano, and after that, Piano was moved, over and over, into storage units, basements and cramped living rooms. Piano longed to be played again, but would this ever happen? The answer to this question will warm readers’ hearts. Magee splits her time between Florida, Muskoka and Caledon, home of the piano that inspired this story. Proceeds from sales of this book will be donated to the David Foster Foundation. (FriesenPress, $11.99)

many years and was active in the campaign to restore the church, located on Mississauga Road south of Belfountain. The book is beautifully illustrated by his daughter, artist Leah Probst. (Rockside Publishing, $10; Melville the Mouse, a stuffed toy, $10, sold separately)

Note: Prices listed may be subject to change. Unless specified otherwise, prices are for paperback editions.

With thanks to the staff of BookLore in Orangeville for their invaluable help in compiling this year’s list – and for supporting local writers.

Northern impressions

Caledon may be home for Bridget Cauthery, but the Far North has left an indelible impression on her heart.

BY BRIDGET CAUTHERY

My fascination with the North began when I was a child. My father was a water and plastics engineer, and in addition to working in the Middle East and the Caribbean, he also consulted on projects in the Far North. For several years during my childhood in the late 1970s, he spent time in Nanisivik on the northern edge of Baffin Island in what is now Nunavut, building a sewage treatment system for the newly created mining community.

At 73 degrees north latitude just inland from Strathcona Sound, 20 kilometres east of the community of Ikpiarjuk, or Arctic Bay, Nanisivik is remote. Mechanical wastewater treatment in the Far North is a significant challenge due to the freezing ground and air temperatures. My father often complained that certain materials purchased for the water treatment operation in Nanisivik, having taken many weeks or even months to travel by boat to the site, frequently cracked or failed in the extreme cold. Establishing and maintaining a basic service such as wastewater treatment in the North is a challenge.

Born in London, England, in 1930, my father was captivated in his own way by the North. In the 1950s, years before his work in Nanisivik, he had spent time in Churchill, Manitoba, working as an office clerk for a shipping company. Having paid his way across the Atlantic by working on a cargo vessel, my father was waiting out the winter to make the return journey home to England once the sea ice melted.

Years later he told my brothers and me about how, on his days off, he would walk along the rocky shore of Hudson Bay, past massive sun- and wind-bleached whale skeletons and stone inuksuik that pointed travellers to nearby communities. He told us about how, on one of those walks, he had met a large timber wolf as he rounded a bend in the shoreline. The wolf, he said, was just as surprised to see my father as my father was to see him, and sensibly, they both decided to turn around and go back the way they had come.

Returning to our family home in Caledon after time spent in Nanisivik, my father used to bring us whole Arctic chars, fished from holes made in the sea ice. He also brought home beautiful hand-carved, soapstone necklaces, made by local Qikiqtani craftspeople, each of a different Arctic

animal. Mine was a two-headed seal, flat on one side and carved in relief on the other. It was bigger than my palm and hung on a string made from caribou hide.

The influx of people passing through Ikpiarjuk and Nanisivik to do business at the mine resulted in a growing market for local carvers. Local Inuit recall that the mine also brought more frequent deliveries of supplies from the South as well as the establishment of a year-round elementary school. Alcohol came to the previously dry community, too, and bylaws that prevented sled dogs from roaming. Such laws inevitably curtailed the traditional Qikiqtani means of hunting and made them more reliant on non-traditional foods and clothing from the South.

During the summer of 2017, my family and I spent a week at a cottage in the Kawartha Lakes region of central Ontario. We stopped one afternoon at a small vintage store in the village of Buckhorn, where my sons went looking for keepsakes from their holiday. My eldest son chose a large dusty conch shell, my youngest son chose a vintage diecast police car, and my middle son chose an Inuit soapstone carving of an owl. The conch shell cost $7, the toy car $9 and the hand- carved owl $2.50. Although only four inches tall, it is incomparably beautiful and, among the bric-à-brac and mass-produced toys, it was utterly forsaken.

I have visited the North on four occasions: a cruise up the inside passage from Vancouver to Skagway, Alaska, when I was 11 years old, two trips to the Yukon in 2001 and 2003, and one to the Northwest Territories in 2008. From 2000 to 2009, I was

company manager for Toronto Dance Theatre, a contemporary dance company under the artistic direction of Christopher House. I was responsible for the safe transport, provision of meals and general care of 12 dancers, two apprentices and the production stage manager, assistant stage manager, rehearsal director and artistic director.

In January and February 2001, I managed Toronto Dance Theatre’s tour to British Columbia, the Yukon and Alberta for the premiere of Christopher House’s work based on his participation in the Yukon Journey Project the previous year. An initiative spearheaded by the Yukon Arts Centre, the project saw a group of Canadian artists from multiple disciplines travel to the Yukon and Nunavut in order to experience the North. In exchange, each artist was commissioned to create a work in their métier that would have its premiere in Whitehorse. In response to his journey, House created Severe Clear, my first encounter with choreographing the North.

TDT’s tour to the Yukon reintro duced me to the North as an adult.

After a seven-hour drive along an ice-covered Highway 2, we arrived at Dawson City. Dawson stunned me. It was breathtaking – both figuratively and literally. The sky was crystal blue, and the sun sparkled off the tiny beads of ice that formed on my eyelashes as we trudged from the bed and breakfast where we were staying on 5th Avenue to the hardware store on 2nd Avenue to buy hockey tape to cover up the deep crevices in the floor of the former Mechanics’ Hall (the dancers performed in bare feet).

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At night, the northern lights encircled the dome of the sky in rippling trails of absinthe green. On our way to Dawson, we had stopped at Carmacks, one of only three gas stations along the highway, for a washroom break. While stretching my legs, I met a very large Samoyed-type dog waiting for its owner in the back of an open pickup truck with the engine running. The dog’s saliva froze as it dribbled onto the truck’s fenders, and when he offered me his paw to shake, the fur on the underside was so dense, I could not feel his pads.

On subsequent trips to the Yukon and Northwest Territories, I continued to add to my scrapbook of ideas of the North: a congregation of furry-legged ptarmigans pecking in the snow-filled side yard of a home in Yellowknife; a mother grizzly bear and her two cubs ambling across the road on my way to hike in Kluane National Park; stopping on the trail through the park to test the relative warmth of piles of blueberry-laden bear droppings to determine how recently the animal had crossed our path; listening to morning broadcasts of Mr. Dressup on CBC Radio for children without televisions while ferrying dancers between the hotel and the theatre, then to late afternoon broadcasts of introductory Gwich’in lessons for a people without language; the German couple in thick wool socks and Birkenstocks who baked dense loaves of bread made of spelt to eat with thick lentil-based soups in a yellow cottage straight out of Heidi’s Alps across from the Westmark Hotel in Whitehorse; the desk in the lobby of the hotel staffed by a Japanese-speaking tour guide who welcomed her countrymen and women on their honeymoons and answered their questions about the daily forecasts before offering tips for conceiving beneath the northern lights; the fresh-from-thefrozen-lake, weather permitting, fish

All these postcards of the North I encountered speak to my unquestionable privilege, my culture shock and the brevity of my stays, but they also speak to the admiration I feel for the diversity and complexity of lives lived in the North. CONTINUED FROM

’n’ chips served with the creamiest coleslaw and a dose of attitude at Bullock’s Bistro in Yellowknife; the strong smell of wood smoke arising from sheets, dried before the fire, that covered the massage table I lay on, face down, with my face poking through my own seal-sized breathing hole; the pearlescent sheen of sealskin coats worn by members of the public mingling in the foyer before a show; the Turkish woman working for the Northern Arts and Culture Centre who had reluctantly immigrated to Yellowknife with her husband only to find that, after six months, her husband had returned to Ankara and she had decided to stay; wolfing down exquisitely fresh and painstakingly prepared salmon sashimi in a second-floor sushi restaurant minutes before the hour call; climbing, white-knuckled, down the steps from a plane onto the tarmac in Yellowknife in a blinding snow squall and watching First Nations and Inuit teenagers trudge, heads down, undeterred, toward a waiting military plane bound for the Arctic Games in Nuuk, Greenland; a radio personality announcing a “high of 43 degrees today,” dropping the superfluous “minus” of ordinary January weather; the glare and Technicolor din of the Walmart in Whitehorse after only five days spent farther north; and driving across Great Slave Lake along the ice road marked with cut fir trees on the way to Hay River on the far shore to deliver dance classes at the local public school where even the principal joined in. (The school did not have a gymnasium so classes were taught in the hallway decorated with the posters warning against the dangers of huffing and what to do if you think a friend might be suicidal.)

Adapted from the introduction to Bridget Cauthery’s book Choreographing the North: Settler Affinities in Contemporary Dancemaking

An Inglewood resident, Cauthery is an associate professor in York University’s School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design.

INDULGE

IN PAN-SEARED

DUCK BREAST, TRY A BLUEBERRY MAPLE SAUSAGE, AND WARM YOUR SOUL WITH THREE HOT AND HEARTY SOUPS

BY EMILY DICKSON

Spotlight: Greystones’ pan-seared duck breast

The trick to preparing a succulent duck breast is to first sear it on the fatty skin side. This allows it to sizzle and get crisp while the meat absorbs the juicy flavours, according to Shigetaka Wakai, executive chef at Greystones Restaurant & Lounge in Orangeville. Wakai introduced the new duck recipe shown here to diners in late October. He starts by scoring the skin so it doesn’t curl up during the cooking process. After searing, he cooks the duck breast to a medium rare and while it’s resting, Wakai and his team prepare the rest of the plate.

A colourful smear of buttercup squash purée serves as the base, on top of which Wakai places a two-inch-thick slice of tender daikon, a long white Japanese radish, braised in dashi soup stock. Wakai places roasted florets of maitake mushrooms tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh thyme around the daikon.

The most time-consuming accompaniment is the potato pavé: Wakai layers thinly sliced potatoes with butter, salt and fresh thyme, then bakes them for more than two hours. He then presses the dish flat overnight. “The next day we take it from the pan and cut it into cubes, which then go in a deep fryer,” Wakai says. “They come out really nice and crispy, but also gooey and buttery in the middle.”

MARK YOUR CULINARY CALENDAR

Enjoy Venetian cicchetti – small plates of seafood, cheeses, salumi, bruschetta and more – at Adamo Estate Winery ’s Uncorked dining series. Cozy up in their signature heated outdoor snow globes while savoring three wine tastings paired with the menu. Booking through March 2026.

Hockley Valley Resort knows how to feed a crowd for Christmas. Santa’s Brunch on December 14 featuring omelettes, pastries, turkey, pasta, and a kids’ section. The Christmas Day Buffet serves classic fixings of turkey, bread and sage stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce, and decadent desserts.

Seared duck breast is served with roasted daikon radish, maitake mushrooms and cubes of crisp potato pavé.

GOURMET GIFTS FOR FOODIE FRIENDS

Got an epicurean on your shopping list this year? It’s never been easier to shop local. Almost too gorgeous to eat, the colourful bonbons from YF Pâtissier and Chocolatier in Creemore burst with big flavours such as hazelnut crunch, passion fruit mango coco and lemon basil.

The Holiday Gift Box from Orangeville’s Wicked Shortbread lets you give 25 assorted varieties at once, including lavender, chocolate peanut butter and cranberry craze. Vanilla salt chocolate from Giddy Yo in Orangeville blends premium cocoa, pink mountain salt from Peru, and aromatic Madagascar Bourbon whole ground vanilla beans. And double-stuffed Oreo ornaments from The Chocolate Shop in Orangeville are cute and crunchy – and stocking stuffer size.

The owner of Debora’s Chocolates in Erin, Donna Pearson, says sweet and spicy Fiji ginger chocolates available in dark or milk chocolate are her favourite this time of year. Not into the sweet stuff? Check out Goodnight Jerky. The Singhampton company marinates its beef for 16 to 20 hours, then smokes it using real hardwood maple chips. We found it at The Rosemont General Store

Three savoury soups to warm up with this winter

Sure, we love the old Saturday Night Live “sweater weather” schtick. But it might be edged out by our love of soup weather. There are countless menu winners across Headwaters. Here are three to add to your list.

People travel to Violet Hill just for the famous baked French onion soup, topped with crostinis and bubbling, melted Gruyère cheese, at Mrs. Mitchell’s Restaurant. With a warm crusty roll and a cheddar and port wine spread on the side, it’s a hearty winter meal unto itself.

Chinese wonton soup from RJ’s Taste of Asia in Orangeville brims with pork and shrimp dumplings, Shanghai bok choi, carrots and onions in a fragrant chicken broth, and is available in two sizes.

THE MISSING LINK

May we suggest trying Heatherlea Farm Shoppe’s maple blueberry sausages if you haven’t yet? Known for the beef they raise themselves, Heatherlea also offers more than 40 varieties of sausages, including hot Italian, sour cream and onion, and spinach and feta. The maple blueberry recipe blends savoury pork with the subtle sweetness of ripe blueberries and Canadian maple syrup. Want to sample a selection? Opt for a 10-pound Butcher’s Choice Sausage Butcher Box – it includes a variety of pork, beef, chicken and/or

Loaded with clams, potatoes and coastal comfort, New England clam chowder is a rich addition to the new menu at Two Brothers at Osprey Valley.

READY TO POUR

Punchy fruit combinations including blueberry-lemon, hibiscus-peach and raspberry lemonade star in Alliston’s Iron Kettle Iced Tea – available at More Than Just Baskets in Orangeville.

Adorned with a garnish almost too cute to eat – a smiling gingerbread man cookie – the Gingerbread Man-hattan from Orangeville hotspot Revival 1863 is an otherwise warm, classic mix of whiskey, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters.

The new Fruits of Crime cider from Heartwood Farm & Cidery in Erin is smooth, dry and oaky with a burst of fresh berry. It is made by co-fermenting cider with blueberries and strawberries in barrels. And Badlands Brewing Co.’s Belfountain IPA, dry-hopped with notes of candied pineapple, is the fourth beer in the brewery’s Spotlight Caledon series, which highlights the area’s natural beauty and landmarks.

This small-batch seasonal cider from Heartwood Farm & Cidery in Erin is bone-dry, barrel-aged, and now available in cans.

BY JANICE QUIRT

WHEN JEWELLER GILLIAN JOHNSON was 20, she heard about some magical hills north of Toronto: Hockley Valley. So taken was Johnson by the description of the area’s beauty that she wrote in her journal a promise to one day experience it for herself.

Years later, at a party hosted by sculptor John Farrugia, Johnson took one look at the view and asked, “Where am I?” Upon being told she was in Mono, north of Hockley Valley, she immediately widened her geographical aspirations, thinking “I feel like I’m home.”

In her Mulmur studio, jeweller Gillian Johnson designs earthy silver and bronze pieces inspired by the hills she calls home.

In 2013 she bought 25 acres of land a little farther north, in Mulmur. In 2022 construction began on a house and studio, complete with her own expansive, inspirational view.

The Toronto native maintains a soft spot for her original Headwaters crush, though. She named the jewelry business she opened nine years ago Hawkly, as an homage to both the majestic birds of prey and the region that had always called to her.

Now, Johnson finds being surrounded by natural beauty, from those rolling hills to the

Pine and Boyne Rivers, helps her unlock a flow state of creativity in which she designs her handcrafted earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets. Johnson’s designs capture details from the natural world, such as a river pebble-inspired charm hanging on a pendant. Her newest collection encourages buyers to customize and wear pieces in multiple ways. Rings are adjustable for different sizing and charms can be added to earrings.

The process Johnson uses is called lost wax casting – a method for creating metal objects

from a wax model by encasing the model in a ceramic or plaster shell, melting the wax out and then pouring molten metal into the cavity. “Then you will have a metal object that is an exact replica of your initial wax model.”

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE in her popular “radiance” designs, which are sun-inspired. Natural wood studio benches and tables seem in harmony with the trees swaying outside. Johnson often deliberately captures an edge of her fingerprint in the pink wax moulds she sculpts, mimicking the woodgrain she loves. She finishes the wax pieces with a utility knife and TouchAmatic wax pen. A specialist in Toronto will cast them in silver and bronze. Once they come back to her, Johnson will refine and finish them to remove excess bits and stray lines. She will also solder posts to earrings. “I like to leave some texture. Mine is a very handmade, organic look – no high polish.”

At this first stage, the jewelry created is either a one-off or a prototype; to make more she will then make a rubber mould of the metal object. “When I need to produce multiples of the same piece, I can inject that new mould with wax and create many wax replicas, which will then be turned to metal using the same process.” These replicas are the pink wax pieces I watch Johnson work with the day I visit.

Today Johnson’s studio is full of light streaming in through the windows; she harnesses that essence

After cleaning, buffing and shining, final finishing might involve deciding on chains, and lengths for necklaces, or putting earrings on earring cards. “These are the merchandising steps,”

TOP: Natural wood benches and tables seem in harmony with the trees swaying outside Johnson’s large studio windows.

LEFT: Johnson works on refining pink wax replicas of designs for which she has already made prototypes. Using the lost wax casting method, these replicas will be encased in a ceramic or plaster shell and heated until the wax melts away. Then, molten metal will be poured into the cavity.

Johnson says. “It’s all part of the vision I have when I first begin designing a piece.” The pieces are then ready to go to boutiques across the country or to fulfill online orders.

Johnson’s first foray into her craft started with beading and wire working, along with travels to Thailand. “I was studying business at McGill University in Montreal, and I had to get away from the cold, so I applied for a yearlong exchange program in Bangkok.” While visiting the beaches there, she was enthralled by an artisan making jewelry, who told her where to find materials in local markets and seek additional training.

Johnson cites the textured, highquality silver handmade works of the Thai hill tribes as a major influence on her work. She also worked in silver during metal arts training in Santa Monica and workshops in

Mexico. She has developed a belief in a compelling Japanese notion of beauty:

“I embrace the wabi sabi – perfectly imperfect – design aesthetic,” she says.

“My favourite pieces are ones that show unique, fine details in an almost unfinished presentation – just like you’d see in nature.”

Since moving to Mulmur, Johnson’s wanderlust – she has roamed through Guatemala, Colombia, and Sri Lanka, in addition to Thailand – has been satiated and she now finds endless inspiration close at hand, in the rocks of the Niagara Escarpment and her gardens, filled with wildflowers. “In life and in jewelry making I find I am attuned to small details,” she says. “It helps me see beauty on a daily basis and I try to appreciate the gifts we have.”

Janice Quirt is a freelance writer who lives in Orangeville.

CUSTOM GEMS, ANIMAL STUFFIES, SLEEK POTTERY AND MORE LOCAL HANDMADE BUYS

BY EMILY DICKSON

TINY TREATS, BIG CHARM

Little Clay Bites offers a collection of mini polymer clay creations – think toast, croissants, pancakes, peaches, blueberries, and even burgers topped with tiny sesame seeds. Remarkably realistic these charms adorn necklaces, keychains, bracelets and fridge magnets. Air-dry dishes shaped like pizza, fried eggs or avocados, and mason jar covers that look like pies are some of the other inventive items. Behind these designs is Orangeville’s Elaine Li, a passionate foodie, photographer and recipe developer whose love of the culinary world inspires her work. (Magnets $12–$20, dishes $28, keychains, $15–$25, Holiday Treasures and Little Clay Bites)

KITS FOR CURIOUS KIDS

KEEP YOU IN STITCHES

Rebecca Cochrane, the Shelburne maker behind Becca’s Crochet & Craft Corner, jokes that after learning crochet in 2005 she “spent a few years being really bad at it” before getting serious about stitching. The hard work paid off – her matching baby sets contain wee booties, a toque and cardigan, and there’s a long parade of adorable stuffed animals such as ducks, chubby chickens, foxes, bears, manta rays and bunnies. Cochrane specializes in custom orders and can even make a doll that looks just like someone special in your life. (Stuffed animals $30, Becca’s Crochet & Craft Corner)

GO WILD kits from Melancthon-based Feels N Fields are designed to spark curiosity and invite kids to explore nature through hands-on experience. With six themes – Adventure, Explore, Nature Detectives, Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead, Nature Journalling and Winter Wonder – each includes tools and challenges for outdoor discovery. Other items curated by founder Sandra Dutkiewicz include the advent-style 12 Days of Nature and Wellness, and Awaken the Wild, a DIY forest bathing kit for adults. (GO WILD kits $25, Holiday Treasures and Feels N Fields)

DRAWN FROM THE EARTH

Bold blues, warm earth tones, stark black and whites, and splashes of vibrant colour all appear in the porcelain and stoneware made by Annette Hansen of Cobalt Gallery and Clay Studio. At her Hillsburgh studio she crafts cups, vases, carved plates, lidded bird jars, serving bowls and teapots. Hansen also incorporates materials like stamps and textures to coax interesting patterns from the clay. (Large bowl with salad servers $110, Holiday Treasures, Dragonfly Arts on Broadway and Snowberry Botanicals)

Pink amethyst, citrine, black onyx and blue apatite are just some of the crystals and gemstones in Love & Light Jewels’ handcrafted collections, whether strung as a bracelet, hung on a necklace or prominently positioned on a ring. Orangeville jewelry designer Tia Sutherland says each piece highlights the natural beauty and spiritual energy of these stones. Her line also features permanent jewelry, customizable designs, home décor and diffuser bracelets. (Evil eye pin $35, 18K gold-plated necklace with zircon stones and enamel heart pendant $60, Holiday Treasures and Love & Light Jewels)

A PLAYFUL TWIST

Using materials like stamped faux leather, velvet and cotton, Pinching Pennys offers a range of handmade baby and toddler hair accessories, including bows, headbands and clips. Dundalk’s Laura McLeod, who started the line as a passion project during her maternity leave, is fond of playful patterns and sweet motifs like pencils, bugs, cows and daisies, sometimes with a splash of glitter. In addition to key fob bracelets, purses and coin bags, new items include AirPod cases, passport covers and lipstick holders. (Bows $8, coin purses and AirPod cases $9, deluxe snap clips $4, Holiday Treasures and Pinching Pennys)

SOURCES

Becca’s Crochet & Craft Corner, Shelburne. FB Becca Crochet Create Cobalt Gallery and Clay Studio, Hillsburgh. cobaltgallery.ca Dragonfly Arts on Broadway, 189 Broadway, Orangeville. dragonflyarts.ca Feels N Fields, Melancthon. feeltrips.ca/shop

Holiday Treasures at Museum of Dufferin, 936029 Airport Rd., Mulmur. dufferinmuseum.com

Little Clay Bites, Orangeville. IG Little Clay Bites

Love & Light Jewels, 14 2nd St., Orangeville. lovelightjewels.com Pinching Pennys, Dundalk. pinchingpennys.ca

Snowberry Botanicals, 92 Main St., Erin. snowberrybotanicals.com

HARD WORK CONQUERS ALL

Muay Thai fighter and instructor Martello Jones leads by example, proving that passion and discipline go hand in hand.

BY JAMES GERUS

Wearing protective shin pads and gloves,

WHEN MARTELLO JONES OPENED his martial arts studio, Art of 8 Martial Arts Academy, in early 2020, he never imagined that after just one week he’d be forced to close due to Covid lockdowns. But the resilience that Jones and his family embody helped them power through.

Today they have a lot to be proud of: recently Jones was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for dedication to community; he claimed the top title in the World Boxing Council Muay Thai Canadian Cruiserweight division last November; and this September his student Oshiya Newby-Morgan won gold at the 2025 IFMA Youth World

Championships in Abu Dhabi.

Muay Thai – known as the “art of eight limbs,” from which Jones created his studio name – is a full-contact combat sport that uses a combination of fists, elbows, knees and shins. Originating in Thailand, Muay Thai has become popular worldwide both competitively and recreationally, practised for self-defence and physical and mental fitness. According to Jones, “Martial arts is true medicine for the body, mind and soul.”

Art of 8’s new studio on First Street (at the back of the Orangeville Shopping Centre), where they moved in January 2025, is much larger than its previous location; they can now hold

multiple classes at once, and there’s a boxing ring. The students, who are busy strapping on shin pads, boxing gloves and other protective gear, respectfully call Jones Kru Martello, using a Thai honorific meaning teacher and someone who has achieved a certain level of high regard in their martial arts journey.

The studio’s entryway displays a multitude of medals, trophies and traditional Thai floral garlands that are placed around fighters’ necks before a match. Yet Jones is humble as he discusses them. He jokes that after earning the top spot in last November’s cruiserweight division, he now has a target on his back, but “the promoters

have not put forward an offer [for a new opponent] … I don’t think anyone wants to fight me at this time,” he says with a laugh.

Running Art of 8 is only half of what Jones does for a living. By day he is a software architect consultant, while the evenings are all about the studio. Here’s how Jones’ second shift as a gym owner fits into his day.

7:30 A.M. If Jones is getting ready for a fight, he’ll wake up early at his Amaranth home around 5 a.m. for morning training, which could include a run and a sparring routine. But on a regular day he’s usually up by 7:30 a.m. His wife, Janeque, gets up a

little earlier to get Mjöer-Micah, their youngest of two, ready for school. For Jones mornings are “play dead in the bed and relax” time, because once 9 a.m. hits, life is non-stop.

9 A.M. Jones works his software consulting job from home. The quiet time is good for him to focus on work, and prepare for the day ahead.

12 P.M. Jones makes lunch, occasionally followed by a walk before getting back to work.

5 P.M. Jones drives to Art of 8. Youth classes are getting underway, led by a team of coaches that includes Jones’ 17-year-old son Jai-Kristoeff, a provincial champion who started learning Muay Thai at the age of 12. Jones floats around, mentoring and giving advice. “I have a loud voice that helps boom the kids into shape,” he says with a smile. At the studio, you can’t miss the sea of matching uniforms with a Latin motto: Labor Omnia Vincit. Amat Victoria Curam. Translation: Hard work conquers all. Victory favours preparation. Where did this motivational philosophy come from? The first part Jones picked up in his high school years in Jamaica. The second half, Victory favours preparation, comes from the movie The Mechanic with Jason Statham.

6 P.M. At the other end of the studio, Janeque teaches a women’s kickboxing class while Jones leads a group of more than 30 students ages eight to 14. Despite a large class size, every student listens with the focus of an adult. It’s a setting that already produces champions, such as Newby-Morgan. Jones says while the coaching is intense, on the actual fight day it’s different – he turns into a father or brother of sorts. “It’s fun and games, keeping the interactions super light and fun.”

6:30 P.M. Jones divides the kids into pairs for partner work, and

demonstrates with one of the older students. The kids laugh as Jones shows them what not to do (like having their hands at their sides instead of covering their faces and bodies).

On the importance of practice and getting the movements down, Jones tells them, “Do you need to think to ride a bike? No. So you need to train so this becomes a part of you.”

Jones asks if the kids understand the routine. They all enthusiastically shout in response, “Yes, Coach!” before getting up to practise with their partner. Jones and the other coaches walk around and make tweaks to their movements.

6:45 P.M. When class is done everyone takes a knee as Jones shares some tidbits of wisdom, followed by a closing routine of running back and forth, and high-fiving each other.

7 P.M. After the kids are gone, Jones and his team lead teen and adult classes, including Muay Thai fundamentals, sparring, grappling, mixed martial arts, heavy bag fitness conditioning and more.

When asked if he has a favourite striking move during his professional competitions, Jones says, “It would be the 12 to 6 elbow or tomahawk elbow,” a strike where the elbow is raised and dropped onto the top of the head. “I never cared much for it … but lately it’s just become the move.” (Don’t try this at home.)

9 TO 9:30 P.M. Classes finish and “wipe down” begins as students and teachers clean up the mats and equipment. Dinner is sometimes ordered into the studio before shutting down for the night.

10:30 P.M. The drive home. Jones says these late nights mean weekends are reserved for family time. Is there a wind-down routine before sleep? “Nope,” says Jones. “After a physically and mentally exhaustive day, it’s just B-E-D.”

FREEZE FRAME

How to keep snow and ice from wreaking havoc on your roof and your nerves this winter.

BY ALISON McGILL • ILLUSTRATION BY RUTH ANN PEARCE

REMEMBER THE WINTER OF 2024? THERE was a ton of snow. Clearing the white stuff felt like an Olympic sport. And beyond those snow-choked driveways and walkways, something else often needed attention: mile-high piles of snow on roofs.

When the first real storm of the season blankets the hills, etching every roofline in white, everything looks straight from a storybook – that is, until the next dump of white stuff overwhelms rooftops with an excess of snow. If left uncleared, this pileup of precipitation can lead to issues such as ice dams, which can cause significant damage to your roof and to the interior of your home.

The snow and ice effect

When it comes to worrisome snow accumulation, some years are better than others.

“Last year winter delivered a lot of snow and little sun, meaning we didn’t have a lot of melting, which helps to naturally control the snow load on your roof,” explains Sean Cairns, owner of Cairns Roofing Services in Palgrave. Problems start when rooftop vents aren’t cleared, he explains, and heat builds up in the attic, unable to escape.

Many people think plugged eavestroughs are to blame, but that’s not the case, Cairns says. “It is because of the formation of ice dams.” He adds that ice dams cause “90 per cent of winter roof issues.”

Ice dams are created when heat from your house melts the snow on the roof, causing water to run down and refreeze in the colder eaves or gutters.

Ice builds up, blocking drainage and trapping water behind it. With nowhere to go, water can back up under shingles and eventually leak into your house, causing damage to walls, ceilings and insulation.

Ice-proof your roof

So what can homeowners do? Ice dam prevention begins before the first snow – even months beforehand. Many houses have inadequate venting for their size, Cairns says. This can lead to uneven heat distribution, which causes the attic ceiling to warm up.

He suggests adding other vents, such as ridge vents along the peak of the roof where they are less likely to become snow-packed. Adding vents is relatively easy and inexpensive, Cairns says, and will ensure good air intake.

Proper insulation is another key consideration. Your attic temperature should be just a few degrees warmer than outside, explains Chris Mullins, owner of Orangeville-based CM Roofing Solutions. If there isn’t enough insulation in the attic and there are gaps at warm air entry points – such as pipes, chimneys and attic hatches – heat can escape through the attic ceiling and enter the underside of the roof and melt snow. Most roofers will suggest getting an inspection to check.

If you have a steel or synthetic roof, consider installing snow guards. Snow doesn’t stick to these materials in the same way it adheres to asphalt or cedar shingles, Cairns explains, leaving homeowners at risk for snow and ice suddenly sliding off. “This can be potentially damaging to your gutters, but

more importantly, can be very dangerous around entry points of your home, causing injury to people.”

Prevention to avoid intervention

Once those wintry days arrive, keep a close eye on your roof for snow buildup. First, ensure roof vents are always clear. If sunshine isn’t doing the job, use a roof rake with an extendable handle to clear snow while standing on firm ground. According to Cairns, homes and roofs are built with an area’s average snowfall in mind. However, additional accumulation – and especially heavy and wet snow – can cause structural damage. Signs of stress include creaking sounds, sagging, and jammed-up doors and windows.

What not to do: Hack or try to melt ice dams yourself. Most roofers will caution against tossing salt or other melting agents on your roof, as this can damage shingles. Most also offer snow and ice clearing services, with the cost varying depending on the pitch, depth and location of the snow.

When it comes to ice and snow removal, Mullins and others strongly caution against getting on the roof yourself. “Not only is it dangerous, but you can also do a lot of physical damage to your roof if you don’t know how to properly break up the ice dams.”

For a list of local roofers, see our Home Improvement and Repair index on page 94.

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

MARKING TIME THROUGH TRADITION AND CEREMONY

BY BETHANY LEE • ILLUSTRATION BY SHELAGH ARMSTRONG

WE ARE PREPPING FOR OUR ANNUAL Christmas party – the one where the friends from near and far pile in through the door, and the Aunties arrive en masse. The preparation requires many hours of deep cleaning, several trips to the grocery store for provisions, and to bakeries for decadent treats. Finally, off to the liquor store for swish cutglass bottles of spirits, our favourite GoodLot brew, and sparkling wine, all to stash outside in cracklingcold ice buckets until the guests arrive.

After about a decade, this house party has become an annual tradition. Our open main floor holds many friends, who drape themselves over chair arms, crowd around the sink and prep area, and laugh until past our usual bedtimes. We play old and new music, and pass around bites of food and direct people to the elaborate charcuterie board. The adult children move to the basement and gather around a few table games and get caught up. My cousins trek up from the city, eyes wide from the often-blustery, wintry drive that can be a tiny bit terrifying if you are used to the merely wet, well-lit streets of Toronto in winter.

I know it’s now a tradition because people start asking in September, “Are you having your party this year?” It warms my heart to think our friends and family know we hold space for a far-flung group of people who want to see each other and look forward to it. When the party is winding down, I close my eyes and relish in the aftermath. We sink into the couches after the door closes one last time, and the dishwasher starts to whir its watery serenade.

Winter is a season of traditions and ceremony, which come in many forms. My cousin Hillary is a talented singer, who performs with a Toronto choir every year, rehearsing after work and on weekends to share her talents in a traditional evening concert series. Friends go to church for midnight mass, or host wonderful “Christmaskuh” parties that

It warms my heart to think our friends and family know we hold space for a far-flung group of people who want to see each other and look forward to it.

recognize Hanukkah and Christmas traditions together, all at once. My Jewish colleague looks forward to lighting the menorah with her family. My friends who celebrate their German heritage pull out tiny glass decorations and real candles (!) for their trees. Whirligig pyramid decorations spin above the heat of the candles. Carols are sung by the trained and untrained, with one or two voices usually coming forward to carry the tune. Lyrics hundreds of years old are sung by heart, with plunky piano keys tapping out the songs, note by note.

These rituals and ceremonies help us both mark and, if we’re lucky, slow down time. We mark the occasions with photos and revisiting the memories of past parties. Boyfriends and girlfriends come and go, until they are permanent. New people are introduced into the fray. We remember when we met, we ask how others have been since we saw them last. We remember when the kids were just wee and I suspect there will be more wee ones on the way soon. These are the patterns and traditions that matter in our lives. Will we remember the deadline we were on several years ago as the holiday metronome tick-tickticked? No. But we remember when the engagements were announced, the new girlfriend was introduced, and surely we will remember the year the next wave of babies starts arriving.

The remembrance of “absent friends and loved ones,” as the toast goes, cuts deep. I miss my late brother at these parties, his wild party side coming out to play and everyone lighting up when they saw him. And I miss my mom, who is in a care home, as she used to help me prep and calm my nerves –and help pick my outfit or earrings. I miss my dear friend Ingrid, now that she is gone too. I wish they were here. I also miss my sweet dog Blixy who died recently and who used to nudge the Aunties politely for just one more piece of cheese. With our commitments to ritual and ceremony, these sad changes are inescapable. We’ll mark them, if not outwardly, then in the small recesses of our hearts. So we open the door and welcome the continuity.

Surviving the Holidays:

Boundaries, Balance and a Little Prep

The holidays can bring sparkle, but also stress. Between hosting duties, family expectations and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to lose sight of what the season is meant to bring: connection, joy and a little rest. Two local experts, Lindsay Shapiro, a psychotherapist and holistic nutritionist, and Liz Fusato, a well-known host, television personality and local food enthusiast, share how they keep it together.

Protect your peace

Shapiro’s number one rule? Boundaries. “Not everyone gets a lot of time off, so it’s important to put limits around things, and that could mean asking everyone to bring something if you’re hosting, having a start and end time, or accepting help,” she says.

She reminds her clients to let go of unrealistic expectations. “People often feel they should do it all, but that mindset leads straight to burnout,” she says. “You’re not responsible for managing other people’s feelings, just your own.”

So that can mean declining invitations. “You can’t go to every party or event,” she says. “Practising saying no protects your energy and your joy.”

Slow down to stay centred

When life speeds up, Shapiro urges people to double down on self-care. “People often think they don’t have time to work out, sleep, or take quiet time. But that’s actually when you need those things most,” she says. “When the world speeds up, you need to slow down.”

Plan smart, not hard

For Fusato, survival is all about strategy. “Personally, I must prepare a to-do list on paper and place it where I can see it,” she says. “Otherwise, I get overwhelmed with too many thoughts and ideas.”

She swears by menus that can be prepared ahead of time. “Create a menu that can be made a day or two in advance, with a balance of flavours and textures –sweet, salty, spicy, crunchy, fresh, soft,” she suggests. “Preparation spread over a few days means I actually get to enjoy the event and the company.”

We keep going. The menorah will be lit by my friend again this year with all her hopes for peace, and she will connect with her sister who is safe in Israel. I’ll raise my glass when the right songs come on, for Jeff, and for Inge. I’ll wear my mom’s jewelry so she’s with me on the special night. We anchor ourselves in these repetitive, even slightly new traditions. They’re the same, but somehow, always different –the way a song is never sung the same way twice.

Bethany Lee is a freelance writer who lives in Mono.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Todd and Laurie Taylor celebrate the season

–

and their

luck at being the stewards of a historic Orangeville home.

BY JANICE QUIRT • PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN FITZGIBBON

ORANGEVILLE DEPUTY MAYOR

Todd Taylor is nothing if not available to his constituents – even when he’s at home. Often as he sits at his secondfloor home office desk overlooking Zina Street, neighbours, friends and residents shout up cheery hellos to the figure in the window, and he is quick to respond.

“My wife, Laurie, and I need to budget extra time for evening walks because I love to stop and chat, and

cutting the lawn is a series of welcome interruptions,” Todd says. “I value this openness – I always want to be available for anyone to share an idea, concern or question.”

Living in a home on Zina, close to downtown, was always a dream for Todd and Laurie, so when a real estate agent texted them that a house had come on the market in 2020, they leapt at the chance, moving from

their west-end home. The couple first moved to Orangeville in 2002 from London, Ontario.

“It was Zina or nothing – we were happy to stay put in the west end of Orangeville,” Laurie says. “When we first saw the house, it was choppy and didn’t have a lot of old character left, so we knew we were buying it to make it our own.”

What a project that turned out to

be. A major flood in the basement accelerated their renovation timetable.

Orangeville contractor AC Custom Reno met significant challenges: the roof was sinking, making the exterior walls bow outwards. And the original hardwood floors could not be saved.

Skylights were removed, and central heating and air replaced baseboards.

“At one point during the process, I was standing on a small part of the

A snowy evening on Zina Street in Orangeville frames the inviting home of Todd and Laurie Taylor, who spent years hoping for the chance to live on one of the town’s most beautiful and historic streets.

main floor looking down through floor joists to the basement and up through beams to the open sky – no roof, no floors, walls that needed to be shored up,” Laurie recalls. But the couple was committed to saving as much as they could and preserving the historic feel of the house. “It would have been more convenient to take the whole house down and start fresh, but we consider ourselves stewards of this

piece of history and a house that was home to so many families before us,” says Todd.

The house is the middle of three built in a row by James McIntyre Hogg in 1873. The once Gothic revival-style home was modified into an interpretation of Arts and Crafts style in the 1920s. Orangeville lawyer William Stutz added the back partition in the 1980s as part of major additions, which

included purchasing part of the back neighbour’s land and adding a pool.

“Changes since the 1980s have been just cosmetic,” Todd says. “We found ourselves with a restoration project requiring multiple consultations with engineers. We’re reasonably handy, but this was beyond our capabilities.” With

their budget looking to triple with the necessary work, the couple had to forgo their plan to replace the exterior stone cladding with brick more in line with the heritage of the property.

The need for a new roof led to raising the ceilings on the second floor at the front of the house, where the primary bedroom and Todd’s cozy charcoal grey office are. Those high ceilings in turn led to a neat and

BOTTOM LEFT AND CENTRE: Todd’s cozy grey office

and sport-related mementos.

BOTTOM RIGHT: In a firstfloor powder room, a bold red floral wallpaper and black wainscotting punctuate a mostly neutral decorating scheme.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE away at university, round out the second floor. The Taylors’ 25-year-old daughter, Morgan, lives in the selfcontained apartment over the garage –complete with kitchen, bathroom, and living space.

functional addition to the primary bedroom: a double decker, two-storey closet, which takes advantage of the height of the room. When Laurie needs to access the “second floor” of the closet, she uses a ladder.

A spare room, a bathroom and a bedroom for 20-year-old son, Casey,

While the Taylors’ interior design tastes lean toward clean and contemporary, the home has an undeniable sense of place and history. The Taylors lined the main floor entryway with

shadowboxes filled with artifacts found inside the walls, from newspapers dating to the 1930s to old medicine bottles and scraps of the previous wallpaper. The Taylors make their own wallpaper statement in a nearby powder room, with a bold red floral paired with black wainscotting.

An alcove opens to Laurie’s favourite room in the house, an expansive white kitchen with marble-effect quartz

countertops, herringbone backsplash and Shaker-style cabinets, designed by Orangeville’s Aya Kitchens.

Engineered hardwood floors in a pale wash add to a modern farmhouse feel. Group of Seven prints frame the dining area next to the kitchen island.

“We entertain a lot, and Laurie has a large family,” Todd says. “It’s so great for everyone to be together at the table and in the kitchen, with seamless

conversation and connection.” The family loves spending the December holidays at home and often find themselves in front of the fireplace in the back living room, complete with stone surround, and outfitted with a cushy grey sofa and armchairs in earth tones. “Todd was in favour of a gas insert, and I wanted to preserve the wood-burning fireplace,” Laurie says. “I won.” Ten-year-old golden Labrador

Carter is always close at hand, enjoying the togetherness.

The couple is out as often as they are home, for council business or Optimist Club of Orangeville events – Todd is a member. Their preferred mode of transport is walking. “We have two cars, but I’m not even sure why,” Todd says. “We walk everywhere.” Laurie travels to her work in local public service and to volunteering on foot,

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and Todd takes care of most of his remote day job as director of sales for a consumer packaged goods company.

The deputy mayor gig is a part-time role, and one he enjoys immensely.

“It’s not always easy – people have very real concerns and they want to be heard. But I see myself as a navigator

and

address their questions or point them in the right direction. More than any negotiation or project I have completed, that’s what I am most proud of.”

Though there is little time for relaxing, Todd and Laurie love taking advantage of what Orangeville has to offer, from dinner at the Bluebird Café to shows at Theatre Orangeville, and a favourite annual tradition is the light

ABOVE TOP: Daughter Morgan’s calm bedroom sanctuary is in the self-contained apartment over the garage.

displays at Kay Cee Gardens every December. They also enjoy their trees and outdoor space, carefully restored by Whispering Pines Landscaping of Amaranth. The couple prioritized conservation over practicality, limiting the size of their back deck to save a 130-year-old sugar maple. “We feel very keenly that we are just caretakers of this house and land for a short time in history. How many life events and

ABOVE: Todd and Laurie’s son, Casey, is a huge vinyl fan – as his bedroom décor attests.

conversations has that tree witnessed?”

Todd says. “I think about that a lot, and the significance of history. It’s what makes this house a very special home for our family.”

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A CALENDAR OF WINTER HAPPENINGS

COMPILED BY JANET KERR • ILLUSTRATIONS BY JIM STEWART

ARTS & LETTERS

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GIFT & FINE ART SALE Beautifully crafted items from 30+ artists in various media. 10am-5pm. Free. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519-943-1149; headwatersarts.org

NOW – JAN 31 : FIELD WORK BY PETER DUŠEK Photos of the quiet poetry and essence of rural architecture. Tues-Sat 10am-4pm. Free. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

NOW – ONGOING (TUESDAYS) : KNITTING & PUZZLES SOCIAL An informal group that enjoys crafting. Learn to knit! Bring your own crafts, drinks and snacks. 10-11am. Free. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519-9410972; highcountryunited.ca

NOW – ONGOING (THURSDAYS) : NOTTAWASAGA WEAVERS & SPINNERS WEEKLY GATHERINGS Members meet to work on fibre projects, mentor one another and socialize over lunch. 10am-1pm. Gibson Centre, 63 Tupper St. W, Alliston. 705-435-6991; nottguild.ca

NOV 22 : CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE AT THE ALTON MILL Meet artists, discover unique treasures, enjoy Bells of Westminster, photos with the Grinch. 10am-5pm. 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519-941-9300; altonmill.ca

NOV 22 & 23 : KING ARTISAN HOLIDAY MARKET Park Once – Shop Twice. Shuttle bus between two markets. King Township Municipal Centre, 2585 King Rd, and King Heritage & Cultural Centre, 2920

King Rd, King City. 11am. Free. 905833-2331; artssocietyking.ca

NOV 25 : PHOTOGRAPHING PENGUINS AROUND THE WORLD Geographer Elizabeth Szekeres shares adventures and photos. 7-9pm. Orangeville and District Seniors’ Centre, 26 Bythia St, Orangeville. Headwaters Nature, 519-217-2645; onheadwatersnature.ca

NOV 25 & DEC 2 : MAKE A GNOME Create your own holiday gnome. 1:303:30pm. Fee, includes supplies and snacks, call to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

NOV 25, DEC 2 & 9 : AFTER HOURS

WRITE CLUB Writing workshop with Anthony Carnovale. Bring writing supplies. 7-8:30pm. Free, register (link in calendar on library website). Orangeville Library, 1 Mill St, Orangeville. 519-941-0610; orangevillelibrary.ca

NOV 26 – DEC 7 : HOLIDAY

TREASURES Over 60 local artisans selling handmade items in various media. Wed-Sun 10-am-4pm. Admission by donation. In The Hills, Museum of Dufferin, Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

NOV 28 : SIMMER POT WORKSHOP –AGES 16+ Create two starters using seasonal ingredients. Ticket includes admission to Holiday Treasures. 1:30-2:30pm. Fee. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-9417787; dufferinmuseum.com

NOV 29 : WREATH-MAKING WORKSHOP – AGES 16+ With local foliage and festive materials. Ticket includes admission to Holiday Treasures. 10-11:30am or 2-3:30pm. Fee. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

DEC 2 : AUTHORS ON STAGE: ADAM SHOALTS Canada’s intrepid explorer in conversation with Bernadette Hardaker. Reception to follow. 7-9:30pm. Fee, at Theatre Orangeville 519-942-3423, BookLore 519-942-3830. Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-938-7584; theatreorangeville.ca

DEC 6 : SHELBURNE LIBRARY’S ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION & BOOK SALE Bidding ends 3:30pm. For donations contact Rose Dotten at rdotten@shelburnelibrary.ca. Book sale $2 per bag. 10am-4pm. 201 Owen Sound St, Shelburne. 519925-2168; shelburnelibrary.ca

DEC 6 : SOAP-MAKING WORKSHOP – AGES 16+ Choose your scents to make the perfect soaps. Ticket includes admission to Holiday Treasures. 10-11:30am or 2-3:30pm. Fee. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

ABBREVIATIONS

CCS

Caledon Community Services

CMHA

Canadian Mental Health Association

CVC

Credit Valley Conservation

DBOT

Dufferin Board of Trade

DCAFS

Dufferin Child and Family Services

EWCS East Wellington Community Services

MOD Museum of Dufferin

PAMA

Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives

SBEC Small Business Enterprise Centre

DEC 7 : POLYMER CLAY EARRINGS

WORKSHOP – AGES 16+ Design two sets using a selection of stamps and cutters. Ticket includes admission to Holiday Treasures. 1:30-3pm. Fee. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

DEC 16 : ORANGE THREADS

Share your passion for reading and all things fibre arts. 1-2:30pm. Orangeville Library, 1 Mill St, Orangeville. 519-941-0610; orangevillelibrary.ca

JAN 7 – APR 19 : HEADWATERS ARTS

GALLERY MEMBER SHOWS Themed, lightly juried shows feature high-quality works of art in a variety of mediums. Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. Free. Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519-943-1149; headwatersarts.org

JAN 17, FEB 21 & MAR 21 : NOTTAWASAGA HANDWEAVERS & SPINNERS GUILD MONTHLY MEETINGS Learn about the fibre arts. 1-3pm. The Gibson Centre, 63 Tupper St W, Alliston. 705-4356991; nottguild.ca

JAN 24 : COYOTES & THE CHALLENGE OF COEXIST ENCE WITH ANDREW INTERISANO Fireside conversation with this awardwinning photographer. 6:308:30pm. Fee, register online. 937365 Airport Rd, Mulmur. 705-435-4479; mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca

JAN 31 & FEB 1 : FIRE & ICE Familyfriendly activities both inside and out, artisan market and the Big Burn Sat 6:30pm. 10am. Tickets online or the gate. TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Alton Mill Arts Centre, 1402 Queen St, Alton. 519-941-9300; altonmill.ca

COMMUNITY

SANTA CLAUS PARADES & EVENTS 2025

NOV 22 : ORANGEVILLE Gift market, entertainment before parade. Parade 5pm. downtownorangeville.ca

NOV 29 : ERIN Parade. 11am12:30pm. McCullough Dr south end to fire hall. erin.ca

NOV 29 : GRAND VALLEY Free skate 3pm. Parade 7pm. 3-8:30pm. facebook.com

DEC 6 : SHELBURNE Parade. 6pm. William St to Simon St. shelburnebia.ca

DEC 6 : CALEDON VILLAGE No parade. Tree lighting and activities. 5-8pm. Hwy 10 and Charleston Sdrd. caledonvillage.org

DEC 6 : CREEMORE Parade. 1:303pm. Mill St. creemore.com

DEC 6 : BOLTON Parade. 11am. Hwy 50. boltonkin.com

DEC 6 : PALGRAVE Tree lighting. 5:307pm. Stationlands Park, 45 Brawton Dr & Hwy 50. caledonrotary.ca

DEC 13 : ALTON Tree lighting. 6-9pm. Alton Village Square, 1447 Queen St W. altonvillage.org

NOW – DEC 21 : A COUNTRY

CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE Animals, music, photo ops, wood-fired eats and our shop at our real Christmas tree farm. Wed-Sun. Weekends: morning 9am–1pm, afternoon: 1–5pm. 9am-5pm. Erin Hill Acres, 5837 3 Ln, Hillsburgh. erinhillacres.farm

NOW – DEC 22 (MONDAY) : CMHA PEEL DUFFERIN – RAPID ACCESS ADDICTION CLINIC Counselling, services, psychiatry and pharmacy for consultation. Concurrent disorder worker available by appointment. Call 905-451-2123 for more info. 10am-1pm. Caledon Specialist Clinic, 18 King St, Bolton. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

NOW – DEC 23 : THE SISTERS TOUCH OF CHRISTMAS Fundraising store with unique hand-painted ornaments, bakery, décor and more. Thur Fri: 10am-7pm. Sat: 10am-6pm. Sun: 11am-4pm. Dec 22 & 23: 10am7pm. Free. St. Kosmas Aitolos Greek Orthodox Monastery, 14155 Caledon King Tnln S, Bolton. The Sisters, 905-859-8077; thesisterstoc.com

NOW – DEC 23 : CHRISTMAS TREE EXPERIENCE AT ELLIOTT TREE FARM Cut your own (until 4pm) or select (until 5pm). Visit the gift shop and Maple Syrup Museum. Dogs on leash. 9am-5pm. Free. 9467 Erin East Garafraxa Tnln, Hillsburgh. 519-216-0699; elliotttreefarm.ca

NOW – MAR 16 (MONDAY) : DANCE CLASSES & PARTIES – MANY STYLES Young? Old? Trained? New? Solo, partner or group. 7pm: beginner partnering. 8pm: Steps to Freedom (solo dancing). Other days, see website. 7-9pm. Fee. Westminster United Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville. 416-763-6565; danceorangeville.com

NOW – APR 12 (SATURDAY) : TEEN RANCH PUBLIC SKATING –ALL AGES Lace up your own skates and join us. 6:30-8pm. Fee. 20682 Hurontario St, Caledon. 519-941-4501; teenranch.com

| Murder at Ackerton Manor A FARCICAL MURDER MYSTERY by Steven Gallagher | The Wedding Party by Kristen Thomson NOV 27 - DEC 21 FEB 5 - 22 MAR 12 - 29 APR 16 - MAY 3

| Rapunzel - A Braid New World by Debbie Collins & David Nairn

| Common Ground by John Spurway

NOW – ONGOING : 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 9:3011:30am. 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. Every other 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 – ONGOING (MONDAY) : SENIORS HELPING SENIORS – BINGO FRANK Mingle over shared interests. 1-3pm. Free. Caledon East Apartments, 20 Walker Rd, Caledon East. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

NOW – ONGOING (LAST MONDAY) : HIGH COUNTRY LUNCH SPEAKER SERIES Nov 24: LifeWater. Rest TBA. Catered lunch noon. 11am1pm. Free, donations accepted, register by phone or email a week prior. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519941-0972; highcountryunited.ca

NOW – ONGOING (TUESDAY) : ARTHRITIS FOUNDATIONS

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

NOW – ONGOING (THIRD TUESDAY) : LIVING INTO HOPE –GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Peerled group also provides check-ins. Bring your own snacks. 2pm. Free. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519-9410972; highcountryunited.ca

NOW – ONGOING (WEDNESDAY) : SENIORS HELPING SENIORS –CARPET BOWLING A great way

to stay young and mingle. 10:30am-noon. Free. Riverview Apartments, 121 Glasgow Rd, Bolton. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

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

NOW – ONGOING (LAST THURSDAY) : CANCER SUPPORT GROUP Peer-led group is open to survivors, patients, families and caregivers. If you need support outside this time, contact us. 1-2pm. Free. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519-941-0972; highcountryunited.ca

NOW – ONGOING (FRIDAY) :

SENIORS HELPING SENIORS –UNO PACK, CARDS & MORE Mingle over shared interests. 1-3pm. Free. Caledon East Apartments, 20 Walker Rd, Caledon East. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

NOW – ONGOING (FRIDAY) : VON SMART EXERCISE CLASS Videoled workout helps build balance, endurance and mobility. Bring a water bottle. Equipment provided. 11amnoon. Free. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519-941-0972; highcountryunited.ca

NOW – ONGOING (SATURDAY) : ORANGEVILLE WINTER FARMERS’ MARKET Local produce, meats, sweets, handcrafted goods and

more! 9am-1pm. 87 Broadway, Orangeville. Orangeville BIA, 519-9420087; downtownorangeville.ca

NOV 22 : OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD DROPOFF Fill a shoebox with school supplies, toys and hygiene items for children around the world. 9am-noon. Broadway Pentecostal Church, 556 Broadway Ave, Orangeville. 416-697-9999; samaritanspurse.ca

NOV 22 : BETHELL HOSPICE HOLIDAY BAZAAR Gently used treasures, vintage items, baking, plants and handcrafted goods. All proceeds to Bethell Hospice Foundation. 9am3pm. *New* Knox United Church, 2976 Charleston Sdrd, Caledon Village. Bethell Hospice Foundation, 905-838-3534 x2248; foundation.bethellhospice.org

NOV 22 : TWEEDSMUIR CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Cookie corner, bake table, crafts and large silent auction. 9am1pm. 6 John St, Orangeville. 519-9411334; tweedsmuirpresbyterian.org

NOV 22 : ST. ANDREW’S HILLSBURGH CHRISTMAS MARKETPLACE & BAKE SALE Handcrafted goods, Watkins, Avon, chocolate, oils and more! 10am-1pm. Free. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Hillsburgh, 83 Trafalgar Rd. 519-855-6216; standrewshillsburgh@outlook.com

NOV 22 : CHRISTMAS TREATS & TREASURES SALE Handmade items, baking, new and gently used Christmas décor. 10am-2pm. Free. Trinity Primrose United Church, 200 Owen Sound St, Shelburne. 519-925-2233; shelburneprimroseunited.weebly.com

NOV 22 : SANTA PHOTO DAY Have your photo taken with your phone. Dogs on leash. Crafts, beverages and treats available. 10am-2pm. Free. Caledon Village Fairgrounds, 18297 Hurontario

St, Caledon Village. Caledon Agricultural Society, Caledon Village Association, 519-927-3557; caledonvillage.org.

NOV 22, 23, 28 – 30 : JOY + LIGHTS FESTIVAL & HOLIDAY MARKET

Live entertainment, Santa visits, European-inspired market and family-friendly festivities. Downtown Orangeville. Orangeville BIA, 519-9420087; downtownorangeville.ca

NOV 23 : PAMA FALL OPEN HOUSE

View new art and history exhibitions. Artists, curators and community partners on-site. 1-5pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

NOV 25 : HOW TO HIRE Martin Wissmath of Carters Professional Corporation discusses legal implications, contracts and regulations. 9-10:30am. Free. 200 Lakeview Crt, Orangeville. 519-941-0440; orangevillebusiness.ca

NOV 25 : HEADWATERS NATURE: KIAH JASPER ON BIRDING

Photography and stories from this accomplished young birder. 7-9pm. Free. Orangeville Seniors’ Centre, 26 Bythia St, Orangeville. Headwaters Nature, 519-217-2645; onheadwatersnature.ca

NOV 27 – DEC 18 (THURSDAY), JAN 8 & 15 : CREATIVE WORKOUT –AGES 18+ Skills, strength, flexibility and cardio health through dance and fitness. 8-9pm. Fee. Westside Theatre, 300 Alder St, Orangeville. 416-763-6565; danceorangeville.com

NOV 28 : CCS’ HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS GALA Auctions, décor, spectacular menu and live entertainment. Proceeds to CCS programs and services. 6pm-midnight. Fee. Royal Ambassador, 15430 Innis Lake Rd, Caledon East. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

NOV 28 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE 30TH ANNIVERSARY GALA Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, three-course dinner, entertainment and dancing. 6-11:30pm. Fee, call to register. Royal Ambassador, 15430 Innis Lake Rd, Caledon East. Caledon Seniors’ Centre, 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

WINTER–SPRING 2026

THE DREAMBOATS FEBRUARY 5

SAM ROBERTS BAND SINGLES NIGHT FEBRUARY 12

WHAT YOU WON’T DO FOR LOVE A WHY NOT THEATRE PRODUCTION MARCH 23

TENILLE TOWNES MARCH 26

Winter Break at PAMA

NOV 28 & 29 : THE VERY MERRY MARKET AT STREAMS Local vendors, cookie decorating, holiday crafts and more! 11am. Free, donations appreciated. 305 Col. Phillips Dr., Shelburne. 289-203-8202; streamshub.org

NOV 29 : PROCYON WILDLIFE’S FUNDRAISING GALA Three-course dinner, open bar, auctions, raffles, live music and dancing. All proceeds to injured/abandoned wildlife. 5-11:30pm. Fee. Caesar’s Banquet Centre, 8841 George Bolton Pkwy, Bolton. 905729-0033; procyonwildlife.com

NOV 30 : CHRISTMAS IN THE VALLEY ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW Proceeds to Grand Valley Food Bank and the Angel and Hamper program. 9am-3pm. Free. Grand Valley & District Public School, 120 Main St N, Grand Valley. Grand Valley Lions Club, 519943-5471; grandvalleylions.com

DEC 1 – 31 : CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK A magical festival of lights and music. Dec 1: 6:30-9:30pm. Dec 2-31: 5:30-9:30pm. Free. Kay Cee Gardens, 29 Bythia St, Orangeville. Optimist Club of Orangeville, orangevilleoptimists.ca

DEC 2 : JINGLE & MINGLE Cheerful breakfast networking event supporting Choices Shelter, Coats for Dufferin and Dufferin Community Foundation. Donations of winter coats or hygiene items appreciated. 8am. $10, register online. Westminster United Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville. Dufferin Board of Trade, 519-941-0490; dufferinbot.ca

DEC 4 : LIGHT & LOVE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY Donate to illuminate a light in memory of someone special. Donate online at bethellhospicelightandlove.ca or call. 7pm. Bethell Hospice, 15835 McLaughlin Rd, Inglewood. Bethell Hospice Foundation, 905-838-3534 x2248; foundation.bethellhospice.org

DEC 5 : CHRISTMAS CRAWL Shop, dine and play! Familyfun Christmas activities on the street. 3-7pm. Downtown Alliston, Victoria St. allistonbia.com

DEC 6 : HOCKLEY VILLAGE CHRISTMAS MARKET Homemade treats, local artisans, vintage items, gift ideas, stocking stuffers and more! 9am-4pm. Free. 994174 Mono-Adjala Tnln, Mono. 905-691-2361; hockleyvillage.com

DEC 6 : KNOX UNITED CHRISTMAS MARKET & BAKE SALE Handmade items, decorations, treats, baking and more! 9am-2pm. Knox United Church, 2976 Charleston Sdrd, Caledon Village. 519-927-3320; Knox-United-Church.org

DEC 6 : FAMILY DAY OF GIVING –ALL AGES A fun, hands-on day at The Exchange Food Bank. Nonperishable food and everyday essentials donations welcome. Register online, drop-ins welcome. 10am-3pm. 55 Healey Rd, Unit 10, Bolton. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

DEC 7, 14 & 21 : CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN CREEMORE Indoor markets with local vendors showcasing handmade products. 9am-1pm. Free. Station on the Green, 10 Caroline St E, Creemore. 705-606-9519; creemorefarmersmarket.ca

DEC 11 : NEWCOMERS WEBINAR: ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING & SETTLEMENT ASSISTANCE Eh Café (English conversation), LINC and Settlement Assistance programs. 2:30-3pm. Free. Zoom. CCS, 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

DEC 13 : TOWNSHIP OF MULMUR CHRISTMAS MARKET Cozy, outdoor holiday shopping experience featuring local vendors and warm drinks. 10am2pm. 937365 Airport Rd, Mulmur. 705435-4479; mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca

DEC 16 – ONGOING (THIRD TUESDAY) : CHRIST CHURCH BOLTON COMMUNITY SUPPER Join us for a warm meal and good company. Everyone welcome! 5-7pm. Free. 22 Nancy St, Bolton. 905-8570433; christchurchbolton.ca

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 104

DEC 18 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON Roast beef. Dine-in 12:30pm, no pick-up. Entertainment to follow. 12:30-3:30pm. Fee, call to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

DEC 18 : HEAR WELL BE WELL –FREE HEARING HEALTH CHECKUP

Drop in for basic hearing tests, hearing aid checks and cleanings. 10am-noon. Caledon Specialist Clinic, 18 King St, Bolton. CCS, 905584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

DEC 18 – 21 : CHRISTMAS IN THE BARN Displays and fun. Photo opportunities included. Dress warmly. Entry by donation onsite to Orangeville Food Bank. 6-9pm. 346255 15 Sdrd, Mono. 519-941-0972; highcountryunited.ca

DEC 31 : NEW YEAR’S EVE ARTS EXTRAVAGANZA

Live music, dance, fine art, flash poetry, early kids’ countdown. Licensed. 8pm12:30am. Location TBA. 416763-6565; danceorangeville.com

JAN 10 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE BINGO TOURNAMENT & LUNCH Stuffed chicken breast. Check-in 9:30am, bingo 10am followed by lunch. 9:30am-1:30pm. Fee, call to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

JAN 14, FEB 11 & MAR 11 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE SPECIAL LUNCHES Jan 14: chicken Caesar wrap. Feb 11: chili. Mar 11: shepherd’s pie. Pick-up 11:45am, dine-in noon. Local delivery. Call to register two days prior by 3:30pm. 11:45am1pm. Fee. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

JAN 20 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE MEN’S LUNCH Fish and chips. 11am-1pm. Fee, call to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

JAN 24 : ROBBIE BURNS NIGHT An evening of Scottish charm, hearty food and lively entertainment. 6-9pm. 6 John St, Orangeville. 519-941-1334; tweedsmuirpresbyterian.org

JAN 30 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE ROBBIE BURNS DINNER Roast beef and haggis. Dine-in 6:30pm. No pick-ups. 6-9pm. Fee, call to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

FEB 7 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE BRIDGE & BID EUCHRE TOURNAMENTS Penne pasta with sauce and meatballs. Check-in 11:30am, lunch noon and tournaments 1pm. Prizes. 11:30am-4:30pm. Fee, call to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

FEB 13 & 14 : VALENTINE’S DANCES FOR ALL All ages, styles, come solo, with a partner, friends or family. Intro partner lesson. Family oriented to start, romantic and bold later. 7-10pm. Feb 13: Westside Theatre, 300 Alder St, Orangeville. Feb 14: Mono Community Centre, Mono. 416763-6565; danceorangeville.com

FEB 14 : ALL AGES COMMUNITY PLAY DAY Music making, invented sports, yoga, games, painting class and exhibit. Diverse dances. 8am7pm. Mono Community Centre, Mono. 416-763-6565; danceorangeville.com

FEB 14 – 16, WEEKENDS TO APR 5, MAR 16, 20 & APR 3 : MAPLE SYRUP EXPERIENCE Pancake breakfast, sausage and bacon. 9:30, 10:30, 11:30am and 12:30pm, register online. Trail walk to our Sugar Shack Experience. Visit Maple Syrup Museum of Ontario. Dress for muddy conditions. Dogs on leash. Free toboggans for the trail. 9467 Erin East Garafraxa Tnln, Hillsburgh. 519-216-0699; elliotttreefarm.ca

FEB 16 : ROTARY CLUB OF ORANGEVILLE FAMILY DAY FREE HOT

CHOCOLATE BOOTH Visit us outside the rent shop at Island Lake. 10am3pm. Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. orangevillerotary.ca

FEB 17 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE LUNCH Dine-in 11:30am. No pick-ups. 11:30am1pm. Fee, call to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

FEB 17 : HEADWATERS NATURE: NATURE NERD NIGHT Member displays, nature trivia and snacks. 7-9pm. Free. Orangeville Seniors’ Centre, 26 Bythia St, Orangeville. Headwaters Nature, 519-2172645; onheadwatersnature.ca

FEB 27 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE MONTHLY DINNER Lasagna. Pick-up 5:15pm, dine-in 5:30pm. 5:157pm. Fee, local delivery, call two days prior to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

MAR 14 : CALEDON SENIORS’ CENTRE EUCHRE TOURNAMENT & LUNCH Corned beef. Check-in 11:15am, lunch noon and euchre tournament 1pm. Prizes. 11:30am-4pm. Fee, call to register. 7 Rotarian Way, Bolton. 905-951-6114; caledonseniors.ca

KIDS

NOW – DEC 21 : HAPPY DAYS A nostalgic journey through the cherished memories of childhood. Tues-Sat 10am4pm. Airport Rd & Hwy 89, Mulmur. 1-877-941-7787; dufferinmuseum.com

NOW – JAN 2 : AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT STREAMS HUB –AGES 5 TO 17 Inspiring creativity through the arts and more! See website for various times. MonFri 4:30-8pm. Fee, register. 305 Col. Phillips Dr, Shelburne. 289203-8202; streamshub.org

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

NOV 22, 23, 28 – 30 : SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN JR Hilarious situations, snappy dialogue and a hit parade score of Hollywood standards. Fri Sat 7:30pm. Sun 2pm. Fee. Grace Tipling Hall, 203 Main St E, Shelburne. 519-9399038; lpstageproductionsinc.com

NOV 22, 23, 29 & 30 : DIY STUDIO

TIME – AGES 5+

your own northern lights pastel art. All children with an adult. 1-4:30pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905-791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

NOV 22, 23, 29, 30, DEC 5 – 7 : ALICE IN WONDERLAND A panto by Ben Crocker. Family fun with laughs and songs. Cheer the heroes and boo the baddies! Fri 7:30pm. Sat Sun 2pm. Fee. 72 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. 519-8554586; centurychurchtheatre.com

NOV 24 : AFTER SCHOOL CLUB –AGES 7 TO 12 Drop in for fun DIY activities, STEM, games and crafts. Guardians of children 9 and under must remain in the library for the program. 4:30-5:30pm. Orangeville Library, 1 Mill St, Orangeville. 519941-0610; orangevillelibrary.ca

NOV 25 : LITTLE CARE FARMERS

FAMILY PROGRAM – AGES 6 &

UNDER An interactive group for little farmers incorporating farm skills and nature learning. 9:30-11am. Register online. 426059 25 Sdrd, Mono. fiddleheadcarefarm.com

NOV 27 – 30, DEC 3 – 7, 10 – 14, 17 – 21 : RAPUNZEL: A BRAID NEW WORLD A panto by Debbie Collins and David Nairn. Fun! Music! Comedy! And audience participation. See website for times. Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-938-7584; theatreorangeville.ca

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

NOV 28 : TEEN CHRONICLES BOOK CLUB – AGES 13 TO 17 Chat about books, meet friends, earn volunteer hours by leading a meeting or writing book reviews. 4-5pm. Orangeville Library, 275 Alder St, Orangeville. 519-941-0610; orangevillelibrary.ca

NOV 28, JAN 30 & FEB 13 : TEEN RANCH PD/PA DAY CAMPS! AGES 5 TO 12 Outdoor adventure, creative programs and hockey skills development. Classic Camp with Hockey Option available. Safe, friendly Christian environment. Fee. 20682 Hurontario St, Caledon. 519-941-4501; teenranch.com

DEC 5 : DUFFLEBAG THEATRE’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL Hilarious rendition with audience participation. 7pm. $15, online, Family Pass promo codes available. Grace Tipling Hall, 203 Main St E, Shelburne. Town of Shelburne, 519-925-2600 x239; eventbrite.com

DEC 6 & 13 : BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Activities, photos and storytime. 8am-noon. $12; 2 & under free, reserve time slot at forms.gle/ oRoqBCYEUJn99fi77. 247090 5 Sdrd, Mono. Orangeville Agricultural Society, 519-942-9597; oaseventcentre.ca

DEC 12 : TEEN ADVISORY GROUP –AGES 13 TO 17 Drop in and share ideas about teen programs, services and collection. Earn high school community service hours. 4-5:30pm. Orangeville Library, 275 Alder St, Orangeville. 519-941-0610; orangevillelibrary.ca

DEC 20 : WINTER BREAK AT PAMA: WARMTH & WONDER – AFRICAN AND CARIBBEAN FOLK TALES Be enchanted with storyteller Kesha Christie. 11:30am, 1:30 and 2:30pm, 30 minutes. 11:30am-3pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

DEC 20 – 23, 27 – 30, JAN 2 : WINTER BREAK AT PAMA: WARMTH & WONDER – STORYBOOK STUDIO TIMES Drop in and enjoy cozy crafts and stories. 10am. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

DEC 27 : WINTER BREAK AT PAMA: WARMTH & WONDER –SHADOW PUPPET WORKSHOP WITH LITTLE CHAOS CO. Discover the magic of storytelling through light and shadow. 2-3pm. PAMA, 9 Wellington St E, Brampton. 905791-4055; pama.peelregion.ca

DEC 29 & 30 : KIDS’ HOLIDAY DAY CAMPS AT MANSFIELD OUTDOOR CENTRE – GRADES SK TO 4 Hikes, survival challenges, crafts and campfires. Wholesome meals and snacks. Register online. 937365 Airport Rd, Mulmur. 705-4354479; mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca

JAN 30: PA/PD DAY CAMP AT MANSFIELD OUTDOOR CENTRE –GRADES SK TO 4 A fun-filled day of outdoor activities. Lunch/snacks included. 9am–4pm: Drop-off after 8:30am, pick-up by 4:30pm. Free before and after care. Register online. 937365 Airport Rd, Mulmur. 705-4354479; mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca

MAR 1 : BE LIKE BLIPPI TOUR Join Blippi and Meekah live on stage in a high-energy show packed with music, laughter and surprises. 2 & 6pm. Fee. The Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-874-2800; tickets.brampton.ca

MUSIC

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

NOV 26 : BLUEBIRD BRAMPTON Rose Studio showcase spotlights Southern Ontario’s rising country stars.

NOV 27 : A BIG BAND CHRISTMAS FEATURING THE B-JAZZED ORCHESTRA A festive night of bold arrangements, timeless classics and fresh holiday flair.

NOV 29 : CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE: PINK FLOYD’S THE WALL An unforgettable symphonic rock experience played note for note, cut for cut.

DEC 6 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: CRATE CLASH CURATED BY JOSEPH KHARGIE

The youngest and hottest DJs in an electrifying DJ competition. 7pm

DEC 6 : BRAMPTON CONCERT

BAND: CHRISTMAS AT THE ROSE

An enchanting evening of holiday classics with special guests. 7:30pm

DEC 12 : THIS IS BRAMPTON:

AFROBEATS: MOTION & VIBES

CURATED BY BAFFOUR OBENGADJEI An electrifying fusion of music, dance and pure energy.

DEC 13 : THE ROSE ORCHESTRA:

WINTER CARNIVAL The Brampton Children’s Chorus joins us for a joyful Winter Carnival. 7:30pm

DEC 20 : HIGH PRIEST REGGAE FEST

FEATURING EXCO LEVI A night of rhythm, culture and conscious music.

DEC 21 : RE-IMAGINED: A HOLIDAY AFFAIR FEATURING DIVINE

BROWN Timeless hits and holiday favourites for all ages. 7pm

JAN 31 : THE BLACKLIGHT CONCERT

CURATED BY CONNOISSEUR GHOST

Celebrating Brampton’s vibrant and diverse hip hop and R&B music scene.

JAN 31 : CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE: LED ZEPPELIN: IV Every track played note for note, cut for cut.

FEB 5 : THE DREAMBOATS High-energy Canadian quartet brings ‘50s and ‘60s rock ‘n’ roll roaring back to life.

FEB 12 : SAM ROBERTS BAND SINGLES NIGHT A setlist loaded with the band’s singles, defining the eras of our lives.

FEB 13 : HYPE CURATED BY JEMANE KENT A night of soulful melodies and memorable performances.

FEB 14 : THE ROSE ORCHESTRA:

COLOUR MY WORLD A vibrant Valentine concert bursting with colour, passion and orchestral brilliance! 7:30pm

FEB 17 : MARDI GRAS MAMBO:

A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF NEW ORLEANS FEATURING THE B-JAZZED ORCHESTRA A dazzling performance honouring the timeless energy of this cultural celebration.

FEB 20 : ROOTS, ROCK, REGGAE

This docu-concert celebrates the evolution of Jamaica’s most influential cultural export – reggae. 7pm

FEB 27 : TALES FROM THE JOKE KEEPERS CURATED BY DANIEL SANKER AND TRICIA STAR Featuring the GTA’s top comedians and a stellar musical performance.

FEB 28 : BOLLYWOOD MASHUP

CURATED BY HARITA & RAJAN DESAI

An intimate evening of Ghazals –soulful musical renderings of poetry.

MAR 5 : BEDOUIN SOUNDCLASH Rhythm, storytelling, humour and the timeless spirit of sound.

MAR 7 : NEWCHOIR’S WOMEN WHO ROCK FEATURING LEE AARON Bold new takes on artists from Aretha Franklin, Alanis Morissette to Lee Aaron’s own incredible catalogue.

MAR 14 : JEREMY JORDAN Tonynominated and Grammy Awardwinning actor and musician brings his powerhouse voice and undeniable charm.

NOW – ONGOING : 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. 905-9517979; caledonconcertband.ca

NOV 28 : CELTIC CHRISTMAS A combination of classical and folk songs. Doors open 7pm. Buy tickets from a choir member or online with Eventbrite. 7-9pm. North Bramalea United Church, 363 Howden Blvd, Brampton. Brampton Festival Singers, 905-846-0701; eventbrite.ca

Written and illustrated by Nicola Ross, “The East Coast Trail (Newfoundland)” is one in a series of graphic field journals depicting her journeys along trails, roads, rivers and the high seas.

Charmingly illustrated and chock full of pithy observations and helpful tips, The East Coast Trail will make a perfect gift for both armchair travellers and died-in-the-wool trail trekkers. available at nicolaross.ca

WINTER ONLINE

Hot off the press

From the trucking yard proliferation in Bolton to issues around rural public transit, our News Desk covers the issues that affect your community.

Bundle up

Hibernation is for bears — just put on your warmest gear and head out to enjoy a winter wonderland!

Notes from the wild

Even in winter incredible creatures are all around us, and Don Scallen knows where to find them.

FOLLOW

NOV 29 : ORANGEVILLE SHOW CHORUS – SWEET ADELINES : A HALLMARK(ISH) CHRISTMAS Please join us! 1 and 4pm. Fee. Westminster United Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville. oscchoirgenius.com

NOV 29 & 30 : SEASON OF LIGHT

The magic of the season filled with beloved classics. 3:30-5pm. Fee. Sat: Knox Presbyterian Church, 160 King St S, Alliston. Sun: Westminster United Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville. Achill Choral Society, achill.ca

DEC 6 : A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WITH ORANGEVILLE COMMUNITY BAND Celebrate the sounds of the season. 3-5pm. Fee, 14 & under free. New Hope Community Church, 690 Riddell Rd, Orangeville. orangevillecommunityband.ca

DEC 14 : THE CALEDON CONCERT BAND’S CHRISTMAS CONCERT –‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Join us as we get into the festive spirit. 2-4pm. Caledon Hills Fellowship Baptist Church, 16595 Airport Rd, Caledon East. 905-9517979; caledonconcertband.ca

JAN 31 : CALEDON CHAMBER CONCERTS PRESENTS PAYADORA Rebekah & Jurecka Duo perform jazz, classical, tango and original music. 7:30-9:30pm. Fee. St. James Anglican Church, 6025 Old Church Rd, Caledon East. 905-838-0888; caledonchamberconcerts.com

FEB 28 : CALEDON CHAMBER CONCERTS PRESENTS VESUVIUS ENSEMBLE Join us for a wonderful evening. 7:30-9:30pm. Fee. St. James Anglican Church, 6025 Old Church Rd, Caledon East. 905-838-0888; caledonchamberconcerts.com

MAR 8 : THE CALEDON CONCERT BAND’S PASSPORTS & POSTCARDS MIDWINTER CONCERT Songs inspired by travel and places abroad. 2-4pm. Caledon Hills Fellowship Baptist Church, 16595 Airport Rd, Caledon East. 905951-7979; caledonconcertband.ca

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, February 6, 2026 for the spring (March) issue.

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

OUTDOOR

NOW – DEC 1 : TEEN RANCH FALL TRAIL RIDES – AGES 10+ Gentle terrain, walk and trot with staff. Weight limit: 250 lb (≈ 113 kg) per rider. Fee, register. 20682 Hurontario St, Caledon. 519-941-4501; teenranch.com

NOV 27 : HIKING NEWFOUNDLAND’S EAST COAST TRAIL Nicola Ross shares slides and stories of this number 1 coastal destination in the world. 6:30-9pm. GoodLot Farm, 18825 Shaws Creek Rd, Caledon. GoodLot, 519-927-5881; goodlot.beer

JAN 1 : GRAND

VALLEY LIONS

POLAR BEAR DIP

Dippers must have $20 minimum in pledges. All proceeds to the food bank. Registration and waiver forms on the Grand Valley Lions Facebook page. Noon-2pm. Spectator entry: food bank donation. Stuckey Park, Mill St E, Grand Valley. 519-9435471; grandvalleylions.com

JAN 10 – FEB 28 (SATURDAY) :

IGNITE THE NIGHT Explore a brightly lit 2km winter trail. Ice rinks, ski, snowshoe and kick sled rentals available if conditions allow, or bring your own. Headlamps or flashlights recommended. 6-9pm. Terra Cotta Conservation Area, Halton Hills. CVC, 1-800-668-5557; cvcevents.ca

JAN 11 : SNOW TRACKS & SNACK

STACKS: A WINTER FAMILY ADVENTURE + S’MORES Enjoy an afternoon of outdoor fun. 1-4pm. Register online. 937365 Airport Rd, Mulmur. 705-4354479; mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca

JAN 23 – 25 : FAT VIKING

CHALLENGE Join a worldwide fatbiking fest aiming to unite riders. 937365 Airport Rd, Mulmur. 705-4354479; mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca

FEB 7 – 16 : ISLAND LAKE ICE

FISHING DERBY Try to catch the longest fish! See website for admission and prizes. 8am-3pm. Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. CVC, 1-800-668-5557; islandlakederby.ca

FEB 16 : FAMILY DAY AT MOC! A day packed with winter adventures, fun activities and tasty treats. Register online. 937365 Airport Rd, Mulmur. 705435-4479; mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca

FEB 28 : COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR – CALEDON Family-friendly 2km or 5km walk through Caledon to help those facing hunger and hardship. Check-in: 4pm. Walk: 5pm. 5-8pm. Register online. Caledon East Community Complex, Caledon East. 905-584-2300 x230; ccs4u.org

FEB 28 : COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR – ERIN Family-friendly 2km or 5km walk to raise funds for EWCS programs. Check-in and opening: 4pm. Walk: 5pm. 4-7:30pm. 14 Boland Drive, Erin. EWCS, 519-833-9696; ew-cs.com

FEB 28 : COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR – ORANGEVILLE Walk a 2km or 5km route to raise funds and awareness for the Orangeville Food Bank. Dress for the weather. 4:30-7pm. 3 Commerce Rd, Orangeville. 519942-0638; orangevillefoodbank.org

MAR 19 – 22, 28 & 29 : MAPLE

SYRUP IN THE PARK Interactive demonstrations and kids’ activities. Wagon ride to the sugarbush and pancake breakfast. Terra Cotta Conservation Area, Halton Hills. CVC, 1-800-668-5557; cvc.ca

THEATRE & FILM

NOV 22 & 23 : WILLOW QUARTET

By Joan Burrows. A drama about choices, consequences and ultimately forgiveness. Sat 8:15pm. Sun 2:15pm. Fee. The Blackhorse Village Players, 17272 Mt Wolfe Rd & Hwy 9, Caledon. 905-880-5002; blackhorsetheatre.ca

NOV 23 : THE JAY MARTIN COMEDY SERIES: ALL-STAR EDITION

Nonstop laughter from some of the funniest comedians in the world. 7pm. Fee. The Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-874-2800l; tickets.brampton.ca

NOV 28 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: STAND-UP STITCHES CURATED BY KEESHA BROWNIE A comedy experience featuring an elite lineup. 8pm. Fee. The Rose Studio, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905-874-2800l; tickets.brampton.ca

NOV 29 : DICKENS’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL A dramatic reading by Andrew Welch. Live music and refreshments. Proceeds to Erin Refugee Action for their next sponsorship. 7-9pm. Fee. Erin United Church, 115 Main St. Erin. 519-362-7906; erinrefugeeaction.ca

Make your gift to Headwaters Health Care Foundation

Highly trained counsellors support you online or in-person in Guelph. We offer support for depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, stress, overwhelm, loss of meaning and purpose, and other life challenges.

couples, adolescent and group therapies; outdoor and walk and talk therapies. Internal Family Systems, EMDR, CBT, DBT, EFT and Mindfulness-based modalities.

DEC 1 : MONDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES The best of Canadian and international films. TBA. 4:30, 7 & 9:10pm. Tickets at BookLore and film nights at Galaxy. Galaxy Cinemas Orangeville, 85 5th Ave. mondaynightmovies.ca

DEC 17 & 18 : THE NUTCRACKER: A CANADIAN TRADITION BY BALLET JÖRGEN Klara’s magical adventure with a uniquely Canadian twist. 7pm. Fee. The Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905874-2800l; tickets.brampton.ca

DEC 19 : THIS IS BRAMPTON: IMMIGRANTS WITH ATTITUDE CURATED BY SUNNY DEEWANA

A hilarious night featuring some of Brampton’s rising stars. 8pm. Fee. The Rose Studio, 1 Theatre Ln,

Brampton. Brampton On Stage, 905874-2800l; tickets.brampton.ca

JAN 9 – 11, 16 – 18, 22-25 : THE ATTIC, THE PEARLS & THREE FINE GIRLS

By Ann-Marie MacDonald and others. A romp through the home of their recently deceased father reminds the Fine sisters of their childhood. ThurSat 8:15pm. Sun 2:15pm. Fee. 17272 Mt Wolfe Rd & Hwy 9, Caledon. 905880-5002; blackhorsetheatre.ca

FEB 5 – 8, 11 – 15, 18 – 22 : COMMON GROUND By John Spurway. A provocative rom-com about finding common ground in shared experience. Sun Wed 2pm. Thurs-Sat 7:30pm. Feb 19: 11am & 7:30pm. Fee. Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-938-7584; theatreorangeville.ca

MAR 6 – 8, 13 – 15, 19 – 22 : OLD WIVES TALES – AGES 16+ By Kevin Riordan. A touching and comedic journey through the ups and downs

of marriage. *Mature Content* ThurSat 8:15pm. Sun 2:15pm. Fee. 17272 Mt Wolfe Rd & Hwy 9, Caledon. 905880-5002; blackhorsetheatre.ca

MAR 8, 14 & 15, 20 – 22 : BLITHE SPIRIT By Noel Coward. Wit, conflict and laughs as a fussy novelist is haunted by his late first wife. Fri Sat 7:30pm. Sun 2pm. Fee. 72 Trafalgar Rd, Hillsburgh. 519-8554586; centurychurchtheatre.com

MAR 12 – 15, 18 – 22, 25 – 29 : MURDER AT ACKERTON MANOR By Steven Gallagher. A farcical murder mystery and spoof of Agatha Christie’s books. Sun Wed 2pm. Thurs-Sat 7:30pm. Mar 26: 11am & 7:30pm. Fee. Town Hall Opera House, 87 Broadway, Orangeville. 519-938-7584; theatreorangeville.ca

MAR 14 : OUTDOOR ADVENTURE FILM SCREENING Escape the cold for a night of epic outdoor adventure films! Register online. 7-9pm. 937365 Airport Rd, Mulmur. 705-435-4479; mansfieldoutdoorcentre.ca

MAR 23 : WHAT YOU WON’T DO FOR LOVE Renowned environmentalists David Suzuki and Tara Cullis talk love, legacy and climate action. Short presentation after by Dr. Suzuki with Q&A. 8pm. Fee. The Rose Theatre, 1 Theatre Ln, Brampton. 905-8742800; tickets.brampton.ca

WHEN CATTLE WERE A TRAFFIC HAZARD

IN 1906, WHEN THIS PHOTO WAS SNAPPED ON snow-covered Owen Sound Street in Shelburne, cattle drives were a familiar sight. These cattle were on their way to the stockyards at the Shelburne CPR station, where they would be prepared for loading onto a train.

For farmers in Headwaters, the coming of the railway in 1873 had brought new opportunities. Suddenly, they were able to ship their cattle, and other livestock, to more distant markets. But first, they had to get the animals to the nearest railway stockyards – and this was usually done on foot, often by a drover specially hired for the job.

At the time, the Shelburne station, now long gone, was located at the end of present-day First Avenue West on what was then the western edge of town. But the stockyards sat on the east side of the tracks, right next to the town’s largest residential neighbourhood.

The prevailing westerly winds ensured that the stench from the yards often blanketed the area. Residents were not pleased. They complained often and bitterly, and in 1898, as the volume

of livestock traffic rose and an expansion of the yards was contemplated, the smell became a municipal election issue.

“The accommodation of such a large number of animals within the corporation is a constant menace to the health of the people,” said the Shelburne Free Press. But neither the town nor the railway wanted to end the livestock trade. The answer? “Properly established stockyards, convenient and at the same time isolated enough to save offense or danger,” according to the Free Press

Unfortunately for the long-suffering neighbours, it was nearly 15 years before the stockyards were actually moved –to the west side of the tracks, where they remained till they closed in the mid-1930s.

By then, roads and highways, as well as motorized vehicles, had evolved. Commercial trucks could transport cattle, and other goods, more nimbly and conveniently, and the sight of cattle herds on Shelburne streets became a thing of the past.

DYANNE RIVERS