HuronPerthBoomers_Summer2020

A FREE magazine for adults 50+ 

Summer 2020 — Volume 5, Issue 2 

HEALTH & WELLNESS 

MULTIPLE 

SCLEROSIS 

Tracking the search 

for a cure 

TRAVEL 

HISTORY 

SOLO TRAVEL 

in Italy 

Remembering 

JENNY TROUT 

Canada’s first licensed 

female physician 

Making life-long memories in Rome 

FREE!

NEW NORMALS, NEW HOPE, 

NEW HOMES. 

Now more than ever, 

live in a home you love. 

GENERAL 

CONTRACTOR 

CONSTRUCTION 

MANAGEMENT 

DESIGN BUILD 

CUSTOM HOME 

BUILDER 

REAL ESTATE 

DEVELOPMENT 

LEASEBACKS 

Peter J. Hyde 

HYDE CONSTRUCTION LIMITED 

258 Burritt Street, Stratford, Ontario 

Tel: 519-271-1771 info@hydeconstruction.com

FROM THE PUBLISHER 

As a community, we’ve seen our lives turned upside down by the COVID-19 

pandemic. The “new normal” has produced a great deal of anxiety and 

uncertainty, and the summer is shaping up to be much different from anything 

we’ve experienced. Seniors and those who care for them are especially vulnerable. 

News coverage about outbreaks in long-term care homes is heartbreaking and, 

frankly, the situation is unacceptable. 

At Boomers, we’ve adapted as best we can to the crisis. Out of an abundance of 

caution, we’ve decided to pause print distribution and offer our Summer 2020 

issue exclusively online. You’ll still find the same engaging and informative content 

you’ve come to expect from us, and we hope you’ll share the link to the magazine 

with your friends and family on email and social media. 

CONTENTS 

Travelling Italy • 6 

If These Walls Could Talk • 12 

Multiple sclerosis • 16 

Jenny Trout • 22 

Mental health • 26 

Recipe • 30 

April Taylor from Stratford brings us a beautifully-written piece about solo travel 

in Italy, with plenty of tips for how you can do the same when safe (Page 6). John 

Melady, a noted author from Egmondville, provides a fantastic story about Jenny 

Trout, the first licensed female physician in Canada, who grew up in Perth County 

(Page 22), while Jodi Jerome brings us an in-depth look at Ercildoune, an intriguing 

19th century home in St. Marys that has inspired poetry and legend (Page 12). We 

also dive deep into the symptoms, effects and prevalence of multiple sclerosis, a 

debilitating autoimmune disease that affects an estimated 77,000 Canadians (Page 

16). Also, as we navigate the pandemic, it’s important to take care of our mental 

health. Kathie Donovan provides several helpful tips for mental wellness during 

this difficult time (Page 26). 

COVID-19 has impacted us all in unique ways, but we need each other now as 

much as ever before. My hope is these stories will 

engage, delight and entertain you as we work toward 

a more stable world that more closely resembles the 

one we had just a few months ago. 

4 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM 

Publisher 

Amy Irwin 

amy@huronperthboomers.com 

Huron-Perth Boomers welcomes 

your feedback. 

EMAIL 


PHONE 519-524-0101 

MAIL 

P.O. Box 287, Ripley, ON N0G 2R0 

Amy Irwin, Publisher 

Huron-Perth Boomers 

Editor 

Ben Forrest 

ben.r.forrest@gmail.com 

Magazine Design 

Becky Grebenjak 

SUMMER 2020 

Huron-Perth Boomers is distributed for free in Huron and Perth 

counties, and is published each March, June, September, and 

December. Distribution of this publication does not constitute 

endorsement of information, products or services by Huron-Perth 

Boomers, its writers or advertisers. Viewpoints of contributors 

and advertisers are not necessarily those of the Publisher. Huron- 

Perth Boomers reserves the right to edit, reject or comment on all 

material and advertising contributed. No portion of Huron-Perth 

Boomers may be reproduced without the written permission of 

the Publisher. 

CONNECTED.SUPPORTED.LOVED 

Your support and kindness is appreciated and keeping our spirits up! 

We feel loved and well cared for thanks to all of you, our Harbour Hill 

INDEPENDENT LIVIN G 

Family and the community of Goderich. 

Thank you 

104 Suncoast Drive, Goderich 

Harbourhillsuites.com • 519-440-0110 

Personal Virtual Tours Available, mbennett@harbourhillsuites.com


by Kathie Donovan 


Positivity in 

uncertain times 

WE CAN USE COMPASSION, EMPATHY AND KINDNESS 

TO CALM OURSELVES AND HELP OTHERS 

BY KATHIE DONOVAN 

enabling us to navigate with compassion, empathy and 

kindness for ourselves and for everyone around us. It’s my 

view that these qualities are our true nature. But when fear 

takes over, we overlook them because we go into survival 

mode and focus on our primal needs. When we ask fear 

to take a back seat, we create space for our superpowers 

of empathy, compassion and kindness to support us in 

keeping fear managed. 

“If you want others to be happy, practice 

compassion. If you want to be happy, practice 

compassion.” – Dalai Lama 

Compassion arises when we feel for someone in a 

challenging situation without experiencing it ourselves. 

Empathy flows when we put ourselves in someone else’s 

shoes and feel the experience they’re having. In this 

unprecedented time, empathy is everywhere because we 

are all experiencing the same threat, so we can appreciate 

how each other feels. Both of these beautiful human 

qualities come quite naturally to us, but when fear is 

In this extraordinary time, are you feeling unsettled or 

uncomfortable? I know I am. 

For many of us, this disturbing feeling is a reflection of 

what’s going on in our world, where we don’t know much 

for sure. The fundamental fear we’re experiencing has an 

important role to play for our survival and protection. 

But fear is a trickster. It can make us do and say strange 

things. Let’s not ignore or repress fear; rather, let’s call 

fear out and face it head on. Let’s get clear about what 

we’re really afraid of, and name it. If we’re afraid of 

getting sick, remember that none of us is in charge of 

the novel coronavirus, only our thoughts about our own 

wellness. So, a better focus for our thoughts would be on 

our wellness, right? The idea of naming what we’re afraid 

of takes away some of its power and puts us in charge of 

our thoughts, words and actions. 

Calling out fear, the con artist, helps us gain perspective, 

www.OntariosWestCoast.ca 

SUMMER 2020 • 7

HEALTH & WELLNESS by Kathie Donovan by Kathie Donovan HEALTH & WELLNESS 

present we have to make an extra effort to lead with them 

rather than leading with fear. 

“I choose the path of kindness. The more you 

extend kindness to yourself, the more it will 

become your automatic response to others.” 

– Dr. Wayne Dyer 

If you bump up against a challenge with another person 

either in their behaviour or something they say, remind 

yourself that, just like you, this person is doing their best 

to do their best. Call on your endless supply of kindness 

and compassion to help you navigate and be mindful of 

your words. If what you want to experience from others is 

kindness and compassion, make the first move and watch 

what happens. 

Just like the coronavirus spreads in ways we don’t fully 

understand, kindness spreads too. An investigative 

team from the World Health Organization placed the 

reproduction number of the novel coronavirus at between 

two and 2.5. This means that every person who spreads 

the virus spreads it to as many as 2.5 people. It’s been said 

the contagion factor for an act of kindness is five, which 

means that every act of kindness impacts five people and 

when we multiply, just like compound interest, kindness 

can be a very powerful force. 

“We can’t control the wind but we can adjust 

the sails.” 

We can’t personally control the virus but we certainly can 

control our thoughts and face our fears head on. When 

we focus on how we can be of service in a very positive 

way for others, there’s no end to what we can do to make 

a difference. 

Acts of kindness can be as simple as smiling, writing a 

note, making a phone call, giving someone a compliment 

or simply listening. Remember how kindness spreads and 

how good you feel when someone shows you kindness; 

then ask yourself how you can get busy ensuring we have 

more than enough kindness to go around. 

So, what else can we do to help ourselves and our 

community? Well, first of all, it’s important to be 

informed, but equally important to not allow ourselves to 

become overwhelmed. Watching news all day is not good 

medicine for us on any level. So check in, but don’t stay 

too long. Change the channel… but to what? 

How I’m managing my stress during these 

uncertain times 

I’m minimizing exposure to drama in the media and in 

conversations with other people. Be a leader and control 

the dialogue. Yes, it is scary, but let’s all do our best to stay 

in the present and not get too far ahead of ourselves. 

I don’t mean to disregard reality, but it’s important to 

surround yourself with positive energy and give your 

thoughts a positive focus. It could be watching a funny 

movie, cat videos, uplifting interviews or speaking with 

people you know who are positive. It can also help to read 

articles like this to stay focused on what you can do to 

help yourself and those around you. 

It’s important to stay connected to one another, and 

technology provides us with so many options. We can stay 

“in community” without having to be irresponsible. The 

elderly are our most vulnerable. If you think of someone 

who may need some groceries or a meal, call them and 

make the offer. Just the sound of a happy voice will settle 

them down. I’m sure they will appreciate knowing they 

are not alone in this. 

Ask for help if you need it. Believe me; someone is waiting 

for you to ask. 

Thanks to online ordering, electronic banking and all the 

delivery services out there, we should be able to get what 

we need, even if we are self-isolating. 

Watch your caffeine intake — it can create anxiety in the 

body, and we want to minimize that. Choose herbal tea 

or water instead. Make sure you’re eating a healthy diet, 

which means minimal refined carbohydrates, especially 

sugar. 

Practice or learn how to use your breath to calm your 

body. Meditate to calm your thoughts and body. 

Watch the negative self-talk and potential criticism of 

others. As we’ve seen, fear is a trickster. It can make us 

feel like we’re doing the right thing when in truth, the 

right thing is always to be kind to ourselves and everyone 

else. 

Finally, use your thoughts to focus on gratitude for people 

on the front lines of this virus — gratitude for their service 

and courage. 

I’m grateful for them and I’m grateful for you. Be well; 

live well. 

Kathie Donovan is an author, expert on happiness, and wellness 

ambassador for Nautical Lands Group of Companies, of which 

Harbour Hill Retirement Suites belongs. Learn more the services 

Harbour Hill provides for local seniors at www.harbourhillretirement. 

ca and Kathie at www.kathiedonovan.com. 

Purchase your Dream Home Now! 

EXCLUSIVE 55+ ADULT COMMUNITY 

Master planned community of 55 townhomes and Activity Centre in natural wooded 

All home plans range from 1,295 to 1,620 square feet. 

New homes and re-sales available! 

Call (519) 565-4542 for an Appointment 

Bayfield Mews Lane, Bayfield 

www.bayfieldmews.ca 

8 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM SUMMER 2020 • 9

TRAVEL 

by April Taylor 

love this umbrella — clear, plastic and shaped like a 

I bubble. It covers my shoulders, I can see through it 

and, best of all, it never blows inside-out on windy days. 

And windy it was — raining cats and dogs — on a 

November day in Rome. Who would think I could find 

sheer bliss on such a nasty day? 

Rome, or Roma as the Italians call it, is a magnificent city. 

She’s a grand old lady who has aged gracefully, layered in 

history and wisdom from the many centuries lived on her 

old, well-worn streets. 

At age 41, I gathered up the courage to travel there alone. 

It turned out to be more of a pilgrimage than a holiday. 

I set out from my hotel, a small albergo tucked away from 

the main street. Outside, my bubble umbrella protected 

TRAVEL 

me as I walked the cobblestone roadways on my way to 

nowhere in particular. I got lost in the maze of narrow, 

alley-like streets, watched the people, dodged traffic and 

saw the most spectacular sites. Surprises waited around 

every corner — fountains and sculptures, architecture 

from gothic to renaissance, and I hadn’t even entered an 

art gallery yet. 

I continued on. Scooters and cars splashed me as they 

sped past. Seeking shelter from the rain, I perused the tiny 

shops. I found a pasticceria (confectionery) that smelled like 

Dorothy’s bakery, where I went with my mom when I was 

a child; a store that sold only gloves; and a small hardware 

store that sold everything from j-cloths to ladders. It had 

buckets and mops piled to the ceiling. I passed designer 

shoe stores and high-end clothing boutiques, where 

chauffeurs waited for ladies as they shopped. 

Completed in 1762, Trevi Fountain 

is Rome’s most famous. 

SOLO TRAVEL 

in Italy 

TIPS FOR GLOBE-TROTTING ADVENTURES 

YOU’LL NEVER FORGET. BY APRIL TAYLOR 


TRAVEL by April Taylor by April Taylor 

TRAVEL 

After walking for hours, I stepped into one of Rome’s 

many cafés, which locals referred to as a bar. I went to 

the cashier and ordered a cup of hot chocolate. I took 

the ticket he gave me and stood at the crowded counter, 

where men and women gulped down their espresso and 

were on their way in minutes. The young man behind 

the counter put a small cup of thick brown liquid in front 

of me. It looked like thin pudding, different than any hot 

chocolate I’d had before, but good. I took it and sat on 

a stool in front of the window, out of the way of locals 

passing in and out of the building. 

It felt good to sit down and warm up. It was still raining, 

and my pant legs were wet up to my knees. As I sipped 

on my hot drink, I listened to people talking quickly and 

passionately in Italian. Of course I didn’t understand a 

word, but I thought: What a beautiful sound. One of the 

great things about being on holiday is having time to 

observe your surroundings and savour the moment. 

I left the bar, put up my umbrella, turned the corner and 

walked into Piazza Navona, a bustling square filled with 

street artists and tourists that dates to the 1st Century. I 

think my favourite places in Italian cities are the piazzas. 

They’re open spaces with only pedestrian traffic. Some 

have a fountain in the centre, and almost all have at least 

one café. People of all ages gather here and mingle. There 

are gaggles of men chatting, kids playing and women 

with bundle-buggies full of fresh bread and vegetables 

from the market. 

Italians have a name for this custom; it is called passeggiata, 

which translates to a traditional evening stroll. It is 

interesting that even in a city as big as Rome, this villagelike 

custom is still practiced. In fact, Rome seems to be a 

big, busy city made up of many little villages. 

It finally stopped raining, and so it was time to find Trevi, 

Rome’s most famous fountain. This Baroque masterpiece 

is the size of a building, designed by Nicola Salvi and 

finished by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762, exactly two 

centuries before the year I was born. Before I saw it, I 

could hear the water falling. 

There it was, surrounded with people getting their 

pictures taken, throwing in coins and wishing for their 

heart’s desires. If you toss coins into the water here, legend 

holds that you will return to Rome someday. Visitors toss 

thousands of Euros into the fountain each day, and the 

coins are collected, cleaned and given to charity. 

It was getting dark, and in the glow of the lights, the 

fountain looked even more spectacular. I stood and looked 

at it in amazement, wondering how the artists of the day 

could even begin to create all the sculptures, obelisks 

and buildings I had seen. Without the technology and 

equipment we have today, it seems impossible. I searched 

my pockets for coins, and joined the others and made my 

wishes. 

It was about 7 p.m., and I was getting hungry. There were 

many restaurants to choose from. All were charming and 

quaint, with round awnings above the doors, twinkling 

lights in the windows, a few tables outside on the 

cobblestone. Suddenly I heard a man say to me in a heavily 

accented voice, “You look like Alice in Wonderland.” 

I laughed and said that was exactly how I felt. Selfconsciously, 

I entered a restaurant. A waiter in a crisp 

white shirt and black vest and bow tie seated me at a small 

table. 

Dining can be an awkward part of travelling alone, 

but there I was — alone and hungry, half a world from 

home and happy as I had ever been. The restaurant was 

suspiciously not busy. I have since learned Italians don’t 

eat dinner until at least 9 p.m. I ordered lemon pasta, a 

flavour I had never experienced. Delizioso! The waiter bid 

me bouna notte and I stepped out into a hub of activity. 

There is always a lot of action in the streets of Rome, 

no matter the hour. The shops are open late, selling 

souvenirs; people eat gelato, smoke and drink espresso. 

I’ve heard it said that Romans use the piazzas as outdoor 

living rooms. 

I meandered back to the hotel, absorbing all that I had 

seen that day. In spite of being tired and the fact my feet 

were sore, I felt exhilarated and alive — like a part of me 

I didn’t even know about had been asleep, and Roma, the 

grand old lady, shook me awake. 

It has been many years since my first solo journey to 

Rome. I continue to travel alone and have learned ways 

to make it very enjoyable and to meet new and interesting 

people from all over the world. 


TRAVEL by April Taylor by April Taylor 

TRAVEL 

Tips 

for 

travelling 

Stay in a central location 

alone 

I find this a simple and safe way of travelling. It 

eliminates the need to use public transportation. It 

is easy to return to the hotel to rest and freshen up 

and to leave any purchases you may have made. 

Hotels vs AirBnb 

Both have their pros and cons. An apartment 

rented through AirBnb provides a kitchen, laundry 

and privacy; however, there may not be anyone to 

help you if require assistance. I do like the feeling 

of living like a local when I stay in an apartment. 

On the other hand, a hotel provides comfort and 

security. I do like having someone to ask for help 

with making reservations or calling a taxi, especially 

if I am somewhere I don’t speak the language. Also, 

I like the security. If there is an emergency, I have 

someone to help. 

By taking one, you are instantly among like-minded 

people who share the same interests as you, making 

it easy to connect and make friends. There are day 

courses or ones that last weeks or even months. 

Originally I combined a course related to my work. 

That was good, but sometimes I want to do something 

completely different. 

My favourite course is Italian language. I have done 

this several times. It gives my holiday a purpose and 

structure to the day while still allowing plenty of time 

for sightseeing and shopping. There are often other 

solo travellers of a similar age. I always find someone 

to hang out with and share dinner with. 

Tours 

Tours are an easy way to get around the country and 

see the highlights. Again, there are pros and cons. A 

tour offers simplicity and security, but you are tied to 

the schedule. 

Day tours and excursions 

I like this option. It allows me to be independent but 

visit a place I want to see without having to figure 

out how to get there. The tour company will often 

pick you up at the hotel or meet in an easy central 

location. I enjoy the company of others for a day but 

I am not tied to a week tour. 

Editor’s note: The author took this trip prior to COVID-19 

travel restrictions. Please follow all government guidelines when 

travelling. 

April Taylor is a freelance writer and hairstylist in Stratford 

who loves to travel. 

Register for a course 

It seems there are programs or courses in almost 

everything, from sports to art, cooking and more. 


HISTORY 

by Jodi Jerome 

HISTORY 

IF THESE 

WALLS 

COULD 

TALK... 

ST. MARYS’ ERCILDOUNE 

BY JODI JEROME 

Photograph courtesy 

St. Marys Museum 

& R. Lorne Eedy 

Archives, St. Marys. 

railway’s arrival, seeing an opportunity to transform himself into a grain 

dealer with courage, sharp business insight and a golden tongue. 

In 1903, William Johnston, Perth County clerk and historian, wrote, “Of 

all these (grain) speculators Carter was both the most daring and the most 

successful. His name was so inextricably linked with this (grain) market that 

in his heyday St. Marys was dubbed ‘Carter’s Corner.’” 

Carter built a cache of cash and reputation, which he used to diversify from 

a grain buyer into the owner of many mills and businesses. 

As his personal fortune grew, so did his desire to elevate his family into St. 

Marys’ high society. One of the prerequisites for entrance was a mansion 

designed by a recognized architect. 

In 1868, just a decade after the arrival of the railway, Carter bought Lots 4-6 

from Jones. He hired London, Ont., architect William Robinson to design 

and oversee construction of an Italianate villa that overlooked the main 

street, river and the town. It would be similar to St. Marys’ Milner Harrison 

house at 322 Emily St., which was inspired by Jones’ 1833 Toronto villa. 

Carter’s two-storey square Italianate home had two fronts. The street and 

garden were surrounded by lacy verandas, accessed by interior French doors. 

They overlooked its ample grounds, gardens and elaborate gothic windowed 

summer folly. The high-ceiling rooms were filled with light and marble 

fireplaces, a walnut staircase dominated the front entrance and a roof topped 

with iron cresting. Inside 224 Jones St. E., George and his wife, Elizabeth 

(Creighton) Carter, planned the growth of their business empire from within 

the family. 

The house at 236 Jones St. E., St. Marys, is intriguing for its appearance, history and ability 

to inspire poetry and legend. 

Its first legend is the story of a man’s love for a woman who captured his heart and followed 

him into the wilderness. The man is Thomas Mercer Jones, early land commissioner of the 

Canada Company, and his wife, Mary (Strachan) Jones. 

There is no doubt in the truth that Jones Street was named after Thomas and Mary Mercer 

Jones. At the 1851 St. Marys land sale, Thomas bought Lots 4-6, a block bordered by Jones, 

King, Elgin and Peel streets, from James Ingersoll, “in trust for his wife, Mary Jones, her 

heirs and assigns.” The land remained vacant while St. Marys prospered. 

The arrival of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1858 and its connection to Sarnia and the 

waters of the Great Lakes in 1860, created an explosion of opportunity. Thus begins the 

setting for the home’s second legend, a rags to riches story, complete with a kingdom and a 

tower. In 1851, when Lots 4-6 first sold, George Carter was a married farmer in Biddulph 

Township, which was part of Huron County at the time. By 1857, George Carter relocated 

his growing family to St. Marys and established a grain business, one year ahead of the 

Lasting Legacy 

the Promise of Tomorrow 

Ordinary people show Extraordinary generosity by 

leaving legacy gifts to our hospital in their wills 

George and Elizabeth had six children: Harriet Ellen (Carter) Freeman 

(1850-1930), Elizabeth Jane (Carter) Jameson (1852-1888), James Henry 

Carter (1853-1905), David W. Carter (1855-1856), Anna Maria Carter (1859- 

1864), and Charlotte (Carter) Rice (1862-1941). Only four of their children 

‘Ask about our 10 Year Impact Funds’ 

SGHFOUNDATION.ORG 

519.272.8210 EXT. 2626 


HISTORY 



HISTORY 

survived to adulthood. With only 

one heir, George needed 

more sons in the family 

business. George 

and Elizabeth 

used their large 

land holdings 

in St. Marys’ 

fashionable 

section to entice 

their sons-inlaw 

to join the 

family business, 

George Carter & 

Son Company. Seen by 

the community as wedding 

presents, the sons-in-law who 

joined the business were gifted land 

and a large mansion of their design filled with 

furnishings. On Lots 4-6, Carter built himself a fiefdom 

with himself as king. 

The Rice family, courtesy St. Marys Museum & 

R. Lorne Eedy Archives, St. Marys, Ontario. 

In 1875, George gave his daughter, Harriet “Hattie,” and 

her new husband, former hardware merchant Clarence 

Freeman, the property at 217 East St. S. James Carter 

married Mary Box on Dec. 13, 1876, and they moved 

into their beautifully crafted home at 67 Peel St. in 1883. 

Elizabeth Jane married Hugh Alfred Jameson, a teacher, 

on Dec. 20, 1876, and the couple received the deed for 

236 Jones St. E. for $1. Elizabeth and Hugh moved to the 

town of Mitchell, where Hugh worked as a grain buyer 

for G. Carter & Son Co. When Elizabeth died in 1888, 

Hugh moved to the U.S. to work in publishing. 

In September 1881, after the Dec. 22, 1880, marriage of 

Charlotte “Lottie” Carter to Henry Lincoln Rice, a man 

with a bachelor of arts degree from Victoria College at 

the University of Toronto and two years of experience 

teaching classics at Vienna High School and the Galt 

Collegiate Institute, the Jamesons transferred their lot 

into Charlotte Rice’s name for $500. Henry L. Rice 

stopped teaching the classics and began working for G. 

Carter & Son Co. In 1882, their daughter, Kathleen Rice, 

was born. By 1885, the Rice family was ensconced in 

their lovely Second Empire home, designed by St. Marys 

clerk and architect William Williams. This house was so 

treasured by all its occupants, the 1881 designs for the 

house, signed by the architect, 

still exist. 

The house, set back on 

its corner lot, had a 

slate mansard roof 

on its second floor 

and a threestorey 

tower 

crowned with 

intricate iron 

cresting around 

its widow’s 

walk. There were 

beautifully curvetopped 

and circular 

windows on the second 

floor of the house and a lovely, 

lacy-edged porch, accessible from 

the first and second floors. The house was 

charmingly asymmetrical with randomly-placed large, 

deep bay windows, each with their own interior privacy 

dividers. When pulled shut, each created a roomy nook. 

Inside were a wealth of fine details like an imported 

mahogany central staircase, main room entrances 

enhanced with mahogany and India-sourced gumwood 

fretwork, oak floors inlaid with walnut harvested from the 

grove that had grown on Lots 4-6, richly-carved window 

surrounds in mahogany, oak and walnut, inside shutters 

and six marble fireplaces. 

This house seems to be a mirror of the romantic English 

scholarly mind of Henry L. Rice. He was freshly out 

of university and the classroom, still immersed in the 

thoughts and ideas of the great writers and well-versed 

in the mythological connection of the Rice family to 

the original, surviving families of the Mayflower that 

first landed in the Americas in 1620. The house reflects 

the man he was before being drawn into the whirlwind 

business that was G. Carter & Son Co. 

Sadly, the Rice family did not spend long in the house 

built just for them. When George Carter died in 1889, 

the Rice family moved into Charlotte’s parents’ house at 

224 Jones St. E., and never moved out. Henry Rice sold 

the furnishings of 236 Jones St. E. in a public auction 

May 4, 1889, and sold the house to lumber merchant 

James Armstrong for $4,850 on May 15, 1889. Thomas 

The Sparks family and friends, on 

Ercildoune’s Porch, circa 1920, 

courtesy St. Marys Museum 

& R. Lorne Eedy Archives, St. 

Marys, Ontario. 

Sparks, the house’s third owner, bestowed the property 

with its legend-laden name, “Ercildoune.” Thomas 

Sparks’ family, including Eugenia Mary “Birdie” Sparks, 

his daughter from his first marriage, and his third wife, 

Caroline “Carrie” Shaw’s children — George Lindsay, 

Barbara, Isabella (Bella), and Mary D. — came to St. 

Marys in 1892. When they moved into 322 Emily St. from 

Lakeside, Nissouri East Township, in Oxford County, his 

wife, Carrie, nicknamed it the Vatican due its ample size. 

In 1904, when Berwickshire, Scotland, native Dr. Thomas 

Sparks, bought 236 Jones St. E. from James Armstrong for 

$3,000, the house with a tower became Ercildoune, named 

after a town in Scotland (now called Earlston). 

In Berwickshire, on the Scottish borderlands, in a stone 

tower house, lived a real Scotsman named Thomas 

Learmonth, a 13th Century laird, born circa 1220, known 

as Thomas the Rhymer or Thomas of Ercildoune. His 

poetry has survived, and was said to have predicted the 

death of King Alexander III in 1286, the Scottish victory 

at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, the succession 

of Robert the Bruce to the throne and the abdication 

of Mary Queen of Scots in 1568. His story and poetry 

credit his prophetic poetic powers to an encounter he had 

with the Queen of Elfland. 

Dr. Thomas Sparks’ purchase of 236 Jones St. E., with 

its nooks, crannies and whimsical tower, appealed to the 

doctor’s poetic ambitions. While Dr. Sparks tended to his 

patients, he captured his impressions of St. Marys in his 

poetry, which appeared in the local newspaper and in 

early histories of Perth County. Emily P. Weaver’s 1913 

book, The Story of the Counties of Ontario, includes the first 

stanza of Sparks’ poem, “The Old Log House.” 

Rickety, shingleless, old and gray, 

Scathed by the storms of many a day, 

In a wayside spot where the wild weeds grow, 

Stands the old log cabin of long ago. 

Dr. Thomas Sparks lived in Ercildoune from 1904 until 

his death in 1917. His wife Carrie and later his widowed 

daughter, Barbara (Sparks) Baird, continued to live in the 

house until 1953. Barbara’s youngest sister, Mary Sparks 

Dyer, became the family bard, writing and publishing 

three books of poetry including one with a poem entitled 

“Ercildoune.” She wrote of her old home: “Gently with 

you the night wind grieves, Stirring ghosts from withered 

leaves, Proudly you gaze with quiet eyes, Ercildoune, you 

are old and wise.” 

Jodi Jerome is a writer, historian and heritage consultant who enjoys 

finding the stories people have forgotten about the places they live, 

and making the local landscape come alive for those who live and 

visit there today. Contact her at jodijerome@icloud.com 


HEALTH & WELLNESS by Ben Forrest HEALTH & WELLNESS 

MULTIPLE 

SCLEROSIS 

LEARN MORE ABOUT ONE OF CANADA’S MOST 

COMMON NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. 

BY BEN FORREST 

It’s unclear why, but Canada has 

one of the highest rates of multiple 

sclerosis (MS) in the world. 

This unpredictable and debilitating autoimmune disease 

affects an estimated 77,000 Canadians — roughly one in 

every 385. 

It is one of Canada’s most common neurological 

conditions, and is three times more likely to occur in 

women than in men. 

There is no cure for MS, and the disease affects each 

person differently. But there is hope for a cure. As 

researchers learn more about what causes the disease, 

how to prevent it and how to repair the damage it causes, 

the outlook is increasingly positive. 

Here is a primer on the symptoms of MS, its potential 

causes, and expert guidance on how to manage and 

mitigate its effects. 

What is MS? 

MS is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous 

system. It causes the immune system to malfunction and 

attack healthy cells called myelin, a soft, white mixture of 

protein and fatty substances that forms an insulating layer 

around nerves in the brain and spine. 

Myelin allows electrical impulses to move quickly along 

nerve cells. If damaged, those impulses slow down. When 

the damage is substantial, and if scar tissue replaces 

myelin, nerve fibres can be damaged and nerve impulses 

may be entirely disrupted. If the damage is less severe, 

these impulses continue to travel with minor disruptions. 

It’s unclear what causes MS, but the best current 

evidence suggests that genetic, biological, lifestyle and 

environmental factors all contribute, according to the MS 

Society of Canada. Several hypotheses about the higher 

prevalence of MS in Canada have been presented, but 

doctors aren’t sure why it occurs more frequently here. 

Most people with MS are diagnosed when they are 

between the ages of 20 and 49, but some people are also 

diagnosed when they are children, or as older adults. 

SUMMER 2020 • 21


by Ben Forrest 

by Ben Forrest 


Symptoms 

In many cases, myelin damage happens in patches, which 

may explain the wide variety of symptoms that occur 

with MS. Symptoms may vary depending on what part 

or parts of the central nervous system are impacted. 

Not all people with MS will experience all symptoms, but 

here are the more common symptoms, according to the 

MS Society: 

Balance problems and dizziness. This is caused 

by lesions in areas that coordinate visual, spatial 

and other input that allows the body to achieve 

and maintain equilibrium. As a result, there is an 

increased risk of falls. In some cases, patients can 

manage this by using a walking aid. 

Bladder dysfunction. Lesions in the brain or 

spinal cord can interfere with signals between the 

brain and urinary system, causing incontinence. 

Bowel dysfunction. This symptom presents most 

frequently as constipation, but can also include 

diarrhea or a loss of bowel control. After three to four 

weeks of suggested interventions, “most people can 

develop an improved bowel performance,” the MS 

Society says. 

Cognitive Impairment. This can affect between 

40 and 70 per cent of people with MS. The most 

common cognitive changes are memory-related 

(especially short-term memory). 

Depression. This can be a concern from the time 

of diagnosis and throughout a person’s experience 

with MS. Depression is more common among people 

with MS than in the general population. 

Fatigue. Up to 90 per cent of people with MS 

experience fatigue, one of the most disabling 

symptoms. But it can often be improved with lifestyle 

changes, including energy conservation, counselling, 

mobility aids like scooters or wheelchairs, exercise, 

and medications. 

Difficulty walking. This symptom can be impacted 

by several others, including muscle weakness, spasticity, 

balance, fatigue, pain and co-ordination problems. 

Inflammation of the optic nerve. Also known as 

optic neuritis, this symptom can cause sudden visual 

blurring or loss of vision in one eye. Optic neuritis is 

the initial symptom for 16 per cent of people with MS. 

Pain. About half of people with MS experience 

pain related to their illness. This pain can take many 

forms, and can be managed with multi-disciplinary 

input. 

Paroxysmal symptoms. Think of this as a 

convulsion — a sudden increase or recurrence of 

symptoms. They can include tonic spasms, weakness, 

visual disturbance, numbness, and several other 

symptoms. These convulsions may last seconds or 

minutes and can repeat several times per day. 

Numbness. This is the most common sensory 

symptom of MS. People often wake up with an 

abnormal sensation in part of a limb that spreads 

inward toward the trunk of the body and increases 

in intensity. This can cause achy, burning sensations, 

and the feeling of tightness or “banding.” Though 

painful, these sensations usually respond to antiseizure 

medication. 

Sexual dysfunction. MS-related damage to nerve 

fibres can directly impair sexual feelings or sexual 

responses. 

Tremors. This movement disorder produces 

involuntary, relatively rhythmic patterns. It can affect 

any muscle group, including the arms, legs, trunk, 

head, vocal cords, jaws, lips and tongues. Tremors 

in MS are difficult to manage and are not reliably 

improved with medication. 

Heat intolerance. Sensitivity to increased body 

temperature is a symptom many people with MS 

experience. This symptom can emerge when 

sunbathing, during exercise, hot baths, fatigue, fever, 

emotion or any other factor that increases in body 

core temperature. 

Weakness. This is another common symptom of 

MS. It is related to impaired nerve conduction caused 

by the inflammation and/or damage of central nerve 

pathways. 

Types of MS 

Although every experience of MS is different, researchers 

have divided the illness into a few basic categories, 

depending on the patterns in which symptoms occur. 

The earliest form of MS is called Clinically Isolated 

Syndrome (CIS), and refers to a single episode of 

neurological symptoms. Multiple attacks of symptoms 

indicates the patient has relapse-remitting MS, the most 

common form at the time of diagnosis. 

Relapse-remitting MS (RRMS) 

People with RRMS experience unpredictable but clearlydefined 

relapses (attacks or flare-ups) when new symptoms 

appear or older ones get worse. These relapses can last 

from a few days to several months, followed by periods 

of remission. About 85 per cent of people with MS are 

diagnosed with RRMS. 

Progressive MS (PMS) 

This type of MS has two sub-types: secondary progressive 

MS and primary progressive MS. 

Secondary PMS occurs when RRMS transitions to 

a state when relapses and remissions no longer occur. 

Disability slowly and continually increases. 

Primary PMS is diagnosed when people accumulate 

disability and worsening symptoms right from the start. 

Progressive Relapsing MS 

This form of MS involves steadily worsening disease from 

the beginning, in addition to relapses that may or may 

not involve periods of recovery. For the vast majority of 

people with MS, the disease is not fatal. They can expect 

We power the 

future.Our long-term 

private investment in refurbishing 

our nuclear fleet will ensure Ontarians receive 

clean, reliable, low-cost electricity and life-saving 

isotopes for generations. 

brucepower.com 


HEALTH & WELLNESS by Ben Forrest by Ben Forrest HEALTH & WELLNESS 

Canada’s MS Society 

says, unequivocally, 

there is hope for a cure. 

Researchers are working 

to develop new therapies 

and examine existing 

therapies, investigating 

potential triggers for the 

disease. 

a normal or near-normal lifespan, and there are various methods for 

managing symptoms, in addition to disease-modifying therapies. 

Hope for a cure 

Canada’s MS Society says, unequivocally, there is hope for a cure. 

Researchers are working to develop new therapies and examine existing 

therapies, investigating potential triggers for the disease and studying the 

cellular mechanisms that damage or repair myelin and the underlying 

nerve cells. Symptom management and quality of life is also a key focus 

of MS research. 

Last year, researchers from the University of British Columbia identified 

12 candidate gene variants as potential risk factors for MS; many of 

them are clustered in immune system pathways. Health Canada recently 

approved a new drug treatment for active secondary progressive MS, and 

the MS Society continues to fund studies into the disease. 

While the higher-than-average prevalence in Canada remains a mystery, 

recent data shows that, on average, 11 Canadians are diagnosed with MS 

every day. The proportion of Canadians living with MS has continually 

increased since the first episodes of MS prevalence were reported by the 

Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS) in the mid- 

2000s. 

CCDSS estimates the prevalence and incidence rates of chronic diseases, 

including MS, after collecting administrative data from every province 

and territory. According to the MS Society, this data covers about 97 per 

cent of the Canadian population. Data for the most recent estimates were 

collected between 2014 and 2015. 

How to help 

Legacy giving is one of several options the MS Society uses to provide 

services to people living with MS and their families, as well as to fund 

research into the disease. 

Providing a gift in your will, donating securities, or naming the MS Society 

as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, RRSP, RRIF, or Canada 

Pension assets, are all ways tot provide legacy gifts. For more information, 

visit mssociety.ca. 

This article is for informational purposes only. Contact your physician for more details. 

Ben Forrest is an writer and editor based in Exeter, Ont. His work has also appeared in 

the National Post, Broadview magazine and Sports Illustrated. 

SUMMER 2020 • 25

HISTORY 

by John Melady 

HISTORY 

Remembering 

JENNY TROUT 

CANADA’S FIRST LICENSED FEMALE 

PHYSICIAN GREW UP ON A FARM 

NEAR STRATFORD. BY JOHN MELADY 

U.S. Library of Congress Photo 

When she came to Canada, Jenny Gowanlock was 

six years old. 

Her parents had pulled up stakes in Kelso, Scotland, 

and were determined to make a life for themselves in a 

new land. In 1847, they settled on a small farm in Ellice 

Township, in what is today Perth East, just outside of 

Stratford. Once the family was established in their rather 

primitive homestead, Jenny attended school in town, and 

on Sundays went with her parents to Knox Presbyterian 

Church, the handsome, red brick edifice at the corner of 

Ontario and Waterloo streets in Stratford. Services are 

still held at this church, and presumably, Jenny got to 

know the place and the area well over the years. 

Much later, and long after her death, a star in her name 

was placed on the downtown part of the Downie Street 

sidewalk in Stratford. There, the star attests to her long 

forgotten fame, but in a different way than do other 

markers for better-known modern personalities such as 

Justin Bieber and Peter Mansbridge. Nevertheless, Jenny’s 

rather faded star helps remind passers-by of this amazing 

woman who once graced the streets of their town. 

As far as we know today, Jenny’s growing-up years were 

uneventful. She was a good student, and the marks she 

obtained enabled her to enter what was at the time called 

Normal School, where she trained to be a teacher. This 

was in Toronto. Once qualified as a teacher, she returned 

to Stratford to teach. 

The man who would become Jenny’s husband was 

teaching writing in several towns in southern Ontario, 

and met Jenny when he came to Stratford. His name was 

Edward Trout. The two fell in love and upon marriage, 

Jenny changed her name to his, and from that time to 

today, the brown-haired Scottish lass became known as 

Jenny Trout. To a large extent, her maiden name was 

forgotten, and so was her teaching job in Stratford. In a 

short time, the young couple moved to Toronto because 


HISTORY 

by John Melady 

OUR TEAM 

Edward felt he would have better business prospects there. 

Sadly, the first years of their marriage were difficult 

because Jenny soon became ill — so ill, in fact that she 

was almost bed-ridden. This was because of what were, 

according to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, 

“nervous disorders [that] … left her a semi-invalid, barely 

able to move.” She apparently tried several remedies, 

but stumbled upon something new called electrotherapy, 

and her health improved because of it. It was then that 

Jenny decided to pursue a childhood dream of going 

into medicine. At the time, even the idea of a woman 

becoming a doctor was unheard of in Canada — but that 

was what Jenny wanted to be. 

She persisted, and enrolled as a student at what was then 

the Toronto School of Medicine. Unfortunately, her sex 

there became an immediate barrier. Male classmates 

scrawled “obnoxious sketches” on walls and professors 

even taunted Jenny and another female student, according 

to one of Jenny’s future protegés. 

It appears women were simply not wanted or welcome. 

In fact, the normally-reserved Jenny confronted a 

particularly rude professor and told him to stop his antics, 

or she would tell his wife about the matter. Apparently, 

the bad behaviour stopped. 

While the ill treatment was particularly annoying, Jenny 

refused to give up her hope of continuing in medicine; 

however, she felt she simply could not get anywhere in 

Toronto. Instead, she decided to pursue her dream at 

the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. The new 

environment suited her, and she not only succeeded in 

her studies, she ultimately graduated as a doctor in 1875. 

Then she returned to Canada, and prepared to write 

the matriculation exam at the College of Physicians and 

Surgeons in Toronto in order to get qualified to practice 

here. When she did so and passed, she became the first 

female doctor licensed to practice in Canada. This was 

undoubtedly a badge of honour for Stratford, and the girl 

from the country who had done so well. 

When Jenny was pursuing her studies in the U.S., Edward 

Trout’s financial situation greatly improved. He gave up 

the teaching of writing, tried several other occupations 

and finally joined his brother in publishing a paper called 

28 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM 

the Monetary Times. 

Because of that venture, in time, he was able to assist 

Jenny in some of her endeavours. 

From what we know about her today, Jenny became 

involved in more than one venture in physical healing 

— particularly aimed at women. One of these was an 

establishment in Toronto that specialized in galvanic 

baths, an alternative treatment that added a gentle electric 

current to water. There is little record today of what this 

was all about, but it only lasted a short time. And another 

venture, a free dispensary for the poor, closed in less than 

a year. 

The soft-spoken young woman was deeply religious, and 

did all she could to encourage young women to become 

doctors. To that end, she helped found a women’s medical 

facility in Kingston at the same time Queen’s University 

was catering to the needs of men. Years later, a plaque in 

her honour was unveiled there. 

Sadly, Jenny’s health always caused trouble, and while she 

continued to lend her name and time to religious causes, 

she gave less attention to medicine. As a result, many may 

have encountered her without knowing about her medical 

career. She retired at age 41, and she and Edward moved 

to Florida and later to California. Amazingly, despite her 

almost life-long health issues, she was 80 when she died. 

Today, few of us may know of her, but in addition to 

the sidewalk star mentioned earlier, a Canadian stamp 

honouring her was issued in 1991 and a large medical 

structure exists in her name in Stratford. Brian Morrison, 

the building manager of the place, whom I interviewed 

for this article, assures me it is quite busy, and several 

doctors work out of it. 

Surely then, the Jenny Trout Centre is a fine memorial for 

Canada’s first licensed female physician. 

John Melady is the author of 13 books and many newspaper 

and magazine articles. He also reviewed books for the Globe and 

Mail for several years. His books are available through Chapters/ 

Indigo, Amazon and other bookstores. 

Wayne Young 

President/Funeral Director 

GregYoung 

Managing Funeral Director 

Don Munro 

Funeral Director 

519.271.7411 

wgyoungfuneralhome.com 

David Ayers 


Tonia Catcher 

Pre-Arrangement & Estate 

Care Counselor 

Marcel Peper 


Basic Simple Cremation 

Cost of Cremation 

$1895.00 *NO HIDDEN FEES 

Contact us today to get started. 

• Arrangements with family/executor 

• Transfer from place of death (100km) 

• Unlimited Death Certificates 

• Province of Ontario Death Registration 

• Coroner’s Cremation Certificate 

• Cremation Casket • Cost of cremation 

• Transfer of deceased to crematorium 

• Transfer of cremated remains back to family/executor 

• Cancellation of Canada Pension and Old Age Security 

• Filing of CPP Death Benefit, Survivor’s 

Benefit and OAS Survivor’s Benefit 

• Funeral Home Estate Care Booklet and 

Meeting with Estate Care Counsellor 

430 Huron Street 

Stratford, ON N5A 5T7

FOOD & DRINK 

Strawberry C olada 

Cheesecake 

READY 

FOR YOU 

TODAY! 

CRUST 

1½ cups graham crumbs 

¼ cup butter, melted 

1 tbsp water 

CHEESECAKE 

2 pkg (each 8 oz) cream cheese, at 

room temperature 

½ cup granulated sugar 

3 eggs 

2 tbsp lemon juice 

1 tsp almond extract 

½ tsp vanilla 

STRAWBERRY TOPPING 

2 tbsp each granulated sugar, lime juice, 

rum and shredded coconut 

3 cups strawberries, sliced 

Cooking Time: 2 hours, 55 minutes 

Servings: 6 

Crust: 

Stir crumbs with butter and water until evenly moistened. 

Press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan, creating slight 

upward slope at side. Bake in 350 F oven, for 10 minutes. Set 

aside to cool. 

Cheesecake: 

In large bowl and using electric mixer, beat cream cheese 

until smooth. Beat in sugar until well blended. Beat in eggs, 

one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lemon 

juice, almond extract and vanilla. Pour over crust. Bake at 

350 F until set and golden brown around edge, between 35 to 

45 minutes. Run knife around edge of cake. Refrigerate for at 

least two hours or until chilled. 

Strawberry topping: 

In bowl, combine sugar, lime juice, rum and coconut; stir in 

sliced strawberries. Let stand at room temperature for one 

hour to blend flavours. Spoon over wedges of cheesecake. 

STRATFORD’S NEWEST 

LUXURY RENTALS 

RENT HERE NOW! 

Comprised of 52 two-bedroom suites, Perth Mills offers residents a new level of 

comfort, amenities and convenience of access to all that Stratford has to offer. 

FROM THE $1,700’s PER MONTH 

O’LOANE AVE / HWY 122 

FREELAND DR 

LORNE AVE W 

Stratford 

QUEENSLAND RD 

JOHN ST S 

HURON ST / HWY 8 

ST VINCENT ST S 

JOHN ST N 

ERIE ST / HWY 7 

AMENITIES 

• In-Suite Laundry 

• Tiled Tubs/Showers 

• Lockers 

• Elevator 

• Fully Sprinklered 

• Ample Parking 

• Dishwasher 

• Stainless Steel Appliances 

• Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring 

• Granite Counters 

• Suite Controlled Temperature 

• Secure Entrance 

• Fitness Centre 

• Social Lounge 

LIMITED SUITES AVAILABLE! 

Tip: To speed up preparation time, use store-bought frozen 

cheesecake. Just thaw and spoon strawberry topping onto 

wedges. 

FOR LEASING INQUIRIES, CONTACT: 

Kim Laramie - Leasing and Marketing Manager 

UNLIMITED Residential Living T. 905 719 RENT (7368) 

Recipe courtesy of Foodland Ontario www.ontario.ca/foodland 

rental pricing & specifications subject to 

change without notice. E. & O.E. E. rental@unlimitedresidential.ca W. unlimitedresidential.ca 


THANK YOU 

for 

reading 

online! 

Share this link 

with your friends 

www.huronperthboomers.com 

Like us on 

Facebook and 

share our content 

Contact 

us for 

advertising 

info 

Support our 

advertisers 

Send us your feedback at 


A free magazine for adults 50+

HuronPerthBoomers_Summer2020

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?