Daytripping Issue - Summer 2020

Lake Huron
MI
ONTARIO
NY
More to explore in PORT DOVER and SIMCOE
A showcase of Norfolk Artists
From Mark’s’s Notebook:
Thank you for your years of service to visitors and locals alike!
It may be remarkable, but we don’t know that any of our customers have closed
due to the pandemic. A couple have shut the doors over the past few months, but it
seems to be for unrelated reasons. However, we do have to say goodbye to two local
tourism institutions. The Aylmer Sales Arena, one of our very first customers and a
renowned weekly market, has opened for its last Tuesday and we’ll miss working
with them. Also, the Bluewater Ferry that shuttled cars and people from Sombra,
ON to Marine City. MI for over 70 years is no more. A catastrophic and quite unfair
incident with river ice did irreparable harm to their business a few years ago. Thank
you to the five generations of the Dalgety family that kept it sailing for so long.
Home, home decor on the range! - See page 4
Priscilla’s Presents was a very nice
gift shop and ice cream parlour in
Harrow, until it closed last year with the
promise to re-open. Tracey has done just
that and the new location is absolutely
stunning. You can find her in the wine
region on Iler Road south of Harrow,
just around a country corner from Farm
Fresh Antiques. I can’t begin to describe what a marvellous destination she has built
on her farm property - you’ll just have to take a drive and see for yourself.
Thinking outside the “Takeout” box - See page 16
If you want to enjoy the view of Lake Huron while dining on the patio at Skeeter
Barlow’s (my own local spot) you’ll want to make a reservation, but this is a case
where you could also order take out and enjoy the view from one of many park
benches, a pavilion, or on the water’s edge. Take out has become a reality of life and
is a great way to support our independent restaurants - but that doesn’t mean we
have to take it home.
Maybe we just got too busy to appreciate quality - See page 32
Millbank Family Furniture has moved into a new
location next to the legendary Anna Maes Restaurant
in Millbank. You won’t need the address in this most
exceptional small village west of Waterloo. The past
few months have seen many of us remembering
what it was like to do puzzles and play board games.
I wonder if it will also give us a renewed appreciation
for quality, as in quality hand made furniture that
will last for generations. I certainly hope so!
From Laurie’s Notebook:
The Museums of Elgin & Oxford Counties - See page 64
This summer, daytrip to a museum. The feature on page 64 should pique your
curiosity. Every one is different, every one is an experience, and an adventure in “I
didn’t know that!” and “I’ve never seen one of those!” The bonus with all of the sites
is a stroll on the grounds – often an integral part of the museum – and a visit to a
new area or town.
A New Spin on Daytripping
We have long encouraged readers to take a day to explore locally. This is the
summer to do just that. I congratulate shop owners on their accommodations to
current restrictions so that visitors are safe to enjoy their daytrip. This issue is full
of experience options as we move around Southwestern Ontario. Shops are still the
unique, fun, and possibly ‘new-to-you’ spot; farm markets abound with the best
of the area produce, towns are exciting to explore, and every patio has a different
view. Get in the car, with Daytripping as your Adventure Map and adhering to health
guidelines, enjoy the summer.
From Rhonda’s Notebook:
Good things in Ontario
I would call myself a bit of a foodie and thanks to this
job I have found so many favourite places that cater
to my quality food demands. Bakeries with flavours
of bread to enhance the mundane sandwich and then
of course their sweets from pies to cream puffs, every
shop has something they do really well. Then of course
there are cheesemongers, chocolatiers, meats, maple
syrup farms and produce from farm markets. It does
not just end there though; many restaurants have takeout,
including frozen dinners for you to warm up in a hurry. This is the perfect time
to discover the stand alone shops our area has to offer.
My White Bicycle …
Bicycling is another resurrected past time of late and our region has many trails
and routes in varying levels difficulty for you experience. Most tourism organizations
have maps and routes on their website for you to find your favourite one. You may
even see me out there struggling to work off my bakery finds.
A Sign East
of Waterford
Erie Beach
HOTEL
TERRACE ROOM... OM...
Daily D
a
y T Take
a
k e O
Out/Curbside
u C
urbs
s i d
Pick
c
k
Up
11:30-7:30 Call 519-583-2161
ROOFTOP OFTO
OP PATIO...
T Mon-Sat 11:30-9 • Sun 11:30-8
NEW GARDEN PATIO...
On the lawn daily 11:30-7:30
No Reservations Taken
WATCH FOR
UPDATES ON WEBSITE
Great Local Art • Workshops • Gifts
We are pleased to announce
and d invite i
you to visit i
the gallery
e y
Thursdays & Fridays 11 am - 5 pm
Saturdays 11 am - 3:30 pm
REFER R TO OUR WEBSITE FOR
RE-OPENING UPDATES.
www.capitolartsmarket.com
l t k t
13 Norfolk Street South
Simcoe m • 519-900-9355
-935
Famous For Our
Lake Erie
Yellow Perch &
Pickerel Dinners
Walker St. W, Port Dover 519-583-1391 • www.eriebeachhotel.com
Good Advice
Hope is not a strategy.
Do no harm, but take no shit.
Buy a plunger before you need a plunger.
Try not to take
anything personally.
No one thinks about you
as much as you do.
Don’t give up what you want most for what you want now.
Don’t boast about your abilities, if they are good enough, people will do
the talking for you.
Don’t ruin a good apology with an excuse.
If you compare your life to someone else’s, you’ll never be happy.
Never treat someone like a priority if they treat you like an option.
The grass is always greener where you water it.
Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, remember that all the people
in this world haven’t had the advantages you’ve had.
Draw from your past, don’t let your past draw from you.
Surround yourself by people smarter than you and better at your job
than you. It’s the best way to learn.
Don’t point out a problem unless you have a better solution.
It’s OK to be
happy with a calm,
unbusy life.
Take care of your health, it’s the most
important thing you own.
If you have time to do it wrong, you
have time to do it again.
Never write down anything you
wouldn’t want read in court.
SUMMER 2020 “Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by.” — Robert Frost
Page 59