Huron-Perth Boomers

A FREE magazine for adults 50+
Winter 2020/21 — Volume 5, Issue 4
FAMILY
HISTORY
DOCUMENTING YOUR
family history
Remembering
Jack McLaren
Legendary artist called
Huron County home
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
CONTENTS
Here we are, three-quarters of a year into the COVID-19 pandemic. Who thought,
when we first hunkered down in March, we’d be entering the holiday season with
uncertainty around family gatherings for the holidays?
In the past nine months, we’ve gone from avoiding almost all public places to
safely dining in restaurants, Christmas shopping at local stores, and resuming
some group activities with just a few minor bumps in the road. Municipalities have
created ways for us to take part in activities, even though they don’t quite look like
normal, while community groups and museums have mastered online meetings
and fun get-togethers. Everyone in Huron/Perth has battled pandemic fatigue, a
wavering belief in what’s truly necessary, and what’s expected of us from day-today,
and now the light at the end of the tunnel is growing slightly brighter as we
approach the release of the COVID-19 vaccine. We’re so close, yet there are days
it feels so far away.
New Orleans • 6
Jack McLaren • 10
Fear of falling • 16
Family memories • 20
Retirement preparation • 26
Recipe • 30
Yes, our cases are rising slightly as we experience the first real threat of it grabbing
a foothold in our region. So far we’ve been the envy of the province, even being
celebrated by provincial media. We managed to keep it at bay during tourist season,
and we can stop it in its tracks now as we enter the winter season by continuing to
social distance, keeping our bubbles small, wearing masks, and washing our hands.
In this issue, you’ll learn about why now’s a great time to plan that trip to New
Orleans, the forgotten artist Jack McLaren, who called Bayfield home, how to
prevent falls, prepare for retirement, and capture your family’s memories.
We don’t know where this winter will take us, but these could be long, difficult
months for you, or your family, friends and
neighbours. Check in on each other. Be patient with
each other. Love each other. Our communities are
strong. Our people are hearty. We’re going to get
through this. Stay safe and be well.
Amy Irwin, Publisher
Huron-Perth Boomers
WINTER 2020/21
Publisher
Amy Irwin
amy@huronperthboomers.com
Magazine Design
Becky Grebenjak
Huron-Perth Boomers welcomes
your feedback.
EMAIL
amy@huronperthboomers.com
PHONE 519-524-0101
MAIL
P.O. Box 287, Ripley, ON N0G 2R0
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
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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.

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TRAVEL
Mardi Gras
frame of mind
PLAN NOW AND TRAVEL LATER
STORY AND PHOTOS BY JILL ELLIS-WORTHINGTON
6 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM
During Mardi Gras season, many buildings are
adorned in the traditional green, gold and purple.

y Jill Ellis-Worthington
TRAVEL
The first time I experienced New Orleans during
Mardi Gras, I was attending university. Even though
I was much younger and more tolerant of busy, noisy
environments, I swore off going until recently when I
figured out a better way to experience the Big Easy during
its most famous party time.
The secret is that Mardi Gras is actually a season, not just
a day. It starts in early January, with dozens of parades
held between then and Fat Tuesday, on Feb. 16 (in 2021,
though it changes annually).
It seems unlikely the Canadian/U.S. border will open
before the end of 2020 or even early in 2021, so start
planning to stroke Mardi Gras off your bucket list in
(hopefully!) 2022. Going early in Mardi Gras season
means fewer lines to get into restaurants, less jostling
when attending parades, less close contact with fellow
travellers, and it could even be safer in terms of COVID
exposure, depending on what the future holds.
Hotel room rates climb the closer it gets to Fat Tuesday,
as well. Staying in the French Quarter enhances the
experience, and we found a trusted brand like the
Holiday Inn Chateau LeMoyne to be the perfect blend
of charming, affordable and accessible. We could get
everywhere we wanted to go on foot from their Dauphine
Street location. If you are treating yourself to a more
luxurious experience, the French Quarter’s historic Hotel
Monteleone is a great choice with its famous carousel bar
and heated rooftop pool.
Start your plan by figuring out which parades you want
to attend. There are several each weekend and some
weekdays leading up to Fat Tuesday. Of course, going
midweek will benefit your budget and means even less
crowding. The variety of Krewes (from sci-fi lovers who
call themselves Chewbacchus to the more traditional wellheeled
locals) who build floats and march in parades vary
greatly in size, style and theme. There are family-friendly
daytime parades, like ‘tit Rex (shoebox-sized floats) and
The Krewe of Little Rascals, others that show off pet
pride, like The Mystic Krewe of Barkus, and others that
are a more traditional Mardi Gras experience, like the
Krewe of Rex.
A culinary destination, New Orleans’ plethora of
Travel writer Jill Ellis-Worthington
and her husband Ralph are ready
to explore NOLA and get into the
pre-Mardi Gras spirit.
restaurant choices has always reflected its multicultural
identity and the ones that made certain foods famous are
still pleasing folks – Drago’s Seafood or the Acme Oyster
House (grilled oysters), Antoine’s (oysters Rockefeller),
the Napoleon House (muffuletta sandwiches), and Café
du Monde (beignets). A pro tip is to visit the latter’s iconic
must-see original location in Jackson Square after an
evening in the Quarter as it is open 24 hours a day. It
is very busy during the day, so visit the other locations
scattered throughout the city, like at City Park, for a
chicory coffee fix at peak times as they are generally less
busy.
The Court of Two Sisters is always a favourite with its
charming patio dining for brunch to the sounds of a jazz
trio or in the evening to cap off a day of sightseeing with
flaming Bananas Foster.
WINTER 2020/21 • 7

TRAVEL
by Jill Ellis-Worthington
For the budget-wise, soaking up the Cajun spirit may
necessitate looking for inexpensive options for activities.
It is always fun to hop the street cars and ride around the
city when walking becomes taxing on the legs. It is an
inexpensive way to do a self-guided tour.
Cajun swamp tour near
Slidell, Louisiana.
2021 Parade Schedule (updated each year):
https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/parades/
General information: https://www.neworleans.com/
Tours: https://freetoursbyfoot.com/new-orleans-tours/
Breakfast at the Ruby Slipper Café is also a real treat. The
mimosa is as festive as it is delicious, with a rim bedecked
with Mardi Gras-appropriate purple, green and gold
sugar. For a flavour rush, try the brioche style Bananas
Foster French toast.
There’s so much to see and do in New Orleans, so though
your trip is focused on experiencing the excitement of
Mardi Gras, it’s a great time to check out the culture and
history of one of North America’s most amazing cities.
The Sazerac House is a newer museum celebrating
this cocktail’s influence on the city and vice versa.
Complimentary tours and tastings are available at their
location on Magazine Street. This is a slick, high-tech,
interactive experience with animatronic portrayals that
demonstrate the history of the cocktail, the formulation
of Peychaud Bitters, how Prohibition impacted NOLA
— and all of it is free!
The National World War II Museum is not new but
frequently offers new exhibits, and the New Orleans
Museum of Art recently doubled the size of its Sydney
and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden in City Park.
You’ll see dozens of low-cost guided walking tour options
on offer — many originating in Jackson Square — but
some of the most fun and interesting are the culinary
tours where you’ll tour the kitchens of several of NOLA’s
most famous restaurants, while sampling goodies. Don’t
miss a tour of the Garden District or a Voodoo Tour. On
the former, you’ll see gracious historic homes - owned by
Ann Rice, Nicholas Cage and John Goodman - in one of
the city’s oldest and most beautiful areas. On the latter,
you will probably see the grave of Marie Laveau, the
Queen of Voodoo, at St. Louis Cemetery Number One.
There are several options for cemetery tours but if you
want to wander at leisure, away from the hub-bub of the
Quarter, you can do so for free at Lafayette Cemetery
Number One in the Garden District.
Scanning the city’s skyline, you cannot miss the
Superdome, home of the National Football League’s
New Orleans Saints. Tours are not available, but you can
walk around the outside and visit the gift shop, which is
enough for true fans of this Super Bowl-winning team.
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is located near
the waterfront, so after you’ve rested up from checking
out the French Market with a New Orleans classic —
chicory coffee — at nearby Café Du Monde it’s time to
see some of the hundreds of creatures housed there who
live under the water.
One of NOLA’s nicknames is the Crescent City for its
position on a bend of the mighty Mississippi River. The
original North American superhighway, this waterway
provided transportation of goods from the north and
through its mouth in the Delta, while steam-powered
paddle wheelers were some of the vehicles involved in
these ventures. The Creole Queen is a modern version
of these majestic boats and offers a variety of tours, some
involving food and music, but all including a guided
recounting of the history of the river’s role in the city’s
development.
8 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

y Jill Ellis-Worthington
TRAVEL
If you drive down or fly and rent a car, take a day or
two of your mid-winter vacation to visit sites outside the
city. Did you know that alligators love marshmallows and
will jump several feet above the water to get one? Swamp
tours in all sorts of watercraft from kayaks to air boats can
be enjoyed in the areas around the city.
Once known as the Sugar Palace, Houmas House is a
beautifully restored antebellum plantation an hour’s
drive from the city. Costumed interpreters guide visitors
through the home and grounds, where you will see the
spreading branches of an enormous live oak tree that
sheltered invading Union troops during the Civil War.
Just like you cannot go to NOLA and not try the food,
chicory coffee or a Sazerac cocktail, missing out on the
music would be a huge faux pas. Bourbon Street is famous
for birthing greats like Al Hirt and Louis Armstrong, and
it’s still fun to check out the clubs there, though much of
the music scene has moved to Frenchman’s Street. While
rocking out at clubs there, do not miss the nightly openair
Palace Art Market.
One not-to-be-missed French Quarter watering hole with
quiet charm and excellent cocktails is the Bourbon O
Bar (try the Ramos Gin Fizz or Sazerac for an authentic
taste of NOLA). At the opposite end of the scale is
Pat O’Brien’s, which is a huge, noisy place famous for
its Hurricanes. Buy your oversized Hurricane glass to
recreate this drink at home and savour your memories.
When the purple, green and gold call your name and
you are ready to warm up to Mardi Gras season or if
you’re looking for a cultural and culinary getaway, New
Orleans delivers. Start planning now to make this bucket
list dream come true.
Jill Ellis-Worthington is writer, editor and communications
consultant. Visit her at writeoncommunicationsservices.com.
WINTER 2020/21 • 9

HISTORY
Remembering the legendary artist
Jack McLaren
BY SHAWN HENSHALL
10 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

y Shawn Henshall
HISTORY
For generations, Canadian artists have made their
mark on the world, with countless individuals rising
to fame on stage and screen, and as frontrunners in the
various arts, inspiring and influencing all who come after
them.
One of these legends, Huron County artist J.W. (Jack)
McLaren, has been largely forgotten, though his
contributions to the arts have inspired the likes of Monty
Python and Kids in the Hall, and brought hope and
laughter to troops serving their countries at home and
overseas, all the while pushing boundaries as a prolific
artist, illustrator, author, and actor. The story of this
fascinating and influential man is being remembered in
the exhibit ‘Reflections: The Life and Work of J.W. (Jack)
McLaren’ on now at the Huron County Museum.
Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1895, to John Wilson
McLaren and Margaret Robertson, Jack was the youngest
of four children. Not much is known about his childhood,
but he started his Junior Education at the Royal High
School of Edinburgh, one of the oldest schools in
Scotland, with roots established in 1128. The school has
had many well renowned attendees in its history including
Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, and
Sir Walter Scott, prolific Scottish novelist and poet.
After the untimely death of McLaren’s father at the age
of 39, the McLaren family decided to move to Canada
to seek a better life. Maggie, accompanied by her three
youngest children Nancy, Hugh and Jack, followed in
the footsteps of her eldest son, Alexander McLaren, who
had come to Canada several years earlier. They settled in
west Toronto, on High Park Avenue, in 1908, in what was
known as the Toronto Junction at the time.
In 1910, McLaren enrolled in an architecture program
in Edinburgh, however, after finding this career path
too rigid, he applied to the fine arts program at the
Edinburgh College of Art and went on to study for four
years under J. Campbell Mitchell, David Allison, Henry
Lintott and others.
After graduating in 1914, and with the stability of many
European countries threatened with rumours of war, he
returned to Toronto to be with family and friends and to
contemplate his future.
Above: Jack the recruit. Courtesy of the Mc-
Laren family collection.
Left: Jack McLaren – Fishing Fleet, Bayfield,
Huron County, from the collection of the Huron
County Museum 2005.65.1
When Britain was obligated by treaty to declare war on
Germany in August 1914, in retaliation for Germany’s
invasion of neutral Belgium, Jack’s life would take a
sudden change of direction. On the weekend the war
broke out, he was visiting friends at a summer cottage on
the shores of Lake Simcoe. As soon as he heard the news,
he headed back to Toronto to enlist. He, as did so many
others, believed the war would be short, full of adventure,
and was the right thing to do for ‘King and Country.’
WINTER 2020/21 • 11

HISTORY
by Shawn Henshall
McLaren would later note that among the personal effects
he took to war were assorted oil and watercolour paints, a
small paint box and palette, brushes, sketch boards, wigs
and theatrical make-up.
“A week after I joined the battalion, a runner came to
my hut telling me to report to a Major Agar Adamson,”
McLaren once said. “On being paraded before Adamson,
he handed me a letter he had received from Professor
James Mavor, informing him that I would soon be joining
the battalion and that I had certain abilities as a painter,
writer and actor. I was then assigned to draw maps of
the local terrain… and when we had finished a tour in
the trenches and we went back into the reserve area, I
was asked to organize little impromptu concerts and
entertainment.”
McLaren led the establishment of the Princess Patricia’s
Canadian Light Infantry Comedy Company, which
recruited many talented performers to entertain the
troops with theatrical comedy. The shows were received
by frontline soldiers with resounding acclaim. This led
to the establishment of other comedy companies, such
as the Dumbells, using the Comedy Company blueprint
for success. As a result of their widespread popularity, the
Comedy Company was pulled out of the trenches for a
Royal Command Performance for the King and Queen
of England at the Apollo Theatre in London, which
included a private visit with the Royals after the show.
On Broadway - In addition to success with
Canadian audiences both overseas and
at home, the Dumbells became the first
Canadian show to have a hit on Broadway,
with their revue Biff, Bing, Bang, playing the
Ambassador Theatre for 12 weeks in 1921.
PPCLI Archives, Calgary, C130-3-1 No 50
Toward the end of the war, discussions started on a
possible merger with the Dumbells Comedy Company,
led by the Plunkett brothers, who were keen to acquire
the writing talents of McLaren as well as the deep acting
talent of the Comedy Company. The united company
would retain the name of The Dumbells and would go
on to tour Canada to sold-out shows, and eventually take
Broadway by storm, a topic that would be recounted
many years later by Jack during an appearance on the
CBC’s Front Page Challenge.
The Comedy Company’s brand of dark humour would
go on to influence comedy groups including Monty
Python, Saturday Night Live, and SCTV.
After turning down a screen test offered by Irving
Thalberg of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayor fame, Jack decided
12 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

y Shawn Henshall
HISTORY
to return to Toronto in 1922 to pursue an artistic career.
He was quickly recruited by a talented team of graphic
artists under the leadership of A.H. Robson at Rous
and Mann. Robson had previously worked at Grip Ltd.
where he had assembled a group of young, eager, up-andcoming
Canadian artists, among them Tom Thomson,
J.E.H. MacDonald, Franklin Carmichael, Frederick
Varley, Arthur Lismer, and Frank Johnston (as you may
recognize as founding members of the Group of Seven).
Robson was successful in bringing some of this talent with
him to Rous and Mann, including Carmichael.
McLaren left Rous and Mann in 1923 to establish a
promotions and advertising company with partner John
McCaul. The company achieved success through contracts
with Birks, Canadian Cycle and Motor Company (CCM),
Imperial Oil and many others. It is here McLaren
pioneered the use of Plasticine in advertising, creating
delightful three-dimensional images for clients.
Through contacts he had made at Rous and Mann,
McLaren was invited to join the famous Arts and Letters
Club in Toronto where he was quickly reacquainted with
his friends in the Group of Seven. This led, several years
later, to his election to the prestigious Ontario Society
of Artists, where McLaren would exhibit his work until
well into the 1940s and informal discussions with Arthur
Lismer on the possibility of joining the Group of Seven,
which McLaren respectfully declined.
Jack McLaren as “The General” in skit entitled
“The Papers” PPCLI Archives, Calgary,
P30(217.1-217.3)-1
In 1933, McLaren mastered the technique of engraving
in linoleum and released a set of caricatures called ‘Our
Great Ones.’ McLaren went on to receive international
acclaim and recognition by the Studio magazine as one
of the leading graphic artists of his time. This set of
caricatures soon caught the attention of the great portrait
photographer Yousuf Karsh. The two would become
instant friends after a rendezvous in the Karsh Studio at
the Laurier Hotel in Ottawa, where McLaren’s portrait
was taken. McLaren linocuts were collected by the likes
of Karsh, Canada’s pre-eminent graphic artist Walter
Joseph Phillips, and galleries across the country, including
The Glenbow Museum in Calgary, Alta., and the Art
Gallery of Greater Victoria, B.C. Many of his caricatures
still grace the walls of the Arts and Letters Club today.
In 1936, McLaren convinced his friend Sam McLaughlin,
WINTER 2020/21 • 13

HISTORY
by Shawn Henshall
McLaren linocut of Group of Seven member Lawren
Harris, from the collection of the Huron County Museum
& Historic Gaol, Goderich, Ontario, Canada.
the founder of General Motors Canada, to purchase
paintings by the Group of Seven. The 70 works that
McLaren presented to McLaughlin would later form the
core of the now famous McMichael Gallery collection
in Kleinburg, Ont., where they were gifted after
McLaughlin’s death.
In 1960, the Metropolitan Toronto Conservation
Authority began investigating the allocation of land
around the Don River. The McLarens responded quickly
by taking preemptive action consistent with their desire to
retain a rural lifestyle. Over the previous several years, the
McLarens had travelled to the community of
Bayfield, on the shore of Lake Huron, to visit
friends they had made through their business
circles. They fell in love with the natural
beauty of the area and, after many months
of searching, found two acres of land on the
banks of the Maitland River in the very small
historic community of Benmiller. It is here
they built their dream home complete with its
own art studio.
McLaren had become a popular artist in
the region and an active member of the
local artistic community in both visual and
theatrical arts. He was active in the Huron
County Historical Society and, after being
elected president in 1968, McLaren designed
the group’s logo. He continued to paint in the
Benmiller area well into his 80s, capturing the
vibrancy of the landscapes of Huron County
and the Maitland River Valley in his works
that live on today in households and buildings
throughout the county. Close to 100 McLaren
works from the Huron County community are
featured in ‘Reflections,’ the largest McLaren
exhibit to date.
A large collection of his resource files are also
held at the Huron County Museum & Archives,
and his legacy includes an endowment
providing drama and visual arts awards for
Goderich District Collegiate Institute (GDCI)
students, as well as scholarships for graduating
students enrolling in post-secondary visual
and dramatic arts programs.
“Jack visited my Canadian Literature class at GDCI on
several occasions,” said John Smallwood, of Goderich, in
offering his reflections of McLaren for the Huron County
Museum exhibit.
“And in every presentation, he provided unique ways
of looking at the environment, insights into an era in
Canadian painting, and a willingness to answer students’
questions with respect and thoughtfulness.”
Jack McLaren died in 1988 at the age of 93 in Goderich.
14 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

Maitland Falls, on loan from
Janis and Peter Bisback.
He left behind an extensive body of work consisting of
thousands of oil paintings, linocuts, and illustrations,
many of which can be found in public and private
collections across Canada, including the National Gallery
of Canada, The Art Gallery of Toronto, the Glenbow
Museum, and the McLaughlin Museum in Oshawa.
‘Reflections: The Life and Work of J.W. (Jack) McLaren’
runs until April 30, 2021, at the Huron County Museum
in Goderich. The exhibit is presented in partnership
with the Huron County Historical Society. For more
information, visit www.huroncountymuseum.ca.
Shawn Henshall has been fascinated by early-20 Century art since
he was a teenager, and he researches artists and deciphers their role
in contributing to the foundation of the modern arts movement in
Canada. The great-grandson-in-law of Jack McLaren, Shawn
spent 12 years researching his legacy, supported by his family, the
Arts & Letters Club, The National Gallery of Canada, the Art
Gallery of Ontario, and the Huron County Historical Society and
Huron County Museum. The culmination of his research concludes
with a book entitled ‘The Forgotten Legend: The Life Story of John
Wilson McLaren’ which is scheduled to be released by FriesenPress
in December and will be available at the Museum and in bookstores
in Goderich and Bayfield.
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WINTER 2020/21 • 15

HEALTH & WELLNESS
Fear of
FALLING
Persistent concern can lead to people avoiding daily activities
BY MARGUERITE OBERLE THOMAS AND ALISON STIRLING
16 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

y Marguerite Oberle Thomas and Alison Stirling
HEALTH & WELLNESS
When working around the home, do you ever
consider you might fall?
We often forget that we’re aging and should no longer be
fearless, but we also can’t let that fear stop us from living
our lives.
Barry and Sherry were a happy retired couple just
enjoying their everyday life. Without warning, Sherry
fell in the kitchen, breaking her wrist. Shortly afterward,
Barry slipped off the second rung of a ladder. While not
injured, he was shocked with his near miss and started
being less active. Then one day on Facebook, they saw
‘Be Ready, Be Steady’ as the theme for the 2020 Fall
Prevention Month. They agreed they could be more
ready to be more steady, whether fearful or not.
Fear of falling refers to a persistent concern about having
a fall that leads an individual to avoid daily activities. Is it
a rational fear? Yes, the fear is based on reality. According
to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI),
81 per cent of hospitalized injuries were due to falls in
2017/18, with the majority being adults aged 65 and over.
The balance to that fear needs to be informed motivation,
not paralysis.
Fear of falling may start earlier than we expect. Middleaged
and older adults who report a fear of falling share
some factors. They are likely less physically active. Other
factors can include limitations in daily activities, higher
levels of anxiety and depression, chronic conditions, and
the use of walking aids. Did the fear of falling result in
limiting your mobility, or did decreased mobility lead to
a fear of falling?
This fear can be tough on both physical health and the
quality of life. We can be ready to be steady by using
multiple approaches, including:
• Creating a safe indoor and outdoor environment.
Check out fallpreventionmonth.ca for home
safety checklists, along with ideas as how to make
improvements to reduce fall risks.
• Being physically active. It encourages muscle
strength, balance, and flexibility. Many programs
are available online. During COVID-19, you should
create a safe space for exercising in your home,
Fall Prevention Month,
marked in November,
now in it sixth year, is a
pan-Canadian campaign
to raise awareness about
fall prevention for seniors
and young children.
using online programs, which can also found at
fallpreventionmonth.ca.
• Learning about Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. A
McMaster Optimal Aging Portal article on Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy describes a useful technique to
address fears. It has been used with some success.
• Considering a medical alert button. This can provide
a measure of confidence that, should a fall occur,
communication to needed help is readily available.
This should be worn or always kept within reach.
• Learning how to get up from a fall. This skill increases
confidence that, should a fall occur, there won’t be
the long lie of being stranded while possibly injured
as well.
• Avoiding letting fear cause social isolation. The
company of others is essential for good emotional
health.
While our own home safety can be more within our
control, outdoor conditions conducive to tripping and
falling may present bigger challenges. Outside our homes,
it might be time to:
• correct cracked sidewalks, uneven levels
• ensure there is good lighting indoors and outdoors
• install handrails and grip bars on stairs and by
slippery surfaces in public spaces, and in homes
• wear safe footwear indoors and outdoors to reduce slips
• advocate for safer public spaces
WINTER 2020/21 • 17

HEALTH & WELLNESS
18 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

HURON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PRESERVIN G O U R H ERITAGE
by Marguerite Oberle Thomas and Alison Stirling
Barry and Sherry recognized that COVID-19 isolation
had increased their need for physical activity to keep
their flexibility, strength, and balance. They visited the
aforementioned Fall Prevention Month website and
found resources for in-home exercise programs, home
safety checklists, and other fall prevention materials.
REFLECTIONS
The Life and Work of J. W. (Jack) McLaren
So we can choose to fear falling, or perhaps, this Fall
Prevention Month, we should just decide to have a healthy
respect that it can happen and ‘Be Ready, Be Steady.’
Tips to prevent falls
• Visit the Fall Prevention Month website (adults and
caregivers) for great tips on safe winter walking
including the Toronto Rehab Institute safe footwear
site ratemytreads.
•
• Consult with your health care provider for a
medication review.
•
• Optometrists recommend annual check-ups for
everyone over 65.
•
• Don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids — dehydration
can cause dizziness and lead to falls.
Marguerite Oberle Thomas, RN., BScN., Consultant Liaison, and
Alison Stirling, MHSc., MISt., Knowledge Broker, are both seniors
who work with Loop Fall Prevention Community of Practice of the
Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation.
Erin Koot
October 8, 2020 to April 30, 2021
Huron County Museum
110 North St., Goderich
www.HuronCountyMuseum.ca
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WINTER 2020/21 • 19

DOCUMENTING
YOUR
family history
AN EXCELLENT COVID-19 PROJECT
BY ALISON LOBB
20 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

y Alison Lobb
FAMILY
There is no better time to discover and
share your family history.
While living through COVID-forced isolation, it’s a perfect time to put pen to paper (or
rather, hit those keyboards!) and start digging into your family’s past. Who is your family
hoarder? Who is your closet genealogist? This is something you can safely do inside this
winter, and it can create a delightful family bubble too.
Also, when I refer to family history, I don’t mean a chart showing the names and dates of
your ancestors. What makes a family history come alive is the memories.
Think about how much life has changed within your lifetime. Do you remember when the
entire family sat down to dinner together every night? When there were no credit cards and
cash was king? I recall when there was only one telephone in the house and it was fastened
to the wall. I grew up watching “the boob tube” when couples on TV were never undressed
WINTER 2020/21 • 21

FAMILY
by Alison Lobb
and profanity and violence weren’t present, and the bad
guy never won!
You may remember those days, but do your children
and grandchildren? What can your parents share with
you about the age in which they grew up? How can they
help you create a visual picture of the people and the
times in which they lived? Talk to them and record those
memories. Once done, make sure you share them.
In crafting a family history, the first place to start is with
yourself and your closest relatives. What documentation
do you/they have stored away? Look for photos,
certificates, newspaper clippings, and obituaries. Every
little bit has value. Write down your own memories,
however sketchy they may be. Take an afternoon with
your parents, grandparents, or a favourite aunt or uncle
and just chat (perhaps record it on your phone so you
don’t have to take notes).
Most families have a closet genealogist, at the very least
a person who saves every card, photo or clipping they’ve
come across. Ask your family until you locate that person,
and then spend time with them. Take a recorder if you
think they would be comfortable. Otherwise, it’s a pad
and paper, or computer.
Many of the stories you collect with seem unlikely,
perhaps even contradictory, but somewhere there will be
a germ of truth. That’s the nugget you’re looking for. Our
earliest Canadian ancestors were found on the census
with a teenage daughter. The question arose about whose
daughter she was and was she “legitimate” (an important
question for those days!). When working with members
of the older generation, three of them told me one story
about her, while the other three had a much different
story. Research ultimately found the truth to be a happy
combination of both. He had married a widow with a
daughter, but the daughter assumed his family name.
Together, we can
slow the spread.
“As a region, we’ve been
successful in battling
COVID-19 together and we
can see a light at the end of
the tunnel; however, now is
not the time to let down
our guard.”
Dr. Arra, Medical Officer of
Health and CEO for the Grey
Bruce Health Unit
Physical distance
Wear a mask
Wash your hands
22 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

y Alison Lobb
FAMILY
Aside from Indigenous peoples, we are all descendants
of immigrants. Once you know where your ancestors
came from geographically, and where they settled, you
can really begin your research. There are numerous
resources for your Canadian roots. The Ontario
Ancestor organization, previously known as the Ontario
Genealogical Society (OGS), has an amazing collection
of resources, many of them free. Membership is quite
reasonable (www.ogs.on.ca) and provides access to a
variety of databases, cemetery indexes, educational
webinars, and an annual conference. There are 34
Ontario Ancestor branches and special interest groups,
which expands available assistance. Joining the branch
where your ancestors settled, or perhaps ended up
locating, is worth it.
In our area, the Huron County Branch of Ontario
Ancestor holds monthly meetings from April to
November (currently by Zoom), as well as distributing a
useful newsletter. Researchers can submit queries (free) to
be included in the newsletter and website. The Branch
has a library of local resources located in Goderich at
the Huron County Museum (110 North St.) and access
is currently by appointment. The collection includes
donated family tree books and materials, some indexed
newspapers, church records, and local history resources.
A volunteer researcher may even be available to assist in
your search. Visitors are always welcome, however with
branch memberships under $20, it’s worth joining the
local branch of your interest.
Don’t overlook your area libraries, Historical Societies
and Archives, the Ontario Archives in Toronto (for a small
monthly fee), and land records. The OnLand application
acts as a virtual Land Registry Office, where you can
search or browse records. It’s definitely thrilling when you
obtain a copy of your earliest ancestor’s signature on a
land document or will!
During the 1980s, the OGS spearheaded a project to
transcribe all the information (including the verses) from
cemetery stones and make them accessible to researchers.
As Cemetery Coordinator, I organized a myriad of
volunteers to record, transcribe and share the information
found on over 100 cemeteries in Huron County. Imagine
the delight of a descendant of Mary Laidlaw coming
across the record of this stone — “In memory of Mary
Do you remember
when the entire
family sat down to
dinner together?
When there were no
credit cards and cash
was king? I recall
when there was only
one telephone in the
house and it was
fastened to the wall!
WINTER 2020/21 • 23

FAMILY
by Alison Lobb
Laidlaw, Died Oct. 10 1868, aged 68 years. Relict of
Wm. Laidlaw, Who died in Illinois, US, Jan, 5 1839, aged
41 years. Natives of the Parish of Ettrick, Selkerkshire,
Scotland.”
Indexed summaries of all these cemeteries are available
through the Huron County Branch, and also through the
Huron County Library.
The tracing of global roots has become much easier in this
computerized world, with the emphasis on digitization of
records. Do please remember that much of this work is
done by volunteers, so rather than be frustrated if you
cannot find needed records, consider being thankful for
what you are able to find. Perhaps you could volunteer to
assist with an indexing project in your area?
My area of interest was the Lobb family is Cornwall,
England. In the 1970s (prior to the Internet, remember!),
the primary source of genealogical information was
through the Mormon’s International Genealogical Index,
which I accessed at their London, Ont., Church Resource
Centre. Trying to locate all possible relatives, I also
collected pages from area phone books on my travels and
made cold calls. Of course, all vacation travels headed to
where I knew there were Lobbs. The generosity of total
strangers with their personal information was incredible.
I met amazing people and that was the most rewarding
part of my hobby/obsession.
Renewing my research much later, I found the newer
Internet resources invaluable. Ancestry and other similar
programs (Family Search, FindMyPast) uncovered
valuable information. I started with Ancestry.ca and
signed up for a year. That allowed me access to the
indexed records of births, marriages and deaths; early
census records and voters lists; and available immigration
and military records. The possibilities were amazing.
And the various genealogical software programs make
documentation easier. It amazed me how much I
uncovered about an individual by simply Googling their
name. Quite often, detailed obituaries were available. I
did sign up for Ancestry DNA and received a few contacts,
but did not find that of primary interest.
I was hoping to identify the ancestors of our first known
Canadian Lobb, George. I started with what we could
document (George’s date of death according to his Bible),
which provided a date of birth in 1813. Then I looked
for baptisms of other children with similar parents in that
time period, in the Cornish parish known. With indexed
baptisms available, a list was created. Then I went to
the marriages file looking for a marriage for parents of
those names just prior to the date of the first child. Then,
assuming the father was at least 20 when he was married,
I worked backwards looking for a baptism for a child of
that name in the area… and hopefully located his parents.
Then I started all over. It’s not absolute, but I was able to
create two generations in a relatively short time. Thank
you, volunteer transcribers!
Although it is rewarding to develop a tree quickly using
computer records, you need to keep in mind that until
you have obtained actual documentation (such as the
birth certificate itself), you are simply assuming your
conclusions. Yes, I have put together three generations
that may be accurate. However, there are reasons why
my assumptions could be flawed. There was no legal
requirement to keep records in the 1700s and early-1800s,
so the event may not have been documented. Documents
may not have been saved or allowed to be transcribed, or
perhaps the records were simply lost through time.
I also could have made a mistake with my assumption!
Remember too, to account for spelling variations in
surnames. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, literacy was
not the norm, so persons recording names made their own
interpretation. I found one Lobb branch on the border
between Ontario and Quebec where three brothers
raised their families as Lobbs, while across the river three
raised generations known as Labre. One recorder was
English speaking, the other was French. Also, immigrants
may have anglicized their names to simpler forms.
If you are planning to publish your results, pay careful
attention to privacy concerns. Ancestry does not print the
names and dates of anyone who is still alive. They simply
input “private individual.” If you are not sure about
someone’s date of death, a rule of thumb is 100 years.
I guess the theory is that if they are still around after
100 years, they probably wouldn’t object to their birth
date being known. What will you do? Can you ensure
relatives will honour a request to maintain confidentiality
24 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

y Alison Lobb
FAMILY
of current data? With the Internet so accessible, that is
definitely an issue.
Perhaps the easiest way to start, and to generate interest
(and assistance) among relatives, is to produce a Grandma
or Grandpa booklet. For my mother’s 80th birthday, I
called each of the siblings, children and grandchildren
and asked them, right then and there, to give me one
word they would use to describe her, and a memory they
had involving her. The results were fascinating, and even
surprising. Who would have expected a teenage grandson
to comment, “She has good legs”? I put their anecdotes
together in a booklet, complete with photos through the
years, and it was the hit of her birthday party.
As an added bonus, I had not identified who said what,
and she and Grandpa spent many hours trying to puzzle
that out.
Family memory books are the most personal, perfect gift
you can give on any occasion. They generate discussion,
and we were all surprised when my mother added her
own anecdote.
“There is an inscription on my wedding ring, because I
insisted it was important that there be one,” Mom said.
“Dad took care of it, but since he put the ring on my
finger in 1933, I have never once had it off... so, I still
have no idea what the inscription is!”
hard cover book). I found, however, if I want 25 copies
to share with relatives, it’s cheaper to have them printed
locally at our excellent print shops — simply by creating
a pdf document with a spiral binding.
Memories are a wonderful thing. They’re what transforms
a genealogy into a family history. Don’t assume the
memories and anecdotes will remain intact! They don’t.
When I first worked on our family history, I collected
many old photos, which were family treasures. Then our
house burned to the ground with everything in it, and I
lost them all. As a result of that experience, my passion is
to collect family memorabilia and anecdotes, and then to
share the info.
Gather the names and dates, by all means. The computer
resources available today certainly help. However, it’s
also important to document your own family memories,
and those of your parents, and your children. It’s equally
important to share them, so they are preserved in many
places. Make sure the stories and treasures endure.
Document the memories, then share, share, share.
Alison Lobb is a mother, cash-crop farmer, municipal politician, and
writer. Her commitment to community development has her actively
involved in several local organizations.
I have created over 25 family booklets, typing into either
Microsoft Word or other readily available software
programs. For smaller booklets, my personal preference is
a free program called PhotoInPress.ca (cost about $50 per
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WINTER 2020/21 • 25

OPINION
Preparing for
RETIREMENT
HOW TO BE EMOTIONALLY READY FOR THIS EPIC LIFE EVENT
BY APRIL TAYLOR
26 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

y April Taylor
OPINION
Unprepared for retirement?
Are you kidding me? I can’t wait to retire. I am exhausted
and burnt out. I can’t wait to get out of there!
I know, I know… but hear me out. We all know we need
money to retire. We’ve seen the commercials of the
attractive 60-something couple sitting on the beach or
exploring the country on their expensive new motorcycles.
We all want to retire comfortably, so it’s essential to find
a good financial advisor and get your savings plan in
motion.
However, that is not what this article is about.
In my line of work, I have the privilege of listening to
my clients share about their lives, hopes and dreams. As I
get older, so do they. In recent years, the conversation of
retirement comes up often. Some people feel that when
they retire, life will be perfect, they won’t have the stress of
9-to-5 workdays, co-workers to get along with, etc., only
to find themselves unhappy a few months into retirement.
“How can this be?” they ask themselves.
I have watched friends and clients fall into depression
when they where expecting freedom and fun. Why is that?
Like you, I have worked full time for more than 30 years,
I am following a financial plan with hopes of having a
comfortable lifestyle upon retirement. Life can be busy
earning a living, raising a family, taking care of a house
and countless other things that consume our waking
hours. Then, finally, the big day arrives — retirement!
Now what?
You’ve organized your pension fund. You went to bed and
didn’t set the alarm for 6 a.m. for the first time in many
years. Ahhh... this is the life; no stress, no deadlines. It
feels good and is a welcome relief for a while. In fact, it
almost feels like a prolonged holiday from work.
Eventually though, you find yourself feeling unfulfilled
and bored sitting around binge watching endless episodes
of Law & Order, or bickering with your spouse, who you
quickly realize we’ve never spent this much time with.
This isn’t the life we imagined. What happened to
the happy, attractive, 60-something couple on the
Don’t wait until you
retire to cultivate interests
in things other than work.
Be open-minded and try new
things, even if it’s simple as
a new recipe or asking the
neighbours in for a visit.
commercials? Our happiness is our own responsibility.
This may sound cliché but often wise words become
clichés because they’re true. Over the years we may have
lost touch with friends and let our personal interests and
hobbies go, or slipped into unhealthy habits. It wasn’t
intentional, but we were just so darn busy and tired…
now, here we are, retired with nothing but time and an
open schedule.
Happy Retirement Project
Don’t wait until you retire to cultivate interests in things
other than work. Be open-minded and try new things,
even if it’s simple as a new recipe or asking the neigbour
in for a visit and to watch the big game.
Take personal stock. Give serious thought to what you
would honestly like your life to look like. Our generation
wasn’t necessarily taught this, but it’s a very important
and necessary self-discovery tool. For years I just woke up
and did what I did without giving it much thought. Life
seemed to be one big to-do list. I ask you, how can you
live the life you want when you don’t really know what is
it that you want? Your answer may be, “I just want to be
happy,” but what makes you happy? Write down in detail
what you would like this chapter of your life to look like.
For example, I want to spend time with my family. I want
to enjoy the company of friends, whether by going sailing
or just out for lunch. I want to be fit and healthy. I want
WINTER 2020/21 • 27

OPINION
by April Taylor
to sing in a choir or take up dancing… write down every whim, wish and
desire.
Where to start
Sometimes there’s the sudden realization that you may not have as many
friends as you thought or they are still busy working. Nor do I have a
sailboat, my kids are living their lives and don’t need me around, and my
partner doesn’t want to travel. Worse, our loved ones sometimes die rather
unexpectedly.
Life happens, and this is where we might slip into a depression. So how
do we avoid this, or come back if it has already started? The chatter
in our minds may be part of the problem. It may be saying, “I am too
old, I’m afraid to change, my husband will think it’s stupid.” All sorts of
28 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

y April Taylor
OPINION
excuses may bubble up to the surface. That’s OK, but
make sure to follow your dreams anyway. It might feel
uncomfortable, but we’ve survived discomfort before.
Everything gets easier the more we do it.
If you are really stuck and can’t move forward, you may
need to see a grief counsellor, hiring a personal trainer or
a life coach. There is no shame in getting help, and you
owe it to yourself.
The important thing is to start. Look at your list, choose
one thing — even if it’s easiest to accomplish — and
do it. Call an old friend, organize a family-bowling
tournament, take that pottery or art class you never had
time for, or maybe try online dating. Take control of your
life and begin.
It’s likely everything you try won’t be a success and you
may be disappointed to find out that you don’t like pottery
(as I did), but my husband discovered he does enjoy it and
has now built a little pottery studio. By just trying things
you’ll eventually find things that you enjoy.
Give back
Having hobbies and interests is only one part of the
Happy Retirement Project. Having a purpose and a
feeling of contributing to society provides an even deeper
level of fulfillment. There are endless ways to contribute
to your community. There’s volunteering at the hospital or
reading programs at the public school. If that’s not your
jam (as the kids say these days) maybe start a book club in
your condo building, help an elderly neighbour by taking
her grocery shopping, or babysit for an overwhelmed
young mother.
A part-time job is a great way to meet new people and
earn a few bucks so you can go on that fishing trip with
your buddies.
Keep learning
Stay interested and interesting. What makes a person
attractive at any age is being interesting. If all you can
offer a conversation is what happened on your soap opera
last week people may not be lining up to hang out with
you. Be engaged in life. If you are interested in gardening
learn more about it, and the same goes for politics, health,
golf or travel.
Learning something new really does provide us with a
wonderful feeling of accomplishment and makes you an
interesting person.
You work and work for years and years,
you’re always on the go.
You never take a minute off, too busy
makin’ dough.
Someday, you say, you’ll have your fun,
when you’re a millionaire.
Imagine all the fun you’ll have in your old
rockin’ chair.
Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think.
Enjoy yourself, while you’re still in the pink.
The years go by, as quickly as a wink.
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, it’s later
than you think. — Guy Lombardo
This is more than a catchy tune by Guy Lombardo, it is
truly sage advice. You’ve worked hard you whole life and
now it’s your time. It’s time for you to have fun and be
happy just like the commercials.
You’ve earned it and deserve it. Get out there and enjoy
every minute.
April Taylor is a freelance writer and hairstylist who lives in
Stratford and loves to travel.
WINTER 2020/21 • 29

FOOD & DRINK
Mexican Salsa P ie
Cooking Time: 30 to 35 minutes
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup coarsely chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
½ cup chopped sweet green pepper
1 cup finely diced Ontario Carrot
1 cup grated peeled rutabaga
2 tbsp beef stock or water
1 lb extra-lean ground beef or ground turkey
¾ cup salsa or chili sauce
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper
Topping
1 cup mashed cooked buttercup squash*
2 eggs
¼ cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
Instructions:
Add meat to skillet, stirring to break up any large pieces, until no longer pink.
Mix into cooked vegetables along with salsa, paprika and oregano. Season to
taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Topping:
You can microwave the squash for the topping quickly. Just wash and pierce the
skin in several places. Place on plate and microwave at high power, seven to eight
minutes for a 1 lb squash, turning once. Let stand for five minutes. Halve, then
remove and discard seeds before mashing.
In bowl, beat together squash and eggs until smooth; stir in milk. Stir together
flour, baking powder and salt; stir into squash mixture just until blended. Spread
topping over meat mixture; score with knife into wedges. Bake in 400 F oven for
20 to 25 minutes or until topping is puffed and firm to the touch, yet still slightly
moist at centre.
*If buttercup squash is unavailable, combine 1 cup mashed, cooked acorn or hubbard squash
with ½ cup mashed potatoes.
- Recipe courtesy of Foodland Ontario
30 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

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