HPB_Fall 2022

A FREE magazine for adults 50+ 

FALL 2022 — Volume 7, Issue 3 

ARTS 

Pivoting 

during the pandemic 

How actors changed course 

when local theatres shut down 

TRAVEL 

COMMUNITY 

The healing power 

of kites 

LOVING 

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FROM THE PUBLISHER 

Hello fall! Autumn has always been my very favourite season. To me, fall 

feels like a new beginning – a time to slow down after a busy summer, enjoy 

comfort foods and comfort clothes, and take some time to re-evaluate life 

before the days get shorter and darker. 

Throw in some September beach days, family birthdays, Thanksgiving and 

Halloween and I’m happy… until we get into the miserable, rain, sleet and 

snow of November that is. This fall is hitting differently. It feels like a muchneeded 

break after a more “normal” summer than the past two years – a 

summer packed full of events and activities, combined with the hope and 

optimism this continues into the fall and holiday season. 

While this all feels like great news, uncertainty is still rearing its ugly head 

in the form of pandemic-related supply chain issues, directly affecting the 

publishing industry. While it becomes more challenging every issue to get 

a print product in our readers’ hands, we are committed to persevering. 

I’m proud of our team, and thank our readers and advertisers for their 

continued support. 

CONTENTS 

Pandemic pivot • 4 

Oral health • 10 

Loving Niagara Falls • 14 

The joy of kite-flying • 20 

Lost villages of Huron • 24 

Recipe • 30 

In this issue we look at oral health and how it ties to overall body health, and 

how local actors pivoted during the pandemic when theatres closed. We give 

Niagara Falls another chance and are quite surprised at what we find, while 

a Stratford kite-maker and pilot tells us of the joy the hobby brings. We also 

look at the lost villages of Huron and a visible 

way the county is honouring that history. 

We hope you enjoy this issue and have a great 

fall! 

Amy Irwin, Publisher 

Huron-Perth Boomers 

FALL 2022 

Publisher 

Amy Irwin 

amy@huronperthboomers.com 

Magazine Design 

Becky Grebenjak 

Advertising inquiries 

Amy Irwin 


Huron-Perth Boomers welcomes 

your feedback. 

EMAIL 


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 

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.

ARTS 

Pivoting 

during the pandemic 

HOW LOCAL ACTORS HANDLED CLOSING OF THEATRES 

BY ELIZABETH BUNDY-COOPER 

When the 2020 theatre season was cancelled at the Stratford Festival, 

more than 1,000 staff, artisans and actors were basically out of 

work or working at a reduced capacity. The brand-new Tom Patterson 

Theatre was just receiving its finishing touches and previews for the 

musical Chicago were just a few short weeks away. When the stages went 

dark, work grounded to a halt for most actors, so they had to find other 

ways to feather their nest. 

Here are how four Stratford actors pivoted during the pandemic. 

4 • HURONPERTHBOOMERS.COM

y Elizabeth Bundy-Cooper 

ARTS 

Photo of Michael 

Spencer-Davis by 

Ann Baggley. 

Michael Spencer-Davis 

Stratford resident and actor Michael Spencer- 

Davis had been acting steadily for 15 years at the 

Stratford Festival when the pandemic kicked his 

income out from under him. He and the cast of 

Hamlet were over four weeks into rehearsals in 

March 2020 when they all lost their jobs. 

“We were all shocked and scared,” Spencer-Davis 

said. “By May, I knew I had to find another job. I 

am handy, so I wrote up a cover letter and applied 

to work at Oxford Carriage Doors in Stratford.” 

They hired him right away and, after being 

mentored for a few months, he took over and soon 

was crafting up to five wooden garage doors a week. 

The owners were very flexible and supportive of 

his acting career, so they let him take time off for 

auditions and to film a Hallmark movie. Working 

7 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday to Thursday and half a 

day Friday, is quite a different schedule for the 

60-year-old actor, who is used to a show schedule 

of matinees and evening performances. 

“We were 

all shocked 

and scared,” 

Spencer-Davis 

said. “By 

May, I knew 

I had to find 

another job.” 

“Everyone there was extremely nice to me, and 

they said I can come back any time! It was a 

refreshing change for sure.” 

This season, Spencer-Davis is performing in 

Hamlet and The Miser. 

FALL 2022 • 5

ARTS 

by Elizabeth Bundy-Cooper 

When the theatres shut their doors and she was out 

of work, she had more time to concentrate on this 

other craft. She created a “shop” on the online craft 

outlet Etsy, and within the first week she was fulfilling 

orders. Her company name is Minnie by Monique 

Lund. 

“I am used to being a gig actor, working contract to 

contract. It didn’t occur to me to have a side hustle.” 

She now gets lots of orders, including custom 

requests. Lund has been commissioned to create 

memorial jewelry from personal effects, like earrings 

from military buttons. She loves when there is story 

to the piece she creates. She also recently created 

earrings that symbolize the architecture of the new 

Tom Patterson Theatre and is selling them at the 

theatre’s gift shop. 

“They just put in an order for 60 of my earrings. 

It’s very fulfilling and unexpected. I am lucky I love 

doing it!” 

Monique Lund 

Monique Lund is a busy actress, singer and dancer 

and well-known to local audiences. She was born 

and raised in Summerside, PEI, and started acting 

at the Stratford Festival in 1991, with her breakout 

role in 1993 in the musical Gypsy. She moved to 

Stratford in 2008 and has since called it home with 

her husband and daughter. It was while she was in 

the musical Hairspray in Hamilton when she started 

to make jewelry out scrap leather. 

“I just loved making things, ever since I was a kid,” 

Lund said. “I have always been crafty. I started 

making jewelry, mainly earrings, out of leftover bits 

of leather just before the pandemic. I didn’t think 

anyone would actually buy anything; it was just a 

pastime.” 

“I am used 

to being a gig 

actor, working 

contract to 

contract. It 

didn’t occur 

to me to have 

a side hustle.” 



ARTS 

Andy Pogson 

Andy Pogson was born and raised in Stratford. He started 

acting in high school and with Stratford Community Players, 

but locals love when they see him on Tim Hortons and 

Sobeys commercials, as well as in the Murdoch Mysteries 

television series. 

He recalled exactly what he was doing when the pandemic 

closed down theatres. Pogson, his wife Dana and their 

young daughter were arriving in New York City in March 

2020 to celebrate his offer of being in the cast of Harry 

Potter and the Cursed Child in Toronto, and to take in the New 

York production. The theatres closed the day they arrived, 

and the museums shut down the day after. They walked 

through Central Park, keeping an eye and ear on the news, 

and then decided they needed to get home and fast. 

When theatres closed in Canada his hopes of performing 

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ARTS 

by Elizabeth Bundy-Cooper 

in a long-running Mirvish production were dashed. 

“It was a lot to handle all at once,” said Pogson, 

from his Toronto apartment. “We panicked.” 

Luckily, Pogson and his wife were already running 

a small canning business from their Stratford home, 

called Pickles Eh!, but the lack of acting jobs forced 

them to ramp up the business and focus on full-time 

pickling and jam-making. 

“As an actor, you are always looking for jobs to keep 

an income coming in, so we ramped up this one 

when COVID hit,” Pogson said. 

Pickles Eh! was started in 2003 by Suzanne 

Turnbull in Stratford, and she was a fixture at the 

local farmers’ market selling home-made pickles, 

chutneys, jams and mustards to loyal customers. 

Sadly, in 2013, she passed away. 

“We decided shortly after it would be an exciting 

challenge for us, both personally and professionally, 

to pick up her business and grow it to a level that 

Suzie never had the chance to experience.” 

When shops and cafes closed, the Pogsons started 

selling their wares online. Then, when shops started 

to open, cafes in Toronto, wineries in Niagara, 

and both a cheese and an organic grocery shop in 

Stratford started carrying the preserves. 

“The business snowballed because people shifted to 

online ordering and supporting smaller businesses,” 

Pogson said. “Our top-selling items are the pickled 

beets and turnips, thanks to the popularity of 

charcuterie boards.” 

Pogson did a few acting jobs during the pandemic 

such as at the Here for Now theatre in Stratford 

and in Port Stanley. He can now be found on the 

CAA Theatre stage in Toronto in Harry Potter and the 

Cursed Child, which opened in June 2022. 

Laura Condlln 

Laura Condlln thought they were on a two-week 

hiatus when the province closed all theatres in 

March 2020. She was rehearsing the role of 

Captain Hook in the Stratford Festival’s production 

of Peter Pan. When the cast and all her colleagues 

realized they weren’t going to have a season at all, 

she said it was a ripple effect of loss in the artistic 

community. Condlln started to panic about the 

loss of income that winter and looked to the Avon 

Maitland District School Board for employment. 

“I was going to pursue a Bachelor of Education 

when I was younger, but went to theatre school 

instead,” said Condlln. “So, I applied to the school 

board as an ‘unqualified’ teacher and got an 

interview for an EA. I was hired on the spot.” 



ARTS 

“I was going 

to pursue a 

Bachelor of 

Education 

when I was 

younger, 

but went to 

theatre school 

instead.” 

Condlln, who has been acting with the Stratford Festival since 

2001, was tasked to help children with an enormous range 

of physical and mental challenges. She said her acting skills 

were put to good use as she had to be flexible, creative, and 

change direction quickly. She admitted it was challenging and 

rewarding at the same time. 

“It was a good day if we learned something and I kept 

everyone safe,” she said. “I was helpful but not perfect. I was 

a kind companion.” 

She did some acting last summer at Here for Now theatre in 

Stratford when schools took their seasonal break, but she is 

still on the supply list with the school board. “It continues to 

be a wild and unpredictable time for actors,” she added. 

Elizabeth Bundy-Cooper is a freelance writer and lives in Stratford and 

grew up in Goderich. She is a part-time fundraiser for the United Way 

Perth Huron and Volunteer Coordinator at the Stratford Perth Museum. 

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS 

Good teeth, 

good health 

A HEALTHY MOUTH ALLOWS 

FOR A NUTRITIONAL DIET, 

WHICH KEEPS THE BODY 

STRONGER FOR LONGER 

BY ALYSA SHEWFELT AND 

MARGUERITE OBERLE THOMAS 


y Alysa Shewfelt and Marguerite Oberle Thomas 


Seniors go to great lengths to avoid falls and fallrelated 

injuries, but does the condition of our 

mouths have anything to do with it? 

Many professionals think so. Some say, “Oral health 

is health,” but is it? If you are a senior who has gone 

through life with good, strong teeth, oral health can 

be taken for granted. One of life’s great pleasures is 

to sit down at the table and be able to comfortably 

chew meat, fresh fruit, vegetables and breads. We 

need to be able to access that good nutrition all 

through our lives, and it continues to be important as 

we age. It is a major cornerstone to avoid becoming 

frail. We know that older adults who are frail are 

more likely to suffer fall-related injuries. 

According to the Surveillance Report on Falls 

Among Older Adults in Canada: 

• Nearly six per cent of people aged 65+ reported 

having a fall injury in the past 12 months (2017- 

18). 

• Higher rates among women and those 80+. 

• Higher rates among those with less than $20,000 

annual income. 

• 61 per cent occurred while walking, 11 per cent 

from using stairs. 

• 52 per cent of fall-related hospitalizations 

occurred in a household residence. 

Older adults are at particularly elevated risk for 

oral health problems, and poor oral health has been 

linked to many health risks, such as cardiovascular 

disease, stroke, poor nutrition, glycemic control 

in people with diabetes, and respiratory infection. 

As you get older, there are more changes in your 

teeth and gums, which means they require more 

care, rather than less. Common challenges include 

missing teeth, gum/periodontal disease, root decay, 

dry mouth (often caused by medications) and more. 

There are many reasons that oral care can be 

neglected, including a reduction in dexterity and 

independence, and limited financial resources in 

retirement. 

Studies have found that older people reporting 

poor oral function, including difficulty eating tough 

foods, dry mouth, and choking, are more likely to 

experience falls. Swallowing or chewing problems 

and poor oral intake are associated with an increased 

likelihood of weight loss, and this decline in oral 

function may be part of a self-perpetuating cycle of 

weight loss and frailty, which could increase the risk 

of falls and resulting injuries. 

There are also associations between chewing 

ability and physical fitness, such as leg strength and 

balance, which is a primary cause of falls (Jages Project 

Longitudinal Study). The Healthy Populations Institute 

at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, tells us, “Oral 

health has been recognized as a human right.” The 

oral health of an individual is defined as, “A state of 

being free of mouth and facial pain, oral and throat 

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by Alysa Shewfelt and Marguerite Oberle Thomas 

Don’t forget to floss. 

Many people consider flossing an 

optional part of their oral hygiene 

routine. Don’t be fooled! The absence of 

flossing invariably leads to tooth decay, 

gum disease and mouth odour. 

Your toothbrush can’t reach all the 

spots between your teeth or near your 

gums. In fact, more than one-third of 

your tooth’s surface is left unclean if 

you skip flossing! You may think you are 

heading to bed with a clean mouth, but if 

you skip flossing, a lot of food particles 

and bacteria are left to fester overnight. 

Dental floss and other interdental 

devices are effective, safe and easy-touse 

methods for cleaning hidden and 

hard-to-reach places between the teeth 

and are a critical part of keeping your 

teeth and gums healthy. When you floss 

first, any bacteria removed interdentally – 

between the teeth – can then be brushed 

away. Embracing the habit of flossing is 

one of the easiest, most inexpensive and 

safest methods of minimizing the risk of 

getting long-term dental diseases. 

cancer, oral infection and sores, birth defects, such as 

cleft lip and palate, periodontal disease, tooth decay 

and tooth loss, and other disease and disorders that 

limit an individual’s capacity in biting, chewing, 

smiling, speaking, and psychological well-being.” 

Despite being largely preventable, oral disorders 

combined are the most common chronic diseases and 

a major public health problem worldwide. The most 

common oral disorders are dental caries (cavities) 

and periodontitis (gum disease). Severe periodontitis 

is the major cause of tooth loss in older adults, which 

has potentially serious health consequences such as 

infections and malnutrition, and negative impacts on 

social interactions and self-esteem. 

So, what can you do to keep your smile healthy? 

Regular dental and dental hygiene check-ups are 

needed throughout your lifetime. Dental hygiene 

check-ups include examination of teeth as well as all 

tissues in and around the mouth. 

Good nutrition contributes to the health of your 

teeth and gums, which is directly linked to your 

overall health. Choose water over sugary drinks and 

nutritious snacks that are low in sugar, as these do 

not promote tooth decay and help in the fight against 

cavities. Foods such as apples and raw carrots, and 

hard cheese, have a natural cleansing action on teeth, 

making good snack food choices. Refer to Canada’s 

Food Guide for some useful tips to ensure you eat a 

variety of healthy foods each day. 

Brush your teeth for two to three minutes, two times 

a day, and floss at least once a day. Be sure to use 

a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride is a 

mineral that helps prevent tooth decay by making 

the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque 

bacteria and sugars in the mouth, and can also 

reverse early decay. Brushing and flossing with 

an ineffective technique may do more harm than 

good. Dental hygienists can teach you how to use 

your toothbrush, dental floss and other cleaning aids 

effectively without causing wear or damage to the 

teeth and gums. 

A vigorous rinse with water may help to dislodge 

food particles and dilute acid produced by plaque 

bacteria. Rinsing throughout the day supports daily 

brushing and flossing to maintain oral health. 

Whether due to normal aging, injury or other 


y Alysa Shewfelt and Marguerite Oberle Thomas 


issues, many people will have to consider dentures 

or dental implants at some point in their lives. For 

those with dentures, your new teeth need as much 

care as natural teeth. To keep germs and infections 

away, be sure to brush (without toothpaste), rinse 

them, and soak them in denture cleaner according 

to package instructions. Dental implants are a safe 

and comfortable alternative to removable dentures 

for replacing missing teeth. An implant is treated like 

a natural tooth but is not as strong, so it is important 

to brush and floss gently. 

Good oral care includes our self care for brushing 

and flossing, but it also includes access to dental care 

and being able to receive treatment should problems 

occur. The Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program 

(OSDCP) is a program that aims to help low-income 

seniors’ access dental care. To qualify, you must: 

• Be 65 years of age and older and a resident of 

Ontario. 

• Have an income of $22,200 or less for single 

senior; combined income of $37,100 or less for 

a couple (Line 236 from your income tax form). 

• No other forms of dental benefits (e.g., private 

insurance or other government program). 

The Ministry of Health is responsible for all 

eligibility and enrolment into the program. For 

more information and to apply directly online, visit 

Ontario.ca/SeniorsDental. Printed application 

forms are also available at Huron Perth Public 

Health, at both the Huron Office (77722B London 

Road, RR5, Clinton) and the Perth Office (653 

West Gore St., Stratford). There are a wide range 

of services available under the program, including 

both preventive care and treatment services such as 

check-ups and cleanings, repairing broken teeth and 

cavities, x-rays, removing teeth or abnormal tissue, 

and treating infection, pain, gum conditions and 

diseases. The program will partially cover dental 

prosthetics and dentures. For a full list of coverage, 

visit Ontario.ca/SeniorsDental. 

So, to answer the question – can your mouth affect 

your risk of a fall-related injury? Your mouth is 

certainly part of your overall health. Whether or not 

you were blessed with great teeth in your younger 

years, there are still many simple yet effective ways to 

improve your oral health. While brushing and flossing 

are particularly important, so is the preventative 

care of regular check-ups. Even with partial or full 

dentures, there is care needed as our mouths, like the 

rest of our bodies, undergoes changes over time. 

Your best chance of your mouth not being a factor 

in a fall related injury is to give it the best care you 

can. Get your dental care, do your exercises to gain 

an appetite, keep eating well, and smile. 

For further information 

www.hpph.ca 

www.parachute.ca 

www.fallpreventionmonth.ca 

www.ontario.ca/SeniorsDental 

Alysa Shewfelt, MSc, is a Health Promoter at the Grey Bruce 

Health Unit. She is the Co-Chair of the Grey Bruce Fall 

Prevention and Intervention Committee, which aims to reduce 

the incidence and severity of falls and fall-related injuries among 

older adults in Grey/Bruce through an integrated system of 

evidence-based fall prevention, intervention and management 

initiatives. Marguerite Oberle Thomas, RN., BScN., is the 

Consultant Liaison for the Fall Prevention Community of 

Practice sponsored by the national injury prevention charity, 

Parachute. She is also a senior devoted to preventing injuries 

and promoting good oral care for all seniors. 


TRAVEL 

LOVING 

Niagara Falls 

DON’T LET FAMILIARITY BREED CONTEMPT WHEN IT 

COMES TO THIS NATURAL PHENOMENON 

BY JILL ELLIS-WORTHINGTON 


y Jill Ellis-Worthington 

Unofficially recognized as one of the seven 

natural wonders of the world, some Ontarians 

merely shrug when a getaway to Niagara Falls is 

mentioned. 

It’s right down the road from here; most of us have 

‘been there, done that.’ Whether their Grade 8 class 

took a day trip there or it was a must-do every time 

visitors came from overseas, many locals feel like they 

have experienced all that Niagara Falls has to offer. 

Yet, if you take off your cynic’s hat and take an open 

mind to this amazing venue, your perspective will 

likely change. After all, people who live in Arizona 

probably have the same reaction when friends beg 

for a trip to the Grand Canyon. 

The folks at the Niagara Parks Commission let you 

get right down to water level with The Tunnel at the 

Power Station. Refurbished and opened as a museum 

in July 2021, the former Canadian Niagara Power 

Company generating station now tells the story of 

how it was built and how the power of the river was 

harnessed in the early-20th Century. 

The Tunnel is accessed by a glass elevator ride. Walk 

through what used to be a huge water release tunnel 

to arrive at the viewing platform at river level at 

the base of the Niagara Gorge. It’s a fully kinetic 

experience providing a novel way to experience the 

falls. If your timing is right, you may catch a rainbow 

TRAVEL 

arching over the Horseshoe Falls in front of you, as 

the Maid of the Mist chugs by – a truly Canadian 

experience. 

If you have visited before, you’ll know that the mist 

from the falls bounces everywhere. It’s more intense 

at this level, so be prepared to get damp. Also, wear 

trusty footwear because The Tunnel walk is over a 

half-a-kilometre long and the platform is wet. 

In the evening, Currents, an extraordinary light and 

sound show, is displayed on the walls and floor of 

the Power Station. You’re immersed in water and 

music dancing around and through you; you can 

dance to move the lights around as you bathe in the 

experience of this interactive display. 

If you’re ready for more aquatic adventures, the 

Niagara Parks Commission offers ways to explore 

the Niagara River, its rapids and the whirlpool. From 

newest to oldest and lowest to highest, the Whirlpool 

Aero Car, which is suspended 1,000 metres over 

the river, has been taking tourists on a 10-minute 

ride over the whirlpool since 1913. You can see for 

miles, so this is one of the best ways to experience 

the amazing fall colours provided by the Carolinian 

forest that blankets the Niagara region. Be aware, 

you must traverse two sets of stairs – and there’s no 

elevator – to get to the tram. 

Another Niagara Parks Commission attraction is 

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TRAVEL 

by Jill Ellis-Worthington 

The Whirlpool Aero Car affords 

a panoramic view of the Niagara 

River. (Photo Niagara Parks) 

the White Water Walk. An elevator descends to a 

73-metre boardwalk – dotted with informational 

signs about the nature around you – which provides 

a lovely, shaded stroll through the woods, along the 

river’s rapids. Parking across the road is included 

with the ticket price. 

To fully experience the power of the river and its 

rapids, take a Whirlpool Jet Boat ride. If you have a 

need for speed you’ll love it, but be prepared to get 

wet (and I mean soaked!). Pick a warm day and bring 

extra clothes for after. The boat starts downriver and 

speeds through the fast-moving water, plunging and 

twirling, all the way up to the Whirlpool. This activity 

works best for those who are not claustrophobic (the 

sitting area is tight) or do not have more serious 

mobility issues, as you will be climbing in and out of 

the boat. 

The falls – which truly are spectacular, no matter 

how many times you’ve seen them – are illuminated 

year-round after dark. During the warmer months, 

the sky over the American Falls lights up with nightly 

fireworks at 10 p.m. Watch them from a blanket in 

the park or stand with the crowds at the edge of the 

falls. But a truly special way to see them is from the 

Skylon Tower. Many Boomers will remember this 

landmark from childhood visits to the area, with its 

‘ladybug’ exterior elevators. Bring a jacket, as it gets 

windy and cool on the outdoor platform. You can


TRAVEL 

also view the show from inside the tower if it’s too 

chilly to be outside. 

The Table Rock Restaurant offers a lovely way 

to end the day with a good meal enjoyed with the 

stellar view. The smoked muscovy duck croquette, 

baked Georgian Bay pickerel, and Manitoulin 

Island rainbow trout fritter are delicious. The soup 

of the day – served in a big bowl – and the appetizer 

breadbasket make a great lighter lunch option. 

If you’re too full from lunch or dinner to climb back 

up the hill, the funicular is right there by Table Rock 

Welcome Centre. The Falls Incline Railway is a fun 

and easy way to get up and down the hill for those 

who have mobility challenges or when you’re just 

plain too tired to climb the hill one more time. 

Billy Bone’s BBQ on 

Clifton Hill offers 

tender, juicy brisket. 

(Photo by Jill Ellis-Worthington) 

For a break and a bite mid-day, the stately Victoria 

Place Restaurant is a good place to rest your feet and 

enjoy a coffee and dessert or a cocktail and app, with 

a view of all three falls – Horseshoe, American and 

Bridal Veil. The potato cheddar soup appetizer is 

outstanding. 

Do you dream of an endless array of big skewers 

of meat parading by your table? Then dinner at 

Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse – located in the Hilton 

Hotel – is mandatory. A couple different types of 

beef and pork, as well as chicken and lamb, are 

offered by gauchos (costumed servers) who circle 

Relax and enjoy the 

view from Victoria 

Place Restaurant. 

(Photo by Jill Ellis-Worthington) 


TRAVEL 

the room holding steak on a stake. But the star 

of the show – in this writer’s opinion – is the 

roasted brown sugar-coated fresh pineapple. 

Simply delicious! On weekends, a Latin band 

and feather-glad dancers entertain, creating a 

Brazilian Carnival atmosphere. 

If you haven’t experienced the frenetic energy 

of Clifton Hill since you were a kid, it’s time to 

go back and be amused by the wacky museums 

and multi-level go-kart race track, especially if 

you’ve invited the grandkids to tag-along on 

this trip. 

Costumed guides doing a musket demo. (Photo 

by Jill Ellis-Worthington) Below: Aerial view 

of Old Fort Erie. (Photo by Niagara Parks) 

After you’ve strolled by all the chain restaurants 

on the hill, at the bottom is one unique to this city 

– the Niagara Distillery. Vodka, gin and white 

lightning are distilled on site, with whiskey and 

rum aged elsewhere. You can try spirit flights 

and an array of cocktails are on offer. Try the 

Lavender Bees Knees for refreshment on a 

warm autumn afternoon. This eatery shares a 

patio with the Niagara Brewing Company and 

features its beer on the menu. The patio hosts 

musicians from opening to close, so live music is 

always filling the air as you sip and nosh on the 

house-smoked meats on offer. Housed within, 

Billy Bone’s BBQ has brisket so tasty and juicy 

that it could be proudly served in Texas. 

Besides the Hilton, which offers spectacular 

views of the falls and has two pools, you may 

choose to stay at the Old Stone Inn. This 

charmer dates back to 1904 when it was a 

working flour mill and its restaurant serves 

sumptuous breakfast dishes. Go a la carte if 

you want to start your walking day powered up 

but not weighed down. 

Trekkies and fans of mid-century culture 

will want to breakfast at the Flying Saucer 

Restaurant. You have to venture away from 

the falls, but this cutie is worth the drive west 



on Lundy’s Lane. Just look for the spaceship-shaped 

building; the exterior matches the interior’s space 

themes. Food choices are available for both big and 

smaller appetites. 

This area is rich in history, and you can learn about 

the War of 1812 at one of several historic sites, like 

Fort George, the Laura Secord Homestead and 

Old Fort Erie. At the latter, the knowledgeable, 

entertaining guides are costumed in both British 

and American uniforms and explain this small fort’s 

role in the war. They also do live demonstrations of 

cannons, muskets and rifles that is quite engaging. 

The guided tour takes about an hour. 

Home is Where 

Adventure Begins 

Before or after your visit to the fort, there are several 

scenic spots for a picnic lunch along the river. Or 

if you don’t want to bring your own, the patio at 

Southsides Grill offers food and beverage with a 

lovely view of the Niagara River. The crab cake 

eggs benedict is delicious and the perfect amount of 

food for one hungry person or two snackers. 

A little romance, a lot of walking and new sites to 

enjoy form the perfect combination for an autumn 

getaway to the place known as the honeymoon 

capital of North America. 

Give Niagara Falls another chance. You won’t be 

disappointed. 

Jill Ellis-Worthington is a writer, editor and communications 

consultant with a taste for travel. Learn more at 

writeoncommunicationservices.com. 

Register now for 

downtown Goderich’s 

premier condominium 

residences 

Set sail at 

www.harbourhaus.ca 


COMMUNITY 

The healing power 

OF JOY 

KITES BRING BEAUTY TO LIFE OF BLAIZE MONOSTORY, 

A MAN BORN OF WAR BY APRIL TAYLOR 


y April Taylor 

COMMUNITY 

Gliding through the winds, tethered, yet free in 

spirits, the kite, in gray skies... open our hearts 

and our eyes... 

A Chinese farmer tied a hat to his head with a string 

to prevent it from blowing away. Despite his attempt 

to keep his hat safe, the wind was strong and sent the 

hat with its string sailing behind far up into the sky... 

and there you have it... the kite was born, at least 

according to ancient legend. 

No one really knows who invented the kite but the 

Chinese appear to get the credit. Europe can thank 

Marco Polo for bringing the kite in the 13th Century 

and the sailors from Japan and Malaysia who brought 

them back in the 16th and 17th Centuries. 

I don’t know about you, but I have reached the age 

where I groan when I get out of a chair and I seem 

to have new aches and pains every day. I am lucky; 

some of us have experienced serious illness and have 

had to make big changes in our life. As Boomers, 

we are coming to the age when illness, aches, pains 

and worry cause us problems. I personally believe 

that joy and contentment are as important as eating 

well, exercise and physical health care for sustaining 

our vitality. If you find something that brings you 

happiness and immerse yourself in it, it will take 

your mind off your woes and keep us healthy. 

No doubt that simple acts that bring us joy aid in 

physical healing, and reducing depression and anxiety, 

as kite-flying healed this man not once but twice. 

Blaize Monostory – Kite pilot/maker 

One day when Blaize, a kite pilot and maker, was a 

young boy in Germany he saw people flying kites. 

Since that day 60 or so years ago, he was hooked on 

the thrill of seeing the bright colours soaring through 

the air. He now has 300 kites, some large, some very 

small, made from silk and other material. 

Blaize Monostory in 

his kite-making room. 

Blaize was born in Hungary, but not exactly – the 

Russians were taking over Eastern Europe with 

Communist rule. Many people were fleeing their 

country in hopes of a less restrictive government. 

His mother was expecting her third child at any 

moment, yet still they packed a horse-drawn cart 

and set out to find safety and a new life. Blaize was 

that baby, born in 1945 near the border of Austria, 

en route to Bavaria, Germany, where – thanks to a 

kind Count and his wife who took them in – they 

lived in a cold, damp basement of a castle for almost 

six years, before making their way to the U.S. 

A child born in war, he wanted to avenge his country 

and joined the Marines, even taking courses in 

setting mines. After meeting this kind, passive, 

peaceful man, I couldn’t reconcile this version of 

him in my mind. He explained to me that, through 

the wonderful people he encountered along the way 

and flying kites, it transformed him and healed the 

pain of the past. The freedom of flying a kite, the 


COMMUNITY 

by April Taylor 

Amazingly, he recovered again with the help of kites. 

He also helped others to heal, including when he 

witnessed an autistic boy come out of his shell while 

flying a kite. All this positivity and optimism through 

the power and joy of flying a kite. 

Blaize’s kite-making room has a big cutting table, 

fabric and sticks of bamboo, and a state of the art 

sewing machine where he makes and repairs kites, 

usually during the winter months in order to maximize 

his time in the wind, flying during the summer. 

These days there are not a lot of kite festivals, but 

we are coming back from COVID and Blaize will 

have more opportunities to fly at events. For now, he 

often takes a couple of kids to fly their colourful kites 

outside of hospices and hospitals, where patients stuck 

indoors can enjoy the magic. It’s a beautiful way to 

give back to Stratford, which Blaize now calls home. 

cheerful colours, sunshine, fresh air, and exercise – 

but mostly the freedom it provides in one’s mind – 

are a perfect recipe for vitality and happiness. 

“Kites were my journey to passion from war,” Blaize 

said. “I wanted to fly something beautiful instead of 

missiles.” 

Blaize eventually moved to Canada to teach school 

in central B.C. He would often use kites as teaching 

aides and to let the kids have fun and be free. Kites 

were always part of his life, and he participated in 

festivals and learned the significance of the kite in 

various countries around the world. 

Later in life he had a bout of unfortunate luck, when a 

bad car accident left him with a severe concussion and 

a brain injury, soon followed by a cancer diagnosis. 

I recently had the pleasure of flying a kite with him. 

Folks from the seniors’ residence joined us as we 

forgot our age and regaled in the beauty of kites 

taking flight. Sometimes, it seems that society has 

been programming us, tricking us into believing that 

we need extravagance, expensive meals and exotic 

trips to be happy. Of course these things are nice but 

sometimes it’s the old-fashioned, simple pleasures that 

make for a good life – chatting with friends, fishing, 

reading on a rainy Sunday afternoon, flying a kite in 

the sunshine with the breeze on our face. 

Kites in culture 

In most countries, kites are considered to be a sport 

for adults and have significant meaning. It’s only in 

North America where it’s seen as a child’s activity. 

Every Jan. 14 in India you will find people young 

and old flying kites from rooftops and beaches 

trying to absorb as much Vitamin D from the sun’s 

unique angle only on that day. In China, the colour 

of mourning is white, so white kites are flown to 

symbolically raise the soul to the afterlife. In New 


y April Taylor 

COMMUNITY 

Zealand, kites were not for fun, and priests would fly 

them for ritualistic, divination purposes. In Tahiti, 

kites were used to tow rafts to the bay. You’d find kites 

made of tapa with painted bird heads in Polynesia. 

The cultural significance of kites around the world 

goes on – it seems everyone likes kites, from every 

part of the world and every walk of life. The love 

of kites and colour, sunshine, fun and freedom live 

within all of us. It’s another example that we are 

all one, no matter what part of the world we come 

from. We all live for love and joy. 

So this weekend, get your grandkids away from their 

devices and try making a simple kite. Go to a park 

and watch your lovely creation soar through the sky 

and feel the warmth of the sun on your face, while 

making memories with the children. Let yourself be 

a kid again. 

Make a simple kite 

• Get two bamboo sticks. Secure into a T-shape 

by twisting together with string and super glue. 

• With scissors, make notches at the end of sticks. 

• Stretch the string around all sides of the kite. 

• For the sail, cut a light paper or fabric a few 

inches bigger than the frame and decorate if you 

wish. 

• Place the frame on the fabric, turn it over, and 

fold the excess fabric, gluing it down. 

• Now you have a diamond shape, so add a long 

string for flying and some bows. 

April Taylor is a hairstylist and freelance writer in Stratford. 


HISTORY 

Historic Huron 

settlements 

COUNTY HIGHLIGHTING THE LOCAL VILLAGES NOW LOST TO TIME 

BY MADDY GILBERT AND AMY ZOETHOUT 

Eneas Elkin was the first settler of Manchester when he settled on the 

edge of the Maitland River, having walked to the location from the 

City of Hamilton. There, he built a log shanty where he and his wife 

Isabel eventually welcomed their son George, who was the first baby born 

in the community on April 13, 1850. 

For the first two years after Mrs. Elkin joined Eneas in the settlement, 

there was only a track that ran between Manchester and the Town 

of Goderich, until the Canada Company opened what is now Huron 

County Rd. 25, in 1851. Eneas ran a ferry across the Maitland River 

before a wooden bridge was constructed. Spring floods washed away that 

bridge, while a second bridge suffered the same fate. A third bridge was 

constructed partly out of steel, until the concrete bridge was constructed 

a few yards upstream a century after the original bridge. 

By 1866, Manchester had a flour mill, which shipped goods as far as 


y Maddy Gilbert and Amy Zoethout 

HISTORY 

Image of the Auburn Bridge. This bridge was in 

use until the new, concrete bridge was completed 

upstream in 1954. 

Montreal. There was also a saw mill erected by John 

Cullis after he purchased the flour mill. The saw mill 

produced lumber from the logs that were cleared, 

to be sold as lumber for the barns being erected 

throughout the area. Cullis’ saw mill was destroyed 

by fire in 1893. Cullis rebuilt a short distance away, 

but unfortunately, the second mill also fell victim to 

fire. 

The Village of Manchester had power by 1896, 

leading to the installation of electric powered 

streetlamps. A.E. Cullis, who ran the grist mill, 

installed a direct current generator on his property 

and supplied power from dusk until 11 p.m. at the 

rate of two cents per light per night. Most villagers 

kept their costs down by attaching one light to a very 


HISTORY 

by Maddy Gilbert and Amy Zoethout 

An example of a log shanty, much like the one Eneas 

Elkin would have lived in. 

long cord that they could move from room to room. 

The first brick bank in Manchester was the Sterling 

Bank of Canada, which eventually became a CIBC 

branch. On Nov. 14, 1930, Manchester suffered a 

terrible fire, which destroyed the hardware store that 

was located beside the bank. Mr. and Mrs. Carter 

were the first to notice the fire, and Mrs. Carter ran 

into the street yelling a warning. She could have been 

the one who saved the lives of Mr. A.M. Rice and his 

family, who resided above the bank, where he was 

manager. 

Today, the Village of Manchester is now the thriving 

Huron County community of Auburn. Thanks to 

the initiative of the Huron County Public Works 

Department, a sign now serves as a visible reminder 

of the community that once was. 

“If we don’t keep telling these stories, they are 



HISTORY 

going to get forgotten,” said Dave Jacklin, Traffic 

Technician and coordinator of the Historic Huron 

Settlements sign project. 

The project was started by Jacklin and colleague 

Wayne Higgins, Bridge Supervisor, after they 

recognized that, while some locals may remember 

the many communities that once existed along Huron 

County roads, there was nothing to commemorate 

the crossroads where people once lived and these 

communities once thrived. 

“A lot of these places are gone, but they are a part 

of our history and should be remembered,” said 

Higgins, adding that he also brought a touch of 

Huron County pride to the project. 

The project started with brown and white heritage 

signage marking 12 historic settlements along roads 

maintained by the County of Huron, including signs 

marking communities that still exist today, but under 

a different name. These particular signs have the 

word ‘historic’ added to show their original name, 

like Manchester. The sign project has since grown 

to include 35 communities across the county, largely 

using existing signposts to mark these communities. 

Since Higgins’ retirement, Jacklin has continued 

working on the project, partnering with the Huron 

County Archives located at the Huron County 

Museum, to do further research on the history of 

these settlements. 

“Our ancestors settled in these places,” said Jacklin, 

adding that he has appreciated, as time permits, 

partnering with the Museum to further uncover the 

stories and the history of the places that shaped the 

county as it exists today. 


HISTORY 

by Maddy Gilbert and Amy Zoethout 

An 1879 map of the Village of Manchester. 

So how did the Village of Manchester become the 

Village of Auburn? A map from the 1860s marks the 

community of Manchester, but by 1879, a map of 

Huron County lists the village as both Manchester 

and Auburn. As recent as 1979, the official name for 

the community was the Police Village of Manchester, 

while Auburn was the name of the post office. Yet, 

by February 1979, Manchester was no more as the 

village trustees voted to keep Auburn as the one and 

only name for the village. Since there was another 

Manchester located in Ontario, the change came to 



HISTORY 

avoid confusion between the two communities. 

Eneas Elkin would go on to survey Hullett Township, 

which was amalgamated into the Municipality of 

Central Huron in 2001, further leaving his mark on the 

history of Huron County. 

Today, the Village of Auburn sits southeast of the 

intersection of Huron County Rd. 25 (Blyth Road) 

and Huron County Rd. 8 (Base Line), 20 km east of 

Goderich, 20 km north of Clinton, and 10 km west of 

Blyth. 

Sources 

Isabel Elkin, wife of Eneas Elkin 

Belden, H. “Map of Morris Township.” Illustrated Historical 

Atlas of the County of Huron, Ont., H. Belden, 1879. 

Gropp, Bonnie, editor. “Police Village of Auburn: Settlement of 

Manchester Grows out of Wilderness.” The Citizen, 29 Dec. 

1999. From the Digitized Newspaper collection at the Huron 

County Museum 

Johnston, Tom. The Blyth Standard, 27 June 1979. From the 

Digitized Newspaper collection at the Huron County Museum 

Bradnock, Eleanor. “Manchester No More.” The Blyth Standard, 

27 June 1979. From the Digitized Newspaper collection at the 

Huron County Museum 

“Craigs Took Over Sawmill in 46 .” The Blyth Standard, 27 

June 1979. From the Digitized Newspaper collection at the 

Huron County Museum 

“Eneas Elkin Walked from Hamilton to Establish Auburn.” The 

Blyth Standard, 27 June 1979. From the Digitized Newspaper 

collection at the Huron County Museum 

“Isabel Elkin.” The Blyth Standard, 1979. From the Digitized 

Newspaper collection at the Huron County Museum 

Maddy Gilbert is the Huron County Museum Assistant, and Amy 

Zoethout, is the Huron County Cultural Services Marketing & 

Branding Coordinator. Learn more at huroncountymuseum.ca. 


OW 

FOOD & DRINK 

Butternut squash 

lasagna 

A tasty vegetable lasagna featuring 

butternut squash in a cream sauce. 

Baking Time: 90 minutes 

Preparation Time: 25 minutes 

Cooking Time: 15 minutes 

Servings: 8 

INGREDIENTS 

8 cups of ½-inch sliced, butternut squash, peeled 

2 tbsp vegetable oil 

½ tsp ground nutmeg 

½ cup butter 

1 cup onion, chopped 

3 cloves garlic, chopped 

½ cup all-purpose flour 

1½ tsp salt 

4½ cups milk 

¼ cup fresh sage, chopped 

1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 

12 oven-ready lasagna noodles 

2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded 

Instructions 

In large bowl, toss squash with oil and nutmeg. Place in single layer on 

large rimmed baking sheet. Bake in 400 F oven for 30 minutes, or until 

tender. Reduce oven temperature to 350 F. 

Meanwhile, in large saucepan, on medium heat melt butter. Add onion 

and garlic; cook for three minutes. Stir in flour and salt; cook for one 

minute. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth; add sage. Bring to boil. 

Reduce heat to low and cook five minutes or until thickened, stirring 

frequently. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese. 

In greased 13 x 9 baking pan, place three noodles. Top with one-third of 

the squash. Spread one-third of the cream sauce over squash. Sprinkle 

one-third of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layering twice. 

Cover tightly with foil. Bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 25 to 

30 minutes until top is golden and pasta is tender. Let stand 10 minutes 

before serving. 

*Recipe courtesy of Foodland Ontario 


Experience the 

harvest season on 

Ontario’s West Coast 

• Vine & Ale Trail | See what’s brewing at our vineyards and breweries. 

• Fall Fairs | A 19th century rural agricultural tradition that continues today. 

• Buying fresh from local farmers | Shop for the freshest produce at laneway 

stands and farmers’ markets. 

• Taste of Huron, Oct. 7-23 | Fixe prix menus, Octoberfest, cooking demos, guest 

chefs, night market, and more. 

• Harvest Festival, Sept. 17 | A community harvest celebration in Clinton. 

• Blyth Steam Show & Threshers Reunion, Sept. 9-11 | Celebrating 

generations of agricultural tradition. 

• Ciderfest, Sept. 25 | Celebrate the humble apple at Van Egmond House, an 

estate house built in 1846. 

• Huron Multicultural Festival, Sept. 11 | Enjoy a mix of local and international 

ingredients and avours in the multicultural food market and beer garden. 

Visit www.OntariosWestCoast.ca for details and ideas on how to experience the 

harvest season in Huron County. 

Facebook: @OntariosWestCoast Instagram: @OntariosWestCoast 

#OntariosWestCoast 

OWC_CelebrateHarvest.indd 1 

2022-08-08 2:59:22 PM

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