Grey-Bruce Kids Summer 2023

A FREE MAGAZINE FOR 

PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS 

SUMMER 2023 • Volume 13 Issue 2 • greybrucekids.com 

EATING 

INTUITIVELY 

OPIOIDS 

Talk to your teens 

about the risks 

Summer fun 

in Grey/Bruce 

FREE!

FROM THE PUBLISHER 

Soak up the summer 

Did you know this past winter in Ontario was the darkest in 80 years? 

The grey skies seemed to be never-ending, and I can’t specifically recall a day in the 

depths of winter when the sun was shining. 

CONTENTS 

4 Intuitive eating 

8 Summer fun in Grey/Bruce 

We didn’t even get the natural brightness that comes with a new snowfall very often. 

Despite a couple massive storms – particularly a four-day blizzard that made Christmas 

a cozy affair at home for most of us – followed by warm weather and rain, this winter 

didn’t even bring us a lot of snow, just more dreary skies. 

It was an odd winter to say the least. 

Despite the fact we haven’t jumped right from winter to summer – April threw a true 

spring at us with a mixed bag of temperatures – I think everyone in Grey/Bruce will be 

hoping for a long, hot summer. Having received some beautiful days early in April and 

into May, I think we may be on track to replenish our Vitamin D stores this summer. 

We have another fantastic edition of Grey-Bruce Kids for you, this being the 12th 

summer issue we’ve published since launching in December 2011. Nicole Ballantine, 

a local registered dietician, shares her expertise about what intuitive eating is and how 

to encourage your children (and yourself) to adopt healthy dietary habits. Our friends 

at Grey and Bruce counties have teamed up to write about all the fun activities in our 

beautiful area that your family can experience this summer, while Alicia Gibbons has 

contributed a beautiful article about trusting your intuition and encouraging your 

children to do the same. 

12 Trusting yourself 

16 Talk opioids with teens 

20 Baseball Hall of Fame 

26 Resources 

30 Recipes 

Grey Bruce Public Health also informs us about the growing concern of opioid use in 

our area, while local historian Mat Johnson shares his knowledge about the history of 

baseball from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, in St. Marys, Ont. 

We all know summer seems fly by more 

quickly each year, with family trips, kids 

sports, barbecues, parties and the regular 

everyday tasks we do to keep a household 

running. It’s a challenge to sit back and soak 

it all in, but my hope for you this summer is 

that you find the time to slow down and 

enjoy it – Old Man Winter will return 

soon enough. 

Amy Irwin, Publisher 

SUMMER 2023 

Publisher 

Amy Irwin 

amy@greybrucekids.com 

Magazine Design 

Becky Grebenjak 

Advertising inquiries 

amy@greybrucekids.com 

Grey-Bruce Kids welcomes your feedback. 

EMAIL amy@greybrucekids.com 

PHONE 519-524-0101 

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

Grey-Bruce Kids is distributed for free in Grey and 

Bruce counties, and is published each March, June, 

September and December. Distribution of this 

publication does not constitute endorsement of 

information, products or services by Grey-Bruce Kids, 

its writers or advertisers. Viewpoints of contributors 

and advertisers are not necessarily those of the 

Publisher. Grey-Bruce Kids reserves the right to edit, 

reject or comment on all material and advertising 

contributed. No portion of Grey-Bruce Kids may be 

reproduced without the written permission of the 

Publisher.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS 

EATING INTUITIVELY 

DIET AND WELLNESS INDUSTRIES MAKE NUTRITION CONFUSING 

BY NICOLE BALLANTINE 

4 GREY-BRUCE KIDS • SUMMER 2023

Why are so many people confused about food and nutrition 

these days? 

Do you feel like you can’t trust yourself around your favourite 

sweet or salty foods? Do you feel guilty for eating something 

that society has deemed ‘bad?’ Have you tried every diet under 

the sun with no lasting impact? 

In my work as a registered dietitian, one thing has become very 

clear over the last few years – people are feeling more confused 

than ever before about what to eat. Individuals and corporations 

alike have realized there is significant money to be made in the 

diet and wellness industries. Remember, the diet industry is 

exactly that, an industry, and, as with other areas of business, the 

primary concern is making money. Emotional manipulation is 

the bedrock of diet industry marketing campaigns. Whether it’s 

before and after photos, celebrity endorsements or using phrases 

like ‘fat free,’ ‘guilt free,’ or ‘all natural,’ the goal is to shame the 

reader into changing their eating habits. 

With the sheer number of diets available, it’s not surprising 

that many diets will end up conflicting with others. One will 

demand low carbohydrates, while another will insist that carbs 

are fine and fat is the enemy. The common theme with all diets 

is the promise of weight loss and a healthier life. Blame is often 

placed on the individual if the desired results are not achieved. 

When one diet fails, there’s always another to try, even if they 

sound too good to be true. The mixed messaging from each diet 

leaves people unsure of themselves and confused, exactly where 

the diet industry wants you. 

Social media allows anyone to widely broadcast their views 

on health and wellness. It can be challenging to sort out fact 

from personal opinion. The Internet has given us free access 

to almost unlimited information, but within this, there is 

plenty of misinformation and it is important to recognize that 

not everyone is an expert on the subject they are speaking (or 

posting) about. We live in a culture that idolizes “thin” and there 

is significant stigma around larger bodies. This pressure to be 

thin has created a diet-obsessed society. 

greybrucekids.com • 5

Unfortunately, what most people don’t realize is that dieting 

may be causing more harm than good. Ninety-five per cent of 

all dieters will regain the weight lost within one to five years 

(Grodstein et al 1996 & Neumark-Sztainer et al 2007). 

The failure of diets can be explained by the “dieter’s dilemma” as 

coined by psychologists John Foreyt and Ken Goodrick, which 

is triggered by the desire to be smaller, which leads to dieting. 

Dieting leads to food preoccupation and food cravings through 

a cascade of neurotransmitters and chemical hormones in the 

brain. Eventually the dieter gives in to the strong food cravings, 

overeats, and regains the lost weight. The individual is back to 

square one, with a desire to lose weight. 

People often mistake the natural biological response of hunger 

for lack of willpower when they succumb to strong cravings, but 

this isn’t the case. As the cycle repeats, the dieter feels more out 

of control and self-esteem decreases. If diets were successful, we 

wouldn’t have so many unhappy and confused people seeking 

out help for health and weight loss. The diet industry has 

corrupted the word “wellness,” and it has now become almost 

synonymous with dieting. Part of the path to healing one’s 

relationship with food is recognizing the damage dieting has 

done to mental health and psychological well-being. 

Why is it that we rely so heavily on others’ opinions and advice 

when it comes to eating? Food is a necessity of life. It provides 

fuel for the body in addition to all the nutrients we require to 

function efficiently. Yet many people don’t trust their bodies to 

tell them when or what to eat. Instead, they reach out to others 

for advice. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself how someone 

else could possibly know when you are hungry or full? This is 

the backbone of diets, telling you how much and what to eat, 

giving no thought to your internal cues. 

Food is required for survival just like breathing, water, shelter 

and sleep. When swimming under water, would you seek out 

advice from others before coming up for air? When you need 

to use the washroom, do you question the urge, thinking you 

couldn’t possibly have to go again? When it comes to breathing, 

sleeping, thirst and shelter, we have more confidence trusting 

our bodies, however, the same can’t be said about food. The 

more a person looks to others for diet advice, the more confused 

they become and the less they trust their (own) body. If dieting 

is an unhealthy approach, then what can we do to foster a good 

relationship with food and improve our health? 

Enter “intuitive eating,” which is a self-care eating framework 

that integrates instinct, emotion, and rational thought (Tribole, 

2107). It means getting back to your roots – trusting your body 

and your signals. The human body is hardwired to know when 

and how much to eat, however this concept is often lost in 

translation due to external influences. Intuitive eating is based 

on principles that help people let go of their rigidity around 

food by rejecting diet culture and giving permission to eat in a 

way that feels good in their body and honours their health. 

Babies are born intuitive eaters. When hungry, they tell us by 

sucking on their fists, leaning towards the breast or bottle, or 

crying. When full, they simply stop eating. Toddlers also eat 

intuitively, however their taste buds are still developing and 

meals become more complicated due to likes, dislikes, and their 

need for autonomy. 

This is the age where conversations around food become 

important because thoughts, feelings and external pressure play 

a part in decisions about eating. A well-meaning parent may 

say something like, “If you eat all your broccoli, you can have a 

cookie after.” This tells the child two things – cookies must be 

better than broccoli and it’s OK to overeat because that cookie 

is worth it. If this happens repeatedly, hunger cues become 

subdued, and overeating may become a common occurrence. 

Well-intending parents may also restrict sweets in the house 

for health reasons or fear of weight gain. Studies have shown 

that when a child (or adult) feels like they are being deprived of 

something, they tend to think about, and want that food even 

more. This can lead to sneaking, hoarding and overeating. By 

giving kids and adults autonomy over how much food to eat and 

providing consistent access to a variety of different foods (sweets 

included), they have a better chance of eating intuitively. 

Teenagers today are dealing with an overwhelming amount of 

external pressure to look a certain way due to social media and 

the desire to fit in. As a result, they are at a high risk of seeking 

out diets or listening to uninformed influencers for advice 

on what to eat. This can impact their relationship with food 

and could lead to a lifelong battle of yo-yo dieting or eating 

disorders. Teens who moderately diet are five times more likely 

to develop an eating disorder and those who practice extreme

dieting are 18 times more likely to develop an eating disorder 

(Golden et al, 2016). 

Part of the problem with our thin-obsessed culture is that 

disordered eating has become the norm and people praise 

friends and loved ones for losing weight. While those comments 

might be intended as praise, to someone quietly battling an 

eating disorder this may add fuel to the fire. We need to stop 

commenting on people’s bodies. 

Clients will frequently say to me, “I’m an emotional eater,” 

implying this is always a negative. Emotions are part of the 

human eating experience, and in many cases are positive. Food 

brings people together and food can be used to soothe or help 

cope with one’s emotions. This can be a perfectly healthy outlet, 

but when people become too dependent on food as a coping 

mechanism, it can lead to negative outcomes. We often learn 

these behaviours from an early age, such as when a child hurts 

themselves and is given a treat to make them feel better. Over 

time the child can learn to recognize food as effective at soothing 

difficult emotions. 

It is important to celebrate and enjoy the positive emotions 

that come from eating, but we also need to be aware enough to 

recognize if we are using food as our only coping mechanism 

rather than dealing with very challenging underlying 

emotional issues. 

A misconception about intuitive eating is that you can eat 

whatever you want, whenever you want. An intuitive eater is a 

curious observer and if they overeat or eat something that makes 

them feel unwell, they observe without judgment and take note 

for the next time. They can differentiate between what the body 

wants, what the mind desires, and what’s best for self-care. If 

you don’t think this sounds like you, don’t worry. While we are 

all born as intuitive eaters, many of us lose this skill over time. 

Thankfully, intuitive eating is something that can be re-learned 

with proper information and guidance. 

If you are tired of dieting and want to heal your relationship with 

food, the intuitive eating journey may be one worth taking. GBK 

SOURCES 

Golden, N. H., Schneider, M., & Wood, C. (2016). Preventing Obesity and Eating 

Disorders in Adolescents. Pediatrics, 138(3). doi:10.1542/peds.2016-1649 

Grodstein, F., Levine, R., Spencer, T., Colditz, G. A., & Stampfer, M. J. (1996). 

Three-year follow-up of participants in a commercial weight loss program: Can you 

keep it off? Archives of Internal Medicine 156(12), 1302. 

Neumark-Sztainer D., Haines, J., Wall, M., & Eisenberg, M. (2007). Why does 

dieting predict weight gain in adolescents? Findings from project EAT-II: a 5-year 

longitudinal study. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 107(3), 448-55 

Tribole, E. (2017, July 7). Definition of Intuitive Eating. The Original Intuitive 

Eating Pros. https://www.intuitiveeating.org/definition-of-intuitive-eating/ 

NICOLE BALLANTINE is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Intuitive 

Eating counsellor who takes a non-diet approach to establish a 

healthy relationship with food. You can find her virtually at www. 

nicoleballantine.com or at 770 Queen St., Kincardine. 


FAMILY 

An adventure 

to remember 

BRUCE AND GREY COUNTIES OFFER SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY 

BY CARLEY DONALDSON AND HEATHER MOLNAR-ALJOE 


Cave crawl in Bruce County. 

When it comes to year-round fun, Bruce and Grey counties 

offer endless possibilities for family activities and 

adventure for the young and young at heart. 

The region is known for its abundance of family activities and 

ability to encourage kids to look under rocks and use their 

active, inquiring minds. With epic hiking trails, amazing scenic 

lookouts, miles of sandy beach and great rainy-day options, your 

crew will be creating memories from sunrise till sunset. Here are 

some ideas to help you plan your getaway from the everyday, 

whether you live in the area or are just visiting. 

LOTS TO DO IN BRUCE COUNTY 

Discover our beaches 

Time moves slower at the water’s edge. Waves are an invitation 

for jumping and splashing. Shells and smooth stones from the 

sand are treasures waiting to be discovered by tiny hands. With 

the Lake Huron shoreline running from Point Clark in the 

southern reaches of the county to Tobermory on one side of the 

Bruce Peninsula and the sparkling waters of Georgian Bay along 

the other, there are plenty of amazing beaches to enjoy in Bruce 

County. 

If you’re looking for family friendly swimming along sandy 

shores, head to Sauble Beach. Take a swim, stroll the main strip 

and let the kids blow their allowance at Giggles Arcade. 

Hike the legendary Bruce Trail 

It’s no surprise that the legendary Bruce Trail runs right through 

Bruce County, to its ultimate finish in Tobermory. This is a 

family-friendly destination that offers a chance to immerse your 

family in the natural beauty of Bruce County. Hiking isn’t just 

for grown-ups. Underneath every rock is a new creature waiting 

to be revealed and around every bend is a new story to tell. The 

curiosity of what the next scenic secret will be will have your 

children racing through the trees, excited for each new discovery. 

Hidden caves tucked deep in the rocks are ready for young 

explorers to use as nature’s ultimate playground. 

There are some amazing family hikes along the trail. Make sure 

your little ones have proper footwear (yourselves too!), pack 

some snacks and water, grab a camera and head out on the trails 

for the ultimate adventure. 

Buy yourself a Bruce Trail Guidebook or download the Bruce 

Trail app to choose your route and help you find your way. 

While the hikes at Bruce Peninsula National Park are very 

popular (the hike to The Grotto is perhaps best known), there 

are many other opportunities to get your family on the trail in 

quieter spots like Lion’s Head, McNeill’s Mansion near Wiarton, 

the Bruce Caves and Purple Valley. 

Cool off in Wiarton 

Wiarton is a beautiful town on the shore of Georgian Bay, 

with great downtown shopping and restaurants, a beautiful 

waterfront park, and family-friendly Bruce Trail hikes nearby. 

Bluewater Park in Wiarton is the perfect location to keep your 

children entertained for hours. Visit the home of Wiarton Willie 

and spend a few hours at the refreshing splash pad, featuring a 

variety of ground nozzles, making for the perfect family day trip. 

Challenge yourself on the ropes 

Just off the beaten path in Tobermory, you’ll find Little Cove 

Adventures – home to a high and low ropes course that will 

challenge your family and test your limits. 

You’ll be climbing from tree to tree, swinging from tire to 

tire and zipping from rope to rope with the help of your 

guides and safety equipment. There are even camping cabin 

accommodations for those who’d like to use Little Cove as their 

home base. The high ropes course is suitable for those aged 10 

and up while the low ropes course is geared to ages six and up. 

Experience the county’s history 

After taking the time to unveil all Bruce County has to offer 

outdoors, plan a visit to the Bruce County Museum & Cultural 

Centre to learn about the history behind all of your family’s 

favourite spots. There are no velvet ropes or dusty collections 

here – it’s packed full of fun for the whole family! Enjoy 

culturally immersive experiences at the Museum, located on 

High Street, in Southampton. With a great lineup of children’s 

programming and summer exhibits, the Museum & Cultural 


One trick to keep the little ones moving along is to create a 

scavenger hunt before you leave home. Plan ahead with a list of 

wildlife or unique things you might come across on your hike. 

Here’s a few to get you started; a frog, a flower, a bridge, a maple 

leaf, a bird, and maybe even a snake! If you’re new to hiking, or 

just need a little refresher, it’s good to review our Grey County 

trail etiquette guidelines before you start out. These are great to 

go over with the young ones too, while explaining why they are 

important for everyone’s safety and enjoyment on the trails. 

Enjoy summer at Wiarton’s waterfront. 

Centre is a great family destination. Kids love the interactive 

exhibits and have a hard time leaving the iconic indoor ship! 

The museum offers hands-on experiences that will leave your 

kids asking to come back on your next vacation. Visit www. 

brucemuseum.ca for a full schedule of events and exhibits. 

With 17 Bruce County Library locations, there’s also no 

shortage of great reading, programs, activities and events to help 

fill your days. 

Get a delicious taste of family fun 

If you’re obsessed with all things culinary, weave food into 

your family activities. Dive into the (agri)culture of our farm 

communities. Make memories with your family and harvest 

your own fruits and vegetables at a local pick-your-own. Many 

farms have family-friendly activities or on-farm markets allowing 

you to extend your stay and spend more time outdoors. 

VISIT GREY COUNTY 

Summer is the perfect time for families to get outdoors and 

explore all that Grey County has to offer. With its natural 

beauty, stunning landscapes, and abundance of outdoor 

activities, there are countless things to do. 

Take a hike! 

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of Grey County 

is by hitting the many hiking trails that criss-cross the region. 

From easy nature walks to challenging multi-day hikes up and 

down the Escarpment, there is something for everyone on our 

trails. Whether you’re hiking to a scenic lookout along the Bruce 

Trail or wandering through lush forests and along babbling 

brooks on the Grey County CP Rail Trail, you’ll be surrounded 

by the region’s natural beauty every step of the way. 

If you’re not familiar with Grey County hikes, you will be 

amazed to know that several of them can lead you to a beautiful 

waterfall. There are nine waterfalls spanning all the way from 

Holstein in the south through the Beaver Valley and up to north 

of Owen Sound. Some family favourites are Hoggs Falls, just off 

the Bruce Trail in the Beaver Valley, or Jones Falls just outside of 

Owen Sound. Jones Falls has a few access points that allow you 

to hike in from different locations, and the opportunity to hike 

to the bottom and see the falls from below. Before you head out, 

be sure to do some research ahead of time, as some falls close 

periodically due to flooding and maintenance, and Walter’s Falls 

does require advance reservations to visit. 

Be adventurous 

For families looking for a bit more excitement, Grey County 

is home to several more adventurous activities, too. Ziplining 

through the trees, exploring hidden caves and mountain biking 

along the Niagara Escarpment are just a few of the heartpumping 

adventures that await you. These activities are perfect 

for families with older kids and teenagers who are looking for 

a little more excitement in their summer adventures. If you are 

just starting out and want to try these activities for the first time, 

check out visitgrey.ca for local companies that can help you get 

started. They will ensure you have a knowledgeable guide and all 

the proper safety gear. 

Go biking 

If you’re looking for a more relaxed way to explore the outdoors, 

consider taking a leisurely ride along one of Grey County’s 

many bike trails. The region boasts an extensive network of bike 

paths, ranging from the 77 km CP Rail Trail through scenic 

countryside to more challenging off-road mountain bike trails, 

as well as on-road routes with plenty of hills and scenic roads. 

Grab a copy of Grey County’s cycling routes map to get started, 

complete with information on bike rentals and repair shops. 

Get on the water 

Of course, summer in Grey County wouldn’t be complete 

without spending time on the water. With the southern shores 

of Georgian Bay in the northern part of the county, we are also 

home to several beautiful inland lakes and rivers, which are 

perfect for swimming, fishing, boating, and other water sports. 

Whether you’re looking to rent a canoe and paddle down a quiet 

river or spend a day out on the lake testing your luck at fishing, 

a day on the water is delightful for the whole family. 


A family bike ride in Grey County. 

History lives here 

Grey County also offers plenty of opportunities for fun and 

learning. Consider visiting some of the local museums or 

historical sites this summer, where you can learn about the 

area’s rich history and culture. To become reacquainted with 

Grey County’s history, take the family to visit Grey Roots 

Museum & Archives, located just south of Owen Sound. Grey 

Roots interprets the human and natural history of our county 

by sharing collections, stories and memories that define our 

collective identity and guide our future. 

In July and August, take a step back in time by exploring 

Moreston Heritage Village at Grey Roots. Discover 12 beautiful 

historic buildings, including the newly launched 1920s General 

Store. See live blacksmithing demos, fully restored classic 

vehicles, and even live farm animals. Enjoy interactive, hands-on 

exhibits including ‘Game Changers,’ which explores the history 

and future of video games. Mario 64 is playable on what might 

be the world’s largest Nintendo controller. Game Changers, 

developed by the Canada Science and Technology Museum and 

managed by Science North, runs until Sept. 5. 

In addition to all of these great opportunities right here in our 

backyard, one of the best things about Grey County in the 

summer is simply taking the time to slow down and enjoy time 

with family and friends. Whether you’re taking a picnic lunch 

to a local park, watching the sunset over the Bay, or simply 

watching the kids play in the yard, there are countless ways to 

unwind and enjoy this awesome place so many of us get to call 

home. GBK 

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Contact one of our 

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CARLEY DONALDSON enjoys adventuring near and far with her 

husband and two sons, mostly sticking to local towns, beaches and 

parks. Her passion for the area is what led Carley to her current 

position at Bruce County, leading marketing and communications for 

Explore the Bruce and many other initiatives. HEATHER MOLNAR- 

ALJOE was born and raised not far from the Grey Bruce Line and 

spent her childhood exploring local beaches and wooded areas, 

doing anything and everything outdoors. She and her son spend their 

summers near the water and their winters at the hockey arena. They 

also enjoy hiking, swimming, cycling and finding new ice cream shops. 

As a marketing and communications specialist with Grey County, 

Heather shares her love for this area. 


HEALTH 

The 

superhero 

within 

LEARN TO TRUST YOUR INTUITION 

BY ALICIA GIBBONS 


If I could go back and tell my younger self anything in the 

world it would be, “You have everything you will ever need 

already inside of you.” 

I would remind her she was born with an intuition that’s hers 

alone and, if used properly, it could be her compass. I would 

teach her about being authentic and true to herself. I would 

tell her to pay extra attention to the things she is passionate 

about – they are not at all random; they leave clues that will lead 

her to her purpose. I would assure her that the only moment 

that matters is in the present. I would tell her to be brave with 

her life, to always lead with compassion for others and, more 

importantly, for herself. 

At almost 40, I am living and learning these foundations 

daily. Although I can’t go back to my younger self and tell 

her everything I know now, I can teach so many others the 

importance of these tools and building a strong foundation to 

carry you through this incredible journey called life. 

A few years ago, I found myself on the road back home to me, 

the me I had somehow lost in the process of becoming all the 

other things. The me that had lost a piece of her self-confidence, 

the me that was healing. There was a space between where I was 

and where I longed to be, the connecting factor to bridge them 

together came from the big messy work we often must do on 

ourselves. 

At the same time, I was taking a program that forever changed 

my life. It was based upon methodology first taught at Stanford 

University and used emotional intelligence to help people move 

forward in their lives. Emotional intelligence, by definition, is, 

“The ability to understand, use and manage your own emotions 

in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively and 

empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse.” 

This program gave students the understanding and teachings 

that could propel them with confidence, creativity, emotional 

well-being tools, compassion, and a deeper knowing of 

themselves. I’ll always remember sitting in front of my computer 

listening to my teacher when it occurred to me that these 

simple, profound, and easily integrated tools are not always 

taught to us as children; we are often in the midst of working 

on ourselves as adults by the time we truly understand them. 

Imagine how much more we could have accomplished if we’d 

been taught this earlier in life; if our parents and grandparents 

had been able to pass that knowledge onto us? 

I knew from that moment that I wanted to help bridge this gap. 

I spent the next couple of years with my learning hat back on, 

passionately committed to teaching these foundations. 

The thing that I love the most about this work is watching 

people regain their confidence. Think of a little toddler or a 

preschooler, they radiate confidence! They are so sure of who 

they are – they wear what they want no matter if it matches, 

they sing at the top of their lungs whether they sound good or 

not, and they find joy in simple, everyday moments. They have 

the biggest imaginations. They follow their intuition to know 

when they are hungry, tired or don’t like something. They spend 

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all day beating to the sound of their own drum, carefree of 

what anyone thinks of them. 

Fast forward a bit and, somewhere along the way, a little voice 

within emerges. It’s the voice that comes in as a protector but 

ends up being so loud that children start to believe it. It says 

things like, “Don’t wear that, they will make fun of you,” or 

“Don’t raise your hand, what if you get the answer wrong?” 

What starts out as protection to keep this little person safe and 

in their comfort zone ends up leading their thoughts. That 

little person who once held confidence wearing a Superman 

cape at the grocery store suddenly feels overwhelmed with 

the thought of standing out. Part of what I do is teach the 

difference between the voice of judgment (some call it the 

inner critic or gremlin) and the voice of wisdom (the inner 

superhero). 

The voice of wisdom is calm, and it leads from intuition and 

knowing. It has solutions to problems, and it doesn’t judge or 

make us feel overwhelmed. The voice of judgment however 

causes a lot of stress. It’s favourite thing to do is to regret 

the past and create scenarios in the future that haven’t yet 

happened. It keeps us stuck, and often makes us second guess 

every decision we make. It also judges us, and it’s responsible 

for judging others. It gets so loud at times that it makes it hard 

for the inner superhero to be heard. 

Who’s driving your 

thoughts today? 

YOUR SUPERHERO: 

• You feel calm when it is speaking. 

• Offers solutions to problems. 

• Leads with compassion not judgment. 

• Brings peace. 

• That “gut” feeling or knowing. 

YOUR GREMLIN/INNER CRITIC 

• Quickly judges you and others. 

• Keeps you stuck. 

• Puts you down. 

• Criticizes and blames. 

• Offers no solutions to your problems. 

• Makes you feel overwhelmed. 

I use this as an example for a reason. It was this topic that my 

teacher Jennifer was speaking about the day I had that ‘ah 

ha’ moment in class. I had never really been taught about the 

difference between these voices. In fact, I had been wandering 

around most of my life thinking those voices were actually 

mine. 

What’s more, I had been letting the voice of judgment sit 

in the driver’s seat of my life for far too long. I had started 

on this journey back to myself thinking I would find all the 

things I needed to fix or change about me, when in truth I just 

needed to find my inner superhero again. Think about it for a 

moment – how would your life be different if you understood 

this concept at a much younger age? 

When I look ahead, I see a future that offers a more proactive 

approach with our emotional selves. Words like mindfulness 

and emotional well-being are more common now than ever. 

We are implementing programs to teach kids at an even 

younger age the importance of loving and trusting themselves 

and prioritizing their emotional and mental health. We are 

doing better because we now know better. 

The work we do on ourselves is lifelong. We don’t reach a 

specific point where we have learned it all and can sit back. I 

teach this work and yet I know I will spend the rest of my life 

also being a student. 

The difference between me then and now is simple – I am now 

self-aware. Believe me, there’s still a little gremlin in my head 

that tries to lead my thoughts. It tells me all sorts of things. In 

fact, it tried to stop me from writing this very article. It knew 

I would be taken out of my usual comfort zone, so as a means 


of protection, it tried to stop me. I am so glad that my inner 

superhero took over, and I can now hear her louder than ever. 

I would like to dedicate this article to my Mom, Anne. She has 

been the voice of my inner superhero many times throughout 

my life when I couldn’t quite hear it myself. She is one of the 

brightest lights and spreads kindness like confetti. To be loved 

by her is an honour. She is one of those people that makes the 

world brighter just by being in it. Her compass helped to guide 

me here and, without knowing it, every time her own light 

went dim and she felt lost, it gave me the push to keep finding 

and searching for extra tools for the generations to come. Keep 

letting your superhero guide you Mom, I promise the best is yet 

to be. 

There’s a quote that says, “Of all the roads she travelled, 

the journey back to herself was the most magnificent!” Rediscovering 

my inner superhero was the missing piece I needed 

to find me again. My challenge to you is to start calling your 

own superhero home. It’s already inside of you, so get to know 

that voice, let it lead you and then never let it go! GBK 

ALICIA GIBBONS is a Mindset and Emotional Intelligence Educator, 

specializing in workshops and programs for youth and teens, 

as well as corporate services. For more information, visit www. 

thespacebetweenwithalicia.com and to download a free, printable inner 

superhero guide for kids visit www.thespacebetweenwithalicia.com/ 

superherogb. 


HEALTH AND WELLNESS 

OPIOIDS 

DON’T AVOID THIS IMPORTANT DISCUSSION THAT CAN SAVE LIVES 

BY KELSEY WALTER

Summer in Grey/Bruce means school’s out and – for many 

local youth and teens – invitations to parties, events, and 

other social gatherings are rolling in. There’s a chance a youth 

in your life will be offered a regulated or unregulated drug at a 

party or event. 

This is concerning because the unregulated drug supply poses a 

significant risk of overdose or poisoning due to misuse and the 

possibility street drugs can be contaminated with toxic or highly 

potent substances such as fentanyl. 

While anyone using unregulated street drugs faces the risk of 

overdose, youth who, by nature, are more curious and take more 

chances may have no tolerance for these types of drugs, and a 

single use could put them at risk of an overdose, brain damage 

or death. 

The risk is greatest for youth who lack accurate information. 

For this reason, equipping youth and teens with current 

information can help to safeguard them from overdose. 

This article looks at what parents and caregivers can do to keep 

youth safe. 

UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE 

Canada is facing an opioid crisis that is claiming lives daily. 

Opioids are medications primarily prescribed to relieve pain. 

However, they can also produce euphoria, making them 

prone to harmful use. Examples of opioids include codeine, 

oxycodone, hydromorphone, morphine, heroin, and fentanyl. 

Opioids can be prescribed, but can also be produced and 

obtained without a prescription. 

While several factors have contributed to the current opioid crisis, 

unregulated street drugs contaminated with fentanyl and other 

opioids are causing many of the opioid-related harms and deaths. 

You cannot see, smell, or taste fentanyl, so there is no way to 

know if it has been added to a substance and a tiny amount can 

be deadly. Since 2016, there have been more than 9,000 apparent 

opioid-related deaths in Canada. In 2017, approximately 11 

lives were lost each day due to opioid overdoses, and Canadian 

youth aged 15 to 24 are the fastest-growing population requiring 

hospitalization for opioid overdoses. 

UNDERSTAND PROBLEMATIC USE 

Problematic opioid use is using opioids that are not prescribed 

to you or using prescribed opioids in a manner not intended or 

instructed by your health care provider. It also includes using 

unregulated opioids. 

Canadian youth can access opioids at home through drugs 

taken from a medicine cabinet, through family, friends, and 

acquaintances who share pills, through prescriptions to relieve 

pain, and by buying them from the unregulated market. 

RECOGNIZING OPIOID OVERDOSE 

Opioids slow down the part of the brain that controls breathing. 

If a person takes too much of an opioid for the body to handle, 

they will show signs and symptoms of an overdose. These 

include soft or no breathing, snoring or gurgling sounds, blue 

lips, nails, or skin, pinpoint pupils, cold and clammy skin, and 

becoming unresponsive to stimulation. 

Taking too much of an opioid can lead to possible brain damage 

or even death. 

RESPONDING TO OVERDOSE 

Public Health advises parents and guardians to get a Naloxone 

kit and learn how to use it, and encourage your teen to do 

the same. Naloxone is a safe, fast-acting medication used to 

temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It is safe 


use, while being aware of your own unconscious biases. 

• Set boundaries with your teen to foster a respectful 

relationship; don’t be afraid to enforce the boundaries you 

have implemented. 

• Listen to your teen and keep an open mind. Encourage a 

two-way conversation, while nurturing their self-confidence 

and self-worth. 

• Be involved in your teen’s life, while maintaining respectful 

boundaries, to strengthen communication skills and 

encourage open dialogue. 

• Educate your teen early on about substance use and 

preventative measures to allow them to make informed 

decisions about drugs and alcohol. 

• Know your goals for the conversation and avoid being 

judgemental towards your teen; resist the urge to lecture or 

use scare tactics. 

• Recognize and acknowledge your own learning process. 

• Only give factual information and discuss both the shortand 

long-term effects that drugs can have on one’s mental 

and physical health. 

to keep on hand because it cannot be improperly used and does 

not result in dependence. 

Naloxone works only if there are opioids in the body, so it will 

not cause any harm if given to someone who is unconscious 

due to another medical reason. It’s available for free, without a 

prescription, at pharmacies and Grey Bruce Public Health. 

TALK TO YOUR TEEN 

Here are some tips to support conversations with your youth/ 

teen about substance use: 

• Create opportunities for your children to talk to you about 

their feelings and experiences. Start these conversations 

when children are young and maintain that connection 

with your teens. 

• Talk openly with your teen about medication and substance 

PREVENTING PROBLEMATIC USE 

If you or your teen needs pain relief, talk to your health care 

provider about trying alternatives to opioids first (e.g., ibuprofen 

or acetaminophen). If opioids are required, try a less powerful 

type of opioid first, and ask for an opioid prescription with 

fewer pills. 

• Keep opioids and all other drugs in a safe and secure place, 

preferably locked in a security box or cabinet. 

• Keep track of the number of pills in each container when 

you are taking prescription opioids for medical reasons. 

If the number of pills does not match your normal use or 

you need to refill your prescription sooner than expected, 

someone else may be using your medication. 

• Model safe and appropriate use of medication and other 

substances that you may use, such as alcohol. 

• Always adhere to the directions on the prescription 

medication label. Never share your medication. 

• Plan to set aside time at least once a year to empty out your 

medicine cabinet and ensure you bring leftover and/or old 

medications to your local pharmacist for safe disposal. Do 

not flush medications or throw them in the garbage. 

WHAT IF YOUR TEEN’S USING OPIOIDS? 

• Have an open conversation with your teen when emotions 

are not heightened and there are no distractions. 

• Ask questions that encourage your teen to openly talk about 

opioids, rather than just asking yes or no questions. 

• Refer to specific events that have occurred that you are 


worried about. Be transparent with them and let your teen 

know you care and that is why you are asking them about 

this. 

• Offer support and familiarize yourself with the resources 

available in your community to connect your teen once 

they are ready. 

• Learn about opioids, both prescription and nonprescription, 

so you can support your teen and connect 

them to the community resources they need. 

• Have a support group and people you can lean on for 

yourself, like a family member, friend, counsellor, faith 

leader or doctor. 

HARM REDUCTION TIPS 

Consider sharing these resources with your youth and the 

following tips for lowering overdose risk and other harms: 

• Avoid using alone. 

• Avoid mixing drugs or taking drugs while drinking alcohol, 

which increases overdose risk. If mixing, use less of each 

drug. 

• Know your body. Body weight, food in the stomach, 

tolerance, stress levels, and taking other medications are all 

factors that will impact how drugs will affect someone. 

GBK 

REFERENCES 

CAMH. Info Sheet: What Parents And Caregivers Need To Know 

About Prescription Opioids. Dec. 2020. 

Government of Canada. How to Talk with Your Teen about Drugs- 

Communication Tips for Parents. Feb. 2010. 

Health Canada. Canada’s opioid crisis fact sheet. April 9, 2019. 

Health Canada. Talking with teenagers about drugs and alcohol. 

Feb. 6, 2023. 

Ottawa Public Health. Safer Party Tips. May 20, 2022. 

Torontovibe.com. Party Safer. March 16, 2017. 

KELSEY WALTER is a Public Health Nurse who has been part of Grey 

Bruce Public Health’s Harm Reduction Team since November 2021. 

In her spare time, Kelsey likes to stay active by playing baseball, 

participating in Crossfit, and going for runs. Learn more at www. 

publichealthgreybruce.on.ca. 

Learn how we make clean energy and medical 

isotopes at the Bruce Power Visitors’ Centre. 

Wonder. 

Explore. 

Discover. 

www.brucepower.com/visit 

3394 BRUCE ROAD 20, NORTH OF TIVERTON, WEST OF HIGHWAY 21. T: (519) 361-7777 


HISTORY 

Canada’s game? 

EVIDENCE MAY PROVE THE FIRST BASEBALL GAME WAS PLAYED NORTH 

OF THE BORDER BY MAT JOHNSON 

20 GREY-BRUCE KIDS • SUMMER 2023 

Though baseball is universally recognized as America’s game, historic inconsistencies 

exist about when and where the first game of modern baseball was played. The 

consensus among American historians has the inaugural game taking place in New Jersey 

on June 19, 1846. 

However, credible evidence exists to indicate that the first baseball game was in fact 

played in Upper Canada (now Ontario) on June 4, 1838, in the town of Beachville, a 

community located between Woodstock and Ingersoll. 

In the May 26, 1886, issue of the Philadelphia-based Sporting Life, St. Marys, Ont., 

native Dr. Adam Ford recalls in detail witnessing a “baseball-like game” in 1838 in 

Beachville. This documented, first-hand account adds significant substance to Canada’s 

claim of hosting the first organized baseball game. 

The bottom line is that there is still a vigorous debate about this subject, and it probably 

won’t end any time soon. As baseball historian Ron McCulloch notes, “No one person 

can be credited with inventing baseball. Instead, constant refinement of rules and 

regulations by many people gave us the game we have today.” 

Undoubtedly, the roots of the game lie in an English game called rounders. Arriving 

in North America in the 1700s, rounders was considered a children’s game that was 

played with various rules that were often decided by the participants. Typically, like

aseball, rounders involved a pitcher, batter and 

bases. Batters ‘struck’ at the ball and ran around 

designated bases. In order to stop the runner, 

fielders would try to hit them with the ball as they 

ran. 

The 1868 farmhouse that was the original Canadian 

Baseball Hall of Fame before the addition in 2017. 

One of several baseball fields at the Canadian 

Baseball Hall of Fame 

The game played on June 4, 1838, was the central 

attraction in what was a holiday celebration 

recognizing the end of the Upper Canada Rebellion 

(in which combat effectively ended in December 

1837, though further bloodshed would take place), 

and the birthday of King George IV (1762-1830). 

The game was played “on a nice smooth pasture” in 

which the playing field itself was a five-sided shape. 

Beyond the unusual configuration of the field, the 

Beachville game had many similarities to the game 

played today, including foul balls or what were 

referred to at the time as ‘no hits.’ 

Interestingly, Dr. Ford makes reference to a ruling 

that if a batter struck (swung) and missed, but the 

ball was dropped by the catcher, the strike didn’t 

count, foreshadowing Major League Baseball rule 

5.05(a)(2) in which a third strike must be caught in 

order to record an out. 

As baseball continued to evolve as a sport, Canada’s 

relationship with the game similarly changed. By 

the early-1860s, a collection of amateur clubs had 

begun to form, particularly across what is now 

Ontario, and they helped to spread the game. 

With no particular league structure to determine 

champions at the time, controversy quickly 

developed over which club reigned supreme. In the 

Woodstock Sentinel of July 17, 1863, for example, 

the Woodstock Young Canadians claimed the 

title of Canadian champions following a 15- 

game winning streak. This is a dubious assertion 

as the club turned down a subsequent challenge 

from George Sleeman’s Guelph-based Maple 

Leaf baseball club to defend their claim of being 

Canada’s best team. 

These same Maple Leafs were the first Canadian 

team to gain international notoriety. The club 

participated in the amateur baseball world 

championships beginning on June 29, 1874, in 

Watertown, New York. The tournament pitted eight 

amateur teams against each other in a round-robin 

format that saw the Maple Leafs not only proving 

to be “gentlemen all,” (as reported in the Watertown 

Daily Times) but winning the tournament 

with a thrilling 13-10 win over the Easton P.A. 

Eastons, who were described by the same paper 

as a “muscular set of fellows.” The beautiful 87 F 

summer day featured not only the championship 

game, but a band, throwing contest, and wrestling 

match. 

In the years following the Maple Leafs’ 


Memorabilia from Canada’s national women’s 

baseball team. 

Items from the hit movie, A League of Their Own. 

international success, baseball continued to grow in popularity 

across the quickly expanding country. Playing fields of differing 

dimensions were a common sight in many communities, 

however, it was London, Ont., in 1877, where WJ Reid 

constructed a world-class baseball facility that is still in use 

today. Swampland adjacent to the Thames River was drained 

and cleared for a baseball stadium named Tecumseh Park. 

Though used regularly for the next six decades, the stadium fell 

into disrepair in the early-1930s. Coming to the rescue of the 

grand playing field was the Labatt family of London brewing 

fame. They purchased and donated the park to the City of 

London, while also footing the bill for over $10,000 in upgrades 

(over $175,000 today). 

Today, Labatt Park remains the oldest continually used baseball 

stadium in the world. Its unique early stadium architecture 

provides fans with the unforgettable experience of watching 

baseball the way the game’s early enthusiasts did over 100 

years ago. Today, the London Majors of the semi-professional, 

Ontario-based Inter-County Baseball Association call the 

historic grounds home. 

By the beginning of the 20th Century, baseball had exploded 

in popularity in the densely populated U.S. With railroads 

providing comparatively rapid travel between cities, organized 

leagues had formed and the playing rules were standardized. By 

1903, Major League Baseball had begun to take on a similar 

structure to what it is today. The original National League, 

which was primarily based on the east coast of the U.S., reached 

an agreement with the American League, which was centred in 

the midwest, to compete yearly for the World Series, which saw 

the champion from each league square off for the title. 

Though Canada would not have a Major League team until 

1969 when the Montreal Expos joined the National League, 


World Series rings given to (from 

left) the Pittsburgh Pirates, and 

the 1992 and 1993 Toronto Blue 

Jays. 


followed by the American League’s Toronto Blue Jays in 1977, 

Canada has a storied past of minor league affiliations and 

independent league professional teams, from which many baseball 

stars began their climb to fame in Major League Baseball. 

Canadian baseball fans today passionately debate what qualifies 

as the greatest moment in this country’s baseball history. Many 

would point to the Blue Jays’ first World Series win in 1992, or 

Joe Carter’s World Series-winning homerun in 1993, complete 

with legendary Blue Jays broadcaster Tom Cheek’s famous call 

of, “Touch ’em all Joe, you’ll never hit a bigger home run in your 

life.” A younger generation of fans might argue that José Bautista’s 

infamous bat flip homerun against the Texas Rangers in Game 5 

of the 2015 American League Division Series matches the Carter 

long-ball for drama. 

Though there is no definitive answer, a consensus can be reached 

that Canada has a unique and storied relationship with baseball. 

Preserving Canadian baseball memories and moments must be a 

priority as baseball is more than a game in so many communities. 

It is woven into the very fabric of Canadian culture. 

The Jack Graney Award, given yearly 

to a member of the media who has 

significantly contributed to the game of 

baseball in Canada. 

A jersey of former Blue Jays slugger 

José Bautista, as well as items from 

Montreal Expos greats Vladimir 

Guerrero, Tim Wallach and Dennis 

Martinez. 

Fortunately, baseball history has a permanent home at the 

Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located in St. 

Marys. Officially opened in 1998, the Hall of Fame and museum 

originally occupied a vintage farmhouse (dating from 1868) in the 

small southern Ontario town of 7,650 residents. The facility was 

established following a bidding process involving 12 Canadian 

cities vying to host and on Aug. 25, 1994, St. Marys was chosen 

over Guelph. 

Since 1998, the museum has undergone many changes, including 

a renovation in 2017 and the addition of 2,500 sq. ft., which were 

designated to provide secure storage for artifacts and house an 

extensive library. Today, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and 

Museum is a must-see for Canadian baseball fans, and, with four 

immaculate playing fields, it is an ideal venue for baseball games 

and tournaments. The museum itself hosts meticulously crafted 

displays and memorabilia highlighting not only Canada’s general 

baseball history, but also its most important teams, players, and 

builders who helped popularize the game in this country. The Hall 

room is a journey in nostalgia for baseball fans of any age, with 

notable individuals from every generation represented. 

Studying human history involves identifying cultural elements 

that greatly influence the path of societies. Sport is one of these 

elements that must considered when looking at the overall picture 

of Canada’s history. Baseball, like any sport, is more than just 

a game. It reflects the changing currents of society through its 

stories and people. Wins and losses, and heroes and villains are all 

part of the story. 

Thankfully, through the efforts of the Canadian Baseball Hall 

of Fame and Museum, this important story is safe for future 

generations to explore. GBK 

MAT JOHNSON is the owner of Marathon of History, a historical 

interpretation company located in Durham, Ont. To learn more visit 

marathonofhistory.ca or follow Marathon of History on Instagram and 

Facebook. 


Above: Vancouver Asahi 

memorabilia. 

Right: Memorabilia of Hall of 

Famer Larry Walker, the pride 

of Maple Ridge, B.C. 

Play Eat Stay 

visitgrey.ca 

@visitgrey 


RESOURCES 

ABUSE 

Assaulted Women’s Helpline 

Crisis line: 1-866-863-0511 

www.awhl.org 

Bruce Grey Child and Family Services 

(Bruce and Grey Children’s Aid Societies 

amalgamated April 1, 2012) 

1-855-322-4453 

Keystone Child, Youth & Family Services 

1-800-567-2384; 519-371-4773 

kcyfs@bmts.com or keystonebrucegrey.org 

Owen Sound 

Saugeen First Nation - Kabaeshiwim 

Respite Women’s Shelter 

519-797-2521 

cgeorge@saugeenfirstnation.ca 

www.saugeenfirstnation.ca 

Sexual Assault and Partner 

Abuse Care Centre 

Grey Bruce Health Services 

1-888-525-0552 or www.gbhs.on.ca 

Owen Sound 

Victim Services Bruce Grey 

Perth 

Crisis: 1-866-376-9852 

Administration: 1-888-577-3111 

info@victim-services.com 

www.victim-services.com 

Victim/Witness Assistance Program 

Owen Sound - 1-866-259-4823 

Walkerton - 1-866-994-9904 

attorneygeneral@ontario.ca 

http://bit.ly/ujKyeE 

Women’s Centre (Grey and Bruce) 

Administration: 519-376-0755 

Crisis: 1-800-265-3722 

womenscentre@bmts.com 

www.bmts.com/~womenscentre 

Owen Sound 

Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey 

Sexual assault crisis: 1-866-578-5566 

Crisis line: 1-800-265-3026 

Administration: (519) 396-9814 

crisis@whsbg.on.ca 

www.whsbg.on.ca 

Kincardine 

BREASTFEEDING 

Brockton and Area Family Health Team 

1-866-507-2021 or 519-881-1920 

RN/certified Lactation Consultant available 

www.bafht.com 

Walkerton 

Grey Bruce Health Unit 

1-800-263-3456 

publichealth@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca 

www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca 

Owen Sound 

Hanover Family Health Team 

RN/Certified Lactation Consultant 

519-506-4348 

www.hanoverfht.ca 

La Leche League Canada 

Owen Sound; 519-376-5916; www.lllc.ca 

Moms Walkerton 

New Mom support 

320 Durham St.., Walkerton; 519-379-6769 

Support groups 

Southampton, Port Elgin, Paisley, and Tara - 

519-797-2010 

Kincardine, Ripley, Tiverton, and Lucknow - 

519-368-4847 

South-Bruce Breastfeeding Buddies - 

519-881-1920 

Wiarton and Bruce Peninsula - 519-534-0912 

Markdale - 519-369-3381 

Owen Sound - 519-372-1330 

The Mama Nurse 

www.themamanurse.com 

CHILDBIRTH 

Glamma Doula 

Christine Piotrowski, Postpartum Doula 

www.glammadoula.com; 519-477-9985 

Hanover and District Hospital Obstetrics/ 

Family Centred Care Birthing Centre 

519-364-2340 

admin@hanoverhospital.on.ca 

www.hanoverhospital.on.ca 

Jessica Connor Doula Services 

519-580-0612 or jconnor.doula@gmail.com 

www.jessicaconnor.ca 

Midwives Grey Bruce 

519-371-2886 

www.midwivesgreybruce.com 

Owen Sound 

Owen Sound Hospital Labour and Delivery 

519-376-2121 

www.gbhs.on.ca/owensound.php 

Walkerton Hospital Family Birthing Centre 

519-881-1220 

www.sbghc.on.ca 

CHILD CARE 

Acorn Montessori 

705-606-1642 

Thornbury 

Amabel-Sauble Child Care Centre 

519-422-3611 

Sauble Beach 

Beaver Valley Outreach 

519-599-2577 

Bobi’s Playschool 

519-538-5483 

Meaford 

Brockton Child Care Centre 

sbross@brockton.ca 

Brooke Montessori Toddler Program 

519-376-3447, Owen Sound 

Bruce County Childcare Services 

519-881-0431 or www.brucecounty.on.ca 

Walkerton 

Bruce Peninsula Family Centre 

519-793-4100 

Lion’s Head 

Chesley Nursery School 

519-363-9544 

Durham Nursery School 

519-369-6973 

Grey County Childcare Services 

519-376-7324, www.greycounty.ca/childcare 

Hanover Montessori Children's House 

1-800-906-7036 or 519-364-6455 

Happy Hearts Day Care Centre 

519-376-1284 

Owen Sound 

Inglenook Creche Day Care 

519-371-9471; Owen Sound 

Kids & Us Community Childcare 

and Family Education Centres 

Ayton - 519-665-2022 

Dundalk - 519-923-2182 

Durham - 519-369-9911 

Holstein - 519-334-3132 

Markdale - 519-986-3692 

Osprey - 519-922-2333 

Paisley - 519-353-7220 

www.kidsandus.ca 

Kids Street Nursery School - Port Elgin 

519-389-9050 

Kinhuron Integrated Day Nursery School 

Co-op 

519-396-4532 

Kincardine 

Le Jardin des decouvertes - Owen Sound 

519-371-4411 

Military Family Resource Centre - Meaford 

519-538-1371 x6509 

mfrc.meaford@gmail.com 

www.cafconnection.ca/Meaford/Home.aspx 

Meaford Co-operative Nursery School 

519-538-3854 

Nawash N'Shiime Day Care Centre 

519-534-3909 

Neyaashiinigmiing (Cape Croker) 

OneList – Find and apply for child care 

brucecountychildcare.ca 

greycountychildcare.ca 

Queen of Hearts Nursery School 

109 Balmy Beach Rd., Owen Sound 

www.queenofheartsnurseryschool.com 

Sandbox Daycare - Hanover 

519-506-7263 

Saugeen First Nation G’Shaw-da-Gawin 

Day Care Centre 

519-797-2419 

gshawdagawin@bmts.com 

www.saugeenfirstnation.ca 

Saugeen Shores Childcare Centre 

519-832-2400 

Tobermory Primary Place 

519-596-2606 

Unity House - Owen Sound 

519-371-8686 


Viola Jean’s Garden Daycare - Owen Sound 

519-416-5633 or 519-371-2362 

Wiarton Kids Den Day Care/Kids Club 

School age Program 

519-534-4434 

Wiarton Nursery School 

519-534-2121 

Wooden Hill Child Care Centre (La Colline 

De Bois) at Notre Dame School 

519-376-6952 

Owen Sound 

YMCA Childcare 

Arran Tara - 519-376-0484 

Hanover - 519-364-4938 

Kincardine - 519-396-9622 

Owen Sound - 519-376-0484 

Port Elgin - 519-832-6225 

Ripley - 519-395-5570 

ymcaowensound.on.ca 

DIET/NUTRITION 

EatRight Ontario 

Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport 

1-877-510-5102; www.eatrightontario.ca 

Foodlink Grey Bruce 

Find locally grown meat, fruit and produce 

www.foodlinkgreybruce.com 

Good Food Box 


519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 



1-800-263-3456 



Owen Sound 


519-506-4348; www.hanoverfht.ca 


1-800-567-2384, 519-371-4773 


Ontario Student Nutrition Program Grey 

Bruce 

www.osnp.ca 

EDUCATION 

Academy of Learning - Owen Sound 

1077 2nd Ave. E., Suite B (2nd floor) 

519-371-6188 or www.academytraining.ca 

Adult Learning Centres 

Collingwood, Port Elgin, Markdale, Owen 

Sound, Walkerton, Wiarton 

www.adultlearningcentres.com 

Bluewater District School Board 

1-800-661-7509 or www.bwdsb.on.ca 

Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board 

519-364-5820 or www.bgcdsb.org 

Conseil Scolaire Catholique Providence 

(French Catholic School Board) 

1-888-768-2219; www.cscprovidence.ca 

Edgehill Country School, Durham 

www.edgehillschool.org 

Georgian Tutors 

www.georgiantutors.com 

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES 

JobsWork 

Aimee Kim, Job Developer, akim@clkd.ca 

519-396-9434 x223 

Leads Employment Services 

1051 2nd Ave. E Owen Sound 

1-866-955-3237 

www.leadsservices.com 

LiveGreyBruce 

www.livegreybruce.ca 

VPI Employment Strategies (Walkerton) 

519-881-4900 or 1-855-260-4900 

jobswalkerton@vpi-inc.com 

www.vpi-inc.com 

YMCA Employment Services 

1450 1st Ave. W., Suite 4A, Owen Sound 

519-371-9222 

employmentservices@ymcaowensound.on.ca 

FAMILY SUPPORT 

211 Ontario 

Online database of services in your area 

www.211ontario.ca 

Aspire Youth Services Inc. 

Ryan McLeod, CPT, RSW, MSW, CYC (BA) 

ryanmcleodplaytherapy@gmail.com 

aspireyouth.ca; 416-417-7098 

Big Brothers Big Sisters 

Owen Sound - 519-376-4449 

www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/bbowensound 

Kincardine - 519-396-3565 

www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/kincardine 

Bruce Grey Child and Family Services 

1-855-322-4453 

www.bgcfs.ca 

Bruce Grey Mentorship 

504 10th St., Suite 2, Hanover 

519-506-5065 

www.brucegreymentorship.ca 

Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation 

- Native Child Welfare - Cape Croker 

519-534-3818 

supervisor.ncw@gbtel.ca 

www.nawash.ca 

EarlyON Child and Family Centres 

Chesley, Hanover, Kincardine, Markdale, 

Meaford, M’Wikwedong (Owen Sound), Owen 

Sound (East Ridge), Port Elgin, Thornbury, 

Wiarton 

1-800-616-8116 

Family Support Initiative 

Peer support for family of those with mental 

health issues 

519-371-4802; fsi@hopegb.org 

mhagb.ca 

Grandparent Network 

For grandparents raising grandchildren 

Meets first Monday of month at 9:30 a.m. 

Owen Sound 

Call Mary Nuckowski at 519-371-2498 

Grey Bruce Supervised Access Program 

519-371-5991; pc-superacc@bmts.com 

www.supervisedaccess.ca, Owen Sound 

Kids Help Phone 

1-800-668-6868 (24 hours) 

www.kidshelpphone.ca 

Multiples in Bruce 

For families with or expecting multiples 

http://multiplesinbrucecounty.webs.com 

Nemesis Group Services 

Owen Sound; 519-372-2425 

www.nemesisgroupservices.com 

Parent Help Line 

1-888-603-9100 

Penetangore Wellness 

Art and family therapy 

www.penetangorewellness.com 

Salvation Army 

Hanover - 519-364-3450 

Owen Sound - 519-371-0957 

Port Elgin - 519-389-3942 

Wiarton - 519-534-0353 

Victim Services Bruce Grey 

Perth 

Crisis: 1-866-376-9852; Admin: 1-888-577-3111 

info@victim-services.com; 

www.victim-services.com 

Victim/Witness Assistance Program 

1-866-259-4823 - Owen Sound 

1-866-994-9904 - Walkerton 

attorneygeneral@ontario.ca 

http://bit.ly/ujKyeE 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT 

Beaver Valley Outreach (Thornbury) 

519-599-2577; info@bvo.ca; www.bvo.ca 

Bruce Children are Special Foundation 

Directs donations to the children programs 

provided by Bruce Grey Child and Family 

Services (formerly Children’s Aid) 

1-855-322-4453 ext 4133 

Social Services 

Grey County - 1-800-265-3119 

www.grey.ca/health-social-services/ 

Owen Sound 

Bruce County - 1-800-265-3005 

www.brucecounty.on.ca/ontworks.php 

Walkerton 

United Way of Bruce Grey 

519-376-1560 or manager@unitedwaybg.com 

www.unitedwayofbrucegrey.com 

YMCA of Owen Sound and Grey/Bruce 

519-376-0484 or ymcaowensound.on.ca 

FOOD BANKS/HOUSING 

Beaver Valley Outreach - Thornbury 

519-599-2577, info@bvo.ca or www.bvo.ca 


RESOURCES 

Durham District Food Bank 

Monday and Friday, 9 a.m.-noon 

Flesherton and Area Food Bank 

Marian Doyle, 519-599-3576 

Kincardine Ministerial Food Bank 

519-396-2185 or circlek@bmts.com 

Lion’s Head and District Food Bank 

519-793-3860 or helen.rick@amtelecom.net 

Markdale and District Food Bank 

519-986-3094 

Meaford Food Bank 

519-538-4550 

Paisley Food Bank 

Immanuel Evangelical Mission Church 

307 Balaclava St.; 519-353-5270 (Carol) 

Salvation Army 

Hanover - 519-364-3450 

Owen Sound - 519-371-0957 

Port Elgin - 519-389-3942 

Tobermory Food Bank 

519-596-1501 

Walkerton and District Food Bank 

519-881-0168 

Wiarton Food Bank 

519-534-0353 

Habitat for Humanity Grey Bruce 

1-866-771-6776 or habitatos@bmts.com 

www.habitatgreybruce.com 

Ontario Tenants Rights 

ontariotenants@hotmail.com 

www.ontariotenants.ca 

Safe ‘n Sound Homelessness Initiative 

519-470-7233; www.safensoundgreybruce.com 

Subsidized housing 

Bruce County - 1-800-265-3022 

www.brucecounty.on.ca/socialhousing.php 

Grey County - 376-5744 

http://bit.ly/vVG1k0 

HEALTH CARE 

ActivEars Hearing Centres 

Owen Sound - 226-908-3651 

Hanover - 226-840-2254 

Durham - 226-840-0989 

www.activears.com 

Brockton and Area Family Health Team 

1-866-507-2021 or www.bafht.com 

Walkerton 

Canadian Mental Health Association 

Grey-Bruce Branch 

Administration - 519-371-3642 

Crisis: 1-877-470-5200 

jralph@cmhagb.org; www.cmhagb.org 

Collingwood General and Marine Hospital 

705-445-2550; www.cgmh.on.ca 

Connect Rehabilitation, Yoga and Fitness 

1100 16th Ave. E., Owen Sound 

admin@connectrehab.com; 519-372-2121 

www.connectrehab.com 

ConnexOntario Help Lines 

Drug and alcohol - 1-800-565-8603 

Gambling - 1-888-230-3505 

Mental health - 1-866-531-2600 

www.connexontario.ca 

Grey Bruce Health Services (hospitals) 

Lion’s Head - 519-793-3424 

Markdale - 519-986-3040 

Meaford - 519-538-1311 

Owen Sound - 519-376-2121 

Southampton - 797-3230 

Wiarton - 534-1260 

www.gbhs.on.ca 

Grey Bruce Health Unit - Owen Sound 

1-800-263-3456 



Hanover and District Hospital 

519-364-2340/info@hdhospital.ca 

www.hdhospital.ca 

Healthy Babies, Healthy Children 


519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 



519-506-4348 or dford@hanoverfht.ca 

www.hanoverfht.ca 

Healthy Smiles Ontario 

Dental for families making under $20,000/yr 

Register through the health unit 

Online: http://bit.ly/JAqJbY 

Honouring Life Network 

Indigenous youth suicide prevention 

www.honouringlife.ca 

HopeGreyBruce - Owen Sound 

Mental Health and Addiction Services 

519-371-4120 or www.mhagb.ca/gbchc/ 


1-800-567-2384 or 519-371-4773 


Kids Help Phone (24 hours) 

1-800-668-6868 or www.kidshelpphone.ca 

Kincardine Family Health Team 

Kincardine - 519-396-2700 

Ripley - 519-395-2601 

www.kincardinefht.ca 

Mino Bimadsawin Health Centre 

57 Mason Dr., Saugeen First Nation 

519-797-3336 

M’Wikwedong Native Cultural Resource 

Centre - Owen Sound 

1-866-202-2068 or admin@mwikwedong.com 

www.mwikwedong.com 

Owen Sound Crisis Pregnancy Centre 

1-888-371-2004 

oscpc@wightman.ca 

Pediatric clinics 

Hanover - 519-364-2340 

Kincardine - 519-396-3331 

Markdale - 519-986-3040 

Owen Sound - 519-376-2121 

Walkerton - 519-881-1220 

Penetangore Wellness 

www.penetangorewellness.com 

Poison Control Centre 

1-800-268-9017 

Postpartum depression 

Grey Bruce Health Unit - 1-800-263-3456 

Keystone Child, Youth and Family Services - 

1-800-567-2384 

Sandra Hall Physiotherapy 

519-270-6528; shallphysio12@gmail.com 

www.sandrahallphysiotherapy.com 

South Bruce Grey Health Centre (hospitals) 

Chesley - 519-363-2340 

Kincardine - 519-396-3331 

Durham - 519-369-2340 

Walkerton - 519-881-1220 

www.sbghc.on.ca 

South East Grey Community Health Centre 

55 Victoria St., Markdale 

519-986-2222 or 1-855-519-2220 

info@segchc.ca or www.segchc.ca 

St. John Ambulance First Aid training 

519-364-7004 or grey.bruce@on.sja.ca 

Online: http://bit.ly/t3Ye8g 

TeleHealth Ontario 

1-866-797-0007 

TVCC 

519-3370-0777 or 1-866-590-8822 

www.tvcc.on.ca 

LIBRARIES 

Blue Mountains Public Library/ 

L.E. Shore Memorial Library 

Thornbury 

519-599-3681 or thebluemountainslibrary.ca 

Bruce County Public Library 

opac.brucecounty.on.ca; 519-832-6935; 

libraryinfo@brucecounty.on.ca 

Cargill - 519-366-9990 

Chesley - 519-363-2239 

Kincardine - 519-396-3289 

Lion’s Head - 519-793-3844 

Lucknow - 519-528-3011 

Mildmay - 519-367-2814 

Paisley - 519-353-7225 

Port Elgin - 519-832-2201 

Ripley - 519-395-5919 

Sauble Beach - 519-422-1283 

Southampton - 519-797-3586 

Tara - 519-934-2626 

Teeswater - 519-392-6801 

Tiverton - 519-368-5655 

Tobermory - 519-596-2446 

Walkerton - 519-881-3240 

Wiarton - 519-534-2602 

Collingwood Public Library 

519-445-1571; www.collingwoodpubliclibrary.ca 

Dundalk/Southgate Public Library 

519-923-3248; http://southgate-library.com/ 

Grey Highlands Public Library 

Flesherton - 519-924-2241 

Kimberley - 519-599-6990 

Walter Harris Memorial Library (Markdale) - 

519-986-3436; greyhighlandspubliclibrary.com 


Hanover Public Library 

519-364-1420 or www.hanoverlibrary.ca 

Meaford Public Library 

519-538-1060 

www.meaford.ca/meaford-library-home.html 

Owen Sound and North Grey 

Union Public Library 

519-376-6623; www.owensound.library.on.ca 

West Grey Public Library system 

www.westgreylibrary.com 

Durham (main) branch - 519-369-2107 

Elmwood and area - 519-363-3321 

Neustadt - 519-799-5830 

Ayton/Normanby - 519-799-3242 

MUSEUMS 

Billy Bishop Heritage Museum - Owen Sound 

519-371-0031 or www.billybishop.org 

Bruce County Lighthouse Museums 

Cabot (Lion’s) Head - 519-795-7780 

Chantry Island (Southampton) - 866-318-8889 

Kincardine - 519-396-3468 

Point Clark - 519-395-2494 

Bruce County Museum, Cultural Centre & 

Archives - Southampton 

519-797-2080 or www.brucemuseum.ca 

Bruce Peninsula Visitors Centre 

519-596-2233 or http://bit.ly/rQQFf6 

Tobermory 

Bruce Power Visitors’ Centre 

519-361-7777; www.brucepower.com 

Chesley Heritage & Woodworking Museum 

519-363-9837 

Craigleith Heritage Depot - Thornbury 

519-599-3131 

www.thebluemountains.ca/Craigleith-Heritage-Depot.cfm 

Grey Roots Museum & Archives 

Includes county’s archives 

1-877-GREY ROOTS; www.greyroots.com 

RR4 Owen Sound 

Meaford Museum 

519-538-5974 

www.visitmeaford.com/meaford-museum.html 

Owen Sound Marine and Rail Museum 

519-371-3333 

www.marinerail.com 

Paddy Walker Heritage Society - Kincardine 

519-396-1850 

www.walkerhousekincardine.com 

South Grey Museum - Flesherton 

519-924-2843 or museum@greyhighlands.ca 

www.southgreymuseum.ca 

St. Edmunds Township Museum - Tobermory 

519-596-2479 or online http://bit.ly/vEdicK 

Tobermory Maritime Association 

519-596-2700; www.tobermorymaritime.ca 

Treasure Chest Museum - Paisley 

519-353-7176 or http://bit.ly/1PjTS1D 

NEWCOMER SERVICES 

Grey Bruce Settlement & Langauge Services 

519-371-9222 or settlement@osgb.ymca.ca 

ONLINE SUPPORT 

www.211.ca 

www.pathwaysawareness.org 

www.mentallyfit.ca 

www.shelternet.ca 

www.targetyouth.ca 

www.thehealthline.ca 

www.wesforyouthonline.ca 

PLAYGROUPS 

Grey Bruce Play 

Monthly inclusive playgroup 

Greybruceplay@gmail.com 

Pine River Moms 

519-389-7136; jill.ricica@gmail.com. 

Thursdays during school year, info on FB 

EarlyON Child and Family Centres 

Chesley, Paisley, Kincardine, Port Elgin, and 

Wiarton - 1-800-616-8116 

Hanover, Markdale, Meaford, M’Wikwedong 

(Owen Sound), Owen Sound (East Ridge), and 

Thornbury - 1-866-483-7774 

SPECIAL NEEDS 

Autism Ontario Grey Bruce Chapter 

226-787-0333 or marti@autismontario.com 

http://bit.ly/tO6kam; Owen Sound 

Autism Parent Support Group 

Community Living Kincardine & District 

519-396-9434 or www.clkd.ca 

Bruce County Children’s Services Resource 

Program 

1-800-265-3005 or www.brucecounty.on.ca 

Walkerton 

Bruce Peninsula (Wiarton) Association 

for Community Living 

519-534-0553 

Community Living Kincardine & District 

519-396-9434; www.clkd.ca 

Community Living Meaford 

519-538-4165 

Community Living Owen Sound 

and District 

519-371-9251 or communitylivingowensound.ca 

Community Living Walkerton & District 

519-881-3713 or www.clwalkerton.org 

Georgian Riding Association 

for Challenged Equestrians 

519-372-2721; grace@log.on.ca 

Wicklen Stables, RR5 Owen Sound 

Hope Haven Therapeutic Riding Centre 

519-986-1247 

www.hopehavencentre.org 


Owen Sound; 1-800-567-2384 


PRANCE Therapeutic Riding Centre 

519-832-2522 or prance@bmts.com 

Miramichi Farms, Hwy. 21 Port Elgin 

Reading Rescue Ontario 

519-794-4745 or soehner@bmts.com 

www.readingrescueontario.ca 

Holland Centre 

South Grey Bruce Youth Literacy Council 

519-364-0008 or info@sgbyouthliteracy.org 

www.sgbyouthliteracy.org 

Hanover 

Special Therapy and Education 

Program of Saugeen (STEPS) 

519-797-1935 

info@stepsahead.ca; www.stepsahead.ca 

Southampton 

TVCC 

519-370-0777 or 1-866-590-8822 


United Way of Bruce Grey 

519-376-1560; unitedwaybg@bmts.com 

www.unitedwayofbrucegrey.com/ 

Owen Sound 

SPEECH/LANGUAGE 

Bruce County Childcare Services 

1-800-265-3005; www.brucecounty.on.ca 

Walkerton 

Closing the Gap Healthcare Group 

Rehab Express Grey Bruce 

1-866-990-9901 or www.closingthegap.ca 

Owen Sound 

South West Community Care Access Centre 

In-Home Services 

Owen Sound - 519-371-2112 

Walkerton - 519-881-1181 

www.sw.ccac-ont.ca 

TVCC 

519-370-0777 or 1-866-590-8822 


VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children 

Support, speech and language therapy 

Grey/Bruce chapter is free to families 

www.voicefordeafkids.com 

WISH PROGRAMS 

Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada 

1-800-267-9474 

on@childrenswish.ca or www.childrenswish.ca 

Ajax, ON 

Make-A-Wish - Southwestern Ontario Chapter 

519-471-4900 or www.makeawishswo.org 

London, ON GBK 


RECIPES 

Everything’s 

peachy! 

CURRIED CHICKEN, PEACH AND PECAN SALAD 

INGREDIENTS 

Dressing 

½ cup plain yogurt 

⅓ cup mayonnaise 

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 

1 tbsp curry powder 

2 garlic cloves, minced 

½ tsp salt 

Cayenne pepper to taste 

Salad 

3 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces 

4 peaches, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces 

½ cup green onion, chopped 

2 carrots, grated 

⅓ cup pecan halves, preferably toasted 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Dressing 

In medium bowl, stir together yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, curry 

powder, garlic, salt and cayenne pepper until blended. Refrigerate until 

ready to use. The dressing will keep well for a couple of days. 

Salad 

In large bowl, toss together chicken, three of the peaches, green onion 

and carrots until combined; toss with dressing. Add pecans and gently 

toss. 

Sprinkle with remaining peach and serve immediately. 

NO-BAKE LIGHT PEACH CHEESECAKE PIE 

INGREDIENTS 

1⅓ cups graham cracker crumbs 

⅔ cup granulated sugar 

1 tsp cinnamon 

¼ cup butter, melted 

8 oz light cream cheese 

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 

5 peaches 

1 envelope unflavoured gelatin 

¼ cup cold water 

1 cup low-fat yogurt 

Mint sprig (optional) 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Combine crumbs, 2 tbsp sugar and cinnamon; stir in butter. Press to 

bottom and sides of deep, ungreased 9-inch pie plate. 

In bowl, beat cream cheese, remaining sugar and lemon juice until 

smooth. Peel and finely chop four of the peaches; stir into cheese 

mixture. Sprinkle gelatin over cold water in small saucepan and let 

stand five minutes; stir over low heat until dissolved. Or, soften gelatin 

with water in small bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds and 

stir. 

Beat into cheese mixture; refrigerate until thickened, 15 to 30 

minutes. Fold in yogurt, and pour into crust. Refrigerate for several 

hours or overnight. 

Peel and slice remaining peach and use with mint to garnish top. 

GBK 

Recipes courtesy Foodland Ontario 


Museum & Park Passes 

Technology Kits 

Ozobots 

Sports Kits 

and more! 

Free with your Library Card 

Join us for Summer Reading Club! 

www.library.brucecounty.on.ca

Grey-Bruce Kids Summer 2023

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