Ilderton Villager Jan-Feb 2022

Ilderton Villager Jan-Feb 2022

Ilderton Villager and area

Jan-Feb 2022 Issue 12

Ilderton Villager Issue #12 Jan-Feb 2022 www.villagerpublications.com Publisher: Barb Botten P.O. Box 134, Lambeth Station Ontario N6P 1P9 [email protected] 519-282-7262 Managing Editor and Advertising: Tami Martin: 519-851-0961 or [email protected] Contributors Cathy Wood: Graphic Artist Rick Young: Writer

Back in the Day: Bringing in the harvest are Crunican brothers Gerard, Paul (leaning in the front) and Patrick (standing at the back) in 1940. Griswold Ilderton Holiday Light Display

Spruce Grove Family Farm. See story pages 8–9.

From our Inbox

“Koodos to my neighbour and good friend Nancy Flanagan! Nancy walks almost everyday (weather permitting) from Ilderton Road and HWY 4 to west of Wonderland Road and picks up the garbage she finds in the ditches on both sides of Ilderton Road. BIG THANK YOU Nancy for being such a caring person about our environment. And shame on those that litter!” MR (Ilderton and Area Villager Fan) Do you have an Ilderton and Area neighbour that you would like to recognize? Let us know! [email protected]

As with many other communities, Ilderton and Middlesex Centre wore a cornucopia of beautiful lights, inflatable decorations and planters, all decorated for the holidays! It was a joy to observe and brought a bit of cheer to the COVID exhausted residents! Of particular note, was the amazing Christmas light and figure display at 220 Songbird Lane in Ilderton. Neighbours in our communities and visitors from others, drove by to enjoy the sights (I think I went by three times). Not only did the Vanleeuwens put up a beautiful and one-of-a-kind display, (which must have taken days, or even weeks), they also collected charitable donations from those who stopped to take it all in. This is their fourth year in Ilderton, a phenomenal undertaking, and we thank them very much! As would be expected, there were traffic issues involved with such a high-volume of visitors in this neighbourhood. Acting on concerns from 2020, staff met with the Vanleeuwens in early fall to discuss ways to make vehicle movement a priority. While this past season did go much smoother, some issues remained, primarily from nearby residents, but also from emergency services concerned with their ability to respond in a timely fashion given traffic holdups. Municipal staff intends to meet with Jeff and volunteers to brainstorm what went well, and how things could be improved for another year. It is to be hoped that satisfactory resolutions will be found to address MOST concerns. In the meantime, please contact staff at the municipality if you had issues or to propose solutions, so they will have a well-rounded discussion. Thank you once again, to all residents who continue to bring a little wintry cheer with their beautiful Christmas lights, and to all those who made charitable donations. by Debbie Heffernan, Councillor Ward 1, Middlesex Centre

Hello friends of the Griswold Ilderton Christmas display! We have such good news to share with you, but before that we would like to thank you all for the overwhelming support you have shown on social media and in person. Now for the big announcement! Drum roll please!!!! This year there was a total of $27,488.60 raised for Child- can and 2500lbs of non-perishables for the Ailsa Craig Food Bank! This would not be possible without people like you! We had many people approach us this year to let us know how Childcan and the food bank has benefit their family. To date we have raised $54,103 for Childcan and over 9500lbs of food for the food bank. We are humbled that the joy of viewing our Christmas display is how this was possible. Thank you to our families, the many volunteers and neighbours for the extra help this season. We couldn’t do it without you! We are already thinking of next year and look forward to beating our record for donations. Much love and Happy New Year to you all. Jeff and Nancy Vanleeuwen

To advertise here, please contact [email protected]

Page 2 Ilderton and Area Villager • Jan-Feb 2022

Ilderton Minor Hockey Association Update by Rick Young December was another busy month for the IMHA and its teams. On Saturday, December 4, the Ilderton Arena hosted a special game between the Lucan Irish Jr. C Hockey Club and the Port Stanley Sailors. Lucan won 5 – 3. Two past IHMA players, Kieran Durand, and Owen Currie, are currently on the Lucan Irish squad, while Ilderton native and IMHA product Andy Gysbers plays for the Port Stanley Sailors. “Organized by a parent volunteer committee led by Lisa Loft and Shelly Prtenjaca, it was great to offer the first larger scale IMHA event since the pandemic began. We had a great turnout based on our teams that weren’t away at tournaments” says Pat Conlin, IMHA Director of Sponsorship and Fundraising. “Over 360 people attended with food and Chuck a Pucks sold out to the enthusiastic crowd. A special thanks to our announcers and scoreboard operators Andrew and Chase Douglas – without this special father and son team the night’s events wouldn’t have been possible. And talented area Oh Canada anthem singer Vicki Hayter was a treat to hear.” Longtime IMHA Board member Rob Andrews was recognized at the game for his service and a new Referee Award was established in his name. “During his thirty-four years as a Board Member, my Dad served on most committees including two terms as President. As a volunteer and executive member, his focus was on referee development,” writes Rob’s youngest daughter Kerri Dixon. “In 2000 he helped to start the Referee Association, which consisted of three referees, himself and two other locals. Over the years this group has been renamed the Middlesex Centre Referees Association and consists of more than 100 trained referees. Many referees from this Association have gone on to have success in refereeing elite levels of hockey. He also was responsible for organizing and hiring gate attendants and managing gate and admission for the past 25 years.” “Our 50/50 draw was also held in conjunction with the game, raising $27,060 in twenty-two days,” says Pat. “The winner was Margaret McCulligh of West Lorne, who supported U9 player Jack McCallum.” The December 4th draw was the first in a series of raffles the IMHA is holding where 50% of the pot goes to the winner, 20% goes to an individual IMHA hockey player’s registration for next year, and the remainder goes to IMHA and raffle administration costs. The next 50/50 draw will be held live on January 29.

To purchase draw tickets, visit http://www.ildertonjets.com, and click on the 50/50 Tab. In other IMHA news: Teams with tournament wins: • U11 Girls Rep – St. Thomas, Coach Scott Parker • U15 Boys Rep – Fort Erie, Twin Centre, and Regional Silver Stick, Coach Jeff Reid (pictured above) • U13 Girls HL – Pink in the Rink Exeter, Coach Jordan Galbraith Other positive happenings: • U8 Boys Team Blue raised over $400 to support a local family in need led by Trainer Debbie Hunter. • Parade float in Ilderton Agricultural Society Parade December 11th with U9 Boys and girls teams participating. • U8 Boys T1 team coached by Andrew Ward participated in a Toy Drive Initiative to support the Salvation Army/FM 96/ Cake Criminal Defence community toy drive • U15 Boys AE collected food bag donations for the Harvest Food Drive • IMHA “Just in time for the Holidays” Online Auction raised over $5,000 for minor hockey. Due to recently announced pandemic restrictions, the Hockey Day in Ilderton planned for Saturday, January 29 at the Ilderton Arena has been postponed. For game schedule updates and all the latest news about the IMHA and its teams and any further COVID-19 cancelations, visit https://ildertonjets.com/

50/50 Cash Raffle Winner!

Congratulations to Margaret McCulligh, winner of $13,350 in the December 4 50/50 draw! She had selected grandson Jack McCallum (to her right) to receive the 20% to go to a player.

Next draw:

Tickets: 20 for $50, 7 for $20 or 3 for $10 rafflebox.ca/raffle/imha

Saturday, January 29,2022 50% goes to the winner, 20% to the individual player selected and the balance to IMHA for player development.

With the U9 team is Margaret’s granddaughter Elle McCallum (not in equipment) and IMHA Fundraising Committee Leads Shelly Prtenjaca and Lisa Loft. Get your tickets for the next draw!

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• Page 3

Ilderton and Area Villager

Jan-Feb 2022

The Yukern Dance by John Caverhill I know the following statement can be classified as a typical: “When I was young” lament in which old folks are supposed to excel, but I am going to make it anyway. People had more fun during years gone by, at least in part because they had more time to have more fun! There was much more socializing and community interaction before people started to sit in front of the television set. Also, during my childhood, which began during the Great Depression and spanned the war years, there was neither the money nor the means available for “bought” forms of entertainment, so we created our own pastimes. I must emphasize that I never felt deprived, nor, as I recall, did those around me. Living on a general farm which grew a little of everything, we always had an abundance of good – if not fancy – food, and the same could be said of our clothes. At the beginning of November as the farm work slowed down, the social season started to pick up. There would come a day when dad would come home from Ilderton and announce there was going to be a “Yukern Dance” at the community hall on Saturday night. When I was small, I would hear mom and dad talking about these “Yukern Dances.” I had no idea what they were, but they seemed very popular and most of the local people attended at least a couple of them each season. They were monthly affairs lasting from November through April at the old Community Hall in Ilderton. It was when I started to play card games myself that I realized that the “Yukern Dance” was the Euchre and Dance that was so popular. A typical start to one of these evenings would have the euchre games beginning well before the advertised 7:30 p.m. because many fanatics couldn’t wait that long. Several couples would be ‘warming up’ before the actual competition began. The old

wooden frame town hall stood on the Ilderton main street close to the centre of the village, near where the Canadian Bank of Commerce now stands. Up to a couple of dozen card tables would be set up, each with a deck of cards and a couple of ashtrays. By 7:30 p.m. every table would be in action. The only time there was not a full house was because of snow-blocked roads. The usual set-up was two men and two ladies at each table, most often but not always husband and wife teams. There were some otherwise compatible couples who simply would not partner each other in a card game – there was too much friction. Business, family and other personal matters could be solved by united efforts, but a decision by one partner to go it alone without both right and left bowers was a horse of a different colour. The whole hall would become dim with a blue haze of tobacco smoke. Rural women of that day didn’t smoke but the majority of men did. Dad might have been classified as a social smoker. At (2015.0011-V.76-018) Ilderton Jr. Farmers Provincial Square Dancing Champions Ron McRae, Carol Gregory, Len and Connie Duynisveld, Launie Fletcher, Sandra Dixon, Don and Patricia Moir R

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Page 4 Ilderton and Area Villager • Jan-Feb 2022

social gatherings and some family gatherings, he would smoke a couple of cigarettes or a cigar. Otherwise, he rarely indulged. At 9 p.m. the scores would be totalled and the winners of the various categories, including lowest score, would be announced. The last category winner would receive the loudest cheers of the night. Card tables were folded and put away, and the chairs were set around the perimeter of the dance floor. While this was going on, the dance orchestra would be setting up on the stage at the end of the hall. A typical orchestra would have a piano, drums, fiddle, trumpet, saxophone or clarinet, and perhaps a string bass. By 9:30 p.m. dancing would be in full swing. While some of the card players went home after the euchre concluded, the dance hall would still be crowded asmany young people would come just for the dance. Dad and mom always came home at the conclusion of the euchre. Dad was not a dancer and he didn’t seem very impressed by those who were, judging by this observation which I overheard after they returned home from one of these events: “The men always seem to stick out their rumps when they’re dancing,” he mumbled when asked by Mother about his negative reaction. In later years when I started attending dances, I noticed the same thing, particularly amongst the older men. We youngsters had learned our dancing at high school proms and snuggled up to our partners as we moved around the floor. The older generation was much more inhibited, and I think this was the reason for the “sticking out rumps” posture of the men. Space between partners was the edict of the older generation and this caused the rather awkward posture of the men. While Saturday night dances continued to be popular, the regular euchre and dance combination had faded out of the social picture by the end of the 1940s. That combination was a product of lean times during the Great Depression and war years when people had to make their own entertainment.

But by the beginning of the 1950s, many different forms of entertainment were readily available – even to people in rural areas. The consolidation of many small schools into the large high schools which are usually based on the edge of population centres such as London led to the rural young people heading into the city for their Saturday night entertainment. For a foot-stomping good time with your neighbours when you temporarily put aside the cares andworries of theGreat Depression and war years, the “Yukern Dance” deserves to be remembered. Left: (2015.0011-V.30-009) Chapter 9 Page 218 Ilderton Cardinals Orchestra – George Caverhill, Walter Douglas, Albert Caverhill, Ray Zavitz and Nellie Telfer. Right: (2015.0011-V.44-006) Band David Squires on Clarinet, Harry Shipley on violin, Clarence Squires on violin, Beatrice Drysdale on piano.

John Caverhill is the younger son of the late Ernest Caverhill and Susie Boyd of Lobo Township. John’s writings often reflect his experiences and observations of growing up on the family farm, attending the one room school, S. S. No. 7 Lobo (Bear Creek School), and Vanneck United Church. John’s sense of humour and story-telling skills are legendary. His keen observation skills have augmented his repertoire.

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December 2021 • Page 15

Ilderton and Area Villager

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Jan-Feb 2022 • Page 5

Ilderton and Area Villager

Digitization to the Rescue by Krista A. Taylor It is a new year – a new year of possibilities.

Have you been thinking about organizing and purging? What have you considered doing with your photographs and family archives? Is this something that you sometimes feel overwhelmed by? Do not despair, you are not alone! This is a situation that many face each year, and it can be stressful. Do you continue to house it, and if so, how? If not, do you find a new home for it? Let us consider the first question: storage. If you have been blessed to be designated the family historian and keeper of the photo albums, you may wonder from time to time, am I storing these safely? What else can I do? Firstly, make certain that the paper and photographic items are not in damp areas. Basements, for example, are not an ideal spot for these records, and may lead to expedited discolouring, mold or other irreversible damage. How about the attic or rented storage spaces? Well, that is not really ideal either if it is not properly insulated, heated and cooled. In the winter the records may freeze or become overheated in the summer. Paper and photographs do not ask for much, but they do like to be stored at about 17 to 20 degrees Celsius, and with a relative humidity of 40 to 55%. Too cold and dry can lead to brittleness and cracking. But what should I put them in? There are a number of places to purchase the proper storage containers or enclosures, ranging from archival supply companies to scrapbook companies. Be certain to investigate what they say about photo safety and archival safe. Are they lignin free? Are they buffered? Also, are your photos still in magnetic albums? Are you able to remove them and put them in pocket page albums? Now, should you be at the time in your life where you would like to relinquish the duties of being the caretaker, you may want to consider how digitization may help. Digitizing your photos and papers may be the freedom you have been looking for. Once digitized (at ideal specifications and a safe cloud or back-up system is secured), you may consider sourcing an archives or museum that would be appropriate to donate to. Many institutions may provide digitization in exchange for the donation or for a fee to cover costs. Digitization allows for family images and papers to be more freely shared among relatives. As well, it places the priceless items in one spot, that is accessible for others to visit, or contact should they wish to see the items. Family historians often are saddled with the burden not only of caring for the family archive and making it available, but also, pondering what to do when they are no longer able to properly care for the collection.

While lovely to look at and display, over time Victorian albums become a great responsibility, ensuring proper storage conditions to keep them from deteriorating. Credit C. Small

Middlesex Centre Archives (MCA) Fundraising Online Auction www.filsonauction.com Auction Opens Feb 5th – Closes Feb 10th Donations accepted until January 21, 2022 Email [email protected] or call Carol Small 519-666-1488 • Bev Hughes 519-666-0452 Mary Vanderwal 519-666-0815 Your support is greatly appreciated Whether your family is local to Middlesex Centre, or another area, and you are looking to re-home your family archive, please do not hesitate to reach out to discuss your options with us or another institution. At the Middlesex Centre Archives, we have and will continue to work with donors who wish to donate their originals to us, in exchange for digitized copies. The heritage field has established ideal resolutions and formats to scan items for the purpose of digital preservation. Our climate-controlled storage area and archival enclosures may make the perfect new home for your treasures! (2015_0011-V_11-035) Unidentified Buggy with two women and a man holding buggy shaft

(2015_0011-V_15-003) Unidentified two males and one female in horse and cutter.

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Page 6 Ilderton and Area Villager • Jan-Feb 2022

Council Communications

Hello Everyone, Since the new year is a time of beginnings, I’d like to introduce an initiative that is being organized in Middlesex County (MC). At the last Women’s Caucus event in 2021, part of the program focused on areas of interest / concern to participants as well as others in their communities. One of the topics highlighted was the area of Diversity & Inclusion (D&I). I was glad to hear this because of the number of Middlesex Centre (MXC) residents who reached out to speak to me on a variety of D&I topics last summer. Residents who identify as, live next door to, work with or have taught members of different minority groups, as well as residents who found themselves reflecting on the news stories like those about the deaths of the London Muslim family members or Indigenous peoples’ experiences in residential schools, shared their concerns, thoughts and ideas. The ‘get-acquainted’ meeting of the D&I group included a small group of women from MXC, Thames Centre and Southwest Middlesex. It was decided a first priority is to invite others who may be interested in contributing ideas and perhaps joining in to make them happen! Although the initiative currently being organized is best described as a ‘ground up’ community effort, the MC Women’s Caucus is committed to helping as able and appropriate, including for example, advocacy with Ministers at various association conferences. If you’d like to get more information about the D&I initiative, please send me an email!

Aina DeViet, Mayor 519.666.0190 x 234 [email protected] www.middlesexcentre.on.ca

In other news, Council approved the MXC budget on December 16th. Staff’s goals in building an integrated, balanced budget included maintaining expected levels of service, ensuring our assets are well managed and managing reserve funds effectively. Although faced with several budget challenges including significant inflationary costs, the tax rate increase was held to 2.16%. You can find the full budget at middlesexcentre.on.ca/budget2022. Happy 2022 and stay well, Aina

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Ilderton and Area Villager

Jan-Feb 2022 • Page 7

Spring Grove Farm – Keeping it in the family since 1820 by Rick Young Realizing there was never going to be an opportunity to own land in their native England under the existing nineteenth-century Landlord system, John Robson and his wife Nancy Anne and their children immigrated to Canada, and in 1820, the family relocated in the “wilderness” of London Township in the County of Middlesex where they founded Spring Grove Farm. “It was very important to have a plentiful supply of good spring water and heavy timber – to them that meant a good farm. You can dig down almost anywhere on the farm and get water, hence the name Spring Grove,” says sixth-generation Margo (Robson) Collver, who resides on the farm with her husband Keith and their two sons. Over the years, the farm has witnessed many challenges and changes, but one thing has remained constant – Spring Grove has been home to seven generations of the Robson family, making it one of the oldest privately-owned working farms in the region.

To advertise here, please contact [email protected] Today, Margo and her husband Keith and their two sons Neil and Ian live on the 200 acre farm at the northwest corner of Denfield Road and 13 Mile Road. There has not been any livestock since the 1980s when Margo’s father retired. It is now a cash crop farm, and the regular crop rotation includes corn, beans and wheat. Before her father passed away, he had the farm severed into two parcels – half of which is owned by Margo’s sister, Glenis, who lives in Philadelphia. Tom “Cap” Edwin Robson, Margo’s father, was born on Spring Grove Farm in 1921. Named after his great uncle, he had a similar career. “My dad was very well known in the area, being an Ilderton Fair announcer for many years, councilor and then Reeve of London Township, founding member of the Ilderton Fire Board, and a Charter Member of the Ilderton Lions,” says Margo. “He sponsored many local minor hockey and baseball teams and associations including an Ilderton-based hockey team named for him, The Denfield Caps. He was also partner in Filson and Robson Auctioneers for over 40 years.” tradition. Inaneffort to improve local livestock lines,George imported purebred Shorthorn cattle and Lincoln sheep from England. One of the more notable members of the Robson family in the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries was third-generation Captain Thomas E. Robson (1851 – 1940). Under his leadership, Spring Grove’s reputation for raising top quality Lincoln sheep, Clydesdale horses and Shorthorn cattle grew. The farm’s Shorthorns enjoyed unparalleled success, dominating the Toronto Exhibition for many years. Thomas was also widely sought after as a cattle judge and auctioneer in Ontario and the United States. A man of many interests, Thomas achieved the rank of Captain of No. 8 Company, 26th Middlesex Battalion in 1882, and he pursued a political career during which he was elected to the London Township Council, becoming Warden in 1891. He served as County Clerk, then County Treasurer with the two positions interrupted by one term as a Conservative MPP. Thomas also found time to serve terms as a director of the Ilderton Fair, member of the Western Fair Board, Director and President of the Dominion Shorthorn Breeders’ Association – reflecting his commitment to the agricultural and rural community. Captain Tom was inducted in the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1996. Left to right: Ian, Neil, Aunt Eleanor, Margo, Keith and their dog Ruby.

First Spring Grove Farm sign

“More than ever, the pandemic hit home for me the importance of having a place, a space, somewhere to belong,” says Margo. “There is such a feeling of security and hope reflecting on the past, a farm made out of a wilderness, surviving through fires, wartime, the Depression, and now a pandemic. Yet here we are. And here we will be.” Unfortunately, John Robson was killed a few years after his arrival in Canada after being thrown from his horse. His son, George, assumed ownership of Spring Grove and built upon his father’s

Page 8 Ilderton and Area Villager • Jan-Feb 2022

“While Keith and I both work outside the home, we sharecrop the land with my cousins, the Robson Brothers of Rolling Ridge Maple Syrup fame,” says Margo. Unfortunately, due to fires, there are no original buildings left on Spring Grove. The original barn burned down in 1933 and was rebuilt with timber from the Spring Grove wood lot. In 2019 the barn was taken down as the hay mow was full of rotting wood and holes in the floor were making it very unsafe. The original brick house burned down in 1944. “As it was wartime, there was limited material and manpower, so the present house was moved here from the 15th concession of London Township and then another section was built on to the back,” explains Margo. The property’s cabin was originally on the Mitchell Homestead in Lakeside Ontario. It was brought to Spring Grove in the 1980s and it served as Margo’s parents’ cottage. “After the cabin was vandalized a few years ago, we had to make the decision – spend the money to fix it up or tear it down. We decided to fix it up and were looking for a way to make up our investment,” says Margo. “We wanted people to be able to enjoy this little piece of heaven, and so we decided to rent it out on Airbnb. This all took place in 2020 during the pandemic. With campgrounds closed and travel bans in place, people from cities like Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener, London and Windsor were looking for space to enjoy nature, unwind, and get away from the bustle of the city. The cabin has also been the site of family wedding receptions and is popular with local photographers doing family photos.”

Eleanor taught at a one-room schoolhouse SS #11 on Richmond and 9 mile and then SS #4 at the corner of Denfield and 12 Mile. She has fond memories of her students marching in the Ilderton Fair parade and the annual Christmas concert and how school lockers would be turned upside down to make up the stage. Eleanor is proud of Spring Grove’s legacy. “I’m very proud, very happy to see the love of the land continue. I am very pleased, and I hope it remains in the family. I have told Margo that if she sells it, I will come back to haunt her!” Obviously, the Robson family’s roots run deep in the Ilderton area. When asked what it feels like to be part of living History, Margo says, “It is a wonderful feeling. Very, very grounding. It also comes with a lot of pressure in that maintaining the farm property while working full time can be a challenge. It also comes with a lot of responsibility – that of keeping tradition alive. I am blessed that I married a man who has grown to love this place as much as I do and so we will honour our ancestors and keep the farm in the family for as long as we possibly can.” “Ilderton has always been my home. I have watched it grow from a main street with a couple of side streets, to the bustling village it is today,” says Margo. “It is wonderful to see the growth, while at the same time it is a bit sad to watch more and more farmlands eaten up for new housing. There remains however, such a warm, welcoming feel, and people who come here embrace the friendliness of this tight knit community.” Something tells us that the Robson family and Spring Grove Farm will remain a part of the Ilderton community for many years and generations to come.

Margo’s aunt, ninety-six year old Eleanor Little, who resided on the farm most of her life, recalls her earliest memory of Spring Grove. “My earliest memories are of sledding down the gangway in the winter. Also, of the many thrashings where all the neighbouring men would come to help, while the many women would be in the house cooking meals, and baking pies.”

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Jan-Feb 2022 • Page 9

Ilderton and Area Villager

ARTISTS ALLEY Fineapple Pair by Cathy Wood What started out as a little idea developed over lattes at a local coffee shop to start an invite shop on Etsy has grown and morphed into many design avenues for Ilderton’s Danielle Hartgers and Jenica Goertz. With over 30 years experience in the graphics arts, print and stationery industries, a love of bold colours and whimsical style, the friends paired up to start Fineapple Pair. The design company offers hand-drawn patterns used for unique fabric designs and wallpaper, custom invitations, clip art and wall art. One of their most popular items however are the hand-drawn illustrations of cottages, homes and store fronts. “Our home illustrations have become our best seller,” says Jenica. “It’s a perfect gift for a hard-to-buy-for someone and a great first home buyer or wedding gift. Some local Realtors order drawings as closing gifts for their customers.” Those interested in having a hand-drawn illustration of their home email a photograph of it and in return receive a drawing in digital format that they can print and frame anywhere. While the company has many customers in the U.S., the illustrations produced for local home owners are particularly rewarding. “It brings joy to know that the drawings provide a lasting memory for people and even more so when they are local and clients share the stories and history of the home they love with us. While drawing, it’s fun to put ourselves into them, imagining we are walking around the gardens or sitting on a front step,” continues Danielle. See more at www.fineapplepair, on Facebook and on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/FineapplePair

Jenica and Danielle, Fineapple Pair

Above: 13220 12 Mile Road, Ilderton; and a sample of a colour illustration. Right: Ilderton United Church, Mill Street. Left: Patterns which may be used for wallpaper, clothing, table cloths and more.

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Page 10 Ilderton and Area Villager • Jan-Feb 2022

Council Communications Happy New Year!

Debbie Heffernan, Councillor Ward 1, Middlesex Centre 519.666.0491 • [email protected] www.middlesexcentre.on.ca There are a number of assets that will need updating, or replacing in the coming years. The Asset Management Plan continues to evolve, particularly with our new tracking system. Reserve funding (budgeted savings) is the strategy this plan is dependent upon. Council and staff do not want to commit taxpayers to needless debt, the idea being to save as we go. The 2022 budget and forward will continue to add reserve savings. Technology and modernization are constantly top of mind, as are grant opportunities. And overall, the Strategic Plan, adopted last year, directs the focus of each plan. Despite never ending protocols, have a great Family Day! Stay safe, stay healthy! why we have to keep reviewing our long-term plans. Well, trends and needs/wants change. Whoever heard of pickle ball ten years ago. Now we have pickle ball courts! Public Skating at the Ilderton Arena See the schedule at: middlesexcentre.on.ca/articles/holiday-skating-schedule Thanks to Berg Chilling Systems, Canadian Security Concepts, Dairy Lane Systems, Gateway Church, Hoskin Feed & Country Store, Ilderton & Area Business Association (IABA), Ilderton Optimist Club and Komoka-Kilworth Home Hardware for sponsoring this healthy family-friendly activity!

Another New Year has come and gone. They seem to go faster the older you get! And I don’t know about you, but regardless of age, I suspect we’re all getting tired of COVID!

After a short Christmas break, MxC staff and council are ready to further implement some of the projects we have been working on. The first one is the Official Plan Review, which will set out where any new residential or commercial growth will be directed. We are still relying on 2016 census information, with educated guesstimates to provide population projections. By the next update in five years time, timely census information should be available, which hopefully confirms our projections! As of January 1, increased development charges have been implemented. These charges apply to new building growth, whether it be single family homes, townhouses, condos, commercial buildings, farm buildings or industrial. They are to cover off increased infrastructure wear and tear andmaintenance on such assets as roads, playgrounds, and water mains, etc. The Youth Focus Group is up and running. Look for new ideas from these involved kids! As well, the Age-Friendly Community Action Plan expects to have a report ready in the coming months. The Community Services Plan is currently being reviewed, ready for implementation in the coming year. You may wonder

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Jan-Feb 2022 • Page 11

Ilderton and Area Villager

Ilderton Area Business Association Outdoor Christmas Market

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Page 1 2 Ilderton and Area Villager • Jan-Feb 2022

Ailsa Craig Food Bank Drive 2021 The Ilderton & District Firefighters once again teamed up with the Lions Club for a successful food drive on November 21 in support of the Ailsa Craig Food Bank. The weather cooperated and two fire trucks and five crews participated in the annual drive. Over forty children and adults volunteered their time this year. The Ilderton and District community has been very generous in the past, and this year’s drive was no exception. As Ilderton continues to grow, the results of the food drive have increased steadily. This year food donations increased just over 200% from last year totalling 13,400 lbs. – more than double the firefighters generated fifteen years ago. Cash donations from individuals totalled almost $2000.00. The Birr and Denfield communities also continued to increase their donations. A heartfelt thanks is extended to all who generously contributed to the cause, to those who lent their vehicles and trailers for collecting, and all the volunteers including the Firefighters and Lions members. Of note, the Ailsa Craig Food Bank had its “sod turning” event for their new facility in early November. Hopefully, if not 2022, then in 2023, it will be serving clients in a new larger building. &

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Jan-Feb 2022 • Page 13

Ilderton and Area Villag

Cultural Cooking Chewy Oatmeal Cookies from The Crump Family Farm Cooking Time 10 to 12 minutes Serves 3 dozen Preheat oven 350° F Ingredients 1 cup softened unsalted butter 2 cups raw sugar 2 farm fresh eggs from the Crump Family Farm 1 tsp vanilla 2 ½ cups of Crump Family Farm fresh stone milled soft white flour ½ tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt 2 ½ cup large oats from the Crump Family Farm ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Method 1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and raw sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Set aside. 2. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to butter mixture one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add oats, coconut and nuts; mix until combined. 3. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls or a cookie scoop onto baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. 4. Bake one sheet at a time in a preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges of cookies are lightly browned. Let cool on baking sheet for 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack. Shop for ingredients online at: thecrumpfamilyfarm.com/collections

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Page 14 Ilderton and Area Villager • Jan-Feb 2022

Ilderton and Area Villager Puzzle #11 Solve the puzzle with names of the advertisers from the December 2021 Ilderton and Area Villager listed below. Missed getting a printed copy? You can read it online at villagerpublications.com. Watch for the solution of the this puzzle in the March edition of the Ilderton and Area Villager. Please support our advertisers. It’s their participation that enables us to deliver the Ilderton and Area Villager to you.

L N R A F N U R C R U N I C A N O R C H A R D A R M F L O R A L T E M P T A T I O N S R A R C V A A S I G N A T U R E E V E N T S H V A V E S M A F B O I C B O N N N I S S R D A A S A E S I B L O O M E R S F A M I L Y F A R M N R B E L R A N T A B P I J H W M S N O P O I I D O N Y P T N C L O O W A U E P S E X S N L L I Q T S O E I A C U S E E B J R S R O I S L L L U I N Q U E R A T I J U Q A E Y G S T O H E D E F E T Q B F R I V Y S E L S N Y A I F O B E R E R H T A L E Q E A S J L S E E E M H U P R B G G I I K O N U Q W E D E I O S L E Y S M T V A V S R E L L E W E J G A O P T Y S D E A O A M R O U R A O Y A S N L Y N S H A T E B C N B I B A Q H R B W Y A W L V S I E W A P A L B A E R K U O L N N X E S I D D M T A B A K Y A R V A H R D F I R O L A W E L I I T O R E R R K I Y O K G L G A F D R O F D D C G O K R E B O T W U R I O D F O R X V O S D X W K N Y H E W I A S O N W A L R O D F L X L N A S R S C R N S Y E W S A Y I M F A N I H R V B O U Q U S E O M I D D L E S E X M U T U A L I N S U E H R P G P O S I T V E O F I S K R O W N N U S O W E L L N E S S S O L U T I O N S A Y A S O P

December Puzzle Solution

H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S P O S I T I V E I M A G E F I T N E S S Y S N O I T U L O S S S E N L L E W P R N M M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S O S E O R S H O P L O C A L U A N K W A N S T R G O A M F I A N I M A L C A R E U J I B A Y G O F M E T E N L N D E N N I N G S F X W A S I O S T E E T H U E M H V S R S L P O O U A R A A E E L M M H Q F E X R L E E E L I P K P D R T H L T S M R A F E N A L E E R T M D S L A I U U B L O O M E R S F A M I L Y F A R M O R E S K O O R B A T S E M I T R D A B C I O W V E S Y N E R G Y A E S T H E T I C L A R C S A N T A C L A U S P A R A D E F R A A O X F O R D L E A S E W A Y E L I V Y B E A N M A R K E T P L A C E

Puzzle words: ANIMAL CARE

FLORAL TEMPTATIONS IABA ILDERTON BARBER SHOP IMHA

MIDDLESEX MUTUAL INS OXFORD LEASEWAY POAG JEWELLERS POSITIVE IMAGE FITNESS SHARONS OF HYDE PARK SIGNATURE EVENTS SYNERGY AESTHETIC

THIS OAK HOUSE TIM ESTABROOKS WELLNESS SOLUTIONS

ARVA MILL HOUSE BAKERY BLOOMERS FAMILY FARM BONNIE BAKER HODGINS CHERYL CAMPBELL INS CRUNICAN ORCHARD

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• Page 15

Ilderton and Area Villager

Jan-Feb 2022

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