Byron
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026 ISSUE 107
Villager
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FULL PAGE 10.875”w x 6”h ENJOY YOUR SPECTACULAR NEW SUNROOM THE SPECIALISTS SINCE 1988 From design to completion we do it all! See for yourself why everyone loves a sunroom From design to completion we do it all! See for yourself why everyone loves a sunroom
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Baseball Coming Up to Bat The Byron Optimist Minor Baseball Association (BOMBA) registration for the 2026 season opens Sunday, February 1, 2026. BOMBA provides children from the Byron and Riverbend areas the opportunity to play recreational and competitive baseball and fastball. With the Blue Jays’ wildly successful drive to the bitter end of the 2025 World Series, BOMBA President Shaun Bonnallie expects the number of kids registering for baseball to increase. “Last year we had about 600 athletes playing at the Optimist Complex and at three local city diamonds,” Shaun adds. “We look
forward to hosting kids from Byron and Riverbend to play baseball and softball.” For more information, forms, fees, and important dates, visit www.byronbaseball.ca. Photos courtesy of BOMBA
I MUST! I CAN! I WILL! A safe and nurturing campus with supportive, trusted educators, engaging classrooms and a wide variety of unique co-curriculars opportunities. Ask us about Tuition Assistance Call us to BOOK A TOUR! A complete learning journey that families can count on.
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Page 3 Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
Optimist Club of Byron Update In 2024, the Optimist Club of Byron hosted a Pickleball tournament in support of Childcan. Childcan is a local organization supporting families when their children are diagnosed with cancer. www.childcan.com With the success of the 2024 Pickleball Tournament, they held two tournaments this past year! October 4th was for individual players to sign up and be assigned to a team and November 15 was for players to sign up with a partner (duos). Each tournament was highly successful, with 32 players per event. Players enjoyed the spirit of fun and camaraderie while raising money for a good cause. The tournament was supported by many local businesses, and the Club sincerely thanks them for donating prizes to our players! Abe’s in Byron, Alton Wineries, Byron Automotive, Byron Optometry, Byron Pizza, Creative Nails, Domino’s Pizza, Forrat’s Chocolates, Leo’s Pizza, Lucky Nail & Spa, Messai Thai, Metro in Byron, Monkey See Optical, Rexall Byron, Shawarma House in Byron along with Optimist Therese, Optimist Gail, Optimist Heather and a Friend of Optimists. In 2025, together, the Club raised $3194 to support Children and their families! Plans are already in the works for next year! Mark your 2026 calendar for October 24 and November 21 - details will be updated on the Optimist Club of Byron website www.byronoptimist.ca and their Facebook page, Optimist Club of Byron.
Skating at Storybook Gardens
Byron Villager Issue #107 Jan/Feb 2026 Your local community connector. The 100% locally owned and produced Byron Villager is published ten times a year with thousands delivered free to area residences, set out at local venues, and posted online at www.villagerpublications.com Publisher & Editor: Barb Botten P.O. Box 134, Lambeth Station Ontario N6P 1P9 Barb@villagerpublications.com 519-282-7262 Content Managers: Lynne Williams, Barb Botten Graphic Artist: Jon Botten Copyright @ 2015 Villager Publications. All rights reserved. This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the Publisher. Information presented has been compiled from sources believed to be accurate at the time of printing however the Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. We’d love to hear from you. Contact Barb at Barb@villagerpublications.com
Villager Publications proudly produces locally-focused magazines in different communities, celebrating the unique stories, people, and character that make each area special. All of our printed magazines can also be enjoyed online at www.villagerpublications.com. CELEBRATING LOCAL STORIES ACROSS COMMUNITIES Optimist Gail Brown, Optimist President Chris Stumpf, Optimist Ann Flower, Optimist Heather Hines, and Suzanne Fratschko Elliott, Executive Director – Childcan
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
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SPRING FLOODS HAPPEN YEAR ROUND NOW Different insurers have different ways of covering high water problems. Coverages and costs will vary with the specific location of your house, surrounding terrain, and nearby water features. SPRING FLOODS Different insurers have different ways of covering high water problems. Coverages and costs will vary with the specific location of your house, surrounding terrain, and nearby water features. D DELAWARE/KOMOKA/KILWORTH/MT. BRYDGES BROUGHT TO YOU BY GIVE US A CALL TODAY. 519-652-3201 THE INSURANCE ADVISORS IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE
Aviva Abex April Echelon Intact Pal Aviva Abex April Echelon Intact Pal Travelers Cansure Group One Travelers Cansure Group One Axiom Mutual AM Fredericks Premier Group Axiom Mutual AM Fredericks Premier Group INSURERS THAT WE CAN GET QUOTES FROM Max Insurance Burns & Wilcox INSURERS THAT WE CAN GET QUOTES FROM Max Insurance Burns & Wilcox Economical/Definity Forward Insurance OUR HOME A SPRING TUNE-UP! season to check out your home’s exterior, from roof shingles to lazing to dryer vents. Use the handy “Home Maintenance Checklist” bsite to make sure your home is safe and sound. 2681 Gideon Drive, Delaware, Ontario nsurance specialist, we know the lay of the land in your neighbourhood. o assess conditions affecting your home and compare your options from an insurers. What kind of policy should I have for high water in the Spring Flood Insurance may be needed if your home is near lakes, rivers or ponds, to insure your property against storm surges, tidal waves and similar major events. Overland Water Insurance covers sudden water events such as heavy Spring rains or a river overflowing its banks in a Spring thaw. Flood Insurance may be needed if your home is near lakes, rivers or ponds, to insure your property against storm surges, tidal waves and similar major events. Overland Water Insurance covers sudden water events such as heavy Spring rains or a river overflowing its banks in a Spring thaw. Enhanced Water Damage Insurance will combine coverages for multiple types of water problems such as ground water, overland water, exterior water and sewer lines. What kind of policy should I have for high water in the spring What kind of policy should I have for high water in the spring What is the difference between “Flood Insurance” & “Overland Water Coverage” RRIED ABOUT SPRING FLOODING? Flood Insurance may be needed if your home is near a lake, river, or pond to insure your property RIED ABOUT SPRING FLOODING? Different insurers have different ways of covering high water problems. Coverages and costs will vary with the specific location of your house, surrounding terrain and nearby water features. URANCE SHOPPER WARE/KOMOKA/KILWORTH/MT. BRYDGES URHOOD SOURCE FOR EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INSURANCE Cathy Fallowfield Registered Insurance Broker Director of Operations Terry Young Registered Insurance Broker Cindy Haywood Registered Insurance Broker Jessica Cornelis Registered Insurance Broker Flood Insurance may be needed if your home is near a lake, river, or pond to insure your property against storm surges, tidal waves, and similar major events. against storm surges, tidal waves, and similar major events. ordanddanylukinsurance.com • 519-652-3201 Toll Free: 1-800-363-4304 Economical/Definity Forward Insurance Yarmouth Mutual Victor Insurance Yarmouth Mutual Victor Insurance rive, Delaware, Ontario N0L 1E0 • Tel: 519-652-3201 • Fax: 519-652-2710 -363-4304 • Email: crawfordanddanyluk@cmmgbrokers.com To advertise here please contact Barb@villagerpublications.com S A “WAIVER RECIATION” HOW DOES ACCIDENT WAIVER PROTECT ME It is an auto insurance benefit that may prevent insurance rates from increasing as a result of a driver’s first at-fault accident. It can be added to a policy to protect those with a good driving record. preciation coverage insurer’s right to deduct from the value of your n settling a claim for ge caused by a peril u are insured. Cathy Fallowfield Registered Broker Director of Operations Cindy Haywood Registered Insurance Broker Andrea Coutu Registered Insurance Broker
Overland Water Insurance covers sudden water events such as heavy spring rains or a river overflowing its banks in a spring thaw. Overland Water Insurance covers sudden water events such as heavy spring rains or a river overflowing its banks in a spring thaw.
Enhanced Water Damage Insurance combines coverages for multiple types of water problems, such as ground water, overland water, exterior water, and sewer lines. Enhanced Water Damage Insurance combines coverages for multiple types of water problems, such as ground water, overland water, exterior water, and sewer lines.
Drop into our office for a free flood preparation brochure or call us and we will mail it to you Coming soon: Look for our flood preparation brochure filled with tips and guides on what to do before, during, and after a flood. Drop into our office for a free flood preparation brochure or call us and we will mail it to you Coming soon: Look for our flood preparation brochure filled with tips and guides on what to do before, during, and after a flood. Patty Crawford Registered Insurance Broker Cathy Fallowfield Registered Insurance Broker Director of Operations Jessica Cornelis Registered Insurance Broker
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
Page 5
3 WAYS 3 WAYS
March - Crawford.indd 1
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1933 Cadillac V-16 All-Weather Phaeton The word phaeton isn’t used much anymore. It means “open air carriage,” in other words, a vehicle exposed to the weather because it’s without overhead protection. The term originally referred to horse-drawn carriages but easily carried through to motor vehicles without tops. Even after the phaeton itself was mostly phased out, the name stuck. The “all-weather” phaeton refers to the vehicle’s convertible top and full glass windows. This particular Cadillac, in the Steve Plunkett collection, is one of the rarest. It was produced during the Great Depression, a time when car sales overall were down, and Cadillac also needed to scale back its ambitions because of lower demand. It took sixteen weeks to build and cost a whopping USD $8000. The company originally planned to produce 400 sixteen-cylinder cars in 1933 but pulled back to release only 125. Only eight of the luxurious V-16 All Weather Phaetons were made that year. Only four documented models still exist today. According to its factory build sheet, Steve’s car was delivered new to Cadillac’s New York City Branch in August of 1933. It has a rare divider window. Coachwork was done by Fleetwood, with its legacy of superior design dating back to the first phaetons, the ones pulled by horses. The vehicle’s inside is luxuriously finished with an elegant gray cloth interior as a complement to its black body. After New York, the vehicle’s provenance is unknown until the 1980s, when it was part of a stable of cars owned by esteemed collector Clifford Obourne. In 1989, Fred. W. Weber of St. Louis acquired the car and oversaw a total restoration to exact original colours and fabrics. Mr. Weber’s efforts were rewarded when the vehicle won a 1992 First in Class trophy at the prestigious Pebble Beach car show, Concours d’Elegance.
It passed through the collections of several others before coming into Steve Plunkett’s stable, where it underwent more work, this time on the inside, with receipts showing a total price of $100,000. Steve supervised a comprehensive rebuild of the engine and related accessories, added a new clutch and taller differential gears in the three-speed transmission for easier cruising at highway speeds. With its fully skirted fenders, horizontal hood louvers, dual side- mounted spare tires, and lavish chrome, many car experts consider this model the ultimate in Art Deco styling. Some even call it a masterpiece. It’s a top-tier vehicle, deemed a Full Classic by Classic Club Car of America (CCCA). That’s a designation reserved for only the best of the best among classic cars. For fifteen years, Steve Plunkett turned his love of cars into the Fleetwood Country Cruize-In, an event that supported local Charities and raised over $1.7 million. “Taking a passion that I love and creating an event that benefits so many people has been a blessing,” says Steve. The event attracted thousands of people and cars from across North America. When not at home on his estate on the outskirts of Byron, Steve tours invitational car events and shows across North America, showcasing his classic cars.
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
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8th, and support local this season. Learn more at londonlicious.ca
Looking forward to Londonlicious The NEW Londonlicious is an updated, community-focused, bi-annual food festival in London that not only highlights the city’s diverse restaurants but also emphasizes supporting local farmers, growers, and producers. FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED FARM STORE App les Jams
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During the event, participating restaurants craft special multi- course menus featuring ingredients sourced from nearby farms, artisanal suppliers, and regional food producers. This recent shift strengthens the connection between chefs and local agriculture, offering diners fresher, more sustainable dishes while supporting the local economy. The festival encourages residents to explore new restaurants, enjoy creative seasonal flavours, and learn more about where their food comes from. With its commitment to culinary discovery and locally sourced ingredients, the revitalized Londonlicious Festival celebrates London’s vibrant food culture while championing the people who grow and produce the region’s food. The goal is to get more Ontario grown food into Ontarians. More than a menu, it’s a movement! Participate in the Winter 2026 Festival: January 16th to February 8th, and support local this season. Learn more at londonlicious.ca www.crunicanorchards.com 519-666-0286 23778 Richmond St. London WE SELL OVER 100 LOCAL PRODUCTS Generations Hard Apple Cider Gift Baskets AND MORE!! @crunicanapples Crunican Orchards
Bi-annual festival spotlighting what is unique and delivious in London, Ontario Winter Festival: January 16, 2026 - February 8, 2026 Summer Festival: July 17, 2026 - August 9, 2026 It’s more than a menu - it’s a movement!
Londonlicious
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Page 12 Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • Jan-Feb 2026
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App les Jams
FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED FARM STORE
Apple Butter Maple Syrup Cheese Peanuts Frozen Meat Pies Frozen Fruit Pies Gluten-Free Products Generations Hard Apple Cider Gift Baskets AND MORE!!
Bi-annual festival spotlighting what is unique and delivious in London, Ontario Winter Festival: January 16, 2026 - February 8, 2026 Summer Festival: July 17, 2026 - August 9, 2026 It’s more than a menu - it’s a movement!
WE SELL OVER 100 LOCAL PRODUCTS
6
To advertise here, please contact Cathy@VillagerPublications.com www.crunicanorchards.com 519-666-0286 23778 Richmond St. London Londonlicious @londonlicious londonlicious.ca @crunicanapples Crunican Orchards
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
Page 7
An update from Anna Hopkins Our Ward 9 City Councillor
London’s Bicentennial: Celebrating 200 Years London’s Bicentennial marks 200 years since the founding of our community as a settlement in 1826. On January 30th of that year, a provincial bill designated the Forks of the Thames as the new administrative and legal centre. We last gathered in 2005 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of London’s incorporation as a city—now, it’s time to celebrate once again. As a community, it is essential that we honour our shared history, reflect on the stories that shaped our past,
As a Candidate for W will be a number of c constituents.
identity: the Forest City—home to more than 500 parks—and the historic Forks of the Thames, where the North and South branches meet. The City will launch a dedicated landing page at getinvolved. london.ca to share Bicentennial information, updates, and opportunities for residents to share their favourite London memories. In addition, our community will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Arboretum in Springbank Park. Established in 1926 by Parks Superintendent Ernie Graham, it now features hundreds of trees representing at least 75 native and exotic species. We have so much to celebrate as we look to London’s future and continue building a city where everyone feels they belong. As always, I welcome your thoughts, questions, and feedback. Please reach out to me at ahopkins@london.ca or visit www. annahopkis.ca to sign up for my newsletter. Take care of one another,
519-661-2489 ext 4009 ahopkins@london.ca
and continue meaningful conversations in the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous First Nations. This region has been home to Indigenous peoples for more than 10,000 years, including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Lenni- Lenape Nations. The 2026 celebrations will begin with the New Year’s Eve festivities in Victoria Park and continue throughout the year. Plans are underway to bring together residents from all communities—racialized groups, Canadians of various faiths, cultures, ethnicities, abilities, ages, sexual orientations, and gender identities. The Bicentennial brand, created by City staff and community partners, draws on two core elements of our
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
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What’s in a Name: A Tribute to Byron’s Martin Zimmer
For many who grew up in or around Byron, the name Martin Zimmer conjures warm memories of a beloved geography teacher who made classes “come alive” at Sir Adam Beck High School and Saunders Secondary School. For others, it reminds them of the treasured places Martin was fa- mous for painting.
A painting of Boler Mountain and Anneliese, Christine and Martin Jr. Zimmer skiing (circa 1985)
A painting Martin did in Germany before immigrating to Canada (circa 1949-50)
Martin’s love for art continued throughout his youth. He enjoyed painting flowers, especially and gave them as gifts to his mom and his childhood sweetheart, Anneliese. Martin’s daughter Christine has the sketchbook he brought when he and Anneliese immigrated to Canada in 1958. The young couple settled in Byron after falling in love with Boler Mountain and Springbank Park, both of which were reminders of their beloved Black Forest in Germany. While raising a family and studying to become a teacher, Martin continued honing his painting skills, transitioning from oils to watercolours in the 1980s. He loved nature and often painted at various locations with his family in tow. He also used photographs. Martin was known for continually stopping the car on road trips to take pictures, much to the chagrin of his kids. Martin’s paintings are now in collections, homes, and businesses across North America, Europe, and beyond. His true legacy, however, lies in the comfort his art brought others. One poignant example is the story his family shares of an individual in palliative care who chose to keep their “Martin Zimmer” painting close by. The picture depicted a place in northern Ontario to which they often travelled, and they found much-needed peace reflecting on the memories Martin’s painting invoked. “All they want for Christmas is You” Martin passed away on January 8, 2024. His name and the impact he made live on through the stories, memories, and hearts of family, friends, students, and those who cherish his art. You can purchase Martin’s limited prints at Chops Picture Framing in London, Ontario. Source: Two hearts, one journey: Martin and Anneliese Zimmer. Christine Zimmer. www.livestold.com/story/martin-and-anneliese-zimmer-71 Photos courtesy of the Zimmer family London Animal Care Centre • 121 Pine Valley Blvd, London www.accpets.ca • (519)685-1330 December
As a prolific oil and watercolour artist, Martin found inspiration in the beauty and serenity of local landscapes and architecture. “His work became so recognizable,” recall his children. “People knew a ‘Martin Zimmer painting’ by looking at it.” Born in Germany in 1933, Martin grew up amid the hardship of World War II. He found refuge in art, starting in kindergarten when he painted a picture of the night sky filled with stars. “His teacher loved it and hung it in the school. Dad was very proud of that picture,” his kids add. Martin at work on a painting
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Martin Zimmer and Christine on a painting excursion
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February
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
Page 9
Here in Byron, the year ahead brings ongoing improvements to local infrastructure and continued work on sidewalks and traffic flow near key community hubs. I’ve already heard great ideas from residents about 2026 opportunities, and I’m looking forward to more conversations in your neighbourhood. Wishing you a warm, connected start to the year. Here’s to a hopeful, healthy, neighbourly 2026. Josh
Message from the Mayor
Happy New Year, Byron! As we step into 2026, I want to thank everyone in the community for your contributions, big and small, that helped make 2025 such a strong year for community spir - it and neighbour-to-neighbour care. Whether it was supporting local events, volunteering with local sports teams or recreation groups, or simply looking out for those on your street, you make Byron one of London’s most wel- coming neighbourhoods. The new year has arrived with a real winter punch. The cold has struck early and often, and I know many of you have felt it on morning walks through Springbank Park or trips to and from work, school, and
Mayor Josh Morgan mayor@london.ca 519-661-4920
family during the holidays. The City is hard at work keeping our roads cleared, our sidewalks safe, and our neighbourhood services running smoothly as we move through the deepest part of winter. I also want to highlight our warming centres and expanded winter response systems, which ensure that our most vulnerable neighbours have a safe, warm place to go during extreme cold. These resources are open daily, with extended hours during cold alerts, which matter deeply to every Londoner.
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
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1817. Recorded history of the corner at Boler and Commissioners dates back to 1809. That’s when Archie McMillan was granted the original, 200-acre parcel of land stretching from Southdale Rd. to the Thames River. The area was known as Hall’s Mills and had become a village in 1804, named for postmaster Charles Hall. By 1854, William Hood built the Hood Hotel on that corner, just before Hall’s Mills became Byron, in 1857. Hood sold the hotel to S & J Reynolds, who remained its owners until the early 1960s. The hotel’s fate is unknown. In 1875, longtime resident William Meriam purchased a portion of the property and opened a blacksmith shop. The lot beside that shop was bought in 1916 by another Byron inhabitant, Delmar Wadsworth. Four years later, Delmar and Meriam donated their properties to the Byron Methodist Church in exchange for $1. The church was located beside the firehall, further west on Commissioners Rd., next to where the Byron Memorial Public Library now stands. Church officials built a manse on the newly acquired property that same year, 1920. It became the new home for church ministers for the next several decades. In 1925, the Methodist Church became part of the United Church of Canada. On October 27, 1955, the Byron United Church sold the corner property to the Bank of Montreal for $25,000. No further ownership records are available. The next phase for the premises hasn’t been made public. Thank you Dan Doroshenko for contributing research to this article.
Bank of Montreal Byron on the Move Staff at the Bank of Montreal branch in Byron are excited about moving from the village core to Southdale and Colonel Talbot. After operating for 71 years at 295 Boler Road, Branch Manager Ania Przywara says, it’s time for more room. “The team and I are over the moon to move,” says Ania, a longtime Byron resident and Branch Manager since 2022. “We have outgrown our current facility and look forward to growing with the community in our new location. We will miss our great business neighbours and look forward to serving our clients in the new location.” The new, bigger building has nine offices and three teller wickets. All staff from the original location will move to the new address, and more staff will join the team in the near future. Their last day on Boler is February 20. They’ll spend the weekend setting up before opening in the new building, 960 Southdale Rd. W., on February 23. Byron’s population has ballooned since the bank branch opened in 1955. Back then, it was around 4,000 people and growing fast. Today, more than 16,000 people call Byron home. It’s no wonder the BMO branch needs more elbow room. Having lived in Byron since 1988, Ania has witnessed its growth. Now her new workplace will be able to keep up. Many residents will remember using paper passbooks that were passed to a teller and updated by hand. It seems quaint compared to today’s digital world and online banking. The bank’s property at the southwest corner of Boler Rd. and Commissioners Rd. has seen many changes that go back even further than the bank itself. The Bank of Montreal was founded in
Your BMO Team
We’re making a move to a new location!
On February 20, 2026 after 5 pm, your Byron Branch will be moving and we’re excited to welcome you to our new location. We’re making this change to help us bring you the best customer experience now and in the future.
Hours of Operation: Monday to Wednesday 9:30 am to 5 pm Thursday and Friday 9:30 am to 6 pm Saturday 9:30 am to 4 pm
New Branch Details: Southdale & Colonel Talbot Unit 4, 960 Southdale Rd. W. London, ON, N6K 0M9
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
Page 11
equally active – whether playing pickleball at Wesley Knox Church or joining neighbourhood teams as a substitute. His energy is infectious, his smile unforgettable. Conversations with Kingsley are never ordinary; they’re lessons in resilience, kindness, and the belief that dreams are achievable through hard work and heart. Kingsley’s story is a testament to transformation – a nomad who crossed continents, embraced challenges, and built a life rooted in community. In Wortley Village, he is not just an immigrant who integrated; he is a neighbour, a leader, and a living reminder that home is not just a place—it’s a feeling you create, and a tribe you cherish.
Byron Optimist Kettle Campaign
The Byron Optimists had a successful Kettle Campaign this year with two locations at the Byron Metro and the LCBO. The bell ringers included club members and members of the community. Big thanks to Eric Thomson, Steve Zupko, Patty Dunn-Robinson, Toby and Katherin O’Hara, Keith & Cindy Butler, Heather Hines, Terry Grawey, Ann Flower, Marg Watson, Paul Kiteley, Murray Armstrong. Your time is very much appreciated!
Left: Husband Peter (left) with Kingsley – returning from his hospital shift and preparing to head to Fanshawe College to recertify as a nurse in Canada. Above: A welcoming door to the couple’s backyard oasis, and front yard spring blooms, enjoyed by all. What is the oldest home in Byron? Byron has some well-known historic buildings. The first settlers came to this area in the early 1800s, with John Wells building the first home in 1806 in what is now Springbank Park. By 1809, Archibald McMillan had already built the community’s first tav - ern at the northwest corner of Commissioners and Boler. But the question remains: who owns the oldest house still standing in the Byron neighbourhood? If you believe your home might be one of the oldest in Byron or you think you know what home is, please get in touch with Barb at Barb@villagerpublications.com. .
Right: St. Anne’s Church built 1853 Below Left: Flint Cottage built 1837 Below Right: 1289 Commisioners Rd W built 1830s
’s y-
Employee of the Month November
Employee of the Month December
Nowadays excellent customer serv is considered as the biggest merit th company can earn. It is the attribute t people value more than good price o product or even more than its qua Byron Pizza has always exceeded customer service and now we’d like recognize these valuable employe Emerson No is co pe pr By cu re
Hayley
Homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages must have WORKING CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS INSTALLED
Nowadays excellent customer service is considered as the biggest merit that a company can earn. It is the attribute that people value more than good price of a product or even more than its quality. Byron Pizza has always exceeded in customer service and now we’d like to recognize these valuable employees.
Wortley Villager Jan-Feb 2026 • Page 7
com
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
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Christian’s mission now is to help others “take the plunge” so they can live longer, stronger, and bet - ter lives. With Longevity Lounge, he sees the impact every day. “It doesn’t matter who goes in or what their mood is—nervous, grumpy, stressed—they come out grinning from ear to ear.” Longevity Lounge is at 5-2175 Richmond Street, London. For more information or to book a treatment, visit www.longevitylounge.ca or call 226-377-2643. Photos by: Nicole Alexandra Photography
Taking the Plunge at Longevity Lounge Dropping yourself into a pool of cold water after luxuriating in a sauna for 20 minutes doesn’t seem fun. Christian Vemb, owner of Longevity Lounge, assures you it isn’t; however, he promises you won’t regret doing it.
“It’s hard to do,” adds Chris- tian, a personal trainer and health entrepreneur for over 30 years. “But you’ll feel amazing after, like a new per- son, energized, rejuvenated.” Christian opened Longevity Lounge in April 2024, featuring traditional sauna and cold im - mersion therapy. The rapid shift between hot and cold boosts
Client in the cold plunge
Christian Vemb, Owner of Longevity Lounge
circulation, speeds muscle recovery, and reduces inflammation. “The cold triggers a huge endorphin release, which naturally en- hances your mood and energy,” Christian adds. Saeed Rouhani, Byron resident and owner of Ascendant Arrow, the Byron marketing agency representing Longevity Lounge, agrees: “When I did it, I tapped into a new level of inner strength and confidence.” Christian also offers red light therapy and Normatec compression therapy at Longevity. Red light therapy increases circulation to the skin and stimulates collagen production, reducing the appearance of fine lines and facial scars. Normatec compression increases oxygenated blood flow to muscles, reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair. Christian discovered these therapies at a similar business in Toronto and fell in love with them. Working with sauna and cold plunge therapy at home, he noticed life-changing improvements in his health. “My aches diminished. I recovered from my workouts faster and found I could work out harder, getting fitter and experiencing greater mental clarity.” Christian has had a lifelong passion for health and wellness, playing every sport as a kid and studying health and wellness at Humber College. He spent 10 years as a personal trainer before launching an international brand of organic cold-pressed juice.
For his next career chapter, Christian decided to create a way for more people to access the therapies that changed his life. “They’re simple to use and safe,” reassures Christian. “We have clients from ages 10 to 80 using them.” Outside of Longevity, Christian leads by example how to live a healthy life as he devotes time to his family, including his three children.
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
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A heartfelt thank you for an in - credible first year of 100 Women Who Care London & Area. In its inaugural year, the group was introduced to eight inspiring local charities doing important work throughout our area. To- gether, in just four meetings — four short hours — the group raised over $30,000 and direct- ed collective donations to four local organizations.
Do you want to make a difference? 100+ Women Who Care – London & Area may be perfect for you if: • You’re interested in making a positive impact within the London and area community • You have limited time and resources • You want 100% of your donations to go directly to the local charity • You want to learn more about the many worthy community service programs and organizations in London and area. The next meeting is on February 24th at the Byron Legion. Go to www.100womenwhocarelondon.com to register today! Construction Projects in Byron area for 2026 by Doug MacRae, Director, Transportation and Mobility City of London Ward 9 will see several new infrastructure projects in 2026. They include: Oxford Street West will be improved from Westdel Bourne to Commissioners Road West. The improvements will include widening the road to four lanes to address congestion, modifying intersections to improve operations and accessibility, and introducing sidewalks and multi-use paths to improve walking and cycling. The construction is anticipated to start in the Summer of 2026 and will continue into 2027. The west end of the project will connect to the recently constructed roundabout at Gideon Drive. A second future phase of the project will extend the improvements eastward to Sanitorium Road in the five to ten year horizon. Active transportation in Byron will be improved with the addition of a two-way bike path along the east side of Boler Road between Southdale Road and Commissioners Road. The project will improve connectivity between the Thames Valley Parkway in Springbank Park and Talbot Village and Lambeth. The project also includes a major water main replacement to increase the capacity and reliability of the water distribution system and improve pedestrian crossings to provide better access to community amenities. Project construction will begin in the Spring. Other 2026 infrastructure renewal in the area includes culvert replacements on Westdel Bourne and Sharon Road. Pavement
rehabilitation will extend south and east of the Westdel Bourne and Byron Baseline intersection. Within Byron, Conifer Court and Conifer Crescent will be fully reconstructed beginning in summer 2026. Previous projects that will be completed in 2026 include: The Colonel Talbot Road project to transform this key north- south corridor into a modern, complete street that serves all users will be completed. The project provides a continuous walking and cycling connection between Lambeth and Talbot Village. Improvements include converting the former rural road into an urban street with concrete curbs, sidewalks, multi-use paths, landscaping, street lighting, and pedestrian crossovers. Underground water, storm, and sanitary infrastructure have also been upgraded to support future growth in the area. Work scheduled for spring and summer 2026 includes final paving and restoration from Diane Crescent to just south of the Southdale and Colonel Talbot roundabout. Neighbourhood streets on Lansing and Nashua Avenues that were reconstructed in 2025 will have remaining surface asphalt, electrical work, final restoration, and site clean-up completed in spring 2026. More information on all 2026 projects will follow as we get closer to the construction season.
Warm Moments, Bright Memories At Riverstone Retirement Residence, the new year is a time to savour comfort, connection, and the joy of shared moments. From delightful desserts to meaningful conversations, our community makes every day feel warm, welcoming, and wonderfully bright. Call 519-474-4410 to book your personal tour today!
519.474.4410 | LiveAtRiverstone.ca
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
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Long-time Byron Dentist Dr. Mark Richardson Expands His Practice Byron residents, and even former Byron residents, have been visiting Dr. Mark Richardson for their dental since he established his practice upon graduation from UWO. His practise is the longest residing tenant of his building at 1283 Commissioners Road. And now he’s expanding the office’s footprint by adding the former Subway space next door. Dr Richardson and his warm, friendly team are excited about the expansion as this will increase their clinical capacity to welcome the increasing demand for people to become new patients and maintain the same high quality of care in a positive, friendly atmosphere. Dr. Richardson has deep roots in the community. His parents were founding members of the London Ski Club. His father built a home in Oakridge in 1960 and the family moved there. Dr. Richardson now treats some of his former classmates and teachers from Oakridge High School. He lived in Byron while attending the University of Western Ontario and remained in Byron upon graduation. “It’s home. My first home was in Byron. I still live in Byron. It’s a strong community that still feels like a village.” Patients continue to return to Byron for their dental appointments even after moving away. “I’m grateful and honoured for the privilege of serving the residents of this community. In my office they’re people, not just patients.” Now, he sees three generations of Byron families, from grandparents to grandchildren. He enjoys the opportunity to get to know his patients so he can give them personalized care. That includes everything from hand-picking a hygienist for them to knowing whether they’re a morning or afternoon person. Seeing a patient over many years provides continuity of care, something that people appreciate. Expanding into the space next door will double the floor space. This will allow Dr. Richardson to add more dental chairs, include a private room for consultations, minimize wait times and accommodate same-day emergencies. Dr. Richardson and his team take a holistic approach to dentistry. The condition of a patient’s mouth can reveal a lot about their overall health and expose specific issues with
Dr. Richardson and his team honouring breast cancer awarness month in November.
immune function, breathing quality and more. If needed, patients can learn about any health concerns and how to avoid a recurrence. The dental team focuses on prevention as well as treatment, with a holistic approach to dentistry. A comprehensive oral and head-neck exam can reveal solutions that can promote oral as well as general whole-body wellness. In addition to the sense of family that exists among staff and with his patients, Dr. Richardson’s practise truly is a family affair. His wife Cynthia has extensive experience in health care including an education in dental nursing. She’s Executive Officer of the practise. They’re an energetic couple that loves to golf together and play and cuddle with their three pups, Louis, Georgio and Gucci. The newly expanded Dr. Mark Richardson Dental is expected to be complete in the spring. You can learn more about his wide range of services and “meet” the team at www.drrichardson.ca or by calling 519-473-1955.
Service to patients with passion and compassion, successfully combining oral healthcare and long-term relationship building. WELCOMING NEW DENTAL PATIENTS!
Dr. Mark Richardson Caring for patients with a holistic approach.
1283 Commissioners Rd.W. BYRON
519-473-1955 drrichardson.ca
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
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Byron Legion February 2026 Calendar | 1276 Commissioners Road West (519)-472-3300 Monday to Friday 12pm – 10pm, Saturday 12pm – 12am, Sunday 1pm – 7pm
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Byron Villager Jan/Feb 2026
Sarah Sally (Hull) Westbrook (1779-1814)
A week or so after her sleigh fell through the ice while crossing the Detroit River during her “rescue” from Delaware by husband Andrew, Sally was dead, most likely from pneumonia. We know little of Sally except that she was born in New Jersey in 1779 and likely came to Upper Canada with her parents after 1784 with the bulk of Loyalists. She married Andrew in 1799, just in time for a new century and a new life. To put things into perspective, Sally was a contemporary of Jane Austen, born 250 years ago on December 16, 1775. Jane never went out of fashion and is getting a lot of press these days. Jane’s father was the rector of an Anglican parish. This gave him access to the best social circles of the landed gentry; prestige but without the income. The “landed” gentry means those who inherited rentable land or an estate. Thus, he had to supplement his meager income by farming, teaching, and boarding pupils to support his family of seven children. Jane’s education was entirely designed to catch an eligible husband, preferably rich, since there was
frustration and a woman’s fate in a society that had no use for her talents. Jane pioneered the notion of strong women who know their own minds and personalities. She is considered to be the originator of the Rom-Com formula that Hallmark has so successfully inherited. Sally, on the other hand, married a good provider. She and Andrew owned a thriving farm of over 4000 acres and several businesses. This should, by British standards of the time, have placed them in the ranks of the landed gentry. After all, wasn’t the opportunity to better oneself the aim of every person who ever came to the New World? The Westbrooks were still not accepted by the “betters” of our territory, namely the Springers (whom Andrew had so unceremoniously bundled off as a prisoner the week before) and, of course, Talbot. The class system had followed them to the New World. For Sally to manage that huge farm and raise her five children (one of whom was still in diapers) while Andrew was in exile demonstrates a tremendous strength of character.
Jane Austen (1775-1817), contemporary of Sally Westbrook (1779-1814)
no other way for a woman to obtain wealth. Indeed, with the inheritance laws of the time, all property went to the son or the next-in-line male upon the death of the father. Jane was engaged to be married in 1802, but changed her mind the next day. Jane never married. Her novels are concerned with love and marriage...but mostly they are about disappointment. In effect, they are a study of
And what of Andrew? Surely this was the lowest time of his life. Ostracized in a strange land for his egalitarian views and decision to join the Americans, property gone, Simon and Ebenezer gone, Sally gone, Andrew found himself alone with five hungry children to raise. What could he do? (To be continued.) Photo courtesy of freebooksummary.com
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