Byron
JULY/AUG 2025 ISSUE 102
Villager
APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP MAILING MO
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Here’s where you can find Byron’s little gems of community spirit: 85 Timber Drive 329 Grand View Avenue 132 Dearborn Avenue 711 Grifith Street
Byron’s Little Gems of Community Spirit In almost every community, on quiet bays and tree-lined side streets, you will find little gems of community spirit. Most of us have either walked or driven by the Little Free Libraries people have built to connect with their neighbours and share their love of reading. Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin, built and installed the first Little Library in 2009 in honour of his mother, a teacher and avid reader. What was one man’s goal to connect community, inspire readers, and expand book access for his neighbourhood grew into an international organization that now has over 150,000 registered Little Free Libraries in more than 120 countries. Todd Bol passed away in 2018 but in his life remained dedicated to Little Free Library’s mission, saying, “I really believe in a Little Free Library on every block and a book in every hand. I believe people can fix their neighbourhoods, fix their communities, develop systems of sharing, learn from each other, and see that they have a better place on this planet to live.” The community of Byron upholds these values with its own Little Free Libraries. In 2023, Byron resident and graphic designer Amy Froggett created a map of them. The Villager took a drive to see which libraries were still active and found all but one were and we have a new one. Support your local Little Free Library this summer by bringing a book to swap. If you have, or know of, a Little Free Library that we missed, please contact us so we can let our readers know too.
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Page 3 Byron Villager July/Aug 2025
Movies in the Park this Summer Grab your favourite people and some snacks and head to Movies in the Park this summer. It’s a great way to meet your neighbours and strengthen your community connections – and it’s free! Thanks to WFCU Credit Union, the Movies in the Park program features a great lineup of movies at park locations throughout the city. Bring your snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, chairs, and blankets. No registration is required. Arrive with your family and friends and prepare for an evening of entertainment under the stars.
The City’s Movies in the Park program offers residents or neighbourhood groups an opportunity to host free family-friendly movie nights in collaboration with City of London staff. This favourite summer pastime runs from June to mid-September. Any resident or neighbourhood group can apply to host a movie night. Once approved, they work with City staff to promote the movie night in their neighbourhood. City staff are always on hand to set up and tear down the projection equipment. City staff set up the movie around 7 pm, and the show starts at dusk, which is typically between 8 and 9 pm in July and August. See the list below for locations in and near Byron. For a complete list of locations, visit london.ca/living-london/community-services/neighbourhood-programs- funding/outdoor-movie-nights. Staff may cancel the movie if the weather is uncooperative and will post updates on the City of London's Facebook, X, and Instagram. For more information about Movies in the Park this summer or to apply for next summer, contact Neighbourhood Development and Support by calling 519-661-5336 or emailing neighbourgood@london.ca.
Byron Villager Issue #102 July/Aug 2025 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 Rock Glen Falls by Byron Artist Thérèse Grawey See story on page 17
The Wild Robot Footloose The Wild Robot Inside Out 2 Mufasa: The Lion King Inside Out 2
July 4................... July 19................. August 8.............. August 15............. August 22............ September 5........
Odessa Park (Westmount)........................................... Arthur Ford Park (Westmount)..................................... Whisperwood Park (Byron)........................................... Westmount Lions Park (Westmount)............................ Byron Hills Park (Byron)............................................... Hamlyn Park (Lambeth)...............................................
Please contact Barb@villagerpublications.com for more information regarding any of our local community magazines. Visit our website at villagerpublications.com to read them all. YOUR JUNE 2025 VILLAGER PUBLICATIONS LINEUP
Page 4 Byron Villager July/Aug 2025
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3 WAYS 3 WAYS
Natalie Wood’s 1963 Buick Riviera Lives On at Plunkett’s The 1963 Buick Riviera marked General Motors’ entry into the luxury personal vehicle niche. The Riviera, an Italian word meaning coastline, was aimed at wealthy buyers who wanted a premium coupe. Steve Plunkett’s vehicle from this first generation production has a movie star connection.
It was purchased new in Los Angeles by Natalie Wood, whose mysterious death almost forty- five years ago is still pondered to this day. It’s believed she treated herself to the vehicle with her
earnings from the 1963 Oscar-winning movie, Love With the Proper Stranger , where she starred opposite Steve McQueen. “I bought this car about two years ago from the Volo Auto Museum in Volo, Illinois,” says Steve. “They had it for twenty years.” The first generation of Buick Riviera, produced from 1963 to 1965, was designed to compete with the Ford Thunderbird. This car featured a distinctive body style, including its headlights hidden in clamshell doors on the front fender. The Riviera was also known for its performance capabilities. It had the same powerful V-8 engine as bigger Buicks but because it was lighter, it was able to reach a top speed of 185 km/hr. Its interior was filled with luxury befitting a movie star but it wasn’t overdone. It has bucket-style seating for four that was available in all vinyl, cloth and vinyl, or an optional upgrade to leather. Buyers could also enhance the look of the interior with genuine walnut inserts. Other options included power windows and driver’s seat, tilt steering wheel, air conditioning, and white sidewall tires. The base price was about $4,300 USD, but the original cost easily topped $5,000 with options added on. A few changes were made in 1964, including dropping leather as an upholstery option. That year, GM introduced the R emblems that would carry through the rest of the car’s production run.
In 1965, they introduced the Gran Sport trim level, which offered a more powerful engine and performance enhancements. A vinyl roof became optional and the tilt steering wheel was now standard. The debut of the first-generation Riviera is now considered a pivotal moment in car design. It was among the first American cars to feature the “Coke bottle shape” with a gently tapered middle and muscular, flared fenders. Its look wasn’t as heavy on chrome as so many cars of that time had been. The Riviera’s popularity kept it in production for thirty-six years, through its eighth generation, until 1999. It took a hiatus in 1994. But it’s that first-generation version that still has the biggest wow factor and collectability. 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.
Page 6
Byron Villager July/Aug 2025
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Anne Keam and her husband Milt were pivotal in getting Byron its first actual library and moving it from the church basement into its own building. Finally, in 1954, plans were ready to build on the remaining corner of the Halls Mill and Commissioners Road lot and the dream of a real library came true after 20 years. The new library opened on November 11, 1955, with a stone cross inlaid in the front
Byron Memorial Library Turns 90 In a nondescript building at the corner of Halls Mill Road and Commissioners Road West sits the quiet, unassuming, yet stead- fast hub of the Byron community. For 90 years, Byron’s library has been a place where children and adults alike come to relax, read, and research.
(L-R) Library Staff Mrs.Spicer, Mary Shantz, Anne Keam, Milt Keam, Verna Davis c1955
Members of Byron’s Women’s Institute had a dream of creating a place to encourage reading and community in their neighbourhood.
Byron Library in United Church basement
wall of the building in memory of those who had lost their lives in the war. The building was dedicated at the opening ceremony where guest speaker Angus Mowat, Director of Public Libraries, reminded the audience that a library was a place where everyone could come together – the only place of its kind in the village. The total cost of the new Byron Memorial Library was $10,000. A provincial grant funded sixty percent, and the community rallied to raise the rest. A bequest from long-time library supporter Joseph Cassady was among the contributions. The first staff were Alice Spicer, Mary Shantz and Verna Davis. When Byron was annexed to the city of London in 1961, the Byron Memorial Library became part of the London Public Library System. The city demolished the building housing the library in 1972 and rebuilt it in its current location. What started with 24 books in one woman’s house has grown into an active resource centre with thousands of books, reference materials, computers, and active living programming for young and old alike. The Byron Library remains a quiet, unassuming yet steadfast hub where the community can relax, read and research, and hopefully, will for another 90 years.
In 1934, they gathered 24 of their own books and kept them at Mrs. F. Ellis’s home at 247 Centre Street (now Halls Mill Road). By 1935, the Women’s Institute had officially founded the Byron Public Library. By 1936, the number of books had outgrown the Ellis home, and the library was relocated to the basement of the relatively new Byron United Church on Commissioners. The white brick church, built up the block from the site of the current library for $1,600, was opened in 1885 as the Byron Methodist Church of Canada. The building became Byron United Church in 1925 after the merger of four Protestant denominations: the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Methodist Church (Canada, Newfoundland and Bermuda), the Congregational Churches of Canada, and the General Council of Local Union Churches. The church eventually relocated to its current home at the corner of Boler and Byron Baseline Roads in 1956, leaving the old church to be repurposed for commercial use. The Byron Public Library continued growing, and land to build an actual library was procured from the London Public Utilities Commission (PUC) thanks to the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Simpson, who were the chairman and secretary of the library board at the time, and librarian Mrs. Kate Chapman. However, the land was used to build a fire hall instead, putting the idea of a stand-alone library on the shelf. A new board was convened in 1947 with Chairman N.T. Sanderson, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Davis, Mr. Milton Keam, and his wife, Anne, as secretary/treasurer. Anne would live to become Byron’s matriarch and longest-living resident, passing away in 2018 at age 110.
1953
2025
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Page 7 Byron Villager July/Aug 2025
Managing Editor Hello Lambeth!
As a Candidate for Ward 9 in this year ’ s Municipal Election will be a number of conversations that I will be talking abou constituents.
An update from Anna Hopkins Our Ward 9 City Councillor
Growth Land Needs Assessment, these reports will shape the final expansion recommendations, expected to go to Council in late 2025. As the City continues this important process, I strongly urge us to maintain open collaboration with our Indigenous communities. The proposed expansion areas are not just parcels of land— they are part of a cultural landscape with ecological and spiritual significance. To learn more, view maps, or provide feedback, visit: getinvolved.london.ca/london-plan-review Stay tuned—more updates to come. In the meantime, feel free to reach out at ahopkins@london.ca, or sign up for my newsletter at annahopkins.ca. Wishing you a safe and happy summer, and take care of one another.
Urban Growth Boundary Review: What It Means for Ward 9, Our City, and Indigenous Communities I’m not a fan of urban sprawl—especially when it puts our agricultural lands and natural heritage at risk. But as part of its legal obligation to review the Official Plan (The London Plan), the City is currently assessing our Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). This year, Council approved a proposed UGB expansion to support future non-industrial growth.
519-661-2489 ext 4009 ahopkins@london.ca
Serving Byron for 40 years Spring into Fur Paws Only Salon Nail Trim Thursdays 10am–1pm $10. No appointment necessary. City staff have identified a draft expansion of 1,476 hectares, with most of that growth proposed for the northwest area of Ward 9 along Dingman Creek, as well as smaller additions in the city’s north and east. The draft materials will be presented to the Planning and Environment Committee on June 23. Before anything is finalized, the Industrial Land Needs Assessment must be completed. This key step will help determine how much land is required for industrial and employment use—and where that land should be located. Combined with the Community
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Page 8 Byron Villager July/Aug 2025 Page 2 Lambeth Villager • July-August 2025
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Watson and Westbrook: Plan B
Totally frustrated at this turn of events, Major Simon Zelotes Watson and Captain Andrew Westbrook settled in as part of the garrison in Fort Detroit, newly renamed Fort Shelby. The fort itself was in a sorry state. It suffered from the burning of the public buildings by British General Proctor when he evacuated it a month earlier during his retreat up the Thames River. Garrison life is never easy at the best of times, but conditions were considerably worse due to sickness and an outbreak of cholera, the result of poor sanitary conditions. The concept of “germs” hadn’t been invented yet and the location of the well and the location of the latrines were not well thought out. These conditions were unlikely to improve with the onset of winter. The two men chose not to go with American General Harrison when he shipped the majority of his troops to the Niagara campaign, thanks to Admiral Perry’s newly acquired control of Lake Erie. They weren’t interested in helping the Americans take control of Canada and dislodging the Brits. They were only interested in taking control of their own farms in the Westminster (Byron) and Delaware districts and dislodging one particular Brit, namely Colonel Thomas Talbot. “All they want for Christmas is You” And what of Colonel Talbot? Where was he and what was he up to? We know that he sent 150 barrels of flour to Amherstburg, which arrived the day before Proctor abandoned it to begin his long retreat up the Thames. Likely, most of that flour sank with Proctor’s longboats somewhere in the Thames River or ended up with the Americans. Colonel Talbot was the commander of the London and Western District’s militia throughout the war. Talbot took part in the Battles of Lundy’s Lane and Fort Erie. He spent most of his time at Long Point with the Norfolk militia. He returned periodically to his estate out of fear of marauders desperate to find provisions. Of course, the Colonel’s most offensive marauders were none other than Watson and Westbrook themselves when they joined American General Hull’s invading army and busied themselves distributing Hull’s Proclamation back in the summer London Animal Care Centre • 121 Pine Valley Blvd, London www.accpets.ca • (519)685-1330 December
of 1812. After all, it was Simon Watson who publicly vowed “The most bitter vengeance against the first characters of the province.” After Harrison’s victory, things were relatively quiet in the Western District. The British forces, namely the militia, were pulled back to Delaware, and in particular, to Andrew Westbrook’s farm (Delaware Speedway). And so Simon and Andrew spent their time that winter hatching plans against Colonel Talbot. They would have to take matters into their own hands since they couldn’t count on an American army coming back to finish the job of moving up the Thames again. It would have to be something they were good at, like marauding. They would also need to think of their future. What if the Americans failed to win the war, or worse, won the war and didn’t bother to control the Western District? (To be continued)
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Byron Villager July/Aug 2025
Page 9
Boug’s of Byron – Memories of a Village Icon
Ernest Oliver Aubrey Boug was born in 1903 in London, Ontario. As a man who never seemed to sit still, Ernie dedicated his life to family, entrepreneurship and helping to make our city a better place. Ernie’s parents, Frederick and Alice, owned a grocery store when, in 1910, Frederick passed away, leaving Ernie to quit school after Grade 3 and work to contribute to the family. In the late 20s, he and his brother, Roy, opened the Boug’s Brothers grocers at 59 Wharncliffe Rd (at the corner of Riverside). Groceries were home-delivered by their fleet of two vehicles. They continued to expand and introduced a tropical fish exporting business run out of the basement.
Other companies in this building include Gray’s Coffee Shop, Bank of Montreal, Martin’s Bakery, Nurse’s Barbershop and Orr Dry Cleaners. Another building, which would house doctors and
a dentist’s office, was also constructed to the south of this building. Boug Realty continued building and constructed an apartment building on the corner of Ridout and Carfrae. A young Tom Jory was interested in helping Ernie build, although it’s suspected that he was trying to gain the good graces of his future father-in-law. Ernie and Mae’s daughter, Patricia, and Tom were high school sweethearts and married in 1955. Tom and Pat attended the University of Western Ontario (UWO) together in 1947. Tom would later become a well-respected doctor of general surgery in practice for over 40 years.
When Boug’s of Byron opened its doors for business in 1946, Ernie was there greeting his new clientele. He worked in the store every day for 27 years alongside Jim Campbell, the Boug’s butcher. Jim’s wife, Helen, was one of the cashiers. The other cashier was Helen Scandrett. Jimmy Farish and the Scotsman were also well-loved employees as were many others. There are many fond memories from childhood: Jim was known to give out a tasty treat with a wink to regular patrons and bones to the neighbourhood beagle, Bradley. Suckers were also handed out to the polite children. Ernie was always a kind and happy face in the store. He was also sympathetic to hard times and would often extend credit to the community when needed.
In April of 1937, London experienced the most destructive flood ever recorded on the Thames River, resulting from a significant rainfall bursting the banks and flooding many low-lying areas of the city. Boug’s Brothers Grocers was among the businesses and homes destroyed.
Ernie married Mae Reid and had a daughter, Patricia, in 1930 and a son, William in 1933. He built his family home at 398 Riverside Drive and soon after the flood, eyed the land that was located at the corners of Boler and Commissioners with the ambition to open a grocery store to serve the residents of the area. He started a business called Boug Realty and purchased the property in Byron. By 1947, he had built the two-story location that housed Boug Realty at the back and Boug’s Grocery store facing Boler Road. Apartments were built above the businesses.
Mae and Ernie with Pat and Bill, 1936
Page 10 Byron Villager July/Aug 2025
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Offer expires September 30, 2020 Ernie Boug was an awe-inspiring man with many talents. Throughout his life, he advocated for people, built and ran numerous businesses, bred and showed Springer Spaniels for many decades and was a lifelong member of the Optimist Club. He was elected to City Council in 1944 as Alderman for Ward 2. He was an executive member of the 1st Upper Thames River Conservation Author- ity having been a delegate travelling to Ohio and subsequently supported the province in the creation of the ‘Conservancy Act’. Ernie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the early 70s and passed away in 1986 at the age of 83. Many thanks to Sue Jory and David McKelvey for the information for this story. Ernie Boug There is no treatment that can “cure” Alzheimer’s disease, nor are there medication that can halt or reverse the brain damage caused by it. How- ever, there are medications that can relieve symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. Medications such as donepezil*, riv- astigmine, and galantamine may be used to slow down memory loss. Prevention of stroke is important for vascular dementia. If you have high blood pressure or cholesterol, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or have had a stroke, you should seek continued treatment for these conditions to prevent future strokes. The key to caring for and helping people with dementia is to focus on the many activities the person can still do safely. Encourage a person with dementia to continue daily routines and maintain social relationships as much as possible. Help them maintain a healthy lifestyle through exer- cise, proper nutrition, and fluid intake. Special diets and supplements are generally unnecessary. If you are caring for someone with dementia, the following may be help- ful: reminders: Provide written lists of things to do including times, places, and phone numbers to help the person complete the task. structure and stability: Minimize undue noise and disturbances to re- duce anxiety. establish routines: Daily and bedtime routines can reduce disorientation and anxiety. speaking slowly and calmly: Present one thought or instruction at a time. information card: Reduce the risk of wandering and getting lost by pro- viding a pocket card with the person’s name, address, and phone num- ber. safety: Make your home environment as safe as possible by keeping furniture in the same place, removing clutter, installing locks on medi- cine cabinets, and setting the water heater at a low temperature to avoid scalding. driving: Don’t allow someone with dementia to drive a vehicle. Drive them or arrange for rides wherever they need to go. Caring for someone with dementia can be difficult. It requires under - standing, patience, and compassion. Joining an Alzheimer’s disease caregiver’s support group in your community may be helpful. Be prepared for the eventuality that your loved one’s condition will dete- riorate over time and additional full-time personal care may be needed. In some situations, placement in a nursing home is in the best interests of the individual and their family. Peter Semchism is a Pharmacist at Greenhills Pharmacy in Lambeth. • Avoid the sun when it’s at its peak. It’s strongest between 11 am and 4 pm, so use that time to do activities indoors if possible. • If you are applying other products to the skin, double check with your pharmacist about which product to use first. For example, insect repellants should be applied at least 15 minutes after applying sunscreen. Always keep in mind that we are here for you and your needs. Please feel free to give us a call. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your health or medications. You can reach us at 519-652-9066 Peter Semchism is a Pharmacist at Greenhills Pharmacy in Lambeth. Still going across town for prescription refills? We can make life simpler. Ask us about easy prescription transfers. Since 1974 10055 Carter Rd. Let us make the Custom Made, Locally Built Shed Your Back Yard Deserves! Hand Crafted – Custom Built Mini Barns • Work Sheds • Play Houses Pool Change Rooms Looking for a New Shed this Summer?
To advertise here please contact Barb@villagerpublications.com Treatment of dementia may depend on the specific cause. Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease usually involves treating the declining memory and gradually worsening behavioural symptoms with a range of medications (which may also be used in other forms of dementia), including: cognitive enhancing agents Wear a hat. Hats keep the sun’s rays off the scalp, face, and back of the neck, prime areas for skin cancer. A good hat will also shelter and protect your eyes from the sun’s powerful rays. Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you go out, even if the sun doesn’t seem particularly strong, or it is cloudy. Damaging ultraviolet rays can still penetrate clouds, so don’t take a chance. Always apply sunscreen that has a minimum increasing irritability, anxiety, depression, confusion, and restlessness increasing communication and language difficulties (forgetting words or substituting incorrect words) changes in personality, behaviour, or mood decreasing ability to focus and pay attention inability to plan and carry out tasks that require multiple steps (e.g. pay - ing bills). To be diagnosed with dementia, the symptoms must be severe enough to affect a person’s independence and their ability to perform everyday activities. Symptoms of dementia can vary depending on the cause. For example, people with Lewy body dementia often have long-lasting visual hallu- cinations. Some forms of dementia also tend to affect people younger than others and progress faster. Treatment and Prevention ere are some basic rules: Cover up whenever possible. A longer cotton skirt, for example, might feel cooler on a hot day than a pair of shorts, and will help guard you from the sun. HEALTH & WELLNESS by Peter Semchism No Such Thing as a Healthy Tan here is a common myth that if a person tans well, they’re otected from these harmful rays. Not true! While it is true that r-haired, blue-eyed people are most prone to burning, and erefore are more susceptible to the sun’s rays, even tans are ally just damage control – they’re your body’s way of trying to otect itself from the sun. But the damage is already done and n’t be reversed. Years of sun worshipping, be it outside or in a nning salon, will eventually show up later on in life as wrinkles, oor skin elasticity, and possibly skin cancer. Dementia Could Happen to Anyone… Because Everyone Ages. The Facts Elliot Marr (E&M) was the supplier to Boug’s, and while Boug’s eventually became part of the E&M chain, the staff stayed on, and the same in-store friendly experience didn’t change. Eventually, Boug’s was renamed Superior, but to everyone in the Village, it remained “Boug’s.” The other grocery store in Byron was McKelvey’s, which was in business from 1952 until 1967. David McKelvey remembers both he and his sister Mary being dispatched to Boug’s to pick up an item. Since it was for resale, the taxes were not charged between the two stores. “In those days both Boug’s and McKelvey’s took phone orders where we sometimes didn’t have a particular product, so this kind of sharing was necessary,” explains David. Dementia is not a specific disease, but a general term that describes a gradual decline of mental ability that affects your intellectual and social skills to the point where daily life becomes difficult. Dementia can affect your memory, language skills and decision-making ability; impair your judgment and make you feel disoriented; and it may also affect your personality. Dementia can be caused by many diseases that affect the brain. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Others in- clude vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal and mixed dementia. Types of dementia differ based on underlying causes and can affect specific symptoms and how it progresses. Symptoms and Complications Many of us often experience forgetfulness. We may forget where we put the car keys or repeat the same story to a friend or family member. These behaviours are usually caused by the information overload of our busy, stressful lives – it doesn’t mean that we’re developing dementia. As people age, they may experience memory changes such as slowing of information processing. This type of change is normal and doesn’t interfere with day-to-day functioning. By contrast, dementia is disabling and not a normal part of aging. Although dementia often presents itself differently from person to per- son, common symptoms include: gradual loss of memory of recent events and lack of ability to learn new things increasing tendency to repeat oneself, misplacing objects, becoming confused and lost in familiar places slow disintegration of judgment and reasoning abilities Peter Semchism s with most good things, moderation and good sense are the ys. The goal is to have fun outside but to stay safe at the me time. David also remembers the bowling competitions between the McKelvey and the Boug stores in the early sixties with the loser having to treat the winner to a dinner at the Cobblestone Inn (now the Hermitage Club). “The McKelvey’s could field some pretty spectacular bowlers–my mother, Olga, and sisters Marg and Mary–in those days. I don’t think that we ever lost one of those competitions!” says David. David recalls that Boug’s store - front had a parapet that stretched the length of the store along Bo - ler Road. On that parapet sat large wooden cut-out letters that spelled “Boug’s of Byron.” One Hallowe’en, someone took out the “o” in the word “Boug’s” so that the sign read “Bug’s of Byron.” David claims to have had an alibi for this night! In 1980, as Byron was continuously expanding, the plaza was built and A&P opened (where the Metro is today). Boug’s closed its doors on July 25, 1981.
Page 11 Byron Villager July/Aug 2025
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING
A Superior Poem – The Byron Boug’s Store 1947-1981 by Hazel Mitchell, Lambeth Ontario, July 1981 In nineteen hundred and forty-seven, Mr.Boug built Byron store It carried on till seventy-two, with customers galore. When Mr.Boug got older he needed a much earned rest Then his son decided that, for him, to sell it would be best. So it was sold to Elliott Marr, part of their company chain No more independent, I’m sure Bougs felt the pain For after all those many years of serving the public well He’d miss the people and their chats, and all the tales they’d tell The transition went unnoticed by the most of the personnel Alex Hutton carried on, and they all liked him well. He’d been there since year forty-six, on delivery every day As handyman around the place, he really enjoyed his stay. Now Jimmy Campbell bless him, has stuck through smiles and tears He’s managed the meat department for twenty-seven years. We haven’t forgotten the Scotsman and Jimmy Farrish too And many others who did their part, complaints were very few. They’ll miss those special customers who always came to the shop Who ask for certain cuts of meat, like butterfly their chop!
And think of all the freezer meat, that o’er the years was cut The beef was great and from the bones, was many a happy mutt. And what of all the Bar B Qs who depend upon this store Will they go empty now, because good steaks will be no more? They also have two Helens who worked for years you see And had Jim Butcher at the helm, who cusses the A&P. And what of all the part-time help they depend upon so much They’ll have to find some other work, and always keep in touch. Now Georgie is a golfer was hasten to add in fun And always in his chats with you, he’ll find a little pun. He loves to entertain the girls, when they come in the shop He gets them all a-twitter, and they laugh till they can’t stop. He always keeps things lively and they’ll miss him thats for “shore” It won’t be fun without him, in any other store. The seniors will miss that service and shopping’ll be a chore They’ll be lugging home their heavy bags, from an inferior grocery store.
Now isn’t it a pity that a store like this should close It’s going to hurt us all a lot, as everybody knows.
They say they’re losing money, so it’s time to shut the door But it’ll be a tragic day for Byron, when “Superior is no more”
Page 12 Byron Villager July/Aug 2025
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Colin appreciates the collabo- rative process of filmmaking, often working with two or three people on small projects or with larger teams on more in- volved projects. Long-time By- ron residents Louise and Jeff Carroll are two photographers Colin worked with on We Lend a Hand . Colin moved to Byron in 1996 with his wife, Suzanne Ander - son and raised their sons, Saul and Arie, there. Colin loves how beautiful Byron is and its small-town feel, but it’s the people that kept him calling it home for almost 30 years. “My neighbours have been so kind and supportive through every stage of life.”
Everyone has a Story Everyone has a story, and Byron resident Colin Field has made it his latest career to use film to tell those stories of people, places, and things that have been left untold or forgotten. This past June, Colin celebrated the London premiere of his latest documentary, We Lend a Hand , which shares the little-known
Colin doing interviews on the set of We Lend a Hand
story of Ontario’s Farmerettes — the teenage girls who farmed the fields throughout the province during World War II while the men were away fighting. “Bonnie Sitter, who became my protagonist, co-authored a book with Londoner Shirleyan English called ‘ Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: Memories of Ontario Farmerettes ’ and I became enamoured with this forgotten story,” Colin explains. The Old South Village Pub’s house-made Yorkshire Pudding is topped with thinly sliced roasted beef, horseradish mayo and served with beef au jus. www.oldsouthpub.com Warm Beef Yorkies from the Old South Village Pub Directions Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Colin’s own story of becoming a filmmaker started when he taught himself how to make films using his iPhone during the pandemic lockdowns. As he was winding down a successful 25-year career managing human resource computer systems with TD Bank, Colin realized he wasn’t ready to retire. He decided instead to do something that tapped into his curiosity and creativity. Taking his new-found hobby a step further, Colin arranged for a sabbatical from the bank and attended a one-year filmmaking program at Fanshawe College, graduating in June 2022. Whisk together eggs and milk until they are foamy, and then mix with flour and salt. Do not overmix. Allow the batter to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Add about a teaspoon of fat to each cup of a muffin tin. Place the tin in the oven to heat for five to seven minutes. Fill each cup of the muffin tin to about half full, and return the tin to the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the puddings are crisp and golden brown. Serve immediately, drizzled with remaining melted butter as desired. Recipe yields 12
Tragically, Suzanne passed away in 2021 after a sudden illness. “It was in the middle of my sabbatical, and that tragedy helped me focus on rebuilding my life in a new direction.” In the past three years, Colin has collaborated on several short documentaries, either as director, producer, editor, or cinematographer. Several of his projects have screened at the Forest City Film Festival, including Take Action, Something From Nothing, Voice, Over the Harbour, One = People+Planet, and The Horseman . As Colin’s story unfolds, he loves that he can use all the skills and abilities he has honed through his 60 years of “walking on this planet” to create things he finds meaningful. “The work I’ve done in film has allowed me to explore the world, meet hundreds of amazing people, and develop new friendships with many young, talented, inspiring people who keep me motivated to create.” Visit www.welendahand.ca/events to find screening locations for We Lend a Hand this summer and fall. You can also see
While filmmaking is challenging work, for Colin, it’s also fun and provides him with an opportunity to exercise his problem-solving skills. “All the neurons in your brain are constantly at work, plus your emotions, and your body too if you’re operating the camera during filming,” he adds. Colin’s process for making a film is iterative. “You need a strong vision at the start, but you also need to be flexible to go in new directions and to be open to happy accidents.”
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Colin’s past films on Vimeo. All photos courtesy of Colin Field
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Page 13 Byron Villager July/Aug 2025
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