Port Stanley Villager November 2024

Port Stanley Villager November 2024 Issue 63

Letter from the Editor At the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to remember. But do you know why? One reason is straightforward: the armistice that ended the fighting in World War I took effect at 11 am on November 11, 1918. Perhaps, for you, it’s more personal — remem- bering a loved one who served and

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. Local Remembrance Day Ceremonies Port Stanley Legion Cenotaph 310 George St., Port Stanley Sunday, November 10, 11 am Southwold Remembrance Day Ceremony Southwold Keystone Complex, 35921 Talbot Line, Shedden Sunday, November 10th, 9:30 am

honouring their sacrifice. Maybe it’s a tradition, something learned in school, where we gathered in the gym to recite In Flanders Fields and listen to the haunting notes of the Last Post and Reveille . Or is it to honour all those who served, died, and lie in foreign lands, protecting the ideals of freedom? It could also be that, while we gather to remember, many around the world are still enduring the horrors of war — facing the very struggles we think of as past. Whatever your reasons, I hope you take the time to participate in a Remembrance Day ceremony this year. Consider attending the service at the Port Stanley Legion or at any of our other local events. If you’re unable to attend, choose your own reason to remember at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” Martin Luther King Jr.

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Studio Style’s Support with Sweaters Fundraiser by Peri Hayes Owner of Studio Style, Kim Ariesen, celebrates the return of their Support with Sweaters Fundraiser in the lakeside village. “Cozy up with sweaters and cardigans as the days are getting shorter and the air is getting colder,” Kim enthuses. Proud to be giving back to her community, she announces that there will be an array of style choices provided in this community-focused event which are suited to the autumnal colours and the crisp weather of the season.

Kim delightedly continues, “This campaign was created to highlight the theatre, as well as for you to purchase your fall sweater and support the community. Keeping the Port Stanley Festival Theatre top of mind, I want to let people know that our theatre is fantastic -- while singing the praises of those who are gifted in the performing arts.” $5.00 from every sweater purchased at Studio Style during the month of November is directed toward the Port Stanley Festival Theatre (PSFT). Through this, their Support with Sweaters Fundraiser strives to contribute to the various productions showcased in this local space.. “Melissa Kempf,” Kim thoughtfully reveals, “Was part of this inspiration and collaboration several years ago when she was the Theatre’s Manager.” She also earnestly expresses what motivates her personal involvement: “This initiative is dear to my heart because of my daughter. She’s in music, and it’s my way of supporting the performing arts and those pursuing their passion.”

Studio Style’s event will be open to the public from November 1st until November 30th during their regular hours of operation: Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, located at 215 Main Street. Those with inquiries about Studio Style and their Support with Sweaters Fundraiser are welcome to connect with Kim by phone at 519-782-7467, and to visit their Studio Style Apparel Facebook page for further information.

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Port Stanley Villager • November 2024 • Page 3

Port Stanley Community Calendar Recurring Events Pre-School Storytime Port Stanley Library, every Tuesday at 10:00 am. Join us for songs, stories, and a craft. Ages 0-5 and their caregiver. Knitting Group Port Stanley Library, every Tuesday at 2 pm. Bring your projects and meet new people. Everybody welcome. Men’s Club Port Stanley Library, every Monday at 10 am. Pop in for a chat and coffee. Kids Club Port Stanley Library, every Monday, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. (Starting September 9th). Join us for a story, games, and a craft. Grades 1 and up, JK/SK with a caregiver. Holistic movement with Nia Union Sports and Community Centre, every Friday at 10 am. Enjoy dance, martial arts and relaxation techniques, contact niawithg@gmail.com

Friday November 15th, 2024 Holiday Craft for Adults Port Stanley Library, 10 am. Do you like crafting? Join us and make a Holiday craft. Space is limited. Cost $8 Monday November 18th, 2024 Scrapbooking Port Stanley Library, 10 am to 12 pm. 302 Bridge St, Port Stanley. Organize your photos. Cost: $6 Please pre-register. Thursday November 21st, 2024 Adult Book Club Port Stanley Library, 6 pm. 302 Bridge St, Port Stanley. We will discuss The Girl in His Shadow by Audrey Blake. Everybody welcome. Artist Meet Up Port Stanley Library, 1 pm to 3 pm. 302 Bridge St, Port Stanley. Everyone will be working on their own projects. Bring your project and the materials that you need.

Monday November 4th, 2024 Card Making Port Stanley Library, 1 pm to 3 pm 302 Bridge St, Port Stanley Create two handmade cards with Jean. Cost: $10 Please pre-register Port Stanley Art Guild Accepting New Members Port Stanley United Church, 7 pm 239 Colborne St, Port Stanley. Wanting to connect with our art community? Check out our website for details and contact us for more info. www.portstanleyartguild.com Thursday November 7th Phone and Tablet Basics Port Stanley Library, 10:30 am. Want to learn what you can all do with your smartphone or tablet? Mitchell Laframboise from Razzberry’s Tech Services will answer all your questions. The Hypnosis Experience Port Stanley Festival Theatre, 7:30 pm. $35 for a ticket, enjoy the Hypnosis Experience in this fun filled night of adult hypno-tainment with the ever- talented and funny Kevin Edwards. This is a fundraiser for the Port Stanley Bandshell Committee.

The Port Stanley Community Calendar is put together by the Port Stanley Villager Magazine and the Port Stanley Villager Association. To have your event included in an upcoming calendar, email hometown@ villagerpublications.com with the name of the event, the date, time, location, and a description of up to 20 words. Spend the Holidays with Joshua & Company OPEN HOUSE Fri Nov 8th 10-7 • Sat Nov 9th 10-5 Sun Nov 10th 10-5 Draw for a discount when you make a purchase Dickens Days: November 22, 23, 24 & 30, December 1 & 2 Promos exclude Jellycat merchandise C

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Councillor’s Corner by Michelle Graham As we continue to build our new team at the Municipality of Central Elgin (MCE), we would like to welcome Carla Leitch as our HR Manager. Carla brings 20 years of experience to the position and has already assimilated well to the new culture at the municipal offices. I am eager to see her utilize her proficiency and skillfulness to take the lead in reorienting our HR department. A Governance Committee, consisting of myself, the Deputy Mayor and Ward 4 Councillor David Connors, was established in September 2024. We serve in an advisory role to collaborate with staff on the review of procedures and regulatory tools and to provide recommendations to Council regarding transparency, accountability policies, effective and efficient decision-making structures, as well as methods or tools to build on current AD SAVE DIRECT RESPONSE MEDIA GROUP 240 Wyecroft Road, Oakville, ON L6K 2G7 1 866 993-0600 drmg.com

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Margaret Armstrong, Sharing Her Story by Peri Hayes

Living a memorable life thus far, Margaret Armstrong introduces her story: “I was born in Portobello, Edinburgh. I enjoy painting the water, as it reminds me of my seaside hometown.” Margaret would blissfully wander along the beach, detailing, “There were no scary monsters in our childhood. What reared its ugly head was WWII. During mass evacuation from Britain, ships were bombed and children were lost. You could hear the planes flying above to get to Glasgow.” Residing in a tenement at the time and the youngest of eight, Margaret reveals, “I’m sure we were a little congested, but I don’t remember that. At school one day, however, I recall being marched up to the train station along with my classmates. Our teachers put us on the train. Periodically, the train would stop and kids would get off. I proceeded to live with a family for six

months and without my siblings. I moved closer to the village, where I stayed with a young couple for another six months before they moved. In the village where the school was, I ended up living for three years with an elderly lady, Mrs. Grieve.” Margaret was only five years old the day she got on that train. Upon meeting Mrs. Grieve, Margaret shares that she felt afraid: “We were just told that this is where we were going. Nobody explained.” Meanwhile, Margaret’s eldest brother stayed home to refurbish the plumbing in bombed or torpedoed ships. Margaret’s proclaimed ‘Bevan Boy’ brother was sent into the mines to dig coal, while another battled in Burma. Having zero communication with her mother and isolated from her siblings, Margaret believes this to be when she began growing her independence. As she humbly offers, “I’m not the only one, and I consider myself lucky. I do sometimes think I should write a book on the war’s effect on a family.” At the age of nine, Margaret returned to the city of Portobello and reconnected with her family. She would study in a one-room schoolhouse, beginning high school at age 11 and graduating at 15. Inspired by her mother’s healthcare profession, Margaret decided to pursue nursing as her career at 17: “I hope that I’m my mother’s daughter. She was so nice and welcoming.” Following her midwifery finals, Margaret set sail that evening for the next six months to join her sister and brother-in-law in Canada. With a focus on bedside care and ‘well-baby check- ups’, a patient of hers even named their baby after the influential Margaret. She would become a mother to two daughters, all three having worked at Victoria Hospital simultaneously.

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Clearing Clearing Most recently, Margaret has been enduring breast cancer and the aftermath of a cerebellar stroke earlier this year. The optimistic Margaret cheerfully declares, “This is the best that I’ve felt, and I want to give a boost to the stroke unit in our local hospital -- one of six in Ontario accepting stroke victims.” Scaffolding Tough Jobs Made Easier Tough Jobs Made Easier Tragically, Margaret’s first husband passed away from sleep apnea. She would later marry a farmer from Dexter, which Margaret connects to her involvement with a church located in Oldhamstocks Village during her time in Mrs. Grieve’s care: “There are ministers in the records of this old church going back a couple of centuries, including ‘Hepburn’. The Hepburn Coat of Arms is in cement on the original church that I went to, with connections to Mitchell Herpburn’s locally-owned ‘Bannockburn Farms’. I’d been away from that village for 20 years, and I end up living with my second husband within walking distance of where the minister’s family came from. Coincidences happen, but are they coincidences?”

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Port Stanley Villager • November 2024 • Page 7

Celebrating Dickens’ Days Parade and Weekend by Peri Hayes Ryan Featherstone, Board member with the Port Stanley BIA, prepares for the upcoming Dickens’ Days celebration. Ryan is involved in the organizing committee for Dickens’ Days, a position which he has filled for the previous two years. He introduces this highly anticipated event: “Dickens’ Days far predates my involvement, but the Christmas themes inspired by Charles Dickens are perfectly suited to our village. It is a wonderfully nostalgic and immersive event that captures the essence of a Victorian-era holiday celebration.” “Port Stanley has had a long-standing tradition of running Dickens’ Days,” Ryan offers. “This year is a bit different because it is Port Stanley’s bi-centennial. We are running BIA-featured events for the weekend of November 23rd and 24th, as well as November 30th and December 1st to give more people an opportunity to discover and enjoy this Port Stanley tradition. We will have horse-drawn carriage rides from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on both days of both weekends. We have carolers adorned in Victorian costume, warming stations throughout the village where you can roast marshmallows and the return of Santa’s Workshop. With any luck, we will also be revisited by our charismatic and boisterous town crier.” These featured events will primarily be occurring on Main Street, as well as Colborne and Bridge Streets. Ryan expresses, “I like to see the people flooding into the village and speak with them about their impression of our town and how far they’ve come to experience it. I also love to see the village decorated and lit up for the holidays. It’s such a beautiful place.”

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proceeds south toward the traffic lights before heading west on Bridge Street and then south on William Street. The parade will conclude at the Main Beach parking lot. Rick enthusiastically presents, “The official theme is always ‘a Victorian Christmas’ to match the Dickens’ Days motif, but we do have prizes in other categories as well: ‘Winter Wonderland’ for the entry that exhibits the most ‘Christmas-y’ vibes; the ‘Best Youth’ entry and a ‘Judges Choice’ category.” Asked what personally excites Rick about this celebration, he charismatically exclaims, “Uh – Hello? SANTA IS GOING TO BE THERE! I’m also looking forward to the free hot chocolate at Mackie’s after the parade.” Those with inquiries about Dickens’ Days weekend are welcome to email Ryan at feathersold@royallepage.ca, while the Lions Club contact for the Dickens’ Days Parade is Lion Joe Konecny, at konecny1071@gmail.com or 226-658-0152.

The Sounds of Christmas Featuring Barbara Sadegur Mezzo soprano Formerly of Opera Hamilton With the Voices of Christ Church Saturday November 23rd 7:00pm Christ Anglican Church

Discussing the Dickens’ Days Parade in the lakeside village is Rick Nemett, President of the Port Stanley Lions (Leos) Club: “As President, I oversee the committee in charge of organizing the parade.” Additionally, Rick travels in the parade with the Port Stanley and District Leos Club -- who will be joyfully collecting letters from children to be hand-delivered to Santa Claus in the North Pole. Furthermore, the Port Stanley Firefighters Association — or the Leos in the case of the Firefighters being called — will be collecting canned goods for the Community Cupboard. The Dickens’ Days Parade is transpiring on November 29th this year, as Rick describes, “It is always on the last Friday of November; that is historically the start of the Dickens’ Days weekend in Port Stanley.” The parade will commence at 7:00 pm on Colborne Street — connected to Stanley Street — and

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Port Stanley Villager • November 2024 • Page 9

Christmas Bazaar Listings! Saturday, November 2nd

Holy Angels Christmas Carols Bazaar 502 Talbot St, St Thomas 9 am – 1 pm

Central United Church Bazaar 135 Wellington St., St. Thomas 8 am – 12:30 pm

Something for everyone on your list! From Attic Treasures to Crafts, Bake Table, Canning, Toys and Sandwich/Soup Lunch. St. Thomas Anglican Church A Christmas Wonderland Bazaar. 20 Flora St., St. Thomas. 8 am – 1 pm Gift Baskets, jewellery, children’s table, sewing/knitting/crafts, bake table/preserves, frozen meat/fruit pies and much more. St. Thomas Christian Church Christmas Bazaar 451 Wellington Street 8 am – 12 pm Christmas decor, knitwear, woodwork, candles, clothing, jewelry, baked goods, prepared meals, soup & chilli, coffee & tea, raffle & 50/50 with proceeds from the 50/50 going to support Hospice of Elgin. Saturday November 9th & Sunday November 10th Deck the Halls with Halters Bazaar Behind the Bit 5736 Putnam Rd, Springfield, ON 11 am – 4 pm Meet Santa, Pony Rides, Vendors, Food, Games & More! Friday, November 15 Light Up Talbot Holiday Market The Nook - 567 Talbot St, St. Thomas 5 pm – 9 pm The perfect time to do some Holiday shopping! Taking place during Light Up Talbot – a festive downtown event with horse-

Christmas shop, gift baskets, bake table/deli, attic treasures, Christmas arrangements, sewing & knitting and more. Large silent auction on the main level. Wheelchair accessible with Interac available. Harvest Bounty Bazaar New Vision Community Church, 38 Aldborough Rd. 9 am – 12 pm There will be preserves, baking including meat pies, puzzles, books, knitting, jewelry, gift baskets and a coffee corner.

Sunday, November 3rd Kokomo Christmas Market 98 The Promenade, Port Stanley 11 am – 4 pm Lots of local vendors and a food truck. Saturday, November 9th Handmade Christmas Show & Sale Masonic Centre of Elgin, 42703 Fruit Ridge Line 10 am – 4 pm

Returning for the 9th annual Handmade Christmas Show & Sale. This Christmas tradition featuring locally made artisanal products from local vendors, all in time for the holidays.

DICKENS’ DAY GIVEAWAY Presented by the Port Stanley Villager

Fill in this ballot and drop it off on November 23rd, 24th, 30th or December 1st at either Studio Style, Joshua and Company, or Pepper Spice Tree Co. for your chance to win $300 worth of gift cards featuring $100 from each of those three locations. You must be 18 to enter the contest, only one ballot per person, and a resident of Elgin County to be eligible. Ballots may only be entered during business hours of the four participating businesses on November 23rd, 24th, 30th or December 1st. The prize has no cash value. The winner agrees to have their name and photo shared on social media and in the Port Stanley Villager. The odds of winning vary as to the number of participants.

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Saturday November 30th & Sunday December 1st Christkindl Market Saxonia Hall German Canadian Club, 522 Talbot St W., Aylmer, ON, 10 am – 4 pm Vendors and Saxonia Hall Brunch and Frozen Food will be available for purchase on both days. Friday, December 6th Merry Magic Christmas Market The Nook – 567 Talbot St, St. Thomas 5 pm - 8 pm Come support local makers, small shops & artisans at our 3rd annual Merry Magic Christmas market! The perfect chance to finish up your Christmas shopping. Saturday December 7th & Sunday December 8th St. Thomas Artisan & Crafters Christmas Market Grand Central Mall, 300 Talbot Street Saturday 11 am – 7 pm, Sunday 11 am – 5 pm Come and see over 50 local venders with hand-made crafts and a great selection of potential Christmas Gifts. Specials for Seniors on Sunday! Saturday, December 14th & Sunday December 15th The Ice Box Christmas Market Joe Thornton Community Centre 75 Caso Crossing, St. Thomas Saturday 4 pm – 9 pm, Sunday 1 pm – 7 pm Come and visit this new and exciting Christmas Market that will feature 55 Vendors each day!

drawn wagon rides, warming stations with snacks, live music, annual tree lighting at City Hall and of course, Santa! Friday November 15th, 22nd, 29th, December 6th 2024 CASO Station’s Christmas Night Markets 750 Talbot St., St. Thomas Time TBD Shop in the historic CASO Station as they host local vendors offering uniquely crafted items that would be perfect for any Christmas list. Saturday, November 16th Cranberry Courtyard Christmas Market St. Hilda’s - St. Luke’s Church, 185 Elm Street, St. Thomas 9 am – 1 pm Christmas Craft Sale St. Thomas Senior Centre, 225 Chestnut St, St Thomas 8 am – 12 pm Vendors, baked goods & Crafts. Saturday, November 23rd King’s Academy Christmas Market Held at Fellowship Church - 641 Elm St. St.Thomas 10 am – 2 pm Close to 30 different vendors registered for the day! Saturday, November 30th Port Stanley Arena Annual Christmas Bazaar 332 Carlow Rd, Port Stanley 9 am – 1 pm Local makers, artisans and vendors. Something for everyone with refreshments available.

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Port Stanley Villager • November 2024 • Page 11

Port Stanley Villager Geoffrey Rae, Managing Editor /Sales Geoff@villagerpublications.com 519-495-7177 All articles written by Geoffrey Rae unless otherwise indicated. Writer – Peri Hayes Copy Editor – Peter Bloch-Hansen Publisher – Barb Botten barb@villagerpublications.com The Voices of Christ Church is a group of six vocalists, male and female, brought together for this special performance. Their repertoire will include non-traditional Christmas music, largely English in style, but also selections from African-American and Appalachian traditions. Dianne shares her excitement about the choir’s unique song choices, which draw from her family’s deep love of music: “I have a number of songs at my disposal that not everyone knows, but I think everyone will appreciate hearing.” An Evening of Holiday Harmony Christ Anglican Church will come alive with the sounds of Christmas on November 23rd at 7 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm), when the church hosts The Sounds of Christmas, a festive concert featuring mezzo-soprano Barbara Sadegur and the Voices of Christ Church. The evening promises to be a celebration of music, community, and tradition. Dianne Higgins, one of the performers and event organizers, is eager to share the talents of her church community. “I began attending services here three years ago, shortly after we moved to Port Stanley. One of the first things I noticed,” she shares, “Was how much music was a part of this congregation. We have some wonderful voices, people who really like to sing, and a great musical director, Paul Wells. A gifted musician, Paul not only plays the piano and guitar but also composes music for the congregation. Dianne explains that the idea for the concert was a natural fit, given the musical talent within the congregation and, “It came to me that it would be great to hold a Christmas concert because the acoustics here are fabulous,” she says. Adding mezzo- soprano, Barbara Sadegur, a seasoned performer based in Toronto, elevates the event. “Barbara has excellent training. She’s retired now, but she still likes to perform. She was very happy to participate and thought it sounded great.”

In addition to the musical performances, the evening will feature dramatic readings and conclude with a traditional English Christmas tea, complete with pastries from Higgins House. “We’ll have mini tarts, Christmas cake, and all that kind of thing,” Dianne adds, highlighting the festive spirit of the evening. The concert marks a significant moment for Christ Anglican Church, as it is the first winter event of its kind in years. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children, available at www.ticketscene.ca. For Dianne and the church, The Sounds of Christmas is not just about the music but about bringing people together. “There’s a real message of hope in most of that music,” she says, reflecting on the joy the concert will bring to the community.

Graphic Artist – Cathy Wood C opyright @ 2015 Villager Publications.

All rights reserved. This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproducedor 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.

SCAN ME Give today.

Page 12 Port Stanley Villager • November 2024

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Port Stanley Sparkles: A November with Remembrance, Revelry and the Richness of Tradition by Marna Berry, CEO, Travel Green Oh, the festive spirit is indeed in the air, and Port is wrapping itself in the twinkling

Let’s come together to celebrate the season of giving, the joy of community. Whether it’s honouring our heroes, marvelling at the Dickens Days Night parade, enjoying exquisite music, or finding that perfect gift, November in Port Stanley is where Ports’ Christmas spirit starts to shine. Let’s make these moments unforgettable, for it’s the shared experiences and cherished memories that truly make this season magical.

Port Stanley Villager November 2024 cover

lights and joyous echoes of Christmas cheer! It’s time to mark some very special dates that promise to fill our hearts with warmth and our community with the spirit of togetherness. First on our list of must-attend events is the PS Legion’s reflective Remembrance Day services on Sunday, November 10th and 11th. Sunday, the parade begins at 11:00 am, a fly-by, and the presence of local dignitaries. Monday, November 11th, holds a smaller service, with wreaths laid, starting at 11 am. As we honour our past, we also embrace the joy of the present and the hope of the future. Enjoy a staged reading of Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, November 23rd at 7 pm, at The Port Stanley Festival Theatre. ‘Sounds of Christmas’ will resonate through the historical Christ Anglican Church. The talented mezzo-soprano Barbara Sadegur, accompanied by a stellar ensemble, will fill the evening with melodies on Saturday, November 23rd, at 7 pm. With only 100 tickets available, this intimate concert is a treasure not to be missed. To get your tickets, visit www.ticketscene.ca/ events/49613. And the festivities don’t stop there! Our traditional Dickens Days Festival kicks off with the 26th Annual Port Stanley Dickens Day Night Parade on Friday, November 29th, from 7 pm to 8 pm. Imagine the streets of Port Stanley alive with the magic of Christmas as floats, inspired by the spirit of Dickens, wind their way through the heart of our town. This year, they’re aiming to light up the faces of our community with over 30 floats, and they need your creativity to make it happen! To enter the parade, contact Joe Konecny/Port Stanley Lions Club (226) 658-0152. Santa’s Workshops, Horse Drawn Carriage rides and Dickens Carollers invite you to join in the festivities. Shop the local shops & Christmas Bazaar, Saturday, November 30th, from 9 am to 1 pm, to find those perfect holiday gifts. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support local and find unique treasures for your loved ones.

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To advertise here, please contact Geoff@villagerpublications.com

Port Stanley Villager • November 2024 • Page 13

Looking for a New Shed this Winter?

We fix what your husband repairs & so much more! Ask about our Plumbing Service Plans!

519.207.0621 elgincountyplumbing.ca

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

Residential / Commercial 24 hr Emergency Services Visit our showroom at 16 Barrie Blvd., St. Thomas

Since 1974 10055 Carter Rd.

Now under new ownership

st.thomas@mollymaid.ca

RESIDENTIAL •SEPTIC TANK CLEANING•

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233 Edward Street, St. Thomas, ON phone: 519-633-1580 fax: 519-633-8531 impressions-printing.com

Calling all knitters Together we can bring the warmth of the season to our fellow people! The weather is starting to turn, and it is cold outside. Please knit some extra mittens, hats, scarves, blankets, sweaters etc. for those in need. There are many places and people who could use them. If you would like me to pick up your knitting, give me a call at 519-495-7177 or email geoff@villagerpublications.com and I’ll be happy to arrange a pickup. We are working with Simply Pure Water, so if you would prefer to drop off knitting drop it off with Chris, Jame and the team!

oomers B and EYOND B

Hometown St. Thomas

Port Stanley Villager

123 Wellington St., St. Thomas 519-637-3306

Page 14 Port Stanley Villager • November 2024

To advertise here, please contact Geoff@villagerpublications.com

Port Matters by Frances Kennedy franceskennedy782@gmail.com November is the month the boat slips have emptied, when we dump pumpkins, and cut and cull gardens. There’s a kind of hush until after Remembrance Day before the rush of Christmas heralded by the Dickens’ Day evening parade on November 29th.

Next up? The Kokomo Christmas Market, Sunday, November 3, 11 am to 4 pm at 98 The Promenade. There will be indoor and outdoor vendors and a food truck, and The Hypnotist Experience with our Kevin Edwards on November 7 at PSFT in favour of the PS Bandshell Project. Tickets at psft.ca/event/ the-hypnosis-experience/. Lest we forget... The Remembrance Day Parade and Fly-over is 11 AM Sunday, November 10; the wreath-laying ceremony is Monday, November 11 at 11 am. See PS Christmas Bazaar on FB for details re: November 30! Last, but not least, congratulations to all participants and coordinators of the stunning Studio Tour in September. The diversity of art was matched by the hospitality and charm of the settings. Good news... it’s the 1st Annual! Recently, I encountered a couple who commended Port and the Municipality for their visitor experience. It turns out he works for the City of Port Colborne on Strategic Initiatives. Their tagline is ‘Providing an exceptional small-town experience in a big way.’ There’s an aspiration worth achieving! When we practice our best future, we create it.

Spring and autumn remind us that change is predictable. What’s that got to do with Port? Our ‘New Reality’ is characterized by disruptive change, including cultural, socio-economic, and generational influences, and land development -- all challenges that recommend collaborative public-private sector initiatives. Our electorate wasn’t expecting anything but the same old administrative power hold we saw over previous Councils. But the good news is we elected a Clean Sweep Council who are delivering just that. Yep, change is messy, but here we are now, and case in point: the PSVA engaged with the CE Council over the summer, and the result was the PSVA Community Investment Survey to prioritize the investment priorities of residents and lovers of Port. Hopefully, you responded and on October 24, attended the presentation of the final results! The new reality is Port requires year-round open-for-business enterprises to serve a year-round community, which will support a prosperous local economy. The unity of a community may not be surmised by its size but instead by its shared values. What matters now? Perhaps a reminder of Port’s small-town commitment to doing good for the greater good.... Here’s a partial list: Through her Morning Movement and Meditation sessions, Leanne Forsythe raised $270 for the PS and area Community Cupboard. To donate to the Community Cupboard Neighbours Helping Neighbours, e-transfer to psaacc20@gmail.com or drop off at PS Foodland or Deck Box at 283 Colborne St. Richard Haddow, a long-time supporter of Elgin-St Thomas Community Foundation in their 100+ People Who Care campaign invites donors at esfc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate. Cheers to The Original Cakerie and PS Lioness Club for Putting on the Ritz Wine and Cheese to benefit Hospice of Elgin! The PS Kettle Creek Swans funded $600 towards Christmas Treat Bags and an enormous anonymous food donation was made to the Community Cupboard. Thank you all! ‘Tis the season!

To advertise here, please contact Geoff@villagerpublications.com

Port Stanley Villager • November 2024 • Page 15

READY, SET, OWN Your Move-In-Ready Home comes with $ 10,000 in savings! Your Move-In-Ready Home comes with $ 10,000 in savings!

Purchase an existing pre-built Quick Possession Home from Doug Tarry Homes to SAVE Purchase an existing pre-built Quick Possession Home from Doug Tarry Homes to SAVE

OCTOBER , OCTOBER ,

, ,

THE NEW HOMEOWNER THE NEW HOMEOWNER

TEN THOUSAND TEN THOUSAND

Upon purchasing a pre-built Quick Possession Home that will close before December 31, 2024 from Doug Tarry Homes, included in your firm Agreement of Purchase and Sale will be a $10,000 savings. Upon purchasing a pre-built Quick Possession Home that will close before December 31, 2024 from Doug Tarry Homes, included in your firm Agreement of Purchase and Sale will be a $10,000 savings.

Doug Tarry Homes Doug Tarry Homes

At home or on your phone, go to www.dougtarryhomes.com Promotion starts Tuesday, October 1 st 2024 & ends Tuesday, December 31 st 2024. Some restrictions apply, contact your New Home Sales Consultant today! Prices, specifications and information subject to change without notice. E.O.E. At home or on your phone, go to www.dougtarryhomes.com Promotion starts Tuesday, October 1 st 2024 & ends Tuesday, December 31 st 2024. Some restrictions apply, contact your New Home Sales Consultant today! Prices, specifications and information subject to change without notice. E.O.E.

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