Hyde Park- Oakridge Villager May 2026 ISSUE 100
Celebrating Our 100th Issue
100 Issues. One Incredible Community. Villager Publications proudly presents this, the 100th issue of the Hyde Park-Oakridge Villager community magazine. We extend our appreciation to the artisans and entrepreneurs, businesses,
service organizations, photographers, printers, writers and rea- ders who have helped us share and preseve for posterity the local stories that make our ‘village’ such an incredible community. To celebrate, here’s a look back!
Hyde Park- Oakridge Villager
Hyde Park - Oakridge Villager JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2019 ISSUE 30
January-February 2021 ISSUE 47
JULY-AUGUST 2017 ISSUE 15
See more parade pics by Amy Muschik on pages 14-15
January-February 2019 Cover
December 2016 Cover
January-February 2021 Cover
July-August 2017 Cover
WE SUPPORT LOCAL – YOU CAN TOO! Did you know that Villager Publications is a 100% locally- owned-and-operated small family business? Our friendly com- munity magazines are produced by your local writers, graphic artists and photographers, and to reduce the environmental impact of shipping/mailing longer distances, printed locally too and with environmentally-friendly soya inks. In addition to the thousands of homes in your community that the magazine is delivered to by Canada Post, we expand the reach of your message by stocking copies at local venues and posting online (also environmentally- friendly) at www.villagerpublications.com.
July-August 2024 Cover
September 2025 Cover
A History of Success by Ryan Beliveau
Peter Jacobsen brought his love of gardening to Canada from Germany, where he served his apprenticeship, and founded Parkway Farm ‘n Gardens in 1974. With the help of his wife and three children, he grew diverse crops such as field grown pansies, cut delphiniums
and tropicals in a home-built greenhouse, As the business grew, new greenhouses were added, and his son Erik joined the business as general mana- ger. Today the heart of the bus- iness is the over 70,000 square feet of greenhouses, with production of speciality crops such as perennials, pot- ted annuals, water plants and herbs occurring year round, With Peter’s retirement in 2001, Elik Jacobsen and his wife Birgit von Schmeling plan to
To advertise here, please contact Cathy@VillagerPublications.com Above: The Parkway Gardens feature article in the first Hyde Park Villager (March 2016). Over the past decade, we have featured many photos taken at Parkway Gardens on our front covers. see Parkway flourish and grow in the 21st Century. “The staff al Parkway Gardens share a passion for gardening,” says Jacobsen. “We measure our success in the satisfac- tion of our customers; if your gardens don’t bring you pleasure, we haven’t done our job!” On a sunny day in the winter, the Greenhouse can reach 80 degees. Who needs a tropi- cal holiday?
Page 2 Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • May 2026 Above: First issue – March 2016 – back and front cover.
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Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • May 2026 • Page 3
The Village Vibe
New May blossoms at Crunican Orchards. Hyde Park-Oakridge Villager Issue #100 May 2026 The 100% locally owned and produced Hyde Park-Oakridge 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: Barb Botten P.O. Box 134, Lambeth Station Ontario N6P 1P9 Barb@villagerpublications.com 519-282-7262 Managing Editor / Graphic Artist: Cathy Wood Cathy@villagerpublications.com All articles by Cathy Wood unless otherwise noted. Advertising: Debbie Mindorff Debbie@VillagerPublications.com Cathy Wood Cathy@VillagerPublications.com Distribution Ambassador: Nippy Watson 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.
Scilla Bulbs in bloom along the Rotary Link. In 2016, the London Hyde Park Rotary Club had planted 10,000 Scilla bulbs with the help of Banting horticulture students under the direction of some Parkway Garden employees. Erik Jacobsen of Parkway had recommended Scilla bulbs rather than crocuses, as rabbits and squirrels tend to leave them alone. Photo courtesy of London-Hyde Park Rotary Environment Chair Shayne Mann.
Visitors and vendors alike enjoyed Jaydancin’s Customer Appreciation Day in April. The shop, located at 1700 Hyde Park Road, offers their own ‘Nature’s Lifestyle and Wellness’ products, and also those from a variety of great local suppliers. Visit jaydancin.com to learn more.
Your April 2026 Villager Publications
Article suggestions welcome! We’d love to hear from you. Contact Cathy at Cathy@villagerpublications.com
The complete lineup of Villager Publications community magazines may be read online at www.villagerpublications.com. Contact your Villager rep with article suggestions, local photography that you’d like to share, or to inquire about promoting your business.
Cover photo and article suggestions welcome!
Page 4 Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • May 2026
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Dr. Hassan Mostafa, Dr. Laura Mirzai, Dr. Danescu and Dr. William Xie and their dedicated team offer exceptional dental care for all ages, in a modern, safe space. Canada Dental Care Plan and New Patients Welcome!
640 Hyde Park Road (at Oxford) www.ariadentalcentre.com • (519) 471-3683 • info@ariadentalcentre.com
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Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • May 2026 • Page 5
Message from the Mayor by Mayor Josh Morgan mayor@london.ca 519-661-4920
grades across multiple wards. These projects are part of on- going maintenance needs and our long-term system investment. In the north end, residents have been engaging us regarding traffic flow and pedestrian safety around major retail corridors and school zones. We’re grateful for this feedback and your insights on congestion points and intersection safety, all of which inform our ongoing planning. We’ve also reactivated the Wonderland Road EA to help ease traffic flow along a key corridor and make travel in and out of the neighbourhood simpler. Hyde Park and Oakridge continue to evolve as key growth areas, and the balance between commercial expansion and livability remains a consistent focus in our decision-making. I’m looking forward to further conversations at events and in our parks and trails about this important work. Mayor Josh Morgan
Hyde Park and Oakridge is fully into the spring season, with our streets seeing increased activity as daily routines shift outdoors again. Warmer weather also means spring operations are up and running around London through a combination of pro- grams, including London Clean & Green’s community clean-ups and the Renew Capital construction program.
You’ll already have noticed some of our road rehabilitation, sidewalk replacement, drainage improvements, and targeted infrastructure up-
Ward 8 Update from City Hall
by Steve Lehman, Ward 8 London City Councillor, slehman@london.ca A Step Forward in Addressing Homelessness in London
London continues to make progress on addressing homelessness through a multistep housing approach. Over the past three and a half years, our community has helped 1,500 people move from living rough into permanent housing through shelters, hubs, supportive housing, and ultimately affordable homes. On April 9th, we marked the opening of Coves Landing, a 50 unit supportive housing development. These homes support individuals living with complex mental health or addiction challenges who are ready to transition from hospital care, shelters, or highly supportive hubs, but who still need onsite supports to remain housed. The building is operated by Indwell, which currently runs over 250 supportive housing units in London, with another 100 coming soon. Coves Landing is the result of strong partnerships between the federal, provincial, and municipal governments, along with significant private investment. Funding includes $25 million in private donations through Fund for Change, matched by $11 million in public funding, and support from Developers for Change, a fund established by London’s development community. Local developers Drewlo, Auburn, Sifton, and Tricar played a key role in sourcing the building and completing a major renovation to create these new homes. This is London working together, helping people stabilize today so they can move toward permanent housing tomorrow.
Page 6 Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • May 2026
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Nature London Hikes Medway Heritage Trail by Lissette Verbeem, Nature London
The Nature London Woodcock Walk by Jennifer Evans, President, Nature London The American Woodcock is an elusive bird that migrates from the southern U.S. through London, Ontario, to the boreal forests north of us each year. They are difficult to spot because they typically hide in dense leafy debris. Only about a foot long, their oversized bill is often the only thing that gives them away if you stumble upon them. The best way to see a Woodcock is when they are making noise. During the breeding season between March and May, males attempt to attract mates through an elaborate song and dance unlike any other bird ritual. Luckily, several Woodcocks call within London every year. 2026 has been especially good, with reports of Woodcocks calling behind Fanshawe College, in the Wortley neighborhood, Killaly Meadows, and the Hyde Park area. The performance starts with a series of nasal calls known as peents. After 10 to 20 calls, the male takes to the sky for a sky dance. On March 21, twenty Nature London members visited an un- assuming location behind the Mandarin restaurant in Hyde Park. The road—aptly named Woodcock Street—is a mix of industrial and agricultural land with a cleared area that serves as the perfect stage. Woodcocks perform at both dusk and dawn. At about 20 minutes after sunset, the peent calls began. We waited for the first sky dance; once he took flight, we saw his large, circular body flickering above us like a giant bumblebee. We heard the whistling noise as he descended to the ground and were even treated to views of him sitting on the grass.
March 28 was a wonderful day to get out to hike – the bit of snow and a cool wind soon gave way to a bit more sun, a bit less wind and a bit warmer temperature. We started at about -1ºC and we finished off at about 3ºC, and hiked from 10 am to about noon. I was joined by nine members, and apologize to the people who were not able to find us. Snowdrop flowers were ready to open, just waiting on some sunshine, to melt the snow to show in their full glory. They were open on our return. The yellow flowers of Coltsfoot (looks a bit like dandelions, but not the same green leaf shape) and skunk cabbage were up, not yet in full green leaf stage. Pussy willows were also in bloom. Some of the hikers were first timers on this trail near 1780 Attawandaran. It is mostly paved with a section through the forest that is usually wood chip covered. The trail was dry for the most part, unlike what we might have encountered had we hiked this back in December, when we had the freezing rain, snow and rain all within a couple of days. We started off spotting of a couple house finches, some robins, and a couple of grackles. Down the path to the bridge, we encountered a couple of mallards, a few redwings, Canada geese doing a fly over, crows, a coopers hawk and some flying TVs (oh yes – known as turkey vultures) circled above on the thermals. The river was moving but there was not much in terms of ducks. Back on the main path heading towards Sunningdale, we encountered goldfinch, robins, grackles, house sparrows, some more house finches, a couple of black squirrels, mourning doves, rock or ferral pigeons, a brown-headed cowbird, cardinal, eastern phoebe (first of the season), white-throated sparrows, dark-eyed juncos, and black-capped chickadees. A juvenile bald eagle graced us with its presence and sat for quite a while so all of us could get a good look at it. We saw a few more mallards in a couple locations, as well as a downy woodpecker, blue jays, chipping sparrows, and starlings, and a red-bellied woodpecker to round out our 25 or so bird species, in addition to seeing some spring flowers, and mammal species. We made it through the forest – a very productive wander along the Medway Creek and then by that point, it was time to head back. Learn more about Nature London at www.naturelondon.com.
If you would like to see an American Woodcock this spring, there is still time! These interesting fellows will call until the end of May. Head to eBird.org to find recent sightings and visit those locations just after sunset. I hope you get to experience the magic of the Woodcock soon—and be sure to check naturelondon.ca for future walks! Tree Assessment Tree Trimming & Removal Hedge and Shrub Trimming & Removal Lawn Fertilizing J & A Arbory EST. 2014 Jeff Franklin @ 519-494-2009 Please call or text. Full Insurance & Liability coverage • Boom & Height certified
Photo by Lissette Verbeem
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Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • May 2026 • Page 7
We hope you and a guest will join us. Please call Rachel or Linda at 519-474-9356 or email rachel.mccauley@edwardjones.com or linda.skally@edwardjones.com by the Tuesday p to Coffee Club. Contact me today to register! December 10th, 20 9:30am - 11:00am Edward Jones 1637 Hyde Pa (SW corner of London, ON N Club. The Coffee Club is an informal gathering to discuss current events, the economy and investing, in a relaxed, informal setting, and is a great way to get to know one another. Contact me today to register! Event Details October 29th, 2022 9:30am - 11:00am November 26th, 2022 9:30am - 11:00am SARI Therapeutic welcomes Toni! SARI Therapeutic Riding has welcomed the arrival of An- toinette, a new therapy horse, affectionately known as Toni. The acquisition was made possible through the incredible generosity of a $10,000 donation from 100+ Women Who Care London and Area, a local charity. One of SARI’s large horses recently retired due to an injury, resulting in some lessons being postponed. The donation enabled the purchase of Toni, a very large, 16 year old, grey percheron mare, her transport to SARI, and the equipment needed for her to begin participating in SARI’s programs of supporting people with disabilities to work toward their physical, communicative, and cognitive goals.
December 10th, 2022 9:30am - 11:00am Edward Jones 1637 Hyde Park Rd. Unit 7 (SW corner of plaza near construction London, ON N6H SL7
We hope you and a guest will join us. Please call Rachel or Linda at 519-474-9356 or email rachel.mccauley@edwardjones.com or linda.skally@edwardjones.com by the Tuesday prior to Coffee Club. We hope you and a guest will join us. Please call Rachel or Linda at 519-474-9356 or email rachel.mccauley@edwardjones.com or linda.skally@edwardjones.com by the Tuesday prior to Coffee Club.
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Coffee Club To help jump-start your day, join us for a cup of coffee and conversation at our next Coffee Club. The Coffee Club is an informal gathering to discuss current events, the economy and investing, in a relaxed, informal setting, and is a great way to get to know one another.
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www.crunicanorchards.com 519-666-0286 23778 Richmond St. London rachel.mccauley@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.ca/rachel-mccauley EXP 31 DEC 2023 © 2020 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGH WE SELL OVER 100 LOCAL PRODUCTS Gift Baskets AND MORE!! @crunicanapples Crunican Orchards Contact me today to register! We hope you and a guest will join us. Please call Rachel or Linda at 519-474-9356 or email rachel.mccauley@edwardjones.com or linda.skally@edwardjones.com by the Tuesday prior to Coffee Club. Please call 519-474-9356 or email rachel.mccauley@edwardjones.com by the Tuesday prior to Coffee Club. October 29th, 2022 9:30am - 11:00am November 26th, 2022 9:30am - 11:00am May 30, 9:30–11:00am at Edward Jones, 1634 Hyde Park Rd., Unit 7 December 10th, 2022 9:30am - 11:00am Edward Jones 1637 Hyde Park Rd. Unit 7 (SW corner of plaza near construction) London, ON N6H SL7 Coffee & Snacks are on us. Event Details October 29th, 2022 9:30am - 11:00am November 26th, 2022 9:30am - 11:00am December 10th, 2022 9:30am - 11:00am Edward Jones 1637 Hyde Park Rd. Unit 7 (SW corner of plaza near construction) London, ON N6H SL7
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Page 8 Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • May 2026 Coffee Club To help jump-start your day, join us for a cup of coffee and conversation at our next Coffee Club. Rachel B McCauley Financial Advisor 1634 Hyde Park Rd. London, ON N6H 5L7 519-474-9356 Oakridge Secondary School Students Relay for Life Oakridge Secondary School students will be celebrating cancer survivors, walking laps, enjoying fun activities, supporting people living with cancer, collecting online donations and remembering those we’ve lost. Friday, June 12, 2026 • 11am – 11pm Oakridge Secondary School, 1040 Oxford Street West Donations will help fund groundbreaking research and vital services that support Canadians currently living with cancer. Help Oakridge Secondary School students meet their $120,000 goal! - Unit 7 rachel.mccauley@edwardjones.com www.edwardjones.ca/rachel-mccauley EXP 31 DEC 2023 © 2020 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See reverse for important disclosures. See reverse for important disclosures. Join us Coffee & Snacks are on us. To learn more and to donate, click the QR or contact Andrea Brule at a.brule@tvdsb.ca
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100+ Women Who Care London & Area The 100+ Women Who Care London & Area group gathers four times a year, each member donating $100 per meeting to raise money for local charities.
“Toni is a big girl with an even bigger heart, and her calm, gentle demeanour makes her ideally suited to life as a therapy horse,” said Lisa Citton-Battel, Executive Director at SARI. “Staff and volunteers have already fallen in love with her. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Barb Botten, Suzanne McAllister, and all the amazing members of 100+ Women Who Care London and Area for their generosity and belief in the mission of therapeutic riding.”
Spring Maintenance Tips 1. Ensure your car’s undercarriage is clean by visiting a car wash that offers a thorough undercarriage wash or using a high- pressure garden hose to remove salt, sand, and grime that can cause erosion. 2. Give your car a deep clean both inside and out to get rid of winter residue, wax the exterior, clean floor mats, and declutter the trunk. 3. Swap out your winter tires for all-season or performance tires once the temperature consistently rises above 7°C. 4 Have your brakes checked for any salt-related corrosion while getting your tires changed at a service center. 5 Check your tire alignment and consider rotating your tires if you kept them on during the winter. 6 Monitor your tire pressure regularly, especially during temp- erature changes, to ensure optimal performance. 7. Replace your wiper blades to prepare your car for the changing seasons. Members nominate, vet and randomly select local charities to present at their meetings, after which a vote is taken to determine which charity will receive the evening’s collective donation – $10,000, when 100 members participate. “There is no work, no fundraising, just the fun of giving and immediate impact,” stated London branch co-founder Barb Botten. New members are welcome. Learn more and register at 100womenwhocarelondon.com. The next meeting is May 26!
SARI Therapeutic Riding is a registered non- profit, dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through the transformative power of horses. They are located at 12659 Med- way Road in Arva. Learn more at www.sari.ca
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2117 Aldersbrook Road (Wonderland & Aldersbrook) London, ON 519-473-0510 Sir Frederick Banting Seconday School Students Relay for Life In late May, Banting Secondary School students will be walking laps, enjoying fun activities, and supporting people living with cancer by participating in the Relay for Life. The goal for Banting’s 2026 Relay for Life event is to raise $30,000. To date, Banting’s lifetime total of fundraising for cancer is $490, 031.00. To learn more or donate, click the QR at right, follow Banting’s Relay for Life Committee on Instagram @sfbantingrelayforlife, or contact Aggie Kalapun at a.kalapun@tvdsb.ca or Simone Ferreira at s.ferreira@tvdsb.ca.
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Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • May 2026 • Page 9
Let’s Go Hiking with Kathleen After a varied 32 year career including as a Financial Consultant with IG Wealth Management, a Field Naturalist with Thames Valley District School Board and as a Park Warden at The Pinery Provincial Park, Kathleen of Hiking with Kathleen, retired to her first passion – experiencing the sights and sounds of Canadian wildlife with hikes, paddles and camping trips in local woodlots, and beyond, cameras in-hand to capture and share wildlife and their interesting behaviours. Kathleen earned a Bsc in Biology at Western University in 1987. “Kathleen’s story is a testament to her resilience, adaptability and unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the world,” wrote Louise Milligan, Professor Emerita, Western University. “Post-graduation, she embraced her passion for nature. Her role involved not only preserving and protecting the environment, but also engaging with the public, sharing her knowledge and fostering an appreciation for the ecological wonders surrounding them.” 10 % Limited Time offer off While Kathleen, who resides in Hyde Park, pivoted to the financial sector for a time, becoming a Certified Financial Planner in 2002, she moonlit as a public speaker including for the Nature in the City series, guided hikes, and was an advocate for the LGBTQ2+ community. In 2023, she was presented with a YMCA Women of Excellence award. Kathleen invites you to share in her exciting wildlife discoveries via YouTube @Hiking with Kathleen. New videos are uploaded weekly. Her work has also been featured on Rogers TV. She is available for public speaking. Learn more at www.hikingwithkathleen.com 10 % Limited Time offer off 10 % Limited Time offer off AFTER 10 % Limited Time offer off 10 % Limited Time offer off BEFORE Extend your roof life by up to 15 years with advanced nanotechnology. IS YOUR ROOF 7+ YEARS OLD? PROTECT & EXTEND ITS LIFE TODAY BEFORE AFTER BEFORE BEFORE LIMITED TIME OFFER: 10% OFF WHY REPLACE WHEN YOU CAN RESTORE? IS YOUR ROOF 7+ YEARS OLD? PROTECT & EXTEND ITS LIFE TODAY Extend your roof life by up to 15 years with advanced nanotechnology. IS YOUR ROOF 7+ YEARS OLD? PROTECT & EXTEND ITS LIFE TODAY Your roof doesn’t always need replacement. With NuRoof NanoShield , certified applicators of GoNano technology, we restore and protect your existing shingles from within — saving you money while extending your roof’s lifespan . AFTER AFTER 10 % Limited Time offer off Extend your roof life by up to 15 years with advanced nanotechnology.
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Mini Maker Market in the Greenhouse Parkway Garden Centre offered young entrepreneurs an oppor- tunity to display their crafts in the greenhouse on March 21st. Follow Parkway on Facebook for information on future events.
Art in the Greenhouse Parkway Garden Centre held their Art in the Greenhouse event on April 11. Visitors shopping for plants and decor also had the opportunity to browse artwork from 31 talented artists and enjoy a snack from the Grill’em food truck too!
Photos courtesy Erica Poole
Not just a market, it’s a family tradition.
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Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • May 2026 • Page 11
Rotary Club Breakfast On April 2, the Rotary Club of London Hyde Park brought together business owners, nonprofit leaders and community representatives for a meaningful and engaging breakfast with City of London Mayor, Josh Morgan, Ward 7 Councillor Corrine Rahman and Ward 8 Councillor, Steve Lehman. The event was co-hosted by Hyde Park Business Improvement Association. Mayor Morgan opened with remarks, followed by an open Q&A where attendees had the opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives, and hear directly from representatives at City Hall.
Brush and Palette Club The Brush and Palette Club held its annual art show and sale April 9 to 11 at Riverside United Church. Oakridge resident, Pat Edgerton, convened this year’s show which presented over 500 original works of art from the Club’s 110 members. One of Pat’s paintings entitled Surreal was awarded a well-deserved blue ribbon of excellence by the show’s judge. The Club has organized this annual show since its founding in 1972. Everyone is welcome!
Pat Edgerton in front of her award winning painting ‘Surreal’
Victoria Day Victoria Day has been celebrated in Canada to honour Queen Victoria’s birthday since at least 1845. It is informally considered the kick-off to the summer season, a popular camping week- end, and in London, the opening weekend for Storybook Gardens and Fanshawe Pioneer Village. Colloquially named the “May 2-4 Weekend”, it occurs this year on May 18. Learn about local Victoria Day events at LondonTourism.ca Celebrating Victoria Day the British Way
A Taste of Britain, located at 2115 Ald- ersbrook at Wonderland, is a grocery and gift shop offering a wide selection of British foods and gifts. Celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday with ‘high tea’ by serving Steak
and Guinness Pie, Scotch Pie, Black Pudding slices, Cornish Pasties or Steak and Haggis, for example, or ‘afternoon tea’ with a variety of Yorkshire and Taylors of Harrogate teas served with British biscuits, pastries, jams and scones – complete with festive Union Jack placemats, paper cups, tea cozies, and of course a Brown Betty teapot, all available at the iconic shop serving “THIS” London, since 2001. Learn more at atasteofbritain.ca.
Learn more about the Brush and Pallette Club at brushandpaletteclub.com and by following them on Facebook.
Page 12 Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • May 2026
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It’s BBQ Season! From humble beginnings installing gas lines, Porky’s BBQ Hearth and Spa has evolved over their 23 years into the region’s premier provider of BBQs, spas, fireplaces and so much more. Located on Sarnia Road near Hyde Park Road, they offer premium and exclusive products and services – both in their showroom and online. “We’re proud to serve London with the best in backyard living and now we need your vote again to make it official,” says Rich Duench, General Manager. “Visit londonincmagazine.ca/category/best-of-london and vote for Porky’s BBQ & Leisure in London Inc.’s Best of London contest in the following categories: Best BBQ & Accessories Store, Best Fireplace Sales & Service and Best Pool & Hot Tub Supply Store.” Voting ends May 10. Porky’s invites you to come in to their newly refreshed and remerchandized showroom, talk to their expert staff and start planning your outdoor leisure and BBQ season!
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Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • May 2026 • Page 13
Historic Hyde Park Hyde Park in London, Ontario was named after a 350-acre historic urban park in Westminster, Greater London, U.K.. A Royal Park, it is the largest of the parks and green spaces that form a chain from Kensington Palace through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, via Hyde Park Corner and Green Park, past Buckingham Palace to St. James’s Park. Hyde Park is divided by the Serpentine and the Long Water lakes. The park was established by King Henry VIII in 1536 when he took the land from Westminster Abbey and used it as a hunting ground. It opened to the public by King Charles I in 1637 and quickly became popular, particularly for May Day parades. Hyde Park was a popular duelling spot during the 18th century, with 172 duels taking place, resulting in 63 deaths. There’s nothing quite like gathering around a crackling fire, sharing laughs, and indulging in the nostalgic tradition of roasting marshmallows. But who says s’mores have to be just for kids? At Brock Manor, we’ve taken this fireside classic to a whole new level, crafting gourmet “adult s’mores” that blend sweet, savory, and a touch of sophistication. It was the venue for several Royal jubilees and celebrations. Queen Victoria (born May 24, 1819) opened the Crystal Palce exhibition there on May 1, 1851. For her Golden Jubilee in 1887, a party was organized on June 22, where around 26,000 school children were given a free meal. In her final years, Queen Victoria visited the park often. As part of the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977, a Jubilee Exhibition was set up, with the Queen and Prince Philip visiting on June 30. Early immigration to Hyde Park, Ontario, began around 1818, when Thomas Routledge (1763-1844), his wife Margaret and their nine children arrived from Cumberland, England. They named their new home Hyde Park. Start with a black pepper Triscuit cracker and a cube of brie cheese. Roast the brie just like a traditional marshmallow until it’s warm and gooey. Place it on your cracker, drizzle with a bit of hot honey (you can make your own or try Mike’s Hot Honey or Peace River for a kick), add a slice of prosciutto, and top with another Triscuit. The creamy brie, spicy honey, and salty prosciutto create a perfect balance of flavors that will have you reaching for seconds. Babybel & Red Pepper Jelly Sensation Hyde Park was a quiet intersection until the coming of the railway in 1854, bring- ing land speculation, with many of the farms subdivided into village lots. With additional railway lines established in 1875 and 1888, Hyde Park was trans- formed into a business centre. For this one, start with a water cracker and roast a Babybel cheese over the fire until it’s golden and melty. Once it’s ready, place it on the cracker, top with a spoonful of red pepper jelly, and sandwich it with another cracker. The combination of the mild, creamy cheese with the sweet and tangy jelly is a game-changer. And for those with a sweet tooth? Try roasting a marshmallow and dipping it in salted caramel Baileys for a decadent, boozy twist! These elevated s’mores aren’t just a fun treat—they also make for an unexpected and impressive hors d’oeuvre at your next backyard gathering. So the next time you light up a fire, get creative, experiment with different cheeses, sauces, and toppings, and turn your campfire into a gourmet experience. From all of us at the Hyde Park-Oakridge Villager Information from Wikipedia. Elevate Your Campfire with Adult S’mores by Adam Brock NLDC performs 2024 Winterlude The students of North London Dance Centre (NLDC) performed across four shows at the Wolf Performance Hall on Sunday, December 15th. “What an amazing whirlwind it was!” exclaimed Kelly Hajar, Owner/Director. “Hundreds of our talented dancers took the stage to share their love of dance with over a thousand family members and friends – it doesn’t get more magical (or more festive!) than that! From the tiniest toes in Dance Development, to the jaw-dropping talent of our advanced dancers, every performer brought their passion and dedication to life on stage,” said Kelly. Now in their 27th season, North London Dance Centre offers more than 80 classes per week for children and adults at our 1055 Sarnia Road location. Learn more at northlondondancecentre.ca The beauty of these upscale s’mores is in the endless possibilities. By mixing and matching different cheeses, crackers, toppings, and sauces, you can create a truly unique and delicious treat. Here are two of our favorite combinations that have become staples at our campfires: Black Pepper Triscuit & Brie Delight
Back in the Day
The Knotty Pine Restaurant at the corner of Richmond Street and Fanshawe Park Road, 1947. Photo by Ron Nelson.
View looking north along Richmond Street. A row of farm tractors is turning west onto Fanshawe Park Road. On the southwest corner is a service station and the Richie Coffee Shop. On the southeast corner is the Knotty Pine Restaurant. London Animal Care Centre – Licensing, Bylaw Enforcement, Adoption and Lost/Found Services: 121 Pine Valley Blvd., (519) 685-1330 The Catty Shack: 756 Windermere Rd., (519) 432-4572 Adam and Jenn Brock live on Whisperwood Crescent in Byron. Jenn is very creative and loves the outdoors and especially campfires. Their oldest daughter Hannah, who will be graduating in Horticulture this year, got an idea in the spring of 2024 to transform the front yard to include a fire pit. They started the cultivation of hundreds of sunflowers, first in the house and then transferred outside to create a private outdoor space for the family. Your Perfect Match awaits you at The London Animal Care Centre and The Catty Shack! Bringing people and pets together www.accpets.ca C atty S haCk THE This winter, Jenn got the idea to ask their wonderful Byron neighbours for their old Christmas trees. She collected 23 in total and the front yard fire pit oasis was reborn for the winter. J & A Lawn Care EST. 2014 J & A Arbory
The Knotty Pine Restaurant in the early 1960s, At the time, it was considered on the outskirts of London.
Tree Assessment Tree Trimming & Removal Hedge and Shrub
Lawn Cutting Fertilizing Spring Clean Up Weed Control
Trimming & Removal Working at Heights Certified Boom Certfied
Full Insurance and Liability coverage Jeff Franklin @ 519-494-2009 Please call or text.
Page 14 Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • May 2026 Page 12 Byron Villager 6 Hyde Park – Oakridge Villager • January-February 2025
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What’s Happening in Hyde Park RIVERSIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL SPRING FLING VENDOR MARKET Saturday, May 2, 9 am –1 pm Local Vendors • Food Trucks • Silent Auction ILDERTON COMMUNITY-WIDE GARAGE SALE Saturday, May 2 ILDERTON FARMERS MARKET Saturdays, June 6 to October 10, 9 am – 12:30 pm
MOTHER’S DAY SEEDING EVENT Museum of Ontario Archeology Sunday, May 10, 1 – 3 pm
Join the MOA on Mother’s Day for a seeding event included with general admission. Visit the museum’s galleries and the chance to create a recycled planter and plant their own seedling. Learn more at archaeologymuseum.ca
INDIGENOUS ASTRONOMY Museum of Ontario Archeology Tuesday, May 26, 7:30 – 9:30 pm
An immersive evening of Haudenosaunee Cosmology. Discover the connection between the land and the sky. The Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory will also be present with telescopes to explore the skies after sunset.
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MEDWAY HERITAGE FESTIVAL Museum of Ontario Archeology Saturday, June 13, 10 am – 3 pm
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233 Edward Street, St. Thomas, ON
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Explore the vibrant natural and cultural heritage of the Medway Valley. Uncover the layers of our local history and environment through a day of immersive cultural and natural experiences. Come and support local food and artisan vendors. Learn more at archaeologymuseum.ca
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PICNIC ON THE POND July 18, August 22, September 26 Hyde Park Village Green
A three-date outdoor event designed to bring the community together through local vendors, arts, food, and interactive programming. Hosted in partnership with the London Arts Council (LAC), the series will highlight local artists and musicians while activating the park space with engaging activities and a vibrant market atmosphere.
Country Cruizin’ 2026 Every Thursday all summer, weather permitting, starting
Thursday, May 7th, 5pm to dusk Plunkett Estate, 9282 Elviage Drive Live Music by DJ Cliff Johnson • 50/50, Driver’s and Guest’s Draws • BBQ •Ice Cream Hosted by the Hyde Park Lions
Spring is Blooming at
Open Mother’s Day 9–5 Seasonal Plants • Perennials • Trees and Shrubs • Tropicals and Succulents Garden Decor and Supplies • Pottery • Gifts
1473 Gainsborough Road, London Monday to Saturday 9-6 • Sunday 9-5 parkwaygardens.ca
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