Discover Tillsonburg Magazine - Spring 2018

S P R I N G 2 0 1 8

Lofty Dreams Wendy Cameron’s vision for downtown revitalization p.15

Get ready for Tillsonburg’s biggest summer event!

GET TO KNOW YOUR COUNTY THIS SUMMER Pick-up a copy of the Oxford Visitor’s Guide or visit us online

TourismOxford.ca

519-539-9800 1-866-801-7368 x3355 tourism@oxfordcounty.ca www.tourismoxford.ca

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519.842.5000

IN THI S I SSUE . . .

A Blooming Success The family behind Tillsonburg Garden Gate

7 11

Get ready for summer fun Things to do in and around Tillsonburg

Time for Turtlefest What to expect at Tillsonburg’s biggest party

Lofty Dreams Wendy Cameron’s vision for downtown revitalization

More Than a Coat of Paint The transformation of Cedric Tomico’s life and business

By the Numbers Celebrating 45 years of the Tillsonburg museum

Editorial & Design Colleen Pepper Advertising Shelley Imbeault

Discover Tillsonburg Magazine is published twice a year by the Town of Tillsonburg, in partnership with local builders and other community partners.

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A B L O O M I N G Meet the family behind Tillsonburg Garden Gate SUCCESS

L ike many teenagers before him, Matthew Fenn took his first tentative steps in the world of work via the fast-food industry. “My first job was right over there,” he says proudly, gesturing toward the McDonald’s restau- rant on Simcoe Street. “By the time I was 16, I’d even worked my way up to swing manager.” Now in his forties, it’s been a long time since Matt has made milkshakes or sold French fries. Still, he says those first few years of restaurant experience were in- valuable. “Working at McDonald’s was fun, actually. Since the majority of customers were high school students, I got to make money and see my friends at the same time,” he says. “It was great.” Inspired by the thought of someday becoming his own boss, Matt chose to study business at Connestoga College. It was then that he met his future wife and business partner, Linda. “I had worked part-time at a

Matthew and Linda Fenn with their childen Thea (left) and Johnny (right). Originally from Aylmer, Matthew has grown Tillsonburg Garden Gate into a thriving family business.

Tillsonburg Garden Gate is located at 167 Simcoe Street.

greenhouse in the Strathroy area while I was finishing my studies,” says Linda. “So when Matt and I had an opportunity to join a greenhouse operation after grad- uation, we decided to go for it.” “It just made sense at the time,” explains Matt. “My brother Dave was working for a wholesale flow- er business, my mom had grown up on a farm and with Linda’s background in retail, we felt we had enough experience to give it a shot.” They opened their first green- house—located between Tillson- burg and Aylmer—in 1997, and began providing wholesale flow- ers and plants to garden centres and big box stores throughout southern Ontario. “We soon found out there is very little profit margin in the wholesale business,” Matt says. “Each year we were having to sell products at lower and lower prices just to remain competitive.” On a more positive note, it

wasn’t long before the couple welcomed their first child, Thea, in 2003. “We decided we should add sleep deprivation to our list of on- going challenges,” laughs Matt, reflecting on the joys of father- hood. For the next several years, Matt and Linda soldiered on, investing

in both the retail and wholesale sides of their business. Then suddenly, in 2009, they noticed a sales spike. “When the Newman family retired from the flower business in Tillsonburg that year, the clo- sure of their store left a large hole in the market,” Matt explains. “After years of trying to do ev-

family traditions and values of Newman Flowers, while also putting our own angle on things,” says Matt. Their first year of operations was memorable to say the least. “Our first Mother’s Day, it snowed. No one was thinking about gardening at all,” Matt re- calls. “And making sure that we had enough inventory of hard goods (pots and garden décor) was incredibly challenging too. I remember going to my parents home and taking décor from their house and yard just to fill up the shelves.” Around this same time, the Fenns also expanded their fam- ily, welcoming their second child, Johnny. It was a busy season, but an exciting one as well. “Linda and I are incredibly lucky that we have such close,

erything, Linda and I decided to leave the wholesale division behind, and focus strictly on the retail market.” They also began taking a seri- ous look at the former Newmans Flowers store and greenhouses on Simcoe Street. “We knew Newmans had been a wonderful family business in a

great location,” says Matt. “When they closed, we saw an oppor- tunity to relocate our operations and build on that rich history.” The Fenns acquired the former Newman Flowers location in late 2010, and officially opened as Tillsonburg Garden Gate Ltd. on April 15, 2011. “We wanted to carry on the

(Left Bottom) Garden Gate staff pose with HGTV’s Carson Arthur during his visit to the store this past February. (Above) Thea and Johnny Fenn love visiting with Santa during his annual visit to Garden Gate.

connected families who have al- ways supported our goals,” says Matt. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without them.” Matt’s brother David deals with the in-house production. Matt’s mother helps to oversee the arti- ficial and silk flower department. And Linda’s parents have become experts in transplanting. “When spring hits, we even call in the extended family,” says Linda. “Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins—everyone lends a hand.” 2017 was a banner year at

Tillsonburg Garden Gate Ltd. Matt and Linda not only expand- ed the gift shop, they also made the decision to become a year- round operation. “We now grow 60% of our an- nuals, half our succulents, and all of our garden mums and poinset- tias in house,” says Matt. In the community, Matt vol- unteers his time with the Town’s beautifications committee and is frequently asked to speak to area horticultural societies. “Things are going well, but we’re still a very seasonal, weather-

dependent business,” says Matt. “The increase in minimum wage has also been tough. It’s a needed change for low-income families, but as a small business owner, it’s challenging.” Even so, Matt is optimistic about the future. “We’ve got a great staff team including summer students who return year after year,” says Matt. “Add in the support of our fam- ily, friends and customers, and I think we’ve got a bright future ahead of us.”

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G E T R E A D Y F O R You won’t believe everything you can do close to home! SUMMER FUN

You’ve been waiting for warm weather all winter, so don’t just sit there—get out and enjoy it! Here are our top picks for summer fun in and around the Tillsonburg area.

Take Fido for a run and fun day with his friends at the Dave Johnson Memorial Dog Park. With separate areas for larger and small dogs, it’s the perfect destination for for tail-wagging, tongue-dragging fun. Oh, and if you happen to own a Dachshund, don’t miss Wienerfest in Embro, the largest breed-specific event in Canada.

Get all the spinning, tummy-turning rides you ever wanted when the 163rd annual Tillsonburg Fair comes to town June 22-24 . This year’s event features a Comicon, Vid- eo Game Expo, live music and more. And of course, it wouldn’t much of a fair without classics like the Homecraft displays, Demolition Derby and Fair Ambassador Competition.

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www.tillsonburgfair.com

If you love ribs—and really, who doesn’t—mark your calendar now for Tillsonburg Ribfest (July 13-15). Hosted by the Tillsonburg Thunder Senior AA Hockey club, this event is guaranteed to deliver finger-licking fun for the whole family. Vendors in- clude Ribs Royale and Big M Smokin’ Bones—and there’s live entertainent all weekend long. Did you know Oxford County is the dairy capital of Canada? Whether you’re looking for the word on curd, better cheddar or a “can’t-miss” Swiss, the 23 deliciously curated stops on Oxford County’s Cheese Trail will satisfy your taste for culinary adventure. See how cheese is made, sample new varieties and have fun exploring the back roads. oxfordcountycheesetrail.ca

Make this summer the tastiest one yet by becoming a regular customer at the Tillsonburg Farmers’ Market . Running Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon in front of Station Arts Cen- tre (41 Bridge St. W.), the market has fresh seasonal offerings includ- ing corn, peaches, tomatoes, berries, beans, peppers, potatoes, and even pie. Yummy! With its lush grass, towering trees and stunning Victorian architecture, Annandale National Historic Site (30 Tillson Ave) is the perfect place to spend a summer day. On Sunday nights, however, you can also enjoy Music on the Lawn presented by the Tillsonburg District Historical Society. Bring your own lawn chair. Admission by donation. tillsonburg.ca/annandale

Pack up the kids and cool off at the always fun and refreshing Lake Lisgar Waterpark . With its beach entry, spray features and giant in- flatables, the Waterpark offers afford- able family fun right here in Tillson- burg. Pack a picnic or enjoy a treat at the on-site snack bar. There’s even a large pirate-themed playground just outside the pool.

lakelisgarwaterpark.ca

Buckle your seatbelt and get ready to learn about aviation history with the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Asso- ciation (CHAA). Peek into the cock- pit of a restored WWII trainer or book yourself an unforgettable backseat ride during 2018 Fly Days (June 30, July 21 and August18).

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Love the thrill of the hunt? Tillsonburg Antiques Plus is your local source for all kinds of vintage collectibles in- cluding records, toys and glassware. Or, if reading is your thing, stop by Fernlea IVIX Non-Profit Books and browse more than 25,000 book titles. Proceeds from the store go to support education projects in Haiti.

Feather those bangs and bust out the satin shorts, roller skating is back! Whether your aim is to show off your fancy footwork, or glide with your sweetheart, Memorial Arena (45 Hardy Ave.) is the place to be Tuesday and Friday nights from 6:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. (Skate rental on site; sorry, no inline skates allowed.)

tillsonburg.ca/recreation

Looking for scooter and bike fun? Try the Kolin Smith Memorial Pump Track . Opened in 2017, the park wel- comes riders of all ages and abilities. Or, if walking is more your speed, ex- plore Tillsonburg’s vast trail network, including the Carroll Trail, which overlooks The Bridges golf course.

tillsonburg.ca/trails

Turn off your iPad and discover old- fashioned fun when the Tillsonburg Fishing Derby returns to Lake Lisgar on July 7. Whether you cast your line from land, or bait your hook from the water, you’ll love the excitement of trying to catch bass, crappy, catfish or perch for prizes.

Call 519.688.0729

I T ’ S T I M E F O R

What you can expect at Tillsonburg’s largest summer festival

I t will soon be Father’s Day weekend in Tillsonburg and you know what that means— Turtlefest! This three day, fami- ly-friendly festival has everything you’d ever want in a summer event, including live music, ice cream, chainsaws, flaming base- ball bats, and high flying dogs. Oh, and don’t forget turtles!

Broadway,” says Carrie Smith, part of the volunteer organiz- ing crew. “The entire street, from Bridge to Baldwin, will be filled with merchant booths, licensed patio areas and lots of interactive activities.” As in past years, a variety of street performers will add to the ambience, entertaining crowds

The Turtlefest Downtown Block Party is proudly presented by

Sponsored by Shaw’s IceCream, the 2018 Turtlefest Downtown Block Party is your opportunity to meet the neighbours, kick up your heels and have some fun. “The event takes place right on

throughout the night at the inter- section of Broadway and Ridout streets. “The Lumberjack Show com- bines comedy with impressive aerial tricks,” adds fellow crew

Buck Twenty will kick things off at 7:00 p.m., followed by Nicole Rayy, LeahDaniels and headliner Andrew Hyatt. “If you purchase a $30 ticket to the VIP area, you’ll get premium seating, appetizers, and a chance to win all kinds of prizes,” says

member Lori Arnold. “We’ve also got the Major League Circus Show which has juggling and lots of baseball humour.” Dave Johnston, the best 3D chalk artist in Canada, will also be showing off his skills thanks to the generosity of the Kinsmen

Club and the Tillsonburg Town Centre. “He’s amazing,” says Lori. “Whatever he creates that night is guaranteed to be Facebook and Instagram-worthy, so make sure you have your camera ready.” On the Country 107.3 stage,

Major League Circus

The Lumberjack Show

Leah Daniels

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Carrie. A cash bar will also be available. Other highlights of the night include a charity dunk tank, hu- man foosball tournament and classic car parade. Annandale National Historic Site will also be hosting special

Turtlefest at Memorial Park Saturday and Sunday (June 16-17)

•Demonstrations by the Carver Kings Presented by BreezeWood Floors and Bamford Homes

•Creative Imaginations Festival for Children Presented by Station Arts ( Saturday ) • Inflatables Zone Presented by Grand River Inflatables •Live Music and Entertainment Presented by Tillsonburg Hydro

5 $ ALL DAY FUN PASS (per day)

The Carver Kings

•Canine Watersports Canada Competition

•Food and Craft Vendors

•“Stories and Songs of Stompin’ Tom” An Evening with Whiskey Jack (Saturday) •Outdoor Movie Presented by Southern Ontario Printing ( Saturday)

activities to celebrate Turtlefest. “On Saturday afternoon, we’ll be offering games and crafts on the lawn, as well as our ‘Find the Turtle’ scavenger hunt will be happening inside,” says Annan- dale curator Patricia Phelps. Lastly, if it’s turtle-inspired treats you love—including things with chocolate, caramel and other ooey-gooey ingredients

—you won’t want to miss the Turtley Treats Baking Contest being held at the Station Arts Centre on Saturday morning. “Each year it’s amazing to see what people come up with,” says Station Arts Centre General Manager Deb Beard. “We even award prizes for the best entries.” Visit www.turtlefest.ca for full event details.

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Wendy Cameron’s vision for downtown revitalization LOFTY DREAMS

W endy Cameron can still remember the responses she and her husband John re- ceived five years ago when they announced they were moving to Tillsonburg to run the local Sobeys grocery store. “Some of our friends in London didn’t see the appeal of invest- ing in a small community,” she says. “But with John’s 34 years of experience in the grocery busi- ness, this was exactly the kind

of opportunity we’d been hoping would come along.” The next question, of course, was about housing. “I remember customers would ask me if we’d found a house here yet,” Wendy recalls. “When I finally told them we’d bought a commercial property downtown and were planning to live in an apartment above it, they were genuinely puzzled.” “One customer actually said,

‘Why on earth would you do that?’” adds John. “That’s when I decided I want- ed to show people what down- town living could look like,” says Wendy. To be fair, the property John and Wendy bought at 145 Broad- way did need a lot of work. But where some people saw only a tired façade, peeling paint and leaky windows, the Camerons saw investment potential.

“I’ve always dreamed of having a loft apartment above a store,” says Wendy. “Friends of mine bought a similar property in Hensall a while back and when I saw what they were able to do with that space, I couldn’t help but be inspired. It was absolutely gorgeous—from the architec- tural details to the vintage décor. I thought, ‘I’d love to try that.’ From there, it was just a matter of finding the right property.” “We really needed to find a place that was close to the store, and would let us remain focused on our work at Sobeys,” says John. “At the same time, we wanted to be sure we were making a sound investment. When we looked at Tillsonburg, we saw a lot of un- tapped potential, particularly in the downtown.” Wendy, especially, soon found herself dreaming about what could be done to create a more vibrant central business district – a place where more people would want to live, work, shop and play. It’s why she joined the Business Improvement Association (BIA) Board of Management a few years back, and it’s what contin- ues to drive her to buy locally as often as possible. “When it comes to the retail business, I know one sale can make or break someone,” says Wendy. “For the apartment, we bought our construction supplies in town, our lighting fixtures, our paint…if we could get an item here, that’s what we did. We felt that was very important.” “We hired a great local contrac- tor and our kids spent a lot of eve- nings and weekends helping out

with projects,” says John. “It was very much a team project.” In planning her new home, Wendy envisioned an open con- cept, loft-style space with lots of natural light and exposed brick. For décor, she and John wanted something completely different from their previous home. “The journey to find the right pieces to add to the décor has been fun,” says Wendy. “We even found some things during

a road trip to Pennsylvania. Our liquor cart, for instance, came from there. Our bedroom doors are from an old store in Stratford and our industrial laundry cart is from an old factory. We were able to source a lot of vintage pieces from antique stores in the area, and our friends in Hensall helped us do some picking as well.” All told, it took about a year to finish the project—at which point Wendy decided to try to purchase

(Left) West-facing windows give the kitchen a bright and airy feel while vintage-style task lighting ensures the space also functions well after dark. (Above) Massive doors from an old commercial building in Stratford separate the master bedroom from the living room.

John and Wendy Cameron’s spacious third-floor apartment blends vintage charm with modern style. One of Wendy’s favourite spaces in the apartment is her sewing and rug-hooking room (far right). A transom window in this space opens into the guest bedroom (be- low) providing additional light and archi- tectural interest.

the building next door as well. As it turned out, this second property was in much worse shape than the first. In fact, in the minds of many residents, 149 Broadway was the biggest eyesore on the street. “The building had definitely fallen into disrepair but we felt if we had the chance, we could give it new life and the whole block would benefit,” says Wendy. “I’m so grateful to John and Wendy for making the invest- ment here,” says Trinkets Gift Shoppe proprietor and main floor tenant Carrianne Hall. “The tin ceilings, the exposed brick, the chandeliers – it’s perfect.Custom- ers come in and they’re amazed at the transformation.” In total, John and Wendy have invested in five mixed-use com- mercial properties in the down- town area in the last five years. To make exterior improvements to their properties, John and Wendy applied for and received funding from the BIA’s Façade Improvement Grant program. Created in partnership with the Town, the grant provides up to $10,000 in matching funds for approved exterior improvements in the C-1 commercial zone. After selling one of their fin- ished properties last year, Wendy wasted no time looking for a new renovation project. “I still have the reno bug,” she says with a smile. “If someone told me tomorrow that I could buy another building, I’d be open to it. Definitely. But so far, noth- ing is available so I’m kind of in a holding pattern.” “Wendy cares deeply about this community and when she sees

projects that could be done, or should be done, it’s hard for her to sit on the sidelines,” says John. “I’m not trying to become a property magnate,” says Wen- dy. “This isn’t about seeing how much real estate we can buy or how much money I can make as a landlord. I truly believe it is im- portant to build the relationships with my tenants. I care about them and their quality of living. For me, investing in downtown is about being a good steward of the resources I’ve been given. I take that role very seriously. A strong, inviting downtown core ultimately benefits everyone, in- cluding our grocery store.” “Whether it’s through Sobeys, or our investments downtown, I just want to make a difference,” she adds. “One person at a time, one building at a time—that’s my passion.”

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M O R E T H A N A The transformation of Cedric Tomico’s life and business COAT OF PAINT

W hen it comes to paint and wallpaper, there isn’t much Nu-Decor owner Cedric Tomico doesn’t know. The 43-year-old entrepreneur was just eight years old when his father Henri—then employed by Friedrich Decorating—started bringing him along to job sites. In the years since, Cedric has been involved in thousands of painting and renovation projects. Yet for all Cedric’s proven skill at transforming rooms, it’s the way he’s transformed himself in recent years that’s even more impressive. Born in France, Cedric moved to Tillsonburg with his family in 1978. As a student at Tillson Ave Public School, he was funny, outgoing and eminently likeable. Later, as a teenager, he attend- ed Glendale High School and worked evenings and weekends at his parents’ respective business- es. He got decent grades, played trumpet in the school band and was a leader in the local Varnavair

Air Cadet Squadron. In 1994, however, Cedric’s life took an un- expected nosedive. “I’d always wanted to become an Air Force pilot,” he says. “But that year, I made some poor de- cisions and got kicked out of Air Cadets.” It was a devastating blow. “I didn’t know what to do after that,” he continues. “I had no Plan B. My grades slipped and I (Above) Nu-Decor owner Cedric Tomico believes every decorating project starts with a story. “It’s never just about the paint,” he says. “There’s always a back story and the opportunity to have an impact on people’s lives.” (Right) The “Transformation Station” at 183 Tillson Avenue is home to Nu-Decor, Braunz Construction, Rasco Environmen- tal and Simply 360 Carefree Living.

“I was a hard worker, but that was about all I had going for me in those years,” he explains. “When I wasn’t working, I was partying. Hard. Night after night after night.” In May 2002, Cedric finally bottomed out. “I was living in Kitchener and spent my last $300 on my habit, knowing full-well that my rent was due the next day,” he admits.

watched all my friends go off to college and university without me.” For the better part of the next decade, Cedric struggled to get his bearings. He bounced around to a variety of jobs and generally did whatever he could to survive. He painted with his father. He sold tanning beds and windows. Eventually, he worked at a res- taurant.

Becoming a warrior “In May 2012, I got baptized at my church and shortly after- ward, felt called to go on a mis- sion trip,” Cedric recalls. “My brother-in-law was going to the Dominican Republic with an or- ganization called Chiropractors with Compassion, so I decided to join him. As a direct result of that trip, I was invited to join Warrior Coaching and my life hasn’t been the same since.” “The moment I walked into Warrior, I just knew I was going to find the ‘more’ I’d been look- ing for,” he says. Originally developed by and for chiropractors, Warrior Coach- ing is an all-encompassing, faith- based program that focuses on

training the whole person—spir- it, soul and body. Each Warrior participant makes a commitment to be coached for a minimum of 12 months and during that time, takes part in a variety of personal development seminars, confer- ence calls and one-on-one coach- ing sessions. “For me, one of the best parts of my Warrior experience has been learning how to step into fear and take action,” says Cedric. “They teach you how to dream again, set goals for yourself, and be more accountable for the decisions you make.” Shedding 40 pounds over the last five years is only the begin- ning of Cedric’s personal trans- formation. His entire lifestyle has

Broke and addicted, Cedric humbled himself and came back to Tillsonburg. By then, Henri was an owner at Friedrich Deco- rating and was doing a consider- able amount of work in the com- mercial and contracting sectors. “When I came back to the busi- ness, my dad worked me so hard I literally didn’t have time to do anything else,” Cedric says. Mercifully, by 2012, the tur- bulence of Cedric’s twenties was largely a memory. He was mar- ried, had two beautiful daugh- ters, and had purchased the fam- ily business. “So many things had changed for the better and yet I still re- member feeling like there was something missing,” he says.

(Left) In 2018, Nu-Decor was honoured with the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce Business Improvement Award. In 2016, the company received the Environmental Award for developing a paint recycling program.

changed since joining Warrior. He now begins each day with spiritual disciplines and has reo- ganized his life to prioritize one- on-one time with his family. “I really try to limit myself to 40 hours at work,” he says. “I’m not always successful at it, but I’ve come to see that balance in life is really important.” When he is at work, Cedric says he now has a much keener sense of direction and purpose. “I’m more willing to take risks now,” he says. “Not stupid risks,

cling company) and Simply 360 Carefree Living (a new town- house development). “There are so many construc- tion horror stories out there,” he continues. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shown up on a job site and found that people haven’t done what they said they would do, or have left a problem for the next guy to handle. It’s in- credibly frustrating.” Cedric’s vision is to take the powerful leadership principles he’s learned through Warrior Coaching, and put them into practice as a developer and entre- preneur. “With Nu-Decor, our mission is to transform lives through the power of colour and design,” he explains. “Simply 360 is the logi- cal next step where we’re bringing partners together who share our values and working to transform the construction industry.” “Will we make mistakes? Prob- ably,” he says. “But the important thing is that we learn from them and never stop striving for excel- lence—for ourselves, for our cli- ents and our industry.”

but risks that make sense.” He recently opened a spray shop for example, to enable him to as- sist clients doing kitchen renova- tions. In 2018, he also relocated Nu-Décor from inside Verne’s Carpet One on Broadway to a larger location on Tillson Ave (a.k.a. Tillsonburg’s Renovation Alley). Aptly named the “Transfor- mation Station,” the refurbished building is also home to two new ventures, Rasco Environ- mental (an asphalt shingle recy-

(Top Left) Cedric competes in the 2013 Tilsonburg Charity Duathlon. (Top Right) The Tomico Family in 2018: Trish, Ava, Cedric and Sophia. (Bottom) Proving that it’s never too late to pursue a dream, Cedric is now taking fly- ing lessons with Tillsonburg Flying School instructor David Brandon.

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NUMBERS B Y T H E Celebrating 45 years at the Tillsonburg Museum

TWO

locations have housed the Tillsonburg Museum since the official ribbon cutting ceremony was held on June 29, 1973. The museum’s first home was the former Evergreen Dance Hall (right) on Lake Lisgar. In 1989, the museum moved to its current home at Annandale House.

The FIRST full-time museum curator was Helen Shearing . A prolific painter as well as history buff, she added art classes to the museum’s programming.

2,254 school classes have taken field trips to the museum. That’s a lot of bus rides!

Tillsonburg & District Historical Museum (1973-1978) Tillsonburg & District Historical Museum and Cultural Centre (1979-1989) Tillsonburg Museum and Annandale House (1989-1999) Annandale National Historic Site (2000 to present)

285,073

p eople and counting have visited the museum since it opened in 1973.

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