PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND QUINTE REGION · at Kingston’s western most boundary. My destination was...

SUMMER 2020

P R I N C E E D W A R D C O U N T Y A N D Q U I N T E R E G I O N

INSIDE: Dave’s joy ride, Rematriating heirloom seeds, Kyle serves his dream, and Tomas delivers during a pandemic.

FREE - please take me home

252 PRINCESS STREET 613.548.3022 | 1880 JOHN COUNTER BLVD 613.544.4415

THE WALNUT

GROVE COLLECTION

BY STICKLEY

AVAILABLE ONLY AT THE

DOWNTOWN LOCATION

(252 PRINCESS STREET)

jamesreidfurniture.net

QUINTE’S POOL & HOT TUB STORE

Family, Fun & Fitness

www.stlawrencepools.caBELLEVILLE • KINGSTON • BROCKVILLE • CORNWALL

Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .ai Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .ai

swimming pools | hot tubs | patio furniture | BBQs | saunas and docks | fitness equipment | billiards

BUILD YOUR OWN BACKYARD OASIS.Stay home, stay safe and enjoy a fun-filled family vacation

with your own personal retreat.

NEW CONVENIENT LOCATION OFF BELL BLVD. 40 HANNA COURT, BELLEVILLE, ON | 613.962.2545

4 COUNTY & QUINTE LIVING SUMMER 2020 countyandquinteliving.com 5countyandquinteliving.com COUNTY & QUINTE LIVING sUMMER 2020

IN THIS ISSUEEach issuE availablE onlinE at: countyandquinteliving.comPRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND QUINTE REGION

ON THE COVERDavid Welsh, County Railway Baron, photographed in his rail yardby Daniel Vaughan.

8Ratinenhayén:thosoffers sanctuary to indigenous seedsby Cindy Duffy

18Dave’s Joy RiDePicton’s evergreen Gardensby Catherine Stutt

26KaleiDoscoPecounty roots and global inspirationsby Catherine Stutt

34FillinG liFe with the best inGReDientsKyle Jones’ childhood dream comes trueby Catherine Stutt

45siGnPostssmithFielDby Lindi Pierce

46eDwaRD buRtynsKy’sGRavitas by Alan Gratias

GENERAL MANAGERJohn Willems

[email protected]

EditoRCatherine Stutt

[email protected]

Photo EditoRdaniel Vaughan

PubLiCAtioN CooRdiNAtoROlivia Rose • 613.532.6661

[email protected]

dESiGN/GRAPhiCS EditoR: Kathern blydESiGN & PRoduCtioN: Monica Mctaggart

SKbailey Marketing & design

CoNtRibutiNG WRitERS

Cindy duffy Lindi Pierce

Alan Gratias Catherine Stutt

CoNtRibutiNG PhotoGRAPhERS

Lindi Pierce t.J. Watt

daniel Vaughan

diStRibutioN iNquiRiESAbe Fakhourie, director of Circulation

Tel: 905.215.0443 • Mobile: [email protected]

AdVERtiSiNG iNquiRiES613.969.8896 • [email protected]

Olivia Rose • Tracey Perry

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information printed herein is correct. Metroland Media Group Ltd. and its parent, affiliates and related entities (collectively “Metroland”) are not responsible for errors, omissions or misrepresentations contained in County Quinte Living magazine (the “Guide”), including, without limitation, any advertisement. Advertisers listed in this Guide (“Advertisers”) assume responsibility for all ad content and for the quality of products and services promoted in this Guide and Metroland does not guarantee, and is not responsible for the accuracy, integrity, legality or quality of any ad , product or service provided for herein and the inclusion of an ad does not imply endorsement by Metroland of that Advertiser or its product or service; if you decide to utilize or purchase any product or service set out in this Guide, you do so at your own risk and you agree that Metroland will not be liable for any harm, loss or damage of any sort incurred as the result of or related in any manner whatsover to such Advertiser, its ads and the products or services therein or any of them. Your dealings with Advertisers including, but not limited to, the payment for and delivery of products and services, and any terms, conditions, warranties and representations associated with such dealings, are solely between you and the Advertiser. Any complaints, concerns, or questions you may have relating to the products or services provided by an Advertiser or relating to their advertising should be forwarded directly to the Advertiser. Further, users of this Guide may be provided with website information and links to such websites and this information is being provided as a convenience only; this inclusion does not imply endorsement by Metroland of such site; it is your responsibility to take all protective measures and to guard against viruses and other destructive elements and any collection, use and disclosure of your personal information through such site. No part of this Guide can be reproduced without the express written permission of the Metroland.

Mail Address: 65 Lorne St, Smiths Falls, oN K7A 3K8 613.969.8896

countyandquinteliving.com • Find us:

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND QUINTE REGION

©2020 Star Metroland Media Group Ltd./ Printed in ontario Canada

Fonts:skbailey - Avenir Next Heavytag - Avenir Next Medium uppercase(Beware, when used for large headlines, tracking will need to be adjusted between certain letters.)

Headline ideas: Propelling your business in a digital world

Color Alternative: depending on pieces, use red only for holiday

Gold: 0.25.100.0Charcoal: 5 0 0 80

Tangerine: 0.65.88.0

Aqua: 95.0.35.0

Lime: 41.3.86

Red: 8.100.100.0

A QUALITY GUARANTEE THAT

LASTS A LIFETIME.North Star has earned an enviable reputation for producing high-quality and energy efficient windows and doors.

Tested and certified by both the Canadian Standards Association and American Architectural Manufacturers Association, all of North Star’s windows and doors not only meet or exceed all industry standards, they meet our own high standards. And we back them with a transferable, limited lifetime warranty to prove it.

613.475.368413 LOYALIST DR.BRIGHTONvanderlaanbuilding.com

DEALER INFORMATION

QUALITY WINDOWS & DOORSGREAT SERVICE. EXCEPTIONAL VALUE.

©2016 North Star Manufacturing (London) Ltd. All rights reserved.

CLIENT

SIZE

Metroland – One-Quarter-V(5.145” x 5.71”)

North Star Windows & DoorsJOB DESCRIPTION

Co-op Print Advertising

– Overall

PRODUCTION NOTES

This ad scales at 88.67% to fi t a 4 column broadsheet size (4 column x 71 agates = 284 lines = 4.5625” x 5.06”)

COLOUR

CMYK

DATE TIME DESIGNER ACCOUNT REP

April 7/16 5:30 cf SL/NG

DOCKET #

129-301

519.439.8080 866.439.8080 TMD.CATHE MARKETING DEPARTMENT 457 King Street London, Ontario, Canada N6B 1S8

REVISIONS

FNL

VERSION

A-5

North Star has earned an enviable reputation for producing high-quality and energy effi cient windows and doors.Tested and certifi ed by both the Canadian Standards Association and American Architectural Manufacturers Association, all of North Star’s windows and doors not only meet or exceed all industry standards, they meet our own high standards. And we back them with a transferable, limited lifetime warranty to prove it.

A QUALITY GUARANTEE THATLASTS A LIFETIME

DEALER INFORMATION

QUALITY WINDOWS & DOORSGREAT SERVICE. EXCEPTIONAL VALUE.

©2016 North Star Manufacturing (London) Ltd. All rights reserved.

CLIENT

SIZE

Metroland – One-Quarter-V(5.145” x 5.71”)

North Star Windows & DoorsJOB DESCRIPTION

Co-op Print Advertising

– Overall

PRODUCTION NOTES

This ad scales at 88.67% to fi t a 4 column broadsheet size (4 column x 71 agates = 284 lines = 4.5625” x 5.06”)

COLOUR

CMYK

DATE TIME DESIGNER ACCOUNT REP

April 7/16 5:30 cf SL/NG

DOCKET #

129-301

519.439.8080 866.439.8080 TMD.CATHE MARKETING DEPARTMENT 457 King Street London, Ontario, Canada N6B 1S8

REVISIONS

FNL

VERSION

A-5

North Star has earned an enviable reputation for producing high-quality and energy effi cient windows and doors.Tested and certifi ed by both the Canadian Standards Association and American Architectural Manufacturers Association, all of North Star’s windows and doors not only meet or exceed all industry standards, they meet our own high standards. And we back them with a transferable, limited lifetime warranty to prove it.

A QUALITY GUARANTEE THATLASTS A LIFETIME

WHY NORTHSTAR?• Best -in-class Manufacturing Technology• High Quality Workmanship• Lifetime Transferable Warranty• Energy Efficient

6 COUNTY & QUINTE LIVING sUMMER 2020 countyandquinteliving.com

Catherine Stutt, Editor, County and Quinte [email protected]

This mask thing is throwing a wrench into my communication comfort zone.

My Dad always said, “The sweetest thing a person can hear is the sound of their own name.” Personally, with due respect to my late father, I think,

“You’ve just won LottoMAX,” has a certain ring to it, but odds are we’re more likely to hear someone say our name more often than the lottery deal.

He was right. It is nice to be called by our name, to see a warm smile go along with the salutation. Although we tend to communicate more and more via email, text, and private messages, face-to-face is still the cream of the crop. To share a smile

- sweet, innocent, sardonic, sarcastic, special, private, whatever - a smile adds so much to the moment.

Masks mess it up. Don’t send me letters. I get the importance of masks during this pandemic. Honest. I understand. We have masks, we are self-isolating, keeping our distance, and missing normal.

Maybe it’s because masks are so…real. We can stand six feet apart and still have a conversation, pretending we just like this spot better. We can order online or do curbside pickups from businesses and convince ourselves it’s more convenient. We can wash our hands more frequently and never leave home without hand sanitizer, but that’s simply good hygiene.

A mask leaves nowhere to hide. Absent Halloween or SCUBA diving, masks mean medical, and when we’re in a hospital, they’re normal. They are not normal out on the street or in the grocery store.

These are weird times. Covid-19, George Lloyd, protests in cities throughout North America and around the world, entire neighbourhoods at home, kids taking classes online. Spouses debating which day it is. Thank goodness for Thursday garbage pickup to give us a reference point.

Toilet paper, flour, and yeast are the new currencies, and instead

of reading Strunk and White’s Elements of style, I’m browsing Public Health Ontario’s Mask use for non-healthcare Workers. Both are in a stack with the County’s David Frum’s trumpocalypse and trumpocracy, for light summer reading.

It’s a good summer to stay home, reset, read, be grateful we can do so, and be thankful for the frontline workers who don’t have that option, who rely on their masks for much more than a trip to the grocery store.

Speaking of reading, enjoy this issue. Daniel completed the photo shoots in the pre-COVID bliss of last autumn. Looking at the scenes of people mingling, maskless, reflects to a time we may have already lost.

Thanks for turning the page.

Staying united while apart.

Story by Cindy DuffyPhotography by Daniel Vaughan

It was the first bright, spring day of the year, the kind of day that warms your bones and confirms you have survived another winter. It was April 22, Earth Day 2019, my mother’s birthday, and Easter Monday - the last day of the holiest of weekends for the Catholic Church. I was driving east on Highway 2 which turns into Princess Street at Kingston’s western most boundary. My destination was about halfway downtown.

Although impressive stone gateposts mark the entrance, the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul is easy to miss. Most of the property, the winding driveway leading to the Motherhouse surrounded by about 30 acres of a park-like setting with an old barn tucked in behind, can’t be seen from the road. The Sisters had graciously opened their home today for a ceremony. After two decades as the home of the Heirloom Seed Sanctuary, the seeds had to move.

For some there was a lot at stake. Over the years the sanctuary had become an integral part of the Kingston area food growing communities, sponsoring such well-known events as local Seedy Saturdays.

Ratinenhayén:thos offers sanctuary to Indigenous seeds


FRUGAL

Home Auto Commercial Financial Services

mcdougallinsurance.com

Custom Design • Renovations Additions • Construction Management

13360 Loyalist Pkwy,Picton, ON 613.476.6834

sagedesignandconstruction.com

The collection was particularly significant for the Mohawks of Tyendinaga, just down the road, as most of the seeds had their origins in Indigenous cultures. In 2017, the decision was made to repurpose the Princess Street property and the seed sanctuary had to close. The ceremony on this sunny, spring day marked a significant point in the journey of these seeds and the cultural survival they embodied, as well as a humble, yet extraordinary, act of reconciliation.

The seeds had come to the Sisters by way of organic farmers, Carol and Robert Mouck, whom after a quarter of a century of farming, had nurtured a collection of 400 heirloom seed varieties of vegetables, flowers, and herbs on their farm near Napanee. Planning to wind down their farming operation, the Moucks approached the Sisters for help saving the seeds. The Sisters took on the task, at first with the help of the Moucks and other volunteers, eventually hiring Cate Henderson fulltime in 2008.

Cate and Janice Brant first crossed paths in 2009 at Queen’s University where Janice was giving a talk on seeds. Growing up on a farm in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Janice had been gardening since she was five


years old; her Mohawk name Kahéhtoktha, translates to “she goes the length of the garden.” After this chance meeting with Cate, she often visited the Heirloom Seed Sanctuary, less than an hour’s drive from her Tyendinaga home. Traditional Mohawk

food and food ways had always been central to Kahéhtoktha’s work as an educator, artist, and activist. When she learned the seed sanctuary was shutting down she already knew the significance of the collection for her community and saw an opportunity.“Agriculture is part of who we are as a

community and something we are still quite passionate about here. We still have a large agricultural land base. It’s important and people still grow certain plants for food and for our ceremonies.”

Kahéhtoktha knew about 80 per cent of the collection had originated in Indigenous communities, including her own. Settler cultures had acquired them, changed their

names, some seeds had been commercialized, even patented, so they could be sold for profit.

The Mohawk are members of the Haudenosaunee, an alliance of the Cayuga, Oneida, Seneca, Onondaga, and later

the Tuscarora. While historians and anthropologists still argue over when the alliance originated, they all agree the Haudenosaunee are matrilineal cultures. Traditionally women hold the knowledge of the seeds and how to grow plants for food, medicines, and sacred ceremonies, passing this knowledge freely on from one generation to the next. For the Mohawks of Tyendinaga, bringing the seeds back would be a rematriation.

Kahéhtoktha wasn’t sure if enough people in her community shared her enthusiasm, so she invited Cate to Tyendinaga to talk about the collection. The response made it clear the interest was there and soon the volunteer

group, Ratinenhayén:thos “they are the seed farmers” was formed. After just four meetings Ratinenhayén:thos had a plan approved by the broader community and were ready to

meet with the Sisters, now with an even greater sense of urgency because the timeline for moving the seeds had been shortened from five years to two.“It was a wonderful meeting

and we instantly connected with each other because our motivation was not economic, our motivation was spiritual. We told them a little bit about our culture and history. Even our creation story teaches us the first woman brought seeds with her, and those plants still sustain us and our medicines even today.

Then the Sisters asked us if we could put it in writing. Of course, being very oral people, we hadn’t even thought of writing a letter so that made us all laugh. The Sisters were looking around the

room wondering what was so funny.”

The Sister’s request could have been a roadblock but Ratinenhayén:thos came up with an even more meaningful process, conceptualizing the first modern day Wampum belt and inviting the broader community to help make it. Wampum belts are a traditional Haudenosaunee way of telling stories or documenting agreements such as treaties between nations. This Wampum belt was made using traditional beads made from Quahog shells

6835 Hwy. 62 N., Sommerville Centre, Belleville613-847-0564 | [email protected]

Custom drapery, blinds & shuttersCanadian made & assembled options

Locally owned & operated

Take aCloserLook

Shop from home!

www.thebirdhouse.ca

Helping you connect to nature,

so you can stay connected to family.

Walk up Window Available Be safe. Be well.

613-475-9510

240 Presqu'ile Parkway

Brighton, ON

Store Porch Pick up and Free Delivery

within 25km and $75 min order.

A Heartfelt Thank You to our Front Line Workers!


1209Wilson Road, Hillier, Ontario, K0K 2J0 ( ) 399-2344 • williamdesigncompany.comBECAUSE IT’S CUSTOM, YOUR OPTIONS ARE LIMITLESS

on Road, Hillier, Ontario, K0K 2J0 (613) 399-2344 • williamdesignc

Design • Build • Renovate • Install

Cabinetry&

Interiors

Trees add value to your property.We add value to your trees.

to form the symbols in a style used as far back as anyone knew. “We went from this place of the Sisters

asking us for a letter of intent, to entering an agreement with this Wampum belt. Now we’re making this promise together, not really by writing it down but by promising each other this is how we will do it.”

More than 100 people gathered in the basement of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul Motherhouse early Easter Monday afternoon. The Sisters decided to pass the seeds on to two groups - the Kingston Area Seed System Initiative - a group of farmers, gardeners, and community members promoting sustainable and healthy food practices - and Ratinenhayén:thos. The Sisters also agreed to pay Cate’s salary for two years to help both groups succeed with

the transition. The Passing of the Seeds Wampum belt depicting all of this was front and centre for all to see. Speeches in English and Mohawk were followed by music and traditional drumming, and the Sisters passed symbolic envelopes of seeds to their new caretakers. The mood overall was celebratory, and the event ended with a lunch of locally

sourced food including traditional Mohawk dishes.“The rematriation is a beautiful act of

reconciliation for us as Indigenous people. I feel strongly it’s not like other forms of reconciliations we’ve heard about. It’s different. For me this feels truer because they’re not just saying here are the seeds that were once taken, now we’re giving them back, but they also want to help make the transition successful.”

On another sunny day, this time in October, not quite six months after the rematriation ceremony, about 50 people gathered in a 15-acre hay field on Tyendinaga’s York Road. Surrounded by trees just starting to show their fall colours, this was the land the community had allocated to Ratinenhayén:thos. A path at the back of the field leads directly to the

community offices, not far from the library housing the newly formed Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary and Learning Centre and the Passing of the Seeds Wampum belt. It was a weekend morning, children were running around enjoying the open space, older people had come too, out of curiosity and to get some gardening tips, and Ratinenhayén:thos members were there to witness the first seed harvest. As the group gathered around the raised garden beds, Cate pointed out flowers

planted to attract pollinators and a bed of sweet grass grown for ceremonies. Cate was there to show everyone how to harvest tomato seeds to be followed by a sampling of salsa made from freshly picked tomatoes.

Emma Brant-Edwards was there that day. The 13-year-old grade nine student at Eastside Secondary in Belleville and

Ratinenhayén:thos member, Emma had attended every meeting. “I’ve gardened all my life,” she said. “I just like learning about how my seeds grow. Some seeds are specific to the Mohawk culture and if no one plants them and saves the seeds there’s not going to be any for the people in the future.”

Ratinenhayén:thos has had a busy couple of years and Kahéhtoktha anticipates many positive spin-offs to their work. More people will have access to seeds to grow their own food, and plants not harvested for seeds

can be used in the community’s diabetes or school food program. Perhaps the greatest impact will be cultural. As research traces the origins of seeds now called Jacob’s Cattle bean, or Dutch Brown bean, for example, they will be given back their original names and knowledge of the Mohawk language will grow. “We can’t separate the seeds from

who we are. If there is any way we could plug the language into something it’s through agriculture because the words already exist. If we were teaching a computer class, we would have to invent words. For this we don’t have to invent words, they already exist, and are part of the core of the language.”

It has been more than a year now since the Easter Monday ceremony. The field on York Road is coming to life. A modest sign marks the Ratinenhayén:thos site, soon to be replaced with a much larger one, thanks to a

donation from Drystone Canada and Topsy Farms, two of many private donations to the project so far. The sign will mark the site of the first, and so far, only Indigenous owned and operated not-for-profit seed sanctuary growing live seeds in Canada.

The second crop of garlic planted last fall has sprouted and more beds are growing, even

with the complications of social distancing, thanks to volunteers who responded to the Kenhte:ke Seed Sanctuary and Learning Centre’s call for help with spring planting. Soon the Passing of the Seeds Wampum belt will be brought out to renew the commitment from volunteers like Emma to nurture the plants, save the seeds, and pass on the knowledge. With little fanfare an act of reconciliation has taken place here and the seeds have found their way home.


ADVERTIsEMENT ADVERTIsEMENT

During the Covid 19 crisis an ever-increasing number of everyday superstars have sprung up in our communities. Their inspiring efforts have invited us to shine a light on their heroic spirits and activities. These community leaders are a testament to the lifestyle of this region. Their actions are a demonstration of what living, working, or playing here is all about. Prince Edward County & Quinte region offers unique experiences and amazing people who dream about and cherish our communities. County & Quinte Living celebrates these community champions and shines a special light on their actions.

SHINEA LIGHT

SHINEA LIGHT

P R I N C E E D W A R D C O U N T Y A N D Q U I N T E R E G I O N

Acoustic Grill172 Main St, Suite 107, Picton, ON K0K 2T0613-476-2887Belleville senators 265 Cannifton Rd, Belleville, ON K8N 4V8 613-967-8067Canada Post Office21 College St W, #21 Belleville, ON K8N 3B01-800-265-3416Chilangos 394 Front St, Belleville, ON K8N 2Z8613-771-9292Deca Cables150 North Murray St, Trenton, ON K8V 6R8613-392-3585Dinkel’s Restaurant 44 Bridge St E, Belleville, ON K8N 1L6613-966-2556

Elexicon Energy Inc.75 Bridge St E, Belleville, ON K8N 1L9613-969-7422Fun with stitchesPO Box 1657, 1963 Old Hwy #2, Belleville, ON K8N 5Z2613-966-4715Hamilton Beach50 Greenleaf Court, Belleville, ON, K8N 5T51-800-798-3389 Impacto® Protective Products Inc.40 Dussek St, Belleville, ON K8N 5R9613-966-0062Kinsip House of Fine spirits 66 Gilead Rd, Bloomfield, ON K0K 1G0613-393-1890

LaPalm Moving systems87 Wallbridge Crescent, Belleville, ON K8P 1Z5613-962-9557Loyalist College376 Wallbridge-Loyalist Road, P.O. Box 4200 Belleville, ON K8N 5B9613-969-1913 ext. 2100McDougall Insurance and Financial 199 Front Street, #218, Belleville, ON K8N 5H5613-966-7001 Paulo’s Italian Trattoria 38 Bridge Street East, Belleville, ON K8N 1L6613-966-6542Pita Pit305 North Front Street Belleville, ON K8P 3C3613-966-6617

Procter & Gamble Inc355 University Ave, Belleville, ON K8N 5T8613-966-0065Quinte Home Builders’ AssociationP.O. Box 22018, Belleville, ON K8N 5V7613-970-2216Reid’s Dairy222 Bell Blvd, Belleville, ON K8N 5B6 613-967-1970 Research Casting15 Dufferin Ave, Trenton, ON K8V 5C8613-394-7007Robin’s Nest34 Dundas St West , Trenton , ON K8V3P2613-243-0678

shoppers Drug Mart, Belleville390 North Front St,Belleville, ON K8P 3E1 613-966-7298

150 Sidney StBelleville, ON K8P 5E2613-962-3406smylie’s Your Independent Grocer293 Dundas Street E, Trenton, ON K8V 1M1613-392-0297sobeys Grocery store - Picton97 Main St, Village Centre, Belleville, ON K8P 2Y5613-476-3246

Tim McKinney, Remax Quinte106 North Front Street, Belleville ON, K8P 3B4 613-969-9907

Trent ValleyDistributors 300 Bell Boulevard, Belleville, ON K8P 4Y7613-966-5279Trenval Business Development Corporation284 B Wallbridge-Loyalist Road, Box 610, Belleville, ON K8N 5B3613-961-7999Triangle Fluid Controls Ltd.399 College St. E, Belleville, ON K8N 5S7866-537-1133Truss Beverage Company 732 Ashley St, RR 1, Foxboro, ON K0K 2B0613-707-9739Ultramar/Pipeline Network 25 Bellevue Drive, Belleville, ON K8N 4Z5613-771-1755

We’re all in this together.

19countyandquinteliving.com COUNTY & QUINTE LIVING sUMMER 2020

Story by Catherine StuttPhotography by Daniel Vaughan

Dave’s Joy RidePicton’s evergreen garDens

In the distance, the whistle blows, heralding the arrival of the first train of the day. It rumbles past the farm . . .


...where sheep and cattle graze, crosses the dry gulch, makes a stop at the freight yard, where a No Frills truck is backed into the dock. The train gets underway again and gathers momentum as the diesel locomotive pulls its cars over the curved trestle, the river flowing beneath. It gives a friendly blow of the horn to the ranger holding a baby racoon at the top of a fire tower while his colleague toils away in the office, quietly passes through the village, and after navigating an s-turn, finally appears to cheers and a warm welcome.

Train travel used to be prevalent throughout Prince Edward County, making daily trips from Belleville, delivering mail and passengers, picking up produce for market on the return trip. The railbeds haven’t seen a train in decades, although many are enjoyed as recreation paths. Some are simply abandoned.

Not so with the Evergreen Gardens line, built, owned, and operated by Dave Welsh.

Two sets of tracks, with more than 100 pieces of rolling stock, operate almost daily during warm weather, among landscapes, villages, and perfectly manicured gardens. The name – Evergreen Gardens – hints at the impetus but gives little clue to the epic installation.

Dave’s trains, tracks, the buildings, vehicles, people, and creatures trackside are G-scale, typically a 1:29 ratio, with the rolling stock precisely duplicating the original full-scale versions. Even the sound effects are authentic, from the purr of the diesel engines to the chatter between the conductor and engineer.

Dave didn’t plan on building a tourist attraction in his backyard. He just wanted a rock garden, something he always admired as a boy, watching his mother’s passion for gardening, while his father ran the family dairy farm. He thought about adding a water feature, and then his friend and boss John Woodland suggested stocking the pond with koi.

His first attempt at designing a pond was a learning opportunity. Dave’s wife Elly, retired from teaching in 2006, laughs as she recalls that initial effort. “It looked like a coffin,” she shared. Dave made changes, and Elly saw the improvement. “It looked like a coffin with wooden sides.”

Dave got serious.After a lifelong career in the grocery

industry, perhaps best known locally as the frozen dairy manager at Picton’s No Frills, Dave’s vision emerged. He began transforming the back yard, collecting rocks from nearby fence rows, initially building modest elevations. In the spring of 2006, he knew the time had come, and the iconic line from his favourite movie, Field of Dreams, resonated in his heart. “If I build it, they will come.”

He did and they have, and visitors, and admittedly Dave and Elly, are surprised by what they find in the Welsh’s backyard.

Dave was planning gardens and ponds, and since their charming property rests on the headwaters of Waring Creek, they were ideally situated for both.

A fortuitous trip to a hobby shop in Picton changed everything. “There were these large-scale trains,” recalls Dave. “I’d never seen them before and asked Joe, the owner, what they were for. He told me they were for outdoor use and known as G-scale or garden trains. I hadn’t thought about trains, but the opportunity was there.”

The hook was set.The rock gardens and ponds are now part of

a mountain, built by Dave over the course of more than a decade, adding features here and there, gathering equipment, laying track. Elly says he never plans, he just creates. “It grows organically,” Dave insists. “I work around the trees.”

Dave built his own mountain, in his backyard. From the street, even from the

front of the house, there is no hint of the joy awaiting visitors. Behind the garage, the magic appears.

Initially, Dave built a smaller track with more modest elevations, which he ran for about three years, while imagining a much larger project. The second track, and it’s stunning setting, took some work. Dave moved in 250 tons of stone soil. There are 9.5 tons of rock in one corner alone. He thought about adding more height but stopped with a viewing platform at 18 feet.

He reinstalled the first track, added a second, and although they do not intersect, there is an illusion of that, and both are perfectly level. “That the key to success,” Dave explains. “Mine have zero grade.”

In 2012, he built a 40 by 14-foot barn where the trains sleep at night, in bad weather, and in the winter. Including the mountain and the barn, he laid 1,200 feet of brass track, creating two distinct lines. The barn has eight sidings

about 30 feet long, four for each track. It also houses the electrical supply for the trains and track, and Dave’s assortment of rolling stock.

The mountain is accessible, offers walking paths, a picnic area, and viewing platforms. There are streams and gullies, which of course require trestles – two of them, 35 and 40 feet long, all built faithfully to that 1:29 scale.

Finding G-scale trains is a challenge. Because of its size, it is not readily available. Most train enthusiasts collect the more popular HO and N-scale. The G-scale is the largest, before getting into a rider, and requires considerable outdoor space. Dave credits Doug Kingsmill of Kings Hollow Garden Trains in Castleton for his tireless assistance with rolling stock, electronics, and advice.

As a hobby, it is becoming more expensive. “The cost of raw materials has increased, and the price of equipment is probably 400 to 500 per cent higher than when I started.”


C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

ad1_revised.pdf 1 2/19/2020 9:41:12 AM

In the early days, Dave had help building his collection with what he thought was a nice lottery win. He checked his ticket at the local store and thought he’d won $10,000. Turns out he missed a zero and the prize was $100,000. “Of course, I didn’t put it all into trains,” he claims, accompanied by an epic eyeroll from Elly.

With 10 locomotives and more than 90 freight, box, flatbed, and tanker cars, Dave is grateful for a network of enthusiasts who point him in the right direction. “There are not many second-hand G-scale pieces available, but if you know where to look, you can usually find them in good condition. Today, a new engine with sound and remote capability is about $1,500 and freight cars are $150 to $200. A passenger car runs about $500.”

The locomotives are 21 to 31 inches long, seven inches high, and 4.25 inches wide. They run on brass track, electrically powered by 24 volts, and controlled by a remote, which works speed, direction, and up to 100 unique sounds, including a horn. Dave’s engines are all exact scale replicas of real trains, with great attention to detail. Phoenix Sound Systems sends technicians to rail yards to record the actual sounds of the train. The whistles and horns on Dave’s Dash 9 and GP38-2 locomotives are exact.

“There’s a conductor who gives the all aboard call, there is chatter between him and the engineer, a bell, horn, whistle, and hundreds of available sounds,” explains Dave.

“Doug Kingsmill helps me a lot with the technical details.”

THE COUNTY’S LARGEST SHOWROOM124 MAIN STREET PICTON 613.476.9259 www.countyfireplace.ca

24 COUNTY & QUINTE LIVING SUMMER 2020 countyandquinteliving.com

The collection includes one passenger car, and Dave admits to some bias. “The two Molson Canadian cars and of course the Evergreen sea container are my favourites. I don’t have a plan when I go to a show or a store. I just see it and like it. Maybe it’s the colour or the name or the wording – I know when it belongs here.”

He combs flea markets, thrift shops, and train and garden shows for buildings, figurines, track, and used cars, looking for the right scale. Dave built many of the buildings and accessories and designed and laid all the track. He constructed the trestles and tunnels, again to scale, and it is constantly evolving.

Dave and Elly have lived on the property for almost 25 years, and it has been in Elly’s family for generations. They severed off several acres from the Pickering family farm, raised their children, and now greet guests from around the world.

They welcomed 86 members of the Picton Model Train Club, photo groups, and garden and horticultural clubs. One of Dave’s favourite stories involves a visit from a Toronto area horticultural society. About 100 people came by bus and toured half a dozen gardens in the area. Dave recalls five or six

men sitting on the back of the bus. “We were the last stop, and this was the only place the guys got off the bus,” he smiles.“We have something for everyone – flowers,

trains, fish, tranquility, and it’s always evolving. I’ll get a new inspiration and off I go. I have a village, a church with a graveyard behind a picket fence, a hearse with a casket. I need a bride and groom for the front door of the chapel.”

He has grain elevators, train stations, moose, elk, 11 bears, and of course a No Frills truck backed up to a loading dock.

Kids come for scavenger hunts; adults come from afar. To date, more than 3,000 people have visited, representing every province and territory in Canada and countries around the world. Dave and Elly cherish the signed guest books, with addresses from Russia, Australia, New Zealand, China, most European and South American countries, and of course the United States. Dave particularly enjoys visits from railroad professionals who share their stories and the history of the locomotives they have commanded. “It’s an education to me, too, and the camaraderie of the railroad community is fascinating.”

Each season brings new designs and a lot

of work. Dave starts cleaning his gardens as soon as the weather allows, and is usually open from May to October, by appointment only. Once the gardens are clear, he inspects and tests the track, then starts setting out his buildings (more than 40 and growing), and the figurines.

The trains don’t run in the rain, but Dave likes to operate them after dark, adding a new element to the experience, and inspiring other enthusiasts to do the same.“The hobby never ends,” Dave admits.

“Without it, I would have gone back to work after retiring in 2012 or gone mad. Maybe this is madness, but we enjoy it, and get as much pleasure out of sharing it as building it.”

Evergreen Gardens Outdoor G Scale Railroad welcomes visitors by appointment only. There is ample room for physical distancing. There is no admission, but donations are warmly accepted. This joyous display is located just south of the roundabout in Picton.

________________Evergreen Garden207 Sandy Hook Road, Picton613.476.7556

ALWAYS WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS!

YOUR SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY

WWW.YOUMAKEMESMILE.CA

Your safety and the safety of our staff is of upmost importance and we have taken precautions to make sure that we all remain safe. We pride ourselves in being one of the leaders in our community following IPAC's highest standards in sterilization and disinfection. In addition to the already precautionary measures that you would already expect

from us, we added and we have heightened many measures.

OFFERING VIRTUAL CONSULTATION SERVICES

96 Division Street, Trenton488 Dundas Street, Belleville

613 208 1096

The tasting went perfectly. Not just small bites, but a full Indian dinner for the prospective groom, whose extended family was coming from India for a spring wedding in Prince Edward County. The groom was impressed at the authenticity of the cuisine prepared by the young chef from the Prairies. There was one more test, though. Leftovers went home to Mom, who gave her enthusiastic stamp of approval.“That was rewarding,” smiles Tomas Crossley,

owner of Kaleidoscope: A Moveable Feast, a relative newcomer to the County food scene, with a highly successful first season in the rear-view mirror.

The wedding, full of ethnic traditions and celebrations, would kick off Kaleidoscope’s second season. It was to be the first of many weddings, celebrations, events, and festivals where Tomas Crossley, his wife Kimberly, and his brother Matthew could showcase their business.


County roots

and global

inspirations


Where Quality Grows

Annuals • Perennials • Vegetable Plants • Trees and Shrubs • Hanging Baskets • Garden Accents

332 County Rd. 1, Picton, “Just around the roundabout” • 613-476-5757• lockyers.com

Seasonals/Tropical Flowering Plants • Custom Orders • Personalized Service

OVER 100 YEARS OF GROWING IN 'THE COUNTY'!

GIFTCertificatesAvailable

OPENALL

YEAR

photographyvideo | drone

designbranding

website devbusiness plans

facilitation

613-503-2325vaughangroup.ca

Tomas, a classically trained chef, spent 2019 making his mark in the County. He brought his considerable talents to public events and private celebrations, showcasing his gourmet fare at weddings, and having fun sharing his food at festivals, all from the Kaleidoscope mobile kitchen. Word gets around quickly in these parts, and revellers knew they could count on Tomas for inspired cuisine, whether it was dinner on the deck of a sailboat for six, or a wedding feast for 250.

He found a bank of freelance chefs willing and able to step up to the stove and stations and another group of local ladies who specialized in serving at events. He remains in awe of the pockets of talent nearby, so willing to lend a professional hand.

He was ready. He had unique events planned throughout this new region he already loved. His second season was set to be spectacular.

And then it wasn’t. “In a couple of weeks, an entire season was swept away,” said Tomas.

Was it the end of this promising yet nascent business? No, it was the beginning of something unplanned, yet oh so necessary and delightful.

Kimberly called an audible at the goal line. Instead of catering events, they would cater very special events, those too rare in the past and now so vital – the family dinner. They would offer gourmet meals, all prepared in the Kaleidoscope kitchen, made with quality local products, delivered to the door. They would do it while self-isolating, maintaining physical distancing, and contactless commerce. They

would take those insulating insular buzzwords of this new decade and offer families an in-home, safe, fine dining experience. Not once, not monthly, but five nights of the week.

Tomas is an experienced chef and caterer, a career he loves, although at one time, it wasn’t on his horizon. A high school guidance counsellor noted his excellent math and science marks and encouraged him to become a doctor. Two years of pre-med at the University of Calgary proved he had the aptitude, but not the passion. “My grades were excellent, and I was tutoring other students, but it didn’t feel right. I hated it.”

He always loved cooking and a summer job at Jasper Park Lodge drew him further into the pursuit. “It was my first foray into professional cooking and the hierarchy of a commercial kitchen. I loved the environment, learning the idiosyncrasies of others. There were probably 100 kitchen staff on two levels. We did room service, banquets, the golf course clubhouse, and five full-service restaurants with diverse menus.”

Most importantly, he had a chance to watch chefs from around the world work. “There were so many high-end chefs who came to the area, semi-retired, taught at culinary schools, and cooked at the lodge. To be able to watch them, to learn as they ran the kitchens and created dishes with ingredients so familiar to them but new to me, that was a gift.”

Tomas had a chance to work in The Bean, the colleague cafeteria. Kitchen staff would take surplus food from the main kitchen and


AUTHORIZED DEALER

1 Mile North of Hwy 401 on Hwy 62 Belleville

(613) 962-91111-800-267-2851

www.abprecast.ca

Food TrucksArtisans

BikesIce CreamClothing

CoffeePaddlboards

Kayaks

OPEN DAILY 11 to 5June 18 to Labour Day

West Zwicks Park

Fonts:skbailey - Avenir Next Heavytag - Avenir Next Medium uppercase(Beware, when used for large headlines, tracking will need to be adjusted between certain characters.)

Headline ideas: Propelling your business in a digital world

Color Alternative: depending on marketing piece, use red only for holiday

Gold: 0.25.100.0Charcoal: 0.0.0.85

Tangerine: 0.50.100.0

Aqua: 92.0.35.0

Lime: 41.3.86.0

Red: 8.100.100.0

Get a professional, hard-working

website starting at$999

skbailey.com

is your website doingits job?

Call us today at 613-969-8896

reinvent it, building skills and feeding friends. Two weeks in, Tomas was instructed to make meatloaf. The executive chef stopped by and sampled it. Shortly after, a sous chef told Tomas he was promoted to the breakfast shift in the main kitchen. It was a step in the right direction, but there were sacrifices. “I had to start at 3 a.m. We were living in dorms and I’d be getting up for work when most others were still partying from the night before,” he smiles.

“I was only late once, and I was reprimanded by the executive chef and five sous chefs. It never happened again.”

Two years of cooking school followed, and Tomas finished with strong fundamentals and foundational skills, but he knew there was a lot of learning ahead. “I was no means a chef, yet.”

He interned at Spruce Meadows with a catering company, working events throughout the city, and discovered he loved this sector of the food industry. “Every day is something new and challenging. There is no normal, no comfort zone. We could be prepping a new menu and serving in a different venue to a unique group every day. I didn’t realize it then, but that’s when I fell in love with catering.”

For this overachiever, there were tough days. “It was a lot of fun and I loved it, but I also hated being the new and inexperienced cook. The experts were dancing circles around me, even though they were extremely helpful. At the end, though, I was one of them. I graduated top of my class.”

He became a line cook in Calgary, but it wasn’t a good fit, and then he worked with a small catering company, which he loved, but he was anxious to travel, to see Canada. In July 2007, Tomas and his brother hit the road without a destination in mind. They crisscrossed the country and eventually landed in Toronto. “We found our vibe. We loved the energy, great concerts, and the food scene.”

He found a job at the Beer Bistro. “They brought in beers from all over the world; almost everything on the menu had beer in it. I learned a lot about pairing and how one ingredient can inspire an entire menu.”

One of his first Toronto jobs was at a breakfast restaurant in the Beaches. “The owner was Persian and back in Afghanistan he had a five-star restaurant. Now he had

this busy breakfast place. I’d be making breakfast for diners and he’d be in the corner creating an aromatic rice dish. He asked if I was hungry and shared it. It was amazing. I learned so much from him.”

Tomas had a chance to return to his love of catering when he joined Rose Events, a division of Rose Reisman’s empire. “I was right back in it,” he smiles. “Most events were in the Toronto area, but we’d go as far as Muskoka and Kingston. One day we might catering a cocktail party for a law firm and the next was a wedding with hundreds of guests. I had a lot of freedom. We could play with recipes and ingredients. On slow days, we would do research and development. My partner and I fed off each other. It was a lot of fun and great experience.”

Already hooked on catering, Tomas found a new love a Rose Events. Kimberly also worked there, and soon they were planning a life together, including a three-month European vacation. They landed in Paris and spent a week there, then headed to the south of France, Luxemburg, Germany, Austria, Italy, and finally Spain. Kimberly’s father was from


• Custom Kitchens, Bathrooms, Cabinetry • Hunter Douglas Blinds• Hardwood, Carpet, Laminate Flooring • Full Design Service!

Visit our Design Gallery for all your home improvement needs.

Picton

is WhereThe Heart Is

13544 Loyalist Pkwy., Picton613-476-7497

[email protected]

Here’s How.

Sardinia, and that required a pilgrimage, and they fell in love with Barcelona. “The gastronomy scene is incredible,” he recalls.

“There is something new different on every corner – new scents and flavours and presentations.”

They ended their vacation in the south of Spain, staying in Granada, and taking day trips in their rented car. One was to a small village by the sea, where they saw a man whittling on the beach. “He was carving skewers near his friend who had a fire going. He was grilling sardines, serving them with just some salt, and an ember-baked potato. It was the best meal of the entire trip; it was so simple and honest and delicious. Even the skewers were fresh and local.”

The impact of the trip remains with Tomas. “It opened my eyes. There is a global mosaic of unique local flavours, and so many ways to prepare and serve and honour these ingredients. A dish could vary from corner to corner and even house to house, depending on the influences and traditions. No one can ever know everything about cooking. It’s an art form, it’s a constant education, and there is so much delight in listening and watching and tasting.”

Tomas admits a preference for French cuisine because it was his formal training, but when asked about his favourite dish, he takes a moment. “Maybe a falafel, or authentic Vietnamese pho with tripe. And anything I haven’t made. People get intimidated cooking for a chef, but they shouldn’t. We love having people cook for us, and we will probably learn something.”

After returning to Toronto, Tomas proposed, Kimberly said yes. She returned to the family business and Tomas went back to cooking. “I worked in hospitality because of the regular hours. It was a great opportunity to work with a lot of people with different backgrounds, to learn from their experience, intuitiveness, and family traditions. I learned to make chimichurri

from a Chilean chef. You can always learn something from someone who has a different experience, from the perfect way to cut meat for a specific dish to the feel of a pan. I worked with so many great people who wanted to teach me, to share their valuable knowledge and expertise. I try to be that chef for others.”

The call for change was tugging on Tomas. “I always wanted my own business and knew if I were going to stay in the food industry, I had to be my own boss.” He started by catering a wedding – his own, a German-Sardinian blend, applying his trademark approach, this time on a very personal level. “It’s wonderful to work weddings and draw out what’s important to the couple and their family and guests. Maybe it’s the meal they had when they met, or proposed, or something traditional in their family, or a blend of cultures. Ingredients change and I want to be inspired by them.”

With several cultures in his heritage, Tomas grew up with an open mind about food. His parents both attended art school. His mother is German, his father a mix of Irish, English, Belgian, and Cree. His father is a graphic designer – he designed the Kaleidoscope logo, and his mother stayed at home to raise the kids and then went to work as a health care administrator.“Kaleidoscope, the name, is my mother’s

idea. Food isn’t static, it’s constantly moving, and the same dish is different every time. The slightest shift changes the whole picture, like a kaleidoscope.”

Tomas and Kimberly wanted to live outside the city, have some land. One of their first dates was to Prince Edward County, and they returned. “It’s a special place, removed yet close to everything, an escape, yet vibrant. We had a food truck. We could go anywhere,” he smiles. The catalyst was Amber, now three. It was time to put down roots.“It’s perfect for us,” Tomas continues. “The

food and wine and cideries are unique. The food producers, the farmers, the way they work together. I source my ingredients as close to home as possible, and yet there are so many I haven’t met. It’s an adventure, visiting the farms, and building these relationships.”

Tomas met Tim and Angela of Jubilee Forest Farm and was inspired. “I love baking bread. It goes with so many other dishes, and meeting Tim and Angela was the push for that. We use their flours for the bread we serve, and we bake bread for their farmstand.”

As outgoing as Tomas, Kimberly, and Matthew are, they are following strict self-isolation rules. As a food service, their goods are delivered to them. They don’t have to go to a grocery store, and they follow an equally strict protocol when delivering to their customers.“When we deliver food, it is contactless.

We are very mindful about our isolation and physical distancing. Those advanced food handling courses are coming in handy right now. The menu is online, clients order and pre-pay, and we deliver to their door and leave it there with cooking or reheating

instructions. We offer a different meal every day and we sell out. We’re prepping 15 to 30 meals a day. Not everyone wants to cook every day and we give families a chance to try something new. They can have gourmet meals delivered to their door. It’s good, simple food with quality ingredients, made with love from scratch. The bread is baked fresh every day, and we always have sweets available, with a special dessert every Friday. It usually works out to less than $20 per person, all in, delivered. We want to be fair and offer good food and a helpful experience. It’s a different kind of busy. Tuesday to Saturday, Sunday is a day off, Monday is a prep day.”

Of all the clients he serves, one is very special. The brother he toured Canada with now works in the surgical department at Toronto General Hospital. His wife is a nurse. Every Sunday, they take a drive to the County and pick up a week’s worth of gourmet meals, courtesy of a very appreciative brother. Tomas sets the food down, backs away, has a quick visit from a safe distance, and the brothers part company, heading into a new week of this new normal.“I never thought we’d be living like this, but

here we are. We just want to keep busy and feed people.

____________________________Kaleidoscope: A Moveable Feastkaleidoscopecatering.com416.805.6255


Filling liFe with the beSt ingRedientS

Kyle Jones’ chilDhooD Dream comes true

The little boy loved going to Di Rienzo Deli in Ottawa. He’d get to pick his own bread and tell the man behind the counter what he wanted on it, just like the grown ups did. Whatever he chose for the inside, the little boy remembers most of all the bread, that freedom to choose, the way he could invent anything he wanted, all wrapped in that pillow.

Those trips to Di Rienzo changed Kyle Jones’ life, as did growing up in an Italian

neighbourhood in Ottawa. “We weren’t Italian, but all my friends were, and I’d hang out in their backyards, fascinated as their parents and grandparents tended gardens. It didn’t matter how big or small the backyard, everyone had a vegetable garden, and the harvests were sumptuous. To this day, eggplant parmesan is my favourite sandwich.”

Kyle’s love of sandwiches never left him. Not when he moved to Toronto


LARGE SELECTIONOF LIGHTS,

LAMPS AND CEILINGFANS

613.392.5867

Electrical Contractor Since 1968

Hwy 2 BetweenTrenton& Brighton

www.vanvarkelectric.com

and managed a start up financial services company. Particularly not during those crazy six years of working around the clock. “We lived in the Junction, and fell into the job. We experienced incredible growth, but I was working 24/7 and I was exhausted.”

Nelda, Kyle’s wife, challenged him. “She asked me if I was going to work this hard, why wasn’t I doing it for my dream instead of working for someone else. That was a really good question.”

By then, Kyle and Nelda wanted a change. They were tired of the convenience and noise of the city and were homesteaders at heart. They wanted to raise their kids and let

them play in the dirt, get their hands grubby, understand where food comes from. “When Jack was born, Nelda asked me if I wanted to look back with regret or live my dream.”

Kyle always wanted a sandwich shop. He loved watching his father cook and although he says the only thing his grandmother can make is a reservation, he named the business in her honour. “She and my Dad had such fun in the kitchen. I wanted that vibe for the business.”

Nelda was raised as a progressive German Mennonite. Both sets of grandparents migrated to Mexico to enjoy religious freedom, and her parents were born there.


The families were true homesteaders, growing their food, milking their cow, sharing what they needed as a community.

Kyle mentions Nelda often in his journey from a tech start up manager to a sandwich king. They met when she was Kyle’s bartender. “I don’t drink now, but I’m happy I did then. I just kept going to the bar because I had a crush on her.” His eyes light up when he speaks of Nelda, their two-year-old son Jack, and another son due in mid-June. Nelda attended fashion school, lived in England, built theatre sets, and is now a silversmith. Kyle says she has a great entrepreneurial spirit with a lot of common sense.

“Without Nelda, I’d be living in the trailer eating unsold sandwiches,” he laughs.

He accepted her challenge, and they began to plan for the next step. On a trip to Ottawa, they detoured to Prince Edward County. Nelda knew of it’s thriving art scene, but they hadn’t visited yet. Driving through Bloomfield, Nelda told Kyle to stop. “We have to live her,” she declared.

Flossie’s Sandwich Parlour had a home.They brought their food truck, their son,

their dream to Prince Edward County, settling on almost 10 acres on Salem Road, and began understanding the quirks of the County, learning the business of running a food truck, and discovering the resources surrounding their new home.

They found they couldn’t park a food truck just anywhere and start selling sandwiches, according to County bylaws. No problem, they’d change their business model to farmers markets, festivals, and public and private events.

Help came from everywhere. Kyle met Angelo Bean and learned of his 12-year-old prosciutto made from heritage Berkshire pigs. Although hesitant, he accepted an offer from Rod Hadath to try water buffalo. “It’s beautiful! There’s a sweetness to it and it has so many layers. It’s a staple on our menu now.”

Kyle sources Red Devon beef from Opoma Farms in Wooler, chicken from Prinzen Farms in Carrying Place, and produce from Mayfair Farm in Cherry Valley and Blue Wheelbarrow in Bloomfield. He ventures to a butcher in Tweed for pork. “I like the way he handles it,” Kyle explains.

He learned everyone has a connection to someone, and the County food and beverage scene is circuitous. “We’re across the road from Gillingham Brewery. They send their spent grains to Hops and Heifers, Rod feeds it to the water buffalo, and we use it at Flossie’s. It’s like marinating from the inside out. We make ale aioli and onions. We’re inspired by our neighbours.”

Kyle laughs at his learning curve. “Not knowing what to do creates so many opportunities.”

He had fun inventing names for his sandwiches, loved sourcing ingredients, and inventing a menu from scratch, and was ready for his opening day of business. Flossie’s was to debut at the Wellington Farmers Market in five days. Except Kyle forgot the bread. It wasn’t that he didn’t have enough, he hadn’t planned for bread. “Sort of a key element in a sandwich, isn’t it?” he noted.

Scrambling, Kyle dropped into the Wellington Bakery and presented his dilemma. He met Joe, who it turns out was


1725Old Highway 2, Belleville, K8N 4Z2613-966-1028 • 1-866-466-6876

[email protected] • montroseinn.ca

Boutique B&B and Tea Room

AfternoonTea!Fridays & Sundays All Year.Call for Reservations.

SAY ITWITHFLOWERS

Your local Wedding and Funeral Specialists.

443 Dundas St. W., Belleville613-967-8410

avondaleflowersgifts.com

Furniture for every room with everyday fair pricing

Come into Countrytime Furniture where you will find Ontario-made solid

wood furniture with your choice of many finishes and textures as well as

a large variety of beautiful fabric and top grain leather options. Create

pieces to fit your space with customizable sizes and configurations on

most pieces such as kitchen islands, bathroom vanities, sideboards or bookcases. We are a family

run business with experienced staff who can help you achieve your dream interiors. Buy local,

Canadian furniture made right here in Ontario.

ASK US ABOUT OUR MILITARY DISCOUNT!

613-634-1400 | 1245 Midland Ave, Kingston, ON | www.countrytime.ca

Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .ai Facebook “f ” Logo CMYK / .ai

RUSTIC | COUNTRY | CLASSIC | CONTEMPORARY

Inspired Living

L

OC

ALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

SINCE 1999CANADIAN MADE

SINCE 1999

CANADIAN MADE

L

OC

ALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

from Ottawa and used to run the Richmond Bakery, and had some sandwich experience. Joe used to supply Di Rienzo Deli, where that little boy first fell in love with sandwiches. “The baker who made the bread for my favourite sandwiches is now baking bread for my food truck. That’s pretty cool. I owe so much to Joe.”

Those first two seasons were busy. There were markets and festivals and private events and demand was increasing. Kyle took Flossie’s on the road, doing kitchen takeovers at the Vic Café, Parsons Brewing, and Midtown Brewing. “We’d give their staff a break; we’d do the food and they’d handle the alcohol sales. It was a lot of fun. We met great people who encouraged us, we were inspired by the challenge, and it was tremendous exposure.”

Kyle did a week at Belleville’s Brake Room, thankful for the chance to meet Adam and Laura Tilley, whom he credits for providing a platform for local entrepreneurs.

Although he was grateful for the exposure, Kyle had a sense the tail was wagging the dog. “I was so thrilled with the response to my cooking, and overwhelmed by the demand, and I kept saying yes to everything. I was back to exhausted, although it was different because it was my own business. We decided to dial in on the food truck. We have a 12-week window and I felt pulled away from the truck. I was missing it. I love smoking bacon and brining and curing peameal and making sausage. I missed that activity and connection.”

Opportunity knocked. “One of the pop ups was at Broken Stone Winery, and that’s where we met Carson. He and Kevin came in for sandwiches. The chefs who catered their wedding knew me and when Carson mentioned he wanted a food truck for


Home Entertainment

6 N. Front St. Belleville (613) 962-1333

.com

1983SINCE

Home Entertainment

Go Big & Stay Home.

Now is a good time to

Update your

Audio-Video System.We specialize in large screen TV

theatre systems and home audio both

inside and outside the home.

We install what we sell.

23 George Street, BrightonTel: 613-475-2764Fax: 613-475-2768

884 Division St., CobourgTel: 905-372-9117

[email protected]

Sine’SFLOORING

F I N E H O M E S S H O W C A S E

To advertise within the Fine Homes Real Estate section of the County and Quinte Living magazine, call 613-966-2034.

Elizabeth Crombie SuzanneWhite**Sales Representative and Licensed Assistant to Elizabeth Crombie, Sales Representative

104 Main Street Picton | T: 613.476.2700 | TF: 877.476.0096CrombieRealEstateTeam.com | Live Where You Love To Visit

Trademarks owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association.

MILFORD WATERFRONT

Situated in the peaceful village of Milford, this charming waterfront backsplit enjoys a scenicview from its vantage point above the Millpond. The lot is just under an acre and well treed,providing a great degree of privacy to the 3 + 1 bedroom, 2 bathroom house. Balconies off

the great room and master bedroom provide ideal places to take in the surroundings.

$625,000 MLS 200764



Elizabeth Crombie SuzanneWhite**Sales Representative and Licensed Assistant to Elizabeth Crombie, Sales Representative



MILFORD WATERFRONT

Situated in the peaceful village of Milford, this charming waterfront backsplit enjoys a scenicview from its vantage point above the Millpond. The lot is just under an acre and well treed,providing a great degree of privacy to the 3 + 1 bedroom, 2 bathroom house. Balconies off

the great room and master bedroom provide ideal places to take in the surroundings.

$625,000 MLS 200764

The eckharT house

$949,000 MLs 241081



elizabeth crombie suzanne White**sales representative and Licensed assistant to elizabeth crombie, sales representative

Situatedwithin a grove ofmature trees,“The Eckhart House”stands as a proud exampleof the County’s United Empire Loyalist Heritage.The 4 bedroom,3 bathroomhome has beenlovingly restored and updatedwith deferenceto its historic architecture.Offers restored pineflooring and brick chimneys,original trim,doorsand hardware alongwith updatedwindows,mechanical, and electrical – a blend of oldworldcharm and contemporary functionality.



Carson’s Garden + Market, they suggested Flossie’s. Carson remembered the event at Broken Stone, loved the food, and a year later, here we are.”

Carson Arthur, HGTV star, and Canada’s gardening, landscaping, and outdoor living guru, knew it was a perfect complement for his new enterprise at 1317 Wilson Road. His market offers a beautifully curated selection catering to home chefs and gardeners, all set in a charmingly rustic space. He needed a food element. Always ready with an endless smile, Carson wanted someone who shared his joy and passion for life to augment the business.

“Kyle was an obvious choice to join us at the store,” Carson shares. “Not only is his food top notch, his smile and easy-going manner are infectious. People want to be around other happy people, and its obvious that he loves what he does. Kyle’s joy translates into his food and it continues on through his happy customers.”

Kyle still can’t believe his good fortune. “Carson built the patio for the food component of his dream and we’re so proud to be part of it.”

Dropping anchor at Carson’s brought Kyle back to his roots. He prepares everything from scratch, onsite. He has a generous herb and vegetable garden adjacent to the truck, he has his smokers and grills, and he has peace-of-mind.

“I took an introductory culinary course at George Brown College before I bought the truck, and I loved it, but it wasn’t for me. I’m not seeking a Michelin star. I just want people to enjoy their food, and I love the process. Everything doesn’t always work out the way I intended, but I’ve made some delicious mistakes. We give it our best shot, have fun, and invent.”

There are long days, and as the season gets underway – Kyle is thankful he is considered an essential service – there seems to be no end of work once he gets home. “If I’m dragging my feet after a long day, and it’s 11 at night and I have three hours of cooking to prep for the next day, I’ll remind myself I don’t have to do it. I’m my own boss. I can quit anytime. Then I turn on the music and dig in because I’m living my dream. It’s shocking to have this attention. I’m just making sandwiches.”

____________________________Flossie’s Sandwich Parlour at Carson’s Garden + Market1317 Wilson RoadBloomfieldflossiesandwiches.com613.808.9818

AutoFarm

Watercraft

RecreationalVehicles

Life

Business

Home

For everything under your roof,you need what’s under ours.

At Whitley Insurance and Financial Services we ensure you are covered with the rightinsurance for Auto, Home, Business, Watercraft, Recreational vehicles and Farm, and

can also integrate your asset values with the appropriate life insurance and investments.

Take a look at what you have and call us for theprotection and financial security you need.

Call yourWhitley advisor today and let us put your mind at ease.

Whitley Insurance & Financial ServicesBelleville: 613 966 1711 | Trenton: 613 392 1283Stirling: 613 395 5501 | Deseronto: 613 396 2312

whitleyfinancial.com

Whitley Insurance & Financial Services

AutoFarm

Watercraft


Life

Business

Home









AutoFarm

Watercraft


Life

Business

Home









AutoFarm

Watercraft


Life

Business

Home









AutoFarm

Watercraft


Life

Business

Home









45countyandquinteliving.com COUNTY & QUINTE LIVING sUMMER 2020 45

signpostsSmithfield

Story and photo by Lindi PierceVintage photos courtesy

Nanci Aldham

Smithfield is a hamlet between Trenton and Brighton. No, it’s not. I’ve driven Highway 2 hundreds of times, and never passed through Smithfield. Is Smithfield one of those vanished communities, one of those ‘dots on the map’ in road atlases? (CQL Winter 2015.)

It’s there. Next time, turn north onto Walt Street, past the ‘Welcome to Smithfield’ sign, and follow the road into history. For Smithfield (Dundee once upon a time) lies along an even more famous road, the Danforth Road, named for Colonel Asa Danforth who in 1799 began the huge task of surveying and building a road between York and Kingston. Not surprisingly, the road was far from satisfactory, and quickly reverted to nature. But old Asa would be vindicated were he to visit Smithfield today.

Smithfield is alive and well, thank you very much. It started out in Murray Township, and ended up belonging to Brighton Township. Its story is preserved in Women’s Institute Tweedsmuir histories compiled in the 1950s and in the more recent brighton township, by Florence Chatten.

Smithfield was settled by United Empire Loyalist John Smith and wife Mary McDowall, and sons Abijah and Robert, who received the Crown patent around 1790 for a large acreage along powerful Smithfield Creek, which spawned several mills over time. Farming, lumbering, and milling occupied the pioneer families’ lives. Their presence is still felt; John

Drummond Smith and his descendants rest near the creek in a family burying ground.

Residences of all ages, among them the 1820s home of Robert McDowall Smith, stretch the length of leafy Smith Street. General stores and a post office, taverns, tradespeople, and train station came and went. The tidy bedroom community is still graced by Smithfield Carman United Church and cheered by the children of Smithfield Public School.

The road through town narrows as it travels eastward, the forest draws nearer and the view out to Lake Ontario reveals Highway 2 below, running in parallel. Smith Street turns sharply south to connect with the King’s Highway. Local businesses dot Highway 2 in the wider Smithfield community.

Old photographs entice the visitor back into Smithfield’s past. Many original homes are recognizable, as are the old streets and the route of the well-behaved trickle that once powered early mills. One of the last mills endures in a rural residential neighbourhood north of town along White’s Road.

Head for the Murray Hills. Visit the magical Pixie Hill Art and Craft Studio (by appointment) or bucolic Timber Ridge golf course north of Smithfield. Or park the car and walk the neat sidewalks of the village. Listen for the creek. Look for the history. It’s there.

Drone photo by Daniel Vaughan

Chestnut Park understands the importance of home and community.We want to take this opportunity to thank all of the front line

workers, with special thanks to the medical community, for keeping all of us safe during this health crisis. In order to safeguard everyone

and to put the well-being of the people we serve first, we too are encouraging everyone to stay at home and maintain social distancing.

The safety of our front line workers depends upon it.A donation has been made to our local food

bank on behalf of our Picton office.

WWW.CHESTNUTPARK.COMCHESTNUT PARK REAL ESTATE LIMITED, BROKERAGE

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY

43 Main Street, Picton, Ontario | 613.471.1708 | [email protected]

About Edward Edward Burtynsky is one of the world’s most accomplished contemporary photographers. His works are included in the collections of over 60 major museums around the world. His distinctions include the inaugural TED Prize in 2005, which he shared with Bono and Robert Fischell; the Governor General’s Awards in Visual and Media Arts; the Out-reach award at the Rencontres d’Arles; the Roloff Beny Book award; and the 2018 Photo London Master of Photography Award. Most recently he received the 2019 Lucie Award for Achievement in Documentary. He currently holds eight honorary degrees. He lives with his wife, the lawyer and entrepreneur Julia Johnston, in Toronto where they are working, despite a Covid-19 pause, on projects around the world highlighting the need for urgent action to protect our fragile environment.

Sa itarg’SG r a v i t a s Q u o t i e n tG r a v i t a s Q u o t i e n t i s a m e a s u r e o f o n e ’ s r e s e r v e s o f i n n e r w i s d o m .

Q&A

Edward Burtynsky answErs 10 Gravitas quEstions with alan Gratias

Discover your Gravitas Quotient at www.gravitasthegame.com

By Alan Gratias

NATURALLY PERFECT® WOOD PROTECTION

Protect your home with Sansin SDF – a high-performance, penetrating wood finish

that delivers exceptional UV resistance while allowing wood to breathe, preventing

moisture from getting trapped. With wood protection for everything from siding

and decks to fences and outdoor furniture, Sansin SDF will help keep your home

beautiful for years to come. For details, visit sansin.com or timbertopstore.ca

Wood Protection Never Looked so Good

Timber Top Country Store731 Ashley Street, R.R.1Foxboro, Ontario K0K 2B0Phone: 1 (888) 398-1041www.timbertopstore.ca

Timber Top Ads_Spring2018.02.indd 1 2018-04-04 12:27 PM

Edward burtynsky on location in Port Renfrew, Vancouver island for the Anthropocene Project. Photo courtesy t.J. Watt

What makes your heart stand still?standing in the rainforest on vancouver island in the presence of thousand year old trees.

if you kneW the truth, hoW Would you reveal it? through a photograph.

if you Were going to launch a neW prohibition, What Would you outlaW? the refusal to consistently reduce Co2 emissions.

hoW Would you like to reWire your brain? to have an encyclopaedic memory.

if you Were to ask for divine intervention, What Would it be for?that the human brain gets reengineered for long term thinking..

give one example of life’s absurdities. trump.

Why do We sometimes crave chaos?We’re the species with the highest level of intelligence on this planet. in order to progress as a species, we need to evolve and what is evolution if not a solution response to a problem. What is chaos if not a problem to be solved?hoW do you stay clear of the rocks and shoals?as the great baseball player, ted Williams, once said, “chance favours the prepared.”

Why should We hang onto our illusions?Because that is where dreams are hatched and voyages begin.

if you Were in charge of the World for one day, What Would you change?Love to see what would happen if everyone believed climate change was real, and post-truth and alternative facts weren’t things we had to contend with.

Family Owned &Operated – Since 1857 –‘From our Sawmill, to your Home’

- www.chisholmlumber.com -

Sawmill Manufacturersof Hardwood & Softwood

Lumber

WholesaleKiln Dried Hardwood

Operation

LumberyardShowroom | FurnitureBuilding Supplies

Custom HomeBuilders

SustainableForest Management

Services

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND QUINTE REGION · at Kingston’s western most boundary. My destination was...

Documents

Transcript of PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND QUINTE REGION · at Kingston’s western most boundary. My destination was...