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Fergus Resident Peter the Piper, Supporting Health Care & Front Line Workers

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Local Fergus resident Peter Hummel, also known as “Peter the Piper,” can be seen playing his bagpipes nightly from his front balcony in Fergus.

Like many others he is one of many worldwide supporters in the movement to thank the front line health care workers. 

His family is very supportive of his passion, with his wife Sandie Thompson being the one that urged him to get on the balcony and play.

They are now sharing his nightly Live FB videos with local community groups.  The video to watch can be found here.

 

He is an avid bagpiper: a member of the Fergus Pipe Band and the Sporran Wild Bagpipe. He also teaches bagpiping.

*** This story was published with Guelph Today for the Full Article, Click this link, https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/peter-the-piper-shows-nightly-support-for-frontline-workers-in-fergus-2198438

Talk soon,

Nancy

How Many Days Till Spring?

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How many days till Spring?  The answer today is 20 days and counting, (  I found a website that actually counts for you, https://days.to/spring/2020.

Perhaps you are like me and just done with Winter?  I have had enough of cold, blowing snow, dark days and just BLAH days.

Don’t get me wrong I like the festivities of Christmas, the decorating the time spent with family and friends, but come January and February I am completely done with “Old Man Winter!”

I like to have fresh flowers in the house, especially this time of the year.  It is one of my guilty pleasures is keeping my house filled with flowers. 

I also like to add more warmth using comfy pillows, blankets and lighting.  I love to have candles all over and little strings of white lights all over the house.  I use the battery operated candles so I don’t have to worry about any mishaps.

I keep my white lights up well beyond the Christmas season, to bring cheer to the outside of the house. Some will disagree with this, but I love the twinkle in the snow at night.

Here is a little tune called “White Lights”, from a new band I have discovered.  Check out the link below to watch this great band.

White Lights by The Rural Alberta Advantage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxRFf45knBo…

I really try to embrace all of the seasons since we are Canadian Eh!  However once January rolls around I know many others voice the same concerns about the length of our Winters.

So my top 10 tips for keeping positive in the darkness of the long days and nights!

  1. Chocolate
  2. White lights, candles, outdoor lighting
  3. Getting out to local events 
  4. Comfy blankets and comfort foods, and Movies
  5. Books
  6. Nature Walks with My Kids
  7. Naps
  8. Laughter
  9. Fresh Flowers
  10. Listening to music

 

Talk soon ~

 

Nancy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWAS – Guelph Little Theatre

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TWAS is a holiday tale currently playing at the Guelph Little Theatre. We all enjoyed watching this cast of 23 actors fabricate the narrative of their version of Santa Claus.  This story is sure to become a yearly Christmas play for years to come.

The Directors of this production are Guelph Little Theatres Shona Sneddon along with mentor Pamela Niesiobedzki-Curtis. The playbill mentioned, “Alot of sharing and learning has happened through this mentoring process of this production,” presented by Eric Woolfe.

The sets were whimsical and had a lot of quick changes, such as the North Pole, Ice Queen and an orphanage in this 2 Act play.

Walking into the lobby during the intermission there were many patrons wearing their ugly Christmas sweaters, as it was ugly sweater night. Drinks, and snacks are available preshow, intermission and post show.  They also had a 50-50 draw which is always fun.

The story unfolds as two orphans went into different directions; Lucy was adopted by a toy maker while Nick turned to a life of crime. The narrator helped move the story along and we were later introduced to a much older Lucy and Nick.

They two reunited and brought back together when Lucy catches Nick stealing valuables from her father toy workshop.

There were many interesting fantasy characters which added to the fairy-tale production, there well thought out costumes really added value to the characters, such as the conjoined twin trolls and the dancing trees.

Act two brings more developments and we see the characters changing their ways in unexpected directions.

This is a great play to attend with the whole family to help get into the Christmas spirit. We could only imagine all of the hard work and endless hours of practice to perfect this professional performance of TWAS.

For more information about the Guelph Little Theatre and to book tickets contact, the Guelph Little Theatre at 519-821-0270 or check out the website at www.guelphlittletheatre.com.

 

Talk soon ~

 

 

Nancy

 

The Polar Express Train Ride

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The Waterloo Central Railway Village Station in St. Jacobs hosts some wonderful Holiday rides.  Walking towards the venue, you could see the glowing lights from the Christmas decor. 

Bells could be heard jingling in the darkness of the evening sky. One of the smiling attendees from the previous Polar Express train ride said, “Enjoy your time, you will love it, it was so amazing!” 

Entering the warmth of the building, there were Children dressed in pajamas clutching hands with their parents some were browsing the Polar express memorabilia and perhaps wondering what the night would entail.

The lights dimmed, smoke began to fill the room and our evening at the Polar Express began as actors began to tell the story of the popular Christmas book written by Chris Van Allsburg.

Entering train C, there were festive Christmas lights decorating the interior of the 1950’s old style train.  We were met with the actors in costume greeting us all with smiles as we found our seating arrangements. 

The conductor said, “All Aboard, we are embarking on a trip to the North Pole, please have your tickets ready!”

Rolling out of the station we all knew we were in for a special evening as the conductor began to inspect the golden tickets, walking up and down the aisle performing his golden ticket duties.

Attendees can enjoy a 1 hour train ride to the North Pole in the comfort of cozy seating while The Polar Express is read, hot chocolate and treats are served, carols are sang and everyone receives a gift and visit from SANTA. 

The acting was really well done along with all of the details taken in to account to make the ride so memorable for Children of all of all ages. 

Tickets are limited so be sure to check out the website and pre book your ride, Waterloo Central Railway, https://waterloocentralrailway.com/the-polar-express-train-ride/.

One of the last impressions I heard on the loudspeaker was, “What matter’s most is not where you are going, but that you got on!” 

This annual family fun Polar Express train ride along with the Santa train ride experience takes place from Mid November only until Mid December, so get ready to make one of the most memorable experience’s your family will have this holiday season.

 

Talk soon,

 

Nancy

 

Is the Wellington County Museum Haunted?

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It is the eve of Halloween evening.  I sit here and reflect of all things that are spooky and go bump in the night as this time of year with all of the ghosts and goblins blowing in the wind.

My mind is wondering if there are really ghosts?  I think there is, and have encountered those shadow figures in my past walks in different locations.  If you have seen them, you too may know what I mean.

I have always believed the stories about the Wellington County Museum and Archives being haunted.  

This memory has been with me from a young age driving along the highway between Elora and Fergus and people saying, “that building is haunted you know!”

 

The building which is now the Wellington County Museum has not always been a museum.  It was a House of Industry and Refuge for persons who didn’t have anywhere else to go and had little monies or may have been abandoned.  

The grounds of the museum are home to a cemetery of many of the past people who lived there at one time.  It was referred to as the, “Poor House” of industry and refuge.

If you have never visited before I highly recommend you check out the display of the many photos, and stories on a permanent display.  They pay tribute to the many who did not have a place to live who may have been abandoned due to not having any other place to go, often the poor and neediest of the population.

The Museum often has ghost walks, tours and even had the Wellington County Paranormal Society.  Yes we have a group in Wellington County who investigate paranormal activity.   

They say yes it is true there is indeed some activity which has taken place at this and other locations in Wellington County.  Check out their link for information about their visit, https://wcpi.ca/

Talk soon ~

 

Happy Halloween, Nancy 

 

 

Grateful

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“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Anonymous

I have read a lot of grateful posts on social media today. This has got me thinking of the many times in my life when I may not have felt so grateful or when the “why me, or why not me” get in my way of being a productive member of society.

What has helped me more times than I remember is to slow down and just focus on all of the many wonderful things in my life. Some call this, an “Attitude of Gratitude“.

I went for a walk at lunch around one of my favorite parks in Guelph, Riverside Park. I was just in awe at all of the beautiful colours I saw with the changing of seasons.

The reds, golds with the sun shining on the river and the leaves wrestling in the wind. I was reminded once again of the most simplest things I take for granted one of them being my senses.  I was thankful I was healthy enough to walk around the park, with all of the sights and sounds of Mother Nature.

I am not a huge fan of Fall but I was sure very appreciative of all of the Fall colours and the warmth of the sunny skies today. 

I hope you will have some moments of gratefulness, and peaceful times this Thanksgiving Long weekend.

 

Talk soon ~

 

Nancy

 

 

5 Things to Do in Wellington County This Weekend

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Happy October….Lots of Events are going on in Wellington County this weekend!

Elora Fergus Studio Tour:  (Saturday, and Sunday Oct. 5, & 6th) Check out the 2nd weekend of this studio tour in Centre Wellington, https://elorafergusstudiotour.com/

Horse and Hound Parade, ELORA:  (Sunday Oct. 6th) http://grandandgorgeous.com/elora-horse-and-hound/

13 THE MUSICAL playing at the Guelph Little Theatre, Guelph https://guelph.snapd.com/events/view/1269433

The Elora Farmers Market: (Saturday Mornings) https://elorafarmersmarket.ca/

Tour De Elora: (Saturday Oct. 5th) http://www.grhf.org/event/tour-de-elora/

Talk soon,

Nancy

13 THE MUSICAL Now Playing at the Guelph Little Theatre

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It is Friday night in the Royal City, what better way to spend an evening than to take in a live performance and watch 13 THE MUSICAL at the Guelph Little Theatre.

My date for the evening was my 13-year-old daughter and her 2 giggling teeny bobber friends.  This is the first play of the Guelph Little Theatre 2019-2020 season and the musical runs until October 6th. 

The 3 gigglers beside me who are currently seniors in their secondary school all said how much the loved the performance. When asked if they could relate with the characters they all smiled and said, “Oh for sure, it so true to life!”  

Jen and Paul Barson the producers of the show commented, “When 13 The Musical was originally produced on Broadway, the musicians were teens as well as actors.  We wanted to take that to the next level for our production here at GLT and we staffed almost all the backstage roles with youth volunteers as well.”  The director, Thea Lale a young women said in the playbill that she had never written a Director’s note before. 

We watched the coming of age story play out as 13-year-old lead actor Evan Goldman moves from New York City to small town Appleton, Indiana.  He is coming to terms with his newly divorced parents, while trying to fit in with the “cool kids’ at his new school.  He hopes they will all attend his bar mitzvah, when giving out the invites describing it as a fun party to his newly non-Jewish classmates.

Looking around the audience which was all ages I could not help but think they too were reliving their school days as well.  Some memories good and some not so good.

The 5 piece live band was great and was a great addition to the rock score of the coming of age musical.  The music was incredible and like any music does it helped bring the character alive.  The many solos in the play and the singing was hard to belief for such young performers. 

We watched as Evan navigated many emotions being the new kid in school attempting to fit in with the jocks, pretty girls, cheerleaders, cool guys, and the outcasts.  

The set was simple but very well done.  You could visualize many of the different scenes.  I especially liked the simple painted boxes used throughout the play which did not feel repetitive at all.

There was a lot of interest in the initial try outs for the casting call of this play.  There were 80 people who auditioned for the 13 acting roles. All of the actors are in the up and coming stages and all exhibited a high level of professionalism. 

The ending of this 2 act play brought the packed house to a standing ovation with lots of applause for the amazing talented group of young men and women who told the story so wonderfully. 

This play is just one of many you can attend for the new season of the Guelph Little Theatre.  Check out the link to purchase tickets, https://guelphlittletheatre.com/big-shows/tickets/.  Thanks GLT for a great evening.  We look forward to the next show!

 

Talk soon,

 

Nancy

5 Things to do in Wellington County

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WHAT GOING ON IN WELLINGTON COUNTY THIS WEEKEND?

 

 

 

 

 

New Elora Luxury B&B Accomodations Inner Joy Getaways

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An Elora couple has found a unique way to re-use shipping containers.

Will and Laura Feenstra are the owners of Inner Joy Getaways, just outside of Elora, where they have turned former shipping containers into luxurious suites.

Inner Joy Getaways 7.44 acres of land along four suites looking out onto the Grand River. Along the side of the property is Swan Creek which is a premium fly fishing spot on the Grand River.

“The property has acres upon acres of protected GRCA land and beside us is a small protected bush area.  You can tube right from the Elora gorge all the way to the property. The Wilson flats are just minutes down the road from us along with various other hiking paths,” said Laura.

She said they had been watching the property on the market for 1.5 years prior and they thought they would look at it just for fun. 

(This article was originally Published at Village Media, Guelph Today, see link below)

To read more, check out the link on Guelph Today, https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/elora-business-turns-shipping-containers-into-luxurious-accommodations-1671276

Talk soon ~

Nancy