Seventy-three years ago (in 1947), a group of young Burlington musicians came together out of a shared love of music – they called themselves the Burlington Boys and Girls Band.
While the Band played locally, they were such a hit that within two years they began to travel outside of Canada. Their first international performance was at a football game in Ohio.
No one could have guessed that all these years later, this small band from Burlington, Ontario, would be world-renowned โ and the oldest and largest youth marching band in Canada.
Much of that credit goes to founder Elgin Corlett who was the Bandโs first music director. In 1965, under Corlettโs leadership, the groupโs name was changed to the Burlington Teen Tour Band.
Since then, there have been many changes. In 1968, the City of Burlington took over the operations and Eric Ford was appointed music director. From 1977 to 1998, Don Allan was the assistant director, eventually becoming the music director, and in 1998, Rob Bennett was appointed the Bandโs managing director.
The Band has grown to about 220 members who are between the ages of 13 and 21. Each band member plays several instruments, including the flute, saxophone, trombone, drums, and cymbals. There are also flag carriers and majorettes, all of whom practice twice a week.
Over the last seventy-three years, the Band has been in popular demand, representing Burlington all over the world. From England, France, Japan, and The Netherlands, to Belgium and Germany, the Burlington Teen Tour Band has a lengthy list of performances. They’ve been honoured to play for Heads of State and Royalty, graced the Grey Cup and Calgary Stampede, and they even paraded down the Main Street USA Parade in Disneyland.
However, true honour came with their performances at the 60th VE-Day Anniversary Celebrations in Holland, the 60th D-Day Anniversary Celebrations in France, and the 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbour.
One of their biggest highlights was when they were chosen as one of 20 marching bands to participate in the 2018 New Yearโs Day Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. The parade is known as the granddaddy of all parades. As the first foreign band to lead the parade and the only Canadian band that year, it was truly a humbling experience.
In a documentary made about the trip called Band Geeks, one band member described being part of the parade as a โonce in a lifetime experience.โ
Their hard work and many successes have not gone unnoticed, and in 2017, Mayor Rick Goldring officially proclaimed July 3 to 9 as Burlington Teen Tour Band Week.
The Band also earned high praise from such luminaries as the late Hon. Lincoln Alexander who described them as โthe best of the bestโ, while Major General Richard Rohmer called them “one of the greatest success stories in the history of Canadian municipalities.โ
True to form, the Band hasnโt let COVID-19 stop them. Theyโve resumed their practices at Central Park, although now theyโre following social distancing rules, and have given virtual performances.
While all of the accolades and awards over the years have been nice, the driving force that pushes them to try their best has always been the personal connections they draw from each other. As one member said in the documentary, โWe’re not just a band, we’re family.โ
Fall is in the air โ the crisp breeze, the cozy sweaters, the pumpkin spice lattes, and the gorgeous sights of leaves changing colour. So zip up, strap on your hiking boots, and get outside to enjoy the breathtaking Fall foliage that this season has to offer in our local region!
From small parks hidden within the suburban sprawl and bursting with colours, to conservation areas and trails leading to stunning views of the Niagara Escarpment, to hidden gems alive with wildlife and birds of all species, the Halton Region is a nature loverโs playground and a magical place to be during the Autumn months.
Now, without further ado, here are the best parks and trails to visit in Burlington, Milton & Oakville!
Highlights:Known as Canadaโs largest Botanical Gardens, RBG invites you to stroll along their picture-perfect trails and gardens that will leave you marvelling at the rich fall colours of foliage and the seasonal blooms in each of the five parks (RBG Centre, Hendrie Park, Laking Garden, Rock Garden, and the Arboretum) located in Burlington and Hamilton.
Highlight:Backing onto the RBGโs Hendrie Park, this beautiful 100-hectare nature sanctuary is centred on the Grindstone Creek Valley and features over 4 kilometres of trails. ย ย During the autumn season, the valley bursts with rich fall colours as you stroll along the peaceful trail and the winding boardwalk, listening to the sounds of nature surrounding you. Itโs a true paradise in the city!
Note: Reservations are now required before your visit โ book atparkvisit.ca.
Where: 5317 Guelph Line
Highlights:Thousand-year-old crevice caves, majestic ancient cedars and limestone boulders blanketed by rich green ferns. Mount Nemo Conservation Area is a jewel of nature, with one of the best cliff ecosystems on Ontarioโs Niagara Escarpment. Wander through the dense forested trails, pause at the cliff-edge lookout points for gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside. (Note: if youโre eager to engage in a full day of hiking, Mount Nemo has connections to the Bruce Trail).
Note: Reservations are now required before your visit – book atparkvisit.ca.
Where: 7200 Appleby Line, Milton
Highlights:Featuring various trails ranging from easy to adventurous, Rattlesnake Point is a popular spot for all outdoor enthusiasts seeking to escape the city and enjoy a whole day of hiking, bird watching and stargazing (if you stay until dusk). While there are several lookout points, the Buffalo Craig Lookout Point features the most breathtaking views of the Niagara Escarpment, as visitors will enjoy the sightlines of the fall colours extending into the distance and turkey vultures soar over the picturesque landscape.
Note: Reservations are now required before your visit – book at parkvisit.ca.
Where: 5234 Kelso Road, Milton
Highlights:With the breathtaking Niagara Escarpment as the backdrop, Kelso is a mecca for nature and adventure enthusiasts, with year-round hiking and a variety of seasonal outdoor activities for all interests and skill levels. Visitors enjoy hiking and mountain biking during the Autumn months, where they can tour the extensive trail network while marvelling the stunning fields and views of the old-growth forests atop the escarpment.
Note: Reservations are now required before your visit – book atparkvisit.ca.
Where:4985 Campbellville Road, Milton
Highlights:Another little paradise in our local area, Hilton Falls boasts a picturesque waterfall perfect for photo-ops, the historic ruins of the areaโs former Mill, and a peaceful reservoir to enjoy a quiet pause as you see the gorgeous Fall colours reflected in the water.
Note: Reservations are now required before your visit – book atparkvisit.ca.
Where: 2259 Milburough Line, Campbellville
Highlights:During the Autumn months, the sugar maple trees blaze into bright beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow. Visitors can enjoy a serene hike (or a mountain bike trail ride) along the Wildlife Walkway Trail to see the wetlands painted in these gorgeous Fall colours. Mounstberg also invites nature lovers to bring a non-motorized boat to the Mountsberg Reservoir where they can enjoy a calm, scenic view of the park. Lastly, a trip to Mountsberg Conservation Area isnโt complete without enjoying some bird-watching at the Raptor Centre where visitors can meet Jazz the Barn Owl and several other birds, who live in their enclosed outdoor environments.
Note: Reservations are now required before your visit – book atparkvisit.ca.
Where: 3115 Conservation Road
Highlights:This beautiful oasis explodes in a fire of colour during the Autumn season. Shutterbugs and nature enthusiasts will be amazed as they walk along the peaceful boardwalk and gaze at the gorgeous colours reflected in the park’s meromictic lake, or enjoy a hike to the Nassagaweya Canyon Lookout for a flawless view of the Niagara Escarpment, photographing the beautiful meadows, woodlands, and pine plantations. Also, donโt miss out on visiting the Jefferson Salamander and Monarch Butterfly wood carvings on the Hide and Seek Trail: the carvings spread awareness of species at risk.
Highlights:It might be the smallest of the Halton Conservation Areas, but Robert Edmondson is bursting with beauty along its 1.4 mile trail with a beautifully-maintained boardwalk. This tiny hideaway will provide you with peace and quiet time for reflection in nature, away from the busy crowds at the larger parks and conservation areas. While Spring boasts gorgeous marsh marigolds, Autumn is just as serene as visitors gaze upon the reflection of the fall colours on the reservoir.(Note: no reservation is required)
Highlights:One of Ontarioโs most beautiful parks, featuring five adventurous hiking trails of varying length and difficulty! Along with the beautiful fall colours, the park abounds with various bird species and wildlife!
Highlights:Located right in the middle of Oakville, this magical trail will swiftly have you feeling like youโre deep within nature and far from the city. Manageable for hikers of all skill levels, the trail features various lookout points, with the west bank lookout showcasing spectacular sightlines of the fall foliage! There are many access points to the trail, scattered through Oakville, but the best are found in and around Lions Valley Park, between Upper Middle Road West and Dundas Street West.
Highlights:Stroll through beautiful flower gardens that change with the season, sit down on one of the stone benches to admire the fall foliage and stroll down the walking trail that leads to a serene water fountain and breathtaking lakeside views.
Highlights:Connecting to Joshuaโs Creek Trail, this park features towering trees that look gorgeous during Autumn, as you walk along and enjoy the peaceful sounds of the bubbling brook!
Highlights:One of Oakvilleโs best-kept secrets, this charming park is another hidden gem that will leave you daydreaming in solitude under beautiful canopies of fall trees.
Celebrate the Autumn harvest season with Niagara’s annual “Taste The Season” experience.
Year after year, wine enthusiasts travel to the Niagara region and enjoy a weekend of wine tasting, paying a visit to the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake and pairing wines with their perfect culinary matches.
For the 2020 edition, Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake are no longer able to offer an on-site experience, but guests are being invited to enjoy a warm & cozy Taste the Season in their own home!
This Taste the Season At-Home experience invites wine afficionados to have rare & seasonal Niagara wines shipped right to their door! The Taste-the-Season six-packs feature locally crafted 100% VQA wines that are perfect for holiday entertaining. To make it a delectable wine & culinary experience, the gift packs also include Holiday-inspired recipes (from local restaurant chefs) that have been expertly paired with each wine. With the wines and recipes in hand, you will be able to re-create your own Taste the Season Experience.
So what are you waiting for?
Celebrate the season’s bounty and kick-off the holiday season (in the best of spirits!) with your family and friends as you enjoy this delectable experience and support a local tradition!
Visit the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake SHOP page where you will find the selection of โTaste the Season at Homeโ six-packs from member wineries. When you find one you like simply click on the BUY NOW button to be directed to the wineryโs online store to place your order.
Note: Each business listed below has made changes and are taking precautions to ensure customer and employee safety during this time. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm up-to-date products, offers, hours and safety procedures.ย ย
Make fall your season of stress-relief with a visit to our Best Spa Talk of the Town Award-winner,ย Rosewater Spa!
Thisย Downtown Oakvilleย establishment has a full menu of services, including massage, facials, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, waxing, tinting and makeup application.
Treat yourself to something special and book an experience in their VIP Suite. Pair a steam in their Aroma Grotto room with relaxing treatments and specialized treats such as chocolate and champagne.
Pick from their preset packages or create your own and indulge in a full-body spa experience you wonโt forget.
Looking for something cosmetic? Stop by our Best Spa runner-upย Qi Tranquility Spa!
This medi-spa and laser treatment centre specializes in IPL therapy, non-ablative fractional laser skin resurfacing, injectables, microblading and eyelash extensions. You can also take advantage of their massage, facial, body, hair, makeup and nail services.
Preserving food is making a comeback. Perhaps it is the nostalgia of watching a parent or grandparent begin the cathartic process in the fall. Or the benefits of being able to eat local produce year-round and the cost savings. Not to mention, in these crazy times, limiting visits to the grocery store.
In ancient times, when humans had to hunt and gather food, there was no way of storing or preserving it to prevent it from going bad, so methods were designed to harness nature.
Food preservation has permeated every culture at nearly every moment in time, from freezing meat on the ice in cold climates to drying food in the sun in warmer ones, enabling humans to stay in one place for a longer time and form a community. With these tactics, immediate food consumption was no longer necessary as food could be preserved and stored for later use – preserving the local food sources using the same basic methods which are still in use today.
DRYING
Drying is the oldest and simplest way to preserve food, dating as far back as 12,000 BC.
This method, which is particularly good for meats, fish, fruits, and vegetables, was achieved in ancient times by simply leaving food out in the sun to dry. Dried fruit is a popular and healthy modern-day snack, another example being beef jerky. Florence Meats in Oakville specializes in a South African style of dried meat called Biltong, which is covered in spices and coriander seeds and eaten as a snack.
FREEZING
Freezing was an obvious preservation method in the correct climates. Even less-than-freezing temperatures could be used to prolong storage times, often by using cellars and caves to maintain a low temperature.
Some homes had icehouses built to store ice and food on ice. Soon the ‘icehouse’ became an ‘icebox’. In the 1740s, William Cullen, a Scottish scientist, invented the first form of artificial refrigeration.
Kerr Street Cafe in Oakville has gourmet frozen meals that can be whipped out to impress in no time. Familia Fine Foods in Burlington and Monastery Bakery in Oakville also have good offerings, or try That Pie Place in Burlington.
SMOKING
Smoking food is another preservation technique and was probably discovered by early cavemen burning fires in their caves without chimneys, causing the cave to fill with smoke and thus exposing food to smoke and unknowingly preserving it. Over time, pretreating the food with salt before smoking made smoking even more effective. Today, smoking is mainly used to flavour food rather than merely preserve it.
FERMENTATION
Fermentation, discovered by accident, was a valuable preservation method dating back to 10,000 BC. It not only preserved foods but increased nutritional properties and was used to create more palatable foods from less than desirable ingredients.
Micro-organisms responsible for fermentation can produce vitamins as they ferment, producing a more nutritious result from the ingredients. Sauerkraut and Kimchi are popular for their gut health benefits. Cheese is another example, where milk is fermented to enhance its storage capabilities.
A wide array of interesting cheese is available at Farmhouse Artisan Cheese on Kerr Street in Oakville.
CANNING
Canning is the process by which foods are placed in jars or cans and heated to a temperature that destroys microorganisms. The heating and cooling of the cans form a vacuum seal.
Canning is the newest of the food preservation methods and was pioneered in the 1790s when a French confectioner, Nicolas Appert, discovered that the application of heat to food in sealed glass bottles preserved the food from deterioration. Nowadays, many people do their own canning at home. Fresh peaches and apricots; tomatoes and marinara sauce; there is no limit to what can be preserved, and there are so many websites that offer recipes for beginners!
PICKLING
Pickling may have originated when food was placed in wine or beer to preserve it since both have a low pH. Perhaps the wine or beer went sour and the taste of the food in it was appealing. Spices were added to these pickling sauces to make interesting recipes.
Chutneys, relishes, piccalillis, mustards, and ketchup soon became common accompaniments. Worcester sauce was an accident from a forgotten barrel of special relish. It aged for many years in the basement of the Lea and Perrins Chemist shop and was first sold in 1837.
JARRING
Jams, jellies, and preserves use honey or sugar to preserve fruits. In ancient Greece, quince was mixed with honey, dried, and packed tightly into jars. Springridge Farm, near Milton, has been turning their harvest into preserves for over 35 years. Their recipes are steeped in tradition being passed down from Grandma Hughes. Their signature items are strawberry jam, chili sauce, and red pepper jelly. They also do specialty limited edition products like the Royal Wedding Jam in 2011 and the Canada 150 Jam in 2017. Their seasonal Christmas Marmalade is also very popular.
TK Preserves (@tkpreserves) make a special preserve of wildflower honey and spiced nuts that is the perfect accompaniment to cheese or try their Niagara peach ginger preserve on a slice of buttered toast.
Cranberry sauce or jelly is a popular preserved item as we approach Thanksgiving. Traditional cranberry sauce – stewing cranberries in water and sugar – dates back to the 1630s.
In the 1800s cranberries were farmed and were dry harvested or picked by hand. It was time-consuming and hard work but this process is still used to pick the fresh cranberries you see in stores.
In the early 1900s, farmers realized that flooding the bogs where cranberries grew loosens the berries from the vines until they fall off and float to the surface. Known as wet harvesting, this is far quicker and easier – these cranberries are used in juices and preserves.
With summer drawing to an end it is time stock up your pantry this fall with your favourite goodies.
The fruits of your labour will also make great gifts, sure to impress your friends and family!
Note: Each business listed below has made changes and are taking precautions to ensure customer and employee safety during this time. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm up-to-date products, offers, hours and safety procedures.ย ย
Save room for dessert and grab a slice at our Best Pies Talk of the Town Award-winner,ย Black Forest Pastry Shop!
This local favourite has been filling the streets ofย Downtown Oakvilleย with the smell of freshly-baked goods since 2002, specializing in cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pastries, lunches and, of course, pies.
You wonโt want to miss their unforgettable fresh fruit features, such as apple, cherry, mixed berry, strawberry rhubarb and Ontario peach. In the mood for something a little more decadent? Try their pecan caramel flan or the banana or coconut cream pies.
We promise, one slice wonโt be enough once you get a taste of these sweet sensations.
Indulge that sweet tooth a little longer and check out Best Pie runner-up,ย Cupidโs Gourmet Bakery!
This hidden gem offers a rotation of seasonal favourites, serving up flavours like banana pudding, Irish mudslide, cranberry apple, blueberry and pumpkin. Buy for the whole family with their 9โ pie or treat yourself with their individual 4โ pies.
Donโt want a full pie all to yourself? Takeaway your own personal square at Best Pies second runner-up,ย The Sweetest Thing!
Try one of everything with thisย Kerr Villageย bakeryโs bite-sized key lime, lemon meringue and apple crumble bars. These small โdollopsโ are the perfect treat for those looking for a fun and flavourful single-serving dessert.
Thank you so much to everyone who voted! We will be announcing our next category on September 9, 2020 overย Facebook,ย Twitterย andย Instagram.
With the temperatures starting to dip, it’s dishes like this that act like a warm hug. Rajas Poblanas is super fun to make, but if you’re strapped for time just pick it up frozen from Familia Fine Foods and reheat it in minutes. It’s an easy and affordable, weekday night meal!
Prep:ย ย 20 mins
Cook:ย 25 mins
Servings:ย ย 4ย
Ingredients
1 Kg Boneless Chicken Breast or Boneless Thigh *
1 Tbsp Chicken Bouillon *
1 Cup Sour Cream
1 225g Package Cream Cheese, Softened
5 Poblano Peppers
1 Large onion, Thickly Sliced
1 Cup Drained Canned Sweet Corn Kernels
Salt and Pepper
Vegetable Oil
ย * Exclude for Vegetarian
Method
Cut the chicken into strips. Preheat the saucepan on medium-high, add the oil and then add the chicken and saute until it’s cooked through (approx 10 min). Season with salt and pepper.
Blend the sour cream, cream cheese, and chicken bouillon in a blender until smooth; set aside.
Place the peppers on a large griddle over medium-high heat. Roast until the skin blisters and turns black. Remove peppers from the griddle and place in a plastic bag, allowing them to sweat for 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Peel and discard the outer skin of the peppers; halve lengthwise and remove the seeds and veins. Slice into strips. Set aside.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; cook the onion in the hot oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir the corn into the onions, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the poblano strips and the chicken strips to the saucepan. Pour the cream mixture over the vegetables and the chicken and bring to a simmer for about 5 minutes more.
Familia’s Chef Tips
– This recipe goes very well with rice, and is even better with homemade tacos.
– If the cream/cheese mixture is too thick, you can make it lighter by adding a little milk.
– For Vegetarians, skip the chicken and the chicken bouillon
Just as the seasons are changing and the leaves are turning colour, local bakers and baristas are switching up their menus to welcome in those sweet (and spicy!) Fall flavours!
Below, we’ve listed locally-owned bakeries, coffee joints and gelato shops, in Oakville and Burlington, that are serving up the ultimate flavour of the season: Pumpkin Spice.
Dreaming of a Pumpkin Spice Latte? These local coffee shops will serve you up with a #PSL that will have you coming back for more:
…Looking for some fun Fall-inspired activities to enjoy with your friends and family in the Halton region?
Well, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to visit to celebrate the Autumn harvest season and even Halloween! As a bonus, you’ll be supporting local.
Apples, Pumpkins…Itโs Pickinโ Season!
Photo Credit: Chudleighs Farm
Chudleighs Farmย 9528 Regional Road 25, Georgetown, Halton Hills September through October Located in Halton Hills, Chudleighs Farm has been serving the area for more than 50 years and itโs become an annual tradition for people to visit Chudleighs for apple picking and other fun Fall activities at the farm. During harvest season from September through October, guests are invited to pick from 22 varieties of apples across the farmโs 60 acres. Along with apple picking, thereโs lots more to explore, including: scenic tractor wagon rides by the Niagara Escarpment, visits with the farm animals, treks down the farmโs nature trails, and a hay bale playground for both the young and the young at heart! https://www.chudleighs.com/
Andrewโs Scenic Acres 9365 10th Sideroad, Milton With acres upon acres of pumpkins, in every shape, size and colour, youโre sure to find the perfect pumpkin at Andrewโs Scenic Acres! Youโll find jack-o’-lanterns, pie pumpkins, miniature, warty white, green and grey pumpkins. Also, you wonโt want to leave without trying Andrewsโ seasonal pumpkin ice cream and their one-of-a-kind pumpkin wine from their on-site winery! https://www.andrewsscenicacres.com/
Photo Credit: Andrews Scenic Acres
Springridge Farm 7256 Bell School Line, Milton While U-Pick isnโt an option at Springridge this Fall, the farm welcomes anyone to stop by and purchase fresh produce thatโs already been picked and is ready to bring home! Visitors can choose from three options to pick up their farm-fresh produce, including: visiting the Barn Market or the brand-new Front Porch Servery, or ordering online for barnside pick-up! Along with the produce (including apples, pumpkins, gourds, corn), visitors can pick up freshly-baked goods, lunch items, or even find a beautiful collection of locally-made gifts (fashion, jewellery, accessories, home decor) at the loft boutique inside the Barn Market. https://www.springridgefarm.com/
Stonehaven Farms 7388 Guelph Line, Campbellville Stonehavenโs market reopens on September 19 for the Falls season, offering a variety of farm-fresh and gourmet food items, baked goods, and unique gifts made by local artisans. Stonehaven has pre-picked pumpkins for purchase, or visitors are invited to purchase a ticket if theyโd like to pick their own.https://www.stonehavenfarms.com/
Souptogo 573 Parkside Drive, Waterdown This lovely farm in the Village of Waterdown (within the Greater Hamilton Area) welcomes visitors to pick that perfect pumpkin, enjoy family photos with Fall-themed decor, and visit the bakery where they can enjoy homemade treats (scones, breads, pies) and delicious homemade soups that range from Sweet Potato Apple Bacon to Chicken Pot Pie or Ham & Gouda (among a variety of other flavours that change on a daily basis). soup-to-go.ca
Get Lost! (In a Corn Maze)
Photo Credit: Stonehaven Farms
Andrewโs Scenic Acres 9365 10th Sideroad, Milton Along with their large pumpkin patch to get you stocked up for Halloween, you and your family can spend a whole fun-filled afternoon at Andrewโs! Thereโs several hay bale playgrounds for the kids (or young at heart!), a winery and market to pick up some pumpkin wine, produce and farm-fresh baked goods, and a corn maze to explore together (if youโre feeling adventurous!). https://www.andrewsscenicacres.com/
Stonehaven Farms 7388 Guelph Line, Campbellville Stonehaven Farms invites you to get lost in their five-acre Giant Corn Maze and then be challenged to a game found within the maze. The Maze opens early September and runs continuously on weekends and Thanksgiving Monday for all visitors until the end of October. Weekday and Nightly adventures by flashlight (bring your own) are also available by pre-booking only, with a minimum charge applied for groups less than 20 people. Strollers/wagons are not recommended, and proper footwear is advised within the maze. For those seeking a full afternoonโs worth of fun, they can book the โFall Fun All Inclusive Packageโ, which includes the maze, along with unlimited wagon rides and the โStrawhavenโ Straw Bale area. https://www.stonehavenfarms.com/
Photo Credit: Stonehaven Farms
Boo! Have some Spooktacular Fun
Pumpkins After Dark: Drive-Thru Event Country Heritage Park 8560 Tremaine Rd, Milton September 18 to November 1 (Thursdays to Sundays starting after dark) After selling out last year and receiving great reviews, Pumpkins After Dark is returning this Fall but will now take place as a drive-thru event! Fun with your family, friends or even alone, visitors will enjoy a 1.5 hour spooktacular drive through a 2.5 km loop in Miltonโs Country Heritage Park, lit up on either side by over 150 one-of-kind pumpkin sculptures. Visitors will also have the option to tune into the local radio station for a complete guided audio tour as they cruise along and marvel at the uniquely carved jack-o-lanterns. Tickets must be pre-purchased online, with a timed entry. https://pumpkinsafterdark.com/
Photo Credit: Pumpkins After Dark
The Great Pumpkin Trail 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington Friday October 23 and Saturday October 24 Itโs a magical evening on the Pumpkin Trail! Follow the candlelit glow of hundreds of jack-o-lanterns guiding your way through Hendrie Park, and along the South Bridle Trail. Encounter roaming entertainment and other special guests who are ready to share some cool facts about bats, spiders, and of course PUMPKINS! Donโt miss the unique opportunity to take part in this family-friendly event celebrating the fall season. Donโt forget your costume! https://www.rbg.ca/events/the-great-pumpkin-trail/?on=2020-10-23
Trick or โฆ. Trivia? Halloween Edition Online, via the Royal Botanical Gardens Wednesday October 28 The things that go bump in the night and make your hair stand on end are coming for you this October with RBG Virtual Trivia! Delve into the world of monsters, ghosts, creepy crawlies and freaky science as we explore all things Halloween! Be sure to join the RBG Team on Wednesday October 28 for a ghoulish good time! Questions will be presented through Zoom by the trivia host(s) and participants can enter their answers on Kahoot! through their mobile device. Pre-Registration is required to participate. https://www.rbg.ca/events/virtual-trivia-night/?on=2020-09-23
Here at Look Local, we love meeting local entrepreneurs and sharing the inspiring stories behind their small businesses. Today we’d like to introduce you to Carol Lacher of Downtown Oakville’s charming kitchenware and giftshop, Nicetys.
What sort of products do you carry at Nicetys?
We carry kitchenware items like pots & pans, bakeware, cookie sheets, glasses, barware, tablecloths, placemats, candles, knives, bowls, cutting boards, gadgets, and lots more. We sell good quality products that weโve personally tested, so we can share our experiences with our customers.
What is your favourite part about the business?
I really enjoy talking with our customers; either helping them make a selection for their cookware, or helping them find a particular gadget that they have been searching for.
Why Downtown Oakville?
Thereโs a strong community feel here in Downtown Oakville, and we get a real sense of joy when we develop relationships with our customers. Itโs a special place that people connect with, and we often have customers who live out of town coming back to visit.
How have you adapted with everything going on?
We were lost for the first week, but then decided to build an e-commerce website offering free delivery and curbside pick-up, and working day and night, trained our staff how to work from home and operate safely. I was heartbroken when my husband Dirk passed away, unexpectedly, in May, but I found some comfort from all the contact we have had with our customers on the phone, now back in the store, with their words of support.
Visit Nicetys
146 Lakeshore Rd. E | Downtown Oakville | 905.338.0275
