We left Willow Lake Carefree RV Resort and headed south on
County Route 24. We passed by the Waterford Sportsman Club, and it reminded us
of our “cruising” friends that are also members of the Conesus Lake Sportsman
Club. The Waterford Sportsman club boasts itself as one of the finest shooting
ranges in Ontario. They offer skeet, trap, a 25 yard indoor range, archery, and
a 200 yard outdoor range, all complimented with a comfortable, roomy clubhouse
situated on 60 acres of property that is shared with tons of wildlife.
Along Route 24, we passed a few sets of large free-standing
solar panels. We finally found a sign,
the Arcadian Projects. We thought it was some kind of “project” or a beta test
of sorts. But it turns out that Arcadian Projects, is a renewable energy system
provider. It was refreshing to see so much solar energy in Ontario, I think we
saw more in Ontario then we do in Florida. Again, that is something that makes
you go hhhmmmmm?!
We encountered a billboard-sized sign on the side of a
storage trailer. “Round Plains, Gateway to Waterford” it said. What is the back
story to that? Local sweet potato farmer, Bob Proracki, loved his hometown, a
farming hamlet that exists in name only. He designed, ordered and paid for the
sign. It faces busy Highway 24 west of Waterford. It describes the hamlet,
Round Plains, as the “gateway to Waterford” and includes artwork of Alvin the
horse. A famed horse raised on an area farm that went to the czar of Russia in
the late 1800s. You wouldn’t know Round Plains exists if not for this sign and
a municipal sign that went up just about three years ago. Currently, it is a
nondescript collection of farms and houses. But it was a different story in the
early years of Norfolk County, circa 1800. At that time, Round Plains was a
thriving settlement of three churches, three hotels, and a mill that created
lumber from the surrounding tree-covered landscape. The lumber was used to
build ships. The hamlet’s downfall came when the railway came through. It went
to Waterford, an equally tiny settlement at the time, instead of Round Plains.
Waterford prospered and Round Plains shriveled. The sign is also a free
advertisement for Waterford, an arts and culture town a short drive away, which
is increasingly becoming a tourist destination.
In Simcoe, I found a Swiss Chalet restaurant. For anyone
that was around Rochester New York in the 70’s and early 80’s, will remember
this place. It was a great restaurant for a family to dine out that was
affordable and good! My Dad was very sad, when it was closed. It was almost a
staple for our family. Swiss Chalet was located in front of Winton Place, on
Winton Road. The building is the current location of the Distillery.
We stopped to purchase a few items and there was a DollarTree store. I love those places and just had to venture in. I quickly learned
that the exchange rate affects Dollar Tree too, because it should have been
called the Dollar Twenty Five Tree! I did pick up a few items, including a pair
of red, white and grey Canadian Pride socks! I just love to wear very unique
and different socks with my boots.
Eva Brook Donly Museum and Archives is operated by the
Norfolk Historical Society. The house was built about 1840 for Thomas J Mulkin.
Eva Brook Donly lived in this home from 1924 until 1941. A talented artist, she
left her home to the Town of Simcoe on the condition it be used in perpetuity
to promote the presentation of antiquities and local artists. The Museum
contains displays from Pioneer Days to the 20th century, providing an overview
of Norfolk County's rich history with selected rooms furnished in the Victorian
style. They still have a large collection of paintings by both Eva Brook Donly
and William Edgar Cantelon. Additionally, extensive archives are also housed here
and are open to anyone wishing to pursue their genealogy research amid our
wealth of family and historical records. They also have a large collection of
records relating to the United Empire Loyalists who settled in this region.
Yes, peanuts are
grown in Canada. While peanuts have been grown in the US for some time, they
were introduced to Canadian soil in the early 1980's. They are only grown in the
southern portion of Ontario Province. When tobacco
consumption declined in the 80's and 90's, Norfolk County farmers searched for an
alternate cash crop. The County had the right combination of sandy soil and
temperate climate to produce a high quality crop. Kernal Peanuts is the largest
grower of peanuts in Canada. When problems hit the tobacco industry in the late
1970's, Ernie and Nancy Racz went nuts. Literally, nuts! Ernie started
experimenting with peanuts, which are well suited to the light sandy soils of
southwestern Ontario. By 1982, the couple was growing peanuts commercially. Today,
the family farm outside Vittoria houses a peanut manufacturing, wholesale and
retail operation. Kernal Peanuts grows Valencia peanuts, then harvests and
processes them for a number of products. The store, located in a vine-covered
outbuilding, is a nut lover's paradise, selling salted and unsalted nuts and flavored
nuts--garlic, barbecue, sour cream, onion, mild and hot cajun. Peanut butter,
peanut brittle and fudge are just a few of the other delectable delights.
Many
are produced on-site and carry the Kernal label and slogan "Nuttin' But
The Best." There is also a unique selection of antique peanut butter cans
and containers on display. Most of them were picked up at antique shops,
auctions or garage sales, and they provide an interesting glimpse into history
of one of North America's most popular foods. Despite their popularity, peanuts
have been getting a bad rap in recent years because of allergies and their high
fat content. As far as the fat goes, recent research indicates that peanuts and
peanut butter are good for your heart, helping to lower bad cholesterol and
raise levels of good cholesterol. The key, of course is moderation--although
that's hard to practice with Kernal peanuts. Kernal Peanuts is definitely worth
a visit. You can tour on your own, or as part of a tour. If you opt for a tour,
you'll get a look at a real, honest-to-goodness peanut patch near the shop
while Ernie Racz explains growing and harvesting methods. After that, it's on
to the plant, where there's usually something going on, such as roasting,
shelling, or making peanut butter. The tour winds up in the shop.
We turned south onto Norfolk County Route 10, arriving at
Hidden Valley Carefree RV Resort after we passed Turkey Point Provincial Park. Hidden
Valley and Turkey Point share a boundary. Hidden Valley is a seasonal vacation resort with several daily and weekly sites. We
had the spot a top the highest hill, overlooking most of the park with lots of
trees from the Carolinian forest behind us. We could walk from Hidden Valley
along the trails into the Provincial park. Whether you're partial to fishing
and boating, hiking nature trails or just watching the sun set with family and
friends, Hidden Valley RV Resort has something for everyone. They offer plenty
of organized events for children and adults alike, including music from the
deck of the recreation hall, their Annual Corn Roast, Christmas in August and their
spooky Halloween Party. Hidden Valley also features weekly Bingo and Euchre
nights, haw wagon rides, children's scavenger hunts and karaoke nights for both
kids and adults. It's the perfect place for family fun in the heart of
Carolinian forest. In the next blog we will explore what there is to do while you are camping at Hidden Valley Carefree RV Resort.
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