Best People

We've just spent the last two days enjoying the OH Canada Ribfest in Memorial Park Waterdown.   I am just overflowing with pride in my town and country at this moment.   

When we were looking to buy our first house in 2002, I felt a pull to look in Waterdown.   From the time we moved here, I was impressed at the feel of this small bedroom community nestled between commuter cities of Burlington and Hamilton.    The friendliness of everyone from the local grocery store, schools, churches, YMCA, neighbours and local businesses is so different for me.    Having lived in big cities like Hamilton and Toronto, you tend to feel anonymous... you go somewhere and you don't know or recognize anyone.   

Not in Waterdown!   Spend about a year here, get involved in the community and you will never shop at the grocery store and not run into someone you know.

Going to Ribfest totally re-inforced that fact to me.    The countless volunteers who have given their time to plan and staff the 4 day event is mind boggling.   The girl clearing tables tonight of all the garbage with a smile on her face, the friendliness of the people working the VERY busy alcohol tent, the support of local retailers taking out boothes to chat with everyone about the great services offered around Waterdown, and the pride I felt today watching so many turn up to watch new Canadians being sworn in... moving.      My own kids spent time volunteering to entertain rib-goers today... dancing on stage with their dance studio... many other studios will also be performing over the 4 days.

I also thank the organizers of the Ribfest for not only putting on a fantastic and packed event, but for finally bringing fireworks back to Waterdown after a 10 year absense.    It meant so much to me to be able to bring my family to the park to watch the fireworks tonight... I could have cried I was so proud.   There are still 2 more days to get out to Waterdown, enjoy ribfest and meet some great people.

I love this town... great people, great local business, and great small town feel.   Don't ever change!
www.ohcanadaribfest.ca

Best Summer Freebie

My kids are counting down the days til the end of school.    While I enjoy spending time with them during the summer, they seem to think I am "Julie, your Cruise Director" (am I dating myself with the Love Boat reference??!!).   Each day they seem to wake up and say, "so what are we doing today Mom?",   As a mom who is trying to balance working at home and figuring out what to do with the kids everyday, I struggle to come up with what to do with my kids during the summer.

Okay, so most days they will be playing in the backyard (or some other organized program) while I'm trying to work or if I need to be out during the day I rely upon the kind assistance of my mom (aka Granny).  Sometimes work can get so busy, that each week I try to dedicate an hour or two to spend quality time with my girls.   Last week I came across a great freebie from one of my Facebook friends sharing a link.   

Waterdown Lanes is offering a coupon for your kids to bowl for free if you register them on-line.    So for just the cost of shoe rentals and my adult price, we can have a great activity to do together once a week.    Here's the link    www.kidsbowlfree.com/waterdown or check out Waterdown Lanes on Facebook or visit their website  www.waterdownlanes.com ...where you can click on the link for Kids Bowl Free.   Best part is you get a coupon in your email inbox every week, all summer long.   

I hope you and your kids can take advantage of the coupon, bowl for free, and spend some fun time at this great Waterdown business.

Best Country Surprise

We've been going to the Dutch Mill Country Market for years.    We found the market on one of our Sunday drives not long after we moved here 9 years ago.   Located at 533 Millgrove Side Road, it is just a 2 minute drive from Clappison's Corners.   The Dutch Mill has had a few changes over the years, and ownership did change hands a few years ago, but all the things we love about the Dutch Mill remain.

Outside:   Our kids love going there in the summer to see all the animals wandering around on the property... ponies, roosters, goats, llamas, bunnies, ducks, geese and swans.   The property is beautiful with a bridge and path over and around the pond you can walk around to see all the animals and fully enjoy the property.

In the summer you can also buy lots of local grown fresh produce and nursery stock in the garden centre (hanging baskets, urns, window boxes, flats of annuals and some perennials... you might also find some bushes and trees).   These are all sold on the front porch and around the side in the open air greenhouse.   On the porch, you'll also find a great collection of Amish made muskoka chairs, tables and benches made out of  resin.. you NEVER need to sand or stain the chairs again!!!



Inside:  You can spend a good hour wandering around on the two levels of the Dutch Mill.  Downstairs on the main level, lots of different kinds of merchandise... clothing (including a section dedicated to the red hat society!) toys, toiletries, candles, bird baths, garden decor, special occasion gifts, dutch/german food items, seasonal decor and ready made food from the freezers.    You can also have a bite to eat in the tea room, or get some ice cream.   In the very back, is a fair sized banquet room with a stage which they apparently rent out... in the past they would host 50's and 60's dances but I don't think there are currently any scheduled.    Then you can head upstairs where you can find lots of great home decor including quilts, paintings, and charming "country style" items.

They are also hosting celebrations on Friday July 1st with lots of great family activities and a Classic Car show on Saturday July 30th.    Make sure you visit this great spot, and check out their website:
www.dutchmillcountrymarket.ca

Best little shops - one is going out of business!

One of the things I love about Waterdown, is the many unique shops around town that you can buy interesting one of a kind items.   Many of these shops I have already written about.

Driving down Hamilton street today, I was so saddened to see the big sign at "Sobey's Plaza" (can't recall the official name of the plaza at the moment)... on it I read "Closing Sale on now at the Willow Tree... Thanks for the 22 years".

How can that be?   The Willow Tree is often the reason so many people come to Waterdown to shop.    I have bought many things there over the years.   They have great decor items, pretty smelling lotions/sprays/candles, unique giftware, high end seasonal items and housewares.   I am truly saddened to lose such a great store.    Times have been tough for retailers in town.    Three factors have greatly impacted smaller retailers in town...big stores like Zellers, Walmart, Canadian Tire & Rona may have taken some business away, parking meters in the core streets in town (Mill, Main & Dundas between Mill and Hamilton) have somewhat deterred shoppers from the core, and then there's the downturn of the economy since the latest recession began.    The Willow Tree used to occupy three storefronts in the plaza, but condensed down to two spaces a couple of years ago (I think sometime in 2009).   I figured it was due to the recession, but was so glad to see that the quality of the merchandise and the helpfulness of the staff didn't diminish with the smaller space.

For the last few Christmas seasons, I have helped organize the Drummond House Christmas Home Tour (usually held the 3rd Saturday in November).   Each year, I was always excited to see what lovely treasures would be donated to Drummond House from the kind and generous owners at the Willow Tree.    Beautiful, high end Christmas treasures would be donated every year from collections that didn't sell during the Christmas Season or Boxing Week specials.    We were always truly grateful for the blessings bestowed upon Drummond House by the Willow Tree each year.

I have always made it a priority to shop local.    So many great shops to explore and find unique treasures around town.     Here's a list of some of the one of a kind shopping and excellent customer service you can find around town:
The Willow Tree (closing sale on now), Kitchen Impressions, The Busy Bee, Lareina's, Pot o Gold, Goodness Me, Weeks Home Hardware (sure it's part of the  Home Hardware chain but I will always choose them first over the big box stores for the small town customer service they provide there), Tea at the Whitehouse (I never knew there were so many tea accessories and products), Second Time Around, Jitterbug Cafe (neat coffee items & local artisan work for sale in the shop), Leylands British Foods, Bicycle Works, Circle of Light Wellness Centre and Wishes and Fine Jewellery.   I'm sure I'm probably forgetting some other great little shops... don't let my list limit you... go out and find them.

Did you also know that Waterdown is a destination for bridal shops??   Eager brides love shopping Waterdown for the three shops all within walking distance of each other.    The Coach House Bridal Salon, Michelle My Belle Bridal and Angie's Bridal Boutique have great dresses which are sure to please any bride.    Brides travelling to Waterdown will also come across a sign on Dundas Street where a dressmaker works out of her home... Lisa VanHattem Custom Wedding Gowns is located at 344 Dundas Street East.

For such a small town, Waterdown is also quite a destination for hairdressers, spas and dance studios.   There are so many choices in all three areas.    You will never want for any of these in Waterdown.   

I encourage everyone if you don't already, make it a point to support small business in Waterdown.   The Waterdown Business Improvement Area and the Flamborough Chamber of Commerce will thank you, and make this town better for it!

Thank you, The Willow Tree for your 22 years of great service and merchandise.   This shopaholic will certainly miss you.

Best Park

I don't know about you, but I am LOVING all this fabulous warm weather this week.    Besides spending time in my garden, I love to take advantage the wonderful space we have here in Waterdown, at Memorial Park.
Year round, anytime the temperature is above zero... you will find dozens of teenagers hanging out at the skateboard park.    In the winter-time, you will find lots of families and kids taking advantage of the little hill which is great for tobagganing.  (please note...this year the City of Hamilton banned tobagganing at City parks due to the unfortunate amount of claims from people hurting themselves).    My personal favourite time of year is spring/summer/fall at Memorial Park.

It's always a fun surprise to see on a Monday or Tuesday, the fair roll into town and start setting up in the park... the town starts buzzing and kids can't contain their excitement.   "When can we go to the fair?" is all I hear in my house!!    There seems to be about 3 or 4 fairs that come to town between Spring - Fall.

When my kids were young, they loved the swings, slides and especially the splash pad at the park in the summertime.    The other bonus of our park is that the City of Hamilton has employed "Supies" in the summertime for kids to enjoy.    Incase you've never heard of a "Supie"  they are playground supervisors that do arts and crafts with the kids during the day.

The Pavillion is another great part of the park... many groups gather there formally or informally to use the Pavillion.    Last year I'd drive by on various nights to see a bootcamp class working hard.... rain or shine and I believe it was used right up til October.

In the summer, it's not uncommon to see the baseball diamonds being used.   It's fun to see baseball, softball and t-ball games happening during baseball season.   A great free family activity!   You can catch kids and adult games happening each week.

Our family was away last year for Canada Day so we missed the Inaugural Waterdown Ribfest, so we made sure we'll be home for it this year.    This is easily turning into THE event around Waterdown, and is going to bring lots of family fun, breaking of a world record, entertainment, a small midway, a movie night on June 30th, fireworks on Canada Day and of course RIBS!   I think we'll be spending at least 2 Days at Memorial Park that weekend!   For more information on the event which goes from June 30th to July 3rd check out  www.ohcanadaribfest.ca

Another wonderful thing that used to happen at the Park many years ago was the Waterdown Farmer's Market.    We have a great multitude of fantastic farms around us in this very rich area of Flamborough.   If I recall correctly, there was some talk awhile back that citizen's would love to see the Farmer's Market revived again.    I love to support local business, always have.   I think that a Farmer's Market would be a great idea to seasonally sell produce, meats and various local product.... Anyone else think it's a great idea???

Best Anticipated Store Opening

Since I heard last year that our local Zellers might become a Target, I hoped that it would be sooner rather than later.     Today I read that the Waterdown Zellers, located in the Flamborough Power Centre, will become one of the the first Target Stores for this area.   Expected opening will happen sometime in the Spring of 2013.   
http://www.insidehalton.com/news/business/article/1015585--target-opening-3-local-stores

It's funny how my reasons for running down to the US to shop are slowly starting to creep north.    Take a look at Mapleview (located only 10-15 minutes away from Waterdown).   In the last year since undergoing their big renovation, we've seen major US stores take up residence there like:   Coach, Justice, Aeropostale, Kiehl's, Sephora and Pink by Victoria's Secret.    Most of those stores (except for Justice, my 10 year old daughter's personal favourite) have been in Toronto for awhile now, but it's so fantastic to have them so very close to Waterdown.    Considering the cost of gas these days, I really like that the US stores I love are coming closer to me, and saving me the drive across the border.

Best Highway Access

I've had to zip over to the south east side of Burlington alot lately.... each time I get on the fairly new "on ramp" and "off ramp" (been open since about October 2010) located at Waterdown Road and the 403, I can't help it... I'm so happy.

It's a little thing, but it means so much to be able to drive straight down Waterdown Road and get right onto the highway.    We've lived in Waterdown for 8 years and whenever we need to head east, we would drive down Waterdown Road and either have to drive beside the highway on the North Service Road until we could get on at Brant Street, or sit through traffic and lights on Dundas Street.  

In the next couple of years, they will continue work on Waterdown Road, widening it to accomodate the increase in traffic and possibly it will hook up with the new East-West Corridor.   The "EWC" is such a hot issue in Waterdown, many people do not want this highway, but considering the growth happening around here, it is going to be needed.

Many people might not consider a highway exit a great feature of living in a town, but when it shaves off time, valuable time from our busy lives, it is a VERY good thing, and a Best thing about Waterdown.