Have you ever heard bells jingle in July? Seen a man in a red suit fall off a roof in September? Watched a happy couple dance under faux snow in June? These sights are not uncommon in these parts. In any given month, film crews flock to our charming neighbourhoods to make movie magic in time for Christmas.

In the 1994 Walt Disney feature film The Santa Clause, fictional character Scott Calvin of fictional town Lakeside, Illinois, is played by the real Tim Allen and filmed in the very real town of Oakville, Ontario, Canada. He accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, and then finds himself filling in for the real Santa Claus one Christmas Eve. Scenes feature Lakeshore Road, as well as 17 Chisholm Street — Scott’s house in the movie — and the storefront of Swiss Interiors, a long-time business in Oakville’s downtown. 

The film’s creators built a convincing small-town USA setting, but we know better!

Hallmark Holiday Dundas

The town of Dundas is so legitimately historic and quaint, its downtown sometimes finds itself festooned with holly and fake snow in the middle of summer. That’s because the town has caught the attention of Hallmark moviemakers.

Parts of Inn Love by Christmas were filmed in Dundas. This 2020 Hallmark film has it all:  a visit to Grandma for the holidays, a good-looking, strong-willed woman and her rival, a good-looking, strong-willed man. Both want to purchase the same inn. Sparks fly, romance ensues, and all is merry!

The Christmas Cure uses the 19th-Century architecture of Dundas as a backdrop for some of its scenes. An ER doctor comes home for the holidays and reconnects with her high school sweetheart. Her father, also a doctor, is retiring. Should she take over his practice, move back home and let love into her life? Or is a big-city career her true calling? (Hint: Snow is prettier in small towns.) Scenes were shot in early autumn, so viewers might spot some green leaves on trees. 

We locals are fortunate to get that picture-postcard atmosphere close to home, but it’s fun to spot something familiar on screen. So, the next time you get a sense of deja-vu while streaming a holiday flick, press pause. That just might be your street under styrofoam snow.

By: Michelle Morra

The holiday season can be a whirlwind of activities like finding the perfect gifts for our loved ones, and hosting and attending parties. During this busy time, it’s important to find space for self care.

Losing yourself in a captivating book is an effective way to relax amid the merrymaking. Reading in a bubble bath with a glass of wine is even better! Look Local asked our trusted local booksellers for some of their top holiday reading picks. The following titles make great gifts and are ideal for your own downtime.

If you enjoy a darkly humorous twist, Marnie Mycroft of Pickwick Books recommends Krampus: The Yule Lord, by Brom, a tale that mixes fantasy and mythology. As Mycroft explains, Krampus is “a Christmas story for those that don’t love Christmas. This book blends together the secular traditions of Santa Claus with Norse mythology and other pagan influences. It’s intended for an adult audience, and the artwork is absolutely gorgeous.”

On Christmas Eve, struggling songwriter Jesse Walker is caught up in an ancient feud between Santa and Krampus (a goat-like, demon-like creature from Central European folklore who punishes kids on the naughty list!). Dark secrets about Santa are revealed as the lines between good and evil become intertwined. Jesse tries to navigate the feud, realize his own dreams, and help the poor people in his town.

Mycroft’s pick for a cosy murder mystery is I Am Half Sick of Shadows: a Flavia de Luce Mystery by Alan Bradley. Set in rural England in the 1950s, eleven-year-old Flavia loves sleuthing and chemistry and is working to set a trap to prove the existence of Father Christmas. Her plan derails as a film crew visits her home, and a fierce snowstorm cuts everyone off from the outside world. After midnight a murder takes place. Flavia has another mystery to solve, at her own peril!

For some, the holidays are a time to reflect on life: past, present and future. Ian Elliot of A Different Drummer Books strongly endorses Walking with Beth: Conversations with My Hundred-Year-Old Friend by Merilyn Simonds. This is “an instructive, encouraging and enriching book from a great author and her generous and wise older friend,” Elliot says. 

In 2021 Author Merilyn Simonds had just turned 70 and wasn’t sure what the future held. For the next three years, Simonds embarked on weekly walks with her 100-year-old friend Beth Robinson, and their intimate conversations are the basis for this uplifting book.

The holidays are about sharing love with family and friends. Another of Elliot’s picks is The Cree Word for Love: Sâkihitowin by Tracey Lindberg and illustrated by acclaimed artist George Littlechild. This collaboration uses story and art to explore love in the Cree experience. 

The book’s inspiration comes from a teaching by an Elder that in the Cree culture, love as defined by Western society doesn’t exist. The book responds to this teaching using fiction and painting to explore the seasons, and family love, kinship, romantic love, and self-love.

If you have a pre-teen on your shopping list, Mycroft recommends A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig. Eleven-year-old Nikolas lives with his father in a small cottage in Finland and has only received one toy in his life, a doll carved out of a turnip! When his father goes missing Nikolas embarks on a magical journey to the North Pole meeting up with reindeers, elves and trolls along the way. 

These are just five book titles to get you started — your friendly neighbourhood booksellers will gladly share more. Happy reading and happy relaxing!

Local Links:

A Different Drummer Books
513 Locust Street, Burlington
905-639-0925
differentdrummerbooks.ca/

By the Lake Books
5295 Lakeshore Road, Burlington
905-639-4622
bythelakebooks.com/

Pickwick Books
325 Dundas Street East, Waterdown
905-690-0632
pickwickbooks.com

The Printed Word Bookshop, Dundas
16 McMurray Street Unit 3, Dundas
437- 974-8428
instagram.com/theprintedwordbookshop

BY CYNDI INGLE

Singing feels great, whether you’re in the shower, at a karaoke bar, or in the car. Imagine that feeling magnified tenfold or even a hundredfold. That’s how it feels to sing in a choir. You open your mouth and hear the kind of music – big music – that’s only possible with a room full of voices.

As winter approaches, people all over the region are meeting in halls, basements and churches to learn and practise choral arrangements. Many do this year after year because they’re hooked on the result: performing at a concert, where their beautifully blended voices will fill the air and thrill an audience.

Choirs are not just for music prodigies. While some audition their members to ensure a certain level of competency, others are open to anyone who loves to sing. Tempus Choral Society is a non-auditioned community SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) choir whose repertoire consists of “songs from different genres including Broadway classics, folk tunes, jazz hits, and classic pieces,” says member Catherine Ross. “We aim for a light, lively style that is fun to sing and engaging for all audience members.”

Although the ability to read music will make practice easier, Ross explains, many choristers just listen to the recorded parts for their voice and learn by listening and singing along. After a few rehearsals, all singers get to know the songs regardless of whether or not they can read the notes.

At Circle of Harmony, potential new members commit to a nine-week program that involves getting to know the chorus, understanding which part best suits their voice, and learning a song along with existing members. After the nine weeks, there’s an audition for which they are well prepared. 

Circle of Harmony is an award-winning choir that sings a capella (unaccompanied by instruments). “We are part of the Sweet Adelines International organization and sing in a barbershop style,” says Susan Vaz, proud member and PR Chair. ‘This means that the four parts create ringing chords and amazing harmonies. The works we perform span the decades from standards, to musical theatre, and even Queen!”

The members of Circle of Harmony, ranging in age from 20s to 80s, form friendships that last a lifetime. Their performances engage audiences with their “passionate singing” and “energetic choreography,” Vaz says. 

Good for the soul

Oakville, Burlington and surrounding areas boast an impressive number and variety of choirs that perform everything from pop to jazz to classical. These choirs welcome members from all walks of life. 

Masterworks of Oakville is an auditioned choir that performs the great works of the Western choral tradition. Members pride themselves on performing challenging works that are rarely performed outside of metropolitan centres.

Virginia Barsenbach, a member of Masterworks of Oakville, sings the praises of her choir: “I love the music that we sing, and I’ve formed a lot of friendships,” she says. “It’s so wonderful to finally sing the concerts for our community after all the hard work that we do to learn the pieces.”

Aside from camaraderie and the unbridled joy of making music, singing in a choir is scientifically proven to be good for you. “Learning new songs stimulates memory and cognition while the deeper, controlled breathing is good for the lungs and heart,” says Ross from Tempus Choral Society. “Did I mention the high one gets when performing? It is really hard to be unhappy when you sing harmony with others!”

LOCAL LINKS

Circle of Harmony
circleofharmony.ca

Masterworks of Oakville Chorus & Orchestra
masterworksofoakville.ca

Tempus Choral Society
tempuschoralsociety.com

BY MICHELLE MORRA

If you live in Southern Ontario, fall is basically showing off just for you. The air turns crisp (but not yet freeze-your-nose-off cold), the trees are bursting with colour, and every latte is spiced within an inch of its life. Want to get away for a weekend to soak it all in? Whether you’re travelling with kids, your partner, a group of friends, or hitting the road solo, there’s a destination with your name on it!

Here are five fall getaway options, each with its own vibe.

1. Family Fun

If you’ve got kids, you know vacation really means “same chaos, different location.” However, family-friendly resorts like Fern Resort on Lake Couchiching and Elmhirst’s Resort on Rice Lake make relaxation doable for everyone. Both spots offer activities for all ages: campfires, archery, spa services, and plenty of space for little legs to run wild while you sneak in a hot tub soak. Elmhirst’s even has a working farm on-site, while Fern Resort is known for its all-inclusive family programming.

2. Glamping

Not into huddling in a flimsy nylon tent and fighting raccoons for your trail mix? Enter glamping. At Camp Adelaide in Muskoka, you’ll get wilderness views from your “dome sweet home”. Birchwood Luxury Camping in Haliburton offers sturdy yet stylish canvas tents with firepits and fairy lights straight out of a Pinterest pic. And if you want to go full “eco-chic influencer,” book Glen Oro Farm near Orillia where you can stargaze, enjoy a cedar barrel sauna, or take a scenic trail ride. Glamping has the perks of camping, but without the sore back and soggy sleeping bag. 

3. Luxury Resorts

For those who think “roughing it” means forgetting your charger, Southern Ontario has no shortage of swoon-worthy stays. Ste. Anne’s Spa “is giving Downton Abbey vibes,” as the kids say, with its sprawling gardens and spa treatments galore. Langdon Hall near Cambridge offers pickle ball, yoga, wine tastings, and decadent dining in a countryside estate. And for breathtaking lake views, check out Stone Cove, Tobermory’s luxury adults only Bed & Breakfast.

4. Kitsch & Romance

Looking for something a little more… unique? Consider Casino Rama Resort where you can gamble, catch a concert, and enjoy a buffet all under one roof. If your idea of romance is more offbeat, The Arlington Hotel has the character and charm you’d expect from a hotel that’s older than Canada. Every room is themed, from Edgar Allan Poe to Monty Python. Or, for a retro feel and an Aperol spritz, head to The June Motel in Sauble Beach, Prince Edward County, or Beaver Valley. Be sure to watch the June Motel makeover show on Netflix before your visit.

5. The Big Smoke 

Sometimes the best getaway is right under our noses. Toronto in fall dazzles with a sparkling skyline and endless things to do. Stay at the Broadview Hotel with its rooftop patio overlooking the Don Valley, or go big at the Ritz-Carlton (yes, the sheets are as smooth as you’d imagine). Spend your days browsing Queen West boutiques, grabbing dumplings in Chinatown, or wandering Kensington Market. Hop the ferry to the Toronto Islands for a quiet fall stroll, then catch a Mirvish show or a concert at Massey Hall. Whether you’re kid-free or bringing the family, the T-dot always delivers.

Grab a sweater, toss some snacks in the car, and hit the road. Autumn in Southern Ontario doesn’t last long, but it sure knows how to impress while it’s here.

Local links:

Fern Resort
Fernresort.com

Elmhirst’s Resort
Elmhirst.ca

Camp Adelaide
Campadelaide.com

Birchwood Luxury Camping
Birchwoodluxurycamping.com

Glen Oro Farm
Glenoro.com

Ste Anne’s Inn & Spa
Steannes.com 

BY LISA THORNBURY

Every kid wants to be the one whose costume makes the neighbours say, “Now that’s clever!” Whether the goal is scary, goofy, or glitter and glam, this year’s trends lean toward sustainability and putting a creative spin on classics. Read on for show-stopping looks that won’t break the bank or harm the planet.

What’s trending this year?

Mash-ups and reimagined classics are where it’s at. zombie-princesses, Think vampire-mermaids, superhero-lizards. or Pop culture inspired looks (Wednesday Addams or Mario Bros.) are still hot, but kids are also leaning into eco-creativity by using what they already have and making it creepy or adding an unexpected element. The ultimate goal is to stand out and turn heads. Bonus points if those heads turn all the way around.

Here are a few clever, eco-friendly, and fun ways to whip up a one-of-a-kind look:

1. Hit your local thrift shop for unexpected treasures. A velvet blazer can transform a kid into a mini magician. A 90s prom dress will look hauntingly perfect on a ghost bride. And some old flannel, a toy ax, some beaver teeth and a tail, will turn you into the most authentic lumberjack ever.

2. Why buy new when you can borrow? Host a costume swap with friends or neighbours. It’s like a fashion show, but with pumpkins and plastic fangs. Even if you don’t trade full costumes, swapping single pieces (a cape, a hat, or a wig) can spark totally new ideas.

3. Encourage kids to mashcup costume components for maximum originality. Last year’s pirate hat plus a unicorn horn? You’ve got a “piratecorn.” My daughter paired her cousin’s bee costume with some ghoulish make-up and trick-or-treated as a Zom-bee. It had the neighbours buzzing. The more random the combo,
the better.

4. Accessories can make a costume. Cardboard wings, tin-foil swords, or even glow-stick wands add flair without costing much. Making them is half the fun.

Don’t Try This At Home (Author’s Confession)

When I was in fourth grade, my school had a costume contest. The grand prize was a giant sack of candy that I was hell bent on winning. So, I set out to create the most epic homemade costume ever: a disco space monster.

Apparently Saturday Night Fever and Alien (which both came out around then) had made an impression on me. My plan involved a silver bodysuit from a past dance recital, papier-maché, and green paint from my parents’ garage. I was a 10-year-old on a mission, wielding a box cutter and spray paint. I had never felt more alive… though after wearing the toxic alien head for about twenty minutes, I felt somewhat less alive. Thankfully the winner (me!) wasannounced before I passed out.

The takeaway here (besides “please supervise children with toxic paint and sharp objects”) is that creatively crafted costumes aren’t just fun, they’re legendary

Skip the mass-produced costume in a bag. I mean, do what makes you happy (aka do what your time and budget allow) but if you’re up for the challenge, unleash your inner creative genius! Raid closets, trade with friends, mix and match, and explore thrift shops for inspiration. Not only will your kids’ costumes be unforgettable, you’ll also be teaching them the joy of creativity and the value of repurposing what we already have…

Local Links

Barkin’ Bin Thrift Store
511 Pinegrove Road, Oakville
omhs.ca/donate/thrift-store

IODE Thrift Shop
432 Kerr Street, Oakville
iode-angelabruce.ca

Salvation Army Thrift Store
356 Kerr St, Oakville
3245 Fairview St, Burlington

Stardust Dancewear and Costumes
4155 Fairview Street, Burlington
stardustdancewearandcostumes.com

BY LISA THORNBURY

Who says travel has to mean boarding a plane and crossing time zones? Sometimes the best adventures are just a short drive away. Southern Ontario is a goldmine of cultural experiences and natural wonders.

This summer, whenever the mood strikes and the weather is cooperating, these fun destinations beckon — and they’re less than two hours from home. No passport required!

Pack up the family or a friend or two, or go solo and belt away to your favourite tunes. Enjoy. The open road awaits.

The Toronto Islands

Just a 15-minute ferry ride from Toronto, you’ll feel like you’re worlds away from the city. “Toronto Island” is actually a group of islands, interconnected by pathways and bridges, that you can walk end-to-end.

Centreville Amusement Park is a family favourite with its charming old-school carousel (over 100 years old!), bumper cars, mini golf, and more!

One great way to explore is by renting a bike, tandem, or quadricycle (or bring your own) and cruising the islands. You’ll see parks, gardens, a 200-year-old lighthouse, and a charming 150-year- old community, where people live in cottage-like homes. Stop for a refreshment or meal at a restaurant along the way. Don’t forget to swing by Far Enough Farm, home to over 40 animals from fluffy bunnies to ponies and exotic birds.

When you need to cool off, two splash pads have you covered. And yes, there are also four beaches — including Hanlan’s Point (“clothing optional”), if you’re feeling a little… free spirited. The islands also offer canoe, kayak, pedal boat and paddleboard rentals.

Stratford

Home to world-class theatre, scenic river views and yes, Justin Bieber. Catch a show at the renowned Stratford Festival (running April to October) and enjoy everything from Shakespeare to contemporary musicals. Bieber fans, don’t miss his star outside the Avon Theatre. Swing by the Stratford Perth Museum for a peek at some Bieber memorabilia and other local history. Art lovers will adore Gallery Stratford, located in the historic pump house featuring contemporary Canadian art.

Have a sweet tooth? Follow the self-guided Chocolate Trail and wander the picturesque downtown filled with cozy cafés, gourmet bites, and shops.

If you prefer to connect with nature, paddle or canoe along the peaceful Avon River (check out Avon Boat Rentals).

Elora

Just an hour way from Oakville or Burlington lies the perfect mix of outdoor adventure,  natural beauty, and small town charm. The Elora Gorge Conservation Area is the main attraction with its dramatic limestone cliffs and the Grand River running right through. For thrill-seekers, tubing through the gorge’s rapids is a must. Book your gear and tickets online in advance (tubing season runs June 15 to Sept 30, daily until Labour Day, then weekends only). Don’t miss a dip at the Elora Quarry— a former limestone quarry featuring 12-metre cliffs and crystal-clear water.

Prefer to stay on land? Hike the nearby scenic trails or pack a picnic and unwind in nature.

After your outdoor fix, stroll through downtown Elora taking in its historic charm with boutique shops and cozy cafés.

Paris

This riverside destination has been dubbed “Canada’s prettiest town” for good reason. Paris features charming shops, scenic trails and a historic downtown that’s straight out of a postcard.

Outdoor adventurers flock here to paddle the Grand River. The Grand River Rafting Company rents tubes, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards Elora GORGE and rafts, allowing you to choose your own river adventure!

For a sweet treat, legendary Paris Bakery the has been serving up cookies, cupcakes, butter tarts, pies and more since 1927! Chocolate lovers will adore handmade truffles and fudge from Chocolate Sensations. After all that adventure, you’ll want to curl up with a good book and a latte at the Dog Eared Cafe, the town’s adorable second-hand bookstore and cafe.

Niagara Falls

Home to thundering waterfalls and lively attractions, Niagara Falls has it all! Start with the star of the show: the falls! Ride the SkyWheel for epic views from up high or hop on the Maid of the Mist for a splashy front-row seat. Over on Clifton Hill, you’ll find wax museums, arcades, and family-friendly fun.

For a change of pace, wander through the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory or head to Niagara-on-the-Lake for boutique shopping, cozy cafés, and 19th-century charm. Finally, the Niagara Glen is a showstopper for hikers. Picture yourself deep in a gorge, surrounded by moss-covered boulders that are bigger than your house… it’s really that enchanting.

St. Jacobs

This quaint village is famous for its year-round Farmer’s Market featuring over 250 vendors offering fresh produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods and artisanal crafts. The market is open Thursdays, Saturdays, and select Tuesdays in summer.

Beyond the Market, this town has a lot to offer for historians and nature lovers. Stop by the Mennonite Museum to learn about this religious community, hike the Health Valley Trail to the Old Oak Tree featuring a hand-carved face in its trunk, or shop for artisanal goods in the historic village.

By Lisa Evans