Hosting a Lawn Sale is a Great Way to Get to Know Your Community

A guest heading to a neighbour's backyard brought to our attention that our yard sale had become a yearly tradition, coinciding with the birthday party he was headed to. Well, I guess after three years we officially reserve the last weekend in June for the Demerling Yard Sale.

This year, the kids were successful at earning some spending money for our short trip to Kentucky this week. I didn't make out so well, slicing my leg while recycling cardboard, and ending up with seven stitches!

But the best part of any yard sale has to be the opportunity to meet new friends. We've lived in Brantford for over twenty years - half our lives now - and yet it is truly incredible how much more you can learn about your community by inviting residents to drop by your laneway to buy your stuff.

If you haven't held a lawn sale of your own, I'd encourage you to do so. It can be a lot of work, but the reward of meeting interesting folk from your town is worth the effort.

Canadian Redneck Games in Minto this Weekend

We all spend too much of our short lives pretending to be something we are not. But in the Town of Minto (the amalgamated Clifford, Harriston and Palmerston) citizens have embraced their perceived identity and created the Canadian Redneck Games - pig's feet, toilet seats, et al.

A series of tourism strategy focus groups back in 2005 suggested that a community weakness was a 'redneck' identity. Community leaders promptly squeezed that lemon to produce this annual festival. Weekend events include the 'Mudpit Belly Flop', 'Bobbin' for Pig's Feet', and 'Redneck Horseshoes' - this might be where the toilet seats come in. There is even a 'Redneck Wedding' at 5 p.m Saturday.

I don't know how current Minto residents feel (I'd like to hear your thoughts) about being the adopted Hillbilly Capital of Canada, but I don't recall 'redneck' being a part of the vernacular when I grew up in Clifford. But then again I was 10 years out of town by the time Jeff Foxworthy released his best selling 'You Might be a Redneck if...' comedy album in 1993. As young persons we certainly fit the Town of Minto redneck criteria - 'we lived in a rural area, worked hard for our money, and enjoyed a good time.'

I won't be revisiting my redneck roots this June 25-27, but if you have a chance take a drive to Clifford, Harriston and Palmerston to check out what these great little communities, pig's feet and all, have to offer. And be sure to wear your best cutoffs.

Pick Strawberries with Your Dad this Father's Day

This morning, after a visit to the Brantford Farmer's Market, we went strawberry picking at Sunny Terrace Farms, along Salt Springs Church Road just outside of town. The road winds along the Grand River to an expansive strawberry patch, where we picked three flats (18 pints?) of strawberries for just $30.00, roughly half the price if you buy them already gathered. I usually have found some excuse for missing berry picking, yet have never felt guilty enjoying the fruits of my family's labour! It was a great way to spend an hour with my family, and I highly recommend strawberry picking as a Father's Day event!

Wellington County's First Electric Car

When I remember my dad this weekend, one of the memories that comes to mind is the electric car he built for me in the basement of our house in Clifford, Ontario. My dad, Wayne Demerling, was an automobile mechanic by trade, the old school kind that knew how to fix things. His skills were learned on the shop floor of Demerling's Garage, founded by his dad Eldon in 1939, and still in operation today by grandson Terry.

When I was no more than four or five (late 60's) my dad built an electric car, using a car battery and an electric motor. I remember it had a wooden body, painted green by me with some paint found in the house. It had a lever for forward and reverse, and I would careen around the jack-post in the open basement in Wellington County's first electric car.

I don't remember the car being around very long, but do recall it made its final trip to the old Clifford dump (where another Demerling innovation - a snow-machine built from an Isetta) ended up.

I wish I had a photo of that car, and more photos of my dad, as I remember him this Father's Day.