Zurich Citizens News, 1976-05-26, Page 15Merrywood Farms tranquil
Citizens News, May 26, 1976 -Page 15
22 horses stabled
Winning stc,ndardbreds at Grand Bend
It's a holiday weekend and
Highway 21 between.Grand Bend
and Pinery Park is buzzing with
cars. bikes, vans and trailers.
Driving is hectic, until you dodge
through traffic, pass between
two stone pillars and head up
a tree -lined, winding paved road.
A sign on one of the pillars
informs you this is the entrance
to Merrywood Farms, owned by
Eric McI roy.
The narrow road winds on until
you suddenly enter a clearing,
and the first sign of a building
appears. It's a garage painted
brown to blend with the earth and
trees around it. You have to
look around to see the other
buildings.
The home of Mr. Mcllroy is
set up on a slight hill to your
right. It also is surrounded by
trees and shrubs. A stone walk
leads you to the front door where
a smiling Mrs. Mcllroy is waiting.
"Come in," she welcomes you
through the door and into a
house which seems to be entirely
made of pine. Later you learn
that not only is it made of pine,
the pine is from the farm itself.
Even the fireplace is framed in
pine with red brick trim.
"My husband will be back from
the store any minute," smiles
Mrs. Mcllroy as you sink into a
soft couch. Somehow you feel
right at hone and before you
know it. she has discovered
everything about you.
The store Mrs. Mcllroy refer-
red to is Merry Rags located
just south of Grand Bend on a
hill, It deals with women's
fashions mainly, most rather
exclusive. A complete line of
beautiful imported jewelery is
also included. It's a store for
people who want something
different and are willing to pay
for it.
Mr. Mcllroy has entered the
room and after introductions
scats himself in a comfortable
arm chair, Smoke curls around
his head from a cigarette and he
slowly sips coffee prepared by
his wife. He. too, is• relaxed
and the conversation flows.
Mr. Mcllroy bought the 90
acre farm back in 1945 when it
had only one building on it. This
building now houses a workshop
and garage area. Until 1948,
Mr. Mcllroy himself enjoyed
driving and training the stand-
ardbred horses. He did it for
enjoyment. He never raced.
In 1948 there was a fire in the
workshop. The damage to the
building was soon repaired,
but Mr, Mcllroy was caught in
that fire. Since then, he has
done no driving.
Instead he has hired Don
Larkin, a local man from Parkhill
LONG HISTORY Of WINNERS—Eric Mcllroy doesn't believe in
throwing things out, especially if they happen to be pictures of his
winning horses. Above, Mr. Mcllroy stands beside photos of
winners dating back to 1948. News Photo
ON
EVERY FRI. & SUN. NIGHTS
8:OOp.m.-11:00p.m.
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as his driver and trainer and
photos of Mr. Larkin with winning
horses abound throughout the
house.
Mr. Larkin has a hone on the
farm, next to Mr. McIlroy's
but separated by the ever present
trees. Between this home and
the stables is a pleasant Little
guest house,
"We built it long ago to act
as a cottage on weekends,"
explains Mr. Mcllroy as he opens
the cottage door which is like a
stable door. It is separated so the
bottom may remain closed while
the top is opened.
"It was sort of built in pieces,"
says Mr. Mcllroy. "Come here
1°i\
and see this." You only have time
to catch a glimpse of the pine
walled room you're in before you
enter the tiniest kitchen you've
ever seen. There's something
missing, but it takes you a few
minutes to realize, there's no
fridge.
"It's through there," laughs
Mr. Mcllroy as he points to what
appears to be a small two-
piece bath off the kitchen.
Dutifully you continue through
the bathroom, into another small
room with a shower stall; on your
left and to and behold, the miss-
ing fridge on your right.
"One of my guests thought
this was the best idea he had
ever seen," laughs Mr. Mcllroy.
"He could have a shower and
only had to reach across the room
for a cold beer."
The remainder of the guest
house reminds you of the main
house—pine walls covered with
pictures of winning standard
bred horses from years gone by.
And antiques, you can't begin to
examine all the pieces of antique
furniture, vases, jugs, in fact
just about anything you can
imagine.
"I used to do quite a lot of
collecting," muses Mr, Mcllroy
"but somehow I just don't seem
See page 18
•
MERRYWOOD RICK—Driver-trainer Don Larkin keeps a firm grip on Merrywood Rick. According to
Mr. Mcllroy, left, Merrywood Rick is one of the best racers he has at the moment, and with a handsome
foal already to his credit, may well prove to be a valuable stud. News Photo
iNLY 3 MORE DAYS IN OU
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If you haven't already dropped in to visit
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the store.
SALE ENDS SATURDAY NIGHT, MAY 29
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