The Rural Voice, 1983-07, Page 52To
St. Marys
(with side trips) To Ex.te.
OUT FOR THE DAY
Russeldale
Hwy. 83 •
by Sheila Richards
This month's day trip and outing takes
you through Perth County to the town of
St. Marys, with side trips to Russeldale
and Wellburn.
Perth Road 19 from Sebringville (on
Highway 8) will bring you south through
Avonton and you will see church spires,
reminiscent of Quebec villages, as you
approach St. Marys.
This town, affectionately known as
"Stonetown", is attractive because it is
located in a valley surrounded by hills.
Many well-preserved limestone buildings
and homes, a sense of history (Timothy
Eaton started business here and Arthur
Meighen, a former Prime Minister is
buried in a local cemetery), an active
local historical preservation society, and
store owners with a strong feeling of
community, make a distinct impression
as you visit along Wellington, Queen and
Water Streets.
The town hall, district museum, opera
house, library, churches, and of course,
the Victoria Bridge, are just a few of the
many examples of fine masonry. The
sense of history is further enhanced by
two tower clocks which chime the hour.
You can pause and enjoy the news
bulletins posted outside the Journal
Argus office. St. Marys is to be
commended for its "Welcome to St.
Marys" booklet which gives details of the
town's history, walking tours, shopping
and eating establishments. Be sure to
pick one up at one of the local stores...
it's free and well worth while.
Queen, Water and Wellington Streets
with their many shops are a pleasure to
visit. Why not begin with The Book Shop
on Wellington Street -- proprietor Bert
Prime can suggest good reading for the
whole family. You children will find a
section just for them with a book display
shelf at their height and a rocking chair to
curl up in.
Everyone will enjoy the M and M Store
PG. 50 THE RURAL VOICE, JULY 1983
Hwy.
�a
Mitchell o
• Fullerton
• St. Marys
Oxford Rd. 27
�•�• Cheese Factory
Wellburn
NOT TO SCALE
and Anstett's Jewellers with lovely hand -
carved woodwork, a fine old regulator
clock and a brass door latch will get you
off to a good historical start. Proceed
next to the Candy Jar, Toy Box and Under
the Rainbow (three stores in a row).
Perhaps at this stage the children will be
ready to take the walking tour outlined in
the tourist booklet or visit the district
museum.
The Perth Country Gallery is next with
many attractive pen and ink drawings of
local buildings and homes done by
proprietor Colin McQuirk. Then on to
Patchworks featuring quilts, quilted
items, hand -hooked rugs all made by
women of the surrounding Mennonite
communities.
Stonetown Antiques with its Canadian
glass and Town Hall Antiques displaying
a fine assortment of early Canadian
furniture are also well worth a stop. More
antiques can be found at O'Hara's on
Queen Street East.
Marshall's Gift Shop, also on Queen
Street, was formerly the Grand Hotel.
The gift shop section was once the
dining room and full use has been made
of the charm of the building and many
original antiques are used to display
imports from around the world. You'll
find Pfaltzgraff china here as well as
brass and wicker ware. The Touchmark
Shop on Water Street with its pewter
candlesticks, porringers, wine goblets
and steins and wood carvings from St.
Jean Port Joli should also be included on
your list.
For lunch have the children meet you
at The Creamery on Parkview Drive, one
of the oldest buildings in St. Marys.
Warm brick, old wooden beams, deep set
windows and a huge outdoor porch are
all part of this pleasant eatery. This
restaurant has a good local clientele as
well as visitors from Stratford and
London. Young ones will enjoy the
children's menu -- they can order
haystacks or flutterbies. There is an
interesting luncheon selection and it
would be a nice place for an evening out
as well.
The Contented Mouse on Wellington
Street also has fine lunches and after-
noon tea.
Anyone interested in hand knits,
homemade treats and other special gifts
should take the time to drive out to
Hoyt's -- only 5 miles southwest of St.
Marys near the Prospect Hill Camp
Grounds.
Travelling farther afield, perhaps you
would enjoy a drive to Wellburn (see
map) for some natural cheese produced
by the Blanshard and Nissouri Cheese
Company.
You can also proceed northwards to
Fullarton and thence to Russeldale (just
past the junction of Highways 23 and 83)
to the Country Spire Gift Studio located
in a former church. Much of the original
woodwork remains visible and is featured
wherever possible. The tea room is in the
choir loft and home baked scones, tea
and coffee are served daily. Ask Rose
Smith, owner of The Country Spire, to
show you around and point out the many
different items of interest. You can
purchase cooking utensils from the
kitchenware corner, parts to assemble
you own clock, Christmas trimmings and
a wide variety of gifts for all occasions.
Millers Barn, also located on Highway
23, has lust redone an upstairs room in a
country living decor. Stenciled designs,
early Canadian furniture and Canadian
country folk art are all displayed. Carol
Miller has an ongoing interest in country
living ideas. She'll be happy to discuss
them with you using items from the Barn
as part of a decorating theme. Millers
Barn also serves light lunches and
afternoon tea.
We hope you will enjoy this outing as
much as we did. Do have a safe drive
home.
Note: Some stores in St. Marys are
closed Monday. A few are open Sunday
afternoons. Locations and directions are
given in the tourist booklet for establish-
ments mentioned in this article.
Eateries:
The Creamery Country Restaurant
Parkview Drive, St. Marys
Luncheon and Dinner.
Dinner menu features several
entrees under $10.00.
Children's menu.
Morning coffee, afternoon tea
Licenced - open daily
9 a.m. 'til midnight
The Contented Mouse
27 Wellington Street, St. Marys
Lunches and afternoon tea