Village Squire, 1976-07, Page 4Letters
Remembrances
Dear Sir:
I have been the recipient of your magazine,
"Village Squire" from time to time, sent thru
my family, my sister Marjory Henderson,
Calgary and my brother Ralph Henderson
and his wife Lucille, Goderich.
Having been born and raised in Goderich
and lived there and the surrounding area to
adulthood, I am very much interested in the
material published. I am proud of the area, its
history a,nd that it is part of my heritage.
For some time I have intended writing a letter
of appreciation for what you and your staff are
doing for the community - it makes for a
greater awareness to the people of their
proud ancestry.
Now that invitations have gone out' for the
Bayfield Centennial, 1 July - 4 July 1976, I
feel 1 must write about the Little Inn. Even
tho the following information will be late for
your regular publication and coinciding with
the Bayfield celebration, perhaps a flyer or
follow up could be sent to the Bayfield
Centennial Committee.
...
I am writing about a very lovely, quiet,
reserved and talented lady for many years a
resident of Bayfield and a business woman as
well in the community. It is noted in several
publications your reference to the "Little
Inn" and then a special article in the
September 1975 issue. No mention has ever
been made of the true founder of the Little
Inn and for whom it was named - Ada Little
(Mrs. George E. Little.)
Mrs. Little started the Little Inn on the south
west corner of the Circle and the Bayfield
Road in a large solidly built house, their
home. Each summer she kept paying guests
from all areas - but especially from the United
States, Ohio and Michigan mainly.
Mrs. Little served meals - all cooked by
herself..- outstanding and good food. The
many cottagers ate their meals regularly at
her Inn. Her husband George and his father
both helped. Mr. Little Sr. was a fine
gentlemen who took great pride in his
vegetable and fruit kitchen garden. Mrs.
Little drew on this garden for her always fresh
vegetables, both for cooked and for salads
also fruit especially the sun ripened
strawberries from the large strawberry patch.
Mrs. Little helped the community by being a
good customer of the various stores for other
supplies. She gave jobs to the pretty local
girls to help with various duties and to wait on
table.
In early 1941, I may be off a few months, Mrs.
Little sold the Little Inn at the Bayfield Road
location, bought and moved to the larger Old
Coach Inn on Main Street near the lake. This
new spot carried the name Little Inn. Here
Mrs. Little refurbished and set up the rooms,
again did the cooking in her much larger
facilities. Her well spaced tables always were
beautifully appointed and covered with
sparkling white cloths.
Mrs. Little continued to serve the high quality
2, VILLAGE SQUIRE/JULY 1976
of the 'old' Little Inn
delicious fresh food. All pies, cakes, cookies
and hot breads were made by her fresh daily.
I would give her top raiting:
4 smiles for food
4 whisks for service, comfort and ambience
4 $ signs rating value
Mrs. Little worked long hours but loved her
work and took such pleasure seeing people
enjoying themselves. Due to an early heart
condition Mrs. Little was forced to curtail her
work and finally retire from her beloved Inn.
Mr. Little, George - liked people - operated a
barber shop in Goderich and later was elected
or appointed village policeman in Bayfield.
I saw them both in their comfortable cottage
or bungalow in July in 1958 and had such a
pleasant visit with them. Over the years we
corresponded regularly at least twice a year,
Christmas and our birthdays.
How do I know all this? - well I lived in the
Little Inn at the Circle and Bayfield Road -
taught school in the J unior Room of the Public
School for a short time, from January 1939 to
June 1941. I moved with the Littles to the new
location staying there until my departure in
June 1941. Ada Little was a true friend a
beautiful person, both of them were good to
me.
Bayfield is unique and interesting commun-
ity. I have wanted to go back and stay for
some time, walk again the interesting paths
in and around the village, enjoy the
tranquility of the lake sounds and the
beautiful sunsets.
If you find the above information worthy of
mention and wish to bring to the attention of
the present day generation, you may quote
from my letter and use the material in a
publication now or at a future date, or just as
a 'letter to the editor'.
still have copies of several recipes of food
Mrs. Little served and was famous for at the
Little Inn. 1 prize them very much.
I do not know whether Mrs. Little sold the use
of the name "Little Inn" along .with the sale
of the Inn upon her retirement or what
arrangement was made. Apparently it was
kept as the Little Inn.
I do feel recognition should be given to Ada
Little and the name Little Inn.
Thank you for listening. Sincerely yours,
Dorothy H. Wood
(formerly Dorothy G. Henderson)
Village Squire welcomes letters from readers.
All letters must be signed and names will be
published.
1
fooe,
Oil Paintings, Reproductions
and Mirrors
LODGE
FURNITURE
West St. Goderich
Phone 521-7527
Opcn .1nv Evening By App< inun� i,1
BRING IN THIS AD AND
RECEIVE 2OcVo
OFFF PURCHASE