Getting over Shingles is a pain

I've been laid low for a few weeks with a bout of Shingles.   No fun.   Lots of pain. But I am on the mend and looking forward to chatting with you soon.
Best wishes, Barry

Colourful Kettleby and its mill pond

Here's is a copy of an old colourized postcard that I came across online this week.   I saw it on a website by Penelope Morrow, a former resident of Kettleby who now lives in Barrie. In the past she was a contributor to the King Township Sentinel newspaper for five years.   Many folks will recognize the photo as an oft-seen black and white photo, but for anyone who has not seen this colourized version before, it does give a somewhat intriguing appearance.
Please comment if you wish.
Barry Wallace

Three favourite family history photos

Here are three of my favourite family history photos.   As it happens, they are all from my wife's side of the family.   At top is Bertha Wells, who early in the 1900s became a nurse and traveled the Manitoba prairies practicing her calling.   I love the young niece dressed up in her auntie's nursing gear.

In the 2nd photo, on the left, is John Scott. a great, great uncle of my wife, Linda.   John lived on a farm at Mary Lake, now home to the Augustinian Monastery, north of King City.   He was accidentally blinded in one eye when he was 10 years old.   While recuperating, he swam in Mary Lake and contracted an infection in both of his eyes.   As a result, he became blind in both eyes.   As a young man, he was befriended by an itinerant preacher, David Moore, who became a lodger with the Scott family.   He and John became fast friends for 60 years, but never saw each other.

In the 3rd photo is another great, great uncle of my wife, who settled on the Manitoba prairies in the late 1800s.   Until I saw this photo, it never occurred to me that settlers rode bicycles on the prairies.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Bathurst Street ~ before and after

 Photos by Barry Wallace

Shown here are three photos, looking south at part of the Bathurst Street reconstruction and extension between Miller's Sideroad and Graham Sideroad, in the Township of King.   Northbound traffic on Bathurst Street can now take the Morning Sideroad across to Holland Landing.   Very soon, northbound traffic on Bathurst will be able to go north to the Graham Sideroad and Hwy. 11, near Bradford.   This connection will finally open up Bathurst Street after decades of being closed atop the King Ridge.

Please comment if you wish

Barry Wallace

...and another colourful view of Kettleby

 Wikipedia Photo

Village General Store, Kettleby c.1930

Watercolour 20 x 25"

by Peter Haworth, 1889 ~ 1986
Canadian watercolour artist 

Photo by Barry Wallace

After a decade of ongoing restoration, Dorio's Italian Bakery (the longtime Kettleby General Store) has completed numerous interior renovations and structural and services upgrades.   Now, beginning this November, a makeover of the principal facade will begin, with completion by Christmas.
Please comment if you wish.
Barry Wallace

November 1 on Kettleby Road

Recently refurbished cut stone bell tower 
Built in 1890

Photos by Barry Wallace

Winter wood on the porch
The onetime John Boadwin house ~ built in 1890

The beauty of true blue
Keele Street at the Kettleby Road

Kettleby Road fort
On the eastern edge of the village on the Kettleby Road

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

King City Post Office is expanding

 Photos by Barry Wallace

More homes and businesses mean more mail 

The expansion of King City Post Office, on Doctors Lane in the heart of the village, is underway.   The photos below show the new footings of the expansion at the north-west corner of the existing building.   The 1,800 sq. ft. expansion is scheduled to be completed by the end of November.   All existing functions of the post office will be enhanced by the additional space.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace