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Hamilton Spectator
21-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
80 gardens across Hamilton area welcome visitors for last Open Garden Week
I've written at least 30 of these introductions to Open Garden Week. You would think it would come easily by now. But no. I'm torn between thankfulness and awe and a bouquet of other sentiments. Eighty. That's the total number of gardens listed here on these pages. The people who made these gardens — sometimes over decades — are sharing them with you on this final Hamilton Spectator Open Garden Week — which begins tomorrow and runs to July 1 — and its partly parallel Waterdown and Area Garden Walk. I'm grateful, even overwhelmed, by the generosity, hospitality and benevolence of the garden owners who are welcoming any and all visitors over the 10 days of the event. Listings are organized geographically and by their first open date. Please check listings Gardening is largely an unselfish act: we make gardens to share them with others — family, neighbours, friends, passersby. And in the coming days, visitors. Not strangers, because as Irish bard William Butler Yeats wrote 'There are no strangers here; only friends you haven't met yet.' In case you missed it, this is the Grand Finale. This is the 30th edition of Open Garden Week and it is the last one. (I'm planning to keep writing about area gardeners and their gardens as long as The Spec will have me and I can still stroll around other people's gardens.) But Open Garden Week is exiting with a flourish, going out with a bang. We have many, many returning garden hosts and we have many, many first-time hosts, at least some of whom were moved by my ominous caveat: It's now … or never. Visitors' choices are, well, huge. There are gardens open from Burlington to Grimsby and south to Haldimand. Almost every community of Hamilton — Dundas, Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Flamborough and the 'old city' of Hamilton above and below the escarpment we call the Mountain — is represented. There are country gardens, city gardens, gardens with native plants, with water, with big trees and dwarf trees. There are gardens with a healthy dose of whimsy, with art, with an artist's sensibility. (Some gardeners have noted their property's accessibility or lack of same: These descriptions have not been tested or verified.) So many: yours to pick and choose. Dave and Cathy Cummins get a special shout-out here. Dave was one of the original six gardeners who signed up for the first event in 1992. Partly because I pleaded with him to close the first-and-last circle, Dave and Cathy are opening their magnificent garden in Dundas on three mornings and one evening this year. Even Dave admits his garden is looking pretty good this year, so if you haven't seen it, make sure you do this year. Dundas and Hamilton west of downtown have a combined total of 24 open gardens, with a huge variety of types and designs. A bunch of neighbours in Westdale have banded together to open at the same times (I'm one of them) and most are within an easy walk of each other. There are lots of lovely gardens on the Mountain, of all types and styles. Several are the products of decades of gardening experience. There is such a thing as garden tour etiquette, something that's especially important when your host is letting you in to her or his private space There is such a thing as garden tour etiquette, something that's especially important when your host is letting you in to her or his private space You will see quite a few listings mentioning their owners are members of Garden Hamilton/Mount Hamilton Horticultural Society. I'm one of them and if you have an interest in gardening, you might want to consider becoming a member, too. Email me at gardenwriterrob@ if you want more information on that. Some stalwarts from the past weren't prepared to open their gardens this year, but Mary Galli is keeping the flag flying in Haldimand at her Windecker Road garden. Margaret Hunsperger, who with her late husband, Ron hosted hundreds, perhaps thousands of visitors over many years, is welcoming people into their magnificent garden in Burlington. Ruth Moffatt and Jim Howden are opening their Grimsby garden, which, to paraphrase an Acton leather-goods shop, is worth the drive. Their lakeside garden is breathtaking. Among the Waterdown and Area Garden Walk listings, look for the Union Street garden of Arie Vanspronsen and Lee Bolton; this will be their last time opening this plant lovers' garden. It is fabulous, but then what would you expect from someone born above a florist's shop in Holland and who spent a career in the garden trade? Also check out Trudy and Roy Bliedung's wonderful garden on Carlisle Road, and Pearl Hoogerdyk's incredible garden on Safari Road. There are so many others who have been stalwarts of Open Garden Week over the years. The problem with mentioning one or two or six great gardens is that you have to leave others out. That's especially unfortunate because some of the best gardens are the ones you didn't expect. Every one of the gardens in this 'OGW30' is worth your time. Check out the gardens whose listings pique your interest. Trust your instincts, make a visit, get inspired, make a connection, see a plant you have to find for YOUR garden. Pack a hat and something cold to drink and make a road trip out of your visits. If you live in Flamborough, see Stoney Creek and central Hamilton gardens. If you're from Grimsby, come into central Hamilton and see some of the fabulous inner-city gardens that are on show. The great thing about going farther afield is that you travel roads and see communities you might not otherwise have a reason to visit. Finally, I say it every June and I mean it more with every passing year: Open Garden Week only happens because you make it happen. This is all about 30 years' worth of generosity, hospitality and the gifts our gardens give us. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Hamilton Spectator
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
The Redhill Valleys among local winners at CMAOntario Awards
Hamilton-grown musicians, a band and a radio station took home CMAOntario awards Sunday. Three-member band the Redhill Valleys won 'Group or Duo of the Year,' Ancaster's Mackenzie Leigh Meyer won 'Roots Artist or Group of the Year,' Waterdown's Josh Ross won the 'Compass Award' and KX94.7, Hamilton's country station, won 'Radio Station of the Year.' The win was a first for the Redhill Valleys. 'Winning Group of the Year in our hometown makes this moment extra special,' said Chelsea McWilliams, the bass player and singer. 'Hamilton has a rich, resilient music scene, and we're proud to be part of a community that keeps showing up, creating, and lifting each other up. It's a win for all the local bands out there making noise.' The CMAOntario Awards and Festival was Sunday at several venues across Hamilton, including the Textile Building and the Music Hall. The 13th annual awards show was the last to be hosted by Canadian country star Jason McCoy. McCoy announced 20 winners at the show, which ended off a weekend of workshops, intimate performances and open mics. Country singer-songwriter Owen Riegling won the most awards, taking home five trophies. Riegling is from Mildmay, Ont., a small town about 150 kilometres northwest of Hamilton, past Elmira, Ont. The show featured performances from country singers such as Andrew Hyatt, Sacha, Nate Haller and Robyn Ottolini. The Redhill Valleys also performed. McCoy was also honoured with the first Real McCoy Award, sponsored by Slaight Music. The award will honour an individual who represents the compassion, integrity and commitment to the craft of Ontario's country music community. The Country Music Association of Ontario was founded in 2007. Cheyenne Bholla is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. cbholla@
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Suspect wanted following armed robbery at Waterdown area bank: Hamilton police
Hamilton police are investigating an armed robbery at a bank in the Waterdown area last week. Hamilton police are investigating an armed robbery at a bank in the Waterdown area last week. In a release on Tuesday, police say officers were called to an RBC bank at around 6 p.m. on May 22. They say a single suspect walked into the bank and told staff to turn over cash. 'The suspect carried a handgun during the robbery and fled prior to police arrival,' police said in the release. Police did not say if anything was stolen. They describe the suspect as a man, wearing a black face covering, grey Puma hoodie, black pants, and black Adidas shoes with white soles at the time of the attempted robbery. He was driving a grey Mazda compact SUV, police say. Anyone with information is asked to call Hamilton police or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Suspect wanted following armed robbery at Waterdown area bank: Hamilton police
Hamilton police are investigating an armed robbery at a bank in the Waterdown area last week. Hamilton police are investigating an armed robbery at a bank in the Waterdown area last week. In a release on Tuesday, police say officers were called to an RBC bank at around 6 p.m. on May 22. They say a single suspect walked into the bank and told staff to turn over cash. 'The suspect carried a handgun during the robbery and fled prior to police arrival,' police said in the release. Police did not say if anything was stolen. They describe the suspect as a man, wearing a black face covering, grey Puma hoodie, black pants, and black Adidas shoes with white soles at the time of the attempted robbery. He was driving a grey Mazda compact SUV, police say. Anyone with information is asked to call Hamilton police or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Globe and Mail
15-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
In region enduring sales slump, bungalow-like house in Waterdown gains four offers
8 Silver Crt., Hamilton Asking price: $999,000 (April, 2025) Selling price: $1.105-million (April, 2025) Previous selling price: $200,899 (June, 1996) Taxes: $7,004 (2025) Days on the market: 11 Listing agent: Ed Cassidy, Bosley Real Estate Ltd. In the Hamilton region, properties littered the market for weeks, if not months, often after generous price cuts. Yet this three-bedroom house drew four offers in 11 days in April. Its success was tied to its mesmerizing appearance – and price under $1-million. 'This market has been hit hard because of the impact and uncertainty of tariffs in the region,' said agent Ed Cassidy. 'Given the number of listings in the Hamilton/Waterdown area, my intention was to make 8 Silver Crt. stand out through multiple social media platforms, professional staging and photography, and strategic pricing to draw interest from buyers online.' Emphasis on its unique layout also accounts for the $106,000 premium paid by the buyer. 'My advertising strategy and messaging was targeted with a key focus towards mature buyers, likely downsizers, searching for that elusive, one-level living space in order to age in place without the need for climbing stairs,' Mr. Cassidy said. 'Not only was the primary bedroom on the main level, but there was a second bedroom that could be used as an office or a bedroom on the main floor.' This 1½-storey house offers one bedroom and one of its three bathrooms upstairs. Below, there are separate cooking and dining areas and a laundry room with access into the garage. The living room features a gas fireplace, vaulted ceilings and sliding doors that open to the 45- by 100-foot grounds. The basement is unfinished. 'The home is situated on a very desirable, quiet, tree-lined court that is a short stroll to many shops and amenities,' Mr. Cassidy said. 'Watertown is a hidden gem with a small town feel that is minutes to the Aldershot GO Station, the 403, and the QEW, offering easy access to the GTHA and Niagara region.'
