Welcome to Crossroads Bistro!! Grand Opening Dec 5

Wardsville hold your breath.  Here comes the Crossroads Bistro!

Let’s welcome Penny Todd, the “hostess with the mostess” who is betting on Wardsville and area as a community that will rally to support a bistro offering healthy food choices of freshly prepared foods from the finest ingredients.  The atmosphere is clean, modern, professional and offers free wireless internet to customers.

Target date for opening – Tues, Dec 1st. Just keep a watch for the Open sign as she works like crazy to open the doors.  If she misses the Dec 1 target, then she hopes to open Friday 4th.  

On Saturday Dec 5, she is opening the doors to the community.    We’ll be able to sample her food specials and live blues music.    5pm – 9pm…or later 
Dave’s Cafe can sigh with relief;  customers wanting to eat after he closes in the early afternoon will not be disappointed.  Between the two food establishments, we hope that one will be able to grab a bite anytime of the day.  Of course, that depends upon us, the clientele.  It also depends upon the quality of the food.  The higher the quality of food and service, the farther people will drive to partake.   

Good luck, Penny!

 

Crossroads Bistro is located at the corner of Longwoods Road and Haggerty Road.

Posted by Mary Simpson 

 

George Ward, the Founder of Wardsville

One of the “little people” of Southwestern Ontario’s History.  A life ignored no longer.

Bi-centennial 2010 celebrates the founding of Wardsville in 1810 by George Ward (government asked him to establish a stopping place for travellers where Wardsville now stands). After George Ward established the “tavern” and homestead, the War of 1812-1814 came.  George Ward became active in the British forces and was entrusted with provisions for the army, running dispatches and maintaining replacement horses at all times. He played an important role in the Battle of the Longwoods, March 6, 1814. 

He and his family endured many hardships.  He apparently went to his grave trying to clear his name of the accusation by the Britich of treason in connection with the Battle of the Longwoods. 

This fantastic story has never been properly acknowledged nor the story ever told as a narrative.  In fact, it is the burying of these types of historical figures that contributes to the myth that Canada and southwestern Ontario has no “interesting history”. 

With the Bi-centennial of the War of 1812-1814 two years away, Wardsville’s leadership in uncovering and celebrating important heritage stories through art and story-telling will help Ontario prepare for the Commemoration which is a mere 28 months away.  Of course, there are also 200 years of history since 1810 but the focus this coming year will be George Ward, the man and the social history of what life was like in this part of Canada.

Quilt honours Mrs. George Ward

In 1810 George Ward founded Wardsville at the request of the British
Gov’t. Mrs Margaret Ward was there along side him. She was there when
the inn was built, the children were born, the land cleared and the
garden planted. She mended and cooked not only for George but any soul
that was traveling Longwoods Road. She carried water from Paint Creek
to cook in, to bath and wash her children and all the  clothes.  

During the War of 1812-1814, she ran for her life , hiding her children and
herself when the Americans came. “The enemy, caught George, put a
rope around his neck and hanged him until life was almost extinct’.

She did it and survived.

I know she made quilts to keep her family warm, used up old and worn
clothing. Maybe she made a quilt to pass the time.

Let’s HONOUR Mrs. George Ward. We don’t care what you sewing ability is. We just want you to come and
get involved in this great historical, legacy project.

All people that get involved will have their name  stitched on the
quilt. A booklet will be made with all of our names and put into a
time capsule for Kin Day 2010.

Tell you neighbors and friends let’s make this a great project.

Please….come and get involved

We are the Women of Wardsville
– 
Denise Corneil
Your Wardsville
Treasurer
1852 Longwoods Rd
Wardsville, ON
N0L 2N0
519-693-7002
denisecorneil@yourwardsville.com