Hi friends, long time no see! We’re sorry we missed our Fall newsletter, it was a pretty crazy time with the Mummery kids, Parent Council planning and also wrapping up the end of my term as the 2022 Simcoe & District Real Estate Board President. On top of that, Abby sent her oldest off to University and we were blubbery messes for a bit… all better now (we think lol).

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We hope you had a wonderful holiday with your friends and family and perhaps managed to squeeze in a little time to relax :) This time around our family update will need to give each one of the girls their own paragraph!

Grace has formally signed her letter of intent with Wheeling University in Wheeling, West Virginia to play softball for their D2 NCAA team and study Education with the hopes (at this point at least…) of becoming a high school Math Teacher. We couldn’t be more proud that this dream she’s had is coming true after working so hard to get here! She’s been working on earning an academic/athletic scholarship since she was barely 12, studying and training hard, making sacrifices that have paid off. So exciting!!

Sophie has some big news of her own as she has recently passed through her final interviews with the local and Buffalo, NY chapters of the Rotary Club International. She has been accepted as a long-term exchange student for the 2023-24 school year and is looking forward to finding out where she’s headed. The top of the list is Belgium, Germany, France, Spain and so many more options!! We can’t imagine lending her out for a year to other families so far away but we know they’ll love her like we do.

Maddie is thriving in high school and loving grade 9 at SCS! This semester has been the “boring” mandatory classes so she is looking forward to getting into Art in February. She was able to find herself a job she just loves as a stock person at No Frills here in Port Dover so be sure to say hi if you see her ;)

Audrey is still in theatre this year with YTP (Young Theatre Players) in Simcoe and is also a very proud Girl Guide :) She’s not so patiently waiting to hear about the spring volleyball session as well since she’s now old enough (grade 5?!) and is OBSESSED with volleyball.

Keith and I are navigating these next steps as the girls move on to so many incredible things on their own. It’s hard I’ll tell you! We just aren’t ever going to be ready I know it… so prom dress shopping and Babel to learn new languages, so much paperwork and as much family time as we can squeeze in. That’s how we’re heading into 2023 xo

We’ll hope you enjoy the newsletter and we’ll catch you up again in the Spring, but in the meantime, we’re here for you if you need us!

~ Melissa

• We are so thrilled to introduce the newest Mummery & Co. Sales Representative, Aidan Yardley! Aidan was born and raised in Port Dover. Helping people has always been a big part of who she is, and being able to help clients find their dream homes and show them what this wonderful county has to offer, is beyond exciting for her. Welcome Aboard, Aidan!

• If you have ever wanted to live in Port Dover, have we got the listing for you! Make 514 Main St., Port Dover your next move and you absolutely can have it all! Living a comfortable walking distance to the Library, Downtown, Shopping, Restaurants, Doctors, Dentists and Pharmacies, it's easy to become a part of the community that we know you'll love. Come visit and feel for yourself all the reasons this extensively renovated home is the one you've been searching for!

• Did you know that no one locks their doors in Churchill, Manitoba? Keeping doors unlocked is highly recommended because polar bears roam freely in town. Keeping doors unlocked (residence and vehicle) ensures residents can take cover if they happen across a cute and furry albeit unruly bear walking on down the street. Something to keep in mind if you were thinking of relocating ;)

Here is where you will find our gold star list for the month. People and pets we love; books and quotes that touch and inspire us; television shows and movies we can’t stop watching; songs we won’t stop humming; clothing and accessories we own and covet; and all the other stuff we love and think maybe you just might love too. 

Miley Cyrus just released her new single “Flowers” and I’m not gonna lie to you, I have it on repeat. It is the ultimate self-love anthem! Go ahead, have a listen and a little dance around the room.

Who wants to head South and escape this cold? Abby went away in the fall to Mexico and HIGHLY recommends the Excellence Riviera Cancun. It is a romantic and relaxing resort in the heart of the Riviera Maya (adults only, sorry kids) and she loved absolutely everything about it. The food, the weather, the rooms, the pool, the service. If you are thinking of a getaway, this one is worth looking into!

January is so cold and gloomy that the only thing I want to do is eat all the soup. These days I’ve taken to making a big batch on a Saturday afternoon and eating it all week long. If you want to start your own Soup Saturday habit, I recommend this version of clam chowder. It’s like a hug in a bowl!

Oh Happy Day! Port Dover finally has its own independent bookshop. Beach Reads Bookshop is a darling little shop that is split between new, used and bargain books, along with gift items for book lovers. Now if only Abby would stop sneaking out of work early to peruse their shelves…

If you haven’t eaten a Starbucks cake pop, do you even have teenagers? My kids are obsessed with this treat whenever we get near this restaurant chain. While delicious they are also a bit pricey. Well, we’ve got good news for you! On our latest Costco shopping trip we found a box of these Olivia’s Cake Pops, $12.99 for a dozen and I’m pleased to report my daughter says they taste just like the iconic Starbucks treat!

I have discovered that there are two types of people: those who are enamoured with the saga of the Royal Family and those who are not. I (Abby and the former) devoured the Netflix docuseries about Prince Harry and Meghan in one sitting. If you are on my team, make yourself some tea and biscuits and go have a watch.

Are you Hungry to Help Hospice? Next Tuesday, January the 24th, The Barrel Restaurant in Simcoe is the place to be! The Barrel Restaurant has generously offered to donate a portion of every meal to help bring a local hospice facility and it’s programs to the communities of Haldimand - Norfolk. Call your friends and mark your calendars to help support this cause

When the weather is a bit gloomy, you know what makes me feel better? Dancing! The Port Dover Volunteer Fire Department is hosting their Annual Firemen's Ball on February 11th. Tickets can be purchased at the Port Dover Market or at Carpet One in Port Dover. Tickets to this event always sell out fast so don’t wait!

We always do our best to scour all the local channels available to us to fill our our Events calendar to present you with a well-rounded list of options each month. Check it out and see if there is something there for you!