The Sound of Music
The Walker's
Creative Entrepeneur
For over 8 years I was employed with the Etobicoke Board of Education as an elementary level teacher, specializing in music, dance, special education and computer technology. I relocated to a 100 acre farm property in Grey County and became a literacy specialist for Bluewater Board of Education for 11 years. During that time participation in community music projects was a part-time involvement. In 2009 I designed and built Phoenix Farm which is a 50 acre, organic hay property.
As a trained musician, performing in a variety of venues, and as a music therapist, I learned the skills of positive interaction through participatory music with seniors and children. Most recently I have been creating original compositions, collaborating with talented musicians, poets, and artists. My travels with music took me to Cuba.
I remain grateful to Alex “Puentes” Cuba and his father Valentin Puentes for inspiring me to synthesize my passion for rhythmic renditions of beautiful melodies, harmonies and complementary lyrics through the study of his compositions and some of the masters of the Cuban tradition.
The Heart of Grey County
Nature Trails
Hike excursions are available at Allen Park or a little farther distance are access points to the Bruce Trail System. The gorgeous Beaver Valley, famous for its awe-inspiring vistas, reminiscent of the Group of Seven artists’ paintings is a short 30 minute drive east. As is a visit to the charming town of Kimberley, where you may enjoy a short, scenic hike on the Bruce Trail at Old Baldy.
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Summer/Winter Activities
Taking a stroll, with your furry or non-furry family members, through our Saugeen Conservation Area, where you can experience the Saugeen River and McGowan Falls, is a wonderful way to begin or end your day. Fishing is allowed as well as photography, of course. Swimming, canoeing and kayaking are available on the Saugeen River or in the pond. For skiing enthusiasts, Collingwood downhill skiing is just 55 minutes away. Cross country skiing is available on the farm, at the Saugeen Conservation park or at Allan Park (just 10 minutes from your vacation home). Snowmobiling and ATV off road adventuring trails are just a short hop, skip and jump down the road. As this is an organic hay farm, presently prepared for spring planting, no vehicles are allowed on the fields of the farm.
Cottage Country
Central Grey County is an area of an abundance of small lakes, river systems, Grey County protected forest areas and informative/picturesque conservations areas in the town of Durham known as the Saugeen Conservation and in Hanover known as the Sulphur Springs Conservation. In the northeasternly direction the Bruce Trail meanders through Grey County. Different from the Muskokas and other areas out east, we are a well kept secret. The benefits of the farm’s location is its proximity to your shopping needs to maximize the time you may spend enjoying yourselves.
Phoenix farm is located a short five minute drive (1.5 km.) to the quaint town of Durham, Ontario (2 hours northwest of Toronto or less than 90 minutes north of Guelph). We have all facilities and many conveniences here, including a natural food store/café known as Chicory Common, other small family restaurants, the Garafraxa live entertainment bar/café, used book store, florists, Durham fitness centre with state of the art exercise equipment, thrift/antique stores, banks, credit union, video store, liquor/beer store, library, pharmacy, gas stations, two convenience stores, vet clinics, an excellent medical centre, the Durham Hospital, West Grey municipal police service, OPP (which services my municipality known as Southgate) and a Foodland grocery store.
