 Saturday October 27th is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY for Halloween and St. Thomas is ready to Haunt!
Free Comic Books will be available* at Fan of the Sport, Railway City Tourism, St. Thomas Public Library, Dark Matter and Submariner Tales in St. Thomas. Trick-or-Treat with your halloween_haunt_-_passport__3_.pdfPASSPORT from 10 am - 2 pm and visit participating businesses for treats or a contest draw. Visit at least 10 of the participating businesses to be entered to win $50 in Downtown Dollars! Passports can be left at your last stop or delivered to Railway City Tourism before 4 pm. Print your PASSPORT at home before heading out. Dress up in your Halloween finest for added fun! You never know who you might run into downtown for photos opportunities! Participating Businesses: Oh My Fur & Whiskers - 257 Talbot St. Why Not Cookies - 373 Talbot St. Chick Boss Cake - 381 Talbot St. Crocker's - 445 Talbot St. Submariner Tales - 488 Talbot St. The Nook - 567 Talbot St. Limitless Tattoo - 529 Talbot St. St. Thomas Public Library - 153 Curtis St. STEAM Centre - 168 Curtis St. Fan of the Sport - 571 Talbot St. Rail City Bistro - 599 Talbot St. Railway City Tourism - 605 Talbot St. Bulk Barn - 730 Talbot St. Vesta Shop - 797 Talbot St. Ohtera - 797 Talbot St. Unit 3 Dotsy's - 111 Ross St. Dark Matter Toys & Collectibles - 127 Ross St. Romantic Designs - 120 Wellington St. Railway City Brewing - 130 Edward St (opening at 11) Follow along with the event page for more details and updates! *free comic books will be available until close of regular business day or until we run out. Dark Matter Toys and Submariner Tales will have back issue comics while Fan of the Sport, Railway City Tourism, St Thomas Public Library will have official Free Comic Book Day issues
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 As the leaves begin to fall and the hot summer weather starts to cool off, along with it comes beautiful colour change that Autumn brings. The golds and rusted reds create a tone of warmth that has many of us looking forward to sweater weather and . To many, this is the most beautiful season of all. Railway City is the perfect place to enjoy Autumn and we welcome this seasonal transition with open arms. Where is your favourite spot to witness the season change locally? We are looking forward to seeing images from the Elevated Park! Use #explorerailwaycity and #stthomasproud to share your photos with us!  The variation of colours is always so fascinating. These leaves that show a spectrum of warm tones were captured by @spitzkymedia  Railway City is surrounded by an abundant amount of farmland and with it comes a beautiful opportunity to capture these landscapes. Fall is a very important season for all farms and markets in Elgin County and we encourage you to visit local markets like The Horton Farmers Market, Salt Creek Farm Market, Briwood Farm Market, and DeBackere Farm Market to enjoy the very best this harvest season has to offer. Credit Instagram User @yodaskitchen for this great capture!  The magic of the changing season begins so subtly. With just a few pops of yellow in a sea of green. But the shift from coll green summer to the feeling of Autumn warmth is undeniable in this picture. Credit Instagram User @viewsfromthe519.  Another instance of fall colour not necessarily being in the leaves! The cooler days and moody skies create amazing sunset shows too! Credit Instagram User @popem77 for this beautiful beach sunset!  There are so many trails to enjoy this season. Even if you explored them all through the summer months, they take on a completely different feeling this time of year. So get out and enjoy a hike, run or bike ride! Credit Instagram User @pink_sparkphoto for this gorgeous capture.  This final Fall-featured photograph shows a beautiful autumn sky with the colours of festive orange and rusted red vibrantly showing through. Especially with Halloween just around the corner, this image is perfect for the time of year! Thanks @lisabella for the image! Be sure to check out all the Halloween Events coming up in St. Thomas and celebrate the season to the fullest!
 Every year from April to October, communities across the province open the doors to hundreds of historical buildings, places of worship, museums, private homes, heritage gardens and other interesting venues. Many of the participating sites offer special activities, such as tours, exhibitions and demonstrations – all free of charge!
St. Thomas’ Doors Open is coming up Saturday October 13th from 10am-4pm and will feature some unique experiences for the day, including free train rides! The train runs from the L&PS Station at 605 Talbot Street to the Elgin County building at 450 Sunset Drive, where people have an hour layover to explore the Elgin County Heritage Centre and Elgin County Archives. Highlights
Quick Facts
St. Thomas Sites
TRAIN SCHEDULE 10am depart L&PS Station - Return departure 11:30 am Elgin County Building 12pm depart L&PS Station - Return departure 1:30 pm Elgin County Building 2pm depart L&PS Station - Return departure 3:30 pm Elgin County Building RAILWAY CITY TOURISM will be open at 9 AM for you to get your train tickets! For more information about Doors Open Ontario 2018, contact Sarah Noble at 519-631-1680 x 4132 or tourism@stthomas.ca. Visit Doors Open for detailed event information, highlights and site details. Doors Open Ontario is a program of the Ontario Heritage Trust working with communities across the province to open the doors, gates and courtyards of their unique and most fascinating cultural sites so you can explore the stories inside. Download your Doors Open flyer here to get all the info on times and locations!  We are starting to feel the cooler temperatures and the leaves are ever so subtly starting to change. The only thing that isn't changing is the fact that there are still so many activities and opportunities to enjoy our city! Follow along with our social media accounts for updates and check out what our incredible partners are offering for you to enjoy throughout the month of October!
ARTS & CULTURE Until Oct 20 | In View of the Artist | St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre Until Oct 20 | Shelby Hayward - Doyenne | St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre Until Dec 22 | Baseball and Brass Bands | Heritage Centre Oct 11 | Art Class - Halloween Cat | Romantic Designs Oct 11 | Bridges to Better Business featuring David Usher | Elgin County Railway Museum Oct 11 | Paint Night | St. Thomas Road House Oct 13 | Doors Open St. Thomas | City Wide Oct 13 | Art Class - Winter Wolf | Romantic Designs Oct 13 & 20 | Murder Mystery Train | Port Stanley Terminal Rail Oct 15 | From Fair to Foul - Magicians in the 19th Century | St. Thomas Public Library Oct 15 | Pick your Project Sign Night | St. Thomas Road House Oct 17 | Art Class - Acrylic Workshop | Romantic Designs Oct 19 | Booktoberfest | Railway City Brewing Oct 19-20 | Dungeon of Doom Haunted House | Dotsy's Oct 20 | Allure - A Photo Immersive Event | Jac's House Oct 20 | Art Class - Dragon Days | Romantic Designs Oct 20 | STEGH Foundation Gala- Midnight in Paris | St. Anne's Centre Oct 20 | New Orleans Jazz & Blues Dinner| St. John's Anglican Oct 22 | Christmas Porch Signs | St. Thomas Road House Oct 24 | Art Class - The Lighthouse | Romantic Designs Oct 26 | Almighty Roast Beef Dinner| St. John's Anglican Oct 26 & 27 | Halloween Mystery Train | Port Stanley Terminal Rail Oct 26-27 | Dungeon of Doom Haunted House | Dotsy's Oct 27 | Art Class - The Witch | Romantic Designs Oct 31 | Dungeon of Doom Haunted House | Dotsy's LIFESTYLE Tuesdays | Dart Night | Railway City Brewing Tuesdays| Euchre Club | St. John's Anglican Oct 3 | Brewery Boot Camp | Railway City Brewing Oct 6 & 20 | Seed Saving Workshop | St. Thomas Public Library Oct 13 | Love, Life & the Afterlife | Princess Ave. Playhouse Oct 20 | CJR Performance Season Ending Weekend | St. Thomas Raceway Park MUSIC Oct 12 | NO LIARS | Brunswick Tavern Oct 26 | Open Mic Night | Streamliners Espresso Bar Oct 26 | Sounds of Samhain | Back Alley FAMILY Saturdays & Sundays (+ Thanksgiving Day) | PSTR Train Rides | Port Stanley Saturdays | Pumpkin Festival | Clovermead Oct 18 - 31 | Haunted House | Rail City Recreation Oct 26 | Downtown Pumpkin Prowl |Downtown St. Thomas Oct 26 & 27 | Pumpkin Train | Port Stanley Terminal Rail Oct 27 | Halloween Haunt for FREE Comic Book Day| St. Thomas SHOPPING Saturdays | Horton Farmers' Market | Horton Farmers' Market Oct 17 | Night Market | CASO Station Oct 24 | Night Market | CASO Station Oct 27 | Spooktactular Sweets | The Nook  In preparation for Culture Days this weekend we are featuring a submission from Romantic Designs Artist Studio. They have programming on all weekend from September 28-30 and there has never been a better time to pick up a brush and let your artistic side expand.
After retiring from the Military in Ottawa, Major Daniel Brassard and his wife Sharon, chose St. Thomas to set up their home and Romantic Designs Artist Studio. Their studio is situated at the crossroads of Wellington and Princess street, adjacent to the Whistle stop Trail, in a quaint wooden building with plenty of free parking. Romantic Designs Artist Studio is a side by side Gallery/Gift Shoppe and Classroom and has been open for 8 years and continues to draw tourists and students both locally and beyond. They credit their success and wide stretching net of interest to three things Versatility, Accessibility and Communication. Dan is a multi-media painter and Sharon is a sculptor. Where they come together is their subjects which range from Celtic and Medieval, Fantasy and Folklore. “It was part of our business plan – to create a niche- something that would pull in customers from both home and abroad. Dan says. “We are opened all year round - offering a variety classes each month that are all-inclusive and diversified with a customer reward program. More bang for your buck”. The Brassards’ are more than just good business partners and have often been referred to as a ‘Two Person Artist Guild “. Their acclaims are global. Their paintings and sculptures have been shipped to various locations throughout the United States and Europe with one of Dan’s’ paintings winning a ribbon at The World Fantasy Convention. They have designed and won trophies on Parade Floats and have been active participants in a number of Ontario sponsored Art Programs. “When we get visitors/students from as far as Windsor, Toronto and Owen Sound, we ask them why us? Its always the same answer- “What you offer is both different and affordable – its unique and worth the drive.” That’s a good thing- because when they were looking for a location 10 years ago they determined that "St. Thomas has everything we are looking for.” Long standing participants of The Goderich Celtic Roots and Robin in the Hood Festivals, Sharon and Dan also bring their art on the road at summer outdoor festivals. “Our Powertex Celtic Dancer was a big hit last year at the Goderich Celtic Roots Auction…. and our Dragons always draw a lot of attention.” Whether it’s a gift for someone special, a day out to explore or a destination to bring your visitors from out of town or trying your hand at Watercolor class …. A visit to ROMANTIC DESIGNS ARTIST STUDIO is an experience you won’t soon forget. Classes and Workshops - Painting in Watercolor, Pencil, Acrylic, Mixed Media, Pastel, Oil, Alcohol Inks, Mosaic. Sculpting in Powertex, Polymer Clay, Fibre Gallery and Gift Shop - Plenty of free parking with a well-lit lot day or night and Handicap access to washrooms and classes  Every year, millions of Canadians engage in thousands of free activities and performances hosted by artists, cultural organizations and municipalities in communities across Canada. From Nunavut to New Brunswick, and from British Columbia to Baffin Island – and all points in between – we share all the inspiration, artistry, creativity and expression that reflects the mosaic of Canadian culture. Culture Days celebrations return this year from Friday, September 28th to Sunday, September 30th, and there are tons of free, participatory arts activities happening in St. Thomas for you to participate in! Check out our condensed guide below to help you find the best activities (or for more events that may be added after this post!) for you this 2018 Culture Days weekend, or click here to find the detailed Culture Days St. Thomas info.  Romantic Designs Art Studio
Limitless Tattoo
Laing Studios
Little Red Mitten
St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre
 Southwold Township Library - Shedden
St. Thomas Public Library - St. Thomas
St. Thomas Horton Farmers’ Market - St. Thomas
The Village Collective - Sparta
Boat Launch - Port Stanley
Port Stanley Library - Port Stanley
Steam Centre with St. Thomas Elgin Local Immigration Parthership - St. Thomas
Contact: Petrusia Hontar | phontar.stelip@gmail.com | 519-631-9800 x 241 Joe Thornton Community Centre - St. Thomas
Talbot Teen Centre - St. Thomas
Elgin County Heritage Centre - St. Thomas
Elgin County Administration Building - St. Thomas
Portside Gallery - Port Stanley
Belmont Library - Belmont
Springfield Library - Springfield
Aylmer Library - Aylmer
Family Central Restaurant - Aylmer
Christ Anglican Church - Port Stanley
Glover Park - Port Stanley
Streamliners Espresso Bar - St. Thomas
Hiram Smith House - Sparta
 To many, Talbot St. has long been the heart of St. Thomas. The landscape may change over time, but the mission of the Downtown remains the same; To cultivate a community of all downtown property and business owners and residents, while advocating, beautifying and actively promoting our businesses and authentic heritage in Downtown St Thomas. This street has been host to many businesses and residences throughout its long history. Over time, the economic demands have changed and therefore, so have the businesses located on Talbot Street but our Historic Downtown holds some great stories from the past and is busy forging ahead with new experiences to be had! Below is a look at a few different buildings on Talbot Street and their entrepreneurial histories.  291-295 Talbot Street Dr. E.W. Gustin built this Victorian home in 1870, and it was later converted to his medical office in 1890. The house was constructed by J.M Green and the building underwent a number of expansions and renovations throughout the years, reflecting the evolution of the building from a residence to a combination of home and surgery. Today the building belongs to the family-owned restaurant Lotus Thai.  440-442 Talbot Street This address officially opened on March 12, 1912, as The Canadian Bank Of Commerce. In 1961 the Canadian Bank of Commerce merged with the Imperial Bank of Commerce to form the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce meaning this spot has had the same tenant for over 100 years.  519 Talbot Street Getta's Restaurant was located at 519 Talbot Street from 1935-1962 but was badly damaged by a fire on February 4, 1962. Shortly after, Yurek's Pharmacy was established in the location in 1963. Today, Yurek’s Pharmacy is still operated from 519 Talbot Street.  546 Talbot Street Homer's Lunch Counter and Dining Room was located right across from City Hall at 546 Talbot Street in 1925. Today, Tim Horton's carries on the lunch counter tradition serving up coffee and sandwiches to the downtown core.  614 Talbot Street Hal Kemp Motor Sales was located at 614 Talbot Street in 1950 while today St.Thomas Transit Terminal Services owns and operates out of the same location.  779 Talbot Street B.A Sumner’s Confections was located at 779 Talbot Street in 1930 and the store was known for its large collection of antiques and curios, displayed in the store. Today, the Dutch Bakery and The Fritter Shop are here with their large collection of delicious treats!  825 Talbot Street
In 1933 The International Hotel was located at 825 Talbot Street but today the building is host to Asuka Japanese Cuisine. The St. Thomas Municipal Heritage Committee has some fantastic walking tour guides available including one of Talbot Street. If you found this post interesting - stop in to the Railway City Tourism Office to pick up a walking tour and set out to discover the history on Talbot St.  September arrives in just a few days and it's difficult to comprehend how quickly the last few months have flown by. The kids might be going back to school but there is still plenty of warm weather days left to enjoy!
ARTS & CULTURE Sept 1 | St. Thomas Fire Muster | Pinafore Park Sept 1 | Ghost in the Machine - Francis Caprani Exhibition | St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre Sept 1 | #ARTCENTRESELFIE Exhibition | St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre Until Sept 8 | Sunshine Express| Port Stanley Festival Theatre Sept 6 | Art Class - In Love with Abstract | Romantic Designs September 8 - Oct 20 | In View of the Artist | St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre Sept 8 | Art Class - Lazy Day Fishing | Romantic Designs Sept 9 | Grand Opening Party | The Atrium Sept 12 | Art Class - The Panda Bear | Romantic Designs Sept 13 | Art Class - Hawaii Vacation | Romantic Designs Sept 15 | Yuk Yuk's Comedy Night in the Shop | Elgin County Railway Museum Sept 15 | Art Class - Days of Autumn | Romantic Designs Sept 19 | Art Class - Palette Knife | Romantic Designs Sept 20 - 30 | The Cemetery Club | Princess Ave. Playhouse Sept 22 | Conductor's Choice Culinary Tour | St. Thomas Sept 22 | Art Class - Dragon on Canvas | Romantic Designs Sept 28-30 | Culture Days | St. Thomas LIFESTYLE Sept 4 | Euchre Club | St. John's Anglican Sept 7 | Golf Classic Invitational | Iron Creek Golf & Country Club Sept 11 | Euchre Club | St. John's Anglican Sept 15 | Fall Harvest Dinner | Wildflowers Farm Sept 18 | Euchre Club | St. John's Anglican Sept 25 | Euchre Club | St. John's Anglican Sept 26 |Meet the Makers | Elgin Mall MUSIC Sept 12 | Taize Service | St. John's Anglican Church Sept 22 | Jumbo Phest | Back Alley Sept 26 | Gordie Mackeeman and his Rhythm Boys | CASO Station FAMILY Saturdays & Sundays | PSTR Train Rides | Port Stanley Sept 7 | Movie in the Park - ET |Pinafore Park Sept 8 | Junior Jumbo Mud Challenge| Faith Church SHOPPING Saturdays | Horton Farmers' Market | Horton Farmers' Market Sept 6 | Night Market | CASO Station  The St. Thomas food scene is definitely on the rise and people are starting to take notice! If you are looking to visit the area or are looking to discover a new place to try check out these posts by some recent visitors!
Ontario Travel - 5 Spots to Treat your Taste buds in Railway City Travelling Foodie - 9 Stops to get a Taste of St. Thomas We also have a day long culinary adventure upcoming to tantalize your taste buds with some local food highlights. Seats on the train are limited so book in early by contacting Railway City Tourism.  One benefit for Canadians during the summer season is the ability to view and enjoy a beautiful summer’s sunset. St. Thomas is lucky to have a variety of destinations nearby where one may view a sunset from the best perspective. Below is a list of the many different sites with the best potential to view a St.Thomas sunset. Let us know your favourite spot if it isn't on the list! We are always discovering new locations too!  Winter Sunset at the Elevated Park by @viewsfromthe519 on Instagram The Elevated Park is an excellent destination for sunset views. The high vantage point of the park provides a view like none other and it offers all with the opportunity to experience a sunset from above the town of St.Thomas. Be sure to visit the Elevated Park for all your viewing need. Access to the park is off of Centre St. one street back from the Jumbo monument.  Sunset Captured by @spitzkymedia on Instagram Hawks Cliff gives its visitors the opportunity to view Lake Erie from the top of an eroded cliff and it is also a viable destination to view a sunset. The expanse of this view creates an impressive glimpse. Hawks Cliff is located on Lake Erie, near Port Stanley. The Thames Talbot Land Trust is working to preserve the area for generations of birds and people to enjoy - If you visit be aware of the habitat and consider donating to the preservation effort  Sunset Captured by Laing Studios For some, sunsets are best enjoyed on a beach! A sunset seen from Main Beach in Port Stanley will have you speechless as the sandy landscape and beautiful waterfront scenery conflicting with a summer’s sunset will be like nothing seen before. Furthermore, the Pier which is located on the beach provides another perspective to enjoy!  Jumbo Sunset captured by @lolopenny on Instagram The Jumbo Monument is located at 65 Talbot Street which is on top of Talbot Hill. Viewing a sunset at the Jumbo site will be a real treat now that Jumbo has some added colour to create an intriguing contrast to the sky and he always appreciates visitors!  Sunset captured by Laing Studios In town sometimes it can be difficult to get that big open view that one associates with a typical "sunset photo", but the sky over the Elgin County Railway Museum often provides a beautiful show and shouldn't be missed!
It's the time of year when we take advantage of longer days and it's nice to slow down at the end of the day and follow the light to end the day with a beautiful local sunset. Where are your favourite local sunset spots? |
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