Grey-Bruce Adventours: July 2013

Grey-Bruce Adventours: Neustadt

By Sandra J. Howe for July/13 MOSAIC

July 13 is a great day to visit Neustadt (www.neustadt.ca ) in the scenic West Grey farming country south of Hanover. The Neustadt Fibre Arts Festival takes place throughout the community’s shops and churches, and features displays and demonstrations of weaving, spinning, knitting, rug hooking, quilting, and all things fibre art. Andre’s Alpacas (www.andresalpacas.com ) will show their beautiful animals with the softest wool. Also on July 13, the Neustadt and District Horticultural Society Summer Flower Show is on at Hillside Manor.

Neustadt was named “one of Canada’s ten prettiest villages” by Harrowsmith magazine because of its lovely stone buildings. One of the most historic is the Neustadt Springs Brewery (www.neudtadtsprings.com). Originally built in 1859 by Henry Huether with the aid of 40 German stonemason immigrants, that structure burned. The present building was constructed in 1869 with local farmers trading fieldstone for beer. Tours of the brewery caverns and springs are available on summer weekends, and are a great way to get cool on a hot day.

Neustadt, meaning “new town” in German, was founded in 1855 by David Winkler. Prime Minister John Diefenbaker was born here, and the Diefenbaker Home is a local historic site. It is great community for exploring by foot, with the Lion’s Park offering a creekside picnic area and playground for the children. Fresh baked goods, sweet and savoury, are excellent at It’s My Pleasure. Neustadt has a fun and fanciful mix of shopping with local handicrafts, antiques, books, and treasures; you will find something for all interests.

For artists’ studios, check out Richard Mund Pottery and T. Wegg Photography. For antique browsing in an 1857 grain mill with original machinery, stop by the Neustadt Mill Antiques Market. Best of all, don’t miss the great sights, smells, and tastes at Granny’s General Store, featuring ice cream, fresh pies, garden center, quilting supplies, movies, preserves,…It is an old-style general store in the best sense!

Grey-Bruce Adventours (www.howesandraj.blogspot.com) invites everyone to get out and explore the bounty of adventures available in our rural communities. If you need a guide, be sure and call me. Happy Adventouring!