👋 NOTL, Did You Know...

This Week in NOTL…

• 🧱 Hidden History: Meet the Peter Secord House — Ontario’s oldest home, quietly holding it down in St. Davids

• 🎨 Artful Escapes: Paint, sip, and savour the views at Riverview Cellars this Saturday

• 🐾 Community Fundraiser: Support animal rescue efforts with a summer raffle

Let’s dive in!

🏠 Ontario’s Oldest Home: Aging More Gracefully Than Most of Us

Tucked along Four Mile Creek Road in St. Davids is a house that’s been standing since before most of us figured out how to fold a fitted sheet — the Peter Secord House, built around 1782 and widely considered the oldest surviving home in Ontario.

Peter Secord, a Loyalist settler and relative of the legendary Laura Secord, built the home after fleeing the American Revolution. Constructed from local rubblestone and frontier resolve, it’s a modest structure that’s withstood war, weather, and the test of time — all without modern insulation or a renovation show makeover.

The house has survived the War of 1812, countless Niagara winters, and more than two centuries of change, standing quietly as the landscape around it transformed. And here’s the coolest part: it’s right here in NOTL. Not locked away behind glass, not a museum — just sitting humbly on a roadside like it’s no big deal.

You can find it at 215 Four Mile Creek Road, just north of the village centre in St. Davids. It’s a private residence, so please admire from the road and keep your selfies respectful — no driveway strolls or curious peeking.

In a town overflowing with history, the Peter Secord House reminds us just how deep our roots really go — and how lucky we are to call this place home.

🎨 Sip, Swirl & Paint in the Vineyard

Looking for the perfect weekend reset? Here’s your excuse to ditch the to-do list and pick up a paintbrush instead.

Artful Escapes is hosting a dreamy afternoon at Riverview Cellars Winery this Saturday, July 12 from 12–3 PM — and trust us, this one’s got all the ingredients for a perfect summer escape.

You’ll enjoy:

• 🍷 A guided wine tasting & winery tour

• 🧀 A curated cheese plate to snack and savour

• 🖌️ A step-by-step painting workshop with pro artist Shilpa

• 🌿 Gorgeous vineyard views as your creative backdrop

Whether you’re planning a girls’ day out, a date with your partner, or just some much-needed time to unplug solo, this is your sign to treat yourself.

🎟️ Tickets are available — but spots are limited, so don’t wait too long!

🐾 Summer Raffle Supporting Animal Rescue

This weekend, a local summer raffle is serving up burgers, lawn games, and a whole lot of heart — all in support of the Community Initiative for Animal Rescue (CIFAR).

Hosted by the Husky/Esso Restaurant & Travel Centre, this raffle helps provide emergency funding for animal rescues when they need it most. CIFAR doesn’t shelter or adopt animals — they simply step in with financial support when rescue groups fall short.

🎟 Tickets are just $2 each or 3 for $5

📅 Draw Date: Saturday, July 12

Here’s what you could win:

🥇 1st Prize: Summer Cooler Bag ($80 value)

Loaded with backyard BBQ essentials: Angus burgers, buns, drinks, snacks, a s’mores kit, bubble wand, soft frisbee, and more.

🥈 2nd Prize: Bacci Ball Lawn Game ($35 value)

Because summer’s more fun when you’re tossing stuff around.

This is a great way to support a cause that helps local rescues stay afloat — and maybe head home with some summer treats while you’re at it.

📧 For more info or to grab tickets: [email protected]

📜 A Final Note from the NOTL News Desk… 🎺

As we wrap up this week’s dispatch and give our typing fingers a well-earned rest, here’s one last nudge for our local movers and shakers:

Got a story to share? A big event coming up? Something new and exciting on the horizon? We’d love to hear from you! 🫵

Reach out and we’ll figure out the best way to get your business or event in front of the right eyes — whether it’s a spotlight in the newsletter, a post on our socials, or something a little more custom.

📬 Send us a note at [email protected] — we’ll take it from there.

👋 Until next time, dear Notler… stay curious, stay kind, and stay delightfully local.