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Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Asking price for family-run hotel is $12 million. The marshmallow memories are priceless
In the early days of the Erie Beach Hotel, an iconic hotel and dining establishment in the small town of Port Dover, Ont., the Schneider family served lake-caught pickerel to their guests, alongside their signature celery bread, pickled pumpkin and marshmallow salads. 'When blue pickerel was getting tight,' recalls third generation owner, Andrew Schneider, 'and they were catching all this unknown, unusable fish called Lake Erie yellow perch, my grandfather went down to the pier and came back with a bucket of this stuff and said to my grandma, 'what can we do with this?'' They were basically giving perch away, Andrew says with a shake of his head; nobody wanted it back then. Today, diners in the Cove Room, Terrace Room and Perch Patio — all part of the Erie Beach Hotel's much expanded restaurants, with capacity for 850 — continue to enjoy the celery bread, pickled pumpkin and marshmallow salads, Andrew reports. But mostly, they come for the Lake Erie perch. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Tastes evolve, and times change. This spring, Andrew and his wife Pam, owners of the Erie Beach Hotel enterprise — and part-owners, with Andrew's brother, of The Arbor, a casual eating place famous for its trademarked Golden Glow drink and foot-long hotdogs, plus a mini-golf course, both nearby — are calling it quits. The family businesses in Port Dover are for sale, for an all-in asking price of just under $12 million. Like many long-time patrons, I'm saddened by the news. The Cove Room is where my grandparents and parents gathered to celebrate milestone anniversaries and birthdays, graduations and engagements. Normally, I recoil from marshmallow in salads; but there, I partake, because the memories are sweet. The Schneider patriarch and matriarch, Harold and Marjorie, purchased a 'beat up' Erie Beach Hotel in 1946, as Andrew tells their story. Before his grandfather went away to the war, to serve in the navy, Andrew explains, 'Grandma and he ran a hotel in Kitchener.' His grandmother managed the hotel for the two or three years while his grandfather was at war, but the hotel owners only compensated her as a housekeeper. That injustice precipitated the couple's move to Dover. And now, after four generations of Schneiders — owning, operating and continuously improving the Erie Beach property — I'm curious to understand how Andrew and Pam came to the decision to sell a business that's become such a big part of their family's and Port Dover's identity. 'How will people react if these legacy assets are knocked down to make way for lakeshore condominiums?' I ask the couple in our virtual conversation. 'There's enough space available in Port Dover to build condos,' Andrew assures me, with a smile, 'you don't need to knock this down.' He's hoping the people who buy the place, 'make this 10 times more successful than we have; we want this to succeed and the town to succeed.' The business employs roughly 100 people, he explains, and 'the payroll between here and The Arbour, the tips, the stuff we buy locally, all that affects the local economy in a huge way.' Their eldest daughter manages the Terrace Room, Pam adds, and there was a lot of pressure on her: 'I remember her saying to me … 'I don't want to be the one who sells it … the whole town is going to look at me and I'm going to be the one who sells it someday.'' Andrew and Pam know the decision to sell doesn't just affect the owners; many of their current employees have been working at the Erie Beach hotel for 20-plus years, Andrew reports. 'We had a bartender who was here for 40-something years, our chef was here 40-something years,' he says. 'Rose, who still works upstairs, has been over 40 years with us.' The hospitality business is demanding, Pam explains; the only day of the year the restaurants close is Christmas Day. 'And there was a time,' Andrew adds, 'when we never closed.' 'We sold out every Christmas,' he reminisces, 'and then when dad left it to the staff to decide; 'You wanna continue to do Christmases or you wanna cut this off?' And they said, 'Let's cut it off.' Took three years,' Andrew laughs. 'We told everybody, 'OK, next year, we're cutting this back.' Cut it from three sittings down to two, down to one, and then none, and that was kind of how Christmas ended here.' Andrew and his brother Tony lived at the Erie Beach Hotel as young kids, he recalls, 'bussing tables for breakfast when we were nine or 10; before that we swept sidewalks and crushed the ice with a big old machine with a handle on the side.' A century ago, beginning in the Roaring '20s, people made the trek to Port Dover to dance to big band music in the ballroom of the Summer Garden. In the 1940s, bands included Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa. In the 1950s, Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks, and after that the Guess Who and Lighthouse played the venue. The nearby town of Jarvis was also home to a British Commonwealth Air Force base, 'so there was a lot of training going on,' for the war effort, says Andrew, 'and the guys blowing off steam here in town.' In the rough and tumble of the hotel's bar, once someone was cut off, you were cut off for life, Pam laughs. 'People learned to behave,' she says, 'or you didn't ever get to come back.' In 2000, Andrew and Pam bought the family business from his parents. 'Perch was tight again, prices were going up, profits were going down,' Andrew recalls, and his mother was 'all wound up … asking 'what do we do if there's no more perch in Lake Erie?'' Andrew told his mother: 'I'll put up a for sale sign, or I'll figure out a way to sell steak, or something, but I'm not tied here.' Andrew and Pam aren't leaving Dover anytime soon. Lake Erie is well stocked with perch. But the couple has decided their children can also choose their own path. He and Pam are attached to the place, Andrew says, 'but we shouldn't dictate to our kids what they want to do with their own lives.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
The Hindu
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Azure claims the JSK1 Gaming Trophy
Trainer Imtiaz A. Sait's ward Azure, ridden by Antony Raj S, won the JSK1 Gaming Trophy, the feature event of the Friday's (July 25) races here. The winner is owned by Mr. & Mrs. Shapoor P. Mistry rep. Manjri Horse Breeders' Farm Pvt. Ltd, Mr. D.R. Thacker rep. DT Racing & Breeders LLP & Mr. Ashok Ranpise. 1. BEYOND EXPECTATION PLATE (1,000m): BETWEEN FRIENDS (Prashant P. Dhebe)1, Mirae (Mosin) 2, Northern Singer (C. Umesh) 3 and Collateral (S. Chouhan) 4. Not run: Fidato. 1/2, 3/4 and 1-1/2. 1m 00. 52s. ₹69 (w), 13, 17 and 11 (p). SHP: 45, FP: 1,487, Q: 351, Tanala:1,345 and 288. Favourite: Northern Singer. Owner: Mr. S.S. Shah. Trainer: M.K. Jadhav. 2. S.K. SUNDERJI SALVER (1,400m): ULTIMO (R. Ajinkya) 1, Golden Glow (Yash) 2, Lord And Master (C. Umesh) 3 and Medusa (Sandesh) 4. 3-3/4, 5-1/2 and 8-3/4. 1m 25. 96s. ₹14 (w), 10 and 18 (p). SHP: 36, FP; 56, Q: 50, Tanala: 223 and 107. Favourite: Ultimo. Owners: M/s. Rajesh Monga & Manav Monga. Trainer: P.S. Chouhan. 3. JSK1 GAMING TROPHY (1,000m): AZURE (Antony Raj S) 1, Among The Stars (Yash) 2, Mulan (Trevor) 3 and Viennoise (S. Amit) 4. 1-3/4, 5 and 3-1/4. 58.98s. ₹57 (w), 18, 10 and 17 (p). SHP: 35, FP: 126, Q: 37, Tanala: 425 and 460. Favourite: Among The Stars. Owners: Mr. & Mrs. Shapoor P. Mistry rep. Manjri Horse Breeders' Farm Pvt. Ltd., Mr. D.R. Thacker rep. DT Racing & Breeders LLP & Mr. Ashok Ranpise. Trainer: Imtiaz A Sait. 4. ISMAIL KHAN PLATE (1,400m): YULETIDE (A. Prakash) 1, Bohemian Rhapsody (Aditya) 2, Red Dust (Sandesh) 3 and Baleno 4. 4-1/2, 2 and 3/4. 1m 29.25s. ₹62 (w), 23, 10 and 21 (p). SHP: 36, FP: 166, Q: 70, Tanala: 576 and 381. Favourite: Bohemian Rhapsody. Owners: Mr. Akhtar Adamji Peerbhoy, Mrs. Shahanaz A. Peerbhoy, M/s. Jehangoo M. Nazir, Kishore M. Dingra, Harisharan Devgan rep. Niche Agriculture & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Mr. G. Shewakramani, Mr. Waahiid Ali Khan rep. Sshaawn Horses and Sports Pvt. Ltd. & Mr. Homi Dara Doctor. Trainer: Narendra Lagad. Note: In this race, Alaricus (C. Umesh up) planted into the stalls and did not participate. 5. J.E. HUGHES TROPHY (1,200m): DIVINE STAR (P. Trevor) 1, Fighton (Bharat) 2, Alpine Star (Ramswarup) 3 and Azrinaz (Sandesh) 4. 4-3/4, 1 and Short Head. 1m 9. 82s. ₹27 (w), 14, 14 and 18 (p). SHP: 38, FP: 85, Q: 50, Tanala: 559 and 347. Favourite: Divine Star. Owners: M/s. Ashok Ranpise, Pranav Ranpise, D.R. Thacker rep. DT Racing & Breeders LLP, M/s. Rajiv S. Ghule, S.R. Sanas & Waahiid Ali Khan rep. Sshaawn Horses and Sports Pvt. Ltd. Trainer: Aman Altaf Hussain. 6. ATOMIC PRINCE PLATE (1,200m): DIVINE INTUITION (Akshay Gaikwad) 1, Liam (Antony Raj) 2, Treasure Gold (Pranil) 3 and Believe (Mosin) 4. 2-1/2, 1/2 and 1-1/2. 1m 10. 72s. ₹118 (w), 23, 10 and 57 (p). SHP: 39, FP: 479. Q: 213, Tanala: 10,524 and 3,007. Favourite: Liam. Owners: M/s. Ashok Ranpise, Pranav Ranpise, Akshay Dattatray Ranpise, Vishwajeet Sood, Waahiid Ali Khan rep. Sshaawn Horses and Sports Pvt. Ltd., Mrs. Ayesha A. Hussain, Mr. Aziz A. Virani & Mr. Aman Altaf Hussain. Trainer: Aman Altaf Hussain. 7. ORANE FLAME PLATE (1,600m): NOSTALGIA (P. Trevor) 1, Doctor Dolly (Sandesh) 2, Vincero (Aditya) 3 and Esconido (A. Prakash) 4. 3/4, 2-1/4 and 2. 1m 41. 69s. ₹28 (w), 13, 10 and 26 (p). SHP: 37, FP: 53, Q: 20, Tanala: 426 and 304. Favourite: Doctor Dolly. Owners: M/s. Hemant S. Dharnidharaka & Dinesh G. Virwani. Trainer: Imtiaz A. Sait. Jackpot: 70%: ₹75,890 (7 tkts.), 30%: 14,229 (16 tkts.). Treble: 4,823 (7 tkts.). Super Jackpot: 70%: 29, 038 (c/f), 30%: 12,444 (1 tkt).
Hamilton Spectator
24-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Beach towns, wildlife watching and vineyard hopping: What to do in Norfolk County — including chef-approved picks
Summer in the city is crowded and sweltering. Use this road trip guide to get out of town and explore the charming places within driving distance of Toronto. Every week, we'll spotlight an Ontario destination, complete with expert picks for how best to enjoy. Happy trails! When Toronto's heat has you seeking a beach escape, set your sights and GPS on Norfolk County , also known as 'Ontario's South Coast,' about a two-hour drive southwest. In this generally quiet, largely rural area, the picturesque stretches of sand along Lake Erie are the main draw. Beyond basking on the beaches, there are small-town gems to explore, including Port Dover, right on the lake, and Simcoe, the county's largest community. Plus, there's easy access to natural beauty: bird watching in a UNESCO-recognized biosphere region, biking through a Carolinian forest, and strolling through one of Canada's most acclaimed botanical gardens. On the whole, the region is less tourist-crowded than, say, Prince Edward County and Niagara , so you'll feel like you're uncovering some of Ontario's blissful little hideaways. Here are some of the best things to do in Norfolk County: An aerial view of Long Point Beach at sunrise. Kick back on a beach. The region boasts three main beaches, each offering a distinct vibe. Turkey Point Provincial Park is favoured by families for its two-kilometre sandy beach and relatively shallow waters, while Port Dover has a stretch of sand dotted with palm trees (yes, real ones planted by the Beach House restaurant), just steps away from the town's shops. For wildlife enthusiasts, Long Point Beach is located in the provincial park of the same name. The park, a 40-kilometre sand spit that juts into the lake, is a UNESCO-recognized biosphere region renowned for its many species of songbirds and waterfowl and other wildlife, including the endangered American badger. The Main Street of Port Dover, just one of Norfolk County's communities. Explore one of the charming communities. Port Dover draws summer day-trippers for its beach, indie shops and restaurant patios. The compact core is easily walkable; before you start strolling, pick up a Golden Glow, the locally famous orange-flavoured drink at the Arbor, an institution since 1919. Browse Liberty Home Decor or Grand Trunk Station for the shabby-chic cottage decor, then walk to the waterside for the Port Dover Harbour Museum . At the museum, which was partially built into an original fisherman's net shanty, you can learn about this community's fishing heritage and shipwreck lore. End your nautical-themed tour at the Port Dover Lighthouse, one of the oldest of this wooden style in Ontario. Nicknamed 'Ontario's Garden,' Norfolk County is home to bucolic settings like Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery. Sample the emerging wine region. Blessed with sandy soil and a lake-moderated microclimate, Norfolk County is home to several distinctive wineries and cideries. Burning Kiln Winery in St. Williams uses repurposed tobacco kilns for drying grapes, which concentrates the flavours in their passito-style wines, while Blueberry Hill Estates produces apple ciders, as well as wines from grapes, blueberries and cranberries (the bold flavour profiles may surprise you). Bonnieheath Estate Lavender & Winery , located in Waterford on what was once tobacco farmland, is now a gorgeous vineyard and lavender farm; here, try True Blue, the award-winning hard cider featuring lavender and Ontario blueberries. Wilsonville's Whistling Gardens is a horticultural attraction that has won numerous awards. Get inspired by the greenery. With its rich soil and milder climate, Norfolk County is home to more than a thousand farms, vineyards and cideries, earning this region the nickname 'Ontario's Garden.' One of the lushest attractions is Wilsonville's Whistling Gardens , a botanical garden considered one of Canada's best (judging by its haul of national awards). It features more than 4,500 different plants, with thousands of blooms, including dramatic foxtail lilies and vibrant red hot pokers. The peaceful paths will make you feel as if you're enjoying the grounds of your lavish country home. For take-home flowers, visit Delhi's Creekside Growers , where the four-acre u-cut dahlia field is the country's largest. (You can cut your own bouquet seasonally, August to September.) The fish and chips at the Back Kitchen at Burning Kiln Winery. Savour regional ingredients. At the Back Kitchen at Burning Kiln Winery, the comfort foods all hit the spot, including the fried-to-perfection fish and chips made with Ontario pickerel. For more upscale dining, book David's Restaurant in Port Dover, where chef Scott McRae's rotating continental menu takes inspiration from seasonal ingredients. Standouts include the steaks (sourced from nearby Oxford County) and the pickerel duo; the fish comes from Lake Erie, which you can see right from the restaurant, and is served both pan-seared and corn flour-battered. The observatory at Long Point Eco-Adventures, a glamping resort that offers a wide range of activities. Choose your own adventure. In Turkey Point, you'll find Long Point Eco-Adventures , a resort offering glamping pods and a whole slate of outdoorsy activities (all can be booked separately). For the thrills, try their zip-line tour for treetop views of Norfolk's Carolinian forest, or pedal through the forest on a mountain bike rental. For a more meditative pastime, join the nighttime observatory dome experience, when a storyteller will share ancient tales about the constellations while you stargaze through the 16-inch telescope. If you stay: In Port Dover, a short walk from both Main Street and Lake Erie, the four-suite Dover George offers the feel of a contemporary boutique hotel inside a transformed, historic red-brick home. Expect Frette bed linens, a pour-over coffee bar, and a seasonally inspired continental breakfast in the main-floor dining space. Scott McRae (shown with son Harrison on the Port Dover Pier) is the executive chef at David's Restaurant, right. Want more food and drink recommendations for Norfolk County? Scott McRae is the executive chef at David's Restaurant , one of Port Dover's best-known spots, serving up locally sourced ingredients in an elegant lakeside setting. He moved back to the county after a decade in Toronto (with stints at Opus, the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, Thuet and the Rosewater Supper Club) and knows the bounty of Ontario's South Coast well. Here are just a few places McRae recommends for your next trip here. McRae 's recommendations include Thrive Norfolk, a tasting menu experience at a farm restaurant. Thrive Norfolk , Langton: 'Matt Demarest and his wife, August, have a garden and farm out by Langton, and they do a really unique, farm-to-table dining experience with small groups. They do tasting menus and you're surrounded by the garden and the farm animals.' Urban Parisian , Port Dover: 'My friend Brad is a pastry chef and owns this café with his wife. They offer all kinds of great French pastries, cakes, pizzas and seafood sandwiches — they do a really nice job there. There's a breakfast croissant I always get, and the pain au chocolate (is) kind of a staple for me.' Matz Fruit Barn is a small, family-owned fruit market where McRae sources produce. Matz Fruit Barn , Port Dover: 'It's a small, family-owned fruit market. We get most of our produce here when it's in season. They grow pretty much everything, all kinds of vegetables and fruit. Peaches, cherries, really any kind of berry you can think of.' The Dover Cheese Shop , Port Dover: 'This is a cool, little cheese boutique downtown. They have all kinds of local Ontario and Canadian cheeses, but also lots of really nice, imported cheeses as well. We get all our cheese for our cheeseboards from them.' The Neighbourhood Food Emporium , Port Dover: 'Aaron — he used to work here at David's — and his girlfriend, Jess, just opened a little sandwich shop. He bakes the focaccia fresh every day and does all the in-house pickling. He does great sandwiches and prepared meals there.' New Limburg is a restaurant/brewery offering Belgian-style beers. Charlotteville Brewing Co. , Simcoe, and New Limburg , Simcoe: 'There are a lot of breweries. Charlotteville is a really nice one with small-batch beers. And New Limburg — they bought an old schoolhouse and turned it into a brewery. They do cool, Belgian-style beers, like tripels and dubbels.'
Scottish Sun
27-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Inside the new spa woodland pods that have opened in the UK that make you feel like you are abroad
Spa breaks at Moddershall Oaks also come with a two-course dinner PURE BLISS Inside the new spa woodland pods that have opened in the UK that make you feel like you are abroad Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) I HAVE been on more spa breaks than I care to admit – and I may have found a new favourite. Moddershall Oaks, a luxury spa set in glorious Staffordshire woodland, was just a ten-minute drive from Stoke-on-Trent. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Moddershall Oaks is a luxury spa set in glorious Staffordshire woodland 2 I get to try the new Golden Glow spa facial package But as we pulled up to this leafy, quiet spot, I knew the boutique size would mean fewer people and more peace, all for me. Family-owned, this spa hotel has just ten rooms in the main building, as well as 14 newly-added, luxury woodland pods dotted around the site. When staying in an overnight spa suite, you're greeted with a welcome drink on arrival and have access to facilities from 3pm until 4.30pm on your day of departure. First things first, we settle in our room, which has a patio looking out onto the stunning hills – and, lucky us, brilliant sunshine, too. My treatment is booked for 4pm and I get to try the new Golden Glow spa facial package. For 25 minutes, my skin is blessed with scrubs, a wild honey mask and calming oils, as well as a gentle head and shoulder massage, all to wash away life's stresses. I then rejoin my partner in the main spa area, where there is a hydrotherapy pool with heated tiled loungers, reflexology footbaths, a 10m pool and a steam room. The hydrotherapy pool certainly packs a punch, which makes a change from other spas I've been to where the pressure can be quite weak. What I love most is that it's not busy at all. I finish the indoor experience off with the toasty relaxation room where phones are not allowed, which I wholeheartedly welcome, so I'm forced to switch off. Colcot & Spa is great for families with playbarn and pools But there's lots more to explore outside, including a more bustling spa pool, access to a Kelo sauna and a gym. What made this retreat extra-special was the private outdoor heated spa pool. You get a 30-minute slot to yourselves, and there's even a button to request service. It's blissfully refreshing to sink into the warm bubbles as the spring air hits your freshly-treated face, with the evening sun slowly setting behind the distant trees. For a moment, I don't feel like I'm in the UK at all. The spa breaks at Moddershall Oaks also come with a two-course dinner – and it's not like any old set menu either. There's a huge selection of familiar favourites like beer battered fish and chips, but I've gone for the slow braised Staffordshire beef – the meat is so succulent and you can't go wrong with a massive Yorkshire pudding. We retire to our suite and the treats continue. Rooms feature plush furnishings with king-size or twin beds, a separate lounge or seating area and a private deck or patio so you can soak up the woodland and gardens. And the unique, hobbit-style woodland pods feature a circular design and round windows, with eco-friendly bubble spa showers and freestanding roll-top baths. After the best kip I've had in ages on the comfy bed, it's off to the restaurant for a hearty cooked breakfast. I've gone for eggs Benedict, which were done to perfection, while the other half stuck with a trusty full English, which didn't disappoint. Moddershall proved just the right combination of boutique luxury and peaceful retreat.
The Sun
27-06-2025
- The Sun
Inside the new spa woodland pods that have opened in the UK that make you feel like you are abroad
I HAVE been on more spa breaks than I care to admit – and I may have found a new favourite. Moddershall Oaks, a luxury spa set in glorious Staffordshire woodland, was just a ten-minute drive from Stoke-on-Trent. 2 But as we pulled up to this leafy, quiet spot, I knew the boutique size would mean fewer people and more peace, all for me. Family-owned, this spa hotel has just ten rooms in the main building, as well as 14 newly-added, luxury woodland pods dotted around the site. When staying in an overnight spa suite, you're greeted with a welcome drink on arrival and have access to facilities from 3pm until 4.30pm on your day of departure. First things first, we settle in our room, which has a patio looking out onto the stunning hills – and, lucky us, brilliant sunshine, too. My treatment is booked for 4pm and I get to try the new Golden Glow spa facial package. For 25 minutes, my skin is blessed with scrubs, a wild honey mask and calming oils, as well as a gentle head and shoulder massage, all to wash away life's stresses. I then rejoin my partner in the main spa area, where there is a hydrotherapy pool with heated tiled loungers, reflexology footbaths, a 10m pool and a steam room. The hydrotherapy pool certainly packs a punch, which makes a change from other spas I've been to where the pressure can be quite weak. What I love most is that it's not busy at all. I finish the indoor experience off with the toasty relaxation room where phones are not allowed, which I wholeheartedly welcome, so I'm forced to switch off. Colcot & Spa is great for families with playbarn and pools But there's lots more to explore outside, including a more bustling spa pool, access to a Kelo sauna and a gym. What made this retreat extra-special was the private outdoor heated spa pool. You get a 30-minute slot to yourselves, and there's even a button to request service. It's blissfully refreshing to sink into the warm bubbles as the spring air hits your freshly-treated face, with the evening sun slowly setting behind the distant trees. For a moment, I don't feel like I'm in the UK at all. The spa breaks at Moddershall Oaks also come with a two-course dinner – and it's not like any old set menu either. There's a huge selection of familiar favourites like beer battered fish and chips, but I've gone for the slow braised Staffordshire beef – the meat is so succulent and you can't go wrong with a massive Yorkshire pudding. We retire to our suite and the treats continue. Rooms feature plush furnishings with king-size or twin beds, a separate lounge or seating area and a private deck or patio so you can soak up the woodland and gardens. And the unique, hobbit-style woodland pods feature a circular design and round windows, with eco-friendly bubble spa showers and freestanding roll-top baths. After the best kip I've had in ages on the comfy bed, it's off to the restaurant for a hearty cooked breakfast. I've gone for eggs Benedict, which were done to perfection, while the other half stuck with a trusty full English, which didn't disappoint. Moddershall proved just the right combination of boutique luxury and peaceful retreat.
