By Susan Ellis of Key Life Journeys

It has been several years since I was in Prince Edward County Ontario. This is a fertile tranquil bulge of land, almost an island in Lake Ontario. Indeed a ferry takes you to the “mainland” from its eastern coast. I returned a couple of weeks ago to find thriving communities of artisans, wine, cider and cheese makers, small towns with more shops than I remember, offering upscale and folksy fare. There are many bed and breakfast facilities offered in heritage homes in Loyalist country. There are museums, galleries, fine dining and sandy beaches, some with sandbanks.

I remember on the morning of my last visit we had rain. We headed to the town of Bloomfield, parked the car and with umbrellas up we strolled. On signs on front lawns were invitations to explore the gardens behind. Somewhere there would be a collecting tin to put a donation for charity. Would you feel comfortable having strangers walking through your back yard? But this is Prince Edward County. It was on that drizzling morn that I photographed a wet rose, which later won me first prize in a photo contest.

So people are coming to visit, explore, experience and buy. Indeed for those with discretionary income they are many opportunities to spend. My journey this time took me to the Huff Estates. Although I will give you the link, this is not a commercial. It is about a garden. In 2004, County-born Lanny Huff opened his modest, modern winery at a crossroads in the centre of the County;  The Inn at Huff Estate opened in 2006, followed by the Oeno (art) Gallery in 2009. This year the gallery started planting a garden in which to display sculptures. The first flower beds are in bloom, the first interesting sculptures are in place. To be in at the beginning of a creative exercise is exciting. I will go back to watch it develop. They ask for $2 to help fund the project, but just like in the rose garden in Bloomfield, no one is supervising the money box.

Near the entrance are two steel forms of a man and a woman gardening. They are “The Planters” created by Victor Cicansky The sculpture stands in the middle of a flower  bed. Their shape, their movement is so life like, I forgot they were hollow. They breathed the whole essense of the place.

Then on a hill something bright blue stands out against the cloud flecked blue sky. It draws you. The work is Shayne Dark’s “Tangtle Wood.” A pile of logs as if dropped from above falling higgldy-piggldy. The colour is so vibrant.



Then a stainless steel and glass “Urn” draws my attention. It is the work of Anne O’Callaghan. Through it “Tangle Wood” can be seen in the distance



On the path leading to the gallery amid bushy fragrant lavender is a work by France Grice called Garden Panel 2 – Blue of glass and metal. Now that one might just fit in my garden …



The gallery itself is worth a visit. The friendly staff are knowledgable about the works they are displaying.

Because the flower and sculpture garden drew my attention I did not get to partake of a wine tasting at the Huff Estates. But on watching a YouTube film  later Iearned the answer to something that had puzzled me. I am aware the Niagara Region has so many vineyards because the climate is right. But Prince Edward County has cold snowy winters. At the Huff Estate at the end of the season they cut the vines low and then cover the remaining branches in earth. The snow lies on top which acts as an insulating blanket. They do take advantage however of the frost to make ice wine and other sweat dessert wines. 


Finding this sculpture garden was a welcomed surprise, a little gem in the heart of the countryside to be remembered and revisited.