The Creative Hub Issue #22

🌟 Share Your Event. Grow Your Crowd.
Our free weekly newsletter (Sent out Fridays by lunch) highlights local events, creators, and fun events around Elgin County.

• Submit your event FREE: [email protected]

1. 🐘 White Elephant Pop-Up Bazaar

   📅 September 6 – 27, 2025
   📍 St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre

   Discover something truly unique at the White Elephant Bazaar — a brand-new pop-up market for the curious and creative!

   Browse quirky treasures, vintage finds, and offbeat gifts perfect for holiday shopping or sparking your next creative project. Bring your friends and family, explore hidden gems, and support the local arts community.

   📌 Follow for sneak peeks: @stepartcentre

2. 🎨 Elgin County Studio Tour 2025

   🗓 September 27 & 28, 2025
   📍 Various studios across St. Thomas & Elgin County
   💵 Admission: Free

   Discover the incredible talent right here in Elgin County! The Elgin County Studio Tour is a FREE self-guided tour that invites you into the workspaces of local artists for a rare, behind-the-scenes experience.

   ✨ What to Expect:

   • Meet the artists in their creative spaces

   • Watch live demonstrations

   • Explore and purchase original artwork

   • Learn more about the artistic process

   By showcasing local talent, the Studio Tour highlights the cultural and economic impact of the arts and brings our creative community together.

   🔗 For studio locations and updates, visit: www.elgincountystudiotour.ca

3. The 171st Rodney Fair is back and bigger than ever! Join us at the Rodney Fairgrounds (135 Queen Street) from September 12–14 for three unforgettable days of family fun.

   Get ready for heart-pounding action with the mini pull, truck & tractor pulls, and lawn mower racing! Bring the kids to meet the animals at the petting zoo, marvel at the excellent tricks of the Canine Circus, challenge yourself in the escape room, and bounce the day away on five giant inflatable midway attractions.

   That’s not all—we’ll also have team sorting, a cattle show, and hundreds of exhibits to explore in the Rec Hall. Whether you’re here for the thrills, the animals, or the food and community spirit, the Rodney Fair has something for everyone!

   For more details, check out the Fair website.

4. 🍂 Fall Quarter Auction — Supporting Local Charities! 🎉

   Looking for a fun night out while giving back to the community? Join us at Central United Church (135 Wellington St., St. Thomas) for their Fall Quarter Auction!

   📅 Wednesday, October 8th
   🕕 Doors open 6 PM | Auction kicks off 7 PM

   🎟️ Admission: $5 — includes two paddles
   ➕ Extra paddles: just $2 each

   ✨ What’s Happening:
   ✅ 10+ Local Vendors
   ✅ 50/50 Draw & Raffle Table
   ✅ Light refreshments & snacks available

   Proceeds support local community charitable organizations through the Central United Church Outreach Team — helping neighbours right here in St. Thomas & Elgin County ❤️

   Bring your quarters, bring your friends, and get ready to bid, laugh, and make a difference!

5. 🍂 Fall Vendor Show 🍂
   Join us for a fun day supporting local vendors, artisans, and young entrepreneurs!

   📅 Date: Saturday, October 25th
   🕚 Time: 11 AM – 3 PM
   📍 Location: St. Anne’s Centre, 20 Morrison Dr., St. Thomas

   ✨ Enjoy shopping, food, and a snack bar while discovering unique local finds.
   🐾 Donations will also be accepted in support of Animal Aide.

   Proudly sponsored by The Creative Hub Elgin County — celebrating community, creativity, and local business!

6. 🍂 Scoop + Shop Fall Market 🍦

   📅 Saturday, October 4th
   🕙 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
   📍 Shaw’s Dairy Bar – 6598 Sunset Rd., St. Thomas

   Get ready to celebrate fall in the sweetest way! The 4th Annual Scoop + Shop Fall Market is back, bringing together local makers, artisans, and the community for a day full of shopping, treats, and fun.

   🍁 What to Expect:

   • Shop from local makers & artisans

   • Enjoy a delicious scoop of Shaw’s ice cream

   • Browse unique gifts, home décor, and more

   • Soak up the vibrant fall atmosphere with music and community vibes

   ✨ Shop local. Taste local. Love local.
   Don’t miss this opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy a perfect fall day!

✈️ Meet Melissa Traichevich – Your Local Travel Advisor!

If you’ve been dreaming about your next getaway, meet Melissa Traichevich, a Licensed Travel Advisor with Playcation Travel Ltd., right here in our community! 🌎

Melissa’s passion for travel runs deep — from road trips and weekend escapes to Disney magic, tropical beaches, and cruise adventures, she’s explored it all. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a romantic couples’ getaway, or an all-inclusive retreat, Melissa is here to make your travel planning stress-free and exciting.

What Melissa Specializes In:

• ✨ Disney & Universal Vacations

• 🚢 Virgin Voyages (Gold Certified First Mate)

• 🏖️ Sandals & Beaches Resorts

• 🌴 All-Inclusive Getaways & Major Cruise Lines

Melissa takes the time to understand your travel style and ensures your vacation is tailored just for you — helping you make the most of your precious travel dollars.

📍 Based in St. Thomas | Serving clients locally & online
📧 [email protected] | 📱 226-236-5586
🌐 PlaycationTravel.com/Melissa-Traichevich
📸 Instagram: @sunrays_and_adventures
📘 Facebook: Mel at Playcation Travel

Thermodyne Mechanical — Your Local HVAC & Refrigeration Experts

Looking for a fresh approach to heating, cooling, and refrigeration? Thermodyne Mechanical is a family-owned, community-rooted business serving homes and businesses across Southwestern Ontario — with a focus on St. Thomas, Elgin County, London, and Oxford.

With over 10 years of hands-on experience, owner Carl brings extensive training in commercial and industrial HVAC with a specialty in refrigeration systems. Whether it’s keeping your home comfortable year-round or maintaining critical equipment for your business, Thermodyne delivers honest advice, quality workmanship, and friendly service every step of the way.

What They Offer

• Residential & Commercial HVAC Services — Furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, rooftop units, and more.

• Refrigeration Solutions — Walk-in coolers, freezers, and other custom systems for businesses.

• Licensed & Insured — Certified in gas and refrigeration for your peace of mind.

• Personalized Service — Clear communication, dependable support, and a customer-first approach.

Whether you’re upgrading your home comfort system or need expert care for your business’s refrigeration setup, Thermodyne Mechanical is here to help.

📍 Serving: London • St. Thomas • Elgin County • Oxford County • Across Southwestern Ontario
🌐 Website: www.thermodynemechanical.ca
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 519-496-4139

Mortgage with Brad — Weekly Mortgage Minute 🏡

Making mortgages easier, one week at a time.

Starting this week, I’m kicking off a new weekly feature right here in The Creative Hub — a short, easy-to-digest series that explains mortgage concepts and terms and answers your questions about buying, refinancing, or renewing a home.

Let’s face it — mortgage language can feel like a different dialect sometimes! So each week, I’ll break down one or two standard terms to help make things more transparent and easier to navigate.

Here are a few

• Amortization → The total length of time it’ll take to pay off your mortgage in full.

• Fixed vs. Variable Rate → One stays the same for your entire term; the other can change when interest rates move.

• Loan-to-Value (LTV) → How much you’re borrowing compared to your home’s value — a key factor in approvals and rates.

• Prepayment Privileges → Options to pay extra on your mortgage without penalties — a smart way to become mortgage-free faster.

• Mortgage Insurance → Protects the lender, not you, but can make homeownership possible with as little as 5% down.

💡 How This Helps You
Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading, or refinancing, understanding these terms makes the process less stressful and saves you money.

💬 Have a Question?
Each week, I’ll include a new tip or definition — and I’d love to hear from you!
What mortgage terms have you always found confusing? Please reply to this email or message me directly, and I’ll address your question in an upcoming edition.

Bradley Lister, Mortgage Agent, Level 1

Tango Financial (ON)

Brokerage Licence Number #13691

Book a call - Start a new Application 

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