The Creative Hub Issue #26

🌟 Hosting an event in Elgin County? Let’s help you pack the room!
The Creative Hub is your free weekly newsletter (delivered every Friday by lunch) featuring the best local events, creators, and community happenings.

📩 Submit your event for FREE: [email protected]
✅ Subscribe to stay in the loop: creative-hub.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Let’s spread the word, boost your crowd, and celebrate everything that makes our community shine. 🎉

1. 🍂 Your Canna Chef Brings Pumpkin to the Table 🍂

This fall, St. Thomas’ own Your Canna Chef is celebrating the season with two hands-on cooking classes led by Executive Chef Adam Vandermey. The star ingredient? Pumpkin — showcased in ways far beyond lattes and pies.

📅 Thursday, October 9 6:30pm-8:30pm

📅 Wednesday, October 22 6:30pm-8:30pm

We will be making Infused Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce and Infused Pumpkin Caesar Salad Dressing.

These interactive classes are designed to inspire home cooks with approachable recipes, seasonal flavours, and a dash of chef-level creativity. Whether you join solo, as a couple, or with a friend, you’ll leave with new skills (and plenty of inspiration for your own kitchen).

👉 Learn more and register at yourcannachef.ca/october.

Your Canna Chef is all about making food an experience — and this October, pumpkin takes the spotlight! 🎃The

2. 3rd Annual Springfield PS Holiday Market is looking for vendors for our Market. All funds raised go to the End of Year Field Trips for Springfield PS

   Date: November 15, 2025

   Time: 11-2

   Cost: $30 per table

   Location: Springfield, Ontario

   Please fill out our vendor application form to take part

   https://forms.gle/2K6KFCduUMStZv5v5

3. 🎃 Hexes & Jinxes Mystical Market 🎃

   📍 Elgin County Railway Museum, 225 Wellington St., St. Thomas
   🗓️ Sunday, October 5 | 10 AM – 5 PM
   🕰️ Duration: 7 hours
   👥 Public · Free admission · Family-friendly

   Step into Elgin County’s biggest spooky-season market! Inside the historic Railway Museum, you’ll find over 100 witchy vendors and artisans bringing you the best in mystical shopping:

   ✨ Candles • Crystals • Tarot • Gothic décor • Jewelry • Handmade goods
   👻 Plus: face painting, photo ops, and free tours of the Railway Museum
   🍴 Food trucks & fun for all ages

   Hosted by Purely Wicked, this market has grown into a premier fall tradition a chance to explore unique handcrafted goods, mystical creations, and delicious eats all in one magical place.

   🖤 Whether you’re hunting for seasonal décor, spiritual tools, or just a fun fall outing, this is the event to mark on your calendar.

4. 🚀 Blast Off: Space Snacks Lands in St. Thomas!

   Big news, St. Thomas — Space Snacks & Galactic Sodas is coming your way to 571 Talbot St!

   What to expect:

   • Dirty Sodas, Dirty Lemonades & Dirty Energy drinks (yes, that’s a thing)

   • Freeze-dried candy, fruit, ice cream & more cosmic treats

   • Fan faves like freeze-dried puffs, cookie butter, cold brew, and seasonal restocks

   They’re already rocking it in Grand Bend at 63 River Rd, and now we get to get in on the action locally.

   Stay tuned — opening date & specials will be announced soon. 👀

   Who’s ready to try alien-level snacks in St. Thomas

🍂 Word on the street is Abby Mae’s is whipping up something extra cozy for fall—a Pumpkin Spice Cake Roll! 🎃✨

If you’re a fan of their Gluten Free Goodness, this one’s going to be worth the trip.
🚗 Time to start the car and head to Aylmer!

📍 Abby Mae’s Gluten Free Bakery / Café & Bakery
300 Talbot St W, Unit 2, Aylmer, ON N5H 1K2

MacDroid Technologies (Wallacetown, ON)

Founded by local entrepreneur Kato MacDonald, MacDroid Technologies has been helping people across Elgin County with all things tech for the past 5 years. From phone and laptop repairs to screen replacements, accessories, and support for seniors learning new devices, MacDroid is here to make technology simple and accessible.

Kato grew up in St. Thomas and learned his skills hands-on, inspired by his father’s knack for fixing just about anything. Today, he’s building a business that not only supports his young family, but also gives back to the community by ensuring everyone — no matter their age or tech ability — has the help they need.

💻📱 Whether you need a cracked screen fixed, a screen protector, or just some friendly guidance, MacDroid is ready to help.

👉 Learn more: macdroidtech.ca

Mortgage with Brad — Weekly Mortgage Minute 🏡

🏡 OSFI Tightens Rules on Investment Property Mortgages: What Investors & Realtors Need to Know

The Update

Canada’s banking regulator, OSFI, has finalized changes to how banks treat income-producing residential real estate in their capital requirements. Starting in early 2026, banks must:

• Stop double-counting income: Rental or employment income used to qualify for one mortgage cannot be reused to qualify for another.

• Apply stricter classification: If more than half of the borrower’s qualifying income comes from the property, the mortgage is considered income-producing—which means banks must hold more capital against it.

📌 Translation: Investment-focused mortgages will often carry higher costs, stricter qualification rules, and fewer approvals at the bank.

Why It Matters for Investors

For investors with multiple properties or those relying on rental income to qualify, this change narrows the path at traditional banks. Expect:

• Tighter debt servicing calculations

• Higher capital charges for lenders → likely passed on as higher rates or stricter terms

• More declined deals when applying through a bank channel

What Realtors Should Watch

These changes may directly affect your clients who are:

• Expanding rental portfolios

• Using rental income to qualify

• Looking for competitive financing options for investment properties

Banks may increasingly say “no” to once straightforward deals.

The Broker Advantage

Mortgage brokers are positioned to step in:

✅ Access to multiple lenders (including non-bank and alternative lenders unaffected by OSFI’s capital rule)
✅ Flexible underwriting for investors, self-employed clients, or those with complex financials
✅ Tailored solutions to keep deals moving when banks are restricted

In short, Realtors partnering with brokers can help clients get financing done in a more challenging regulatory climate.

Final Takeaway

Regulatory tightening means investors and their realtors need to be strategic. While banks face stricter rules, the broker channel offers flexibility and options that can make the difference between a declined deal and a successful closing.

I’m here to help.👉 Click here to email me or call/text me at 519-637-2519

Bradley Lister, Mortgage Agent, Level 1

Tango Financial (ON)

Brokerage Licence Number #13691

Book a call - Start a new Application