With its rolling hills and historic buildings, Millbrook has become a favourite location for film and television shoots — including Anne, CBC Television’s revival of Lucy Maude Montgomery’s classic children’s novel, which premiered on March 19th.
On Wednesday, March 29th, the Millbrook Business Improvement Area (BIA) officially launched a film of its own: a two-minute short by videographer Patrick Stephen. The film captures the beauty of the village, not dressed for a film set, but just as it is.
VIDEO: Experience Millbrook – It’s Closer Than You Think!
Brigid Ayotte, Economic and Community Development Co-ordinator with the Township of Cavan Monaghan, says that the BIA decided to make the film after it was suggested by John Fizzle at Primerica.
“The idea of being able to package what is so great and beautiful about this community visually and succinctly attracted the BIA to this,” Brigid says.
The film showcases Millbrook’s beautiful countryside; we get a sense of space and freedom in the farms and hills. We watch the Pastry Peddler open with fresh baking as the main street awakens.
We see the beautiful trails, the 4th Line Theatre, the farmers’ market, the community garden, tempting food, and bustling streets. We see the Millbrook Fair at day and at night, glowing against the evening sky.
But still, there is so much about Millbrook that you don’t see in the film. Firm in my belief that the best way to experience a town is to speak with the people who know it best, I spoke with BIA members about Millbrook beyond the film.
The food
I ask Brigid about her favourite downtown attraction.
“The food,” she replies. “You have a whole range of food: eclectic at the Pastry Peddler, more traditional fare at Madison’s Place. If you want something quick you’ve got Bewdley Pizza or Subway.”
Having different options makes it easy for visitors downtown to spend the day.
Brigid also pointed out that many of these restaurants use local ingredients. “Millbrook and the Township of Cavan Monaghan have always had a very strong agricultural background.”
The Pastry Peddler serves local meat, maple syrup honey, and produce. They work with farms including Circle Organic, Puddleduck Farm, and French’s Beef.
Kate Deklerk, owner of the Quilter’s Bolt (30 King St E, Millbrook, 705-932-2120) recommends that foodies check out the Millbrook Farmers’ Market.
“This is an adorable little market with fruits, veggies, plants, gourmet lunch options, and live music,” Kate says. “It feels like a meeting place for locals and draws some pretty impressive crowds.”
The market is held on the 4th Sunday of each month from May through October.
The shopping
Millbrook’s downtown is home to a variety of shops: clothing, gifts, decor, hardware, groceries, and quilt supplies can all be sourced within a stone’s throw.
Because these are independent shops, they offer a shopping experience that you won’t find anywhere else. That’s why Brigid shops locally.
“If you go to Oasis Boutiques, you know that when you purchase something not everybody and their brother is going to have it,” Brigid explains. “It’s the same with Bear Essentials: there are a lot of unique gift ideas and products to use in your own home.”
Bonnie McQuarrie of Bethany Hills Interiors (12 King St E, Millbrook, 705-932-1600) carries a colourful selection of linens and artwork, many of which are sourced nearby.
“We buy local as much as we can, and Canadian made as much as we can,” Bonnie says.
The history
Millbrook’s historic charm is one of the main reasons it has become so popular for film sets, and the locals are very passionate about protecting its historic feel.
Millbrook has 45 historically designated buildings — the most per capita anywhere in Ontario.
Deanna Bell-Hall of the Pastry Peddler (17 King St E, Millbrook, 705-932-7333) says that visitors often comment about the sense of history.
“A lot of people comment that it’s such a cute little town and it’s so charming, and it really is. You go back in time almost.”
Millbrook residents care about their history. The community group Save the Dam Mill Pond, in partnership with the Millbrook and Cavan Historical Society, raised $90,000 in the summer of 2015 to save Needler’s Mill, a mill originally built by Adam Scott in 1830 and moved to its current location in 1909.
The trails
Whether you enjoy hiking or biking, Millbrook’s trails are a popular destination.
Kate of the Quilter’s Bolt says that when she hikes the trails, she often meets her friends and neighbours.
“I can honestly say, I don’t think we have ever hiked those trails and not been joined by friends we have unexpectedly come across.
“The nature, the beauty and the proximity all makes it so accessible, and such a wonderful thing to enjoy over and over again.”
The arts
The 4th Line Theatre calls Millbrook home, but the town is also a hotbed for visual artists, musicians, authors, and crafters.
Bonnie of Bethany Hills Interiors represents some of those artists in her shop, including George Raab and Debra Jackson. She also carries books by local illustrators Bill Slavin and Esperanca Melo.
While Millbrook’s most famous homegrown musician is superstar Serena Ryder, she isn’t the only musician from Millbrook. The Pastry Peddler hosts regular live music nights featuring local talent.
There are also classes for aspiring artists and quilters four to five nights each week at The Quilter’s Bolt, which offers the chance to learn more about quilting, bag making, and more.
The events
Millbrook’s events are another reason to visit, according to Kate of the Quilter’s Bolt.
“Attending the wide variety of community events is another thing that I think makes Millbrook spectacular.”
Ladies Night, Zucchini Fest, and Christmas in the Village are Kate’s top picks.
This April 1st and 2nd, you can go to ‘Maple in the Township’, a tour of local maple producers.
The community
The thing that I heard about over and over again from BIA Members was Millbrook’s incredible sense of community.
Bonnie of Bethany Hills Interiors says that you can see the care that residents bring to their community as soon as you drive into town.
“There’s a pride in the village: a sense of belonging, a sense of caring. I think that’s illustrated so well with our decorating committee. So many people tell me when they come to Millbrook and they see those decorations, it shows that people care here. We really try to make it a nice place to come to.”
Michelle Horner, a customer service representative at Millbrook Farm and Pet Supplies (13 Tupper St, Millbrook, 705-932-2888) says that the small-town atmosphere is what makes Millbrook such a great place to be.
“Everybody’s friendly and courteous and most people know most other people. You have that family connection.”
Didi Calhoun, owner of Calhoun’s Foodland (6 Century Blvd, Millbrook, 705-932-2179) agrees.
“There are small towns everywhere, but it’s that sense of community when you’re here. That’s what keeps us here, and I think that’s what’s the draw. It’s a small piece of Utopia.”
Didi adds that it’s a great place to raise a family.
Kate of the Quilter’s Bolt also appreciates the family-friendly atmosphere.
“My family and I moved to Millbrook seven years ago. And I have to say I cannot imagine raising my girls anywhere else. The sense of community in this village is amazing.”
Just 15 minutes from Peterborough, Millbrook is a great place to visit. And, if you stay long enough, you just might want to move there.
