The McFarland House

My blog is called, “Memoirs of a Gersho”.  So, here’s my question: how long ago did something have to happen for it to qualify as a ‘memoir’?  Today’s entry is about something that took place two weeks ago.  Here goes.

The McFarland House is a Georgian style home built in 1800 and is the oldest of the properties owned by the Niagara Parks Commission, and a popular tourist attraction.  It’s in a lovely setting on the Niagara Parkway in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

I arranged lunch and a tour there for my Arts & Culture group.  Nine of us went, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

But there was a ‘glitch’ -- a very amusing glitch.

I drove to Niagara-on-the-Lake with my dear friend Lorraine, who was visiting me from Ottawa.  Although I’m usually very organized, I left my house forgetting to take the actual address on the Niagara Parkway.  Not to worry, I thought, the signage will be good.

But we were almost into the Old Town and had still not found it, so I was concerned that I may have accidentally passed it.  Happily, we came across a Canada Post truck delivering the mail.  We told the letter carrier we were looking for The McFarland House, and asked if she could direct us.  She seemed pleased to help.  “You just passed it”, she said.  “It’s the second driveway on the right hand side.”

We turned around and pulled into the said driveway.  It was indeed a beautiful and very large, old house.  But no sign.  Surprising, that.

The doorbell was answered by a very pleasant couple.

“We’re looking for The McFarland House?”, we said.

“This is the McFarland house.  We’re the McFarlands.  And you are .....??