There’s something for all ages to enjoy at the Huebert Homestead

CANORA - One of Canora’s hidden treasures can be found at the Huebert Homestead. But after Wally and Mary Huebert threw their doors open to visitors on Aug. 12 as part of Community in Bloom Week, word is getting around.

“We didn’t know Canora had such a place,” was a comment made by multiple visitors.

The day provided comfortable weather conditions for the Hueberts and their visitors, with “just enough cloud to keep it from getting too hot,” according to Mary. “We had a nice, steady flow of people. It was a relaxing day.”

The highlight of the day for many was the train ride. Wally and Mary caught the train bug from their son Jordan, who has been a big fan of trains almost ever since he could walk.

They have had the train since 2016 after acquiring it from Coldstream, B.C. It’s referred to as a park train, and is about one-third the size of a full-sized train. It’s modelled after the 4-4-0 trains, with four front-end wheels on two axles, four drive wheels on two axles, and no trailing wheels.

The track has 16-inch rails, and goes around the 10-acre Huebert Homestead twice.

Wally serves as the train engineer.

“It’s fun to see the enjoyment people get from riding the train,” he said. “The barn filled with dinosaurs is just about always the biggest hit with kids and adults alike.”

The train track runs through the middle of a quonset that houses the family’s fiberglass dinosaur collection, protecting the life-like dinosaurs from the elements.

Probably the easiest dinosaur to spot is the brontosaurus, which stands about 15 feet tall.

“There’s also the triceratops, the velociraptor, the T-Rex, and the stegosaurus, with the upright plates along their backs and spikes on their tails,” said Mary.

Other features for visitors to enjoy while on the train ride include Nessie the Ogopogo monster as well as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

For any visitors interested in model trains there is “Jordan’s Train Shop” to enjoy. Wally and Jordan have built up an elaborate display of miniature HO-scale and G-scale trains over the last couple of years, along with a realistic country setting around them.

Visitors of all ages seemed to enjoy the Huebert Fairy Garden. Brilliant colours in the garden include flowers such as lilies, irises, peonies and pansies.

“We like to plant quite a few perennials, which are easier to manage since you don’t have to replant them,” said Mary.

Of course, the garden features fairies of all shapes and sizes. But you might have to look pretty hard to find them all, including inside of a large log feature in the middle of the garden.

Overall, Mary said the day went very well.

“We enjoy the people, seeing laughing kids on the playground, everyone having a good time. A big thank you to all of our helpers.

“We really appreciate the opportunity to work with the Town of Canora and them letting us participate.”

Donations during the day totaled around $1,000, which will go toward paying for feed and other expenses at Majestic Raptor Rehab.

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