The story
The 100-acre farm was bought as Crown land in 1858 by Thomas Nicholson and his sons, three years after
immigrating to Canada from England. They built the barn in 1861 on the hill just east of the little pond. The barn was moved to its present location in approximately 1892. The farmhouse was built in 1883. Arnold Dixon was born and raised here, and when he married Pat, they continued to live on the farm for many years. In the fall of 2008, they sold the farm to Mark and Lia Schepers.
The Schepers’ roots are planted deep in the soil of Sylvan, with Mark growing up just south of the small community. When Mark and Lia married in 1978, they bought a farm north of Sylvan, on Elliot Drive, where they lived for 30 years. It was an easy decision to purchase the farm when it came up for sale in 2008 since they were looking for a change in their farming lives. Their four sons and their families enjoy coming home and spending countless hours playing in the gardens, four-wheeling back to the bush, and helping Grandpa feed the beef cattle.
The “Shadow Star” quilt block design appealed to Mark and Lia, not only for its beauty but for its symbolism. The bright star represents them as the current owners, and the star’s shadow represents the unique history of this farm.
The “Shadow Star” quilt block design appealed to Mark and Lia, not only for its beauty, but for its symbolism. The bright star being them, as the current owners and the star`s shadow, representing the unique past history of this farm.
Name of sponsor of Barn Quilt : Mark and Lia Scheper
Location
Shadow Star
1106 Elginfield Rd. Parkhill
Latitude : 43.14654 Longitude : -81.75949