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2 The South Marysburgh Mirror Bringing The McKibbon House Back (Continued from page 1) pentry and Concrete in Cres- sy, Drew Harrison Construc- tion and Quinte Roofing among them. “Without their help, nothing would have hap- pened to get my plans un- derway,” Kerry said. “I’m very grateful.” But the problems didn’t disappear. The pandemic hit and progress ground to a halt. Once again tradesmen were not available and for Kerry, living in both Carleton Place and Milford didn’t help. It was time to make the move. “It was my intention from the outset to move to Milford. Even though | had deep, 30-year roots in Car- leton Place, it was time for a change.” The McKibbon House B&B turned the page. Milford offered a tranquility and atmosphere in an histor- ic part of Ontario that he enjoyed. It was serendipi- tous. Who knows what might have happened to The MckKibbon House had not Kerry been willing to invest in its future? In addition to running the B&B, Kerry had always wanted to build his own home from the ground up. While the McKibbon House sits on its original footprint, the addition at the back of the structure is Kerry’s “from the ground up” home. A widower, Kerry now shares the home and the dream with partner, Brigitte Gagne, who also hails from eastern Ontario. Brigitte has helped to convert the vision to reality and in his words, “given me more stability and comfort here.” He found it lonely sometimes on his own, he confesses. Brigitte, a Franco On- tarian from a large Hawkes- bury family of 10 - she’s the youngest — has a firm grasp on the reality of timing. “There’s always tomor- row”, she says, pondering the many things that re- main to be done before the B&B and the neighbouring Emporium can open. One of those exciting new features is a spa for pampering such as facials, waxing, mani- cures and pedicures. As an aesthetician, she plans to carve out a space for her spa on the second floor of the renovated Emporium, overlooking her spacious garden. But that’s not all that’s planned for the historic Mil- Kerry says while a great deal has been accomplished much remains to be done such as staining woodwork on the staircase.—Mirror photo. ford Emporium. Originally slated for demolition to cre- ate parking, Kerry was per- suaded by a tradesman: “fix it; it’s got good bones, just fix it,” he said. And with that, Kerry and Brigitte plan to re- turn the structure to its re- cent past when it was a coffee shop/café in the early part of the 2000’s. The old building will also house leisure space for B&B guests such as a pool table and, of course, the spa for guests and local residents. Meanwhile, The McKibbon House sports a new, fashiona- ble style featuring vaulted ceilings and vast beds in the three guest bedrooms up- stairs named The Capitan Morgan Room in commemo- ration of Kerry’s best friend who shared a love of fast oats and spiced rum, The be Artist rendering of renovated Emporium. Carriage Room and The Em- porium Room. The gourmet kitchen sports a state-of-the- art gas stove and oven. The entrance staircase has been moved slightly to allow for a larger downstairs sitting room but remains grand. The once open porch has been closed in to create a more pleasing and comfortable entrance into the front of the house. Much of the origi- nal woodwork has been lov- ingly restored and where that was not possible repli- cated, with Kerry undertak- ing the milling work himself. The restoration certainly shows off his “labour of love.” Before they open the doors of The McKibbon House B&B to their guests in (Continued on page 3) The South Marysburgh Mirror September 2021 Volume 35 Published monthly by Barbara McConnell, 41 St. Philip Street, PO Box 131, Milford, ON KOK 2P0 T: 613.471.1816 Number 09 E: themirror@kos.net W: www.southmarysburghmirror.com ISSN Number 1181-6333 (Print Edition) ISSN Number 2292-5708 (Online Edition) The South Marysburgh Mirror gratefully acknowledges the support of the South Marysburgh Recreation Committee, the South Marysburgh Fair Board, and St. Philips A.C.W.