A Dream Come True: The Opening of Owl’s Nest
Located in Ormstown, the Owl’s Nest B&B, or Le nid d'hiboux, is the realization of a dream that has been in the works for some time. Owned by Trish and David Harwood, the B&B is named for Trish’s mother, who was a lover of owls during her lifetime.
Officially open as of Labour Day, the couple are hosting a notable event come September 25th—an open house that will also serve as a fundraiser for local non-profit, The Betty Riel Foundation, with all proceeds from ticket sales going to the charity (drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be served).
Originally from the West Island, the Harwoods have long dreamed of living in the country, which may be in part credited to more than a few camping trips and countless hours volunteering with the Scouts in support of their children. Add in Trish’s love of cooking and baking, and you can see how opening a B&B in the country might seem like a perfect fit for a couple coming from IT and medical backgrounds, respectively. In short, this B&B is a retirement dream come true for the duo, who first came across the property through friends—locals Crystal and Andrew Eastwood of Ormstown, who serve as the official owners of the home.
When Trish Harwood first saw the house, she was blown away. “It was the house of my dreams. A wraparound porch, a place to do my art and a view of the river. It was heaven,” she explained. Their familiarity with the area is thanks to their relationship with the Eastwoods (one of the families behind River Road Roasters Coffee), which made the move a little easier. Upon seeing the house, the couple sold their home of 17 years and made the move to the Valley. Trish also cites the passing of her mother and best friend as motivations to follow her heart.
The B&B, which the Harwoods have affectionately dubbed La Grande Dame, also serves as the duo’s retirement hub. Restoring the home’s infrastructure has been work, but of the best kind. “We love the idea of all the history of the house. How many brides ran their hand down the banister? We really tried to respect the history of the house and at the same time, introduce some more modern elements and conveniences that we are all used to. We hope that anyone who stays at the Nest will walk away feeling like they have been well taken care of. We want to serve the community by being a place that people can rely on,” explains Trish. She cites the help of the locals as a huge bonus. “The crews have been unbelievable! Most of them, if not all, have been local tradesmen who knew the potential of the project. Since we started work back last winter, there was never a bad attitude in the bunch.”
Locals have long noted the need for such a service in the area, and the feedback has been nothing but positive, as the B&B will contribute greatly to tourism needs of the Ormstown area.
For more information or to reserve tickets for the event, contact owlsnest39@gmail.com.