Out along the Niagara Parkway recreation trail, just south of Reif Estate Winery, a plaque mentions a quote from Thomas More. Often referred to as Ireland’s national bard, he spent some time enjoying Niagara early in the 19th century.

To paraphrase him, “If there is peace to be found in the world, a heart that is humble may find it here.”

Words so foreign to the world we currently find ourselves inhabiting, with global wars and tensions, incessant territorial disagreements, and world leaders determinably unable to find any meaningful common ground.

On Sunday, in the middle of the afternoon, I joined hundreds of contented people finding peace. Walking, running, strolling and cycling from Old Town south toward Queenston.

Next to us was a steady stream of cars cruising along the parkway, many headed up to Niagara Falls or Fort Erie. It was the perfect summer day to be in an antique or classic car.

I was part of a wonderful tableau of Canadiana, with people of all ages, ethnicities, clothing styles and spoken languages. No rhyme or reason to it, it was just happening.

Idyllic, bucolic, pacific, tranquil, stress-free. Thanks for the help, Google Thesaurus. A good first effort, but I will continue to use my thick and dog-eared Oxford large-print paper thesaurus.

Everyone and every group moving at their own pace. Or lack of pace. Some walking, some meandering, and unlike along Queen Street in Old Town, very few people posing for selfies. People seemed to be living in the moment, not feeling the need to record the moments.

Then I arrived at Walker’s Country Market. One of my favourite places in the world. In business since 1937, with fifth-generation grandson Crossroads Grade 8 student Josh and Laura Secord School Grade 10 student Naomi now scooping ice cream on this busy Sunday. They told me more people prefer cups than cones, especially on hot days.

But my parents always treated us to an ice cream cone. Never an ice cream cup. I know, times and habits change.

Walker’s serves Kawartha ice cream, and offers over 20 flavours. Good-sized scoops, too, with no deceivingly big air bubble in the middle. A world-class and local example of the expression, “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.”

There is so much choice here in NOTL when it comes to ice cream. To name only a few, we have Dairy Queen, the venerable StageCoach, McD’s, gelato shops for the more cosmopolitan, and more. And yes, the grand daddy of them all, the iconic Avondale, out on Stewart Road near the canal.

But there is only one Walker’s Country Market. Their outdoor sign facing the Parkway mentions fresh fruit, bakery, refreshments and gifts. And let us not overlook the unique and precious Wayside Chapel, where thousands of people from around the world pose for pictures. Year-round.

They are always smiling, sometimes one or two people, sometimes larger groups. From all around the world, and these pictures will provide a unique memory of “the big trip to Canada.”

Not the overpowering Rocky Mountains or the thundering Falls at Niagara. Just a wee chapel near Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Proprietor Jim Walker, the fourth generation to oversee this classic Canadian independent agricultural enterprise, seems to have it all figured out. So many components to his business.

The Niagara Parks Commission has to hustle to keep up with his always professional and tidy landscaping. And hats off to Walker’s for going against the grain and welcoming even non-customers to use their washrooms. Plenty of room for needy females and males. Always a welcoming ambience.

And are they really open year-round? How many people, runners, bike riders out for some exercise, people “out for a drive” or whatever have been saved by the usually open washrooms at Walker’s?

The answer? Thousands and thousands over the years. We know many of them have returned another day to pay back the favour.

And not just during the peak tourist season like the McFarland House facilities operated by “the Parks.” Always spotlessly clean and supplied.

How lucky and fortunate are we to live in Niagara, so close to Walker’s Country Market?

I will ramble to a Sunday afternoon conclusion now. An appreciative shout-out to Nita, one of the hard-working, efficient and anxious-to-please cashiers. She obeys the old food service industry maxim, “If you have time to lean, you have time to clean.”

Out front now, we see enthusiastic Zach serving cob after cob of farm fresh corn on the cob. Or is it cob on the corn? He is a Brock grad, who will be returning next week to his teaching job in Port Colborne. What a fab and reassuring Niagara Peninsula story.

When I have found a gem, I tend to milk it. Candidly, I can tell you that two Sunday afternoons in a row this August, I bicycled out to Walker’s for an ice cream cone. Both times, French vanilla.

Thomas More described this area as perfectly peaceful. He would be happy to know it’s still true.

Let’s pause and count our many blessings.