On Saturday, May 24th, the Puslinch Men’s Shed, located just south of Guelph in rural southwestern Ontario, hosted a two-part community event that brought together curiosity, camaraderie, and hands-on learning—all hallmarks of Men’s Sheds.
The afternoon began with a guided tour of the nearby Ontario Steam Heritage Museum, where attendees explored vintage steam engines, restored tractors, and the impressive legacy of early industrial machinery. The interactive tour sparked intergenerational conversations and offered a unique opportunity to learn about the history of innovation in rural Ontario.
From there, the group made their way to the Shed’s home at Cedar Lane Farmstead for a welcoming community barbecue, where a grand total of 113 visitors enjoyed food, fresh air, and the chance to connect with local community builders over the course of the afternoon and evening. Guests also learned about Cedar Lane’s wide range of initiatives aimed at fostering local engagement and sustainability.
“The Steam Museum visit and our barbecue were a great success,” said David Rees, newly appointed Chair of the Puslinch Men’s Shed. “We had an incredible turnout—certainly the biggest event we’ve hosted yet—and the energy throughout the day was just fantastic.”
This event reflects the power of local leadership and the enduring value of community-based spaces where men can share skills, stories, and purpose. But it doesn’t stop there. The Shed is channeling its momentum into a weekly calendar of activities. “We’ve seen strong interest from younger men in the community who want to learn practical skills and benefit from the knowledge of our more experienced shedders,” Rees added.
On May 31, the Shed hosted a well attended Lawnmower Repair Workshop, helping members get their machines in top shape just in time for the summer season—another great example of the Shed’s commitment to hands-on skill-building and peer learning. And on June 28 the Shed will launch Cooking at the Shed (C.A.T.S.), a new cooking class held on the last Saturday of each month. Designed especially for men, these fun, no-fuss sessions will teach participants how to whip up basic, nutritious, and tasty meals without spending hours in the kitchen. “You don’t need to bring anything but an open mind and a willingness to have fun,” said Rees.
The Puslinch Men’s Shed offers a central space where men can gather to work on projects in its well equipped auto and woodworking shops, explore hobbies like gardening, photography, or wildlife observation, or simply spend time in nature with a coffee in hand. It’s a welcoming, inclusive environment where men can connect, contribute, and feel part of something bigger.
“We’re ecstatic about the growing interest in the Men’s Shed community here,” summarized local community connector and founder of the Shed, Cheryl Milani.
