We are heading into busy season here in the Valley. Farm Fresh produce is back! We have lots of nourishing greens from both FieldTrip Farm, and Terramor Farm. Their salad greens have been a struggle to keep stocked, but I am doing my best to manage the numbers weekly. Radish and turnips are back, as well as some herbs, bok choy, and gem lettuce. I wrote a little bio of me, which is always challenging, but hopefully it will give you some insights into who I am and why I am the way I am. Ha! I also asked some of the vendors to write a blurb about their experience with me and the store. So I will include those as well.

Seeds of Creation plants finally landed. It’s been a struggle to start the plants with such a cold Spring, but they are here, healthy, and waiting for their forever homes. Will also be getting a few other plant varieties from FieldTrip Farm - sweet & hot peppers and herbs. Richter’s Herbs landed too, so we have things like angelica, lemongrass, savoury, thyme, lemon thyme, lavender, dill, cilantro, sage, etc all for sale!

I am focusing on pre-packaged healthy meals, I will hopefully get to some Handmade Herbology products as the shelf stock is dangerously low…… Jody is however working on my soap recipes, so once they cure, the soaps will be back! YAY!

I have also been pulling in some new products. Beauty From Bees will be restocked shortly, Moon Over Water is sending her third round of crop tops, and I found a Canadian Biltong supplier out of Bellville, ON. (I tasted it for the first time at my friends store; Around the Block Butcher and Market,) and was absolutely thrilled as I lived in South Africa in my early 20’s.

I was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, but the Ottawa Valley has always felt like home to me. Growing up, our family had cottages along the Madawaska River, and my grandparents’ cottage — now owned by my uncle and cousins — is just outside Calabogie. Some of my fondest childhood memories were made there, surrounded by nature, water, and the quiet beauty of the Valley.

I’ve always been a bit of a rebel — never one to fit neatly into the crowd or follow the expected path. I was kicked out of high school in Grade 11 and eventually finished my diploma through an alternative school. I took a semester of Horticulture at Algonquin College before moving to South Africa for a year. When I came back I enrolled in Environmental Studies at Carleton U. I ended up switching into Environmental Science, but I quickly realized that many graduates in those fields ended up consulting for large corporations — helping the very systems contributing to environmental destruction. That path didn’t align with my values. I dropped out about halfway through a degree.

At the time, I was already working in the restaurant industry, a career I genuinely loved and was thriving in financially. I went on to study as a sommelier, worked in fine dining restaurants, and eventually bought my first condo.

I also have a paragraph tattooed on my body — one that once hung in a study room at Carleton University:

“Only when the last tree has been cut down,
Only when the last river has been poisoned,
Only when the last fish has been caught,
Only then will we realize that money cannot be eaten.”

The older I get and the more life experience I gain, the more deeply those words resonate with me. I’m not someone who blindly “trusts the science” — I’m someone who follows the money. I’ve always been outspoken about my beliefs, particularly around the ways profit is so often prioritized over people and the natural world.

At my core, I believe we have forgotten that we are nature — not separate from it and certainly not above it. I wish our policies and systems reflected that truth, rather than continuing to enrich those already in positions of power. I believe corruption exists across all political lines, and that many leaders ultimately serve larger agendas that do not always prioritize the well-being of ordinary people. The events of the past several years have only strengthened those feelings for me. Profit over People.

For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of living in a cabin surrounded by forest. During the pandemic, I finally made that dream a reality when I traded my 600-square-foot condo for just over 200 acres in Killaloe — a mix of bush and marshland. The marsh is what truly made me fall in love with the property. It’s ecologically diverse, full of life, and rich with plant medicine.

Handmade Herbology was born from my passion for natural products and my desire to live in greater harmony with the earth. After more than two decades working in the casual fine dining industry, I felt called toward a more meaningful and grounded way of living.

Nearly ten years ago, I began studying herbalism under the late Judy Henry of Judy’s Organic Herbs. Her deep knowledge of plants — and the wisdom and spirituality they carry — opened an entirely new world for me. I left my scientific atheist views behind and turned to a more spiritual way of being.

Since then, I’ve continued expanding my knowledge through learning from local healers and teachers, including Pete Bernard of Pikwakanagan, where I studied Algonquin Shamanism, and Steven Martyn of Sacred Gardener School in Golden Lake, who teaches a deeply rooted back-to-the-land philosophy and way of life. Somehow, I managed to land in between them both.

My travels abroad have also centered around exploring plant medicine and shamanic traditions. Many of the ingredients I use in my creations are sourced during these journeys, supporting the local healers, growers, and communities from which they come.

Today, my work is rooted in connection — to the land, to traditional knowledge, and to creating products that honour both people and nature. Over the past few years, I’ve been doing the local farmers’ market circuit, and since moving here, I had always been outsourcing space to create my products.

In December 2024, I took a leap of faith and rented the space that is now the shop. Originally, my plan was simply to use the kitchen and storage space while continuing with the farmers’ markets. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that the two floors of retail space had the potential to become something much more — and that’s essentially how Golden Gatherings was born.

I began connecting with local vendors who share similar morals and values. My vision was to create a space that reflected the things I care deeply about: supporting local farmers, food producers, artists, and makers who are moving through this world in a thoughtful and intentional way. I wanted Golden Gatherings to feel like more than just a store — a place rooted in community, connection, and a shared respect for the earth and one another.

Once again, I am incredibly grateful for the community response to Golden Gatherings over this past year. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow alongside the business, meeting the evolving needs of the community, and creating a welcoming hub for like-minded, earth-centred people.

Here are some of the things the vendors are saying:

Golden Gatherings feels like stepping into a little pocket of magic — a carefully curated haven filled with handcrafted treasures, local abundance, and the kind of warmth that can only be created when someone truly pours their heart into a space. As both a vendor and a shopper, I feel so grateful to be part of the community Jessica has created. Supporting small businesses, artists, makers, farmers, and dreamers is woven into every corner of her shop, and it’s such an honour to have my own wares nestled among so many beautiful offerings.

As a customer, Golden Gatherings has become one of my favourite places to find special treats and thoughtfully chosen goods that I would otherwise have to travel hours to discover. Jessica has created something rare — a gathering place that feels both grounded and enchanting, where community and creativity thrive together. She is an absolute pleasure to work with, and her kindness, passion, and dedication shine through in everything she does. Congratulations on one magical year of Golden Gatherings — what a beautiful achievement. 

- Talli - Bee Luminous

“Jessica Gibson is the real deal. She’s a good friend of mine, an inspiring entrepreneur, a steward of the land, and one of the most caring, driven women I know. Sweet, funny, loyal, and incredibly hardworking, I’ve had the privilege of watching her turn a dream into reality.

Golden Gatherings has become a beautiful hub for local growers, makers, artisans, and community. Jess has created something incredibly special — a warm, welcoming space filled with thoughtfully sourced local goods and genuine connection. Our community is lucky to have her.”

- Toni - Mystic Mud Creations

“There are so many reasons why I love stopping in at Golden gatherings, it’s not just to see Jessica’s beautiful bright smiling face, or just to feel her passion for sourcing good high quality whole local foods and products, it’s more for the joy and excitement, it’s like eye candy to my soul, I so enjoy looking through all the tantalizing treats and high-quality local organic foods, herbs and homemade products all under one roof…right here in my own backyard!!!!

💕I love you!

Congratulations 🎉 on your first fantastic year!”

- Cheri - Seeds of Creation

“I have had the pleasure of being one of Golden Gatherings' first vendors.  It's been a great year, and I really appreciate Jessica's fun videos of my "sassy" pottery.  I'm very grateful for Golden Gatherings for allowing me to express my art in a fun and playful way.  Thank you, Jessica and all of the customers, for your continued support. “

- Kathy's Handmade Pottery 🥰

“I have met so many incredible people through this beautiful space and forever feel so blessed to be a part of such a unique collective; curated with intention in every step of the process and love every bit of the way, Jessica has an absolute knack for keeping old knowledge alive and for finding/connecting the people who share her vision!

Happy anniversary Golden Gatherings!"

- Brooke - Humble Beginnings Art

“Ive been an artisan vendor in Golden Gatherings for a year now and I love being a vendor as much as I love shopping there! Jessica has curated such a wonderful assortment of environmentally thoughtful items and artisan made treasures. I am so grateful to get to be part of this little store!”

⁃ Lexi Rivett of Accessories By Lex

I feel beyond blessed to be a vendor with Golden Gatherings. Jessica gives her undying support on the regular, always sharing inspiration and letting me know which of my items are performing best. Golden Gatherings is more than a physical shop. It's a community of like-minded people, striving together to support one another and make the world a better and cheerier place. If local small business is a forest, then Golden Gatherings is the mother tree: sharing sustenance, information, and resources to help the entire ecosystem thrive. 

-Tauney Stinson - Forager Bee

New Products

Matt and his business partner Rich spent over 8 years developing this product, and then had to navigate the shit show that is the Ontario Government. No easy feat. I am so very grateful that they did, and can’t wait to share this little piece of my heart with you all in the Valley.

Beauty from Bees Body Serum has been restocked, and I also brought in their deodorant that was recommended by a friend. Some of the various shampoo and conditioner “flavours” have also been restocked. Feel free to reach out with any other items you think I should carry. As always, we still have their mascara in both black and brown, and the eyeshadow palette.

Moon Over Water crops are flying out of here. Everyone who buys one comes back for more! So I am certainly keeping Willow busy. Very thankful for her top quality product and sewing skills.

Opal (Opalessence) has dropped off some of her Maynooth famous bug spray! I also have dog bug spray, tick picks, and other remedies for the season of the blood offerings.

Shawn Hayes has dropped off some Tower Busters, orgonite pyramids, and pendants.

I’ve gotten a few sideways glances from people and comments like “it’s amazing what people believe” to me, it’s amazing to me what people choose to ignore, or not do any of their own research. So here are some links for you to make your own educated decisions. (I will never force my opinions down anyone’s throat, but I do encourage you to do your own research) I would also never force anyone to purchase anything, so feel free to walk on by if it’s not your thing. 🙂

Below are a few links to her resources.

She offers more websites on her information sheets that come with the orgonite pieces.

As I mentioned in the last newsletter, the logistics of stocking this store are challenging, and one of the big distributors of the organic fruit and veg has unfortunately added a $150 shipping charge to all my future orders. We have been lucky thus far as we’ve been able to spend a certain amount as a minimum for them to waive the shipping. But with the cost of fuel, this was inevitable. Luckily, we are moving into fresh local produce from the farms around here. But moving forward this will increase the price of things like the Fair trade bananas, and avocados, and other items that we simply cannot grow here in Canada.

I am dreaming again of Connaught Nursery peaches and grapes. I don’t think I will get the fresh fruit again from Warner’s Fruit Farm (which is the farm that supplies all the peaches & plums and other goodies to the Ottawa Farmers Market) as I still haven’t been invoiced from my supply from last year, and it’s a lot to coordinate via my dear from Kalen of FieldTrip Farm, who had to go and physically collect the trays of fruit at market and bring them back to her farm on Moodie Dr in Ottawa. She is already my delivery depot for the milk and other products, and my order of that just keeps growing with the demand out here.

Many may remember The Bookstore in Golden Lake, the beloved establishment housed for decades in the current home of Golden Gatherings. Jenifer McVaugh, the founder and proprietress passed away recently. The Bookstore was a gathering place, reflecting Jenifer’s curiosity, warmth, intellect, and love of people, conversation and ideas. I think she would love what Jess has created with Golden Gatherings.

Not only was Jenifer a lover of books; she wrote several herself. Golden Gatherings has 4 of them available in the lending library upstairs, along with some new copies of her novel “The Love of Women” which are available by donation. 

- Amy Rou

Thanks again for taking the time to read this newsletter. It’s been a lot to add to my forever growing to do list, but I appreciate the opportunity to write and share the happenings of the shop with you all.

As always, if you know someone who would be a good fit as a vendor have them fill out this FORM.

Many Blessings to you all as we move into the warmer seasons.

Jessica