Retired Guelph man becomes a doctor for garden gnomes
A man from Guelph is bringing garden gnomes back to life.
Ken McGowan has become “The Gnome Doctor” ever since he retired six years ago.
It started after he inherited several gnomes from his parents and took on the task of touching them up. He enjoyed it so much he started asking people if he could fix up their gnomes and other lawn decor for free.
The first gnome he ever repaired, however, didn’t leave his home.
“I brought him home, fixed him all up, and now he sits at my front door,” said McGowan. “I call him Ralph after my late father.”
The doctor has been busy during the pandemic, like other medical professionals, and even had one customer with seven different gnomes.
McGowan only has one rule when it comes to patching up his patients.
“Don’t rush me,” he said. “When it’s done I’ll call you.”
David Jennison had his gnomes fixed after his mother moved out of her home and says, thanks to the doctor, they’re still very much part of the family.
“They were faded to pretty much white at that point,” he said. “Last weekend, my one-year-old grandson was in the backyard trying to give him a hug.”
McGowan says it’s those special moments that keep his practice open.
“As long as I can do it I’ll just keep going,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING 14 suspects arrested in grandparent scam targeting seniors across Canada: Ontario police
An interprovincial investigation into an 'emergency grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.