Marsha Knapp

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Thank you for the shout out Dutton Dialogue…

🗞️ THE DUTTON DIALOGUE
August 2025 | Local Spotlight

From Small Town Roots to Global Screens:
Marsha Knapp and the Paw Patrol Legacy

DUTTON, ONTARIO – “No job is too big, no pup is too small.” The Paw Patrol motto has inspired millions of children around the world and behind that global success is our very own Marsha Knapp, who played a key role on the show’s production team. Her work on one of the most recognizable children’s programs of our time proves that being from a small town doesn’t mean you have to dream small.

Marsha grew up surrounded by the same fields, familiar streets, and close-knit community spirit that many of us know so well. But her career path shows that ambition can stretch far beyond county lines. With determination, vision, and a gift for storytelling, she helped bring to life a show that’s not just beloved by kids, but has grown into a worldwide franchise.

Yet behind the professional success, Marsha is also known for who she is to the people closest to her: an amazing mom, sister, daughter, partner, and friend. She carries the same warmth, loyalty, and generosity into her personal life as she does into her work, inspiring not just audiences across the globe, but everyone lucky enough to know her personally. She’s the type of person who can help shape a global hit and always have time stop and enjoy an almond croissant.

For locals, her story is more than just inspiring, it’s a reminder that a small population doesn’t mean small dreams. If anything, Marsha’s journey proves that the biggest ideas can come from the places that feel the smallest on a map.

Marsha Knapp’s success is a beacon for all of us: proof that small-town roots can grow into big-time dreams. And just like Paw Patrol’s motto says, “No job is too big, no pup is too small” and certainly, no dream is too far out of reach.

📍 Dutton, Ontario The 174 Currie

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Iron Kettle offers a heavenly escape and amazing take home prepared foods

Very much worth the drive for a culinary experience at Iron Kettle in Comber, Ontario.

Have a sweet or savoury breakfast and lunch and take home a prepared dinner!!!

Thank you to Ginette’s mom for being with the kids today as we truly loved our rich visit with Ginette at The Iron Kettle. Thanks to Dine in 519 for making us aware.

Omg the savoury cheese and tomato with pesto danish was heavenly and my most favourite.

I got one of everything…. I only took a bite of everything and I shared with my friends.

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Chocolate and wine…

Highly recommend these sweeter red wines, chilled, they’re really good summer drinks with chocolate, especially the Dubai chocolate bar at The 174 Currie in Dutton, Ontario

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Shirley’s restaurant at Prim Peony felt like a faraway vacation

It was just minutes from home, but it felt like stepping into another world. Adam and I went to Shirley’s restaurant on Highway 3 and Dunborough (part of prim peony) for a six-course farm to table dinner — our first time there. The long wooden table glowed under soft lights, set for sixteen strangers who, by the end of the night, felt like old friends.

Around us were doctors, lawyers, and investors from London, Toronto, and Ottawa — an unexpected mix for a small-town evening. Somehow, we got folded right into their group, laughing and swapping stories between bites of incredible food that seemed to taste even better because of the company.

Then came the moment. Someone asked where I went to school & what I did with my schooling…I smiled and said, “Actually, I helped create Paw Patrol.” One of the doctors literally spit out his wine. “Well, dinner’s on Marsha!” he laughed. “Holy moly, you’re the most famous person here. Can I get a picture with you? I need to show my grandson — my kid’s gonna love this!”

The rest of the night was full of easy conversation, big laughs, and plates that kept arriving like little works of art. We left with full bellies, warm hearts, and the glow of knowing that sometimes, the best evenings happen in the most unexpected places — and sometimes, two minutes from home.

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Plaza Sushi keeps it interesting

I ate an entire crab at Plaza Sushi in St. Thomas and I would do it again. I loved it!

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Arancini at Riva in Port Stanley

It’s like a gastronomical circuit at Riva: I love the arancini, the whipped riccota and warmed olives sooooo much. Thanks to my mom for adding the seafood pizza to my foodie circuit. Also thanks to my personal server, Todd!

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Coffee brew pipe for the tradesmen

What’s a plumber to do when they need a coffee on the job, there’s no hydro and it’d take to long to go to a coffee shop? BRIPE: a coffee brew pipe that makes hot, fresh coffee in under 3 minutes. It’s super quick and tasty. We give it 2 thumbs up!!

Adam has his own plumbing company, ABT Plumbing, in Dutton, Ontario (west of London) and he was finding on new builds with no hydro he was really missing an afternoon coffee. So when we saw the Bripe we just had to try it. We think other tradesmen could benefit as well.

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Lebanese breakfast at “Take a Bite”

The garlic scrambled eggs, part of the Lebanese breakfast at “Take a Bite” are fantastic. 

Congratulations to Jeff and Amal on opening up a restaurant inspired by their Food Truck. 

They are serving so many of my favourites from their truck;


Like their homemade hummus and pita chips, deep fried mac & cheese, Shawarma, Gyros, Falafel and of course their BBQ fare. 

But because of their new restaurant location, located at Highway 3 and Furnival, I was finally able to try the Lebanese breakfast, which is all vegetarian. And I loved ever bit of it. I’ll definitely go back for those garlic scrambled eggs and cheesy flat bread. 

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Comfort & Soul in CK


There’s a lot of love in the food at Comfort & Soul. I can’t believe I’m just outside of Blenheim because I can feel the soul of the south here. 


I was so thrilled they had sweet tea to set the mood just right. 


I started with the Southern style BBQ pork dinner. There are 2 kinds of sauces: Comfort sauce – bourbon & brown sugar. Soul sauce – smoky BBQ. It’s recommend to have both as they are meant to go together. So of course I went with the advice. 

1/2 lb pulled pork. 3 sides: sweet potato casserole. Baked beans. Hush puppies (deep fried corn bread) 

It was the perfect combo of sides. Bursting with so much flavour. I love the sweet potatoes with rice crispies on top. The smoky sweet baked beans are fantastic. The Pulled pork is so tender, sweet and melt in your mouth: exactly what you want pulled pork to taste like. Hush puppies do taste fantastic dipped in the comfort sauce! 

I love the portion sizes all served piping hot, with a big smile: just how I appreciate it. 


Then I got the Knoxville special: Fried chicken breast with 2 sides; Green bean casserole & Candied carrots. Carrots taste so great, like applesauce or apples from an apple crisp. Green beans are lovely with onion crunchy bits. Also a lovely crunchy coating on the huge juicy chicken breast. 


I took my dessert in to-go containers but had to have a sampling first! 

Chocolate peanut butter pie: A thick cool dense pie almost like a fudge and a light graham cracker crust. It’s the perfect chocolate/peanut butter combo. 

Smoked peach & brown sugar cheesecake: A smoky sweet light cheesecake with chunks of peaches (Smoked with a fruitwood) and graham crust. 
Thank you to Mike & Alecia for inviting me out. I was super impressed with the customer service as well as the authenticity of their soul food! 

I also love their story of how they got to where they are. They started out as a frozen foods catering company, which then he evolved into this restaurant. And they kept that foundation: “I try not to let anything go to waste here!” Alecia said. Freezer meals are available to go of everything on the menu. They even deliver these frozen meals to homes from London to Windsor. 

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Pardoville’s food heaven! 

Plan a road trip to food heaven, aka Pardo Villa Acres Farm Market & Bakery in Pardoville (outside Blenheim)! They are family owned and have an admirable selection of produce, homemade from scratch baking, local preserves & cheeses as well as Picards Peanuts! 


You can feel the love from every angle: I’m overwhelmed by their presentation, amazing fresh variety as well as their personable customer service. Also, their strong brand comes through from such an awesome Facebook page that tells their story through so many videos and also they offer up great recipes ideas. 


Thank you to Pardo Villa Acres for sharing some amazing samples with me:

  • Red pepper & onion ciabatta 
  • Raspberry lemon loaf
  • Lemon loaf 
  • Carrot cake loaf 
  • Pumpkin pecan muffins 
  • Pumpkin pie 
  • Sweet potato pie 
  • Gluten free almond meal chocolate chip coconut cookies. 

My most favourite that I can’t wait to return for are the cookies!


I can’t believe they are gluten free! I love the moist denseness and perfect amount of chocolate chips. 

The pumpkin pecan muffins are also quite heavenly! I felt like I was eating a fluffy bite-sized cake version of a pumpkin pie!


The sweet potato pie intrigued me the most, and I was surprised that it tasted like a dessert, almost like a sugar pie flavoured with sweet , dense, sweet potatoes. My tastebuds enjoyed the newness. 


They told me people travel a distance to get their Ciabatta red pepper & onion, baked in house and I can see why because it bursts with flavour. I need this to serve to company next time! 


I enjoyed all the loaves with tea, but my most memorable was the lemon raspberry as I just loved the sweet and tart combo. 

I can see why Pardo Villa Acres Farm market & bakery is such a popular destination; there are so many reasons to return again and again in the spring, summer and fall.

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