Fun in the White Stuff

When you travel through the Ottawa Valley in the cold months of January and February, you can’t help but notice some familiar themes. Whether you are venturing out for a day of shopping in Perth, or visiting the historic downtown of Almonte, or navigating the snowmobile trails through Barry’s Bay and Golden Lake, or skiing at Calabogie or cross-country skiing in Deep River, you will find that the residents and tourists do not fear the frosty blistery winter days. On the contrary, thousands of people relish the idea of tackling the “Great White North” and embracing the winter months. It is these people that define a key element of the local economy in this part of Eastern Ontario. These are the people who help maintain a strong seasonal tourism economy for many rural communities.

23rd annual Pow-Wow on the
Pikwàkanagàn First Nation
"Protect Mother Earth"

Modern pow-wows take place all over U.S. and Canada and have become events where Native and non-Native people meet to dance, sing, socialize, and honour North American Indian culture. It’s the perfect place for someone like me to become more familiar with our Canadian Native heritage and the customs they follow.

For the Love of Fishing!:
Get 'hooked' on the Ottawa Valley

There are more than 20 species of fish found in over 900 lakes and four major river systems in Renfrew County alone, which means one could literally fish a different body of water each day for years. No matter where you are there are always a number of lakes, rivers and creeks to choose from easily located within a one hour drive. Additionally, all of the big bodies of water, and many of the smaller ones, are equipped with public boatlaunches and docks, making for easy access.

Ottawa Valley Parks & Beaches:
An Oasis of Choices!

When my family first moved to the Ottawa Valley, we made it a point to try to visit a beach every weekend to help us become familiar with the area. And boy, discover we did! For those living in the farthest reaches of the Ottawa Valley, the Mackey and Deep River areas provide incredible beaches and, in some cases, an opportunity to visit the historic Ottawa River in all its majestic beauty.

A Buffet of Choices
So Many Local Food Options in the Ottawa Valley.

Over the last five years, there has been an incredible growth of interest and activity within the local community in terms of buying local, supporting local agricultural products, and identifying local foods as a reliable, safe and tasty alternative to purchasing large quantities of food from outside of the Ottawa Valley. Are there advantages to buying local food? Is it really cheaper? And why the sudden explosion of food festivals and initiatives all centred around the concept of local food?

There are a number of answers, and they are really quite simple: people want to eat and enjoy local foods. People want safe food from their neighbours. People want a fresh food that is perhaps only a few hours or few days old instead of food sitting on the back of a transport or train for a week or longer.

Having your cake and eating it too:
Finding the recreational property solution that's right for you.

Have you ever considered whether or not to own a cottage or recreational home? A property that brings back fond memories like the scent of fresh air, sound of bullfrogs in the distance, breaking trail in the woods, or even the rhythm of waves beating against the shoreline as your head hits the pillow.

Recollections like these often make you yearn for more. Historically, recreational properties have been a place to gather...

Fulton's -A Family Legacy that's Maple-Sugar Sweet

Most of us have fond memories of visiting a sugar bush as a child. After all, making taffy in the snow, sampling maple products and getting our fingers sticky is almost a right of passage for any child growing up in eastern Canada. Fulton’s Pancake House and Sugar Bush just east of the village of Pakenham in the picturesque hills of Lanark County has done an unbelievable job of creating fond memories like these for generations of families.

From Stonemason to Freemason

I f you’ve ever travelled to England you’ve probably had the opportunity to take in some of their wondrous medieval castles and cathedrals. Like most, you may have been awestruck by structural details like the merlons and crenels that make up the fingered crown-like design at the very top of castle walls and watchtowers.

Questions that probably came to mind were: How did the stonemasons of this time period build such massive intricate buildings? How long did it take to build these majestic structures?

Nursing-the Frontline of Care Giving

Erin Prentice, Oncology Nurse at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital

Not unlike many Baby Boomers I'm often concerned about what healthcare will be like by the time I reach the age of my parents. I consider myself an optimist and after interviewing three of the nursing staff at Renfrew Victoria Hospital I find it reassuring. And, after listening to their collective stories I would have to say we're in good hands.

Barney McCaffrey: Singer and Story-teller

Taste of the Valley: The Little Event that Just Keeps on Growing

What is Taste of the Valley? Taste of the Valley is a unique made in Renfrew County event that began in 2007 with approximately 40 local vendors at the Cobden Fairgrounds. The purpose of Taste of the Valley is to introduce County of Renfrew residents to the many independent agricultural producers within the county borders. The inaugural event drew about 2000 curious residents to the fairgrounds in October of that year and the event proved to be extremely successful.

A Tale of Business Collaboration that Results in Great Homes

Building our dream home is an idea that most of us have entertained yet few have acted upon. The adventuresome amongst us grasp any opportunity to have a hand in creating a piece of architecture we can truly call our own: a structure that makes a physical statement, marrying the best of something man-made with its environment, integrating them in a way that will turn the head of passersby.

Lush Life in The Valley

There is a jazz standard called ‘Lush Life’ and as I drove up towards the Opeongo Line it seemed so appropriate to describe The Valley at this time of the year. Flowers line the roadsides and meadows, birds and flitting here and there, farmers are even starting to take off the first crop of hay. Everything is verdant.
Read more...

Lure of the Lost Valley

An old chief once told me, “You can take a man out of the woods, but you can’t take the woods out of a man.” I ponder the essence of this long forgotten proverb as I hike deeper into the unknown of the Lost Valley in search of sacred treasure.
Read more...