December • 2021
globalheroes.com Plan a trip to Ontario’s Southwest for a perfect pairing— the seasons best flavours with the region’s best wines.
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101 Nights of Twinkling Lights The most enchanting of Niagara Falls attractions, the annual Ontario Power Generation Winter Festival of Lights is back to continue the tradition of holiday lights and family fun! What better way to light up the end of the year than by enjoying Canada’s largest FREE outdoor light festival? This bright and cheery festival is on now, featuring over three million lights and dazzling 3D displays along Dufferin Islands, the Niagara Parkway, and across Niagara Falls. This year, the Festival will illuminate Niagara Falls for 101 nights, almost doubling the amount of time you can discover the winter magic of twinkling lights.
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With over 75 spectacular displays providing colourful visuals, including returning festival favourites like larger-thanlife 3D animals, giant gingerbread house, and illuminated trees, plus new displays such as a gingerbread family, narwhal, candy canes, and more, Niagara Falls has transformed into a twinkling winter wonderland. This year’s OPG Winter Festival of Lights is delighted to introduce family-friendly live entertainment every weekend and nightly during the holidays, featuring musicians, magicians, jugglers, and more. Hosted at the Hilton Fallsview Hotel & Suites, the new indoor entertainment is the perfect opportunity to warm up and enjoy more family fun, in accordance with Public Health measures. Surround yourself and loved ones with inspiring, bright displays of happiness, hope, and cheer. Friends and family can make new memories throughout the extended Festival season that runs until Family Day on February 21, 2022. Come for the lights and
to reconnect with family and friends, stay for the colourful illumination of the city’s famous waterfalls—a magical, not-to-bemissed viewing occasion for all, every night of the year. Experience the spectacular light displays safely by walking along the wide-open park pathways, by driving along the route with your family, or by viewing from the warm comfort of Niagara Falls’ many wonderful restaurant and hotel windows. Niagara Falls is a popular destination to create long-lasting memories, and winter is the perfect time to experience the beauty of the icy Falls and explore the engaging outdoor displays. With plenty to see and do for visitors, whether it’s your first or fifth time visiting, make it your winter tradition to bundle up, enjoy the fresh air, and add some sparkle to your holiday plans. Overnight getaways provide the perfect staycation to explore Niagara Falls by day and night! Find event calendars, things to do, and how to plan your stay at WFOL.com
Tree for Boston: How a Century-Long Friendship Began From Tragedy city, with a corps of our best state surgeons and nurses, in the belief On December 6, 1917, an explo- that they may be of service to you sion in the Halifax harbour shook in this hour of need. I need hardly to say to you that we have the the city to its core. Two ships, the Mont-Blanc and strongest affection for the people the Imo, were travelling through of your city, and that we are anxthe Halifax Narrows when they ious to do everything possible for collided. The Mont-Blanc was their assistance at this time.” carrying high explosives, causing Upon arrival, the healthcare a fire to engulf the ship, later workers began immediately leading to an explosion. distributing food, water, and The explosion sent shock waves medical supplies. In Nova Scotia schools, to this day, students are through the regions of both Halifax and Dartmouth—killing taught about the heroic arrival of Boston’s doctors, noting them as approximately 2,000 people and true lifesavers. injuring 9,000 others. With many of the officials in In a time of need, Halifax Boston still in Halifax just a few officials put out a call for help, short weeks later for Christmas, asking for doctors to aid them in the recovery. The mayor of Boston they decorated the hospitals and at the time, Mayor James Curley, put up a Christmas tree to celeand former Massachusetts Gover- brate the holiday, despite the crisis nor Samuel McCall answered the that brought them to the region in the first place. call and sent a group of doctors, The following year, in Denurses, aid workers, and medical cember 1918, Nova Scotia sent supplies on a 1,000km trip from a Christmas tree as a way to say Boston to Halifax. A letter from Governor McCall thank you. Another tree was sent dated December 6, 1917, reads, “I in 1971 and has been sent every am sending Hon. A.C. Ratchesky, year since. Amid war, a pandemof the Massachusetts Public Safety ic, international turmoil, and Committee, immediately to your differences that set us apart, Nova ALLIE MURRAY
Scotia and Boston have continued a 104-year friendship with a holiday gifting tradition. The tree that is sent every year is chosen from a local Nova Scotian family. By agreeing to donate your tree, the province of Nova Scotia also sends the donor family to Boston for the tree lighting, allowing the family to experience the heart-warming event firsthand. In 2020, at the height of the
press release. “This important tradition symbolizes gratitude, friendship and remembrance. It’s also our way of honouring those who have worked so hard to keep us healthy and safe during the pandemic.” This year, a 48-foot white spruce Christmas tree was donated by landowner L’Arche Cape Breton, a non-profit organization that creates safe, supportive homes and meaningful work for people with disabilities. “In response to the explosion in 1917, Boston extended a hand of friendship to Halifax, which was accepted with open © PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA arms and returned with an COVID-19 pandemic, Nova endless thanksgiving through Scotia dedicated the annual the Tree for Boston,” explained tree donation to the frontline Executive Director and Comworkers who came to their aid in munity Leader at L’Arche Cape 1917 and the frontline workers Breton Mukthar Limpao. who worked tirelessly in the At the Maritime Museum of fight against COVID-19. the Atlantic in Nova Scotia, visitors can tour photos, artifacts, “We thank Boston for their kindness during our time of need and stories from the explosion. by sending a big, beautiful Nova Travellers can also walk the Halifax harbour and learn about the Scotia Christmas tree,” Lands vast history that sailed through and Forestry Minister Derek those waters. Mombourquette said in a 2020 ADVERTORIAL
Make the Most of Winter in Vaughan There’s a chill in the air and frost on the grass—winter is on its way! Whether you’re planning your holidays or diving straight into outdoor activities, Vaughan is the place to be this winter. Between holiday festivities, time spent with family, and a host of both indoor and outdoor activities, Vaughan has everything you need for an enjoyable winter vacation just north of Toronto. MAKING A LIST, CHECKING IT TWICE Your perfect holiday gifts are waiting for you in Vaughan. Support local artisans and small businesses at This is Made, your one-stop merchant shop and the first collective boutique in Vaughan, or take a trip to the 200+ stores in Vaughan Mills. From fashion to makeup, home decor to sweet treats, and everything in between, Vaughan has something for everyone on your list. Still figuring out which local
shops to support? Keep an eye out for the Safe Travels Stamp, which recognizes businesses that follow standardized protocols for health and hygiene. This means their top priority is keeping you safe while you shop this season! Many Vaughan businesses have their Safe Travels Stamp, and you can find a list of them at visitvaughan.ca. FAMILY-FRIENDLY WINTER ADVENTURES Who says winter has to be boring? Vaughan is home to so many safe, family-friendly activities and local businesses to make your winter great. Whether it’s skating, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, bundle up and head outdoors! In Kleinburg, explore beautiful trails like the William Granger Nature Walk, or take a day trip to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Winter is the perfect time to get on the ice, whether you pre-
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fer a friendly hockey game or a leisurely skate around the rink. Vaughan’s arenas and outdoor rinks offer drop-in activities and ice skating for all ages. If you prefer snow to ice, swap the skates for winter boots and hit the trails. The Kortright Centre for Conservation offers more than 16km of hiking trails—the perfect opportunity for winter exercise with a view. Throughout December, Kortright is transformed into the Magical Christmas Forest, decked out with holiday lights and wintry cheer.
The holiday excitement continues at WinterFest at Canada’s Wonderland, an immersive holiday experience for the whole family, complete with ice-skating on Snow Flake Lake, live shows and holiday entertainment, millions of spectacular lights, and hundreds of beautiful Christmas trees throughout the park, including two 50-foot Christmas trees. Between gift shopping at Vaughan Mills, stop into the LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre to experience the Holiday Bricktacular event
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SHOP, PLAY, AND STAY PLAN YOUR WINTER FUN AT
and build a LEGO ornament to decorate the tree. A COZY STAYCATION From staycations to staying near family over the holidays, Vaughan has a variety of accommodations to suit whatever your needs are, all located right by unique attractions. All of Vaughan’s hotels have received the Safe Travels Stamp so that you can feel confident and safe throughout your stay. Plan your winter fun at visitvaughan.ca/hellowinter
