That’s one of the reasons they created Disrupt, an annual urban art fest and market. Communities and artists from across the city collaborate on large street art projects for the people, she said.
FESTIVALS
Packed with local and international talent, Ottawa’s arts and cultures lineups will surely get you grooving and will brighten your day.
Between June 13-23, Ottawa Fringe Festival will hold its 27th Local Theatre Testival downtown at the Ottawa Arts Court, with over 50 plays set to take centre stage.
A list of summertime activities to do in Ottawa this summer
By Hannah Wanamaker
A stroll down Ottawa’s streets in summer brings wafts of mouthwatering barbecue and the lovely smell of blossoming flowers. It’s also the season to beat the heat with a tasty treat or spend a day at one of Ottawa’s beaches.
Not sure what to do? We’ve got you covered with everything from patios and festivals to sightseeing and some family-friendly adventures.
MARKETS
Kitchissippi’s abundant summer market scene celebrates and elevates local artists, cuisines, and agriculture.
To celebrate its centennial on July 10, the Parkdale Market has included additional celebrations for its growing community, says coordinator Tina Barton.
“It’s always existed as a public space,
a neighbourhood gathering space, a market for shopping produce and handmaid Canadian goods. In recent years that’s expanded to include things like bread, prepared foods, arts and crafts, and on our Wednesday night markets, we do a lot of street food and music in the park,” she said.
Neighbours are also invited to Sunday morning yoga every few weeks in the park, led by an instructor from Wellington West’s PranaShanti Yoga Centre.
Urban Art Collective is another Wellington West-based organization that elevates local artists and brings communities together. It is perhaps best known for its night markets held every Thursday in Hintonburg, which feature various vendors, food, and art.
“We’re not just an art market,” said co-founder Lindsay Machinski. “We have everyone from artisans and makers and artists. There’s people that
knit stuff and make jewelry, and there’s people who make salsas.
There are stickers and clothing. Because it changes over weekly, there’s always a different rotation of people to meet.”
“Every year we see comedies, we see dramas, sometimes there’s circus shows. There are shows for kids, shows for adults only–it’s pretty wide-ranging,” said Harley Wegner.
Wegner has been directing, producing, and acting in local theatre festivals like Fringe for several years. Their play airing this summer, “So You’re Stuck in an Underground Bunker” is a silly portrayal of a queer friend group stuck in a bunker at the end of the world.
Another way the Collective highlights underrepresented and lesser-known art styles is through themed summer markets. Every other Saturday, people from across the city learn about and support youth, vintage, comic, and many other artists.
“You don’t need to be an artist to be here. You just need to be here to be part of something,” said Machinski.
“It’s based on COVID and focuses a lot on queer and trans joy and love, and it puts queer and trans people at the forefront,” she said.
Themes in this year’s plays include psychics, The Satanic Panic, polygraph tests and much more.
To close out the season, Capital Pride is hosting its biggest festival yet. Held in late August, the festival commemorates the 1971 Queer Canadian We Demand Rally. The festival kicks off Aug 17 by
Above: Kitchissippi residents enjoy the return of summer weather at Britannia Beach over the May long weekend.
PHOTOS BY AARON REID.
Bottom insert: Night Markets will again be held outside Urban Art Collective this summer.
PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK. A large group of volunteers takes care of the gardens at the Central Experimental Farm. PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK.
crowning a Ms., Mr., and Mx. Capital Pride at the annual pageant.
Returning events include the street festival of 150 community groups, the weekend main stages featuring various artistic talents, family fun activities, and the parade, said executive director, Callie Metler.
“This year we’ll be doing our drag extravaganza on the main stage, so that’s where you’ll see talent from far and wide–local and national talent,” stated Metler. “We’ll have the big drag performers alongside giving a platform to local drag performers.”
Metler added that party-goers can also look forward to the curated DJ lineups taking over the Somerset Stage, as well as the first-ever sober space with its own DJs and mixologists between August 23 and 25.
For youth and families, Melter suggests swinging by the family
picnic at Hintonburg Park or the family zone during the main programming. Activities include face painting, bouncy castles, dancing with Monkey Rock, sitting in on drag storytime, and much more.
The festival comes to an end with a bang on Sunday, August 25, with the biggest pride parade in the province featuring over 250 groups and an expected 12 to 13,000 people.
A DAY AT THE FARM
Whether you’re looking to improve your green thumb or explore Ottawa’s natural beauty, the Central Experimental Farm has something for everyone.
Director of gardens, Linda McLaren, and vice president, Dianne Caldbick, encourage people to explore nature’s cultural artifacts: the arboretum and ornamental gardens.
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THIS SUMMER — STAY COOL, HAVE FUN — GO UNDERGROUND!
This year, the Diefenbunker is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a national historic site — and you and your family are invited!
“We will also be welcoming our one millionth visitor to the museum,” said Jordan Vetter, Marketing and Communications Manager of the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum . “We invite everyone to experience Ottawa’s immersive history destination this summer and take advantage of a “cool” site — beat the heat, and experience a family outing unlike any other, as you step back in time to the 1960s and descend 75 feet underground.”
Among the many special offerings this summer, the Diefenbunker will be offering 50 per cent off admission on Canada Day.
Diefenbunker Birthday Parties — geared towards children ages 7 to 12 — are spy themed, where children can learn the art of espionage. Children will go on secret missions, crack codes, make spy gadgets, dress up, and find Agent X as they explore this 100,000 square foot wonder deep underground! For more info, visit: diefenbunker.ca/birthdays/
Other events at the Diefenbunker this summer
“You can learn a great deal about our horticultural past as you walk through the gardens, and there is something of interest in every season,” said Caldbick. “It’s a lovely place to connect with nature and destress.”
While specialized tours of the grounds are offered throughout the summer, the farm recommends wandering at your own pace and
include hosting the theatrical production Dief the Chief: October ’62 with actor and playwright Pierre Brault, running June 14 & 15, July 26 & 27, and August 16 & 17.
The Diefenbunker is Canada’s most significant surviving Cold War artifact — it is an impressive four-storey underground facility that operated as the country’s central communications headquarters during the Cold War, ready at any moment in case of a nuclear attack. Today, it is a one-of-a-kind museum and national historic site, telling stories of national and international importance.
“Since its designation in 1994, the site has grown to be a one-of-a-kind immersive history destination, welcoming visitors from all around the world,” said Diefenbunker’s Executive Director, Christine McGuire. “As Canada’s Cold War Museum and an independent charitable organization, we are committed to preserving important stories and artifacts from our past for future generations.”
This summer, from June to August, the Diefenbunker is open 7 days a week. Address: 3929 Carp Road (about 30km west of downtown Ottawa).
referencing the online brochure on self-guided tours.
The Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, a working farm within the Central Experimental Farm, offers tons of family-friendly fun. Fan favourites include petting the sheep, learning about food in the demonstration kitchen, and becoming a soil scientist in the lab
For more information, visit: diefenbunker.ca. To make reservations, e-mail: reservations@diefenbunker.ca or call 613-839-0007
July 10th, 2024
5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Join us for a lively night market filled with local delights, live music, and cherished memories. Let’s honour the past and toast to a vibrant future together!
AcadeCampKinder(Ages4&5)
AcadeCamp(Ages6-10)
Bilingual Smallgroups
Athletiks
Outdooractivities
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SMILEaddon
reading&writingsupport)
8weeksstartingJune24
Throw the night away at
A few people have an axe to grind. Others head to LumberJaxe, where they throw axes for fun — and some playful competition.
Located in the centrally-located City Centre complex, LumberJaxe caters to leagues, groups — bachelor and bachelorette parties are hugely popular — team builders, and perhaps surprisingly, first dates.
Not as surprisingly, “each session starts with a safety discussion from LumberJaxe coaches,” said founder and owner Kerry Moher. “And if you follow a few simple rules – axe throwing is incredibly safe.”
Most importantly, a safe time is a great time.
So while LumberJaxe welcomes walk-ins – reservations are highly recommended. Lots of customers come
Ages8+
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LumberJaxe!
right after work to throw and blow off a little steam!
“We have doubled our capacity since opening five years ago,” said Moher. “Ever since the COVID restrictions were lifted – we’ve been extremely busy. So, we finally pulled the trigger on expansion plans in the Fall of 2023. These days we are (open and) busy seven days a week.”
Can axe throwing be considered exercise?
“I think that’s a bit of a stretch,” explained Moher. “Our best, most consistent throwers are really good athletes and excel at many other sports. But axe throwing is more about precision and motor skills. If anything – it’s great exercise for your mind.”
Want to join a league? LumberJaxe has leagues
most nights of the week. Most leagues run 8 weeks. So, every 2 months – there’s a chance to join a League. Simply email ottawa@lumberjaxe.com and ask them when the next league is scheduled to start. They serve a ‘light bites menu’ along with a fully stocked bar. Plus, they allow outside catering. The atmosphere is always lively at LumberJaxe. Even casual or first-time throwers will get their competitive juices flowing.
Throw the night away — it’s the ultimate stress reliever! Best of all, LumberJaxe is close to downtown, the LRT, with plenty of free parking on site.
For more information (or to book a reservation) surf to www.lumberjaxe.ca | Ph: 613.702.8209 | e-mail: ottawa@lumberjaxe.com
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Preston Street Patios to visit this summer
By Christina Korotkov
If there’s anything Ottawans love, it’s a great patio. Preston Street has an abundance to choose from. Home to some fantastic restaurants and bars, whether you’re catching up with friends or planning a date night, there’s something in Little Italy for everyone.
Ward 14 - 139 Preston: When you walk into Ward 14, you’re immediately surrounded by some of the coolest vibes. The bar, which doubles as a consignment shop, has possibly the best drink special around — a local lager tall boy and a shot of Jameson for $9.00.
Its dog-friendly patio is now open for the summer from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with the interior open until 2:00 a.m. The patio is located next to active Fire Station 11.
“I like to tell people it’s like you’re entertained the whole time,” joked manager Mary Radmore.
The consignment bar keeps a wide variety of local craft beers and is focused on hosting weekly pop-ups where different chefs from around the city get to curate fun menus.
“It’s a neat experience, especially for any of our guests coming in to try different cuisines,” said Radmore.
Besides the pop-ups, trivia nights have long been a standing tradition on Mondays.
The Moonroom - 442 Preston: The late night classic cocktail bar has recently been acquired by new owner Dan Andre. While the Moonroom doesn’t take reservations for groups larger than six, there are some expansions taking place.
“I’m renovating the upstairs to be an event space for Moonroom. We want to do guest chef night, maybe jazz night, or you can reserve it for anniversaries or birthdays,” he said. “Hopefully by the fall it’s done.”
In the meantime, the patio has recently been renovated, which Andrew described as a “Garden of Eden.” The intimate, chill, moody aesthetic the Moonroom gives off is perfect for date nights.
Because it is a classic cocktail bar, Andrew said it’s important to maintain the quality of the drinks, making syrups, juices, and bar cherries all in-house.
“We have some of the best bartenders in the city. We’ll put our own spin on drinks, working within the constraints of a classic cocktail. We go through a lot of trouble to make all of our drinks from scratch,” he said.
La Roma - 430 Preston: This family-owned restaurant has been around since 1990 and has called Preston St. home since 1995.
“We make everything from scratch,” said owner Maria Papalia. “From sauces to pasta to desserts.”
In the summertime, La Roma’s menu gets a seasonal revamp with a bigger focus on grilling compared to its winter menu, which features braised items. Specials are available on Friday and Saturday, but if a dish is popular, guests may see it again on a later weekend.
On top of serving signature cocktails, there is half-priced wine on selected bottles available on Tuesdays.
La Roma has a beautifully decorated patio that features plants and lights. The use of sails is an alternative to umbrellas for providing shade and more room for guests.
MORE PRESTON FAVOURITES
Pub Italia - 434 Preston: If you haven’t been to Pub Italia, you need to check out the medieval monasteryinspired pub and its famous Beer Bible.
Keri Oakley and David Boudreau enjoy dinner on the La Roma patio with friends. ALL PHOTOS BY AARON REID.
Mati - 428 Preston: This upscale, modern, Mediterranean restaurant is most famously known for their towers and cocktails.
Green Papaya - 256 Preston: A great spot for lunch or dinner, this restaurant’s patio offers shade while you indulge in classic Thai food.
Pubwells - 96 Preston: The cozy English pub has half-priced wings every Wednesday, live music Thursdays and Saturdays, and if you’re feeling adventurous, karaoke on Tuesdays.
Dreamland Cafe - 262 Preston: If you’ve visited Preston Street, you may have passed by a pink building that is Dreamland Cafe. Their menu offers freshly made pasta amongst options for dietary restrictions.
The Porch on Preston - 379 Preston: Who doesn’t like a rooftop patio? Located above The Prescott, the yellow umbrellas make it difficult to miss.
Adult fun in Ottawa this summer
With Ottawa’s thriving local food and drink scene, settling on a place that suits everyone’s preferences can be tricky. Brew Donkey beer tours make the decisions refreshingly easy, with pre-planned tours of the 30+ breweries across the city.
Tours are organized regionally with entertaining and educational elements, said creator Brad Campeau. While on the bus and in each brewery, people will learn about different beer styles and how it's made “from grain to glass.”
Kitchissippi breweries include Beyond the Pale, Tooth and Nail, and Braumeister Bierhalle, and are often included in the City Beers Tour. Brew Donkey also offers a walking tour of Hintonburg breweries by demand only.
HUNGRY?
• July 11-27 Creative Canadian culinary talent at the Chef’s Table–a waterside dining experience at the NAC, complemented by local musicians.
• July 17-21 Did someone say shawarma? Pop by the Ottawa Lebanese Festival at 750 Ridgewood Ave for food and contemporary Middle Eastern performances.
• August 2-5 bring your appetite and wet naps to Capital Ribfest and Music City Festival held at 110 Laurier Ave.
• August 11-13, 15, 18-20 Craving tzatziki? Swing by 1315 Prince of Wales Dr. for Greek food and entertainment at the Ottawa Greek fest
Summer is almost here at Dovercourt
Once again, Dovercourt is gearing up for a busy summer. In just a few short weeks, kids of all ages will fill the park at Dovercourt Recreation Centre for nine weeks of summer camp. We have been working hard to plan safe, memorable, and unforgettable camp experiences for children and youth from across the region. We continue to work with more than 20 different partner organizations and individuals who are experts in their various fields, including Ian Dudley of OrangeSTEM Education, Ottawa City Rafting, Ottawa River Canoe Club, Ottawa Ospreys Rugby, Ottawa Carleton Ultimate Association, Little Rays Reptiles, Horses of the Sun, and so many more. Our team of caring camp leaders is gearing up, anxious to greet new and returning campers.
The Westboro Kiwanis park at Dovercourt draws families from near and far. The play structure is engaging and accessible, featuring an infinity climber, a fitness area, monkey bars, a
tire swing, and a separate play area for younger children. When it gets hot, enjoy some splash time in the outdoor wading pool to cool down and grab a snack from the café upstairs.
Take advantage of summer swim lessons, available for swimmers of all levels. Convenient one-week blocks (Monday-Friday) will fit your family’s holiday schedule. The John Rapp indoor pool offers a welcoming environment for both lessons and recreational swims. Families love the warm water, the ramp for easy access, the water slide, and the shallow baby pool. For those who
prefer to stay dry, we’re excited to offer a variety of activities for kids and adults, including pottery workshops, art, drama, dance classes, and sports. Registration for sessional recreation classes is underway.
Make some time for health and fitness this summer with the Dovercourt Fit Pass, which offers a variety of drop-in classes such as Kickboxing, Aqua Complete, Barre Fit, Zumba, HIIT training and lower-intensity classes in our “Seniors on the Go” category (SOTG). Also included are drop-in swims, spinning, pickleball and use of the fitness centre (gym). Attend as many classes as you like for a low monthly fee!
There are also registered specialty and aquafit classes to choose from over the summer, including yoga, Pilates, TRX, pole walking, Aqua Arthritis, Aqua Zumba, and more. Registration for these summer fitness classes begins on June 4.
Wading pools at our three locations (Dovercourt, McKellar Park, and Woodroffe) offer a cool retreat from the hot sun. At least one is open daily. The season begins in July; check the schedule for hours and days.
Summer is the most fantastic time of the year and goes by far too quickly, so let’s make the most of it!
Summers are Best at the Soloway JCC
The Soloway JCC outdoor pool is the best place to spend a hot summer day as a family. Swim laps, glide down the slide, splash around or just grab a chair and enjoy the sunshine, seven days a week.
The SJCC Outdoor Pool opens in late June and is accessible to SJCC Members only. Now, with summer just around the corner, is the best time to get your membership started. The SJCC offers memberships in both 12 month or three month options.
of certified fitness trainers on hand for those looking for a personalized exercise program.
Members who are motivated by the energy of a group love our Group Fitness classes. The roster includes Powerpump, Zumba, Yoga, Bootcamp, Ballet Barre Fit, Aquafit and new classes are being added all the time.
In addition to the great outdoor pool, the SJCC is home to an indoor saltwater pool, gymnasium with basketball nets and Pickleball. Our fitness centre is fully stocked with the latest and greatest cardio equipment and there are plenty
Everyone is welcome! There is so much for your family to do at the SJCC this summer. Get your membership started now! Visit jccottawa.com.
21 Nadolny Sachs Private (one block south of Carling off Broadview) (613)798-9818. JCCOttawa.com
Local talent shares deep roots in music festivals this summer
By Hannah Wanamaker
When Jeff Rogers’ parents found him playing the melody and bass line to Silent Night an hour after pounding piano keys as a young child, they promptly enrolled him in formal lessons.
At age 10, Rogers began taking the music world by storm. His first band was with the Asselin twins – Jeff and Brian – who he still performs with decades later.
The three, now among Ottawa’s top blues and soul musicians, are thrilled to be sharing the stage at Ottawa Jazz Fest with their band, The Commotions.
“It’s a great opportunity to play for an audience who might not necessarily know who we are but are there to check out the really cool music,” said Brian Asselin, leader and saxophonist of The Commotions.
Asselin created the band after finishing his tour with the Funk Brothers 10 years ago to pay homage to the Motown music he loved so much.
The soul-pop group plans to have the audience dancing along to its groovy tunes about love, “the one thing that really connects people together,” he said.
Special guest Matthew Chaffey will be jiving along onstage too. Fans can also look forward to hits from all three albums and some newer tunes in the works, Asselin teased.
“Jazz Fest has been a staple in my life ever since I started playing jazz. I was an audience member back then, and my parents would bring my brother and I,” he said. “We would live at Jazz Fest back then, and the fact
that I’m now performing here is such an honor.”
The next day, Rogers is looking forward to sharing his solo project at Confederation Park on June 27. Backed by a 10-piece band, the “Memphis-style blues” artist is pumped for the angelic power during his gospel-inspired tunes.
“This will be my first time with my own band at Jazz Fest, so to have my own songs played at Confederation Park will be pretty sweet,” Rogers said.
Rogers teased that fans can also look forward to hearing some of the deep-south Muscle Shoals tunes he’s been sharing on his Facebook page.
Later in July, another longtime friend of the three, JW-Jones, is bringing contemporary blues to Lebreton Flats as part of Bluesfest.
Jones began playing with the Asselin twins in the early 2000s, and later formed the award-winning Horojo trio with Rogers and drummer Jamie Holmes.
“We had gone down to Memphis and won the international blues challenge over 200 bands, and then COVID hit a few weeks later,” said Jones. “We still released an album and did really well and toured for a bit.”
Since the band’s dismemberment during the pandemic, Jones has been working on his solo blues project. His rocking tunes pull from a mixture of “older, traditional blues” with lots of high-energy guitar.
From his latest record, “Poppa’s in the Pen” is a reflection on his humble beginnings and one of his mom’s partners who ended up in the Kingston Penitentiary.
Having been a festival-goer since he was 15, Jones said that he has seen
Top: Queer artist Kimberly Naledi Sunstrum, better known by her stage name OK Naledi, will play at Bluesfest this year. PROVIDED PHOTO.
Above: Ottawa singer JW-Jones will be bringing contemporary blues to the festival held at LeBreton Flats.
Next page: Westboro Artist will take the Bluesfest stage on July 11.
PHOTO BY CHARLIE SENACK.
some of the best blues artists perform there. Though it's no longer a hardcore bluesfest, Jones said that it's still a great platform to showcase blues talent and smaller local artists.
“I’ve opened for a lot of these acts because it's not a blues festival, but it still brings attention to blues too. If they changed the name to music fest, no one would be talking about the blues.”
GROOVING AT LEBRETON FLATS
Afro house and Afro-music artist, Kimberly Naledi Sunstrum, better known by her stage name OK Naledi, will open Bluesfest with groove.
“It feels pretty exciting to be performing on day one and get the initial excitement of it starting,” she said. “I also feel like the Ottawa music appreciators and those who come out to shows do an incredible job of uplifting and showing out local music.”
For Sanstrum, OK Naledi has been
the creative process through which she merges her heritage with her own experiences as a non-binary, Black person. Though many of their songs reflect this, Sanstrum has recently experimented with songwriting outside their comfort zone.
Fans can expect a niche and obscure new tune about Nannie Doss, a romance-obsessed serial killer from the 20s to 50s.
Folk legacy, Kaya Fraser, takes the stage on July 11. Literature fanatic and daughter of Allan Fraser from Fraser & DeBolt, her lyrics are evocative and vocals as sweet as honey.
“A lot of it is just trying to convey a mood to people. It goes beyond the lyrics of the song, but includes them. It captures a vibe, or a sensation, or a moment, and that’s what I continue to do with the songs that I write,” the Westboro resident said.
“I have a lot of material that was
written in the interim of the release of my second album and now, but I also have some much newer songs that have been written in the last year or two that I’m eager to play and share more.”
BBQ Questions? Ask us!
The Wellington Butchery has everything to make your summer BBQ a resounding success, including superior products at a very competitive price.
“We work closely with our suppliers to keep our prices stable without sacrificing quality,” said Joel Orlik, Wellington Butchery’s proprietor. “You may be surprised at the value a local butcher can offer. You can enjoy steaks, kabobs, souvlaki and more — most at the same price as last summer.”
Wellington Butchery offers variety and value –over 800 products from a family-owned butchery right in our neighbourhood. And, to keep everyone happy, they even have a few high-end vegetarian options made fresh in store. “We source the best product, then we age and trim it properly,” said Orlik. “We know all the cuts and how to cook them for the best flavour and tenderness. Don’t be afraid to ask us!”
great summer salads and sides to make your BBQ season simple and tasty.
Butcher quality makes a difference. For example, Wellington Butchery grinds their beef from fresh whole pieces and only sells grain-fed air-chilled chicken, which always make for a much better burger or kabob. Not to mention that your steaks will be very tender and tasty. “We often hear that our steaks are the best our customers have ever had because they are well-marbled, well-aged and properly trimmed” says Orlik.
Did we mention their FREE delivery yet? Any order over $200 is delivered FREE. “We can now offer next day delivery on your online order,” explains Orlik. “City-wide, seven days a week.”
They carry the highest quality cuts of beef and everything else you need for the perfect barbecue. Recently, they started carrying all natural wood chips and charcoal for BBQs and smokers so that customers can find these conveniently in their neighborhood. They also have a great selection of cheese, premium deli meats, and
Wellington Butchery is celebrating their fifth year in Wellington West in June. “We appreciate how much the community has supported us”, says Orlik. And they support local, too, from offering products from local suppliers to supporting neighborhood events and the Elmdale Tennis Club.
At the Wellington Butchery, local just tastes better.
1333 Wellington St West • wellingtonbutchery.com
Ebbing and flowing from the music scene since the 2000s, the solo artist has developed several new tunes which reflect some life changes from the past two decades.
Summer is a time to make life-long memories
By Charlie Senack
Summer is a time to make memories. Whether it’s family vacations aboard or staycations at home, we all have at least one moment that sticks out above all else.
For myself, it was a trip to White Rock, British Columbia in 2008 to visit my grandparents. It was my first time on a plane, and I was both excited and nervous. My mom and I went to Dollarama days before to stock up on all the essentials: playing cards, markers, coloring books and chewing gum.
I was in awe of the Rocky Mountains that greeted us from the plane window as we flew over Alberta. Once in Vancouver, I got to see the ocean for the first time at White Rock Beach, learn about sea creatures at the Stanley Park zoo, and take a short ferry ride over to Victoria Island.
It was two of the best weeks of my life. Vancouver was abuzz as the city prepared for the approaching 2010 Winter Olympics.
My grandmother Patricia developed Alzheimer’s soon after and my grandfather Obie, who I only met a few times, passed away a few years later. It’s one of my only memories I have with them together.
The Kitchissippi Times reached out to community members to share their stories of summers passed.
“Last summer our family had an extraordinary trip to France, with memories to last for a lifetime. A highlight for me was visiting Juno Beach in Normandy, where my grandfather landed five days after D-Day in 1945. It was peaceful last summer, but I can’t imagine what it was like as a generation of people risked everything to stop the spread of Nazi hatred. Words are hard to describe as I think of my gratitude for them. Walter, my grandfather, was a lifelong joker — we called him the teaser geezer — so in his honor I made the decision to fly a kite on Juno Beach,”
- Joel Harden, Ottawa Centre MPP.
“Some of my favourite summer memories come from something we started during COVID times — an outing affectionately known as “Bike Night.” As lockdowns lifted, the only place for people to gather were public places, like parks. So a bunch of neighbourhood dads assembled on bikes, and we would tour around the city. We’d often meet at Fisher Park, and venture off from there. We’d make a few stops per night, hitting key locations like the Arboretum, Dow’s Lake, Chaudiere Falls, the locks at Carleton and the naval monument near Victoria Island. We’ve continued the Bike Night tradition every year since then, heading out a couple times a month,”
- Peter Joynt, local public speaker.
“What do Kichi Sibi Winter Trail Folks do during summer? Pollinator Gardens! We partner with the Westboro Beach Community Association and together develop the initiative. Volunteers rip out the invasive European Buckthorn, and replace it with native plants that are also important pollinators for the
wild world around us. Sometimes, these native plants are already present and all they need is our help to remove the nasty buckthorn that is stealing their sun and soil nutrients. It is absolutely rewarding work and as our community develops more residential towers, our engagement numbers are growing with volunteers showing up,”
- Dave Adams, groomer of the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail.
“Norway Bay’s summers were golden for us kids. Nana rented our first cottage because things were tight. An orange, round-backed Pontiac bus dropped us at Pop Welch’s store. After it drove off, our new friend, the Ottawa River, stood beckoning. My brother Tom and I did everything together, picking clams in the water, catching minnows with our towels, watching Dad swim way out, discovering that pinecones make great fire starters, seeing the beans we planted sprout, breakfasting on toasted, fresh cut, Quyon bread. Tom and I and our sisters Suzanne and Terry all learned to swim at the wharf,”
- Dan Stringer, Kitchissippi resident.
“In our senior years we have taken up longer distance bike riding. With our e- assist bikes we have been able to explore many of the Ottawa trails like Petrie Island, which is a 72 km round trip with a stop at the new River House. Inspired by our successful experiences in the Ottawa area, we have just safely concluded a 280 km Bike n Barge trip down the Rhone river paths from Avignon to Aigues-Mortes in France with 20 other cyclists of all ages and abilities and a guide. This was not the Tour de France but a great memory,” - Barb Clubb and Kevin Burns, Kitchissippi residents.
Above: Dan Stringer with his family during a beach outing at Norway Bay. Middle: Kitchissippi times editor Charlie Senack with his grandmother Patricia Oborne at a park in White Rock, British Columbia. Next page: Barb Clubb and Kevin Burns recently completed a 280 Bike n Barge trip in France
