Travel Lifestyle Issue - Volume 3 Issue 15

TRAVEL LIFESTYLE

love it list it

BUCKET

Hiking the giant, northern lights and canyon train rides – to start.

GREAT BLUE ESCAPE the

HIDDEN GROTTOS, SHIPWRECKS & SCULPTED ISLANDS – EXPLORING BRUCE PENINSULA’S EXOTIC PLAYGROUND.

plus

interview with travel writer WILL FERGUSON, 2 Ontario’s CULINARY TRAILS, unique ACCOMMODATIONS,

& one of Canada’s best preserved 19TH CENTURY VILLAGES

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contributors LYNN OGRYZLO Lynn is a food, wine and travel writer, author of three international awardwinning cookbooks and regular contributor to REV Publications. Lynn specializes in culinary tourism covering regional cuisine destinations, slow food, culinary holidays, wine, spirits and “la dolca vita”. She can be reached for questions or comments at lynnogryzlo.com.

ANDREW HIND Andrew is a freelance writer specializing in travel, history and lifestyle. He has a passion for new adventure and experiences, and also for exploring little known stories.

Andrew is never without a book or three in hand and some obscure historical fact at the tip of his tongue.

You should follow him @discoveriesAM

GABRIELLE TIEMAN Gabrielle is a passionate about the written word. A newcomer to Niagara, Gabrielle is a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Journalism program and has written for a number of newspapers and publications across Canada. Her passion lies in profiling members of the community and uncovering the hidden gems within a city. When she is not writing you can find her on her bicycle - most likely with a large coffee in hand.

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 5

EDITOR’S note Ever since I can remember, I’ve always loved to go places. Right from when I was a kid, staring at maps and dreaming of new adventures was one of my favourite ways to spend time. And if I’m being honest, I still spend a lot of time doing that. But travel is not always about traversing continents and ten-hour plane rides. It’s not about learning new languages or eating exotic foods. Sure, it can involve those things, but moreso, travel is about the feeling you get when you embark on a new adventure and see something new for the very first time. Travelling near or far doesn’t make you a traveler, your willingness to experience and embrace the unknown does. And sometimes, that unknown place can be your own backyard.

In Tobermory, at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula (pg 20), we explore a place that a lot of people won’t even believe exists in this province. The crystal clear waters of the Georgian Bay make it look like somewhere straight out of the Caribbean. We stroll through Ottawa’s Chinatown (pg 46), where tradition meets tastiness. We visit Merrickville (pg 55), a place that has been dubbed “Canada’s Most Beautiful Village”. And that’s just the start. Join us as we celebrate all that Ontario has to offer and crack this province wide open.

Travel is important, it can change you, through the mere fact that sometimes it’s impossible to be the same again afterwards. You meet people, you see places, and all of this broadens your perspective of the world, and serves to make you a better version of yourself. A version with some tales to tell.

So. Bon Voyage. Happy Trails. Wander far and wide. Live deeper. See it all for yourself, and make sure to take it all in.

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 7

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EXPLORE CANADA @explorecanada Travel Canada through this Instagram account, populated by people across the country.

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THIS MAGAZINE IS FULL OF AMAZING VACATION IDEAS, BUT THERE WAS NO WAY WE COULD FIT THEM ALL IN. Visit Today Magazine’s Ontario Travel board on Pinterest to uncover even more destinations.

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We’ll do anything for the perfect photo. Here, creative director Tina Lanzillotta hangs on for dear life as she scales her way to the grotto (cover shot).

Follow @Today_Magazine on Instagram for photo shoot outtakes, office antics & more.

photo: Megan Pasche

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TRAVEL LIFESTYLE

PUBLISHER PRESIDENT & CEO GENERAL MANAGER ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER EDITOR

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ON THE COVER Grotto, Bruce Peninsula National Park (see page 20,

Great Blue Escape) Cover Photo: Megan Pasche

TRAVEL LIFESTYLE

love it list it

BUCKET

Hiking the giant, northern lights and canyon train rides – to start.

GREAT BLUE ESCAPE the

HIDDEN GROTTOS, SHIPWRECKS & SCULPTED ISLANDS – EXPLORING BRUCE PENINSULA’S EXOTIC PLAYGROUND.

plus

interview with travel writer WILL FERGUSON, 2 Ontario’s CULINARY TRAILS, unique ACCOMODATIONS,

& one of Canada’s best preserved 19TH CENTURY VILLAGES

facebook.com/RevPublishingInc @revpublishing @todaymagazine www.revpublishing.com Today Magazine is published by Rev Publishing Inc. All opinions expressed in Today Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of Rev Publishing, it’s employees or owners.

Reasonable care is taken to ensure that the information contained in this magazine is as up-to-date and accurate as possible, as of the time of publication, but no responsibility can be taken by Today Magazine for any errors, omissions or comments made by writers or interviewees that are contained herein.

Furthermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this magazine is not the responsibility of Today Magazine. All unsolicited manuscripts and/ or photographs submitted are assumed to be intended for publication or republication in whole or in part. The right to alter, edit or refuse photos and/or manuscripts intended for publication is assumed. All unsolicited material submitted to Today Magazine are submitted at the author’s risk. Manuscripts and or photographs intended to be returned must be accompanied by sufficient postage. Today Magazine does not assume any responsibility for any claims of our advertisers and reserves the right to refuse any advertising.

ACTIVE TRAVELER

FOOD & DRINK

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

HERE. SEE.DO.

15

29

50

A FORK IN THE ROAD

TIME TRAVEL

72

Time to add to your bucket list with these iconic Ontario experiences.

Follow your stomach on these gourmet food trails that stretch from one side of the province to the other.

20

32

We love these vintage-style travel posters designed by the Anderson Design Group that embody the sense of adventure that is so alive and well in our travel-loving brethren.

LOVE IT & LIST IT

THE GREAT BLUE ESCAPE Hidden grottos, shipwrecks & sculpted islands – exploring Bruce Peninsula’s exotic playground.

26

GEAR UP A round up of some travel gear that is useful for the active traveler, while also being easy to pack and easy on the wallet.

EXPERIENCE THE UNIQUE As one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Toronto restaurants have begun to emerge that offer not only unique fare, but an unforgettable and innovative dining experience

40

THE BEER-HEMIAN There are more than 60 micro-breweries in Ontario, each one dedicated to making great tasting beer right in our own backyard.

46

CHINESE TAKE-IN Spend a day on Ottawa’s Somerset Street, home to delicious, traditional Chinese food, markets and the cities most famous drag queen.

53

PASSAGE IN TIME Heralded as one of Canada’s best preserved 19th century villages, Merrickville sets the stage for those who wish to experience what it may have been like to live in the Victorian era.

57

EXPLORING ROADS LESS TRAVELLED A Q&A with Canadian travel writer and humourist, Will Ferguson.

60

ARMCHAIR TRAVELS Editor’s picks for best travel books.

SOMETHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT Some of the provinces most unique accommodations, for when a regular hotel just won’t cut it.

76

EVENTFUL From steampunk to sheep dogs to storytelling; Ontario has a festival for everyone.

82

TODAY’S PEOPLE Locals snapped at Niagara charities and notable events.

SUMMER, MEET STYLE.

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EXPLORE ONTARIO

Every article in this magazine is colour coded according to this map, so just refer back here to get an idea of how far (or near) you’ll need to venture to experience some of the amazing places Ontario has to offer.

Northwest Ontario Sault Ste. Marie - Algoma Northeastern Ontario Algonquin Park, Almaguin Highlands, Muskoka & Parry Sound Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley Ottawa & Countryside South Eastern Ontario Kawarthas & Northumberland Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay & Lake Simcoe York, Durham & Headwaters Greater Toronto Area Huron, Perth, Waterloo & Wellington Hamilton, Halton & Brant Niagara Southwest Ontario TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 13

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ONTARIO IS CANADA’S MOST POPULOUS PROVINCE AND IS THE FOURTH LARGEST WHEN IT COMES TO LAND MASS. Put this together and you end up with a huge array of experiences and adventures to be had. Here are just a few to add to your bucket list. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 15

ACTIVE TRAVELER

GET INSPIRED ON THE AGAWA CANYON TOUR TRAIN

CELEBRATE J U L Y 1 ST I N OTTAWA What better place to be to celebrate the birthday of your country? canada.gc.ca

HIKE THE BRUCE TRAIL All the way from Queenston to Tobermory. 885 kilometres.

Brucetrail.org TAKE PART IN THE TRADITIONS OF THE ANISHINAABE PEOPLE ON MANITOULIN ISLAND Soak up some Canadian culture. circletrail.com

SNORKEL THROUGH SHIPWRECKS IN TOBERMORY Fathom Five Marine Park is Canada’s only underwater national park. explorethebruce.com SKATE DOWN THE RIDEAU CANAL Why walk when you can strap on some skates? It is the world’s largest skating rink after all. rcs.ncc-ccn.ca

GO BACK IN TIME AT THE DIEFENBUNKER IN OTTAWA Visit a real Cold War bunker.

Visit diefenbunker.ca FIND ALL 100 WATERFALLS IN HAMILTON Beyond the cities rough exterior is a whole wide world of beauty.

Check out waterfalls.hamilton.ca

WHITE WATER RAFT IN THE OTTAWA VALLEY It’s the whitewater capital of Canada and there are rivers for all skill levels. Check out ottawavalley.travel CHALLENGE YOURSELF ON THE PUKASKWA COASTAL TRAIL This is one of Canada’s most difficult hikes, and it’s deep in Ontario backcountry. More info pc.gc.ca

EXPLORE ALGONQUIN PARK BY CANOE There are over 2000 kilometers of canoe routes to explore. Get out there. algonquinpark.on.ca >> TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 17

SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN THE NORTHEAST The darker the sky, the better chance you’ll have.

September and October are said to be peak times. Visit northernontario.travel

HIKE UP THE SLEEPING GIANT IN THUNDER BAY Meet Thunder Bay’s 50 million ton mascot, and climb him for some fantastic views. thunderbay.ca

GO DOG SLEDDING IN MUSKOKA Cute, happy dogs and the breeze in your hair…what more could you ask for? winterdance.com

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ON LOCATION: FLOWER POT I S L A N D photography by Megan Pasche

TRAVERSING BRUCE COUNTY

GRE AT B L U E E SCA P E

by Megan Pasche

Located at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, an easy four-hour drive from Niagara, sits the small town of Tobermory. And it’s easily one of the prettiest areas in the province. There are shipwrecks to explore, hiking until your feet hurt, boat tours, boutiques, restaurants and the kind of relaxed lifestyle that only seems to exist in towns that sit perched on the water.

Depending on whether you take the direct or scenic route, you’ll be able to check out Lion’s Head (a beautiful little town on Isthmus Bay with a gorgeous sandy beach and a rock formation with a “lions head”…see if you can find it) and Wiarton (you might possibly come face to face with the famous groundhog if he is feeling so inclined). Whatever route you choose, it’s an easy, relaxing drive through long stretches of forest dotted with sporadic towns.

Upon arriving in Tobermory, my friend Tina and I knew the basic things we wanted to see: Flower Pot Island, shipwrecks, Bruce Peninsula National Park and the grotto. Having arrived late afternoon on Friday, we left the adventuring for the next day and decided to get the lay of the town. Our initial impression of Tobermory was that it was delightful; flowers blooming everywhere, most notably lilacs and poppies, the former giving the town a beautiful scent wherever we went. We mulled over the thought of a town meeting at which every resident agreed to plant a lilac bush, so that each June, visitors would happily skip through town due to the sheer loveliness of it all.

Tobermory seems like one of those places not a lot of people know about. It’s almost nice that places like this remain a bit of a secret because nothing ruins a good travel moment quite like a hundred other people experiencing it at the same time. But also…it’s too good not to share.

When we woke on Saturday morning, the weather wasn’t overly promising. It was rainy and windy, so we headed out for breakfast. A waiter at the Fish and Chip Place the night before had mentioned that the weather in Tobermory is never permanent and blows over in a few hours. He told us this as he squirted a seagull with an always-loaded water gun (seagulls in Tobermory will steal the food off your plate with no pretense of politeness). True to form, the weather did blow over, so we signed up to take a boat cruise over to Flower Pot Island. There are a couple of different options available in terms of boat companies, but they all offer the same basic experience: glass bottomed boats or jet boats. The glass bottomed boat ride takes about 40 minutes, and the jet boat about 15. The glass bottom boats make a detour to see some of Tobermory’s famous shipwrecks, so we opted for that, but honestly, the actual glass bottom section wasn’t exactly what we were anticipating. Yes, there is glass at the bottom of the boat, but it’s easier to see the shipwrecks from the top deck (at least that was the experience on the boat we were on). Nonetheless, the boat ride is fun (even for me and I’m prone to sea sickness). >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 21

FLOWER POT ISLAND We disembarked on Flower Pot Island (which makes up part of the Fathom Five National Marine Park). After using the composting toilet (I feel like toilet usage isn’t something one would normally note in an article, but this toilet was peculiar, and you should probably check it out just because it’s interesting as far as toilets go and it’s there). The paths on the island are well marked, as are the island’s namesakes: the large and small flowerpots.

There are also caves, a lookout point, and hiking paths all the way around the island, if you’ve left yourself enough time. There’s not much to the place, and that’s why it’s great. It’s beautiful for simply being what it is: a job well done by Mother Earth. This place is stunning. The water is a crazy colour of blue, one you normally only find in the Caribbean, and the rocks are bright white. It’s the kind of place you don’t necessarily think you are going to find in Ontario, but low and behold, it’s there.

NOTE IT: Bring some snacks and water with you.

The two main companies that offer tours: Blue Heron Cruises (blueheron.ca) and Bruce Anchor (bruceanchor.com). Boats leave from the wharf area in Tobermory.

There is a restored light station on the island, which is maintained by volunteers. Feel free to explore and get an idea what the life of a light keeper is like.

You can canoe or kayak to Flower Pot Island, but it’s for experienced paddlers only. The water can get very rough with tall waves, and the weather can change quickly.

BRUCE PENINSULA NATIONAL PARK Day Two, we set out for Bruce Peninsula National Park, and more specifically, the grotto located there within. It costs $11.70 per vehicle to park for the day, and there are numerous parking lots available. It can quickly become packed with visitors in the summertime, and if you go during peak periods, your car will likely be turned away. Luckily, we visited in June, got up early, and practically had the park to ourselves for a couple of hours. We met some other friendly hikers who showed us the way to the grotto (it takes about a half hour to walk from the parking lot to the grotto, and it’s a hard packed easy path to walk on). We initially had it in our heads that we were going to snorkel in the grotto, so we lugged all our equipment all the way down the path. When we arrived at the grotto, our hiker friends essentially said, “you are crazy if you think you are going to snorkel in there today”. This was due to the fact that not only was the water extremely choppy, but to actually get into the grotto, we needed to climb down a rock wall face. Parts of the climbs are difficult, and the rocks can get slippery, especially when waves are splashing everywhere, so adding the extra weight of a duffel bag full of snorkeling equipment wasn’t exactly feasible. Not without one of us getting seriously injured at least. As it was, the climb down the wall was a bit treacherous, and climbing down with just my backpack was a feat in and of itself. A water bottle and a pair of sunglasses now living in the grotto can attest to this fact.

We made it into the grotto, and aside from us, there were only two other people. It was one of the coolest places I’ve ever seen. We dipped our toes in the water, but Georgian Bay is the kind of cold that shocks your system, leaving whatever part of you that touched the water instantly numb. We hung out in the grotto for quite some time, soaking in the beauty of it all. By the time we made our way back out, the area was starting to get busy. While you could easily spend all day hiking through the park, or lazing in the grotto, if you only have a little bit of time, make sure you also check out Indian Head Cove…it’s a beautiful place to sit in the sun and relax. There is also an overlook spot, which gives you a panoramic view of Georgian Bay. NOTE IT: Bring some snacks and water with you.

This can’t be stressed enough: get there early.

Check out explorethebruce.com for extra info on hiking trails, camping and other activities in the park.

The Bruce Peninsula is one of the only places left in Canada where the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake lives. They are super timid and likely won’t strike unless provoked. If you happen to see one, just leave it be and move away slowly.

SHIPWRECKS After hiking back with our wetsuits, we decided to actually put them to good use, and go snorkeling right off the harbour in Tobermory. There are several shipwrecks located within swimming distance from Little Tub Harbour, and keep in mind, a wetsuit is definitely necessary if you hope to stay in the water for more than five minutes. The shipwrecks are in various degrees of deterioration, and the ones that are closer to shore are a bit more beat up then the ones farther out.

The wind was once again not our friend, and the wavy water made it quite difficult to swim outwards with any degree of efficiency. In any event, we swam around for about an hour (we only had one near drowning), before heading back in. There are a couple companies that offer snorkel and swim tours, which are great if you want a guide with you along the way. But the option is definitely also there to rent your own wetsuit (we got ours from G&S Sports, which is located right on the harbour, and while the “trying on” part was a bit of an interesting challenge, including a curtain that didn’t quite close and getting ourselves stuck in tight rubber suits, they were overall very helpful!). Maps of the shipwreck locations are available all over town. Another great place to snorkel is out by Big Tub Harbour, which we unfortunately didn’t discover until we were leaving, but put it on our list for next time.

NOTE IT: Make sure you get the entire wetsuit (including gloves, headpieces, boots) it will make all the difference.

Check out diversden.ca or gswaterssports.net for information on renting wetsuits and snorkel/ scuba tours. >>

ON LOCATION: FLOWER POT I S L A N D photography by Megan Pasche TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 23

AROUND TOWN Because I like to chase sunsets, we scouted out the best places to watch a sunset in Tobermory. One was at the end of Highway 6 (literally the end) at the Bruce Anchor Cruise office. There is a deck and a beach and a picturesque spot complete with a lighthouse in the distance. A waiter at a restaurant recommended we check out the observation tower at the Bruce Peninsula National Park Visitor’s Centre, which is just outside the main part of town. The tower is a bit of a climb, but the view is well worth it.

The rest of our time in Tobermory was spent eating copious amounts of ice cream (the best part of being on vacation is eating

ice cream every night like it’s normal. What? We snorkeled AND hiked.) Tobermory is a good wandering town. It’s small, so it takes no time to see everything, and the streets are lined with cute shops, including a book store, gift shops, clothing stores, and the famous (I’m assuming this, in the sense that’s it’s actually impossible to miss) shop, A Mermaid’s Secret.

And there we have it: a weekend in Tobermory. The time flew by, as it tends to do when you’re having fun. But the mark of a good trip is that you start missing the place before you’ve even left, but also knowing that given the chance, you’d return in a heartbeat. So Tobermory, until next time.

ON LOCATION: TOBERMORY photography by Megan Pasche

OUR HOST: LITTLE COVE ADVENTURES (littlecove.ca) We stayed in a cute little cabin at Little Cove Adventures, and this really is a great place to stay during your visit to Tobermory.

It’s close enough to drive to town in about five minutes, and far enough away from the hustle and bustle, that you get that nice woodsy experience.

It’s perfect for families, as the cabins are nestled in the woods, with each cabin getting its own fire pit for cooking. There is also a larger BBQ available for group gatherings. We kept saying Little Cove reminded us of The Parent Trap (the original, obviously), which is most definitely a good thing.

Bonus feature here is a ropes course you can take part in (prices vary depending on whether you chose to do the high ropes or low rope course).

NOTE IT: WE DID OUR BEST TO TRY AS MANY RESTAURANTS AS WE COULD DURING OUR STAY IN TOBERMORY, HERE IS THE RUNDOWN: ANCIENT CEDARS This place is amazing and delicious, and you should definitely stop here and eat.

The veggie burger was one of the best ones I’ve ever had.

It’s also one of the only places you’ll find a good selection of Vegetarian and Vegan food.

LEASIDE RESTAURANT If you tend to rise late like we did, breakfast can be

challenging to find, but it’s served here until 11am. It’s reasonably priced, and offers great, belly-filling portions.

THE CROW’S NEST This place has live music every weekend, and the largest outdoor patio in the city.

We tried the pizza and wings, and being the pizza connoisseurs that we are, we declared it “yummy”.

SHIPWRECK LEE’S This is a bit of a cheesy-looking place perched right on the corner in the main part of town.

You’ll recognize it by the pirate theme, something they remain very committed to.

The servers are super friendly, and it’s a great place to get fish and chips (they have all your can eat).

You can eat inside or outside.

THE FISH AND CHIP PLACE This was the very first restaurant we ate at, and we basically chose it because it looked colourful, inviting and had a patio. We had the fish taco and the fish and chips, and they were both good.

The staff had a loaded water gun that they used to squirt seagulls, so there was a bonus entertainment value here.

PENINSULA SUPPLY ICE CREAM PARLOUR This tiny, unassuming place was one of our favourites in town.

The staff was extraordinarily accommodating, and we didn’t detect any judgment in their eyes when they saw us return every day.

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ORTHOTICS, FOOTWEAR & COMPRESSION HOSIERY

There are a lot of gimmicky products nowadays; they promise a lot of convenience, but usually at a pretty high price tag. We’ve tried to round up some travel gear that is useful for the active traveler, while also being easy to pack and easy on the wallet.

BUCKSHOT PRO PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER Available from: bestbuy.com

This functions as a speaker, charger and flashlight all in one, and the best part is, you can use them all at the same time. It will pair with your laptop, smartphone or tablet, and comes in a variety of colours.

PACKING CUBES

Available from amazon.ca

There are numerous variations of these available and they are super handy to have when travelling, as it makes finding groups of things in your luggage much easier.

MYCHARGE CHARGER

Available from amazon.ca This is great to take travelling with you as it eliminates the need for numerous charging tools. This one works in the car and in the wall, and can be used to charge tablets and other high-powered devices. It comes precharged and ready to use!

BELLE HOP TRAVEL DOOR ALARM Available from amazon.ca

This is a cheap way to get some extra piece of mind at night, especially if you are a little leery of your accommodation. If anyone unwelcome tries to get into your room, this will definitely wake you up, as well as startle them.

Available from: walkaboutravelgear.com

A lot of places you travel don’t necessarily have rooms equipped with smoke detectors so this is useful as an extra precaution.

CAMRY 110LB LUGGAGE SCALE

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FOOD & DRINK

a fork in the

BY LYNN OGRYZLO

You’ve heard it before: food is the number one reason why people travel. It’s visions of gourmet travel, of sweet discoveries and libatious excursions that have foodies chomping at the bit to get out and taste their way through yet one more experience.

Like others, you can visit museums, hike and bike, you can beach it or glamp it but no matter what you do on your leisure excursions, you will have to stop at some point and eat.

Gourmet travellers know how to make the most of the world’s edible treasures. So, just like Nova Scotia is famous for lobster, Montreal for cheese and bagels, and Alberta for steak, here are my top 10 picks for eating your way across Ontario.

CHIP TRUCK TRAIL

When in Peterborough, do like the Peterboroughians do and eat chips! That’s right; hot, crisp, fresh cut fries made from locally grown field potatoes and sold at chip trucks parked throughout the city and the Kawartha Lakes. It’s the comfort food of cottage country. Check them out, some of the fries are finger-thick cut, others are wire thin, some are seasoned and others are sea salted to perfection. The Chip Truck Trail is only open during the summer so don’t miss out. Download the map here, thekawarthas.ca/ chip-trucks-trail

APPLE PIE TRAIL

Who can resist slivers of warm, cinnamon laced apples enrobed in layers of buttery, flaky pastry?

Now multiply that irresistibility by 40 times because that’s how many destinations are on Blue Mountain’s Apple Pie Trail. Taste traditional apple pies, tarts, blossoms and crumbles to the more exotic Caramel Apple Latte or Apple Cinnamon Creamed Honey.

Along the route you can dine on an Apple Lentil Salad or sip on an Ida Red Frozen To The Core dessert icewine. It’s a free map that takes you through the quiet country roads of Blue Mountains at any time of year. Get to the Apple Harvest Festival on the Thanksgiving Weekend or check out their website for pop-up apple events. applepietrail.ca

BACON AND ALE TRAIL

Chefs and culinary entrepreneurs in pig country (Perth County) were given buckets of ale and asked to impress the palates of foodies looking their next edible fantasy. They outdid themselves in this fun culinary experience. For the purchase of a $25 voucher you get to choose five stops of your choice (out of 10) at pubs or food shops in Stratford. Try a cured bacon BLT with beer mustard, jalapeno poppers with bacon marmalade, chocolate covered toffee with smoky bacon bits or bacon butter tarts. The Bacon & Ale Trail is offered year-round, and is valid for three days from date of purchase. For more details, visit visitstratford.ca/stratford-bacon-and-ale-trail >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 29

SAINTS & SINNERS TRAIL

It was during Prohibition (1916-26) when Owen Sound, better known as ‘Corkscrew City’ became the bootlegging capital of the region. In fact, even after prohibition, there was so much profit in illegal alcohol that the area remained dry until 1972 – 46 years later! Today, the bad boys of the North have cleaned up their act with 17 legal and delicious VQA wineries, craft breweries and heritage cideries using locally-grown grapes, hops and apples to produce some of the provinces newest and most exciting beverages and boozy destinations. They’ve plotted them all on a Saints & Sinners Bootleggers’ Run Map that is offered year round. saintsandsinnerstrail.com

STRATFORD CHOCOLATE TRAIL

Like a treasure map is to a pirate, so is the Stratford Chocolate Trail to a chocoholic. X marks the spot to 25 different chocolate offerings from culinary entrepreneurs throughout downtown Stratford. For a mere $25 you get vouchers for six never-to-be-forgotten chocolate experiences. Taste a luscious hot chocolate, fudge sundae like you’ve never tasted before, let a famous Rhéo Chocolates Mint Smoothie melt across your tongue or walk away with the greatest treasure, aged dark chocolate balsamic vinegar. The Chocolate Trail Pass is offered year round, and is valid for three days from date of purchase. For more details, visit visitstratford.ca/ stratford-chocolate-trail

ONTARIO BUTTER TART TOUR

If it’s true that we are what we eat, then it appears Ontarians must be awfully sweet and a little flaky. This Butter Tart Tour centres on the town of Peterborough and branches up to Kawartha Lakes and down to Lake Ontario from Port Hope to Brighton. This large, sweet region has been divided into four mini, viciously competitive, sub regions with bakers crafting butter as obsessively as brew masters have been crafting beer for generations. Taste your way through artfully crafted caramel infused tarts, others with nutty options, a few surprisingly exotic renditions and even more with dominant butter flavour. The map is free, drive at your leisure and bring a cooler. For more details, visit kawarthasnorthumberland.ca/experiences/ butter-tart-tour/you-had-me-at-butter

MUSKOKA MAPLE TRAIL

If you’re a lover of the natural sweet sap that flows from our maple trees, you’ll want to mark your calendars for this luxuriously, golden rich experience to be had only in the spring. The Muskoka Maple Trail is only open from mid-March to the end of April (check the website). Twelve of the sweetest destinations are offering unique experiences such as maple cocktails at The Mill on Main, Maple Beer Barbecue Sauce at Yummies in a Jar, Maple Sundae’s with crumbled maple tarts, pecan caramel corn and Skor bits (yum!) at Belly Ice Cream and maple tours at three maple syrup farms.

Also seasonal is the Spring Maple Belgian Blonde Ale at Lake of Bays Brewing. For more details, visit discovermuskoka.ca/muskoka-maple-trail.html

OXFORD CHEESE TRAIL

It’s called the Dairy Capital of Ontario, and for good reason. In Oxford County they produce over one billion glasses of milk a year and now they’re fine-tuning their cheese making skills! The Oxford Cheese Trail is a free map of 23 delicious stops featuring Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese, Bright Cheese and Butter Co., Mountainoak Cheese and Local Dairy

Products (Indian-style cheeses) cheese. The rest are restaurants and local food producers offering cheesy themed dishes and flavours that reflect the region. Don’t forget to visit Springbank Snow Countess, the cow in Woodstock that was famous for giving a record-breaking amount of milk in her lifetime. The Oxford Cheese Trail is open year round, for more details, visit tourismoxford.ca/ Cheese-Trail/articles/detail/articleid/5783

ONTARIO CRAFT BEER ROUTE

Design your own route on this comprehensive locator of over 60 Ontario’s craft breweries. Some of these brews you’ll discover for the first time, others have such limited quantities their product would never meet you unless you went out to meet them. The map allows you to be on top of seasonal beers you’d otherwise miss and spend a summer sipping suds. Dedicate a few weekends, plot your own course, overlay the breweries onto one of your favourite food trails. The map is produced by the Ontario Craft Brewers. For more details, visit ontariocraftbrewers. com/breweriesMap.php

BUTTER TART & BUGGIES TRAIL

The Butter Tart Trail of Central Ontario just merged with the former Mennonite Horse & Buggy Trail to create a unique experience in North Wellington Township, north of Guelph. The new Butter Tart & Buggies Trail is a combination of delicious, sweet butter tarts and Mennonite buggy culture. A strange combination for Ontario farm country, but it works brilliantly.

Download the map to 31 culinary and country experiences like butter tart sundaes and goat's milk butter tarts and in between take a buggy ride from a Mennonite farm. Check the Butter Tart & Buggies Trail website for Sunday closures and seasonal closings. For more details, visit buttertartsandbuggies.com

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Here are a few new trails not launched yet – keep in the know and keep your eye on them BBQ & Brew Trail, Peterborough Maple Trail, Orillia Maple Trail, Stratford Pumpkin Trail, Stratford

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s one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Toronto has evolved into a destination for diners in search of unfamiliar worldly cuisine. However, with such a huge canvas of diverse food options to be found at every turn, restaurants have begun to emerge that offer not only unique fare, but an unforgettable and innovative dining experience that offer diners just a little something more than solely great eats.

Treat your taste buds – along with your sense of adventure – to a night on the town; here are a few of the one-of-a-kind dining locations discovered throughout downtown Toronto that you simple cannot pass up.

558 YONGE STREET | signsrestaurant.ca A relatively new member in Toronto’s destination restaurants market is encouraging diners to order with their hands.

Among the first of its kind in North America, the contemporary upper casual dining restaurant and bar Signs asks customers to order their food and drinks using American Sign Language. By supplying cheat sheets on the table, a vibrant

menu with illustrated guides to ordering with ASL and an introduction to your deaf server by the hearing hostess, it is fairly easy for diners to interact with their servers and immerse themselves in the Signs experience.

Following years of work in the serving industry, founder Anjan Manikumar says he realized there was a need for both a restaurant to better accommodate deaf patrons as well as employment opportunities to benefit the deaf community. Formal studies in 2014/15 by the Canadian Association of the Deaf showed annual unemployment rates of over 40 per cent and increasing – with many of the employed deaf Canadians being self-employed or part-time workers.

“Deaf people have a hard time finding employment,” says Manikumar.

“Whether you are deaf or have a disability you should have the same job opportunities as everyone else. 27 of our 35 current employees are deaf; including our servers, our manager, a few of our kitchen staff and our dishwasher.”

But this one-of-a-kind experience does not overshadow the food; featuring a contemporary blend of Canadian and International food with a twist, Signs specializes in uncomplicated, fresh dishes; including favourites like their panko crusted ravioli with roasted red pepper sauce, sesame crusted Saku tuna and blackened Mahi Mahi with pineapple coconut sauce.

“We are more a restaurant than an experience,” said Manikumar. “This is what makes us different. Some restaurants hide their average food behind a great experience; we want people to come back because the food is so good. [At Signs] you are not fully emerged in a deaf experience; it is not quiet, there is music playing and conversation happening like at any restaurant, but when it comes time to order, you have to interact and try a new language while communicating with your server.”

Manikumar said Signs will continue to grow and is currently working on incorporating a brail menu to their restaurant’s repertoire. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 33

82 BATHURST STREET | chillicehouse.com A refreshing escape during Toronto’s stifling summer months and a cool getaway even when temperatures drop below freezing, CHILL Ice House is a frozen oasis where imagination has run wild.

As the lounge name dictates, CHILL Ice House owner Gresham Bayley did not simply chill the room to a brisk -5C; in this 1200 square foot ice lounge, nearly everything is frozen. Thousands of pounds of ice have been used not only to craft the walls, bar, furniture and many of the room’s other structural components, but as well the art work and an evolving collection of themed sculptures that rotate according to current Toronto events. And the beauty of the malleable environment? Anything and everything can be altered; almost guaranteeing that each time you visit, the room will be a little bit different.

The family-run lounge is an all-ages attraction by day and an ice lounge by night, serving cocktails in handcrafted ice glassware and spinning current music on the ice sculpture DJ table.

Sculpting is not new to the Bayley family; Gresham was raised by a long line of ice sculptors and founders of Iceculture Inc. – one of the world’s leading ice sculpture companies famous across the globe for creating crystal-clear sculptures and ice structures. Gresham is said to have become immersed in the family business at a young age; travelling the world to create permanent ice lounges in Dubai, Greece and across the United States as well as getting involved in a number of large scale projects globally.

Each guest is given a digital wristband upon entry that tracks purchases made within the lounge; eliminating the need to remove your gloves in order to handle money. For those who need a break from the cold, a warmed 1,500-square-foot addition to the lounge is tucked in the back.

Admission into CHILL is 15 dollars a head and includes the use of Canadian-made hats and gloves for those unprepared to literally chill out.

Local clientele are offered the option of purchasing a 50 dollar annual membership, which bypasses the single use admission fee and provides access to bottle service if you so choose. >>

456 WELLINGTON STREET | theaddisonsto.com We have all wished to have the ability to step into a luxe Great Gatsby parties. Exclusive, lavish house parties thrown by mysterious strangers whom no one can really find or figure out. Well the Addisons Residence is a modern day answer to our champagne riddled Gatsby fantasies. The best parties, the most talked about over brunch, but who are these Addisons? All everyone knows is that they throw the best parties.

Inspired by and designed to replicate an extravagant home in Beverly Hills, the chic modern lounge is divided into a kitchen area, living room and rec room for a unique club meets lavish house party experience. A much needed twist on the typical aggressively loud and crowded night club, the Addisons Residence offers a little bit of everything to each individual and caters to each desired style of evening on the town. The house features a full service bar boasting signature cocktails, a late night menu, a game room featuring air hockey, foosball and televisions and live music in an off to the side corner for those who wish to dance.

The lounge as well hosts a number of revolving themed nights throughout the week. Current themed nights include Musical Bingo Wednesdays, a twisted Afternoon Tea on Thursdays with happy hour inspired four dollar cocktails and board games and Thursday evenings filled with live music during Live at the Addisons. And if this was not enough, every Saturday the lounge offers free pizza, no cover and DJs spinning every genre of music. Special events are also hosted frequently within the Addisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rooms and have been known to cultivate celebrity guests and reality television stars.

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Stone City Ales after decades of only being able to buy beer from large corporate breweries, beer lovers have been thrilled to see artisanal breweries springing up all over Ontario, each with their own unique tastes. The industry is booming, with new craft breweries opening every year. And while we’ve certainly been witness to this trend in Niagara (with several fine craft breweries to call our own), here, we explore a little bit further afoot.

Explanations differ as to why craft beer is suddenly so popular. Some say it’s an evolution of the eat-local movement, others point to dissatisfaction with the product being made by increasingly large brewery conglomerates, still more say the whole interest is driven by the millenial age group who seem to appreciate the bohemian, anti-establishment nature of microbreweries.

Me? I just like the experience of sampling new flavours and the thrill of discovering new micro-breweries.

If you like beer, toast the micro-brewery trend by sampling these three unique spots.

Located in the heart of downtown Kingston, Stone City Ales is a small craft brewery that does beer right. Yes, the location has a tap room and restaurant, but Stone City Ales is first and foremost a brewery and so their attention is firmly set on making the best beers possible.

That means they don’t cut corners or filter their beer. It does mean they source the best ingredients from around the world and use local ones as often as possible without sacrificing quality. It also means every beer is made with passion and commitment to excellence. The laser-direct focus on quality pays off when the beer hits your mouth.

Stone City Ales is also a great story. The company began in December 2013, operating out of a small, trial site with a pilot system purchased from a brewery in Nova Scotia. The unique flavours of their beers struck a chord with people in Kingston, and success allowed them to move into their current permanent location a year later.

You’ll note a maritime theme in the names of the various beers brewed here: Windward Belgian Wheat, 12 Stars Session Ale and Uncharted IPA. By favourite, both in flavour and in name, is Ship’s in the Night Oatmeal Stout, a dark beer with hints of chocolate, caramel, toffee and roasted dark coffee, surprisingly smooth and easy to drink despite its rich ingredients. They encourage customers to return seasonally, as in addition to their regular selection a number of short-run brews are unveiled every year. The onsite bottle shop allows Stone City Ales to sell take-out beer to you right out of their front door, ensuring, as they like to say, that “you’re getting the freshest, most tasty beer possible.”

You’ll love the vibe and the flavours at Stone City Ales. It’s a great place to retreat to after building up a thirst exploring historic downtown Kingston. Grab a table, sip on a tasty beer, and reflect on all the many things—Stone City Ales among them—that makes Kingston so unique.

275 Princess Street, Kingston | 613.542.4222 | stonecityales.com >>

ONTARIO CRAFT BREWERS There are more than 60 micro-breweries in Ontario, each one dedicated to making great tasting beer right in our own backyard. These craft breweries are focused on carrying on a proud tradition of craftsmanship and providing beers bursting with taste. Many offer tours, have retail shops on-site, or have adjoining beer rooms—a great way to have an enjoyable afternoon while supporting local entrepreneurship.

For more information, go to ontariocraftbrewers.com TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 41

Boshkung Brewery

Griffin Pub

Boshkung Brewery is a small brewery with a big reputation.

Located at the intersections of Highways 18 and 35 in Haliburton along the shores of Mirror Lake, Boshkung has mastered the art of brewing. Using only the finest ingredients, sourced locally whenever possible to provide a true taste of cottage country, you can taste the passion in every savourful sip of frosty beer. While there are a number of seasonal offerings, Boshkung has four staple beers: North Country Kellerbier, your typical German style ale, Kungaroo, a refreshing IPA, and their most popular offering, 35 and 118 (named for the location), a smooth cream ale. My favorite is Black Rock: the blend of dried fruit, chocolate, coffee and caramel makes this dark a winner. Each flavour is unique and delightful.

But don’t just take my word for it.

“We won two medals at a recent Canada Brewery Awards. There were 195 breweries from across Canada and we won gold for our kellerbier and silver for our cream ale,” says a proud Terri-Matthews Carl, owner of the brewery with her husband, Christoph.

Drop in on the way to the cottage to buy some beer, or pull up a chair and sample the beers while gazing out onto Mirror Lake. Better yet, enjoy dinner at Rhubarb, the brewery’s adjacent sister-restaurant where Boshkung’s four staple beers are on tap.

Executive Chef and co-owner Christoph Carl is at the forefront of the movement to source food locally within Haliburton. Everything is made from scratch, nothing is frozen, and everything comes from regional farmers.

“We’re the only Feast Ontario restaurant in the County, a label which signifies that we use almost exclusively local produce and meat, and which carries with it a promise of quality,” explains MatthewsCarl. “Our greens, for example, are picked for us every morning at 5am. You can’t get any fresher than that, and you taste the difference in our food.”

The incorporation of local ingredients inspires Carl’s menu, which includes dynamic flavours to satisfy any taste bud.

Boshkung Brewery is a small and young brewery, but it’s on a roll.

Reflecting cottage country where it’s located, it’s unassuming and unpretentious but ever-so memorable.

If you want to experience the soul behind the recent craft beer movement, head to Griffin Gastropub in Bracebridge. You’ll catch on.

Occupying a nostalgic space within a vine-shrouded building, Griffin Gastropub is one of the town’s most charming spots, famed for live music—our waitress took a turn at the microphone, revealing a hauntingly soulful voice— and boasting unique craft beers on tap with names like 100th Meridian, Skinny Dippy Stout and OJ IPA. In Britain, they say that any reputable pub has a mystery or two. The Griffin has its share. A brick-lined, closet-sized room in the basement that today is used as a wine cellar may once have been used as a lock-up (the building was a lawyer’s office for more than half a century). On the main floor, the washrooms occupy what was once a safe where lawyers held documents and money.

Childhood friends Curt Dunlop and Jed Corbeil started the business in 2008, catering to people who enjoy craft beers, live music, and well-made food using the best local ingredients. “We wanted to create a place where people could come and hang out,” explains Corbeil.

Eight years on, Griffin Gastropub is now a thriving and vibrant part of Bracebridge’s cultural scene, and Corbeil and Dunlop have become the driving forces of Sessions Muskoka and Sessions Toronto, premier craft-beer events.

You won’t find any corporate brews here, and patrons wouldn’t have it any other way. The twelve draughts on tap are constantly rotating, featuring a broad selection from great craft breweries, as well as beer made in-house. Some of the beers Dunlop and Corbeil have unveiled in the past include Chocolate Blueberry Vanilla Milk Stout (I kid you not!), S’more Stout, Barrel Aged Session Saison, and Midland’s Best Buttertart Beer, which is sold at select LCBOs. In a very Bohemian way, it’s all about experimentation and playing with flavours and textures.

Live music is performed three nights a week, Thursday through Saturday, starting at 8pm.Talented musicians themselves, Corbeil and Dunlop perform every Thursday. Get there early; the pub is intimate inside, so if you want seating, it’s best to come at least half hour before hand.

Blending good food, great entertainment, and Ontario’s best craft beers into one memorable package, the Griffin is the perfect place to guzzle custom-made ale and while away a lazy summer evening.

9201 HWY 118 Minden Hills | 705.489.4554 | boshkungbrewing.com

9 Chancery Lane, Bracebridge | 705.646.0438 | craftbeerevents.ca

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In good

TASTE In Good Taste showcases a variety of Niagara’s most melt in your mouth, showstopping, foot stomping, lick your lips, delectable dishes. Whether these items are unique to a restaurant or a familiar food that is prepared in a way you’ve never tasted before, it’s evident that Niagara is home to a food culture that is growing every day, and while it can be hard to choose where to engage your taste buds first, we hope this guide gives you a good head start.

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Tonight celebrate artisan Flat Breads, Pork Belly Kebabs, Coconut Shrimp, Lobster Guacamole Dip, Ahi Tuna Poke Salad, and more with R5’s new menu. R5 draws inspiration from simple recipes using the freshest ingredients. Visit R5 Sunday – Thursday: 5pm – 1am and Friday – Saturday: 5pm – 2am.

Patio Now Open! Enjoy Niagara Falls like you’ve never seen it before – R5’s patio is open for the season! Experience the exclusively furnished patio complete with Malibu Fire Tables; the perfect place to relax in the midst of the best nightlife in Niagara Falls.

Ravine is among the few wineries in Niagara with a self-standing restaurant that bakes our own bread and grows our own certified organic vegetables. It is a paradise within a fabric of tastes, experiences, scenes and sounds across 34 acres of beautiful rolling vineyard.

Featured DISHES...

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Seeking a world-class dining experience?

Look no further than Benchmark Restaurant at Niagara College; an education of the senses. Our seasonal menu showcases fresh, local food, wine & beer created on-site by students from the programs at the Canadian Food and Wine Institute. Please reserve ahead: 905.641.2252 ext. 4619.

Inspired by tradition, Koutouki Greek Cuisine offers a truly tempting menu of an array of appetizers and entrees’. Based on traditional regional fare, dishes are carefully prepared daily, using the finest ingredients available.

Travel through time and rediscover the country foods of Greece. Koutouki , where tradition meets the 21st century. OPA! Reservations Recommended Call 905.354.6776.

Hosts, Tom & Anthony Roberto welcome you to Strada West, centrally located on Lundy’s Lane! Casual dining with menu selections freshly prepared in house, featuring fresh pasta, pizza, burgers, salads and daily specials. Great wine selection & 9 beers on tap! We have added exciting new menu items! On site parking, reservations are suggested, 905.371.2272.

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Featuring homemade farm to table Mediterranean delights. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily along with Chef ’s daily creations. All of the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus feature several items that will cater to everyone. There are several vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options available.

Casa Mia, owned and operated by the Mollica Family for the past 32 years, offers an outstanding dining experience, regardless of the occasion. Our diverse menu abounds with our chef ’s creations, each imbued with vibrant colour, life and flavour. For reservations and more info call us at: 905.356.5410.

Coco’s is a very popular restaurant destination for tourists and locals alike. Our wood-fired pizza oven makes great gourmet pizzas that are simply irresistible. Guests rave about our popular steaks cooked over a flaming openhearth grill. Come and experience what Coco’s is famous for in the Niagara Falls area.

CHINESE TAKE BOOKING TOURS + CHINA DOLL Chinatown BIA, ottawachinatown.ca C’est Bon Taste of Chinatown Tour, cestboncooking.ca Return train fare from Toronto to Ottawa, $88 each thanks to VIA’s Discount Tuesday’s.

SAMPLING OTTAWA’S SOMERSET STREET

-IN

BY LYNN OGRYZLO

My friend Jacqueline and I recently made our way to Ottawa for a few days of fun and we chose the train over driving or flying. We quickly realized it was the right choice as we sat back, enjoyed the scenery, sipped on wine and talked the entire four hours and 30 minutes in pure comfort. Travelling VIA Rail is “like riding through a hidden passage that no one else gets to see,” Jacqueline noted.

Chinatown was our weekend destination. Ottawa’s Chinatown is on Somerset Street in the west side of town. You know you’re there by the magnificent arc towering over the road. The city of Ottawa is twinned with Beijing, China and because of this special relationship, Beijing wanted this arc to be the best. They designed it and sent over 30 expert artisans to work on it. The nine roofs are covered with glazed tiles, five symbolic coins of five precious metals and five colour threads embedded into the structure. It took them six months. In the end, Beijing had created a Chinese arc in Ottawa unparalleled anywhere in Canada or the USA. Ottawa’s Chinatown is a small community with the Kowloon Market at the centre. It’s here you’ll find whole barbecued duck hanging behind glass and a giant fish section, some swimming in tanks, others packed on ice. I watched as a woman bravely stuck her hand into a lobster tank, plucked out a live lobster and placed it into her grocery cart. She pivoted her cart and walked off with the live lobster loose in her cart.

Like the lobster, hanging duck and fish are sold whole. The Chinese don’t cut their fish into fillets like Canadians do. In the Chinese culture you purchase, prepare and serve fish whole. It has to do with respect for the animal, integrity and maintaining its authenticity. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 47

FOOD IS LIKE FASHION, WE EAT WITH OUR E Y E S F I R S T. -CHINADOLL

It was in the Kowloon Market where I saw Jacqueline talking to China Doll, Ottawa’s most famous drag queen. Larger than life, China Doll was wearing a monstrous headdress the size of a giant beach ball. On it were large, pink sponge hair rollers covered in layers of red and white feather boas. Her lips were exaggerated in glitter, eyes so flamboyantly painted you could see them through the large sunglasses and red and gold lantern earrings with tassels that reached down to her chest.

The large, red, flowing overcoat trimmed in red feathers went all the way down to her red leather sandals and the final piece of beauty was a red leather tea pot purse; definitely Asian, definitely theatrical, definitely glamorous.

She picked up a beautiful dragon fruit, held it to her cheek and batted her eyes, “food is like fashion, we eat with our eyes first.” In colourful fashion, China Doll introduced us to sour mustard salted lettuce, preserved eggs, coconut gel, sweet orange squash and durian candy. Lunch and tour with China Doll was part of our planned weekend itinerary, booked through the Chinatown BIA. We walked across the street to Oriental Chu Shing Restaurant and China Doll began to order lunch for us. Delicious sautéed garlic green beans, spinach with preserved duck eggs and pork and shrimp dim sum.

We sipped on Chrysanthemum tea, listened to China Doll and watched as the dim sum cart made its rounds among the diners.

China Doll poured tea for the guest on her right, continued around the table and poured herself last. Some people said thank you, some nodded politely and others tapped their fingertips on the table as an appreciative gesture. The teapot was empty so she put it in the centre of the table with the lid up as a signal for more.

We raved about the dim sum and China Doll tells us the best dim sum on Somerset is at Yen Fung Ding. They’re hand made by a Dim Sum Master trained in Shanghai, China. The little postage stamp sized store front with seating for eight is where you can buy fresh and frozen dim sum in over a dozen flavours including vegetarian or you can sit and eat sticky rice in sweet (red bean) or salty (pork) flavours.

It’s fascinating to be totally immersed into a culture so foreign you hesitate to do anything for fear you may do it wrong.

We talked about when to bow and when to shake hands. We talked about the difference between North American’s obsession with long harvest tables and the Chinese traditional round tables. We talked about chopsticks, the meaning of colours, how to read symbols and the messages in folklore.

China Doll was a wealth of information and she was also right, eating at round tables is more inclusive, makes sharing food easier, friendlier and creates a natural conviviality among diners. Our food was spun around on a Lazy Susan (yes, the Chinese use that word) because we were sharing.

The Chinese find eating different foods more interesting than eating an entire meal of the same food.

Just then a cake appeared on the table. Scrolled on top in red jelly was a happy day message to Jacqueline and I. Oh no!

I’ve sworn off sugar and have done so well for the past six months but I knew, no matter the culture, it would be a huge insult to refuse a piece of cake given in your honour. So there I am slicing and serving up a beautiful three layer cake enrobed in white icing drizzled in dark chocolate and decorated heavily with fresh fruit. It was beautiful.

With everyone served, I picked up my fork and looked down at my plate. There was a time I would have happily devoured such a sexy slice of cake but today, I looked at it with fear. So I took a deep breath and dug in my fork. Imagine my surprise when the thick whipped cream (masquerading as sweet buttercream icing) squished on my tongue with moist unsweetened cake. There was no recognizable sugar, yet bits of sweetness came from the small pieces of fresh fruit in between the layers. The cake was delicious, light and the perfect end to the perfect lunch with China Doll.

After lunch Jacqueline and I pulled out our Art Walk map and set out over the concrete Zodiac tiles in search of the 28 beautiful wall murals painted throughout the one-kilometre strip that is Chinatown. In between the murals we ducked into shops and food stores. We counted seven restaurants with the same name, Pho Bo Ga. A shopkeeper told us it means, “noodles, beef and chicken”. We laughed, unlike the Canadian way of romantic marketing and intriguing names, the Chinese culture is excruciatingly direct. To distinguish them from each other, there is a suffix that ranges from LA and King, to 1 and 2. The food is primarily all the same but it’s the people who make the food that gives it personality.

We ducked into a Chinese herbalist to find chrysanthemum tea. Chrysanthemum or “ju hua,” is similar to chamomile. It’s used to treat high blood pressure, reduce inflammation and calm nerves. We’re told to add goji berries, the powerful superfood used for strength and longevity and throw in a date or two to sweeten it. Dates in tea?

With our heads swimming in Chinese rituals and our purses bulging with chrysanthemum tea, goji berries and dates we began to walk back to Parliament Hill to explore the Canadian side of Ottawa. What a great Asian escape, right in our nations capital.

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TIMETRAVEL “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharal Nehru

These vintage-style travel posters designed by the Anderson Design Group (based in Nashville, Tennessee), embody that sense of adventure that is so alive and well in our travel-loving brethren. These posters can be ordered and purchased from andersondesigngroupstore.com

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Heralded as one of Canada’s best preserved 19th century villages, Merrickville sets the stage for those who wish to experience what

it may have been like to live in the Victorian era.

By Andrew Hind

With more designated heritage buildings than any other Ontario community of its size, Merrickville is a Victorian oasis idyllically situated along the historic Rideau Canal. It’s a community that celebrates its history and embraces the slower pace of life which that history represents. You can’t help yourself; soon after arriving, you find yourself lulled into a sedate, more tranquil state-of-mind. That’s part of Merrickville’s undeniable charm. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 53

Merrickville is among the oldest, most historic communities in Ontario.

In 1791, United Empire Loyalist William Merrick, a resident of New York who sided with the Crown during the American Revolution and was consequently cast out when Britain lost the war, was granted 200 acres of land in Eastern Ontario. Thanks to the resourcefulness of Merrick and other founding fathers, and to the economic benefit of water-powered mills built along the river, Merrickville was soon a thriving village.

Further growth came when the Rideau Canal was completed in 1832.

The canal, linking Ottawa and Kingston, was envisioned for purely strategic reasons at a time when tensions between Britain and the United States were still high. The St. Lawrence River had proven vulnerable to interdiction during the War of 1812, leaving Kingston isolated at times. The 202 km Rideau Canal, however, built inland and well away from the US border, would be secure from such interference. As events turned out, the canal was never needed in wartime and its greatest boon was in moving commercial goods. Communities along its route, such as Merrickville, boomed economically.

At one time Merrickville boasted over 50 water-powered industries, including a gristmill, sawmill, tannery, cheese factory, creamery, blacksmith and ironworks shops, and textile and woolen mills. Today only Alloy Foundry, the oldest operating foundry in Canada, remains. Dating back to 1840, the stone building is situated on the banks of the Rideau River and now incorporates a foundry shop, Village Metalsmiths.

Adjacent to it, preserved in a park-like setting, one finds the haunting ruins of the other past industrial works. A Parks Canada industrial exhibit details the actual location of these one-time businesses, each of which were important in their own way to Merrickville’s prosperity in the 19th century.

Homes built by the Merricks provide lodging for 21st century village families. Over 100 heritage and historic properties still line the village streets. Meticulously preserved these buildings not only reflect the era in which they were built, but the character of the people who built, worked and lived in them and those who lovingly restored them. The Merrickville Historical Society’s website (merrickvillehistory.org) contains an engaging overview of the village’s history as well as a walking tour that points out over a dozen heritage sites of interest.

Guests can find comfortable accommodations in a number of these historic homes. For a charming blend of heritage and elegance, stay at Baldachin Inn, a circa 1860 heritage designated building located at the very centre of Merrickville and overlooking the historic Rideau Canal.

The Baldachin Inn’s restaurant offers traditional European-style cuisine in a setting that is one of Ontario’s few heritage interiors, most notably due to its original 19th century stained glass.

The Rideau Canal, a monument of early 19th-century engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a site in its own right. The locks of

the Rideau Canal are fascinating to watch and operate today just like they did over 175 years ago. Strolling along its banks, you almost feel propelled back to the Old World of yesteryear.

Iconic to Merrickville, and a must-see attraction, is its historic blockhouse. A National Historic Site of Canada, this miniature fortress was built in 1832 by Lt. Col. John By for the protection of the Rideau Canal in the case of war with America. It was the largest in a chain of four such blockhouses, and the only one remaining today. Its strength is evident event today: the first floor has four-foot thick stone walls, the second floor and roof are made of sturdy beams using the rare postand-beam method portholes, and the roof is clad in non-combustible tin, and gun ports from which cannons and muskets would rain fire down upon attackers line the walls. Never called upon in war, it nonetheless reassured settlers of protection in the event of an enemy attack and became, in time, a village landmark.

The Merrickville Blockhouse was restored by Parks Canada in the 1960s and today houses an impressive collection of artifacts tracing the history of the community so that it once again plays a central part in Merrickville’s identity.

In addition to its historic charm, Merrickville is renowned for its boutiques. Its charming, Victorian streetscape is lined with shops filled with one-of-a-kind items made by local artists and artisans—their unique talents are on display at studios where craftsmen demonstrate their trade as well as sell their wares—as well as antique shops, numerous restaurants and cafes, and quaint shops selling products from around the world. If you’re at all a foodie you won’t to miss Mrs. McGarrigle’s Fine Food Shop, known for its award-winning mustards and chutneys, as well as for its tastings, demos, and selection of kitchenware.

Merrickville is, for good reason, known as the Jewel of the Rideau. With an unbeatable blend of history and elegance, visiting this little village is truly an enriching experience.

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 55

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BY MEGAN PASCHE

Q+A WITH WILL FERGUSON Will Ferguson: you’ve likely heard the name, if not, well, he’s one of Canada’s best travel writers and novelists.

Often humourous, and always engaging, he has written more than a dozen books which include, Beyond Belfast, Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw and more recently, Road Trip Rwanda: A Journey Into the Heart of Africa.

In addition to travel memoirs, he also writes literary fiction (419, Hustle, Spanish Fly). He has won numerous awards in his career thus far, including three Leacock Medals for Humour and a Scotiabank Giller Prize. In addition to these accomplishments, he has traversed the globe and was the head writer for the Vancouver Olympics Closing Ceremony.

I was very excited to catch up with Will recently, to chat all about a subject that is near and dear to both of us: travelling. >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 57

A GOOD TRAVEL STORY IS A COLLISIONÂ BETWEEN PERSON AND PLACE. What would you say is your favourite place in Canada?

What about in Ontario?

Churchill, Manitoba stands out. Watching polar bears lope past under undulating Northern Lights was a highlight. That said, I've always had an affectionate spot for Cobalt, Ontario, a rugged, blue-collar town riddled with mining shafts and sinkholes. On a more personal level, camping at Sleeping Giant with my then four year old son is a nostalgic memory I still hold onto, especially the detour to Silver Islet, a miner's village re-imagined as a secluded, almost secret, summer getaway.

Where was the first place you ever travelled?

What did you love (or not love) about it?

Growing up in Northern Alberta, our "big trip" was always the five-hour trek down to Edmonton. For me, Edmonton was a distant southern city, almost balmy in comparison to Fort Vermilion, where I grew up. Of course, I realize now that the rest of the world does not see it that way.

How has your travel style changed over the years?

Do your reasons for travelling change as you get older?

I'm less patient. I used to fling a backpack over my shoulders and hitchhike to the nearest youth hostel. Now, I want my own bath and a decent bed. The thought of sleeping on bunk beds among farting strangers has long since lost its romantic allure. The reasons for travelling stay the same, though: to find out more about the world, about yourself.

What has been your most memorable travel experience?

Negatively: getting robbed at knife-point in Amsterdam. Positively: hitchhiking across Japan and being invited into peoples homes, including that of a Buddhist priest on Shodo Island.

Is there anything you hate about travelling?

The wait at the airport to board the plane. That seems to get longer and more annoying every time.

What are some of the challenges of travelling and writing at the same time?

Travelling on assignment forces you to get out and engage with people. Travelling purely for pleasure (to Mexico, say) is more relaxing, but less focused I find.

Who are some of your favourite travel writers or books?

Bill Bryson, Jan Morris, Paul Theroux: three very different writers, with three very different temperaments, three very different styles, but all exceptional in their originality.

In your opinion, what makes a travel story great?

A distinct and honest voice. Travel is not about "place," (that's reporting) it's about a person in a place. A good travel story is a collision between person and place.

What do you do in your downtime?

Downtime? Who has downtime?

How do you decide which area of the world you are going to write about next? For example, what made you decide on Rwanda?

Rwanda grew out of a long friendship I had with a man who escaped just months before the 1994 genocide. That project percolated for years. Generally, I am attracted to wounded places (Northern Ireland, for example) or ones with a quirky sense of character (Moose Jaw, for example).

What are you currently working on?

A novel. On my book length projects, I try to alternate between fiction and travel. I think they use different parts of the brain, so it's good to let your "nonfiction" brain lie fallow while you tackle imaginary places and imaginary people instead (and vice versa.)

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Few things are as effective at cultivating wanderlust than a really well written travel story. One you finish and just think, “I wish that were me.” And while the criteria of what makes a good book can vary widely from person to person depending on how you connect with it as an individual, I hope my favourite travel books will help transport you on a trip around the world.

A WALK IN THE WOODS

BY BILL BRYSON

ROUND IRELAND WITH A FRIDGE

BY TONY HAWKS

This book introduced me to Bill Bryson, and while it’s hard to just pick one of his books as my favourite, this one stands out based on the sheer number of times that I’ve reread it.

He’s funny, he picks interesting places to visit, and his books are poignant without being sappy.

This book covers Bryson’s quest to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, a goal which he undertakes with his old friend, Katz. The book transports you to an entirely different world, one most people don’t even think of as existing: the world of thru-hiking. It will simultaneous make you want to hike, and not want to hike. The pair of hikers meet many characters along the way, and learn a lot about what it means to connect with the world around them.

This fun read is the result of a drunken bet Hawks made with a friend-that he couldn’t make it around Ireland in 30 days with a fridge in tow. He definitely made it, and it makes for quite a story. It’s the kind of thing that seems like it could only happen in Ireland, and captures the spirit of the country in a really beautiful way. If you’ve ever been to Ireland, you’ll find yourself saying, “yup, seems about right”. If you haven’t been, well, it will make you want to.

THE LOST GIRLS: THREE FRIENDS. FOUR CONTINENTS. ONE UNCONVENTIONAL DETOUR AROUND THE WORLD

BY JENNIFER BAGGETT, HOLLY CORBETT AND AMANDA PRESSNER Once I finished this book I wanted to jump on a plane and head somewhere-anywhere-I just wanted to go. It’s all about feeling the pressure that mounts when you are supposed to be hitting certain milestones…and what happens when you say, “hey, is this what I want or what I’m supposed to want?”

The girls quit their jobs, leave everything behind, and go on a trip around the world. The authors take turns writing chapters, which is a great way to get to know each girl individually. At some points in the journey they go their separate ways, but they always come back together. They visit 14 countries in a year, and upon their return, have launched a little bit of a “lost girls” empire.

Other great travel books you should be sure to check out include: The Beach by Alex Garland, Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw by Will Ferguson, What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding by Kristin Newman, Neither Here Nor There: Travels in Europe by Bill Bryson, Smile While You’re Lying: Confessions of a Rogue Travel Writer by Chuck Thompson, Wild by Cheryl Strayed.

Do you have a travel book recommendation? Let us know on Facebook!

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Visitors to Niagaraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s South Coast can expect a getaway that is relaxing, fun and takes full advantage of everything this area has to offer.

#tourismportcolborne TASTE THE LOCAL CUISINE:

There’s no better way to discover a place than by tasting it. Experience the unique restaurants and cafes where the locals like to eat.

Serving regional and global favourites, Port Colborne’s restaurants offer the perfect recipes for a foodies’ paradise. No matter what type of cuisine you may be craving, you’ll find plenty of flavours to savour in Port Colborne.

SHOPPING:

Unique shopping experiences abound in Port Colborne. Visit our two historic commercial districts along the Welland Canal for a diverse selection of antiques and collectables stores, galleries, gift shops, and fashion boutiques. The city mall is home to brand name retailers and Port Colborne’s Farmers’ Market is the place to find quality Niagara tender fruits and vegetables.

Friendly merchants, great selection, and fair prices… that’s shopping in Port Colborne!

ULTIMATE FISHING DESTINATION:

Niagara’s South Coast is home to worldclass Trout, Walleye and Bass fishing. In a recent competition hosted by the World Fishing Network (WFN), Port Colborne was chosen as Canada’s Ultimate Fishing Town.

CYCLE & HIKE TRAILS:

Discover the outdoors on Niagara’s South Coast by pedal or foot by exploring the numerous cycling and hiking trails. The City of Port Colborne offers easy access to fantastic paved multi-based trails surrounded by beautiful scenery. Great for cycling, walking and rollerblading.

IMMERSE YOURSELF:

Discover and explore a world of creativity on Niagara’s South Coast. Niagara’s South Coast Arts & Culture Route is a self-directed, yearround guide to the studios and galleries of some of the most creative people in Canada.

The route leads you through the communities of Wainfleet, Port Colborne, Ridgeway and Crystal Beach, introducing you to painters, potters, sculptors, glass artists, and fine artisans. Route brochure and map are available at portcolborne.ca

CELEBRATE WITH US: Celebrate our heritage, pride and passion with one of many year-round festivals on Niagara’s South Coast. Gather your friends and family to take in a food-lover’s paradise, a sail on a tall ship, a classic car show or step back in time at our local marine heritage museum.

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SOMETHING to W R I T E HOME ABOUT ONTARIO’S most UNIQUE ACCOMMODATIONS

BY MEGAN PASCHE

The most memorable place I ever stayed in while on vacation was a converted farmhouse in Northern Ireland. As we pulled up the long winding driveway, we all had a couple moments of celebration, because we couldn’t believe our luck. Beautiful ocean view, just down the street from the Giant’s Causeway; it is a place that remains burned in my brain forever, in the best possible way.

While traditional hotels have their perks and comforts for sure, it’s fun every now and then to stay somewhere completely out of the ordinary. It’s true what they say: location really is everything.

What follows, is a roundup of some of the most unique accommodations we could find in Ontario.

GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING Manitoulin Island is home to several indigenous groups including the Ojibwe, Odawa and Pottawatomi people. And with Spirit Island Adventures, you can take part in some authentic native experiences including spending the night in a teepee. You can combine this with other activities such as horseback riding, hiking and tea making. More information at spiritislandadventures.com

LIVE IT UP, SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON STYLE Something about living/staying in a tree house that evokes a childlike excitement. There is one such tree house in Perth, Ontario that will make all your childhood fantasies come true. It took three years to build and is made almost exclusively out of recycled materials. You can even order a pizza up to the tree fort! Perth is located about 100km away from Ottawa. Visit sheridanrapids.webs.com for more information.

TAKE ME TO CHURCH This cool historic monastery is located in Muskoka, and currently operating as a luxury B&B (aptly named Monastery B&B). It is located right on the river and was used by an order of Anglican brothers, the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, from 1928 to 1983. There are several rooms available for rent, all of which are housed in a building with a working bell tower. The property is a short, ten-minute walk from downtown Bracebridge. More info is available at bbmuskoka.com/themonastery >>

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MAKING WAVES AT THE BOATEL This is one of the coolest accommodations you’ll find in Toronto. It’s a bed and breakfast on a boat! This 65-foot private yacht is parked right in the picturesque Toronto harbour. The boat stays docked during your stay, but cruises are available (in other boats) if you want to cruise the water. The boat has three guestrooms and breakfast is served each day in the sunroom. There are three decks to lounge on after a day of sightseeing, and if you have a large enough party, the entire boat can be booked. The boatel only operates during the summer months. More information at boatel.ca

LET THERE BE LIGHT…HOUSE This 1907 era lighthouse is located in Northern Ontario in the town of Bruce Mines.

It is perched on the shores of Lake Huron, and the view from the Widow’s Walk is amazing. The lighthouse (and surrounding cottages) are located on a private island, about 45 minutes away from Sault Ste. Marie. This getaway is good if you are looking for a “get away from it all” type vacation. There is also hiking, kayaking, biking and bonfires. More info at brucebaycottages.com

POD PEOPLE If camping isn’t quite your style, but you still enjoy being surrounding by nature, why not jump on the glamping trend train? In Long Point, Ontario (located in Norfolk County), there are pods that provide comfort, ambiance and a view. Several different size pods are available, each with their own private deck. Long Point Adventures is a cool place to stay also because in addition to glamping pods, there is treetop adventure tours, an observatory, kayaking, fishing, biking and boat tours. Check out Lpfun. ca for more info.

FARM LIVING IS THE LIFE FOR ME For those of us who grew up in a city, the day-to-day lives of those living on rural farms can be a bit of an intriguing mystery. Luckily, there is a chance to live the farming life right here in Ontario. Dwyers Farmhouse is located in the Ottawa Valley, and

they offer the opportunity for a real farm stay. The farmhouse is rented to one family at a time and can accommodate several people. There are hens, horses, cows and you have the chance to take part in it all. Check out dwyersfarmhouse.blogspot.ca to see how you can take part.

A NIGHT IN THE BIG HOUSE If you like being creeped out (or are just a huge history buff ), this is the place for you! This hostel has actually been ranked

by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s spookiest buildings. The place in question used to be home to the Carleton County Jail, which served as a maximum security prison from 1862 to 1972.

It became a hostel shortly after closing. Guests sleep in former cells, and when wandering the grounds, might come across the old gallows, hidden stairwells, secret tunnels and maybe even death row (but there is also a cool games room and free wifi). The hostel is located within walking distance of some of Ottawa’s most popular tourist attractions. More info is available at hihostels.ca/Ontario/1166/HI-Ottawa-Jail.hostel Have you stayed some place really unique in Ontario that we failed to mention? Let us know at info@revpublishing.com!

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Eventful CANADIAN OPEN OLD TIME FIDDLE CHAMPIONSHIPS AUGUST 3 TO 7 SHELBURNE, ONTARIO

Championships fiddlers competing for fabulous prizes plus a giant parade, fiddle and stepdance show, lots of entertainment, food, camping and much more. Shelburnefiddlecontest.com

COLDWATER STEAMPUNK FESTIVAL AUGUST 5 TO 6 COLDWATER, ONTARIO

The theme of this year’s festival is Circus Sideshow. Step back in time 100 years as the entire village of Coldwater turns into a costumed marvel. Pickpocket magic, strong man competitions and more.

Steampunkfestivalcoldwater.webs.com

TD DOWNTOWN OAKVILLE JAZZ FESTIVAL AUGUST 5 TO 6 OAKVILLE, ONTARIO

Come celebrate 24 years of jazz in downtown Oakville. This free public event located in the heart of Oakville attracts all music lovers with a wide array of eclectic performances. Oakvilledowntown.com

42ND ANNUAL ALLISTON POTATO FESTIVAL AUGUST 5 TO 7 ALLISTON, ONTARIO

ONTARIO’S FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

This event has everything for the young and the young at heart! A tribute to Ontario grown potatoes with parades, craft and food vendors, streets performers, musicians and more. Allistonpotatofestival.com

PUPPETSUP! INTERNATIONAL PUPPET FESTIVAL AUGUST 5 TO 7 ALMONTE, ONTARIO

Join in the fun at Canada’s largest puppet festival! This fun, family weekend brings out the child in everyone. Over 60 puppet shows as well as parades, vendors, street entertainment and more. Puppetsup.ca

Ontario is home to some of the most unique and fun festivals in this country (over 3000 annually), and there is most definitely a festival to suit every interest.

These festivals are the perfect reason to get out, explore and discover new places!

SHEEP DOG TRIALS FESTIVAL AUGUST 5 TO 7 KINGSTON, ONTARIO

This festival is a three day family and pet friendly event filled with exciting entertainment. This is the largest sheep dog trial in Canada.

Kingstonsheepdogtrials.com

JERKFEST AUGUST 6 TO 7 ETOBICOKE, ONTARIO

This festival celebrates the mysterious flavours and captivating aromas of unforgettable jerk food chicken, pork, beef, lamb, seafood and vegetables.

There is also live entertainment, kids activities and prizes. Jerkfestival.ca

FESTIVAL DE LA CURD AUGUST 10 TO 14 ST.ALBERT, ONTARIO

The Cheese Curd Festival is one of the biggest rural festivals in the region.

Shows under the big top, agricultural activities, farmer’s market, giant maze, wine and cheese, family area and much more. Festivaldelacurd.ca

FERGUS SCOTTISH FESTIVAL AND HIGHLAND GAMES AUGUST 12 TO 14 FERGUS, ONTARIO

Travel to Scotland without the flight time! Over 30,000 visitors celebrate Scottish culture, heavy events, dancing and of course, bagpipes.

Fergusscottishfestival.com

COWAPOLOOZA AUGUST 12 TO 14 WOODSTOCK, ONTARIO

This year will feature two free concerts, soap box derby, a strongman/women competition, skateboard/BMX competition, milking contest, food, buskers, clowns, displays and of course a whole lot of cows! City.woodstock.on.ca

HOG’S RALLY AUGUST 13 HEARST, ONTARIO

This is the festival for all the Harley Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts! There is a poker rally, motorcycle show, music, dancing, draws and prizes. Hearst.ca

ANNUAL PERTH GARLIC FESTIVAL AUGUST 13 TO 14 PERTH, ONTARIO

This event features 70 plus garlic vendors! You can also try garlic fudge, dips, and more garlic infused foods. If you love garlic, you should be here. Perthgarlicfestival.com

THE FOREST FESTIVAL AUGUST 17 TO 21 HALIBURTON, ONTARIO

Five days and eight fantastic performances, talented Canadian artists performing in a spectacular wilderness setting: connecting music and nature in the heart of the forest.

Theforestfestival.com

MAUD OF LEASKDALE AUGUST 18 TO 28 UXBRIDGE, ONTARIO

Experience the life of Lucy Maud Montgomery as a devoted mother, a world famous author and the loyal wife of a Presbyterian minister, brought to life through Montgomery’s own powerful words. Lucymaudmontgomery.ca

COTTAGE COUNTRY COMEDY FESTIVAL AUGUST 19 TO 21 BRACEBRIDGE, ONTARIO

Be a part of one of the hottest comedy festivals in Canada at Muskoka’s new tradition of laughter, showcasing the best comedic talent from across North America. Cottagecomedy.com >>

TODAYMAGAZINE.CA 77

GODERICH SALT FESTIVAL AUGUST 19 TO 21 GODERICH, ONTARIO

Take in the sights, sounds, tastes of this festival, as Goderich celebrates the 150th anniversary of the discovery of salt. Goderich.ca

TECUMSEH CORN FESTIVAL AUGUST 25 TO 28 TECUMSEH, ONTARIO

This annual festival is full of family fun, and it celebrates corn, so it doesn’t get much better than that! There is family entertainment, singing competitions and most importantly, delicious corn to eat.

Tecumsehcornfestival.ca

LIMESTONE CITY BLUES FESTIVAL AUGUST 25 TO 28 KINGSTON, ONTARIO

If you love the blues, make sure you check this festival out! It’s four days straight of nothing but the blues! Takes place at several venues in downtown Kingston. Downtownkingston.ca

GREAT CANADIAN KAYAK CHALLENGE AND FESTIVAL AUGUST 26 TO 28 TIMMINS, ONTARIO

This festival features three days of kayak racing, seminars, clinics, live entertainment and more. Tons of fun family activities as well!

Thegreatcanadiankayakchallenge.ca

STRAFFORDVILLE WATERMELON FEST AUGUST 27 STRAFFORDVILLE, ONTARIO

Pancake breakfast, parade, seed spitting contest, silent auction, food, entertainment, and family movie. Bayham.on.ca

BACON, BEER AND CIDER FESTIVAL AUGUST 27 BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO

It doesn’t get much better then this combo of items! Local chefs, breweries and cider producers will be at the festival for visitors to sample their creations. Proceeds from the festival go to the Bowmanville Hospital Foundation. Archibaldwinery.com

WEAVING WORDS AUGUST 27 AND 28 SHARON, ONTARIO

This is a celebration of stories and the many ways we tell them, through written and spoken word, through music, film and dance. Storytellers, writers, musicians, filmmakers and more! Sharontemple.ca

SOUNDBITES SEPTEMBER 3 MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO

This is a combo of music and food! There is a massive food truck rally, along with unforgettable musical entertainment.

Mississaugacelebrationssquare.ca

SUPERCRAWL SEPTEMBER 9 TO 11 HAMILTON, ONTARIO

This is a free, three-day arts and music festival. Road closures along James Street North allow for music stages, art installations, family area, street vendors and food trucks. Supercrawl.ca

CANADA’S ONLY GUITAR TRAIL SEPTEMBER 10 BLUE MOUNTAINS, ONTARIO

A mountain of music will carry you along this one-of-a-kind Guitar Trail. Follow the acoustic vibes and discover over 20 artists throughout the village, up and down the mountain hiking trails.

Bluemountainvillage.ca

PLANTAGENET BEAN FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 16 TO 18 PLANTAGENET, ONTARIO

This festival is presented to you by La Binerie Plantaget. Come savour fresh, local beans! There are activities for the whole family. Live music, shows, tastings, competition and more. Labinerieplantagenet.ca >>

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frontierniagara.com 6519 Stanley Ave, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 7L2 +1 289 296 6367 frontierniagara | frontier_niagara

MEAFORD SCARECROW INVASION AND FAMILY FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 16 TO OCTOBER 16 MEAFORD, ONTARIO

Scarecrows invade the city for a month, and on September 30th, there is a big parade and family festival!

KITCHENER-WATERLOO OKTOBERFEST OCTOBER 7 TO 15 KITCHENER, ONTARIO

Canada’s greatest Bavarian festival offers something for everyone with 18 exciting festhallen and over 40 family and cultural events.

Canada’s largest Thanksgiving parade also happens on October 10th.

Oktoberfest.ca

THE WORD ON THE STREET SEPTEMBER 25 TORONTO, ONTARIO

Celebrate reading and writing at Canada’s largest book and magazine festival. Featuring 260+ exhibitors and 200+ Canadian authors. This festival is a book and magazine lovers paradise. Thewordonthestreet.ca/toronto

BALA CRANBERRY FESTIVAL OCTOBER 14 TO 16 BALA, ONTARIO

Celebrate the harvest of the cranberry with family and friends, entertainment, bazaar, juried arts and crafts, tours of cranberry marshes and more! Balacranberryfestival.on.ca

WHISKY OTTAWA FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 28 TO OCTOBER 1 OTTAWA, ONTARIO

This week long whisky experience has master classes and whisky dinners all leading to the grand tasting hall at the Canadian War Museum on October 1st. Whiskeyottawa.ca

WOODSTOCK WOOD WORKING SHOW & CANADIAN WOOD WORKING CHAMPIONSHIPS SEPTEMBER 30 TO OCTOBER 3 WOODSTOCK, ONTARIO

This is a show that you don’t want to miss! Featuring wood working tools, machinery, wood, handmade furniture, seminars. Wood working competition is open to everyone and it includes woodcarving, wood turning, marquetry and furniture making. Woodshows.com/woodstock

HOLLAND MARSH SOUPFEST OCTOBER 1 ANSNORVELDT, ONTARIO

Soup is possibly the best part of the weather getting cooler, and here’s a festival where you can enjoy a ton of it! Savour delicious soups from local restaurants, caterers and culinary schools with ingredients grown locally in the Holland Marsh. Hollandmarshsoupfest.ca

PUMPKIN INFERNO AT UPPER CANADA VILLAGE OCTOBER 1 TO 30 MORRISBURG, ONTARIO

Take an evening walk through a hauntingly beautiful outdoor exhibit of thousands of hand carved pumpkins. This multi award-winning installation of artist-inspired pumpkins is not to be missed! Uppercanadavillage.com

20TH ANNUAL CHRISTKINDL MARKET DECEMBER 1 TO 4 KITCHENER, ONTARIO

Savour the tastes, smells, sights and sounds of a traditional German Christmas market right in downtown Kitchener. Bands, choirs, dance groups, 100+ food and gift vendors, outdoor huts, Gluhwein, huge Christmas tree, ice skating and much more. Christkindl.ca These are just a smidgeon of the event and festivals that happen throughout Ontario during the year. For a full listing and descriptions of each event, visit festivalsandeventsontario.ca

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TODAY’S PEOPLE

Howard and Jolanta Kudlats ( Lyons House B&B NOTL)

Rock with Gem Home Staging & Designs This intimate backyard BBQ and outdoor concert, featured the music of HARVEST. It celebrated the launch of GEM Home Staging, as well as raised money for Cystic Fibrosis.

Sharlene Price & Joy Malon (Bella Grace Boutique)

Tom Henderson & Gary Donovan Lily Kszan (GM of Queen’s Landing Hotel) & Michael Ewart (GM of Parlour Inn)

The White Effect On June 12th, NOTL’s annual White Effect dinner took place in Queenston Heights Park. It featured catered picnics, matching VQA wines, live music and a whole lot of white. Photos: Sandra Ozkur

St.Catharines CouncillorJoe Kushner, Lynn MacMillan, Colleen Donovan

Professor Rena Posteraro (Niagara College) & Janice Dewberry

Jan & Ted McConnell

Coby Hawkins, Barbara Worthy & Case Bassie

A milestone with a cause.

Dan Pasco, Mayor Jim Diodati and Carm

en Manechella

Bill and Debbie Steele

Dan Pasco CEO of Rev Publishing recently celebrated turning fifty with a party at Copa Cabana in Niagara Falls raising over $8,000 for Giancarlo Sacco, 5, of Niagara Falls who is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.

Niagara-on-the-lake Mayor Pat Darte jazz festival coordinators/musicians–Juliette Dunn & Peter Shea

TD Niagara Jazz Festival-Media Launch On June 1st, the media launch for the 2016 TD Niagara Jazz Festival took place at Megalomaniac Winery in Vineland.

There were performances by Manteca, Alex Pangman, Dave Restivo and Liberty Silver. Photos: Sandra Ozkur

Charlie Burland, President ofDan Niagara Pasco and Charile Burland, Clifton Group and Dan Pasco President of Niagara Clifton Group,

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